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BIR. DS OF. AME RIC A. 


Vout. IV. 1 


THE 


FROM / 


DRAWINGS MADE IN THE UNITED STATES 


AND THEIR TERRITORIES. 


BY JOHN JAMES AUDUBON, F. R. SS. L. & E. 


Fellow of the Linnean and Zoological Societies of London; Member of the Lyceum of Natural History 
of New York, of the Natural History Society of Paris, the Wernerian Natural History Society of 
Edinburgh; Honorary Member of the Society of Natural History of Manchester, and of the 
Royal Scottish Academy of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture; Member of 
the American Philosophical Society, of the Academy of Natural Sciences 
at Philadelphia, of the Natural History Societies of Boston, of 
Charleston in South Carolina, the Quebec Literary and 
Historical Society, the Ornithological Society 
in London, the Société Francaise de 
' Statistique Universelle de 

Paris, &c. &e. 


a 7 A) Vor. Vive. 


NEW YORKER: 
PUBLISHED BY J. J. AUDUBON. 


PHILADELPHIA: 


J.B. CHEVALIER. 
1842. 


Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1839, by J. J. Aupupon and J. B. 
Cueva.ier, in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 


E. G. DORSEY, PRINTER, 
LIBRARY STREET. 


CONTENTS. 


FAMILY XVI. AGELAINAL., MARSH BLACKBIRDS. 


Genus I. Doxticuonyx. Ru1cE-BiRD. = = < 


Rice-bird.—Bob-o-link, —- - Dolichonyx oryzivora, 


Genus II. Motorurus. Cow-sirp. = = - 


Cow-pen-bird, - : - - Molothrus pecoris, 


Genus III]. AGentarus. Marsu Biacxsirp. = 


Yellow-headed Troopial,  - - Agelaius canthocephalus, 
Red-and-White-winged Troopial, tricolor, - - 
Crimson-winged Troopial, or Red- 
and-Black-shouldered Marsh gubernator, - 
Blackbird, - - - 
Red-winged Starling, or Red-shoul- | Ros 
dered Marsh Blackbird, - g Se) a 
Genus IV. Icrerus. HANG-NEsT. - - - - 
Baltimore Oriole, or Hang-nest, Icterus Baltimore, - 
Bullock’s Troopial, Gres or ee Bullen x 
nest, - 
Orchard Oriole, or na - spurtus,  - - 


Genus V. QuiscaLus. Crow BLACKBIRD. - = 


Boat-tailed Grakle, or Great Crow : , 
oe Quiscalus major, - 


Blackbird, = - - 
Purple Grakle, or Common Crow oy 
Blackbird i 3 ‘ versicolor, 
Rusty eae oF Busty, Cray packs R errusincus, 
2 


“8 CONTENTS. 
FAMILY XVII. STURNINA. STARLINGS. 


Genus I. SturnELLA. MeEApow STARLING. 


Meadow Lark, or Meadow Starling, Sturnella ludoviciane, - 


FAMILY XVIII. CORVINAS. CROWS. - 


Genus I. Corvus. Crow. - - - - 


Raven, - - - - - Corvus corax, - 
American Crow, - - - aMericanus, 
Fish-Crow, - - - - ossifragus, 


Genus IJ. Pica. Magepiz. - is o s 


Common Magpie, - - - Pica Melanoleuca, 
Yellow-billed Magpie, - - Nuttallit, 
Columbia Magpie, or Jay, - Bullockii, 


Genus III. Garrutus. Jay. - = = 


Steller’s Jay, - - - - Garrulus Stelleri, - 
Blue Jay, - - - - cristatus, - 
Ultramarine Jay, . - - ultramarinus, 
Florida Jay, = - - - : Jloridanus,  - 
Canada Jay, - - - - canadensis, - 


Genus IV. Nucrrraca. NutTcRACKER. = 


Clarke’s Nutcracker, - - Nucifraga columbiana, - 


FAMILY XIX. LANIIN/A. SHRIKES. - 


Genus I. Lantus. SuHrike, or BuTcHER-BIRD. 


Great American Shrike, - - Lanius borealis, 


Loggerhead Shrike, - - - ludovicianus, 


FAMILY XX. VIREONINA. GREENLETS. 
Genus I. Vireo. GREENLET. = = = 


Yellow-throated Vireo, or Greenlet, Vireo flavifrons, 
Solitary Vireo, or Greenlet, - solitarius, 


White-eyed Vireo, or Greenlet, noveboracensis, 


Warbling Vireo, or Greenlet, = - gilvus, 


69 


69 


CONTENTS. 


Bartram’s Vireo, or Greenlet,  - Vireo Bartrami, 
Red-eyed Vireo, or Greenlet, - olivaceus, 


FAMILY XXI. PIPRINA. MANAKINS. - 
Genus I. Icrerta. CuHat. - = = = 


Yellow-breasted Chat, . - Icteria viridis, 


FAMILY XXII. AMPELINA. CHATTERERS. 


Genus I. BomeBycirtua. WaAxwine. = = 


Black-throated Waxwing, or Bohe- 
mian Chatterer, - 


‘ Bombycilla garrula, - 


Cedar Waxwing, or Cedar-bird, carolinensis, 


FAMILY XXIII. SITTIN. NUTHATCHES. 


Genus I. Sirra. NuTruHarcu. - - - 


White-breasted Nuthatch, - - Sitta carolinensis, 
Red-bellied Nuthatch, - - canadensis, 
Brown-headed Nuthatch, - - pusilla, 
Californian Nuthatch, - - pygmed, 


FAMILY XXIV. TROCHILINAS. HUMMING-BIRDS. 


Genus I. Trocuitus. HumMMmIneG-Birp. = 


Mango Humming-bird, = - - Trochilus Mango, 
Anna Humming-bird, - - Anna, 
Ruby-throated Humming-bird, - colubris, 


Genus II. SextasrpHorus. Rurrep HumMiIne-Birp. 


Ruff-necked Humming-bird, - Selasphorus rufus, 


FAMILY XXV. ALCEDIN/A. KINGFISHERS. 


Genus I. Atcepo. KINGFISHER. - - - 


Belted Kingfisher,  - - - /Allcedo alcyon, 


FAMILY XXVI. PICINA.. WOODPECKERS. 


Genus I. Picus. WooprecKER. - - - 


Imperial Woodpecker, - - Picus imperialis, 


155 


vill CONTENTS. 


Ivory-billed Woodpecker, - Picus principalis, 
Pileated Woodpecker, - - pileatus,  - 
Lineated Woodpecker, — - - lineatus, - 
Canadian Woodpecker, — - - canadensis, - 
Phillips’ Woodpecker, - - Phillipsii, - 
Maria’s Woodpecker, - - Martine, - 
Harris’ Woodpecker, - - Flarristi, — - 
Hairy Woodpecker, - - - villosus, - 
Downy Woodpecker, : - pubescens, - 
Gairdner’s Woodpecker, - - Gairdnerii, 
Red-cockaded Woodpecker, - querulus,  - 
Audubon’s Woodpecker, - - Audubon, 
Red-breasted Woodpecker, . ruber, - 
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, = - varius, - 
Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker, arcticus, - 
Banded Three-toed Woodpecker, hirsutus, - 
Bed-bellied Woodpecker, - - carolinus, - 
Red-headed Woodpecker, - - erythrocephalus, 
Lewis’ Woodpecker, - - torquatus, - 
Golden-winged Woodpecker, - auratus, - 
Red-Shafted Woodpecker, - MeXICANUS, 


FAMILY XXVII. CUCULINA. CUCKOOS. 


Genus I. Coccyzus. AMERICAN Cuckoo. = 


Yellow-billed Cuckoo, - - Coccyzus americanus, - 
Black-billed Cuckoo, - - erythrophthalmus, 
Mangrove Cuckoo, - - - Seniculus, - 


FAMILY XXVIII. PSITTACINAS. PARROTS. 


Genus I. CrntTurus. PARAKEET. = = 


Carolina Parrot, - - - Centurus carolinensis, 


FAMILY XXIX. COLUMBINA.. PIGEONS. 


Genus I. Cotumspa. Dove. - = - - 


Band-tailed Dove, or Pigeon, - Columba fasciata, 


White-headed Dove, or Pigeon, leucocephala, 


Pres OF AME RTC 2. 


FAMILY XVI.—AGELAINAY. MARSH BLACK-BIRDS. 


Bill of moderate length, sometimes short, seldom longer than the head, 
stout, straight, conical, compressed, tapering, pointed; upper mandible with 
the dorsal line nearly straight, the nasal sinus short and very wide, the ridge 
thus appearing to encroach on the forehead, the sides rounded, the edges 
without notch; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal 
line straight, the edges involute. Nostrils basal, roundish or oblong. Head 
rather large, ovate; neck short; body moderately full. Legs of moderate 
length, stout, rather slender; tarsus compressed, with eight anterior scutella; 
hind toe large, lateral toes equal, the outer adherent at the base. Claws 
generally long, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft, blended, in the 
males usually glossy. Wings of moderate length, with the outer three or 
four quills longest, the first being very little shorter than the second, or 
sometimes even exceeding it; tail of twelve feathers, of moderate length, or 
elongated. The roof of the upper mandible concave, with three longitudinal 
ridges, of which the middle is larger, and at the base forms a hard promi- 
nence; tongue sagittate and papillate at the base, narrow, deep, pointed. 
Cesophagus wide, dilated about the middle; proventriculus oblong; stomach 
roundish or elliptical, with the lateral muscles distinct and well developed; 
the epithelium dense and longitudinally rugous; intestine short and rather 
wide; cceca very small, cylindrical; cloaca oblong. Trachea simple, with 
four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. Female much smaller. Nest 
various, on trees or bushes, or on the ground, generally elaborate. LEggs 


about five, ovate, spotted and streaked. 
Vou. IV. 2 


10 


Genus I.—DOLICHONYX, Swains. RICE-BIRD. 


Bill rather short, very stout, moderately compressed, conical; upper man- 
ble with the dorsal line straight, a little convex at the base, and very slightly 
deflected at the end, its ridge rather broad, indistinct, sides rounded, edges 
direct, overlapping, tip rather acute; lower mandible with the angle of mode- 
rate length, very broad, dorsal outline ascending, slightly convex at the base, 
sides erect and convex, tip acute; gap-line ascending for a fourth of its 
length, then direct. Nostrils small, elliptical, operculate. Plumage blended, 
but firm, with little gloss. Wings rather long, pointed, the first quill longest. 
Tail of moderate length, the feathers narrow and acuminate. Toes large; 
claws very long, little arched, slender, tapering to a fine point. 


THE RICE-BIRD.—BOB-O-LINK. 


~ Dorticnonyx oryzivora, Linn. 
PLATE CCXI.—Mate anp FemMate. 


Very few of these birds pass through Louisiana in spring, and still fewer, 
on their return, in autumn; for which reason I am inclined to think that they 
do not spend the winter months so much in the southern parts of America 
as in some of the West India Islands. Indeed, I am the more inclined to 
believe this to be the case, as they seldom penetrate far into the interior, 
during their stay with us, but prefer the districts bordering upon the Atlantic, 
through which they pass and repass in incredible numbers. 

In Louisiana, small detached flocks of males or of females appear about the 
middle of March and beginning of April, alighting in the meadows and 
grain-fields, where they pick up the grubs and insects found about the roots 
of the blades. I have heard it asserted, though I cannot give it as a fact, 


7 Matle.2 Hinnate 


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THE RICE-BIRD.—BOB-O-LINK. rk 


that the appearance of the Rice-bird in spring forebodes a bad harvest. The 
idea probably originates from the circumstance that these birds do not pass 
through Louisiana regularly every year, there being sometimes three or four 
springs in succession in which they are not observed. 

The plumage of many of the males at this early season still resembles that 
of the females, but it changes in the course of their stay, which is seldom 
more than a fortnight. I have ascertained this fact by dissecting many at 
this period, when, notwithstanding the dull colour of their plumage, I found 
the sexual organs greatly developed, which is not the case in autumn, even 
in the old males. I had another clew to the discovery of this fact. No 
sooner did a flock of females make its appearance, than these dull-looking 
gentlemen immediately paid them such particular attention, and sang so 
vehemently, that the fact of their being of a different sex became undeniable. 

Here they pass under the name of Meadow-birds. In Pennsylvania they 
are called Reed-birds, in Carolina Rice Buntings, and in the State of New 
York Boblinks. ‘The latter appellation is given to them as far eastward as 
they are known to proceed for the purpose of breeding. 

During their sojourn in Louisiana, in spring, their song, which is extremely 
interesting, and emitted with a volubility bordering on the burlesque, is 
heard from a whole party at the same time; when, as each individual is, of 
course, possessed of the same musical powers as his neighbours, it becomes 
amusing to listen to thirty or forty of them beginning one after another, as 
if ordered to follow in quick succession, after the first notes are given by a 
leader, and producing such a medley as it is impossible to describe, although 
it is extremely pleasant to hear it. While you are listening, the whole 
flock simultaneously ceases, which appears equally extraordinary. This 
eurious exhibition takes place every time that the flock has alighted on a 
tree, after feeding for awhile on the ground, and is renewed at intervals 
during the day. 

There is a very remarkable fact in the history of this species, which is, 
that while moving eastward, during their migration, in spring, they fly 
mostly at night; whereas in autumn, when they are returning southward, 
their flight is diurnal. ~This, kind reader, is another puzzle to me. 

About the middle of May, the Boblinks reach the State of New York, 
their stay in the intermediate States being of short duration at that season, 
although sufficient to enable them to cause great injury to the corn fields in 
Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, where it is said, although I can 
scarcely give credit to the assertion, that they cut the blade near the root. 
This is perhaps laid to their charge for the purpose of aggravating the real 
injury which they afterwards inflict on the farmers, by feeding on the grain 
when in a milky and tender state. However, they reach the States of New 


12 THE RICE-BIRD.—BOB-O-LINK. 


York and Connecticut, and extend their journey to the easternmost of our 
districts, proceeding also to the borders of Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, 
and the St. Lawrence. 

By this time they have become so plentiful, and have so dispersed all 
over the country, that it is impossible to see a meadow or a field of corn 
which does not contain several pairs of them. The beauty, or, perhaps more 
properly, the variety of their plumage, as well as of their song, attracts the 
attention of the bird-catchers. Great numbers are captured and exposed for 
sale in the markets, particularly in those of the city of New York. They 
are caught in trap-cages, and feed and sing almost immediately after. Many 
are carried to Europe, where the shipper is often disappointed in his profits, 
as by the time they reach there, the birds have changed their colours and 
seem all females. 

Whilst the love-season lasts, the males are more sprightly than ever. 
Their song is mostly performed in the air, while they are rising and falling 
in successive jerks, which are as amusing as the jingling of their vocal essays. 
The variety of their colours is at this juncture very remarkable. It is equally 
so, when, on rising from among the grass and flying away from the observer, 
they display the pure black and white of their wings and body. 

The nest of the Rice Bunting is placed on the ground, without much 
apparent care as to choice of situation, but always amongst the grass, or in 
a field of wheat or barley. It is composed of coarse dried grasses and leaves 
externally, and is lined with finer meadow grass. It appears large for the 
size of the bird. The female lays from four to six eggs, of a white colour, 
strongly tinged with dull blue, and irregularly spotted with blackish. They 
raise only one brood in a season. 

No sooner have the young left the nest, than they and their parents 
associate with other families, so that by the end of July large flocks begin to 
appear. They seem to come from every portion of the Eastern States, and 
already resort to the borders of the rivers and estuaries to roost. Their 
songs have ceased, the males have lost their gay livery, and have assumed 
the yellow hue of the females and young, although the latter are more firm 
in their tints than the old males, and the whole begin to return southward, 
slowly and with a single clink, sufficient however to give intimation of their 
passage, as they fiy high in long files during the whole day. 

Now begin their devastations. They plunder every field, but are shot in 
immense numbers. As they pass along the sea shores, and follow the muddy 
edges of the rivers, covered at that season with full grown reeds, whose tops 
are bent down with the weight of the ripe seeds, they alight amongst them 
in countless multitudes, and afford abundant practice to every gunner. 

It is particularly towards sunset, and when the weather is fine, that the 


THE RICE-BIRD.—BOB-O-LINK. 13 


sport of shooting Reed-birds is most profitable. They have then fully 
satiated their appetite, and have collected closely for the purpose of roosting. 
At the discharge of a gun, a flock sufficient to cover several acres rises en 
masse, and performing various evolutions, densely packed, and resembling a 
sultry cloud, passes over and near the sportsman, when he lets fly, and finds 
occupation for some time in picking up the dozens which he has brought 
down at a single shot. One would think that every gun in the country has 
been put in requisition. Millions of these birds are destroyed, and yet 
millions remain, for after all the havoc that has been made among them in 
the Middle Districts, they follow the coast, and reach the rice plantations of 
the Carolinas in such astonishing numbers, that no one could conceive their 
flocks to have been already thinned. Their flesh is extremely tender and 
juicy. The markets are amply supplied, and the epicures have a glorious 
time of it. 

By the end of October, few are found remaining in the States of New 
York and Pennsylvania; and by the first of December they have left the 
United States. 

The food of these birds varies according to the seasons, and consists of 
grubs, caterpillars, insects of various kinds, such as beetles, grasshoppers, 
crickets, and ground-spiders, and the seeds of wild oats, wheat, barley, rice, 
and other grasses. They cling or climb along the stalks of rank weeds, 
reeds, and corn, with great activity and ease, and when at roost place them- 
selves as near the ground as possible. 

According to Dr. Ricwarpson, this species does not proceed northward 
beyond the 54th parallel, where it arrives in the beginning of June. Among 
the Creek Indians it bears the name of “Skunk-bird,”’ from the similarity of 
its plumage to the colouring of the Skunk, Mephitis Americana. It has 
been observed on the Rocky Mountains by Mr. Townsenp. I found it 
entering the United States from beyond the Texas, on the shores of the Gulf 
of Mexico, early in April, when most of the males were in full plumage, 
and I have no doubt that before they reach the Carolinas this state of plumage 
is perfected. 

My friend Dr. Brewer describes their mode of nestling in Massachusetts 
as follows:—“This species breeds here abundantly, although, from the careful 
manner in which the nest is concealed, it is very seldom met with. The 
Rice-bird arrives in New [England about the middle of May, and commences 
its nest usually about the first of June. It is placed on the ground, and here 
for the most part in meadows, and with so much pains at concealment, that 
itis to be found only by accident. Ingenious stratagems are also used to 
decoy the passer-by from its vicinity: for instance, a pretended anxiety about 
parts of a field in which they have not the slightest interest; so that persons 


14 THE RICE-BIRD.—BOB-O-LINK. 


unaware of this are often induced to search spots many rods distant from the 
object of their pursuit. The nest is very simple, usually consisting of a few 
pieces of hay and straw, so loosely arranged as hardly to admit of removal 
without falling to pieces. The eggs, five in number, measure fifteen-six- 
teenths of an inch in length, and eleven-sixteenths in breadth. About the 
8th of August, they assemble in large flocks, and take their departure for 
the south.”’ 

In a male preserved in spirits, the palate is ascending, with two lateral 
ridges, which on meeting anteriorly form a soft prominence; on the upper 
mandible beneath are three ridges, of which the lateral are larger; the lower 
mandible is deeply concave; the width of the mouth 43 twelfths. The 
tongue is 5 twelfths long, sagittate and papillate at the base, narrow, deep, 
pointed, and with a median groove on its upper surface. It thus approaches 
in form to that of the Finches and Buntings. The cesophagus is 24 inches 
long, its greatest width 44 twelfths, contracting to 2 twelfths as it enters the 
thorax; the proventriculus 3 twelfths broad, its glands forming a belt 4 
twelfths in breadth. The stomach is rather small, roundish, much com- 
pressed, 6 twelfths in length, and of the same breadth; its lateral muscles 
thick, the tendons large; the epithelium thin, tough, reddish-brown, with 
longitudinal ruge. The intestine is 7 inches 9 twelfths long; its average 
width 13 twelfths,; the cceca } twelfth long, + twelfth broad, 9 twelfths from 
the extremity. 

The trachea is 14 inches long, 1 twelfth broad at the upper part, con- 
siderably compressed; the rings 55, with 2 dimidiate; the muscles as in the 
last species; bronchi of about 12 half rings. 


Rice-Buntine, Emberiza oryzivora, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 48. 

IcTERUS AGRIPENNIS, Bonap. Syn., p. 53. 

Douicnonyx oryzivorus, Sharp-tailed Rice-bird, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., 
vol. il. p. 278. 

Rice-zirp, or Bos-o-Link, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 185. 

Rice-pirp, Icterus agripennis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 283; vol. v. p. 486. 

Male with the head, cheeks, lower parts, wings, and tail, black; a band of 
brownish-yellow across the hind neck; the back anteriorly black, the feathers 
with yellowish edges, posteriorly light grey, passing into white, of which 
colour are the scapulars. Female with the upper parts light yellowish-brown, 
longitudinally streaked with blackish-brown; the lower parts light greyish- 
yellow, the sides streaked with dusky. In autumn, the males assume the 
plumage of the female. 

Male, 7, 11. 

Passes from Texas eastward and northward. Breeds from the Middle 
Districts northward. Extremely abundant. Migratory. 


THE RICE-BIRD.—BOB-O-LINK. 15 
Tue Rep MApte. 


Acer rusrum, Willd., Sp. Plant., vol. iv. p. 984. Pursh, Flor. Amer., vol. i. p. 265. 
Mich., Arb. Forest. de Amer. Sept., vol. ii. p. 210, pl. 14.—OctTanpria Monoeynta, 
Linn.—AckERINnEsx, Juss. 


This species, which is known by the names of red maple and swamp 
maple, is distinguished by its five-lobed or three-lobed leaves, which are 
cordate at the base, unequally and deeply toothed, and glaucous beneath; its 
sessile umbels, elongated pedicels, and smooth germens. The flowers and 
seeds are red. It is very extensively distributed, and in the swamps of 
Pennsylvania and New Jersey attains a height of from sixty to eighty feet. 
When young, the bark is smooth, and covered with large white spots, but it 
ultimately cracks and becomes brown. The wood is hard and close, and 
takes a good polish. It is extensively used for various purposes. 


Genus II.—MOLOTHRUS, Stwains. COW-BIRD. 


Bill rather short, very stout, moderately compressed, conical; upper man- 
dible with the dorsal line slightly convex, its ridge flattened for half its 
length, afterwards narrow, sides tonvex, edges direct, tip rather acute; lower 
mandible with the angle short and wide, the dorsal outline ascending, 
straight, sides erect and convex, edges involute, tip acute; gap-line gently 
ascending for a third of its length, afterwards direct. Nostrils small, ellip- 
tical. Plumage blended, glossy. Wings rather long, pointed, the second 
quill longest, the first almost equal. Tail of moderate length, the feathers 
broad and rounded. 


16 


THE COW-PEN-BIRD. 
+Motorurus pecoris, Gmel. 
PLATE CCXiI.—Mate, Femaue, anp Youne. 


The works of Nature are evidently perfect in all their parts. From the 
manifestations of consummate skill everywhere displayed, we must infer that 
the intellect which planned the grand scheme, is infinite in power; and even 
when we observe parts or objects which to us seem unnecessary, superfluous, 
or useless, it would be more consistent with the ideas which we ought to 
have of our own feeble apprehension, to consider them as still perfect, to 
have been formed for a purpose, and to execute their intended function, than 
to view them as abortive and futile attempts. 

The seed is dropped on the ground. It imbibes moisture, swells, and its 
latent principle of life receiving an impulse, slowly unfolds. Its radicle 
shoots down into the earth, its plumule rises toward the sky. The first 
leaflets appear, and as we watch its progress, we see it assuming size and 
strength. Years pass on, and it still enlarges. It produces flowers and 
fruits, and gives shelter to multitudes of animated beings. At length it 
stands the glory of the forest, spreading abroad its huge arms, covering with 
its dense foliage the wild animals that retreat to it for protection from the 
sun and the rain. Centuries after its birth, the stately tree rears its green 
head to the sky. At length symptoms of decay begin to manifest them- 
selves. The branches wither, the core dies and putrefies. Grey and shagg 
lichens cover its trunk and limbs. The Woodpecker resorts to it for the 
purpose of procuring the insects which find shelter beneath its decayed bark. 
Blackness spreads over the heavens, the muttering of the thunder is heard. 
Suddenly there comes on the ear the rushing noise of the whirlwind, which 
scatters the twigs and the foliage around, and meeting in its path the patriarch 
of the forest, lays him prostrate on the ground. For years the massy trunk 
lies extended on the earth; but it is seen gradually giving way. The sum- 
mer’s sun and the winter’s frost crumble it into dust, which goes to augment 
the soil. And thus has it finished its course. 

Look again at the egg, dropped on its curious bed, the construction of 
which has cost the parent bird many labours and anxieties. It also is a seed, 
but it gives rise to a very different object. Fostered by the warmth imparted 
by the anxious parent, the germ which it contains swells into life, and at 


N° 4. ieirale 


COVUTICOPE” 
1 Mate. 2 Fernate.3. Foung. 


Drawn from Nature by IST AnanbowEFRSELS. Lith Printed & Col. ey I. TL Bowen Lhitad. 


ae pe Mey ‘te 


THE COW-PEN-BIRD. 17 


length bursting its fragile enclosure, comes tottering into existence. To 
sustain the life and contribute to the development of this helpless being, the 
mother issues in quest of food, which she carefully places in its open throat. 
Day after day it acquires new development under the fostering care of its 
nurse, until at length, invested with all the powers which Nature intended 
to bestow upon it, it spreads its pinions to the breeze, and sallies forth to 
perform the many offices for which it is destined. 

How often have I watched over the little bird in its nest, and marked the 
changes which day after day it exhibited: the unfolding of its first scanty 
covering of down, the sprouting of its plumelets, the general enlargement of 
all its parts! With what pleasure have I viewed the development of its 
colouring and the early manifestations of its future habits! 

Amid these wonderful operations of Nature, there is one which has occa- 

sionally engaged my attention, and occupied my thoughts, ever since I first 
became acquainted with the bird of which I now proceed to speak. 
_ The Cow-bird, which in form and character is allied to the Crow Black- 
bird, the Redwing, the Orchard Oriole, and other species, differs from these 
birds in one important circumstance, which approximates it to the Cuckoo 
of Europe, a bird entirely different in habits and appearance. Like that 
bird, it makes no nest of its own, but deposits its eggs, one at a time, in the 
nests of other birds, leaving them to the care of a foster-parent. 

In the State of Louisiana, the Cow-pen-bird, or as it is also called, the 
Cow Blackbird, or Cow Bunting, is seen only at long intervals. Some years 
pass without the appearance of a single individual there. At other times 
immense flocks are observed mixing with the Redwings, Crow Blackbirds 
and Robins, searching about the farm-yards, the fields, and the meadows with 
great diligence for food. At such times they are easily approached, and are 
shot in great numbers, being considered more delicate and better flavoured 
than the species with which they associate, excepting the Robin. Like the 
Redwings, they seek the swamps and the margins of lakes and rivers, where 
they roost among the tall sedges, flags, and other aquatic plants. When dis- 
turbed in these retreats, they rise in a dense mass, perform various evolutions 
in the air, and alight again to resume their repose. At daybreak, they return 
to the cultivated parts of the country to search for food. In Georgia and 
South Carolina, they occur in great abundance every winter. Some also 
spend the winter in Virginia and Maryland, as well as in the States of Ken- 
tucky and Indiana, where I have observed them lingering about farm-houses 
and cow-pens during severe weather. Great flocks, however, retire much 
farther south. I have seen many of these birds passing high in the air, at 
mid-day, in the month of October, pursuing their course steadily, as if bent 


upon a long journey. 
Voz. IV. 


co 


18 THE COW-PEN-BIRD. 


The Cow-pen-bird, after passing the winter in the Southern States, or in 
regions nearer the equator, makes its appearance in the Middle States about 
the end of March or beginning of April, arriving in small parties. Their 
flight is performed chiefly under night; and during the day they are seen 
resting on the trees, or frequenting the banks of streams in quest of food. 
They continue to be seen in small flocks until the beginning of June, when 
they disappear, the various flocks having successively passed northward. 

Its flight is similar to that of the Redwing, with which it frequently 
associates in its rambles. During spring and summer it feeds on insects, 
larvee and worms, frequenting the cornfields, meadows and open places. 

The males and females arrive together; but contrary to the general prac- 
tice among the feathered tribes, these birds do not pair. The males seem to 
regard the females with little interest. The numberless acts of endearment, 
the many carrollings, joyous flights, and bursts of ecstatic feeling, which 
other birds display at the commencement of the breeding season, are entirely 
dispensed with. When a particular intimacy takes place between two indi- 
viduals of different sexes, it soon ceases, and the same individuals mate with 
others. The sexual attachment intended for the benefit of the young brood 
does not take place, because in this species the young are not to be reared by 
their parents, but to be left to the care of birds of other kinds. The Cow- 
pen Buntings, in fact, like some unnatural parents of our own race, send out 
their progeny to be nursed. | 

When the female is about to deposit her eggs, she is observed to leave her 
companions, and perch upon a tree or fence, assuming an appearance of 
uneasiness. Her object is to observe other birds while engaged in con- 
structing their nests. Should she not from this position discover a nest, she 
moves off and flies from tree to tree, until at length, having found a suitable 
repository for her egg, she waits for a proper opportunity, drops it, flies off, 
and returns in exultation to her companions. 

The birds in whose nests the eggs of the Cow Bunting are thus deposited, 
are all smaller than itself. That which is most frequently favoured with the 
unwelcome gift is the Maryland Yellow-throat. The other species in which 
I have found the egg of the Cow-bird are the Chipping Sparrow, the Blue- 
bird, the Yellow-bird, several Fly-catchers, especially the Blue-grey and the 
White-eyed, and the Golden-crowned Thrush. The nests of these birds are 
very different in form, size and materials, as well as in position, some being 
placed high on trees, others in low bushes, and that of the Thrush on the 
ground, 

It is also a very remarkable circumstance, that although the Cow-bird is 
larger than the species in the nests of which it deposits its eggs, the eggs 
themselves are not much superior in size to those of their intended foster- 


THE COW-PEN-BIRD. 19 


parents. © This is equally the case with the European Cuckoo, which selects, 
for the purpose of depositing its egg, the nest of the Titlark, Hedge-Sparrow, 
or some other small bird. And here, as in so many other cases, may we 
observe the adaptation of means to ends which nature has so admirably made. 
The egg of the Cuckoo, in fact, is not so large as that of the Skylark, a bird 
which, to the other, hardly bears the proportion of one to six. The intention 
here has not been by a similarity in size and colouring, to deceive the bird 
in whose nest the egg is placed, for, on all occasions, the individuals on which 
the gift have been bestowed, receive it unwillingly, and, in fact, manifest 
great alarm and resentment. On the contrary, the object has been to secure 
the development of the embryo, by adapting the size of the egg to the 
capability of imparting heat to it. 

Should the Cow-bird deposit its egg in a nest newly finished, and as yet 
empty, the owners of the nest not unfrequently desert it; but, when they 
have already deposited one or more eggs, they generally continue their 
attachment to it. There is reason for believing, however, that, on all occa- 
sions, they are aware of the intrusion that has been effected. 

The Cow-bird never deposits more than one egg in a nest, although it is 
probable it thus leaves several in different nests, especially when we consider 
the vast numbers of the species that are to be seen on their return south- 
ward. It does not make a forcible entrance, but watches its opportunity, 
and when it finds the nest deserted by its guardians, slips to it ike one bent 
on the accomplishment of some discreditable project. When the female 
returns, and finds in her nest an egg which she immediately perceives to be 
different from her own, she leaves the nest, and perches on a branch near it, 
returns and retires several times in succession, flies off, calling loudly for her 
mate, who soon makes his appearance, manifesting great anxiety at the 
distress of his spouse. They visit the nest together, retire from it, and con- 
tinue chattering for a considerable time. Nevertheless, the obnoxious egg 
retains its position, the bird continues to deposit its eggs, and incubation 
takes place as usual. The egg of the Cow-bird is of a regular oval form, 
pale greyish-blue, sprinkled with umber-brown dots and short streaks, which 
are more numerous at the larger end. 

Incubation has been continued for nearly a fortnight, and the young Cow- 
bird bursts the shell. Another remarkable occurrence now takes place. The 
eggs of the foster-bird are yet unhatched, and soon after disappear. In every 
case the Cow-bird’s egg is the first hatched, and herein also is manifested 
the wisdom of Nature; for the parent-birds finding a helpless object, for 
whose subsistence it behoves them to provide, fly off to procure food for it. 
The other eggs are thus neglected, and the chicks which they contain neces- 
sarily perish. Birds have probably the means of knowing an addle egg, for, 


20 THE COW-PEN-BIRD. 


wow 


when any such remain after the hatching of the others, they always remove 
them from the nest; and, in the present case, the remaining eggs are soon 
removed, and may sometimes be seen strewn about in the vicinity of the 
nest. In the case of the Cuckoo matters are differently managed, for the 
young bird of that species very ungratefully jostles out of the nest all his 
foster-brothers and sisters, that he may have room enough for himself. If 
we are fond of admiring the wisdom of Nature, we ought to mingle reason 
with our admiration; and here we might be tempted to suspect her not so 
wise as we had imagined, for why should the poor Yellow-throat have been 
put to the trouble of laying all these eggs, if they are, after all, to produce 
nothing? This isa mystery to me; nevertheless, my belief in the wisdom 
of Nature is not staggered by it. 

As the young Cow-bird grows up, its foster-parents provide for it with 
great assiduity, and manifest all the concern and uneasiness at the intrusion 
of a stranger, that they would do were their own offspring under their charge. 
When fully fledged, the young bird is of a sooty-brown colour. Long after 
it has left the nest, it continues to be fed by its affectionate guardians, until 
it is at length able to provide for itself. 

Towards the end of September, the old and young Cow-birds congregate 
in vast numbers, and are seen wending their way southward, sometimes by 
themselves, more frequently intermingled with other species, such as the 
Purple Grakles and the Redwings, which they join in their plundering 
expeditions. They are to be seen in the Middle States until near the end of 
October, although unusually severe weather sometimes forces them south- 
ward at an earlier period. 

This species derives its name from the circumstance of its frequenting 
cow-pens. In this respect it greatly resembles the European Starling. Like 
that bird it follows the cattle in the fields, often alights on their backs, and 
may be seen diligently searching for worms and larye among their dung. 
In spring, the cattle in many parts of the United States are much infested 
with intestinal worms, which they pass in great quantities, and on these the 
Cow-bird frequently makes a delicious repast. 

It has no song properly so called, but utters a low muttering sort of 
chuckle, in performing which, it is seen to swell out its throat, and move the 
feathers there in succession, in a manner very much resembling that of the 
European Starling. 

The young bird from which I made the present figure was sent to me by 
my friend THomas Nurratt, Esq., through Dr. Trupzav. It is the same 
as that described by the former gentleman under the name of “Ambiguous 
Sparrow, Fringilla ambigua,” at p. 485 of his Manual of the Ornithology 
of the United States and of Canada. On inspecting it, however, I at once 


THE COW-PEN-BIRD. 21 


~~ 


felt convinced that it was nothing else than a young Cow-pen-bird, scarcely 
fledged, it having been found “in the early part of the summer of 1830.’’ 
With the view, therefore, of preventing further mistakes I thought it well 
to figure it. 

It is in the habit of retiring to rest and spending the night on the reeds 
bordering ponds in unfrequented places, as are the rest of our “Blackbirds,” 
One of their roosting-places is alluded to by my young friend Dr. Tuomas 
M. Brewer, of Boston, in a letter, as follows:—“The four Cow Blackbirds 
which I obtained the last day you were with us, were shot in the marshes of 
Fresh Pond, by Mr. Cuartes EK. Ware. I went to the pond a day or two 
after, but was unable to procure any, as it was so late in the afternoon that 
they were all gone to roost in the reeds, and I could see them in thousands, 
nay, tens of thousands. The rustling noise they made was truly deafening.” 

“You can hardly expect,’ continues Dr. Brewer, “that I should add any 
thing to the detailed account which I have already given you of this bird, 
and yet I cannot but think that much remains to be told respecting its habits. 
Many circumstances relative to its history still solicit the attention of the 
inquisitive naturalist, but of these I am not at present qualified to speak. 
There is one subject, however, on which I may offer a few remarks, namely, 
its laying in the nest of Fringilla tristis. Wuruson first asserted that it 
burdens that species with the charge of its egg; but Mr. Nurratr denies 
the possibility of such an occurrence, on the ground that the Cow Blackbirds 
are not present at the time when the Goldfinch is breeding. For this, how- 
ever, Mr. Orp takes him to task, and states that he has himself seen a Cow 
Bunting’s egg in the nest of the bird in question. Now, it appears to me, 
that when we consider how extremely incorrect Witson’s description of the 
nest and eggs of Fringilla tristis is, very little reliance can be placed upon 
his assertion in this case. I can add my testimony to the authority of Mr. 
Nurratt as to the absence of the Cow-bird from this State while the Gold- 
finch is breeding here. The former leaves Massachusetts before the first of 
July, sometimes earlier, indeed by the middle of June, and never lays on its 
return late in September. I have never found the nest of the Goldfinch 
before the 7th of August, although Mr. Nurrauu states that it breeds in 
July. But then Mr. Orp says that he has himself witnessed the occurrence. 
I would be the last person to doubt that gentleman’s veracity, nor have I the 
slightest idea that he would wilfully make a mistatement; yet I cannot help 
thinking that in this matter he has been deceived. Perhaps he is correct: 
but, in that case, he must either have in his part of the country a distinct 
species of Goldfinch, or its habits and those of the Cow-bird must be very 
different there from what they are here. At all events, it is utterly impos- 
sible that such an occurrence could ever have taken place in Massachusetts. 


99 THE COW-PEN-BIRD. 


I think, therefore, that the Goldfinch should be struck from the list of 
those species in the nests of which the Cow-bird lays. On the other 
hand, Sylvia Blackburnixe and S. vermivora are to be added to it. The 
Cow-bird is very common at Boston, having its eggs in the nests of the 
White-eyed Vireo, the Red-eyed, and any other that it chances to encounter, 
and departing in autumn for the south. 


Cow Buntine, Emberiza pecoris, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 145. 

IcrerRus PEcorRIS, Bonap. Syn., p. 53. 

Mo torsrus Pecoris, Cow-pen or Cuckoo Bunt, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. 
ii. p. 277. 

Cow Trooptau, or Cow Buacxeirp, Icterus pecoris, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 178. 

Cow-PEn-BIRD, Icterus pecoris, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 493; vol. v. p. 233, 490. 


Male with the head and neck sooty-brown, the body black, glossed with 
green, the fore part of the back with blue. Female considerably smaller, 
greyish-brown, the lower parts lighter. Young with the upper parts grey- 
ish-brown, the quills and tail darker; wing-coverts and secondary quills 
narrowly edged with light brown, primaries with whitish; lower parts dull 
yellowish-white, the sides marked with a series of dark brown pointed spots. 

Male, 7, 114. 

Dispersed from Texas northward to lat. 68°, and throughout the United 
States. Great numbers winter in the Southern States. 

An adult male of this species preserved in spirits presents the following 
characters. The roof of the mouth has three longitudinal ridges anteriorly, 
the middle ridge terminated by a soft prominence, similar to that of the 
Buntings, behind which the palate descends in the same manner as in them. 
The posterior aperture of the nares is oblong, with an anterior slit. The 
tongue is 7 twelfths long, fleshy, tapering, flat above, horny towards the end, 
and pointed. The cesophagus, which is 3} inches long, passes along the 
right side of the neck, accompanied by the trachea; its diameter at the com- 
mencement is 4 twelfths, but it immediately dilates into a crop, which 
extends to the length of 14 inches, its greatest width being $ inch; it then 
contracts to } inch, and enters the thorax. The proventriculus measures 
434 twelfths broad. The stomach is a strong muscular gizzard, 9 twelfths 
long, 74 twelfths broad, a little compressed; the lateral muscles large and 
distinct; the epithelium tough, longitudinally rugous, and of a reddish-brown 
colour. The contents of the stomach are grains of wheat. The intestine is 
rather short, and of moderate diameter, being 9} inches long, and varying 
from 2 twelfths to 14 twelfths in breadth; the diameter of the rectum 2} 
twelfths, being the same as that of the gut immediately before it; ‘and there 
is scarcely any distinct cloaca, the width of that part being not more than 4 


THE COW-PEN-BIRD. 93 


twelfths. The cceca, 1 inch distant from the extremity, are 3 twelfths long, 
4 twelfth in diameter. 

The trachea is 2 inches 2 twelfths long, rather wide 
in proportion to the size of the bird, although not 
more than 14 twelfths in diameter. The rings are 
58; the bronchial half rings about 15. The lateral 
muscles are moderate; the sterno-tracheal extremely 
slender. There are four pairs of inferior laryngeal 
muscles, as in all the singing-birds, whether thick- 
billed or not. 

The digestive organs of this bird are in all respects 
precisely similar to those of the Finches, Grosbeaks, 
Buntings, and other allied genera. 

The cesophagus, a 4 c d, is considerably dilated on 
the neck; the stomach, e, is a strong muscular gizzard, 
having the lateral muscles large and distinct, the lower 
prominent, the epithelium longitudinally rugous. The 
intestine, of which the commencement only is here 
represented, f g, is rather short and of moderate 
width. The cceca are an inch distant from the ex- 
tremity, and about a quarter of an inch in length; and 
the rectum forms only a slight dilatation in place of a 
cloaca. 


24 


Genus [II]L—AGELAIUS, Swains. MARSH-BLACKBIRD. 


Bill shorter than the head, stout, straight, conical, tapering to an acute 
point; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, slightly convex at the 
base, the ridge flattened toward the base, where it forms a short tapering 
process on the forehead, the sides rounded, the edges inflected, the tip a little 
depressed; lower mandible with the angle short and wide, the sides convex 
at the base, toward the end rounded, the edges involute, the tip acute; the 
gap-line ascending at the base, afterwards direct. Nostrils basal, oval, with 
a small operculum. Head ovate, of moderate size; neck short; body mode- 
rately stout. Feet of ordinary length, rather stout; tarsus compressed, with 
seven anterior scutella; toes rather large, the first much stronger, the outer a 
little shorter than the inner, and adherent at the base. Claws long, little 
arched, compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. Plumage soft and blended, 
glossy in the males. Wings of moderate length, with the outer four quills 
nearly equal. Tail rather long, rounded. Roof of the upper mandible with 
three longitudinal ridges; tongue tapering to a horny, flattened, slightly 
emarginate tip; cesophagus wide, considerably dilated about the middle; 
stomach roundish, muscular; intestine short and of moderate width; cceca 
very small, cloaca oblong. 


YELLOW-HEADED TROOPIAL. 


+ AGELAIUS XANTHOCEPHALUS, Bonap. 


PLATE CCXIIl.—Matez, Femaue, anp Youne. 


This species was first made known as an inhabitant of North America 
by the naturalists of Major Lone’s expedition to the Rocky Mountains. 
According to Dr. Ricuarpson, “the species ranges in summer to about the 
fifty-eighth parallel,’ but has not been found to the eastward of the Missis- 


1) 
Drawsre bron 


Viihiure 


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-COPCEA, ee Li ACAI: 


SS A ibibo kT RSELS. 


7. Wale. 2kemate 7. Young Mate< 


zt het. i 
Lith Printed: & 


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P2138: 


YELLOW-HEADED TROOPIAL. D5 


sippi, where it “arrives from the southward in the middle of May, and by 
the 20th of the same month reaches the Saskatchewan, where it associates 
with the Redwing, and, being more numerous, commits even greater havoc 
in the corn-fields) Mr. Nurraxt has favoured me with the following notice 
respecting it. “On the 2d of May, around the Kansa (Texian) Agency, we 
now saw abundance of the Yellow-headed Troopial, associated with the Cow- 
bird. They kept much on the ground in companies, the males (at this time) 
by themselves. In arable or loose soil they dig into the earth with their 
bills in quest of insects and larve, are very active, and straddle about with a 
quaint gait, and now and then, while on the ground, which they wholly 
frequent, in the manner of the Cow-bird, whistle out with great effort, a 
chuckling note sounding like ko-kukkle-’ait, often varying into a straining 
squeak, as if using their utmost endeavour to make some kind of noise in 
token of sociability. Their music, if such it deserves to be called, is how- 
ever even inferior to the harsh note of the Cow-bird. Are they also 
polygamous? Afterwards, in the month of June, by the edge of a grassy 
marsh, in the open plain of the Platte, several hundred miles inland, we met 
with the nest of this bird containing several spotted and blotched greenish- 
white eggs, not much unlike those of the Red-winged Starling, Agelaius 
pheniceus.”? To this Mr. Townsrenp adds:—“Agelaius xanthocephalus 
inhabits the western plains of the Missouri and banks of the Platte river to 
the Black Hills. The nest of this species is built under a tussock in marshy 
ground, formed of fine grasses, and canopied over like that of the Meadow 
Lark. The eggs, from two to four, are of a bluish-white, covered all over 
with minute specks of purple, largest and most numerous at the great end. 
It associates with the Cow Bunting, and alights on the backs of the horses. 


©, and does not resemble that of the Red- 


Its note is very harsh and grating, 


winged Blackbird.”’ 

I have represented a male, a female, and the head of a young bird 
approaching towards maturity. 

Western Plains, California, and Fur Countries. Abundant. Migratory. 


YELLOW-HEADED T'RoopraL, Icterus icterocephalus, Bonap. Amer. Orn., vol. 1. p. 27. 

IcTERUS XANTHOCEPHALUS, Bonap. Syn., p. 52. 

AGELAIUS XANTHOCEPHALUS, Saffron-headed Maize-bird, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. 
Amer., vol. ii. p. 281. 

YELLOW-HEADED T'roopiaL, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 176. 

YY ELLOW-HEADED T'RoopIAL, Icterus xanthocephalus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 6. 


Adult Male, 9; wings, 519. 
Bill shorter than the head, stout, straight, conical, tapering to a fine point; 


upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight, being slightly convex at 
Vor. IV. 4 


26 YELLOW-HEADED TROOPIAL. 


the base, the ridge a little flattened toward the base, where it runs into a 
short tapering process, the sides rounded, the edges inflected, the tip a little 
depressed; lower mandible rather higher at the base than the upper, with the 
angle short and wide; the sides convex at the base, toward the end rounded, 
the edges involute, the tip acute; the gap-line straight, but at the base 
deflected. Nostrils oval, in the fore part of the short nasal depression. 

Head of moderate size, ovate, with the forehead flattened; neck short; 
body moderately stout. Feet of ordinary length; tarsus rather stout, com- 
pressed, with seven large anterior scutella, and two lateral plates, meeting 
behind at an acute angle; toes rather large, compressed, the first much 
stronger, the outer a little shorter than the inner and united with the third 
as far as the second joint; claws long, little arched, compressed, laterally 
grooved, very acute. 

Plumage soft, blended, glossy; the feathers generally ovate; those on the 
upper part of the head stifish and somewhat silky. Wings of ordinary 
length, the first, second, and third quills almost equal, the second being 
longest; outer secondaries slightly emarginate. Tail rather long, rounded, 
the lateral feathers four-twelfths of an inch shorter than the longest. 

Bill and feet black; iris hazel. The head, the upper part of the hind 
neck, the fore neck and part of the breast, orange-yellow, the throat paler; 
the feathers along the base of the bill, the loral space, a band below the eye, 
and a narrower one above it, black. The rest of the plumage is glossy 
black, excepting two bands on the outer part of the wing, formed by some 
of the smaller coverts, and the primary coverts, which are white. 

Length to end of tail 9 inches; bill along the ridge +$; wing from flexure 
512; tail 4,4; tarsus 15%; hind toe 75, its claw 58; second toe 5%, its claw 53, 
third toe 44, its claw £3; fourth toe 73, its claw 5. 

Female. 

The female, which is much smaller, is of a uniform greyish-brown colour, 
with the feathers at the base of the upper mandible, a band over the eye, 
and the fore part of the neck light yellow; the throat dull white, and the 
feathers on the middle of the breast margined with white toward the end. 
The bill and feet are dusky brown. 

Young. 

The head represented is that of a young male assuming the plumage of the 


adult. 


HH 
win 


ae nas 
ON TALAITS 
eA RNR i ; 


¥ 


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kgul 


ta at 
bien 


N°? 43. PL 244. 


A ne CEP C we Co es Z hs ve ae di, CF AME hee 


Wale 


Drawn from- Nature ly J J Audubon. RSFLS. Lith #* Printed & Col? hy JT? Bowen-Philad 


27 


RED-AND-WHITE-WINGED TROOPIAL, OR MARSH 
BLACKBIRD. 


+AGELAIUS TRICOLOR, ud. 
PLATE CCXIV.—Matx. 


How delightful, I have often exclaimed, must have been the feelings of 
those enthusiastic naturalists, Nurratzi and Townsenp, while traversing the 
ridges of the Rocky Mountains! How grand and impressive the scenery 
presented to their admiring gaze, when from an elevated station they saw 
the mountain torrent hurling its foamy waters over the black crags of the 
rugged ravine, while on wide-spread wings the Great Vulture sailed overhead 
watching the departure of the travellers, that he might feast on the salmon, 
which in striving to ascend the cataract had been thrown on the stony beach! 
Now the weary travellers are resting on the bank of a brawling brook, along 
which they are delighted to see the lively Dipper frisking wren-like from 
stone to stone. On the stunted bushes above them some curious Jays are 
chattering, and as my friends are looking upon the gay and restless birds, 
they are involuntarily led to extend their gaze to the green slope beneath 
the more distant crags, where they spy a mountain sheep, watching the 
movements of the travellers, as well as those of yon wolves stealing silently 
toward the fleet-footed animal. Again the pilgrims are in motion; they 
wind their pathless way round rocks and fissures; they have reached the 
greatest height of the sterile platform; and as they gaze on the valleys whose 
waters hasten to join the Pacific Ocean, and bid adieu, perhaps for the last 
time, to the dear friends they have left in the distant east, how intense must 
be their feelings, as thoughts of the past and the future blend themselves in 
their anxious minds! But now I see them, brother-like, with lighter steps, 
descending toward the head waters of the famed Oregon. They have reached 
the great stream, and seating themselves in a canoe, shoot adown the current, 
gazing on the beautiful shrubs and flowers that ornament the banks, and the 
majestic trees that cover the sides of the valley, all new to them, and pre- 
senting a wide field of discovery. The melodies of unknown songsters 
enliven their spirits, and glimpses of gaudily plumed birds excite their 
desire to search those beautiful thickets; but time is urgent, and onward they 
must speed. A deer crosses the stream, they pursue and capture it; and it 
being now evening, they land and soon form a camp, carefully concealed 


98 RED-AND-WHITE-WINGED TROOPIAL. 


from the prying eyes of the lurking savage. The night is past, the dawn 
smiles upon the refreshed travellers, who launch their frail bark; and as they 
slowly float on the stream, both listen attentively to the notes of the Red- 
and-White-winged Troopial, and wonder how similar they are to those of 
the “Red-winged Starling:’? they think of the affinities of species, and 
especially of those of the lively birds composing this beautiful group. 

This beautiful species was discovered in Upper California by my friend 
Tuomas Nurratt, Iisq., from whom I received the specimen represented 
in the plate, together with the following account. “Flocks of this vagrant 
bird, which, in all probability, extends its migrations into Oregon, are very 
common around Santa Barbara in Upper California, in the month of April. 
Their habits are similar to those of the Red-winged Starling, (2gelaius 
pheniceus,) but they keep in large flocks apart from that species, which also 
inhabits this country as well as Mexico. They are seldom seen but in the 
near suburbs of the town, feeding at this time almost exclusively on the 
maggots or larve of the blow-flies, which are generated in the offal of the 
cattle constantly killed around the town for the sake of the hides. In large 
whirling flocks they are seen associated with the Cow-birds, Common 
Grakles, Red-wings, and a small species with an orange-yellow head, flitting 
about in quest of food, or perching on the orchard trees in the town, where 
they keep up an incessant chatter and discordant confused warble, much more 
harsh or guttural than the note of the Cow-bird. They are also common 
around Monterey. With the female, and the circumstances of breeding, I 
am not acquainted.”’ 


RED-AND-WHITE-WINGED T'RoopIAL, Jeteruws tricolor, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 1. 


Male, 9; wing, 5. 

North California. Abundant. Migratory. 

Adult Male. 

Bill nearly as long as the head, conical, straight, moderately stout, tapering 
to a fine point; upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight, being a 
little convex at the base, the ridge a little flattened toward the base, where 
it runs into a short tapering process, the sides rounded, the edges inflected, 
the tip a little depressed; lower mandible higher at the base than the upper, 
with the angle rather short and wide, the:sides rather flat at the base, convex 
toward the end, the edges inflected, the tip acute; the gap-line straight, but 
at the base deflected. Nostrils oval, in the fore part of the short nasal 
depression. 

Head of moderate size, ovate, with the forehead flattened; neck short; 
body moderately stout. Feet of ordinary length; tarsus rather stout, com- 


: 


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N° 43. PY 215. 


1 Mate 2. Female. 


tirawn frowt. Vature by Jl Audubon FRSELS. Lith*frauted & Colby J T Bower Philad- 


CRIMSON-WINGED TROOPIAL. 29 


pressed, with seven large anterior scutella, of which the upper are blended, 
and two lateral plates meeting at an acute angle behind; toes rather large, 
compressed, the first much stronger, the outer a little shorter than the inner; 
claws large, arched, compressed, acute. 

Plumage soft, blended, glossy, the feathers ovate and rounded. Wings of 
ordinary length, the second and third quills longest and equal, the first 
shorter than the fourth; the outer secondaries abrupt, and slightly repand. 
Tail of twelve broadly rounded feathers, rather long, almost even, the lateral 
feathers being only two-twelfths of an inch shorter than the longest. 

Bill and feet black, iris hazel. The general colour of the plumage is glossy 
bluish-black; the smaller wing-coverts deep carmine, their lower row white. 

Length to end of tail 9 inches; bill along the ridge +3; wing from flexure 
5; tail 3-4; tarsus 122; hind toe £3, its claw 74; second toe 5%, its claw 43; 
third toe 2%, its claw -,; fourth toe 7%, its claw +4. 


CRIMSON-WINGED TROOPIAL, OR RED-AND-BLACK- 
SHOULDERED MARSH BLACKBIRD. 


+AGELAIUS GUBERNATOR, Wagler. 
PLATE CCXV.—Mate anp Femate. 


Of this species, which appears to be abundant about the Columbia river, I 
have received two specimens from Mr. Townsrnp, who procured them 
there. Having seen individuals from Mexico, I think it probable that it 
returns to that country to spend the winter. Of its habits however I regret 
that I am entirely ignorant. 


Psaroco.ius Gupernator, Wagler, Syst. Avium. 
Crimson-wincep TroopisL, Icterus gubernator, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 211. 


Male, 9; wing, 5345. 

California. 

Adult Male. 

Bill shorter than the head, conical, straight, stout, compressed toward the 
end, tapering to a fine point; upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly 


30 CRIMSON-WINGED TROOPIAL. 


straight, being a little convex at the base, the ridge a little flattened toward 
the base, where it runs into a short tapering process, the sides rounded, the 
edges inflected, the tip slightly depressed; lower mandible higher at the base 
than the upper, with the angle rather short and wide, the sides rather flat and 
inclined inwards at the base, convex toward the end, the edges inflected, the 
tip acute; the gap-line straight, but at the base deflected. Nostrils oval, in 
the fore part of the short nasal depression. 

Head of moderate size, ovate, with the forehead flattened; neck short; body 
moderately stout. Feet of ordinary length; tarsus rather stout, compressed, 
with seven large anterior scutella, of which the upper are blended, the two 
lateral plates meeting at an acute angle behind; toes rather large, compressed; 
the first much stronger, the outer a little shorter than the inner; claws large, 
arched, compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. 

Plumage soft, blended, glossy, the feathers ovate and rounded; those on 
the fore and upper parts of the head standing erect, so as to present a velvety 
surface. Wings rather long, the second quill longest, but exceeding the 
third only by half a twelfth, the first shorter than the fourth; the secondaries 
broadly rounded; the second, third, fourth, and fifth primaries cut out on the 
outer web toward the end. ‘Tail of twelve broadly rounded feathers, rather 
long, slightly rounded, the lateral feathers being two-twelfths shorter than 
the middle. 

Bill and feet black. The general colour of the plumage is glossy bluish- 
black, on the head velvet-black; the smaller wing-coverts scarlet, at the base 
white. 

Length to end of tail 9 inches, bill along the ridge ¥3; wing from flexure 
534; tail 445; tarsus 1,3;; hind toe $%, its claw +4; second toe 8, its claw 43; 
third toe 11, its claw 3; fourth toe 73, its claw +. 

Female. 

The female, which is much smaller, has the bill and feet greyish-black; 
the upper parts are dark brown, the feathers edged with light brown; the 
smaller wing-coverts edged with dull scarlet, the first row with whitish; the 
larger coverts, the quills and tail-feathers blackish-brown, edged with yellow- 
ish-brown; the lower parts are dull brown, but the throat, and a broad streak 
over the eye are dull orange. 


ol 


THE RED-WINGED STARLING, OR RED-SHOULDERED 
MARSH BLACKBIRD. 


+AGELAIUS PHENICEUs, Linn. 
PLATE CCXVI.—Mate, Femate, anp Youne Mate. 


If the name of Starling has been given to this well-known species, with 
the view of assimilating it to the European bird of that name, it can only 
have been on account of the numbers of individuals that associate together, 
for in every other respect it is as distinct from the true Starlings as a Common 
Crow. But without speaking particularly of generic or specific affinities, I 
shall here content myself with giving you, kind reader, an account of the 
habits of this bird. 

The Marsh Blackbird is so well known as being a bird of the most nefa- 
rious propensities, that in the United States one can hardly mention its name, 
without hearing such an account of its pilferings as might induce the young 
student of nature to conceive that it had been created for the purpose of 
annoying the farmer. That it destroys an astonishing quantity of corn, rice, 
and other kinds of grain, cannot be denied; but that before it commences its 
ravages, it has proved highly serviceable to the crops, is equally certain. 

As soon as spring makes its appearance, almost all the Redwings leave the 
Southern States, in small detached and straggling flocks, the males leading 
the way in full song, as if to invite the females to follow. Prodigious num- 
bers make their appearance in the Eastern Districts, as winter recedes, and 
are often seen while piles of drifted snow still remain along the roads, under 
shelter of the fences. They frequently alight on trees of moderate size, 
spread their tail, swell out their plumage, and utter their clear and not 
unmusical notes, particularly in the early morning, before their departure 
from the neighbourhood of the places in which they have roosted; for their 
migrations, you must know, are performed entirely during the day. 

Their food at this season is almost exclusively composed of grubs, worms, 
eaterpillars, and different sorts of coleopterous insects, which they procure 
by searching with great industry, in the meadows, the orchards, or the newly 
ploughed fields, walking with a graceful step, but much quicker than either 
of their relatives, the Purple Grakle or the Boat-tail of the Southern States. 
The millions of insects which the Redwings destroy at this early season, are, 
in my opinion, a full equivalent for the corn which they eat at another period; 


39 THE RED-WINGED STARLING. 


and for this reason, the farmers do not molest them in spring, when they 
resort to the fields in immense numbers. They then follow the ploughman, 
in company with the Crow Blackbird, and as if aware of the benefit which 
they are conferring, do not seem to regard him with apprehension. 

The females being all arrived, the pairing season at once commences. 
Several males are seen flying in pursuit of one, until, becoming fatigued, she 
alights, receives the addresses of her suitors, and soon makes a choice that 
establishes her the consort of one of them. The “happy couple’? immediately 
retire from the view of the crowds around them, and seek along the margins 
of some sequestered pond or damp meadow, for a place in which to form 
their nest. An alder bush or a thick tuft of rank weeds answer equally well, 
and in such places a quantity of coarse dried weeds is deposited by them, to 
form the exterior of the fabric which is to receive the eggs. The nest is 
lined with fine -grasses, and, in some instances, with horse-hair. The eggs 
are from four to six in number, of a regular oval form, light blue, sparsely 
spotted with dusky. 

Now is the time, good-natured reader, to see and admire the courage and 
fidelity of the male, whilst assiduously watching over his beloved mate. He 
dives headlong towards every intruder that approaches his nest, vociferating 
his fears and maledictions with great vehemence, passing at times within a 
few yards of the person who has disturbed his peace, or alighting on a twig 
close to his nest, and uttering a plaintive note, which might well prevent 
any other than a mischievous person from interfering with the hopes and 
happiness of the mated Redwings. “ 

The eggs are hatched, and the first brood has taken flight. The young 
soon after associate with thousands of other. striplings, and shift for them- 
selves, whilst the parent birds raise a second family. The first brood comes 
abroad about the beginning of June, the second in the beginning of August. 
At this latter period, the corn in the Middle Districts has already acquired 
considerable consistence, and the congregated Redwings fall upon the fields 
in such astonishing numbers as to seem capable of completely veiling them 
under the shade of their wings. The husbandman, anxious to preserve as 
much of his corn as he can, for his own use or for market, pursues every 
possible method of annoyance or destruction. But his ingenuity is almost 
exerted in vain. The Redwings heed not his efforts further than to remove, 
after each report of his gun, from one portion of the field to another. All 
the scarecrows that he may choose to place about his grounds are merely 
regarded by the birds as so many observatories, on which they occasionally 
alight. 

The corn becoming too hard for their bills, they now leave the fields, and 
resort to the meadows and the margins of streams thickly overgrown with 


- " ane © 
‘ ne 

| aoe 
my ‘ r 
agg ‘ 

TE ri Sire * 


N° 44 ; PL 216. 


Vy) A es 
: bee, wged 2 Vardesg 
/ Males dult.2 Young Male 3 Perate ‘ 
ae ae, Mapole 


Drawn from Nature by J 1 Audubon ERS ELS Lith* Printed & Col %by JT Bowen. Philad. 


THE RED-WINGED STARLING. 33 


the ew7/d oat and other grasses, upon the seeds of which they feed with great 
avidity during the autumnal and winter months. They then associate 
partially with Reed-birds, Grakles, and Cow-pen Buntings, and are seen 
to move from the Eastern to the Southern Districts, in such immense and 
thick flocks as almost to cloud the air. 

The havoc made amongst them is scarcely credible. I have heard that 
upwards of fifty have been killed at a shot, and am the more inclined to 
believe such accounts as I have myself shot hundreds in the course of an 
afternoon, killing from ten to fifteen at every discharge. Whilst travelling 
in different parts of the Southern States, during the latter part of autumn, I 
have often seen the fences, trees and fields so strewed with these birds, as to 
make me believe their number fully equal to that of the falling leaves of the 
trees in the places traversed by me. 

Towards evening they alight in the marshes by millions, in compact 
bodies, settle on the reeds and rushes close above the water, and remain 
during the night, unless disturbed by the gunners. When this happens, 
they rise all of a sudden, and perform various evolutions in the air, now 
gliding low over the rushes, and again wheeling high above them, preserving 
silence for awhile, but finally diving suddenly to the spot formerly chosen, 
and commencing a general chuckling noise, after which they remain quiet 
during the rest of the night. 

Different species of Hawks derive their principal sustenance from them at 
this season. The Pigeon Hawk is an adept in picking the fattest from their 
crowded flocks; and while they are in the Southern States, where millions 
of them spend the winter, the Hen-harriers are seen continually hovering 
over them, and picking up the stragglers. 

The Marsh Blackbird is easily kept in confinement, and sings there with 
as much vigour as when at full liberty. It is kept in good order with rice, 
wheat, or any other small grain. Attempts have been made to induce these 
birds to breed in confinement, but in as far as I have been able to ascertain, 
have failed. As an article of food, they are little better than the Starling of 
Europe, or the Crow Blackbird of the United States, although many are 
eaten and thought good by the country people, who make pot-pies of them. 

The dispersion of this bird over the whole of the United States, the Fur 
Countries beyond the limits of the inhabitation of the human species, the 
great western plains, the Rocky Mountains, and even the shores of the 
Columbia river, where it was procured by Mr. TownseEnp, forms a remark- 
able part of its history. Our surprise becomes greatly increased by the 
knowledge of its breeding in great numbers in every part of this vast extent. 
I found the Islands about Galveston Bay most plentifully supplied with it, 


as well as the grassy margins of the pools and bayous of the mainland, where 
Vox. EV: 5 


34 THE RED-WINGED STARLING. 


it was seen breeding, sometimes within a few yards of houses. The same 
occurred on the Florida Keys. The only part of the country visited by me 
in which I found it wanting is Labrador, although it is known to breed in 
some portions of the interior of Newfoundland. In many instances I found 
it nestling in the Floridas on Mangroves and Jow bushes, in the vicinity of 
the nests of Cormorants and our smaller Herons, and even sometimes in the 
midst of them. 

In speaking of this species, Dr. RicHarpson mentions a circumstance 
relative to its habits of which I was not aware. “On its first arrival (the 
beginning of May) it feeds on grubs; but as soon as the grain sown in the 
vicinity of the trading posts begins to germinate, it associates itself with 
Saffron-headed Maize-birds and Boat-tails (Common Crow Blackbird), and 
is occupied the whole day in tearing up and devouring the sprouting plants, 
returning to the work of devastation as often as driven away.’’ He states 
that it does not pass the 57th parallel. 

The attachment of this bird to the locality which it has selected for breed- 
ing, is illustrated by the following note of my friend Dr. Tuomas M. BrewEerR 
of Boston. “A pair of these birds constructed a nest in a small clump of 
bushes near a brook in Roxbury, and deposited four eggs, which were taken 
away. They then built a nest within a foot of the first, in which the same 
number of eggs was laid, and in like manner abstracted. Undeterred by this 
want of success, they again constructed a nest in the same clump, and this 
time without molestation. This fact is perhaps trivial in itself, but the same 
can hardly be told of any other species. 
eighths and three-fourths, and in breadth five and a half eighths. 

At Galveston I observed flocks of female Red-winged Starlings congre- 
gated, and to all appearance migrating. This shews that migration in birds 


*” ‘The eggs measure in length seven- 


is far from being regular, but is dependent on many accidental circumstances, 
such as difference of temperature at certain seasons when they are supposed 
usually to move, or storms, or want of proper food. 

Dr. BacuMan writes thus to me:—“You speak of the Red-winged Star- 
lings as nearly all proceeding to the coast to breed. They breed very 
abundantly in all the low marshy grounds of Carolina, and in all the inter- 
mediate places to the Northern States. The young birds in autumn that I 
have procured from the young guinea-corn and rice-fields were fat, and in 
taste fully equal to the Robin. I am not aware, that you have mentioned 
that, when a year old, though not full-plumaged, they breed like those that 
are older. Indeed, nearly all our birds breed when a year old, however 
imperfect their plumage; I cannot recollect any species that does not.” 

I have represented a male and a female in the adult state, and a male in 
the first spring, and have placed them on the branch of a water maple, these 
birds being fond of alighting on trees of that kind, in early spring, to pick 


THE RED-WINGED STARLING. 35 


up the insects that frequent the blossoms. This tree is found dispersed 
throughout the United States, and grows, as its name indicates, in the imme- 
diate vicinity of water. Its wood is soft, and is hardly used for any other 
purpose than that of being converted into common domestic utensils. 


RED-WINGED STARLING, Sturnus predatorius, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iv. p. 30. 


IcTERUS PHENICEUts, Bonap. Syn., p. 52. = 
AGe.alus PpHeniceus, Red-winged Maize-bird, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. 


il. p. 280. 
Rep-wincep Biacxeirp, Icterus pheniceus, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 169. 
RED-WINGED STaruine or Marsu Biacxsirp, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 348; vol. v. p. 487. 


Tail considerably rounded. Male with the 
plumage glossy black, the smaller wing-coverts 
scarlet, their first or posterior row buff-coloured, 
at the tip whitish. Female much smaller, with 
the upper parts dark brown, the feathers edged 
with light brown; some of the smaller wing- 
coverts tinged with red; wings and tail blackish- 
brown, the feathers margined with brownish- 
red, the first row of small coverts and secondary 
coverts narrowly tipped with whitish; a yellow- 
ish-brown band over the eye; lower parts longi- 
tudinally streaked with dusky and whitish, the 
fore neck strongly tinged with dull carmine. 
Young similar to the female, but without red 
on the small wing-coverts or throat, the latter 
part with the sides of the head being pale yel- 
lowish-brown. 

Male, 9,14. Female, 72. 

Breeds from Texas throughout the United 
States, and northward to the Saskatchewan. 
Vast numbers spend the winter in the Southern 
and Western States. 


In a male preserved in spirits, the palate 


— SS 
= 


ascends rapidly, and is in the middle concave, 


with two very prominent papillate ridges, which, 


; 
<0) My My, 
« 


SS 


in meeting, form a large soft prominence, ante- 


riorly of which the roof of the mouth is nearly 


flat, with a median and two lateral ridges. The 


posterior aperture of the nares is oblongo-linear, 


36 THE RED-WINGED STARLING. 


with its margins papillate. The lower mandible is deeply concave. The 
tongue is 9 twelfths long, higher than broad, sagittate and papillate at the 
base, grooved above, tapering to a horny flattened, slightly emarginate tip. 
The cesophagus, a 6 c d e, is 3} inches long, forming a sac, 6 c, the width of 
which at the commencement is 73 twelfths, soon after 43 twelfths, toward 
the lower part of the neck 53 twelfths, but on entering the thorax contract- 
ing to 34 twelfths; the proventriculus, d e, 4} twelfths in width. The 
stomach, e fg, is broadly elliptical, 9 twelfths long, 7} twelfths wide, its 
lateral muscles well developed; the epithelium thin, but dense, and of a 
reddish-brown colour. ‘The contents of the stomach are remains of coleop- 
terous insects and seeds. ‘The duodenum, g A 2, curves in the usual manner 
at the distance of 14 inches; the entire length of the intestine is 10 inches, 
its width from 2 twelfths to 14 twelfths; the cceca 2 twelfths long, $ twelfth 
wide, 1 inch distant from the extremity; the rectum gradually dilates into 
an oblong cloaca, 5 twelfths in width. 


Tue Rep Marte or Swamp Marte. 


Acer rusreum, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. iv. p. 984. Pursh, Flor. Amer., vol. i. p. 266. Mich. - 
Abr. Forest. de Amer. Sept., vol. ii. p. 210, pl. 14.—Ocranpria Monoeynia, Linn.— 
ACERINE, Juss. 


Genus IV.—ICTERUS, Briss. HANG-NEST. 


Bill a little shorter than the head, conical, very slightly decurved, com- 
pressed, tapering to a very attenuated point; upper mandible with the dorsal 
line almost straight, being very slightly convex, the ridge indistinct, narrow- 
ed at the base; the sides convex, the edges overlapping, the tip extremely 
sharp; gap-line ascending at the base, afterwards direct; lower mandible 
with the angle long and of moderate width, the dorsal line and that of the 
erura slightly concave, the sides erect at the base, convex towards the end, 
the edges slightly inflected, the tip extremely slender. Nostrils basal, 
elliptical, with a small operculum. Head ovate, of moderate size; neck 


N° 44. 


Gio yp: 
Cees Ne WZ 7¢ 


Drawn frerre Nature by FT. dudulon FRSI 


Chile C7 


uted. Z Young Male 3 Femate 


- Aulift « Are Cc 


eal Zur 


Lithilrinted & Col “by JT Bewere-Plat. 


THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 37 


short; body rather slender. Feet of moderate length, rather stout; tarsus 
much compressed, with seven anterior scutella; toes of moderate size, the 
hind toe much stronger, the lateral about equal, the third and fourth united 
at the base. Claws rather long, moderately arched, much compressed, late- 
rally grooved, very acute. Plumage soft and blended. Wings of moderate 
length, with the outer four quills nearly equal. Tail of moderate length, 
rounded and slightly emarginate. Roof of the upper mandible with a broad 
median ridge, somewhat prominent at the base; tongue tapering to a deeply 
slit point; cesophagus wide, considerably dilated about the middle; stomach 
elliptical; intestine short, and of moderate width; cceca very small; cloaca 


globular. 


THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 


+Icrerus Battimore, Linn. 
PLATE CCXVII.—Mate, Youne Mare, Femaue anp Nest. 


No traveller who is at all gifted with the faculty of observation, can ascend 
that extraordinary river, the Mississippi, in the first days of autumn, without 
feeling enchanted by the varied vegetation which adorns its alluvial shores: 
—The tall cotton-tree descending to the very margin of the stream, the 
arrow-shaped ash mixing its branches with those of the pecan and black 
walnut, immense oaks and numerous species of hickory, covering with their 
foliage the densely tangled canes, from amongst which, at every step, vines 
of various kinds shoot up, winding round the stems and interlacing their 
twigs and tendrils, stretching from one branch to another, until they have 
reached and overspread the whole, like a verdant canopy, forming one solid 
mass of richest vegetation, in the fore ground of the picture; whilst, wherever 
the hills are in view, the great magnolias, the hollies, and the noble pines, 
are seen gently waving their lofty heads to the breeze. 

The current becomes rapid, and ere long several of the windings of the 
great stream have been met and passed, and with these new scenes present 
themselves to the view. ‘The forest at this place, as if in doleful mourning 
at the sight of the havoc made on its margin by the impetuous and regard- 
less waters, has thrown over her a ragged veil, produced by the long dangling 


38 THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 


masses that spread from branch to branch over the eypress trees. The 
dejected Indian’s camp lies in your sight. He casts a melancholy glance 
over the scene, and remembers that he is no longer the peaceful and sole 
possessor of the land. Islands, one after another, come in sight, and at every 
winding of the stream you see boats propelled by steam ascending the river, 
and others, without such aid, silently gliding with the current. 

Much might the traveller find to occupy his mind, and lead him into 
speculations regarding the past, the present, and the future, were he not 
attracted by the clear mellow notes, that issue from the woods, and gratified 
by the sight of the brilliant Oriole now before you. In solitudes like these, 
the traveller might feel pleased with any sound, even the howl of the wolf, 
or the still more dismal bellow of the alligator. Then how delightful must 
it be to hear the melody resulting from thousands of musical voices that 
come from some neighbouring tree, and which insensibly leads the mind, 
with whatever it may previously have been occupied, first to the contempla- 
tion of the wonders of nature, and then to that of the Great Creator himself. 

Now we have ascended the mighty river, have left it, and entered the 
still more enchanting Ohio, and yet never for a day have we been without 
the company of the Oriole. Here, amongst the pendulous branches of the 
lofty tulip-trees, it moves gracefully up and down, seeking in the expanding 
leaves and opening blossoms the caterpillar and the green beetle, which 
generally contribute to its food. Well, reader, it was one of these pendulous | 
twigs which I took when I made the drawing before you. But instead of 
having cut it on the banks of the Ohio, I found it in the State of Louisiana, 
to which we shall return. 

The Baltimore Oriole arrives from the south, perhaps from Mexico, or 
perhaps from a more distant region, and enters Louisiana as soon as spring 
commences there. It approaches the planter’s house, and searches amongst 
the surrounding trees for a suitable place in which to settle for the season. 
It prefers, I believe, the trees that grow on the sides of a gentle declivity. 
The choice of a twig being made, the male Oriole becomes extremely con- 
spicuous. He flies to the ground, searches for the longest and driest filaments 
of the moss, which in that State is known by the name of Spanish beard, 
and whenever he finds one fit for his purpose, ascends to the favourite spot 
where the nest is to be, uttering all the while a continued chirrup, which 
seems to imply that he knows no fear, but on the contrary fancies himself 
the acknowledged king of the woods. This sort of chirruping becomes 
louder, and is emitted in an angry tone, whenever an enemy approaches, or 
the bird is accidentally surprised; the sight of a cat or a dog being always 
likely to produce it. No sooner does he reach the branches, than with bill 
and claws, aided by an astonishing sagacity, he fastens one end of the moss 


THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 39 


to a twig, with as much art as a sailor might do, and takes up the other end, 
which he secures also, but to another twig a few inches off, leaving the thread 
floating in the air like a swing, the curve of which is perhaps seven or eight 
inches from the twigs. The female comes to his assistance with another 
filament of moss, or perhaps some cotton thread, or other fibrous substance, 
inspects the work which her mate has done, and immediately commences her 
operations, placing each thread in a contrary direction to those arranged by 
her lordly mate, and making the whole cross and recross, so as to form an 
irregular net-work. Their love increases daily as they see the graceful 
fabric approaching perfection, until their conjugal affection and faith become 
as complete as in any species of birds with which I am acquainted. 

The nest has now been woven from the bottom to the top, and so secured 
that no tempest can carry it off without breaking the branch to which it is 
suspended. Remark what follows. ‘This nest contains no warming sub- 
stance, such as wool, cotton, or cloth, but is almost entirely composed of the 
Spanish moss, interwoven in such a manner that the air can easily pass 
through it. The parents no doubt are aware of the intense heat which will 
exist ere long in this part of the world, and moreover take especial care to 
place their nest on the north-east side of the trees. On the contrary, had 
they gone as far as Pennsylvania or New York, they would have formed it 
of the warmest and softest materials, and have placed it in a position which 
would have left it exposed to the sun’s rays; the changes in the weather 
during the early period of incubation being sometimes so great there, that 
the bird looks on these precautions as necessary to ensure the life of its brood 
against intense cold, should it come, while it knows that the heat in these 
northern latitudes will not be so great as to incommode them. I have 
observed these sensible differences in the formation and position of the nests 
of the Baltimore Oriole, a great many times, as no doubt have other persons. 
The female lays from four to six eggs, and in Louisiana frequently rears two 
broods in a season. The period of incubation is fourteen days. The eggs 
are about an inch in length, rather broadly ovate, pale brown, dotted, spotted, 
and tortuously lined with dark brown. 

The movements of these birds as they run among the branches of trees 
differ materially from those of almost all others. They cling frequently by 
the feet in order to reach an insect at such a distance from them as to require 
the full extension of their neck, body, and legs, without letting go their hold. 
They sometimes glide, as it were, along a small twig, and at other times 
move sidewise for a few steps. Their motions are elegant and stately. 
Their song consists of three or four, or at most eight or ten, loud, full, and 
mellow notes, extremely agreeable to the ear. 

A day or two before the young are quite able to leave the nest, they often 


40 THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 


cling to the outside, and creep in and out of it like young Woodpeckers. 
After leaving the nest, they follow the parents for nearly a fortnight, and 
are fed by them. As soon as the mulberries and figs become ripe, they 
resort to these fruits, and are equally fond of sweet cherries, strawberries, 
and others. During spring, their principal food is insects, which they seldom 
pursue on the wing, but which they search for with great activity, among 
the leaves and branches. I have seen the young of the first brood out early 
in May, and of the second in July. As soon as they are fully able to take 
care of themselves, they generally part from each other, and leave the coun- 
try, as their parents had come, that is, singly. 

During migration, the flight of the Baltimore Oriole is performed high 
above all the trees, and mostly during day, as I have usually observed them 
alighting, always singly, about the setting of the sun, uttering a note or two, 
and darting into the lower branches to feed, and afterwards to rest. To 
assure myself of this mode of travelling by day, I marked the place where a 
beautiful male had perched one evening, and on going to the spot next 
morning, long before dawn, I had the pleasure of hearing his first notes as 
light appeared, and saw him search awhile for food, and afterwards mount 
in the air, making his way to warmer climes. Their flight is straight and 
continuous. 

This beautiful bird is easily kept in cages, and may be fed on dried figs, 
raisins, hard-boiled eggs, and insects. When shot they will often clench the 
twig so firmly as to remain hanging fast to it until dislodged by another shot 
or a blow against the twig. 

The Baltimore Oriole, although found throughout the Union, is so partial 
to particular sections or districts, that of two places not twenty miles distant 
from each other, while none are to be seen in the one, a dozen pairs or more 
may be in the neighbourhood of the other. They are fondest of hilly 
grounds, refreshed by streams. 

According to Dr. RicuHarpson this species ranges through the central 
districts of the Fur Countries up to the 55th degree of latitude, arriving on 
the Saskatchewan plains on the 10th of May. At this period I saw it breed- 
ing and abundant in the Texas; but none were observed by me in Labrador 
or Newfoundland. I have ascertained to my perfect satisfaction, that the 
males of this elegant species obtain the full beauty of their plumage before 
the first winter after their birth, having seen several individuals taken from 
the nest and reared in aviaries acquire their full plumage by the end of 
September. They feed kindly and breed well in a state of confinement, 
taking great care of their young. 

In the wild state I have frequently seen these birds feed on those beautiful 
green coleopterous insects called “May-bugs,’’ but they seldom eat them in 


THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 4] 


confinement. I have seen one reared from the nest so gentle as to follow 
and come to its owner, whenever he called to it. They do not breed in the 
lower parts of South Carolina, but are found not unfrequently breeding at 
the distance of a hundred miles from the sea-coast of that State. It is not 
uncommon in Nova Scotia. 

It will be seen from the above that Witson and all who have copied him 
have erred in alleging, that the males of this species do not acquire their full 
plumage until the third year. 

The eggs average seven and a half eighths in length, and five and three- 
fourths in their greatest breadth. They are rather pointed at the smaller end. 


Ba.timore Orio.e, Oriolus Baltimore, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 23. 

Icrerus Battimore, Bonap. Syn., p. 51. 

Ba ttimorr OrioLe or Gotpen Rosin, Icterus Baltimore, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 152. 
Ba timoreE Onto eg, Icterus Baltimore, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 66; vol. v. p. 278. 


Second and third quills longest, fourth longer than first; tail slightly 
rounded. Male with the head, throat, sides, and hind part of the neck, with 
the fore part of the back, black; lower parts, rump, upper tail-coverts, and 
smaller wing-coverts rich orange, passing into orange-red on the breast; 
wings black, the secondary coverts largely tipped, and the quills margined 
with white; tail black, all the feathers tipped with rich yellow, the outer for 
half their length, the middle on a very small space. Female considerably 
smaller, with the upper part of the head, hind neck, sides of the neck at the 
middle, and anterior half of the back, brownish-black, the feathers edged with 
dull yellowish-green; hind part of the back light brownish-yellow, purer on 
the rump; tail yellowish-brown, the middle feathers darker; wing-coverts 
blackish-brown, quills dark brown, all margined with whitish; first row of 
small coverts and secondary coverts largely tipped with white; loral space, 
a band over the eye, and another beneath it, dull yellow; below the latter 
the cheeks spotted with dusky; lower parts yellowish-orange, duller than in 
the male, paler behind; some dusky streaks on the throat. Young similar 
to the female, but with the upper parts brownish-yellow, the head and back 
faintly spotted with dusky. 

Male, 72, 12. Female, 7, 11. 

In summer dispersed over the United States, to Nova Scotia. Columbia 
river. Texas. Abundant. Migratory. 

A male preserved in spirits presents the following characters. The palate 
ascends anteriorly, and has two prominent soft ridges, at the anterior 
extremity of which is a slight protuberance, analogous to that of the 
Buntings, but only rudimentary or less developed; beyond it is a median 
broad ridge gradually tapering to the point. The posterior aperture of the 


Vou. IV. 6 


42 THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 


nares is linear, margined with pointed papille. The tongue is 6 twelfths 
long, emarginate and papillate at the base, slightly grooved above, horny in 
the greater part of its length, and tapering to a deeply slit point. The ceso- 
phagus, a 6c, is 2 inches 5 twelfths long; at the upper part its diameter is 
about 4 twelfths; it passes along the right side of the 
neck, forming an elongated dilatation, of which the 
greatest breadth is 6 twelfths; and on entering the 
thorax, a 6 c, contracts to 3 twelfths. The proventri- 
culus, e d, is 34 twelfths in breadth. The stomach, 
d e,is an oblong gizzard, 7 twelfths long, 5 twelfths 
broad, situated obliquely, its fundus being directed 
toward the right side. The lateral muscles are mode- 
rately developed; the epithelium longitudinally rugous, 
tough, and of a reddish-brown colour. The contents 
of the stomach are remains of insects. The intestine 
is short and of moderate width, being 74 inches long, 
its diameter in the duodenal portion 24 twelfths. The 
cceca, which come off at the distance of 10 twelfths 
from the extremity, are very small, 2 twelfths long, 4 
twelfth in width. The cloaca is globular, and 7 twelfths 
in diameter. 

The trachea is 1 inch 10 twelfths long, its breadth 
anteriorly 14 twelfths, at the lower part 1 twelfth. 
The rings, about 70, are well ossified, and considerably 
flattened. The inferior larynx has four pairs of mus- 
cles besides the sterno-tracheal. The bronchi have 
about 12 half rings. 

In another individual the intestine is 7 inches 9 
twelfths long. The contents of the stomach are re- 


mains of insects and particles of quartz. 


Tue Tuxip TREE. 


LIRIODENDRON TULIPIFERA, Willd., Sp. Plant., vol. ii. p. 1254. Pursh, Flora Americ., p. 
332. Mich., Abr. Forest. de ?Amer. Sept., t. iii. p. 202, pl. 5.—Potyanpria Poty- 
eynia, Linn.—Maeno.ia, Juss. 


This tree is one of the most beautiful of those indigenous to the United 
States, and attains a height of seventy, eighty, or even a hundred feet. The 
flowers are yellow and bright red, mixed with green, and upwards of three 


7.Matle Adizlt. 2 Yorzg Male 2 Benrale 


Oafiry 


l 7 Arutiudeon E. 7 ae ae oie 
JS Avutaieon. FRSFLS. Lith (Prented & Cold FOL Bowen 


7 
4 
Loses a Tar Vuagn 


BULLOCK’S TROOPIAL, ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 43 


ce 
inches in diameter. The leaves are ovate at the base, truncato-bilobate at 
the end, with one or two lobes on each side, all the lobes acuminate. It is 
generally distributed, but prefers rich soils. Its bark is smooth on the 
branches, cracked and fissured on the stems. The wood is yellow, hard, but 
easily wrought, and is employed for numerous purposes, particularly in the 
construction of houses, and for charcoal. The Indians often form their 
eanoes of it, for which purpose it is well adapted, the trunk being of great 
length and diameter, and the wood light. In different parts of the United 
States, it receives the names of poplar, white wood, and cane wood. 


BULLOCK’S TROOPIAL, ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 


+Icrerus Buttock, Swains. 


~ 


PLATE CCXVIII.—Mate, Femate, anp Youne Mate. 


According to Mr. Nurratt, who has favoured me with so many observa- 
tions relative to the birds described in this and the preceding volumes, 
‘“BuLtocx’s Oriole occurs in nearly the same localities as the Yellow-headed 
Troopial. About fifty or sixty miles to the north-west of the usual crossing- 
place of that branch of the La Platte called Larimie’s Fork, we observed it 
making a nest quite similar to that of the Baltimore-bird. This species, 
which I have since seen in upper California, where it arrives (around Santa 
Barbara) in the beginning of May, has the same plaintive fifing warble, but 
more brief and less varied. The males also, as usual, arrive in flocks consi- 
derably before the females. They have likewise the same habit of concealing 
themselves for a length of time carefully gleaning for small larve, or sipping 
the nectareous juices of the opening blossoms of the trees they delight to 
frequent. On the Platte, the only trees they can resort to are the dal/sam 
poplars, which border the stream. In all respects this species resembles the 
Common Baltimore-bird, which it supersedes from the first great bifurcation 
of the Platte, to the shores of the Columbia, extending at least as far as the 
borders of Old California. Mr. Buxxiocx, its discoverer, also met with it 
throughout the table-land of Mexico.” 

Since the above notice was transmitted to me, I have received another 


44 BULLOCK’S TROOPIAL,-ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 


from Mr. Townsenp. He says, “it inhabits the Rocky Mountains near the 
Black Hills and the forests of the Columbia river. In the latter place it is a 
rather plentiful species. Its usual note consists of a single quavering call 
somewhat like one of the notes of the Scarlet Tanager, Tanagra rubra. 
At other times it warbles a little, but not with half the sweetness or compass 
of its near relative the Baltimore. It is a very active species, so much so 
indeed that it is very difficult to get a shot at it while sitting, but it is easily 
killed on the wing. It evidently breeds here, and has probably now a nest 
(June 16th), but I have not been able to find it. The female is rarely seen, 
and is particularly shy and noiseless.” 


XANTHORNUS BuLtocku, Swains. Syn. of Mex. Birds, Phil. Mag. 1827, p. 436. 
Buttocx’s Troopiat, /cterus Bullockit, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 9. 


Male, 74, wing, 4+. 

Rocky Mountains, Columbia river, and California. Common. Migratory. 

Adult Male. 

Bill a little shorter than the head, conical, very slightly decurved, com- 
pressed, tapering to a very attenuated point; upper mandible with the dorsal 
line almost straight, being very slightly convex, the ridge narrow, its basal 
extremity tapering, the sides convex, the edges overlapping, the tip extreme- 
ly sharp; lower mandible with the angle long and of moderate width, the 
dorsal line and that of the crura slightly concave, the sides erect and nearly 
flat at the base, convex toward the end, the edges slightly inflected, the tip 
extremely slender; gap-line straight, declinate at the base. Nostrils elliptical, 
with a small operculum above, in the fore part of the nasal membrane, half- 
way between the ridge and the margin. 

Head ovate, of moderate size; neck short; body rather slender. Feet of 
moderate length, rather stout; tarsus much compressed, with seven large 
anterior scutella, and two longitudinal plates behind forming a very thin 
edge; toes of moderate size, the hind toe much stronger, the lateral about 
equal, the third and fourth united at the base. Claws rather long, mode- 
rately arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. 

Plumage soft and blended, the feathers ovate and rounded. Wings of 
moderate length, the first four quills nearly of equal length, the first being 
scarcely two-twelfths shorter than the second, which is the longest, but 
scarcely exceeds the third. Tail rather long, straight, rounded and slightly 
emarginate, the middle feathers being one-twelfth, and the lateral three- 
twelfths shorter than the longest. 

Bill greyish-blue, dusky along the ridge; feet and claws light blue. The 
upper part of the head, the hind neck, and the anterior portion of the back, 


BULLOCK’S TROOPIAL, ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 45 


with the loral space, some feathers at the base of the lower mandible, and a 
rather narrow longitudinal band on the fore neck, deep black; the anterior 
part of the forehead, a band over the eye, the cheeks, sides of the neck, and 
the breast, rich orange-yellow; the rest of the lower parts paler; the lower 
wing-coverts and the anterior edge of the wing pale yellow; the hind part of 
the back and the upper tail-coverts yellow, tinged with olive, purer on the 
rump; wings brownish-black, with a large patch of white formed by the 
outer small coverts, and the edges of the secondary coverts, besides which 
the quills are all margined externally with white, the secondaries more 
broadly. The four middle tail-feathers are black, all the rest orange-yellow, 
with a dusky patch near the end, broader on the inner, narrower and fainter 
on the outer. 

Length to end of tail 74 inches; bill along the ridge 3%; wing from flexure 
41; tail 3-8; tarsus *; hind toe #2, its claw ;4; second toe +f, its claw 335 
third toe 22, its claw +4; fourth toe -%5, its claw 23. 

Adult Female. 

The female is smaller and differs greatly in colouring. The bill and feet 
are asin the male. The upper parts are greyish-olive, lighter on the rump, 
on the head and upper tail-coverts tinged with yellow; the loral space dusky, 
the anterior part of the forehead, a band over the eye, the cheeks, and sides 
of the neck, with the fore part of the breast, light greenish-yellow; the 
throat dull white, the lower wing-coverts and edge of the wing very pale 
yellow, the rest of the lower parts greyish-white, slightly tinged with olive. 
The wings are dark brown, the larger small-coverts tipped with greyish- 
white, the secondary coverts and quills edged with the same. The tail dull 
olivaceous-yellow. This description is taken from an individual killed on 
the 21st of June, 1836, on the Columbia river. 

Length to end of tail 7 inches. 

Young Male. 

A young male, killed on the Columbia river, on the 21st of June, 1836, 
and in its first plumage, resembles the female in all the upper parts, including 
the tail, of which the four outer feathers, however, are more yellow. The 
loral space, and a streak on the throat, shorter and narrower than in the old 
male, are black; the band on the eye, the cheeks, the fore neck, and part of 
the breast, pale yellow; the rest of the lower parts as in the female. 


46 


THE ORCHARD ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 


~+Icrrerus spurius, Gmel. 
PLATE CCXIX.—Mate, Youne Mate, Femaie anp Nest. 


The plumage of many species of our birds undergoes at times very extra- 
ordinary changes. Some, such as the male Tanagers, which during the 
summer months exhibit the most vivid scarlet and velvety black, assume a 
dingy green before they leave the country, on their way southward. The 
Goldfinch nearly changes to the same colour, after having been seen in a gay 
apparel of yellow and black. The Rice-bird loses its lively brightness until 
the return of spring. Others take several years before they complete their 
plumage, so as to shew the true place which they hold amongst the other 
species, as is the case with the Ibis, the Flamingo, and many other Waders, 
as well as with several of our land birds, among which, kind reader, the 
species now under your consideration is probably that in which these gradual 
improvements are most observable by such persons as reside in the country 
inhabited by them. 

The plumage of the young birds of this species, when they leave the nest, 
resembles that of the female parent, although rather less decided in point of 
colouring, and both males and females retain this colour until the approach 
of the following spring, when the former exhibit a portion of black on the 
chin, the females never altering. In birds kept in cages, this portion of 
black remains without farther augmentation for two years; but in those 
which are at liberty, a curious mixture of dull orange or deep chestnut peeps 
out through a considerable increase of black-coloured feathers over the body 
and wings, intermixed with the yellowish-green hue which the bird had 
when it left the nest. The third spring brings him nearer towards perfec- 
tion, as at that time the deep chestnut colour has taken possession of the 
lower parts, the black has deepened on the upper parts, and over the whole 
head, as well as on the wings and tail-feathers. Yet the garb with which it 
is ultimately to be covered requires another return of spring before it is com- 
pleted, after which it remains as exhibited in the adult male, represented in 
the plate. 

These extraordinary changes are quite sufficient of themselves to lead 
naturalists abroad into error, as they give rise to singular arguments even 
with some persons in America, who maintain that the differences of colour 


LSE ES peal 


4 Male adult. 2. Young Male. 3héinvale& Lest. 


Honey Locust! 


Lyrawn trom Veluwe by I TAudubon BRSELS. Lith! Printed & lCol?ty JT) Bowern-Phil 


THE ORCHARD ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 47 


are indicative of different species. But, since the habits of these birds under 
all these singular changes of plumage are ascertained to be precisely the 
same, the argument no longer holds good. I shall now endeavour to describe 
these habits with all the accuracy supplied by long observation. 

The migration of the Orchard Oriole from south to north is performed by 
day, and singly, as is that of its relative the Baltimore Oriole, the males 
appearing a week or ten days sooner than the females. Their flight is lower 
than that of the Baltimore, and considerably shorter in its continuance, the 
Orchard Oriole alighting more frequently on the tops of the trees, to rest or 
to feed. They exhibit a greater repetition of motions of the wings, although 
sliding through the air for a few yards only at a time, and whilst about to 
alight, as well as afterwards, perform strong and well marked jettings of the 
tail. This the Baltimore seldom does. No sooner have they reached the 
portion of the country in which they intend to remain during the time of 
raising their young, than these birds exhibit all the liveliness and vivacity 
belonging to their nature. The male is seen rising in the air for ten or 
twenty yards in an indirect manner, jerking his tail and body, flapping his 
wings, and singing with remarkable impetuosity, as if under the influence of 
haste, and anxious to return to the tree from which he has departed. He 
accordingly descends with the same motions of the body and tail, repeating 
his pleasant song as he alights. These gambols and carollings are performed 
frequently during the day, the intervals being employed in ascending or 
descending along the branches and twigs of different trees, in search of 
insects or larve. In doing this, they rise on their legs, seldom without 
jetting the tail, stretch their neck, seize the prey, and emit a single note, 
which is sweet and mellow, although in power much inferior to that of the 
Baltimore. At other times, it is seen bending its body downwards, in a 
curved posture, with the head greatly inclined upwards, to peep at the under 
parts of the leaves, so as not to suffer any grub to escape its vigilance. It 
now alights on the ground, where it has espied a crawling insect, and again 
flies towards the blossoms, in which many are lurking, and devours hundreds 
of them each day, thus contributing to secure to the farmer the hopes which 
he has of the productiveness of his orchard. 

The arrival of the females is marked with all due regard, and the males 
immediately use every effort in their power to procure from them a return 
of attention. Their singings and tricks are performed with redoubled ardour, 
until they are paired, when nidification is attended to with the utmost 
activity. They resort to the meadows, or search along the fences for the 
finest, longest, and toughest grasses they can find, and having previously 
fixed on a spot either on an apple tree, or amidst the drooping branches of 
the weeping willow, they begin by attaching the grass firmly and neatly to 


48 THE ORCHARD ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 


the twigs more immediately around the chosen place. The filaments are 
twisted, passed over and under, and interwoven in such a manner as almost 
to defy the eye of man to follow their windings. All this is done by the 
bill of the bird, in the manner used by the Baltimore Oriole. The nest is of 
a hemispherical form, and is supported by the margin only. It seldom 
exceeds three or four inches in depth, is open almost to the full extent of its 
largest diameter at the top or entrance, and finished on all sides, as well as 
within, with the long slender grasses already mentioned. Some of these go 
round the nest several times, as if coarsely woven together. This is the 
manner in which the nest is constructed in Louisiana; in the Middle Districts 
it is usually lined with soft and warm materials. The female lays from four 
to six eggs, of a bluish-white tint, sprinkled with dark brown, and raises only 
a single brood in the season. The young follow the parents for several 
weeks, and many birds congregate towards autumn, but the males soon 
separate from the females, and set out by themselves as they arrived ia 
spring. 

The sociality of the Orchard Oriole is quite remarkable, and in this 
respect that bird differs widely from the Baltimore, which will not suffer 
any other bird of its species to build a nest, or to remain within a consider- 
able distance from the spot which it has selected for its own; whereas many 
nests of the species now before you may be observed in the same garden or 
orchard, and often within a few yards of the house. I have counted as many 
as nine of these nests on a few acres of ground, and the different pairs to 
which they belonged lived in great harmony. 

Although the food of the Orchard Orioles consists principally of insects of 
various kinds, it is not composed exclusively of them. They are fond of 
different sorts of fruits and berries. Figs are also much relished by them, 
as well as mulberries and strawberries, but not to such a degree as to draw 
the attention of the gardener or husbandman towards their depredations. 

This species makes its first appearance in Louisiana early in March, and 
remains until October, being seen for several weeks after the Baltimore 
Oriole has set out. It reaches the Middle Districts in the beginning of 
April. I have met with it as far as the State of Maine and the head waters 
of the Mississippi. It is fond of high ground and the neighbourhood of 
mountains during the breeding season, after which it removes to the meadows 
and prairies in considerable numbers. Whilst in these meadows, it feeds 
principally upon a small species of cricket, ground spiders and small grass- 
hoppers. ‘Their flesh is very good late in the season, and is much esteemed 
by the Creoles of Louisiana. 

The French of that State give it the name of Pape de Prairie, while they 
designate the Baltimore Oriole by that of Pape de Bois, which arises no 


THE ORCHARD ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 49 


doubt from the marked preference which the former manifests to the plains 
in autumn, where a great number are shot or caught in trap cages. It is 
easily kept in cages, where it sings with all the liveliness which it shews in 
its wild state, and may be fed on rice and dry fruits, when fresh ones cannot 
be procured. I have known one of these birds, a beautiful male, kept for 
upwards of four years by a friend of mine at New Orleans. It had been 
raised from the nest, and having passed through the different changes of its 
plumage, had become perfect, was full of action, and sung delightfully. 

The nest represented in the plate was drawn in Louisiana, and was entirely 
composed of grass. It may be looked upon as a sample of the usual form 
and construction. The branch of honey locust on which you see these birds 
belongs to a tree which sometimes grows to a great height, without much 
apparent choice of situation. It is more abundant to the west of the Alle- 
ghanies, and towards the Southern Districts, than in the Middle States. The 
wood is brittle and seldom used. The trunk and branches are frequently 
covered with innumerable long, sharp, and extremely hard spines, protruded 
in every direction, and in some instances placed so near to each other as to 
preclude the possibility of any person’s climbing them. It bears a long 
pod, containing a sweet substance, not unlike that of the honey of bees, and 
which is eaten by children, when it becomes quite ripe. The spines are 
made use of by tobacconists for the purpose of fastening together the different 
twists of their rolls. 

Dr. Bacuman informs me, that he has kept this bird in aviaries for several 
years, and that although the birds of this genus are supposed to be of a plain 
colour in winter, he has ascertained that this species at least preserves 
throughout the winter the plumage it possessed in summer. 

In a male preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth is slightly ascending, 
with two longitudinal ridges; the posterior aperture of the nares oblongo- 
linear, with the edges papillate; the upper mandible with three prominent 
lines, and four grooves; the tongue is 6 twelfths long, sagittate and papillate 
at the base, narrow, channelled above, the tip deeply slit and lacerated. The 
cesophagus is 2 inches 2 twelfths long, its greatest breadth 3 twelfths. The 
stomach is very small, roundish, compressed, 5 twelfths long, } twelfth 
broad; its muscles thick, the epithelium thin, tough, longitudinally rugous, 
reddish-brown. The contents of the stomach are insects. The intestine is 
6 inches long, from 14 twelfths to 1 twelfth in breadth. The cceca 1 twelfth 
long, $ twelfth broad, 8 twelfths from the extremity. 

The trachea is 14 inches long, much flattened, 1 twelfth broad at the 
upper part; its rings 65, with 2 dimidiate. Bronchi of about 10 half rings. 


The muscles as in the other species of this group. 
Vor iy’, 7 


50 THE ORCHARD ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 


OrcHarp OrRI0LE, Oriolus mutatus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 64. 

IcTERUS sPuRIUS, Bonap. Syn., p. 51. 

Spurious or Orncuarp Orio.e, /cterus spurius, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 165. 
Orcuarp Ori0Le, Icterus spurius, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 221; vol. v. p. 485. 


Male, 63, 9. 

From Texas to Connecticut, over the valley of the Mississippi, Kentucky, 
and Ohio. Abundant. Rare in Massachusetts and Maine. Missouri to the 
bases of the Rocky Mountains. Migratory. 

Male in complete plumage. 

Bill conical, slender, longish, compressed, a little curved, very acute, with 
inflected acute margins; upper mandible obtuse above, lower broadly obtuse 
beneath. Nostrils oval, covered by a membrane above, basal. Head and 
neck of ordinary size. Body rather slender. Feet of ordinary length; tarsus 
a little longer than the middle toe; inner toe little shorter than the outer; 
claws arched, compressed, acute, that of the hind toe twice the size of the 
others. 

Plumage soft, blended, glossy. Wings of ordinary length, the second and 
third primaries longest. Tail long, rounded, of twelve rounded feathers. 

Bill black above, with light blue margins, light blue beneath. Iris reddish- 
brown. Feet light blue. Head, neck, and upper back black; the rest of 
the body dusky orange-red, approaching to chestnut. Quills and larger 
coverts black, margined with yellow, the latter tipped with yellowish-white; 
tail black. 

Length 6} inches, extent of wings 9; bill along the ridge 74, along the 
gap #; tarsus 1, middle toe 3. 

Adult Female. 

Bill, feet and iris as in the male. Head and upper parts brownish-green. 
Wings and tail greenish-brown; wing-coverts tipped with white; throat 
white, sides of the neck and under parts generally greyish-yellow. The 
young of both sexes resemble the female. 

Male in the second year. 

Irregularly spotted with black, yellow, and reddish-orange on the head, 
neck, and back; the other parts nearly as in the adult male. 


Tue Honey Locust. 


GLEDITSCHIA TRIACANTHOS, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. iv. p. 1097. Pursh, Flor. Amer., vol. i. 
p.221. Mich., Arbr. Forest., vol. iii. p. 164, pl. 10.—Potycamia Dicacia, Linn.—Lecu- 
MINOS, Juss. 


This tree, when growing in situations most favourable to it, sometimes 


THE ORCHARD ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 51 


attains a height of sixty or eighty feet, and a diameter of three or four. The 
bark is detached in large plates, and the trunk is marked with several broad 
furrows. The flowers, which are small and of a greenish colour, are suc- 
ceeded by long, flat, pendent, generally tortuous pods, of a brown colour. 
The wood is very hard, but porous and brittle. This species is distinguished 
by its numerous, generally tripartite spines, its linear-oblong leaflets, and its 
many-seeded, compressed legumes. 


Genus V.—QUISCALUS, Vieill. CROW-BLACKBIRD. 


Bill as long as the head, or somewhat longer, nearly straight, strong, 
tapering, compressed from the base; upper mandible with its outline slightly 
declinate, a little convex, the ridge narrow at the base and encroaching a 
little on the forehead, afterwards broad, rounded, and indistinct, the sides 
convex, the edges sharp and direct, or slightly inflected, with a faint festoon 
anterior to the nostrils, the tip deflected, acute; lower mandible with the 
angle short and rounded, the dorsal line straight, slightly deflected at the 
end, the ridge convex, the sides rounded, the edges inflected, the tip very 
acute. Nostrils basal, oval, half-closed by a membrane. Head of moderate 
size, ovate, flattened above; neck of moderate length; body rather slender. 
Feet of moderate length; tarsus as long as the middle toe and claw, com- 
pressed, with eight anterior scutella; toes rather long, with large scutella, 
the hind toe stronger, the lateral toes nearly equal, the middle toe much 
longer. Claws rather long, slightly arched, compressed, not laterally 
grooved, acute. Plumage blended, highly glossed. Wings of moderate 
length, the second and third quills longest, the first and fourth little shorter. 
Tail long, graduated or rounded, the feathers flat or slightly concave, slightly 
emarginate, with the inner webs longer than the outer. Roof of the upper 
mandible concave, with three longitudinal ridges, of which the middle is 
enlarged at the base and prominent; tongue slender, sagittate, concave above, 
tapering to a thin lacerated point; oesophagus rather wide, considerably 
dilated about the middle; stomach of moderate size, elliptical or roundish, 
moderately muscular, the lateral muscles distinct, the epithelium dense, 
horny, slightly rugous, with two roundish grinding surfaces; intestine of 
moderate length, rather wide; cceca very small; cloaca oblong. 


D2 


THE BOAT-TAILED GRAKLE, OR GREAT CROW 
~- BLACKBIRD. 


+ QuIscALUS MAJor, Vieill. 
PLATE CCXX.—Mate anp FEMALE. 


This elegant bird is an inhabitant of the Southern States, to the maritime 
portions of which it is more particularly attached. Indeed, it seldom goes 
farther inland than forty or fifty miles, and even then follows the swampy 
margins of large rivers, as the Mississippi, the Santee, the St. John’s, and the 
Savannah. It is found in Lower Louisiana, but never ascends so far as the 
city of Natchez, and it abounds in the south-eastern low grounds of the 
Floridas, and in those of Georgia and South Carolina, as well as in the sea 
islands of the Atlantic coasts, as far north as Carolina, beyond which none 
are to be seen. 

The Boat-tailed Grakles are gregarious at all seasons of the year, and fre- 
quently assemble in very large flocks, which, however, cannot be compared 
with those of the Purple Grakle, or of the Red-winged Starling. They seek 
for their food amid the large salt marshes, and along their muddy shores, and 
throw themselves into the rice plantations as soon as the grain is fit for being 
eaten by them. In autumn they resort not unfrequently to corn fields, and 
the ploughed lands of the plantations, interspersed with ponds or marshy 
places, retiring towards evening to the salt marshes, where they roost in 
immense flocks amid the tall marsh grass (Spartina glabra), from which 
their cries are heard until darkness comes on. 

The food of this species consists principally of those small crabs called 
“fiddlers,” of which millions are found along the margins of the rivers and 
mud-flats, as well as of large insects of all kinds, ground-worms, and seeds, 
especially grain. They frequently seize on shrimps, and other aquatic 
animals of a similar nature, that have been detained at low water on the 
banks of racoon oysters, a kind of shell-fish so named under the idea that 
they are eaten by the racoon. In autumn, while the rice is yet in the stack, 
they commit considerable mischief by feeding on the grain, although not so 
much as when it is in a juicy state, when the planters are obliged to employ 
persons to chase them from the fields. 

About the beginning of February, the males have already mated, and many 
begin their nest at this early season. It is then that you ought to see the 


N°44. PL 220. 


1 Male. Kernale: 


Q Drawre trom Nature bw D7 Auduboref. RSELS. Lith#Ttinted kK Coltby 7 T Bower Phil. 


re ee 


aie he ee 1h either ae 
oye ai hua dhe Mey eT aaah bp ; 
Lines pe en ena a gM eens ad 


THE BOAT-TAILED GRAKLE. 53 


Boat-tailed Grakle, for at that period its plumage displays the richest gloss, 
and its tail, which, after the breeding season, is no longer navicular, is deeply 
incurved towards the centre. Proud of his elegant form and splendid 
plumage, he alights on the topmost branch of some evergreen oak, droops 
his wings and tail, swells his breast, and glittering in the bright rays of the 
sun, which call forth all the variations of tint for which his silken plumes 
are remarkable, pours forth his loud though not always agreeable song. He 
watches his rivals as they pass, pursues them with ardent courage, returns to 
his stand exulting, and again pours forth his song. 

No sooner has he made himself sure of the attachment of a female, than 
his jealous temper is subdued, and he places implicit reliance on the fidelity 
of his mate, in which he might be advantageously imitated by other beings. 
Many pairs now resort to a place previously known to them, and in the 
greatest harmony construct their mansions. Well do they remember the 
central islet of the lake, among the thickets of which, in security and com- 
fort, their brood was reared in the previous season. Each pair choose their 
branch of smilax, and if the former tenement has escaped the shock of the 
winter winds, they repair and augment it, so as to render it fit for the recep- 
tion of their eggs. If it has been destroyed, they quickly form a new one 
from the abundant materials around. The long-fibred Spanish moss dangles 
from every tree; dry twigs, withered grasses, and dead leaves lie strewn 
around, and the thready roots used for the lining are found in their inacces- 
sible island. Each female now deposits her eggs, on which she sits in 
patient hope; while in the mean time all the male birds fly off together, and 
leave their mates to rear their offspring. Far away to the marshes they 
betake themselves, nor are they seen any more with their young, until the 
latter are able to join their neglectful fathers. Strange arrangement and 
singular, when, in other instances, Nature fills the husband and father with 
so much affection and solicitude! Nay, in the male Grakle has been 
implanted a desire to destroy the eggs of every bird, while at the same time 
he has been impelled to leave his mate, that she may hatch her own in 
security! Other species are governed by laws equally rigorous. The 
female Wild Turkey shuns her mate, that she may save not her eggs only, 
but even her young, which he would destroy; and, as I am not the only 
student of Nature who has witnessed the extraordinary conduct of the pre- 
sent species of Grakle in this respect, I am enabled to present you with some 
particulars supplied by my friend Bacuman. 

“In the spring of 1832, I went with Mr. Logan in a boat to the centre of 
a very large pond, about four or five feet deep, and partially overgrown with 
bushes. On a bush of smilax were built about thirty nests of the Boat-tailed 
Grakles, from three to five feet apart, some of them not more than fifteen 


54 THE BOAT-TAILED GRAKLE. 


inches above the surface of the water. The nests contained mostly three 
eggs each, and were all quite fresh. The old birds were not near. In about 
a quarter of an hour afterwards, a flock of females appeared, sailing around 
us, chattering as if distressed at our intrusion. Some of them were shot, but 
the remainder still continued in the neighbourhood, unwilling to leave their 
nests. It was singular to observe that no males made their appearance. I 
have visited the nests of this species, when placed on live oak-trees, where 
they also breed in communities, thirty or forty feet above the ground. I 
watched the manners of the old birds, the way in which they built their 
nests, and their young, until fully fledged, but never found the males in the 
vicinity of the nests from the time the eggs were laid. The males always 
kept at a distance, and in flocks, feeding principally in the marshes, at this 
season of the year, the females alone taking charge of their nest and young. 
These latter are excellent eating whilst squabs. They do not leave the nest 
until fully fledged, although they often stand on the borders of it awaiting 
the arrival of the mother, squatting back into it at the least appearance of 
danger.”’ 

The nest of the Boat-tailed Grakle is large, and composed of dry sticks, 
mosses, coarse grasses, and leaves intertwined. The interior is formed of 
fine grass, circularly disposed, and over this is a lining of fibrous roots. The 
eggs are four or five, of a dull white colour, irregularly streaked with brown 
and black. ‘This species raises only one brood in the season, and the young 
are able to follow their mother, on wing, by the 20th of June. The period 
at which these birds usually lay is about the lst of April, but this varies 
according to latitude, and I believe that the very old birds breed earlier than 
the others. 

When the Boat-tailed Grakles breed on the tall reeds that border upon 
bayous or grow on the margins of lakes, especially in Louisiana and the 
Floridas, the cries of the young when they are nearly fledged frequently 
attract the attention of the alligator, which, well knowing the excellence of 
these birds as articles of food, swims gently towards the nest and suddenly 
thrashing the reeds with his tail, jerks out the poor nestlings and immediately 
devours them. One or two such attacks so frighten the parent Grakles, that, 
as if of common accord, they utter a chuck, when the young scramble away 
among the reeds towards the shore, and generally escape from their powerful 
enemies. This species, the Red-winged Starling and the Crow Blackbird, 
ascend and descend the reeds with much celerity and ease, holding on by 
their feet. In that portion of East Florida called the “Ever Glades,” the 
Boat-tailed Grakles frequently breed in company with the Little Bittern 
(.4rdea exilis), the Scolopaceous Courlan and the Common Gallinule; and 
when on trees, along with the Green Heron. 


THE BOAT-TAILED GRAKLE. 55 


The flight of this bird exhibits long and decided undulation, repeated at 
intervals of about forty yards, it being performed at a considerable elevation, 
and protracted to a great distance. It flies in loose flocks, when it never 
ceases to utter its peculiar cry of kirrick, crick, crick. In autumn, or as 
soon as the females and their broods associate with the males, their move- 
ments are regular from south to north, while returning towards their roosting 
places, and the reverse next morning when going out to look for food. They 
seldom rise from the rushes in compact bodies, unless they should happen to 
be surprised. At the report of a gun they fly to a great distance, and are 
always extremely shy and wary. The female does not carry her tail so 
deeply incurved as the male. During the breeding season they return to 
their stand, after a chase, with a quivering motion of the wings, and the tail 
is more deeply incurved than at any other season. 

The notes of these birds are harsh, resembling loud shrill whistles, fre- 
quently accompanied with their ordinary cry of crick, crick, cree. In the 
love season they are more pleasing, being changed into sounds resembling 
tirtt, tirit, titiri, titiri, titireé, rising from low to high with great regularity 
and emphasis. The young when first able to fly emit a note not unlike the 
whistling cry of some of our frogs. 

Some of these Grakles migrate from the Carolinas and Georgia, although 
fully a third remain during the winter. At that season they frequently 
associate with the Fish Crow, and alight on stakes in the mud flats close to 
the cities, where they remain for a considerable time emitting their cry. 
They are fond of the company of cattle, walking among them in the manner 
of the European Starling and our own Cow Bunting, but they never enter 
the woods. On the ground they walk in a stately and graceful manner, with 
their tail rather elevated, and jetting it at each cluck. 

The males often attack birds of other species, driving them from their 
nest, and sucking their eggs. I have seen seven or eight of them teasing a 
Fish Hawk for nearly an hour, before they gave up the enterprise. When 
brought to the ground wounded, they run off at once, make for the nearest 
tree, assist themselves by the bushes about it, and endeavour to get to the top 
branches, moving all the while so nimbly, that it is difficult to secure them. 
They bite and scratch severely, often bringing blood from the hand. 

They are courageous birds, and often give chase to Hawks and Turkey 
Buzzards. My friend Dr. Samvrt Witson of Charleston, attempted to raise 
some from the nest, having found four young ones in two nests, and for some 
weeks fed them on fresh meat, but they became so infested with insects that 
notwithstanding all his care they died. 

In the plate are represented a pair in full spring plumage. I have placed 
them on their favourite liye-oak tree. 


56 THE BOAT-TAILED GRAKLE. 


I found this species abundant and breeding along the shores of the Gulf of 
Mexico, from the mouths of the Mississippi to within the maritime portions 
of the Texas, in every suitable place, forming its nests principally among 
the tall reeds of the salt marshes. ‘The eggs measure one inch three-eighths 
in length, and seven-eighths in breadth, being of an elongated oval form. 
The name of Boat-tailed Grakle has been of late given to our Common Crow 
Blackbird, Quiscalus versicolor, which in my opinion is improper, in our 
country at least, where all original well-known names ought to be retained, 
were it for no other reason than to prevent inconvenience to students. No 
one in Kentucky, for example, would know what was meant by “Little 
Rusty-crowned Falcon,’ but would point out at once to any inquirer the 
“Sparrow Hawk.”’ 


QuiIscALus Masor, Bonap Syn., p. 54. 

Great Crow BiacksirD, Quiscalus major, Bonap. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 35. 

Great Crow Buackeirp, Quiscalus major, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 192. 

Boat-TatLeD GRAKLE or Great Crow Buiackeirp, Quiscalus major, Aud. Orn. Biog., 
vol. ii. p. 504; vol. v. p. 480. 


Tail very long, graduated, with the feathers slightly concave above. Male 
with the plumage silky, splendent, the head and neck deep purplish-blue, 
the back, breast, and sides deep blue, passing into green behind, the rump 
bronzed black; the wings and tail black, glossed with green, the abdomen, 
lower tail-coverts, and tibial feathers, plain black. Female much smaller, 
with the tail shorter, the plumage unglossed beneath, and but slightly glossy 
above, the upper parts dusky, with slight tints of green and blue; the head 
and neck dull brown; the lower parts light yellowish-brown, the tibial 
feathers and lower tail-coverts dusky. 

Male, 15%, 232. Female, 128, 18. 

Abundant from Texas to North Carolina along the coast. Up the Missis- 
sippi about 200 miles. Constantly resident. 

In a male, from the mouths of the Mississippi, preserved in spirits, the 
palate is convex, with two longitudinal ridges, anteriorly with a middle and 
two lateral ridges. The tongue is 1 inch 2 twelfths long, slender, horny 
nearly in its whole length, sagittate and papillate at the base, concave above, 
its greatest breadth 24 twelfths, tapering to a lacerated thin point, and with 
the edges also lacerated for nearly half an inch from the tip. The posterior 
aperture of the nares is oblong behind, linear before, with strong papille on 
the edges. The csophagus is 5} twelfths long, its width 7 twelfths at the 
commencement, then contracting to 4 twelfths, again slightly dilated to 5 
twelfths; the proventriculus also 5 twelfths in width, its glands forming a 
belt 7} twelfths in breadth. The stomach is elliptical, 1 inch 2 twelfths 


THE BOAT-TAILED GRAKLE. 57 


long, 104 twelfths in breadth; its muscular coat moderately thick, the right 
lateral muscle 2 twelfths; the epithelium dense, tough, longitudinally rugous, 
and dark brown. The intestine is of moderate length and width, the former 
being 15 inches, the latter averaging 3 twelfths; the cceca an inch and a half 
long. 

The trachea is 3 inches long, much flattened, from 35 twelfths to 2$ 
twelfths in breadth; its rings about 70, very thin, with 2 dimidiate rings. 
The bronchi are wide, of about 12 very slender cartilaginous half rings. The 
lateral muscles are slender, as are the sterno-tracheal slips; and there are four 
pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. 

The digestive and respiratory organs of this bird do not differ materially 
from those of the Crows, Starlings, and Thrushes, but the cesophagus having 
a slight dilatation indicates some affinity to the Conirostres. 

Individuals of both sexes, but especially males, differ greatly in size, from 
the time they obtain their full plumage until they are several years old, the 
difference sometimes amounting to several inches in the length of the birds, 
and affording an excellent opportunity of manufacturing new species. 


Tue Live Oak, Quercus virENs, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. iv. p. 425. Pursh, F]. Amer. 
Sept., vol. ii. p. 626.—Monacra Potyanpria, Linn.—AMENTACER, Juss. 


The live oak attains a great size, spreading out its large arms to the 
distance sometimes of twenty yards, but seldom reaching to a proportionate 
height. Splendid avenues of this valuable tree are frequently seen in 
Georgia, South Carolina, and many of the sea islands, leading to the planters’ 
houses. A few miles below New Orleans are some, probably centuries old, 
which are the finest I have seen. I have not observed this tree far above the 
city of Natchez on the Mississippi, nor farther eastward than the central 
maritime parts of North Carolina. It prefers flat rich soils, and is rarely 
found at any great distance from rivers or the sea-shore. The leaves are 
evergreen, leathery, oblong-elliptical, obtuse at the base, acute at the tip, 
with the edges revolute, and the lower surface downy; the cupule is turbi- 
nate, with short scales; the acorn oblong, sweet, and to the taste of some 
equal to the hazel-nut. 


Vou. IV. 


io) 


o8 


PURPLE GRAKLE, OR COMMON CROW-BLACKBIRD. 
7 QUISCALUS viueiconon: Piel. 


PLATE CCXXI.—Mate anp FeMate. 


I could not think of any better mode of representing these birds than that 
which I have adopted, as it exhibits them in the exercise of their nefarious 
propensities. Look at them: The male, as if full of delight at the sight of 
the havoc which he has already committed on the tender, juicy, unripe corn 
on which he stands, has swelled his throat, and is calling in exultation to his 
companions to come and assist him in demolishing it. The female has fed 
herself, and is about to fly off with a well-loaded bill to her hungry and 
expectant brood, that, from the nest, look on their plundering parents, 
joyously anticipating the pleasures of which they shall ere long be allowed 
to participate. See how torn the husk is from the ear, and how nearly 
devoured the grains of corn already are! This is the tithe our Blackbirds 
take from our planters and farmers; but it was so appointed, and such is the 
will of the beneficent Creator. 

These birds are constant residents in Louisiana. I say they are so, because 
numbers of them, which in some countries would be called immense, are 
found there at all seasons of the year. No sooner has the cotton or corn 
planter begun to turn his land into brown furrows, than the Crow-Black- 
birds are seen sailing down from the skirts of the woods, alighting in the 
fields, and following his track along the ridges of newly-turned earth, with 
an elegant and elevated step, which shews them to be as fearless and free as 
the air through which they wing their way. The genial rays of the sun 
shine on their silky plumage, and offer to the ploughman’s eye such rich and 
varying tints, that no painter, however gifted, could ever imitate them. The 
coppery bronze, which in one light shews its rich gloss, is, by the least 
motion of the bird, changed in a moment to brilliant and deep azure, and 
again, in the next light, becomes refulgent sapphire or emerald-green. 

The bird stops, spreads its tail, lowers its wings, and, with swelled throat 
and open bill, sounds a call to those which may chance to be passing near. 
The stately step is resumed. Its keen eye, busily engaged on either side, is 
immediately attracted by a grub, hastening to hide itself from the sudden 
exposure made by the plough. In vain does it hurry, for the Grakle has 
seen and marked it for its own, and it is snatched up and swallowed ina 
moment. 

Thus does the Grakle follow the husbandman as he turns one furrow after 


INGA: PL: 


bo 
to 
= 


) 


i Meaf,-. 2 fi Dh, 
4AM AEC. A LCHILEA LE 


SODPAPIPLOPC/ 9 yy D 


Ly VS 
(LOOT FICAAADENC OME 


Trawn fone Nature by) Audubon. ERSKLS. 


PURPLE GRAKLE. 59 


another, destroying a far worse enemy to the corn than itself, for every 
worm which it devours would else shortly cut the slender blade, and thereby 
destroy the plant when it would perhaps be too late to renew it by fresh 
seed. Every reflecting farmer knows this well, and refrains from disturbing 
the Grakle at this season. Were he as merciful at another time, it would 
prove his grateful recollection of the services thus rendered him. But man 
is too often forgetful of the benefit which he has received; he permits his too 
commonly weak and selfish feelings to prevail over his reason; and no 
sooner does the corn become fit for his own use, than he vows and executes 
vengeance on all intruders. But to return to our Blackbird. 

The season of love has arrived. THach male having, by assiduity, valour, 
or good fortune, received the affectionate regards of a faithful mate, unites 
with her in seeking a safe and agreeable retreat. The lofty dead trees left 
standing in our newly cultivated fields, have many holes and cavities, some 
of which have been bored by Woodpeckers, and others caused by insects or 
decay. These are visited and examined in succession, until a choice being 
made, and a few dry weeds and feathers collected, the female deposits her 
eggs, which are from four to six in number, of a bluish tint, blotched and 
streaked with brown and black. She sits upon them while her valiant mate 
and guardian mounts to the summit of a broken branch, pours forth his rude 
notes, and cheers and watches her with the kindest and most unremitting 
eare. I think I see him plunging through the air and overtaking the Red- 
headed or the Golden-winged Woodpecker, which, in search of their last 
year’s nest, have imprudently alighted at the entrance of the already chosen 
and occupied hole. The conflict is but momentary; the creeping bird is 
forced to yield, and after whirling round in the air as it defends itself, and 
very nearly comes to the ground, makes the best of its way off, well know- 
ing that there its opponent is more formidable than even in the air. 

This over, the Grakle roams in quest of food. Little heaps of grubs, with 
a few grains of corn, afford delicious repasts to himself and his mate. They 
thus share the labours of incubation, and see the time pass in eager and 
pleasant expectation. And now the emerging brood shake off the shell that 
so long enclosed them; their tottering heads are already raised toward their 
mother, while she, with intense anxiety, dries and cherishes them. They 
grow up day after day. The hole becomes nearly filled with their increased 
bulk. The vigilance and industry of the parents also augment apace. I 
wish, good-natured reader, you would seek out such a sight: it would glad- 
den your heart, for the rearing of such a family is worthy of your contem- 
plation. 

It is with regret that I must turn from this picture. I have already told 
you that the Grakles are at least as fond of corn as the lords of the land are. 
Hark to the sound of rattles, and the hallooing of the farmer’s sons and 


60 PURPLE GRAKLE. 


servants, as they spread over the field! Now and then the report of a gun 
comes on the ear. The Grakles have scarcely a single moment of quiet; 
they are chased, stolen upon, and killed in great numbers, all the country 
round; but the hungry birds heed not the slaughter of their brethren. They 
fly in flocks from place to place, and, in spite of all that the farmer has done 
or threatens to do, continue their depredations. Food must be had. Grubs 
and worms have already retired to their winter quarters within the earth; no 
beech-nuts or acorns have yet fallen from the trees; corn is now their only 
resource, and the quantity of it which they devour is immense. 

Now gloomy November brings up its cold blasts from the north, and 
drives before it the Grakles from the Eastern States. They reach Louisiana 
and all the Southern States when autumn has not yet retired, when the 
weather is still mild and serene, and the yellow foliage of the wide woods 
gives shelter to myriads of birds. The Grakles, congregated in prodigious 
flocks, alight on the trees that border the vast forests, covering every twig 
and bough in such astonishing masses, that the most unskilful or most 
avaricious gunner finds no difficulty in satisfying his wish for sport or game. 
This is the time to listen to their choruses. They seem to congratulate each 
other on their escape, and vociferate at such a rate as to make one imagine 
their number double what it is. 

Beech-nuts and acorns are now abundant in the woods, having by this 
time fallen from the trees, and the Grakles roam in quest of them in immense 
bodies, rising on wing when disturbed, uttering at the same time a tremen- 
dous noise, then making a few rounds, and alighting again. They thus 
gradually clear away the mast, in the same manner as the wild pigeons are 
wont to do. As the weather becomes colder, they frequent the farms, and 
even resort to the cattle pens, where, from among the litter and refuse straw, 
they pick the scattered grains that have fallen from the stores with which 
the farmer has supplied his stock. They remain about the farms until the 
commencement of spring. They are easily caught in traps, and shew little 
fear when seized, biting so severely as often to draw blood, and laying hold 
with their claws in a very energetic manner. 

During the winter of 1821, I caught a number of them, as well as many 
other birds, for the purpose of sending them alive to Europe. The whole 
of my captives were confined together in a large cage, where they were well 
fed and watered, and received all necessary attention. Things went on 
favourably for several days, and I with pleasure saw them becoming daily 
more gentle. An unexpected change, however, soon took place, for as the 
Grakles became reconciled to confinement, they began to attack the other 
birds, beating and killing one after another so fast that I was obliged to 
remove them from the cage. Even this did not prevent further breach of 
the peace, for the strong attacked and killed the weak of their own race, so 


. 


PURPLE GRAKLE. 61 


that only a few remained in the end. The Grakles thus mangled, killed and 
partially devoured several Cardinal Grosbeaks, Doves, Pigeons, and Blue 
Jays. I look upon this remarkable instance of ferocity in the Grakle with 
the more amazement, as I never observed it killing any bird when in a state 
of freedom. 

What I have said respecting the Purple Grakle (which by some is impro- 
perly named the Boat-tailed Grakle) refers particularly to the habits of those 
in the south, where some of them are found at all seasons. I shall now 
speak of those of the Western and Middle States. Most of these birds leave 
the south about the middle of February, setting out in small detached flocks. 
They reach the State of New York in this straggling manner about the 
middle of May. Their migratory flight is performed in short undulating 
lines, resembling small segments of very large circles. It may be explained 
in this manner. Supposing the bird poised in the air and intent on moving 
forwards, it propels itself by a strenuous flap of the wings, which carries it 
forward in a curve, along which it ascends until it attains the level of its 
original point of departure, when it flaps its wings again, and performs 
another curve. In this form of flight they pursue their long journey, during 
which they keep up a continual low chattering, as if they were discussing 
some important question. When they reach Pennsylvania, they commence 
the avocations which I have already described, and are seen following the 
plough, while their kindred that have been left in Louisiana are probably by 
this time feeding their young, as the difference of climate between these 
latitudes leaves the northern states a month later in their seasons than the 
southern. 

In the Northern States these birds construct their nests in a much more 
perfect, and therefore more natural manner. A pine tree, whenever it occurs 
in a convenient place, is selected by preference, its dense foliage and hori- 
zontal branches being well adapted for nidification. There the Grakle forms 
a nest, which from the ground might easily be mistaken for that of our 
Robin, the Turdus migratorius, were it less bulky. But it is much larger, 
and instead of being placed by itself, is associated with others, often to the 
number of a dozen or more, on the horizontal arms of the pine, forming tier 
above tier, from the lowest to the highest branches. The centre of the nest 
is what I would call saddled on the bough, the materials being laid so that 
the nest is thinner in its middle part and thicker at the two opposite sides, 
so as to havea firm hold. It is about six inches in diameter outside, and 
four inches within, the depth being the same, and is composed of grass, 
slender roots and mud, lined with hair and finer grasses. I had a white 
pine-tree in one of my fields on Mill Grove Farm, on which many of these 
birds bred every spring, when some mischievous lads frequently amused 
themselves with beating down the nests with long fishing-rods, to my great 


62 PURPLE GRAKLE. 


annoyance. Some of the Pennsylvania farmers, from a very laudable motive, 
have given out that Grakles are fond of pulling up the garlic plant, so inju- 
rious to the pastures of the Middle States; but I am sorry to say this assertion 
is by no means correct, and were these good people to look to the Grakles 
for the clearing of their fields from that evil, they might wait long enough. 

The flesh of the Purple Grakle is little better than that of the Crow, being 
dry and ill-flavoured, notwithstanding which it is frequently used, with the 
addition of one or two Golden-winged Woodpeckers or Redwings, to make 
what is here called pot pie, even amidst a profusion of so many better things. 
The eggs, on the contrary, are very delicate, and I am astonished that those 
who are so anxious for the destruction of these birds do not gratify their 
wishes by eating them while yet in the egg. In some parts of Louisiana, 
the planters steep the seed corn for a few hours in a solution of Glauber’s 
salt, to deter the Grakles and other birds from eating the grains when just 
planted. 

The Purple Grakle travels very far north. I have found it everywhere 
during my peregrinations, and in one or two instances have seen it form its 
nest in the fissures of rocks. 

According to Dr. Ricuarpson, this species reaches the plains of the 
Saskatchewan in the beginning of May, in flocks of from twenty to a hundred, 
the males and females separate; and, as in Pennsylvania, several pairs nestle 
on the branches of the same tree. I have found it dispersed over the coun- 
try from Texas to Nova Scotia, but met with none in Newfoundland or 
Labrador. It was not observed by Dr. TownsEnp on the Columbia river. 

Dr. Bacuman, who has seen it building in the hollows of trees, and in 
abandoned nests of Woodpeckers, has observed it carrying grass and mud 
for the construction of its nest. It breeds in like situations in Louisiana, 
without using these materials; and in the middle and northern districts forms 
a fine, well-finished nest, such as I have described. The eggs measure one 
inch and half an eighth in length, by five and a half eighths in breadth, are 
of a bluish-white colour, blotched, streaked, and spotted with brown and 
black. On the Florida Keys I found this species breeding in low mangroves, 
in communities, along with the White-headed Pigeon, Columba leuco- 
cephala, and thought that the glossy richness of the plumage far exceeded 
that of our northern birds; yet, on close examination, I could observe no 
other difference in them. I have also found them breeding westward of the 
mouths of the Mississippi, as far as the Texas. 


PurpLe GRak.e, Gracula quiscala, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iii. p. 44. 

PurpLe Grak_e, Gracula quiscala, Bonap. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 42. 

GRACULA QuiscaLa, Bonap. Syn., p. 54. 

Common Crow Buiackeirp, Quiscalus versicolor, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 194; vol. v. p.481. 


PURPLE GRAKLE. 63 


QuISscALUS vERSICOLOR, Common Purple Boat-tail, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., 


vol. ii. p. 485. 


Purple GrRaKLE or Common Crow BuacxpirD, Quiscalus versicolor, Aud. Orn. Biog., 


vol. i. p. 35; vol. v. p. 481. 


Tail long, much rounded, with the 
feathers flat. Male with the plumage 
silky and splendent, the head, neck, 
and anterior part of the breast black- 
ish, with vivid reflections of violet, 
steel-blue, and green; general colour 
of the body dusky, glossed with pur- 
ple, green, and blue, these colours 
arranged in three terminal zones, on 
each feather; rump _ violet-purple; 
wings and tail black, glossed with 
green and blue. Female considerably 
smaller, with the body more brown, 
the reflections much less brilliant. 
Young brown. 

Male, 13,19. Female, 11, 16. 

Breeds from Texas to the Fur 
Couniries. Resident in the Southern 
States. Extremely abundant. 

A male preserved in spirits mea- 
sures to end of tail 114 inches, to end 
of wings 8#, to end of claws 10; wing 
from flexure 6; tail 5; extent of wings 
17%. 

The mouth is rather narrow, its 
width being 6% twelfths; the palate 
ascending, with two papillate ridges, 
the space between which and the 
margin of the posterior nasal aperture 
is also papillate. The latter is 6 
twelfths long, linear, and margined 
with strong papilla. There are three 
ridges on the anterior part of the 
roof of the mouth, of which the mid- 
dle is much stronger, at the base 
large, prominent, and hard, being 
similar to the knob observed in the 
Buntings, but much more elongated. 


Un ill! 
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64 PURPLE GRAKLE. 


The tongue is slender, 9 twelfths long, emarginate and papillate at the base, 
grooved above, horny toward the end, slightly lacerated, and slit at the tip. 
The csophagus, a 6 ¢ d, is 47 inches long, 5 twelfths in width at the com- 
mencement; then for the length of nearly two inches dilated to 73 twelfths; 
on entering the thorax contracted to 4 twelfths. The stomach, de, is of 
moderate size, round, a little compressed, moderately muscular, the right 
muscle 3 twelfths, the left 24 twelfths thick; the epithelium dense, horny, 
slightly rugous, with two roundish slightly concave grinding surfaces. The 
cesophagus contains two grains of maize, and the stomach is distended with 
fragments of the same, together with portions of husks and grains of sand. 
The intestine, /g hij k, is of moderate length and rather wide, being 16 
inches long, and from 4 twelfths to 24 twelfths wide; the duodenum, fg A, 
curves in the usual manner, returning at the distance of two inches; the 
cceca, 7, which come off at the distance of 14 inches from the extremity, are 
14 inches long, but only 4 twelfth in width; the rectum gradually enlarges 
into an oblong cloaca, 7, about 5 twelfths in width. 

The trachea is 3 inches long, moderately flattened, 14 twelfths in breadth, 
its rings firm, and about 60 in number, with 2 additional dimidiate rings. 
The lateral muscles are slender, as are the sterno-tracheal; there are four 
pairs of large inferior laryngeal muscles. The bronchi are of moderate size, 
with about 15 half rings. 


Tue Maize or Inp1Aan Corn. 


Zea Mays, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. iv. p. 200. Pursh, Flor. Americ., p. 46.—Monccia 
Trianpr\ia, Linn. GRAMINEA, Juss. 


DMRS (als 
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ne 
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tou aS pape, ios 


tf 


4 AMtale. 2 Female. 3 Joung 
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Lith! Printed b Colt by JT) Bowen Pailad. 


695 


THE RUSTY GRAKLE, OR RUSTY CROW BLACKBIRD. 


~+ QUISCALUS FERRUGINEUS, Lath. 
PLATE CCXXII.—Mate, Femare, anp Youne. 


In the winter months the Rusty Grakle is found as far south as Lower 
Louisiana and the Floridas, which it reaches in small flocks, along with the 
Cow Bunting and Red-winged Starling, with which it continues frequently 
to associate until the return of spring. At this season it occurs in all the 
Southern and Western States, as well as in the Middle and Eastern Districts, 
where some remain during the most severe cold. 

These Grakles are fond of the company of cattle, and are seen with them 
in the pastures or in the farm-yards, searching for food among their drop- 
pings, and picking up a few grains of the refuse corn. They are less shy 
than the other species, possibly because less acquainted with man, as they 
retire to the north for the purpose of breeding. In the winter they fre- 
quently resort to moist places, such as are met with round the ponds and low 
swampy meadows, where you sometimes find a single one remaining for 
weeks apart from its companions. They then feed on aquatic insects and 
small snails, for which they search diligently among the rank reeds or sedges, 
which they climb with great agility. Their note is a kind of chuck. It is 
rare to meet with them in full plumage at this time, even the old males 
becoming rather rusty, instead of being of a pure glossy black, as they are in 
spring. 

About the beginning of March, the males are seen moving northwards. 
They cross the greater part of the United States almost in silence and 
unheeded, seldom tarrying any where until they reach the State of Maine, 
where some few remain to breed, while the greater number advance farther 
north. I saw some of these birds on the Magdeleine Islands, in Newfound- 
land, as well as in Labrador, where many breed. Their migrations are 
performed by day. 

In their habits they resemble the Red-winged Starling, becoming loquacious 
at this season, and having a lively and agreeable song, although less powerful 
in tone than that of the species just mentioned. Equally fond of the vicinity 
of meadows or moist places, they construct their nests in the low bushes that 
occur there. The nest is not so large as that of the Redwing, but is com- 


posed of much the same materials. In Labrador I found it lined with moss 
Vou. IV. 9 


66 THE RUSTY GRAKLE. 


instead of coarse grass. The eggs are four or five, of a light blue colour, 
streaked and dashed with straggling lines of brown and deep black, much 
smaller than those of the Redwing, but in other respects bearing a consider- 
able resemblance to them. ‘They begin to lay about the 1st of June, in the 
State of Maine, and fully a fortnight later in Labrador. They raise only 
one brood in the season. The young, when first able to fly, are nearly of a 
uniform brown, brighter on the breast and shoulders. Although they seem 
to prefer alder and willow bushes, for the purpose of incubation, I have found 
their nests among the tall reeds of the Cat’s-tail or Typha, to which they 
were attached by interweaving the leaves of the plant with the grasses and 
strips of bark of which they were externally composed. 

During early autumn, and before they remove southward, they frequently 
resort to the sandy beaches of lakes, rivers, and the sea, in search of small 
testaceous mollusca and aquatic insects. They do little or no mischief in the 
corn-fields. While walking they frequently jerk their tail, and move with 
much grace, in the same manner as other birds of the genus. Their flight 
resembles that of the Red-winged species. 

An acquaintance of mine, residing in New Orleans, found one of these 
birds, a beautiful male in full plumage, not far from that city, while on one 
of his accustomed walks. It had been shot, but was only slightly injured in 
one of its wings, and as it was full of vivacity, and had a clear and brilliant 
eye, indicating that its health had not suffered, he took it home and put it in 
a cage with several Painted Buntings. They soon became accustomed to 
each other, the Grakle evincing no desire to molest its smaller companions. 
I saw it when it had already been caged upwards of four months, and had 
the satisfaction to hear it sing repeatedly. Its notes, however, were less 
sonorous than they usually are when the birds are at liberty. It frequently 
uttered its travelling chuck-note. It was fed entirely on rice. This was 
the only specimen I ever saw in captivity, and it proved a very amiable 
companion. 

I have figured three of these birds, to enable you the better to understand 
their different states of plumage, and placed them on a plant of the genus 
Prunus, which grows in Louisiana, and on the berries of which they occa- 
sionally feed. 

This species is found on the shores of the Columbia river, and in all the 
districts intervening between them and those of the Gulf of Mexico, at least 
in winter and the early part of spring. Mr. TownsEnp, who procured some 
on the Columbia, did not inform me whether it breeds there. Northward, 
according to Dr. Ricuarpson, its summer range extends to the 68th parallel, 
or as far as the woods reach, and it arrives in pairs on the banks of the 
Saskatchewan in the beginning of May. In that country it joins with the 


THE RUSTY GRAKLE. 67 


Redwings, Common Crow Blackbirds, and Cow Buntings, in committing 
depredations on the corn-fields. 

The eggs of this species measure one inch in length, five and a half eighths 
in breadth. Their ground-colour is pale blue, marked sparingly with 
blotches of brownish-black, and others more numerous of pale purplish-grey, 
the former disposed round the large end, the latter over the whole surface. 


Rusty Grakie, Gracula ferruginea, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iii. p. 41. 

QUISCALUS FERRUGINEUS, Bonap. Syn., p. 55. 

SCOLECOPHAGUS FERRUGINEUS, Rusty Maggot-eater, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., 
vol. ii. p. 286. 

Rusty Buacxeirp, Quiscalus ferrugineus, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 199. 

Rusty GrakLe, Quiscalus ferrugineus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 325; vol. v. p. 483. 


Male, 93, 141. 

From Texas to Maryland, and along the Mississippi and Ohio to Ken- 
tucky, during winter. Migrates northward to the Fur Countries, and to the 
Columbia river, in summer. Common. 

Adult Male. 

Bill of moderate length, straight, tapering, compressed from the base; 
upper mandible prolonged on the forehead, forming an acute angle there, a 
little declinate at the tip, the dorsal outline slightly convex, the sides convex, 
the edges sharp and inflected; lower mandible nearly straight in its dorsal 
outline, convex on the sides, the edges sharp and inflected; gap-line deflected 
at the base. Nostrils basal, oval, half closed above by a membrane. Head 
of ordinary size, neck rather short, body rather slender. Feet of moderate 
length, strong; tarsus compressed, with a few long scutella anteriorly, sharp 
behind; toes compressed, the lateral nearly equal, the outer united as far as 
the second joint to the middle, which is much longer, hind-toe not much 
stouter than the inner; claws rather long, arched, compressed, very acute. 

Plumage soft, blended, glossy. Wings rather long, second quill longest, 
first and fourth equal. Tail rather long, slightly rounded, of twelve broad 
feathers. 

Bill and feet black. Iris pale yellow. The general colour is deep black, 
with greenish and bluish reflections. 

Length 9% inches, extent of wings 144; bill along the back 2, along the 
edge 14; tarsus 14. 

Adult Female. 

Bill, iris and feet as in the male. The general colour is brownish-black; 
the sides of the head over the eyes, and a broad band beneath it light yellow- 
ish-brown, the feathers of the lower parts more or less margined with 
brownish. 


68 THE RUSTY GRAKLE. |. 


Length 813 inches, extent of wings 133. 

In a male preserved in spirits, the palate is slightly ascending, with two 
papillate ridges; the posterior aperture of the nares 5 twelfths long, margined 
with small papille; the upper mandible beneath slightly concave, with three 
longitudinal ridges and four grooves. The tongue is 9 twelfths long, narrow, 
very thin, concave above, sagittate and papillate at the base, the tip slit and 
lacerated, forming two elongated points. The tongue is thus very different 
from that of the Buntings and Finches, which generally have it deeper than 
broad, and is similar to that of the Crows, Starlings, Thrushes, &c. The 
breadth of the mouth is 5} twelfths. The cesophagus is 3 inches long, its. 
greatest width 5 twelfths, on entering the thorax contracting to 23 twelfths. 
The stomach is elliptical, rather large, 10 twelfths in length, 7 twelfths in 
breadth; the lateral muscles rather thin, the tendons large; the epithelium 
thin, dense, reddish-brown, longitudinally rugous. The stomach is filled 
with small seeds and insects, together with some grains of quartz. The 
intestine is 114 inches long, from 24 twelfths to 2 twelfths in width; the 
ceca 3 twelfths long, 4 twelfth in width, 10 twelfths distant from the 
extremity. 

The trachea is 2 inches 4 twelfths long, considerably flattened; its rings, 
which are firm, about 80, with 2 additional rings. Bronchial half rings 
about 15. Four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles, which are large and well 
defined. 

In all the Quiscali, Icteri, and other birds of this group, there are slender 
salivary glands as in the Thrushes and Warblers, as well as the Finches and 
Buntings. 


Tue Brack Haw. 


Prunus nigra, Pursh, Flor. Amer. Sept., vol. i. p. 331.—Icosanpria Monoeynia, Linn. 
—Rosacen, Juss. 


Leaves deciduous, ovate, acuminate, unequally serrate, smooth on both 
sides; umbels sessile, solitary, few-flowered. 

This species of Prunus, which is tolerably abundant in Louisiana, the only 
State in which I have observed it, grows along the borders of the forest, and 
often attains a height of thirty or more feet. Its leaves fall at a very early 
period, but its fruits, which are pleasant to the taste, remain until after the 
first frosts, or until devoured by birds, opossums, squirrels, or racoons. 


69 


FAMILY XVII.—STURNINA. STARLINGS. 


Bill nearly as long as the head, moderately stout, or rather slender, nearly 
straight, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with its outline straight, 
slightly convex toward the tip, the ridge somewhat flattened, the sides 
sloping and convex, the edges sharp and overlapping, with a very slight or 
obsolete notch, close to the depressed tip; lower mandible with the angle 
long and rather acute, the crura rather broad and flat at the base, the dorsal 
line straight, the edges sharp, the tip slender; gap-line ascending gently at 
the base, then direct. Head ovate or oblong, flattened above; neck of mode- 
rate length; body rather full. Feet moderately stout; tarsus rather short, 
compressed, with seven anterior scutella; toes moderate, or rather long, the 
first stouter, the lateral toes equal, the outer adherent at the base. Claws 
rather long, moderately arched, compressed, acute. Plumage rather com- 
pact. Wings of moderate length, with the first quill very small, the third 
and fourth longest. Tail short or of moderate length, rounded, and generally 
emarginate. Roof of upper mandible with a median ridge; tongue slender, 
thin-edged, with the tip slit and lacerated; cesophagus without dilatation; 
stomach roundish, its muscular coat rather thin, the epithelium dense, and 
longitudinally rugous; intestine of moderate length and width; cceca very 
small, cylindrical; cloaca ovate or oblong. Trachea simple, with four pairs 
of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest on the ground, or in cavities; eggs 
about five. 


Genus I—STURNELLA, Vieill. MEADOW STARLING. 


Bill rather long, almost straight, conico-subulate, depressed toward the 
end; upper mandible with the ridge somewhat flattened, the edges sharp and 
overlapping; the tip narrow, but rounded; lower mandible with the outline 
straight, the ridge convex, the sides ascending; the tip slightly rounded. 
Nostrils oval, with an arched membrane above. Head of ordinary size, 
depressed; neck of moderate length; body rather full. Feet of moderate 
length, strong; tarsus distinctly scutellate; lateral toes nearly equal, hind toe 


70 THE MEADOW LARK. 


stout. Claws arched, compressed, acute, that of the hind toe large. Plumage 
rather compact. Upper eyelid margined with strong bristles. Wings of 
moderate length, broad; the second, third, and fourth quills longest; one of 
the inner secondaries nearly as long when the wing is closed. Tail short, 
much rounded, of twelve acute feathers. 


THE MEADOW LARK, OR MEADOW STARLING. 


~STURNELLA LUDOVICIANZ, Linn. 
PLATE CCXXIII.—Ma ts, Femate, anp Nest. 


How could I give the history of this beautiful bird, were I not to return 
for awhile to the spot where I have found it most abundant, and where the 
most frequent opportunities occurred of observing it? Then, reader, to those 
rich grass fields let us stray. We are not far from the sandy sea-shores of 
the Jerseys; the full beauties of an early spring are profusely spread around 
us; the glorious sun illumines the creation with a flood of golden light, as he 
yet lies beneath the deep; the industrious bee is yet asleep, as are the birds 
in bush and tree; the small wavelets break on the beach with a gentle 
murmur; the sky is so beautifully blue, that, on seeing it, one fancies himself 
near heaven; the moon is about to disappear in the distant west; the limpid 
dew-drops hang on every leaf, bud and blossom, each tall blade of grass 
bending under the weight. Anxious to view Nature at her best, I lie wait- 
ing in pleasure for the next moment:—it has come; all is life and energy; 
the bee, the bird, the quadruped, all nature awakes into life, and every being 
seems moving in the light of the Divine countenance. Fervently do I praise 
the God who has called me into existence, and devotedly do I pursue my 
avocations, carefully treading on the tender grass, until I reach a seat by 
nature’s own hand prepared, when I pause, survey, admire, and essay to 
apprehend all—yes, a// around me! Delightful days of my youth, when 
full of strength, health and gladness, I so often enjoyed the bliss of contem- 
plating the beauties of creation! They are gone, never to return; but 
memory fondly cherishes the thoughts which they called into being, and 
while life remains will their memory be pleasing. 

See the Lark that arrived last evening! fully refreshed, and with a bosom 


Nica. 


/ Males. 2 hermtates cartd Nest: 
yi Ge 
Cbliow Cowcred ° Zon CMO 


paws Sit Nature by J SD Audubon. FRSLLS. Lith! Priited. & Coll ly7 To Bowen Phitad. 


THE MEADOW LARK. 71 


overflowing with love towards her who had led him thus far, he rises from 
his grassy couch, and on gently whirring pinions launches into the air, in the 
glad hope of finding the notes of his beloved fall on his ear. The male is 
still on the wing; his notes sound loud and clear as he impatiently surveys 
the grassy plain beneath him. His beloved is not there. His heart almost 
fails him, and, disappointed, he rises towards the black walnut-tree, under 
which, during many a summer’s heat, the mowers have enjoyed both their 
repast and their mid-day rest. I now see him, not desponding as you might 
suppose, but vexed and irritated. See how he spreads his tail, how often he 
raises his body, how he ejaculates his surprise, and loudly calls for her whom 
of all things he best loves.—Ah!—there comes the dear creature; her 
timorous, tender notes announce her arrival. Her mate, her beloved, has 
felt the charm of her voice. His wings are spread, and buoyant with glad- 
ness, he flies to meet, to welcome her, anticipating all the bliss prepared for 
him. Would that I could interpret to you, reader, as I feel them, the many 
assurances of friendship, fidelity and love that at this precious moment pass 
from the one to the other, as they place their bills together and chatter their 
mutual loves!—the gentle chidings of the male for the sorrow her delay has 
caused him, and the sweet words she uses to calm his ardour. Alas! it were 
vain to attempt it. I have listened to the talk, it is true; I have witnessed 
all their happiness; but I cannot describe it to you. You, reader, must 
watch them, as I have done, if you wish to understand their language. If 
not, I must try to give you a taste of what I would willingly impart, were 
I competent to the task, and proceed to relate what I have observed of their 
habits. 

When the Meadow Lark first rises from the ground, which it does with a 
smart spring, it flutters like a young bird, then proceeds checking its speed 
and resuming it in a desultory and uncertain manner, flying in general 
straight forward, and glancing behind as if to ascertain the amount of its 
danger, but yet affording an easy aim to the most inexperienced marksman. 
When pursued for awhile, it moves more swiftly, sailing and beating its 
wings alternately, until it gets out of reach. It will not stand before the 
pointer longer than a moment, and that only when surprised among rank 
weeds or grasses. During its migrations, which are usually performed by 
day, it rises above the tallest forest trees, passing along in loose bodies, and 
not unfrequently in flocks of from fifty to a hundred individuals. At such 
times its motions are continued, and it merely sails at intervals, to enable it 
to breathe and renew its exertions. Now and then, one may be seen making 
directly towards another, chasing it downwards or horizontally away from 
the group, uttering all the time a sharp querulous note, and keeping up the 
pursuit for a distance of several hundred yards, when it suddenly abandons 


72 THE MEADOW LARK. 


ww 


it. Both birds then rejoin the flock, and the party continue their journey in 
amity. When flocks thus travelling spy a favourable feeding place, they 
gradually descend and alight on some detached tree, when, as if by one 
accord, each individual jerks out its tail, springs on its legs, and utters a loud 
soft call-note. They then fly successively to the ground, and immediately 
proceed in search of food. An old male now and then erects itself, glances its 
eye around with anxious scrutiny, and should danger be perceived, does not 
fail to inform his party by emitting a loud rolling note, on hearing which 
the rest of the flock become alert, and hold themselves in readiness to depart. 

In this manner the Meadow Larks proceed in autumn from the northern 
parts of Maine to the State of Louisiana, the Floridas, or Carolinas, where 
they abound during the winter. At this season the pine barrens of the 
Floridas are filled with them, and after the land has been fired by the native 
herdsmen, these birds become as sooty as the Sparrows residing in London. 
Some were so infested with ticks as to have lost almost all the feathers off 
their body, and in general they appeared much smaller than those of the 
Atlantic States, probably on account of the deficiency of their plumage. In 
the prairies of the Opellousas and those bordering on the Arkansas river, 
they are still more abundant. Many of these, however, retire into Texas 
and Mexico at the approach of very severe weather. They now sleep on 
the ground among the tall grass, but at a distance of many yards from each 
other, in the manner of the Carolina Dove. 

At the approach of spring, the flocks break up, the females first separating. 
The males then commence their migration, flying in small flocks, or even 
sometimes singly. At this season the beauty of their plumage is much 
improved, their movements have acquired more grace, their manner of flight 
and all their motions when on the ground evidently shewing how strongly 
they feel the passion that glows in their bosom. The male is seen to walk 
with stately measured steps, jerking out his tail, or spreading it to its full 
extent, and then closing it, like a fan in the hands of some fair damsel. Its 
loud notes are more melodious than ever, and are now frequently heard, the 
bird sitting the while on the branch of a tree, or the top of some tall weed of 
the meadows. 

Woe to the rival who dares to make his appearance! Nay, should any 
male come in sight, he is at once attacked, and, if conquered, chased beyond 
the limits of the territory claimed by the first possessor. Several males may 
sometimes be seen engaged in fierce conflict, although these frays seldom last 
more than a few moments. The sight of a single female at once changes 
their occupation, and after her they all fly off as if mad. The female exhibits 
the usual timidity of her sex, that timidity without which, even in Meadow 
Larks, she would probably fail in finding a mate. As he flies towards her, 


THE MEADOW LARK. 73 


uttering the softest of his notes, she moves off in such a manner that her 
ardent admirer often seems doubtful whether she means to repel or 
encourage him. At length, however, he is permitted to go nearer, to 
express by his song and courteous demeanour the strength and constancy of 
his passion. She accepts him as her lord, and in a few days both are seen 
busily searching for an appropriate spot in which to rear their young. 

At the foot of some tuft of tall strong grass you find the nest. <A cavity 
is scooped out of the ground, and in it is placed a quantity of grass, fibrous 
roots, and other materials, circularly disposed so as to resemble an oven, 
around which leaves and the blades of the surrounding grasses are matted 
together so as to cover and conceal it. The entrance admits only one at a 
time, but both birds incubate. The eggs are four or five, pure white, 
sprinkled and blotched with reddish-brown, mostly towards the larger end. 
The young are out towards the end of June, and follow their parents for 
some weeks afterwards. These birds are unremitting in their attention 
towards each other, and in the care of their offspring, and while the female 
sits, the male not only supplies her with food, but constantly comforts her 
by his song and the watchfulness which he displays. Should one approach 
the nest, he immediately rises on wing, passes and repasses in circles over 
and around the spot in which the nest is, and thus frequently leads to the 
hidden treasure. 

Excepting Hawks and Snakes, the Meadow Lark has few enemies at this 
season. The prudent and enlightened farmer, mindful of the benefit his 
meadows have received from the destruction of thousands of larve, which 
might have greatly injured his grass, disturbs it not, and should he find its 
nest while cutting his hay, he leaves the tuft in which it is placed. Even 
young children seldom destroy this bird or its brood. 

It must not, however, be supposed that the Meadow Lark is entirely 
harmless. In the Carolinas, many well instructed planters agree in denounc- 
ing it as a depredator, alleging that it scratches up oat seeds when sown early 
in spring, and is fond of plucking up the young corn, the wheat, the rye, or 
the rice. 

In confinement, this bird has another fault. Dr. SamurL Wiutson of 
Charleston told me that one of the Meadow Larks which he had purchased 
in the market, with a number of other birds, had been found feeding on the 
body of a Bay-winged Bunting, which it had either killed, or found dead in 
the aviary. He said he had watched the bird more than twenty minutes, 
and plainly saw that it plunged its bill into the flesh of the Finch to its eyes, 
and appeared to open and close it alternately, as if sucking the juices of the 
flesh. Two days afterwards, the same Meadow Lark actually killed two 


other Finches that had their wings clipped, and ate them. 
Vor. ly: 10 


14. THE MEADOW LARK. 


During the latter part of autumn, as well as in winter, this species affords 
a good deal of sport, especially to young gunners, some of whom speak 
highly of its flesh. This may be true respecting the young, but the yellow 
oily appearance of the flesh of the old ones, its toughness, and the strong 
smell of insects which it emits, prevent it from being an agreeable article of 
food. They are nevertheless offered for sale in almost all our markets. 

In the winter months, this bird frequently associates with the Carolina 
Dove, several species of Grakle, and even Partridges; is fond of spending its 
time in corn-fields after the grain has been gathered, and often makes its 
appearance in the cattle-yard of the planters. In Virginia it is called the 
“Old-field Lark.’’ 

While on the ground, the Meadow Lark walks well, and much in the 
manner of the Grakle and the European Starling, to which it is in some 
measure allied. When on the wing, they seldom fly close enough to allow 
more than one to be shot at a time. When wounded, they run off with 
alacrity, and hide with great care, so as to be found with difficulty. They 
alight with equal readiness on trees, on the branches of which they walk 
with ease, on fences, and even at times on out-houses. Their food consists 
of grass seeds, and grains of almost every sort, along with all kinds of insects 
and berries. Although gregarious, they seldom move close together while 
on the ground, and, on the report of a gun, you may see perhaps a hundred 
of them rise on the wing from different parts of a field. They are never 
found in close woods. During winter, the open western prairies abound 
with them, and in every corn-field in the State of Kentucky you are sure to 
find them in company with Partridges and Doves. They now and then 
resort to roads, for the purpose of dusting themselves, and move along the 
edge of the water in order to bathe. 

This beautiful bird is dispersed over all the countries intervening between 
the shores of the Columbia river and the Gulf of Mexico. I found it very 
abundant and breeding on the Island of Galveston in the Texas, where, as 
well as in our Southern States, it is a constant resident. It travels north- 
ward as far as the Saskatchewan river, where, according to Dr. Ricuarpson, 
it arrives about the first of May, but beyond which it was not seen. Ina 
note appended to the article on this bird in the Fauna Boreali-Americana, 
Mr. Swainson says it “is subject to very considerable variation, not only in 
its colour, but in its size, and in the proportionate length of the bill. The 
northern specimens are larger and much paler than those we possess from 
Georgia, while the Pennsylvania ones are intermediate between the two, 
proving the influence of climate or the prevalence of particular races.”” This 
note is in perfect accordance with my views as regards the migrations of 
birds, and it corroborates the fact which I have already mentioned, that the 


THE MEADOW LARK. "5 


larger, and consequently the stronger, birds are those which remove farthest 
north in spring. The difference as to size and colour acknowledged to exist 
in this species, may be observed in a greater or less degree in almost every 
bird; and I am fully convinced that a great number of young birds, as well 
as females, have been converted into distinct species, through the lamentable 
epidemic mania which has infected the closet-naturalists, who found their 
fame on the invention of useless names. ‘The eggs of the Meadow Lark are 
an inch and two-twelfths in length, and seven-eighths in breadth. 


Meapow Lark, Alauda magna, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iii. p. 20. 

STURNUS LUDOViIcIANUs, Bonap. Syn. 

StTuRNUS Lupovicianus, Crescent Starlet, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. 
p. 282. 

AMERICAN STARLING or Meapow Lark, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 147. 

Meavow Lark or AMERICAN STaRLinG, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 216; vol. v. p. 492. 


Breeds from Texas to the Columbia river, and along the Atlantic coast 
to Nova Scotia and the Fur Countries. Resident in the Southern and 
Western States. Abundant. 

Upper parts variegated with dark brown, bay, and dull yellowish, the 
latter bordering the feathers; those of the hind parts of the back barred, as 
are the secondary quills and their coverts; primary quills dark brown, mar- 
gined, the outer with whitish, the rest with pale yellowish; edge of the 
wing yellow; three outer tail-feathers white, with a dash of black on the 
outer web near the end, the next feather also more or less white, and barred 
on the outer web; on the upper part of the head a central and two lateral 
bands of brownish-yellow, the lateral band sometimes white, anteriorly 
tinged with yellow; sides of the head and neck greyish-white, flanks and 
lower tail-coverts reddish-white, streaked with black; fore neck and breast 
rich yellow, the former with a large crescent of black. Female smaller, but 
otherwise similar. 

Male, 11-,, 164. 

In an adult male preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth has a median 
ridge anteriorly, with two ridges on the palate, which is convex and ascend- 
ing; the posterior aperture of the nares linear, margined with large papille, 
and 8 twelfths long. The tongue is slender, 10 twelfths long, deeply sagit- 
tate and papillate at the base, concave above, horny beneath, with a median 
groove, thin-edged, lacerated toward the tip, which is slit to the depth of 1 
twelfth. It resembles the tongue of the Quiscali, Starlings, Crows, and 
Thrushes. The cesophagus, a 6 c, is 44 inches long, very narrow, its average 
width along the neck being 24 twelfths; on entering the thorax it enlarges 


76 THE MEADOW LARK. 


to 3 twelfths; the proventriculus, dc, 
hi is 5 twelfths in breadth, its glandular 

belt 6 twelfths. The stomach, c de, 
= is a very strong muscular gizzard, 
placed obliquely, of an elliptical form, 
11 twelfths in length, 93 twelfths in 
breadth. The proventricular glands 
are large, nearly globular, § twelfth 
in diameter. The muscular coat of 
the stomach is rather thin, the thick- 
ness of the lateral muscles being 2 
twelfths; the epithelium dense, tough, 
dark red, with three longitudinal 
Z rugee on each side. The contents of 
the stomach are remains of insects, 
larve, and especially legs of grass- 
hoppers. The intestine, efghzy, 
is of moderate length and width, the 
former being 124 inches, the latter 
averaging 24 twelfths. The duode- 
num, ef, curves in the usual manner 
at the distance of 1# inches, and is 3 
twelfths wide. The cceca, 7, come 
off at the distance of 14 inches from 
the extremity, and are 3 twelfths in 
length, 1 twelfth in width, and obtuse; 
the cloaca, 7, is small and of an oblong 
form, its breadth 5 twelfths. 

The trachea is 3 inches long, flat- 
tened, firm, of the nearly uniform — 
width of 2 twelfths. The rings are 
68, with two dimidiate, rather broad 
and firm. There are four pairs of 
inferior laryngeal muscles besides the 
sterno-tracheal, and the lateral mus- 
cles are of moderate size. The 
bronchi are rather narrow, of 18 half 
rings. 


\) 


1 


on 


iu 


——4 
——— 
——. 


| 


THE MEADOW LARK. "7 


YVELLOW-FLOWERED GERARDIA. 


Gerarpta FLAVA, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. iii. p. 223. Pursh, Fl. Amer. Sept., vol. ii. p. 423. 
—Dinynamia AnciospermiA, Linn.—ScropuuLaRing, Juss. 


Downy, with the stems nearly undivided, the leaves subsessile, lanceolate, 
entire or toothed, the lower incised, the flowers axillary, opposite, nearly 
sessile. I found this plant abundant in the meadows of New Jersey, where 
it was in full flower at the end of May, the rich yellow blossoms enlivening 
the uniform aspect of the plains. It is pretty generally distributed along the 
Atlantic coasts, and attains a height of from two to three feet. 


FAMILY XVIII—CORVINA. CROWS. 


Bill about the length of the head, robust, nearly straight, compressed; 
upper mandible with the dorsal line more or less arched, its tip slightly 
deflected, the edges sharp, with a slight notch or sinus. Nostrils basal, 
roundish, concealed by reversed slender stiff feathers. Head rather large, 
ovate; neck of moderate length, body compact. Feet of ordinary length, 
rather stout; tarsus compressed, with about eight large scutella; toes four, — 
first stronger, but about the same length as the second and fourth, which 
latter is adherent at the base. Claws rather large, arched, compressed, acute. 
Plumage various; wings long or of moderate length, much rounded, the first 
quill about half the length of the fourth or fifth, which are longest; tail of 
twelve broad feathers. Upper mandible concave, with several longitudinal 
ridges; tongue oblong, flat above, horny, thin edged, with the tip slit and 
lacerated; cesophagus of moderate width, without dilatation; proventriculus 
bulbiform; stomach, a gizzard of moderate power, with a rugous dense 
epithelium; intestine of moderate length and width; cceca small, cylindrical, 
adnate. ‘Trachea with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest in 


high places, or in cavities, rudely constructed; eggs from four to six, ovate 
or oblong. 


78 


Caxus 1 CORVUS, Zinn) (CROW: 


Bill rather long, stout, considerably compressed; upper mandible with the 
dorsal line declinate and arched, the sides somewhat convex, the edges nearly 
straight, and overlapping, the notches faint, the tip declinate, rather sharp; 
lower mandible with the angle rather long, and of moderate width, the 
dorsal line ascending, and slightly convex, the edges direct, the tip narrow. 
Nostrils basal, lateral, round, covered by narrow stiff feathers directed 
forwards. Head large, ovate; neck rather short; body robust. Legs of 
moderate length, strong; tarsus stout, compressed, with eight scutella; toes 
of moderate length, stout, first and second nearly equal, fourth longer, and 
slightly adherent at the base. Claws strong, arched, compressed, acute. 
Plumage compact, glossed. Wings long, with the first quill short, the fourth 
longest. Tail of moderate length, rounded. Roof of upper mandible con- 
cave, with five ridges; tongue emargined and papillate at the base, horny 
toward the end, thin-edged, with the point slit. 


PAE. hk AV IN: 
+ Corvus Corax, Linn. 
PLATE CCXXIV.—Mate. 


Leaving to compilers the task of repeating the mass of fabulous and 
unedifying matter that has been accumulated in the course of ages, respecting 
this and other remarkable species of birds, and arranging the materials which 
I obtained during years of laborious but gratifying observation, I will now 
attempt to delineate the manners of this species which I have noted in the 
course of a life chiefly spent in studying the birds of my native land, where 
I have had abundant opportunities of contemplating their manners, and of 


G: K, LCP L- 


y Od Mate 
ea a 
G7. Va 7 ayes 


Drawn fone Nature by TI Auditor ERS. FLS. Tnthe*Binted & Colthy IT. Bowen-Phitad 


| i oh ae Anti de st 
* a se ae aitan 


poise ei 
ES FRA) 


Peary 


‘fies: Sat 
seh memes) 
PADRES é 


THE RAVEN. 79 


admiring the manifestations of the glorious perfections of their Omnipotent 
Creator. 

There, amid the tall grass of the far-extended prairies of the West, in the 
solemn forests of the North, on the heights of the midland mountains, by 
the shores of the boundless ocean, and on the bosom of the vast lakes and 
magnificent rivers, have I sought to search out the things which have been 
hidden since the creation of this wondrous world, or seen only by the naked 
Indian, who has, for unknown ages, dwelt in the gorgeous but melancholy 
wilderness. Who is the stranger to my own dear country that can form an 
adequate conception of the extent of its primeval woods,—of the glory of 
those columnar trunks, that for centuries have waved in the breeze, and 
resisted the shock of the tempest,—of the vast bays of our Atlantic coasts, 
replenished by thousands of streams, differing in magnitude, as differ the 
stars that sparkle in the expanse of the pure heavens,—of the diversity of 
aspect in our western plains, our sandy southern shores interspersed with 
reedy swamps, and the cliffs that protect our eastern coasts,—of the rapid 
currents of the Mexican Gulf, and the rushing tide streams of the Bay of 
Fundy,—of our ocean-lakes, our mighty rivers, our thundering cataracts, 
our majestic mountains, rearing their snowy heads into the calm regions of 
the clear cold sky? 

In the United States, the Raven is in some measure a migratory bird, 
individuals retiring to the extreme south during severe winters, but returning 
towards the Middle, Western, and Northern Districts at the first indications 
of milder weather. A few are known to breed in the mountainous portions 
of South Carolina, but instances of this kind are rare, and are occasioned 
merely by the security afforded by inaccessible precipices, in which they 
may rear their young. Their usual places of resort are the mountains, the 
abrupt banks of rivers, the rocky shores of lakes, and the cliffs of thinly- 
peopled or deserted islands. It is in such places that these birds must be 
watched and examined, before one can judge of their natural habits, as mani- 
fested amid their freedom from the dread of their most dangerous enemy, 
the lord of the creation. 

There, through the clear and rarified atmosphere, the Raven spreads his 
glossy wings and tail, and, as’he onward sails, rises higher and higher each 
bold sweep that he makes, as if conscious that the nearer he approaches the 
sun, the more splendent will become the tints of his plumage. Intent on 
convincing his mate of the fervour and constancy of his love, he now gently 
glides beneath her, floats in the buoyant air, or sails by her side. Would 
that I could describe to you, reader, the many musical inflections by means 
of which they hold converse during these amatory excursions! These 
sounds doubtless express their pure conjugal feelings, confirmed and rendered 


80 THE RAVEN. 


more intense by long years of happiness in each other’s society. In this 
manner they may recall the pleasing remembrance of their youthful days, 
recount the events of their life, and express the pleasure they enjoy. 

Now, their matins are over; the happy pair are seen to glide towards the 
earth in spiral lines; they alight on the boldest summit of a rock, so high 
that you can scarcely judge of their actual size; they approach each other, 
their bills meet, and caresses are exchanged as tender as those of the gentle 
Turtle Dove. Far beneath, wave after wave dashes in foam against the 
impregnable sides of the rocky tower, the very aspect of which would be 
terrific to almost any other creatures than the sable pair, which for years have 
resorted to it, to rear the dearly-cherished fruits of their connubial love. 
Midway between them and the boiling waters, some shelving ledge conceals 
their eyry. To it they now betake themselves, to see what damage it has 
sustained from the peltings of the winter tempests. Off they fly to the 
distant woods for fresh materials with which to repair the breach; or on the 
plain they collect the hair and fur of quadrupeds; or from the sandy beach 
pick up the weeds that have been washed there. By degrees, the nest is 
enlarged and trimmed, and when every thing has been rendered clean and 
comfortable, the female deposits her eggs, and begins to sit upon them, while 
her brave and affectionate mate protects and feeds her, and at intervals takes 
her place. 

All around is now silent, save the hoarse murmur of the waves, or the 
whistling sounds produced by the flight of the waterfowl travelling towards 
the northern regions. At length the young burst the shell, when the careful 
parents, after congratulating each other on the happy event, disgorge some 
half-macerated food, which they deposit in their tender mouths. Should the 
most daring adventurer of the air approach, he is attacked with fury and 
repelled. As the young grow up, they are urged to be careful and silent:— 
a single false movement might precipitate them into the abyss below; a 
single cry during the absence of their parents might bring upon them the 
remorseless claws of the swift Peregrine or Jerfalcon. The old birds them- 
selves seem to improve in care, diligence, and activity, varying their course 
when returning to their home, and often entering it when unexpected. The 
young are now seen to stand on the edge of the nest; they flap their wings, 
and at length take courage and fly to some more commodious and not distant 
lodgment. Gradually they become able to follow their parents abroad, and 
at length search for maintenance in their company, and that of others, until 
the period of breeding arrives, when they separate in pairs, and disperse. 

Notwithstanding all the care of the Raven, his nest is invaded wherever it 
is found. His usefulness is forgotten, his faults are remembered and multi- 
plied by imagination; and whenever he presents himself he is shot at, because 


THE RAVEN. 81 


from time immemorial ignorance, prejudice, and destructiveness have ope- 
rated on the mind of man to his detriment. Men will peril their lives to 
reach his nest, assisted by ropes and poles, alleging merely that he has killed 
one of their numerous sheep or lambs. Some say they destroy the Raven 
because he is black; others, because his croaking is unpleasant and ominous! 
Unfortunate truly are the young ones that are carried home to become the 
wretched pets of some ill-brought-up child! For my part, I admire the 
Raven, because I see much in him calculated to excite our wonder. It is 
true that he may sometimes hasten the death of a half-starved sheep, or 
destroy a weakly lamb; he may eat the eggs of other birds, or occasionally 
steal from the farmer some of those which he calls his own; young fowls 
also afford precious morsels to himself and his progeny;—but how many 
sheep, lambs, and fowls, are saved through his agency! The more intelligent 
of our farmers are well aware that the Raven destroys numberless insects, 
grubs, and worms; that he kills mice, moles, and rats, whenever he can find 
them; that he will seize the weasel, the young opossum, and the skunk; that, 
with the perseverance of a cat, he will watch the burrows of foxes, and 
pounce on the cubs; our farmers also are fully aware that he apprises them of 
the wolf’s prowlings around their yard, and that he never intrudes on their 
corn-fields except to benefit them;—yes, good reader, the farmer knows all 
this well, but he also knows his power, and, interfere as you may, with tale 
of pity or of truth, the bird is a Raven, and, as LAronTaIneE has aptly and 
most truly said, “La loi du plus fort est toujours la meilleure!’? 

The flight of the Raven is powerful, even, and at certain periods greatly 
protracted. During calm and fair weather it often ascends to an immense 
height, sailing there for hours at a time; and although it cannot be called 
swift, it propels itself with sufficient power to enable it to contend with 
different species of Hawks, and even with Eagles when attacked by them. 
It manages to guide its course through the thickest fogs of the countries of 
the north, and is able to travel over immense tracts of land or water without 
rest. 

The Raven is omnivorous, its food consisting of small animals of every 
kind, eggs, dead fish, carrion, shell-fish, insects, worms, nuts, berries, and 
other kinds of fruit. I have never seen one attack a large living animal, as 
the Turkey Buzzard and Carrion Crow are wont to do; but I have known 
it follow hunters when without dogs, to feed on the offals of the game, and 
carry off salted fish when placed in a spring to freshen. It often rises in the 
air with a shell-fish for the purpose of breaking it by letting it fall on a rock. 
Its sight is exceedingly acute, but its smell, if it possesses the sense, is weak. 
In this respect, it bears a great resemblance to our Vultures. 


The breeding season of this bird varies, according to the latitude, from the 
Vou, LV, 11 


82 THE RAVEN. 


beginning of January to that of June. I have found young Ravens on the 
banks of the Lehigh and the Susquehanna rivers on the Ist of May; about. 
ten days later on those of the majestic Hudson; in the beginning of June on 
the island of Grand Manan off the Bay of Fundy; and at Labrador, as late as 
the middle of July. The nest is always placed in the most inaccessible parts 
of rocks that can be found, never, I believe, on trees, at least in America. 
It is composed of sticks, coarse weeds, wool, and bunches of hair of different 
animals. The eggs are from four to six, of a rather elongated oval shape, 
fully two inches in length, having a ground colour of light greenish-blue, 
sprinkled all over with small irregular blotches of light purple and yellowish- 
brown, so numerous on the larger end, as almost entirely to cover it. The 
period of incubation extends te nineteen or twenty days. Only one brood 
is raised in a year, unless the eggs or young be removed or destroyed. The 
young remain in the nest many weeks before they are able to fly. The old 
birds return to the same nest for years in succession; and should one of them 
be destroyed, the other will lead a new partner to the same abode. Even 
after the young have made their appearance, should one of the parents be 
killed, the survivor usually manages to find a mate, who undertakes the task 
of assisting in feeding them. 

The Raven may be said to be of a social disposition, for, after the breed- 
ing season, flocks of forty, fifty, or more, may sometimes be seen, as I 
observed on the coast of Labrador, and on the Missouri. When domesti- 
cated, and treated with kindness, it becomes attached to its owner, and will 
follow him about with all the familiarity of a confiding friend. It is capable 
of imitating the human voice, so that individuals have sometimes been 
taught to enunciate a few words with great distinctness. 

On the ground the Raven walks in a stately manner, its motions exhibiting 
a kind of thoughtful consideration, almost amounting to gravity. While 
walking it frequently moves up its wings as if to keep their muscles in 
action. I never knew an instance of their roosting in the woods, although 
they frequently alight on trees, to which they sometimes resort for the 
purpose of procuring nuts and other fruits. They usually betake themselves 
at night to high rocks, in situations protected from the northerly winds. 
Possessing to all appearance the faculty of judging of the coming weather, 
they remove from the higher, wild and dreary districts where they breed, 
into the low lands, at the approach of winter, when they are frequently seen 
along the shores of the sea, collecting the garbage that has been cast to land, 
or picking up the shell-fish as the tide retires. They are vigilant, industrious, 
and, when the safety of their young or nest is at stake, courageous, driving 
away Hawks and Eagles whenever they happen to come near, although in 
no case do they venture to attack man. Indeed, it is extremely difficult to 


THE RAVEN. 83 


get within shot of an old Raven. I have more than once been only a few 
yards from one while it was sitting on its eggs, having attained this proximity 
by creeping cautiously to the overhanging edge of a precipice; but the 
moment the bird perceived me, it would fly off apparently in much confu- 
sion. ‘They are so cunning and wary, that they can seldom be caught in a 
trap; and they will watch one intended for a fox, a wolf, or a bear, until one 
of these animals comes up, and is taken, when they will go to it and eat the 
alluring bait. 

While at Little Macatina Harbour, on the coast of Labrador, in July 1833, 
I saw a Raven’s nest placed under the shelvings of the rugged and fearful 
rocks that form one side of that singular place. The young were nearly 
fledged, and now and then called loudly to their parents, as if to inquire why 
our vessel had come there. One of them in attempting to fly away fell into 
the water. It was secured, when I trimmed one of its wings, and turned 
it loose on the deck along with some other birds. The mother, however, 
kept sailing high over the schooner, repeating some notes, which it seems 
the young one understood, for it walked carefully to the end of the bowsprit, 
opened its wings, and tried to fly, but being unable, fell into the water and 
was drowned. Ina few days the rest of the family left the place, and we 
saw no more of them. Some of the sailors who had come to the harbour 
eight years in succession, assured me that they had always observed the 
Ravens breeding there. My whole party found it impossible to shoot one 
of the old ones, who went to the nest and left it with so much caution, that 
the task of watching them became irksome. One afternoon I concealed 
myself under a pile of detached rocks for more than two hours. The young 
frequently croaked as I was waiting there, but no parent came; so I left the 
place, but the next moment the female was seen from the deck of the Ripley. 
She alighted in the nest, fed her young, and was off again before I could 
reach within shooting distance. It was at this place that I observed how 
singularly well those birds could travel to and from their nest, at a time 
when I could not, on account of the fog, see them on wing at a greater 
distance than twenty or thirty yards. On the 29th of the same month, 
young Ravens were seen in flocks with their parents; but they were already 
very shy. 

I found a nest of this bird at a narrow part of the Lehigh in Pennsylvania, 
in a deep fissure of the rocks, not more than twenty feet above the water, 
the security afforded by which had probably been considered as equivalent 
to that which might have been gained by a greater height of rock. The 
nest, in fact, hung over the stream, so that it was impossible to reach it 
either from above or from below. Many years ago, I saw another placed 
immediately beneath the arch of the Rock Bridge in Virginia. It was 


84 THE RAVEN. 


situated on a small projecting stone scarcely a foot square; yet the Raven 
appeared quite satisfied as to the security of her brood on that narrow bed. 
This extraordinary production of Nature is placed on the ascent of a hill, 
which appears to have been rent asunder by some convulsion of the earth. 
The fissure is about 200 feet deep, and above 80 in width under the arch, 
narrowing to 40 or so atthe bottom. The thickness of the arch probably 
exceeds 30 feet, and increases at either end. At the bottom is seen the 
water of what is called Cedar Creek, gently meandering in its rocky channel. 
The place, when I saw it, was graced by handsome trees, and in some posi- 
tions there was a pleasing view of the “Blue Ridge” and the “North 
Mountain.”’ Tradition reports that General WasuineTon threw a dollar 
over the bridge from the creek below. 

I have already stated that some Ravens breed as far south as the Carolinas. 
The place to which they resort for this purpose is called the Table Moun- 
tain, which is situated in the district of Pendleton, and of which I extract an 
account from Drayron’s Views of South Carolina, “The Table Mountain 
is the most distinguished of all the eminences of the State. Its height 
exceeds 3000 feet, and thirty farms may be discerned at any one view from 
its top by the unaided eye. Its side is an abrupt precipice of solid rock, 
300 feet deep, and nearly perpendicular. The valley underneath appears to 
be as much below the level as the top of the mountain towers above it. 
This precipice is called the Lover’s Leap. ‘To those who are in the valley, 
it looks like an immense wall stretching up to heaven, and the awe which it 
inspires is considerably increased by the quantities of bones which lie 
whitening at its base,—the remains of various animals which had incautiously 
approached too near its edge. Its summit is often enveloped in clouds. The 
gradual ascent of the country from the sea-coast to this western extremity of 
the State, added to the height of this mountain, must place its top more than 
4000 feet above the level of the Atlantic Ocean; an eminence from which 
vessels crossing the bar of Charleston might be seen with the aid of such 
improved glasses as are now in use. Large masses of snow tumble from the 
side of this mountain in the winter season, the fall of which has been heard 
seven miles. Its summit is the resort of deer and bears. ‘The woods pro- 
duce mast in abundance; Wild Pigeons resort to it in such numbers as some- 
times to break the limbs of trees on which they alight.’ 

A friend of mine, who is an excellent observer of the habits of birds, has 
told me that he saw a Raven’s nest in the high lands of New York placed in 
a deep fissure of a rock, in the immediate vicinity of that of a Golden Eagle. 
I chanced one day, while in the Great Pine Forest of Pennsylvania, to stop, 
for the purpose of resting and refreshing myself, at a camp with JEDIAH 
Intsu. We had seen some Ravens that day, and our conversation returning 


THE RAVEN. 85 


to them, the person employed in preparing the food of the woodcutters told 
us, that whenever she chanced to place a salt mackerel or other fish in the 
brook running from the spring near the camp, “the Raven was sure to carry 
it away in less than an hour.”’? She firmly believed that it had the power of 
smelling the fish as she carried it from the hut to the water. We went to 
the spot with her, and, leaving a fish there, returned to our homely meal, 
but on visiting the place several hours after, we found it untouched. “The 
Raven perhaps smelt the powder in our guns!’? At all events, it did not 
choose to come that day. 

The flesh of this bird is tough and unfit for food, but this indicates its 
great strength. When wounded, it bites severely, and scratches with its 
claws as fiercely asa Hawk. Like the latter also, it disgorges indigestible 
substances, as bones, hair, and feathers. 

This species is plentiful on the Rocky Mountains and along the Columbia 
river, and also abounds in the Fur Countries, and, according to Dr. 
RicHARDSON, visits the remotest islands of the Polar seas. It frequents the 
Barren Grounds even in the most intense winter colds, its movements being 
directed in a great measure by those of the herds of Rein Deer, Musk Oxen, 
and Bison, which it follows, ready to assist in devouring such as are killed 
by beasts of prey or by accident. He relates a curious instance of the pro- 
pensity it shews to appropriate to itself any metallic substance. “Mr. 
KENDAL, in crossing the heights of land which divide the waters that flow 
towards Hudson’s Bay, from those which fall into the Arctic Sea, saw a 
Raven flying off with something in his claws, pursued by a number of his 
clamorous companions. The bird being fired at dropped the object of con- 
tention, which proved to be the lock of a chest!’? Mr. Townsrnp informs 
me that on the Columbia river the Ravens constantly attend on the salmon 
fisheries, and that during winter they are very expert at discovering the 
small tents raised by the Indians for the purpose of saving their fish. They 
are in all those districts constant attendants upon the hunters, for the purpose 
of devouring the offal of all such game as may be slaughtered. 

Although I have found eggs of this species which measured rather more 
than two inches in length, by an inch and three-eighths, others did not 
measure more than one inch and seven-eighths by an inch and four-twelfths. 
They also differ considerably in the tint of their ground-colour, as well as in 
their markings. 


Raven, Corvus Coraxr, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. ix. p. 136. 

Corvus Corax, Bonap. Syn., p. 56. 

Corvus Corax, Raven, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 290. 
Raven, Corvus Corax, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 202. 

Raven, Corvus Coraz, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 1; vol. v. p. 476. 


86 THE RAVEN. 


Feathers of the fore neck lanceolate and elongated; tail much rounded; 
plumage deep black, glossed with blue and purplish-blue, the lower parts 
with green. Young with the feathers of the throat oblong, the upper parts 
less glossy, the lower dull greyish-black. 

Male, 26, 50. 

From the Highlands of South Carolina, northward to the Polar Seas. 
Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio, Canada. Rocky Mountains and Columbia river. 
Rather common in some parts. 


Tue Tuick SHELL-BAarRK Hicxkory. 


Jueuans sutcata, Pursh, Flor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 637.—J. tactntosa, Mich. Arbr. Forest. 
de VAmer. Sept., vol. i. p. 199, pl.8.—Monacia Potyanpria, Linn.— TEREBINTHACER, 
Juss. 


x 


Leaves pinnate, with about nine obovato-lanceolate, acuminate, serrate 
leaflets, which are downy beneath, the terminal one nearly sessile and 
attenuated at the base; fruit roundish, with four longitudinal prominences; 
nut nearly globular, slightly compressed, smooth, with an elongated tip. It 
occurs from Louisiana to Massachusetts, although not, I believe, farther east- 
ward, and also exists in the whole of the western country, as far as I have 
travelled. It grows in almost every kind of soil, and in some parts acquires 
a great size. When detached, it formsa fine ornament to the meadows and 
fields. The wood, which is hard and extremely pliant, is greatly esteemed 
for various purposes, and when kept dry is lasting. Excepting the Pacan 
nuts, none in America are considered equal to those of the present species. 
They are generally collected after falling, late in autumn, and are abundant 
in most of our markets, large quantities being shipped to Europe. 


CA Ae 


N° 45. } PL225. 


7 f ° 
PRMPCOPL’ & (pee CUP? 
WU ale 
Ae f y - y = 
Mack 47a Creed 


87 


THE AMERICAN CROW. 


+CorvUS AMERICANUS. 
PLATE CCXXV.—Mate. 


The Crow is an extremely shy bird, having found familiarity with man 
no way to his advantage. He is also cunning—at least he is so called, 
because he takes care of himself and his brood. ‘The state of anxiety, I may 
say of terror, in which he is constantly kept, would be enough to spoil the 
temper of any creature. Almost every person has an antipathy to him, and 
scarcely one of his race would be left in the land, did he not employ all his 
ingenuity, and take advantage of all his experience, in counteracting the evil 
machinations of his enemies. I think I see him perched on the highest 
branch of a tree, watching every object around. He observes a man on 
horseback travelling towards him; he marks his movements in silence. No 
gun does the rider carry,—no, that is clear; but perhaps he has pistols in the 
holsters of his saddle!—of that the Crow is not quite sure, as he cannot 
either see them or “smell powder.’? He beats the points of his wings, 
jerks his tail once or twice, bows his head, and merrily sounds the joy which 
he feels at the moment. Another man he spies walking across the field 
towards his stand, but he has only a stick. Yonder comes a boy shouldering 
a musket loaded with large shot for the express purpose of killing Crows! 
The bird immediately sounds an alarm; he repeats his cries, increasing their 
vehemence the nearer his enemy advances. All the Crows within half a 
mile round are seen flying off, each repeating the well known notes of the 
trusty watchman, who, just as the young gunner is about to take aim, betakes 
himself to flight. But alas, he chances unwittingly to pass over a sportsman, 
whose dexterity is greater; the mischievous prowler aims his piece, fires;— 
down towards the earth, broken-winged, falls the luckless bird in an instant. 
“Tt is nothing but a Crow,”’ quoth the sportsman, who proceeds in search of 
game, and leaves the poor creature to die in the most excruciating agonies. 

Wherever within the Union the laws encourage the destruction of this 
species, it is shot in great numbers for the sake of the premium offered for 
each Crow’s head. You will perhaps be surprised, reader, when I tell you 
that in one single State, in the course of a season, 40,000 were shot, besides 
the multitudes of young birds killed in their nests. Must I add to this 
slaughter other thousands destroyed by the base artifice of laying poisoned 


88 THE AMERICAN CROW. 


grain along the fields to tempt these poor birds? Yes, I will tell you of all 
this too. The natural feelings of every one who admires the bounty of 
Nature in providing abundantly for the subsistence of all her creatures, 
prompt me to do so. Like yourself, 1 admire all her wonderful works, and 
respect her wise intentions, even when her laws are far beyond our limited 
comprehension. : 

The Crow devours myriads of grubs every day of the year, that might lay 
waste the farmer’s fields; it destroys quadrupeds innumerable, every one of 
which is an enemy to his poultry and his flocks. Why then should the 
farmer be so ungrateful, when he sees such services rendered to him by a 
providential friend, as to persecute that friend even to the death? Unless he 
plead ignorance, surely he ought to be found guilty at the bar of common 
sense. Were the soil of the United States, like that of some other countries, 
nearly exhausted by long continued cultivation, human selfishness in such a 
matter might be excused, and our people might look on our Crows, as other 
people look on theirs; but every individual in the land is aware of the super- 
abundance of food that exists among us, and of which a portion may well be 
spared for the feathered beings, that tend to enhance our pleasures by the 
sweetness of their song, the innocence of their lives, or their curious habits. 
Did not every American open his door and his heart to the wearied traveller, 
and afford him food, comfort and rest, I would at once give up the argument; 
but when I know by experience the generosity of the people, I cannot but 
wish that they would reflect a little, and become more indulgent toward our 
poor, humble, harmless, and even most serviceable bird, the Crow. 

The American Crow is common in all parts of the United States. It 
becomes gregarious immediately after the breeding season, when it forms 
flocks sometimes containing hundreds, or even thousands. Towards autumn, 
the individuals bred in the Eastern Districts almost all remove to the 
Southern States, where they spend the winter in vast numbers. 

The voice of our Crow is very different from that of the European species 
which comes nearest to it in appearance, so much so indeed, that this cir- 
cumstance, together with others relating to its organization, has induced me 
to distinguish it, as you see, by a peculiar name, that of Corvus Americanus. 
I hope you will think me excusable in this, should my ideas prove to be 
erroneous, when I tell you that the Magpie of Europe is assuredly the very 
same bird as that met with in the western wilds of the United States, 
although some ornithologists have maintained the contrary, and that I am 
not disposed to make differences in name where none exist in nature. I 
consider our Crow as rather less than the European one, and the form of its 
tongue does not resemble that of the latter bird; besides the Carrion Crow 
of that country seldom associates in numbers, but remains in pairs, excepting 


THE AMERICAN CROW. 89 


immediately after it has brought its young abroad, when the family remains 
undispersed for some weeks. 

Wherever our Crow is abundant, the Raven is rarely found, and wice versa. 
From Kentucky to New Orleans, Ravens are extremely rare, whereas in 
that course you find one or more Crows at every half mile. On the contrary, 
far up the Missouri, as well as on the coast of Labrador, few Crows are to be 
seen, while Ravens are common. I found the former birds equally scarce 
in Newfoundland. 

Omnivorous like the Raven, our Crow feeds on fruits, seeds, and vege- 
tables of almost every kind; it is equally fond of snakes, frogs, lizards, and 
other small reptiles; it looks upon various species of worms, grubs and 
insects as dainties; and if hard pressed by hunger, it will alight upon and 
devour even putrid carrion. It is as fond of the eggs of other birds as is the 
Cuckoo, and, like the Titmouse, it will, during a paroxysm of anger, break 
in the skull of a weak or wounded bird. It delights in annoying its twilight 
enemies the Owls, the Opossum, and the Racoon, and will even follow by 
day a fox, a wolf, a panther, or in fact any other carnivorous beast, as if 
anxious that man should destroy them for their mutual benefit. It plunders 
the fields of their superabundance, and is blamed for so doing, but it is 
seldom praised when it chases the thieving Hawk from the poultry-yard. 

The American Crow selects with uncommon care its breeding place. You 
may find its nest in the interior of our most dismal swamps, or on the sides 
of elevated and precipitous rocks, but almost always as much concealed from 
the eye of man as possible. They breed in almost every portion of the 
Union, from the Southern Cape of the Floridas to the extremities of Maine, 
and probably as far westward as the Pacific Ocean. The period of nestling 
varies from February to the beginning of June, according to the latitude of 
the place. Its scarcity on the coast of Labrador, furnishes one of the reasons 
that have induced me to believe it different from the Carrion Crow of 
Europe; for there I met with several species of birds common to both 
countries, which seldom enter the United States farther than the vicinity of 
our most eastern boundaries. 

The nest, however, greatly resembles that of the European Crow, as much, 
in fact, as that of the American Magpie resembles the nest of the European. 
It is formed externally of dry sticks, interwoven with grasses, and is within 
thickly plastered with mud or clay, and lined with fibrous roots and feathers. 
The eggs are from four to six, of a pale greenish colour, spotted and clouded 
with purplish-grey and brownish-green. In the Southern States they raise 
two broods in the season, but to the eastward seldom more than one. Both 
sexes incubate, and their parental care and mutual attachment are not sur- 
passed by those of any other bird. Although the nests of this species often 

Von. LV: 12 


90 THE AMERICAN CROW. 


may be found near each other, their proximity is never such as occurs in the 
case of the Fish-Crow, of which many nests may be seen on the same tree. 

When the nest of this species happens to be discovered, the faithful pair 
raise such a hue and cry that every Crow in the neighbourhood immediately 
comes to their assistance, passing in circles high over the intruder until he 
has retired, or following him, if he has robbed it, as far as their regard for 
the safety of their own will permit them. As soon as the young leave the 
nest, the family associates with others, and in this manner they remain in 
flocks till spring. Many Crows’ nests may be found within a few acres of 
the same wood, and in this particular their habits accord more with those 
of the Rooks of Europe (Corvus frugilegus), which breed and spend their 
time in communities. The young of our Crow, like that of the latter species, 
are tolerable food when taken a few days before the period of their leaving 
the nest. 

The flight of the American Crow is swift, protracted, and at times per- 
formed at a great elevation. They are now and then seen to sail among the 
Turkey Buzzards or Carrion Crows, in company with their relatives the 
Fish-Crows, none of the other birds, however, shewing the least antipathy 
towards them, although the Vultures manifest dislike whenever a White- 
headed Eagle comes among them. 

In the latter part of autumn and in winter, in the Southern States, this 
Crow is particularly fond of frequenting burnt grounds. Even while the 
fire is raging in one part of the fields, the woods, or the prairies, where tall 
grass abounds, the Crows are seen in great numbers in the other, picking up 
and devouring the remains of mice and other small quadrupeds, as well as 
lizards, snakes, and insects, which have been partly destroyed by the flames. 
At the same season they retire in immense numbers to roost by the margins 
of ponds, lakes, and rivers, covered with a luxuriant growth of rank weeds 
or cat-tails. They may be seen proceeding to such places more than an hour 
before sunset, in long straggling lines, and in silence, and are joined by the 
Grakles, Starlings, and Reed-birds, while the Fish-Crows retire from the 
very same parts to the interior of the woods many miles distant from any 
shores. 

No sooner has the horizon brightened at the approach of day, than the 
Crows sound a reveillé, and then with mellowed notes, as it were, engage in 
a general thanksgiving for the peaceful repose they have enjoyed. After 
this they emit their usual barking notes, as if consulting each other respect- 
ing the course they ought to follow. Then parties in succession fly off to 
pursue their avocations, and relieve the reeds from the weight that bent 
them down. 

The Crow is extremely courageous in encountering any of its winged 


THE AMERICAN CROW. 91 


enemies. Several individuals may frequently be seen pursuing a Hawk or 
an Eagle with remarkable vigour, although I never saw or heard of one 
pouncing on any bird for the purpose of preying on it. They now and then 
teaze the Vultures, when those foul birds are alighted on trees, with their 
wings spread out, but they soon desist, for the Vultures pay no attention to 
them. 

The most remarkable feat of the Crow, is the nicety with which it, like 
the Jay, pierces an egg with its bill, in order to carry it off, and eat it with 
security. In this manner I have seen it steal, one after another, all the eggs 
of a wild Turkey’s nest. You will perceive, reader, that I endeavour to 
speak of the Crow with all due impartiality, not wishing by any means to 
conceal its faults, nor withholding my testimony to its merits, which are such 
as I can well assure the farmer, that were it not for its race, thousands of 
corn-stalks would every year fall prostrate, in consequence of being cut over 
close to the ground by the destructive grubs which are called ‘“cut-worms.”’ 

I never saw a pet Crow in the United States, and therefore cannot say 
with how much accuracy they may imitate the human voice, or, indeed, if 
they possess the power of imitating it at all, which I very much doubt, as in 
their natural state they never evince any talents for mimicry. I cannot say 
if it possess the thieving propensities attributed by authors to the Kuropean 
Crow. 

Its gait, while on the ground, is elevated and graceful, its ordinary mode 
of progression being a sedate walk, although it occasionally hops when under 
excitement. It not unfrequently alights on the backs of cattle, to pick out 
the worms lurking in their skin, in the same manner as the Magpie, Fish- 
Crow, and Cow-bird. Its note or cry may be imitated by the syllables cdz, 
caw, caw, being different from the cry of the European Carrion Crow, and 
resembling the distant bark of a small dog. 

At Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania I saw a pair of Crows perfectly white, in 
the possession of Mr. Lamrpin, the owner of the museum there, who 
assured me that five which were found in the nest were of the same colour. 

Although the common American Crow ranges from the Gulf of Mexico 
to the shores of the Columbia river, where it is abundant, as well as on the 
Rocky Mountains, it does not, according to Dr. Ricuarpson, proceed farther 
north than the 55th parallel of latitude, nor approach within five or six 
hundred miles of Hudson’s Bay, appearing in the Fur Countries during the 
summer only. I found it abundant in the Texas, where it breeds. The 
eggs measure one inch five-eighths in length, an inch and one-eighth in 
breadth. 

I have placed the pensive oppressed Crow of our country on a beautiful 


92 THE AMERICAN CROW. 


branch of the black walnut tree, loaded with nuts, on the lower twig of 
which I have represented the delicate nest of our Common Humming-bird. 

In conclusion, I would again address our farmers, and tell them that if 
they persist in killing Crows, the best season for doing so is when their corn 
begins to ripen. 


Crow, Corvus Corone, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iv. p. 79. 

Corvus Coron, Bonap. Syn., p. 56. 

Corvus Coronet, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 291. 

Crow, Corvus Corone, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 209. 

American Crow, Corvus Americanus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 317; vol. v. p. 477. 


Feathers of the head and neck oval and blended; fourth quill longest; 
general colour black, with purplish-blue reflections; the hind parts of the 
neck tinged with purplish-brown; the lower parts less glossy. Young of a 
rather dull brownish-black, with the blue and purple reflections much less 
brilliant. 

Male, 18, 38. 

Generally distributed from the Gulf of Mexico to Columbia river; through- 
out the interior, and along the coast, northward to lat. 55°. Congregates in 
immense numbers in the Southern and Western States during winter. 

A specimen preserved in spirits measures in length to end of tail 184 
inches, to end of wings 17, to end of claws 164, extent of wings 35; wing 
from flexure 124; tail 4; bill along the ridge 2; tarsus 24. 

The palate is concave, with two ridges; the upper mandible internally 
with five ridges, the lower deeply concave, with a median prominent line. 
The tongue is 1 inch 2 twelfths long, semicircularly emarginate at the base 
and papillate, one of the papillz on each side very large; it is horny toward 
the end, narrow, thin edged, and with the point slit, the fissure being 14 
twelfths in depth. The width of the mouth is 1 inch 1 twelfth; the ceso- 
phagus, a 6 c d, is 7 inches long, averages 74 twelfths in width, is funnel- 
shaped at the commencement, passes along the right side of the neck until it 
enters the thorax, and has its walls of moderate thickness, with external 
transverse fibres. The proventricular glands are very small. and form a belt 
74 twelfths in breadth. The stomach, d e f,is 14 inches long, 1 inch 5 
twelfths broad, of a roundish form, considerably compressed; its lateral 
muscles large, being about a quarter of an inch thick; its tendons, e, also 
large and radiating, their transverse diameter 4 inch; the cuticular lining 
thick, dense, of a dark reddish-brown colour, with broad longitudinal ruge. 
The intestine, fg A /, forms a curve at the distance of 24 inches, bends for- 
wards toward the right lobe of the liver, then forms four circular convolu- 
tions, and terminates in the rectum. Its length is 29 inches, its width 44 


THE AMERICAN CROW. 


twelfths in the duodenal 
portion, and 4 twelfths in 
the rest of its length; the 
cloaca, # /, globular and 
about 1 inch in diameter; 
the cceca small, 7, cylindri- 
eal, 55 twelfths long and 1 
twelfth in breadth. 

In another male, the in- 
testine is 42 inches long, 
from 4% twelfths to 4 
twelfths in width; the cceca 
4 inch long, and 1 twelfth 
in width. In a third, a 
male also, the intestine is 
413 inches long; and in a 
fourth 33 inches. This 
statement shews that the 
intestine of birds sometimes 
varies very considerably in 
the same species. 

In the stomachs of two 
of them were numerous 
seeds of a brownish-yellow 
colour, globular, and 1 
twelfth in diameter, to- 
gether with a few particles 
of quartz. That of another 
contained a mass of pound- 
ed sumach berries. 

The trachea, m o, of the 
first is 5 inches long, a little 
flattened, 44 twelfths in 
breadth at the commence- 
ment, 34 twelfths for 2 
inches, near the lower part 
enlarging to 4 twelfths, and 
again contracting to 2? 
twelfths. The inferior 
larynx, 0 0, is much com- 


VU 


Pp 
\ a 

\ 
E lh 
oe 
Go te 
————— 

( Ug 


a 


94 THE FISH-CROW. 


pressed, with 2 large dimidiate rings. The rings are broad, firm, 56 in 
number. The bronchi, op, op, are wide, of about 15 half rings. The 
muscles are the same as in the Thrushes and Warblers, there being four 
pairs of inferior laryngeal. 


Tue Burack WALNUvT. 


JucLans nicRA, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. iv. p. 456. Pursh, Flor. Amer. Sept., vol. ii. p. 636. 
Mich., Arbr. Forest, vol. i. p. 157, pl. 1.—Monccia Potyanpria, Linn.—T EREBIN- 
THACER, Juss. 


The black walnut of the United States is generally a tree of beautiful 
form, and often, especially in the Western and Southern States, attains a 
great size. Wherever it is found, you may calculate on the land being of 
good quality; the wood is very firm, of a dark brown tint, veined, and 
extremely useful for domestic purposes, many articles of furniture being 
made of it. It is also employed in ship-building. When used for posts or 
fence rails, it resists the action of the weather for many years. The nuts 
are gathered late in autumn, and although rather too oily, are eaten and 
considered good by many persons. The husking of them is however a 
disagreeable task, as their covering almost indelibly stains every object with 


which it comes in contact. 


TE a LS EHC ROW. 


Corvus osstFrAgcus, Wils. 
PLATE CCXXVI.—Mate anp Femate. 


This may be said to be the only species of Black-bird found in the United 
States that is not constantly subjected to persecution. You would suppose 
it fully aware of its privileges, were you to witness the liveliness of its 
motions, and to listen to its continued chatter. While the Raven and the 
Common Crow are ever on the watch to escape the effects of the enmity 
which man harbours towards them, the Fish-Crow pays little attention to 


N° 46. P1226 


7 Male. 2 Perrale 
val ga CZ y 
DO; ovey SE a 


by J I\Mudubon ERS ELS Lith? Printed & Col 4b 


iT Bowen 


Drawn, trom Mature 


AGAR mtHlLOge 


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piety Re! 
are eer nes 


THE FISH-CROW. 95 


him as he approaches, and even enters his garden to feed on his best fruits. 
Hundreds are seen to alight on the trees near the towns and cities placed 
along our southern shores; many fly over or walk about the pools and rivers, 
and all pursue their avocations without apprehension of danger from the 
lords of the land. This sense of security arises entirely from the circum- 
stance that man generally believes the bird to be perfectly inoffensive, and 
glad am I, reader, that it at least bears so good a character. 

The Fish-Crow is almost entirely confined to the maritime districts of the 
Southern States, and there it abounds at all seasons. ‘Those which migrate 
proceed to the eastward about the beginning of April, and some go as far as 
New York, where they are, however, rather rare. They ascend the Delaware 
river in Pennsylvania, nearly up to its source, and some breed in the State 
of Jersey every year; but all return to the south at the approach of cold 
weather. Some go up the Mississippi for four or five hundred miles, but I 
have not seen any higher on that stream, which they generally leave to 
return to the vicinity of the sea-shore in the winter season. In East 
Florida, where they abound, I found them breeding in February, in South 
Carolina about the 20th of March, and in New Jersey a month later. 

While on the St. John’s river in Florida, during the month of February, I 
saw flocks of Fish-Crows, consisting of several hundred individuals, sailing 
high in the air, somewhat in the manner of the Raven, when the whole 
appeared paired, for I could see that, although in such numbers, each pair 
moved distinctly apart. These aérial excursions would last for hours, during 
the calm of a fine morning, after which the whole would descend toward the 
water, to pursue their more usual avocations in all the sociability of their 
nature. When their fishing, which lasted about half an hour, was over, they 
would alight in flocks on the live oaks and other trees near the shores, and 
there keep up their gabbling, pluming themselves for hours. Once more 
they returned to their fishing-grounds, where they remained until about an 
hour from sunset, when they made for the interior, often proceeding thirty 
or forty miles, to roost together in the trees of the loblolly pine. They 
scarcely utter a single note during this retreat, but no sooner does the first 
glimmer of day appear than the woods around echo to their matin cries of 
gratulation. They depart at once for the sea-shores, noisy, lively, and 
happy. Now you find them busily engaged over the bays and rivers, the 
wharfs, and even the salt-ponds and marshes, searching for small fry, whieh 
they easily secure with their claws as they pass close over the water, and 
picking up any sort of garbage suited to their appetite. 

Like the Raven, the Common Crow, or the Grakle, the Fish-Crow robs 
other birds of their eggs and young. I observed this particularly on the 
Florida Keys, where they even dared to plunder the nests of the Cormorant 


96 THE FISH-CROW. 


and White Ibis, waiting with remarkable patience, perched in the neighbour- 
hood, until these birds left their charge. They also frequently alight on 
large mud flats bordering the salt-water marshes, for the purpose of catching 
the small crabs called fiddlers. This they do with ease, by running after 
them or digging them out of the muddy burrows into which they retire at 
the approach of danger.. I have frequently been amused, while standing on 
the “Levée’”’ at New Orleans, to see the alacrity and audacity with which 
they pursued and attacked the smaller Gulls and Terns, to force them to 
disgorge the small fish caught by them within sight of the Crows, which, with 
all the tyrannical fierceness of the Lestris, would chase the sea birds with 
open bill, and extended feet and claws, dashing towards their victims with 
redoubled ardour, the farther they attempted to retreat. But as most Gulls 
are greatly superior in flight to the Crow, the black tyrants are often 
frustrated in their attempts, and obliged to return, and seek their food in the 
eddies by their own industry. They are able to catch fish alive with con- 
siderable dexterity, but cannot feed on the wing, and for that purpose are 
obliged to retire to some tree, stake, or sandbank; and like the Common 
Crow, the Magpie, and the Cow Bunting, they sometimes alight on the backs 
of cattle, to search there for the larve which frequently harbour in their 
skin, 

During winter and spring, the Fish-Crows are very fond of feeding on 
many kinds of berries. After the frosts have imparted a rich flavour to those 
of the cassina (lex cassina), they are seen feeding on them in flocks often 
amounting to more than a hundred individuals. They are also fond of the 
berries of the holly (lez opaca), and of those of an exotic tree now 
naturalized in South Carolina, and plentiful about Charleston, the tallow-tree 
(Stillingia sebifera). The seeds of this tree, which is originally from China, 
are of a white colour when ripe, and contain a considerable quantity of an 
oily substance. In the months of January and February these trees are 
covered by the Crows, which greedily devour the berries. As spring 
advances, and the early fruits ripen, the Fish-Crows become fond of the 
mulberry, and select the choicest of the ripe figs, more especially when they 
are feeding their young. A dozen are often seen at a time, searching for the 
tree which has the best figs, and so troublesome do they become in the 
immediate vicinity of Charleston, that it is found necessary to station a man 
near a fig-tree with a gun, not to burn powder to drive the Crows away by 
the smell, but to fire in good earnest at them. They eat pears also, as well 
as various kinds of huckleberries (Vaccinium), and I have seen them feed- 
ing on the berries of at least one species of smilax. 

In the Floridas, Georgia, and the Carolinas, this species usually breeds on 
moderate-sized trees of the loblolly pine (Pinus Teda), making its nest 


THE FISH-CROW. 97 


generally about twenty or thirty feet from the ground, towards the extremi- 
ties of the branches. In the State of New Jersey, where they are frequently 
killed in common with the larger Crow, in whose company they are often 
found, they are more careful, and place their nests in the interior of the 
deepest and most secluded swamps. The nest is smaller than that of the 
Common Crow, and is composed of sticks, moss, and grasses, neatly finished 
or lined with fibrous roots. The eggs are from four to six, and resemble 
those of the Common American Crow, but are smaller. I once found several 
nests of this Crow a few miles from Philadelphia, in the State of New Jersey, 
which were placed on high oaks and other trees. The birds when disturbed, 
evinced much concern for the safety of their brood. Although I have found 
this species breeding in different districts, from February till May, I am 
unable to say decidedly whether it raises more than one brood in the year, 
although I am of opinion that it does not. 

The common note of the Fish-Crow is different from that of the other ~ 
species of the genus, resembling the syllables ha, ha, hae, frequently repeated. 
At times the sound of their voice seems as if a faint mimicry of that of the 
Common Crow; at others, one would suppose that they are troubled with a 
cough or cold. During the breeding season, their notes are much varied, 
and are not disagreeable. 

Their flight is strong and protracted. While searching for food, these 
birds hover at a moderate height over the water; but when they rise in the 
air, to amuse themselves, they often reach a great elevation. While on the 
ground, their movements are graceful, and resemble those of the Boat-tailed 
Grakle. Like the other Crows, they are fond of replacing their wings, as it 
were, in their proper situations, frequently opening them out a little, and 
instantly closing them again. 

On several occasions, when one of these birds had been wounded, I found, 
on approaching it, that it had the power of disgorging its food somewhat in 
the manner of the Turkey Buzzard. When one is thus wounded, its com- 
panions come sailing over you, with a loud scream, in the manner of Gulls, 
so that several may be brought down by an expert marksman, as they are 
not easily intimidated at such times. Indeed, this species is easily approach- 
ed, and may be killed without difficulty. I have known fifteen of them shot 
at once, while feeding on the cassina berries. 

During winter, when they are chiefly frugivorous, they become extremely 
fat and very tender. Their pouch-like stomach, although large, is not 
muscular; the intestines are large and baggy. Very few are bare on the 
lower mandible; perhaps among a hundred which I have examined, not more 


than six or seven exhibited this nakedness, without removing the feathers of 
that part with the hand. 
Vor. LV. 13 


98 THE FISH-CROW. 


This species does not appear to proceed westward along the coast beyond 
the mouths of the Mississippi, where it is, however, abundant; for, after 
leaving this place, none were seen on our way to the Texas; where we found 
the Common American Crow in great abundance. The Fish-Crow is, how- 
ever, plentiful on the Columbia river, according to Mr. TownsEnp, who 
brought specimens from that country. 


Fisu-Crow, Corvus ossifragus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. v. p. 27. 

Corvus ossirracus, Bonap. Syn., p. 57. 

Fisu-Crow, Corvus ossifragus, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 216. 

Fisu-Crow, Corvus ossifragus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 268; vol. v. p. 479. 


Feathers of the head and neck oval and blended; third quill longest; tail 
considerably rounded, a small space at the base of the lower mandible on 
each side bare; general colour black, with blue and purple refiections above, 
blue and greenish beneath. Young brownish-black, with the blue and purple 
reflections less brilliant. 

Male, 16, 33. Female, 15, 31. 

From the mouths of the Mississippi upwards to Natchez, and along the 
Atlantic to New York. Common. Resident in the Southern States. 
Columbia river. 


Tue Honey Locust. 


GLEDITSCHIA TRIACANTHOS, Willd., Sp. Pl, vol. iv. p. 1097. Pursh, Fl. Amer., vol. ii. 
p. 221.—Potycamia Diccia, Linn.—Lecuminose2, Juss. 


i 


Shit 


a 
( ne 


DIG, 


N® 46. Pl. 227. 


a PICIIC OPE 


7. Mate 2. Female. 


awit frorn Nature ly J] Audubon LRSFIS Lith *Sranted & Col“ by IT Bowen Philad. 


99 


Genus II.—PICA, Briss. MAGPIE. 


Bill of moderate length, stout, considerably compressed; upper mandible 
with the dorsal line declinate and arched, the sides convex, the ridge narrow, 
the edges nearly straight and overlapping, the notches faint, the tip declinate, 
and rather sharp; lower mandible with the angle rather long and wide, the 
dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the edges inclinate, the tip narrow. 
Nostrils basal, lateral, roundish, covered by narrow stiff feathers directed 
forwards. Head large, ovate; neck rather short; body compact. Legs of 
moderate length, strong; tarsus stout, compressed, with eight scutella; toes 
of moderate length, stout, first large, stronger; lateral nearly equal, third 
considerably longer. Claws strong, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage 
full, soft, blended. Wings of moderate length, much rounded, the first quill 
very short, extremely narrow and falciform, fourth and fifth longest. Tail 
very long, graduated. Digestive organs as in Corvus. 


THE COMMON MAGPIE. 


+Pica MELAnoLeuca, Vieill. 


PLATE CCXXVII.—Mate anp FeMALe. 


Although Magpies are abundant in the north-western portions of the 
United States, and are met with as far north as the Saskatchewan river, 
where, according to Dr. Ricuarpson, some of them spend the winter, none 
have yet been seen nearer the shores of the Atlantic than the head waters of 
the Red river in Louisiana, where they were seen in abundance by the 
lamented Colonel Pixz, then a lieutenant in the United States’ army. His 
notice, although already published by Witson, so well describes the habits 
of this species, that I repeat it here with pleasure. ‘Our horses,’’ he says, 


100 THE COMMON MAGPIE. 


“were obliged to scrape the snow away to obtain their miserable pittance; 
and, to increase their misfortune, the poor animals were attacked by the 
Magpies, who, attracted by the scent of their sore backs, alighted on them, 
and, in defiance of their wincing and kicking, picked many places quite raw; 
the difficulty of procuring food rendering those birds so bold as to alight on 
our men’s arms, and eat meat out of their hands.’? "To Ciarxs and Lewis, 
however, is due the first introduction of this bird into the Fauna of the 
United States. These intrepid travellers first observed the Magpie near the 
great bend of the Missouri, although it was known to have been obtained at 
the fur-trading factories of the Hudson’s Bay Company. 

There is a difference of opinion as to the identity of the Magpie of 
‘America and that of Europe. TxHomas Nurratt, who has seen those of 
both countries, as well as their nests, and observed their habits, assures me, 
that he looks upon them as clearly of the same species. Captain SaBinE 
thought differently, and Cuartes Bonaparte, after remarking in his 
“Observations on the Nomenclature of Wrtson,’’ that “it is not a little 
singular that this species, which is so common in every part of Europe, 
should be confined in its range on this continent to the western and northern 
regions,’ thus plainly indicating his belief of their identity, names it, in a 
list of European and North American Birds, published in London in April 
1838, “Pica Hudsonica. Nob.’ the European bird being at the same time 
ticketed “Pica melanoleuca.’? Mr. Swarnson, in the Fauna Boreali- 
Americana, remarks on comparing them:—“We cannot perceive the slightest 
difference whereon to build even the character of a variety, much less a 
species;”’ and this truly is my own opinion. : 

The following notice regarding our bird was given me by my friend 
Tuomas Nurratyt:—“On the 15th of July, arriving at the borders of the 
Shoshonee, or Snake river, we first met with the Common Magpie on our 
route, mostly accompanied by the Raven, but there were no Crows. The 
young birds were so familiar and greedy, approaching the encampment in 
quest of food, as to be easily taken by the Indian boys, when they soon 
become reconciled to savage domesticity. The old birds were sufficiently 
shy, but the young were observed hopping and croaking around us, and 
tugging at any offal of flesh meat thrown out, like so many Vultures. 
Differing so far from the proscribed and persecuted Magpies of Europe, 
these, at least the young, seemed evidently to court the advantages of society 
in supplying them with food, and betrayed scarcely any alarm on our 
approach. If chased off for an instant, they returned the next, and their 
monotonous and gluttonous croak was heard around us at all hours of the 
day. The dryness of the season, and the scarcity of insects and small birds, 
urged them no doubt to this unusual familiarity with their doubtful friend 


THE COMMON MAGPIE. 101 


and frequent enemy, man. By the borders of streams in the central table- 
land of the Rocky Mountains, in several places we saw the old nests of the 
Magpie, made usually in low but thick bushes in the usual manner, barri- 
caded over and floored with interlaced twigs. We scarcely ever saw them 
at all in the heavy forests of the Lower Columbia, any more than the Platte 
and Missouri, in all which places they are merely accidental visiters. They 
are not uncommon, however, in the vicinity of Monterey in Upper 
California. Their common call is pay pay, and the usual low social chatter 
when approaching their companions. I one day observed a small flock, and 
among the fraternity heard one chattering familiarly in the varied tune of 
the Cat-bird, as he sat on a bough by the water, where birds might become 
his prey. At another time I observed a flock of young Magpies boldly per- 
secuting other birds, and chasing even Pigeon Hawks.”’ 

The following characteristic account of the habits of the Magpie as 
observed in Scotland, I have extracted from my friend MaceiLirvray’s 
“History of British Birds.’ “It is generally distributed in Britain, being 
more or less common in all the cultivated and wooded districts of England 
and Scotland, both in the interior and along the coast, although nowhere 
numerous, on account of the hostility of gamekeepers, gardeners, and sports- 
men of all degrees. There, on the old ash that overshadows the farm-yard, 
you may see a pair, one perched on the topmost twig, the other hopping 
among the branches, uttering an incessant clatter of short hard notes, 
scarcely resembling any thing else in nature, but withal not unpleasant, at 
least to the lover of birds. How gracefully she of the top twig swings in 
the breeze! Off she starts, and directing her flight towards the fir wood 
opposite, proceeds with a steady, moderately rapid, but rather heavy flight, 
performed by quick beats of her apparently short wings, intermitted for a 
moment at intervals. Chattering by the way, she seems to call her mate 
after her; but he, intent on something which he has spied, hops downwards 
from twig to branch, and descends to the ground. Raising his body as high 
as possible, and carrying his tail inclined upwards, to avoid contact with the 
moist grass, he walks a few paces, and spying an earthworm half protruded 
from its hole, drags it out by a sudden jerk, breaks it in pieces, and swallows 
it. Now, under the hedge he has found a snail, which he will presently 
detach from its shell. But something among the bushes has startled him, 
and lightly he springs upwards, chattering the while, to regain his favourite 
tree. It is a cat, which, not less frightened than himself, runs off toward the 
house. The Magpie again descends, steps slowly over the green, looking 
from side to side, stops and listens, advances rapidly by a succession of leaps, 
and encounters a whole brood of chickens, with their mother at their heels. 
Were they unprotected, how deliciously would the Magpie feast, but alas, 


102 THE COMMON MAGPIKE. 


~~ 


it is vain to think of it, for with fury in her eye, bristled plumage, and loud 
clamour, headlong rushes the hen, overturning two of her younglings, when 
the enemy suddenly wheels round, avoiding the encounter, and flies off after 
his mate. 

There again, you perceive them in the meadow, as they walk about, with 
elevated tails, looking for something eatable, although apparently with little 
success. By the hedge afar off are two boys with a gun, endeavouring to 
creep up to a flock of Plovers on the other side. But the Magpies have 
observed them, and presently rising fly directly over the field, chattering 
vehemently, on which the whole flock takes to wing, and the disappointed 
sportsmen sheer off in another direction. 

The food of the Magpie consists of testaceous mollusca, slugs, larve, 
worms, young birds, eggs, small quadrupeds, carrion, sometimes grain and 
fruits of different kinds, in search of which it frequents the fields, hedges, 
thickets, and orchards, occasionally visits the farm-yard, prowls among the 
stacks, perches on the house-top, whence it sallies at times, and examines the 
dunghill and places around. Although it searches for larvee and worms in 
the ploughed fields, it never ventures, like the Rook, and several species 
of Gull, to follow the plough as it turns over each successive furrow. It 
has been accused of picking the eyes of lambs and sickly sheep, I think 
with injustice; but it sometimes carries off a chicken or duckling, and sucks 
an egg that may have been dropt abroad. 

It is extremely shy and vigilant in the vicinity of towns, where it is much 
molested, but less so in country places, although even there it is readily 
alarmed. When one pursues it openly, it flits along the walls and hedges, 
shifts from tree to tree, and at length flies off to a distance. Yet it requires 
all its vigilance to peserve its life; for, as it destroys the eggs and young of 
game birds, it is keenly pursued by keepers and sportsmen, so that one 
might marvel to find it maintaining its ground as a species, and yet it is not 
apparently diminishing in most parts of the country. : 

On the ground it generally walks in the same manner as the Crows, but 
occasionally leaps in a sidelong direction. The sounds which it emits are a 
sort of chuckling ery or chatter, which it utters when alarmed, as well as 
when it wishes to apprize other birds of danger. On the appearance of a 
fox, a cat, or other unfriendly animal, it never ceases hovering about it, and 
alarming the neighbourhood by its cries, until the enemy has slunk away 
out of sight. 

It generally keeps in pairs all the year round, accompanies its young for 
some weeks after they first come abroad, and after the breeding season 
retires at night to the copses or woods, where sometimes a considerable 
number meet together. It begins to construct its nest early in March, 


THE COMMON MAGPIE. 103 


selecting as its site the top of some tall tree, a poplar, an ash, an elm, some- 
times a willow, or a beech; or, in defect of such in a favourite locality, 
placing it in a thick bush of hawthorn, holly, or other low tree, or even in 
ahedge. It is a large, and therefore generally very conspicuous fabric, of a 
spheroidal or elliptical form, composed first of a layer of twigs, on which is 
laid a quantity of mud; then a dome of twigs, frequently hawthorn or sloe, 
but as often of any other kind, loosely but securely interlaced; while the 
bottom of the interior is lined with fibrous roots; and there is left in the 
side an aperture not much larger than is barely sufficient to admit the bird. 
The eggs are from three to six, and differ considerably in form and colour- 
ing. In general, they are regularly ovate, or a little pointed, about an inch 
and five-twelfths long, eleven and a half twelfths or an inch across; but 
sometimes more elongated by one-twelfth of an inch, or abbreviated by 
nearly the same quantity. Frequently they are pale green, freckled all over 
with umber-brown and light purple, and sometimes pale blue or bluish- . 
white, or greenish-white, with smaller spots and dots of the same dark 
colours, so as very nearly to resemble the eggs of the Jay, which however 
are smaller.”’ 


Corvus Pica, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 157. 
_Maepiz, Corvus Pica, Wils. Amer. Orn. 
Corvus Pica, Bonap. Syn., p. 57. 
Macrtrs, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 219. 
Common Macpig, Corvus Pica, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 408. 


Bill black; head, neck, fore part of breast and back black, glossed with 
green and blue; middle of the back greyish-white; scapulars white; smaller 
wing-coverts black, secondary coverts, alula and primary coverts splendent 
with green and blue; primaries black, glossed with green, their inner webs 
white, except at the end, and for some way along their margin; secondaries 
bright blue, changing to green, their inner webs greenish-black; tail splendent 
with bright green, changing to greenish-yellow, purplish-red, bluish-purple, 
and dark green at the end; breast and sides pure white; legs, abdomen, 
lower tail-coverts, and lower wing-coverts, black. 

Male, 184, 224. 

Interior of Texas, West Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Rocky Mountains, 
and Saskatchewan. Common. Resident. 


104 


YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE. 


+Pica Nurratuu, ud. 
PLATE CCXXVIII.—Apbutrt. 


I have conferred on this beautiful bird the name of a most zealous, learned, 
and enterprising naturalist, my friend Tuomas Nurratt, Esq., to whom the 
scientific world is deeply indebted for the many additions to our zoological 
and botanical knowledge which have resulted from his labours. It is to him 
alone that we owe all that is known respecting the present species, which 
has not hitherto been portrayed. In a note inserted by him in my journal, 
he says: 

“As we proceed to the south in Upper California, around the village of 
Sta. Barbara, we find the Common Magpie substituted by this remarkable 
species, which is much more shy and cautious, as well as more strictly 
insectivorous. It utters, however, nearly if not quite the same chatter. In 
the month of April they were everywhere mated, and had nearly completed 
their nests in the evergreen oaks of the vicinity (Quercus agrifolia). 'The 
only one I saw was situated on a rather high tree, towards the summit, and 
much concealed among the thick and dark branches. Their call was pait, 
pait; and on approaching each other, a low congratulatory chatter was 
heard. After being fired at once, it seemed nearly impossible again to 
approach them within gun-shot. When alighted in the thick oaks, they 
remained for a considerable time silent, and occasionally even wholly hid 
themselves; but after awhile the call of recognition was again renewed, and 
if the pair then met, they would often fly off a mile or more, without stop- 
ping, in quest of insects. We often saw them on the ground, but never near 
the offal of the oxen, so attractive to the Crows and Ravens around.”’ 


Corvus Nurrati, Yellow-billed Magpie, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 450. 


Bill and bare space beneath the eyes yellow; in form, proportion, and size, 
similar to the Common Magpie; the feathers of the tail narrower; the 
colours similar, but the top of the head glossed with green, and the black of 
the back and fore neck tinged with brown. 

Male, 18; wing, 72. 

Upper California. Common. Resident. 


N° 46 PL2Z6: 


Drawn from Nature by J J Audubon FRSLLS LithtPinted & Cot “fy T T BowerFiutad. 


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COLUMBIA MAGPIE, OR JAY. 


é 


+ Pica Buttock, Wagler. 
PLATE CCXXIX.—Apbutr Mates. 


Were I to relate to you, good reader, the various accounts which I have 
heard respecting this splendid bird, I should have enough to say; but as I 
have resolved to confine myself entirely to the results of my own observation, 
I must for the present remain silent on the subject. 

The specimen from which the drawings were taken was presented to me 
by a friend who had received it from the Columbia river. I adjoin a notice 
respecting it, with which I have been favoured by my friend the Prince of 
Musienano. “Le superbe geai, dont vous me parlez, est sans doute |’oiseau 
que WaGLER a fait connaitre le premier, sous le nom de Pica Bullockii, et 
que Tremmincx a figuré dans ses planches coloriées, sous cellui de Garrula 
Gubernatriz. Son nom legitime, suivant mes principes, sera Garrulus 
Bullockii, mais vous avez raison de dire qu’il ne se trouve pas dans mon 
Synopsis: ce n’est que par votre lettre que j’ai appris qu’il se trouvait dans 
le territoire des Etats-unis. Jusqu’a present on ne l’avait trouve qu’au 
Mexique et 4 la Californie. II n’est pas etonnant qu’il se retrouve sur la 
riviére Columbia. Mais comment l’avez-vous obtenu, et avez-vous pu le 
dessiner vivant? ‘Trois autres especes de geais, qui ne sont pas dans mon 
Synopsis, habitent l’extremité nord de l’Amerique, et il est probable, qu’ 
outre votre superbe geaz commandeur, plusieurs autres des especes Mexi- 
caines se retrouvent dans sa partie occidentale.” 


Cotumetia Jay, Garrulus Bullockii, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 220. 
Co.umeta Jay, Corvus Bullockii, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 483. 


Male, 31, 26. 

Woody portions of North California. 

Bill of ordinary length, straight, robust, compressed; upper mandible with 
the dorsal outline straightish at the base, declinate and convex towards the 
tip, which is deflected, the sides convex, the edges rather sharp; lower man- 
dible with the dorsal outline slightly concave towards the base, convex 
and ascending towards the tip. Nostrils basal, oval, partly concealed by 
short bristly feathers. Proportions of parts ordinary. Feet of ordinary 

Vout. IV. 14 


106 COLUMBIA MAGPIE, OR JAY. 


length, rather strong; tarsus compressed, about the length of the middle toe, 
anteriorly scutellate, covered behind with two longitudinal plates, meeting 
at an acute angle; toes free, scutellate above; claws of ordinary size, arched, 
convex above, canaliculate beneath. 

Plumage compact, glossy. Feathers of the head elongated into a crest, 
the posterior ones recurvate. Wings longish, the third and fourth quills 
longest, the first short. Tail very long, graduated, of twelve feathers, of 
which the two central are slightly curved, and greatly exceed the rest in 
length. 

Bill and feet brownish-black. Iris hazel. The general colour of the 
plumage is bright blue, with purple reflections. The fore neck and anterior 
part of the breast black; the rest of the under parts white. The inner webs 
of the quills dusky, the four outer feathers of the tail white towards the tip. 

Length 31 inches, extent of wings 26; bill along the ridge 14, tarsus 2, 
middle toe 2. 


Genus III.—GARRULUS, Briss. JAY. 


Bill of moderate length, strong, straight, compressed, rather pointed; 
upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched, the ridge scarcely 
distinct, the sides sloping, the edges nearly straight, sharp, and overlapping, 
the notches slight, the tip slightly depressed; lower mandible with the angle 
of moderate length, rather wide, the dorsal line ascending, slightly convex, 
the sides sloping outwards, the edges direct, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, 
elliptical, covered by reversed stiffish feathers. Head rather large; neck 
short; body stout. Feet of moderate length, rather stout; tarsus of ordinary 
length, compressed, with eight scutella; toes moderate, the first large, the 
outer considerably longer than the inner; claws well-arched, rather long, 
compressed, acute. Plumage blended; small bristles at the base of the 
upper mandible; feathers of the head generally elongated; wings rather 
short, first quill very short, fourth and fifth longest; tail rather long, much 
rounded. Roof of upper mandible concave, with three ridges; digestive 
organs as in Corvus. 


N° 46. Ie aa). 


— 


Ss 


- Wale. 


Drawn tran Naniwe by J J Audubon ERS ELS. Lith*linted & Cal “hy TT bowen Lhil 


107 


STELLER’S JAY. 


.Garrvuus STELLERI, Gmel. 
PLATE CCXXX.—Aputr. 


Of this Jay, discovered by SretiEeR, whose name it bears, Dr. Ricnarp- 
soN states that it “is not uncommon in the summer time on the Pacific coast 
of America, from the mouth of the Columbia to the 56th parallel. It also 
frequents the Rocky Mountains, where Mr. Drummonp procured a speci- 
men. In its manner it greatly resembles the Garrulus cristatus.”” Mr. 
Nurratv’s account of it is as follows:— 

“We first observed this bird in our western route in the Blue Mountains 
of the Columbia, east of Wallah Wallah. Here they were scarce and shy, 
but we met them in sufficient abundance in the majestic pine forests of the 
Columbia, where, in autumn, their loud and trumpeting clangour was heard 
at all hours of the day, calling out djay, djay, and sometimes chattering and 
uttering a variety of other notes scarcely recognisable as distinct from the 
calls of our common Blue Jay. They are, however, far more bold, irritable, 
and familiar. Watchful as dogs, a stranger no sooner shews himself in their 
vicinity than they neglect all other employment to come round, follow, peep 
at and scold him, sometimes with such pertinacity and irritability as to 
provoke the sportsman intent on other game to level his gun against them in 
mere retaliation. At other times, stimulated by mere curiosity, they will 
be observed to follow you in perfect silence, until something arouses their 
ready ire, when the djay, djay, pay, pay, is poured upon you without 
intermission, till you are beyond their view. So intent are they on vocife- 
rating, that it is not uncommon to hear them busily scolding even while 
engaged with a large acorn in the mouth. Of their geographical limits we 
are as yet uncertain. They were first found by SteLtiterR at Nootka; but 
they do not extend into upper California, and scarcely to the west as far as 
the most western of the true Rocky Mountain Chains. They feed on 
insects, acorns, and the seeds of the gigantic pines which form a belt along 
the Pacific and the rivers of the Oregon Territory. In the month of May, 
I found a nest of this species in a small sapling of Douglas’s Fir, on the 
_ borders of a dark and dense forest, and again some time after a second nest 
with young, in an elevated branch of the same pine, on the border of a rocky 
cliff’ On approaching the nest, which contained four eggs, of a pale green 


108 STELLER’S JAY. 


colour, with small olive-brown specks, varied with others of rather a violet 
hue, both the male and female flew at me with the utmost anger and agita- 
tion, deafening me almost with their cries and entreaties. But though I 
took only two of their eggs, I found next day that they had forsaken the 
nest, being too fearful and jealous of the intrusion to remain any longer in 
the same place. The nest as usual was bulky, made of interlaced twigs, and 
roots, with a stout layer of mud, and lined with black root-fibres. I saw the 
nest about ten days previous to the time of taking two of the four eggs. On 
that occasion the female (probably) only followed me in silence.” 


Corvus STELLERI, Gmel. Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 370. 

Corvus STELLERI, Bonap. Syn., p. 433. 

STELLER’s Jay, Corvus Stelleri, Bonap. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 44. 

GaRRULUS STELLERI, Steller’s Jay, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 294. 
STELLER’s Jay, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 229. 

STELLER’s Jay, Corvus Stelleri, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 453. 


Male, 13, wing, 534. 

Rocky Mountains, Columbia river, and North-west coast. Common. Mi- 
gratory. 

Adult Male. 

Bill shorter than the head, strong, straight, a little compressed; upper 
mandible with the dorsal line declinate and convex toward the end, the sides 
sloping and becoming more conyex toward the tip, which is declinate, thin 
edged and obtuse, the edges sharp and overlapping, with a slight notch; 
lower mandible straight, the angle short and broad, the dorsal outline ascend- 
ing and slightly convex, the sides convex, the edges sharp and directed out- 
wards, the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, roundish, covered by reversed bristly 
feathers. 

Head large, ovate, eyes of moderate size; neck rather short; body com- 
pact. Legs of moderate length, strong; tarsus much compressed, with seven 
large anterior scutella, and two long plates behind, meeting so as to form a 
sharp edge. Toes stout, with large scutella, the outer adherent as far as its 
second joint to the middle toe; first very strong; lateral toes nearly equal, 
third much longer. Claws strong, arched, compressed, sharp. 

Plumage full, soft, blended; stiff bristly feathers with disunited barbs over 
the nostrils, some of them extending a third of the length of the bill; at the 
base of the upper mandible several longish slender bristles. The feathers 
on the top of the head and occiput linear-oblong, slightly recurved, and 
forming an erectile crest an inch and a half in length. Wings of moderate 
length, convex, and much rounded; the first quill very short, the second an 
inch and a quarter longer, the third nine-twelfths longer than the second, 


STELLER’S JAY. 109 


and three-twelfths shorter than the fourth, which is one-twelfth shorter than 
the fifth, the latter being the longest, although scarcely exceeding the sixth, 
Tail long, rounded, of twelve rather broad, rounded, and acuminate feathers, 
of which the shafts are undulated. 

Bill and feet black. Iris hazel. Head and neck, with the fore part and 
middle of the back brownish-black, of a lighter tint on the back, and on the 
throat streaked with dull grey; the feathers on the forehead tipped with 
bright blue; the hind part of the back, the rump, and the upper tail-coverts 
light blue; as are the lower tail-coverts, the sides and lower parts of the 
rump, the sides of the body, and the whole of the breast; the middle of the 
abdomen paler, the tibial feathers, and the lower wing-coverts dusky, tinged 
with blue. Wings blue, the secondary coverts and quills rich indigo and 
ultra-marine, narrowly barred with black, the outer coverts of the primaries 
pale; the inner webs of the primaries and outer secondaries dusky; tail blue, 
with numerous narrow, inconspicuous dusky bars; the lower surface of the 
wings and tail dusky. 

Length to end of tail 13 inches; bill along the ridge 143, along the edge 
of lower mandible 143; wing from flexure 514; tail 6; tarsus 18,; hind toe 
72, its claw +53 middle toe 44, its claw 3. 

The female is similar to the male, and scarcely inferior in colouring, but 
somewhat smaller. 

Length to end of tail 12 inches; bill along the ridge 14; wing from flexure 
54; tail 54; tarsus 1,5; middle toe 14, its claw +4. 

Mr. Townsenp informs me that it is called Mss-ass by the Chinooks, 
who regard it with a superstitious feeling, believing that should a person 
hear it enunciating certain notes, which resemble the syllables jaa-jaa, he 
will shortly die, whereas its other notes, kuc, kuc, kuc, kuc, rapidly repeat- 
ed, portend good. He further states that it is gregarious, like the Blue Jay, 
and corroborates some of the particulars above given. 

Two eggs presented to me by Mr. Nurraxt measure an inch and an 
eighth in length, and seven-eighths in breadth. 


Vor. by: 15 


110 


THE BLUE JAY. 


> GarrvuLus cristatus, Linn. 
PLATE CCXXXI.—Mate anp Femates. 


Reader, look at the plate in which are represented three individuals of 
this beautiful species,—rogues though they be, and thieves, as I would call 
them, were it fit for me to pass judgment on their actions. See how each is 
enjoying the fruits of his knavery, sucking the egg which he has pilfered 
from the nest of some innocent Dove or harmless Partridge! Who could 
imagine that a form so graceful, arrayed by nature in a garb so resplendent, 
should harbour so much mischief;—that selfishness, duplicity, and malice 
should form the moral accompaniments of so much physical perfection! 
Yet so it is, and how like beings of a much higher order, are these gay 
deceivers! Aye, I could write you a whole chapter on this subject, were 
not my task of a different nature. 

The Blue Jay is one of those birds that are found capable of subsisting in 
cold as well as in warm climates. It occurs as far north as the Canadas, 
where it makes occasional attacks upon the corn cribs of the farmers, and it 
is found in the most southern portions of the United States, where it abounds 
during the winter. Every where it manifests the same mischievous dispo- 
sition. It imitates the ery of the Sparrow Hawk so perfectly, that the little 
birds in the neighbourhood hurry into the thick coverts, to avoid what they 
believe to be the attack of that marauder. It robs every nest it can find, 
sucks the eggs like the Crow, or tears to pieces and devours the young birds. 
A friend once wounded a Grouse (Zetrao umbellus), and marked the direc- 
tion which it followed, but had not proceeded two hundred yards in pursuit, 
when he heard something fluttering in the bushes, and found his bird 
belaboured by two Blue Jays, who were picking out its eyes. The same 
person once put a Flying Squirrel into the cage of one of these birds, merely 
to preserve it for one night; but on looking into the cage about eleven o’clock 
next day, he found the animal partly eaten. A Blue Jay at Charleston 
destroyed all the birds of an aviary. One after another had been killed, and 
the rats were supposed to have been the culprits, but no crevice could be 
seen large enough to admit one. Then the mice were accused, and war was 
waged against them, but still the birds continued to be killed; first the 
smaller, then the larger, until at length the Keywest Pigeons; when it was 


N° 47. PL 234 


SS. 


I Male. 2 & 3 Fernale 


ee lower’ Mig nora Aadicard. 


Draur trom Nature by 77 Audubou ERSELS. LithPrinted & Ql*hy IT Bewer. Philad. 


THE BLUE JAY. 111 


discovered that a Jay which had been raised in the aviary was the depredator. 
He was taken out, and placed in a cage, with a quantity of corn, flour and 
several small birds which he had just killed. The birds he soon devoured, 
but the flour he would not condescend to eat, and refusing every other kind 
of food soon died. In the north, it is fond of ripe chestnuts, and in visiting 
the trees is sure to select the choicest. When these fail, it attacks the beech 
nuts, acorns, pears, apples, and green corn. 

While at Louisville, in Kentucky, in the winter of 1830, I purchased 
twenty-five of these birds, at the rate of 6} cents each, which I shipped to 
New Orleans, and afterwards to Liverpool, with the view of turning them 
out in the English woods. They were caught in common traps, baited with 
maize, and were brought to me one after another as soon as secured. In 
placing them in the large cage which I had ordered for the purpose of send- 
ing them abroad, I was surprised to see how cowardly each newly caught 
bird was when introduced to his brethren, who, on being in the cage a day 
or two, were as gay and frolicsome as if at liberty in the woods. The new 
comer, on the contrary, would run into a corner, place his head almost in a 
perpendicular position, and remain silent and sulky, with an appearance of 
stupidity quite foreign to his nature. He would suffer all the rest to walk 
over him and trample him down, without ever changing his position. If 
corn or fruit was presented to him, or even placed close to his bill, he would 
not so much as look at it. If touched with the hand, he would cower, lie 
down on his side, and remain motionless. The next day, however, things 
were altered: he was again a Jay, taking up corn, placing it between his feet, 
hammering it with his bill, splitting the grain, picking out the kernel, and 
dropping the divided husks. When the cage was filled, it was amusing to 
listen to their hammering; all mounted on their perch side by side, each 
pecking at a grain of maize, like so many blacksmiths paid by the piece. 
They drank a great deal, eat broken pacan nuts, grapes, dried fruits of all 
sorts, and especially fresh beef, of which they were extremely fond, roosted 
very peaceably close together, and were very pleasing pets. Now and then 
one would utter a cry of alarm, when instantly all would leap and fly about 
as if greatly concerned, making as much ado as if their most inveterate 
enemy had been in the midst of them. They bore the passage to Europe 
pretty well, and most of them reached Liverpool in good health; but a few 
days after their arrival, a disease occasioned by insects adhering to every 
part of their body, made such, progress that some died every day. Many 
remedies were tried in vain, and only one individual reached London. ‘The 
insects had so multiplied on it, that I immersed it in an infusion of tobacco, 
which, however, killed it in a few hours. 

On advancing north, I observed that as soon as the Canada Jay made its 


112 THE BLUE JAY. 


appearance, the Blue Jay became more and more rare; not an individual did 
any of our party observe in Newfoundland or Labrador, during our stay 
there. On landing a few miles from Pictou, on the 22nd of August, 1833, 
after an absence of several months from the United States, the voice of a 
Blue Jay sounded melodious to me, and the sight of a Humming-bird quite 
filled my heart with delight. 

These Jays are plentiful in all parts of the United States. In Louisiana, _ 
they are so abundant as to prove a nuisance to the farmers, picking the 
newly planted corn, the peas, and the sweet potatoes, attacking every fruit 
tree, and even destroying the eggs of pigeons and domestic fowls. The 
planters are in the habit of occasionally soaking some corn in a solution of 
arsenic, and scattering the seeds over the ground, in consequence of which 
many Jays are found dead about the fields and gardens. 

The Blue Jay is extremely expert in discovering a fox, a racoon, or any 
other quadruped hostile to birds, and will follow it, emitting a loud noise, as 
if desirous of bringing every Jay or Crow to its assistance. It acts in the 
same manner towards Owls, and even on some occasions towards Hawks. 

This species breeds in all parts of the United States, from Louisiana to 
Maine, and from the Upper Missouri to the coast of the Atlantic. In South 
Carolina it seems to prefer for this purpose the live oak trees. In the lower 
parts of the Floridas it gives place in a great measure to the Florida Jay; nor 
did I meet with a single individual in the Keys of that peninsula. In 
Louisiana, it breeds near the planter’s house, in the upper parts of the trees 
growing in the avenues, or even in the yards, and generally at a greater 
height than in the Middle States, where it is comparatively shy. It some- 
times takes possession of the old or abandoned nest of a Crow or Cuckoo. 
In the Southern States, from Louisiana to Maryland, it breeds twice every 
year; but to the eastward of the latter State seldom more than once. 
Although it occurs in all places from the sea-shore to the mountainous dis- 
tricts, it seems more abundant in the latter. The nest is composed of twigs 
and other coarse materials, lined with fibrous roots. The eggs are four or 
five, of a dull olive colour, spotted with brown. 

The Blue Jay is truly omnivorous, feeding indiscriminately on all sorts of 
flesh, seeds, and insects. He is more tyrannical than brave, and, like most 
boasters, domineers over the feeble, dreads the strong, and flies even from 
his equals. In many eases in fact, he is a downright coward. The Cardinal 
Grosbeak will challenge him, and beat him off the ground. The Red Thrush, 
the Mocking-bird, and many others, although inferior in strength, never 
allow him to approach their nest with impunity; and the Jay, to be even 
with them, creeps silently to it in their absence, and devours their eggs and 
young whenever he finds an opportunity. I have seen one go its round from 


THE BLUE JAY. 113 


one nest to another every day, and suck the newly laid eggs of the different 
birds in the neighbourhood, with as much regularity and composure as a 
physician would call on his patients. I have also witnessed the sad disap- 
pointment it experienced, when, on returning to its own home, it found its 
mate in the jaws of a snake, the nest upset, and the eggs all gone. I have 
thought more than once on such occasions that, like all great culprits, when 
brought to a sense of their enormities, it evinced a strong feeling of remorse. 
While at Charleston, in November 1833, Dr. Witson of that city told me 
that on opening a division of his aviary, a Mocking-bird that he had kept for 
three years, flew at another and killed it, after which it destroyed several 
Blue Jays, which he had been keeping for me some months in an adjoining 
compartment. 

The Blue Jay seeks for its food with great diligence at all times, but more 
especially during the period of its migration. At such a time, wherever 
there are chinquapins, wild chestnuts, acorns, or grapes, flocks will be seen 
to alight on the topmost branches of these trees, disperse, and engage with 
great vigour in detaching the fruit. Those that fall are picked up from the 
ground, and carried into a chink in the bark, the splinters of a fence rail, or 
firmly held under foot on a branch, and hammered with the bill until the 
kernel be procured. 

As if for the purpose of gleaning the country in this manner, the Blue 
Jay migrates from one part to another during the day only. A person 
travelling or hunting by night, may now and then disturb the repose of a 
Jay, which in its terror sounds an alarm that is instantly responded to by all 
its surrounding travelling companions, and their multiplied cries make the 
woods resound far and near. While migrating, they seldom fly to any great 
distance at a time without alighting, for like true rangers they ransack and 
minutely inspect every portion of the woods, the fields, the orchards, and 
even the gardens of the farmers and planters. Always exceedingly garru- 
lous, they may easily be followed to any distance, and the more they are 
chased the more noisy do they become, unless a Hawk happen to pass 
suddenly near them, when they are instantly struck dumb, and, as if ever 
conscious of deserving punishment, either remain motionless for awhile, or 
sneak off silently into the closest thickets, where they remain concealed as 
long as their dangerous enemy is near. 

During the winter months they collect in large numbers about the planta- 
tions of the Southern States, approach the houses and barns, attend the 
feeding of the poultry, as well as of the cattle and horses in their separate 
pens, in company with the Cardinal Grosbeak, the Towhe Bunting, the Cow 
Bunting, the Starlings and Grakles, pick up every grain of loose corn they 
can find, search amid the droppings of horses along the roads, and enter the 

Voz. IV. . 16 


114 THE BLUE JAY. 


corn cribs, where many are caught by the cat and the sons of the farmer. 
Their movements on the wing are exceedingly graceful, and as they pass 
from one tree to another, their expanded wings and tail, exhibiting all the 
beauty of their graceful form and lovely tints, never fail to delight the 
observer. 

Although this species proceeds up the Missouri river to the eastern 
declivities of the Rocky Mountains, it is not found on the Columbia. Dr. 
Ricwarpson says that it “visits the Fur Countries, in summer, up to the 
56th parallel, but seldom approaches the shores of Hudson’s Bay.” He is, 
however, mistaken when he says that “it frequents the Southern States only 
in winter;”’ for it is found there at all seasons, and breeds in every district 
of them, as well as in the Texas, where I found it, although it was rare. The 
eggs measure an inch and half an eighth in length, and seven-eighths in breadth. 


Buve Jay, Corvus cristatus, Wils. Amer. 
Orn., vol. i. p. 2. 

Corvus cristatus, Bonap. Syn., p. 58. 

GarrRuLus cristatus, Blue Jay, Swains. 
and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 293. 

Buve Jay, Corvus cristatus, Aud. Orn. 
Biog., vol. ii. p. 11; vol. v. p. 475. 


Feathers of the head elongated, 
= oblong; tail much rounded. Upper 
parts light purplish-blue; wings and 
z= tail ultramarine, secondaries, their 
E coverts, and tail-feathers barred with 
black, and tipped with white; a nar- 
row band margining the forehead, 
loral space, and a band round the 
neck, black; throat and cheeks bluish- 
white; lower parts greyish-white, 
tinged with brown. 
Male, 12, 14. 


\\\\\ | , 
Wn Vhiy 
WSS 


N 
~ 


Breeds from Texas eastward and 
northward to the Fur Countries, and 
as far as the bases of the Rocky 
Mountains Abundant. Resident in 


the Middle, Interior, and Southern 
Sa States. 


The roof of the mouth is rather 
flat, anteriorly with three ridges; 
the lower mandible moderately con- 


g. 


a 


sale } 


¢ et age 
ney AR En. 
Na 
ies 
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Nr PL232., 


Adult Mate. 


Drawrntrom Nature by J. 7 Audubon. FRSELS. Lith? Printed & Col¢by 7 T. Bewen. Philad* 


ULTRAMARINE JAY. 115 


cave with a median ridge; posterior aperture of nares linear, 8 twelfths long, 
with the edges papillate; width of mouth 7} twelfths. The tongue is 9} 
twelfths long, emarginate and papillate at the base, flat above, horny toward 
the end, with the tip slit and lacerated. The cesophagus, a 6 c, 31 inches 
long, 6 twelfths wide at the commencement, but suddenly tapering to 3 
twelfths. The lobes of the liver are very unequal, the right being 1 inch 2 
twelfths in length, the other 9 twelfths. The stomach, c d e, is very large, 
of a broadly elliptical, compressed form, 1 inch in length, 10 twelfths in- 
breadth; its lateral muscles of considerable thickness, the left being 4 twelfths; 
the tendons large; the epithelium very dense, tough, rugous, of a dark brown 
colour. It is filled with remains of insects and mineral substances. The 
intestine, e fg hi, is 164 inches long, from 4 twelfths to 24 twelfths in 
width; the ceeca, A, 3 twelfths long, 4 twelfth wide, and 14 inches distant 
from the extremity; the cloaca, z, ovate, 8 twelfths in breadth. 

The trachea is 2 inches 5 twelfths long, considerably flattened toward the 
lower part; its rings 56 in number, rather broad, and well ossified, with two 
additional dimidiate rings; the bronchi of moderate size, with 12 half rings. 
The lateral muscles are rather slender; there are four pairs of inferior 
laryngeal muscles. 


Ture TRUMPET-FLOWER. 


Bicnonia RaDIcANS. Pursh, Flor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 420. 


ULTRAMARINE JAY. 


+ GARRULUS ULTRAMARINUS, Bonap. 
PLATE CCXXXII.—Aputt Mate. 


Although the Ultramarine Jay has been described by Mr. Swarnson, in 
his Synopsis of the Birds of Mexico, under the name of Garrulus sordidus, 
I retain the specific name “ultramarinus,’’ previously given by the Prince 
of Musienano. The only observations respecting its habits that [am aware 
have been made, are the following, for which I am indebted to my friend 
Tuomas Nutra. 


116 ULTRAMARINE JAY. 


“Early in October, on arriving in the forests of the Columbia, near Fort 
Vancouver, an establishment of the Hudson’s Bay Company, we saw in the 
“same situations with the Steller’s Jay, the present species. Its habits are 
much like those of the Common Jay. It usually flies out to the tops of the 
lofty pines, jerks its tail, and perches playfully on some extreme branch, 
where it utters at times, as if excited by petulant anger, a strong whoitt, woit, 
woit, woit, after which expression it emits a sort of recognition-call at short 
intervals, ¢wee, and sometimes a shorter *¢wee ’twee. When much pursued, 
it sits still in the concealing shade of the lofty branches on which it seeks 
refuge. It feeds on insects, acorns broken up, and probably pine seeds. 
They appear to associate in roving families throughout the fall and winter, 
like the other species, seldom if ever associating with the more Common 
Steller’s Jay, though now and then perhaps in the same tree. It is a graceful, 
active, and rather shy species, flying out straight from tree to tree, remark- 
able by its long tail and rather short wings; and its note is much less harsh 
and loud than that of Steller’s Jay. They breed in the dark pine woods, 
probably, where we so frequently saw them alight, and on the 15th of June 
they were feeding their fully fledged young, two of which I pursued for some 
time, but they skulked so effectually as to escape me after a long and doubtful 
chase. The young had a great predominance of grey on the back. The 
same species also extends into Upper California.”’ 


GARRULUS ULTRAMARINUS, Bonap. ULTRAMARINE Jay. 
ULrTramarInE Jay, Corvus ultramarinus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 456. 


Bill shorter than the head, strong, straight, compressed toward the end; 
upper mandible with the dorsal line declinate and convex toward the end, 
the sides sloping and becoming convex toward the tip, which is declinate, 
thin-edged and obtuse, the edges sharp and overlapping, with a slight notch; 
lower mandible straight, the angle rather short and broad, the dorsal outline 
ascending and slightly convex, the sides convex, the edges sharp and directed 
outwards, the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, roundish, covered by the reversed 
bristly feathers. 

Head large, ovate; eyes of moderate size; neck rather short; body com- 
pact. Legs of moderate length, strong; tarsus much compressed, with seven 
large anterior scutella, and two long plates behind, meeting so as to form a 
sharp edge. Toes stout, with large scutella, the outer adherent as far as its 
second joint to the middle toe; first very strong; inner toe shorter than outer, 
third much longer. Claws strong, arched, compressed, acute. 

Plumage full, soft, blended. Stiff feathers with disunited barbs over the 
nostrils, the longest scarcely extending to a third of the length of the bill; 


ULTRAMARINE JAY. Li7 


at the base of the upper mandible several longish slender bristles. Wings of 
moderate length, convex, and much rounded; the first quill very short, an 
inch and two-twelfths shorter than the second, which is eight-twelfths shorter 
than the third, the fourth three-twelfths longer than the third, and a twelfth 
and a half shorter than the fifth, which is the longest, but scarcely exceeds 
the sixth. Tail long, much rounded, of twelve rather narrow, rounded and 
acuminate feathers, of which the lateral is an inch and a quarter shorter than 
the longest. 

Bill and feet brownish-black. Iris hazel. Upper part of the head, sides 
and hind part of the neck, wings, upper tail-coverts, and tail, light blue; back 
light greyish-brown, the feathers of the rump whitish and tinged with blue 
at the end; the inner webs of the quills dusky; the tail transversely undu- 
lated, and having the appearance of being faintly barred with a darker tint. 
A white band over the eye formed by the tips of the feathers there; the 
cheeks dusky; the fore neck greyish-white, faintly streaked with dusky; and 
bounded below by a narrow semilunar band of light blue continuous with 
that of the neck. The lower parts are pale purplish-grey, passing into white 
on the abdomen; lower tail-coverts tinged with blue. 

Length to end of tail 12 inches; bill along the ridge 123, along the edge 
of lower mandible 14; wing from flexure 544; tail 62; tarsus 1,4; hind toe 
7? its claw 743 middle toe 144, its claw $3. 

The female is considerably smaller, but resembles the male in colour. 

Length to end of tail 114 inches; wing from flexure 53%; tail 6; tarsus 
1,4; middle toe 1, its claw $3. 

The resemblance which this species bears to the Florida Jay is so close 
that one might readily confound the two. That species, however, is distin- 
guishable by its smaller size and its more rounded tail; by its having a band 
of whitish across the forehead and extended over the eye, where it is not in 
dots as in the Ultramarine Jay. 


118 


THE FLORIDA JAY. 


+GARRULUS FLORIDANUS, Bartram. 
PLATE CCXXXIII.—Mate anp Femate. 


This beautiful and lively bird is a constant resident in the south-western 
parts of Florida, from which country it seldom if ever removes to any great 
distance. It is never seen in the State of Louisiana, far less in that of Ken- 
tucky, and when Cuartes Bonaparte asserts that it occurs in these dis- 
tricts, we must believe that he has been misinformed. It is so confined to 
the particular portions of Florida which it inhabits, that even on the eastern 
shores of that peninsula few are to be seen. I have never observed it in any 
part of Georgia, or farther to the eastward. 

The flight of the Florida Jay is generally performed at a short distance 
from the ground, and consists either of a single sailing sweep, as it shifts 
from one tree or bush to another, or of continuous flappings, with a slightly 
undulated motion, in the manner of the Magpie (Pica melanoleuca) or of 
the Canada Jay (Garrulus canadensis). Its notes are softer than those 
of its relative the Blue Jay (Garrulus cristatus), and are more fre- 
quently uttered. Its motions are also more abrupt and quicker. It is seen 
passing from one tree to another with expanded tail, stopping for a moment 
to peep at the intruder, and hopping off to another place the next minute. 
It frequently descends to the ground, along the edges of oozy or marshy 
places, to search for snails, of which, together with berries of various kinds, 
fruits and insects, its food consists. It is easily approached during the breed- 
ing season, but is more shy at other times. It is a great destroyer of the 
eggs of small birds, as well as of young birds, which it chases and kills by 
repeated blows of its bill on their heads, after which it tears their flesh with 
avidity. 

The Florida Jay is easily kept in a cage, where it will feed on recent or 
dried fruits, such as figs, raisins, and the kernels of various nuts, and exhibits 
as much gaiety as the Blue Jay does in a similar state. Like the latter, it 
secures its food between its feet, and breaks it into pieces before swallowing 
it, particularly the acorns of the dive oak, and the snails which it picks up 
among the sword palmetto. No sooner have the seeds of that plant become 
black, or fully ripe, than the Florida Jay makes them almost its sole food for 
a time, and wherever a patch of these troublesome plants are to be seen, there 


N° 47. P1233. 


Z 


5 | 
: Ye 


a 7 Male .—2. hiemate. 


Lrawrelrone Nature by JS Andubowk RSKLS. Lith*Printed & Col ty]. T. Bowen F/ul. 


HT 


fs moielily shielirins , 


TRAY eee ah pam * 


ei RA 
fel Ae (haw | 


os pret sabuasbalbp hii 


-THE FLORIDA JAY. 119 


also is the Jay to be met with. Ihave called the palmetto a troublesome 
plant, because its long, narrow, and serrated leaves are so stiff, and grow so 
close together, that it is extremely difficult to walk among them, the more so 
that it usually grows in places where the foot is seldom put without imme- 
diately sinking in the mire to a depth of several inches. 

The nest of the Florida Jay is sparingly formed of dry sticks, placed across 
each other, and, although of a rounded shape, is so light that the bird is 
easily seen through it. It is lined with fibrous roots, placed in a circular 
manner. The eggs are from four to six, of a light olive colour, marked with 
irregular blackish dashes. Only one brood is raised in the season. 

I had a fine opportunity of observing a pair of these birds in confinement, 
in the city of New Orleans. They had been raised out of a family of five, 
taken from the nest, and when I saw them had been two years in confine- 
ment. They were in full plumage, and extremely beautiful. The male was 
often observed to pay very particular attentions to the female, at the approach 
of spring. They were fed upon rice, and all kinds of dried fruit. Their 
cage was usually opened after dinner, when both immediately flew upon the 
table, fed on the almonds which were given them, and drank claret diluted 
with water. Both affected to imitate particular sounds, but in a very 
imperfect manner. These attempts at mimicry probably resulted from their 
having been in company with parrots and other birds. They suffered greatly 
when moulting, becoming almost entirely bare, and required to be kept near 
the fire. The female dropped two eggs in the cage, but never attempted to 
make a nest, although the requisite materials were placed at her disposal. 

I have represented a pair of Florida Jays on a branch of the persimon 
tree, ornamented with its richly coloured fruits. This tree grows to a 
moderate height as well as girth. The wood is hard and compact. The 
leaves drop off at an early period. The fruit, when fully ripe, is grateful to 
the palate. The persimon occurs in all parts of the United States, but 
abounds in the low lands of Florida and Louisiana, probably more than in 
any other portion of the Union. 


Corvus FLORIDANUS, Bonap. Syn., p. 58. 

Froripa Jay, Garrulus floridanus, Bonap. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 
Foripa Jay, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 230. 

Foripa Jay, Corvus floridanus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 444. 


Male, 114, 14. 

Confined to the Floridas. Not very common. Resident. 

Bill short, strong, straight, compressed, acute; upper mandible with the 
dorsal outline nearly straight, the sides sloping, the edges sharp and over- 
lapping, the tip slightly declinate; lower mandible with the back narrow, the 


120 THE FLORIDA JAY. 


sides sloping. Nostrils basal, open, covered by the reversed bristly feathers. 
Head rather large, neck short, body robust. Feet of ordinary length; tarsus 
about the same length as the middle toe, anteriorly scutellate, compressed, 
acute behind; toes free, scutellate, the inner shorter than the outer; claws 
arched, compressed, acute. 

Plumage soft, blended, glossy. A tuft of reflected bristly feathers over 
the nostril on each side, and several bristle-pointed feathers at the base of the 
upper mandible. Wings short, third and fourth quills longest, first short. 
Tail long, much rounded, of twelve rounded feathers. 

Bill and feet brownish-black. Iris hazel. Upper part of the head, the 
cheeks, side, and back part of the neck, the wings and tail, of a bright 
purplish-azure. Back light yellowish-brown. <A band of white on the fore- 
head, extending over the eyes. The under parts brownish-white. The 
upper tail-coverts are blue, and the tail-feathers are indistinctly barred with 
deeper lines. 

Length 117 inches; bill along the ridge +3, along the gap nearly 14; tarsus 
1,2,, middle toe nearly the same. 

Adult Female. 

The female presents the same colours as the male, the difference in tint 
being hardly perceptible. 


Tue Persimon TREE. 


Diospyros vireintaNna, Willd., Sp. Pl, vol. iv. p. 1107. Pursh, Flor. Amer., vol. i. p. 
265. Mich., Abr. Forest. de Amer. Sept., vol. ii. p. 195, pl. 12.—Potyeamia Diccia, 
Linn.—Guatacane&, Juss. 


Leaves ovato-oblong, acuminate, smooth, venous; petioles downy; buds 
smooth. The flowers are pale yellow, and the fruits, which are of the size 
of a plum, are of a globular form, and when mature, of a dull yellowish 
colour. The bark of old trees is cracked, and of a dark colour. The wood 
is employed for various purposes, being fine-grained, hard and durable. 


42 7 3 
ia gon 
Chnade ce LAY’ - 


Sf 
7 Male. 2 Female.3. Young 


L dys 7 
Whi Und : ee whee Ae 


> 


121 


THE CANADA JAY. 


+GarruLus Canapensts, Linn. 
PLATE CCXXXIV.—Mate, Fematue, anp Younc. 


I have found this species of Jay breeding in the State of Maine, where 
many individuals belonging to it reside the whole year, and where in fact so 
many as fifteen or twenty may be seen in the course of a day by a diligent 
person anxious to procure them. In the winter, their numbers are con- 
stantly augmented by those which repair to that country from places farther 
north. They advance to the southward as far as the upper parts of the State 
of New York, where the person who first gave intimation to Mr. Wiison 
that the species was to be found in the Union, shot seven or eight one morn- 
ing, from which number he presented one to the esteemed author of the 
“American Ornithology,’ who afterwards procured some in the same neigh- 
bourhood. This species is best known in Maine by the name of the 
“Carrion-bird,’” which is usually applied to it on account of its carnivorous 
propensities. When their appetite is satisfied, they become shy, and are in 
the habit of hiding themselves amongst close woods or thickets; but when 
hungry, they shew no alarm at the approach of man, nay, become familiar, 
troublesome, and sometimes so very bold as to enter the camps of the 
“lumberers,’’? or attend to rob them of the bait affixed to their traps. My 
generous friend, Enwarp Harris, Esq., of Moorestown, New Jersey, told 
me that while fishing in a birch canoe on the lakes in the interior of the 
State of Maine, in the latter part of the summer of 1833, the Jays were so 
fearless as to alight in one end of his bark, while he sat in the other, and 
help themselves to his bait, taking very little notice of him. 

The lumberers or wood-cutters of this State frequently amuse themselves 
in their camp during their eating hours, with what they call “transporting 
the carrion bird.”? This is done by cutting a pole eight or ten feet in length, 
and balancing it on the sill of their hut, the end outside the entrance being 
baited with a piece of flesh of any kind. Immediately on seeing the tempt- 
ing morsel, the Jays alight on it, and while they are busily engaged in 
devouring it, a wood-cutter gives a smart blow to the end of the pole within 
the hut, which seldom fails to drive the birds high in the air, and not unfre- 
quently kills them. They even enter the camps, and would fain eat from 
the hands of the men while at their meals. They are easily caught in any 

Vou. IV. 17 


re? THE CANADA JAY. 


kind of trap. My friend, the Rev. Jouw Bacuman, informed me that when 
residing in the State of New York, he found one caught in a snare which 
had been set with many others for the common Partridge or “Quail,” one of 
which the Jay had commenced eating before he was himself caught. 

In the winter they are troublesome to the hunters, especially when the 
ground is thickly covered with snow, and food consequently scarce, for, at 
such a time, they never meet with a Deer or a Moose hung on a tree, with- 
out mutilating it as much as in their power. In the Bay of Fundy I 
observed, several mornings in succession, a Canada Jay watching the 
departure of a Crow from her nest, after she had deposited an egg. When 
the Crow flew off, the cunning Jay immediately repaired to the nest, and 
carried away the egg. Ihave heard it said that the Canada Jay sometimes 
destroys the young of other birds of its species, for the purpose of feeding its 
own with them; but not having witnessed such an act, I cannot vouch for 
the truth of the report, which indeed appears to me too monstrous to be 
credited. : 

I have often been delighted by the sight of their graceful movements on 
alighting after removing from one tree to another, or while flying across a 
road or a piece of water. They have an odd way of nodding their head, and 
jerking their body and tail, while they emit their curiously diversified notes, 
which at times resemble a low sort of mewing, at others the sound given out 
by an anvil lightly struck with ahammer. They frequently alight about the 
middle of a tree, and hop with airy grace from one branch to another until 
they reach the very top, when they remove to another tree, and thus proceed 
through the woods. Their flight resembles that of the Blue Jay, although I 
do not consider it quite so firm or protracted. 

The Canada Jay breeds in Maine, in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, New- 
foundland, and Labrador. It begins so early as February or March to form 
its nest, which is placed in the thickest part of a fir tree, near the trunk, and 
at a height of from five to ten feet. The exterior is composed of dry twigs, 
with moss and grass, and the interior, which is flat, is formed of fibrous 
roots. The eggs, which are from four to six, are of a light grey colour, 
faintly marked with brown. Only one brood is raised in the season. I 
found the young following their parents on the 27th of June, 1833, at 
Labrador, where I shot both old and young, while the former was in the act 
of feeding the latter. 

The young, which was fully fledged, had no white about the head; the 
whole plumage was of a very deep slate colour, approaching to black, except- 
ing the ends of the tail feathers, which were of a sullied white, the lower 
mandible almost white. The bill was (of course) shorter than that of the 
old bird, more dilated at the base, the bristles there proportionally shorter. 


THE CANADA JAY. 123 


The legs were of a deep purplish-black. In short, it bore a perfect resem- 
blance to the bird called the “Short-billed Jay, or Whisky-Jack, Garrulus 
brachyrhynchus,’ of my excellent friend Mr. Swarnson, as described and 
figured by himself and Dr. Ricnarpson in their beautiful and valuable Fauna 
Boreali-Americana, (Vol. II. p. 296, Pl. 551.) So unlike the parent birds 
did the young of this species appear, that before I saw them fed by the old 
ones, I urged my young companions to shoot every one of the brood, think- 
ing they might be of a new species. The contents of the stomach of both 
young and old birds were insects, leaves of fir trees, and eggs of ants. The 
intestines measured one foot eleven inches. The flesh of both was of a dark 
bluish colour, and smelt strongly of their food. 

I was induced to give a figure of the young of the Canada Jay simply 
because, as above mentioned, my friend Mr. Swainson formed of it a new 
species, under the name of Garrulus brachyrhynchus. The account given 
of this alleged species, at page 296 of the second part of the Fauna Boreali- 
Americana, is as follows:—“The only specimen brought home of the Short- 
billed Jay was killed on the roof of the dwelling-house at Fort Franklin. 
Its general appearance and manners resemble those of the Canada Jay or 
Whisky-Jack so strongly, that we did not recognise it as a distinct species, 
and consequently did not ascertain whether it completely replaces the 
Canadian one in high latitudes, or whether both exist in the same localities.”’ 
The description of the habits of the Canada Jay or “Whisky-Jack,” in the 
same work, may here be referred to:— 

“This inelegant but familiar Jay inhabits the woody districts from latitude 
65° to Canada, and in the winter time makes its appearance in the northern 
section of the United States. Scarcely has the winter traveller in the Fur 
Countries chosen a suitable place of repose in the forest, cleared away the 
snow, lighted his fire, and prepared his bivouac, when the Whisky-Jack pays 
him a visit, and boldly descends into the circle to pick up any crumbs of 
frozen fish or morsels of pemmican that have escaped the mouths of the 
hungry and weary sledge-dogs. This confidence compensates for the want 
of many of those qualities which endear others of the feathered tribes to 
man. There is nothing pleasing in the voice, plumage, form, or attitudes of 
the Whisky-Jack; but it is the only inhabitant of those silent and pathless 
forests which, trusting in the generosity of man, fearlessly approaches him; 
and its visits were, therefore, always hailed by us with satisfaction. It isa 
constant attendant at the fur-posts and fishing-stations, and becomes so tame 
in winter as to eat from the hand; yet it is impatient of confinement, and 
soon pines away if deprived of liberty. It hops actively from branch to 
branch, but, when at rest, sits with its head retracted and the plumage of the 
body very loose. Its voice is plaintive and squeaking; though it occasion- 


124 . THE CANADA JAY. 


ally makes a low chattering, especially when agitated by the prospect of a 
supply of food. It hoards berries, pieces of meat, &c. in hollow trees, or 
between layers of the bark of decaying birches, by which it is enabled to 
pass the winter in comfort, and to rear its young before the snow is off the 
ground, and indeed earlier than any other in the Fur Countries. Its nest is 
concealed with such care, that none of the Indians with whom I spoke on 
the subject had seen it; but both Hurcuins and Hzarne informs us, that 
‘it is generally built in a fir tree, of sticks and grass; the eggs are blue; and 
the young brood, which are quite black, take to flight by the middle of 
May.’ I? 

Now, to my eye, the Canada Jay is as elegant in its movements, whether 
perched or on wing, as any other of our Jays, although its apparel is certainly 
very homely. It is joyous and lively at all times, even when, pushed by 
extreme hunger, it approaches the lonely camp of the traveller, with the 
hope of obtaining a share, however small, of his perhaps scanty fare. 

Its range is very extensive, as I have specimens procured by Mr. Town- 
sEND on the Columbia river, and it has been observed by Dr. RicHarpson 
as far northward as lat. 65°. The former of these naturalists states that he 
found “these birds at the site of Old Fort Astoria, on the Columbia river. 
They were very noisy and active; the voice is strong and harsh. The 
Indians however say, that they are rarely seen, and that they do not breed 
hereabouts.”?”, Mr. Trr1an Peaxe has obtained it in the neighbourhood of 
Philadelphia, and I have the body of one procured there by himself in 
October 1836. 

The description given in the Fauna Boreali-Americana of the individual 
there represented, agrees in all respects with that of the bird now before 
you, which J saw fed several times by its parent the Canada Jay. The 
differences pointed out as specifically distinctive are merely such as are pre- 
sented by young and old birds of many species. 


Canaba Jay, Corvus canadensis, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iii. p. 33. 

Corvus CANADENSIS, Bonap. Syn., p. 58. 

GARRULUS CANADENSIS, Whisky-Jack, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 295. 

GaRRULUS BRACHYRHYNCcHUS, Short-billed Jay, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. 
ii. p. 296. Young. 

GaRRULUS CANADENSIS, Canada Jay, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 232. 

SHORT-BILLED Jay, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 599. 

Canapna Jay, Corvus canadensis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 53; vol. v. p. 208. 


Upper parts dull leaden-grey; lower dull yellowish-white; forehead yel- 
lowish-white; hind part of the head and neck greyish-black; throat and band 
passing round the neck, greyish-white; secondary quills and tail-feathers 


THE CANADA JAY. 125 


ww 


narrowly tipped with white. Young very dull slate-colour, paler on the 
abdomen, on the head blackish, wings and tail as in the adult, their tips of a 
duller white. 

Male, 11,)15. 

Rare, and only in winter, from Pennsylvania to New York. More 
abundant in Massachusetts. Common from Maine northward to the Fur 
Countries. Columbia river. 

The description of two young birds, one procured in Labrador, the other 
in Nova Scotia, is, as to form and plumage, the same as that of the adult, the 
latter, however, being as follows: The bill, instead of being compressed, is 
broader than high at the base, and moderately compressed only toward the 
end; the fifth quill is longest, the sixth and fourth nearly equal; and the 
plumage is remarkably soft, full, and loose, as in many Titmice. 

In the young the plumage is still looser, the filaments being distinct, but 
the feathers are shorter than in the adult. The wings and tail are similar. 
The bill is dusky, with the edges of both mandibles yellow; the feet as in 
the adult. The general tint is very deep dull slate-colour, paler on the 
abdomen; the feathers at the base of the bill and the ear-coverts greyish- 
black; inner webs of the quills brownish-black; edges of the outer primaries 
yellowish-grey, of the rest bluish-grey; tips of all the quills, the three outer 
excepted, greyish-white; tail approaching to dull leaden-grey, broadly tipped 
with dull yellowish-white. Another young bird is similar, but with the bill 
darker, and a band of dull white from the base of the lower mandible to the 
ears, as in the individual represented in the plate. 

The specimen presented by Mr. PEAxs, and preserved in spirits, presents 
the following characters. The tongue is triangular, flattened above, tapering 
to a blunt emarginate point, and having a single prominent papilla at the 
base on each side. The cesophagus is 34 inches long, tapering, its diameter 
anteriorly } inch, below }. Proventriculus 44 twelfths in breadth. The 
stomach is broadly elliptical, compressed, 11 twelfths long, 9 twelfths broad; 
its muscular coat # twelfths in thickness, not divided into distinct lateral and 
inferior muscles; the tendons elliptical, their greatest diameter 4 twelfths; 
the epithelium thin, tough, brownish-red, longitudinally marked with broad 
ruge. The contents of the stomach are numerous remains of insects, a large 
hairy caterpillar, 2 inches long, and two persimon seeds. The intestine is 
17% inches long. 

The trachea is 2 inches 5 twelfths long, flattened, tapering from 2 twelfths 
in breadth to 1 twelfth, of about 50 well ossified rings. The inferior laryngeal 
muscles are large, and four in number on each side, exclusive of the sterno- 
tracheal. The bronchi are wide, of about 12 cartilaginous half rings. 


126 THE CANADA JAY. 


wow 


Quercus apa, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. iv. p. 429. Michaux, Arbr. Forest. de l’Amerique 
Sept., vol. ii. p. 13, pl. 1. Pursh, Flor. Amer. Sept., vol. ii. p. 633.—Monacia Poty- 
ANpRIA, Linn.—AMENTACES, Juss. 


Leaves oblong, pinnatifido-sinuate, downy beneath, the lobes linear-lanceo- 
late, obtuse, attenuated at the base, entire on the margin; the fruit peduncu- 
late, the cupule tubercular, flat at the base, cup-shaped, the acorn ovate. 
Although this species of oak is not abundant in Maine, where the Canada 
Jay chiefly occurs, | have employed it in my drawing, on account of the rich 
colouring of its fine leaves during the autumnal months. It is in Louisiana, 
where it is plentiful, that one must see it, to judge of the grandeur which it 
attains under favourable circumstances. I have often seen these oaks spread- 
ing their young branches amid the tops of magnolias fully one hundred feet 
above the ground, with stems from four to six feet in diameter, to the height 
of fifty or more feet, straight as a line, and without a branch to that height. 
When left in fields, their tops, naturally inclined to spread, render their 
aspect majestic; and one is tempted to try to calculate the many years these 
noble trees have stood against the blast of the tempest. The wood, which 
is of excellent quality, being hard and durable, is applied to numerous uses. 
Its distribution is very extensive in the United States, it being found in 
the forests from Louisiana to Massachusetts, and in the western countries 
beyond the Mississippi. 


Genus IV.—NUCIFRAGA, Briss. NUTCRACKER. 


Bill as long as the head, moderately stout, conical, compressed, at the tip 
rather depressed; upper mandible with its dorsal line slightly arcuato-decli- 
nate, the ridge convex, the sides rounded, the edges sharp and overlapping, 
without notch, the tip flattened and obtuse; lower mandible with the angle 
short and rounded, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges 
sharpened a little involute, the tip flattened and rather obtuse. Nostrils 
basal, lateral, roundish, covered by bristly feathers, which are directed for- 
wards. Head large, broadly ovate, neck rather short; body moderately 
stout. Tarsus rather short, compressed, with eight scutella; toes stout, the 


Roi 
tial 


shai 
solve 


N° 47. e PIT doe 


(A yee : bk lh Wo 


1 Mate. 2 Female 


Drawn fren Nature by] J Audubon KRSELS. Litht Printed & ClttyT] T. Bower. P)ul 


CLARKE’S NUTCRACKER. 127 


first very large, the inner a little shorter than the outer, which is adherent 
at the base. Claws large, arched, much compressed, acute. Plumage soft 
and blended; no distinct bristles at the base of the upper mandible, wings 
long, much rounded, the first quill very short, the fourth longest; tail of 
moderate length, rounded. 


CLARKE’S NUTCRACKER. 


+ NUCIFRAGA COLUMBIANA, Wils. 
PLATE CCXXXV.—Mate anp FEMALE. 


No sooner had I examined perfect specimens of this somewhat singularly 
coloured bird, than I felt assured, more especially from the form of its bill, 
that it is with us a representative of the Nutcracker of Europe; and I was 
much surprised, on comparing it with the figure given of it by ALEXANDER 
Wixtsony, to find the latter very defective, the bill being nearly half an inch 
shorter than in four specimens which I have inspected. All that is known 
of its habits is contained in the following notes from Mr. Nurraxzi and 
Mr. TownsEnp. 

“We first observed this species in a small pine grove, on the borders of 
Bear river, in the table-land of the Rocky Mountains, where they were pro- 
bably breeding, in the month of July. We again saw a considerable flock 
of the young birds early in August, in a lofty ravine near the summit of one 
of the three belts or isolated mountains, about thirty or forty miles west of 
the Shoshonee river. They appeared somewhat shy, and scattered through 
a grove of aspens, flying with a slight chatter, scarcely a caw, from the tops 
of the bushes or trees, on to the ground, probably in quest of insect food. 
We never saw this species either on the lower plains or forests of the 
Columbia, or in any part of Upper California. It appears never to descend 
below the mountain plains.”” T. N. 

“CLARKE’s Crow, Corvus columbianus. First found on Bear river, and 
afterwards on the Blue Mountains, plentiful. Its flight is very unlike that 
of the Common Crow, being performed by jerks, like that of the Wood- 
pecker. When sitting, it is almost constantly screaming; its voice is very 


128 CLARKE’S NUTCRACKER. 


harsh and grating, and consists of one rather prolonged note. It breeds 
here in very high pine trees. The White Pelican also seen here in July, no 
doubt breeds; also the Canvass-backed Duck, the Shoveller, and Dusky , 
Duck; found young of all of them. The Corvus columbianus is never seen 
within five hundred miles of the mouth of the Columbia. It appears gene- 
rally to prefer a mountainous country and pine trees; and feeds chiefly on 


+ 


insects and their larve.” J. K. T. m 


Cuiarke’s Crow, Corvus columbianus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iii. p. 29. 

Corvus coLumeriaNnus, Bonap. Syn., p. 57. 

Cotumepian Crow, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 218. 

Cuarke’s Nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 459. 


Male, 12, wing 713. 

Rocky Mountains. 

Adult Male. 

Bill as long as the head, stout, somewhat conical, compressed, at the tip 
rather depressed. Upper mandible with its dorsal line slightly arcuato-decli- 
nate, the ridge convex, the sides rounded, the edges sharp and overlapping, 
without notz, the tip flattened and obtuse; lower mandible with the angle short 
and rounded, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges sharp and 
a little inflexed, the tip flattened, and rather obtuse. Nostrils basal, lateral, 
roundish, covered by bristly feathers, which are directed forwards. 

Head large, broadly ovate; eyes of moderate size; neck rather short; body 
compact. Legs of moderate length, stout; tarsus compressed, with seven 
large anterior scutella and two plates behind, meeting so as form a sharp 
edge. Toes stout, with large scutella; the first toe very large, the inner a 
little shorter than the outer, the hind much longer; the third and fourth 
united as far as the second joint of the latter. Claws large, arched, much 
compressed, acute. 

Plumage full, very soft and blended; the stiff Bid feathers over the 
nostrils extend about one-fifth of the length of the bill; and there are no 
distinct bristles at the base of the upper mandible; the feathers on the head 
are very short. The wings are long, and much rounded; the first quill two 
inches shorter than the second, which is ten-twelfths shorter than the third, 
the latter exceeded two-twelfths by the fourth, which is the longest; the 
outer primaries being narrow, give the wing, when closed, the appearance of 
being pointed. Tail of moderate length, rounded, of twelve rather broad 
feathers, of which the lateral is half an inch shorter than the middle. 

Bill and feet brownish-black. Iris hazel. The general colour above and 
below is light brownish-grey, the forehead, throat, fore part of cheeks, and 
a space around the eye white, tinged with yellow. Wings black, glossed 


CLARKE’S NUTCRACKER. 129 


with blue; seven of the secondaries largely tipped with white, upper tail- 
coverts greyish-black; tail pure white, excepting the two middle feathers 
_and the greater part of the inner webs of the next pair, which are black, 
glossed with blue; lower wing-coverts dusky, some tipped with white; 
lower tail-coverts pure white. 

Length to end of tail 12 inches; bill along the ridge 15%, along the edge 
of lower mandible 14$; wing from flexure 734; tail 54; tarsus 174; hind 
toe 23, its claw 8; middle toe 12, its claw 5%. 

The female is similar to the male. 


FAMILY XIX.—LANIINAY, SHRIKES. 


Bill short, of moderate length, stout, broader than high at the base, com- 
pressed toward the end; the gap-line slightly arched, the ridge narrow, the 
notch and dentiform process large, the tip narrow and decurved. Head large, 
roundish, ovate; neck short; body compact. Legs of moderate length; 
tarsus compressed, with seven anterior scutella; toes moderate, compressed; 
hind toe rather stout, lateral about equal, the outer adherent at the base. 
Claws arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles 
rather strong. Wings and tail various. Roof of upper mandible narrow, 
with a median ridge; tongue slender, concave above, horny toward the end, 
with the margins lacerated, and the tip slit; cesophagus wide, uniform; pro- 
ventriculus elliptical; stomach broadly elliptical or roundish; its muscular 
coat thin, the epithelium dense and longitudinally rugous; intestine of mode- 
rate length; ececa very small; cloaca oblong or globular. Trachea simple; 


four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. 
Vou. IV. 18 


130 


Genus I—LANIUS, Zinn. SHRIKE, or BUTCHER-BIRD. 


Bill of moderate length, strong, compressed; upper mandible with the 
dorsal line a little arched, towards the end decurved, the sides convex, the 
edges direct, with a large prominence succeeded by a deep notch, the tip 
decurved and acute; lower mandible with the angle short and wide, the 
dorsal line convex, the sides convex, the edges inflected, the tip ascending, 
acute. Nostrils basal, lateral, oval, concealed by the bristly feathers. Head 
large, broadly ovate; neck short; body robust. Tarsus rather short, com- 
pressed, slender, with eight scutella; toes small, the first stout, the lateral 
nearly equal. Claws rather large, arched, compressed, extremely acute. 
Plumage soft and blended. LBristles stiff. Wings of ordinary length, first 
quill very short, fourth longest. Tail long, graduated, or rounded. 


THE GREAT AMERICAN SHRIKE. 
+ Lantus BoreEatis, Vell. 
PLATE CCXXXVI.—Mate, Femate, anp Youne. 


Although this species spends the greater part of the year in our most 
Eastern States, and in countries still farther north, many individuals remain 
in the mountainous districts of the Middle States, and breed there. In 
severe winters, it migrates as far south as the neighbourhood of the city of 
Natchez, on the Mississippi, where I have shot several and seen many more. 
In Kentucky it is not a rare bird at that season, but along the coasts of our 
Southern States I have never met with it, nor have I heard of its having 
been seen there. 

In spring and summer it retires from the low lands of the Middle States 
to the mountainous districts, where it generally remains until autumn. 


Ye. 
SELL BB oss ZA 


1 Mate. 2. Fer-ale.3Z. Young. 


Draw “ lL Andubonw ERS ELS: Lith *Printed & Col*ty 7 T. Bower Philad. 


Bt Ae 


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Wrseab tn> Pd 2 eit i ante been <erem 
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THE GREAT AMERICAN SHRIKE. 121 


About the 20th of April, the male and his mate are seen engaged in building 
their nest, in the covered and secluded parts of the forests. I found several 
of their nests placed on bushes not above ten feet from the ground, without 
any appearance of choice as to the tree, but generally towards the top, and 
placed in a fork. The nest is as large as that of the Robin, and is composed 
externally of coarse grasses, leaves and moss, internally of fibrous roots, over 
which is a bed of the feathers of the Wild Turkey and Pheasant ( Tetrao 
umbellus). The eggs are four or five, of a dull cinereous tint, thickly 
spotted and streaked with light brown towards the larger end. ‘The period 
of incubation is fifteen days. 

The young are at first of a dark bluish colour, but when they become 
covered with feathers, they assume a dull rufous tint above, and are trans- 
versely barred with zig-zag lines from the throat to the abdomen. In this 
State they remain until late in autumn, and might seem to one not acquainted 
with them to be of a different species. They remain with their parents all 
that time, and not unfrequently even during winter. Caterpillars, spiders 
and insects of various kinds form their first food, together with small fruits; 
but as they grow up, their parents bring them the flesh of small birds, on 
which they feed greedily even before they leave the nest. 

This valiant little warrior possesses the faculty of imitating the notes of 
other birds, especially such as are indicative of pain. Thus it will often 
mimic the cries of Sparrows and other small birds, so as to make you believe 
you hear them screaming in the claws of a Hawk; and I strongly suspect this 
is done for the purpose of inducing others to come out from their coverts to 
the rescue of their suffering brethren. On several occasions I have seen it in 
the act of screaming in this manner, when it would suddenly dart from its 
perch into a thicket, from which there would immediately issue the real cries 
of a bird on which it had seized. On the banks of the Mississippi, I saw 
one which for several days in succession had regularly taken its stand on the 
top of a tall tree, where it from time to time imitated the cries of the Swamp 
and Song Sparrows, and shortly afterwards would pitch downwards like a 
Hawk, with its wings close to its body, seldom failing in obtaining the 
object of its pursuit, which it would sometimes follow even through the 
briars and brambles among which it had sought refuge. When unable to 
secure the prey, it would reascend to its perch, and emit loud and discordant 
notes of anger. Whenever I could see it strike its victim, it appeared to 
alight on its back, and instantly strike its head, which on such occasions I 
have several times found torn open. If not disturbed, the Shrike would 
then tear up the body, and swallow in large pieces, not well cleared of the 
feathers, every part excepting the wings. It now and then pursues birds 
that are on the wing to a considerable distance. Thus, I saw one follow a 


132 THE GREAT AMERICAN SHRIKE. 


Turtle Dove, which, on being nearly caught, pitched on the ground, where 
its skull was bruised in a moment; but the next instant both birds were in 
my possession. 

The courage, activity, and perseverance of this species, are quite sur- 
prising. In winter, when insects are scarce, and small birds rare in the 
Eastern States, I have known it to enter the cities and attack birds in cages. 
During my stay at Boston, several of them were brought to me, that had 
been caught in the apartments in which cages containing Canaries were kept, 
and in every instance after the little favourite had been massacred. Near 
the same city I observed an individual poised on wing, in the manner of our 
Sparrow Hawk, for several minutes at a time, over the withered grass and 
sedges of salt water meadows, when it suddenly pounced on some small bird 
concealed there. 

Although its feet are small and apparently weak, its claws are sharp, and 
it is capable of inflicting a pretty severe wound on the finger or hand. It 
bites with great pertinacity, and will seldom let go its hold unless its throat 
is squeezed. 

Its flight is strong, swift, and sustained: it moves through the air in long 
undulations which have each an extent of twenty or thirty yards, but it 
seldom rises very high, unless for the purpose of obtaining a good point of 
observation, and in its usual flight merely passes over the tops of the low 
bushes rapidly and in silence, in starts of from fifty to a hundred yards. I 
never saw one walk or move on the ground. 

They are extremely fond of crickets and grasshoppers, as well as other 
kinds of insects, and they feed on the flesh of birds whenever they can pro- 
cure it. The individuals which I have kept in cages, appeared well pleased 
with pieces of fresh beef, but they generally remained dull and sullen until 
they died. As it was only during winter that I had them in confinement, 
when no coleopterous insects could be procured, I had no opportunity of 
observing if, like Hawks, they have the power of throwing up hard particles 
of the food which they swallow, although I should suppose this to be the case. 
Their propensity to impale insects and small birds on the sharp points of 
twigs and on thorns, which they so frequently do at all seasons of the year, 
is quite a mystery to me, as I cannot conceive what its object may be. 

I have represented three of these birds of different sexes and ages, and 
therefore differing in colour and size. 


Great American Surike or Burcuer-pirp, Lanius Excubitor, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. 
1. p. 74. 

LANIUS SEPTENTRIONALIS, Bonap. Syn., p. 72. 

Lanius BorEALIS, Greater Northern Shrike, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. 
p. 111. 


THE GREAT AMERICAN SHRIKE. 133 


Great Amprican Surike, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 258. 
Great American Surike, Lanius Excubitor, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 534; vol. v. 
p. 434. 


Fourth quill longest, third little shorter, second shorter than sixth, first 
half the length of second; tail long, graduated; bill brownish-black at the 
end, paler towards the base; upper parts light ash-grey, the ends of the 
scapulars and the upper tail-coverts greyish-white; a streak of whitish over 
the eye; loral space and a patch behind the eye brownish-black; first row of 
smaller wing-coverts, larger coverts, and quills, brownish-black; secondary 
quills and coverts edged and tipped with whitish; base of primaries white, 
forming a conspicuous patch when the wing is extended; tail-feathers brown- 
ish-black, outer web of lateral feathers, and more than a third of its inner 
web from the tip, white; the extremities of all the rest, excepting the middle 
two, also white, gradually occupying less extent on the inner feathers; 
lower parts greyish-white, the fore part of the breast tinged with brown, and 
faintly marked with transverse undulating lines of dark grey, as are the sides. 
Female similar, but with the head and neck slightly tinged with brown, and 
the lower parts more banded. 

Lanius Excubitor of Europe differs in being considerably smaller, and 
in having the white on the wings and tail more extended, the bases and a 
great portion of the inner webs of the secondaries, except the inner three, 
being of that colour, as well as the bases of the primaries, and forming 
a conspicuous spot when the wing is closed, and the outer tail-feathers being 
often white in their whole length. 

Male, 102;, 1425. 

Breeds from Pennsylvania northward. During winter, migrates west- 
ward to the Mississippi, and as far south as Natchez. Not uncommon. 

The dimensions of an adult male presented by Dr. T. M. Brewnr of 
Boston, and preserved in spirits, are:-—Length to end of tail 10,2; inches, 
to end of wings 7+%;, to end of claws 82,; extent of wings 14;; wing from 
flexure 4,%; tail 4,8. 

The roof of the mouth is nearly flat, with a median prominent ridge 
anteriorly, and two papillate ridges behind. The posterior aperture of the 
nares is 7 twelfths long; the tongue is slender, 7 twelfths long, emarginate 
and papillate at the base, concave above, horny toward the end, the margins 
lacerated, the tip slit. The width of the mouth is 74 twelfths. The ceso- 
phagus, @ 6 c,is 2 inches 10 twelfths long, of considerable width, having an 
average breadth of 4-twelfths; the proventriculus, 6 c, 5 twelfths in width, 
its glands forming a belt only 3 twelfths in breadth. The stomach, d e, is 
broadly elliptical, 11 twelfths long, 94 twelfths broad; its muscular coat thin, 
being composed of strong parallel fasciculi, its thickest part not exceeding 1 


134 THE GREAT AMERICAN SHRIKE. 


twelfth; the epithelium thin, tough, reddish- 
brown, longitudinally rugous. The pylorus 
is very small, with a semilunar margin. The 
intestine, e fg hij, is 12 inches long, its 
greatest width 3 twelfths, the least 2 twelfths; 
the cceca, 7, 2 twelfths long, 
twelfth wide, their distance from the ex- 


and scarcely 4 


tremity 1 inch; the cloaca, 7, oblong; its 
width about 6 twelfths. The stomach con- 
tained portions of a mouse, including two 
front teeth. 

The trachea is 2 inches 4 twelfths long, 2 
twelfths broad at the upper part, 14 twelfths 
at the lower; its rings about 55, with 2 dimi- 
diate rings; it is considerably flattened below, 
but roundish at the upper part. The bronchi 
are of moderate size, with about 12 half 
rings. The muscles are as in the Thrushes, 
there being four pairs of inferior laryngeal, 
of large size. 

In another individual, the tongue is 7 


twelfths long, the mouth 8 twelfths in width; 


the csophagus 3 inches long, its average 
width 34 twelfths; the intestine 12 inches 
long. The lobes of the liver are very un- 
equal, the left smaller. The aperture of the 


ear of moderate size, roundish, 2 twelfths in 


diameter. The contents of the stomach were a small bird and some insects. 


Cratxcus apuro.ia, Mich. Fl. Amer., vol. i. p. 287. Pursh, Fl. Amer. Sept., vol. i. p. 
336.—Icosanpria PentacyniA, Linn.—Rosacea, Juss. 


This species of hawthorn bears a great resemblance to that so common in 
Europe. It grows on the banks of rivers and in damp woods in several of 
the Southern States, and attains a height of twelve or fifteen feet. The 
leaves are somewhat triangular in their general outline, inciso-lobate, the 
lobes acute and deeply toothed; the flowers white, and the berries ovate or 
oblong, of a deep red colour. 


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135 


THE LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 


+LAnNius Lupovicianus, Linn. 
PLATE CCXXXVII.—Mate anp Femate. 


This species may with great propriety be called an inhabitant of the 
<Low Countries,” as it is seldom or never met with even in the vicinity of 
the mountains intersecting the districts in which it usually resides. It is 
also confined to that portion of our country usually known under the name 
of the Southern States, seldom reaching farther eastward than North 
Carolina, or farther inland than the State of Mississippi, in which latter, as 
well as in Louisiana, it appears only during the winter months. Its chief 
residence may, therefore, be looked upon as the Floridas, Georgia, and the 
Carolinas. In these States, it is seen along the fences and bushes about the 
rice plantations, at all seasons, and is of some service to the planter, as it 
destroys the field-mice in great numbers, as well as many of the larger kinds 
of grubs and insects, upon which it pounces in the manner of a Hawk. 

The Loggerhead has no song, but utters a shrill clear creaking prolonged 
note, resembling the grating of a rusty hinge slowly moved to and fro. This 
sound is heard only during the spring season, and whilst the female is sitting. 
About the beginning of March these birds begin to pair. They exhibit at 
this time few of those marks of the tender affection which birds usually shew. 
The male courts the female without much regard, and she, in return, appears 
to receive his haughty attentions with merely just as much condescension as 
enables her to become the mother of a family, whose feelings are destined to 
be of the same cold nature. 

The nest is fixed in a low bush, generally near the centre of a dwarf haw- 
thorn, and is so little concealed as to be easily discovered. It is coarsely 
constructed of dry crooked twigs, and is lined with fibrous roots and slender 
grasses. The eggs, which are of a greenish-white, are from three to five. 
Incubation is performed by the male as well as by the female, but each 
searches for its own food during the intervals of sitting. 

The young are at first fed on crickets, grasshoppers, and other insects; but 
as they become larger and stronger, they receive portions of mice, which 
form the principal food of the grown birds at all seasons. The Loggerheads 
rear only one brood in the season. 

Whilst this species is on wing, its motions are very rapid and direct, its 


136 THE LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 


flight being produced by quick flutterings of the wings, without any apparent 
undulation. The bird alights in a sudden firm manner, like a Hawk, stands 
erect, silent and watchful, until it spies its prey on the ground, when it 
suddenly pounces upon it, striking it first with its bill, but seizing it with 
its claws so immediately after, that the most careful observation alone can 
enable one to decide as to the priority of either action. I have never seen 
it attack birds, nor stick its prey on thorns in the manner of the Great 
American Shrike. 

This bird appears in Louisiana only at intervals, and seldom remains more 
than afew weeks in December or January. It never comes near houses, 
although it frequents the fields around them. It has no note at this period, 
and appears singly, alighting on the stacks and fences, where it stands 
perched for a considerable time, carefully looking around over the ground. 
As soon as the spot is thoroughly examined, it flies off to another, and there 
renews its search. 

I have received specimens of our Loggerhead Shrike, of both sexes and of 
various ages, from Mr. TownsEenp, who procured them on the Rocky Moun- 
tains and in the Columbia river district. These specimens are in no respect 
different from those which I have obtained in South Carolina, where it is 
plentiful. That this species should occur on both sides of the continent is 
not very remarkable, as several other birds are in the same predicament. 
The Fish Crow, for example, affords a more striking instance, as it is rarely 
found beyond the maritime districts; whereas the Loggerhead Shrike extends 
its movements far inland in the States of Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana. 
This species has been given as new, under the name of Lanius Excubito- 
roides, in the Fauna Boreali-Americana; but the description and figure 
indicate nothing peculiar; and the nest and eggs described by Mr. Drum- 
MOND, especially the latter, are similar to those of the Carolina-bird. 

My account of the habits of this species being meagre, I have great plea- 
sure in laying before you the observations of my friend the Rev. Dr. 
Bacuman, who has had much better opportunities of studying them. “Your 
description of this bird requires, I think, many additions. You say it has 
no song. ‘This is true in part, but it has other notes than the grating sounds 
you attribute to it. During the breeding season, and indeed nearly all 
summer, the male ascends some cedar or other tree, and makes an effort at a 
song, which I cannot compare to anything nearer than the first attempts of a 
young Brown Thrush. He seems to labour hard, making as it were almost 
painful exertions. At times the notes are not unpleasing, but very irregular. 

“You speak of the male shewing but little attachment to the female. I 
have thought differently, and so would you were you to watch him carrying 
every now and then a grasshopper or cricket to her, pouncing upon the 


THE LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 137 


Crow and even the Buzzard, that approach his nest, and invariably driving 
these intruders away. Indeed I consider these birds as evidencing great 
attachment toward each other. 

“J have usually found the nest on the outer limbs of a tree, frequently the 
live-oak, sometimes the black-gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and often 
on acedar, from fifteen to thirty feet from the ground. Once only I saw it 
lower, on the toothache bush, Xanthorylum, about ten feet high. 

“I have occasionally seen this bird with young mice in its mouth, and 
have found it feeding on birds that had apparently been wounded by the 
sportsman. It sometimes catches young birds and devours them; but I am 
induced to think, from the observation of many years, that the food of the 
Loggerhead Shrike consists principally of insects. Grasshoppers and crickets 
are preferred; coleopterous and other insects are also frequently seized; and 
I have seen it catch moths and butterflies on wing. This bird has the same 
propensity as the Northern Shrike, to stick grasshoppers and other insects 
on thorns. I have seen one occupy himself for hours in sticking up in this 
way a number of small fishes that the fishermen had thrown on the shore; 
but I never found either this or the Northern Shrike return to seek this 
prey for food at any other time; but on the contrary, the fishes dried up and 
decayed. I have seen them alight on the same thorn-bush afterwards, but 
never make use of this kind of food. May it not be the same propensity 
which Jays have, who conceal nuts and grain, and apparently do not return 
to devour them? 

“The Loggerheaded Shrike is partially migratory in Carolina. A few 
may be found through the winter; but the number is ten times greater in 
summer; and such is also the case with the Mocking-bird. It appears fond 
of the little changeable Green Lizard (nolius Carolinensis, Cuv.), and I 
have seen exertions of skill and activity on the one part in seizing, and on 
the other in avoiding their enemy, but the reptile, in spite of all its agility, 
is frequently secured. On one occasion I had marked a lizard of this species 
on afence. It was then beautifully green; but on being chased by a Shrike, 
which observing me flew off, I found that it had become quite brown. 

“This species breeds twice in a season, lays four and sometimes five white 
eggs. Occasionally it feeds on the small black berries of a species of Smilaz; 
this is in winter, when it is probably pinched for food. I have noticed it 
building its nest in the same tree for a succession of years, never repairing 
an old nest but always building a new one.”’ 

According to Mr. Swainson this species is found on the table-land of 
Mexico, where it is very common. 

I have given you, kind reader, the representation of a pair of these 
Shrikes, contending for a mouse. The difference of plumage in the sexes is 

Vor. IV. 19 


138 THE LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 


scarcely perceptible; but I have thought it necessary to figure both, in order 
to shew the quarrelsome disposition of these birds even when united by the 
hymeneal band. 


LoaGcERHEAD SHRIKE, Lanius Carolinensis, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iii. p. 57. 

Lantus Lupovicianus, Bonap. Syn., p. 72. 

Lanius ExcuegrroroweEs, American Grey Shrike, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., 
vol. ii. p. 115. 

Loeceruead Surike, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 261. 

LocGerHeaD Surike, Lanius ludovicianus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 300; vol. v. p. 435. 


Third quill longest, fourth scarcely shorter, second and sixth equal; tail 
rather long, graduated; bill black, upper parts deep leaden-grey, lower 
greyish-white, the sides bluish-grey; a streak of whitish over the eye, and 
margining the forehead; loral space, and a patch behind the eye, black; 
posterior scapulars almost entirely white; quills and coverts black, seconda- 
ries narrowly tipped with white; bases of primaries white, forming a con- 
g; tail-feathers black, all except the 
middle pair white at the end, that colour occupying nearly two-thirds of the 


spicuous patch on the extended win 


outer, and gradually diminishing on the rest. Female with the plumage 
somewhat darker. Young brownish-white beneath, the breast and sides 
transversely barred with dark grey. 

Male, 84, 13. 

From Louisiana to Carolina, laterally to the Columbia river, and north- 
ward to the Fur Countries. Abundant. Resident in the south. Migratory 
in the north. 

A male preserved in spirits measures 819 inches in length; extent of wings 
12; wing from flexure 4; tail 43. 

The roof of the mouth is as in the other species; its width 7 twelfths; the 
tongue is 6 twelfths, the posterior aperture of the nares 5 twelfths. The 
lobes of the liver are very unequal, the right being the largest. The ceso- 
phagus is 24 inches long, 4 twelfths in width, but on entering the thorax 
contracting to 24 twelfths; the proventriculus 3 twelfths. The stomach is 
irregularly elliptical, a little compressed; the muscles thin, especially the 
lower; the epithelium thin, tough, brownish-red, with longitudinal ruge. 
The intestine is 9 inches long, from 3 twelfths to 1 twelfth wide; the cceca 
extremely small, 24 twelfths long, 4 twelfth wide; the cloaca small and 
oblong. 

The trachea is 24 inches long, moderately flattened, 1¢ twelfths broad at 
the commencement, 1 twelfth at the lower part; the rings firm, about 56, 
with 2 dimidiate rings. The lateral muscles are very slender, as are the 
sterno-tracheal, and there are four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles on each 


THE LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 139 


side, forming a large pad, as in the Thrushes. In this respect the Shrikes 
resemble the Turdinz and Sylvianz, much more than the Flycatchers, of 
which the inferior laryngeal muscles are small and blended. The bronchi 
are moderate, of about 12 half rings. 


Tue GreEN Briar, or ROUND-LEAVED SMILAX. 


SmiLax roTunpirouiA, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. iv. p. 779. Pursh, Flor. Amer., vol. i. p. 250. 
—Diecia Hexanpria, Linn.—Asparaat, Juss. 


This species of smzlax, which is common along fences, in old fields, and 
by the borders of woods, is characterized by its shrubby stem, round branches, 
roundish-ovate, acuminate, slightly cordate, five or seven-nerved leaves, and 


spherical berries. It flowers in May and June. The berries are of a dark 
purple colour. 


Tue Fretp Movuse. 


This species is found in all parts of the United States, living in the 
meadows and woods. It forms narrow subterranean passages, to which it 
resorts on the least appearance of danger, but from which it is easily driven, 
by thrusting a twig into them. 


140 


FAMILY XX._VIREONINAE. GREENLETS. 


Bill of moderate length, straight, rather stout, compressed toward the end; 
gap-line slightly arched, notches distinct, tip very small, declinate. Head 
rather large, ovate; neck short; body rather slender. Feet of moderate 
length; tarsus compressed, slender, with seven anterior scutella; toes rather 
small, hind toe rather stout, lateral equal. Claws moderate, arched, com- 
pressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended. Wings of moderate length, 
rather pointed. Tail of moderate length, even or emarginate. Roof of 
upper mandible concave, with a median ridge; tongue narrow, flat above, 
with the point slit; cesophagus of moderate length, without dilatation; 
stomach roundish, muscular, with a dense rugous epithelium; intestine short, 
and rather wide; cceca very small. Trachea simple, with four pairs of 
inferior laryngeal muscles. 


Genus I.—VIREO, Vieill. GREENLET. 


Bill rather short or of moderate length, rather strong, straight, broader 
than high at the base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the 
dorsal line slightly convex, the ridge narrow, the sides sloping and towards 
the end somewhat convex, the edges straight, the notches distinct, the tip 
small, decurved, acute; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length 
and rather narrow, the dorsal line ascending and rather convex, the sides 
convex, the edges inclinate, the tip acute and ascending. WNostrils basal, 
oblong. Head rather large, ovate; neck short; body rather stout. Tarsus 
rather short, slender, compressed, with seven scutella; toes small, first large, 
inner considerably shorter than outer, which is adnate at the base. Plumage 
soft and blended; bristles small. Wings rather long, with the second and 
third quills longest, the first not much Shorter. Tail of moderate length, 
nearly even. | 


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Draun-frere Nature by JJ Auditor FRS ELS. Lith Printed & Col 4 by J. 1! Bower. Prulad 


141 


THE YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, OR GREENLET. 


7 


+VirkEo FLAVIFRONS, Vieill. ¥ 


PLATE CCXXXVIII.—Mate. 


While the small White-eyed Vireo rambles among the low bushes and 
brambles of the fields of all parts of the United States, the Yellow-throated 
species takes possession of the forest, and gleans with equal ease among the 
branches of the tallest trees, to which it seems to give a marked preference 
during the spring and summer. It is fond of the quietest solitudes, and in 
its habits is nearly allied to the Red-eyed Vireo. Like it also, it is a slow, 
careful, and industrious bird, never imitating the petulant, infantile, and 
original (if I may so speak) freaks of its gay relative, the White-eyed. It 
is more silent than either of the species above mentioned, although its notes 
have a strong resemblance to those of the Red-eyed. These notes are more 
measured and plaintive than those of any of its tribe, sometimes consisting 
of sounds resembling the syllables prée-d, preé-d, rising and falling in sweet 
modulation. One might imagine them the notes of a bird lost in the woods, 
and they make a strong impression on the mind of the listener. Now and 
then the sight of his mate seems to animate the male, when he repeats the 
same syllables eight or ten times in succession. When sitting pensively on 
a twig, as if waiting for an invitation to sing, it utters a kind of whining 
sound, and in autumn, as well as during its retrograde march towards the 
south, it becomes quite silent. 

When searching for food, it ascends the branches of trees by regular short 
hops, examining with care every leaf and bud in its way, never leaving a 
branch for another until it is quite assured that nothing remains on it. When 
flying to some distance, its motions, although quick, are irregular, and it 
passes among the boughs at a moderate height. 

This species is at all times extremely rare in Louisiana, where I have seen 
it only during early spring or late in the autumn. My friend BacumMan 
has never observed it in South Carolina. Indeed, it is only from Penn- 
sylvania eastward that it is met with in any quantity. During summer it 
feeds entirely on insects, devouring with equal pleasure caterpillars, small 
moths, wasps, and wild bees. The summer over, it ranges among the low 
bushes in search of berries, accompanied by its young, and at that time enters 
the orchards and gardens even of our villages and cities. It arrives in 


142 THE YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. 


Pennsylvania and New Jersey about the end of April, and in Massachusetts 
and Maine about a month later. 

The nest of the Yellow-throated Vireo is truly a beautiful fabric. It 
sometimes extends to five or six inches in depth, and as it is always placed 
at the extremity of small twigs, it is very conspicuous. It is attached to 
these twigs with much care by slender threads of vines, or those of other 
trees at its upper edges, mixed with the silk of different caterpillars, and 
enclosed with lichens, so neatly attached by means of saliva, that the whole 
outer surface seems formed of them, while the inner bed, which is about 
two and a half inches in diameter, by an inch and a half in depth, is lined 
with delicate grasses, between which and the bottom coarser materials are 
employed to fill the space, such as bits of hornets’ nests, dry leaves, and 
wool. The eggs, which are four or five in number, are of an elongated form, 
white, spotted with reddish-brown or black. The young are out about the 
beginning of July. In Maine it raises one brood only, but farther south not 
unfrequently two. 


YELLOW-THROATED FLycaTcHER, Muscicapa sylvicola, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 117. 

VIREO FLAVIFRONS, Bonap. Syn., p. 70. 

YELLOW-THROATED Vireo, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 302. 

YELLOW-THROATED FLycaTcHER or VirEO, Vireo flavifrons, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 
119; vol. v. p. 428. 


Male. 

Upper parts light green, the rump, scapulars, and smaller wing-coverts 
bluish-grey; quills and coverts brownish-black; two bands of white on the 
wing, formed by the tips of the secondary coverts and first row of small 
coverts; primaries narrower, edged with yellowish-green, secondaries broadly 
with white; tail-feathers brownish-black, the outer edged with white; sides 
of the neck yellowish-green; a line over the eye, throat, and breast yellow, 
the rest of the lower parts white. 

Male, 53, 94. 

From Texas to Nova Scotia. Rare in the interior, more abundant in the 
middle Atlantic districts. Migratory. 

The egg of this bird measures thirteen-sixteenths of an inch in length, by 
five-eighths, is of a slightly elongated form, oval, from the smaller end being 
rather rounded, and is marked with a few scattered spots of a deep brownish- 
crimson, on a beautiful flesh-coloured ground. 

In a male preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth is slightly concave, 
with two palatal ridges, and an anterior median ridge; the posterior aperture 
of the nares is linear-oblong, 5 twelfths in length, its margins papillate. The 
tongue is rather short, 4} twelfths long, narrow, triangular, very thin, 


THE YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. 143 


emarginate and papillate at the base, flat above, tapering to a horny, deeply 
slit, lacerated point. The width of the mouth is 44 twelfths. The cso- 
phagus is 1 inch 9 twelfths long, funnel-shaped at the 
commencement, at the distance of half an inch its 
width is 1# twelfths, and thus continues until it enters 
the thorax, soon after which it enlarges to form the 
proventriculus, of which the breadth is 3 twelfths. 
The stomach is of moderate size, of a broadly elliptical 
form, considerably compressed; its length 6 twelfths, 
its breadth 5 twelfths, its muscles pretty large and 
distinct, its tendons of moderate size; the epithelium 
thin, reddish-brown, with eight longitudinal ruge on 
one side, and five on the other. The belt of proven- 
tricular glandules is 24 twelfths broad. The intestine 
is 5% inches long, from 14 twelfths to 1 twelfth in 
width, the rectum 2 twelfths at first, the cloaca globu- 
lar, about 4 twelfths; the cceca 14 twelfths long, about 
4 twelfth wide, and placed at the distance of 9 twelfths 
from the extremity. 

The trachea is 1 inch 2 twelfths long, from 1 twelfth 
to # twelfth in width, moderately flattened, its rings 
rather firm, about 50, with 2 dimidiate; the muscles 
disposed as in the Thrushes and Warblers, there being 


four pairs of inferior laryngeal on each side, besides the sterno-tracheal. 
The bronchi short, slender, of about 10 half rings. 


THE SwAMpPp SNOWBALL. 


Hyprancea quercirouia, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. ii. p. 634. Pursh, Flor. Amer. Sept., vol. 
i. p. 309.—Decanpria Dicynia, Linn.—SaxirraGH, Juss. 


This plant is found on the broken sandy banks bordering small water- 
courses, and is abundant in such situations in the uplands of Louisiana. It 
seldom grows beyond the size of a bush. The blossoms are lasting, and 
although without odour, are pleasing to the eye, on account of their pure 
white colour when first expanded; they dry on the stalks, retaining their 
form, and remaining until winter. The species is characterized by its 
oblong, deeply sinuate leaves, which are downy beneath, and its radiated 
loosely thyrsiform cymes. 


144 


THE SOLITARY VIREO, OR GREENLET. 


+VrreEo soLitTarivs, Vieill. 
PLATE CCXXXIX.—Mate anp Femate. 


This, reader, is one of the scarce birds that visit the United States from 
the south, and I have much pleasure in being able to give you an account of 
it, as hitherto little or nothing has been known of its history. 

It is an inhabitant of Louisiana during the spring and summer months, 
when it resorts to the thick cane-brakes of the alluvial lands near the Mis- 
sissippi, and the borders of the numberless swamps that lie in a direction 
parallel to that river. It is many years since I discovered it, but as I am 
not at all anxious respecting priority of names, I shall not insist upon this 
circumstance. In the month of May 1809, I killed a male and a female of 
this species, near the mouth of the Ohio, while on a shooting expedition 
after young Swans. ‘The following spring, I killed a female near Henderson 
in Kentucky. In 1821, I again procured a pair, with their nest and eggs, 
near the mouth of Bayou La Fourche, on the Mississippi, and since that 
period have killed eight or ten pairs. 

The nest is prettily constructed, and fixed in a partially pensile manner 
between two twigs of a low bush, on a branch running horizontally from the 
main stem. It is formed externally of grey lichens, slightly put together, ° 
and lined with hair, chiefly from the deer and racoon. The female lays 
four or five eggs, which are white, with a strong tinge of flesh-colour, and 
sprinkled with brownish-red dots at the larger end. I am inclined to believe 
that the bird raises only one brood in a season. 

The manners of this bird are not those of the Titmouse, Flycatcher, or 
Warbler, but partake of those of all three. It has the want of shyness 
exhibited in the Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireo. It hangs to bunches 
of small berries, feeding upon them as a Titmouse does on buds of trees; 
and again searches amongst the leaves and along the twigs of low bushes, 
like most of the Warblers. On the other hand, it differs from all these in 
their principal habits. Thus, it never snaps at insects on the wing, although 
it pursues them; it never attacks small birds and kills them by breaking in 
their skulls, as the Titmouse does; nor does it hold its prey under its foot in 
the way of the Yellow-throated Vireo, a habit which allies the latter to the 
Shrikes. 


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THE SOLITARY VIREO. 145 


The flight of this bird is performed by a continued ¢remor of the wings, 
as if it were at all times angry. It seldom rises high above its favourite 
cane-brakes, but is seen hopping up and down about the stems of low bushes 
and the stalks of the canes, silently searching for food, more in the manner 
of the Worm-eating Warbler than in that of any other bird known to me. 
Their confidence at the approach of man is very remarkable. ‘They look on 
without moving until you are within a few feet, and retire only in propor- 
tion as you advance towards them. In this respect it resembles the White- 
eyed Vireo. 

When wounded by a shot, it remains quite still on the ground, opens its 
bill when you approach it, and bites with all its might when laid hold of, 
although its strength is not sufficient to enable it to inflict a wound. I have 
never heard it utter a note beyond that of a querulous low murmuring sound, 
when chasing another bird from the vicinity of its nest. The young all 
leave the nest, if once touched, and hide among the grass and weeds, where 
the parents continue to feed them. I once attempted to feed some young 
birds of this species, but they rejected the food, which consisted of flies, 
worms, and hard-boiled eggs, and died in three days without ever uttering a 
note. In 1829, I shot one of these birds, a fine male, in the Great Pine 
Swamp in Pennsylvania. 

This species is an inhabitant of the Columbia river district, where several 
specimens were procured by Mr. Townsrnp. I found it abundant in Maine, 
and it reaches Pictou in Nova Scotia, beyond which I saw none on my way 
to Labrador. We found it in the Texas, arriving from farther south late in 
April. My friend Dr. Bacuman informs me that it is “every year becom- 
ing more abundant in South Carolina, where it remains from about the 
middle of February to that of March, keeping to the woods. It has a sweet 
and loud song of half a‘dozen notes, heard at a considerable distance.” Mr. 
Nourratt has favoured me with the following notice respecting it:— 

“About the beginning of May, in the oaks already almost wholly in leaf, 
on the banks of the Columbia, we heard around us the plaintive deliberate 
warble of this species, first mentioned by Witson. Its song seems to be 
intermediate between that of the Red-eyed and Yellow-breasted species, 
having the preaz, preat, &c. of the latter, and the fine variety of the former 
in its tones. It darted about in the tops of the trees, incessantly engaged in 
quest of food, and now and then disputing with some rival. The nest of 
this bird is made much in the same manner as that of Vireo olivaceus. One 
which I examined was suspended from the forked twig of the wild crab-tree, 
at about ten feet from the ground. The chief materials were dead and 
whitened grass-leaves, with some cobwebs agglutinated together as usual, 
externally scattered with a few shreds of moss (Hypnum) to resemble the 

Wor... BY. 20 


146 THE WHITE-EYED VIREO. 


branch on which it hung; here and there were also a few of the white paper- 
like capsules of the spider’s nest, and it was lined with fine blades of grass 
and slender root fibres. The situation, as usual, was open, but shady.”’ 


Souirary Fiycatcuer, Muscicapa solitaria, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 143. 

Vireo sourrarius, Bonap. Syn., p. 79. / 

Souirary Vireo or Kiycatcuer, Vireo solitarius, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 305. 

Souitary FLycatcHer or Vire£Eo, Vireo solitarius, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 147; vel. 
v. p. 432. 


Upper parts light olive-green, head greyish-blue; lower white, the sides 
greenish-yellow; eyelids and a band of white from the bill over the eye; a 
dusky spot before the eye; quills and coverts brownish-black; two bands of 
white on the wing, formed by the tips of the secondary coverts and first row 
of small coverts; primaries narrowly edged with yellowish-green, seconda-~ 
ries broadly with white; tail-feathers brownish-black, the outer edged with 
white; head and sides of neck inclining to greyish-blue. 

Male, 53, 84. 

From Texas to Nova Scotia, rather abundant. Rare in the interior. 
Columbia river. Migratory. 


Tue AMERICAN CANE. 


MreciA MAcCROsPERMA, Pursh, Fl. Amer., vol. i. p. 59.—ARUNDINARIA MACROSPERMA, 
Mich., F1. Amer., vol. i. p. 74.—TRrtanpria Monocynis, Linn.—GRamMinES, Juss. 


THE WHITE-EYED VIREO, OR GREENLET. 
VIREO NOVEBORACENSIS, Gmel. 
PLATE CCXL.—Mate. 


This interesting little bird enters the State of Louisiana often as early as 
the Ist of March. Indeed, some individuals may now and then be seen a 
week or ten days sooner, provided the weather be mild. It throws itself 
into the thickest part of the briars, sumachs, and small evergreen bushes, 


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THE WHITE-EYED VIREO. 147 


which form detached groves in abandoned fields, where its presence is at 
once known by the smartness of its song. This song is composed of many 
different notes, emitted with great spirit, and a certain degree of pomposity, 
which makes it differ materially from that of all other Flycatchers. It is 
frequently repeated during the day. 

These birds become at once so abundant, that it would be more difficult 
not to meet one, than to observe a dozen or more, during a morning walk. 
Their motions are as animated as their music. They pass from twig to twig, 
upwards or downwards, examining every opening bud and leaf, and securing 
an insect or a larva at every leap. Their flight is short, light, and easy. 
Their migrations are performed during the day, and by passing from one 
low bush to another, for these birds seldom ascend to the tops of even mode- 
rately tall trees. Like all our other visiters, they move eastward as the 
season opens, and do not reach the Middle States before the end of April, or 
the beginning of May. Notwithstanding this apparently slow progress, 
they reach and disperse over a vast expanse of country. I have met with 
some in every part of the United States which I have visited. 

Many remain in Louisiana, where they rear two broods, perhaps some- 
times three, ina season. Of this, however, I am not quite certain. I never 
saw them alight on the ground, unless for the purpose of drinking, or of 
procuring fibrous roots for their nests. They are fond of sipping the dew 
drops that hang at the extremities of leaves. Their sorties after insects 
seldom extend beyond the bushes. 

About the first of April, the White-eyed Flycatcher forms a nest of dry 
slender twigs, broken pieces of grasses, and portions of old hornets’ nests, 
which have so great a resemblance to paper, that the nest appears as if 
studded with bits of that substance. It is lined with fine fibrous roots, and 
the dried filaments of the Spanish moss. The nest is of the form of an 
inverted cone, and is fastened to two or three twigs of a green briar,a 
species of smilazx abundant in the old fields and along the fences. The eggs 
are from four to six, of a pure white, with a few dark spots near the larger 
end. In those districts where the Cow-bird is found, it frequently drops one 
of its eggs among them. I have seen the first brood from the nest about the 
middle of May. Unless when disturbed while upon its nest, this bird is 
extremely sociable, and may be approached within a few feet; but when 
startled from the nest, it displays the anxiety common to almost all birds on 
such occasions. The difference of colour in the sexes is scarcely perceptible. 

I have ascertained that this species is a constant resident in the Floridas 
during winter, as well as in the lower parts of Alabama and Georgia. A 
great number, however, pass beyond our limits, for at Galveston Island I 
found them arriving from the south. It extends its movements across the 


148 THE WHITE-EYED VIREO. 


whole continent, Mr. Townsenp having met with it on the Columbia river. 
Along our Atlantic districts it is found sparingly in summer as far as Nova 
Scotia, and a few were seen by me in Labrador. The eggs measure four- 
eighths and three-fourths in length, and half an inch in breadth. 

The figure of a male has been given on a branch of the tree called in 
Louisiana the Pride of China, an ornamental plant, with fragrant flowers. 
The wood is extremely valuable on account of its great durability, and is 
employed for making posts and rails for the fences. Being capable of 
receiving a beautiful polish, it is also frequently made into various articles 
of furniture. For these reasons, the planters have found it expedient to 
adopt measures for increasing the propagation of this tree. It bears a pulpy 
fruit inclosing a hard seed, which is swallowed by different birds during the 
winter months. It has been thought deleterious, but without reason. A 
decoction of the root is used by the planters as an effectual vermifuge. 


Wuirt-evep Fiycatcuer, Muscicapa cantatrix, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 266. 

VIREO NOVEBORACENSIS, Bonap. Syn., p. 70. 

Wuire-gyep Vireo or Fiycatcuer, Vireo noveboracensis, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 806. 

Wouire-eyep FLycatcuer or Vireo, Vireo noveboracensis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 
328; vol. v. p. 431, 433. 


Male, 5, 7. 

Throughout the United States and Nova Scotia. Columbia river. Mi- 
gratory, but great numbers spend the winter in the Southern States. 

Adult Male. 

Bill shortish, nearly straight, rather strong, conico-acuminate, compressed 
towards the end; upper mandible slightly notched, and a little deflected at 
the tip; lower mandible ascending at the tip. Nostrils basal, rounded. 
Head and neck of ordinary size; body rather slender. Feet of ordinary 
length, slender; tarsus anteriorly scutellate; lateral toes nearly equal. 

Plumage blended, soft and tufty. Wings shortish, the third quill longest. 
Tail even, of twelve rounded feathers. 

Upper mandible blackish-blue, lower light blue. Iris white. Feet grey- 
ish-blue. The general colour of the upper parts is light olive, the head 
greener. Sides of the head, including a line above the eye, and the loral 
space, bright yellow. Quills, large coverts, and tail, wood-brown, the quills 
edged externally with greenish-yellow, the larger coverts tipped with white, 
forming two bands. Sides of the neck tinged with bluish-grey; the under 
parts greyish-white, excepting the sides, which are yellow. 

Length 5 inches, extent of wings 7; bill along the ridge {%, along the 
gap 7s. 

The female scarcely differs from the male in external appearance. 


Ne 49. | | Pl 244, 


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THE WARBLING VIREO. 149 


Tue Prive or CuIna, or BEAD-TREE. 


Meuia Azeparacu, Linn., Sp. Plant., p.550.—Decanpria Monoeynia, Linn.—ME iz, 
Juss. 


Distinguished by its bipinnate shining leaves, with ferruginous dots 
beneath. In the south of Europe, the nuts are bored and strung by the 
Roman Catholics. 


THE WARBLING VIREO, OR GREENLET. 


+VirEo eitvus, Vieill. 
PLATE CCXLI.—Mate anp Femate. 


While at the little village, now the city of Camden, in New Jersey, where 
I had gone for the purpose of watching the passage of certain Warblers on 
their way north early in the month of May, I took lodgings in a street 
ornamented with a long avenue of tall Lombardy poplars, one of which 
almost touched my window. On it too I had the pleasure shortly afterwards 
of finding the nest of this interesting little bird. Never before had I seen 
it placed so low, and never before had I an opportunity of examining it, or 
of observing the particular habits of the species with so much advantage. 
The nest, although formed nearly in the same manner as several others, 
which I have since obtained by cutting them down with rifle balls, from the 
top twigs of the tall trees to which they were attached, instead of being 
fastened in the fork of a twig, was fixed to the body of the tree, and that of 
a branch coming off at a very acute angle. The birds were engaged in con- 
structing it during eight days, working chiefly in the morning and evening. 
Previous to their selecting the spot, I frequently saw them examining the 
tree, warbling together as if congratulating each other on their good fortune 
in finding so snug a place. One morning I observed both of them at work; 
they had already attached some slender blades of grass to the knots on the 
branch and the bark of the trunk, and had given them a circular disposition. 
They continued working downwards and outwards, until the structure 

Vou. bY. 21 


150 THE WARBLING VIREO. 


exhibited the form of their delicate tenement. Before the end of the second 
day, bits of hornets’ nests and particles of corn-husks had been attached to it 
by pushing them between the rows of grass, and fixing them with silky 
substances. On the third day, the birds were absent, nor could I hear them 
anywhere in the neighbourhood, and thinking that a cat might have caught 
them from the edge of the roof, I despaired of seeing them again. On the 
fourth morning, however, their notes attracted my attention before I rose, 
and I had the pleasure of finding them at their labours. The materials 
which they now used consisted chiefly of extremely slender grasses, which 
the birds worked in a circular form within the frame which they had pre- 
viously made. The little creatures were absent nearly an hour at a time, 
and returned together bringing the grass, which I concluded they found at a 
considerable distance. Going into the street to see in what direction they 
went, I watched them for some time, and followed them as they flew from 
tree to tree towards the river. There they stopped, and looked as if care- 
fully watching me, on which I retired to a small distance, when they resumed 
their journey, and led me quite out of the village, to a large meadow, where 
stood an old hay-stack. They alighted on it, and in a few minutes each had 
selected a blade of grass. Returning by the same route, they moved so 
slowly from one tree to another, that my patience was severely tried. ‘Two 
other days were consumed in travelling for the same kind of grass. On the 
seventh I saw only the female at work, using wool and horse-hair. The eighth 
was almost entirely spent by both in smoothing the inside. They would 
enter the nest, sit in it, turn round, and press the lining, I should suppose a 
hundred times or more in the course of an hour. The male had ceased to 
warble, and both birds exhibited great concern. They went off and returned 
so often that I actually became quite tired of this lesson in the art of nest- 
building, and perhaps I should not have looked at them more that day, had 
not the cat belonging to the house made her appearance just over my head, 
on the roof, within a few feet of the nest, and at times so very near the 
affrighted and innocent creatures, that my interest was at once renewed. I 
gave chase to grimalkin, and saved the Vireos at least for that season. 

In the course of five days, an equal number of eggs was laid. They were 
small, of a rather narrow oval form, white, thinly spotted with reddish-black 
at the larger end. The birds sat alternately, though not with regularity as 
to time, and on the twelfth day of incubation the young came out. I 
observed that the male would bring insects to the female, and that after 
chopping and macerating them with her beak, she placed them in the mouth 
of her young with a care and delicacy which were not less curious than 
pleasing to me. Three or four days after, the male fed them also, and I 


THE WARBLING VIREO. 151 


thought that I saw them grow every time I turned from my drawing to peep 
at them. 

On the fifteenth day, about eight in the morning, the little birds all stood 
on the border of the nest, and were fed as usual. They continued there the 
remainder of the day, and about sunset re-entered the nest. The old birds 
I had frequently observed roosted within about a foot above them. On the 
sixteenth day after their exclusion from the egg, they took to wing, and 
ascended the branches of the tree, with surprising ease and firmness. They 
were fed another day after, on the same tree, and roosted close together in a 
row on a small twig, the parents just above them. The next morning they 
flew across the street, and betook themselves to a fine peach-orchard several 
hundred yards from my lodging. Never had Huser watched the operations 
of his bees with more intentness than I had employed on this occasion, and 
I bade them adieu at last with great regret. 

The principal food of this species consists of small black caterpillars, 
which that season infested all the poplars in the street. They searched for 
them in the manner of the Red-eyed Vireo and Blue-eyed Yellow Warbler, 
moving sidewise along the twigs, like the latter, now and then balancing 
themselves on the wing opposite their prey, and snapping it in the manner 
of the Muscicapa Ruticilla, sometimes alighting sidewise on the tree, 
seldom sallying forth in pursuit of insects more than a few yards, and 
always preferring to remain among the branches. I never saw either of the 
old birds disgorge pellets, as | have seen Pewees do. 

I observed that they now and then stood in a stiffened attitude, balancing 
their body from side to side on the joint of the tarsus and toes, as on a hinge, 
but could not discover the import of this singular action. During the love 
days of the pair mentioned above, the male would spread its little wings and 
tail, and strut in short circles round the female, pouring out a low warble so 
sweet and mellow that I can compare it only to the sounds of a good musical 
box. The female received these attentions without coyness, and I have 
often thought that these birds had been attached to each other before that 
season. 

No name could have been imposed upon this species with more propriety 
than that of the Warbling Vireo. The male sings from morning to night, 
so sweetly, so tenderly, with so much mellowness and softness of tone, and 
yet with notes so low, that one might think he sings only for his beloved, 
without the least desire to attract the attention of rivals. In this he differs 
greatly from most other birds. Even its chiding notes—tsché, tsché, were 
low and unobtruding. The nestlings uttered a lisping sound, not unlike that 
of a young mouse. The only time I saw the old birds ruffled, was on dis- 
covering a brown lizard ascending their tree. They attacked it courageously, 


152 THE WARBLING VIREO. 


indeed furiously, and although I did not see them strike it, compelled it to 
leave the place. 

The flight of the Warbling Vireo is performed by gentle glidings, and 
seldom extends to a greater length than a hundred yards at atime. I never 
saw it on the ground. 

It was never observed by me in Louisiana or Kentucky, nor does it pass 
along the maritime districts of Georgia or the Carolinas; but from Virginia 
to Maine it is not uncommon, although I saw none farther north. It arrives 
in the Jerseys and Pennsylvania about the first of May, some years perhaps 
a little earlier, and proceeds farther east as the season advances. I do not 
think that it raises more than one brood each season, although I have 
observed it as late as the 15th of October in the Middle Districts, where I 
believe the greater number of these birds spend the summer. Not one 
could I see during the winter in the Floridas, where, however, the White- 
eyed and Red-eyed Vireos were frequently heard in full song. 

It is very surprising that this species, which is found on the Columbia 
river, and in our Middle and Eastern Districts, enters, traverses, and leaves 
the United States in a manner unknown to any one. When on my way to 
the Texas, I met with most of our small birds, but with none of this species. 


W arsine F'iycatcHer, Muscicapa melodia, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. v. p. 85. 

Vireo ciLtvus, Bonap. Syn., p. 70. 

W arsine Vireo, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 309. 

Warsiinc FLycaTcuer or Vireo, Vireo gilvus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 114; vol. 
V. p. 433. 


Upper parts light greenish-olive, the head and hind neck greyish-brown; 
a white band over the eye; wings and tail brown, quills edged with green; 
lower parts dull yellowish-white, the sides tinged with yellow. 

Male, 5}, 83. 

From Texas to Maine, and in the interior to Columbia river. Abundant. 


Migratory. 


Tue Swamp MAGNOLIA. 


Maeno.ia GLauca, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. ii. p. 1256. Pursh, Flor. Amer. Sept., vol. ii. p. 
381. Mich., Arbr. Forest. de Amer. Septentr., vol. iii. p. 78, pl. 2.—PoLYANDRIA 
PotyeyniA, Linn.—Maceno.ia, Juss. 


The swamp magnolia is abundant in all marshy places from Louisiana to 
Connecticut, growing in groves in and around the swamps. It seldom 
exceeds twenty feet in height, and is more usually eight or ten. The flowers 


a 


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BARTRAWM’S VIREO. 153 


have an agreeable odour, but are of short duration, although the tree con- 
tinues blooming for several months. It is not unfrequent to find it, in the 
Southern States, in flower during autumn. The species is characterized by 
its ovate leaves, which are glaucous beneath, and its obovate petals, narrowed 
at the base. It bears different names in the different States, such as swamp 
laurel, swamp sassafras, sweet bay, white bay, &c. 


BARTRAM’S VIREO, OR GREENLET. 


+ Vireo Bartram, Swains. 
PLATE CCXLII.—Matez. 


This species has been named as above by my friend W1iiLt1Am Swainson, 
Esq., from whom I received a specimen procured in Mexico, which cor- 
responds in every respect with those which I have myself procured in the 
States of New Jersey and Kentucky. I consider it as a species generally 
overlooked in America, confounded with, or mistaken for, the Red-eyed 
Vireo; but I have not been able to ascertain its range with us, although I 
strongly suspect that it proceeds very far northward as well as westward. 

A remarkable difference between this and the Red-eyed Vireo is, that it 
rarely if ever ascends even moderately tall trees, as the latter is wont to do, 
but almost constantly remains in low and close thickets, in the manner of 
the White-eyed Vireo, of the petulance and activity of which it also pos- 
sesses a portion, as well as its disregard of the approach of man, or indeed 
of any other intruder. I have not unfrequently remained a considerable 
time, within a few yards of one, listening with delight to its sweetly varied 
and plaintive notes, which it poured forth just as if no enemy were near, 
and now and then peeped at me as if it wished that we were better 
acquainted. 

The nest of this bird is seldom placed at a greater height from the ground 
than four feet. In two instances I have found it attached to two strong 
blades of coarse grass growing from beneath a thicket of brambles, not above 
two feet from the earth. It is truly pensile, about three inches deep, and 
formed wholly of slender grasses and fibrous roots. The eggs are usually 
pure white, without any spots or dots. I have not been able to ascertain if 


it breeds twice in the season, although I suspect it does. 
Wor. 1V. 22 


154 BARTRAM’S VIREO. 


There is a greater difference as to colour between the sexes of this species 
than between those of the Red-eyed. The female is generally much less 
pure in its tints, while the males have usually much more of a yellow- 
ish tint on their upper and under plumage than is observed in the same sex 
of the other species. 


Vireo Bartramu, Swains., BAaRTRAM’s GREENLET, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., 
vol. ii. p. 235. 
Bartram’s Vireo, Vireo Bartramii, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 296. 


Adult Male. 

Bill of moderate length, strong, rather broader than high at the base, 
compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line descending 
and slightly convex, the tip very narrow, acute, declinate, the ridge very 
narrow, the sides a little convex, the edges sharp, overlapping, with a slight 
notch close to the tip; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length 
and rather narrowed, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the back 
narrow, the sides convex, the edges inclinate, the tip acute and ascending. 
Nostrils basal, oblong, operculate. 

Head rather large, ovate; neck short; body rather stout. Feet of ordinary 
length; tarsus compressed, with seven anterior broad scutella, edged behind; 
toes slender, the first strong, the second much shorter than the fourth; claws 
rather stout, much curved, compressed, laterally grooved, acute. 

Plumage soft and blended. Wings of moderate length, the first quill a 
twelfth and a half shorter than the fifth, three-twelfths shorter than the 
second, which is equal to the third, and exceeds the fourth only by a quarter 
of a twelfth. Tail rather long, 
equal, and one-twelfth shorter than the longest. 


nearly even, the lateral and middle feathers 


Bill brown above, pale bluish-grey beneath. Feet bluish-grey. The 
general colour of the plumage above is light yellowish-olive, the crown of 
the head deep grey, bordered on each side by a line of blackish, below which 
is a line of yellowish-white passing from the nostril over the eye, the loral 
space dusky. Quills brown, yellowish-olive on the outer margin, whitish 
on the inner. Tail wood-brown, margined with paler. The lower parts are 
white, the breast tinged with pale yellow, the throat and sides with grey. 

Length to end of tail 4% inches; extent of wings 73; bill along the ridge 
6 2) 


3%, along the edge of lower mandible £3; wing from flexure 27%; tail 22%; 
1 


tarsus ;8;; hind toe +3, its claw 23; middle toe £3, its claw 25. 

This species is almost exactly similar to Vireo olivaceus in colour, but is 
considerably smaller, and differs in having the wings shorter, with the first 
quill considerably shorter than the fifth, whereas in that species it is always: 


much longer, generally exceeding even the fourth. 


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155 


THE RED-EYED VIREO, OR GREENLET. 


+VireEo oLivaceus, Linn. 
PLATE CCXLIU.—Mate. 


One of the principal differences between the habits of this and some other 
species, which are now called Vireos, and the Flycatchers, is, that the former 
procure their food principally by moving about, and along the branches or 
the twigs of the trees, by light hops, alternately changing sides, reaching and 
securing their prey by an elastic extension of the legs and neck, without the 
continual snapping or clicking of the bill so common among the Muscicapz 
on such occasions, and that they seldom make sorties on the wing to any 
distance, for the purpose of seizing the insects on which they usually feed. 
This habit is retained until autumn, when, insects being scarce, the Vireo 
sallies forth to a short distance in pursuit of them, as they may chance to 
pass near the tree on which, in the silent mood of a Flycatcher, it stands 
erect, using the watchful side-glances peculiar to its tribe, as it anxiously 
expects the passage of its prey. Another difference is, that Vireos are 
generally more musical, lively and gay, than Flycatchers, so that their 
society 1s more welcome to man; and, as if fully conscious of their supe- 
riority in this respect, and knowing that they commit no depredations upon 
his fruit or bees, calculated to arouse his anger, they often suffer him to 
approach with a carelessness that evidently proves the simplicity of their 
nature. The third great difference between the Vireos and Flycatchers is, 
that the former seldom, if ever, go down from the trees to the water, for the 
purpose of drinking; while the latter are often seen gliding closely over 
rivers and pools, from which they sip their drink. The Vireos quench their 
thirst with the drops of dew or rain that adhere to the leaves or twigs. I 
might add, that the quivering motions of the wings in Flycatchers when 
alighted, is not exhibited by the Vireos, at least has never been observed by 
me. On the other hand, the affinity existing between the Vireos and 
Muscicape is indicated by their being equally possessed of the power of 
regurgitation. 

The Red-eyed Vireo is an inhabitant of the whole of our forests. Now 
you hear its sweet, unaffected, musical, loud and free warble, from the inner 
top branches of a tall tree, for hours at a time, and even during the hottest 
part of the day; again, you may count each note that it utters, the little 


156 THE RED-EYED VIREO. 


vocalist resting as it were to enjoy the sounds of its own music; next moment 
all seems hurry and bustle;—it raises its voice, and chants on with great 
volubility, so loudly that one might think the little creature intent on 
drowning all other sounds. The darker the woods, the more cloudy the 
day, the more unremitting are its exertions. It is one of the earliest singers 
in spring, and among the latest in autumn. In the south-eastern parts of 
Kast Florida, where many spend the winter, I have heard its notes and those 
of the White-eyed Vireo, even at that season. In South Carolina, in the 
neighbourhood of Charleston, I have heard and seen it early in the month of 
February, when scarce a leaf was yet expanded. It is not seen in Louisiana 
until the beginning of March, and I am inclined to think that perhaps an 
equal number of these birds come to us from the West India Islands or from 
Mexico. 

Few birds seem to enjoy life more than this Vireo, for at almost every 
short cessation of its song, it is seen making a movement or two up or along 
a branch, searching with extreme diligence for food, peeping cautiously 
under the leaves, and examining each bud or blossom with a care peculiarly 
its own. It may be seen flying from one tree to another with indefatigable 
industry, and this not only from morning to night, but during the whole 
time of its stay with us. 

So abundant is this bird, and so prodigal of its song, that any one paying 
the least attention is sure to hear it either from the trees which embellish the 
streets of the villages and cities, or the gardens and woods. The principal 
notes resemble the syllables pewee, pea, sho-re, sheire, chew-ree piwit. 
They are, as I have said, clear, loud, and melodious. 

The flight of this bird is altogether performed in a gliding manner, and 
when it is engaged in pursuit of a rival or an enemy, it passes through the 
woods with remarkable swiftness. It is an affectionate parent, generally 
leading about its young, particularly its second brood; for it often breeds 
twice in the year, even in the State of Massachusetts, or far up on the Mis- 
sissippl. On such occasions, the parents proceed through the woods with 
more care, and on the least appearance of danger utter a querulous note, the 
meaning of which is so well understood by the little family, that they 
seldom fail to hide or become mute in an instant. The young are fed for 
several weeks after they leave the nest, and, I believe, migrate with the old 
ones, for I have frequently seen them on the move until dusk, and going to 
roost together at nightfall. I do not recollect ever having seen one of them 
on the ground. 

Like the true Flycatchers, these birds eject small pellets formed of the 
hard crusts of the abdomen, legs, and other parts of insects. I have but very 


THE RED-EYED VIREO. 7 


seldom seen them feeding on berries of any kind, although in Louisiana I 
have observed them pecking at ripe figs. 

The nest of the Red-eyed Vireo is small, and extremely neat. It is gene- 
rally suspended, at a moderate height, from the slender twigs forming the 
fork at the end of a branch. I have found some situated so low that I could 
easily look into them, while others were hung thirty feet over head. Dog- 
wood trees seem to be preferred by them, although I have found the nests on 
oaks, beeches, and sugar-maples, as well as on tall grasses. The male bird 
frequently leads you to the discovery of the nest, by its great anxiety about 
the safety of its mate. The outer parts are firmly attached to the twigs, the 
fibres being warped around them in various directions. The materials are 
usually the bark of the grape-vine, the silk of large cocoons, some lichens, 
particles of hornets’ or wasps’ nests, and decayed worm-eaten leaves. The 
lining, which is beautifully disposed, consists of fibrous roots, grasses, and 
now and then the hair of various quadrupeds, especially the grey squirrel 
and racoon. The nest, however, differs greatly in different latitudes; for, in 
the Middle States, they often use the leaves of the pine, cedar, and hemlock, 
which they glue together apparently with their saliva. The eggs are from 
four to six, pure white, sparingly spotted at the larger end with reddish- 
brown or blackish dots. They are laid in Pennsylvania about the first of 
June, and later in more northern parts. 

The eyes of the young are of an umber colour, and do not become red 
until the following spring. Those of some shot in the Floridas in January, 
had not changed their colour. In February I shot two, each of which had 
a red and a brown eye. 

This bird, as well as the White-eyed Vireo, is often called to nurse the 
young of the Cow-bird, which deposits its egg in the nests of either species, 
assured that it will be properly treated. No difference exists in the plumage, 
or even size of the sexes. 

It appears that an individual of this species was procured at Cumberland 
House, lat. 54° N., and a description of it is given in the Fauna Boreali- 
Americana, but without a single word as to its times of appearance and 
departure. My friend Dr. Tuomas M. Brewer has sent me the following 
curious notice respecting this species. “There is connected with the egg of 
this bird which I sent you, a fact of some interest, both as displaying its kind 
nature, and as establishing a fact in natural history. Mr. Orp says, in his paper 
in Loupon’s Magazine, that ‘it is probable, that if the Cow-bird deposits her 
egg in a nest wherein the owner has not yet begun to lay, the nest is either 
abandoned forthwith, or the egg of the intruder is buried by the addition of 
fresh materials, so that it becomes abortive!’ Let us see if this be so. On 
the 10th of June, 1836, I found the nest of the Red-eyed Vireo nearly 


158 THE RED-EYED VIREO. 


finished. It was situated on the extremity of a branch of an oak, at the 
height of about 30 feet. Being in that situation quite inaccessible, I fastened 
a cord to the end of the limb, and by bringing it closer to the body of the 
tree and securing it in that situation, I put it within reach. Although by 
this means the nest was nearly inverted, the bird did not forsake it, but 
built up the under side, and adapted it to its new situation. About a fort- 
night after, I found in the nest two eggs of the Cow Troopial advanced in 
incubation, although there were none of the eggs of the owner of the nest. 
On the 30th of the same month, the egg of the Vireo was found to have been 
added. This had been sat upon a few days; and those of the Troopial were 
nearly ready to be hatched. This fact is one of the most satisfactory kind, 
for not merely one, but actually ¢wo eggs of the Cow Blackbird were 
deposited, and instead of being forsaken were incubated for at least a week 
before the bird was ready to lay any of her eggs; and although repeatedly 
disturbed, first by having her empty and unfinished nest nearly inverted, 
then by having the eggs of the Cow-bird removed and afterwards replaced 
in order to put their identity beyond doubt, and again by having her own 
eggs removed, she still clung to her adopted younglings with unexampled 
fidelity.’’ 


Rep-EveD Fiycatcurer, Muscicapa olivacea, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 55. 

VirE0 OLIvaceus, Bonap. Syn., p. 71. 

Vireo otivaceus, Red-eyed Greenlet, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 233. 
Rep-EYED VireEO, Vireo olivaceus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 287; vol. v. p. 430. 


Adult Male. 

Bill of moderate length, strong, depressed at the base, compressed towards 
the end, somewhat ascending. Upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly 
convex, the sides convex, the edges sharp and notched towards the end, the 
tip acute and suddenly deflected; lower mandible with the dorsal line also 
slightly convex, the back rounded, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip 
acute. Nostrils basal, lateral, oblong. Head rather large, neck short, body 
rather robust. Feet of ordinary length; tarsus compressed, anteriorly 
scutellate, sharp behind; toes slender, free; claws arched, compressed, acute. 

Plumage soft and blended. Wings rather long, the second and third 
primaries longest; tail of ordinary length, slightly emarginate. Bristles at 
the base of the bill short. 

Bill brown above, pale bluish-grey beneath. Iris red. Feet bluish-grey. 
The general colour of the plumage above is light yellowish-olive, the crown 
of the head deep-grey, bordered on each side by a line of blackish, below 
which is a line of greyish-white passing from the nostril over the eye. 


THE RED-EYED VIREO. 159 


Quills dusky, olivaceous on the outer margin, white on the inner. Tail 
wood-brown. The lower parts are white, the breast and sides tinged with 
pale yellow. 

Length 53 inches, extent of wings 9; bill along the back nearly 4, along 
the edge 3% tarsus 3%. 

The female resembles the male, but is of a duller white beneath. 

From Texas to Nova Scotia, and through the interior. Accidental in the 


Fur Countries. Abundant. Migratory. 


Honey-Locust. 


GLEDITSCHIA TRIACANTHOS, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. iv. p. 1097. Pursh, Flor. Amer. Sept., 
vol. i. p. 221.—Potyeamia Diccia, Linn.—Lecuminosa, Juss. 


FAMILY XXI.—PIPRINAL MANAKINS. 


Bill short, stout, straight, depressed, being much broader than high at the 
base, with the dorsal line arched, the ridge narrow, the sides sloping, the 
gap-line straightish or slightly arched, the notches rather large, the tip very 
small and declinate. Head rather large, broadly ovate; neck short; body 
compact. Tarsus of moderate length, compressed, with seven anterior 
scutella; toes small, the hind one not much stouter, the lateral equal. ‘Claws 
moderate, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft, full, and blended. 
Wings of moderate length, broad, and rounded. Tail short or of moderate 
length, generally rounded. Roof of upper mandible concave, with a promi- 
nent median line; tongue triangular, horny, thin-edged, rather obtuse, bristly 
at the end; cesophagus wide, without dilatation; stomach rather small, 
roundish, moderately muscular, with a dense rugous epithelium; intestine 
short, of moderate width; cceca very small. 


160 


Genus I—ICTERIA, Vieill. CHAT. 


Bill of moderate length, stout, slightly arched, broad at the base, com- 
pressed toward the end; upper mandible with the sides convex, the edges 
sharp, destitute of notch, the tip acute and a little declinate; lower mandible 
with the dorsal line nearly straight, the edge-line slightly arched and inflect- 
ed. Nostrils roundish, half covered by a vaulted membrane. General form 
rather robust; head ovate, neck short, body moderate. Legs of moderate 
length, slender; tarsus compressed, anteriorly covered with eight scutella, of 
which the upper are blended; two lateral toes nearly equal, the hind one not 
much stouter. Claws moderate, arch much compressed, laterally grooved, 
very acute. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles very small. Wings of 
moderate length, rounded, third and fourth primaries longest, second little 
shorter, first longer than sixth. ‘Tail rather long, rounded. 


THE YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. 


+IcTERIA viripis, Gmel. 
PLATE CCXLIV.—Mates, Femaue anp Nest. 


This singular bird is extremely plentiful in Louisiana, Georgia, and the 
Carolinas, during spring and summer. It arrives in the first of those States 
as soon as the blossoms of the dog-wood mark the return of the vernal 
season. Many continue their migrations eastward as far as Connecticut, but 
beyond this the species is seldom if ever seen. I have found it equally 
abundant in Kentucky, particularly in the barrens of that State; and it 
ascends the Ohio, spreading over the country, and extending as far as the 
borders of Lake Erie in Pennsylvania. It never enters what is properly 
called the woods, preferring at all periods of its short stay with us, the large 


Ne 49. PL 244. 


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THE YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. 161 


tangled and almost impenetrable patches of briars, sumach, prickly ash, and 
different species of smilax, wherever a rivulet or a pool may be found. 

As in other migratory species, the males precede the females several days. 
As soon as they have arrived, they give free vent to their song at all hours 
of the day, renewing it at night when the weather is calm, and the moon 
shines brightly, seeming intent on attracting the females, by repeating in 
many varied tones the ardency of their passion. Sometimes the sounds are 
scarcely louder than a whisper, now they acquire strength, deep guttural 
notes roll in slow succession as if produced by the emotion of surprise, then 
others clear and sprightly glide after each other, until suddenly, as if the 
bird had become confused, the voice becomes a hollow bass. The performer 
all the while looks as if he were in the humour of scolding, and moves from 
twig to twig among the thickets with so much activity and in so many 
directions, that the notes reach the ear as it were from opposite places at the 
same moment. Now the bird mounts in the air in various attitudes, with 
its legs and feet hanging, while it continues its song and jerks its body with 
great vehemence, performing the strangest and most whimsical gesticulations; 
the next moment it returns to the bush. If you imitate its song, it follows 
your steps with caution, and responds to each of your calls, now and then 
peeping at you for a moment, the next quite out of sight. Should you have 
a dog, which will enter its briary retreat, it will skip about him, scold him, 
and frequently perch, or rise on wing above the thicket, so that you may 
easily shoot it. 

The arrival of the females is marked by the redoubled exertions of the 
males, who now sing as if delirious with the pleasurable sensations they 
experience. Before ten days have elapsed, the pairs begin to construct their 
nest, which is placed in any sort of bush or briar, seldom more than six feet 
from the ground, and frequently not above two or three. It is large, and 
composed externally of dry leaves, small sticks, strips of vine bark and 
grasses, the interior being formed of fibrous roots and horse-hair. The eggs 
are four or five, of a light flesh colour, spotted with reddish-brown. In 
Louisiana and the Carolinas, these birds have two broods in the season; but in 
Pennsylvania, where they seldom lay before the 20th of May, they have 
only one brood. The eggs are hatched in twelve days. The male is seldom 
heard to sing after the breeding season, and they all depart from the Union 
by the middle of September. Their eggs and young are frequently destroyed 
by snakes, and a species of insect that feeds on carrion, and burrows in the 
ground under night. The young resemble the females, and do not acquire 
the richness of the spring plumage while in the Union. 


The food of the Yellow-breasted Chat consists of coleopterous insects and 
Wor kV’, 23 


162 THE YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. 


small fruits. They are especially fond of the wild strawberries so abundant 
in the Kentucky barrens. 

When migrating they move from bush to bush by day, and frequently 
continue their march by night, especially should the moon be out and the 
weather pleasant. Their flight is short and irregular at all times. When 
alighted, they frequently jerk their tail, squat, and spring on their legs, and 
are always in a state of great activity. I never observed them chasing 
insects on the wing. 

I have presented you with several figures of this singular species, to shew 
you their positions when on the wing performing their antics in the love 
season as well as when alighted. The wild rose branch with the nest, was 
cut out of a thicket for the purpose which you see accomplished. 


YELLOW-BREASTED Cuat, Pipra polyglotta, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 90. 

IcTerRta viripis, Bonap. Syn., p. 69. 

Y ELLOW-BREASTED Cuat, /cteria viridis, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 299. 

Y ELLOW-BREASTED Cuat, IJcteria viridis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 223; vol. v. p. 433. 


Adult Male. 

Bill of moderate length, strong, slightly arched, broad at the base, com- 
pressed towards the end; upper mandible with the sides convex, the edges 
acute, destitute of notch, the tip acute, and a little declinate; lower mandible 
with the dorsal line nearly straight, the edge line slightly arched and inflected. 
Nostrils rounded, half covered by a vaulted membrane. The form is rather 
robust. Legs of moderate length, slender; tarsus compressed, anteriorly 
scutellate, sharp behind; two lateral toes nearly equal, the hind one not much 
stouter; claws small, compressed, acute. 

Plumage blended. Wings of moderate length, rounded; third and fourth 
primaries longest, second almost equal, first a little shorter. Tail longish, 
rounded. Feathers of the throat and breast with a silky gloss. 

Bill black, the base of lower mandible blue. Iris hazel. Feet greyish- 
blue. The general colour of the upper parts is deep olive-green; the inner 
webs of the tail-feathers and quills, and the ends of the latter, dusky-brown. 
A line over the eye, a small streak under it, and a spot at the base of the 
lower mandible, white. Lore black. Throat and breast bright yellow, 
abdomen and under tail-coverts white. 

Length 7 inches; extent of wings 9; bill along the ridge 5%, along the 
edge =%; tarsus 18. 

Adult Female. 

The female scarcely differs from the male in any perceptible degree, and 
is of the same size. 


THE YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. 162 


From Texas to Connecticut. Inland as far as Kentucky. Abundant. 
Migratory. 

In an adult male preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth is nearly flat 
behind, anteriorly arched and decurved, with a prominent median ridge. 
The posterior aperture of the nares is linear, 5 twelfths long, with the 
margins papillate. The tongue is 7 twelfths long, deeply emarginate and 
papillate at the base, channelled above, tapering to a horny point, which is 
rather blunt, but terminates in a number of slender bristles, of which there 
are also some on its edges. The cesophagus is 24 inches long, funnel-shaped 
at the commencement, then 3 twelfths in width, and so continuing. The 
stomach is rather small, considerably compressed, roundish, 7 twelfths long, 
6 twelfths broad; its muscles moderate and distinct, its tendons rather large; 
its cuticular lining thin, tough, brownish-red, with six rugze on one side, and 
four on the other. Its contents are remains of insects. ‘The intestine is 6} 
inches long, 1 twelfths in width; the ccoeca are extremely minute, being 
only + twelfth in length. 

The trachea is 1 inch 9 twelfths long, considerably flattened, its breadth 
1 twelfth. The rings are 70 in number, and 2 dimidiate rings. The bronchi 
are short, of 10 half rings. There are four pairs of inferior laryngeal 
muscles, similar to those of the Shrikes. 


THE Sweet Briar. 
Rosa RUBIGINOSA ?—IcOSANDRIA PoLycyniA, Linn.—Rosacen, Juss. 


The sweet briar is very generally distributed in the United States. 1 
have found it from Louisiana to the extremities of Nova Scotia along the 
Atlantic coast, and as far in the interior as I have travelled. The delicious 
odour of its leaves never fails to gratify the person who brushes through 
patches of it, while the delicate tints of its flowers reminds one of the love- 
liness of female beauty in its purest and most blooming state. Truly a 
“sweet home’? must be the nest that is placed in an eglantine bower, and 
happy must be the bird that in the midst of fragrance is cheered by the 
warble of her ever loving mate. 


164 


FAMILY XXIT.—AMPELINAX. CHATTERERS. 


Bill short, depressed, rather weak, triangular when viewed from above, 
compressed at the end, its upper outline arched, the gap-line nearly straight, 
the notches very small, the tip very small and declinate. Nostrils elliptical, 
partially concealed by reversed bristly feathers. Head ovate; neck short; 
body moderate or full. Feet short; tarsus short, rather stout, compressed; 
toes rather small. Claws rather long, arched, much compressed, acute. 
Plumage generally blended and glossy. Wings of moderate length, broad. 
Tail short or of moderate length. Roof of upper mandible rather concave, 
with three longitudinal ridges; tongue horny, deeply slit; cesophagus very 
wide, dilated about the middle; stomach small, elliptical, moderately muscular; 
intestine of moderate length and very wide; cceca very small. Trachea 
simple, with four pairs of very small inferior laryngeal muscles. 


Genus I—BOMBYCILLA, Briss. WAXWING. 


Bill short, rather stout, straightish, broader than high at the base, com- 
pressed towards the end; upper mandible with its dorsal line convex and 
declinate towards the tip, which is deflected, narrow, and rather acute, its 
sides convex, the edges sharp and overlapping, the notches distinct; lower 
mandible with the angle short and wide, the dorsal line convex and ascend- 
ing, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip very small, acute, ascending, with 
a small sinus behind; gap-line nearly straight. Nostrils oval, partially con- 
cealed by the reversed stiffish feathers. Head of ordinary size, ovate; neck 
short; body full. Feet rather short; tarsus short, rather stout, compressed, 
with six scutella; toes of moderate size, first stout, broad beneath, outer 
slightly adherent at the base; inner a little shorter. Claws rather long, 
arched, much compressed, very acute. Plumage blended, very soft, some- 
what silky, but with little gloss; head tufted; no bristles. Wings rather 
long, broad, and pointed, the first quill longest. Tail of moderate length, 
even. This genus is remarkable for the oblong bright red horny appendages 
to the tips*of the wings and tail-feathers, which, however, are not seen in all 


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BLACK-THROATED WAXWING. 165 


the species. Roof of upper mandible slightly concave, with three ridges; 
tongue triangular, concave, horny, deep slit, with two slender points; cso- 
phagus very wide, much dilated about the middle; stomach rather small, 
elliptical, muscular; intestine short and extremely wide; cceca very small. 


BLACK-THROATED WAXWING, OR BOHEMIAN 
CHATTERER. 


+BomBYCILLA GARRULA, Vieill. 
PLATE CCXLV.—Mate anv Femate. 


The first intimations of the occurrence of this beautiful bird in North 
America, were made by Mr. Drummonp and Dr. Ricuarpson, by the former 
of whom it was found in 1826, near the sources of the Athabasca, or Elk 
river, in the spring, and by the latter, in the same season, at Great Bear 
Lake, in latitude 50°. Dr. Ricuarpsow states, in the Fauna Boreali-Ame- 
ricana, that “specimens procured at the former place, and transmitted to 
England, by the servants of the Hudson’s Bay Company, were communi- 
cated by Mr. LeapsratTer to the Prince of Musienano, who had introduced 
the species into his great work on the Birds of the United States.”” “In its 
autumn migration southwards,’ he continues, “this bird must cross the 
territory of the United States, if it does not actually winter within it; but I 
have not heard of its having been hitherto seen in America to the southward 
of the fifty-fifth parallel of latitude. ‘The mountainous nature of the country 
skirting the Northern Pacific Ocean being congenial to the habits of this 
species, it is probably more generally diffused in New Caledonia and the 
Russian American Territories, than to the eastward of the Rocky Mountain 
chain. It appears in flocks at Great Bear Lake about the 24th of May, 
when the spring thaw has exposed the berries of the alpine arbutus, marsh 
vaccinium, &c., that have been frozen and covered during winter. It stays 
only for a few days, and none of the Indians of that quarter with whom I 
conversed had seen its nests; but I have reason to believe, that it retires in 
the breeding season to the rugged and secluded mountain-limestone districts, 
in the sixty-seventh and sixty-eighth parallels, where it feeds on the fruit of 


166 BLACK-THROATED WAXWING. 


the common juniper, which abounds in those places.’? In a note, he further 
states: —“I observed a large flock, consisting of at least three or four hundred 
individuals, on the banks of the Saskatchewan at Carlton House, early in 
May 1827. ‘They alighted in a grove of poplars, settling all on one or two 
trees, and making a loud twittering noise. They stayed only about one hour 
in the morning, and were too shy to allow me to approach within gunshot.” 

IT am informed by Mr. TownsEnp, who has spent about four years in the 
Columbia river district and on the Rocky Mountains, that he did not observe 
there a single bird of this species. In the autumn of 1832, whilst rambling 
near Boston, my sons saw a pair, which they pursued more than an hour, 
but without success. The most southern locality in which I have known it 
to be procured, is the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, where, as well as on 
Long Island, several were shot in 1830 and 1832. The specimens from 
which I made the figures of the male and female represented in the plate, 
were given to me by my friend Tuomas M‘Curzrocn of Pictou, in Nova 
Scotia, who procured several others in the winter of 1834. The following 
account of the affection displayed by one towards its companion, with which 
he has also favoured me, will be found highly interesting. 

“During the winter of 1834, many species of the northern birds were 
more than usually abundant in the province of Nova Scotia, being driven, no 
doubt, from their customary places of resort by the cold which was very 
intense at the commencement of the season. Large flocks of the Lozxia 
Enucleator appeared in every part of the country, while the Fringilla 
Linaria, of which we had not seen a single specimen for upwards of two 
years, could be shot at almost any hour of the day, in the streets of Pictou; 
and we were often told of birds being seen, which from the description we 
could not recognise as belonging to any species with which we were already 
acquainted. The first day of the year having proved uncommonly mild, I 
went out, accompanied by my father, with the expectation of obtaining 
something new for our collection of birds. We had scarcely left our own 
door when we observed a small flock alight in a thicket of evergreens a short 
distance from where we stood. Thinking they were Pine Grosbeaks, we 
directed the man who was with us to push on and obtain a shot. He did so, 
and we just arrived in time to pick up a pair of birds which he had killed. 
One glance was sufficient to shew us that they were not what we had sup- 
posed, but a species we had never previously seen or heard of as visiting 
that portion of the Continent. You, my dear sir, have often enjoyed such 
moments, and therefore can easily conceive the intense delight with which 
we surveyed our prize, and how anxiously we watched the progress of the 
remainder, as they flew to an adjoining thicket, where one immediately 
disappeared, while the other took its station on the top of a spruce, from 


BLACK-THROATED WAXWING. 167 


which its simple ¢ze tze tze was uttered with the greatest vehemence, as if 
calling on its companions to hasten from the danger which it had recently 
escaped. Seeing the bird so very watchful, we made a small circuit with 
the view of diverting its attention, and at the same time of looking for the 
one by which it was accompanied, as I conceived it to be severely wounded, 
from the apparent difficulty of its flight. After a careful examination of the 
bush we at length observed it upon a low twig, and from its inattention to 
the calls of its mate, and the cowering position in which it sat, I concluded 
that it was unable to make another attempt to escape. Giving it an occa- 
sional glance, we turned towards the other, which still retained its former 
station on the top of the spruce, though its uneasiness seemed to increase at 
every step. While the man was cautiously working his way through the 
thick alder, in order to get within shot, I carefully examined the bird, which 
certainly presented a very interesting object. It stood almost as upright as 
the top on which it was perched, its height being much increased by its long 
and graceful crest being quite erect, while at the same time its wings were 
kept in a constant jerking motion, as if in readiness to remove at a moment’s 
notice. Independent of the mere beauty of the bird, there was something 
deeply interesting in the anxiety for the safety of its mate, so touchingly 
displayed by the force and rapidity of its simple but affectionate warning. 
The motion of the alders frightened the bird, and I had the mortification of 
seeing it rise in the air, as if about to commence a lofty and long-continued 
fight. Unwilling to give it up, I watched its progress with longing eyes, 
but at last, when about turning away in despair, it suddenly wheeled about, 
dashed by with great velocity, gently brushed its companion, and thus by 
dispelling its stupor induced it to make another effort to escape the danger 
which threatened its destruction. Though surprised and delighted with this 
singular display of fidelity and affection, I felt not a little disappointed to see 
them both about to elude our grasp. The weakness of the wounded bird, 
however, soon induced it to seek concealment in another thicket, while the 
other, still faithful to a friend in distress, alighted as formerly on a spruce 
top, whence it could both see and warn it of approaching danger. As we 
again drew near, its anxiety seemed to be redoubled, while its notes were 
uttered with corresponding quickness and energy; but before we could get 
within reach, it again launched into the air, and made off, calling on the 
other to follow with all possible speed. After flying for some time, and 
finding itself unattended, it again returned and alighted on a top near the 
one it had just left. The opportunity was too good to be lost, and notwith- 
standing our admiration of this additional instance of its fidelity, we shot it 
down, affection for its species being the occasion of its ruin. These, my dear 
sir, are all the observations I was enabled to make upon these interesting 


168 BLACK-THROATED WAXWING. 


birds, during the short and only time they ever came under my notice. 
From the man I learned that before the first shot they were quite mute, and 
unsuspicious of danger. Some days after these were obtained, a single one 
was observed by my father repeatedly to come and sit for a considerable 
time on some willows at the bottom of our garden, but not being accustomed 
to the use of a gun, he did not procure it. Whether this was the wounded 
one or not, we could not tell, but from the affection of the bird for its kind, 
we thought that possibly it might be that one in search of its lost com- 


panions.”’ 


BompyciL_a GARRULA, European Chatterer, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. 
p. 237. 

BompyciLia GARRULA, Bonap. Syn., p. 438. 

BompyciLia GARRULA, Bonap. Amer. Orn., vol. iii. pl. 16. 

European Waxen Cuatrerer, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 579. 

Bouemian CuatTrereEr, Bombycilla garrula, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 462. 


General colour light greyish-brown, passing behind in ash-grey, before 
into brownish-orange, of which colour are the forehead, a patch on each side 
of the throat near the base of the bill, and the feathers under the tail; a band 
of deep black from the nasal membrane over the eye to the top of the head, 
where it is concealed by the crest; feathers at the base of the lower mandible 
and a narrow streak below the eye, white; upper part of throat deep black; 
feathers of the wings greyish-black; primary coverts largely tipped with 
white; primary quills with a bright yellow, secondary with a white elongated 
spot at the end of the outer web, and tipped with oblong wax-red append- 
ages; tail light grey at the base, gradually shaded into deep black, with a 
broad band of bright yellow. Female similar to the male, but somewhat 
smaller. Oblong waxen appendages to the secondary quills, varying from 
seven to three, sometimes wanting, especially in young birds; males with the 
shafts of the tail-feathers very slightly enlarged at the end, and bright red. 
Carefully compared with European specimens. 

Male, 93, 162. 

From New York, eastward and northward, to the Fur Countries. 


PL 246. 


INE DOs 


Cue ye. € 
sm 2 & 
Cedar lz 2; or 


/. Mate 2. Ferru le 


7 Ze 2 
Led. Cedar 


Drasen trom Nature ty I. I Audubon: ERS ELS Lith! Printed & Olt bys. 7: Bowen Phuilad. 


169 


CEDAR WAXWING, OR CEDAR-BIRD. 


+BoMBYCILLA CAROLINENSIS, Briss. 
PLATE CCXLVI.—Mate anp Femate. 


Louisiana affords abundance of food and pleasant weather to this species, 
for nearly four months of the year, as the Cedar-birds reach that State about 
the beginning of November, and retire towards the Middle Districts in the 
beginning of March. The holly, the vines, the persimon, the pride-of- 
china, and various other trees, supply them with plenty of berries and fruits, 
on which they fatten, and become so tender and juicy as to be sought by 
every epicure for the table. I have known an instance of a basketful of these 
little birds having been forwarded to New Orleans as a Christmas present. 
The donor, however, was disappointed in his desire to please his friend in 
that city, for it was afterwards discovered that the steward of the steamer, 
in which they were shipped, made pies of them for the benefit of the pas- 
sengers. 

The appetite of the Cedar-bird is of so extraordinary a nature as to prompt 
it to devour every fruit or berry that comes in its way. In this manner they 
gorge themselves to such excess as sometimes to be unable to fly, and suffer 
themselves to be taken by the hand. Indeed I have seen some which, 
although wounded and confined in a cage, have eaten of apples until suffo- 
cation deprived them of life in the course of a few days. When opened 
afterwards, they were found to be gorged to the mouth. 

It is a beautiful bird, but without any song, even during the breeding 
season, having only a note which it uses for the purpose of calling or rallying 
others of its species. This note is feeble, and as it were lisping, yet perfectly 
effectual, for when uttered by one in a flock within hearing of another party, 
the latter usually check their flight, and alight pellmell on the same tree. 

Their flight is easy, continued, and often performed at a considerable 
height. The birds move in close bodies, sometimes amounting to large 
flocks, making various circumyolutions before they alight, and then coming 
down in such numbers together as to seem to be touching each other. At 
this particular moment, or while performing their evolutions, some dozens 
may be killed at a single shot; but if this opportunity is lost, the next 
moment after they alight, the whole group is in motion, dispersing over 
every bough to pick the berries which attracted them from the air. Their 

Vox. IV. 24 


170 CEDAR WAXWING. 


crest is now erected, their wings are seen constantly moving, and so eagerly 
do they grasp at the berries that they suffer many of them to fall. Every 
flock passing within hearing is invited to join in the feast, and in a few hours 
the tree is entirely stripped of its fruit. In this manner they search the 
whole of the forests, and towards winter are even satisfied with the berries 
of the dog-wood. _As the cherries and mulberries ripen in the Middle 
Districts, the Cedar-bird pays them frequent visits, and when these are out 
of season, the blackberries and huckleberries have their turn. After this, 
the Cedars supply a new and favourite food. I think the name of Frutt- 
devourers would be more applicable to these birds than that of Chatterers, 
which they bear among naturalists. 

They are excellent fly-catchers also, spending much of their time in the 
pursuit of winged insects. This is by way of dessert, and is not managed 
with the vivacity or suddenness of true Fly-catchers, but with a kind of 
listlessness. They start from the branches, and give chase to the insects, 
ascending after them for a few yards, or move horizontally towards them, 
perhaps rather farther than when ascending, and as soon as the prey is 
secured, return to the spot, where they continue watching with slow motions 
of the head. ‘Towards evening, this amusement is carried on for half an 
hour, or an hour at a time, and is continued longer at the approach of autumn, 
the berries then becoming scarcer. 

These birds come from the north, but the furthest place from which they 
have started I am unable to tell. They reach the Middle Districts about the 
beginning of April, and begin to pair in the beginning of June, when 
thousands of young birds of other species have already left the nest. Their 
favourite place for their nest is generally the branch of an apple-tree in the 
orchard, its horizontal direction being apparently best adapted for their taste, 
although here they are frequently very insecure, the nest being seldom 
higher than ten feet from the ground, and often so low as to be seen into. It 
is composed of coarse grasses externally, and is lined with a finer kind. The 
female usually lays four eggs, of a purplish white, marked with black spots, 
which are larger towards the great end. The young are at first fed on 
insects, but after a week the parents procure different kinds of fruits for 
them. The Cedar-bird nestles less frequently in the low lands than it does 
in the upper parts of the country, preferring the immediate neighbourhood 
of mountains. These birds are more careful of themselves during the 
intrusion of strangers to their nest, than perhaps any other species, and sneak 
off, in a very unparental manner, quite out of sight, without ever evincing 
the least appearance of sorrow on the occasion. I have not been able to 
ascertain whether they raise more than one brood in a season. 

When wounded by a shot, they fall to the ground as if dead, and remain 


CEDAR WAXWING. 171 


there in a stiffened posture, as if absolutely stupid. When taken up in the 
hand, they merely open their bill, without ever attempting to bite, and will 
suffer a person to carry them in the open hand, without endeavouring to 
make off. Their crest at such times is laid flat and close to the head. It is 
lowered or raised at the will of the bird, but more usually stands erect. 
Their plumage is silky. The females do not exhibit the waxen appendages 
on the wings so soon as the males; but these appendages form no criterion as 
to the sex. I have seen males and females with them, both at the extremities 
of the scapulars and tail-feathers, seldom more than two or three attached to 
the latter, whilst there were five or six at the former. Very few of these 
birds remain the whole winter in the Middle States. 

Now, kind reader, can you give a reason why these birds are so tardy in 
laying their eggs and rearing their young? It cannot be through want of 
fruit for the food of their progeny, as the young birds, being at first fed on 
insects, might continue to be so, at a season when these abound, and as the 
old birds themselves evince pleasure at seizing them on the wing on all 
occasions. 

I am informed by Mr. Townsrnp that this species is found about the 
Columbia river, where he procured specimens. Dr. RicHarpson speaks of 
it as not having been observed to the north of the 54th parallel. Mr. 
DruMmmMonpD saw several small flocks on the south branch of the Saskatchewan, 
on the 27th of June. I found it very numerous in the Texas, in the early 
part of May. It is known to breed from Maryland to Nova Scotia, but 
none were seen by me in Labrador or Newfoundland. Dr. Brewer has 
sent me the following note respecting it. “This is almost, if not quite, the 
only one of our birds to which Wrtson has been guilty of injustice. He has 
branded it as a thief, and denied it the possession of any redeeming quality. 
That it does not sing I admit, but that it is not deserving of our protection 
is not true. I forbear entering any plea in its behalf on account of the beauty 
of its plumage, or its bold defence of its young, which I can attest from 
actual observation, but I must commend it for the benefit which it confers, 
in this part of the country, on the farmer, by destroying thousands of the 
destructive cankerworm. I have watched it for hours together feasting on 
that deadly enemy to our orchards. It is very abundant, but does not breed 
until July. The eggs do not vary much in colour. It remains all the year 
round at Boston, and breeds abundantly in the orchards.’? The length of 
the egg is 9 twelfths, its breadth 7 twelfths. 


BomMeYCcILLA CAROLINENSIS, Briss., vol. ii. p. 337. 
Cepar Biro, Ampelis americana, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 107. 
Bompyci.ia CAROLINENSIS, Bonap. Syn., p. 59. 


172 CEDAR WAXWING. 


Cepar Birp or Cuerry Birp, Nutt. Man., vol. i. 
Cepar Birp, Bombycilla carolinensis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 227; vol. v. p. 494. 


General colour light greyish-brown, passing behind into ash-grey, before 
into pale brownish-red, of which colour is the upper part of the head; a black 
band on the forehead passing backwards over the eye to the occiput, and 
margined above and below by a narrow white band; feathers in the angle of 
the lower mandible black; abdomen pale yellow; lower tail-coverts white; 
wings and tail dull leaden-blue, darker toward the end; primaries with a very 
small pale yellow spot at the tip, secondaries tipped with an oblong wax-red 
appendage, as are the tail-feathers, of which the extremity is bright yellow. 
Female similar to the male, but somewhat 
smaller. The oblong appendages to the 
wings vary from nine to three. Young with 
the upper parts of a uniform dull greenish- 
brown, lower parts of the same colour, the 
throat pale buff, abdomen and lower tail- 
coverts yellowish-white. 

Male, 63, 11. 

From Texas northward to the Fur Coun- 
tries. Westward to the Columbia river. 
Extremely abundant in Louisiana during 
winter. 

In a male preserved in spirits, the roof of 
the mouth is slightly concave anteriorly, with 
three slight longitudinal ridges; the palate 
covered with small papilla; the posterior aper- 
ture of the nares linear-oblong, 4 twelfths in 
length, with the margin papillate; the tongue 
4 twelfths long, triangular, sagittate and papil- 
late at the base, concave above, the tip horny, 
deeply slit, with two slender points. The 
width of the mouth is 5} twelfths. The 
cesophagus, @ 6 ¢ d, is 2 inches 9 twelfths 
long, its width at the commencement 5 
twelfths; it is presently enlarged to 7 
twelfths, and increases to 8 twelfths, of 


which width it continues to the lower part 
of the neck, where it contracts to 3 twelfths; the proventriculus, ¢ d, 


CEDAR WAXWING. 173 


is 31 twelfths in breadth. The stomach, d e, is a small moderately 
muscular gizzard, of a roundish form, 74 twelfths in length, and 8 twelfths 
in breadth; its lateral muscles well defined, the right 3 twelfths, the 
left 2} twelfths thick; the tendons oblong and of moderate size; the 
epithelium dense, tough, longitudinally rugous, and of a reddish colour. 
The liver is extremely large, the right lobe 1 inch § twelfths in its greatest 
length, the left 8 twelfths. The intestine, fg 4 77, 1s short, and of excessive 
width, its length 74 inches, its breadth in the duodenal portion 4} twelfths, 
and so continuing with little diminution to the end. The duodenum, fg h, 
curves at the distance of 14 inches, passes forwards, as usual, to beneath the 
liver, then runs down the right side, bends to the left, curves again to the 
right over the duodenum, and crossing to the right over the stomach, 
terminates in the rectum. The ceca, 7, are 24 twelfths long, and 14 twelfths 
in width; their distance from the extremity 8 twelfths. There is no decided 
cloacal enlargement. In the cesophagus are several small berries; the 
stomach is filled with berries and seeds, and the intestine contains a very 
great number of the latter, so that this bird evidently has not the power of 
pounding and digestirtg such as are hard. The same circumstance is 
observed in Woodpeckers, through the intestines of which seeds pass 
unchanged. 

In another individual, the cesophagus is turgid with globular berries, 2 
twelfths in diameter, so as to form an elongated crop, lying on the right side 
of the neck, and extending over it behind. 

The trachea is 24 inches long, of the uniform width of 1 twelfth, con- 
siderably flattened, of 80 pretty firm entire, and 2 dimidiate rings. The 
muscles of the inferior larynx, although four in number, are remarkably 
small, compared with those of a Thrush. The bronchi are slender, of 18 
half rings. The lateral muscles are very slender, as are the sterno-tracheal. 

The intestine of this bird is proportionally wider than in any other 
examined. Its cesophagus assimilates it to the Finches and Buntings; its 
mouth, tongue, and intestine to the Swallows and Flycatchers. 


Tue Rep Crepar. 


Juniperus virciniana, Willd. Sp. Pl., vol. iv. p. 863. Mich. Arbr. Forest. de l’Amer. 
Septent., vol. iii. p. 42. Pl. 5.—Dic:cra monapELpuiA, Linn.—ConiFEra, Juss. 


This plant is very generally distributed in the United States, and fre- 
quently attains a height of from forty to fifty feet, with a diameter of a foot or 
fifteen inches at the base. It is distinguished by its ternate leaves, which 


174 CEDAR WAXWING.~ 


are adnate at the base, and imbricated. The berries are oval, small, and of a 
bluish colour. The wood is red, close-grained, very durable, and has a 
strong scent. Its growth is extremely slow, and this circumstance, together 
with the great destruction of the tree for various purposes, has rendered it 
difficult to procure cedar-wood of tolerable size in the more accessible parts 
of the country. 


FAMILY XXIII.—SITTINA. NUTHATCHES. 


Bill of moderate length or rather long, straight, rather slender, conico- 
subulate, somewhat compressed, with the tips acute, or cuneate. Head 
ovate; neck short; body full. Tarsi rather short, or of moderate length, 
slender, compressed, with seven or eight scutella; toes long, very slender; 
hind toe extremely long; anterior little spreading; claws long, little arched, 
slender, much compressed, acute. Plumage soft and full. Wings of mode- 
rate length, broad, rounded. ‘Tail short, broad, of twelve feathers. Roof 
of upper mandible very narrow, slightly concave, with three ridges; tongue 
very slender, with the tip abrupt and bristly; cesophagus without dilatation; 
stomach roundish, moderately muscular; intestine short and wide; cceca very 
small. Trachea simple; with a single pair of large inferior laryngeal 
muscles. Allied to the Titmice on the one hand, and the Woodpeckers on 


the other. 


Genus I—SITTA, Zinn. NUTHATCH. 


Bill rather long, or of moderate length, straight, conico-subulate, a little 
compressed, rather obtuse; upper mandible with the dorsal outline very 
slightly arched, the ridge rather narrow, the sides sloping, the edges sharp, 
without notches, the tip rather blunt; lower mandible with the angle of 
moderate length and narrow, the dorsal line ascending and very slightly 
convex, the sides slightly convex, the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, round 
operculate, partially concealed by the reversed bristly feathers. Head ovate; 


_— 


ies 


28 £ 
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Drawn Ferm Nature bi J J Audubow.F RBS FILS. Dnth 2 Printed. PA Col#% ZF: T. Bowen Pial 


THE WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 175 


neck short; body short. Tarsi rather short, stout, compressed, with eight 
scutella; toes long, much compressed; first very long, second much shorter 
than fourth; anterior toes adherent at the base. Claws long, arched, much 
compressed, laterally grooved, acute. Plumage very soft and blended. 
Small bristles at the base of the upper mandible. Wings rather long, first 
quill extremely small, third and fourth longest. Tail short, of twelve 
feathers broad, nearly even. Upper mandible slightly concave, with three 
ridges; tongue slender, very thin, with the point abrupt and terminated by 
strong bristles; cesophagus without dilatation; stomach rather large, roundish, 
moderately muscular; intestine rather short and wide; cceca very small. 


THE WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 


+SITTA CAROLINENSIS, Linn. 
4 PLATE CCXLVII.—Mate anp Femates. 


Only four species of Nuthatch have as yet been observed within the limits 
of the United States. My opinion however is, that at least two more will 
be discovered:—one larger than any of those known, in the high wooded 
plains bordering the Pacific Ocean; the other, of nearly the size of the 
present species, towards the boundary line of Texas and the United States. 

Although the species now under consideration is found in all parts of our 
extensive country, it is yet the least numerous; there being to appearance 
more than three of the Brown-headed, and two of the Red-bellied, for every 
one of the White-breasted. It is an inhabitant of the forest and the orchard, 
frequently approaching to the very doors of the farm-houses during winter, 
when it is not unusually seen tapping at the eaves beneath the roof, thrusting 
itself into barns and houses, or searching for food among the poultry on the 
ground, where it moves prettily by short hops. During summer it gives a 
preference to the interior of the forest, and lives in a retired and secluded 
manner, especially during the breeding season. Although a lively bird, its 
actions are less animated, and it exhibits less petulance and restlessness than 
the other species. It moves alertly, however, when searching for food, 
climbing or retrograding downwards or sidewise, with cheerfulness and a 


176 THE WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 


degree of liveliness, which distinguish it at once from other birds. Now 
and then it has a quaint look, if I may so speak, while watching the observer, 
clinging to the bark head downward, and perhaps only a few feet distant 
from him whom it well knows to be its enemy, or at least not its friend, for 
many farmers, not distinguishing between it and the Sap-sucker, ( Picus 
pubescens,) shoot at it, as if assured that they are doing a commendable 
action. 

During the breeding season, the affection which this bird ordinarily shews 
to its species, is greatly increased. Two of them may be seen busily 
engaged in excavating a hole for their nest in the decayed portion of the 
trunk or branch of a tree, all the time congratulating each other in the 
tenderest manner. The male, ever conspicuous on such occasions, works in 
earnest, and carries off the slender chips, chiselled by the female. He struts 
around her, peeps into the hole, chirrups at intervals, or hovers about her on 
the wing. While she is sitting on her eggs, he seldom absents himself many 
moments; now with a full bill he feeds her, now returns to be assured that 
her time is pleasantly spent. 

When the young come from the egg, they are fed with unremitting care. 
They now issue from their wooden cave, and gently creep around its 
aperture. There, while the genial rays of the summer’s sun give vigour to 
their tender bodies, and enrich their expanding plumage, the parents, faithful 
guardians to the last, teach them how to fly, to ascend the tree with care, 
and at length to provide for their own wants. Ah! where are the moments 
which I have passed, in the fulness of ecstacy, contemplating the progress of 
these amiable creatures! Alas! they are gone, those summer days of hope 
and joy are fled, and the clouds of life’s winter are mustering in their gloomy 
array. 

This species breeds twice in the year, in the Southern and Middle States; 
seldom more than once to the eastward of New York. In the State of 
Maine, they work at their nest late in May; in Nova Scotia not until June. 
Farther north I did not find them. Sometimes they are contented with the 
hole bored by any small Wookpecker, or even breed in the decayed hollow 
of atree or fence. The eggs, five or six in number, are dull white, spotted 
with brown at the larger end. They are laid on detached particles of wood. 

The notes of the White-breasted Nuthatch are remarkable on account of 
their nasal sound. Ordinarily they resemble the monosyllables hank, hdnk, 
kank, kank; but now and then in the spring, they emit a sweeter kind of 
chirp, whenever the sexes meet, or when they are feeding their young. 

Its flight is rapid, and at times rather protracted. If crossing a river or a 
large field, they rise high, and proceed with a tolerably regular motion; but 
when passing from one tree to another, they form a gently incurvated sweep. 


- 


THE WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 177 


They alight on small branches or twigs, and now and then betake themselves 
to the ground to search for food. 

Their bill is strong and sharp, and they not unfrequently break acorns, 
chestnuts, &c., by placing them in the crevices of the bark of trees, or 
between the splinters of a fence-rail, where they are seen hammering at them 
for a considerable time. The same spot is usually resorted to by the 
Nuthatch as soon as it has proved to be a good and convenient one. A 
great object seems to be to procure the larve entombed in the kernels of the 
hard fruits, insects being at all times the favourite food of these birds. They 
are fond of roosting in their own nest, to which I believe many return year 
after year, simply cleaning or deepening it for the purpose of depositing 
their eggs in greater security. Like others of the tribe, they hang head- 
downwards to sleep, especially ina state of captivity. 

The young obtain their full plumage during winter. The only differences 
between the male and the female are, a slight inferiority of the latter as to 
size, and a somewhat less depth of colouring. Like the other species, they 
now and then alight on a top branch for an instant, in the manner used by 
other birds. 

This lively roamer of our forests extends its rambles from the Texas, 
where I found it abundant, to the shores of the Columbia river, from which 
country specimens were brought by Mr. Townsenp. It is not mentioned 
as having been found in the Fur Countries. 


Waite-ereastep American Nutuatcn, Sttta carolinensis, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. i. 
p- 10. 

Sirta Caro.inensis, Bonap. Syn., p. 96. 

Wuite-BREASTED American Nurnatcu, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 581. 

Wuire-sreastepd Nursatcs, Sitta carolinensis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii-p. 299; vol. v. 
p. 473. 


Adult Male. 

Bill straight, of the length of the head, very hard, conico-subulate, a little 
compressed, acute; upper mandible with the dorsal outline very slightly 
arched, the edges sharp towards the point; lower mandible smaller, of equal 
length, straight. Nostrils basal, round, half-closed by a membrane, partially 
covered by the frontal feathers. The general form is short and compact. 
Feet rather strong, the hind toe stout, and as long as the middle toe, with a 
strong hooked claw; the claws arched, compressed, acute. 

Plumage soft, blended, with little gloss, excepting on the head. Wings 
rather short, broad, the second primary longest. Tail short, broad, even, of 
twelve rounded feathers. 


Bill black, pale blue at the base of the lower mandible. Iris dark brown. 
Vor. lV. 25 


= 


178 THE WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 


Feet brown. The upper part of the head and the hind neck deep black, 
glossed with blue, that colour curving down on either side of the neck at its 
base. The back, wing, and tail-coverts, and middle feathers of the tail light 
greyish-blue. Quills black, edged with bluish-grey; three lateral tail feathers 
black, with a broad band of white near the end, the rest black, excepting the 
middle ones. The sides of the head, space above the eye, fore neck and 
breast white; abdomen and lower tail-coverts brownish-red, with white tips; 
under wing-coverts black. 

Length 54 inches, extent of wings 11; bill along the ridge 34, along the 
gap +$; tarsus ;%,, middle toe 43. 

Adult Female. 

The female resembles the male. 

Common from Texas to Maine. Throughout the interior to the Columbia. 
Resident. 

On the roof of the mouth are three anterior ridges, of which the middle is 
larger; both mandibles are slightly concave, the lower with a median 
elevated line. Tongue 6 twelfths long, emarginate and finely papillate at the 
base, slender, very thin, the point abrupt, and terminated by several strong 
bristles. C&sophagus, a@ 6 c, 1 inch 10 twelfths 
long, funnel-shaped at the commencement, its width 
being there 4 twelfths, and then gradually dimin- 
ishing to 2 twelfths. The stomach, ¢ d, is rather 
large, broadly elliptical, 75 twelfths long, 6 twelfths 
broad; its lateral muscles thin; the epithelium 
slightly rugous. It is filled with insects and larvee. 
Intestine, e f g h, rather short and wide, 7 inches 
in length, its greatest width 2 twelfths; the rectum, 
77, 3 twelfths wide; the cloaca 4 twelfths; the cceca, 
z, 2 twelfths long, # twelfth in breadth, and 10 
twelfths from the extremity. The trachea is 14 
inches long, 1 twelfth in breath; its rings feeble, 75 
in number. The sterno-tracheal muscles very slen- 
der; the inferior laryngeal form on each side a 
small knob, inserted into the last half ring in its 
whole extent. Bronchial half rings about 12. 
There is on each side an elongated salivary gland, 
about # twelfth in breadth. The hyoid bones are 
not unusually elongated. In the form of the 
tongue the Nuthatches resemble the Titmice. 


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179 


THE RED-BELLIED NUTHATCH. 
#SITTA CANADENSIS, Linn. 
PLATE CCXLVIIJ.—Mate anp Femate. 


While the Brown-headed Nuthatch perambulates the southern districts, 
the Red-bellied species spends its time in the eastern and northern States, 
the two dividing the country, as it were, nearly equally between them. The 
southern limits of this little bird seldom extend farther than Maryland. It 
is more plentiful in Pennsylvania, particularly in the mountainous parts of 
that State, and becomes still more abundant as you proceed towards Maine 
and Nova Scotia, where the greater number spend even the coldest winters. 
Yet I saw none in Newfoundland, and only one in Labrador, which had 
probably been blown thither by a gale. 

I found it building its nest near Hastport in Maine, on the 19th of May, 
before the Blue-bird had made its appearance there, and while much ice still 
remained on the northern exposures. The nest is dug in a low dead stump, 
seldom more than four feet from the ground, both the male and the female 
working by turns, until they have got to the depth of about fourteen inches. 
The eggs, four in number, are small, and of a white colour, tinged with a 
deep blush, and sprinkled with reddish dots. They raise, I believe, only 
one brood in the season. 

The activity and industry of this little creature are admirable. With the 
quickness of thought it moves up and down the branches of trees, assuming 
various positions, examining every hole or cranny in the bark, frequently 
rapping against it with its bill, and detaching now and then small fragments, 
in order to get at the insects or larve concealed beneath. It searches for its 
food among the leaves of the tallest pines, along the fences, and on the fallen 
logs, ever busy, petulant, and noisy, probably never resting except during 
the night, when, like other species of the tribe, it attaches itself by the feet 
to the bark, and sleeps head downwards. Like other birds of this genus 
also, it is careless of man, although it never suffers him to form too close an 
acquaintance. During the breeding season, they move in pairs, and manifest 
a strong mutual attachment. Their almost incessant hink, hink, hink-hink, 
is heard at every hop they take, but less loudly sounded than the notes of 


180 THE RED-BELLIED NUTHATCH. 


the Brown-headed species, the male being more prodigal of noise than the 
female, which, however, now and then answers to his call. 

It is pleasant to see such a pair leading their offspring through the tops of 
the tall trees of our great pine forests of the north, accompanied by a train of 
small Woodpeckers and Creepers, all bent on the same object, that of 
procuring food. Gaily they move from tree to tree, each emitting its 
peculiar note, and all evincing the greatest sociality. If danger is apparent, 
dead silence takes place, but as soon as their fear is removed, they become 
as clamorous and lively as before. 

The flight of the Red-bellied Nuthatch is seldom protracted farther than 
from tree to tree; and in this manner a certain number go south at the 
approach of winter, some at this season venturing as far as South Carolina, 
although they are never seen in the maritime districts of that State. They 
are plentiful during summer in the Pocano mountains of Pennsylvania, and 
many breed there. Those which remain in our northern States during 
winter, now and then shew themselves in the orchards and farm-yards, 
alighting about the eaves of the out-houses, to seek for food. 

While at sea, on one of my migrations from Europe to America, and at a 
distance of 300 miles from land, I saw one of these birds come on board one 
evening, during a severe gale. It alighted on the rigging, and proceeded at 
once to search for food in its usual manner. It was caught and brought to 
me; but although I gave it flies and some bits of cheese, it refused to touch 
them, generally sitting in the bottom of the cage with its head under its 
wing, and it died in the course of the night. On opening it, I could not 
perceive a particle of food in its stomach, so that its sudden death was 
probably occasioned by inanition and fatigue. 

Although this species was not seen by Dr. Ricuarpson ‘in the Fur 
Countries, it is an inhabitant of the Columbia river district, where it was 
found by Mr. TownseEnp. 

Male, 43, 8. 

From Maryland to Nova Scotia. Common. One seen in Labrador. 
Columbia river. Resident. 


Rep-Be.uieD Noruatcn, Sitta canadensis, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 40. 

SITTA CANADENSIS, Bonap. Syn., p. 96. 

ReEpD-BELLIED Nuruatcau, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 583. 

Rep-BeLuiep Notsatrcu, Sitia canadensis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 24; vol. v. p. 474. 


Adult Male. 
Bill straight, of moderate length, very hard, conico-subulate, a little 
compressed, more or less wedge-shaped at the tip; upper mandible with the 


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THE BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. 181 


dorsal outline very slightly arched, the edges sharp towards the point; lower 
mandible smaller, of equal length, straight. Nostrils basal, round, half- 
closed by a membrane, partially covered by the frontal feathers. The 
general form is short and compact. Feet rather strong, the hind toe stout, 
with a strong hooked claw; the claws arched, compressed, acute. 

Plumage soft, blended, with little gloss. Wings rather short, broad, the 
second and third primaries longest. Tail short, broad, even, of twelve 
rounded feathers. 

Bill black. Iris brown. Feet and claws flesh-coloured, tinged with 
yellowish-green. The general colour of the plumage above is a light leaden- 
grey, beneath pale brownish-red. The top of the head is bluish-black. A 
long white line passes over the eye; a broader line of black from the bill to 
the eye, and beyond it down the neck; the throat white. Primary quills 
dusky, margined with greyish-blue; tail-feathers blackish, the two middle 
ones of the general colour of the back; the lateral ones white towards the 
end. 

Length 43 inches; extent of wings §; bill along the ridge ;4; gap-line 74. 

Adult Female. 

There is scarcely any perceptible external difference between the sexes, 
the lower parts of the female being merely a little paler, and the black of 
the head not so deep. 


THE BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. 
+Sirta pusitia, Lath. 
PLATE CCXLIX.—Mate anp Femate. 


Actively and most diligently employed is this little rover ever found in 
our pine woodlands of the Southern Districts, where it resides all the year, 
and beyond which it seldom extends, few being ever seen to the eastward of 
Maryland. Those large tracts of sandy soil that occupy the greater portion 
of the Floridas, Georgia, and the Carolinas, appear to suit its habits best. It 
is rather rare in Louisiana, and none go so far as Kentucky. It is the 
smallest species of Nuthatch as yet found in the United States. Its notes 


182 THE BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. 


are several octaves above those of the White-bellied Nuthatch, more shrill, 
and at least one and a half above those of its northern cousin, the Red- 
bellied. 

Although fond of pine-trees and pine-barrens, it does not confine itself to 
these, but may not unfrequently be seen pursuing its avocations on lower 
trees and on fences, mounting, descending, turning in every imaginable 
position, and with a quickness of motion so much greater than that of most 
other birds as to render it extremely difficult to shoot at. It examines every 
hole and cranny of the bark of trees, as well as their leaves and twigs, on 
which it finds abundance of food at all seasons. During the breeding period 
they move in pairs, and are constantly chattering. Their notes resemble 
the syllables deut, deut, dend, dend, and although not musical are not 
disagreeable, particularly when heard in the woods in which they usually 
reside, and where at that season a mournful silence intimates the wildness of 
the place. 

When the young have left the nest they continue together, and move from 
tree to tree with the activity of their parents, who join them when the 
succeeding broods are able to find food for themselves. Towards winter 
they associate with the smaller species of Woodpeckers, the Brown Creeper, 
and the Southern Black-headed Tit. These birds pursue their avocations 
with so much cheerfulness that the woods echo to their notes. I have seen a 
congregation of these Nuthatches, amounting to fifty or more, thus per- 
ambulating the Floridas in the months of November and December. In 
those districts they pair in the beginning of February, and have eggs about 
the middle of that month, while in South Carolina they breed about a month 
later. 

The nest is usually excavated by the birds themselves, in the dead portion 
of a low stump or sapling, sometimes only a few feet from the ground, but 
not unfrequently so high as thirty or forty feet. The little creatures work 
in concert, with great earnestness, for several days, until the hole, which is 
round, and not larger at its entrance than the body of the bird, is dug ten or 
twelve inches deep, and widening at the bottom. The eggs are laid on the 
bare wood; they are from four to six, white, with reddish dots, and scarcely 
larger than those of the Humming-bird. They frequently raise three broods 
in the season, but more commonly two. 

Extremely careless in the presence of man, who indeed seldom molests 
them, they often peep at him when at the distance of only a few feet; yet 
when apprehensive of danger, they instantly fly off or ascend the tree, and 
are out of sight in a moment. 

Their flight is similar to that of the other species, and like them they 
frequently utter their notes while on the wing. Now and then they are 


THE BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. 183 


seen on the ground, where they hop and turn over the dead leaves in search 
of their food, which consists entirely of insects and their larve. 

The young of this species do not acquire the brown colour of the head 
until the approach of spring, when no difference is observable between the 


sexes. 


Brown-HEaveD Nourtuatcu, Sitta pusilla, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 105. 
Sirra pusitua, Bonap. Syn., p. 97. 

Brown-HEAaDED Nuruatcu, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 584. 

Brown-neavep Nuruatcs, Sitta pusilla, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 151. 


Male, 4, 8. 

From Texas to Maryland. In the interior to Mississippi. Extremely 
abundant. Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and the Carolinas. Resi- 
dent. 

Adult Male. 

Bill of moderate length, strong, subconical, compressed, the tip abrupt and 
wedge-shaped; upper mandible slightly convex in the dorsal outline, the 
sides sloping, the edges acute; dorsal outline of lower mandible straight. 
Nostrils basal, lateral, oblong. General form short and robust. Feet rather 
short and strong; tarsus compressed, anteriorly scutellate, behind sharp; toes 
free, scutellate above, the hind toe strong; claws arched, compressed, acute, 
that of the hind toe large. 

Plumage soft and blended; wings of ordinary length, the second, third, 
and fourth quills longest. Tail short, even, of twelve rounded feathers. 

Bill brownish-black above, and on the tips of the lower mandible, the 
base of which is light greyish-blue. Iris hazel. Feet dusky brown. The 
general colour of the plumage above is dull leaden-grey; the two middle 
tail-feathers of the same tint; the rest black, the margin of the outermost 
and the ends of it, and of the three next on each side, white, the tips grey. 
Upper part of the head and hind-neck light reddish-brown, with a white 
spot on the hind-neck. The under parts in general are dull white. 

Length 4 inches, extent of wings 8; bill along the back 3%, along the edge 
35; tarsus 3%. 

Adult Female. 

The female has the tints paler, but in other respects resembles the male. 


184 


CALIFORNIAN NUTHATCH. 
+S1TTA pYGMEA, Vigors. 
PLATE CCL.—Aputrt. 


The figures of this species were drawn from a specimen kindly lent me 
by the Council of the Zoological Society of London. It was procured by 
Captain Brecuey in Upper California, and is therefore entitled to a place in 
our Fauna. Nothing is known of the habits of this bird, nor do I even 
know the sex of the individual figured. 


Ca.irornian Nutuatcu, Sitta pygmea, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 163. 


Adult, 342, wing, 345. 

California. 

Adult. 

Bill of moderate length, rather slender, subconical, compressed, the tip 
depressed; upper mandible slightly convex in the dorsal outline, the sides 
sloping, the edges sharp and overlapping; lower mandible with the angle 
short and rather narrow, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex. 
Nostrils basal, lateral, oblong. 

Head rather large, ovate; neck short; body short. Feet rather short and 
strong; tarsus compressed, anteriorly scutellate, behind sharp; toes free, 
scutellate above, the hind toe very large and strong; claws arched, much 
compressed, laterally grooved, acute, that of the hind toe much larger. 

Plumage soft and blended. Wings of ordinary length; the first quill very 
small, the second considerably shorter than the third, the fourth longest. 
Tail very short, even, of twelve rounded soft feathers. 

Bill bluish-black. Feet and claws reddish-brown. The upper part of the 
head and the hind neck are dull greyish-brown; the upper parts of the body 
dull leaden-grey; the quills and tail-feathers dusky, margined with light 
grey, the two lateral tail-feathers on each side with a white band toward the 
base; the lower parts brownish-white. 

Length to end of tail 312 inches; bill along the ridge $4; wing from 
flexure 3;5;; tail 1}. 


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FAMILY XXIV.—TROCHILINA.. HUMMING-BIRDS. 


Bill long, very slender, straight or arched, somewhat depressed at the 
base, subcylindrical, flexible, acute. Head rather large; neck of moderate 
length; body moderately robust. Feet very short, rather stout; tarsus 
extremely short; toes of moderate size; the anterior coherent at the base, 
and nearly of equal length, the hind toe articulated high on the tarsus; claws 
rather long, arched, much compressed, very acute. Plumage compact above, 
soft and blended beneath, often with metallic lustre; wings very long, 
extremely narrow, falciform, with the first quill longest, the other primaries 
rapidly diminishing; secondaries extremely short. Tail various, of ten 
feathers. Tongue very long, slender, with two flat, thin-edged terminal 
filaments, and extensile by means of the elongation of the hyoid bones, 
which curve over the head to the fore part of the forehead, and with their 
muscles slide in a groove, like those of the Woodpeckers. Csophagus 
narrow, considerably enlarged about the middle; stomach extremely small, 
roundish, moderately muscular, its epithelium dense and longitudinally 
rugous; intestine very short and of moderate width; no ceca; cloaca 
globular. Trachea simple, but divided very high up on the neck, so that 
the bronchi are of excessive length, with a large pair of inferior laryngeal 
muscles. 


Genus I—TROCHILUS, Zinn. HUMMING.-BIRD. 


Bill long, subulate, depressed at the base, cylindrical, straight, or slightly 
arched, flexible; upper mandible with the ridge narrow at the base, convex 
in the rest of its extent, the sides sloping, the edges soft; lower mandible 
with the angle extremely acute and elongated, the sides erect, the tip acute. 
Nostrils linear, with a membranous flap above. Head small; neck short; 
body moderately stout. Feet very short; middle toe scarcely longer than 
the rest. Plumage rather blended and glossy above. Wings very long, 
extremely narrow; tail rather long, broad, nearly even. The other charac- 
ters as above. 


Von. IV. 26 


186 


THE MANGO HUMMING-BIRD. 


+'TrocHiILus MANGO, Linn. 
PLATE CCLI.—Ma tes anp Femate. 


I am indebted to my learned friend the Reverend Jonn Bacuman for 
this species of Humming-bird, of which he received a specimen from our 
mutual friend Dr. Srroset, and afterwards presented it to me. 

“Hitherto,” says he, “it has been supposed that only one species of 
Humming-bird (the Zrochilus Colubris) ever visits the United States. 
Although this is a genus consisting of upwards of a hundred species, all of 
which are peculiar to the Continent of America and the adjoining islands, 
yet with few exceptions they are confined to the tropics. In those warm 
climates, where the Bignonias and other tubular flowers that bloom through- 
out the year, and innumerable insects that sport in the sun-shine, afford an 
abundance of food, these lively birds are the greatest ornaments of the 
gardens and forests. Such in most cases is the brilliancy of their plumage, 
that I am unable to find apt objects of comparison unless I resort to the most 
brilliant gems and the richest metals. So rapid is their flight that they seem 
to outstrip the wind. Almost always on the wing, we scarcely see them in 
any other position. Living on the honeyed sweets of the most beautiful 
flowers, and the minute insects concealed in their corollas, they come to us 
as etherial beings, and it is not surprising that they should have excited the 
wonder and admiration of mankind. 

“Tt affords me great pleasure to introduce to the lovers of Natural History 
this species of Humming-bird as an inhabitant of the United States. The 
specimen which is now in my possession, was obtained by Dr. SrroBEL at 
Key West in East Florida. He informed me that he had succeeded in 
capturing it from a bush where he had found it seated, apparently wearied 
after its long flight across the Gulf of Mexico, probably from some of the 
West India Islands, or the coast of South America. Whether this species is 
numerous in any part of Florida, I have had no means of ascertaining. The 
interior of that territory, as its name indicates, is the land of flowers, and 
consequently well suited to the peculiar habits of this genus; and as it has 
seldom been visited by ornithologists, it is possible that not only this, but 
several other species of Humming-birds, may yet be discovered as inhabitants 
of our southern country. 


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THE MANGO HUMMING-BIRD. 187 


“T have not seen the splendid engravings of this genus by Messrs. 
VieILLoT and AupEBERT, in which the Tvrochilus Mango is said to be 
figured; but from the description contained in LAarHam’s Synopsis and 
Suaw’s Zoology, I have no hesitation in pronouncing it an individual of 
that species.”” 

The female figure introduced in the plate was taken from a specimen 
procured at Charleston; but whether it had been found in the United States 
or not, could not be ascertained. 


TRocHILUS MANGO, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 191. 
Manco Humminc-sirp, T'rochilus mango, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 480. 


Male, 43, 8. 

Florida Keys. Rare. Migratory. 

Adult Male. 

Bill long, subulate, depressed at the base, slightly arched, flexible; upper 
mandible with the back broad and convex, the sides sloping, the edges soft; 
lower mandible with the angle extremely acute, forming a groove for one- 
half.of its length, the remaining part narrower on the back, the sides erect; 
both mandibles deeply channelled internally, nostrils basal, lateral, linear. 
Head small, neck short, body short, moderately robust. Feet very short 
and feeble; tarsus very short, roundish; toes very small, the three anterior 
united at the base, scutellate above, compressed, differing little in length; 
claws small, arched, compressed, acute. 

Plumage soft and blended. Wings long, extremely narrow, falciform, the 
first quill longest, the other primaries gradually diminishing in length; the 
secondaries extremely short, narrow, and rounded. ‘Tail ample, rather long, 
of ten broad rounded feathers, the outer incuryate. i 

Bill black. Iris brown. Feet dusky. Head, hind-neck and back splen- 
dent with bronze, golden, and green reflections; wings dusky, viewed in 
certain lights deep purplish-brown. Middle tail-feathers black, glossed with 
green and blue, the rest deep crimson-purple, tipped and partially margined 
with steel-blue. Fore part of the neck, and middle of the breast, velvet- 
black, margined on each side with emerald-green, the sides yellowish-green. 

Length 42 inches, extent of wings 8; bill 1; tarsus 23. 


188 


ANNA HUMMING-BIRD. 
+Trocuitus Anna, Less. 
PLATE CCLII.—Mates anp Femare. 


My good friend TuHomas Nurraut, while travelling from the Rocky 
Mountains toward California, happened to observe on a low oak bush a 
Humming-bird’s nest on which the female was sitting. Having cautiously 
approached, he secured the bird with his hat. The male in the meantime 
fluttered angrily around, but as my friend had not a gun, he was unable to 
procure it. 

The nest, which he has presented to me, is attached to a small branch, 
and several leaves from a twig issuing from it, which have apparently been 
bent down for the purpose. It is very small, even for the size of the bird, 
being an inch anda half in depth, and an inch and a quarter in breadth 
externally at the mouth, while its internal diameter is ten-twelfths, and its 
depth eight and a half twelfths. It is of a conical form, and composed of the - 
cottony down apparently of some species of willow, intermixed with scales 
of catkins and a few feathers, and lined with the same substances. The 
eggs, two in number, are pure white, of a nearly elliptical form, five-twelfths 
of an inch long, and three and a quarter twelfths in their greatest breadth. 

The figures of the nest and female are taken from the specimens presented 
to me by Mr. Nurraty. Those of the male I made from specimens, for 
the use of which I am indebted to Mr. Loppier, of London, whose 
collection of Humming-birds is unrivalled. This species is the fourth now 
found within the limits of the United States. 


OisEAu-MoucHE Anna, Ornismya Anna, Less. Traite d’Ornith., p. 281. 
Anna Homminec-sirp, Jrochilus Anna, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 238. 


Male, 318, wing, 244. 

Rocky Mountains towards California. Common. Migratory. 

Adult Male. 

Bill long, very slender, cylindrical, slightly depressed at the base, acumi- 
nate; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge narrow at the 
base and convex toward the end, the sides convex, the edges overlapping; 
lower mandible with the angle very long and extremely narrow, the dorsal 


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ANNA HUMMING-BIRD. 189 


line slightly decurvate, the tip forming a very slender point. Nostrils 
basal, linear. 

Head of ordinary size, oblong; neck short; body slender. Feet very 
small; tarsus extremely short, rather stout, feathered more than half-way 
down; toes small, the lateral equal, the middle toe not much longer, the hind 
toe a little shorter than the lateral; anterior toes united at the base; claws 
rather long, stout, arched, compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. 

Plumage soft and blended; feathers on the upper part of the head, cheeks, 
and throat, oblongo-obovate, with their filaments toward the end thickened 
and flattened, with metallic gloss, those on the sides of the neck more 
elongated. Wings rather long, extremely narrow, somewhat falcate; the 
primaries rapidly graduated, the first being longest; the number of quills 
sixteen. Tail of moderate length, emarginate and rounded. 

Bill and feet black. The compact feathers of the head, cheeks, and throat 
are blood-red, changing to gold, and having a tinge of blue; the upper parts 
light gold-green; the quills and tail-feathers dusky brown; the lower parts 
brownish-white. 

Length to end of tail 31$ inches; bill along the ridge +8; wing from 
flexure 275; tail 14; tarsus 4; hind toe 43, its claw 13; middle toe 22, its 
claw 22. 

Female. 

The female differs from the male in several respects. The tail is rounded, 
without emargination; the metallic feathers are reduced to an irregular patch 
on the throat; the upper part of the head and the cheeks are greenish-grey, 
the upper parts glossy green as in the male, the wings dusky, the middle 
tail-feathers green, the rest greenish-grey at the base, black toward the 
end, with the tip white; the lower parts dull grey, the sides tinged with 
green. 

Length to end of tail 374 inches; bill along the ridge 23; wing from 
flexure 2; tail 13. 


190 


THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 


-+-Trocuitus Coxusris, Linn. 
PLATE CCLIII.—Matss, Femae, anp Youne. 


Where is the person who, on seeing this lovely little creature moving on 
humming winglets through the air, suspended as if by magic in it, flitting 
from one flower to another, with motions as graceful as they are light 
and airy, pursuing its course over our extensive continent, and yielding new 
delights wherever it is seen;—where is the person, I ask of you, kind 
reader, who, on observing this glittering fragment of the rainbow, would not 
pause, admire, and instantly turn his mind with reverence toward the 
Almighty Creator, the wonders of whose hand we at every step discover, 
and of whose sublime conceptions we everywhere observe the manifestations 
in his admirable system of creation?—There breathes not such a person; so 
kindly have we all been blessed with that intuitive and noble feeling— 
admiration! 

No sooner has the returning sun again introduced the vernal season, and 
caused millions of plants to expand their leaves and blossoms to his genial 
beams, than the little Humming-bird is seen advancing on fairy wings, 
carefully visiting every opening flower-cup, and, like a curious florist, 
removing from each the injurious insects that otherwise would ere long 
cause their beauteous petals to droop and decay. Poised in the air, it is 
observed peeping cautiously, and with sparkling eye, into their innermost 
recesses, whilst the etherial motions of its pinions, so rapid and so light, 
appear to fan and cool the flower, without injuring its fragile texture, and 
produce a delightful murmuring sound, well adapted for lulling the insects to 
repose. Then is the moment for the Humming-bird to secure them. Its 
long delicate bill enters the cup of the flower, and the protruded double- 
tubed tongue, delicately sensible, and imbued with a glutinous saliva, touches 
each insect in succession, and draws it from its lurking place, to be instantly | 
swallowed. All this is done in a moment, and the bird, as it leaves the 
flower, sips so small a portion of its liquid honey, that the theft, we may 
suppose, is looked upon with a grateful feeling by the flower, which is thus 
kindly relieved from the attacks of her destroyers. 

The prairies, the fields, the orchards and gardens, nay, the deepest shades 
of the forests, are all visited in their turn, and everywhere the little bird 


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THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 191 


meets with pleasure and with food. Its gorgeous throat in beauty and 
brilliancy baffles all competition. Now it glows with a fiery hue, and again 
it is changed to the deepest velvety black. The upper parts of its delicate 
body are of resplendent changing green; and it throws itself through the air 
with a swiftness and vivacity hardly conceivable. It moves from one flower 
to another like a gleam of light, upwards, downwards, to the right, and to 
the left. In this manner, it searches the extreme northern portions of our 
country, following with great precaution the advances of the season, and 
retreats with equal care at the approach of autumn. 

I wish it were in my power at this moment to impart to you, kind reader, 
the pleasures which I have felt whilst watching the movements, and viewing 
the manifestation of feelings displayed by a single pair of these most 
favourite little creatures, when engaged in the demonstration of their love 
to each other:—how the male swells his plumage and throat, and, dancing on 
the wing, whirls around the delicate female; how quickly he dives towards 
a flower, and returns with a loaded bill, which he offers to her to whom 
alone he feels desirous of being united; how full of ecstacy he seems to be 
when his caresses are kindly received; how his little wings fan her, as they 
fan the flowers, and he transfers to her bill the insect and the honey which he 
has procured with a view to please her; how these attentions are received 
with apparent satisfaction; how, soon after, the blissful compact is sealed; 
how, then, the courage and care of the male are redoubled; how he even 
dares to give chase to the Tyrant Fly-catcher, hurries the Blue-bird and the 
Martin to their boxes; and how, on sounding pinions, he joyously returns to 
the side of his lovely mate. Reader, all these proofs of the sincerity, 
fidelity, and courage, with which the male assures his mate of the care he 
will take of her while sitting on her nest, may be seen, and have been seen, 
but cannot be portrayed or described. 

Could you, kind reader, cast a momentary glance on the nest of the 
Humming-bird, and see, as I have seen, the newly-hatched pair of young, 
little larger than humble-bees, naked, blind, and so feeble as scarcely to be 
able to raise their little bill to receive food from the parents; and could you 
see those parents, full of anxiety and fear, passing and repassing within a few 
inches of your face, alighting on a twig not more than a yard from your 
body, waiting the result of your unwelcome visit in a state of the utmost 
despair,—you could not fail to be impressed with the deepest pangs which 
parental affection feels on the unexpected death of a cherished child. Then 
how pleasing is it, on your leaving the spot, to see the returning hope of the 
parents, when, after examining the nest, they find their nurslings untouched! 
You might then judge how pleasing it is to a mother of another kind, to hear 
the physician who has attended her sick child assure her that the crisis is 


192 THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 


w 


over, and that her babe is saved. These are the scenes best fitted to enable 
us to partake of sorrow and joy, and to determine every one who views 
them to make it his study to contribute to the happiness of others, and to 
refrain from wantonly or maliciously giving them pain. 

I have seen Humming-birds in Louisiana as early as the 10th of March. 
Their appearance in that State varies, however, as much as in any other, it 
being sometimes a fortnight later, or, although rarely, a few days earlier. 
In the Middle Districts, they seldom arrive before the 15th of April, more 
usually the beginning of May. I have not been able to assure myself 
whether they migrate during the day or by night, but am inclined to think 
the latter the case, as they seem to be busily feeding at all times of the day, 
which would not be the case had they long flights to perform at that period. 
They pass through the air in long undulations, raising themselves for some 
distance at an angle of about 40 degrees, and then falling in a curve; but the 
smallness of their size precludes the possibility of following them farther 
than fifty or sixty yards without great difficulty, even with a good glass. A 
person standing in a garden by the side of a Common Althza in bloom, will 
be as surprised to hear the humming of their wings, and then see the birds 
themselves within a few feet of him, as he will be astonished at the rapidity 
with which the little creatures rise into the air, and are out of sight and 
hearing the next moment. They do not alight on the ground, but easily 
settle on twigs and branches, where they move sidewise in prettily measured 
steps, frequently opening and closing their wings, pluming, shaking and 
arranging the whole of their apparel with neatness and activity. They are 
particularly fond of spreading one wing at a time, and passing each of the 
quill-feathers through their bill in its whole length, when, if the sun is 
shining, the wing thus plumed is rendered extremely transparent and light. 
They leave the twig without the least difficulty in an instant, and appear to 
be possessed of superior powers of vision, making directly towards a Martin 
or a Blue-bird when fifty or sixty yards from them, and reaching them 
before they are aware of their approach. No bird seems to resist their 
attacks, but they are sometimes chased by the larger kinds of humble-bees, 
of which they seldom take the least notice, as their superiority of flight is 
sufficient to enable them to leave these slow moving insects far behind in the 
short space of a minute. 

The nest of this Humming-bird is of the most delicate nature, the external 
parts being formed of a light grey lichen found on the branches of trees, or 
on decayed fence-rails, and so neatly arranged round the whole nest, as well 
as to some distance from the spot where it is attached, as to seem part of the 
branch or stem itself. These little pieces of lichen are glued together with 
the saliva of the bird. The next coating consists of cottony substance, and 


THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 193 


the innermost of silky fibres obtained from various plants, all extremely 
delicate and soft. On this comfortable bed, as in contradiction to the axiom 
that the smaller the species the greater the number of eggs, the female lays 
only two, which are pure white and almost oval. Ten days are required for 
their hatching, and the birds raise two broods in a season. In one week the 
young are ready to fly, but are fed by the parents for nearly another week. 
They receive their food directly from the bill of their parents, which 
disgorge it in the manner of Canaries or Pigeons. It is my belief that no 
sooner are the young able to provide for themselves than they associate with 
other broods, and perform their migration apart from the old birds, as I have 
observed twenty or thirty young Humming-birds resort to a group of 
trumpet-flowers, when not a single old male was to be seen. They do not 
receive the full brilliancy of their colours until the succeeding spring, 
although the throat of the male bird is strongly imbued with the ruby tints 
before they leave us in autumn. 

The Ruby-throated Humming-bird has a particular liking for such flowers 
as are greatly tubular in their form. ‘The common jimpson-weed or thorn- 
apple (Datura stramonium) and the trumpet-flower (Bignonia radicans) 
are among the most favoured by their visits, and after these, honey-suckle, 
the balsam of the gardens, and the wild species which grows on the borders 
of ponds, rivulets, and deep ravines; but every flower, down to the wild 
violet, affords them a certain portion of sustenance. Their food consists 
principally of insects, generally of the coleopterous order, these, together 
with some equally diminutive flies, being commonly found in their stomach. 
The first are procured within the flowers, but many of the latter on wing. 
The Humming-bird might therefore be looked upon as an expert fly-catcher. 
The nectar or honey which they sip from the different flowers, being of 
itself insufficient to support them, is used more as if to allay their thirst. I 
have seen many of these birds kept in partial confinement, when they were 
supplied with artificial flowers made for the purpose, in the corollas of which 
water with honey or sugar dissolved in it was placed. The birds were fed 
on these substances exclusively, but seldom lived many months, and on 
being examined after death, were found to be extremely emaciated. Others, 
on the contrary, which were supplied twice a-day with fresh flowers from 
the woods or garden, placed in a room with windows merely closed with 
moschetto gauze-netting, through which minute insects were able to enter, 
lived twelve months, at the expiration of which time their liberty was 
granted them, the person who kept them having had a long voyage to 
perform. The room was kept artificially warm during the winter months, 
and these, in Lower Louisiana, are seldom so cold as to produce ice. On 
examining an orange-tree which had been placed in the room where these 

Vou. TV: 27 


194 THEK RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 


Humming-birds were kept, no appearance of a nest was to be seen, although 
the birds had frequently been observed caressing each other. Some have 
been occasionally kept confined in our Middle Districts, but I have not 
ascertained that any one survived a winter. 

The Humming-bird does not shun mankind so much as birds generally do. 
It frequently approaches flowers in the windows, or even in rooms when the 
windows are kept open, during the extreme heat of the day, and returns, 
when not interrupted, as long as the flowers are unfaded. They are 
extremely abundant in Louisiana during spring and summer, and wherever 
a fine plant of the trumpet-flower is met with in the woods, one or more 
Humming-birds are generally seen about it, and now and then so many as 
ten or twelve at a time. They are quarrelsome, and have frequent battles in 
the air, especially the’ male birds. Should one be feeding on a flower, and 
another approach it, they are both immediately seen to rise in the air, 
twittering and twirling in a spiral manner until out of sight. The conflict 
over, the victor immediately returns to the flower. 

If comparison might enable you, kind reader, to form some tolerably 
accurate idea of their peculiar mode of flight, and their appearance when on 
wing, I would say, that were both objects of the same colour, a large sphinx 
or moth, when moving from one flower to another, and in a direct line, 
comes nearer the Humming-bird in aspect than any other object with which 
I am acquainted. 

Having heard several persons remark that these little creatures had been 
procured, with less injury to their plumage, by shooting them with water, I 
was tempted to make the experiment, having been in the habit of killing 
them either with remarkably small shot, or with sand. However, finding 
that even when within a few paces, I seldom brought one to the ground when 
I used water instead of shot, and was moreover obliged to clean my gun 
after every discharge, I abandoned the scheme, and feel confident that it ean 
never have been used with material advantage. I have frequently secured 
some by employing an insect-net, and were this machine used with 
dexterity, it would afford the best means of procuring Humming-birds. 

I have represented several of these pretty and most interesting birds, in 
various positions, feeding, caressing each other, or sitting on the slender 
stalks of the trumpet-flower and pluming themselves. The diversity of 
action and attitude thus exhibited, may, I trust, prove sufficient to present a 
faithful idea of their appearance and manners. A figure of the nest you will 
also find has been given; it is generally placed low, on the horizontal branch 
of any kind of tree, seldom more than twenty feet from the ground. They 
are far from being particular in this matter, as I have often found a nest 
attached by one side only to a twig of a rose-bush, currant, or the strong 


4 


THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 195 


stalk of a rank weed, sometimes in the middle of the forest, at other times 
on the branch of an oak, immediately over the road, and again in the garden 
close to the walk. 

This interesting gem of the feathered tribe proceeds as far north in 
summer as the 57th parallel. Dr. Rrcwarpson obtained it on the plains of 
the Saskatchewan, and Mr. Drummonp found its nest near the sources of the 
Elk river. It does not occur on the Columbia river, where the Nootka 
Humming-bird is abundant. A few were seen by me in Labrador, and, on 
the other hand, I met with it entering the United States in crowds in the 
beginning of April, advancing eastward along the shores of the Mexican 
Gulf. The weather having become very cold one morning, many were 
picked up dead along the beaches, and those which bore up were so benumbed 
as almost to suffer the members of my party to take them with the hand. 
My friend Dr. Bacuman has heard this species uttering a few sweet notes, 
sometimes when perched on a twig, and at other times on wing. The eggs 
measure half an inch in length by 44 lines in breadth. 


Houmminc-pirp, T'rochilus Colubris, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 26. 

TrocuiLus Couusris, Bonap. Syn., p. 98. 

Trocuitus Co.usris, NortHerN Humminc-sirp, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. 
il. p. 323. 

RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-PIRD, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 588. 

Roey-THROATED Humminc-sirp, T'rochilus colubris, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 248; vol. 
v. p. 544. 


Male, 34, 41. 

In summer, from Texas to lat. 57°, and in all intermediate districts east 
of the Rocky Mountains. Common. Migratory. 

Adult Male. 

Bill long, straight, subulate, depressed at the base, acute; upper mandible 
rounded, its edges overlapping. Nostrils basal, linear. ‘Tongue very exten- 
sile, filiform, divided towards the end into two filaments. Feet very short 
and feeble; tarsus slender, shorter than the middle toe, partly feathered; fore 
toes united at the base; claws curved, compressed, acute. 

Plumage compact, imbricated above and on the throat with metallic 
lustre, blended beneath. Wings long, narrow, a little incurved at the tip, 
the first quill longest. T’ail forked when closed, when spread even in the 
middle and laterally rounded, of ten broad feathers, the outer curved 
inwards. 

Bill and feet black. Iris of the same colour. Upper parts generally, 
including the two middle tail-feathers, green, with gold reflections. Quills 
and tail purplish-brown. Throat, sides of the head, and fore neck, carmine- 


196 _THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 


purple, spotted with black, varying to crimson, orange, and deep black. 
Sides of the same colour as the back; the rest of the under parts greyish- 
white, mixed with green. 

Length 33 inches, extent of wings 44; bill along the ridge #, along the 
gap 4; tarsus 4, toe 2. 

Adult Female. 

The female differs from the male in wanting the brilliant patch on the 
throat, which is white, as are the under parts generally, and in having the 
three lateral tail-feathers tipped with the same colour. 

Dimensions the same. 

Young Bird. 

The young birds have the under parts brownish-white, the tail tipped 
with white, and are somewhat lighter in their upper parts. In autumn the 
young males begin to acquire the red feathers of the throat. 

On depriving a specimen of this bird of its feathers, one finds its 
proportions very different from what he may have previously imagined. 
Thus, the body is remarkably robust, of an ovate form, much deeper than 
broad, on account of the extreme size of the crest or keel of the sternum, 
which is so extended as to leave for the abdomen a space not more than a 
fifth of its own length. The feet, although very small, are yet proportionally 
as large as those of a Cormorant; the femur and tibia being relatively large, 
while the tarsus is extremly short, and the toes of moderate size, the anterior 
incapable of being widely spread, and the middle or third scarcely exceeding | 
the two lateral; in which respect the foot has some resemblance to that of 
the Swifts. The hind toe is articulated remarkably high on the tarsus, it 
being placed very nearly at the height of one-third of its length. The bones 
of the wings are very short; the humerus and cubitus extremely so, although 
proportionally strong. The neck is very elongated, being 10 twelfths of an 
inch in length, whereas the body, including the coccyx, is only 9 twelfths. 
The head is rather large, depressed in front, with a deep hollow between the 
eyes, which are very large, and the bill is disproportionately elongated. 
The pectoral muscles are of extreme size, exceeding by much the entire bulk 
of the rest of the body with the neck and head, the height of the crest of the 
sternum being 4 twelfths, or nearly half the length of the body. The body 
of the sternum is remarkably flat, and so thin as to be almost perfectly 
transparent; it is narrow anteriorly, where it is 24 twelfths in breadth, but 
gradually enlarges to 4 twelfths; the posterior edge forms a semicircle, and is 
destitute of notch. The pubic bones almost meet in front, where they are 
cartilaginous. The heart is extraordinarily large, occupying half the length 
of the cavity of the body, of an elongated conical form, 34 twelfths long, and 


THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 197 


2 twelfths in breadth at the base. The right lobe of the liver is much larger 
than the left, the former being 5 twelfths in length, the latter 4 twelfths. 
The whole length of the head is 13 inches, of which the bill is 10 twelfths. 
The upper mandible is slightly concave beneath in its whole length, the 
lower a little more deeply concave, the edges 
of both thin, those of the lower erect and 
overlapped by the upper. The nostrils are 


covered by a very large projecting mem- 


branous flap, feathered above. The tongue 
is, to a certain extent, constructed precisely 
in the same manner as that of the Wood- 
peckers. The basi-hyal bone is 13 twelfths 
long, the apo-hyal bones 2 twelfths, the 
apo-hyal and cerato-hyal together 1 inch 2 


twelfths, the glosso-hyal or terminal bones 


43 twelfths. There is no uro-hyal bone, any 
more than in the Woodpeckers, and the glosso-hyal is double at the end. 
The horns of the hyoid bone are thus greatly elongated, recurving over the 
occiput, near the top of which they meet, and thence proceed directly 
forward, in mutual proximity, lodged in a deep and broad groove, along the 
middle of the forehead, until near the anterior part of the eye, where they 
' terminate, fig. 3. The crura of the lower mandible, fig. 4, do not meet until 
very near the tip, and from the inner and lower surface of each 
néar the junction or angle, there proceeds backward a slender 
muscle, which is attached to the hyoid bone at the junction of 
the apo-hyal and cerato-hyal, whence it proceeds all the way to 
the tip of the latter, the muscle and bone being enclosed in a 
very delicate sheath, which is attached to the subcutaneous 
cellular tissue between the nostrils. The tongue, properly so 
called, moves in a sheath, as in the Woodpeckers; its length is 
10 twelfths. When it is protruded, the part beyond this at the 
base appears fleshy, being covered with the membrane of the 
mouth forming the sheath, but the rest of its extent is horny, 
and presents the appearance of two cylinders united, with a deep 
groove above and another beneath, for the length of 3 twelfths, 
beyond which they become flattened, concave above, thin-edged 
and lacerated externally, thick-edged internally, and, although lying parallel 
and in contact, capable of being separated. This part, being moistened by 
the fluid of the slender salivary glands, and capable of being alternately 
exserted and retracted, thus forms an instrument for the prehension of small 


198 THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 


insects, similar in so far to that of the Woodpeckers, although presenting a 
different modification in its horny extremity, which is more elongated and 
less rigid. All observers who have written on the tongue of the Humming- 
birds, have represented it as composed of two cylindrical tubes, and the 
prevalent notion has been that the bird sucks the nectar of flowers by means 
of these tubes. But both ideas are incorrect. There are, it is true, two 
cylindrical tubes, but they gradually taper away toward the point, and 
instead of being pervious form two sheaths for the two terminal parts or 
shafts of the glosso-hyal portion of the tongue, which run nearly to the tip, 
while there is appended to them externally a very thin-fringed or denticulate 
plate of horny substance. The bird obviously cannot suck, but it may thrust 
the tip of the tongue into a fluid, and by drawing it back may thus procure 
a portion. It is, however, more properly an organ for the prehension of 
small insects, for which it is obviously well adapted, and being exsertile to a 
great extent enables the bird to reach at minute objects deep in the tubes 
and nectaries of flowers. That a Humming-bird may for a time subsist on 
sugar and water, or any other saccharine fluid, is probable enough; but it is 
essentially an insect-hunter, and not a honey-sucker. 

The cesophagus, fig. 2, 1s 1 inch 4 twelfths long, 13 twelfths in width at 
the top, but toward the lower part of the neck enlarged to 13 twelfths. On 
entering the thorax, it contracts to 4 twelfth; and the proventriculus is 14 
twelfths. The stomach is extremely small, of a roundish or broadly 
elliptical form, 14 twelfths in length, and 1 twelfth in breadth. The 
proventricular glands form a complete belt, 2 twelfths in breadth. The 
walls of the stomach are moderately muscular; the epithelium dense, with 
broad longitudinal ruge, four on one side, three on the other, and of a pale 
red colour. In the stomach were fragments of small coleopterous insects. 
The intestine is 2 inches 2 twelfths in length, from 14 twelfths to $ twelfth 
in width. It forms six curves, the duodenum returning at the distance of 
3 twelfths. There are no ceeca. The cloaca is very large and globular. 

The trachea, fig. 1,1s 9 twelfths long, being thus remarkably short on 
account of its bifurcating very high on the neck, for if it were to divide at 
the usual place, or just anteriorly to the base of the heart, it would be 4% 
twelfths longer. In this respect it differs from that of all the other birds 
examined, with the exception of the Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea jaja, the 
trachea of which is in so far similar. The bronchi are exactly $ inch in 
length. Until the bifureation, the trachea passes along the right side, 
afterwards directly in front. There are 50 rings to the fork; and each 
bronchus has 34 rings. The breadth of the trachea at the upper part is 
scarcely more than } twelfth, and at the lower part considerably less. It is 
much flattened, and the rings are very narrow, cartilaginous, and placed 


THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 199 


widely apart. The bronchial rings are similar, and differ from those of most 
birds in being complete. The two bronchi lie in contact for 2 twelfths at 
the upper part, being connected by a common membrane. The lateral 
muscles are extremely slender. The last ring of the trachea is four times 
the breadth of the rest, and has on each side a large but not very prominent 
mass of muscular fibres, inserted into the first bronchial ring. This mass 
does not seem to be divisible into four distinct muscles, but rather to 
resemble that of the Flycatchers, although nothing certain can be stated on 
this point. 


Tur TRUMPET-FLOWER. 


Bicnonia ravicans, Willd. Sp. Pl., vol. iii. p. 301. Pursh, Flor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 420.— 
Dipynamia AnaiospermiA, Linn.—Bicnonia, Juss. 


This splendid species of d¢gnonia, which grows in woods and on the 
banks of rivers in all the Middle and Southern States, climbing on trees and 
bushes, is distinguished by its pinnate leaves, with ovate, widely serrate, 
acuminate leaflets, and large scarlet flowers, of which the funnel-shaped tube 
of the corolla is thrice the length of the calyx. The pods are of a brown 
colour, from four to seven inches long, and contain a double row of kidney- 
shaped light brown seeds. 


Genus I]—SELASPHORUS, Swains. RUFFED-HUMMING-BIRD. 


Bill long, straight, subulate, extremely slender, somewhat depressed at the 
base, acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge narrow 
at the base, broad and convex toward the end, the sides convex, the edges 
overlapping, the tip accuminate; lower mandible with the angle very long 
and extremely narrow, the dorsal line straightish, the edges erect, the tip 
acuminate. Nostrils basal, linear. Head of ordinary size, oblong; neck 
short; body short and oyate. Feet very small; tarsus very short, feathered 
more than half-way; toes small, the lateral equal, the third not much longer, 


200 RUFF-NECKED HUMMING-BIRD. 


the first a little shorter than the lateral; claws rather long, arched, com- 
pressed, very acute. Plumage soft and blended; elongated feathers on the 
sides of the neck in the males. Wings rather short, falcate, pointed, the 


second primary longest. Tail rather long, broad, graduated. 


“RUFF-NECKED HUMMING-BIRD. 


. SELAsPHORUS RUFUS, Gmel. 
PLATE CCLIV.—Mates anp Femate. 


This charming Humming-bird was discovered by the great navigator, 
Captain Coox, who found it abundant at Nootka Sound. It does not appear 
to have been seen by Dr. Ricuharpson or Mr. Drummownp in the northern 
parts of America, traversed by those most zealous and highly talented 
naturalists. As no account has hitherto been given of its habits, the 
following notices from my friends Mr. Nurratyi and Mr. TownseEnp, will, 
I doubt not, prove highly interesting. 

“We began,”’ says the first of these enterprising travellers, “to meet with 
this species near the Blue Mountains of the Columbia river, in the autumn, 
as we proceeded to the west. These were all young birds, and were not 
very easily distinguished from those of the common species of the same age. 
We now for the first time (April 16) saw the males in numbers, darting, 
burring, and squeaking in the usual manner of their tribe; but when engaged 
in collecting its accustomed sweets in all the energy of life, it seemed like a 
breathing gem, or magic carbuncle of glowing fire, stretching out its 
gorgeous ruff, as if to emulate the sun itself in splendour. Towards the close 
of May, the females were sitting, at which time the males were uncommonly 
quarrelsome and vigilant, darting out at me as I approached the tree 
probably near the nest, looking like an angry coal of brilliant fire, passing 
within very little distance of my face, returning several times to the attack, 
sinking and darting with the utmost velocity, at the same time uttering a 
curious reverberating sharp bleat, somewhat similar to the quivering twang 
of a dead twig, yet also so much like the real bleat of some small quadruped, 


PL 254. 


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wiry fvaraciat. r Hal PO A NM ed i a ee Yer ael nit wa). To aden “tay ell 
opis, hy wade eevee ter; ae scunlanel” What it ded foyt hs ee ce 
; Tha" Ms, Pont has W 7% o it a ' = 
* tui ye yoite Wihbdte aug 


RUFF-NECKED HUMMING-BIRD. 201 


that for some time I searched the ground instead of the air, for the actor in 
the scene. At other times, the males were seen darting up high in the air, 
and whirling about each other in great anger, and with much velocity. 
After these manceuvres the aggressor returned to the same dead twig, where 
for days he regularly took his station with all the courage and angry 
vigilance of a King-bird. The angry hissing or bleating note of this species 
seems something like wht *¢ ’¢ ’¢ ’¢ sh vee, tremulously uttered as it whirls 
and sweeps through the air, like a musket-ball, accompanied also by 
something like the whirr of the Night-hawk. On the 29th of May, I found 
a nest of this species in a forked branch of the Nootka Bramble, Rubus 
Nutkanus. The female was sitting on two eggs, of the same shape and 
colour as those of the common species. The nest also was perfectly similar, 
but somewhat deeper. As I approached, the female came hovering round 
the nest, and soon after, when all was still, she resumed her place con- 
tentedly.”’ 

Mr. Townsrenp’s note is as follows:—“Nootka Sound Humming-bird, 
Trochilus rufus, Ah-puets-Rinne of the Chinooks. On a clear day the 
male may be seen to rise to a great height in the air, and descend instantly 
near the earth, then mount again to the same altitude as at first, performing 
in the evolution the half of a large circle. During the descent it emits a 
strange and astonishingly loud note, which can be compared to nothing but 
the rubbing together of the limbs of trees during a high wind. I heard this 
singular note repeatedly last spring and summer, but did not then discover 
to what it belonged. I did not suppose it to be a bird at all, and least of all 
a Humming-bird. The observer thinks it almost impossible that so small a 
creature can be capable of producing so much sound. I have never observed 
this habit upon a dull or cloudy day.”’ 

Mr. Nurraut having presented me with the nest of this species attached 
to the twig to which the bird had fastened it, my amiable friend Miss 
Martrn has figured it for me, as well as the plant, about which these lovely 
creatures are represented. The nest, which measures two inches and a 
quarter in height, and an inch and three quarters in breadth, at the upper 
part, is composed externally of mosses, lichens, and a few feathers, with 
slender fibrous roots interwoven, and lined with fine cottony seed-down. 


TRocuiLus rurus, Gmel. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 497. 

TrocuiLus (SELASPHoRUS) RUFUS, Cinnamon or Nootka Humming-bird, Swains. and 
Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 324. 

Rorrep-NECKED Humminc-eirp, T'rochilus rufus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 555. 


Male, 375, wing, 17. 
Vien tV: 28 


202 RUFF-NECKED HUMMING-BIRD. 


From California along the north-west coast to Nootka Sound. Abundant. 
Migratory. 

Adult Male. 

Bill long, straight, subulate, somewhat depressed at the base, acute; upper 
mandible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge narrow at the base, broad 
and convex toward the end, the sides convex, the edges overlapping, the tip 
acuminate; lower mandible with the angle very long and extremely narrow, 
the dorsal line straight, the edges erect, the tip acuminate. Nostrils basal, 
linear. 

Head of ordinary size, oblong; neck short; body slender. Feet very 
small; tarsus very short, feathered more than half-way down, toes small; the 
lateral equal, the middle toe not much longer, the hind toe a little shorter 
than the lateral, anterior toes united at the base; claws rather long, arched, 
compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. 

Plumage soft and blended; feathers on the throat, fore part and sides of 
the neck oblong-obovate, with the filaments towards the end thickened and 
flattened, with metallic gloss, those on the sides of the neck elongated and 
erectile. Wings rather short, extremely narrow, falcate, pointed; the prima- 
ries rapidly graduated, the second being longest, but only slightly longer 
than the first; these two quills taper to a point; the rest are broader, and 
gradually become less pointed; the secondaries are extremely short, and only 
five in number. ‘Tail rather long, broad, graduated, the lateral feathers four 
and a half twelfths of an inch shorter than the central; the latter are 
extremely broad, measuring four and a half twelfths across, and the rest 
gradually diminish to the lateral, which are very narrow; all obtusely 
pointed. 

Bill brownish-black; toes brown, claws dusky. The general colour of the 
upper parts is bright cinnamon or reddish-orange; the head bronzed green, 
the wings dusky, the coverts glossed with green, the primaries with purplish; 
each of the tail-feathers has a narrow longitudinal lanceolate median streak 
toward the end. The loral space, a narrow band over the eye, another 
beneath it, and the auriculars are reddish-orange; the scale-like feathers of 
the throat and sides of the neck are splendent fire-red, purplish-red, yellow- 
ish-red, greenish-yellow or yellowish-green, according to the light in which 
they are viewed; behind them, on the lower part of the neck, is a broad band 
of reddish-white; the rest of the lower parts are like the upper, the abdomen 
inclining to white. 

Length to end of tail 34 inches; bill along the ridge 73, along the edge of 
lower mandible 3; wing from flexure 173; tail 12; tarsus 13; hind toe 33, 
its claw 33; middle toe 25, its claw 7}. 


Adult Female. 


RUFF-NECKED HUMMING-BIRD. 903 


vo 


The female has the bill and feet coloured as in the male. The upper parts 
are gold-green, the head inclining to brown; the wings as in the male; the 
tail feathers reddish-orange at the base, brownish-black toward the end, the 
tip white. The lower parts are white, tinged with rufous, of which colour, 
especially, are the sides; the throat marked with roundish spots of metallic 
greenish-red. 

Length to end of tail 323 inches; bill along the ridge #3; wing from 
flexure 112; tail 144. 

The above descriptions are from two individuals shot by Mr. TownsEnp 
on the “Columbia river, 30th May, 1835.”? A “young male, Columbia 
river, 29th May, 1835,’’ resembles the female as above described, differing 
only in having the metallic spots on the throat larger. A “young female, 
Columbia river, June 10th, 1835,” differs from the adult only in wanting the 
metallic spots on the throat, which is spotted with greenish-brown. 


CLEOME HEPTAPHYLLA. 


The beautiful plant represented in the plate belongs to Tetradynamia 
Siliquosa of the Linnean arrangement, and to the genus Cleome, character- 
ized by having three nectariferous glandules at each corner of the calyx, the 
lower excepted; all the petals ascending; the germen stipitate; the siliqua 
unilocular, two-valved. The species, C. heptaphylla, is distinguished by its 
septenate leaves, of which the leaflets are lanceolate, acuminate, and of a 
deep green colour. It grows in South Carolina and Georgia. 


204 


FAMILY XXV.—ALCEDINA. KINGFISHERS. 


Bill long, straight, stout, broader than high at the base, much compressed, 
tapering to a rather acute point, and gap-line commencing beneath the 
middle of the eyes. Head large, ovato-oblong; neck short; body stout. 
Tarsus extremely short; anteriorly scaly; anterior toes united for more than 
half their length, outer longer than inner, hind toe small. Claws stout, com- 
pressed, arched, very acute. Plumage rather compact. Wings rather long, 
pointed. Tail various, of twelve feathers. Tongue very short, fleshy, with 
the sides parallel, the tip tapering to a bluntish point. Roof of upper man- 
dible moderately concave, with a median ridge and oblique lateral grooves. 
Csophagus very wide, without crop; stomach very large, round, with its 
muscular coat very thin; the epithelium dense, very thin, with tortuous 
ruge; intestine very long, extremely slender; no cceca; cloaca very large, 
globular. ‘Trachea with three pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. 


Genus I—ALCEDO, Zinn. KINGFISHER. 


Bill long, straight, rather stout, broader than high at the base, but suddenly 
much compressed, and tapering to an acute point; upper mandible with the 
dorsal line almost straight, the ridge distinct, but somewhat flattened, the 
edges nearly straight, without notch, the tip acute; lower mandible with the 
angle of moderate length and narrow, the dorsal line ascending and nearly 
straight; gap-line commencing beneath the middle of the eye; nostrils basal, 
near the ridge, linear, obliquely ascending, half closed by a bare membrane. 
Head large, oblong; neck short; body robust. Feet very short; tarsus 
extremely short, roundish, anteriorly faintly scaly; anterior toes cohered for 
a great part of the length, outer longer than inner, first small. Claws rather 
short, stout, arched, acute. Plumage rather compact, more blended above. 
Wings long, pointed, with the second and third quills longest. Tail short, 
even, of twelve rounded feathers. 


(son 


Lane dT DA a 


wine ile 
Iiline dle 


NP 51. PL 255. _ 


1 Mates 2. Female 


Drawn from Nature by4 S Audubon FRSELS. Lath Printed & Colthy J T Bowen. Phil. 


205 


THE BELTED KINGFISHER. 


+AxLcepo Aucyon, Linn. 
PLATE CCLV.—Mate anp Femate. 


You must not suppose, good-natured reader, that the lives which I try to 
write, are short or lengthy according to the natural dimensions of the objects 
themselves; for if, with the representation of a large bird, I present you with 
a long history of its habits, it is merely because that bird, being perhaps 
more common, and therefore more conspicuous, I have had better and more 
frequent opportunities of studying them. This happens to be the case with 
the bird which I proceed to describe. 

The Belted Kingfisher!—Now, kind reader, were I infected with the 
desire of giving new names to well-known objects, you may be assured that, 
notwithstanding the partly appropriate name given to this bird, I should call 
it, as I think it ought to have been called, the United States’ Kingfisher. 
My reason for this will, I hope, become apparent to you, when I say that it 
is the only bird of its genus found upon the inland streams of the Union. 
Another reason of equal force might be adduced, which is, that, although the 
males of all denominations have, from time immemorial, obtained the 
supremacy, in this particular case the term Belted applies only to the female, 
the male being destitute of the belt or band by which she is distinguished. 

This species is a constant resident in the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Arkansas, and all the districts that lie to the south of North Carolina. Its 
inland migrations along the windings of our noble rivers extend far and 
wide, over the whole of the United States. In all those portions which I 
have visited it also breeds, although it returns to the south from many parts 
during severe winters. 

The flight of this bird is rapid, and is prolonged according to its necessities, 
extending at times to considerable distances, in which case it is performed 
high in the air. When, for instance, the whole course of one of our northern 
rivers becomes frozen, the Kingfisher, instead of skimming closely over the 
surface that no longer allows it to supply itself with food, passes high above 
the tallest trees, and takes advantage of every short cut which the situation 
of the river affords. By this means it soon reaches a milder climate. This 
is also frequently the case, when it seems tired of the kind of fish that 
occurs in a lake, and removes to another in a direct line, passing over the 


906 THE BELTED KINGFISHER. 


forests, not unfrequently by a course of twenty or thirty miles towards the 
interior of the country. Its motions when on wing consist of a series of 
flaps, about five or six in number, followed by a direct glide, without any 
apparent undulation. It moves in the same way when flying closely over 
the water. 

If, in the course of such excursions, the bird passes over a small pool, it 
suddenly checks itself in its career, poises itself in the air, like a Sparrow 
Hawk or Kestril, and inspects the water beneath, to discover whether there 
may be fishes in it suitable to its taste. Should it find this to be the case, it 
continues poised for a few seconds, dashes spirally headlong into the water, 
seizes a fish, and alights on the nearest tree or stump, where it swallows its 
prey in a moment. 

The more usual range of the Belted Kingfisher, however, is confined to 
the rivers and creeks that abound throughout the United States; all of which, 
according to the seasons, are amply supplied with various fishes, on the fry 
of which this bird feeds. It follows their course up to the very source of 
the small rivulets; and it is not unusual to hear the hard, rapid, rattling notes 
of our Kingfisher, even amongst the murmuring cascades of our higher 
mountains. When the bird is found in such sequestered situations, well 
may the angler be assured that trout is abundant. Mill-ponds are also 
favourite resorts of the Kingfisher, the usual calmness of the water in such 
places permitting it to discover its prey with ease. As the freshets are pro- 
portionally less felt on the adjoining shores, the holes dug in the earth or 
sand by this species, in which it deposits its eggs, are generally found in 
places not far from a mill worked by water. 

I have laid open to my view several of these holes, in different situations 
and soils, and have generally found them to be formed as follows. The male 
and female, after having fixed upon a proper spot, are seen clinging to the 
bank of the stream in the manner of Woodpeckers. Their long and stout 
bills are set to work, and as soon as the hole has acquired a certain depth, 
one of the birds enters it, and scratches out the sand, earth or clay, with its 
feet, striking meanwhile with its bill to extend the depth. The other bird 
all the while appears to cheer the labourer, and urge it to continue its 
exertions; and, when the latter is fatigued, takes its place. Thus, by the 
co-operation of both, the hole is dug to the depth of four, five, or sometimes 
six feet, in an horizontal direction, at times not more than eighteen inches 
below the surface of the ground, at others eight or ten feet. At the Chicasaw 
Bluffs, on the Mississippi, I have seen some of these holes more than fifty 
feet below the surface, but generally beyond reach of the highest freshets. 
The hole is just large enough to admit the passage of a single bird at a time. 
The end is rounded and finished in the form of a common oven, to allow the 


THE BELTED KINGFISHER. 207 


ww 


pair or the whole brood to turn round in it at ease. Here, on a few sticks 
and feathers, the eggs are deposited to the number generally of six. They 
are pure white. Incubation continues for sixteen days. In the Middle 
States, these birds seldom raise more than one brood in the year, but in the 
southern usually two. Incubation is performed by both parents, which 
evince great solicitude for the safety of their young. The mother some- 
times drops on the water, as if severely wounded, and flutters and flounders 
as if unable to rise from the stream, in order to induce the intruder to wade 
or swim after her, whilst her mate, perched on the nearest bough, or even 
on the edge of the bank, jerks his tail, erects his crest, rattles his notes with 
angry vehemence, and then springing off, passes and repasses before the 
enemy, with a continued cry of despair. 

I have not been able to ascertain whether or not the young are fed with 
macerated food disgorged by the parents into their bills, but I have reason to 
think so, and I have always observed the old ones to swallow the fishes 
which they had caught, before they entered the hole. The young are, how- 
ever, afterwards fed directly on the entire fish; and I have frequently seen 
them follow the parent birds, and alight on the same branch, flapping their 
wings, and calling with open bill for the food just taken out of the water, 
when the petition was seldom denied. 

The Kingfisher resorts to the same hole, to breed and roost, for many 
years in succession. On one occasion, when I attempted to secure one of 
these birds, long after night had closed, I tried in vain. The first time I 
fitted a small net bag to the entrance, and returned home. Next morning 
the bird had scratched a passage under the net, and thus escaped. The fol- 
lowing evening I saw it enter the hole, and having procured a stick that 
filled the entrance for upwards of a foot, I felt certain of obtaining it; but 
before I reached the place next day, it had worked its way out. After this, 
I abandoned my attempt, although the bird continued to repose in the same 
hole. 

No superstitious notions exist in the United States respecting this species. 
The flesh is extremely fishy, oily, and disagreeable to the taste. On the 
contrary, the eggs are fine eating. 

I was ready to put my pen aside, kind reader, when, on consulting my 
journals, all of which are now at hand, I happened to read, that I have seen 
instances of this bird’s plunging into the sea after small fry, at Powles Hook, 
in the bay opposite to the city of New York. Iam not aware that this is a 
common occurrence. | 

Mr. TownsEnp found this species on the Missouri, the Rocky Mountains, 
and the Columbia river. Dr. Ricuarpson informs us that it frequents all 
the large rivers in the Fur Countries up to the 67th degree of latitude, and I 


908 THE BELTED KINGFISHER. 


have met with it from within the Texas to the shores of Labrador. I have 
also seen it on the higher and sandy Keys of the Floridas, where, however, 
I am not sure that it breeds. I have seen this bird fishing in salt water in a 
great number of instances. It is extremely hardy, and those individuals, 
which migrate northward to breed, seldom return towards our Southern 
States, where they spend the winter, until absolutely forced to do so by the 
great severity of the weather. The eggs measure 1{ inches in length, by 1 
inch in breadth, and are thus of a roundish form. Dr. Brewer of Boston 
informs me, that it abounds on the borders of all the ponds and rivers in 
Massachusetts, and that he found a nest containing two eggs on a hard gravel 
bank, on the borders of Charles river, Cambridge. 


Be rep KinerisHer, Alcedo Alcyon, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iii. p. 59. 

Aucepo Aucyon, Bonap. Syn., p. 48. 

Aucepo Atcyon, Belted Kingfisher, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 339. 
Bevtep Kinerisuer, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 594. 

Be.tep Kinerisuer, Alcedo Alcyon, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 394; vol. v. p. 548. 


Male, 124, 20. 

Breeds from Texas all over the United States, to the Fur Countries, 
Missouri, Rocky Mountains, and Columbia river. Common. Resident. 

Adult Male. 

Bill long, straight, tetragonal, tapering to an acute point, compressed 
towards the end; upper mandible keeled, with the dorsal line straight, the 
edges overlapping; lower mandible with the dorsal line slightly convex, the 
tip ascending; gap-line extending to beneath the eyes. Nostrils basal, 
dorsal, oblong, oblique, half-closed by a bare membrane. Head large, neck 
short, body robust. Feet very short; tarsus roundish, anteriorly scutellate, 
half the length of the middle toe; outer and middle toes nearly equal, inner 
much shorter, hind toe small; claws rather strong, arched, acute, channelled 
beneath. 

Plumage compact. Feathers of the head long, narrow, rather loose, 
pointed, and erectile, in the form of a longitudinal crest, of which the 
anterior feathers are longest. Wings longish, the third primary longest. 
Tail short, even, of twelve broad rounded feathers. 

Bill brownish-black, light greenish-blue at the base. Iris hazel. Feet 
greyish-blue; claws black. Head, cheeks, hind neck and upper parts gene- 
rally light blue, the shaft of each feather blackish. A white spot before the 
eye, and a slight streak of the same colour on the under‘eyelid. Quills 
brownish-black, the base of the primaries barred with white, the secondaries 
blue on the outer web. Two middle tail-feathers blue, as are the outer edges 


is THE BELTED KINGFISHER. 209 


of the rest, excepting the outermost; all, excepting the two middle ones, 
brownish-black, barred with white. A broad band of white across the neck, 
broader anteriorly and including the chin and throat. A band of blue across 
the fore part of the breast. The rest of the under parts white, excepting the 
sides, which are mottled with blue. 

Length 123 inches, extent of wings 20; bill along the ridge 2, along the 
gap 24; tarsus 3, middle toe 144. 

Adult Female. 

The blue of the female is much duller. The band on the upper part of 
the breast is of dull greyish-blue and light red intermixed; below this is a 
narrow band of white, and across the middle of the breast a broad band of 
yellowish-red, of which colour also are the sides. The rest of the under 
parts are white, tinged with red. 

An adult male preserved in spirits measures to end of tail 133 inches, to 
end of wings 114, to end of claws 1074; wing from flexure 63; tail 4. The 
roof of the mouth is rather flat behind, with the sides sloping upwards; it 
has two short longitudinal ridges, and is covered with minute papillz. The 
posterior aperture of the nares is linear behind, oblong before, § inch in 
length. The anterior part of the palate is moderately concave, with a 
median ridge and numerous oblique lateral grooves. The lower mandible 
is also moderately concave, with a prominent middle line. The tongue is 
very short, only 5 twelfths in length, 24 twelfths in breadth, fleshy, with 
two lateral prominent lamellz at the base, its upper surface slightly convex, 
its sides parallel until 2 twelfths from the tip, when it tapers abruptly to a 
bluntish point. The breadth of the mouth is 11} twelfths. The cesophagus, 
a bc, is 5% inches long, of the uniform width of 7 twelfths; its parietes very 
thin, the inner coat thrown into longitudinal rugs. The liver is large, its 
left lobe much smaller than the other, the former being 1 inch 11 twelfths 
in length, the latter 1 inch 4 twelfths. There is no gall-bladder. The 
stomach, c de, is very large, roundish, a little compressed, its diameter 1 
inch 7 twelfths. The proventricular glands are extremely small, and occupy 
a belt 5 twelfths in breadth. The muscular coat of the stomach is very thin, 
but composed of strong fasciculi, the middle coat is nearly of equal thickness; 
internally there is a complete epithelium, which, however, although tough, 
is very thin, almost membranous, and raised into numerous tortuous ruge, 
without any part being thicker than another. The pylorus has six marginal 
roundish fleshy papille. The duodenum, e/g, presents the usual curvature, 
being folded back upon itself at the distance of 1 inch 8 twelfths; the intes- 
tine, g h 7, then forms several conyolutions, and is of great length, but very 
narrow, and disposed in 24 folds. Its length is 3 feet 10 inches, its width 

Vox. IV. 29 


210 THE BELTED KINGFISHER. 


from 14 twelfths to 1 
twelfth. The cloaca, 7 &, 
is globular, 1 inch in diame- 
ter. There are no ceca; 
the rectum in its interior 
part has a width of only $ 
twelfth. 

SS The trachea is 4 inches 1 
twelfth long, 34 twelfths in 
breadth at the top, rapidly 
decreasing, so that at the 
distance of 1 inch to be 24 
twelfths, and at the lower 
part 2 twelfths. Its rings 
are firm, slightly flattened, 
excepting those at the top, 
of which about 12 are car- 
tilaginous. There are 72 
rings, the lowest entire ring 

very large, with a middle 

partition. The lateral mus- 
cles are very slender, as 
are the sterno-tracheal; and 
there isa very large inferior 
laryngeal muscle inserted 
into the first bronchial ring, 

as well as into the last ring 

of the trachea. The bronchi 

are rather short and narrow, 

y of about 15 half rings. The 
inferior laryngeal muscles 
may be divided into three 
portions, an anterior, a mid- 
dle, and a posterior; and 
thus supply a desideratum, 
no bird having hitherto been 
examined in which there 
are four inferior laryngeal 
muscles, including the ster- 
no-tracheal slip. 


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211 


FAMILY XXVI.—PICINA. WOODPECKERS. 


Bill long or of moderate length, straight, stout, angulate, tapering, com- 
pressed toward the tip, which is generally wedge-shaped and abrupt; man- 
dibles nearly equal, outline of the upper slightly convex, the ridge narrow, 
sides sloping, with a lateral ridge, edges straight; lower with the angle short 
and narrow, the dorsal line nearly straight, the ridge narrow, the sides with 
a faint ridge. Nostrils basal, elliptical or oblong, concealed by reversed 
bristly feathers. Head of moderate size, oblong; neck of moderate length; 
body stout. Legs short; tarsus short, moderately stout, anteriorly scutellate, 
scaly behind; toes usually four, first short, rudimentary, or sometimes want- 
ing, fourth very long and reversed, equalling or exceeding the third. Claws 
large, strong, much curved, much compressed, very acute. Plumage soft, 
blended, rather compact on the back; wings of moderate length or long, with 
the first quill very small, the third, fourth, and fifth longest. Tail of mode- 
rate length, much rounded or cuneate, of twelve feathers, of which the lateral 
are extremely small, and placed above the next, the rest, but especially the 
three middle pairs, with the shafts exceedingly large and strong, the webs 
narrowed toward the end, with their filaments deflected and stiff, the tip 
pointed or emarginate from being worn. Tongue slender, with the tip 
horny and furnished with reversed prickles or bristles, capable of being 
protruded to a great length by the elongation of the hyoid bones, which 
curve over the head to between the right eye and nostril, or even extend 
round a great part of that eye. Csophagus of uniform width; proventri- 
culus extremely large; stomach of moderate size, or rather small, broadly 
ellipitical or roundish, moderately muscular; epithelium thin, dense, and 
longitudinally rugous; intestine of moderate length, rather wide; no ceca; 
cloaca very large, globular, or elliptical. Trachea simple, with a single pair 
of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest, a cavity dug in a tree; eggs from four 
to six, elliptical, white. 

The groups present characters which are so undecided, and exhibit such 
gradual approximations, that I think it better here to consider all our Wood- 
peckers as of one genus. 


Genus I.—PICUS, Zinn. WOODPECKER. 


Character as above. 


* Bill straight, with the angles prominent. 


IMPERIAL WOODPECKER. 


~+ Picus IMPERIALIS, Gould. 


(Not figured.) 


The following note, which I have received from Mr. TownsEnp, refers 
to this splendid Woodpecker. ‘On the 14th of August, 1834, I saw several 
specimens of a large black Woodpecker, about the size of Picus principalis. 
A broad band of white appeared to extend transversely across the wings and 
back. It inhabited the tall pine trees, and was very shy. The note was 
almost exactly that of the Red-headed Woodpecker, so much so that at first 
Mr. Nurrart and myself were both deceived by it. I lingered behind the 
party, which at that time was travelling rapidly, and at last got a shot at one 
of them with slugs, my large shot having been entirely expended. The 
bird fell wounded into a thicket at a considerable distance. I searched for 
an hour, without finding it, and was at last compelled to relinquish it and 
follow the party, which had been leaving me at a rapid trot, to find my way 
as I best could, and keep out of the reach of Indians, who were dogging us 
continually. Who can describe the chagrin and positive misery of a poor 
fellow in my then situation! 

“The only account of this species that I have met with is the following, 
extracted from the “Proceedings of the Committee of Science and Corre- 
spondence of the Zoological Society of London,’’ Part I. 1832, p. 140.— 
“Specimens were exhibited of a species of Woodpecker, hitherto undescribed, 
which has recently been obtained by Mr. Govtp from that little explored 


IMPERIAL WOODPECKER. 213 


district of California, which borders the territory of Mexico. The exhibi- 
tion was accompanied by a communication from Mr. Govtp, in which, after 
some general remarks on the Picidz, and their geographical distribution, he 
referred to the species before the Committee as possessing the characters of 
the genus Picus in their most marked development, together with the 
greatest size hitherto observed in that group. In this respect it as far 
exceeds the Jvory-billed Woodpecker of the United States, Picus princi- 
palis, as the latter does the Picus martius of Europe. Mr. Gouxp described 
it as the 

“Picus imperialis. Mas. Pic. ater, virescenti-splendens; crista elongata 
occipitali coccinéa; macula triangulari interscapulari, remigibus secundariis, 
primariarumque (preter terlum quatuorve exteriorum) rachibus intermis 
albis; rostro eburneo. 

“Foem. Paullo minor; crista occipitali cum corpore concolore. 

“Longitudo manis, 2 ped.; alee (clausz), 1 ped.; caude, 10 unc.; tarsi, vix 
2 une.; digiti externi portici, eadem ac tarsi, ungues validissimi, arcuati; 
rostrum exacte cuneiforme, a rictu ad apice 4 une. long., ad basin 1 une. 
latum. 

“This species is readily distinguishable from the Pic. principalis by its 
much larger size; by the length of its occipital crest, the pendent silky 
feathers of which measure nearly four inches; by the absence of the white 
stripe which ornaments the neck of that bird, and by the bristles which 
cover its nostrils being black, whereas those of the Pic. principalis are 
white.” 

A figure of this species will be given at the end of the work, if a specimen 
can be procured. 


Picus ImpERIALIS, Gould, Proceed. of Com. Sc. and Corresp. of Zool. Soc. of Lond., 
part ii. p. 140. 
IMPERIAL WoopPecKER, Picus imperialis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 313. 


Glossy greenish-black; the elongated occipital crest scarlet; a triangular 
spot on the fore part of the back; the secondary quills, and the inner webs 
of most of the primaries, white; bill yellowish-white. Female similar, but 
without red on the head. 

Male, 24, wing, 12. 

Rocky Mountains and North California. 


214 


THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 


+Picus PRINCIPALIS, Linn. 
PLATE CCLVI.—Mate ann Femates. 


I have always imagined, that in the plumage of the beautiful Ivory-billed 
Woodpecker, there is something very closely allied to the style of colouring 
of the great-Vanpyxe. The broad extent of its dark glossy body and tail, 
the large and well-defined white markings of its wings, neck, and bill, 
relieved by the rich carmine of the pendent crest of the male, and the 
brilliant yellow of its eye, have never failed to remind me of some of the 
boldest and noblest productions of that inimitable artist’s pencil. So strongly 
indeed have these thoughts become ingrafted in my mind, as I gradually 
obtained a more intimate acquaintance with the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, 
that whenever I have observed one of these birds flying from one tree to 
another, I have mentally exclaimed, “There goes a Vandyke!”? This 
notion may seem strange, perhaps ludicrous, to you, good reader, but I relate 
it as a fact, and whether or not it may be found in accordance with your own 
ideas, after you have inspected the plate in which is represented this splendid 
species of the Woodpecker tribe, is perhaps of little consequence. 

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker confines its rambles to a comparatively 
very small portion of the United States, it never having been observed in 
the Middle States within the memory of any person now living there. In 
fact, in no portion of these districts does the nature of the woods appear 
suitable to its remarkable habits. 

Descending the Ohio, we meet with this splendid bird for the first time 
near the confluence of that beautiful river and the Mississippi; after which, 
following the windings of the latter, either downwards toward the sea, or 
upwards in the direction of the Missouri, we frequently observe it. On the 
Atlantic coast, North Carolina may be taken as the limit of its distribution, 
although now and then an individual of the species may be accidentally seen 
in Maryland. To the westward of the Mississippi, it is found in all the 
dense forests bordering the streams which empty their waters into that 
majestic river, from the very declivities of the Rocky Mountains. The 
lower parts of the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, 
are, however, the most favourite resorts of this bird, and in those States it 
constantly resides, breeds, and passes a life of peaceful enjoyment, finding 


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THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 915 


a profusion of food in all the deep, dark, and gloomy swamps dispersed 
throughout them. 

I wish, kind reader, it were in my power to present to your mind’s eye 
the favourite resort of the Ivory-bidled Woodpecker. Would that I could 
describe the extent of those deep morasses, overshadowed by millions of 
gigantic dark cypresses, spreading their sturdy moss-covered branches, as if 
to admonish intruding man to pause and reflect on the many difficulties 
which he must encounter, should he persist in venturing farther into their 
almost inaccessible recesses, extending for miles before him, where he should 
be interrupted by huge projecting branches, here and there the massy trunk 
of a fallen and decaying tree, and thousands of creeping and twining plants 
of numberless species! Would that I could represent to you the dangerous 
nature of the ground, its oozing, spongy, and miry disposition, although 
covered with a beautiful but treacherous carpeting, composed of the richest 
mosses, flags, and water-lilies, no sooner receiving the pressure of the foot 
than it yields and endangers the very life of the adventurer, whilst here and 
there, as he approaches an opening, that proves merely a lake of black 
muddy water, his ear is assailed by the dismal croaking of innumerable 
frogs, the hissing of serpents, or the bellowing of alligators! Would that I 
could give you an idea of the sultry pestiferous atmosphere that nearly 
suffocates the intruder during the meridian heat of our dogdays, in those 
gloomy and horrible swamps! But the attempt to picture these scenes 
would be vain. Nothing short of ocular demonstration can impress any 
adequate idea of them. 

How often, kind reader, have I thought of the difference of the tasks 
imposed on different minds, when, travelling in countries far distant from 
those where birds of this species and others as difficult to be procured are 
now and then offered for sale in the form of dried skins, I have heard the 
amateur or closet-naturalist express his astonishment that half-a-crown was 
asked by the person who had perhaps followed the bird when alive over 
miles of such swamps, and after procuring it, had prepared its skin in the 
best manner, and carried it to a market thousands of miles distant from the 
spot where he had obtained it. I must say, that it has at least grieved me 
as much as when I have heard some idle fop complain of the poverty of the 
Gallery of the Louvre, where he had paid nothing, or when I have listened 
to the same infatuated idler lamenting the loss of his shilling, as he sauntered 
through the Exhibition Rooms of the Royal Academy of London, or any 
equally valuable repository of art. But, let us return to the biography of 
the famed Ivory-billed Woodpecker. 

The flight of this bird is graceful in the extreme, although seldom pro- 
longed to more than a few hundred yards at a time, unless when it has to 


216 THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 


cross a large river, which it does in deep undulations, opening its wings at 
first to their full extent, and nearly closing them to renew the propelling 
impulse. The transit from one tree to another, even should the distance be 
as much as a hundred yards, is performed by a single sweep, and the bird 
appears as if merely swinging itself from the top of the one tree to that of 
the other, forming an elegantly curved line. At this moment all the beauty 
of the plumage is exhibited, and strikes the beholder with pleasure. It never 
utters any sound whilst on wing, unless during the love-season; but at all 
other times, no sooner has this bird alighted than its remarkable voice is 
heard, at almost every leap which it makes, whilst ascending against the 
upper parts of the trunk of a tree, or its highest branches. Its notes are 
clear, loud, and yet rather plaintive. They are heard at a considerable 
distance, perhaps half a mile, and resemble the false high note of a clarionet. 
They are usually repeated three times in succession, and may be represented 
by the monosyllable pazt, pait, pait. These are heard so frequently as to 
induce me to say that the bird spends few minutes of the day without utter- 
ing them, and this circumstance leads to its destruction, which is aimed at, 
not because (as is supposed by some) this species is a destroyer of trees, but 
more because it is a beautiful bird, and its rich scalp attached to the upper 
mandible forms an ornament for the war-dress of most of our Indians, or for 
the shot-pouch of our squatters and hunters, by all of whom the bird is shot 
merely for that purpose. 

Travellers of all nations are also fond of possessing the upper part of the 
head and the bill of the male, and I have frequently remarked, that ona 
steamboat’s reaching what we call a wooding-place, the strangers were very 
apt to pay a quarter of a dollar for two or three heads of this Woodpecker. 
I have seen entire belts of Indian chiefs closely ornamented with the tufts 
and bills of this species, and have observed that a great value is frequently 
put upon them. 

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker nestles earlier in spring than any other 
species of its tribe. I have observed it boring a hole for that purpose in the 
beginning of March. ‘The hole is, I believe, always made in the trunk of a 
live tree, generally an ash or a hagberry, and is at a great height. The 
birds pay great regard to the particular situation of the tree, and the inclina- 
tion of its trunk; first, because they prefer retirement, and again, because 
they are anxious to secure the aperture against the access of water during 
beating rains. To prevent such a calamity, the hole is generally dug imme- 
diately under the junction of a large branch with the trunk. It is first bored 
horizontally for a few inches, then directly downwards, and not in a spiral 
manner, as some people have imagined. According to circumstances, this 
cavity is more or less deep, being sometimes not more than ten inches, 


THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. a7 


whilst at other times it reaches nearly three feet downwards into the core of 
the tree. Ihave been led to think that these differences result from the 
more or less immediate necessity under which the female may be of deposit- 
ing her eggs, and again have thought that the older the Woodpecker is, the 
deeper does it make its hole. The average diameter of the different nests 
which I have examined was about seven inches within, although the 
entrance, which is perfectly round, is only just large enough to admit the bird. 

Both birds work most assiduously at this excavation, one waiting outside 
to encourage the other, whilst it is engaged in digging, and when the latter 
is fatigued, taking its place. I have approached trees whilst these Wood- 
peckers were thus busily employed in forming their nest, and by resting my 
head against the bark, could easily distinguish every blow given by the bird. 
I observed that in two instances, when the Woodpeckers saw me thus at the 
foot of the tree in which they were digging their nest, they abandoned it 
for ever. For the first brood there are generally six eggs. They are 
deposited on a few chips at the bottom of the hole, and are of a pure white 
colour. The young are seen creeping out of the hole about a fortnight 
before they venture to fly to any other tree. The second brood makes its 
appearance about the 15th of August. 

In Kentucky and Indiana, the Ivory-bills seldom raise more than one 
brood in the season. The young are at first of the colour of the female, 
only that they want the crest, which, however, grows rapidly, and towards 
autumn, particularly in birds of the first breed, is nearly equal to that of the 
mother. ‘The males have then a slight line of red on the head, and do not 
attain their richness of plumage until spring, or their full size until the 
second year. Indeed, even then, a difference is easily observed between 
them and individuals which are much older. 

The food of this species consists principally of beetles, larvae, and large 
grubs. No sooner, however, are the grapes of our forests ripe than they are 
eaten by the Ivory-billed Woodpecker with great avidity. I have seen this 
bird hang by its claws to the vines, in the position so often assumed by a 
Titmouse, and, reaching downwards, help itself to a bunch of grapes with 
much apparent pleasure. Persimons are also sought for by them, as soon as 
the fruit becomes quite mellow, as are hagberries. 

The Ivory-bill is never seen attacking the corn, or the fruit of the 
orchards, although it is sometimes observed working upon and chipping off 
the bark from the belted trees of the newly-cleared plantations. It seldom 
comes near the ground, but prefers at all times the tops of the tallest trees. 
Should it, however, discover the half-standing broken shaft of a large dead 
and rotten tree, it attacks it in such a manner as nearly to demolish it in the 


course of afew days. I have seen the remains of some of these ancient 
Vou. IV. 30 


918 THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 


monarchs of our forests so excavated, and that so singularly, that the tottering 
fragments of the trunk appeared to be merely supported by the great pile of 
chips by which its base was surrounded. The strength of this Woodpecker 
is such, that I have seen it detach pieces of bark seven or eight inches in 
length at a single blow of its powerful bill, and by beginning at the top 
branch of a dead tree, tear off the bark, to an extent of twenty or thirty feet, 
in the course of a few hours, leaping downwards with its body in an upward 
position, tossing its head to the right and left, or leaning it against the bark 
to ascertain the precise spot where the grubs were concealed, and imme- 
diately after renewing its blows with fresh vigour, all the while sounding its 
loud notes, as if highly delighted. 

This species generally moves in pairs, after the young have left their 
parents. The female is always the most clamorous and the least shy. Their 
mutual attachment is, I believe, continued through life. Excepting when 
digging a hole for the reception of their eggs, these birds seldom, if ever, 
attack living trees, for any other purpose than that of procuring food, in 
doing which they destroy the insects that would otherwise prove injurious 
to the trees. 

I have frequently observed the male and female retire to rest for the 
night, into the same hole in which they had long before reared their young. 
This generally happens a short time after sunset. 

When wounded and brought to the ground, the Ivory-bill immediately 
makes for the nearest tree, and ascends it with great rapidity and perse- 
verance, until it reaches the top branches, when it squats and hides, generally 
with great effect. Whilst ascending, it moves spirally round the tree, utters 
its loud pail, patt, pait, at almost every hop, but becomes silent the moment 
it reaches a place where it conceives itself secure. They sometimes cling to 
the bark with their claws so firmly, as to remain cramped to the spot for 
several hours after death. When taken by the hand, which is rather a 
hazardous undertaking, they strike with great violence, and inflict very 
severe wounds with their bill as well as claws, which are extremely sharp 
and strong. On such occasions, this bird utters a mournful and very piteous 
cry. 

I have only to add to what I have said of the habits and distribution of 
this species, that I found it very abundant along the finely wooded margins 
of that singular stream, called “Buffalo Bayou,” in the Texas, where we 
procured several specimens. 


Ivory-BILLED WoopreckerR, Picus principalis, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iv. p. 20. 

Picus PRINCIPALIS, Bonap. Syn., p. 44. 

Ivory-BILLED Wooprecker, Picus principalis, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 564. 

Ivory-BILLED Wooppecker, Picus principalis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 341; vol. v. 
p. 525. 


THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 919 


Male, 21, 30. Female, 194, wing 10. 

Common in Texas, Louisiana, and along the Mississippi, to the Ohio. 
Rare on the latter, to Henderson. From Florida to North Carolina. 
Resident. 

Adult Male. 

Bill long, straight, strong, polyhedral, tapering, compressed and truncated 
at the tip; mandibles nearly equal, both nearly straight in their dorsal out- 
line. Nostrils basal, oval, partly covered by recumbent bristly feathers. 
Head large. Neck long and slender. Body robust. Feet rather short, 
robust; tarsus strong, scutellate before, scaly on the sides; two toes before 
and two behind, the inner hind toe shortest; claws strong, arched, very acute. 

Plumage compact, glossy. Feathers of the head elongated and erectile. 
Wings large, the third and fourth quills longest. Tail long, graduated, of 
twelve tapering stiff feathers worn to a point by being rubbed against the 
bark of trees. 

Bill of an ivory-white, whence the common name of the bird. _ Iris bright 
yellow. Feet greyish-blue. The general colour of the ‘plumage is black, 
with violet reflections, more glossy above. The feathers of the middle and 
hind part of the head are of a vivid deep carmine. A broad band of white 
runs down the neck and back, on either side, commencing narrow under the 
ear, and terminating with the scapulars. The five outer primaries black, the 
rest white towards the end, the secondaries wholly white, so that when the 
wings are closed, the posterior part of the back seems white, although it is 
in reality black. Lateral tail-feathers with a spot of white near the tip of 
each web. 

Length 21 inches, extent of wings 30; bill along the back 24, along the 
gap 3; tarsus 2. 

Adult Female. 

The female resembles the male in colouring, but wants the vivid patch on 
the crest, which is wholly black. 

Two of these Woodpeckers, preserved in spirits, have afforded an oppor- 
tunity of making the following observations. 

The length to end of tail is 193 inches, to end of wings 163, to end of 
claws 15; wing from flexure 10; tail 93. 

The width of the mouth is 1 inch. The bill, fig. 1, a 3, p. 528, is much 
longer than the head, straight, robust, its horny covering of extreme thick- 
ness and solidity. It is broader than high at the base, in the proportion of 
1 inch to 8 twelfths. The upper mandible, a, has its dorsal outline very 
slightly arched and deflected, the ridge narrow, the lateral ridge at the base 
equidistant from the median ridge and the margin, running parallel with the 
former, and passing out at the margin at the distance of 10 twelfths from the 


\ 


990 THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 


tip; the space between the ridges concave, the margins overlapping and _ 
obtuse; the tip wedge-shaped and truncate. The lower mandible, 4, has the 
angle of moderate length and width, the dorsal line ascending and very 
slightly convex, the ridge narrow, with a broad groove on each side, beyond 
which the sides become erect and convex, the edges very broad, for two- 
thirds of their length roundish, afterwards flattened, the tip wedged-shaped 
and abrupt. The gap-line is almost straight. 

The roof of the mouth is somewhat convex: there are upon it two longi- 
tudinal papillate ridges, meeting anteriorly to the palatal slit, whence to the 
tip isa median groove, at the anterior extremity of which is a small hole; 
the upper mandible is but slightly concave. The posterior aperture of the 
nares is oblongo-linear, margined with acute papilla, the space between it 
and the ridges also papillate. 

Fig. 1. The nostrils are oblong, 3 
twelfths in length, 14 twelfths in 
height, entirely covered by the 
bristly reversed feathers. The 
aperture of the eye is 44 twelfths 
in width. That of the ear hori- 
zontally oblong, 35 twelfths in 
length, and 2 twelfths in height. 

The heart is of moderate size, 
broadly conical, 1 inch 2 twelfths 
long, 1 inch 1 twelfth in breadth 
at the base. The liver is very 
small, the right lobe much larger 
than the left, the former being 11 
twelfths long and 1 inch broad, 
while the latter is 103 twelfths 
long and 7 twelfths in breadth. 
There is no gall-bladder. 

The csophagus, a b ec, is 64 
inches long, and of the nearly uni- 
form width of 6 twelfths. On en- 
tering the thorax, at a, it curves 
considerably to the left side, and 
becomes very muscular; the pro- 
ventriculus, 5c, has a breadth of 
71 twelfths. The stomach, c d, 
is of moderate size, of a broadly 


THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 291 


Cad 


elliptical form, directed a little towards the right, somewhat compressed, 1 
inch 2 twelfths long, and of about the same breadth. The muscular fasciculi 
on the proventriculus are extremely large. On the stomach also they are of 
great size, and the greatest thickness of its muscular coat is 14 twelfths. 
This organ is completely filled with very hard seeds of different kinds, and 
some pulpy matter, but without any insects or larve. Its inner coat is thin, 
dense, very tough, nearly smooth, and of a dusky brown colour. The pro- 
ventricular glandules, which are very small, form a belt 1 inch in breadth. 
The intestine, de fg h, is of moderate length and very wide. The duodenum 
curves at the distance of 34 inches. The pylorus is about two-twelfths in 
width, with an elevated margin, and allows the untriturated seeds and other 
refuse to pass into the intestine, which in some parts is turgid with them. 
The intestine measures 24 inches in length; its width in the duodenal portion 
is 34 twelfths, and so continues to the length of 12 inches, when it gradually 
enlarges, so as at the commencement of the rectum to be 6 twelfths. The 
rectum itself, eg h, continues of that width, and is enlarged into a globular 
cloaca, h, 14 inches in diameter. The whole intestine is more or less filled 
with pulpy matter, together with a vast number of grape seeds and others of 
a much larger size, but all having a strong shell. Hence it appears that the 
stomach of this Woodpecker is not adapted for pounding very hard sub- 
stances, and that the seeds of berries and pulpy fruits pass undigested through 
its intestinal canal. The same remark applies to all the other species 
examined. ‘There are no traces of ceca. 

The apparatus, by means of which the tongue of this and other Wood- 
peckers is protruded and retracted, is so beautiful a specimen of mechanism, 
and at the same time so perfectly simple, although by bungling describers it 
has been rendered almost unintelligible, that it may be expedient to present 
it here in detail, the more especially that this species, although not that in 
which it is exhibited in the highest degree of development or extension, is 
yet, as being one of the largest known, peculiarly well adapted for such an 
examination. ‘Two figures, therefore, are here introduced. 

In Fig. 1 are seen:—The upper and lower mandibles a 8, the tongue c d, 
the terminal barbed portion ec, the fleshy part d, the orbit and eye e, the 
salivary gland f, the hyoid bones g g, the neck A h, the furcula 7 7, the 
cesophagus 7 7, the trachea 4, its lateral muscles Z 7, the cleido-tracheal 7 7. 

In Fig. 2 are seen:—The lower mandible 4, the salivary glands //, the 
hyoid bones g g, the cesophagus 7 77, the trachea #, the lateral muscles Z Z, 
the cleido-tracheal m m, the glosso-laryngeal n m, the muscles by which the 
tongue is exserted 0 o. 

The bill of this species, Fig. 1, @ 6, measures 3 inches and 2 twelfths from 
the angle of the mouth; and the tongue, c d, which lines in the broad groove 


THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 


THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 993 


of the lower mandible, reaches to 2 twelfths of the extreme tip, but at the 
will of the bird may be exserted so as to extend 34 inches beyond the point 
of the bill. The tongue itself presents the appearance of a slender fleshy 
worm-like body, having a middle longitudinal groove on its upper surface, 
which is transversely wrinkled, and terminated by a slender tapering bony 
point, of which the margins and part of the upper surface are covered with 
acicular prickles, which are in some degree moveable and directed back- 
wards, but not capable of being bent outwards, much less in the direction of 
the tip of the tongue. The length of this organ is apparently 2 inches 8 
twelfths; but if measured from the base of the basi-hyal bone, only 1 inch 
11 twelfths; its breadth at the base 24 twelfths, slightly tapering to the end 
of its fleshy part, where it somewhat suddenly contracts, so as to have a 
breadth of little more than 1 twelfth. The length of the horny tip is 9 
twelfths. The tongue at the base is entirely destitute of the lobes and 
papillz which in other birds give it a sagittate appearance; and there is no 
uro-hyal bone, which in them slips into a groove along the front of the 
thyroid bone of the larynx. The mouth is of moderate width, its breadth 
being, as already mentioned, 11 twelfths, it being in this respect very 
different from that of Flycatchers, Goatsuckers, Swallows, and such birds as 
seize on living insects while on wing. The lower mandible is deeply con- 
eave within, wider than the tongue, and covered with mucous membrane 
until 1 inch 5 twelfths from the point, beyond which it is horny, with a 
median groove, near the commencement of which is a small aperture for the 
ducts of the salivary glands. The tongue is capable of being retracted 10 
twelfths of an inch from the tip of the mandibles, and is then seen to slide 
into a sheath, formed by an induplication or intussusception of the membrane 
covering it, and having two freenula of elastic tissue inserted into the angle 
of the jaw. Here it may be proper to state, that in birds generally the bony 
elements of the tongue are seven, as may be represented by the accompany- 


ing diagram, in which the first or upper piece is 

named the glosso-hyal, the next the basi-hyal, the | 
third, in the same line, the uro-hyal; the two coming | 
off from the base of the second piece or basi-hyal are /\ 
the apo-hyal, to each of which is appended another, 


the cerato-hyal. The tongue itself is in no degree 
extensile or contractile, but has for its solid basis a i" \ 

very slender basi-hyal bone, 1 inch 23 twelfths in 

length, terminated by a glosso-hyal bone } inch in length, but, as already 
said, has no basal or uro-hyal bone, which, on account of the unusual extent 
of its motion, would form an impediment. 


From the base of this basi-hyal bone, there proceed backwards and slightly 


994 THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 


ww 


diverging, two slender apo-hyal bones, 1 inch 1 twelfth in length, each of 
which is continuous with an extremely elongated cerato-hyal bone, 4 inches 
and 1 twelfth in length, 2 twelfth in breadth at the commencement, gradually 
tapering to a blunt point, convex on its lower surface, concave or channelled 
on the upper, passing under and internally of the articulation of the jaw, and 
curving upwards along the occiput, until the two meet on the top of the 
head at the level of the posterior margin of the orbit, in the median line of 
the cranium, which is much depressed, whence they proceed in mutual 
contact, inclining slightly to the right side, and terminate a little before the 
anterior margin of the orbit, half an inch behind the right nostril, and a 
quarter of an inch from the base of the bill. These prolongations of the 
os hyoides being of an osseo-cartilaginous texture, are possessed of much 
elasticity, so as in some measure to resemble a curved spring. 

From near the angle or point of union of the two crura of the lower man- 
dible internally, there proceeds on each side a slender muscle, 0 0, which, 
running backwards, comes in contact with the prolongation of the hyoid 
bone at the joint between the apo-hyal and cerato-hyal portions, and is 
thence continued along the whole extent of the latter, o g, og, running 
chiefly along its upper side, but partially enclosing it, and bound to it by a 
sheath of cellular tissue, which allows it considerable motion. The bone and 
muscle are together enclosed in an extremely delicate, transparent, tenacious 
sheath, moistened internally with a serous fluid, and terminating at the end 
of the bone, where it is attached by elastic tissue to the cellular substance 
and periosteum near the base of the bill. This delicate sheath, perfectly 
smooth and lubricated on its inner surface, is on the outer attached by deli- 
cate filaments to the dense cellular tissue which forms a kind of external 
sheath. It is fixed in its place, and the hyoid bone with its muscle, g g, 
slides backwards and forwards in it. 

The entire length from the tip of the tongue, ¢c, to the tip of each prolon- 
gation of the hyoid bone at e, is 7 inches 2 twelfths. The protrusion of the 
tongue is effected by the contraction of the slender muscle above described, 
0, which having a fixed basis in the lower Jaw near its angle, and acting upon 
the tip of the hyoid bone, which is in this bird situated anteriorly to the 
eye, on the forehead, near the base of the upper mandible at c, causes the 
hyoid bone to glide within its sheath until its tip has moved backwards over 
the forehead, the crown, and occiput, and then advanced forwards until 
beneath the articulation of the lower jaw, thus traversing a space of 3} 
inches; so that the tongue is protruded to 3 inches and 4 twelfths beyond 
the tip of the bill) When the muscle is relaxed, the parts regain their 
ordinary position by the aid of the elasticity of the prolongations of the 


THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 995 


hyoid bones, and the action of another pair of muscles, to be presently 
described. 

The tongue, d, is covered externally with a dense sheath of fibrous tissue. 
On its lower surface is seen on each side a very slender muscle, commencing 
at the extremity of the glosso-hyal bone, and running along the whole length 
of the basi-hyal bone, as well as of the apo-hyal, to be inserted into the 
cerato-hyal, at the distance of one inch from its base, on the outer edge. 
The action of this muscle, which has a strong tendon in its whole length, is 
to bend the tip of the tongue downwards, or to move the horn of the hyoid 
bone outwards. It may be called the glosso-hyal. It has another tendon 
running parallel to that mentioned, along its upper edge, of which the action 
must be to bend the tongue upwards upon the apo-hyal. Besides these 
muscles, there is another pair, forming the greater part of the fleshy portion 
of the tongue. They commence at the tip of the basi-hyal bone, or at d, 
proceed along the upper surface of the tongue, and, after running a course of 
22 inches, pass along the anterior surface of the thyroid bone, wind along 
its edge, and are inserted near the middle surface of the trachea, about its 
tenth ring. The action of these muscles, alluded to at the end of the last 
paragraph, and marked 7 n, is to retract the tongue, when extended, as well 
as to pull forward the larynx. 

Another pair of very slender muscles, 7 m, commence upon the edge of 
the thyroid bone externally of those last described, separate immediately 
from the trachea, pass directly down the neck in front, under the subcuta- 
neous muscle and skin, to which they are firmly attached by cellular tissue, 
and are inserted into the furcular bone about the middle of its length. These 
muscles, the cleido-tracheales, are not peculiar to Woodpeckers, and have 
nothing particular to do with the movements of the tongue in those birds. 

Parallel to the lower edge of the jaw, and extending from 4 twelfths 
anteriorly to its articulation to the junction of its crura, is, on each side, an 
elongated salivary gland, ff, attached to the jaw by cellular tissue. It is of 
a yellowish colour, internally parenchymatous, and sends off a duct, which 
enters the mouth by the aperture already mentioned, at the commencement 
of the groove in the horny part of the lower mandible. The fluid which it 
secretes is a glairy mucus, of a whitish colour, which being poured forth 
around the tip of the tongue covers it with a glutinous substance well 
adapted for causing the adhesion of any small body to it. 

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker, then, having discovered an insect or larva 
in a chink of the bark, is enabled by suddenly protruding its tongue, covered 
with thick mucus, and having a strong slender sharp point furnished with 
small reversed prickles, to seize it and draw it into the mouth. These 
prickles are of special use in drawing from its retreat in the wood those 


Vor. PVs 31 


996 _ THE PILEATED WOODPECKER. 


large larve, often two or three inches in length; but it does not appear 
probable that the bristly point is ever used to ¢ransfiz an object, otherwise 
how should the object be again set free, without tearing off the prickles, which 
are extremely delicate and not capable of being bent in every direction? 

The trachea, & k, is 5 inches 4 twelfths in length, considerably flattened, 
nearly of the uniform breadth of 3 twelfths throughout. The aperture of 
the glottis is 4 twelfths long, with a posterior flap of several series of papillz. 
The rings of the trachea are very strong, firmly ossified, 92 in number. At 
the upper part 3 are incomplete; the last entire ring is very broad and 
bipartite, and there are 2 additional dimidiate rings. The bronchi are short, 
of 12 half rings. The lateral or contractor muscles, 7 7, commence in front, 
at‘ the base of the thyroid bone, diverge, presently become lateral, and thus 
proceed until 43 twelfths from the extremity, when they terminate partly 
in the sterno-tracheal, but also send down a very thin slip, which is inserted 
on the first dimidiate ring. 

The explanation of the mechanism by which the tongue is protruded as 
above given, differs materially from any of those to be found in English 
works at least, in some of which there is a very unnecessary prolixity as 
well as ambiguity. It does not appear that hitherto the real sheath in which 
the horns of the hyoid bone, with its muscle, move, has been observed, and 
the two very slender muscles which run from the sides of the thyroid bone 
to the furcula, are common to almost all birds, although they have been 
supposed to be peculiar to Woodpeckers. 


THE PILEATED WOODPECKER. 
+ Picus pireatvus, Linn. 
PLATE CCLVII.—Mate, Femate, anp Younec Mates. 


It would be difficult for me to say in what part of our extensive country I 
have not met with this hardy inhabitant of the forest. LEZyen now, when 
several species of our birds are becoming rare, destroyed as they are, either 
to gratify the palate of the epicure, or to adorn the cabinet of the naturalist, 
the Pileated Woodpecker is every where to be found in the wild woods, 
although scarce and shy in the peopled districts. 


7 Adill Male. 2. %dilt Portale . 3 and. 4 Young Males 


s+ 


2D G 
A epee « fice 


WANA N MA bMS Aadiborw HASLLS, Lith * Printed. Mlol by FT! Fo 


\ alae te . . 
- 3 ' . \ 
Maly 


nae: 


_= 
y 


THE PILEATED WOODPECKER. 2/376 


Wherever it occurs it is a permanent resident, and, like its relative the 
Ivory-billed Woodpecker, it remains pretty constantly in the place which it 
has chosen after leaving its parents. It is at all times a shy bird, so that one 
can seldom approach it, unless under cover of a tree, or when he happens 
accidentally to surprise it while engaged in its daily avocations. When seen 
in a large field newly brought into tillage, and yet covered with girdled 
trees, it removes from one to another, cackling out its laughter-like notes, as 
if it found delight in leading you a wild-goose chase in pursuit of it. When 
followed it always alights on the tallest branches or trunks of trees, removes 
to the side farthest off, from which it every moment peeps, as it watches 
your progress in silence; and so well does it seem to know the distance at 
which a shot can reach it, that it seldom permits so near an approach. Often 
when you think the next step will take you near enough to fire with 
certainty, the wary bird flies off before you can reach it. Even in the 
wildest parts of Eastern Florida, where I have at times followed it, to assure 
myself that the birds I saw were of the same species as that found in our 
distant Atlantic States, its vigilance was not in the least abated. For miles 
have I chased it from one cabbage-tree to another, without ever getting 
within shooting distance, until at last I was forced to resort to stratagem, and 
seeming to abandon the chase, took a circuitous route, concealed myself in 
its course, and waited until it came up, when, it being now on the side of 
the trees next to me, I had no difficulty in bringing it down. I shall never 
forget, that, while in the Great Pine Forest of Pennsylvania, I spent several 
days in the woods endeavouring to procure one, for the same purpose of 
proving its identity with others elsewhere seen. 

Their natural wildness never leaves them, even although they may have 
been reared from the nest. I will give you an instance of this, as related to 
me by my generous friend the Reverend Joun Bacuman of Charleston, who 
also speaks of the cruelty of the species. “A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers 
had a nest in an old elm tree, in a swamp, which they occupied that year; 
the next spring early, two Blue-birds took possession of it, and there had 
young. Before these were half grown, the Woodpeckers returned to the 
place, and, despite of the cries and reiterated attacks of the Blue-birds, the 
others took the young, not very gently, as you may imagine, and carried 
them away to some distance. Next the nest itself was disposed of, the hole 
cleaned and enlarged, and there they raised a brood. The nest, it is true, 
was originally their own. The tree was large, but so situated, that, from the 
branches of another I could reach the nest. The hole was about 18 inches 
deep, and I could touch the bottom with my hand. The eggs, which were 
laid on fragments of chips, expressly left by the birds, were six, large, white 
and translucent. Before the Woodpeckers began to sit, I robbed them of 


998 THE PILEATED WOODPECKER. 


~~: 


their eggs, to see if they would lay a second time. They waited a few days 
as if undecided, when on a sudden I heard the female at work again in the 
tree; she once more deepened the hole, made it broader at bottom, and 
recommenced laying. ‘This time she laid five eggs. I suffered her to bring 
out her young, both sexes alternately incubating, each visiting the other at 
intervals, peeping into the hole to see that all was right and well there, and 
flying off afterwards in search of food. 

When the young were sufficiently grown to be taken out with safety, 
which I ascertained by seeing them occasionally peeping out of the hole, I 
earried them home, to judge of their habits in confinement, and attempted 
to raise them. I found it exceedingly difficult to entice them to open their 
bill in order to feed them. They were sullen and cross, nay, three died in 
a few days; but the others, having been fed on grasshoppers forcibly intro- 
duced into their mouths, were raised. In a short time they began picking 
up the grasshoppers thrown into their cage, and were fully fed with corn- 
meal, which they preferred eating dry. Their whole employment consisted 
in attempting to escape from their prison, regularly demolishing one every 
two days, although made of pine boards of tolerable thickness. I at last had 
one constructed with oak boards at the back and sides, and rails of the same 
in front. This was too much for them, and their only comfort was in pass- 
ing and holding their bills through the hard bars. In the morning after 
receiving water, which they drank freely, they invariably upset the cup or 
saucer, and although this was large and flattish, they regularly turned it quite 
over. After this they attacked the trough which contained their food, and 
soon broke it to pieces, and when perchance I happened to approach them 
with my hand, they made passes at it with their powerful bills with great 
force. I kept them in this manner until winter. They were at all times 
uncleanly and unsociable birds. On opening the door of my study one 
morning, one of them dashed off by me, alighted on an apple-tree near the 
house, climbed some distance, and kept watching me from one side and then 
the other, as if to ask what my intentions were. I walked into my study:— 
the other was hammering at my books. They had broken one of the bars 
of the cage, and must have been at liberty for some hours, judging by the 
mischief they had done. Tired of my pets, I opened the door, and this last 
one hearing the voice of his brother, flew towards him and alighted on the 
same tree. They remained about half an hour, as if consulting each other, 
after which, taking to their wings together, they flew off in a southern 
direction, and with much more ease than could have been expected from 
birds so long kept in captivity. The ground was covered with snow, and I 
never more saw them. No birds of this species ever bred since in the hole 


ww 


THE PILEATED WOODPECKER. 229 


spoken of in this instance, and I consider it as much wilder than the Ivory- 
billed Woodpecker.”’ 

While in the Great Pine Forest of Pennsylvania, of which I have repeat- 
edly spoken, I was surprised to see how differently this bird worked on the 
bark of different trees, when searching for its food. On the hemlock and 
spruce, for example, of which the bark is difficult to be detached, it used the 
bill sideways, hitting the bark in an oblique direction, and proceeding in 
close parallel lines, so that when, after awhile, a piece of the bark was 
loosened and broken off by a side stroke, the surface of the trunk appeared 
as if closely grooved by a carpenter using a gouge. In this manner the 
Pileated Woodpecker often, in that country, strips the entire trunks of the 
largest trees. On the contrary, when it attacked any other sort of timber, 
it pelted at the bark in a straightforward manner, detaching a large piece by 
a few strokes, and leaving the trunks smooth, no injury having been inflicted 
upon it by the bill. 

This bird, when surprised, is subject to very singular and astonishing fits 
of terror. While in Louisiana, I have several times crept up to one occupied 
in searching for food, on the rotten parts of a low stump only a few inches 
from the ground, when, having got so near the tree as almost to touch it, I 
have taken my cap and suddenly struck the stump, as if with the intention 
of securing the bird; on which the latter instantly seemed to lose all power 
or presence of mind, and fell to the ground as if dead. On such occasions, 
if not immediately secured, it soon recovers, and flies off with more than its 
usual speed. When surprised whilst feeding on a tree, they now and then 
attempt to save themselves by turning round the trunk or branches, and do 
not fly away unless two persons be present, well knowing, it would seem, 
that flying is not always a sure means of escape. If wounded without falling, 
it mounts at once to the highest fork of the tree, where it squats and remains 
in silence. It is then very difficult to kill it, and sometimes, when shot 
dead, it clings so firmly to the bark that it may remain hanging for hours. 
When winged and brought to the ground, it cries loudly on the approach of 
its enemy, and essays to escape by every means in its power, often inflicting 
a severe wound if incautiously seized. 

The Pileated Woodpecker is fond of Indian corn, chestnuts, acorns, fruits 
of every kind, particularly wild grapes, and insects of all descriptions. 
The maize it attacks while yet in its milky state, laying it bare, like the 
Redheads or Squirrels. For this reason, it often draws upon itself the 
vengeance of the farmer, who, however, is always disposed, without provo- 
cation, to kill the “Woodcock,” or “Logcock”’ as it is commonly named by 
our country people. 

The flight of this well known bird is powerful, and, on occasion, greatly 


930 THE PILEATED WOODPECKER. 


ow 


protracted, resembling in all respects that of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. 
Its notes are loud and clear, and the rolling sound produced by its hammer- 
ings, may be heard at the distance of a quarter of a mile. Its flesh is tough, 
of a bluish tint, and smells so strongly of the worms and insects on which 
it generally feeds, as to be extremely unpalatable. It almost always breeds 
in the interior of the forests, and frequently on trees placed in deep swamps 
over the water, appearing to give a preference to the southern side of the 
tree, on which I have generally found its hole, to which it retreats during 
winter or in rainy weather, and which is sometimes bored perpendicularly, 
although frequently not, as I have seen some excavated much in the form of 
that of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Its usual depth is from twelve to 
eighteen inches, its breadth from two and a half to three, and at the bottom 
sometimes five or six. It rears, I believe, only one brood in a season. The 
young follow their parents for a long time after coming abroad, receive food 
from them, and remain with them until the return of spring. The old birds, 
as well as the young, are fond of retiring at night to their holes, to which 
they return more especially in winter. My young friend, Tuomas Lincoty, 
Esq. of the State of Maine, knew of one that seldom removed far from its 
retreat during the whole of the inclement season. 

The observation of many years has convinced me, that Woodpeckers of 
all sorts have the bill longer when just fledged than at any future period of 
their life, and that through use it becomes not only shorter, but also much 
harder, stronger, and sharper. When the Woodpecker first leaves the nest, 
its bill may easily be bent; six months after, it resists the force of the 
fingers; and when the bird is twelve months old, the organ has acquired its 
permanent bony hardness. On measuring the bill of a young bird of this 
species not long able to fly, and that of an adult bird, I found the former 
seven-eighths of an inch longer than the latter. This difference I have 
represented in the plate. It is also curious to observe, that the young birds 
of this family, which have the bill tender, either search for larve in the 
most decayed or rotten stumps and trunks of trees, or hunt the deserted old 
fields, in search of blackberries and other fruits, as if sensible of their inapti- 
tude for attacking the bark of sound trees or the wood itself. 

This handsome species inhabits the Oregon territory about the Columbia 
river, whence I have procured specimens from Mr. Townsenp. According 
to Dr. RicHArRpson, it is a constant resident in the interior of the Fur 
Countries, up to the 62nd or 63d parallel, rarely appearing near Hudson’s 
Bay, but frequenting the most gloomy recesses of the forests that skirt the 
Rocky Mountains. I found it more abundant in the Texas than any where 
else, and whilst on Galveston Island, saw one tapping against the roof of a 
house, the first and only instance of so much familiarity in a bird of this 


THE PILEATED WOODPECKER. 231 


species that has occurred to me. So much attached is this Woodpecker to 
the tree in which it has a hole, that during winter it is often seen with its 
head out, as if looking to the weather, the unfavourable state of which 
induces it to sink out of sight, and probably compose itself to rest. It may 
be found in the same neighbourhood during the whole year, and, like many 
others of this family, it usually spends the night in the same hole. 


Piteatep Wooppecker, Picus pileatus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iv. p. 27. 
Picus pILEATUS, Bonap. Syn., p. 44. 
Picus (Dryoromus) piLEAtus, Pileated Woodpecker, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., 
vol. ii. p. 304. 
PiteatTep Woopprecke_r, or Loa-cock, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 567. 
-_ Pmeatep Wooprecker, Picus pileatus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 74; vol. v. p. 533. 


Male, 18, 28. 

From Texas to the Columbia river, and along the Atlantic coast, as well 
as in the interior, to the Fur Countries. More abundant in the south. 
Resident every where. 
~ Adult Male. 

Bill long, straight, strong, polyhedral, tapering, compressed and slightly 
truncated by being worn at the tip; mandibles of equal length, both nearly 
straight in their dorsal outline; their sides convex. Tongue worm-shaped, 
capable of reaching four inches beyond the bill, horny near the tip for about 
one-eighth of an inch, and barbed. WNostrils basal, oval, partly covered by 
recumbent bristly feathers. Head large. Neck rather long, slender. Body 
robust. Feet rather short, robust; tarsus strong, scutellate before, scaly 
on the sides; two toes before and two behind, the inner hind toe shortest; 
claws strong, arched, very acute. 
- Plumage compact, glossy. Feathers of the head elongated, loose, and 
erectile. Wings large, the third and fourth quills longest. Tail long, 
cuneate, of twelve tapering stiff feathers, worn to a point by being rubbed 
against the bark of trees. ; 

Bill and feet deep blue. Iris yellow. The general colour of the plumage 
is deep black, glossed with purplish-blue. The whole upper part of the 
head of a shining deep carmine; a broad band of black runs backwards from 
the eye, and is continued, narrow, to the forehead; between this band and 
the bright red of the upper part of the head is a narrow line of white; at 
the base of the bill commences, at first yellowish, a band of white, which 
crosses the cheek, expands on the side of the neck, where it is joined by the 
white of the throat, and terminates under the wing; there is also a broad 
band of red from the base of the lower mandible. Under wing-coverts 
white, as are the proximal portions of the quills. 


939 THE PILEATED WOODPECKER. 


~w 


Length 18 inches; extent of wings 28; bill along the back 13, along the 
edges 3. 

Adult Female. 

The female differs little in external appearance from the male. The fore 
part and sides of the head over the eye are dusky, and the bright red of the 
upper part of the head is confined to the vertex and occiput, while the red 
band, from the base of the lower mandible, is substituted by one of a 
brownish colour. In other respects it resembles the male. 

Young Males. 

The young males, fully fledged, differ little from the old males in the tints 
and distribution of their colours; but they are represented in the plate for 
the purpose of shewing the original pointed form and greater length of the 
bill. 


Tue Racoon GRAPE. 


Vitis xstivaLis, Mich., Flor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 230. Pursh, Flor. Amer. Sept., vol. i. p. 
169.—PentTanpriA Monoeynia, Linn.—Vires, Juss. 


The racoon grape is characterized by its broadly-cordate leaves, which 
have three or five lobes, its oblong clusters, and the small size of the bluish- 
black fruit. It is one of the finest of our vines, in regard to the luxuriance 
of its growth, its tortuous stem ascending the tallest trees to their summit, 
while its branches spread out so as to entwine the whole top. I have seen 
stems that measured eighteen inches in diameter, and the branches often 
extended from one tree to another, so as to render it difficult to pull down a 
plant after its stem has been cut. Its flowers perfume the woods. The 
grapes are small, hard, and very acrid, until severely bitten by frost. In 
autumn and winter, racoons, bears, opossums, and many species of birds, 
feed upon them. 


239 


LINEATED WOODPECKER. 


+ Picus LinEAtTus, Linn. 
(Not figured.) 


A specimen of a Woodpecker sent from the Columbia river by Dr. 
Merepira Gairpner to Professor Jameson of Edinburgh, who kindly 
lent it to me for the purpose of being described, I found to be the Picus 
lineatus of Linnmvs, a species which appears to be very extensively dis- 
tributed, being, according to various authors, plentiful in Cayenne, Guiana, 
Brazil, and even Paraguay. The specimen, which was shot near Fort 
Vancouver, is an adult male, but has been injured in the wings. Along with 
it were specimens of Picus Harrisii and Picus ruber, shot in the same 
neighbourhood. I hope to be able to give a figure of this species at the end 
of the present work. 


Picus tingEatus, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 174. 
LineatTep WooppPeckeErR, Picus lineatus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 315. 


Male, 15, wing, 775. 

Columbia river. 

Adult Male. 

Bill nearly as long as the head, straight, strong, angulate, depressed at the 
base, compressed toward the end, which is truncate, and laterally worn so as 
to be wedge-shaped. Upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly convex, 
the ridge very narrow and prominent, the sides concave at the base, the 
lateral angles nearer the ridge than the edges, which are sharp and direct; 
the point with two slight ridges on each side; lower mandible with the 
angle long and narrow, the dorsal line ascending and straight, the ridge 
narrow, the sides erect at the base, afterwards sloping outwards and convex, 
the tip narrow; gap-line straight. Nostrils elliptical, covered by a tuft of 
reversed bristly feathers. 

Head rather large, ovato-oblong; neck rather long and slender. Feet 
short, stout; tarsus very short, scutellate before, scaly on the sides; two toes 
before, two behind, the fourth being directed backwards; the first very 
small, the third a little longer than the fourth, all scutellate above; claws 

Vor. IV. 32 


924 LINEATED WOODPECKER. 


strong, much curved, much compressed, deep, broadly grooved on the sides, 
very acute. 

Plumage blended; feathers on the upper and hind part of the head linear, 
glossy, stiffish, with separated barbs, forming a broad occipital crest an inch 
in length. Wings long, much rounded; the outer six quills with the inner 
web cut out: the first very small, being only an inch and three-quarters long; 
the second two inches and five-twelfths longer; the third eleven-twelfths 
longer; the fourth two and a half twelfths shorter than the fifth, which is 
longest; the fourth a little shorter than the sixth; the third and seventh 
nearly equal; the second shorter than the eighth. Tail rather long, cuneate, 
acuminate, of twelve feathers, the lateral only an inch and three-quarters 
long, slender and unworn, the rest pointed; the middle feathers exceeding 
the second outer feathers by an inch and eight-twelfths. 

Bill horn-coloured, bluish toward the end, dusky at the point. Feet 
greyish-blue, claws brownish. The upper part of the head, including the 
forehead and occiput, vivid scarlet; a narrow dusky line from the nostril to 
the eye; a patch, including the eyelids and ear-coverts, leaden-grey; a nar- 
row band down the hind part of the neck gradually enlarging, the back, 
wings, and tail deep black; a band from the nostrils obliquely descending 
over the side of the head, passing backwards behind the ear, then much 
enlarged, and running down the side of the neck to the shoulder, a large 
oblique patch at the commencement of the wing, including the outer 
scapulars, the small feathers on the edge of the wing under the alula, the 
lower wing-coverts, and the inner webs of the quills for about half their 
length, pure white. There is an elongated oblong crimson patch at the base 
of the lower jaw; the chin or fore part of the throat is yellowish-white, 
longitudinally streaked with dusky, the rest of the fore neck and a part of 
the breast black; the lower parts and sides brownish-white, transversely 
barred with black. 

Length to end of tail 15 inches; bill along the ridge 1;%, along the edge 
of lower mandible 148; wing from flexure 773; tail 575; tarsus 74; hind 
toe 43, its claw 23; second toe 3, its claw 8; third toe 144, its claw 25; 
third toe 2%, its claw 33. 


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299 


CANADIAN WOODPECKER. 
+ Picus CANADENSIs, Gmel. 


PLATE CCLVIII.—Matez. 


This species, which has been overlooked by all the recent writers on the 
birds of North America, although described and figured by Burron, I again 
introduce to your notice. If you compare the figure of it with that of the 
Hairy Woodpecker, Picus villosus, you will perceive that-it is much larger, 
and somewhat differently marked, although extremely similar in form and 
colours. 

The most southern localities in which this species has been observed in 
the United States, in so far as I have been able to trace it, whether person- 
ally or by means of my friend Dr. TrupeEav, are the northern portions of 
the State of Pennsylvania, in winter, where, however, it seems to be rare. 
It is more plentiful at that season in the same parallel in the State of New 
York, beyond which, northward, it is abundant up to the 56th degree, but 
then yields in frequency to the Common Three-toed Woodpecker. 

It was in the course of my journey through the State of Maine, on which 
I was accompanied by my wife and sons, that I became aware of its being 
distinct from the Hairy Woodpecker. There I found it very abundant in 
the woods, around the farms, by the roads, and on the fences. Its notes 
alone suffice to distinguish it from every other species, being louder and 
much shriller than those of Picus villosus. It also resorts to prostrate 
decaying logs lying on the ground, in quest of food, much more than that 
species does, and quite as much as the Pileated Woodpecker, P. pileatus. 
During its flight, the rustling sound of its wings is very remarkable; its 
passage from one tree to another appears more laborious, and in all its move- 
ments it is less active, restless, or petulant, than the Hairy Woodpecker. 
Those which I examined contained remains of large coleopterous insects, 
together with pieces of lichens. 

Of its manner of breeding, eggs, or young, I unfortunately know nothing. 
The female differs from the male in little more than in wanting the red 
patch on each side of the occiput. 


Picus cANADENSIS, Gmel. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 437. 

Picus (Denprocorus) vitLosus, Hairy Woodpecker, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., 
vol. ii. p. 305. 

Canapian Wooprecker, Picus canadensis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 188. 


236 CANADIAN WOODPECKER. 


Male, 10}, 173. 

From the northern parts of New York to the Fur Countries. Common. 
Migratory in winter to New York. 

Adult Male. 

Bill about the length of the head, straight, strong, angular, compressed 
toward the tip, which is truncate and cuneate. Upper mandible with the 
dorsal line straight, the ridge very narrow, the sides sloping and flat, the 
lateral angle or ridge nearer the edge, which is sharp, direct, and over- 
lapping. Lower mandible with the angle short and rather wide, the dorsal 
line straight, the ridge narrow, the sides flat and grooved for some way 
beyond the angle, convex toward the edges, which are sharp and inflected, 
the tip narrow. Nostrils oblong, basal, concealed by the feathers, and 
placed near the margin. 

Head large, ovate; neck rather short; body full. Feet very short; tarsus 
short, compressed, feathered anteriorly more than one-third down, scutellate 
in the rest of its extent, and with a series of large scales behind; toes four, 
first small, but stout; fourth considerably longer than the third; second and 
third united at the base; all scutellate above. Claws large, much curved, 
compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. 

Plumage very soft, full, and blended. A large tuft of recurved stiffish 
feathers on each side of the base of the upper mandible, concealing the 
nostrils; the feathers in the angle of the lower mandible also stiffish, and 
directed forwards. Wings rather long; the first quill very small, being only 
an inch and a twelfth long, the second two inches longer, and seven-twelfths 
shorter than the third, which is two-twelfths shorter than the fourth, this 
being the longest, but exceeding the fifth only by one-twelfth; secondaries 
broad and rounded. Tail of moderate length, cuneate, of twelve feathers, of 
which the lateral, which are rounded and unworn, are only one inch and 
two-twelfths long, the next, also unworn, are eleven-twelfths of an inch 
shorter than the middle, which are pointed, sometimes without having the 
very strong shafts worn, but also sometimes having them broken off at the 
end; all the rest are more or less pointed. 

Bill bluish-grey, toward the end black; iris brown; feet bluish-grey. The 
tufts of bristly feathers over the nostrils, and the angle of the low jaw, are 
dull yellow; the upper part of the head and the hind neck are glossy black; 
over each eye is a band of white, continuous with a transverse band of 
scarlet on the occiput, usually interrupted in the middle; a black band from 
near the bill to the eye, continued behind it over the auriculars, and joining 
the black of the hind neck; beneath this black band is one of white, pro- 
ceeding from the angle of the mouth and curving backwards below the 
middle of the neck, so as to meet its fellow behind; this band is succeeded 


CANADIAN WOODPECKER. 237 


by another of black, proceeding from the base of the lower mandible, and 
continuous with the black of the shoulders. All the upper parts may be 
described as black, tinged with brown behind; the feathers along the middle 
of the back tipped with white; the wing-coverts, the anterior excepted, and 
the quills spotted with the same, there being on the four longest primaries 
seven spots on the outer, and five on the inner web, on most of the seconda- 
ries five on each web, but on the outer quill only one patch on each web, 
and on the second three spots on the outer, and four on the inner web. The 
four middle tail-feathers are glossy black, the rest black towards the base, 
that colour gradually diminishing so that the outermost is almost entirely 
white. The lower parts are white, slightly tinged with reddish on the fore 
neck and breast. 

Length to end of tail 103 inches, to end of wings 8; to end of claws 934; 
extent of wings 173: bill along the ridge 15%; along the edge of lower man- 
dible 13; wing from flexure 574; tail 34%; tarsus 13; hind toe 3%, its claw 3335 
second toe £3, its claw -8,; third toe 73, its claw $3; fourth toe 3%, its 


The female, which is somewhat smaller than the male, differs only in 
being more tinged with brown, especially on the quills, and in wanting the 
red patches on the occiput. 

In form and colour, this species differs in no appreciable degree from 
Picus villosus, which it also resembles in the texture of its plumage, and in 
the relative proportion of the quills and tail-feathers. But it is much larger, 
its bill is proportionally stouter, and its fourth toe a little more elongated. 
The differences, however, are extremely slight. 

The roof of the mouth is anteriorly nearly flat, with a prominent median 
line; the posterior aperture of the nares linear, 94 twelfths long, and 
margined with papillz. The tongue is 14 inches long, somewhat cylindrical 
for 11 twelfths, in the rest of its extent slender, tapering, with a horny 
sheath, having eight reversed bristles on each margin. The horns of the 
hyoid bone pass along the median line of the head until they are over the 
middle of the eyes, when they turn to the right side, and are curved along a 
deep groove on the anterior edge of the orbit, passing under the eye to 
opposite its middle. The cesophagus is 3 inches 2 twelfths long, 34 twelfths 
in width, and of nearly uniform diameter. The stomach is rather small, 
elliptical, 9 twelfths long, 8 twelfths broad; its lateral muscles moderately 
developed. The contents are larve and coleopterous insects. The epithe- 
lium is dense but thin, and longitudinally rugous. The intestine is 9 inches 
long, 24 twelfths in width at its anterior part. There are no ceca. 

The trachea is 23 inches long, slender, about 2} twelfths in breadth, a 
little flattened, and of about 60 rings. The bronchi are of moderate length, 


238 PHILLIPS’ WOODPECKER. 


slender, of about 12 half rings. The contractor muscles are moderate; the 
sterno-tracheals come off close to the inferior larynx, which is destitute of 
muscles. 


PHILLIPS’ WOODPECKER. 


+-Picus Puituresi, Aud. 
PLATE CCLIX.—Mates. 


The only specimen of this beautiful Woodpecker that I have seen, an 
adult male, was sent to me by my friend Mr. Nurraut, who procured it in 
the State of Massachusetts. Nothing is known as to its habits. In naming 
it after my friend Bensamin Puiuurrs, Esq., F.R.S., I have the pleasure 
of testifying my esteem and gratitude towards one whose kindness and 
generosity has often been experienced by me and every member of my 
family. The beauty of this bird has induced me to give two figures of it, 
by which its form and markings may be better seen. 


Paiturs’ Wooprecker, Picus Phillipsti, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 186. 


Male, 103; wing, 5. 

Massachusetts. Very rare. 

Adult Male. 

Bill about the length of the head, straight, strong, angular, compressed 
toward the tip, which is pointed. Upper mandible with the dorsal line 
straight, the ridge very narrow, the sides sloping and flat, the lateral angle 
half-way between the ridge and the edge at the base, and running out upon 
the latter about two-thirds of its length, the edges sharp and overlapping, 
the tip acuminate. Lower mandible with the angle short and rather wide, 
the dorsal line straight, the ridge narrow, the sides convex toward the edges, 
which are sharp and inflected, the tip acuminate. Nostrils oblong, basal, 
concealed by the feathers, and placed near the margin. 

Head large, ovate; neck rather short; body full. Feet very short; tarsus 
short, compressed, feathered anteriorly more than one-third down, scutellate 
in the rest of its extent, and with a series of large scales behind; toes four; 


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PHILLIPS’ WOODPECKER. 939 


first small, but stout; third and fourth about the same length; second and 
third united at the base; all scutellate above. Claws large, much curved, 
compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. 

Plumage very soft, full, and blended. A tuft of reversed stiffish feathers 
on each side of the base of the upper mandible, concealing the nostrils; the 
feathers in the angle of the lower mandible also stiffish, and directed 
forwards. Wings rather long; the first quill very small, the second five- 
twelfths of an inch shorter than the third, the fourth longer than the latter 
by one-twelfth, but scarcely exceeding the fifth; secondaries broad and 
rounded. Tail of moderate length, cuneate, of twelve feathers, of which the 
lateral are only an inch and a quarter long and rounded, the nr-xt an inch 
and two-twelfths shorter than the middle, the rest worn and slit at the tip. 

Bill dusky, its margins pale at the base. Iris red. Feet bluish-grey, 
claws dusky. The tufts of feathers covering the nostrils are yellowish-white; 
the fore part of the head to a little beyond the top orange-yellow; the 
occiput and hind neck glossy black; over each eye is a band of white passing 
to behind the auriculars; a black band from above the angle of the mouth to 
the eye, and behind it, including the auriculars; below this a white band 
from the angle of the mouth joining that over the eye; and lastly, a narrower 
black band from the lower mandible. The upper parts are black, tinged 
with brown behind; the feathers along the middle of the back tipped with 
white; some of the wing-coverts are tipped with white, and the quills 
spotted with the same, there being on the four largest primaries seven spots 
on the outer, and five on the inner web. The four middle tail-feathers are 
glossy black, the rest black towards the base, that colour gradually diminish- 
ing so that the outermost is almost entirely white. The lower parts are 
white. 

Length to end of tail 103 inches; bill along the ridge 15%, along the 
edge of lower mandible 1,%,; wing from flexure 5; tail 334; tarsus 23; inner 
toe 23, its claw +4; second toe -§, its claw 3; third toe 38, its claw ~§; 
fourth toe 42, its claw 5%. 

This species is about the same size as P. canadensis, which it also 
resembles in colour, but is distinguished by the yellow patch on the head, 
and its thicker and more pointed bill. 


240 


MARIA’S WOODPECKER. 
-~—Picus Martina, ud. 
PLATE CCLX.—Mate anp FEMAte. 


This well-marked species, which has not hitherto been described or 
figured, was procured in the neighbourhood of Toronto in Upper Canada, by 
a gentleman who presented me with two specimens of it, a male and a 
female, but who has requested me not to mention his name. I am informed 
by this close observer of nature that its habits are as nearly as possible the 
same as those of the Hairy Woodpecker, Picus villosus, and that its eggs, 
which rarely exceed six in number, are pure white and translucent. In 
honouring this species with the name of Miss Marra Martin, I cannot 
refrain from intimating the respect, admiration, and sincere friendship which 
I feel towards her, and stating that, independently of her other accomplish- 
ments, and our mutual goodwill, I feel bound to make some ornithological 
acknowledgment for the aid she has on several occasions afforded me in 
embellishing my drawings of birds, by adding to them beautiful and correct 
representations of plants and flowers. 


Maria’s Wooprecker, Picus Martine, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 181. 


Male, 92; wing, 43%. 

A pair found at Toronto, Upper Canada. 

Adult Male. 

Bill about the length of the head, straight, strong, angular, compressed 
toward the tip, which, however, is not truncate, but very slightly cuneate or 
worn on the sides. With this exception it is very similar to that of Picus 
villosus and P. canadensis. Upper mandible with the dorsal line almost 
straight, being very slightly convex, the ridge very narrow, the sides sloping 
and flat, or slightly concave, the lateral angle or ridge about half-way at its 
commencement between the ridge and the margin, but in its course gradually 
approximating the latter, and ending upon it about a fourth from the tip, 
edges sharp, direct, overlapping, tip rather acute. Lower mandible with the 
angle short and rather wide, the crural line a little concave, the dorsal 
ascending and slightly convex, the ridge narrow, the sides convex, the 
edges sharp and inclinate, the tip narrow. Nostrils oblong, basal, concealed 
by the feathers, and placed near the margin. 


N° 52. Pl. 260. 


7. Male. 2 Fentule. 


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MARIA’S WOODPECKER. 241 


Head large, ovate; neck rather short; body full. Feet very short; tarsus 
short, compressed, feathered anteriorly about half-way down, with five 
large scutella in the rest of its extent, scaly and sharp-edged behind; toes 
four; first small and stout; fourth longest and directed backwards; second 
and third toe united at the base; all scutellate above. Claws large, much 
curved, compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. 

Plumage very soft, full, and blended. A large tuft of reversed stiffish 
feathers on each side of the base of the upper mandible, concealing the 
nostrils; the feathers in the angle of the lower mandible also stiffish, 
elongated and directed forwards. Wings rather long; the first quill very 
small, being only an inch and five-twelfths long, the second half an inch 
shorter than the third, which is half a twelfth shorter than the fourth, the 
latter being the longest, and exceeding the fifth by two-twelfths; secondaries 
broadly rounded. Tail of moderate length, cuneate, of twelve feathers, of 
which the lateral, which are rounded and unworn, are only an inch and a 
twelfth long, the next, also unworn, are one inch shorter than the middle, 
which are pointed but slit, having the shaft broken off at a little distance 
from the tip, all the rest more or less pointed, and either entire or slit. 

Bill dusky. Iris brown. Feet bluish-grey. The upper parts are black, 
spotted with white, the lower greyish-white. The tufts of bristly feathers 
over the nostrils, and in the angle of the lower mandible, are dull yellow; 
the upper part of the head is scarlet, the forehead and occiput are black; 
over each eye is a band of white; a black band from the bill to the eye, 
continued behind it over the auriculars, and joining the black of the hind 
neck; beneath this black band is one of white, proceeding from the angle of 
the mouth and curving backwards below the middle of the neck, so as 
almost to meet its fellow behind; this band is succeeded by another of black, 
proceeding from the base of the lower mandible, and continuous with the 
black of the shoulders. All the upper parts may be described as black, 
tinged with brown behind; the feathers along the middle of the back tipped 
with white, excepting on the rump; the wing-coverts and quills spotted 
with the same, there being on the four longest primaries seven spots on the 
outer, and four on the inner web, on most of the secondaries five on each 
web, but on the outer quill only one patch on each web, and on the second 
four spots on the outer and three on the inner web. The four middle tail- 
feathers are glossy black, the next black on the inner web, and the greater 
part of the outer toward the base, the rest black only at the base, the two 
outermost being almost entirely white. The lower parts are white, tinged 
with grey, and a little red; the sides faintly mottled with dusky grey; lower 
wing-coyerts white, with a dusky patch toward the edge of the wing. 

Length to end of tail 95% inches; bill along the ridge 1, along the edge 

Voi. 17. oS 


242 HARRIS’ WOODPECKER. 


of lower mandible 14; wing from flexure 41%; tail 3,3; tarsus 42; first toe 
5, its claw 22; second toe 8, its claw 53, third toe 43, its claw £4; fourth 
toe 14, its claw 5S. 

Adult Female. 

The female, which is somewhat smaller, differs in external appearance 
only in having the upper parts duller and tinged with brown, the lower 
more tinged with grey, and the bright patch on the head of a yellowish-red 
tint and of much less extent. 

This species is very nearly allied to Picus villosus, and is very similar in 
its colours, but differs in having the mandibles pointed, in being larger, in 
having the top of the head red or yellowish-red, and in having its fourth toe 
longer than the third. 


HARRIS’ WOODPECKER. 


+Picus Harrisi, 2ud. 


PLATE CCLXI.—Mate anp Femate. 


It is to Mr. TownsEenp that we are indebted for the discovery of this 
singularly marked species, of which he has sent me a pair of specimens in 
excellent preservation, both shot on the Columbia river, the male on the 
18th of January 1836, the female on the 7th of September 1834. Having 
been left at liberty to give names to whatever new species might occur 
among the birds transmitted to me by that zealous naturalist, I have 
honoured the present Woodpecker with the name of my friend Epwarp 
Harnis, Esq., a gentleman to whom I am most deeply indebted for many 
acts of kindness and generosity, and in particular for his efficient aid at a 
time when, like my predecessor Witson, I was reduced to the lowest 
degree of indigence, and removed from any individuals to whom I could 
make known my wants. But, independently of his claim to scientific 
recognition as the friend and supporter of one who has devoted his life to 
the study of birds, he merits this tribute as an ardent and successful 
cultivator of ornithology, and an admirer of the works of Him whose good 
providence gave me so noble-hearted a friend. 


Harris’ Wooprecker, Picus Harrisii, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 191. o 


7. Male.2 Ferriatle. 


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HARRIS’ WOODPECKER. 243 


Male, 9; wing, 574. 

Columbia river. Rare. 

Adult Male. 

Bill about the length of the head, straight, strong, angular, compressed 
toward the end, which is truncate and cuneate. Upper mandible with the 
dorsal line straight, the ridge very narrow, the sides sloping and concave to 
the lateral angle, which is nearer the edge, the intervening space nearly 
erect, the edges sharp, direct, and overlapping. Lower mandible with the 
angle short and of moderate width, the dorsal line straight, the ridge narrow, 
the sides convex at the base, sloping outwards and nearly flat, with a faint 
ridge, above which they are convex, the edges sharp, the tip truncate. 
Nostrils oblong, basal, concealed by the feathers, and placed near the 
margin. 

Head large, ovate; neck rather short; body full. Feet very short; tarsus 
short, compressed, feathered anteriorly more than one-third down, scutellate 
in the rest of its extent, as well as internally behind; toes four; first small, 
fourth longest and directed backwards, second and third united at the base, 
the latter not much longer; all scutellate above. Claws large, much curved, 
compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. 

Plumage very soft, full, and blended. A tuft of recurved stiffish feathers 
on each side of the base of the upper mandible, concealing the nostrils. 
Wings rather long; the first quill very small, being only an inch and two- 
twelfths in length, and two inches and a twelfth shorter than the second, 
which is eight-twelfths shorter than the third, the fourth two-twelfths longer 
than the latter, but scarcely exceeding the fifth; secondaries broadly 
rounded, the outer slightly emarginate. Tail of moderate length, cuneate, 
of twelve feathers, of which the latter, which is rounded and unworn, is 
only ten-twelfths long, the next, also rounded, an inch and a twelfth shorter 
than the middle, of which the shaft terminates so as to leave the tip slit. 

Bill bluish-grey, as are the feet; the claws brown. ‘The tufts at the base 
of the upper mandible dull yellow, with the tips black; the upper part of 
the head glossy black; over each eye is a band of white continuous with a 
transverse band of scarlet on the occiput; a black band in the loral space, 
continued behind the eye over the auriculars, and joining the black of the 
hind neck; beneath this black band is one of white, proceeding from the 
angle of the mouth and curving backward below the middle of the neck, but 
without meeting its fellow; this band is succeeded by another of black, 
proceeding from the base of the lower mandible, and continuous with the 
black of the hind neck and shoulders. All the upper parts are black, the 
quills tinged with brown; but the feathers along the middle of the back are 
largely tipped with white; the quills, excepting the inner three, are marked 


244 HAIRY WOODPECKER. 


with small roundish spots, of which there are five on the outer, and four on 
the inner web of the four longest quills, while on the outer there is only an 
elongated spot on the inner web, and on the next one spot on the outer and 
three on the inner. The four middle tail-feathers are black, the next also 
black, with a small part of the inner web, and a large portion of the outer, 
toward the end, white; the rest white, with the base black; the outermost 
small feather almost entirely white. ‘The lower parts are brownish-white. 

Length to end of tail 9 inches; bill along the ridge 14, along the edge of 
lower mandible 1,;; wing from flexure 53; tail 34, tarsus 12; hind toe +, 
its claw 3%; second toe -8;, its claw -%; third toe ;4, its claw 34; fourth toe 
75, its claw 74. 

Adult Female. 

The female resembles the male, but wants the red occipital band. 


HAIRY WOODPECKER. 
+Picus vittosus, Linn. 
PLATE CCLXII.—Mate ann Femate. 


This species of Woodpecker has been confounded with Picus canadensis, 
to which it bears a great resemblance in its markings, but from which it is 
distinguished by its smaller size, and other differences. Wuxson, it appears, 
did not believe in the existence of the Canada Woodpecker, Picus cana- 
densis; yet his figure of the Hairy Woodpecker seems to me to be a 
representation of that species, while his description belongs in part to both. 
These errors have been adopted by all his followers to the present day, 

gh the specific distinctions between Picus villosus and P. canadensis 
have been clearly recognised by my young friend Dr. TrupEAv, who wrote 
to me from Paris that both species were in the national museum there, and 
were looked upon as the same bird. Mr. Swainson, who observed a 
difference between the birds of the present species received from New York 
and those of higher northern latitudes, has given an exact description and 
figure of the bill of P. canadensis, thinking that he was describing P. 
villosus of Linnxvus. To this he was probably led by the erroneous account 
given of the extent of the distribution of this species northward. 


53. P1262. 


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HAIRY WOODPECKER. 245 


The Hairy Woodpecker, P. vz//osus, is a constant resident in our mari- 
time and inland districts, from the Texas, where I have found it numerous, 
to the State of New Hampshire, as well as in all sufficiently wooded tracts 
intervening between the junction of the Missouri and Mississippi, and the 
northern borders of our great lakes. But not a single individual of this 
species could I or my sons procure in the State of Maine, where, however, 
the larger species, P. canadensis, was quite abundant, and from whence it 
extends its migrations “as far north,’ according to Dr. Ricnarpson, “as the 
sixty-third parallel.”’ “It remains,’’ he continues, “all the year in the Fur 
Countries, and is the most common species up to the fifty-sixth degree of 
latitude, north of which it yields in frequency to the three-toed species.” 

Lively, noisy, and careless of man, the Hairy Woodpecker is found at all 
seasons in the orchards, among the trees of our cities, along the borders of 
plantations, on the fences, or on the trees left in the fields, as well as in the 
densest parts of the forests. Nay, reader, I have found this species, when in 
company with my friend Harris and my youngest son, in the very midst 
of vast salt-marshes, about the mouths of the Mississippi, where here and 
there a straggling willow or cotton-tree bush occurred, as gay, busy, noisy, 
and contented as if it had been in the midst of the woods. In such localities 
it alights against the stalks of the largest and tallest reeds, and perforates 
them as it is wont to bore into trees. 

In almost all parts of the Southern States, it becomes in winter one of the 
most familiar species, and, like the Downy Woodpecker, comes to the yard 
to glean the grains of corn left by the cattle. There it may be seen hopping 
on the ground, among Turtle Doves, Cardinal Grosbeaks, Red-bellied Wood- 
peckers, and several species of Blackbirds. At this season, its visits to the 
corn-cribs are extremely frequent; and curious indeed do the shrill notes of 
this lively and industrious bird sound in the ear of the person who chances 
to surprise it within the crib, from which it makes off, passing swiftly 
perhaps within a foot or so of his hand. But no sooner has its escape been 
effected than it will alight close by, on the top of a fence-stake, and chuck 
aloud as if in merriment. I have often observed it clinging to the stalks of 
the sugar-cane, boring them, and apparently greatly enjoying the sweet 
juices of that plant; and when I have seen it, in severe winter weather, 
attempting to bore the dried stalks of maize, I have thought it expected to 
find in them something equally pleasing to its taste. Like all our other 
species, it clings, when shot, to the trunk or branch of the tree, until quite 
dead, and even remains sticking for several minutes more. 

The flight of this species is usually short, though rapid, in this respect 
agreeing with that of some others allied to it, which are constant residents 
in the United States, and differing from that of the migratory species. It is 


246 HAIRY WOODPECKER. 


seldom that more than the members of a family are seen together, and even 
this only until the young are able to provide for themselves. The migratory 
species, on the contrary, are frequently observed to congregate upon trees 
laden with fruit. This never happens with the Hairy, Downy, Yellow- 
bellied, Red-bellied, Canada, or Three-toed Woodpeckers; among some of 
which, however, a certain change of locality takes place from south to north 
and backwards, within the limits of the United States, in spring and autumn. 

The Hairy Woodpecker feeds on the larvee of most insects, as well as on 
the insects themselves. It sometimes launches into the air after a passing 
one, as indeed is the case with all the Woodpeckers with which I am at 
present acquainted, although the larger species are less addicted to this mode 
of pursuing their prey than the smaller. In autumn it frequently feeds on 
berries near the ground, or on grasses and other fruits among the tops of our 
tall trees. Its notes are sharp, loud, and at times rolling, like those of others 
of our smaller species, but frequently uttered singly whilst it is moving on 
wing or along a tree. 

The hole which it forms for receiving its eggs seldom exceeds two feet in 
depth, after diverging from its first horizontal direction, sometimes running 
perpendicularly, but often obliquely. In the Southern States two broods 
are frequently reared in the season; the first being seen abroad in May, 
the other in the end of July or the beginning of August. In the 
Middle Districts it rarely produces more than one brood. I have regularly 
observed that those pairs which had two broods in Louisiana, raised both in 
the same nest, and that not unfrequently within a few yards of a house. 
The eggs of the first hatch are usually six, of the second four. In the 
Middle Districts the number varies from four to six, and in two instances I 
found seven. ‘They measure 1 inch in length by 54 eighths in breadth, are 
elliptical or almost equally rounded at both ends, smooth, pure white and 
translucent. The young remain about the nest until well able to fly, as is 
the case with those of other species. 

Various writers state that the Hairy Woodpecker has been found in 
England; but this is very doubtful, and at present it does not seem that 
there are any well authenticated instances. 

I have figured a, male and a female; the latter, I believe, not having 
previously been represented. 


Hatry Wooprecker, Picus villosus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 150. 
Picus vitLosus, Bonap. Syn., p. 46. 

Hairy Wooppecker, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 575. 

Harry Wooprecker, Picus villosus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 164. 


Male, 83, 143. Female, 83, 15. 


HAIRY WOODPECKER. 247 


Breeds from Texas to New Hampshire, Kentucky, and Valley of the 
Mississippi. Common. Resident. 

Adult Male. 

Bill about the length of the head, straight, strong, angular, compressed 
toward the tip, which is truncate and cuneate. Upper mandible with the 
dorsal line straight, the ridge very narrow, the sides sloping and flat, the 
lateral angle or ridge nearer the edge, which is sharp, direct, and over- 
lapping. Lower mandible with the angle short and rather wide, the dorsal 
line straight, the ridge narrow, the sides flat at the base, convex toward the 
end, the edges inflected, the tip narrow. Nostrils oblong, basal, concealed 
by the feathers, and placed near the margin. 

Head large, ovate; neck rather short; body full.” Feet very short; tarsus 
short, compressed, feathered anteriorly more than one-third down, scutellate 
in the rest of its extent, as well as behind, on the inner side; toes four; first 
small, but stout; fourth longest and directed backwards, second and third 
united at the base; all scutellate above. Claws large, much curved, com- 
pressed, laterally grooved, very acute. 

Plumage very soft, full, and blended. A large tuft of reversed stiffish 
feathers on each side of the base of the upper mandible, concealing the 
nostrils; the feathers in the angle of the lower mandible also stiffish, 
elongated, and directed forward. Wings rather long; the first quill very 
small, being only eleven-twelfths long, the second one inch and eleven- 
twelfths longer, and five and a half twelfths shorter than the third, which is 
one-twelfth shorter than the fourth, this being the longest, but scarcely 
exceeding the fifth; secondaries broad and rounded. ‘Tail of moderate 
length, cuneate, of twelve feathers, of which the lateral, which are rounded 
and unworn, are only one inch long, the next, also unworn, are nine-twelfths 
of an inch shorter than the middle, which are pointed, having the shafts 
very strong and bristle-pointed; all the rest more or less pointed. 

Bill bluish-grey, toward the end black. Iris brown. Feet bluish-grey. 
The upper parts are black, spotted with white, the lower brownish-white. 
The tufts of bristly feathers over the nostrils, and in the angle of the lower 
jaw, are dull yellow; the upper part of the head and the hind neck are 
glossy black; over each eye is a band of white continuous with a transverse 
band of scarlet on the occiput, usually divided into two patches by the 
continuation of the black of the head; a black band from the bill to the eye, 
continued behind it over the auriculars, and joining the black of the hind 
neck; beneath this black band is one of white, proceeding from the angle of 
the mouth and curving backwards below the middle of the neck, so as to 
meet its fellow behind; this band is succeeded by another of black, proceed- 
ing from the base of the lower mandible, and continuous with the black of 


248 HAIRY WOODPECKER. 


the shoulders. All the upper parts may be described as black, tinged with 
brown behind; the feathers along the middle of the back tipped with white, 
forming a longitudinal band of that colour; the wing-coverts, the anterior 
excepted, and quills spotted with the same, there being on the four longest 
primaries seven spots on the outer and five on the inner web, on most of the 
secondaries five on each web; but on the outer quill only one patch on each 
web, and on the second two spots on the outer, and three on the inner. The 
four middle tail-feathers are glossy black, the rest black only towards the 
base, the outermost being almost entirely white. The lower parts are 
white, tinged with dull grey on the fore neck and breast, the sides with 
blackish-grey. 

Length to end of tail 82 inches; to end of wings 72, to end of claws 73; 
extent of wings 144; bill along the ridge 144; along the lower mandible 14; 
wing from flexure 475; tail 243; tarsus +$; hind toe 4, its claw 74; second 
toe -§, its claw -§;; third toe 74, its claw £4, fourth toe 4, its claw 7. 

Adult Female. 

The female resembles the male externally, being however more tinged 
with brown, especially on the quills, and wanting the red patches on the 
occiput. 

Length to end of tail 84 inches, to end of wings 74, to end of claws 74; 
extent of wings 15. 

In an adult male the roof of the mouth has a prominent middle ridge, 
which divides posteriorly into two; the palate is convex; the posterior 
aperture of the nares linear-oblong, margined with papille. The tongue is 
eleven-twelfths long, toward the end horny, pointed, and furnished with two 
lateral series of acute reversed papilla. The horns of the hyoid bone curve 
round the occiput, converge on the top of the head, then leave the median 
line, pass to the right side in a groove round the anterior edge of the orbit, 
and are deflected backwards below the eye so far as near the level of its 
posterior angle. The aperture of the mouth measures 53 twelfths across. 
The csophagus is 3 inches long, 34 twelfths in diameter, very slightly 
dilated at the lower part of the neck. The proventriculus is scarcely 
enlarged, its glandules form a belt 4 twelfths in breadth. The stomach is 
oblong, 11 twelfths in length, 7 twelfths broad; its lateral muscles very thin; 
the epithelium thin, tough, longitudinally rugous, reddish-brown. The 
contents of the stomach are skins of large white larve with black heads. 
The intestine is 94 inches long, the duodenum 2% twelfths in diameter. 
There are no ceca. 

The trachea is 2 inches 5 twelfths in length, its diameter 14 twelfths, 
gradually diminishing to 1 twelfth. The contractor muscles are both 
anterior for the length of 14 inches, beyond which they become lateral, and 


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Drawntorn Nature by JT J Audubon FRSELS. Lith*Binted & Colby J T Bowen Dhl. 


THE DOWNY WOODPECKER. 249 


terminate in the sterno-tracheal at the distance of 2 twelfths from the bifur- 
cation. There are no inferior laryngeal muscles. The rings of the trachea, 
which are firm, and but slightly compressed, are about 50 in number; the 
bronchial half rings about 15. 

According to Mr. TownsEnp this species is found from the Rocky 
Mountains to the shores of the Columbia river. 


THE DOWNY WOODPECKER. 
+Picus pusEescens, Linn. 
PLATE CCLXIII.—Mate anp Femate. 


The Downy Woodpecker, which is best known in all parts of the United 
States by the name of Sapsucker, is perhaps not surpassed by any of its 
tribe in hardiness, industry, or vivacity. If you watch its motions while in 
the woods, the orchard, or the garden, you will find it ever at work. It 
perforates the bark of trees with uncommon regularity and care; and, in my 
opinion, greatly assists their growth and health, and renders them also more 
productive. Few of the farmers, however, agree with me in this respect; 
but those who have had experience in the growing of fruit-trees, and have 
attended to the effects produced by the boring of this Woodpecker, will 
testify to the accuracy of my statement. 

This species is met with, during summer, in the depth of the forest, as 
well as in the orchard or the garden. In winter it frequently visits the 
wood-pile of the farmer, close to his house, or resorts to his corn-crib, where, 
however, it does little damage. I have found it pretty generally distributed 
from the lower parts of Louisiana to Labrador, and as far to the westward as 
I have travelled. It seems, in fact, to accommodate itself to circumstances, 
and to live contented anywhere. 

About the middle of April it begins to form its nest, shewing little care 
as to the kind of tree it selects for the purpose, although it generally chooses 
a sound one, sometimes, however, taking one that is partially decayed. The 
pair work together for several days before the hole is completed, sometimes 
perhaps a whole week, as they dig it to the depth of a foot or sixteen inches. 


The direction is sometimes perpendicularly downwards from the commence- 
Vou. IV. 34 


250 THE DOWNY WOODPECKER. 


ment, sometimes transverse to the tree for four or five inches, and then 
longitudinal. The hole is rendered smooth and conveniently large through- 
out, the entrance being perfectly round, and just large enough to admit one 
bird at atime. The eggs, commonly six in number, pure white, and trans- 
lucent, are deposited on the bare wood. In the Southern and Middle States, 
two broods are raised in the season; farther north seldom more than one. 
The young follow their parents through the woods, in company with 
Nuthatches and Creepers, and seem at all times lively and happy. Their 
shrill rolling notes are heard at a considerable distance, as well as those 
which they use when calling to each other. Their food, during summer, 
consists of insects and their larvee; but, at the approach of autumn, they feed 
on fruits of various kinds, especially small grapes, and the berries of the 
poke-weed. The extensile portion of the tongue of this species, as well as 
of Picus varius, P. villosus, and P. querulus, is cylindrical or vermiform, 
while the extremity, or tongue itself, is linear, flat above, convex beneath, 
with projecting edges which are serrated backwards, the tip pointed. 

The flight of the Downy Woodpecker, like that of the other species, is 
performed by glidings and undulations, between each of which it utters a 
single click note; and, although usually short, is capable, on occasion, of 
being protracted. The bird is by no means shy or suspicious, and scarcely 
pays any attention to man, even when standing close to the tree on which it 
is at work. ‘Towards winter many individuals migrate southward, and spend 
their time in the immediate neighbourhood of the planter’s dwelling. 

I have observed that during their stay in the Floridas, Georgia, and the 
Carolinas, their breast and belly are so soiled by the carbonaceous matter 
adhering to the trees, in consequence of the burning of the grass at that 
season, that one might be apt to take a specimen in that state, as belonging 
to a different species. 


Downy Wooppecker, Picus pubescens, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 153. 

Picus pupescens, Bonap. Syn., p. 46. 

Picus (DenpRocopus) puBEsceNns, Downy Woodpecker, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. 
Amer., vol. il. p. 307. 

Downy Wooprecker, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 576. 

Downy Wooprecker, Picus pubescens, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 81; vol. v. p. 539. 


Male, 63, 12. 

Breeds from Texas to Labrador, and northward to lat. 58°. Common 
throughout the interior to the eastern bases of the Rocky Mountains. In 
every district a constant resident. 

_ Adult Male. 


Bill longish, straight, strong, tapering, compressed, slightly truncated and 


THE DOWNY WOODPECKER. 251 


cuneate at the tip; mandibles of equal length, both nearly straight in their 
dorsal outline, their sides convex; nostrils basal, oval, covered by recumbent 
bristly feathers. Head of moderate size, neck of ordinary length, body 
robust. Feet rather short, strong; tarsus strong, scutellate before; two toes 
before and two behind, the inner hind toe shortest; claws strong, arched, 
very acute. 

Plumage soft, with rather disunited barbs, slightly glossed; wings large, 
the third and fourth quills longest; tail longish, cuneate, of ten tapering stiff 
feathers, worn to a point. 

Bill bluish-black; iris dark red; feet bluish-green; claws light blue, black 
at the end. The top of the head is black, as are a broad band behind the 
eye, another below the cheek, as well as the shoulders, wings, and tail; there 
is a bright red narrow band on the occiput. A band over the eye, and 
meeting on the hind neck; another from the base of the upper mandible, 
passing under the eye, and down the neck; six bars on the wings, and the 
greater part of the middle of the back, together with the three lateral tail- 
feathers on each side, white, the latter marked with black spots. The lower 
parts in general are dull white. 

Length 62 inches; extent of wings 12; bill along the ridge 49; tarsus 2. 

Adult Female. 

In the female, the red band on the head is wanting, the place occupied by 
it in the male being white. The lower parts are brownish-white. 

In a male preserved in spirits, the width of the mouth is 44 twelfths, the 
tongue is 84 twelfths long, its horny part 34 twelfths, slender, tapering, flat 
above, furnished on the edges with a single row of rather strong deflected 
bristles, about 12 in number. The hyoid bones converge on the top of the 
head as usual, but do not proceed farther forward than opposite the centre of 
the eye, terminating at the distance of 4 twelfths from the base of the bill, in 
which respect they contrast strongly with those of the Hairy Woodpecker. 
The cesophagus is 27 inches long, its width scarcely 1 twelfth, it being in its 
contracted state narrower than the trachea; the proventriculus enlarges to 3 
twelfths. The stomach is elliptical, 74 twelfths long, 53. twelfths in breadth, 
its muscles well developed; the epithelium thin, tough, rugous, and of a 
reddish-brown colour. It is filled with farinaceous vegetable substances of a 
whitish colour. Intestine of moderate length, wide, 8 inches long, its width 
at the upper part 2 twelfths. No cceca. Trachea 1 inch 5 twelfths long, its 
breadth nearly 1 twelfth; its contractor muscles moderate; its rings about 
50; the bronchial half rings 12. The salivary glands are of large size. 


252 GAIRDNER’S WOODPECKER. 


Tue Rampinc TRUMPET-FLOWER. 
BIGNONIA CAPREOLATA. 


This species is met with only in the Southern Districts. It is rather rare 
in Louisiana, but abounds in Georgia, Alabama, and the Floridas. The 
flowers are destitute of odour. Humming-birds delight to search for food in 
them, as well as in those of other species of the genus. 


~ 


GAIRDNER’S WOODPECKER. 


+Picus GarrpneER, Aud. 


(Not figured.) 


This curious little Woodpecker is so very similar to Picus pubescens in 
form, size, and colour, that one can scarcely distinguish it, its affinity to that 
species being as strict as that of Picus villosus to P. canadensis. Its bill 
is slightly stronger; but the greatest difference is found in the toes, which 
are very much larger, as will be seen from the following measurements. 


Picus Gairdnerii. Picus pubescens. 
Tarsus, ces = 
Hind toe, . 24 2 
Its claw, 24 24 
Second toe, ae 4g 
Its claw, 4a i 
Third toe, 2. —_ 
Its claw, ai a 
Fourth toe, i 6 
Its claw, aes 4k 


These differences may appear slight, and were there intermediate grada- 
tions, would be of no value, but I find that eight individuals of P. pubescens 
present no material deviation from the above measurements, while my 
specimen of P. Gairdnerii may be at once distinguished by the greater 


GAIRDNER’S WOODPECKER. 953 


ow 


length especially of the outer or reversed toe. Its bill is also considerably 
thicker at the base, although otherwise similar. Another difference presents 
itself in the relative length of some of the quills, the fifth being longest in 
P. Gairdnerii, the fourth in P. pubescens. 


GarrpNner’s Wooppecker, Picus Gairdnerii, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 317. 


Length, 634; wing, 34%. 

Columbia river. 

Adult Male. 

Bill longish, straight, strong, tapering, angular, slightly compressed, and 
at the tip truncate; mandibles of equal length, both straight in their outline, 
the ridge of the upper very narrow, its sides sloping, the lateral ridge nearer 
the margin; the nostrils linear-oblong, basal, concealed by tufts of reversed 
bristly feathers. 

Head of moderate size, ovate; neck short. Feet short, rather strong; 
tarsus with a few large scutella before, thin-edged behind, with a series of 
large scales along the inner side; two toes before, two behind, the fourth or 
outer reversed toe considerably longer than the third, the first very short; 
claws strong, much compressed, well curved, very acute, those of the third 
and fourth toes nearly equal and largest. 

Plumage very soft and blended; feathers of the middle part of the back 
very long and downy. Wings large, rounded, the first quill eight-twelfths 
long, the second an inch and seven-twelfths longer, the third seven and a 
quarter twelfths longer than the second, and three-quarters of a twelfth 
shorter than the fourth, which is slightly exceeded by the fifth, the sixth a 
little shorter than the fourth; secondaries very broad, truncate. Tail rather 
long, cuneate, of ten feathers, of which the lateral are eight-twelfths shorter 
than the middle, all more or less slit at the point. 

Bill greyish-blue, somewhat dusky above; feet bluish-grey; claws light 
blue, dusky at the end. The top of the head is black, as are a broad band 
behind the eye, part of the loral space, a band below the cheek, as well as 
the scapulars, wings, and four middle tail-feathers; there is a band of white 
over each eye, enlarging on the occiput and terminating in a broad band of 
bright crimson running across that part; another white band from below the 
eye, curving behind the ears, nearly meeting on the hind neck; the wings 
barred with squareish spots of white, and tipped with the same, there being 
on the outer webs of the third and fourth primaries five spots on the outer 
and four on the inner web; most of the coverts are also tipped with a white 
spot; a broad band of white down the middle of the back, the lateral tail- 
feathers are white, with two bars of black toward the end, and the base of 


954 RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. 


the inner web of the same colour; the next feather is similar, with more 
black at the base, and on both webs; the next black, with the terminal half 
of the outer web, a bar on the inner, and its tip white; the lower surface is 
white, but much soiled and of a dull greyish-brown tint, the lower tail- 
coverts with a slightly dusky spot toward the end. 

Length to end of tail 63; inches; bill along the ridge £3; wing from. 
flexure 318; tail 24. 

Between this and P. pubescens there is no difference as to colour, only 
the spots on the wings of the latter are much larger. Most individuals of 
P. pubescens have the same number of spots on the longer quills, but others 
have an additional pair. 

A figure of this species will, if possible, be given at the end of the work. 


RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. 
+Picus quERuLus, Wils. 
PLATE CCLXIV.—Mates anp Femate. 


This species, which was first described by Writson, is found abundantly 
from Texas to New Jersey, and inland as far as Tennessee. Pine-barrens 
suit it best, and it is nowhere more numerous than in those of the Floridas, 
Georgia, and South Carolina, where, at any time of the year, one is sure to 
be saluted by its peculiar note, or to see it busily and cheerfully engaged in 
searching for food, or flitting from one tree to another. 

In quickness of motion it approaches more to the Common or Banded 
Three-toed Woodpecker, than any other with which I am acquainted. It 
glides upwards and sidewise along the trunks and branches, on the lower as 
well as the upper side of the latter, moving with astonishing alertness, and 
at every motion emitting a short, shrill and clear note, which can be heard at 
a considerable distance. While on wing it also emits this note at the com- 
mencement of each curve of its undulated flight. Often when alighted it 
issues a tremulous note, which is also short, sharp, and shrill, and during the 
loye-season its cries resound through the pine-woods. Near Bayou Sara in 


ey CALL oe, ee 


Hh Wales J female 


LDravsae torr Nature Ly TA. Audubon LSS YESS Lith “Printed & lol “by SL Bowen fhil. 


1 
j 


Paki initon Weep coe ORE CR GAO: cites bit i 


Roubiiived seeds dein 


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7 ay Cae i a ih tis pie! dhe wits fF jog a ae tie Co a 


Bins Hare rr ee | Sete 


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Aa ae bold ve ihe: ies cat ile Led 
vsnua: ae Nava re Pigpewes Re arpa oe 


ee an Set Si hie Rea agate aik. Ras aaah Gree Lem ae ne: ye 
iki NEES, si 


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iy folead “gags ae PEN ets Narn. ae ta fry 
ooiauailen Tiargiic ia IN Rete gna yah AS a ee BHOEOD 
Se hes done Me dutty ee ee gare ecetelay, 8 in na 


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iia toay losis bien saueipadetadtet roe 
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a ee ate te ee cr ee 
Peta ie iA ik AO ez meh weed mie 


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AS BEE Rea a eg le 2 pets 


eC athe nerary wehick Pay) eld td cuniiny ewer 


ee Hp pein etd, 
“ges nn a sat er bain) 


RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. 955 


Louisiana, I once slightly wounded two males, which I put into my hat in 
order to carry them home. The first, on being brought to the ground, was 
easily secured, but the case was different with the other, for it at once 
hopped off toward the nearest tree, crying loudly all the while, and on 
reaching it ascended as if unhurt. However, I obtained it by accidentally 
knocking off the bark with a clod of earth. It defended itself courageously, 
and pecked at my fingers with so much vigour that I was obliged to let it 
drop several times out of my hand. Confined in my hat, they remained 
still and sullen, and when I looked at them they both hid their heads, as if 
ashamed of their situation. Whenever I chanced to fire my gun, it alarmed 
them, and they uttered a plaintive cry, differing from their usual note while 
at liberty. One of them died before I reached the house, probably through 
the great heat; the other, however, was well, and I put it into a cage, every 
part of which it examined, until finding a spot by which it thought it might 
escape, it began to work there, and soon made the chips fly off. In a few 
minutes, it made its way out, and leaped upon the floor, uttering its common 
cluck, hopped to the wall, and ascended as if it had been on the bark of one 
of its favourite trees. The room being unfinished, the bricks were bare, 
and as it passed along, it peeped into the interstices, and seized the spiders 
and other insects which it found lurking in them. I kept this bird two 
days, but when I found that the poor thing could procure no food, I gave it 
its liberty, and was glad to find that its wounded wing was so far healed as 
to allow it to fly thirty or forty yards at a time, so that it had a good chance 
of being able to reach its favourite pines again, with the scent of which it 
was strongly imbued. 

When on a high tree, it looks as if entirely black. Generally too, even 
when seen close at hand, the red line over the eye is covered by the adjacent 
feathers; at least this was the case with the two individuals mentioned above. 
The one which died had its gizzard crammed with the heads of small ants 
and a few minute coleopterous insects. It is fond of the company of our 
small Woodpeckers, as well as of Sylvia pinus and Parus carolinensis. 

I have found this bird mated in January in the Floridas, and engaged in 
preparing a breeding place in February. The nest is not unfrequently bored 
in a decayed stump about thirty feet high, the wreck of a noble pine, 
destroyed by the irresistible fury of a hurricane. The eggs, which are 
usually four, although I have found as many as six, are smooth and pure 
white. The young, like those of our other species, crawl out of their holes, 
and on the branches around wait for the food brought by their parents, until 
they are able to shift for themselves. 

In the winter months, I have seen several of these birds enter a hole at 


256 RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. 


_ dusk, where they probably remained all night; and in cold drizzly weather 
I have observed them doing the same at various hours of the day. When 
wounded, I have several times seen them making toward these retreats. 
There is little difference between the sexes, excepting that the red line over 
the eye is wanting in the female. Wutson’s measurements are less than 
those of any individuals which I have examined. 

It is generally believed that all Woodpeckers are strictly insectivorous; 
but this opinion is by no means correct, for many species feed on grain and 
fruits of various kinds. Some of them even come to the ground to search 
for those which have fallen from the trees, as I found to be the case with the 
present species, which I repeatedly observed so occupied in the Pine Barrens 
of the Floridas. On such occasions it is always silent. It moves in pairs 
at all seasons, and is extremely pugnacious during the period of incubation, 
when each male is constantly giving chase to intruders of its own kind. 
During these encounters, its cries are incessant, and much louder and sharper 
than on more ordinary occasions. 


ReEpD-cocKADED WoopPEcKER, Picus querulus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 103. 
Picus QUERULUS, Bonap. Syn., p. 46. 

Rep-cockKaDED WooprecKER, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 577. 

ReEpb-cocKaDED WooppeckER, Picus guerulus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 12. 


Male, 83, 143. Female, 72, 133. 

From Texas to New Jersey, along the Atlantic districts. Common. In 
the interior to Lower Mississippi. Resident. 

Adult Male. 

Bill somewhat shorter than the head, straight, rather slender, tapering, 
angular, at the point compressed and abrupt; upper mandible with the dorsal 
line straight, the ridge sharp, the sides sloping, the nasal groove with a 
prominent narrow ridge, rather nearer the ridge than the edge at its com- 
mencement, but joining the latter about a third from the tip, the edges sharp 
and direct; lower mandible with the angle rather short and narrow, the 
dorsal line straight, the ridge sharp, the edges convex toward the end, the 
tip compressed, but abrupt. Nostrils basal, lateral, linear-oblong, broader at 
the base. 

Head of moderate size, ovate, convex above; neck rather short; body 
moderate. Feet short, rather slender; tarsus short, anteriorly scutellate, 
laterally covered with angular scales, posteriorly with a row of narrow 
scutella; toes four; the first short, the second next in length, the fourth 
directed outwards and backwards, and longer than the third; claws large, 
strongly arched, compressed, deeply grooved on the sides, tapering to a very 
acute point. 


RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. 957 


Plumage very soft and blended; feathers at the base of the bill bristly and 
directed forwards so as to cover the nostrils. Wings long; the first quill 
extremely small, being only ten-twelfths long; the second four-twelfths 
shorter than the third, which is one-twelfth shorter than the fourth, this 
being the longest. Tail long, cuneate, of twelve feathers, the lateral very 
small, weak, and rounded, the rest strong, with the barbs worn at the end, 
the tip emarginate, the shafts being worn. 

Bill greyish-blue, with the upper mandible dusky toward the ridge. Iris 
hazel. Feet greyish-blue, claws of the same colour, dusky along the ridge. 
The upper part of the head, the hind neck, the loral space, and a band down 
each side of the neck glossy black; feathers at the base of the bill, a band 
over the eye, and-a large patch on the side of the head white. Margining 
the black behind the eye is a streak of bright carmine, formed by a series of 
very slender feathers. All the upper parts, including the wings, are black- 
ish-brown, transversely banded with white. Tail black; the fourth feather 
obliquely white on the outer web toward the end, the next with the white 
extended to the inner webs toward the end, it being barred with black 
on the inner; the second white, with five black bands on the inner web 
and one on the outer; the first or lateral feather white, with a black patch 
near the base of the inner web. The lower parts are white, the sides of 
the lower part of the neck, and of the body, marked with oblong black 
spots. 

Length to end of tail 84 inches; extent of wings 144; bill along the ridge 
19; wing from flexure 4,5; tail 38, the lateral feathers 1-45; tarsus 3%; hind 
toe 23, its claw 23; inner toe £2, its claw £2; middle toe -§;, its claw -%; 
outer toe 74, its claw 8. 

Female. 

The female is somewhat smaller, but resembles the male in colour, with 
the exception of wanting the red streak behind the eye. 

Length to end of tail 73 inches, to end of wings 63, to end of claws 63; 
extent of wings 131. 

The roof of the upper mandible is slightly concave, with a prominent 
middle ridge; the lower mandible more concave, with two ridges and a 
median groove. The tongue is 103 twelfths long, slender, its breadth 1 
twelfth, its sides parallel; it tapers to a point at the end, where it is margined 
with acicular bristles directed backwards. The hyoid bones curve round 
the back of the head, converge, and run along the middle of the skull to the 
base of the bill, without curving to either side. The palate is flattened, the 
posterior aperture of the nares linear, with an anterior slit, which is mar- 
gined with papilla. The aperture of the mouth is 43 twelfths in width. 

Vor. lV. 35 


258 


RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. 


The cesophagus, a 4, is 2 inches 8 twelfths long, 
narrow, uniform, its breadth 2 twelfths. The pro- 
ventricular belt, 4, is 44 twelfths long. The sto- 
mach, c d e, is of moderate size, oblong, 83 twelfths 
in length, 6 twelfths in breadth; its muscles rather 
strong, its tendons large, the epithelium dense, 
longitudinally rugous, and of a reddish colour. 
The intestine, e fg h, is 9 inches long, its upper 
portion 2 twelfths in diameter, its narrowest part 
14 twelfths; the rectum 3 twelfths in diameter, 
gradually enlarging into the cloaca, 7. 

The trachea, which is 1 inch 8 twelfths long, 
and of about 65 rings, measures 1 twelfth across at 
the upper part, gradually contracts a little, and is 
furnished with strong contractor and sterno-tracheal 
muscles. The bronchi are of moderate length, 
with about 15 half-rings. 

The contents of the stomach were remains of 
insects, and small round very hard dark brown 
seeds. During the autumnal and winter months, 
this species is wont to feed on the berries of 
several species of Smilax, on grapes, and at times 
even on the common poke-berries. Iam also per- 
suaded that whilst the pines are in bloom, much of 
their flowers is used, perhaps more as a relish, than 
as an essential article of food. 


JO 5S). Pl ae. 


Z yd» 
_ a, DOOM 


Male: 


Praws fro Nawwwe ly IT Andabon. LRSELS Lith? Prytea & Colthy JT T Bowen. Dhel 


209 


AUDUBON’S WOODPECKER. 
+Picus Aupupont, Trudeau. 
PLATE CCLXV.—Apbuwtr. 


My talented and amiable friend Dr. James Trupeav, has described this 
species in the seventh volume of the Journal of the Academy of Natural 
Sciences of Philadelphia, where he says, “Hunting in a wood fifteen miles 
from New Orleans, on the 26th of April, 1837, my attention was attracted 
by a very extraordinary note, and after some difficulty I succeeded in getting 
possession of the bird from which it proceeded. It was very wild, running 
on the trunks and limbs of trees with the agility peculiar to the family, 
always contriving to keep on the side of the trunk most distant from its 
pursuer. It was the species here described. I have frequently examined 
the spot in hopes of getting more; and although I have often heard its note, 
the bird has, in the very thick woods, eluded my pursuit. The sportsmen 
with whom I have spoken of it, suppose it to be a common species. It is 
probable that this curious bird, respecting which I have learned nothing 
farther, has escaped the observation of naturalists on account of its resem- 
blance to the two species already named (the Hairy and Downy Wood- 
peckers).”’ 

The specimen mentioned above was presented to me by its discoverer, 
my obligations to whom, on account of the honour which he has conferred 
upon me, I now gratefully acknowledge. My friend Mr. Swarnson has 
also named after me a Woodpecker, procured in Louisiana, but which I 
believe to be only an immature specimen of Picus pubescens. 


Picus Aupugont, Audubon’s Woodpecker, Trudeau, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, 
vol. vii. p. 404. 
Avupuson’s WooppeckeER, Picus Auduboni, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 194. 


Adult, 7, 133. 

Louisiana. 

Adult. 

Bill about the length of the head, strong, straight, differing from that of 
any other North American Woodpecker in having both outlines a little 
convex, and both tips acute. Upper mandible with the ridge very narrow, 
the sides sloping and flat, the lateral ridge near the margin, the edges direct, 


260 AUDUBON’S WOODPECKER. 


ow 


sharp, and overlapping; lower mandible with the angle rather long and 
narrow, the ridge very narrow, the sides convex, the edges sharp and 
inflected. Nostrils basal, oblong, near the edge, and concealed by the 
feathers. 

Head rather large, ovate; neck short; body rather full. Feet short; tarsus 
feathered anteriorly nearly half-way down, scutellate in the rest of its extent, 
and having a series of large scales internally behind; toes four; the first very 
short, the fourth longer than the third, which is united with the second at 
the base. Claws large, well curved, extremely compressed, laterally grooved, 
very acute. 

Plumage very soft, full, and blended. Wings rather long, the first quill 
only an inch and a twelfth in length, the second five-twelfths shorter than 
the third, which is one-twelfth shorter than the fourth, and an inch longer 
than the sixth. Tail of moderate length, cuneate, of twelve feathers, of 
which the outer is only eight-twelfths long, the next ten-twelfths shorter 
than the longest. 

Bill greyish-blue. Iris brown. Feet bluish-grey, claws brown. The 
upper parts are black; the tufts covering the nostrils white; on the anterior 
part of the top of the head are some feathers largely tipped with yellow, a 
band of white passes over the eye; the loral space and that behind the eye 
are black; a band of white passes from the angle of the mouth to the side of 
the occiput, and beneath it is a narrow band of black; the feathers along the 
middle of the back are tipped with white; the wings are spotted with white, 
some of the smaller coverts, the larger coverts, and all the quills being 
marked with that colour, of which there are six spots on the outer and four 
on the inner web of the longer primaries; the first primary has a slight spot 
at the base of the outer web, and two spots on the inner; the second has two 
spots on the outer, and three on the inner web; all the primaries except the 
two outer have a terminal white spot, the secondaries two, one on the outer, 
the other on the inner web. The four middle tail-feathers are black, the 
rest white toward the end, that colour enlarging so as to include almost the 
whole of the outer feathers. The lower parts are dull white, having a tinge 
of brown, the sides very faintly barred with dusky. 

Length to end of tail 7 inches; extent of wings 133; bill along the ridge 
1, along the edge of lower mandible 1; wing from flexure 44; tail 2-55 
tarsus =°,; hind toe ;3, its claw 25; second toe ;§;, its claw 43; third toe , 
its claw $3; fourth toe $2, its claw +5. 

As Dr. TrupEAv remarks, “this species resembles the Hairy and Downy 
Woodpeckers in plumage, but is very distinct, and is intermediate in size 


between them. 


N° 54. 


Sage 


7 Wale eZ. Fer ate 


Pl. 266. 


ted CA Uy T Tiowere PRil 


261 


RED-BREASTED WOODPECKER. 


+ Picus ruBER, Gmel. 


PLATE CCLXVI.—Mate anp Femate. 


Several specimens of this Woodpecker, which were procured by Mr. 
TownsENpD on the Columbia river, are in my possession; but I regret that I 
have no other information to communicate respecting its habits than what is 
contained in the following note from my friend Tuomas Nurratt, Esq., 
who says, “This species, seen in the forests of the Columbia and the Blue 
Mountains of the same country, has most of the habits of the common Red- 
headed species. It is, however, much less familiar, and keeps generally 
among the tall fir-trees, in the dead trunks of which it burrows out a hole 
for a nest, sometimes at a great elevation. On approaching one which was 
feeding its young in one of these situations, it uttered a loud reverberating 
Yrr rr, and seemed angry and solicitous at my approach. The same 
species also inhabits Upper California as well as the north-west coast up to 
Nootka. It is found eastward as far as the central chain of the Rocky 
Mountains.”” An egg taken from a nest which contained four, is an inch 
and a quarter in length, three-fourths in breadth, smooth, equally rounded 
at both ends, though somewhat elongated, and pure white. 


Picus Ruger, Gmel. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 429. Lath. Ind. Ornith., vol. i. p. 228. 
Rep-preastep Wooprecker, Picus ruber, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 179. 


Male, 8,14. Female, 8; wing, 52. 

Upper California. Columbia river. Nootka. Common. Migratory. 

Adult Male. 

Bill about the length of the head, straight, strong, angular, compressed 
toward the tip, which is slightly truncate and cuneate. Upper mandible 
with the dorsal line very slightly convex, the ridge very narrow, the sides 
sloping, concave at the base, slightly convex toward the end, the lateral 
angle farther from the ridge than from the margin at its commencement, and 
terminating on the edge about half-way, the edges sharp, direct, overlapping. 
Lower mandible with the angle short and rather wide, the crural outline 
straight, the dorsal ascending and straight, the sides sloping outwards and 
slightly convex, the tip narrow. Nostrils linear-oblong, basal, concealed by 


the feathers, and placed much nearer the margin than the ridge. 
Vou. LV. 36 


962 RED-BREASTED WOODPECKER. 


Head rather large, ovate; neck rather short; body full. Feet very short; 
tarsus very short, feathered anteriorly one-third down, in the rest of its 
extent covered with a few large scutella; sharp-edged and having internally 
small scutella behind; toes four; first toe small; fourth slightly longer than 
third; second and third united at the base; claws large, much curved, com- 
pressed, laterally grooved, very acute. 

Plumage very soft, full, and blended. A tuft of reversed stiffish feathers 
on each side of the base of the upper mandible, concealing the nostrils; the 
feathers at the angle of the lower mandible also stiffish. Wings rather long; 
the first quill very small, being only ten-twelfths long, the second nine- 
twelfths shorter than the third, which is two-twelfths shorter than the fourth, 
the latter being the longest, and exceeding the fifth by a twelfth and a half; 
secondaries rounded, and somewhat emarginate. Tail of moderate length, 
cuneate, of twelve feathers, of which the lateral is only eleven-twelfths long, 
and one inch five and a half twelfths shorter than the next, which is eleven- 
twelfths shorter than the middle, and slightly worn, the rest having the tip 
slit, the shaft terminating abruptly. 

Bill bluish-grey, dusky toward the end. Feet bluish-grey, claws brown. 
The upper part of the head, the neck all round, and a portion of the breast 
deep carmine; the tufts over the nostrils yellow, and from them a white 
band to beneath the eye; the feathers of the eyelids black; the middle of the 
breast and the abdomen yellow; the feathers of the sides of the body and 
rump, with the lower tail-coverts, barred, or marked with a pointed dusky 
spot, their edges yellowish-white. The upper parts are black, the middle of 
the back spotted with yellowish-white, the rump and upper tail-coverts 
white on the inner webs and toward the tip on both. There is a large patch 
of white on the wing, formed by some of the smaller coverts, the first row 
of small coverts and the terminal portions of the outer webs of the secondary 
coverts. The qttills are black, the three longest with eight spots on the 
outer and five on the inner web, the second with four on the inner web and 
two on the outer, the first with two on the inner web; the secondaries more 
or less tipped with white, but several of them without spots on the outer 
web. The tail-feathers are black, the two middle with three or four white 
spots on the inner web, or white, with several black bands. Sometimes the 
lateral feathers are spotted on the outer edge, and several have a terminal 
white edging. 

Length to end of tail 9 inches; bill along the ridge 14, along the edge of 
lower mandible 1,4; wing from flexure 543; tail 318; tarsus 24. first toe 32, 
its claw 23; second toe +4, its claw 4, third toe 5%, its claw 23; fourth 
toe 24, its claw 43. 

Adult Female. 


N° 54. ie Pl. 267. 


Laey, a Ae Ms ye 
it ay Mee 


/..Matle. 2. Fenrate 
SE SOO 


Z A e 
Pat rt li LEI LE 


Drawn frome Nature ty J 7 Andsdbon. FRSFLS Lith®€Printed. & Col Xhy ST Bowen. Phd 


THE YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 963 


The female differs only in having the tints somewhat fainter, the white 
markings on the back smaller, and the yellow of the lower parts duller. 

Length to end of tail 8% inches; bill along the ridge 14; wing from 
flexure 5-25; tail 374. 


THE YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 


+Picus varius, Linn. 
PLATE CCLXVII.—Mate anp Femate. 


This beautiful species returns to Louisiana and the other Southern States 
about the beginning of October. It remains there during the winter, and 
takes its departure before the beginning of April, after which period I have 
never observed it in these districts. It is seen in Kentucky, and a few 
breed there; but the greater number return to the middle and especially the 
northern parts of the Union. During the winter months, it associates with 
the Hairy, the Red-bellied, and the Downy Woodpeckers. Its notes, which 
are extremely plaintive, differ widely from those of any other species, and 
are heard at a considerable distance in the woods. 

The Yellow-bellied Woodpecker prefers the interior of the forest during 
spring and summer, seldom shewing itself near the habitations of man at 
those seasons. It is a sly and suspicious bird, spending most of its time in 
trees which have close branches and dense foliage. It generally bores its 
nest at a considerable height, and usually in the trunk of an undecayed tree, 
immediately beneath a large branch, and on its southern side. The hole is 
worked out by the male as well as the female, in the manner followed by 
other species, and to the depth of from fifteen to twenty-four inches. The 
aperture is just large enough to admit the birds, but the hole widens gradu- 
ally towards the bottom, where it is large and roomy. The eggs, which are 
from four to six, and pure white, with a slight blush, are deposited on the 
chips without any nest. The young seldom leave the hole until they are 
fully fledged, after which they follow their parents, in a straggling manner, 
until the approach of spring, when the males become shy towards each 
other, and quarrel whenever they meet, frequently erecting the feathers of 
the head and fighting desperately. 


2°64. THE YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 


They fly through the woods with rapidity, in short undulations, seldom 
going farther at a time than from one tree to another. I never observed one 
of these birds on the ground. ‘Their food consists of wood-worms and 
beetles, to which they add small grapes and various berries during autumn 
and winter, frequently hanging head downwards at the extremity of a bunch 
of grapes, or such berries as those you see represented in the Plate. 

I found this species extremely abundant in the upper parts of the State of 
Maine, and in the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, but saw 
none in Newfoundland or Labrador. 

While travelling I observed that they performed their migration by day, 
in loose parties or families of six or seven individuals, flying at a great 
height, and at the intervals between their sailings and the flappings of their 
wings, emitting their remarkable plaintive cries. When alighting towards 
sunset, they descended with amazing speed in a tortuous manner, and first 
settled on the tops of the highest trees, where they remained perfectly 
silent for awhile, after which they betook themselves to the central parts of 
the thickest trees, and searched along the trunks for abandoned holes of 
Squirrels or Woodpeckers, in which they spent the night, several together 
in the same hole. On one occasion, while I was watching their movements 
at a late hour, I was much surprised to see a pair of them disputing the 
entrance of a hole with an Owl (Strix asio), which for nearly a quarter of 
an hour tried, but in vain, to drive them away from its retreat. The Owl 
alighted sidewise on the tree under its hole, swelled out its plumage, blew 
and hissed with all its might; but the two Woodpeckers so guarded the 
entrance with their sharp bills, their eyes flushed, and the feathers of their 
heads erected, that the owner of the abode was at length forced to relinquish 
his claims. The next day at noon I returned to the tree, when I found the 
little nocturnal vagrant snugly ensconsed in his diurnal retreat. 

This species of Woodpecker does not obtain the full beauty of its plumage 
until the second spring; and the variety of colouring which it presents in 
the male and female, the old and young birds, renders it one of the most 
interesting of those found in the United States. 


YELLOW-BELLIED Wooppecker, Picus varius, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 147. 

Picus varius, Bonap. Syn., p. 45. 

Picus (DEnpRocopus) varius, Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. 
Amer., vol. ii. p. 309. 

YELLOW-BELLIED Wooprecker, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 574. 

YELLOW-BELLIED WoopPECKER, Picus varius, Aud. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 519; vol. v. 
p. 537. 


Male, 83, 15. 
Breeds from Maryland northward to the Saskatchewan. Rather rare in 


THE YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 965 


the interior in summer. Many spend the winter in the Southern and 
Western Districts. 

Adult Male. 

Bill longish, straight, strong, tapering, compressed towards the end, 
slightly truncated and cuneate at the tip; mandibles of equal length, both 
nearly straight in their dorsal outline, their sides convex, excepting at the 
base. Nostrils basal, lateral, elliptical, open, covered by the feathers, and 
having a sharp ridge passing over them to the edge of the bill near the 
middle. Head of moderate size, neck rather short, body rather robust. 
Feet rather short; tarsus compressed, anteriorly scutellate, laterally covered 
with hexagonal scales, sharp behind; two toes before, united as far as the 
second joint; two behind, the first very small, the second equal in length to 
the third, claws strong, much curved, compressed, with a short deep groove 
on each side, very acute. 

Plumage soft, rather blended, slightly glossed, that of the head shining. 
Wings long, the first quill extremely small, fourth longest, third nearly 
equal, second shorter than fifth; secondaries slightly emarginate. Tail of 
ordinary length, cuneate, of ten pointed feathers, having very short shafts. 

Bill brownish-black. Iris brown. Feet greyish-blue. Forehead and 
crown, chin and sides of the throat blood-red, the two patches margined 
with greenish-black, of which colour is a broad band on the occiput, and a 
large space on the lower neck and fore part of the breast, a broad band of 
white from the eye margining the back of the occiput; another from the 
base of the upper mandible down the side of the neck, the interspace black. 
Scapulars black, tinged with green. Wing-coverts and quills black, the first 
row of smaller coverts white, excepting at the base, those of the outer 
secondary coverts are white on the outer webs, and the quills, excepting the 
first, are spotted on the outer and inner edges, and more or less tipped with 
the same. The back is variegated with black and brownish-white. Tail- 
feathers black, the outer margined with white towards the tip, the two inner 
spotted with white on the inner web. Middle of the breast yellow, sides 
dusky yellow, variegated with brownish-black. 

Length 84 inches, extent of wings 15; bill along the ridge +$, along the 
edge 1545; tarsus +9. 

Adult Female. 

The female resembles the male, but the throat is white, and the yellow of 


the lower parts less pure. 


Vou. LV. 37 


266 


THE ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. 


+Picus arcticus, Swains. 
PLATE CCLXVIII.—Mates anp FremMa.e. 


This curious species of Woodpecker is found in the northern parts of the 
State of Massachusetts, and in all portions of Maine that are covered by 
forests of tall trees, in which it constantly resides. I saw a few in the 
Great Pine Forest of Pennsylvania, and my friend, the Rev. Joun Bacu- 
MAN, observed four near the Falls of Niagara, about twelve years ago, and is 
of opinion that some may breed in the upper part of the State of New York. 

It is a restless, active bird, spending its time generally on the topmost 
branches of the tallest trees, without, however, confining itself to pines. 
Although it cannot be called shy, its habitual restlessness renders it difficult 
of approach. Its movements resemble those of the Red-cockaded Wood- 
pecker, but it is still more petulant than that bird. Like it, it will alight, 
climb along a branch, seek for insects there, and in a very few moments 
remove to another part of the same tree, or to another tree at more or less 
distance, thus spending the day in rambling over a large extent of ground. 
Its cries also somewhat resemble those of the species above mentioned, but 
are louder and more shrill, like those of some small quadruped suffering 
great pain. During the middle hours of the day it becomes silent, and often 
retires to some concealed place to rest awhile. In the afternoon of warm 
days, it very frequently makes sorties after flying insects, which it seems to 
secure in the air with as much ease as the Red-headed Woodpecker. Besides 
insects, it also feeds on berries and other small fruits. 

Its flight is rapid, gliding, and deeply undulated, as it shifts from one 
place to another. Now and then it will fly from a detached tree of a field 
to a considerable distance before it alights, emitting at every glide a loud 
shrill note. When alighted, the rolling tappings of its bill against a dead 
and dried branch are as sonorous as those of the Redhead. I never saw one 
on the ground, but I have not unfrequently met with them searching the 
decayed wood of a prostrate tree. 

The nest of this species is generally bored in the body of a sound tree, 
near its first large branches. I observed no particular choice as to the 
timber, having seen it in oaks, pines, &c. The nest, like that of other allied 
species, is worked out by both sexes, and takes fully a week before it is 


N? 54. P2619, 


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THE ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. 2°67 


completed, its usual depth being from twenty to twenty-four inches. It is 
smooth and broad at the bottom, although so narrow at its entrance as to 
appear scarcely sufficient to enable one of the birds to enter it. The eggs 
are from four to six, rather rounded, and pure white. Only one brood is 
raised in the season. The young follow their parents until autumn, when 
they separate and shift for themselves. They do not attain their full 
plumage until the second year. 

The number of these Woodpeckers is greatly increased in the State of 
Maine during winter, by accessions from Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and 
Labrador, in all which countries I have found the species in summer, but 
where, if I am rightly informed, few remain during severe winters. 


Picus TRIDACTYLUS, Bonap. Syn., p. 46. 

NorTHERN THREE-TOED WoopPecKER, Picus tridactylus, Bonap. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. 
p. 14. 

Picus (APTERNUS) aRcTicus, Arctic T’hree-toed Woodpecker, Swains. and Rich. F. 
Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 313. 

NortTHERN THREE-TOED WooppeckeER, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 578. 

THREE-TOED WoopPECKER, Picus tridactylus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 198. 


Male, 103, 16. 

From the northern parts of New York to the Fur Countries, as well as 
along the eastern declivities of the Rocky Mountains. Rather common. 
Partially migratory. 

Adult Male. 

Bill longish, straight, strong, angular, compressed toward the tip, which 
is slightly truncate and cuneate; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, 
the ridge distinct, the sloping sides quite flat, the lateral angle or ridge close 
to the edges, which are acute and overlapping; lower mandible with the 
ridge distinct, the sides convex, edges sharp and inflected. Tongue com- 
paratively shorter than that of the Picus villosus, but of the same form, the 
extensile part being vermiform, the tip flat above, convex below, and 
serrated backwards on the thin edges. Nostrils basal, elliptical, covered by 
the feathers. Head rather large, neck short, body robust. Feet very short; 
tarsus scutellate before and behind; two toes before, one only behind, which 
is versatile and larger, all scutellate above; claws strong, extremely com- 
pressed, very acute, and uncinate. 

Plumage blended, glossy, on the back and wings rather compact. Feathers 
of the top of the head stiff and silky. Wings longish, third and fourth 
quills longest and equal. Tail graduated, of twelve decurved stiff feathers, 
worn to a point, excepting the outermost, which is extremely small. Base 
of the bill covered by recumbent bristly feathers. 


968 BANDED THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. 


Bill bluish-black, the lower mandible greyish-blue, as are the feet, the 
scutella and claws black. Iris bluish-black. The general colour of the 
upper parts is deep glossy black, the head with blue reflections, the back 
with green. Crown of the head yellow, tinged with orange. Quills black- 
ish-brown, the outer primaries with seven rows of white spots. Two middle 
tail-feathers black, two next of the same colour, but with three cream- 
coloured spots on the edge of the outer web towards the end; two next 
black at the base, cream-coloured towards the end, black at the tip; two 
next cream-coloured, with little black at the base, and a mere touch of black 
on the tip; two next of the same colour, with very little black at the base; 
the two outermost, which are very short, rounded, and generally concealed, 
barred with black and cream-colour. A white band from the base of the 
mandible passes under the eye, and there is a very slender line of the same 
behind it. Throat, fore neck, and anterior part of the breast, white; the rest 
of the under parts also white, but barred with black. 

Length 103 inches, extent of wings 16; bill along the ridge 17, along the 
edge +4; tarsus +}, middle toe and claw +4, of hind toe and claw 1. 

Adult Female. 

The female wants the yellow patch on the crown of the head, and has the 
line of white behind the eye rather more conspicuous, but in other respects 
resembles the male. 


BANDED THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. 
+ Picus uirsutvus, Vieill. 
PLATE CCLXIX.—Mate anp Fremate. 


The difference between this bird and that described under the name of 
Picus tridactylus was unknown to me until clearly pointed out by the 
minute and accurate description of Mr. Swainson in the Fauna Boreali- 
Americana. Indeed I had looked upon it as the young of the species just 
mentioned. Not having met with it myself, I can only refer you to the 
very short notice of Dr. R1cHarpson, who says: “This bird exists in all the 
forests of spruce-fir lying between Lake Superior and the Arctic Sea, and it 
is the most common Woodpecker north of the Great Slave Lake. It much 


N°? 54. Pi AiGio: 


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Diawri en Nature by IT Arudiutbow FRSES. Lith: friitead klol¢by J T Bowen Lhd 


BANDED THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. 969 


ow 


resembles the P. villosus (by which I presume is meant P. canadensis, as 
already explained) in its habits, except that it seeks its food principally on 
decaying trees of the pine tribe, in which it frequently makes holes large 
enough to bury itself. It does not migrate.” 

I have represented the male and the female, from specimens lent to me by 
the Council of the Zoological Society of London. 


Picus urrsutvs, Vieill. Ois. de ?Amer., vol. ii. p. 124. 

Picus (Aprernus) TRIDAcTYLUS, Common Three-toed Woodpecker, Swains. and Rich. 
F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 311. 

Common TuREE-TOED WoopreckER, Picus hirsutus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 184. 


Male, 9; wing, 4;%. 

From Lake Superior to the Arctic Sea. Abundant. Resident. 

Adult Male. 

Bill about the length of the head, straight, strong, angular, depressed at 
the base, compressed toward the tip, which is very slightly truncate and 
cuneate. Upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge very 
narrow, the sides sloping and flat, the lateral angle much nearer the edge, 
which is sharp, direct, and overlapping. Lower mandible with the angle 
short and rather wide, the dorsal line straight, the ridge narrow, the sides 
convex, the edges inflected, the tip pointed. Nostrils oblong, basal, con- 
cealed by the feathers, and placed near the margin. 

Head large, ovate; neck rather short; body full. Feet very short; tarsus 
short, compressed, feathered anteriorly more than one-third down, scutellate 
in the rest of its extent, as well as behind on the inner side; toes three, the 
first wanting; the fourth or outer reversed toe considerably longer than the 
third, which is united to the inner at the base; all scutellate above. Claws 
large, much curved, compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. 

Plumage very soft, full, blended. A large tuft of reversed stiffish feathers 
on each side of the base of the upper mandible, concealing the nostrils; the 
feathers in the angle of the lower mandible also stiffish and directed forwards. 
Wings rather long; the first quill very small, being only eleven-twelfths 
long, the second five-twelfths shorter than the third, which is one-twelfth 
shorter than the fourth, this being the longest, but scarcely exceeding the 
fifth; secondaries broad and rounded. Tail of moderate length, cuneate, of 
twelve feathers, of which the lateral, which are rounded and unworn, are 
only one inch long, the next, also unworn, are one inch and one-twelfth 
shorter than the middle. 

Bill bluish-grey, dusky toward the end. Feet bluish-grey, the scutella 
and claws black. The general colour of the upper parts is deep glossy black, 


270 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 


the head with blue reflections, the back and wings tinged with brown. The - 
tufts over the nostrils are dull yellow; the anterior part of the head pale 
yellow, spotted with white; a band of white, with small dusky lines, passes 
from the angle of the mouth to the occiput; the back is transversely banded 
with white; the quills are brownish-black, spotted and tipped with white, 
the four longest primaries with seven spots on the outer, and five on the 
inner web, on most of the secondaries five on each web. The four middle 
tail-feathers are black, the next black, largely tipped with white, the rest 
white, but except the outer small feathers, with a black band at the base. 
The lower parts are white, excepting the sides, and lower wing-coverts, 
which are banded with black. 

Length to end of tail 9 inches; bill along the ridge 1, along the edge of 
lower mandible 1,3; wing from flexure 4%; tail 33; tarsus 23; second toe 
4, its claw 43; third toe 74, its claw +4; fourth toe 7%, its claw 4%. 

Adult Female. ; 

The female, which is somewhat smaller, differs from the male in wanting 
the yellow patch on the head, the whole of that part being black, with small 
white spots. 


RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 
+Picus caroxinus, Linn. 


PLATE CCLXX.—Mate anp FEMALE. 


Much of what I have said respecting the habits of several of our Spotted 
Woodpeckers applies to the present species, which differs, however, in the 
greater extent of its migration in the spring and summer months, when the 
greater number of those which return from the south to our Middle and 
Eastern Districts proceed considerably farther northward than the Hairy 
Woodpecker, although not so far as the Canadian. In winter I have found 
the Red-bellied Woodpecker the most abundant of all in the pine barrens of 
the Floridas, and especially on the plantations bordering the St. John’s river, 
where on any day it would have been easy to procure half a hundred. 
Indeed, on this account, and from its well-known notes, the officers and men 


1 Wale. 2. bemate. 


Draws bore, Mature by IT Audubon FSHIAS, Vath [rained & Col 4 by TT Bowen. Pha. 


RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. arts | 


of the United States’? schooner Spark, as well as my assistants, always 
spoke of it by the name of chaw-chaw. Perhaps it partly obtained this 
name from the numbers of it cooked by the crew in the same manner as the 
dish known to sailors by the same name. It is, however, less common in 
the United States than the Hairy Woodpecker; but its range is as extensive, 
for I have found it from the Texas to the extremities of the British provinces 
of Nova Scotia, and as far inland as I have travelled. It appears, however, 
that it does not inhabit the Fur Countries, as no mention is made of it by 
Dr. Ricuarpson, in the Fauna Boreali-Americana. It is generally more 
confined to the interior of the forests, especially during the time of its 
breeding, than the Hairy Woodpecker, although in winter I have found it 
quite as easily approached. In autumn it frequently occurs in the corn- 
fields, where it takes its share of the grain, in common with the Hairy, the 
Downy, and other Woodpeckers. It is a lively and active bird, fond of 
rolling its tappings against the decayed top-branches of trees, often launching 
forth after passing insects, and feeding during winter on all such berries as 
it can procure. Its flight is strong and better sustained than that of the 
Yellow-bellied or Hairy Woodpeckers, and, like the Golden-winged species, 
it not unfrequently alights across the smaller branches of the trees, a habit 
which, I assure you, is oftener exhibited than has been supposed, by all our 
species of this interesting tribe of birds. 

I never found its nest in Louisiana or South Carolina; but it is not 
uncommon to meet with it in Kentucky; and from Maryland to Nova 
Scotia these birds breed in all convenient places, usually more in the woods 
than out of them, although I have found their nests in orchards in Pennsyl- 
vania, generally not far from the junction of a branch with the trunk. The 
hole is bored in the ordinary manner. The eggs are seldom more than four 
in number; they measure one inch and half an eighth in length, three-fourths 
of an inch in breadth, are of an elliptical form, smooth, pure white, and 
translucent. In so far as I have been able to discover, this species produces 
only one brood in a season. The young remain in or about the nest until 
able to fly well. 

The difference which this species exhibits in the sound of its notes has 
always been a matter of interest to me; they fall upon the ear as if the bird 
were suffering from a severe catarrh, and yet may be heard at times at the 
distance of a hundred yards. They resemble the syllable chow or chaw, 
quickly repeated during its movements, sometimes singly, but more usually 
doubled. 

It feeds on all sorts of insects and larve which it can procure, and at 
certain periods its flesh is strongly impregnated with the odour of its food. 
When procured in any part of the woods that have been burnt, the feathers 


279 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 


of its lower parts are almost black, from the carbonaceous matter adhering 
to them; and generally in winter, at least in the Floridas, I have found its 
plumage more soiled than in summer. I have represented a male anda 
female, in their perfect spring plumage. 


Rep-BeLLieD WoopreckEr, Picus carolinus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 113. 
Picus caRo.inus, Bonap. Syn., p. 45. 

Rep-BELLIED WooppeckKeER, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 572. 

Rep-BeLtitiep Wooppecker, Picus carolinus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 169. 


Male, 72, 152. Female, 8, 14%. 

Breeds from Kentucky in the West, and from Maryland to Nova Scotia 
and Canada. Abundant in winter in all the Southern States, from Carolina 
to Texas, and especially in the Floridas. 

Adult Male. 

Bill about the length of the head, nearly straight, being very slightly 
decurved or arched, strong, angular, compressed toward the tip, which is 
truncate and cuneate. Upper mandible with the dorsal line somewhat 
arched, the ridge very narrow, the sides sloping but convex, the lateral angle 
slight, near the ridge, the edges sharp, direct, overlapping. Lower mandible 
with the angle short and rather narrow, the crural outline concave, the 
dorsal line ascending and straight, the sides ascending and convex, the edges 
sharp and inflected, the tip narrow. Nostrils oblong, basal, concealed by 
the feathers, and placed about half-way between the ridge and the edge. 

Head of moderate size, ovate; neck rather short; body full. Feet very 
short; tarsus very short, feathered anteriorly one-third down, in the rest of 
its extent covered with a few large scutella, compressed, with a series of 
small secutella internally behind; toes four; first toe small, fourth a little 
shorter than third, second and third united at the base; all scutellate above; 
claws large, much curved, compressed, laterally grooved, very acute. 

Plumage full, soft, and blended. A tuft of reversed stiffish feathers on 
each side of the base of the upper mandible, concealing the nostrils; the 
feathers in the angle of the lower mandible also stiffish. Wings rather long; 
the first quill very small, being only an inch and four-twelfths long, six and 
a half twelfths shorter than the third, which is two-twelfths shorter than the 
fourth, the latter the longest, the fifth almost equal; secondaries rounded, 
and slightly emarginate. Tail of moderate length, cuneate, of twelve 
feathers, of which the lateral, which are rounded and entire, are only an 
inch and a twelfth long, the next also unworn, are ten and a half twelfths 
shorter than the middle, which with those on each side have the tip slit, the 
shaft terminating abruptly. 

Bill bluish-grey, dusky toward the end. Iris bright red. Feet dusky 


RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 973 


bluish-grey, claws dark brown. The upper part of the head and the hind 
neck are of a shining bright carmine; the back and scapulars transversely 
barred with black and white; the rump and tail-coverts with the white 
predominating; the smaller coverts, secondary coverts, and secondary quills, 
are also brownish-black, barred with white; the primary coverts unspotted; 
the primary quills patched or spotted with white at the base; the inner with 
several spots on their inner web, and all narrowly margined externally and 
tipped with white. The middle tail-feathers are black, with an oblique band 
of white occupying part of the outer web, and the greater portion of the inner, 
which is barred or spotted with black; the next three on each side are black, 
slightly tipped with white; the next also black, with seven external and 
three internal white indentations; the outer feathers black, tipped with 
white, but sometimes barred. The sides of the head and the lower parts are 
pale grey, the former and the chin yellowish and tinged with red, of which 
latter there is a shade over the breast, and a brighter tint on the abdomen; 
the axillar feathers dusky, barred with white, the lower tail-coverts yellow- 
ish-white, with a central dusky streak or zigzag mark. 

Length to end of tail 94 inches, to end of wings 72, to end of elaws 84; 
extent of wings 153; bill along the ridge 143, along the edge of lower man- 
dible 145; wing from flexure 53; tail 3,4; tarsus 23; first toe 4, its claw 23; 
second toe $3, its claw 8,3; third toe ;%, its claw 7;; fourth toe 58, its claw 23. 
Weight 24 oz. 

Adult Female. 

The female is somewhat inferior to the male in size, and differs in colour 
only in having the upper part of the head ash-grey, the feathers at the base 
of the upper mandible of a dull reddish-orange, the lower parts less tinged 
with red. 

Length to end of tail 8 inches, to end of wings 74, to end of claws 8; 
extent of wings 145. Weight 23 oz. 

In a specimen preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth is nearly flat, 
with a median prominent line; the posterior aperture of the nares linear, 9 
twelfths long, and margined with papilla. The tongue is 2 inches long, 
nearly cylindrical for 15 inches, its terminal part tapering, slender, covered 
with a horny sheath, on each of the edges of which are 12 recurved acute 
bristles. The horns of the hyoid bone curve over the occiput, meet in the 
median line of the head, and reach as far forward as the vicinity of the right 
nostril, being, as usual, accompanied in their whole length by a muscle 
attached to the lower jaw. The cesophagus is 34 inches long, its average 
diameter 5 twelfths. The stomach is muscular, roundish, 10 twelfths long, 
and of the same breadth, its tendons circular and } inch in diameter. Its 
contents are remains of insects and a large quantity of maize. The epi- 


Vor. IV. 38 


974. THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 


thelium is tough, longitudinally rugous, and of a reddish-brown colour. 
The intestine is 113 inches long, its average diameter 34 twelfths. The 
rectum, which is 4 twelfths in width, gradually enlarges to the cloaca, which 
is of an oblong form, with a diameter of half an inch. No ceca. 

The trachea is 24 inches long, nearly of uniform diameter, only varying 
from 14 twelfths to 1 twelfth, a little flattened, its rings about 60. The 
bronchi are slender, of moderate length, with about 15 half rings. The 
lateral muscles, which are moderately strong, terminate on the last ring of 
the trachea, from which also come off the sterno-tracheal muscles; there are 
no inferior laryngeal. 


THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 
+Picus ERYTHROCEPHALUS, Linn. 
PLATE CCLXXI.—Mats, Fematre, anp Youne. 


You have now, kind reader, under consideration a species of Woodpecker, 
the general habits of which are so well known in our United States, that, 
were I assured of your having traversed the woods of America, I should 
feel disposed to say little about them. 

The Red-heads (by which name this species is usually designated) may 
be considered as residents of the United States, inasmuch as many of them 
remain in the Southern Districts during the whole winter, and breed there 
in summer. The greater number, however, pass to countries farther south. 
Their migration takes place under night, is commenced in the middle of 
September, and continues for a month or six weeks. They then fly very 
high above the trees, far apart, like a disbanded army, propelling themselves 
by reiterated flaps of the wings, at the end of each successive curve which 
they describe in their flight. The note which they emit at this time is 
different from the usual one, sharp and easily heard from the ground, 
although the birds may be out of sight. This note is continued, as if it. 
were necessary for keeping the straggling party in good humour. At dawn 
of day, the whole alight on the tops of the dead trees about the plantations, 
and remain in search of food until the approach of sunset, when they again, 
one after another, mount the air, and continue their journey. 


Male. 2 herrate- 0. Youreg. 


Prawn tion Nature BTL. Ardubon LRSELS. Duth? Printed. &Coltby td T Bower Phil. 


Mitesh 


THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 975 


ww 


With the exception of the Mocking-bird, I know no species so gay and 
frolicksome. Indeed, their whole life is one of pleasure. They find a 
superabundance of food everywhere, as well as the best facilities for raising 
their broods. The little labour which they perform is itself a source of 
enjoyment, for it is undertaken either with an assurance of procuring the 
nicest dainties, or for the purpose of excavating a hole for the reception of 
themselves, their eggs, or their families. They do not seem to be much 
afraid of man, although they have scarcely a more dangerous enemy. When 
alighted on a fence-stake by the road, or in a field, and one approaches them, 
they gradually move sidewise out of sight, peeping now and then to discover 
your intention; and when you are quite close and opposite, lie still until you 
are past, when they hop to the top of the stake, and rattle upon it with their 
bill, as if to congratulate themselves on the success of their cunning. Should 
you approach within arm’s length, which may frequently be done, the 
Woodpecker flies to the next stake or the second from you, bends his head 
to peep, and rattles again, as if to provoke you to a continuance of what 
seems to him excellent sport. He alights on the roof of the house, hops 
along it, beats the shingles, utters a cry, and dives into your garden to pick 
the finest strawberries which he can discover. 

I would not recommend to any one to trust their fruit to the Red-heads; 
for they not only feed on all kinds as they ripen, but destroy an immense 
quantity besides. No sooner are the cherries seen to redden, than these 
birds attack them. ‘They arrive on all sides, coming from a distance of 
miles, and seem the while to care little about the satisfaction you might feel 
in eating some also. ‘Trees of this kind are stripped clean by them. When 
one has alighted and tasted the first cherry, he utters his call-note, jerks his 
tail, nods his head, and at it again in an instant. When fatigued, he loads 
his bill with one or two, and away to his nest, to supply his young. 

It is impossible to form any estimate of the number of these birds seen in 
the United States during the summer months; but this much I may safely 
assert, that a hundred have been shot upon a single cherry-tree in one day. 
Pears, peaches, apples, figs, mulberries, and even peas, are thus attacked. I 
am not disposed to add to these depredations those which they commit upon 
the corn, either when young and juicy, or when approaching maturity, lest I 
should seem too anxious to heap accusations upon individuals, who, although 
culprits, are possessed of many undeniably valuable qualities. 

But to return:—They feed on apples as well as on other fruit, and carry 
them off by thrusting into them their sharp bills when open, with all their 
force, when they fly away to a fence-stake or a tree, and devour them at 
leisure. They have another bad habit, which is that of sucking the eggs of 
small birds. For this purpose, they frequently try to enter the boxes of the 


276 THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 


Martins or Blue-birds, as well as the pigeon-houses, and are often successful. 
The corn, as it ripens, is laid bare by their bill, when they feed on the top 
parts of the ear, and leave the rest either to the Grakles or the Squirrels, or 
still worse, to decay, after a shower has fallen upon it. 

All this while the Red-heads are full of gaiety. No sooner have they 
satisfied their hunger, than small parties of them assemble on the tops and 
branches of decayed trees, from which they chase different insects that are 
passing through the air, launching after them for eight or ten yards, at times 
performing the most singular manceuvres, and, on securing their victim, 
return to the tree, where, immediately after, a continued cry of exultation is 
uttered. They chase each other on wing in a very amicable manner, in 
long, beautifully curved sweeps, during which the remarkable variety of 
their plumage becomes conspicuous, and is highly pleasing to the eye. 
When passing from one tree to another, their flight resembles the motion of 
a great swing, and is performed by a single opening of the wings, descending 
at first, and rising towards the spot on which they are going to alight with 
ease, and in the most graceful manner. They move upwards, sidewise, or 
backwards, without apparent effort, but seldom with the head downwards, as 
Nuthatches and some smaller species of Woodpeckers are wont to do. 

Their curving from one tree to another, in the manner just described, is 
frequently performed as if they intended to attack a bird of their own 
species; and it is amusing to see the activity with which the latter baffles his 
antagonist, as he scrambles sidewise round the tree with astonishing celerity, 
in the same manner in which one of these birds, suspecting a man armed 
with a gun, will keep winding round the trunk of a tree, until a good oppor- 
tunity presents itself of sailing off to another. In this manner a man may 
follow from one tree to another over a whole field, without procuring a shot, 
unless he watches his opportunity and fires while the bird is on wing. On 
the ground, this species is by no means awkward, as it hops there with ease, 
and secures beetles which it had espied whilst on the fence or a tree. 

It is seldom that a nest newly perforated by these birds is to be found, as 
they generally resort to those of preceding years, contenting themselves with 
working them a little deeper. These holes are found not only in every 
decaying tree, but often to the number of ten or a dozen in a single trunk, 
some just begun, others far advanced, and others ready to receive the eggs. 
The great number of these holes, thus left in different stages, depends upon 
the difficulties which the bird may experience in finishing them; for when- 
ever it finds the wood hard and difficult to be bored, it tries another spot. 
So few green or living trees are perforated by this species, that I cannot at 
the present moment recollect having seen a single instance of such an 
occurrence. 


THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. O77 


All Woodpeckers are extremely expert at discovering insects as they lie 
under the bark of trees. No sooner have they alighted, than they stand for 
a few moments motionless and listening. If no motion is observed in the 
bark, the Woodpecker gives a smart rap with its bill, and bending its neck 
sidewise lays its head close to it, when the least crawling motion of a beetle 
or even a larva is instantly discovered, and the bird forthwith attacks the 
tree, removes the bark, and continues to dig until it reaches its prey, when 
it secures and swallows it. This manner of obtaining food is observed 
particularly during the winter, when few forest fruits are to be found. 
Should they, at this season, discover a vine loaded with grapes, they are seen 
hanging to the branches by their feet, and helping themselves with their bill. 
At this time they also resort to the corn-cribs, and feed on the corn gathered 
and laid up by the farmers. 

In Louisiana and Kentucky, the Red-headed Woodpecker rears two broods 
each year; in the Middle Districts more usually only one. The female lays 
from two to six eggs, which are pure white and translucent, sometimes in 
holes not more than six feet from the ground, at other times as high as 
possible. The young birds have at first the upper part of the head grey, 
but towards autumn the red begins to appear. During the first winter, the 
red is seen richly intermixed with the grey feathers, and, at the approach of 
spring, scarcely any difference is perceptible between the sexes. 

The Red-headed Woodpecker is found in all parts of the United States. 
Its flesh is tough, and smells strongly of ants and other insects, so as to be 
scarcely eatable. 

An European friend of mine, on seeing some of these birds for the first 
time, as he was crossing the Alleghanies, wrote me, on reaching Pittsburg, 
that he had met with a beautiful species of Jay, the plumage of which was 
red, black and white, and its manners so gentle, that it suffered him to 
approach so near as the foot of a low tree on which it was. 

On being wounded in the wing, they ery as they fall, and continue to do 
so for many minutes after being taken, pecking at their foe with great vigour. 
If not picked up, they make to the nearest tree, and are soon out of reach, 
as they can climb by leaps of considerable length faster than can be imagined. 
The number of insects of all sorts destroyed by this bird alone is incalculable, 
and it thus affords to the husbandman a full return for the mischief which it 
commits in his garden and fields. 

In Kentucky and the Southern States, many of these birds are killed in 
the following manner. As soon as the Red-heads have begun to visit a 
cherry or an apple tree, a pole is placed along the trunk of the tree, passing 
up amongst the central branches, and extending six or seven feet beyond the 
highest twigs. The Woodpeckers alight by preference on the pole, and 


978 THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 


while their body is close to it, a man standing at the foot of the pole gives it 
a smart blow with the head of an axe, on the opposite side to that on which 
the Woodpecker is, when, in consequence of the sudden and violent vibration 
produced in the upper part, the bird is thrown off dead. 

According to Dr. Ricnarpson, this species ranges in summer as far north 
as the northern shores of Lake Huron. <A specimen in the Museum of the 
Hudson’s Bay Company is stated to have been brought from the Columbia 
river. No mention is made of this species as occurring there by Mr. 
TOWNSEND, who saw it only on the Missouri. I found none in Newfound- 
land or Labrador, though it is not uncommon in Nova Scotia, from whence 
I have traced it to the Texas, where it breeds. 


Rep-HEADED WooppeckeEr, Picus erythrocephalus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 142. 

Picus ERYTHROCEPHALUS, Bonap. Syn., p. 45. 

MELANERPES ERYTHROCEPHALUS, Red-headed Woodpecker, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. 
Amer., vol. ii. p. 316. 

Rep-HEADED WooppPecKER, Picus erythrocephalus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 141; vol. 
v. p. 536. : 


Male, 9,17. Female, 83. 

Breeds from Texas to Nova Scotia, and throughout the interior to the 
head waters of the Missouri; thence to Lake Huron. Extremely common. 
Great numbers spend the winter in Louisiana. 

Adult Male. 

Bill longish, straight, strong, compressed toward the tip, which is verti- 
cally acute; upper mandible with the dorsal outline nearly straight, the edges 
acute and overlapping; under mandible with acute, slightly inflected edges. 
Nostrils basal, elliptical, direct, open. Head rather large; neck short; body 
robust. Feet short; tarsus and toes scutellate; two toes before and two 
behind, the inner hind toe shortest; claws strong, arched, acute. 

Plumage glossy, generally blended, on the back and wings compact. 
Wings longish, third and fourth quills longest. Tail much rounded, of 
twelve decurved stiff feathers, worn by rubbing to an acute, ragged point. 
Palpebral region bare. 

Bill light blue, dark at the tip. Feet of the same colour. Iris dark hazel, 
palpebral region bluish. Head and neck bright crimson. Back-wing-coverts, 
primaries and tail-feathers black, with blue reflections; rump and secondaries 
white, the shafts of the latter black. Breast and abdomen white, tinged with 
yellowish-brown; an irregular transverse narrow band of black at the junc- 
tion of the red of the fore-neck and the white of the breast. 

Length 9 inches, extent of wings 17; bill along the ridge 1, along the gap 
14; tarsus 1. 


THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 979 


Adult Female. 

The female differs from the male only in being smaller, and in haying the 
tints of the plumage somewhat less vivid. 

Length 8% inches. 

Young Birds. 

The young, when fully fledged, have the bill and iris dark brown, the feet 
bluish. The head and neck are dark brownish-grey, mottled with small 
streaks of dark brown; the back and wing-coverts of the same colour, spotted 
with darker; the primaries brownish-black, margined with whitish, the 
secondaries yellowish-white, barred with black; the tail brownish-black, 
tipped with white; the rump and under parts greyish-white. 

In a male preserved in spirits, the width of the mouth is 64 twelfths. 
The tongue is 17 inches long; its horny part 73 twelfths, flat above, convex 
beneath, for 4 twelfths from the tip furnished on each side, not with prickles, 
but with several series of very slender filaments, which are directed obliquely 
backwards. The covering of the fleshy part of the tongue is also bristled all 
over with minute papille directed backwards. The horns of the hyoid bone 
curve round the occiput as in the other species, and then pass along the 
median line until about 3 twelfths from the base of the bill. The cesophagus 
is 3 inches 7 twelfths long, passes as usual along the right side of the neck, 
and has a nearly uniform width of 33 twelfths. The breadth of the pro- 
ventriculus is 4 twelfths. The stomach is rather large, of an elliptical form, 
placed obliquely, its length 94 twelfths, its greatest breadth 1 inch. The 
lateral muscles are very large, one of them being 5 twelfths, the other 4 
twelfths in thickness; the epithelium thin, tough, longitudinally rugous. 
The contents of the stomach are remains of maize, some very hard small 
seeds, and numerous particles of quartz. The intestine is rather short and 
wide, its length 104 inches, its width 34 twelfths. There are no ceca. The 
cloaca is ovato-oblong, 9 twelfths long, 74 twelfths in width. 

The trachea is 2 inches 8 twelfths in length; its breadth at the upper part 
14 twelfths, somewhat less toward the lower end, a little flattened; the rings 
65, with 2 dimidiate, well ossified. The contractor muscles are moderate; 
the sterno-tracheal slips come off at the distance of only 2 twelfths from the 
lower extremity; and the inferior laryngeal slips are thus scarcely dis- 
tinguishable. The cleido-tracheal muscles are inserted about the middle of 
the furcula. The bronchial half rings are 12, slender, and cartilaginous. 


280 


LEWIS’ WOODPECKER. 
+Picus Torquatus, Wils. 
PLATE CCLXXII.—Matz anp Femate. 


Here you have figures of the male and female of a beautiful and singularly 
marked species of Woodpecker, discovered in the course of the memorable 
journey of CLarxeE and Lewis to the Pacific Ocean, and of which the first 
figure, being that of an immature male, was presented by Witson. All that 
is at present known of its habits is contained in the following notes addressed 
to me by Tuomas Nutratt, Esq. and Mr. Townsenp. “About the middle 
of July,’ says the former of these travellers, “we first met with this fine 
species in our progress westward, in the central chain of the Rocky Moun- 
tains, in the cedar and pine woods of Bear river, on the edge of Upper 
California. They were already feeding their young, and inhabited the 
decayed trunks of the pine trees. Afterwards, at the close of August, in the 
plains sixty miles up the Wahlamet, flocks of from twelve to twenty 
together were to be seen shifting backwards and forwards in trees near the 
woods of the river, playing about like so many sportive Crows, which the 
young so much resemble in colour. Now and then they would alight to 
feed, but remained perfectly silent; they were very shy, the whole flock 
starting at any near approach. Whether they have any note or call at other 
seasons I am unable to say. At this time one would scarcely have suspected 
them of being Woodpeckers, for they perched in dense flocks almost like 
Starlings, and did not climb the branches, or tap in the least, but merely 
watched and darted after insects, or devoured berries like Thrushes. We 
seldom saw this remarkable species in the dense forests of the Columbia, or 
in any settled part of California.” 

Mr. Townsenp says, “We first found them on Bear river, and afterwards 
on the Columbia, where they arrive about the first of May. They are at 
first silent, but after incubation commences, they become very noisy and 
remarkably pugnacious, beating away all other birds from the vicinity of 
their nests. They frequently perch crossways upon the smaller branches of 
trees, as well as against their trunks, climb with the usual ease and activity 
of other species, and are in the frequent habit of darting out from the tree 
on which they had stationed themselves, and after having performed a 
circular gyration in the air, returning immediately to the branch from which 


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LEWIS’ WOODPECKER. 281 


they had started; as they near the latter again, they spread their wings 
horizontally, and sail to their perch hike some of the Hawks. Both sexes 


incubate.’’ 


Lewis’ Wooppecker, Picus torquatus, Wils. Amer. Orn.. vol. iii. p. 31. 
Picus Torauatus, Bonap. Syn., p. 46. 

Lewis’ Wooppecker, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 577. 

Lewis’ Wooprecker, Picus torquatus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 176. 


Male, 11, wing, 75. 

Rocky Mountains and Columbia river. Abundant. Migratory. 

Adult Male. 

Bill about the length of the head, nearly straight, strong, compressed, 
tapering, pointed, very slightly truncate and wedged at the tip. Upper 
mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched, the ridge convex at the base, 
very narrow in the rest of its extent, the sides sloping and considerably 
convex, the lateral angle slight, and near the ridge, the edges sharp, direct, 
overlapping, the tip almost acuminate. Lower mandible with the angle 
rather short and wide, the crural outline concave, the dorsal ascending, 
straight, the ridge narrow, the sides convex, the edges sharp and inflected, 
the base faintly striated. Nostrils oblong, basal, nearer the ridge, concealed 
by the feathers. | 

Head of moderate size, ovate; neck rather short; body full. Feet very 
short; tarsus very short, feathered anteriorly more than one-third down, in 
the rest of its extent covered with a few large scutella, compressed, sharp- 
edged and internally with small scutella behind; toes four, first toe small, 
fourth rather longer than the third, second and third united at the base; all 
scutellate above; claws large, much curved, compressed, laterally grooved, 
very acute. 

Plumage full, soft, blended, glossy above, rude beneath. <A tuft of 
reversed stiff feathers on each side at the base of the upper mandible; the 
feathers in the angle of the lower mandible also stiff. Wings long, the first 
quill very small, being only an inch and a half in length; the second ten- 
twelfths shorter than the third, which is a twelfth and a half shorter than 
the fourth; the fifth longest, being a twelfth and a half longer than the fourth; 
secondaries broadly rounded. ‘Tail of moderate length, very strong, of ten 
feathers, all of which are pointed and slit, the shaft terminating abruptly, 
the lateral feathers ten and a half twelfths shorter than the middle. 

Bill dusky, bluish-grey toward the base. Feet bluish-grey. The general 
colour of the upper parts is black, highly glossed with green; a band across 
the forehead, the throat, and a broad patch on the side of the head, surround- 
ing the eye, deep carmine or blood-red; beyond this the throat and part of 

Vor, Lv2 39 


989 - THE GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 


= 


the sides of the neck black; a band of dull white runs over the hind neck, 
and is continuous anteriorly with a large patch of reddish-white occupying 
the fore neck and part of the breast, the rest of the breast and the sides are 
rose-red, becoming of a deeper tint backwards; the lower wing-coverts, 
abdomen, and lower tail-coverts black. 

Length to end of tail 11 inches; bill along the ridge 1;; wing from 
flexure 754; tail 43; tarsus 11%; hind toe 34, its claw ;3,; second toe {,, its 
claw -%;; third toe 12, its claw £2; fourth toe 12, its claw 5§. 

Adult Female. 

The female resembles the male, being scarcely distinguishable by her 
slightly duller tints, and the less extent of the red on the fore part of the 
head. A young bird obtained in September, has the bill quite pointed, the 
red on the head scarcely apparent, that on the lower parts intermixed with 
greyish-white, the fore part of the neck dull grey, and the white ring on the 
hind neck wanting; many of the feathers there, however, having one or two 
white spots near the end. 


THE GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 


+ Picus auratus, Linn. 
PLATE CCLXXIII.—Mate anp Femates. 


It is generally agreeable to be in the company of individuals who are 
naturally animated and pleasant. For this reason, nothing can be more 
gratifying than the society of Woodpeckers in the forests. To prove this to 
you, kind reader, I shall give you a full account of the habits of the Golden- 
winged Woodpecker. 

This species, which is usually called Pigue-bois jaune by the French 
settlers in Louisiana, and receives the name of High-holder, Yucker, and 
Flicker in other parts of the Union, being seldom or never graced with the 
epithet Golden-winged, employed by naturalists, is one of the most lively of 
our birds, and is found over the whole of the United States. 

No sooner has spring called them to the pleasant duty of making love, as 
it is called, than their voice, which, by the way, is not at all disagreeable to 
the ear of man, is heard from the tops of high decayed trees, proclaiming 
with delight the opening of the welcome season. Their note at this period 


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THE GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 983 


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is merriment itself, as it imitates a prolonged and jovial laugh, heard at a 
considerable distance. Several males pursue a female, reach her, and, to 
prove the force and truth of their love, bow their heads, spread their tail, 
and move sidewise, backwards and forwards, performing such antics, as 
might induce any one witnessing them, if not of a most morose temper, to 
join his laugh to theirs. The female flies to another tree, where she is 
closely followed by one, two, or even half a dozen of these gay suitors, and 
where again the same ceremonies are gone through. No fightings occur, no 
jealousies seem to exist among these beaux, until a marked preference is 
shewn to some individual, when the rejected proceed in search of another 
female. In this manner all the Golden-winged Woodpeckers are soon 
happily mated. Each pair immediately proceed to excavate the trunk of a 
tree, and finish a hole in it sufficient to contain themselves and their young. 
They both work with great industry and apparent pleasure. Should the 
male, for instance, be employed, the female is close to him, and congratulates 
him on the removal of every chip which his bill sends through the air. 
While he rests, he appears to be speaking to her on the most tender subjects, 
and when fatigued, is at once assisted by her. In this manner, by the 
alternate exertions of each, the hole is dug and finished. They caress each 
other on the branches, climb about and around the tree with apparent delight, 
rattle with their bill against the tops of the dead branches, chase all their 
cousins the Red-heads, defy the Purple Grakles to enter their nest, feed 
plentifully on ants, beetles and larvee, cackling at intervals, and ere two 
weeks have elapsed, the female lays either four or six eggs, the whiteness 
and transparency of which are doubtless the delight of her heart. If to raise 
a numerous progeny may contribute to happiness, these Woodpeckers are in 
this respect happy enough, for they have two broods each season; and as 
this might induce you to imagine Woodpeckers extremely abundant in our 
country, I may at once tell you that they are so. 

Even in confinement, the Golden-winged Woodpecker never suffers its 
naturally lively spirit to droop. It feeds well, and by way of amusement, 
will continue to destroy as much furniture in a day as can well be mended 
by a different kind of workman in two. Therefore, kind reader, do not any 
longer believe that Woodpeckers are such stupid, forlorn, dejected and 
unprovided for beings as they have hitherto been represented. In fact, I 
know not one of the species found in our extensive woods, that does not 
exhibit quite as much mirth and gaiety as the present bird. They are 
serviceable birds in many points of view, and therefore are seldom shot at, 
unless by idlers; their flesh, moreover, not being very savoury. They have 
ample range, and wherever they alight, there is to be found the food to 
which they at all times give decided preference. 


284 THE GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 


The flight of this species is strong and prolonged, being performed in a 
straighter manner than that of any other of our Woodpeckers. They 
propel themselves by numerous beats of the wings, with short intervals of 
sailing, during which they scarcely fall from the horizontal. Their migra- 
tions, although partial, as many remain even in the middle districts during 
the severest winters, are performed under night, as is known by their note 
and the whistling of their wings, which are heard from the ground, although 
by no means so distinctly as when they fly from a tree or from the earth, 
when suddenly alarmed. When passing from one tree to another on wing, 
they also fly in a straight line, until within a few yards of the spot on which 
they intend to alight, when they suddenly raise themselves a few feet, and 
fasten themselves to the bark of the trunk by their claws and tail. If they 
intend to settle on a branch, which they as frequently do, they do not 
previously rise; but in either case, no sooner has the bird alighted, if it be 
not pursued or have suspicions of any object about it, than it immediately 
nods its head, and utters its well-known note, “Flicker.”? It easily moves 
sidewise on a small branch, keeping itself as erect as other birds usually do; 
but with equal ease does it climb by leaps along the trunks of trees or their 
branches, descend, and move sidewise or spirally, keeping at all times its 
head upwards, and its tail pressed against the bark as a support. 

On the ground, where it frequently alights, it hops with great ease. This, 
however, it does merely to pick up a beetle, a caterpillar, a grain of corn 
dropt by a squirrel from the ear in the fields, or to enable it to examine the 
dead roots of trees, or the side of a prostrate log, from which it procures 
ants and other small insects. It is also fond of various fruits and berries. 
Apples, grapes, persimons and dogwood berries seem quite agreeable to it, 
and it does not neglect the young corn of the farmer’s field. ven poke- 
berries or huckle-berries answer its purpose at times, and during winter it is 
a frequenter of the corn-cribs. 

In this species, as in a few others, there is a singular arrangement in the 
colouring of the feathers of the upper part of the head, which I conceive it 
necessary for me to state, that it may enable persons better qualified than 
myself to decide as to the reasons of such arrangement. The young of this 
species frequently have the whole upper part of the head tinged with red, 
which at the approach of winter disappears, when merely a circular line of 
that colour is to be observed on the hind part, becoming of a rich silky 
vermilion tint. The Hairy, Downy and Red-cockaded Woodpeckers are 
subject to the same extraordinary changes, which, as far as I know, never 
reappear at any future period of their lives. I was at first of opinion that 
this change appeared only on the head of the male birds, but on dissection I 
found it equally affecting both sexes. I am induced to believe, that, in con- 
sequence of this, many young Woodpeckers of different species have been 


THE GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 985 


described and figured as forming distinct species themselves. I have shot 
dozens of young Woodpeckers in this peculiar state of plumage, which, on 
being shewn to other persons, were thought by them to be of different 
species from what the birds actually were. This occurrence is the more 
worthy of notice, as it is exhibited on all the species of this genus on the 
heads of which, when in full plumage, a very narrow line exists. 

Racoons and Black-snakes are dangerous enemies to this bird. The 
former frequently put one of their fore legs into the hole where it has nestled 
or retired to rest, and if the hole be not too deep, draw out the eggs and 
suck them, and frequently by the same means secure the bird itself. The 
Black-snake contents itself with the eggs or young. Several species of 
Hawks attack them on the wing, and as the Woodpeckers generally escape 
by making for a hole in the nearest tree, it is pleasing to see the disappoint- 
ment of the Hawk, when, as it has just been on the point of seizing the 
terrified bird, the latter dives, as it were, into the hole. Should the Wood- 
pecker not know of a hole near enough to afford it security, it alights on a 
trunk, and moves round it with such celerity as frequently to enable it to 
elude its pursuer. 

Their flesh is esteemed good by many of the sportsmen of the Middle 
Districts, and is frequently eaten. Some are now and then exposed in the 
markets of New York and Philadelphia; but I look upon the flesh as very 
disagreeable, it having a strong flavour of ants. 

The neck of this species is larger than that of any other with which I am 
acquainted, and consequently the skin of this bird is more easily pulled 
over the head, which it is difficult to do in the other species, on account of 
the slenderness of their neck, and the great size of the head. 

This species visits the Fur Countries in summer, advancing as far north as 
Great Bear Lake, and, according to Dr. Ricuarpson, resorting in the 
greatest numbers to the plains of the Saskatchewan, where it frequents open 
downs, and feeds on larve. Mr. Townsrnp has traced it high on the upper 
Missouri, but saw none near the Columbia, where it is represented by the 
Red-shafted Woodpecker, which is there as abundant as the present species 
is in our Eastern Districts. I have met with it from Texas to the northern 
extremity of Nova Scotia, but saw none in Labrador. The eggs measure an 
inch and a twelfth in length, by nearly seven-eighths in breadth. Mr. T. 
MacCutiocn has favoured me with the following hotice respecting this 
species. 

“While rambling through the woods one afternoon with my brothers, I 
observed a considerable quantity of chips, which seemed, from the freshness 
of their colour, to have been but recently detached from the tall decayed 
stump, at the foot of which they were laid. A glance at a round hole near 
the top of the stump was sufficient to apprize us of their origin, and a few 


286 THE GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 


smart raps upon the trunk brought a Golden-winged Woodpecker to the 
aperture, to ascertain the cause of the disturbance below. Having eyed us 
for a moment, he jerked himself out, and flew to the top of a neighbouring 
tree, where, uttering a few shrill notes, he was immediately joined by his 
mate, and both seemed anxiously to watch all our movements while we 
remained near the cradle of their future progeny. By us the possession of 
one of these beautiful birds had long been ardently desired, and we deter- 
mined not to permit the present opportunity to pass unimproved. The 
situation of the nest was therefore carefully marked, and we resolved to 
return when the young birds should be fully fledged, and secure one at least 
as our lawful prize. During the interval the nest was often visited, and 
many plans were formed to effect our purpose, but when the period which 
we supposed necessary had expired, we discovered with no little mortifica- 
tion that the stump was too much decayed to be climbed with safety, and 
too insecure to admit of any thing being applied to facilitate the ascent. To 
overturn the nest was the only way then by which we could obtain the 
object of our wishes. To effect this all our strength was exerted, so that we 
soon had the satisfaction of seeing the stump yield, and eventually give way 
with a heavy crash, by which it was broken into many pieces. Hager to 
secure our prize, we hastened to the spot, but conceive our disappointment 
when, instead of the full-fledged birds which we expected to obtain, a large 
number of naked objects, apparently just out of the shell, some of them 
searcely half the size of others, and all with their eyes yet unopened, lay 
scattered upon the ground. This was a result which we had never antici- 
pated, and disappointment quickly yielded to strong feelings of compunction, 
as we surveyed the poor sightless creatures writhing their necks and quiver- 
ing under the severity of the shock. To repair the mischief, if possible, 
the fragments of the nest were speedily gathered and neatly joined, and 
having collected the brood for the purpose of replacing it, we were astonished 
to find that the nest had contained the almost incredible number of ezghteen 
young birds, besides three eggs, which still remained unbroken, notwith- 
standing the violence of the fall. For this singular instance of fecundity I 
am wholly unable to account, unless by the supposition that, from the nest 
being in the immediate vicinity of a public road, one of the birds had been 
shot after the usual deposit of eggs had been made. The survivor having 
procured another mate, an addition was made to the number of eggs, and 
most probably from the same cause a third, ere the work of incubation com- 
menced. The vigour of one of the parents being impaired may perhaps 
explain the diversity of size, while the eggs which remained were probably 
the first deposited, but in which the vital principle had become extinct ere 
the last was laid. Perhaps it may be interesting to mention that our efforts 


THE GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. I87 


ow 


to repair the injury were not attended by the result that we desired. Upon 
a subsequent visit the whole brood was found cold and dead; and if the 
parent birds had ever re-entered their prostrate nest, it was merely to 
witness the devastation we had wrought, and then to abandon it for ever.” 


Gotp-wincep WoopreckeER, Picus auratus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 45. 

Picus auratus, Bonap. Syn., p. 44. 

Co.apres auratus, Golden-shafted Woodpecker, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., 
vol. il. p. 314. 

Fiicker or GoLpEN-wWINGED Woopprecker, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 561. 

GoLDEN-WINGED WoopreckeER, Picus auratus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 191; vol. v. 
p. 540. 


Male, 124, 16. 

Breeds from Texas to Nova Scotia, and the Fur Countries. Generally 
distributed in the United States. astern bases of Rocky Mountains. 
Extremely common. Resident in the Southern States. 

Adult Male. 

Bill slightly arched, strong, nearly as long as the head, compressed at the 
tip, which is a little abrupt; upper mandible convex on the sides, with acute, 
overlapping edges; lower mandible with acute, inflected edges, the dorsal 
outline nearly straight, a little convex towards the end. Nostrils basal, 
lateral, oval, partly covered by recumbent feathers. Head of ordinary size. 
Neck shortish. Body ovate. Feet short, rather robust; tarsus scutellate 
before, ‘compressed; two toes before, and two behind, scutellate above; 
claws compressed, arched, acute. 

Plumage rather compact and imbricated, blended on the head and neck. 
Wings longish, the third and fourth quills longest, the second much shorter, 
the first very small. Tail of ordinary length, rounded, consisting of ten 
broad feathers, worn to an elongated tip by being rubbed against the bark of 
trees. 

Bill brown above and at the tip, light blue beneath. Iris light brown. 
Feet greyish-blue. Upper part of the head and hind neck light purplish- 
grey; a transverse band of scarlet on the lower part of the occiput. Upper 
parts generally light greenish-brown, spotted with black; the lower back 
white, the tail-coverts of the same colour, spotted with black. Primaries 
brownish-black, their shafts, as are those of all the large feathers, orange. 
Tail brownish-black. Sides of the head and fore neck light brownish-red, 
tinged with grey. A black streak along each side of the throat, and a 
lunated patch of the same across the fore part of the breast. The rest of the 
breast reddish-white, spotted with black, as are the lighter coloured abdomen 


and under tail-coverts. Under surface of the wings and tail of a fine rich 
yellow. 


288 THE GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 


Length 124 inches, extent of wings 16; bill along the ridge 14, along the 
gap 13; tarsus 14, middle toe 14. 

Adult Female. j 

The female differs chiefly in wanting the black streaks on the throat, in 
having the lunulated spot on the breast smaller, and in being somewhat 
duller in the tints of the plumage generally. 

Dimensions nearly the same. 

An adult male preserved in spirits has the interior of the mouth as in the 
other species, its width 5 twelfths; the posterior aperture of the nares 
oblongo-linear, 6 twelfths in length. The tongue is 1 inch 5 twelfths long, 
14 twelfths in breadth at the base, gradually narrowed toward the end, with 
a small horny rather blunt tip, on which are two series of small reversed 
pointed papillz. The horns of the hyoid bone are recurved in the usual 
manner, and extend to the right nasal membrane, to which their sheath is 
attached. The other apparatus connected with the tongue is the same as in 
the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. The pyramidal or salivary glands are very 
large, extending half an inch beyond the articulation of the lower jaw. The 
cesophagus is 4 inches long, of moderate width. The proventriculus is very 
much enlarged, as in the other species, its greatest width being 8 twelfths. 
The stomach is a muscular gizzard of moderate size, its right lateral muscle 
twice as large as the left, the tendons very large; the epithelium strong, 
longitudinally rugous, and reddish-brown. In the stomach are grains of 
maize, seeds of grasses, and insects. The proventricular glands are very 
small, and form a belt 9 twelfths in breadth at the right side, but narrower 
toward the left. The intestine is 15 inches long, from 3 twelfths to 24 
twelfths in width. There are no ceca. The cloaca is large and elliptical. 

The trachea is 2 inches 9 twelfths long, 14 twelfths in breadth, consider- 
ably flattened, its rings, which are well ossified, 90 in number, with 2 addi- 
,,, tional dimidiate rings. The muscles are as in the other species; 
bi but the glosso-laryngeal differ very considerably in their inser- 

||) tion, as is represented by the accompanying figures, in which 


i fn 


~— 
a 


‘they are seen before and behind. They come down parallel 


to each other, as far as the commencement of the thyroid bone, 


front at the opposite side, and crossing obliquely to the other 
side, thus forming a figure of eight, and finally inserted at its back part at 
the distance of 9 twelfths from the tip of the thyroid bone. The bronchi 
are of moderate length, narrow, of 15 half rings. 

There is a very curious gradation in the degree of elongation of the horns 
of the hyoid bone in the different American Woodpeckers, some of which 


THE GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 989 


consequently have the power of thrusting out their tongue to a much greater 
extent than others. Thus: 

In Picus varius, the tips of the horns of the hyoid bone reach only to 
the upper edge of the cerebellum, or the middle of the occipital region. 

In Picus pubescens, they do not proceed farther forward than opposite to 
the centre of the eye. 

In Picus principalis, they reach to a little before the anterior edge of the 
orbit, or the distance of 4 inch from the right nostril. 

In Picus pileatus, they extend to half-way between the anterior edge of 
the orbit and the nostril. 

In Picus erythrocephalus, they reach to 3 twelfths of an inch from the 
base of the bill. 

In Picus tridactylus, they reach the base of the ridge of the upper 
mandible. 

In Picus auratus, they attain the base of the right nasal membrane. 

In Picus canadensis, they curve round the right orbit to opposite the 
middle of the eye beneath. 

Lastly, in Picus villosus, they receive the maximum of their develop- 
ment, and, as represented in the accompanying figures, curve round the 
right orbit, so as to reach the level of the posterior angle of the eye. Fig. 1 
is a lateral view of the parts, shewing the hyoid bones curving round the 
eye. Fig. 2 shews these bones as viewed from above. 


Vou. IV. 40 


290 


RED-SHAFTED WOODPECKER. 


+Picus MEXICANS, Swains. 
PLATE CCLXXIV.—Mate anp Femate. 


This beautiful species was first described by Mr. Swarnson from Mexican 
specimens. The extent of its distribution is as yet imperfectly known, 
especially toward the north. My friend Mr. Nurratt states, that “among 
the narrow belt of forest which borders Lorimie’s Fork of the Platte, we 
met with the Mexican Colaptes, and never scarcely lost sight of it to the 
shores of the Pacific. Its manners in all respects are so entirely similar to 
those of the common species, that the same description applies to both. It 
is, however, always a much shyer bird, and frequents the ground less. In 
the breeding season it utters the same echoing note of whittoe, whittoe, 
whittoe; the males at the same time dodging after, and pursuing each other 
in jealousy and anger. They also burrow into the oak or pine trees, and 
lay white eggs, after the manner of the whole family. How far they 
proceed to the north I am unable to say.”” Mr. Townsenp informs me that 
it is known to the Chinook Indians by the name of -2-Koptil-Kow, and in 
regard to habits is similar to Pzews auratus, the male equally partaking of 
the task of incubation. 

I have represented the male and the female. 


CoLAPTES MEXICANUS, Swains. Synop. Birds of Mex. Phil. Mag. N. 84. 

Couarres mexicanus, Red-shafted Woodpecker, Swains. and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. 
li. p. 315. 

Rep-sHAFTED W ooppPecKErR, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 603. 

Rep-sHAFTED Wooppecker, Picus Mexicanus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 174. 


Male, 134, wing, 612. Female, 13. 

Rocky Mountains, Columbia river, and northward to the Saskatchewan. 
Abundant. Migratory. 

Adult Male. 

Bill slightly arched, strong, nearly as long as the head, angular, com- 
pressed at the tip, which is scarcely truncate or cuneate. Upper mandible 
with the dorsal line somewhat arched, the ridge narrow, the sides sloping, 
the lateral angle quite close to the ridge, the edges sharp and overlapping; 
lower mandible with the angle long and rather narrow, the crural outline a 


INNIS PTAs 


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COPCOP 


1 Matle2Z, Fenrale, 


Drawn front A ature by IIT Audubon HRSETLS. Sith 2?Printed: & Gl by S T Boweer Piel. 


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RED-SHAFTED WOODPECKER. 291 


little concave, the dorsal straight, the ridge narrow, the sides convex, the 
edges inflected, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, oblong, about half-way between 
the ridge and the margin, and concealed by the feathers. 

Head of moderate size, ovate; neck rather short; body rather full. Feet 
very short; tarsus short, compressed, anteriorly feathered one-third down, 
covered with six large scutella in the rest of its extent, thin-edged, with an 
internal series of small scutella behind; toes four; first small, third and fourth 
about equal, second and third united at the base; claws large, curved, com- 
pressed, laterally grooved, very acute. 

Plumage very soft, full, blended. Feathers at the base of the upper man- 
dible stiffish and directed forwards. Wings of moderate length, the fifth 
quill longest, the fourth one-twelfth of an inch shorter, the third three- 
twelfths shorter than the fourth, and exceeding the second by one inch, the 
first only one inch and nine-twelfths long. ‘Tail of moderate length, cuneate, 
of twelve feathers, all pointed except the outer, which is only an inch and 
three-quarters in length, the next one inch shorter than the middle. 

Bill dusky above and at the tip, light greyish-blue beneath. Iris light 
brown. Feet greyish-blue. Upper part of the head and hind neck light 
purplish-grey; forehead and a band over the eye dull red; the sides and fore 
part of the neck ash-grey, with an oblong patch of bright carmine from the 
base of the lower mandible. The upper parts generally are light greyish- 
brown, transversely spotted with black; the hind part of the back white; 
the upper tail-coverts black, barred with white. The shafts of the quills and 
their coverts are orange-red; the smaller coverts coloured like the back; 
primaries and their coverts brownish-black, most of them externally spotted 
with greyish-brown; secondaries brownish-black, spotted on both margins 
with greyish-brown. ‘Tail-feathers brownish-black, the two lateral on each 
side with several light brown spots along the margin, the rest faintly edged 
with yellowish-white, the shafts of all toward the base, and the greater part 
of their lower surface orange-red, tinged with vermilion, as is the lower 
surface of the wings. On the fore part of the breast is a crescentic patch of 
black; the rest of the lower parts are reddish-white, with numerous round 
black spots. 

Length to end of tail 134 inches; bill along the ridge 14, along the edge 
of lower mandible 15%; wing from flexure 612; tail 412; tarsus 1,2; first 
toe #5, its claw +4; second toe 8, its claw $3; third toe “8, its claw 4; 
fourth toe 23, its claw 74. 

Adult Female. 

The female resembles the male; but has the tints somewhat duller, and 
wants the red patch on the cheeks, that part being merely tinged with red. 
An individual, marked by Mr. Townsenp “Female, Columbia river, April 


992 RED-SHAFTED WOODPECKER. 


1, 1836,”’ is similar to the female as above described, but has the lower 
surface of the wings and tail, with the shafts, of a much paler tint, approach- 
ing to dull yellow, which induces me to think that this species does not 
attain its perfect colouring until at least the second year. 

Length to end of tail 13 inches; bill along the ridge 14. 


FAMILY XXVII—CUCULINA. CUCKOOS. 


Bill long or of moderate length, broader than high at the base, compressed 
toward the end, straight or somewhat arched; upper mandible with the 
dorsal line convex or arched, the ridge indistinct, the sides convex, the edges 
arched, sharp, without notch, the tip decurved; lower mandible with the 
angle rather short, the dorsal line straight or decurved, the ridge thin, the 
sides erect or convex, the tip slightly decurved, acute. Nostrils basal, 
oblong, generally marginate. Head of moderate size; neck of ordinary 
length; body rather slender. Feet of moderate length; tarsus with broad 
seutella; toes long, slender, flat beneath, outer directed outwards or back- 
wards. Claws long or of moderate length, arched, compressed, acute. 
Plumage blended; wings generally long, with the first quill short, the third 
and fourth longest. Tail long, of ten feathers; upper mandible very narrow 
beneath, with three longitudinal ridges; tongue slender, emarginate, and’ 
papillate at the base, the tip horny, thin, lacerated, and slit; cesophagus 
rather wide, without dilatation; stomach large, round, with the muscular 
coat very thin, the epithelium soft, rugous; intestine of moderate length 
and width; cceca long, oblong, narrowed at the base. Trachea simple, with 
a single very slender pair of inferior laryngeal muscles. 


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293 


Genus I—COCCYZUS, Viewll. AMERICAN CUCKOO. 


Bill of moderate length, rather slender, somewhat arched, much com- 
pressed, acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line arched, the ridge 
rounded, the sides erect toward the end, the edges thin, direct, the tip 
narrow, decurved; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length, rather 
wider, the dorsal line decurved toward the end, the sides nearly erect, the 
edges decurved, the tip narrow; the nostrils small, oblong, operculate. 
Eyelids bare, except at the margin. Head rather small; neck of moderate 
length; body slender. Feet rather short; tarsus compressed, rather stout, 
with seven very broad scutella; toes slender, compressed, anterior united at 
the base, first small. Claws moderate, arched, compressed, laterally grooved, 
acute. Plumage soft and blended, somewhat compact on the back. Wings 
of moderate length, with the first quill very short, the third and fourth 
longest. ‘Tail very long, cuneate or graduated. 


THE YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 


+Coccyzus AMERICANUs, Linn. 


PLATE CCLXXV.—Mate anp Femate. 


Were I inclined, like many persons who write on Natural History, to 
criticise the figures given by other students, I should find enough to be 
censured; but as my object is simply to communicate the result of studies to 
which I have devoted the greater part of my life, I shall content myself 
with merely recommending to those intent on the advancement of that most 
interesting science, to bestow a little more care on their representations of 
the bills, legs and feet of the species which they bring into notice, and let it 
be seen that they indeed borrow from nature. 

From Nature!—How often are these words used, when at a glance he who 


994. THE YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 


has seen the perfect and beautiful forms of birds, quadrupeds or other objects, 
as they have come from the hand of Nature, discovers that the representa- 
tion is not that of diving Nature! But I am deviating from the track which 
I wish to follow, my desire being simply to give you an opportunity, good 
reader, of judging for yourself as to the truth of my delineations, and to 
present you with the results of my observations made in those very woods 
where the subjects have been found and depicted. 

The flight of the bird now before you is rapid, silent, and horizontal, as it 
moves from one tree to another, or across a field or river, and is generally 
continued amongst the branches of the trees in our woods. When making 
its way among the branches, it occasionally inclines the body to either side, 
so as alternately to shew its whole upper or under parts. During its south- 
ward migration, it flies high in the air, and in such loose flocks that the 
birds might seem to follow each other, instead of their keeping company 
together. On the other hind, early in March, the greater number enter our 
southern boundaries singly, the males arriving first, and the females a few 
weeks after. They do not fly in a continued line, but in a broad front, as, 
while travelling with great rapidity in a steamboat, so as to include a range 
of a hundred miles in one day, I have observed this Cuckoo crossing the 
Mississippi at many different points on the same day. At this season, they 
resort to the deepest shades of the forests, and intimate their presence by the 
frequent repetition of their dull and unmusical notes, which are not unlike 
those of the young bull-frog. These notes may be represented by the word 
cow, cow, repeated eight or ten times with increasing rapidity. In fact, 
from the resemblance of its notes to that word, this Cuckoo is named Covw- 
bird in nearly every part of the Union. The Dutch farmers of Pennsyl- 
vania know it better by the name of Rain Crow, and in Louisiana the 
French settlers call it Coucow. ; 

It robs smaller birds of their eggs, which it sucks on all occasions, and is 
cowardly and shy, without being vigilant. On this latter account, it often 
falls a prey to several species of Hawks, of which the Pigeon Hawk (falco 
columbarius) may be considered as its most dangerous enemy. It prefers 
the Southern States for its residence, and when very mild winters occur in 
Louisiana, some individuals remain there, not finding it necessary to go 
farther south. 

This bird is not abundant anywhere, and yet is found very far north. I 
have met with it in all the low grounds and damp places in Massachusetts, 
along the line of Upper Canada, pretty high on the Mississippi and Arkan- 
sas, and in every state between these boundary lines. Its appearance in the 
State of New York seldom takes place before the beginning of May, and at 
Green Bay not until the middle of that month, A pair here and there seem 


THE YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 995 


to appropriate certain tracts to themselves, where they rear their young in the 
midst of peace and plenty. They feed on insects, such as caterpillars and 
butterflies, as well as on berries of many kinds, evincing a special predilection 
for the mulberry. In autumn they eat many grapes, and I have seen them 
supporting themselves by a momentary motion of their wings opposite a 
bunch, as if selecting the ripest, when they would seize it and return to a 
branch, repeating their visits in this manner until satiated. They now and 
then descend to the ground, to pick up a wood-snail or a beetle. They are 
extremely awkward at walking, and move in an ambling manner, or leap 
along sidewise, for which the shortness of their legs is ample excuse. They 
are seldom seen perched conspicuously on a twig, but on the contrary are 
generally to be found amongst the thickest boughs and foliage, where they 
emit their notes until late in autumn, at which time they discontinue them. 

The nest is simple, flat, composed of a few dry sticks and grass, formed 
much like that of the Common Dove, and, like it, fastened to an horizontal 
branch, often within the reach of man, who seldom disturbs it. It makes 
no particular selection as to situation or the nature of the tree, but settles 
any where indiscriminately. The eggs are four or five, of a rather elongated 
oval form, and bright green colour. They rear only one brood in a season, 
unless the eggs are removed or destroyed. The young are principally fed 
with insects during the first weeks. Towards autumn they become very fat, 
and are fit for being eaten, although few persons, excepting the Creoles of 
Louisiana, shoot them for the table. 

Whilst at Charleston in South Carolina, in the early part of June, 1837, I 
was invited by JAmEs Smiru Ruert, Esq., residing in the suburbs of that 
city, to visit his grounds for the purpose of viewing the nest of this bird. 
This I did in company with my friend Dr. Samuext Witson, and we found 
ourselves highly gratified, as we were enabled to make the following obser- 
vations:— 

A nest, which was placed near the centre of a tree of moderate size, was 
reached by a son of the gentleman on whose ground we were. One of the 
old birds, which was sitting upon it, left its situation only when within a 
few inches of the climber’s hand, and silently glided off to another tree close 
by. ‘Two young Cuckoos nearly able to fly scrambled off from their tene- 
ment among the branches of the tree, and were caught by us after awhile. 
The nest was taken, and carefully handed to me. It still contained three 
young Cuckoos, all of different sizes, the smallest apparently just hatched, 
the next in size probably several days old, while the largest, covered with 
pin-feathers, would have been able to leave the nest in about a week. There 
were also in the nest two eggs, one containing a chick, the other fresh or 
lately laid. The two young birds which escaped from the nest, clung so 


996 THE YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 


firmly to the branches by their feet, that our attempts to dislodge them were 
of no avail, and we were obliged to reach them with the hand. On now 
looking at all these young birds, our surprise was indeed great, as no two of 
them were of the same size, which clearly shewed that they had been 
hatched at different periods, and I should suppose the largest to have been 
fully three weeks older than any of the rest. Mr. Ruerr assured us that he 
had observed the same in another nest placed in a tree within a few paces of 
his house, and which he also shewed to us. He stated that eleven young 
Cuckoos had’ been successively hatched and reared in it, by the same pair of 
old birds, in one season, and that young birds and eggs were to be seen in it 
at the same time for many weeks in succession. 

On thinking since of this strange fact, I have felt most anxious to discover 
how many eggs the Cuckoo of Europe drops in one season. If it, as I 
suspect, produces, as our bird does, not less than eight or ten, or what may 
be called the amount of fwo broods, in a season, this circumstance would 
connect the two species in a still more intimate manner than theoretical 
writers have supposed them to be allied. And if our Cow-pen-bird also 
drops eight or ten eggs in a season, which she probably does, that number 
might be considered as the amount of two broods, which the Red-winged 
Starling usually produces. 

I requested Mr. Rurrr to write me a letter on the subject, which he did, 
but, to my great mortification, I am unable to find it. Having mentioned 
the above facts to my friend Dr. T. M. Brewer, and desired him to pay 
particular attention to these birds while breeding, he has sent me the follow- 
ing note. 

“The fact which you intimated to me last July I have myself observed. 
The female evidently commences incubation immediately after laying her 
first egg. Thus I have found in the nest of both species of our Cuckoos one 
egg quite fresh, while in another the chick will be just bursting the shell; 
and again I have found an egg just about to be hatched while others are 
already so, and some of the young even about to fly. These species are not 
uncommon in Massachusetts, where both breed; and both are much more 
numerous some years than others.”’ 

I found the Yellow-billed Cuckoo plentiful and breeding in the Texas; 
and it is met with, on the other hand, in Nova Scotia, and even in Labrador, 
where I saw afew. It has been observed on the Columbia river by Mr. 
TownsEND. No mention is made of it in the Fauna Boreali-Americana. 
Many spend the winter in the most southern portions of the Floridas. 

The eggs measure one inch three and a half eighths in length, seven and a 
quarter eighths in breadth, and are, as already described, of a uniform 
greenish-blue colour. They are longer, as well as lighter in their general 


THE YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 9907 


rw 


colour, than those of the Black-billed Cuckoo. I must not omit to say, that 
during calm and pleasant nights, the well known notes of this bird frequently 
fall on the ear of him who may be reposing in his lonely camp, or on that of 
him who rests on his downy couch. I have often enjoyed this monotonous 
music in the Floridas, during the winter which I spent there. 

The branch, among the foliage of which you see the male and female 
Winging their way, is one of the papaw, a tree of small size, seldom more 
than from twenty to thirty feet in height, with a diameter of from three to 
seven inches. It is found growing in all rich grounds, to which it is peculiar, 
from the southern line of our States to central Pennsylvania, seldom farther 
eastward, here and there only along the alluvial shores of the Ohio and 
Mississippi. In all other places of like nature you may meet with groves of 
papaw trees, covering an acre or more of ground. The fruit, which is 
represented in the plate, consists of a pulpy and insipid substance, within 
which are found several large, hard, and glossy seeds. The rind is extremely 
thin. The wood is light, soft, brittle, and almost useless. The bark, which 
is smooth, may be torn off from the foot of the tree to the very top, and is 
frequently used for making ropes, after it has been steeped in water sufh- 
ciently to detach the outer part, when the fibres are obtained, which, when 
twisted, are found to be nearly as tough and durable as hemp. The numerous 
islands of the Ohio and all the other western rivers are generally well 
stocked with this tree. 


YELLOW-BILLED Cuckoo, Cuculus carolinensis, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iv. p. 13. 

Coccyzus AMERICANUs, Bonap. Syn., p. 42. 

YELLOW-BILLED Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 551. 

YELLOW-BILLED Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 18; vol. v. 
p. 520. 


Male, 124,16. Female, 113, 154. 

Breeds from Texas to Nova Scotia, and throughout the interior to the 
eastern bar of the Rocky Mountains. Common. Many spend the winter in 
the Floridas. 

Adult Male. 

Bill as long as the head, compressed, slightly arched, acute, scarcely more 
robust than in many Sylvie; upper mandible carinated above, its margins 
acute and entire; lower mandible carinated beneath, acute. Nostrils basal, 
lateral, linear-elliptical, half closed by a membrane. Feet short; tarsus 
scutellate before and behind; toes two before, separated; two behind, one of 
which is versatile, the sole flat; claws slender, compressed, arched. 

Plumage blended, slightly glossed. Wings long, the first quill short, the 

Vel. EV.: 41 


298 THE YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 


third longest, the primaries tapering. ‘Tail long, graduated, of ten feathers, 
which are rather narrow and rounded. | 

Upper mandible brownish-black, yellow on the margin towards the base; 
under mandible yellow. Iris hazel. Feet greyish-blue. The general colour 
of the upper parts, including the wing-coverts and two middle tail-feathers, 
is light greenish-brown, deeper anteriorly. Primary quills with the inner 
webs brownish-orange. Tail-feathers, excepting the two middle ones, black, 
the next two entirely black, the rest broadly tipped with white, the outer- 
most white on the outer web. The under parts are greyish-white. 

Length 124 inches, extent of 
wings 16; bill along the ridge 1, 
along the gap 14. 

Adult Female. 

The female differs very little 
from the male in colouring. 

In a female of this species pre- 
served in spirits, the length to the 
end of the tail is 11? inches; to 
end of wings 9, to end of claws 83; 
extent of wings 154; wing from 
flexure 5,3; tail 574. 

The roof of the mouth is flat, — 
and covered with a_ transparent 
skin, as in Goatsuckers and Owls; 
the upper mandible very narrow 
towards the end, and _ slightly 
concave, with three longitudinal 
ridges; the posterior aperture of 
the nares oblong behind, linear 
before, only 4 twelfths long; the 
width of the mouth 7 twelfths; the 
lower mandible channelled. The 
tongue isvery slender, 103 twelfths 
long, emarginate at the base, with 


long slender papille, its breadth at 


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phagus, @ & c, 3 inches 7 twelfths 


THE YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 299 


long, at its commencement 6 twelfths in width, gradually diminishing to 4 
twelfths; the proventriculus, 5 c, 5 twelfths in breadth. The stomach, cde, 
very large, broadly elliptical, compressed, 1 inch 2 twelfths long, 1 inch in 
breadth, and when distended seeming to occupy almost the whole cavity of 
the abdomen; in which respect, as well as in its structure, it is precisely 
similar to Cuculuscanorus; its walls are extremely thin, its muscular coat 
being formed of a single series of small fasciculi. It is turgid with the 
remains of insects, among which are a great quantity of hairs, some of them 
adhering to, or thrust into the inner coat, which is soft, destitute of ruge, 
and of a bright red colour. ‘The proventricular glands are large, cylindrical, 
1z twelfths in length and about + twelfth in breadth, forming a belt about 9 
twelfths in breadth. The pylorus is extremely small, with a thickened 
margin. The intestine, e/g hj, is 14% inches long, 34 twelfths in width, 
diminishing to 24 twelfths. The ceca, 7 7, 1 inch 8 twelfths long, 33 
twelfths in width for 1 inch 5 twelfths, its extremity obtuse. Cloaca, 7, 
oblong, about 43 twelfths in width. 

Trachea 24 inches long, narrow, roundish, flattened toward the lower 
part, of 60 rings, with five dimidiate rings. The lateral muscles extremely 
slender, as are the sterno-tracheal. There is one pair only of very slender 
inferior laryngeal muscles. Bronchi of about 12 half rings. 


Tue Papaw TREE. 


Porce.ia TRILOBA, Pursh, Flor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 383.—ANoNA TRILOBA, Willd., Sp. Pl., 
vol. ii. p. 1267. Mich., Arbr. Forest. de Amer. Sept., vol. iii. p. 162, pl. 9—PoLy- 
ANDRIA PoLyeynia, Linn.—ANona, Juss. 


Leaves obovato-cuneate, acuminate, smoothish; outer petals orbiculate; 
fruits oblong, large, and fleshy. The leaves are from six to ten inches long; 
the flowers of a rich dark purple. 


300 


THE BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. 


+-Coccyzus ERYTHROPHTHALMUs, Wils. 
PLATE CCLXXVI.—Mate anp Femate. 


I have not met with this species in the State of Louisiana more than half 
a dozen times; nor indeed have I seen it at all in the Western States, except- 
ing that of Ohio, where I have occasionally observed an individual, apparently 
out of its usual range. Some of these individuals were probably bound for 
the Upper Lakes. The woody sides of the sea are the places to which this 
species usually resorts. It passes from the south early in March, and con- 
tinues its route through Florida, Georgia, and all the other States verging on 
the Atlantic, beginning to rest and to breed in North Carolina, and extending 
its travels to the Province of Maine. 

The flight of this species is swifter than that of its near relative, the 
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, for which bird it is easily mistaken by ordinary 
observers. It does not so much frequent the interior of woods, but appears 
along their margins, on the edges of creeks and damp places. But the most 
remarkable distinction between this species and the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 
is, that the former, instead of feeding principally on insects and fruits, pro- 
cures fresh-water shellfish and aquatic larvee for its sustenance. It is, there- 
fore, more frequently seen on the ground, near the edges of the water, or 
descending along the drooping branches of trees to their extremities, to seize 
the insects in the water beneath them. 

The nest of this bird is built in places similar to those chosen by the other 
species, and is formed of the same materials, arranged with quite as little art. 
The females lay from four to six eggs, of a greenish-blue, nearly equal at 
both ends, but rather smaller than those of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. It 
retires southward fully a fortnight before the latter. 

The observations respecting the curious manners of our Yellow-billed 
Cuckoo, the subject of the last article, might be repeated here, for the 
present species is similar in this respect, as has been ascertained by Dr. T. 
M. Brewer of Boston. Its eggs are not only smaller than those of the other 
species, but also rounder, and of a much deeper tint of green; they measure 
one inch and half an eighth in length, and seven-eighths in breadth. 

The Black-billed Cuckoo is rare in all the Southern States, my friend Dr. 
Bacuman never haying seen it in the maritime districts of South Carolina, 


1 MaleZ Finale. 


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THE BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. 301 


nor myself in any part of Georgia, although Witson, who first distinguished 
this species, says that Mr. Asgor of Georgia found it there, and was well 
aware of its being distinct from the yellow-billed species. I met with it in 
Texas, arriving from the south; and found some individuals in winter, in the 
central parts of the southern districts of Florida. On the other hand, it is 
not uncommon in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and we saw a few in 
Labrador, amid the clumps of low trees a few miles from the shore of the 
Gulf in secluded and pleasant valleys. It does not appear that it reaches the 
Fur Countries, or the Rocky Mountains, as no mention is made of it by Dr. 
Ricuarpson or Mr. TownseEnp. 

It being so scarce a species in Louisiana, I have honoured it by placing a 
pair on a branch of magnolia in bloom, although the birds represented were 
not shot on one of these trees, but in a swamp near some, where the birds 
were in pursuit of such flies as you see figured, probably to amuse themselves. 


Buack-BILLED Cuckoo, Cuculus erythrophthalmus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iv. p. 15. 

Coccyzus ERYTHROPHTHALMUuS, Bonap. Syn., p. 42. 

St. Dominco Cuckoo, Coccyzus dominicus, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 556. 

Buack-BiLLED Cuckoo, Coccyzus erythrophthalmus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 170; vol. 
V. p. 523. 


Male, 114, 15. 

From Texas to Nova Scotia, and in the interior to Kentucky. Rather 
common. Migratory. 

Adult Male. 

Bill as long as the head, compressed, slightly arched, acute, not more 
robust than that of many Sylvie; upper mandible carinated above, its 
margins acute and entire; lower mandible carinated beneath, acute. Nostrils 
basal, lateral, linear-elliptical, half-closed by a membrane. Head and neck 
of ordinary size. Body rather slender. Feet short and small; tarsus 
scutellate before and behind; toes two before, separated; two behind, one of 
which is versatile; the sole flat; claws slender, compressed, arched. 

Plumage blended, soft, slightly glossed. Wings long, the first quill short, - 
the third longest. Tail long, graduated, of ten feathers, which are rather 
narrow and rounded. 

Upper mandible brownish-black; lower bluish. Iris hazel. A bare space 
of a deep scarlet tint around the eye. Feet dull blue. The general colour 
of the upper parts is light greenish-brown. Cheeks and forehead tinged with 
greyish-blue. ‘Tail-feathers, excepting the two middle ones, tipped with 
white. Under parts brownish-white. 

Length 114 inches, extent of wings 15; beak along the ridge 3, along the 
gap 1d. 


302 THE BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. 


Adult Female. 

The female differs very little in external appearance from the male, and is 
nearly of the same dimensions. 

A male preserved in spirits measures to end of tail 12 inches, to end of 
wings 83, to end of claws 8; extent of wings 153; wing from flexure 54; 
tail 53. : 

The interior of the mouth presents the same appearances as that of the 
other species, its width 7 twelfths; the tongue 8 twelfths long, of the same 
form, but black, as is the whole of the mouth. The cesophagus is 6 twelfths 
in width at the commencement, and gradually contracts to 3 twelfths; but 
the proventriculus is 6 twelfths in breadth; its glands smaller than in the 
other species, and forming a belt $ inch in breadth. The stomach is similar 
to that of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo; its tendons about 4 twelfths in length, 
and 3 twelfths in breadth; the inner surface soft, with faint longitudinal 
ruge, although quite smooth. Pylorus small, with a semilunar margin. 
The lobes of the liver are very unequal, the left 5 twelfths, the right 10 
twelfths in length. The contents of the stomach are remains of insects, with 
afew short hairs scattered here and there over its internal surface. The 
intestine is 114 inches long, very slender, its width from 24 twelfths to 14 
twelfths; the cloaca oblong, 5 twelfths in width; the cceca, fig. 2. p. 522, 1 
inch 1 twelfth long, their greatest width about the middle 23 twelfths, 
narrowed toward the extremity. The trachea is 2 inches 2 twelfths long, 
moderately flattened, from 14 twelfths to 1 twelfth in breadth; its rings 58, 
with 5 additional dimidiate rings. Bronchi of about 10 half rings. The 
muscles as in the other species. 


Tue Great MAGnNo-tia. 


MaGNo.ia GRANDIFLORA, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. ii. p. 1255. 


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303 


THE MANGROVE CUCKOO. 


+ Coccyzus Senicuyvs, Lath. 
PLATE CCLXXVII.—Mate. 


A few days after my arrival at Key West in the Floridas, early in the 
month of May, Major Gurassez of the United States Army presented me 
with a specimen of this bird, which had been killed by one of the soldiers 
belonging to the garrison. I had already observed many Cuckoos in the 
course of my walks through the tangled woods of that curious island; but as 
they seemed to be our Common Yellow-billed species, I passed them without 
paying much attention to them. The moment this specimen was presented 
to me, however, I knew that it was a species unknown to me, and thought, 
as I have on many occasions had reason to do, how vigilant the student of 
nature ought to be, when placed in a country previously unvisited by him. 
The bird was immediately drawn, and I afterwards shot several others, all 
precisely corresponding with it. 

The habits of the Mangrove Cuckoo I found to be much the same as those 
of our two other well known species. Like them, it is fond of sucking the 
eggs of all kinds of birds in the absence of their owners, and also feeds on 
fruits and various species of insects. It is, however, more vigilant and shy, 
and does not extend its migrations northward beyond the eastern capes of 
the Floridas; appearing, indeed, to confine itself mostly to the islets covered 
with mangroves, among the sombre foliage of which trees it usually builds 
its nest and rears its young. It retires southward in the beginning of 
September, according to the accounts of it which I received in the country. 

The nest is slightly constructed of dry twigs, and is almost flat, nearly 
resembling that of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, which I have already described. 
The eggs are of the same number and form as those of that species, but 
somewhat larger. It raises two broods in the season, and feeds its young on 
insects until they are able to go abroad. 

The White-headed Pigeon is frequently robbed of its eggs by this 
plunderer, and it is alleged by the fishermen and wreckers that it destroys 
the squabs when yet very young, but I saw no instance of this barbarous 
propensity. One which had been caught in its nest, and which I saw placed 
in a cage, refused all kinds of food, and soon died. This, however, proved 
to me the great affection which they have towards their eggs. Their flight 


304 THE MANGROVE CUCKOO. 


is much like that of the other species described by me, perhaps only more 
rapid and elevated when they are proceeding to some distant place. 


Mancrove Cuckoo, Coccyzus Seniculus, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 558. 
Manecrove Cuckoo, Coccyzus Seniculus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 390. 


Male, 12, 15. 

Florida Keys. Common. Migratory. 

Adult Male. 

Bill as long as the head, broad at the base, compressed, slightly arched, 
acute; upper mandible carinated above, its margins acute and entire; lower 
mandible carinated beneath, acute. Nostrils basal, lateral, linear-elliptical, 
half-closed by a membrane. Feet short; tarsus covered with a few large 
scutella, which extend around it and meet behind; toes two before, separated; 
two behind, one of which is versatile; their under surface broad and flat; 
claws slender, compressed, arched. 

Plumage soft, blended, slightly glossed. Wings long, the first quill short, 
_ the third and fourth longest and equal; primaries tapering, secondaries broad 
and rounded. ‘Tail very long, graduated, of ten feathers, which are broad 
and rounded. 

Upper mandible brownish-black, lower mandible yellow at the base, 
blackish on the margin and at the end. Iris hazel. Feet greyish-blue. 
The general colour of the upper parts, including the wing-coverts and two 
middle tail-feathers, is light greenish-brown, the head tinged with grey; 
primary quills umber-brown; tail-feathers, excepting the two middle ones, 
brownish-black, tipped with white, the outer more largely. The lower 
surface brownish-orange. 

Length 12 inches, extent of wings 15; bill along the ridge 1, along the 
edge 14; tarsus 1-4,, longest toe 12. 

The female resembles the male, but is somewhat paler, especially on the 
lower surface, which is tinged with grey. 


Tue SevEN YeArs Appye, Catesby, plate 59. 


The plant, on a twig of which I have represented the Mangrove Cuckoo, 
is found on all the Florida Keys, and at times is seen growing in large 
patches on the mud flats that exist between the outer islets and the mainland. 
The leaves are thick, glossy above, furred, and of a dull brown colour 
beneath. 


areas. | 
4 


009 


FAMILY XXVIII.—PSITTACINA. PARROTS. 


Bill short, bulging, very strong, deeper than broad, convex above and 
below; upper mandible cerate at the base, its outline decurved, the sides 
convex, the edges sharp, with an angular process, the tip trigonal, decurved, 
elongated, acute; lower mandible with the angle short and wide, the tip 
thin-edged, rounded, or abrupt. Nostrils basal, round, open, in the cere. 
Head very large; neck of moderate length; body compact. Feet short and 
robust; tarsus short, scaly; toes stout, the outer directed backwards, the 
third and fourth coherent at the base. Claws stout, curved, acute. Plumage 
generally blended, but firm. Wings and tail various. Tongue short, fleshy, 
rounded, or emarginate; cesophagus wide, with a large crop; stomach small, 
muscular; intestine of moderate length; cceca small; cloaca globular. 


C ONUyUS 
Genus I.—CENTURUS, Kuhl. PARAKEET. 


Bill short, very strong, bulging; upper mandible with the dorsal line 
decurved, the sides convex, the edges ascending at the base, then direct, 
with a deep notch, the tip decurved, acute; lower mandible very deep at the 
base, with the dorsal line convex and ascending, the tip sharp-edged and 
truncate. The nostrils basal, round. Feet short, stout; tarsus very short; 
toes of moderate length, stout; claws strong, curved, acute. Plumage 
blended, compact on the wings, which are long and pointed, with the second 
quill longest. Tail long, cuneate. 


Vou. LV. AQ 


306 


THE CAROLINA PARROT. 


+ CENTURUS CAROLINENSIS, Linn. 
PLATE CCLXXVIII.—Mate, Femate, anp Youne. 


Doubtless, kind reader, you will say, while*looking at the figures of 
Parakeets represented in the plate, that I spared not my labour. I never do, 
so anxious am I to promote your pleasure. 

These birds are represented feeding on the plant commonly called the 
Cockle-bur. It is found much too plentifully in every State west of the 
Alleghanies, and in still greater profusion as you advance towards the 
Southern Districts. It grows in every field where the soil is good. The 
low alluvial lands along the Ohio and Mississippi are all supplied with it. 
Its growth is so measured that it ripens after the crops of grain are usually 
secured, and in some rich old fields it grows so exceedingly close, that to 
make one’s way through the patches of it, at this late period, is no pleasant 
task. The burs stick so thickly to the clothes, as to prevent a person from 
walking with any kind of ease. The wool of sheep is also much injured by 
them; the tails and manes of horses are converted into such tangled masses, 
that the hair has to be cut close off, by which the natural beauty of these 
valuable animals is impaired. To this day, no useful property has been 
discovered in the cockle-bur, although in time it may prove as valuable 
either in medicine or chemistry as many other plants that had long been 
considered of no importance. 

Well, reader, you have before you one of these plants, on the seeds of 
which the Parrot feeds. It alights upon it, plucks the bur from the stem 
with its bill, takes it from the latter with one foot, in which it turns it over 
until the joint is properly placed to meet the attacks of the bill, when it 
bursts it open, takes out the fruit, and allows the shell to drop. In this 
manner, a flock of these birds, having discovered a field ever so well filled 
with these plants, will eat or pluck off all their seeds, returning to the place 
day after day until hardly any are left. The plant might thus be extirpated, 
but it so happens that it is reproduced from the ground, being perennial, and 
our farmers have too much to do in securing their crops, to attend to the 
pulling up the cockle-burs by the roots, the only effectual way of getting rid 
of them. 

The Parrot does not satisfy himself with cockle-burs, but eats or destroys 


——— 


(LZ ay 
7. 2. Males - &. Female. 4. Youreg. 


BLD 


SVrawretror Nature by TS Audubor HRSELS, Lith Printed dé Col be dD T Bower: Dial 


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THE CAROLINA PARROT. 307 


almost every kind of fruit indiscriminately, and on this account is always an 
unwelcome visiter to the planter, the farmer, or the gardener. The stacks 
of grain put up in the field are resorted to by flocks of these birds, which 
frequently cover them so entirely, that they present to the eye the same 
effect as if a brilliantly coloured carpet had been thrown over them. They 
cling around the whole stack, pull out the straws, and destroy twice as much 
of the grain as would suffice to satisfy their hunger. They assail the pear 
and apple-trees, when the fruit is yet very small and far from being ripe, 
and this merely for the sake of the seeds. As on the stalks of corn, they 
alight on the apple-trees of our orchards, or the pear-trees in the gardens, in 
great numbers; and, as if through mere mischief, pluck off the fruits, open 
them up to the core, and, disappointed at the sight of the seeds, which are 
yet soft and of a milky consistence, drop the apple or pear, and pluck 
another, passing from branch to branch, until the trees which were before so 
promising, are left completely stripped, like the ship water-logged and 
abandoned by its crew, floating on the yet agitated waves, after the tempest 
has ceased. They visit the mulberries, pecan-nuts, grapes, and even the 
seeds of the dog-wood, before they are ripe, and on all commit similar 
depredations. The maize alone never attracts their notice. 

Do not imagine, reader, that all these outrages are borne without severe 
retaliation on the part of the planters. So far from this, the Parakeets are 
destroyed in great numbers, for whilst busily engaged in plucking off the 
fruits or tearing the grain from the stacks, the husbandman approaches them 
with perfect ease, and commits great slaughter among them. All the sur- 
vivors rise, shriek, fly round about for a few minutes, and again alight on the 
very place of most imminent danger. ‘The gun is kept at work; eight or 
ten, or even twenty, are killed at every discharge. The living birds, as if 
conscious of the death of their companions, sweep over their bodies, scream- 
ing as loud as ever, but still return to the stack to be shot at, until so few 
remain alive, that the farmer does not consider it worth his while to spend 
more of his ammunition. I have seen several hundreds destroyed in this 
manner in the course of a few hours, and have procured a basketful of these 
birds at a few shots, in order to make choice of good specimens for drawing 
the figures by which this species is represented in the plate now under your 
consideration. 

The flight of the Parakeet: is rapid, straight, and continued through the 
forests, or over fields and rivers, and is accompanied by inclinations of the 
body which enable the observer to see alternately their upper and under 
parts. They deviate from a direct course only when impediments occur, 
such as the trunks of trees or houses, in which case they glance aside in a 
very graceful manner, merely as much as may be necessary. A general ery 


308 THE CAROLINA PARROT. 


is kept up by the party, and it is seldom that one of these birds is on wing 
for ever so short a space without uttering its cry. On reaching a spot which 
affords a supply of food, instead of alighting at once, as many other birds do, 
the Parakeets take a good survey of the neighbourhood, passing over it in 
circles of great extent, first above the trees, and then gradually lowering 
until they almost touch the ground, when suddenly re-ascending they all 
settle on the tree that bears the fruit of which they are in quest, or on one 
close to the field in which they expect to regale themselves. 

They are quite at ease on trees or any kind of plant, moving sidewise, 
climbing or hanging in every imaginable posture, assisting themselves very 
dexterously in all their motions with their bills. They usually alight 
extremely close together. I have seen branches of trees as completely 
covered by them as they could possibly be. If approached before they begin 
their plundering, they appear shy and distrustful, and often at a single ery 
from one of them, the whole take wing, and probably may not return to the 
same place that day. Should a person shoot at them, as they go, and wound 
an individual, its cries are sufficient to bring back the whole flock, when the 
sportsman may kill as many as he pleases. If the bird falls dead, they make 
a short round, and then fly off. 

On the ground these birds walk slowly and awkwardly, as if their tail 
incommoded them. They do not even attempt to run off when approached 
by the sportsman, should he come upon them unawares; but when he is seen 
at a distance, they lose no time in trying to hide, or in scrambling up the 
trunk of the nearest tree, in doing which they are greatly aided by their 
bill. 

Their roosting-place is in hollow trees, and the holes excavated by the 
larger species of Woodpeckers, as far as these can be filled by them. At 
dusk, a flock of Parakeets may be seen alighting against the trunk of a large 
sycamore or any other tree, when a considerable excavation exists within it. 
Immediately below the entrance the birds all cling to the bark, and crawl 
into the hole to pass the night. When such a hole does not prove sufficient 
to hold the whole flock, those around the entrance hook themselves on by 
their claws, and the tip of the upper mandible, and look as if hanging by the 
bill. Ihave frequently seen them in such positions by means of a glass, 
and am satisfied that the bill is not the only support used in such cases. 

When wounded and laid hold of, the Parakeet opens its bill, turns its 
head to seize and bite, and, if it succeed, is capable of inflicting a severe 
wound. It is easily tamed by being frequently immersed in water, and eats 
as soon as it is placed in confinement. Nature seems to have implanted in 
these birds a propensity to destroy, in consequence of which they cut to 
atoms pieces of wood, books, and, in short, every thing that comes in their 


THE CAROLINA PARROT. 309 


way. They are incapable of articulating words, however much care and 
attention may be bestowed upon their education; and their screams are so 
disagreeable as to render them at best very indifferent companions, The 
woods are the habitation best fitted for them, and there the richness of their 
plumage, their beautiful mode of flight, and even their screams, afford 
welcome intimation that our darkest forests and most sequestered swamps 
are not destitute of charms. 

They are fond of sand in a surprising degree, and on that account are 
frequently seen to alight in flocks along the gravelly banks about the creeks 
and rivers, or in the ravines of old fields in the plantations, when they 
scratch with bill and claws, flutter and roll themselves in the sand, and pick 
up and swallow a certain quantity of it. For the same purpose, they also 
enter the holes dug by our Kingfisher. They are fond of saline earth, for 
which they visit the different dicks interspersed in our woods. 

Our Parakeets are very rapidly diminishing in number; and in some 
districts, where twenty-five years ago they were plentiful, scarcely any are 
now to be seen. At that period, they could be procured as far up the 
tributary waters of the Ohio as the Great Kenhawa, the Scioto, the heads of 
Miami, the mouth of the Manimee at its junction with Lake Erie, on the 
Illinois river, and sometimes as far north-east as Lake Ontario, and along the 
eastern districts as far as the boundary line between Virginia and Maryland. 
At the present day, very few are to be found higher than Cincinnati, nor is 
it until you reach the mouth of the Ohio that Parakeets are met with in con- 
siderable numbers. I should think that along the Mississippi there is not 
now half the number that existed fifteen years ago. 

Their flesh is tolerable food, when they are young, on which account 
many of them are shot. The skin of their body is usually much covered 
with the mealy substances detached from the roots of the feathers. The 
head especially is infested by numerous minute insects, all of which shift 
from the skin to the surface of the plumage, immediately after the bird’s 
death. Their nest, or the place in which they deposit their eggs, is simply 
the bottom of such cavities in trees as those to which they usually retire at 
night. Many females deposit their eggs together. I am of opinion that the 
number of eggs which each individual lays is two, although I have not been 
able absolutely to assure myself of this. They are nearly round, and of a 
light greenish-white. The young are at first covered with soft down, such 
as is seen on young Owls. During the first season, the whole plumage is 
green; but towards autumn a frontlet of carmine appears. Two years, how- 
ever, are passed before the male or female are in full plumage. The only 
material differences which the sexes present externally are, that the male is 
rather larger, with more brilliant plumage. 


310 THE CAROLINA PARROT. 


PSITTACUS CAROLINENSIS, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 141. 

Carotina Parrot, Psittacus carolinensis, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iii. p. 89. 
PsITTACUS CAROLINENSIS, Bonap. Syn., p. 41. 

Caro.ina Parrot, Psittacus carolinensis, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 545. 
Carouina Parrot, Psittacus carolinensis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 135. 


Male, 14, 22. 

South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and up the Mis- 
sissippi to Kentucky. Abundant. Resident. 

Adult Male. 

Bill short, bulging, very strong and hard, deeper than broad, convex above 
and below, with a cere at the base; upper mandible curved from the base, 
convex on the sides, the margin overlapping, with an angular process, the 
tip trigonal, acute, declinate, much exceeding the under mandible, which is 
very short, broadly convex on the back, truncate at the extremity. Nostrils 
basal, round, open, placed in the cere. Head very large. Neck robust. 
Body rather elongated. Feet short and robust; tarsus scaly all round; toes 
scutellate above, flat beneath, two behind and two before, the latter united 
at the base; claws curved, acute. 

Plumage compact and imbricated on the back, blended on the head, neck, 
and under parts. Orbital space bare. Wings long, second and third quills 
longest. ‘Tail long, wedge-shaped, of twelve, narrow, tapering feathers. 

Bill white. Iris hazel. Bare orbital space whitish. Feet pale flesh- 
colour, claws dusky. Fore part of the head and the cheeks bright scarlet, 
that colour extending over and behind the eye, the rest of the head and the 
neck pure bright yellow; the edge of the wing bright yellow, spotted with 
orange. The general colour of the other parts is emerald-green, with light 
blue reflections, lighter beneath. Primary coverts deep bluish-green; se- 
condary coverts greenish-yellow. Quills bluish-green on the outer web, 
brownish-red on the inner, the primaries bright yellow at the base of the 
outer web. ‘Two middle tail-feathers deep green, the rest of the same colour 
externally, their inner webs brownish-red. ‘Tibial feathers yellow, the 
lowest deep orange. 

Length 14 inches, extent of wings 22; bill along the ridge 15, gap, 
measured from the tip of the lower mandible, 3; tarsus 3, middle toe 14. 

Adult Female. 

The female is similar to the male in colour. The upper figure represents 
a kind of occasional variety, with fourteen tail-feathers. The specimen from 
which the drawing was taken was shot at Bayou Sara, in Louisiana. 

Young Bird. 

The young bird is known by the comparative shortness of the tail, and the 
uniform green colour of the head. 


311 


Tue CockLE-BurR. 


Xanraium Strrumarium, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. iv. p. 373. Pursh, Flor. Amer., vol. il. p. 
5381. Smith, Engl. FI., vol. iv. p. 136.—Monacia Pentannria, Linn.—CoryMeirEerRg, 
Juss. 


Root fibrous; stem solitary, erect, branched, from three to six feet high, 
furrowed, downy; leaves on long petioles, cordate, lobed, serrate, scabrous, 
three-nerved at the base; clusters axillar, of four or five fertile, and one or 
two barren flowers, which are green; nuts densely armed, and furnished 
with two beaks. 


FAMILY XXIX.—COLUMBINZ. PIGEONS. 


Bill short, soft for half its length, horny toward the end; upper mandible 
with a tumid fleshy covering at the base, its dorsal line straight, toward the 
end convex and deflected, the tip narrow, but obtuse; lower mandible at its 
base wider than the upper, its sides elastic and slender, the angle long and 
obtuse, the dorsal line short and convex, the tip obtuse. Nostrils linear in 
the lower and fore part of the nasal membrane. Head small, oblong; neck 
of moderate length; body rather full. Feet short; tarsus partially feathered, 
scutellate, or scaly; toes four, on the same level, broad beneath, marginate; 
the first short, the lateral nearly equal, all scutellate above. Claws mode- 
rate, arched, compressed, rather blunt. Plumage generally compact, the 
feathers with thick spongy shaft, and destitute of plumule. Wings and tail 
various. Tongue rather broad at the base, toward the end narrow, horny, 
induplicate, pointed; cesophagus very wide, enlarged into an enormous crop; 
stomach a very large and strong gizzard, placed obliquely, its lateral muscles 
exceedingly thick, the lower prominent, the tendons very large, the epi- 
thelium dense, with longitudinal broad rugz, and two opposite grinding 
surfaces; intestine long, of moderate width; cceca very small; cloaca oblong. 
Trachea simple, flattened, with a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles. 
Nest flat, rudely constructed. Eggs two, elliptical, white. 


312 


Genus I—COLUMBA, Zinn. DOVE. 


Bill straight, rather short, slender, compressed; upper mandible with the 
dorsal line straight at the base, convex toward the end, the nostrils linear, 
oblique, covered with a fleshy bare membrane, the edges sharp toward the 
end, with a distinct notch, the tip narrow, sharp-edged, rounded; lower 
mandible with the angle long and pointed, the sides erect, the base sloping 
outwards toward the end, the edges sharp, the tip narrow, but blunt. Head 
small, oblong, compressed; neck of moderate length; body full. Feet short, 
strong; tarsus very short, roundish, with a single row of scutella above, and 
two anterior rows of large hexagonal scales; toes beneath rather slender, 
broad and flat beneath, marginate, with large scutella; hind toe smallest, 
lateral about equal. Claws of moderate size, arched, compressed, acute. 
Plumage rather compact above, blended beneath; wings long, pointed, the 
second and third quills longest. ‘Tail of moderate length, rounded, of twelve 
broad rounded feathers. 


BAND-TAILED DOVE, OR PIGEON. 
+CoLUMBA FASCIATA, Say. 
PLATE CCLXXIX.—Mate anp Femate. 


In the course of Colonel Lone’s expedition to the Rocky Mountains, a 
single specimen of this large and handsome Pigeon was procured. This 
individual was afterwards figured in the continuation of Witson’s American 
Ornithology. Many specimens, however, have more recently been obtained 
by Mr. TownsEnp, from whom I have procured three pairs of adult and 
some young birds. Comparing them with the figure above alluded to, I 
should consider it as having been taken from a young male. In my plate 


IN DO: PAPAL. 


Wy E foo Z. was LZ 
iC Be ee 


1 Male? krrule: 
Ooo netlii lle’ : 


Drawn trom Nature ty DS Audabort ht SELLS. Lih*Printed & Col thy I T Bowen LPiae. 


BAND-TAILED DOVE. 313 


are represented two adult birds, placed on the branch of a superb species of 
dogwood, discovered by my learned friend Tuomas Nurratzi, Esq., when 
on his march toward the shores of the Pacific Ocean, and which I have 
graced with his name! The beautiful drawing of this branch was executed 
by Miss Marri, the amiable and accomplished sister of my friend Dr. 
Bacuman. Seeds of this new species of Cornus were sent by me to Lord 
RaveNnsworts, and have germinated, so that this beautiful production of the 
rich valley of the Columbia river may now be seen in the vicinity of London, 
and in the grounds of the nobleman just mentioned, near Newcastle-upon- 
Tyne. Mr. Townsrennp’s notice respecting the bird here spoken of is as 
follows:— | 

“The Band-tailed Pigeon is called by the Chinook Indians ‘akoigh homin.’ 
It ranges from the eastern spurs of the Rocky Mountains across to the 
Columbia river, where it is abundant. It arrived in 1836 in very great 
numbers, on the 17th of April, and continued in large flocks while breeding. 
Their breeding places are on the banks of the river. The eggs are placed 
on the ground, under small bushes, without a nest, where numbers congre- 
gate together. The eggs are two, of a yellowish-white colour, inclining to 
bluish-white, with minute white spots at the great end. These Pigeons feed 
upon the berries of the black elder and the buds of the balsam poplar. When 
sitting in the trees, they huddle very close together in the manner of the 
Carolina Parrot, and many may be killed at a single discharge of the fowling- 
piece. The flesh is tender and juicy, and therefore fine eating.” 

Mr. Nurratt has favoured me with an equally interesting notice. “This 
large and fine Pigeon, always moving about in flocks, keeps in Oregon only 
in the thick forests of the Columbia and the Wahlamet, and during the 
summer is more particularly abundant in the alluvial groves of the latter 
river, where throughout that season we constantly heard their cooing, or 
witnessed the swarming flocks feeding on the berries of the elder tree, those 
of the Great Cornel (Cornus Nuttalli), or, before the ripening of berries, 
on the seed-germs or the young pods of the balsam poplar. The call of this 
species is somewhat similar to that of the Carolina Dove, but is readily dis- 
tinguishable, sounding like a double suppressed syllable, as 2 ’koo, h ’koo, 
h ’*koo, h ’koo, uttered at the usual intervals, and repeated an hour or two at 
a time, chiefly in the morning and evening. They are said to breed on the 
ground, or in the low bushes, but I did not find the nest, although I saw the 
birds feeding around every day near Watpatoo Island. During the whole 
of this time they keep in flocks, either in the poplars or elder bushes, and 
on being started, sweep about like flocks of domestic pigeons, soon returning 
to their fare, when they feed in silence, keeping a strict watch for intruders. 


They remain on the lower part of the Columbia nearly the whole year, late 
Vor. IV. 43 


314 BAND-TAILED DOVE. 


in the season (October and November) feeding mostly on the berries of the 
tree cornel, but still they seem to migrate some distance to the south, as the 
severity of the winter approaches.” 


Cotumpa FAsciIATA, Say, Long’s Exped., vol. ii. p. 10. 

CoLumpa FasciaTa, Bonap. Syn., p. 119. 

Banv-TaiLep Pigeon, Columba fasciata, Bonap. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 77. 
Banp-TaltLep Pigeon, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 624. 

Banp-TalLep Pigeon, Columba fasciata, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 479. 


Male, 16, wing, 9. Female, 153. 

From the eastern spurs of the Rocky Mountains, and across them to the 
Columbia river. Common. Migratory. 

Adult Male. 

Bill straight, rather short, slender, compressed; upper mandible with a 
tumid fleshy covering at the base, where it is straight in its dorsal outline, 
convex towards the end, with a sharp-edged, declinate, rather obtuse tip; 
lower mandible with the angle long and pointed, the sides erect at the base, 
sloping outwards toward the end, the edges sharp, the tip narrow but blunt. 
Nostrils medial, oblique, linear. 


Head small, oblong, compressed; neck of moderate length; body full. 


toy) 
Feet short, strong; tarsus very short, rounded, with two anterior rows of 
large hexagonal scales; the hind part fleshy, with very small scales; toes 
broad and flat beneath, marginate, with large scutella above; the hind toe 
smallest, the lateral nearly equal, the middle toe much longer. Claws of 
moderate size, arched, compressed, grooved beneath, rather acute. 

Plumage rather compact above, blended beneath, on the hind neck strong, 
with metallic gloss. Wings long, the second quill longest, the third only a 
twelfth of an inch shorter, the first six-twelfths shorter, and a little longer 
than the fourth, the rest rather quickly graduated; secondaries of moderate 
breadth and rounded. First quill with the outer web narrower at the base 
than toward the end, the second and third quills with their outer webs 
having a slight sinus and attenuated toward the end. Tail of moderate 
length, rounded, of twelve broad abruptly rounded feathers, of which the 
lateral is half an inch shorter than the longest. 

Bill yellow, with the tips black. Feet yellow, claws greyish-black. Bare 
space around the eyes carmine. The head, fore neck, and breast are of a 
light reddish-purple or wine-colour, which on the abdomen and lower tail- 
coverts fades into whitish; a narrow half-ring of white on the hind neck, the 
lower part of which is of a metallic brownish-green tint. The upper parts 
are greyish-blue, darker, and tinged with brown on the fore part of the back 
and scapulars; sides of the body and rump greyish-blue. Alula, primary 


fee vate 
cin 


Deere yt 
suai) 


Fe 
a 


Tt 


BN Oy 


ING. 


Drawn fre 


TH?» 


ae ea ee Yn 7 | 
OME Ati Ye Lyeou 


Vatiare bv LI Aadubort RSLS. 


a On 


Ey ay A 


Oo 


7 


1. Male. 2. Fimatle. 
res a) : / q 
a bees Sclcslepea 


Lath Printed & Cl Ly J T Lowen Lik. 


WHITE-HEADED DOVE. 315 


coverts, primary quills, and outer secondaries brownish-black, very narrowly 
margined with brownish-white. Tail greyish-blue at the base, much paler 
and tinged with yellow toward the end, these colours being separated at the 
distance of two inches from the tip by a band of black. 

Length to end of tail 16 inches, to end of wings 133; wing from flexure 
9; tail 64; bill along the ridge +$, along the edge of lower mandible 14; 
tarsus 14; hind toe 3%, its claw £3; middle toe 144, its claw 74. 

Adult Female. 

The female differs from the male only in having the tints a little duller, 
and on the upper parts somewhat darker, with the black band on the tail less 
decided, the middle feathers being but faintly marked with it. 

Length to end of tail 154 inches. 


Nutrratu’s Dog-woop. 


Cornus Noutrauu, Audubon. 


This very beautiful tree, which was discovered by Mr. Nurrattz on the 
Columbia river, attains a height of fifty feet or more, and is characterized by 
its smooth reddish-brown bark; large, ovate, acuminate leaves, and con- 
spicuous flowers, with six obovate, acute, involucral bracteas, which are rose- 
coloured at the base, white towards the end, veined and reticulated with 
light purple. ‘The berries are oblong, and of a bright carmine. 


WHITE-HEADED DOVE, OR PIGEON. 


+ CoLUMBA LEUCOCEPHALA, Linn. 
PLATE CCLXXX.—Mate anp Femate. 


The White-headed Pigeon arrives on the Southern Keys of the Floridas, 
from the Island of Cuba, about the 20th of April, sometimes not until the 
1st of May, for the purpose of residing there for a season, and rearing its 
young. On the 30th of April, I shot several immediately after their arrival 
from across the Gulf Stream. I saw them as they approached the shore, 


316 WHITE-HEADED DOVE. 


skimming along the surface of the waters, flying with great rapidity, much 
in the manner of the common house species, but not near each other like the 
Passenger Pigeon. On nearing the land, they rose to the height of about a 
hundred yards, surveyed the country in large circles, then with less velocity 
gradually descended, and alighted in the thickest parts of the mangroves and 
other low trees. None of them could be easily seen in those dark retreats, 
and we were obliged to force them out, in order to shoot them, which we 
did at this time on the wing. 

In creeping among the bushes to obtain a view of them whilst alighted, I 
observed that the more I advanced, the more they retired from me. This 
they did by alighting on the ground from the trees, among which they could 
not well make way on wing, although they could get on with much ease 
below, running off and hiding at every convenient spot that occurred. These 
manceuvres lasted only a few days, after which I could see them perched on 
the tops of the trees, giving a preference perhaps to dry branches, but not a 
marked one, as some other species are wont to do. 

They are at all times extremely shy and wary, more so in fact than any 
species with which I am acquainted. The sight of a man is to them insup- 
portable, perhaps on account of the continued war waged against them, their 
flesh being juicy, well flavoured, and generally tender, even in old birds. 
Never could I get near one of them so long as it observed me. Indeed, the 
moment they perceive a man, off they go, starting swiftly with a few smart 
raps of the wings, and realighting in a close covert for awhile, or frequently 
flying to another key, from which they are sure to return to that left by 
them, should you pursue them. It is thus a most toilsome task to procure 
specimens of these birds. 

Their shyness is but partially given up even during their love season, or 
while sitting on their eggs, for the moment they see you they get off slyly 
from the nest, walk on the branches for some distance, and take to wing 
without any noise, flying low along the edge of the mangroves, into which 
they throw themselves as soon as a place of safety offers itself, seldom on 
such occasions flying off to other keys. Their return to the nest is not 
immediate, the heat of these latitudes not requiring the same care in incuba- 
tion as the comparative cold of more northern regions. I have waited their 
return sometimes as much as half an hour, without success. 

By the first of May, the young squabs are nearly able to fly, and it is at 
this period that the greatest havoc is made among them. The fishermen and 
the wreckers visit the keys principally resorted to by this species, rifle all 
the nests they can find, and sometimes also shoot the old birds. 

The key on which I first saw this bird, lies about twenty-five miles south 
of Indian Key, and is named Bahia-honda Duck Key. ‘The farther south 


WHITE-HEADED DOVE. 317 


we proceeded the more we saw, until we reached the low, sandy, sterile 
keys, called the Tortugas, on none of which did I see a Pigeon of any kind. 
During my visit to the Floridas, our party procured a great number of 
White-headed Pigeons. They were all either adult or full-plumed birds, 
having the upper part of the head pure white, with a deep rich brown edging 
at the lateral parts of the crown. On our return from the Tortugas to Key 
West, our vessel anchored close to a small key, in a snug harbour protected 
from the sea winds by several long and narrow islands well known to the 
navigators of those seas. Captain Day and myself visited this little key, 
which was not much more than an acre in extent, the same afternoon. No 
sooner had we landed, than, to our delight, we saw a great number of White- 
headed Pigeons rise, fly round the key several times, and all realight upon 
it. The Captain posted himself at one end of the key, I at the other, while 
the sailors walked about to raise the birds. In less than two hours we shot 
thirty-six of them, mostly on the wing. Their attachment to this islet 
resulted from their having nests with eggs on it. Along with them we 
found Grakles, Red-winged Starlings, Flycatchers, and a few Zenaida Doves. 
Having shot most of the Pigeons, examined their nests, collected their eggs, 
and written memoranda, we proceeded to other keys in search of other 
species. 

The next morning we thought of calling at this little key on our way, 
and were surprised to find that many new comers had arrived there before 
us. They were, however, very shy, and we procured only seventeen in all. 
I felt convinced that this spot was a favourite place of resort to these birds. 
It being detached from all other keys, furnished with rank herbaceous plants, 
eactuses, and low shrubs, and guarded by a thick hedge of mangroves, no 
place could be better adapted for breeding; and, at each visit we paid it, 
White-headed Pigeons were procured. Allow me here, kind reader, to tell 
you that the number of that strange species of crabs called soldiers was so 
great, that our game could not be suffered to lie a few minutes on the ground 
without being either much mangled or carried into their subterranean 
retreats; so that, with all our care, we were actually deprived by them of 
several birds which we had shot. ‘These curious crabs, which belong to the 
genus Pagurus, crawl up the trees, and no doubt often destroy the eggs or 
young of the Pigeons. 

The principal difference between Pigeons and Doves, as to their habits, is, 
according to my observation, that the former generally build their nests close 
together on the same trees, which the latter never do. For this reason I 
place the present species among the Doves. 

The nest is placed high or low, according to circumstances; but there are 
never two on the same tree. I have found it on the top shoots of a cactus, 


318 WHITE-HEADED DOVE. 


only a few feet from the ground, on the upper branches of a mangrove, or 
quite low, almost touching the water, and hanging over it. In general the 
nest resembles that of the Columba migratoria, but it is more compact, and 
better lined. The outer part is composed of small dry twigs, the inner of 
fibrous roots and grasses. The eggs are two, opaque, white, rather roundish, 
and as large as those of the domestic Pigeon. From the appearance of the 
eggs in the ovaria of females having young at the time, I would infer that 
this species has several broods during each season; and perhaps they may 
breed in Cuba, after their return from the Florida Keys. None of these 
birds are found on the mainland, although it is at no great distance. 

A rather extraordinary fact relating to the habits of this species, is that 
many of these birds, which breed in Cuba, or some of the Bahama Islands, 
come to the Florida Keys for the purpose of procuring food for their young, 
to which they return several times daily. This is particularly observed at 
the time when the sea grape is fully ripe, or during the month of June. 
The numbers of these Pigeons that resort to the Keys, attract several species 
of Hawks during the breeding season, amongst which the Peregrine and the 
Red-shouldered are conspicuous. On none of the Keys unvisited by this 
species, did I see a Hawk of any kind. 

The White-headed Pigeon exhibits little of the pomposity of the common 
domestic species, in its amorous moments. The male, however, struts before 
the female with elegance, and the tones of his voice are quite sufficient to 
persuade her of the sincerity of his attachment. During calm and clear 
mornings, when nature appears in all her purity and brightness, the cooing 
of this Pigeon may be heard at a considerable distance, mingling in full 
concord with the softer tones of the Zenaida Dove. The bird standing 
almost erect, full-plumed, and proud of his beauty, emits at first a loud 
croohoo, as a prelude, and then proceeds to repeat his coo—coo-coo. These 
sounds are continued during the period of incubation, and are at all times 
welcome to the ear of the visiter of these remarkable islands. When 
approached suddenly, it emits a hollow, guttural sound, precisely resembling 
that of the Common Pigeon on such occasions. 

The young birds are at first almost black, but have tufts of a soft buff- 
coloured down distributed mostly over the head and shoulders. While yet 
squabs they have no appearance of white on the head, and they take about 
four months before they acquire their perfect plumage. Smaller size, and a 
less degree of brilliancy, distinguish the female from the male. About the 
beginning of October they abound on the Keys, and return to the West 
India Islands. 

I have only to add the following particulars to what I have already 
detailed of the history of this species. While standing perched in a nearly 


WHITE-HEADED DOVE. 319 


upright posture, they have a continued movement of the head, with a 
frequent jerking upwards of the tail. Their flight may be compared to that 
of the European Cushat, being very swift and noiseless, after a few hard 
flaps at starting. In captivity they are easily managed, and readily breed. 
I saw several of them with my friends Dr. Witson and Rey. Joun Bacu- 
MAN of Charleston, South Carolina. 

The White-headed Pigeon does not occur to the westward of the Florida 
Keys on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico; at least I have seen none in any 
portion of all that extensive range of country as far as Galveston Island in 
Texas. The eggs of this species measure one inch and two and a half 
eighths in length, an inch and half an eighth in breadth; although in more 
than fifty instances I found two eggs in each nest, the Earl of Dersy informs 
me that in captivity, like Columba migratoria, this Pigeon lays only one. 

I have placed a pair of these Pigeons on a low, flowering tree, which is 
rather scarce on the Keys. It is in full bloom during the whole year, and 
its leaves, I thought, correspond with the colour of the birds, while the 
brilliant hue of its flowers forms a strong contrast. 


CoLUMBA LEUCOCEPHALA, Bonap. Syn., p. 119. 

W HITE-HEADED Pigeon, Columba leucocephala, Bonap. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 15. 

WHITE-CROWNED Pigeon, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 625. 

Wuitr-HEADED Picron, Columba leucocephala, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 443; vol. v. 
p. 557. 


Male, 144, 234. Female, 14. 

Florida Keys. Common during summer only. 

Adult Male. 

Bill straight, of ordinary length, rather slender, compressed; upper man- 
dible with a tumid fleshy covering at the base, where it is straight in its 
dorsal outline, convex towards the end, with a sharp-edged, declinate, rather 
obtuse tip; lower mandible with the sides sloping outwards, the angle near 
the end, the edges sharp, the tip rounded. Nostrils medial, oblique, linear. 
Head small and compressed, neck of ordinary length, body full. Feet short, 
strong; tarsus very short, rounded, with two anterior rows of large hexagonal 
scales; toes scutellate above, marginate, the hind-toe smallest, the two lateral 
nearly equal, the middle toe much larger; claws of moderate size, compressed, 
arched, rather acute. 

Plumage rather compact above, blended beneath, on the hind neck strong, 
with metallic gloss. Wings long, the third quill longest, the second almost 
equal, the first not so long as the fourth, the second, third, fourth, and most 
of the other primaries sinuate on the outer web, towards the end; the 


390 WHITE-HEADED DOVE. 


wow 


secondaries broad and rounded. ‘Tail rather long, even, of twelve broad 
slightly rounded feathers. 

Bill carmine at the base, bluish-white at the end. Iris yellow. Feet 
carmine; claws greyish-yellow. The general colour is dusky greyish-blue, 
paler beneath, the quills and tail-feathers darker. The whole upper part of 
the head is pure white; the upper part of the hind neck rich chocolate-brown, 
the lower part and sides green, changing to gold-colour, each feather mar- 
gined externally with deep black. 

Length 14} inches, extent of wings 232; bill along the back ;%, along the 
edge +3; tarsus 13/5, middle-toe and claw 143. 

Adult Female. 

The female differs from the male only in having the tints a little duller 
and lighter. 

In a specimen preserved in spirits, the interior of the mouth is similar to 
that of the Passenger Pigeon; as is the tongue, which is 8 twelfths long, but 
broader towards the end than in that species. The cesophagus is 5 inches 9 
twelfths long; its width at the upper part nearly 1 inch; the crop of the 
same form and structure as in the species above named, and nearly of the 
same size. The stomach is 1§ inches in breadth, 1} inches in length; its 
muscles very strong, the left 6 twelfths, the right 7 twelfths thick; the 
epithelium of a horny texture, with two concave grinding surfaces. It con- 
tains seeds of fruits. The intestine is 28 inches long: the duodenum is 6 
twelfths in breadth; the average width of the rest of the intestine is 3 
twelfths. The coeca are 2} twelfths long, 3} twelfth in width; the cloaca 
very little dilated, its width about 9 twelfths. 

The trachea is 47 inches long, from 3 twelfths to 24 twelfths in breadth; 
the rings extremely feeble, unossified on the back part, and 90 in number; 
the last ring of the same form as in the other species, and the muscles are 
similar. Bronchi moderate, of about 15 half rings. 

The brain in these Pigeons is proportionally much smaller than in any 
other bird examined, excepting the Goat-suckers and Cuckoos. 


Tur RovuGH-LEAVED CorpIiA. 


CorpiA SEBESTENA, Willd —Prntanpria Monoeynia, Linn.—Cordiaces, Juss. 


This plant, on account of its large tubular scarlet flowers, is one of the 
most beautiful of the West Indian trees. I saw only two individuals at Key 
West, where, as was supposed, they had been introduced from Cuba. They 
were about fifteen feet high, the stem having a diameter of only five or six 


WHITE-HEADED DOVE. Bed | 


inches. They were in full bloom in the early part of May, and their broad 
deep green leaves, and splendid red blossoms, mingled with the variety of 
plants around me, rendered their appearance delightful. Both trees were 
private property, and grew in a yard opposite to that of Dr. Srrozet, 
through whose influence I procured a large bough, from which the drawing 
was made, with the assistance of Mr. Lenman. I was informed that they 
continued in flower nearly the whole summer. 


END OF THE FOURTH VOLUME 


Vore DV): 44 


NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS 


OBTAINED SINCE THE LAST VOLUME. 


Albany, N. Y. 
Robert M. Pruyn. 


Boston, Mass. 


R. B. Forbes. 


Cincinnati, Ohio. 


Edward Lawrence. 
Columbus, Ohio. 
J. Sullivant. 
New York. 
Edwin Hoyt, 


N. Ludlum, 
Robert Smith. 


Philadelphia. 
Miss A. Marshall. 
Quebec, U. C. 
J. Martyn. : 
Washington City. 


Major General Scott, Commander-in-chief 
U.S. A. 


York, England. 
Miss Elizabeth Fothergill. 


men 
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ALA 
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