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Ay SERIES, CONTINUATION OF THE { NEw SERIEs,
Vou. XXXII. f Buiwerin or tHE Nurratt ORNITHOLOGICAL CLuB | VoL. XXV.
‘The Auk e
H Quarterly Journal of Ornithology
EDITOR
J. A. ALLEN
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
FRANK M. CHAPMAN
VOLUME XXV
PUBLISHED BY
The American Ornithologists’ Union
CAMBRIDGE, MASS. -»
1908
Entered as second-class mail matter in the Post Office at Boston, Mass.
i eg Bh AS
j .
TEU TAN OLY AN)
Haut JANUIY AN)
CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXV.
NUMBER I.
A Lone-DRAWN-OUT MiGcRATION: ITs CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES.
By Rev. G. Hifrig . E : : ; , : i
Notes ON THE SPRING MicrR ATION (1907) ar ANN ArBor, MICHIGAN.
By Norman A. Wood , ;
Nesting Hasits or Birps at STAMFORD, Connecricur, AS AF-
FECTED BY THE CoLp SPRING. By Louis N. Porter
Tur BREEDING SEASON OF THE AMERICAN Barn Own (Strix pratin-
cola) In SoutH Carouina. By Arthur T. Wayne
Summer Birps oF SOUTHWESTERN SASKATCHEWAN. By A. C.
Bent
RED-sPoTTED BLUETHROAT OF "ALASKA. ‘By S. Buturlin
Tue Generic Names Mycteria anp Tantalus or LINN&XUs, 1758.
By J. A. Allen
THE Brrps of CusTER AND Daw SON CountiEs, Montana. By E.
SS. Cameron
SuMMER BIRDS OF THE GREEN Mountain REGION OF ‘SoUTHERN
Vermont. By Francis H. Allen
ON THE Sratus OF BREwsTER’s WARBLER (Helminthophila Teuco-
bronchialis). By Charles W. Townsend, M. D.
Birp REcoRDS FROM GREAT SLAVE Recion. By Er nest Thompson
Seton :
TWENTY-FIFTH ST ATED Mrrtinc OF THE Americ ‘AN ORNITHOLOGISTS’
Union. By John H. Sage
GENERAL NOTES.
The Canvasback at Bridgewater, Mass., 80; Capture of a Tagged Can-
vasback Duck, 80; An American ’White-fronted Goose and Wil-
son’s Phalarope i in Essex County, Mass., 80; Rallus virginianus a
Delaware Valley Breeder, 81; The Florida Gallinule, Stilt and
Buff-breasted Sandpipers near Portland, Me., in 1907, 81; The
Ruff at Seabrook, N. H., 82; Capture of the White- winged Dove
in the State of Washington, 82; Capture of the American Goshawk
and Harris’s Sparrow near Chicago, Ill., 82; A Large Migration of
Hawks, 82; New Massachusetts Records for the Hawk and Great
Gray Owls, 84; Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus)
in Maryland, 84: Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni) on
Long Island, N. Y., 84; The Tree Swallow Nesting in the Dela-
ware Valley, 85; The Name of the California Least Vireo, 85;
Lawrence’s and Brewster’s Warblers and Mendelian Inher itance,
86; The Prairie Warbler near Chicago, 87; The Kentucky War-
bler i in Southern New Jersey, 87; Another Cafion Wren Record for
Colorado, 87; Bewick’s W ren (Thryomanes bewickii) on the
Coast of South Carolina, 87; A Parasitic Fly Injurious to our
Native Birds, 87.
ili
PAGE
1
10
16
iv Contents of Volume XXV.
RECENT LITERATURE.
Widmann’s ‘Birds of Missouri,’ 89; Jones on ‘The Development of
Nestling Feathers,’ 90; Beebe on Geographic Variation in Birds,
90; Braislin’s Birds of Long Island, New York, 93; Finley’s
‘American Birds,’ 93; Ihering’s Birds of Brazil, 94; Beal on Birds
as Conservators of the Forest, 95; Beal on California Birds in
their Relation to the Fruit Industry, 96; Howell on the Relation of
Birds to the Cotton Boll Weevil, 97; Riddle’s ‘A Study of Funda-
mental Bars in Feathers,’ 98; Hopkins on the Bony Semicireular
Canals of Birds, 98; A Twenty-five Year Index to ‘The Auk’ and
‘Nuttall Bulletin,’ 99; ‘Dan Beard’s Animal Book,’ 100; Annual
Report of the National Association of Audubon Societies for
1907, 101.
NOTES AND NEWS.
Obituary: Howard Saunders, 103; Rudolph Blasius, 104; Mrs. Isabel
Paddock Carter, 104; Mrs. Jacob L. Sweiger, 105. ‘Adoption by
the A. O. U. Council of Article 30 of the International Code of
Zodlogical Nomenclature, 105; Announcements of forthcoming
Ornithological Publications, 105; Twelfth Annual Meeting of the
Maine Ornithological Society, 106; Third Annual Meeting of the
National Association of Audubon Societies, 107; The Heath
Hen, 108.
NUMBER II. Phage ae
*
,
THE Econtoaican SuccEssion oF Birps. By Charles C. Adams
Tue Birp CoLonigs OF THE OLtyMPIADES. By William Leon Dawson
An UNPUBLISHED LETTER OF JOHN JAMES AUDUBON TO HIS FAMILY. |
By Ruthven Deane ;
Unpus.isHep Lerrers or INTRODUCTION CARRIED BY Joun JAMES
AUDUBON ON HIS Missourt River Expepition. By Ruthven
Deane
List or THE Birps or Lovist. ANA, Parr IV. By George E. Beyer,
Andrew Allison, and H. H. Ko pman E
Tue PassENGER PIGEON (et pises migratorius) iN CONFINEMENT.
By Ruthven Deane
Ranpom Notes on tHe Disrrinution or Some CoLorapo Birps,
WITH ADDITIONS TO THE STATE AvIFAUNA. By Horace G.
Smith
A Pretiminary List or THE Birps oF SHANNON AND CARTER CouN-
TES, Missouri. By EL. Seymour Woodruff : : ‘
GENERAL NOTES.
Occurrence of a Dovekie at Port Washington, Wis., 215; An Addi-
tion to the Birds of Iowa, 215; The Black Tern at Camden, N. J.,
and at Philadelphia, Pa. , 215; ’ Another Capture of a Tagged Duck,
216; The Cinnamon Teal (Querquedula cyanoptera) on the Coast
184
191
Contents of Volume XXV.
of South Carolina, 216; Barrow’s Golden-eye (Clangula islandica)
in Massachusetts, 217; The Whistling Swan (Olor colwmbianus) in
South Carolina, 217; Capture of the King Rail in Massachusetts,
218; Capture of the King Rail in Philadelphia County, Pa., 218;
Virginia Rail and Kentucky Warbler in New Jersey, 218; Rallus
virginianus Breeding in the Delaware Valley, 219; Nesting of the
Virginia Rail in Philadelphia County, Pa., 219; Nesting of the Coot
in Philadelphia County, Pa., 219; American Woodcock Breeding
at Saint Marys, Georgia, 220; The Lesser Yellowleg in Phila-
delphia County, Pa., 220; Breeding of the Acadian Owl in New-
ton County, Indiana, 221; Glawcidium vs. Noctua —a Correction,
221; European Starlings (Stwrnus vulgaris) in Pennsylvania and
New Jersey, 221; Another Clarke’s Crow taken in Missouri, 222;
Bobolinks Summering in Southern Pennsylvania, 222; The Sa-
yvanna Sparrow Breeding in Detroit and Hamtramck Village,
Michigan, 223; The Case of Hortulanus, 223; The Accidental Oc-
currence of the Green-tailed Towhee (Oreospiza chlorura) in Vir-
ginia, 224; Type Locality of Vireo pusillus, 224; Swainson’s
Warbler, 225; Late Occurrence of the Black-poll Warbler (Den-
droica striata) in the District of Columbia, 225; The Cafion Wren
in Colorado, 226; Red-spotted Bluethroat in Alaska, 226; A Black
Robin and its Albinistic Tendencies, 226; An Interesting Audu-
bon Specimen, 228; Three Erroneous Georgia Records, 229;
Notes on Three Michigan Birds, 230; Corrections to ‘A List of
Land Birds of Southeastern Michigan,’ 230; Some Rare Summer
Residents of Berks County, Pa., 232; Rare New England Birds,
233; Notes from West Virginia, 235.
RECENT LITERATURE.
Rothschild’s ‘Extinct Birds,’ 238; Dearborn on a Collection of Guate-
mala Birds, 240; Shaw’s ‘The China or Denny Pheasant in Ore-
gon,’ 241; Giglioli’s ‘Avifauna Italiea,’ 242; Bonhote’s ‘ Birds of
Britain,’ 243; ‘British Birds,’ 248; Godman’s Monograph of the
Petrels, 244; Mathews’s ‘Handlist of the Birds of Australasia,’
244: Marshall on the Anatomy of Geococcyx, Bubo, and Aero-
nautes, 245; Shufeldt on the Osteology of Sarcops, 245; MecAtee’s
Food Habits of the Grosbeaks,’ 245: The Work of the Biological
Survey, 246.
NOTES AND NEWS.
Obituary: Dr. Rudolph Blasius, 248. Mr. Robert Ridgway’s second
visit to Costa Rica, 248; C. William Beebe’s visit to Guiana, 248;
Frank M. Chapman’s expedition to Southern Florida, 249;
Announcements of new Ornithological Publications, 249; Hight-
eenth Annual Meeting of the Delaware Valley Ornithological
Club, 250; Collections of East Indian Birds recently acquired by
the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences, 250; Erratum, 250.
vi Contents of Volume XXV.
NUMBER IIL.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE GOLDEN EAGLE IN Montana. By E.S. Cam-
eron. (Plate I-IV) .
Notes on THE BROAD-WINGED Hawks orf THE WEST INDIES, “WITH
DESCRIPTION OF A NEw Form. By J. H. Riley
Recent Notes oN Birps oF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. By “Rich-
ard C. Harlow . : : : : :
Birps or DELAWARE — AppiTionaL Noes. By C. J. Pennock
Tue Case oF Strix vs. Aluco. By J. A. Allen ; : < ;
TREGANZA BuuE Heron. By Edward J. Court. (Plates V and VI.)
Larus kumlient AND OTHER NORTHERN GULLS IN THE NEIGHBOR-
HOOD OF Boston. By Francis H. Allen
Columbina versus Chemepelia. By J. A. Allen
THE D&sTRUCTION OF WHISTLING Swans (Olor columbianus) AT
Niagara Fatis. By James H. Fleming : :
THE Macaw oF Dominica. By Austin Hobart Clark
GENERAL NOTES.
Cabots’ Tern (Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida) Breeding in North
Carolina, 312; Lead Poisoning in Ducks, 312; Capture of the
Flamingo at Lake Worth, Fla., 313; The Snowy Heron in South
Carolina, 313; The Black-crowned Night Heron in Washtenaw
County, Mich., 314; The Turkey Buzzard near Schenectady, N. Y.,
315; Migration of Hawks, 315; A New Name for the Texan Barred
Owl, 316; The Breeding Season of Strix pratincola in South Caro-
lina, 316; Curious Fatatily among Chimney Swifts, 317; The
Horned Lark in Georgia, 318; Clarke’s Nutcracker from Wisconsin,
318; Red Crossbills, and. Some Other Birds in Lower Delaware, 318;
The Nelson Sparrow in Georgia and Florida, 318; The Acadian
Sharp-tailed Sparrow in Georgia and Florida, 319: White-crowned
Sparrows Unusually Abundant in Eastern Pennsy Ivania, 319;
The Worm-eating Warbler in Ontario, 319; Protonotaria citrea
at Concord, Mass., 319; A Prothonotary Warbler in Central Park,
New York City, 320; Brewster’s Warbler, 320; The Kentucky
Warbler in Vermont, 320; Mockingbird in West Medford, Mass.,
320; Nesting of the Short-billed Marsh Wren in Philadelphia, Pa.,
320; ‘Breeding of the Tufted Titmouse in Washtenaw County,
Mich., 322; Massachusetts Records, 323; Early Nesting Records
from W ashington State, 323; Notes on Missouri Birds, 324; Bird
Notes from Southeastern Michigan, 324; Four Rare Birds from
Southeastern Michigan, 327; Wilson’s Phalarope and White-
rumped Sandpipers in Wayne Co., Mich., 328; Two Ontario
Records, 328.
RECENT LITERATURE.
Walter on Bird Migration, 329; Cherrie on Trinidad Birds, 334; Bangs
‘On Certain Costa Rican Birds,’ 334; ‘Cassinia,’ 335; Beebe on
the Seasonal Changes in Color in Birds, 335; Contributions to
Philippine Ornithology, 336; Menegaux on the Birds of the French
Antarctic Expedition, 337; Reichenow on Sea-Birds, 337; God-
man’s ‘Monograph of the Petrels,’ 338; Howard’s ‘The British .
Warblers,’ Parts I and II, 339.
Contents of Volume XXV. vil
NOTES AND NEWS.
Obituary: Leslie A. Lee, 340; Edward A. Samuels, 341. Report of
the A. O. U. Committee on Nomenclature, 341; The Revised A.
O. U. Code of Nomenclature, 341; Mr. Robert Ridgway’s return
from Costa Rica, 342; Mr. Frank M. Chapman’s Expedition to
Southern Florida, 342.
FourreENTH SUPPLEMENT TO THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’
Union’s CuHeck-List of NorTH AMERICAN Birps . : .. 343
NUMBER IV.
Tue CoprpEer-PLATES OF THE FOLIO EpIvrion oF AUDUBON’s ‘BIRDS
or AMERICA,’ WITH A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE ENGRAVERS By
Ruthven Deane ; : j : ; : i : 401
Some Birps OF CENTRAL ALABAMA. By Aretas A. Saunders . eal
Birps or THE BeLuincHAM Bay Reaion. By J. M. Edson . 425
List or THE Brrps oF Louisiana. Part V. By G. EH. Beyer,
Andrew Allison, and H. H. Kopman F : : A . 439
Tue Kina Cameos or Aupuson. By C. Hart Merriam. (Plate
VII.) , : : f : : d , , : . 448
Recent Birp Recorps FROM Manirosa. By Ernest Thompson
Seton : : ; : : : : : : : . 540
Birps or THE ReGion aBoutT NEEDLES, CauirorNnia. By N. Hol-
lister. (Plate VIII.) : ‘ : : : : : . 455
Tue Birps oF THE RosEBuD INDIAN RESERVATION, SouTH Dakora.
By Albert B. Reagan ; 462
CHANGES OF PLUMAGE IN Buteo swainsoni. By E. S. Cameron 468
GENERAL NOTES.
Breeding of the Loon in Pennsylvania, 471; A note on the Audubon
Shearwater, 472; Lead Poisoning in Ducks, 472; Masked Duck
(Nomonyx dominicus) in Chatham Co., Georgia, 472; Ardea
egretta in New Jersey, 473; American Avocet (Recurvirostra
americana) in Camden Co., Ga., 473; Bartramian Sandpiper in
Wayne Co., Mich., 473; Krider’s Hawk and the English Sparrow
Nesting Together, 474; Migration of Hawks, 474; Turkey Buz-
zard (Cathartes aura) in Northern Illinois, 475; Pileated Wood-
pecker near Litchfield, Conn., 475; Nelson’s Finch in the Moun-
tains of Virginia, 475; Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) in
Camden Co., Ga., 476; Lark Sparrow in Southwestern Pennsyl-
vania, 476; Chondestes grammacus at Ipswich, Mass., 476; A
Tame Field Sparrow, 477; Destruction of English Sparrows, 477;
Swainson’s Warbler and Chuck-will’s-widow Breeding North of
the James River, Virginia, 478; Bachman’s Warbler in Camden
Co., and Breeding in Chatham Co., Ga., 479; Cape May Warbler
in Camden Co., Ga., 479; The Kirtland and Pine Warblers in
Wayne Co., Mich., 480; The Hooded Warbler a Summer Resident
in Greene Co., N. Y., 480; Breeding of the Carolina Wren in Rhode
Island, 480; The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Southeastern Penn-
Vili Contents of Volume XXV.
sylvania, 481; The Hermit Thrush as a Summer Resident of
Long Island, N. Y., 481; Records from Bloomington, Ind., 482;
New and Unpublished Records from Washington, 482; Averag-
ing Migration Dates, 484; Ontario Bird Notes, 486.
RECENT LITERATURE.
Stone on ‘Methods of Recording and Utilizing Bird-Migration Data,’
488; Birds of the New Haven Region, 490; ‘A Check List of
Rhode Island Nesting Birds,’ 490; Pennard’s Birds of Guiana, 491;
Forbes’s Statistical Study of the Mid-Summer Bird Life of Illinois;
491; Warren on Birds of Northwestern Colorado, 492; Howell on
Winter Birds of Northern Louisiana, 493; Birds of Yellowstone
Park, 493; Carriker on New Birds from Costa Rica, 493; Mrs.
Miller’s ‘The Bird Our Brother,’ 493.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Membership Conditions in the A. O. U., 494.
NOTES AND NEWS.
Obituary: J. V. Barboza du Bocage, 496; Francis H. Snow, 497. A
New Museum of Vertebrate Zoédlogy in California, 497; How to
Attract and Protect Wild Birds,’ 497; Three New Bird Reser-
vations, 498; Third Annual Meeting of the National Association
of Audubon Societies, 498; Twenty-sixth Stated Meeting of the
American Ornithologists’ Union, 498.
INDEX 3 ' : ; : ; : : ; ; ; . 499
ERRATA . ? : : ‘ : ; - ; F : _ Se
CONTENTS OF VOLUME ; : : : E . : ? : ili
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS . 3 : ; : : : : ; ib
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PLATES.
Plate I. Pine Hills at Knowlton, Montana, where Golden Eagles nest.
“II. Eagle Eyrie, Knowlton, Montana.
“III. Golden Eagle in pine tree.
“IV. Young Golden Eagles.
“—V. Egg Island, Great Salt Lake, Utah.
“VI. Nest and Eggs of Great Blue Heron and Double-crested Cor-
morant.
“. VII. The King Cameos of Audubon.
“VIII. Region about Needles, California.
TEXT-CUTS.
Map of Southeastern Missouri : : , ; : page 193
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES OF THE AMERICAN
ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. 1908.
Expiration of Term,
(oY Gators sot a7 30) ORM TO Sig 7s 2) ae an November, 1908.
peo Ne Wiee=Presidentsan. 9... js 24 vs, & 1908.
CHAPMAN, FRANK M.,
PAGE Met] EEN OEM nS OCTELOMY s aiateiec sreteytie sik ite yet\atlh a > 4) ee “ 1908.
Dwicst, JONATHAN, JR., Treasurer....:......-.-... a 1908.
ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
DRAIN Eira ERAUMER VBI Nurers AU Sens eae aie a ahem ez ces wun iaiehe te Societe Sis November, 1908.
EGER, DWVARICTIPA WEL OCEAN cats ort tes Sail. bc are taitioe « a 1908.
SER eee ay A A che tg ers State a ei2wies ars - 1908.
TD TRONS ian A ee ey Rica pina RR OR Sue ere See ae ede a s 1908.
RICHMOND OHARTES) \VWWiscms ohtA Se oad «title ae bate ue 1908.
INOBHE TS sMUIRONMANE Sriteccihe aie tak dre oe ieee elec: a 1908.
PSUR GLEI NNN TEMAS «Rie cs RG. tea Se iyictlens. n.aettene wee Ie « 1908.
ANTETEI DING dhe URNS Se SOL ene iene tick AES ce eae eye meer
PS EUEI WT RISEIE pn VW ADITARAM Sse fm shyt Shen eae bahar ena ay &
ee aye te
IVER UEDA Ts OPM ERATE IN ve inks cxnede coin iets n-ucteaie kee cats
Ripeway, OBER Dacre 4). cs ere Or etc MatTT Te si Speen ees
EprroriAL Starr or ‘THE AUK.’
ATTAIN Een N LOOT ee ay ene poraay Larcher be ons November, 1908.
CHAPMAN, FRANK M., Associate Editor.............. 3S 1908.
COMMITTEES.
Committee on Publications.
BatTcHELDER, C. F. ALLEN, J. A.
Saas, JoHN H., Secretary. CHAPMAN, Frank M.
Dwicut, JONATHAN, Jr.
Committee of Arrangements for the Meeting oj 1908.
BATCcHELDER, C. F., Chairman. Brewster, WILLIAM,
Saan, JoHn H., Secretary. DEANE, RUTHVEN.
Banes, OUTRAM.
x Fellows.
FELLOWS, MEMBERS, AND ASSOCIATES OF THE
AMERICAN: ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION.
MARCH, 1908.1
FELLOWS.
[Omission of date indicates a Founder, An * indicates a Life Fellow.]
Date of
Election.
Aupricu, Hon. CHaruss, 304 S. Marshall St., Boone, Iowa......... _
Auuen, Dr. J. A., Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City.......... —
Antuony, A. W., 743 Northrup St., Portland, Ore................ 1895
Banos, Ourram, 20 Pemberton Sq., Boston, Mass................. 1901
Barrows, Prof. W. B., Agricultural College, East Lansing, Mich...... 1883
BarcHELpER, CuarLes Foster, 7 Kirkland St., Cambridge, Mass... — -
Beat, F. E. L., Biological Survey, Washington, D.C.............. 1901
BAIMENG: YMA, stockton, Calero yan Weise) 5 eek oe eae 1883
BICKNELL, EUGENE P., Box 1698, New York City...:............. —
BisHop, Dr. Louis B., 356 Orange St., New Haven, Conn........... 1901
*BREWSTER, WILLIAM, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge, Mass........... —
Brown, NATHAN CLIFFORD, 218 Middle St., Portland, Me.......... —
CHADBOURNE, Dr. ArTHUR P., Box 114, Back Bay P. O., Boston, Mass . 1889
CHAPMAN, FRANK M., Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City....... 1888
Cooke, Prof. WELLS W., 1328 12th St., N. W., Washington, D.C... .1884
*Cory, CHARLES B., Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Chicago, Tl............. —
Deane, RuTHveN, 135 Adams St., Chicago, Ill................... 1883
DutcHerR, WiLu1AM, 525 Manhattan Ave., New York City......... 1886
Dwicut, Dr. JoNATHAN, Jr., 1384 W. 71st St., New York City....... 1886
Euiiot, DanieL G., Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City....... —
Fisner, Dr. AtBert K., Biological Survey, Washington, D.C...... —
FisHeR, WALTER Kenrick, Box 77, Palo Alto, Cal................ 1905
Gitu, Prof. Tazopvore N., Smithsonian Inst., Washington, D. C....1883
GRINNELL, Dr. GEORGE Brrp, Audubon Park, New York City...... 1883
GRINNELL, JosEPH, 576 N. Marengo Ave., Pasadena, Cal........... 1901
Hensuaw, Henry W., “The Ontario,” Washington, D.C......... 1883
1 Fellows and Members of the Union, and Subscribers to ‘ The Auk’ are re-
quested to promptly notify Dr. JonaTHAN Dwieut, Jr., Treasurer, 134 W. 71st
St., New York City, of any change of address.
Honorary Pil ellows. xi
Jones, Lynps, 160 N. Professor St., Oberlin, Ohio................ 1905
TAWBENGE. NaswBOrD) le wlaaweence; ONE Yc 088 J .icd ee aie sek 1883
Loomis, Leverett M., California Acad. Sci., San Francisco, Cal... .1892
Lucas, Freperic A., Museum Brooklyn Inst., Eastern Parkway,
TETOO GL WRI Ade BS eo 28 elle oe NR 1892
McGrecor, RicHarp C., Bureau of Science, Manila, P. I............ 1907
MEARNS» Dry nGaR Ae Wes) Ae Hort Lotten, N. Y.......0...2.... —
Merriam, Dr. C. Hart, Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C..... —
Neuruine, H., Palm Cottage Experiment Gardens, Gotha, Fla..... 1883
Netson, E. W., Biological Survey, Washington, D.C.............. 1883
OBERHOLSER, Harry C., Biological Survey, Washington, D.C...... 1902
Oscoop, WiLtrreD Hupson, Biological Survey, Washington, D.C. ...1905
PatmeER, Dr. T. S., Biological Survey, Washington, D.€........... 1901
PatmMeER, WILLIAM, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C..... 1898
Purpiz, Henry A., 48 Boylston St., Boston, Mass................ —
RicumMonp, Dr. CHAarLes W., Smithsonian Inst., Washington, D. C..1897
Riveway, Prof. Ropert, 3413 13th St. N. E., Washington, D.C.... —
Roserts, Dr. THomas §., 1603 4th Ave. 8., Minneapolis, Minn... .. 1883
PONG OHile MeOmlanGeCOnmles. sk lacs os coe hese ou DE ots ee 1883
SaunpDErsS, WILLIAM E., 240 Central Ave., London, Ontario........ 1883
SHUFELDT, Dr. Ropert W., 471 W. 145th St., New York City....... —
Srresnecer, Dr. LEonnarp, U. 8. Nat. Museum, Washington, D. C...1884
Stone, Witmer, Acad. Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa............ 1892
Winmann, Otto, 5105 Morgan St., St. Louis, Mo................. 1884
HONORARY FELLOWS.
BreruepscH, Count Hans von, Schloss Berlepsch, Gertenbach, Cas-
EBL, MC GinmaR TINE SS yoo ose cactecdinien o cuRTe peu isa ele Ieee pene eRe meee 1890
Bocaee, Prof. J. V. BarBoza pu, Royal Museum, Lisbon.......... 1883
Dresser, Henry EEtxs, 28 Queensborough Terrace, London, W...1883
Finscu, Dr. Orro, 19b Altewickring, Braunschweig, Germany...... 1883
Giction1, Dr. Henry Hittyer, Director Royal Zoélogical Museum,
BILGKENC CEM ety toh ra nae ey en creel LG Sie ke a: 1883
Harrert, Ernst? Zodlogical Museum, Tring, England............ 1902
Harvir-Brown, Joun A., Dunipace House, Larbert, Stirling, Scot-
JAY MG &. ahees acc eithes bro Ate BEAR Cnes pi eka op A ee ene oe 1902
Hume, ALLAN Octavian, The Chalet, Kingswood Road, Upper Nor-
TOO sae NGNG OLMM Sian Din wee Herren Sn LIAL raisin stare ss alawiniereys a il 1883
Meyer, Dr. A. B., Hohenzollernstrasse 17, Berlin, W. 10........... 1900
ReicHENow, Dr. Anton, Kénigl. Mus. fiir Naturkunde, Invaliden-
SUmsee, Gay leh ac tev od nh Heto GS rete OL ATER EOI eo Cee Rea Erna 1891
Satvaport, Prof. Count Tommaso, Royal Zoél. Museum, Turin..... 1883
Xii Corresponding Fellows.
Sciater, Dr. Paitip Luttey, 3 Hanover §q., London, W.......... 1883
SHarPe, Dr. Richarp BowD eR, British Museum (Natural History),
Cromwell Road itandans so Won posses tan cee eos aides 1883
Watuace, Prof. Atrrep Russet, Broadstone, Wimborne, Dorset,
iripiiericl e's. cicte. cis eet panee epee Aa aa ware vec toon as vies i whet eee 1883
CORRESPONDING FELLOWS.
ATmARO:! ANASTASTO, San José, Costa Rica .. 2206 se esc eset. ae: 1888
ArRIGONI Decii Oppi, Count Dr. E., University of Padua, Italy... .1900
Buastus, Dr. WitHELM, Braunschweig, Germany................. 1884
Bureau, Dr. Louis, Ecole de Médicine, Nantes, France........... 1884
Butier, Lieut.-Col. E. A., Plumton House, Bury St. Edmunds,
SuLolea npn. o, 5 please bee aon ete Rank teh one 1884
BirrixoreEr, J., Zodlogical Gardens, Rotterdam, Holland.......... 1886
ButTurtin, Sereius A., Wesenberg, Esthonia, Russia.............. 1907
CAMPBELL, ARCHIBALD JAMES, Melbourne, Australia.............. 1902.
CHAMBERLAIN, Monracur, Cambridge, Mass....................-. 1901
CLARKE, WiLuIAM Eacur, Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh..... 1889
Couuettr, Prof. Ropert, Zoédlogical Museum, Christiania, Norway .. .1883
DALGLEISH, JoHN J., Brankston Grange, Bogside Station, Stirling,
SCO PANE Ses ye 5 tile ope vary eee eee eS Fa aS hee 1883
Doe, SANForp B., Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands................... 1888
Dusots, Dr. ALPHONSE, Museum Nat. History, Brussels............. 1884
Duens, Prof. ALFREDO, Colegio del Estado, Guanajuato, Mexico. .. . 1884
Ecut, ApoLPH BACHOFEN VON, Nussdorf, near Vienna............. 1883
Evans, Artuur H., 9 Harvey Road, Cambridge, England.......... 1899
FEILDEN, Col. H. W., C. B., Burwash, Sussex, England............ 1884
Frrrari-Perez, Prof. FerNanpo, Naturalist Mexican Geol. Expl.
Commission; Pueblo. Mexicomsmrrtsc saat acre | oma sister 1885
FreEKE, Percy Evans, 7 Limes Road, Folkstone, Kent, England... .1883
FURBRINGER, Prof. Max, Director Anatom. Institute, University of
Heidelberg, Heidelberg,’ Germany.) alc spssce ee ces alee Sak obs 1891
Gavow, Dr. Hans, Zodlogical Museum, Cambridge, Enyland....... 1884
Girtanner, Dr. A., St. Galle; Switzerland). 2.0... 00.05... 6 06.0045 1884
Gopman, F. Du Canz, 10 Chandos Street, Cavendish Sq., London. . . 1883
Gopwin-AustTEN, Lieut.-Col. H. H., Nore, Hascombe, Godalming,
) ch od bBo te ape mean were ES 2 Ne cre ie JS cous COS cee eras th OTe ora 1884
Gortp1, Dr. Emit A., 36 Zieglerstrasse, Bern, Switzerland......... 1903
GRANDIDIER, ALFRED, 6 Rond-Point des Champs Elysées, Paris..... 1883
GRANT, WILLIAM R. OaiILviz, 29 Elvaston Place, London, S. W..... 1899
Gurney, JoHN Henry, Keswick Hall, Norwich, England.......... 1883
Members. Xili
Hartine, James Epmunp, Edgewood, Weybridge, Surrey, England. . 1883
Peete Ts CWUSIBAV) VON, VICIIA. i355 5.0 56sec de seh se oe den ob de cles 1884
Heiimayr, Dr. E. C., Zodlogical Museum, Tring, England......... 1903
HEnnicKE, Dr. Cart R., Gera, Reuss, Germany.................. 1907
Elna SURE -P MOROMATNA Giwe a’. | onl ds sve ced ce veceecans 1888
Hupson, Wiuti1am Henry, Tower House, St. Luke’s Road, West-
Peer bmenee edge MICO NN ceptors at hak alae si n)ey 4 oes cwighd ed does 1895
InEeriInG, Dr. HERMANN VON, Museu Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil..... 1902
Kwupson, VALDEMAR, Kauai, Hawaiian Islands.................. 1888
KRUKENBERG, Dr. E. F. W., Wirzburg,-Germany................ 1884
Krtprr, Dr. THeospaup J., University Museum, Athens, Greece. .. .1884
Lreacsr, WiitiiAm V., Cullenswood House, St. Mary’s, Tasmania..... 1891
MacFarLane, RoBert, Winnipeg, Manitoba..................... 1886
Mapardsz, Dr. Jutrus von, National Museum, Budapest, Hungary .1884
Menzsier, Dr. M., Imperial Society of Naturalists, Moscow........ 1884
DT SUSE A aT 206 FE ce ag 1886
NicHouson, Francis, The Knoll, Windermere, England ........... 1884
Nortu, ALFRED J., Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales. .1902
Oates, EUGENE Wii1aM, 1 Carlton Gardens, Ealing, London, W...1884
PATNEN SOM eAs, sHelsingfonss IIMIANIG Is y.scs oc eis) o;-c sib acnts dere on 1883
Pycrart, W. P., British Museum (Nat. Hist.), Cromwell Road, Lon-
COMMS VV eT aCe ee SNES ee NI uP e cic kes eco 1902
Ramsny, E. P| Sydney, New South Wales.............0......00 1884
TEM ees EEC ING D ARASH. 6 wk chi GiSeicin aides des Mii daw ntrate ws 1888
Roruscui~p, Hon. Waurer L., Zoélogical Museum, Tring, England .1898
Scuatow, Herman, 15 Schleswiger Ufer, Berlin, N. W............. 1884
Sciater, Witui1am LutteEy, Colorado Springs, Col................ 1906
SHELLEY, Capt. G. E., 39 Edgerton Gardens, South Kensington,
vie Bur ol aerial SRM gay face Gee EE) oss Oe SESE tt a am 1884
SusHxkin, Dr. Perrr, Imperial University, Moscow................ 1903
THEEL, Dr. Hyaumar, University of Upsala, Upsala, Sweden....... 1884
TscHuUSI ZU SCHMIDHOFFEN, Victor Rirrer von, Villa Tinnenhof,
pertela lem wealabure nAVetrian tas «cui tie ccs scalawe aes 6h 1884
WATERHOUSE, F. H., 3 Hanover Square, London, W................ 1889
ic, ware Etim, WO PCMOS@ EN fk soho eta dhs + a ic. os 5s ache beteidi 1903
Wikiseersmun Prom Duan Gy. Manila. Pipl 2o. 2. k. . . es od oe ck 1903
AKGEDON. Won JoseC., San José, Costa Rica). ....).0.02..06.8.5) 1884
MEMBERS
AEN, HHAweIs) H.,.4 Park’ St. Boston, Mass... 0... c 0.5. cae oe 1901
Auten, Dr. Guover M., 16 Oxford St., Cambridge, Mass........... 1904
Avrason, Anprew, Wilisville; Miss)......2.....0.-.00.00¢ecn ewes 1902
APiV ADEE PEt box G7, Houston, Texas 2.3.06. 0ss6.6 see ws 1901
XIV Members.
Baitrey, Mrs. VERNON, 1834 Kalorama Ave., Washington, D.C..... 1901
BarLey, VERNON, 1834 Kalorama Ave., Washington, D.C........... 1901
BAiuy, Witt (.; Ardmore baanseen mee et nn ys re ae as 6 ore ete 1901
Barsour, Prof. Erwin H., Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb....... 1903
BartscH, Pau, Smithsonian Inst., Washington, D. C............. 1902
Breese, C. Wituram, N. Y. Zodlogical Park, New York City........ 1903
Bunt, Anveun.:C.,, "Taunton, Misesas aes sss ae ce 1902
Bonp, FRANK, 3127 Newark St., Cleveland Park, Washington, D. C..1901
Bratsuin, Dr. Witi1AM C., 556 Washington Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.. .1902
Brown, Herpurtr, Tucson, Agizgnnn.. oe oe att ne ease hws selon 1901
Bruner, Prof. LAwRENCE, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb........ 1901
Bryan, Witu1AM ALANSON, Bishop Museum, Honolulu, H. I....... 1901
Buns, Frank Li, Berwyn, “Ps aes eae eck cen a 1901
Butter, Amos W., 52 Downey Ave., Irvington, Indianapolis, Ind...1901
CuERRIE, GEORGE K., Mus. Brooklyn Inst., Eastern Parkway, Brook-
Beth SIN. ES wn ciahc es vo reeds ee Pe iro oe aodhor 1901
Criark, Austin Hopart, U.S. National Museum, Washington, D.C. .1905
Cuark, Prof. Hupert Lyman, Museum of Comparative Zoélogy, Cam-
briGpe, Mise ss). . 27 tes eee ane eaters sin ote aie eee ors ale 1902
Daaacetr, Frank 8§., 441 Postal Telegraph Building, Chicago, Ill... .1901
Dawson, WILLIAM LEON, 5528 15th Ave. N. E., Seattle, Wash...... 1905 |
DEANE, WALTER, 29 Brewster St., Cambridge, Mass............... 1901
DEARBORN, NED, Field Museum, Chicago, Ill........./........... 1907
Karon, Enon Howarn, Canamdaiouay NY oe see le en es oe eres 1907
EverMann, Prof. Barron W., Bureau of Fisheries, Washington,
MD eo Sivas Gira so ee: 0 RRR Cy oe UIT cic hs CU ConS oy alta 1901
Finuey, Witu1aM L., Box 60A, R. F. D. I, Milwaukee, Ore......... 1907
Fieminc, JAMEs H., 267 Rusholme Road, Toronto, Ontario........ 1901
ForsusH, Epwarp H., Box 78, Wareham, Mass............-..... 1903
Furrtes, Louis Acassiz, Cornell Heights, Ithaca, N. Y............ 1901
Gaunr, Benyamin Tron, Glen *Hilyn, Hl ein ia we 1903
GoLpMAN, Epwarp Atronso, Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.1902
Harpy, Manty, 159 Wilson St., Brewer, Maine. .................. 1901
HorrMaANnNn, Rawpu, 33 Wellington Ave., Belmont, Mass............ 1901
Howe tt, Artuur H., Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D.C...... 1902
Jacoss, J. WARREN, 404 S. Washington St., Waynesburg, Pa....... 1904
JEFFRIES, Witt1AM AuGustus, 11 Pemberton Square, Boston, Mass.1901
Jon) Rer. Humsmnn Ki: Bemb, Counc ning Oe era nil pierre vale 1901
JORDAN, Prof. Davip Starr, Stanford University, Cal............. 1901
Knicut, Ora WILLIs, 84 Forest Ave., Bangor, Me.................. 1907
Know urton, F. H., U. 8. Nat. Museum, Washington, D.C.......... 1902
Mackay, GrorceE H., 304 Bay State Road, Boston, Mass........... 1901
Maiuizarp, Jonn W., 300 Front St., San Francisco, Cal............ 1901
Marian, Josmre, isan Geronimo. (Gala tsi. x tenteniee s tteas Noes 1901
Miturer, Mrs. Outve THorne, Garvanza, (Cal..... 2.0.00. .00. 00008 1901
Miniter, Watpron DeWirr, Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City .1906
Morris, GEORGE SPENCER, Olney, Philadelphia, Pa............... 1903
Associates. XV
Morais, Rospert O., 72 Temple St., Springfield, Mass............. 1904
Murpocu, JoHN, 19 Wendell St., Cambridge, Mass................ 1901
Norton, Arruur H., Mus. Nat. Hist., 22 Elm St., Portland, Maine .1902
Peaenon, i Gitemer (Greensboro, N.C... 6. eae le aie ba wee 1902
Pennock, CHaries J., Kennett Square, Pa.............5....5.8. 1901
PresLE, Epwarp A., Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D.C....... 1901
RatuBun, SAMUEL F., 217 14th Ave., N., Seattle, Wash........... 1902 -
Ruoaps, SAMUEL N., 36 Estaugh Ave., Haddonfield, N. J.......... 1901
ae oan ne ISO MUECh,s VAS... es se cs a bale eee ole ays 1905
Rives, Dr. Wiix1AM C., 1702 Rhode Island Ave., Washington, D. C.1901
Rosinson, Major Wirt, U.S. A., West Point, N. Y................ 1901
Seton, Ernest THompson, Cos Cob, Conn...................006- 1901
Sittoway, Pertey Miron, Lewistown, Montana................. 1902
SORNEBORGER, JEWELL D., Ipswich, Mass..........5..8...2.00008 1901
SrrepHens, FRANK, 3756 Park Boulevard, San Diego, Cal........... 1901
Srrone, Dr. Reusen M., Dept. Zoél., Univ. of Chicago, Chicago, Ill. 1903
ina Ansore ts) Monidnock, N. H.... 6.6... hi ee eee 1901
ive JOHN. Heron, doancaster, Mass .': 5... ..).'2.ce se cis altoine peel le 1905
Topp, W. E. Ciypr, Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pa............ 1901
Torrey, Braprorp, Newton Lower Falls, Mass.................. 1901
TOWNSEND, Cuarues H., Aquarium, Battery Park, New York City .1901
TOWNSEND, Dr. CHARLES WENDELL, 76 Marlborough St., Boston, Mass.1905
Trotrer, Dr. SpeNcER, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pa...... 1901
Maa ere Nine EPBRETID: S.C. . .. oo. sce nae clae ie Hab ate 1906
Wuirman, Prof. CHARLES O71Is, 5238 Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, Ill. .1902
Wotcort, Dr. Ropert H., Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb........ 1903
Wriecut, Mrs. Maset Oscoon, Fairfield, Conn.................... 1901
ASSOCIATES.
Axpgort, CLINTON GILBERT, 153 W. 73rd St., New York City........ 1898
Apams, C. WaALLAcE, 947 Rhode Island Ave. N. W., Washington, D. C.1901
Apams, Miss Emity Beier, 167 Maple St., Springfield, Mass........ 1900
AIKEN, CHARLES Epwarp Howarp, 2 E. Kiowa St., Colorado Springs,
(OFS wos, Siete a Uh SCORE On EMC ee ERA ER Caer do st ie rla rin ec 1898
Mime Hon ory, Grecmield, Mass ..5.0.. 2 i See dhe eo yee ie 1905
Auten, Miss Eprtu, 310 W. Olive Ave., Redlands, Cal............. 1906
Auten, Mrs. Eustace L., 859 Prospect Ave., Hartford, Conn....... 1904
Auuison, WiLL1AM B., 1320 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, La...... 1905
AMuay J. Eb, 62'Charles St:, Toronto, Ontario..:...°. 2.2 cs. re 1895
MAO MHSOn Mire J or, Emplewood, N: J. 2500s woo oe 2 he Liha aetheeet ela dre 1903
Anperson, Dr. RupotrH M., Blees Military Academy, Macon, Mo.. .1907
AnpreEws, Roy C., Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City......... 1906
ANGELL, Wautsr A., 37 N. Main St., Providence, R.I............. 1901
xvi Associates.
ARCHBOLD, JosEPH A., 107 Hodge Ave., Buffalo, N. Y............. 1903
ARMSTRONG, Epwarp E., 5219 Madison Ave., Chicago, Ill.......... 1904
ARNOLD, Epwarp, 126 Van Buren St. West, Battle Creek, Mich..... 1894
Arnow, Issac Psi. Maron Naa. eects Uk ceieaars hig nice foes ss a tah ale 1903
ATKINSON, GEORGE E., Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.............. 1903
BABSON WA * ROU Mantis AN ai eee acts ican bee aes Ge sateen 1901
Bann, Lyte S,, s04 AV), Granbist, strestor alll: 5.0.2. Peo i 1907
Baae, Eeprrr, 424 Genesee St., Utica, N. Y............5..000005 1883
Baitrey, Haroxp H., 321 54th St., Newport News, Va............. 1903
Bairp, Miss Lucy Hunter, 341 8. 18th St., Philadelphia, Pa....... 1899
Baker, ARTHUR BEenontl, 1845 Lanier Ave. N. W., Washington, D. C. 1902
Baker, Franx C., Chicago Acad. Sciences, Chicago, Il]............ 1907
Batpwin, Roeser N., 1832 Carr St., St. Louis, Mo................ 1904
Bass, Dr. BLENN R., 151 N. Main St., Circleville, Ohio............ 1907
Baa Mr Bune 7, Oakville, Conny oc eeh eee oe cote sel 1905
Batu, Miss Heten Auausta, 43 Laurel St., Worcester, Mass....... 1893
Barzour, Rev. Ropert, Y. M.C. A., Montclair, N. J,.............. 1902
Barzour, Tuomas, Mus. of Comp. Zodlogy, Cambridge, Mass...... 1903
BARNARD, Judge Jos, 1306 Rhode Island Ave., Washington, D.C..... 1886
Bannns, Hon. 3t.MaGoon; Lacon: Slee rtenes tee cick. ios eased Op 1889
Barry, Miss Anna K., 5 Bowdoin Ave., Dorchester, Mass.......... 1907 |
Barton, FrepericK MacD., Middlesex School, Concord, Mass...... 1907
BaxTER, GEORGE Srrone, Jr., 17 William St., New York City...... 1894
BearpD, DANIEL CarTeER, 87 Bowne Ave., Flushing, N. Y:.......... 1887
BwAuPEe sy Eiowine Okotoks mAlbentan aaaserericceri bic etteee 1905
Bick (Ronio HowarDb, ‘Berryessa, Calle setiac) ce ow sick ates oe 1894
Brrers, Henry W., 91 Denver Ave., Bridgeport, Conn............. 1895
Bieta, Pum ncast, engines 3d, 2 es HRN or SOR Irae oe 0% Sone ee cs 1907
Bray Oro; opeze tba iis sce, eee eal ae eee conse ot Cne OF ge 1907
Beice, Capt. Joun J. Oaleville Cale ues ara caene seas ov as Se 1907
BENNETTS, WitL1AM J., 1941 Ist St. N. W., Washington, D.C...... 1901
Banson,: Lusi B.,: Port Jeffersons Na Ys et es acne ope ok 1906
Beretoip, Dr. W. H., 1460 Clayton Ave., Denver, Colo........... 1889
Burinn,.DE Lagnun, Ridgewood, Ne dees sant emo ces baw ee ces ese 1885
Brppue, Miss Emity WiuuiaMs, 2201 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Pa. ..1898
BIGELOW, LLENRY. BRYANT, Juincolmm Mass acsi a msit sees). ess 1897
BignLow, Homer Lang, Old Orchard Road, Chestnut Hill, Mass... .1902
BicELtow, JosePpH Smiru, Jr., Webster Atlas Bank, Sears Bldg.,
Boston, “Mass... % tet ee eee Se ete ran eee 1896
BIGNELL, Mrs. Errin, 135 College Ave., New Brunswick, N. J....... 1899
Brnperse, Isaac, 213 W. 105th St., New York City... ............% 1907
BrncaMan, W. H., Ash Creek, South Dakota.................... 1906
BIRNIE, WinuLaM A) -Box 14> Springfield Mass) r2)..0. cae «
.0 ost fee keel. ade ee 1904
Hamrunpr, A.» The Ware’ Pimes.; Ware) 1a... 8.206.020. ee Oe 1892
Hanxinson, Tuomas Leroy, Charleston, Ill..................... 1897
Hann, Hersert H., 700 Springfield Ave., Summit, N. J........... 1903
Harpon, Mrs. Henry W., 315 West 71st St., New York City....... 1905
Harpy, Joun H., Jr., 24 Irving St., Arlington, Mass............... 1905
Harper, Francis, 557 First Ave., College Point, N. Y............. 1907
Harriman, Miss Mary, 1 E. 55th St., New York City.............. 1899
Harvey, J. Downey, 2555 Webster St., San Francisco, Cal......... 1906
Harvey, Miss Rurn Sawyer, Bond Hill, Cincinnati, Ohio......... 1902
HASKELL, Miss HELEN P., 1207 Henry St., Alton, Ill.............. 1905
HatrHaway, Harry S., Box 498, Providence, R. I................ 1897
Havemeyer, H. O., Jr., 113 Wall St., New York City.............. 1893
Hayes, Miss PAuLine J., 212 8. Sycamore St., Centralia, Ill........ 1907
Haexen Hook AG., Peace Daler es. Nis" vvrci carte Papdeeeoe er 1885
Heap, Miss Anna, 2538 Channing Way, Berkeley, Cal............. 1903
Haury, Rev. Suutivan Scott, Pullman, Wash................... 1906.
Pie sAnmion se., Miller Places Neo¥o.s wren 6 oh sels kn ee 1888
Hermpuxiti, AsHton E., Y. M. C. A., Holyoke, Mass................ 1905
Hencuey, Micwart F., Box 252, Unionville, Conn................ 1906
HENDERSON, Judge Junius, Boulder, Colo.....................5. 1903
Henprickson, W. F., 276 Hillside Ave., Jamaica, N. Y............ 1885
HENNING, Car. Frrrz, 922 8th St., Boone, Ia. .....0.0...56...00: 1906
HENNINGER, Rev. WatrHeER F., New Bremen, Ohio............... 1898
Herrick, Haroup, 25 Liberty St., New York City................ 1905
Hicsrer, Harry G., 13 Austin St., Hyde Park, Mass............... 1900
Hin, A. C., 400 Pleasant St., Belmont, Mass:y................... 1905
Hit, James Haynes, Box 485, New London, Conn............... 1897
Hix1, Mrs. THomas R., 4629 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, Pa... .. 1903
Hing, Prof. James Stewart, Ohio State Univ., Columbus, Ohio... .1899
etravig Nine: ann a. Sedan’ Tadley se lee ee twee shketoess 6 Soe Oe 1890
Hinton, Miss Susan McV., 41 W. 32d St., New York City......... 1900
Hircucock, Frank H., Cosmos Club, Washington, D. C............. 1891
Hix, Grorce E., 630 Columbus Ave., New York City............. 1904
Hopes, Prof. CLirron Fremont, Clark Univ., Worcester, Mass..... 1899
Hoxsrook, Miss IsaBet B., Rhode Island Normal School, Providence,
GOS Wert Aceh ents Aha 2) aia act ee eae PR ae SG te Me ice 1905
Ho.pEn, Mrs. EMELINE R., 13 E. 79th St., New York City......... 1902
Howpen, Mrs. Epwin B., 323 Riverside Drive, New York City..... 1903
Howuanp, Dr. Wiiiram J., 5th and Bellefield Aves., Pittsburgh, Pa.1899
Ho.uister, Neb, Biological Survey, Washington, D.C............. 1894
Associates. Xxili
Hormmcrun,, WAaRReND., Albuquerque, N:M...5:5 0.4 <6. .o800 oe oe: 1901
Houtman, RaupPx H., 50 Congress St., Boston, Mass................ 1907
HortebRNEsiiG,, YaeMC) As Montgomery, Ala: 22.24.00 ase 1907
Honywitt, ALBERT W., Jr., 53 Lake Place, New Haven, Conn.... -1907
HorsFatu, Bruce, 67,Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J................ 1905
Howarp, J. STANLEY, Box 52, Silver Lake ‘Assembly, N. Y........ 1904
Howarp, Ozora Witui1aM, Box 1177, Los Angeles, Cal............ 1898
Hownnn, Benvamin }., Irs R. EF: D: No. 1, Boonton,,.N. J... 22. 5.<4. 1907
Hew CART TON 191, Mssex Junction, Vt... . 0 66 cede ecient eh 1901
Howe, ReeinaLp Heser, Jr., Middlesex School, Concord, Mass.....1895
How.anp, Ranvory H., 164 Wildwood Ave., Upper Montclair, N. J.1903
Havre WittiAMoe box425) istamtord, Conm.. 32... 2. .02s. asa. ae 1907
Boeesno. Or oct b. Hourhton, Mich. ..... 2... 0.) sna ee 1907
Husparp, Mrs. Sara A., 177 Woodruff Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y....... 1891
Hone, WaEpenien (., Clarkston, Mich: . ....... ...... 006 dela se foe 1903
Hunn, Joun T. SHARPLEsS, 1218 Prospect Ave., Plainfield, N. J....1895
Hunt, CureswE.u J., 225 N. 53rd St., West Philadelphia, Pa...... 1902
FGNnHR eet boxe0S Dallas Vexas:s 45s. lteie mle a -relcin ety ates 1899
Inaatis, CHartes E., East Templeton, Mass.................... 1885
INGERSOLL, ALBERT M., 832 5th St., San Diego, Cal............... 1885
hewinG JOHNT oO bbank Aw. New “orks City 5.2 CP TMCSLOM, IN. cau. vok vbate~ Leen eae 1891
PHILLIPS, JoHN CHARLES, 299 Berkeley St., Boston, Mass.......... 1904
PHILLIS, SHERMAN E., Canterbury, N; Ho. ..0... 02.4 90. ete 190%
breRen yas 1s Renovo, Paste cen gens cewek cet a et eee 1891
Piper, STaNLEY E., Biological Survey, Washington, D. C......... 1906
PircairNn, WILLIAM G., 3330 Perrysville Ave., Allegheny, Pa....... 1906
Por, Miss Marcaretra, 1500 Park Ave., Baltimore, Md........... 1899
Poxttock, ADELAIDE L., Queen Anne School, Seattle, Wash........ 1906
Pomeroy, Harry Kirkianp, Box 575, Kalamazoo, Mich.......... 1894
Poor, Miss Grace L., 22 School St., Rockland, Mass............ 1906
Poeun, ovis . Stamtord) Comino ees tee see tee 1893
PRAEGER, Wi1LLIAM E., 421 Douglas Ave., Kalamazoo, Mich...... 1892
Price, JoHN Henry, Crown W Ranch, Knowlton, Mont.......... 1906
Purpy, James B., R. F. D. No. 4, Plymouth, Mich................ 1893
RavcuirFre, Mrs. Wauuace, 1200 K St. N. W., Washington, D. C....1905
Raupy, James R., 205 8. 7th St., Minneapolis, Minn............ 1906
Tran, Miss Mary th. Manchester, Towa... - 120 0.s.s aes eee 1893
mAws, Dr. M. W., 340 W. King St., laneaster) Pac. >. 20. aos oo dee 1890
Rawte, Francis W., Lock Box 51, Bryn Mawr, Pa............... 1907
Rawson, Catvin Luruer, Box 33, Norwich, Conn............... 1885
Reap, ALBERT M., 1140 15th St. N. W., Washington, D. C......... 1895
Reagcu, Dr. ArtHuR LINCOLN, 39 Maple St., West Roxbury, Mass. . .1896
Pepe, VAT REED AO. W aye, sass a -heainon eee sci 2 Old hs oa 1907
REDFIELD, Miss EvisA WHITNEY, 29 Everett St., Cambridge, Mass. . . 1897
REDINGTON, ALFRED Poerrt, Box 66, Santa Barbara, Cal........... 1890
Associates. XXVIii
Reep, Cuester A., 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass............... 1904
Reep, Miss Emity E., 12 Louisburg Sq., Boston, Mass............. 1904
Reep, Hueco Dantet, 804 E. Seneca St., Ithaca, N. Y............. 1900
Reep, Mrs. Witt1am Howe xt, Belmont, Mass................... 1904
Ren, James A. G., Acad. Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa........ 1901
Remick, J. A., Jr., 300 Marlboro St., Boston, Mass................ 1905
fre Ams) Or Anns, )e, Bory Mawr, Par. i 2s cin ces Deen wee be as 1895
Ricuarps, Miss Harriet E., 36 Longwood Ave., Brookline, Mass. . .1900
Ricuarpson, C. H., Jr., 46 N. Wilson Ave., Pasadena, Cal.......... 1903
RICHARDSON, JOHN Kmnpatu, Wellesley Hills, Mass.............. 1896
Bimncgwar- worm in Chevy Chase, Md... sc. b6 se alee ccm ese 1890
nieme, CrAnmven b., Maplewood, N. di. ..j..... ce cece eee tee teen 1885
ROBERTS JOHN AL, on. co0) Main St., Buffalo; N. Y.......s.d-.5.. 1906
RosBerts, WILLIAM Ex.y, George School, Bucks Co., Pa............ 1902
Rogprnson, AntHoNy W., 409 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa....... 1903
Roppy, Prof. H. Justin, State Normal School, Millersville, Pa...... 1891
Roz, CHarues M., 1630 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa............. 1906
Rocers, CHARLES H., 109 Patton Hall, Princeton, N. J............ 1904
RoosEVELT, FRANKLIN DELANO, Hyde Park, N. Y................ 1896
oss, Guoren Hy, 23 West St., Rutland, Vt...............00000- 1904
Row.eEy Joun, 505 Everett Ave., Palo Alto, Cal................ 1889
SaBINE, GrorcE K., 30 Irving St., Brookline, Mass............... 1903
Sace. Henny M. Meneands Road, Albany, N. Y.........5:..¢:05% 1885
etre eA GED, Setup TUNIC Ce oie wisisiere «ise 205 «else ve ene ate mans 1907
Sampson, WALTER BrHrNARD, care A. Hatt Whse & Lumber Co.,
WENO CRT a Oe ee De ne Pers Pere 1897
Sanps, Austin Lepyarp, Greenough Place, Newport, R. I......... 1902
SAanForRD, GEoRGE ALDEN, 215 W. 23rd St., N. Y. City............ 1906
SANForD, Harrison, 65 W. 50th St., New York City.............. 1905
SanrorpD, Dr. LEonarp C., 216 Crown St., New Haven, Conn....... 1902
SANTENS, JosEPH A., Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pa............ 1907
Sass, HerBert RAVENEL, The Charleston Museum, Charleston, 8. C..1906
SarrerTuwait, A. F., Office of State Zoédlogist, Harrisburg, Pa...... 1907
_Saunpers, AreTas A., 125 Maple St., New Haven, Conn........... 1907
Savacnu, Watrer Gites, Monteer, Mo............0--0ceeeeeeeeee 1898
DCHANDZ AO MPHMUSH VM MOorom bark, Wf. soc see wt wheyeo oy sincles aes 1907
Scumucker, Dr. 8. C., Rosedale Ave., West Chester, Pa............ 1903
ScouMAcHER, BowEN W., 510 Laurel Ave., Highland Park, Ill...... 1906
Scuwarz, Frank, 1520 Lafayette Ave., St. Louis, Mo............. 1904
ScoviILLE, SAMUEL, Jr., 118 S. 41st St., Philadelphia, Pa............ 1907
SaAGURY, JOSHPH S,, Wellesley Hills, Mass...... 2... oc. een nees 1906
Sriss, Covineton Few, 1338 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia, Pa. ..1898
SHARPrHS Ee MOBER Turan Nest Chester.Pa.. . 2.0% « ese vee ln eisistes 1907
SHatruck, Epwin Haro, Box 48, Granby, Conn................ 1898
Suaw, Hotton A., 610 4th Ave., Grand Forks, N. Dakota.......... 1898
Sprsaie AMON dy,, Mont Belvieu, Tex... . 0d. serdar seca nye: 1905
XXViil Associates.
‘SHERMAN, Miss Avrora R., National, lowa................-.0.00- 1907
SHiras, GeorGE, 3d, Stoneleigh Court, Washington, D.C.......... 1907
SHOEMAKER, FRANK H., 2960 Dewey Ave., Omaha, Neb............ 1895
SHROSBREE, GEORGE, Public Museum, Milwaukee, Wis............ 1899
Saumway, (Groren: Galesburg, Tae sree oe ete soe teas | ee 1906
Srttiman, Harper, 562 5th Ave., New York City................. 1902
SmitH, Byron L., 2140-Prairie Ave., Chicago; Il:.:..3../..:...5. 1906
Suira, Rev. Francis Curzis, Boonville WoW sion). ica a nas 1903
Suira, G. WasHBouURNE, 97 Nassau St., N. Y. City................ 1906
- Smirg, Horace G., Capitol Bldg., Denver, Colo................... 1888
Smiru, Dr. Huex M., 1209 M St. N. W., Washington, D.C.......... 1886
SmituH, Jesse L., 219 Central Ave., Highland Park, Ill............. 1907
SmitH, Louis Irvin, Jr., 3809 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa....... 1901
Surg) Ne.’ C:, Wellesley Title, Masset: See te worsens ce yet ee 55% 1907
SmitH, Puito W., Jr., Box 285, Eureka Springs, Ark.............. 1903
Smytu, Prof. Euuison A., Jr., Polytechnic Inst., Blacksburg, Va... .1892
Snow, Prof. Francis H., Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan......... 1903
Snyper, Witt Epwin, 109 E. Mackie St., Beaver Dam, Wis........ 1895
SPAULDING, -HREp’ 15., lbancaster Ne Elena oree eet atte arch a 1894
Spinney, Herpert L., Seguin Light Station, Popham Beach, Me... .1900
Stanton, Prof. J. Y.,-410 Main St., liewiston, Me..:....:........- 1883
STEBBINS, Miss FanniE A., 480 Union St., Springfield, Mass........ 1903
STEELE, JoHN H., 4010 Spruce St., West Philadelphia, Pa.......... 1906
STEVENS, CAROLINE M., 52 Bowdoin St., Portland, Me............. 1906
Stites, Epear C., 145 Centre St., West Haven, Conn.............. 1907
Sronz; Cuarpnce B.; Branchport, Nia Yck os etie . sie) wees oe ee 1903
Strratrron—Porter, Mrs. GENE, Limberlost Cabin, Geneva, Ind...... 1906
SruRTEVANT, Epwarp, St. George’s School, Newport, R. I......... 1896
Styvur, Mrs, Kanrranine RR. ConcordvillessPar. aes. - toes. .2 we ayetene 1903
Surrace, Prof. Harvey Apam, State Zodlogist, Harrisburg, Pa..... 1897
Swarm, Lorine T., 190 Brattle St., Cambridge, Mass.............. 1905
Swain, Joan Mrrvron: Harminoton, Me ve.) -m ae es ni ee 1899
SwWALEs, BrapsHAw Hiatr, Grosse-Isle; Mich. =... ...-.......2..20-- 1902
SwartH, Harry S., 356 Belden Ave., Chicago, Ill................. 1900
SwENK, Myron H., 351 N: 28th St., imeoln; Neb...-..-.-.......: 1904
Swuzny, Grores, 61 Polk St.; Newark, .Nod...... 2.0... .: 20 eee ed 1901
Swirt, CARLETON B., St. Mark’s School, Southborough, Mass....... 1907
TAVERNER, Percy A., 55 Elmhurst, Highland Park, Mich.......... 1902
Taytor, ALEXANDER R., 1205 Gervais St., Columbia, S.C.......... 1907
TayLor, ALEXANDER O’DRISCOLL, 132 Bellevue Ave., Newport, R. 1. . 1888
TERRILL, Lewis MclI., 352 Elin Ave., Westmount, Quebec.......... 1907
ts CHarnns Darwin, Goldent@olomewa. yess ene Ace eet ee 1906
Test, Dr. FREDERICK CLEVELAND, 4318 Grand Boulevard Chicago,
1 EROS RON UE RACED, SRE yA WENA tet IPT ane” at Woe dng Senet a 1892
Tuomas, Miss Emtty Hinps, The Aldine Hotel, Chestnut St., Phila-
Gelpiiaseh a SAL nae ve dee taaeey mene siren wie Sie srr he fee Cone 1901
Associates. Sy y>0-00:<
Txompson, Miss CAROLINE BurLING, 195 Weston Road, Wellesley,
AVES tao. chosorel cacao oe cit gue bes Oe ORE ek aoe ote 2 1900
THompson, Dr. Mriuuerr T., Clark University, Worcester, Mass...... 1904
STONES ONP PE ONE CAMO TINE MSCs soe ou Ps Los dlbee ee meee ee. 1905
TinkeER, ALMERIN D., 631 S. 12th St., Ann Arbor, Mich....7....... 1907
Toppan, GEorGE L., 723 11th St. N. W., Washington, D. C.......1886
TOWNSEND, WitmoT, 272 75th St., Brooklyn, N. Y................ 1894
Treeanza, A. O., 610 Utah Saving’s & Trust Bldg., Salt Lake City,
Wiialtoe eyo eStats ike ers ered lie Oona ERE ea ee a gL 1906
Trotrer, Witu1AM Henry, 36 N. Front St., Philadelphia, Pa...... 1899
UMM eon Dlatmyvilte (CONM... fess tect ss ons ge bieb el fe leke los 1907
Tucker, Dr. Henry, 2000 Pine St., Philadelphia, Pa.............. 1907
TupBuRY, WARREN C., 509 High St., Easton, Pa.................. 1903
Turts, Le Roy Metvitte, “‘ Thrushwood.” Farmington, Me........ 1903
Marr, tr Onn, perm, feigntg, Ohio. 0:2. 2. ket on 1890
TwereEpy, Ep@ar, 142 Deer Hill Ave., Danbury, Conn.............. 1902
UnpErRwoop, Witi1am Lyman, Mass. Inst. Technology, Boston,
WHE) SSy ols ened eral, acl Git hia eae fh ae eee aS 1900
UPA Mrs Wimnran FH iMarshfield) Wis: 2... . 02.2.0. 025 2208! 1907
Varin Mins Anwa J, Bellefonte, Pac... h... 5008. oo. ne ee 1905
Van CortTLANnpT, Miss ANNE §., Croton-on-Hudson, N. Y.......... 1885
Van Name, Witiarp Grsss, 121 High St., New Haven, Conn...... 1900
Van NorpEen, WARNER MonraanizE, Jay Mansion, Harrison, N. Y.. .1899
Van Sant, Miss Evizaseru, 2960 Dewey Ave., Omaha, Neb........ 1896
Nan wscsmmn, Mel, 1G Eek S6:, Passaic, N. J... 2.63. te the dak 1907
Varicxk, Mrs. Witu1AM Remsen, 1015 Chestnut St., Manchester, N. H.1900
Vetter, Dr. CHARLES, 50 Central Park West, New York City....... 1898
Visuer, STEPHEN S:, Forestburg, 8. Dakota..................54. 1904
VouewaAn, Jutios V., Webster Grove, Mo... 6. 2.00..0.2. 0.0.12 1906
Von LENGERKE, Justus, 349 Fifth Ave., New York City........... 1907
WanpswortH, CLARENCE S., Box 883, Middletown, Conn........... 1906
Wienpierin waar mel ibyoe Panic (NG Yc. 2. uis sls ws daly od dante 1896
WaAuxker, Dr. R. L., 355 Main Ave., Carnegie, Pa........:.......4. 1888
Wattace, Dr. A. H., 204 Bellevue Ave., Upper Montclair, N. J......1907
Watuace, James S., 69 Front St., Toronto, Ontario............... 1907
WALLINGSFORD, LEo, 216 E. Crippen St., Cadillac, Mich........... 1904
Water, Hersert E., Dr., 53 Arlington Ave., Providence, R. I....1901
Watters, PRANK, South Sandisfield, Mass.................0.000. 1902
Warp, Henry L., 882 Hackett Ave., Milwaukee, Wis............. 1906
Warren, Dr. B. H., 236 W. Market St., West Chester, Pa.......... 1885
WarrEN, Epwarp Royat, 20 W. Caramillo St., Colorado Springs,
SECIS e's a ois os oe acoaa tg Re eae ee ee 1902
Warsen, GAnew North Scituate, Mass.......) 2.000.020. J. ok 1907
Watson, Miss Saran R., West Horter and Wayne Sts., Germantown,
Pla et pine ne AT ot) peta S27. heed ocean ee eee 1900
Wasur,J. A.; 70 W. 106th St., New York City... ...50.¢.020027.. 1907
xack Deceased Members.
Wain, /). Aupan, 11 i. 12thst., New Yoru tity: ssc55 5. , oes ober 1899
Wetts, Frank S., 916 Grant Ave., Plainfield, N. J................ 1902
WeEntTWortTH, Irvine H., 4a Calle de Hidalgo No. 9, Saltillo, Coa-
Pinta, Mextdar sc.) ects heen ee tale me Ta kc sean er 1900
Wasi, MLmwis iit: oplvaay VINie” Xian mae me veeien pastel, «cue aya sath ne Seah 1887
Weston, Francis M., Jr., care P. G. Porcher, Mt. Pleasant, S. C.....1907
Wermorg, Mrs. Epmunp, 343 Lexington Ave., New York City...... 1902
WeyGAnpt, Cornetius, Wissahickon Ave. below Westview St., Ger-
mantown,. hiladelphiann aes wy me tk ey. chs etka 1907
WHARTON: Walia ae (Groton lasseeeei seit coe sacrsicw sles anee 1907
WHEELER, EpmuND Jacos, 177 Pequot Ave., New London, Conn...1898
Waepbpur, JouN B.; East Templeton; Masses. )5....<. ve. cae. ote 1897
WHEELOCK, Mrs. IRENE G., 1040 Hinman Ave., Evanston, Ill....... 1902
Waurcome, Mrs: Elmnry slash July 3, 1890
PHIZELN) AGGUST VON: Usk 22m Neem ete, en LG) ee Sept. 2, 1891
SALVIN, JOSRERG siJneiti 06 Js cues Pamela eee ees ues tore taste June 1, 1898
SAUNDERS ElOWAR Dr te. hacer Cee eee ena. censors Oct. 20, 1907
SCHEMGID a EVER MEANING. 4). )cclaee tone: Cee acne ree: Aca \ ly aie Jan. 17, 1884
SERBORM, CELBNRY 6 art Sa aves ope eta Me tees yore ake Nov. 26, 1895
TPA CZAN OW SED, WIAD ISTVAS) of ity tein arte cen AEs yr en Jan. 17, 1890
CORRESPONDING FELLOWS.
AMIN Oe, VAS 5 ics as alas, 5 OI ee RR TA eee eae Jan. 1, 1900
ANID RS ON it JOELN +s ois, sscccl se AUS ancl aan eemennomsd cee aE Aug. 16, 1900
AT DAMUSs E/DUARD! «cc. cth sya sich since e oe UAL eecewers fests sot ce Oct. 30, 1893
BATSON), IEHOMAS:-AVWiak. seca ere er ICR IE eS Phaatoh Oct. 15, 1891
IBEASTUS;o Ee ODOLEE i. ai..c0 et vc ege eee ROP is, 5 He oa Sept. 21, 1907
Bogpanow,. Mopmsi. Nix. sccgee erat elena ise eatin chee os March 4, 1888
FESR AUNT AN VGASLUIOITRD ys S828 8 ry re ae IER ey ote ee ha May 21, 1905
Bunuer, Waiter LAwRY......... PURY asec Negeatip endo Ages is te, cers July 19, 1906
CaoPEr DAMS Aoi. 62 Bie cp emai te ws 6 Se bs sys July 19, 1902
(OGRA. oS OEUN ©). pede ssh sd ce eee RIC tee. ook tle ie on ao Aug. 1, 1899
TDA VED Ee AR WSN. 5's at eee March 19, 1895
EVO TUB ee Mn Ay) cn Ap Shete e e Brees fae sei Feb. 21, 1902
LOMA gE CHE AVON be ln onc. aegis oper eraser ee hye cue serie May 31, 1889
WAVARD) EDGAR ROP OLD). me orctengnte ames heey ara es as als & Jan. 1, 1900
Doses UNS PRY oS oe heed Erato rekon: dure ois sinha dens Dec. 5, 1905
LyrttEron, Lomas, Iborp) EieroRpDe2-- esas. 2.5. +2. : June 17, 1896
INERT ATT, «Aa. Hs C20 cpters is Een are Ope Depa em: eee al'a Se afin Oct. 11, 1887
MaimGren,. Anprrs JOBAM. .< jc. bie ete s oe ke eae ee April 12, 1897
MipDENDORFF, ALEXANDER THEODORE VON............... Jan. 28, 1894
Mossisovics, F.G. Hermann AUGUST................-. Aug. 27, 1897
CST AT WT IMULE |. 3 gjyste nat aorta ene ee ers cise ance Oct. 23, 1905
12]: G82 =) Gage) a eam 2 CaaS SIA AO iets eh ct cu a ear Aug. — 1904
PEO VAT SCT INI IMIG, G05 Sec eat MVD Snares Sheena als a Oct. 20, 1887
IPREINDISS) Dc Wi BS DER» | 4:9 se AMR eRe terete ae oye yecial eva che Nov. 19, 1899
JPigp ails UUsish'dae YAN Go's pieMNO)\ MEN tsio a ate old olor ones Oeio Sao Feb. 17, 1888
EADDE! GUSTAV. “EERDINAND 200 detente tid sere eae dis. Atelier ses 1903
SCHREN CK LUBOPOLDE VON s = \ etet tenet hr weet soe ne eens Jan. 20, 1894
Smieys-LoNGscHAMPS, EDMOND DE.................+.+-- Dec. 11, 1900
SSH VAIORUDZ OWA INCRE otra. ch ee tae ste ean aU Cer are ne tec con Feb. 8, 1885
STMVHNS ON ZEEHINIRY. oc: oss, 0 Re ee ener lane’ «fel uel Aug. 18, 1888
AUR OEE PLS ESP ia Ack t ho a. «. snare te ee ad BME eae bats March 8, 1906
Deceased Members. XXXIll
Superman NL ys oe ay Samsara. chee das eee Sept. —,
SR MEOIG EY SAMUEL OW 2 eat o pees ee ie ee gna ds Oct. 28,
MEMBERS.
MUPMMNMIRU EE TISEUNEE Wie Soe hea shaid a 2 trates. vis essen ie Wades UR June 20,
LES ASSIS oO Toes er re Oct. 22,
Ee OW IODA UI GRANGH 2. east ee eee ee ee wae July 8,
ASSOCIATES,
ANP TUS, (Gre UNRATE DES a) ty mas CORR enna May 20,
PATH OMOART MS SLOVO ss 0..c0 ei = isis 2 4 sides A lsya a ced oe Oct. 15,
PMITTS TEENIE MIE So day 2 slicers 5 EONS ORR EI San en Feb. 6,
CTT ay TEE go ee) May 19,
Ay eM VLU TAM ICOUBSENWAN, 9.0 2..c1c seca ee ne ees me ele ds March 11,
ley \niviany,! (Case ies 0's) 1 Dies ay 9 css ae Gree ee ee ee ee ——,
eOvE CO WANN OEUMS IME Sct © fei etuskeas Aicia ea ea sictete aad area bine Nov. 6
TBAtHIn, (GHamIReIISY J.o0 ache pha e hk cheeacic Oy Once een ne arene eee June 25,
BHCKHANVINOHARGUHS) WICKLINEE. (26.2.0. 6000 e052 eijes deat s June 8,
Ibn. (CEUNBITSS i Oe ob o cid 1c Cnr ieee ans Ren aera eee April —,
TRH RAN CIS TOSEPHi sais cvsiqai 2 sds ees e cee we mila June 29,
OAH DUAN GHORGE EArt waatwls 04. F oe hee Sad yee ye Jan. 11,
Sioiniaty, LARAITE2 os é-kedt doe ieisig cere ORCS eRe RR Renae een etne Jan. 10,
SGA GRABS ELLOS TR PALO eam aenriiaylays 2.4 <1 foccsun sao < cierduste second Jan. 5;
ARS Ee OUTS BY MN Vp TITS ITPA ed Pee pe yee ca ih cs Foose. oh eve eps, secede le qysvepmliese Dec. 7,
Sore NNG Hee G ROR GH ERAN. ad nisiac< sss se eas aan sate Dec. 3
TBTESRN NANG, CHEGATEA UT OfSIO i 0 on, ne ic ee Pe Mar. 21,
Boreas dle Wha smd pris lao tele ene nea eee Sept. 3
OM NeE OLIN GG LARMORID OP ara iae7-s).5, conrad no borne onde Oo 4 a Sete Jan. 16,
Rev ee ANTS MORTAR EES So 4D. so bots Ws at muece Sueno call Jan. 9,
Fes TERN er TD ONS ECON po eee pete a 2d an ae cc's Se ceueyel erajaye a aco aaegs March 16,
(CUAIRITS, | IPOTERSE TSS ota 8 abs Glo a tac coal cna eee eee nas ee June 10,
ONT Tem AUIS ERE MEXRENDON ss Ao8e oye na sonce oes beeps Halter asened nes Nov. 20,
CAPER WMV OB MRT VAR GIVE cig) sak ao, 2 cs < o siefele See a eha els dae April —,
ROPER VEHII 1 oe) Rs OY IRE earls A oe car a. Sid Seabee ed meee Feb. 18,
CONT Ta HH ON UNAS USTs emia affine re ego Fd ahs w tad Sud bias ee eee Nov. 15,
(CAIRDDIR, IBDVWETS Ae ae Gece ener ea iene sinters ce
CATER SABO PADDOCK eis ja6.. dca. oni 2 oad See RIO © Sigel Sept. 15
MOPAR LO EDNTION GMT eR Tete cae. 5 o.%, » (6 Sue,» 6, 0. sesh Ramus cie ehauel epowoNS Jan. 13,
Cromseiinati, “Wh. \Wio nat oe are Gene rere Sige co Oct. 17,
SOE PATNI Oe I I hole as ois ose pee hee ale ee :...Aug. 22,
SP aE UNG APAS TUS oO. 5. cu .s nails es Ge as ws We Sle voids wean’ April 9,
1904
1904
1905
1907
1893
1893
1907
1885
1894
1905
1902
1898
1888
1897
1901
1901
1894
1900°
1889
1905
1907
1897
1901
1900
1904
1895
1901
1897
1904
1907
1900
1907
1903
1902
1893
XXXIV Deceased Members.
ROGRETE OWN RON RR ore eno TO SRI eco RT tte. een a Ee OR SE a April 26, 1885
VAIN WWI SER Ves he ce Gan. cee We ae Go Se Se eee April 21, 1902
PDA rentg eel CELINA. 1c Sapa s of Shea ON RES kh Venere sees hee Met Feb. 21, 1900
TO ar ES VW ADAIR oot sow) LAS 5 GPA a monae sale etna ered RA ae ge April 8, 1907
AED emery PIN ER BON Moo ia S fac Ae bp cin ek nese sake, © oct at July 27, 1901
SE ATTO MTS Soe Li Ow WTiLa ee a
as
‘
; } CONTINUATION OF THE | aan
el Series, eries,
* ” \Vol, XXXII BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Vol. XXV
= The Auk
H Quarterly Journal of Ornithology
_ |/Vol. XXV —JANUARY,1908— —No. 1
pyre: =
a
\ Pd, Se
J pKa
es
ES PUBLISHED BY.
ae er The American Ornithologists’ Union
CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
3 Entered as second-class mail matter in the Post Office at Boston, Mass.
) a ¢
va
ite CONTENTS.
PaGE
A LonG-DRAWN-oUT Migration: ITs CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES. By Rev. G.
Eifrig : ! d , 3 y 5 ; "i F 5 ‘ = 1
Nores ON THE SPRING MiGRATION (1907) at ANN ARBOR, MicHIGAN. By Norman
A. Wood . ‘ . . 5 , . 4 ‘ : 4 . < 10
Nestine Hapits or Brrps aT STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, AS AFFECTED BY THE COLD
Spring. By Louis N. Porter . 4 : * ; 5 J , s . 16
THE BREEDING SEASON OF THE AMERICAN BARN Own (Strix pratincola) In SouTH ;
CarRoLINA. By Arthur T. Wayne . ; ; F 7 % - ‘ A 21
SumMER Birps oF SOUTHWESTERN SASKATCHEWAN. By A. C. Bent : 4 j 25
RED-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT OF ALASKA. By S. Buturlin A : . 3 35
Tur GENERIC NAMES Mycteria AND Tantalus or LinNmus, 1758. By J. A. Allen . 37
Tue Birps or Custer AND DAwson CounTigs, MONTANA. By E.S. Cameron . 39
Summer BrirpDs OF THE GREEN MOUNTAIN REGION OF SOUTHERN VERMONT. By
Francis H, Allen : 3 f 4 F ; : : 4 Z 56
On THE STATUS OF BREWSTER’S WARBLER (Helminthophila leucobronchialis). By
Charles W. Townsend, M.D. . 2 ~ Pi 4 zi i ¥ 65
Birp REcoRDS FROM GREAT SLAVE Lake Rucion. By Ernest Thompson Seton . 68
TWENTY-FIFTH STATED MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. By
John H. Sage . a z F Z : é : 4 ; . ° 74
GENERAL Nores.— The Canvasback at Bridgewater, Mass., 80; Capture of a Tagged Can-
vasback Duck, 80; An American White-fronted Goose and Wilson’s Phalarope in
Essex County, Mass., 80; Rallus virginianus a Delaware Valley Breeder, 81; The
Florida Gallinule, Stilt and Buff-breasted Sandpipers near Portland, Me., in 1907, 81;
The Ruff at Seabrook, N. H., 82; Capture of the White-winged Dove in the State of
Washington, 82; Capture of the American Goshawk and Harris’s Sparrow near Chicago,
Ill., 82; A Large Migration of Hawks, 82; New Massachusetts Records for the Hawk
and Great Gray Owls, 84; Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus) in Maryland,
84; Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni) on Long Island, N. Y., 84; The Tree
Swallow Nesting in the Delaware Valley, 85; The Name of the California Least Vireo, ©
85; Lawrence’s and Brewster’s Warblers and Mendelian Inheritance, 86; The Prairie
Warbler near Chicago, 87; The Kentucky Warbler in Southern New Jersey, 87; Another
Cafion Wren Record for Colorado, 87; Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickvi) on the
Coast of South Carolina, 87; A Parasitic Fly Injurious to our Native Birds, 87.
Recent LIreERATURE,— Widmann’s ‘Birds of Missouri,’ 89; Jones on ‘The Development of
Nestling Feathers,’ 90; Beebe on Geographic Variation in Birds, 90; Braislin’s Birds
of Long Island, New York, 93; Finley’s ‘American Birds,’ 93; Ihering’s Birds of Brazil,
94; Beal on Birds as Conservators of the Forest, 95; Beal on California Birds in their
Relation to the Fruit Industry, 96; Howell on the Relation of Birds to the Cotton Boll
Weevil, 97; Riddle’s ‘A Study of Fundamental Bars in Feathers,’ 98; Hopkins on the
Bony Semicircular Canals of Birds, 98; A Twenty-five Year Index to ‘The Auk’ and
‘Nuttall Bulletin,’ 99; ‘Dan Beard’s Animal Book,’ 100; Annual Report of the National
Association of Audubon Societies for 1907, 101.
Notes AND News.— Obituary: Howard Saunders, 103; Rudolph Blasius, 104; Mrs. Isabel
Paddock Carter, 104; Mrs, Jacob L. Sweiger, 105. Adoption by the A. O. U. Council
of Article 30 of the International Code of Zoélogical Nomenclature, 105; Announce-
ments of forthcoming Ornithological Publications, 105; Twelfth Annual Meeting of the
Maine Ornithological Society, 106; Third Annual Meeting of the National Association
of Audubon Societies, 107; The Heath Hen, 108. :
‘THE AUK,’ published quarterly as the Organ of the American OrRNI-
THOLOGISTS’ UNION, is edited by Dr. J. A. ALLEN, with the assistance of Mr.
Frank M. CHAPMAN.
Terms :— $3.00 a year, including postage, strictly in advance. Single num-
bers, 75 cents. Free to Honorary Fellows, and to Fellows, Members, and
Associates of the A. O. U. not in arrears for dues. :
Subscriptions should be addressed to DR. JONATHAN DWIGHT, Jr.,
Business Manager, 134 West 71st Sr., New Yorx, N.Y. Foreign Subscrib-
ers may obtain ‘Ture Aux’ through R. H. PORTER, 7 Princes Street,
CAVENDISH SQuARE, W., LoNpDoN.
All articles and communications intended for publication and all
books and publications for notice, should be sent to Dr. J. A. ALLEN,
American Museum or Naturat History, 77TH St. AND CENTRAL Park,
West, New York Ciry.
Manuscripts for general articles should reach the editor at least six weeks
before the date of the number for which they are intended, and manuscripts
for ‘General Notes’ and ‘Recent Literature’ not later than the first of the
month preceding the date of the number in which it is desired they shall appear.
ee AU IC’:
A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF
ORNITHOLOGY.
VOL. XXv. JANUARY, 1908. Nos ‘fi
A LONG-DRAWN-OUT MIGRATION: ITS CAUSES
AND CONSEQUENCES.
BY REV. G. EIFRIG.
THE migration of birds in the spring of 1907 at Ottawa, Ontario,
and vicinity, was a remarkable one from several points of view.
And in the hope of being able to help to shed a little light on this
fascinating and at the same time mysterious natural phenomenon
of bird migration, and to stimulate others to better efforts in this
direction, this present article is written.
It was a long-drawn-out migration. The first migrant here,
Otocoris alpestris praticola, came February 10, in small numbers
to the Dominion rifle range near here, where 1800 sheep had been
pastured in the open all winter. The last transient migrant
observed by the writer was a Black-poll Warbler, June 12. Usually
the former comes here, or rather is seen, about February 20, and
the latter leaves the first two or three days in June. Anyone will
admit that from February 10 to June 12 is quite a long migration
period for almost anywhere in the northern hemisphere. But it is
not so much the greater length of time, but rather the anomalies
occurring within the time specified above, that made the last migra-
tion here seem a long-drawn-out one. After the arrival of the first
two comers from the south, the Prairie Horned Lark and the Crow,
the latter arriving about the last week of February or the first of
March, there is usually a lull in the migration until March 20-24,
when the second batch of migrants puts in an appearance in the
shape of the Song Sparrows, Robins, Bluebirds, Red-winged
Blackbirds, Bronzed Grackles, Juncos, Purple Finches and Cedar-
birds. ‘There seems to be a keen rivalry between some of these
2 Errria, The Spring Migration, 1907, at Ottawa, Ont. [pes
hardy pioneers into the wintry conditions then still prevailing here,
for some years the one, other years the other will be first. This
year, however, some of these birds came very considerably earlier
than this. The cheerful Song Sparrow came March 13, as compared
with April 2 of the preceding year, and March 18 of 1905; the
Robin respectively, March 16, March 31, March 19; the Bluebird,
March 21, April 3, March 24; the Bronzed Grackle, March 23,
April 2, March 27; the Red-winged Blackbird, March 23, April 2,
March 24. At the same time there was nothing discernible here
and in this whole part of Canada, that could be supposed to have
induced any birds to come earlier. In February we had had severe
winter weather, more so than is usual in that month, and March
did not show much letting-up of this. The explanation the writer
arrived at, is the following: For several days before the arrival
of the Song Sparrow and the others given above, there had been a.
spell of phenomenally warm weather to the south of us, in the lati-
tude of New York,*Washington, Chicago, St. Louis, ete. For
many years no such warm weather had been recorded at New
York and Washington. This must have had the effect of attract-
ing more hosts of migrants into this latitude, than would have
been the case under normal conditions. This in turn must have
uncomfortably crowded the bird population already there and
made the food supply, not too abundant at that time of the year,
rather scarce. These two conditions, or either one alone, would,
to my mind, have the effect of urging the hardiest of the birds there,.
those that would have turned northward first at any rate, even if
normally some days later, to do so several days earlier than they
would otherwise have done, and thus we had the strange spectacle
of seeing and hearing Song Sparrows, Robins, ete., when there were
real winter conditions here, much snow, ice, and cold. But right
here several exceptions must be noted. The Purple Finch and
the Cedar-bird, usually among the first of this batch of migrants,
came this year not only not earlier, but very much later than usually.
The former came only April 27 and then not nearly in its usual
abundance, and the latter even not before June 7, but then as abun-
dant as ever.
Then arrived the usual next-comers, the Tree Swallow, Meadow-
lark, Flicker, several of the ducks, the Killdeer, the Phoebe, Marsh.
Dea. * | Errriac, The Spring Migration, 1907, at Ottawa, Ont. 3
Hawk; in April the Kingfisher, the Savanna and White-throated
Sparrows, the Hermit Thrush, ete. But these came in lesser num-
bers, at greater intervals, less noticeably, than in other years.
Then came a standstill, a lull in the migration, and that was pro-
longed, painfully and ominously prolonged, far into May. The
usual April weather gave way to colder weather again, and instead
of this being vanquished by May, it only became more pronounced.
On May 4 there was an uproarious snowstorm, leaving six inches
of snow, some of which remained till the 7th. And the cold weather
stayed with us throughout May; now and then there were light
snow flurries, as on the 28th, which appeared like a typical raw,
blustering April day. Nor were we, in this part of Canada, the
only sufferers from these untoward weather conditions; they ex-
tended over half of northeastern America. In Washington it was
the coldest May for 36 years, and during a trip the writer had
occasion to make in the middle of May, he found the same condi-
tions as here, at Detroit, Ft. Wayne, Ind., and nearly as bad at St.
Louis, where the unusual spectacle could be had of seeing people
in furs and overcoats in the middle of May. As a consequence
vegetable life remained at a standstill practically for four to five
weeks. The leaf buds on the trees did not open, the trees were
bare here throughout May, or very nearly so.
The effect of all this on the migration of birds was simply disas-
trous. It not only delayed most species considerably, but it scat-
tered their bands, it decreased their numbers and caused a deplor-
able mortality among certain species.— First, as to the delayment
in the coming of many species. From the appended comparative
list can be seen, that after April 28 till May 9, there was only one
new species recorded, the Whippoorwill, whereas in a chronologi-
cally arranged list of the foregoing year there are 23 species recorded
within the same time! Then compare the time of arrival of the
following birds this year, with that of last. Chimney Swift, 1907,
May 10; 1906, April 30. House Wren, May 9, May 2. Spotted
Sandpiper, May 19, May 2. Black and White Warbler, May 10,
May 4. Yellow Warbler, May 13, May 4. Bobolink, May 18,
May 5. Black-throated Green Warbler, May 16, May 7. Parula
Warbler, May 15, May 7. Least Flycatcher, May 15, May 11.
Hummingbird, May 30, May 15. Wood Pewee, May 31, May 17.
4 Errric, The Spring Migration, 1907, at Ottawa, Ont. uk
Black-poll Warbler, May 31, May 21. This shows a delayment
of from four to seventeen days, or an average of 103 days for the
twelve species. Again, whereas the annual great migratory waves
of birds, especially warblers, thrushes and flycatchers, are seen in
the gardens along our city limits about May 20-23, this year they
were only seen on May 29. But there are exceptions to be noted
here also. Last year’s first record for the Scarlet Tanager, e. q.,
was May 17, this year’s, May 15; Myrtle Warbler, April 28, May 2.
The Nighthawk, which must have had a hard time to find its
winged prey, as moths, flies and mosquitos, which were few and far
between in May, came on its usual date, May 16.
That the bands of migrants were badly scattered and reduced in
number by the cold weather, or rather the lack of food resulting
therefrom, cannot be doubted. For instance, during the presence
of the Black-poll Warbler here, one can hardly ever be outside of
Ottawa is famous
for its many large shade-trees along the streets — or in the sur-
roundings, whereas this year I heard only three or four. Normally
the Bay-breasted Warbler, together with Dendroica striata, the
last migrants to arrive here, can be seen by dozens, yes, by hun-
dreds in its favored pine woods, whereas this year they were nearly
absent, except for a few hours in a few favored but restricted
localities. Similar statements could be made concerning the Cape
May Warbler, the Warbling Vireo, the Barn Swallow, etc.; even
the Tree Sparrow, Brown Creeper, and Rusty Grackle were hardly
in evidence, and the Chimney Swift does not seem to have attained
its usual superabundance. Certainly, people that happened to
encounter one of the few late larger bird waves, or who noticed the
warblers better on account of the missing foliage on the trees in
May, will say, I never saw so many birds as this year, or so many
warblers, but I am convinced the numbers of many species were
less this summer than other years. Perhaps some of the comers,
finding conditions so uncongenial here, retraced their way to the
south again for some distance. That this was done by the Tree
Swallow, at least, I have no doubt, a large flock of which I saw over
the Rideau River on March 30, after which none were to be seen
again for about two weeks. But here, too, there are exceptions to
be recorded. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet seeemd to be just as
the reach of their voice anywhere in the city
carn | Errric, The Spring Migration, 1907, at Ottawa, Ont. 5
abundant and jolly as ever, even more so; the Olive-backed Thrush
was much commoner than usual; the Spotted Sandpiper I never
saw in such abundance anywhere as here in June; and on May 19
the Dendroica cerulescens, usually not very numerous even in
migration, was so abundant at Dow’s Swamp, that its numbers
equalled those of all other birds combined.
That the untowardliness of the weather and food conditions not
only delayed many species in coming, but made them postpone their
departure also, in the case of transient migrants, need not be sur-
prising. Thus, as late as June 7, Tennessee Warblers, Pine Sis-
kins and Olive-backed Thrushes could be heard singing lustily in
Major’s Hill Park in the center of Ottawa. Of these the Sis-
kins, and Olive-backed Thrushes probably breed here in a few
scattered instances, but the bulk of them usually retire northward
before that time. On the other hand, the Rusty Grackles, Tree
Sparrows, and to some extent the White-crowned Sparrows, hav-
ing arrived later than commonly, did not stay so long as they would
normally, but hurried on northward.
But the worst feature in this migration was the deplorable mor-
tality brought about by the un-May-like weather of May. This
was probably not so much due to the cold directly, as to the lack
of food caused thereby. Vegetation remained at a standstill from
end of April to nearly the end of May. The flower and leaf buds
did not unfold. As a consequence the small insects, plant lice, ete.,
that otherwise are found there, were absent. ‘Therefore the insect
eaters, especially those living on small insects and lepidoptera,
chief among which are the swallows and warblers, had to suffer
most. It was a pitiable sight, and a very common one, to see
the little warblers with ruffled feathers and half-extended wings,
weakened by hunger, searching in the most unlikely places for a
little food. On May 28, with snowflakes flying, I saw a Canadian
Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis) and a Blackburnian Warbler search-
ing for food among rubbish and tin-cans, not able to fly away.
Many people, farmers, a lumberman having just returned from
Lake Kippewa in the Algoma District, and others, in this and the
neighboring counties, told the writer about the “tameness”’ of the
pretty little “black and yellow” birds, that they had “‘never seen
before,” allowing one to almost or quite catch them in the hands,
6 Errric, The Spring Migration, 1907, at Ottawa, Ont. ae
right about the houses, ete. And many were found dead. Two
Tree Swallows, one Brown Creeper, one Canadian, and several
Blackburnian Warblers were brought to the writer, having been
found dead. ‘The last seem to have been the principal sufferers.
Three of them were sent to me by a friend from Renfrew County,
who had found them dead. Then a strange performance on the
part of a Robin was noticed. A Myrtle Warbler was in its last
agonies, on a bridge through a farmer’s swamp land, when a Robin
came and tried to carry it off. Why?
At High Falls, Labelle County, Quebec, 50 miles northeast of
Ottawa, the same story could be heard. Many warblers were
found dead along the Liévre River, also at other places. On being
questioned, quite a number of the children of a school there, re-
ported having found from one to five dead birds, without having
looked for them. Several were brought to the museum at Ottawa,
ete. Now, it is safe to assume that for each dead bird found, a
hundred or a thousand were not found, so the destruction of bird
life, especially of warblers, must have been appalling.
Some curious changes in the habits of several species were also
brought about by the unfavorable food and weather conditions.
If a person had begun to study warblers in this vicinity this spring,
he would have come to the conclusion that warblers were terrestrial
or even water-loving birds. And he would have had the facts all in
his favor, for a while at least. On May 20, during a walk of about
a mile, I saw about 15 Yellow Warblers, all on or near the ground
on old weed stalks, some never quitting the edge of pools of water.
Later I noticed this many times of the Mniotilta varia, D. black-
burnie and D. maculosa and Wilsonia canadensis. Of the Cape
May Warbler, a species rather common here about May 23, but
found in spruce only in a few spots, I saw only one last May, and
that in a dirty dog-pound! The Myrtle Warbler would certainly
have been classed as a swamp bird pure and simple, for it could
always be seen over open water in swamps, etc., perching on bushes
or old cattails and darting after the few passing gnats and moths
in true flycatcher style. The above-mentioned tameness, in most
cases really weakness, will probably not be noticed again soon.
On May 4, after that snowstorm, several Hermit Thrushes hopped
on to the veranda of a house and up to within three feet of two
persons standing inside the window, in plain view of the birds.
ee | Errria, The Spring Migration, 1907, at Ottawa, Ont. 7
That the nesting of the birds, whose coming had been so delayed,
was also somewhat postponed, is almost self-evident. In fact this
was not only caused by lateness of arrival, but also by the lack of
cover in trees and swamps. Thus the Robins and Redwings,
having been here even earlier than usual, in many cases commenced
nest building much later, waiting no doubt for the leaves to come
out and the cattails to grow to screen their nests from view. Per-
haps for the same reason more Robins put up their establishments
on houses, under verandas, over doors and windows and like situa-
tions, than I have ever seen before.
The following list will serve to further illustrate some of the points
made above. It is not by any means a complete list of all species
to be recorded here. Birds like Redpolls, Crossbills, many ducks,
hawks, etc., are omitted for apparent reasons. Some species, like
the Brown Thrasher, the Olive-sided Flycatcher, the Black-billed
Cuckoo, Osprey, etc., were not seen by me till June or July, after
being installed in their breeding places for some time.
Dates of Arrival.
1907 1906 1905
Prairie Horned Lark Feb. 10 Feb. 20 Feb. 28
Crow Mar. 2 Mar. 9 ea aes
Song Sparrow cael Apr. 2 Mar. 18
Robin LG Mar. 31 =
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194 Wooprurr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. anni
as they are locally termed. The ravines and valleys contain water
only after very heayy rains, a condition which occurred but twice
during my stay, on March 13 and May 5. On these two occasions
there had been a heavy down-pour during the preceding night, seem-
ingly with little or no effect at first, but suddenly there was a roar
of water and the previously dry bed of Spring Valley, by which we
were encamped, was filled with a rushing torrent 4 to 10 feet deep
and 30 to 100 feet wide. In about three days the water had disap-
peared except for occasional small pools. The explanation of this
is to be found in the fact that the ground, which is largely of lime-
stone formation, is honey-combed with caves and sinkholes, the
latter sometimes a hundred feet deep. Springs appear only to dis-
appear as suddenly a few feet below. The water is of a greenish
blue color on account of the great amount of lime which it contains
in solution.
At the time of my visit, this section of the county was still clothed
with a virgin growth of pine and oak forest, of which the character-
istic birds were Turkeys, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Bachman’s
Sparrows, and Pine Warblers. Unfortunately this forest is doomed,
for a lumber company was even then building a railroad into the
heart of the timber with a view to commencing lumbering operations
at once. Forests of pure pine (Pinus echinata) and mixed pine
and oak cover the tops of the ridges and the plateau, changing to
pure stands of various species of oak on the steeper slopes. In the
valley bottoms are found a greater variety of trees, including such
species as walnut, sycamore, elm, silver maple, box elder, basswood,
buckeye, redbud, and others, and small thickets of witchhazel,
alder, sassafras and various species of small shrubs. Cardinals,
Kentucky Warblers, and Green-crested Flycatchers were the con-
spicuous birds of these bottoms. The forest is remarkably free
from all undergrowth, which is undoubtedly due to the long-con-
tinued custom of the settlers of burning over the ground each year,
under the erroneous idea that they thereby improve the grazing.
Clearings are few and far between and mostly in the narrow bottoms
of Black, Casto, and Spring Valleys. The largest is at Eudy, a
small settlement on the top of the plateau a mile and a half west of
our camp, where an area about three-quarters of a mile square had
been cleared and cultivated. Another small settlement, Ink, lay
Vor sos] Woovrurr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. 195
five miles northeast of camp, and ten miles to the southeast was a
smaller one, Alley, situated on the banks of Jack’s Fork and on the
road to Winona, some twenty-five miles to the southeast.
The settlers raise cattle and hogs, and enough corn to feed their
stock during the winter. The latter roam the woods at will, for
the only fences in this region are those enclosing the cornfields.
My stay in Shannon County lasted from March 10 to May 15,
1907, inclusive. The spring migration, so far as purely traiisient
species were concerned, had scarcely gotten under way before my
arrival, and most if not all the species observed the first few days
had probably wintered in the region. ‘The weather was very warm
during the last three weeks of March, reaching an average maxi-
mum temperature of over 82° F. daily from March 17 to 29 inclusive,
and causing the leaves and flowers of many trees and plants to burst
their buds. The night of the 18th brought a large flight of birds,
mostly of the sparrow family. It grew ieee colder from March
29th till April 19, often freezing at night after April 8, with the result
that much of the newly grown foliage was killed. The days were
raw, windy and rainy, and, except for two small flights on the nights
of April 3 and 13, there was no noticeable movement of birds. On
the 19th there came a welcome change in the weather and from then
till April 29 it was warm and clear. With the change came the
birds, of which there were large flights on April 20 and 21, 24 and
25, culminating on April 28 and 29 in the largest flight of the season.
From then till May 8 it was rainy and colder and the migration
halted. On May 8 and 9 and again on the 13th large flights oc-
curred, and the transients were still present in large numbers when
I left on May 15 for Grandin, Carter County.
April 19, 20 and 21 were spent at Current River near Round
Spring (Twp. 30. R. 4 W), about twelve miles northeast of our camp.
I found the valley fairly alive with birds and noted several species
which did not appear in the region about camp till three or four
days later. This valley is probably the main migration route for
the county and is occupied by new migrants several days before the
same species will be found in the surrounding region.
At Grandin, Carter County, the country differed somewhat in
character from that about our camp in Shannon County. The
valleys are broader and the hills much less rugged. Practically
196 Wooprurr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. ADH
all the pine has been cut and much of the oak also, so that consider-
able young second-growth woods is to be found. It is more thickly
settled and consequently there is a greater proportion of cleared
and cultivated land. In the river valleys are dense wooded thickets,
containing a great variety of trees, bushes, and shrubs.
Grandin is a lumbering village situated in the valley of the Little
Black River near the southern border of the county. I had stopped
there for two days (March 7 to 9) on my way to camp, and returned
May 16 to remain till June 8. The migration was still in full swing
on May 16 and 17, but by the 20th it was practically over for the
season. Many transients, however, remained till near the end of
the month, for the extraordinarily late spring had greatly delayed
the arrival and departure of all species.
Because of the late spring, most of the dates of arrival and depar-
ture given are probably several, and, in some cases, many days
behind the normal dates of arrival and departure in that section.
The migration during March was probably nearer normal, for the
cold weather did not come on till April.
As Missouri lies on the dividing line between many of the eastern
and western forms, it was not surprising that representatives of
both forms of certain species and intermediates between them should
have been found, and I am very much indebted to Dr. J. A. Allen,
Dr. Jonathan Dwight, Jr., and to Mr. H. C. Oberholser for their
valuable assistance in determining the subspecific rank of a number
of the birds secured there. I am also much indebted to Mr. Walter
Giles Savage of Monteer, Shannon Co., Mo., for supplying notes
of the occurrence in Shannon County of such species of birds as
have come under his observation during the past four years of his
residence there, but which, owing to my brief visit and for other
obvious reasons, seasonal and otherwise, were not observed by me.
Of the birds here listed, the following were the first to be recorded
from Missouri: Red-cockaded Woodpecker,! White-winged Cross-
bill,? Western Savanna Sparrow’, Western Field Sparrow,* Montana
Junco,° Brewster’s Warbler,® and Alder Flycatcher.’ Other
records of especial interest were the finding of Bachman’s Warbler ®
1 Auk, Vol. XXIV, p. 349. 5 Ibid., p. 189.
2 Tbid. 6 Auk, Vol. XXIV, p. 348.
3 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p: 176. 7Jbid., p. 349.
ci hs noneilte 8 Ibid.. p. 348.
bc aad Wooprurr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. 197
and Brown-headed Nuthatch,! and the occurrence of Bachman’s
Sparrow? and Pine Warbler* as common summer residents in the
pine woods of Shannon County.
A total of 189 species and subspecies are recorded in the follow-
ing lists, including the supplementary list, of which 187 are to be
credited to Shannon County; the only two not yet recorded from
Shannon County being the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax
flaviventris) and the Alder Flycatcher (E. trazlli alnorwm), which
were secured at Grandin, Carter County. One hundred and
three species were noted in Carter County during the three weeks
of my stay there (March 7 and 8, and May 16 to June 8 inclusive).
Species whose occurrence was confirmed by the securing of speci-
mens are designated by an asterisk (*) preceding their names. All
records between the dates of March 10 and May 15, inclusive, ap-
ply to Shannon County only. Records on March 7 and 8 and from
May 16 to June 8,:inclusive, apply to Carter County only. Where
no locality is given, it is to be understood that the bird in question
was found in both counties. Such species as were found by me
in one county only are so noted.
(Anatidee.—On the evening of March 10, the night of my arrival in
Shannon County, a steady stream of ducks was to be heard passing over
us to the north till after midnight. This was the only night during which
any were heard.)
*1. Querquedula discors. Biur-wincrp TrEaAu.— Several were seen
and one male secured on the Current River, April 18, 1907. Shannon Co.
2. Marila affinis (sp.?). Lesser Scaup Duck (?).— On April 20 two
flocks of Scaup Ducks, about thirty in all and probably this species, were
seen on the Current River, Shannon Co.
*3. Botaurus lentiginosus. AmbprRIcAN Birrern.4— On April 8, a very
raw and-windy day, I was surprised to see a bittern in the heart of the
pine and oak woods and beside a shallow pool of rain water in a slight
depression on the top of the plateau. His presence in such an unusual
situation can probably be accounted for by the fact that the two preceding
days and nights had been very windy with heavy showers. He appeared
to be weak and unwilling to fly, merely flopping across the pool when I
approached too near. On my return two or three hours later he had not
moved. His stomach was empty. Shannon Co.
1 Auk, Vol. XXIV, p.,349. 2 Ibid., p. 349.
3 Ibid., p. 348. 4Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 52.
198 Wooprurr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. Foe
4. Ardea herodias. Great Buur Heron.— On April 15 one was seen
beside a pool in the otherwise dry river bed of Spring Valley, and another
on April 20 flying over the Current River, Shannon Co.
5. Butorides virescens. Green Hrron.— One was flushed from a
tree over a pool of water filling one of the numerous sinkholes which are to
be found all through the woods on top of the plateau. Shannon Co.
*6. Nycticorax nycticorax nevius. BLack-cROwWNED NicHt HERon.—
A specimen was secured in Spring Valley, April 23. The only one seen.
Shannon Co.
*7. Actodromas fuscicollis. WuHirn-RuMPED SANDPIPER.’ — One was
secured from a flock of about twelve on a mudflat in Jack’s Fork of Current
River, May 15. Shannon Co.
*8. Helodromas solitarius. SoLirary SANpDPIPER.— One was seen
May 1 beside a small pool of rain-water in the heart of the woods, and
another secured May 13 beside a small pool in the meadows at Eudy.
Single individuals were seen on the Current River April 20 and 21. Shan-
non Co.
9. Actitis macularia. Sporrep SANppipER.— A single specimen was
seen April 21 on Current River, Shannon Co.
*10. Colinus virginianus. Bospwnirr.— These birds were very com-
mon and were found not only in the valley bottoms in or near clearings,
but also in the heart of the woods at some distance from any of the few
and small clearings.
11. Bonasa umbellus. Rurrep Grouse.— One was heard drumming
on the bluffs above Current River, Shannon Co., April 19, 20 and 21, but
with this exception none was seen or heard throughout my stay in Shannon
or Carter Counties. This was not surprising, owing to the lack of suitable
brush cover. The annual burning over of the floor of the forests is given
by Mr. Widmann ” as one of the theories to account for the disappearance
of the Ruffed Grouse from the Ozarks, where they were formerly numerous.
He says: ‘As this custom has been followed for fifty years, it has suc-
ceeded in extirpating a large number of plants, some of which may formerly
have been helpful or needed in making the region a desirable abode for
the Ruffed Grouse.”
*12. Meleagris gallopavo silvestris. Witp TurKkrey.— The Wild
Turkey is still a comparatively common though extremely shy bird in
Shannon County. On March 18 a flock of seven was seen, but as a rule
they were single or in pairs. The cocks began “gobbling” the latter
part of March, and as many as four gobblers were heard at the same time.
On April 16 I secured a hen turkey in whose oviduct was found a fully
developed egg, shell and all. In her crop was a small lizard. On May 13
one of our party flushed a turkey from a nest containing ten eggs, and on
returning three or four days later the eggs were found to be cold and
evidently deserted.
iy
1 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 68.
2Tbid., p. 81.
eee Woopruer, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. 199
_ 13. Zenaidura carolinensis. Mourning Dove.— Common _ about
the cultivated fields at Eudy, Shannon Co. First seen March 17. Common
at Grandin, Carter County.
14. Cathartes aura septentrionalis. Turkey VuL_rurre.— Fairly com-
mon. Two eggs nearly ready to hatch were found May 13 in a small
cave, four feet deep, in Shannon Co.
15. Catharista urubu. Brack VuLrure.'— Not common. Though
I was confident that I saw this species a number of times, it was only
once positively identified — April 29, Shannon Co.
*16. Accipiter velox. SHARP-SHINNED Hawk.-— Not common. Seen
only four times (March 23, 30; April 21 and May 2). On May 2 I secured
a female containing three nearly developed eggs in her ovaries, so they
must breed here.?, Shannon Co.
17. Buteo borealis. Rep-rarep Hawx.— Fairly common.
*18. Buteo borealis krideri. WKriner’s HawK.— On April 10 I secured
an immature male which has since been identified by Mr. H. C. Oberholser
as referable to this subspecies. Shannon Co.
19. Buteo platypterus. Broap-wincep Hawx.— Not common. A
nest with three downy young a day or two old was found May 25 in an
oak in the valley of the Little Black River near Grandin, Carter Co.
20. Cerchneis sparveria. AMERICAN Sparrow Hawx.— Fairly com-
mon.
21. Pandion haliaétus carolinensis. AmMpRIcAN OspREY.— One seen
over Current River, Shannon Co., April 21.
22. Syrnium varium. Barrep Ow1.—A large owl, probably this
species, was hooting about our camp in Shannon Co., on the night of
April 21. (Mr. Savage informs me that he has heard this owl occasionally
in this county.)
23. Coccyzus americanus. YELLOW-BILLED CucKoo.— Fairly com-
mon. Two nests containing one egg each were found May 17 and 21 at
Grandin.
24. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. Brack-pintep CucKkoo.— Rare.
None seen in Shannon Co. The only specimen positively identified was
in Carter Co., May 23. (See supplementary list.)
25. Ceryle alcyon. KinarisHer.— Fairly common.
*26. Dryobates villosus. Harry Woopprcker.— Common in Shannon
Co. None were seen at Grandin, Carter Co. The ovaries of a female
secured March 27 contained two well developed ovules,’so nesting had
probably begun.
(One of the most noticeable things about the bird life in Shannon Co.,
was the great abundance of Woodpeckers of all kinds — eight species in
all. This was especially marked during March before nesting had begun.)
*27. Dryobates pubescens medianus. Downy WoopprckEerR.— Very
common.
1 Widmann, Prelim, Cat. Birds Mo., p. 88.
2Tbid., p. 92.
200 Wooprurr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. oo
*28. Dryobates borealis. Rrp-cockapED WoopprrckER.— I was fortu-
nate enough to be the first to introduce this bird ! to the list of the birds of
Missouri.’ At first they seemed to be rare, for up to April 10 I had only
found them twice — three together on March 15 and two on March 30.
But from April 10 on till the end of my stay in Shannon Co. (May 15) I
saw them constantly. The female of a pair secured April 19 (on which
day I saw four pairs) was in breeding condition, and a male secured on May
12 showed by the thin and featherless condition of the skin on his breast
and belly that he was sharing with his mate in the duties of incubation.
I met them again in the virgin pine woods near the northern border of
Carter Co. (Twp. 27, R. 2 East) on May 29, but about Grandin, fourteen
miles to the south, where all the pine had been cut, none were found.
As they seemed to confine themselves to the pine woods, I believe they
will be driven out of this region as fast as these woods are cut off.
*29. Sphyrapicus varius. YELLOW-BELLIED SapsucKER.— One was
seen at Grandin March 8. They were abundant in Shannon Co. from
March 21 to April 8, after which only a few were seen daily till April 25,
and the last on May 9. This last record is considered suspiciously late
by Mr. Widmann,’ and is possibly that of a breeding bird.
The sapsuckers were very partial to the sap (?) of witch-hazel, which
grew abundantly in the bottoms of the larger ravines, and numbers of
them were to be seen making rows of punctures on the stems of this shrub
from six inches to two feet from the ground.
*30. Phiceotomus pileatus abieticola. NorrHern Pirparep Woop-
PECKER.— The two specimens secured on April 13 and May 13, both males,
were identified by Mr. H. C. Oberholser as belonging to this subspecies,
though the southern form might be expected to occur there.
This woodpecker was fairly common in Shannon Co., but very shy and
difficult to approach within gun range. The male secured May 13 proved
by the condition of the skin on his breast and belly that he also was sharing
with his mate in the duties of incubation.
None was seen at Grandin, but it doubtless occurs in the heavier woods.
*31. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Rep-HEADED Wooprecker.— An
abundant summer resident, and probably a rare winter resident. One
specimen was seen March 10 and a pair March 30. These had probably
wintered, for no more were seen in the region about our camp in Shannon
Co. till April 26, on which date they were found in large numbers. But
on April 20 I found them to be common in the valley of the Current River,
some ten miles to the northeast of camp. These birds were probably the
vanguard of the migrants which were pushing up the valley and which did
not penetrate back into the forest until six days later. Common at
Grandin.
1 Auk, Vol. XXIV, p. 349.
2 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 121.
870d... po baae
.
ere Wooprvrr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. 201
*32. Centurus carolinus. Rrp-BELLIED Woopprecker.— A fairly com-
mon resident.
*33. Colaptes auratus luteus. Norraern Fuicker.— Common. They
were very abundant in Shannon Co. from March 19 to 24, when the main
body of transients passed through.
34. Caprimulgus carolinensis. CHucK-wiLLs-w1pow.— None were posi-
tively identified in Shannon Co., though on May 12 I flushed a bird
which from its large size I suspected to be this species. (See supplementary
list.) At Grandin, Carter Co., they were evidently fairly common, for on
the nights of May 21, 22 and 23 several could be heard at the same time.
It was easy to distinguish them from the Whip-poor-will, for both species
could be heard at one time; the one in the valley bottom and the other
in the slopes above.
*35. Caprimulgus vociferus. Wurp-Ppoor-wiLLt.— Common. The first
specimen was seen and secured April 6.
36. Chordeiles virginianus. NiagurHawkx.— Not very common. First
one seen May 8.
37. Chetura pelagica. CHIMNEY Swirr.— Because of the extensive
woods and of the fact that chimneys were few and far between in the
vicinity of our camp in Shannon Co., swifts were rarely seen. The first
one noticed was on May 10.
In Carter Co. they were common.
*38. Trochilus colubris. Rusy-rHroatep HumMinepirp.— The first
hummingbird appeared April 28, and they became common on and after
May 4.
39. Tyrannus tyrannus. Kinesirp.— Lack of suitable country doubt-
less accounts for the rarity of the Kingbird in this section of Shannon
Co. They were met with only twice — April 28 and May 4—and on
both occasions were in the meadows at Eudy.
At Grandin they were fairly common.
40. Myiarchus crinitus. Crestep FiycarcHer.— Common. Arrived
in Shannon Co. April 29.
41. Sayornis phoebe. Puapr.—Common. The Phoebe was already
present on my arrival at Grandin on March 8, and in Shannon Co., March 10.
On March 16 I saw a Phoebe building a nearly completed nest under an
overhanging limestone cliff. Several nests were found in like situations
in the latter part of March.
42. Myiochanes virens. Woop Pewrer. Common, arriving in Shannon
Co., April 29.
*43, Empidonax flaviventris. YreLLOW-BELLIED FLYcATcHER.!— The
only specimen seen was one which I secured at Grandin, Carter Co., May 16.
*44, Empidonax virescens. GREEN-CRESTED FLycATCHER.— Common.
First seen in Shannon Co. April 29 and became common after May 8.
*45. Empidonax trailli alnorum. ALper FiycarcHer.’, ?— On June
1 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 140.
2 Auk, Vol. XXIV, p. 349.
3 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 142.
202 Wooprurr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. ree
3, I saw a pair of these birds on the edge of a small apple orchard in a
meadow in the valley of the Little Black River at Grandin, Carter Co.
The female was secured (No. 1583, 2, Coll. of L. B. and E. S. W.) and
was identified as belonging to this subspecies by Dr. J. A. Allen, Dr. J.
Dwight, Jr., and Mr. H. C. Oberholser. This is the first Alder Flycatcher
to be recorded from Missouri.
(In recording this bird in ‘The Auk,’ Vol. XXIV, p. 349, I inadvertently
used the name ‘Traills’ Flycatcher, though designating it under its proper
subspecific name.)
*46. Empidonax minimus. Least FiycarcHer.— Not common. First
seen May 8, and last seen May 17. Shannon Co.
*47. Otocoris alpestris praticola. Prarrr Hornep LarK.— Several
pairs were breeding in the meadows about Eudy, Shannon Co. The con-
dition of the breast and belly of a female secured March 23 proved that
breeding had already begun at that time.
*48. Cyanocitta cristata. Buur Jay.— Common. They were abun-
dant in Shannon Co. from April 28 to May 4 inclusive, flying about in
large flocks.
49. Corvus brachyrhynchos. AmrRIcAN Crow.— Not common.
50. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Boxsoxiinx.— Rare, but this was to be
expected considering the scarcity of open fields. Two were seen May 4
in the meadows at Eudy, Shannon Co., and several at Grandin, Carter Co.,
May 16 and 21.
*51. Molothrus ater. Cowsirrp.— Common. First seen in Shannon
Co., March 19. In Carter Co. I found a nest of the Bachman Sparrow on
May 27, which contained, besides two of its own eggs, three of the Cow-
bird, all evidently laid by the same bird.
52. Agelaius pheeniceus. Rep-winGED BLackspirp.— I| saw this bird
in the valley of Jack’s Fork on my way to and from camp, March 10 and
May 15, and they were probably common in the valleys of this and the
Current River.
At Grandin they were common in wet meadows.
*53. Sturnella magna. MrapoOWLARK.— Fairly common in clearings.
*54. Icterus spurius. OrcHARD OrIOLE.— Common about clearings.
First seen May 9.
55. Icterus galbula. Battrrmmore OrioLe.— Rare. Only one speci-
men seen in Shannon Co., May 4. None seen at Grandin.
56. Euphagus carolinus. Rusty Buiacxpirp.— A large flock was
seen March 19. Shannon County.
57. Quiscalus quiscula eneus. Bronzep GrRAcKLE.— Fairly common
near clearings in Shannon Co. None seen at Grandin.
*58. Carpodacus purpureus. Purpie Fincn.— The Purple Finch was
already present on my arrival at Grandin March 8, and in Shannon Co.
March 10, and were to be seen in large flocks till April 25, on which day the
last bird was noted.
*59. Loxia curvirostra minor. AMERICAN CROSSBILL.' — Small flocks
1 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 168.
Vol. XXV
1908
| Woopvrurr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. 203
were seen in Shannon Co. every few days from April 3 to May 1 inclusive.
*60. Loxia leucoptera. Wuire-wincep Crosssitu.',?— On April 18
I secured a female White-winged Crossbill that was feeding on the ground
in company with two American Crossbills, both females. This is the first
one to be recorded from Missouri, and, as a record, is all the more surprising
because of having been taken so near the southern border, while it has
not yet been recorded from the northern part of the State.
61. Astragalinus tristis. AmeRIcAN GoLprincH.— Goldfinches were
fairly common, though varying exceedingly in numbers, throughout my
stay in the Ozarks.
*62. Spinus pinus. Pine Siskin.*— The first siskins were seen in
Shannon Co. on April 28, 29 and 30. Another flock was seen May 13.
At Grandin, Carter Co., I found small flocks on May 16, 17 and 21, and on
June 4, when in the pine woods near the northern border of the county,
a siskin flew by me so close that I could not have been mistaken in my
identification.
63. Passer domesticus. ENGiisH Sparrow.— Even in the heart of
the pine and oak woods, wherever there was a clearing with an occupied
log cabin, this omnipresent bird was to be found.
*64. Pocecetes gramineus. VrEsPeER SparRow.‘— A common tran-
sient in meadows in the valley bottoms and about Eudy, Shannon Co.
The first were seen March 19 and last on April 7.
*65. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna. Savanna Sparrow.> —
Two were found April 25, and on April 28, May 4 and May 13, I found
them common on the meadows about Eudy, Shannon Co. A Savanna
Sparrow taken March 22 (the date given by Mr. Widmann,’ March 19,
is an error), proved to belong to the following subspecies.
*66. Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus. WrsTeRN SAVANNA Spar-
row.® — On March 22 I found a flock of sparrows in a narrow meadow
in Spring Valley containing three or four Savanna Sparrows and a number
of Vesper Sparrows. One of the former was secured and was identified
by Mr. H. C. Oberholser as belonging to this subspecies (No. 1400, 3,
Coll. of L. B. and E. 8. W.).
- This specimen is the first recorded from Missouri.
*67. Coturniculus savannarum passerinus. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.’
— Several were seen and one secured in a narrow meadow in Black Valley,
Shannon Co., on March 19. This appears to be the earliest date on record
for Missouri. Mr. Widmann states *® that the first arrive in southern
1 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 169.
2 Auk, Vol. XXIV, p. 349.
3 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 171.
4 Ibid., p. 175.
5 Ibid., p. 176.
6 Ibid., p. 176.
7 Ibid., p. 177.
Shia Day linae
204 Wooprurr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. rest
Missouri about the middle of April. The day and night preceding (March
18) had been exceptionally warm, and on the morning of the 19th I found
the woods and valleys full of birds. The Fringillide were most in evidence
and among them several new arrivals (Grasshopper, Henslow, Vesper,
Bachman’s, and Swamp Sparrows). No more Grasshopper Sparrows
were seen till April 14 and 17, on each of which days I saw and secured one
specimen. On the 25th of April I found them common in the meadows
at Eudy, and they were still to be found there May 13. I also found them
at Grandin, Carter Co. (June 3), and believe they breed there.
After comparing the four specimens secured in Missouri with others
* secured in Connecticut I came to the conclusion that they were “rather
intermediates, but nearer bimaculatus,” and they were thus recorded by
Mr. Widmann,’ but Mr. H. C. Oberholser has since examined and identi-
fied these specimens as the eastern form (C. s. passerinus).
*68. Ammodramus henslowi. Henstow Sparrow.— One was se-
cured March 19 (the earliest date on record for Missouri)? from a flock of
several Grasshopper, Vesper and Field Sparrows on the edge of a corn
field in Black Valley, Shannon Co. Another was seen May 4 in the Eudy
meadows.
*69. Chondestes grammacus. Lark Sparrow.— Evidently an uncom-
mon bird in this region. One was seen and secured in a freshly plowed
field at Eudy, Shannon Co., on May 13, and I found it again at Grandin,
Carter Co., on May 16 and 17, one each day.
70. Zonotrichia leucophrys. Wuire-cROWNED Sparrow.— Only met
with twice, May 11 and 13; Shannon Co..
*71. Zonotrichia albicollis. Wuire-rHROATED SpPparRow.— Present
on my arrival in Shannon Co., March 10, and common throughout my
stay there. At Grandin, Carter Co., the last were seen May 17.
*72. §pizella socialis. CHirpinc Sparrow.— Common. First seen
March 12, became common March 19, and abundant from April 9 to 20
when they were to be found everywhere — in the depths of the pine woods
on top of the plateau, and in the open stretches in the valley bottoms.
*73. Spizella pusilla. Firtp Sparrow.— Already present on my
arrival in Shannon Co., March 10, on which date I saw one. They became
common on March 19. A nest and four eggs were found May 21 at Grandin,
Carter Co.
*74, §pizella pusilla arenacea. WrsTeERN Fietp Sparrow.— Two
of the four specimens of Field Sparrows taken in Shannon Co. proved to
be of this form. These two specimens were secured March 13 and 19
(No. 1372 and 1392, Coll. of L. B. and E. 8. W.), and are the first to be
recorded from Missouri. Mr. H. C. Oberholser has confirmed my identi-
fication.
1 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 178.
2 Ibid., p. 178. :
3 Ibid., p. 187.
ha Woopruer, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. 205
On March 19, several S. p. arenacea were seen in a flock of S. p. pusilla,
and I found it easy to distinguish them by the conspicuous gray crown-
stripe of the former.
*75. Junco hyemalis. Siare-coLorepD JuNco.— Juncos were present
in large numbers on my arrival in Carter Co., March 7, and in Shannon
Co. March 10. They were less abundant after April 7, and the last were
seen April 27, except for a lone male secured May 21 at Grandin, Carter Co.'
On examining this latter bird I found that its belly was distended to twice
its normal size and was packed solid with a mass of transparent worms,
three inches or more long and as thick as a small match, filling up every
bit of space in the intestinal cavity. Though able to fly and otherwise
in good condition, this load was evidently too much to carry and was the
probable explanation of this exceptionally late date.
Dr. Jonathan Dwight, Jr., who is making an exhaustive study of the
various races of Juncos of North America, kindly examined the series of
thirteen Juncos secured, and divided them into the three races: hyemalis
hyemalis, hyemalis connectens, and hyemalis montanus. —
Specimens of J. h. hyemalis, taken from one flock March 11 in Shannon
County, were very dark birds and typical of J. h. hyemalis from Alaska.
Others taken later in the month and in April were similar to eastern
representatives of the race.
*76. Junco hyemalis connectens. ScHurELpr’s Junco.— A male
Junco collected at Hunter, Carter Co., March 7, and a female collected in
Shannon Co. March 17, were assigned by Dr. Dwight to this form.
*77. Junco montanus. Montana Junco.?— A female (No. 1364, 9,
Coll. L. B. and E. 8. W.), secured March 11 from a large flock of Juncos
in Shannon Co. was identified by both Dr. Dwight and Mr. H. C. Oberholser
as of this species.
This is the first Montana Junco to be recorded from Missouri.
*78. Peucza estvalisbachmanii. BAcHMAN’s SPpARROW.*,?— On March
19 I saw and secured the first Bachman’s Sparrow, and on and after April
6 found it common throughout the mixed pine and oak woods of Shannon
Co. They seemed to prefer stands of mixed pine and oak to either pure
pine or pure oak.
In Carter Co. I found it only four times (May 17, 24, 27 and June 4),
but the fact that almost all the pine had been cut may explain their rarity
here. On May 27, in the virgin pine and oak forest near the northern
border of the county (Twp. 27, R. 2 East), I flushed a Bachman’s Sparrow
from a nest containing two of her own eggs and three of the Cowbird —
incubation far advanced.*,® This find was the first conclusive proof of
1 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 188.
2 Tbid., p. 189.
3 Ibid., p. 189.
4 Auk, Vol. XXIV, p. 349.
5 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 189.
6 Auk, Vol. XXIV, p. 349.
206 Wooprvrr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. racer
its breeding in the State. The nest was on the ground in a small clump
of long grass and New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus), and close to
the fallen top of a recently cut pine. These birds were found almost
invariably near or in the tops of dead and down trees.
*79, Melospiza cinerea melodia. Sone Sparrow.— The Song Spar-
row was a rare bird in Shannon Co., and not seen at all in Carter Co. I
noted it only six times (March 10, 13, 17, 19, 30, and April 14). On
March 19, the day sparrows of all kinds were so abundant, it was fairly
common, but on the other dates only from one to three or four were noted.
*80. Melospiza lincolni. Lincoin’s Sparrow.— These birds were
probably fairly common though not many were seen. They confined
themselves to the dense patches of low shrubs in the valley bottoms where
it was difficult to see them and from which it was almost impossible to
flush them. I met with it first April 14 in Shannon Co., and the last one
was seen May 20 in Carter Co.
*81. Melospiza georgiana. Swamp Sparrow.'— Not common. First
seen March 19; last seen May 13; Shannon Co.
82. Passerella iliaca. Fox Sparrow.— Fox Sparrows were very
abundant at Hunter, Carter Co., March 7. The oak woods by the railroad
station was alive with them. In Shannon Co. they were common until
March 24 when they left except for one lone specimen seen April 6.
*83. Pipilo erythrophthalmus. Townrr.— Already present on my
arrival at Grandin March 8, and Shannon Co. March 10, and was fairly
common throughout my stay.
*84, Cardinalis cardinalis. CarpminaL.— Very common. Nests with
eggs found from April 29 to May 25 inclusive, and a nearly full grown
young bird was seen May 5.
85. Zamelodia ludoviciana. Rosr-BREASTED GROSBEAK.— Rare. A
male was seen May 2 and a female May 8, Shannon Co. At Grandin, I
saw on May 20 what I was confident was a female Rose-breast high up in
a tree, but as they rarely breed so far south, this record cannot be accepted
as positive.
*86. Passerina cyanea. Inpico BuntineG.— First seen April 28 and
became common May 8, remaining so throughout my stay.
*87. Spiza americana. DickcisseL.— None were seen in the vicinity
of our camp, but several were found May 15 in a cultivated meadow near
Winona, Shannon Co. At Grandin they were common in meadows in the
valley of the Little Black River. A nest with 5 fresh eggs was found
June 3.
*88. Piranga erythromelas. Scarter Tanacer.— Arrived in large
numbers April 25 and was fairly common thereafter.
*89. Piranga rubra. SummeR TanacerR.— First seen April 26 and
became common on April 29. A nest with four eggs was found in Carter
Co. June 4.
1 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., 192.
Tae | Wooprurr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. 207
*90. Progne subis. Purpite Martin.— First seen March 18. There
was a small colony at Eudy, Shannon Co. At Grandin they were common,
breeding in bird houses erected for their use.
91. Hirundo erythrogaster. Barn Swattow.— A flock of 12 Barn
Swallows flew over me in Shannon Co., May 7, and several were seen flying
over Jack’s Fork May 15. None was seen in Carter Co.
92. Iridoprocne bicolor. TREE SwaLLow.— Rare. On May 4 I saw
a lone Tree Swallow flying about a small pool of water in the meadows at
Eudy, Shannon Co., and on May 15 several over Jack’s Fork.
*93. Stelgidopteryx serripennis. RouGH-winaep SwaLLow.— Rough-
winged Swallows were common along the Current River, in Shannon Co.,
April 20 and 21, over Jack’s Fork May 15 and along the Current River in
Carter Co. May 17.
94. Bombycilla cedrorum. CrpArR Waxwina.— None was seen in
Shannon Co. At Grandin small flocks were seen May 20 and 24.
*95. Lanius ludovicianus migrans. Micranr SuHrike.— The only
Migrant Shrikes met with were two specimens that I secured March 18
in clearings in Black Valley, Shannon Co.
96. Vireosylva olivaceous. Rmp-kYED VrrEO.— Common. First seen
April 29.
*97, Vireosylva philadelphicus. PHinrapripHia Vireo.!— The first
and only Philadelphia Vireo seen in Shannon Co., was one secured May 9.
At Grandin, Carter Co., I took two on May 17 and saw two more May 24,
securing one.
*98. Lanivireo flavifrons. YELLOW-THROATED ViREO.— First one was
seen April 14. They were common from April 25 to 30 inclusive, but from
then until I left Shannon Co. (May 15) it was only occasionally met with.
None seen in Carter Co.
99. Lanivireo solitarius. BLur-HEADED VirEO.— Only one specimen
was seen May 9; Shannon Co.
*100. Vireo noveboracensis. Wuirr-EyEp Vrreo.— Arrived April 28
in Shannon Co., and were common thereafter. A nest with 4 fresh eggs
and one of a Cowbird was found May 25 at Grandin, Carter Co.
101. Mnhiotilta varia. Biack anp Wuitrr WarBLEeR.— This was the
first of the warblers to appear in Shannon Co., arriving March 23.
It was fairly common throughout my stay in both counties.
*102. Helmitherus vermivorus. WorMm-rATING WARBLER.? — A com-
mon bird in Shannon Co., arriving April 25. At Grandin, only one was
seen — May 30.
*103. Helminthophila bachmani. BacHMAN’s WaARBLER.’, *—I was
fortunate enough to meet with this interesting bird on two different occa-
1 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 209.
2 Ibid., p. 215.
3 Ibid., p. 215.
4 Auk, Vol. XXIV, p. 348.
208 Wooprurr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. oni
sions, securing a male in Shannon Co. May 2, and another male at Grandin,
Carter Co., May 23 (Nos. 1499 and 1575, Coll. L. B. and E. 8S. W.) There
can be but little question that both these birds were on their breeding
grounds, for the Bachman’s Warbler is one of our earliest warbler migrants,
arriving in southern United States in March and is on its breeding grounds
in Dunklin Co., Mo., by the middle of April. Nests with eggs were found
by Mr. O. Widmann in Dunklin Co. as early as May 14 (1898). This
extends the range of Bachman’s Warbler about 100 miles to the north-
west. The most surprising thing, especially in the case of the Shannon
Co. bird, was that they should have been found in a locality so totally
different in character from that of their previously known breeding haunts.
The Shannon Co. bird was in some low bushes in the dry stream bed of
Spring Valley (Twp. 29, R. 5, Section 5). The Grandin bird was in a dense,
wooded thicket in the valley of the Little Black River — a more suitable
situation, though still in a hilly and comparatively dry country. The
latter bird was like a will-o’-the-wisp, leading me on, singing just ahead
of me and keeping out of sight except for an occasional fleeting glimpse.
Then he would stop singing for ten or fifteen minutes at a time, only to
begin again back where I had first heard him. Once he suddenly appeared
in the lower branches of a small tree within fifteen feet of me, and seemed
utterly unmindful of my presence though I was in full view, foraging
busily and silently among the leaves near the ends of the branches. Though
he spent most of his time feeding and singing in shrubs and bushes, he
would occasionally mount well up into the branches of some of the taller
trees and sit quietly singing. After I had spent over two hours there
patiently watching and waiting, I shot him while he was pouring out his
song about 35 feet up in an oak. The song to my ear is very similar to
that of the Worm-eating Warbler. I felt confident that I heard another
male singing at the same time, but as none were seen or heard on several
later visits to the same locality, I may have been mistaken.
*104. Helminthophila pinus. Buur-wincep WarBLER.— Common.
The first one was seen at the Current River, Shannon Co., April 20, and
they appeared in the vicinity of our camp April 24.
*105. Helminthophila leucobronchialis. Brewster’s WARBLER.', ? —
On May 12 I secured in Shannon Co. an absolutely typical specimen of the
Brewster’s Warbler (No. 1531, 3, Coll. L. B. and E. S. W.). The entire
underparts are pure white without even a suggestion of any yellow wash.
The back is bluish gray slightly tinged in the middle with greenish. A
single, broad wing-patch of canary yellow. Its song was similar to that
of H. chrysoptera. This is the first Brewster’s Warbler to be recorded
from Missouri or from west of the Mississippi River.
*106. Helminthophila rubricapilla. Nasavitte Warsier.— Arrived
in Shannon Co. April 28 and were fairly common. The last were seen
May 17 at Grandin, Carter Co.
1 Auk, Vol. XXIV, p. 348. -
2 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 216.
bios Ag Wooprurr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. 209
*107. Helminthophila peregrina. TrENNESSEE WARBLER.— Arrived
April 25, became common April 29, and from May 9 till I left Shannon Co.
(May 15) they were by far the most abundant of all the warbler family.
I found them abundant at Grandin, Carter Co., May 16 and 17 and the
last was seen May 25. On May 2 I secured a male Tennessee Warbler im
Shannon Co., which had a number of coppery-chestnut feathers in its
crown, similar to those of a Nashville Warbler. In all other respects it
was a typical Tennessee Warbler (No. 1500, <’, Coll. L. B. and E. 8. W.).!
*108. Compsothlypis americana ramaline. WrstprN ParuLA War-
BLER.— First seen April 20, when I found it abundant in the valley of the
Current River, Shannon Co. In the vicinity of our camp, I saw it only
3 times; one on April 23, several April 24, and one April 26. At Grandin,
it was a rather rare summer resident. The three specimens secured April
20, May 17 and May 30 were identified by Mr. H. C. Oberholser as belonging
to this form.
*109. Dendroica tigrina. Care May Warsier.” — A single individual
was seen and secured May 10 and another May 15, both of them near
Alley, Shannon Co.
110. Dendroica estiva. YELLOW WarsLer.— First seen April 25,
and became fairly common on and after May 3.
*111. Dendroica coronata. Myrrte WarsLEeR.— Single individuals
were seen at Grandin, Carter Co., Mareh 8, and in Shannon Co., March 21
and April 4. The first two and possibly all three may have been winter
residents, for the transients did not appear till April 13. They were
common until May 4 in Shannon Co., and the last were seen May 17 at
Grandin.
112. Dendroica maculosa. Maagnoxiia WarBLER.— In Shannon Co.
the Magnolia Warbler appeared to be a rare migrant, for I met with it
only twice — May9and15. Mr. W. G. Savage reports it as fairly common
at Monteer. At Grandin, Carter Co., I found it May 16 and 17.
*113. Dendroica cerulea. CrRULEAN WaARrBLER.— Arrived April 27
and was fairly common in Shannon Co. In Carter Co. I found it in small
numbers in the river valleys.
114. Dendroica pensylvanica. CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER.— Not com-
mon. Single individuals were seen in Shannon Co., May 9, 10, 11 and
several May 13. At Grandin several were seen May 16 and 17.
*115. Dendroica castanea. BAy-BREASTED WARBLER.’ — None were
seen in Shannon Co. (See supplementary list.) At Grandin I found it
May 16, 17 and 21, one each day.
*116. Dendroica striata. Buack-poLt WarBLER.— A common tran-
sient. Arrived, Shannon Co., May 9. The last were seen at Grandin
May 28.
1 Auk, Vol. XXIV, p. 348
2 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 221.
3 [bid., p. 227.
210 Woopruer, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. ree
117. Dendroica blackburniz. BLackBuRNIAN WaRBLER.'— A rare
migrant. One was seen in Shannon Co. May 13, and at Grandin one May
16, and several May 17.
*118. Dendroica dominica albilora. SycamMoRE WARBLER.” — Not
common in Shannon Co. Arrived March 28. They were fairly common
in Carter Co. These birds were invariably found high up in pines on top
of the ridges. None were seen or heard in the valleys, even where there
were plenty of sycamores.
119. Dendroica virens. BLAcK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.— Not
common. Single birds were seen in Shannon Co. on May 1, 4 and 10 and
several on May 12 and 13. At Grandin one was seen May 17.
*120. Dendroica vigorsii, Pines Warsurr.’,4—The Pine Warbler
was already present on my arrival at Grandin March 8, and in Shannon Co.
March 10. It was common throughout my stay in Shannon Co. in the
pine woods. I found no nests, but saw the birds gathering nesting mate-
rial and carrying it up into the pines several times in the latter part of
March, and on April 25 a nestling was secured, too young to fly, which
had fallen from its nest and was being fed on the ground by its parents.
I also found a number of full-grown young birds in nestling plumage before
the middle of May, so there can be no question that it is a common summer
resident in this region.
*121. Dendroica discolor. Prarrr WarsBurr.— Arrived April 24 in
Shannon Co., and became common on and after April 26. Common at
Grandin.
122. Seiurus aurocapillus. Ovensirp.— Arrived April 19 and became
abundant April 26. Common in both Shannon and Carter Cos.
*123. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis. GrINNELL’s WATERTHRUSH.® —
— A common transient. The first were seen in Shannon Co. May 9, and
the last (one) at Grandin May 24. The three specimens secured May 9,
12 and 21, were identified by Mr. H. C. Oberholser as belonging to this
subspecies.
*124, Seiurus motacilla. LovistanA WaTEeRTHRUSH.— First seen
March 21. I found it common in the Current River valley April 19 and
20. None were seen after May 2, though they would probably have been
found along the Current River had I revisited it. At Grandin I saw none
at all.
*125. Oporornis formosa. Kenrucky WarpiLer.— Arrived April 28
and was common thereafter.
*126. Oporornis philadelphia. Mourninc WarBLER.’? — A specimen
secured May 13 at Eudy, Shannon Co., was the only one seen.
1 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p..229.
2 Tbid., p. 230.
3 Ibid., p. 231.
4 Auk, Vol. XXIV, p. 348.
5 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mc., p. 234.
6 Ibid., p. 235.
7 Ibid., p. 237.
age | Wooprurr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. 211
*127. Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla. NorraerN YELLOW-THROAT.
— Arrived April 29. Was rather rare in Shannon Co., but common at
Grandin.
*128. Icteria virens.. YELLOW-BREASTED CuHar.— Arrived April 27
and became very common on and after May 3.
*129. Wilsonia mitrata. HooprEp WarpBiEer.— Rare. Only met with
twice in Shannon Co.— April 29 and May 15 (Jack’s Fork). None were
seen at Grandin.
*130. Wilsonia pusilla. Wirson’s Warsier.— Aspecimen secured
May 9 was the only one seen in Shannon Co.
At Grandin they were fairly common from May 16 to 20 inclusive.
131. Wilsonia canadensis. CaNaprian WarBLER.— None were seen
in Shannon Co., possibly because I left (May 15) before they arrived there
(see supplementary list). At Grandin I found them common from May
16 to 20 inclusive.
132. Setophaga ruticilla. American Repstart.— None were seen in
Shannon Co. till May 12, and thereafter but two or three each day until
my departure, May 15. At Grandin they were common on May 16 and
17, but none were seen thereafter, so it would appear that they do not
breed in this region.
*133. Mimus polyglottos. Mockrnepirp.— The wilds of the Ozarks
had evidently no attraction for this bird, for I saw none till I reached
Winona, Shannon Co., where I found them common May 15 and 16. At
Grandin only one Mockingbird was seen — May 17.
134. Dumetella carolinensis. Carsirp.— Rare. In Shannon Co. one
was seen April 30 and another May 4. At Grandin several were noted
May 17.
135. Toxostoma rufum. Brown TuHrRAsHER.— First one was seen
March 31. They were not common, and were seen very irregularly in
Shannon Co. At Grandin it was fairly common.
*136. Thryothorus ludovicianus. Caro~iva’ Wren.— Resident, but
not very common in Shannon Co., confining themselves to the larger
valleys. They were fairly common at Grandin.
*137. Thryomanes bewickii. Brwick’s Wren.— First one was seen
in Shannon Co., March 17. They were common from March 23 to March
30 inclusive all through the forest, but after that were rarely seen and then
about houses only. At Grandin they were common.
138. Troglodytes aédon aztecus. WrsterN House Wren.— Rare.
One was seen in Shannon Co. April 25 and another April 28. Unfortu-
nately neither specimen was secured, but as Missouri lies within the range
of the western form, I have assigned the above birds to this subspecies.
*139. Nannus hiemalis. WinreR Wren.— Rare. Two were seen
March 23, one April 3,' two April 10, and one April 21, all in Shannon Co.
*140. Cistothorus stellaris. SnHort-sinLep MarsH Wren.? — On May
1 Widmann, Prelim, Cat. Birds Mo., p. 250.
2 Ibid., p. 251.
212 Wooprurr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. eee
14 I secured a female Short-billed Marsh Wren in some witch-hazel bushes
in the dry creek-bed of Spring Valley, Shannon Co. Considering the fact
that this was in a dry, heavily-wooded and mountainous region with no
marshes within many miles, this record is very surprising.
*141. Telmatodytes palustris iliacus. Prarrim MarsH Wren.' — On
May 9, in Shannon Co., I saw three Prairie Marsh Wrens in as many
different places and several miles apart, securing two of them. Finding
these birds here was as surprising as in the case of the Short-billed Marsh
Wren, and for the same reason. :
142. Certhia familiaris americana. Brown CrrEEPER.— Probably a
winter resident in Shannon Co. I found it March 11 and it was fairly
common till April 24 when the last were seen.
143. Sitta carolinensis. WHiTr-BREASTED NutTHAtcH.— A common
resident.
*144. §Sitta canadensis. Rerp-Bpreastep NutHatcu.?— Probably a
winter resident in the pine region of Shannon Co., but not common. I
found it March 11, 14, 24, 30; April 6, 17,27; May 1,9and12. Shannon
Co.
*145. Sitta pusilla. Brown-HEapED Nuruatcn.’,s— On March 19 I
secured a pair of Brown-headed Nuthatches in some pines on the edge of.
a clearing in Black Valley, Shannon Co. The female was flying back and
forth to an old, dead pine in a cornfield and seemed much disturbed after
I had shot her mate. The only other record for this bird in Missouri is a
bird seen by Mr. O. Widmann in St. Louis, May 6, 1878 and reported in
Nut. Bull., Vol. V, p. 191.
*146. Beeolophus bicolor. Turrmp Tirmousr.— A common resident.
*147. Penthestes carolinensis. CaroLtina CHICKADEE.— A common
resident.
*148. Regulus satrapa. GOLDEN-CROWNED KineLer.— Common until
April 23, when the last were seen. Found at Grandin March 8.
*149. Regulus calendula. Rusy-crowNEp Kineter.— A common
transient in Shannon Co. First seen March 19,° and last seen May 4.
*150. Polioptila czrulea. Briur-Gray GNATCATCHER.— Common in
Shannon Co., arriving April 12. They were abundant throughout the
forest from May 4 to 7 inclusive.
Fairly common at Grandin.
151. Hylocichla mustelina. Woop TurusuH.— Common. Arrived in
Shannon Co. April 25.
*152. Hylocichla alicie. Gray-cHEEKED THRUsH.— Common in
Shannon Co. April 28 to May 13 inclusive.
1 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 252.
2 Ibid., p. 254.
3 Auk, Vol. XXIV, p. 349.
4 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 255.
5 Ibid., p. 258.
Yop XY] Wooprver, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. Abs
*153. Hylocichla ustulata swainsonii. OLIvE-BAcKED THRUSH.— A
common transient. Arrived April 29 in Shannon Co., and was fairly
common till May 25! on which date the last were seen at Grandin.
*154. Hylocichla guttata pallasiii Hermir THrusu.”? — Not common.
First one was seen March 26, and last, April 27. Shannon Co.
155. Planesticus migratorius. AmrrRicAN Roxin.— Already present
on my arrival in Carter Co. March 7, and in Shannon Co. March 10. The
Robin was common as a transient in March, but rare as a summer resident
in both Shannon and Carter Cos. I found a nest with 4 eggs in an apple
orchard at Eudy, Shannon Co., May 13.
156. Sialia sialis. Buursrrp.— Already present on my arrival in
Carter Co. March 7, and Shannon Co. March 10, and was fairly common
about clearings.
Supplementary List.
The following are the additional records for Shannon County kindly
furnished me by Mr. W. G. Savage. Those in brackets are species which
are noted in the foregoing list as found by me in Carter County, but not in
Shannon. 5
157. Podilymbus podiceps. Pimp-BinLED GREBE.— Rather rare.
158. Larus argentatus. Herring Guiu.— Rare. Observed twice in
four years.
159. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. AmMmRicAN WHITE PELICAN.-— Rare.
160. Anas boschas. Matiarp.— Fairly common.
161. Nettion carolinensis. GrEEN-wiINGED TEAu.— Fairly common.
162. Dafila acuta. Prvrar.— Fairly common.
163. Marila collaris. Rinc-NEckED Ducx.— Rare.
164. Porzana carolina. Sora.— Rare.
165. Fulica americana. American Coor.— Rather rare. _
166. Gallinago delicata. Wuitson’s Snipr.— Rare. Only seen once.
167. Totanus melanoleucus. GREATER YELLOW-LEGS.— Rare. Only
seen twice.
168. Bartramia longicauda. BarrramMIAN SANDPIPER.— Rare.
169. Oxyechus vociferus. Ki~LprEr.— Rare.
170. Ictinia mississippiensis. Mississtppr Kire.— Rare. Observed
two or three times in four years.
171. Circus hudsonius. Marsa Hawxk.— Rather rare. Observed
two or three times each year in four years.
172. Accipiter cooperi. Cooprr’s Hawx.— Tolerably common. Very
shy.
1 Widmann, Prelim. Cat. Birds Mo., p. 263.
2 Ibid.
BARE Wooprutrr, Birds of Shannon and Carter Counties, Mo. reed
.173. Buteo borealis harlani. Haruan’s Hawx.— Rare. Only ob-
served a few times.
174. Buteo lineatus. Rep-sHOULDERED Hawxk.— Common. Ob-
served mostly in spring and fall.
175. Buteo swainsoni. Swainson’s Hawx.— Fairly common.
176. Halizetus leucocephalus. Batp EHacun.— Rather rare. Ob-
served four or five times a year for four years.
177. Otus asio. ScreecH Owx.— Very abundant.
178. Bubo virginianus. Great Hornep Owu.— Fairly common.
Observed in winter only, from ten to twenty times each winter for four
years.
(24. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. Buack-BinLED CucKoo.]— Rare.
(34. Caprimulgus carolinensis. CHucK-wILLs-wipow.] Rare. Only
heard twice in four years. (See preceding list.— E. 8. W.)
Phalenoptilus nuttalli (?). Poor-wim (?).— ‘‘Am reasonably certain
of hearing the Poor-will once.” W. G. 58.
179. Nuttallornis borealis. Oxive-sipep FrycatcHer.— Rather rare.
Observed from one to three times each year for four years.
180. Spizella monticola. Trem Sparrow.— Rather rare. From 8th
to 10th of February of each year for the last three years, have observed
from 2 to'8. 6
181. Guiraca cerulea. Biur GrospEaKk.— Common. Breeding quite
abundantly.
182. Petrochelidon lunifrons. Crirr SwaLttow.— Rather rare. Only
observed in spring and fall.
183. Riparia riparia. Bank SwaLttow.— Rare. Only identified two
or three times in four years.
(94. Bombycilla cedrorum. Crpar Waxwina.]— Fairly common.
May be looked for any time of year in small flocks, except in June and July.
184. Vireosylva gilvus. Warpsiina VirEo.— Very rare. Only heard
once.
185. Vireo belli. Brti’s Vireo.— Rare. Only observed a few times
here.
186. Protonotaria citrea. PRorHonoTary WaArBLER.— Rather rare.
Observed three or four times in four years.
187. Helminthophila chrysoptera. GoLDEN-wINGED WARBLER.— Rare.
[115. Dendroica castanea. Bay-BREASTED WARBLER.] — Rather rare.
188. Dendroica palmarum. Patm Warsier.— Rare. Only observed
two or three times here in four years.
[131. Wilsonia canadensis. CaNnapIAN WaARBLER.]— Rather rare.
Observed several times in four years. Not seen in fall.
189. Hylocichla fuscescens. Wutson’s THrusH.— Rare. Only ob-
served two or three times. (This may have been the western form — the
Willow Thrush [H. f. salicicola], as Missouri must lie within the range of
the latter.— E. S. W.)
vee’ | General Notes. 2N5
GENERAL NOTES.
Occurrence of a Dovekie at Port Washington, Wis— On January 11,
1908, some boys hunting along the ice fringe of Lake Michigan at Port
Washington, about twenty-five miles north of Milwaukee, shot a bird which
was strange to them and which they carried to Dr. C. W. Beemer of that
town for identification. Dr. Beemer correctly determined it as a Dovekie
(Alle alle) and had it mounted by a local taxidermist. He has since
presented it to the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee. The sex was
not determined. The bird appears to be an adult in ordinary winter
plumage.
I believe that this is the first record for this bird as far west in the United
States as Wisconsin. Its presence was presumably accidental, storm-
driven, rather than a voluntary straying from its coastwise habitat.—
Henry L. Warp, Milwaukee, Wis.
An Addition to the Birds of Iowa.— The Museum of Natural History of
the University of Iowa, at Iowa City, obtained a fine female specimen, in
good plumage, of the Long-tailed or Arctic Jeeger (Stercorarius longicaudus),
which was captured near Lone Tree, Johnson County, Iowa, on or about
June 15, 1907. The bird was seen flying around with the pigeons on the
farm of Mr. Charles Prizler, near Lone Tree, and a shot from his gun
broke the bird’s wing and enabled Mr. Prizler to capture it alive. The
bird was brought to Iowa City and presented to Professor C. C. Nutting,
of the department of Zoédlogy, and identified by him. I saw the bird two
or three days later, after it had been mounted by Mr. Homer R. Dill, the
University taxidermist, and verified the measurements and identity.
The coloration and measurements are those of the typical adult, as given
in Coues’s ‘Key’ and Ridgway’s ‘Manual.’ I know of no previous record
of the occurrence of the Long-tailed Jzeger in Iowa, although its congener,
Stercorarius parasiticus, has been taken at least twice; once on the Missis-
sippi at Keokuk, Oct. 6, 1896, and preserved by Mr. Wm. G. Praeger, and
one specimen at Eagle Lake, Hancock County, Sept. 20, 1905, and now in
the Coe College collection at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, recorded by Dr. B. H.
Bailey— Rupotpw M. AnpERsoN, Macon, Missourt.
The Black Tern at Camden, N. J., and Philadelphia, Pa — In ‘The Auk’
for April, 1907, page 211, I recorded the observation of a Black Tern
(Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis) on the Delaware River at Philadelphia,
Pa., but as the bird was not taken there appears to be some doubt, in the
minds of some ornithologists, at least, as to the reliability of my identi-
fication, and in this connection I would like to assure the most incredulous
that I made no mistake, for if I had been in the least doubt, I certainly
would never had recorded its occurrence. However, I am now able to
216 General Notes. een
record the actual capture of the Black Tern on the Delaware River in the
vicinity of Philadelphia, which ought to satisfy the most doubting that
this bird does occasionally occur in this locality.
On September 5, 1907, Mr. Richard C. Harlow, of Edge Hill, Pa., and the
writer saw about 75 Black Terns, while gunning on the Delaware River,
behind Petty’s Island, at Camden, N. J., which is opposite Philadelphia,
and secured six immature birds. In fact, all seen were juveniles. On
September 10, about 50 Black Terns were seen by us at the above locality,
and also at Philadelphia, and eight were taken. As before, all seen and
shot on this day were immature birds. On the 5th they kept behind the
island along the Jersey shore marshes, but on the 10th several were seen
elsewhere than out on the river, and often observed resting on pieces of
driftwood, singly, in pairs, and threes, floating with the tide.
The specimens taken are in Mr. Harlow and the writer’s collection, except
two which were given to Mr. Witmer Stone, and fill a gap in his fine collec-
tion of local birds. The Terns were undoubtedly a migrating flock driven
inland by a recent storm.— RicHarp F. Mrurr, Philadelphia, Pa.
Another Capture of a Tagged Duck.— In ‘The Auk’ for January, 1908
(Vol. XXV, p. 80), Mr. Henry Oldys calls attention to the capture of a hen.
Canvasback Duck on October 25, 1907, at Manahawkin Bay, New Jersey,
on whose leg was an aluminum band marked ‘T. J. O. D. 48.’ In ‘ Forest
and Stream,’ November 16, 1907, there is recorded the shooting of a female
Redhead Duck in the first week of November, 1907, at Beach Haven, New
Jersey, which had a similar band on its leg marked ‘T. J. O. D. 49.’ It
would be of interest to learn where, how, when and by whom these birds
were banded.— E. Srymour Wooprurr, State Forester, Albany, N. Y.
The Cinnamon Teal (Querquedula cyanoptera) on the Coast of South
Carolina.— In ‘The Auk,’ Vol. XXIV, 1907, p. 157, Mr. William Brewster
has shown that the bird I recorded (Auk, Vol. X XII, 1905, p. 396) as a repre-
sentative of this species is really the Blue-winged Teal (Querquedula dis-
cors). Upon verifying some ducks in the Charleston Museum recently, I
noticed a specimen bearing the following label, written by the late Dr.
Gabriel E. Manigault, when he was the curator: ‘“ Blue-winged Teal
Querquedula discors 9.’ The extreme narrowness of the bill at once
arrested my attention, it measuring but .50 of an inch, and the culmen
(from feathers), 1.67. Although there is no locality on the label, the speci-
men was unquestionably bought of one of the game dealers in the Charles-
ton market by Dr. Manigault, who daily visited the market during the
winter months for the purpose of securing ducks for the Charleston Museum.
This specimen, I am certain, is really a representative of Querquedula
cyanoptera and was evidently killed on the Cooper River, the supply of
ducks for the market usually coming from that region.
This duck was mounted by the late Mr. John Dancer, who was employed
by Dr. Manigault to mount birds for the Charleston Museum, and was
taken probably in the winter of 1884 or 1885.
pecan , General Notes. pall t
Dr. Manigault was not in the habit of affixing localities to specimens
(despite my protestations) taken in South Carolina, for he regarded the
Charleston Museum as not a museum of science, but one to attract the
public generally.
Although the specimen is labeled “‘ 9 ”’ there can be little doubt that it
is a young 6, for the speculum is rich, uniform green.— ArTHuR T. WAYNE,
Honorary Curator Div. Birds, Charleston Museum.
Barrow’s Golden-eye (Clangula islandica) in Massachusetts.— As this
bird seems to be of rare occurrence in Massachusetts I would like to call
attention to its having been taken at Nantucket on December 17, 1906.
It was a male specimen in the adult plumage and was shot by Charles C.
Chadwick, a native of the island, and whom I have had occasion to go
shooting with several times. The bird was shot at the eastern end of the
harbor where there is an opening into the ocean known as Haulover Break.
At daylight and until sunrise a large flight of sea fowl streams through
here on their way to the feeding grounds in the harbor. They consist
mostly of White-winged Scoters (Oidemia deglandi), American Golden-
eyes (Clangula clangula americana), Old-squaws (Hareida hyemalis), and a
few Red-breasted Mergansers (Merganser serrator); this latter bird being
very common later on in the spring. The bird in question was shot at this
time during the flight, and was flying singly. Chadwick was unable to
identify the specimen but supposed it to be a freak Clangula clangula amert-
cana. He showed it to several of the oldest gunners on the island but
none had ever seen one like it before. Unfortunately the bird was destroyed
in ignorance. I have been unable to find any recent records of the capture
of this bird in Massachusetts and I believe it is considered a rare bird here,
though a few are occasionally taken in Maine.— 8. Prescorr Fay, Boston,
Mass.
The Whistling Swan (Olor columbianus) in South Carolina.— I am in-
debted to Dr. Jonathan Dwight, Jr., for the gift of a bird of this species
taken at Ridge Springs, Edgefield County, on November 26, 1907. The
specimen was shot in a small pond and seemed to be very tired. It was
sent by Dr. L. J. Smith to Mr. James P. Garick, Jr., of Weston, 8. C., to
be mounted, who (the latter) upon learning of my desire to obtain it for
my collection kindly used his influence in my behalf. Mr. Garick informs
me that the bird was greatly emaciated, in fact ‘skin and bone,’ but despite
its condition it measured (in flesh) 52 inches in length and 84 inches in
extent.
This Swan, although a young male and doubtless a bird-of-the-year,
has the legs and feet deep black as in the adult.
In Audubon’s ‘Birds of America,’ Vol. VI, p. 232; Baird, Brewer and
Ridgway. ‘Water Birds,’ Vol. I, p. 425; Coues’s ‘Key to N. A. Birds,’
p. 683; Ridgway’s ‘Manual of N. A. Birds,’ p. 120, and Chapman’s ‘ Birds
1s General Notes. audi
of Eastern North America,’ p. 124, the color of the feet of the young is
described as ‘‘yellowish flesh-color,” ‘grayish, or whitish,” and by the
last-named author as “light.”
Although the Whistling Swan winters in great numbers on the northern
coast of North Carolina, there are but few authentic records of the capture
of these magnificent birds for this State—— ArtHur T,. Warner, Mount
Pleasant, S. C.
Capture of the King Rail in Massachusetts.— I would like to report the
taking of a fine male King Rail (Rallus elegans) on October 10, 1907, on
the Charles River marshes, Needham, Mass. The bird has remarkably
fine plumage for that season of the year, and was extremely fat.— FRED.
H. Kennarp, Boston, Mass.
Nesting of the King Rail in Philadelphia County, Pa.— The King
Rail (Rallus elegans) is a very rare breeder nowadays — if it ever was a
common one — in the Delaware Valley and the discovery of a nest is worth
reporting, especially when found in the vicinity of Philadelphia, and par-
ticularly within the city limits. Bridesburg, on the Delaware River, is
about five miles from the City Hall and well within the city limits. In
the meadows at this locality it was my good fortune to find a King Rail’s
nest on June 3, 1902. It was placed half a foot up in a clump of reeds,
two feet high in a shallow marsh, woven to the blades and stalks, the tops
being pulled down and interwoven into the nest and formed a sort of arch
over it. It contained two fresh eggs, which were taken and are still in the
writer’s collection, probably the only eggs of Rallus elegans from Phila-
delphia in collections.
A week or so later the dead rail was found in a ditch near the nest and its
skull (which I still have) collected; the bird being partially decomposed, it
was useless as a skin or for mounting.
On June 26, 1907, I found a deserted King Rail’s nest not a square
away from the site of the other, placed on muddy water in a shallow marsh
amid tussocks and thin and scattered stalks of cat-tails, along the edge of
a cat-tail marsh.
These are the only King Rail’s nests I have been able to find in North
Philadelphia, after diligent search for them during the past six years.—
Ricuarp F, Miter, Philadelphia, Pa.
Virginia Rail and Kentucky Warbler in New Jersey.— In the January
issue of ‘The Auk’ I noted Mr. Hunt’s observations of these species on the
Pensauken Creek, New Jersey. A few words on this subject may not be
amiss, as I fear a wrong impression of the rarity of these species is given
here. The Virginia Rail is rarely observed by the casual ornithologist.
but nevertheless it is a perfectly regular summer resident in suitable marshes
throughout the Delaware Valley. In my several trips to the Pensauken
region I have not infrequently observed or heard the Virginia Rail and
vee | General Notes. at 9
have not the slightest doubt but that a careful search will prove it decidedly
common in that locality.
Mr. Hunt’s record of the Kentucky Warbler is considered by him to be
the only record from southern New Jersey. On July 3, 1904, I observed
two individuals of this species at Manahawkin, a locality still more southern
than Pensauken where I again observed it on May 21, 1907. Though
undoubtedly rare, it is probably of regular occurrence.— RicHarp C.
Hartow, Edge Hill, Pa.
Rallus virginianus Breeding in the Delaware Valley.— In ‘The Auk’
for January, 1908, p. 81, a correspondent appears to infer that the nesting
of the Virginia Rail is rare in the location above mentioned. I find already
recorded the nesting of this species as follows: In the ‘Abstract of Pro-
ceedings of Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, Vol. IV, p. 5, three
nests on the Delaware marshes below Philadelphia. In ‘Cassinia’ for
1903, p. 51, two nests at Richmond, Philadelphia, in the river marshes.
In ‘The Oologist,’ Vol. III, p. 46, there is a record of five nests of this bird
found in Chester County, Pa. One of these sets is in my collection. In
‘The Oologist,’ Vol. IV, p. 2, two additional nests are recorded from the
same locality. This bird breeds not uncommonly in the extensive marshes
along the Delaware River and its tributaries to at least twenty-five miles
south of Wilmington, Del. I have a set of 7 eggs collected near Odessa,
Del., July 19, 1903, and I have seen the bird in the nesting season near
Rehoboth, Del., just below Cape Henlopen, and almost one hundred miles
south of Philadelphia, Pa.— C. J. Pennock, Kennett Square, Chester County,
Pe:
Nesting of the Virginia Rail in Philadelphia County, Pa. — During ten
years or more of persistent search the writer has failed to find more than
two nests of the Virginia Rail (Rallus virginianus) in north Philadelphia
County, Pa., and consequently regards the bird as a rare summer resident.
The two nests in question were found on May 28, 1903, in a marsh at
Richmond, Philadelphia, well in the city limits, and to my chagrin they
were subsequently deserted.
Several times the birds have been since seen during the summer, and a
diligent search made for their nests, but without success.— Ricwarp F.
MiuiErR, Philadelphia, Pa.
Nesting of the Coot in Philadelphia County, Pa.— The Coot (Fulica
americana) is a common transient in the Delaware Valley, and has always
been regarded as such by the writer, despite suspicious stories of its occur-
rence during summer told to me by gunners of questionable veracity. This
was my belief until the summer of 1906, when I learned of the undoubted
breeding of the Coot in this district.
On August 21, 1906, a gunner observed a Coot with six half grown young
swimming together in a reedy tide-water pond at Richmond, Philadelphia,
220 General Notes. ree
not more than five miles from the City Hall, and well within the city limits.
His description of the birds — Chicken-bilied Ducks he called them —
precluded any doubt as to their identity, the white frontal shield plate of
the adult being a conspicuous identification mark.
On the same day another gunner shot a Coot on this pond whose identity
was ascertained by the writer, thus confirming the observation of the
other gunner, and proving conclusively that the Coot bred here. The fol-
lowing year, 1907, I hunted in vain for a Coot’s nest in the marsh, in fact
did not see a bird nor hear of any being shot in it.
This is the only record of the Coot breeding in the vicinity of Philadelphia
known to me.— RicHarp F. Mitusr, Philadelphia, Pa.
American Woodcock Breeding at Saint Marys, Ga.— Although a friend
some few years ago told me that he had seen an American Woodcock
(Philohela minor) with small young, about twenty-five miles from here on
the Satilla River, I have found the bird so rare, even during winter, that
I had about decided that he was mistaken. I was therefore both surprised
and pleased on the morning of March 9, 1908, to flush a bird from a set of
four eggs while riding through a thicket of bushes about three feet high in
a rather low place on the edge of aswamp. I was riding slowly at the time,
trying to identify a smali bird, and my horse’s feet were almost in the
nest before the bird quit it, rose above the bushes and settled down again
about twenty feet away. The nest was of leaves and a little pine straw,
and I found that incubation would have been over in a few days, but
managed to save the eggs. The nest was about four miles from Saint
Marys, and the Florida line, which I believe is the most southerly breeding
record for the bird. Have only seen one other bird this year.— Isaac
F, Arnow, Saint Marys, Ga.
The Lesser Yellow-leg in Phiiadelphia County, Pa.— On May 13, 1901,
at Frankford, Philadelphia County, Pa., I saw a flock of six Lesser Yellow-
legs (Totanus flavipes) feeding in a shallow ditch bordering a large wood
and wading about, often belly-deep, in the water in quest of food. They
were watched for about ten minutes and were quite tame, allowing a close
approach. When flushed they took wing together, uttering their char-
acteristic shrill cries as they rose and circled around, and then flew off
northward.
The Summer Yellow-leg is only mentioned in Stone’s ‘ Birds of Eastern
Pennsylvania and New Jersey’ as “‘Common transient on the coast and
less frequent on the larger streams”’ (p. 76). There are no reliable records
of its occurrence in the vicinity of Philadelphia, and Fowler in his ‘Water
Birds of the Middle Delaware Valley’ (Cassinia for 1903, p. 43) does not
mention the bird. When I contributed my notes to Mr. Fowler regarding
the Water Birds of Frankford and Vicinity I overlooked the observation of
this species, consequently it was not recorded in his excellent paper.—
Ricuarp F. Miuuer, Harrowgate, Philadelphia, Pa.
Lena General Notes. 221
Breeding of the Acadian Owl in Newton County, Indiana.— Another
actual breeding record of the Saw-whet Owl (Nyctala acadica) in Indiana
will doubtless be of interest, at least to local ornithologists. In July, 1907,
I saw at a farm between Kentland and Effner, not far from the Illinois line,
a family of these birds, parents and several young. The people living on
the farm had watched the development of the family throughout the
summer, and the birds being very tame I was able to observe them, during
the late afternoon hours, at close range. The nesting site was in a lawn
shade tree close to the house.— N. Houuisrer, Biological Survey, Wash-
ington, D.C.
Glaucidium vs. Noctua — A Correction. In ‘The Auk,’ Vol. XXIV,
p. 192, I proposed to substitute Noctua 8. G. Gmelin, 1771, for Glaucidium
Boie, 1826, on the stipposition that they were based upon the same species.
Gmelin based his genus upon Noctua minor Brisson which is a “‘ Glaucidium”’
and the case seemed clear enough. Unfortunately for my argument
there is sometimes a difference between what an author has and what he
thinks he has; and the plate which was lacking in the volume of the
Noy. Com. Sci. Petr., XV, in the’ Academy library, but which J have since
examined in Washington, shows Gmelin’s bird to have been a Short-eared
Owl, Asio accipitrinus, and not the ‘‘ Noctua minor Briss” at all! A genus
based upon a misidentified species is liable to cause a great deal of trouble,
and our only safe course seems to be to let the case rest wholly upon the
published evidence. Had there been no plate in this case my proposed
change would have been inevitable, but the plate saves the day for Glauci-
dium.— WiTMER Stone, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa,
European Starlings (Stwrnus vulgaris) in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and
Delaware.— In July, 1904, through Prof. H. A. Surface, State Zoélogist of
Pennsylvania, I was placed in correspondence with Dr. W. H. Ridge of
Trerose, Bucks Co., Pa., relative to a pair of curious birds that had estab-
lished themselves near hishouse. The birds, which proved to be Starlings,
arrived in the spring of 1904 and raised a brood in a hole in the cornice of the
house. The young left as soon as they were able to fly, while the old ones
remained until the following February when they, too, left. Nothing has
been seen of them since. In spite of Prof. Surface’s adverse report on their
desirability, Dr. Ridge declares that while he likes Martins he would prefer
the Starlings if he could only get them back.
In March, 1905, Miss F. L. Twaddell wrote to me of some interesting
birds that had occurred at intervals all winter on her grounds in West
Philadelphia and about Woodland Cemetery. These also proved to be
Starlings, and are still present. In March, 1907, they nested in a Flicker’s
hole, after driving the Flickers away, and raised a brood. Miss Twaddell
has never seen more than four or five at one time, presumably the original
pair and three young.
A letter from Miss Anna P, Hannum, dated February 3, 1908, reports the
999 General Notes. Aoril
arrival of a flock of Starlings at Vincentown, N. J., at the home of Mr.
Lewis Prickett, about two yearsago. The birds have remained ever since,
nesting in bird boxes and about the barn, and are highly prized by the
residents of the farm.
Other Starling records that have come to my notice are a bird examined
in the shop of Mr. Axe, a Philadelphia taxidermist, by Mr. R. F. Miller, shot
early in November, 1907, along with another individual at Tacony, Phila-
delphia, on the Delaware. A specimen in the possession of Mr. Philip
Laurent, was shot on the Meadows below Philadelphia, December 15, 1907,
by David Bouvier; five others were seen at the same place December 22.
A specimen now in the Academy collection, was shot from a flock at
Tuckerton, N. J., by Mr. Joseph Sapp, early in December, 1907.
Mr. C. J. Pennock writes me that the bird has also reached Delaware.
He examined one of three that were shot on the Bay Shore near Smyrna,
November 15, 1903. A large flock was seen in the same vicinity about
ten days later— Witmer Stone, Academy oj Natural Sciences, Phila-
delphia, Pa.
Another Clarke’s Crow taken in Missouri.— Mr. E. A. Dodge of Louisiana,
Pike Co., Mo., sent me a photograph of a Clarke’s Crow, Nucifraga colum-
biana (Wils.), which was killed by Mr. Mike Creamer near Louisiana on
October 12, 1907. It was mounted by Mr. Dodge and is now in his collec-
tion. With the exception of a specimen taken April 1, 1891, in Crittenden
Co., Ark., this is the farthest eastern occurrence of the species.— O. Wip-
MANN, St. Louis, Mo.
Bobolinks Summering in Southern Pennsylvania.— Perhaps it might
interest some readers of ‘The Auk’ to learn that for some years past there
have been several localities within twenty miles of Philadelphia where
the Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) reared its young. Chapman, in his
‘Handbook,’ gives its southern summer range as ‘“‘southern New Jersey,”
and despite assiduous searching, my efforts to find a more southerly record
for the east have been vain. It is with the view of establishing a new local-
ity that this is written.
In the summer of 1906, I spent the time from the latter part of June till
the corresponding portion of July in the vicinity of Bristol, Bucks Co.,
Pa., and within eighteen miles of Philadelphia. Here I observed the Bobo-
link frequently and often saw the parents in the act of feeding the young.
From reliable informers I gathered that the birds were no more abundant
that year than usual. Again, in the spring of 1907, I was in the vicinity of
Newtown, Bucks Co., and saw several pairs of the birds, the males in full
song. Here I was in company with J. Harris Reed, and he informed me
that the birds were usually to be found there throughout the summer, and
that several years since he had discovered a nest in that locality. Several
days later, on June 9, I spent the day on the Tinicum meadows to the
south of Philadelphia, and what was my surprise to see several males (three)
in full song. Again on the 14th they were seen in the same locality, which
Wad General Notes. 2235
is below the 40th parallel, North Latitude, and though I do not assert that
they always summer here, I do maintain that they did during 1907.—
Ricuarp C. Hartow, Edge Hill, Pa.
The Savanna Sparrow Breeding in Detroit and Hamtramck Village,
Michigan.— One especial ornithological feature of the season 1907 was the
appearance of Savanna Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis savanna)
as summer residents on territory not previously occupied by them. Prior
to 1906 this sparrow was not known to breed in the county but that season
T located a small colony in the village of Grosse Pointe Farms and established
a positive breeding record by securing a young bird not yet able to fly well
(Auk, XXIV, p. 98). The grounds extending northerly from this colony
to the county line and southerly into the city of Detroit were carefully
explored without result, but in 1907 this sparrow was common in all suit-
able places throughout this entire territory. In late May, 1906, I spent
considerable time on some large commons in the eastern part of the city
and carefully noted all birds, but no Savannas were present. I was again
on this commons May 28, 1907, and found them all over it; six males in
song being counted while standing at one point. During the noon hour I
watched a female to her nest containing four slightly incubated eggs.
This was about fifty yards inside the city limits on P. C. 644. In June,
1906, I frequently walked the length of a strip of meadow bordering the
Detroit River in River Rouge Village and saw only Vesper Sparrows, but
June 3, 1907, six pairs of Savanna Sparrows were present and frequently
seen later; and thus it was with portions of Hamtramck, Springwells and
Ecorse Townships. The birds were also found in many places not visited
in 1906. July 30, 1907, I found this species common and in full song on
Section 6, Monguagon Twp.; the southernmost point I reached during
the summer. It is thus evident that the breeding range of this sparrow
in numbers was extended southward in 1907 —a phenomenon possibly
explained by the abnormal weather conditions. I have no doubt that iso-
lated pairs frequently nested here in former years and were overlooked.
I have substantial proof of this in the possession of a set of five fresh eggs
taken by Mr. Herbert H. Spicer, May 28, 1902, in } Section 39, Hamtramck
Village. The territory, over which the Savanna Sparrow was a summer
resident in 1907, extended from the shore of Lake St. Clair and the Detroit
River inland about three miles, and from the north county line southerly
a distance of twenty-five miles to Section 6, Monguagon Twp., and probably
further. Ata few pointsin Gratiot and Springwells Twps., Highland Park,
etc., the birds were noted from one to three miles further inland.— J. CLarrE
Woon, Detroit, Mich.
The Case of Hortulanus Vieillot.— In my recent paper on the ‘ Types of
Genera of North American Birds,” I took the ground (I. c., p. 23, footnote)
1A List of the Genera and Subgenera of North American Birds, with their Types,
according to Article 30 of the International Code of Zodlogical Nomenclature.
Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., Vol. XXIV, pp. 1-50, December 26, 1907.
224 General Notes. Ape
that Hortulanus Vieillot, 1807, had no standing under the new Article 30
of the International Code of Zodlogical Nomenclature, inasmuch as the
author failed to designate its type when founding it, and later ignored it,
transferring its three original species to other genera founded by him later,
one of these species becoming the type of another genus, and the other
two becoming types by subsequent designation of still other genera, the
genus Hortulanus not having in the meantime been cited by any other
author, except in synonymy, and without designation of a type. Since
the publication of this dictum several correspondents have written to
me taking exception to it, on the basis, apparently, that a genus properly
published cannot be ignored, and if not a homonym must be retained for
some one of its original species. (See A. O. U. Code, Canon XIX.)
As already shown elsewhere,' the three original species of Hortulanus
are (1) Hortulanus erythrophtalmus (= Fringilla erythrophthalma Linn.),
which became the monotypic type of Pipilo Vieill. in 1816. (2) Hortu-
lanus albicollis (= Fringilla albicollis Gmel.), which became type by
designation of Zonotrichia Swains. 1831 in 1832. (8) Hortulanus nigri-
collis (= Emberiza americana Gmel.), which became the type of Spiza
Bonap. 1824 by subsequent designation of the founder in 1827.
If Hortulanus is to be retained as a properly founded generic name,
the application of the rule of priority to the case would make Fringilla
albicollis the type, and Zonotrichia a synonym of Hortulanus.— J. A.
ALLEN, American Museum of Natural History, New York City.
The Accidental Occurrence of the Green-tailed Towhee (Oreospiza chlor-
ura) in Virginia.— Mr. John B. Lewis captured a male of this species at
his home, one mile west of Bower’s Hill, Virginia, on January 26, 1908,
which was subsequently sent to me for identification. The bird was first
discovered by his fourteen year old son, in company with White-throated
Sparrows, in a thicket along the edge of an open field, and Mr. Lewis stated
that its actions resembled very closely those of the sparrows. Bower’s
Hill is about seven miles southwest of Portsmouth, and within a mile of
the border of the Dismal Swamp.
So far as I can find, there is no other published record of the Green-tailed
Towhee east of San Antonio, Texas.
The specimen in question, although in very poor condition when received,
was immediately preserved and is now in the writer’s collection.— G. C.
Empopy, Ashland, Va.
Type Locality of Vireo pusillus.— It is unfortunate that Mr. Grinnell
(see Auk, January, 1908, pp. 85, 86) was not able to consult the original
description of Vireo pusillus, for if he had done so it would have been
quite clear to him that the type specimen — that is, the specimen on which
the description was based — is given as “ No. 16,954, Smiths. Register, 3,
1 Bull, Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., XXIII, p. 360, April 15, 1907.
roe General Notes. 225
Cape St. Lucas.” That Dr. Coues, at that time, was in the habit of desig-
nating types in connection with new species which he described is clearly
shown by his action in the case of Dendroica gracie (p. 67), Vireo plum-
beus (p. 74), and V. vicinior (p. 75). In the case of the last, only, does
he take the trouble to use the word type (‘‘Type and only known specimen
No. 1507 of my collection,” etc.); but even if his intent was not thus
perfectly evident, the mere fact that only one specimen is mentioned in
connection with his original description of the new species (Vireo pusillus),
that from Cape St. Lucas, necessarily fixes that specimen as the type, accord-
ing to the very general and perfectly correct practice in such cases. His
designation, twenty-two years later, of another specimen as type may
properly be regarded as a mere lapse of memory; but even if not so re-
garded, the answer may be made that an author has no more right to change
his type of a particular species than to change its name without (in the
latter case) good reasons for doing so.— Rospert Ripeway, Washington,
D.C.
Swainson’s Warbler (Helinaia swainsoni).— On the afternoon of June
17, 1907, Mr. Howard Ray and myself had the good fortune to see, and
hear, the rare Swainson’s Warbler. It was found about four miles north
of Du Quoin, Rerry County, Illinois, in a narrow but tall and dense growth
of willows, which bordered a low, wet pastureland. As we entered the
thicket, our attention was attracted by the loud whistle of some new bird.
Going in the direction from which the call came, we found a plain-colored
warbler perched about twenty feet from the ground among the smaller
branches of the willows. It did not notice us at first, but seemed to put
all its spirit and energy into its song. The upper parts of this bird were
olive brown, the superciliary line dull white, the under parts dusky white
slightly tinged with yellow, and the crown a dull reddish brown, approach-
ing the extreme dull color variation described by Mr. Brewster.!. Unfor-
tunately we had no gun with us and were unable to make a subsequent
visit to that locality. There are extensive areas of low, swampy timber-
land along the Little Muddy River, which contain an abundance of aquatic
vegetation and dense shrubbery that are doubtless attractive resorts for
this swamp-loving species.
The only other record of this bird in Illinois, as far as I have been able
to discover, is that made by Mr. Robert Ridgway and Mr. Brewster in the
vicinity of Mount Carmel, southern Illinois, in the spring of 1878.2—
ALFRED O. Gross, Urbana, IIl.
Late Occurrence of the Black-poll Warbler (Dendroica striata) in the
District of Columbia.— As is well known, the belated spring weather of
1907 affected the birds in almost every locality in the eastern United States;
1 Auk, Vol. II, 1885, p. 87.
2 Bulletin N. O. C., Vol. III, p. 163.
996 General Notes. ree
hence one erratic record would seem too trivial for publication, but it has
occurred to me that the note I now make may possibly be of comparative
‘interest. Black-poll Warblers are usually the last of the warblers to reach
the District of Columbia in spring. They are likewise among the last to
leave it. Singularly enough, in the spring of 1907 they were a little in
advance of their average date of arrival. They lingered in more or less
abundance throughout the first ten days of June. I recorded the last on
June 16, in the grounds of the National Zodlogical Park. The latest record
theretofore was June 6, 1875, but this was not strictly a District record,
having been made at Rosslyn, just across the Potomac River, in Virginia.—
R. W. Witurams, Jr., Washington, D. C.
The Cafion Wren in Colorado.— As I believe this Cafion Wren (Catherpes
mexicanus conspersus) is considered rather rare in Colorado, the following
note may be of interest. February 22, 1907, I obtained a pair of these
Wrens in a small rocky gulch about two miles south of Golden. Both
seemed rather shy, but after shooting the first one the other remained
around the same spot so that I was able to obtain it. October 10, while
in the same gulch I saw another Cafion Wren near where I had obtained
the two in February. I think it probable that these birds breed in this
locality and perhaps are not as rare as has been supposed.— CHarteEs D,
Trst, Golden, Col.
Red-spotted Bluethroat of Alaska.— While not at all questioning the
correctness of Dr. Buturlin’s opinion that the Bluethroat of Alaska is
different from that of Northern Europe (see Auk, January, 1908, pp. 35-
37), I wish to state that both the description and measurements in ‘ Birds
of North and Middle America’ (Vol. IV, p. 15) were taken from European
specimens, and that I have not seen specimens from either Alaska or
eastern Siberia. Of course I should have so stated in the work mentioned,
but unfortunately neglected to do so.— Roperr Rrpeway, Washington,
DAC:
A Black Robin and its Albinistic Tendencies. — In November last my
attention was called to a caged Robin in this city that had suddenly turned
black. I found the bird to be a lively, pugnacious and apparently healthy
robin exhibiting a very complete case of melanism. Its plumage was jet
black except for a few small, white under tail coverts, apparently two in
number, and that when facing the light and viewed at a certain angle the
breast feathers appeared to be terminally banded with blackish brown
not distinguishable in other positions. The eye-ring was not noticeable,
bill nearly black, anterior surfaces of tarsi and dorsi of toes heavily pig-
mented with blackish slate while the plantar surfaces of these were whitish
flesh slightly interrupted by slate color.
The history of this bird, as given me by its owner and corroborated by a
local physician who has known it for the last three and a half years, is
Vol, XXV} General Notes. 227
_that it was taken as an abandoned nestling some four years previous and
kept in a large cage hung in a kitchen and fed on a diet of ground hemp,
grated carrot and cornmeal varied by an occasional small bit of apple, a
minute quantity of scraped raw meat about once a week, and in spring
time occasional meals of angle worms. Thirteen months ago last Novem-
ber the robin was moved from its original habitat to its present home where
it hangs in a large wire cage suspended about five feet from the floor in
front of a south window in a rather low kitchen. The room is not used for
washing, and but little cooking is said to be done in it, and its temperature
is said to be cool; but not unlikely it may be a little higher and more
humid than normal.
Up to the latter part of last September, when its moult began, the robin
had been in rather bright, normal coloration which at once gave place to
the extreme melanistic phase that it had assumed about two weeks previous
to my seeing it, November 6. Again, on January 28, I called to see the
robin and found that the black pigmentation of the bill had almost entirely
disappeared and that it was bright yellow except for a dusky spot near the
tip of the culmen, a change that I was told had occurred within the preced-
ing four days. The eye-rings were then conspicuous, appearing whitish
at a distance but really greenish yellow. The tarsi and toes were decidedly
lighter, the pigment of the former seeming to have formed ill-defined spots.
About a week previous to this inspection white feathers were noticed by
the owner in several parts of the plumage as the bird sat with erected
feathers after bathing.. I could see a number of these, imperfectly covered
by the black ones, and a faint indication of fine white streaking, probably
due to underlying white feathers, was seen on the breast. On February
10 I again viewed the robin and found the dusky spot on its culmen farther
reduced, and there were then apparently three or four white under tail
coverts. As the bird is. lively and attempts always to face an observer
it was impracticable to determine whether there was a farther increase in
the underlying white feathers of the body and neck.
Coues! mentions a black robin turning white, and Barrows” mentions
a robin “somewhat variegated with black and white, the black predomi-
nating above, though Mr. Leonard thinks the bird became ultimately
almost white.” , .
It appears that in the majority of black captive robins there has been a
succeeding albinistic phase.
As melanism is due to an abnormal increase in black pigment or mela-
nin it seems but natural to suppose that a more or less lengthy persistence
of such a condition would produce an exhaustion of the supply and of the
ability to renew it which would result in albinism more or less complete,
depending on the degree of exhaustion. There is, I believe, little data to
support such a theory and it would have to be obtained experimentally
1Coues, Elliott, Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, Vol. ITI, p. 48.
2 Barrows, Walter B., Auk, Vol. II, p. 303.
998 General Notes. abil
much as Beebe ! has obtained that indicating the probable inducing causes
of melanism in caged birds subjected to slightly abnormal degrees of heat
and humidity; a result in conformity with Faxon’s’ hint of over twenty
years ago.— Henry L. Warp, Milwaukee, Wis.
An Interesting Audubon Specimen.— It has long been known that many
of Audubon’s specimens were deposited in the Charleston Museum toward
the close of 1850. Lack of space forbids going into details, so it must
suffice to say that, while it is certain that these specimens were at one time
in this Museum, we do not know just what species were represented and,
until recently, had been unable to find any trace of Audubon’s birds among
our collections — which contain many very old specimens. Probably
most of the records and perhaps most of the specimens were among mate-
rial destroyed during the Civil War. Recently, however, while examining
some old and damaged specimens which had been stored away for many
years, I found a bird which is apparently an Audubon specimen. It bears
two labels. The first, a piece of cardboard tied to the bird’s leg, reads as
follows:
“TLoxia maculata Gmelin
Spotted Grosbeak — Pennant ”
The second, consisting of a scrap of paper folded up and attached to the
string of the other label, bears the inscription:
“Black Hills
Male
June 3— 34
J. K. Townsend ”’
Mr. Witmer Stone has kindly examined both these labels and informs
me that the second one is in Townsend’s handwriting.
The specimen is in reality a representative of the Black-headed Gros-
beak — Zamelodia melanocephala (Swainson). The assumption that it is
an Audubon specimen is based on the following facts:— (1) that some of
Audubon’s birds were once in this Museum; (2) that Audubon received
some of the Western birds from which he drew his figures from Townsend
and that these birds of Townsend’s were examined and figured by Audu-
bon in Charleston in 1836 (see Ornith. Biog., Vol. IV, Introd. pp. Xli-xiv);
(3) that this specimen was taken by Townsend on the same day, month,
and year and in the same locality as the female Evening Grosbeak figured
by Audubon and received by him from Townsend (see Ornith. Biog., IV,
p. 517).
In his ‘Narrative of a Journey across the Rocky Mountains to the
Columbia River....with a Scientific Appendix,’ published in 1839, Town-
send lists, among the birds collected, Mottled or Spotted Grosbeak, Frin-
1 Beebe, C. William, Zoologica, Vol. 1, part 1.
2Faxon, Walter, Auk, Vol. III, p. 284. Other citations of black robins: Ruthven
Deane, B. N. O. C., Vol. I, p. 24; Barrows, Auk, Vol. 1, p. 90.
ee aba General Notes. 229
gilla maculata, This is the name used by Audubon in the ‘Elephant
Folio.’ Since there can be little doubt that Audubon’s figure of the male
Black-headed Grosbeak was drawn from the specimen in this Museum,
it is evident that the name Fringilla maculata was not, as supposed hitherto,
a new one originating with Audubon. Furthermore, this name should
certainly be considered a synonym of Zamelodia melanocephala Swainson,
although Mr. Ridgway, in his ‘Birds of North and Middle America,’ does
not include it as such.
Townsend seems to have confused the Black-headed Grosbeak with the
Spotted Grosbeak — Lowia maculata of Gmelin, and out of this confusion
arose the specific name maculata applied by Townsend and Audubon to
the Black-headed Grosbeak. I am informed by Mr. Stone that the iden-
tity of Loria maculata has never been determined and that it remains an
unidentifiable (and probably merely hypothetical) species—H®rrBeERt
RAVENEL Sass, The Charleston Museum, Charleston, S.C.
Three Erroneous Georgia Records——Cowstrp (Molothrus ater).— In
Mr. Ridgway’s ‘Birds of North and Middle America,’ Part I, p. 208,
the breeding range of this species is given as ‘‘south to Georgia (Wayne
and McIntosh counties).’’ In the citations, however, no authority is
mentioned for this breeding record. During the month of May, 1891, I
was making observations on the birds of Wayne, McIntosh and Glynn
counties but failed to detect the Cowbird.
This species does not breed on any portion of the South Carolina coast,
and, if the birds really breed on the coast of Georgia (which is questionable),
the breeding range would undoubtedly extend northward along the coast
to South Carolina, as the Cowbird breeds far north. This Georgia record
requires confirmation.
Bank Swatiow (Riparia riparia)— Although the Bank Swallow is
said by Mr. H. B. Bailey (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VIII, 1883, p. 39)
to breed on St. Simon’s Island, he doubtless mistook migrating birds for
breeding ones, as the Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
was the species I found breeding in May, 1891.
SHORT-BILLED Marsh WREN (Cistothorus stellaris).— Mr. H. B. Bailey,
in Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VIII, 1883, p. 38, refers to this wren as
breeding on St. Simon’s Island. This statement is erroneous, as the
Short-billed Marsh Wren does not breed in any portion of the South
Atlantic States, the birds being simply autumnal, winter and late spring
residents.
While Mr. Ridgway does not give the range (breeding and winter) in
his great’ work (Birds of North and Middle America, Part III, p. 483),
the so-called ‘‘breeding”’ record by Mr. Bailey is perpetuated in the cita-
tions. Since 1884 I have known that the birds are simply winter and late
spring residents, and that their breeding range was far to the northward
of the South Atlantic States. Mr. Ridgway’s inclusion of Mr. Bailey’s
230 General Notes. ree
unquestionably erroneous record was doubtless due to an oversight on
his (Ridgway’s) part, for he must have surely known that the species in
question does not breed in the South Atlantic States — ArrHur T. WAYNE,
Mount Pleasant, S. C.
Notes on Three Michigan Birds— At the suggestion of Prof. W. B. Bar-
rows, of the Michigan Agricultural College, I send a few notes gathered
during the past summer. They are the result of a canoe trip down the
Grand River, taken by a Mr. H. A. Moorman and myself. Although no
remarkable finds were made, we succeeded in extending the supposed
breeding range of two species, and in securing specimens of another rather
uncommon resident.
At a point a few miles north of Jackson, Mich., we entered a remarkably
large breeding area of the Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea).
The tract of low, water-covered land in which these birds were found
extended, uninterrupted, for twenty-five miles on the river’s course. Here
this warbler was the most common bird encountered and, even after leav-
ing this area, Prothonotary Warblers were met in several instances — our
northernmost record being a few miles south of Lansing, Mich. The for-
mer breeding localities of this bird in our State were restricted to streams
along the southern State line.
On July 7 a male Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) was taken
at East Lansing. This bird, which was in full song and mating plumage,
frequented the dense undergrowth in a tract of woods admirably adapted
to its habits and, although no nest was found, I am fully convinced, from
the date of capture and general surroundings, that it was a breeder there.
Cadillac, in the northern part of the Southern Peninsula, was the former
southern record for this bird.
The securing of three specimens of Henslow’s Sparrow (Coturniculus
henslowi), and the seeing of more in a low meadow near Eaton Rapids,
help to establish more firmly the records in this State of a rather erratic
and uncommon breeder.— Epwin R. Katmpacu, Asst. Director K. S.
Museum, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Corrections to ‘A List of the Land Birds of Southeastern Michigan.’—
In the ‘ Bulletin of the Michigan Ornithological Club’ (beginning in Vol.
TV. p. 14 and concluding in Vol. V, p. 43) was published ‘A List of the
Land Birds of Southeastern Michigan.’ This contained a number of minor
errors. The compiler’s attention was directed to these several years ago
but nothing has been done in the way of correction, so I have decided to
take up the matter in the interest of exactness.
Batp Eacir.— “A pair have been for many years on Elba Island.
This should read Grosse Isle instead of Elba Island.
AMERICAN LoNG-EARED Ow1.— “J. Claire Wood has taken several
sets.” Ihave taken but one set in Michigan; a set of five eggs April 17,
1886.
Vol, XXV] General Notes. Peat
NortHern Raven.— “J. Claire Wood saw a pair in 1885.” This
pair was noted near Windsor, Ontario, Canada, late in February, 1887.
I have not seen the Raven in this part of Michigan nor do I know of anyone
who has during my time, so it is doubtless of rare occurrence on the Can-
adian side of the Detroit River and I give a more detailed account for the
benefit of Ontario compilers. The identification is beyond question. I
was a short distance beyond the limits of Windsor, on the main road lead-
ing back from the river, when a sound reached my ears different from
anything previously heard. It suggested the honking of wild geese or
herons, but one glance at the birds and I knew they were ravens. They
were directly over Windsor and circling like Buteos, but gradually work-
ing away from the river and toward me. They passed within a hundred
yards, and number one dropped to the ground and began feeding while
number two passed on to a tree top where it remained until number one
took wing and, passing it, settled on a tree top some distance ahead. Num-
ber two then flew to the ground and fed awhile. Thus, alternately feeding
and doing sentinel duty, they finally disappeared to the south. They
were silent while feeding and perched on trees but frequently uttered their
loud characteristic croaking sound while in flight, especially while circling.
Rusty Biackpirp.— “J. Claire Wood shot one bird January 25, 1891,
near the River Rouge, which is the only winter record.”” This is correct
as to a specimen secured but the birds wintered here that year and have
done so a number of times since.
BLack AND WHITE WarBLER.— “J. Claire Wood has found several nests
at Grosse Pointe Farms.” This should be Gratiot Township. There is
no place on the above farms where this warbler would breed.
YrELLOw-BREASTED CHatr.— “A. W. Davidson found a pair breeding
May 29, 1898. The bird was not secured.” The male was taken by Mr.
K. Mummery.
GRAY-CHEEKED TurusH.— “First taken here in 1898 by J. Claire
Wood.” The first specimen was secured here September 19, 1891, by
Walter C. Wood. I prepared the skin. The compiler has claimed I did
not know what the bird was until 1905 but this bird, properly named, was
sent to Joseph Grinnell four years before the list under consideration was
published.
NortTHern PILeEateD Wooprrcker.— “J. Claire Wood saw one about
1886.” This bird was seen in Grosse Pointe Township, Wayne County,
October 15, 1888.
My attention was recently called to a doubtful record of my own in
‘The Auk’ (XVII, p. 391), which reads as follows: “In June, 1899, my
brother added the Black-throated Blue Warbler to the list of birds breed-
ing here. I have never personally observed this species in summer.”
The facts are that my brother reported a pair in an opening in a large
woods. The female exhibited all the anxiety of a breeding bird and a
search was rewarded by an empty nest, apparently just built. I accom-
panied him to this woods the following Sunday but there were so many
Dae General Notes. beet
openings of similar appearance he failed to locate the one desired. No
warblers of this species were seen. At various times during the last seven
years I have thoroughly explored this woods in summer without seeing a
Black-throated Blue Warbler, and now believe my brother was mistaken;
in fact, he admits the possibility. The females of this species and the
Indigo Bunting are very similar in coloration and the latter are common
about the openings in this woods. The record should be eliminated.—
J. CLatrE Woop, Detroit, Mich.
Some Rare Summer Residents of Berks County, Pennsylvania.— All the
following species have been observed by the writer, during the summer
months, although nothing definite has thus far been learned about the
breeding habits of a few of them.
Philohela minor. AmeERIcAN Woopcock.— This much-esteemed game
bird, which, according to good authority, was a rather frequent summer
resident years ago, is now a very rare breeder here. Although the writer
has never been fortunate enough to find a nest containing eggs, young, in
different stages of development, have on several occasions been found,
which is sufficient evidence of its breeding in this locality. On May 18,
1907, the writer and a friend found four nearly full-grown young with the
parent birds in a dense thicket about one mile southwest of Fleetwood,
while another friend reported having seen young, in a different locality,
on May 19.
Cathartes aura. Turkey Vutrurre.— The writer’s first experience
with the breeding habits of this species was acquired on May 15, 1904,
when a nest, containing two eggs, was found near Pikeville. The eggs
were laid on the bare ground under a large rock about four feet from the
entrance. While on a botanical tramp in the Blue Mountains on May 5,
1907, a second nest, containing two eggs, was found on what is popularly
known as ‘Pulpit Rock,’ a peak in the mountains. These eggs were
deposited on dry leaves in an opening under a huge mass of solid rock.
According to a resident of that locality, several pairs are yearly to be found
nesting there. :
Buteo platypterus. Broap-wincep Hawx.— The first authentic nest
of this hawk, found in this locality, was discovered by a friend on May 8,
1902. It was placed on a chestnut tree about 30 feet high. The nest
was evidently an old crow’s nest. Subsequently a nest was found on
May 25, 1903, and two on May 19, 1907, in different localities. All
these nests were placed on chestnut trees ranging in height from 25 to
30 feet, and in every case two eggs were deposited and the crows were
the architects of the nests. However, on May 26, 1907, a nest, containing
three eggs, was found near Moselem.
Strix pratincola. Barn Ow1.— A nest of this species was discovered
by the writer on April 2, 1905, in the hollow trunk of a buttonwood tree
about 38 feet high. The bottom of the nest was covered with meadow
mice and moles in all stages of decomposition, and on these were depos-
ae | General Notes. 230
ited two eggs. On April 11, the nest contained seven eggs, and both
birds occupied the hollow. The birds left the nest when the tree was
ascended about half the distance to the entrance. Judging from the
existing conditions, the birds had occupied the place for many years, and
a pair is rearing its young there every spring.
Empidonax virescens. GREEN-CRESTED FLycarcHerR.— A _ nest (in
course of construction) of the Green-crested Flycatcher was found by the
writer in a thicket, near Fleetwood, on June 9, 1906. On June 15 the
nest was found deserted and nothing has since been learned of the breed-
ing habits of these birds, although several pairs may be heard during the
summer in the same locality.
Otocoris alpestris praticola. Prartrin Hornep LarKx.— A pair of these
birds was seen during the summer of 1906, and again on June 3, 1907,
in the same locality. The species may probably prove a rare breeder
here later on.
Zamelodia ludoviciana. Rosr-BrEASteD GRosBEAK.— A nest of the
Rose-breasted Grosbeak was found by the writer on May 28, 1905, near
Fleetwood. It was placed on a small red maple about 6 feet high and
contained 2 eggs and the broken remains of a third one. On June 9,
1906, a second nest, containing four about half full-grown young, was
found in another locality, while on June 20 a third nest, containing three
eggs, was found in the same locality. Several pairs are yearly nesting
in this locality.
Helminthophila pinus. Biun-wincep WarsLER.— This warbler has
repeatedly been seen in this locality during the summer months, but the
writer has thus far not been able to learn anything about its breeding habits
and would be very thankful to any reader of ‘The Auk’ who is familiar
with these birds for any information that will better qualify him to find
its treasures.
Wilsonia mitrata. Hooprp WArBLER.— The first and only nest of this
warbler that has ever been found in this locality, to the writer’s knowledge,
was discovered on June 6, 1907, in a dense thicket at the foot of the Blue
Mountains. The nest was completed but contained no eggs. On visiting
the same locality on June 15, the nest contained four eggs. It was placed
about 18 inches from the ground and was saddled on a dead stick as well
as having been partly supported by a small branch of sassafras.
Setophaga ruticilla. AmpricAN Repstart.— The Redstart has on
several occasions been observed in this county during the summer months,
but its breeding habits remain to be studied by me.
Sitta canadensis. Rrp-preastep Nuruarcu.— A Red-breasted Nut-
hatch was seen by the writer on a steep hillside in the Blue Mountains on
June 6, 1907. It is probable that the species is a rare breeder in the moun-
tainous portion of this county.— W. H. LerBetsperGer, Fleetwood, Pa.
Rare New England Birds.— The Boston Society of Natural History has
recently acquired for its New England collection, several rare or interest-
234 General Notes. Apel
ing birds, which with the permission of the Curator, Mr. C. W. Johnson,
are here recorded. These include certain species of shore birds collected
by the late William Everett, of Boston, about 25 years ago, mostly at
Ipswich, Mass., but a few at Nantasket, Mass., though the exact data are
not recorded. These specimens were preseuted, at his request, shortly
after his death.
Gelochelidon nilotica. GuLi-BILLED TERN.—A specimen taken in
March, 1885, near Portland, Maine, was purchased from Ward of Rochester.
Chaulelasmus streperus. GapwaLu.— A specimen was taken December
1, 1902, at Point Judith, R. I.
Aythya collaris. Rincg-Neckep Ducx.— Mr. Dwight Blaney presented
a female taken at Eastham, Mass., October 28, 1903.
Herodias egretta. AmerIcAN Eqrer.— A female taken at East’ Green-
wich, R. I., August 16, 1904, was purchased from Messrs. Angell and Cash.
Rallus elegans. Kina Raiu.-— A bird, in worn plumage, was captured
in a steel trap at Peabody, Mass., on March 13, 1908.
TIonornis martinica. PurpLeE GALLINULE.— A male captured at Sea-
connet, R. I., on June 8, 1900, is in the collection.
Steganopus tricolor. Wutson’s PHaLarope.— A specimen in fine
plumage taken on the Massachusetts coast was received from the collection
of the late William Everett. This seems to be the fifth recorded specimen
for the State. :
Actodromas bairdii. Barrp’s SANppPrrpER.— A male taken at Newbury-
port, Mass., September 6, 1906, was presented by Mr. John H. Hardy, Jr.
Limosa fedoa. Marsiep Gopwir.— A fine old female is in the Everett
collection, from the Massachusetts coast.
Symphemia semipalmata. Eastern Wiiiter.— A specimen from the
Massachusetts coast was received from the Everett collection.
Tryngites subruficollis. Burr-BrEASTED SANDPIPER.— One specimen
from the Massachusetts coast was received from the Everett collection.
Numenius longirostris. LoNG-BILLeEpD CurRLEW.— A specimen from
the Massachusetts coast was received from the Everett collection.
Oxyechus vociferus. KiLiupErr.— A specimen from the Massachusetts
coast was received from the Everett collection.
Zenaidura macroura. Mournina Dovrn.— A specimen was taken at
Barnstable, Mass., on December 6, 1903.
Falco rusticolus obsoletus. Buack GyrraLcon.— One was recently
purchased that was taken at Alton, Penobscot Co., Maine, on October 20,
1905. This is a very dark bird, almost entirely black, and with almost no
light edging to the feathers of the breast; the under tail’ coverts are barred
with white.
Strix pratincola. Barn Owxi.— On August 17, 1907, a young man
while hunting at Dedham Island, Dedham, Mass., started a Barn Owl
from among some bushes on the edge of a meadow. He shot the bird and
it proved to bea male. The Society has purchased it for the New England
collection.
Scotiaptex nebulosa. Grear Gray Owx.— A specimen was obtained
that was shot at Stockton Springs, Maine, in January, a few years since.
Vol. XXV] General Notes. 235
Cryptoglaux tengmalmi richardsoni. RicHarpson’s Own.— One was
obtained from Milford, Maine, where it was shot on December 22, 1906.
Surnia ulula caparoch, AmpricAN Hawk Owxu.— One was taken at
Van Buren, Aroostook Co., Maine, on April 16, 1906.
Piranga rubra. SumMER TaNAaGcEerR.— A male, said to have been shot
at Seaconnet, R. I., on April 27, 1901, was purchased of Messrs. Angell
and Cash. There seems to be no reason to discredit the record.— GLOVER
M. AuuEen, Cambridge, Mass.
Notes from West Virginia.— Sphyrapicus varius— On July 3 and 4,
1899, I found a number of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in ‘‘The Pines,”
a black spruce region near Pickens, in the western part of Randolph
County, West Virginia. The next day, July 5, great numbers of these
birds were found among the dead and dying sugar maples on the top of
Turkey Bone Mountain, not far from ‘‘The Pines.” While in the Yew
Mountains, in Nicholas County, I took a young male of this species on
August 17, 1904.
Empidonax minimus.— In many of the higher portions of West Virginia
there are extensive glades. These mountain swamps, with their tall cinna-
mon ferns, cranberries, and other characteristic plants, are found at alti-
tudes varying from 3000 to 4000 feet. There are many such glady regions
in Webster County. While collecting a few specimens in one of these
Webster County glades, on the 2d day of July, 1907, I took a fine adult
male Least Flycatcher. It was in the very heart of a great thicket of glade
shrubbery, and had been heard there for several days before it was taken.
Judging from the actions of the bird, and the greatly enlarged testes, it
may have been nesting there. Others of this species were heard near the
same place in the early days of July.
Otocoris alpestris praticola— Among my notes I find the following
account of the breeding of this species in Pittsburgh, Pa. ‘‘Schenley Park,
Apr. 4, 1898. On above date an adult Otocoris alpestris praticola was
observed feeding its young out near the golf links. The young bird was
captured and identified, and then released. Afterwards the parent bird
brought food again. Nasal tufts incipient in young bird. Hind claw
already very long. Down still on head on either side where tufts of adults
are. Queer horned appearance. Young hopped,— did not walk. Plum-
age in spotted phase. Young bird almost able to fly. Adults wary. Did
not pay any attention to squeaking sound made on back of hand. Note
of young like the peculiar piping note of adult Only one young bird
observed.”
This southern breeding record of the Prairie Horned Lark led me to
study the bird rather closely in succeeding years in West Virginia. I have
observed this species in many sections of the State. In Kanawha County,
at Charleston, a bird of this species was seen as late as June 19, 1902. In
Wood County it seems to be resident throughout the year. At Poca
Bottoms, in Putnam County, a specimen was taken on October 15, 1902,
236 General Notes. pea
by A. Sidney Morgan, and was carefully examined by the writer. Two
were observed at Cameron, Marshall County, June 11, 1900 — evidently
a pair. I have seen birds of this species in Lewis County in the breeding
season. Prof. 8. B. Brown, of the West Virginia University, tells me that
he has seen this bird a number of times near Morgantown, and on April 2,
1905, Prof. Fred E. Brooks, Associate Entomologist of the West Virginia
Agricultural Experiment Station, took a young bird just from the nest
near Morgantown. To all of these records, I may add the following, which
is, I believe, the most southern record of the breeding of this species. I
give these notes as they came to me in a letter from Prof. Fred E. Brooks,
as follows:
“French Creek, W. Va., Apr. 11, 1905.... Your note concerning my ob-
servation on the Horned Lark at. Morgantown came here yesterday, and
seems to have stirred me up, for this morning I found a nest with three’
young birds. Father was scattering some manure on the grass just over
the hill from the corn-house, and the chickens, which were gathered about
him, were attacked by two old larks. They would alight upon their backs
and fight them viciously. He called to me, and after looking a minute I
found the nest only a few feet away. The nest is without the slightest
protection, and is made almost entirely of grass-blades and straws in a
little hollow place in the ground’no larger than a pint cup. The young
birds will be large enough to leave the nest in five or six days. They have
the white spots all over the body which you mention as being characteris-
tic. The young one I caught at Morgantown had the same spots.”
Within ten years this species seems to have extended its breeding range
far southward into West Virginia.
Carpodacus purpureus.— On August 28, 1902, I found the Purple Finch
abundant in ‘‘The Pines.’”? While sitting by the road-side, a pair of these
pretty birds came down to a spring and drank. One of these was a male
in full “purple” plumage. These finches were flying everywhere among.
the black spruce trees and over the adjoining farms.
Chondestes grammacus.— About the year 1900, the Lark Sparrow first
made its appearance at French Creek, in central West Virginia. Early
in June of that year my attention was called to this bird by its splendid
song and striking appearance. On June 20, I saw an adult Lark Sparrow
with two young just a day or two from the nest. Again on July 1, two
young were seen. For three or four years afterward, this species was often
seen at French Creek in the breeding season, but I did not succeed in find-
ing a nest, or in seeing the young again. I have additional records of the
occurrence of this species in this State as follows: — Blue Knob, Clay
County, July 30, 1900; Waverly, Wood County, almost every week in
summer seasons, 1903-1906; Lewis County, one heard in song May 2,
1907. This species, like the Prairie Horned Lark, seems to be a recent
emigrant into our State.
Junco hyemalis carolinensis.— For the past ten years, I have spent a
week or more each summer in some part of the mountainous region of this
Ms el General Notes. 237
State. Several trips have been made ,into the Rich Mountains, near Pickens
in Randolph County. In 1904 I was in the Yew Mountains in Webster
and Nicholas Counties. In 1906 I spent several days in the Back Alle-
ghenies, in Randolph and Pocahontas Counties. Other short trips have
been made into the ‘‘Spruce Belt”’ and other high sections of West Vir-
ginia. While in these higher regions I have had good opportunities to
study the Carolina Junco and other species found in the Canadian Life
Zone. Juncos were very abundant in ‘‘The Pines,’ on top of Rich Moun-
tain, in July, 1899. At this time I found many old nests in the up-turned
roots of spruce trees that had blown over in recent storms. In the Yew
Mountains, in August, 1904, this subspecies was found in great numbers.
Several specimens taken seemed to have all the marks of carolinensis,
while. others were quite typical hyemalis. Specimens from the Yew
Mountains were slightly smaller in all their measurements, excepting
length of tarsus, than specimens from the Back Alleghenies. On August
11 a nest was found in process of construction in an old up-turned root near
Hunter’s Fork of Cherry River. Six days later, the nest was seen again
and contained three eggs. On August 15, somewhat nearer the summit
of one of the higher points in the Yew Mountains, another nest was found
in the top of a small black spruce about 34 feet from the ground. The
nest was made of moss and lined with rootlets and long hairs. It con-
tained three fresh eggs.
The Carolina Junco is very abundant in the Back Alleghenies where
I collected a number of specimens in August, 1906. The birds in this
region were much nearer true carolinensis than those found in the moun-
tains farther to the west. No nests were found in the Back Alleghenies.
Vireo solitarius alticola—— A young female of this subspecies was taken
for me on August 15, 1904, in the Yew Mountains at an altitude of 4000
feet. Two birds were seen in a large birch tree uttering a low, scolding
note. This seemed much lower and softer than the similar kree of the
Blue-headed Vireo. On August 7 and 8, 1907, many Solitary Vireos were
heard and seen in the Rich Mountains. No specimens were taken, but I
am inclined to believe they were alticola.
Dendroica czrulescens cairnsi— Every time I have gone into our West
Virginia mountains, I have found these birds in abundance. On July 4,
1899, I saw an old male feeding a young bird up in the dark spruce forests
above Pickens. As late as August 17, 1906, the young birds were follow-
ing the old ones, and receiving their food from them, up in the Back Alle-
ghenies. Many of these West Virginia birds which I have seen have no
black on the back.
Dendroica maculosa.— In 1904, I spent a week in the Yew Mountains
(August 10-17), and during our stay there not a single Magnolia Warbler
was seen. In the Rich Mountains, however, I have observed this species
very often. On July 4, 1899, I saw a young bird following two adults.
So late in the season as August 18, in 1906, while out in the black spruce
woods near Cheat Bridge, I saw an adult Magnolia Warbler feeding her
938 Recent Literature. Ari
young that had just left the nest. On the same day a young bird of this
species was taken for me by Prof. W. E. Rumsey.
On a long mountain ridge that lies between Big Sugar Creek and Little
Sugar Creek, at the head-waters of Elk River, I found the Magnolia Warb-
ler to be one of the most abundant species on the 14th of August, 1899.
Dendroica cerulea— Wonderfully abundant in Wood County on the
hills just back from the Ohio River. Breeds in the open oak woods on
top of the hills.
Dendroica pensylvanica.— A nest of the Chestnut-sided Warbler was
found in the glades of Webster County on July 2, 1907. It was neatly
placed in the top of a clammy azalea, about 8 feet Sane the ground. The
azalea was in full bloom. There were two young birds in the nest. Many
other birds were seen, and all were evidently nesting — EArLE A. Brooks,
Weston, West Virginia.
RECENT LITERATURE.
Rothschild’s ‘ Extinct Birds.’'— Mr. Rothschild, as is well known, has
been for years actively interested in the subject of vanishing birds, and we
expected to find in the present expensive work a complete and final account
of the species now known to be extinct, but in this we are disappointed.
As stated on the title page, this is ‘‘an attempt to unite in one volume a
short account of those birds which have become extinct in historical times
— that is, within the last six or seven hundred years,”’ which means that
the author has included in his work the numerous fossil birds of the New
Zealand and Mascarene regions. As a matter of fact, the accounts of fossil
birds (%. e., those known only from their osseous remains), overbalance
those of the recently extinct ones, since some 90 of the former are treated,
compared with 76 of the latter, while over 50 pages of the book are perfectly
blank.
Of the fossil birds we shall have little to say here. It may be mentioned,
however, that colored figures are given of Megalapteryx huttoni and Dinor-
nis ingens, representing them as they are supposed to have existed in life.
If correctly delineated, the Megalapteryx must have been a very extra-
1 Extinct Birds. | An attempt to unite in one volume a short account of | those
Birds which have become extinct in historical | times — that is, within the last six
or seven | hundred years. To which are | added a few which still | exist, but are on
| the verge of | extinction. | By | The Hon. Walter Rothschild, | Ph, D., F. Z. S.
With 45 coloured Plates, embracing 63 subjects, and | other illustrations. | London.
Hutchinson & Co., Paternoster Row, E. C. | 1907 — Small folio, pp. i-xxix + 1- 244,
45 colored plates, and 4 plates of outlines.
ie | Recent Literature. 239
ordinary creature, since it is supposed to have possessed a ‘booted’ tarsus,
a feature we believe to be unique (not to say unnatural) among flightless
birds, whose tarsi are covered with a strong armor of scales. The feathered
tarsus is not an innovation of the artist’s, for as Mr. Rothschild says, “ Pro-
fessor Owen has shown that Megalapteryx huttoni was feathered down to
the toes, and in the plate I have represented it clothed with feathers”’ (p.
186). The nomenclature of fossil forms is uptodate, and the author evi-
dently has been to much pains in revising the various genera and species
of Dinornithide. We note that Cela Reichenbach, is recognized as a
genus containing five species, but would call attention to the earlier use
of this name by Oken (1816).
Mr. Rothschild’s book will serve to call attention to the many birds
already extinct, and to the still larger number now threatened with extine-
tion, although the list there given by no means includes all of the species
in these categories. We find no mention of the Eskimo Curlew, the ‘Cahow’
of Bermuda, the several Guadalupe Island birds now extinct or nearly so;
nor do we find many of the Polynesian species that might well be included
among those threatened with extinction.
Among the colored plates are 20 or more, based entirely upon descrip-
tions (no specimens having been preserved) or illustrations of the old
writers, and some of these do not appear to be entirely trustworthy. Thus,
in the plate of Ara erythrura, we find the tail prominently tipped with blue,
while in the text it is described as ‘entirely red.” It is not improbable,
too, that some of the Macaws ascribed to the West Indies, such as A nodor-
hynchus purpurascens, were originally described from cage birds brought
from the continent. The plate of Ara tricolor, based on the Liverpool
Museum example, if a faithful reproduction of that specimen, may prove
to be some other species. (it is to be remembered that we know nothing of
the colors of the species which formerly lived in Hayti), since it lacks the
strong yellow color on the back of the neck, as well as the yellow markings
on the sides of the body, and yellow edgings to the red feathers on the
mantle. In the account of this species the author enumerates five speci-
mens known to him, ‘‘two in the British Museum, one in Paris, one in
Leyden, one in Liverpool.” To this list we can easily add six more: two
in Washington, one in Boston, and three in Cuba, while Gundlach prob-
ably sent others to Germany. Had the author addressed inquiries to the
various museums at home and abroad, his census of specimens in this and
many other species would have been more nearly complete.
Notornis alba of White (or Shaw), is accredited to Norfolk Island, while
N. stanleyi is given as the species from Lord Howe’s Island, but it seems
probable that N. alba is the one from the last-named locality. White’s
account (not given by Rothschild) is as follows: “They also found on it
[Lord Howe’s Island, at that time newly discovered] in great plenty, a
kind of fowl, resembling much the Guinea fowl in shape and size, but widely
different in colour; they being in general all white, with a red fleshy sub-
stance rising like a cock’s comb, from the head, and not unlike a piece of
240 Recent Literature. an
sealing-wax. These not being birds of flight, nor in the least wild, the
sailors availing themselves of their gentleness and inability to take wing
from their pursuits, easily struck them down with sticks.” (White, Journ.
Voy. N. S. W., 1790, p. 135). In our estimation, a reproduction of the
old accounts of many of these extinct birds would have greatly enhanced
the value and usefulness of the book.
Strigiceps leucopogon Lesson, is introduced on page 30, but its identifi-
cation is still uncertain. The type was probably in the collection of Dr.
Abeillé, of Bordeaux, but in any event, if one could only consult the col-
lection of colored drawings at one time in Lesson’s possession (cf. P. Z. S.,
1855, 212), its determination would probably be quite simple.’
The following species are described and named as new: Casuarius
lydekkeri (p. x), Ara erythrura (p. 54), Necropsittacus (?) borbonicus (p. 62),
Bubo (?) lequati (p. 71), Strix newtoni (p. 79), Ardea duboisi (p. 114),
Nesenas duboisi (p. 166), Megalapteryx hamiltoni (p. 197), Emeus bootht
(p. 210), E. haasti (p. 210), E. parkeri (p. 211), and Dromavus peront (p.
235), the last being a new name for the Kangaroo Island Emu, currently
known under Vieillot’s specific name ater, but, as Mr. Rothschild here shows,
the latter was originally proposed by Vieillot to replace Latham’s Casuarius
nove hollandie. Several nominal species proposed by Forbes are here first
given a definite status, viz.: Palwocasuarius (p. 219), P. haasti (p. 220),
P. velox (p. 220), and P. elegans (p. 220). ‘‘ Foudia newtoni,”’ mentioned
on p. xi, seems to be a new name for F. flavicans, but if so, is a nomen
nudum.—C. W. R
Dearborn on a Colivction of Guatemalan Biras.*— The birds recorded
in this catalogue were collected between the winter of 1904 and the early
part of 1906, a small proportion by Messrs. Edmund Heller and C. M.
Barber, but the greater part of them, no less than 1000, by the author of
the paper, during the latter part of the period. In all, 1187 specimens,
mostly skins, constitute the collection, and these represent the large num-
ber of 305 species and subspecies.
The identifications have apparently been made with care and there are
many interesting notes on geographical and other variations. Three new
forms are described,— Saucerottea cyanura guatemale, Diglossa montana
and Regulus satrapa clarus, and the range of Terenotriccus erythrurus ful-
vigula is extended considerably northward. A remarkable female Rose-
1 Abeillé’s collection was an important one, containing about 1500 specimens,
including nearly one hundred of Lesson’s types (described chiefly in the ‘Echo du
Monde Savant’). It was probably sold, after Abeillé’s death, since a little pam-
phlet (‘Catalogue des Oiseaux composant la Collection de feu le Dr. Abeillé, de
Bordeaux,’ 44 pp.) was published in 1850, giving a list of the specimens in it.’ On
p. 15, we find Abeillé had one specimen of Strigiceps leucopogon. Here the locality
is stated to be ‘‘ Himalaya.”
2 Catalogue of a Collection of Birds from Guatemala. By Ned Dearborn, Assistant
Curator of Ornithology. Field Museum of Natural History, Publication 125.
Ornithological Series, Vol. I, No. 3, pp. 69-138, pll. i-iii (maps). November, 1907.
Vol. XX V ‘ :
oT 608 | Recent Literature. 941
breasted Grosbeak is described as having its under wing coverts and a
suffusion on its throat geranium pink, otherwise normal in plumage.
The nomenclature of the latest authorities, such as Ridgway, Sharpe and
the A. O. U. Committee, is used and the many changes recently shown to
be necessary are adopted. Unfortunately, however, seven or eight slight.
errors, such as misspellings and wrong gender endings, have crept in.
A map giving the points at which collections were made serves as the
frontispiece. ‘Two other maps show the ranges of the races of Calocitta
formosa and Planesticus tristis, and a half-tone illustrates the breast and
trachea of the male Ortalis vetula plumbeiceps.
The value of the list is enhanced by many careful notes by the author
on the coloring of the changeable portions of the birds collected, such as
iris, bill, feet and naked skin. There are also frequent remarks on moult
and on the habits of the birds observed.
Mr. Dearborn’s paper is a painstaking piece of work and adds much of
interest and value to our knowledge of Guatemalan birds.— W. De W. M.
Shaw’s ‘The China or Denny Pheasant in Oregon.’'— The Chinese or
Denny Pheasant (Phasianus torquatus) was introduced into Oregon by
the late Judge O. N. Denny, at one time Consul-General to Shanghai, “after
whom the legislature of Oregon has since called the bird the Denny Pheas-
ant.’ The story of its successful introduction and subsequent increase
and dispersion is here told in considerable detail, but, strangely, exact
dates are omitted. From the context, its introduction was apparently
made in the early ’80’s. The first shipment was unsuccessful, few of the
seventy birds in the consignment reaching their destination alive, and
these soon died from injuries received in transit. The following year a
shipment of thirty birds was made, all but four of which reached Portland
alive and in good health, and a few days later were turned out on the large
ranch of Judge Denny’s brother, John Denny, in Linn County, in the
Willamette Valley. ‘‘ About two years later,” Judge Denny made another
shipment of ninety birds, ‘‘chiefly pheasants and partridges....in which
the ring-necked was not a predominating factor.’’ Those now sent were
largely “silver and copper pheasants,’’ which were transferred to a club
and turned loose on Protection Island, in the Columbia River, and ‘many
flocks of silver pheasants now west of the Cascades trace their ancestry to
this island in the Columbia.”
This account, less explicit as to dates than is desirable, is followed by an
informal notice of the native grouse of the Northwest, and of the habits
1 The China or Denny Pheasant in Oregon | with notes on the | Native Grouse
of the Pacific Northwest | Written and illustrated | by | William T. Shaw, B. Agr.,
M. 8. | Assistant Professor of Zoology and Curator of the Museum, State College of
Washington | [seal] Philadelphia & London | J. B. Lippincott Company | 1908 —
Oblong, 6% X 93, pp. 24, pll. 14, and colored frontispiece; text and plates on heavy
plate paper. Price, $1.50.
242 Recent Literature. a
of the introduced Ring-necked Pheasant, in which it is stated that hybrids
between this species and the Sooty Grouse are of frequent occurrence. An
attempt to domesticate the pheasants, it is said, has met with an encourag-
ing degree of success.
The illustrations of this beautifully printed brochure include a colored
plate of the male ‘China Pheasant,’ and the following half-tone plates:
Peterson’s Butte, where the pheasants were first liberated; a female ‘China
Pheasant’; its nest, full of eggs, and the same nest, with the egg shells
after hatching; pheasant chicks; a view in the Willamette Valley, the
home of the pheasants; a male Sooty Grouse; a hybrid — ‘China Pheas-
ant’ + Sooty Grouse; then, on succeeding plates, a Willow Grouse, a
Sage Grouse (male), Columbia Sharp-tailed Grouse (female), Oregon
Ruffed Grouse, Mountain Partridge, and Valley Partridge. All are from
mounted birds but from excellent specimens, and with good back-ground
effects— J. A. A.
Giglioli’s ‘Avifauna Italica.’— As indicated by the full title, this volume
of more than 800 pages is a catalogue of the birds known to occur in Italy,
numbering 496 species, with their local vernacular names, a statement
of their manner of occurrence and distribution in Italy, and a critical
examination of their local variations. Italian birds appear to possess an
unrivalled number of vernacular designations, the enumeration of which,
for the commoner species, forms a large part of the text of the present
work.2. There is no technical synonymy, and the species are not described;
the extended annotations relate wholly to their distribution and manner
of occurrence, with mention of their various subspecies, as recognized
by modern authors, and in general their condemnation as puerile innova-
tions. In other matters of nomenclature the author is also extremely
conservative; tautonymic designations and trinomials are to him an
abomination. His nomenclature is strictly binomial, and the forms rec-
ognized by him are all full species. He has, indeed, only unsympathetic
words for these modern innovations (see especially pp. xili-xvili of the
Introduction, and elsewhere passim.).— J. A. A.
1 Ministero di Agricoltura, Industria e Commercio | — |! Direzione generale dell’
Agricoltura | — | Ufficio Ornitologico | — | Secondo Resoconto | dei risultati della
inchiesta ornitologica in Italia |— | Avifauna Italica | nuovo elenco sistematico
delle specie di uccelli | stazionarie, di passaggio o di accidentale comparsa in Italia; |
coi nomi volgari, colla loro distribuzione geografica, | con notizie intorno alla loro
biologia, ed un esame critico delle variazioni | e delli cosidette sottospecie | com-
pilato dal dottore | Enrico Hillyer Giglioli | Professore ordinario di Zoologia e Ana-
tomia dei Vertebrati | nel R. Instituto di Studi Superiori in Firenze, Membro del
Comitato ornitologico internazionale |e Direttore dell’ Ufficio ornitologico | [Seal]
Firenze | Coi Tipi dello Stab. Tipografico S. Guiseppe | 1907 — 8vo, pp. XXIV +
784. Lire 10.
2 The Index to the vernacular names occupies 70 pages of small type, of three
columns to the page!
eae | Recent Literature, 243
Bonhote’s ‘ Birds of Britain.’\— This book gives colored illustrations of
108 species of British birds, forming 100 plates, reproduced, generally
satisfactorily, from Mr. Keuleman’s originals, selected for this work by
H. E. Dresser from the illustrations of his well-known ‘Birds of Europe.’
The author tells us that the work includes ‘‘every species which has been
known to occur in Great Britain, with a description of their leading char-
acteristics and true habitat ....; and the plates have been carefully selected
so as to give examples of the most typical species.’”” The ‘‘notes on their
ways and habits,” we are also informed, have “been taken at first hand
straight from Nature.” The biographies are for the most part pleasantly
_ written, and though generally short, serve, with the colored plates, to make
an attractive book for the general reader interested in British birds—
A ee. ae.
‘British Birds.’— ‘British Birds’? is the name of a new illustrated
monthly magazine devoted entirely to the study of the birds of the British
Isles. The first number bears date June 1, 1907, and it has already shown
abundant raison d’étre. It is edited by H. F. Witherby, assisted by W. P.
Pycraft, and evidently has the earnest support of many of the leading
British ornithologists. ‘‘It shall be one of our chief aims,” say the editors,
“but not by any means our only aim, to provide in these pages, month
by month, a current history of British birds. Much will come, we trust,
by first-hand contributions, but we shall also glean, from every published
source available, whatever is likely to prove of permanent value... . Besides
reviews and notices of books dealing with British birds, we intend to pub-
lish each month a list as complete as possible of all the books on the sub-
ject which have appeared during the month.”’
The opening article of the first number is a paper by the late Howard
Saunders on ‘Additions.to the List of British Birds since 1899,’ or since
the appearance of the second edition of this author’s ‘Illustrated Manual
of British Birds,’ since which date ‘‘twenty additional species have estab-
lished more or less claim to inclusion.”” The records are given in detail
for each. ‘A Study of the Home Life of the Osprey,’ by P. H. Bahr, is
based on the observations of a colony, in July, 1903, “‘on an island not a
hundred miles from New York City,” and is illustrated with several half-
tone plates and text cuts. The first number also contains a paper by P. L.
Sclater ‘On a supposed new British Tit of the genus Parus,’ P. atri-
cristatus kleinschmidti (Hellm.) Hartert, in which he suggests that further
explanations are desirable respecting its real status. These are furnished
1 Birds of Britain | By | J. Lewis Bonhote | M. A., F. L. S., F. Z. S. | Member of the
British Ornithologists’ Union | With |100 Illustrations in Colour | selected by |
H. E. Dresser | from his ‘ Birds of Europe’ | [Monorgam] London | Adam and Charles
Black | 1907 — 8vo, pp. i-xii + 1-405, 100 col. pll. Price, 20s. (post free, 20/6).
2 British Birds, an Illustrated Magazine devoted to the Birds on the British List.
326 High Holborn, London: Witherby & Co.— 8vo, about 32 pp. to the number,
with half-tone plates and text illustrations. Monthly. Price one shilling net.
. Auk
944 Recent Literature. mori
by Dr. Hartert in a later number (No. 7, December, pp. 208-222) in a
paper entitled ‘On Birds represented in the British Isles by peculiar forms,’
twenty-two in number, the history and the characters of each of which
are presented.
There are also continued papers running through several numbers each,
as ‘Nesting Habits observed abroad of some Rare British Birds,’ by F.
C. Selous; ‘On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British
Birds since 1899,’ by H. F. Witherby and N. F. Ticehurst; ‘Nestling
Birds and Some of the Problems they present,’ by W. P. Pycraft; ‘ Wind
and Flight,’ by F. W. Headley, ete. Each number contains also several
pages of ‘ Notes,’ and a number of reviews of new books and papers. There
are also memoirs of Professor Alfred Newton, by Dr. Sharpe, and of Howard
Saunders, by Abel Chapman, each with a portrait.
As shown by the foregoing, there was evidently a field for a magazine
like ‘British Birds,’ and, furthermore, that the field is now excellently
filled by this new Journal.— J. A. A.
Godman’s Monograph of the Petrels.'— Part I of this beautiful mono-
graph treats of 24 species, of which 20 are figured, belonging to the genera
Procellaria, Halocyptena, Oceanodroma, Garodia, Pelagodroma, Pealea, and
Cymodroma. The synonymy and bibliographical references are followed
by a Latin diagnosis, a fairly full biography, and by an account of the
various plumages of the species. The subject seems to be brought well
up to date, both as to the technical and biographical details.
It may be noted that Oceanodroma socorroensis Townsend, 1890, is
referred to O. monorhis Swinhoe, 1867, and that O. monorhis chapmani
Berlepsch, 1906, is not considered as separable from O. monorhis after an
examination of the types, kindly submitted to the author of the ‘Mono-
graph’ for study. On p. 9, O. beldingi is evidently a lapsus for O. beali.
This useful work is a most welcome and important contribution to the
literature of these little-known birds. As we have already announced
(antea, p. 105), the ‘Monograph’ is to be issued in five quarterly parts,
and will contain over 100 hand-colored plates.— J. A. A.
Mathews’s ‘ Handlist of the Birds of Australasia.’*»— This is stated by the
author to be preliminary to his proposed work “The Coloured Figures
1 A | Monograph | of the | Petrels | (order Tubinares) | By F. Du Cane Godman |
D.C. L. F.R.S. President of the British | Ornithologists’ Union ete, ete. | With
hand-coloured Plates | by J. G. Keulemans | In Five Parts | Part I. | Witherby & Co. |
326 High Holborn London | December 1907 — Large roy. 4to, pp. 1-68, pll. i-v,
va, vi-xix. Subscription price, £2 5s. per part.
2 Handlist | of the | Birds of Australia | By Gregory M. Mathews|F.L.5., F. Z.S.,
M. B. O. U., &c. | With an Introductory Letter | by R. Bowdler Sharpe, LL. D. |
Assistant Keeper, Department of Zoology, British Museum. | Melbourne: | Walker,
May & Co., Printers, Mackillop Street | (off 390 Little Collins Street) | 1908.—
Supplement to ‘The Emu,’ Vol. VII, January, 1908, pp.1—-108.
ee Recent Literature. 245
of the Birds of Australasia,’ which is to be “a set of hand-coloured plates
of the birds of Australasia, drawn by Mr. J.G. Keulemans.” The ‘Hand-
list ’ is founded upon Dr. Sharpe’s ‘ Handlist of Birds,’ and is put forth “to
invoke -criticism and codperation of ornithologists, in order to enhance
the value of the larger undertaking.” The ‘ Handlist ’ will, however, be
in itself a great convenience. It follows the arrangement and nomenclature
of Sharpe’s well-known ‘Handlist,’ and comprises 883 species, arranged
in 345 genera.— J. A. A.
Marshall on the Anatomy of Geococcyx, Bubo, and Aeronautes.'— Miss
Marshall here follows her former paper on the anatomy of Phalenoptilus
(see Auk, XXIII, 1906, p. 237) by a paper descriptive of the alimentary
tract, the central nervous system, the nostrils and eye, the urogenital
system, and the muscles of the fore limb, in Geococcyx, Bubo, and Aero-
nautes, and the pterylosis of Geococcyx, with illustrations.
The comparisons are limited mainly to the five genera here named.
There appear to be no references to the previous literature of the subject,
beyond a short list of titles, with the vaguest references to place of publica-
tion possible, as ‘Ibis,’ ‘Auk,’ ‘Proc. Zool. Soc. London,’ etc. (see antea,
p. 92). As a contribution, however, to descriptive anatomy the paper
has value, as it is very fully illustrated —J. A. A.
Shufeldt on the Osteology of Sarcops.2— The skeleton of Sarcops calvus
is here described and figured, and compared with that of several other
genera, as Oriolus, various genera of Icteride, Corvide, etc., without,
however, reaching a definite conclusion as to its nearest relationships.—
se Oe
McAtee’s ‘ Food Habits of the Grosbeaks.’*—The Grosbeaks here considered
are the Cardinal, Gray (Pyrrhula sinuata), Rose-breasted, Black-headed,
and Blue Grosbeaks. Each is illustrated in colors, from drawings by
Fuertes, and numerous text figures illustrate their food, vegetable as well
as insect. The account of the food habits of these five species is detailed
and comprehensive, and is based on the careful study of the stomach
contents of a large number of individuals. These birds attack crops to a
slight extent, some of the species preferring fruit, others grain, but all are
1 Studies on Avian Anatomy.— II. Geococcyx, Bubo and Aeronautes. Margaret
E. Marshall, M. A. Contributions from the Zoélogical Laboratory of The University
of Texas, No. 73. Trans. Texas Acad. of Science, Vol. IX, 1906, pp. 19-40, pll.
i—vii.
2 Osteological and other notes on Sarcops calvus of the Philippines. By R. W.
Shufeldt. Philippine Journ. Sci., Vol. II, No. 5, Oct. 1907, pp. 257-267, with 1
plate. :
3 Food Habits of the Grosbeaks. By W. L. McAtee, Assistant Biological Survey.
Bureau of Biological Survey, Bulletin No. 32. Washington, Government Printing
Office, 1908. 8vo, pp. 92, 4 pll. (3 colored), and 40 text fig.
: Auk
246 Recent Literature. April
large destroyers of weed seeds and noxious insects, some of them ‘special-
izing’ on some of the greatest insect pests, as the cucumber beetles, borers
and curculios of various kinds, Colorado potato beetles, cotton boll weevil,
cankerworm, army worm, and other destructive caterpillars, etc. The
conclusion is reached that these birds are many times more beneficial
than destructive, and are hence of great economic value.— J. A. A.
The Work of the Biological Survey.— The act making appropriation
for the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1908,
directed the Secretary of Agriculture “to investigate and report to the next
session of Congress to what extent, if any, the work now being done by
the Bureau of Biological Survey is duplicated by any other Department
of the Government, and to what extent the work of this Bureau is of
practical value to the agricultural interests of the country.’’ The Secre-
tary’s Report | forms a document of some forty pages, illustrated with
appropriate maps, reviewing in detail the work of the Survey. He says:
“T have the honor to report that no part of the work now being done by
the Bureau of Biological Survey is duplicated by any other Department
of the Government, and that the work of the Survey is of great practical
value to the agricultural interests of the country.’”’ Following this state-
ment is a concise summary of ‘“‘the objects, nature, and results of the
investigations carried on by the Biological Survey,” occupying about
three pages, which is in turn followed by a classified, detailed statement
of the practical work of the Survey, occupying the rest of the Report.
During the last session of Congress a bitter attack was made upon the
Survey, obviously inspired by political animus, which led to a popular
uprising throughout the country in its defense, which ultimately over-
whelmed its maligners. The demand upon the Secretary of Agriculture
for a report to Congress upon the work of the Survey was one of the
fortunate results of a seemingly untoward incident; for while the country
at large was keenly alive to its economic importance, many of the law-
makers of the nation were in blissful ignorance of its rdéle in behalf of the
public welfare. Now, however, there is no longer excuse for any such
ignorance. Readers of ‘The Auk,’ and naturalists the country over, while
well aware that the small sum annually expended in the niggardly main-
tenance of the Survey was many times repaid through its practical re-
sults, have now access to a comprehensive and convenient statement of
its varied, far-reaching, and highly beneficial activities. It is impossible,
nor is it necessary, to recapitulate here its various lines of work and
their economic results, so fully unfolded in this official report, which fit-
tingly concludes with a list of the publications of the Survey, from 1885,
1 Report on Work of Biological Survey. By James Wilson, Secretary of Agricul-
ture. Senate Document No. 132, 60th Congress, Ist Session. Read December 21,
1907; referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry and ordered to be
printed, with illustrations. S8vo. pp. 39, pll. i-vi (maps).
vole 4 Correspondence. 247
when the work was begun, to date. These include ‘ Bulletins’ (Nos. 1—-
31), ‘North American Fauna’ (Nos. 1—26, excepting No. 6, not yet issued),
‘Circulars’ (Nos. 1-62), ‘Farmers’ Bulletins’ (10 in number), and reprints
of articles from the ‘ Yearbook’ (29 in number).
A more popular review of the work of the Biological Survey has also
recently appeared in the ‘National Geographic Magazine,’' where Mr.
H. W. Henshaw attractively presents the results and methods of its various
lines of research. Especial reference is made to the relation of birds to
agriculture, and the investigation made accurately to determine them;
also the losses due to small mammal pests and to wolves; bird reservations
and game refuges; protection of game and birds; supervision against
the importation of undesirable and dangerous mammals and birds. No
one can fail, on reading either of these documents, to realize, at least in
some degree, the great economic importance to the entire nation of the
work of the Biological Survey.— J. A. A.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Buffel-head Duck.
Epitors or ‘THE Auk’: —
Dear Sirs:— In the current descriptions of the colors of the adult male
Buffel-head Duck, there is, according to my own examination of speci-
mens, an error as to the color of his belly. Audubon, Chapman, Saunders,
Hoffman and Mrs. Bailey all include this part with the neck, breast and
wing-coverts, simply stating that all these are white. Wilson, alone,
always so exquisitely accurate in description, says: “....rest of the scapu-
lars, lateral band along the wing, and whole breast, snowy white; belly,
vent and tail-coverts dusky white” (the italics are mine).
This, as I have said above, agrees with my own examination of a small
number of specimens procured in the New York market in winter, except
that in my specimens the “dusky white” of the belly does not include the
vent, or adjacent tail-coverts, both of these tracts being pure white, or very
near it. In mine, too, the “dusky white” is too dark to be called any
kind of white. It is a delicate real pattern of wood ash color, strongest
along the sides and between the legs.
Yours very truly,
Axspott H. THAYER.
Monadnock, N. H..,
Jan. 28, 1908.
1The Policemen of the Air. By Henry Wetherbee Henshaw. National Geo-
graphic Magazine, Vol. XIX, No. 2, February, 1908, pp. 79-118, with 16 full-page
half-tone illustrations and many others in the text.
248 Notes and News. Abe
NOTES AND NEWS.
Dr. Rupotes Brasius, a Corresponding Fellow of the American Orni-
thologists’ Union, died at his home in Braunschweig, Germany, September
21, 1907, in the 65th year of his age. He was born at Braunschweig,
November 25, 1842, and was the eldest son of Johann Heinrich Blasius,
the well-known author of the ‘ Fauna der Wirbelthiere Deutschlands’ (1857),
a leading authority on European ornithology, and Professor of Zoédlogy
in the Collegium Carolinum, the Technical High School of Braunschweig.
Rudolf here received his preliminary education, and subsequently took
his degree of M. D. at the University of Géttingen, in 1866. He entered
the army as Assistant Surgeon in the war of 1866, and later, during the
Franco-Prussian war, was promoted to Surgeon-Major. In 1879 he be-
came Professor of Hygeine and Bacteriology in the Technical High School
of his native city, which position he occupied till his death; and he also
filled important offices in the municipal government.
He is said to have inherited a strong love for natural history pursuits
from both his father and grandfather, and by the former was early trained
in zodlogical research. Despite his many pressing duties later in life, .
he was able to continue active work in ornithology. He was for many
years president of the Permanent International Ornithological Committee,
and of the Deutsche Ornithologische Gesellschaft, and was one of the
editors of ‘Ornis.’ He travelled much on the continent of Europe, being
often a delegate to medical and ornithological Congresses, and thus became
well acquainted with the ornithologists and the ornithological collections
of the principal cities of Europe. His ornithological papers were quite
numerous, relating mainly to the European ornis; his earliest paper, pub-
lished in 1862, being on the birds of Braunschweig, while his doctorial
thesis (1866) was upon the structure of egg-shells. He was especially
interested in bird migration, to which many of his papers relate.
He was a man of robust health until overtaken by his last illness, fond
of field sports, a genial companion, and in his numerous travels made
many lasting friendships.
Mr. Rosert Riveway has recently started for a second visit to Costa.
Rica, where he expects to spend six months or more in ornithological
explorations for the U.S. National Museum. As on his previous trip to
that country, he will be the guest of his old friend, Sr. José C. Zeledon, who
has done so much to develop the ornithology of Costa Rica. Leaving
Washington January 27, Mr. Ridgway went via Tampa to Havana, where
he met Mr. Zeledon, and the two proceeded to San José, arriving on the
8th of February. Two days later Mr. Ridgway wrote that he and Sr.
Anastasio Alfaro, the genial and talented Director of the Museo Nacional,
who accompanied him on several of his expeditions in 1905, were about
to start on an excursion to Mount Turubales, on the Pacific slope, a”peak
vee] Notes and News. 249
not hitherto visited by ornithologists. On later excursions they expect
to visit the high grassy tableland in the central part of the country, and
other little known regions.
The primary object of Mr. Ridgway’s expedition is the collection of
material for his ‘Birds of North and Middle America,’ the next volume
of which will contain, among other families, the Formicariide, Dendro-
colaptide, Furnariide, and Trochilide, of which a very large percentage of
the Central American species occur in Costa Rica.— C. W. R.
On February 28, C. William Beebe, Curator of Birds in the New York
Zoological Society, and Mrs. Beebe, sailed on the steamship ‘Korona’
for Georgetown, British Guiana, for a trip to the headwaters of the Esse-
quibo River, to study tropical bird life and obtain material for publication.
Mr. Frank M. Cuapman, Curator of Birds in the American Museum
of Natural History, is visiting extreme southern Florida in quest of mate-
rial for additional bird groups for the Museum, in which he has recently
been promoted from Associate Curator to Curator.
A MANUAL of ‘The Birds of Maine,’ by Ora W. Knight, is announced
for early publication. This work, which is devoted exclusively to Maine
birds, will give ‘their relative abundance in each county,” with descrip-
tions of the different plumages of each species, and full accounts of their
home life. Subscriptions, prior to April 15, 1908, will be $3.00, and may
be addressed to the author, 84 Forest Avenue, Bangor, Maine. Price,
after this date, $3.50.
An “essay competition on comparative legislation for the protection of
birds” has been inaugurated by the Royal Society for the Protection of
Birds (London), which has issued a circular stating the regulations for the
International competition for 1908. The Society’s gold medal and 20
guineas are offered for the best essay or treatise on this subject. The essays,
which may be written in either English, French, or German, should be sent
to the Hon. Secretary, Frank E. Lemon, 3 Hanover Square, London, W.,
not later than December 31, 1908. Full particulars respecting the require-
ments of the competition may be obtained from the Hon. Secretary.
WitHERBY & Co., 326 High Holborn, London, announce ‘The Vertebrate
Fauna of North Wales,’ by H. E. Forrest. This is one of the zodlogically
most interesting, but hitherto neglected, parts of the British Islands.
The work will form a large octavo volume of over 500 pages, with a colored
map, portraits, plates depicting haunts, etc. It will be issued to sub-
scribers at 12s. 6d. until the list reaches 500, when the price will be in-
creased,
The same firm will also publish shortly an account, by M. J. Nicoll, of
250 Notes and News. ieee
three long voyages on the Earl of Crawford’s yacht ‘Valhalla.’ The
author, a well-known ornithologist, describes the bird and animal life of
many islands seldom or never before explored. The book will be fully
illustrated from photographs of life and scenery.
Tue eighteenth annual meeting of the Delaware Valley Ornithological
Club was held at the Academy of Natural Sciences at Philadelphia, Janu-
ary 2, 1908. The Club was never in a more flourishing condition; the
membership consists of 17 Active, 68 Associate, and 37 Corresponding
Members, while the ‘ Migration Corps’ numbers 63 observers.
The officers for the ensuing year are: Wm. A. Shryoch, President;
Stewardson Brown, Vice-President; Samuel Wright, Treasurer; and
Chreswell J. Hunt, 225 N. 53rd St., Philadelphia, Secretary. Thos.
D. Keim, 205 Radcliffe St., Bristol, Pa., is in charge of the migration work.
Tur Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia has just secured the
Van de Pol Collection of East Indian birds, comprising about 1100 skins,
from Java, Bangka, Batu Islands, Ternate, and the west coast of Sumatra.
These, together with the specimens in the Tristram collection, and the
Harrison and Hiller Sumatra collection, and the Porter collection from
Luzon, received during the past few years, make the Academy’s repre-
sentation from this general region remarkably complete.
Erratum.— By an unfortunate lapsus, the ‘erratum’ on page 35 of this
volume makes ‘confusion worse confounded’! In Volume XXIV, plate
xviii, fig. 1, accompanying Mr. A. C. Bent’s paper on the ‘Summer Birds
of Southwestern Saskatchewan,’ is wrongly indicated as ‘ Nests of Western
Grebe’; the proper designation is ‘Nests of California Gull.’ The error,
it is needless to say, is not the fault of the author, either on the plate or in
the former erratum, but arose from a peculiar combination of cireum-
stances, for which the editor is mainly responsible.
Annals of Scottish Nat. Hist., No. 64, Jan., 1908.
Avicultural Magazine, N. 8., Vol. VI, Nos. 3-5, Jan.—Mch., 1908.
Bird-Lore, Vol. X, No. 1, Jan—Feb., 1908.
Bird Notes, Journ. Foreign Bird Club, Vol. VI, Nos. 10-12, Jan.-—Mch.,
1908.
British Birds, Vol. I, Nos. 8-10, Jan.—Mch., 1908.
Bulletin British Orn. Club, Vol. XXI, Nos. CXXXVIII-CXL, Dec.,
1907-Feb., 1908.
Bulletin of the Charleston Museum, Vol. IV, Nos. 1, 2, 1908.
Cassinia, Vol. XI, 1907.
‘ Condor, The, Vol. X, No. 1, 1908. :
Emu, The, Vol. VII, Part 3 and Supplement, Jan., 1908.
Forest and Stream, Vol. LX X, Nos. 1-13, 1908.
Ibis, The, (9) Vol. II, No. 5, Jan., 1908.
Journal of the Maine Orn. Soc., Vol. X, No. 1, March, 1908.
Journal fiir Ornithologie, LVI Jahrg., Heft. 1, 1908.
Naturalist, The, Monthly Journ. Nat. Hist. for North of England, Nos.
607-613, Aug., 1907—Feb., 1908.
Ornithologisches Jahrbuch, XIX Jahrg., Heft 1-2, Jan—Apr., 1908.
Ornithologische Monatsberichte, X VI Jahrg., Nos. 1-3, Jan.—Mch., 1908.
Ornithologische Monatsschrift, XXXII Jahrg., Nos. 11, 12, 1907;
XXXII Jahrg., Nos. 1, 2, 1908.
Ottawa Naturalist, Vol. X XI, Nos. 8-12, Nov., 1907,-Mch., 1908.
Philippine Journal of Science, Vol. II, No. 6, Dec., 1907.
Proceedings Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, Vol. LIX, pt. 3, Oct.—Dec.,
1907.
Proceedings of California Acad. Sci., (4) Vol. I, pp. 1-16, Dec., 1907.
Proceedings of Nebraska Orn. Thee Vol. IV, part 1, ‘Feb., 1908.
Science, N. S., Nos. 679-691, 1908.
Verhandlungen Orn. Gesells. in Bayern. Bd. VII, 1906 (1907).
Wilson Bulletin, N.S., Vol. XIV, No. 4, Dec., 1907.
Zoological Bulletin Pennsylvania Dept. Agric., Vol. V, Nos. 8-11, Dee.
1907—Mch., 1908.
Zodlogist, The, 4th Ser., Nos. 133-135, Jan.—Mch., 1908.
—_—
- PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.
Allen, J.. A. Pennant’s ae Zoology.” (Bull. Amer, Mus. Nat, 3
> Hist., XXIV, pp. 111-116, Feb. 7, 1908.) rr :
Bather, F. A. ‘Mesites.? (An and Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), Vol. 4 pp. }
102, 103, Jan., 1908.)
Bertoni, A. de Winkelried. (1) Contribucién para el Conocimiento de
las Aves del Paraguay. (An. Cient. Paraguayos, No. 3, 1904). (2)
Segunda contribucién 4 la ornitologia paraguaya. Nueva especies para- oa
guayas. (Rev. del Inst. paraguayo, 1907.)
Bonhote, J. Lewis. Birds of Britain. 8vo, pp. sii’ + 408, 100 col. pll.
London: Adam and Charles Black. Price 20 s. (post-free, 20 s. 6d.).
Dearborn, Ned. Catalogue of a Collection of Birds from Guatemala.
(Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Orn. Ser., Vol. I, No. 5, pp. 69-138.) ©
Dutcher, William. A Brief relative to the proposed revision of the
Forest, Fish, and Game Law of the State of New York. 8vo, PP. 12:
New York, March, 1908.
Finley, William L. (1) Study of Birds and their economic value, (2)
Some Common Birds of Oregon. Leaflets 1 and 2, issued by the Oregon”
State Biologist. : Mf oh
Forbush, Edward Howe. Statutory Bird Protection in Massachusetts.
(Bull. Massachusetts Board Agric., 1907.)
Godman, F. Du Cane. A Monograph of the Petrels, Part I, Dec., “1907.
4ta, pp. 68, 20 col. pil. Price £2, 5s.
Grinnell, Joseph. The Southern California Chickadee. (Condor, X, No.
1, pp. 29, 30.) i
Marshall, Margaret, E. Studies in Avian Anatomy. IJ. Geococcyz,
Bubo, Aeronaules. (Trans. Texas Acad. Sci., IX, 1906,. pp. 19-41, pl.
i-vii.) ;
McAtee, W. L. Food Habits of the Grosbeaks. Bureau Biol. Survey, | A
Bull. No. 32, Feb. 29; 1908.
McGregor, R. C. .Notes on a Collection of Birds from the Island of
Basilan with Descriptions of three new species.. [And § other papers on
Philippine birds.] (Philippine Journ. Sci., Vol. 1, No. 5, pp. 279-349, .
and 5 pli.) gt
Menegaux, A. Expédition Antarctique Frangaise. Oiseaux. 4to, pp.
1-80, pll. i—xiii. i
Merriam, ©. Hart. Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Biological
Survey for 1907. (From Ann. Rep. Dept. Agric., Jan. 13, 1908.)
Sclater, P. L. Chairman’s Address (Brit. Orn. Club). (From. Bull,
B. 0. C., XXI.)
Shaw, William T. The China or Denny Pheasant in Oregon. Phila-
delphia, J. B. Lippincott Company. Price, $1.50.
Shufeldt, R. W. Osteological and other Notes on Sarcops calvus of the
Philippines. (Philippine Journ. Sci., Vol. II, No. 5, pp. 257-269, pl. i.)
Pays—Mellier, G., and E. Trouessart. Sur deux hybrides de Paon et
de Poule cochinchinoise. (From Compt. rend. de l’Acad. des Sci.)
Wood, Norman A. Some Records of the Fall Migration of 1906. (Ninth
Ann. Rep. Michigan Acad. Sci., pp. 166-171.)
Witherby, Harry F. Ona Gollention of Birds from Western Persia and
Armenia. With Field-Notes by R. B. Woosnam. (Ibis, Jan., 1908, pp.
74-111, and map.) ae
(Conityeitied on 3rd page of Cover.) |
| Old } | CONTINUATION OF THE | New
sll BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Series,
he Auk
H Quarterly Journal of Ornithology
_|/Vol. XXV —JULY, 1908— No. 3
PUBLISHED BY
The American Ornithologists’ Union
-
r
-
CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
Entered as second-class mail matter in the Post Office at Boston, Mass.
a
CONTENTS. ~
; PAGE
OBSERVATIONS ON THE GOLDEN EAGLE IN Montana. By E. S. Cameron. (Plates
I-IV) : A i ; x 5 4 : : : . F = Re asl
NOTES ON THE BROAD-WINGED HAWKS OF THE WEST INDIES, WITH DESCRIPTION OF
A New Form. By J. H. Riley - - : 2 ‘4 4 3 e268
Recent Notes ON Brrps OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. By Richard C. Harlow mene
Birps OF DELAWARE — ADDITIONAL Notes. By C. J. Pennock ‘ 3 ‘ P 282
Tur Case or STRIX vs. ALUCO, By J. A. Allen. . s F Fi i pO
TREGANZA BLUE HERON. By Edward J. Court. (Plates V and VI.) ‘ A 2. S290,
Larus kumlieni AND OTHER NORTHERN GULLS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF BOSTON. J
By Francis H. Allen . E ‘ z : : * : F F E . 296
Columbina vERsSUS Chemepelia. By J. A. Allen er at : gf Sa 2 wb OD
THE DESTRUCTION OF, WHISTLING SwANs (Olor columbianus) aT NIAGARA FALLS.
By James H. Fleming : : ; é : PR, ; ‘ - 306
Tue Macaw or Dominica. By Austin Hobart Clark 3 5 5 $ = - 309
GENERAL Notss.— Cabot’s Tern (Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida) Breeding in North Garo-
lina, 312; Lead Poisoning in Ducks; 312; Capture of the Flamingo at Lake Worth,
Fla., 313; The Snowy Heron in South Carolina, 313; The Black-crowned: Night Heron
in Washtenaw County, Mich., 314; The Turkey Buzzard near Schenectady, N. Y.. 315;
- Migration of Hawks, 315; A New Name for the Texan Barred Owl, 316; The Breeding
Season of Strix pratincola in South Carolina, 316; Curious Fatality among Chimney
Swifts, 317; The Horned Lark in Georgia, 318; Clarke’s Nutcracker from Wisconsin,
318; Red Crossbills, and Some Other Birds in Lower Delaware, 318; The Nelson Sparrow
in Georgia and Florida, 318; The Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow in Georgia and Florida,
319; White-crowned Sparrows Unusually Abundant in Eastern sd Nope 319;
The Worm-eating Warbler in Ontario, 319; Protonotaria citrea at Concord, Mass., 319;
A Prothonotary Warbler in Central Park, New York City, 320; Brewster’s Warbler,
320; The Kentucky Warbler in Vermont, 320; Mockingbird in West Medford, Mass.,
320; Nesting of the Short-billed Marsh Wren in Philadelphia, Pa., 320; Breeding of the
Tufted Titmouse in Washtenaw County, Mich., 322; Massachusetts Records, 323;
Early Nesting Records from Washington State, 323; Notes on Missouri Birds, 324;
Bird Notes from Southeastern Michigan, 324; Four Rare Birds from Southeastern
Michigan, 327; Wilson’s Phalarope and White-rumped Sandpipers in Wayne Co.,
Mich., 328; Two Ontario Records, 328. :
Recent LirERATURE.— Walter on Bird Migration, 329; Cherrie on Trinidad Birds, 334;
Bangs ‘On Certain Costa Rican Birds,’ 334; ‘Cassinia,’ 335; Beebe on the Seasonal
’ Changes in Color in Birds, 335; Contributions to Philippine Ornithology, 336; Mene-
gaux on the Birds of the French Antarctic Expedition, 337; Reichenow on Sea-Birds,
337; Godman’s ‘Monograph of the Petrels,’ 338; Howard’s ‘The British Warblers,’’
Parts I and II, 339.
Notes AND News.— Obituary: Leslie A. Lee, 340;, Edward A. Samuels, 341. Report of the
A. O. U. Committee on Nomenclature, 341; The Revised A. O. U. Code of Nomen-
clature, 341; Mr. Robert Ridgway’s return from Costa Rica, 342;. Mr. Frank M.
Chapman’s Expedition to Southern Florida, 342. :
FouRTEENTH SUPPLEMENT TO THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION’S CHECK-
List or NoRTH AMERICAN BIRDS. . 3 : 5 ’ ¥ 3 3 . 3843
‘THE AUK,’ published quarterly as the Organ of the AMERICAN ORNI-
THOLOGISTS’ UNION, is edited by Dr. J: A. ALLEN, with the assistance of Mr.
Frank M. CHAPMAN.
Terms: — $3.00 a year, including postage, strictly in advance. Single num-
bers, 75 cents. Free to Honorary Fellows, and to Fellows, Members, and
Associates of the A. O. U. not in arrears for dues.
Subscriptions should be addressed to DR. JONATHAN DWIGHT, Jr.,
Business Manager, 134 West 71st St., New York, N.Y. Foreign Subscrib-
ers may obtain ‘Tur Aux’ through R. H. PORTER, 7 Princes Street,
CAVENDISH SQUARE, W., LONDON.
All articles and communications intended for publication and all
-books and publications for notice, should be sent to Dr. J. A. ALLEN,
AMERICAN Musrnum or NaturaL History, 77TH St. aNnD CENTRAL PARK,
West, New York City.
Manuscripts for general articles should reach the editor at least six weeks
ioefore the date of the number for which they are intended, and manuscripts
for ‘General Notes’ and ‘Recent Literature’ not later than the first of the
month preceding the date of the number in which it is desired they shall appear.
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A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF
ORNITHOLOGY.
Vols RXV. JuLY, 1908. No.3:
OBSERVATIONS ON THE GOLDEN EAGLE IN
MONTANA.
BY E. S. CAMERON.
Plates I-IV.
From January to September in 1907, I lived about a mile and
a-half from the eyrie of the Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysetos)
which have nested on Mr. J. H. Price’s ranch at Knowlton for
seven years. I saw one or other of the splendid birds almost daily,
and it was interesting for me to compare their habits with those of
the eagles nesting near my ranch in Dawson County of which I
have already written a full description.t| In contradistinction to
the latter (which occupied a ledge of rock) these Knowlton eagles
have selected a tall pine about half way up a steep hillside, the
largest tree in the grove. This hill forms one of a wild pine-clad
range facing east and approached across open prairie from that
side. It is possible, however, to ride up through timber and rocks
behind, and look down into the nest from the hilltop without
alarming the eagles. All that takes place therein is plainly visible
through powerful binoculars. The Eagles have become so famil-
iarized with the sight of large droves of horses and attendant riders,
as to take scarcely any notice of a horseman. On this account
many actions can be observed, such as the capture of prey, its
conveyance to the nest, and feeding the eaglets, which the more
shy badland birds never allowed me to witness. The eyrie, which
1See Auk, Vol. XXII, 1905, pp. 158-167.
251
252 CamERoN, The Golden Eagle in Montana. ae
consists of an immense pile of pine sticks, rests upon, and is built
around, a number of green boughs, while a dead projecting branch
near the center forms a, convenient perch forthe parent eagles.
As would naturally be expected in the present case, the vertical
height of the nest greatly exceeds the diameter, and its width is
much inferior to the nest upon the rock previously described.
Nevertheless, as seen from below, it conveys an impression of
strength, which is not belied when it is reached, for a six foot man
can sit in it with ease. On May 11, the whole external circum-
ference of the nest rim was interwoven with an ornamental binding
of green pine tops.
This pair of eagles are of course fully adult, and both have un-
varied dark brown tails. The female resembles the male of the
Fallon eagles across the Yellowstone and would appear to be a
uniform chocolate brown but for a few white scapulars, and some
white splashes on the greater wing coverts. ‘The male is similarly
flecked with white, but a distinct ferruginous cast overspreads his.
plumage. As early as February 25, the male eagle was observed
to tumble in the air. I first witnessed this remarkable evolution
on March 14, 1904, but have observed it several times since. To
the best of my knowledge no previous writer has alluded to this
habit of the Golden Eagles although it is common to both sexes in
the breeding season. It recalls at once the spring tumbling of the
male Marsh Hawk (Circus hudsonius) which is even more extraor-
dinary from the fact that the hawk turns somersaults in the air.
On March 12, 1905, I paid special attention to this display on the
part of the male eagle which happened at the time to be sitting on
a pine at my Dawson County ranch. Soaring skyward, he sud-
denly closed his wings, and dropped head-foremost like a spent
rocket, until the increasing impetus was checked by spreading
them. After his first tumble the eagle shot upwards and repeated
it, when he returned to the tree before resuming his aérial per-
formance. The bird employs a somewhat similar manceuvre,
but poised at a lower elevation, for capturing prairie dogs, to which
I shall again refer.
At the above mentioned date (Feb. 25) the Knowlton eagles were
observed to be patching up their nest, and, while this seemed to
give promise of a very early brood, the downy young eventually
few
Ore | Cameron, The Golden Eagle in Montana. 253
appeared about the same time as the badland eaglets. On April
1 the female was sitting on two eggs, and on May 2 the young
were hatched out. For birds of their wild shy nature these eagles
are wonderfully tame. On April 13, I rode under the branch of
a pine in which the male eagle sat, and examined him within a
few yards. The bird, which had just begun to moult, remained
on his perch preening himself during the whole time that I was
there and was still thus engaged when I rode away. ‘The female
is more nervous, but, if driven from her eggs, will immediately
return to the tree and afterwards settle down on the nest. It is
fortunate for the birds that their chosen nesting site is on private
property where the owner and all his men take a deep interest
in their welfare.
Much has been written in regard to the larder of the eagle during
the breeding season, and I have read with great interest and in-
struction the pamphlet on North American Eagles! by Mr. H. C.
Oberholser, who gives the following estimate of the probable num-
ber of Sharp-tailed Grouse destroyed by Golden Eagles in this
State. He writes: “Allowing a pair of eagles to every 100 square
miles in Montana, which is probably conservative, there would be
1,450 pairs in the State, and should each one of these pairs kill
only one grouse per day for the three months during which eaglets
remained in the nest, 130,500 grouse would be destroyed in Montana
during this period alone, while it is not to be supposed that at other
times the eagles refrain entirely from a diet of game birds. Further-
more, since at this time the grouse themselves have young or eggs,
the death of the parent birds means usually the loss of the brood,
and this would amount at the lowest calculation to double the
number of adults (probably much more) or 261,000 young. Adding
to this the adults there results a total of 397,500, a number that is
astonishingly large, yet doubtless well within the truth. The
destruction of young is of course not as detrimental as that of an
equal number of adults, for the young have less chance in the
struggle for existence and in the above calculation ample allowance
has been made accordingly.”
The above is a startling indictment against the royal bird, but
1 The North American Eagles and Their Economic Relations. U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Bulletin No. 27, pp. 27-28.
254 Cameron, The Golden Eagle in Montana. ats
its force is greatly weakened by two considerations which give a
somewhat different complexion to Mr. Oberholser’s results. In
the first place it must be remembered that the “balance of Nature”
is maintained by relatively few survivors out of the total number
born. ‘Heavy destruction,’ to use Darwin’s classical phrase,
“inevitably falls either on the young or on the old during each
generation and at recurrent intervals.” Birds of prey or epidemic
disease are the necessary complement of grouse. In England we
have extinguished the birds of prey and our plethoric grouse moors
are periodically swept by a pestilence. With all rapidly increasing
species, whether of fur, fin or feather, a periodical destructive agency
is not only necessary but beneficent. The eagle is replaced by
the bacillus. ;
In the second place, Mr. Oberholser’s figures rest on the as-
sumption that all the Montana eagles live on grouse; but this is
a mistake, and his estimated eagle grouse-bag may therefore be
considerably reduced. As pointed out by Mr. Frank M. Chap-
man: ‘A bird’s food habits may vary so greatly with locality
that it is as deserving of protection in one place as it is unworthy
of it in another.” * All my observations and enquiries show that
Golden Eagles invariably feed themselves and their nestlings
upon whatever prey is most convenient to their eyrie. Thus
many pairs take very few game birds. For example, large prairie
dog towns constitute the domain of the Knowlton eagles, and, in
striking contrast to my Fallon pair (which never captured a prairie
dog), they subsist almost exclusively upon this rodent. Whereas
I never visited the badland eyrie without finding one or more
Sharp-tailed Grouse, the Knowlton nest, on the other hand (which
I examined two or three times a week), always contained one, and
occasionally two prairie dogs. Now, the destruction of prairie
dogs is of the greatest benefit to the settlers, as in this locality
(Knowlton) they have increased to an alarming extent. On
some ranches the rodents play havoc with the crops and “dog
towns”’ have encroached upon miles of good grazing land, reducing
it to a desert. The burrows also constitute a serious menace to
fast riding horsemen. It is only necessary to read the forcible
1 Bird Lore, November—December, 1906. p. 213.
ihe aa CaMERON, The Golden Eagle in Montana. 255
paper on “The Prairie Dog of The Great Plains,’! by Dr. C.
Hart Merriam, quickly to realize what an unmitigated pest this
animal becomes, and how rapidly its towns spread. As quoted
there, Professor W. W. Cooke computes that “‘32 prairie dogs
consume as much grass as one sheep, and 256 prairie dogs as much
as one cow.” ‘Therefore, whenever eagles, hawks, and owls prey
upon these ravagers “they should be protected and encouraged,”
as recommended in Dr. Merriam’s bulletin above mentioned.
Only the most energetic measures saved a thirty-acre field of oats
belonging to Messrs. Archdale brothers (whose ranch joins that
of Mr. Price) from being destroyed by prairie dogs. Despite the
liberal use of bisulphide of carbon inside the burrows, combined
with frequent shooting of the animals outside, the total estimated
summer kill was about 1200-—a number not quite double that
credited to the Golden Eagles during the nesting season alone.’
A hungry eagle will eat two prairie dogs for a meal, but allowance
must be made for the fact that females during incubation consume
half of what they require at other times. Relying both on what
I have myself seen at the eyrie, and upon the observations of others,
I have compiled the following statistics.
Throughout the month of April, and for two days in May, allow-
ing an ayerage of three prairie dogs per diem, we get a total of 96
prairie dogs up to the time that the eaglets are hatched. Subse-
quently, until the young birds forage for themselves (about Aug.
1), if we allow only six of the rodents a day, the total is obtained of
540 prairie dogs for seventy-four days sustenance of four eagles.
Thus we have a grand total of 636 prairie dogs during four months
for one pair of eagles, which is probably well within the mark.*
An eagle intent on capturing a prairie dog floats leisurely above
the ‘town’ at a medium height on motionless wings. Preliminary
inspection of the hunting-ground is accomplished in wide circles
or long sweeps, perhaps two or three miles each way, so as not
unduly to alarm the game. Passing over at long intervals, the
1 Yearbook U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1901, pp. 257-270.
2 Besides those suffocated, large numbers of prairie dogs were driven by the bisul-
phide fumes to migrate, and were observed on their travels by Messrs. Archdale.
3 In an interesting article on the Golden Eagle, Mr. William L. Finley estimates
that the family of California Eagles observed by him consumed 540 ground squirrels
in three months. (Condor, Vol. VIII, 1906, p. 10.)
256 Cameron, The Golden Eagle in Montana. Gane
bird scans the dog town and judges of the prospect for a successful
stoop. The ‘dogs’ are of course immediately on the alert, but
can only see their enemy for a short time on account of the high
surrounding pine hills, and, indeed, most ‘dog towns’ are too
extensive for the denizens at one end to notice an eagle passing
over at the other. Moreover, an unsuccessful eagle will keep
on the wing for several hours, and it is almost certain that the
hungry prairie dogs will relax their vigilance at last. When the
eagle considers that a favorable chance has arrived it sinks lower,
so as to bring the distance between itself and the animals to some-
thing like seventy-five or a hundred yards. Should the latter still
remain above ground, the royal bird suddenly folds its wings, and,
with meteoric rush, falls head first towards the astounded prairie
dogs. ‘These scamper for their holes, but about three yards from
the ground the eagle spreads its wings and, swiftly following the
intended victim, darts out a cruel foot to grasp it. If the attack
fails, as sometimes happens, the eagle mounts in a slow, reluctant
manner which plainly reveals its disappointment. On May 3
Mr. M. M. Archdale (on a sulky plough behind three horses)
drov~ within a hundred yards of the male eagle when it stooped
vf, and just missed a prairie dog in the manner above described.
His minute observations corroborate mine from a far greater dis-
tance. On a different day two other observers saw the same bird
successfully seize a prairie dog, but drop it after rising to a con-
siderable height. ‘The eagle made no effort to recover its booty,
and such behavior is rather difficult to explain. I suggest that
as a prairie dog is carried in one foot the quarry, in its death agony,
may have severely bitten the bird’s free leg incautiously advanced.
My brother, Mr. Allan Gordon Cameron, who has had con-
siderable experience of Golden Eagles in Argyllshire, believes that
they distinctly prefer furred to feathered game. Their favorite
food is the Mountain Hare (Lepus variabilis), and a dead cat is a
sure draw to a trap, if eagles are in the neighborhood. When
hares are scarce, or entirely absent, as in the Island of Jura (Inner
Hebrides) eagles take rabbits, if accessible, and failing rabbits,
perforce prey on grouse, with the devastating results above men-
tioned by Mr. Oberholser. These results in Jura, however, were
due to the grouse leaving the ground in panic, rather than to their
aa | Cameron, The Golden Eagle in Montana. 257
actual destruction by the eagles. During the deer-stalking season,
in autumn, eagles find a supplementary food supply in the offal of
deer. For a long time in Scotland it was thought doubtful if the
Golden Eagle ever struck at flying birds, but Mr. Seton P. Gordon
has conclusively shown that it does so with the wing, and that
many grouse and ptarmigan are thus dashed to the ground.’
To come back to Montana: during the winter of 1906-07 the
Knowlton eagles fed almost entirely on carrion, and three of these
birds were regular evening visitors to some cattle carcasses in the
willows and box elders along the creek where I lived. A collie
used to slink away to this place at sunset, whose disappointed
barking often signalled the presence of the royal birds, which kept
him at a respectful distance. It was the dog which first brought
this habit of the eagles to my notice, as, hearing him bark, I went
to find out if a wolf (Canis lupus var. occidentalis) or other wild
animal was guarding the carrion.
The winter of 1906-07 was the most severe in my eighteen
years’ Montana experience. For two months the snow lay a foot
deep and upwards on the level, and the eagles doubtless found it a
difficult matter to obtain sustenance. The Sharp-tailed Grouse
and jack-rabbits burrowed into the drifts, and during part v.
period the frozen cattle carcasses were proof against the eagles’
bills. At Knowlton, on January 14, the thermometer registered
—34° at 9.M., and all day the spirit never rose above —16°, while
on January 15, the temperature varied between -12° at 9 A. M.
and -16° at 6 p. m. The famished eagles were compelled to
unusual effort, and Mr. R. L. Anderson (who has a ranch in this
locality) most kindly sent me a full account of the following re-
markable incident. In the middle of January, he was riding two
miles below his ranch on the south fork of Cottonwood Creek and
suddenly came close upon three Golden Eagles which were devour-
ing an adult buck antelope (Antilocapra americana) in a little draw.
Upon his appearance the eagles endeavored to take wing, but
all found great difficulty in doing so, ‘and hopped and fluttered
along on the snow for a considerable distance before being able to
rise.” Despite the bitterly cold weather, the antelope was warm
1 Country Life, Jan. 27, 1906.
\
958 Cameron, The Golden Eagle in Montana. fu.
and limber when found, as it had only been quite recently killed.
The eagles had torn a large hole in its back with their terrible
talons, and were feeding on the kidneys and entrails. Mr. Ander-
son at once investigated the scene of the struggle and could easily
read the gruesome details on the deep, crusted snow. ‘The eagles
had obviously stampeded a bunch of antelope, and then cut out a
victim by a combined attack. ‘Leaving the herd, the latter en-
deavored to escape down a small right hand draw, but after cover-
ing about a hundred yards was beaten back by the eagles. It
then crossed a ridge on which the main antelope trail ran at right
angles to its own and, hard pressed by its assailants, struggled
down a narrow left hand draw to the place where it succumbed.
Altogether the antelope could barely have covered three hundred
yards after the first attack by the eagles. The victim, which had
evidently offered a gallant resistance, seems to have made a stand
in three places, chiefly where found, but also at points along the
trail. The crimson stained snow and thickly strewn hair, added
to the well defined wing prints of the flapping and dragging eagles,
sufficiently revealed this prairie tragedy. One or more of the birds
must have clung tenaciously to their quarry’s back and from the
deep wounds thus inflicted ‘‘the blood had spurted out as when a
cow’s horns are sawn off.”
R. R. Brown (the wolfer at Knowlton) informs me that he has
often found coyotes in his traps which were partially devoured by
eagles. Presumably the coyotes were much debilitated before the
eagles attacked them. It is erroneous to suppose that the eagle
is ‘not affected by poisoned bait.”” Every Montana wolfer has
killed eagles in winter with strychnine put out for wolves, and I
have myself seen dead birds which had perished from this cause.
To quote the late Mr. Howard Saunders, “poison has been a very
important cause of the approaching extinction of the Golden
Eagle in Ireland.” + On April 22, the two brothers Archdale
saw the male eagle attempt to secure a victim from a north-bound
flock of Canada Geese. At sight of the great black bird, which
rapidly overtook them, the panic-stricken geese scattered in wild
confusion from their usual V-shaped formation, and each member
1Ibis, Vol. V, 1905, p. 481.
THE AUK, VOL. XXV. PLATE II.
KAGLE EYRIE, KNOWLTON, MONTANA.
Jeans 000
WOE 9 LOM,
THE AUK,
GOLDEN EAGLE IN PINE TREE LOOKING DOWN. AT PHOTOGRAPHER.
IMSS JANG. \lOlig OVE PAE sive
YouNnG GOLDEN EAGLES, ABOUT TWO MONTHS OLD.
pel AY Cameron, The Golden Eagle in Montana. 259
of the flock mounted separately until a mere speck. Meanwhile
the eagle endeavored to rise above one of them, but, finding this
impossible, he relinquished the chase and flew slowly southwards
in the direction of the eyrie. When their enemy was out of sight
the geese again resumed a V-shaped formation and continued
their interrupted course. he failure of the noble bird on this
occasion arose from the fact that he was moulting, and only acute
stress of hunger could have induced him to attack the geese. Ac-
cording to my observations the male eagle began to moult on April
13, as above mentioned, and had renewed his plumage by May 1.
The female moulted two months later (in the middle of June), and
had finished moulting by June 26, when the young were almost
ready to leave the nest. Her plumes could be picked up under the
tree. I have known a male eagle to shed four primary quills in
one day, and it will readily be seen what a serious handicap 1s here
imposed upon his flying powers. It may be supposed that had the
eagle succeeded in mounting above the goose, he would have en-
deavored to bind to this large quarry after the manner of a falcon.
Mr. Oberholser, writing of the Bald Eagle (Haliwetus leucocephalus)
attacking Canada Geese (op. cit., 11), quotes Mr. William Brewster
as follows: ‘‘When close upon its quarry the Eagle suddenly
sweeps beneath it, and turning back downwards, thrusts its power-
ful talons up into its breast.”
Shortly after his pursuit of the geese the eagle arrived at the
eyrie (where I sat on my horse watching) with a prairie dog for his
sitting mate. This she declined, when he took the prey to the
ground and ravenously ate it himself, tearing it in pieces with the
greatest ease. A prairie dog has a very tough hide, and a Goshawk
which I had at this time could make nothing of one unless an
incision was first made with a knife. An eagle usually places a
prairie dog on its back, gradually devours all the edible portion,
beginning near the root of the tail, and finishes by leaving a clean
skin with the head, feet, and tail on.
The domestic life of the Knowlton eagles was not different in
any important particular from that of the badland birds which I
have already described. The male did not share the duties of
1 Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, V, 1880, pp. 57, 58.
260 CameEron, The Golden Eagle in Montana. july
incubation, but assisted his partner to shelter the eaglets both from
the high winds and hot sun. If the shading hen bird happened to
observe me on the hilltop she would immediately squat flat in the
nest and imagine herself hidden. This habit was common to both
female eagles; their perplexed offspring vainly endeavored to
arouse them to a sense of their neglect as long as I remained near.
No attempt in the present case was made to secure photographs
of the downy white nestlings, as we already had a number, showing
them in every stage of plumage from two days old, and we pre-
ferred to wait for the eaglets to leave the nest. Although smaller
than their badland congeners the Knowlton birds developed sooner,
and had entirely lost the fluffy white crop and chin at a month and
26 days old. This suggests the hypothesis that, while a diet of
grouse and hares makes the largest eagles, on the other hand,
birds fed exclusively on prairie dogs and snakes mature more
quickly.
I was unable to verify from personal observation that adult
eagles, at least, devour rattlesnakes entire, including the head.
Although Sharp-tailed Grouse (Pediacetes phasianellus campestris)
and Sage Grouse (Centrocercus wrophasianus) were common in the
neighborhood, I only once saw a bird, or the remains of one, in or
near the nest. This solitary exception was on June 26, when
from the hilltop at 6 p. mM. my wife and I (unnoticed) watched the
female eagle entirely pluck and dismember a Sharp-tailed Grouse
for her eaglets. The eagle, with her back to us, held the grouse
firmly down, by planting a foot at each end, on the now perfectly
flat nest. After first pulling out the wing quills, she next attacked
the soft clinging body feathers, and got rid of those which adhered
to her bill by violently shaking her head. The apparently full-
grown eaglets waited patiently one on each side of her, until their
supper was ready, and at this point the old bird perceived us and
flew away. The eaglets seemed half inclined to follow her exam-
ple but did not leave the branches. Next morning we were early
on the ground with a camera and an ascent of the tree was attempted.
Before the eyrie could be reached, however, the female eaglet flew
strongly for upwards of a quarter of a mile and settled on the oppo-
1 See Auk, Vol. XXII, No. 2.
ae CamMERON, The Golden Eagle in Montana. °61
site hillside. My wife immediately walked to the spot and suc-
ceeded in catching her by a wing after the eaglet had made several
abortive efforts to rise in the calm air. The male also flapped out
of the eyrie and landed bouyantly on the prairie but was captured
without trouble. Both eaglets were brought back to their nesting
tree; they showed no fight, but clung tenaciously with their talons
to whatever they could seize, according to the unfailing custom of
young eagles, hawks and owls. As was the case in my former
experience, there appeared to be a week’s difference in age between
the eaglets although hatched at the same time.
We have always found difficulty in photographing full-fledged
eaglets, a quick exposure in the sun being necessary, and the
subjects persistently flap into the shade. If forced to stay in the
sun they turn their backs upon it, and thus belie the poetic fancy
of ‘An eagle mewing her mighty youth, and kindling her undazzled
eyes at the full midday beam.’’+ Although the old birds endure
heat better than their offspring, they collapse panting, with wide
open mouths and drooping wings, at 100° in the shade. Eagles
then present an undignified appearance much at variance with
their ordinary noble aspect. The tendency of the eaglets to droop
their wings is apparent in all the photographs; in one view (of the
rock) the male has quite assumed the absurd pose of the over-
heated eagle.
After photographing the eaglets we wasted much time and labor
in attempting to restore them to the higher branches. As soon as
we replaced them, they flew down again, preferring to sit about on
fallen pines until their perfected wings should emancipate them,
forever, from their surroundings. At this stage we saw little of
them, owing to the difficulty of finding them amidst the rocks and
forest debris of these wooded glens, but I ascertained that the
parents continued to watch over, and to feed them on prairie dogs
for another month. It is possible that the old birds attended to
their offspring after this time, but the fact remains that during
August, when the eaglets were constantly observed on rocks or
pines about the ranch, the parents were never seen with them.
Whether sitting inactive, or on the wing, the youngsters always
1 Milton. Tractate of Education.
262 CameEron, The Golden Eagle in Montana. cae
kept up a harsh whistle which was, undoubtedly, a lament for
their absent relatives. Once, when one of them lost the other, it
screamed incessantly from a lofty scoriaceous rock until its com-
panion returned. Its cries were audible for half a mile, and at-
tracted my wife’s attention within the house. In this particular
the young birds differ greatly from more matured eagles which are
almost invariably silent and utter no sound even when caught in
a wolf trap. On September 6, I watched the eaglets hunting for
themselves, and to all appearance they flew quite as strongly as
the adult birds. Hence we may infer than an eagle takes three
months to acquire its full, and almost unrivalled aérial power.
Mr. Oberholser in his bulletin above mentioned states that
“The eagle probably seldom, if ever, carries a weight of more than
10 or at the most 12 lbs.” Between these two lies the average
weight of the bird itself, and some English writers have recently
- assumed that the eagle can lift and carry off its own weight in prey
or even more. Having been able to devote much time to a study
of the habits of two pair of eagles (sixty miles apart), which nested
close to a ranch where I lived, I feel convinced that the carrying
power of the Golden Eagle is limited to a weight of eight pounds
at the very most. To supplement my own experience I wrote,
in the first instance, to Mr. James Inglis, for 30 years head keeper
to the late Duke of Sutherland, who has probably seen as much of
eagles in the Scottish Highlands as anyone now living, and sub-
sequently to my brother, who has resided in north Argyll for 23
years, and enjoyed ample opportunities for the study of wild life
in a wild district, where eagles breed annually. The experience
of both these observers on the point at issue concurred with my own.
They report that no authentic record exists in their experience of a
Golden Eagle ever carrying a heavier quarry than a mountain
hare (Lepus variabilis), whose average weight is from 4 to 6 lbs.,
or a very young hill lamb of the same, and even less weight. Mr.
Inglis also writes: “To give some idea what absurd stories are
told about eagles: last year a story went the round of the northern
newspapers that an eagle carried away a young child at Bonar
Bridge. When this was probed to the bottom it was found that
two boys invented the tale and sent it to the ‘Northern Chronicle’
for fun.” Mr. R. L. Anderson informs me that a Golden Eagle
| CameEron, The Golden Eagle in Montana. °263
has been seen to carry a kid antelope in Montana, but he did not
witness the occurrence himself.
I willingly admit that an eagle of exceptional size, or when
stimulated by stress of circumstance to exceptional effort, may
lift an exceptional weight. Mr. Harting, for instance, relates a
story of an eagle which, while devouring a hare was attacked by a
fox, and which in its effort to escape from the bull-dog grip of its
antagonist lifted the fox to ‘‘a considerable height in the air.”
The witness of this struggle is not recorded by name, but Mr.
Harting says that Robert Gray took pains to verify the story.
As given in the London ‘Field’ for Jan. 11, 1908, the weight of a
full-grown dog fox is from 16 to 20 lbs. In this case the eagle
possessed a great advantage in having its legs free; there must
also have been a wind at the time which enabled the bird to get
under way when the fox seized it. Furthermore, we do not know
the weight of this particular fox. An eagle always has some
difficulty in rising from the ground unless from the top of an emi-
nence with a high wind blowing; and all my observations on
Montana eagles confirm the view that an average specimen cannot
rise from the level with any weight exceeding 4 or at most 5 lbs.
in its talons. A heavy bird like an eagle must have the use of its
legs to spring from the earth, and if these are tied, or hampered
to any considerable extent, the bird is then unable to rise but flaps
along the surface of the ground. In the case of the Golden Eagle,
I have amply demonstrated this to my own satisfaction by experi-
ments made with an adult bird caught by one claw in a wolf trap.
The eagles which I actually watched carrying prairie dogs to their
nestlings held the prey in one foot. On March 21, 1905, my wife
and I, when out riding, saw the female eagle of our nesting pair
occupied with something at the head of a draw. We rode towards
her, and although the eagle could see us coming, she did not take
alarm until we were about a gunshot off. Then crouching down
she leapt upwards from the ground, and simultaneously spreading
her wings flapped down the draw. As the day was calm she
continued this flapping until high in air, when she obtained enough
wind to sail and circled on motionless wings. We found that she
1 Recreations of a Naturalist, by J. E. Harting, p. 336.
264 Cameron, The Golden Eagle in Montana. ae
had just killed a full-grown jack-rabbit and begun a meal upon a
hind quarter after tearing out the entrails and placing them on
one side. Why did not the eagle carry away her prey as the
Knowlton birds did prairie dogs in the face of any disturbance ?
As she had ample time to do so the obvious inference is that she
could not. On the other hand, when flying in a wind the same
eagle could lift a very considerable weight from the ground. Messrs.
Undem Bros. informed me that while in full flight she lifted a
lamb, probably weighing between 10 and 12 lbs., for some distance
into the air before its weight compelled her to drop it. It was
this bird which afterwards met her doom through her indiscreet
attack upon the collie, and, according to the shepherd, never
ceased flying even with the dog in her clutches.t_ Doubtless, adult
jack-rabbits carried to the eyrie are picked up by the eagles without
alighting or much relaxing speed. Nevertheless, only once within
my knowledge was a full-grown jack-rabbit taken to an eyrie, and,
although the eagles undoubtedly killed numbers of the adult ani-
mals, their usual practice was to tear and dismember them on the
spot. I have three times surprised an eagle on a full-grown jack-
rabbit, and twice saw it actually strike the victim, but the bird made
no attempt to carry off its booty on either occasion. ‘The average
weight of an adult jack-rabbit is 7 lbs. (the heaviest weighed by
me was 8} lbs.), and from the above facts I infer that the eagles
here are reluctant to make the required effort for transporting
full-grown jack-rabbits to their eyrie. It may be interesting to
state that on the two occasions above mentioned both jack-rabbits
were crouching in their sage brush forms, and neither made any
move when the eagle was hovering above. The eagle appeared to
drop on the paralyzed victim much as a Kestrel does onto a mouse.
As both my wife and Mr. M. M. Archdale have seen an eagle
stoop at and miss a running jack-rabbit on two separate occasions,
I presume that if the quarry ran swiftly away it would possess a
chance of saving its life.
There is, in fact, an entire absence of any trustworthy evidence
by competent observers that Golden Eagles actually lift and carry
away animals larger or heavier than hares or game birds. Differ-
1 Auk, Vol. XXIV, p. 264.
ra Cameron, The Golden Eagle in Montana. 265
ences in expanse of wing and body size must not be lost sight of in
estimating the carrying power of eagles. When writing of a larger
bird, the Bald Eagle (Halieetus leucocephalus), at page 12, Mr.
Oberholser quotes Mr. William Brewster as follows: ‘‘A Brant
or Duck is carried off bodily to the nearest marsh or sand-bar,
but a Canada Goose is too heavy to be thus easily disposed of.
The two great birds fall together to the water beneath, where the
Eagle literally tows his prize along the surface until the shore is.
reached. In this way one has been known to drag a large Goose
for nearly half a mile.”* Mr. Harting (op. cit.) has another
interesting fact bearing on the present question and guaranteed
by the name of that eminent ornithologist, Mr. A.O. Hume. Writ-
ing of Pallas’s Sea Eagle (Halieetus leucoryphus) Mr. Hume
says: “‘ A Grey Goose will weigh on the average 7lb. (much heavier
are recorded), but I have repeatedly seen good-sized grey geese
carried off in the claws of one of these eagles, the bird flying slowly
and low over the surface of the water, but still quite steadily”
(p. 336). A carp of 13 lbs. proved too big a job for an eagle of this.
species to tackle (zb., p. 337).
Lamb stories relating to eagles, and current in the Western Isles
of Scotland during the first half of the 19th century often refer to
the White-tailed Eagle (Haleetus albicilla), which surpasses its.
more spirited congener both in expanse of wing and in bodily
weight. Alex Clark, late estate servant at Jura, had a vivid
recollection of the time when the shepherds on Tarbert farm, now
deer forest, were supplied with guns and encouraged to shoot these
eagles by a reward of so much per head. A similar war of extermi-
nation was waged in other islands, and notably in Skye, where my
uncle Donald Charles Cameron, then of Glenbrittle, killed during
his lifetime 90 eagles, including both species, to his own gun, as
mentioned in ‘The Auk’ for April, 1905. The fact that these
Skye eagles only carried to their eyries leverets, grouse, and small
lambs — ‘‘helpless creatures easily overpowered” —led the late
Mr. Seebohm to describe the motions of the Golden Eagle as
“sluggish, cowardly and tame compared with the death swoop of
the Peregrine” — a somewhat sweeping verdict which few people
will endorse.
1 Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, V 1880, pp. 57, 58,
266 Cameron, The Golden Eagle in Montana. ne
Although this article is already very long, I cannot refrain from
pointing out that Mr. Oberholser has evidently been misled by
other writers when he states (page 21) that the Golden Eagle is
untamable. In my own experience the bird is not difficult to
tame, and even a wild-caught example soon becomes tractable.
At first the newly trapped eagle is savage, and, with spread wings,
darts out its terrible foot at any advancing object; but by patience,
in a few weeks, the bird’s confidence may be won. It never uses
its bill in attack or defense, but drives its talons into, or through
the cause of provocation and then constricts the foot. In this
manner a Golden Eagle has been known to kill a full grown
otter which had gnawed away the bottom of the wooden partition
which separated them.’ In writing of a male Golden Eagle which
he kept for twenty-five days Mr. P. M. Silloway states: “The bird
became quite tame and allowed me to caress and handle it through
the bars of its box.” ? I have myself found that the bold, unshrink-
- ing nature of the royal bird renders it easier to domesticate than
some of the more nervous or timorous hawks.
Mr. James Inglis, above mentioned, informed me that the late
Duchess of Sutherland had a tame Golden Eagle which was pre-
sented to her in 1866 when it was a year old. A Mr. McDonald
first looked after the bird and could handle it in any way he chose.
The eagle especially liked to be stroked under the wings, and gave
vent to continuous little cries of approval when caressed in this
manner. As is always the case, the bird was wild-with strangers,
and would strike viciously at them with one foot — the invariable
method of attack. Later, this eagle was confided to the care of
Inglis, and became on most friendly terms with him, until one day
he secured it under a salmon landing-net in order that its house
might be cleaned. From this time forward the bird was always
suspicious of him, and never again resumed its former amicable
relations. The eagle, which was a male, lived in perfect health
for 23 years. At the end of that time it fell on its back in a kind of
fit, after clutching a rabbit, and died two months afterwards. In
reply to a question regarding this eagle Mr. Inglis further states a
lit: “He moulted every year in May. There were six beautiful
1 Country Life, Jan. 20, 1906.
2 Birds of Fergus County, Montana, p. 31.
a CameEron, The Golden Eagle in Montana. 967
fluffy feathers about seven inches long under the tail, and I kept
them every year for the Duchess. They were something like
ostrich feathers but finer, and her Grace always wore them in her
hat. T'wo of them were pure white, the other four had a small
tip of yellow near the point.”
In the recently published (1898) second edition of Mr. J. E.
Harting’s ‘Hints on the Management of Hawks’ there are three
chapters devoted to the domestication, training, and employment
of eagles in Falconry which are decisive on the point at issue.
Suffice it to say that the Golden Eagle — described as “unerring
in its flight” —is highly valued, habitually trained, and success-
fully employed for the pursuit and capture of foxes, wolves, deer,
and antelope both in European and Asiatic Russia. Mr. Harting
establishes the fact that this eagle is the well-known Bergut or
Kara Kush (Black Bird) of the Kirghiz Tartars, as hinted by
‘Prof. Newton,’ although other species are also trained for a similar
purpose. The epithet “Black” seems a misnomer for the mature
bird, but is quite appropriate to the immature plumage, as pointed
out by Mr. Harting, who reminds his readers that the Golden
Eagle is described by Linneus as A. fulvus, by Gmelin as A.
niger, and by Pennant as the “Black Eagle.”
Mr. Harting was personally acquainted with a French sportsman,
Monsieur Maichin, who after much negotiation succeeded in pur-
chasing a trained Berkute from a Kirghiz Falconer for the price of
forty pounds ($200) and a gun, and employed it for hawking foxes
in France: Accounts of the achievements of this bird led Mr.
Harting to suspect it was the Imperial Eagle (A. heliaca), and,
being anxious to identify the species, he asked Mons. Maichin to
accompany him to the British Museum of Natural History and
there to point out his bird from among the mounted specimens in
the collection. Without the slightest hesitation Mons. Maichin
pointed to the Golden Eagle with the remark (in French): “‘There
is my eagle, but not so big as mine.” The same bird was sub-
sequently acquired by a famous French falconer, Mons. Paul
Gervais, who described to Mr. Harting how it was managed and
flown. When the quarry was a fox the eagle invariably struck
1 Dict. of Birds, p. 177.
268 — Riey, The Broad-winged Hawks of the West Indies. ae
and held with one foot, in the first instance, keeping the other in
rest. This, it turned out, was a brilliant manceuvre on the part of
the bird, for the moment the stricken fox turned his head viciously
to snap at the thing holding him, he received the eagle’s spare foot
full in the face, and was forthwith rendered powerless. “The
strong and curved claws speedily muzzled him, and after a few
desperate bounds in the air, he almost gave up struggling, being
held as in a trap until the falconer ran up, and with his couteau de
chasse gave him the finishing stroke.” In parts of European
Russia trained Golden Eagles are regularly exposed for sale and
realize very high prices, being used on large game for which the
Goshawk would be unsuitable. About the middle of the last
century a Captain Green, of the British army, and resident in
England, tamed and trained a Golden Eagle to catch hares and
rabbits. Authentic accounts of this bird relate that it was ‘fairly
tractable,” but its “great weight and the difficulty of keeping it
keen (owing to its power of fasting) made it too troublesome to
manage satisfactorily.” Evidently the Russian and Khirghiz
falconers have overcome these difficulties. (See Harting, op. cit.,
pp. 170-175.)
NOTES ON THE BROAD-WINGED HAWKS OF THE
WEST INDIES, WITH DESCRIPTION OF
A NEW FORM.
BY J. H. RILEY.
EVER since the summer of 1904, when working upon a small
collection of birds from Barbuda and Antigua, British West Indies,
I have had in mind three specimens of immature hawks which
were then provisionally (though doubtfully) referred to Buteo
platypterus. Since then, they have been shown to numerous
visiting and resident ornithologists, all of whom have declared they
had never seen the immature northern bird in similar plumage.
1 By permission of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
ae | Ritey, The Broad-winged Hawks of the West Indies. 269
Last winter, upon Mr. Outram Bangs visiting Washington, I took
advantage of the occasion to show them to him, whereupon he very
kindly offered to send me his series from the Antilles for comparison.
This he has now done, and I take this opportunity of extending
my thanks, for without this series the following notes would have
been impossible. Mr. Bangs’s series of fifteen birds is a very fine
one, embracing specimens from Cuba, Dominica, and St. Vincent,
including the type of Buteo antillarum Clark. ‘These, in conjunc-
tion with the series in the U. S. National Museum, have enabled
me to examine over fifty specimens from the various parts of the
range of this species, and it is to be hoped, settle the status of the
West Indian forms.
After careful comparison of this material, I am prepared to
recognize four forms of “Broad-wings” in the West Indies, as
shown below.
1. Buteo platypterus platypterus (Vveillot).
? Falco fuscus' MituER, Various Subjects Nat. Hist., Pt. 3, 1777, pl:
18.— SuHaw, Cimelia Physica, 1796, 35, pl. 18 (North America).
? [Falco] juscus GMELIN, Syst. Nat., I, i, 1788, 280 (based on Miller
pl. 18; not of Gmelin, p. 271).— Laruam, Index Ornith., I, 1790,
43, no. 103 (same basis).
? Falco] cinerascens BrcustEIn, Latham’s allgemeine Uebersicht
der Vogel, IV, 1811, 36 (based on Latham, Index, I, 438, no. 103).
Falco pennsylvanicus Witson, Am. Orn., VI, 1812, 92, pl. 54, f. 1
(near the Schuylkill, Penn.; not of Wilson, ¢. ¢. 13, pl. 46, f. 1).
1 Falco fuscus, although commonly attributed to Gmelin, and supposed to repre-
sent the Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter velox of American authors), was first pro-
posed by J. F. Miller, in a work entitled ‘‘ Various Subjects of Natural History etce.’’
(so quoted by Engelmann, Bibl. Hist.-Nat., 1846, 182), usually referred to by Gmelin,
Latham, and other early authors as ‘‘ Miller’s Illustr..”’ Falco fuscus, from North
America, is the subject of plate 18, and an examination proves it to be an immature
Buteo, probably B. platypterus, but the tail is too fulvous, and the dark brown sub-
terminal band is much too narrow. However, for an old plate, it is a fairly good
representation of the Broad-winged Hawk, but by no stretch of the imagination can
it be made to do duty for an Accipiter. As this plate is the sole basis of Gmelin’s
description, it follows that Falco jwscus of that author cannot apply to the Sharp-
shinned Hawk,
Miller’s work was issued in six parts, of 6 plates each, and plate 18 occurs in part 3,
dated 1777. As the work is very rare, it may be worth mentioning that the plates
(with the same names and notation), with some additional ones, were reissued in
1796, as the ‘‘Cimelia Physica,’’ with enlarged text by George Shaw. Under this
title the plates of Miller’s ‘Various Subjects’ may be consulted in lieu of the rarer
work. For much of the data on this subject I am indebted to Dr. C. W. Richmond,
270 Ritey, The Broad-winged Hawks of the West Indies. aaa
Slparvius] platypterus Vie1tLtot, Tabl. Encycl. Méthod., III, 1823,
1273 (founded on Wilson, pl. 54, f. 1).
Flalco] Wilsonitti Bonaparte, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci: Phila., ITI, April,
1824, 348 (based on Wilson, VI, 92).
Ffalco] latissimus BonapartsE, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., III,
April, 1824, 348, footnote (same basis as preceding).— Orp, Wil-
son’s Am. Orn., 2 ed., 1824, 92 (dated 1812, but for correct date,
see Faxon, Auk, 1901, 217).
Buteo pennsylvanicus BONAPARTE, Comp. List Birds Europe and N.
Am., 1838, 3— Brewer, Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., VII, 1860,
306 (Cuba).— Cazsanis, Journ. fiir Orn., Il, Suppl. 1855, Ixxxii
(Cuba).— Gunpuacu, Journ. fiir Orn., 1861, 403 (Cuba), 1871, 366
(Cuba); Orn. Cubana, 1876, 41; Anales Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. Madrid,
VII, 1878, 160 (Porto Rico).
[Buteo] pensylvanicus GuNpLAcH, Journ, fiir Orn., 1861, 322 (Cuba).
[Buteo] pennsylvanicus GuNpDLACH, Repert. Fis.-Nat. Cuba, I, 1865-
66, 223; Journ. fiir. Orn., 1878, 158 (Porto Rico).— Cory, List
Birds W. I., 1885, 22 (part).
Bluteo] pennsylvanicus GunpuAcH, Anales Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. Madrid,
II, 1873, 99 (Cuba).
[Buteo] pennsylvanius GuNDLACH, Journ. fiir Orn., 1874, 310 (Porto
Rico).
Buteo latissimus LemBryr, Aves de Cuba, 1850, 19— Cory, Auk,
1887, 40 (part); Birds W. I., 1889, 198 (part); Cat. Birds W. I.,
1892, 99 (part)— GunpLacH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 21 (Cuba; hab-
its, etc.).
Bluteo] latissimus LemBryn, Aves de Cuba, 1850, 127.
Buteo platypterus Faxon, Auk, 1901, 218.— A. O. U. Comm., Auk,
1901, 299. :
A series of six adults (three males, two females, and one marked
female, but probably wrongly sexed) from Cuba are uniformly
clove brown above; with sides of neck, mantle, lesser wing-coverts,
and scapulars rather strongly edged with cinnamon-rufous; below,
the barring is cinnamon-rufous, heavier on the chest. Birds from
the eastern United States exhibit apparently two phases of plumage;
a light grayish brown backed bird with little or no reddish edges
to the feathers, and with the bars below prout’s brown; and a
dark bird with the feathers of the sides of neck and upper back
strongly edged with cinnamon-rufous, and the bars below of the
latter color, heavier, and sometimes confluent on the chest. There
are no individuals in the series from Cuba corresponding to the
gray phase of the continent, but the dark phase is hardly or not at
Vor ong. | Riwey, The Broad-winged Hawks of the West Indies. 271
all different from eastern United States examples. In size, the
Cuban birds may average a trifle smaller, but not enough to war-
rant separating them as a race. Unfortunately there are no birds
from Florida in the series examined by me, nor haye I seen a speci-
men from Porto Rico, but judge specimens from the latter local-
ity will not differ from Cuban examples.
Broad-winged Hawks from the United States usually have the
irides brown, but Mr. Frank L. Burns writes me that they undergo
many changes from pearl-gray of the young, to yellow and in one
instance even red, and is inclined to think that the yellow irides are
probably that of fully adult birds. In two apparently fully adult
birds (one contained an egg ready for deposition, but was unfortu-
nately broken by the fall of the bird) shot by Mr. William Palmer
and me at San Diego de los Banos, western Cuba, the irides were
brown, as in the majority of northern birds, but on the labels of
three of Mr. Bang’s specimens from eastern Cuba the color is
noted as “‘straw yellow, with a brown wash.” Gundlach! gives
the color of Cuban specimens as “ochraceous with an inclination
to dark gray,” and in Porto Rican? specimens as ‘‘ochraceous-
yellow, with a gray wash.”
2. Buteo platypterus antillarum (Clark).
Buteo pennsylvanicus LAWRENCE, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., I, Oct. 15,
1878, 194 (St. Vincent); Feb. 13, 1879, 273 (Grenada); May,
1879, 487 (part).— ListErR, Ibis, 1880, 43 (St. Vincent).— ALLEN,
Bull. Nuttall Orn. Club, V, 1880, 169 (Santa Lucia).— WELLs,
List Birds Grenada, 1886, 6; Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., IX, Feb. 11,
1887, 622 (Grenada; nest and eggs).— Scuater, P. Z. 8S. London,
1889, 395 (Santa Lucia).
[Buteo] pennsylvanicus Cory, List Birds W. I., 1885, 22 (part).
Buteo latissimus Cory, Auk, 1887, 40 (part), 96 (Martinique); Birds W.
I., 1889, 198 (part); Cat. Birds W. I., 1892, 99 (part; ? Martinique,
? St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Bequia, Cannouan, Carriacou, ?Barbados).
Buteo antillarum CuarK, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XVIII, Feb. 21,
1905, 62 (Chateaubelair, St. Vincent; type coll. E. A. & O. Bangs);
Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., XX XII, No. 7, Oct., 1905, 241 (deser.;
habits; eggs).
1 Orn. Cubana, 1895, 22.
2 Anales Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat., VII, 1878, 161.
Pe) Ritey, The Broad-winged Hawks oj the West Indies. july
’
The bird named Buteo antillarum by Mr. A. H. Clark differs
from the Cuban series principally in size, being smaller; in having
the throat generally darker and the barring on the thighs averaging
narrower; there are apparently no other differences.
Mr. Clark’ gives the color of the irides of the St. Vincent bird as
“yellowish white in all stages,” and describes? the eggs as “dull
bluish white in color and .... unspotted,” but Mr. J. G. Wells’ says
they are ‘“‘buff color, spotted and blotched with reddish brown.”
This latter condition may be unusual, however.
The U.S. National Museum has an immature bird from Grenada,
marked male, but probably a female, and an immature female from
Tobago, which, though large for this form, probably belong to it,
or are migrants from further north — an improbable supposition,
as this hawk is not known to be a migrant in the West Indies, to
my knowledge. Although I have only examined specimens of this
form from two other islands of the Lesser Antilles, besides the above,
I think I am safe in assigning the records from the following islands
to it: ?Martinique, Santa Lucia, St. V incent, Bequia, Mustique,
Cannouan, Carriacou, Grenada, ?Tobago.
3. Buteo platypterus rivierei (A. H. Verrill).
Buteo pennsylvanicus LAWRENCE, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., I, July 30,
1878, 65 (Dominica).— SciatTer, P. Z. 8. London, 1889, 326 (Do-
minica).
[Buteo] pennsylvanicus Cory, List Birds W. I., 1885, 22 (part).
Buteo latissimus Cory, Auk, 1887, 40 (part); Birds W. I., 1889, 198
(part); Cat. Birds W. I., 1892, 99 (part; Dominica).—G. E.
Verrill, Trans. Conn. Acad. Arts and Sci., VIII, 1892, 325 (Domin-
ica).
Buteo (latissimus) rivierei A. H. Verritu, Addition[s] to the Avi-
fauna of Dominica, no date, but published about Oct., 1905, p.—
(Dominica; habits, etc.).
The series from Dominica are darker than specimens from St.
Vincent, more sooty above, more heavily marked below, and with
the! bars darker, as has already been pointed out by Mr. A. H. Clark.*
1 Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XVIII, 1905, 62.
2 Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., XXXII, 1905, 243.
3 Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., IX, 1887, 622.
4 Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., X VIII, 1905, 63; Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., XXXII,
1905, 241.
oe Ritey, The Broad-winged Hawks of the West Indies. a7
In size there is very little difference between St. Vincent and Domin-
ica specimens. ‘This is probably a fairly well-marked insular form,
depending upon its darker coloration for recognition.
Mr. A. H. Verrill, in his description of this form, gives the irides
as “white or pale straw at all ages and in both sexes,” and describes
the eggs as “dull white, heavily washed and blotched with rufous,
umber and grayish brown.” If the measurements given by him
are correct (1.80 by 1.50 to 1.85 by 1.55), the eggs seem to average
smaller than eggs from the eastern United States.
4, Buteo platypterus insulicola new subspecies.
Buteo pennsylvanicus ? LAWRENCE, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., I, Dec. 10,
1878, 236 (Antigua).
[Buteo] pennsylvanicus Cory, List Birds W. I., 1885, 22 (part).
Buteo latissimus Cory, Auk, 1887, 40 (part); Birds W. I., 1889,
198 (part); Auk, 1891, 47 (Antigua; crit.); Cat. W. I. Birds, 1892,
99 (part; Antigua).
Buteo platypterus Ritey, Smithsonian Misc. Coll. (Quarterly Issue),
XELVII, Nov. 8, 1904, 282 (crit.). ;
Type, U. S. National Museum, No. 119,349, male adult, Antigua, Brit-
ish West Indies, May 29, 1890. Collected by Cyrus 8. Winch.
Frontal apex, lores, and a narrow line above and below the eye whitish,
with some stiff black bristles; top of head and auriculars grayish brown,
with darker shaft streaks; rictal streak darker; occiput white, with the
feathers tipped rather broadly with sooty brown; back and rump blackish
brown, the feathers of the upper back barred at their bases with white,
and slightly edged with wood brown; upper tail-coverts black barred with
white; tail black, tipped rather narrowly with dark drab and crossed by
two rather wide white bars and an indication of a third that does not
reach the shaft on individual feathers; scapulars color of the back, strongly
barred with white for about two-thirds of their length, basally; primaries
dull black on the outer web and tip, white on the inner web as far as the
emargination on the outer feathers, but not reaching the shaft except at
the base, the black increasing in area from the outer feathers inwards and
turning to dark brown at the base and tip, leaving a large subterminal
black band, a small black spot appearing on the inner web on the edge
of the white of the second outer feather, increasing in number and intensity
inwards on the other primaries, where they become interrupted bars not
reaching entirely across the white to the inner web, however; secondaries
and tertials grayish brown with a dull black subterminal band, the inner
webs of the outer and the inner webs and bases of the inner feathers white,
barred with dark brown; wing-coverts grayish brown; primary coverts
dull blackish brown, irregularly barred with white on basal two-thirds of
aA Ritey, The Broad-winged Hawks of the West Indies. nite
inner webs, the white extending to outer webs at extreme base; lining of
wing cream buff, sparsely spotted with small cinnamon spots; axillaries.
creamy white, with rather narrow bars of mars brown along the shaft; chin
and throat white, with narrow dark brownish streakings; rest of underparts
white, barred, spotted, or streaked comparatively lightly with mars brown,.
the streaking or barring heavier on the chest, decreasing on the abdomen,
and ceasing entirely on the under tail-coverts; thighs narrowly barred
with mars brown. Wing, 227; tail, 143; culmen, from cere, 18; tarsus,.
56; middle toe, 28.5 mm.
Immature female—— U. 8. National Museum, No. 191126, Antigua, B.
W.1., Sept. 7, 1903. Collected by H. G. 8. Branch.
Superciliary region and sides of face white, with a few fine brown streak-
ings, these markings slightly heavier on the post-ocular streak, and more
so on the rictal streak; lores, frons and top of head white, broadly streaked
with blackish brown, the region in question having the appearance of
being equally streaked with brown and white, the streaks much finer on
lores and frons; cervix and sides of neck white, broadly streaked with
sepia brown; mantle and rump sepia, the feathers narrowly edged with
cinnamon-rufous, this edging more pronounced on the rump; upper tail-
coverts white, barred with black; upper surface of tail white at the base,
this color continuing a short distance down the shaft of the middle feathers,.
and down the inner web of the outer feathers almost to the tip, remainder
of tail hair brown, narrowly edged with white at the tip, with a sub-termi-
nal band of clove-brown, and four or five irregular bars of lighter brown;.
lesser wing-coverts sepia, with narrow edgings of cinnamon-rufous; middle
and greater wing-coverts sepia, irregularly barred and edged with white
and a little cinnamon-rufous; alula sepia, white on the inner webs of the
feathers, with sepia barrings and some cinnamon-rufous edgings; primary
coverts white at the base, on the inner webs, and edging at the tip, sepia
on the outer web and inner web on terminal portion with just a trace of
cinnamon-rufous, the inner web obsoletely barred with brown; primaries.
dark brown, darker on the outer feathers, and becoming lighter on the
others towards the base, until the ground color of the whole feather grad-
ually becomes uniform dark hair brown on the outer web, all (except the:
first) narrowly edged at the tip and rather broadly at the base on the outer
web with white, the white on the outer web stippled with brown, the inner
webs of all the feathers (as far as the emargination on the outer three, and
further on the rest) white, barred with black; these bars extend across:
the brown of the outer but never reach entirely across the white of the
inner web; secondaries dark hair brown, white on the inner web, and edged
with white at tip and barred with black; tertials white, barred with
sepia; scapulars white, barred and tipped with sepia; lining of wing pink-
ish buff, with a few faint shaft streaks at carpal joint; below creamy white,
the jugulum crossed by a scattering band of sparse tear-shaped spots of
sepia, the rest of the underparts almost immaculate, except for a few small
scattering spots on the flanks, and a few hair lines of sepia on the breast}.
thighs creamy buff, rather sparsely marked with V-shaped sepia bars.
Sao Ritey, The Broad-winged Hawks of the West Indies. O75
Another immature female, taken by Mr. Branch at the same time and
place (U. S. National Museum, No. 191127), is darker on the back, the
feathers more heavily edged with cinnamon-rufous; the markings below
are slightly more numerous, and the tail is of a different pattern. The
middle feathers are without bars except for the dark subterminal band;
the other feathers of the tail are not essentially different from No. 191126,
described above, except that the bars are obsolete on the outer web, and
on the inner web of the pair next the middle feathers the bars become
obsolete towards the base, being broken up into fine spots and stippling.
The tail when closed is almost plain dark hair brown, tipped with lighter
brown, and with a subterminal dark band, the extreme base white, stip-
pled with brown.
A third immature female obtained on the same island by Mr. Branch
(U.S. National Museum, No. 191128, Nov. 26, 1903), is darker than either:
of the specimens just described, and differs in the pattern of the tail, which
is similar to that of the adult. Below, it has begun to acquire a few russet
streaks on the chest; the thighs are almost without markings, but other-
wise it is not essentially different from the other two.
Remarks.— In a large series of immature specimens of Buteo p..
platypterus from various parts of its range, and of B. p. antillarum.
from St. Vincent, Grenada, and Tobago, and of B. p. rivieret from
Dominica, I am unable to find anything approaching the three
specimens above described.
The adult is much lighter and smaller than B. p. antillarum, and
the bars below are narrower and less sharply defined. It is cer-
tainly a well-marked insular race, not coming into close contact
with any of its relatives on the north or south.
The following table of measurements gives the averages in milli-
meters, for comparison. I have discarded a number of measure-
ments where the sex was apparently incorrectly determined.
Cul-
Males: Wing. | Tail. om eo aera
cere. “oy
4 adults from eastern U.S. .... 265.2 | 152.4 | 18 62.5 | 33.1
2 adults (unsexed) from Costa Rica 269 154 187" 6h 383
SAGMTSinOmeGuban. Cele «5. 6 e 263.3 | 154.7] 18.8} 58.3 | 32.3
4 examples from St. Vincent! . . . | 252.7|151.1] 18.1] 54.7] 30.8
2adultsfrom Dominica ..... 257.5 | 151.5 | 19.2 | 59.2 | 31
1 adult. from™Antigua.....0. : . . | 227°, 1148 187% | 57.7 | 31
a
13 fully grown, but in immature plumage.
2 One specimen.
276 Hariow, Notes on Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania. july
Cul-
Females: Wing. | Tail. | fom peed Miame
cere.
4 adults from eastern U.S. . .... 282 | 160.8) -19.5| 58.5 | 32.7
1! adult from Mirador, Vera Cruz, Mex.| 293 | 167 — | 61.5} 33.5
1‘ adult Chitra, Veragua ..-. . . .| 280 | 163.5) 20 64 30.5
2, adults from Cuba.) a. ait abs 3 loll 272) GOL S| 20.5. 62 33.3
4 adults from St. Vincent. .. . . .| 265 | 153.9 18.6.) 56.2)) 32.5
1 adult from Dominica... .. . .| 263 | 154 20 57 32.5
1 immature, marked male but probably
femalenGranad steer ike ee 276 | 163 19:5 | 55.5)| Saco
1 immature from Tobago... ... .| 271 |171 — | 60 30
3 immatures from Antigua .... .| 252 |149.2| 18.7 | 57.7) 31
RECENT NOTES ON BIRDS OF EASTERN PENN-
SYLVANIA.
BY RICHARD C. HARLOW.
THE ever changing conditions which are so rapidly encompassing
large tracts of our commonwealth naturally necessitate faunal
changes. The instinct of faunal distribution in many cases is
sacrificed to the greater demand for congenial environment. In
this respect different localities affect different divisions of bird life.
Among the mountains of Pennsylvania, for instance, we find the
element of the Canadian Fauna in the shape of numerous Warblers,
Thrushes and Flycatchers steadily decreasing while about Phila-
delphia it is the Water Birds that have to bear the weight of the
onslaught. The cutting off of the large timber has affected the
Herons; the draining and filling up of the swampy areas has com-
pelled the Rails to seek other localities, but the Land Birds live on,
for the greater part unmolested.
Since Mr. Stone’s valuable work on the ‘Birds of Eastern Penn-
1 Unsexed.
Oh eed Hartow, Notes on Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania. aT
sylvania and New Jersey’ was published in 1894 no great changes
in the bird life of this region have been noticed. But as increased
observation renders an increasing amount of valuable ornithologi-
cal records, it has been deemed advisable by the writer to place
on record the following notes, both as a record of present conditions
and as a legacy for future reference. Eyesight records have been
used at times when specimens were not available but only when
the identification was carefully made under favorable circumstances
and was practically undeniable. No attempt at an extended list
has been made, the species noted being merely those of especial
interest to the ornithologist. Practically all the varieties recorded
in the following list were taken or observed within twelve miles
of the city of Philadelphia and in the counties of Montgomery,
Philadelphia and Delaware.
Herodias egretta. AMERICAN Ecret.— The Egret is now one of
the rarest of Pennsylvania birds. In former years a few were noted
annually in late July and August along the larger streams, but the
species is now on the verge of extinction and as its appearance is
usually heralded with a charge of shot, it is not likely to increase
within our limits. I observed one of these magnificent birds at
the Bristol Mill Pond on July 20, 1906, and on July 30, 1906, two
were seen together on a pond near Ashbourne, Montgomery
County. One of these was shot by a boy, and the wings and head
afterward examined by the writer.
Accipiter atricapillus. GosHawK.— Large numbers of this
hawk invaded Pennsylvania during the month of December, 1906,
and not a few found their way into the hands of Philadelphia
taxidermists. The writer secured one specimen on January 5,
1907, at Edge Hill, Montgomery Co., from a farmer who had the
bird nailed to his barn. All birds seen were in fully adult plumage.
The Goshawk is usually a rare winter visitant, but has a decided
tendency to occur in ‘waves.’ |
Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis. RouGH-LEGGED Hawx.—
In former years this was a common winter resident on the Delaware
Meadows. It has frequently been reported by observers but very
few specimens have been taken in recent years, and it is likely that
not a few Rough-leg records have in reality been immature Red-
tails. It is now an uncommon species.
Auk
aS Hartow, Notes on Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania. July
Falco columbarius. Picgreon Hawx.— A Pigeon Hawk was
shot by Mr. James Camblos at Fort Washington, Montgomery Co.,
in late September, 1904. Recognizing the rarity of the bird, Mr.
Camblos had it mounted and later presented it to the writer. This
specimen has the adult slate-colored back and is the only authentic
record for this section in several years.
Asio wilsonianus. LonG-rEaRED Ow1.— The Long-eared Owl
seems to be more common in the last two years than formerly.
It has been found to be a frequent winter resident within the city
limits, while about Edge Hill it is a rather common bird in late
fall and through the winter, and undoubtedly nests. Specimens in
the writer’s possession were taken January 6, 1907, and November
9, 1907. On November 9, 1906, I flushed nine of these owls from
an oak sapling to which the dead leaves still clung. The ground
beneath was littered with mice pellets.
Asio accipitrinus. SHORT-EARED OwL.— Frequent migrant and
winter resident, occurring in small colonies wherever there is
an abundance of field mice. Usually leaves by April 1. One
observed at Edge Hill, April 19, and again May 28, 1907 (Auk,
Vol. XXIV, pp. 438, 439). A specimen in my collection was taken
December 6, 1907, at Bridesburg; most common in the river
marshes.
Nyctala acadica. Saw-wHET Ow.1.— Contrary to the experience
of most local ornithologists the writer has found this to be a not
uncommon winter resident. Owing to its small size and unob-
trusive habits it may be easily overlooked. Specimens have been
examined which were taken at Oak Lane on October 25 and
November 20, 1903; February 6, 1904, and October 28, 1905,
while examples have been noted but not secured on January 2,
1905, and November 9, 1906.
Nyctea nyctea. Snowy Ow1i.— This large wanderer from
northern latitudes is taken annually in the vicinity of Philadelphia,
its large size commanding instant recognition. It was especially
common along with the flight of Goshawks in December, 1906,
when a number were taken about and even in the city. All birds
recorded were heavily spotted and no immaculate specimens have
been seen from this locality.
Sphyrapicus varius. YELLOW-BELLIED SapsucKEeR.— Though
Coe | Hartow, Notes on Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania. 279
not infrequently recorded, this sapsucker was not met with as a
winter resident until December 28, 1906, at Edge Hill, when one
was observed at fairly close range but not collected.
Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Rrp-HEADED WoopPEcKER.— In
former years this species was considered as a rare bird during the
winter season. Recent observations have shown that it winters
regularly, if not commonly, in suitable localities in the counties of
Philadelphia, Montgomery and Delaware.
Sayornis phebe. PHa@pe.— One seen at Oak Lane on January
20, 1905, seems to be the only recent winter occurrence of the
Phoebe, although I have seen it as late as December 25, 1907, this
last year. Probably occurs regularly in small numbers during mild
winters.
Empidonax minimus. Least FiycatcHer.— The Chebec is
given a place in the breeding birds of Montgomery County on the
basis of my observations in 1906. On June 1, one heard in an
apple orchard was supposed to be a late migrant. Passing that way
again on July 3, 1906, the bird was again seen and while watched,
was observed to feed a full-fledged young one, which was perched
on an apple limb. Neither of them were secured but the record is
indisputable and is the first for the breeding of this species in Mont-
gomery County.
Corvus ossifragus. Fish Crow.— The Fish Crow appears
to be spreading in the vicinity of Philadelphia where it may be
found at all seasons of the year, in the winter mingling with the
Common Crows and partaking of their habits. Nests most fre-
quently along the Delaware and Schuylkill but frequently back
from the rivers. A number build their homes in the parks in the
very heart of Philadelphia. Probably more abundant on the
Tinicum marshes to the south of the city than elsewhere. It was
established as a breeder at that place on April 16, 1907, when the
writer took a nest and five eggs along with the female.
Sturnus vulgaris. Sraritinc.— For years we have been waiting
the occurrence of this bird in Philadelphia and now it has come.
Whether or not it will prove an agreeable addition to our avifauna
is an open question, but Philadelphia bird students have certainly
watched for it longingly. Its first occurrence in the city was early
in December, 1907, when Mr. Axe, of Frankford, informed us of
Auk
280 Hartow, Notes on Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania. Tals
mounting two which were captured in that locality. Since that
time several more have been noted in various parts of the city.
Dolichonyx oryzivorus. BoBo.ink.— Apparently extending its
range to the southward. Formerly a characteristic bird of the
Alleghanian and Canadian faunas, it has recently been found to
be a fairly common summer resident in south-central Bucks County
and within twenty miles of Philadelphia. Has been noted through
the summer of 1907 on the Tinicum meadows.
Agelaius pheniceus. Rrpwina.— Winter records are rare
enough to make it desirable to mention a specimen taken at Tini-
cum, January 20, 1906, by Mr. Paul Lorrilliere. —
Euphagus carolinus. Rusty BiLackprrp.— A not uncommon
winter resident on the Tinicum meadows, usually noted in flocks.
Perfectly regular.
Pinicola enucleator leucura. Pine GrosBeaKk.— A flock of ten
individuals was seen by the writer on November 18, 1903, and two
specimens were secured but not preserved. One of these was: a
mature male. he birds were not shy, feeding in a catalpa tree
and, when alarmed, took flight uttering their clear, musical whistle.
The Pine Grosbeak is a very rare bird in this locality and this is
the third record.
Loxia leucoptera. WHITE-WINGED CrossBILL.— A flock of
about eight crossbills of this species were seen in a clump of spruce
trees, at Ashbourne on December 1, 1903. One specimen was
secured.
Acanthis linaria. Reppo_y.— An erratic winter visitant. Oc-
curred in flocks of immense numbers during late February, 1907,
during which time it was noted at numerous localities about the
city. I observed one flock of eight hundred or more on February
20 and secured seven specimens. This flock was still in the same
locality on March 5. The habits and notes of the Redpoll are very
similar to those of the Goldfinch. All the specimens secured are
referable to this race. It is important, however, that all Pennsyl-
vania Redpolls should be closely examined as there is a possibility
of other forms being taken.
Passerina nivalis. SNOWFLAKE.— Erratic winter visitant usually
occurring in “waves.” A number of flocks were observed about
Philadelphia during February, 1905. A small bunch of about
twenty were noted on February 25 and 26 at Oak Lane.
ee | Hartow, Notes on Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania. 281
Calcarius lapponicus. LapLanp Lonespur.— One individual
of this variety was observed on November 22, 1904, at Frankford,
Philadelphia County, by Richard F. Miller. This is the third
record from southeastern Pennsylvania, the others being one
secured in 1849 by John Cassin, and a specimen taken by C. D.
Wood in 1864 (Cassinia, 1906, p. 63). Though the specimen was
not secured I have full faith in Mr. Miller’s identification.
Poecetes gramineus. VESPER SPpaRROW.— A specimen secured
at Edge Hill by the writer on December 28, 1907, makes an addi-
tion to the few winter records.
Melospiza georgiana. Swamp Sparrow.— Generally supposed
to be a scarce winter resident. Recent developments have shown
that they winter abundantly and regularly on the Tinicum meadows.
Pipilo erythrophthalmus. CHErEWINK.— A rare winter resident.
Specimens observed at Tinicum, December 18, 1905, and January
20, 1906.
Riparia riparia. Bank SwatLow.— At the time of publication
of Mr. Stone’s book, this was thought to be a rare breeder. It
is now ascertained to be an abundant though local summer resi-
dent. Colonies breed at Ridley Park and Chester, Delaware
County.
Lanius borealis. NorTHERN SHRIKE.— Observed one specimen
on February 22, 1905, at Oak Lane.
Lanius ludovicianus migrans. MicRraNT SHRIKE.— One speci-
men referable to this race was taken at Edge Hill, on December 1,
1906, by the writer.
Dendroica discolor. PrarriE WaRrBLER.— Several specimens
were observed on September 18 and 19, 1907, and one immature
female was secured which is now in the writer’s collection. Not-
withstanding the fact that the Prairie Warbler is a common summer
resident across the Delaware, in New Jersey, it is at all seasons a
rare bird at Philadelphia. Apparently more common in spring
than fall. The above specimen seems to be the only fall record
for Montgomery County.
Geothlypis agilis. Connecticut WARBLER.— Erratic fall mi-
grant. No recent spring captures. The Connecticut Warbler
was exceedingly common in the fall of 1907, and specimens were
secured on September 18, 19 and October 7. All birds examined
were exceedingly fat.
982 Pennock, Birds oj Delaware. Suly
Geothlypis philadelphia. Mourninc WarBLER.— One individ-
ual of this bird was observed at close range at Edge Hill on May
12, 1907, and another at Oak Lane on May 31, 1907. These are
my only records of this species and the bird will have to be regarded
as a very rare migrant. Both identifications were made with
great care.
Sitta canadensis. Rrp-BrEAsTED NutTHatcH.— This erratic
bit of bird life was unusually abundant in the fall of 1906, and
from September until late November was seen on practically every
field trip. These periodical invasions of Red-breasted Nuthatches
seem worthy of note. The last one of any size occurred in 1903.
For several years the bird will be rare and then, again, take a place
among our common transients.
Hylocichla fuscescens. Wutson’s Thrush.— The Veery formerly
nested in the vicinity of Glenside, Montgomery County, which is
the most southern locality of its breeding in Pennsylvania. Several
times in the past two years the writer has heard in June and July
notes which he was practically sure belonged to this bird but was
unable to secure any specimens.
BIRDS OF DELAWARE — ADDITIONAL NOTES.'
BY C. J. PENNOCK.
THE ‘Preliminary List of the Birds of Delaware,? was intended
to embrace such species only as had come under the observation
of the authors or for which they could find positive record of an
occurrence within the State. On account of the limited amount
of time that had been devoted to the work previous to the appear-
ance of that list it was evident that many species of birds remained
to be noted and some species recorded therein as rare might become
apparently more abundant after further observations.
1Read at the meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union, Philadelphia
Pa., Dec, 12, 1907.
2See ‘ The Auk,’ Vol, XXII, No. 2, April, 1904, pp. 194-205.
ee | Pennock, Birds of Delaware. 283
The present paper is intended to present a list of such birds as
have not previously been recorded from Delaware and to offer
notes on some other species that seem to be of especial interest.
Referring first to species not previously recorded:
1. The Rep-HEapep WoopreckerR (Melanerpes erythrocepha-
lus) and (2) Maanorta WarBieR (Dendroica maculosa) were
omitted from the ‘List’ inadvertently. Both are of course com-
mon birds in Delaware. The Woodpecker is usually resident
throughout the entire State and at times is locally abundant.
Over at least the lower half it is generally to be seen in suitable
localities; the large undrained timbered areas offering attractive
feeding grounds for this bird as well as for other members of the
family. ‘The countrymen generally are familiar with this bird, and
its vernacular name of “‘Shirt-tailer” is in recognition of the notice-
able white patch so prominent in a rear-flight view.
The Magnolia Warbler is a common spring and fall migrant.
3. Laveninc Gui (Larus atricilla).— Undoubtedly this
bird was an abundant summer resident, at least from Lewes down
along the coast to Fenwick Light, at the Maryland line, up to the
time of the extermination of our shore-nesting birds, twenty or more
years ago. Many of the younger generation of native gunners do
not know this bird at all. As they are now found nesting locally
in some places on the Atlantic coast considerably to the north,
they probably pass up along the sea coast of Delaware, and closer
observation should discover them more frequently than has yet
been done. I saw two Laughing Gulls May 20, 1907, flying north-
ward at Indian River Inlet. My two companions, native fishermen,
were not familiar with them as birds usually to be seen in that
locality.
4. Forster’s Tern (Sterna jorstert)— On May 14, 1905, I
shot a female Forster’s Tern as it sat on a sand-bar in Indian River
Bay near the Inlet. Another bird of apparently the same species
and numbers of Least Sandpipers were feeding together at the time.
5. AmertcAN Mercanser (Merganser americanus).— Pre-
sumably a rather abundant winter resident. I have noted several
seen May 8, 1906, flying up the coast at Rehoboth, and two birds
near Ocean View May 21, 1907.
6. ReEp-LEGGED Brack Duck (Anas obscura rubripes).— I have
284 Pennock, Birds of Delaware. vue
a specimen shot near Odessa about November, 1898. Another
was shot May 13, 1905, on Indian River Bay, but it was a cripple,
probably gun-shot in the early spring. The gunners of Indian
River country recognize the distinction in the two Black Ducks.
They state that the ‘‘Nigger” Black Duck, as they style it, is the
smaller and frequently nests with them, while the larger bird which
they call ‘“Red-Paddle” never breeds thereabouts.
7. TRUMPETER SwaN (Olor buccinator).— In Bulletin No. 26,
of the Biological Survey, page 86, Mr. Cooke states: ‘‘ During its
migrations it occasionally strays to the Atlantic slope,” and brackets
a record (November 9, 1886, Lincoln, Del.). |
8. PrcroraL SANDPIPER (Actodromas maculata).— There is a
specimen in the Bush collection at Wilmington taken in the State
several years ago, about 1878. Probably occurs at the present.
time as a spring and fall migrant.
9. Hupsontan Gopwit (Limosa hemastica)— On May 8,
1906, I saw a pair of these birds on a marsh a mile north of Reho-
both. Ihave heard gunners occasionally speak of seeing ‘‘ Marlin”
but have found no specimen in any collection.
10. AMERICAN OySTER-CATCHER (Hematopus palliatus).—
Seemingly rare at the present time. I recently saw a handsome
mounted specimen in a small collection of birds near Wilmington.
This bird had been shot in early summer of 1862 at or near Port
Penn, on the Delaware River, about 20 miles south of Wilmington.
I have no recent record.
11. American RovuGH-LEGGED Hawk (Archibuteo lagopus
sancti-johannis).— Mr. Oberholser has called my attention to a
Delaware record for this bird in the ‘Catalogue of the Birds in the
British Museum’, Vol. I, p. 198, 1874. No date is given for the
capture. A black hawk was caught in a steel trap near Stanton,
in the northern end of the State, on February 7, 1902, and another.
was taken in a similar manner near the same place ‘‘at an earlier
date.” Both these birds are preserved.
12. GoLDEN-wINGED WARBLER (Helminthophila chrysoptera).
— Mr. Lyman, near Wilmington, has a male taken May 13, 1900.
Presumably they are regular spring and fall migrants.
13. Connecticut WarRBLER (Geothlypis agilis).— Probably
not uncommon as a fall migrant. I usually see them more or less
eee | Pennock, Bords of Delaware. 285
abundant near my home, three miles north of the Delaware State
line, during September and early October. I saw two near Dela-
ware City September 3, 1906.
14. Witp Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris).— This
bird of course long ago disappeared as the country became settled.
It was undoubtedly abundant during at least the first half of the
seventeen hundreds along the fresh water streams of the upper
portion of the State. Hesselius, the Swedish preacher, relates
the sport to be had shooting the entire flock from trees, by moon-
light, during his pastorate at Wilmington, from 1712 to 1724.
15. PassENGER PIGEON (Kctopistes migratorius).— Like the
Wild Turkey, but at a later date, the Wild Pigeon has gone from
Delaware. Pastor Hesselius records their abundance previous to
1724, and down to 1870 or a little later, I am advised, by the older
inhabitants, they were not uncommon in the fall and early spring.
There have been quite recent reports of the appearance of this
bird in the State, but none sufficiently reliable to record.
Since preparing the original ‘List’ additional notes have been
made on the following:
WHISTLING Swan (Olor columbianus).— “Swans”’ are reported
as not rare, but seldom shot, about Indian River Inlet. One was
taken late in the winter (February ?), 1906, probably this species.
GreAT Biurt Heron (Ardea herodias)—I have found two
small colonies of these birds; one, said to be of long standing, was
visited in 1906. At least ten or twelve pairs of birds were nesting,
but as wood-choppers were then nearly completing the destruction
of all large timber, future nesting there was improbable. A second
colony was visited in 1906 and 1907, about ten miles south of
Wilmington. On both occasions I estimated there were at least
25 occupied nests, by actual count 52 nests,— as many as 16 nests
on one large spreading oak. Several nests of this colony were in
the tops of trees, and as they were occupied before the leaves had
formed, they were plainly visible at a distance of nearly one mile.
I visited this colony April 29, 1906; several nests contained eggs;
a set of 4 were perfectly fresh, but there was evidence that many
of these nests had been robbed at an earlier date. April 20, 1907,
old birds were on nests. April 28, 1907, they were observed to be
I86 Pennock, Birds of Delaware. jul
feeding young. A severe rain-storm in early May destroyed a
large number of the young after they were able to crawl around the
tree-tops.
AMERICAN Ecret (Herodias egretta)——'There are several
recent records. In place of “straggler,’ as previously recorded,
they appear to be rather common in midsummer and may breed
occasionally. Mr. Hensel, late of near Stanton, and a close ob-
server, believed a few formerly bred in New Castle County, and I
have been so informed by others but have no positive record.
RuFFepD GrovusE (Bonasa wmbellus).— Hesselius refers to this
bird as abundant in his day. The old residents of northern New
Castle County tell me that up to about 1865 or 1870 they were
“rather common” in suitable localities—— Ashland, Mt. Cuba,
and on the rough, rocky, wooded hill slopes of the Brandywine and
Red Clay Creeks.
AMERICAN Barn Owt (Strix pratincola).— In suitable localities,
near large marshes, this owl seems to be rather abundant.
AcapDIAN Owt (Nyctala acadica).— Mr. Geo. Hensel had three
specimens taken near Stanton, one during the winter of 1906-07,
the others earlier.
Bur GrosBEAK (Guiraca cerulea).— Mr. Hensel had a mounted
male bird, shot several years ago near Delaware City, from a bunch
of three or four. I saw a male by the roadside near Lewes on May
7, 1906, and I believe they are not rare in the lower end of the State.
SuMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra).— I found a mounted speci-
men in the Hensel collection shot several years ago near Stanton.
Mr. Hensel believes they nested in that locality, which is well up to
the northern end of New Castle County.
LoGGERHEAD SHRIKE (Lantus ludovicianus migrans ?).— ‘‘May
breed occasionally” was formerly stated: Mr. Hensel told me that
two pairs nested in a hedge by the roadside near Delaware City
in 1862. My own records are all for September, October and
November of various years.
To complete the record I include four introduced species:
1. “Enoeuise” Peasant (Phasianus colchicus ?).— Several
pairs were purchased and distributed over the State, a few years
ago, by the Delaware Game Protective Association, but it is be-
lieved they have not survived.
ree | Pennock, Birds of Delaware. gS7
2. EUROPEAN SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis)—In the U. S.
Agricultural Report for 1853 is an account of an importation of
these birds liberated near Wilmington, by a Mr. John Gorgas, who
believed that in the following summer they were becoming settled.
There is no recent reference to this bird.
3. STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris)— A male bird was shot near
Odessa, about 1901, from a flock that was seen several times.
4. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus).— A pestiferous nui-
sance everywhere.
In the ‘List’ as issued it was stated that no hemlocks had been
observed in Delaware. Later I found a few growing five to six
miles west of Wilmington on Red Clay Creek and I have recently
been informed that Dr. Chas. S. Sargent, in ‘The Sylvia of North
America, Vol. XII, p. 64, states that ‘““Southward it ranges through
the Northern States to New Castle County in Delaware.”
From the foregoing notes and additional evidence, I am led to
believe there was good grounds for the statement made in the
‘Preliminary List,’ to the effect, that the broad waters of the Dela-
ware Bay, acting as a barrier, may explain the appearance of
certain birds, much further to the north in Delaware than they are
found in New Jersey and on up the Atlantic coast. The Mocking-
bird was noted as a case in point, and as now appears we can add
the Blue Grosbeak, Summer Tanager, Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-
throated Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler and Brown-headed
Nuthatch.
These birds are all regular summer residents in southern Dela-
ware, and, with the exception of the Yellow-throated Warbler
and Brown-headed Nuthatch, are found well up into the central
part of the State or beyond, considerably above the latitude of
Cape May, N. J.; while in New Jersey I believe every one is ex-
tremely rare and, in later years at least, are not found in New Jersey
and northward except as stragglers.
The following notes have been made since the above record was
read at the Annual meeting of the American Ornithologists Union,
Dec. 12, 1907:
16. HoopEp Mereanser (Lophodytes cucullatus)—I1 saw
four of these birds on the Bay near Lewes, Dec. 29, 1907.
I88 ALLEN, Strix vs. Aluco. july
Ipswich Sparrow (Passerculus princeps).— Two were observed
back of the sand dunes near Lewes Dec. 29, 1907, and on the
following day Dr. Spencer Trotter of Philadelphia, Penn., saw
twelve or more in the same locality, four of which were shot.
SUMMARY.
Previously recorded.» 3).is6 aiieg “nl se WW ewe kee a Bee
Now recorded... ii) aus th spatter pela lite dates wish ait eats opal ema
Total native species: recorded’ 4.4. fe hr aay es ee ae ee ee
Introduced: species recorded a es a re eee cae
THE CASE OF STRIX VS. ALUCO.
BY J. A. ALLEN,
THE proper type of the Linnzean genus Strix has repeatedly been
under discussion, the last time, so far as I am aware, by the late
Dr. Coues in ‘The Auk’ for January, 1900 (XVII, pp. 65, 66),
where he says: “This is a case on which the last word does not
appear to have been said... .It involves not only two generic, but
also two family names.”
It had previously been discussed in ‘The Ibis’ by Salvin,’ Sharpe,’
and Newton,’ and also by Newton ‘ in his edition of Yarrell, and
in his ‘Dictionary of Birds’ (1894, p. 673), and by Coues in the
fourth (1884) edition of his ‘Key’ (p. 500, 508). Newton and
Coues reached the same conclusions, which were in opposition to
the view almost universally accepted by other ornithologists.
The commonly recognized type of Strix is Strix flammea Linn.
1766. The genus Strix, however, was founded by Linneus in
1758, but at that date did not include Stria flammea, which was
1 Ibis, 1875, pp. 66, 67, footnote.
2 Contributions to a History of the Accipitres. The Genus Strix of Linneus, and
its Type. Ibis, 1875, pp. 324-328.
3 Ibis, 1876, pp. 94-104.
4 Yarrell’s British Birds, ed. 4, I, 1872, pp. 146, 150, 194, 198.
yore | ALLEN, Strix vs. Aluco. I89
not published till 1766 (10th ed. Syst. Nat., p. 133). Therefore
Strix flammea cannot be the type of Strix, it being not one of the
originally included species. For the few who still take 1766 as the
date of the beginning of zodlogical nomenclature this is no objection;
and it is probably due to the former wide acceptance of this date as
the starting point that the recognition of Stra flammea as the type
of Strix has become so ingrained in ornithological literature.
But there is another way in which Strix flammea has been con-
strued as the type of Strix, namely, by taking Strix aluco Linn.,
1758, as an earlier name for Strix flammea Linn., 1766, as has been
done in the ‘A. O. U. Check-List of North American Birds,’ from
the first edition in 1886 to date,’ and which determination of Strix
aluco I followed in my recent papers on the types of North American
genera of birds, without looking up the matter for myself. Dr.
Stejeneger, however, having recently called my attention (in con-
versation) to this point, I have been led to go carefully into the
matter, with the results here detailed. While they agree perfectly
with the conclusions reached by Newton and Coues, they are based
primarily on different grounds, as the foregoing statements show;
at least as regards Dr. Coues, who assumed Strix aluco Linn., 1758,
to be the same as Strix flammea Linn. 1766, and as a different spe-
cies from Strix aluco Linn. 1766.
Strix aluco Linn., 1758, is a composite species, including both
the Barn Owl and the Wood Owl or Tawny Owl of Europe.
His first reference under Strix aluco is to Faun. Suec., 1746 ed., p.
17, No. 48, which is the Tawny Owl pure and simple, as shown
by the quite full description there given, not one of the charac-
ters applying to the Barn Owl, but each unmistakably to the
Tawny Owl, and where also all the citations of other authors there
given relate to it. This is also the basis of Strix aluco Linn., 1766,
which everybody admits is the Tawny Owl. At 1758, however,
_Linneeus gave references under Strix aluco to Willoughby’s, Ray’s,
and Albin’s unmistakable descriptions and figures of the Barn
Owl. Those who have identified Strix alwco Linn., 1758 with the
1 This was also done by Coues in 1884 (Key, 4th ed.) and in 1900 (Auk, 1900, p. 66),
at which later date he says: ‘S. aluco Linn. [S. N., I, 10th ed., 1758], p. 93, sp. No.
6, is the Barn Owl, as shown by the references.”
2 Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., X XIII, 1907, p. 333; ibid., XXIV, 1908, p. 39.
290 ALLEN, Strix vs. Aluco. fuk
later Stria flammea have done so by making these references the
basis of their determination instead of the first reference, to the
Faun. Suec., where Linnzeus himself shows unmistakably the species
he intended to indicate by the name Strix aluco; and also later (12th
ed. Syst. Nat., 1766) by making these same references to Willough-
by, Ray, and Albin the principal basis of his S. flammea, and
restricting Strix aluco to No. 48 of the Fauna Suecica.
As Strix flammea proves untenable as the type of Striz, and as
Strix aluco, 1758, is not an earlier name, in any proper sense, for
S. flammea, what then is the type of Strix? As Strix was not
monotypic, and the type was not indicated by the author, the
determination of the type necessarily depends upon the action of
some subsequent author, or comes into the category of ‘‘Cases in
which the generic type is not accepted solely upon the basis of the
original publication.” 4
The first author to divide the Linnean genus Stria was Brisson,
who in 1760,’ separated it into two genera, Asio and Strix. The
type of Aso is Asio asio Brisson (= Stria otus Linn.), and the type
of Strix is Strix strix Brisson (= Stria aluco et stridula Linn.), on
the principle of tautonomy. The type of Stria, on the basis of fur-
ther ‘subsequent designation,’ is also “Strix aluco Linn. ed. 10,” on
the basis of the A. O. U. Check-List (1886), although the species
was there evidently misidentified. Thus Strix will replace Syr-
nium Savigny, 1809 (type, Syrniwm ululans Savigny = Strix aluco
Linn.). .
A substitute for Strix, in its currently accepted sense, is found in
Aluco Fleming, 1822, with Strix flammeus Fleming* (= Strix
aluco Linn.) as type by original designation, as long ago maintained
by Newton (1874-1894) and Coues (1884-1900).
It hence follows that the family name Strigidee must be trans-
ferred to replace Bubonide, as was done by Coues in 1884; while
the curr -nt family name Strigide must be replaced by Aluconidee
Coues, 1884 (= subfamily Alucinee Newton, 1894).
Since the name flammea Linn., 1766, is preoccupied by Strix
flammea Pontoppidan, 1764, for the Short-eared Owl (Stria accip-
1 International Code of Zodélogical Nomenclature, Art. 30, adopted August, 1907.
2 Orn., I, 1760, Dp. 28, 477, 492. .
3 Fleming, Philos. Zo6él., II, 1822, p. 236.
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cee | Court, Treganza Blue Heron. 291
atrina Pallas, 1771), it is necessary to find another name for the Barn
Owl, for which the earliest available name appears to be Strix
alba Scopoli (Ann. I, 1769, p. 2). For those who consider the
North American Barn Owl as a subspecies of the European, the
name for the American form will be Aluco albus pratincola (Bonap.).
TREGANZA BLUE HERON.
BY EDWARD J. COURT.
Plates V and VI.
Tus subspecies has been under my consideration for some time
and through Mr. A. O. Treganza, Salt Lake City, Utah, I obtained
a specimen, and I have honored him by naming the species Ardea
herodias treganzai, 'Treganza Blue Heron.
I wish to express my best thanks to Mr. Harry C. Oberholser,
Biological Survey, Agricultural Department, Washington, D. C.,
who greatly assisted me in describing the subspecies; also to Mr.
Robert Ridgway, Smithsonian Institution, who agreed with me
that it was a good race; and to Dr. Charles W. Richmond, Smith-
sonian Institution, for access to the large and handsome series of
Great Blue Herons.
~
Ardea herodias treganzai, new subspecies.
Subspecific characters:— Similar to Ardea herodias herodvas, but much
paler on the neck and upper parts; resembling Ardea herodias wardi, .
but smaller and even paler.
Type: — 2 adult, No. 208756, Smithsonian Institution, Egg Island,
Great Salt Lake, Utah; collected April 10, 1907, by Mr. A. O. Treganza.
Forehead and crown white; superciliary stripes black, connecting
behind with the black crest, middle feathers of which are 183 mm. in length;
lores and ear coverts white; sides of neck very pale cinnamon rufous;
interscapular and scapular regions pale bluish slate changing to a silver
bluish gray towards ends of feathers; rump deep bluish; tail terminally
292 Court, Treganza Blue Heron. july
bluish black; under tail coverts pure white; bend of wing bright chestnut
mixed with white; upper wing coverts and secondaries bluish becoming
darker where they overlap the ends of the primaries; primaries bluish
black; under wing and primary coverts and axillaries bluish; postocu-
lar region, chin, cheeks, and throat white gradually changing into pale
cinnamon rufous, the median line formed by a distinct row of black, white
and bright reddish chestnut brown feathers; breast and abdomen broadly
streaked with white; flanks dark bluish slate; thighs deep reddish brown;
bill black.
Geographical distribution: —Great Salt Lake, Utah, Arizona, Texas, and
‘California.
MEASUREMENTS OF Ardea herodias treganzat.
Cul- Tar- M.
een No. Wing. Tail. men. sus. Toe.
Sacramento Valley,
| Cal. 469. 178 140 180 109
11706 Q ad. Fort Clark, Texas Jan. 24,1898 463. L7L. 140) 172 _ 202
125829 Q ad. Mexico, near El Paso,
Texas Feb. 27,1892 476. 1725 138 1) or
131506 Q ad. Fort Lowell, Ariz. Noy. 7, 1893 467. 178 140 177 105
133029 Q ad. Colorado River, Monu-
Li, 142) 165 00
Apr. 14,1894 469. 175 148 165) 202
ment No. 204. Mar. 22,1894 469.
al. p
208756 Cad. Gt.Salt Lake, Utah Apr.10,1907 469 Vit “Us5> ise 10s
133775 Qad. Gardiners Lagoon,
o O86 WH OO
Average Measurements.
Wing. Tail. Culmen. Tarsus. M. Toe.
Ardea herodias treganzai 469.5 174.5 139.5 172 104
Ardea herodias 483.5 178 146 181 108
Ardea herodias wardi 506 193 169 204 124
I am indebted to Mr. Treganza for the following field notes.
Salt Lake City, Utah.
December 4, 1907.
Frienp Court:— ;
The following is a copy of the field notes on the Ardea herodias and a
slight description of the different islands where I have found this species
breeding, in this locality, with a series of photographs.
White Rock Island is an almost solid body of quartz, about 175 feet by
100 feet, rising shear out of the water on three sides. Extreme height about
25 feet. Located about one-half mile off shore, ina small cove on the north-
west end of Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, Utah.
White Rock, May 15, 1905. Eight pairs found breeding. Four nests
contained young; one nest contained both young and eggs; the remaining
three nests contained eggs badly incubated. Four other nests were found
from which the young had but recently gone. One set of four eggs taken.
Nests composed of sticks, principally of the sage bush, and placed in a
rather loose sort of manner between two points of rocks or small hollows.
Little or no difference seems to be made in the composition of the inner
pees’) Court, Treganza Blue Heron. 293
and outer nest; in fact there is really no inner nest or lining, and the de-
pression which receives: the eggs and contains the young is ‘very slight.
The carcass of fish are very plentiful about nests containing young.
‘The old birds were very retiring, remaining over on the shore of Antelope
Island while we were on the White Rock. Nesting in company with Larus
californicus.
White Rock, May 10, 1906.— Same number of nests as were found May
15, 1905, except that all nests were occupied by either young or eggs.
Hat Island.— The name well describes its form as it appears from a
distance. It lies about twenty-five miles due west of White Rock Island
and four miles north of Carrington Island, on the west side of the Lake.
‘Three fourths and one half mile are its greatest dimensions, length and
breadth. Rises about 90 feet above water line. Formation, decomposed
rock, boulders, and sand. Thorny sage and weeds are about the only
vegetation to be found.
Hat Island, May 8, 1906.— Found a colony of forty pairs. All stages of
nidification existed, except nést building. There seems to be a decided
difference in the disposition of the young. Some show signs of fight as
soon as you make your presence known, while others pay little or no at-
tention to your doings.
The nests here are placed, some on the rocks and some on top of the
large thorny sage bushes which grow from 4 feet to 5 feet high. Some of
the nests are very beautiful, being built out of sage branches that have been
exposed to the elements until they have become a most subtile gray tone,
that fairly vibrates under sunlight. Some of the nests measure from
4 to 5 feet in diameter.
The nearest feeding ground for these birds is the mouth of the Jordan
River, some thirty-five miles, almost due east of the island. The flight
to the feeding grounds begins about 3 a. M., and by sun-rise all the birds
that are going for that day have left the island, except a few isolated cases
which may be seen going andcoming all day long, the main body returning
so that they reach the island by sun-down. Some of these birds travel
fifty or sixty miles from the island for food.
A certain portion of the birds always remain on the island during the
day. Even were it not for the incubation of the eggs and the care of the
young, this would be made necessary through the fact that as soon as a
nest of eggs is left unprotected it is immediately pounced upon by the Larus
calijornicus, who crack the eggs by pecking and feed on their contents.
Here Ardea herodias is nesting in company with Larus californicus and
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos.
Hat Island, Sept. 10, 1907.— Not a Blue Heron to be found on the island.
Neither have we found a nest of addled eggs. The birds must have been
very successful in the rearing of their young or else the Gulls devoured any-
thing that might have been left.
Much to our surprise we found there had been a tremendous increase in
294 Court, Treganza Blue Heron. july
the number of nests over those which we found last year. On May 8,
1906, we found birds nesting only on the east and northeast end of the
island, This year we find that they have circled the island with their
nests, with the exception of the southwest end, which is rather sandy and
barren of sage and boulders,
Egg Island is a detached reef at the extreme north end of Antelope Is-
land, 300 feet or more in diameter, about one-half mile off shore. Com-
posed mostly of reef rocks but with some little sand patches.
Egg Island, May 11, 1906.— Here the Ardea herodias nests in company
with Larus californicus and Phalacrocorax dilophus. This island con-
tained about fifty breeding pairs. All stages of nidification existed except
nest building. The nearest feeding ground for the birds on this island is
about fifteen miles.
The nests on this island are all placed on the higher boulders among the
reef rocks, usually beside a large boulder. The boulder is used as a perch
for the owner of the nest beneath. Apparently the birds consider this
boulder as much a part of their possession as the nest, for should another
attempt to alight on a perch that is not his own, he is immediately and
properly punished for his trespassing. Such an occasion as this is the
only time I have ever seen the adult birds show any signs of quarreling.
Some of the nests on this island are very handsomely and wonderfully
made, two or three nests measuring each about 5 feet in diameter. Most
of the sticks used in constructing the nest are of the sage bush. Apparently
these nests are very old and have been used for many years, a little bit
being added each year in the way of rebuilding and house cleaning. It
seems quite remarkable that the young do not injure themselves from the
large, coarse sticks which form the inner nest, if the same could be called
an inner nest. The depression of the nests is very slight. The depression
starts from the outer edge of the nest and very gradually sinks into the
center.
The birds on this island seem to be more filthy than those seen elsewhere.
By the time the entire clutch of eggs is laid, the first two or three eggs laid
are entirely speckled over the surface with lice markings. Upon lifting
up eggs that are in an advanced stage of incubation, the center of the
nest seems to be a seething mass of lice, which must undoubtedly greatly
annoy the young when hatched.
-Four, five, and six eggs seem to form the complete set, four or five being
the usual complement, six rarely. A number of photographs were taken
on this date of both young and eggs.
Egg Island, April 9, 1907.— I do not wonder that some of the young are
fully fledged and leave their nests before the middle of May, as we found
three nests containing young from three to four weeks old.
About twenty-five nests contained fresh eggs. None of the eggs seemed
to be at all incubated; hence there must have been several exceptionally
early arrivals. There seemed to be a number of new nests under construc-
tion. Two birds killed for identification. Several photographs taken.
we | Court, Treganza Blue Heron. 295
Egg Island, May 16, 1907.—I find about fifty per cent. more nests on
the island this year than last, or, in other words, about seventy-five pairs
of breeding birds have nested there. There are only about five sets of
fresh eggs. All the other nests either contained young or eggs well ad-
vanced in incubation.
The young are extremely interesting, especially those that are sufficiently
fledged to walk about upon the rocks but are yet too timid to attempt
flight. The photograph taken gives a very good idea of how close one can
approach these almost fully fledged birds. The photograph was taken
at a distance of about 6 feet.
Egg Island, Sept. 14, 1907.— Not a Heron left, but a count of the nests
shows about fifty per cent. increase over last year.
General Remarks.— On first observation the nests of the Great Blue
Heron appear very flimsy, especially the edges, which seem to be very much
frayed out and loose. One would think that the storms of a winter would
entirely demolish these nests, but on close observation it is found that they
are most compactly made, and it is quite evident that the same nests are
used from year to year with but very little rebuilding in the spring. One
can very easily tell where new sticks have been added, from the fact that
they are not sun-bleached, as are the old sticks in the nest.
From seeing the size of the new nests that have been built this year and
comparing them with the older nests, one would be very safe in saying that
these large old nests are the pioneer homes of these birds and mark their
first advent to Great Salt Lake, the date of which we shall omit.
The writer had some little experience with Ardea herodias in California.
There are some two or three colonies between San Diego and Los Angeles,
and in all cases, nests are built in tops of the highest trees. The Eucalyptus
seems to be quite a favorite nesting site for this bird. It is not for lack
of trees that the bird chooses low elevations for nesting here in Utah, for
on Antelope Island, which is not five miles from either Egg Island or White
Rock, may be found groves of cedars that are 30 to 50 feet high.
The following is only hearsay, that Utah Lake contains a small colony
of these birds. One trip was made to that lake but no nests were found.
However, many of the birds were seen feeding and in all probability there
is a colony breeding on this lake.
Captain Davis, of Salt Lake, tells me that these birds nest very abun-
dantly on Gunnison Island, more so than on any other island in Great Salt
Lake. They are nesting in company with Larus californicus and Pele-
canus erythrorhynchos. Captain Davis has been to this island many times,
and it is undoubtedly safe to assume that he is correct in his statement, as
he is a very close observer of nature generally.
It is also stated, but I could not vouch for the authority, that there is a
colony of these birds nesting in the mouth of Bear River. While we have
made two attempts to find the colony, we have as yet been unable to do so.
If a colony of these birds does exist at the mouth of Bear River, they are of
necessity compelled to nest in the broken down reeds and rushes, as does
the Black-crowned Night Heron.
296 ALLEN, Kumlien’s Gull near Boston. nite
The following shows measurements of eggs:
A set of five rather long eggs: 2.59 X 1.79, 2.69 X 158, 2.73 X 179,
2.60 X 1.80, 2.57 X 1.79.
A set of five rather round eggs:— 2.56 X 1.93, 2.58 X 1.86, 2.51 X 1.89,
2.48 X 1.91, 2.50 X 1.90.
A set of three extremely large eggs: 2.76 X 1.94, 2.75 X 1.91, 2.74 X
1 92.
Pe
set of three extremely small eggs: 2.45 X 1.82, 2.51 X 1.80, 2.52 X
1.72.
A set of six typical eggs: 2.57 X 1.83, 2.61 X 1.77, 2.55 X 1.78, 2.56 X
1.79, 2.57 X 1.81, 2.58 X 1.80, 2.574 X 1.816.
The average size, taken from ten sets,— namely: three sets of three
each; four sets of four each; two sets of five each; one set of six, is 2.574 X
1.816 inches.
I endeavored this year to ascertain the exact length of time required
for incubation; also from hatching to flight; but found it impossible,
owing to the distance and time consumed in reaching their breeding ground.
These notes have been culled from data taken by my father and myself.
Trusting that this may be of some little benefit to you, I remain,
Your most sincere friend,
A. O. TREGANZA.
|
LARUS KUMLIENI AND OTHER NORTHERN GULLS
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF BOSTON.
BY FRANCIS H. ALLEN.
In reporting in ‘The Auk’ for April, 1905 (Vol. XXII, p. 205)
the taking of a Kumlien’s Gull at Moon Island, Boston Harbor,
on February 22, 1905, I ventured, though the bird had not pre-
viously been recorded from Massachusetts,’ to say that its presence
here was ‘“‘probably in a sense normal rather than accidental,
being simply a southward extension of its usual winter range in a
season of unusual seyerity.”” The experience of the past winter
(1907-08) seems to indicate that Larus kumlieni is indeed of nor-
mal occurrence on the Massachusetts Coast and not by any means
Dr. Dwight has since recorded an earlier specimen, a young female taken at
Plymouth, Mass., January 5, 1888, and now in the Rothschild Museum at Tring,
England (Auk, Jan., 1906, XXIII, 41).
hee on ALLEN, Kumlien’s Gull near Boston. 297
confined to the coldest seasons. ‘This last winter was an excep-
tionally open one up to the latter part of January, and even after
that was not unusually severe, but Kumlien’s Gull was seen as
early as December 29, some days before the last Geese went south,
and as late as March 13, a day after the arrival of a great wave of
Robins, Bluebirds, Song: Sparrows, etc., from the south. ‘The
first of these birds was seen by me, December 29, 1907, at T Wharf,
Boston Harbor, where the gulls congregate about the fishing
schooners. It came within close range repeatedly and was iden-
tified beyond question. The dark markings at the ends of the
primaries were perfectly distinct though of course much more
restricted than those on the Herring Gull’s wings. This bird
(or one like it) was also observed at the same place by Rev. Horace
W. Wright, January 18, 1908, and by Dr. Charles W. Townsend,
February 7, both of whom identified it positively.
Mr. Wright also permits me to record two other birds of this.
species seen by him. One was on the Charles River Basin, Boston,
February 10. “It came flying in and lit on the ice, and subse-
quently took successive flights back and forth before me. For
some time I did not detect the gray spaces on the wings, but finally
saw them to be unmistakable. The mantle and wings were like
those of the Kumlien seen at 'T’ Wharf, but it would seem as if the
gray wing-spots could not have been as prominent as in the case
of that bird. But it may have been the identical bird. This
Kumlien showed plainly the red spot at the angle of the bill. I
did not perceive this mark on the TT Wharf bird, but would not
affirm that it was not there.” I have quoted Mr. Wright’s account
in full in order to show the care with which the observation was
made. The other bird was seen February 26 on Chestnut Hill
Reservoir in the Brighton district of Boston. It rose among a
flock of Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls and, “gradually
ascending in the air, flew away eastward.”’
The next Kumlien’s Gulls to be observed of which I have know]-
edge were two seen by myself in a flock of gulls off King’s Beach,
Swampscott, March 7. They were sitting in the water and, when
viewed with a telescope, showed the wing-spots distinctly as they
sat. These spots were darker on one than on the other. The
bills of both were noticeably smaller than the bills of the Herring
298 Auten, Kumlien’s Gull near Boston. Suly
Gulls with which they were associated, and the birds themselves
were plainly smaller, though the difference in the bills was more
considerable. One of them flew a short distance while I was
watching him, and then the wings (at that distance and seen only
for an instant) appeared immaculate. The black on the Herring
Gull’s primaries is very conspicuous in the closed wing, forming a
large blotch, while the spots on the Kumlien’s Gulls’ wings showed
only as marks on the separate feathers. Finally, a gull of this
species, presumably one of the two observed by me March 7, was
seen by Mr. Wright, March 13, at Fisherman’s Beach, Swampscott,
the next beach down the coast from King’s beach. It identified
itself by spreading its wings as it sat in the water off shore. All
these birds — or both,:if it be assumed that there were but two
seen at different places — were in the adult plumage.
In connection with this report of Kumlien’s Gull, it will be of
interest, I think, to note the presence of other northern gulls in
somewhat unusual numbers during the past winter. Indeed, the
information which I have at hand suggests that neither Larus -
glaucus nor L. leucopterus is by any means as rare on the Massa-
chusetts coast as the published records would indicate. The
scarcity of such records is partly due to the very laudable hesitation
on the part of observers to record birds which are only seen, not
taken. It so happens, however, that most of these northern gulls
which are seen here are found on protected shores or waters, where
shooting is prohibited, so that some interesting occurrences must go
entirely unrecorded unless the rule —in general very proper —
which demands a specimen to back the record is waived in their
favor. It is very probable, too, that the gulls in question are now
of recent years more abundant here than formerly, for it is certain
that the Herring and Great Black-backed. Gulls which winter on
our coast have increased under the protection afforded them. All
the gulls, moreover, are much more approachable when found on
protected ground than they were formerly, and flocks can be readily
scanned in search of the rarer species. After conversation with
several observers I have deemed it proper to make some statement
concerning the recent occurrences of the Glaucous and Iceland
Gulls in Massachusetts. The Rev. Horace W. Wright and Dr.
Charles W. Townsend, both well known as experienced and careful
eae Auten, Kumlien’s Gull near Boston. 299
observers, bave kindly furnished me with their notes on these
species for publication in connection with my own.
The first of our records is of an immature Glaucous Gull at T
Wharf, Boston Harbor, seen by me, February 16 and 23, and by
Dr. Townsend, February 20, 1905. This may have been the
same bird as that recorded by Mr. Brewster (Birds of the Cam-
bridge Region, p. 92) as having been seen by Mr. Glover M. Allen
off Harvard Bridge, January 20 of that year. Another immature
bird of this species was seen by Dr. Townsend at Nahant Beach,
January 7, 1906, and still another by the same observer at Ipswich,
May 26, 1907. Of the Iceland Gulls (Larus leucopterus), Dr.
Townsend observed one in the Charles River Basin, February 1,
1906, one in immature plumage in Boston Harbor, February 17,
1907, and another, or perhaps the same, young bird in the Basin,
March 13. The Harbor bird was seen by me, February 16, at
T Wharf. I heard its note once or twice,— practically identical,
as it then seemed to me, with the familiar creak of the Herring Gull.
In January, February, and March of this year a company of
white-winged gulls, varying in number and composition, was con-
tinually seen in a flock of Herring Gulls which frequented King’s
and Fisherman’s Beaches at Swampscott, Mass. These birds
were first found January 7 by Mr. Wright, who visited them also
on January 13 and 21, February 11; and March 13. On February
22, Dr. Townsend and I saw them, and I observed them also
February 29 and March 7. Unfortunately, it was never possible
to identify positively every bird in this company, which varied in
number from four to seven. Certain individuals, however, were
determined beyond the possibility of error. At least two immature
Glaucous Gulls were identified, and at least three immature Iceland
Gulls. On January 13 Mr. Wright saw two Glaucous Gulls in the
pure white plumage there. On the occasion of the visit of Dr.
Townsend and myself, February 22, a single adult Glaucous Gull
was included in the flock. This was the only adult bird belonging
to either species which was noted in this flock, and it was seen but
this once. The presence of this bird on this single occasion and
that of the two Kumlien’s Gulls in the same flock on March 7, and
one of that species on March 13, indicate that the make-up of the
flock was constantly changing, though doubtless certain individuals
remained in the locality most of the time.
300 ALLEN, Kumlien’s Gull near Boston. cae
At other places on the coast the records for the winter are as.
follows: —
1 adult Glaucous Gull in Boston Harbor, February 7 (Dr. Townsend).
1 young Glaucous Gull at Ipswich, March 1 (Dr. Townsend).
1 Glaucous Gull in pure white plumage at Marblehead Neck, February
27 (Mr. Wright).
1 young Iceland Gull (?) at Devereux, January 16 (Mr. Wright).
1 young Iceland Gull (?) at Lynn Beach, February 22 (Mr. Wright.)
1 young Iceland Gull (?) at Marblehead Neck, February 27 (Mr. Wright).
The last three birds were not identified positively as to size, and one
or more of them may possibly have been L. glaucus.
It is not particularly difficult for the trained observer to dis-
tinguish the white-winged gulls in the field from the Herring
Gull; but as between LZ. glaucus and L. leucopterus a positive
identification is not so easy, and probably cannot be determined
with certainty unless the bird is seen under very favorable condi-
tions and with other gulls close by with which to compare it as to:
size. One soon gets to recognize the white-winged species flying,
even at a considerable distance, and the smaller size of the Iceland
Gull is seen perhaps more distinctly on the wing than when the bird
is sitting. The bill, when it can be distinctly seen, is an excellent
field-mark, the Iceland Gull’s, like that of Kumlien’s Gull, being
much smaller in proportion than are the other dimensions, as is
shown by the measurements given by Dr. Dwight in ‘The Auk,’
January, 1906 (Vol. XXIII, p. 28). The adult Kumlien’s Gull,
when seen under favorable conditions, is easily distinguished from
L. glaucus and L. leucopterus, for the spots on the primaries cannot
fail to be noticed whether the bird is sitting or flying.
Of course the foregoing records lack the definiteness that would
have attached to them had it been possible to take specimens in
each case, but I trust they will be accepted for what they are worth.
At any rate, it has seemed to some of us that it would be worth
while to publish them, in the interests of defining the status of these
three species as winter visitants to the Massachusetts coast, and
with the hope of inciting other observers to watch for them both
there and elsewhere.
Rene ALLEN, Columbina vs. Chemepelia 301
COLUMBINA VS. CHZAMEPELIA.
BY J. A. ALLEN.
THE case of Columbina versus Chaemepelia presents unusual
conditions and is hence of interest beyond the determination of the
types and proper status of these two genera.
The genus Columbina was founded by Spix in 1825 (Av. Bras., I,
57, 58, pll. Ixxv, Ixxva). There was no diagnosis, and no type was
indicated, but four species were referred to it, as follows:
Columbina strepitans, p. 57, pl. Ixxv, fig. 1 (= Columba picui Temm.
1813); type of Columbula Bonap., Consp., Il, 1854, 80, by subsequent
designation (Gray, 1855).
Columbina campestris, p. 57, pl. Ixxv, fig. 2; monotypic type of Uropelia
Bonap., Consp., II, 1854, 85.
Columbina cabocolo, p. 58, pl. Ixxva, fig. 1 (= talpacoti Temm., 1813);
type of Talpacotia Bonap., Consp., II, 1854, 79, by tautonymy and by
subsequent designation (Gray, 1855).
Columbina griseola, p. 58, pl. Ixxva, fig. 2 (< passerina Linn., 1766);
virtually type of Chemepelia (Swains. 1827) by subsequent designa-
tion (Gray, 1840).
Thus in 1854 and 1855 the first three of these four species became
types of other genera, leaving only Columbina griseola, equal to (or
part of) Columba passerina Linn., as this species was at that time
recognized, the habitat as originally assigned to passerina being
‘“‘America inter tropicos.” But before Columbina was dismembered
by Bonaparte in 1854, Columba passerina had already been desig-
nated as the type of Columbina by Gray (List Gen. Bds., 1840, p. 58).
As Columbina meets all the requirements of a properly founded
genus, having been duly published, with several species definitely
referred to it, and the name being not preoccupied, it must be recog-
nized in nomenclature. All that was lacking from the first to make it
a full-fledged and properly defined genus was the designation of
a type, which was supplied by Gray, as already stated, in 1840.
Whether his designation was a proper one or not will be considered
later in the present paper.
The genus Chemepelia was founded by Swainson in 1827 (Zool.
Journ., III, Aug.-Nov., 1827, 361), but without designation of a
Auk
302 ALLEN, Columbina vs. Chemepelia. ae
type, and with only two species referred to it, namely, Columba
passerina Linn. and Columba squamosa Temm. In 1841 Gray
(List Gen. Bds., 2d ed., 75) designated Colwmba passerina as its
type, a species he had in the preceding year made the type of Colwm-
bina! ‘The other species was referred by Bonaparte in 1854 (Consp.,
II, p. 85) to his new genus Scardafella, and later it became its type
by subsequent designation (Gray, 1855, Cat. Gen. and Subgen.
Bds., 100). Selby, in 1835 (Nat. Libr., Pigeons, 198), designated
“Columba Talpicoti Temm.” as the type of Chemepelia, and Swain-
son, in 1837 (Class. Bds., 349), cited the same species, under a differ-
ent name (“Columba cinnamomina. Spix, II, [pl.] 75a, f. 1” =
talpacoti 'Temm.) as its ‘example’; but both of these designations
were invalid, as the species selected was not originally included in
the genus. Hence after sqwamosa was removed in 1854, passerina
was the only species left in the genus and it thus necessarily became
the type of Chemepelia by restriction. But if Gray’s act making
passerina the type of Colwmbina, in 1840, was valid, this would
render Chemepelia a synonym of Columbina.
The first step in the consideration of this question is to note the
fact that passerina was not nominally one of the four species origi-
nally referred to the genus Coluwmbina, but Spix did include in it a
species — grtseola — which is in reality only a slightly differentiated
subspecies of passerina. Of this, as will be shown later, there can
be no question. But the griseola of Bonaparte and of nearly all
subsequent authors was not the griseola of Spix. This explains why
“griseola” has been usually recognized as either a distinct species
or as a synonym of Columba minuta Linn., and renders it necessary
to consider the taxonomic history of not only Columbina griseola
Spix but also of Chemepelia griseola Bonap. and of Columba minuta
Linn. bg |
Columba minuta Linn. (Syst. Nat., ed. 12, 1776, 285) was based
exclusively on the Turtwr parvus fuscus americanus Brisson (Orm.,
I, 1760, 116, pl. viii, fig. 2), which was poorly figured but exceedingly
well described, as is attested by the rulings of modern authorities
(see especially Salvadori, Brit. Mus. Cat. Bds., XXI, 1893, 481).
Bonaparte, who is responsible for much that is unfortunate in ornitho-
logical nomenclature, was the first author to refer (Consp., I, 1854,
77, 78) C. minuta Linn. to C. passerina Linn., as the young of the
ce | ALLEN, Columbina vs. Chemepelia. 303
latter, and to refer “C. minuta Temm. nec Linn” to Columbina
griseola Spix,—a wholly erroneous proceeding, by which he sup-
planted the well-founded mznuta Linn. by a wholly new griseola
Bonap. (nec Spix); for griseola Spix= passerina Linn., and griseola
Bonap. = minuta Linn. Yet Bonaparte was followed in this false step
by most later ornithologists, down to and including both Salvadori
(1893) and Sharpe (1899). Berlepsch, however, in 1887 (Journ.
f. Orn., 1887, 34), correctly identified Columbina griseola Spix with
Columba passerina Linn., and this identification was emphatically
confirmed by Hellmayr (Revision der Spix’schen Typen brasilian-
ischer V6gel*) in 1906, on the basis of an examination of Spix’s
original type of griseola, which proves to have been a young female
of passerina, as can be readily seen by comparing such a specimen
with Spix’s diagnosis and plate; passerina being here taken in the
broad sense in which it was recognized by all authors before the
modem practice of recognizing slight geographic forms came into
vogue. Indeed, it is only necessary to compare young or female
examples of both passerina and minuta with Spix’s figure and de-
scription to become convinced that Spix’s grzseola cannot be minuta.
The wonder is, first, how Bonaparte could have made such a palpable
error, and, secondly, that it could have been so long and so generally
perpetuated. Linnzeus, as already said, based his Columba minuta,
fortunately, exclusively on Brisson (J. ¢.), and Brisson so well de-
scribed the bird that its identity is beyond question; for the two
species, minuta and passerina, are widely different at all ages. Bona-
parte’s griseola is also fully described, and is obviously the minuta
of Linneus, and not, as he mistakenly assumed it to be, the griseola
of Spix. The only authors who have apparently looked up the
matter for themselves, and have thus discovered the error, are Ber-
lepsch and Hellmayr, as already stated. The case is simply one of
the many instances where one author has blindly followed another,
like a flock of sheep following their leader, and not a case “where
doctors disagree,” since griseola of Spix is perfectly determinable.
It is further worthy of note that Bonaparte placed minuta Linn.
in his section “‘pectore nigro undulato” of his genus Chamepelia, and
minuta 'Temm. & Knip in his section “‘pectore immaculato” of the
same genus, notwithstanding that Brisson’s description (the sole
1 Abhandl. d. II Kl. d. K. Akad. d. Wiss., XXII, Abt. iii, 697.
304 ALLEN, Columbina vs. Chemepelia. nits
basis of minuta Linn.) indicates a bird with an unspotted breast,
and gives other characters that absolutely exclude its reference to
passerina. At the same time he placed griseola of Spix, a bird with
a spotted breast, as shown by both Spix’s figure and his diagnosis
(‘plumis capitis pectorisque squamosis”’), with his own griseola,
(described as ‘“‘subtus roseo-vinacea, pectore puro”) in the section
“‘pectore immaculato”’!
Now as to the summing up of the matter. The range of Columba
passerina Linn., 1758, as originally given, included all of the warmer
parts of America, and “Picuipmima, Marcgr. bras. 204,” was one
of the original references. Salvadori, in 1893 (J. c., 477), gave the
range as “South Atlantic and Gulf States, Texas, New Mexico,
Arizona, and California, south to the West Indies, and through
Central America to South America, as far as Peru and Paraguay.”
He recognized no subspecies of it, nor any closely allied forms, and
after stating that he had examined a large amount of material from
a great number of localities (he lists nearly 200 specimens as being
contained in the British Museum, and refers to types of alleged
species and other material examined elsewhere), he says: “....1
have arrived at the conclusion that there is only one species,’ which,
he goes on to say, varies more or less according to different conditions
of environment. Without having seen the type of griseola Spix, he
placed this name under minuta, evidently following previous authors
without careful verification of the case.
This digression is to show that the status of griseola was that of a
synonym of passerina till the passerina group began to be recognized
as an aggregation of subspecies, of which griseola is one. It was not
till Bonaparte redescribed griseola in 1854 that the name figured to
any extent in ornithological literature. Subsequently it was used as
a substitute name for minuta Linn., and was generally incorrectly
ascribed to Spix, as was done by Gray in 1856, in his Catalogue of
Pigeons (Cat. Bds. Brit. Mus., pt. IV, 1856, 50), where he adopted
Boraparte’s genera of 1854 and his wrong determination of Columbina
griseola Spix.
We return now to the question, What shall we do with Columbina?
To recapitulate: Gray in 1840 recognized it as a genus, with Columba
passerina Linn. as the type, and Chemepelia Swains. as a synonym
of it. While C. passerina was not one of the originally included
YY ALLEN, Columbina vs. Chemepelia. 305
species, so far as the name itself is concerned, his Columbina griseola
was really only a new name for passerina, as passerina was under-
stood down to 1854, or for 29 years later, and at best represents only a
slight geographic form of true passerina as at present restricted. A
year later Gray recognized both Columbina and Chemepelia as dis-
tinct genera, with Columbina streptans Spix as the type of Colwmbina
and Columba passerina as the type of Chemepelia, strepitans beirg
only Columba picui of Temminck renamed.
In 1854 Bonaparte retained Chemepelia (emending the name to
Chamepelia) and proposed three other genera based wholly or in
part on species originally included in Columbina, namely: Talpacotia,
to include C. cabocolo Spix (which is talpacoti Temm. renamed);
Columbula, based solely on C. strepitans Spix, to which he referred
Columbina Spix as a synonym; and Uropelia, with C. campestris
Spix as its sole species. Talpacotia is now currently treated as a
synonym of Chemepelia; Columbula is at present currently recognized
as a monotypic genus, to which Columbina is still referred as a syn-
onym; Uropelia is also still monotypic, and universally recognized.
It thus happens that the four original species of Columbina are now
dispersed among three universally recognized genera, all founded
later than Columbina (Cheamepelia, 1827; Columbula, 1854; Uropelia,
1854), while Columbina, without adequate reason, has been retired
from modern nomenclature.
The International Code of Zodlogical Nomenclature (Article 30,
rule d) provides that “If a genus, without originally designated or
indicated type, contains among the original species one possessing the
generic name as its specific or subspecific name, either as valid name
or synonym, that species or subspecies becomes ipso facto type of the
genus.” By a parallel ruling on the equal availability of species and
subspecies as types of genera, the proper type of Coluwmbina would be
Columba passerima Linn. subsp. griseola Spix, under the trinomial
refinement of modern nomenclature. Columbina would replace
Chemepelia, and Columbula would be left undisturbed. If Colum-
bina griseola be thrown out as not available as type of Columbina,
and Gray’s second type designations for Chemepelia and Columbina
be recognized as valid, then strepitans would be type of Columbina,
Columbina would replace Colwmbula, and passerina would be the
type of Chemepelia. But does the law of priority permit us to ignore
Gray’s first type designations for these two genera ?
306 Fiemine, Destruction of Whistling Swans. ye
I see no reason why Colwmbina griseola Spix = Columbina passerina
griseola (Spix), may not be properly taken as the type of Colwmbina,
in accordance with rule d of Art. 30 of the International Code respect-
ing the equal availability of species and subspecies as types. In the
latter case the basis is type by tautonymy, in the former type by
subsequent designation, where a subspecies of the species that became
type by subsequent designation was the originally included form.
The A. O. U. Committee on Nomenclature, however, in considering
the case of Columbina, thought that a principle was here involved
which might affect other cases, and deemed it best to refer the matter
to the International Zodlogical Commission for decision —a step
I heartily approve, and therefore respectfully offer the foregoing
exposition as a brief on the chief points at issue.
THE DESTRUCTION OF WHISTLING SWANS (OLOR
COLUMBIANUS) AT NIAGARA FALLS.
BY JAMES H. FLEMING.
Disasters that so often overtake migrating birds are seldom
matters of newspaper interest, but in the present case the birds
were so conspicuous and the circumstances so unusual that public
interest was aroused by the account in the Buffalo papers of
March 17, 1908, of a slaughter of wild swans that took place at
Niagara Falls on the 15th. It was stated that 128 birds were taken
out of a flock that had been swept over the Falls, and the names
of several men who had made the largest bags were given. I was
able to get confirmation of the story from Mr. J. S. Wallace who
was in touch with friends at Niagara, and on receiving two swans
and more details on the 19th, Mr. Wallace and I decided to go to
Niagara Falls and get the story at first hand, and the following
is as nearly a correct account as it was possible to get.
On the morning of March 14, 1908, a flock of three or four
hundred swans lit in the Upper Niagara River below Grand Island
Mora | Fuemine, Destruction of Whistling Swans. 307
and not far from the village of Chippawa, Ont. All day detached
parties of swans were seen floating down the river with the current
till danger of being swept into the Canadian rapids caused the birds
to rise and fly back to their starting point. ‘They were unable to
obtain food, and the constant battling with the swift current no
doubt weakened them. They were still in the upper river Sunday
morning the 15th. It was a day of drizzling rain. About 11.30
A. M. William Leblond, who lives at the ‘Maid of the Mist’ landing
below the Horseshoe Falls, was on the ice bridge that then barred
the river at that point. His attention being called by its cries to a
swan struggling at the edge of the ice, he looked up the river towards
the Falls. The water seemed covered with a struggling mass of
swans that were rapidly being swept towards him. Some were
caught in the Bass Rock eddy and detained near the Ontario Power
Company’s building, but the great majority were carried by the
current directly to the ice bridge and either cast up, or ground
against it, by the masses of floating ice that were continually coming
over the Falls. Some of the birds were already dead, many were
injured, and the rest stunned and unable to help themselves; though
how any could have remained alive after coming over the falls is
difficult to understand; yet many of the birds were able to call
loudly in their distress. News of the disaster quickly spread and
men went out on the ice bridge clubbing all the swans that could be
reached, while others fished the dead and dying birds out of the
water with poles, and the Italian laborers at the power works
attended to all that came ashore at their point. On Monday any
birds that could not be reached with clubs and poles were shot.
Just how many of the flock came over the falls will never be known
but after the disaster it was estimated that something under 200
birds remained'on the upper river; at least 100 birds were either
slaughtered or picked up between the falls and the ice bridge;
some were certainly sucked under the ice and caught in the fissures
of the ice bridge, and only two were taken below that point. ‘There
seems little doubt that 100 is a safe estimate of the birds taken, and
all are agreed that none escaped alive, though it afterwards became
apparent that many of the birds would have recovered from the
shock had they been left alone, though the town of Niagara Falls
would thereby have missed a gastronomic experience much to its
_ liking, for contrary to the usual belief these swans were good eating.
308 ’ Furmina, Destruction of Whistling Swans. july
We found on arriving at the Falls that Mr. Harry Schumacker
had arranged interviews with some of the principal witnesses of
the tragedy, and we were able to get a great deal of information
from Mr. Harry Williams and Mr. Leblonde. At the latter's
place we saw 30 swans hanging en masse. ‘The sight was not one
easily forgotten. We were within a few yards of the scene of the
killing, it was late when we reached the place, and at first the swans
stood out as an indistinct patch of white in the surrounding darkness,
but when we were able to examine the mass with the aid of lanterns
we understood the extent of the tragedy that had taken place.
On the 18th three more swans were taken; one of these was alive
and was taken to the Buffalo Zoo by Mr. James Savage, where it
fully recovered. Another, Mr. Leblonde told us, had taken refuge
in some inaccessible place near the ‘Cave of the Winds’ and was
still alive on the 20th.
On the 22d (Sunday) 12 more swans came over the Falls; six of
these were taken at the Bass Rock eddy, and five at the ice bridge,
while three were seen to rise from the water between the Falls and
ice bridge and fly back over the Falls and on up the river.
Mr. Wallace made several subsequent visits to the Falls and
cleared up some doubtful points; we were also able to compare
our notes with those secured by Mr. James Savage ' of Buffalo.
Swans come over the Falls occasionally, some were taken in 1906
and 1907, but nothing like the present case is remembered by any
one.
In all I saw thirty-six birds; of these I was able to secure thirty-
three, resulting in a unique series of measurements, and adding to
my collection all the sterna, and the skins of twenty-eight birds,
while five were handed over to friends for mounting. A careful
examination of the swans showed that several had broken wings,
others had the clavicles dislocated, and in one or two the sternum
was crushed, others had the lungs congested, but it was not possible
to examine the birds as thoroughly as I would have wished. A
good many of the birds showed no signs of injury except where
they had been hit with clubs, or shot, and I am certain that had
they been allowed time to recover from the shock they would have
1 See Bulletin of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, IX, 1908, pp. 23-28, for
a full account by Mr, Savage of this same disaster,
ee CiarKk, The Macaw of Dominica. 309
escaped. I found the birds with one exception fat and in excellent
condition, but was disappointed to find the stomachs empty; in
only three cases I found: slight traces of vegetable matter. The
birds had not fed since they strayed into the Niagara River. The
weights varied from 11 lb. 150z. to 18 Ib. 10 0z.; a fourth were birds
of léss than a year old, the remainder were fully white, and some
must be very old birds. Mr. P. A. Taverner secured drawings of
all the variations in the beaks. The tedious work of making up so
many skins was safely accomplished by Mr. H. H. Mitchell and
assistants.
THE MACAW OF DOMINICA.
BY AUSTIN HOBART CLARK,
United States Bureau of Fisheries.
Some time ago I published ' an account of the Macaws which at
one time inhabited the Lesser Antillean Islands of Guadeloupe and
Martinique, and possibly Dominica, though I was unable to find
a definite record of their occurrence in the last named. Mr.
Walter Rothschild, who has recently published a magnificent
work on the extinet birds of the world, was also unable to state
definitely that a macaw had at any time been a resident of that
island.
Through the kindness of Mr. J. H. Riley of the U. S. National
Museum, who gave me the reference to the work, Iam now enabled
to remove the query from my previous record of a macaw from
Dominica. In a book by Thomas Atwood, dated 1791’, I find the
2 The | History | of the | Island of Dominica.| Containing |a description of its
situation, extent, | climate, mountains, rivers, | natural productions &e. &e. | to-
gether with | an account of the civil government, trade, laws | customs, and manners
of the different inha- | bitants of that Island, its conquest | by the French, and
restoration to the British dominions. | by Thomas Atwood, | London: | printed
for J. Johnson, No. 72, St. Paul’s Church-yard. | MDCCXCT,
Col. H. W. Fielden and Mr. C, B. Cory both mention this work, but it was not acces-
sible to me when I was working on West Indian birds.
310 Cuark, The Macaw of Dominica. Sule
following; speaking of the birds of Dominica he says (p. 29): “The
mackaw is of the parrot kind, but larger than the common parrot,
and makes a more disagreeable, harsh noise. They are in great
plenty, as are also parrots in this island; have both of them a
delightful green and yellow plumage, with a scarlet coloured
fleshy substance from the ears to the root of the bill, of which
colour is likewise the chief feathers of their wings and tail. They
breed on the tops of the highest trees, where they feed on the berries
in great numbers together; and are easily discovered by their loud
chattering noise, which at a distance resembles human voices.
The mackaws cannot be taught to articulate words; but the parrots
of this country may, by taking pains with them when caught young.
The flesh of both is eat, but being very fat, it wastes in roasting,
and eats dry and insipid; for which reason, they are chiefly used to
make soup of, which is accounted very nutritive.”
Of course the possibility at once suggests itself that the ‘‘mackaw”
is only the larger parrot of the island, Amazona impertalis Rich-
mond, the ““common parrot” being Amazona bouqueti (Bechstein) ;
but in the former there is no red on the face, nor is it green and
yellow, nor are the chief feathers of the wings and tail red; more-
over, it is quite unlikely that anyone should confuse a macaw and a
parrot, while it is quite probable that the two parrots were con-
sidered the same species, a misunderstanding of the specific limits
of parrots being very prevalent at the present time in the tropics
of the New World. ‘There is such a great difference in life between
a macaw and a parrot, while the parrots of the genus Amazona
with which I am acquainted in the field are in general habit so
similar, that I am forced to the conclusion that Atwood has con-
sidered the two parrots as one, and taken his description from the
more brilliantly colored, and that his macaw is a bona fide member
of the genus Ara; but it appears to be different from all the known
members of the genus, and may to advantage be known by the
provisional name of Ara atwoodi.
I take this opportunity of correcting an error which appears to
have been the cause of considerable confusion; in an article on
West Indian parrots,’ I gave a list (p. 344) of all the species known
to inhabit or to have inhabited those islands; those now extinct
1 The West Indian Parrots: Auk, Vol. XXII, No. 4, pp. 337-344, October, 1905.
a CxiarK, The Macaw of Dominica. oLt
were referred to in a footnote announcing the fact. By a typo-
graphical error, the reference number which should have followed
Amazona martinicana was placed after Amazona bouqueti. I did
not consider it necessary to call attention to this obvious slip in a
special note, more particularly as nothing was said of the species
being extinct in the main body of the paper (p. 343) where it is
mentioned, while the name martinicana is here used for the first
time, provisionally conferred upon a long extinct form. Count
Salvadori, however,! in the following year, notes that ‘Mr. Clark
mentions this species [bouquett] as already extinct,’ and later’
publishes a letter from Mr. A. H. Verrill apparently showing that
the bird is rather abundant at the present time. While it is un-
fortunate that the mistake occurred, I cannot quite see how such a
palpable typographical error could have passed unnoticed. As a
matter of fact I am happy to be able to state that the bird still
exists in certain parts of Dominica.
Count Salvadori is not convinced by the arguments with which
I tried to show that Amazona violaceus (Gmelin) was near A.
imperialis Richmond, but thrusts it back again into the synonymy
of Deroptyus accipitrinus; Mr. Rothschild has since resurrected
it again, however, and I am still firmly of the opinion that it has
nothing whatever to do with Deroptyus, for the reasons I have
already given. While Mr. Rothschild agrees with me on this
point, I must take strong exception to several of the species of
Psittacidee he admits to the West Indian avifauna, and in this I
am glad to find myself in agreement with such an eminent authority
as Count Salvadori. My views on West Indian Psittacidee remain
the same as stated in my previous papers.
Mr. Rothschild appears to have overlooked my article on the
West Indian Parrakeets, for he makes no reference to it in his
bibliography nor in the main body of his work, nor does he mention
the numerous species which have become extinct on Barbados,
and several of the other islands, to which I called attention in my
‘Birds of the Southern Lesser Antilles’ (not mentioned by him)
and in my ‘Extirpated West Indian Birds.’
1 Ibis, [8] VI, October, 1906, p. 643.
2 Ibis, [9] I, April, 1907, p. 365.
819 General Notes. aes
GENERAL* NOTES.
Cabot’s Tern (Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida) Breeding in North Caro-
lina.— In Pamlico Sound, North Carolina, about ten miles westward from
the village of Ocracoke lies Royal Shoal Island. It is little more than a
lump of sand and shells rearing its back scarcely three feet above high
water. In area it is rather less than four acres. This island has for
many years been a popular resort for breeding sea-birds. © For five years
the Audubon Society has protected them from the ravages of the feather
hunter and egg-eating fisherman, and as a result the colony has largely
increased. Laughing Gulls, Black Skimmers and Wilson’s Terns breed
here in numbers, and the Least Terns are perhaps more numerous about.
the island in summer than at any other breeding place on the Atlantic
coast. The most numerous species, however, is the Royal Tern, and about
3500 young are believed to have been raised here the past season. On
my last annual trip of inspection I reached Royal Shoal on June 25, 1907,
and soon discovered a new bird breeding here. Closer inspection revealed
the new-comer to be Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida. The nests of this
bird, over twenty of which I counted, were merely slight excavations in
the sand. These were all located among the closely clustered nests of
the Royal Tern with which bird the Cabot’s Tern seemed to associate con-
stantly. Like their large neighbors, they were very tame and I easily
photographed individuals at a distance of not over fifteen feet. Later in
the day, by exercising patience, I crawled over the bare beach to within
seven jeet of one as it sat on its eggs, and for several minutes we observed
each other at leisure. During the course of my approach the bird fre-
quently left the nest and hovered above it but quickly settled again when
my movements ceased. Warden Jannett, who guards the island, reported
that sixty-four Cabot’s Tern’s eggs were laid during the season. This
bird has not previously been noticed breeding among the protected col-
onies in the State, and in fact, so far as I am aware, there have been no
records of its occurrence in North Carolina, except one reported by Dr.
Louis B. Bishop (MS8.) from Pea Island, August 22, 1904.— T. GILBERT
PEARSON, Greensboro, N. C.
Lead Poisoning in Ducks.— An interesting condition of affairs, which
nevertheless promises to have serious results in the future, came to my
notice during the past hunting season. The Misqually Flats, one of the
numerous large marshes of Puget Sound, has been famous for its duck
shooting almost ever since the first settlement of the State. Many tons.
of shot must have been showered over its broad expanse, but until this
year no harm from this source has come to any ducks that did not get
it direct from a shot gun. Consequently I was surprised to discover the
following conditions:— My attention was directed by a game-keeper to
a | General Notes. 013
the fact that he had noticed a number of Mallards (Anas boschas), some
dead and others that appeared to be sick one day and a day or two later
were found dead near the same place. Curiosity had led him to examine
several, but he reported no signs of their ever having been wounded. I
devoted half a day to a careful study of these singular conditions, with
the result that my dog found two dead ducks and caught one that was
too sick to fly away. Post-mortem examinations showed no wounds of
any kind, but the three stomachs were well filled with duck shot, all evi-
dently eaten by the birds by mistake for gravel. One stomach contained
nineteen shot, one twenty-two, and the other twenty-seven. The large
intestine was heavily leaded and seemed contracted, while the lining of
the stomach could be easily scaled off in quite large crisp pieces. The
gastric Juices had evidently worked on the shot to some extent, as most
of them were considerably worn and had taken various shapes. I found
a number of remains of ducks that had recently been eaten by hawks or
owls, but could not determine positively the cause of their death. A
curious feature of the case is that all of the sick ducks found or reported
were Mallards.
Has such a condition of affairs ever before been reported? If so, I
should greatly like to know what the future results are apt to be.— J. H.
Bow tes, Tacoma, Wash.
Capture of the Flamingo at Lake Worth, Fla.— A full grown American
Flamingo (Phenicopterus ruber) with very handsome plumage was killed
on Lake Worth, Dade County, Fla., in May, 1905. The bird was alone,
standing in shallow water, off Shermans Point, and was shot with number
four shot, at about thirty yards. It was early in the day, just after a
severe storm, and the bird seemed to be dazed, for while I was wading to it,
it did nothing but look about, as if about to fly. The specimen is mounted
and in the collection of J. J. Ryman and Son, Palm Beach, Fla.— C. P.
Ryman, New York City.
The Snowy Heron in South Carolina On May 15, 1908, while ex-
ploring certain marshes and sea-beaches in the interest of the Charleston
Museum and of the State Audubon Society, I discovered two strong breed-
ing colonies of the Snowy Heron (Egretta candidissima), a species which
was believed to be almost if not absolutely extinct on the South Carolina
coast. The birds are established on two small islands or ‘hammocks’ in
the salt marshes which are probably at least ten miles distant from each
other ‘as the crow flies,’ and which are being used as breeding places by
hundreds of Louisiana, Little Blue, Green, and Black-crowned Night
Herons. The total heron population of the smaller hammock, which has
an area of about three acres, is estimated at about six hundred, of which
probably between one hundred and one hundred and fifty are Snowy
Herons; while the number of herons established on the larger island,
314 General Notes. aul
which has an area of about four acres, is probably not less than one
thousand, the number of Snowy Herons here being estimated at about
two hundred.
Hundreds of nests were found in the low ‘sparkleberry’ bushes, yuccas
and palmettoes, but owing to the close similarity of the nests, eggs and
downy young of the Snowy, Louisiana, and Little Blue Herons, I was
unable to determine the number of Snowy Heron nests. Many of the
nests which contained eggs or downy, yellowish white young probably
belonged to the Snowy, though in only one instance — when I found a
Snowy dead upon a nest with one unbroken egg beneath the lifeless body
— could I be sure that any particular nest was not the property of a pair
of Louisianas or Little Blues. It is surprising, moreover, that we found no
Snowy Herons among the nestlings which had passed beyond the downy
stage. The only possible explanation seems to be that the young Louis-
ianas and Little Blues were further advanced than the young Snowies
and that the latter had not yet begun to acquire feathers at the time of
my last visit on May 29. This view is supported by the fact that the
testes of three adult males collected on that date for the Charleston Mu-
seum and for Mr. A. T. Wayne were very large — as I am informed oe Mr.
Wayne who prepared the specimens.
The Museum is taking definite measures in coéperation with the South
Carolina Audubon Society to ensure the protection of these colonies.
The problem of’: safeguarding these two little islands should not be a diffi-
cult one; and there seems to be good reason to hope that the Snowy Heron
will Breed in reéstablishing itself along this coast— HrrBrrt R., Sass,
The Charleston Museum, Charleston, S. C.
The Black-crowned Night Heron in Washtenaw County, Mich.— The
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax nevius), although
locally common south of the 42d parallel, is of rare occurrence, if one is to
judge from the data at hand, in this county (Washtenaw). For that reason
a statement regarding recent observations on and the capture of a speci-
men at Ann Arbor, Mich., will, it is believed, prove at least of interest to
students of Michigan Reait iuleaes
Previous to the appearance of the species here this spring but three
authentic records were known for the county, although other specimens
may have been taken by hunters and parties not in touch with students
of bird-life. A brief summary of these records is as follows:— On April
30, 1882, Prof. E. D. Campbell of the University of Michigan found the
species in a bit of swampy ground known locally as ‘The Overflow Region,’
about two and one half miles east of Ann Arbor. On June 27, 1893, Mr.
P. A. Taverner noted one, apparently an immature bird, at Four Mile
Lake, some four or five miles west of this city; and on April 30, 1894,
observed it again in the same locality as that in which Prof. Campbell
found it. Up to 1908 the above records were the only ones known to the
University Museum Staff, for this County. :
jorread General Notes. 315
On May 3, 1908, it was my good fortune to observe one of these hand-
some birds in Forest Hill Cemetery of this city, and after watching it closely
for perhaps half an hour Mr. Norman Wood of the Museum was called
to the scene and verified the identification, also suggesting the possibility
of anest. Although diligent search was made for the latter, several nests
apparently of the proper construction being examined, nothing was found
which could positively be connected with the heron. Later in the day the
bird was shot by a student, Mr. Max Peet of the University, thus prevent-
ing any further study of the bird in the field.
Laboratory examination showed the specimen to be a male, and even
in the field it was readily observed that the plumage was that of an imma-
ture bird, as there was no decided black or gray about it.
Detailed examination of the skin and comparison with Audubon’s excel-
lent description at once showed the specimen to be a bird of the second
year. Audubon is here quoted for the purpose of conveying a better idea
of this plumage :— “‘ Young of second year, similar to adults but scapulars
and interscapulars cinereous, like the wings and the white of the forehead
obscured by the blackish of the crown; the colors generally more sombre
with neck and lower parts more decidedly ashy.” In this specimen,
besides tallying with the above, a few black feathers were found in the
scapulars, showing that the bird was apparently just gaining its mature
plumage. The crown plumes were three in number, pure white and of
variable length, the longest being about six inches.— A. D. TrnkER, Ann
Arbor, Mich.
The Turkey Buzzard near Schenectady, N. Y—HI have been an inter-
ested reader of ‘The Auk’ for many years, during which time I have by
degrees become educated to the fact that the Turkey Buzzard (Cathartes
aura) has a penchant for roaming far afield. A few weeks ago I examined
a stuffed specimen at the home of the owner, Mr. W. Mephan, who killed it
on a Saturday afternoon in June, 1899. The bird was first observed
roosting high on the dead branches of the tree from which he was shot.
The bird was killed on the Toll farm situated in the town of Glenville,
about three miles northwest of Schenectady. There is no question as to
the authenticity of this record for the reason that I am personally ac-
quainted with the brother of the man who killed the bird, and who was
present at the time it was killed. I believe this is the most northerly
record for the State — Lanapon Gipson, Schenectady, N. Y.
Migration of Hawks.— Mr. Robt. Barbour’s letter in the January num-
ber of ‘The Auk’ (XXV, pp. 82-84) describing the migration of a large
number of hawks has interested me very much. For a number of years
past I have observed the migration of hawks, and have repeatedly seen,
I should say, thousands of hawks. On September 22, 1907, the numbers
exceeded, I believe, any ever observed before. I was on the top of a
mountain near Stag Lake, Sussex County, N. J., about 1200 feet above
316 General Notes. ae
sea level, from where I had an unobstructed view for miles of country all
around me. My object was to observe the migration of hawks, and I
was armed with a Hensoldt Binocular eight power glass. The day was
clear, and at one time late in the forenoon, several thousand hawks, Broad-
wings mostly, were in view. They came from a northeasterly direction
which would take them directly to the Shawangunk Mountain, Ellenville,
and Lake Minnewaska, N. Y., sixty miles northeast from my place, where
a similar flight was observed by Mr. Barbour and Mr. Kirk Monroe. A
constant stream of birds, very high up, could be seen for a long while, and
they were going in the direction of the Delaware Water Gap. Over the
valley to the southwest of me, the birds seemed to collect into an immense
flock, while hundreds, if not thousands of birds were gyrating around and
around, describing smaller and larger circles in the air, in heights of from,
I should judge, 600 to 2,000 feet above the earth. Most birds were Broad-
wings. There were, however, other hawks such as Red-tails and Red-
shoulders among them, while the ‘“ Accipiter”’ genus was represented by
some Cooper’s Hawks and more Sharp-shinned, which, however, were
mostly flying lower and took no part in the general evolution. Some days
I have observed about every species of hawks that we find in this part of
the country, from the same stand. By decoying them with either a live
or mechanically moving stuffed Great Horned Owl, I have taken some
very successful and interesting photographs, and have secured hundreds of
specimens with the gun.
Where this annual migration of hawks begins and where it ends, I do
not know. If notes could be collected further north and south than
Ulster County, N. Y., and Sussex County, N. J., the lane of migration
might be well defined. The most extensive migrations occur just before
a storm.— Justus von LENGERKE, New York City.
A New Name for the Texan Barred Owl.— By the changes in the names
of the genera of owls lately made by the A. O. U. Committee, by which
Strix takes the place of Syrniwm, my name for the Texan Barred Owl
becomes preoccupied, there already being a Strix helvola of Lichtenstein
(Verz. Samml. Siugeth. und Végeln Kaffernlande, p. 11, 1842). I there-
fore propose for the Texan Barred Owl, Strix varia albogilva nom. nov.
The subspecies was originally described as Syrnium nebulosum helveolum
Bangs, Proc. New Eng. Zoél. Club, Vol. I, p. 31, March 31, 1899. The
type of course remains the same, — adult 9, No. 4551, Coll. of E,. A. and
O. Bangs, Corpus Christi, Texas, Feb. 2, 1899-—— OurrAm Banas, Boston,
Mass.
The Breeding Season of Strix pratincola in South Carolina.— The contri-
bution of Mr. Arthur T. Wayne in ‘The Auk’ for January, 1908, concerning
the breeding of the Barn Owl in South Carolina during the autumn, sug-
gests that the following notes regarding the nesting of the bird in that
State in April might be of interest.
ea | General Notes. 317
On April 1, 1907, while the guest of Mr. William Loundes at Cat Island,
South Carolina, I learned that a pair of these birds had for years inhabited
a disused rice mill on his plantation. Climbing to the second floor of the
building we saw a pair of Barn Owls fly out of a window, the panes of which
were broken. The nest was soon located in a covered portion of the ma-
chinery. It contained foureggs. On May 20, I again visited the mill, and
both old birds flew out as before. In the nest was one young owl appar-
ently about old enough to fly. There were no eggs in the nest and nothing
was seen of any other young birds. On January 23, 1908, I examined the
mill thoroughly but no nest could be found and only one Barn Owl was seen.
— T. GILBERT PEARSON, Greensboro, N.C.
Curious Fatality among Chimney Swifts— I am indebted to Dr. O. P.
Maxson, Waukegan, Ill., for information regarding the destruction of a
large number of Swifts, in one of the chimneys of his house during a cold
rain storm, Dr. Maxson writes under date of May 16, 1908, as follows:—
“On the 13th May there was a large flight of Chimney Swifts during a
steady rain storm. One of my daughters who was out in the yard noticed
the Swifts flying down into the chimney with which the furnace flue is
connected, and on going into the basement we found it full of coal gas.
Supposing something was wrong with the draft we investigated and then
heard the birds chirping and a fluttering of wings in the chimney. There
is a door in the furnace flue, about 7 x 18 inches, used for opening when
the furnace is shut off, and through this my son and a companion reached
in and took the birds out from the chimney. Some were dead, others
only stupified from the effects of the heat and coal gas, while many were
able to fly as soon as liberated. At first the chimney, which has a large
tile-lined flue, was so obstructed by the birds as to choke the draft, and
for more than an hour the boys were busy in taking out the swifts which
had accumulated and were still flying in, while three of the ladies of my
family were receiving them and carrying them to the open windows of the
basement, There being so many at work and in such haste to get the birds
into the fresh air that they might revive as many as possible, they gave up
any attempt to keep count of their numbers, There were, however, one
hundred and five dead and probably five times that number that revived
sufficiently to enable them to fly off, when liberated. After the numbers
had largely decreased in flying down the chimney and the boys had aban-
doned their work, I went to the flue and extricated sixty-six more, of which
eight were so injured by the heat that I had to kill them. This chimney
was heated by the furnace fire, but another chimney connected with the
kitchen range had not been used by the birds and none were found in the
ash pit at the base of it. The flight lasted from the middle of the after-
noon until evening.”
While it is well known that these Swifts congregate and roost in unused
chimneys, particularly in the fall, prior to the migration, I think it is an
318 General Notes. ne
unusual occurrence for them to occupy a chimney still in use and in such
numbers so early in the season. The fact that this particular chimney
was one of modern construction and tile-lined, may account for the birds
not being able readily to roost against the sides, and the cause of their
having accumulated in a mass at its base — RuTHVvEN DEANE, Chicago,
1fi8
The Horned Lark in Georgia. — A specimen taken from a flock of Horned
Larks, January 20, 1893, at Kirkwood, Ga., by Mr. R. W. Smith has been
identified at the Biological Survey as Otocoris alpestris alpestris, while a
specimen taken in Clayton County, Ga., November 30, 1907, proves to be
Otocoris alpestris praticola. Thus both these forms are for the first time
included in the fauna of Georgia.— Wertis W. Cooke, Biological Survey,
Washington, D. C.
Clarke’s Nutcracker from Wisconsin.— On page 222 of the April issue
of ‘The Auk,’ Mr. Widmann mentions an occurrence of Nucifraga colum-
biana in Crittenden Co., Ark., as being “the farthest eastern occurrence of
the species.”
In ‘The Birds of Wisconsin’ by L. Kumlien and N. Hollister (Bull. Wis.
Nat. Hist. Soc., Vol. III, p. 86), is a notice of this species having been taken
on the outskirts of the city of Milwaukee in the late fall of 1875. This car-
ries the eastern record much beyond Arkansas.— Henry L. Warp, Mil-
waukee, Wis.
Red Crossbills, and Some Other Birds in Lower Delaware.— On May 18,
1908, I shot an adult male, an adult female and a juv. of this species from
a flock of 9 to 12 that were feeding in a pine grove close back of the village
of Rehoboth, within one quarter mile of the ocean and about six miles
south of Cape Henlopen. The only other record I have of this bird in
Delaware is for a single bird, observed by Dr. Wm. E. Hughes, Philadelphia,
Pa., near Lewes — six miles north of Rehoboth, and curiously enough
that date was May 19, 1895. The dates and locality are certainly unusual
for this species. Cardinals and Carolina Wrens were in full song in this
same grove, an Acadian Flycatcher was noted close at hand, two Blue-
gray Gnatcatchers were “bizzing”’’ in the tree-tops, and on the 16th of
May I shot a fine male Blue Grosbeak about two miles inland.—C. J.
Pennock, Kennett Square, Pa.
The Nelson Sparrow in Georgia and Florida.— The Nelson Sparrow
(Ammodramus nelsoni) was taken in 1902 by Mr. Arthur H. Helme on Cum-
berland Island, Ga.— the first record for the State. During the years
1905 and 1906, Mr. W. W. Worthington took the species at various places
on the coast of northeastern Florida,*as far south as Titusville, and the
el General Notes. ol 9
specimens were identified by the Biological Survey — constituting the
first record for Florida. During the winter of 1907-08, Mr Helme, found
the bird on the Gulf coast of Florida, south to Cedar Keys.— Wetis W.
Cooke, Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.
The Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow in Georgia and Florida.— This sub-
species (Ammodramus nelsoni subvirgatus) was found by Mr. Helme as a
common winter resident at Cumberland Island, Georgia, and by Mr.
Worthington as equally common at Amelia Island, Florida. In each case
this is the first record for the State -— Wrtis W. Cooks, Biological Survey,
Washington, D. C.
White-crowned Sparrows Unusually Abundant in Eastern Pennsylvania.
— On May 10, 1908, I noted a single White-crowned Sparrow in a small
patch of briars in a fence corner one half mile from my home, and out in
the country. On May 11, at 5 A. M., there were two birds in the same place.
Dr, Ehinger of the State Normal School, West Chester, Pa., reports seeing
two of these birds in the country on May 11, and on the same day eight
White-crowned Sparrows spent the day on the campus of the Normal
School.— C. J. Pennock, Kennett Square, Pa.
The Worm-eating Warbler in Ontario— On the morning of May 28,
1908, I took a male Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorus) in a
maple woods with a chestnut ridge, about three miles west of London,
Ont. My attention was attracted by what seemed to be the notes of a
Chipping Sparrow, delivered very rapidly but with a tone a trifle more
musical than is the case with the sparrow. After some search we found
him sitting still about fifty feet up, and with a glass I could see a warbler’s
bill and could tell that it was flesh-colored, although the light was too poor
to show anything more. A lucky shot brought him down and I had the
pleasure of picking up the first Worm-eating Warbler recorded for Canada.
In thinking the matter over I remembered having heard a similar, but
not identical, song about a week before, ten miles further west, but was
unable even to see the author of the note, and since then I have been told
that this warbler was accurately described by a boy living not far from
where mine was taken, so that it is possible more than one have been
about. Three or four years ago Prairie Warblers were reported and
taken in several places throughout the Province where they had not been
seen before, and it is possible that this year may see an occurrence of
Worm-eating Warblers which will parallel that of the other species.—
W. E. Saunpers, London, Ont.
Protonotoria citrea at Concord, Mass.— I observed a fine full plumaged
male Prothonotary Warbler at very close range in a briery swampy thicket
320 General Notes. us
in Concord, Massachusetts, on May 1, 1908. This bird was identical in
plumage with the one shot by Mr. Kennard in Auburndale last May, which
specimen is in the Collection of the Boston Society of Natural History.
The bird I saw was associated with Yellow Redpoll and Yellow Warblers
and was unmistakable. Two other experienced bird students were with
me.— Lip1An E. Brive, West Medford, Mass.
A Prothonotary Warbler in Central Park, New York City— On May 4
of the present year I saw and identified a Prothonotary Warbler (Proto-
notaria citrea) flying back and forth over one of the inlets of the lake in
Central Park. I watched it nearly an hour, many times seeing it light in a
bush not four feet from where I was sitting. I pronounced it a Prothono-
tary Warbler, then went to the Museum and examined a skin to make
sure of it. I was attracted to the bird by its song which was new to me
On May 5, Mr. Chubb, of the Museum of Natural History, and Dr.
Wiegman saw and identified it also.— Anne A. Cro.tius, New York City.
fe Brewster's Warbler— Thursday, May 14, 1908, I saw a Brewster’s
Warbler, a male singing, in the Arnold Arboretum near Boston, Mass.
At the time he was singing the regular three-syllabled song. He is in the
same part of the arboretum as last year, andis, to all appearances, the
same bird.
He was seen the following day by Mr. Charles F, Faxon.— James L.
Prters, Jamaica Plain, Mass.
The Kentucky Warbler in Vermont.— A’ specimen of the Kentucky
Warbler (Oporornis formosa), was taken May 30, 1905, at Lunenburg, Vt.,
by Mr. W. E. Balch and identified at the Biological Survey. The specimen
is now in the Fairbanks Museum at St. Johnsbury.
This is probably the first authentic record for the State— WeELts W.
Cooke, Biological Survey, Washington, D.C.
Mockingbird in West Medford, Mass —— From November 17, 1907, until
April 20, 1908, we had a Mockingbird — Mimus polyglottos — on our place
the greater part of each day, with few exceptions, feeding on suet, barberries
and cedar berries. The bird, presumably a female, as it did not sing,
scolded and drove away the Shrike, Jays, Cedar Birds and Robins.—
Lip1an E. Bripan, West Medford, Mass.
Nesting of the Short-billed Marsh Wren in Philadelphia, Pa — The Short-
billed Marsh Wren (Cistothorus stellaris) is of exceedingly rare occurrence
in the vicinity of Philadelphia, where it is rarely seen even as a migrant,
1[ This is the bird recorded in ‘ Bird-Lore,’ May-June, 1908, p. 128, where, however,
the date of the observation is accidentally given as May 8 instead of May 4.— Epp.]
ra General Notes. o21
probably on account of its small size and general resemblance to its long-
billed relative (Telmatodytes palustris), and also, quite likely, because
very few of our ornithologists can distinguish it from the latter species.
But it is not surprising that its identity is hard to determine, for it is
more shy and retiring than the Long-billed Marsh Wren; consequently it
is seldom seen and may occur and even breed in localities where its presence
may be wholly unsuspected by the casual observer, Furthermore, very few
ornithologists — especially the opera glass devotees — have the necessary
ambition to intrude into its haunts, to wade into the swamps and marshes
in quest of this and other marsh inhabiting species, and consequently
there is nothing definitely known regarding its status as a resident in this
vicinity.
There are no late records of its occurrence, and in the county of Phila-
delphia I have been unable to find a single authentic record of its capture
or observation, except my own, and from this it will be seen that the Short-
billed Marsh Wren can rightly be regarded as an extremely rare breeder,
in North Philadelphia at least, as I have persistently and diligently searched
the marshes in this part of the county annually for the past five years, but
have found only one pair of birds and one nest.
This nest was found on June 8, 1904, at Richmond, Philadelphia, less
than five miles from the City Hall, well within the city limits, in a large
cat-tail marsh comprising over ten acres and almost surrounded by manu-
facturing establishments. It was well out in the marsh, amidst a dense
patch of tall reeds, attached securely to the blades and stalks, 34 feet above
water 14 feet deep. It contained four fresh eggs which were collected
and three of them are now in the writer’s collection; the fourth was acci-
dentally broken.
The nest resembled a Long-billed Marsh Wren’s in every respect. It
was compactly made of dried heads of living cat-tails and marsh grass
woven tightly together into an oval-shaped ball, and thickly lined with
cat-tail down. It was covered with loose pieces of cat-tails, hanging from
it and making it look much larger that it really was; and these pieces of
rushes almost concealed the round entrance, a hole in the side, just above
the middle about the size of a nickel five-cent piece. It was 7 inches long
outside and 3 inches wide. There were no sham nests nearby.
The female was well seen, and she scolded vigorously while I despoiled
her nest, behaving exactly like a Long-bill. The male was heard singing
nearby, but was not observed, and his song differed somewhat from that
of his larger relative. However, he was seen on June 14, when I made an
unsuccessful search for the nest which I had left so as to induce the birds
to lay the remainder of the eggs, nor could I find any other nest that I could
positively identify as belonging to Cistothorus stellaris, although I hunted
diligently. That the bird had a nest I am positive, but it was overlooked,
as the marsh was a large one, with the cat-tails growing in large, dense
patches.
It has been stated by some ornithologists that the nest of the Short-
299 General Notes. ‘7 ae
billed Marsh Wren differs materially from the Longbill’s domicile, and still
others have said that the Short-bill does not nest over water or in company
with their erratic relative. Yet the nest I found could not be distinguished
by any one from a Long-bill’s, and it was, as I have mentioned, over deep
water and in a marsh inhabited by a large colony of Long-billed Marsh
Wrens. As I found only one nest, however, I can not base any important
conclusion upon it.
Further investigations by ornithologists who are not afraid of marsh
wading in the vicinity of Philadelphia will no doubt lead to the discovery
of the Short-billed Marsh Wren at other localities as a rare breeder, for
there are many marshes and swamps along the Delaware and its tide-
water tributaries that are never invaded by an ornithologist during the
summer. It is a bird of local distribution everywhere, and as erratic as
the Long-bill in its habits, and it may be found in the most unlooked for
localities. I may mention in conclusion that there are one or two doubtful
records of the nesting of the Short-billed Marsh Wren in this vicinity.—
RicHarD F. Miuuer, Philadelphia, Pa.
Breeding of the Tufted Titmouse in Washtenaw County, Michigan — Of
rare occurrence within Washtenaw County, Mich., the Tufted Titmouse
(Beolophus bicolor) has hitherto always been looked upon as a winter visi-
tant. Some years, as in 1903, they have been fairly abundant, but gen-
erally speaking only an occasional one has been noted here during the
months from late fall to early spring, but never as a breeding species. Mr,
N. A. Wood of the University Museum has frequently stated that he
believed the bird would eventually be found as a summer resident within
the county.
On May 24, 1908, it was my good fortune to find a nest of this species
in an extensive swamp of oak, ash, elm and maple with a tangled under-
growth of various shrubs, situated some seven or eight miles west of Ann
Arbor. The discovery was one of those accidents, so to speak, that fre-
quently occur in field-work and which lend an added charm to the study
of bird-life. It came about in the following manner. While preparing
to refresh the ‘inner man’ my ear caught the clear, whistled peto, peto of
the Tufted Titmouse but the bird was not located until a few moments
later. At that time my companion drew my attention rather suddenly
to it on a rail-fence almost immediately in front of us where it appeared
to be examining the half-decayed rails for insects. Presently it secured a
large, white grub from one of them and with a whistle of exultation pro-
ceeded to beat and peck it about the head. Apparently becoming satisfied
with its condition after that operation the bird flew off into the woods
with its victim. Before its destination could be ascertained the titmouse
was back again examining the trees, hanging onto the leaves and terminal
twigs just like a Chickadee. Its sweet, plaintive note, peto, peto or whe-o,
whe-o, was constantly in the air, coming from various parts of the wood-
oe | General Notes. 320
land as an announcement of the whereabouts of the author. After rang-
ing over the trees in the immediate neighborhood the titmouse returned
to the rail-fence and there seemed to find much to its liking for in a short
time its beak was crammed with moths and flies. Taking wing, it flew in
the same direction as before, straight for the heavier part of the woods,
Following rapidly after it, the nest was discovered in the dead and broken
branch of a stately elm, some 50 or 60 feet from the ground. An old,
abandoned woodpecker’s cavity had been appropriated and filled, as far
as could be ascertained through the glass, with dried grass, etc. It was
utterly impossible to reach the nest without the aid of climbing-irons and
of these none were at hand.
Although we waited about the vicinity of the nesting-tree for over half
an hour the titmouse would not return but circled about among the sur-
rounding trees, calling now in low whistles and then again in clear, defiant
tones. Long after we had left the place we could still hear the notes.
Only one bird was observed about the place and, judging from the clear
coloration of the plumage and the frequent whistling, it would be safe to
say that the one under observation was the male. Such being the case
the female was either absent entirely from the nest or vicinity or was en-
gaged with brooding and was being fed by her mate. The large size of the
insects taken to the nest would point to the latter conclusion. Similar
traits of character have been observed in the common Chickadee by Mr.
N. A. Wood, and they would not be impossible in this species.— A. D.
Tinker, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Massachusetts Records——I have lately received for the Thoreau Mu-
seum of Natural History a female Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaétos) taken
by a farmer, Mr. Jacob Williams, ten miles northwest of Richmond, on No-
vember 28, 1906, and presented to this Museum by Messrs. D. P. & J. E.
P. Morgan;. a male American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus), taken by
Mr. William Francis in January, 1908, in the Hoar Woods, Concord, Mass.;
and a male Prairie Horned Lark (Otocorys alpestris praticola), taken by
Mr. F. MacDonald Barton on February 19, 1908, on the school grounds,
out of a flock of eight or ten. It seems probable that the inland flocks of
Shores Larks are for the most part of this species. Though no others out
of this or other flocks common here have been shot, they appear through
the glass to be praticola— Rncinatp Heser Hows, Jr., Concord, Mass.
Early Nesting Records from Washington State— The following per-
sonally taken records were made by me this spring in the vicinity of
Tacoma, Pierce Co., Wash.
March 30th : Besides a large number of decoy nests, I found one nest of
the Tule Wren containing two fresh eggs. On the same date I also found a
nest of the Virginia Rail containing four eggs. The two nests were not
fifty feet apart. When I went to collect these sets on April 6, I found two
324 General Notes. Sul
more nests of Tule Wren containing eggs that were almost ready to hatch,
These last two sets must have been complete on or before my previous
visit.
My other early record is a nest and four eggs of the Killdeer taken April
14, that were almost one half incubated.
Of the above records it is probable that the wrens may not be greatly
out of the general rule, but those of the Rail and the Killdeer I should con-
sider most exceptional.— J. H. Bowixs, Tacoma, Wash.
Notes on Missouri Birds — On examining Mr. Widmann’s ‘A Preliminary
List of Missouri Birds’ I find I have notes on several birds not reported
from Missouri. At his suggestion I send them to you for a place among
the ‘General Notes’ in ‘The Auk.’
November 16, 1899, I saw a White-winged Crossbill feeding under some
evergreen trees in a cemetery in town. It allowed me to stand watching
it for a long time.
On Dec. 3, 1903, I saw a female Pine Grosbeak in a red cedar in a yard
in town. It seemed sluggish and did not fly though I approached it
closely.
In 1904 I saw Carolina Wrens in March, April, May and June, and I think
it was the spring of this year that one commenced building in a gourd hang-
ing in a lilac bush about four feet from the ground and within a few feet
of our dining room window. It worked industriously for three or four
days during the last week of March and then disappeared, and the House
Wrens afterwards took possession of the site. This spring a pair built over
a door in an outhouse in the garden and this time I think they succeeded
in raising their brood, though we saw nothing of them. We could not see
into the nest and the birds did not alight near it, but the male would fly to a
pile of boards about thirty feet away and sing as though he would fly into
pieces, and then suddenly dart towards the nest and fly through the door
so swiftly that he was almost invisible. The first of May we found the nest
torn to pieces. We thought the House Wrens did it.
In the spring of 1907 I saw a European Goldfinch in a pasture where
American Goldfinches flock in winter and breed in summer.— M. Susan
Jounson, La Grange, Mo.
Bird Notes from Southeastern Michigan.— ‘Recent Ornithological
Developments in Southeastern Michigan,’ by Messrs, Swales and Taverner
(Auk, XXIV, p. 135), was of especial interest to me owing to its local nature,
but while present conditions are faithfully depicted prior knowledge is
somewhat vague, and I submit the following as additional data.
Larus delawarensis. RinG-BILLED GuLL.— This gull is of regular occur-
rence here beyond all question. I first learned to identify it in the fall
of 1890, but classed it distinct from the Herring Gull as early as 1886.
The first examined were two birds shot by Mr. Rad C. Ouellette, November
° a vl General Notes. 325
8, 1890, while he and I were duck hunting about three miles south of Sand-
wich on the Canadian side of the Detroit River. From that date I have
observed it every year and in uniform numbers. It congregates about
the sewer outlets along the river frontage of Detroit, being most abundant
along the western portion. It is fearless and frequently comes within
twenty feet of the observer. Whenever possible I have examined it
through the transit telescope in the hope of discovering a Kittiwake
(Rissa tridactyla). The ringed bill, combined with its lesser size as com-
pared to the equally common Herring Gull, renders identification easy and
further verification has come to light from time to time in the form of
mounted specimens. It is abundant at times in spring, less so in fall,
and a few remain all winter. During the exceptionally mild month of
January, 1890, it was noted daily on the lower St. Clair River, which is all
I know of it in that locality from personal observation. In February,
1892, an adult bird passed over my head in Ecorse Township, several
miles inland, and none have since been seen in a similar locality during the
winter months.
Sterna forsteri. Forstrer’s TeRN.— The specimen recorded by Messrs.
Swales and Taverner was taken on the Canadian side of the Detroit River
just below Sandwich. It should be recorded for the upper Detroit River
and, of course, is not a Michigan record.
Sterna caspia. Caspian TerN.— I have not seen this species along the
Detroit River but believe numbers pass through this channel every year.
The large flocks seen December 1 and 2, 1907, on the Michigan side of the
St. Clair Flats were all flying across Lake St. Clair toward the Detroit
River. They were in compact flocks and moving rapidly without a pause to
feed.
Phalacrocorax dilophus. Dousir-crestED CorMoRANT.—In March
and April, 1892, to and inclusive of 1894, I spent a part of my noon hours
watching the migration of water fowl from the city docks and cormorants
were frequently noted, sometimes in small flocks of seven or eight but
usually singly or in pairs, always passing up the river. This is the only
place where I have seen them in spring. November 6, 1892, one passed
my decoys off Sugar Island, lower Detroit River, and three were perched
on a rocky point of Celeron Island November 12, 1903.
Chaulelasmus streperus. GapwaAwLu.— Before the sale of game was
prohibited in the State I closely watched the city markets, and despite
the reputed rarity of the Gadwall four were noted there in late April, 1893.
all claimed to have been taken on the St. Clair Flats. None seen elsewhere.
Spatula clypeata. SnoveLuerR.— A male and two females were for sale
in the city market in April, 1894, and a male in September, 1895. None
seen elsewhere but several reported from the lower Detroit River. While
on the subject of ducks I wish to state that none of the Scoters found their
way to the city markets, though most ‘of the old duck hunters claim to
have shot them. The probable reason is the fact that Scoters are locally
regarded as unfit for food.
326 General Notes. ines
Olor columbianus. WuisTLinc Swan.— During the last sixteen years
I have personally examined nine Whistling Swans — five secured from a
large flock in March, 1896, near the head of Fighting Island on the Canadian
side of the Detroit River, one from the same locality taken in November,
1905, two in the city market at different times and said to have come
from the St. Clair Flats, and one I found dead on the shore of Sugar Island
November 6, 1892.
Olor buccinator. TrRumMPETER Swan.— One specimen in the city
market in November 1893. Was taken near Wind Mill Point, Lake St.
Clair, according to the statement of Thomas Swan.
Nycticorax nycticorax nzvius. BLAcK-cROwNED Nigur Herron.—
Though apparently rare in recent years this species was a rather common
summer resident in Ecorse Township, Wayne Co., some twenty years ago
and abundant at the St. Clair Flats in the early eighties. The late W. H.
Collins personally informed me that he visited a breeding colony on or
near Dickinson’s Island consisting of about two hundred pairs. This was
in 1880, if I recollect correctly. My visit was seven years later when I
covered about six miles of the middle channel but failed to see a heron of
this species; however, I was not nearer to Dickinson’s Island than two .
Pp ; )
miles nor along the channels where the birds were most liable to occur;
but Mr. Collins’ statement is beyond question verified, as it is, by J. H. Lan-
gille in ‘Our Birds in Their Haunts.’ Mr. Langille speaks of dozens at a
time wheeling buzzard-like high above Dickinson’s Island, and such a
movement by even a few birds could not have escaped my notice; so, in
all probability, the birds decreased greatly in numbers during the four
years between Mr. Langille’s visit and my own. The Ecorse birds were
all observed on the marshes in the present village of River Rouge. They
were undoubtedly all members of the same colony, as they invariably left
the marshes in the same westerly direction, rising to a considerable height
and crossing the open lands well above gun shot range. They were equally
wary about the marshes, and the only explanation of their extermination
is wholesale slaughter on their nesting grounds. The late G. J. Wood
informed me they were summer residents on these marshes during his
thirty years of field work in the vicinity of this city. He seldom went
there in summer without meeting with the birds but spoke of them as pres-
ent in small numbers only. From his account, combined with my expe-
rience, I believe these herons occurred in uniform numbers inclusive of 1888;
they then became rare and the last seen by me was an immature specimen
at Mr. Wood’s residence in August, 1890.
Steganopus tricolor. Wutson’s PHaLtaropr.—I do not consider this
species of great rarity here. In 1891 John Parker claimed to have shot one
the previous year on the lower Detroit River and from that time it has been
reported to me occasionally from the St. Clair Flats. Mr. Walter C. Wood
met with it there in June, 1900. He was rowing a boat on one of the
numerous channels through the marshes on the Michigan side of the Flats
=
2
Sete y General Notes. SOF
when he saw a female on some floating vegetation near the channel margin.
It was very tame. He stopped the boat and watched it for some time at
less than ten yards, then passed on without alarming it to flight. In June,
1904, Jesse T. Craven and party met with this phalarope in practically
the same portion of the Flats, and under circumstances that convinced
them the birds were breeding. In 1889 the late W. H. Collins told me that
he found phalaropes in summer on the Flats, and I believe that at least a
pair or so still summer there and probably breed. I made no attempt to
find. the Wilson’s Phalarope here in Wayne County until 1907 when I
decided to take a pair if possible, and secured a male and female May 19
on P. C. 667, Ecorse Twp. This was the first and only day I looked for
them.
Actodromas fuscicollis. Wurrre-rumMPED SANpDPIPER.— The status of this
sandpiper in the State has been discussed but I wish to add that Mr. Her-
bert H. Spicer and myself again found the species common in 1907 and
secured specimens. The first appeared May 26 on P. C. 667, Ecorse Twp.
We found it impossible to make an exact count but estimated the number
of individuals seen as fifty. During the remainder of the month and
early June we found them present on all visits and the last seen was a
flock of fourteen, June 6, on P. C. 588, City of Detroit.
Charadrius dominicus. GoLipEN PLover.— In early May, 1894, a string
of about two dozen Golden Plover were for sale in the city market. I
examined these birds and am positive as to identity. Sometimes, num-
bers were on sale in autumn but I now believe the majority of these were
the Black-bellied Plover, and the uncertainty destroys all scientific value.
— J. Cuamre Woop, Detroit, Mich.
Four Rare Birds in Southeastern Michigan.— The past spring in this
section was made interesting by the capture of four rare birds in the
vicinity of Detroit. These were all brought into Mr. Arthur Borck’s
taxidermy establishment where, through the courtesy of the proprietor,
I was enabled to examine them in the flesh and secure one for my collection.
YeLLow Ratt, Porzana noveboracensis— A female was caught alive by
a dog March 25, north of and just beyond the city limits. Another bird
of the same kind was said to have been flushed immediately afterwards
but could not be secured. The one taken was presented to me. I en-
deavored to keep it alive but without success. It refused to eat and
grew so weak that I had to kill it and make it up into a skin. It is No.
1028 in my cabinet.
CaspIAN TERN, Sterna caspia.— The writer, in collaboration with Mr.
B. H. Swales, presented the known status of this bird to ‘The Auk’ readers
a short time ago (Auk, 1907, XXIV, 137). It pleases me to be able to
state that the required absolute data of the bird’s occurrence near this
city has been obtained. April 26, I examined a bird taken the day before
at Hooker’s Point, Lake St. Clair. Two were said to have been shot,
though but one was brought in to be mounted.
Soe. General Notes. ule
BARTRAMIAN SANDPIPER, Bartramia longicauda.— This bird had been
deemed extinct in the County for some years. May 3, however, one bird
was taken by some trap shooters just outside the northern limits of this
city. It rose from the grass where they were shooting and flew around
the traps several times until one of the shooters dropped it. None others
were seen.
AMERICAN WHITE PELIcANn, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos— May 29, a
fine and seemingly adult bird of this species was killed near Strawberry
Island, St.:Clair Flats, by Mr. Frank Meloche. As far as I was able to
find out it was the only one seen.
I may add further that a Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) was taken on May
19, 1908, on Grosse Isle, in the lower Detroit River. It was a male, with
poorly developed testes, showing no signs of immediate breeding. This
species has been reported from adjoining Ohio stations, and hypothetically
from Point Pelee, Ontario, at like seasons of the year, but this is the first
specimen taken, to my knowledge, in Wayne County.— P. A. TAVERNER,
Highland Park, Mich.
Wilson’s Phalarope and White-rumped Sandpipers in Wayne Co., Mich.
— Witson’s PHALaropsn, Steyanopus tricolor— May 9, 1908, I had the
pleasure of taking another Phalarope of this species in the same mud-hole
in Ecorse Twp., Wayne Co., Mich., in which my previous record was made
(Auk, XXIII, 1906, 335). It proved to be a female and was the only one
seen,
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, Actodromas fuscicollis— May 23, 1908, six
were observed and two taken by myself in'the same locality as above.—
P. A. TAvERNER, Highland Park, Mich.
Two Ontario Records— Biur-winceED WarsBLeR, Helminthophila
pinus. September 2, 1906, I took a juvenile bird of indeterminate sex
from a grape vine tangle, near the end of Point Pelee, Ontario. This
forms, I believe, the primal record for the species in Canada. The next
day another bird, supposed to be the same, was shot but could not be
found in the thicket.
Turkry Buzzarp, Cathartes aura,— April 24, 1908, I received a bird
of this species in the flesh from Point Pelee, Ontario. It was perfectly
fresh and could not have been killed more than a couple of days. On
dissection it proved to be a female with ovaries considerably enlarged.
We have had reports of this bird’s breeding near Harrow, about eighteen
miles west of the Point, and have seen birds on Point Pelee itself May 20,
1906 (Willson Bull., 1907, 91)— P. A. Taverner, Highland Park, Mich.
Gee | Recent Literature. 329
RECENT LITERATURE.
Walter on Bird Migration.'— After presenting several pages of general
comment, the author proceeds to treat of bird migration under the two
questions, “I. How do Birds find their way in Migration?” and “II.
Why do Birds migrate?’ under which he reviews, in the main to condemn,
various theories that have been put forth in answer, and announces as his
‘conclusion’: “There still remains an immense halo of mystery around
bird migration because there are so many things we do not know. We
not only do not know why birds migrate but as yet we do not know how
they migrate except in a general way.”
Under the first question he properly condemns the “instinct theory”
as a confession of ignorance. The ‘‘magnetism theory” of von Midden-
dorff and the “‘semicircular canal theory” of Mach-Bruer are both found
wanting, the latter having been thoroughly refuted by the experiments of
Exner upon pigeons. He deals a little more kindly with the “sense of
direction theory,” but as it lacks the demonstration of a “ physical basis,”
he deems it “is hardly better than the instinct theory since it gives the
answer to the problem in unknown terms.”
The “landmark theory,” he states, has rather more to recommend it.
Thus, he says: ‘‘Exner came to the conclusion that carrier pigeons find
their way home by seeing familiar landmarks and when such landmarks
are not visible the birds explore until landmarks are found. This explains
how his pigeons, whether whirled, galvanized or narcotized, were quite as
well able to get home as those which had not undergone such interference
with their sensory impressions upon the outward journey.” But he adds:
“The objection must be raised to the landmark theory, however, that
many birds do not follow river valleys, coast lines or mountain chains in the
way they might be expected to do if they were guided by what appear to
- us to be the most obvious landmarks.”’ It does not follow, however, that
because birds do not always follow river valleys or mountain chains, but
pursue courses more or less divergent from them, that they do not serve
them as landmarks for their journeys. The recognition of such land-
marks would be sufficient for their guidance whether their lines of migra-
tion are parallel or more or less oblique to the general trend of mountain
ranges or river valleys.
He concludes that in the case of carrier pigeons “‘the successful indivi-
duals are those who have been trained over the course, that is, those who
have learned the way either by seeing landmarks for themselves or by fol-
lowing a trained companion. There is no mysterious sixth sense of direc-
tion, no crossing of imaginary magnetic lines, no intricate automatic
1Theories of Bird Migration. By Hubert Eugene Walter, Ph. D., Brown Univer-
sity. Reprinted from ‘School Science and Mathematics,’ April-May, 1908. S8vo.,
16 pp., without pagination,
330 Recent Literature. rit
registry of distance and direction by means of the semicircular canals.
It is simply a case of a home-loving animal away from home putting its
wits and senses and experiences together to get back to its home and in this
case these known resources are sufficient for the task. Why may not this
also,”’ he reasonably asks, ‘‘be the true explanation of the manner in which
birds find their way on those greater pilgrimages we call migration?” _
The “follow-the-leader theory” is accorded “a large element of proba-
bility,” for which he argues at considerable length. Thus he concedes
that ‘it seems reasonable to believe that the manner in which it [migration]
is carried out, the way in which the path is followed, may find an adequate
explanation in the temporary leadership of some individual within sight or
hearing of the others, who knows at least a fraction of the way by experi-
ence or who strikes out a safe path by means of landmarks.”’
Under the second question ““‘Why do Birds migrate?” various hypo-
theses are weighed, only to be found wanting. Decrease of temperature
does not satisfactorily explain fall migration, because “the fall migration
is largely completed before the weather becomes cold”; but scarcity of
food, dependent upon the low temperature of winter, is admittedly an im-
portant factor.
The “premonition theory” of Brehm, which, he says, ‘“‘at first thought
seems entirely fanciful,” in reality “contains a large element of probability,”
since by virtue of their peculiar anatomical structure — large lungs, pneu-
matic bones, and internal air sacs — they “are, to a remarkable degree,
living barometers, responding with great delicacy to changes in barometric
pressure.” Yet ‘that birds can anticipate winter and as a result make
an effort to avoid its disastrous effects, is beyond demonstration and seems
quite unlikely.”’
The “short day theory” also “suffers, as does many another, because of
a few obtrusive incontrovertible facts,” as “the migration south begins
before the days are perceptibly shorter.” In reality, however, this is
hardly true, even in the far north, whatever there may be in the theory.
In this connection he again recurs to the “food supply theory,” to which
he objects on the ground that “it must be admitted that a large per cent.
of migrating species leave for the south in the very height of the seed and
insect harvest.’’? Yet, he adds, ‘upon the ground of food supply, natural
selection would promptly eliminate those who did not go south and would
tend at the same time to favor the perpetuation of those who varied in
the direction of southern migratory habits, whatever the cause of those
variations might be.” What he intends the reader to infer from these
statements as to his position on the “food supply theory” is not very clear.
The author now proceeds to consider the theories to account for the
spring migration, giving attention first to “the instinct theory,” of which
he says: “That it is a bird’s instinct to go north in the spring is no better
an explanation of the origin of migration than it is of how a bird finds its
way during migration” — a truism no one will question. Then are taken
wanes | Recent Literature. 331
“up in turn “the homesick theory,” ‘the desire to disperse theory,” “the
nestling food theory,” “‘ the safe nesting theory,” all of which are given short
shrift; mostly with reason. Some half-dozen ‘‘ancestral-habit”’ theories
are also cited and summarized. Many of the postulates attributed to the
authors mentioned did not, however, originate with them nor at the dates
implied, but were of much earlier origin and in a measure common property
long before the implied dates. The principal factor put forward by Marek
in 1906, that of the influence of barometric pressure — birds migrating
from areas of high barometric pressure to areas of low barometric pressure
— was stated in substance, and nearly in the same terms, by Cooke a dozen
years before; and so with the main points of other recent theories here sum-
marized, some of which were brought out by American writers twenty years
before the implied date of origin here given. This is not said in disparage-
ment of the later authors cited by Mr. Walter. For example, Marek’s
explanations of how and why birds migrate is based on his own independ-
ent and extended original investigations of the movements of birds in
Europe, and is none the less interesting and valuable because it is in the
main confirmatory of earlier investigations and conclusions made else-
where, and for many years more or less generally accepted by those who
are best acquainted with the real facts of migration. Thus, Walter says:
“From his [Marek’s] point of view there is no necessity for referring the
habit of migration to hypothetical ancestral behavior, nor for endowing
birds with such human attributes as love of home or the memory of pre-
vious successes. The streaming northward of birds in the spring and their
return southward in the fall are both primarily dependent upon the same
observable external factors as those which cause the flow of the air in the
form of prevailing winds, northward in the spring and southward in the
fall.”’
While no facts in relation to the habits and behavior of animals are in
the main better established than the above, Mr. Walter is able to see only
“an immense halo of mystery around bird migration.” This is perhaps
due to his having overlooked a principle of prime importance, or to which
at least there is no allusion in his very interesting summary of the sub-
ject. This is the intimate interrelation of the impulse of migration and
the function of reproduction. As we stated the case some fifteen years
ago: “If we consider that migration consists really of two movements —
that is from the breeding station to the winter quarters and then back
again — and that the one movement is the necessary complement of the
other, it is hardly necessary to seek for a separate cause for the two move-
ments; the two together constitute migration in a complete sense, which,
as already explained, is an inherited habit,— an inherent, irresistible im-
pulse, closely blended with the function of reproduction. The promptings
which lead to the migratory movement, respectively in fall and spring,
have unquestionably a different origin; the autumnal movement being
doubtless [at least primarily] prompted by a reduction of temperature and
gon Recent Literature. ae
a failing food supply, while the spring movement is incited by the periodic
activity of the reproductive organs, resulting in the necessity for the
return of the species to the peculiar conditions and surroundings to which
for long ages it has been undergoing special adaptation — in other words,
to its home.’”’! This is not, however, necessarily the place of origin of the
species, which, in the case of many of our Warblers, Tanagers, Flycatchers,
etc., may well have been within tropical latitudes, which are now merely
their winter resort and not their home or place of reproduction.
In the discussion of migration the great fundamental fact that the life
of animals, and especially of migratory animals like birds, is made up of
annual cycles, as is the life of plants, which have their fixed and determi-
nate seasons for flowering and fruiting, is generally overlooked. Atten-
tion was long since directed to this factor by Chapman, but it seems not
to have received the attention to which it is entitled. After referring to
the fact that many animals manifest a desire for seclusion during the period
of reproduction, and that ‘‘many species of tropical sea-birds resort each
year to some rocky islet, situated perhaps in the heart of their habitat,
where they may nest in safety,” he continues: ‘This is not migration in
the true sense of the word, but nevertheless the object is the same as that
which prompts a Plover to migrate to the Arctic regions, and, be it noted,
is just as regular. ...As in the case of a Warbler which nests in Labrador,
they are all affected at nearly the same time by an impulse which urges
them to a certain place. This impulse is periodic and is common to all
birds... .It is evident, therefore, that external conditions have not created
this impulse, though it is possible that in many instances they may have
governed its periodicity. On the contrary, its causes are internal. In the
case of the sea-birds, for example, dissection will show an enlargement of
the sexual organs and it is this physiological change which warns the birds
that the season of reproduction is at hand.’” And, it may be added,
prompts them to seek their accustomed breeding resorts, be they nearby
rocky islets or remote arctic or subarctic latitudes. We have here the
key to the impulse of the spring migration, of which the return migration
in the fall is the necessary complement, inasmuch as in most instances the
winter conditions of the breeding grounds of most species are prohibitive
of their continued residence therein throughout the year.
How they find their way in their migrations is certainly remarkable and
implies wonderful gifts of which we have no intimate knowledge, but
enough, it would seem, fairly to remove the subject from the realms of
that complete mystery so many writers seem to take pleasure in involv-
ing it. In addition to keen powers of vision and a retentive memory,
which together enable them to distinguish landmarks, and a remarkable
sensitiveness to meteorologic conditions, they may also possess a, to us,
mysterious sense of direction, as shown by the recent experiments of Dr.
J. B. Watson with Noddies and Sooty Terns. Dr. Alfred G. Mayer, Direc-
1 Auk, X, 1893, p. 104.
2 Auk, XI, pp. 13, 14.
Yor a y | Recent Literature. 333
tor of the Department of Marine Biology of the Cammegie Institution of
Washington, in his annual report for 1907, states, in reference to the work
of Prof. John B. Watson of Chicago University on the behavior of Noddy
and Sooty Terns, that ‘“‘ Among other things, he demonstrated that if sooty
terns and noddies were taken to Cape Hatteras and there liberated they
would return to their nests on Bird Key, Tortugas, a distance of 850 stat-
ute miles from their place of liberation.” Prof. Watson’s full report on
these experiments has not yet appeared, but Mr. Chapman gives some of
the details and comments on the matter in ‘Bird-Lore’ for May-June,
1908 (p. 134) as follows:
“We have before referred to the studies of Noddies and Sooty Terns
by Prof. John B. Watson on Bird Key, Tortugas, during the nesting season
of 1908, and in the annual report of Dr. Alfred G. Mayer, Director of the
Department of Marine Biology of the Carnegie Institution, under the
auspices of which Professor Watson’s researches were made, there appears
a preliminary report of this work. The final report will appear during the
year, and we will call attention here, therefore, only to Professor Watson’s
supremely interesting tests of the homing instincts of Noddies and Sooty
Terns. Fifteen marked birds were taken from the Key and released at
distances varying from about 20 to 850 statute miles, thirteen of them
returning to the Key. Among these thirteen were several birds which
were taken by steamer as far north as Cape Hatteras before being freed.
“This experiment is by far the most important in its bearing on bird
migration of any with which we are familiar. It was made under ideal
conditions. Neither the Noddy nor Sooty Tern range, asa rule, north of
the Florida Keys. There is no probability, therefore, that the individuals *
released had ever been over the route before, and, for the same reason,
they could not have availed themselves of the experience or example of
migrating individuals of their own species; nor, since the birds were doubt-
less released in June or July, was there any marked southward movement
in the line of which they might follow. Even had there been such a move-
ment, it is not probable that it would have taken the birds southwest to
the Florida Keys, and thence west to the Tortugas. This marked change
in direction, occasioned by the water course, which the birds’ feeding
habits forced them to take, removes the direction of the wind as a guiding
agency, while the absence of landmarks over the greater portion of the
journey, makes it improbable that sight was of service in finding the way.
Professor Watson presents, as yet, no conclusions, but, while awaiting
with interest his final report, we cannot but feel that his experiments with
these birds constitute the strongest argument for the existence of a sense
of direction as yet derived from the study of birds. With this established,
the so-called mystery of migration becomes no more a mystery than any
other instinctive functional activity.”— J. A. A.
2 34 Recent Literature. ‘7 ae
Cherrie on Trinidad Birds.\— As the result of a month’s collecting, in
March, 1907, in which time 300 specimens, representing 96 species, were
collected by him, Mr. Cherrie records five species as new to the list of
Trinidad birds. One of these species, Chetura cinereicauda, is erroneously
given, having been previously collected and recorded by Mr. F. M. Chap-
man. Furthermore, the specimens on which the latter record is based,
and with which Mr. Cherrie’s bird will doubtless be found to agree, prove
to be not the true cinereicauda but a new species which Dr. Hellmayr has
recently described as Chetura chapmani.
Of the remaining four species, two had previously been taken on the
small island of Monos, only a few hundred yards from Trinidad and, as
Mr. Cherrie remarks, so close to the larger island that birds of the weakest
flight might readily pass back and forth.
Catharus melpomene costaricensis and Leptopogon superciliaris, represent
genera as well as species entirely new to Trinidad, and have never been
taken on the neighboring small islands,
The Trinidad Megarhynchus which Mr. Cherrie recently proposed to
call M. pitangua parvirostris is now considered doubtfully separable, on
account of the variation in size of bill found among the continental birds.
This list is annotated with remarks on abundance, and exact localities
and dates of many specimens are given. The colors of the changeable
parts of many species are recorded, and there are also interesting notes on
habits, song and nesting — W. DrW. M.
* Bangs ‘On Certain Costa Rican Birds.’ °— In this paper, based mainly
on collections made by C. F. Underwood, the following seven new forms
are described: Trogon underwoodi, Pachyrhamphus versicolor costaricensis,
Myjiobius xanthopygus aureatus, Troglodytes ochracea ligea, Myioborus
aurantiacus acceptus, Phiogothraupis sanguinolenta aprica and Emberi-
zoides sphenura lucaris.
Mr. Bangs remarks that the characters of several of these forms have
already been pointed out by Ridgway in his ‘ Birds of North and Middle
America,’ and more ample material has convinced the describer of the
desirability of providing them with names.
Additional specimens of Chlorospingus zeledont and Thryorchilus ridg-
wayt confirm the standing of these local species. Cassin’s name bryanti
is taken up for the Costa Rican subspecies of Spinus xanthogaster, which
of late years has not been recognized as distinct, and a hummingbird,
Lophornis delattrii, is recorded for the first time from Costa Rica.
Mr. Bangs’ material also enables him to clear up the confusion that has
existed concerning the Costa Rican swifts. In addition to C. gawmeri and
1 On a Second Small Collection of Birds from the Island of Trinidad. By George
K. Cherrie. Science Bulletin, Museum of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences,
Vol. I, No. 13. Published March, 1908.
2 On Certain Costa Rican Birds. By Outram Bangs. Proceedings of the New
England Zoélogical Club, Vol. TV, pp. 23-35. March 19, 1908.
Yo > ¥] Recent Literature. 360
C. vauxi, two distinct species of Chetura are recognized, C. cinereiventris
pheopygos and C. spinicauda fumosa.— W. DEW. M.
‘Cassinia.’— ‘Cassinia, A Bird Annual,” “devoted to the ornithology
of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware,’ comprises seven papers,
followed by an ‘Abstract of Proceedings,’ a bibliography (including (1)
ornithological papers for 1907 by members of the Club, and (2) additional
papers relating to the birds of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware),
a list of the members of the Club, and an index. The place of honor is
accorded to Witmer Stone’s interesting biographical sketch of Adolphus
L. Heermann, M. D., who was born, it is supposed, in South Carolina in
1818, and who died at San Antonio, Texas, September 2, 1865. Dr. Heer-
mann is well known as one of the naturalists of the Pacific Railroad
Surveys, he having been surgeon and naturalist to Lieutenant R. S. Wil-
liamson’s expedition, in 1853-54. Previously Heermann had made a large
collection of birds in California, and is further known to bird students
through the names of two species of California birds, a gull and a sparrow,
dedicated to him by Cassin. Mr. Stone has been unable to present a very
detailed or connected history of his life, but the facts here brought to-
gether are most welcome. The accompanying portrait of Heermann is
from a daguerreotype and represents him as attired on one of his western
expeditions. The titles of the other papers are: ‘Some Birds of Brown’s
Mills, N. J.,’ by Cornelius Weygant; ‘Type Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania
and New Jersey,’ by Spencer Trotter,— an interesting list, with comment,
of species first made known from birds obtained in this region; ‘ Bird
Life of the Indian River Country of Delaware,’ by Charles J. Pennock}
‘A Pensauken Diary,’ by Chreswell J. Hunt (with two half-tone plates);
‘Report on the Spring Migration of 1907,’ compiled by Witmer Stone (pp.
54-79). The average attendance at the sixteen meetings of the Club
held during the year was 24, with a maximum attendance on one or more
occasions of 51.— J. A. A.
Beebe on the Seasonal Changes of Color in Birds.*— The investigations
here reported relate to the Scarlet Tanager and the Bobolink. Birds of
each species in full nuptial plumage and still in the height of vocal and
physical conditions were placed in small cages in a quiet room, and the
supply of light gradully cut off and the amount of food increased. When
the time for the autumnal moult arrived not a single feather was shed.
“Tn brief, the birds skipped the fall moult entirely and appeared to suffer
no inconvenience whatever as a result.” They showed only the symptoms
of inactivity produced by excessive fatness; early in the experiment they
1Cassinia, A Bird Annual. Proceedings of the Delaware Valley Ornithological
Club of Philadephia, 1907. Issued March, 1908. S8vo, pp. 98, and 3 half-tone
plates. Price, 50 cents.
2 Preliminary Report on an Investigation of the Seasonal Changes of Color in Birds.
By C. William Beebe. American Naturalist, Vol. XLII, Jan. 1908, pp. 34-38.
336 Recent Literature. july
ceased to sing, and after a good layer of fat had been acquired they seldom
uttered even a chirp. Early in the following spring the birds were placed
under normal conditions, and they soon moulted into the condition appro-
priate to the season; in other words, they moulted immediately into the
nuptial plumage, the autumn moult and the dull plumage of winter having
been completely omitted. “I think we thus have proof,” says Mr. Beebe,
“that the sequence of plumage in these birds is not in any way predestined
through inheritance bringing about an unchangeable succession, in the case
of the Tanager, of scarlet — green, scarlet — green, year after year, but that
it may be interrupted by certain external factors in the environmental
complex.’”’ These interesting results could not have been foreseen, and
we await with interest the result of Mr. Beebe’s further experiments along
these lines — J. A. A.
Contributions to Philippine Ornithology — No. 5 of Vol. II (October,
1907) of the ‘ Philippine Journal of Science’ contains 14 papers on Philip-
pine birds, of which 9 are by Richard C. McGregor, 2 by Dean C. Worcester,
2 by Dr. Edgar A. Mearns, and 1 by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt (noticed antea,
p. 245). These vary in length from a note on a single species to a list of the
species of an entire island, as follows: ‘On a Nesting Specimen of Capri-
mulgus griseatus Walden,’ by D. C. Worcester, pp. 271-273, with 2 half-
tone plates; ‘On a Nesting Place [Didikas Rocks] of Sula sula (Linn.)
and Sterna anestheta Scopoli,’ by D. C. Worcester, p. 175, and 1 half-tone
plate; ‘Notes on a Collection of Birds from the Island of Basilan, with
Descriptions of three new Species,’ pp. 279-291, by R. C. MeGregor —
151 species, 29 here for the first time recorded; ‘Descriptions of four new
Philippine Birds,’ by R. C. McGregor, pp. 292-294; ‘The Occurrence of
Blythe’s Wattled Lapwing and Scaup Duck in the Philippines,’ by R. C.
McGregor, p. 295; ‘Notes on a Bird unrecorded from Mindanao,’ by R.
C. McGregor, p. 296 — Rhaldornis inornata Grant; ‘Notes on [three]
Specimens of Monkey-eating Eagle (Pithecophaga jejfjeri Grant) from
Mindanao and Luzon,’ by R. C. McGregor, p. 297; ‘ Notes on Birds collected
in Cebu,’ by R. C. McGregor, pp. 298-309 — 149 species, 24 previously
unrecorded; ‘Birds observed in Bantayau Island, Province of Cebu,’ by
R. C. McGregor, pp. 310-314 — 66 species; ‘The Birds of Bohol’ by R. C.
McGregor, pp. 315-333, and a half-tone plate of Circus melanoleucus —
145 species, 91 here first recorded, 2 new; ‘The Birds of Batan, Camiguin,
Y’Ami, and Babuyan Claro, Islands north of Luzon,’ by R. C. McGregor,
pp. 337-349 and 5 half-tone plates — 78 species, 1 genus and 7 species
described as new; ‘Two Additions to the Avifauna of the Philippines,’
by E. A. Mearns, p. 353 — Butorides spodiogaster (Sharpe) and Spodiop-
sar cineraceus (Temm.); ‘Description of a new Genus [Malindangia]
and nine new Species of Philippine Birds,’ by E. A. Mearns, pp. 355-360 —
with a key to the Philippine species of Merula.
As indicated by the titles and comment, these papers form an important
contribution to Philippine ornithology. — J. A. A.
oe ie Vy Recent Literature. 337
Menegaux on the Birds of the French Antarctic Expedition.'— The birds
included in this report number 23 species, of which only 21 are Antarctic.
Sixteen are represented by specimens — 150 skins, besides many eggs, and
eggs and young preserved in alcohol for anatomical and embryological
study. Most of the species are treated at considerable length, with special
reference to their habits and seasons of migration, moult, ete. The account
of the ‘Papou’ (Pygoscelis papua), occupies ten pages and summarizes,
apparently, all that is known of its life history. The account is decidedly
‘humanized,’ but is none the less entertaining and interesting. The other
Penguins, the single species each of Cormorant, Gull, Tern, and the Giant
Skua, are also treated in a similar way, but at less length.
For the Penguins the author prefers the French vernacular name ‘Man-
chot’ to that of ‘Pingouin,’ on the ground that the latter was given origi-
nally to the Alee of the northern hemisphere and later extended to the
Penguins of the Antarctic. When Brisson, in 1760, separated the two
groups he applied the term Manchot to the Sphenicide and restricted the
term Pingouin to certain.members of the Alcidze, which distinction was
later adopted by Buffon, but almost uniformly disregarded by later authors.
While the proposed change is proper, it will doubtless be as hard to estab-
lish as it is to eradicate other misnomers that have acquired almost univer-
sal usage.
The first of the thirteen plates is a map of the distribution of the ‘rooke-
ries’ of Manchots, Cormorants and Skuas to the west and north of Graham
Land, which are mostly, in this district, on the small islands to the west-
ward of Graham Land. The remaining twelve are made up of 43 half-
tone reproductions of photographs taken at the bird rookeries, fifteen
of which are from Charcot’s “Le ‘Frangais’ au Pole Sud,’ from which
many extracts are also given on the habits of the birds observed by the
Expedition. These figures are all duly cited in the text, but the legends
on the plates and in the ‘Explication des planches’ fail to indicate the
species or the localities represented — J. A. A.
Reichenow on Sea-Birds.— Dr. Reichenow’s valuable memoir’ consists
of two parts, the first treating of the ‘ Vogel des Weltmeeres’ (pp. 437-535),
and the other the ‘ Vogel des Siidpolargebiet’s (pp. 536-567). Here only
the Sea-birds of the eastern hemisphere are considered, leaving for a future
memoir those of the western hemisphere.
The first ten pages of the first part contain a general account of the dis-
tribution of the principal groups and prominent species, with a short list
of papers and works relating to the subject. This is followed by a systema-
1 Expédition Antarctique Francaise (1903-1905), commandée par le Dr. Jean
Charcot. Sciences naturelles: Documents scientifiques. Oiseaux, Par A. Mene-
“gaux. 4to, pp. 1-79, pll. i-xiii. No date.
2 Vogel des Weltmeers | Die Meeresvégel der 6stlischen Erdhialfte| Von Ant.
Reichenow | (Berlin) | Zeichnungen von G. Krause| Mit Tafel XLV-L|und 32
Abbildungen im Text — From ‘Deutsche Siidpolar-Expedition 1901-1903,’ Bd.
X. Zoologie, I, pp. 435-567, pll. xlv—l, 33 figures in text, and a South Polar chart.
338 Recent Literature. Sie
tic review of the species, with keys to the higher groups, genera, and species,
short descriptions of the latter, and brief indications of their breeding
areas and winter ranges, the species treated numbering 144. On the ac-
companying map the ranges of various genera, and of some of the species,
are graphically represented, as well as the boundaries of the three distri-
bution areas briefly outlined in the text. The text illustrations and the
five plates furnish characteristic representations of the greater part of the
species mentioned in the text.
The second part deals especially, and in much greater detail, with the
birds of the South Polar regions, 54 in number. The boundaries of the
region considered are given on a map (p. 541), together with the northern
limit of the south polar distribution zone, of the pack-ice, and of icebergs.
There is also an important bibliography of the subjeet, with very full
bibliographic references under each species, and the distribution of each
species is treated in great detail. The work is thus an important contribu-
tion to the ornithology of the south polar regions, and a summary of present
knowledge of the oceanic distribution of bird life.— J. A. A.
Godman’s ‘Monograph of the Petrels.’ The second installment! of
this important work concludes the genus Cymodroma and includes the
genus Pujffinus,— 25 species in all, of which 20 are figured. In general
character it of course conforms to Part I, already noticed, the history of
each species being given at considerable length, and its relationships and
nomenclature duly considered. The plates maintain the same high degree
of excellence.
The following technical points may be here mentioned as of some inter-
est. The genus Cymodroma Ridgway, 1884, is antedated by Fregetta
Bonaparte, 1854, both with the same type by original designation. The
only objection to Fregetta is that there is an earlier regatta (Lacépéde,
1799), based on the Frigate Birds, but the names are too unlike to involve
confusion.”
Puffinus borealis Cory is considered as not separable from P. kuhli,
although American writers (perhaps mistakenly) regard them as specifi-
cally distinct. Hartert recognizes (Nov. Zool., II, 1905, 97) the form
of P. kuhli from the Azores and Madeira as subspecifically different, under
the name Puffinus kuhli flavirostris (Gould), but Dr. Godman says that
after having examined the specimens in the Rothschild and British Mu-
seums he is ‘“‘driven to the conclusion that a perfect gradation exists,’’
and that he follows ‘‘Salvin in uniting the two races”’; failing to recognize
the fact that ‘races,’ or ‘subspecies,’ are expected to show intergradation.
But it seems that Dr. Godman is one of the few ornithologists who are
1 Part II, pages 59-152, plates xx—xxxix. March, 1908. For notice of Part I,
see antea, p. 244.
2 Cf. Coues, Auk, XIV, 1897, 315; A. O. U. Committee, Auk, XVI, 1899, 102;
Sharpe, Hand-List of Birds, I, 1899, 122; Salvadori, Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, No.
CXLII, April, 1908, 79, footnote; Richenow, Végel des Weltmeeres, 1908.
Al | Recent Literature. 339
still unable to see any advantage in the recognition of subspecies; and
hence it may be here noted that in the present work the subspecies of mod-
ern authors are either wholly ignored in nomenclature or are given the
rank of full species. Also that tautonymy is distasteful to the author of
the ‘Monograph of the Petrels,’ and we have Pujfinus anglorum as a substi-
tute for the now almost universally accepted Pujfinus pujfinus; and, of
course, consistently with this mental attitude, the beginning of binomial
nomenclature in zodlogy is based on the 12th instead of the 10th edition
of Linneus’s ‘Systema Nature.’
Puffinus auduboni Finsch is preferred as the name of Audubon’s Shear-
water, on the ground that the earlier name Pujjinus lherminieri Lesson
rests on a diagnosis ‘‘too general in character.” Yet Puffinus bailloni
is tentatively accepted for the Madeiran Shearwater, although the original
diagnosis is even less satisfactory, and there is also doubt as to whether the
species really occurs at the type locality given for it by its author. Al-
though Hartert has employed this name for the Madeiran species (as P.
obscurus bailloni), he admits that possibly it should have a new designa-
tion, an opinion to which Godman unreservedly assents. The case thus
seems so clear that we propose for this species the name Puffinus godmani,
as a slight compliment to the distinguished author of the ‘ Monograph of the
Petrels.’
While vernacular names are not subject to the same rules as technical
names, it seems well to avoid their double employ as far as possible, and
especially for such nearly related birds as those of the same genus. It was
probably through oversight that in the present ‘Monograph’ the name
Pink-footed Shearwater is used for both Pujjinus creatopus (p. 101) and
P. carnetpes (p. 142).— J. A. A.
Howard’s ‘The British Warblers,’ Parts I and II.\— This remarkable
work is worthy of the highest praise, as regards both conception and exe-
cution. The numerous and beautiful plates are a fitting complement to
the text, which together will mark an epoch in the history of this most
interesting group of British birds. The account of each species is a de-
tailed and elaborate monograph of its life history, with digressions, as ex-
pressed in the subtitle, on the “ problems of their lives,” based evidently on
intimate first-hand knowledge of the bird in life. The treatment of these
‘problems’ is sane and rational in marked contrast with much that has of
1 The | British Warblers | A History with Problems | of | their Lives. By | H. Eliot
Howard, F. Z. S., M. B. O. U.| Illustrated by Henrie Grénvold | London | R. H.
Porter | 7 Princes Street, Cavendish Square, W.— Part I, February, 1907. Colored
plate of eggs of British Warblers, 6 species, 34 figures; Sedge Warbler, pp. 1-14, 1
colored and 4 photogravure plates; Grasshopper Warbler, pp. 1—24, 2 colored and 6
photogravure plates. Two maps, geographical distribution of Grasshopper and
Savi’s Warblers. Part II, March, 1908. Chiff-chaff, pp. 1-31, 2 colored and 6
photogravure plates; Yellow-browed Warbler, pp. 1-3, 1 colored plate. Also
colored plate each of Sedge Warblers (3 figures) and Grasshopper Warbler; 2 maps,
geographical distribution of Sedge and Aquatic Warblers. Price, 21s net per part.
340 Notes and News. jie
late been offered to the public as popular natural history. The colored
plates and the photogravures are of a high grade of excellence, and the
typography and general make-up of the work leave little ground for criti-
cism.
The plan of treatment is as follows: (1) bibliographic references, restricted
apparently to works which contain illustrations of the species under con-
sideration; (2) vernacular names of the species, as known in the various
countries comprised within its range; (3) description of the plumage, in-
cluding its variations due to sex and age; (4) geographical distribution,
with a map showing both summer and winter ranges; (4) life-history.
The photogravure plates illustrate various attitudes of the bird assumed
in courtship or in play, and also nestlings or young birds, and add greatly
to the interest of the work. The account of the Grasshopper Warbler
includes a,long discussion of the theory of ‘sexual selection,’ for which his
intimate studies of wild birds afford no support. He finds that the ‘dis-
plays’ of the male are by no means confined to the period of courtship.
Under the Chiff-chaff the author discusses what he terms the “law of uni-
formity’’ in the behavior of birds, which “seems to extend to all the ac-
tivities, whether referable to instinct or habit,’ but which does not
prohibit variation in individual cases.— J. A. A.
NOTES AND NEWS.
LesLige ALEXANDER LEE, an Associate of the American Ornithologists’
Union, died at Portland, Maine, May 20, 1908, in the 56th year of his age.
He was professor of biology and geology at Bowdoin College since 1881,
and at the time of his death was president of the Maine Ornithological
Society and of the Portland Society of Natural History. Professor Lee
was born at Woodstock, Vermont, September 24, 1852. He was the son
of John Stebbins Lee, the first president of St. Lawrence University,
Canton, New York, from which the younger Lee was graduated in 1872.
He took a post-graduate course at Harvard, and went to Bowdoin College
as instructor in natural history in 1876. He was connected for a time with
the United States Fish Commission, and was chief of the scientific staff
of the ‘Albatros’ on a collecting voyage for the Smithsonian Institution
through the Strait of Magellan and up the Pacific coast to San Francisco
in 1887. In 1891 he organized and directed the Bowdoin College Expedi-
tion to Labrador. He was also, at the time of his death, State Geologist
of Maine, and Chief of the Maine Topographical Survey Commission,
which he organized. His numerous scientific papers relate mainly to
marine biology. He was, however, deeply interested in ornithology, tak-
wae | Notes and News. 341
/
ing an active part in the work of the Maine Ornithological Society, which
he served four years as president. His death is a great loss to the Society,
and to the scientific interests of the State.
Epwarp Avucustus SAMuEts, well-known as the author of an ‘Orni-
thology and Oélogy of New England,’ published originally in 1867, died at
the home of his daughter, Mrs. John A. Barton, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts,
May 27, 1908, at the age of nearly 72 yearsyhe having been born in Boston,
July 4, 1836, where the greater part of his life was spent. He was Assistant
Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture and curator of
the State collections of natural history from 1860 to 1880, and in 1885 was
elected president of the Massachusetts Fish and Game Protective Associa-
tion, which office he filled for seven years. His ‘Ornithology and Odlogy
of New England’ passed through numerous editions, the title being changed
in the fifth edition (1870) to ‘The Birds of New England,’ and though still
printed from the original stereotype-plates, contained an Appendix of 70
pages of new matter. Although a compilation, the technical matter being
taken from Baird’s ‘Birds of North America’ (1858), and much other
matter naturally from Wilson, Audubon, and Nuttall, it proved of great
service as a popular work on the birds of the region treated, and for many
years was the only one of its kind available. His ‘Among the Birds,’ a
series of sketches for young folks, appeared in 1868, and was well adapted to
interest young people in birds. He was also author of ‘Mammalogy of
New England,’ ‘ With Fly-rod and Camera,’ ‘The Living World,’ and other
works of like character, and a frequent contributor to ‘Forest and Stream,’
and other journals devoted to natural history and field sports. An appre-
ciative notice of Mr. Samuels, with a portrait, is given in ‘Forest and
Stream’ for June 13, 1908.
In Aprit last the A. O. U. Committee on Nomenclature and Classifica-
tion of North American Birds held a four days’ session in Washington, and
took final action on practically all of the cases before it. Of the few still
deferred, the greater part can doubtless be settled in time for inclusion in
the new edition of the Check-List, which the Committee expects to have
ready for the press in a few months. As the results of the Committee’s
work, not only during this session but for the past four years, are embodied
in the Fourteenth Supplement to the Check-List, published in the present
number of ‘The Auk,’ it is unnecessary to give further details here. | -
Tue A. O. U. Revised Code of Nomenclature is now in press and will be
issued next month. Many of the Canons have been more or less changed,
usually by amplification without materially changing their purport or
purpose; a few have been radically modified, chiefly by the adoption of the
new ‘Article 30’ of the International Code of Zodédlogical Nomenclature,
which relates to the method of determining the types of genera. Copies
349 Notes and News ae
of the ‘New Code’ may be obtained on application to the Treasurer, Dr.
Jonathan Dwight, Jr., 134 West 71st Street, New York City. Price, 50
cents.
Mr. Rosert Ripeway, whose departure for Costa Rica was announced
in the last number of ‘The Auk’ (p. 248), returned in safety to this country
about the middle of May. Although his visit was not as prolonged as
originally intended, Mr. Ridgway succeeded, with the codperation of his
friends, in collecting over 900 birds, besides other material. His collecting
stations were chiefly Escasti, at the base of the Cerro de la Candelaria;
Guayabo, at the eastern base of the Volcan Turrialba; also at an altitude
of over 9,000 feet on the volcano itself; and at Bonilla, east of Guayabo.
Owing to the extreme dryness of the plateau districts of the interior, and
of the western part of the country, several projected trips, notably one to
Mount Turubales, were abandoned, there having been no rain since Sep-
tember of last year.
Mr. Ridgway attributes much of the success of his visit to the untiring
efforts of his friend Mr. Zeledon, who outfitted a party in charge of Don
Paco Basulto for a difficult journey into the Santa Maria de Dota and Cerro
de la Muerte districts. This party started early in May, and the results
of its explorations are expected to prove of great interest. It was Mr.
Ridgway’s inténtion to personally visit the Cerro de la Muerte region, but
owing to the difficulties of travel he was obliged to forego it. Mr. Zeledon
thereupon took steps to have collections made there, and a party was at
once placed in the field.
After unpacking his Costa Rican spoils, Mr. Ridgway will resume work
on the fifth part of his ‘ Birds of North and Middle America.’ —C. W. R.
Mr. FranK M. CHApMAN’s trip to southern Florida (see antea, p. 249)
for material for additional bird groups for the American Museum of Natural
History was eminently successful, material being obtained for the construc-
tion of large ‘habitat groups’ of several of the Egrets and Herons, the White
Ibis, and the Roseate Spoonbill. On the way down he made a visit to the
Indian River Pelican colony on Pelican Island and secured a large number
of cinematograph, or ‘moving,’ pictures of the birds, and also many colored
photographs of them and, later, of Herons and Spoonbills. A large series
‘of further ‘habitat groups’ are now in process of construction at the Mu-
seum, some of which we hope to illustrate in a later number of this Journal.
bovace, Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 343
FOURTEENTH SUPPLEMENT TO THE AMERICAN
ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION CHECK-LIST OF
NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.
Tue Thirteenth Supplement to the Check-List was issued in
July, 1904 (Auk, XXI, pp. 411-424). Since this date the Com-
mittee has held six sessions, all except one in Washington, at the
following dates: April 21-25, 1905; January 17-20, 1906; Novem-
ber 16-17, 1906; April 18-23, 1907; December 12, 1907 (at Phila-
delphia); April 15-20, 1908.
In view of the probable early appearance of a third edition of the
Check-List, authorized by the Union at the Stated Meeting held
in November, 1906, it seemed best to the Committee to withhold
its reports from publication till the results of its work should appear
in the new Check-List. Now that the manuscript for the new
edition is practically completed, it seems desirable that the Com-
mittee should, in accordance with precedent, give reasons for the
changes it has instituted during the last four years, since these
cannot be readily indicated in the Check-List. Its decisions
involve, as usual, additions to and eliminations from the Check-
List, changes in nomenclature and in the status of groups, and the
rejection of many proposed additions, and changes in nomenclature
and status.
The Committee has aimed to secure as stable a foundation. as
possible for the new Check-List, anticipating a few changes in
names that would soon surely arise, as well as those already pro-
posed. Nearly all of the nomenclature changes here recorded
are due to the strict enforcement of the law of priority, and result
from the recent bibliographic work of a large number of investi-
gators, abroad as well as in America. As a result of the special
interest and activity in this field, many previously little known or
wholly overlooked early works have been discovered, and others
have been scanned with greater care.
In this connection the Committee desires to recognize the im-
portant assistance it has had from its Secretary, Dr. Charles W.
1For date and place of publication of previous Supplements, see Auk, 1904, p.
411.
-
344 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. cre
Richmond, who has placed freely at its disposal the results of years
of bibliographic work made in connection with the preparation of
an Index Catalogue to the generic and specific names of the birds
of the world; some of these results are here for the first time pub-
lished and are indicated as “ RicHMonp, MS.” The Committee
also wishes to acknowledge its indebtedness to him for compiling
and arranging the present Supplement for publication.
Covering as it does a long and prolific period, the present Supple-
ment is necessarily voluminous, and in the interest of clearness of
presentation has been divided into five categories, as follows: I,
Additions; II, Eliminations; III, Changes in Nomenclature, in-
cluding Changes in Status; IV, Proposed Additions and Changes
not Accepted; V, Deferred Cases.
Great effort has been made during the last two meetings of the
Committee to cover all the cases known to require consideration;
as a result the list of ‘deferred cases’ has been reduced to a small
number, and probably the greater part of these will be settled in
time to be included in the new edition of the Check-List.
The geographic ranges of the recently added species and sub-
species have been omitted in the present Supplement, as a general
revision of the ranges of all of the species and subspecies is now
being made for the new edition of the Check-List.
J. A. ALLEN, Chairman.
CHARLES W. Ricumonp, Secretary.
WiLi1AM BREWSTER.
Committee. 1 JONATHAN, DwiGut, JR.
. C. Hart MERRIAM.
Ropert Rripeway.
WITMER STONE.
eae S| Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 345
1. ADDITIONS TO THE CHECK-LIST.
SuBGENUS BRACHYRAMPHUS. To be inserted before Nos. 23
and 24.
SUBGENUS ENDOMYCHURA OBERHOLSER.
Endomychura OBERHOLSER, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila.,
1899, 201. Type, Brachyramphus hypoleucus XANTUs.
Admitted as a subgenus, to include Nos. 25 and 26.
75a. Sterna fuscata crissalis (LAWRENCE).
Crissal Sooty Tern.
Haliplana fuliginosa var. crissalis LAWRENCE, Proc. Bost.
Soc. Nat. Hist., XIV, 1872, 285. (C7. Couxs, Key, ed. 5,
II, 1903, 1016.)
Two subgenera are introduced under Diomedea, as follows:
SUBGENUS PHGEBASTRIA REICHENBACH.
Phabastria REICHENBACH, Syst. Avium, 1852, v. Type, Dio-
medea brachyura 'TEMMINCK = D. albatrus Patuas. (C7.
Cougs, Osprey, III, 1899, 144.) This includes Nos. 81, 82,
and 82.1.
Suscenus DIOMEDEA. Includes D. exulans, of the Hypo-
thetical List.
SuBGENUS OCEANODROMA. ‘This is introduced before No.
105, to include O. jurcata, while the remaining species of the
List are included in the
SuBGENUS CYMOCHOREA Cougs.
Cymochorea Cours, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1864, 75.
Type, Procellaria leucorhoa Vir1ttot. (Cf. Cours, Osprey,
III, 1899, 144.)
346 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. hae
Supcenus ARISTONETTA Barrp.
Aristonetta Batrp, Reports Expl. & Surv. R. R. Pac., IX,
1858, 793. Type, Anas vallisneria WILSON.
This is admitted to include No. 147.
171.2. Anser brachyrhynchus BaiLLon.
Pink-footed Goose.
Anser brachyrhynchus Battton, Mém. Soc. Imp. d’Emul.
d’ Abbeville, 1833, 74.
Admitted on the basis of its occurrence in Greenland. (CH.
ScHaLow, Vogel Arktis, 1904, 176.)
210.1. Rallus levipes Banas.
Light-footed Rail.
Rallus levipes Banas, Proc. N. Engl. Zodl. Club, I, 1899, 45,
GENUS RHYACOPHILUS Kavp.
Rhyacophilus Kaur, Skizz. Entw.-Gesch. Eur. Thierw., I,
1829, 140. Type, Tringa glareola LINN&ZUS.
257.1. Rhyacophilus glareola (LINN&Us).
Wood Sandpiper.
Tringa glareola LINN&Uts, Syst. Nat. ed. 10, I, 1758, 149.
Admitted to the List on the strength of its occurrence in Alaska.
(C7. Lirrtesown, Condor, VI, 1904, 138.)
304a. Lagopus leucurus peninsularis CHAPMAN.
Kenai White-tailed Ptarmigan.
Lagopus leucurus peninsularis CHAPMAN, Bull. Am. Mus.
N. H., XVI, 1902, 236. ;
(No. 304a of the 10th Supplement is eliminated, as equivalent to
No. 304.)
bcoreae Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 347
SuscEeNus BUTEO. This should be introduced above No. 337.
356. Falco peregrinus ‘TUNSTALL.
Peregrine Falcon.
Falco peregrinus 'Tunstatu, Orn. Britannica, 1771, 1.
Admitted on the basis of its occurrence in Greenland. (C7.
Scuatow, Vogel Arktis, 1904, 225.) The present Nos. 356 and
356a of the Check-List thus become 356a and 356d.
360c. Falco sparverius paulus (HowE & Kina).
Little Sparrow Hawk.
Cerchneis sparverius paulus Howr & Kina, Contrib. N. A.
Onn, I) 1902, 28:
The small resident form of Florida.
3757. Bubo virginianus heterocnemis (OBERHOLSER).
Labrador Horned Owl.
Asio magellanicus heterocnemis OBERHOLSER, Proc. U. S.
Nat. Mus., XXVII, 1904, 187.
375g. Bubo virginianus algistus (OBERHOLSER).
St. Michael Horned Owl.
Asio magellanicus algistus OBERHOLSER, Proc. U. S. Nat.
Mus., XXVII, 1904, 190.
420d. Chordeiles virginianus hesperis J. GRINNELL.
Pacific Nighthawk.
Chordeiles virginianus hesperis J. GRINNELL, Condor, VII,
1905, 170.
Genus ATTHIS ReEIcHENBACH.
Atthis REIcHENBACH, Journ. f. Orn., 1853, Extra-Heft, 1854
(Aufz. der Colib.), 12. Type, Ornismya heloisa Lesson &
DELATTRE.
348 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-Last. [iy
This reference was accidentally omitted from the Ninth Supple-
ment.
GENUS URANOMITRA ReIcHENBACH.
Uranomitra REICHENBACH, Journ. f. Orn., 1853, Extra-Heft,
1854 (Aufz. der Colib.), 10. Type, Trochilus francie
BourcieR & MULSANT.
439.1. Uranomitra salvini (BREWSTER).
Salvin’s Hummingbird.
Cyanomyia salvini BREwstTER, Auk, X, July, 1893, 214.
Admitted to the List by reason of its occurrence in Arizona.
(Cj. Bisnor, Auk, XXIII, 1906, 337, 338.)
478e. Cyanocitta stelleri carbonacea J. GRINNELL.
Coast Jay.
Cyanocitta stellert carbonacea J. GRINNELL, Condor, II, 1900,
12h,
488b. Corvus brachyrhynchos hesperis (Ripaway).
Western Crow.
Corvus americanus hesperis Ripaway, Manual N. A. Birds,
1887, 362.
490.1. Corvus frugilegus LINN £Us.
Rook.
Corvus frugilegus LINN.£us, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, I, 1758, 105.
490.2. Corvus cornix LINN £Us.
Hooded Crow.
Corvus cornix Linn £vs, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, I, 1758, 105.
Nos. 490.1 and 490.2 are admitted by reason of their occurrence
in Greenland. (C7. ScHatow, Vogel Arktis, 1904, 242, 243.)
“> =
etal Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 349
574.1b. Amphispiza nevadensis canescens (J. GRINNELL).
California Sage Sparrow.
Amphispiza belli canescens J. GRINNELL, Condor, VII, 1905,
18.
5831p. Melospiza melodia cleonensis McGREGOR.
Mendocino Song Sparrow.
Melospiza melodia cleonensis McGrercor, Bull. Cooper Orn.
Club, I, 1899, 87.
585e. Passerella iliaca fuliginosa Ripaway.
Sooty Fox Sparrow.
Passerella iliaca fuliginosa Ripaway, Auk, XVI, 1899, 36.
5857. Passerella iliaca insularis Ripcway.
Kadiak Fox Sparrow.
Passerella iliaca insularis Ripaway, Auk, XVII, 1900, 30.
585g. Passerella iliaca townsendi (AUDUBON).
Townsend’s Sparrow.
Plectrophanes townsendi AupuBon, Birds Amer., IV, 1888,
pl. 424, fig. 7. (Folio edition.)
611.2. Progne chalybea (GMELIN).
Gray-breasted Martin.
Hirundo chalybea GMELIN, Syst. Nat., I, ii, 1788, 1026.
‘Admitted to the List on the strength of its occurrence in Texas.
(Cf. Mitier, Auk, XXIII, 1906, 226.)
613.1. Hirundo rustica LINN.£US.
Swallow.
Hirundo rustica LINN.£Us, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, I, 1758,'191.
350 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U, Check-List. ale
GENUS CHELIDONARIA ReEIcHENOW.
Chelidonaria Re1cHENOW, Journ. f. Orn., 1889, 187. Type,
Hirundo urbica LINN&XUs.
615.2. Chelidonaria urbica (LINN.£Us).
Martin.
Hirundo urbica Linnws, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, I, 1758, 192.
This and the preceding are introduced as visitants to Greenland.
(Cf. ScHatow, Vogel Arktis, 1904, 258.)
632d. Vireo huttoni cognatus Ripaway.
Frazar’s Vireo.
Vireo huttoni cognatus Ripaway, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash.,
XVI, 1903, 107.
633b. Vireo bellii medius OBERHOLSER.
Texas Vireo.
Vireo bellii medius OBERHOLSER, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XVI,
1903, 17.
652c. Dendroica estiva brewsteri J. GRINNELL.
California Yellow Warbler.
Dendroica estiva brewstert J. GRINNELL, Condor, V, 1903, 72.
715a. Salpinctes obsoletus pulverius J. GRINNELL.
San Nicolas Rock Wren.
Salpinctes obsoletus pulverius J. GRINNELL, Auk, XV, 1898,
938. (C7. Ripeway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt.
III, 1904, 649.)
732a. Beolophus atricristatus sennetti Ripaway.
Sennett’s Titmouse.
Beolophus atricristatus sennetti RipGway, Bull. US. Nak
Mus., No. 50, Pt. III, 1904, 386. (Cf. Auten, Bull. Am.
Mus. N. H., XXIII, 1907, 467-481.)
oan | Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. So
736). Penthestes carolinensis impiger (BANGs).
Florida Chickadee.
Parus carolinensis impiger Banas, Proc. N. Engl. Zool. Club,
IV, 1903, 1. (C7. Ripeway, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 50,
Pt. III, 1904, 406.)
738a. Penthestes gambeli baileye (J. GRINNELL).
Bailey’s Mountain Chickadee.
Parus gambeli baileye J. GRINNELL, Condor, X, 1908, 29.
740a. Penthestes hudsonicus littoralis (H. Bryant).
Acadian Chickadee.
Parus hudsonicus, var. littoralis H. Bryant, Proc. Bost. Soc.
N. H., IX, 1865, 368. (Cf. Caapman, Bull. Am. Mus.
N. H., XVI, 1902, 245; Ripeway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus.,
No. 50, Pt. III, 1904, 415.)
742c. Chamea fasciata rufula Ripaway.
Ruddy Wren-Tit.
Chamea fasciata rufula Rrpaway, Proc. Biol. Soe. Wash.,
XVI, 1903, 109.
759d. Hylocichla guttata slevini (J. GRINNELL).
Monterey Hermit Thrush.
Hylocichla aonalaschke slevini J. Grinnett, Auk, XVIII,
1901, 258.
759e. Hylocichla guttata sequoiensis (BELDING).
Sierra Hermit Thrush.
Turdus sequoiensis BELDING, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., Ser. 2,
II, 1889, 18. (C7. Rrpeway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No.
50, Pt. IV, 1907, 44.)
352 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. Sule
IJ. ELIMINATIONS.
1 (Hypothetical List). A&chmophorus clarkii (LAWRENCE). A
synonym of 4. occidentalis.
3 (Hypothetical List), Cepphus carbo Patuas. Not North Ameri-
can.
42.1. Larus barrovianus Ripcway. Equivalent to L. glaucus
( = L. hyperboreus). (Cf. Dwieut, Auk, XXIII, 1906, 29.)
94. Puffinus fuliginosus SrrickLaNnp. Equivalent to P. griseus
(GMELIN). (C7. Savin, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., XXV, 1896,
386.)
SUBGENUS SULA and SusGENus DYSPORUS are to be removed.
7 (Hypothetical List). Phalacrocorax perspicillatus Partas. No
evidence of its occurrence in North America.
133a. Anas obscura rubripes BREWSTER. Equivalent to No. 133.
(See No. 133, under ‘Changes of Nomenclature.’)
173. Branta bernicla (Linn«uus). Not North American, its
place in the List being filled by No. 173a.
9 (Hypothetical List). Ardea wuerdemanni Barrp. Removed
from the List as being in all probability a hybrid between A.
occidentalis and A. wardi.
10 (Hypothetical List). Ardea (Dichromanassa) pealei Bona-
PARTE. ‘This is eliminated as a color phase of Dichromanassa
rufescens.
277a. igialitis meloda circumcincta Ripcway. Equivalent to
No. 277. (Cf. SHarpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus.,, XXIV, 1896,
294.)
304a. Lagopus leucurus altipetens Oscoop. Not separable from
No. 304.
ae | Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. aus
13 (Hypothetical List). Cathartes burrovianus Cassin. The
claims of this alleged species as an inhabitant of Texas are
considered too unsatisfactory for its continuance in the List;
moreover, according to Nelson, C. burrovianus is equivalent
to C. aura (cf. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XVIII, 1905, 122-125).
[336.] Buteo buteo (LINN xUs).
[347.] Archibuteo lagopus (BrinnicH). It is now believed the
introduction of these species into the List was unwarranted,
and based on faulty records.
16.2. (Hypothetical List). Trochilus violajugulum Jerrrizs. Re-
moved as being a hybrid. (C7. THayer & Banas, Auk,
XXIV, 1907, 313.)
431.1 Selasphorus floresii Goutp. Eliminated, as the Check-
List record was based on a hybrid. (C7. THayer & Banas,
Auk, XXIV, 1907, 313.)
[450.] Myiozetetes similis superciliosus (BONAPARTE).
[455.] Myiarchus lawrenceii (Giraup). These two species are
removed, as based exclusively upon Giraud’s unconfirmed
“Texas” records.
464.2. Empidonax insulicola OserRHoLserR. Not satisfactorily
differentiated from E. difficilis. (C}. Ripaway, Bull. U. 5S.
Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. 1V, 1907, 579.)
[470.] Empidonax fulvifrons (Griraup). Eliminated, as based
exclusively upon Giraud’s unconfirmed ‘Texas’’ record.
472a. Ornithion imberbe ridgwayi Brewster. Proves to be
inseparable from No. 472. (C7. Ripeway, Bull. U. S. Nat.
Mus., No. 50, Pt. IV, 1907, 416.)
<—_
GENUS EUPHONIA DESMAREST.
[606.] Euphonia elegantissima (BONAPARTE). Removed, as based
wholly upon Giraud’s unconfirmed “Texas” record.
304 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. aa
SUBFAMILY AMPELINA. ‘To be removed, as serving no pur-
pose since the elevation of the “Supramity Ptilogonatine” to
family rank.
GENUS HYLOPHILUS Temmincx.
19 (Hypothetical List). Hylophilus decurtatus (BoNAPARTE).
Eliminated, as based exclusively upon Giraud’s ‘‘Texas”
record.
20 (Hypothetical List). Helminthophila lawrencii (HERRICK).
21 (Hypothetical List). Helminthophila leucobronchialis (BREW-
STER). ;
22 (Hypothetical List). Helminthophila cincinnatiensis (LANnc-
DON). These are eliminated as probable hybrids. (C7.
Ripeway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. II, 1902, 446,
452-455.)
681d. Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla (Swarnson). Believed
to be too near G. trichas for recognition by name.
[689.] Setophaga miniata SwAINson.
GENUS ERGATICUS Barrp.
[691.] Ergaticus ruber (SwarNson).
GENus BASILEUTERUS CaBanis.
[692.] Basileuterus culicivorus brasherii (GrRAUD).
[693.] Basileuterus belli (Grraup).
Nos. [689] and [691] to [693], including the genera Ergaticus
and Basvleuterus, are to be expunged from the List, as based exclu-
sively upon Giraud’s unconfirmed “Texas” records.
710a. Toxostoma redivivam pasadenense (GRINNELL). This
proves to be indistinguishable from No. 710. (C7. Ripeway,
Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. IV, 1907, 205.)
aoe Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 355
721b. Troglodytes aédon aztecus Bairp. Eliminated, as being
inseparable from T. a. parkmani. (Cf. Ripeway, Bull.
U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. III, 1904, 582.)
73la. Beolophus bicolor texensis (SENNETT). Cancelled, as
being a hybrid. (C7. Ripeway, Bull. U. 8. Nat. Mus., No.
50, Pt. III, 1904, 386; Aten, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H., XXIII,
1907, 467-481.)
733c. Beolophus inornatus restrictus Ripaway. Eliminated,
as having been based upon soot-stained examples of B. inor-
natus from the vicinity of San Francisco. (C7?. GRINNELL,
Auk, XXIII, 1906, 186.)
740a. Parus hudsonicus stoneyi (RipGway).
740b. Parus hudsonicus columbianus Ruoaps. These are to be
expunged from the List, as indistinguishable from No. 740.
758). Hylocichla ustulata edica OBERHOLSER.
758ce. Hylocichla ustulata alme OBERHOLSER. Both to be
eliminated, a@dica being inseparable from ustulata, while
alme becomes a synonym of swainsont. (Cf. Rrpaway, Bull.
WesSs Nat. Mus:, No: 50; Pi TVs 1907, 52, 55:)
III. CHANGES IN NOMENCLATURE, INCLUDING
CHANGES IN STATUS.
SUBORDER PODICIPEDES. This becomes
SUBORDER COLYMBI.
Famity PODICIPIDA. ‘This is changed to
Famity COLYMBIDZ.
356 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. ne
SuBGENtus PODICEPS Laruam. Replaced by
SuBGENUS TACHYBAPTUS ReIcHENBACH.
Tachybaptus REICHENBACH, Avium Syst. Nat., 1849, pl. i.
Type, Colymbus minor GMELIN =C. ruficollis Patuas. (C7.
Stone, Auk, 1907, 190; ALLEN, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H.,
XXIV, 1908, 24.)
~i
Gavia imber (GUNNERUS). Gunnerus is found to be not
strictly binomial at 1761, and the authority for this name (with
slight alteration in the spelling) is changed to
7. Gavia immer (BRUNNICH).
Colymbus immer Brtnnicu, Orn. Borealis, 1764, 38.
11. Gavia lumme (GuNNERUs). As this author is not acceptable
at 1761, this species becomes
11. Gavia stellata (PoNTorPIDAN).
Colymbus stellatus PonropripaNn, Danske Atlas, I, 1763, 621.
(Based on Colymbus maximus stellatus of Willughby, which
Lénnberg identifies as Colymbus lumme BrtUNNICH =
Colymbus stellatus of the same author; c7. LONNBERG, Orn.
Monatsb., 1907, 76.) (R1icHmMonp, MS.)
SuBFAMILY PHALERINZ of the Check-List, becomes
SUBFAMILY ASTHIINA.
Genus CYCLORRHYNCHUS Kavp. This becomes
GENus PHALERIS TEemMINCK.
Phaleris Temmincx, Man. d’Orn., ed. 2, I, 1820, cxii. Type,
Alca psittacula Patuas. (C7. ALLEN, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H.,
XXIV, 1908, 37.)
17. Cyclorrhynchus psittaculus (Patias). This becomes
17. Phaleris psittacula (PALLAs).
ne | Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. Sy
GENUS SIMORHYNCHUS Merrem.. An earlier name is found in
GeENus ASTHIA Dumont.
thia Dumont, Dict. Sci. Nat. (revised ed.), I, 1816, Suppl.,
71. Type, Alca cristatella Patuas. (C7. Stone, Auk, 1907,
190.)
Nos. 18, 19, and 20 thus become
18. ASthia cristatella (PALuas).
19. Athia pygmea (GMELIN).
20. Asthia pusilla (Pauuas).
By reason of the adoption of Phaleris in place of Cyclorrhyn-
chus, the subgenus Phaleris of the Check-List becomes
SuBGENus ALCELLA STONE.
Alcella StonE, Auk, XXIV, 1907, 197. Type, Alcea pygqmea
GMELIN. (C7. Stone, Auk, 1907, 197; ALLEN, Bull. Am.
Mus. N. H., XXIII, 1907, 292; XXIV, 1908, 15.)
24. Brachyramphus kittlitzii BranpT. This becomes
24. Brachyramphus brevirostris (ViGors).
Uria brevirostris Vicors, Zool. Journal, IV, 1829, 357. (C7.
GRranT, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., XX VI, 1898, 593.)
42. Larus glaucus Briinnicu. This is antedated by Larus
glaucus PONTOPPIDAN, 1763, based on Brisson, Orn., VI,
1760, 182, pl. 16, fig. 2, which = Larus canus Linna&us, 1758.
The next name for the Glaucous Gull appears to be
42. Larus hyperboreus GUNNERUS.
Larus hyperboreus GUNNERUS, in LEEM, Beskr. Finm. Lapper,
1767, 226 (note). (RicHmonp, MS.)
51. Larus argentatus Brinnicu. The authority is changed to
51. Larus argentatus PonTopripaN.
Larus argentatus PontopprpaNn, Danske Atlas, I, 1763, 622.
(Ricumonp, MS.)
358 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. ie
[56.] Larus canus Linnxxus. This becomes No. 3.1 of the
Hypothetical List.
75. Sterna fuliginosa GMELIN. ‘This becomes
75. Sterna fuscata Linn .£us.
Sterna juscata LINNZUS, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, I, 1766, 228. (C7.
Bureau, Bull. Soe. Sci. Nat. Ouest France, XIV, 1904,
229-233.) x
84. Phebetria fuliginosa (GMELIN). An earlier name is
84. Pheebetria palpebrata (J. R. Forster).
Diomedea palpebrata Forster, Mém. pres. Acad. Roy. Sci.,
X, 1785, 571, pl. xv. (RicaMonp, MS.)
GENUS OSSIFRAGA Homsron & Jacquinor. This is changed to
GENUS MACRONECTES Ricumonp.
Macronectes RicHMoND, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XVIII,
1905, 76. ‘Type, Procellaria gigantea GMELIN. Ossifraga
Hompron & Jacquinot, 1844, proves to be preoccupied by
Ossifraga Woop, 1835.
No. [85] of the Check-List thus becomes
[85.] Macronectes giganteus (GMELIN).
GENUS PROCELLARIA Linn-£us. This becomes
Grnus THALASSIDROMA Vicors.
Thalassidroma Vicors, Zool. Journal, I, 1825, 405 (note).
Type, Procellaria pelagica LINN&us. (Cf. ALLEN, Bull. Am.
Mus. N. H., XXIV, 1908, 11, 25.)
No. 104 of the Check-List thus becomes
104. Thalassidroma pelagica (LINN-£vs).
eae | Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 359
[106.2.] Oceanodroma cryptoleucura (RipGway). ‘This is changed
to
[106.2.] Oceanodroma castro (HARcouRT).
Thalassidroma castro Harcourt, Sketch of Madeira, 1851, 123.
(Cf. Dusots, Syn. Avium, II, 1903, 1029; Grant, Ibis, 1898, 314.)
Grnus SULA Brisson. The type should be changed to Pelecanus
piscaior Linnz=us. (Cf. ALLEN, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H.,
XXIV, 1908, 28.)
115. Sula sula (Linnzus). This is changed to
115. Sula leucogastra (BopDAERT).
Pelecanus leucogaster BopparErT, Table Pl. Enl., 1783, 57.
Pelecanus sula L1INN&XUS, 1766, proves not to be the species usually
recognized under this name, but a synonym of P. piscator. (Cj.
NeEtson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XVIII, 1905, 121.)
120. Phalacrocorax dilophus (Swainson). ‘This becomes
120. Phalacrocorax auritus (LEsson).
Carbo auritus Lesson, Traité d’Orn., 1831, 605.
The name dilophus, haying been applied by Vieillot in 1817, to
a New Zealand species, is not available for the Double-crested
Cormorant. (C7. Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., XXVI, 1898,
355, 370.) A
Nos. 120a, 1206, and 120c require correction as follows:
120a. Phalacrocorax auritus floridanus (AUDUBON).
120b. Phalacrocorax auritus cincinatus (BRANDT).
120c. Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus (Ripcway).
121. Phalacrocorax mexicanus (BranpT). This becomes a
subspecies of P. vigua (VietLLoT). (Cf. Grant, Cat. Birds
Brit. Mus., XXVI, 1898, 381.)
121. Phalacrocorax vigua mexicanus (BRANDT).
360 Fourteenth Supplement to the A, O. U. Check-List. ear
GENUS FREGATA Brisson. Authority changed to
GENUS FREGATA LacEPEDE.
Fregata LackrEDE, 'Tabl. Ois., 1799, 15. Type, Pelecanus
aquilus LINNUS.
Fregata proves not to have been used in a generic sense by
Brisson. (Cf. Stons, Auk, XXIV, 1907, 195; Auten, Bull. Am.
Mus. N. H., XXIII; 1907, 301; XXIV, 1908, 18.)
GENUS MERGANSER Brisson. This becomes
GENUS MERGUS LINN.£Us.
Mergus Linnzvs, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, I, 1758, 129. Type,
Mergus merganser LinN&us. (Cf. ALLEN, Bull. Am.
Mus. N. H., XXIV, 1908, 36.)
Nos. 129 and 130 will therefore stand as
129. Mergus americanus CassIN.
130. Mergus serrator LINN.©Us.
GENus MERGUS Linn rus, for No. [131.1], becomes
GENUS MERGELLUS SELBY.
Mergellus Setpy, Cat. Gen. and Subgen. Types of Birds,
1840, 47. Type, Mergus albellus Linnxus. (C7. ALLEN,
Bull. Am. Mus. N. H., XXIV, 1908, 20.)
This necessitates a change of name in No. [131.1] to
[131.1] Mergellus albellus (LINN-£Us).
132. Anas boschas Linn-xus. This becomes, by reason of an-
teriority,
132. Anas platyrhynchos LINN xUvs.
Anas platyrhynchos LINNvs, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, I, 1758, 125.
(Cf. LOnnBERG, Journ. f. Orn., 1906, 528.)
ae | Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 361
~
133. Anas obscura GMELIN. This is changed to
133. Anas rubripes (BREWSTER).
Anas obscura rubripes BREwsTER, Auk, XIX, 1902, 184.
The name Anas obscura GMELIN, 1788, proves to be preoccupied
by Anas obscura PontoppipaNn, 1763, for an Old World species,
and no other name being available, rubripes of Brewster is adopted
as a substitute. (RicHmMonp, MS.) There is some question as to
the validity of the form recognized as No. 133a, which, by the
above action, is now cancelled. (See Eliminations.) '
GENUS QUERQUEDULA Srepnens. Authority is changed to.
GENUS QUERQUEDULA OkKEN.
Querquedula OxEN, Isis, I, 1817, 1183, Type, Anas circia
Linn£us = A. querquedula LINNus.
[141.1.] Casarca casarca (LINNUs). This becomes
[141.1.] Casarca ferruginea (PALuas).
Anas ferruginea PALuas, in VROEG’s Cat., 1764, Adumbr., 5.
(Cf. RicuMonD, Smiths. Mise. Coll., Quarterly Issue, XLVII,.
1905, 346.)
GeENus AYTHYA Bote. This becomes
GENUS MARILA OKEN.
Marila OxeENn, Isis, I, 1817, 11838. Type, Anas marila Lin-
Nzus. (C}. Stone, Auk, XXIV, 1907, 191; also ALLEN,
Bull. Am. Mus. N. H., XXIV, 1908, 26.)
Aythya Bote, 1822, is preoccupied by Aethia (or Aethya) Du-
MONT, 1816; moreover, its priority over Nyroca FLEMING, 1822,.
has never been satisfactorily demonstrated.
362 Fourteenth Supplement to. the A. O. U. Check-List. sale
SUBGENUS FULIGULA STEPHENS, becomes
SuBGENUS MARILA OKEN.
Nos. 146 to 150 require change as follows:
146. Marila americana (EyTon). |
147. Marila vallisneria (Wiison).
148. Marila marila (Linn xvs).
149. Marila affinis (Eyton).
150. Marila collaris (DoNovaAn).
GENUS CLANGULA Leacu, 1819. Authority becomes, by
reason of priority,
GENUS CLANGULA OKEN.
Clangula OxeEN, Isis, I, 1817, 1183. Type, Anas clangula
Linnzus. (C7. Stone, Auk, XXIV, 1907, 191.)
GeNus CAMPTOLAIMUS Gray. This becomes
GENUS CAMPTORHYNCHUS Bonaparte.
Camptorhynchus BONAPARTE, Geog. & Comp. List, April,
1838, 58. Type, Anas labradoria GMELIN. (C}.STONE, Auk,
XXIV, 1907, 191; ALLEN, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H., XXIV,
1908, 20.)
The name Camptorhynchus was first published by Bonaparte,
whose work has priority over Eyton’s ‘Monograph of the Anatide’
(where the name appears as Kamptorhynchus).
No. 156 thus becomes
156. Camptorhynchus labradorius (GMELIN).
178. Dendrocygna fulva (GMELIN). ‘This becomes
178. Dendrocygna bicolor (VIEILLOT).
Anas bicolor Vir1LLot, Nouv. Dict. Hist. Nat., V, 1816, 136.
Anas fulva GMELIN, 1788, proves to be ‘preoccupied by Anas
julva MeuscuHeEN, 1787. (RicuMonp, MS.)
Ted Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 363
The following changes are made in the Family Ciconiide:
SuBFAMILY TANTALINZS, becomes
SUBFAMILY MYCTERIINZ. Wood Ibises.
Genus TANTALUS Linn vs, becomes
GENUS MYCTERIA Linn £ts.
Mycteria Linnzvs, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, I, 1758, 140. Type,
Mycteria americana LINN &US.
188. Tantalus loculator LiInNxus, becomes
188. Mycteria americana LINN vs.
Wood Ibis.
Mycteria americana Linnws, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, I, 1758, 140.
GENUS MYCTERIA, of the Check-List, becomes
Genus JABIRU HeEtiMayr.
Jabiru Hetimayr, Abh. K. Bayer. Akad. Wiss., II K1., XXII,
1906, 711. Type, Ciconia mycteria LICHTENSTEIN.
[189.] Mycteria americana LinN.&xus, becomes
{189.] Jabiru mycteria (LICHTENSTEIN).
Jabiru.
Ciconia mycteria LICHTENSTEIN, Abh. K. Akad. Wiss. Berlin
(Phys. K1.), for 1816-17, 1819, 163.
The reasons for the above changes are fully explained by ALLEN,
Auk, XXV, 1908, 37, 38.
Genus BOTAURUS Hermann. Authority is changed to
GENus BOTAURUS STEPHENS.
Botaurus STEPHENS, in SHAw, Gen. Zool., XI, ii, 1819, 592.
Type, Ardea stellaris LINNXUS.
364 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. fe
Hermann is considered not to have used the term in a generic
sense. (C/. Strong, Auk, XXIV, 1907, 195; ALLEN, Bull. Am.
Mus. N. H., XXIII, 1907, 311.
Genus ARDETTA Gray. This becomes
GENus IXOBRYCHUS BiL.Bera.
Ixobrychus BILLBERG, Syn. Faune Scand., I, ii, 1828, 166.
Type, Ardea minuta Linnxus. (C7. Stone, Auk, XXIV,
1907, 192; ALLEN, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H., XXIV, 1908, 36.)
Nos. 191 and 191.1 of the Check-List thus become
191. Ixobrychus exilis (GMELIN).
191.1 Ixobrychus neoxenus (Cory).
GENUS NYCTICORAX SrepHens. Authority is changed to
Genus NYCTICORAX 'T. Forster.
Nycticorax -ForstER, Synop. Cat. Brit. Birds, 1817, 59.
Type, Nycticorax infaustus Forster = Ardea nycticorax
Linnzus. (Cf. Stone, Auk, XXIV, 1907, 195.)
207. Aramus giganteus (BONAPARTE). An earlier name is found
in
207. Aramus vociferus (LATHAM).
Numenius vocijerus LaTHAM, Suppl. Ind. Orn., 1801, Ixv.
(RicHmMonp, MS.)
SuBGENUsS COTURNICOPS Bonaparte. Becomes
GENUS COTURNICOPS BonaPaARTE.
Coturnicops BONAPARTE, Compt. Rend., XLIII, 1856, 599.
Type, Fulica noveboracensis GMELIN.
No. 215 thus becomes
215. Coturnicops noveboracensis (GMELIN).
diet rraaal Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 365
SUBGENUS CRECISCUS Casanis. This becomes
GENus CRECISCUS CaBanis.
Creciscus CaBANIs, Journ. f. Orn., 1856, 428. Type, Rallus
jamaicensis GMELIN.
216. Porzana jamaicensis (GMELIN). ‘This becomes
216. Creciscus jamaicensis (GMELIN).
No. 216.1 is now recognized as the western representative of the
above, under the name
216.1. Creciscus coturniculus (Ripcway). (C7. Brewster, Auk,
XXIV, 1907, 205-210.)
GENUS CRYMOPHILUS Vieintuot. This becomes
GENUS PHALAROPUS Brisson.
Phalaropus Brisson, Orn., VI, 1760, 12. Type, Tringa
julicaria LINN &US.
222. Crymophilus fulicarius (Linnxus). This is changed to
222. Phalaropus fulicarius (LINN&Us).
GENus PHALAROPUS Brisson, of the Check-List, becomes
GENus LOBIPES Cuvier.
Lobipes Cuvier, Régne Animal, I, 1817, 495. Type, Tringa
lobata LINNXUS.
No. 223 thus becomes
223. Lobipes lobatus (LINN&us).
The above changes in the family Phalaropodide are explained
by Stone (Auk, XXIV, 1907, 196), and ALLEN (Bull. Am. Mus.
INS Ei XT, 1907, a5):
366 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. mie
GENUS GALLINAGO Leacu. An earlier reference is found in
GeENus GALLINAGO Kocu.
Gallinago Kocu, Syst. Baier. Zool., 1816, 312. Type, Scolopax
gallinago Linnzus. (Cf. STONE, Auk, XXIV, 1907, 191.)
230.1. Gallinago major (GMELIN). ‘This becomes
230.1. Gallinago media (LaTHam).
Scolopax media LaTHAM, Suppl. Gen. Syn., I, 1787, 292. (C7.
OBERHOLSER, Auk, XVI, 1899, 179.) Latham appears to have
been the first author to use media in a binomial sense.
Genus MACRORHAMPHUS Leacu. Authority changed to
GENUS MACRORHAMPHUS T. Forster.
Macrorhamphus Forster, Synop. Cat. Brit. Birds, 1817, 22.
Type, Scolopax grisea GMELIN.
Macrorhamphus is a nomen nudum with Leach. (C7. STONE,
Auk, 1907, 195.)
- In the genus Arquatella, Nos. 236 and 237 become subspecies of
No. 235 (C7. BisHop, Waterfowl Family, 1903, 365), as follows:
235a. Arquatella maritima couesi (Reway).
235b. Arquatella maritima ptilocnemis (CovEs).
Genus ACTODROMAS Kaur. By the action of the law of
priority, this becomes
GeENus PISOBIA BILLBERG.
Pisobia BILLBERG, Syn. Faune Scand., I, 11, 1828, 136. Type,
Tringa minuta LeIsLER. (C7. LONNBERG, Journ. f. Orn.,
1906, 532.)
238. Actodromas acuminata (HorsrieLp). This is changed to
238. Pisobia aurita (LATHAM).
Tringa aurita LarHam, Suppl. Ind. Orn., 1801, Ixvi. (C7.
SHARPE, Hist. Coll. Brit. Mus. Birds, 1906, 147.)
to | Fourteenth Supplement to the A, O. U. Check-List. 367
Nos. 239 to [242.1] are changed as below:
239. Pisobia maculata (VIEILLOT).
240. Pisobia fuscicollis (VIEILLOT).
241. Pisobia bairdii (Cours).
242. Pisobia minutilla (VIEILLOT).
[242.1.] Pisobia damacensis (HorRsFIELD).
247. Ereunetes occidentalis Lawrence. ‘This is antedated by
247. Ereunetes mauri CaBANIS.
Ereunetes mauri Casants, Journ. f. Orn., 1856, 419. (Cf.
AuLEN, Auk, XXIII, 1906, 97, 98.)
Genus CALIDRIS Cuvier. Authority is changed to
Genus CALIDRIS I[.1icer.
Calidris IuLicrkR, Prodromus, 1811, 249. Type, Charadrius
calidris Linn&uUS = Tringa leucophea Pauuas.
Calidris of Cuvier, 1800, is a nomen nudum. (Cf. Stone, Auk,
XXIV, 1907, 195; ALLEN, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H., XXIII, 1907,
318; XXIV, 1908, 16.)
248. Calidris arenaria (LINN&us). This is changed to
248. Calidris leucophea (PALLas).
Tringa leucophea Pauuas, in VRoEG’s Cat., 1764, 32.
The name Tringa leucophea has priority over T. arenaria
Linnzus, 1766, as well as anteriority over Trynga alba in the
Appendix to Vroeg’s Catalogue. (RicHMonp, MS.)
GENUS SYMPHEMIA Rarinesque. ‘This becomes
GENUS CATOPTROPHORUS Bonaparte.
Catoptrophorus Bonaparte, Ann. Lyc. N. H. N. Y., II, 1827,
323. Type, Scolopax semipalmata GMELIN. (C7. Ricu-
MOND, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XVIII, 1905, 75.)
Symphemia proves to have been based on Tringa semipalmata,
not Scolopax semipalmata, and is a synonym of Ereunetes.
368 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. tae
Nos. 258 and 258a thus become
258. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus (GMELIN).
258a. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus (BREWSTER).
264. Numenius longirostris Witson. An earlier name occurs in
264. Numenius americanus BECHSTEIN.
Numenius americanus BECHSTEIN, in LatHam, Allg. Ueb.
Vogel, IV, ii, 1812, 432. (Ricamonp, MS.)
283.1. Arenaria morinella (LinN&us). This becomes a_sub-
species of No. 283, and will stand as
283a. Arenaria interpres morinella (LINN-£Us).
The Ruddy Turnstone is found to intergrade with A. interpres,
and the above change becomes necessary. (C7. Bisnop, Auk,
XXIII, 1906, 335.)
316. Zenaidura macroura (LinN£us). ‘This becomes
316. Zenaidura macroura carolinensis (LINN Xvs).
Columba carolinensis LINNXUS, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, I, 1766, 286.
Linnzeus appears to have based the name Columba macroura on
Edwards’s plate 15, and not on Catesby. On this assumption
Zenaidura macroura becomes the name of the West Indian bird,
while that for the continental form is as given above. (Cf. also,
Banas, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XIX, 1906, 44.)
319. Melopelia leucoptera (LINN&us). ‘This is changed to
319. Melopelia asiatica (LINN ©us).
Columba asiatica LINN&US, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, I, 1758, 163.
The name asiatica has anteriority over leucoptera, and should be
substituted for it, both names having exactly the same foundation.
(Ricumonp, MS).
ae | Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 369
GENUS GYPAGUS VieiLttotr. This becomes
GENUS SARCORAMPHUS Dumeénrtt.
Sarcoramphus Dumérix, Zool. Analytique, 1806, 32. Type,
Vultur papa LINN&us. (C7. ALLEN, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H.,
XXIV, 1908, 35, 38.)
No. 12 of the Hypothetical List therefore becomes
12. Sarcoramphus papa (LINN xUs).
325. Cathartes aura (LinN&xus). This is changed to
325. Cathartes aura septentrionalis (WreEp).
Cathartes septentrionalis Wrep, Reise Nord-America, I, 1839,
162.
The name awra is considered to have been based on the smaller
form, from Mexico, Central America and the West Indies. (C7.
NELsoN, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XVIII, 1905, 122-125.)
SuBGENUS ASTUR LackpEpE. This becomes
GEeNus ASTUR LacEpEDE.
Astur LactrEpE, Tabl. Ois., 1799, 4. Type, Falco pal-
umbarius Linnzus. (C7. Cours, Osprey, III, 1899, 144.)
Nos. 334 and 334a are thus changed to
334. Astur atricapillus (WiLson).
334a. Astur atricapillus striatulus Rripaway.
GENUS URUBITINGA Lesson. Authority becomes
GENUS URUBITINGA LAFRESNAYE.
Urubitinga LarresNaye, Dict. Univ. Hist. Nat., II, 1843, 786.
Type, Falco urubitinga GMELIN. (C7. Stone, Auk, XXIV,
1907, 195.)
370 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. Tale
358. Falco richardsonii RipGway, becomes a subspecies of No.
357, and will stand as
357). Falco columbarius richardsonii (Rripaway).
[358.1.] Falco regulus Patuas. An earlier name occurs in
[358.1.] Falco esalon TUNSTALL.
Falco esalon 'Tunstatu, Orn. Britannica, 1771, 1. (Rica-
MonD, MS.)
Famity STRIGIDA. Barn Owls. This becomes
Famity ALUCONIDA. Barn Owls.
Genus STRIX LINN US. Becomes
GeENuUs ALUCO FLEMING.
' Aluco FiEmine, Philos. Zool., II, 1822, 236. Type, Stria
flammea Linnus, 1766 (nec PoNntToprpIpAN, 1763) =
Strix alba Scopou, 1769.
It is found that Strix cannot be used for the Barn Owls, since
the Barn Owl did not occur in the 10th edition of the Systema
Naturee (Strix aluco of 1758 proves to be the Wood Owl, or S. stridula
of the same date, and not, as generally supposed, the Barn Owl),
and Brisson, in 1760, fixed the type of Strzx as S. aluco. (Cf.
ALLEN, Auk, XXV, July, 1908, 288-291.) The generic name
Stria is therefore transferred to the group hitherto known as
Syrnium, while the family name Bubonide will give way to Strigide.
(Cf. also: Cours, Key, ed. 5, I, 1903, 621.)
No. 365 thus becomes
365. Aluco pratincola (BONAPARTE).
Famity BUBONIDZA. This becomes
Famity STRIGIDA.
367. Asio accipitrinus (PaLLAs). An earlier name is found in
367. Asio flammeus (PONTOPPIDAN).
Strix flammea PontoppipaNn, Danske Atlas, I, 1763, 617, pl.
XXV.
i ae Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. a
Pontoppidan’s Strix flammea is based on Linneus, Fauna
Suecica, 1761, no. 73, which, in turn, is founded on Rudbeck’s
drawing. ‘This is generally admitted to represent the Short-eared
Owl. (C7. also: Nuizsson, Orn. Suecica, 1817, 62, and BILLBERG,
Syn. Faune Scand., I, ii, 1828, 116.) (RicuMonp, MS.)
GENUS SYRNIUM Savieny. This becomes
GENus STRIX LINN Us.
Strix Linnzus, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, I, 1758, 92. Type, Stria
aluco LINN®US, no. 6 = no. 9, or Strix stridula, of the same
author. (Cf. ALLEN, Auk, XXV, July 1908, 290.)
The following changes are required in-the nomenclature of Nos.
368 to 369a:
368. Strix varia Barton.
368a. Strix varia alleni (RipGway).
368). Strix varia albogilva Banes. Replaces Syrniwm nebulo-
sum helveolum Banas, preoccupied by Strix helvola LicHTEN-
STEIN, 1842. (C7. Banas, Auk, XXV, 1908, 316.)
369. Strix occidentalis (XANTUs).
369a. Strix occidentalis caurina (MeErrRIAM).
GENUS CRYPTOGLAUX RicuHmonpb. This becomes
GENUS GLAUX Morris.
Glaux Morris, Naturalist (Wood’s), II, 1837, 123. Type,
Strix tengmalmi GMELIN = Strix funerea LINN&EuS. (RICH-
monn, MS.)
371. Cryptoglaux tengmalmi richardsoni (BoNnaparTs). ‘This.
becomes
371. Glaux funerea richardsoni (BONAPARTE).
Strix junerea LINNUS proves to be equivalent to S. tengmalmt
GMELIN. (C7. LONNBERG, Journ. f. Orn., 1906, 531; also, Pon-
TOPPIDAN, Danske Atlas, I, 1763, 617, pl. xxv; Nitsson, Orn.
Suecica, 1817, 66; BILLBERG, Syn. Faune Scand., I, ii, 1828, 115.)
ale Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. ne
Nos. 372 and 372a will stand as
372. Glaux acadicus (GMELIN).
372a. Glaux acadicus scoteus (OsGoop).
GENUS MEGASCOPS Kavp. An earlier name is found in
GENus OTUS PENNANT.
Otus PENNANT, Indian Zool., 1769, 3. Type, Otus bakkamena
PENNANT. (C}. Stone, Auk, 1903, 275; 1907, 192; ALLEN,
Bull. Am. Mus. N. H., XXIV, 1908, 22.
Nos. 373 to 374a of the Check-List require change as follows:
373. Otus asio (LINN vs).
373a. Otus asio floridanus (RipGway).
373b. Otus asio mecallii (Cassr).
373c. Otus asio bendirei (BREWSTER).
373d. Otus asio kennicottii (ELLr1o7T).
373e. Otus asio maxwellie (Ripcway).
373]. Otus asio cineraceus (RipGway).
373g. Otus asio aikeni (BREWSTER).
373h. Otus asio macfarlanei (BREWSTER).
373.1. Otus trichopsis (WAGLER).
373.2. Otus xantusi (BREWSTER).
374. Otus flammeola (Kaup).
374a. Otus flammeola idahoensis (MeERRIAM).
375). Bubo virginianus arcticus (Swarnson). This becomes
OO
75b. Bubo virginianus subarcticus (Hoy).
Bubo subarcticus Hoy, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., VI, (1852),
1Sha, 211;
e
The name arcticus proves to be preoccupied. (C7. RicHmMonp,
Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XV, 1902, 86.)
sr aa Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 373
GENUS CONURUS Kunuu. This becomes
GENus CONUROPSIS Satvaport.
Conuropsis SALVADORI, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., XX, 1891, 203.
Type, Psittacus carolinensis Linnwus. (Cf. ALLEN, Bull.
Am. Mus. N. H., XXIV, 1908, 17.)
382. 'Conurus carolinensis (LINNus). Becomes
382. Conuropsis carolinensis (LINN £Us).
GENus TROGON Linnaus. Authority changed to
GreNnus TROGON Brisson.
Trogon Brisson, Orn., IV, 1760, 164. Type, Trogon viridis
Linnzus = T. strigilatus Linnazvus. (C}. Stone, Auk,
XXIV, 1907, 192; Axien, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H., XXIII,
1907, 340.)
SuspcENuS STREPTOCERYLE Bonaparte. This becomes
SUBGENUS MEGACERYLE Kavp.
Megaceryle Kaur, Ver. naturhist. Vereins Hessen, II, 1848, 68.
Type, Alcedo guttata BoppaERT = A. maxima PAt.tas.
Megaceryle has priority over Streptoceryle, and should super-
sede it in the List. (RicHmMonp, MS.)
Genus CEOPHLGUS Capanis. This is changed to
GENUS PHL@OTOMUS CaBanis.
Phleotomus CaBanis, Mus. Hein., IV, ii, 1863, 102. Type,
Picus pileatus LINN&XUS.
Ceophleus and Phlaotomus are held to be generically distinct,
and the type of Ceophloeus is Picus lineatus (an extralimital form),
not P. pileatus as given in the Check-List. (C7. Stone, Auk,
XXIV, 1907, 197; Auten, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H., XXIII, 1907,
342.)
%
374 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. hae
The following changes are required in Nos. 405 and 405a:
405. Phlceotomus pileatus (LINN =Us).
405a. Phleotomus pileatus abieticola (BANGs).
408. Asyndesmus torquatus (Witson). This is superseded by
408. Asyndesmus lewisi Riey.
Asyndesmus lewist Ritey, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XVIII,
1905, 225. Pzcus torquatus Witson, 1811, proves to be
preoccupied by Picus torquatus BoDDAERT, 1783.
Genus ANTROSTOMUS Govutp. Authority changed to
GeEeNus ANTROSTOMUS Bonaparte.
Antrostomus BONAPARTE, Geog. & Comp. List, 1838, 8.
Type, Caprimulqus carolinensis» GMELIN. (C]}. STONE,
Auk, XXIV, 1907, 196; AtiEeNn, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H.;
XXIV, 1908, 32.) The name was first published by Bona-
parte, not Gould.
GENUS CQHLIGENA Lesson. This becomes
GENUS CYANOLAMUS Srone.
Cyanolemus Stone, Auk, XXIV, 1907, 197. Type, Ornis-
mya clemencie Lesson. (Cf. Stone, Auk, XXIV, 1907,.
196; ALLEN, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H., XXIII, 1907, 345.)
The type of Caligena proves to be Ornismya caligena, a member
of anextralimital group. ‘The Caligena of the Check-List becomes.
Cyanolemus, as above, while No. 427 is changed to
427. Cyanolemus clemencie (LxEsson).
Genus IACHE Entiot. This becomes
GENUS CYNANTHUS Swarnson.
Cynanthus Swatnson, Philos. Mag., N.S., I, June, 1827, 441.
Type, Cynanthus latirostris Swainson. (C7. STONE, Auk,
XXIV, 1907, 192; Atien, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H., XXIII,
1907, 347; XXIV, 1908, 34.)
ec rreaal Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 310
Tache latirostris of the Check-List thus becomes
441, Cynanthus latirostris SwAINSON.
No. 441.1 becomes a subspecies of Platypsaris aglaie. (Cf.
Ripeway, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. IV, 1907, 856), viz.:
441.1. Platypsaris aglaie albiventris (LAWRENCE).
449. Pitangus derbianus (Kaup). This is reduced to a sub-
species, as
449. Pitangus sulphuratus derbianus (Kaur). (Cf. Ripe@way,
Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. IV, 1907, 672.)
453. Myiarchus mexicanus (Kaup). This is changed to
453a. Myiarchus magister nelsoni Rrpaway.
Myiarchus magister nelsoni Rrpaway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus.,
No. 50, Pt. IV, 1907, 903.
Myiarchus mexicanus of Kaup proves to be equivalent to M.
einerascens, Which name, having priority, is retained. (C7. Osaoop,
Auk, XXIV, 1907, 219, 220.)
No. 453a of the Check-List becomes
453. Myiarchus magister (RipGway).
Genus SAYORNIS Bonaparte. Authority changed to
GeENus SAYORNIS G. R. Gray.
Sayornis Gray, Cat. Genera Birds, 1855, 146. Type, Musei-
capa saya BONAPARTE. (Cf. Strong, Auk, XXIV, 1907, 196.)
GeENus CONTOPUS Cazanis. This is preoccupied, and becomes
GENUS MYIOCHANES Cazsanis & HEINE.
Myiochanes CaBanis & Heine, Mus. Hein., II, 1859, 71.
Type, Platyrhynchus cinereus Sprx. (Cf. Ripeway, Bull.
U2.Nat-, Mus.) No. 50, Pt. LV, 1907, 509.)
Mytochanes cinereus (Sprx) is held to be congeneric with the
Wood Pewee and its allies, and Myiochanes is therefore available
for this group in place of Contopus.
376 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. july
Nos. 460 to 462a of the Check-List thus become
460. Myiochanes pertinax pallidiventris (CHAPMAN).
461. Myiochanes virens (LINN-£UsS).
462. Myiochanes richardsonii (SwAINsON).
462a. Myiochanes richardsonii peninsule (BREWSTER).
464.1. Empidonax cineritius Brewster. This becomes a sub-
species of FE. difficilis, and will stand as
464a. Empidonax difficilis cineritius (Brewstr). (Cf. Ripaway,
Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. IV, 1907, 580.)
469.1. Empidonax canescens Satvin & GopmaNn. This again
becomes
469.1. Empidonax griseus BREWSTER.
Empidonax griseus Brewster, Auk, VI, April, 1889, 87
(author’s edition published Jan. 31, 1889). (C7. Ripaway,
Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. IV, 1907, 570; NEtson,
Auk, XXIV, 1907, 99, 100.)
GENUS ORNITHION Harriavus. This becomes
GENUS CAMPTOSTOMA ScuaTeEr.
Camptostoma ScuaTER, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1857, 203.
Type, Camptostoma imberbe ScuaTeR. (Cf. Ripaway, Bull.
U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. IV, 1907, 411.) Ornithion is
restricted to an extralimital group.
No. 472 should therefore stand as follows:
472. Camptostoma imberbe (ScLATER).
[493.] Sturnus vulgaris Linnxus. The brackets are to be re-
moved, as the species in now believed to occur more or less
regularly in Greenland. (C7. ScHatow, Végel Arktis, 1904,
243.)
fae | Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 377
Genus CALLOTHRUS Cassin. This, following the law of
priority, is changed to
GENUS TANGAVIUS Lesson.
Tangavius Lesson, Revue Zool., II, 1839, 41. Type, Tan-
gavius involucratus Lesson. (C]}. Newson, Proc. Biol.
Soc. Wash., XVIII, 1905, 125.)
The name Tangavius is equivalent toCallothrus, and has priority.
No. 496 becomes a subspecies, under the name
496. Tangavius eneus involucratus (LEssoNn).
Tangavius involucratus LESSON, Revue Zool., I, 1839, 41.
(Cj. NEtson, J. c.) é
501b. Sturnella magna neglecta (AupUBON). This becomes a
full species:
501.1. Sturnella neglecta AupuBoN. (C/. Ripaway, Bull. U. 5S.
Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. IT, 1902, 365.)
[502.] Icterus icterus (LINNus). This is transferred to the
Hypothetical List, as No. 16.3.
GENus PASSERINA ViertLot. This again becomes
GENUS PLECTROPHENAX STEJNEGER.
Plectrophenax STEJNEGER, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., V, 1882, 33.
Type, Emberiza nivalis Linneus. (Cf. Stone, Auk,
XXIV, 1907, 199; AEN, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H., XXIV,
1908, 23.)
Nos. 534, 534a, and 535 thus stand as given in both editions of
the Check-List, viz. :
534. Plectrophenax nivalis (LINN£Us).
534a. Plectrophenax nivalis townsendi RipGcway.
535. Plectrophenax hyperboreus Ripaway.
378 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. qe
546. Coturniculus savannarum passerinus (Witson). This be-
comes
546. Coturniculus savannarum australis (MayNnarp).
Ammodromus australis MAayNarp, Amer. Exch. and Mart,
III, 1887, 33.
The name passerinus (Fringilla passerina Witson, 1811),
hitherto applied to this species, proves to be preoccupied, and the
above change becomes necessary. (See also, reference under the
next case.) (RicHmMonp, MS.)
560. Spizella socialis (Witson). An earlier name is found in
560. Spizella passerina (BECHSTEIN).
Fringilla passerina BECHSTEIN, in LaTHam, Allg. Ueb. Végel,
ITI, ii, 1798, 544, pl. 120, f. I.
Bechstein’s name Fringilla passerina, accompanied by a plate
and description, antedates by several years the name Ff’. socialis
Wi11s0n, applied to the same species. (RicHMonpD, MS.)
No. 560a requires the following change:
560a. Spizella passerina arizone (CoUEs).
Changes in status become necessary in the following Juncos:
567.1. Junco montanus Ripaway. Becomes
5677. Junco hyemalis montanus (RrpGway).
568. Junco mearnsi Ripeway. ‘This becomes
567g. Junco hyemalis mearnsi (RipGway).
568.1. Junco annectens Bairp. Becomes
567h. Junco hyemalis annectens (Barrp).
571.1. Junco townsendi ANtHoNny. ‘This is changed to
5677. Junco hyemalis townsendi (ANTHONY).
569. Junco caniceps (WoopHoUSE). Becomes
570b. Junco pheonotus caniceps (WoopHOUSE).
a | Fourteenth Supplement to the A, O. U. Check-List. 379
574a. Amphispiza belli nevadensis (RipGway). This is accorded
specific rank, as
574.1. Amphispiza nevadensis (Rripaway). (C7. GRINNELL, Auk,
1898, 59.)
574b. Amphispiza belli cinerea TowNsEND. This becomes a
subspecies of A. nevadensis, viz.:
574.la. Amphispiza nevadensis cinerea (TOWNSEND).
The Song Sparrows again become subspecies of Melospiza
melodia, by reason of the preoccupation of Fringilla cinerea GMELIN.
They will stand as follows:
581. Melospiza melodia (WiLson).
58la. Melospiza melodia fallax (Bairp).
581b. Melospiza melodia montana (HENSHAW).
58le. Melospiza melodia heermanni (Bairp).
581d. Melospiza melodia samuelis (Barrp).
58le. Melospiza melodia morphna OBERHOLSER.
5817. Melospiza melodia rufina (BONAPARTE).
581g. Melospiza melodia rivularis (W. Bryant).
581h. Melospiza melodia graminea (C. H. TowNnsEnp).
5817. Melospiza melodia clemente (C. H. TownsEnp).
581). Melospiza melodia juddi (BisHor).
581k. Melospiza melodia merrilli (BREWSTER).
581l. Melospiza melodia pusillula (Ripaway).
581m. Melospiza melodia cooperi (Ripaway).
581n. Melospiza melodia caurina (Ripaway).
58lo. Melospiza melodia kenaiensis Ripaway.
581p. Melospiza melodia cleonensis McGrecor.
581g. Melospiza melodia insignis (Bairp). (No. 581.1 of Check-
List.)
58lr. Melospiza melodia sanaka (McGrecor). (No. 582 of the
Check-List.)
380 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. [aiiy
Melospiza sanaka McGreaor, Condor, HI, 1901, 8 (author’s
edition, published Noy. 25, 1900).
Fringilla cinerea GMELIN, 1788, proves to be preoccupied by
Fringilla cinerea MEUSCHEN, 1787, and can no longer be used for
the Aleutian Song Sparrow, which becomes M. m. sanaka, as above.
(Ricumonp, MS.) The nomenclatural result of this change is to
bring the entire series of Song Sparrows again under Melospiza
melodia, as subspecies.
The following changes become necessary in the genus Pipilo:
588a. Pipilo maculatus megalonyx (Barrp). Changed to
588a. Pipilo maculatus montanus SWARTH.
Pipilo maculatus montanus SwartH, Condor, VII, 1905, 172.
(C7. Ripeway, Condor, VIII, 1906, 100.)
588d. Pipilo maculatus atratus Rripaway. This becomes
588d. Pipilo maculatus megalonyx (Bairp).
Pipilo megalonyx Bairp, Reports Expl. & Surv. R. R. Pac.,
IX, 1858, 515. (C7. Rrpeway, Condor, VIII, 1906, 100.)
591b. Pipilo fuscus crissalis (Vicors). This becomes a full
species:
591.1. Pipilo crissalis (Vicors). (Cf. Ripeway, Bull. U. 8.
Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. I, 1901, 434.)
No. 591¢ of the Check-List becomes
591.la. Pipilo crissalis senicula (ANTHONY).
Genus CYANOSPIZA Bairp. This again becomes
Genus PASSERINA VIEILLOT.
Passerina Viettuot, Analyse, 1816, 30. Type, Tanagra
cyanea Linnzus. (C}. Stone, Auk, XXIV, 1907, 199;
ALLEN, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H., XXIV, 1908, 37.)
Nos. 598 to 601 thus stand as given in the first and second edi-
tions of the Check-List, viz.:
598. Passerina cyanea (LINNUs).
ae | Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 381
599. Passerina amena (Say).
600. Passerina versicolor (BONAPARTE).
600a. Passerina versicolor pulchra RrpGway.
601. Passerina ciris (LINN &Us).
602. Sporophila morelleti (BonaparTE). This again becomes
602. Sporophila morelleti sharpei LAWRENCE.
Sporophila morelleti sharpei LAWRENCE, Auk, VI, 1889, 53. (C7.
ALLEN, Auk, XXIV, 1907, 26-30.) No. 602 thus stands as given
in the second edition of the Check-List.
Famity TANAGRIDA. This is changed to
Famity TANGARIDA.
Tangara Brisson, 1760, antedates and preoccupies Tanagra
Linnzus, 1764. Even if the two terms be considered distinct,
Tanagra of Linnzeus at 1764 becomes either a synonym of Euphonia
DESMAREST, or a member of the family Icteride, and is thus not
available for the generic name of a group of Tanagers, nor as the
basis of the family name.
Famity AMPELIDZA. becomes
Famity BOMBYCILLIDE.
GeNus AMPELIS Linnzus. This becomes
GENUS BOMBYCILLA VIEILLoT.
Bombycilla Viertuot, Ois. Amer. Sept., I, 1807, 88. Type,
Bombycilla cedrorum ViEILLoT.
The name Ampelis is not available for use in this family, belong-
ing properly to the Cotingide. (C7. ALLEN, Bull. Am. Mus. N.
H., XXIV, 1908, 12.) |
Agreeable to the above changes, Nos. 618 and 619 become
618. Bombycilla garrula (LINN Us).
619. Bombycilla cedrorum VIEILLOT.
382 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. [sae
The following changes are made in the family Vireonide:
SuBGENUS VIREOSYLVA Bonaparte. ‘This becomes
GENUS VIREOSYLVA BonaPARTE.
Vireosylva BONAPARTE, Geog. & Comp. List, 1838, 26.
Type, Muscicapa olivacea Linnaeus. (Cf. Ripeway, Bull.
U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. III, 1904, 130.)
Nos. 623 to 627a thus stand as
623. Vireosylva calidris barbatula (CABANIS).
624. Vireosylva olivacea (LINN Us).
625. Vireosylva flavoviridis CAssIN.
626. Vireosylva philadelphica Cassin.
627. Vireosylva gilva (VIEILLOT).
627a. Vireosylva gilva swainsonii (BarrD).
SuBGENuS LANIVIREO Barrp. This becomes
GENUS LANIVIREO Barrp.
Lanivireo Batrp, Review Amer. Birds, 1866, 326, 345. Type,
Vireo flavifrons VierLotT. (Cf. Ripe@way, Bull. U. S.
Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. III, 1904, 161.)
The following alterations become necessary in Nos. 628 to 629d:
628. Lanivireo flavifrons (VIEILLOT).
629. Lanivireo solitarius (W1Lson).
629a. Lanivireo solitarius cassinii (XANTUs).
629b. Lanivireo solitarius plumbeus (CovuEs).
629c. Lanivireo solitarius alticola (BREWSTER).
629d. Lanivireo solitarius lucasanus (BREWSTER).
The genus Vireo, as represented in the Check-List, is restricted
to Nos. 630 to 634.
a | Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 383
631. | Vireonoveboracensis (GMELIN). An earlier name is found in
631. Vireo griseus (BoDDAERT).
Tanagra grisea BoppaErt, Table PI. Enl., 1783, 45. (Ricu-
MoND, MS.)
Nos. 631la, 6316, and 631c thus become
63la. Vireo griseus maynardi (BREWSTER).
631). Vireo griseus bermudianus (Bancs & BRADLEE).
63lc. Vireo griseus micrus (NELSON).
633.1. Vireo pusillus Cours. This is again reduced to sub-
specific rank, and will stand as
633a. Vireo bellii pusillus (Cours). (C/. OprrHotsrr, Proc.
Biol. Soc. Wash., XVI, 1903, 17, 18; Ripa@way, Bull. U. S.
Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. III, 1904, 208.)
SUBGENUS PEUCEDRAMUS Cougs. This becomes
GENUS PEUCEDRAMUS “Cours” HENsHaw.
Peucedramus Hrensuaw, Ann. Rept. Geog. Expl. West of
100th Merid., 1875, 156. Type, Sylvia olivacea Giraup.
(Cj. Ripeway, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. II, 1902,
493; CHAPMAN, Warblers of N. A., 1907, 110.)
No. 651 thus becomes
651. Peucedramus olivaceus (GIRAUD).
657. Dendroica maculosa (GMELIN). ‘This is changed to
657. Dendroica magnolia (WiLson).
Sylvia magnolia Witson, Amer. Orn., III, 1811, 63, pl. 23,
£52.
Motacilla maculosa GMELIN, 1788, proves to be preoccupied by
Motacilla maculosa BoppAERT, 1783, and Sylvia magnolia WILSON,
as the next available name, is substituted for it. (RicHMonp, MS.)
TSS Se
=
384 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. Sule
SuBGENUs OPORORNIS Bairp. This is elevated to generic rank,
as
GENus OPORORNIS Barrp.
Oporornis BarrD, Rep. Expl. & Surv. R. R. Pac., IX, 1858,
246. Type, Sylvia agilis Witson. (C7. Ripeway, Bull.
U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. II, 1902, 621; CHapman,
Warblers of N. A., 1907, 235.)
Oporornis includes Nos. 677 to 680, which will stand as follows:
677. Oporornis formosa (WiLson).
678. Oporornis agilis (WILSON).
679. Oporornis philadelphia (WiLson).
680. Oporornis tolmiei (TOWNSEND).
The genus Geothlypzs is restricted (in North America) to Geoth-
lypis trichas and subspecies, and G. beldingz.
SuBGENUS CHAMATHLYPIS Rinaway. This becomes
GENUS CHAMASTHLYPIS Rineway.
Chamethlypis Ripaway, Man. N. A. Birds, 1887, 525. Type,
Geothlypis poliocephala Bairp. (C7. Rrpa@way, Bull. U.S.
Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. II, 1902, 686; CHapman, Warblers
of N. A., 1907, 263.)
No. 682.1 thus becomes
682.1. Chamethlypis poliocephala (Bairp).
684. Wilsonia mitrata (GMELIN). An earlier name is found in
684. Wilsonia citrina (BopDAERT).
Muscicapa citrina Bopparrt, Table Pl. Enl., 1783, 41.
(RicHmMonp, MS.)
697. Anthus pensilvanicus (LATHAM). An earlier name occurs in
697. Anthus rubescens (TUNSTALL).
Alauda rubescens 'Tunstatt, Orn. Britannica, -1771, 2.
(RicumMonp, MS.)
Soe | Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 385
Genus CINCLUS Becustein. Authority is changed to.
GENus CINCLUS BorkHavseEn.
Cinclus BoRKHAUSEN, Deutsche Fauna, I, 1797, 300. Type,
Cinclus hydrophilus BORKHAUSEN = Sturnus cinclus Lrx-
Naus. (Cf. ALLEN, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H., XXIII, 1907,
3/2.)
701. Cinclus mexicanus Swainson. This becomes
701. Cinclus mexicanus unicolor (BONAPARTE).
Cinclus unicolor BONAPARTE, Zool. Journ., II], 1827, 52, 53.
(Cf. Ripeway, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. III, 1904,
679.)
Genus GALEOSCOPTES Casanis. By reason of priority this
is changed to
GENUS DUMETELLA S. D. W.
Dumetella S. D. W., Analyst, V, 1837, 206. Type, Turdus
jelivox VirrtLor = Muscicapa carolinensis LINN&us. (C7.
Stong, Auk, XXIV, 1907, 193; A xuEen, Bull. Am. Mus.
N. H., XXIV, 1908, 17.)
704. Galeoscoptes carolinensis (LInN£us). This becomes
704. Dumetella carolinensis (LINN-£Us).
719b. Thryomanes bewickii leucogaster (Barrp). This is again
changed to °
719b. Thryomanes bewickii bairdi (Sarvin & Gopman).
Thryothorus bairdt Satvin & GopMaN, Biol. Centr.-Amer.,
Aves., I, April, 1880, 95. (C7. Ripa@way, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus.,
No. 50, Pt. III, 1904, 560.) ‘The change is made on the ground
that Thryothorus bewickii leucogaster of Baird was not intended
as a new name, but simply as Troglodytes leucogaster GouLn,
placed in the genus Thryothorus, Baird being under the impression
that T. lewcogaster GOULD represented the present form, instead
of a bird of an entirely different genus.
386 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. nits
GreNus OLBIORCHILUS OxperHo.serR. This is replaced by
GENUS NANNUS BILiBere.
Nannus BILuBERG, Syn. ‘Faune Scand., I, ii, 1828, table A,
and p. 57. Type, Motacilla troglodytes Linnmus. (Cy.
Sronr, Auk, XXIV, 1907, 194; ALiEN, Bull. Am. Mus.
Ni: By RXTV,) 2908 .421-)
Nos. 722 to 723.1 of the Check-List will thus become
722. Nannus hiemalis (VIEILLOT).
722a. Nannus hiemalis pacificus (Barrp).
722b. Nannus hiemalis helleri (Oscoop).
723. Nannus alascensis (Barrp).
723.1. Nannus meligerus (OBERHOLSER).
GENUS PARUS Linnzus. This becomes
GENUS PENTHESTES ReEIcHENBACH.
Penthestes REICHENBACH, Avium Syst. Nat., 1850, pl. LXII,
fig. Type, Parus lugubris 'TemMincx. (C7. Ripeway,
Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. III, 1904, 394.)
Nos. 735 to 7416 of the List will thus stand as follows:
735. Penthestes atricapillus (LiInN£Uvs).
735a. Penthestes atricapillus septentrionalis (Harris).
735b. Penthestes atricapillus occidentalis (Barrp).
735c. Penthestes atricapillus turneri (RipGway).
736. Penthestes carolinensis (AUDUBON).
736a. Penthestes carolinensis agilis (SENNETT).
736). Penthestes carolinensis impiger (BANGs).
737. Penthestes sclateri (KLEINSCHMIDT).
738. Penthestes gambeli (RipGcway).
ese Fourteenth Supplement to the A, O. U. Check-List. 387
’ 738a. Penthestes gambeli baileye (J. GRINNELL).
739. Penthestes cinctus alascensis (PRAZAK).
740. Penthestes hudsonicus (ForsTER).
740a. Penthestes hudsonicus littoralis (H. Bryant).
741. Penthestes rufescens (J. K. TowNSEND).
741a. Penthestes rufescens neglectus (Ripaway).
741b. Penthestes rufescens barlowi (J. GRINNELL).
760. Turdus iliacus Linnzxus. This becomes
760. Turdus musicus LINN£=Us.
Turdus musicus LINN&ZUS, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, I, 1758, 169.
The names zacus and musicus, as usually understood, should
be reversed and cited from the 10th edition of the Systema Nature,
and No. 760 of the Check-List should stand as T. musicus. (Cf.
Hartert, Ibis, 1904, 431.) The names were reversed by Linnzeus
in Faun. Suec., ed. 2, 1761, and in Syst. Nat., ed. 12.
Genus MERULA Leacu. ‘This is changed to
GENUS PLANESTICUS Bonaparte.
Planesticus BONAPARTE, Comptes Rendus, XX XVIII, 1854, 3.
Type, Turdus lereboulleti BONAPARTE = Turdus jamaicensis
Gmeuin. (Cf. Ripeway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50,
Fis tv, 1907,'90:)
Merula Leacu, 1816, proves to be antedated by Merula Kocu,
_ 1816, for a group of Starlings.
The following changes are necessary in Nos. 761 to 762.
761. Planesticus migratorius (LINN £Us).
76la. Planesticus migratorius propinquus (Ripaway).
761b. Planesticus migratorius achrusterus (BACHELDER).
762. Planesticus confinis (Bairp).
388 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. ae
Genus CYANECULA Breum. An earlier name occurs in
GrENus CYANOSYLVIA Breum.
Cyanosylvia BreuM, Isis, XXI, 1828, 920. Type, Motacilla
suecica LINNEvsS. (C7. Ripeway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus.,
No. 50, Pt. IV, 1907; 14.)
764. Cyanecula suecica (Linnxus). This is changed to
764. Cyanosylvia suecica robusta (BUTURLIN).
Siberian Red-spotted Bluethroat.
Cyanecula suecica robusta Bururtin, Orn. Monatsb., XV,
1907, 79. (C7. Bururiin, Auk, XXV, 1908, 35; Ripeway,
i. ¢., 226.)
766a. Sialia sialis azurea (Barrp). This becomes
766a. Sialia sialis fulva BREWSTER.
Sialia sialis fulva Brewster, Auk, I, 1885, 85.
Sialia azurea SwWAINSON, 1827, was not a nomen nudum, as
usually supposed, but a substitute name for Szalia sialis; it is
therefore not available for the Azure Bluebird, the earliest name
for which appears to be julva, as above. (RicuMonp, MS.)
768. Sialia arctica (Swarnson). A much earlier name occurs in
768. Sialia currucoides (BECHSTEIN).
Motacilla s. Sylvia currucoides BECHSTEIN, in LaTHaM, Allg.
Ueb. Vogel, II, ii, 1798, 546, pl. 121.
Swainson described and figured the Arctic Bluebird in 1831,
and his name, ‘“‘Erythaca (Sialia) arctica” is. generally supposed
to have been the earliest reference to the species. It is now found,
however, that Bechstein gave a description and colored figure of
this species in 1798, under the name Motacilla s. Sylvia currucoides,
which name is aceordingly adopted. (R1cHmonp, MS.)
vel eal Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 389
IV. PROPOSED ADDITIONS AND CHANGES NOT
ACCEPTED.
Gavia vs. Colymbus (cf. StoNE, Auk, 1907, 199). A change in
this case is obviated by the application of Rule 30 of the new Inter-
national Code, now incorporated into the revised A. O. U. Code.
Colymbus vs. Podiceps (cf. Stone, Auk, 1907, 199). The pro-
posed change is unnecessary, being based on the now obsolete
“first species” rule.
Dytes vs. Proctopus (cj. Cours, Osprey, III, 1899, 144). The
proposed change is not adopted, since Proctopus is a synonym of
Dytes.
Pseuduria Cours (cf. Couns, Osprey, III, 1899, 144.) The
characters.of this proposed subgenus are considered too slight for
inclusion in the List.
Megalestris vs. Catharacta (cj. Pocur, Orn. Monatsb., 1904, 23).
Catharacta has been used for several groups of birds, under various
spellings, the first use of one of its variants being for a genus of
Penguins, which renders it unavailable for the Eresent genus
(cf. ALLEN, Auk, 1904, 345).
Blasipus, Chroicocephalus, and Hydrocolaus (ef. Couns, Osprey,
III, 1899, 144). These proposed subgenera of Larus are not
adopted, being chiefly based upon pattern of coloration.
Subgenus Thalasseus vs. genus Hydroprogne (cf. SALVIN &
GopmaN, Biol. Centr.-Amer., Aves, III, 1903, 401). Recognition
as a genus not considered desirable; furthermore, Thalasseus is
the proper name for the group. (C7. ALLEN, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H.,
XXIV, 1908, 10, 39.)
Thalassogeron vs. Diomedea (cj. Rorascutiip, Bull. Brit. Orn.
Club, XV, 1904, 45). No reasons have been offered for the pro-
posed change.
Oceanodroma beali Emerson, Condor, VIII, 1906, 54.
390 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. july
Oceanodroma beldingi Emerson, Condor, VIII, 1906, 54. This
and the preceding appear to be indistinguishable from O. leucorhoa.
Oceanodroma monorhis chapmant BrERuEpscH, Auk, XXIII,
1906, 185. This proves to be a phase of plumage of O. socorroensis.
Dilophalieus (c?. Cours, Key, 5th ed., 1903, 962). Not ad-
mitted, the proposed subgenus being based on insufficient characters.
Viguacarbo (cf. Cours, Key, 5th ed., 1903, 963). The characters
of this proposed subgenus are not deemed sufficient for recognition
in the List.
127. Pelecanus californicus vs. P. fuscus [= occidentalis] cali-
jornicus (cf. Ripeway, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XIX, 1897,
593; Hartert, Nov. Zool., VI, 1899, 176; Twelfth Supple-
ment, Auk, 1903, 363).
A change in status is considered unnecessary.
Merganser vs. Serrator (c}. Stone, Auk, 1907, 194). No change
required. (See under ‘Changes in Nomenclature,’ antea, p. 360.)
160. Somateria dresseri vs. S. mollissima dresseri (cf. HARTERT,
Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, XV, 1904, 44). The change is deemed
unnecessary at present.
Melanitta vs. Phewonetta (cj. STONE, Auk, 1907, 198). Proposed
change based on the “first species” rule.
Exanthemops vs. full genus (c/. Twelfth Supplement, Auk, 1903,
368). Elevation to generic rank not considered desirable.
171.2. Anser brachyrhynchus vs. Melanonyx brachyrhynchus, and
[171.1.] Amser fabalis vs. Melanonyx segetum (cj. BuTuURLIN,
Wild Geese Russian Empire, 1901, 22; Satvaport, Ibis,
1905, 530). Melanonyx is not thought worthy of recognition,
being based on slight characters, and fabalis, as the specific
name of the Bean Goose, has priority over segetum.
Plegadis vs. Egatheus (cf. LONNBERG, Journ. f. Orn., 1906, 533).
eal Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 391
No change required, since Egatheus proves to be a substitute name
for [bis LacEpEDE, an Old World genus.
202. Nycticorax nycticorax nevius vs. NV. n. griseus (c?. DuBots,
Syn. Avium, 1903, 917). A change proves to be unnecessary,
since it is found that grisea was based on a young bird, without
locality, but probably from Europe, from which the American
bird is held to be subspecifically distinct.
Coturnicops vs. Ortygops (cj. Twelfth Supplement, Auk, 1903,
368). Ortygops proves to be a pure synonym of Coturnicops,
hence no change is required.
Ionornis vs. Porphyriola (cj. GopMAN & SuHarpE, Biol. Centr.-
Amer., Aves, III, 1903, 327). j
The proposed change is not accepted, as there is a question of
priority between the two names, and the type species of Porphyriola
was a nomen nudum until 1852.
256. Helodromas solitarius vs. Rhyacophilus solitarius (cj.
OBERHOLSER, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XXVIII, 1905, 888).
A change is considered unnecessary.
Actitis vs. Tringoides (cj. Stone, Auk, 1907, 198). No change
required, the proposed innovation being based on the “‘first species”
rule.
Aigialeus (cf. Cours, Key, 5th ed., 1903, 775). Not accepted;
based on characters too slight for recognition.
Colinus virginianus insularis Hower, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash.,
XVII, 1904, 168. Based in all probability upon a straggler from
the mainland of Florida, and the characters ascribed are too slight
for admittance to the List.
Lophortyx catalinensis GRINNELL, Auk, 1906, 262. Considered
as unworthy of recognition, the characters given for the insular
bird being intermediate between those of allied forms from the
mainland.
Bonasa vs. Hylobrontes (cf. Stone, Auk, 1907, 198). Proposed
change based on the now rejected “‘first species” rule.
392 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. fle
Tympanuchus vs. Bonasa (c}. STONE, Auk, 1907, 198). Proposed
change rejected, for reasons given under the preceding case.
315. Ectopistes migratorius vs. E. macroura (cj. Banas, Proc:
Biol. Soc. Wash., XIX, 1906, 44). Not adopted, the pro-
posed change, in the opinion of the Committee, being based on
false reasoning (see ‘Changes in Nomenclature,’ under No.
316).
Cathartes vs. Rhinogryphus (cj. STONE, Auk, 1907, 198). Pro-
posed change based on the “‘first species” rule, hence not accepted.
Tachytriorchis vs. full genus (cj. Twelfth Supplement, Auk,
1903, 368). The proposed change in status considered unnecessary.
Hierofalco vs. full genus (cj. Twelfth Supplement, Auk, 1903,
368). The requirements of this case are believed to be fully met
by retaining Hverofalco as a subgenus.
Rhynchofalco vs. Hypotriorchis, and as full genus (cj. Dusots,
Syn. Avium, 1902, 872). Not considered worthy of generic rank,
and Hypotriorchis and Rhynchojalco are deemed to be subgener-
ically distinct.
Asio vs. Nyctalops (cf. StoNE, Auk, 1903, 275). No change
required.
Psiloscops (cf. CovEs, Osprey, III, 1899, 144). Not accepted,
the proposed subgenus possessing no characters worthy of recogni-
tion.
Bubo vs. Asio (cj. SronE, Auk, 1903, 275). No change required.
370. Bubo virginianus vs. Asio [= Bubo] magellanicus virgin-
tanus (c]. OBERHOLSER, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., XXVII, 1904,
179, 188). No change required, as Stria magellanicus proves
not to have been used in a systematic sense by Gmelin.
Asio [ = Bubo] magellanicus icelus OBERHOLSER, Proc. U. S.
Nat. Mus., XXVII, 1904, 185.
Asio [ = Bubo] magellanicus lagophonus OBERHOLSER, Proc.
“J
ee al Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 393
U.S. Nat. Mus., XXVII, 1904, 185. These two forms not admitted,
being too close to B. v. saturatus for recognition as independent
subspecies.
Bubo virginianus occidentalis (cj. OBERHOLSER, Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus., XXVII, 1904, 191). Not admitted, for reasons given in the
Eighth Supplement, Auk, 1897, 132.
375). Bubo virginianus subarcticus vs. Asio magellanicus wapa-
cuthu (cj?. OBERHOLSER, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., X XVII, 1904,
191). This proposed change not adopted, since Strex wapa-
cuthu was based on a young bird, not with certainty identifiable.
(377.] Surnia ulula vs. S. jwnerea (c?. OBERHOLSER, Proc. Biol.
Soc. Wash.,, XIX, 1906, 42). No action necessary (see
‘Changes in Nomenclature,’ under No. 371).
[377.] Surnia ulula vs. S. wu. doliata (cf. SHarpe, Hand-List, I,
1899, 296). With the material at its command, the Com-
mittee cannot distinguish this form, the proper name for which,
if recognizable, will be S. wu. pallast BuTuRLIN.
Glaucidium vs. Noctua (cj. Stone, Auk, 1907, 192). Proposed
change not accepted, since Noctua of S. G. Gmelin proves to be
referable to the Short-eared Owl (cj. Stone, Auk, 1908, 221).
396a. Dryobates scalaris lucasanus vs. D. lucasanus (cf. BREWSTER,
Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., XLI, 1902, 102). Recent material
from Lower California has convinced the Committee that a
change is unnecessary.
Picoides arcticus tenuirostris Banas, Auk, 1900, 131. Not
accepted; the characters ascribed to this form appear to be too
shght for recognition.
403. Sphyrapicus ruber vs. S. 7. daggetti (cj. ANDERSON & GRIN-
NELL, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1903, 8). .Again rejected,
for reasons given in the Eleventh Supplement (Auk, 1902,
334).
Melanerpes jormicivorus aculeatus (cj. SwartH, Pac. Coast
394 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. july
Avif., No. 4, 1904, 13). On reconsideration the former decision
of the Committee was reaffirmed.
Contopus richardsonii saturatus BisHop, Auk, 1900, 116. Not
accepted, the alleged characters proving of no value.
Otocoris alpestris aphrasta OBERHOLSER, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
XXIV, 1902, 860. Considered to be extralimital.
Cyanocitta stelleri borealis CHAPMAN, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H.,
XVI, 1902, 240. Not admitted, for reasons expressed in the
former ruling of the Committee (Auk, 1903, 362).
Stellerocitta and Sieberocitta (cf. CouEs, Key, 5th ed. 1903, 495,
499). These proposed subgenera are not accepted, having been
based on color characters alone.
Perisoreus vs. Cractes (cj. Rip@way, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No.
50, Pt. III, 1904, 750). Cractes proves to be simply a substitute
name for Garrulus Brisson, and does not enter the Check-List.
Corvus corax clarionensis RoTHSCHILD & Hartrert, Nov. Zool.,
IX, 1902, 381.. (C7. Ripeway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt.
III, 1904, 264.) Believed to be not sufficiently distinct for recogni-
tion, so far as the alleged form occurs within our limits.
489. Corvus caurinus ys. C.. brachyrhynchos caurinus (c]. RIDGWAY,
Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus.,: No. :50, Pt. ILI, 1904, 746). “The
proposed change in the status of this form is considered un-
warranted at present.
Loxia curvirostra bendirei (cf. Merriam, N. A. Fauna, No. 16,
1899, 123; Rrpgway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. I, 1901,
50). Not accepted, there being apparently no well-defined range
for the supposed form.
523. Leucosticte griseonucha vs. L. tephrocotis griseonucha (ef.
Ripeway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. I, 1901, 72).
Without clear proof of intergradation, a change in status in
this case is deemed to be undesirable. 3
—
eae | Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 395
528. Acanthis linaria vs. 4. flammea (cf. Harrert, Vogel pal.
Fauna, I, 1903, 77). No change required (c7. Harrerr,
Orn. Monatsb., 1907, 97).
550a. Ammodramus maritimus peninsule and 550c, A. m. fisheri
vs. A. m. macgillivraii (c?. WAYNE, Auk, 1906, 66, 67). These
proposed changes seem to be unadvisable at present.
570a. Junco pheonotus dorsalis vs. J. dorsalis (cf. Ripaway,
Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. I, 1901, 297). The pro-
posed change is not adopted, since intergradation is believed
to occur.
581). Melospiza cinerea [= melodia] juddi. ‘This proposed
elimination from the Check-List (cj. Rrpaway, Bull. U. 5S.
Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. I, 1901, 356) is believed to be un-
necessary.
Melospiza coronatorum GRINNELL & Daacerr, Auk, 1903, 34.
This is thought to be equivalent to M. melodia clemente, and is not
admitted.
583a. Melospiza lincolni striata vs. WM. /. gracilis Wirriirz (cf.
OBERHOLSER, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XIX, 1906, 42). Not
accepted, Kittlitz’s description being too brief to permit of
certain identification.
585d. Passerella iliaca stephensi vs. Passerella stephensi (cf. GRIN-
NELL, Auk, 1905, 388). The proposed change in status
appears to be unwarranted.
Passerella iliaca annectens Ripaway, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No.
DOS is Us 1901 30;-and
Passerella iliaca annectens vs. P. 7. meruloides (cj. GRINNELL,
Condor, IV, 1902, 45). Both annectens and meruloides are be-
lieved to represent one form, which is inseparable from P. 7. in-
sularis.
59la. Pipilo fuscus albigula vs. P. albiqula (cf. Ripe@way, Bull.
U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. I, 1901, 433).’ This proposed
change in status is thought unnecessary.
396 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. sae
Cardinalis cardinalis magnirostris Banas, Proce. N. E. Zool.
Club, IV, 1903, 6. The characters ascribed to this form are too
slight for recognition.
608. Piranga erythromelas vs. P. mexicana (c]. OBERHOLSER,
Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XTX, 1906, 43). The proposed change
is rejected, on the ground that mexicana is based on Seba, whose
plate and description are better applicable to Cardinalis than
to Piranga.
632c. Vireo huttoni obscurus vs. V’. huttoni (cf. ANDERSON &
GRINNELL, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1903, 12). The
proposed change in status is believed to be unwarranted.
Vireo bellii arizone Ripaway, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XVI,
1903, 108. Not admitted, on the ground that it is a synonym of
V. b. pusillus.
Vireo mailliardorum GRINNELL, Condor, V, 1903, 157. The
characters alleged for this form appear to be too slight for recogni-
tion.
Vermivora celata orestera OBERHOLSER, Auk, 1905, 243. Not
admitted, on the ground of insufficient characters.
Compsothlypis americana ramaline Ripaway, Bull. U. S. Nat.
Mus., No. 50, Pt. II, 1902, 486. Not considered worthy of recog-
nition.
Perissoglossa vs. full genus (c?. Maynarp, Warblers of New
England, 1905, 13). A change in status thought to be unadvisable.
Neodendroica and Cinerosa MayNarD, Warblers of New Eng-
land, 1901-05, 58, 69, 110. These proposed genera are considered
unnecessary, being based upon color characters.
681. Geothlypis trichas vs. G. ¢. ignota (c}. CHapmMan, Auk, 1907,
30-34). The proposed change is believed to be unnecessary.
[695.] Motacilla ocularis vs. M. alba ocularis (cj. HArTert,
Vogel pal. Fauna, HI, 1905, 307). The proposed change
in status appears to be unwarranted.
eae | Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 397
Budytes flavus leucostriatus vs. B. jf. similima (cj. Harrert,
Vogel pal. Fauna, III, 1905, 289). No change is required, since
the Alaskan bird had been previously named alascensis by Ridgway,
whose name was accepted in the last Supplement (Auk, 1904, 417).
697. Anthus pensilvanicus [ = rubescens] vs. A. spinoletta pen-
silvanicus (cf. Hartert, Vogel pal. Fauna, LI, 1905, 282).
Actual intergradation is believed to be unknown.
Toxostoma redivivum helvua THayer & Banas, Proc. N. E.
Zool. Club, IV, 1907, 17. Not deemed sufficiently distinct for
recognition,
716. Salpinctes guadeloupensis vs. S. obsoletus quadeloupensis
(cf. Ripeway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. III, 1904,
650). The proposed change in status is thought to be inex-
pedient.
Catherpes mexicanus poliopterus OBERHOLSER, Auk, 1903, 197.
This is rejected as being based on intergrades of several adjacent
forms.
Thryomanes bewickii cerroensis.
Thryomanes bewickii drymacus.
Thryomanes bewickii nesophilus.
Thryomanes bewickwi eremophilus, and
719.1. Thryomanes leucophrys vs. 7. bewickii leucophrys (cf.
Ripeway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. ITI, 1904, 557—
563). The proposed additions and change in status are not —
accepted, for reasons given in the Tenth Supplement (Auk,
1901, 313-314).
Parus (Lophophanes) bicolor floridanus Banes, Auk, 1898, 181
(cj. Hetitmayr, Tierreich, Lief. 18, 1903, 42). The characters
of this form are too slight and inconstant for recognition. ‘The
Committee gave an adverse decision also in the Ninth Supplement.
Beolophus wollwebert annexus (cf. Ripaway, Bull. U.S. Nat.
Mus., No. 50, Pt. III, 1904, 393). Not admitted, since it proves
to be indistinguishable from true wollwebert.
398 Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. july
736. Parus [= Penthestes] carolinensis vs. P. atricapillus caro-
linensis.
737. Parus [= Penthestes] sclateri vs. P. palustris sclatert.
739. Parus [= Penthestes] cinctus alascensis vs. P. c. obtectus.
(C7. Harrert, Vogel pal. Fauna, II, 1905, 376, 366.) A
change in status in these forms is believed to be unnecessary.
Psaltriparus minimus saturatus Rripaway, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
No. 50, Pt. III, 1904, 434. Not admitted, the Commitee being
unable to find any tangible differences between the proposed new
‘form and minimus.
743). Psaltriparus minimus grinde vs. P. grinde (cj. Ripaway,
Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. III, 1904, 486). There
appear to be no valid reasons for altering the status of this
form.
Regulus calendula cineraceus GRINNELL, Condor, VI, 1904, 25.
The characters of this proposed form appear to be too indefinite
for recognition by name.
763a. Ixoreus nevius meruloides. Proposed elimination. (C7.
Ripeway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, Pt. IV, 1907, 134.)
Material only recently available appears to support the validity
of this form, and the proposed elimination is not accepted.
Siaha sialis grata (cf. Howr, Contr. N. Am. Orn., 1902, 31).
Again rejected, as indistinguishable from S. szalis. (C?. Auk,
1899; 131.)
V. DEFERRED CASES.
Acanthopneuste borealis vs. A. b. kennicotti.
Accipiter velox rufilatus Ripaway.
Agelaius pheniceus arctolequs OBERHOLSER.
Anas boschas spilogaster SCHIOLER.
Glaucidium phalenoides vs. G. p. ridqwayi.
ane oa Fourteenth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 399
1908
Lagopus rupestris chamberlaini GLARE:
Larus vege vs. L. argentatus.
Melospiza cinerea phea FISHER.
Oceanodroma socorroensis vs. O. monorhis.
Otocoris alpestris enertera OBERHOLSER.
Speotyto eunicularia becki RorHscuitp & HaARrrert.
Telmatodytes palustris thryophilus OBERHOLSER.
Totanus melanoleucus frazari BREWSTER.
Trochilus vs. Archilochus.
Vireo huttont oberholseri.
The following generic cases have been submitted to the Inter-
national Zoélogical Commission :
Alca
‘Thalasseus
Actochelidon
Rhantistes
Herodias
Columbina
Morphnus
Catharista
Ceryle
Acanthis
Hortulanus
Helinaia
Ammodramus
Coturniculus
Tiaris
Helminthophila
versus
ee
Plautus.
EH ydroprogne.
Thalasseus.
Fulmarus.
Leucophoyx.
Chemepelia.
Urubitinga.
9
Alcedo (as affected by Ispida Brisson).
Egiothus.
Zonotrichia.
?
Coturniculus. |
Passerherbulus. | Swainsonian genera.
Euetheia.
Vermivora.
ee | ™ ths oe ’
“athe ie ei ia
fgets
ig eae ne
’ Philippine Journal of Science, III, No. 1, Feb., 1908.
Abstract Proc. Zool. Soc. London, Nos. 55-59.
Annals of Scottish Nat. Hist., No. 66, April, 1908. .
Audubon Soc. of North Carolina, Sixth Ann. Report.
Avicultural Magazine, N. S., VI, Nos. 6-8, April-June, 1908.
Bird-Lore, X, Nos. 2 and 3, March-April and May—June, 1908.
Bird Notes, Journ. Foreign Bird Club, VII, Nos. 1-3, March—May, 1908.
Boletim do Museu Geeldi, V, No. 1, 1908.
British Birds, I, Nos. 11 and 12, April-May, and II, No. 1, June, 1908.
Bulletin British Orn. Club, X XI, Nos. CXLI-CXLIII, March—May, 1908.
Bulletin Charleston Museum, IV, Nos. 3-5, March-May, 1908.
Bulletin New Haven Bird Club, No. 1, 1908.
Condor, The, X, Nos. 2 and 3, 1908.
Emu, The, VII, No. 4, April, 1908.
Field Museum of Nat. Hist., Ann. Report for 1907.
Forest and Stream, LX X, Nos. 14-26, 1908.
Ibis, The, (9), II, No. 6, June, 1908.
Journal Maine Orn. Society, X, No. 2, June, 1908.
Journal fiir Ornithologie, LVI, Heft 2, April, 1908.
- National Association of Audubon Societies, Educational Leaflets, Nos.
1-30, and Special Leaflets 1-18.
Ornithologische Monatsberichte, X VI, Nos. 4-6, April-June, 1908.
Ornithologische Monatsschrift, X XXIII, Nos. 3-5, March—May, 1908.
Ottawa Naturalist, XXII, Nos. 1-3, April-June, 1908. :
Science, N. S., Nos. 692-704, 1908.
Wilson Bulletin, N. S., XX, No. 1, March, 1908.
Zoological Bulletin Pennsylvania Dept. Agric., V, No. 12, April, 1908;
VI, Nos. 1 and 2, May, June, 1908.
Zoologist, The, (4), Nos. 136-138, 1908.
PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.
Bangs, Outram. On Certain Costa Rican Birds. (Proc. New England
Zool. Club, IV, pp. 23-35, March 19, 1908.)
Bangs, Outram, and Morton E. Peck. On some Rare and New Birds
from British Honduras: (Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, XXI, pp. 43-46, ©
Feb. 29, 1908.)
Beebe, C. William. Preliminary Report on an Investigation of the
Seasonal Changes of Color in Birds. (Amer. Nat., XLII, Jan. 1908, pp.
34-38. )
Carriker, M. A., Jr. Brief Descriptions of some New Species of Birds
from Costa Rica and a Record of some Species not hitherto recorded from —
that Country. (Ann. Carnegie Museum, IV, 1908, pp. 301, 302.)
Cherrie, George K. On a small Collection of Birds from the Island of
Trinidad. (Mus. Brooklyn Inst. Arts and Sciences, Science Bulletin, I,
No. 13, pp. 353-370, March, 1908.)
Godman, F. Du Cane.. A Monograph of the Petrels, Part 2, March, 1908.
Henshaw, Henry Wetherbee. The Policemen of the Air: An Accotint
of the Biological Survey of the Department of Agriculture. (Geogr. Mag.,
Feb. 1908, pp. 79-118.)
Howard, H. Eliot. The British Warblers, a History with Problems of
their Lives. Parts 1 and 2, Feb., 1907 and March, 1908. Price, 21s. net
per part. e
Howell, Arthur H. Notes on the Winter Birds of Northern Louisiana.
(Proc. Biol«Soc. Washington, X XI, pp. 119-124, April 11, 1908.
Menegaux, A. Expédition antarctique Frangaise, 1903-1905. Oi-
seaux,
- Miller, W. DeWitt. A Review of the Manakins of the Genus Chirozi-
phia. (Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., XXIV, pp. 331-348, pl. xxv (colored).
Oort, E. D. van. (1) On New Guinea Birds. (Notes from the Leyden
Museum, XXIX, pp. 170-180, pll. v, vi.) (2) On an apparently new
form of Casuarius from the Northwest Coast of New Guinea. (Jbid.,
pp. 204-206, pl. viii (colored).
Palmer, T. S. Notes on the Summer Birds of the Yellowstone National
Park. (Ann. Rep. Superintendent Yellowstone Park, 1907, pp. 15-23.)
Penard, F. P., and A. P. De Vogels van Guyana (Suriname, Cayenne
- en Demerara). Vol. I, 8vo, pp. xliii + 587, 1738 illustr. Price, $5.00 net.
Riddle, Oscar. (1) The Cause of the Production of ‘Down’ and other
Down-like Structures in the Plumage of Birds. (Biol. Bull., XIV, Feb.,
1908, pp. 163-176.) (2) The Genesis of Fault-bars in F eathers and the
Cause of Alternation of light and dark Fundamental Bars. (Jbid., May,
1908, pp. 328-370, pll. xiii—xv.)
Reichenow, Ant. Védgel des Weltmeeres. Die Meeresvégel der éstlichen
Erdhilfte. 4to, pp. 437-565, pll. xlv-l, und.32 Abbildungen im Text.
(From Deutsche Siidpolar-Expedition 1901-1903, Bd. IX, Zoologie, 1.)
Schalow, Herman. Beitriige zur Vogel-fauna Centralasiens. (Journ.
f. Orn., 1908, pp. 72-260.)
Walter, Herbert Eugene. Theories of Bird Migration. (School Science
and Mathematics, April-May, 1908.)
‘Warren, Edward R. Northwestern Colorado Bird Notes. (Condor,
V, No. 1, 1908, pp. 18-26.)
(Continued on 3rd page of Cover.)
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A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology
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PUBLISHED BY
The American Ornithologists’ Union
CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
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CONTENTS.
: PAGE
THE, COPPER-PLATES OF THE Fouio EDITION OF AUDUBON’S ‘BIRDS OF AMERICA,’
WITH A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE ENGRAVERS. By Ruthven Deane 5 : Z 401
Some Brrps oF CENTRAL ALABAMA, By Aretas A. Saunders . : - s < 413
BIRDS OF THE BELLINGHAM Bay REGION. By J. M. Edson : ; ; * 425
List OF THE BrrDs oF LOUISIANA. Part V. By G. £. Beyer, Andrew Allison,
and H. H. Kopman . F 7 < - 439
THe Kina CAMEOs OF AUDUBON. By C. Harl Merriam. (Plate VII.) . ao! an eS
RECENT BrrRD RECORDS FROM MANITOBA. By Ernest Thompson Seton 3 - 450
BIRDS OF THE REGION ABOUT NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA, By N. Hollister. (Plate VIII.) 455
THE Birps OF THE ROSEBUD INDIAN RESERVATION, SouTH Dakota. By Albert B.
Reagan at Ene : : ; 462
CHANGES OF PLUMAGE IN Buteo swainsoni. By E. 8S. Cameron . ; 5 468
GENERAL Notes.— Breeding of the Loon in Pennsylvania, 471; A Note on the Audubon
Shearwater, 472; Lead Poisoning in Ducks, 472; Masked Duck (Nomonyx domini-
cus) in Chatham Co., Georgia, 472; Ardea egretta in New Jersey, 473; American Avocet
(Recurvirostra americana) in Camden Co., Ga., 473; Bartramian Sandpiper in Wayne
Co., Mich., 473; Krider’s Hawk and the English Sparrow Nesting together, 474; Mi-
gration of Hawks, 474; Turkey Buzzard (Cathartes aura) in Northern Illinois, 475;
Pileated Woodpecker near Litchfield, Conn., 475; Nelson’s Finch in the Mountains
of Virginia, 475; Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) in Camden Co., Ga., 476;
Lark Sparrow in Southwestern Pennsylvania, 476; Chondestes grammacus at Ips-
wich, Mass., 476; A Tame Field Sparrow, 477; Destruction of English Sparrows, 477;
Swainson’s Warbler and Chuck-will’s-widow Breeding North of the James River,
Virginia, 478; Bachman’s Warbler in Camden Co. and Breeding in Chatham Co., Ga.,
479; Cape May Warbler in Camden Co., Ga., 479; The Kirtland and Pine Warblers
in Wayne Co., Mich., 480; The Hooded Warbler a Summer Resident in Greene Co.,
N. Y., 480; Breeding of the Carolina Wren in Rhode Island, 480; The Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher in Southeastern Pennsylvania, 481; The Hermit Thrush as a Summer.
Resident of Long Island, N. Y°, 481; Records from Bloomington, Ind., 482; New
and Unpublished Records from Washington, 482; Averaging Migration Dates, 484;
Ontario Bird Notes, 486. =
ReEcENT LITERATURE.— Stone on ‘Methods of Recording and Utilizing Bird-Migration
Data,’ 488; Birds of the New Haven Region, 490; ‘A Check List of Rhode Island
Nesting Birds,’ 490; Penard’s Birds of Guiana, 491; Forbes’s Statistical Study of the
Mid-Summer Bird Life of Illinois, 491; Warren on Birds of Northwestern Colorado,
492; Howell on Winter Birds of Northern Louisiana, 493; Birds of Yellowstone Park,
493; Carriker on New Birds from Costa Rica, 493; Mrs. Miller’s ‘The Bird Our Brother,’
493.
CoRRESPONDENCE.— Membership Conditions in the A, O. U., 494.
Notes AND News.— Obituary: J. V. Barboza du Bocage, 496, Francis H. Snow, 497. A
New Museum of Vertebrate Zodlogy in California, 497; ‘How-to Attract and Pro-
tect Wild Birds,’ 497; Three New Bird Reservations, 498; Third Annual Meeting
of the National Association of Audubon Societies, 498; Twenty-sixth stated Meet-
ing of the American Ornithologists’ Union, 498.
INDEX ‘ "i "| n , : s x Re - : ; a . 499
ERRATA ‘ i 5 P ‘ ; f 3 3 4 5 5 Z ; Bees }5
CONTENTS OF VOLUME . $ i 4 A A 2 i . z - : eee) il
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS : 3 F Z : 3 4 i ; F ¥ Sys
= ~
‘THE AUK,’ published quarterly as the, Organ of the AMERICAN ORNI-
THOLOGISTS’ UNION, is edited by Dr. J. A. ALLEN, with the assistance of Mr.
Frank M. CHapMAN.
Terms: — $3.00 a year, including postage, strictly in advance. Single num-
bers, 75 cents. Free to Honorary Fellows, and to Fellows, Members, and
Associates of the A. O. U. not in arrears for dues.
Subscriptions should be addressed to DR. JONATHAN DWIGHT, Jr.,
* Business Manager, 134 West 71st St., New Yorx, N.Y. Foreign Subscrib-
ers may obtain ‘Tue Aux’ through R. H. PORTER, 7 Princes Street,
CAVENDISH SQuaARE, W., Lonpon.
All articles and communications intended for publication and all
books and publications for notice, should be sent to Dr. J. A. ALLEN,
American. Museum oF Naturat History, 77TH St. anpD CENTRAL PARK,
West, New York City.
Manuscripts for general articles should reach the editor at least six weeks
before the date of the number for which they are intended, and manuscripts
for ‘ General Notes’ and ‘Recent Literature’ not later than the first of the
month preceding the date of the number in which it is desired they shall appear.
THE AUK:
A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF
ORNITHOLOGY.
Vou. XXx’v. OcToBER, 1908. No. 4.
THE COPPER-PLATES OF THE FOLIO EDITION OF
AUDUBON’S ‘BIRDS OF AMERICA,’ WITH A
BRIEF SKETCH OF THE ENGRAVERS.
BY RUTHVEN DEANE.
1
THE engraving of the copper-plates for the elephant folio edi-
tion of the ‘Birds of America’ occupied the time between 1827 and
1838 when the 435 plates were completed. These plates were
afterwards sent to America and stored in a warehouse in New York
City. In 1845 many of these plates were seriously damaged by
fire. Ina letter from Spencer F. Baird to Audubon, dated Carlisle,
Penn., August 4, 1845, he writes: “It is with the sincerest regret
that I see by the papers that your copper-plates were injured or
perhaps ruined by fire which occurred a few weeks ago.”
Miss M. R. Audubon informs me that in 1851-52 when her
grandfather’s new house was built, a fire-proof vault, detached
from the other buildings. was put up for them, and there they
remained until the deat’. of her father in 1862, when they were sold.
Under date of February 10, 1908, Miss Grace H. Dodge writes
me that the plates were stored in the warehouse of Phelps, Dodge
and Company, New York, about 1865, and at that time her father,
the late William E. Dodge, had them sorted and presented a num-
ber of those that were in the best state of preservation to several
colleges, museums, friends and members of his family.
401
402 DEANE, Audubon’s Copper-plates of ‘ Birds of America.’ Eee
The probabilities are that the majority of the plates were shipped
from the New York warehouse to the Ansonia Brass and Copper
Company, Ansonia, Conn., of which company Mr. Dodge was
president, and I am indebted to Mr. Charles A. Cowles, Ansonia,
for a most interesting account of how he was the means of saving
several of these plates from being thrown into the smelting furnace
and converted into copper bars. I quote from Mr. Cowles letter
of March 7, 1907: ‘‘The story of the saving of these plates from a
smelting furnace will probably interest you. Some time about the
year 1873, there was found a number of the Audubon copper-plates
among the scrap copper sent to the refinery of the Ansonia Brass
& Copper Company, at Ansonia, Conn., to be converted into
copper bars. I am of the opinion that the number included the
complete set of plates engraved by Robert Havell for the ‘Birds
of America.’
“At that time I was about fourteen years old. I was beginning
the study of taxidermy, and was naturally deeply interested in
birds. I happened to be at the refinery watching the process of
loading one of the furnaces, and noticed on one of the sheets of
copper that a man was throwing into the furnace, what appeared
to me to be a picture of a bird’s foot. I took the plate from him,
cleaned it with acid, and thereupon discovered the engraving, or
as I termed it, the picture, of a bird (Plate CVI, Black Vulture).
I made an immediate but unsuccessful request to the foreman of
the furnace not to melt the plates; and then I appealed to the
superintendent, but without avail. I next brought the matter to
the general manager of the concern, my father, from whom I re-
ceived no encouragement. This sort of treatment was evidently
what I needed, for I hastened back to the works in a state of mind
so determined that I succeeded in having all of the plates that had
not been melted removed to a place of safety. This occurred in
the spring of the year; and the plates remained undisturbed until
the annual inventory was taken the first of the following year. At
that time the question of the disposition of the plates was brought
up. I appealed to my mother and interested her to such an extent
that she drove to the factory and looked at one of the plates. She
of course recognized that they were Audubon plates; and instruc-
tions were given by my father to keep them intact. The plates
aaa Deane, Audubon’s Copper-plates of ‘Birds of America.’ 403
were subsequently submitted to a treatment which removed all
oxidation and then taken to the main office of the company, and,
to the best of my recollection, distributed as follows: Mr. Wm. E.
Dodge, president of the company, had a few plates sent to the
American Museum of Natural History, New York City, and a few
plates to the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C., and I
think he retained one or two for himself. ‘The remainder of them,
with the exception of two, my father kept; and they have since
come into my possession by purchase from the estate. The two
plates just excepted were Nos. 22 and 82 and they particularly
struck my fancy, so much so that when the plates were first discoy-
ered I managed to secure them on the quiet, cleaned them myself
and hid them; and when the plates were distributed no one knew
of the existence of these two and they later became my property.
“T have sent two plates to Miss M. R. Audubon; and there are
two others that I think I could locate. ‘This will make nine plates
that I know of, besides the plates in the museums previously men-
tioned and those that may be in the possession of the heirs of Mr.
Wm. E. Dodge.
“Some of the plates in my possession are in. very much better con-
dition than the rest of them; and I have no doubt but what good
imprints could be obtained if it was thought desirable to use them
for that purpose.” |
A number of the plates were unquestionably sold from New York
before they were shipped to Ansonia, as Mr. John H. Sage, Portland,
Conn., informs me that two in his possession were presented to him
in 1893 by Mr. Thomas R. Pickering, president of the Pickering
Governor Company of Portland, who purchased them with others,
some years before that date, for old metal in a junk shop in New
York City. All of these plates were scratched and bent, but he put
those presented to Mr. Sage and two others to the Wesleyan Uni-
versity, Middletown, Conn., in as good condition as possible. Such
as were utterly ruined, were melted up in the works.
In the ‘Forest and Stream’ of September 12, 1896, is the following
note on the copper-plates.
404 DEANE, Audubon’s Copper-plates of ‘ Birds of America.’ es
“ Audubon’s Plates sold for Junk.
. Boston, Sept. 4, 1896.
“Epitor ForEsT AND StREAM:— I notice in your last issue you announce
you propose to publish for the benefit of ‘Forest and Stream’ readers
some of the Audubon pictures, and it reminds me that over twenty-five
years ago our house had sent them from New York six of the original copper
plates of Audubon’s birds as sample of the lot, which were to be sold for
old metal. They were in very good condition, and by a very little retouch-
ing could have been used again. We thought it a shame to destroy them
and tried to get some of our Boston publishers to purchase them for
legitimate use, but failed in so doing. James R. Osgood! almost was
persuaded, but we finally sent them back to New York, as we would not
consent to be instrumental in their final destruction. Whatever became
of them eventually I never heard, or if I did have forgotten.
‘“‘T remember one of the sample plates we had was the bald eagle, and
I managed to take a hand-rubbed copy from it. These plates were the
Elephant Edition. I think our correspondents in New York at the time,
of which there is one still living, might remember where they went to, for
the senior took the same views of our house and thought it vandalism
to destroy them: but as there were several tons in all, their value then for
old metal, copper being so high in price, amounted to a good sum.
“RENIGNOLDS [E. R. SHarruck].”
As a matter of record of the present resting place of such of these
plates as I have been able to locate, I append the following list. In
addition to these thirty-seven plates, Mr. Cowles has record of two
which he hopes to locate.
Plate. Present location.
Canada Goose. CCLI. American Museum of Natural
History, New York.
Hutchins’s Goose. CCLXXVII. cs
Mallard. CCXXTI. a
Wild Turkey, female and
young. VI. *
Great Northern Diver or
Loon. CCCVI. -
Snowy Owl. CXXI. “
Hawk Owl. CCCLXXVIII. ce
Louisiana Hawk. CCCXCII. ee
Sooty Albatross. CCCCVII. cy
1 James Ripley Osgood, publisher, born Feb. 22, 1836, died May 18, 1892.
ae | Deane, Audubon’s Copper-plates of ‘ Birds of America.’ 405
Rough-legged Falcon.
Raven.
Red-shouldered Hawk.
Three-toed Woodpecker
(banded)
Canadian
Phillips’s
Maria’s
Harris’s
Audubon’s
American Seoter Duck.
Herring Gull.
ce
Labrador Falcon.
Black Vulture.
Marsh Hawk.
Snow Goose.
Great White Heron.
American Robin.
Chuck-wills-widow.
Virginia Partridge.
Great Blue Heron.
Searlet Ibis.
Whooping Crane.
- Trudeau’s Tern.
Havell’s Tern.
Common Tern.
Arctic Jager.
Ruby-throated Humming-
bird.
Wild Turkey, male.
Blue Bird.
Cowpen Bird.
Double-crested Cormorant.
Pomarine Jager.
Night Heron.
Brant Goose.
Plate.
CCCCXXII.
CI.
LVI.
]
CCCCXVII.
—
CCCCVIII.
CCXCI.
CXCVI.
CVI.
CCCLVI.
CCCLXXXI.
CCLXXXI.
CXXXTI.
LI.
LXXVI.
CCXI.
CCCXCVII.
CCXXVI.
CCCCIX.
CCCIX.
CCLXVII.
XLVII.
I.
CXIII.
CCXII.
CCLVII.
CCLIII.
CCXXXVI.
CCCXCI.
Present location.
Princeton University, Prince-
ton; Now:
“
‘ce
Charles A. Cowles, Ansonia,
Conn.
Miss M. R. Audubon, Salem,
Ney:
Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, D. C.
ec
Wesleyan University, Middle-
town, Conn.
John H. Sage, Portland,
Conn.
“oe
Miss Grace H. Dodge, New
York City.
ce
Rey. D. Stuart Dodge, Sims-
bury, Conn.
Cleveland H. Dodge, New
York City.
ia
Mrs. William Church Osborn,
New York City.
406 DEANE, Audubon’s Copper-plates of ‘ Birds of America.’ : aie
I wish to express my sincere thanks to those who have rendered
me assistance in securing information on this interesting subject.
108
RosBerT HAVELL.
Robert Havell was born in Reading, Berkshire, England,
November 25, 1793. He was in business with his father Daniel
Havell until 1828 when the partnership was dissolved. It was at
about this time when Audubon transferred the work of the engray-
ing and coloring of his plates of the ‘Birds of America’ from W. H.
Lizars, who had already issued the first ten, to Havell. His place
of business was located at 77 Oxford St., London, opposite the
Pantheon, and known as the Zoological Gallery, and it was here
that the great work was carried on and completed. Besides the
business of engraving and the publishing of works of art, an agency
was formed for the sale of specimens and other objects connected
with natural history. A general business was also done in water-
color paints, brushes, crayons, albums, books, etc. In 1812,
father and son published a series of ‘Picturesque Views on the
River Thames’ engraved by them in aquatint from drawings by
Robert’s cousin, William H. Havell, who had a reputation as a
painter in water-colors.
Here he remained until September, 1839, when he came to
America with his wife and daughter. Under date of March 9,
1906, his daughter, Mrs. Amelia J. Lockwood! of New York,
wrote me that they sailed in the ship ‘Wellington’ and upon their
arrival traveled up the Hudson River to West Point and other towns,
returning after a few weeks and visited at Mr. Audubon’s, who had
also returned to America and was residing in White St., New
York. After residing in Brooklyn, N. Y., for two years, in 1841
Havell purchased a home in Sing Sing (now Ossining), a beautiful
spot commanding a fine view of the Hudson River and Palisades,
and named it ‘Rocky Mount.’ There he remained until 1857,
when he purchased land and built another home at Tarrytown,
1 Amelia Jane Lockwood, born 1826, died New York City April 6, 1907; widow of
the late Brig. Gen. Munson Ingersoll Lockwood, Commander of ‘The Lockwood
Light Guard of Ossining.’
Robert Havell has a sister, Miss Marion Elington Havell, now living in New
York City.
oe | Drang, Audubon’s Copper-plates of ‘Birds of America.’ 407
N. Y., remaining there until his death November 11, 1878, in his
eighty-fifth year, and was buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery with
his wife, who died July 10, 1878. ‘Their first boy was named
Audubon, and the naturalist stood god-father, holding the child
while being baptised, in St. James church, London. ‘This boy died
two years later.
After coming to America, Havell devoted much time to painting
in oils and a short time before his death gave an exhibition and sale
at his home, of some seventy-five paintings representing landscapes,
panorama views and ornithological subjects. ‘The titles of some
of these were ‘Sun Set on the Hudson,’ ‘Life and Death of the
Pines’ (a forest scene in Canada; the old pines dead and the young
pines springing up amid their graves), ‘Indians gathering Wild
Rice,’ panorama views of ‘East River’ and ‘Niagara,’ ‘Hawk
attacking Mallard Ducks,’ ‘Death of the Warrior’ (White-headed
Eagle dying, and Canvasback Ducks trying to protect their young),
‘Carolina Doves courting.’ Not long since some of Havell’s
paintings were still in possession of his grandson, who also has the
silver loving-cup which Audubon presented to his friend and en-
graver on the completion of the second volume. On this cup is
engraved, “To Robert Havell, from his friend J. J. A. 1834.”
Havell’s skill and patience during the eleven years which the
publishing of this magnificent work occupied, won for him the
reputation he so justly deserved. Prof. John Wilson * (Christopher
North) in his review of the work in Blackwood’s ‘Edinburgh
Magazine,’ Vol. XXX, 1831, says: ‘Mr. Havell is an engraver of
great merit, and his skill has found noble employment in perpetu-
ating the creations, for they are all full of imaginations, of the
‘American Woodsman.’ We have heard some of our best engravers
speak in the highest terms of the execution of the plates that have
appeared since the work came into the hands of Mr. Havyell. Audu-
bon first employed Mr. Lizars of Edinburgh; but that admirable
artist himself recommended his friend to get the work executed in
London that it might have the advantage of his own personal super-
intendence during the first years of its progress.”
As it required over seventy-six thousand plates for the one hun-
1 Prof. John Wilson, born Paisley, May 18, 1785; died Edinburgh, April 3, 1854.
Frequent contributor to Blackwood’s Magazine for many years from 1817.
408 DEANE, Audubon’s Copper-plates of ‘ Birds of America.’ ed
dred and seventy-five copies’ which are supposed to have been
published, it is said that Havell was required to employ the services
of over fifty persons. Notwithstanding the time and care which
the engraver must have devoted to this mammoth undertaking,
were it not for the constant and careful attention of Audubon in
watching all details as the plates were executed, the work would not
have the great reputation which it now bears.
Mr. Havell brought to America a copy of the ‘Birds of America,’
and it is said that every plate was carefully selected by himself.
It remained in the family many years and was finally sold to Francis
and Company, booksellers, New York. It was afterwards pur-
chased by Dr. Gurdon W. Russell, Hartford, Conn., who presented
it to the library of ‘Trinity College July 10, 1900, after it had been
in his possession for some twenty years.
I am much indebted to Mr. Robert Havell Lockwood, grandson
of the engraver, for presenting me with the following hitherto un-
published letter, Audubon to Hayell. It was written seven months
prior to Havell closing up his business and sailing for America
with his family.
Audubon to Havell.
Edinburgh, Feb. 20th, Monday, 1839.
My dear Mr. Havell
I perceive by the date of your letter of the 16th instant that you
must have been some days beyond my expectations, in the receiving
of my parcel to you, and that on that account my letter of Saturday
last crossed yours of the same date. I thank you for what you say
as regards the balance in my favor at Wright and Co.
Does Henry sail from London Docks or from Portsmouth? and
pray what is the name of the Captain of the ‘Wellington’? I do
not precisely understand what you mean by the loose sets which you
desire to know how they should be packed? let me hear what they
are and how many of them by return of mail. The five perfect
1T have record of the present resting place of seventy-five copies swned in this
country. With the exception of a very few sets, they are complete and in good con-
dition. A set in the library of the Mechanics-Mercantile Institute, San Francisco,
Cal., which had been there for some thirty years, and another set in the San Fran-
cisco Art Association, presented in 1894 by Mr. Edward F. Searles, Methuen, Mass.,
were both destroyed by the disastrous earthquake and fire which visited that city
April 18, 1906.
ee | Deane, Audubon’s Copper-plates of ‘Birds of America.’ 409
sets I think might all go into one case, tinned as usual and insured
of course to the full amount of their value, as well as all others and
to which I pray you to attend as if for your own self. It is impossible
for me to go to London at present, and indeed I cannot exactly tell
when I will, and I trust to you entirely for the seeing that all the
volumes are fair and good and passed through your own inspection
of them before they are packed. No volumes of Biographies must
be put in the same boxes.
When you have disposed of your business, what will you do with
what you may have on hand belonging to us? This requires an
answer from you at once. You have a great number of volumes
of Biographies, Pictures &c. &c., a regular list of which you ought
to send me. I cannot yet say when the 5th vol. of Biographies
will be finished, but will let you know as soon as I can. I received
yesterday morning a letter from a gentleman who has procured a
copy of the work through Mr. Eame the bookseller, he says that
he has called upon you to say that he has missing one plate and begs
to have a copy of: the plate struck and remitted to Mr. Eame who
will pay you whatever price the extra trouble on this account may
amount to, but he does not say what plate it is, and I therefor sup-
pose that you do? If so as he is the brother-in-law of Mr. Walker
of Ravensfield Park, one of our good subscribers I would say do it
for him! My wife begs of you to save all the loose prints which
were returned to you by our son Victor, as well as any others what-
ever, perhaps among them you might find one to send Mr. Eame’s
subscriber ?
On the 4th of this month the ‘Great Western’! was nearly half
way across the Atlantic!! Sir William Jardine® has published a
1“ At a meeting of the Directors of the Great Western Railway, Oct., 1835, one
of the party spoke of the enormous length, as it then appeared, of the proposed
railway from London to Bristol, Mr. Brunel exclaimed, ‘why not make it longer,
and have a steamboat to go from Bristol to New York, and callit the ‘Great West-
ern’?”, The suggestion was evidently received with favor, for on July 19, 1837,
the ‘Great Western,’ a steamship of 1340 tons and 236 feet in length, was launched
and on April 8, 1838, she sailed on her maiden voyage, under command of Lieut.
James Hosken, R. N., and reached New York on the 23rd inst. She was regarded
as a nautical novelty and remained in commission for eighteen years.
2 Sir William Jardine, born Edinburgh, Feb. 23, 1800; died Sandown, Isle of Wight,
Nov. 21, 1874. Editor of two editions of Wilson’s ‘American Ornithology’ 1832-34.
Co-author, at the age of 25 years, with Prideaux John Selby, ‘Illustrations of Orni-
thology,’ 1830. Editor ‘Naturalists Library,’ 40 volumes, 1833-45, of which he
wrote 14 volumes. He was keenly addicted to field sports and a master of the rod
and the gun.
= ’ ‘Re ° Auk
410 DEANE, Audubon’s Copper-plates of ‘ Birds of America.’ Oee
capital review of the work! What a strange world we do learn in!
Be sure to let me know about the original drawings at Henry’s,
if he has finished them, where they are &c. &c. We all remain
as usual with kind good wishes to you all,
Your friend
John J. Audubon.
6 Alva St.
[Superscribed]
Robert Havell Esq.
Engraver.
77 Oxford St.
London.
III.
.
Witu1aM Home Lizars.
William Home Lizars, the engraver ofthe first ten plates of the
‘Birds of America,’ was born about 1787 and died at Edinburgh
March 30, 1859. His father was an artist, publisher and engraver
of some merit, and several of his paintings are still in the National
Gallery of Scotland. After his father’s death in 1812, William
carried on the business of engraving and copper-plate printing to
support his mother and family.
He learned the art of engraving from his father to whom he was
at first apprenticed, and later studied engraving at the ‘Trustees
Academy at Edinburgh. He executed numerous plates of Scottish
scenery for various publications, and in 1822 made many anatomi-
cal plates for his brother John, who had acquired a reputation in
that branch of study, but William made his mark as an engraver
by his ‘Scotch Wedding’ and ‘ Reading the Will,’ which were
exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1812. Later a co-partnership
was formed with his brother Daniel under the firm name of D. and
W. H. Lizars, the business being confined to the engraving and
printing, as well as the selling of books. J am under many obliga-
tions to Mr. A. L. Wilkinson, Windsor, Ontario, for copies of three
letters now in his possession, which were written by Audubon to
his grandfather, Daniel Lizars, brother and partner of the engraver.
On the 27th of October, 1827, Audubon had engaged him to act
ae | Deane, Audubon’s Copper-plates of ‘Birds of America.” 411
as his agent in a certain territory. These letters refer to the selling
of the parts as issued and the collecting of accounts from sub- -
scribers, and also dwell in a measure on the difficulty which Audu-
bon was experiencing in receiving response to his communications.
In the ‘ Journals’ we see that Audubon at that time was intimate
with the families and accepted the hospitality of both brothers,
and Mr. Wilkinson writes me that he well remembers his mother
telling him that Audubon staid at his grandfather’s house for weeks
at a time. Sir William Jardine, so prominent in ornithology,
married in 1820 Jane Home Lizars, sister of the engraver, for his
first wife.
Audubon to Lizars.
Daniel Lizars, Esq.,
Book Seller
5 St. David Street — Edinburgh.
Liverpool, 6th Dec., 1827.
My dear Sir:
I have been here two weeks today and would have wrote to you
long since; but on my arrival at Manchester I received a large
parcel of Letters from my wife, saying that she had relinquished the
Crossing of the Atlantic for this winter that has so annoyed me and
lowered my spirits that I really have had no wish to write to any
one. I hope you are well and all the family. I received a letter
from Mr. Havell saying that the Numbers and Prints to complete
your sets had been forwarded you. I hope you have supplied the
Glasgow Museum and the Revd. Mr. Craig. I will not ask if
you have any new names for me as I might be disappointed were
I to expect an affirmative answer. Please write to me here care of
Messrs. Rathbone & Brothers and let me know what success you
have had in collecting; and if any money of mine is in your hands
please forward me. I will go from this to Derby and afterwards
to Bristol and will acquaint you with my success. I have nine
more names since I left you. If you see Sir Wm. Jardine tell him
that Charles Bonaparte has left the U. S. for ever and is gone to
reside at Florence in Italy. Pray tell your brother W. H. that I
will write to him the moment I reach London and wish him and
412 DEANE, Audubon’s Copper-plates of ‘ Birds of America.’ Aue
_ his good wife Well and Happy. I have wrote to Mr. Havell to send
you a No. 5 which I wish you to send to Professor Wilson or indeed
a whole set, to enable him to write the notice he has promised me
for the 1st of next month.
With sincere good wishes
I am yours ever and sincerely
John J. Audubon.
Daniel Lizars, Esq.,
Book Seller
9 St. David Street — Edinburgh.
London, January 21st, 1828.
My dear Sir:
My surprise at not hearing from you is extreme, I hope you are
not unwell or that any misfortunes have befallen your family or
your own concerns. When I write to any one I expect an answer
but when I write to a man whom I esteem and to whom I entrust
a portion of my business, I feel miserable until I hear from him.
This is the third time since my leaving Edinburgh that I have
addressed you and I now do beg that you will answer me by return
of Post and attend to my injunctions detailed in my former letters.
I am extremely desirous to close my business for 1827 and cannot
do so without receiving your % and the money due by my sub-
scribers. Pray answer me and believe me in great haste Yours
Truly and Sincerely,
John J. Audubon.
95 Great Russel Street
Bedford Square.
Daniel Lizars, Esq.,
Book Seller
5 St. David Street — Edinburgh.
London, January 22nd, 1823.
My dear Sir:
I have just time to say that a fortunate demand of my work
makes me request of you to forward me as soon as possible after
receiving this all the sets of 5 numbers which you have on hand
keeping only one full set to show.— The days are now so short and
| SaunpveErs, Birds of Central Alabama. 413
so dark here that the coloring cannot go on fast enough for me.—
If I mistake not you can send me six full sets of 5 numbers — and
should you not have received back the sets intended for Dr. Meckle-
ham who is no longer on my list of subscribers — send for it and
keep that one on hand. You may have them all put in one of the
Boxes sent you by Havell. My list of subscribers for your District
amounts now to Eighteen, six that you will send and one copy for
you to show make Twenty-five. I am extremely anxious to hear
from you. This will be the 4th letter that I have wrote to you
without a word of yours — in great haste
Yours Sincerely
John J. Audubon.
95 Great Russell Street,
Bedford Square.
SOME BIRDS OF CENTRAL ALABAMA.
lod
A List oF THE BIRDS OBSERVED FROM MaARcH 7 TO JUNE Q, IN POR-
TIONS OF Coosa, CLAY AND TALLEDEGA COUNTIES, ALABAMA
BY ARETAS A. SAUNDERS.
SINCE our knowledge of the birds of Alabama is incomplete,
and since few local lists have ever been published from this State,
it was thought that the following would be worthy of publication,
although the observations cover but a small area of country and a
short period of time.
The area covered, consisting roughly of about 100 square miles,
lies principally in the northwestern part of Coosa County, but
includes also the southwestern corner of Clay County, at Hollins.
Besides this, three days, April 14-16, were spent at Sylacauga, in
the southern part of Talladega County. Our camp, about which
the greater part of the observations were made, was situated one
mile east of Woodbine, a small portable lumbering town which is
moved about following the supply of timber, but was then situated
in Coosa County, four miles to the west of Weogufka. Though
414 SauNDERs, Birds of Central Alabama. oor
most of my observations were made at Woodbine, the period from
April 16—May 4, which was in the height of the migration, was
spent at Hollins, in Clay County. I also stopped in Hollins on
March 7, when on my way to Woodbine.
The country here, occupying the extreme southern end of the
Appalachian Mountains, is very rough and hilly. The elevation
is principally from 500-600 feet, but there are one or two long ridges,
such as Mt. Weogufka, just south of Woodbine, which have an
elevation of from 1000 to 1100 feet. ‘There are many small streams
and creeks between the hills, the largest of these in the vicinity of
Woodbine being Weogufka and Finigotchki Creeks. These creeks
are from 40 to 80 feet wide and in most places 4 or 5 feet in depth.
The principal forest growth is long-leaf pine (Pinus palustris) which
occupies all the hilltops and higher and drier places. This tree,
which generally grows on the flat, sandy areas of the coastal plain,
at this point in its range extends farther mland and grows on rougher
country than at any other place. ‘The creek valleys and swales are
occupied by a mixed growth of hardwoods, of such species as cow
oak, tulip, red gum, etc. ‘There are no true swamp areas, and no
open meadows. A few farms are scattered here and there, forming
small open areas in the otherwise unbroken forest. Many of these
are at present deserted and slowly growing back to their original
wild state. In the vicinity of Hollins most of the pine timber has
been cut and there is a much larger per cent. of open country.
I found this tract of country quite a favorable one for the study
of birds. Though the species found were comparatively few, indi-
viduals were in large numbers. Water birds and birds of open
meadows were almost entirely absent. Species which were resi-
dent, either winter or summer, were present in large numbers, but
transients were comparatively few. ‘There seemed to be no marked
paths of migration and no great flights of birds were observed.
There are three marked types of country in which birds are
found; these are (1) pine forests, (2) hardwood forests, and (3)
cleared land, second growth, ete. The pine forests are made up
principally of a pure stand of long-leaf pine. This forms a very
open forest which in most places, on account of the forest fires, is
free of undergrowth, but in some places has a thick growth of black-
jack and other oaks. The common breeding birds in this type of
aecane | Saunpers, Birds of Central Alabama. A415
country are as follows: Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, Great Horned
Owl, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Red-cockaded
Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Flicker, Nighthawk, Chipping
Sparrow, Bachman’s Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Summer Tanager,
Yellow-throated Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Pine
Warbler, Prairie Warbler, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown-headed
Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, and Carolina Chickadee.
The hardwoods form a much denser forest than the pine. The
trees are in many places very tall and large. In open places there
is a thick undergrowth of vines, cane and various shrubs. The
breeding birds in this kind of country are as follows: Red-tailed
Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Downy Wood-
pecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Chuck-wills-widow, Ruby-throated
Hummingbird, Wood Pewee, Green-crested Flycatcher, Florida
Blue Jay, Cardinal, Scarlet Tanager, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-
throated Vireo, Black and White Warbler, Parula Warbler, Ceru-
lean Warbler, Louisiana Water Thrush, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded
Warbler, Carolina Wren, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee,
Blue-gray Gnateatcher, and Wood Thrush.
The cleared land consists of small scattered farms, with a few
buildings, areas of ploughed fields, and second growth in deserted
fields. In moist places along the streams there are thickets of
blackberry and cane. The second growth is largely young pine
and red gum. ‘The ploughed fields have many of them been cleared
by girdling the timber and leaving it standing. These fields,
full of old dead timber, form good nesting sites for many wood-
peckers and other hole-nesting birds. The species breeding in
this type of country are as follows: Bobwhite, Sparrow Hawk,
Downy Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-bellied Wood-
pecker, Flicker, Chimney Swift, Kingbird, Crested Flycatcher,
Orchard Oriole, Goldfinch, English Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Cardi-
nal, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Purple Martin, White-eyed
Vireo, Blue-winged Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Maryland Yellow-
throat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Mockingbird, Catbird, Brown
Thrasher, Bewick’s Wren, Brown-headed Nuthatch, and Bluebird.
On my arrival in Alabama on March 7, migration appeared to
be already under way. Probably some winter residents had already
left as only two Fox Sparrows were seen, and Pheebes, which I had
416 SaunvErs, Birds of Central Alabama. hos
expected to find commonly, were not seen at all. The migration
kept up steadily and evenly throughout March and April without
any noticeably large flights, and lasted till about the middle of May
when a few late transients were still present, although the breeding
birds had settled down and been nesting for some time.
Since my stay in any one county did not last through the entire
migration, complete lists for the counties were not possible. ‘The
following birds were found in Coosa County, but not in Clay County:
Woodcock, Cooper’s Hawk, Barred Owl, Belted Kingfisher,
Whip-poor-will, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Bobolink, Red-winged
Blackbird, Meadowlark, Purple Finch, Vesper Sparrow, Swamp
Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Loggerhead Shrike,
Mountain Solitary Vireo, Bachman’s Warbler, Orange-crowned
Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Kirtland’s Warbler, American Pipit,
House Wren, Winter Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Olive-backed
Thrush, Hermit Thrush. ‘The following birds were found in Clay
County, but not in Coosa County: Wood Duck, Spotted Sandpiper,
Screech Owl, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Nashville Warbler, Yellow
Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler,
Grinnell’s Water Thrush, Wilson’s Warbler, American Redstart,
Short-billed Marsh Wren, Brown Creeper, Gray-cheeked Thrush.
With the exception of the Warbling Vireo, which was found only in
Talladega County, the remaining species were found in both Clay
and Coosa Counties.
The following are some of the most interesting records in this list.
The occurrence of the Florida Blue Jay in place of the more
northern form appears to be a northern extension of the range of
this bird. As the birds differed from the common Blue Jay not
only in size and plumage but also in their notes I have no doubt that
all, or practically all, of the Jays here were of this subspecies. The
occurrence of the Nashville Warbler seems to be the first record of
this species in the State of Alabama, as Prof. W. W. Cooke, in his
report on the Migration and Distribution of Warblers, published in
1905, states that it had not been recorded from the State. The
occurrence, in considerable numbers, of the Blue-winged and
Black-throated Green Warblers as breeding birds, appears to be
a southward extension of the breeding ranges, particularly of the
latter species.
Pee | Saunpers, Birds of Central Alabama. 417
I am much indebted to Dr. Louis B. Bishop for the identification
of subspecies, examination of the manuscript of this list, and for
much encouragement and many helpful suggestions. I am also
indebted to my classmates, who were with me in Alabama, and
who helped and encouraged me in my work whenever possible.
In the following list those species of which specimens were taken
are marked with an asterisk (*).
1. Aix sponsa. Woop Ducx.— On April 18 a male bird was flushed
from a small pool of rain-water at Hollins.
*2. Butorides virescens. GREEN Heron.— First noted at Woodbine
on April 5. Seen occasionally both there and at Hollins until May 6.
3. Philohela minor. AmMrRIcAN Woopcock.— One seen on Weogufka
Creek, Coosa Co., on May 28.
4, Actitis macularia. Sporrep Sanppippr.— One seen along a small
creek at Hollins on April 18.
* 5. Colinus virginianus. Bospwnitre.— Very abundant at both Wood-
bine and Hollins. A nest containing 17 eggs was found on Mt. Weogufka
on May 22.
6. Meleagris gallopavo silvestris. Witp TurKrey.—A pair of these
birds were seen at Woodbine on April 11 and others were heard at Hollins
April 21.
7. Zenaidura macroura. Movurnine Dove.— Very abundant at Wood-
bine but less common at Hollins. Young birds, out of the nest, were seen
as early as May 10.
8. Cathartes aura. Turkey VuLturrE.— Very common.
9. Catharista urubu. Brack Vutrurr.— Less common than the last
species. Locally common in the steep, rocky country on the south side of
Mt. Weogufka.
10. Accipiter cooperi. Coorrr’s Hawx.— One female seen at Wood-
bine on March 15.
11. Buteo borealis. Rep-rarrep Hawxk.— Seen quite commonly and
evidently breeding.
12. Buteo platypterus. Broap-wincep Hawx.— First noted on
March 25 and soon became abundant. I was told of a nest of this species
found on Finigotchki Creek in the latter part of May but did not see it
myself.
13. Falco sparverius. Sparrow Hawxk.— Quite abundant. Young
birds, out of the nest, were seen on June 3.
14. Syrnium varium. Barrep Owx.— One seen on March 27.
15. Megascops asio. ScrEEcH Owx.— One heard at Hollins on April
27.
16. Bubo virginianus. Great Hornep Own.— Quite common. A
tree, cut down by the lumbermen on March 12, contained a large stick nest
with one half-grown owl of this species. An attempt was made to keep
this bird alive but it died in about a week.
418 SaunpERs, Birds of Central Alabama. ae
*17. Coccyzus americanus. YELLOW-BILLED CucKo0o.— Quite com-
mon. First seen at Hollins on April 26.
18. Ceryle alcyon. Brirep KinerisHer.— Seen but twice, March 15
and April 9 on Finigotchki Creek.
19. Dryobates villosus audubonii. SourHprn Hairy WoopPecKEeR.—
Seen occasionally but least common of the eight species of Woodpeckers
found here.
20. Dryobates pubescens. SourHERN Downy WoopprrecKEer.— Very
common.
21. Dryobates borealis. Rep-cockaDpED WoopprcKer.— Abundant
in the pine woods. A brood of young, out of the nest, were seen on May 17.
22. Sphyrapicus varius. YELLOW-BELLIED SapsucKkER.— Very abun-
dant till March 24, last seen March 29.
23. Ceophlcus pileatus. Pinnarep WoopPEcKER.— Quite common at
Woodbine, only one seen at Hollins.
*24. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Rrp-HEADED WoopPEcKER.— First
seen on March 13. Not common till about April1. The farmers, who call
this species by the not inappropriate name of “‘Shirt-tail,”’ shoot all wood-
peckers, but particularly this and the next species, at every opportunity.
They claim that these birds ruin their corn crop in the fall by ripping open
the ripened ears.
*25. Centurus carolinus. Rrep-BELLIED WoopPECKER.— Abundant. A
female bird was seen feeding young in a hole in a stump at Hollins, April 27.
26. Colaptes auratus. FLIcKER. oo
27. Colaptes auratus luteus. NortHerN Fxuicker.— Flickers were
abundant as winter residents but less common as summer residents, the
change taking place about April 5. None were taken but it is thought that
the wintering birds were of the northern form and the summer birds the
southern.
28. Antrostomus carolinensis. CHuUcK-wILLs-wipow.— First heard on
April 9. Became common after this. A set of two eggs was found by
Mr. J. A. Fitzwater on May 24.
29. Antrostomus vociferus. Wur1p-poor-witL.— A bird seen at Wood-
bine, March 30. Others were heard in this vicinity April 4 to 7.
30. Chordeiles virginianus. NicHrHawxK.— First seen April 21. Be-
came very abundant.
31. Cheetura pelagica. CHmNEY Swirr.— First seen on March 30.
Very abundant.
32. Trochilus colubris. Ruspy-rHRoATED HumMiINnGBIRD.— First seen
at Woodbine on March 29. Not seen again until April 21 at Hollins.
Became abundant soon after this and a nest was found on May 9.
33. Tyrannus tyrannus. Krinepirp.— First seen at Woodbine on
April 9. More common at Hollins than at Woodbine.
34. Myiarchus crinitus. Crestep FLycartcHeR.— Common. The first
one was seen on March 30.
35. Nuttallornis borealis. Oxivn-sipep FLycarcHer.— A single indi-
vidual was seen at Woodbine on May 9.
ae SaunpeErs, Birds of Central Alabama. 419
36. Contopus virens. Woop Pewesr.— First seen on April6. Became
common after April 10.
*37. Empidonax virescens. GREEN-CRESTED FLYcATCHER.— First seen
on April 13. A very common bird and characteristic of the hardwood
swales. A nest containing nearly full grown young was found in a branch
of a water oak overhanging Weogufka Creek.
*38. Cyanocitta cristata florincola. FLoripa Biun Jay.— Dr. Bishop
identified my specimens as this subspecies. Quite common. A pair were
seen nest-building on March 29.
39. Corvus brachyrhynchos. Amprican Crow.— Not very common.
40. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Boxsouinx. These birds were seen about
Woodbine from May 4 to 10 but were not common.
41. Agelaius pheeniceus. Rep-winecep Biacksirp.— A flock of about
forty individutls, composed entirely of females, was seen feeding on the
opening red maple buds along Weogufka Creek on March 19.
42. Sturnella magna argutula. FLoripA MrapowLarK.— Seen com-
monly on cut-over and burned-over lands, where they looked entirely out
of place, from March 17 to April 8. None were taken but the birds were
assumed to belong to this subspecies.
43. Icteris spurius. OrcHARD OrroLte.— First seen on April 12.
Quite common at Hollins but less so at Woodbine. Confined to clearings
and the vicinity of buildings.
44, Icterus galbula. Battimore Oriote.— Rare. Seen at Hollins
May 1 and 3, and at Woodbine May 10. ‘
45. Carpodacus purpureus. PurpLte Fincu. Not common. Seen
at Woodbine from March 15 to 29.
46. Astragalinus tristis. AMmpRICAN GoLDFINcCH.— Very abundant.
*47, Passer domesticus. EnauisH Sparrow.— Abundant wherever
there are buildings.
48. Pocecetes gramineus. VESPER SpaRROw.— Seen at Woodbine on
March 15 and 19, in flocks of Field and Chipping Sparrows.
49. Zonotrichia albicollis. WuHirn-rHroaTEep SparRow.— Abundant till
April 25. ‘
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