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Innnnnnannnnnnannnnnnnnnnaaa

BULLETIN

Nuttall Ornithological Club

& «?uartcr(n fourtral of ^rnttblogn

VOLUME VI.

(f-bitoi'.
J. A. ALLEN,

Associate (!:i)itovs,
S. F. BAIRD and ELLIOTT COUES.

CAMBRIDGE. MASS. :
PUBLISHED BY THE CLUB

1 88 1 .

\V. //. Wheeler, Printer,

,-, J iy Brighton Street, Cambridge, Mas

rS8/.

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

HONORARY MEMBERS.

Prof. Spencer F. Baird, Secretary of the Smithsonian Insti-
tution, Washington, D. C.
Dr. Elliott Coues, U. S. A., Washington, D. C.
Daniel Giraud Elliot, New Brighton, L. I., N.Y.
George N. Lawrence, New York, N. Y.
Robert Ridgway, Washington. D. C.

FOREIGN HONORARY MEMBERS.

Prof. J. V< Barboza du Bocage, Royal Museum, Lisbon.

Henry E. Dresser, F. Z. S., London.

Dr. Otto Finsch, Bremen.

Dr. Henry Hillyer Giglioli. Royal Superior Institute Flor-
ence.

Dr. Gustay Hartlaub, Bremen.

Allan O. Hume, C. B., Calcutta.

Prof. Alfred Newton. M. A., F. R. S.. V. P. Z. S., Univer-
sity of Cambridge, England.

Dr. August yon Pelzeln, Gustos am k. k. zoologischen Cab-
inete in Wien.

Prof. J. Reinhardt, Kongelige Naturhistoriske Museum i
Kjobenhavn.

Prof. Tommaso Salyadori, Royal Museum. Turin.

Osbert Salvin, M. A., F. R. S., London.

Dr. Philip Lutley-Sclater. M. A., F. R. S.. etc.. London.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME VI.

NUMBER I.

Page.

Door-yard Birds of the Far North. By E. W. Nelson . . i

On the Fingers of Birds. By J. A. Jeffries .... 6

Notes on a Few Birds observed at Fort Hamilton. Long.

Island, N. Y. By De L. Berier . . . . . .11

On Birds observed in Sumpter, Levy, and Hillsboro Coun-
ties. Florida. By W. E. D. Scott 14

Insectivorous Birds in their Relation to Man. By J. A.

Allen ....... . .... 22

Remarks on the present State of the System a Avium. Bv

P. L. Sclater .28

With the Birds on a Florida River. By William Brewster . 3S

RECENT LITERATURE.

Coues's Third Instalment of American Ornithological Bibliography,
44 ; Coues's Fourth Instalment of Ornithological Bibliography. 46 ;
Harvie-Brown on the Capercaillie in Scotland, 46; Steere on the
Birds of Ann Arbor, Michigan, 46; Minor Ornithological Papers.
47-

GENERAL NOTES.

Capture of the Hudsonian Titmouse in Rhode Island, 54; A Second
Occurrence of the Hudsonian Titmouse (Pants kudsonicus) in
Massachusetts, 54; The Great Carolina Wren ( Thryothorus ludo-
vicianus) in New Hampshire. 54; Swainson's Warbler (Heloncea
sivainsoni) in Texas. 54; Notes on the Habits of the Cliff Swallow
(Petrochelidon lunifrons), 55; Another Capture of the Logger-
head Shrike in Massachusetts, 55 ; A Third Capture of the Phil-
adelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) in Massachusetts, 56;
Occurrence of Vireo philadelfhicus in Mercer County, New Jersey,
56; The Red Crossbill {Loxia curvirostra americana) in Ten-
nessee, 56; Description of the Nest and Eggs of Coturniculus
henslo-wi obtained near Falls Church, Va., 57 ; The Lark Finch
on Long Island, N. Y., 58; The Golden Eagle in New Brunswick,
58; The Bald Eagle {Haliaetus leucocefihalus) as a Hunter, 58;
Breeding of the Wild Pigeon in Confinement. 60: Evidence of
the Former Existence of the Wild Turkey at Mount Desert Island,
Maine, 60; Recent Occurrence of Baird's Sandpiper (Tringa
bairrfi) in Maine. 60; Occurrence of Baird's Sandpiper, (Tringa
bairdi) on the New Hampshire Coast, 61 ; Note on Tryngites
rtifescens in Texas, 61 ; A Second Massachusetts Specimen of the
Clapper Rail (Ra/li/s longirostris) , 62; Notes on the Breeding
Habits of the Caspian Tern, 63; List of Occurrences of North
American Birds in Europe, 63.

Errata ............ 64

Co ut cuts of Volume VI.

NUMBER II.

Notes on Some Birds from Arizona and New Mexico, with a
Description of a supposed New Whip-poor-will. By Wil-
liam Bretvstcr . . ....... 65

Remarks on the present State of the Systema Avium. By

P. L. Sclatcr 73

Description of a New Species of the Family Procellariidce.

By Charles B. Cory 84

Field Notes on the Birds of San Juan County, Colorado. By

Frank M. Drew S5

Critical Notes on a Petrel new to North America. By

William Brewster .......... 91

Some Observations on the Migration of Birds. By W. E. D.

Scott 97

On the Affinities of certain Polioptilce, with a Description

of A New Species. By William Bre-vster .... roi

RECENT LITERATURE.

Vogt on the Second fossil Archceopteryx, 107; Nehrling's Ornitholog-
ical Observations in Texas, 109; Shufeldt's Osteologieal Memoirs.
109; Forbes on the Food of Birds. Insects, and Fishes, no;
Reichenow and Schalow's Record of the Literature of Ornith-
ology for 1S79, JII> Reichenow and Schallow's Compendium of
newly described Genera and Special of Birds, in; Cory's " Beau-
tiful and Curious Birds of the World," in ; Minor Ornithological
Papers, 1 12.

GENERAL NOTES.

Abundance of the Hermit Thrush in winter near Washington. D. C,
113; The Hudsonian Titmouse in Massachusetts, 114; On the
Range of Lophophanes atrocristatus in Texas, 114; The Con-
necticut Warbler {Oporornis agilis) — a Correction, 114; Strange
nesting habits of a pair of Chats, 114: Song of the White-bellied
Swallow (fridoprocne tricolor), 115; The White-bellied Swallow
(Tachycineta bicolor) on the New Jersey Coast in November 115;
A New Bird {Plectrophanes pictus) for South Carolina, 115, The
Ipswich Sparrow (Passerculus princeps) at Squan Beach, New
Jersey. 116; Note on the Field Sparrow (Spizella p/tsilla)* 116;
Bell's Finch {Poospiza belli nevadensis) in New Mexico, 116;
Peculiar Nidification of the Bobolink. 117: Southern Range of
the Raven on the Atlantic Coast of the United States, 118; The
White-necked Raven {Corvus cryptoleucus) in New Mexico, 118;
Remarkable Persistency in Nesting of the Western Yellow-bellied
Flvcatcher, 119; Notes on the Black-backed Three-toed Wood-
pecker and Canada Jay, 119; Capture of the Red-bellied Wood-
pecker (Centurus carolinus) in Eastern Massachusetts, 120; Novel
Nesting-sites of Woodpeckers {Colaptes auratus) and Melan-
erpes erythrocephalus), 120; An Unaccountable Migration of the
Red-headed Woodpecker, 120; Breeding of the Wild Pigeon in
confinement, 122; Large Eagles, 122; Eagles attempting the
rescue of a wounded companion, 122; Richardson's Owl in Rhode
Island. 123; The Avocet (Recuroirostra americana) in Massa-

Contents of J rolume I I.

chusetts, 123; The Whistling Swan in Massachusetts, 123; The
Harlequin Duck and the Glossy and Wood Ibises in Southern
Illinois, 124; The White-winged Gull {Larus leucopterus) in
Massachusetts, 124; The Caspian Tern in California, 124; The
Short-tailed Tern {Hydrochelidon nigra) in New England, 124;
Notes on Leach's Petrel (Cymochorea leucorr&oa), 125; Birds
and Windows, 125; Notes on Birds Rare or accidental on Long
Island, N. Y., 125; Distribution of Birds as influenced by in-
crease of Water Area, 126; Supplementary List of Birds of the
Island of Santa Lucia, W. I., 12S; Winter Birds of Fort Walla
Walla, W. T., 12S.

131

NUMBER III.

Description of Four New Species of Haitian Birds. {Plate

I.) By Charles B. Cory . . . . . . . .129

Habits of the Black Brant in the Vicinity of St. Michaels,

Alaska. By E. W. Nelson

Field Notes on the Birds of San Juan County, Colorado.

By Frank M. Drew 13S

Breeding of the Acadian Owl {Nyctale acad/ca) in Masschu-

setts. By William Brexvster ....... 143

Songs of the Western Meadow Lark {Stumella neglecta). By

Charles JV. Allen. .......... 14^

List of the Birds of Hayti, taken in Different Parts of

the Island between January i and March 12, 1S81. By

Charles B. Cory . . . . . . . . . . i£;i

On the Number of Primaries in Birds. By J. Amory Jeffries . 156

RECENT LITERATURE.

Ridgway's Nomenclature of North American Birds, 164; Ridgwav's
Re\ ised Catalogue of the Birds of Illinois. 171 ; Mearns's Birds of
the Hudson Highlands. 172 ; Rathbun's " Bright Feathers or some
North American Birds of Beauty," 172; Holterhoff's Notes on
Western Birds, 173; Ridgway on a Duck new to the North
American Fauna, 173; Ridgway on the Amazilia yucatanensis,
Cabot, 173 ; Harvie-Brown's Second Report on Scottish Orni-
thology, 174; Godman and Salvin's '• Biologia Centrali-Ameri-
cana," 174.

GENERAL NOTES.

Nest and Eggs of the Painted Flycatcher, 176; Breeding of the
Horned lark in Eastern New York. 1,77; Behavior of Leucosticte
tephrocotis in Confinement, 177; Hesperiphona vespertina in
Central Illinois, 179; Habits of the Swamp Sparrow in Confine-
ment, 179; the Snowbird {jfunco hyemalis) in Southern Illinois
in June, 180; A singular Cage Plumage of the Rose-breasted
Grosbeak. 1S0; Carnivorous Propensities of the Crow Black-
bird, 180; Icterus baltimorei and Populus tremuloides, [S3;
A Peculiar Nest of the Baltimore Oriole, 1S2 ; The Three-toed
Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) in Massachusetts, 1S2 ; A Second
Massachusetts Specimen of the Red-bellied Woodpecker ( Centurus
carolinus), 1S3; A curious Colaptes, 1S3 ; A Vernacular Synonymy,
183; Nesting of Kennicott's Owl, 1S5 ; Breeding of the Acadian Owl
in Eastern Massachusetts, 1S5 : Early arrival in New England of
the Least Bittern, 186; The Least Bittern in Northwestern Minne-

i Contents of I oiitme I 1.

sota, 1S6; Occurrence of the Purple and Florida Gallinules near
St. John, New Brunswick, 186; The Yellow Rail (Porzana novebo-
racensis) in Massachusetts, 186; Exceptional Abundance of the
Shoveller at Portland, Me., 187 ; The Velvet Scoter at Green Bay,
Wise, 187 ; Larus gtaucus in Texas, 187 ; The Ivory Gull (Pago-
phila eburnea) at St. John, New Brunswick, 1S7; A Correction,
188; Migration of Birds at Night, iSS: Birds and Windows. 188.

NUMBER IV.

On Some of the Causes Affecting the Decreasc of Birds.

Bj //. W. Hensha-w 1S9

On the Ossicle of the Antibrachium as found in some of
the North American Hawks. By A'. J(". Shufeldt, M. £>.,
Capt. Med. Dept. U, S. Army . . . . . . .197

Oological Notes from Montana. By Dr. J. C. Merrill, U. S. A. 203

On a tropical American Hawk to be added to the North

American Fauna. By Robert Ridgway . . . . .207

On Podiceps occidentalis and P. clarkii. By //. IF. Henshavt . .214

On the Relationship of Helminthophaga leucobronc&ialis, Brew-
ster, and Helminthophaga laivrencei, Herrick : with SOME
Conjectures respecting certain other North American
Birds. By William Brewster ■ ■ . . . . . 21S

Preliminary List of Birds ascertained to occur in the Adi-
rondack Region, North-eastern New York. By C. Hart
Merriam, M. D 225

RECENT LITERATURE.

Stearns and Coues's "New England Bird Life," 236; Cory's "Beautiful
and Curious Birds." 239; Minot's "Land and Game Birds of New
England," 241.

GENERAL NOTES.

The Golden-crested Wren breeding in the Colorado Valley, 2-14:
Notes on the Winter Wren {Anortkura troglodytes hyemalis),
244: Two more specimens of Helminthophaga leucobronch ta-
lis) from Sing Sing, N. Y., 245: Another specimen of Siurus
motacilla at Lake George. N. V., 245; Myiodioctes canadensis
in Kansas 246; Capture of the Worm-eating Warbler in Massa-
chusetts. 246: Melospiza lincolni breeding in New York again,
246; Xanthocephalus icterocephalus in Lower Canada. 246:
Colaptes auratus-\-C. mexicanus, 247; Further Notes on the Lab-
rador Gvrfalcon taken on Long Island, N. Y., 247; Probable
Occurrence of Sarcorhamphus papa in Arizona. 24S; Nyctkerodius
violaceus in Kansas, 248; Capture of the Snowy Heron ( Garzetta
candidissimd) on Long Island. 248; Lobi-pes hyperboreus at 9500
feet. 249; Breeding of Barrow's Golden-eye in Lower Canada,
249: Notes on a few Maine Birds. 249; Destruction of Birds by
a storm while migrating, 250; Additions to the Avi-fauna of the
United States, 252.

Index 253

BULLETIN

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

VOL. VI. JANUARY, l88o. No. I.

DOOR-YARD BIRDS OF THE FAR NORTH.

BY E. W. NELSON.

Deprived by confining duties of the opportunity for fre-
quent excursions, I have passed many pleasant hours in the com-
panionship of my feathered friends, that, happily, in place of
requiring to be sought out. appear to become the seekers and
find me. Before we proceed, however, let me introduce the
surroundings. The locality is St. Michael's, Alaska, which,
thanks to its 630 of north latitude and relative geographical
position, enjoys a sub-arctic climate, if enjoyment can be ex-
tracted from gloomv skies and a barren, gale-swept coast. The
Redoubt, as it is familiarly termed here, is built about twenty
feet above high-tide mark upon a small point of St. Michael's
Island extending into a narrow bay three miles wide, which
makes in from Norton Sound, and separates this part of the
island from the mainland. About a dozen, low, one-story houses,
mainly ranged in the form of a imperfect parallelogram some
thirty-five by fifty yards in diameter, with the breaks between
the houses closed by a high board fence, and the remainder of
the buildings scattered irregularly outside, go to complete the
metropolis of Northern Alaska. On the land side, extending to
within a few feet of the houses, is the perennially wet land so
eminently characteristic of Arctic countries. Fortunately, how-
ever, owinof to the more fertile character of the soil in the

2 Nelson on Door- Yard Birds of the Far North .

immediate vicinity of the houses, the sponge-like mosses, cover-
ing all the surrounding country, have retreated fifty or sixty yards
and given place to a belt of luxuriant grasses, which, in turn,
makes way in places in favor of dense patches of weeds. From
the north-eastern to the southern side the sea approaches to
within thirty yards, the grassy slope ending abruptly at a beach
formed of dark, angular fragments of basalt; this, with a hard-
trodden court-yard, absolutely bare of vegetation, and a small
kitchen-garden, completes the immediate surroundings. On
distant hillsides a few patches of dark green show where small
groups of hardy alders have secured a foothold, beyond which,
excepting a few dwarf willows, not a bush raises its head for
many miles.

To all appearances, not a very tempting locality for birds,
would be one's decision at first sight : but a closer acquaintance
will prove the contrary. Some cheerless morning in May, on
the border line between winter and spring, as we walk about
the buildings, we are greeted by the sharp /.v//>. tsip., of the Tree
Sparrow which lias arrived over-night and now holds possession
of the weed patches, whence it makes foraging expeditions into
the yard, ready to skurry back to its stronghold upon the least
alarm. As the weather becomes milder, their number is aug-
mented, and. in company with the plump, rosy-breasted little
Redpoll, they are seen every where, from the top of the wind-
vane to the kitchen window, whence they peep in from the
sundial. As the snow decreases the Tree .Sparrows slowly
retire, pre-empting summer houses in the alder bushes, where
they hold possession by right of numbers ; they are not. however,
too conservative to share their haunts with inoffensive strangers.
The Redpolls also now seek more congenial haunts, and are soon
lost to view. Meanwhile the Savanna Sparrows have arrived
and enliven the borders of the numerous muddy spots sur-
rounding the place, running in and out. mouse-like, among
the dead grass, as they playfully pursue each other. At the
first alarm they dive into the cover of standing weeds and grass
only to reappear, a moment later, on the further side. As the
season advances, the males mount the woodpile or other con-
spicuous object to pour forth their weak, unmusical notes, which
they at times also utter from the ground.

Gambel's Finch now makes its appearance, and, capturing the

Nklson on Door- Yard Birds of the Far North. 3

woodpile from its smaller relative, proceeds to favor us with its
sweetly modulated song. A little earlier than this the familiar
form of the Barn Swallow has taken its place in the scene, and,
as it circles about, utters its chuckling notes as though fairly
bubbling over with delight at reaching home once more after
spending the winter in a distant soul hern clime. Pleasant sun-
shiny davs follow, and we human animals sit and bask in the
grateful rays upon the veranda, watching, with careless eve. the
passage overhead of various water-fowl : while the occasional
appearance of a Gyrfalcon. a Goshawk, of other bird of prey
lends further interest to the view.

On fine evenings our ear is greeted by the clear Thrush-like
whistle of the Fox-colored Sparrow, generally from the top of
the cross surmounting the roof of the Russian church just back
of the houses.

As June arrives we obtain a glimpse of one or two Black-
capped and Yellow Warblers as thev investigate the insect pre-
serve in the garden, after which we must seek amusement in
the struggles of the Swallows to master unwieldy feathers, or to
carry oft" straws, one end of which is embedded in the gi'ound,
varied by numerous hand-to-hand conflicts between the pug-
nacious little males as thev roll about on the ground and pummel
each other heartily, som/times for half an hour together ; the
object of all this battling, in the form of some charming female,
stands close by, looking on as complacentlv as a lady of olden
time upon the tournament, and it need not be said that the victor
receives the homage, now. as then. All obstacles are finally
overcome and in various snug nooks under the eaves the birds
hover with pride over their treasure-filled nests. At the same
time a pair of Savanna Sparrows keep watch and ward over
their egg-laden nest.- neatlv hidden on the sloping bank close
under the ice-house.

Spring passes into summer and from the middle of July until
well into August the smaller birds make the Redoubt a general
rendezvous. The Redpolls return in family parties, the roseate
flush of youth worn from the parental breast by the cares of
family life, all being now clad in dull brown. Like neglected
children, who. if thev have no costlv garments, are determined
to enjoy themselves and make merry, so these little plebians stuff
themselves to repletion with the good things of the garden and

4 Nelson o>i Door- Yard Birds of the Far ATorth.

weed patches, chirping and frolicing as merrily as though adorned
with the most brilliant hues. They invest the Redoubt, flitting
from place to place ; one moment see-sawing on a tall weed, the
next, hopping carelessly along the walk before you or peering from
the eaves with an odd expression of lilliputian gravity. In return
for this good-natured familiarity they are prime favorites with all.
They do not, however, come unattended, for, in the yard, or
outside of it, wherever a bare spot of ground is seen, are con-
gregated parties of young Lapland Longspurs, which are nearly
as careless of our presence as the Redpolls : they are, however,
more sedate and business-like, and appear solely intent upon
gormandizing. They run from place to place with their bills
pointing downward, their eyes intently scanning every inch of
ground, oblivious to their surroundings until a passing footstep
starts them away to a short distance, where they resume their
search for food. Thev have none of the pretty confiding ways
of the Redpoll and consequently awaken but little interest.

The young Yellow Wagtails {Budytes ffava) are also now
numerous, searching, with a jaunty air. damp spots in and near
the yard for insects, their tails constantly oscillating as though
their owners were trying to maintain an ever changing equipoise.
When the tide goes down they gather along high-water mark to
feast upon the fare there provided. Flitting from rock to rock,
or picking their way daintily from place to place, thev afford a
pleasing picture, until, their hunger satisfied, thev rise, and.
uttering a sharp metallic note, pass one after the other to their
haunts upon the bare hillside, where they remain until the calls
of appetite allure them back again.

The garden, meanwhile, has been the centre of attraction for
various species of Warblers which revel among the insects found
in the lettuce and turnip beds. The Black-capped Flycatcher
is the most numerous though at times the Black-capped
Warbler is about equally common. A Yellow Warbler at times
enlivens the place, like a ray of sunshine ; peering into the crevi-
ces of the fences, with an occasional foray among the spiders
and other insects along the eaves of the houses, are seen the
young of the Golden-crowned and the Kennicott's Warblers.
From the wet paths leading away from the houses, or, at times,
even from the yard itself, are started stray Water Wagtails ( Siurus
ncev/us) and Titlarks.

Nelson on Door- Yard Birds of the Far North. 5

Golden-crowned Sparrows ( Zonotrichia coronatci) and Gam-
bel's Finches claim their share of attention as they levy their tax
upon the garden or flit from fence to fence, diving into the shelter
of the weed patches on the first suspicions occurrence. The Fox-
colored Sparrows return to take a short, though timid farewell
before seeking winter quarters, followed by the Tree Sparrow.

A stray Robin shows itself once or twice during the summer,
but a single visit to the garden appears sufficient, and the solitary
voyageur is seen no more. A few Olive-backed Thrushes flit
silently about for a day or two, and, if we are fortunate, we
catch a glimpse of a rare visitant from Asia in the form of the
Wheat-ear (Saxicota cenanthe) as it skulks around the end of
the house and hastens to take shelter in the crevices among the
rocks along the beach. I fear my thoughts are animated by a
spirit of destruction, when such a visitant as this or Kennicott's
Warbler is seen, which generally results in a tragedy in which
the hapless little wanderer plays the part of victim. A few
White-bellied Swallows fraternize with the Barn Swallows for
a short time before leaving, the latter being now busily engaged
in preparing their young for the long journey before them.

At times a pair of Black-breasted Turnstones are caught in-
vestigating the wet places about the houses, while the Semipal-
mated Sandpiper is quite numerous. Adventurous individuals
of the latter even pass under the fence to explore the yard after
a rain-storm. Once I even caught a Golden Plover making
itself free within the fence, but as I stepped out of the house it
hastily retreated.

The August moon rises, fills, and is on the wane ; the air
becomes chilly ; one by one the sprightly forms, which, until now,
have surrounded us with joyous life, slip away, so imperceptibly,
however, that scarcelv is one missed until we awake to the fact
that of all the goodlv company only a few stragglers remain.
We may now look for a visit from one or two solitary Downy
Woodpeckers, which, clinging pensively to the side of a log
house, are evidently ruminating upon the strange phenomenon
of barkless trees ranged in a series one over, the other at right
angles" to the position in which experience has proven all prop-
erly conducted trees should extend. With a parting tap to make
sure his eyes have not been deceived, he relinquishes his hold
and departs for the interior where primitive nature still holds
undisputed sway.

6 Jeffries on the Fingers of Birds.

During September we are visited by various birds of prey.
Every autumn brings one or two Hawk Owls to perch upon the
top of the flag-staff or wind-vane, while young Goshawks and
Gyrfalcons circle about, frequently alighting for a short time upon
the fence or any convenient post. More rarely, a Pigeon Hawk
appears for a moment, only to vanish as quickly. Several times
during the evening, I have surprised a Short-eared Owl perched
upon the fence or hovering over the yard, probably attracted by
the mice which gather about the buildings at this season. One
fall, in October, a Great Horned Owl for several successive
evenings converted the woodpile into a lookout station, but was
careful to decamp before a gun could be brought into requisition.

As winter sets in a small party of Black-capped Titmice may
appear for a day or two and. less often, the Hudsonian Titmouse
may be seen. Both climb about the old log houses or examine
the weed patches, all the while cheerilv uttering their familiar
dee-dee-dee, and, in the end hurrying off as though they had not
a moment to spare. Then follows a long blank, broken only by
a stray party of Redpolls from their winter quarters in the inte-
rior; or, as may happen, a Ptarmigan perches upon the roof of
one of the buildings for a few moments, gazing with astonish-
ment on the mixture of dogs and men below ; then, probably
remembering a pressing engagement elsewhere, it precipitately
departs. Once a Ptarmigan, more philsophicallv inclined or
more foolish than the average, came whirring along and dropped
into the centre of the yard amidst forty or fifty Eskimo dogs.
Several persons who saw the performance stated that, as the
birds feet touched the ground, there was a wild rush of dogs, a
few feathers floated upward, and the dogs walked innocently away
casting back regretful glances to make sure the gods were not to
provide another heaven-sent gift for their delectation.

ON THE FINGERS OF BIRDS.

BY J. A. JEFFRIES.

The anterior limb or wing of birds is homologous with the
anterior limb of reptiles, batrachians and mammals. Hence it is

Jeffries on the Fi>igers of Birds. 7

but natural to compare it part for part with the limbs of these
animals.

If we take an adult bird we find two ossicles at the distal end
of the forearm ; these are called the ulno-carpal and radio-carpal
bones. Next we have a compound bone made up of shafts, rep-
resenting as many metacarpals. These in turn are capped by
finger points, of the formulas i, 2, 1, (e.g., Passeres), 2, 3, 1
(e. g., Ducks), or 2. 2, 1 (e. g., Coot).

The two carpel bones have, as a rule, been simply referred to
the first row ; while those of the second were considered to be
anchvlos with the metacarpals. Whether the metacarpals are
the I— III or the II-IV has been a mooted question, Rolleston,
Huxley- and Gegenbaur holding the first view and Owen, Wy-
man, Morse, and Coues holding the second view.

The first study of the development of the carpus was made by
Gegenbaur, who showed that the carpals were joined to the
metacarpals, and that the three metacarpals were at first separate.
Next Dr. Morse studied the carpus and tarsus of small birds in
their normal condition. Bv this means he demonstrated the ex-
istence in the embryo of the radiale, ulnare, and 2d, 3d, and 4th
carpals of his determination, also in some cases the intermedium
( Dendrceca cestiva), and the centrale ( Tyrannus carolinensis) .

About the same time Rosenberg studied the carpus of the chick
in a systematic way, longitudinal and -transverse sections being
made of the wing in various stages of development. The result
is that he has shown that the carpus is represented by the radiale,
intermedio-ulnare, and two carpal bones supposed to be the ist-
2nd and 3rd— 4th. Also that the metacarpus is represented bv
four long bones, the fourth one being on the ulnal side. These
he considers to be the first four.*

Very good sections can be obtained by soaking the wing in a
2%Sc/o solution of chromic acid and then in alcohol of increasing
density till 95 r/c is reached. The wing thus treated should be
imbedded in paraffine or some similar substance, then cut in the'
thinnest possible sections and mounted in balsam or a glycerine
compound. It is not necessary to stain the object, though this is
an advantage. A wing can be made perfectly transparent for

* I, however, find what seems to be a discrete 1st carpal in the Redstart; Morse has
done the same of other birds.

8 Jeffries on the Fingers of Birds.

gross examination by soaking in a solution of glycerine and
ammonia carmine. By this means I have obtained specimens
that have shown all the bones distinctly.

With this knowledge of the carpus and the light thrown by
the new specimen of the Arclnvoptcryx it would seem possible
to decide the homologies of the fingers in the class of birds. The
questions to be solved are : ( I ) Are the fingers homologous
throughout the class? (2) Are they the I- IV or the II- V ?

The only author known to me who considers that the fingers
among living birds are not homologous is Dr. Coues. This dis-
tinguished ornithologist says (Key, p. 30): "The forefinger
hand-bone sticks out a little from the side of the principal one.
and bears on its end one finger-bone (sometimes two), which is
commonly, but wrongly, called the bird's • thumb'. For although
on the extreme border of the hand, it is homological with
the forefinger; birds have no thumb (exc. Arc/nvoptcryx.
Strut Jiio. Rhea) ; and no little finger." The mistake concerning
the Arclnvoptcryx was natural and is merely taken from Owen's
memoir on the first fossil found. It has since, however, been
shown that it had only three fingers. But why the Ostrich and
Rhea should be included is hard to understand, since these have
hand bones like all flying birds.*

Among the birds with undeveloped hands the "index" finger
is the most constant, those on either side aborting before this.
The genus Dronnviis is a good example of this.

When the hand is developed it is of precisely the same form in
all birds,.

On the second question, which is virtually whether the first
finger of birds is the first of the series or the second, much has
been written ; all, however, with the idea that two were lost.

Owen, Coues, and Morse have at separate times held that birds
have no thumb, while Nitzsch, Meckel, Huxley, Gegenbaur and
Rosenberg claim that birds have a thumb.

The arguments used against the existence of the thumb are as
follows: (1) The first fossil remains of Archcvopteryx longi-
cauda show the remains of a detached finger, which Owen sup-
posed to be a first digit placed on the radial side of the " thumb."
Of this, however, he expresses some doubt. f (2) In Todd's

* See Selenka, Bronn's Thier-Reichs, Vogel, p. 75; D'Alton, Die Skelete d. Strauss-
artigen Vogel, p. 17; Owen, Anat. of the Vertebrates, Vol. II., p. 73.
f Owen, "On the Archceopteryx." Phil. Trans., 1864, Vol. CLIII.

Jeffries on the Fingers of Birds. 9

Cyclopedia Owen cites Nitzsch as authority when stating that
the claws at the radial side of the wing are supported by phalan-
ges. (3) The argument from analogy to the foot is brought for-
ward in the following words by Morse : "Tf we compare the leg
and wing of Spizella we shall see that in this early stage there
are but three metatarsals and three metacarpals, and it seems rea-
sonable to compare them together.

" As the .first toe appears much later and is reduced to two
phalanges, and has its two metatarsals also greatly reduced, and
as at the stage just cited the first toe is represented only by a few
granules, it seems natural to infer that in the wing the first finger
never makes its appearance." Again Morse refers to the law of
the reduction of digits. According to this law first the first and
then the fifth digits are lost.

If we examine these arguments it will be found that they can
not now be held. First, the last remains of an Archceofiteryx
described by Vogt show no traces of the supposed thumb of Owen,
though the specimen was very much better than Owen's. The
second argument, like the first, is without ground, and is not men-
tioned in Owen's Anatomy. The spurs found on the radial edge
of the wings of certain birds are just like those found on the tar-
sus of the cock and others of the same order. The bone within,
if any, is a special development for support. These spurs are
not to be confounded with the claws developed on the last pha-
langes of the first and second fingers of many birds.

In following the analogy of the hand to the foot among birds
we must not forget the great diversity in their formations. Again,
if we force the analogy at all, it becomes an argument in favor of
the existence of I digit. In the hand we have four metacarpals
developed, in the foot we have four, or more probablv five ; the
last, however, very rudimentary (a mere spot), even in the em-
bryo. Thus it seems more natural to omit the development of
the little finger than the thumb.

In considering the law of progressive reduction it must be
borne in mind that this is the law as worked out among walking
limbs, principally mammalian. Hence, with our present knowl-
edge of the action of phvsical forces on life, it is a doubtful ques-
tion whether the same laws would hold true for an organ used for
such an utterly different purpose as the wing of a bird. In a
walking limb the objects to be gained are: (1) The strongest

IO Jeffries on the Fingers of Birds.

possible means of support down its long axis, i. e., a post. (2)
Ease of flexion combined with rigidity when extended. Tbis
problem has been successfully worked out by the horse and other
Ruminants. In the wing of a bird the object is very different ;
here no direct support is' required but the power to resist a force
applied along the whole of the haemal surface. With this is
combined the requisite that the wing should close in such a way
as to oppose little resistance to the air in the advance of a bird
through it.

Again this law is an absolute failure when applied to the leg
of a bird, since the little toe is aborted but not the thumb. It
may not be out of place here to mention the greater tendency of
the radial side to produce digits, as shown by the extra toes in
dogs, cats and hens. On the other hand the anatomists who con-
sider the first digit of a bird to be the first of the series have not
brought forward any particular argument, but have taken it to be
a matter of course. Yet there are facts that seem to point this
way. (1) There are no signs of any metacarpals developed radiad
of the "thumb." This, of course, is of value only in so far as
it seems to imply that there never was any. (2) If we study
the myology of the hand we find several long muscles to the I
and II fingers. These are the extensor metacarpi radialis
longus, * and extensor carpi radialis to the first metacarpal, the
extensor pollicis longus and the extensor indicis proprius. The
last two muscles are so named from their similarity to these mus-
cles in man. At all events, long, separate muscles to the digits are
characteristic of the I, II, and V digits. Thus finding them in
birds seems to imply that the first and second fingers are the I, II
of the series.

Very marked characteristics of a bird's arm are that the flexor
muscles are numerous, the pronators and supinators performing
this function, and that all the long finger muscles are brought up
to the radial sides of the fingers so as to act as adductors. This
means a strong application of force to the radial side of the wing,
hence correspondingly strong bones. Now, unless the thumb
was lost before the modifications for flight were brought about,
this application of force to the radial side points to the develop-
ment of the thumb and index.

* Rodinger considers this to be a muscle of the thumb, not tha carpus. Nat. Ver-
hand. v. d. Hollandsche Maadschappy d.Wetenschappen te Haarlem. II. Verzame-
liog, 25 deel, 1868.

Berrier on Birds at Fort Hamilton, L. I. II

The only other parts, of any constancy, in the limbs besides the
bones and muscles are the nerves. And here again we find facts
that point towards the existence of the thumb. In man and some
mammals the I. II and radial side of the III fingers are supplied by
the radial nerve while the ulnal supplies "the rest. This also is
the case in birds, a small branch from the ulnal running clown the
posterior face of the pinion to the III finger.

Thus, since the arguments drawn from the Archceopteiyx must
be discarded, none remain to prove the non-existence of the
thumb. On the other hand, all the facts of myology point to its
existence, while the nerves, though not so constant, point the
samj way. Analogy to the foot also points this way, there being
two joints in the thumb and three in the index, the same number
that are the rule in the foot for the first and second toes. Also
where there are two and three joints respectively in the finger
there are often claws on the end, thus pointing to unugual pha-
langes.

So it seems safe to sav that the structural evidence of the
forearm and hand points to the existence of the I, II, III, and IV
finders in the class of birds.

NOTES ON A FEW BIRDS OBSERVED AT FORT
HAMILTON, LONG ISLAND, N. Y.

BY DE L. BERRIER.

About the 20th of September, 1877, great numbers of the Red-
headed Woodpecker {Mclancrpes erythrocephalus) , made their
appearance about Fort Hamilton. They outnumbered the " High-
holes," usually so common at that time of the year, and attracted
the attention of the local gunners. Up to this time I had looked
upon the Red-head as a scarce bird with us, having seen it only a
few times before. As long ago as 1844. Giraud noticed that this
bird had become much less abundant in the Eastern States than
formerly. Dr. Coues, in " Birds of the North West," says it is
now rare in New England. The conclusion is that either the bird is
becoming extirpated in these regions, or else it is taking the advice

12 Berrier on Birds at Fort Hamilto>i, L. I.

of a late prominent politician. However, in the fall of 1S77 it
was very common here for about ten days. It was also abundant
in the adjacent parts of New York and New Jersey. Thus, at
Tarrytown, an acquaintance of mine took a hundred and four
specimens, and my friend Gerard Hardenberg, Esq., found it
very plentiful about New Brunswick and Princeton. Unless I
am mistaken, it was recorded in considerable numbers from the
south side of Long Island in the winter of 1877 and 1S7S. In the
fall of 1 878 I saw only two or three individuals of this species,
and during the last autumn I shot but one.

The fall of 187S was also remarkable for the unusal number of
Red-bellied Nuthatches (S/tta canadensis), White-bellied Nut-
hatches {Sitta carolinensis) , Brown Creepers (Certhia famil-
iaris) , and Chickadees ( Parus atricapillus) . Excepting the first-
named, which had hitherto been rather scarce, the rest had
always been regular fall visitants, but never in such hosts as came
that autumn. The little fellows were everywhere, — about the
trees, on the fences, climbing the sides of the houses, and running
about the shutters. Thev remained with us through the winter
and first half of the spring. I may here remark that I shot a Red-
bellied Nuthatch at Fort Hamilton, July 20. 1S77, in lull breed-
ing plumage (see Brewster's " First Plumages," this Bulletin, Vol.
Ill, pp. 20, 21). What this bird was doing on Long Island in
mid-summer I can not imagine, as its southern breeding limit is
far north of here. During the past autumn and winter I have
seen not one Red-bellied Nuthatch, or Chickadee, and only two or
three WThite-bellied Nuthatches. Why such a common bird as
the Black-capped Tit should have been wanting I cannot imagine.
It would be interesting to know whether this species wintered in
unusual abundance north of Long Island.

In the fall of 1S79 the Water Thrush {Sinrtis na>vius) was the
characteristic bird of this neighborhood. Fort Hamilton is hardly
the locality where one would look for the Wrater Thrush. Almost
every pond in the township of New Utrecht has been drained, on
account of the malaria that formerly prevailed, and there are no
streams. Nevertheless from the middle of August to the latter
part of September Water Thrushes were very abundant. They
were found in dry woods, in pastures and orchards, and in yards
and gardens. In fact, I found them more plenty away from than
about moist ground. Heretofore the Water Thrush had been

Berriek on Birds at Fort Hamilton, L. I. 1 3

rather scarce both in spring and autumn. About the middle of
the present month, May 1SS0. I noticed it in considerable num-
bers.

What occasions these erratic movements of the birds? The
supposition that a variation in the supply of food is the cause
seems hardly probable, for it appears incredible that the food of
the Chickadee and Nuthatches should have been so scant last fall
as to cause these birds to avoid this locality in their migrations. I
say it is incredible because their kind of food is shared by many
other birds that were abundant. As for the character of the
season influencing their travels, unless it can be shown that they
wintered north of Long Island in unusual numbers, I do not think
it can be taken as a reasonable explanation, for the birds men-
tioned above are regular migrants whatever the character of the
seasons may be.

In closing I may remark that there are three common birds that
are always rare about Fort Hamilton, viz. : The Hairy Wood-
pecker {Picus villosus). the Downy Woodpecker {Pic us pube-
sccns), and the Purple Martin {Progne purpurea) . Now I
expect that some readers of this article will conclude that its
author is either afflicted with blindness, or else is a very careless
observer. I beg leave to say that neither conclusion is correct.
The statement regarding the scarcity of the species just named,
•is the result of four years' careful observation of the birds of this
locality. Mr. Geo. H. Coues has. indeed, given both the Hairy
and Downy Woodpeckers as common about the Naval Hospital,
Brooklyn (this Bull., Vol. IV.. p. 31). The Hospital is scarcely
a dozen miles from Fort Hamilton, nevertheless I must stand to
my statement, and am willing to take my oath upon a copy of
Dr. Coues's "Key to North American Birds," as to its validity.
In this vicinity I have met with the Downy Woodpecker only
two or three times, and with the Hairy Woodpecker not at all.
It is true that the woods have been pretty nearly cleared away
from this part of the island, still a sufficient amount of woodland
remains, and certainly the orchards should furnish ample accom-
modations. The case of the Purple Martin is equally curious.
This bird is common enough at the eastern end of the island,
yet here I have only seen a few individuals.

14 Scott on Birds observed in Florida.

ON BIRDS OBSERVED IN SUMPTER, LEVY, AND
HILLSBORO' COUNTIES. FLORIDA.

BY W. E. D. SCOTT.

My purpose in the following pages is to give additional notes
on the distribution and habits of certain birds that do not seem to
have come commonly under the notice of ornithologists collecting
in Florida during the fall, winter, and early spring months. The
data which follow were collected during two visits to Florida,
and at the several points to be presently indicated. The first of
these visits occurred in 1876 and covered a period extending from
January 1 to the end of the following March. The observations
then made were confined to the interior, the precise location
being at Panasofkee Lake in Sumpter County. Here a large
region was carefully studied and particularly the bird fauna of
this lake, — a small body of water, about eight miles long and
four broad in its widest part. Its greatest depth is, so far as ascer-
tained, about fifteen feet, but the general depth is much less,
being not more, than three or four feet. The general character-
istics of the region are those common to many parts of the State,
— rolling sandhills wooded with pine, " hummocks." some of great
extent, and wet open grass lands or marshes. These last give
rise to certain small streams supplying the lake, which in its turn
has a large outlet leading into the Withlacoochee River, forming
one of the main branches of that river. The lake is bounded by
••saw-grasses" and cypress swamps; the latter are very exten-
sive about the outlet of the lake and along the river above-men-
tioned.

Late in October, 1879, I again visited Florida, and spent from
November 1 until April 5 on the Gulf Coast. The interval from
the 1st of November until the 25th of January was passed at a
point some three miles north of the mouth of the Withlacoochee
River. Here the Gulf is dotted for a distance of three or four
miles from the shore with innumerable islands, mostly low and of
very limited area. The main land, as it approaches the Gulf, is
heavily wooded with pine, interspersed here and there with small
hummocks. The pine forests end generally very abruptly in large
salt marshes reaching to the Gulf.

Scott on Birds observed hi Florida. 1 5

Late in January I left this point and went to Clearwater,
fifty miles south, a region entirely different from that just de-
scribed. Here the main land terminates in high bluffs. About
two miles from the main land long islands extend parallel to it,
forming interior bays like those of New Jersey and at many
points along the coast of the States to the southward. These
islands are generally narrow, high, and at points heavily wooded.
With this brief glance at these three regions the remarks on the
birds characterizing them will be more intelligible.

It is not in the scope of the present paper to mention all the
species occurring, and it will be only necessary to say that the
commoner small land species were met with at each point. It may
be well, howeyer. to use as a standard for comparison Mr. Allen's
list.* and notice only such species as apparently differ in general
distribution or did not come under his obseivation or that of the
gentlemen referred to by him.

In January. 1S79. the Long-billed Marsh Wren ( Telmatodvtes
pahistris) was abundant in the salt marshes at the mouth of the
Withlacoochee River..

At Ocala. in the interior, on Noyember 1, 1S79, two Tit Larks
{Anth?(s iodovician/ts) were noticed and the species was com-
mon at Clearwater during February.

The Golden-crowned Thrush (Sinri/s auricapillits') I met
with once at Clearwater in February and the Water Thrush
(Siurzis ?icevius) was not uncommon in February in the damp,
dark, mangroye islands in the same locality. It seemed peculiar
to meet this species on these small islands that were oyerflowed
with salt water each high tide. The Purple Martin (Progne
sz/dis) was common about Clearwater February 22, and on March
6 I noted a pair breeding in a hollow in a decayed mangroye
close to the water. I found also several pairs breeding inland
during the same month.

Of the Finches recorded in Mr. Allen's list I did not find
either the Snowbird {jfunco hyemalis) , or the Fox-colored Spar-
row {Passerella iliaca). Both the Sharp-tailed and Seaside
Finches {Ammodromits caudacutus and A. maritimus) were
found commonly, but though I took many specimens of A.
maritimus none were in the peculiar plumage (A. maritimus

* Mammals and Winter Birds of East Florida, etc. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoology
Vol. II, pp. 161-450, April, 1871.

1 6 Scott ou Birds observed" in Florida.

nigrescens) obtained by Mr. Maynard. The Yellow-winged
Sparrow ( Coturniculus passer inns') was common throughout
February and March at Clearwater, and on March 25 I obtained
a single Henslow's Sparrow ( C. kenslowi) at the same locality.
In the same region Bachman's Finch (Peuccea aestivalis) was
abundant.

Several specimens of Chuck-will's-widow (Antrostomus caro-
linensis) were noted or taken during the month of February ;it
Clearwater.

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker {Campephilus principalis) was
taken at both Panasofkee Lake and at the mouth of the Withla-
coochee River and was noted at Clearwater. It was most common
at the second locality but seems a rare bird at all the points indi-
cated. A female taken on January 20. 1SS0. was incubating.
The nest seems to be not uncommonly made in the trunk of the
palmetto, from observations made at the mouth of the Withla-
coochee where these trees are particularly abundant and large, I
noticed an old nest, evidently of this species, that was not more
than fifteen feet from the ground.

The Parrakeet (Conurus carolinensis) is becoming yearly
more rare. It was very abundant at Panasofkee Lake, but very
few were noted at the mouth of the Withlacoochee, and only a
single bird at Clearwater, though it was not uncommon in the in-
terior twelve miles north of the latter locality.

About February 1, 1S76. I first noticed the Everglade Kite
(Rastrhamus sociabilis) at Panasofkee Lake, and shortly this
species became abundant at this point. Frequently pairs were
• observed together and the bird was commonly met with in par-
ties of from six to ten. On one occasion I noticed nineteen asso-
ciated together, fishing in the shallow water of a bay that made
off from one side of the lake. Many of the birds were in the
brown plumage, though the dark blue plumage was frequently
met with. Their food at this point apparently consists of a kind
of large fresh-water snail, which is very abundant, and the local
name of "' Snail Hawk" is particularly applicable to the bird as I
have met with it. They fish over the shallow water, reminding
one of Gulls in their motions, and having secured a snail by
diving they immediately carry it to the nearest available perch,
when the animal is dexterously taken from the shell without in-
jury to the latter. At many points where a particularly conven-

Scott on Birds observed in Florida. I 7

ient tree or stub rises out of the saw-grass the ground is literally
heaped with the empty shells of these unfortunate snails. The
birds were especially numerous throughout the month of March
but had not. I think, nested before my departure, March 25, as
they were still associated in flocks or companies.

During January and February, 1S76. I many times noted indi-
viduals of the Mississippi Kite {Icthiia mississipfiiensis) , but
as they were very wary I was unable to obtain specimens. The
Swallow-tailed Kite (JVauclerus fit rent us) I found common at
Panasofkee Lake during the last week of February and through-
out March. These three species, met with so commonly at
the point indicated, I did not even see on the coast, though cer-
tain regions visited some ten miles inland seemed admirably
adapted for at least the two latter. R. sociabilis* it maybe well
to remark, impresses me as eminently an aquatic species. I
found it always in the immediate vicinity of the lake and gener-
ally.most common about certain bays where the water was shal-
low and the snails particularly abundant. Although there were
extensive marshes along the river, and although at points where
it widened out the water was shallow and the snails present
(at a point hardly -two miles from the lake), this species was
never there observed by me hunting over the land at any point,
nor even along the river.

The Duck Hawk (Falco peregrinns) was a rather common
species during the first two months of my stay at Panasofkee
Lake and was noted, though not so commonly, in March. The
last observation on this species was on March 24, when a pair
were seen. As observed here, this Hawk preyed almost ex-
clusively on the Coot {Fiilica americana) which occurred in
enormous flocks on both lake and river.

At all three points I found the White-headed Eagle (Halia'etns
lucoccphal/is) a common bird and this was particularly the case
on the coast. A pair at the mouth of the Withlacoochee River
began to repair an old nest early in November, 1S79. and must
have laid early in December, as the young were obtained almost
fully fledged the 22d of January. At Clearwater Harbor two
sets, one of two and one of three almost fully fledged young, were
obtained February 5 and 6. Four Eagle's nests were in sight
from the house where I stayed at this place, within the radius of a
mile and a half, all of them inhabited. In the immediate neigh-

1 8 Scott on Birds observed in Florida.

borhood were at least seven or eight other pairs of Eagles
breeding.

Audubon's Caracara (Polvborus brasiliensis) was not observed
at any of the localities visited.

The Barred Owl {Strix nebulosa alleni), which was very
abundant at Panasofkee Lake, was rather a rare bird at the points
visited on the coast, but the Screech Owl {Scops asio Jloridana) ,
which I did not find in the interior, was abundant at both loca-
tions on the Gulf Coast. The specimens obtained are most of
them in the gray or mottled plumage, though two are in the red
plumage. In size they are like the Acadian Owl {Nyctale aca-
dica) as found in New Jersey, a trifle smaller if anything.

The Black-breasted Plover (Sat/artarola helvetica) was very
common in November. December, and January at the mouth of
the Withlacoochee River, and remained common at Clearwater
until late in March. The Golden Plover ( CJiaradrins virginicus)
was not met with. In Januarv I several times saw the Wilson's
Plover {^jflLgialitis nvilsonia) , but it was not common. On my
arrival at Clearwater. 30th Januarv, it was abundant in small
flocks of from four to a dozen. They were very unsuspicious and
easily taken. My assistant, Mr. James Henry Devereux, procur-
ed many nests with eggs of this species on the shores of Old
Tampa Bay in April and early May. He says that they breed
verv abundantly at this point but their eggs and young are so dil-
igently sought after and destroyed by the common hog that very
few escape. This is also the case with the Willet ( Totanus semi-
pahnatits) and other ground-nesting species.

Both the Semipalmated and Piping Plovers {sEgialitis semi-
palmata and ./E. meloda), were met with at the mouth of the
Withlacoochee River in December and Januarv ; the former very
abundantly and the latter rarely. The former was also common
at Clearwater in February. The Oystercatcher {Hivmatopns
palliatns) was not uncommon during my stay at the mouth of
the river, but was rather more numerous during late December
and January. It was common at Clearwater, where Mr. Dever-
eux obtained a set of eggs. At all points where it was met with
it was very shy. During November, December, and January, the
Turnstone (Sfrepsilas interpres) was an abundant bird at the
mouth of the Withlacoochee River, and it was also common at
Clearwater during the first part of February.

Scott on Birds observed in Florida. 1 9

The Red-breasted Snipe (Macrorhamphus griseus) was a
common bird during my stay on the Gulf Coast and was also met
with at Panasofkee Lake, though not commonly. At this latter
place most of the individuals obtained were the variety scolopa-
ceiiSy but on the Gulf the commoner form (variety griseus) ob-
tained, almost to the exclusion of the other. A curious habit of
this species was noted at the mouth of the Withlacoochee. where
I saw the birds alight in very deep water and swim about for con-
siderable time. This occurred in every instance after a flock had
been fired at. and I thought at first that the birds had been
wounded, but after observing the occurrence a number of times
and on watching the birds while in the water I concluded that
such was not the case. Those I noted were generallv solitary
individuals, but twice I saw three and once four alight in the
water, swim lightly and gracefullv about, and when disturbed rise
easilv and flv away. These observations were all made at one
point. This was an oyster reef at some distance from any other
land. At low tide it was bare and would become covered at this
time with hosts of Grallce. A single point remained half-sub-
merged at high water and this was covered with this Species and
Strepsilas interpres. The area thus crowded by birds was
but a few square yards and the birds on it at high water were
generally asleep, as was plainly to be seen with a field glass. I
think the birds simply alighted in the water to wait till such a
time as the disturbing element would allow of their returning to
this favorite resting point.

The Great Marbled God wit {Liniosa fedod) and the Long-
billed Curlew {Numenius longirostris) were common on the
Gulf Coast at both points visited, and I was told by trustworthy
hunters that both species remained the year round, though very
much more abundant in winter. Other species of Numenius I
did not meet with. It seems hardly necessary to record the
abundance of the Willet ( Tola n us semipalmatus) , which was
very common and conspicuous on the Gulf Coast, assumed its
full plumage late in February, and was not found breeding till
April. These later observations were made at Clearwater.
The Red-breasted Sandpiper ( Tringa canutus) was common at
Clearwater in Februarv. as was also the Dunlin ( Tringa alpi)ia
americaua). A single record of Tringa bonapartll was made
at Clearwater in Februarv.

20 Scott on Birds observed in Florida .

At Panasofkee Lake, one of the most numerous and conspic-
uous species was the Courlan or Crying Bird (Aramus Rictus) ,
where its principal food seemed to be the species of snail on which
the Everglade Kite preyed, but I did not observe this species at
the mouth of the Withlacoochee River and it is unknown to the
hunters about Clearwater. There are numerous fresh-water
lakes and ponds in the country about Clearwater, notably among
which is Lake Butler, a very considerable sheet of water, but
frequent visits to such places confirm me in the belief that the
Courlan does not obtain in this region now. It is very rapidly
becoming exterminated where it was once so abundant. While
travelling on the Oclawaha in the winter of 187^-76 I saw it in
countless numbers, but going over the same ground in the winter
of 1879-S0 I observed less than ten individuals.

At Clearwater and just south of it. and particularly at points
on Old Tampa Bay. I found the Reddish Egret (Ardea rufa)
abundant. While most common in the dark plumage, many
were noted and some obtained in the white plumage., the so-
called Ardea pealii, They began breeding in March and were
breeding commonly in April. Mr.» Deyereux obtaining numerous
sets of their eggs, varying from four to six in number, This gen-
tleman found young in both plumages in the same nest where
the parents were both blue birds.

I was struck during the early part of the breeding season, with
the coloration about the bill and face in some of the Herons, and
not finding descriptions of the same conditions I append the
following: Ardea ccerulea. In this species, in both plumages,
I have, in a very large series collected at the three points visited,
noted that the iris is light straw color. But a series of twelve
individuals collected at Clearwater in a little lake where they had
just begun to breed, the date being 20th March, 18S0, the iris
was deep lead color and in one case brown or hazel. These are
the only individuals of this species that I have taken at just this
period, viz., at the beginning of the breeding season, but this is
apparently the coloration of the part in question at that season.

On March 15, at the lower end of Old Tampa Bay, I made
the following notes with regard to the coloration of the lores,
face, and eves of the Louisiana Heron {Ardea leiicogastra leuco-
coprymna). The notes are from twelve individuals freshly killed,
and the nesting season had advanced as far as the completion of

Scott on Birds observed i?i Florida. 21

the nest, for only in one nest out of fifty just finished was a single
egg found. The specimens, as in the last case, were both males
and females: "Lores and base of bill, deep, dark bine with
no trace of orange or any shade of yellow. No yellow on bill
ox face at any point. The iris, in nine cases, deep bright red ;
in the other three, red. with a tinge of yellowish. Later in the
season, about April ist, some females show yellowish about the
bill and have yellow irides, but the males are still as above de-
scribed." *

I found the Yellow-crowned Night Heron {Nyctiardea vio-
lacea) not uncommon at Clearwater, and also secured a series of
the species at Panasofkee Lake. Mr. Devereux found the Least
Bittern (Ardetta exilis) breeding very commonly at Clear-
water early in April.

The most common small Tern noted on the Gulf Coast through-
out the winter was Forster's Tern ( Sterna forsteri) , and until ear-
ly spring all obtained were in the 'k /lavelli" stage. They were
abundant during my stay at the mouth of the Withlacoochee
River, and were noted daily at Clearwater, where early in Feb-
ruary I obtained individuals in full plumage. Mr. Devereux
obtained the Least Tern {Sterna s/iperciliaris) breeding very
commonly in May.

All the Ducks noted by Mr. Allen were obtained, and, in ad-
dition, a single specimen of the Ring-necked Duck {Fitligitla
collaris) at Panasofkee Lake, where I noted the species on two
occasions. At the mouth of Withlacoochee River, in January,
I observed a single Buffle-headed Duck ( Clangnla albeola) , a
male in full plumage.

* [These observations are of special interest as giving the first account of the color-
ation of the face and bill in this species in the breeding season based on Florida exam-
ples. Mr. C. B. Cory has observed the same conditions among the Louisiana Herons '
met with by him at the Bahama Islands (see Birds of the Bahama Islands, 1880, pp.
168, 169, plate, and " Oologist," Vol. V, p. 79, Dec, 1880), and finding no account of
similar features in relation to this species as observed elsewhere has made this seasonal
phase of coloration in these parts the basis of a new species, named by him Ardea
cyanirostris. — J. A. ALLEN.]

22 Allen on Insectivorous Birds.

INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS IN THEIR RELATION
TO MAN.

BY J. A. ALLEN.

Doubtless many ornithologists who have attentively exam-
ined the contents of birds' stomachs have suspected that were
the truth known it would be found that the insectivorous species
are not to so great an extent the ally of man in his contest with
voracious insect hordes as is generally believed. The commun-
ity at large fails to recognize in this connection two important
facts, namely : that there are beneficial insects as well as injurious
ones, and that birds are indiscriminate in their captures. Were
it an established fact that birds, in so fir as they are insectivorous,
are the friends of man. the notion that birds are useful in propor-
tion to the number of insects they destroy could hardly have a
firmer hold. On all sides the cry is raised " Protect the birds."
while their actual role in relation to the insect world has scarcely
received a serious thought. " Birds destroy insects, therefore
they are an invaluable aid to man in his unequal struggle with
these insidious foes.*" is a natural and general conclusion. That
there are rapacious and parasitic insects, that these are the great
natural check upon the undue increase of the plant-eating species,
and that birds are useful only in proportion to the number of the
latter they destroy as compared with the former, are facts that are
generally ignored.

As above stated, it has not escaped the notice of those ornithol-
ogists who have a smattering of entomological knowledge that
insectivorous birds may do much harm as well as great good, and
that the popular and almost universal demand tor their protection,
while perhaps harmless, is at least based on ignorance of the real
state of the case. I well recall being pained years ago by finding,
with the cutworms and caterpillars, a conspicuous proportion of
•• lady bugs." rapacious ground beetles, and other predaceous
insects in the stomachs of Thrushes, and of ichneumons with the
soft aphides and caterpillars in those of Warblers. As an
enthusiastic lover of birds. I feared the results to which a
critical study of the food of insectivorous birds might lead ; and

Allen o)t Insectivorous Birds. 23

I have compared notes with other bird-lovers who share the same
misgiving", based on their own casual study of the subject. But
whatever the final outcome of such investigation, sentiment should
of course give way to truth. Whether insectivorous birds, con-
sidered from the utilitarian side, are beneficial in their relation to
agriculture, or positively (at least in many cases) injurious, or
merely hold a neutral place, it is far too early yet to decide, for
thorough investigation of the subject can be considered as having
merely begun. The fact that they destroy large numbers of nox-
ious insects is established beyond question; whether they do
not at the same time devour so large a proportion of beneficial
ones as to fully or more than offset the good they accomplish
in the destruction of the former may be considered as an open
question, which years of careful observation can alone decide.
From investigations now in progress, notably in this country at
the hands of Professor S. A. Forbes of Normal. Illinois, it is to be
hoped that the data for an intelligent judgment in the matter will
be soon reached. To Professor Forbes is due the credit of not
only first directing attention to the subject, but of first instituting
systematic research respecting the relation of birds to predaceous
and parasitic insects. In addition to his own observations he has
published a translation * of M. Edouard Perris's memoir on this
subject, published in 1S73 in the ••Bulletin mensuel de la Societe
d'Acclimatation." t M. Perris, after many years of careful ob-
servation, expressed himself as ^convinced that the current ideas
respecting the utility of birds are prompted by impulse rather than
reflection," and. he adds. " I believe that, if more attention had been
paid to the role played by insectivorous birds and to the mode of life
of tlie insects which injure us, very different conclusions would
have been reached." After reviewing the subject at length, and
presenting in detail his long array of tacts, he formulates his de-
ductions, calling attention to the fact that birds are scattered here
and there in pairs •• while insects invade en masse the trees which
they attack, the products of the soil of which they are the ene-
mies" : that while birds destroy enormous numbers of insects,
these insects are in great part innoxious, while some are eminent-
ly useful. " The species really noxious are so few compared
with the whole mass, that birds are really of little service. They

* American Entomologist, new series, Vol. I, 1880, pp. 69-72, 96-100.

t Republished here from the M6m. de la Soc. roy. des Sciences de Lie^e.

2 a Allen on Insectivorous Birds.

may even injure us, ... . especially by killing so many carniv-
orous or parasitic insects, which render us the greatest service."
Reasons are also assigned why so many of the really noxious ones
escape capture, either through their minuteness, their habits, or
through special means of concealment or protection.

As Professor Forbes observes, the question of the food of birds
is almost entirely a question for entomologists and botanists,
although it has hitherto been left almost wholly to ornithologists,
who have not usually the special knowledge requisite for its in-
vestigation even had they the desire to pursue this branch of
inquiry. For this reason he hopes the attention of our economic
entomologists will be turned in this direction, and has accordingly
laid M. Perris's paper before them.

Professor Forbes has undertaken the investigation of the food
of the Thrushes and of the Bluebird. His examination has thus
far been preliminary or on too limited a scale to give conclusive
results, vet yielding deductions that go far to show how greatly
such studies are likely to revolutionize current opinion respecting
the utility of birds as destroyers of noxious insects. His report
on the food of the Thrush family ( Turdidce) * is based on
the examination of the stomachs of fifty-one Robins, thirty-seven
Catbirds, twenty-eight Brown Thrushes, eleven Wood Thrushes.
eighteen Hermit Thrushes, eight " Alice's Thrushes." six " Swain-
son's Thrushes," and one Wilson's Thrush, shot in Illinois in
various months from March to September. While the number
of specimens is small. Professor Forbes claims that no equal
number " has been previously studied with equal care" and gives
his results "as hypotheses, more or less probable, but requiring
verification by further study." A rigid examination of the food
elements in these examples " determines the hitherto unexpected
fact that the family is inordinately destructive to predaceous bee-
tles (Harpalincz) , seven per cent, of the food of the 150 specimens
consisting of these highly beneficial insects. When we remember
that one predaceous insect must destroy many times its own bulk
of other insects during its life, we see the importance of this fact
in respect to the economical value of these birds. ... Of the,
1 ^o Thrushes examined, forty-six per cent, had taken Carabidce

*The Food of Birds. Trans. Illinois State Hort. Soc, Vol. XIII, 1879 (1880), pp.
120-172. — The Food-habits of Thrushes. Amer. Entomologist, new ser., Vol. I, pp.
12, 13, Jan., 1880.

Allen on Insectivorous Birds. 25

[predaceous beetles], while of 194 birds of other families in whose
stomachs insects were found, less than five per cent, had eaten
these Coleoptera. The worst sinner in this respect was the Her-
mit Thrush. . . . Curiously, the ratio of Carabidce continued un-
diminished during the fruit season, when the total of insect
food fell away very rapidly. For example, the Cat-birds ate in
May, June, and July eighty-seven per cent., sixtv-four per cent.,
and eighteen per cent., respectively, of insect food, while the
Carabidce for those months averaged seven per cent., six per
cent., and ten per cent., the corresponding fruit record standing
nothing, thirty per cent., and seventy-one per cent. . . . The ab-
sence of all, or nearly all, the specially protected genera is notice-
able (unless the obscure color of many is reckoned a special pro-
tection)." * The full details of the observations made upon this
family f show certain specific differences of food ; that while the
different species of this group agree in many particulars as re-
gards food, that the differences are so marked that it is usually
possible to "determine the species by the contents of three or
four stomachs."

During April, the eleven Robins examined were found to have
"apparently done very much more harm than good .... eating
predaceous beetles which would probably have destroyed many
more noxious insects than were found in their own stomachs."
In May the balance was found in favor of the four specimens ex-
amined ; in June, in respect to five specimens, the balance was in
the other direction, but probably turned favorably through the
large amount of insect food procured for their young. The July
record left " the scale trembling in the balance." The final con-
clusion respecting forty-one Robins is that they had, taken together,
" certainly done, just previous to their demise, fully as much harm
as good, as far as we can judge from the contents of their stom-
achs." With respect to the Catbird it was found that there was
" an unexpected balance of about seven per cent, of injurious
insects with which to pay for twenty-seven per cent, of fruit,"
for the three months of May, June, and July. With regard to
the economic value of the Brown Thrush, Mr. Forbes thus sums
the evidence : "so far as it can be supposed to be indicated by
the stomachs of these twenty-eight individuals, I conclude that

* Amer. Ent., 1. c. p. 13.

f Trans. Illinois State Hort. Soc, . c.

26 Allen on Insectivorous Birds.

in April it gains a credit of about twenty-two per cent. ; that in
Mav, chiefly through the excess of predaceous beetles, this drops
to about six per cent. ; that in June it falls away to zero, and in July
to minus thirty per cent., thus just about wiping out the credits of
the previous months." The Hermit Thrush is counted a " public
enemy " on the score of his excessive destruction of predaceous
beetles. The Swainson's Thrush (under which name we in-
clude "the Alice Thrush ") has a better record and is regard-
ed as worthy of " what little encouragement and protection we
can give it during its brief stay." On the whole the Thrush
family, so far as our knowledge of their food extends, cannot be
awarded "any great economical value."

Professor Forbes's showing for the •• beautiful and beloved"
Bluebird is certainly a surprise and a shock to our notions of its
innocence and hitherto supposed high degree of usefulness. His
detailed report.* based on an examination of eighty-six specimens,
shows that the species preys largely upon predaceous beetles and
ichneumons, the latter including special enemies of the cutworms
and grasshoppers. In view of the many uncertainties that enter
into the problem of the relation of carnivorous and parasitic
insects to those which form their natural prey — whether or not
their increase is sufticientlv rapid to keep up their due proportion
to these and also to furnish a surplus for destruction by birds —
Professor Forbes believes that (as he rather obscurely puts it)
while l" the probabilities seem to be against the Bluebird." " the
certainties are, as yet, in its favor." Taking into account, Re
adds in conclusion, '■' the certainty of the evil consequences of the
destruction of the Bluebird, and the uncertainty of the possible
good, I believe that, notwithstanding the apparent balance against
the species, even the most radical economist, the most indifferent
to the beauty and pleasure of the natural world, would have no
present justification for throttling the song of the Bluebird in his
garden with the hope of increasing thereby his annual store of
hay and cabbage."

In respect to the general subject of the economic relation of
insectivorous birds to insects, and to the results already attained
through his detailed studies, Professor Forbes judiciously admits
that the observations thus far made are far too few to settle the ques-
tion, but that they indicate that the time has come for hesitation,

* Amer. Entomol., new ser., Vol. I, pp. 215-218, 231-234, Sept. and Oct., 1880.

Allen on Insectivorous Birds. 2 7

for impartial study, and for a cautious balancing of the evidence ;
for those who are least prepared to understand their own ignorance
to give attention to some of the conditions of the problem. What
the final outcome will be it is quite too early to predict ; what
seems most probable is that while some insect-destroying birds
may doubtless prove to be demonstrably beneficial to a greater or
less extent, many others will prove to hold merely a neutral posi-'
tion. while a few may be found to be to a slight degree injurious.
It is certainly time to abandon the ground that because certain
birds subsist largely upon insects they are necessarilv beneficial.
It seems not improbable that the role of insectivorous birds, con-
sidering the class collectively, will prove to be in no way econom-
ically important, and that it will be safe to leave nature to adjust
her own balance between birds and insects ; that undue inter-
ference, either in the way of protection or of proscription, will
tend rather to harm than to good But birds are to be considered
not merely with regard to dollars and cents— to the production of
grain and fruits; they have their aesthetic relation, and, sentiment
aside, we may long and wisely hesitate before outlawing even the
few species that may seem to somewhat overbalance their services
by indulgences which to some degree militate against man's material
interests. So much do the}- contribute to our higher enjoyment,
to such a degree is their presence a pleasure, and their influence
ennobling, it would be an aspersion upon our civilization to even
suppose that the time will soon come when public sentiment will
demand for trifling cause the extirpation of creatures so thoroughly
endowed with beauty, and with attributes that touch so deeply
our inner life. While we may well look forward with deep in-
terest to the results of thorough research in this direction, there
seems little reason for anxiety, even on the part of those who
would least welcome an unfavorable showing for their cherished
favorites of the bird world.

28

Sclater on the Systema Avium.

REMARKS ON THE PRESENT STATE OF THE
SYSTEMA AVIUM.

BY P. L. SCLATER.*

It will be generally allowed, I believe, by all ornithologists that
the Systema Avium is not at present in a very satisfactory state.
The Cuvierian arrangement and its modifications have been
broken down by the criticisms of modern inquirers ; but no other
system has arisen to take its place, or. at all events, has secured
general adoption. The subject being, as will be universally
allowed, one of the utmost importance. I have thought it possible
that my brother workers might like to hear what my views are
upon the question.

Up to 1873, as regards general arrangements, I had acquiesced,
more or less, in the modified Cuvierian system employed by G.
R. Gray in his well-known works. I had, however, long before
quite come to the conclusion that the true Passeres were the most
highly developed order of birds, and should be placed at the head
of the series, and that the Fissirostres and Scansores. which in
Gray's system merely figure as subdivisions of the Passeres,
should stand as separate orders. I had also made up my mind
that, as regards the subdivisions of the Passeres, Midler's dis-
coveries as to the form of the larynx and the arrangement of its
muscles could not be passed over. Accordingly, in the cata-
logue of my collection of American birds, published in 1S62, I
arranged the three first orders of birds (as I then considered
them), to which my collection was restricted, as follows: —

Ordo Passeres.

Sectio Oscines.

i. Turdidoe.
ii. Cinclidae.
iii. Sylviidae.
iv. Paridae.

v. Certhiidae.
vi. Troglodytidae.
vii. Motacillidae.
viii. Mniotiltidae.
ix. Hirundinidae.

x. Vireonidee.

xi. Laniidae.

xii. Ampelidae.

xiii. Coerebidae.

xiv. Tanagridas.

xv. Fringillidae.

xvi. Alaudidas.
xvii. Icteridae.
xviii. Corvidae.

* From the "Ibis," 4th ser., Vol. IV, No. 15, pp. 340-350, July, 1880.

As comparatively few American readers of the Bulletin have ready access to the
"Ibis" it has been deemed expedient to lay before them, in view of its high importance,
Dr. Sclater's memoir here reprinted. — Eds.

Sclatek on the Systema Avium. 29

Sectio TracheophotuB.

xix. Dendrocolaptida;. xxii. Tyrannida-.

xx. Pteroptochida-. xxiii. Cotingidte.

xxi. Formicariida'. xxiv. Phytotomidae.

Ordo FlSSIROSTRES.

i. Momotidae. vi. Trogonida?.

ii. Todida?. vii. Caprimulgida;.

iii. Alcedinida-. viii. Cypselidae.
iv. Galbulidas. ix. Trochilidas.

v. Bucconida?.

Ordo Scan so res.
i. Cuculidae. iv. Picidas.

ii. Rhamphastidae. v. Psittacidae.

iii. Capitonida;. .

This arrangement of the three first orders of birds I employed
until 1S72, allowing the Accipitres to succeed, and the remaining
orders to follow, according to the Gravian system. But in 1872
it was necessary to decide what arrangement should be employed
for the remaining orders in the list of Neotropical birds ('No-
menclator Avium Neotropicalium') which I was then preparing
together with Mr. Salvih.* In the mean time the famous inves-
tigations of Prof. Huxley on the bones of the palate in the class
of birds had taken place, and an entirely new arrangement of the
class, consequent upon these inyestigations. had been promul-
gated. Having long entertained serious doubts as to the validity
of the Grayian system, especially as to the groups associated to-
gether in the orders Grallae and Anseres. I was pleased to find
an alternative which had the sanction of high authority. Prof.
Huxley had commenced his -'Systema"f with the lowest and
most reptilian birds, and had ended it with the highest and most
specialized. But it seemed to me that, by exactly reversing this
arrangment, I should obtain a scheme which would not very far
deviate from that which I had already employed as to the first
three orders, and would ofier many improvements on the Gravian
system in the remainder. In the introduction to the ' Nomencla-
tor,' accordingly, I gave the subjoined scheme as that which I
proposed to employ for the general arrangement of living birds,
dividing them into 21 orders, as follows : —

* [The arrangement adopted in the ' Nomenclator' is entirely Mr. Sclater's. I was
forced to desert my colleague when I visited Central America in 1873-4, a portion only
of this work having been then printed and the Introduction unwritten. — O. S.]

t P. Z. S. 1867, p. 456

3°

Sclater on the Systema Avium.

Subordo I. Aves CarinatvE.

Series
Aigith ogn athina.
i. Passeres.

2. Cypseli.

3. Pici.

Series
Desmognathina.

4. Coccyges.

5. Psittaci.

6. Striges.

7. Accipitres.

8. Steganopodes.

9. Herodiones.
10. Anseres.

Series
Schizognathina.

11. Columbse.

12. Gallinae.

13. Opisthocomi.

14. Grues.

15. Limicolas.

16. Gaviae.

17. Pygopodes.

18. Impennes.

Series
DroiiKTognathina.
19. Crypturi.

Subordo II. A YES RATJT/E.,

20. Apteryges.

21. Struthiones.

I will now proceed to make a few remarks upon each of these
orders, and to state where I think there are improvements still
to be effected in the arrangement. It must, however, be always
recollected that, although a linear system is an absolute necessity
for practical use, it can never be a perfectly natural one. It will
always be found, in any linear arrangement, that certain groups
are nearly equally related to other groups at quite different parts
of the series, and that it is a question of no little difficulty with
which of these to place them ; but we must, nevertheless, do our
best to make the most natural linear arrangement that is possible
for practical use.

1. Passeres.

After eliminating the Scansores and Fissirostres of the Cuvier-
ian system, the remainder of the Insessores constitute a tolerably
homogenous group, which, it is now generally acknowledged,
form one of the main divisions of the Class of Birds. They are
the Passerinas of Nitzsch,* the Oscines of Sundevall's k Tenta-
men,' f the Coracomorphas of Huxley ; but I see no reason why
we should not retain for them the old Linnean name of Passeres.

There are still several forms regarding which their collocation
in the Passeres thus understood is a matter of dispute. These
are mainly as follows : —

1. Upupa. Sundevall places Upupa near the Larks, at the
commencement of his second series of Oscines (the "Oscines

* ' Obs. de Avium arteria carotide communi.' Halse, 1829.

t In Sundevall's former arrangement (Orn. Syst. 1836) they were denominated
Volucres, and divided into two main groups, Passeres and Oscines.

Sclater on the Systema Avium. 31

scutelliplantares") , with which it agrees in the structure of the
plantar scutes (' Tentamen,' p. 55). Nitzsch associates Upnpa
with Bitceros and Alcedo in his family Lipoglossae of the Picariae.
There can be no longer any question, I think, that the latter view
is correct, and that Upitpa is more nearly allied to the Bucerotidae
than to any other group. Some of the thin-billed Bucerotidae
of the genus Toccus even resemble Upupa in habit and external
appearance. The palate of Upnpa at once shows that it is no
Passerine bird.* Next to the Upupidae must come also the small
African group Irrisoridae, as was first suggested by Strickland,
and has been amply shown by Dr. Murie in his excellent disser-
tation on the Upupidae and their relationships. f

2. Eurylcemus. The Eurylaemidae were placed by Gray and
most of the older authors near the Kingfishers and Motmots,
i. e. outside the Passeres, as now restricted. Mr. Wallace, I
believe, first started the idea that they are the representatives of
the Cotingidae in the Old World, and has thus arranged them in
his v Geographical Distribution. '| There is now no doubt that
the Eurylaemidae are truly Passerine, as I pointed out in this
Journal in 1872, from an examination of the sternum, § and as
Mr. Garrod subsequently confirmed from the form of the palate. ||
although the}' are singularly divergent from all other known
Passeres in having the Jiexor hallucis longus connected by a vin-
culum with the Jiexor digitorum profundus.

3. Todus, associated by Cabanis with Todirostriun in the
Tyrannidae, and by Sundevall with the Piprinae, should be cor-
rectly placed, as I have already shown, % from its sternal char-
ters, next to the Momotidae, and has nothing to do with the true
Passeres. The pterylosis confirms this view.ff

4. Euryceros was formerly referred by Gray to the Bucerotidae,
but at my suggestion, I believe, was removed in his last work
('Hand-list,' ii. p. 21) to a much more natural position among
the Sturnidae, A glance at its feet is sufficient to show that it is
a laminiplantar Oscine. Mr. Sharpe has recently included
Euryceros in the heterogeneous assemblage which he has united

* Cf. Huxley, P. Z. S. 1867, p. 447.

t Ibis, 1873, p. 181. + Vol. ii. p. 294.

h Ibis, 1872, p. 177. || p. Z. S. 1877, p. 449.

II Ibis, 1872, p. 177. See also Murie, Ibis, 1872, p. 410.

ft Nitzsch, Pterylogr. p. 89.

32 Sclater on the Systcma Avium.

under the title of Prionopidae. I fail to see that it has an}' con-
nexion at all with the other genera placed in that group.

5. Falculia, also a laminiplantar Oscine, has been hitherto
usually associated with the Hoopoes, to which it has no sort of
relationship (cf. Murie, Ibis, 1873, p. 201). It is certainly either
a Sturnine or a Corvine form : M. Milne-Edwards will probably
soon tell us which.

The limits of the Passeres being now ascertained with tolerable
certainty, the still more difficult question of the sub-division of
the Order presents itself. On this subject Garrod's first memoir
on the anatomy of the Passerine birds* gives us a summary of
the latest information, not only as regards the lamented author's
own elaborate investigations, but also as concerns the labours of
previous authors. Garrod's proposed system for the arrange-
ment of the Passeres is as follows : —

f Normales.

Acromvodi

(Oscincs). j AbnormaIes_ I Menum.

Passeres ! ' itnchta.

i (Heteromeri. | «*"«:

I Cotragldae.

I Mesomyodi. 1 , , f '] racheophonae.

Horn* 1 Mm. -i 1 . . . '

I Haploophonae.

In this scheme it will be observed that the Oligomyodae, as,
in accordance with Prof. Huxley's suggestion (P. Z. S. 1867,
p. 471), the great American group of Passeres with only three
pairs of singing-muscles was denominated in our ■ Nomenclator,'
are divided into two sections, and the Tracheophonae are inter-
posed between them. In consequence of the development of a
femoral in the place of a sciatic artery, the Pipridae and Cotingi-
dae (with the exception of Rupicola) are placed by themselves
in a second primary division (Heteromeri) of non-Oscinine Pas-
seres. But it seems to me that this arterial character, although
no doubt of importance, is not as yet sufficiently understood and
investigated to allow it to rank before the well-ascertained struc-
ture of the lower larynx. Again it is quite obvious that the
Acromyodi abnormales (i.e. Menura and Atrichia), although
they approach the true Oscines in their syringeal structure, are
divergent from the rest of the Passeres by much more important
osteological characters. For the present, therefore, 1 am dis-
posed to uphold the system of the division of the Passeres em-

* P. Z. S. 1876, p. 506.

Sclater on the Systema Avium. S3

ployed in the ' Nomenclator ' as still the most convenient to be
adopted, and to place the Acromyodi abnormales of Garrod
(which, being extra-American, were not included in the -No-
menclator') at the end of the Passerine series under the name
Pseudoscines. The arrangement would then come out as fol-
lows : —

i. Oscines.
ii. Oligomyodce.
iii. Tracheophonre.

I a. Atrichiida-.
iv. Pseudoscines > .,

ft. Menundae.

We thus get the advantage of having what are certainly the
most anomalous forms of Passerine birds yet known at the end
of the series.

We must now approach the still more vexed question of the
division of the Oscines into families. The difficulty here ob-
viously arises from the fact that the Oscines are all very closely
related to one another, and, in reality, form little more than one
group, equivalent to other so-called families of birds. As, how-
ever, there are some 4700 species of Oscines known, it is abso-
lutely necessary to subdivide them ; and the task of doing this in
the most convenient and natural way is not an easy one.

Sundevall. who has certainly devoted more time and attention
to the external characters of the Passeres than any other natural-
ist of this century, in his last work (• Methodi Naturalis Avium
disponendarum Tentamen,' Stockholm, 1S72) divided his "Os-
cines laminiplantares " (which are equivalent to the Passeres here
considered, with the exception of the Larks) into six "Cohortes."
as follows : —

i. Cichlomorplw .... 50 fam. iv. Certhiomorph;* .... 3 fam.

ii. Conirostres 15 " v. Cinnyrimorpha? .... 5

iii. Coliomorphas .... 15 " vi. Chelidomorphae . . . . 1

SundevalPs characters are derived partly from the structure of
the bill and partly from other points, and his six primary
divisions seem to me to be very naturally conceived. On the
other hand, Mr. Wallace's well-known arrangement of the Pas-
seres, first proposed in this Journal.* and subsequently followed
in his great work on distribution, is based entirely upon the

* Ibis, 1874, p. 406.

34 Sclater on tlie System a Avium.

structure of the wing. Air. Wallace's Formicaroid and Anom-
alous Passeres correspond nearly with what I call the Oligomy-
odas, Trac.heoph.on33, and Pseudoscines, whilst the Oscines are
distributed in his arrangement under three heads, as follows: —

Series A. Typical or Turdoid Passeres.

Winy with 10 primaries, the first always more or less markedly reduced
in size.

i. Turdidae. 12. Campephagidae.

2. Sylviidae. 13. Dicruridae.

3. Timaliidae. 14. Muscicapidae.

4. Cinclidae. 15. Vireonidae.

5. Troglodytidae. 16. Pachycephalidae.

6. Certhiidae. 17. Laniidae.

7. Paridae. 18. Corvidae.

8. Leiotrichidae. 19. Paradis

9. Phyllornithidae. 20. Meliphagida-.

10. Pycnonotidae. 21. Nectariniidae.

11. Oriolidae.

B. Ian vgroid Passeres.

Winy with <) primaries, the first of which is fully developed and usually
very long.

1. Mo 6. Ampelidae.

2. Mniotiltidae. ' 7. Hirundinidae.

3. Ccerebidae. 8. Tanagridae.

4. Drepanidae. 9. Fringillidas.

5. I )ica idae. 10. Icteridas.

Series C. Sturnoid Passeres.

Winy with 10 primaries, the first of which is rudimentary.

1. Ploceidae. 3. Artamidae

2. Sturnidae. 4. Alaudidae.

The objection to this arrangement is that it separates some very
nearly allied forms far too widely. The "spurious primary"
which Air. Wallace relies upon to divide his Tanagroids and
Sturnoids is not alwavs even a generic character. In J'ireo. for
example, it varies in the different species, being present in some
and absent in others. Mr. Wallace puts the Alaudidas amongst
his Sturnoids; but in some larks ( Calandrella &c.) the spurious
primary is altogether wanting. The Ploceidie and Fringillidae,
which are barely distinguishable as families, fall under different
heads, as do the Sturnidae and Icterida*. Yet there cannot be a
doubt as to the intimate connexion of the two last-named families.

Sclater 011 the Sy sterna Avium, 35

In my opinion Sundevall's groups of the Oscines are therefore
far more naturally conceived ; and in our ' Nomenclator ' I have
nearly followed them, using only the more familiar expressions
ending in ' rostres,' throughout the divisions. Thus : —

Sundevall's Cichlomorphas = Oscines dentirostres of the ' Nomenclator.'

Conirostres = Oscines conirostres "

Coliormorphae * = Oscines cultrirostres "

Cinnyrimorphae = Oscines tenuirostres

Chelidomorphae = Oscines latirostres "

No species of Sundevall's uCerthiomorphae" being found in
the New World. I have not given that group any equivalent
designation. But calling these "Oscines curvirostres." for uni-
formity's sake, and keeping the Larks apart on account of their
peculiar planta I should propose to arrange the Oscines as
follows : — -

A. Laminiplantares. i. Dentirostres.

2. Latirostres.

3. Curvirostres.

4. Tenuirostres.

5. Conirostres.

6. Cultrirostres.
% B. Scutiplantares. (Alaudidae).

These six groups may, I think, be separated without much
difficulty- But when we come to attempt to subdivide them.
there is room for endless varieties of opinion as to the nearest
allies of many of the forms. It would. I fear, be impossible to
discuss the best arrangement of the different subdivisions of these
groups within the limits of this paper.

The second suborder of Passeres, the Oligomyodae, are not
nearly so numerous as the Oscines. It embraces, however, ac-
cording to the present state of our knowledge, some 550 species,
belonging to 8 families, most of which are restricted to the Ne~v\
World.

* Mr. Sharpe's " Coliomorpha? " (Cat. Birds, iii. pp. 3, 4) is quite a different group
from that designated by Sundevall ('Tentamen,' p. 37) by the same name. Sundevall's
I oliomorphae is nearly equivalent to my "Oscines cultrirostres" (Sundevall's group
includes Irrisor, on which point see above, p. 343), and consists of the following families
(according to my nomenclature) : — Icteridce, Sturnida?, Buphagidce, Paradiseidse, and
( lorvidae. But Mr. Sharpe puts in his " Coliomorpha" only the last two of these five
families, and adds to them the Oriolidae, Dicrurid;e, and Prionopidre. The first two
of these belong to Sundevall's Cichlomorphce (i. e. my Dentirostres) ; the last consists
of a heterogeneous assemblage of genera, mostly also Dentirostres, but having, in my
opinion, no sort of connexion together.

$6 Sclater en tlic Systema Avium.

New World. Old World.

Oxyrhamphidae. Pittidoe.

Tvrannidae. Philipittidse.

Pipridae.

( )otingidas. Eurylsemidae.
Phytotomidae.

Of these the Eurylaemidae must he deemed, without doubt, the
most aberrant, on account of the non-freedom of the flexor halu-
cis, above alluded to, which is unique in the order of Passeres.

The third suborder of Passeres, the Tracheophonae, distin-
guished by the peculiar structure of the syrinx, first described by
Johann Midler, is entirely confined to the New World. Accord-
ing to my viewrs, the ^oo species which it comprehends should be
divided into three families, the last of which is peculiar among
all the Passeres in having a double notch at the posterior margin
of the sternum. They are: —

( i. Dendrocolaptida .
Sterni postici fissura unica \

I 2. Formicamdce.

Sterni postici fissuris duabus 3. Pteroptochidce.

The fourth and last section of the Passeres, which I have pro-
posed to call Pseudoscines, contains only the anomalous Austra-
lian forms Atrichia and Meiuira. which are each fully worthy
of family rank. When some of the other obscure Australian
forms (such as Orthoiivx) have been further examined, it is very
possible that additions will have to be made to this series.

2. Cypseli sive Magrochires.

It is now universally admitted that the Cypseli . although not
Passerine, come near to that great Order in many particulars.
Nitzsch in 1829,* first constituted the group, to contain the Cyp-
selidre and Trochilidae, and called them •'Macrochires." from the
peculiar elongation of the bones of the manus. Sundevall. in
1S36, adopted the term, and used the same limits. In his • Ptery-
lographie,' Nitzsch reduced the rank of the Macrochires to a
family of his Picariae — a group to which, however, he expressly
states that he can assign no single peculiar pterylographic char-
acter. If we allow due value to palatal structure, we must keep
the Macrochires and Pici apart from the rest of the Picaria? of

* 'Obs. de Avium arteria carotide communi.' Halae , 1829.

Sclater o>i the Systema Avium. 37

Nitzsch, as Prof. Huxley has shown.* although he appears not to
have fully realized the structure of the palate in the Trochilidae.f
In the • Nomenclator' four families are assigned to the Order
Macrochires — the Trochilida.', Cypselidae, Caprimulgidae, and
Steatornithidaa. Of these it is now quite certain, from Garrod's
researches, that the last named must be removed to another situ-
ation, the palate being strongly desmognathous. \ The best
place, therefore, for Stcatoniis. according to my present opinion,
is either as a family next to the PodargicUe. or. as the form pre-
sents so many strong peculiarities, as an independent order next
to the Striges.

The Macrochires will therefore consist only of three families —
the Trochilida*. Cypselidae, and Caprimulgidae. No one, I be-
lieve, will now denv the close alliance of the first two of these
families. As regards the Caprimulgidae, they differ from the
tvpical Macrochires not only in the lesser comparative develop-
ment of the manus, but also in possessing caeca, and their posi-
tion will require further consideration.

3. The Pici were first constituted a separate order by Sunde-
vall in iS3v§ to consist of two families, the Picidae and Iyngidae.
They are the exact equivalent of Prof. Huxley's Celeomorphae.
Garrod (P. Z.S. 1874, p. 123 et alibi) would associate with
them the Rhamphastidae and Capitonidae, as "not in any point
presenting family differences ;" but if we follow Prof. Huxley in
assigning a high value to the structure of the palate, it is quite
evident that they should stand alone {cf. Huxley, P. Z. S. 1867,
p. 468). There is no difficulty in distinguishing the Pici from all
other birds — the structure of the tongue and of the feet is quite
peculiar : and I think thev must remain as an independent order
or suborder.

[To be continued.]

* P. Z. S. 1867, p. 468.

t Cf Parker, Trans. Linn. Soc. ser. 2, Zool. i. p. 116.

% Cf. Garrod, P. Z. S. 1873, p. 530.

§ K. Vet. Ak. Handl. 1835, p. 68.

3 8 Brewster on Florida Birds.

WITH THE BIRDS ON A FLORIDA RIVER.

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

( )n the 19th ot" March, 187^". the writer, in company with a
friend, took passage on a little freight steamer which at long and
irregular intervals ascended the Wekiva River with supplies for
the few settlers at its source. The " Fox" certainly bore a most
inappropriate name, for her best speed was but little over four
miles an hour. She was. in fact, an old flat-boat, square at each
end, after the usual fashion of her kind, and equipped with a
small engine, which, judging from its dilapidated appearance,
had probably spent its best years in some saw-mill among the
pineries. But from her light draught and 'low hull the rude
craft was by no means ill-adapted to the navigation of a stream
impeded b\ shallows and choked with fallen timber.

After spending a tedious day in the descent of the St. Johns
River from Mellonville we entered the Wekiva just as the sun
was setting and at once found ourselves surrounded by scenery of
the most novel and beautiful character.

The short twilight of a Florida evening soon faded, however,
and after a run of a few miles we were obliged to make fast to
the bank, for the stream is too narrow and tortuous to be safely
navigated in the night. Later, the moon rose and her rays stream-
ing down between the tree tops cast a soft light on the narrow strip
of water that stretched away into the gloom like a shining path-
way. In-shore everything was in deep shadow, save where a
stray beam rested on a glistening lily leaf or silvered the drooping
frond of a palmetto. The night air. fragrant with the breath of
forest flowers, stole gently by — so gently that scarce a leaf was
stirred, and the stillness was only broken by the innumerable noc-
turnal voices that filled the woods.

At intervals a Courlan {Arauius -pictus) sounded its harsh cry
and the watchword, taken up by dozens of vigilant sentinals. was
passed along the line of river thickets until it died in the distance.
The hooting of the Barred Owls was almost incessant and the
arches beneath the trees seemed to echo and prolong the hollow
sound. Frequently two of them, after answering one another a

Brewster on .Florida Birds. 39

few times, would come together and their combined shrieks and
whooping were absolutely indescribable. Such a meeting occur-
ring in the middle of the night directly oyer the boat instantly
brought us to our feet. It was their mating season, but we could
not determine whether these outbursts were the love passages of
the sexes or the rival performances of two males.

Everywhere by the marshy edges of the river arose a confused
medley of Hyla yoices. among which the tinkling note of the
bell-frog was especially prominent, and underruning all was the
low monotone of the crickets. These, with the occasional croak
of a Heron, were the most characteristic sounds.

I was early astir next morning and rousing my friend we took
our station in the bow to watch the day break. A dense fog
hung over the narrow river, shrouding even the taller trees, and
the light struggling into the eastern sky just touched the upper
wreaths with delicate salmon while all below still lav in gloom.
Insensibly the tint deepened and worked downward : the heavens
grew more opaque ; the stars faded, twinkled feebly, then disap-
peared and every moment the daylight grew. Almost perfect
silence reigned. The Owls had ceased ; the frogs and crickets
were still : there was a solemn hush oyer everything ; nature
seemed to sleep on the eye of her awakening. The river eddied
swiftly by and so perfect was the stillness that the swash of the
water laving the foliage of a drooping branch on the further shore
came distinctly to the ear.

But quickly all was changed. As we looked, the beams of the
rising sun touched the crests of the cypresses and, working down-
ward, the undergrowth felt the genial warmth and the whole
forest became flooded with sunshine. Then, as if the spell were
broken, the birds began and their various songs swelled into a
full, glad chorus. From far and near came the reveille of Wood-
peckers, apparently countless in numbers. A Vireo ( V. olivaceus}
sang cheerfully from a sweet-gum near the boat and dozens of
Warblers could be heard in the surrounding cypresses while a
Water Thrush warbled a few doubtful notes from the recesses of
the swamp.

We had brought with us a small skiff and as the steamer was
not to start for an hour or more we decided to push on ahead,
and a few strokes carried us around the nearest bend. On either
bank rose the column-like trunks of giant cypresses whose branch-

40 Brewster on Florida Birds.

es in many places completely overarched. Between their stems
appeared dismal pools choked with decaying logs and thickly
sprinkled with those curious objects called "cypress knees"
which reared their slimy heads above the stagnant water. The
general desolation of the scene was greatly enhanced by long
streamers of Tillandsia " moss" that hung from every limb and
waved impressively in the light morning air.

These cypress swamps rarely afford any great variety of bird
life but they are by no means entirely deserted. The sonorous
whistle of the Redbird ( Cardinalis virginianus) , thc/W<v. peto
of the Tufted Titmouse, ami the clear notes of the Carolina
Wren enlivened the depths of the woods while in the tree tops
Yellow-throated (Dendroeca dominicd) and Blue Yellow-backed
Warblers sang incessantly. Turkey Buzzards wheeled and soared
overhead while an occasional dead tree was thronged with the
sable forms of the Black Vultures patiently waiting until the dead
alligator beneath should become sufficiently decomposed to afford
them a loathesome feast. More rarely a Swallow -tailed Kite glided
by, lashing the air with its cleft tail as it turned in its course or
spreading it to the utmost while it poised for a moment to in-
spect the ground beneath, then rising on motionless wing as
buoyantly as a ball of thistle-down it would float off over the woods.
Once six of these graceful creatures came in sight together,
chasing one another and playing like so many Swallows. When
at length they left us the scene seemed to lose something and we
hurried on.

With the next bend the character of the scenery changed. The
river became more winding, and frequently doubled so sharply
on its course that we could see across the narrow strip of land
that separated the successive reaches. The current glided swiftly
between well defined banks or settled for a brief rest in pools
where tall sedge lined the shore and water-lilies floated on the
quiet surface. Willows and sweet gums took the places of the
cypresses next the stream, while in the background palmettos
reared their grotesque heads and hummocks of swamp oaks shut
out the skv. Everywhere near the water there was a profusion
of rank vegetation and where the eye could penetrate beyond it
rested on a matted undergrowth of saw-palmetto. The greens
were of that vivid shade seen only in the south and with the morn-
ing dew sparkling on every leaf, the scene was one of indescrib-
able freshness and beauty.

Brewster on Florida Birds. 4 1

A great change too was apparent in the abundance and variety
of animal life. Butterflies floated about the openings, the reeds
were tipped with slender dragon-flies and on a half-submerged
log where the sun rested lay a long line of turtles, many of them
of great size and brilliant coloring. Dozens of alligators were in
sight, some floating in mid-stream, others basking along the shores
while one hugh fellow monopolized a mud bank near at hand and
turned his sunken eye on us with an expression of fierce but
sleepy curiosity.

Birds of various species, especially aquatic kinds, were in great
abundance. With every turn of the stream Wood Ducks and
Hooded Mergansers rose before our boat or led their broods of
ducklings among the water plants while an occasional Florida Gal-
linule peeped out from behind a lily leaf, then quietly drew back
or perhaps pattered oft", half running, half flying over the surface.
Herons of several species were continually in sight. Now five
or six Blue Egrets {Ardca cccritlea) flapped heavily from the
sedge and alighted on the surrounding trees, while a graceful
Louisiana Heron, too intent on its morning meal to notice our
approach, stalked through the shallows. Or a tall White Egret
appeared on a distant point, its erect form and snowy plumage
contrasting finelv with the dark back-ground.

The Floi'ida Cormorants and their curious relatives, the Water
Turkies {Plotus anhinga) , were also among the characteristic
birds. The latter species interested me greatly. We usually saw
them in the upper branches of the trees where thev sat well out
over the stream and craned their long, slender necks to obtain a
better view of us. Sometimes one was perched on a snag not
more than a yard or two above the water, intently watching the
surface like a Kingfisher. But as we drew nearer it would drop
into the river and just showing its snake-like head for a moment
would sink again and be seen no more.

Woodpeckers were, as a rule, less numerous here than among
the cypresses, but there were numbers of the Pileated and Red-
bellied species, and we saw a single pair of the rare Ivory-
bills. The latter swept across the stream, the male leading, and
alighted against the trunk of a palmetto. They were very shy,
restlessly swinging from tree to tree, and taking good care to keep
beyond gun-range. Their motions were characterized by great
energy and animation and the sound of their powerful blows on the

-j.2 Brewster on Florida Birds.

dead trunks rang through the woods, but the only note which I
heard them utter was a comparatively feeble hcec that reminded
me of the usual cry of the little Downy. Their great size and
striking coloring harmonized well with the semi-tropical sur-
roundings. Shortly afterwards a troop of Carolina Parroquets
( Conurus carolinensis) came darting through the trees, each
individual screaming as if determined to outdo his neighbor. Their
pointed wings and long tails gave them a striking resemblance to
VVihl Pigeons, and their flight was scarcely less swift. The sound
of their clamor reached us long after they were lost to sight.

Again the scene changed. The river broadened and the forest
line retreated a little, leaving an expanse of low growth with
occasional open spaces between. We were approaching the
bb prairies" of the Wekiva, as the settlers term the peculiar
flooded meadows that form so marked a feature of this in common
with most Florida rivers. With the altered surroundings were
introduced two birds not previously seen, the Everglade Kite and
the Purple Gallinule. Both were apparently rare but several other
species before uncommon now became very numerous. Of the
latter class was the Florida Courlan (Aramits pictus [Batr.]
Cones) which from its unique and interesting habits deserves
something more than a passing notice. They were especially
abundant about the bayous that extended back from the main
river and into one of these I would now take the reader.

We entered a narrow channel that wound among the willows
until it apparently came to an abrupt end. But catching the
gleam of water beyond we parted the tangled vines that formed
a sort of natural curtain over the outlet and pushed our way
through. Before us lay a nearly circular expanse of open water
with a narrow margin of sedge and in the centre a floating island,
composed entirely of "bonnets," as the immense leaves of the
southern water-lily are called. Thickets skirted the shore, with
here and there a stray palmetto, while at the further extremity
stood a group of fine cypresses. A number of Coots tyFulica
americand) were collected around the lily-island, some of them
standing on the broad leaves, others paddling idly about or chasing
one another. There were a few Herons scattered along in the
sedge and an Osprey quietly sat on her nest near at hand.

But if our presence was a matter of indifference to the birds just
mentioned we certainly were not ignored by the vigilant Courlans.

Brewster on Florida Birds. 43

for any sudden noise, like the splash of a paddle in the water or
the rapping of its handle against the boat, was sure to be instantly
followed by a piercing k/tr-r-ee-o%v\ kurr-r-ee-oiv1 , kurr-ee-o-w\
kr-oiv, kr-ow, from the nearest thicket ; or perhaps several would
cry out at once as Rails will do on similar occasions. For the
most part the birds kept closely hidden but at length we discovered
one feeding on the shore. His motions were precisely similar to
those of a Rail, as he skirted the oozy brink, lifting and putting
down his feet with careful deliberation. Occasionally he detected
and seized a snail, which was quickly swallowed, the motion
being invariably accompanied by a comical side shake of the bill,
apparently expressive of satisfaction, though it was perhaps de-
signed to remove any particles of mud that may have adhered to
his unique food. Finally he spied us and walked up the inclined
trunk of a fallen tree to its shattered end where he stood for a
moment tilting his body and jerking up his tail. Then he uttered
a hoarse rattling cry like the gasp of a person being strangled, at
the same time shaking his head so violently that his neck seemed
in imminent danger of dislocation. Just as we were nearly within
gun-range he took wing, with a shriek that might have been heard
for half-a-mile. His flight was nearly like a Heron's, the wings
being moved slowly and occasionally held motionless during
intervals of sailing.

Shortly afterwards another, his mate probably, was detected
under a palmetto leaf near at hand. In the shadow her form
was dimly outlined and she stood perfectly motionless, evidently
relying upon concealment for protection, but her quick eve took
in every suspicious movement and at length, conscious that she
wras seen, she ran rapidly for a few paces and launched into the
air, following the course taken by the first. Her fate was, however,
sealed and the plunge of her heavy body in the water succeeded
the report of the gun. Carefully laying her on a thwart in the
boat we paused to admire the soft brown plumage, spotted with
white and glossed with iridescent green. The light was fading
in her beautiful hazel eyes and bead-like drops of water rolled
from her ruffled breast. She was exceedingly heavy and muscu-
lar and upon spreading her wings I was surprised at their gi-eat
breadth.

The preceding account will, I trust, illustrate one phase of the
Courlan's nature. But I cannot hope to do full justice to the sub-

44 Recent Literature.

ject within the limits of the present paper, for his character is a
many-sided one. He is perfectly at home in the tops of the tallest
trees where he walks among the twigs with all the ease of a
Heron or stands motionless on some horizontal branch with one
leg drawn up and the curved bill resting on his breast. These
elevated perches are generally resorted to at daybreak. The
people told us that when the country was first settled the u Limp-
kins," as they are called from their peculiar halting gait, were so
tame that they could frequently be caught on their nests, but
incessant persecution has had the usual result and the) arc now
at all times among the most wary of birds.

But our morning had passed into noon. The sun poured down
its scorching rays, the birds sought a deeper shade among the
thickets, and quiet succeeded the former bustle and activity. A
distant whistle caused us to hurry back into the river and as we
passed out under the vines the steamer appeared around a bend
below, puffing desperately as she struggled against the current.
At her approach the Coots scurryed off over the lonely pool ;
the Osprey hurriedly launched out from her nest and the startled
Herons disappeared over the tree-tops. The charm of the place
was gone.

llerent literature.

Coues's Third Instalment of American Ornithological Bibli-
ography.*— The present instalment of Dr. Coues's "American Ornitho-
logical Bibliography " is by far the largest of the three, embracing upward
of 500 pages, and completes his " Bibliography of Ornithology so far as
America is concerned." The first instalment appeared in 1S7S. as an
"Appendix" of 21S pages to this author's " Birds of the Colorado Valley"
(see this Bulletin. Vol. IV. pp. 56, 57J. and gave the titles of "Faunal Pub-
lications" relating to North America. The second instalment (about 100
pages) was published September, 1879, ln the " Bulletin of the U. S.
Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories" (Vol. V, pp. 239-
330), and embraced the titles of "Faunal publications" relating to the
rest of America (noticed in this Bulletin. Vol. V, p. 40). The present

* Third Instalment of American Ornithological Bibliography. By Dr. Elliott Coues,
U. S. A. Bull. U. S. Geol. and Geog. Surv. of the Territories, Vol. V, No. 4, 1879, pp.
521-1066. Published " Sept. 30, 1880."

Recent Literature. 45

third instalment consists of a selection of titles belonging to the "system-
atic" department of the general "Bibliography of Ornithology." Its
exact scope and arrangement the author thus explains : "In this [system-
atic] department come the titles of all publications treating of particular
species, genera, or families of Birds, systematically arranged by Families,
in chronological order under each family, with alphabetization of authors'
names under each date. The lot of titles herewith presented, however,
are only those that relate to American species. Of those families which
are exclusively American, as. for example. Mniotiltidce. Icteridce, Tana-
grida?. Trockuidce, etc.. I give, of course, all the titles in my possession;
but of those families which are more cosmopolitan, as the Turdidce or
Fringillidce, I select only the titles relating to American species; and of
extra-limital families no titles whatever are given. Such is the ostensible
scope of the present instalment : but I actually give many titles relating
to extra-limital species, when the close relationship of such species makes
it desirable, or when the insertion of a few such additional titles enables
me to present all that I possess of certain families.*'

The author further states : "The three instalments together represent
a nearly complete Bibliography of Ornithology so far as America is con-
cerned. They are published in this manner in advance of the whole
work for several reasons — among others, both to render immediately
available certain departments of the Bibliography which are practically
completed, and to invite criticisms and suggestions for the bettering of
the work. ... In only one particular would I deprecate criticism at
present — and this is respecting the arrangement of the titles; for the
scheme of the work cannot be fairly appreciated until the whole is pub-
lished, including the several contemplated Indexes." The author states
that ir*is not his intention to print any more of the work at present, the
American departments being the only ones sufficiently perfected to war-
rant their leaving his hands, but meanwhile he is preparing manuscript
for the rest "as rapidly and as continuously as possible." *

In respect to the grouping of the species and genera of the Passeres
into families, it is almost to be regretted that the author decided to follow
the quite unnatural and now antiquated arrangement of Gray's "Hand-
list of Birds." The reasons for this procedure are stated to be the abso-
lute necessity for "some fixed standard " for this grouping, and the indefi-
nate limitations of the families in this order, and Grav's system being a
well-known one has been selected. The other families present fewer
difficulties, "being sufficiently nearly agreed upon bv ornithlogists." For
the Passerine families "the titles have been assorted strictly and
exactly according to the composition and sequence of those groups" in
the Grayian system.

In reference to the character of the work, it is enough to say that it is
fully up to the high standard of excellence of the previous instalments

"►Subsequently to this decision, however, and while the "Third Instalment" was
passing through the press, the author so far departed from the plan here announced as
to print a "Fourth Instalment," presently to be noticed.

46

Recent Literature.

already fully noticed in this Bulletin. Its utility no working ornitholo-
gist can fail to highly appreciate, while it will form an enduring monu-
ment to the author's patience, industry, and thoroughness of research. —
J. A. A.

Coues's Fourth Instalment of Ornithological Bibliography.*
— Thi> "Fourth Instalment" is of the same character as the first two. and
attempts to do for British Birds what those did for American Birds. It
accordingly is intended to include " the titles of all publications treating
of British Birds as such, exclusively, or indiscriminately and collectively."
'•In order to fall within the scope of this fourth instalment," says the
author, " a publication must relate to British Birds as such. Secondly,
it must relate to British Birds exclusively. Thirdly, it must relate to birds
of more than one species, genus, or family." "This instalment." the
author further states. " like those which have preceded it. is to he con-
sidered in the light of published proof-sheets, to he cancelled on the final
appearance of the whole work." The titles here given fill upward of a
hundred pages, yet the author believes that they include not more than
one-half of the number really belonging here, and urges that defects and
omissions be kindly brought to his notice. As it is. being accurate as far
as it goes, it will prove of great usefulness, and is entitled to the cordial
welcome it will doubtless receive. — J. A. A.

HARVIE-BROWN on the CAPERCAILLIE i\ Scotland. + — As already
noticed in the pages of the Bulletin. (Vol. V. pp. no, in), Mr. Harvie-
Brown published last year an exhaustive little work on the L'apercaillie
in Scotland, giving a history of its extinction and subsequent introduction

and dispersion. The present paper is a continuation of the Appendix of
that work. ui\ in^ an account of its extension in 1S79. with a few additional
references to early records of its presence in Scotland and Wales. — J. A. A.

Steere on the Birds of Ann Arbor. Michigan.} — This briefly
annotated list of m species is good as far as it goes, but is obviously very
imperfect, including less than half of the species that undoubtedly occur
there. The author himself thus speaks of it : "This does not pretend to
be a complete list of the birds found about Ann Arbor : but. with the excep-
tion of a few, given upon the authority of labeled specimens in the
Museum, it is the result of about three years' collecting and observation
in this vicinity" (p. 7). — J. A. A.

* Fourth Instalment of Ornithological Bibliography : being a list of Fauna! Publica-
tions relating to British Birds. By Dr. Elliott Coues, U. S. A. Proc. U. S. Xat. Mus,
Vol. II, pp. 359-476. Published " May 31, 1880."

t The Capercaillie in Scotland. By J. A. Harvie-Brown, F. R. S. Scottish Natu-
ralist, July, 1880. Author's reprint, pp. 1-7.

% A List of the Mammals and Birds of Ann Arbor and Vicinity. By Professor J. B.
Steere. 8vo, 8 pp. 1880.

Recent Literature. 47

Minor Ornithological Papers.* — -'The Oologist,"t volumes IV and
V (March, 1S78 — Dec. 1SS0). contains, among other short papers and
interesting notes relating to the nesting habits of birds, the following

(Nos. 55-70) : —

55. Nesting of the White-rumped Shrike ( Collurio excubitoroides). Bv
D. H. Eaton, Odlogist, IV. pp. 2. 3. March. 1878. — An original account,
based on the finding of several nests ; locality not stated.

56. Nesting of the Horned Lark ( Ercmophila cornuta) in Central
New York. By Fred. J. Davis. Ibid.. IV. p. 9, April, 1878.— Nest, with
three young birds and one egg, found 15th of April.

57. Nesting of the Large-billed Water Thrush (Siurus ludovicianus).
By Adolphe B. Covert. Ibid.. IV. pp. 10, 11, April, 1S7S. — Description
of nest and eggs: locality not stated, but doubtless Michigan.

58. The Sharp-tailed Finch — Ammodromus caudacutus- — its Nest and
Eggs. By T. M. Brewer. Ibid.. IV, pp. 41, 42. Jan. 1S79. — General
account of its geographical distribution, nesting habits, etc.

59. Nesting of the Sharp-failed Finch (Ammodromus caudacutus).
By G. S. Smith. Ibid. IV. pp. 66, 67, April, 1879. — Account of nesting
habits, with special reference to the salt marshes near Boston.

60. Increase of Some Species in Certain Localities. By Fred J. Davis.
Ibid.. V. p. 5. July. 1S79. — Scarlet Tanager, Crow Blackbird. Great-crested
Flycatcher, Green Heron, and Pine Grosbeak referred to; localitv (appar-
ently) Central New York.

61. Rhynckops nigra in the Bay of Fundy. By Geo. A. Boardman. Ibid.
V. p. 13, August, 1879. — Visit of a " large flock" of these birds to this
localitv "a few weeks since".

62. Breeding of Podilvmbus podiceps at St. Clair Flats. Mich. Bv
W. H. Collins. Ibid.. V. p. 19. Sept. 1879. — Description of nest and
egg*-

' * Continued from Vol. V, p. 181.

t The Oologist : A Monthly Journal devoted to the Study of Birds and their Eggs.
Edited by S. L. Willard. Volume IV [March, 1878 — August, 1879.] Utica, N. Y.
Published at Xo. 27 Oneida Street. 8vo. pp. 100. Two colored plates ; woodcuts in
the text.

"The Oologist," a monthly sheet of eight octavo pages, made its first appearance in
March, 1875, under the management and at the place of publication above-named.
In the issue for November, 1879 (Vol. V, No. 5) the announcement was made that
the journal " has been transferred to Jos. M. Wade, of Rockville, Conn., from which
place it will be issued in the future." Beginning as a boys' magazine, with the original
articles mostly unsigned or pseudonymous, its character has steadily improved, and
though devoted, as its name implies, to the oological phase of ornithology, contains
many notes of permanent scientific value, duly endorsed by the name of the writer.
Under its new management (Jos. M. Wade, editor, S. L. Willard, Assistant editor)
we look for still further improvement, and bespeak for it the general patronage it so
well merits.

A.O Recent Literature.

63. Mexican Turkey {Meleagris Mexicana, Gould). By V. M. Firor.
Ibid., V, p. 34, Nov., 1S79. — The Wild Turkey of Virginia and Florida
(" M. mexicana" !) compared with reference to the origin of the domestic
Turkey.

64. The Great Gray Owl. (Syminm Cinereum. By Wm. Couper.
Ibid., V, p. 54, Sept. 1880. — Capture of young birds in the downy plu-
mage in Canada.

65. The Season of 1SS0. By J. M. W[hipple]. Ibid., pp.. 57, 58. —
Interesting notes on the nesting of various species of Hawks, Owls, and

• Warblers, etc. ; locality (doubtless Norwich. Connecticut) not given.

66. The Birds on a Farm. By Henry Hah"-, /bid.. V, pp. 73. 74, Dec.
1880. — Statistics of the nesting of birds on a farm of twenty-eight acres;
600 to 700 young birds believed to have been reared.

67. November Notes. By J. M. W[hipple]. Ibid.. V. pp. 77. 78, Dec.
1880. — Relating to various species of birds observed near Norwich. Conn.

68. Bird Notes. By G. L. [i. e. S.] Smith. Ibid., V, pp. 78, 79, Dec.
1880. — Records the capture of Red Crossbills at Rugby, Tenn., July 27
and August 7, iS8:>. with notes on the nesting of various species. The
same title covers notes furnished by Fred. T. Jenks. one of which relates
to the capture of the Cape May Warbler at Auburn. N. Y.

69. Bird Notes from Michigan. —By Allan Herbert. Ibid. V. p. 79,
Dec. 1S80. — Relates to the presence of the Bohemian Waxwing in the
winter of 1879-80, and to various other species, with dates of the taking of
the eggs of 7 species.

70. A New Heron. By C. Alger Hawes. Ibid.. V. p. 79. Dec. 1880. —
A description of Ardea cyanirostris, Cory. Cf. this Bulletin. Vol. V,
p. 107, and Vol. VI. p. 21.

The last half of volume XIII (Nov. 1879— Jan. 1S80) and volume XIV
(Feb. — July. 1S80) of "Forest and Stream " contain the following (Nos.
71-100) : —

71. The Northern Waxwing in Minnesota. By T. S. Roberts. For-
est and Stream. XIII. pp. 907, 985. — On the presence of this species near
Minneapolis in winter, and on their food at that season.

72. The Potato lino- Bird Identified. Ibid.. XIII, p. 907. —This title
covers a communication signed "M" from Pembina. D. T.. one from T. S.
Roberts, of Minneapolis, Minn., and another from Prof. S.A.Forbes,'
of Normal, 111., all affirming the Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Gom'aphca
ludoviciand) to be the only species they have observed either feeding upon
the potato beetle or in whose stomach they have found the remains of this
insect. These writers all speak of this bird as regularly frequenting potato
fields to feed upon this destructive pest. See further on the same subject
F. E. L. Beal, op. cit. p. 1005.

73. Winter Birds of Wyoming Lakes. By A. Lakes. Ibid.. XIII. p.
907. — Refers to the great scarcity of winter birds around Como. Wyo-
ming, with notes on the few species observed.

Recent Literature. 49

74. The Migratory Quail. Ibid., XIII, p. 927. — This title covers five
letters relating to the introduction of this species to different localities.
Mr. Horace P. Tobey notes the probable return of coveys of this species
to North Falmouth, Mass., after a winter's sojourn at the South.

75. The Origin of the Turkey. By Elliott Coues. Ibid.. XIII, p. 947.
■ — Commentary on early mistakes respecting its supposed origin, with ex-
tracts from a paper by E. T. Bennett (Gardens and Menagerie of the
Zoological Society Delineated, Vol. II, 1831, p. 209) on its introduction
into Europe.

76. Mexican Bird Notes. By A. W. Butler. Ibid.. XIII, p. 984.—
Interesting notes on a few species observed near the city of Mexico.

77. List of Birds taken near Pembina. Dakota. By William L. Abbott.
Ibid., XIII, pp. 9S4. 985. — Notes on 67 species observed in July, 1879.

78. Winter in Connecticut. Editorial [G. B. Grinnell]. Ibid., XIII,
p. 1005. — Records the occurrence of Colaptes auratus and Dcndrceca pal-
triarum near New Haven in January. 1SS0.

79. The Birds of Chester County. Penn. By B. Harry Warren. Ibid..

XIII, pp. 1024, 1025. and Vol. XIV, pp. 6. 25. — A valuable, briefly anno-
tated list of 218 species.

80. Notes on Some Birds breeding in Colorado. Bv Herman W. Nash.
Ibid.. XIV, p. 6. — Notes on 28 species observed near Pueblo.

Si. Brief Notes from Long Island. By George Lawrence Nicholas.
Ibid., XIV, p. 44. — Notes on 17 species observed near Shinnecock Bay.

82. Parens and Crows. By S. B. Buckley. Ibid.. XIV, p. 44.— Mostly
about the distribution of these species in Texas, and on some traits of
the Crow.

83. Passerctilus princeps in New Jersey. By William L. Abbott. Ibid.,

XIV. p. 44. — One shot and one or two others seen on Seven Mile Beach.
December 30. 1S79.

S4. Description of a New Species of Bird of the Family Turdidce
from the Island of Dominica, JV. I. By Geo. N. Lawrence. Ibid.. XIV,
p. 165. — Description of Margarops dominicensis (== M. hermiuieri. Lawr. .
nee Lafr.). Cf. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus„ Vol. I. p. 52.

85. Liunean Society. Ibid.. XIV, p. 184. — Report of a meeting held
March 6. 18S0. containing abstracts of papers read, relating in part to
birds, and including notes on the breeding habits of Dendroeca coronata.
D. striata, and D. maculosa, and of excentricities in the nesting of
Sayoruis fuscus.

S;. letters on the Sparrows. By Elliott Coues and others. Ibid..
XIV. p. 204. — Seven letters respecting Passer domesticus. six of them de-
tailing its objectionable traits, the other in its defence.

86. Falco sacer near Montreal. By H. G. V[ennorJ. Ibid.. XIV. p.
204. — Notice of three specimens brought into the Montreal market.

87. Spring Notes from Minneapolis, Minn. By Thos. S. Roberts.
Ibid.. XIV. pp. 224, 32S. 42S. 429. — An admirable record of the arrival

50 Recent Literature .

of birds at the locality named during March, April, and May, 18S0, in-
cluding such collateral phenomena as thermometrical readings, the devel-
opment of vegetation, etc. It is a model of what such a record should be,
and too many of its kind cannot be made public.

88. Unusual Nesting Places [of the Robin and Chipping Sparroixi\.
By Seym. Ingersoll. Ibid.. XIV, p. 224.

89. Spring Notes. By Seym. Ingersoll. Ibid., XIV, p. 224. — On the
arrival of birds at Cleveland, Ohio, February 10 to April 3. 18S0.

90. Nesting Pigeons. By. M. Ibid.. XIV, pp. 231, 232. — On the
nesting and netting of Wild Pigeons at Shelby. Mich. "This roost
was thirty miles long, varying in width from one to five miles."

91. The food of our Thrushes. Editorial [G. B. Grinnell]. Ibid.. XIV,
p. 244. — Review and abstract of Prof. S. A. Forbes's very important paper
on this subject in "Trans. 111. State Hort. Soc," Vol. XIII.

92. Spring Field Xo/es. By II. E. Chubb. lb id., XIV, p. 307. ,-Record
of first arrival of birds at Cleveland, Ohio. February 12 to May 4, 1880.

93. [ Vernal Migration of birds to Nova Scotia.~\ By J. Matthew Jones.
Ibid.. XIV. p. 307. — Notes on the arrival of various species in the spring
of 1SS0.

94. Spring notes for April. By Seym. R. Ingersoll. Ibid.. XIV, p. 348.
— Arrival of birds at Cleveland, Ohio.

95. Woodcock carrying their Young. By B., with lengthy editorial
comment. Ibid.. XIV, p. 368.

96. Cape May Warbler (D[cudra>ca] Tigrina.) By J. N. Ibid.. XIV,
p. 389, — Record of its capture at Quebec. Canada.

97. Linnean Society. Editorial. Ibid., XIV, pp. 3S9-390. — Record of
meeting held May 15, 1SS0. with abstracts of papers read, including one
by S. D. Osborne on the FringilIid<E which breed on Long Island, and of
others on birds by H. B. Bailey, L. S. Foster, Franklin Benner, and
others.

98. Woodcock carrying their Young. Ibid., XIV, p. 468. — Two in-
teresting communications, one anonvmous [i.e. H. W. Ilenshaw], the
other by F. C. Fowler.

99. Breeding of the Shorelark in Winter. By Chas. Linden. Ibid..
XIV, p. 4S9. — Eremophila " cornuta " with half-fledged young the middle
of February at Buffalo, N. Y.

100. Northern Range of the Blue Grosbeak. By Wm. Couper. Ibid.,
XIV. p. 509, — On its capture at Bic. on the northern shore of the St. Law-
rence River.

In addition to the above, these two volumes of " Forest and Stream" con-
tain many ornithological communications of interest which are either
anonymous, pseudonymous, or signed with initials, which for this reason
are here omitted. It is merely mistaken modesty, or pure whim, that leads
contributors of natural history notes to withold their names, especially

Recent Literature . 5 *

in face of repeated protests on the part of the editor and of other con-
tributors, thereby detracting greatly from the value of their contributions
to those who would otherwise gladly make use of them.

The "American Naturalist," volumes XII (1878), XIII (1879), and XIV
(1880) contain the following (Nos. 101-131) ornithological papers and
notes.

101. The Night Herons and their Exodus. By Samuel Lockwood.
American Naturalist. Vol. XII, pp. 23-35, Jan. 1878. — An interesting pop-
ular account of experiences with " Nyctiardea gardeni Baird."

102. Variations in the Nests of the same Species of Birds. By T. M.
Brewer. Ibid.. XII, pp. 35-40, Jan. 1878. — Remarks on departures from
the normal style of architecture in various species.

103. Peculiar Feathers of the young Ruddy Duck. By Elliott Coues.
Ibid.. XII, pp. 123, 124, Feb. 1S7S. — Account of the downy tip of the re-
trix, with figure.

104. The Home of the Harpy-Eagle. By Felix L. Oswald. Ibid.. XII,
pp. 146-157, March, 1878. — Detailed account of the habits of " Harpyia
destructor^ as observed near Tehuantepec. Mexico, with a sketch of the
country.

105. The Prairie Dog. Owl, and Rattlesnake. By S. W. Williston.
Ibid., XII, pp. 203-20S, April. 1878.— Brief account of Speotyto cunicularia
hypogcea at pp. 206, 207.

106. Methods of Labeling in Oological Co/lections. By W. H. Ballou.
Ibid.. XII, pp. 306-308. figg. 1-2, May, 1S78. — Advocates the use of trian-
gular slips of paper attached to the egg by the smaller end, on which
should be inscribed the number or other legend.

107. The Robin's Food. By David Alexander Lyle. Ibid., XII, pp.
448-453, June, 187S. — Account of a nestling reared in a cage and of the
food given it, etc.

10S. Notes on Three Rare Birds of Minnesota. Bv W. L. Tiffany. Ibid.,
XII, pp. 470-472, June. 1S78. — Ampelis garrulus, Hesperiphona t'espcrtina.
and Colurniculus lecontii.

109. Remarks upon Albinism in several of our Birds. By W. J. Hoff-
man. Ibid . XII. pp. 474-476. June. 1S78. Description of albinism in S
species.

no. The Ineligibility of the European House Sparrow in America.
By Elliott Coues. Ibid. XII, pp. 499-505, Aug. 187S. — The original place
of publication of this well-known arraignment of Passer doinesticus.

ill. Some New Points in the Construction of the Tongues of Wood-
peckers. By Josua Lindahl. Ibid., XIII, pp. 43. 44, Jan. 1S79. — Relates
to Picus tridactylus. P. martins, and P. viridis of Europe.

112. Camptolcemus labradorius. By W. H. Gregg. Ibid., XIII, p.
128, Feb. 1S79. — Record of the capture of a specimen at Elmvra. N. V..
Dec. 12, 187S.

■

52 Recoit Literature .

113. Rob: A Bird History. By Samuel Lockwood. Ibid., XIII, pp.
359-366, June, 1879. — Biography of a caged Robin.

114. To Prevent Grease from Injuring the Plumage of Birds. By
A. H. Stevens. Ibid., XIII, p. 456, July, 1879. — By- the use of spunk as
an absorbent.

115. Does the Snowy Owl Breed in the United States? By W. II.
Ballon. Ibid., XIII, p. 524, Aug. 1S79. — Record of young taken in the
" North Woods " of New York.

116. Notes on the Thrushes of Washington Territory. By S. K. Lum.
Ibid., XIII, pp. 629-632, Oct. 1879. — Notes at some length on the Varied
Thrush and other species.

117. Swallows [Cotile rifaria] Feeding on Bayberries. By James Allin-
son. Ibid., XIII, p. 706. Nov. 1879. (See below, No. 117.)

118. Sketch of North American Ornithology in /Sjg. By Elliot Coues,
Ibid., XIV, pp. 20-25.

119. The White Bellied Swallow {Iridoprocne bicolor). By S. Lock-
wood. With a note by E. C[oues]. Ibid.. XI V. p. 54, Jan. 1S80. — Feed-
ing on bayberries. The Cotile riparia observed feeding on bayberries by
Mr. Allinson ( see No. 115) believed to be an erroneous identification
of /. bicolor.

120. The Convolutions of the Trachea in the Sandhill and Whooping
Cranes. By Thomas S. Roberts. Ibid., XIV, pp. 108-114, 2 figg. Feb.,
18S0. — (Reviewed in this Bulletin, Vol. V, p. 179. q. v.)

121. Domestication of Certain Ruminants and Aquatic Birds. By A.
E. Brown and J. D. Caton, Ibid.. XIV, pp. 393-398. — Reference to the
domestication of Bcrnicla canadensis. B. sandvicensis, Anser c&rulescens,
and Grus canadensis, pp. 396-398.

122. List of the Birds of the Willamette Valley, Oregon. By O. B.
Johnson. Ibid.. XIV, pp. 485-491. 635-646. Annotated list of 140 species.

123. Another Black Robin. By S. Lockwood. Ibid.. XIV. p. 521. July.
1880.

124. Occurrence of the Bohemian Waxiuing in Western Washington
Territory- Bv J. K. Lum. Ibid.. XIV, p. 54. July, 1880. — Many flocks
seen, one numbering about 200. Their first observed appearance in this
section.

125. Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Colorado Potato Beetle. By Rich-
ard E. Kunze. Ibid.. XIV, pp. 521, 522, July, 1880. On the ability of
the bird to eat these poisonous insects with impunity.

126. Theory of Bird Migrations. By Wm. Hosea Ballou, Ibid.. XIV,
p. 527, July, 1880. — Spring migrations held to depend, as to time, on a
continuous hot southerly wind lasting through at least sixty hours.

127. Notes on the Fish Hazvks. By Elisha Slade. Ibid.. XIV. pp. 528,
529, Julv, 1880. — A common summer resident in the vicinity of Somerset.
Mass.

Recent Literature. 53

12S. English Birds compared ivith American. Bv H. D. Minot. Ibid..
XIV, pp. 561-565, Aug. 18S0. — Comparison of powers of song, etc., of
some of the more noted English song-birds with those of the United
States.

129. Notes on the Wintering of the Robin [in Western lotva]. Bv
J. E. Todd. Ibid., XIV, p. 602, Aug. 1880.— Has reference to W. H. Bal-
lou's "Theory of Bird Migrations." (see above, No. 124).

130. Some Note-worthy Birds. By Samuel Lockwood. Ibid., XIV, pp.
715-719. Oct. 1SS0. — Chiefly in reference to a captive Mergulus alle.

131. The Sand-hill Crane. By J. D. Caton. Ibid., XIV, pp. 773-776,
Nov. 1880. — On the habits in confinement of "Grus americanus" i. e. G.
canadensis. These birds are described as "'of the regulation blue of the
species." and the reference (p. 776) to a ten-year old bird, which even
Audubon '•would have despaired of ever seeing .... turn into a white
Grus canadensis." seems to show that the writer had fully confounded, or
rather transposed, the names of our two larger species of Grus.

The •' American Entomologist." New Series, Vol. I, 1880.* contains the
following papers and notes (Nos. 132-140) relating to the food of birds.

132. The Food-habits of Thrushes. By S. A. Forbes. American En-
tomologist. New Ser., I, pp. 12, 13. — Abstract of observations made upon
this family, published in detail in Trans. Illinois State Hort. Soc, Vol.
XIII. 1S79. pp. 120-172.

133. Tipula Eggs in the Stomachs of Catbirds. By S. A. F[orbes].
with editorial comment (by C. V. Riley). Ibid., p. 24.

134. Birds vs. Insects. By Edouard Perris. Ibid., pp. 69-72, 99-100.
— An abridged translation, with prefatory note, by S. A. F[orbesj, from
••Bull. men. de la Soc. d'acclimitation," Nos. 8-12, X. 1S73, of M. Perris's
memoir " Les Oiseaux et les Insectes," published originally in the " Me-
moires" of the Royal Society of Sciences of Liege. Concludes that Birds,
as insect destroyers, "are really of little service."

135. Larvce from Stomach of Bluebird. Ibid., p. 201. — Editorial re-
marks on specimens transmitted by S. A. F[orbes] of Normal, 111.

136. Cut-worms from Stomach oj Robin. Ibid., p. 201. — Editorialcomment
and determination of specimens sent by S. A. F[orbes] of Normal, 111.

137. Ichneumon from Stomach of Bluebird. By S. A. Forbes, with
editorial comment. Ibid., p. 203.

138. Bluebirds feeding on parasitic and predaceous Insects. Bv S. A.
Forbes, with editorial comment. Ibid., pp. 204. 205.

139. The food of the Bluebird {Sialia s talis, L.). Bv S. A. Forbes.
Ibid., pp. 215-218, 231-234. — Detailed report of the examination of the
stomachs of S6 Bluebirds, with results rather unfavorable to its usefulness
as a destroyer of insects.

140. Destruction of Birds of Prey. By A. S. Fuller. Ibid., pp.. 244,
245. — In favor of their protection as useful birds.

* We regret to see the announcement that the publication of this excellent journal is
to be suspended at the close of the present volume.

54 General Notes.

6 mora I ITotcs.

Capture of the Hudsonian Titmouse in Rhode Island. —Novem-
ber i, 18S0, my friend Mr. Thomas Adcock brought to me a Hudsonian
Titmouse {Pants /indsonicits) which he had just killed in Smithfield,
R. I., near the northwestern limit of the city of#Providence. I obtained
it of him for my cabinet. Its identity was not suspected by Mr. Adcock
till he picked it up. It was in company with two other Chickadees,
but he was unable to obtain either of them, and could not determine
whether they were of the same species as the one taken. — Frederic T.
Jencks, Providence. R. I.

A Second Occurrence of the Hudsonian Titmouse (Pams hnd-
sohicus) in Massachusetts. — On the morning of October 7, 1880,
while hunting Woodcock in Concord I satisfactorily identified a specimen
of this northern Titmouse. I was crossing an opening when a familiar
and emphatic tchip. tchce-day, day. greeted me from an isolated red cedar
near at hand. Upon closely examining the tree I soon spied the
author of the sound hopping about near the top. The next moment he
flew and pitched into a thicket of low birches on the edge of the neigh-
boring woodland. Here I several times got very near him — too near in
facl to use the heavv charges with which I was alone supplied: hut 1 so
plainly saw his light brown cap and chestnut sides that 1 scarcely regret-
ted it, when at length he somehow gave me the slip and disappeared.
The preceeding night had been sharp and frosty and the wood edges
were alive with migratory Warblers, Thrushes, and Sparrows. Although
specimens of the Hudsonian Titmouse have lately been taken in Con-
necticut and Rhode Island. I believe my former Concord record has
until now remained the only definite one for Massachusetts. — William
Brewster, Cambridge. Mass.

The Great Carolina Wren ( Thrvothonts ludovicianus) in New
Hampshire. — While collecting in a thick piece of woods at Rye Beach,
N. H., my attention was attracted by a loud clear note which I failed to
recognize. After following the sound for some time the bird, enticed by
the imitation of its note, showed itself for a moment and was secured. It
proved to be the Great Carolina Wren. While picking it up another was
heard scolding in the neighboring thicket, but upon my nearer approach it
vanished in the bushes, scarcely allowing me a momentary glimpse. This
happened August 7. and is, I believe, the most northern appearance of
this bird on record. — Henry M. Spelman, Cambridge. Mass.

Swainson's Warbler (Helo>ta?a stvainsoni ) in Texas. — The range of
this rare species has been very materially extended by its discovery in

General Notes. 55

Navarro Co., Texas, by a correspondent of the National Museum, Mr. J.
Douglas Ogilby, who has kindly forwarded me the following particulars,
with permission to send the same for publication in the Bulletin.

•' I shot the specimen on a small lake or rather pond in the Trinity River
bottom, and surrounded everywhere with dense timber. When I first saw
it it was sitting on a branch close down to the mud on the edge of the lake,
and on being disturbed only flew a few yards to another similar resting
place. It was very tame, and from the thickness of the undergrowth of the
place I could onlv shoot from a few yards distant from it. so that it was
frightfully cut up by the shot. The head, however, was perfect, and at once
on lifting it I was struck by the curious, sharply-ridged bill. It was a male,
and measured, total length. 5.65; wing. 2.72; tail, 2.18; tarsus, 0.72 ; mid-
dle toe, 0.66; bill. 0.64. The upper parts were brownish-green, tinged
with reddish on head and wings ; below light greenish-yellow, tinged with
ashy on sides ; bill dark brown above, light at base; legs and feet flesh-
color ; irides brown ; graduation of quills. 3. 2. 1-4-5. It was in company
or at least in the same clump of bushes, with some Prothonotaries. —
Robert Ridgway. Washington, B.C.

Notes on the Habits of the Cliff Swallow {Pctrockelidou luni-
frons). — Within my collecting grounds is a locality where numbers of
these birds have nested for many years. This is a shed, open only on one
side, where the birds have attached their nests to the sleepers of the loft.
In the spring of 187S they returned about the usual time and soon began
repairing old nests or constructing new ones. One dav, while watching
them. I noticed one bird remained in her half-finished nest, and did not
appear to be much engaged. Soon a neighbor, owning a nest a few
feet away, arrived with a fresh pellet of clay and. adjusting it in a satis-
factory manner, flew away for more. No sooner was she out of sight than
the quiet bird repaired to the neighbor's nest, appropriated the fresh clay
and moulded it to her own nest! When the plundered bird returned, no
notice was taken of the theft, which was repeated as soon as she was again
out of sight. I saw these movements repeated numerous times, but was
called away, and when I again returned both nests were completed.

In the same place a nest remained undisturbed, and was occupied bv
probably the same pair of birds for several seasons. This spring they
returned to the old nest, and all appeared prosperous, until one dav I
noticed a number of Swallows engaged in walling up the entrance of this
old nest. This, and the outline of a new nest over the old. was soon com-
pleted. I then broke open the closed nest and found within the dead bodv
of a Swallow. This bird had probably died a natural death, and the friends
being unable to lemove the body, and knowing it would soon become
offensive, adopted this method of sealing it up. — F. H. Knowlton,
Brandon, Vt.

Another Capture of the Loggerhead Shrike in Massachu-
setts.— Although the Loggerhead Shrike is now known to breed regu-
larly at certain points in the northern New England States, the records ofits

56

General Notes.

occurrence in Massachusetts are not as jet sufficiently numerous to render
additional captures entirely devoid of interest.

I have latelv examined a fine specimen in the possession of Mr. Arthur
Smith, shot by that gentleman in Brookline, Mass.. in February, 1879. ^
is a voung male, with the under parts finely vermiculated with rusty.
The rump is scarcely lighter than the back and the specimen is otherwise
nearly as tvpical of var. ludovicianus as are average specimens from
Florida. — William Brewster, Cambridge. Mass.

A Third Capture of the Philadelphia Vireo ( Vireo philadel-
p/u'eus) in Massachusetts. — In the collection of Mr. Charles B. Cory I
have lately seen a Philadelphia Vireo which was taken in Brookline, Mass.,
by Mr. Arthur Smith. Upon asking Mr. Smith about it he told me that
he shot it late in September, in second-growth oak woodland when it was
quite alone.

This makes the third Massachusetts record, and all these specimens have
been taken in the same month — Septemher. The species should he care-
full v looked for in the spring, but it is probahle that, as with the Connecticut
Warbler and several other birds, the vernal migration is made by a more
westerly route. — William Brewster, Cambridge. Mass.

Occurrence of Vireo philadelphicus in Mercer County. New
Jersey. — On September 21, 1S76, I took an adult male of this species in
an orchard in Princeton, and on the 28th of the same month I saw two
others in the same orchard together, one of which I obtained. This
proved also an adult male. These are the only instances that have
come under my observation during six years at this point. — W. E. D.
Scott. Princeton. N. J.

The Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra americana) in Tennessee. —
The morning of August 7, 18S0, found the writer collecting in the woods
near Rugby on the Cumberland Plateau in East Tennessee. Coming to
a clearing, I observed, among other birds, two which at first I did not
recognize. The ■•clearings" of that section differ from those in other
parts of the country. Lumber being comparatively valueless in that
region, the settlers kill the trees by girdling, leaving them standing. In
time all but the largest limbs fall, and the trunks brcome rotten and filled
with vermin; thus they are the resort of Woodpeckers for both feeding
and breeding purposes. It was in such a locality, and on the top of one
of the largest trunks, that I saw a small bird, whose plumage I could not
distinguish against the sky. hopping up and down and around the trunk.
seemingly extracting insects from the decayed knot-holes. Supposing it
to be a species of Nuthatch, I shot it. when I was greatly astonished to
pick up a Red Crossbill. The report of my gun revealed the whereabouts
of four more, the remainder of the flock. Observation of their habits
showed me they kept near the tops or broken ends of the limbs, hopping
about and crawling under them after the manner of Woodpeckers. As I

General Notes. 57

shot another, the rest rose high in the air and. with an irregular, undula-
ting flight, disappeared. My specimens proved to be in good plumage.

I subsequently saw two more in a barn-yard some four miles from the
first locality. I was informed that they had been frequently seen there-
abouts of late, but the natives were unable to identify them. I shot one
of them, — a fine male, whose upper tail-coverts were of an unusually bril-
liant red. I find entered in my notebook that on August 13 I saw two
more while on a deer hunt fourteen miles from the other places. Of
course, under the circumstances, I was unable to shoot them. This would
seem to show that the first flock was not an accidental occurrence.

The Tennessee Plateau is a comparatively level section of country about
one hundred miles long and forty miles wide, with an average elevation of
two thousand feet above the adjacent region. Its forests consist almost
entirely of white oaks, interspersed with chestnuts, and occasionally a
pine. This, with the above statements, indicate that the habits of my
birds differ materially from those of others of this erratic species.

In respect to external characters. Mr. J. A. Allen, after having compared
my birds with a large series of New England specimens and with examples
of var. mcxicana from Colorado, writes me that the Tennessee specimens
present no essential difference in average measurement, but that the bill is
considerably larger than in average New England examples, but much
smaller than that of mexicana. The plumage of the males is much
brighter than in northern specimens. The Tennessee birds he regards as
almost exactly intermediate between the Red Crossbills of Northern New
England and those of Colorado. — G. S. Smith. Boston. Mass.

Description of the nest and eggs of Coturniculus henslowi
obtained near Falls Church. Va. — Nest rather rude and irregularly
shaped, composed externally of coarse grass, lined with exceedingly fine
grass-tops circularly disposed and well finished but without any horse-
hair; no other material than grass was used in its construction. The nest
is about four inches in diameter, about two inches in height, and
two inches inside diameter; it was placed in the center of a large
clump of wild clover (Tri folium agrarium) and rested directly on the
ground without any appearance of a cavity. The clover had grown up
about a foot or more in height and completely surrounded the nest, which
was only discovered by parting it. The female was secured as she flew
from the nest. The eggs, four in number, are much blotched and speckled
all over with a mixture of madder-brown and sepia, the color becoming
more confluent on the larger end ; there are also a few dashes and dots of
very dark sepia, almost black, scattered among the spots. One of the
eggs has a number of large blotches of a lighter tint than the spots
scattered all over it so as to almost form a ground tint for the spots. The
ground color is a delicate greenish-white. The measurements, in hun-
dredths of inches, are as follows: .75 x .60, .75 x .5S, 75 x .^6, .7^ x .60.
These eggs, taken June 3, contained large embryos within four or five days
of hatching. As I took full-fledged young last year on the 12th of July,
thev undoubtedly raise two broods in a season.

58

General Notes.

The above described nest and eggs were taken in the locality where Mr.
Ridgway found the birds last year (see this Bulletin, Vol. IV ', p. 23S).
They are more or less common in all suitable places, probably a dozen
pairs breeding in this and the adjoining meadows.

Since writing the above, two fully fledged young birds have been taken
(June 6) in the same place. The birds have been also seen and heard
singing at Ball's Cross Roads in Virginia, about two miles nearer the
District than the other locality. Besides the characteristic note of tee-wick,
they have epiite a song, which may fairlj be represented by the syllables
sts-r-r-rit-srit-srit, with the accent on the first and last parts. This song
is often uttered while the bird takes a short flight upward : it then drops
down again into the tangled weeds and grasses where it is almost impossi-
ble to follow it. — Pierre Louis Jouy, Washington, D.C.

The Lark Finch on Long Island, N. V. — On August 20, 1879, '
took a specimen of Chondestes grammica at Layville, Long Island, the
first, I believe, for this State. Strange to say. it was shot in a low. wet
salt-meadow. Most of the other eastern specimens have also been taken
near the coast. — Chari.es Earle. New Tork City.

The Golden Eagle in New Brunswick. — When out Snipe shooting
October 16 (1880), a big Blue Heron flew up and almost immediately
dropped to the ground. Instantly a large bird came like a meteor and
struck the Heron with full force and in their excitement I got a line spec-
imen of the Golden Eagle {Aquila chrysaetus), a species not often occur-
ing with us. — George A. Bovrdman. Milltown, N. />'.

The Bald Eagle (Haliaetus leucocefhaltis) as a Hunter. — In view
of the rather unenviable reputation that the Bald Eagle has obtained at
the hands of most of the later ornithological writers.* the following ex-
tracts from a letter from Mr. John \Y. Baker of Brooklyn. X. V.. may be
of interest. His observations were made during the winter and spring of
1S79 at Fruit Cove on the St. John's River, in Florida, fifteen or twenty
miles south of Jacksonville.

"The particular Eagle of which I write (for I am sure it was always the
same bird) usually made two trips daily to the river in front of the house
where 1 lived, once in the morning, and again towards evening. I think
it safe to assert that he did not miss a day during my entire stay of some
four or five months, giving me. therefore, ample opportunity of-noting
the manner in which he secured his prey.

•• As soon as he reached the river he invariably alighted on the topmost
branch of a tree in the immediate neighborhood of where the largest body
of Coots [Fulica americand\ was feeding, where he sat some minutes,
apparently resting and preparing himself for battle. At the first sight of

* See, however, Vol. V, p. 57, of this Bulletin, where its habits at Cobb's Island, Va.,
as described by Mr. Wm. Brewster, seem to agree very closely with Mr. Baker's ob-
servations.

General Notes. 59

the Eagle the Coots all huddled together, remaining so during his rest,
swimming about aimlessly and easting uneasy glances up in the direction
of their enemy. The moment the Eagle lifted himself from his perch.
the Coots seemed to press towards a common centre until they were
packed so closely together that they had the appearance of a large black
mantle upon the water; they remained in this position until the Eagle
made his first swoop, when they arose as one bird, making a great noise
with their wings, and disturbance with their feet which continued to
touch the water for the first fifty or one hundred feet of their flight. This
seemed to disconcert the Eagle who would rise in the air only to renew
his attack with great vigor.

•■These maneuvres were kept up, the Eagle repeating his attack with
marvelous rapidity, until, in the excitement and hurry of flight, three or
four Coots got separated from the main body; this circumstance the Eagle
was quick to discover and take adyantage of; it was now easy work to
single out his victim, but usually long and hard to finally secure it. I
have never seen him leave the field of battle, however, without a trophy
of his prowess, though I have seen him so baffled in his first attempts to
separate the birds, that he was compelled to seek his tree again to rest.

"On one occasion, after separating his bird from the flock, he spent
some minutes in its capture — the Coot eluding him by diving; this fre-
quent rebuff seemed to provoke the Eagle to such an extent that he finally
followed it under the water — remaining some seconds — so long, indeed,
that I thought him drowned; he finally appeared, however, with the bird
in his talons, but so weak and exhausted that he could scarcely raise him-
self above the water, and for the first thirty or forty yards of his flight his
wings broke the surface of the water; very slowly he made his way to
the nearest tree, where he alighted, on the lowest limb, to recover his
spent strength.

••One more incident: I had crept up on a small batch of Coots and
discharged one barrel of my gun at them, killing one, and was about to
start out tor a boat to pick it up. when I was startled by an Eagle swoop-
ing down upon my dead bird: he had it in his talons before I could get
my gun to shoulder, but I quickly discharged the contents of the other
barrel at him. which had the effect of making him drop mv bird and go
screaming away : thinking he might return. I began to reload ray gun.
and had barely finished one barrel, when, sure enough, he made another
attempt to steal my game ; in my haste I fired before he was within range,
or I might have added him to my bag. 1 got my Coot.

••1 have also Seen him chase the Eish Hawk, and force him to drop his
fish which lie immediately secured for himself'.

■• This. I think, will cover the extent of mv own observations, though 1
am credibly informed that he has been seen to capture squirrels, rabbits.
and even chickens."

This last statement is confirmed by an account given me last spring bv

a resident in Nassau Co., Florida, on the St. Mary's River, who complain-

6o General Notes.

ed of the Eagles' carrying off poultry and young pigs, boldly venturing
near the houses for the purpose. — Charles F. Batchelder, Cambridge,

Mass.

Breeding of the Wild Pigeon in Confinement. — Of late years
the Wild Pigeon has been trapped and kept in confinement for use in trap-
shooting to a considerable extent, but instances of these captives having
bred and raised their young is. I believe, quite unusual.

The following " clipping " from the Hartford, Conn., "'Courant" of
August 5, 1880, on this subject, credited to the New Haven " Palladium,"
which has kindly been sent me by Mr. J. A. Stannis, may be worthy of
note :

u Sherman Potter, the veteran pigeon shooter of Fair Haven, has a pair
of wild pigeons which he has trained in the capacity of stool pigeons and
flights. This season, to the surprise of Potter and everyone else, they
hatched one young one, which has grown to full size, and recently hatch-
ed another which is now two-thirds grown. This is an unusual occurrence
for wild pigeons to raise their young in captivity. Potter is delighted,
and is about to enter into the business of raising these birds on a grand
scale, as they find a ready market at $5 apiece in Fair Haven, to be used
as stool pigeons and flights." — Ruthven Deane, Chicago, Hi.

Evidence of the Former Existence of the Wild Turkey at
Mount Desert Island. Maine. — Last summer (August 14. 18S0), while
searching in an old Indian shell-heap on the east side of Mount Desert
Island. Maine. I found a portion of the tarsus of a Wild Turkey {Melea-
gris gallopavo). This is interesting as showing the former range of this
bird, which is now extinct in New England.

In Jeffries Wvman's account of the Indian shell-heaps of New England,
he does not mention finding the bones of the Wild Turkey farther north
than Eagle Hill in Ipswich. Massachusetts. — C. W. Townsend, Boston,
Mass.

Recent Occurrence of Bairds Sandpiper^/-/;/^ bairdi)iN Maine.
— So far as I am aware, we have but four recorded instances * of the cap-
ture of this Sandpiper in New England, but the following facts will seem
to indicate that in certain localities, at least, it may be something more
than a mere accidental visitor. On the evening of Sept. 4, 18S0. while
returning from a trip up Lake Umbagog (Oxford Co.. Maine), and just as
we were entering the mouth of Cambridge River, the guide called my
attention to a flock of small Waders sitting on a mud-flat. I made, out two
of the nurhber to be Ring-necked Plovers, but in the fading light it was
difficult to distinguish colors, and as the remaining six looked unfamiliar
I picked out one that stood a little apart and shot it. The others disap-

* Long Island, Boston Harbor, Aug. 27, 1870. Brewster, Am. Nat., VI, May, 1872,
306.— Lake Umbagog, Upton, Maine, Sept. 1, 1875. Breiuster, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, I,
April, 1876, 19. — Scarborough Beach, Maine, Sept. 9, 1875. Brown, Bull. Nutt. Orn.
Club, II, January, 1877, 28. — Swampscott, Mass., Aug. 27, 1876. Brewer, Bull. Nutt.
Orn. Club, III, July, 1878, 140.

General Xotes. 6 1

peared in the gloom and I picked up a specimen of Tritiga bairdi. Early
the next morning I again visited the spot but there were only six Ring-
necks on the flat. On a neighboring mud-bar. however, I shortlv found
two Baird's Sandpipers feeding in company with an Ereunetes and all
three were quickly secured. The Baird's Sandpipers proved to be a male
and female, both birds of the year. They were so fat that their skins
were preserved with the greatest difficulty. Whether they represented
a part of the flock seen the evening before can of course only be a
matter of conjecture. I have, however, good reasons for suspecting that
the Baird's Sandpiper regularly occurs at Umbagog in small numbers
during the autumnal migration. In view of its known distribution in the
West it would be more likely to be found on interior ponds and marshes
than along our sea-coast, where it is apparentlv a very rare species.

The specimens above mentioned were very tame and I watched them
for some time before disturbing them. Their motions were slow and
sedate and their attitudes crouching. They kept up a low conversational
twitter while feeding, and when flushed, flew in that swift, erratic way
characteristic of most of the smaller Waders. The peculiar coloring of
the upper parts gave them a striped appearance which should serve to
distinguish them from any other eastern Sandpiper except Tryngites ru-
fescens — William Brewster. Cambridge. Mass.

Occi'rrexce of Baird's Sandpiper (Tringa bairdi) on the New
Hampshire Coast. — While out on the marsh at Rye Beach, N. H.,
August 26, my attention was called by my companion to a ''Large Peep."
as he called it. Upon shooting the bird we found it to be a Tringa bairdi.
The same afternoon I obtained another specimen of this bird which was
running along the beach in company with a large flock of Peeps. Both
birds were very tame and allowed a quite near approach. This is the
first record of this bird for New Hampshire. — Henry M. Spelman.
Cambridge. Mass.

Note on Tryngites rufescens in Texas. — The Buff-breasted
Sandpiper is mentioned by Mr. Dresser and Dr. Merrill as occurring on
the Rio Grande in Texas, but Mr. Sennett and Mr. McCaulev did not note
it. Professor Snow calls it rare in Kansas, and Dr. Coues did not meet
with it in Dakota while with the Northern Boundarv Survey. My ex-
perience is that it is a bird whose occurrence is not to be relied upon in
Cooke County, Texas.

On April 23, 1S77, I saw a flock here and noted no more until April 29,
18S0, when I saw two or three flocks of some half-dozen each, near Gains-
ville. Not having my gun. I returned next day and scoured the same lo-
cality without finding a single Tryngites Thinking they were certainly
on the large prairie west of Gainesville, I rode over that for half a dav
without seeing a ButF-breast, and gave up the search. On May 3, in riding
through the same prairie where I saw the species in question, I came upon
a flock of seven and. as before, was without my gun. I procured one and
shot four with the first barrel and one with the second ; following the re-
maining two I secured them, and no more have been seen since.

62 General Notes.

I noted a habit of strutting and similar maneuvering in these birds which
I have never seen in Bartram's Tattler. My attention was first attracted
bv the white lining of the wing as the bird lav on one side stretching the
wing straight up in the air; on approaching nearer I saw several others
near by acting in the same ludicrous manner. One would raise the feath-
ers and strut up to another as though they were going to fight, and I think
they did sometimes strike at each other as game cocks do. Another
would run up to one of its companions and stand on tip-toe with both
wings raised high in the air as if challenging a contest; after standing
still for an instant it would then drop its wings and go to feeding as
quietly as before. I regretted that I had such a limited opportunity for
making notes upon this truly interesting species.

Dr. Merrill says that the same elates and localities apply to T. rufescens
as to Actituriis bartramius. The latter, however, arrives in Cooke County
as early as March 27, which is about four weeks earlier than I have no-
ted the Buff-breasts. Both species are very tame and mingle freely
together while feeding.

Mr. A. Hall, of East Rockport, Ohio, informs me that he met with a
small flock of these birds in riding over the prairies in Nebraska, May iS.
18S0. associated with A. bartramius. They were very tame, allowing so
near an approach that they might have been easily killed with stones.
The several specimens obtained were all females. He adds that he ob-
served no strutting or fighting, such as I had described to him as seen bv
me in Texas. — G. II. RAGSDALE, Gainesville. Texas.

A Second Mass vchusetts Specimen of the Clapper Rail (A'al-
lus longirostris'). — Mr. Arthur Smith has shown me a fine specimen of
the Clapper Rail which he shot late in October, 1879. at Gurnet Point,
Plymouth, Massachusetts. It is a dark colored example in full fall
plumage. It was killed on a salt marsh where another large Rail supposed
to be of the same species was seen at the same time. After the expunging
of the old-time records the Clapper Rail was first reinstated as a bird of
Massachusetts by Mr. H. A. Purdie in this Bulletin for January, 1S77. A
year later Dr. Brewer published* a notice of what would at first reading seem
to be a second specimen, for no reference is made to Mr. Purdie's previous
record and the date of capture is given as May. 1876; but upon looking
up the bird in the " New England Collection " of the Boston Society I
find it to be the same as that upon which Mr. Purdie based his data.

Oddly enough Dr. Brewer apparently makes a similar blunder with
Rallus elegans when he gives a specimen (1. c.) as " shot in Nahant in the
spring of 1876," with the remark that there is " no previous record for
New England, except West Haven, Conn." The latter statement is
obviously incorrect, for the presence of the King Rail in Massachusetts
had been made known by Mr. Purdief a year previously, and, if I am not

*" Notes on certain species of New England Birds with Additions to his Catalogue of
the Birds of New England. By T. M. Brewer." Proc. of the Boston Soc. of Nat. Hist.,
Vol. XIX, Feb. 6, 1878.

t Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. II, Jan., 1877, p. 22.

General Notes. 63

greatly mistaken, Dr. Brewer's specimen and the bird taken by Welch
"at Nahant. Nov. 2r. /Sjj," are identical. — William Brewster. Cam-
bridge. Mass.

Notes ox the Breeding Habits of the Caspian Tern. — When
collecting at Cobb's Island, Virginia, in company with Mr. S. D. Osborne,
during the past season, we were fortunate in securing two sets of the eggs
of the Caspian Tern {Sterna casfiia), and as our observation of their
habits agrees so closely with Mr. Ridgway's account given in the last
number of this Bulletin (Vol. V, pp. 2 2 1-223) I cannot refrain from
confirming it by some additional evidence. Our first nest was taken. June
2, on what is known as Wreck Island, and we only became aware of our
promixity to it by the repeated swooping down towards us of the parents,
thev uttering at each plunge their hoarse, barking cry four or five times
in rapid succession. The nest was a mere hollow scooped in the sand
somewhat back from the ridge of the beach, without lining save a few
fragments of dried sedge stalks, and contained two eggs. The day pre-
vious. June 1, we had spent on the northern end of Cobb's Island, fully
ten miles from this locality, and there we first saw a pair of this species,
whose actions were entirely similar, but no nest rewarded our search at
this time. Determined to secure, if possible, another set, we visited this
locality again June 3. and were rewarded by finding their nest similarly
situated as our first, and containing also two eggs. This number, I be-
lieve, with Mr. Ridgway. is their full complement. One of the parent
birds was secured and its skin preserved. Two pairs were thus breeding
at the same time, separated bv ten miles of beach, over which we had
pa>sed repeatedlv during our stav; and we saw them at no other place or
time. This is the more remarkable as we were anxious to find a breeding
colony of Royal Terns {Sterna regia), and their large size would un-
doubtedly have attracted our notice. Hence it seems probable that they
always breed singlv. The two sets varied but little in coloration or style
of marking, much less than is usual among the Sternidce, those in my
collection agreeing well with Mr. Ridgway's description, being oval
in shape (not pointed at the smaller end), their clayey ground color
washed with olive and marked with irregular spots and small blotches of
dark brown and lavender. They are somewhat smaller than his specimens,
measuring 2.70 x i. 85 inches and 2.65 x 1.80 inches, respectively, and are
in no wise to be mistaken for any eggs of the Royal Tern that I have
seen. — R. F. Pearsall, New York City.

List of Occurrences of North American Birds in Europe. —
I regret that through an oversight I find it necessary to ask the insertion
here of the following errata and addenda to my paper on this subject in
the last volume of the Bulletin and to apologise to Mr. Saunders and to
the readers of the Bulletin therefor:

Errata. — Page 143, line 33, of Vol. V, after " Vaud" insert " Switzer-
land"; page 212. line 16. leave out "where the locality is misstated " ;
same page, line lS, after " Harbor" insert " Saunders. I.e. "; same page,

64

General Notes.

line 20, for '-Wexford" read -'Mayo." Also, in connection with my remarks
on Wilson's Petrel at page 218, line 29. Mr. Saunders has called mv atten-
tion to the occurrence, as recorded by him (Bull. Soc. zool. de France.
1S77. p. 205, and Zool. Record. 1S77. Aves, p. 58). of a fine specimen of
this specie- at Malaga. Spain, killed there on 7 August. 1873. and still in
his possession.

Professor Reinhardt. of Copenhagen, has sent me a paper by him in
4i Meddelelser fra den Naturhistorische Forening i Kjobenhavn, 1SS1." on
the alleged occurrence as recorded by me at page 72. Vol. V of the Bulletin,
of four specimens of the American White-winged Crossbill in Denmark
(Nos. 1 to 4 of mv List), in which he points out that mv correspondent,
Ilerr A. Benzon, had been in error in communicating them to me and
that he appears to have confused them with L. bifasciata, the Russian and
Siberian species, to which they doubtless belonged. He also states a
doubt that exists whether the record of Xo. 2 does not rest on a confusion
with No. 1 ; that Nos. 1 and 3 are still in the University Museum. Copen-
hagen, but that No. 4 seems to have been lost many years ago. All four
are thus to be deleted.

Addenda. — To the record of Actiturus bartramius, p. 149. add :

Great Britain. 7. One. a male, killed in Lincolnshire, purchased in
Leadenhall market, and obtained in the Mesh by Mr. J. E. Harting, who
carefully enquired into and is satisfied of its authenticity as a British-
killed specimen. Harting, Zool.. 1S80, p. 50S. October. 1880.

To the record of Numenius borealte (p. 210) add:

Great Britain. 6. One. a male, Forest of Birse. Kincardineshire. Har-
vie-Brown. Zool.. 1S80, p. 4S5. 21 Sep., 1880.

I would desire, in conclusion, to point out that by removal from the
list of the Cedar Bird (footnote, p. 141) and of the American Swan, (as to
which latter McGillivray's probable mistake, p. 212. was onby pointed out
to me by Professor Newton after the first part of the paper had appeared
in the Bulletin.) the number of species of North American Birds now
recorded as having visited Europe is reduced from sixty-nine, as mentioned
in the introduction (Bull., V, p. 66), to sixty-seven.

I would only add that I shall still be glad to receive any further correc-
tions or additions which may add to the accuracy and consequent value of
the List. — J.J. Dalgleish, 8 Athole Crescent. Edinburgh. Scotland.

Errata.— Vol. V, page iii. line 9. for FOREIGN MEMBERS read
FOREIGN HONORARY MEMBERS. Same page, for Dr. Philip
Luteley read Dr. Philip Lutley Sclater.

BULLETIN

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

VOL. VI. APRIL, 1 88 1. No. 2.

NOTES OX SOME BIRDS FROM ARIZONA AND NEW
MEXICO. WITH A DESCRIPTION OF A SUPPOSED
NEW WHIP-POOR-WILL.

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

At different times during the past year Mr. F. Stephens has sent
me small collections of birds made at various points in southern Ari-
zona and just within the western boundaries of New Mexico. As
many of the species are as yet but little known, I take an early
opportunity of announcing the capture of these additional speci-
mens, and of presenting some brief but interesting field-notes
which have been kindly furnished by Mr. Stephens. A critical
study of one or two of the rarer species has suggested some
original comments which are also offered in this connection ;
but certain developments affecting the genus Polloptila. which
have been unavoidedly crowded out, will be found elsewhere
in the present number of the Bulletin.

r. Harporhynchus bendirei. Coues. Arizona Thrash-
er. — Mr. Stephens sends me two specimens of this interesting
Thrasher, both males, and both from the neighborhood of Tuc-
son, where the bird seems to be common but verv locallv distrib-
uted. These specimens are in freshly-assum'ed, perfect spring
plumage, a condition which does not appear to have been previ-
ously examined, the original types in the Smithsonian collection
being in "worn summer dress," and the three individuals taken

66 Brewster on Birds from Arizona and New Mexico.

by Mr. Henshaw in 1S74. in fall feathering. My birds have the
breast-spotting decidedly more distinct than in H. palmeri but
the color of the arrow-heads is not darker than that of the back.

After reading all that has been written on the subject and care-
fully comparing bendirei with cinercus, I am inclined to differ
from my friend Mr. Henshaw and to agree with Dr. Cones, in
considering bendirei a distinct species. Its close relationship to
einereus is evident enough, in spite of the very different coloring
of the two birds. But Mr. Henshaw's statement that " the wide
separation of the two forms in question, and the fact that the Cape
Saint Lucas bird is restricted to the coast, while the Bcndire's
Thrush inhabits the dry. almost waterless, plains of the interior,
will sufficiently account for the discrepancies between them." seems
to me rather to concern the original derivation of the Arizona
form than to affect its specific standing. The very character of
the distribution of the two birds favors the assumption that they
are distinct. So far as we know, the Arizona Thrashers are con-
fined to a verv limited area, and if. as the evidence goes to show.
their colony is absolutely cut off from the equally restricted one
of cinereiis, there can, of course, be no intergradation between
the two. and the well-marked characters of bendirei must entitle
it to specific rank.

2. Harporhynchus lecontei {Lawr.) Bp. Leconte's
Thrasher. — A fine adult male taken near Phoenix, Feb. 21,
1S80, is in the present collection and brings the number of known
specimens up to five. The species is apparently a very rare one in
Arizona. Mr. Stephens has seen only two individuals during sev-
eral years' experience. He writes : "I took this specimen ten miles
north-west of Phoenix. The locality was a brushy desert with
large cacti. At the time, it was singing in a similar manner to
H. palmer i i, only very sweetly. I should consider them excellent
songsters. They do not mock other birds and the song is unlike
that of H. redivivus. A short time afterwards I saw two other
Thrushes, one of which was lecontei. They were flitting through
the brush and on shooting I got the wrong one. an H. pal/ncri.
The latter was abundant in the locality and H. bendirei com-
mon."

In the " Key to North American Birds" Dr. Coues reduced
Leconte's Thrasher to a variety of H. redivivus. and this ar-
rangement, also followed in his later works, has been generally

Brewster on Birds from Arizona and New Mexico. 67

endorsed by such ornithologists as Ridgway, Henshaw, and others
who have since had occasion to notice the bird. But although I
dislike to differ from such an array of authority I cannot for a
moment believe that lecontei should be associated with redivivus.

Even if we admit (as I am however bv no means prepared to
do) that the radical color-differences which exist between them
are explainable by climatic modification, there still remain certain
structural characters which cannot be similarly disposed of.

In the first place, the bill of lecontei is very much shorter,
slenderer, and narrower than that of redtvivus. The inferior
convexity of the lower mandible is evenly i-ounded, whereas in
redtvivus it is laterally compressed, forming a quite sharp ridge
or angle which is apparent to the eve as well as upon gentlv pas-
sing the finger along the bill below. A corresponding difference
is also somewhat similarly shown by the upper mandibles ; that
of lecontei having a nearly perfect convexity beyond its basal third.
while in redtvivus the greater width of the bill gives the sides of
the maxilla a decided slope or inclination, the lateral outlines of
which are actually concave to the very tip.

Furthermore, in lecontei the cutting edges of the maxilla are
decidedlv recurved or rounded to within a short distance of the
tip. and when the bill is closed the edges of the opposite man-
dibles nearly meet, those of the upper only slightly overlapping ;
but in redivivus these edges are not recurved beyond their basal
fifth, being, on the contrary, nearly as sharp as a knife-blade,
while they decidedlv overlap the lower mandible.

Leconte's Thrasher otherwise differs in having the tail very
much shorter and more rounded ; the soles of the feet smoother ;
and the rictal bristles much more abbreviated and fewer in num-
ber.

On the whole I regard the affinities of this Thrasher as closer
to H. curvirostris palmeri than to any other known form.

Despite the fact that -palmer i is obsoletely spotted below, their
coloring is much more nearly alike than is that of lecontei and
redivivus. And in form and proportions, as well as in the gen-
eral shape and character of the bill, they are strikingly similar.
Indeed, were it not for the fact that the habitats of the two over-
lap it might be difficult to argue their specific distinctness. But
the occurrence of lecontei at Phoenix, in actual company with
palmer ■/. as observed Iw Air. Stephens, effectually precludes any

68 Brewster on Birds from Arizona and New Mexico.

surmises looking to a nearer relationship than that of allied species.

I subjoin the measurements of the present specimen of lecontei,
for comparison with some taken from specimens in my collection
of H. curvirostris, H. curvirostris fialmeri and //. redivivus.

Harporhyncus lecontei. 9 (No. 5232). "Length. 10.50;
extent, 12.20"; wing, 3.90: tarsus. 1.25; tail. 4.57 ; bill (chord
of culmen), 1.35; bill from nostrils. .98: width below posterior
angle of nostril. .21.

H. curvirostris. (No. 564, Texas.) "Length. 11.00: ex-
tent, 13.25"; wing, 4.05 ; tarsus. 1.28; tail. 4.07: bill (chord).
1.27; from nostril. .91 ; width below nostril. .23.

H. curvirostris palmeri. (No. 498S. Arizona.) "Length,
11.06; extent, 13.30"; wing. 4.12; tarsus. 1.40: tail, 4.30 ; bill
(chord) 1.37; from nostril, 1.10: width below nostril. .25.

H. redivivus. (Nos. >66, Saticoy, Cala ; 4182 and 4183,
San Bernardino Co., Cala.) ••Length. — . 12.20, 12.00; extent.— .
13.20, 13.10"; wing. 4.10. 4.16,4.15; tarsus. 1.47. 1.40, 1.47;
tail. 5. (worn). 5.17. 5.07; bill (chord). 1.70, 1.66, 1.75; from
nostril, 1.30, 1.25. 1.35; width below nostril. .30, .26, .27.

3. Cardellina rubiifrons. ( Giraud) Sc/. Red-faced
Warbler. — A young male obtained at Fort Bayard, New Mex-
ico. July 16, 1S76, extends the range of the species considerably
to the eastward of Camp Apache and Alt. Graham in Arizona,
where it was found by Mr. Henshaw in 1874. This evidence is
important from its bearing upon the original record by Giraud in
1841, when it was included among the famous • -Sixteen .Species"
alleged to have been procured in Texas. Mr. Stephen's specimen
was taken " in a canon, among high mountains."

4. Pyranga hepatica. Swaihson. Hepatic Tanager. —
There are four specimens of this Tanager in the collection. The
birds themselves offer nothing worthy of mention, but some notes
which accompany them are of much interest. Under date of
May 30, 1S80, Mr. Stephens writes: "The species is rather
common here (Chiracahua Mountains). They keep mostly
among the pines (but sometimes in oaks) and several haunt the
vicinity of the house, where I can hear them singing at all times
of the day. The song is loud and clear, but short. I have
found no nests but a female, taken May 26. had laid all but her
last egg."

This description of the song, is, so far as I can remember, the
first that has been given. Mr. Henshaw, writing of his experience

Brewster on Birds from Arizona and New Mexico. 6t)

with the .species at Camp Apache in 1874. says. " with the
exception of the call-notes used by both sexes, and which resem-
ble the syllables chuck, chuck, several times repeated, they were
perfectly silent and neither here nor elsewhere did I ever hear any
song." This was probably due to the lateness of the season.
Mr. Henshaw's observations being made in July and August.

5. Cardinalis virginianus igneus (Baird) Cones. Saint
Lucas Cardinal. — A single adult male of this well marked race
is in the collection, from the San Pedro River. I mention it in
the present connection chiefly for the purpose of calling attention
to some interesting specimens collected by Mr. X. C. Brown,
in Kendall Co., Texas, during the spring of 1SS0. These birds
are nearly intermediate between cardinalis and igneus, their
tails being much longer than in the eastern species, while the bills
are larger and more swollen ; the red of the crest clearer, and
the black on the forehead reduced to the narrowest possible line.

6. Icterus parisorum, Bonap. Scott's Oriole. — Mr.
Stephens sends me three males of this Oriole. Thev were taken
in the Chiracahua Mountains, not far from the locality where
Mr. Henshaw met with the species in 1S74. The accompanying
notes describe them as Li active, restless, and very sweet singers."'
They were rather uncommon and no females were seen. The
adult plumage is apparently not perfected before the second
year, as two of the present examples lack the black hood and
back, and are otherwise dull-colored, although taken late in the
spring.

7. Antrostomus vociferus arizonae. var. nov. Stephens's
"Whip-poor-will.

Cii. sp. Similis A. vocifero; sed major; alis longioribus ;
rictus setis longioribus ; loris, striga superciliari, gulae phaleriscjue
lunatis fulvis ; albo in cauda contraction.

$ (No 5238, author's collection) , Chiracahua Mountains, Ari-
zona, May 22. 1880. Generally similar to A. vociferus but
much larger ; with the rictal bristles considerably longer ; the gular
crescent and a pretty well defined superciliar} stripe, ochraceous;
the lores and auriculars tawny ochraceous. The white of the
tail barely tipping the outer web of the lateral feathers and on the
others confined to a narrow apical space ;* the under tail-coverts
nearly without barringf.

* On the inner web of the outer pair of feathers this space measures 1. 11 inches in

depth; of the second pair, 1-50; of the third, [.55,

yo Brewster on Birds from Arizona and New Mexico.

Dimensions. "Length, 10.20: stretch, 19.40" (collector's
measurements) ; wing, 6.65 : tail. 4.45 ; tarsus, .73 ; longest, ric-
tal bristle, 1 .So.

Habitat. Chiracahua Mountains. Arizona.

The differential characters presented by this specimen, are, in
my opinion, well worthy of varietal recognition. My collection
embraces a very good suite of eastern specimens of vociferus,
and among them I rind no decided approaches to the Arizona bird.
The white on the tail, although somewhat variable in extent, is
never limited to so small an area, and the rictal bristles are inva-
riably much shorter. Nor have I seen any eastern males with the
gular collar uniformly ochraceous, even autumnal examples hav-
ing the white largel) predominating over this space. The dif-
ference in size also is very considerable. Taking the wing as the
best exponent of this, the wing of arizonce gives 6.65, while
seven males of vociferus measure respectivel) 5.80; 5.80; 5.S3 :
5.96 ; 6.20 : (1.2 1 : 6.40.

I am indebted to my friend Mr Ridgway, for an opportunity of
examining a male and female of the Mexican species A. ma-
cromystax. from the collection of the National Museum. These
specimens differ so which from m\ arizonce that a comparison
between them and the latter, is scarcely necessary. Arizonce
has the white of the tail deepest on the inner feathers and decreas-
ing in extent towards the outer pair, precisely as with vociferus;
while in macromystax the white areas decrease very rapidly in-
wards, the third pair of rectrices being barely tipped with that
color. Furthermore, macromystax has the hill longer and much
more compressed; the nostrils larger and more prominent; the
rictal bristles thicker ; the feet and tarsi stouter, and <///// orange
in color ; the general plumage much darker ; the under parts with
broad but sparsely scattered blotches of fulvous white ; and the
decided abdominal zone of light color wanting.

With the pair of A. macromystax Mr. Ridgwa\ also sends me
lour examples of vociferus, from Mexico and Gautemala. Only
one of these bears any date ( Tehuantepec City, Nov. 2. 1869),
but two of the others are apparently winter specimens also, and
as all three agree perfectly with my autumnal specimens of voci-
ferus taken in New England. I regard them as winter visitors
from the eastern United States. The fourth, however, (No.
74.35s- National Museum) from Guanajuato, Mexico, shows an

Brewster on Bird* from Arizona and New Mexico. J I

approach to the type of arz'zonee, in its large size (wing 6.50) ,

in the great length of the rictal bristles, and in the decided taw-
ny-ochraceous of the lores and auriculars. The gular-crescent is
however mixed with white, and the white areas of the tail are
nearly as extended as in typical voci ferns. It is possible that
this bird represents the form characteristic of Northern Mexico
but in the absence of more satisfactory data regarding its history,
the characters which it presents have no direct bearing on the
case in hand. Specimens intermediate between vociferns and
arizonce are of course to be expected and the Guanajuato example
is simply one of these.

The most western point within the United States from which
the Whip-poor-will has been previously announced is the valley of
the Lower Rio Grande in Texas, where both Merrill and Sennett
found it in small numbers.

The distribution of the Arizona form must be exceedingly
local. Mr. Stephens has never before met with it. and Mr. Hen-
shaw failed to detect it during his very thorough explorations.
Dr. Cones, however, probably heard it at Fort Whipple* in i86v
but no specimens were actually obtained there.

In the Chiracahua Mountains it is apparently not uncommon, to
judge from the following notes which accompanied my specimen.
•■ I have heard several of these Whip-poor-wills singing at one
time and am told that they were heard here last year. I hear A,
nnt tall i every evening. They keep high up the mountain sides,
while A. vociferns affects the lower part of the canons. This is
the only locality east of the Missouri River where I have found
the latter species."

In a recent letter Mr. Stephens adds : "I heard the first Whip-
poor-will about the middle of May. By June 1, they were as
common as I ever knew them to lie in the East. Sometimes I could
hear three or four whistling at once. They were very restless and
rather shy, so I got only the specimen I sent you, and a female
shot in the daytime. The latter flew off her nest, which, ;is
usual, was only a very slight depression in the ground, but in
this case was overhung by a rock. The single egg (now before
me) is plain white, with very faint brow ish spots, so faint that
one would hardly notice them. She would have laid no more.
This was on July 4. 1880. The people in the canon said they

* Ibis, 1865, 538.

7- Brewster on Birds from Arizona and New Mexico.

were not as plenty in 1879 as they were last summer. I heard
the males until August, at which time I left the Chiracahua
Mountains. I have not heard of the species elsewhere in Arizona."

8. Ficus stricklandi. Malherbe. Strickland's Wood-
pecker.— The only record of the occurrence of this Woodpecker
within the United States is thai by Mr. Henshaw, who found
it abundant in the Chiracahua Mountains. Arizona, in August.
1S74. An adult male and female, kindly presented to mc In Mr.
Stephens, were taken April 6, 1880, in precisely the same locality.
The latter gentleman writes that the species " is at least as com-
mon here as am other Woodpecker. I hear or see them daily
and could get as many as I had time t;> prepare. In the next
range of mountains, seventy-five miles to the northwest, 1 am
positive they never come, for I lived there a year and collected
much of the time without finding them."

9. Callipepla squamata. ( VigS)Gray* Scaled Quail.—
A line male and female of this species, taken respective!} March
[3 and April 2. 1880, on the Rio San Pedro. Arizona, differ so
materially from Texas specimens as to strongh suggest varietal
distinctness. Although in remarkably fresh plumage, their gen-
eral coloring is \er\ pale and bleached. There is not the slight-
est [race of the usual rusty chestnut patch on the abdomen, that
pan being nearly concolor with the lower portion of the breast.
The yellowish-rusty of the anal region and crissum is very light
in tint, and the blueish cast on the breast is barely appreciable.
The bill. also, is shorter and slenderer than in either of my Texas
examples.

In the absence of a larger suite of specimens. I cannot decide
as to the stability of these differences, but should they prove suf-
ficiently constant to entitle the Arizona form to varietal separation
I would suggest the name pallida as an appropriate one. So
far as I can learn, most of the specimens actually examined by
ornithologists, have come from localities considerably to the east-
ward of that represented by the present examples.

Some additional species in the collection do not seem to call
for any special elaboration and I accordingly give them with the
accompanying localities and dates, in the following list.

10. Harporhynchus crissalis. Henry. Red-vented
Thrasher. — $* Tucson. Arizona. Feb. 28. 18S0.

11. Dendroeca graciee, Coues. Grace's Warbler. — J1.
Chiracahua Mountains. Arizona, April 6. 1S80.

Sclater on the Systema Avium. 73

12. Setophaga picta. Swain. Painted Redstart. — $
and 9 . Chiracahua Mountains, April 7. 1S80.

13. Pipilo aberti. Baird. Abert's Towhee. — ^, Big Sandy
Creek, Arizona, Feb. 7, 18S0.

14. Aphelocoma sordida arizonae, Ridg. Arizona Jay.
— Three specimens, two $ , one 9 1 Chiracahua Mountains, taken
April 6-J, 1SS0.

15. Empidonax fulvifrons pallescens. Coues. Buff-
breasted Flycatcher. — $ , Chiracahua Mountains. April.
12, 1880.

16. Centurus uropygialis. Baird. Gila Woodpecker. —
$ . Tucson, March 8. 1SS0.

17. Colaptes chrysoides (Malk.) Baird. Malherbe's
Flicker. — $ , Tucson. March 7. 1SS0.

REMARKS ON THE PRESENT STATE OF THE
SYSTEMA AVIUM.

BY P. L. SCLATER.*

[Concluded from p. 37.]

4. Coccyges.

The remaining families of Nitzsch's Picariae (i.e. the Coccygo-
morphae of Huxley) stand associated together in our ' Nomencla-
tor' under the name Coccyges, given to them by Sundevall in
1835 (K. Vet. -Ac. Handl. 1835, p. 69), and are divided accord-
ing to the structure of their feet nearly after the plan suggested
by Prof Huxley (P. Z. S. 1S67. p. 466). I fear, however, that
this is not likely to be a permanent arrangement. Although we
may not at once go to the length of following Prof. Garrod in
separating the whole class of Birds into "Homalogonatas " and
k'Anomalogonatae." there can, I think, be no question that some
weight must, in future, be allowed to the presence or absence of
the, ambiens muscle, and that it must be allowed that the Cuculidae
and Musophagidae, in possessing this character and in other
respects, standee/- sc among the Picariae of Nitzsch, and show
much affinity with the Gallime. I believe therefore that it will

* From the " Ibis," 4th Ser., Vol, IV, pp. 399-411, Oct., if

74 Sclater on the Systema Avium.

be better for the future to restrict the term Coccyges to these two
families. The question then is. what shall we do with the re-
maining groups of the order ? The arrangement of them by the
structure of the feet, according to Prof. Huxley's scheme, al-
though very simple, is not quite natural. Leptoso?tia* for instance
(as I believe I first showed in 1865*), although the outer toe is
more or less reversed, must certainly come near the Rollers
(Coraciidae) ; and Co/?Wwould now appear to be nearly related to
the same group,| although its foot-structure is by no means sim-
ilar. There seem in fact to be several different categories com-
bined in the order Coccyges thus considered. First we have the
Lipoglossas of Nitzsch. consisting of the four families Alcedinidae,
Bucerotidag. Upupidae, and Irrisorida?. \ These all belong to the
Piciformes of Garrod. § and all the best authorities are pretty
well agreed as to their consanguinity. Along with these must
come the Cuculinae calopterae or Todidae of Nitzsch. containing
also four families, which, to my mind, are also closely related —
namely the Meropidse, Coraciidae, Momotidas, and Todidae. The
two last-named groups are united by Garrod into one family. ||
Thev all four have twelve tail-feathers, a naked oil-gland, and
caeca. But to these must be added, as aberrant appendages
(which sadlv mar the uniformity of the group), the Leptosomidai
and Podargidoe and, as it would appear from Prof. Garrod's re-
searches, the Coliida?. Leptosoma. as stated above, is clearly
more allied to the Rollers than to any other form. Padargus
cannot be left with the Caprimulgidae. looking to the conformation
of its palatal bones,^[ and comes in best here, whereas Nvctibius
belongs truly to the Caprimulgidae.ft After Garrod's exhaustive
disquisition on Steatornis*%% we can no longer complain that its
structure is unknown ; but it becomes still more difficult, owing
to its numerous peculiarities, to arrange this most extraordinaiy
bird in a satisfactory place in the series. It must certainly be
either put in here or placed as a separate order next to the Striges.
Perhaps the former plan is for the present the most convenient.

* P. Z. S. 1865, p. 682. Mr. Sharpe, in making the Leptosominae merely a subfamily
of Coraciidte (Ibis, i8yi,p. 285), appears to have entirely overlooked the structui* of
the feet.

t Cf. Garrod, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 416. 11 Huxley, P. Z, S. 1867, p. 445.

+ Pterylography, p. 102. ft Huxley, /. c. p. 454.

§ P. Z. S. 1874, p. 117. $$ P. Z. S. 1873. p. 526.

|| See P. Z. S. 1S70, p. 101.

Sclater on the System a Avium. 75

With these additions the Anisodactylae, as we have called them

in our • Nomenclator,' will consist of the following twelve
families : —

i. Coliidas. 7. Momotidae.

2. Alcedinidae. 8. Todidae.

3. Bucerotidas. 9. Coraciidae.

4. Upupidae. 10. Leptosomidas.

5. Irrisoridae. n. Podargidas.

6. Meropidae. 12. Steatornithidae.

The Heterodactylae, which follow next in the v Nomenclator,'
consist of the single family Trogonidae, the only form of the
whole class of birds in which the fourth or outer digit is reversed
instead of the second. The pterylosis of Trogon is also quite
different from that of the other Zygodactyly, being purelv pas-
serine, except as regards its long aftershaft.*

The true Zygodactyly in the k Nomenclator ' consist of four
families besides the Cuckoos, namely the Galbulidaa, Bucconida?,
Rhamphastida1, and Capitonida?. To these must be added the
Indicatorida\ which do not occur in the New World. Indica-
tor has now been conclusively shown to have nothing to do with
either the Cuckoos (as supposed by the older authors) or with
the Woodpeckers (as believed by Blythf), but must form a
family of itself, allied to the Capitonida^. \

Lastly. I would now propose to place together in one group,
under the restricted title of " Coccyges," the two families Cucu-
lida? and Musophagida1. I am not yet prepared to remove them
to the neighborhood of the Gallina? altogether, but (as above
stated) am ready to allow that Prof. Garrod has shown good
reasons for separating them from the rest of the Zvgodactylre.

Moreover, on the whole, I have come to the conclusion that,
looking to the successful assaults that have been made on Prof.
Huxley's views as to the nature of the palate in the Pici and in
the Trochilidae, it will be a better arrangement to sink the Pici
and Cvpseli to the rank of suborders and to revive the term
Picarise for the whole of the three groups denominated in the

* Nitzsch, Pterylogr. p. 93.
t J. A. S. B. xi. p. 167 (1842).

\ Cf. Sclater, Ibis, 1870, p. 176. For the species of Indicator consult Sharpe in Row-
ley's Orn. Misc. i. p. 192, and P. Z. S. 1878, p. 793.

Jo Sclater on the Systema Avium.

- Nomenclator' Pici, Cypseli. and Coccyges. The order Picariae
may then be divided into the following six suborders : —

Families. Families.

r. Pici 2 4. Heterodactyloe .... 1

2. Cypseli 2 5. Zygodactyly 5

3. Anisodactyla; . . 12 6. Coccyges 2

The Picariae thus considered embrace altogether about 1600
species of birds referable, as shown above, to twenty-four families.

5. PsiTTACI.

The Parrots {Psittaci), annexed by Cuvier and his disciples
to the Zygodactvhe, are now generally allowed to form one of
the primary divisions of the Carinatae, as was first. I believe,
suggested by Nitzsch in 1829.* The affinities of this ancient
group to other orders appear to be somewhat remote, but their
most natural position seems to be between the Picariae and the
Accipitres. The best mode of subdividing this order has long
been a matter of discussion. Dr. Finsch's mode of grouping, as
well as those adopted by previous writers, being not very satisfac-
tory. But a flood of light has been thrown upon this subject by
Garrod's excellent memoir on the anatomy of the Psittacida?,f
and I think we may safely base our arrangement upon the results
of his observations. This, indeed. I have already done in the
last edition of the ' List of Vertebrated Animals living in the
Zoological Society's Gardens' (1S79), where I have arranged
the Psittaci upon the following plan, of which the details are
taken from Garrod's investigations : —

A. Left carotid normal.

A'. Orbital ring complete 1. Cacatuida.

B'. Orbital ring incomplete.

A". Sternal keel aborted ... 2. Strbngopidee.

B". Sternal keel developed . . 3. Palaornithidoe.

B. Left carotid superficial 4. Psittacidcs.

All the New-World Parrots belong to the last family.

6. Striges.

That the Owls, with so many peculiarties in their organization,}
should constitute an order separate from the Accipitres I think
there is little doubt. There is no known intermediate form. 1111-

* Obs. de Avium art. carotide communi. t P. Z. S. 1874, p. 586.

J Cf, Nitzsch, Pterylogr. p. 67.

ScLATKR 0)1 the Sy sterna Avium. 77

less it may be said that Pandion approximates rather to the Stri-
ges in the absence of the aftershaft. In a previous paper in this
Journal* I have given my reasons for dividing them into two
families (Strigida? and Asionidse), which Prof. Newtonf and Mr.
Sharpej likewise agree to.

7. Accipitres.

The Accipitres. which follow naturally next to the Striges,
are primarily divisible, as shown by Prof. Huxley, § into three
families, which I have termed Falconidae, Cathartidae, and Ser-
pentariida?. Garrod goes much further than Prof Huxley in
distinguishing the two latter groups from the former. || The
Cathartidae he holds to be much more nearly allied to the Storks
than to the Falconidae, and Serpe?itarius (sive Gypogerantis)
he places, along with Cariama^ among the Bustards. These
two forms come in therefore in quite different parts of his " Sys-
tema." I confess I am not quite able to go so far as this, though
I freely allow that the Cathartida^ (as already pointed out by
Nitzsch, Pterylogr. p. ^o) are in many respects very different
from the rest of the Accipitres, and that the resemblance of Ser-
pentarius and Cariama is most remarkable. But on the latter
point Burmeister,^f no mean authority, has come to quite an op-
posite.conclusion to Garrod. At any rate I see no justification
for the course Mr. Sharpe has adopted (without stating any rea-
sons) of placing Cariama among the Accipitres. still less for
treating it as merely a genus of the subfamily Polyborinse !

8. Steganopodes.

Although it is very easy to point out the defects in the ar-
rangement of the remaining orders of birds (the Gallinae, Gral-
latores, and Xatatores) adopted by Cuvier and his disciples, it is
by no means easy to suggest a better one. Let us first consider
some of the weak points of the ordinary system. In the first
place it is evident that the '^digiti pat 'mat 7," by which the Na-
tatores are ordinarily characterized. ft is a very slight and super-

* Ibis, 1879, p. 351. t Newton's Yarrell, i. p. 148.

+ Cat. Birds, ii. p. 289. § P. Z. S. 1867, p. 462.

|| Ibid. 1874, p. 117.

H " Beitriige z. Naturgeschichte des Seriema," Abb. nat. Ges. z. Halle, i. p. 11.
ft Even by Sundevall, who says " Nullo alio charactere opus est ! " (Tentamen, p. 134).

7o Sclater o)i the System a Avium..

ficial character, and one of which no trace is to be found in the
osteology. No one will now-a-days deny that the Gnlls ( Gavnc) .
though their feet are webbed, are so intimately allied to the
Waders {Limicolcr^) that it is most unnatural to put the two
groups far apart. Again, to divorce the Flamingoes from the
Herons simply because of their webbed feet, seems by no means
satisfactory. Nor is it easy to find any point of resemblance be-
tween the true Anseres and other Xatatores, except the one single
character of palmatipedism. Under these impressions I have
thought it better to follow Prof. Huxley's plan of associating to-
gether the three great groups of Grallatores and Natatores that
resemble the Accipitres in the formation of the palate. It appears
to me that the great " Gallino-gralline " series runs off much
more smoothly when these excrescences are removed, and that
at the same time the three Desmognathous groups, even leaving
the palatal conformation out of consideration, show much affinity
inter se.

Acting on these ideas I placed the Steganopodes. Herodiones,
and Anseres in the ' Nomenclator ' immediately after the Accipi-
tres. putting the Steganopodes first, amongst which the Fregatidae
show some sort of (at least superficial) resemblance to the birds
of prey. I divided them into the following live families, which
may. I think, be readily diagnosed: —

i. Fregatid.i-. 4. Phalacrocoracidse.

2. Phaethontida\ 5. Plotidae.

3. Pelecanida-.

9. Herodiones.

The Herodiones (Pelargomorphaa of Huxley) come very nat-
urally, I think, between the Pelicans and the Ducks. In the
'Nomenclator' they are divided into four families — Ardeidae,
CiconiidaB, Plataleidae, and Phcenicopteridae. I have, however,
latelv come to the conclusion that the last-named group should
not be included in the Herodiones, although, as Nitzsch has told
us, the pterylosis is completely Stork-like, and occupies a middle
place between Ciconia and Tantalus. Prof. Huxley says "the
genus Phocrticopterus is so completely intermixed between the
Anserine birds on the one side and the Storks and Herons on the
other, that it can be ranged with neither of these groups, but
must stand as a division by itself." In this opinion I am not

Sclater on the Systema Avium. 79

quite disposed to agree, and propose to use Nitzsch's appropriate
term " Odontoglossa- " to designate the order.

The family Plataleidse, I may here remark, should include the
Spoonbills and Ibises, as Nitzsch, who first constituted the group
under the title Hemiglottides.* has shown. It is a common but
very obvious error, well exposed by Garrod. t to unite the Ibises
with Tantalus. But Tantalus is a true Stork, and has nothing
to do with Ibis. The Plataleiche differ from all the other Hero-
diones in being "shizorhinal,"} in which respect they deviate
towards the Limicoloe. But their pterylosis is that of the Storks,
"even to the smallest details. "§

IO. AxSKRES.

The Anseres, if considered as limited to the single family
Anatidse, constitute a rather isolated group which can be very
easily defined. Following Parker|| and Huxley^" in the ' Xomen-
clator ' I associated the Palamedeidaa with the Anseres. But
after the recent investigation of Prof Garrod** it would seem
impossible to deny that the peculiarities of this group are such
as to necessitate their recognition as a separate order, which I
propose to call Palamedea?. Nitzsch has long ago shown that
the pterylosis of Palatnedea is abnormal in showing scarcely
any appearances of spaces between the feather-tracts (Ptery-
logr. pp. 16, 121) ; but in the Anatidse, also, the spaces are very
narrow.

The best position for the Palatnedea' appears to me to be just
before the Anseres. which I commence with the genus An-
seranus.\\

II. Coi.UMB.-E.

We now enter upon the great Schizognathous series of Prof.
Huxley, which, I think it must be allowed, runs on much more
smoothly after the removal of the five preceding groups. The
Columbre are Passerine in many respects (especially as regards
the state in which the young are excluded from the egg, which

* Pterylography, p. 133 (Engl. tr.). f P. Z. S. 1875, p. 301.

% Garrod, P. Z. S. 1873, p. 37. § Nitzsch, Pterylogr. p. 133.

|| P. Z. S. 1863, p. 511. HP. Z. S. 1867, p. 460.

** P. Z. S. 1876, p. 189. ft See P. Z. S. 1880, p. 497.

oO Sclater on the Sy sterna Avium.

has caused Sundevall to place them at the end of his division
Psilopredes*), and, no doubt, belong to a new line of departure
from the Passeres towards the Gallinre. It is very hard to have
to mar the symmetry of the Columbine group by adding to it the
Pteroclidfe. Yet there can be no doubt that in most respects the
Sand-Grouse are more truly Pigeons than Grouse, and that the
only way to escape from the dilemma is to recognize the Ptero-
cletes as a separate order, as Prof. Huxley has proposed to do,"}-
intermediate between the Columbse and Gallinse.

As regards the divisions of the Columbae into families I have
recognized two in the last edition of the 'List of Animals' —
Carpophagidae and Columbidaa. To these should have been
added a third (Gouridae) for the Crown Pigeons, in which the
tarsi have a very peculiar conformation, and perhaps a fourth
(Didunculidae) for Didunculus.

The Dodos must be held to belong to quite a separate section
of the order.

12. (JAi.i.ix.K. and 13. OPISTHOCOMI.

As regards the true Gallina-. which we now come to, we can-
not do better than adhere to Prof. Huxley's excellent division of
them into Peristoropodes and Alectoropodes. In the former sec-
tion I have recognized two families. Cracidae and Megapodiidae ;
in the latter two also, Tetraonidae and Phasianidae. Whether
the Meleagrina' and Numidinae should stand as subfamilies of the
Tetraonidae (as arranged in the ' List of Animals' for 1879), or
as separate families, is, I think, not quite certain. The Turnici-
dae, there treated as only a family of the Gallinse, as also Opis-
thocomus, must. I think, after Prof. Huxley's elaborate discussion
of the subject,]; ^e definitely constituted as separate orders, Hemi-
podii and Opisthocomi — the former leading off towards the Cryp-
turi, the latter most nearly allied to the Cracidae, and also showing
manifest signs of alliance with the Coccyges among the Picaria-.

14. Geraxomorphj:.

In the v Nomenclator ' I have placed the Rails next after the
Gallinre. to which they show manifest symptoms of relationship.

* Tentamen p. 97. t P. Z. S. 1868, p. 254.

+ P. Z. S. 1868, p. 311.

Sclater on the Systema Avium. 8 1

under Prof. Huxley's title Geranomorphae,* and divided them
into two suborders, for which I have used Nitzsch's names Fuli-
carire and Alectorides. In the last edition of the w List of Ani-
mals' (1879) I have added the Bustards and Cranes and consid-
ered these suborders as orders, which is perhaps the most natural
plan, although Aramus is certainly intermediate between the
two groups. After Prof. Garrod's investigations, however, f we
must, I think, allow that Aramus is essentially more nearly allied
to the Gruidae.

The families of these two orders will therefore accordingly
stand somewhat as follows : —

Fulicari.*;. Alectorides.

Rallidas. Aramidae.

Heliornithida-. Eurypygidae.

Gruidae.

Psophiidas.
Cariamidas.
' Otidas.

Bv placing the Otidas last we obtain a more gentle transition
to the Limicolae through (Edicnemus.

15. Limicolae.

The Limicolae or Scolopacime of Nitzsch (Charadriomorphae

of Huxley) form a very natural group with but small pterylo-
graphic differences. They also exhibit a characteristic form of
skeleton and a well-marked type of schizognathous palate. In
the • Nomenclator ' I have assigned the following families to this
order : —

1. CEdicnemidne. 4. Chionididse.

2. Parridae. 5. Thinocoridae.

3. Charadriidae. 6. Scolopacidae.

Prof Garrodj would exclude (Edicnemus (as being holorhinal)
entirely from this order, and associate it with the Bustards ( Otis).
But if we give in to this principle we should have to place the
Plataleidae among the Limicohe, which I cannot agree to.

* P. Z. S. 1867, p. 457.
t P. Z. S. 1876, p. 275.
I P. Z. S. 1873, p. 37.

82 Sclater on the Systema Avium.

1 6. Gavi.e.

In the ' Nomenclator ' I have made the Gaviae to include the
Petrels (Procellariidaa) as well as the Gulls (Laridaa). But I
now think it better to restrict the term Gaviae to the latter group,
the Longipennes of Nitzsch, which, not only as regards their
osteology, but also in respect of their pterylosis, come verv near
to the Limicolae.*

The Gaviaj will therefore consist of the single family Laridse,
while the Procellariidae will constitute the order " Tubinares "
(Nitzsch). The propriety of this separation is confirmed by
what Prof. Garrod has stated (P. Z. S. 1879, p. 37) as to the
form of the nasal bone in these two groups.

17. Pygopodes, and iS. Impennes.

The Pygopodes of Illiger combine the two families Colymbidae
and Alcidae, which are also closely allied pterylographically.
They seem to form a natural transition between the Gavia? and
the Impennes. Nitzsch (Pterylogr. p. 151) has associated them
with the latter group : but the Penguins are very distinct not only
in their osteology, but also in their pterylosis. as admitted by
Nitzsch himself, and have full claims to constitute an order
per se.

19. Crypturi.

Under this term (of Illiger) I have placed in the •Nomenclator'
the Tinamidae, which, as Mr. Parker has shown (Trans. Zool.
Soc. v. p. 149)? have a completely struthious palate, and in other
respects come at the bottom of the series, and are nearest of all
Carinate birds to the Ratitas. In so doing I make, of course, no
claim to originality, but have simply followed Prof. Huxley, who
first located the Tinamous in their position under the title " Dro-
maeognathae."|

20. Apteryges, and 21. Struthiones.

In the table given in the 'Nomenclator' (p. iv) I have recog-
nized only two orders of Ratite birds — Apteryges and Struthiones.
But there is no doubt, I think, that the Casuaries have full claim

* Cf. Nitzsch, Pterylogr. p. 141 ; and Huxley, P, Z. S. 1867, p. 458.
t P. Z. S. 1867, p. 125.

Sclater o)i the Systema Avium. 83

to ordinal rank, and should likewise stand as an independent
order. Their very peculiar pterylosis, apart from their marked
osteological differences from Struthio and Rhea, would alone
entitle them to this distinction. I would therefore propose to
designate them Casuarii, the simple Latin plural being, in my
opinion, a better term for the group than any name which would
be a fresh burden on the memory.

Amending the "Systema" according, to the suggestions above
made, we shall find it come out in two subclasses and twenty-six
orders, somewhat as in the following table, where I have added
to the name of each order about the number of species known to
belong to it. basing my calculations mainly on the figures given
in the second volume of Mr. Wallace's ' Geographical Distribu-
tion.' •

Orders of existing Birds.

Subclass Carixat.*: (10,121 species).

I. Passeres 5700 XIII. Gallinee 320

II. Picarias 1600 XIV. Opisthocomi .... 1

III. Psittaci 40c? XV. Hemipodii .... 24

IV. Striges 180 XVI. Fulicariae 150

V. Accipitres 330 XVII. Alectorides .... 60

VI. Steganopodes .... 60 XVIII. Limicola? 250

■VII. Herodiones 130 XIX. Gavine 130

VIII. Odontog'ossas .... 8 XX. Tubinares 100

IX. Palamedeae 3 XXI. Pygopodes .... 65

X. Anseres 180 XXII. Impermes 20

XL Columbse 355 XXIII. Crypturi 40

XII. Pterocletes 15

Subclass Ratit.-e (18 Species).

XXIV. Apteryges 4

XXV. Casuarii 10

XXVI. Struthiones 4

In concluding these somewhat desultory remarks I must beg
my fellow workers not to suppose that I claim any originality
for the system above given. It haying been a necessity for me to
employ some system in certain pieces of work (such as the ' No-
menclator' and the various catalogues of animals in the Zoolog-
ical Society's Gardens). I have endeavored to frame one that is
free from certain objections which are patent in the systems usually

04 Cory on New Species of ProcellariidcB.

followed. It will be seen at once, by those who care to examine
the references above given, that I have borrowed freely from the
labours of Nitzsch, Huxley, Sundevall, Parker, and Garrod — au-
thors who have lately shed a flood of light upon one of the most
difficult zoological problems of the dav, the best arrangement of
the class of birds. My system is. in fact, that of Prof. Huxley's
reversed, i. e. beginning at the top instead of the bottom, with
slight alterations and emendations extracted from the works of the
other authors above mentioned.

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF THE
FAMILY PROCELLARIIDsE.

BY CHARLES B. CORY.

Puffinus borealis. Above brownish-ash. the feathers of the back
becoming pale at the tips, those on the nape and sides of the neck narrow-
ly tipped with white; on the sides of the neck and head the ash and white
gradually mingling as in P. kuhlii. Tips of the upper tail coverts, white.
Under eyelid, white, showing clearly in contrast with the ashy gray of the
head. The first three primaries are light ash on the inner webs. Wings
and tail brownish-gray. Under parts, white, slightly touched with ash
on the flanks, lining of wings white. Under tail coverts white, the longest
tinged with ash near the ends, which extend nearly to the tips of the
longest tail feathers. Outside of foot greenish-black, inside and webs dull
orange, bill pale yellowish at the base shading into greenish-black but
again becoming pale near the tip.

Length, 20.50 inches; wing. 14.50: hill (straight line to tip). 2.25;
depth at base, .75; tail. 6.50; tarsus. 2.20.

The tvpe specimen of this .Shearwater was killed near Chatham
Island, Cape Cod, Mass., on the nth of October last. Being un-
acquainted with it I showed it to some fishermen and requested
them to procure any birds thev might meet with resembling it.
During the afternoon one of the boats returned bringing a number
of birds of this species. The men stated that they had met with
a flock a short distance from shore and had shot several and
knocked others down with their oars. According to their
statement, after firing the first shot, the birds flew about them in
a dazed manner often passing within a few feet of the boat.

Drew on Birds of San Juan County. Colorado. 85

FIELD NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF SAN JUAN
COUNTY, COLORADO.

BY FRANK M. DREW.

In the southwestern portion of Colorado, and lying wholly
within the Rio Colorado basin, is the little county of San Juan.
With the exception of Baker's Park and tributary gulches. San Juan
is composed of mountain peaks, fully one-third of the county being
above timber-line. (For a good description of the Park and ad-
jacent country, see F. B. Rhoda's account in Hayden's Report for
1S74.) The average elevation of the Park is 9,500 feet; the low-
est part of the county is at the extreme southern end, in the
Animas Canon. Here it is about S.500 feet, and for a short dis-
tance up this narrow gorge runs a tongue of vegetation entirely
different from the characteristic flora of San Juan. This different
growth is composed of pines, poplars, and scrub oak and maple
bushes. The flora of the county is essentially western and boreal.

The peaks are the homes of such sub-arctic mammals as La-
gomys prfnceps, Arctomys fiavivcuter. Leftus americanus
bairdi, all in great abundance, as well as Erethizon epixanthus,
Ov/'s montana, Fclis concolor, Neotoma cinerea, and others.
But one reptile — a snake — was seen ; neither batrachians nor
fishes were found. Owing to the peculiar topographical position
of the county, the list becomes of a little more interest than a
mere faunal paper, as it is composed of those birds which range
to, or above 10.000 feet. My observations extend from June, 1S79
to January. 1SS1. The nomenclature is. in the main, that of
Dr. Coues ; that is. in so far as I have been able to keep up with
recent revisions.

1. Turdus migratorius propinquus. Ridg. Western" Robin. —
Very common ; breeds, the nest being' placed indifferently two feet from
the ground in bushes, or twenty-five feet up in trees. One nest which I
found was curiously placed in some willow bushes in much the same man-
ner as the nest of a Red-winged Blackbird, being supported entirely by
the sides. How the bird made a start is a puzzle to me. If climatic
changes have caused such a marked hoariness — a bleached color — in
Partis atricapillns septentrional is. why has climatic variation bleached
the -white out of the robin's tail and left it nearly or quite black? The
birds are found here from April until the last of November and occasion-
ally rear two broods.

86 Drew on Birds of San yuan County. Colorado.

2. Turdus aonalaschkae auduboni, Ridg. Audubon's Thrush. —

Common ; breeds. In June its clear, sweet notes can be heard from nearl v
every dark glen or secluded part of tbe woods. I found a nest with three
eggs in the latter part of June. The nest was placed in a spruce bush
about three feet from the ground. Not noticed after Sept. 13.

3. Myiadestes townsendi. Cab. Townsend's Solitaire. — Rather
common, and breeds. A nest taken by Mr. T. M. Trippe. July 9. at an
elevation of 10,500 feet, was placed in a little cranny in a bank, and con-
tained four eggs in which incubation had just begun. In fall the Solitaire
comes out of the woods and can be found around houses, or in low bushes
near water. They seem to prefer a low perch to an elevated one. as I have
often seen them leave the latter for the former. I have never seen more
than four together. A quartette, probably young birds, which I saw one
rainy day in October, kept up a low soliloqiiy which sounded much like
the noise a Robin makes when talking to himself. One of them essayed
a song ami succeeded in producing a warble somewhat like a Robin's song.
Of their love song I have only heard fragments, but sweet ones.

4. Oroscoptes montanus. Baird. Mountain Mocking Bird. —
Rare. Appears in May and lingers until October. It seems just a trifle
out of place up here, and clings closel) to tin- few dry bushy hillsides and
sandbanks.

5. Sialia arctica, Sw. Arctic Bluebird. — Abundant from April to
December. The only peculiarity 1 have noticed in the bird, is an occa-
sional low chuck — exactly like that of a Blackbird — from the female
when the nest is approached. Very wary and much on the ground.

6. Cinclus mexicanus. Si:. American Dipper. — Abundant:
resident; breeds. The Dipper is my prime favorite; always cheery
and confiding. June 19 I found a nest with four young birds in it;
close by was another just building. The female did the nest build-
ing, while her lord attended to the young brood. He fed them at
the door which was placed in the front, and out of which the young
voided their excrement. When the old bird went for nest material she
would fly to a rock in the stream near a moss-patch, and after bobbing
up and down a few times, leisurely hop ashore and proceed to snatch up
bits of moss. Once I noticed her pulling fibrous shreds from weed
stalks, which she dipped in the water before taking to fhe nest. At the
nest, which was about half finished, she went inside and began pushing
the moss into the roof and sides; raising the roof here, and pushing out
the sides there, until all was satisfactory. Nest-making progressed verj
fast and in a week's time she had two white eggs in it; these I left until
incubation commenced in hopes of getting more. The young birds, when
adrift for themselves, skulk under the banks, with only occasional excur-
sions into the water, until winter comes on when old and young flock to
the river, it being more free from ice. They are the very embodiment of
a mountain torrent. — bustling, and energetic; and their song is like chrys-
tallized spray. Sweet, sparkling, ami vivacious, taken with its surround-
ings. I do not know of any bird-song which surpasses it. They sing

Drew on Birds of San yuan County, Colorado. 87

the \ear round, and as charmingly in January as in the month of roses and
home. They are somewhat exclusive, as you will find but one pair in a
place. They have four or five young at a brood; in some cases. I think,
thev remain mated through the winter.

In descriptions of the bird no one seems to have noticed the bronzed
head and neck of both sexes in spring. The whole head is beautifully
bronzed from pink and purplish reflections.

Has any one seen a Dipper perching? I was surprised one day, while
walking along the river, to see an Ouzel fly up from the water into a bush
where he hopped around .quite as unconcernedly as any orthodox percher.

7. Regulus calendula. Licht. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Very
abundant from April to October; breeds from 7,500 feet to 10,500 feet.
A nest, which I took July 5, was placed in the uppermost branches of a
spruce — about 30 feet from the ground — in one of those dark masses
where the cones grow thickest, and where it would be impossible to see
your hat. were it there. The nest was very loosely placed among the outer
twigs, being partially pensile, and was composed of bits of fine bark ex-
ternally, and within of silk-weed shreds, moss, spider's silk, and feathers;
all matted together in a compact manner, and lined with wool. It con-
tained four young and an addled egg, the latter measuring .014 X .012
mm. ; white.

Following is a description of the nestling plumage. Top of head dark,
almost blackish. Back and rump a light tint of olive-green. Beneath a
dirty rusty white, darkest on fore-breast. Lores lighter than rest of head.
Primaries and secondaries black, edged on inner margin with white: this
white is Only on basal half of second primary, but gradually extends
until it reaches the tip on the last secondary. Outer edge of second prima-
ry white. On the basal third of third primary, the yellow edging of the
outer margins of the wing feathers begins and. slightly widening, rapidly
extends so as to conspicuously color the secondaries and tertials. The
outer webs of the latter have quite a wide whitish band which is edged
with greenish-yellow. Greater wing-coverts with a terminal band of dirtv
white. Tail feathers black; outer pair completely so. rest with greenish-
yellow margin. Tarsi marbled light and dark. Toes, above flesh color,
below yellow. Bill dark above, below flesh colored, pink at base. Meas-
urements of one example: — Length. .oSS: extent. .162: wing, .052: tar-
sus. .02 : tail. .027 mm.

8. Regulus satrapa. Licht. Golden-crested Kinglet. — Rare;
a single bird found in September, 1S79.

9. Lophophanes inornatus. Bd. Plain Titmouse. — Not uncom-
mon in September, and doubtless breeds.

10. Parus atricapillus septentrionalis. Allen. Long-tailed Chick-
adee. ■ — A very common resident; breeds.

11. Parus montanus. Gamb. Mountain Chickadee. — Fully as
abundant as the foregoing; ranges from the Park to the summits of the
loftiest peaks. The only difference I have noticed between this bird and
it> congeners is that cktck-a-dee-dee i-- uttered in a sharper, more wiry
tone: the young (?) birds frequently utter a sharp, disagreeable squeak.

88 Drew on Birds of San yuan Count v. Colorado.

12. Certhia familiaris. Linn. Brown Creeper. — An abundant resi-
dent; breeds.

13. Telmatodytes palustris, Cab. Long-billed Marsh Wren. —
Rare; breeds?; found in September.

14. Salpinctes obsoletus, Cab. Rock Wren. — Not rare; but no-
where common. A splendid songster. Breeds; ranges to timber-line,
and remains until October.

15. Eremophila alpestris chrysolaema, Coues. Southwestern Lark.
— Not common. Breeds on the higher peaks. In October small flocks of
Larks descend into Baker's Park; a few remain all winter, but the most
go lower down.

16. Anthus ludovicianus, Lickt. Brown Lark. — Common: nests
above timber-line, where in September both old and young may be found
busily gleaning their food on the shores of sub-arctic lakes. In October
they begin to descend and soon disappear.

There is a great deal of variation in color in the Brown Lark. Some
birds have not the least trace of a spotting on the breast, while others ar.i
heavily spotted. Several nests, found at timber-line in July, were placed
under the shelter of projecting stones. They were empty at the time, the
young having just vacated them.

17. Dendrceca auduboni. Bd. Arm box's Warbler. — Abundant;
breeds. A nest before me. taken June 26. is composed of soft, silky weed-
fibres, which, by their color, give a silvery-gray appearance to the nest.
Within it is well lined with feathers and cow-hairs, the latter predomina-
ting. The nest contained four eggs in which incubation had begun.
Color white, with a faint bluish tinge ; at the larger end. shell markings
of lilac, ami surface lines and blotches of rich brown and brownish black,
form a wreath. Average size : — .oiy X .013 mm. The nest was loosely
placed among the needles on a horizontal spruce bough, about three feet
from the ground.

Their song is a pleasant little melody, in parts very similar to the song
of D. OBStiva. Remain from May until October.
The bird's tongue is finely cleft.

18. Geothlypis macgillivrayi. Baird. MacGillivray's Warbler.

Breeds. One specimen obtained, though I judge it is not uncommon:

only shy.

19. Myiodioctes pusillus. Bf>. Green Black-capped Flycatching
Warbler. — Of this little beauty I know nothing save that it nests here,
and becomes common in August and September.

20. Pyranga ludoviciana. Bp. Louisiana Tanager. — I found two
which had wandered up into Baker"s Park, above the range of the pines.

j 1. Iridoprocne bicolor. Coues. White-bellied Swallow. — Rare;
breeds: remains until September.

22. Tachycineta thalassina. Cab. Violet-green Swallow. — Very
abundant; graceful on the wing, they cut but a sorry figure on the ground.
Nests both in hollow trees and among the cliffs. In a tree which con-
tained a small hollow with two openings, one six inches above and to oik-

Drew on Birds of San yuan County, Colorado. 80

side of the other. I found two of the Violet Green's nests. No. 1 had
built her nest on a level with the lower opening. No. 2 had filled the
space over the first one's head with twigs, and was just finishing her own
nest when I came on the scene. In the lower nest I found four fresh,
white eggs. Just before a rain storm they love to huddle together on dead
trees, like Cedarbirds, when numbers can be killed at a single shot. Thev
leave early in autumn.

23. Ampelis garrulus. Linn. Bohemian Waxwing. — Small fiocks seen
in November.

24. Vireo gilvus swaiiisoni, Coues. Western Warbling Vireo. —
Found, but apparently rare.

I saw several other Vireos which I could not secure. I think I saw and
heard, V. solitarius plumbeus; it is very common at 8,000 feet, and. so
far as I could judge from a number of specimens, is onlv a variety of
solitarius.

25. Lanius borealis, Vieill. Great Northern Shrike. — Rare; a
fall and winter visitant. Lives by foraging on the little troops of Tit-
mice.

26. Lanius ludovicianus excubitoroides. Cone*. White-rumped
Shrike. — Not common; breeds?

Some ornithologists discredit the " hovering," and singing of this Shrike.
In southern Illinois, where they are numerous and resident. I have seen
one hover over a mouse's nest for a few minutes, then dart down and seize
a new-born mouse which went to adorn a hedge near by. Soon he was
back again, hovering as before, but this time a Meadow Lark so bothered
him that he left. When hovering he was at times twenty feet high, and
again, just above the weed-tops.

He has quite a variety of notes : some resemble a Blue Jay's, others the
whistle of a Cardinal Grosbeak, while others are quite original, and not
unmusical. I have also heard them sing here, but in either place, thev
only sing during the winter, from October to March.

A Shrike I shot here in April. 1SS0. is typical ludovicianus. excepting
that the bill is black, and the wing, instead of being black, is of a ruddv
brown color.

27. Pinicola enucleator. Cab. Pine Grosbeak. — Rather common
in late summer, and through the winter. I think they breed, as I found
them the first week in August. A sweet warbler. At one of our camps
in the Animas Canon I often heard them singing at daybreak. During
severe storms in winter they come down into the willow bushes along the
streams.

28. Carpodacus cassini. Baird. Cassin's Purple Finch. — Not
common. Of the several I have taken all have been males. In June thev
have a Vireo-like warble: strong, clear and sweet. Not seen after Novem-
ber 1.

29. Loxia leucoptera. Gm. White-winged Crossbill. — Rare. One.
from Baker's Park, in the collection of Dr. R. II. Brown of Silverton.

30. Leucosticte tephrocotis, — var. australis of Allen. I am some-

90 Drew on Birds of San yuan County. Colorado.

what puzzled to know just wrhat disposal to make of this bird. It agrees
with australis in having the " red of the abdomen extended to the breast,"
and the " throat soft, umber brown," but it has grayish lores, and a grayish
bordering posteriorly to a black pileum. It is excluded from true fcp/iro-
cotis by having gray below the lores.

I found the Gray-crown rather common above timber-line in June; in
August they were in swarms on the summit. The young were just out of
the nest, Aug. 17. and kept up an incessant clamor, like young Chimney
Swifts. The wind was very high at the time, and often while standing in
a lode drift, the noise would go rushing by sounding like the distant jingle
of sleigh bells. The only note I heard from the old birds was a thick-
toned chirp : in June they have a canary-like peyt-e-weet. The young birds
are nearlv unicolor. much like the color of the adult's neck, but darker.
They breed on ledges in the face of inaccessible cliffs. When they come
down in winter they are very tame and confiding.

31. .SIgiothus linaria, Cab. Red-poll Linnet. — These cheery little
fellows know nothing of thermometers, and are as jolly with the mercury
— 3d0 as if it were June.

32. Astragalinus tristis. Cab. Yellowbird. — Obtained a single
bird, a male in full breeding plumage, in July. 1S79.

33 Astragalinus psaltria. Coues. Arkansas Goldfinch. — I found
several in the willow bushes along the Rio Animas in October. Doubtless
breeds.

34. Chrysomitris pinus. />/. Pink Finch. — Common : breeds. One
of the cheeriest of our few winter residents.

35. Pocecetes gramineus, Bd. Grass Finch. — Common in the grassy
valley near the headwaters of the Rio Dolores, and seen in flocks in
Baker" s Park. Breeds.

36. Melospiza lincolni, Bd. Lincoln's Finch. — Very common ;
breeds. Frequenting marshy places, they skulk through the underbrush
like a sprite ; more like a mouse in action than a bird. In June they have
a pretty wildsome song, the latter part of which reminds me of a Che-
wink's (Pipilo erythroj>thalmus). At any time of the day, in June and
July, you can hear the little performers pouring out. their songs from their
perches on the topmost branches of the dwarfed willows.

37. Junco hyemalis aikeni. Ridg. White-winged Snowbird. —
Rare; not noticed until after two or three severe snow-storms in October.
Thev are easily recognized by being heavier-built than their allies, as well
as by the white wing-bands, though the latter are variable.

38. Junco oregonus, Scl. Oregon Snowbird. — -Common. First
appearing at timber-line in September, stragglers come down and mix
with flocks of caniceps, but by October they have taken full possession.
When the severe winter weather begins they pass lower down.

39. Junco oregonus annectens. Bd. Baird's Snowbird. — Occa-
sionally seen in flocks of the foregoing.

40. Junco cinereus caniceps, Cones. Red-backed Snowbird. —
Verv abundant. The onlv Snowbird which breeds here, raising two.

Brewster on a Petrel new to North America. 91

perhaps three, broods in a season. June 26 I found large young out of
the nest; July 25 I obtained a nest with three eggs; and on September
25 I heard young birds crving for food. They are our commonest summer
bird, taking the place around the door of the Chippy in the East. The
breasts of the nestlings are spotted, but they soon show traces of the
chestnut dorsal patch. A curious prolonged, grating tsip is the only note
of the young birds. They leave just as oregonus becomes plentiful — No-
vember 1. There is a great difference between the eggs of the nest spoken
of above and those of a clutch taken in June in New Mexico. Both nests
are the ordinary ••Ground Sparrow" affair. The ground color is the same
in all the eggs, i.e. a bluish-white, but while the New Mexico eggs are very
faintly dotted with brown — scarcely noticeable — the Colorado eggs are
everywhere dotted with reddish spots, tending to form a wreath around
the larger end. I would hesitate to believe the two clutches to be of
caniceps had I not shot the birds.

41. Spizella moiitana, Ridg. Tree Sparrow. — A rare migratory
visitant in spring and fall.

42. Spizella socialis. Bp. Chipping Sparrow. — Rare; not nearly
as common as the following.

43. Spizella socialis arizonae. Cones. Arizona Chipping Sparrow.
— Common; breeds.

[ To be concluded^

CRITICAL NOTES ON A PETREL NEW TO NORTH

AMERICA.

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

Some months since, while passing the natural history store of
W. J. Knowlton, Tremont St., Boston, my attention was attracted
by a mounted Petrel, which, with spread wings, hung conspic-
uously displayed in the window. I saw at once that it was a
species new to me and, upon entering, was greatly astonished to
learn that it had been received only a short time before in the
JJesJi, and in a comparatively fresh condition. Further inquiries
elicited the information that it had been mounted for Mr. E. II.
Woodman of Concord, N. II.. and upon writing to that gentle-
man. I was very kindly put in possession of the following partic-
ulars. The bird had been sent him by a client, Mr. Nathan F.
Smith, who conducts a large farm at Mt. Morris, Livingston Co.,

Q2 Brewster on a Petrel new to North America.

New York. One of the laborers while ploughing an old corn-
field, noticed it running in a freshly-turned furrow and despatched
it with a stick. It was apparently exhausted, for it made no
attempt to escape. This was early in April, 1880. probably
not far from the fifth of the month, as I find its reception recorded
on Mr. Knowlton's books as April 10. A letter afterwards re-
ceived from Mr. Smith confirms all of these facts, but adds noth-
ing of interest, save that the farm '"comprises what are known
as fiats, lying along the Genesee River, about forty miles south of
Lake Ontario."

So much for the details of its capture ; resting as they do on
the testimony of three different persons, who, at the time, were
not aware of the importance of the case, there can be no doubt
as to their entire authenticity. The specimen itself, through Mr.
Woodman's generosity, has recently come into my possession and
to a consideration of its relationship 1 now invite the reader's
attention.

In Dr. Coues's invaluable monograph of the Petrels* ("Critical
Review of the Family Procellariida? : Part iv ; — Embracing the
yEstrelatea: and the Prioneae"), under the head of ^Sstrelata
mollis (p. 151), occurs the following paragraph: -

" There is a specimen. No. 1^,706. in the Smithsonian Museum
from the Antarctic Ocean, by Mr. T. R. Peale. which, with the
size and general appearance of mollis differs as follows : The
under surfaces of the wings are. except just along the edges,
purely and uninterruptedly white ; as much so as in Cookii. The
inner vanes of all the primaries, instead of being simply duller
and grayer than the outer, have trenchantly defined pure white
areas ; these white spaces occupy the whole of the webs at the
base ; as they extend more towards the apex they become less
wide, leaving a narrow space of dark color along the inside of
the shafts ; apically they terminate with an acutely pointed outline,
which stretches towards the tips of the feather, and is bounded
internally and externally by dark colored portions of the feather.
The general pattern is exactly that seen in the primaries of most
Lari; and the definition of the two colored areas is as strict.
In other respects the bird is like quite a young mollis, being dark
colored both above and below ; but the tint of the clouding below
is more intensely sooty than in any specimen of typical mollis I

* Proc. Phil. Acad., May, 1866.

Brewster on a Pet rel new to North America. 93

have seen ; and there is this peculiarity in addition, that the under
tail coverts remain pure white."

This specimen had been previously described bv Peale (Zool.
U. S. Expl. Exped.. 1S48. p. 299) under the name of Procella-
rict gttlaris. but Dr. Cones, after expressing his doubts as to its
probable relationship, provisionally referred it to ^£\ mollis,*
and there the matter has rested, the type, up to the present time
remaining unique.

The above description proved so nearly satisfactory that upon
first reading it I felt little doubt as to the relationship of the bird
in hand : but all uncertainty on this point has since been removed,
for through the kind offices of Mr. Ridgwav, the Smithsonian
specimen "No. 15,706" is now before me. A comparison of
the two at once establishes their perfect specific identity. The
differences that obtain are just those which would be expected
when the relative ages of the specimens are considered. Peale's
example is a young bird, apparently in its first year ; while mine,
if not an adult, is certainly much older and probably in nearly
mature plumage. Generally speaking, it may be said to differ
from the type in having the predominating areas above pure cin-
ereous instead of plumbeous ; the crown and forehead much
mixed with white : the lores and a conspicuous superciliary stripe
pure white, unmingled with darker color ; the transocular faciae,
though equally dark, much more restricted ; and the white areas
below. t considerably more extended and of a purer character.

Of the stages in y£. mollis. Dr. Coues says : "the older the bird
the clearer and purer is the cinereous and the more trenchantly
defined are the boundaries of the several differently colored areas ;
the difference in this respect being especially notable in the fore-
head and sides of the breast. Young birds are all over of a
pretty uniform deep brownish ash or fuliginous cinereous ; in-
clining to smoky brown on the wings and tail."

And now a word as to the relationship which these interesting
specimens bear to ^Pl. mollis. Of the latter I have only a single
specimen, an adult, kindly furnished by my friend Mr. Allen,
from the collection of the Cambridge Museum of Comparative
Zoology. But the testimony which it affords, taken in connection

* Upon looking more closely into the earlier history of the case I find that this ar-
rangement was first instituted by Cassin, who, in the second edition of the U. S. Expl.
Ex., places Peale's specimen under Procellaria mollis.

f The type of gularis has a pure white throat and light breast.

94 Brewster ou a Petrel i/ezv to North America.

with the excellent description of mollis given by Dr. Cones, is
quite sufficient. The peculiar marking of the primaries in gu-
laris\ now confirmed by this second specimen, would alone be
conclusive, but in addition. I find certain structural differences
which were apparently overlooked by Dr. Cones. The tail of
<li//aris is shorter and much less decidedly rounded than is that
of mollis. This difference is best shown by the graduation of
the rectrices. For mollis Dr. Coues gives the graduation as 1.30
(the specimen before me measures 1 .05, but the bird is in a moulting
state and the tail not fully developed), while in the two specimens
of gularis, it is respectively only .60 and .90. Furthermore,
"idaris lias the central pair of rectrices broader and more evenly
rounded at the tips than are those of mollis.

These characters, although of undoubted specific value, will
by no means warrant generic separation, the general shape and
proportions of the two birds being strikingly similar, and the
bill and feet — in this family the most important of all the generic
characters — absolutely identical. Accordingly, while I follow
Dr. Coues in referring Peale's bird to the genus ^"Estrelata, I do
not hesitate to reinstate it as a perfectly valid species.

In view of the fact that both the previous descriptions are found-
ed on a young bird, and that one of them (Peale's) is too superficial
to be available in nice determinations, while the other, by Dr.
Coues, is only incidental in character, I take the present oppor-
tunity to redescribe the species as follows : —

iEstrelata gularis, iPcale), Brewster. Peale's Petrel.

Ch. sp. similis !*E mollis sed tectricibus caudaj inferioribus candidis ;
alis subtus fere ex toto candidis; duabus tertiis partibus pogonii interni
abrupte albis; cauda breviori ac minus conspicue curvata; rectricibus me-
diis latioribus.

Adult (?) plumage. No. 5224. author's collection. Mt. Morris. Livings-
ton Co., New York. April. 1880. Upper parts, including the tail coverts
and exposed surface of rectrices. pure cinereous, which deepens to plumb-
eous onlv on the occiput, rump and wings, the latter having the middle
and greater coverts of the same tint as the back. The feathers of the
back (but not those of the rump or occiput), with the greater and middle
wing-coverts, broadly tipped with ashy-white, giving these parts a scaled
appearance. The throat, jugulum, upper part of breast, and under tail-
coverts, pure, silky white. The cinereous of the upper parts comes down
along the sides of the neck, encroaching more and more and deepening in
tint as it extends backward, until it throws across the abdomen a broad band

Brewster oh a Petrel j/ezc to North America. 95

of nearly pure plumbeous. Around this colored tract there is nowhere a defi-
nite line of demarcation : the cinereous of the neck fades imperceptibly into
the white of the throat, and the edges of the abdominal bar become mingled
with white, until the dark color is entirely lost along the sides under the
wings, and at the beginning of the under tail coverts; while forward, on
the lower part of the breast, and over the ventral region generally, the
feathers are spotted, barred, or finely vermiculated. in varying shades of
color. The sides of the head backward to behind the eye (where the
band of color already described begins), are essentially white, but the
feathers immediately below the eve are obscurely banded, and there is a
narrow but distinct transocular fascia of a dark color, which barely inter-
rupts a broad and pure white superciliary-line passing from the bill to a
short distance behind the eye. The forehead and crown are much mixed
with white. On the forehead the white forms a broad edging to the
feathers and extending more narrowly around their tips confines the
plumbeous ashy to triangular central patches ; but towards the crown it
becomes restricted to the edges alone and when the occiput is reached,
o-ives wav entirely to the uniform plumbeous of that part.

The peculiar color and marking of the wings, alike in both specimens,
has already been so well treated by Dr. Cones that I will save repeating
these details bv referring the reader to his description, previously quoted in
the present article. But in this connection it is necessary to call attention
to two points which are not there noticed. The first is, that the seconda-
ries, as well as the primaries, have the white areas on their inner webs. The
second, that each successive primary, beginning with the first, is lighter
and more plumbeous than the preceding one : but with the first secondary,
the color abruptly darkens again, becoming on the exposed portion nearly
black, and continuing uniformly so to the tertials. which are of an equally
dark cast.

The bill is black: the tarsus, obscure fiesh-color with a bluish tinge.
The basal third of toes, with contained webs, pale yellowish; the terminal
portion, black.

Dimensions. Bill (chord of culmen), 1.03 inches. Height at base, .46;
width. .42. Tarsus, 1.37. Outer toe and claw. 1.65; middle, 1.70; inner.
1.43. Wing, 9.SS. Tail. 3.95; the graduation of the rectrices. .90.

Young {$) No- 15-706. National Museum. Antartic Ocean, lat. 68° S.,
long. 950 W., March 21. (Peale's type of Procellaria gularis). Above
cinereous-brown, inclining to black on the tips of the secondaries and
tertials; below, sooty-plumbeous; throat and under tail-coverts white,
transocular facia; broad and dark. Otherwise generally similar to the
adult (as represented by specimen No. 5224).

Dimensions. Bill (chord of culmen), 1.05. Height at base, 50 ; width
.4^. Tarsus, 1.35. Outer toe and claw. 1.65; middle do.. 1.65 ; innerdo..
1.36. Wing, 9.80. Tail, 3.90; graduation of the rectrices. .60.

But before leaving the subject it becomes necessary to consider
a Petrel which was unknown when Dr. Coues investigated the

96 Brewster on a Petrel new to North America.

family. This is ^Estrelata dcplippiaua. described* by Drs.
Giglioli and Salvador! from four specimens taken off the coast of
Peru in lat. 180 4' S., long. 790 35' \Y.

In comparing their supposed species with ^E. gularis "as de-
scribed by Coues" the joint author's remark ; " But our species
differs .... in its smaller dimensions and slighter make (^E. gularis
being in size and make similar to ^E. mollis), in the cinereous
coloration of its upper, and the pure white of its lower pa its.
while ^E. gularis would be dark-colored above and below hav-
ing only the tail-coverts white." ^E. defilippiana also " has a
bill relatively, and in some specimens, absolutely longer."

But these color-differences lose much of their significance when
it is remembered that the bird "described In' Coues" was the
young of gularis. My more mature specimen agrees very closely
with their description save that it is not " subtus omnino pure
alba" (this is afterwards slightly qualified by " latcribus pectoris
vix cinereo-tinclis,,). — and it is by no means improbable that
the fully adult gularis will be found to have the under parts
wholly white. f

The discrepancy in size is less easily reconciled. The birds
examined by Drs. Giglioli and Salvador! are all apparently smaller
than either of the known examples of gularis. But still the
largest of the former approaches suspiciously close to the smaller
of the two latter: — ^E. defilippiana. wing, 9.45 : sE. gularis,
do.. 9. So : — and furthermore, in respect to individual size, the
Petrels are notoriously yariable. Nor can a comparison of
measurements taken by different persons always be relied upon.
Different methods give widely divergent results. f Scarcely two

* " On some new Procellariidfe collected during a voyage around the world in 1865-68
by H. I. M.'s S. ' Magenta.' By Henry Hillyer Giglioli, Sc. D., C. M. Z. S., Naturalist
to the expedition, and Thomas Salvadori, M. D., C. M. Z. S., Assistant in the Royal
Zoological Museum of Turin," Ibis 1869 pp. 63-65.

Rowley also gives a superb figure of the bird in his Ornithological Miscellany (Vol. I ;
p. 255, pi. xxxiii) but adds nothing new to an account taken from the text of the Ibis
article.

t In speaking of the young of .<E. mollis Dr. Coues says : "The whole under parts
are not notably different from the back, though, however, the dark color only occupies
the tips of the feathers; their basal moiety remaining white." This statement is signifi-
cant in this connection, for upon examining my specimen, I find that the plumbeous
color below, and also on certain parts of the head and neck, is mainly confined to the
tips of the feathers, their concealed portions being snowy-white.

% Since w-riting the above I find a curiously apropos illustration of this. In Peale's
original description of the tvpe specimen the " wing from the carpal joint " is given as
" ten and a half inches " while my measurement of the same bird made it 9.80, a differ-
ence of nearly three quarters of an inch.

Scott on the Migration of Birds. 97

ornithologists of my acquaintance measure either the tail or the
tarsus from precisely the same relative points. We are not told
that yft. defilippiana was actually compared with y&. mollis and
if extraneous data were alone made use of there is surely room for
a doubt in this connection. Again in respect to the bills there is
nothing to show whether the chord or the arc was measured. If
the latter (they simply say " rostr. a f route") the apparent dis-
crepancy would be pretty satisfactorily explained.

In summing up the matter, it is perhaps enough to say that
y&strelata gularis finds its nearest known affine in ^M. defilip-
piana. To go further than this would be hazardous under the
present conditions of the case, but the relationship of the two
birds is so extremely close that larger suites of specimens may
confidently be expected to bridge over the slight differences which
now separate them. In such an event defilippiana, Giglioli and
Salvadori, 1869, will of course give place to gularis, Peale, 1S48.
In concluding, I quote in full all that Peale has handed down
to us relating to the life history of the species which he had the
honor to discover and describe. It is. so far as I know, the only
account that has ever been written.

•• This bird was found amidst icebergs, buffeting the storms
and fogs of the Antartic regions. We saw but few of them, and
obtained but a single specimen, on the 21st of March, while the
.Ship Peacock was enveloped in a fog, latitude 6S° S., longitude
9^° W. of Greenwich. Their flight was easy and not very rapid.
They were silent, and alighted on the water to examine some
slips of paper and chips purposely thrown from the boat." *

SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE MIGRATION
OF BIRDS.

BY W. E. D. SCOTT.

While showing some friends the astronomical observatory and
accessories connected with the College of New Jersey at Prince-
ton, on the night of October 19, 1880, after looking at a number
of objects through the nine-and-one-half inch equatorial, we were

* U. S. Expl. Exp.. Zi 16I1 igy, p. 410. (Edition of 1858).

98 Scott on the Migration of Birds.

shown the moon, then a few days past its full phase. While
viewing this object my attention was at once arrested by numbers
of small birds more or less plainly seen passing across the field
of observation. They were in many cases very clearly defined
against the bright background ; the movements of the wings were
plainly to be seen, as well as the entire action of flight. In the
same way the shape of the head and the tail were conspicuous,
when the bird was well focused. As the moon had not been very
long above the horizon the direction of observation was con-
sequentlv toward the east, and the majority of the birds observed
were fiving almost at right angles to the direction in which the
glass was pointed.

Here then was opportunity for the determination of two
points — the kind of birds that were flying and the general direc-
tion in which they were moving. Respecting the first, it was
comparatively easy to decide as to what families the species
belonged. This point was gained by observing the general shape
of the birds, their relative size, the motion of their wings, and
their manner of flying ; that is whether the flight was direct or
undulating, by continuous strokes of the wings or by an intermit-
tent motion of those members.

Most of the birds seen wen- the smaller land birds, among
which were plainly recognized Warblers, Finches, Woodpeckers.
and Blackbirds; the relative numbers being in the order of kinds
above named. Among the Finches I would particularly mention
Chrysomitris tristis, which has a very characteristic flight ; and
the Blackbirds were conspicuous by the peculiar shape of the
tail, from which characteristic I feel most positive in my identifi-
cation of §)uiscalus purpureas. I mention such details to ex-
plain just how observations were made and conclusions arrived at.

In regard to the second point, with rare exceptions the birds
were found to be flving from northwest to southeast. I do not
mean that this was absolutely the direction but that it was the
approximate and general one.

It is not within the scope of the present paper to do more
than give details on two other points, namely, the estimated num-
ber of birds passing through a given space during a given time
and the height at which the birds were most abundant. For the
basis of the first of these points it was necessary to note, first, how
many birds passed through the field of observation per minute,

Scott on the Migration of Birds. 99

and. second, how near or how for distant from the glass the birds
would have to be in order to be seen at all, that is to be in focus.
The height of the moon above the horizon in degrees and the
two limits of the area of observation — that is how near or how far
the birds noted were from the glass— supply the data for determin-
ing how high the birds seen were flying, and this, combined with
the number noted as passing per minute through the held of obser-
vation, gives the basis for computing how many birds were pas-
sing through a square mile in a given time.

In this connection it may be well to specify how the two limits
of observation were defined. ' The inferior limit, that is the near-
est point where objects could be seen with distinctness, was easily
determined by the power of the glass ; this is about one mile dis-
tant. The superior limit, or the most distant point, is provisionally
assumed to be not more than about four miles away, on the hy-
pothesis that the birds would not fly at a greater height than ten
thousand feet. It may appear, as future observations are made,
that this last limit is not correct but the reasons for assuming such
a height as the superior limit are sufficient to warrant its use
in this case, for birds were observed on this same night at a late
hour when the height of the moon above the horizon would make
the point at which the birds were noted almost at this great ele-
vation, viz., ten thousand feet.

I am greatly indebted to Professor Charles A. Young for assis-
tance in these observations, and with his aid have arrived at
the conclusion that the average number of birds passing through
the field of observation per minute was four and one half. Pro-
fessor Young has also kindly assisted me with the details of the
problem in regard to the limits and area of the field; and the
following diagram and computations are from his study of the

matter.

Moon's altitude = 300 : moon's semidiameter = 15' 05." The
area of observation is a flat triangle = B, A, C. From this must
be deducted the small triangle b, A. c, the area within a mile of
the glass. The flight of the birds is thought to be nearly at right
angles to the field of observation.

IOO

Scott on tJtc ^Tig-rat 'ion of Birds.

Area of triangle B, A, C, = 0.07020 miles.
Area of triangle b, A, c. =0.00439 miles.
Therefore b, B, C. c = 0.06581 = y-g^ mile.
Distance from A to B = four miles.
Number of birds seen per minute = 4A.
Number of birds per square mile per minute = 68.

[Mr. Scott's novel and important observations definitely establish on a
scientific basis several points in relation to the migration of birds that
have heretofore rested almost wholly on conjecture and probability.

We have, first, the fact that the nearest birds seen through the telescope
must have been at least one mile above the earth, and may have ranged
in elevation from one mile to four miles. It has been held that birds
when migrating may fly at a sufficient height to be able to distinguish
such prominent features of the landscape as coast lines, the principal
water courses, and mountain chains over a wide area. Of this, thanks
to Mr. Scott, we now have proof. It therefore follows that during clear
^nights birds are not without guidance during their long migratory jour-
neys, while the state of bewilderment they exhibit during dark nights and
thick weather becomes explainable on the ground of their inability to
discern their usual landmarks, — points that have been assumed as probable
but heretofore not actually proven.

These observations further indicate that many of our smaller birds
migrate not only at night but at a considerable elevation, — far beyond rec-
ognition by ordinary means of observation. A promising field is here
opened up, in which it is to be hoped investigation will be further pushed
not only by Mr. Scott but by others who may have opportunity therefor. —
J. A. Allen.]

Brewster on Certain Pol /opt i he. IOI

ON THE AFFINITIES OF CERTAIN POLIOPTIL^S,
WITH A DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES.

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

In a collection of Arizona birds, elsewhere considered in die
present number of the Bulletin, is a small series of Gnatcatchers,
which brings to light some very interesting developments affecting
the relationship of certain members of the genus Polioptila. As
the matter seems of sufficient importance to merit special treat-
ment, I present it separately in the following paper :

Folioptila plumbea. Baird. et melanura Lawr.

It has been somewhere suggested that P. -plumbea might after
all be only a geographical race of P. ccernlca. but the specific
distinctness of the former from P. melanura seems never to have
been questioned.* The fact that their distribution was the same
has effectually precluded any suspicions of varietal affinity, and
the real secret, singularly enough, has eluded the few ornitholo-
gists who have paid any attention to the subject.

But thanks to the exertions of Mr. Stephens, who it seems has
for some time suspected their identity. I now have before me a
perfect connecting series between the two supposed species.

A brief consideration of rive of the specimens, all of which
were taken near Tucson during the spring of 1SS0. will present
the case as fully as is desirable.

The first (No. 4980, author's collection) £, March 3. is typical of the
state known as P. plumbea, the black on the head being restricted to a
short stripe on each side of the crown, which, beginning nearly above
the anterior margin of the eye, extends backward to a short distance
behind it, and is bounded below by a superciliary line of ashy-white.

In the second (No. 4982)0*, March 4. the black stripe broadens, en-
croaching on the superciliary line, and meeting its fellow across the
top of the head between the eyes, in a narrow but decided band of black,
but leaving the anterior portion of the forehead ashy.

The third (No. 4983)0* > March 5, has the whole crown essentially black,
but traces of the superciliary line remain, and in addition to an ill-defined
frontal-band of ashy, there are occasional leathers of that color scattered
among the darker ones.

* Cooper hinted such a suspicion (Birds of Cal., I, p. 38) but his suggestion has
been generally ignored.

102 Brewster on Certain Polioptiloe.

The fourth (No. 4981 ~) $ , March 3, presents the same general extension
of this hlack area, but its boundaries are everywhere well defined, and the
frontal-band is almost entirely obliterated, while the black is quite uniform
and nowhere mixed with ashy. Singularly enough, in view of its gener-
allv more mature condition, this specimen has a light superciliary stripe.
nearly as broad and quite as well denned as in No. 4980, while the lores
are clear ashy-white.

The fifth and last (No. 4984)^, Feb. 21. is typical melanura, with the
forehead, crown, and occiput, clear, shining black, the superciliary line
entirely wanting, and the lores only just touched with ashy.

The above evidence apparently goes to show that plumbed is
simply the immature stage of melanura . At least this is the
natural inference, and in view of the fact already stated, that both
birds are known to occupy the same area, I do not see that any
other is legitimate.

The tail markings of the above-described specimens are quite
uniform, but I reserve further consideration of this supposed char-
acter for another and more apropos connection. At just what
age the black cap is perfected T am at present unable to state,
but there are good reasons for supposing that the immature
condition is prolonged through the second season. None of the
present birds seem to be in a moulting condition ; even the parti-
colored ones having the plumage remarkably fresh and clean.

The specific identity of the Black-capped and Plumbeous Gnat-
catchers being conceded, it only remains to determine what name
the species shall bear. This part of the problem is fortunately
involved in no obscurity, plumbea. Baird, 1S54. plainly antedating
me/a/n/ra, Lawrence, 1S56. It is to be regretted that we can
make up for the loss of the more appropriate specific title only by
retaining its English version, which has hitherto passed current for
the adult stage only. The species may then stand as follows.

Polioptila plumbea, Baird. Beack-capped Gnatcatcher.

Polioptila plumbea. Bd., Pr. Phila. Acad.. 1854, 118; B. N. A.. 1858,
382; Atlas, 1S60, pi. 33. f. 1; Ives's Rep. pt. v, 1S61, 6; Rev. Am. B.,
1864, 74.— Hexry. Pr. Phila. Aead., 1859, io7- — Comes, Ibis, 1865, 53S;
Proc. Phila. Acad., 1866, 66; Key, 1872, 79.— Cooper, Am. Nat. III. 1S69,
474, 479; B. Cal., I, 1870, 37, fig. — Hensh., List B. Ariz., 1875. 155.

Culicivora atricapilla, Lawrence, An. N. Y. Lye. V., Sept. 1S51. 124
(not of Swainson). — Bd., Stansbury's Rep., 1852, 328. — Cassin. Ulust. I.
1854, pi. xxvii.

Culicivora mexicatia, Cassin, Illust., I, 1854, 164, a.

Brewster on Certain Polioptilee. 1 03

Polioptila melanura, Lawr., Ann. N. Y. Lvc, VI, 1S56, 16S. — Bn.. Pr.
Phila. Acad., 1859. 3°4> (Cape Saint Lucas) ; Rev. A. B., 1S64, 68. —
Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 485 (Texas). — Coues, Pr. Phila. Acad., 1S66, 66.
(Arizona). — Hexsh., List B. Ariz., 1875. 155.

Lead-colored Flycatcher, Coop., 1. c.

Lead-colored Gnatcatcher; Arizona Gnatcatcher. B. B. & R., 1. c.

Black-capped Gnatcatcher of authors generally.

Habitat. — Southern region of Texas' and Arizona: westward to Fort
Mohave and Fort Yuma. Cape Saint Lucas ?*

Polioptila californica, sp. nov. California Black-capped
Gnatcatcher.

Culicivora alricapilla, Heerm., Journ. Phil. Acad.. II, 1853, 262 (Fort
Yuma and San Diego, Cala.).

Polioptila melanura, Baird, B. N. A. 1858, 382. — Baird, Rev. Am.
Bds., 1864. 68.— Heerm.. P. R. R. R., X, 1S59. 39 (South'n Cala.). Coop.,
Am. Nat.. Ill, 1869, 184, 474-479; B. Cal., I, 1S70, 37, fig. — Coues, Key,
1S72. 79, fig. 20.— B. B. and R., N. A. B., I, 1874, 81, pi. 6, fig. 7.

Polioptila plumbeaf It is probable that some of the California citations
are based on this new species but I have not been able to verifv anv of
them.

Ch. Sp. Similis P. plumbea?; sed colore in toto, pra?sertim subtus,
multo nigriori : tectricibus caudae inferioribus ac abdomine fulvis ; limbo
albo in rectricibus restriction ; rostro tarsisque longioribus ac gracilioribus.

$ (No. 1489, author's collection) Riverside, San Bernardino Co., Cal-
ifornia. March 28, 1878. Coll. F. Stephens. Whole top of head from
bill to occiput, deep, shining black. Wings dusky-brown ; the primaries
edged with grayish-white, the secondaries and tertials, with light brown.
Rest of upper surface plumbeous-ashy. Tail glossy-black; the external
half of the outer webs of the outer pair of rectrices, dull brownish-white ;
the white passing narrowly across the end of the feather and at its extrem-
ity nearly touching the shaft, but basally. diverging more and more until
at the tail coverts it is confined to a scarcely appreciable edging; no light
color on any of the other rectrices. Throat and upper parts of breast,
with sides of head, neck, and body, dull but decided ash, with a faint wash
of brownish-fulvous on the tips of the feathers. Along the central portions
of the bodv beneath this wash becomes clear fulvous, which is deepest in
tint on the abdomen, crissum. and under tail-coverts. Lining of wings
very pale pearl-gray.

* I have not seen any specimens from this locality but Prof. Baird tells us (" Notes on
a collection of Birds made by John Xantus at Cape St. Lucas, Lower California") that
"the single specimen of this species sent in by Mr. Xantus has the tail feathers more
broadly edged and tipped with white, and the gray of the back lighter and clearer than
in specimens in the Smithsonian collection from the Gila region." This would indicate
that true plumbea is the species found there, a fact which is strictly in accord with the
marked affinity of the fauna to that of the Gila region in Arizona.

1 04 Brewster on Certain Polioptilce,

Dimensions. Length, 4-50; extent. 6.10: wing, 1.84; tail, r.8o; tarsus,
.73; bill, (culmen), .50; from nostril. .30.

0 (No. 719-. National Museum) Fort Yuma. Similar to the J but with
the crown deep plumbeous ; the abdomen anil crissum pale chestnut; the
external webs of second pair of rectrices margined with white.

Young $* (Xo. 2149. Coll. of R. Ridgway) Saticoy, Cala.. Nov. 24.
1872. Coll. J. G. Cooper. Similar to the °. but with the plumbeous of
the crown clearer; the brownish' wash beneath confined to the abdomen
anil crissum. the white of tail restricted to outer pair of rectrices and a
narrow tipping on the second pair.

Four specimens examined.

Upon comparing the California bird with /'. plumbea as rep-
resented by my Arizona specimens, the following differences ap-
pear. The ash of the upper parts is decidedly plumbeous in-
stead of bluish : the throat, breast and sides dull ashy instead of
ashy-white : the abdomen, crissum and under tail-coverts fulvous,
in some specimens pale chestnut : the light edging of the tail
feathers confined to the outer pair of rectrices (with sometimes a
slight tipping on the second pair) and on these restricted to the
extreme tips and a narrow margin along the outer web ; the lining
of the wings pearl-ash instead of white and the secondaries and
tertials edged with light brown. There is no pure white any-
where on the bird, and the general aspect beneath is nearly as dark
as in the Cat-bird.

The proportions also apparently differ. The bill and tarsi are
longer and more slender than those of /'. -plumbed but the wings
and tail, especially the latter, are generally shorter than in the
specimens of plumbea which my collection embraces.

These differences, which characterize all stages alike, are so
decided and constant that I believe them to be of specific value.
In view of the general law that Pacific coast birds tend to darker
coloring than their aftines from the interior it is of course not im-
possible that a gradual transition will eventually be found to exist
between these closely allied Gnatcatchers. Cooper, howeyer.
found both species in winter at Fort Mohave, where each preseryed
its distinctive characters. t and my Fort Yuma specimen of cali-

* It would be indeed remarkable if this species has no immature stage corresponding
to that of P. plumbea. But putting aside some doubtful California citations, there is
nothing to show that any such specimens have ever been taken. Mr. Stephens writes
me that he has examined numerous California examples, but among them has found
no spring males without the full black cap.

t Birds of Cal., I, 1870, 37.

Brewster on Certain Polioptilce. 105

fornica is quite as typical as are those from Riverside and San
Diego. I have accordingly taken what, under the present con-
ditions of the case, seems to be the more likely alternative.

The above described form, although known to ornithologists
for more than a quarter of a century, and during that time more
or less numerously represented in collections, has either passed
unnoticed or been unwittingly used to aggravate the confusion
respecting the points elucidated under the head of P. plumbea.
All the early descriptions unmistakably relate to the more eastern
species. Band's plumbea was based on an Arizona specimen;
the originals of Cassin's plate and description of " Culicivora
mexicana " were apparently from Ringgold Barracks. Texas :
and Lawrence's type specimen of P. melanura came from
the same locality. The first, and probably only distinctive
description of the California bird, occurs in Birds N. Am..
1858, 382, where Prof. Baird, under the head of Polioptila mela-
nura. calls attention to some of the differences already detailed.
Both of his specimens, which are before me. are tvpical of the
California form, but Lawrence's name melanura is scarcelv eligible
for the new species, in view of its long application to P. plumbea.

In this connection I wish to express my obligation to Mr.
Ridgway for the valuable assistance which he has given me.
Indeed, his share in the discoverv is by no means a small
one. The Arizona series was forwarded to him for comparison
with the Smithsonian specimens and during his examination the
dillerence between the former and the California birds first came
out. This difference, to be sure, had already been noted in my
study of the material embraced in my own collection, but as my
only California specimen was in rather poor condition, it is very
doubtful if I should have attached the proper importance to the
peculiarities which it presented. Nor is this the only instance
which has come under my notice, where the fruits of Mr. Ridgwa\ 's
well known critical talents have been generously placed at the
disposal of others.

Polioptila nigriceps. Baird.

During my study of the North American Polioptilce, I had oc-
casion to look up the three forms of this genus which are peculiar to
Mexico and Central America. All of these are white beneath and
otherwise closely related to /'. plumbea : hence 1 was not greatly

106 Brewster on Certain Polioptilce.

surprised to Mud that this supposed distinctness, inter se, apparent-
ly rests upon pretty much the same general grounds as has that of
P. plumbed and P. melanura. The latest information regarding
them appeared in Godnian and Salvin's " Biologia Centrali-
Americana," Part II, November, [879, where their differential
characters are set forth as follows :

Polioptila nigriceps. ■• P. ccerulece similis, sed pileo toto cum
loris et superciliis nitenti-nigris."

Polioptila bilineata. "P. nigricipiti affinis, sed loris et
superciliis albis, striga postoculari tantum nigra, capiti nigro
conjuncta:"

Polioptila albilpris. "P. nigricipiti affinis, sed loris (nee
superciliis) albis distinguenda."

If, by the above, we are to understand that /'. nigriceps differs
from /'. ccerulea only in having " the whole pileum, with the
lores and upper eyelids, shining black" it is of course separable
from P. filumb ea by the different coloring of the tail feathers,
which would he like those of /'. ccerulea. But in view of the age-
variations which occur in /'. plnnibea. we are certainly warranted
in entertaining a suspicion that bilineata and albiloris are only
the immature stages of /'. nigriceps.

'flie condition known as P. bilineata is almost exactly repro-
duced, relatively. l>v my specimen No. 4981, which has the lores
and upper eyelids ashy-white; while that called albiloris is ven
nearly duplicated by X >. 49S3 in which the lores remain ashy-
white while the black of the crown encroaches on the white of
the eyelids.

The English ornithologists are evidently in some perplexity re-
garding these allied forms, lor in some general remarks which follow
the specific matter they observe : " Having thus given some account
of the three forms of black-headed Polioptilce found in Central
America ( P. nigriceps with the lores wholly black. /'. albiloris
with the lores white, and /'. bilineata with both lores and supercili-
aries white) it remains to consider the position of certain specimens
which seem to have intermediate characters connecting two or all
of these forms together. These birds were obtained, with a female
of the true P. bilineata. near La Union in San Salvador, and have
the lores black, with a few white feathers intermingled. . . . Putting
P. albiloris aside, and observing the distribution of P. nigriceps
and P. bilineata. we find the curious fact that the ranges of these

Recent Literature. IO/

two forms actually cross one another, and that the area where P.
bilineata comes into contact with the northern section of P. nigri-
ceps corresponds more or less to that occupied by P. afbi/oris, at
once suggesting the supposition that P. albiloris is not a true
species at all. hut due to the intermingling of P. bilineata and
P. nigriceps. and. further, that technically these last named birds
are not true species either."

The authors next endeavor to explain this geographical muddle
by some curious conjectures which exactly reverse the accepted
workings of the theory of evolution as understood on this side of
the Atlantic. P. nigriceps and P. bilineata are supposed to
have been originally distinct species, which having extended their
respective ranges to a point of meeting, wdiere a hybrid race,
P. a/bi/ora, was produced, crossed each other's path, and in their
further extension apart, resumed their distinctive characters.

A simpler solution than this must surely be found to exist, and
to the ornithologist who next takes up the investigation, I offer
the preceding analogy, in the hope that it may at least have some
bearing on what seems to me a parallel case.

llerent literature.

Vogt ox the Second Fossil Archveopteryx.* — This specimen
was found by M. Haeberlein in the same slates as the first. As described by
Professor Vogt, it shows several structural peculiarities which were not
visible in the first specimen. Of the head, which was not preserved in
the first example. Professor Vogt only says that the upper jaw had two
small teeth at its end (i. e. in premaxilla* ?), and that the entire skull
is strongly reptilian in its appearance. The position of the teeth in
the Archcuopteryx is thus exactly the opposite of their position in the
Odoiitornitlns. where teeth were absent only in the end of the upper jaw.
The cervical vertebra? were not very numerous and were provided with
ribs. The dorsal vertebra? were ten in number, and their ribs lacked unci-
nate processes. One of the points of great interest is the thoracic arch,

* L'Archfeopteryx macroura. — Un intermediaire entre les oiseaux et les reptiles.
Par M. C. Vogt. La Revue Scientifique, 2? Ser., ge Ann6e, No. II, 13 Sept. 1879, pp.
241-248, figg. 18-21. There is a translation of this piece, supplemented by a photo-
graph of the slab, in the " Ibis " for October, 1880, pp. 434-456.

fOo Recent Literature.

which is composed of only a pair of coracoids united in the median line, and
a pair of scapulae placed over the ribs parallel to the hack hone and at right
angles to the coracoids. No sternum, so characteristic of birds, and no
clavicles Mere present. The " clavicles " of Professor Owen are considered
by Professor Vogt to he the pubes anchylosed as in the Ostrich. The arm
is as one would expect till we come to the carpus, where only the radio-
carpal is developed ; the metacarpals were tree and three in number. They
bore fingers of j. 3, and 3 phalanges respectively, the distal phalanx in
each case incased by a claw, [n describing the manus of birds Professor
Vogl makes the following statement. "In the latter [birds] the pollex
— sometimes wanting, as in Eudyptes — is placed at the base of the meta-
carpus and directly on the carpus ; its single segment sometimes hears a
spur or a nail : the metacarpus is formed by two hones that coalesce at
their extremities, hut sometimes still separate, as in Eudyptes. This char-
acteristic metacarpus hears two digits — one. the longest, with two pha-
langes; the other, often rudimentary, witli one phalanx."* Now on
studying the manus of an embryo chick any one will at once see its
strong resemblance to Vogt's figure of the manus in the Archceopteryx.
The only differences are in the proportions of the parts, the number of the
phalanges in the TIT digit and the remains of the IV metacarpus in the
chick.

In considering the genetic relations of the Archceopteryx Professor Vogl
says that it "doubtless forms abond of union between Reptiles ami Orfon-
tornithes" but that the development of the win- prevents the origin of
thin-' birds from the Dinosaurs. Yet he senilis to consider the Apteryges
and Struthiones t<> be derived from the Dinosaurs, not modified from
flying birds. These conclusions Professor Vogt sums up in the following
words. ■• A second consequence of this view would be the polyphytetic
origin of the class of birds. The Dinosaurs would lead to the Ratitce,
the Archceopteryx to the birds that fly."t Allowing this view to be true,
it would be very difficult to explain the strange likeness in the structure
of the win-- of the Ostriches and flying birds. The flying birds have the
arm and wrist joints so articulated as to allow adduction and abduction.
not flexion and extension, of the fingers, and in accordance with this the
morphological flexor and extensor muscles are brought round to the radial
edge of the index. The same is true of the muscles in the Apteryges
and Struthiones judging from the works of Owen. Schoepss, Riidingerand

* Vogt, 1. c. p. 244, and p. 444 of " Ibis," from which the text is taken. The original is as
follows :

"La main de L'Archseopteryx ne se laisse pas comparer a celle d'un Oiseau. Chez
ceux-ci, If pouce, feisant quelquefois defaut, comme chez l'Eudyte, est place a la base
du metacarpeet imm6diatement sur le carpe; son seul segment porte quelquefois un
eperon ou un ongle ; le metacarpe est forme de deux os soudes aux deux extrem-
ites, quelquefois encore separes, comme chez l'Eudyte; ce metacarpe charact6ristique
porte deux dor'gts : un, plus allonge, a deux phalanges ; un autre, souvent rudimentaire,
a une phalange."

t Vogt, I.e., p. 247.

Recent Literature. IOQ

Macalister. Again it is hard to sec why ( )striches, which never flew, should
have hand hones so much like those of keeled birds; or to explain the
struthious nature of the skull and pelvis of the Crypturi, or of the sternum
of Notornis. But this question of relations between the carinate and
ratitate birds does not, of course, touch the descent of birds from the
Dinosaurs provided we allow flying birds to be derived from the struthious
ones.

Arguing from the fact that no contour feathers are present save on the
tibia Professor Vogt thinks that the body was naked. In this case an
Archceopteryx must have been a strange sight when flying, its reptilian
head stretched out to balance the long tail with its row of rectrices on
each side. From what Professor Vogt has discovered by a cursory exam-
ination there can be no doubt that much of great interest will be learned
when this fossil is properly worked out from the matrix. — J. A. Jeffries.

Nehrlixg's Ornithological Observations in Texas.* — These
observations consist of a running commentary on the more common birds
met with by Dr. Nehrling in March. April, and May. 1879, in Lee and
Fayette Counties, Texas. It is apparently the first of a series of papers
on the birds of Texas, consisting of interesting field-notes on birds
observed in various parts of the State by this well-known German ornith-
ologist, with, incidentally, notes on the mammals, the plants, and the
general character of the country.

It may he here added that Dr. Nehrling has also in the journal already
cited (Jahrgang V. No. 12, Dec. 1SS0. pp. 214-223) published a detailed
account of the Bluebird (Der Blauvogel oder Iliittensanger, Sialia Wilsonii,
Swains.) with a colored plate of a family group of old and young. — J. A. A.

Shufeldt's Osteological Memoirs. — With notably few excep-
tions the anatomy of birds has received little attention at the hands
of American ornithologists. Aside from Dr. (Jones's elaborate me-
moir on the osteology and mvologv of Colymbus torguatits, the same
author's briefer accounts of the osteology of the Sfhenicidce and La-
ridiP, and Morse's admirable researches on the carpus and tarsus, the
anatomy of birds has been but lightly touched by American writers. It,
therefore, gives us pleasure to note the energy with which Dr. Shufeldt
has entered upon this new field, the two memoirs here noticed being, we
have reason to hope, but the forerunners of others, some of which we are
advised are well advanced in preparation. The readers of the Bulletin
have already been apprised of Dr. Shufeldt's work upon the osteology of
the Burrowing Owl.f through the publication of the plates which

* Ornithologische Beobachtungen aus Texas. I: Von H. Nehrling. Monatsschrift des
Ueutschen Vereins zum Schutze der Vogelwelt, V Jahrgang, No. 7, Juli 1880, pp. 122-139.

t Osteology of Speotyto Cunicularia var. Hypogaea. By R. W. Shufeldt, [First
Lieutenant and] Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Army. Bull U. S. Geol. and Geogr. Surv_
Territories, Vol. VI, No. 1, Feb. 11, 1881, pp. 87-117, pll. i-iii.

IIO Recent Literature.

illustrate it in the number of this Bulletin for July, 1SS0. The thirty
pages of text now accompanying the plates give a detailed description
of the osteology of the bird in question, setting forth with minuteness
and clearness the osseus structure of this rather specialized type of the
order Striges. The second memoir, in a nearly equal number of pages
and one plate, describes in a similar manner the osteology of the Horned
Lark.* In point of detail and comparison of special points of structure
with other forms there is little further to be desired. The well-executed
plates represent the skeleton of each species as a whole, and also the prin-
cipal bones in detail. As memoirs of descriptive osteology these papers
merit high praise, and may well be welcomed as valuable contributions in
a little worked field. — J. A. A.

Forbes on the Food of Birds. Insects, and Fishes. — In the last
number of this Bulletin we gave some account of Professor Forbes's
investigations of the food of various insectivorous birds, with a somewhat
extended summary of the results attained. We have now a further report
of his studies, t about seventy pages of which relate to birds. Of the
remainder, fifteen pages are devoted to introductory remarks on the
general subject, forty-eight to fishes, and twelve to insects. The spe-
cies of birds investigated are, as before, the Thrushes and the Bluebird,
and the results given cover not only the observations previously reported
but those of the season of 1880, the present report being based on the
examination of more than twice the number of specimens forming the
basis of the earlier reports. The general showing seems to be favorable
to the Thrush family, not excepting even the Robin, respecting which
Professor Forbes expresses his belief that while he is too valuable to
exterminate he is not so precious that we need to hesitate to protect our
fruits from excessive depredation. The Bluebird, however, still maintains
a bad record, in consequence of its great predilection for predaceous
insects. It is gratifying to observe that these important investigations
are now conducted under the authorization of the Illinois State Legisla-
ture, and that a small appropriation ($350 fer annum) is available for the
prosecution of these researches and the publication of the results. The
investigation of the food of predaceous insects is undertaken for the
purpose of determining to what extent they are really beneficial, since
some of the Carn/>id<ea.re known to feed in part upon vegetable substances,
and therefore it has its bearing upon the question of the utility of insectiv-
orous birds. — J. A. A.

* Osteology of Eremophila Alpestris. By R. W. Shufeldt, [First Lieutenant and]
Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Army. Bull. U. S. Geol. and Geogr. Surv. Territories, Vol.
VI, No. 1, Feb. 11, 1881, pp. 119-147, pi. iv.

f Studies of the Food of Birds, Insects and Fishes, made at the Illinois State Lab-
oratory of Natural History, at Normal, Illinois. Illinois State Laboratory of Natural
History, Bulletin, No. 3, November, 1880, 8vo. pp., 1-160.

Recent Literature. Ill

Reichenow and Schalow's Record of the Literature of Or-
nithology for 1S79.* — Although the compilers of this excellent report
regret its late appearance, in consequence of unanticipated delavs in
printing, their promptness is still commendable. The report appears to
be very carefully and satisfactorily prepared, the annotations being suf-
ficiently full and explicit.

Reichenow and Schalow's Compendium of newly described
Genera and Species of Birds. t The authors of the "Compendium"
are placing ornithologists under a debt of gratitude in promptly bringing
together the diagnoses of the new genera and species of current ornith-
ological literature. The last installment apparently covers the first half
of the year 18S0, and the families from Cuculidce upward through the
Oscines. The " Compendium '* gives full transcripts of the original
diagnoses. — J. A. A.

Cory's "Beautiful and Curious Birds of the World." — In the
Bulletin for October, 18S0 (Vol. V. p. 236). Part I of Mr. Cory's beautiful
work was noticed from advance sheets. This part was published shortly
afterwards and early in February Part II appeared. The latter is of es-
pecial interest to North American students from the superb plate of the
Great Auk (Alca impennis') which it contains. This figure, taken, we are
told, from a specimen in the British Museum, represents an adult bird
sitting on a bluff overlooking the sea, while on a rocky promontory in the
background are grouped the erect forms of several others. The general
execution of this plate is both spirited and artistic while the coloring is
quite beyond criticism.

In the accompanying letter-press Mr. Cory gives some well chosen
extracts from the principal accounts that have appeared relating to the
habits of the species, and to the history of its supposed extinction. The
statement respecting the number of the skins, eggs, and skeletons known
to exist in the various museums and collections of the world, gives
information of much interest. There are in all seventy-one or seven-two
skins, of which Germany has twenty and Great Britain twenty-two. Of
eggs there are sixty-five, forty-one of which are preserved in Great Britain
alone. Nine complete skeletons, besides a great number of detached
bones, complete the list.

In addition to the plate of the Great Auk. Part II contains equally beau-
tiful representations of the King Bird of Paradise (Cicintwrus regius) and
an Apteryx (Apteryx australis). If, as we have every reason to believe
will be the case, the author carries through this work in the way in which

* Zoologischer Jahresbericht fur 1879. Herausgegeben von der Zoologischen Station
zu Neapel. Redigirt von Prof. J. Victor Carus (W. Engelmann, Leipzig). 5. Aves. Bd.
II, pp. 1108-1161. Referenten Dr. Ant. Reichenow und H. Schalow.

f Compendium der neu beschriebenen Gattungen und Arten. Von Anton Reichenow
und Hermann Schalow. Journal fiir Ornithologie, 1879, pp. 308-329, 420-437, 1880, pp.
97-102, 194-209, 314-324.

112 Recent Literature.

it has been begun it can scarcely fail to take the highest rank among the
few publications of its kind which this country has produced. — W. B.

Minor Ornithological Papers. — 141. Food of the Great Blue Heron.
By Wm. P. Neild. Forest and Stream. XV. p. 7. — Large snakes and

fish.

142. A Captive Woodcock. Editorial. Ibid.. XV. p. 27. — Account of a
caged specimen kept for some weeks in confinement and fed on earth-
worms.

143. Mocking Bird in Canada. Ibid.. XV, p. 67. — Record of its appear-
ance at Strathrov. Canada, on the authority of L. II. Smith, in the Strath-
rov "Age."

1 44. Kingbirds catch Fish. By Milton P. Pierce. Ibid.. XV, p. 85. —
Kingbirds catchings minnows.

145. Crows as Fruit Thieves. By F. C. Brown[e]. Ibid.. XV. p. 85.
— Destruction of ripe apples by these birds.

146. An unlucky Crow. Editorial, on the authority of George C. Cole.
Ibid.. XV, p. 85. — Crow caught by a Goshawk.

147. Owls. By S. B. Buckley. Ibid.. XV. p. 104. — '• Screech Owls''
inhabiting a Wren-box, and capture of a Snowy Owl (Nyctea nivea) near
Austin. Texas.

14S. Another Captive [Wood'] Cock. By A. E. Godeffroy. /bid.. XV,
p. 14N.

149. Breeding Quail in Confinement (title covering a communication
by Dr. Bradley Hull, and two pseudonymous ones. Ibid.. XV, p. 166. —
Accounts of attempts to raise Q^iails in confinement. See also Tame
Quail, Ibid.. XV, p. 186.

i^o. European Ruff in Massachusetts. Editorial. Ibid.. XV, p. 186.
— Its capture at Chatham, Mass., Sept. 11. 18S0, with references to pre-
\iouslv recorded New England captures of this species.

151. More Quail Bred in Confinement. By I>. F. Concklin. Ibid.,
XV, p. 206. — Eggs hatched under bantam hens, and the young successfully
reared.

152. Death of the Woodcock Dick. By F. P. Magoun. Ibid.. XV. p.
286. — Further history of the captive specimen previously recorded, (1. c,
XV. p. 27; see above No. 142).

153. Our Waterfowl. Editorial [G. B. Grinnell]. Ibid.. XV. pp. 285,
286, 306. 307, 327. 345. 365. 3S5. 406, 425, 465. A popular general account
of North American Anatida?.

154. Late Stay of Swallows. By F. C. Browne. Ibid.. XV, p. 307. —
"One or two thousand" White-bellied Swallows {Tachycineta bicolor) at
Clark's Island. Plymouth. Mass.. Oct. 13. 1880.

155. Trigger and Reel on Martha's Vineyard. By E. A. D. Ibid., XV.
pp. 306, 307. — Contains the following important reference to Cupidonia
cupido (p. 306) : "In no other part of Massachusetts, and I know not if
in any of the Eastern States besides, can be found the gamy and toothsome
prairie chicken, which abound [s] here in quite large numbers and retain [s]

General Notes. I I 3

the primitive purity of" its Western fellow. . . . However, they are quite
abundant and extremely tame, and being well protected during the greater
part of the year by a special law, they are allowed to breed in security,
and their ranks are but slightly thinned during the ' off months.'"

156. Another Captive Woodcock. By H. R. Ibid.. XV. p. 426. — A
specimen "picked up in the street" in Montreal alive.

157. Canvas Backs in Rhode Island. By Fred'k Skinner. Ibid.. XV,
p. 417. — Two killed at Point Judith early in November.

158. The Wavy of Winnipeg the Snow Goose. By H. Ibid.. XV,
p. 466. — Ross's Goose not known to occur in the Province of Winnipeg.

159. Domestication of the Ostrich. By E. B. Biggar. Ibid.. XV. pp.
505, 506, xvi. pp. 6, 7. An original account of Ostrich-rearing in South
Africa.

160. Report of the Commissioners of Fisheries and Game, of the State
of Maine, for 1SS0. Augusta. 1SS0, 8vo. pp. 1-54. [E. M. Stilhvell and
Everett Smith, Commissioners.] — Contains ten pages (pp. 33-43) devoted
to the game birds of the State, including six pages relating to the introduc-
tion of the European Quail.

(General Ilotes.

Abundance of the Hermit Thrush in winter near Washington,
D. C. — During the winter of 1S79-80, the Hermit Thrush was commonly
distributed throughout the woods of the District of Columbia as well as
those of Alexandria County, Virginia. As the occurrence of this species
in winter is not recorded in the lists of District birds, I. at that time,
considered its appearance as exceptional and due to the unusual mildness
of the season.

The present winter, however, has been one of remarkable severity in
this part of the country, the rivers having frozen in November, while the
ground has been covered with snow, from nine to twelve inches deep, since
December 20. On the 1st of January, while hunting for birds among the
wooded hills which border the Virginia shore of the Potomac. I again
met with this species. These hills are very wild and steep, densely cov-
erved with a growth of young trees, and intersected by numerous deep
ravines, through which streams of water work their way to the river. In
these secluded places numbers of birds had sought shelter from the cold,
which, during the night, had been intense, the thermometer registering
a temperature of fourteen degrees below zero. The Hist Thrush noticed
was shot about ten o'clock in a clump of saplings a few yards from the
river's bank. In the course of the day seven other individuals were ob-
served. They frequented the most sheltered and tangled portions of the
ravines, principally near the summits of the hills. They were silent and

114 General Notes.

solitary, and so tame that they frequently permitted an approach to within
five or six yards before leaving their perch.

My brother obtained another specimen in the same locality on the 4th
and reported them more numerous than on the 1st. I observed three more
individuals in the woods bordering on Rock Creek on the 9th, a few hours
after a snow storm. — George Shoemaker, Georgetown. D. C.

The Hi dsonian Titmouse in Massachusetts. — December 31, 1880,
I shot a Hudsonia.n Titmouse (JPafus hudsonieiis) in my garden at Cam-
bridge. It was very tame and, in company with one Black-capped Tit-
mouse, was hopping about on a low pear-tree when secured. The ther-
mometer had been in the neighborhood of zero for several days and the
Black-capped Titmice unusually numerous. This is, I believe, the third
appearance of the Hudsonian Titmouse in Massachusetts. — Henry M.
Sim.i.m \\. Cambridge. Mass.

On the Range of Lophophanes atroeristatus in Texas. — In looking
over Mr. Sennett's " Notes on the Ornithology of the Lower Rio Grande"
I was surprised to tint! that this species ranged westward up the Rio
Grande only to Fort Clark, about three degrees west of Fort Brown. It
also recalled to my mind that, so far as my own observations have ex-
tended, the longitudinal range of the Black-crested Tit becomes still more
contracted as I traced it north, the bird being seen only in a narrow strip
of cross timber in Young Co., Texas in about lat. 330 N. From Fort
Griffin, which is forty miles west of Graham, in Young County, I trav-
eled westward one hundred miles and did not see a single specimen. To
the east of Graham there was a decided strip of neutral land on which I
did not observe either L. atroeristatus or A. bicolor. I estimate approx-
imately the width of this space at thirty miles. This trip was made in
October, 1S78. The eastern boundary of the range of this species runs
from Graham southwest to Austin. Texas. This bird was not seen on the
head of the Red River by Lieut. McCauley, but it ranges nearly if not
quite to Red River in long, ioo9 W. — -G. II. Ragsdale, Gainesville.
Texas.

The Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis) — a Correction. —
In a small collection of birds kindly sent to me for examination, by Mr.
George Woolsev, is the specimen recorded as Oporornis agilis in Vol. V.
p. 117. of this Bulletin. The specimen proves to be a female Geothlypis
Philadelphia. The bird was taken May 12, 1880, and the correction of
the error becomes the more important from this fact, since it leaves Opo-
rornis agilis without a spring record for southern New England. — J. A.
Allen. Cambridge, Mass.

Strange nesting habits of a pair of Chats. — I think the follow-
ing extracts from a letter lately received from Mr. C. W. Beckham of
Washington, D. C, may be of interest to the readers of the Bulletin. The
locality is near Ilchester, Howard Co., Maryland.

General Notes. 11^

'•About the first week in May. 1S76. a pair of Chats [fcteria vtrens]
began building in a Wren box attached to one of the pillars of the south
piazza which partly fronts towards a small rayine. They seemed to be
very little disturbed by the occasional presence of members of the family,
but appeared to be considerably annoyed by the belligerent attentions of
a pair of Wrens {Troglodytes aedon) yvho had taken up their quarters in
another box on an adjacent pillar, and who were inclined to be very quar-
relsome with their strange neighbors.

" They — the Chats — had been at work nearly a week, when a violent
wind-storm blew the box down and thus rudely upset their domestic plans.
The box was replaced in hopes that they would try it again, but their per-
severance was not equal to the occasion, and they never returned. In view
of the generally shy and secretive nature of the Chat, this incident of
abnormal nidification seems rather curious." — Charles F. Batchelder,
Cambridge, Mass.

Song of the White-bellied Swallow {Iridoprocne bicolor). — I
have seen no account of the song of this species, nor, indeed, was I aware
of its musical powers until the past summer. May 24. at an elevation of
8000 feet, I found a little colony just beginning house-keeping in a cotton-
wood grove on an island in the San Antonio River. Colorado. When at
rest they uttered a peculiar chirrupy warble, bearing resemblance to a
Sparrow's song in some respects, and strikingly like a Robin's in some of
the half whistles.

The species breeds as high as 10.000 feet. and. I believe, always in trees.
— F. M. Drew, Hoivardsville, Colorado.

The White-bellied Swallow- (Tachycineta bicolor) on the New
Jersey Coast in November. — Mr. Gerard R. Hardenbergh of New
Brunswick, New Jersey, tells me of the great abundance of the White-
bellied Swallow at Square Beach. New Jersey, on November 16, 1880.
The Swallows had been abundant for the previous two days, though the
temperature was unusually low for the time of year. They were feeding
on the bavberrv (Myrica cerifcra) in such numbers that Mr. Hardenbergh
secured fifteen birds at a single shot. The birds were brought to me,
and at least three quarters are in immature plumage. — \V. E. D. Scott,
Princeton. JVczv Jersey.

A New Bird {Plectrophancs Rictus) for South Carolina. — In the
town of Chester. S. C while walking, on December 1. 1S80. through a
stubble field overgrown with short grass, my attention was arrested by the
undulating flight and peculiar chirping notes of a small bird, some thirty
or forty feet in the air. flying towards me. When within about twenty
yards of the place where I stood, it suddenly darted to the ground ; and,
when approached, ran nimbly off through the grass, stopping occasionally
to watch my movements, and, finally, when too closely pressed took wing,
continuing its flight, only, however, for a few yards. After being flushed
several times, and apparently growing less shy, it allowed me to advance

Il6 General Notes.

within five or six feet. As I was without a gun, my onlv resort was a
stone ; and. much to my surprise, the bird stood, with parted bill and droop-
ing wings, inquisitively watching my movements, while I deliberately
threw the stone and knocked it over. This accidental acquisition thus
added a new bird — the Painted Lark Bunting — to the fauna of the Car-
olinas. — Lkverett M. Loomis, Chester. S. C.

The Ipswich Sparrow (Passerculus ftrinceps) at Squam Beach,
New Jersey. — Mr. Gerard R. Hardenbergh secured on Nov. 16, 1880. a
female of this species which he sent to me with other birds. — W. E. D.
Scott. Princeton. New Jersey.

Note on the Field Sparrow (Spizella pustlla). — On the morning
of the 8th of May. 1880. while gathering wild flowers on the banks of
a running brook in a meadow I found a nest of" the Field Sp&rrow(Spi'zella

pusilla) containing four eggs. I had almost trodden upon the nest and
my first impression of its location was the fluttering at my feet of the
female bird as -lie left her charge at my too near approach. On the morn-
ing of' the I2th the nest contained six eggs and as one of them was much
warmer than the others 1 presumed it had just been laid. I visited the
nest frequently and on the morning of tin' 19th five birds were hatched
and the sixth egg chipped. Supposing the bird to have commenced setting
immediately after laying the last egg the period of incubation could not
have exceeded seven days — one hundred and sixty-eight hours. Con-
tinuing my visits at irregular intervals I noticed the rapidity of growth in
the nestlings. The nest was not large enough to contain them all : on the
24th one of the little birds was sitting just outside but close to the nest,
and on the afternoon of the 25th I found the nest empty. Reclining on
the grass awhile 1 soon heard a faint chirp somewhat resembling the noise
of young crickets, and in a lew seconds several of them, and as the parents
appeared with food tor the little ones a hurried fluttering from various
places within the space of a square rod revealed the presence of the family.
The next day the young birds could fly two or three rods at a time and
procure a portion of their food. Sixteen days from the commencement
of incubation the young seemed to be able to take care of themselves.
The adult birds appeared to become familiar in some degree with my visits
and exhibited less uneasiness towards the close than at the beginning, and
the male .occasionally sung his richly musical strain, which resembles a
combination of some of the notes of the Song Sparrow ( Melospiza mclodia)
and the Grass Finch {Pcecetes gramineus).

The mean temperature of the air during incubation week — from May
12 to 19 — was 57. 6i3: the extremes. 46^ on the 14th and 88° on the 17th ;
rainfall, 0.21 inches on the 13th. The mean temperature from the 19th to
the 25th was6S.i4:>; the extremes. 52° on the 19th and 8S3 on the 25th;
rainfall. 0.23 inches on the 23d. — Elisha Slade. Somerset. Mass.

Bell's Finch {Poospiza belli nevadensis) in Xe-v Mexico. — I have
found Bell's Finch to he quite common in the vicinity of San Marcial.

General Notes. 1 1

New Mexico, during fall and winter. I met with them in small flocks
on the hill-sides bordering the barren plains, where a few stunted bunches
of grass, scattered weeds, the tree cactus, and thorny bushes occasionally
dotted the ground. The birds were very active, running about -with tail
steadilv erected at an angle of 450, in an odd, easy, graceful manner
which readily attracted attention. When startled they flew to the top of a
bush, but quickly dropped again to the ground. I thought, as I saw them
running so swiftly, stopping now and then to pick up food or occasionally
to scratch the ground, that they were busily engaged in catching a small
kind of beetle I had noticed, but in dissecting four that I shot December
2 and 3, 1SS0, I found in their stomachs only small seeds and coarse
gravel. The measurements of the birds shot are as follows : —

J Length. 6.20: extent. 9.50: wing. 3.00; tail, 2.60; tarsus. .So: bill. .40.

$ Length, 6.50; extent. 9.50; wing. 3.00; tail, 3.00: tarsus. .80: bill. .40.

cT Length. 6.50: extent, 9.75 : wing. 3. 10; tail. 3.00: tarsus. .So: bill, .40.

$ Length. 6.00: extent. 9.00: wing. 2.75 ; tail. 2.65 : tarsus, .80: bill, .40.

Iris, dark brown: bill, dusky, the base of the lower mandible pa'e blue.
Legs, dark-reddish brown : feet and claws black. — N. S. Goss. Neosho
Falls. Kansas.

Peculiar Nidification of the Bobolink. — During the haying
season of 1S54, I found in a meadow where I was at work a nest of the
Bobolink {Dolichonyx oryzivoriis) occupying the space between four stalks
of a growing narrow dock (Riti>ic\ crispus). This nest was suspended
from four points of its circumference. 900 apart, to the four stalks of the
plant which grew from the same root. The bottom of the nest was about
six inches above the ground. It was constructed entirely of vegetable
material and consisted of two distinctly separate parts. A hemispherical
cup, in one piece of coarse but neatlv woven cloth, very strong and .
very light, was fastened to the living, growing supports by strong
fibres passing around each stalk above and below a joint and firmly woven
into the rim of the cup with some of the longer strings interlacing the
sides. Loups passed through the bottom of the cup were attached to
diagonal supports. The edge or rim of this cup was about half an inch
thick at the points of bearing and about one-fourth of an inch in the
quadrants. The texture just below the rim was closely woven and strongly
wrought, varying from one-eighth to one-sixteenth of an inch in thickness.
growing thinner gradually from the edge, and a small space in the lowest
part was of open work evidently designed to secure good and certain
ilra in age.

In this hanging basket was an elaborate lining of very soft blades of
grass between which and the cup was an elastic padding. The woven cup
was about five inches in diameter and five inches deep, the padding about
half an inch thick, and the lining about the same thickness. The whole
structure, dock and nest, swayed in everv passing breeze but the nest was
so strongly fastened to the stalks and the plant so securely held by the
nest that it would have required .1 hurricane or tornado to have blown it

awav.

9-

1 1 8 General Notes.

Twenty-two years afterwards, on the ^Sth of June, 1876, while mowing in
the same meadow I found a similar nest of the Bobolink suspended from
four stalks of the same species of plant growing in very nearly the same
spot. The two specimens of verj unusual and original nidification bore
a remarkably strong resemblance and only differed to an appreciable ex-
tent in the method of hanging. In the former case — that of 1S54 — the
stalks grew naturally at the angles of a square; in the latter — that of
1876 — the stalks naturally grew at the angle of a trapezium and were
drawn by the ingenious builders to the angles of a square at the points
of fastening. The stalk which had to be drawn the farthest from its natural
position was stoutly woven into the side of the cup. the weaving material
completely covering two joints and the space between them, while in each
of the others only one joint was covered and attached simply to the rim.
The bottom of this nest was eight inches above the ground and the leaves
of the plant overhung the structure forming a very pretty canopy.

From the fact that these two nest- were found in the same field and in
very nearly if not precisely the same spot and upon the same species of
plant, it is probable that the avian architects of 1876 were lineal descendants
of the builders of 1854. In these productions of the skill of Bobolinks
we have evidences of systematic, consecutive thought; of plans well laid
and equally well executed. — ELISHA Slade, Somerset. Mass.

Southern Range of the Raven on the Atlantic Coast ok the
United States. — In July, 18S0. I found the Raven to be an inhabitant of
Cobb's, Bone, and Mockhorn Islands, off the coast of Eastern Virginia,
above Cape Charles. Solitary individuals were observed on one or the other
of these islands almost every day during my stay of two weeks, at one lime
teased by Red-winged Blackbirds, at another by Black-headed Gulls, and
again by Terns, as the Raven happened to approach theirbreedinggrounds.
Neither the Common Crow nor the Fish Crow were seen by me on these
islands, though they were abundant along the shore of the mainland. As
has been my experience elsewhere, the inhabitants did not distinguish the
Raven from its smaller congeners, but bv the islanders it was simplv
known as the "Crow." The specie- was easily recognized bv its charac-
teristic flight and peculiar notes, both of which are quite distinct from
those of the Crows. — Robert Ridgwav. Washington, D. C.

The White-necked Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus) in New Mexico. —
Last fall while collecting birds in New Mexico I first noticed a pair of
White-necked Ravens at Galisteo: from there on I saw the birds often,
but nowhere in numbers until I reached San Marcial (on the Rio Grande,
the then terminus of the railroad so rapidly being completed by the A. T.
& S. Fe R. R. Co. to Guaymas and El Paso) where I was surprised to
find them abundant and, in company with C. corax. flocking about the
camping grounds of the graders and other workmen to pick up (as soon
as the men were away) the scattered grains where the horses were fed. and
from the offal around the tents. I counted one morning at sunrise over
a hundred, and with them at least thirty Ravens.

General Notes. 119

These birds, in the dry atmosphere of the sterile plains, take the place
of the Vultures, the great scavengers of the lower, more moist, and fertile
portions of our country, and are therefore looked upon as friends, and
not being hunted or disturbed are quite bold and easy of approach, and I
had no difficulty in shooting all the specimens I wanted. I noticed, how-
ever, before I left, they began to keep well out of gunshot.

The following are the measurements of a pair of mounted birds in my
collection shot at San Marcial, November ?S and 30. 1S80.

$ Length, 21.00: extent, 43.00; wing. 14-25: tail. S. 50: tarsus. 2.35:
bill. 2.10.

5 Length. 19.75: extent. 41.00; wing, 13.60; tail, S.oo; tarsus. 2.30;
bill, 2.20.

Iris very dark brown; bill. legs, feet and claws, black.

The males are nearly as large as the females of C. corax. but readily
distinguishable from that species by their more slender build ; and in flight
their wings appear less rounded.— N. S. Goss. Neosho Falls. Kansas.

Remarkable Persistency in Nesting of the Western Yellow-
bellied Flycatcher. — A pair of these birds (Empidonax dijficilis)
have been in the habit of nesting every year in the shed covering my
tanks, which are in the woods some distance back of my house. The
birds appeared as usual about the middle of last April and commenced
building about the 28th of the month. On the 15th of May the nest con-
tained four eggs and I took it. The birds lost no time bewailing their loss
but immediately commenced another nest, but on a different beam from
the first one. By the 2Sth of the month they had this nest finished and
four eggs in it. I took this one also. Next day the birds commenced
again, on vet another beam. On the 5th of June this third nest was fin-
ished and on the 10th contained five eggs, this being the only time that I
ever found five eggs in a nest of these birds. Both for the sake of such an
unusual set and to see how long the birds would keep on nesting I took
this also. Not a bit discouraged, the birds began a fourth nest, and on the
22nd this nest contained four more eggs. I took these thinking the birds
would go somewhere else this time. But, no ; they started a fifth nest
which, on the 6th of July, had four eggs in it, making five nests and twenty-
one eggs by the same pair of birds in a little over two months. On taking
this nest the birds left and I do not know whether they built again or not.
Probably not, as they generally leave the country about that time.-

This same persistency was shown at the same time by a pair of Black
Pewees | Sayornis nigricans) which built twice under the eaves of the
house, once under a bridge close by, and a fourth time under the eaves of
the house. This last time they hatched out the brood, as I neglected to
take the nest until too late to save the eggs. — Joseph Mailliard. Nicasio.
M<i riii ( 'a.. ( <il .

Notes on the Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker and Can-
ada Jay. — On the 9th of May last while crossing the high open pine

120 General Notes.

plains bordering the Black River. Cheboygan County, my attention was
attracted bv the peculiar cry of a Woodpecker on a tree near the road,
which at a glance I saw was a new bird to me; being secured it proved to
Ik- Picoides arcticus. Five specimens were taken at this time, two males
and three females. Again on the 14th of August, on the pine plains along
the Sturgeon River, I shot a female of this species which showed conclu-
sive evidence of having bred in the vicinity. Others were seen at this
time hut not secured.

August 10, 1SS0. while encamped on the Sturgeon River, a flock of eight
or ten Canada fays were seen early one morning about camp ; one adult
male and one young male of the present season were taken. Although
1 have passed five summers collecting through the northern part of
the state, this is the first time I have met with Perisoreus canadensis. —
Chas. \V. Gunn, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Capture of the Red-bellied Woodpecker (Centurus carolinus) in
Eastern Massachusetts. — A female of this species was taken by Mr.
William Adair in a chestnut grove in Newton, November 25, 1S80. The
male was seen and wounded but was not secured. — GORDON Plum.mik.
Boston, Mass.

Novel Nesting-sites of Woodpeckers (Colaptes auratus and Mel-
anerpes erythrocephalus. ) — Havingoften wondered where the above-named
birds breed when seen on the open prairies forty or fifty miles from any

timber the whole summer. 1 promised some farmer boys a suitable reward
if they would find their nests anywhere outside of hollow trees and was
most agreeably rewarded in being shown two nests of the Golden-winged
Woodpecker and one of the Red-headed in rather queer quarters. One
nest ot the former was in an old wagon huh. about two t'eet from the ground,
and hidden by a rank growth of weeds. The other was in a hollow formed
by two large willow-sticks that formed part of a hay roof over a cattle-shed.
The nest of the Red-head was in the angle formed by the shares of an
upturned plow. In no instance was there any attempt at nest-building,
the newly-hatched young ones resting on some dirt and rubbish. — G. S.
Agersborg, Vermillion, Dakota.

An unaccountable migration of the Red-headed Woodpecker. —
Ordinarily this species (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) is decidedly the
most numerous of the Woodpeckers in Southeastern Illinois, while during
the winter season it is often so excessivelv common in the sheltered
bottom-lands as to outnumber all other species together, and. in fact, is
voted a decided nuisance by the hunter, sportsman, or collector, on account
of its well known habit of following any one carrying a gun, and anno\ ing
him by its continued chatter; at intervals sweeping before him and thus
diverting attention. Being at this season always semi-gregarious, while
thev are of all Woodpeckers the most restless and sportive, the annoyance
which thev thus cause is really no trifling matter.

General Notes. 12 1

In the early part ot" October, 1S79. I paid my usual yearly visit to my old
home, and scarcely had arrived at the house ere my father informed me.
as a bit of news which he was well aware would both interest and surprise
me, that the Red-headed Woodpeckers had all migrated: that for a number
of nights preceding he had heard overhead their well-known notes as
they winged their way to some more or less distant region : in short, that
the woods which had been their home ''knew them now no more." The
following day I began collecting, and though some eight miles of wood-
land were traversed only three specimens of this species were observed,
these being young individuals and in all probability of one brood, since
they were sporting together among some large black-gum trees. My stav
was prolonged to the end of the month, and though I was in the woods
almost every day. my excursions radiating in every direction from the
town, these three lingering individuals seen the first day were all that were
met with, even the same clump of gums having become entirely deserted.

This wholesale migration of a single species, when all other members
of the family remained in their normal abundance, is to me wholly inex-
plicable. It has never occurred before, to my knowledge, in that particu-
lar region ; and my father, who has lived there upwards of forty years (he
can remember when the Parakeets flew in large flocks, and were a nuisance
to the farmer) cannot call to mind another instance. Whether or not they
have since returned. I do not know, but in all probability their absence
was but temporary.

In connection with this matter, a list of the Woodpeckers found in the
vicinity of Mount Carmel, arranged according to their relative abun-
dance, may not be out of place.

1. Melanerpes erythiocephalus. "Red-head"; -Black Wood-
pecker". Usually most numerous in winter, when however, less gener-
ally distributed, being mainly confined to the sheltered bottoms.

2. Centurus carolinus. "Checkered Woodpecker"; "Wood-
chuck": "Chuck."

3. Colaptes auratus. "Flicker": "Yellow Hammer." [In the
fall of 1879, I shot upwards of thirty specimens of this species in order to
find, if possible, an individual inclining to the "kybridus" style, but suc-
ceeded in securing only one which departed in the least from typical
auratus,* this one having merely a very slight red suffusion at the ends of
the black cheek-patches. In addition to these thirty-odd specimens, I have
handled probably a hundred and fifty more shot in the same localities

* Two adult males obtained the same day (Oct. 20, are remarkable for very small
size and certain peculiarities of coloration, which, however, do not tend in the least
towards mexicanus. These two specimens compared with two from Florida in my
collection measure as follows : —

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

of;

id. Gilson Co. Ind.

Oct. 20, 1879.

5.80

4-35

I.20

i.ro

d

6.20

4-5°

1-25

1. 10

<?

'• Miami, Florida,

Feb. 17, 1871.

5-55

4-45

1.32

1. 10

S

" " "

"

5.80

4.70

1.30

1.05

122 Genera/ Nates.

(mostly by myself), and have never seen another aberrant specimen.
Therefore. I estimate that of every .two hundred specimens occurring in
that part of the country, about one hundred and ninety-nine would be true
<iuratus.'\

4. Picus pubescens. "Little Sapsucker"; "Little Guinea
Woodpecker."

5. Picus villosus. "Big Sapsucker" : "Big Guinea Woodpecker."

6. Hylotomus pileatus. "Woodcock"; "Black Woodcock" ; "Log-
cock." In some localities ranks us fourth or fifth in abundance.

7. Sphyropicus varius. "Sapsucker." Rarely distinguished b\
the people, but sometimes, from its note, called "Squealing Sapsucker."
This species is unknown in summer, and is the only one of the family
that is regularlv migratory. — Robert Ridgway. Washington, D. C.

Breeding of the Wild Pigeon in confinement. — Seeing Mr.
Deane's note in the last number of the Bulletin. I forward my expe-
rience, thinking it may prove of interest. During the spring of 1877,
the Society purchased three pairs of trapped birds, which were placed
in one of the outer aviaries. Early in March. 187S. I noticed that they
were mating, and procuring some twigs. I wove three rough platforms and
fastened them up in convenient places: at the same time throwing a
further supply of building material on the floor. Within twenty-four
hours two of the platforms were selected; the male carrying the material
whilst the female busied herself in placing it. A single c<ig was soon laid
in each nesl and incubation commenced. On March 16 there was quite a
heavy fall of snow, and on the next morning I was unable to see the birds
on their nests on account of the accumulation of the snow piled on the
platforms around them. Within a couple of day- it had all disappeared and
for the next tour or five nights a self-registering thermometer, hanging in
the aviary, marked from 14° to 190. In spite of these drawbacks both of
the eggs were hatched and the young ones reared. They have since con-
tinued breeding regularly and now I have twenty birds ; having lost one
old male and several eggs, from falling through their illy-contrived
nests. — Frank J. Thompson. Z.oological Garden, Cincinnati, O.

Large Eagles. — An immense adult Bald Eagle (Haliaetus lucoce^ha-
lus) was lately sent from North Carolina to Mr. Xewton Dexter of this
city, the spread of whose wings measured 8 feet. It is well known that
the voting Bald Eagle is larger than the adult, and Mr. Dexter and myself
were discussing that point only a few days previously while examining a
large Golden Eagle which had been sent in to me to mount.

I bought in November last a young female Bald Eagle, shot in New
Shoreham, which measured 7 feet 3 inches, the greatest spread of wing of
anv I ever had. Mr. Dexter has killed dozens of Eagles and says this is
the largest he ever saw. — Frederic T. Jencks. Providence. R. I.

Eagles attempting the rescue of a wounded companion. — Hav-
ing noticed a number of times mention of the fact that Gulls and other

General Notes. 1 23

large birds have been known to come to the rescue of a wounded compan-
ion, and believing that this same trait has never been noticed in the Eagle.
I note the following account as witnessed by Paul Scheuring (Nov. 6, 1880).
While hunting on the marshes of Green Bay. he discovered four large
Eagles (Haliactus leucocefkalus) circling around not far distant ; he im-
mediately paddled towards them and succeeded in wounding one to such
an extent that it could not fly, but lay fluttering on the water. Before he
could reach it the other three Eagles had flown to the assistance of the
fallen bird. Catching hold of its wings the noble birds did their best to
carry it off. but not being able to raise it they only managed to drag it
a considerable distance, which showed their friendlv intentions just as well
as if they had succeeded in flying oft" with it.

After seeing that they could not render their wounded companion any
assistance, they flew away with a wild scream, leaving the poor bird
to the mercy of Mr. Scheuring. who quickly dispatched it bv holding it
under the water until it was quite dead. — Saml. W. Millard. Went De
Pi re. Wise.

Richardson's Owl in Rhode Island. — A specimen of Richardson's
Owl (Nyctale teugmalmi richardsoni) was obtained this winter near this
city. Its capture was ascertained by Mr. Newton Dexter, who saw the
bird in the possession of a young lady whose brother shot it. — Frederic
T. Jencks. Providence. R. I.

The Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) in Massachusetts. — A
bird of this interesting species was shot October 19, 1880. near Lake Co-
chituate in the town of Natick. Middlesex County, by a local gunner. Mr.
Paul S. Roberts, in whose possession I first saw it. secured and mounted
the specimen. The plumage is immature, being that of "R. occidentalis."
of authors (figured in Vigor's Zodl. Voy. of Blossom, pi. xii : Grav's
Gen. of Birds, III. pi. civ; Cassin's 111., pi. xl). My record is the third
authentic one for New England, and the first for Massachusetts.*

We are indebted to Mr. E. J. Smith of Natick for knowledge of this cap-
ture, he writing the fact to Mr. C. J. Maynard. who kindly gave me the
information. — H. A. Purdie. Newton. Mass.

The Whistling Swan in Massachusetts. — On the morning of the
16th of October. 1880. about 8 a.m.. I observed a flock of Swans (CvgiiHs
americanus, Sharp.) on their autumnal migration. The flock contained
five individuals and probably belonged to one family. Thev were flying
in a nearly due south course, in the typical triangle of 6o°. at an elevation
of about one third of a mile and with a velocity of about fifty miles per
hour. They did not pass directly overhead but a little to the west of my
place of observation, and for a few seconds their position was such that the
downward motion of the left wing of each bird cast a shadow upon the

* See Merriam, Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV, 1877, p. 103; Brown, Hull. N. O. ('., IV.
1879, p. 108; Boarrlman, Ibid., V, 1880, p. 241.

124 General Notes.

lower part of the body. The alternate shade and light thus produced upon
the pure white of the breast and abdomen seen against the October blue
of the sky presented a remarkably interesting view of a living panorama.
Occasionallv the clear, shrill whistle of the leader was sounded, and in the
quiet air of the morning was heard at a distance of more than a mile.
— Elisha Slade, Somerset, Mass.

The Harleqjjin Duck and the Glossy and Wood Ibises in South-
ern Illinois. — In looking over the additions I made last year to my col-
lection of birds, I find there are three that may be of interest to the readers
of the Bulletin. The first I will mention is the Harlequin Duck {Ilis-
trionicus torquatus), a specimen of which was shot by Mr. Sybold, in a
small lake in Illinois (Marion County), seven miles from St. Louis. The
bird was in company with a Hock of the Lesser Scaup Duck (Fuligula
alii ii is ).

The second species is the Glossy [bis {Plegadis falcinellus) , a fine male
of which was shot by Mr. Sybold, February 27, 18S0. at the small lake
already mentioned. It was shot from a Hock of three, flying northward,
two of which fell but only one was secured.

The other species is the Wood Ibis ( Tantalus loculator), which was
very plentiful here last year. I counted about fifty of these birds at one
place, namely, on an island in the lake already alluded to. They were
resting on some high sycamores and could be seen at a long distance.
About noon they circled about high in the air. They remained here
throughout the month of August, but all disappeared about the 5th of
September. — Julius Hurter. St. Louis. Mo.

The White-winged Gull {Larus leucopterus) in Massachusetts. —
Although this species has been included in various local lists of our birds
as a rare winter visitor, there appears to be no very explicit record of its
capture in this State, or at least no recent one. It may therefore be of
interest to state that we procured an immature specimen oft' the Boston
Milldam on the 31st of January, 1880. It was in company with another of
the same species and from twenty to thirty Herring Gulls. — E. A. and 0.
Bangs. Boston^ Mass.

The Caspian Tern in California. — The National Museum possesses
two specimens of this bird from California. One of these was shot at
Stockton, in December, 18S0, by Mr. L. Belding, and is in immature plu-
mage ; the other came from Woodward's Gardens. San Francisco, and was
obtained in exchange from another party. The label was inscribed ••Sterna
regia. Shore of California." This is also a winter specimen, but is in
adult livery. — Robert Ridgway. Washington. D. C.

The Short-tailed Tern {Hydrochelidon nigra) in New England. —
In former numbers of this Bulletin I have repeatedly insisted that the Short-
tailed Tern is a much commoner New England species than writers have
been willing to admit. This opinion has been greatly strengthened by the ex-
periences of the past season(i88o), for, in addition to a number of specimens
which were received by the Boston taxidermists from various points along

General Notes. I 25

the Massachusetts seaboard, I have the following specific reports from
Nantucket and Rye Beach, N. H. At the former place Mr. H. S; Sweet
saw no less than fifty individuals on August 22. They were flying over
Miacomet Pond, and as they passed his point of observation on their way
seaward, were accurately counted.

A flock seen at Rye Beach by my friend Mr. II. M. Spelman. on August
24. was nearly as large, the number of birds being estimated at about forty.
They appeared on a small sheet of brackish water locally known as the
" Eel Pond." where they stayed several days. They were very shy but
Mr. Spelman succeeded in killing four specimens.

While it is not unlikely that their appearance in such large numbers is
exceptional, there can no longer be any question that the Black Tern is
of regular and not uncommon occurrence during August and September
at most suitable points on the New England coast south of Portland,
Maine. — William Brewster. Cambridge. Mass.

Notes ox Leach's Petrel {Cymochorea leucotrhoa.) — Under date of
July 29, 1880. Mr. Manly Hardy of Brewer. Maine. <ji\es me the following
notes on Leach's Petrel. The facts regarding incubation, are I think, new.
and go to show that, as with the Phalaropes. the female Petrels have
strongly imbibed the spirit of the nineteenth century.

•• I have lately had quite a number of Leach's Petrels taken on the nests
and find some things which are not mentioned in such books as I have
access to. In the first place, the males do most, if not all. of the incubating.
In a number received the 1st of June, five out of six were males. Think-
ing that, like Pigeons, the males might perhaps all sit at the same time,
I had another lot sent me about June 15, and again, of twelve specimens
seven proved to be males. A careful examination showed that while the
under plumage of the females was in every case perfect, each male had
on the lower part of the breast a bare spot larije enough to cover the egg.

'• Some writers mention their ejecting oil when irritated. I find that
either sex can eject at least one-eighth their bulk of very pure reddish oil.
and that it is given forth equally freely when the bird is killed by chloro-
form. I think that it is probably intended to serve as food for the young."
— William Brewster. Cambridge^ Mass.

Birds and Windows. — The library building of the Rochester Uni-
versity— across the street from us — has very clear windows opposite one
another, and during the year, especiallv in the spring and autumn, many
birds are killed by flying against them. The greater part are found on the
north side. Most of the birds are small: but lately two Robins and one
Golden-winged Woodpecker were found among them. Curiously enough
there are no English Sparrows among the slain, they probably being
sufficiently acquainted with windows to avoid them. — Frederic A. Lucas,
Rochester. X. T.

Notes on Birds Rare or Accidental on Long Island, N. V. —
1. Mimus polyglottus. Mockingbird. Two specimens taken: a

young bird, on October 1, 1880: an adult on October 2. 1880: both cap-

ured at Fort Hamilton.

I 26 General Notes.

2. Polioptila caerulea. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. — I shot a young
bird. October 11. 1S79, at Fort Hamilton. It was skipping about in a row
of honey-locusts, and was exceedingly active.

3. Melospiza lincolni. Lincoln's Sparrow. — An adult female was
taken October 8, 1S80. by my friend Mr. J. Dwight, Jr.. while we were
collecting at Fort Hamilton.

4. Zonotrichia leucophrys. White-crowned Sparrow. — Two spec-
imens captured. The first, an adult female, was taken May 19. 1S80: the
second, a young bird, sex not ascertained, was shot October 19. 1880.
Both were captured at Fort Hamilton.

5. Stelgidopteryx serripenis. Rough-winged Swallow. — I shot
one at New Utrecht, April 19. 1S78.

6. Hylotomus pileatus. Pilkated Woodpecker. — Mr. J. Akhurst,
of Brooklyn, informs me that at least three individuals of this species
have been met with on Long Island. In 1S4J or 1S43 he saw one at what
is now East New York. Kind's County. Another was sent to him ahout
thirty years ago from the eastern part of the Island; the third which he
obtained two years ago, was captured near Jamaica. Queens County.

7. Falco gyrfalco obsoletus. Labrador Gyrfalcon. — Mr. J. Wal-
lace, of New York, informs me that a fine specimen of this bird, killed in
the fall two or three years ago, on the north shore of Long Island in
Queen's County, passed through his hands. It is now in the collection of
Mr. Geo. A. Boardman.

8. Nauclerus forficatus. Swallow-tailed Kite. — Mr. |. Akhursl
tells me that about the year 1845, while collecting on the south shore of
Long Island, he saw a bird of this species. He spent an entire day in
endeavoring to secure it, but was unsuccessful. This I believe is its second
and latest Lony Island Record, the first being the capture of a specimen
at Raynor South, in 1837, as recorded by Giraud in his •• Birds of Long
Island."

9. Cathartes atratus. Black Vuxtuke. — An individual of this spe-
cies was found dead on Coney Island Beach a few vears ago. I have not
the exact date, but Mr. Akhurst is my authority.

10. Tringa maritima. Purple Sandpiper. — I shot this bird on
Swinburn Hospital Island. Lower New York Pay. Nov. 27. 1879. I na^
been sailing for Ducks, and the wind failing, had landed on the Island,
when one of the men told me a .Snipe was walking about on the stones of
the "crib." It was very tame and evidently engrossed with its search for
food, so it was easily secured.

11. Tryngites rufescens. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. — During a
collecting visit 1 made to Montauk Point last summer, a specimen of this
bird was shot there by a gentlemen on August 26, and kindly presented to
me. — I)e L. Berier. Fort Hamilton. Long Island. X. )'.

Distribution of Birds as influenced by increase of Water
Area. — Many of the readers of the Bulletin are doubtless cognizant
of the fact that the city of Boston has been engaged for several years past
in the construction of extensive works on Sudbury River in Framingham,

General Notes. I 2*J

for reservoirs to contain an " additional water supply " for tlie city. These
works were completed in 1879. and the three basins were speedily filled,
embracing an aggregate area of some 600 acres, with a water line con-
stantly varying with the varying quantities drawn for consumption, as
well as from natural causes. This increase of water surface has had a
noticeable effect in enlarging the Avi-fauna of the locality. Being favor-
ably situated (rather too favorably, in one respect, one-half of my farm
being now under water!) I have watched this accession to our visiting list
with considerable interest and diligence, and make the following mem-
oranda as a result.

A. Species that, so far as I can ascertain by enquiry and observation
(residence of 27 years), are new to this vicinity.

1. Anthus ludovicianus. One obtained by self, Nov., 1S79: several br-

others.

2. Ckaradrius virginicus. One obtained by self, Sept., 1880. Two

only seen.

3. ^Egialites setnipa/mata. Two obtained by a friend. Oct., 18S0.

4. Ereunctes fusillus. One obtained by self, Oct.. 1880; several br-

others.

5. Tringa minutilla. Several obtained by friend. Aug.. 1S80.

6. Tringa fuscicollis. Three obtained by self. Oct.. 1880. Three only

seen.

7. Calidris arena ria. One obtained by -elf. Oct.. 1880. One only

seen.

S. Totanus flavipes. Several by a friend. Sept.. 1S80.

y. Totanus melanoleucus. Two obtained by self, June and Oct., 1880.

10. Xyctiardea grisea ncrvia. One obtained by self, Aug., 18S0.

11. F/tlica amertcana. One obtained by a friend. Sept., 1880.

12. Fuligula ferina amertcana. One obtained by a friend. Oct., 1879.

13. Fuligula marila ajfinis. One obtained by self. Oct.. 18S0: several

by others.

14. Erismatura rubida. One obtained by a friend. Oct.. 1874.

B. Species that have appeared in notably increased numbers.

1. Siurus mvvius. Ratio of increase, say 3.

2. Ceryle alcyon. Ratio of increase, say 3.

3. Totanus solitarins. Ratio of increase, say 5.

4. Tringoides macula rius. Ratio of increase, say 10.

5. Ardea virescens. Ratio of increase, say 3.

6. Ardea herodias. Ratio of increase, say 2.

7. $hterquedula discors. Ratio of increase, say 2.

8. §>uerquedula carolinensis. Ratio of increase, say 2.

9. Podilymbus podiceps. Ratio of increase, say 2.

Note. Several individual-, of a species of Larus {argeutatus without
doubt) have been reported at sundry times to be about the basins; none
were shot, and I have never seen them, but the authority is good. As
Larus never appeared here " before the Flood." it has a fair claim for a
place in List A. The omission is on the "strict construction" principle,
because the examples were seen only. — F. C. Browne. Framingham, Mass.

I2o General Notes.

Supplementary List of Birds of the Island of Santa Lucia.
W. I. — A few months since I gave in this Bulletin (Vol. V. pp. 163-169) a
list of the birds of Santa Lucia, numbering 56 species. Recently the
Museum of Comparative Zoology has received another considerable lot.
collected, as were the previous sending*, by Mr. John Semper. This
last collection adds 12 species to the number previously recorded from the
island, besides embracing quite large suites of the rarer species, including,
among others, 10 examples of Chrysotis b ougu eti and 8 of Mr. Lawrence's
recently described Chcetura dominicana. The additions to the previously
published list are the following:

1. Siurus naevius (Bodd.).

2. Chaetura dominicana. La-wr.

3. Pandion haliaetus {Linn.)

4. Porzana Carolina {Linn. 1.

5. Symphemia semipalmata ( Gm. ).

6. Numenius hndsonicus. Lath.

7. Querquednla discors Linn. .

8. Fulix affinis (JByt. )■

<j. Chroicocephalus atricilla (Linn. 1.

10. Sterna anglica. Mont.

11. Sterna fuliginosa. Gm.

12. Anous stolidns (Linn. |.

The collection also embraces Tringa fuscicollis, one of the two species
previously given on Dr. Sclater's authority. — J. A. Allen. Cambridge.
Mass.

Winter Birds of Fort Walla Walla, W. T. — Recent letters from
Captain Charles Bendire, V. S. A., now at Fort Walla Walla, contain
notes of interest on various species of birds observed during the past
winter at that post, which I have his permission to make public.

While Fort Walla Walla corresponds in latitude (about 46° X.) with
Northern Maine, its winter bird fauna seems to be comparable with
that of Southern New Jersey. Captain Bendire enumerates as among the
regular winter residents such species as the Meadow Lark ( Sturnella
magna neglecta), the Red-shafted Flicker (Colap/es auratus mexicanus),
Brewer's Blackbird {Scolecop/iagus cyanocephalus), the Western Red-
wing (Ageleeus pneeniceus gubernator), the Western White-crowned Spar-
row (Zonotrickia leucopkrys intermedia) , the Oregon Snowbird {Juna>
oregonus), the Cinereous Song Sparrow ( Mclospiza fasciata guttata), etc..
besides other species less distinctively southern in character.

Captain Bendire also refers to the capture of a Snowy Owl (JVvctea
nivea) about December 1 (1880), which, he says, is the only '"instance of
its capture on this coast south of Alaska " known to him. He has also
taken several examples of Scops asio kennicotti, and finds " sEsalon suck-
leyi and richardsoni " of not uncommon occurrence. In alluding to the
predominance of the females, he says that out of ten specimens of these
two forms taken only one proved on dissection to be a male. He also
notes a similar prevalence of females among the Sharp-tailed Grouse. —
J. A. Allen, Cambridge. Mass.

Bull.N.O.C.Vol.VI

Plate I.

pa§p^ y|

i

PICUMNUS LAWRENCII Cony.

BULLETIN

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

VOL. VI. JULY? I obi. No. 3.

DESCRIPTIONS OF FOUR NEW SPECIES OF
HAITIAN BIRDS.

BY CHARLES B. CORY.

Picumnus lawrencii. (Plate I.)

$ ad. Tail soft, composed of ten feathers. General plumage above
olive-green. Forehead showing a tinge of black; top of the head bright
yellow, cut by a band of red, again becoming yellow at the base. Under
parts yellowish, palest on the throat, mottled and streaked with brown
feathers; on the sides of the neck marked with dull white, nearly joining
above, forming an imperfect collar. Wing-coverts and outer webs of
primaries and secondaries, olive-green ; inner webs brown, becoming pale
on the edges. Bill, legs, and feet dark slate color. Iris reddish brown.

5 ad. Differs from the male in wanting the red band on the head.

Length, 5.25; wing, 2.75; tail. 1.75 : tarsus, .56; bill. .62.

Dr. Bryant refers to a Picumnus taken in Haiti (Proc. Boston Soc. Nat.
Hist. Vol. XI, p. 96) but considers it to be P. microtncirus of Sundevall
(Consp. Avium Picin., 1S66, p. 95) ; but that species came from Brazil and
I cannot make his description agree with the Haitian bird. In all proba-
bility Dr. Brvant's specimen was the present species wrongly identified.

I have named it in honor of Mr. Geo. N. Lawrence of New York.

Phcenicophilus dommicensis.

(J ad. Forehead and sides of the head black: a spot of white above
and below the eye and on each side of the forehead ; chin white, extend-
ing in two stripes down the sides of the throat to the breast, bordering the
black of the head. The rest of the head, neck, and underparts grayish-
plumbeous. Back, wing-coverts, tail and coverts, and outer edges of wing

130 Cory on New Haitian Birds.

feathers, bright yellowish-green. Inner webs of primaries and secondaries
brown, pale on the edges. Legs and lower mandible dark slate color:
upper mandible black. Iris reddish-brown.

Length, 7.00; wing, 3.50; tail, 3.00: tarsus. .90: bill, .72.

Authors have generally considered this bird to be the female of P. pal-
mar um : but a careful examination of a large series of the latter species
proved the sexual difference, if any, to be merely a slight variation in
size.

Parra violacea.

tJ ad. Hill and comb pale orange : bare skin at the base of the lower
mandible pale bluish-white. Head. neck, and upper breast, dark lustrous
green, back and wing-coverts purple, shading into rich golden-brown near
the rump; rump anil tail coverts bright purple. Underparts dark purple,
showing a tinge of dark rufous on the crissum. Most of the primaries and
secondaries bright yellow, edged with brown; tail rufous brown ; carpal
spur pale orange; legs and feet dull olive; iris brown.

Length. 9.00; wing. 5.50; tail. 2.25: tarsus. 2.25; bill. 1.40.

A single specimen taken, possibly a straggler to the island but apparently
differing from any known form.

Myiadestes montanus.

$ ad. Upper parts and two central tail feathers slaty graj ; primaries
and secondaries brownish-black, showing white near the base of the inner
welis: outer webs of primaries and terminal portion of the outer webs of
secondaries edged with gray: throat, crissum. and belly near the vent,
reddish-brown, intermediate between that of M. solitarius and 71/. sibilans,
but approaching nearer the color of the former; rest of underparts pale
gray. Outer tail feather white with black shaft, showing a dark tinge
near the extremity of the outer web: second feather black, with the
central portion of the terminal half white, the black narrowing to the ex-
tremity leaving the tip white; third feather showing a triangular patch of
white at the tip; rest of tail feathers, except the two central ones, black.
Bill black; legs and feet pale ; iris brown.

Length, 7.00; wing, 3.35; tail, 3.38; tarsus, 1.00; bill, .38.

X hi. sox on the Black Brant. 1 3 I

HABITS OF THE BLACK BRANT IN THE VICINITY
OF ST. MICHAELS, ALASKA.

BY E. W. NELSON.

The long reign of ice and snow begins to yield to the mild
influence of the rapidly lengthening days ; the middle of May
is reached, and the midnight sky oyer the northern horizon
blushes with delicate rose tints, changing to purple toward the
zenith. Fleecy clouds passing slowly across the horizon seem to
quiver and glow with lovely hues only to fade to dull leaden
again as they glide from the reach of fair Aurora. The land, so
lately snow-bound, becomes dotted with pools of water and the
constantly narrowing borders of the snow soon make room for the
Waterfowl which, with eager accord, begin to arrive in abun-
dance, some upon lagging wings, as if from far away, others
making the air resound with joyous notes as they recognize some
familiar pond where, for successive seasons, they have reared
their young in safety, or, perhaps, a favorite feeding ground. At
this time the White-fronted and Hutchins's Geese take precedence
in numbers though, to be sure, they have been preceded for two
weeks by the hardy Pintail Duck, the Common Swan and, lastly,
that ornithological harlequin, the Sandhill Crane, whose loud
rolling note is heard here and there as it stalks gravely along,
dining upon the last year's berries of Em^petrum nigrum, when,
meeting a rival, or perchance one of the fair sex. he proceeds to
execute a burlesque minuet.

A few days later, upon the mirror-like bosoms of myriads
of tiny lakelets, the graceful Northern Phalaropes flit here and
there or swim about in pretty companies. At length, about the
20th of May, the first Barn Swallow arrives and then we begin
to look for the Black Brant, the "JVimMe" as it is. called by the
Russians, the " Luk-lug'-u-nuk" of the Norton Sound Eskimo.
Ere long the avant-courier is seen in the form of a small flock
of ten or fifteen individuals which skim along close to the ice
heading directly across Norton Sound to the vicinity of Cape
Nome, whence their route leads along the low coast to Port
Clarence where, I am told by the natives, some stop to breed : but
the majority press on and seek the ice bordered northern shore

132 Nelson on the Black Brant.

of Alaska and even beyond to unknown regions far to the north.
Of this I am assured by Captain E. E. Smith, who tells me that
while whaling in the autumn, to the eastward of Wrangel Land,
in 70" N. latitude, he has seen flocks of these Geese coming from
the north and steering straight for the coast of Alaska several
hundred miles to the southward. The presence of this and other
species of birds in that part of the Arctic Ocean argues favorably
for the presence of a body of land to the northward of Alaska,
but whether it is an eastern continuation of Wrangel Land or not
is, of course, uncertain. However, let us return to a safer field.
The following notes were mainly taken during the spring of 1S80,
for although I had seen the Brant plentiful the two preceding
years, their extraordinary abundance the past spring was sur-
prising, not only to the few white men here but to the natives as
well.

The 2zd of May a native came in bringing a lot of Geese and
reporting plenty of Black Brant up the "Canal." For the benefit
of the unfortunate few who have not been at St. Michaels I may
explain that the "Canal" is a narrow and shallow tidal channel
which separates St. Michael's Island from the main land ami is
bordered on either side by a stretch of low, Hat land abundantly
dotted with brackish ponds and intersected by numerous small
tide creeks. As would be surmised, this forms a favorite haunt
for various kinds of waterfowl.

Preparing the tent and other paraphernalia two of us, accompa-
nied by a couple of natives, started out the next morning with a
sled and team of five large dogs, driven tandem, just as the sun
gilded the distant hill-tops and gave a still deeper tint to the pur-
ple haze enveloping their bases. The sharp, frosty air and the
pleasurable excitement of the prospective hunt, after months of
inactivity, causes an unusual elation of spirits and with merry
jests we speed along until, in a short time, we approach a low,
mound-like knoll rising in the midst of innumerable lakelets. A
strange humming, for which we were at first unable to account,
now becomes more distinct and we perceive its origin in the
united notes of scores of flocks of Brant which are dispersed
here and there over the half bare ground. Some sit along the
edges of the snow banks or upon the ground, still sleeping, while
others walk carelessly about or plume themselves in preparation
for the work before them. Their low, harsh, gutteral gr-r-r-r,

Nelson on the Black Brant. 1 33

gr-r-r-r rises in a faint monotonous matinal whose tone a week
later may waken the weird silence in unknown lands about the
Pole.

Reaching the knoll before mentioned, we pitch our tent and
after tieing the dogs to keep them within bounds we separate to
take positions for the morning night. Each of the party is soon
occupying as little space as possible behind some insignificant
knoll or tuft of grass that now and then breaks the monotonous
level. The sun rises slowly higher and higher, until, at length,
the long narrow bands of fog hovering over the bare ground are
routed. Now we have not long to wait, for, as usual at this
season, the lakes, which are frozen oyer nightly, open under the
rays of the sun between seven and nine in the morning and start
the waterfowl upon their way. The notes which, until now,
have been uttered in a low conversational tone, are raised and
heard more distinctly and have a harsher intonation. The cho-
rus swells and dies away like the sound of an aeolian harp of one
or two heavy bass strings and. as we lie close to the ground,
the wind whispers. among the dead plants in a low undertone as
an accompaniment ; but, while we lay dreaming, the sun has
done its work ; the lakes have opened, and, suddenly, a harsh
gr-r-r-r^ gr-r-r-r. gr-r-r-r causes us to spring up. but too late.
for, gliding away to the northward, the first Hock goes unscathed.
After a few energetic remarks upon Geese in general and this
fiock in particular we resume our position but keep on the alert
to do honor to the next party.

Soon, skimming along the horizon, flock after flock is seen as
they rise and hurry by on either side. Fortune now favors us
and a large flock makes directly for the ambush, their complicated
and graceful evolutions leading us to almost forget why we art-
lying here upon our face in the bog with our teeth rattling a
devil's tattoo in the raw wind. On they come, only a few feet
above the ground, until, when twenty or thirty yards away.
we suddenly rise upon one knee and strike terror into the hearts
of the unsuspecting victims. In place of the admirable order
before observed all is confusion and. seemingly in hope of mutual
protection, the frightened birds crowd into a mass over the centre
of the flock, uttering, the while, their ordinary note raised in
alarm to a higher key. This is the sporstman's time and a double
discharge as they are nearly overhead will often brine down from

134 Nelson on tlic Black Brant.

four to ten birds. Scarcely have the reports died away when they
once more glide along close to the ground ; the alarm is forgo tton ;
order is again restored, and the usual note is heard as they swiftly
disappear in the distance. Thus they continue flying until one
or two o'clock in the afternoon when, after a pause of three or
four hours, they begin again and continue until after sundown.

The migration of this species in spring generally continues for
a week to ten days from its first arrival, but during the spring of
1880 they were seen from the 20th of May until June 8th. Twice
during the breeding season, in the spring of 1S79, I saw single
birds which each time circled mutely about overhead with all
the appearance of a bird whose nest was not far away, but, if
such was the case. 1 did not succeed in finding it. My native
workman told me. at the time, that a few instances had occurred
of single nests being found here. The mouth of the Yukon
probably forms the extreme southern limit of this bird's occurrence
in the breeding season.

With the exception of the fainted Goose, the Black Brant is
the fattest of the spring Geese, and the natives smack their lips
in anticipation when the first arrivals are announced. They also
stand high in favor with the Russian residents along the coast who
refer with pride to some big day they have had shooting " Xim-
kec." and wind up with the remark that they are ''good eating,
too." For my own part I admit a decided partiality for the Black
Brant in spring; first, on account of its fatness and the consequent
important addition it makes to our table, replacing for a time
the other species of lean and sinewy Geese and Ducks: and.
secondly, for the sport it affords, occurring, as it does, in far
greater numbers than all the other species together. But, to be
properly enjoyed upon the table, they must be eaten within three
or four days of being killed, as after that time the fat begins to
become fluid about the joints anil is invested with a daily in-
creasing flavor which by no means adds to the quality of the
roast.

The flight of this species is peculiar among North American
Geese and bears a close resemblance to that of the Eider and
other species of heavy-bodied short-winged Sea Ducks. It has
a parallel in the flight of the Emperor Goose except that the
latter is a far heavier bird and. in consequence, the wing strokes
are less rapid. In B. nigricans the strokes are short, energetic,

Nelson on the Black Bra/it. 1 35

and repeated with great rapidity, carrying the bird with a velocity
for greater than that attained by any other Goose with which I am
acquainted, though probably its eastern prototype equals it in this
respect.

But this is not the point upon which the mind rests when the
birds are in view, for then the eve is held in involuntary admira-
tion of the varied and graceful evolutions of the flocks which
have a protean ability to change their form without ever breaking
the array or causing confusion. They are very gregarious and
two flocks almost invariably coalesce when they draw near eaeh
other. This frequently occurs until, as I have seen, it results in
a single flock numbering between four hundred and five hundred
birds. The usual size is considerably less, generally comprising
from twenty to fifty or more, and it is rare to see less than ten or
.fifteen in a party. At times four or five individuals become de-
tached and until they can unite with a stronger party they fly
irregularly about as though bewildered, continually uttering their
harsh notes, and hurry eagerly away to join the first flock that
comes in view. The order of flight is invariably a single rank,
the birds moving side by side in a line at right angles to their
course so that the entire strength of a flock is to be seen at a
glance along its front, which, at times, covers several hundred
yards. There is barely room enough between the individuals to
allow a free wing-stroke. Thus ranged the flock seems governed
by a single impulse, which sends it gliding along parallel and
close to the ground, then, apparently without reason, careering
thirty or forty yards overhead only to descend to its former level
as suddenly as it was left; now it sways to one side and then to
the other, while at short intervals swift undulations seem to run
from one end of the line to the other. These movements are re-
peatedly taking place; they are extremely interesting to observe
but difficult. I fear, to convey an adequate idea of in words.

The entire Mock. c< nsisting of perhaps over a hundred birds
arranged in single line, is hurrying on. straight as an arrow.
toward its destination when, without warning, it suddenly makes
a wide curving detour of several hundred yards, then resumes
its original course only to frequently repeat the maneuvre, but
always with such unison that the closest scrutiny fails to re-
veal the least break or irregularity in the line : nor does the front
of the flock swerve, excepting an occasional slight obliquity
which is corrected in a few seconds.

136 Nelson on the Black Brant.

In addition to this horizontal movement is a still more interest
ing vertical one which often occurs at the same time as the other
but generally by itself. A bird at either end of the flock rises or
descends a lew inches or several feet, as the case may be. and the
movement is instantly followed in succession by every one of its
companions till the extreme bird is reached and the entile flock is
on the new level : or. it may be that a bird near the middle of
the line changes its position when the motion extends in two
directions at once. These latter changes are made so regularly
and with such rapidity that the distance between the birds does
not appear altered in the least, while a motion exactly like a
graceful undulation runs the length of the flock lifting or depressing
it to the level of the originator of the movement. These changes
present to one's eye as the flocks approach, keeping close to the
ground, the appearance of a series of regular and swift waving-
motions such as pass along a pennant in a slight breeze.

The Black Brant never wings its way fat up in the sky. as
many other Geese have the habit of doing, but keeps, as a rule,
between ten and thirty yards above the ground, with more Hocks
below these limits than above them.

Another idiosvncracv of this bird is its marked distaste lot
passing over low ranges of hills which mav cross its path. A
striking case of this is shown here where a low spur runs out
from the distant hills in the form of a grass-covered ridge project-
ing several miles into the Hat marshy land. This ridge is from
fifty to two hundred feet above the surrounding country and bars the
course of the Black Brant. So slight an obstacle as this is enough
to cause at least ninety-five per cent of the flocks to turn abruptly
from their path and pass along its base to round the end several
miles bevond. and then continue their pas>age. In consequence
of this habit it has been a regular practice for years for the hunt-
ers to occupy positions along the front of this ridge and deal
destruction to the Brant, which still hold as pertinaciously as ever
to their right of way.

The coast, from .St. Michaels northward to about midway
between Capes Darby and Nome, is hilly, and, in consequence,
the Brant make straight across Norton Sound from this place to
the vicinity of Cape Nome whence they follow the low coast-line
to the north. As the Brant come from the south they make a
••short cut " across the low country from the mouth of the Kus-

Nelson oh the Black Brant. 137

koquine River to the Yukon delta, and in descending the various
mouths of the Yukon they invariably keep in the centre of the
channel and Hv low, generally within four or five yards of the ice
which covers the river at the time. I can account for this dislike
for flying over slight obstacles only by the supposition that by
frequenting the sea coast and salt-marshes the birds have acquired
a taste for keeping low even though at the expense of travelling
lunger distances. The same habit is shown in many Sea Ducks
• which have the custom of coasting low points rather than cross
them.

Though I have made inquiry among the natives and a number
of white men who have been as far along the coast as Point
Barrow I have been unable to definitely locate the point of their
greatest abundance in summer In autumn very few Brant are
seen here during their return to the south. Dall records a speci-
men killed at Unalaklik the 28th of September, 1S67 — the latest
date I have learned of its presence in Norton Sound in autumn.
Thev generally pass south in September, between the i^th and
the above date.

The fact of the much greater abundance of Brant here in spring
is easily accounted for when we consider that at this season the
country is hut just becoming free of snow and. consequently, the
migrants must advance slowly and cautiously as the country be-
comes habitable for them: in fall, on the contrary, the Brant.
like the other waterfowl, remain on their breeding grounds until
the sharp frosts in September hid them depart, when they pass
down the coast, through Behring's Straits, and then straight
across the sea, past the eastern Aleutian Islands into the Pacific
Ocean, thus leaving the shores of Norton .Sound out of their road.
or only to he visited by a few stragglers. Through Dall* we
learn that the Black Brant passes Fort Yukon in spring, though it
is not seen there in fall. lie also records it from the vicinity of
Xulato in spring, probably as stragglers from either up or down
the Yukon.

En the above-cited paper it is also stated that ••this Goose is
always lean, tough, and of disagreeable flavor," and that " it is
also very shy," all of which requires confirmation, since my own
experience, extending over three years, during each spring of
which I have had abundant opportunity to try them in the field

■ I tall and Bannister, Trans. ( Ihicago Vail. Sri., I, 1869, p. 295.

138 Drew on Birds of San Juan County, Colorado.

and on the table, has convinced me of exactly the contrary.

Previously in this paper I have noted the condition in which the
Brant arrives and the estimation in which it is held here. As
to its being shy, I have not seen a Goose or Duck during the
migrations here which has such a contempt for the " human form
divine." Several times I have exhausted my stock of cartridges
during a morning's Might and on starting tor camp to replenish
have been invariably tantalized by numerous flocks passing on
each side within range ami in several cases within twenty yards.
Of course not even flock will do this but at least half that came
my way seemed supremely indifferent to my presence ; and. in
some instances, shouting and waving my hat caused only a slight
deflection of their course. No doubt some of my readers will
recall, with a smile, instances when they. too. have been caught
without ammunition by wild fowl, and with what disregard they
were afterwards treated, but this is not a similar case, since 1 have
also walked along the same path at other times with plent\ of
cartridges which resulted in considerable damage to the Geese.

Mr. Bannister records the arrival of this species at St. Michaels
the 12th of May (1. c). It may occur thus early in exceptionally
early seasons but the average dates are from the i8th to n<\ of
Mav for iis arrival and about the first of June for its departure to
the north.

FIELD NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF SAX JUAN
COUNTY. COLORADO.

BY FRANK M. DREW.
[Concluded from page 9/.]

44. Spizella pallida, Bp. Clay-colored Sparrow. — Think T saw one
in September.

4.5. Zonotrichia leucophrys, Siv. White-crowned Sparrow. — Com-
mon ; breeds in bushes. In June one may see the males near their bonus,
perched on rock, bush, or even on the ground, chanting the homely song
until vou fairly tire of it. I have never heard here their beautiful spring

Drew on Birds of San yuan County. Colorado. I 39

song which thev used to sing in Illinois. A nest I found in June was
placed in a spruce bush, about three feet from the ground, and contained
four fresh eggs. After getting the first brood off their bills, the White-
crowns become scarce in the Park but numerous among the stunted bushes
above timberline, where they raise a second brood ; thus making a double
migration in the breeding season, and keeping their love-song in fashion
until late in the fall. In September they again become plentiful in the
Park. and. haunting the roads, linger until October.

46. Chondestes grammica. Bp. Lark Finch. — Common in the Park
all summer. Though I found no nests, I am confident it breeds here.

47. Pipilo maculatus arcticus. Cones. Arctic Towhee. — Found in
April ; very shy ; probably breeds.

4S. Pipilo chlorurus, Bd. Green-tailed Towhee. — Common from
April to November. A sweet songster in the breeding season, but always
very shy. Going up to a clump of bushes one day in May. a Green-tailed
Finch fluttered out from the opposite side with wings trailing, feigning
injury, at the same time uttering a sweet, complaining cry. The nest I
could not find, though I searched every foot of the thicket.

49. Sturnella magna neglecta. Allot. Western Meadow Lark. — ■
Rare. During the warm days of autumn, a few Larks straggle up from the
Animas Park, where they are quite common. I can see no cause for their
migrating the wrong way — 3000 feet up — unless it is a scarcity of food.

50. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. Cab. Blue-headed Grackle.
— In early summer I found Blackbirds rare, but in August and Septem-
ber they suddenly appeared in swarms. I have no idea where they breed,
as I could not find a nest. In fall the flocks seem to have no particular
place to go, nor even an individual mind. If two or three of a flock fly
up, clucking as they go, they will be joined by another and another until
the whole flock takes wing, making a racket like J^tiiscalus purpureus. In
October they disappear.

51. Corvus corax, Linn. Raven. — Common in fall and early winter.

52. Picicorvus columbianus, Bp. Clarke's Crow. — A not uncom-
mon resident. Keep high up until October, when thev come around camp
in search of food. They occasionally ( ? ) breed as low down as 6500 feet.
though I think but rarely, as I have found them most abundant between
12,000 and 13, ocx) feet in summer and fall. Its characteristic salute is a
long, grating •' squa-a-a-a." which sounds like the warning protest of a
setting hen.

53. Gymnocitta cyaiiDcephala. Bp. Bue Crow; PinonJay. — Very
erratic; found only in flocks. The Pinon Jay ranges fully 6doo feet higher
than pinons grow in San Juan. How high up they breed is more than I
can say. I found it in large flocks, in cottonwood groves, at 7000 feet, in
May: and again, in flocks equally as large, from 10,000 to 13,000 feet, in
October.

54. Pica rustica hudsonica. Ridg- Magpie. — A very rare resident.
Probably nests near 11,000 feet.

55. Cyanocitta stelleri macrolopha. Alien. Long-crested J \v. — Very

140 Drew on Birds of San yuan County, Colorado.

common: breeds; partially resident. Only to be fp.und at or above tim-
ber line in summer: in September they put in an appearance in the valley,
and are then a fixture. All is told of them in saying they are as versatile
as any of their cousins.

56. Aphelocoma floridana woodhousei. Allen. Woodhouse's Jay. —
Rare; but one found. — late in October.

57. Perisoreus canadensis capitalis, /W.Rockv Mountain Jay. — Resi-
dent. Quite abundant; in summer ranging from 10.000 feet to timberline-
In autumn, when on his first tour of inspection around the house, he hops
along in a curious sidling manner just like a school girl in a slow hurry.
White-headed, grave and sedate, he seems a very paragon of propriety,
and if you appear a suitable personage, he will be apt to give you a bit of
advice. Becoming confidential, he sputters out a lot of nonsense in a
manner which causes you to think him a veritable " Whiskey Jack." Yet,
whenever he is disposed, a more bland, mind-his-own-business appearing
bird will be hard to find, as also many small articles around camp after
one of his visits, for his whimsical brain has a great fanc\ for anything
which mav be valuable to you. hut perfectly useless to himself.

58. Contopus borealis. lid. Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Not very

common : breed-.

59. Contopus richardsoni, />'-/. Western Wood Pewee. — Common ;
breeds. Its unmusical notes can be heard from almost any aspen copse in
summer.

60. Empidonax trailli pusillus, Cones. Little Western Fly-
catcher.— A nest of young ami its owners were all 1 found.

01. Empidonax flavivantris diffioilis, Allen. Western Yellow-
bellied Fly< V.TCHER. — Quite common: breeds at 10.000 feet. The
nests otflaviventrh reported in [878 quite upset differences of nesting etc. .
on which to base specific rank, yet there are differences between the two
"races," quite noticible even in Empidonaccs.

62. Chordiles popetue henryi, Allen. Western Night Hawk. —
Straggles up from below in September.

63. Nephcecetes niger borealis, Coues. Black Swift. — Very com-
mon: breeds; hunts in large flocks. Remains until late in September,
a young male of the year being taken in that month.

64. Selasphorus platycercus, lip. Broad-tailed Hummingbird. —
Exceedingly abundant; breeds, and ••screeches" clear through the love
season. Ranges to the summit, where in countless basins watered b\
melting snow, primula, castilleia. calthn and other plants, form the Howcr
gardens of the world.

65. Selasphorus rufus, Sm. Rufous-backed Hummingbird. — Rare:
breeds.

66. Hylotomu > pileatus, Bd. Pileated Wo idpecker. — 1 have been
told of "a great big Woodpecker" and from the description, think it to he
this bird.

67. Picus villosus harrisi, Allen. Harris's Woodpecker. — Very
abundant; much more so than the next: breeds. Ranges to timberline.

Drew on Birds of San ytian County, Colorado. 141

68. Picus pubescens gairdneri. Cones. Gairdner's Woodpecker. —
Common ; resident.

69. Picoides americanus dorsalis, Bd. Striped-backed Wood-
pecker.— Formerly rare, but has become a not uncommon resident in the
past two years.

70. Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis, Bd. Nuchal Woodpecker. —
Rare, and very shy; breeds. Its taps cause a peculiar, rattling sound,
quite different from the ordinary " rat-tap-tap " and several times led me
long chases after a "rare bird" which I only knew by its supposed notes.

71. Colaptes mexicanus, S-v. Red-shafted Flicker. — Common
from April to November; breeds.

72. Otus vulgaris wilsonius, Allen. Long-eared Owl. — But one
found.

73. Symium cineieum, Aud. Great Gray Owl. — One evening in
February, just at dark, I saw a pair of large, gray, tuftless Owls which I
think were of this species. Its "hoots" were different from those of Bubo
virginianus.

74. Circus cyaneus hudsonius. Sc/il. Marsh Hawk. — A pair was
found in September, at 14.000 feet.

75. Accipiter fuscus. Gray. Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Occasionally
found; breeds?

76. Accipter cooperi. Gray. Cooper's Hawk. — Occasionally met
with.

77. Astur atricapillus, Jard. Goshawk. — A rare resident.

78. Falco sparverius, Linn. Sparrow Hawk. — Common. Abun-
dant in fall near the summit, where they live on mice and grasshoppers.
Breeds.

79. Buteo borealis, Vieill. Red-tailed Hawk. — Breeds. Was very
common in September, in the grassy parks above timberline.

So. Buteo borealis calurus, Ridg. Western Red-tailed Hawk. —
Breeds; resident?

81. Aquila chrysaetus, Linn. Golden Eagle. — Not uncommon;
resident.

S2. Cathartes aura. III. Turkey Buzzard. — Seen in fall inconsid-
erable numbers.

83. Zenaidura carolinensis, Bp. Carolina Dove. — Rare; breeds.

84. Lagopus leucurus, Szv. White-tailed Ptarmigan. — Very com-
mon ; breeds. They are only found above timberline in summer, where they
feed on the leaves and flowers of Caltha leptosefala. During winter
storms they descend to the valleys, hiding amongst the willows and eating
willow buds. They are usually quiet during the day, but active and noisy
in the evening, making a cackling like Prairie Chickens. Part of the
usual description of the Ptarmigan is "tail always white." This, in so far
as my observations extend, is not correct in regard to the first, or nestling,
plumage, when the tail is like the back, — white, with grayish-brown
blotches. They have from eight to ten young at a brood. A number I have
taken this winter (18S0) have the usual white plumage suffused with a
delicate pink flush, enhancing their beauty wonderfully.

142 Drew on Birds of San yuan County, Colorado.

85. Tetrao obscurus, Say. Dusky Grouse. — Common ; breeds. The

Grouse, as it is called in contradistinction to the "Mountain Quail," or
Ptarmigan, hugs the very border of timberline throughout the year;
wandering above in fall after " hoppers," and coming down a little into the
thick woods during severe winter weather. In summer their food con-
sists of insects and berries, and at this time their flesh is excellent: but as
soon as early frosts cut short this diet they teed on spruce needles, whence
their flesh acquires a strong flavor.

86. .SJgialitis vociferus, Bp. Killdeer Plover. — Found in spring;
breeds.

87. Gallinago wilsoni, Bp. Wilson's Snipe. — Found in spring and
fall ; breeds.

88. Tringoides macularius, <i><tv. Spotted Sandpiper. — Common:
breeds. The noisy "Peet-weet" is found on nearly every sandy flat in
(he river. Remains until late in August.

89. Grus canadensis, Temtn. Sandhill Crane. — I saw a large
flock pas^ over in September, at an elevation of 15,000 feet. They breed
in the upper part of Animas Park, at 7000 feet. When on the ground the
Sandhill is not an object of beauty, but a prettier vignette is not pro-
duced anywhere than you can find in autumn on the plains of Kansas,
where you see hundreds of these Cranes high in air, their long bodies
en silhouette against the sky, with fleecyclouds near by formingthe bound-
aries of the enchanted circle.

90. iinas bochas, Linn. Mallard. — Common.

91. Chaulelasmus streperus. dray. Gadwall. — A small flock
found in September.

9:. Querquedula discors, Stcpli. Blue-winoed Teal. — An au-
tumnal visitant.

93. Fuligula marila. Step//. Greater Blackhead. — Seen in De-
cember.

<;4- Fuligula affinis, Eyton. Lesser Bi u kiii dad. — Found occasion-
ally in winter.

95. Histrionicus minutus, Cones. Harlequin Dick. — Common;
said to breed.

Some of the following are accredited to the county by local observers,
while the others may possibly range as high up as the pines, which just
reach into San Juan. If they come at all, however, it is hut rarely.

1. Turdus swainsoni, Cab. Swainson's Thrush. — " At 9200."

2. Sitta canadensis aculeata. Allot. Slender-billed Nuthatch.
— I found this Nuthatch very rare all through southern Colorado, from
6500 to 8000 feet. In June I found the bird in New Mexico, at 8000 feet.
My experience with it coincides exactly with Mr. T. M. Trippe's account
given in "Birds of the North-west." page 230. Its song gave me no clue
to the author, and more than once I thought it was a Flicker's call.

3. Deudrceca graciae, Cones. Grace's Warbler. — A dainty little
inhabitant of the pines up to 7500 feet, and perhaps higher. Common on
the tributaries of the Rio San Juan.

Brewster on the Breeding of the 'Acadian Owl. 1 43

4. Loxia curvirostra americana, Cones. Common Crossbill. —
Scattered irregularly all through the pine woods. Breeds at 7500 feet.

5. Xanthocephalus icterocephalus, Bd. Yellow-headed Black-
bird. ■ — -- At 9300 feet."

6. Corvus americanus, And. Common Crow. — "At 9300 feet."
The Crows of Southwest Colorado have many a lesson to learn. Gun in
hand. I have walked past within a few feet of half a dozen who merely
honored me with an idle stare.

7. Cypselus saxatilis. Ridg. White-throated Swift. — -'At 10,000
feet: breeds."

8. Ceryle alcyon, Bote. Belted Kingfisher. — I have found it as
high as 9500 feet. Breeds on all the lower rivers.

9. Melanerpes torquatus. Bp. Lewis's Woodpecker. — Very com-
mon up to 7000 feet.

BREEDING OF THE ACADIAN OWL (NYCTALE
AC AD I C A) IN MASSACHUSETTS.

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

So far as I can ascertain, the single egg of the Acadian Owl
which is preserved in the National collection at Washington is
the only authentic example known. It accordingly gives me
unusual pleasure to announce the recent acquisition of a fine set
of fully identified specimens taken by Mr. W. Perham at Tyngs-
boro, Mass.. April 5. 1SS1. Mr. Perham is probably already
known to some of the readers of the Bulletin as a remarkably
successful collector of Hawks and Owls. He takes many eggs
of the Mottled Owl by hanging up artificial nests in suitable
places in the woods. These " nests" are made from sections of
hollow trunks boarded up at the open ends, with entrance-holes
cut in the sides, and the Owls apparently find them cpiite to their
taste for they freely appropriate them, both as roosting and nest-
ing places.

Sometime late in March of the present year a pair of Saw-
whets took possession of one which was nailed against the trunk
of an oak in an extensive piece of woodland. No nest was made,
the eggs being simply laid on- a few leaves which squirrels

144 Brewster on the Breeding of the Aeadian Che I.

had taken in during the winter. There were tour eggs on April
4, and as the number was not increased the following day, Mr.
Perham decided that the set was complete and accordingly took
the parent birds with their clutch. He writes me that he made
many unsuccessful attempts to catch the female on her eggs.
She invariably flew out when he began to climb the tree, and he
was at length obliged to shoot her. This behavior is strikingly
different from that of the Mottled Owl under similar circum-
stances, for the setting female of the latter species can always be
taken off her nest by the hand, and even when pulled out of the
hole rarely makes any attempt to escape. The male Saw-whet
was shot while sitting on a branch near the nesting-hole.

So much for the particulars of the capture ; now a word as to
the specimens themselves.

The eggs were sent to me unblown : the birds, in the flesh.
Had there been'anv reason to doubt the truth of Mr. Perham's
representations, this fact would have set the matter at rest. The
belly of the female was bare and wrinkled, showing that incuba-
tion had begun, but among her ovaries I found two eggs de-
veloped to the size of large buck-shot, which upon being cut
open yielded a small quantity of yellow yelk. From this I infer
that two more eggs would have been added to the set, perhaps,
as with the Cuckoos and some other birds, after those first laid
were well along towards hatching. The plumage of both male
and female is clear and unworn but their coloring is much paler
than in autumnal examples.

The eggs were perfectly fresh. The yelk was yellow of about
the usual tint. The four specimens measured respectively 1.2 1 x
.9^; 1. 21 x .98; 1. 25 x. 96; 1.25 x. 97. They are nearly elliptical
in shape, one end being only slightly more pointed than the other.
The texture of the shell is rather rough and chalky in appearance
and there is not the slightest perceptible polish. Two of them
are much soiled with a brownish stain which easily washes oft",
and which was perhaps caused by contact with damp and decay-
ing vegetable matter in the nest ; the other two are pure, dead
white. The Smithsonian specimen is very much smaller than
the present ones, measuring, according to Dr. Brewer (B. N. A.,
Vol. Ill, p. 47), only .95 x .SS.

The above detailed facts may be regarded as furnishing the
first positive evidence we have of the breeding of this Owl in

C. N. Allen 071 Songs of the Western Meadow Lark. 145

Massachusetts. In one of the early numbers of the Bulletin
(Vol. II, No. 3, p. 84), however, Mr. Deane announced the
occurrence near Boston of several young birds which were taken
in June and July, and hence the present record will not be entirely
unexpected. In this connection it is scarcely worth while to.
consider the supposed Saw-whet's egg which Minot mentions*
as '"found in a pine-wood near Boston, .... lying on the ground
(not far from a tree in which a Saw-whet had previously been
seen)." This record, with many similar ones by the same author.
may simply be ignored as unworthy the attention of the careful
student of ornithology.

SONGS OF THE WESTERN MEADOW LARK
(STLTRNELLA NEGLECTA).

BY CHARLES N. ALLEN.

No. 1. (See next page.) The song which first called my atten-
tion to the Western Meadow Lark.

Nos. 2, 12, 23. Alike in time and'form but somewhat unlike
in melody.

No. 6. An odd melody, but a common one, usually followed
by a short musical gurgle which I cannot reduce to musical char-
acters.

No. 1 1 . Finished by singing the last three notes an octave
lower than the first part leads one to expect.

No. 20. One of four distinct and dissimilar melodies sung by
one bird without leaving his perch.

No. 24. The singer passes from "G " to ikD" with a sweep,
as is often done on a violin.

No. 25. A part of the Lark's soft song. This is very in-
complete, but gives some idea of the song. It was caught by
me in four detached portions, and I am not sure that I have them
in the right order. The notes are correct, though their sequence
may be wrong. All the other songs in this paper belong to the
loud class. I am inclined to think that if the Meadow Lark's
soft song were familiarly known, his reputation as a singer would

* Land anil Game Birds of" New England, p. 334.

146 C. N. Allen on Songs of the Western Meadow Lark.
1. J = 200 in a minute. 9. » — 200.

V

3=^:

S

-JT*

H=*:

2. J= 120.

s#=t

ifcf

t

fed

3. J =180.

■£=1

-T;

EEiEEi:

4. j = 180.

F3^

$4— *— a- '-f— *

4=

**4

5. J = 200.

3=f=ttE

-4->=^

+-Ht-

5=5

6 si =120. *

=£:

7- J — 200.

+ *

8. J = 200

1

*^

3=*

■9- r-*

-*-*

16. J = 200.

^^PsB

-*«-

10. j = 200.

s

l^g^^a

11. J = 200.
8va.

^-rJSl-

12. j = 120.

^S

13. J= 180.

S-SH

14. J= 120.

BhuJ^i ri m

^.-"-^J

15. J= 120.

^^^SP

18. J= 120.

t<fcfc-=^E==t=3 llaHt^-lfe^R-

C. X. Allen on Songs of the Western Meadow Lark. 147

17. J — 20G.

'^A

£££

20. J — 200.

£3

h J 1 -b— n— ^

^=^

H

21. J= 120

S:

s

22. J = 200.

&-

KI

-J&

3=5 -£S*

ffi

23. J = 120.

8v(l.

ova. 's^aan

24. J = 200.

25. J=:200.

» — ^#— •-

4^-

26.

27.

HHi^ hferi' tfirJN

be materially enhanced. This imperfect part of the song is also
in more regular time than I have heard save in the short, loud
melodies, which are strikingly regular, and of which I will speak
further on.

Regarding this soft song, I am not yet sure that the bird has more
than one ; but I suppose that he has, since his repertory of short,
ringing melodies is so large. These latter are easily studied,
because they are audible at such a distance as to enable one to
avoid approaching so near as to alarm the singer. It is not so
with the soft song, and to hear it well one must run the risk of

140 C. N. Allen on Songs of the Western Alcadoiv Lark.

frightening the bird. One should not be more than fifty feet away,
or he will fail to catch the beauties of this song, and even then
all else should be silent. I have called this the soft song. I will call
it rather the piano song, and those of the loud class, forte songs,
so as to readily distinguish them. The piano song has tones very
subdued and ineffably sweet and liquid. Often in the midst of
soft warbles, runs, and trills, will be heard the music of one of
the forte songs, only given in such a quiet way as to seem like an
echo. Two or three times, also, in the course of his song, he
introduces two antiphonal musical passages, the second being a
sort of answer to the first, and completing it. The third bar of
No. 25 is an example of this.

The piano song, whenever I have heard it, has always had one
of the forte songs as a prelude, and fills the interval between each
repetition of the latter. The moment the piano song is finished,
a forte song is introduced, immediately followed again by the
piano song, and this continues until there have been several repe-
titions of the pair of melodies, occupying, in their production,
from three to five minutes. While the forte songs consume but
three or four seconds, the piano songs last from 20 to 25 seconds.

The piano song has such length, contains so many notes, and
is sung with such rapidity that it is very difficult to reduce it to
musical characters. While my ear retains one passnge, and my
pencil is writing it, the bird sings the whole song, and has per-
chance flown away, leaving me with only a fragment. I hope
to secure the entire melody (or several of them if they exist).
by catching detached portions, and arranging them in their order.
Melody, time, and pitch must all be grasped at once, and much
practise can alone accomplish it. Were it only to hear the mel-
ody played upon piano or violin, the task of retaining it in mem-
ory long enough for transcription would be comparatively easy.

This paper contains twenty-five of the forte songs of the West-
ern Meadow Lark. This number is probably only a small
percentage of the melodies of this class contained in the bird's
repertory. I have heard many other melodies which the want of
pencil and paper, or obstacles of other kinds,- prevented me from
taking down. No. 26 I heard April 5, just at dark, while riding
in one of the gulches of Green Mountain, and retained it in
memory until I reached home.

All the forte songs have clear, ringing tones, which are audible

C. N. Allen on Songs of the Western Meadow Lark. 1 49

at a considerable distance. I have heard them when I was six
or seven hundred feet away from the singer, quite as distinctly
as I could hear a loud call of the ordinary human voice.

I know of no musical instrument whose quality of tone — timbre
— is like that of Sturnella neglecta. I have thought that a
combination of the tones of the Boehm flute and a good, glass
dulcimer might represent it pretty accurately. It has qualities
heard in the notes of the Bobolink, and of the Baltimore Oriole.

Many of the forte songs have a general similitude, but are
sufficiently diverse to constitute distinct melodies ; while others
are decidedly unique and individual. Nos. 7 and 13, though in
different keys, are very nearly alike. Many of them are melodies
whose notes follow the simplest laws of musical progression,
while others either introduce into the body of the song two or
three notes which seem odd and out of place, or end in a note
which the foregoing notes do not naturally lead us to expect.
The note "E," in No. 23, is a case of the former kind, and "C,"
in No. 16, of the latter. I have noticed that very many songs
begin with either two or three notes of equal length, but songs
with other beginnings are common.

It was my good fortune in March, 1S79, to watch and listen to
a Western Lark about thirty feet distant, while he sang four dis-
tinct melodies without leaving his perch, changing from one to
another without apparently observing any particular oixler. As
regards variety in his songs, I do not know, further than this
instance, what powers the bird has. I have often heard one bird
sing two, and occasionally three melodies entirely dissimilar, save
in quality of tone.

The time in which the forte songs are sung is quite regular.
I have heard no passages which could be marked accelerando or
ritardando. I have tried so to place the bars in these melodies
as to indicate the correct rhythm, and think I have succeeded in
doing so, since I have detected no error after hearing each song
scores of times under favorable circumstances. No. 3, however,
I have heard sung with another accent. (See No. 27.)

The quality of the bird's tones is so unique that I have had
difficulty in determining actual pitch, and I am inclined to think
that some of the songs are sung an octave higher than they are
written. Still, many of the lower tones have a depth of sound
which excites my wonder, knowing how small is the organ which

150 C. N. Allen on Songs of the Western Meadow Lark'

produces them. These tones have a trace of the quality of a rich,
pure alto voice, when singing helow "middle C." The relative
pitch is generally correct ; though a few of the songs may be out
of the way a semitone or even a tone.

The melodies of these various forte songs are correct. Many
years of familiarity with the study of music enables me to speak
positively on this point. But the bird occasionally varies the
melody in one or two notes. In No. 8, the lower "A" is some-
times changed to "B." Numbers 7 and 13, cited above, also
furnish a case in point.

I am somewhat uncomfortably conscious that this paper sadly
conflicts with some of the statements made in a most delightful
article in the May number of " Harper's Monthly Magazine."
1878, entitled " Song Birds of the West." But may it not be
that the eminent writer is not a musician?

He speaks of the song of the Western Lark ; there are mam
very distinct songs, as this paper shows. I cannot apply the writer's
syllables, " tung\ tung\ tung-ah — twil'lak, twil'lah, tung\"
to any of the bird's songs that I have heard, and get them to iit
in any way. Even notes, the best representatives of musical
sounds, give but a partial idea of these melodies : how much less
will syllables accomplish it ! While the songs of some Oscincs
seem to contain sounds which are accompanied by a kind of
articulation (that of the "Shore Lark" being one), andean be
partially represented by syllables, I have as yet heard nothing of
the kind in any of the songs of the bird under consideration.
They are sung in tones pure and simple, which have no more
articulation or syllabication than those of the flute or violin.
Then the first part of a song, supposing " lung, tung\ tung-
ah" to indicate it, never has, in so far as I have heard, more than
two notes in succession which are " alike intone and accent:"
nor have I been able to identify the " sort of half trill " in the
second part ; although I can, in some songs, detect the k' rising
inflection," and several songs end in a note similar to the first.

Regarding the piano song, I should have said above that it is by
no means as frequently sung as the forte songs. A bird will
repeat a forte song a score of times, leaving silent intervals
between the repetitions, instead of filling them in. as he some-
times does, with the piano song.

I have frequently heard the bird sing a forte song while on the
wing, sometimes repeating it twice before alighting.

Cory on the Birds of Haiti . 1 5 I

LIST OF THE BIRDS OF HAITI, TAKEN IN DIF-
FERENT PARTS OF THE ISLAND BETWEEN
JANUARY 1 AND MARCH 12, 1SS1.

RV CHARLES B. CORY.

i. Mimocichla ardesiaca ( Vieill,).— Abundant in the vicinity of Fort
Jacques at an altitude of about 2500 feet above the level of the sea. Speci-
mens were also taken near Port-au-Prince, but only on two or three
occasions, and then in the thickest and most secluded localities. High
up in the mountains we often observed it flying about in the ope"n. Its
note somewhat resembles that of our common Robin (Turdus migra-
toriits). The food consists mainly of insects and berries.

The Haitian bird differs from specimens taken in Porto Rico in being
somewhat smaller and having the bill more highly colored.

2. Mimiis orpheus dominicus, (Linn.) Bryant. — An abundant
resident species. Its habits, food, etc., appear to be identical with those
of M. polyglottus.

3. Myiadestes montanus, Cory. (See antea, p. 130.) — An appar-
ently rare species frequenting the summits of the highest mountains-
The natives call it " Musician" and have a variety of opinions concern-
ing it. It is generally thought to be a spirit, which, if seen, would bring
misfortune to the person who was so unfortunate as to meet with it.
Others consider it to be an insect. We procured a single specimen in
the neighborhood of Fort Jacques.

4. Siurus auricapillus (Linn.). — Common winter visitant.

5. Siurus ludovicianus ( Vieill.). — Two specimens taken ; very large,
but otherwise identical with the northern bird.

6. Mniotilta varia (Linn.).— Common winter visitant.

7. Parula americana (Linn.). — Winter visitant; common in the
vicinity of Gonaives and Port-au-Prince.

8. Dendrceca tigr:'na (Gm.). — Very abundant in February and March.

9. Dendrceca caerulescens (Linn.). — Abundant in February and
March."

10. Dendrceca coronata (Linn.). — Common in winter.

11. Dendrceca discolor ( Vieill.). — Winter visitant.

12. Dendrceca palmarum (Gm.). — Common winter visitant.

13. Geothlypis trichas (Z/««.).— Common in winter.

14. Setophaga ruticilla (Linn.).— Very abundant in winter.

15. Certhiola cluciae, Hartl.— Abundant in some localities among
the mountains. At Petionville we observed it daily running about the
trunks of the bananna trees. None were seen in the low land of the
interior.

152 Cory on the Birds of Haiti.

16. Petrochelidon fulva {Lin/t.). — A single specimen, taken Febru-
ary 10. At Gonaives several flocks were observed flying about the houses,
but the next day none were seen and we did not meet with it again dur-
ing our stay on the island.

17. Vireo altiloquus barbatulus {Vieill.) Cab. — Occasionally met
with near the coast.

iS. Dulus dominicus {Linn.). — A gregarious species, abundant
among the mountains, usually in the vicinity of cocoanut trees. The
food consists of insects and fruit in the season. The sexes are similar.

19. Euphonia musica {Gm.). — A single specimen in immature
plumage taken at Le Coup (Petionville). As I believe the stage of
plumage to be hitherto undescribed I give it in detail :

c? juv. Forehead pale orange; top of the head grayish blue; back
olive-green blotched with dark blue; rump brownish-orange ; wings anil
tail black, some of the tertiaries and coverts edged with olive-green.
Underparts olive-green, marked with brownish on the throat; dark
orange, shaded with greenish, on the belly and crissum. Bill and feet
black.

20. Spindalis multicolor {Vieill.). — Apparently rare. Two speci-
mens, taken in March in full breeding plumage.

21. Phcenicophilus palmarum {Linn.). — Very abundant among the
mountains. At Le Coup it was one of the most common species. None
were observed at Jacmel on the south side of the mountains, where it
seemed to be replaced by P. dominicensis. It resembles a Vireo in habits,
and is very tame and unsuspicious. The note is a short sharp chip.
usually uttered when in the act of taking flight. The food consists of
fruit and insects of various species. The sexes are similar.

22. Phcenicophilus dominicensis, Cory. (See antea, p. 129.) —
Several specimens taken, all on the south coast, in the vicinity of Jacmel.
None were observed elsewhere.

23. Loxigilla violacea {Linni). — An abundant resident species
although not often seen, on account of its retiring habits and the localities
which it frequents being in many cases inaccessible.

24. Phonipara bicolor {L^inn.). — Resident and common.

25. Phonipara olivacea {Gm.). — A rather common resident. Its
note is a continuous trill, very soft and sweet. It also "chirps" in a
manner much resembling P. bicolor. The female differs from the male
in having the face-markings of a much paler vellow and smaller. The
stomachs of two specimens dissected contained the remains of insects and
one or two small berries.

26. Chrysomitris dominicensis, Bryant. — Several specimens taken
in the mountains near Petionville.

27. Icterus dominicensis {Linn.). — A resident species, very abun-
dant in the interior. They are gregarious, and during the months of
February and March flocks of from ten to fifty individuals were seen
every day at Petionville flying about among the orange-trees. The sexes
are alike. Immature specimens have the throat blackish, head and back
pale brown, and underparts greenish-yellow.

Cory on the Birds of Haiti. 1 53

2S. Quiscalus ater, Baird. — Common about the lakes and rivers of
the interior.

29. Corvus leucognaphalus? Daud. — The state of confusion which
exists at the present time regarding this genus is such that the identifica-
tion of specimens without actual comparision has become well-nigh
impossible. A large flock of Crows were met with in the vicinity of
Gantier, and several specimens taken which differ somewhat from the
description of C. leucognaphalus; but as further description of supposed
new forms would only add to the general uncertainty, I provisionally
refer it to this species.

30. Pitangus gabbii, Laivr. — A resident species, apparently not un-
common in the interior. Several specimens taken.

31. Myiarchus stolidus (Gossc). — Resident and common throughout
the island.

32. Tyrannus dominicensis (Gm.). — Several specimens taken.

33. Tyrannus griseus ( Vieill.). — Resident and common.

34. Lampornis aurulentus (Vz'eill.). — Very abundant among the
mountains at an elevation of one thousand feet and upwards. Although
often observed hovering over some flower or perched upon a small twig
within a few feet of the ground, it seemed as a rule to prefer the topmost
branches of the tallest trees. One huge giant in particular seemed to be
an especial favorite. It grew in a small valley upon the outskirts of
Petionville and I rarely passed without observing a dozen or more of this
pretty little species darting in and out among its topmost branches, ap-
pearing like flies in the distance.

35. Mellisuga minima {Linn.). — Although this little species is very
abundant in some portions of Haiti, it is by no means an easy matter to
procure specimens. Even after the bird is killed its extreme smallness
and plain coloration render it a difficult object to find amongst the luxuri-
ent tropical vegetation which everywhere covers the ground. I have
often observed the male bird perched upon a twig singing merrily, turn-
ing his head from side to side as if greatly enjoying his own music. The
song consists of a succession of " tzveeps" often continued for from one to
two minutes without intermission, and may be distinctly heard at a dis-
tance of thirty yards.

36. Sporadinus elegans {Vieill.). — Apparently rare, as only four
specimens were taken ; two near Gantier, in the low country bordering
the lake, and two in the vicinity of Le Coup.

37. Cypselus phcenicobius (Gosse.). — Abundant in the interior in
and about Gantier near the lakes; specimens were also taken at Jacmel.

38. Antrostomus carolinensis {Gm.). — Several specimens taken;
apparently does not differ from the northern bird.

39. Picumnus lawreucii, Cory. (See antea, p. 129, pi. I.)— Probably
rare. Two specimens taken, a male and a female, the first at Jacmel and the
other among the mountains near Petionville. Its habits resemble those
of a Woodpecker, it climbing about the trunks of trees in search of its
food. It has a short, sharp note, generally uttered while Hying. The nest

I ^4 Cory on the Birds of Haiti.

is built in a hole in the trunk of a tree. I have placed this species in
the genus Picumnus provisionally, as there are several slight points of
difference which may admit of its generic separation.

40. Centurus striatus {Bodd.). — An abundant resident species, found
everywhere among the mountains wherever large trees are to be found.

41. Todus dominicensis. Lafr. — Resident and very abundant. They
are very pugnacious in disposition, constantly fighting among themselves.
Sometimes two would meet in the air, lock their bills together and whirl
round and round until they struck the ground, when, after a short battle.
one would fly away the other following in pursuit. When suddenly sur-
prised it often utters a peculiar noise resembling the snort of a pig.

42. Ceryle alcyon {Lint/.). — Common winter visitant.

43. Crotophaga ani, Linn. — An abundant resident species, general lv
observed in flocks feeding in the fields or perched upon the branches of a
bush, uttering from time to time a curious but not unmusical whistle.
It is not particular as to food, insects, hectics, berries, or fruits being
equally acceptable: An ^^^ procured at Jacmel is of a greenish blue color,
covered with a white chalky coating.

44. Saurothera dominicensis. Lafr. — The present species is known
to the inhabitants as the " Lizard-catcher," and it is not inappropriately
named. It waits quietly, standing perfectly motionless, until a lizard
comes within its reach and then with surprising quickness darts upon
and kills it. I have seen lizards four or five inches long killed in this way.
It has a long loud call consisting of a series of quickly repeated cries
somewhat resembling that of our Golden-winged Woodpecker (Colaftes
auratus).

4^. Coccygus minor (Gm.). — Several specimens taken.

(.6. Chrysotis sallei. Scl. — Abundant on the coast in summer hut
retiring to the interior during the winter. A single specimen was pro-
cured at Jeremie.

47. Speotyto cunicularia dominicensis (Mo/.) Baird. — Resident
and very abundant in the low scrub bordering the large lakes of the
interior.

45. Tinnunculus sparverius var? (Linn.). — Not uncommon. Several
specimens taken.

49. Nisus fuscus (Gm.). — A single specimen taken, representing a
very pale stage of plumage.

50. Chamaepelia passerina (Linn.). — Abundant.

51. Zenaidura carolinensis, Bonap. — Very abundant in some locali-
ties.' In the vicinity of Gantier it is constantly seen flying about among
the low growth.

^2. Columba leucocephala, Linn. — Abundant in the interior.
153. Ortyx virginiana (Linn.). — Introduced many years ago. accord-
ing to the statement of the inhabitants. Common.

54. Tringoides macularius I Linn.). — Several specimens taken near
Tacmel.

55. Ardea rufa, Bodd. — Several seen.

Cory on the Birds of Haiti. 155

56. Ardea casrulea, Linn. — Two specimens taken.

57. Ardea virescens, Linn. — One specimen, taken near Port-au-
Prince.

58. Aramus scolopaceus giganteus {Gm.) BJ>. — Considered a great
delicacy by the inhabitants who claim it is not uncommon. Two speci-
mens taken.

59. Parra violacea, Cory- (See ant eh, p. 130.) — A single specimen
taken near Gantier. The natives seemed to know the bird and stated
that it was not uncommon about the lakes of the interior.

60. Gallinula galeata {Lie///.). — Common about Lake Enriquills near
Gantier.

61. Porphryrio martinica {Linn.). — Several specimens taken at the
lakes.

62. Pulica americana, Gin. — Common.

63. Phoenicopterus ruber, Linn. — One seen; probablv common in
some localities.

64. Pelecanus fuscus, Linn. — Abundant on the coast.

65. Tachypetes aquilus {Linn.). — Several specimens seen.

With the exception of the Water Birds, the foregoing list in-
cludes nearly all the species previously recorded from Haiti and
Santo Domingo, besides a number new to the Island, and four
new species.*

Dr. Bryant's list of the birds of Santo Domingo (Proc. Boston
Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XI, p. 89) contains a number of species
not observed by our party. Some of them are questionable, be-
ing in all probability wrongly identified. They are as follows:
Dendroeca dominica, Temnotrogon rhodogaster, Corvus
jamaicensis? Progne do7ni>iice)isis, Saurothera vieillotii,
Picus passer i nits, Conurus chloropterus? Columba corensis,
Geotrygon martinica, Numida meleagris? Ardea luce?
Ardea candidissima, sEgialitis vociferus, Himantopus tnexi-
canusP Ghicrquedula discors, Podiceps dominions, Sula
fit sea? Sula dactylatraP Anous stolidus, Sterna fuliginosa,
Sterna rcgia . Sterna antillarum, Phaeton Jlavirostris. Piiffi-
nus obscurus.

* Described in this number of the Bulletin, pp. 129, 130.

156 Jeffries 017 tlie Primaries of Birds.

ON THE NUMBER OF PRIMARIES IN BIRDS.

BY J. AMORY JEFFRIES.

Little attention has been paid to the number of primaries in
the different species of birds save in the Oscines, where the
number has been supposed to vary from nine to ten. In [840
Nitzsch, in his great work on the feather tracts of birds, showed
that nearly all birds, except the nine-primaried species, had ten
primaries. However, he showed that the Storks, Flamingoes.
some species of Colymbus, Alca torda. and some species of
Uria had eleven primaries. Later Sundevall* showed that the
wing feathers are, like those of the rest of the body, in quincunx
order. In treating of the primaries, lie says that they vary from
nine to eleven, the only cases of the last number being found in
Podiccps, Phanicopterus, Anastomus, Tantalus, Ciconia.
Musophaga, and CorytJiaix. The first primary, when present,
is inserted on the third phalanx of the II finger, at least in Podi-
ccps. the second primary on the second phalanx, the third and fourth
on the first phalanx, and the rest on the metacarpal. Sundevall
also states that there are as many coverts as primaries.

Until the publication of Band's •• Review of American Birds."
it was supposed that Passerine birds varied in the number of their
primaries, some families, as the Thrushes, having ten prima-
ries, others, as the Tanagers, and Finches, having nine, and in
one group, the Vireos, some species were thought to have nine,
others ten primaries. In the work above referred to Professor
Baird showed that in nine-primaried Osciues there were two
" little feathers " placed at the end of the wing, which he con-
siders, judging from position and color, to be the first primary
and covert. In ten-primaried birds there is but one little feather.
which Professor Baird called a covert.

In 1S76, Dr. Couesf repeated the observations of Professor
Baird in all the North American families of Oscines. He found
that, with the possible exception of Collurio and Ampclis.\ all

* Kong. Vetenskaps Academien Handlingar, 1843, ubersetzt im Cabanis's Journ. fur
Orn., III. Jahr. (1855), pp. 118-168.
t Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, I, No. 3, Sept., 1876, pp. 60-63.
\ . Impelis has two little feathers.

Jeffries on tlic Primaries of Birds. 157

the ten-primaried families have but one " little feather" while
the nine-prim aried birds have two. Dr. Coues comes to the
conclusion that the second little feather is the homologue of the
first primary in ten-primaried birds. Next he passes on to the
first " little feather" and considers the pros and cons of this being
a primary also, but does not commit himself. He states that size
and shape point to its being a primary : that color, principally
relied on by Prof. Baird. points both ways ; and " that if the
feathers be not a covert, then the first fully developed primary has
none, while the rest have one apiece."

In 1S78, Mr. Batchelder* showed that the second "little
feather" is sometimes developed into a spurious quill, thus con-
firming the supposition of Professor Baird. About the same
time Dr. Couesf again returned to the subject, only this time he
implies that both the '• little feathers" are primaries. He states
that size, shape, and position are in favor of the first ••little
feather" being a primary, while "coloration is against such hy-
pothesis," though it sometimes points the other way. as in Sitta
carol inensis. He entirely omits his argument about the first
primary having no covert, though he refers the readers to his
paper in the Bulletin.

Before going farther it is necessary to study the feathers on the
wing in regard to position, structure, color, and shape. The
feathers of the wing are naturally divided into four or more sets.
These are (1) the remiges with their coverts above and below ;
(2) the contour feathers of the upper surface: (3) the contour
feathers of the lower surface; (4) the contour feathers of the
anterior edge, and the feathers of the false wing. The remiges
are developed along the posterior, or radial, edge of the fore-arm
and hand. Each remex has two coverts, one above and one
below — the upper covert more distal in position than the remex
it belongs to — - which serve to a greater or less degree in flight.
The coverts are arranged in quincunx order in relation to the
remiges. and morphologically are only the contour feathers next
to the remiges. However, they show such constant relations to
the remiges that they are naturally classed with them. The
remaining feathers of the upper and lower surfaces are contour

* Hull. Nutt. Omith Club, III, Nfo. 2, Apr., 1878,1111.97-98.
t Birds of the Colorado Valley, Pt. I. pp. f.86 187. foot note.

158 Jeffries on tJic Primaries of Birds.

feathers more or less modified. Here it is only necessary to note
that since all feathers are in quincunx order, they hear definite
relations to each other.

The feathers of the anterior edge run in two or more rows
along the fore-arm and hand, certain ones being modified to form
the spurious wing. Since these are continued to the very tip of
the index finger they often fall into rank with the primaries and
coverts of the opposite aspect, and hence can not be distinguished
by their geometrical relations from the primaries and coverts.
They can he distinguished from primaries, however small, by their
relations to the finger bones. The primaries are always on the
so-called flexor face, the feathers of the anterior surface are on tin-
opposite face. As a rule these two surfaces are separated by
the tip of the index finger, which, generally, projects, and in
young Ducks bears a claw.

There is no positive distinction between any of the feathers as
regards structure and shape. The feathers of the upper and
lower surfaces gradually shade into the primaries. Professor
Baird has endeavored to distinguish the primaries from the coverts
by their colors. Hut Dr. Coues has shown that the difference in
color, when present, does not always separate the coverts from
thi' primaries, and that in main species there is no difference in
color. So we are forced to the conclusion that the only reliable
means of determining a primary or other feather is by its position.
Allowing that position is the true key to the homology of the wing
feathers, it is evident that in all attempts to determine the number
of primaries in birds we should begin with the most simple con-
dition of the feather : in short, we should study the embryo and
fledgeling. The study of these also has the advantage that they
are much less specialized than the adult.

I shall now take up several of the groups of birds represented
in North America in relation to the number of their primaries,
considering the young whenever they have been procurable.

Oscincs. In a young nine-primaried bird, as Melospiza melo-
da, nine nearly equal conical papillae will be seen on the posterior
edge of the hand, and besides these a much smaller one on the
extreme tip of the wing. These are the papilla' of the nine de-
veloped and the rudimentary primary. Immediately above these
on the dorsal surface are nine small points projecting from the
skin between the bases of the primaries : these are the papilla- of

Jeffries on the Primaries of Birds. 15Q

the primary coverts, and above these yet another row. Besides
these there is a double row of feathers running down the anterior
edge of the wing to the tip. distinguished from the rest by their
smaller size and position on the opposite side of the ringer bones.
The thumb also- has a special set of papillae, which develop into
the spurious wing feathers. Passing to the fore-arm we first
come to the secondaries, in this case nine in number. Above
these we find another row of papillae, the secondary coverts,
placed between the bases of the secondaries. These papillae are
not nine in number, but eleven, the first one being placed above
the tenth primary and the eleventh behind, or proximal to the
last secondary. This first secondary covert later grows into close
relations with the last primary and has been mistaken for a pri-
mary covert. From this arise the statements that there are as
many primary coverts as primaries. That this feather is really
not a primary covert is apparent in very young birds. Above the
secondary coverts there is yet a third row of eight. Besides
these, if we look carefully, we find two or more little papillae
placed between the tenth primary and first secondary and the first
and second secondaries. When the wing feathers have broken
out of their sheaths main more little feathers are developed
along the edge of the fore-arm. These little feathers can.
for the most, be referred to two rows, one between and alternating
with the secondaries and the other between the secondaries and
their coverts. Besides these, other little feathers appear at
the carpal region, between the primaries and secondaries ; these I
cannot correllate. though they are quite constant both in position
and number.

If we now take a young Sparrow in its first plumage and count
forwards and backwards from the carpal joint we find exactlv
the same number of feathers as papilla? in the nestling. Only the
second " little feather" must be counted as the first primary and
the first little feather as the covert, not of the first primary but of
the second. The first has no covert. In the wing of a young Song
Sparrow (Meiospiza melodid) now before me the " second little
feather" is clearly in line with the other primaries and the first little
feather, larger than the second is placed above and between the
second little feather and first primary of systematic writers: that
is to say. between the first and second primaries. In the adult
Song .Sparrow we find exactlv the same conditions save that the two

lt)0 Jeffries o>i tJie Primaries of Birds.

little feathers lie one over the other and, owing to their small size,
apparently on the shaft of the first developed primary. The same
condition is found in the young of Goniaphea ludoviciana, and
Sialia sialis. Passer don/esfiea differs in that the first primary
is in due proportion to the first covert.

This proves that the ''first little feather" is nothing but the
covert to the first developed primary and that the " second little
feather " is an undeveloped primary.

There is no room for doubt about the homologies of the pa-
pilla', and the feathers are nothing but parts of the papilla-. The
second and subsequent sets of feathers are developed from buds
of the original papillae, much after the manner of teeth, anil
hence are equally determinate with the original papilla' from
which they spring.

If we examine a ten-primaried Oscinine bird we find the same
condition of things as in the nine-primaried. except that the
first primary papilla is of good si/e. Of this condition of things
the fledglings of Troglodytes aedon and Mimus caroUnensis
are good examples. So the formula for a nine-primaried and a
ten-primaried Oscinine bird is the same. The number of feathers
can be represented as follows. •• ab." standing for aborted, and a
minus sign indicating a feather belonging to a series of the fore-
arm beyond the carpus :

Melospiza melodia: Pr.. i ab.. 2 — 10; pr. c. 2 — 10. 3rd row.
7. Sec, 9, sec. c, — 1,2 — 11, 3rd row. 8.

Mimus caroUnensis: Pr. 1 — 10, pr. c. 2 — 10. 3rd row. 7.
Sec. 9, sec c, — 1. 2 — 11. 3rd row. 1 — 6. 7 — 8 small.

To this rule Corvus americanus forms an exception, since it
seems to have ten primary coverts.

Passing to the Claviateres, the King Bird ( 7V rain/ its car-
oUnensis)^ will be taken as an example. Here the fore-arm
remains nearly the same, even in respect to the auxilliary feathers.
but in the hand we find a first covert beyond the first primary and
another corresponding feather added to the third row . .So the
formula for Tyrannus caroUnensis is : Pr.. 10. pr. c. 10. 3rd row.
S ; sec, 9, sec. c. 10 — 1. 3rd row, 9.

[n the fledgling of Chcetura pelasgica we find the following
formula: Pr.. 10. pr., c 10. 3rd row. 8, sec. 9. sec c. 10 — j ,
3rd row 7. Besides these there are several more rows.

In the adult Trochilus colubris there are ten primaries and

Jeffries oh the Primaries of Birds. l6l

ten coverts. The same number is found in the young, though the
first covert is very small.

Anisodactyltv. I have not been able to examine any young
of this group, which it is especially desirable to do. since in the
Kingfishers the adult has ten primaries, ten coverts, and a " little
feather," which may be another primary. This at least is the
case in Ceryle alcyon and in species of Dacelo.

Pici. In Picoides arcticus the young gives the following
formula: Pr., 10, pr. c. 9. 3rd row. 6. In the nestlings of this
species and of Colaptes auratus, the only young Woodpeckers
I have seen, the last three or four primaries are very small and
seem not to become fully grown till after the moult. This may
be an adaptation to the home of the young bird, since it enables
the wing to fold up close with less pressure on the growing
feathers than would be the case if they were all fally developed.

Accipitres. Among the Hawks. I have examined the young
of Butco pennsylvanicus and found, to my surprise, eleven prima-
ries, ten coverts, and a terminal claw. That it was a true claw
there can be no doubt, its resemblance to the undoubted claw of
the I finger or thumb being complete. The presence of the claw
is hereof interest, as it points to the existence of a third phalanx,
a thing not accredited to the Hawks and not ossified in my skele-
ton of the Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipitcr fttsctis) . I limit my
remarks to this specimen, since, judging from the almost univer-
sal absence of the ungual phalanx of the thumb, no reliance can
be placed on museum specimens. In adult Buteones there is a
small feather in the proper position for the first primary, but
structurally it is onlv a contour feather. This may be developed
from the first primary papilla or the papilla may abort ; it is
difficult to say which.

Of the remaining groups of birds my observations have been
even more sparse than in the foregoing. For convenience I will
next consider the Ducks, taking a domestic Duck in illustration.
In this case, as is true of all the lower birds, down tufts are
developed from the papilla' of the primaries, thus making a
strong contrast to the young birds previously described, where
the papillae assume the structure of pin-feathers before they burst.
So instead of simply counting the papilla- we must separate out
the. little tufts and count their number. If this is done in the
case of a young Duck eleven primary tufts and ten smaller covert

I02 Jeffries on the Primaries of Birds.

tufts can be seen. But this is not all ; at the extreme tip of the
linger can be seen a well developed claw. Passing now to the
adult wild Dusky Duck (Anas obscura) we find ten developed
primaries, nine well developed coverts and two " little feathers."
which, by the way, are good sized. These two little feathers are
in precisely the same relative positions as in Melospiza and
represent the aborted first primary and first covert. A year ago
I made an examination of the last phalanx of the second finger
for a claw but only found a slight trace of it in one case out of
about twenty, so that we may fairly class the claw as an organ
now functionless and accordingly disappearing. The same con-
dition of the wing holds good for all the Ducks examined by me.
They were the following : CEdemia perspicillata, Afias obscura.
Aix sponsa, Qucrquedula carolinensis. Bucephaia islandica.

Among the Limicolce I have examined the young of I 'ancllits
cristatus and of the Woodcock (Philohela minor). In the
young of the Spur-wing there are distinctly eleven primaries and
ten coverts. In the young, however, I have been unable to find
more than ten among adult birds of this group. I have examined
the following and found all but the last to have " little feathers" :
Charadrius fulvus, Strepsilas interpres, sEgialites scmipal-
niatits, Ereunetes scmipaimatus. Totanus mclanolcucus. Y'<>-
tauits fiavipes. Tringoidcs macular ins (young) . Philohela minor \

Of Sea-fowl I have been able, through the kindness of Mr. J.
A. Allen, to examine the young of a Gull, an Auk and a Petrel.
In the first case I found eleven primaries and ten coverts ; in the
second, the same numbers and a terminal claw : in the third case.
only ten primaries and ten coverts.

Mr. Allen also gave me for examination two young of the
South African Ostrich. Here the primaries and secondaries
run in a straight line from the elbow to the tip of the II finger
and have no connection with the little III finger. Hence it is
difficult to say how many spring from the hand and how many
from the arm, certainly seventeen and perhaps eighteen, there
being about thirty-two in all. Whether we call these primaries
depends on our ideas of phylogenetic relations of the Struthiones.
If these are degredational forms from flying birds then we must
call them the representatives of primaries; if, on the other hand,
the Ostriches never flew they ought. I suppose, to be considered a,s
simple contour feathers.

Jeffries on the Primaries of Birds. 1 63

If we summarize the above facts we find that the number of
primaries of which signs can be found varies from ten to eleven
in Carinate birds, while many more exist in the Ratitate birds,
while the functional primaries vary from nine to eleven in number.
In regard to the primary coverts, there are for the most part one
less than the number of primaries, varying from nine to ten in
number. All the above conditions can be classed in four groups,
the first group containing the nine primaried birds, all of which
belong to the Oscines. In this group the first primary and the
first covert are rudimentary. The second group, containing all
birds with ten developed primaries and nine coverts, includes the
rest of the Oscines, and Piri. and I presume most of the other
Passerine groups.

The third group, all those with ten primaries and ten coverts,
includes the Cypscti, Troc/iiti. Ardeidce, Turbinares, and prob-
ablv others, the young of which I have not been able to examine.

The last group, containing those birds with eleven primaries,
includes the Alccdi/iidiv. Falconidce, Plot id ce^ Ciconiidiv, Phos-
iticopteridcr* Anatidcv, Charadriidoe, Scolopacidce* Paridce,
Colymbidce, Aicidce, and probably most of the other lower birds.

Thus we see that the number of primaries does not hold con-
stant for the larger groups of birds, but that the higher birds of
the various groups show a tendency towards a reduction in the
number of primaries. So the reduced number of primaries and
coverts would seem to point to high development, but not to be
of use in dividing the major groups.

The rule according to which the primaries and coverts abort
is interesting and of importance, since it makes it possible to
decide whether a •• little feather" be a primary or a covert. The
law is simply that the most distal one aborts first, hence a covert
before its primary. Hence when one "little feather" is found
we can tell if it be a covert, as in the Tyrannidce\ or a primary, as
in the Kingfishers, by seeing what the next developed feather
is, — in the first case a primary, in the last a covert. When there
are two little feathers one is a primary and the other a covert, the
covert being uppermost.

The definiteness in the wing formula of birds closel} related is
very great, the formula for one answering perfectlv for the rest.
So the plan ought to be a help in determining the position of
doubtful birds.

I 64 Recent Literature.

iicrcnt literature.

Ridgway's Nomenclature of North American Birds.* — So many
species of birds have been recently added to the North American
fauna, and so many important changes have been made in the nomencla-
ture of species previously catalogued as North American, since the publica-
tion of Dr. Coues's " Check List of North American Birds" in 1874, and
especially since the appearance of Professor Baird's " Catalogue of
North American Birds " in 1859, tnat a new check list, faithfully embody-
ing these changes and additions, had become a necessity when Mr. Ridg-
wray set about the preparation of the present catalogue. t Mr. Ridgway's
well-known familiarity with North American birds, and his abundant
resources for their investigation, render the authorship of the present
catalogue eminently fitting, while its publication under the direction of
the Smithsonian Institution lends to it a standing and an influence
that would alone go far toward making it authoritative. Like Audubon's
•• Synopsis" of 1839, Baird's " Catalogue" of 1859, anc^ Coues's ••Check
List" of 1874. its publication marks an epoch in North American
ornithology, and will form, like the preceding, a datum-point in the history
of the subject. It becomes, therefore, a work of high importance and one
to the consideration of which we may well give considerable space.

An interval of twenty years elapsed between the appearance of Audubon's
•• Synopsis " and Baird's " Catalogue." In 18390111- vast western territories
were ornithologically almost unknown. Audubon had not then visited
the Upper Missouri region, but Town send had crossed the continent and
explored hastily the plains of the Columbia and the North-west Coast,
bringing therefrom many new species of birds. But the great central
region and the South-west, still Mexican territory, remained untouched,
During the twenty years following, this whole vast region was traversed
in the interest of science. The various surveys for a railroad route to
the Pacific, begun in 1853 and continued for four years, carried several

* Nomenclature of North American Birds chiefly contained in the United States
National Museum. By Robert Ridgway. Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 21. Published
under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution. Washington : Government
Printing Office, 1881. 8vo. pp. 1-94.

f The memoir now under notice appeared originally several months since (Proc.
U.S. Nat. Mus., Vol. Ill, pp. 163-246, Aug. 24-Sept. 4, 1880) under the title, " A Cat-
alogue of the Birds of North America." " This catalogue," says its author, " is really
the basis of the present one, which is essentially a revised edition, very mater-ally
modified, however, by numerous alterations and corrections, involving not only the
change of a considerable number of names, but also the writing of a new introduction,
etc. The edition the title of which has just been quoted has not been published separate-
ly, although a number of extras were struck off for private use" (op. cit., p. 5).

Recent Literature. l6cj

lines of exploration across the continent to the Pacific, while a special
survey was made of the boundary line separating the United States and
Mexico. In the meantime agents of the Hudson's Bay Company and of
the Smithsonian Institution had explored the natural history of vast portions
of the great northern interior, extending from our northern frontier to
the Arctic Sea. The treasures gathered from this wide area had been
brought together at the Smithsonian Institution and formed the basis of
Baird's monumental work on North American ornithology published in
1858, forming Vol. IX of " Reports of Explorations and Surveys for a
Railroad Route from the Mississippi River to the Pacific." It is then
perhaps a matter of little surprise that the 491 species known to Audubon
in 1S39 should have been increased to 760 — an addition of 269 — in 1S59.
In the nearly equal interval (twenty-one years) next following, almost the
whole of the vast unsettled region west of the Mississippi was explored in
detail by four regularly organized government surveys, each with their
ornithological assistants, while officers of the United States Army and
private collectors added greatly to our ornithological knowledge of pre-
viously almost wholly unexplored localities, to say nothing of our new
territory of Alaska, the ornithology of which has now already received
much attention. The accumulation of material thereby resulting has not
only added many new forms but thrown much light upon the relationship of
others, and rendered necessary many changes in nomenclature. In 18:59
we had gathered the first fruits; we now have the mature harvest; but
there is still doubtless much left for the gleaners.

The additions made since 1859 are ^ar less numerous than those which
marked the period of twenty years immediately preceding, but the wonder
is' that they are so many rather than so few, when we consider how fully
the Great West had been explored prior to i860. In comparing the
present list with that of 1S59, the author observes that it "contains 226
valid species and recognized races which have either been first described
or added to the North American fauna since 1859, while, on the other
hand, no less than 42 names of the old catalogue have been relegated to
the ranks of synonymy, and 20 more removed as extralimital. Further-
more, of the remaining 698 names over 300 have been more or less
amended, so that only 395 of the 760 names as given in the old catalogue
are retained in the current nomenclature!" {op. cit. p. 7). The "actual
number of names in the catalogue of 1859 's 764" {i.e. 760); in the
present catalogue (1SS1), •• 924," an "apparent increase of 164." In the
present catalogue are added 127 species and 99 subspecies, making the
total, as above stated, of 226 new names. The number of names of the
old catalogue, or their equivalents, retained in the new. is, species, 637,
subspecies, 61, making 698 names in a total of 760, or an elimination of
62. Besides the 62 species wholly eliminated as extralimital or synonyms,
61 are reduced to subspecific rank, and 100 generic and 89 specific names
have been changed. In the present catalogue only the species are sepa-
rately numbered, the subspecies being indicated by letters joined to the
number of the species to which the subspecies are respectively referred.

1 66 Recent Literature.

In the comparison above made between the catalogues of 1S59 anc^ 1SS1,
based on that given by the author of the later catalogue, there is no in-
timation that the geographical limits of the two are not the same, which,
however, is not the case, the later catalogue embracing the peninsula of
Lower California and the islands Socorro and Guadalupe, off the
western coast of Mexico, not included in the former. These islands fur-
nish 11 species and 3 subspecies, and Cape Saint Lucas 8 (22 new names
in all), of the 226 additions; and there are, besides, 5 of Giraud's " Six-
teen Species of Texan Birds" included which were not given in the earlier
catalogue, reducing the number of actual additions from within the same
geographical limits to 199. As said above, this number of additions is
certainly surprisingly large, and one doultless little anticipated by orni-
thologists twenty years ago.

It may be further observed in this connection that of the recent additions
20 are from Greenland, 9 from Alaska, and 2 from Greenland and Alaska
together. A few others are pelagic, and 38 are from near our southern
border, chiefly from the valley of the Rio Grande and Arizona.

In respect to the geographical limits of the area treated in the present
catalogue, the author tells us that it includes Greenland and the whole of
North America down to the United States and Mexican boundary, besides
'• the peninsula of Lower California, and the outlying islands of Guada-
lupe and Socorro, the latter in latitude iS° 35'. and about 240 miles off the
coast of northwestern [i.e., southwestern] Mexico, the former in latitude
290, and 230 miles southwest from San Diego. Guadalupe and Socorro,
like Lower California," continues our author, " are included for the reason
that their zoological relationships are much closer to North America, as
usually (but arbitrarily) restricted, than to the tropical coast-region of
western Mexico, their avian fauna in particular being decidedly of 'Nearc-
tic,' affinity with the exception, so far as known, of only two species- — a
Polvborus peculiar to Guadalupe and a Conurus found both in Socorro
and in western Mexico. Indeed, the greater part of Mexico itself (all, in
fact, except the narrow coast-region, or tiara calienta, and the lowlands
of the southern portion) belongs, ornithologically as well as geographi-
cally, to North America, as might easily be demonstrated did space per-
mit; but the enlargement of our field to its proper limits would be quite
impracticable at the present time. For the surrender of this our rightful
territory, however, we have compensation in the fact that the arbitrary line
which we have drawn (». e., the United States and Mexican boundary from
the Gulf of Mexico to the mouth of the Colorado) gives a comparative sta-
bility to the list which a greater southward extension of the area, with
indefinite limits, would render impossible" (op. cit., pp. 7i 8). Audubon's
" Synopsis " included " the vast regions extending from the northern con-
fines of Mexico to the Polar Seas"; Baird's "Catalogue" of 1858, on
which that of 1859 was based, was a list of the birds of " North America,
[occurring] north of Mexico," but included a number of Mexican species
which were, however, especially distinguished in the list as extralimital ;
Coues's "Check List" included North America "north of the present

Recent Literature. l6j

Mexican Boundary; inclusive of Lower California; exclusive of Green-
land." This is, therefore, not the first time that Lower California has
been included in a catalogue of North American birds. While agreeing
most fully with Mr. Ridgway in all that he says respecting the ornitholog-
ical affinities of these outlying appendages as well as of a large part of
Mexico, we still greatly regret that the southern boundary of the United
States has not been uniformly adhered to as the southern limit of North
America in our check lists and catalogues of North American birds.
Since for convenience's sake an arbitrary line must be selected, at least
for much time to come, it seems best for purposes of statistical and
historical comparisons to choose the one ostensibly recognized in the
earlier catalogues.

A few words further in respect to the scope of the new catalogue. Mr
Ridgway tells us that he is " constrained, by important and carefully con-
sidered circumstances, to retain in the list some seven or eight species of
Mexican birds treated by Professor Baird in volume ix. Pacific Railroad
Reports (* Birds of North America'), and included in the Catalogue of
1S59. They were all obtained just across the Rio Grande, and therefore it
may be deemed perfectly safe to assume that their occasional occurrence
on our side of the river is certain, and their capture there merely a ques-
tion of time. Ten species published by J. P. Giraud as having been obtained
in Texas, but which have not been subsequently recorded from within
our limits, are also included, there being every probability of their oc-
currence there, while Mr. Giraud strenuously maintained, to the dav of
his death, that they were really collected in that State."

Mr. Ridgway further says : "Neither are we prepared to relinquish cer-
tain Audubonian species which at present are known only from the works
of their describer (e. g., Rcguhis cux'ieri, Peri$soglo.<sa? carbonata, De>i-
drccca? montana [described and figured originally by Wilson] and Myio-
dioctes? minutus), as w^ell as two well-known species given by Audubon on
his own authority (Chrysomifris •magellanica = C. notata and Eudoc-
imus ruber), having full confidence, as we do, in his veracity." After
alluding to three instances . in which Audubon was " evidentlv im-
posed upon." Mr. Ridgway continues : " But the birds which we have
called special attention to above are all so clearly described and accurately
figured that we must either regard them as valid species or, as the onlv
alternative, view them as mainly the creation of Audubon's brain and
pencil. To do the latter, however, on the purely negative ground that no
one else has met with them, seems to us not only a gross injustice to his
memory, but. laying aside personal considerations altogether, also a most
insecure position to take. The type of Emberiza \_Spiza\ toxvt/set/di, de-
scribed by Audubon forty-six years ago, remains unique to this day;
but since it fortunately exists in an excellent state of preservation, we
have, in this case at least, positive evidence of Audubon's good faith.
The species may now be extinct, and so may "Cuvier's Kinglet,' the ' Car-
bonated' and 'Blue Mountain Warblers,' and the ' Small-headed Fly-
catcher': but we have very strong faith that the 'lost' species will even

1 68 Recent Literature.

tuallv repeat the history of several others which tor a long time evaded
the closest search, like Coturriiculus lecontei (Aud.), the type specimen of
which was lost, and a second example not obtained until 1869, or twenty-
six years after the species was first described and figured, while now it is
represented by a greater or less number of specimens in all the principal col-
lections in this country ; or Centronyx bairdii (Aud.), which passed through
even a worse experience, one eminent ornithologist having the good for-
tune to obtain more than 75 of this species in less than a year after he had
'ventured to foretell' that 'a second specimen would never be found'!" {op.
cil., pp. 8, 9). But the cases are hardly parallel, since these and Sprague's
Lark, which may be included in the same category, were found as soon as
their habitats in the unexplored West were reached by later ornithologists,
while the habitats of the other species are the thickly-settled portions of
the East, long since thoroughly explored. Despite their being so " clearly
described and accurately figured," ornithologists still guess at their generic
affinities, and the opinion has more than once been hazarded respecting
several of them that they were really based on some immature phase of
plumage of common species. Some of these, as the Carbonated War-
bler, are not so easily dismissed, since they need be scarcely less rare
than Kirtland's and Bachman's Warblers, and some of the other now
recognized Helminth op ha gee. to elude capture altogether. Again, as
has been suggested to me by a well-known ornithologist, hybridity may
well come in for consideration in this connection, especially in reference
to Cuvier's Kinglet, since the fact of hybridity between different species of
Oscines is now well established. In regard to Audubon, it may be noted that
10 species, now admittedly exotic, were given by him as North American,
with definite localities assigned to them. To have excluded all these "lost"
or apocryphal species, and also all the (so far as now known) extralimital
species from the list proper, and to have given them in supplementary lists
only, would have thrown more sharply into relief the extent of our exact
knowledge of our ornis than is the case in numbering them consecutively
in the principal list.* Eliminating the species not certainly known to
have been taken north of Mexico, together with the " lost" species of
Audubon and Wilson, reduces the list of registered forms from 928 (this
number includes four given in the " Addenda " to the catalogue) to 88S.

In regard to the nomenclature of the list, it is needless to say that the
system is trinomial, and its merits and advantages are thus tersely set
forth by our author : -'The adoption of trinomials for the designation of
nascent species — a direct result of the synthetic method of study which
has supplanted the former analytic treatment of the subject — has caused
perhaps the greatest difficulty encountered in the compilation of this
catalogue, it being in many cases very difficult to decide whether a given
form should be treated as having passed the "varietal stage,' and therefore to
be designated by a binomial, or whether it is yet incompletely differentiated,

* It should be here stated, however, and as will be more fully noticed later, these
discriminations are all duly and prominently set forth in the " Appendix" of the list.

Recent Literature. 1 69

and to be subordinated in rank by a trinomial appellation." In a foot-
note the author adds : "It should not be inferred from our remarks in this
connection that we find the use of trinomials inconvenient in practical
application. On the contrary, no other method seems at all adequate to
the proper discrimination between isolated and intergrading forms, and
the difficulty in the cases above alluded to arises wholly from the want of
sufficient material to decide the question of intergradation or the contrary."
In regard to the treatment of doubtful cases " the greatest care has been
taken," and " previous conclusions" have been "carefully reconsidered,
with the aid of all the material accessible, including many specimens not
previously in hand. This reconsideration of the subject has, in not a
few cases, resulted in a reversal of former opinion, specimens from impor-
tant localities not before represented often deciding the point one way or
the other. Every form whose characteristics bear unmistakably the
impress of climatic or local influences, gradually less marked toward the
habitat of another form, with which it thus intergrades, and all forms
which certainly intergrade, no matter how widely distinct the opposite
extremes may appear (e. £■., Colaptes auratus, and C. mexi'canus, and
the different races of Passerella), together with intergrading forms whose
peculiarities are not explained by any known 'law' of variation, have
been reduced to subspecific rank. On the other hand, where the difference
between allied forms is slight, but at the same time apparently constant,
and not necessarily coincident with a difference of habitat (e.g., certain
small Thrushes and the various forms of Junco), specific rank is upheld.
There are some forms which future investigation, based upon adequate
material may decide to be of different rank from that accorded them
here. We cheerfully acknowledge our fallibility, but at the same time
would say that we have endeavored to be as consistent as possible, giving
the rank of each form as it appears in the light of our present knowledge,
independent of previous conclusions" (op. ciL, pp. 9, 10). That the
revision here presented is impartially and conscientiously made there
can be no doubt, e.vidence of which is afforded by the cancelling of 4
species and 6 varieties for the erection of which Mr. Ridgway is himself
either wholly or in part responsible, while others for which Professor
Baird stands sponsor share a similar fate. The really few changes in
this respect from the status in Baird, Brewer, and Ridgwav's " History
of North American Birds " and Coues's " Check List " augurs well for a
reasonable degree of fixity so far as forms now recognized are concerned.
As already indicated, nomenclatural changes, simply as such, are nu-
merous, affecting many generic as well as specific names. Very few of
them are, however, now for the first time introduced; quite a proportion
have gradually gained currency during the last five years, but many of
them date from April, 1SS0.* While quite a number of the long-familiar

* See Coues, " Notes and Queries concerning the Nomenclature of North American
Birds," Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, V, pp. 95-102, April, 1880. Ridgway, " Revisions of No-
menclature of certain North American Birds," Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1880, pp. 1-16,
" March 27, 1880."

I 7° Recent Literature.

names of several of our commoner species of birds has given place to
obscure ones of earlier date, the reasonableness of the change is in most
cases apparent, while in others the necessity is doubtful, and their adop-
tion will result rather from a desire for unanimity than from conviction
that the change was demanded or even desirable.

As a general criticism we may note the tendency to a multiplicity
of genera, — a tendency from which there are already many signs of a
reaction. The average in the present catalogue is almost exactly two spe-
cies to a genus, but of course many of the genera have extralimital
species. With the reduction of so many forms formerly regarded as
specific to the rank of geographical races, and the consequent wider range
of variation admitted within specific groups, it would seem consistent to
reduce rather than increase the number of genera and to degrade many
of the so-called generic groups, if they must be retained at all, to the
rank of subgenera, and also preferable as tending to show with greater
precision the degree of relationship many of the so-called genera hold
ifiter sc. The course adopted by Dr. Coues in his "Key" and "Check
List," in reference to the genera of Wading and Swimming Birds, has
always seemed to us commendable, although of late repudiated, in prac-
tice at least, by Dr. Coues himself.

That the end is not yet reached, either as regards additions to our
avian fauna or the status of some of the rarer and less well-known forms,
is evident (see, e. £-., the several papers in the last number of this Bulletin
by Mr. Brewster, in which new forms are added and the status of others
changed), and doubtless if a check list be prepared say in 1890 it will
differ widely from that now under consideration. Consistency even
already demands the recognition of several additional subspecific forms,
which we are surprised to see have been so long passed over, especially
among the birds of Florida, where the resident form of the Bluebird, the
Bluejay, the Red-winged Blackbird, the Meadow Lark, and the Yellow-
winged Sparrow are quite as well entitled to varietal recognition as many
that have already received this distinction.

Passing now from the "Catalogue" to the "Appendix," which occupies
nearly as many pages as the catalogue itself, we find a most important
contribution to the historical phase of North American ornithology, and
one evincing most painstaking, laborious, and, we may well say, ex-
haustive research, so far as its scope extends, which is mainly a comparison
of the present status of the subject with that of 1859. The matter is
arranged in a series of twelve "tables," numbered a to /. These designate
(a) the species eliminated from the Catalogue of 1859, with indication of
the reason for each elimination ; (3) the "species or races " described or
added to the North American fauna since 1859, tne newly described forms
being indicated by the use of special type, while references are given
respectively to the place of first description or to the original record.
In this list are distinguished for the first time* Mniotilta varia borealis,

* In these remarks the original and revised editions are treated as the same work.

Recent Literature. I'Jl

Chondestes grammica, stigata, Buteo borealis socorroensis as new races,
and Tinnunculus sparverioides, Thrasaetus harpyia, and Actodromas
acuminatus as additions. (c) Genera described or added since 1S59, ant^
generic names orthographically emended since that date. Under this
heading are briefly discussed the status and history of three "genera"
among the Thrushes, including a defence of Mcrula as a generic designa-
tion for our common Robin, and the genera Myiodioctes, Ulula, etc. (</)
Species included which are not yet known to have been taken within the
prescribed limits, (e) Old World species of regular occurrence in Green-
land or merely casual visitants to Eastern North America. (_/~) " Palse-
arctic" and oceanic species occurring in Alaska or on other parts of the
Pacific coast. (g) " Palsearctic" species found in both Greenland and
Alaska but not at intermediate points, (h) Tropical American species
occurring only in the southern portions of the United States. (/') Sup-
posed valid species described by Audubon and Wilson, but not since met
with, and of which there are no known specimens extant. (/) Untena-
ble species and races described since 1S5S. (X-) Exotic species apparently
wrongly attributed to North America. (/) Partial list of foreign birds
which have been introduced, or which have been captured after escape
from confinement. Each of these lists is appropriately annotated, the an-
notations varying in character with the special requirements of the several
categories, and the information thus succinctly presented is not only of the
most useful and interesting kind, but hard to find when wanted without this
admirable index of references.

The " Addenda" gives, first, a commentary on 6 species, 4 of which are
supplementary to those contained in the Catalogue itself. Then follows a
list of the families of North American birds, with the number of genera
and species of each recorded in the Catalogue, and finally a " Concordance"
of the two Catalogues of 1859 and 1881, in which the corresponding
numbers of each are given in parallel columns.* There is also an "Index
to the Genera."

As already noted, the present "Nomenclature" is a "revised edition"
of Mr. Ridgway's " Catalogue " of a few months' earlier date. But it
should be added that in a footnote to page 5 of the present work is given
a schedule of the more important changes from the first edition, which
embrace a new introduction, various changes of generic, specific, and
English names, and corrections of authorities. The work is exceedingly
free from typographical errors, and in every way evinces the exercise of
the utmost care in its preparation. — J. A. A.

Ridgway's Revised Catalogue of the Birds of Illinois, t — The
present catalogue is based primarily upon the same author's "Catalogue

* The numbers of the old catalogue are also given in the new, following the English
names and enclosed in brackets.

t A Revised Catalogue of the Birds ascertained to occur in Illinois. By Robert
Ridgway. Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History. Bulletin No. 4. Bloomington,
111., May, 1881. 8vo. pp. 161-208.

I72 Recent Literature.

of the Birds ascertained to occur in Illinois," published .(Ann. Lye. Nat.
Hist. New York, Vol. X, pp. 364-394) in 1874, but adds 31 species to the3ii
then recorded, making (one having been eliminated) 341 now enumerated,
besides 11 additional varieties. The author acknowledges his indebtedness
to the several lists of the birds of Illinois published by Mr. E. W. Nelson,
and to various private sources. The preface recounts the geographical ex-
tent, topographical features and meteorological characteristics of the State
which tend to give it so diversified a fauna. Then follows a table of the
families represented, with the number of species of each and the number
which breed in the State. A bibliography of 26 titles of papers relating
to the ornithology of Illinois succeeds, and then the catalogue itself. The
species known to breed (213 in number) are distinguished by an asterisk;
the annotations are brief, and relate mainly to the abundance, the season
of occurrence, and the distribution of the species within the State. An
"Appendix" gives a list of 42 species ''which probably occur in Illinois,"
but which have not been actually taken there. The nomenclature is that
of Mr. Ridgway's recently published Catalogue of North American birds.

The bird fauna of Illinois is stated to embrace members of 17 "orders,"
"according to the latest and most improved classifications," among which
are the "orders" Trockili, Cvpsc/i, Caprinmlgi, and Sarcorhamphi!

Illinois takes the lead among the States in respect to number of species
of birds, Massachusetts following next with (including the latest additions)
330. the much greater geographical area of Illinois, and especially its
greater extent in latitude, together with its central position, more than
compensating for the maritime position of Massachusetts. There is no
area, however, in the United States in which so many species have been
ascertained to occur as in the last named State. — J. A. A.

Mearns's Birds of the Hudson Highlands. — Two installments*
of Dr. Mearns's excellent memoir (see this Bulletin, Vol. V. p. 175) have
appeared during the last year, completing the List as far as Ortyx vir-
ginia7ia. The high praise accorded the earlier installments is equally meri-
ted by those now under notice, Mr. Mearns's " List of the Birds of the
Hudson Highlands" ranking easily among the best of our long list of
contributions to local ornithology. There is much said about the habits
of various species that is entertaining or new, while the dates of migra-
tions for periods of eight to ten years, and the averages and extremes of
measurements of generally a large series of specimens of each species,
give data of high value. In respect to nomenclature, the list is abreast
with the latest well-grounded innovations. — J. A. A.

Rathbun's " Bright Feathers or Some North American Birds
of Beauty." — Part II of this work, recently issued, is devoted to the

*A list of the Birds of the Hudson Highlands, with Annotations. By Edg;ir A.
Mearns. Bull. Essex Inst., Vol. IX, p. 11-25 (/Egiothus linaria to Quiscalus purpureus),
Nov., 1880; pp. 109-128 (Corvus frugivorus to Ortyx virginiahd) , Feb., 1881.

Recent Literature. 1/3

Rose-breasted Grosbeak {Goniaphea ludoviciana): The colored plate
illustrates the adult male and female, but the sixteen quarto pages (pp.
25-40) of text leave the history of the species still unfinished. In noticing
Part I (this Bulletin, Vol. V. p. 234) we were compelled to speak unfavor-
ably of the literary execution of the work, and regret that the present
issue will not permit of more favorable notice. A single sentence, a por-
tion of which we may italicize, may serve to point our criticism: "The
tender blades of golden hued grasses were gently crowding aside the
dead leaves of the preceding autumn, like true lollards of a murmuring
//our." (p. 26). As nearly or quite three-fourths of the text consists of
quotations from other authors, bearing mainly upon the utility of the
Rose-breasted Grosbeak as a destroyer of the Colorado potato beetle, but
including also a long extract from Audubon, the not too fastidious reader
may find little to often d his taste. — J. A. A.

Holterhoff's Notes on Western Birds. — These notes, as the title
of the paper* indicates, relate to the breeding babits of a few of the lesser
known species of Western birds. The observations here recorded were
made in Southern California in the spring of 1S80, and have reference to
some 40 species, among which are included the Curve-billed Thrushes
and the Polioptihv of the region in question, about which, as well as of
various other species, much interesting information is communicated. —
J. A. A.

RlDGWAY ON A DUCK NEW TO THE NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. In

the " Proceedings " of the United States National Museumf, Mr. Ridgway
records an immature male Rufous-crested Duck (Fuligula ruji/ia, Steph.)
supposed to have been shot on Long Island Sound. The specimen was
found in Fulton Market. New York City, some nine years ago by Mr.
George A. Boardman. of Calais, Maine, by whom it was then sent to the
Smithsonian Institution. The specimen was then looked upon as a hybrid,
and was put aside and forgotten. It received no further attention until
recently when it was identified by Mr Ridgway as above stated. In
making the record Mr. Ridgway takes occasion to describe the species in
its various phases of plumage, and adds a few critical remarks on the
generic synonymy of the group to which it belongs. — J. A. A.

Ridgway on the Amazilia yucatanensis (Cabot) %• — This species
was not long since referred by Elliot to the A. cervtniventris of Gould.
which determination was later accepted by Mr. Ridgway. A comparison

* A Collector's Notes on the Breeding of a few Western Birds. By E. [/'. c, G.]
Holterhoff, Jr. American Naturalist, March, 1881, pp. 208-219.

t On a Duck new to the North American Fauna. By Robert Ridgway. Proc. U. S.
Nat. Mus., April 13, 1881, pp. 22-24.

X On Amazila yucatanensis { Cabot) and A. cerviniventris, Gould. By Robert
Ridgway. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., April 13, 1881, pp. 25, 26,

I 74 Recent Literature.

of Cabot's type with Texan specimens of A. cerviniventrh shows that the
species are distinct. Comparative diagnoses are given of the two species,
with some remarks respecting their distribution. — J. A. A.

IIarvie-Brown's Second Report on Scottish Ornithology*. — The
first third of the report gives a "Journal of the Winter of 1879-S0," and is
mainly a record of the weather, with references passim to the effect of
meterological conditions upon the movements of various species of birds,
especially in relation to the vernal migration. The remainder of the
report gives observations on some 05 to 70 species, mainly in relation to
their abundance at particular localities during the period named as com-
pared with former years. The importance of such a record, extended
through a series of years, especially in relation to the increase and decrease
of particular species, and to the causes to which such fluctuations are due.
is sufficiently obvious. The Redpolls {Linota linaria) are reported to
have warmly lined their nests with feathers in the unusually backward
cold spring of 1879. while at the same locality in the more favorable spring
of 1S80 they almost wholly neglected this precaution. The report abounds
with especially suggestive observations in relation to little understood
points in bird-life, and leads one to hope that not only these reports will
be continued, but that we shall have others equally detailed for other
districts, including, indeed, large portions of our own country. — J. A. A.

Godman and Salvin's "Biologi a Centrali-Americana." — Part I of the
"Zoology" of this important workf appeared in September, 1879, atK' nine
other parts have followed at short intervals, Part X, the last issued, bearing
date April, 1SS1. As the title indicates, the work treats of the fauna and
flora of Mexico and Central America, or of the region extending southward
from the United States and Mexican boundary to the Isthmus of Darien.
It is issued in parts, each averaging about 96 quarto pages of text and 6
hand-colored lithographic plates. The zoological portion is estimated to
form, when completed, about 12 volumes of 500 pages each. Each sub-
ject is paged separately, and will thus be complete in itself. The zoologi-
cal portion may be had separately, but the different subjects in zoology
will not be sold apart from the others. The editors of the work have been
collecting material for this great enterprise during the past twenty-two

* Second Report on Scottish Ornithology — October 1st, 1879, to September 30th,
1880. Compiled by Mr. John A. Harvie-Brown, F. R. S. E. cvc. Proc. Nat. Hist. Soc.
of Glasgow, Vol. IV, Part II, April 1880, pp. 291-326. (For notice of Report for 1878-
79 see this Bulletin, Vol. V, p. 233.)

t Biologia Centrali-Americana; or, Contributions to the knowledge of the Fauna
and Flora of Mexico and Central America. Edited by F. Ducane Godman and
Osbert Salvin. Zoology, Parts I-X. Aves, by O. Salvin and F. D. Godman, pp.
1-152, pll. i-x. 4to. London : Published for the Editors by R. H, Porter, 10 Chandos
Street, Cavendish Square, W., and Dulau & Co., Soho Square. September, 1879-
April,i88i.

Recent Literature. 175

years, and have themselves visited different portions of the country for
this purpose. Besides this they are able to avail themselves of collections
received from correspondents and naturalists specially employed in visiting
previously unexplored districts. In the elaboration of their work they
have called to their aid many eminent specialists to whom have been as-
signed all the Vertebrates except the birds, and all the other groups of
animals except one division of the Lepidoptcra, as well as the plants. The
ornithological portion, which alone demands attention in the present
connection, is by the editors, who long since became identified with the
ornithology of the region in question. The installments of this portion
of the work which have thus far appeared are as follows: Pp. 1-32, pll.
i-iii. Sept., 1S79; PP- 33~56j pi- iv, Nov. 1879; pp. 57-S0, pi. v, Feb., 1S80;
pp. 81-104, pll. vi, vii, Apr., 1SS0; pp. 105-12S. pi. viii, Aug., 18S0; pp.
129-152, pll. ix, x, Febr., 1SS1. The arrangement is that of Sclater and
Salvin's ''Nomenclator Avium Neotropicalium," and in the treatment of
the subject the authors have advanced as far as the genus Geothlypis. Of
each species a short Latin description is given, and all the more important
references to the literature are duly cited. The text otherwise relates
mainly to the geographical distribution of the species, which is treated
with great fullness, with, as occasion requires, remarks on their affinities and
nomenclature. There are. however, here and there brief references to
their habits. The ten plates thus far published contain figures of 25 hith-
erto unfigured species.

The work very naturally embraces a large number of North American
species, which occur either as winter migrants into Mexico and Central
America or whose range extends southward beyond our borders ; of the
130 species thus far treated just one-half occur north of Mexico. The
authors are, of course, rigidly orthodox in respect to nomenclature,
adhering strict] j' to the binomial system, although in their text they speak
of this or that binomially named form as a "race" of some other similarly
designated form. To illustrate : all of our Thrushes of the Hylocichla group
are treated as species, Turdus swainsoni, T. ustulatits, T. alicite, T. audu-
boni, etc., all being accorded specific rank, while T. ustulatus is spoken
of in the text as a "western race of T. stuainsoni." Sitta aculcata, Cer-
tliia mextcana, Thryothorus berlandieri, T. bairdi,* etc., are also recog-
nized as species, while such forms as Catkcrpes mexicanus conspersus, Cis-
tothorus palustris paludicola, Dendrceca dominica albilora, etc., are wholly
denied recognition. In short, the geographical varieties or races, now
usually treated as subspecies by American writers and designated by a
trinomial name, are, with few exceptions, raised to the full rank of species,
while those not so recognized are ignored as not requiring special desig-
nation. There is apparent, however, a misunderstanding on the part of our
authors as to what American writers mean by a race, as is evident in
comments at sundry points, as, e. g:. under Dendrcrca dominica, where,
speaking of Mr. Ridgwav's race albilora, they say: "The difference at

* Thryothorus bairdi = Thryothorus bewicki var. leucogaste^ Baird (nee Gould).

176

General Notes.

most is very slight; and its value is further diminished by the fact of
Guatemalan specimens having a slight yellowish tinge on the lores, break-
ing down the chief point of distinction between Mr. Ridgway's races" {op.
cit., p. 135). It is just such intergradations as these which prevent the
recognition of these forms as "species" but not as "races," for races are
supposed to intergrade, while species are not. It is just this difference
that we seek to recognize by the third term in the trinomial system of
nomenclature. Races, in their extreme phases, are as certainly recogniz-
able as species, and often present wider differences of coloration and size
than frequently occurs among closely allied species ; but whereas in the
latter we know no connecting links, we expect them to occur between
races at points geographically intermediate to the regions where they re-
spectively present their greatest degree of differentiation, and to find at
such intermediate points more or less difficulty in deciding whether the
form there occurring is to be referred to the one phase rather than the
other. In respect to the commingling of certain races in Mexico, and the
argument based thereon, it is necessary to consider the season of capture
of the specimens in question before concluding that because two supposed
races have occurred at the same localities they are not, after all, geograph-
ically distinct in their breeding habitats.

Hitherto we have had no general treatise on the birds of the region to
which the present work relates, the abundant literature of the subject being
widely scattered in special papers or more general works, usually not easy
of access, and often inaccessible, to the general student. The importance
and usefulness of the present work cannot therefore be easily overestima-
ted. A similar work for South America would be a great boon to even
the specialist, but it seems almost too much to hope for at present. The
execution of the " Biologia," as regards typography and illustrations, it is
almost needless to say is excellent, for nothing less would be expected at
the hands of its accomplished and enterprising authors. — J. A. A.

dmeral IT cites.

Nest and Eggs oe the Painted Flycatcher (Sctophaga picta). —
For my knowledge of the nidification of this species, and for the nest and
eggs in my collection, I am indebted to Mr. Herbert Brown, who became
familiar with the birds while in Arizona. From Mr. Brown's observations
it appears that they differ somewhat in their habits from Setophaga
ruticilla, as they seldom or never catch insects on the wing, but pick
them from the leaves and branches of the trees; one specimen was seen
feeding her young with what appeared to be moths and long-legged flies.
The nesting-site was on a hillside in a slight depression in the ground.
A nest, now before me, was taken from a hole in a road bank, in the Santa
Rita Mountains, by Mr. Brown, June 6, 1880. It is loosely constructed of

General Notes. 1/7

dry gray graces and fine shreds of vegetable bark, and lined with black
and white horse hairs : it measures exactly 4 inches in diameter by \'\
high, and internally 2 inches in diameter by \\ in depth. It contained
tour incubated eggs, of a light pearl white, thickly dotted with brownish
red and traces of lilac on the larger end. They measure .57 x .48; .60 x .50 ;
.64X.50; .58X.49.

Another set of four was laid in a similar nest built in a depression
beneath a small bush on the lower side of a mountain trail. The eggs of
this set are somewhat larger and spotted over the entire egg, the markings
clustering about the larger end. The measurements of three of them are
.69 x .52 ; .65 x .51 ; .66 x .50; the fourth was unfortunately broken.

I have compared both sets with three differently marked eggs of 5.
ruticilla and find scarcely a similarity. The first set mentioned resem-
bles three eggs I have of Myiodioctes pustllus pileolatus so closely that
it is almost impossible to distinguish between them.- — W. E. Bryant,
San Francisco. Cat.

Breeding of the Horned Lark in Eastern New York. — On April
22. 1SS1. Edward Root, of Green Island. N. Y.. brought to me two young-
Horned Larks (Eremofhila alpestris), about three-fourths grown and
able to fly. On April 29 of the same year he brought to me an adult pair
of the same species. Mr. Root informed me that he took the young and
the old all at the same place, on Green Island, which is at the junction of
the Mohawk River with the Hudson, about thirty feet above tide-water
level, and at latitude 42° 45'. — Austin F. Park. Troy. N. Y. '

Behavior of Leucosticte tephrocotis in Confinement. — While
stationed at Fort Fetterman, Wyoming, in the spring of 1880. I captured
eight Gray-crowned Finches, all apparently in perfect health and feather.
After the capture I decided, as well as I could from the diagnostic points
of size and plumage, that I had the sexes about equally represented. Two
of the birds, most undoubtedly males, wore the characteristic plumage of
Leucosticte campestris : the grey of the crown extending well below the
eye. As these birds were very plenty about my quarters, and anticipat-
ing the care of my pets, I had already constructed a large double cage for
them, consisting essentially of a lower or breeding cage, 3 x 2£ feet, with a
large side door, and admitting the light from in front and upper half
through a rather coarse net-work. This part of their home was intended
to represent and take the place of their outdoor existence. The floor was
covered with two or three inches of earth and sodded : the grass growing
well. Various styles of perches were introduced, miniature clumps ol dry
grasses, and odds and ends of building materials. Above and easy of
access there was another cage, 2 x 2 x 2,£ feet, with its floor also spread with
earth, well lighted, and containing a large bath-tub and a shelf iutended
to represent the eaves of a house, a style of perch the Gray-crowned Finch
is particularly fond of. The capture was effected on the 10th of March,
and the little fellows were introduced to their home for the summer. I

8 General Notes.

had two objects in view: first, to observe their style of plumage during the
summer months, and, secondly, if possible, to induce them to breed and
rear their young. Imagine my delight, when I found that in a few days
they not only became accustomed to their narrow quarters, but apparently
thoroughly satisfied and happy. Flocks of their companions passing over
were certain to be called down, to alight on the fences, the ground, and
in fact everything in the neighborhood of the cage, to even the cage itself.
Their plumage at this time of year seemed to be almost in a perfect state,
all the colorings being very dark. My captives were fed upon canary seed,
flax seed, finely cracked wheat, and, later in the year, lettuce, and
other tender leaves. As the sods at the bottom of the cage were often
entirely removed, they no doubt obtained also many insects. Every
morning as I approached the cage, a general and impatient chattering
commenced for their breakfast and bath, and they immediately availed
themselves of both in my presence; and often I deluged the entire thing.
birds and all, with a large watering-pot, they enjoying this sprinkling
immensely. Later in the spring this part of the programme was followed
by their mounting to the upper cage, pluming themselves in the sun.
chattering among themselves, and the males giving utterance to a low.
subdued, and plaintive sort of a song, being different from the shrill
whistle they gave to attract the attention of their passing fellows outside.

By the middle of May, all the birds of this species had entirely left the
country; the spring migration was thoroughly inaugurated, and the
weather was becoming very warm. Swallows were breeding and many
other birds were evidently thinking of doing likewise. I now made their
home as attractive as possible, by every means that my imagination could
invent. Nests of birds of about their own size that built on the ground were
introduced into the secluded nooks of their breeding cage, but these they
invariably pulled to pieces the very day I placed them there. In short,
by the middle of June I had abandoned all hope of their breeding and
during their entire confinement there never seemed any evidence of their
pairing, or having the least desire, like sensible birds, of resorting to the
business of the season.

By the first of July, they were as gentle as any cage birds I ever saw;
they would pick seed out of one's hand, and alight on your finger, if you
quietly introduced it between the bars; in fact, they were all that any one
could desire in the way of cage pets. On the ioth of July, I opened the
doors of their little prison and allowed them all to escape, as they had
suffered intensely from the heat for several days; the sudden exercise was
rather too much for one or two of them, and they were readily retaken
but only to be kept until the cool of the evening. The brilliancy of their
plumage seemed to be at its acme in the early part of May; at the time
of their release it was in all of them many shades paler. On several occa-
sions during the summer they were seen about the post, usually one at a
time, so I am quite confident they never made the attempt to either breed
that season or to follow their companions to the northward. — R. W.
Shufeldt, ist Lt. Med. Deft. U. S. Army, Fort Fetterman. Wyoming.

General Notes. I 79

Hesperiphona vespertina in Central Illinois. — The Evening
Grosbeak has for its habitat the region extending from the Plains to the
Pacific Ocean, and from Mexico into British America. Toward the north
it ranges further to the east; so that, while it appears to be not uncommon
about Lake Superior, it has been reported as occurring in Ohio, New York,
and Canada. In Illinois it was observed at Freeport during the winter of
1S70-71 ; and at Waukegan during January 1S73 (Hist. N. A. Birds by
Baird, Brewer, andRidgway). Mr. Robt. Ridgwav, in his recently issued
■• Catalogue of the Birds of Illinois,*' states that it is "a winter visitant
to the extreme northern counties" of the State.

It will, therefore, be a matter of interest to ornithologists to learn that
this exquisite bird is sometimes found further south and at a less advanced
season of the year. About the year 1S72. while hunting during the fine
autumn weather in the woods about Eureka. Illinois, I fell in with a flock*
of these Grosbeaks and succeeded in killing six of their number. They
were feeding in the treetops on the seeds of the sugar maple, just then
ripening, and were excessively fat. Thev were very unsuspicious, and for
a long time appeared to be incapable of realizing the havoc that I was
making in their ranks, as they tarried in the neighboring boughs and ut-
tered their call-notes to summon their missing companions. As the skins
of these birds afterward passed out of my hands. I can not now give with
certainty the year of their capture. Eureka is in Woodford County and
one hundred and twenty miles nearly due south of Freeport. It is about
the same distance south of Waukegan. — O. P. Hay. Butler University,
Irvington, Ind.

Habits of the Swamp Sparrow in Confinement. — Dr. Elliott
Cones : My dear Sir : — You may recall a conversation on the subject of
my aviary which took place at the " Wentworth '* last summer. As vou
then appeared somewhat interested in my experiments with native birds
I venture to send you some new facts. In the early part of November I
visited a New York bird store, and there found a cage of our native birds,
freshly caught, and very wild. The trapper who had just brought them
in was present. But as he was a German, speaking very little English, and
was moreover more than a little intoxicated; as he also while talking
held a short pipe in his mouth from which he puffed the smoke of villain-
ous tobacco into my face, our interview was not wholly satisfactorv. Still
I succeeded in obtaining some scraps of information. He had a Song
Sparrow, a -'Chippy," a White-throated Sparrow, two Purple Finches
(indifferent stages of plumage), a Snow-bird (Junco kyemalis),* Snow
Bunting (Plectropkancs nivalis), and one small bird I did not know. On
questioning its captor as to this last stranger he gave me to understand
that it was " Kleiner wasser bird — live in vet place, vere never could go the
lady — she vet her foots." I bought the whole lot, and, when at home,
studied up my unknown friend. He proved to be the Swamp Sparrow
(Melospiza palustris). and his habits are so curious I want you to know
of them. I placed him in a large cage, already containing some fifty birds,

loo General Notes.

native and foreign, and in a few days he became quite at home, and
seemed quiet and friendly, — much more so than any of the other new
arrivals. I soon noticed that his mode of feeding was peculiar. Instead
of eating from the seed dishes or cup of soft food, like the others, he pro-
ceeded in this way: Perching upon the edge of the bath tub (a large
shallow dish of earthenware filled with water), he balanced himself skil-
fully upon one foot, and with the other, scratched or dabbled in the water.
This stirred up the seed, and bits of green stuff, scattered by the other
birds, and as it rose to the surface he secured it, picking it up, bit bv bit,
with his bill and eating it. This he did constantly, very rarely taking
food in any other way. Sometimes he scratched in the gravel, strown
upon the floor of the cage, and moistened by spray from the birds" ablu-
tions, and picked up the seeds he thus found.

The constant use of his little right foot, and the strain of reaching so
far when the water was low, finally lamed Swampy (my birds have each
his own pet name, used only in "the family"), and he was forced to hop
about drearily on his left foot. I then scattered seed and Mocking Bird
food carefully upon the surface of the water, and he at once accepted the
situation and without scratching. He is quite well again now. He has
never sung or uttered the faintest chirp, but may begin with the approach
of spring. I will not weary you with a longer story, but trust the items
concerning M. palustris, a bird not often caged, will prove of some
interest. Very sincerely. Annie Trumbull Slosson, Hartford, Conn.

The Snowbird {Junco kyemalis) in Southern Illinois in June. —

While on a recent trip to Southern Illinois. 1 astonished myself by shoot-
ing, June 9, one mile from the Ohio River, near Elizabethtown, in
Hardin County, an adult specimen of the common Snowbird {jfia/co
kyemalis.') I killed the bird from a tree in the edge of a wood. I neither
heard nor saw another of the species there. — S. A. Forbes, Normal, III.

A Singular Cage Plumage of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. —
In a Boston bird-store I lately saw a Rose-breasted Grosbeak in very
remarkable plumage. The whole under-parts, from the throat to the
crissum, including the sides, were uniform deep rose, nearly as vivid as
is the normal breast-patch. The rump also was rose-tinted and
there was a wash of the same color along the superciliary stripe. The
bird was evidently a male and apparently an adult, for the wings and tail
were clear black.

I was told that it had been kept in a cage for about six months; when
first captured it was of the usual color, but shortly afterwards it moulted
and the present plumage was assumed. The owner had never seen a
similar case although he has had many of these Grosbeaks in confine-
ment.— William Brewster. Cambridge. Mass.

Carnivorous Propensities of the Crow Blackbird.— One sultry

afternoon a few summers since I was writing at an open window when my
attention was attracted— or rather distracted— bv the clamor of a number

General Notes. Iol

of English Sparrows which were quarreling among the foliage immedi-
ately below me. Happening to want a specimen, I selected an adult male
and shot it. Scarcely had it struck the ground when a Crow Blackbird
(Quiscalus furpureus ceneus) pounced upon it from a linden above, and
with a few well-directed strokes of its bill put an end to its struggles. At
this juncture a Robin interfered but soon retreated before the Grackle's
menacing front. The latter next seized the Sparrow in its bill and flew
oft" wjth it to the lawn, a few paces distant. Here it deliberately went to
work to eat its victim. Molding it between one, or sometimes both, its
feet, exactly as a Hawk would do, it broke open the skull and feasted on
the brains. I was near enough so see that its bill was reeking with blood.
After watching it awhile I walked directly towards it when it again took
up its prize and tried to carry it into the tree above, but its strength
proved insufficient and it was obliged to drop it. Upon examining the
Sparrow I found that its brains had been cleanly scooped out and the
eyes as well as the throat devoured. Meanwhile the Grackle scolded me
most emphatically for thus interfering and the moment my back was
turned again descended and resumed its feast.

Many of our native birds seem to have a standing grudge against this
Blackbird and rarely let pass an opportunity to pursue and harass it. It
would seem that this hatred is not without just cause. — William Brews-
ter, Cambridge, Mass.

Icterus baltimorei and Populus tremuloides. — Two specimens of
the American aspen {Populus tremuloides) stand in my garden which I
transplanted from the woods in the spring of 1876. During the latter
part of May, 187S, I noticed that the trees were being denuded very rapidly
of their leaves and I could not detect the presence of worm or fly by the
use of a glass of twenty diameters. The leaves did not appear to have
been eaten by insects but torn away piecemeal, leaving ragged edges, and
not infrequently the leaf-stalks broken off or hanging loosely to the branch.
About three-fourths of the leaves disappeared in this manner in the space
of fifteen or twenty days from one tree and nearly all from the other. A
second set of leaves was produced in June and the trees made a strong and
healthy growth during the remainder of the season. In 1879 the denuda-
tion was again commenced in like manner at the same season of the year.
I could not charge it to the wind because other trees in the garden were
not so affected and my meteorological record forbade any such cause.
Upon careful watching while at work in the garden I detected a Baltimore
Oriole eating the leaves with evident relish. The bird stood on a branch
and picked at and tore oft* the leaves, eating them with as much apparent
enjoyment as our domestic fowls eat the leaves of the plantain.

I watched him closely for a while and upon going towards the tree he
flew away, uttering his rattle in such a tone that it required no stretch of
the imagination to think that he was somewhat irritated at being molested
in his gastronomic proclivities. He soon returned, however, accompanied
by a female, and the pair continued to eat for several minutes, interlarding

1 82 General Notes.

the feast with various acts of courtship, and then flew oft", each with a leaf
or part of one in the heak. The same act was repeated during the day and on
succeeding days until the trees were nearly as hare of leaves as in winter.
As in the former year, a second set of leaves appeared and though the
trees received a check in their growth, the}' recovered, increased in size
and ripened their wood in due season. A similar deslruction of leaves
was performed by the same species of bird — probably the same pair — in
1SS0, and the trees recovered their wonted vigor by repeating the process
of preceding years. The second set of leaves were not eaten by the birds
in either year, though they were in the garden more or less every day
during the summer and frequently alighted in the trees, separately, to-
gether, and with their young.

I had formerly considered the Icterus baltimorei essentially insectivorous
and frugivorous; I am now aware that some of them at least are decidedlj
vegetarian once in the year. — Elisha Slade, Somerset. Mass.

A Peculiar Nest of the Baltimore Oriole. — When the leaves fell in
the autumn of 1S76, I discovered a bird's nest suspended from a slender
limb of a cotton-wood that stands, with others, on the outskirts of Charles
City, (Iowa). This nest immediately attracted my attention, and I made
several attempts to secure it, but was unsuccessful, as it hung near the
end of a limb too slender to bear my weight.

It hung there throughout the following winter, but in the spring of 1S77
a young friend of lighter weight than myself obtained it and gave it to
me. It is, unmistakably, the nest of a Baltimore Oriole, — the material
used in its construction and the manner in which it is woven plainly show
this; but it differs very materially in shape from any other nest of the
species that I have ever seen.

The length of the nest is eleven inches ; greatest diameter, four inches.
Body of nest, an upright cone about eight inches in height, with a rounded
base. It is composed of the ordinary material : " natural strings of the
flax of the silk-weed," horse-hair, etc. At its apex, several pieces of
twine are woven into the fabric, and, about three inches above, are
securely fastened to a horizontal twig, all at the same point, forming the
sole support of the nest. The opening for entrance is in the side of the
nest, at the point of its greatest diameter, about three inches from the
base. It is perfectly circular and about one inch in diameter. — Henry S.
Williams. Charles City, Floyd Co., la.

The Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides articus) in Massachusetts.
— Records of the occurrence of the Black-hacked Three-toed Woodpecker
in Massachusetts have multiplied so slowly that the following additional
one may be considered of interest: An adult male shot Dec. 17, 1SS0. at
Plymouth. Massachusetts. I saw the specimen at Goodale's when it was
being mounted for Mr. John A. Joyce, the person by whom it was killed.
William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass.

General Notes. I03

A Second Massachusetts Specimen of the Red-hellied Wood-
pecker (Coif urns carolinus). — At the establishment of Pertia \V.
Aldrich, the well-known taxidermist. I have lately seen a freshly-made
skin of a Red-bellied Woodpecker which Mr. Aldrich tells me was shot at
Cohasset, May 28, 1881, by a young son of Matthew Luce, Esq.. of Boston.
The bird is an adult male in fine plumage. It is the second known Massa-
chusetts specimen, the first having been recorded in the last (April)
number of the Bulletin, by Gordon Plummer, Esq. — William Brewster,
Cambridge, Mass.

[Although the two specimens alluded to above are doubtless the only ones
thus far known to have been actually taken in Massachusetts it may be
well to call attention to two earlier records. In my "Catalogue of Birds
found at Springfield, Mass.," etc., published in 1864 (Proc. Essex Institute,
Vol. IV. pp. 48-98), I gave the species as a "Summer Visitant. Accidental";
and add : " Saw one May 13th 1863" (1. c, p. 53). I also cite Peabody
(Rep. on the Birds of Mass.) as stating that Professor Emmons had found
it breeding in Western Massachusetts. Whatever may be the weight of
the testimony last cited, I will take this opportunity of stating more ftdlv
the instance I give on my own authority. The specimen was shot and
fell, but just as it reached the ground scaled off a few feet into a pile of
brush thickly overgrown with bushes, and a prolonged search, repeatedly
renewed on subsequent days, failed to discover the bird. Nothing in my
ornithological experience evermade so deep an impression on my memory,
or gave me keener dissappointment, for I knew what a prize I had lost.
The species was then well known to me, and was as distinctly recognized
as it could have been had I had it actually in hand. A specimen of this
species has since been taken by Mr. E. I. Shores within five miles (at
Suffield. Conn, (see Merriam's Birds of Conn., p. 65), of the locality
where mv example was shot. — J. A. Allen.]

A curious Colaptes. — The most remarkable case of C. mexicanus

-f- auraius which has come under my observation is that of a specimen
taken here February 20, 1SS1. The bird is mexicanus, excepting the 1st,
2d, 3d, and 5th tail feathers of the left side, which are auraius — the golden-
yellow in striking contrast with the orange-red of the rest of the tail. The
specimen also illustrates the rare anomaly of bilateral asymmetry in color-
ation. It is deposited in the National Museum. — Elliott Coues, Fort
Whipple, Arizona.

A Vernacular Svnonomy. — The compiling of a list of the names of
our birds in use among the people to whom they are popularly known has
always seemed to me a matter both of interest and value; and I have for
some years been making notes for such a Vernacular Svnonomy, as it
might be termed. There is more in it than the mere grouping of this
class of information, since opportunities for philological study exist in
plenty, and other general facts of interest are likely to be brought out.
As an unimportant example of what I mean, take the case of the Golden-
winged Woodpecker ( Colaptes auratus) which is variously known as
follow -

i84

Genera/ Azotes.

Colaptes auratus.

Golden-winged Woodpecker. (General.)

Yellow-shafted Woodpecker. (General.)

Flicker, or Yelloiv-shaf ted Flicker. (General.)

Yellow hammer. (General.)

High-hole or High-holder. (General.)

Pigeon Woodpecker. (New York and New England.)

English Woodpecker. (Long Island ; Newfoundland. )
Yucker. (Western New York.)
Ydwup. (New York; Pennsylvania.)

Clape. (New York.)

Wdkeup or Wacup. (Massachusetts ; Long Island. )

Shad-spirit. (New England coast. )

Hittock, or Hittuck. (Canada.)

Fiddler. (Cape Cod.)

Yellow Jay. (Wisconsin.)

Pitlic, or Pee-ut. (New England.)

Pique-bois jaune. (Louisiana. )

Yajfie. (Connecticut.)

Sapsucker, or Sucker. (Florida.)

Gel Specht; Specht. (Pennsylvania, German.)

Examining this list, one sees how several of the names might arise.
The expressions "golden-winged," "'yellow-shafted," the French " pique-
bois jaune," and the Pennsylvania German name (pronounced gailspcycht),
refer of course to the color of the wing quills, which are very conspicuous.
" Yellow-hammer" was among the very first names given by the colonists to
this bird, and, like " Yellow Jay," alludes to the color utterly irrespective
of likeness of form to the namesake in each case. " English Woodpecker,"
perhaps, belongs to the same category. The word " Flicker" undoubt-
edly designates its well-known wavering manner of flight, to which the
alternate appearance and disappearance of the yellow quills gives a twink-
ling, Jfickering look. As for " Pigeon Woodpecker," I think it arises from
the peculiar Pigeon-like attitude of this species, which perches across the
branch, instead of lengthways along it as do other more genuine Wood-
peckers. " Highhole," " Highholder" and " Woodwall " (of which I have
a note, but no location for) describe the bird's home, of course; and Sap-
sucker states the popular idea that that is what all Woodpeckers are doing
when they move about tree-trunks in search of insect-food. What "Yaffle"
and " Fiddler" signify I have no idea. Dr. DeKay remarks concerning
"Clape" : "some provincial word introduced by the early English colonists."

" Hittock," though now a Canadian term, appears to have been handed
down from the Delaware Indians, since Heckwelder says that hittuck was
the Lin-Lenape word for tree ; and also that the Swedes who colonized
the lower Delaware Valley in the seventeenth century gave the name
" Tree-pecker" to this whole race of birds. In the name "Shad-spirit"
is embodied a half-superstitious idea of the New England fishermen of
former days (and it may be until now) that this bird came up from the South

General Notes. 1 05

and ascended the rivers just ahead of the vernal migration of shad, in
order to inform them of the approach of the fish; it is the noting of a
coincidence, in other words.

There remain several terms, "Yarrup," " Wakeup," " Pi-ute," and
" Yucker," which evidently represent the harsh well-known cry of this
species ; that is, they were at first intended to be imitations of one or an-
other phase of the bird's voice, but have become changed and corrupted
until, perhaps, they no longer answer well to any of its notes. Nuttall
has a pertinent note on this head in the second edition of his "Manual of
Ornithology." which I append : "They have also a sort of complaining call
from which they have probably derived their cry of fee tit, pee ut; and at
times a plaintive queah que ah. Occasionally they also utter in a squalling
tone, when surprised, or engaged in amusing rivalry with their fellows,
ive-cOgh -ve-cOgh tve-cdgh -vc-cogh, or wecup xvecup tuecttp."

This is far from a complete example of what such a study may be in
this case or in some others of still greater interest. If any readers of the
Bulletin should take the trouble to send me names used in his district, no
matter how well-known they may seem to be, or any suggestions as to the
•• why or wherefore " of this and that term being applied, I should highly
appreciate the assistance thus afforded. — Ernest Ingersoll. Smithsonian
Institution. Washington, D. C.

Nesting of Kennicott's Owl. — I have this season (1881) found here
two sets of the eggs of Kennicott's Owl {Scops asio kennicotti.) The first set
of four eggs, taken April 7, measure as follows: 1.47x1.28, 1.43x1.29,
1.45x1.30, 1,46x1.30. The nest was in a hole in a cotton-wood tree, about
25 feet from the ground. The eggs rested on the decayed wood and a few
dead leaves. The second set, consisting of five eggs, was taken April 11.
The eggs measure 1.53x1.31, 1.50x1.27, 1.47x1.32, 1.50x1.32, 1.49x1.30.
This nest was also in a hollow of a cottonwood, about 40 feet from the
ground. The eggs rested on the rubbish at the bottom of the hole, there
being neither feathers nor leaves. The parents in both instances remained
in the hole while the eggs were being removed. — Charles Bendire,
Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Terr.

Breeding of the Acadian Owl in Eastern Massachusetts. — On
June 4, 1880, I found a nest of the Acadian Owl (Nyctale acadica). contain-
ing five nearly fledged young, in a cedar tree, in the midst of a dense swamp
in Braintree. The nest was an old nest of a Night Heron, repaired with
a few leaves and feathers. From the size of the young birds it is evident
that the eggs must have been laid about the end of April or very early in
May. The young birds were clad in a mottled plumage — gray intermixed
with a sprinkling of red. Close to this nest of the Acadian Owl was
found the nest of a Long-eared Owl. I have never heard before of Owls
of different species nesting so near each other. — N. A. Francis, Brook-
line, Mass.

1 86 General Notes.

Early Arrival in New England of the Least Bittern. — On
March i of the present year while at Providence, Rhode Tsland, I saw a
freshly-killed Least Bittern at the natural history store of Messrs. South-
wick and Jencks. It was brought in by a boy who said that he shot it on
the shore of the bay near the city. It was an adult male, thin in flesh
even for the shadowy pattern of its race, but in very perfect plumage. —
William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass.

The Least Bittern in Northwestern Minnesota. — It is said in
Dr. Coues's '; Birds of the Northwest" that the Least Bittern {Ardrtta
exilis) "does not appear to be anywhere abundant." In this vicinity is
a small lake or pond, covering thirty or forty acres, whose very reedy
shores furnished last summer nesting room for eighteen or twenty pairs
of these birds. The other ponds near here, some dozen in number, each
had their complement. So that I think I am fairly entitled to regard it as
abundant. The nests were all placed on floating bog, a few feet from open
water, and the eggs average larger than the measurements given in the
above-mentioned work, specimens 1.30 inches by 1.00 inch being not
uncommon. The habits of this bird have been compared to those of the
Rails, but to my mind it more frequently calls up the Marsh Wren. As
it laboriously fixes itself on the stem of a long reed, one foot above the
other, in the position taken with such airy lightness by the Wren, one is
reminded of the lapdog and the donkey. It climbs awkwardly and with
much effort, foot over foot, up two neighboring reeds, until at a convenient
height, it stands with legs wide apart, or, after a squawk or two, launches
into the air. My first acquaintance with the bird was at Ripon, Wise,
where it was rare and shy. Here, on the contrary, it is quite tame. It
arrived this year May 10, making the eights-sixth on my list of spring
arrivals. — W. W. Cooke. White Earth. Minn.

Occurrence of the Purple and Florida Gallinules near St.
John, New Brunswick. — M. Chamberlain, Esq., of St. John, New-
Brunswick, has very kindly furnished me with the following notes for
publication in the Bulletin.

On April 6, 1S81, a Purple Gallinule {Porphyria martinica) was shot at
Irishtown. a few miles west of St. John. It was taken in a meadow a
short distance from the shore of the Bay of Fundy. A Florida Gallinule
{Gallinula galeata) was also captured by Henry Ketchum, Esq., at Dick's
Lake, in September, 1SS0.

There is a record {Jones, Am. Nat., IV, 253) of the occurrence of the
Purple Gallinule at Halifax, Nova Scotia. January 30, 1870, but I cannot
learn that the Florida Gallinule has previously been detected so far to the
eastward as St. John. — William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass.

The Yellow Rail {Porzana noveboracensis) in Massachusetts. —
Mr. Charles I. Goodale. the Boston taxidermist, tells me that he once
found Yellow Rails actually abundant at Plymouth, Massachusetts. In

General Notes. 187

company with a friend he killed ten specimens in a lew hours. They were
flushed from fall sedge on a salt marsh and many more were seen at the
same time. They, however, have never since been found in the same
locality.

Mr. Goodale also kills one or two specimens every season at Wakefield,
Massachusetts. He finds them, both spring and fall, when shooting Snipe
on fresh-water meadows. — William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass.

Exceptional Abundance of the Shoveller at Portland, Me. —
The Shoveller {Spatula clypcata) is so rare a bird in Maine that I was
not a little surprised to find five handsome males hanging in one of our
city markets on April iS of this year. Suspecting that the unusually
bleak weather of the season might have driven others to the vicinitv, I
watched the markets closely for several days subsequent, and was rewarded
by detecting two more birds, one of them a female. Four other specimens
were received by Mr. A. Nelson, taxidermist, making a total of eleven
birds taken between April iS and 23. All of these, with the exception of
one female, which was killed in a pond on Cape Elizabeth, were said to
have been shot in Casco Bay.

Until this year, but three instances of the Shoveller's occurrence in this
vicinity have come to my knowledge. In September, 1S76, I examined
two specimens which were taken on Scarborough marsh, and on April 14,
1S79, I received a female from one of the littoral islands of the same
township. — Nathan Clifford Brown. Portland, Me.

The Velvet Scoter at Green Bay, Wise. — A male specimen of the
Velvet Scoter (CEdemia fusca) was sent to me April 23, 1SS1. which was
shot at Little Suamico, on Green Btiy. Wisconsin. Its capture here is a
little out of the usual order. — Samuel W. Willard. West L>eVcre; Wise.

Larus glaucus in Texas. — I procured a skin of a Gull shot by my
friend Mr. A. Hall of Clay County, Texas, December 17, 1880. I have
been unable to refer it to any other genus than Larus and species glaucus.
The red spot on the under mandible was not discernible, the bird having
been killed six weeks prior to its reception by myself. The length (skin
measurement) is 2S inches; wing 1S.25. The bill is yellowish at base
and dark at tip ; feet, flesh colored. Sex £. The bird was shot in Red
River while feeding upon the carcass of a skunk. Mr. Hall has seen no
other specimen like this in Clay County, Texas. — G. H. Ragsdale,
Gainesville, Tc <cas.

[This specimen of Lams glaucus is now in the collection ol" the Museum
of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge. It is in immature plumage, verging
on the adult phase. It seems not to have been previously recorded from
south of Long Island. N. Y. — J. A. Allen.]

The Ivory Gull (Pagop/n'la el>ur?ica) at St. John. New Bruns-
wick.— lam indebted to M. Chamberlain, Esq.. for permission to announce
the recent capture of an Ivory Gnll at St. John. New Brunswick. The

loo General Nates.

bird, which was in immature plumage, was shot in the harbor near the
city in November, 18S0. The skin was afterwards forwarded to the Smith-
sonian Institution where it was identified.

In a hurried glance through the various New England lists I do not find
the species anywhere mentioned, excepting by Herrick, who gives it (Bull.
Essex Inst., Vol. V, 1873) as a " winter visitant" at Grand Menan. The
occurrence of the present specimen so near our eastern border is therefore
of no little interest. — William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass.

A Correction. — In this Bulletin, this Vol.. p. 75. has not Dr. Sclater
left a singular slip of the pen, in saying that theTrogonidce are " the only
form of the whole class of birds in which the fourth or outer digit is re-
versed instead of the second." For "fourth or outer" read "second or
inner"; and for "second" read "fourth." — Elliott Coues, Ft. Whipple.
Arizona.

Migration of Birds at Night. — On the 16th of April last, at Prince-
ton, Mr. J. A. Allen and myself made the following observations with the
aid of the telescope. We noted in about three-quarters of an hour thirteen
birds passing the field of the instrument. Nine were going from the
south to the north, three in the opposite direction, i. e. from the north to
the south, and a single bird was flying from the east to the west. Four of
these birds we determined from their shape and flight to be Swallows, the
others being small land birds which we could not decide on save in one
case, where the bird was unquestionably some species of the genus Tardus.
The moon was ik° to io° in altitude during these observations and
consequently the birds were flying comparatively low. — W. E. D. Scott,
Princeton, N. J.

[I take this opportunity to correct a mistake inadvertently made in my
note to Mr. Scott's paper on the "Migration of Birds" published in the last
number of the Bulletin (Vol. VI, p. 100), where in line three of the second
paragraph "four" should read two; i. e., the birds seen may have ranged
in elevation from one to two miles, instead of " one to four miles," as there
stated. — J. A. Allen.]

Birds and Windows. — Reading in the April Bulletin the note by
Mr. Lucas on "Birds and Windows" brings to mind that when in business
in Hartford, Conn., in 1871 and 1872, I found in the spring the following
birds that had been killed by flying against the Charter Oak Life Ins. Co.'s
building — a very high building with "the windows opposite one another."
Mviodioctes canadensis, Geothlyfis trickas, Icterus baltimorc, Chcetura
pclasgia, Trockilus colubris (6 specimens). — John H. Sage, Portland,
Conn.

BULLETIN

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

vol. vi. October, 1881. No. 4.

OX SOME OF THE CAUSES AFFECTING THE
DECREASE OF BIRDS.

BY H. \Y. HENSHAW.

In an extended field experience in Massachusetts and at various
points along the Eastern coast, I have often noticed marked
changes in the relative abundance of the species of birds of a
given locality from summer to summer. A localitv that for
several years has furnished a certain species or a summer resi-
dent in great numbers will be found after the usual spring mi-
gration to be inhabited by comparatively few of that species,
although the associate kinds may continue in undiminished force.
Or it may be that the reduction will be found to affect several
species to a varying degree, involving perhaps birds of very
different habits. As my experience in this particular is by no
means unique but. on the contrary, as I find, has been shared by
every ornithologist whom I have consulted, I have been led
to an inquiry as to the probable cause of these seemingly mys-
terious fluctuations in the numbers of birds, amounting in some
instances to almost the complete extermination of a certain species
over a restricted area.

It is perhaps scarcely necessary to call attention to the fact
that the great variation occasionally to be noticed in the number
of migrants passing a given point can have comparatively little
weight in an estimate of the actual increase or decrease of the
several species, the facts concerning migration being too general

19° Henshaw on Causes affecting the Decrease of Birds.

in their nature and the number of observers too small for exact
inferences to be drawn. Evidences of a general stability in the
course of migration are. however, numerous, and it is certainly
true that given species may confidently be expected to occur and
recur in abundance along a certain route, while the uniformity
with which a species known to be rare will present itself each
year in just about the same numbers is still more remarkable.
Nevertheless, most observers will agree that no two seasons
yield precisely similar notes on migrations, and not infrequently
the differences are very great. It is evident that it needs but a
slight deflection to one side or the other to carry the hulk of a
certain species quite outside the range of observation of the
limited number of observers, and this may readily happen from
a number of causes. The effect of a severe storm is frequently
to retard the migration, and in the long delay that sometimes
follows, birds become more or less scattered and may resume
their journey on somewhat different lines.

Possibly, also, and especially in fall, the scarcity of food along
an accustomed line of flight, and its abundance elsewhere, may
be to some extent instrumental in influencing the course taken.
But the most potent agent in deflecting birds from their course
is adverse winds, and to them doubtless are due most of the
variations noted in the number of migrants which are not caused
by actual mortality. In connection with the effect of winds in
turning migrating birds aside from their usual paths, the inter-
esting question arises whether large numbers are not forced to
such remote distances that they are unable to regain the lost patli
leading to their old homes, and are thus compelled to settle in
new quarters. That this does occasionally happen there can, I
think, be no question, and doubtless these accidental dispersions
form an important means for the spread of species.

Doubtless many of the k' accidentals" that so frequently figure
in our local lists are to be thus accounted for. But these wan-
derers are almost always reported singly, and I can recall no
instance where a neighborhood has been invaded by a large
number of breeders of a species hitherto rare. The home in-
stinct in birds is so strong and enduring that it seems certain that
nothing but the most adverse circumstances will cause them to
relinquish their efforts to reach their old homes. Were it not
indeed so our Avifauna? would become sadly unstable.

Hexshaw on Causes affecting the Decrease of Birds. 191

Before advancing an hypothesis to account for the decima-
tion in the ranks of species occasionally to be noticed, it may be
well to glance at certain factors in the mortality of bird life,
natural and other, with a view to ascertaining what part thev
play, if any, in the phenomenon.

As is well known, foxes, skunks, weasels, snakes, and the
whole tribe of predatory birds, animals, and reptiles contribute
towards the reduction of bird life, and unquestionably in wild
sections, where nature reigns supreme, play an important and
as usually thought, a beneficent part in preventing the over-
production of birds.

While it is true that the aggregate of birds destroyed by these
agents is large, it nowhere, I think, even during the nesting
season, the period of greatest danger, amounts to the proportions
necessary to account for the decrease noticed. This belief is
changed to certainty with respect to the civilized districts, where
birds of prey, predatory animals, and even snakes are themselves
subject to extermination at the hands of man.

If the above be true of the nesting season, still less can natural
enemies be supposed to affect to any very appreciable extent the
ratio of birds at other seasons or in other regions when away
from our observation.

Little appears to be known of the number of diseases among
wild birds and the extent to which they prevail. That diseases
do actually exist among birds, and to a greater extent than is
usually supposed, is, I believe, true, and in a few instances I have
myself found dead birds under circumstances that precluded the
idea of death from any form of violence.* The almost total
lack of evidence upon the diseases of birds is, however, conclu-
sive proof of their comparative rarity, f since if serious diseases
were common, or anything like epidemics prevailed, we may be
sure their presence and effects would make themselves visibly
known.

* Upon this point see Shufeldt in American Naturalist (Vol. XV, Apr. 1881, pp.
283-285). The subject is an interesting one and that its fuller investigation would
result in developing some valuable facts cannot be doubted.

t As compared, for instance, with mammals, which are well known to be subject
to epidemic diseases that actually depopulate wide districts. Buffalos among large
animals, and rabbits among small ones, may be cited in illustration. The latter, par-
ticularly, fairly swarm in certain parts of the western Territories, and by their numbers
and the consequent damage they inflict upon the farmer would be intolerable nuisances
were it not for the occasional epidemics that sweep them off by thousands.

IC)2 1 1 i:\siiaw on Causes affecting the Decrease of /lira's.

Old age among birds, as elsewhere throughout animated
beings, is instrumental as a check on increase, and doubtless
many birds survive the various dangers to which bird life is heir
to and pay the hist great debt from the decay of their vital
powers. But the number of deaths from disease and old age
doubtless varies within comparatively narrow limits, and hence
either alone or combined with natural enemies cannot furnish the
cause we seek. Of death-dealing causes none is so curious as
that modern invention the telegraph wire. On the plains where
high winds prevail and where there is insufficient shelter many birds
have been noticed under the wires, dead or crippled from being
blown against them. Under such circumstances it has proved
a source of considerable mortality among small birds. But
when the wires are first put up in a neighborhood it is by no
means a rare accident for birds of various kinds to fly against
them in calm weather, evidently not seeing, or at least not com-
prehending, the nature of the obstruction. As might be expect-
ed from the height at which it flies and the time of day when
most active, the Woodcock is particularly prone to this sort of
accident, and scores of this bird have been reported in the
sporting papers as being found dead or disabled under newly
laid wires. It bears witness to the intelligence of birds and
their power to profit by the lessons of experience that in a very
short time they learn to appreciate the danger and to avoid it by
flying above or below the obstruction, so that they rarely suffer
even in high winds.

Storms, especially when they are prolonged and accompanied
by sudden and excessive change of temperature, are directly
responsible for important changes in the relative numbers in the
species of a district, and not a few instances could be cited where-
certain species have been entirely exterminated from a locality.

The less hardy of our small Insectivores are specially liable to
disasters of this kind, particularly in the spring, during or just
subsequent to their return from their tropical winter quarters.
Indeed, taking our country at large, it is probable that scarcely
a year passes without the loss in one or several districts of great
numbers of birds from this cause. Sometimes the storm-visited
area is small, and occurring early in the season the storm works
injury to comparatively few of the earlier migrants. But occa-
sionally it is wide-spread in its effects and, coming in the height
of the migration, destroys great numbers of individuals and affects
a considerable number of species.

Henshaw on Causes affecting the. Decrease of Birds. 1 93

The past season has been unusually fruitful in casualites of the
sort referred to, and during early May storms in New England
carried oft* great- numbers of Swallows which, from their ten-
der organization and inability to procure food in tempestuous
weather, easily succumb to the effects of long, cold storms.
Even as far south as Washington, and as late as June, a rain
storm accompanied by hail killed large numbers of as hardy a
bird as the English Sparrow, other species suffering in due pro-
portion. Of the local effects of a storm, however, the best
example I know of is the case of the extermination of the Pur-
ple Martins in Cambridge and near vicinity years ago during
a cold storm which caught the birds a day or two after their
arrival from the south.* This instance is of peculiar interest,
insomuch as the Martins, although affected only within a small
area and remaining abundant outside of it, have never reoccupied
the lost ground ; whether from a failure to increase sufficiently to
colonize it, or from inability to make headway against the Swal-
lows and Wrens, usurpers of their ancestral seats, is uncertain.

That the causes above named play an important part in the
reduction of birds is certain, but with the exception of the last
they act in so regular and systematic a manner, or are too
unimportant in their effects, to be accepted as explaining the
marked decrease which many species undergo in the inter-
val between their departure from and their return to their
northern homes. We have now to consider another class of facts
in which storms appear as the destructive agents but in a totally
different way from those hitherto noticed.

It has long been well known that in foggy and tempestuous
weather, at all seasons of the year, but particularly during the
migrations, birds are killed in great numbers by being dashed
against the light-houses. f

* Facts of this sort, which may be indefinitely multiplied, are of themselves a
sufficient refutation of the common superstition that birds are endowed with some
mysterious faculty by means of which they are enabled to foretell the weather in ad-
vance, and time their movements accordingly. The ill-timed arrival of migrants may
be studied to peculiar advantage on the shores of the Great Lakes, where the sudden
northers of early spring often check the migrations and fill the shrubbery of the
southern shores with great numbers of northern bound birds. The much quoted
adage of the " early bird," with its appropriate lesson, fails of application most signally
in the case of our migrants, whose forwardness not rarely bears bitter fruit in the
death of thousands.

t For interesting data on this see Mr. J. A. Allen in Bulletin Nuttall Ornithological
Club, Vol. V, pp. 131-138. July, 1880.

194 Henshaw on Causes affecting the Decrease of Birds.

It is not necessary to enumerate the species that have been
noted among the birds thus destroyed or to institute any com-
parisons as to their relative or aggregate numbers. It is enough
to note here that the list when full}' made out will be found to
embrace all our smaller species whose routes of migration or
whose habitats are not so far inland as to place them beyond the
reach of the coast storms. That the larger species, too, are not
wholly exempt from disasters of this sort can be readily shown.
Hawks, Owls, Ducks, and even Pelicans having been forced by
gales against light-houses. The testimony is sufficient to show
that thousands of birds are annually destroyed in this way, and
that an infinitely greater number pass by unharmed and are lost
to sight in the obscurity of the gale. What then becomes of these
latter?

It is perhaps not so well known that vessels coasting off shore
from ten to one hundred miles or more are frequently visited by
birds that have been swept off the land by the wind. I have
frequently during a voyage in the calm summer months found
in the early morning three, six, eight or a dozen or more land
birds perching on the vessel or flying in excited circles around
and over it. Some of these are doubtless forced away from land
by the pursuit of Hawks,* or by moderate off-shore breezes, and
without doubt soon find their way safely back. The same facts
hold good, I believe, for the coast line all over the world, and I
am told that in the Mediterranean it is extremely common for
birds to alight on vessels, and that here their flight is rarely
sufficiently protracted to in anywise injure them. But if caught
at any considerable distance from land, it is noticeable that these
wanderers will invariably die from exhaustion, no matter what
care be taken of them, showing conclusively that they must have
been on the wing a very long time. This fact is of interest, as
it seems to imply the utter impossibility of at least the weaker-
winged North American species — so many of which have been
detected in England and the Continent — crossing the ocean with-
out material assistance from vessels or other stable support upon
which to alight and rest.

* In fact, I once saw a Falco polyagrus in attendance upon some Snowbirds and
Sparrows at a distance of about seven miles off the California coast, and similar ob-
servations have been made bv others.

Henshaw on Causes affecting the Decrease of Birds. 1 95

But it is in spring andrfall, and especially after high winds and
foggy storms, that the full effects of this class of disasters are
to be observed and to some slight extent measured, instances
being known where in an interval to be measured by minutes
hundreds of birds have been seen from a vessel to fall into the
water and perish from sheer inability to sustain themselves longer
on the wing.*

The same disastrous results which often accompany the migra-
tory birds along the ocean coasts are also experienced as they pass
over the great interior lakes. An account of an instance of such
destructive results has just appeared in a late Chicago newspaper,
which is of such interest in the present connection, I give it in
the subjoined note.f

These two classes of facts point to the conclusion to which I
wish to call attention, viz.. that the ocean each year proves the
burial place for vast numbers of birds. If, as is the case, " hun-
dreds" of birds are dished against the slender shaft of a light-
house in a single night, a thousand are hurried past on the wings
of the gale for one that meets its doom through the treacherous
lantern's rays, and if, as is equally true, not alone hundreds
but multitudes are occasionally noticed from the decks of vessels
after storms dropping into a watery grave or striving with faint
and failing- wing-beats against a stern and inevitable fate — if these

[* See Mr. Frazar's note on destruction of birds by storms in the Gulf of Mexico,
published in this number of the Bulletin in the department of "General Notes." — ED.]

t " Very few people have any idea of the really immense number of birds which are
lost in the great lakes every year. They are driven offshore by heavy winds, or, cross-
ing from shore to shore, are tired out and fall into the water.

" Very many are lost when they come up from the South in spring, and there are
more or less losses all summer, though the fall is the time in which the greatest de-
struction occurs. Then the birds are gathered in families or flocks, living a nomadic
life all through the time of molting, wandering everywhere in search of food. Their
new plumage is not always perfect, and their flight is therefore apt to be feeble, and
September gales drive them where they will. It is not the small birds alone that fall
victims, but the largest and strongest as well as the small and delicate.

" Two years ago there was a heavy storm, lasting some twenty-four hours. It
occurred during the first week in September, and the eastern shore of Lake Michigan
was strewn with dead birds. I took some pains to count these on a certain number of
yards, and estimated that if the eastern shore was alike through all its length over half
a million of birds were lying dead on that side of the lake alone. It is more than
likely that nearly as many more were on the wrest. Not (7/7 the birds could be counted,
because many were immediately buried in the sand that is being swept back and forth
on the beach.

196 Henshaw on Causes affect i??g the Decrease of Birds.

limited points of observation give such results what estimate will
suffice to comprehend the number of the Ocean's victims in its
vast expanse of storm-visited surface ! That millions of birds
are annually thus destroyed cannot be doubted, and it is in this
way I would account for the numerical fluctuations noticed in
the beginning of this article.

The migrations of birds have been well likened to the waves
of the ocean, each billow of this living sea being made up of
different species, the individuals of each species coming from
more or less contiguous ones. This latter statement is proven
from the fact that the main body of a given species arrives at a
locality in the spring, as it leaves it in the fall, almost simultane-
ously, a single day usually sufficing to see a neighborhood stocked
with its full quota, the onset of the numerous clans having been

" It was a strange and pitiful sight. Some were so fresh and perfect, and their
feathers so unruffled, that it seemed impossible that they had been drowned. There
were multitudes of wrens, with narrow, gauzy wings spread out, so that the wind swept
them up and down on the sand, like autumn leaves sere and brown. Tiny creepers,
looking ghastly with only a head and wing unburied, and moving as if alive; kinglets
with their bright crowns defaced huddled into a group, where I counted a robin with
fair unruffled breast, a kingbird, a summer yellowbird, and one orange-crowned war-
bler. The greatest number of any one species was the yellow-winged sparrow, both
young and old. The grass finch and the song sparrow were abundant, as was also the
familiar little pair bird. Of the goniaphea I do not remember a single specimen.
They leave before September, I think. There were cowbirds, and one or two black-
birds, and no orioles. Blue jays one or two, much worn and defaced, and the common
phebe more numerous. Belted king-fishers I saw once or twice, and of the picidse, the
red-head and the golden-winged, a single specimen each, as well as two of the downy
woodpeckers.

" There were none of the varieties of the hirundinidce, and but one or two of the
thrushes, except the robin, which was rather numerous. Evidently that bird comes
earlier and stays later than any others of his family. A single catbird came under my
notice.

" I have observed that all through the summer more or less birds are drowned and
thrown up on the beach. How many it is impossible to say, as they are soon covered
with sand or carried away by prowling wildcats, whose tracks I constantly saw there.
It is unlikely that during the breeding season any bird ventures so far from home as to
cross the lake, and as there are no bays, and a sandy beach skirts all the wooded shores,
the birds are not lost in flying voluntarily over the water, but are blown out and ex-
hausted by baffling winds, fall down, and perish

" If one had time to follow the beach during the season a pretty fair knowledge of
the birds that haunt the shores of Lake Michigan might be gained. My observation
was necessarily limited to a small space, but a wider research would no doubt give
many other varieties of birds that perish in the lake. This is a very large percentage
of loss no doubt, and must be reckoned as only the part belonging to Lake Michigan,

since the same thing happens on all the great lakes to some extent " — Chicago

Tribune, Sept. 3, 188 1.

Shufeedt on the Os Prominens in Hawksi 197

heralded, perhaps one or two, possibly six or eight days, pre-
viously.* So that a gale would have precisely the effect noticed ;
that is, it would strike the loilg migrating line at a certain point
where the victims taken would consist largely of the individuals
belonging to the same neighborhood, perhaps of but one species
or of more, as the case might be. The earlier and later migrants
of that neighborhood would alone escape, except the fortunate
few that succeeded by favoring circumstances in releasing them-
selves from the grasp of the storm. Thus it happens that a
species usually abundant in a locality may suddenly become rare
and vet the species hold its own over its general range.

That the ocean is responsible for the lives of many birds has
long been known, but the idea that its victims annually reach such
figures as to affect the numerical relation of species over extensive
areas has not, I think, been hitherto advanced. That such is
the fact seems to me certain and it is with the idea of directing
the attention of observers to this class of facts, as well as with
the hope of eliciting information already gathered but not yet
made known, that these pages have been written.

ON THE OSSICLE OF THE AXTIBRACHIUM AS
FOUND IN SOME OF THE NORTH AMERICAN
FALCONTD.E.

BY R. W. SHUFELDT, M.D., CAPT. MED. DEPT. U. S. ARMY.

It does not seem possible that a bone the size of one which I
am now about to describe could have been entirely overlooked by
ornithologists, yet after a careful perusal of such parts of the
works of the most prominent writers, as refer to the skeletologx
of the upper extremity I fail to discover the barest mention as to
the existence of any such an one.

* The departure of birds in the fall is less regular than their return in spring. At
least this is true of many species, as for instance the whole Sparrow tribe and many
of the Warblers that saunter along as fine weather and an abundant food supply may
tempt. The Swallows are the best examples of the other class. Their deliberative
gatherings in the fall and prompt departure as though at a preconcerted signal are
familiar to all.

198 Shufeldt on the Os Prominens in Hawks.

Mv attention was called to the fact several months ago, while
engaged in preparing the skeleton of a fine specimen of Circus
hudsonius which I hud secured for that purpose. The bird in
question had beer, allowed to macerate for a long time, as a dis-
articulated skeleton alone was desired, so that disintegration
of the soft parts was very complete and the bones sank to the
bottom of the vessel containing my Hawk. Upon collecting these
together and assorting them I found a pair of ossicles that I
could not exactly account for, nor conceive as to which part of
the bird's skeleton thev rightfully belonged ; of course the verte-
bral column, sternum, ribs, and pelvis could, one and all, be
immediately discarded ; first in order, naturally came the carpus
and tarsus both of which were carefully examined, an examina-
tion that at the time 1 am free to confess threw no further light
upon the subject, for the extremities of the long bones seemed to
possess nothing that approached the appearance of additional
facets for articulation, and the two free ossicles of the carpus
seemed to exhibit all their usual characteristics as irregularly
formed bonelets, not differing materially from their homologues
in other birds of powerful flight. From the bony remains of my
disjointed Marsh Harrier, I turned to the authors and authorities
but only after thorough search through the works of those then
at my command did I find that mv labors were to terminate as
already cited. Nothing was revealed or described that assisted
me in the elucidation of such an unsuspected problem. My
fowling piece and another specimen was the only and best
resort left. but. as we all know . when a certain species of the
class Aves becomes particularly desirable and must be had at
once, no matter how common it may be, that bird suddenly
develops a remarkable shyness, to say nothing of rarity, and
such was the case here, for fully a month elapsed before a dupli-
cate was taken ; but it came at last in the shape of a fine adult
female of the species already considered, and she was eagerly
carried to my study.

My first suspicions were the first to be satisfied, and to this end
I made an incision, carried only through the skin, around the
shoulder, then carefully removed the integuments, allowing the
quills of the primaries to remain, from the entire wing. This
being successfully accomplished, the following condition of
affairs at the wrist joint at once were disclosed to me, and care-
fully noted.

Shufeldt oji the Os Prominens in Hazvks.

199

The usual long bones and carpal segments interested in the
formation of the wrist joint of this Hawk held their positions
and relations to each other as we find them described by ornithot-
omists generally ; but superadded to these I found the ossicle which
proved to be the counterpart of one of the pair I already had in
my possession, found in the first specimen ; in form it resembles
an irregular parallelopiped or rather, and more correctly speaking,
the frustum of a four-sided pyramid, its distal face being concave
and its summit more or less tuberous.' Its altitude measures 6
centimetres, while its base has a diameter of 3 centimeters, and
is smooth, being covered with a thin layer of cartilage for articu-
lation with a diminutive facet found on scapJiohinar and an exten-
sion of the usual horizontally compressed, distal end of radius
that was produced anconad for that special purpose. The articu-

rpa

Right Carpus, Circus Hndsonius, Ulnar aspect.
11, ulna. r, radius. c, cuneiform. s, scapho-lunar. os.p, os prominens.
m. metacarpus. J, index digit. epa, tendon of extensor plica? alaris.

lation is a true arthrodia. the little bone being perfectly free to
glide over the surface in question, being restricted in its move-
ments mainly by the ligaments that are attached to it and by the
tendon of the exte?isor filicce. alaris that is found to be inserted at
its summit. The principal ligaments are found to be those that
are attached about its base to hold it in the position it occupies,
and are blended with the carpal ligaments, generally ; and an
additional broad ligamentous expansion that is thrown out from
the radial angle and aspect, from its summit to its base, to be
inserted into the head of the metacarpus.

My sketch of the carpus in Circus* accompanying this paper,
represents the bones of a life size from a large female of the
species, entirely divested of all the engaged tendons and liga-

200 Shufeldt on the Os Prom incus in Hawks.

merits, with the one exception already referred to, the limb being
in a position of extreme extension. When the member is
brought to the side in a position of rest, the ossicle no longer
being held in its erect position by the stretched tendon of the
extensor plica alar is, falls forwards and inwards to cover the
ulnar aspect of the carpal articulation and forms in so doing an
unusually rotund joint, particularly noticeable in the bird before
the removal of the elastic integuments that tend further to hold
it in this position in the closed wing.

As this little hone can in no way be considered as belonging to
the bones of the carpus proper, I have named it the os prominens,
and regard it in the same light and place it in the same category
with the os hnmcro-scapulare of the shoulder joint of others of
the class, they being simple segments super-added to the series
of vertebrae, modified or otherwise, of the avian skeleton, to
fulfil a certain purpose.

The function of the os prominens can be studied, and its action
thoroughly appreciated, by an examination of the wing in any
of the Hawks where it is found ; a very recently killed specimen
being the best subject.

With the wing closed, it simply falls into the position that I
have already endeavored to describe, and in doing so, it acts
more as an additional protection to the anterior aspect of the
carpal articulation than anything else — by no means an unim-
portant object among the Falconidce ; in the extended limb, where
it becomes erect, and the elastic tendon of the extensor plica
alar is is put on the stretch, we will at once observe that the
surface of the integumental membrane, that is found in the tri-
angular space between shoulder and carpus, is very much greater
than if that tendon were simply inserted at the wrist-joint ; this
circumstance giving to these Raptorial birds a more extensive
alar superficies, a very important auxilliary during their sustained
flight aloft when, sailing in circles, they scan the earth below for
their food.

The various bones in the cut are lettered to correspond with
the same bones of my former published monographs, and the os
prominens is here lettered os. p., and will be invariably so desig-
nated in future plates and papers when it becomes necessary to
refer to it. I have thus far failed to discover this osteological
character in any of the class except the Falconida. and doubt

Shufeldt on the Os Prominens in Hawks. 201

its existence in any of the American Owls. The opportunity of
examining the skeleton of Surnia funerea has never been
afforded me.

In the skeleton of Buteo borealis, from the collection of the
Smithsonian Institution, we find this bone present, although of
relatively smaller size as compared with Circus ; it also seems
to articulate almost, if not quite, exclusively with scapho-lunar ',
barely coming in contact with radius at all.

In the s:tme collection we observe, in the skeleton of Haliiv-
ctus leucocephalus, the os prominens again present, and here
of a more quadrate outline and figure, though evidently designed
to carry out a like purpose as in the other diurnal Raptores.

The skeletons of Accipiter cooperi that I have examined, an
indifferent one in my own possession, and another, not entirely
reliable, in the collection of the Army Medical Museum, Wash-
ington, seem to be without these bones, and I am of the opinion
that if this Hawk possesses them at all, they will be found to be
very small as compared with others of the family. They are present
in Archibuteo lagop7is sancti-johannis, where they again resem-
ble these bones as found in Circus, differing principally in the
position they occupy, being placed apparently still further towards
the inner aspect of the joint. We find them also in Astur atrica-
pillus. in Accipiter fuscus. where they are quite prominent and
elongated, and again in Panditn, but further than this I have
not looked into the subject and would prefer, in any event,
describing their exact size, position, and relation to surrounding
parts from the recently killed specimens rather than from museum
skeletons, as valuable as these subjects are to osteological students
in so many other respects.

We may be certain that the os 'prominens will never be re-
garded by any one in the light of one of the bones of the carpus,
but articulating as it does with one of those bones and the distal
end of radius, it will be the proper place in descriptive works
or special monographs upon ornithotomical subjects to notice and
describe it ; just as Professor Owen treats the os hu?nero-scapularc
of birds, directing attention to it under the section treating of
the Scapular Arch and Appendage, where he says: kk In Rap-
tores. Scansores, and Cantor es, an ossicle (os humero-scapularc)
lies between the scapula and humerus at the upper and back part
of the glenoid cavity." (Comp. Anat. & Phys. of Vert., Vol.

202 Shufeldt on tlic Os Prominens in Hawks.

II. p. 67.) In the same volume, page 73, in his general descrip-
tion of the bird-wrist, he simply describes it in the following terms :
" The ulnar trochlea articulates with the two free carpal bones,
one — the ' scapho-lunar ' — being wedged into the radial, the
other — ' cuneiforme ' — into the ulnar part, leaving a small
intermediate tract for the 'magnum' which is confluent with
the base of the mid-metacarpal " — not mentioning any such
bone, nor do we find, further on under special references to
certain departures in some of the genera from the general rule,
any allusion to such an ossicle as the os prominens. Moreover,
in the same work, in treating of the Muscular System of Aves,
page 9S, and apparently describing the muscles of a Hawk, too,
— Butco vulgaris. I think, — the opportunity, one would sup-
pose, was afforded to have called our attention to the presence or
absence of such a feature; but nothing of the kind has been
noted, the muscle being simply described (for all birds) as
follows : —

"A remarkable muscle, partly analogous in its origin to the
clavicular portion of the deltoid, but differently inserted, is the
extensor plicae alar/s. ib. 30, a. b. [the Hawk] and forms one
of the most powerful flexors of the cubit. It is divided into two
portions, of which the anterior and shorter arises from the
internal tuberosity of the humerus ; the posterior and longer
from the clavicular extremity of the coracoid bone. In the
Ostrich and Rhea, however, both portions arise from the cor-
acoid. The posterior muscle, 6. sends down a long and thin
tendon which runs parallel with the humerus, and is inserted,
generally by a bifurcate extremity, into both radius and ulna.
The anterior muscle, «, terminates in a small tendon [the one
shown in the cut, for Circus, accompanying this paper] which
runs along the edge of the aponeurotic expansion of the wing.
In this situation it becomes elastic ; it then resumes its ordinary
tendinous structure, passes over the end of the radius, and is
inserted into the short confluent metacarpal, 11. It combines
with the preceding muscle in bending the forearm ; and further,
in consequence of the elasticity of its tendon, puckers up the
soft part of the wing."

Professor Edward S. Morse, in his discussion upon the carpus
of birds (On the Tarsus and Carpus of Birds ; Ann. Lye. Nat.
Hist. New York, Vol. X, 1872), makes no mention of the

Merrill's Oological Notes from Montana. 203

presence of any such bone, as being one likely to be confounded
with the carpal bones, in our study of the carpi of Falconidce.
He sums up the results of his valuable and advanced studies by
stating, '• Thus we must recognize in birds the presence of four
tarsal bones, and at least four carpal bones" (op. cit. p. 152).

Prof. Huxley in his "Manual" (Manual of the Anatomy of Ver-
tebrated Animals, New York, 1S72, pp. 24S-9) has nothing to
say to us in regard to any such segment ; he concludes with the
wrist-joint by briefly remarking that t- There are only two carpal
bones, one radial and one ulnar," although this same profound
anatomist, to whom we owe so much, calls our attention, in
another paragraph, to the much smaller ossicle, in these terms :
"A small bone, the scapula accessor /a, is developed on the
outer side of the shoulder-joint in most Coracomorphoe and
Celeomorphce ."

One would hardly look for it in Dr. Coues's elaborate descrip-
tion of the bird-wing in his ki Key" (Key to North American Birds,
1S72, p. 30), as that section was evidently written with a very
different purpose in view, and certainly not to decide the peculiar
osteological characters that might be or were already known, to
occur in the various wings of the many representatives of the
class. These remarks apply with equal force to all that Professor
Carl Vogt has to say to us in his paper upon the Arcluvopteryx
macrura (Ibis, Oct. 1SS0), where he devotes a paragraph to a
revision of the osteological points as they occur in the upper
extremity of the Rin^-Dove.

OOLOGICAL NOTES FROM MONTANA.

RY DR. J. C. MERRILL. U.S.A.

The following notes on the nests and eggs of six species of
birds may be of interest, as all are rare and two, those of the
Snowbird and Woodpecker, are, I think, undescribed. These
nests were found during the past season in the northern part of
the Big Horn Mountains, so near the Montana-Wyoming boun-
dary line that in some cases it is impossible to say in which of
these Territories they were located.

204 Merrill's Oblogical Notes from Montana.

Regulus calendula (Linn.) Licht. — The Kinglets offer a remarkable
illustration of the fact that a bird may be very common, and yet its eggs
remain for years among the greatest desiderata of oologists. So far as
I am aware, but four nests of the Ruby-crown have been found up to the
present time, and all were found in Colorado.* A fifth nest was found by
me on the 18th of June at an elevation of 7,700 feet. It was in a fir tree,
about eighteen feet from the ground, and placed directly against the
trunk, supported by a single branch beneath and by several twigs to which
the sides were firmly attached. It is large for the size of the bird, meas-
uring externally 3X4, internally i|Xi^ inches. It is a very neat, well-
made structure with soft thick walls. With the exception of the lining,
which consists of feathers of the Richardson's Grouse well woven into
the sides and bottom, the whole nest is composed of delicate strips of
bark, small pieces of green moss, and fibres of weeds, with a few feathers,
spiders' webs and fragments of a wasp's nest, the whole forming a some-
what globular mass of soft materials. Of the eggs, which were eight in
number, one had apparently just been laid; the others were somewhat
advanced in incubation, but in varying degrees, showing that the femalet
had begun to sit soon after laying the first egg. Dissection of the female
showed that this was the full complement of eggs. They average -55X-43,
with scarcely any variation in size, though some are much more pointed at
the smaller end than others. It is not easy to give an accurate idea of the
color of these eggs by any description. At first sight they appear to be
of a uniform dirty cream-color, but a close examination shows that in
most of the specimens this color is deeper at the larger end and there
forms a faint ring. In six of the eggs there are one or two very fine hair
lines at the larger end. Other eggs of this species are spotted, a fact which is
strongly indicated by the appearance of the set just described. Thus, Dr.
Brewer, in speaking of the egg found by Mr. Batty, says "the ground
color is a cream-white, and over this are profusely scattered minute dots
of brown with a reddish tinge." Mr. Scott describes the eggs he found
as "of a dirty white color, faintly spotted all over with light brown, which
becomes quite definite at the larger end." The single egg obtained by
Mr. Drew is described as " white." It is thus evident that many more sets
must be obtained before the prevailing type of egg of the Ruby-crown can
be determined. I may add that this species was breeding in considerable
numbers, but owing to want of time I only succeeded in finding the nest
above described.

Parus montanus. Gamb. — Common in the same localities as the pre-
ceding species. This is another bird whose eggs have only recently been
described, and especially interesting from the fact that they usually differ
from those of other members of the genus in being unspotted. The first

* See this Bulletin, IV, 91 ; id., 97, note; VI, 87. I cannot now refer to the original
description of the nest found by Mr. Henshaw.

t It may be stated here that the crown of this specimen was plain with the exception
of three scarlet feathers.

Merrill's Oological Notes from Montana. 205

specimen described was found by Captain Bendire in Oregon ; it was
white. " moderately spotted and blotched with pale reddish-brown, but
not thickly." Mr. Belding, who found three nests, was the first to describe
the eggs as white.* A fifth nest is recorded by Mr. Scott ;t and Dr.
Brewer describes§ a set of seven eggs, six of which are pure unspotted
chalk}' white, the seventh being ''marked over its entire surface with fine
rounded dots of reddish-brown."

A nest found June iS was in a fire-killed pine at a height of about six-
teen feet. A knothole had been cleared out and the soft decayed wood
removed to a depth of four inches, the hardness of the surrounding wood
preventing a deeper excavation. On a warm felted bed of various soft
materials were five or six recently hatched young and an addled egg. The
latter measures .5SX.4S and is a dull unspotted chalk}' white, only slightly
pointed at the smaller end. While examining the nest the parents were
very bold, perching on a branch within a foot of my head and scolding
vigorously.

Dendrceca audubcni (Towns.) Buird. — Breeding rather abundantly
in the Big Horn Mountains but only one nest was found. Several descrip-
tions of the eggs of the Western Yellow-rump have recently appeared,
and its breeding habits are now fairly well known. My nest was found
on the 17th of June in a young pine tree growing on the top of a ridge at
the edge of a deep canon, at an elevation of 6.500 feet. It was about seven
feet from the ground and placed against the main trunk, supported by and
partly saddled upon two twigs. It is large for the size of the bird,
measuring 4X4 inches: internally i£Xl|. Externally it is composed
of many small twigs and fine strips of bark; within this is a thick wall
of well matted strips of a weed and of bark and pine needles. The inner
lining consists of fine fibrous roots and hairs, with a feather or two.
The most curious feature of the nest is a circle of feathers of Richardson's
Grouse attached to the rim for nearly the entire circumference, a small
bare space being left which was apparently used by the bird on entering.
These feathers are fastened to the rim by the larger ends and are directed
upwards and inwards forming a sort of canopy which completely hid the
female while sitting. The appearance is very peculiar and quite unlike
anything I have seen, for this use of the feathers is evidently intentional
and is very different from what is seen in nests writh a lining of loose
feathers in which the bird sinks nearly out of sight. One egg was broken ;
the other four, far advanced in incubation, average .68X.53. The ground
color is a decidedly greenish-white, sparingly marked over the entire
surface with small spots and dots of black, brown, and lavender, the latter
predominating, and form an irregular wreath around the larger end.

Junco annectens, Baird. — Rather common in the mountains, but only
at a considerable height and among the pine trees. A nest taken June 13

* Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., I, 400.
tBull. Nutt. O. C, IV, 92.
§ », V, 47-

206 Merrill's Oological Notes from Montana.

was near the top of a ridge connecting two peaks, at an elevation of 8,000
feet. The nest was under a shelving stone, one of many exposed by a
land slide, and was in a little hollow dug out by the parents. The nest
was rather large, but well and compactly built, composed externally of
coarse dry grasses, with an inner lining of fine yellow straws and hairs of
the mountain sheep. The eggs, five in number, were far advanced in
incubation and one was broken in blowing. They measure .81X.60;
.S0X.59; .S4X.60; .83X. 60. The ground color of three of these eggs is a
dull yellowish-white, marked with spots and blotches of light reddish-
b.-own and with a few blotches of lavender. The.spots are scattered over
the entire surface of the eggs, but are largest and most numerous at the
larger end. The ground color of the fourth egg. the largest one, is a
rather greenish-white.

Pipilo maculatus arcticus (Stvai/ts.) Coucs. — Though a common
species in many places, the eggs of the Northern Towhee are rare in
collections. In all parts of Montana I have found it abundant wherever a
stream with bordering underbrush afforded the needed shelter. There is
great diversity in the time of laying, or rather in the contents of nests
found on about the same dates from the middle of May until late in July,
which I attribute more to the great number of nests that must be destroyed
bv snakes, birds, and small mammals, and to the attempts of the parents
to raise another brood, than to any other cause.

The nests are placed on the ground under some bush, a favorite place
being in one of the many small isolated growths of cherry brush that
are so often seen near streams flowing down many of the mountains in
this Territory; lower, on the plains, any growth of bushes or shrubbery
appear to answer as well. The rim of the nest is flush with the surface of
the ground, the birds scratching a hollow large enough to contain the
nest. These are well and strongly built; externally are placed dead leaves
and broad strips of bark; then a wall of finer strips of bark andblades of
dry grass, lined usually with yellow straws. The internal diameter is
about 24X2^. The complement of eggs is four or five, averaging .94X.69
in size. Five sets now before me are of two very distinct types. In two
of the sets the ground color is white, slightly tinged with greenish and
covered with dots and small spots of reddish-brown and lavender, most
numerous at the larger end, where a more or less distinct wreath is
formed. The other sets have the ground color scarcely distinguishable
on account of the very numerous markings which cover the entire surface
of the eggs and which do not tend to aggregate at the larger end ; the
appearance is that of a general suffusion of reddish and lilac brown.

Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis, Baird. — The Red-naped Woodpecker
seems to be one of the rarest of its family in Montana, and I have met with
it on two occasions only, once near Fort Shaw and once in the Big Horn
Mountains.

On the 1 2th of June a nest was found near the mouth of the canon of
the Little Big Horn River, a short distance below the point where the; pine
trees give place to cottonwoods. The nest-cavity was in a dead young

Ridgway on a Tropical American Hawk. 207

cottonwood tree about forty feet in height. The hole was twenty-five
feet from the ground, and near the top of the same tree were three simi-
lar holes, very probably occupied by the same pair in previous years.
The entrance was rather large for the size of the bird. At the bottom of
the cavity, about ten inches deep, lay five eggs upon wood dust and a few
chips. These eggs were far advanced and measure .91X.72; .90X.73;
•93X.71; -93X-73; -9IX-73- The male, which was shot, was evidently
assisting the female in incubating.
Fort Custer, Montana.

ON A TROPICAL AMERICAN HAWK TO BE ADDED
TO THE NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

BY ROBERT RIDGWAY.

In ,l Forest and Stream" for April 14. 18S1 (p. 206), I
briefly announced the capture, at Oyster Bay, Florida, by Mr.
W. S. Crawford,* of a specimen of a small black Hawk, well-
known as an inhabitant of Tropical America, but not previously
recorded from any portion of the United States ; the name
Buteo fuliginosus. Sclater, being provisionally adopted for
the species. Since the announcement in question was published,
Mr. George A. Boardman, of Calais, Maine, has sent me for ex-
amination a finely mounted specimen of a Hawk obtained by him
on the first of February last at Palatka, East Florida, which proves
to be the Buteo brackyurus of Vieillot, a bird having the same
range as B. fuliginosus, and by many ornithologists regarded
as the light-colored phase of the same species. The question of
the relationship of the two forms was referred to in the " Forest
and Stream " article as follows : —

" This question of what name the species [i.e. the black spec-
imen obtained at Oyster Bay] should bear is one involving con-
siderable investigation, pending which I will call it, provisionally,
Buteo fuliginosus, Sclater. It is a small species, about the
size of B. pennsylvanicus, but with longer wings, and of a

* This specimen was presented to the National Museum by Mr. W- II. Collins
of Detroit.

208 RlDGWAY on a Tropical American Hawk.

uniform black color, like B. abbreviatus.* It has been con-
sidered by various writers to be a dark or melanistic phase of
/>\ bracnyurus, but in this view I cannot concur, no specimens
among many which I have examined indicating that any light
color-phase exists ; both young and old. though otherwise quite
different, being uniform black below as well as above.

" While premising that this bird may be the Buteo fuliginosus
of Sclater, it should be remarked that in 'History of North Amer-
ican Birds' (Vol. Ill, p. 266). I referred this name to B. sivain-
soni, on the presumption that it was probably based on a small
specimen of the latter species in the dark phase of plumage :
but I may have been wrong in this determination."

That this latter conclusion was incorrect seems now quite certain,
as the following will show. Having, as previously stated, a
suspicion that the Buteo fuliginosus of Sclater might be the
small black Hawk usually regarded as a phase of B. brachyurus
Yieill.. I wrote to Dr. Sclater about the matter, laying special
stress upon the following facts: (1) That in the plate of B.
fuliginosus there appeared no trace of the white frontlet usually,
if not always, observable in the so-called black form of B. brach-
yurus, and (2) that of the considerable number of specimens of
the latter which I had examined the characters werervery uniform,
giving one the impression of its being, like B. abbreviatus. a
species without any light color-phase. The type of B '. fuligino-
sus being in the Norwich Museum, Dr. Sclater applied to Mr.
Gurney, the well-known high authority on Raptorial birds, the
results of whose investigations I have, through the courtesy of
Dr. Sclater, the privilege of giving herewith. Mr. Gurney
writes : —

vi I have consulted Mr. Salvin on the subject of Mr. Ridgwav's
inquiry, with the following result in which we both concur:

•■ We think that Mr. Ridgway is correct in his identification
of the bird which he refers to the melanistic phase of Buteola
bracl/yura, but we observe that the melanistic specimens of this
species vary as to the intensity of the black coloring of the
plumage and also as to the amount of white on the forehead
which is sometimes almost uYl '.

*•' Messrs. Salvin and Godman have a good series of Buteola
brachyura in various stages and they also have a specimen from

* "B. zonocercus" of Hist. N. Am. Birds.

Ridgway on a Tropical American Hawk. 209

Guatemala which appears to me to be identical with the type of
Buteo fnliginosus preserved at Norwich. This specimen agrees
in dimensions with the female of B . brachyura but (like the type
specimen of B. fnliginosus) is dark brown rather than black
and has scarcely any white on the forehead, the type specimen
having absolutely none.

" Mr. Salvin and myself are now of opinion that these are
only individual variations (seeing that the dimensions and form
of the primaries agree) and that therefore Buteo fnliginosus
should sink into a synonym of Buteola brachyura and should not
be considered as a melanism of Buteo swaiusoni."

That this black form, for which Buteo fnliginosus appears to
be the earliest name, is unquestionably referable to B. brachyurus
does not, however, appear to be so easily demonstrable ; at least
none of the authors whom I have been able to consult give suf-
ficient reasons for taking this view of its status. I have examined
altogether eleven examples of B. fnliginosus and four of normal
B. brachyurus, the latter all adults, the former including both
adults and young. Not one of the former indicated in the
slightest degree, by any variation from the tvpical plumage, the
probability of intergradation with true B. brachyurus, which,
considering the number of specimens, seems strange if they were
really the same species. It is a well-known fact that in the case
of all the other North American Buteones which have a well-
marked melanistic phase {e.g. Buteo borealis, B. sxvainsoni,
and Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis), examples wholly
black in plumage are comparatively rare, or altogether less
numerous than those which simply tend toward this condition,
the light normal and the completely melanistic extremes of plu-
mage being connected by an unbroken series of variously inter-
mediate specimens. In the eleven specimens of B. fnliginosus,
however, we observe exactly the same uniformity of characters
as in B. abbreviatus — a species which, so far as known, has
no light-colored phase, while the differences distinguishing the
young and old are exactly the same as in that species ! The four
adult specimens of B. brachyurus are likewise very much alike,
and I have never heard of any specimens of this species, except
young birds, which possessed a mixed lower plumage. Taking
these facts alone as my guide, I should not think of uniting the
two forms, but assuming that Messrs. Gurnev and Salvin, having

2IO Ridgwav on a Tropical American Hawk.

access to larger series of specimens than I have been able to
examine, may have seen intermediate specimens (though I am
not aware that either of these gentlemen have so stated in their
writings) I yield to the opinion of such high authority, though,
for the sake of convenience, and in view of possible future devel-
opments, have arranged separately the synonymy and description
of the two forms.

440.* — Buteo brachyurus.*

SlIORT-TAILEn BlZZARD.

Xormal phase.

Buteo braekyurus Vieill. N. D. iv, 1816, 477 ( = $adult). Gray, Gen.
B. i. 1S49. 12. — Pucher. Rev. et Mag. Zo-1. 1S50, 86. — Bonap. ib.
481. — Ridgw. Pr. Boston Soc. May, 1S73. 67 (Brazil).
Buteola brac/ivura Bonap. Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1850. 489. — Scl. and
Salv. P.Z.S. 1869. 130 ; Nom. Neotr. 1873, 118 (Guatemala to Bra-
zil 1. — Taczan. P.Z.S. 1874, 552 (Central Peru). — Sharpe. Cat.
B. Brit. Mus. i. 1874. 20if (Veragua to Amazonia and Peru). —
Gurney, Ibis. 1S75. 477-S0 (part).
Asturina brachyura Bonap. Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1S50, 489. — Stricki..

Orn. Syn. i. 1855. 42.
Astur braekyura Gray, Hand-list. i. 1869. 30.
Falco albifrons Max. Beitr. iii. 1830. 187 (= adult).
Asturina albifrons Kaup, Isis, 1847, 200; Jardine's Contr. Orn. 1850,

67. — Bonap. Consp. i. 1S50, 31.
Butro albifrons Schleg. Mus. P.-B. Buteones, 1S62. 10: Rev. Ace.
1S73, 109. — Ridgw. Pr. Phil. Acad. Dec. 1870. 142.
(?) ■• As/it rina diai/rina Kaup, Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1850, p. 489."

( Sharpe ?)
Buteo minutus Pelz. Sitz. Ak. Wien, xliv, 1862, 14 (= young) ; Verb.
z.-b. Wien, 1862, 141; Reis. Novara. Vog. 1S65, 16; Orn. Bras. 1871,

3> 396-

B*uteola minuta Giebel, Thes. Orn. i. 1875, 517.

Hab. Tropical America in general, from Brazil and -Peru to Eastern
Mexico (Mirador) and Eastern Florida (Palatka).

Sp. Ch. — Size small (total length not more than 16 inches); wings
proportionately long, reaching when closed nearly or quite to the end of
the tail. 3rd or 4th quill longest, 1st about equal to or a little longer than
the 10th ; four outer quills with their inner webs distinctly emarginated.
Tarsal scutelhe S-9. Wing, 11.25-12.70; extent of primaries beyond
longest tertials, 2.70-3.30; tail, 7.00-7.20; culmen, .75; tarsus, 2.05-2.50;
middle toe, 1. 35-1. 80.

* The number (440*) prefixed to the name is that which the species should bear in
the new catalogue of North American Birds,
t Excl. syn. " Buteo melanoleucus Less " and " Astur poliogaster Gray " !

Ridgwav on a Tropical American Hawk. 211

Adult J {Palatka. Florida, February I. 1S81 ; G. A. Boardman) : Upper
surface continuous and nearly uniform blackish-brown, darkest and most
uniform on the head, which, with the exception of the anterior half of
the lores, the anterior malar region, chin, and throat, is solid sooty black,
the occipital feathers snow-white beneath the surface; back with a strong
chalky or glaucous cast in certain lights, the scapulars and wings dull
grayish-brown with the feathers darker centrally; sides of the rump
strongly tinged with rufous. Tail grayish-brown, very narrowly tipped
with dull white, and crossed near the end by an indistinct band of dusky,
and showing, w-hen wideh' spread, indications of about four other narrow
broken bands, in the form of irregular, but mostly somewhat V-shaped,
bars of black along the middle portion of the feathers. Lateral upper
tail-coverts lighter brownish-gray, with broad but rather indistinct bars or
spots of dusky. A spot on each side of the base of the bill, covering the
anterior half of the loral and malar regions, 'chin, throat, middle of the
jugulum. breast, and remaining lower parts, immaculate pure white, the
tibia;, especially on their inner side, washed with pale ochraceous or
light buff. Sides of the jugulum rufous-brown, the feathers with dusky
shaft-streaks; sides of the breast and anterior portion of the sides marked
with a few dusky shaft-streaks, the more posterior ones of which expand
terminally into a broad streak of dusky brown. Lining of the wing and
axillars immaculate pure white, the under primary-coverts, however, with
a large patch of dusky near the end. Bill black, bluish basally; cere,
legs, and feet, yellow: iris, brown. Wing, 12.00; tail, 7.00; culmen, .75;
tarsus, j. 10; middle toe, 1.35.

Adult $ (?) : Similar to the $ , but without rufous tinge on sides of
breast, which are grayish-brown, similar to, but lighter than, the wing-
coverts. Size larger (wing about 12.70).

Young: " Very similar to the adult, but browner above, the feathers
being margined with fulvous ; the crown and sides of face streaked with
pale ochre; the under surface, especially the under wing-coverts, washed
with ochre."' (Skarfic, I.e.)

An adult specimen (sex not indicated) from Mirador, Eastern
Mexico (No. 23,887, U. S. Nat. Mus.), is much like the Florida
example described above, but has the white loral spaces larger
and connected across the anterior part of the forehead, the sides
of the breast almost entirely rufous (there being little if any of
the grayish-brown) and the dusky shaft-streaks more distinct.
The upper portion of the flanks, adjoining the sides of the rump,
are also more distinctly and more extensively rufous. The 3rd
quill, instead of the 4th, is longest, the wing-formula being
3, 4, 5-2, 6-7-8, 1. Wing, 11.25; tail, 7.20; culmen. .75;
tarsus, 2.05; middle toe, 1.40.

2 12 RlDGWAY on a Tropical American Hawk.

Sonic specimens presumed to be adult females have the sides
of the breast grayish-brown, like the wing-coverts, without any
tinge of rufous.

While the young are, like the adult, sometimes immaculate
beneath, as described by Mr. Sharpe, they appear to occasionally
have the lower plumage striped with dusky, since Mr. Gurney
(Ibis, 1876, p. 4S0) describes an example from Peru, which he
refers to B. fuliginosus, and which " bears a considerable gen-
eral resemblance to the young of Buteola brachyura, from
which, however, it differs in having all the feathers of the under-
pays, except those of the throat and crissum, which are immacu-
late, embellished with a conspicuous dark longitudinal shaft-
mark of varying breadth, these being narrowest on the upper
breast and abdomen, broader on the lower breast, and occupying
almost the entirety of each feather on the flanks ; on the tibiae
the shaft-marks are expanded into a double transverse bar across
each feather : the transverse dark bars on the upper surface of
the tail in this specimen are ten, whereas in the immature
Buteola brachyura they are but seven."

(?) Buteola fuliginosus Sclater.

Little Black Hawk,

(= melanistic phase of B. brachyurust

Buteo fuliginosus Scl. P.Z.S. 1858, 356 (Tamaulipas. N. E. Mexico: =

young $ ) ; Trans. Zool. Soc. iv, 1858, 1, 267. pi. lxii. — Lawr. Ann.

Lye. N. Y. ix, 1868, 133 (La Palma, Costa Rica); Bull. U.S. Nat.

Mus. no. 4. 1S76, 42 (Tehuantepec City, S. W. Mexico). — Ridgw. Pr.

Philad. Acad. 1S70, 142. — Gurney, Ibis, 1876, 235, 477-'8o (critical).
"Buteo brachyurits" Salvin, P.Z.S. 1870, 215.
"Buteola brachyura" Gurney, Ibis, 1876, 477~'8o (part).

Hab. Eastern Tropical America, from Brazil to Northern Mexico
(Mazatlan and Tamaulipas) and Western Florida (Oyster Bay).

Sp. Ch. — Size small (total length not exceeding 16 inches); wing
proportionately long, reaching, when closed, nearly or quite to the end
of the tail. 3rd or 4th quill longest, the 1st equal to or longer than the
10th ; four outer quills with inner webs emarginated. the cutting less
abrupt on the 4th, however. Tarsal scutellse 8-11. Wing, 11. 20-13. 20;
extent of primaries beyond longest tertials, 2.50-4.50; tail, 7.00-8.00;
culmen, .70-.85 : tarsus, 2.05-2.65 ; middle toe, 1. 35-1. 60.

Adult : Uniform black or dusky, varying from dark sooty brown to
almost a coal-black, freshly moulted specimens usually having a chalky
or glaucous cast on the back, and a more or less distinct purplish reflection

Ridgway on a Tropical American Hawk. 21^

to the general plumage; frontlet usually more or less distinctly white.
but this sometimes wholly absent ; occipital feathers pure white beneath
the surface; outer surface of primaries plain black, without the slightest
indication of spots or bars. Tail browish-gray. or grayish-brown, crossed
by about six or seven narrow bands of black, of which the subterminal
is much the broadest, the grayish bands becoming gradually narrower
toward the base of the tail ; under surface of the tail appearing silvery
white, with cross-bands of slate-color. Under surface of the primaries
chiefly white anterior to their emargination. but this broken bv irregular
bars, or, as is sometimes the case, confused mottlings of grayish : rest
of under surface of the wing uniform dark brown or black, the under
primary-coverts sometimes spotted or barred with white. Bill black,
bluish basally: cere and feet yellow ; iris brown. J: Wing, n. 20-11.70;
tail, 7.00-7.30; culmen. .70-.75; tarsus, 2.05-2.25; middle toe, 1.35-1.40
(4 specimens). $ : Wing, n. 90-13. 10; tail. 7.50-S.oo; culmen, .7S-.S5 :
tarsus. 2.50-2.65; middle toe. 1. 50-1.60 (6 specimens).

Young: Very similar to the adult, but tail dull brown with more numer-
ous, narrower, and much less distinct bars of dusky, usually S-9 in num-
ber. Contour feathers (both above and below) with much concealed
white on the basal portion of the feathers, the lower parts sometimes
slightly varied with white or ochraceous spots and streaks, the axillars
and under wing-coverts with small round spots of the same, and the under
tail-coverts spotted with ochraceous.

Specimens of this form are exceedingly constant in their char-
acters, the eleven which have come under my notice being so
much alike that all variations are covered bv the terms of the
above diagnoses.

A specimen from Mazatlan (12. 117. U.S.Nat. Mus. ; Col.
Abert), appears to very exactly resemble in coloration the type
of B. fuliginosus^ as described and figured by Dr. Sclater. The
dimensions also agree rather closely, as may lie seen below : —

Wins. Tail. Tarsus. Middle toe.

Type of B. fuliginosus. 12.60 4.10 2.0, 1.50

Mazatlan specimen. 12.90 3.65 2.2^ r.;o

The specimen from Oyster Bay. Florida, being an adult female
in perfect plumage, a detailed description of it is given herewith : —

Adult ? (No. 81,757, U. S. Xat. Mu-.. Oyster Bay. Florida. Jan. 28,
1S81 ; W. S. Crawford): General color uniform brownish-black, deeper
black and more uniform on the lower parts, which show no markings
whatever, though the concealed bases of the feathers are white: frontlet
and anterior portion of the lores white, and occipital feathers pure white
beneath the surface, showing wherever the feathers are disarranged ; inter-

214 Hentshaw o?i P. occidental is and P. clarkii.

scapulars with a slight chalky cast, showing, however, only in certain
lights; terminal borders of the tertials, secondaries and shorter primaries
smoky brownish, and secondaries more brownish than the general surface;
outer surface of wing showing no indication of bars, except exceedingly
faint ones on the secondaries, discernible only on close inspection. Tail
grayish-brown (the intermedia? more grayish), narrowly bordered at
extreme tip with paler grayish, crossed with a well-defined subterminal band
of black nearly one inch wide, and with about six narrow, irregular bands
of the same, broken on the intermedia; into irregular spots; under sur-
face of the tail light silvery-gray (appearing hoary-white in some lights)
relieved by a distinct subterminal band of dusky, and, anterior to this, by
another less distinct, narrower, and more grayish band, the others being
concealed by the lower coverts. Under surface of the primaries with the
broad portion of the quills chiefly white, but this more or less broken,
chiefly on the inner quills, by a grayish clouding, tending to form regular
broad bars when the quills are separated; lining of the wing and nar-
rowed portion of the quills uniform black.

Wing, 13.10; tail, 7.50; oilmen, .85; tarsus, 2.50 (the unfeathered
portion in front 1. 50, and with 10 large transverse scuta?) ; middle
toe. [.55.

The specimens of this species in the U. S. National Museum
are from the following localities: Oyster Bay, Western Florida
(Jan. 28, 1SS1 ; W. S. Crawford) ; Mirador, Mazatlan, and
Tehnantepec. Mexico ; La Palma, Costa Rica, and Brazil (Sr.

Albuquerque).

OX POD ICE PS OCCIDENTALIS AND
P. CLARKII.

BY H. W. HENSIIAW.

By at least one author* the specific distinctness of our two
largest Grebes. P. occidentalis et clarkii, has been denied and
clarkii formally reduced to varietal rank. Since, however, this
view of the relationship of the two seems not to be fully ac-
cepted,! and inasmuch as recently I have examined an unusually

* Cones in Birds of the Northwest, p. 128.

t Mr. Ridgway in the recent " Check List of North American Birds " nar es them
as full species.

HenSHAW oji P. occidcntalis a nd P. clarkii. 215

instructive series of these birds, I propose here to briefly discuss
the question with a view to definitely settling, if possible, the
relationship of the two. The series alluded to consisted of eleven
beautifully prepared specimens in the collection of Mr. D. S.
Bryant of Oakland, California, to whose kindness I am indebted
for the opportunity of studying the series, and were all shot the
same spring in San Francisco Harbor by Walter Bryant.

The characters which served originally to distinguish the two
birds are as follows :* —

Occidentalism : Size large — wing 8| inches; bill 3 inches: tarsus 3
inches ; bill straight, dusky or nearly black, except cutting edges
near end where it is yellow: line from eye to base of upper man-
dible gray.

Clarkii: Size smaller — wing 75 inches ; bill 2^ inches, tarsus 2! inches ;
bill with both upper and lower mandibles slightly recurved; color
yellow except the edge of upper mandible, which is black ; line
from eye to base of upper mandible white.

Assuming that the above characters are all that can be brought
forward to distinguish the two birds — and I can find no others —
the simple question is Do the two maintain their respective char-
acters so as to be always distinguishable or do specimens occur
having the supposed distinctive features variously intermingled
and varying to a greater or less extent? In other words, can
intergradation between the two birds be proven? I answer in
the affirmative and for proof refer the reader to the annexed table.

A glance at the table will reveal the fact that the several
characters assigned the two birds are variously interchanged,
some of the larger individuals referable to occidcntalis having
in addition to certain of the characters of that form peculiarities
belonging to clarkii ; others possess the small size of clarkii
but with the form and color of bill and loral space of occidentalis.
Therefore no distinct line can be drawn between the two, and
it occasionally becomes a matter of nice judgment to decide to
which of the two forms a given specimen should be referred.

The color of the loral spaces varies from being indistinguishable
from the color of the head (greenish-black) to a pure white ;

* See Birds North America, 1858, p. 894, 895.

t It is noticeable that the series examined by the original describer contained one
specimen which, though doubtfully referred to occidentalis, was remarked to possess
certain of the characters distinguishing clarkii.

2l6

II i:\sii.\w on P. occidentalis and P. clarkii.

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Henshaw on /'. occidentalis and P. clarkii. 217

when differently colored, two specimens rarely agree in the extent
of the colored area. In some the white or gray extends in a
broad area from the bill to behind the evre. In others it is limited
to a narrow line reaching only to the eve.

Although in the table the bills of several specimens are given
as straight, it is rare to find two birds with the bills alike, and
it is evident that it needs only a large number of specimens to
constitute a series leading from one extreme to the other.

None of the above specimens chance to equal the extreme size
often attained by occidentalism and, on the other hand, specimens
of clarkii may be had somewhat smaller than here given, vet
the larger and smaller individuals in the list are quite within the
requirements of size of their respective forms.

As but eleven specimens are considered here, it is easy to
understand to what an unlimited extent the characters of the two
forms may be intermingled even when, as in the present instance,
the birds are derived from the same locality and taken during the
same season.

Regarding the distinctive distribution of the two forms, we
have little to offer save conjecture. The original specimens
of both forms came from the Pacific coast, where the two are
found together, at least in winter and during the migrations.
Dr. Cones says "both varieties occur together in the United
States west of the Rocky Mountains." This was probably a
slip of the pen, since Dr. Coues clearly could not have intended
to imply the occupancy of the same region by forms the dis-
parities of which are only to be accounted for on the ground
of geographical variation, i.e., variation dependent on difference
of locality.

As a matter of fact, clarkii appears never to have been found
in the interior except in fall or winter in Mexico, where, as is
well known, birds may, in the dispersion attendant on migration,
cross from the Pacific to the Atlantic side and vet be wholly
wanting in the interior regions to the northward.

On the other hand, all the specimens I have seen from the
interior, i.e.. between the Rocky Mountains and the Sierras,
were typical examples of the large straight-billed form, occiden-
talis. and during the breeding season, typical occidentalis may be
confined to the interior. Of the breeding range of clarkii
nothing is positively known. The fact that the two forms are

2 I iS Brewster on Helminthophaga leucobronchialis.

found together on the coast up to the last of the migration
would seem to imply that their breeding ranges cannot be far
separated. It may he ascertained that typical clarkii. with its
small size and weak bill, only occurs in summer well up on the
North-west Coast, and that the coast districts of California, ( )regon,
and perhaps Washington Territory furnish the intermediate
specimens.

ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF HELMINTHOPHAGA
LEUCOBRONCHIALIS, BREWSTER, AND HEL-
MINTHOPHAGA LA WPENCEI, HERRICK; WITH
SOME CONJECTURES RESPECTING CERTAIN OTH-
ER NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

Since my original description of the White-throated Warbler
( Helminthophaga leucobronchialis) appeared, specimens have
slowly multiplied until, including the two announced by Dr.
fisher in the present number of the Bulletin,* there are now no
less than twelve known examples. Until .recently there has been
no apparent reason for doubting the validity of the species, which
has been generally accepted, and even heartily endorsed l>v sev-
eral prominent ornithologists. But not long since Dr. Edgar A.
Mearns and Mr. Eugene P. Bicknell sent me some puzzling
specimens which, at the time. I was obliged to consider aberrant
individuals of //. pinus and //. chrysoptera, hut which never-
theless raised certain suspicions affecting //. leucobronchialis and
H. lawrencei. These suspicions are now confirmed by the
examination of a fine series, belonging to Dr. A. K. Fisher,
which throws a Hood of light on the whole subject. I am in-
debted to Dr. Fisher's kindness for permission to make use of this
material in the present investigation.

Before entering into the details of the evidence before me it
ma\ be well to emphasize some of the prominent characters
which respectivelv distinguish //. p/'inis. II. chrysoptera, II.
leucobronchialis, and II. lawrencei. '

[* See beyond, under " General Notes." — EDD.]

Brewster on Helminthophaga leucobronchialis. -J9

//. pinus. Above yellowish-olive; wing-bands white; lores and post-
ocular spot black : cheeks, throat, and under parts generally, rich yellow.

II. ckrysoptera. Above bluish-ash ; wing-bands yellow ; throat, with a
broad head-stripe, embracing the lores, cheeks, and auriculars, black
(ashy in the female). Under parts white tinged with ashy on the sides.

H. leucobronchialis. Upper surface, including wing-bars, as in ckry-
soptera. but with the back and wings tinged with olive-green; head-stripe
restricted as in pinus: throat, cheeks, and under parts silky-white, unlike
either pinus or ckrysoptera; breast more or less strongly washed with
yellow.

H. la-wrencei. Throat unci head-stripes black, the latter embracing the
cheeks and auriculars. as in ckrysoptera; wing-bands white, and general
coloring yellow or olive-green, as in pinus.

From the above summary it will appear that neither leucobron-
chialis nor lawrencei possesses any important original charac-
ters. The former borrows its ashy back and yellow wing-bars from
ckrysoptera ; its restricted eye-stripe from pinus ; — while the dif-
ferential value of its white throat and under parts is materially
affected hy the usual presence of more or less yellow on the breast.
Lawrencei has absolutely no peculiar markings or coloration ; it
simply unites die black throat and broad head-stripes of chrysop-
tera with the white wing-bands and general coloring of pinus.
In either case there is simply a peculiar combination of borrowed
characters. Let us .see how constant these combinations are.

No. 1.208 (Dr. Fisher's collection, 9 '■ Sing .Sing, New York,
July 24. 1881) is in every way similar to the type of leucobron-
chialis save that the lores are more broadly hlack and the black
of the post-ocular spot spreads backward and downward, embrac-
ing nearly the whole of the auricular region.

No. 1,235 (^r- Fisher's collection,,^. Sing Sing, August 3,
1SS1) differs from the type of leucobronchialis only in having a
bread patch of pale yellow on the breast. A large proportion of
the specimens previously reported have also exhibited this same
peculiarity.

No. 605 (Dr. Fisher's collection, $ . .Sing Sing, August 24,
1879) exhibits a faint wash of lemon-yellow on the throat,
while a broad space across the breast is deep gamboge-yellow,
and the wing-bands are pure white.

No. 2.620 (author's collection,? ? adult, Nyack, New Jersey.
May, 1 S 7 S ; presented by Eugene V. Bicknell) has the chin
decidedl} yellow; the throat, cheeks, and a small space on the

220 Brewster on Helminthophaga leucobronchialis.

abdomen white; the remainder of the lower parts gamboge-yel-
low; the wing-bands white: the nape ashy tinged with green;
the occiput, back, and wings as purely olive-green as in //.
pi i/us.

No. 1.210 (Dr. Fisher's collection, 9 adult, Sing Sing, July 24,
1SS1) is entirely pale greenish-yellow beneath ; the back is simi-
lar to that of pinus but the nape is decidedly ashy and the wing-
bands as clearly yellow as in chrysoptera ; the dusky brown
eye-stripe is restricted to the lores and post-orbital spot.

Of the above specimens. No. 605 is perhaps the most important ;
with its white wing-liars, ashy back, and yellow breast and throat
it very equally combi les the respectn ■ characters of Ipucobron-
chialls and ■pinus. Xos. 2.620 and 1.210. approach pinus even
more closely : but (he former has tin1 white throat and cheeks of
leucobronchialis ; and the latter an ashy nape, yellow wing-bands
and generally pale coloring baneath. No. 1.30S shows a signifi-
cant variation in the other direction, the extension of the black
eye-stripe indicating an increased affinity with chrysoptera. No.
[,23c; is apparently similar to Gibb's type of //. ••giii/uii '," after-
wards referred to leucobronchialis by Mr. Ridgway (this Bull.,
[V, p. 233). Taken as a whole, the series perfectly connects leuco-
bronchialis with pinus •, as well as showing an extension of the
former toward chrysoptera. This fact being established, the
question immediately follows. I low can these aberrant birds be
accounted for ? Before attempting to answer this let us take up
//. lawrencei and examine a few more specimens.

I have before me a female Helminthophaga (No. 4,667, author's
collection. Highland balls. New York, July 7, 1879, presented
by Dr. Mearns) which has the crown yellow: the back and
wings dull ashy tinged with olive-green ; the wing-bands yellow ;
the cheeks and throat ashy ; the chin, sides of throat, and re-
mainder of the under parts heavily washed with greenish-
yellow. Making due allowance for the fact that its plumage is
excessively worn and faded, this specimen presents nearly the
relative characters that would be looked for in the female of
lawrencei ; the throat and cheek-markings are those of chrysop-
tera (female), -while the remainder of the plumage is colored
nearly as in pinus; the wing-bands however are yellow, instead
of white, and the back is not purely olive-green : but these varia-
tions are closely parallel to those which occur in leucobron-

Bkewster on Hehninthophaga leucobronchialis. 22 1

chialis, and, reasoning from that analogy, it seems quite as con-
sistent to refer the present example with yellow wing-bands
to lawrencei as the specimen No. 605. with white wing-bands,
to leucobronckialis' Assuming this to be granted, we will
next consider a young bird (No. 4,66s, author's collection) of
which the individual just described was ascertained to be the
parent. Although in process of change, the fall plumage is fortu-
nately sufficiently developed to afford some important points : the
gray first plumage of the under parts is replaced across the breast
and along the sides by patches of bright yellow feathers-, while
the sprouting second plumage of the throat is -pure white; the
lores are black, but the few second feathers which appear on the
auriculars are, like those of the throat, white*

It may with confidence be stated that this individual would
have developed a fall plumage characterized by black lores, white
throat, and yellow breast and sides, a condition, in short, nearly
similar to No. 605. Now the only way of accounting for the
parentage of such an offspring is to assume that the female, No.
4,667, had mated with a male of either H. pinns or H. chrysop-
tera ; for had the male been either laivreneei or chrysoptera,
the black throat and cheek patches would inevitably have been
reproduced.

A nice muddle, certainly ! But let us see how all the facts in the
several cases look when more closely associated. We have found :
(1) That the prominent characters of leucobronckialis and law-
rencei are not original, but are essentially borrowed from their
allies, H. pinus and chrysoptera. (2) That the characters of
leucobronchialis are inconstant, and that this supposed species
intergrades with pinus. (3) That the characters of lawrencei
are also inconstant, and that lawrencei intei'breeds with some
unknown ally — presumably H. pinus, producing offspring that
resemble aberrant specimens of leucobronchialis.

The inference to be drawn from all this can scarcely be doubt-
ful. Race affinities will not explain the peculiar characters of
either leucobronchialis or lawrencei , for the region over which
all the known specimens have occurred is everywhere occupied
by either one or both of the species to which they are most inti-
mately related. Nor can they be considered as either immature

* Specimens of young chrysoptera, in precisely the same stage, have the throat and
cheek-patches distinctly indicated by black or ashy pin-feathers, according to sex.

222 Brewster on Helminthophaga leucobronchialis.

or abnormal examples; the former hypothesis being decidedly
negatived by the fact that all the early plumages of both of their
affines are known to be widely different ; while the latter is made
untenable by the number of essentially similar specimens that
have come under our notice. Only one possible solution re-
mains : — that they are hybrids between Helminthophaga pinus
and H. chrysoptera. And in support of this view an additional
fact may be pointed out ; viz., that nearly all the known speci-
mens have been taken within an area where both these species
breed, either together, or in close proximity. The very different
combinations of markings and coloring in the two hybrid forms,
as restricted, is unquestionably due to a reversal of the parents in
each case. That is, one of them is produced by the union of
H. pinus $ with H. chrysoptera 9 : the other by that of H.
chrysoptera $ with H. pinus 9 . Just which combination pro-
duces either must for the present remain a matter of conjecture.
The logical inference is, perhaps, that " /eucobronchialis" is the
offspring of //. pinus $ with H. chrysoptera 9 , for in the
case of No. 4,668 we have seen that the black throat and cheek-
patches, characterizing lawrencei equally with chrysoptera, were
eliminated by an assumed cross with the male of pinus. But
additional facts must be forthcoming before this part of the
question can be regarded as settled.*

Before leaving the Golden-winged Warblers it may be well to
dwell a moment on the general bearings of the facts adduced,
tor it must be evident to all that they have a wider significance
than simply showing that pinus and chrysoptera interbreed, pro-
ducing so-called " leucobronchialis" and ki lawrencei." They
also show that these hybrid offspring — at least the females, as in

*On a former occasion (this Bulletin, Vol. II, pp. 66-68) I bestowed a compound
specific name on a hybrid Grouse, thereby adopting a custom followed by certain
European ornithologists, notably Mr. Robert Collett of Christiana, Norway. Since that
time, however, correspondence with my friend Mr. Ridgway has convinced me of the
inadequacy of this form of nomenclature. As Mr. Ridgway pointed out, the hybrid in
question was derived from parents of different genera, and hence a due regard for accu-
racy would have demanded the compounding of the generic as well as specific titles :
the result, it is needless to say, would be an absurdly cumbersome title. As this
objection will frequently be met with, and, moreover, in \ iew of the fact that such
specimens are in the majority of cases of exceptional and abnormal significance, I
fully agree with Mr. Ridgway that a distinctive name is not called for. The Smithso-
nian specimens of hybrid origin are labeled with the names of both parents connected
by the sign-|-, a method that fully meets the requirements of such cases.

Brewster on Hclminthophzga leucobronchialis. 223

the case of No. 4,667 — reproduce with at least one, and prob-
ably either of the parent species ; if not — as is by no means
impossible — with each other. But the case is not without
precedent. As long ago as 1847, Dr. Samuel George Morton,
in the course of an essay on the subject of hybridity* cited
several well-authenticated instances of the interbreeding — often in
a wild state — of various European Finches. A yet more remote
alliance, given on the authority of M. Vieillot, was that of a
Canary and a Nightingale, the single egg resulting from their
union proving, however, unfertile. Among his conclusions the
following are especially pertinent to the above connection :

" 1. A latent power of hybridity exists in many animals in
the wild state, in which state, also, hybrids are sometimes pro-
duced.

"2. Hybridity occurs not only among different species, but
among different genera ; and the cross-breeds have been prolific
in both cases.

kk3> Domestication does not cause this faculty, but merely
evolves it."

The Rev. John Bachman subsequently took the matter upf and
supported the negative side of the question, but while be severely
criticised Dr. Morton's views we find him admitting (p. 169),
*'That in a very few species a progeny has been produced that
was incapable of propagating with the half-breeds, — in other
words, that the hybrid male was physically incapable of having
offspring with a hybrid female ; hence the latter had to resort to
the full blood of either species, and thus the intermediate breed
returned to one or the other of the original species."

In the latter fact we doubtless have the explanation of such
aberrant specimens as Nos. 1,210 and 2,620, which unmistakably
exhibit a slight and otherwise unaccountable trace of hybrid
parentage ; and similarly it is not unlikely that the yellow breast
of occasional specimens of chrysoptera may be due to a taint of
ftinus blood. The impaired sexual vitality — granting, for the

* " Hybridity in Animals and Plants considered in reference to the Question of the
Unity of the Human Species." American Journal of Science and Arts, 2d Ser., Vol.
Ill, 1847, pp. 203-211.

t An Investigation of the Cases of Hybridity in Animals on Record, considered in
reference to the Unity of the Human Species. Am. Journ. Sci, and Arts, 2d Set.,
Vol. V, 1848, pp. 168-197.

224 Brewster on Hehninthophaga leucobronchialis.

sake of argument, that it is always impaired in such cases — of the
original hybrids, would soon be restored by this breeding back
into one of the parent stocks, and the descendants would hence
stand a good chance of being numerous, while it wovdd certainly
require the succession of many generations to wholly eliminate
the traces of their mixed ancestry. And if this state of affairs
exists in one genus of birds, why may it not be looked for in
others? There are some puzzling instances of the occasional
cropping out of respective characters among allied but apparently
perfectly distinct species which cannot be explained by any of the
known laws of geographical variation. The possibilities opened
li\ this field are bewildering, but for the present we are safer to
lay them aside and apply the direct analogy furnished by the case
of the Helminthophagce to a few obviously similar ones.

Until very recently there was not a single established example
of hvbriditv among North American Passeres, and many of our
leading ornithologists were incredulous as to its occurence in a
state of nature save among the Grouse and some of the Swimming
Birds, while no one seems to have considered the possibility of its
explaining some of the standard puzzles* that have been handed
down to us by Audubon and other of the earlier ornithologists.
But Mr. Trotter's hybrid Swallow (described in Vol. Ill, pp. 135,
136 of this Bulletin) gave us an undoubted instance, and now we
have startling evidence that some of the HelmintJiophag(e\ have
been regularly contracting misalliances under the very noses of the
scientists who were insisting that such things could not be. Who
can say where this entirely irregular state of affairs will be found
to end ? Cuvier's Kinglet, with its Vermillion crown-patch bor-
dered by black stripes, its black eye-stripe and white iving-

* From a review in a recent number of " Nature " I learn that Mr. Seebohm in his
late work on the Turdidce, forming Vol- V, of the " Catalogue of the Birds of the
British Museum," has lately recognized hybridity as accounting for certain obscure
Old World species ; but up to the time of placing the present article in the printer's
hands I have been unable to obtain a copy of his book or to ascertain the precise
nature of his investigations.

f Mr. Ridgway has lately shown (this Bulletin, Vol. V, p. 237) that Helminthophaga
cincinnatiensis, Langdon (originally described in Jour. Cin. Soc. Nat. Hist., July, 1880,
pp. 119, 120, PI. VI — description and plate reproduced in this Bulletin, Vol. V, pp.
208-210, PI. IV) perfectly combines the characters of Helminthophaga pinus with those
of Oporornis formosa. If, as seems highly probable, he is right in considering it a hybrid
between these species, it affords another striking example of the tendency of H. pinus
to seek alien connections.

Merriam on Birds of the Adirondack Region. 225

bands, very closely reproduces the prominent characters of
Regains calendula and R. satrapa ; the Carbonated Warbler
similarly combines the black crown, streaked back and double
xuing-bands of Dendrceca striata with the general coloring
of Perisoglossa tigrina, and possesses no individual characters
which might not have been derived from such a parentage ;
y^Egiothus breivsteri is very nearly intermediate between ^E.
linaria and Chrysotnitris pinus ; and there are still others
among the doubtful or " lost" species which show strong traces
of a hybrid origin. But for the present we rest the case here :
the bars are down ; the gate stands open ; "he who runs may
read."

PRELIMINARY LIST OF BIRDS ASCERTAINED TO
OCCUR IN THE ADIRONDACK REGION, NORTH-
EASTERN NEW YORK.

BY C. HART MERRIAM, M.D.

The present " List" includes only such species as are positively
known to occur within the limits of the region of which it treats.
It is of necessity incomplete, and many species, especially among
the Waders and Swimmers, will be hereafter added to it. One
object of its publication at this time is to call forth supplemental
information, and the author hopes that any one knowing of the
occurrence of a species not herein mentioned, in the Adirondack
region, will communicate the fact to him at once in order that it
may be incorporated in a more complete paper which will appear
at no distant day.

One point in the present list requires explanation. The terms
" common," "abundant," etc.. do not have the same signification
as in a treatise on the birds of Southern New England for example.
Birds of all kinds are rare in the dense evergreen forests of the
Canadian Fauna. One may travel hours, and sometimes a whole
day, among these lonely mountains and scarcely see a single
bird. Therefore these terms, as here employed, have a relative
significance only. They have the same meaning that they must

226 Merriam on Birds of the Adirondack Region.

ever have when applied to the Canadian Fauna. The nomencla-
ture and arrangement of species followed in the present " List" is
that given by Mr. Robert Ridgway in his late revised edition
of the LL Nomenclature of North American Birds."*

i. Hylocichla musteline (Gmel.) Baird. Wood Thrush. — Rare.
Have found it along the borders of Brown's Tract, in eastern Lewis Co.,
but only stragglers occur here at all. It breeds about Lake George (Dr.
A. K. Fisher).

2. Hylocichla fuscescens (S/c/>//.) Baird. Wilson's Thrush. — Com-
mon in certain localities, where it breeds.

3. Hylocichla aliciae. Baird. Gray-cheeked Thrush. — Occurs
during the migrations. I have taken it as late as June 1. but am not
sure that it breeds.

4. Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni ( Caban. ) Ridgvj. Olive-backed
Thrush. — Tolerably common summer resident, breeding throughout the
wilderness.

5. Hylocichla unalascae pallasi ( Caban. I Ridgw. Hermit Thrush.
— Abundant summer resident.

6. Merula migratoria {Li mi. ) S-/. and Rich. Robin. — Breeds more
or less commonly throughout the Adirondacks, anil is found in large
flocks (often numbering over 200 individuals) in the fall, feeding upon
mountain-ash berries and beechnuts.

7. Galeoscoptes carolinensis (Linn.) Caban. Cat-bird. — Breeds
along the borders of the mountains but rarely penetrates the wilderness
to any great extent.

8. Harporhynchus ruf us {Linn. ) Caban. Brown Thrasher. — Oc-
curs with the last and the Wood Thrush about the western foot-hills and
borders of this region.

9. Sial;a sialis {Linn.) Haldeman. Bluebird. — Breeds sparingly-
Have seen it along the Fulton Chain and at Big Moose Lake.

10. Regulus calendula {Linn.) Licht. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. —
Occurs during the migration^.

11. Regulus satrapa, Licht. Golden crested Kinglet. — Common
during the migrations and probably breeds.

12. Parus atricapillus, Linn. Black-capped Chickadee. — Common;
breeding plentifully.

13. Parus hudsonicus. Forstcr. Hudsonian Chickadee. — Rather
rare visitor from the north. A few may breed, occasionally, but are not
known to do so.

14. Sitta carolinensis, Gmelin. White-bellied Nuthatch. — breeds,
but not common.

15. Sitta canadensis, Linn. Red-bellied Nuthatch. — Breeds
abundantly.

* Bull, of the U.S. Nat. Museum, No. 21, Washington, 1881.

Merkiam on Birds of the Adirondack Region. 22^

16. Certhia familiaris rufa (Barlr.) Ridgw. Brown Creeper. — Tol-
erably common summer resident, breeding about the lakes. Have seen
it in February, but do not think it winters here with any kind of regularity.

17. Troglodytes aedon, Vieillot. House Wren. — Confined, so far
I can ascertain, to the borders of the wilderness, where it breeds.

18. Anorthura troglodytes hyemalis ( Vieillot) Cones. Winter
Wren. — Breeds abundantly. Comes when the melting snow uncovers
the mossy logs and brush heaps in April, and follows the wanderings of
the mixed flocks in autumn till late in October. A very characteristic
bird of the entire Adirondack region.

19. Anthus ludovicianus (Gmeliri) Licht. Titlark. — Occurs
during the migrations.

20. Mniotilta varia (Linn.) Vieillot. Black-and-white Creeper. —
Breeds. This is one of the rarer of the summer residents.

21. Helminthophaga ruficapilla ( Wilson) Baird. Nashville War-
bler.— Have shot it on Moose River, and at Big Moose Lake, in October
(latter locality Oct. 19, 1S79). Also given by Roosevelt and Minot from
Franklin Co.

22. Helminthophaga peregrina {Wilson) Baird. Tennessee War-
bler.— Breeds. Not rare in suitable localities. Generally prefers hard-
wood areas.

23. Parula americana (Linn.} Bonap. Blue Yellow-backed War-
bler.— Tolerably common summer resident.

24. Dendrceca aestiva ( Gmeliri) Baird. Summer Yellow-bird. —
Breeds, but not very common.

25. Dendrceca caerulescens (Linn.) Baird. Black-throated Blue
Warbler. — Common summer resident, usually breeding in hard timber.
Have found it in all parts of the woods.

26. Dendrceca coronata (Linn.) Gray. Yellow-rcmped Warbler.
— This is the commonest of the Warblers in the Adirondacks. and breeds
plentifully throughout the region.

27. Dendrceca maculosa (Gmelin) Baird. Black-and-yellow War-
bler.— Common summer resident, breeding throughout the wilderness.

28. Dendrceca pennsylvanica (Linn.) Baird. Chestnut-sided War-
bler.— Common. Breeds in the deciduous undergrowth about the lakes
and streams, depositing its eggs early in June.

29. Dendrceca castanea ( Wilso?i) Baird. Bay-breasted Warbler.
— Rather rare. Occurs during the spring migration. Not known to
breed.

30. Dendrceca blackburniae (Gmelin) Baird. Bl ackburnian Wai-
BiER. — Common summer resident. Breeds in tall pines.

31. Dendrceca virens (Gmelin) Baird. Black-throated Green
Warbler. — Common, breeding at various localities.

7,2. Dendrceca palmarum (Gmelin) Baird. Redpoll Warbler. —
At West Pond, near Big Moose Lake, Oct. 13, 1879, I sriot the onLv Red-
poll Wrarbler that has thus far been noted from this region.

33. Siurus auricapillus (Linn.) Swains. Oven-bird. — Common
summer resident.

228 Merriam on Birds of the Adirondack Region.

34. Siurus naevius {Bodd.) Coues. Common Water Thrush. —
Rather rare summer resident. Have found it breeding near the "Old
Forge House" below First Lake.

35. Siurus motacilla ( \rieillot) Cones. Large-billed Water Thrush.
— Strange as it may seem, several typical specimens of this southern bird
have been killed about the southern end of Lake George, in Warren
County.*

36. Geothlypis Philadelphia ( Wilson) Band. Mourning War-
bler.— Common summer resident, breeding chiefly in the dense growth
of blackberry and raspberry bushes that spring up on nearly all the
burned districts.

37. Geothlypis trichas {Linn.) Cabanis. Maryland Yellow-
throat.— Tolerably common summer resident.

38. Myiodioctes pusillus ( Wilson) Bonufi. Black-capped Yellow
Warbler. — Rare. Have seen it only during the migrations.

39. Myiodioctes canadensis {Linn.) Audubon. Canada Flycatch-
ing Warbler. — Breeds abundantly. Found everywhere in suitable
localities.

40. Setophaga ruticilla {Linn.) Szvainson. Redstart. — Common
summer resident.

41. Vireosylvia olivacea {Linn. ) Bonap. Red-eyed Vireo. — Com-
mon and noisy.

42. Vireosylvia gilva {Vieillof) Cassia. Warbling Vireo. — Not
common and only met with, so tar as I am aware, about the borders of
the great forest.

43. Lanivireo flavifrons ( Vieillof) Baird. Yellow-throated Vireo.
— Breeds. Tolerably common.

44. Lanivireo solitarius ( Vieillof) Baird. Blue-headed Vireo. —
Breeds plentifully in many places.

•45. Lanius borealis, Vieillot. Great Northern Shrike. — Toler-
ably common during the fall, winter, and spring. Not known to breed,
numerous "records" to the contrary notwithstanding — they all fit the
next.

46. Lanius ludovicianus excubitoroides {Swainson) Cones. White-
rumped Shrike. — -A rather common summer resident, in suitable
localities, where it breeds. In a paper written nearly four years agof I
narrated the occurrence of this bird in Lewis County, and called attention
to the fact that the specimens killed here agree more closely with the
western {e.xcttbit oroides) type than with the southern {ludovicianus)..
Since then they have steadily increased in numbers till now they breed
throughout Lewis County and have extended their range into all con-
genial spots within the Adirondack wilderness. Last summer (1880)
Walter H. Merriam found it breeding on the South Branch of Ausable
River, in Essex County, on the eastern or Lake Champlain side of the

* Bull. Nut. Ornith. Club, Vol. I, No. 2, p. 117, April, 1880.

t Published in Bull. Nutt. Ornitli. Club, Vol. Ill, No. 2, pp. 52-56, April, 1878.

Merriam on Birds of the Adirondack Region. 229

mountains, while I have taken its nest, and seen others, in Lewis County,
on the western or Black. River side.

47. Ampelis cedrorum {Vieillot) Baird. Cedar-bird. — Common
summer resident nesting in dense alder thickets near water.

4S. Progne subis {Linn.) Baird. Purple Martin. — Breeds in "Mar-
tin houses" in the villages that lie within the limits of the Adirondack
region.

49. Petrochelidon lunifrons {Say) La-wrence. Cliff Swallow. —
Breeds at suitable localities.

50. Hirundo erythrogaster, Boddaert. Barn Swallow. — Common
enough everywhere outside the woods.

51. Tachycineta bicolor {Vieillot) Cabanis. White-bellied Swal-
low.— The commonest Swallow.

52. Cotile riparia {Linn.) Boie. Bank Swallow. — Breeds. Not un-
common in places.

53. Pyranga rubra {Linn.) Vieillot. Scarlet Tanager. — Common
summer resident, breeding in the hard timber.

54. Pinicola enucleator {Linn.) Vieillot. Pine Grosbeak.— Tole ra-
blv common winter visitant from the North, but does not occur every
winter.

55. Carpodacus purpureus {Gmelin) Baird. Purple Finch. — Al-
ways here from before the snow goes off in spring till late in October, and
sometimes throughout the winter.

56. Loxia curvirostra americana ( Wilson) Cones. Red Crossbill. —
Abundant resident, rather scarce and irregular in summer but the com-
monest bird in winter and early spring. Breeds in February and March
while the snow is still four or five feet deep on the level and the tempera-
ture below zero (Fahr.). Have taken fully fledged young earlv in April.

57. Loxia leucoptera, Gmelin. White-winged Crossbill. — Resi-
dent, but not nearly so common as the last.

58. -33giotIius linaria {Linn.) Cabanis. Common Redpoll.— Win-
ter visitant from the north and more or less irregular.

59. Astragalinus tristis {Linn.) Cabanis. American Goldfinch. —
Common summer resident, breeding late — generally in July and some-
times in August.

60. Chrysomitris pinus {Wilson) Bonap. Pine Linnet; Siskin. —
An irregular visitor ; sometimes breeding in vast multitudes, and during
other seasons not seen at all.

61. Plectrophanes nivalis {Linn.) Meyer. Snow Bunting. — Com-
mon in flocks in winter.

62. Centrophanes lapponicus (Linn.) Cabanis. Lapland Lom.-
spur. — Occurs with the last, but is not so common.

63. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna (Wilson) Ridgway. Sa-
vanna Sparrow. — A rather rare summer resident in suitable spots, where
it breeds.

64. Pocecetes gramineus {Gmelin ) Baird. G:<\ss Finch. — Common
in places: breeding in dry grass-covered clearings and sand) fields.

230 Merriam on Birds of the Adirondack Region.

65. Zonotrichia leucophrys ( Forster Swainson. White-crowned
Sparrow. — Common during the migrations. Not known to breed.

66. Zonotrichia albicollis ( Gmeliti) Bo nap. White-throated Spar-
row.— Abundant summer resident, far outnumbering all the other Spar-
rows together.

67. Spizella montana {Forster) Ridgway. Tree S-parrow. — Occurs
plentifully in fall and spring on the passage south and back, from its
northern breeding ground. Have seen it from October 10 till Novem-
ber 10, and from the middle of February till the last of April.

68. Spizella domestica {Hart ram) Cones. Chipping Sparrow. —
Breeds, but not common. Nests about the Forge at foot of Fulton Chain.

69. Spizella pusilla {Wilson) Bonaparte. Field Sparrow. — Dr. A.
K. Fisher writes me that he has seen the Field Sparrow about the southern
end of Fake George, in Warren County, and that (). 15. Lockhart has two
sets of eggs taken there. Both Mr. A. Jenings Dayan and myself have
found it in the Black River Valley, in Lewis County, where, however, it
is a very rare bird.

70. Junco hyemalis {Linn.') Sclaten Slate-colored Snowbird.
— Common. Breeds in low woods and deep mossy ravines, depositing its
eggs from the early to the latter part of June.

71. Melospiza fasciata {Gmelin) Scott. Son;; Sparrow. — A toler-
ably common summer resident, breeding al various localities.

72. Melospiza palustris ( Wilson) Baird. Swamp Sparrow. — Breeds,
hut rather rare.

75. Melospiza lincolni (Audubon) Baird. Lincoln's Finch. — Regu-
lar summer resident, and apparently not very rare.

74. Passerella iliaca (Mcrrem) Swainson. Fox-colored Sparrow.
— Have taken it at Big Moose Lake (in both Herkimer and Hamilton
Counties) in October (Oct. 12 and iS. 1879).

75. Pipilo erythrophthalmus {Linn.) Vieillot. Chewink. — Rare,
and confined to the borders of the Adirondacks.

76. Zamelodia ludoviciana (Linn.) Coues. Rose-breasted Gros-
beak.— Breeds; not uncommon in the areas of hard timber.

77. Passerina cyanea {Linn.) Gray. Indigo Bunting. — Found
breeding about the foot-hills.

78. Doliclionyx oryzivoras (Linn.) Swainson. Bobolink. — Breeds
at suitable places and common enough outside.

79. Molothrus ater {Boddaert) Gray. Cow Bunting. — Not rare.

80. Agelaeus phceniceus (Linn. ) Vieillot. Red-shouldered Black-
bird.— Breeds in the "Big Marsh" at the head of Big Moose Lake, at
Raquette, the Fulton Chain, and various other localities, and is by no
means uncommon.

Si. Sturnella magna (Linn.) Swainson. Meadow Lark. — Owing
to the absence of suitable meadows this species is necessarily rare in the
Adirondack region.

S2. Icterus galbula {Linn.) Coues. Baltimore Oriole. — This spe-
cies rests on the authority of Dr. A. K. Fisher, who writes me that it
occurs in southern Warren County.

Merriam on Birds of the Adirondack Region. 23 I

53. Scolecophagus ferrugineus (Gniclin) Sivainson. Rusty Black-
bird.— Common summer resident.

54. Quiscalus purpureus {Bartram) Licktenstein. Purple Grackle.
— Breeds. Not common. I have found it along the Fulton Chain in June.

84 a. Quiscalus puipureus aeneus Ridgway. Bronzed Grackle. —
This form of the species breeds here and is by all odds the commonest in
the Adirondack region.

85. Corvus corax carnivorus (Bartram) Ridgway. Raven. — Com-
mon resident throughout the Adirondacks.

86. Corvus frugivorus, Bartram. Common Crow. — Common sum-
mer resident, remaining, in spots, during some of the mild winters.

87. Cyanocitta cristata {Linn.) Strickl. Blue Jay. — Abundant
resident.

55. Perisoreus canadensis {Linn.) Bonaparte. Canada Jay. —
Resident; tolerably common in summer and very abundant in winter.
Breeds very earlv — before the snow goes off.

89. Eremophila alpestris (Forstcr) Boic. Shore Lark. — Rare, but
becoming more common. Breeds on the sandy fields along the western
border of the wilderness and probably at other localities.

90. Tyrannus carolinensis (Linn.) Temminck. Kingbird. — Breeds.
Common in many places.

91. Myiarchus crinitus {Linn.) Cabanis. Great-crested Fly-
catcher.— Breeds, but rather rare.

92. Sayornis fuscus (Gmelin) Baird. Phcebe-bird; Pewee. —
Breeds, but rather rare.

93. Contopus borealis (Sivainson) Baird. Olive-sided Flycatcher.
— Common summer resident, breeding about the middle of June.

94. Contopus virens (Linn.) Cabanis. Wood Pewee. — Tolerably
common summer resident.

95. Empidonax flaviventris, Baird. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.
— A rather rare summer resident.

96. Empidonax pusillus trailli (Audubon) Baird. Traill*s Fly-
catcher.— Summer resident. Not common.

97. Empidonax minimus, Baird. Least Flycatcher. — Common
summer resident, generally breeding in hard timber.

9S. Trcchilus colubris, Linn. Humming-bird. — Tolerably common
summer resident.

99. Chaetura pelasgica (Linn.) Baird. Chimney Swift.— Common
summer resident.

100. Caprimulgus vociferus, Wilson. Whip-poor-will. — Breeds,
but not common except about the borders of the woods.

101. Chordeiles popetue (Vieillot) Baird. Nighthawk. — Rather
rare, hut breeds in places. I have seen it at Big Moose Lake in |ulv.

102. Picus villosus. Linn. Hairy Woodpecker. — A common resi-
dent, breeding everywhere.

103. Picus pubescens. Linn. Downy Woodpecker.— Not so com-
mon as the foregoing, but like it a resident, breeding throughout the
w ilderness.

232 Merriam on Birds of the Adirondack Region.

104. Picoides arcticns (Swainson) Gray. Black-backed Three-
toed Woodpecker. — Tolerably common resident, found in all parts of
the Adirondack?.

105. Picoides tridactylus americanus (Brckni) Ridgway. Banded-
backed Three-toed Woodpecker. — A resident, like the last, but not
so common.

106. Sphyrapicus varius 1 Linn. | Baird. Yellow-bellied Wood-
pecker.— Common summer resident, breeding in all sorts of places.

107. Hylotonr.is pileatus ( Linn. I Baird. Pileated Woodpecker.
— A tolerablv common resident, and much more abundant now than it .
was ten years ago.

108. Melanerpes erythrocephalus (/./'» v.) Swainson. Red-headed
\V< 'hum cker. — Not common but breeds about the borders of the wilder-
ness.

109. Colaptes auratus {Linn. Swainson. Golden-winged Wood-
pecker.— Rare.

110. Ceryle alcyon {Linn.) Bote. Belted Kingfisher. — Common
summer resident, breeding about the various lakes and rivers.

in. Coccyzus americanus (Linn.) Bonaparte. Yellow -billed,
Cl *. KOO. — Breeds, but rare.

1 12. Coccyzus erythrophthalmns (Wilson) Baird. Black-billed
Cuckoo. — Rather rare. Breeds about the borders of the woods, hut is far
from -common.

113. Asio americanus ( S7< />/•. Sharpe. Long-eared Owl. — Breeds,
but not common.

114. Strix nebulosa, Forster. Barred Owl. — A common resident,
usually breeding in huh- in tn

115. Ulula cinerea ( G 'melin) Bonaparte. Great Gray Owl. — Rare.
1 saw a Great Gray Owl near Seventh Lake, in Hamilton County, late in
the fall of 1870; and skinned a specimen that was killed in north-eastern
Oneida County, April 10. 1^7^- Mr. Robert Lawrence has a female that
vvasshol in the Adirondacks (exact locality not stated) in March, 1S79.*

116. Nyctale acadica (Gmelin) Bonaparte. Saw-whst Owl. — Tol-
erably common resident.

117. Scops asio (Linn.) Bonaparte. Mottled Owl: Screech
Owl. — Breeds and is not rare. Don't think it winters here.

118. Bubo virginianus t Gmelin) Bonapat te. Great Horned Owl.
— Common resident.

119. Nyctea scandiaca (Linn. < Newton. Snowy Owl. — This hand-
some species is of irregular occurrence in the Adirondack region in
winter.

120. Surnia f unerea (Linn.) Rich, and Swain. Hawk Owl. — Rare
and not known to breed.

121. ^3salon eolumbarius (Linn.) Kaup. Pigeon Hawk. — Rather
rare, but doubtless breeds.

*Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, Vol. II, No. 2, p. 122, April, 1870.

Merriam 07t Birds of the Adirondack Region. 233

122. Tinnunculus sparverius (Linn.) Vieillot. Sparrow Hawk. —
Breeds. Not common.

123. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis (Gmelin) Ridgway. Fish

Hawk. — Tolerably common summer resident.

124. Circus hudsonius {Linn.) Vieillot. Marsh Hawk.

125. Accipiter cooperi, Bonaparte. Cooper's Hawk. — Breeds and
is not verv uncommon.

126. Accipiter fuscus (Gmelin) Bonaparte. Sharp-shinned Hawk.
— Common. Breeds at various places.

127. Astur atricapillus ( Wilson) Bonaparte. Goshawk. — In the Adi-
rondack region the Goshawk is a resident species, but it must be ranked
among our rarer Hawks.

12S. Buteo borealis ( Gmelin) Vieillot. Red-tailed Hawk. — Breeds.
Tolerably common.

129. Buteo lineatus (Gmelin) Jardine. Red-shouldered Hawk. — -
Breeds, but not so common as the preceding.

130. Buteo pennsylvanicus ( Wilson) Bonaparte. Broad-winged
Hawk. — A rather common summer resident, breeding about the different
lakes.

131. .Archibuteolagopus sancti-johannis (Gmelin) Ridgway.
Rough-legged Hawk. — Occurs sparingly during the migrations.

132. Aquila chrysaetus, canadensis (Linn.) Ridgway. Golden
Eagle. — Rare.

133. Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Linn.) Savigny. Bald Eagle. —
The White-headed Eagle has nested for many years at Lime Kiln Lake,
in Hamilton County, and it is by no means a rare bird in this wilderness.

134. Ectopistes migratoria (Linn.) Sxvainson. Pigeon. — Breeds
plentifully some years and not found at all others.

135. Zenaidura carolinensis (Linn.) Bonaparte. Mourning Dove.
— Dr. Albert K. Fisher writes me that he has seen this species, and its
eggs, taken in Warren County near the south end of Lake George.

136. Canace canadensis (Linn.) Bonaparte. Canada Grouse;
Spruce Partridge. — Resident, and tolerably common in certain locali-
ties.

137. Bonasa umbellus (Linn.) Stephens. Ruffed Grouse. — A com-
mon resident.

138. Lagopus albus (Gmelin) Audubon. Willow Ptarmigan. —
Mr. Romeyn B. Hough has a specimen of this species that was killed in
the town of Watson on the eastern border of Lewis County, May 22,
1876.* Mr. Hough writes me that he has been told by lumbermen from
this region that they had seen "White Partridges" there in winter, and
he presumes they were of this species.

139. Ardea herodias, Linn. Great Blue Heron. — A common
summer resident, breeding in small colonies.

140. Butorides virescens {Linn.) Bonaparte. Green Heron. —
Breeds, but rare except about the borders of the woods.

*Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, Vol. Ill, No. 1, p. 41, Jan., 1878.

234 Merriam on Birds of the Adirondack Region.

141. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.) Stephens. Bittern.— Breeds,
and not rare.

[42. Oxyechus vociferns (Lin?/.) Reich. Kildeer. — Occurs during
the migrations.

143. Philohela minor (Gmelin) (tray. Woodcock. — Breeds, but
rather rare.

144. Gallinago media wilsoni ( Tew winch) Ridgway. Wilson's
Snipe.— On the 7th of October Mr. Gregoire de Willamov (Secretary of
the Russian Embassy) shot and killed a bird of this species on the big
marsh at the head of Big Moose Lake, Hamilton County.

145. Totanus melanoleucus {Gmelin) Vieillot. Greater Yellow-
legs. — Occurs during the migrations.

146. Totanus flavipes ( Gmelin) Vieillot. Lesser Yellow-legs. —
On the 9th of June, 1878, I shot a female of tins species of Yellow-shanks
on the inlet to Seyenth Lake, in Hamilton County.

147. Rhyacophilus solitarius {Wilson) Cassin. Solitary Sand-
piper.— A summer resident, but not very common.

148. — Tringoides macularius (Linn.) Gray. Spotted Sandpiper.—
Tolerably common summer resident,

149. Lobipes hyperboreus ( Linn. ) Cuvier. Northern Phalar-
ope.- — A rare migrant.

iqo. Porzana Carolina (Linn.) Bairtt. Sora Rail. — Breeds about
the old Forge at the foot of the Fulton Chain of Lakes in Herkimer
County.

151. Fulica americana, Gmelin. Coot; Mud Hen. — Breeds, but
rather rare.

152. Olor americanus (Sharp/ess) Bonaparte. Whistling Swan.
— De Kay gave this Swan as breeding in Herkimer and Hamilton Counties,
and stated that "The outlet of Lake Paskungamet. or Tupper's Lake, was
specified as a spot to which they were particularly attached." * I do not
know of any recent record of its occurrence here.

153. Bernicla canadensis {Linn.) Boie. Canada Goose. — Occurs
during the migrations.

1^4. Anas boscas, Linn. Mallard. — A rare migrant.

155. Anas obscura, Gmelin. Black Duck. — A tolerably common
summer resident.

i^6. Spatula clypeata (Linn.) Boie. Shoveller.— Rare.

1^7. Querquedula discors (Linn.) Stephens. Blue-winged Teal.
— Occurs during the migrations.

158. Nettion carolinensis (Gmelin) Baird. Green-winged Teal.
— Not common.

159. Aix sponsa (Linn.) Boie. Wood Duck. — Tolerably common
summer resident.

160. Clangula glaucium americana (Bonaparte) Ridgway. Gol-
den-eye.— Summer resident, breeding at various places.

*Binls of New York, p. 353, 1844.

Merbiam on Birds of the Adirondack RcgioTt. 235

161. Clangula albeola (Linn.) Stephens. Butterball.— Occurs,
but not so common as the above.

162. Harelda glacialis (Linn.) Leach. Old Squaw. — Occurs dur-
ing migration.

163 CEdemia americana, Swain, and Rich. Black Scoter. — Occurs
during the fall migration.

164. Melanetta velvetina (Cassin) Baird. White-winged Scoter.
— Common during the fall migration.

165. Pelionetta perspicillata (Linn.) Kaup. Surf Duck ; Skunk-
head. — Occurs with the preceding, but not so common.

166. Noraonyx dominicus (Linn.) Ridgway. Black-masked Duck.
— An accidental straggler from the West Indies and South America. Dr.
Cabot found it on Lake Champlain (Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol.
VI, p. 375-)

167. Mergus merganser americanus ( Cassin) Ridgway. Shel-
drake. Common summer resident, breeding on numerous lakes. Very
abundant in the fall.

16S. Mergus serrator, L inn. Red-breasted Merganser. — Occurs
during the migrations.

169. Lophodytes cucullatus (Linn.) Reich. Hooded Merganser.
— Tolerably common summer resident.

170. Sula bassana( /,///«. ) Brisson. Gannet. — Accidental straggler
from the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

171. Larus leucopterus. Faber. White-winged Gull. — A rare win-
ter visitor from the north.

172. Larus argentatus smithsonianus, Cones. Herring Gull. —
Common resident, breeding plentifully at those lakes that are not too
exposed.

173. Larus philadelphiee (Ord) Gray- Bonaparte's Gull. — Occurs
during the migrations.

174. Podiceps holbcelli, Reinh. Red-necked Grebe. — Occurs dur-
ing the migrations — in spring about the last of April.

175. Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.) Lawrence. Hell-diver. —
Common summer resident.

176. Colymbus torquatus. Briinnich. Loon. — A common summer
resident.

177. Colymbus septentrionalis, Linn. Red-throated Diver. —
Occurs during the migrations. Have seen it at Big Moose Lake in Octo-
ber.

236 Recent Literature.

%mv& literature.

Stearns and Coues's " New England Bird Life."* — After many
years of waiting we at length have a work on New England birds of
which no ornithologist need feel ashamed. Indeed, this goes without
saving when it is known that " New England Bird Life " is edited by Dr.
Coues. It is a timely little volume and forms so important an addition
to the literature of the subject of which it treats that we propose to con-
sider it at some length.

Immediately following the somewhat significant " Editor's Preface " is
an " Introduction," which includes exceedingly useful chapters on the
classification and structure of birds ; the "Preparation of Specimens for
Study"; the "Subject of Faunal Areas"; and the 'Literature of New
England Ornithology." This preliminary portion occupies fifty pages,
not one of which can be considered superfluous. The main body of the
work comprises two hundred and seventy pages and treats the successive
families in order, from the Thrushes through the Crows and Jays, thus em-
bracing the whole order of Oscines. It is a pity that so many of our
works are similarly incomplete, but in the present case we are assured
that Part I is " to be followed as soon as practicable, by a second volume,
completing the treatise " ; and perhaps it is not too much to hope that noth-
ing will occur to prevent the fulfilment of this promise.

The intended scope of the book is thus trenchantly defined in the
Preface: "It is the object of the present volume to go carefully over
the whole ground, and to present, in concise and convenient form, an
epitome of the Bird-life of New England. The claims of each species
to be considered a member of the New England Fauna are critically
examined, and not one is admitted upon insufficient evidence of its
occurrence within this area; the design being to give a thoroughly reliable
list of the Birds, with an account of the leading facts in the life-history
of each species. The plan of the work includes brief descriptions of the
birds themselves, enabling one to identify any specimen he may have in
hand; the local distribution, migration, and relative abundance of every
species; together with as much general information respecting their
habits as can conveniently be brought within the compass of a hand-book
of New England Ornithology."

This plan is fully and consistently followed to the end,- never slighted,
seldom overstepped. The specific characters are given in the very simp-
lest language but usually with sufficient definiteness to meet all the

* New England Bird Life, being a Manual of New England Ornithology, revised and
edited from the manuscript of Winfrid A. Stearns, Member of the Nuttall Ornithological
Club, etc., by Dr. Elliott Coues, U. S. A., Member of the Academy, etc. Part I —
Oscines. Boston, Lee and Shepard, Publishers. New York, Charles T. Dillingham,
1881, 8vo. pp. 324, numerous woodcuts.

Recent Literature. 237

requirements of" that class of readers for whom they are presumably
intended, while the biographical passages, although containing little that
is new, are always apt and interesting. The references to previous
records, as might be expected, form a marked feature; in the case of the
more important species, especially, they are so accurately collated, so
dispassionately weighed, and so conveniently grouped that they cannot
fail to render the work of the utmost value to even the most advanced
student of the subject. There are no new features of classification, but
it will be noticed that the nomenclature has in most cases been arranged
in accordance with some important changes which have been recently
proposed. The illustrations are fairly numerous, mainly technical in
character, and all taken from Dr. Coues's previous works.

It is, of course, not to be expected that such a book will be entirely free
from errors, especially when we consider the fact that its editor (who, it
should be stated, announces himself " responsible for the accuracv and
completeness of the work") has had little personal experience writh New-
England birds as such. Those which do occur usually affect the breeding
distribution of the birds to which they relate. In most cases this is made
out with great judgment and in strict accordance with known facts, but
where the positive evidence is incomplete there are indications that the
editor occasionally gave free scope to his prophetic fancy. This running
ahead of the records is a dangerous business, despite Dr. Coues's masterly
argument in defence of " logical deductions " and the " logical results of
ratiocination." Birds, like many other beings, sometimes take it into
their heads to be erratic, and thus disappoint the prophets in various ways.
It is not always safe to base a positive general statement on one or two
exceptional occurrences, while it is even more hazardous to fill absolute
blanks from the analogy furnished by known parallel cases. This may
be appropriately demonstrated by considering some of the following
quotations from "New England Bird Life."

Ttirdiis pallasi. — "The Hermit Thrush is another bird whose breeding
range draws a line between the two principal Faunae of New England,
being restricted in the breeding season to the Canadian Fauna, as the
Wood Thrush is to the Alleghanian." In point of fact, the Hermit Thrush
breeds regularly in Massachusetts at many places in Essex and Mid-
dlesex Counties, and on Cape Cod in abundance. Authenticated nests
have been taken at Gloucester, Beverly, and Concord, while in June and Jul v
we have heard manj- males singing near Hyannis, Marston's Mills, and
Osterville. Its distribution in the breeding season, so far from being,
as is elsewhere stated, closely coincident with that of Swainson's Thrush,
is rather to be compared with that of the Olive-sided Flycatcher, which
breeds generally and most abundantly throughout the Canadian Fauna ;
locally and sparingly, but still regularly, in the Alleghanian, and perhaps
occasionally just within the northern boundary of the Carolinian.

Rrgulus calendula. — The Ruby-crowned Kinglet, given as " one of the
many birds which mark the distinction between the Canadian and Alle-
ghanian Fauna', being apparently limited by the former in its southward

238

Recent Literature.

range during the breeding season," has not actually been ascertained to
breed in the Canadian Fauna at all. Boardman alone has catalogued it
as a rare " suminer visitant," but none of the recent investigators have
detected it excepting in the migrations. Its southward range in summer
is much more likely to prove limited by the Hudsonian than the Canadian
Fauna.

Ccrthia familiaris. — The statement that " the Brown Creeper is resi-
dent throughout New England and a common bird in all suitable localities"
is perhaps not sufficiently qualified by the reservation that it breeds
"chiefly in the Canadian Fauna." The three southern New England
States have now been comparatively well explored, and the record by Mr.
Allen of a nest seen at Springfield, and another by Dr. Brewer of one
found near Taunton, with Mr. Merriam's simple statement that it "breeds"
in Connecticut, are all the reliable data that we have for attributing it to
the Alleghanian Fauna of New England. Opposed to this is the great
mass of negative testimony on the part of numerous local observers who
have never found the bird in summer at all. While it must be admitted
that there is something to be said on both sides of the question, we cannot
at present believe that the breeding of the Creeper south of the Canadian
Fauna is otherwise than a rare and exceptional occurrence.

Anthus ludovicianus. — "The manner of the Titlark's presence in New-
England" is decidedly not "similar to that of the Shore Lark " for, as
Mr. Purdie has insisted (Bull. N. O. C., Vol. I, p. 73, Sept. 1S76 and II, p.
17, Jan. 1877), the former normally occurs only as a spring and fall migrant,
while the Shore Lark regularly winters. Dr. Brewer is the sole authority
for the wintering of the Titlark in Massachusetts, and if there was no mis-
take about the instances he records they were unquestionably exceptional.
The negative evidence in this case is unusually conclusive. It would not
be difficult to produce a dozen reliable persons who have had many years'
experience in winter collecting along the Massachusetts coast who yet
have never seen a Titlark there after November. Our own experience
is that the species arrives from the north about the middle of September, is
at the height of its abundance during the latter part of that month and the
first half of October, and wholly disappears before the close of Novem-
ber to reappear in April, when it is less frequently seen and apparently
more irregular in its movements.

Dcndroeca ccerulcscens. — Despite the fact that three identified nests of
the Black-throated Blue Warbler have been found in Connecticut, " its
local distribution in New England " cannot fairly be considered as " coin-
cident" with that of Dendrceca vireiis. The latter breeds regularly
throughout the whole of New England and is, if anything, rather com-
moner in summer in the pine woods of Eastern Massachusetts than among
the spruces and firs of the more northern States, while the Black-throated
Blue Warbler is, to say the least, mainly confined to the Canadian Fauna.
The statement that " it has been observed in summer in Massachusetts "
presumably relates to Allen's record (Birds of Springfield, p. 62) of its
being "found in the breeding season on Mt. Holyoke (C. W. Bennett)

Recent Literature. 239

and along the ridges in the western part of the State (B. Horsford)."
But these elevated places are both outlying spurs of the Canadian region
and many strictly Canadian species, such as the Black Snowbird, regular-
ly breed there. The occurrence of nests at Eastford, Connecticut, is
certainly hard to understand, but the explanation may probably be found
in some peculiar feature of the locality where they were taken. At all
events there are at present no sufficient reasons for regarding them as
other than exceptional examples.

Siurus ncevius.—\x\ the "Birds of the Colorado Valley " (p. 301) Dr.
Coues asserted that the Northern Water Thrush " breeds in the greater
part if not the whole of its North American range," and in the present
work this view is substantially reiterated in the following terms : " Being
a species of the widest distribution in North America, the Water Thrush
is found in all suitable situations in New England, where it is a summer
resident, and more or less abundant according to circumstances in no wav
connected with geographical or faunal areas." Waiving for the present
any discussion of the question at large, we will confine ourselves to a
consideration of the character of the bird's presence in New England.
Upon examining the records it appears that no identified nest has ever
been found south of the limits of the Canadian Fauna. In the "Catalogue
of the Birds of Springfield" Mr. Allen stated that "'apparently a few
breed here," but as he has reversed this opinion in his later " List of the
Birds of Massachusetts," the presumption is that there was some mistake
about the earlier observations. Mr. Merriam surmises that " possibly
a few occasionally remain and breed in Connecticut." All the other authors
(save Minot, whose testimony on questions of this kind is inadmissible)
agree in considering the Water Thrush as a spring and fall migrant in
the three southern New England States. Going by the records alone,
Dr. Coues will find it difficult to maintain his position, while if the un-
written testimony on the subject were produced we fancy that it would go
very strongly against his view of the case. Certainly there are no present
grounds for believing that the Northern Water Thrush breeds at all in
New England south of the Canadian Fauna.

Collurio borealis. — The breeding of the Northern Shrike anywhere
south of the Fur Countries is at present so much a matter of uncertainty,
owing to the recently developed fact that the Loggerhead has frequently
come in where he did not belong and wilfully muddled the records, that
we cannot but think that Dr. Coues would have been wiser had he avoided
taking any positive stand in this much disputed question. The comparison
of its presence with that of the Black Snowbird, is manifestly inappro-
priate, while the prophecy that "it will doubtless be found to breed in
the highest parts of Massachusetts " can scarcely be warranted by any
of the known facts.

Taken for all in all, however, "New England Bird Life" is remarkably
free from errors of every kind : we doubt if there is another outsider who
could have come among us and done so well, but it must not be over-
looked that Mr. Purdie helped " in collating and sifting the scattered

-4" Recent Literature.

records," an assistance which was a practical guarantee against any
ver\ gross errors.

To say that the book is exceedingly well-written would be doing it scant
justice. Dr. Coues's brilliant talents in this respect are already well known,
but we have perhaps never had so striking a proof of them as is afforded
by the present volume. The work has been done so thoroughly that in
point of completeness it is almost perfect ; so consistently that but few points
are open to criticism ; so concisely that one hundred and thirty-eight
species are treated in two hundred and seventy octavo pages. And the
arrangement of the whole is masterly. Gracefully turned descriptive
passages and sparkling bits of commentary everywhere enliven the sub-
structure of fact, as the brighter colors of an old piece of tapestry set off
its more sombre background. Those who are familiar with such works
as the "Birds of the North-west" and " Birds of the Colorado Valley'"
will have no difficulty in judging for themselves to what extent the editor
acted on the author's permission " in revising, and to some extent re-
writing" the latter's notes for publication.

There is, however, one feature which we cannot approve, and which will
doubtless be regretted by all who are familiar with I lie history of the case
on which it bears. We allude to the numerous comments on the records
left by a late well-known ornithologist. The strictures themselves are
in many, perhaps most, cases just, but they are characterized by a certain
bitterness of tone which implies a lack of respect for the memory of an
opponent who is no longer able to speak in his own defence.

It remains to make some reference to the ostensible author of the
work. Simply, then, Mr. Stearns may be congratulated on his wise
choice of an editor. — W. B.

Cory's Beautiful and Curious Birds. — Part III of Mr. Cory's
work* treats of Menura superba, the well known Australian Lyre Bird;
Dipkyllodes respublica, a peculiar Bird of Paradise found on Batarra and
the Waigiou Islands in the Malay Archipelago; and the Ruff (Machetes
pngnax). The latter is of interest to American ornithologists as an occa-
sional straggler from Europe, where, as in Asia and Africa, it is widely
distributed and generally known, and is especially noteworthy for its
pugnacious disposition and remarkable plumage.

The plates in the present number fully sustain the high degree of
excellence which characterized those of the earlier ones. That of the
Lyre Bird is notably fine ; the coloring is rich and soft, while the wonder-
ful details of the lyre-shaped tail are executed with great clearness and
delicacy. The iridescent hues of the Bird of Paradise are also well man-
aged. The work is well worthy of the patronage of those who may
desire excellent life-size figures of a series of exceptionally remarkable
forms of bird-life, with the accompaniment of appropriate text. — J. A. A.

* See this Bulletin, Vol. V, p. 236 and Vol. VI, p. 111.

Recent Literature. l\l

Minot's "Land and Game Birds of New England." — A stricture,
in the July Bulletin (Vol. VI. p. 145). on my work convinces me the more
firmly that ornithologically I am a heretic. Being a sincere heretic, and
being thus impugned, I wish to avow my creed, and to vindicate my
methods. As to the particular point assailed. I submit that the presenta-
tion of evidence, probabilities, and judgment, is not a statement of in-
ference as fact, and. moreover, that no statement ought utterly to be
condemned before the evidence has been either demanded or examined.

I most willingly confess that, after five years' more experience and
judgment, there is much in my "Birds of New England" that I would
gladly alter: but my theories of work I have no reason to change. To
the servant of science the gun is often indispensable, not only for satis-
lying the judgment of others, but for confirming one's own observation;
but, on the other hand, I believe that ordinarily it far too often takes the
place of the naturalist's faculties and senses, and that too often the
animal love of sport or killing, and the human love of material acquisition,
are unconsciously his motives. It is astonishing how many persons are
dependent for their sight quite as much upon their fingers as their eves,
and to how many obtuse and illogical minds ( I make no personal reference
whatsoever) circumstantial evidence is of no value.* In this common
demand for tangibility, there seems to me a want of perception and
sentiment, of ideality and liberality. This may sound sentimental and
sententious: but I know not how better to express a strong feeling upon
which much of my practical work has been based. If the notes and eggs
that I can produce, though unaccompanied by a dried skin, are not what
I claim them to be. I defy any one on earth to tell me what they are. As
for wilful dishonesty, the gun surely is no protection against that.

As arguments from analogy are usually misleading, I prefer suggestions
by comparison. What is evidence? If A testifies to seeing B at a
certain time and place, is his evidence to be questioned simplv because
he cannot now produce B in court? Is his evidence of no value, that a
certain builder built a certain house, because he cannot now produce the
body of that architect for identification ? If A can reproduce exactly B's
peculiar voice and intonation, can it reasonably be questioned whether
he has ever known him? Is not the question property: is this witness
of accurate observation, competent judgment, truthful memory and honest
purpose? or, on the other hand, if he is a perjurer, is his evidence to be
trusted, no matter what its nature?

* " I hold that logical deduction from certain known facts may be a positive and
decisive kind of knowledge ; and that the mental processes concerned are strictly sci-
entific." .... 1 "feel little respect for a frame of mind that prefers to take 'ten to one"
chances of blundering empirically as against logical results of ratiocination." (Dr.
I • Mies, pp. 79-80, in Stearns's "New England Bird Life," Part I.) These remarks seem
fairly correspondent in spirit, if not in letter, to the feelings expressed above. I may
here add that the value of Mr. Stearns's new work renders that of his predecessors of
mm h le 3 account. ■//. D. .1/.

242 Recent Literature.

It is my earnest hope and desire that my declaration may not provoke
further controversy or correspondence. — Henry D. Minot.

[Mr. Minot has expressed his peculiar views with such naivete, that his
letter may, in a general way, be taken as its own answer. It would be
gratuitous at this late day to essay any elaborate defence of the established
systems of work which he rejects, but there are certain important state-
ments resting on his authority, which it is fitting to reconsider in the
light of their author's avowed methods and principles. Many of our
readers will remember the very complimentary notice of the " Land and
Game Birds of New England" which appeared in a former volume of this
Bulletin : the high authority from which it emanated undoubtedly gave it
much weight and possibly silenced the other critics ; at least, the book
has never been reviewed on its merits, and things which should have been
severely censured, have passed nearly unchallenged up to the present
time. The precedent is too dangerous to be allowed to stand.

A few prominent examples will suffice to point the moral of what I
have to say.

In the "Land and Game Birds" Mr. Minot speaks of finding near
Boston such nests as the Northern Water Thrush's, the Cape May War-
bler's, the Blackburnian Warbler's, the Short-eared Owl's and the Pigeon
Hawk's. Now it might be reasonably supposed that the importance ot
any one of these discoveries would have called for the very strictest iden-
tification. Yet the text furnishes no assurance of this. On the contrary,
the author does not even tell us that the birds were seen and in no instance
is any evidence whatever, direct or circumstantial, advanced in support of
their assumed identity. The descriptions of the nests and eggs, too, are so
brief and general that they give little satisfaction. It may well be doubted
if any of our older ornithologists would care to risk his reputation on such
unsupported but entirely positive statements. Of course the sincerity of
Mr. Minot's convictions is not called in question ; but the school boy whose
collection embraces alleged eggs of every species of Sparrow that breeds
from Maine to Florida is equally sincere, though the parentage of most
of his specimens may generally be safely referred to a few of the common
kinds. The parallel may seem a harsh one, but the basis of identification
is essentially the same in the two cases : viz., individual opinion.

Now we fancy that there are many persons besides Mr. Minot whose
feelings often revolt at the thought of killing a harmless and confiding lit-
tle bird. But if the importance of the case renders this necessary no one
ought to hesitate. A bird's life should count as nothing against the verifi-
cation of a rare nest or the establishment of a new fact. A sombre-plum-
aged Sparrow cannot always be recognized as it skulks through the
undergrowth, or the females of many of our Warblers separated with
certainty while sitting half-buried in their nests or flitting among the
foliage. The collector may satisfy himself, especially if his imagination
is allowed to supply some of the blanks, but he must not expect to satisfy
others who know by experience the difficulties of such cases. If the nest in
question is common and well known, especially if the eggs are in them-

Rccott Literature. 24 }

selves diagnostic of the species, it is well enough to he content with a good
sight at the birds and a careful record of the position and surroundings.
Even if an occasional mistake be made in this way there is little harm done.
But he who would chronicle the occurrence of a rare nest in a region Avhere
the bird is not known to breed, must see to it that his chain of evidence is
absolutely complete. And no such evidence cati be complete without the
capture and proper identification of at least one of the parent birds. Cir-
cumstances, it is true, will sometimes render such an identification impos-
sible, despite the utmost efforts on the part of the collector. A bird may be
shot at and missed, or lost among the vegetation after it has fallen. In
cases of this kind the observer's impressions are always entitled to atten-
tion, provided the facts on which they are based are frankly and fully given.
The record then stands open to the scrutiny of all and can be judged on its
merits, while its acceptance or rejection will depend largely on the repu-
tation which the writer bears for accuracy and experience in such matters.
The author who disregards these cardinal principles must of necessity defy
the opinions of those who accept them, and he should expect his work to be
judged accordingly.

But the most conspicuous act of daring remains to be mentioned. On
page 290 of the " Land and Game Birds " the author describes a species
of Empidonax — a new genus even was suggested, "to be called Muscac-
cipiter" basing his diagnosis on a bird which he saw flying about in the
shrubbery of his father's place //ear Boston.

This last example needs no comment. We trust it is one of the things
that Mr. Minot would now "gladly alter": but it stands prominent
among the fruits of that " system of work " which he sees " no reason to
change" and is perhaps no more than an extreme example of the opera-
glass method of identification. If such work is to be recognized — and
toleration is in some sense recognition — the gun may indeed be dis-
pensed with and rare nests and new birds described ad libitum without
the shedding of more blood. But if ornithology is to continue to hold a
place among the sciences the leaders must see to it that such dangerous
heresy is promptly discountenanced. The quotation from Dr. Coues in
the foot-note to Mr. Minot's communication has absolutely no bearing,
either direct or indirect, on the points here at issue. It originally appears
in connection with some general remarks affecting the philosophic compo-
sition of fauna1 and the methods followed in the preparation of certain lists
of New England birds. Dr. Coues's published sentiments regarding the
proper identification of important specimens are too well known to need
repetition, but any one who wishes to satisfy himself on this point will
find some pertinent remarks on page 101 of " Field Ornithology" and on
page 33 of "New England Bird Life."

In conclusion I beg to assure Mr. Minot that the above remarks are
prompted by 110 ill-feeling and — excepting in so far as an author is to
be held responsible for his printed utterances — are intended to have no
personal application. Nor would I be understood as wholly condemning
the "Land and Game Birds of New England." On the contrary, leaving

-44 General Notes.

out the faulty portions, which in nearly all cages relate to abstract points
similar to those just cited, the pages bear the impress of accurate observa-
tion and original thought, while no one who loves the out-door side of
Nature can fail to sympathize with the author's sentiment or to be im-
pressed by the truth and beauty of many of his passages. It is a pity that
one who writes so delightfully will mar his work by a persistent adhesion
to false principles. -»-William Brewster.]

0*)cncr;il 31otes.

I'm Golden-crested Wren breeding in the Colorado Valley. —
July 1. at an elevation of [1,500 feet, I shot an adult Golden-crested
Wren {Regulus satrapa). Its presence made its nesting here almost a
certainty, but all doubts were set at rest by the capture of a young bird
just from the nest, in another part of the comity, at 11,000 feet on July 25.
Several others were heard and seen. I judge it is not uncommon, but
from the fact of its ordinary call-notes being so deceptively similar to the
Creeper's notes, it is easily passed by. So far as I know it seems to range
a little above the hulk of the Ruby-crowns. — Frank M. Drew, Hoxv-
ardsvilk, San Juan County, '

Notes <>n the Winter Wren (Anortkura troglodytes hyemalis). —
M\ chance acquaintance with a chapter in the lite-history of this species.
during a recent visit to Grand Manan. N.B., may not be uninteresting i<>
the readers of the Bulletin. I was informed by Mr. S. F. Cheney that its
occurrence in that locality, where it is called the Spruce Wren, is not
common. He has seen an occasional pair in previous years, principally
in the winter season, and noted its prolonged sweet song but he had
never met with their nest, supposing always that it was placed on the
ground in hollow logs. During the breeding season the dense spruce
swamps are its home and in such a situation, upon one of the outlying
islands near Grand Manan. I found its snugly hidden nest. At that
time no owner appeared and I was ignorant of the value of my prize, but
visiting the locality again on June 2, and carefully approaching to avoid
disturbing its occupant, if any, to a distance of scarce five feet, I saw.
cautiously thrust out from the mass of green moss, a brown little head,
followed in a moment by the unmistakable form of the Winter Wren.
It displayed scarce any fear, alighting only three or four feet from me.
jerking its tail forward over its back and scolding vehemently, somewhat
in the manner of our common House Wren. After watching it for
several minutes, in my anxiety to procure it. I proceeded to back

General Notes. -45

off through the thick growth, in order to shoot, but it became alarmed
at mv movements and suddenly dropped to the ground when a hasty
shot failed to procure it, nor did either of the pair subsequently appear.
The nest was placed about six feet from the ground, in the end of a
decaying stub, the irregularities being neatly filled with green wood moss,
both below and around the nest proper, which measures outside 5^
inches in depth by 4 in width. The entrance is perfectly round, nearly
an inch in diameter, placed two inches from the top. and is strengthened
by a framework of a fe\v slender dead spruce twigs, woven into the out-
side covering of green moss. Above it is well protected by a thick mass
of the same green moss which serves so admirably to conceal it from
prving eves. Long, slender, dried grasses form the inner walls, just
sufficient to give it strength, and within this a thick lining of soft white
feathers of the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus smithsonianus). A neater,
warmer bird home it would be hard to conceive, and had the little archi-
tect not incautiously left a c; white feather " partly protruding from the
entrance I doubt if I should be its possessor. Five eggs were the full
complement in this case. They are ovate, slightly pointed at the smaller
end. of a brilliant white ground color, very evenly but sparingly sprinkled
with reddish-brown dots, and measure respectively .65 X .49, .65 X .48,
.63X.49, .63X.47 and .62X.4S. They are larger and less rounded than are
the eggs of Par 11$ atricapillus, though resembling them somewhat in style
of marking.— R. F. Pearsai.l. New York City.

Two more SPKC1MENS of Helminthophaga IcHcobroiich iai is from
Sim, Sing, X. Y. — While collecting with Mr. Eugene P. Bicknell, on
Croton Point, among some small pines, July 24, 1SS1. I shot a specimen
of the above-named Warbler. We were attracted by a flock of small birds
flitting through the pines, composed of Chickadees, Yellow Warblers.
Black-and- White creepers, and Blue-winged Yellow Warblers. While
following these up we got a glimpse at this bird and killed it as it flew
to the ground in pursuit of an insect. This specimen differs from others
in having a black auricular patch. Sex not absolutely determined, as the
bird was badly shot, but it was apparently a female.

On August 3, 1881, I shot another specimen, in some low bushes border-
ing a stream, near where I procured a specimen August 24. 1S79.* It
resembled that specimen in having a yellowr pectoral band, but, unlike it,
the wing-bands were normal: yellow, not white. — A. K. Fisher. M. D..
Sing Sing, A. )'■

Another specimen of Siurus motacilla at Lake George, N. Y. —
Mr. Oliver B. Lockhart showed me a specimen of this bird which he
shot, May 16, 1SS1, at Lake George. He is positive that he has seen other
specimens, but failed in procuring them except the pairf which he and
Mr. Bishop killed a few years ago. — A. K. Fisher, M. D., Sing Sing, X. }'.

* See this Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 3, Oct. 1879, p. 234.
t See this Bulletin, Vol. V , April, 18S0, p. II.

246

General Notes.

Myiodioctes canadensis in Kansas. — In watching for the early
arrivals of the returning migrants, I shot August 29, at this place, on the
hanks of the Neosho River, a female Canadian Flvcatching Warbler.

As the birds inhabit the low swampy timbered lands, this is without
doubt their extreme western limit, and is therefore worthy of note. —
X. S. Goss, Neosho Falls, Kansas.

Capture of the Worm-eating Warbler in Massachusetts. — On
September 19, 1SS1, I shot in some low moist woods in Cambridge, a
line female Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitherus vermi'vorus). This is
the first capture of this bird in Massachusetts. The only previous note
of its occurrence in this State on record is that of Mr. W. A. Stearns, who
says he saw one at Easthampton, Mass. (see New England Bird Life, p.
in). — Henry M. Spelman, Cambridge, Mass.

Melospiza lincoi.ni breeding in New York again. — On page 197
of Volume III of this Bulletin, is an account of my taking the nest of
this bird in 1S78. To this record I now desire to add another. On June
16, 1SS1, on the shore of Otter Lake (or Pond) Hamilton Co., N. Y.
(about half a mile from the locality in which I took the nest in 1S7S). I
Hushed a Lincoln's Finch from her nest. She was so quick in her flight
that I missed her with both barrels and was obliged to retire into the
bushes and wait her return, and as 1 stood up to my ankles in wet moss
and mud among the alders, being devoured by mosquitoes, blackflies, and
punkies, I kept saying to myself "If it is only a Lincoln's Finch it will
pav for all this." But I could scarcely believe my good fortune when,
after returning to the nest and killing the female bird, I took her out of
the water, where she fell, and saw it really was the desired bird. The
nest was situated almost exactly like the other, in wet spongy ground
at the edge of the lake, not under any bush or weed, but epiite well
concealed. by last year's grasses. Diameter outside, 3.75 inches; in-
side, 2 inches; depth outside, 2.25 inches: inside, 1.75 inches. It was
composed of fine grasses loosely put together, and set down nearly level
with the moss. The eggs, which were tour, slightly advanced in incuba"
tion, were exactly like those taken in 187S, except that the spots of
reddish-brown were rather larger ami more marked. — Egbert Bagg. Jr..
Utica, N. 1'.

Xanthocephalus icterocephalus in Lower Canada. — While on
the Lower St. Lawrence, in July last. Mr. N. A. Comeau handed me for
identification the skin of a Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocefhalus

icterocephalus) that he shot, early in September ("about Sept. 4")^ 187S,
in his dooryard, at Gedbout River, Province of Quebec, Canada — six miles
west of the entrance to the Gulf. — C. Hart Merriam. M. D., Locust

(have, Neva York.

General Notes. --|7

CoLAptes auratl's -f- C. mexicanus. — Quite ii number of instances
of specimens of Colaftcs auratus showing traces of C. mexicanus coining

to mv knowledge, I have thought it worth the while to record them. In
this Bulletin, Vol. V, No. i. p. 46, I noted the capture of one of these
abnormal individuals by myself at Fort Hamilton. Its black mustaches
were sprinkled with red feathers, and its back was different from that of
ordinary auratus. the black bars being very narrow, and the ground color
more of a brownish-olive, nearly corresponding to Audubon's Plate of C.
ayresi (Birds of America, Vol. VII). Last autumn (1S80) I shot two
more " Highholders" having a few red feathers intermixed with the black
cheek patches. These are all the cases of this curious variation that have
come under my personal observation, but Messrs. Bell and Wallace of
New York furnish me with some valuable notes on the subject. Mr. Bell
tells me he has had several such in his many years of experience as
a taxidermist. He remembers one in particular which was remarkable
for the deep salmon color of the parts which are golden-yellow in normal
auratus. Nearly half of each of the maxillary patches of this specimen
was red. It was shot in Orange Co., N. Y., or in some adjacent county.
Mr. Wallace also says he has had a number of these varieties, and among
them the strangest case of differentiation I have yet heard of. A few years
ago a Colaptes was brought to him, one side of which was auratus and
the other mexicanus. That is, one of the mustaches was black and the
other red. and the quills and under surfaces of wings and tail on the cor-
responding sides were respectively yellow and red.

Mr. Ridgway, in this Bulletin, Vol. VI, No. 2, p. 121, says that of two
hundred aurati taken in the vicinity of Mount Carmel, 111., which he had
examined, he detected only one aberrant specimen showing any trace of
mexicanus. As out of thirty shot last fall at Fort Hamilton and examined
bj me two showed this variation, it may be that these mixed forms are more
plentiful in the Atlantic States than in the interior. In view of the num-
ber of known instances of these "half-breeds" occurring in the East we
need not be surprised if some cis-Alleghany collector yet takes a pure
mexicanus. — De L. Berier, Fort Hamilton, Long Is/and, N. Y.

Further Notes ox the Labrador Gyrfalcon taken ox Loxg
Islaxd, N. Y. — In the Bulletin for April, 1881, page 126, I recorded the
capture of Falco gyrfalco obsoletus on Long Island, in Queens County, my
information being derived from Mr. J. Wallace of New York City. Since
then I have received a more detailed account of the matter from the <jen-
tleman above named, and to correct some doubts which have probably
arisen as to the accuracy of my note, I make this somewhat length}
statement. The bird in question was shot in the autumn of 1S75, near
Flushing, Q^ueens Co., and brought to Mr. Wallace by two men. They
were in haste and left saying they would return in a few days and give
the particulars of the bird's capture. They failed to do so, however, and
it was nearly two years before Mr. Wallace again met them. In the mean-
time he had presented the Falcon to Mr. George A. Boardman. Mr. Wal-
lace, knowing nothing of the bird except that it had been brought to him

248 General Notes,

by two men from Westchester County, told Mr. Boardman it had prob-
ablv been killed in that locality. Mr. Boardman published a note to
that effect in the "Rod and Gun" (Vol. VII, Dec. 4, 1875, p. 153).
When Mr. Wallace again met one of the men who had brought him the
bird, he learned that the man and his companion were fishing in a boat
not far from Flushing when they saw the Hawk perched upon a tree on
the shore, and having a gun with them they easily secured it. — De L.
Berif.k. Fort Hamilton, Long Island, N. T.

Probable Occurrence of Sarcorh wiimii s papa in Arizona. — There
has long been recorded (Pr. Phila. Acad.. [866, p — ) a note of mine to the
effect that I saw on the Rio Verde, in Arizona, a pair of birds that I sup-
posed to be King Vultures. Mr. Willard Rice, an amateur naturalist of
excellent powers of observation and long experience, who was with me on
the occasion to which I refer, and to whom I pointed out the birds, told
me the other day that he remembered the circumstances perfectly well,
and thai some years afterward, on the Verde again, he shot and killed a
pair of birds which he has no doubt were of the same kind. They had a
nest in a large cotton-wood tree. From his description of the specimens,
which unfortunately were not preserved, 1 suppose them to be the Vulture
in mention. But is not the fact of tree-nesting entirely against such sup-
position? I consider it established, however, that there occurs in Arizona
a large rapacious bird, brownish or tawnj above, white below, and naked
headed, of some species as vet undetermined. — Elliot Cocks, Washing-
ton, D. C.

NYCTHERODIUS VIOLACEUS in Kansas. — April 17. 1878, Samuel W.
Recti shot, on Crooked Creek, in Coffee County, a female Yellow-crowned
Night Heron, and sent me the skin for identification. The bird was in full
breeding plumage, and Mr. Reed stated in a note accompanying the bird
that he found on dissection six or seven of the eggs enlarged to from one-
eighth to three-fourths of an inch in diameter — also that another bird.
probably her mate, was with her.

From this and the further fact that I have shot at this place in the
months of July and August young birds (a pair of which I have in mv
collection). I think it safe to say they occasionally nest in the State. The
young, as happens with the White, Snowy, and Little Blue Heron*, may
have wandered north from their breeding grounds, but there can be no
question that the adult birds would have nested in the vicinity. — N. S.
Goss. Ncos/10 F<i//s, Kansas.

Capture of the Snowy Heron (Garzetta candidissimd) on Long

Island. — Although the habitat of this species includes this region as well
as the greater part of New England, I consider it worth the while to record
its capture here, as it is now rare so far to the North. Mr. John M. Rod-
ocanachi shot a fine specimen on Cedar Island, Great South Bay. Long
Island, on August 4, 1881, which he kindly sent to me. — Locis A. Zer-
ega, hi East 72nd St.. Netu York City.

He tier a! Notes. 240

Lobipes hyperboreus at 9.Soo feet. - 1 was greatly surprised on
May 22 by the appearance of a friend with six Northern Phalaropes (lo-
bipes hyperboreus) in his hands. They were killed bv flying a-ainst the
telegraph wires. Unless the nock turned back and retraced 50 miles of
their journey, in migrating further north, they would be forced to cross
the range at an elevation of over 12,000 feet, where we may expect to hear
from the bird some day.

I thought birds were only killed in this manner when the wires were on
a plane with their eyes. Such was not the case with these birds, as one
had a wing completely torn off, two others were cut open longitudinally
on the breast, and the rest were bruised on breast and neck, but none on
the head at all. — Frank M. Drew, Howardsville, Col.

Breeding of Barrows Golden-eye in Lower Canada — During

the middle of July last (July n-IQ, l88i) I several times came across a fe-
male, with several young, of Barrow's Golden Eve {Cla„gula islandicd)
in the Godbout River, about a mile- above its mouth. Mr. N. A Comeau
showed me skins of the adults of both sexes that he had taken here and
assured me that the species breeds regularly in this region. The Godbout
River empties into the St. Lawrence, from the north, six miles west of
Pt. de Monte which guards the mouth of the Gulf on that side. The place
falls a trifle short of 50" north latitude. Dr. Coues savs (Birds of the
Northwest, p. 577) '-It is the most northerly species of the genus, having
apparently a circumpolar distribution, breeding only ( ?) in high lati
tudes." etc.-C Hart Merriam, M. D.. Locust Grove, New York-

Notes on a few Maine BIRDs.-Corvus corax. RAVEN.-These birds
are frequently seen about the islands on the Maine coast, to the west of
Penobscot Bay, particularly on Isle au Haut, Duck Islands, Cranberry
Islands, and other points to the westward, but so far as I can ascertain
they have not been found breeding on our coast east of Grand Menan.
At hat place however. Mr. George A. Boardman has found them nesting
on the high chfts. °

On May 5 of this year (1SS1) I received two Raven's eggs, which were
taken from a nest on Duck Island about the last of April. Both birds
were shot down, but were not secured. The nest was placed in the ton of
a spruce tree, and described as a very bulky affair, built of sticks and lined
w.th moss, cow s hair, and wool. It contained three eggs at that time.

Severa of these birds were poisoned on Isle au Haut in the winter of

o km WeV Trr 7? Wh° WaS USin* meat P°isoned wit» Pennine
W Til 1 I 1"hab1ltants aSsert that they breed on that island, and
that they kill lambs by alighting on them and picking out their eyes

Cymoohorea leuccrrhoa. Leach's PETREL.-During a visit to the
o a we'll VUne JK SeTh °f °,-nitholo-i-1 «d logical specimens I w

7 u r Te!dmg gr°Und °f LeaCh'S PetreI" We found the bird
breeding by hundreds and out of some fifty burrows that we dug outal
but two or three contained a single bird sitting on its egg. One burrow

250 General Notes.

contained two birds but no egg. When taken from the holes the birds
showed no disposition to fly but on being released would scurry back into
their holes or under some log. They appeared to be completely dazzled
by the light, and if thrown into the air would fly in an aimless and dazed
way for a few moments, very much after the manner of a Night Hawk
when thrown from the limb of a tree.

In a letter written by Mr. Manly Hardy of Brewer, Me., to Mr. "William
Brewster, and quoted by the latter gentleman in the Bulletin for 1SS1
(Vol. VI, p. 125), Mr. Hardy says "the males do most if not all the incu-
bating," but he further says that of twelve specimens taken from the nest
and sent him June 15, 1880, five proved to be females. Having this com-
munication in mind, my friend (Mr. N. A. Eddy) and myself thought to
investigate a little, and to this end took twelve birds from their nests.
None of the forty-three found on their nests showed bare spots on the
breast as described by Mr. Hardy, though our visit was on June 23.01-
about a week later than when Mr. Hardy's birds were secured the year
before, so our selections were entirely at random. Of the twelve birds
eight were females and four males. One female and one male of those
counted were from the burrow spoken of as without an egg, leaving to
those taken from their eggs, seven females and three males. 1 have had
others taken from the nest and sent me. and have found that the number
of males and females was about equal. This would seem to indicate, —
In Mr. Hardy's testimony above quoted, — that both male and female share
about equally the task of incubation and not that the male alone does most
if not all of it.

Collurio ludovicianus. Loggerhead Shrike. — These birds, which
were first reported as breeding in this vicinity a few yeai s ago, still continue
to visit us. and Mere among our earliest arrivals last spring. I have taken
two nests the past season, both of which were taken in the same location
where they have been found breeding for several years past. It may not
be without interest to state that these birds seem peculiarly partial to two
or three localities in this vicinity. In these places I have almost always
found them from early spring till late in the fall, while elsewhere about
our city they are very rarely seen.

Cotile riparia. Sand Swallow. — While examining some Sand Swal-
low's burrows on Cranberry Islands, this summer, three were found con-
taining two nests each, each nest having in it fresh eggs. The finding of
two nests with eggs in the same burrow struck me as somewhat remark-
able and I thought it was perhaps worthy of notice. — Harry Merrill.
Bangor ; Maine.

Destruction of Birds by a Storm while migrating. — April 2.
1SS1. found me in a small schooner, on the passage from Brazos de San-
tiago, Texas, to Mobile, Alabama. At about noon of that day the wind
suddenly changed from east to north, and within an hour it was blowing
a gale ; we were now about thirty miles south of the mouths of the Misis-
sippi River, which would bring the vessel on a line with the river and the
I

General Notes. -5 T

peninsular ot" Yucatan. Up to the time the storm commenced the only
land birds seen were three Yellow-rumped Warblers {Driidrccca coronata)
that came aboard the day previous, keeping us company the most of the
day ; but within an hour after the storm broke they began to appear, and
in a very short time birds of various species were to be seen in all direc-
tions, singly and in small flocks, and all flying towards the Mississippi
River. These birds of course must have been far overhead and only came
down near the surface of the water in endea'voring to escape from the
force of the wind. By four o'clock it had come to be a serious matter
with them, as the gale was too strong for them to make scarcely any
progress. As long as they were in the trough of the sea the wind had
very little effect on them, but as soon as they reached the crest of a wave
it would catch them up and in an instant they were blown hundreds of
yards back or else into the water and drowned.

A great many flew on to the deck of the vessel to be washed about by the
next wave that came over the side. Although I made no attempt to count
the number of specimens that came aboard, I should estimate them at
considerably over a hundred, and a great many more struck the sides and
tumbled back into the water. It was sad indeed to see them struggling
along by the side of the vessel in trying to pass ahead of her, for as soon
as they were clear of the bows, they were invariably blown back into the
water and drowned. Most of those that came aboard were washed into
the sea again, but the next day we found about a dozen dead bodies that
had lodged underneath the galley. The following is a list of the species
recognized, and if more time could have been given to observation I
undoubtedly could have made out others.

1. Wood Thrush. About twenty seen.

2. Black-and-white Creeper. Abundant.

3. Prothonotary Warbler. Large numbers.

4. Worm-eating Warbler. Large numbers.

5. Yellow-rumped Warbler. A few.

6. Chestnut-sided Warbler. Quite a number.

7. Yellow Warbler. Quite a number.
S. Golden-crowned Thrush. A few.

9. Kentucky Warbler. Large numbers.

10. Mourning Warbler. Large numbers.

11. Maryland Yellow-throat. Very abundant.

12. Hooded Warbler. Large numbers.

13. Redstart. The most abundant.

14. Cliff Swallow. Saw one.

15. Scarlet Tanager. Quite a number.

16. Summer Redbird. A few.

17. Towhee. A few.

18. Indigo Bird. As plentiful as Redstarts.

19. Nonpareil. Quite abundant.

20. Flycatchers. Saw a large number of the smaller species, but rec-
ognized only Sayornis fuscus (Phoebe.)

252 General Notes.

21. Pigeon Hawk. Saw one.

22. Carolina Dove. A few.

23. Turnstone. Only one seen.

One important conclusion which can he drawn from these observations
seems to be that instead of following the land a large number of species
migrate direct from Central America to the Mississippi Valley across the
Gulf of Mexico, and the scarcity of these species in Southwestern Texas is
thus explained. — A. M. Frazar. Watertown, Mass.

Additions to the Avi-fauna of the United States. — -During the
spring and early summer of 1SS1 the following birds, which are either
new to the United States, or for the first time definitely ascertained to
have been taken within their limits, were collected for me in Southern
Arizona by Mr. F. Stephens. A simple list is here given, as there is not
at present time to prepare a more detailed consideration of these, as well
as many others of great interest, which will be fully considered in a future
number of this Bulletin.

1. Parus meridionalis. Scl. Mexican Chickadee. — Hab., highlands
of Mexico; Arizona (Brewster). Several specimens taken in March
among the Chiracahua Mountains, where the species was found to be not
uncommon.

2. Myiarchus cooperi (Kaup) Baud. Cooper's Flycatcher. —
Hab., Southern and Western Mexico (Tehauntepec, Yucatan, Mazatlan,
etc.) Ascertained to be an abundant summer species about Camp Low-
ell. Numerous specimens taken between May 31 and June 25.

This species is true cooperi of Kaup and is not to be confounded
with "cooperi eryiirocercus" of the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.

3. Myiarchus lawrencei ( Giraud) Baird. Lawrence's Flycatcher.
— Hab., Northern Mexico, from northern boundary south to Colima, Te-
hauntepec, Yucatan, and Salvador. Eight specimens taken in the Santa
Rita Mountains between May 12 and May 17. These captures confirm
still another of Giraud's alleged sixteen Texas species. — William Brew-
ster. Cambridge, Mass.

INDEX TO VOLUME VI.

Accipiter cooperi, 141, 201, 233.

fuscus, C41, 161, 201, 233.
Actiturus bartramius, 62, 64.
Actodromas acuminata, 171.
yEgialitis meloda, 18.

semipalmata, iS, 127. 162.
vocifera, 142. 155.
wilsonia, 18.
^Egiothus brewsteri, 225.

linaria, 90, 229.
.Lsalon columbarius, 232.
richardsoni, 12S.
suckleyi, 128.
^Estrelata defilippiana. 96.
gularis, 93, 94.
mollis, 92.
Agekvus phceniceus, 230.

phceniceus gubernator, 12S.
Agersborg, G.S., novel nesting-sites
of Woodpeckers (Colaptes aura-
tut and Melanerpes erythrocepk-
alui). 120.
Aix sponsa, 162. 23^.
Alca impennis, m.

torda, 156.
Allen, Charles N., songs of the
Western Meadow Lark ( Stur-
nella neglecta), 148.
Allen, J. A., insectivorous birds in
their relation to man, 22 ; notes
on migration of birds, 100, 18S;
the Connecticut Warbler (Opor-
oruis agilis) — a correction, 114;
supplementary list of birds of the
Island of Santa Lucia. W. I.,
128; winter birds at Fort Walla
Walla. W. T., 12S; note on Cen-
turus carolinus in Massachusetts,
183; note on Larus glaucus, 187.
Amazilia cerviniventris, 173.

vucatanensis, 173.
Ammodromus caudacutus, 15, 47.
maritimus, 15.
maritimus nigrescens, i'6.
Ampelis cedrorum, 229.
garrulus, 51, S9.

Anas boscas, 142, 234.

obscura, 162, 234.
Anorthura troglodytes hyemalis,

227, 244.
Anous stolidus, 155.
Anser ca;rulescens, ^2.
Anthus ludovicianus, SS, 127. 227.

23S.
Antrostomus carolinensis. 16. 153.

macromystax, 70.

nuttalli, 71.

vociferus, 69.

vociferus arizonie, 69.
Aphelocoma floridana woodhousei,
140.

sordida arizona1, 73.
Apteryx, 11 1.
Apteryx australis. in.
Aquila chrysaetus, 58.

chrvsaetus canadensis, 233.
Archaeopteryx, 8, 9. n, 107.

longicauda, 8.

macrura, 107, 203.
Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis,

201, 209, 233.
Aramus pictus, 20, 38. 42.

scolopaceus giganteus, 155.
Ardea caerulea, 20. 41, 155.

candidissima, 155.

cyanirostris, 21, 48.

herodias, 123. 233.

leucogastra leucoprvmna. 20.

luce, 155.

pealei, 20.

rufa, 20, 154.

virescens, 127, 155.
Ardetta exilis, 21, 1S6.
Asio americanus. 232.
Astragalinus psaltria, 90.

tristis. 90. 229.
Astur atricapillus, 141, 201, 233.

brachyura, 210.
Asturina albifrons, 210.

brachyura, 210.

minuta, 210.
Auk, Great, in.

254

Index.

Avocet, 123.

Bagu, Egbert, Jr., Mclospiza //>/-
co/«/ breeding in New York again,
2-46.

Bangs, E. A. and O.. the White-
winged Gull (Larus leucopterus)
in Massachusetts, 124.

Batchelder, Charles F., the Bald
Eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus)
as a hunter, 58: strange nesting
habits of a pair of Chats. 114:

Bendire. Charles, nesting of Ken-
nicolt's Owl, 1S5.

Berier, De L., notes on a few birds
observed at Fort Hamilton. Long
Island. X. Y., 11: notes on birds
rare or accidental on Long Island.
N. Y-, 125: Colaptes auratu$-\-
C. mexicanus^ 247 ; further notes
on the Labrador Gyrfalcon taken
on Long Island. N. Y.. 2 yj.

Bernicla canadensis, 52, 234.
sandvicensis, 52.

Bird. Australian Lyre, 240.
Crying, 20.

Indigo. 251.

Mocking, 1 12. 125.
Mountain Mocking. 86.
of Paradise, King, 11 1.
Bittern, 234.

Least, 2 1. [86.
Blackbird, Brewer's, 12s.
Crow, 47 . (So.
Red-shouldered, 230.
Rusty, 231.

Western Red-winged. 128.
Yellow-headed, 1 43. 246.
Blackhead, Greater, 1 [2

Lesser, 142.
Bluebird, 24, 26, 53. no. 196, 22(1.

Arctic. 86.
Boardman, (i. A., the Golden Eagle

in New Brunswick, 58.
Bobolink, 1 17. T,y>-
Bonasa umbellus, 233.
Botaurus lentiginosus. 234.
Brant. Black. 131.
Branta nigricans. 134.
Brewster, William, with the birds
on a Florida river, 38: a second
occurrence of the Hudsonian Tit-
mouse ( Parus hudsonicus) in Mas-
sachusetts. 54; another capture
of the Loggerhead Shrike in
Massachusetts, 55 ; a third capture
of the Philadelphia Vireo ( Vireo
Philadelphia!*) in Massachusetts,
^6; recent occurrence of Baird's
Sandpiper {Tringa bairdi) in
Maine. 60; a second Massachu-

setts specimen of the Clapper
Rail (Rallus longirostris), 62:
notes on some birds from Arizona
and Xew Mexico, with a descrip-
tion of a supposed new Whip-
poorwill. 65; critical notes on a
Petrel new to North America, 91 ;
on the affinities of certain Poliop-
fi/ir. with a description of a new
species, 101 ; the Short-tailed
Tern ( Hydrochelidon nigra) in
New England, 124; notes on
Leach's Petrel (Cymockorea leu-
corrkoa), 125: breeding of the
Acadian Owl {Nyctale acadica)
in Massachusetts, 143; a singular
cage plumage of the Rose-breasted
Grosbeak, 180; carnivorous pro-
pensities of the Crow Blackbird,
: the Three-toed Woodpecker
i Picoides arcticus) in Massachu-
setts. iSj: a second Massachusetts
specimen of the Red-bellied Wood-
pecker i Centuyus carolinus 1, 183 :
early arrival in Xew England of the
Least Bittern, 186; occurrence of
the Purple and Florida Gallinules
near St. John, New Brunswick,
t86; the Yellow Rail (Porzana
noveboracensts) in Massachusetts.
[86; the Ivory Gull (Pagophila
eburnea) at St. John, Xew Bruns-
wick, 187; on the relationship of
Helminthophaga leucobronckialis
Brewster, and Helmintkophaga
Icrwretfcei, 1 lerrick : with s<
conjectures respecting certain oth-
er North American Birds, 21S:
on Minot's " Land and Game
Birds of Xew England," 242; ad-
ditions to the A\ i-fauna of the
United States, 252.
Brown, Nathan Clifford, exception-
al abundance of the Shoveller at
Portland, Me.. 1S7.
Browne, F. C-, distribution of birds
as influenced by increase ol water
area. 126.
Bryant, W. E., nest and eggs of the

Painted Flycatcher, 176.
Bubo virginianus, 27,2.
Bucephala islandica, \(>2.
Budytes flava, 4.
Bunting, Cow, 230.
Indigo. 230.
Painted Lark, 115.
Snow. 229.
Buteola brachyura, 208; 210. 212.
fuliginosus, 212.
minutus, 210.

Iiuh

255

Buteo abbreviatus, 20S.

albifrons, 210.

borealis, 141, 201, 209. 233.

borealis calurus. 141.

borealis socorroensis, 171.

brachyurus, 207, 20S, 210.212.

fuliginosus. 207. 20S. 212. 213.

lineatus, 2^.

minutus, 210.

pennslyvanicus, 161, 233.

swainsoni, 209.

vulgaris, 201.
Butorides virescens, 233.
Buzzard. Short-tailed. 210.

Turkey, 40, 141.
Calidris arenaria. 127.
Callipepla squamata. 72.
Campephilus principalis, 16.
Camptolsemas labradorius. 51.
Canace canadensis. 233.
Canvas-back, 113.
Caprimulgus vociferus, 231.
Caracara, Audubon's, 18.
Cardellina rubrifrons, 68.
Cardinal, Saint Lucas. 69.
Cardinalis virginianus. 40.

virginianus igneus, 69.
Carpodacus cassini, 89.

purpureus. 2 2<>.
Catbird. 25, 52, 226.
Cathartes atratus, 126.

aura, 141.
Catberpes mexicanus conspersus,

175-
Cedar-bird. 229.
Centronvx bairdi, 16S.
Centrophanes lapponicus. 229.
Centurus carolinus, 120, 121. 183.

striatus, 154.

uropygialis. 73.
Certhia familiaris, 12, SS. 238.

familiaris rufa, 227.

mexicana, 175.
Certhiola clusiie. 1 5, 1 .
Ceryle alcyon, 143, 154, 231.
Cluetura dominicana, 128.

pelasgica, 160, 1S8, 231.
Chamaepelia passerina, 154.
Charadrius fulvus, 162.

virginicus, tS.
Chat, 114.

Chaulelasmus streperus, 142.-
Chewink. 230.
Chickadee, 12.

Black-capped. 226.

Iludsonian, 226.

Long-tailed, 87.

Mexican, 252.

Mountain, 87.

Chondestes grammica, '-,8. 139.

grammica stigata, 171.
Chordiles popetue heriryi, 140.

popetue. 232.
Chroicocephalus atricilla, 128.
Chrvsomitris dominicensis. 152.

magellanica, 167.

notata, 167.

pinus. yo. 225. 22i).

tristis, 98.
Chrysotis sallei, 154.
Chuck-wills-widow, 16.
Cicinnurus regius, 111.
Cinclus mexicanus, 86.
Circus cyaneus hudsonius, 141.

hudsonius. 198, 199, 233.
Clangula albeola, 21, 235.

glaucium americana. 234.

islandica. 249.
Clape, 1S4.
Coccygus americanus, 231.

ervthrophthalmus, 232.

minor. 154.
Colaptes auratus, 49. 120, 121, 161,
1S3. 2^2, 247.

auratus mexicanus, 128.

crysoides, 72.

mexicanus, 141, 247.
Collurio borealis, 239.

excubitoroides, 47.

ludovicianus, 250.
Columba corensis, 155.

leucocephala, 154.
Colymbus septentrionalis, 23$.

torquatus. 235.
Contopus borealis, 140, 231.

richardsoni, 140.

virens, 231.
Conurus carolinensis. 16. 42.

chloropterus, 155.
Cooke. W. W., the Least Bittern in

Northwestern Minnesota. 1S6.
Coot, 7, 17, 42, 234.
Cormorant. Florida, 41.
Corvus americanus, 143.

corax. 11S, 139, 249.

corax carnivorus, 231.

cryptoleucus, 118.

frugivorus. 231.

jamaicensis, 155.

leucognathus, 153.
Cory. Charles B., description of a
new specie^ of the family Procel-
lariiJir.S\; notices of his "Beau-
tiful and Curious Birds of the
World," in. 239: description of
four new species of Haitian birds,
129; list of th» birds of Haiti,
taken in ditferent part- of the

256

Index.

island between Jan. 1 and March
12, 1881, 151.
Cotile riparia, 52, 229, 250.
Coturniculus henslowi, 16, 57.
lecontei, 51, 168.
passerinus, 16.
Cones, E., notice of his Third In-
stallment of American Ornitho-
logical Bibliography, 44; notice
of his Fourth Installment of Or-
nithological Bibliography, 465 a
curious Colaptcs. 183; probable
occurrence of Sarcorkampkus
papa in Arizona, 24S. See also
Stearns, W. A.
Courlan, 20, 38, 42.
Crane, Sandhill, 52, 53. 131, 142.

Whooping, 52.
Creeper, Black-and-white. 227. 2^1.

Brown, 12, 88, 227. 238.
Crossbill, Common, 143.
Red. 48, 56, 229.
White-winged, 64. 89, 229.
Crotophaga ani. [54.
Crow .112.

Common. 143. 231 .
Blue, 139.
Clarke's, [39.
Cuckoo. Black-billed, 2^2.

Yellow-billed, 2^2.
Cupidonia cupido, 1 1 2.
Curlew. Long-billed. 19.
Cj anocitta cristata, 231.

stelleri macrolopha, 139.
Cygnus americanus, 123.
Cymochorea leucorrhoa, 125, 249.
Cypselus phoenicobius, 153.

saxatilis. 143.
Dalgleish, J. J., list of occurrences
of North American birds in Eu-
rope (errata and addenda), 63.
Deane, Ruthven, breeding of the
Wild Pigeon in confinement, 60.
Dendrceca sestiva, 7, 205, 227.
auduboni, 88.
blackburniae, 227.
cserulescens, 151, 227, 238.
castanea, 227.
coronata, 49. 151, 227.
dominica. 40. 155, 175.
dominica albilora, 175.
discolor, 151.
graciae, 72. 142.
maculosa. 49. 227.
montana, 167.
palmarum, 49, 151, 227.
pennsvlvanica, 227.
striata. 49, 225.
tigrina, 51, 151.
virens, 227. 23S.

Diphyllodes respublica, 240.
Dipper, American. 86.
Diver, Red-throated. 235.
Dolichonyx oryzivorus. 117, 230.
Dove, Carolina, 141, 252.

Mourning, 233.
Drew. F. M., field notes on the birds
of San Juan County. Colorado,
85, 13S; song of the White-bellied
Swallow {Iridoproo/e a/color),
115: Golden-crested Wren breed-
ing in the Colorado Valley, 244;
Lobipes hyperboreus at 9500 feet.
249.
Duck. Black, 234.

Black-masked. 235.
Buffel-headed. 2 1 .
Canvas-back, 113.
Dusky, 162.
1 tarlequin, 124, 142.
Labrador. 5 1 .
Pintail. 131.
Ring-necked, 21.
Rud(i\ ,51.
Rufous-crested, 173.
Surf, 235.
Wood. 41, 234.
I lulus dominicus, 152.
Dunlin. 19.

Eagle, Bald, 58, 122. 233.

Golden, 58, 141. 233.

1 larpy, 51.

White-headed, 17.
Earle, Charles, the Lark Finch on

Long Island. N. Y.. 58.
Ectopistes migratoria, 233.
Egret, Blue, 41.

Reddish. 20.
Eremophila alpestris, no. 177, 231.

alpestris chrysolaema, 88.

cornuta, 47, 50.
Ereunetes pusillus, 127.

semipalmatus, 162.
Erismatura rubida, 127.
Errata, 64.

Emberiza townsendi, 167.
Empidonax difficilis, 119.

flaviventris, 231.

flaviventris difficilis. 140.

fulvifrons pallescens, 73.

minimus, 231.

pusillus, 231.

trailli pusillus, 140.
Eudocimus ruber. 167.
Euphonia musica, 152.
Falco albifrons, 210.

gyrfalco obsoletus, 226. 247.

peregrinus, 17.

polyagrus, 194.

sacer, 49.

/lid I

O/

Falco sparverius, 141.
Fiddler. 1S4.
Finch, Bachman's. 16.
Bell's, 116.
Cassin's Purple, 89.
Gambel's, 2.
Grass, 90, 196, 229.
Gray-crowned. 177.
Lark, 58, 139.
Lincoln's, 90, 246.
Pine, 90.
Purple, 229.
Sharp-tailed, 47.
Fisher, A. K , two more specimens
of Helminthofikaga leucobronchi-
alis from Sing Sing. N. Y., 245 ;
another specimen of Siurus mot-
acilla at Lake George, N. Y., 245.
Flicker, 121, 1S4.

Malherbe's, 73.
Red-shafted, 12S. 141.
Yellow-shafted, 184.
Forbes, S. A., notice of his "Stud-
ies of the Food of Birds, Insects,
and Fishes." etc., no; the Snow
bird (Junco hyemalis) in South-
ern Illinois in June, 1S0.
Francis. X. A., breeding of the
Acadian Owl in Eastern Massa-
chusetts, 185.
Frazar, A. M., destruction of birds
by a storm while migrating, 250.
Flycatcher, Buff-breasted, 73.
Cooper's, 252.
Great-crested, 47, 231.
Green Black-capped, SS.
Lawrence's, 252.
Lead-colored, 103.
Least, 231.
Little Western, 140.
Olive-sided, 140, 231.
Painted, 176.
Small-headed, 167.
Traill's. 231.
Western Yellow-hellied, 119,

140.
Yellow-bellied. 231.
Fulica americana. 17, 42, 58, 127,

Fuligula afhnis, 124, 142.

collaris. 21.

ferina americana, 127.

marila. 142.

marila afhnis, 127.

rufina, 173.
Fulix affinis, 128.
Gadwall, 142.

Galeoscoptes carolinensis, 226.
Gallinago media wilsoni, 234.

Gallinago wilsoni. 142.
Gallinula galeata. 155. 186.
Gallinule. Florida, 41, 186.

Purple, 42, 1S6.
Garzetta candidissima, 248,
Gannet, 235.

Geothlypis macgillivrayi, 88.
Philadelphia. 228".
trichas, 141, 1S8, 228.
Geotrvgon martinica, 155.
Gnatcatcher, Arizona, 103.

Black-capped, 102. 103.
Blue-gray, 126.
California Black-capped, 103.
Lead-colored, 103.
Godman and Salvin, notice of their
" Biologia Centrali-Americana,"
174.
Godwit, Great Marbled, 19.
Golden-eye, 234.

Barrow's, 249.
Goldfinch, American, 229.

Arkansas, 90.
Goniaphea ludoviciana, 48, 160, 173.
Goose, Canada, 234.
Emperor, 134.
Hutchins's. 131.
Painted, 134.
Ross's, 113.
White-fronted, 131.
Goshawk, 3, 6, 141, i^Z-
Goss, N. S.. Bell's Finch {Poospiza
belli nevadensis) in New Mexico,
116; the White-necked Raven
(Corvus crypt oleucus) in New
Mexico, 118; Myiodioctes cana-
densis in Kansas, 246; Nycthe.ro-
dius violaceus in Kansas, 248.
Grackle, Blue-headed, 139.
Bronzed, 231.
Purple, 231.
Grebe, Red-necked, 235.
Grosbeak, Blue, 50.

Pine, 47, 89, 229.
Rose-breasted, 48, 52, 173,
180, 230.
Grouse, Canada, 233.
Dusky, 142.
Puffed, 233.
Sharp-tailed, 128.
Grus americanus, 53.

canadensis, 52, 53, 142.
Gull, Bonaparte's, 235.
Herring, 235.
Ivory, 187.

White-winged, 124, 235.
Gunn, Chas. W., notes on the
Black-hacked Three-toed Wood-
pecker and Canada Jay, 119.

258

Index.

Gymnocitta cyanocephala, 139.
Gyrfalcon, 3, 6.

Labrador, 126, 247.
H/ematopus palliatus, 18.
Haliaetus leucocephalus, 17, 57, 122,

123, 201, 233.
Hammer, Yellow, 121, 184.
Harelda glacialis, 235.
Harporhynchus bendirei, 65.

cinereus, 66.

crissalis, 72.

curvirostris, 68.

curvirostris palmeri. 67, 68.

lecontei, 66, 68.

palmeri, 66.

redivivus, 66. 68.

rufus, 226.
Harpyia destructor, 51.
Harrier, Marsh, 198.
Harvie-Brown, J. A., notice of his

'•Capercaillie in Scotland," 46.
Hawk. Broad-winged. 233.

Cooper's, 141, 233.

Duck. 17.

Fish, 52, 233.

Little Black, 212.

Marsh, 141, 2^.

Pigeon, 6. 2^2 242. 252.

Red-shouldered, 233.

Red-tailed, 141. 2^^.

Rough-legged. 233.

Sharp-shinned, 141, 161.

Sparrow, 141, 233.

Western Red-tailed, 141.
Hay, O. P.. Hesf>erij>hona vesper-

tina in Central Illinois. 179.
Hell-diver. 235.
Helmitherus vermivorus, 246.
Helminthophaga chrysoptera, 218.

cincinnatiensis, 224.

lawrencei. 21S.

leucobronchialis, 218. 245.

peregrina, 227.

pinus, 218.

ruficapilla. 227.
Helonasa swainsoni. 54.
Hen, Mud, 234.

Henshaw, H. W.« on some of" the
causes affecting the decrease of
birds, 189; on Podiccps occiden-
tal is. and P. clarkii, 214.
Heron, Great Blue, 112, 233.

Green, 47, 233.

Louisiana, 20.

Night, 51.

Snowy, 248.

Yellow-crowned Night, 21,
248.
Hesperiphona vespertina. 51, 179.

High-hole, 184.
High-holder, 1S4.
Himantopus mexicanus, 155.
Hirundo erythrogaster, 229.
Histrionicus minutus, 142.

torquatus, 124.
Hittock, 1 84.
Hittuck, t84.

Holterhoft", G., Jr., notice of his
•• Notes on Western Birds." 173.
Humming-bird, 231.

Broad-tailed, 140.

Rufous-backed, 140.
Hurter, Julius, the Harlequin Duck
and the Glossy and Wood Ibises
in Southern Illinois, 124.
Ilvdrochelidon nigra, 124.
I [ylocichla aliciae, 226.

fuscescens, 226.

mustelina, 22O.

unalascae pallasi, 226.

ustulata swainsoni, 226.
Hylotomus pileatus, 122. 126, 140,

llils. ( HoSSJ • I 24.

Wood. 124.
Icteria virens, 1 15.
Icterus baltimore. 181, 188.

dominicensis, 152.

galbula, 230.

pai'isorum, 69.
Ictinia mississippiensis, 17.
Ingersoll. Ernest, a vernacular syn-
onymy, 183.
Iridoprocne bicolor. 52. S8. 115.
J \v. Arizona, 73.

Blue, 196, 231.

Canada, 120, 231.

Long-crested, 139.

Pinon, 139.

Rocky Mountain, 140.

Woodhouse's, 140.

Yellow, 1S4.
Jeffries, J. A., on the fingers of
birds, 6; Vogt on the second fos-
sil ArcJuzopteryx, 107; on the
number of primaries in birds,

Jencks, Frederick T., capture of the
Hudsonian Titmouse in Rhode
Island, 54; large Eagles, 122;
Richardson's Owl in Rhode Is-
land, 123.

Jouv, P. L., description of the nest
and eggs of Coturniculus hensloivi
obtained near Falls Church, Va.,

57,
Junco cinereus caniceps. 90.

hvemalis. 15. 179, 180, 230.

Indt

259

Junco hyemalis aikeni, 90.

oregonus, 90. 128.

oregonus annectens, 90.
Kingbird, 112. 160, 231.
Kingfisher, 143, 196.

Belted. 232.
Kinglet, Cuvier's. 167. 224.

Golden-crested, 87, 226.

Ruby-crowned, 87, 214. 226,

237-
Killdeer, 234.
Kite, Everglade, 16, 42.

Mississippi, 17.

Swallow-tailed, 17, 40, 126.
Knowlton, F. H., notes on the hab-
its of the Cliff Swallow {Petro-
chelidon lunifrons), ^^,.
Lagopus albus. 235.

leucurus, 141.
Lampornis aurulentus, 153.
Lanius borealis, 89. 22S.

ludovicianus, 56.

ludovicianus excubitoroides,
89. 22S.
Lanivireo flavifrons. 228.

solitarius, 228.
Lark, Brown. SS.

Horned, 47, 177.

Meadow, 12S, 230.

Shore, 50, 231.

Southwestern, 88.

Western Meadow, 139, 145.
Larus argentatus. 127.

argentatus smithsonianus.

235-

glaucus, 1S7.

leucopterus, 124, 235.
Leucosticte campestris, 177.

tephrocotis, 177.

tephrocotis australis, 89.
Limosa fedoa, 19.
Limpkin, 44.
Linnet, Pine, 229.

Redpoll, 90.
Linota linaria, 174.
Lobipes hyperboreus, 234, 249.
Longspur, Lapland, 229.
Loomis, Leverett M., a new bird
{Plectro^hanes pictus) for South
Carolina, 115.
Loon, 235.

Lophodytes cucullatus, 235.
Lophophanes atrocristatus. 114.

bicolor, 114.

inornatus. 87.
Loxia bifasciata, 64.

curvirostra americana, 56,
143, 229.

lcucoptera. 89. 229.

Loxigilla violacea, 132.
Lucas, Frederic A., birds and win-
dows. 125.
Machetes pugnax. 240.
Macrorhamphus griseus, 19.

griseus scolopaceus, 19.
Magpie. 139.

Mailliard. Joseph, remarkable per-
sistency in nesting of the West-
ern Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.
119.
Mallard, 142, 234.
Margarops dominicensis. 49.

herminieri, 49.
Martin. Purple, 13. 15, 193, 229.
Mearns, Edgar A., notice of his
''Birds of the Hudson Highlands,"
172.
Melanerpeservthrocephalus, 1 1.120.
121. 232.
torquatus, 143.
Melanetta velvetina, 235.
Meleagris gallopavo, 60.

mexicana. 48.
Mellisuga minima, 153.
Melospiza fasciata, 230.

fasciata guttata. 128.
lincolni. 90. 126, 230, 246.
meloda, 158, 159, 160.
palustris, 179, 230.
Menura superba, 240.
Merganser, Hooded, 41, 2^.

Red-breasted, 235.
Mergus merganser americanus. 23^.

serrator. 235.
Merrill, Harry, Notes on a few

Maine birds, 250.
Merriam, C. Hart, preliminary list
of birds ascertained to occur in
the Adirondack Region, North-
eastern New York, 225 ; Xantho-
cepkalus icteroccphalus, 246 ;
Breeding of Barrow's Golden-eye
in Lower Canada, 249.
Merula migratoria, 226.
Mimocichla ardesciaca, 151.
Mimiis carolinensis, 160.

orpheus dominicus. 151.
polyglottus, 125.
Minot. H. D., on his "Land and
Game Birds of New England,"
241.
Minor Ornithological Papers, 47,

112.
Mniotilta varia, 151. 22S.
varia borealis, 170.
Molothrus ater, 230.
Myiadestes montanus, 130, 151."
townsendi, 86.

z6o

hnl ex,

Myiarchus cooperi, 252.

crinitus, 231.

lavvrencei, 252.

stolidus, 153.
Myiodioctes canadensis, 18S, 228.
246.

minutus, 167.

pusillus, 88, 228.
Nauclerus furcatus, 17, 126.
Nehrling, H., notice of his "Orni-
thologische Beobactungen aus
Texas," 109.
Nelson. E. \Y., door-yard birds of
the Far North. 1 : habits of the
Black Brant in the vicinity of St.
Michael's. Alaska, 129.
Nephcecetes niger boreal is. 140.
Nettion carolinensis. 234.
N ight-hawk, 231.

Western. 140.
Nisus fuscus, 154.
Nomonvx dominicus, 235.
Nonpareil, 251.
Numenius borealis, 64.

hudsonicus, 128.

longirostris, 19.
Numida meleagris, 1 =;;.
Nuthatch, Red-bellied, 12. 226.

Slender-billed, 142.

White-bellied, 12. 226.
Nyctale acadica, 18. 143, 185.232.

richardsoni, 122.
Nyctea scandiaca, 232.
Nyctherodius violaceus, 24S.
Nyctiardea gardeni, 51.

grisea nivea, 127.

violacea, 21.
CEDEMIA aine.rieana. 235.

fusca, 1S7.

perspicillata, 162.
C )lor americanus, 234.
Oporornis agilis, 114.
Oriole, Baltimore, 1S1. 1S2. 230.

Scott's, 69.
Oroscoptes montanus, 86.
Ostrich. 1 13.
Ortyx virginianus, 154.
Otus vulgaris wilsonius, 141.
Oven-bird, 227.
( )yster-catcher, 18.
Owl, Acadian, 18. 143, 185.

Barred. 18. 232.

Burrowing, 109.

Great Gray. 48, 141. 232.

Great Horned, 6, 232.

Hawk, 6, 232.

Kennicott's, 185.

Long-eared. 141, 232.

Mottled. 143. 2T,2.

Owl, Richardson's, 123.

Saw-whet, 232.

Screech. 18, 112, 232.

Short-eared, 6. 242.

Snowy, 52, 1 12. 232.
Oxyechus vociferus, 234.
Pagophila eburnea, 187.
Pandion holiaetus, 12S, 233.
Park. Austin F., breeding of the
Horned Lark in Eastern New
York, 177.
Parra violacea, 130. 155.
Parrakeet, 16.

Carolina, 43.
Parrdquet, see Parrakeet.
Parula americana, 151, 227.
Parus atricapillus, 12. 226.

atricapillus septentrional is.
87.

hudsonicus, 54, 114. 226.

meridionalis, 252.

montanus. 87. 204.
Passer domesticus, 49. 51, 160.
Passerculus princeps,49, 116.

sandwichensis savanna, 229.
Passerella iliaca, 15, 230.
Passerina cyanea, 230.
Pearsall, R. F.. notes on the breed-
ing habits of the Caspian Tern.
<>}: notes on the Winter Wren
{Anorthura troglodytes kyemalis i,

-4 b
Pee- ut. 184.
Pelecamis fuscus, 155.
Pelionetta perspicillata. 233.
Perisoreus canadensis. 120. 231.

canadensis capitalis, 140.
Petrel, Leach's, 125. 24c;.

Peale's. 94.
Petrochelidon fulva, 152.

lunifrons. 55, 229.
Peucaea aestivalis, 16.
Pewee, 231.

Black. 119.

Western Wood. 140.

Wood, 231.
Phaeton flavirostris, 155.
Phalarope, Northern. 131, 234.
Philohela minor. if>2. 234.
Phoebe. 251.
Phcebe-bird, 231.
Phcenicophilus dominicensis. 129.

palmarum, 152.
Phcenicopterus ruber, 155.
Phonipara bicolor, 152.

olivacea, 152.
Pica rustica hudsonica, 139.
Picicorvus columbianus, 139.

Judex

261

Picoides americanus dorsalis, 141.

arcticus, 120, 161, 182, 232.

tridactjlus americanus, 232.
Picumnus lawrencii, 129, 153.
Picus martius, 51.

passerinus, 155.

pubescens, 13. 122. 231.

pubescens gairdneri, 141.

stricklandi, 72.

tridactylus. 51.

villosus, 13, 122, 231.

villosus harrisi, 140.

viridis, 51.
Pigeon, Wild, 50, 60, 233.
Pique-bois jaune, 184.
Pinicola enucleator, 89. 229.
Pipilo aberti. 73.

chlorurus. 139.

erythrophthalmus, 230.

maculatus arcticus, 139, 206.
Pitangus gabbi, 153.
Piute. 184.
Plectrophanes nivalis, 179, 229.

pictus, 115.
Plegadis falcinellus, 124.
Plotus anhinga. 41.
Plover, Black-breasted. iS.

Golden, 5, iS.

Killdeer, 142.

Piping, 18.

Semipalmated. iS.

Wilson's, iS,
Plummer, Gordon, capture of* the
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Centit-
rus carolinus) in Eastern Massa-
chusetts, 120.
Podiceps clarkii. 214.

dominicus, 155.

holboelli, 235.

occidentalis. 214.
Podilymbus podiceps, 47. 127. 235.
Polioptila albiloris. 106.

atricapilla, 102, 103.

bilineata. 106.

caerulea, 101, 126.

californica, 103.

melanura. 101, 103.

mexicana. 102.

plumbea, 101. 102.
Polvborus brasiliensis, 18.
Poospiza belli nevadensis, 116.
Porphyrio martinica, 155, 186.
Porzana Carolina, 128, 234.

noveboracensis, 1S6.
Progne dominicensis, 155.

purpurea. 13.

subis. 15, 22S.
Ptarmigan, 6.

White-tailed, 141.

Ptarmigan. Willow, 233.
Puffinus borealis. S4.

obscurus, 155.
Purdie, H. A., the Avocet (Recur-
virostra am eric a 11a) in Massa-
chusetts, 123.
Pyranga hepatica, 68.

ludoviciana. 88.

rubra, 22(j.
QUAIL, European, 112. 113.

Migratory, 49, 112.

Scaled, 72.
Qiierquedula carolinensis, 127, 162.

discors, 127, 12S, 142, 155,234.
Quiscalus ater, 153.

purpureus, 98, 231.

purpureus aeneus. 231.
Ragsdale, G. H.. note on Tryn-
gites rufescens in Texas, 61 ; on
the range of Lophophanes atro-
cristatus in Texas, 114; Lanis
glaucus in Texas, 1S7.
Rail, Clapper, 62.

Sora, 234.

Yellow, 186.
Rallus elegans, 62.

longirostris. 62.
Rathbun, Frank R., notice of his
'• Bright Feathers or some North
American Birds of Beauty," 172.
Raven. 11S, 139, 231. 249.

White-necked, 118.
Bedbird, 40.

Summer, 251.
Red-poll, 2, 3, 4. 174.

Common, 229.
Redstart, 7, 228, 251.

Painted, 73.
Recurvirostra americana, 123.
Regulus calendula, 204, 22-;, 226,

237-

cuvieri, 167, 224.

satrapa, 87, 22-;, 226. 244.

Reichenow and Schalow, notice of
their record of ornithological lit-
erature for 1S79, III; notice of
their "Compendium der neu bes-
chriebenen Gattungen und Ar-
ten," in.

Rhea, 8.

Rhyacophilus solitarius, 234.

Rhynchops nigra, 47.

Ridgway, Robert, Swainson's War-
bler (Heloiicea szvainsoni) in
Texas, 54; southern range of the
Raven on the Atlantic coast, 118;
an unaccountable migration of
the Red-headed Woodpecker, 120;
the Caspian Tern in California,

262

Index.

124; notice of his "Nomencla-
ture of North American Birds,"
164; notice of his " Catalogue of
Birds of Illinois," 171; notice of
his paper on a Duck new to the
North American Fauna, 173: no-
tice of his paper on Amazilia
yucatanensis, Cabot, 173 ; on a
Tropical American Hawk to be
added to the North American
Fauna, 207.
Robin, 5, 24,2s, 50, 51, ^2, 125, 226.
Black. 52.
Western, 85.
Rosthramus sociabilis, 16, 17.
Ruff, European, 112, 240.
Sage, John II.. birds and windows,

1 88.
Salpinctes obsoletus, 88.
Sandpiper, Baird's, 60. 61.
Bonaparte's, 19.
Buff-breasted, 61, 126.
Purple, 120.
Red-breasted. 19.
Semipalmated, 5.
Solitary, 234.
Spotted* 142. 234.
Sapsucker, 122. [S4.
Big, 122.
Little 122.
Sarcorhamphus papa. 248.
Saurothera dominicensis, [54.

vieilloti, 155.
S;m ornis fuscus, 49, 231. 251.

nigricans, 1 19.
S:i sicola oenanthe, 5.
Schoemaker, George, abundance of
the Hermit Thrush in winter near
Washington. I). C, 113.
Sclater, P. L., remarks on the pres-
ent state of the Svstema Avium,

28, 73-
Scolecophagus cyanocephalus, 12s.

139-
ferrugineus, 231.
Scops asio, 2^2.

asio floridanus. iS.
asio kennicotti, 128, 185.
Scoter. Black, 2^-^.
Velvet. 187.
White-winged, 235.
Scott, W. E. D., on birds observed
in Sumpter, Lew. and Hillsboro'
Counties, Florida, 14; occurrence
of the Philadelphia Yireo in Mer-
cer County, New Jersey, 56 ; some
observations on the migration of
birds, 97; the White-bellied Swal-
low {Tachycineta bico/or) on the

New Jersey coast in November,
115; the Ipswich Sparrow (Pas-
serculus prhiccps) at Squan Beach
New Jersey, 116; migration of
birds at night, 188.

Selasphorus platycercus, 140.
rufus, 140.

Setophaga picta, 73, 177.
ruticilla. 151, 228.

Shad-spirit, 184.

Sheldrake, 235.

Shoveller. 187, 234.

Shrike. Great Northern. 89, 22S.

239-
Loggerhead, 55. 250.

White-rumped, 47, 89. 228.
Shufeldt, R. W.. notice of his oste-
ological memoirs. 109; behavior
of Leucosticte tefhrocotis in con-
finement. 177: on the ossicle of
the antibrachium as found in
some North American Hawks.

197-
Sialia arctica. 86.

sialis. 53, 160, 226.
wilsoni. [09.
Siskin. 22t).
Sitta aculeata, 175.

canadensis, 12. 226.
canadensis aculeata. 1 (2.
carolinensis, 12, 157. 226.
Siurus auricapillus. 15. 151. 227.
ludovicianus, 47. 151.
motacilla, 228, 245.
naevius. 4. 12. 15, 127. 12S.
22S. 239.
Skunk-head, 23^.

Slade. Elisha, note on the Field
Sparrow (Spizella pusilla), 116;
peculiar niditication of the Bobo-
link, 117; the Whistling Swan in
Massachusetts, 123: Icterus /><//-
timorei and Popnlus tremuloides,
181.
Slosson, Annie Trumbull, habits
of the Swamp Sparrow in con-
finement, 179.
Smith, G. S., the Red Crossbill
I.D\iii curvirostra americana) in
Tennessee, 56.
Snipe, Red-breasted, xj.
Wilson's, 142, 234.
Snow-bird, 15, 180.
Baird's, 90.
Oregon, 90, 128.
Red-backed, 90.
Slate-colored, 330.
White-winged, 90.
Solitaire. Townsend's. 86.

I ml ex.

263

Sparrow, Arizona Chipping, 91.

Chipping. 50, 91, 230.

Cinereous Song. 12S.

Clay-colored. 13S.

English. 125, 193.

Field, 116, 230.

Fox-colored. 3, 5. 15, 230.

Golden-crowned, 5.

Henslow's, 16. 57.

Ipswich. 116.

Lincoln's, 126. 230.

Savanna, 2, 3, 229.

Seaside. 15.

Sharp-tailed. 15.

Song, 159. 196, 230.

Swamp, 179, 230.

Tree. 2. 5. 91. 230.

Western White-crowned. 12S.

White-crowned. 126. 138, 230.

White-throated. 230.

Yellow-winged, 16, 196.
Spatula clvpeata, 234.
Specht. 184.

Gel, 184.
Spelman. Henry M., the Great Car-
olina Wren ( Thryothorus ludo-
vicianus) in New Hampshire, 54;
occurrence of Baird's Sandpiper
( Tringa bairdi) on the New
Hampshire coast, 61 ; the Hudso-
nian Titmouse in Massachusetts,
114; capture of the Worm-eating
Warbler in Massachusetts, 246.
Speotvto cunicularia dominicensis,

154.

cunicularia hypogsea, 51, 109.
Sphyrapicus varius, 122. 232.

varius nuchalis. T41.
Spindalis multicolor, 152.
Spizella, 9.

domestica, 230.

montana, 91, 230.

pallida, 13S.

pusilla, 116, 230.

socialis, 91.

socialis arizonae, 91.
Sporadinus elegans, 153.
Squaw, Old, 235.
Squartarola helvetica, 18.
Stearns. W. A., and Coues, E.,
notice of their " New England
Bird Life," p. 236.
Steere, J. B., notice of his "Birds

of Ann Arbor, Mich.," 46.
Stelgidopteryx serripennis, 126.
Sterna anglica, 12S.

antillarum, 155.

caspia, 63.

forsteri, 21.

Sterna fuliginosus, 12S. 155.

havelli. 21.

regia. 124. 155.

superciliaris. 21.
Strepsilas interpres, 18, 162.
Strix nebulosa, 232.

nebulosa alleni, iS.
Struthio, 8.
Sturnella magna. 231.

magna neglecta, 128, 139,

neglecta, 145.
Sucker. 184.
Sula bassana, 235.

dactylatra. 155.

fuscus, 155.
Surnia funerea. 201, 232.
Swallow, Bank, 229.

Barn, 3, 131, 229.

Cliff. 55, 229, 251.

Rough-winged, 126.

Sand, 250.

Violet-green, SS.

White-bellied, 5, 52, SS, 112,
115, 229.
Swan, Whistling, 123, 234.
Swift, Black, 140.

Chimney, 231.

White-throated, 143.
Symphemia semipalmata, 128.
Syrnium cinereum, 4S. 141.
Tachycixeta bicolor, 112, 115, 229.

thalassina. SS.
Tachypetes aquilus, 155.
Tanager, Hepatic, 6S.

Louisiana. 88.

Scarlet, 47, 229, 251.
Tantalus loculator, 124.
Teal, Blue-winged, 142, 234.

Green-winged, 234.
Telmatodytes palustris, 15, SS.
Tern, Caspian, 63, 124.

Forster's, 21.

Least, 21.

Short-tailed, 124.
Tetrao obscurus, 142.
Thompson. Frank J., breeding of
the Wild Pigeon in Confinement,
1 22.
Thrasaetus harpvia, 171.
Thrasher, Arizona, 65.

Brown, 226.

Leconte's, 66.

Red-vented, 72.
Thrush, Alice's 24, 26.

Audubon's, 86.

Bendire's 66.

Brown, 24, 25.

Curved-billed, 173.

Golden-crowned, 15.

264

Indi

Thrush, Gray-cheeked, 226.

Hermit, 24, 26, 113, 226, 237.

Large-billed Water, 47, 228.

Olive-backed, 5, 226.

Northern Water, 239, 242.

Swainson's 24, 26, 142.

Varied, 52.

Water, 12, 39, 228.

Wilson's, 24, 226.

Wood, 24, 226, 237, 251.
Thrushes, 52, 53.
Thryothorus bairdi, 175.

berlandieri, 175.

ludovicianus, 54.
Tinnunculus spaverius, 233.

sparveroides, 171.
Titlark, 4. 15, 227, 238.
Titmouse, Black-capped, 6.

Hudsonian, 6, 54, 114. 226.

Plain. 87.

Tufted, 40.
Todus dominicensis, 154.
Totanus flavipes, 162, 234.

melanoleucus, i-j. 162, 234.

semipalmatus, 18, 19.
* solitarius, 127.

Tow bee, 251.

Abert's, 73.

Antic, 139.

Green-tailed, 139.

Northern, 206.
Townsend, C. W., evidence of the
former existence of the Wild
Turkey at Mount Desert Island.
Maine. 6 ».
Tringa alpina americana, 19.

bairdi, 60. 61.

bonapartii, 19.

canutus, 19.

fuscicollis, 127.

maritima, 126.

minutilla, 127.
Tringoides macularius, 127, 142,

154, 162, 234.
Trochilus colubris, 160, 188.
Troglodytes aedon, 160. 227.
Tryngites rufescens, 61, 126.
Turdidae, 24.
Turdus aliciae, 175.

aonalaschkse auduboni, S6.

auduboni, 175.

migratorius propinquus, 85.

pallasi, 237.

swainsoni, 142, 175.

ustulatus, 175.
Turkev. 49.

"Mexican. 48.

Water. 41.

Wild, 60.

Turnstone, 252.
Ulula cinerea, 232.
Vanellus cristatus, 162.
Vireo altiloquus barbatulus, 152.

gilvus swainsoni, 89.

olivaceus, 39.

philadelphicus, 56.

solitarius plumbeus, 89.
Vireosylvia gilva, 22S.

olivacea, 22S.
Vireo, Blue-headed, 228.

Philadelphia, 56.

Red-eyed, 39, 228.

Warbling, 228.

Western Warbling, 89.

Yellow-throated, 22S.
Vogt. C, notice of his memoir.
"L'Archaeopteryx macroura," etc.,
p. 107.
\ ulture. Black. 40. 126.
Wacup, 184.
Wakeup, 184.
Wagtail, Water, 4.

Yellow, 4.
Warbler. Audubon's, 88.

Black-and-yellow, 227.

Blackburnian, 227. 242.

Black-capped, 3.

Black-capped Flvcatching, 4.

Black-capped Yellow, 22S.

Black-throated Blue, 227.

Black-throated Green, 227.

Blue, 227, 238.

Blue Mountain, 167.

Blue Yellow- backed, 40, 227.

Canada Flvcatching. 22S. 246.

Cape May, 48, 242.

Carbonated. 167, 224.

Chestnut-sided. 227. 251.

Connecticut, 114.

Golden-winged. 222.

Golden-crowned, 251.

Grace's, 72, 142.

I looded, 251.

Kennicott's, 4.

Kentucky, 2^1.

MacGillivray's, 88.

Mourning, 228, 25 i.

Nashville, 227.

Orange-crowned, 196.

Prothonotarv, 2^1.

Red-faced, 68.

Red-poll, 227.

Swainson's. 54.

Western Yellow-rumped, 205.

White-throated. 21S.

Worm-eating, 246, 251.

Yellow, 3, 251.

Yellow-rumped, 227, 251.

Imh

26K

Warbler, Yellow-throated, 40.

Wavy, 113.

Waxwing, Bohemian. 48, 52, SS.

Northern, 48.
Wheatear, 5,

Whip-poor-will. 71, 231.

Stephens's, 69.
Willard, Samuel W, Eagles at-
tempting the rescue of a wounded
companion, 122; the Velvet Sco-
ter at Green Bav, Wise., 187.
Wilier, 18, 19.
Williams, Henrv S.. a peculiar nest

of the Baltimore Oriole, 1S2.
Woodcock. 50. 112, 113, 234.

Black. 122.
Wren. Carolina. 40. 54.

Golden-crested. 244.

House, 227.

Long-billed Marsh. SS.

Marsh, iy

Rock. SS!

Winter. 227, 244.
Woodpecker, Banded-backed Three-
toed, 2^2.

Big Guinea, 12:.

Black. 121.

Black-backed Three-toed. 1 19,
1S2. 232.

Checkered, 121.

Downy, 5, 13, 231.

English, 1S4.

Gairdner's. 141.

Gila, 73.

Golden-winged. 120. 125. 1S3,

Woodpecker, Hairy, 13, 231.

Harris's. 140.

Ivory-billed, 16.

Lewis's, 143.

Little Guinea, 122.

Nuchal, 141.

Pigeon, 1S4.

Pileated, 41, 126. 140. 232.

Red-bellied, 41, 1S3.

Red-headed, 11, 120, 121. 2T,2.

Strickland's, 72.

Striped-backed, 141.

Three-toed, 1S2.

Yellow-bellied, 232.

Yellow-shafted, 184.
Xanthocephalus icterocephalus.

143, 246,
Yaffle, 184.
Yarrup, 1S4, 185.
Yellowbird, 90.

Summer, 196, 227.
Yellow-hammer. 121. 1S4.
Yellow-legs, Greater, 234.

Lesser. 234.
Yellow-throat, Maryland, 22S, 251.
Yucker, 184.

Zamelodia ludoviciana, 230.
Zenaidura carolinensis, 141, 233.
Zerega, Louis A., capture of the
Snowy Heron (Garzetta candi-
dissima) on Long Island. N. Y.,
24S.
Zonotrichia albicollis, 230.

coronata, 5.

leucophrys, 13S. 230.

leucophrvs intermedia. 128.

ERRATA.

Page 7. line 9. for cai=pel read carpal.

7. •• 11, for anchvlos read anchylosed.
20. " 2 from bottom, for coprymna read ■prymna.
" 64. il 7, for Naturhistorische read Naturhistoriske.
•• 100, •• 16 from bottom, for four read two.
•■ 116, •• 7. for Squam read Squan.

159. •• 6 from bottom, for melodia read nieloda.

160. ■• 24. for melodia read meloda.
•■ 171, •■ 1, dele first comma.

•• 172. •■ 26. after area add " of equal extent."

•• 232. footnote, for Vol. II read Vol. V, and lor 1876
read 18S0.

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