UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
ARTIFICIAL KEY
TO DISTINGUISH THE
LAND BIRDS AND WATER BIRDS.
All birds having toes more or less webbed and no feathers
on the tarsus (all iutergradations between figures A and B),
except tbe Vultures,* and also all birds having the bill more
than three inches long, whether the toes are webbed or not, are
Water Birds. There are also a few Water Birds which do not
agree with the above description, which may be described as
follows : —
(jiulliuules.
Rails.
Least Bitterns and Small Herons.
SHOKK BIRDS. — The majority of the Shore Birds either have the toes with small web, or
the bill over three inches, long. Those which do not may be recognized by the following
characters: hind toe, when present, elevated above level of front toes: bill, rather soft; nos-
tril, a slit; lower portion of tibia (upper part of leg), not feathered; first primary, about
equal to second.
GALLINULES. — Rail-like birds, inhabiting marshy places; forehead, covered by a horny
plate or shield.
RAILS. — Wing, rather short and rounded; toes, long; hind toe, on level with front toes
(true Rails) ; first primary, much shorter than second.
LEAST BITTERNS AND SMALL HERONS. —Toes, four; lores, bare; inner side of middle
toe nail, with comb-like edge.
AH other birds are called Land Birds.
* Several Land Birds have the toes partly webbed, such as the Goatsuckers, Caprimulyitltp, the Vultures,
Cathnrlulfe, and a few others; but all have tlie tarsus more or less feathered, except the Vultures, the only Kami
Birds which have webbed toes, and no feathers on the tarsus.
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY of ILLINOIS.
TRE BIRDS
rr f f i ii?
r r r n
r o / ; rn
OF n
EASTERN NORTH AMERICA
KNOWN TO OCCUR EAST OF THE NINETIETH MERIDIAN
WATER BIRDS
PART I
KEY TO THE FAMILIES AND SPECIES
BY
CHARLES B. CORY
Curator of the Department of Ornithology in the Field Columbian Museum, Chicago ; Vice- President of
the American Ornithologists' Union ; Fellow of the Linniaan and Zoological Societies of London ;
Member of the British Ornithologies'1 Union; Honorary Member of the California
Academy of Sciences ; Cor. Member New York Academy of Sciences, etc , etc.
AUTHOR OK "THK BEAUTIFUL AND CURIOUS BIRDS OF THE WORLD," "THE BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA
ISLANDS," "TiiE BIRDS OF HAITI AND SAN DOMINGO," " THE BIRDS OF THE WEST INDIES,"
" A NATURALIST IN THE MAGDALEN ISLANDS," " HUNTING AND FISHING
IN FLORIDA," '-KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA," "How TO
KNOW THE SHORE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA," " How TO
KNOW THE DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS," ETC., ETC.
SPECIAL EDITION PRINTED FOR THE
FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM, CHICAGO, ILL.
1899*-
HAIL
COPYRIGHTED,
CHARLES B. CORT,
BOSTON,
ALFRED MtTDGK & SON, PRINTERS,
24 FRANKLIN STKEET.
REMOTE
v.
ORNITHOLOGY is the science of birds (Gr., opviflos, ornithos, of a bird ; Xoyos,
a discourse), and to become an expert ornithologist requires years of hard work, com-
bined with a love for the study itself ; but there are many students of nature who
would like to know the birds about them, but do not have the time nor desire to go
deeply into the subject. To meet such a want, the present "keys" have been pre-
pared, in which the species are grouped according to size, and it is believed they will
enable the novice to accurately identify any of our birds.
Careful comparison of large series of birds has shown that while adult birds of
the same species differ considerably in length, the wing measure is very constant, the
variation in a large number of specimens being so small that, allowing for possible
extremes, we may safely arrange our birds in groups according to length of wing.
A Song Sparrow may vary slightly in size, but the largest Song Sparrow is never as
large as the smallest adult Robin, and vice versa. By grouping the various birds from
the Humming Bird to the Eagle and Albatross, according to the length of wing (allow-
ing, of course, for unusual extremes), the identification of any species then becomes a
comparatively simple matter, as usually the birds contained in each group are so few
in number that characteristic differences in each species are easily indicated.
Let us, for example, assume we have a bird before us which we wish to identify;
we first should find out to which family it belongs. Turning to the Key to Families,
page 10, we find this an easy matter (as the families are few and the illustrated differ-
ences in the bills and feet very characteristic), we discover our bird to be a duck.
Having ascertained the family to which our bird belongs, we turn to the Key to
Species. We have, of course, measured the wing and found it to be 5.90 inches long,
measured from the carpus (bend of wing) to tip. (See illustration, " How to Measure
a Bird," on page 8.)
We now turn to the Ducks, and discover they are divided into subfamilies, the
Bay and* Sea Ducks having a flap or lobe on the hind toe, and the fresh-water ducks,
or River and Pond Ducks, have no large flap on the hind toe. Our bird has a flap on
its hind toe, and is evidently a salt-water duck, belonging to the subfamily Fuligulince.
This subfamily, we find, contains two sections. Section 1 having the tail feathers
CUD
43458
IV BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
not stiff and pointed, and Section 2, tail feathers stiff and pointed. Our duck has
stiff, pointed tail feathers, and therefore belongs in Section 2. Section 2 contains two
species ; one having whole front of head and cheeks black, the other, with sides of
head more or less ivlrite. As our duck has a patch of white on the side of the head,
it must, therefore, be the Ruddy Duck, Erismatura jamaicensis.
All measurements of birds are given in inches and fractions of an inch. The
diagrams on page 8 will illustrate how a bird should be measured, and the chart (pages
viii and ix) will be useful to the young student of ornithology who may not be familiar
with the technical terms used in describing birds. Such terms as primaries and axillars
should be learned at once. It is customary to indicate the sexes by the signs of
Mars and Venus; the male, of course, being given that of Mars, $, and the female,
Venus, 9.
In preparing the Key, a very large number of birds were examined and measured.
In addition to the large collection of North American birds contained in the Field
Columbian Museum, by courtesy of my friends, Dr. J. A. Allen and Prof. Robert
Ridgway, the collections of the Smithsonian Institution and the American Museum
of Natural History were always open to me, as well as the splendid private collection
of Mr. William Brewster, at Cambridge, Mass.
A few species which occur in Greenland, but which have not been observed else-
where in North America, and rare exotic stragglers have been excluded from the Key,
but are given in their proper place in the body of the work.
The larger portion of the illustrations are original and are the work of Mr. Edward
Knobel, of Boston. Numerous cuts are also included by arrangement with Messrs.
Little, Brown & Co., of Boston, which are taken from Baird, Brewer & Ridgway's
NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. A few others were obtained from Messrs. Estes & Lauriat,
used in Dr. Elliott Coues' KEY TO NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.
C. B. CORY.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
TlTLEPAGE ............. i
PREFACE ............. iii
CONTENTS . v
GLOSSARY ............. vii
TOPOGRAPHY OF A BIRD .......... viii
INTRODUCTION ............ 1
How TO MEASURE A BIRD .......... 8
INDEX TO KEY TO FAMILIES. WATER BIRDS ...... 10
GROUP 1. Toes, four, with lobate webs, or webs on sides of toes . . . 11
GROUP 2. Toes, four; front toes palmate (full webbed) ; hind toe not con-
nected with front ones by web . . . . . . 12
GROUP 3. Toes, four, full webbed ; hind toe connected with front ones by
web ........... 15
GROUP 4. Toes, four, not full webbed; small webs between toes at base, or
toes entirely without web . . . . . . . 17
Section 1. Hind toe, raised above level of front toes . . . 17
Section 2. Hind toe, on level with front toes . . . . 19
GROUP 5. Toes, three, full webbed ; no hind toe . . . . . 21
GROUP 6. Toes, three ; a small web between toes, or entirely without web . 23
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF WATER BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA . . 25
FAMILY PODICIPID;E. GREBES 25
FAMILY GAVIID^E. LOONS 27
FAMILY ALCIDJE. AUKS, PUFFINS, AND MURRES . . . . . 29
FAMILY STERCORARIID.E. SKUAS AND JAEGERS 33
FAMILY LARID^E. GULLS AND TERNS . 35
SUBFAMILY LARINJE. GULLS ......... 36
SUBFAMILY STERNINJE. TERNS ... . . . . . . . 41
FAMILY RIIYNCHOPHXE. SKIMMERS ........ 45
FAMILY DIOMEDEID.E. ALBATROSSES ........ 46
(v)
VI BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
PAGE
FAMILY PROCELLARIID.E. SHEARWATERS, PETRELS, AND FULMARS . . 40
FAMILY PIIAETHONTIDJE. TROPIC BIRDS ....... 50
FAMILY SULID^E. GANNETS ......... 51
FAMILY ANIIINGIDTE. DARTERS, SNAKE BIRDS ...... 53
FAMIWT PHALACROCORACIDJE. CORMORANTS ....... 54
FAMILY PELECANID^C. PELICANS . . . . . . . . 56
FAMILY FREGATID^E. MAN-OF-WAR BIRDS ....... 58
FAMILY ANATID^E. DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS ...... 59
SUBFAMILY MERGING. MERGANSERS, SHELDRAKES . . . . . 61
SUBFAMILY ANATINJE. FRESH-WATER DUCKS. RIVER AND POND DUCKS . 63
SUBFAMILY FULIGULIN^E. SALT-WATER DUCKS. BAY AND SEA DUCKS . . 71
SUBFAMILY ANSERINE. GEESE ......... 81
SUBFAMILY CYGNIN^E. SWANS . . . . . . . . 84
FAMILY PHCENICOPTERID^:. FLAMINGOES . . . . . . . 85
FAMILY PLATALEIDJE. SPOONBILLS ........ 86
FAMILY IBIDIDJE. IBISES .......... 87
FAMILY CICONIID^:. STORKS AND WOOD IBISES ...... 88
FAMILY ARDEIDJE. HERONS, EGRETS, AND BITTERNS ..... 89
FAMILY GRUID.E. CRANES . . 95
FAMILY ARAMID^E. COURLANS, LIMPKINS . . . . . . . 96
FAMILY RALLID^E. RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS . . . , 97
SUBFAMILY RALLIN^E. RAILS ......... 97
SUBFAMILY GALLINULIN^:. GALLINULES . . . . . . 101
SUBFAMILY FULICINJE. COOTS . .100
ORDER LIMICOL^E. SHORE BIRDS . . . . . . . . 102
FAMILY PHALAROPODIDJE. PHALAROPES . 104
FAMILY RECURVIROSTRID^:. AVOCETS AND STILTS ..... 106
FAMILY SCOLOPACIDJE. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, CURLEWS, ETC. . . . 107
FAMILY CHARADRIID.E. PLOVERS ........ 124
FAMILY APHRIZIDJE. TURNSTONES ........ 129
FAMILY H^EMATOPODID^. OYSTER-CATCHERS 130
GLOSSARY.
Nearly all the terms used in describing a bird may be more easily and clearly
understood by examining the illustrations of "bird topography," on pages viii and ix,
than from a written description ; a few, however, may require a word of explanation.
Cere. — A hard skin-like covering on the base of the upper mandible (Parrots,
Hawks, etc.).
Mandibles. — Some authors use the word maxilla for the upper half of the bill, and
mandible for the lower. I prefer, however, to describe the two halves of the bill
as upper and lower mandible.
Culmen. — The ridge of the upper mandible.
Qonys. — Lower outline (middle) of under mandible.
Unguis. — The nail on the end of the upper mandible ; very pronounced in several
families of water birds (Ducks, Pelicans, and Petrels).
Axillars or Axillary Plumes. — Several elongated feathers at the junction of the
wing and body. (Lat. axilla, the arm-pit.)
Carpus or Carpal Joint. — Bend of the wing. The third segment of the wing
corresponding to the wrist (see illustration).
Speculum. — A wing band or patch (usually of a different color from the rest of
the wing), formed by the terminal portion of the secondaries; very noticeable in
the Ducks.
Tarsus. — Extends from the root of the toes to the end of the tibia (what appears to
be the bend of the leg or knee ; but which is, in reality, the heel joint). See illus-
tration.
Toes Syndactyle. — Outer and middle toes more or less joined together (King-
fisher, etc.).
Toes Zygodactyle. — Arranged in pairs, two in front, two behind (Cuckoos, etc.).
Tarsus Reticulate. — Covered with numerous small, uneven scales (Plovers, etc.).
Tarsus Scutellate. — Comparatively large, somewhat square-cut scales, one above
the other, covering the front of the tarsus.
Booted Tarsus. — Scales fused together on greater portion of tarsus so as to be
indistinct or invisible except on lower part (Robins, etc.).
Superciliary Stripe. — Stripe over the eye.
(vii)
Vlll
BIKDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
TOPOGRAPHY OF A PLOVER.
IX
Under Primary, Coverts
Primaries
^Under Tail Covertt or Crit
! \ Superciliary Stripe
\ ,' Forehead "
Auricular, or Ear Court,
Wing of Duck showing speculum.
-Afalar Region or Cheek
- Side of Jfedc
Carpal Joint -•'
Lesser Wing Coverts ~'\
Middle Wing Covertt —
Greater Covertt * "X"
\Under Tail Coverts
or Crittvm.
Bill of Fulmar Petrel. Outer ^Toe \
Middle Toe
Inner Toe
Black -breast Plover.
-Hind Toe
TOPOGRAPHY OF A PLOVER.
INTRODUCTION.
; IT M ' i
A BIRD
Is a feathered vertebrate animal ; or, to describe it more fully, it is an air-breathing,
warm-blooded, feathered, oviparous (egg-laying) , vertebrate animal, having a four-
chambered heart, and a complete double circulation. Birds occupy a place in nature
intermediate between the mammals and the reptiles, and many naturalists consider a
bird to be merely a modified reptile. Be that as it may ; we are morally certain that
thousands of years ago there existed on the earth huge, lizard-like birds, of many of
which we know nothing. The oldest known form of which we have any actual
knowledge is the celebrated Archceopteryx, a fossil found by Andreas Wagner, in the
Oolitic slate of Solenhofer, Bavaria, in 1861. This reptile bird had a lizard-like
tail bordered with feathers, and jaws armed with teeth.
Of late years, many important osteological discoveries have bee*h made, and from
Dodo.
Ostrich.
Moa.
the reconstructed skeletons we are able to form some idea of the size and shape of a
few of the many huge and strange birds which lived and died in the forgotten past.
The Harpagornis, an immense raptorial bird, or some similar monster, may have orig-
inated the stories of the Roc of nursery lore. Still later, we have the Dodo of Mauri-
tius, and the Moa of New Zealand, the latter a giant bird, much larger than the
2 BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
largest Ostrich, which, it is claimed, was 'still in existence at the beginning of the
present century, and a few of the older natives claim to have heard their fathers talk
of seeing it alive. We know of several species which have become extinct during the
past fifty years, notably the Great Auk and the Labrador Duck, Camptolcemus labra-
dorius.
In the West Indies we have numerous instances of the recent disappearance of
insular forms. The Jamaica Petrel, Aestrelata ca/i&cea, is now supposed to have been
exterminated by .the Mongoose (He)-pestes) , which animal was introduced into the
island some years ago for the purpose of killing the rats. Wallace, in his "Distri-
bution of Animals," states that no less than six species of Parrots were said to have
been formerly found in Guadaloupe and Martinique, but at the present time no Parrots
are known to exist on either of those islands.
Ledru, in his " Voyage aux iles Teueriffe," published in Paris, in 1810, men-
tions several birds which are now unknown, among them a green pigeon from St.
Thomas.
While many species have become extinct, others have extended their range, and,
accommodating themselves to changed conditions and environment, have in the course
of time developed new forms. Birds showing decided and constant differences are
recognised as species, whereas if the differences in color or size are not very great and
intermediate forms occur showing an intergradation from one to the other, they arc
called races or subspecies. Races are really species in process of development and
are caused by difference in climate, food, etc. Insular forms which are sufficiently
removed from the parent stock to warrant the belief that their isolation is complete,
are generally recognized as species even though the differences would hardly be worthy
of specific recognition if the two forms occurred in close proximity on the main land.
It should be borne in mind, however, that the line of demarkation between a species
and a subspecies is a purely arbitrary one and is largely a matter of individual opinion.
Subspecies are distinguished by a third name ; for example, Dendroica palmarum
hypochrysea is a race or subspecies of Dendroica palmarum.
Having learned something as to what a bird is, let us take up in order the more
important external parts, such as the wing, tail, bill, and feet.
INTRODUCTION.
Carpus
THE WING.
As an aid to identification, the wing characters are most important. The terms
primaries, secondaries, axillars, wing coverts, etc., are constantly used in
describing birds,1* and the student should learn to recognize them at a glance.
The Remiges are the flight
feathers of the wing,
and the Tectrices are
the small feathers cov-
ering the upper part of
the wing or shoulder
(see illustration), and
are usually called cov-
erts. The Remiges
are divided into pri=
maries, secondaries,
and tertiais, accord-
ing to the location in
the wing.
The Primaries are the
feathers growing from
the outer section of the
wing ; that is to say, from the outer bend of the wing (carpus) to tip, C to D, the
number ranging from 9 to 10 (and rarely 11) in various families. At first, it is
(7 ^ not always easy to distinguish the last
primary from the first secondary ; but
experience is the best teacher, and the
point can always be settled by exam-
ining the roots of the feathers.
The Secondaries are the remiges at-
tached to the ulna, or forearm, B to C
(see illustration) ; they number from
6 to 40 in the various families ; the
Humming-bird having the smallest
number, and the Albatross more
D than 40.
The Tertials are the few remaining remiges which grow from the humerus,-A to B.
The Tectrices, or Wing Coverts, are small feathers covering the larger wing
feathers ; the feathers lining the edge of the under surface of the wing are called
under wing coverts. The outer wing coverts are divided and described as
greater wing coverts, middle wing coverts, and lesser wing coverts,
respectively. (See illustration.)
BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
The Speculum. A term used to indicate a patch or band on the \ving (usually of
different color from the rest of the feathers), formed by the terminal portion
of the secondaries, very noticeable in the Ducks. (See illustration, Topography
of a Duck, page 8.)
Under Primary f Coverts
Under Wing Coverts
Jarpitt — T _-
Axillary Plumes
Under Surface of Wing.
The Axillary Plumes, or Axillars, are an important aid in the identification of
many species ; these are several rather elongated feathers growing from the arm-
pit (axilla') , at the junction of the wing and body.
THE TAIL.
The Rectices, or Tail Feathers, proper, number from 8 to 24, and in some very few
cases even more. By far the greater number of birds, however, have 12 rectices.
Truncate or square tall
Pointed or cuneate tail
Forked tail
Graduated tail
The small feathers overlapping the rectices are called upper tail coverts, while
those below are the under tail coverts or crissum. (For illustration of tail
coverts and crissum, see Topography of a Bird.)
INTRODUCTION.
THE LEG AND FOOT.
A bird's leg may be briefly described as having only the knee downward exposed ;
the true thigh is concealed, but may be felt under the skin on the side of the body.
The true knee is close to the body just under the skin. The first exposed joint which is
apparently the knee, but which bends back-
ward, is really the heel. (See illustration.)
The bird does not walk on the foot (from
the heel downward), but merely walks on
his toes.
Reticulate Tarsus
Booted Tarsus Scutellate Tarsus
The Tarsus, which is measured from the bend of the leg (end of tibia) to the roots
of the toes (C to D in illustration), is an important factor in the identification of
many species. The. feet are very variable in shape and arrangement of the toes.
These variations are of the greatest importance, representing generic and, often,
family differences.
Types of Feet.— Water Birds.
b BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
The Toes are sometimes three or four (the Ostrich has but two), sometimes two in
front and two behind ; two in front and one behind ; or, in one family (not North
America), all four turned forward. Some families have the toes joined or fused
together for part of their length, as in the Kingfisher. Some species have webbed
feet, others have the toes armed with curved talons, and so on ; but the various
differences with which we wish to become familiar can better be illustrated than
described.
Foot of Sparrow
Foot of three-toed Woodpecker
Types of Feet. — Land Birds.
THE BILL.
The Bill consists of an upper and a lower mandible, both of which are
movable. The shape is of great assistance in determining the family to which the
species belong. Four principal types are recognized : —
1. Epignathous. Upper mandible longer than lower ; the tip bent or hooked over
the end of lower mandible. (Examples : Hawks, Gulls, Petrels, Parrots.)
2. Hypognathous. Lower mandible, longer than upper mandible. (Examples :
Black Skimmers, Ithynchops.)
3. Paragnathous. Both mandibles of about equal length.
4. fletagnathous. Mandibles crossed. (Example : Crossbill. Lnxi<(.)
INTRODUCTION.
The shape and size of the bill vary greatly, as will be seen by the following
illustrations representing fifteen of the principal types among our birds : —
Bill of Whippoorunll
Bill of Shrike
Bill of t'ong Sparrow
Bill of Least Bittern
l of Dixk
Bill of Uerm
Cere. A membrane (usually hard), which covers the base of the upper mandible.
(Hawks, Parrots, Jaegers.)
Nasal Fossa, or Nasal Groove. Groove in which the nostrils open.
Gonys. Lower outline (middle) of the under mandible, A to B.
Culmen. The ridge of the upper mandible.
Unguis. The nail on the end of the upper mandible. Very pronounced in some
families of Water Birds, — Ducks, Pelicans, and Petrels.
riandibles. — Some authors use the word maxilla for the upper half of the bill, and
mandible, for the lower. I prefer, however, to describe the two halves of the bill
as upper and lower mandible.
BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
HOW TO MEASURE A BIRD.
Length
Tail
For description see page o.
HOW TO MEASURE A BIRD.
HOW TO MEASURE A BIRD.
See Illustration, page 8.
Wing. — Distance from carpal joint C (bend of wing) to the tip of the longest
primary D. See cut on page 8.
Length. — Distance in a straight line from the end of the bill to the tip of the
longest tail feather. (Occasionally the middle feathers are much elong-
ated, as in the Old Squaw and Pintail Duck, and in other families of
birds, such as Phaethon and Stercorarius. In such cases it is well to
give the length from bill to longest tail feather, and also to end of
outer tail feather.)
Tail. — Distance from the tip of the longest tail feather to its base (the point where
it enters the body).
Bill. — The distance in a straight line from where the bill (upper mandible) joins
the skin of the forehead (A) to the tip (B). (There are a few excep-
tions to this rule, in other families, such as birds with frontal plate, etc.
Some curved bills are measured along the curve of the culmen, and at
times it is advisable to measure from the nostril to the tip of the bill,
but in such cases it should always be so stated.)
Tarsus. — Distance in front of the leg from what appears to be the knee joint (end
of tibia) to the root of the middle toe. All measurements are given
in inches and fractions of an inch.
INDEX TO KEY TO FAMILIES.
WATER BIRDS.
Group 1. Toes, four, with lobate web or web on sides of toes. See page 11.
Group 2. Toes, four; front toes, palmate (full webbed) ; hind toe, not connected
with front ones by web. See page 12.
Group 3. Toes, four; toto-palmate (all toes full webbed); hind toe, connected
with front ones by web. See page 15.
Group 4. Toes, four, not full webbed ; small web between toes at base, or toes
entirely without web ; hind toe, sometimes very small. See page 17.
Section 1 . Hind toe, raised above level of front toes. See page 17.
Section 2. Hind toe, on same level with front toes. See page 19.
Group 5. Toes, three, full webbed; no hind toe. See page 21.
Group 6. Toes, three, not full webbed ; a small web between toes at base, or toes
entirely without web. See page 23.
UO)
KEY TO FAMILIES.
WATER BIRDS.
GROUP 1. •
Toes, four, with lobate webs, or webs on sides of toes.
Bill, poiuted; feet, placed far back, near tail; underparts. silvery white; tail, very short.
Family PODICIPID/E. Grebes.
See page 26.
Forehead, with bare shield; bill, rather short; general color, slaty gray; toes, with
lobate webs. Family RALLID/E. Subfamily FULICIN/C. Coots.
See page 100.
THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Hind toe, elevated above the level of the others; bill, slender; nostrils, opening through
slits; sides of toes, webbed. Family PHALAROPOD1D/E. Phalaropes.
See page 104.
GROUP 2.
Toes, four; front toes, palmate (full webbed); hind toe,
not connected with front ones by web.
Bill, straight and pointed ; tarsus, flat-
tened; hind toe, with flap or lobe; feet,
placed far back near the tail; tail, very
short.
Family GAVIID/E. Loons.
See page 28.
Very large wing, over 19 inches long; upper mandible,
curved near tip, forming a hook, the end (uuguis) enlarged ;
nostrils, separate and tubular; hind toe, rudimentary, often
apparently wanting.
Family DIOMEDEID>E. Albatrosses.
See page 46.
\
Nostrils, tubular, united in one double-barrelled tube ; front toes, palmate (full webbed) ;
hind toe, very small, and in some cases entirely absent: upper mandible, curved near tip?
wing, less than 19 inches long.
Family PROCELLARIID/E. Shearwaters, Petrels, and Fulmars.
See page 46.
KEY TO FAMILIES. WATER BIRDS.
13
Nostrils, separate not tubular; bill, with cere (a horuy or skin-like covering on base of
upper inaudible) ; hind toe, sometimes very small; end of upper mandible (uuguis), swollen
and somewhat rounded; back an 1 wings, always dark, sometimes sooty, sometimes barred
with brown; tail, never white or gray, usually very dark; middle tail feathers, longest,
but only very long in adult birds, sometimes only slightly longer than rest of tail feathers in
immature birds; in brown plumages, the axillars (feathers extending from armpit) are
heavily barred, brown and white; in other plumages, the axillars and under wing coverts are
sooty brown or dark slaty brown. Family STERCORARIID/E. Skuas and Jaegers.
See page 34.
\
Nostrils, separate not tubular; bill, without cere ; hind toe, sometimes very small; upper
mandible, curved; uuguis (end of bill), not swollen; middle tail feathers, about equal in
length to the others; tail, rarely dark, although sometimes tipped with black or brown;
axillars and under wing coverts, white or gray, sometimes with narrow gray lines or faint
wavy bars.
Family LARID>E. Subfamily LARIN/E. Gulls.
See page 36.
Nostrils, separate not tubular; hind toe, sometimes very small; upper mandible, nearly
straight, not hooked or decided! y rounded near tip; outer tail feathers, usually longer than
middle feathers. Family LARID/C. Subfamily STERNIN/E. Terns.
See page 41.
Bill, like blade of a knife, the under mandible the longer ; plumage, black above, white
below. Family RHYNCHOPID/E. Skimmers.
See page 45.
14
THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Bill, very much bent, with tooth-like serrations on edge. Large, tall birds with long necks
and legs, usually red or pink. Family PH(EN1COPTERID/E. Flamingoes.
See page 85.
Bill, long and narrow, having tooth-like serrations on edges ; toes, four, the front ones,
full webbed ; hind toe, with flap.
Family ANATID/E. Subfamily MERQIN/E. Mergansers.
See page 61.
Top of bill of Merganser.
Side of bill.
Bill, not narrow ; tarsus, scutellate in front (transverse scales) ; toes, four,
the front ones, full webbed; hind toes, without decided flap or lobe.
Family ANAT1D/E. Subfamily ANATIN/E. River and Pond Ducks.
See page 63.
Ducks.
Bill of Duck.
Bill, not narrow ; tarsus, scutellate in front (transverse scales) ; toes, four,
the front ones, full webbed; hind toe, with flap or lobe.
Family ANATID/E. Subfamily FULIQULIN/E. Sea Ducks.
See page 71.
KEY TO FAMILIES. WATER BIRDS.
15
Lores, feathered; tarsus, reticulate (scales rounded) ; wing, more than thirteen inches long;
toes, four, the front ones full webbed.
Family ANATID/E. Subfamily ANSERIN/E. Geese and Brant.
See page 81.
Geese and Swan.
Lores, partly bare; tarsus, reticulate (scales rounded) ; size, large; neck, long; wing, over
eighteen inches long; plumage, white or gray. Subfamily CYGNIN/E. Swans.
See page 84.
GROUP 3.
Toes, four, toto=palmate ; (front toes, full webbed;)
hind toe, connected with front ones by web.
Bill, sharp pointed; chin, feathered; toes, four, all connected uy webs.
Family PHAETHONTID/E. Tropic Birds.
See page 60.
Bill, stout, but not hooked; chin, bare; neck, thick; toes, four, all connected by webs.
Family SULID/E. Gannets.
See page 61.
16
THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Bill, sharp-pointed and slender; chin, bare; neck, long and slender;
toes, four, all connected by webs ; middle tail feathers, corrugated or
fluted.
Family ANHINGID/E. Darters, Snake Birds.
See i»;i«'e 53.
Bill, hooked at tip, over twelve inches long and having ;
large pouch; lores, bare; toes, four, all connected by webs.
Family PELECANID/E. Pelicans
See page 56.
.• - TV*
Bill, hooked at tip, and less than twelve inches long ; bare skin at base of bill and chin ;
lores, bare; toes, four, all connected by webs.
Family PHALACROCORACID/C. Cormorants.
See page 54.
Bill, hooked at tip; lores, feathered; upper plumage, entirely
black ; toes, four, all connected by webs ; tail, forked ; wings, very
long.
Family FREGATID/E. Man=of=war Birds, Frigate Birds.
See page 58.
KEY TO FAMILIES. WATEK BIRDS.
17
GROUP 4.
Toes, four; toes, not full webbed; small webs between
toes at base, or toes entirely without webs ; hind toe,
sometimes small.
Section 1. Hind toe, raised above level of front toes.
Avocet. Avocet.
Tarsus, over 3.50 inches long; bill, curved upward or straight.
Family RECURV1ROSTRID/E. Avocets.
See page 106.
Hind toe, higher than front toes; tarsus, less than 3.50 inches long; middle toe and claw
together shorter than bill, except a few of the small species, which have middle toe and claw
equal to or longer than bill ; but all such have the belly and under tail coverts pure white in
most plumages. Family SCOLOPACID/E. Snipe, Curlews, Sandpipers, etc.
See page 107.
Hind toe, higher than front ones ; lower
back and rump, white, with black band.
Family APHR1ZID/C. Turnstones.
See page 129.
18
THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Hind toe, higher than front ones; hind toe, very small, hardly noticeable; bill, black,
rather short and stout ; all other species belonging to this family have but three toes.
Family CHARADRUD/E (Charadrius squaterola). Black bellied Plover.
See page 124.
r
Hind toe, above level of front toes ; bill, less than 3 inches long ; toes,
four, no comMike edge on inner side of middle toe nail; middle toe and
claw together not shorter than bill, usually decidedly longer; under tail
coverts, not white. Family RALLID/E. Rails, etc.
See page 97.
King Kail.
Virginia Rail.
Rails.
Hind toe, above level of front toes ; bill, over 3 inches long ;
wing, over 16 inches; tarsus, over 7 inches; toes, four, no
comb like edge on inner side of middle toe nail ; lores, with
hair-like bristles. Family QRU1D/E. Cranes.
See page 95.
Hind toe, above level of front toes; bill, over 3 inches long; tarsus,
under 7; wing, under 16; toes, four, no co^mb-like edge on inner side of
middle toe nail ; under mandible, often slightly twisted near tip ; plumage,
dark brown with white streaks. Family ARAMID/E. Courlans.
See page 96.
KEY TO FAMILIES. WATER BIRDS.
19
Section 2. Hind toe, on level with front toes.
Toes, long and slender; bill, short and pointed; a bare shield or plate on forehead; wing,
about 7 inches long, carpus (betid of wing) to tip; under tail coverts, white.
Family RALLID/E. Subfamily GALLINULIN/E.
Purple Qallinule, or Florida Gallinule.
See page 100.
Bill, nearly straight and sharply pointed ; inner side of middle toe nail, with distinct comb-
like edge; toes, four, all on same level. Bitterns, tail with ten feathers. Herons, tail with
twelve feathers. Family ARDEID/E. Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns.
See page 89.
20
THE J5IRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Greater part of plumage, white ; bill, rounded aud somewhat curved,
very thick and strong; tarsus, always orcr jirc tin-lies long ; toes, four, all
oil same level ; no comb-like edf/e on inner side of middle toe nail.
Family CICONIID/E. Storks and Wood Ibises.
See page 88.
Bill, long, rather slender, and decidedly curved
downward ; tarsus, always less than five inches long ;
toes, four, all on the same level ; no comb-like edge on
side of middle toe nail. Family IBIDID/E. Ibises.
See page 87.
Bill, wide and flat at the end ; toes, four, all on same level ; wing
(carpus to tip), over twelve inches long.
Family PLATALEID/E. Spoonbills.
See page 86.
KEY TO FAMILIES. — WATER BIRDS.
21
.:-,
GROUP 5.
Toes, three, full webbed ; no hind toe.
Xostrils, separate, not opening into one double-barrelled tube ; upper mandible, curved
near tip; bill, yellowish, or greenish yellow; an indication of a hind toe, in the form of a
,--v -, small knob without nail; tail, entirely white, or
white with black band near tip. This is the only
North American gull lacking a hind toe.
Family LARID/C (Lams tridactyla}.
Kittiwake Gull.
See page 36.
Bill, reddish (in life showing also yellow aud blue),
peculiar in form, suggesting that of parrot.
Family ALCID/E.
Subfamily FRATERCULIN/B. Puffins.
See page 30.
Bill, black, with narrow white band.
Family ALCID/C.
Subfamily ALCIN/E. Auks.
See page 30.
Bill, black or brownish; wing,
over 7.25 inches long, carpus (bend
of wing) to tip.
Family ALCID/E.
Subfamily ALCIN/C.
Murres.
Hi Si •' • i i:i - • • 3°-
Bill, black, or blackish; wing, less than 7.25, but more than 5.50, measured, carpus to tip.
Family ALC1D/E. Subfamily PHALARIN/E. Guillemots.
See page 30.
THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Bill, black, or blackish; wing, less than 5 inches
long (carpus to tip).
Family ALC1D/E. Subfamily ALLIN/B. /
Dovekies.
Little Auks.
See page 30.
Very large wing, over 19 inches long; upper mandible,
curved near tip, forming a hook, the end (uuguis) en-
larged; nostrils, separate and tubular; hind toe, rudimen-
tary, often apparently wanting.
Family DIOMEDEID/E. Albatrosses.
See page 4P>.
Shearwater.
Petrel.
Fulmar.
Nostrils, tubular, united iu one double-barrelled
tube ; front toes, palmate (full webbed; ; hind toe, very
small, and in some cases entirely absent ; upper mandi-
ble, curved near tip ; wing, less than 19 inches long.
Family PROCELLARIID/C.
Shearwaters, Petrels, and Fulmars.
See page 46.
KEY TO FAMILIES. — WATER BIRDS.
23
GROUP 6.
Toes, three; a small web between toes, or, entirely
without web.
Bill, slender; wing, about 5 inches; bill, about one inch; this is the only represen-
tative of this family with three toes, all others have four; tarsus, less than 1.50 inches long.
Family SCOLOPACID/E. (Calidris arenaria.} Sanderling. Sandpiper.
See page 107.
Toes, three, partly webbed ; tarsus, over 3 inches long; general plumage, black and
white; legs, pink red in life. Family RECURVIROSTRID/C. Stilts.
See page 106.
THE 151KDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Plovers.
Bill, short; some species have bill less than three quarters inch long; none have bill over
two inches long. . Family CHARADRIID/E. Plovers.
See page 124.
Bill, over 2.50 inches long ; head and neck, black or blackish ; bill, red.
Family H/EriATOPODID/E. Oyster-catchers.
See page 130.
FAMILY PODICIPID^E. GREBES. 25
WATER BIRDS.
KEY TO THE SPECIES.
FAMILY PODICIPID^E.
Grebes.
Toes, four ; three in front, one behind, with lobate webs.
* Group 1. Wing, less than 6.50 inches long.
Depth of bill at base of culmen, over .40. In summer : Bill, with black band; throat,
black.
In winter : Bill, without black band ; throat, white.
PocfiJymbus podiceps. Pied-billed Grebe% Hell Diver.
See No. 4.
Depth of bill at base of culmen, less than .40. In summer: Two small tufts of
brownish gray or buff-colored feathers behind the eye; crown, nape, and throat, black.
In winter: Plain colored, without black or buff on head; upper plumage, grayish black;
underparts, silvery white, often tinged with ash gray on throat and sides.
Colymbus auritus Horned Grebe.
See No. 2.
* Group 2. Wing, over 6.50 inches long.
In summer : Crown, black ; upper throat, gray ; lower throat and breast, chestnut rufous ;
rest of underparts, silvery grayish white.
Imvinter; No rufous brown on throat or breast. Colymbi^s hoJboelli. Holboell's Grebe.
See No. 1.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
21)
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Grebes.
' ;
Horned Grebe.
Pied-billed Grebe.
FAMILY GAVIID^E. LOONS. 27
FAMILY QAVIIDyE.
Loons.
Toes, four; front toes, palmate (full webbed) ; bill, pointed;
tarsus, flattened ; hind toe, with flap or small lobe.
* Group 1. Wing, 9.50 to 1 1 inches long.
Back, with white spots ; throat, white or whitish (immature or winter).
Gavia lumme. Red throated Loon.
See Xo. 7.
Back, without distinct white spots; the feathers, edged with ashy; throat, white or
dusky (immature or winter). Gavia arcticus. Black throated Loon.
See Xo. 6.
Head, ashy gray ; throat, black (adult). Gavia arcticus. Black=throated Loon.
See Xo. 6.
Throat, gray; front of neck, chestnut brown (adult).
Gavia lumme. Red-throated Loon.
See Xo. 7.
* Group 2. Wing, 1 1 to 15 inches long.
Section 1. Depth of bill at base, more than .85.
Head, black (adult). Gavia imber. Loon.
See Xo. 5.
Top of head, grayish; throat, white (immature or winter plumage).
Gavia imber. Loon.
See Xo. 5.
Section 2. Depth of bill at base, less than .85.
Head, ash gray; throat, black (adult). Gavia arcticus. Black-throated Loon.
See Xo. 6.
Throat, gray ; front of neck, chestnut brown (adult) .
Gavia lumme. Red=throated Loon.
See Xo. 7.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
28
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
•
Summer.
Loous.
Winter.
Loon.
Black-throated Loon.
FAMILY ALCIDJS. AUKS, PUFFINS, AND MURRES.
29
Back, with white spots ; throat, white or whitish (immature or winter) .
E.
Gulls.
Upper mandible, curved ; unguis (end of bill), not swollen; middle tail
feathers, about equal in length to the others ;
tail, rarely dark, although sometimes tipped
with black or brown ; hind toe, small, but
always present except in one genus ; bill, with-
out cere.
* Group 1. Wing, 9.50 to 11 inches long.
Underparts, white; inner web of first primary, white, with black spot near the end; the
tip, white ; shaft of feather, white ; adult birds have the bill dark red ; in immature birds
it is brownish. Larus franklinii. Franklin's Gull.
See Xo. 34.
Underparts, white ; inner web of first primary, white ; the tip, black; bill, black; shaft
of feather, white. Larus Philadelphia. Bonaparte's Gull.
See Xo. 35.
Underparts, white ; inner web of first primary, about half white ; shaft of feather,
dark brown on upper surface. In the adult the bill is black, tipped with yellow.
Xema sabinii. Sabine's Gull.
See Xo. 38.
* Group 2. Wing, 11 to 13 inches
Shafts of primaries, black or dark brown; underparts, not pure white (immature).
Larus atricilla. Laughing Gull.
See Xo. 33.
Underparts, pure white; inner web of first primary, white, with black spot near the
end, the tip, white; shaft of feathers, white. Adult birds have bill dark red; in immature
birds it is brownish. Larus franklinii. Franklin's Gull.
See Xo. 34.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
FAMILY LARID^. GULLS AND TERNS.
37
Summer.
Laughing Gull.
Winter.
Bonaparte's Gnll. Summer.
Bonaparte's Gull loses the black head in winter.
Sabine's Gull.
38 KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Underparts, white; first primar}-, entirely black or dark brown (adult).
Larus atricilla. Laughing Gull.
See No. 33.
General plumage, white; back, white; first primary entirely white, or with a blackish
spot at tip; hind toe, with nail; bill, yellow. Pagophiln alba. Ivory Gull.
See'No. 22.
Back, pearl gray ; inner web of primary, white, broadly tipped with black ; a small rudi-
mentayy hind toe without nail. llissa tridactyle. Kittiwake Gull.
See No. 23.
* Group 3. Wing, 13 to 15 inches long.
Underpants, white; first primary entirely black, or dark brown.
Larns atricilla. Laughing Gull.
See No. 33.
General plumage, white ; first primary, entirely white, or with a dusky spot near tip ; hind
toe, with nail; bill, less than 1.50; wing, less than 14 ; bill, yellow.
Pagophila alba. Ivory Qull.
See No. 22.
Underparts, white; inner web of primary, white, broadly tipped with black; a small
rudimentary hind toe, without nail. Larus tridactyla. Kittiwake Gull.
See No. 23.
Underparts, white ; terminal portion of first primary, black, with white spot near tip.
Larus delaware.nsis. Ring=billed Gull.
See No. 31.
Primaries, pale pearl gray, becoming white at tip; bill, over 1.50; wing, over 14.
Larus leucopterus. Iceland Gull.
See No. 25.
* Group 4. Wing, 15 to 17 inches long.
Section 1. Length, over 21 ; bill, over 2 ; underparts, white.
No black on primaries (adultX Larus glaucus. Glaucous Gull.
See No. 24.
Back, slaty black; primaries, black writh more or less white (adult).
Larus marinus. Great Black=backed Gull.
See No. 27.
Back, pale bluish, gray, or pearl gray ; primaries, dull black or brownish black, more
or less marked with white.
Larus aryentatus smithsonianus. American Herring Gull.
See No. 30.
* For directions for measurement, see page <).
FAMILY LARID^E. GULLS AND TERNS.
39
Section 2. Length, over 21; bill, over 2; underparts,
not white.
Outer webs of primaries, ash color (immature).
Lams glaucus. Glaucous Gull.
See Xo. 24.
Outer webs of primaries, dark brown; wing, over 17.50; depth of bill at angle, over .90
(immature). Larus marinus. Great Black-backed Gull.
See No. 27.
Outer webs of primaries, dark brown; depth of bill at angle, under .90; wing, under 17.50
(immature). Larus argentatus smithsonianus. American Herring Gull.
See No. 30.
Section 3. Length, over 21 ; bill, under 2; underparts, white.
Back, grayish blue, more or less black on primaries.
Larus argentatus smithsonianus. American Herring Gull.
See Xo. 30.
Back, pale pearl color; pri-
maries, whitish or pearl color,
shading to white at tips.
Larus leucopterus.
Iceland Gull.
See Xo. 2o.
Ring-billed Gull.
Back, pale pearl color; primaries
marked with slaty gray.
Larus knmlieni. Kumlien's Gull.
See No. 26.
Herring Gull.
40
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Section 4. Length, over 21 ; bill, under 2; underparts,
not white.
Outer webs of primaries, dark brown; bill, over 1.90 (immature).
Larus argentatus smithsonianus. American Herring Gull
See No. 30.
Outer webs of primaries, brownish; bill, under 1.90 (.immature).
Larus kumlieni. Kumlien's dull.
See No. 26.
Outer webs of primaries, ash color (immature). Larus leucopterus. Iceland Gull.
See No. 25.
Section 5. Length, under 21.
A baud of black on the bill (adult). Bill, dull yellow, tipped with black (immature).
Larus delawarensis. Ring°billed Gull.
See No. 31.
Terns. Gulls.
* Group 5. Wing, over 17 inches long.
Primaries, marked with more or less black. Larus marinus. Great BIack=backed Gull.
See No. 27.
Larus glaucus. Glaucous Gull.
See No. 24.
No black on primaries.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
FAMILY LARID.E. GULLS AND TERNS.
41
SUB= FAMILY STERNIN/E.
Terns.
Upper mandible, nearly straight, not hooked or decid-
edly rounded near tip ; outer tail feathers, usually longer
than middle feathers; toes, four; front toes, webbed;
hind toe, small, but well developed.
* Group 1. Wing, 5.50 to 7.50 inches long.
Forehead, white; bill, black; underparts, white; back,
pearl gray ; crown, black (adult in summer) ; back and crown,
mottled (immature). Sterna antillarum. Least Tern.
See No. 48.
* Group 2. Wing, 7.50 to 8.50 inches long.
Head and underparts, black (adult). A patch of black behind the eye; back of head,
dusky; rest of head, white (immature). Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis. Black Tern.
See No. 51.
* Group 3. Wing, 8.50 to 9.50 inches long.
Outer tail feathers, pure white.
Inner web of outer tail feather, gray.
Sterna dougalli. Roseate Tern.
See No. 47.
Sterna for steri. Forster's Tern.
See No. 44.
* Group 4. Wing, 9.50 to 1 1 inches long.
Outer web of outer tail feather, darker than inner web; back, pearl gray; breast,
washed with pearl gray; bill in adults, red, tipped with black; tarsus, usually over .70-
Sterna hirundo. Common Tern. Wilson's Tern.
See No. 45.
Inner web of outer tail feather, darker than outer web; back, pearl gray; breast,
white; bill iu adults, black, slightly yellowish at tip. Sterna forsteri. Forster's Tern.
See No. 44.
Outer tail feather, entirely pure white ; back, pearl gray ; breast, white, often tinged
with faint rose color; bill, in adults, black with basal portion, red.
Sterna dougalli. Roseate Tern.
See No. 47.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
42
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERX NORTH AMERICA.
Forster's Tern. Winter.
Roseate Tern.
Common Tern.
Least Tern. Gull-billed Tern.
Adult Terns (except the Noddy) have the top of the head entirely black, part of the year, varying with age
and season.
FAMILY LARID^E. — GULLS AND TERNS. 43
Outer web of outer tail feather, darker than inner web; back, pearl gray; breast
and underpart?, pearl gray; bill, in adults, entirely red; tarsus, usually less than .70.
Sterna paradiscea. Arctic Tern.
See No. 46.
Back, black ; a white stripe from forehead, extending over the eye ; breast, white ; bill,
in adults, black. Sterna fuliyinosa. Sooty Tern.
See No. 49.
Back, sooty or grayish brown; a white stripe from forehead, not reaching above the
eye ; bill, black. Sterna ancethetus. Bridled Tern.
See No. 50.
Back, sooty brown; uuderparts, sooty brown. Anous stolidus. Noddy Tern.
See No. 53.
* Group 5. Wing, 11 to 13 inches long.
Bill, black, not tipped with yellow; feet, blackish; back, pearl gray ; bill, comparatively
short and stout. Gelochelidon nilotica. Gull-billed Tern.
See No. 39.
Bill, black, not tipped with yellow; feet, black; back, black or sooty.
Sterna fuliginosa. Sooty Tern.
See No. 49.
Bill, red, tipped with black; feet, orange red; back, pearl gray or gray and buff.
Sterna hirnndo. Common Tern. Wilson's Tern.
See No. 45.
Bill, black, tipped with pale yellow; feet, dark; bill, comparatively long and slender.
Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida. Cabot's Tern.
See No. 39.
* Group 6. Wing, 13 to 17 inches long.
Bill, orange or yellowish ; tarsus, less "than 1.50; inner web of outer primary, usually
with more or less white. Sterna maxima. Royal Tern.
See No. 41.
Bill, red or reddish; tarsus, over 1.50; inner web of outer primary, usually without
white. Sterna caspia. Caspian Tern.
See No. 40.
Bill, black, tipped with yellow. Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida. Cabot's Tern.
See No. 39.
* Group 7. Wing, over 17 inches long.
Bill, red or reddish. Sterna caspia. Caspian Tern.
See No 40.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
44
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Caspian Tern
Royal Tern.
Top of head is at times entirely black.
Bridled Tern.
Sooty Tern.
Noddy Tern.
FAMILY EHYNCHOPIDJE. SKIMMERS.
45
FAHILY RHYNCHOPID^E.
Skimmers.
Bill, like blade of a knife, the under mandible the longer; plumage,
black above, white below.
* Group 1. Wing, 13 to 15 inches long.
Bill, thin, knife-like; lower mandible, the longer; basal half of bill, vermilion red, black-
ish at tip; upper plumage, black ; uuderparts, white. Bhynchops niyra. Black Skimmer.
See No. 51.
* For directions for measurement, see page
46
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
FAMILY DIOMEDEID/E.
Albatrosses.
Very large wing, over 19 inches long; upper mandible, curved near
tip, lorming a hook, the end (unguis) enlarged ; nostrils, separate and
tubular; hind toe, rudimentary, often apparently wanting.
* Group 1. Wing, 17 to 21 inches long
Bill, dark; the top Coalmen), yellow. A very large
sea bird.
Thalassogeron cnlminatus. Yellow = nosed Albatross.
See No. 56.
FAMILY PROCELLARIID/E.
Shearwaters, Petrels, and Fulmars.
Nostrils, tubular, united in one double-barrelled tube; front toes, pal=
mate (full webbed) ; hind toe, very small, and in some cases entirely
absent; upper mandible, curved near tip; wing, less than 19 inches long.
* Group 1. Wing, less than 5.50 inches long.
General plumage, sooty black, the underparts with faint
brownish tinge ; upper tail coverts, white, some of them tipped
with black. Procellaria pelaglca. Stormy Petrel.
See No. 67.
* Group 2. Wing, 5.50 to 6.50 inches long.
Tail, nearly square; upper tail coverts, \vhite, not tipped with black; uuderparts, dull
black; tarsus, over 1.05. Oceanites oceanicus. Wilson's Petrel.
See No. 69.
Tail, decidedly forked; upper tail coverts, white, not tipped with black; uuderparts,
brownish black or sooty brown; tarsus, less than 1.05.
Oceanodroma leucorhoa. Leach's Petrel.
See No. 68.
Underparts, white. Pelagodroma marina. White=faced Petrel.
See No. 71.
For directions for measuremeut, see page 9.
FAMILY PKOCELLARIIDJE. SHEARWATERS, PETRELS, AND FULMARS. 47
Leach's Petrel.
Stormy Petrel.
Wilson's Petrel.
White-faced Petrel.
48 'KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
* Group 3, Wing, 6.50 to 9.50 inches long.
Upper parts, dark sooty brown or grayish black ; un-
derpnrts, white; sides of breast, tinged with gray; middle
toe and claw, less than 2 inches long.
Puffinus auduboni. Audubon's Shearwater.
See No. 62.
The Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus, a European
species, somewhat resembles Audubon's Shearwater, but it
is larger, the back darker, the wing rarely, if ever, measur-
ing less than 8.40 inches, and the middle toe and claw 2 inches or more. It is of accidental
occurrence on our coast.
* Group 4. Wing, 11 to 13 inches long.
Upper and under tail coverts, gray or brownish gray ; breast, white.
Puffinus major. Greater Shearwater.
See No. 60.
Under tail coverts, gray ; upper tail coverts, sooty ; breast, gray.
Puffinus fuliyinosus. Sooty Shearwater.
See No. 63.
Upper and under tail coverts, white. ^Estrelata hasitata. Black=capped Petrel.
See No. 64.
Upper tail coverts, pearl gray; under tail coverts, white, or entire plumage, dark slate
color (dark phase) . Fulmarus glacialis, and races. Fulmar Petrel.
See Nos. 57 and 58.
* Group 5. Wing, 13 to 15 inches long.
Upper surface of tail feathers, dark slaty brown ; under tail coverts, ash gray or brownish
gray. Puffinus major. Greater Shearwater.
See No. 60.
Upper surface of tail feathers, dark slaty brown ; under tail coverts, white, sometimes
slightly mottled with grayish. Puffinus borealis. Cory's Shearwater.
See No. 59.
Upper surface of tail feathers, pale pearl gray ; upper tail coverts, pearl gray ; under tail
coverts, white ; or entire plumage, dark slate color (dark phase).
Fulmarus glacialis, and races. Fulmar Petrel.
See Nos. 57 and 58.
•
* Group 6. Wing, 15 to 17 inches long.
Upper surface of tail feathers, dark slaty brown; under tail coverts, ash gray, or
brownish gray. Puffinus major. Greater Shearwater.
See No. 60.
Upper surface of tail feathers, dark slaty brown ; under tail coverts, white ; sometimes
slightly mottled with grayish. Puffinus borealis. Cory's Shearwater.
See No. 59.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
FAMILY PROCELLARIID^E. SHEARWATERS, PETRELS, AND FULMARS. 49
Fulmar.
.*'*•
Cory's Shearwater.
Puffinus major.
Audubon'e Shearwater.
Black-capped Petrel.
50
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
ORDER STEQANOPODES.
Gannets, Pelicans, Cormorants, etc.
Toes, four, all connected by webs.
FAMILY PHAETHONTIDyE.
Tropic Birds.
Bill, sharp pointed; chin, feathered; toes, four, all
connected by webs.
Group 1. Wing, 9.50 to 13 inches long.
Bill, yellowish ; general plumage, white ; outer webs of primaries and lesser wing coverts,
black; middle tail feathers, very long; bill, yellow or pale orange; shafts of tail feathers,
black. Phaethon ' americana. Yellow-billed Tropic Bird.
See No. 72.
Bill, red ; back, finely barred with black. Rare straggler, recorded from Newfoundland
banks. Phaethon cethereus. Red=billed Tropic Bird.
See No. 73.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
FAMILY SULID^E. GANNETS. 51
FAMILY SULIO4S.
Gannets.
Bill, stout, but not hooked; chin, bare; neck, thick;
toes, four, all connected by webs.
* Group 1. Wing, 13 to 15 inches long.
Head, sooty brown; belly, white; feet, yellowish or greenish, but never red (adult).
Sitl a sula. Booby Qannet.
See No. 75.
Head, sooty brown; belly, brownish; feet, not red (immature).
Sula sula. Booby Qannet.
See No. 75.
Head, white, tinged with buff; belly, white; feet, red (adult).
Sula piscat or. Red-footed Booby.
See No. 76.
* Group 2. Wing, 15 to 17 inches lo"ng.
Section 1. Side of chin, feathered; a narrow strip of bare
skin down the middle of the throat.
Adult, white head, tinged with buff"; primaries, dark ; immature birds are mottled, gray-
ish brown and white. Sula bassana. Qannet.
See No. 77.
Section 2. Whole of chin and upper part of throat, bare
skin without feathers-.
General plumage, sooty brown (rarely whitish) ; underparts, white ; feet, greenish
yellow, or pale yellow. Sula sula. Booby Qannet.
See No. 75.
General plumage, white ; feet, red ; gular sack, blackish ; bare skin in front of eye
and angle of jaw, pink red ; tail, white; immature birds are grayish brown.
Sula piscator. Red -footed Booby.
See No. 76.
General plumage, white; feet, leaden blue; gular sack, blackish; bare skin in front of
eye, bluish; tail, sooty brown; the middle feathers tinged with hoary; young birds are
sooty gray. Sula cyanops. Blue=faced Booby.
See No. 74.
* Group 3. Wing, 17 to 21 inches long.
Sides of chin, feathered ; a narrow strip of bare skin down -'idle of throat ; adults, white ;
head tinged with buff; immature birds, mottled grayish brown a d hite. Sulabassana. Qannet.
See No. 77.
Whole chin and upper throat, bare ; feet, leaden blue ; wing, always less than 18. Acci-
dental straggler, on Florida coast, not recosded elsewhere in Eastern North America.
Sula cyanops. Blue-faced Booby Qannet.
See No. 74.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Adult.
Gannet.
Immature.
Gannet.
FAMILY ANHINGIDJE. SNAKE BIRDS.
53
FAMILY ANHINGID^B.
Darters. Snake Birds..
Bill, sharp-pointed and slender; chin, bare; neck, long and
slender ; toes, four, all connected by webs.
Group 1. Wing, 12.50 to 15.50 inches long.
Xeck, long, snake-like ; head and .neck, black in male; brown in female; outer webs of
two middle tail feathers, " fluted." Anhinga anhinga. Snake Bird. Water Turkey.
See No. 78.
*For directions for measurement, see page 9.
54
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
FAMILY PHALACROCORACIO4E.
Cormorants.
Bill, hooked at tip, and less than twelve inches long ;
bare skin at base of bill and chin ; lores, bare ; toes, four,
all connected by webs.
* Group 1. Wing, 11 to 15 inches long.
Taif composed of fourteen feathers.
Phalacrocoraxcarbo. Common Cormorant. Shag.
See No. 79.
Tail composed of twelve feathers.
Phalacrocorax dilophus, and races. Double crested Cormorant and Florida Cormorant.
See Nos. 80 and 81
The Mexican Cormorant, a smaller species, occasionally occurs in the Mississippi Valley.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
FAMILY PHALACROCORACID.E. COKMOKANTS.
55
Common Cormorant.
Double-crested Cormorant.
Mexican Cormorant.
56 KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
FAHILY PELECANIO4E.
Pelicans.
Bill, hooked at tip, over twelve inches long and having a large
pouch ; lores, bare ; toes, four, all connected by webs.
White Pelican.
* Group 1. Wing, over 17 inches long.
General plumage, white. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. White Pelican.
See No. 83.
General plumage, not white (coloration very variable according to age and season, but
never white). Pelecanus fuscus. Brown Pelican.
See No. 84.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
FAMILY PELECANID^E. — PELICANS.
57
P
.,: ***• .--.,,.
Brown Pelican.
General plumage, variable, according to age and season, but never white.
Pelicanus fuscus. Brown Pelican.
See No. 84.
58
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
FAMILY FREQATID^E.
Man-of-war Birds. Frigate Birds.
Bill, hooked at tip; lores, feathered; upper plumage, entirely black;
toes, four, all connected by webs ; tail, forked ; wings, very long.
* Group 1. Wing, over 21 inches long.
Entire plumage, black (adult, male) ; general plumage, black ; belly, white (female) ; head
and neck, whitish; belly, white; rest of plumage, black (immature).
Fregata aquila. Man-of-war Bird.
See No. 85.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
FAMILY ANATID^E. DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. 59
FAMILY ANATID^E.
DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS.
SUBFAMILY MERGING. MERGANSERS.
FISH-EATING DUCKS HAVING NARROW BILLS WITH TOOTH-LIKE SERRATIONS ON
EDGES ; TARSUS, SCUTELLATE IN FRONT (TRANSVERSE SCALES) .
GROUP 1. Wing, 6.50 to 8.50 inches long. See page 61.
GROUP 2. Wing. 8.50 to 12 inches long. See page 63.
SUBFAMILY ANATIN^E. RIVER AND POND DUCKS.
DUCKS HAVING HIND TOE WITHOUT WELL DEVELOPED, MEMBRANEOUS LOBE OR
FLAP; TARSUS, SCUTELLATE (TRANSVERSE SCALES) IN FRONT.
GROUP 1. Wing, 5 to 7.50 inches long. See page 63.
GROUP 2. Wing, 8 to 10 inches long. See page 64.
Section 1. Belly, white. See page 64.
Section 2. Belly, not white. See page 64.
GROUP 3. Wing, 10 to 14 inches long. See page 65.
Section 1. Belly, white, or tinged with dusky or gray on lower part. See page 65.
Section 2. Belly, not white. See page 66.
SUBFAMILY FULIGULIN^. BAY AND SEA DUCKS.
•
DUCKS HAVING A FLAP OR MEMBRANEOUS LOBE ON HIND TOE ; TARSUS, SCUTELLATE
(TRANSVERSE SCALES) IN FRONT.
GROUP 1. Wing, 5 to 6.50 inches long. See page 71.
Section 1. Tail feathers, not stiff and pointed. See page 71.
Section 2. Tail feathers, stiff and pointed. See page 71.
GROUP 2. Wing, 6.50 to 7.50 inches long. See page 71.
Section 1. Belly, white. See page 71.
Section 2. Belly, not white. See page 72.
GROUP 3. Wing, 7.50 to 8.50 inches long. See page 72.
Section 1. Head, with more or less white or brownish white ; belly, white, sometimes
tinged with dusky or gray on lower part. See page 72.
Section 2. No white or grayish white on head ; belly, white ; sometimes tinged with
grayish white on head. See page 73.
Section 3. Belly, not white. See page 73.
GROUP 4. \Viug, 8.50 to 10 inches long. See page 74.
Section 1. Hind toe, with flap or lobe; belly, white, sometimes tinged on lower part
with dusky or gray ; head, marked with more or less white, or brownish white. See
page 74.
60 KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Section 2. Belly, white, sometimes tinged on lower part with gray or dusky; no
white or grayish white on head. See page 74.
Section 3. Belly, not white; head, marked with more or less -white, or grayish
white. See page 76.
Section 4. Belly, not white ; no white on head. See page 77.
GROUP 5. Wing, 10 to 14 inches long. See page 77.
Section 1. Head, with more or less white, or grayish white ;• belly, black. See
page 77.
Section 2. No white on head; belly, black. See page 79.
Section 3. Head, with more or less white, or grayish white ; belly, mottled brown,
or grayish brown, or slaty. See page 79.
Section 4. No white on head; belly, mottled brown, or grayish brown. Seepage 80.
SUBFAMILY ANSERINE. GEESE.
LOBES, FEATHERED ; TARSUS, RETICULATE.
GROUP 1. Wing, 12 to 14 inches long. See page 81.
GROUP 2. Wing, 14 to 20 inches long. See page 81.
Section 1. Head and neck, black or blackish, marked with more or less white ; bill
and feet, black See page 81.
Section 2. Head, white, sometimes tinged with brownish orange ; bill and feet, pink
or flesh color in life ; yellowish or pale brownish in dried skin. See page 83.
Section 3. Head, brownish or grayish, sometimes marked with white ; bill, pinkish ;
feet, yellow or pink. See page 83.
SUBFAMILY CYGNIN^E. SWANS.
BARE SKIN BETWEEN THE BILL AND EVE ; TARSUS, RETICULATE ; NECK, VERY
LONG; WING, OVER 19 INCHES LONG. See page 84.
FAMILY ANATID^E. — DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. 61
ORDER ANSERES.
Lamellirostral Swimmers.
FAMILY ANATID^E.
Ducks, Geese, and Swans.
SUBFAMILY MERGIN/E.
Mergansers.
Fish-eating Ducks having narrow bills with tooth-like serrations on
edges, and the tarsus, scutellate in front.
* Group 1. Wing, from 6.50 to 8.50 inches long.
Section 1. Bill, narrow, with tooth=like serrations.
Lophodytes cucullatus (male) . Lophodytes cucullatus.
Head, brownish or grayish ; tarsus, less than 1.50; crest, small (female and immature).
Lophodytes cucullatus. Hooded Merganser.
See No. 88.
Head, with black and white crest; tarsus, less than 1.50 (male).
Lophodytes cucullatus. Hooded Herganser.
See Xo. 88.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
62
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN 'NORTH AMERICA.
Red-breasted Merganser.
Male.
American Merganser.
Female.
Male.
Hooded Merganser.
Female.
FAMILY ANATID^E. DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS.
63
* Group 2. Wing, from 8.50 to 12 inches long.
Section 1. Bill, narrow, with tooth=like serrations.
Distance from nostril to tip of bill, less than 1.50 ; head
and neck, greenish black ; underparts, creamy white, tinged
with salmou color; feet, red (male).
Merganser americana. American Merganser. Sheldrake.
See No. 86.
Distance from nostril to tip of bill, less than 1 .50 ; head,
rufous brown ; upper throat, white; feet, orange red (female).
Merganser americana. American flerganser. Sheldrake.
See No. 86.
Top of bill.
Merganser americana.
Distance from nostril to tip of bill, more than 1.50; head,
black, tinged with green; breast, rufous, streaked with black
(male). Merganser serrator. Red-breasted Herganser.
See No. 87.
Merganser serrator.
Distance from nostril to tip of bill, more than 1.50 ; head, brownish, palest on the
throat; speculum, white (female). Merganser serrator. Red-breasted Herganser.
See No. 87.
SUBFAMILY ANATIN/E.
River and Pond Ducks.
Ducks having hind toe without membraneous
lobe or flap ; tarsus, scutellate in front.
*«Group 1. Wing, 5 to 7.50 inches long.
Section 1. Hind toe, without flap or lobe.
Large patch pale blue on wing (coverts) ;
white crescent on face (male) ; no white
crescent, face speckled; chin whitish (fe-
male) . Common in Eastern United States.
Anas discors. Blue-winged Teal.
Anasdiscors. See No. 97.
Large patch of pale blue on wing (coverts) ; head and breast, rufous In-own ; crown,
* For directions for measurement, see page 9,
64
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
blackish (male) ; sides of head, speckled (dull white, dotted with black) ; chin and throat,
dusky, tinted with rufous (female). Western species rare east of the Mississippi River.
Anas cyanoptera. Cinnamon Teal.
See No. 98.
No blue patch on wing ; head, rufous brown with large patch of green through eye
to nape ; speculum, black and greeu (male) ; head, speckled. No blue patch on wing (female).
Anas carolinensis. Green=winged Teal.
See No. 96.
* Group 2. Wing, from 8 to 10 inches long.
Section 1. Belly, white; no flap or lobe on hind toe.
Head, green, purple, black, and white ; chin and upper throat,
white; feet, yellow in life (male).
Aix sponsa. Wood Duck. Summer Duck.
See No. 101.
Head, grayish brown with white
stripe through the eye ; chin and up-
per throat, white ; toes, dull yellow in
life (female).
Aix sponsa. Wood Duck.
Summer Duck.
See No. 101.
Aix sponsa.
Head, brown ; chin, not white; a white stripe on sides of the neck; tail, pointed (male).
Dafila acuta. Pintail Duck.
See No . 100.
Section 2. Belly, not white; hind toe, without mem=
braneous lobe or flap.
Bill, more than one inch wide near tip; head, green
or greenish ; speculum, metallic green ; axilla s, white;
feet, orange red in life (male).
Spatula dypeata. Shoveller Duck. Broad-bill.
See No. 99.
Bill, more than one inch wide near tip; head, nar-
rowly streaked and speckled with brown and dull white ;
speculum, metallic green; feet, orange red in life; axil-
lars, white (female).
Spatula dypeata. Shoveller Duck. Broad-bill.
See No. 99.
Spatula dypeata.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
FAMILY ANATID^E. — DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS.
65
Bill, less thau one inch wide near tip; head, lined and speckled with brown and
brownish white; speculum, not metallic green; axi liars, white, barred with brown; rump
and tail coverts, brown, narrowly edged and banded with
white; feet, dusky (female).
Dafila acuta. Pintail Duck.
Axillar. Dafila acuta. See No. 100.
Belly, white, with more or less brown spots; axillars, white; bill, less thau .90
wide at widest part (female). Anas strepera. Qadwall.
See No. 92.
Belly, more or less spotted ; throat, white ; rump, olive brown ;. secondaries, metallic
green, tipped with white; axillars and under wing coverts, heavily barred; toes, yellowish in
life (female). Aix sponsa. Wood Duck. Summer Duck.
See No. 101.
* Group 3. Wing, from 10 to 14 inches long.
Section 1. Hind toe, without membraneous lobe or flap;
belly, white, sometimes faintly tinged with dusky or
gray on lower part.
Axillars, white; the shafts, white ; exposed speculum, black
and white; head, tawny brown; cheeks and throat, tawny,
speckled with brown (male).
Anas strepera. Qadwall. Creek Duck.
See No. 92.
Axillars, white; the shafts, white; -head, speckled;
exposed speculum, black and white (female).
Anas strepera. Qadwall. Creek Duck.
See No. 92.
Axillars, white with dark shafts; speculum, green and black; white patch on
shoulder; top of head, white (male). Anas americana. American Widgeon. Baldpate.
See No. 94.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
H6 KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Axillars, white with dark shafts; no white shoulder patch ; head, speckled (female).
Anas americana. American Widgeon. Baldpate.
See No. 94.
Axillars, grayish white; head, brown, not speckled; stripe of white on sides of
neck; tail, pointed; middle feathers, long (male). Dafila an/fn. Pintail Duck.
See No. 100.
Section 2. Hind toe, without membraneous lobe or flap ;
belly, not white.
Speculum, bluish purple edged with white; head, green ;
a white ring around neck; breast, chestnut; belly, grayish white;
feet, orange red; axillars, white (male).
Anas boschns. Mallard Duck.
See No. 89.
Anas boschas.
Belly, white, showing more or less brown spots; axillars, white; bill, less than .90 wide
at widest part; speculum, black and white (female). Anas strepera. Gadwall.
See No. 92.
Speculum, bluish purple, edged with white
and black ; greater wing coverts, with broad band
of white; head, tawny brown, streaked with dark
brown ; belly, pale buff, mottled with brown ; feet,
orange red; axillars, white (female).
Anas boschas. Mallard Duck.
See No. 89.
Anas boschas.
Speculum, purplish blue; no white band on greater wing coverts; head and throat,
streaked ; throat, not buff, no black spot at base of bill ; feet, olive (sometimes red) ; axillars,
white; Eastern North America. Anas obscura. Black Duck. Dusky Duck.
See No. 90.
Speculum, purplish blue; no white band on greater wing coverts; head, pale brown;
upper throat, buff, not streaked; bill, yellowish olive; nail of bill and spot at base, black;
feet, pale orange red; axillars, white. Florida species occasionally observed on Gulf coast to
Louisiana. Anas fulviyula. Florida Black Duck. Florida Dusky Duck.
See No. 91.
FAMILY ANATID^:. DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS.
67
1. AMERICAN MERGANSER. Male.
2. AMERICAN- MERGANSER. Female.
3. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. Male.
4. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. Female.
5. HOODED MERGANSER. Male.
6. HOODED MERGANSER. Female.
7. MALLARD DUCK. Male.
8. MALLARD DUCK. Female.
9. BLACK DUCK.
10. FLORIDA DUCK.
11. GADWALL. Male.
12. GADWALL. Female.
13. EUROPEAN WIDGEON.
H. AMERICAN WIDGEON.
15. AMERICAN WIDGEON.
Male.
Female.
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
1. GREEX -WINGED TEAL. Male.
•2. GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Female.
3. BUTE-WINGED TEAL. Male.
4. BLUE -WINGED TEAL. Female.
5. CINNAMON TEAL.
6. SHOVELLER DUCK. Male.
7. SHOVELLER DUCK. Female.
8. PINTAIL DUCK. Male.
9. PINTAIL DUCK. Female.
10. WOOD DUCK, Male.
11. WOOD DUCK. Female.
12. REDHEAD DUCK. Male. -
13. REDHEAD DUCK. Female.
14. CANVAS-BACK DUCK. Male.
15. CANVAS-BACK DUCK. Female.
FAMILY ANATID^E. DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS.
69
1. AMERICAN SCAUP DUCK. Male. G. AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE DUCK. Male. 11. OLD SQUAW. Male.
2. AMERICAN SCAUP DUCK. Female. 7. AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE DUCK. Female. 1-2. OLD SQUAW. Female.
3. LESSER SCAUP DUCK. 8. BARROW'S GOLDEN-EYE DUCK. 13. HARLEQUIN DUCK. Male.
4 RING-NECKED DUCK. Male. 9. BUKKLE-IIEAD DUCK. Male. 14. HARLEQUIN DUCK. Female.
5. KING-NECKED DUCK. Female. 10. BUKKLE-IIEAD DUCK. Female. 15. STELLER'S DUCK.
70
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
1. NORTHERN EIDER DUCK.
2. AMERICAN EIDER DUCK. Male.
3. AMERICAN EIDER DUCK. Female.
4. KING EIDER DUCK.
5. AMERICAN SCOTER DUCK. Male.
6. AMERICAN SCOTER DUCK. Female.
7. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER DUCK. Male.
s. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER DUCK. Female.
9. SURF SCOTKR DUCK. Male.
10. SURF SCOTER DUCK. Female.
11. RUDDY DUCK. Male.
1-2. RUDDV DUCK. Female.
13. MASKED Drcic. Male.
14. MASKED DUCK. Female.
FAMILY ANATID^E; DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. 71
SUBFAMILY FULIGULIN/E.
Bay and Sea Ducks.
Ducks having flap or membraneous lobe on
hind toe; tarsus, scutellate (transverse scales) in
front.
* Group 1. Wing, from 5 to 6.50 inches long.
Section 1. Tail feathers, not stiff and pointed.
Head, greenish purple, with white patch (male) ; head,
grayish brown with white patch (female or immature) ; no
dark stripes on cheek; bill, less than three fourths inch wide.
Charitonetta albeola. Buffle=head Duck. Dipper Duck.
See No. 110.
Charitonetta albeola.
Section 2. Tail feathers, stiff and pointed.
Throat, whitish ; cheeks, %hite or whitish ; bill, broad, three quarters inch or more wide.
Erismat urn jamaiwnsis. Ruddy Duck.
See No.
Front of head, including cheeks, black (adult) ; head with black stripes on side ("female
or immature). Tropical species accidental in the United States.
Nomonyx dominicus, flasked Duck.
See No. 123.
* Group 2. Wing, from 6.50 to 7.50 inches long.
Section 1. Belly, white.
Head, greenish purple, no white on head ; back, barred
black and white ; speculum, white (male).
Aythya affinis. Lesser Scaup Duck. Blue = bill.
See No. 106.
Aythya aflinis.
Head, brownish, a patch of dull white at base of bill ; no white on ear coverts ; speculum,
white (female). Aythya affinis. Lesser Scaup Duck. Blue-bill.
See No. 106.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
72 KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Head, greenish purple, no white on head; back, dull black; speculum, gray (male).
Aythya collaris. Ring=neck Duck.
See No. 107.
Head, dull brown, browni-h white at base of bill and below eye; speculum, gray
(female). Aythya collaris. Ring=neck Duck.
See No. 107.
Head, greenish purple, a large patch of white on back of head (male).
Charitonetta albeola. Buffle=headed Duck.
See No. 110.
Head, dark brown or dusky, a patch of white behind the eye (on ear coverts) ; no
white or brownish white at base of bill; speculum, white (female).
Charitonetta albeola. Buffle=headed Duck.
See No. 110.
Section 2. Belly, not white.
Plumage, variously marked with white, slate-color, and chestnut (male).
Histrionicus histrionicus. Harlequin Duck.
See No. 112.
General plumage, dull brown, mottled on the under parts (female).
Histrionicus histrionicvs. Harlequin Duck.
See No. 112.
Head, mostly white, greenish on lores and occiput (male).
Eniconetta stelleri. Stellers' Duck.
See No. 114.
Head, light brown; belly, clear, sooty brown (female).
Eniconetta stelleri. Stellers' Duck.
See No. 114.
* Group 3. Wing, from 7.50 to 8.50 inches long.
Section 1. Head, marked with more or less white or
brownish white; belly, white, sometimes tinged with
dusky or gray on lower part.
Head, brownish ; a patch of dull white on face at base
of bill; speculum, white (female).
Aythya marila. Greater Scaup Duck. Blue-bill.
See No. 105.
Aythya marila nearctica.
Speculum, white, similar to preceding but somewhat smaller (female). More common in
the South than the Greater Scaup Duck. Aythya affinis. Lesser Scaup Duck.
See No. 106.
* For directions for measurement, see page 0.
FAMILY ANATIDvE. DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. 7,3
Speculum, gray ; head and neck, brownish; chin and anterior portion of lores, brownish
white or whitish (female) ; resembles female Red-head, but is smaller.
Aythya collari*. Ring-necked Duck.
See No. 107.
A patch of white or grayish white on the head, including the eye; no speculum;
under tail coverts, white; adult males have the tail feathers long and pointed.
CIan").
SUBFAMILY FULICIN/E.
Coots.
Bill, short and pointed ; forehead, with more or less of a shield ; toes, with large lobate
webs; head, blackish; back, dark slaty gray; uuderparts, dark ash gray, whitish, on abdomen.
Fulica amrricana. American Coot, flud Hen. Blue Peter.
See Xo. 178.
* Fur directions for measurement, see page 9.
FAMILY RALLHXE. RAILS.
SUBFAMILY QALLINULIN/E.
Gallinules.
Toes, not webbed ; no white on sides
of body; head and breast, purplish blue;
back, greenish.
lonornia martinicn. Purple Qallinule.
See No. 175.
Head, smoky black ; breast, dark gray ; toes, not
webbed : more or less white on sides of body.
• GnUinttht ;i-fe !i
110
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Back, greenish olive, sometimes barred with black; axillars, white, without bars. At
some seasons uuderparts with round black spots; a small web between the outer and
middle toe. Actitis macularia. Spotted Sandpiper.
See No. 216.
Spotted Sandpipers.
Winter.
Section 2. Toes, four, a small web between outer and
middle toes; bill, over 1.75.
Macrorhamphus griseus. Macrorhnmphus gxiMOB.
Bill, over 1.75 ; axillars, white, barred with dark brown: rump and tail, white, spotted
and banded with black. Macrorhamphns grisens. Dowitcher. Red-breasted Snipe.
Maerorhamphus scolopaceus. Long-billed Dowitcher.
See Nos. 188 and 189.
Section 3. Toes, four, without web ; bill, over 2 inches long.
Axillars, rufous Jbrown, without bars; belly, buff color. Philohela minor. Woodcock.
See No. 185.
Axillars, barred black and white; belly, white; upper tail
coverts and tail, tawny, more or less marked with black.
Gallinago delicata. Wilson's Snipe. Jack Snipe.
See No. 187.
Gallinagu delicata.
FAMILY SCOLOPAGIU^E. SNIPE, SANDP1PEU8, CUltLEWS, ETC. Ill
Woodcock.
Wilson's Snipe.
112
KEY TO THE BIKUS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Section 4. Toes, four, without web; bill, over 1.10; and
less than 1.90.
Winter.
Bill, decurved near tip; one or more of inner secondaries,
almost entirely white ; upper tail coverts, not ichite, barred with black ;
legs and feet, black. Spring birds have black on the belly, and
back, rufous brown and black. Fall birds have the belly white and
back gray. Tringa alpina pacifica. Red=backed Sandpiper.
American Dunlin.
See No. 198.
Tringa alpina pacifica.
FAMILY SCOLOPACID.E. SNIPE, SANDPIPERS, CURLEWS, ETC. 113
Curlew Sandpiper.
Bill, decurved near the tip: upper tail coverts, white,
banded with black or dark brown.
Tringa ferruyinca. Curiew Sandpiper.
See ]So. 199.
Tringa ferrnginea.
Tail and upper tail coverts.
114
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA,
Tringa maculata.
Tail and upper tail coverts
Pectoral Sandpiper.
Bill, nearly straight; bacK, marked with tawny and black;
breast with numerous narrow, brown streaks ; none of inner
secondaries almost entirely white ; lower rump
and upper tail coverts, black ; the feathers
more or less tipped with bufl : two middle
tail feathers longer than the others.
Tringa maculata. Pectoral Sandpiper.
Grass Bird.
See No. TJ3.
Tringa maculata.
Bill, nearly straight; back, dark; feathers,
edged with ashy or buff; breast, grayish, without
brown streaks; one or more of inner secondaries
almost entirely white; legs and feet, yellow in life,
pale brown in dried skin.
Tringa maritima. Purple Sandpiper.
See No. 192.
Purple Sandpiper.
Section 5. Toes, four, without web; bill, under 1.10.
Upper tail coverts, white ; inner webs
of primaries, not speckled.
Tringa fuscicnlHs.
White°rumped Sandpiper.
See No. 194.
Tringa fuscicollis.
Tringa fuscicollis.
FAMILY SCOLOPACID^E. SNIPE, SANDPIPERS, CURLEWS, ETC.
115
Middle upper tail coverts, smoky or dusky, often
tipped with butt'; inner webs of primaries not speckled; sides,
white; middle toe and claw, less than .95; legs :md bill,
blackish. Tringa bairdii. Baird's Sandpiper.
See No. 195.
Tringa bairdii.
Tail and upper tail coverts.
Tringa maculata.
Tail and upper tail coverts.
niddle upper tail coverts, black, often narrowly tipped
with brownish buff; inner webs of primaries, not speckled;
middle toe and claw, over .93; middle tail feathers decidedly
longer than the. rest; legs, yellowish olive; base of hill, dull
olive ; tip, black.
Tringa maculata. Pectoral Sandpiper. Grass Bird.
See No. 193.
Inner web of primaries speckled.
Trynyites subruficollis. Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
See No. 215.
Tryngites subruflcollis.
First primary.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
Section 6. Toes, three ; bill, over .60 inch.
Bill, black; shoulder (lesser and middle wing coverts), brown; no web
between toes ; legs, black. Calidris arenaria. Sanderling Sandpiper.
See No. 202.
arenaria.
116
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
* Group 4. Wing, 5.50 to 6.75 inches long.
Section 1. Toes, four, a small web between outer and
middle toe; bill, over 1.80.
Upper tail coverts and axillars, white, spotted or barred with
dusky; bill, nearly straight.
Macrorhamphus rjriscus. Red=breasted Snipe, or Dowitcher.
See No. 188.
Jfacrorhamphus ncolopacetis. Western Red=breasted Snipe, or
Long-billed Dowitcher.
Macrorhamphus griseus. See No> 189'
Section 2. Toes, four, a small web between outer and
middle toe; bill, under 1.80.
Tarsus and middle toe together, more than 2.60 inches long;
outer primary, slate brown, without bars ; rump and upper tail coverts,
white, more or leas barred with brown; legs, yellow.
Totanus ivipe.s. Summer Yellow=leg.
See No. 208.
Totanuti flavipes.
Stilt Sandpiper.
Tarsus and middle toe, together, less than 2.60; upper tail coverts, white, or white burred with
black; outer primary, slate brown, without bars.
Mirropalama himantopus. Stilt Sandpiper.
See No. 190.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
FAMILY SCOLOPACID^E. — SNIPE, SANDPiPEUS, CUKLKWS, ETC. 117
Upland Plover.
Outer primary, whitish, barred with dark brown.
Bartramift lomjimnda. Bartramian Sandpiper. Upland Plover.
See No. 214.
Section 3. Toes, four, without web ; bill, over 2 inches long.
Lower belly, whitish or white; axillars, barred -black and
white. Gallinago delicata. Wilson's Snipe. Jack Snipe.
See No. 187.
Uallinago delicata.
118
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Belly, buff color; axillars, rufous brown.
Philohela minor. Woodcock.
See No. 185.
Thilohela minor.
Section 4. Toes, four, without web; bill, under 2 inches
long.
Rump, gray ; upper tail coverts, whitish, banded or marked with
black : inner webs or primaries not speckled.
Tringa canuius. Knot.
See No. 191.
Tringa canutus.
Rump, blackish ; middle upper tail coverts, black (not
Bunded) ; inner web of primaries not speckled.
Tringa maculata. Pectoral Sandpiper. Grass Bird.
See No. 193.
Tringa maculata.
Inner webs of primaries, speckled.
Trynyites subrujicollis. Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
See No. 215.
Tryugites subruflcollis.
FAMILY SCOLOPACID.E. — SNIPE, SANDPIPERS, CURLEWS, ETC.
119
* Group 5. Wing, 6 75 to 9 inches long.
Section I. Toes, four, with more or less web; bill, curved
upwards or straight ; bill, over 2.60.
Willet.
Axillars, dark gray, or sooty
gray; belly, grayish white; first
primary, dark slaty brown with
white shaft; bill, curved upward ;
upper tail coverts mostly white.
Limosa hit'uKistir/i.
Hudsonian Qodwit.
Sec No. -234. .
.-
Syrnphemia semipalmata.
Axillars, smoky black; belly, white ; termi-
nal third of outer primary, black; the rest, white;
bill, nearly straight.
Symphemia scmipalmata. Willet.
frymphrmia spmipalmata inornata.
Western Willet.
See Nos. 211 and 212.
Hudsonian God-wit.
* Km- directions for measurement, see page 9.
120
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Marbled Godwit.
53
Axillars, rufous brown ; vipper tail
coverts, not white; belly, buft, sometimes
barred with dark brown; primaries, pale
rufous brown with numerous dark dots;
shaft of primaries, white ; bill, curved
upward.
fi'«. flarbled God wit.
See No. 203.
Limosa fedoa.
Section 2. Toes, four, without web; bill, nearly straight;
bill, over 2.60.
Axillars, banded with white and grayish brown ; belly, pale brown, banded with
dark brown ; primaries, grayish brown ; outer web, banded with pale brown or rufous
brown ; shaft of primaries, dark; bill, nearly straight.
Scolopax rusticola. European Woodcock.
See No. 184.
FAMILY SCOLOPACHXE. — SNIPE, SANDPIPERS, CURLEWS, ETC.
121
Section 3. Toes, four (with small web); bill, slightly curved
upward or straight; bill, under 2.60 and over 1.50.
Axillars, smoky black; belly, white; outer primary ter-
minal third, black, rest white; rump, gray; upper tail coverts,
white. Symphemia semipalmata. WHIet.
Sec Xo. 211.
Axillars, white, with fe\v lijjht brown dots ne;ir the ends ; belly, white ; outer primary
dark, with shaft, white; rump, white without bars; upper tail coverts, white, without
bars ; legs, olive green. Totanus nebular im. Greenshank.
See No. 206.
Axillars, white, banded with brown ; belly, white; outer primary, black; shaft, white;
rump, grayish brown; feathers, tipped with white; upper tail coverts, white, more
or less barred with dark brown ; legs, bright yellow.
Totanus melanoleurus. Winter Yellowlegs. Greater Yellowlegs.
See No. 207.
Section 4. Toes, four, with small web ; bill, nearly straight;
bill, under 1.50.
'
Upland Plover.
Axillars, white, banded with brown; fir*t primary, brown, with white bars on inner
web; tip, dark. Bartramia Innijicanda. Bartramian Sandpiper. Upland Plover.
See Xo. 214.
122
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTKRN NORTH AMERICA.
Section 5, Toes, four, with small web ; bill, curved down=
ward ; bill, over 2 inches long.
Primaries, barred ;
jixillars barred.
Numenius hudsouicus.
Hudsonian Curlew.
Jack Curlew.
See No. 218.
Primaries , without bars ; axilla rs,
barred.
Numenius boreal is. Esquimaux Curlew.
Dough Bird.
See No. 219.
First primary.
Curlews
FAMILY SCOLOPACID^E. — SNIPE, SANDPIPERS, CURLEWS, ETC.
123
* Group 6. Wing, 9 to 12 inches long.
Section 1. Toes, four; bill, curved downward.
Axillars, reddish brown with narrow black marks; bell}', buff; bill, usually over
four inches. Numenius longirostris. Long-billed Curlew. Sickle-bill Curlew
See No. 217.
V.
Axillars, banded with
slaty brown and dull white];
belly, whitish; bill, under four
inches.
Jack Curlew.
Hud.sonian Curlew.
See Xo. 218.
First primary.
Hudsonian Curlew.
Axillars.
Section 2. Toes, four; bill, curved upward, or nearly
straight.
Axillars, rufous ; primaries, rufous,
dotted with hlni-k.
Limosa fedoa. flarbled Qodwit.
See No. 203.
Limosa fedoa.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
124
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
FAMILY CHARADRIIO4E.
Plovers.
Toes, three, no hind toe.
The Plovers are a cosmopolitan family, numbering something less than one hundred
species, fifteen of which occur iu North America, including exotic stragglers. As a rule they
have but three toes, although two genera, Squatarola and Vauellus, have four. The tarsus is
reticulate and the toes are partly webbed.
Black-bellied Plover (Winter)
Piping Plover.
Semipalmated Plover.
* Group 1. Wing, 3.75 to 4.50 inches long.
Section 1. Bill, under .60.
Bill, orange at base, the tip, black; legs, dull flesh color; a black
stripe from bill passing under eye.
Aegialitis semipalmata. Semipalmated Plover.
See No. 226.
Aegialitis semi
pahnata.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
FAMILY OFTARADRIin.E. PLOVEHS.
125
Bill, orange at base, the tip, black ; legs, orange yellow ; two middle tail feathers, tipped
with white; no black stripe from bill to eye; black breast band not confluent. Species
not found west of the Rocky flountains. Aegialitis meloda. Piping Plover.
See No. 228.
Bill, orange at base, the tip, black ; legs, orange yellow ; middle tail feathers, tipped with
white; no black stripe from bill to eye; a continuous black band on breast. Species not
found west of Rocky flountains.
Aegialilis meloda circumcincta. Belted Piping Plover.
See No. 229.
Bill, entirely black ; legs, slate color ; two outer tail feathers, entirely
white; two middle feathers, not tipped with white; no black stripe from
bill to eye. Ranges from Texas and Kansas west to the Pacific Ocean;
casual in Western Florida and Cuba; not known to occur on the Atlantic
Coast. Aeyialitis nivosa. Snowy Plover.
See No. 229a.
Section 2. Bill, over .60 inch long.
Aegialitis nivosa.
A egialitis wilsonia.
A very small web between outer and middle toes ; bill, large and thick ;
a band of black (male) or brown (female) on breast.
Aegialitis wilsonia. Wilson's Plover.
See No. 230.
x Group 2. Wing, 4.50 to 5.50 inches long; toes, three,
no hind toe.
Section 1. Bill, over .60 inch long.
Bill, thick; shoulder (lesser and middle wing coverts), ashy gray;
legs, dull flesh color; a small web between toes.
Aegialitis wilsonia. Wilson's Plover. rs
See No. 230. Aegialitis wilsonia.
Section 2. Bill, under .60 inch long.
Bill, orange at base, the tip, black; legs, dull flesh color; a black
stripe from bill passing under eye.
Aegialitis semipalmata. Semi pal mated Plover. Ring Neck.
See No. 226.
Aegialitis semipalmata.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
126 KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Bill, orauge at base, the tip, black; legs, orange yellow: no black stripe from bill to eye;
black breast baud, not confluent; t\vo middle tail feathers, tipped with white. Eastern
species not found west of Rocky Mountains. Aegialitis meloda. Piping Plover.
See No. 228.
Bill, orange at base, the tip, black; legs, orange yellow; no black stripe from bill to eye-,
breast band, continuous and not broken in the middle; two middle tail feathers, tipped with
white. Eastern species not found west of Rocky Mountains.
Aegialitis m-loda circumcincta. Belted Piping Plover.
See No. 229.
Snowy Plover. Aegialitis nivosa.
Bill, entirely black; legs, slate color; no black stripe from bill to eye ; two middle tail
feathers, not tipped with white ; two outer tail feathers, white. Western species ranges
from Texas and Kansas, west, to the Pacific Ocean. Accidental in Florida.
Aegialitis nivosa. Snowy Plover.
See No. 229a.
* Group 3. Wing, 5.50 to 6.75 inches long; toes, three,
no hind toe.
Breast, with two" black bands; uuderparts, whito: rump and upper tail coverts, orange
brown. ^Eyialitis vocifcm. Killdeer Plover.
See No. 225.
No black baud on breast; back, brownish gray; rump, not orange brown. Western
species of casual occurrence in Florida. ^Egialitis montana. Mountain Plover.
See No. 231.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
FAMILY QHARADRIID^. PLOVERS.
127
Black-bellied Plover.
Killdeer Plover.
Rinjr-neck Plover.
Piping Plover.
Wilson's Plover.
Snowy Plover.
128
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
* Group 4. Wing, over 6.75 inches long.
Section 1. Toes, three.
Black axillars of Black.bellied Plover.
Gray axillars of Golden Plover.
Axillars, gray; rump, not orange brown.
Charadrius duminint*. Golden Plover.
See No. 221.
C'haradrius dominions.
Axillars, smoky black; rump and upper tail coverts, not orange brown.
Clutradrius squatarola. Black-bellied Plover.
Sec No. 222.
This species has four toes (the hind toe being so small that it often escapes notice), and properly belongs in
Group 5, Section 3, but owing to the fact that it is constantly looked for among the three-toed species it is included
in both sections.
Hump, orange brown; underparts, white, with two black bands on the breast ; axillars.
pure white. JEgialitis vocifera. Killdeer Plover.
See No. 225.
No black bands on breast; shaft of first primary, white; back, brownish gray; axillars,
white. A Western species of casual occurrence in Florida; not recorded elsewhere on
Atlantic coast. ^Egialitis montana. Mountain Plover.
See No. 231.
Section 2. Toes, four.
Axillars, smoky black; tarsus, over 1.70; hind toe, very small.
Charadrius squatarol'i. Black=bellied Plover.
See No. 222.
* For directions for measurement, see page 9.
FAMILY APHRIZID^. SURF BIRDS AND TURNSTONES.
129
FAfllLY APHRIZID^E.
Surf Birds and Turnstones.
SUBFAMILY ARENARIIN/E.
Turnstones.
Toes, four; lower back and rump, white
with black band.
Summer.
Turnstone.
AVinter.
Adult in summer: General upper parts, mottled and variegated with black, white, rufous,
aud tawny; throat and breast, black and white; rest of underparts, white; tail, with subter-
ininal band of black, tipped with white.
Adult in winter : Above, light, streaked and dashed with dark brown ; an imperfect band
of dark brown on the jugulum ; chin and upper part of the throat, white ; sides of breast, like
the back; rest of the uuderparts, white; a distinct white band on the wing; rump, white, but
with a broad patch of black on the upper tail coverts ; tail, dark brown, the tips and basal half
of the inner feathers, and nearly two thirds of the outer feathers, white; legs, reddish orange;
bi, black.
Length, 8.65; wing, 5.70; tail, 2.60; tarsus, 1; bill, .95.
Arenaria intei-pres. Turnstone.
See No. 232.
130
KEY TO THE BIRDS OF KASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
FAMILY H/EMATOPODID^E.
Oyster=catchers.
Toes, three; bill, over 2.50 inches long.
Section 1. Toes, three; bill, red.
Haematopus palliatus.
Head and nock, blackish, or very dark brown ; back,
brown; upper tail coverts, white; bill, red ; bill, over
t 2.50 inches long; wing, about ten inches long; lower
breast and belly, white.
Hcematopus palliatus. American Oyster=catcher.
See No. 234.
American Oyster-catcher,
ORDER PYGOPODES.
DIVING BIRDS.
SUBORDER PODICIPIDES. GREBES.
FAMILY PODICIPID^. GREBES.
Six species of Grebes occur in North America. Their toes are lobe webbed and the legs
are placed far back, rendering walking difficult. They feed principally on fish. About
thirty-two species are known throughout the world.
GENUS COLYMBUS LINN.
SUBGENUS COLYMBUS LINN.
Holboell's Grebe.
(131)
Pied-billed Grebe.
132
THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
COLYMBUS HOLBOELLII (Reinh.).
Holboell's Grebe.
char.
Summer: Crown, nape, and back of the neck, black; back, dull black or
blackish; throat, belly, and sides of the head, silvery white; front
and sides of neck, rufous brown, gradually shading lighter on breast;
sides of body, more or less rufous.
Adult in winter: Upper plumage, sooty brown; throat and iiiulcr-
parts, silvery white ; neck, more or less tinged with rufous. Immature
birds have the throat and sides tinged with gray.
Length, 18 to 20; wing, 7.60; tarsus, 2.15; bill, 1.80 to 2.
Distribution : North America at large, including Greenland (A. O.U.) :
south in winter to North Carolina and Middle States of the interior;
breeds from Minnesota and Dakota northwards.
Nest and eggs: The nest is usually composed of grass and reeds,
often floating. The eggs are soiled white or pale greenish white, from three to five in number,
and measure 2.20 x 1.35.
Holboell's Grebe is the largest of the family in Eastern North America.
It is not uncommon on the Atlantic coast during the winter months. Like
others of its family it is an expert diver, and rarely takes wing when pursued,
usually disappearing beneath the water with an ease and quickness which has
won for it the sobriquet of Hell Diver. When frightened it often swims under
water with only a small portion of the head and bill exposed.
SUBGENUS DYTES KAUP.
COLYMBUS AURITUS Linn.
Horned Grebe. Water Witch.
Adult in summer : Upper parts, including back, wings, top
of the head and back of the neck, glossy black ; throat, black ;
front of the neck, breast, and sides of the body, rufous chest-
nut ; rest of underparts, white ; wings, dusky black ; secon-
daries, white ; lores, dull chestnut ; the two small tufts of
feathers at the sides of the occiput, brownish buff.
Adult in winter and immature : Head and back, grayish ;
underparts, white, usually tinged with gray on the breast and
lower throat; no tufts on sides of the head in winter plumage.
Length: 13.40; wing, 5.40; tarsus, 1.70; bill, .85 to .95.
Distribution : Northern Hemisphere, breeding from the
United States northward (A. O. ?7.), migrating south in
winter to Florida and the Gulf States.
Nest and eggs: The nest is a mass of floating grass or
weeds or a mat of grass on a partly submerged marsh ; the
eggs are four to seven, dull white or yellowish white, or soiled brownish white, and measure
1.75 x 1.15.
FAMILY PODICIPID^E. GLEBES.
133
The Horned Grebe is sometimes confounded with the Pied-billed Grebe
in winter dress, but the former species has a more pointed and slightly longer
bill and tarsus. Both this and the next species are known to gunners by
various names, among the most common being, Water Witch, Hell Diver, and
Die Dipper.
No. 3. The American Eared Grebe, C. niyricollis californicus, lias been taken in Illinois.
{Ridgway.)
GENUS PODILYMBUS LESSON.
PODILYMBUS PODICEPS (LINN.).
Pied=billed Grebe. Hell Diver.
Sp. char. Adult in summer : Above, glossy
dark brown or brownish black ; throat, black,
and a black baud on the bill; front of neck
and sides of neck and body, tinged with
pale brown ; belly, silvery white.
Adult in winter : Similar, but lacking the
black throat and without the black band on
the bill ; lower belly, tinged with gray.
Length: 13.50; wing, 5; tarsus, 1.45;
bill, .90.
Distribution: British Provinces, south-
ward to Brazil. Argentine Republic, and Chili,
including West Indies and Bermuda, breeding
nearly thi-oughout its range (A. 0. U.}, win-
ters from New Jersey southward.
Nest and eggs : The nest is composed of a
mass of floating vegetation or a mat of grass
on slightly submerged marshes. The eggs
are yellowish white or dirty white, usually
from three to eight, and measure about 1.70
xl.20.
FAMILY GAVIID^. LOONS.
Restricted to five known species. The toes are four, full webbed in front; the hind toe,
separate, with small flap or lobe; the tarsus is flattened. The legs are set far back, rendering
walking difficult. Thoir food consists principally of fish, which they catch with great dex-
terity, being expert swimmers and divers.
134
THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
GENUS GAVIA. FQRSTER.
QAVIA IMBER (GUNN).
Loon.
COMMON LOON. BIG LOON. NORTHERN DIVER.
Adult in summer : Head and neck
black, showing greeu in some lights ; a
patch of white streaked with black oil
the throat and sides of the neck ; under-
parts, white; back aud wings, black,
streaked and spotted with white ;
where; the white spots occur there are
usually two spots near the end of each
feather ; sides of breast, streaked with
black.
Adult in winter and immature:
Head, grayish ; back, grayish brown
or dusky brown, without spots ; under-
parts, white ; throat, often tinged with
gray; primaries, dark; tail feathers,
tipped with gray.
Length: 30 to 36; wing, 12 to
14.50; bill, 2.60 to 3.10; height of bill
at nostril, about .80; tarsus, 3 to 3. GO.
Distribution : Northern portion of
Northern Hemisphere, ranging south
in winter to Gulf of Mexico and Lower
California. Breeds from Northern
United States northward.
Nest and eggs: Nest, a mass of
grass or weeds and 'leaves, close to
water, more commonly on islets or
shores of some pond or lake. Two
eggs, grayish brown or greenish
brown, heavily blotched with dark
brown, and measure 3.50 x 2.25.
Although less numerous than formerly, Loons are common on the Atlantic
coast during migrations, and the wild, laugh-like note is a well-known sound
on shore and lake.
FAMILY GAVIID^E. LOONS.
135
Summer.
Loons.
Winter.
INDKX.
PAGE
Actitis macularia 108,110
-.-Kgialitis meloda 125, 126
" clrciimrinctn 125, 126
montana 126, 128
nivosa 125, 126
semipalinata 124
vocifera 126, 128
wilsonia 125
.dSstrelata hasitata 48
Aix sponsa 64, G5
Ajaja ajaja 86
Albatrosses 12, 46
Yellow-nosed 46
Alcatorda 31,3-2
Alcidaj 21,29,30
Alcinre 21,30
Allealle 2ii
Allinae 22,30
Anas amerieana 65, 06
boschas 66
carolinensis 64
cyanoptera 64
discors 63
fulvlgula 66
obscura 66
Btrepera 65, 66
Anatida? 14,15,59,61,63,71,81
Anatinas 14,59,63
Anhinga anhinga 53
Anhingidse 16,53
A nous stolidus 43
Aiwer attdfrons gambcli 83
Anseres 61
Anserinae 15,60,81
Aphrizidse 17, 103, 12'J
Aramidse 18,96
Aramusgiganteus 96
Ardea cjcrulea 90, 91
candidissima 91
egretta 93, 94
lierodias 94
occidentalis 94
rufescens 93
tricolor ruflcollis 91
virescens 90
wardi 94
wuerdemanni 94
PAGE
Ardeidao 19,8!)
Ardetta exilis 89
neoxena gf
Arenaria interpres 129
Arenarinae 129
Avocets 17, 102, 106
American 106
Auks 21,22,29,30,31,32
kittle 22, 29, 30
Razor billed 31,32
Aythyaaftini* 71,72,73
amerieana 74, 76
collaris 72, 73
marila 72, 73, 74
" nearctica . . . % 72, 74
vallisneria 76
Baldpate 65, 66
Bartramia longicauda 117, 121
Berniclacanadonsis minima 81
Bird, Diving 131
Dough 122
Grass 114,115,118
Man-of-war 16, 58
Red-billed Tropic 50
Shore 102
Snake 16,53
Surf 129
Tropic 15, 50
Yellow-billed Tropic- 50
Bitterns 19, 89
American 92,93
Cory's Least 89
Least 89
Blue bill 71, 72, 73, 74
Blue Peter 100
Booby, Blue-faced 51
Red-footed 51
Botaurus lentiginosus 92, 93
Brant 15,81,82
Black 81,82
Branta bernicla 81
canadensis 81
leucopsis 81
nigricans 81
Broad-bill . 64
(137)
138
THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Calidrls arenarla . 23,107,109,115
Camptolaemus labradorius 78
Cepphus grylle 29
uiandtii 29,31
Charadriidaj 18, 24, 103, 121
Charadrius dominions 128
squatarola 18, 128
Charitonetta albeola 71, 72
Chen caerulescens 83
hyperborea £3
" nivalis 83
Ciconiidie 20,88
Clangula hyemalifc 73, 74
Colymbus 131
aurltuB 25, 13-2
holboelli 25,132
nigricolliscalifornicus 133
Coots 11,97,100
American 100
Black 79
Butter-bill 79,80
Gray 80
Skunk-lieud Tli, 77, 79, 80
White-winged 77,79
Cormorants . . . .* 16,50,54
Common 54, 55
Double crested 54, 55
Florida 54
Mexican 64, 55
Courlans 18, 95, 96
Cranes 18, 95
Sandhill 95
Whooping 95
Crymophilus fulicarius 105
Curlews 17, 102, 104, 107
Esquimaux . . . 122
Hudsonian 122,123
Jack 122,123
Long-billed 123
Sickle-bill 123
Cygnina; 15,60,84
D.
Daflla acuta 64, 65, 66
Darters 16, 53
Diomedcida; 12, 22, 46
Diver, Northern 134
Dowitcher, Long billed 110, 116
Dovekies 22, 29, 30
Ducks 59, 61
American Golden -eye 69, 73, 74, 76
Bay 59,71
Barrow's Golden-eye 69, 74, 76
Black 66, 67
Black-head 73, 74
Blue-hill 71,72,73,74
Buflle-headed 69, 71, 72
Ducks— Continued. PAGE
Canvas-back 68, 76
Creek 65
Dipper , . 71
Dusky 66
Eider, American 70, 77, 80
" Dresser's 77
" Greenland 79
" King 70, 79, 80
" Northern 70,77,80
" Steller's 76
Florida Black 66,67
" Dusky 66
Harlequin 69,72,73,75
Labrador 78
Long-tailed 73, 74
Mallard 66,67
Masked 70, 71
Old Squaw 69, 73, 74, 75
Pied 78
Pintail 64,65,66,68
Pond 14,59,63
Redhead 68, 74, 76
Ring-necked 69, 72, 73
River 14,59,63
Ruddy 70, 71
Scaup, American 69
" Greater 72, 73, 74
" Lesser 69, 71, 72, 73
Scoter, American 70
" Surf 70, 76
" Whitc-winged 70
Sea 14,59,71
Shoveller 64,68
Steller's 69,72,73,76
Summer 64,65
Whistler 74,76
Wood 64,65,68
Dunlin, American 112
Dytes 132
Egrets 19,89
American 93, 94
Reddish ." 93
Snowy 91
Eniconctta stelleri 72, 73, 76
Ereunetes occidentals 108
pusillus 108
Erismatura jamaicensis 71
F.
Flamingoes 14,85
Fratcreula arct'ca 29, 31
Fraterculina! 21, 30
Fregata aquila 58
Fregatida; 16,58
INDEX.
139
PAGE
Frigate Birds 16, 58
Fulica americana 100
Fulicinae 11,100
Fuligulinaa 14, 59, 71
Fulmars 12, 22, 46
Fulmarus glacialis 48
G.
Gadwall 65, 66, 67
Gallinago delicata 110, 117
Gallinula galeata 101
Gallinule 97, 101
Florida 19, 101
Purple 19, 101
Gallinulinae 19, 101
Gannets 15, 50, 51
Booby 51, 52
Blue-faced Booby 51
Gavia arcticus 27, 29
imber 27, 134
lunmir 27, 29
Gaviidae 12, 27, 28, 133
Geese 15, 59, 60, 61, 81
Gelochelidon nilotica 43
Glaucionetta clangula americana .... 73, 74, 76
islandica 74, 76
Godwit 102
Hudsonian 119
Marbled 120,123
Goose 81
American White-fronted 82, 83
Barnacle 81
Blue S3
Cackling 81
Canada 81
Greater Snow 83
Lesser Snow 83
Snow 82
Grebes 11,25,26,131
Holboell's 25, 131, 132
Horned 25, 26, 132
Pied billed 25, 26, 131, 133
Greenshank 121
Gruidse 18, 95
Grus americana 95
mexicana 95
Guara alba 87
rubra 87
Guillemots 21, 30
Black 29
Gulls 13,35,36,37
American Herring 38, 39, 40
Black Guillemot 29
Bonaparte's 36, 37
Franklin's 36
Glaucous 38, 39, 40
Great Black-backed 38, 39, 40
Iceland 38, 39, 40
Ivory > 37,38
Gulls— Continued. PAGE
Kittiwake 21,36,38
Kumlien's 39, 40
Laughing 36,37,38
Mandt's 29, 31
Ring-billed 38, 40
Sabine's 36, 37
H.
Haglet 22-48
Haematopodidae 24, 103, 130
Hasmatopus palliatus 130
Hell Diver 25, 133
Hen, Mud 100
Herons 19,59
Great White 94
" Blue 94
Green go
Little Blue 90, 91
Louisiana 91
Night 92, 93
Snowy 91
Ward's 94
Wuerdeman's 94
Yellow-crowned Night 92, 93
Himantopus mexicanus 107
Histrionicus histrionicus 72, 73
Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis 41
Ibididas 20, 87
Ibises 20, 87
Glossy 87
Scarlet 87
White 87
White-faced Glossy 87
Wood 20, 88
lonornis martinica 101
Jajgers 13, 33, 34
Long tailed 33
Parasitic 33
Pomarine 33
K.
Kittiwake Gull 21,36
Knot 118
Laridae 13, 21, 35, 36, 41
Lariiue 13,35,36
Larus argentatus smithsouianus .... 38, 39, 40
atricilla 36,38
delawarensis 38, 40
140
THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Larus — Continued. PAGE
franklinii 36
glaucus 38, 39, 40
leucopterus 38, 39, 40
kumlicni 39, 40
nmrinus 38, 39, 40
Philadelphia 36
tridactyla 21, 38
Limicola; ....". 102, 104
Limosa fedoa 120, 123
hiemastica 119
Limpkin 96
Loons 12, 27, 28, 39, 133, 135
Big 134
Black throated 27,28,29
Common 134
Red-throated 27, 29
Lophodytes cucullatus 61
M.
Macrorhamphus griseus 110, 116
scolopaceus 110, 116
Mallard 66, 67
Man-of-war Birds IS, 58
Megalestris skua 33
Merganser americana 63
serrator 63
Mergansers 14, 59, 61
American 62, 63, 67
Hooded 61, 62, 67
Red breasted 62, 63, 67
Merginae 14, 59, 61
Micropalavna himantopus 109,116
Mud Hen 100
Murres • 21, 29, 30, 31, 32
Brunnich's 31
N.
Nomonyx dominicus 71
Numenius borealis 122
hudsonicus 122
longirostris 123
Nycticorax nycticorax najvius 92, 93
violaceus 92, 93
o.
Oceanites oceanicus 46
Occanodroma leucorhoa 46
Oidemia americana . . 79, 80
deglandi 77, 79, 80
perspicillata 76, 77, 79, SO
Olor buccinator 84
columbianus 84
Oyster-catchers 24, 30, 103, 130
American 130
P.
PAGE
Paludecolae 95
Pagophila alba 38
Parrot, Sea . 29,31
Pelagodroma marina 46
Pelecauidas 16, 56
Pelicans 16, 50, 56
Brown 56, 57
White 56
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos 56
fuscus . . v 56
Petrels 12, 22, 46
Black-capped 48, 49
Fulmar 48, 49
Leach's 46, 47
Stormy 46, 47
White-faced 46, 47
Wilson's , 46, 47
Phaethontidaj 15,50
Phaethon asthereus 50
americana 50
Phalacrocorax carbo 54
dilophus 54
Phalacrocoracidae 16, 54
Phalarinae 21, 30
Phalaropes 12, 102, 104
Northern 105
Red 104, 105
Wilson's 104, 105
Phalaropodida? * . 12, 102, 104
Phalaropus lobatus 105
tricolor 105
Philohela minor ' . 110,118
Phcenicopteridaj 14, 85
Phoenicopterus rubcr 85
Pigeon, Sea 29
I'lataleidae '. 20, 86
Plegadis autumnalis 87
guarauna 87
Plovers 21, 103, 104, 124
Belted piping 125, 136
Black-bellied 18, 124, 127, 128
Golden 128
Killdeer 126, 127, 128
Mountain 126, 128
Piping 124, 125, 126, 127
Ring neck 125, 127
Semipalmated 124, 125
Snowy 125, 126, 127
Upland 117,121
Wilson's 125, 127
Podic'pidae • • • 11,25,26,131
Podicipides 131
Podilymbus podiceps 25, 133
I'orzana Carolina 98
jamaicensis 97
noveboracensis 97
Procellaria pelagica 4<;
Procellariidre 12, 22, 4C
Puffins 21,29, 30, :il
INDEX.
141
PAGE
I'uflinus au'luboni 48
borealis 48
1'uliginosus 48
major ..,..' 48, 4!)
]iiillinu> 48
R.
Rails 18,95,1)7
Black 97, 100
Carolina 98
Clapper 99
King 99, 100
Sora 98, 100
Virginia 08, 100
Yellow ... 97
Rallida? 11, 18, 1!>, 97, 100
Railing 97
Rallus elegans 99, 100
longirosti-is ere pita ns 99
virginianus . . . 98
Recurvirostridas 17, 23, 102, 100
Recurvirostra aincricana 106
Rhynchops nigra 45
Rhynchopida; 13, 45
Rissa tridactyla 38
Sanderling 23, 107
Sandpiper 17, 23, 102, 104, 107
Baird's 115
Bartramiaii 117, 121
Buff-breasted 115, 118
Curleiv 113
Least 107, 109
Pectoral 114, 115, 118
Purple 114
Red-backed 112
Sanderling 109, 115
Semipalma'ed 108
Solitary 109
Spotted 108, 110
Stilt 109, 116
Western 108
\Vliite-riiinped 114
Scolopacidse 17, 23/102, 107
Scolopax rusticola 120
Scoter, American 70,79,80
Surf 70, 77, 79, 80
White-winged 70, 77
Sea Pigeon 29
Parrot 29
Shearwater 12, 22, 46
Audubon's 48,49
Cory's 48, 49
Greater 48
Manx 48
Sooty , . 48
PAGE
Sheldrake 63
Skimmers 13, 45
Black 45
Skuas 13,33,34
Snake Birds 16,53
Snipes 17, 102, 104, 107
Jack 110, 117
Red-breasted 110, 116
Western Red-breasted 116
Wilson's 110,111,117
Somatcria borealis 77, 79, 80
drcsserl 77, 80
spectabilis • 79,80
Sora 98, 100
Spatula clype t:i . . 64
•Spoonbills 20,86
Roseate 86
Steganopodes 50
Stercorariida; 13, 33, 34
Stercorarius longicauduri 33
parasiticus 33
pomarinus 33
Sterna amcthetu.i 43
antillarum 41
caspia 43
dougalli 41
forsteri 41
fuliginosa 43
hirundo .... 41
maxima 43
paradisea 43
sandricensis acullavida •. . . 43
Sternina? 13,35,41
Stilts 17, 23, 102, 106
Black-necked 107
Storks 20,88
Sula bassan:i 51
cyanops 51
piscator 51
sula 51
Sulida? 15,51
Swans 15, 5:), 60, 61, 84
Trumpeter 84
Whistling 84
Swimmers, Lamellirostral 61
Svmphemia semipalinata 119, 121
inornata . . 119
T.
Tantalus leucolator 88
Teal, Blue winged 63, 68
Common 64,68
Green-winged '..... 64,68
Terns 13,35,36,41
Arctic 43
Black 41
Bridled 43,44
Cabot's 43
142
THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.
Terns— Continued. PAGE
Caspian 43, 44
Common 41, 42, 43
Forster's 41, 42
Gull-billed 42,43
Least 41,42
Noddy 43, 44
Roseate . 41, 42
Royal . . . 43,44
Sooty 43,44
Wilson's 41,43
Thalassogeron culminatus 46
Totanus flavipes 116
melanoleucus 121
nebularius 121
solitarius 109
Tringa alpina paciflca 112
bairdii 115
cauutus 118
ferruginea 113
fuscicollis 114
maculata 114,115,118
maritima 114
uiinutilla 107, 109
Tropic Birds 15, 50
Red-bilied 50
Yellow-billed 60
Tryngites subruflcollis 115, 118
Turkey, Water 53
Turnstones 17, 103, 129
u.
PAGE
Uria lomvia 31
tipile 31,32
Uriuator iniber • 2o
Wood Ibis 20, 88
X.
Xema sabinli
Y.
Yellow-leg, Greater 121
Summer no
Winter 121
v
•*
f f