NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

LAND BIRDS.

VOL. 11.

HISTORY

OF

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

BY

S. F. BAIKD, T. M. JJREWEK, and R. RIDGWAY

LAND BIRDS

ILLUSTRATED HY (SJ, PLATES AND 503 JroODCl'TS

VOLUME II.

BOSTON

LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY

1874

REFERENCE

:ference

Entereil accov.ling to Act of foiigres.s, in tlu' year 1S74,

I)Y I.ITTI.i:, lUloWX, AND COMPANY,

i„ the Ollice of the Lil.nuift.i of Congress, ut Washington.

CONTEXTS.

,. ., „ I'AOE

haiiiily Fiiix<iii.i.ll)^. The Fiiichi's. {CvntiniuU.) I

Subl'miiil.v SrizKi.i.iN.K. (Cdiilimud.) j

Subfiunily I'asseuki.i.ix.k lu

Suliramily Simzin.k gy

Family Ai.Arnm.K. Thi> Larks j^..

Family UTEUiijyK. Tlie Orioles j j-

Subfaiiiily A(ii:i.Alx.K 14»

Subfamily Iitkimn.k j-g

LSubl'ainily Quisi ALIN.K .^oo

Family Sii-UNiD*. Thf Starlings 20$

Family ('(iitvm.E. The Crows .^3,

Sublamily t'ouviN.i: ^,0-1

Subfamily GAiiuuLiSiE 2«3

Family Tykannid.b. The Tyrant Klycatehers 3qq

Family AUKDI Ml )/K. The Kiiiglishers 3j)j

Family C'APKiMrUiiu.E. The Goatsuckers 398

Subfamily (-'apuimuloix.k 3t,g

Family Cyi'selid*. The Swifts ^oj

Subfamily C'ypsemn^ ^03

Subfamily (.'ii^TulUNiE ^.^7

Family Trochiijd*. The Humming- Birds 437

Family Cultlid*. The Cuckoos ^-q

Subfamily CiiccyciXiE j^q

Family PiciD*. The Woodpeckers 49^

Subfamily Picin^ ^,,2

Family Psittacid^. The Parrots 585

Subfamily S1TTACIN.E ggr

Index to the Plates.

Plates 27 - 56.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Family FRINOILLID^. — Tmo Finciiics. {Cvniiaaai)

Gesu.s SPIZELLA, lio.NAP.

tSpizcllii, lidNAi'. Ofog. lUiJCoiiip. List, 1838. (Tvpc, Friiuiilhi atnmteiniis, I,atii.)
Splnitcs, ('AiiAMs, Mils. \U\n. 18,-.l, 1.'53. (Type, Friiujllta sacktlis, Wir.s.)

Gkn. CiiAH. Bill conical, the outline.s 8li<,'htly ciiivcd; tlio lower iniuniiljlo decidedly

lai'<>(>r than the iiitper; tiie coiiniiissuie
.U'cntly .siniiated; the niof of the mouth
nyt kiioljbed. Feet slendei' ; tarsus
rather loiijrer tiiaii tlu middle toe ; the
hinder toe a little longer than the outer
lateral, whii;h tilijfhtly c.xeeed.s the
inner; the outer claw reaching the base
of the middle one, and hall' as long
as it.s toe. Claw.s moderately curved.
Tertiaries and secondaries nearly equal ;
wing somewhat pointed, reaching not
quite to the middle of the tail. First
^ . „ . , , fl"i'l ^ little shorter than the second and

equal to the lifth; thud longest. Tail

rather long, moderately forked, and divaricated at the tip; the feathers rather narrow.

Hack streaked ; rump and beneath immaculate. Young streaked beneath.

This geinis differs from Zonofrichia principally iu the smaller size and
loiii^'er and fcjrked, instead of rounded tail.

Birds of the year of this <,'enus are very difficult to distinguish, even l)y
size, except in montimla. The more immature birds are also very closely
related. In these the entire absence of streaks on a plumbeous head point
to atrigulnris ; the same character in a reddisli cap, and a reddisli upper
niiuidible to pusilla ; a dusky loral spot with dark streaks and generally a
ridbus shade on top of head, to socialis. S. breweri, with a streaked head,
lacks the dusky lore and chestnut shade of feathers. S. paUida generally
lias a median light stripe in the cap, and a dusky mandibidar line. "

roM.MON Characters. Interscapular region with black streak.s. Hump and
lower parts without streaks (except in young). Wing with two narrow light
hands (indistinct in atriyularis).

vol.. ir. 1

2 NUUTII AMEKICAN ClUDS.

A» ("rowii clill'riciii riiiiii lliu silk's of tliu lieiul, ^i jiliiiii li;_'lit su]»'rriliiiry
slii|ii', Yninij; will] iidwii mill breast >^ti't'iiki'il.

((. C'luwii nilniis iiiiil |il;iiii in mcIiiIi : in yoiinj,', jriiiyi-li iiinl willi .--trraiis.

/. Sli'i'ik hiliiiiil ri/o,!!!!!/ /iiii/r 1,11 xiilc iif hrvitxt, nijoiis. Hijij jm/r liliir,
III- liliiisli-irliilr, lihilrliiil iril/i jiulr hruifii^ ur K/iriiikleil ii'ith rcililisli.
1. S. mouticola. Crown liri<.'iil inlbiis, iiniliviilt'ii inciliiilly ; a
ilu>ky sput on iiiiv; \vinj;-liiinils sliar|ily (Icliin'il, pine while. A
liliii'i\ split on liri'ast ; jiii,'iilimi tinguil willi nsliy. IJill lilark
iiliovi'. yellow Ih'IoW. LiMiy:lli, O.'i') ; wing, ;j.UO. Huh. Wiiole ol'
Noilli Anieiii-a ; noi'ili of llie I'niteil States only, in sunniier.

'1. S. pusilla. Crown ilnli inlous, iiulisliiieily liiviileil iially ;

lores entirely wliilish ; win;;-lianils not sharply ileliiieil. pale hiiuvn.
No hlack spot on breast; juguluni tin>,'ud w-'b bnll". liill eniiiely
light browiiish-rcil.

Wintr, 2.70; tail. '_'.8(l; bill, from forehead, .37. Ilah. East-
ern I'roviiiie I'niteil .Slates ..... var. j)ii.ii/lii.

"Similar, but colors clearer, anil bill more rolinst." I/ub.
Peten, (liuiteinala var. ji in <■ t <> r nm }

II. Streak hrhiiiiJ the cije blaekish. A'" rii/mi.i tiiir/e on siile nf hreimt.
Ki/i/ (Jeej) blue, trith binrk diit.i aii'l .tfrenks round hin/er end.

;i. S. Bocialis. Crown bri;.'ht rufous, not distinctly divided, gen-
erally plain. Koreheatl black, divided niedi.illy with white. Streak
of lilaek on lore and behind eye. Hmnp pure bluish-ash. Bill
blackish, lower mandible paler.

.\urieulars deep ash, in strong contrast with pure white of
the supereiliary stripe and throat; breast without ashy tinge.
Dorsal .streaks broad. Wing, 2.80; tail, 2.;i(). /lob. Eastern

Province of United Slates var. sochAis.

Auriculars lighter ash, less strongly contrasted with the
white above and Ijelow ; breast strongly tinged with ash.
Dorsal streaks narrow. Wing, :5.00; tail, 2.!l0. Huh. Western
Province of United States, and table-lands of Mexico.

var. (irizunm.

h. Crown light grayi.sh-ljiown, with distinct black streaks; young
differing in streaked. Egg deep blue, with black streaks and dots
(precisi'ly as in sorialis).
4. S. pallida.

Crown divided medially by a distinct pale stripe; whitish
supereiliary stripe, and blacki.sh post-ocular .streak .'^harply
deliued. A dusky suli-maxillary streak. Nape ashy in con-
trast with the crown and back. Wing, 2.50; tail, 2.40. Hub.
Plains of United States, from the Sa,skatcliewan southward.

var. jxt llida .

Crown without a distinct median stripe. Jfarkings on side

of head not sharply defined. Xo dusky sub-maxillary stripe,

and nap<! .scarcely dill'erent from crown and back. Wing, 2.50;

tail, 2.00. Hull. Middle and wx'stern Provinces . var. breweri.

B> Crown not dilVereut from the sides of head; no light superciliary stripe.

1 S/ihflla piiiclornm, .Sai.vin, I'r. Z. S. 1863, p. 189. ("Siiiiilis S. jntstl/w, ex Amer. Sept.
et Muxico, sod coloribus clarioiibus et rostro robii-stiort' dilfert.")

Fni.vrirr.MD.E — TiiH nxciiE^s.

i>. S. atrigularis. Ilcud iiinl iici'k all niiiinl, mid riiiiip, iiiiiliinu
(lark asli, jnadiiaily tii(liiij; into wliito on tliu alulonion ; wing-
l)anils inilistliicl ; lill! liyht l>rowiiisli-rt'(l. Ail. Loi-t.'s, chin, and
M]i|i('r iiail dl' throat lilai'k. Jur. williniit lilacic iiliout tlio luiud.
(hVirs inikiiiiwn.) lliih. AdJactMit imi'lioiis ol' Moxifo and soutliL'i'n
Middle I'idviiirc (if I iiIiimI Status (Kurt Wliiiipli.', Arizona, Coues;
CnpL- St. Lni as, Xantis).

Spizella monticola, Daird.

TBEl^ SPARROW.

Fi-itiijUhi. iiiim/icoli), fiM. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, !tl-2. Zniiolrii-liin movlknli, OijAV, Ocnpra.
SiiitiiksmoHlh-tiUiii, Caiia-;is, SFus. Hciii. IS'il, VA\. S/ihHli( Mnii/ir„/,i, liAiiin, I'.inls
X. Am. IS.'iS, 472. - Cin-i-.s, P. A. N. S. 18fn, 224 (l.al.nidoi). — Cniii.KU Jt SnuMiY,
20:! (WasJdni^tiiii Tcv.). — Dai.i, & I'.anm.si r.i;, 'I'r. Ch, Ar. I, lsti!», 285. — Ckupki!,
• •ill. Cal. I, 2(Mi. — Sami'KI.s, ;!17. Piis.irr cniiK/ciinix, \iKlaaus, Oiii. Ill, 17UI), 102.
Fn'iiiii"" '■iiiiiii/cii.ii.i, \.\TU. Iiiilc.v, I, 171I0, 434. — Al-i>. Oni. Uioj,'. II, 1834, .'.11 ;
V, .".114, 111. ilxxxviii. — Ma.v. Cal.. .lour. VI, IS'.S, 280. JCiiiUrhu caniKkimi.'i, Sw.
F. li. Am. II, 1831, 252. —An.. Syn. 1831). — In. Hiids Am. Ill, 1841, 83, pi. rlxvi.
SphrUii citimihtVfis, l!,i.\. List, 1838. — In. C'oiisp('ctiis, 1850, 480. FriinjillK. (irhumi,
AV11..S. Am. (till. II, 1810, 12, 1.1. xii, f. 3. Xrninani da Oiimkt, HuFFux, PI. Enl.
223, f. 2. "Miiaii/diit Fiiic/i," Lath. Syn. II, 1, 205.

Sp. f'liAU. Xliddlu o!' back with the Ibathcis dark lirown contially, tlion rufous, and

cdfTcd with palo fiilvou.* (.>;nnictinu'.>< with whit-
ish). ILjod and iippor part ol' nape oontiiiiiou.s
chestnut; a hue of the .same from boliind the
eye, as well as a sIk.iI maxillary .stripe. Sides
of head and neek ashy. A l.road lii,dit super-
•^ ciliary hand. IJeneath wliiti.-h, tinf^cd wilh liil-
vous; the throat, with ashy; a small circular
Motch of browiii.<li in tho middh? of the upper
part of the breast ; the sides (chestnut. Edu'cs of
tail-leathers, primary ipiills, and two bands across
the tips of the .secondaries, white. Terliaries
nearly black ; eili^cil externally with rufous, turn-
ing to white near the tips. Lower jaw yellow;
upper black. Young bird streaked on throat
and breast, as well as on crown. Length, (..25
inches ; wing, ;}.00.
Hah. Eastern North America to the Missouri, north to Arctic Ocean ; also on Pole
Creek and Little Colorado River, Xcw Mexico; Wivstern Nevada.

This species varies in the aiuount of whitisli edging to the tiuills and
tail.

Habits. Essentially a nortliern bird, the Tree Sparrow breeds in high
Arctic regions, only apiietiring in winter within tlie United Stiites. It is then
common as far sontli as rennsylvania. A few winter in South Carolina.

It arrives on the Saskatchewan in the latter part of April, where it only

■t/'a hi"n!,

4 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

iiiakc's a short halt, procoe(li»j> farther north to breed. Bischoil' obtained a
specimen at Sitka. Mr. Kennieott found its nest and egj^s on the Yukon,
and Mr. Dall obtn'ned it at Xuhito, and more sparin^^ly below that point.
Mr. JMaeFarlane met with it breeding in large numbers at Fort Anderson.
The nests were in various situations, the larger proportion on the ground, a
few in Ijushes near tiie ground, anil only one is mentioned as having been
several feet above it. One was in the cleft of a low willow on the edge of
a small lake ; another, in a bush, was nearly four feet from the ground ; and
a third was in a clump of willows and fourteen inches above the ground.
Nearly all the other nests mentioned were built directly upon the ground.

The nests were constructed of dry bark and grasses, loosely put together,
and very warmly lined with feathers. On the ground they were usually
concealed in a tuft of grass. In all instances the female alone was found
on the nests, the male being very rarely seen in their vicinity. The usual
number of eggs in a nest was four or five, occasionally si.x, and even seven.

Dr. Suckley ol)tained a single siiecimen at Fort Dalles, and Dr. Cooper
saw a flock in September, 1863, and again in 1864 at the mouth of the
Columbia. Lieutenant Bryan met witli them among the liocky Mountains
in latitude 39°, in August. INIr. Eidgway found them very conmion during
the winter in the interior.

Dr. Cones found this Sparrow common in all the wooded districts of Lab-
rador. It was very tame and unsuspiciou.s, showing no fear even when closely
approached. I liave never met with any, in summer, in any part of New
Brunswick or Nova Scotia.

This Sparrow is occasionally abundant in ^lassachusetts early in October,
but rarely appears in full n\imbers until Novendjer. Some remain in the
gardens in and about Boston during the winter, and during November the
marshes of Fresh Pond are tilled with them, when their wailing autunmal
chant is in marked contrast with the sweet and sprightly song with which
they enliven the spring, just before they are abont to depart for their sum-
mer homes. They remain until the latter part of April, and Mr. Allen has
observed them at Springfield till about the first of jMay.

In regard to tlieir song, Mr. William Brewster informs me tliat they usu-
ally commence singing about the U.lth of March. Their song is a loud, clear,
and powerful chant, starting with two high notes, then i'alling rapidly, and
ending with a low, sweet warl)le. Me has heard a few singing with their
full vigor in November and December, but this is rare.

Dr. Cones found them not common in South Carolina, but Dr. Kennerly
states that they were quite abundant in Decend)er on the Little Colorado, in
New Mexico, feeding on the fruit of the wild grape and upon .seeds.

During the love-season the Tree Sjiarrow is quite a fine musician, its
song resembling tliat of the Canary, but finer, sweeter, and not so loud. In
their migrations, Mr. Audul)on states, a Hock of twenty or more will perch
upon the same tree, and join in a delightful chorus. Tiieir flight is elevated

FRINGH.LID.E — TIIM FINCHES. 5

and f;ract'ful, and in wavinj^' undulations. On nponinji' tlio stDniachs of
those lie sliot at the Majj;deleino Islands, ^Fr. AndulHUi found tlicni contain-
ing niinuti) slioU-Hsh, coleopterous insects, hard seeiN, berries, and jivains of
sand.

Xests obtained near Fort Anderson confirm the descriptions given by Mr.
Hutchins, as oliserved in the settlement at Hudson's Way. The eggs, which
are much larger than those of the other specie.s of Sjii::rf/ii, mea.sure .H,"» by
.0.") of an inch. Their ground-color is a light green, over which the egg.s are
very generally freckled with minute markings of a fo.vy brown. These
marking.s are distributed with great regularity, but so spansely as to leave
the ground distinctly visible.

Spizella pusilla, P>(>xap.

FIELD SFABBOW.

Fringilla ptmllci, W „son, Am. Oni. II, 1810, 121, iil. xvi, f. 2. — Licht. Verzcich.
Doubl. 1823, No. 252. —Ari). Oin. Biog. II, 1834, 209, pi. c.xxxi.x. Sjnzclla puxilh,
BoxAi'. List, 1838. — In. Consiioetu.s, 1850, 480. — Bauii), Birds X. Am. 1858, 473.
— Samukls, 319. Emberiza pusilla, Arn. Syu. 1839, 104. — In. Birds Am. Ill, 1841,
77, pi. cl.xiv. Spiniles pu.iilliis, Cah. Mus. frmii. 1851, 133. Fn'mj-'/ld Jicnivrum,
NUTT. Man. I, 1832, 499 (2(1 I'd.,) 1840, .';77 (supposfd liy him to be Miitacilla j it, co-
rum, Gmki.in, I, 952 ; Si/lviajuncorum, LAriiAM, Iiid. II, 511 ; Little liroion Sparrow,
CaIE.sUY, Car. I, 35).

Sp. Char. Bill red. Crown (■onfiimous nil'oius-rod, with a laiut indication of an ashy
central stripe, and a.shy nuchal collar. Back somewhat similar, with shaft-.stroak8 of
blackish. Sides of head and neck (including a superciliary s ripe) ashy. Ear-coverts
rufous. Beneath white, tinged with yellowish anteriorly. Tail-feathers and quills faintly
edged with white. Two whitish hands across the wing-coverts. -Vutiunnal specimens
more rufous. Length about 5.7o ; wing, '2.34.

IIah. p]astern North America to the Missouri River; (^an Antonio, Te.\as in winter
(Dresskr, Ibis, 1805, 480).

This species is about the size of S. socinlifs, but is more rufous tibove ;
lacks the black forehead and eye stripe ; has chestnut ctirs, instead of ash ;
has the bill red, in.stead of black; lacks the clear ash of the rumji ; has a
longer tail, etc. It is more like montifoht, hwt is much smaller; lacks the
spot on the breast, and the jn-edominance of white on the wings, etc. The
young have the breast and sides streaked, and the crown slightly so.

Hahits. The common Field Sparrow occupies a well-defined and some-
what compact area, being resident within the United States, and in its mi-
grations not removing far from its summer abode. In the summer it breeds
from Virginia to Elaine, as far as the central and western portions. It is
not found near Calais, but occurs and breeds near Xorway, Oxford County.
In the interior it is found still farther north, in Canada, Iowa, and Wiscon-
sin, to the lied lUver settlement.*, wliere it was found breeding by Donald
Gunn. At Hamilton, Ontario, Mr. Mcllwraith states it to l)e a ratiier rare

g NORTH AMEUICAN BIRDS.

siiininor resident. Tt breeds in Sniitliern Wisconsin and in Inwa, but is not
iibiindiint. It does not iipi)ear to have been I'ound west of tlie Missouri
N'alley.

Tiiis Sparrow arrives in Massachusetts early in April, and is found almost
exclusively in o])en pastures, old lields, and in clearings remote from villages.
It is a shy, retiring liird, and seems to avoid the near 2>resence of man. Wil-
son states that it has no song, nothing but a kind of chirruping, not much
superior to the chirping of a cricket. liut this is quite a mistake, as it is
in reality a very vnried anil tine singer. Its notes are not very powerful,
and cannot be heard any distance, but they are very pleasing, altliough
little known or ap])reciated. It continues in full song until into July, when
the second brood is about hatching, when its notes relax, but do not cease
until just before its de])arture in September or early October.

Mr. I). I). Hughes, of (Irand If )id.s, Mich., in an interesting paper on the
habits of this species, speaks of ii. l)eautiful tinkling song as one of its most
marked features. To his ear it resembles the ringing of a tiny bell more
nearly than anything else. In the early morning and at evening tlie fields
ring with their plaintive and tender peals. It sings at all hours of the day,
during the nesting-season, even in the noonday heat of sunnner, when most
other birds are silent.

In Virginia these birds may be found throughout the year, thougli probably
not the same birds in the same localities, some retiring farther south and
others coming to take their places from the north. In winter they are found
in the greatest abmidance in South Carolina and Georgia, occurring in large
loose tlocks, found chietly along the roadsides and in old fields and pastures
in the rural districts.

The Field Sparrow nests both on the ground and in low bushes, or among
tangled clusters of vines. I have found their nests in all these situations,
and have no doubt tlie nature of the surface may have something to do with
the position. In high dry pastures, in sheltered situations, I have always
found their nests on the ground. In the wet meadows and ti(!lds subject to
a rise of water, as about the Potomac, near Washington, where these birds
are very abundant, they almost invariaijly nest in bushes at a height of two
or three feet.

Mr. Audulion says that during the wiutc these l)irds are quite common
throughout Louisimia, and the coimtry abcmt the Mi.ssi.ssi])])i, as far as Ken-
tucky. They begin to depart from the South early in March, and move slowly
northward as the season advances. He states that they begin to nest in
May, and raise three broods in a season. This is not the case in New Eng-
land, where they do not often have more than a single brood.

Their nests are constructed in a manner very similar to those of the Chip-
j)ing Sparrow, loosely made of a few stems of vegetables, grasses, and sedges,
and lined with hair or fine rootlets. Those placed on the ground are larger
and more bulky, and those wrought into the twigs of a bush are made with

l''I!LNiILLlI).H — TIIK I'lNCllKH. 7

more care (iTifl neatness of interweaving. Tliti eggs are nstially five in nmu-
l)er, of an olilong-oval Hlia]ie, Tlie ground is a wliitisli elay-color, marked
more or less fnlly with blotches of a ferruginoiis-hrown. In some tliese
marl<ings are few, and arranged oidy about tlie hirger end. In others tliey
are generally diffused, and impart a deep ferruginous color to the whole egg,
and disguise or conceal tlie ground. They vary also in size, — in length
from .70 to .03 of an inch, and in breadtli from .i'>2 to .51). Their usual size
is .70 by .52.

Two nests of this binl taken in Lynn, Mass., liy Mr. rieorgc O. "Welch, are
characteristic of their usual style in arclutecture. One of these lias a diam-
eter of four and a lieight of two and a half inches. Its base, as well as tiie
great niiiss of its poripliery, is made of a very loose intertwining of mi-
nute stems of vegetables and dry grasses. Tiie ends of tliese ]iroject from the
exterior of the nest at the uj)per rim, and present a very peculiar apjiearance,
as of an enclosure of palisades. The interior is lined with horsehair. The
other is made of similar materials, of a less rigid diameter lind closer tex-
ture. Its rim presents the same jieculiarities of projecting ends, arranged
like a fence above the nest itself. Its dimensions also are about the same. It
i.s, however, much more compactly constructed, with thicker walls tind a less
open network of dry grasses, and stiff wiry steins of dried plants intermixed
with a few pine leaves. The whole is veiy carefully and warmly lined
with horsehair and the softer fur of small quadrupeds. These nests con-
tained, one three, and the other four eggs.

Spizella socialis, r.nxAP.

CHIPPING SPABROW; CHIPPY.

FrinqWa sncinlis, Wilson, .\ni. Oni. II, 1810, 127, pi. xvi, f. ». - Ari). Oni. Hinj;. II,
1834, 21 ; V', fjlT, pi. civ. i^j)hrllii six-lalis, Hon. Lis*, 18;!8. — In. Coiisin'ctus, 18,")0,
480. — IJ.viiU), iiiiils N. Am. 1808, 47:!. — Cooi-Kii & t.ucKl.KY, 203. — Samtkls, 320.
Emhcrhti mn'nU.i, All). Syii. 183!'. — lu. Binls Am. Ill, 1841, 80, pi. cl.xv. Spiiiiks
sw./(i/(.s', t'AUAXis, Mils. Ilciii. 1851, 133.

Sp. CriAii. Riiiiip, back of neck, and sides of neck and head, asliy. Intcrsiaiiidar
rcfjion wiili black stivak.-s, margined with palo nilbiis. Ciowu contiiuious and iniilbiin
cliL'.stuut. i'orchead lilack, sopaiated in the niiddli' by white. A white streak over the
eye to nape, anil a bhiek one from the base of the bill tiirough aii'l behind the eyl^ Lores
dusky. Under parts unspotted wliiti.sh, tinged with ashy on the sides and across tlu^
upper breast. Tail-'i'iUhers and primaries edged with paler, not while. Two narrow
wiiite bands across the wing-coverts. Bill l)lack. Length. 0.7") ; wing, nearly 3.00 ; tail,
'2.00 (or less).

Yoioi;/. luunalure birds and rre(piently the adult females with the cap streaked with
blacki.sh lines, the chestnut iieaily or sometimes quite wanting. Birds of the year streaked
beneath and on ruii'p.

The color of l)ill varies; .sometimes entirely black throughout, sometimes very light (but
never reddish as in S. juisillu), with all iuterraediuto stages. There is usually, however, a

8 NORTH AMERICAN .BIRDS.

dusky tinge in tin; uppcf liill. wanting,' in imsilhi, and tin' lores are almost always more or
less duslvy in all statues of pluniairc.

IIaii. Eastern Province of Nortli AniiM'ica; north to (Irt'at Slave; [,ake, and s'.onth to
Orizalia, Eastern Mexieo, where il is lesident. Oaxaea (i)eiliaps var. arizonw), Jan. (Sci..
8.".8, 3(Jl); Xalaiiu (Sol. 1859, 3Go) ; Cordova (Sol. 185(), 305); Cuba (Lahh. 1800, VII.,
ll'OO).

Habits. The coninioii ("liippino Sparrow, so I'aiiiiliar to till in the eastern
portion of tlio United States, is not only one of tiie most al)iindant, but one
of tlie most M'idoly distributed of our Nortli American birds. It is found
from the Atlantic to the Tacific in its two races, and breeds from Georgia
to the Arctic Circle. At different seasons of the year it is found in till por-
tions of North America to ^lexico. Alono- the Atlantic coast it ucsts at
least iis far north as New Brunswick and Nova Scotia ; in the extreme
northern portion of the latter Province I found it one of the most abundant
birds.

The late ]\Ir. liol)ert Kennicott mot witii thom in considerable numbers at
Fort Resolution, on Great Slave Lake, and there he obtained quite a number
of their nests, all of which were in trees or bushes, from two to three feet
above the ground. These were all met with between the 1st and the 26th
of June. Mr. H. I{. Itoss itlso met with these birds in considerable numbers
at Fort Simpson and at Fort Wae.

On the PaciKc coast the ('hipi)ing Sparrow is stated by Dr. Cooper to be
quite as abundant iu the northern parts of California, and in Oregon and
Washington Territory, as on the Atlantic coast. He found them wintering
in the Colorado Ytdley in large numbers, but met with none about San Diego.
They spend their summers in the northern part of California, building their
nests, as with us, in the .shrubbery of the gardens, and coming familiarly
about the doorste])S to jiick uj) crumbs. In autumn they collect in Itirge
flocks, and frequent the open fields and pastures. Dr. Cooper found them in
flocks on Catalina Island in June, but could discover no nests. Tliey were
all old birds, and the conclusion was that they had delayed their more north-
ern migrations.

Dr. Suckley found this species extremely abundant in the open districts
on the Columl)ia Kiver, as well as upon the gravelly prairies of the Puget
Sound district. It is not named as having been met with by Mr. DaU or
any of the Kussian Telegraj)!! party in Alaska.

It was i'otind in abundanci^ din-ing tlie summer by .Mr. Eidgway in all the
wooded portions of the country of tlie Great Basin. He did not meet with
any among the cottonwoods of the river-valleys, its favorite hau..ts appear-
ing to be the cedars iind the nut-pines of the mountains. In July and
August, in such loctdities, on the East Humboldt Mountains, it was not only
the most numerous species, but also very abundant, nesting in the trees.
About tlie middle of August they congregiited in large numbers, preparing for
their departure.

FKINGILLIDyE — THE FINCHES. 9

At Sacramento it was also v(!iy aLumlant among the groves of small oaks.
He could not observe the slightest ilillereuce in habits or notes between the
eastern and the western specimens of this form. He found them breeding
at Salt Lake City, June 19, the nest being in a scrub-oak, six feet from the
ground.

In Arizona, Dr. Coues found the (.'hipijy a vejy al)undant summer resident,
arriving the third week of March and remaining until the latter ynvt of
Xoveniber. A few may spend the winter there. As described, it seems
more gregarious thian it is with us, arriving in the spring, and remaining for
a month or more in large Hocks of fifty or upwards. In New England they
always come iu pairs, and only assemble in flocks just on the eve of their
departure. Mr. Dresser met with these Sparrows, and obtained specimens
of them, near San Antonio, on the 10th of April. Dr. Ileermann, in his
Report upon the birds observed in Lieutenant Williamson's route between
the 32d and 35th parallels, speaks of finding this species abundant.

Dr. Gerhardt found this Sparrow not uncommon iu tlie northern portions
of Georgia, where it is resident throughout the year, and where a few remain
in the summer to breed. Dr. Coues also states that a limited number sum-
mer in the vicinity of Columbia, S. C, but that their number is insignificant
compared with those wintering there between October and April. They
collect in large flocks on their arrival, and remain in companies of hundreds
or more.

Mr. Sumichrast states that it is a resident bird in the temperate region of
Vera Cruz, INIexico, where it remains throughout the year, and breeds as
freely and commonly as it does within the United States.

Althougii found throughout the country in greater or less numbers, they
are noticeably not common in the more recent settlements of the West, as on
the unsettled prairies of Illinois and Iowa. Mr. Allen found them quite
rare in both States, exce])ting only about the older settlements. As early
as the first week in April, 1808, I notice<l these birds very connuon and
familiar in the streets of St. Louis, especially so in the business part of that
city, along the wharves and near the grain-stores, seeking their food on the
ground with a confidence and fearlessness quite unusual to it in such situ-
ations.

The tameness and sociability of this bird surpass that of any of the birds
I have ever met with in New England, and are only equalled by similar
traits manifested by the Snowbird (</. hi/oiudi'i) in I'ictou. Those that live
about our dwellings in rural situations, and have been treated kindly, visit
our doorstei)s, and even enter the houses, with the greatest familiaiity and
trust. Tliey will learn to distinguish their friends, alight at their feet, call
for their accustomed food, and pick it up when thrown to tiiem, without the
slightest signs of fear. One pair which, summer after sunnner, had built
their nest in a fir-tree near my door, became so accustomed to be fed that
they would clamor for their fejd if they were any morning forgotten. One

VOL. II. 2

10 NOUTII AMERICAN BIRDS.

of llii'ac birils, tlio I'oiiialo, I'roiii coining down to the ground to be fed witli
cninilis, soon liiarni'd to take tlieui on the thit branch of tlie lir near her nest,
and at last to feed from my hand, and al'tcrwards from that of otlior members
of the family, ifor mate, all the while, was com])arativcly siiy and distrust-
ful, and could not be induced to receive his food from us or to eat in our
l^vcscnce.

This Sparrow is also quite .social, keeping on good terms and delighting
to associate with other s])ecies. Since tlie introduction of the European
House Sparrow into ISoston, I have repeatedly noticed it associating with
them in tlie most friendly relations, feeding with them, flying up with them
wiien disturoed, and imitating all tlieir movements.

Tlie (Jlii])ping S])anow has very sligiit claims to be regarded as one of our
song-birds. Its note of complaint or uneasiness is a simple ehip, and its
song, at its Itest, is Init a monotonous repetition of a single note, sounding
like the rapid striking together of two small jiebldes. In the bright days of
June this unjiriitending ditty is kept up incessantly, hours at a time, with
only rare intermissions.

The nest of this bird is always in trees or bushes. I have in no instance
known of its being built on the ground. Even at the Arctic regions, where
so many of our tree-builders vary from this custom to nest on the ground,
no exceptional cases are reported in regard to it, all its nests being upon
trees or in bushes. Tliese are somewhat rudely built, often so loosely that
they may readily bo seen througli. E.xternally they are made of coai'se
stems of grasses and vegetable In'auches, and lined with the hair of the
larger animals.

These birds are de\'oted parents, and express great solicitude whenever
their nests are approached or meddled with. They feed their young almost
exclusively with tlie larva; of insects, especially with young caterpillars.
When in neighliorlioods infested with the destructive canker-worm, they will
feed their young with this pest in incredible numbers, and seek thera froiu a
considerable (listanc(\ Living in a district excm])t from tiiis scourge, yet but
shortly removed from tliem, in the summer of 18(19, I noticed one of these
S^jarrows with its mouth filled with something which inconvenienced it to
carry. It alighted on the gravel walk to adjust its load, and passed on to its
nest, leaving two canker-worms behind it, which, if not thus detected, would
have inlroduced this nuisance into an orchard that had previously cscajjcd,
showing that though friends to those afflicted they are dangerous to tlieir
neighl)ors. This Sparrow is also the frequent nurse of the Cow Ulackbird,
rearing its young to the destruction of its own, and tending them with
exemplary Kdelity.

Tlieir eggs, five in number, are of an oblong-oval shape, and vary greatly
in size. They are of a bluish-green color, and are sparingly spotted about
the larger end with markings of umber, purple, and dark hlackish-brown,
intermingled with lighter shadings of faint purple. The largest specimen

FRINGILLIDvE — THE FINCHES. 11

I have ever noticed of i,liis egg, found in tiie Capitol Grounds. AViisliingtou,
nu'ii.sures .8U liy .58 of an inch ; and the smallest, from Varrell's Station, Ga.,
measures .OU by .50. Their average measurement is about .70 by .5-1. They
iue all much pointed at the smaller end.

Spizella socialis, var. arizonse, Coues.

WESTEBN CHIFPINO SFASBOW.

Spizella social is, vnr. arizmia:, Cduks, V. A. N. S. 18GG. — f'ooiT.n, Oni. Cnl. I, 207.

Sp. Char. Himilar to socialis, but tiiil .and wiii<; longer, tlio liill iiiirrower, and colors
paler and grayer. Unions of tlio crown lighter and less pnipli.sh, generally (ahviiys in
-speeiniens from southern Roeky Moinitains) with fine blaek streaks on the posterior part.
Ash of the cheeks paler, throwing the white of the siipereiliary stripe and throat into less
contrast. Black streaks of the back narrower, .and without the rufous along their edges,
merely streaking a plain light brownish-gray groiuid-color. A strong ashy .shade over
the breast, not seen in socialis ; wing-bands more ])nrel3' white. Wing, 3.00; tail. 'J.80;
bill, .;JC from forehead, by .18 deep. (40,81;') ^, Ajiril 24, Fort Whipple, Ariz., ])r. Coti:s.)

Had. Western United States from Rocky Mountains to the Pacific; south in winter
into Middle and Western Me.vico.

All the specimens of a large scries from Fort W]iip])le, Arizona, as well
as most others from west of the Kocky Mountains to tiie rtKiitic coast, agree
in the characters given above, as distingtiislicd from eastern specimens of
socialis. The variations with age and season are sim])le ])iirallels of tliose in
socinlif).

Habits. The references in the preceding article to the Chipping S]»arrow
as occurring in the jMiddle and Western Proxinces of the United States, are
to be understood as applying to the present race.

Spizella pallida, Bonap.

CLAY-COLOBED SFASBOW.

Emhcriza pallida, Sw. F. Bor.-.Xni. II, 1831, 251 (not of ArnrnoN). Spizella pulUda,
BoNAi'. List, 1838. — I5aiiii>, I'.irds X. Aim. 18'i8, 474. Spiniles 2>allidiis, Caiianis,
Mus. Hi'in. 18.51, 133. Emheritn sluillud-i, Afl). lUrils Am. Vli, 1843, 347, i)I.
(■ec(;xciii. Spizella shatlucki, Bonai'. Conspectus, 185(1, 480.

Sp. Ciiai{. Smaller than S. socialis. B.ack and sides of hind neck ashy. Prevailing
color above pale brownish-yellow, with a tinge of grayish. The feathers of back and
crown streaked conspicnoii-sly with bl.ickish. Crown with a median pale ashy and a
lateral or superciliary ashy-white stripe. Beneath whitish, tinged with brown on the
breast and sides, and an indistinct narrow brown streak on the edge of the chin, cutting
off a light stripe above it. Ear-coverts browni.sh-yellow, margined above and below by
dark brown, making three dark stripes on the luce. Bill reddish, dusky towards tip.
Legs yellow. Length, 4.75 ; wing, 2.55.

12 NORrn AMERICAN BIRDS.

Had. Unper Missouri River and high cuntral plains to tho Saskatchewan country.
Cape St. Lufa.i, Oaxaca, Mai'oh (Scl. 1859, 370) ; Fort Mohave (CooPKit, P. A. N. S. Cai.
IStil, \2'2); Sail Antonio, Texas, spriiig (DiuasEii, Ibis, ISUo, 48!) ; common).

Tlie asliy collar is quite conspicunn,s, and streaked above with lirown.
Tlie i"uni) is iinrnaciilati". The streaks on the feathers of tlio crown aln;ost
i'orm continuous lines, about six in numl)er. Tlie brown line above the ear-
coverts is a post-ocular one. That on tho side of the chin forms the lower
border of a white maxillary stripe which widens and curves around behind
tlie ear-coverts, fading into the ashy of tlie neck. The wing-feathers are all
margined with paler, and there is an indication of two light bands across the
ends of the coverts.

The young of this species is tliickly streaked beneath over the throat,
breast, and belly, wiMi brown, giving to it an entirely dilferont appearance
from the adult. The streaks in the upper parts, too, are darker and more
conspicuous. The margins of the featliers are rather more rusty.

This species is readily distinguishable from the other American Spizdlas,
except 8. hrcu-eri (wliich see), in the dark streaks and median ashy stripe on
the crown, the paler tints, the diirk line on the side of the chin, etc.

Habits. Tlie Clay-colored liunting was first discovered by Richardson,
and described by Swainson, in the Fauna r)or.-Amer. The only statement
made in regard to it is that it visited the Saskatchewan in considerable num-
bers, frequented the farm-yard at Carlton House, and was in all respects as
familiar and confiding as tlie common House Sparrow of P^urope.

The bird given by Mr. Audubon as the pallida has been made by Mr.
Cassin a diiTerent species, S. hrcwcri, and the species the former gives in his
seventh volume of the Birds of America as Emhcriza shattuchi is really this
species. It was found by Mr. Audulton's party to the Yellowstone quite
al)undant throughout the country bordering upon the Upper Alissouri. It
seemed to be particularly partial to the small valleys found, here and there,
along the numerous ravines running from the interior and between the hills.
Its usual demeanor is said to greatly resemble that of the common Chipping
Sparrow, and, like that bird, it has a very monotonous ditty, which it seems to
deliglit to repeat constantly, wliile its mate is more usefully employed in the
duties of incubation. When it was approached, it would dive and conceal
itself amid the low bushes .around, or would seek one of the large clusters of
wild roses .so abundant in that section. The nest of this species is men-
tioned as having been usually placed on a small horizontal branch seven or
eight feet from the groinid, and occasionally in the broken and hollow
branches of trees. These nests are also stated to have been formed of
slender grasses, but in so slight a manner as, with their circular lining of
horse or cattle hair, to resemble as much as possible the nest of tiie conmion
socialis. The eggs were five in number, and are described as being blue
with reddish-brown spots. Tliese birds were also met with at the Gre.at
Slave Lake region by Mr. Kennicott, in tlie same neighborhood by B. 11.

FRLNGILLID^ — THE FINCUES. |3

Ross and J. Lockhiirt, and in the Red River settlements by Mr. 0. A. Ilub-
banl and >fr. i)nnM.ld (Uinn.

Cajitain IJlakiHtun noted the arrival of this bird at Fort Carlton on the
21st oi' May. He speaks of it.s note as very peculiar, resemblinjf, tliovi^li
sliarper than, the l)uzzinj,' made by a Hy in a pajier biix, or a faint imitation
of tiie sound of a watcliman's rattle. This son^- it utters perched on .some
young tree or bush, sonu'times only once, at otliers three or four times in
quick suecession.

Tlieir nests appear to have been in all instances placed in trees or in
shrub,5, generally in small spruces, two or three feet from the ground. Tu
one instance it was in a clump of small bushes not more than six inches
from the ground, and only a few rods from the buildings of Fort Resolution.

Both this species and the >S'. hrcuvri were found by Lieutenant Couch at
Tamaulipas in ^larch, ISyH. It does not ii])pear to liave been met with by
any otiier of tlie exploring expeditions, but in 1804, ibr the first time, as Dr.
Heermann states, to his knowledge, these birds were found quite plentiful
near San Antonio, Texas, by j\Ir. Dresser. This was in April, in the fields
near that town. They were associating with the Mclospiza lincolni and
other SpaiTOws. They remained about San Antonio until the middle of
May, after which none were observed.

The eggs of this species are of a liglit blue, with a slight tinge of greenish,
and are marked aroiuid the larger end with spots and blotclies of a purplish-
brown, rather finer, perhaps, than in the egg of S. socialis, though very similar
to it. They average .70 of an incli in length, and vary in breadth from
.50 to .52 of an inch.

Spizella pallida, var. br'-weri, Cassin.

BBEWEB'S SPABSOW.

EmheriM pallida, Aud. Oni. Biog. V, 1839, 66, pi. cccxcviii, f. 2. — la. Synopsis, 1839.
— In. Hiril3 Am. Ill, 1841, 71, pi. clxi (not of Swainson, 1831). Spizclln hreu-cri,
Cassin, Pr. A. N. So. VIII, Feb. 1856, 40. -Baikd, Birds N. Am. 18.-)8, 475.—
Cuoi'ER, Orn. Cal. I, 209.

Sp. Chab. Similar to »9. pallida ; the markings including the nuchal collar more
ob.soletc; no distinct median and superciliary light stripes. The crown .streaked with
black. Some of the feathers on the sides with brown shafts. Length, o inches ; wing,
2.50. Young streaked beneath, as in pallida.

Had. Rocky Mountains of United States to the Pacilio coast.

This race is very similar to the 8. imUida, and requires close and critical
comparison to separate it. Tlie streaks on the back are narrower, and the
central asliy and lateral whitish stripes of the crown are scarcely, if at all,
appreciable. The clear unstreaked asli of the back of the neck, too, is
mostly wanting. The feathers along the sides of the body, near the tibia,

14 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

and occasionally elsewhere on tlu; sides, have l>rownish shafts, not found in
the other. Tho difl'erences arc ii'jrhai)s tiioso of race, rather tiian of species,
tliouf,')! they are very aiii>recial)le.

If AiHTs, Tills sjiecii's bears a very close resemblance to tiio <V. pnllitla in
its external appearance, hut there are certain constant dill'crences wliich, with
the peculiarities of their distinctive distributions and habits, seem to estal)-
lish their sjiecilic .separation. The present bird is found from the I'acilic
coast to the liocky IMountains, and from the northern ])ortion of California
to tiie liio Grande and Mexico. iJr. Kennerly found it in February, 1854,
throughout New Mexico, from the Uio Grande to the (}reat (Colorado, along
tlic different streams, where it was feeding upon the seeds of several kinds
of weeds.

Dr. Heerniann, while accompanying the sui'veying i>arty of Lieutenant
Williamson, between tiu; iWd and Moth parallels, found these 82)arrows
throughout his entirt; route, l)otii in California and in Texas. On the pas-
sage from tlie I'imos villages to Tucson he observed large flocks gleaning
their food among the bushes as they were moving southward. In the Tejon
valley, during the fall season, he was constantly meeting them associated
with large flocks of other species of Sparrows, congregated around the cul-
tivated fields of the Inilians, wliere they find a bountiful sui)ply of seeds.
For this purpose they pass the greater part of the time upon the ground.

Dr. Woodh(juse also met with this Sjjarrow throughout New Mexico,
wherever food and water were to be found in sufiicient quantity to sustain
life.

In Arizona, near Fort Whii)i)le, Dr. Coues states that this bird is a rare
summer resident. He characterizes it as a shy, retiring species, keeping
mostly in thick brush near the ground.

Mr. liidgway states that he found this interesting little Sparrow, while
abundant in all fertile portions, almost exclusively an inhabitant of open
situations, such as fields or bushy plains, among the artemcsia esi)ecially,
where it is most numerous. It fref[uents alike the valleys and the moun-
tains. At Sacramento it was the most aljundant Sparrow, freipienting the
old fiehls. In this resjiect it very much resendJes the eastern Spizdla
piisi/fd, from which, however, it is in many resjiects very ditt'erent.

The song of Jirewer's Sparrow, he adds, for sjjrightliness and vivacity is
not excelled by any other of the North American Fringillidie, being inferior
only to that of the Chondesks f/rammaca in power and richness, and even
excelling it in variety and com])ass. Its song, while pos.sessing all the plain-
tiveness of tone so characteristic of the ciistern Field Sparrow, unites to this
quality a vivacity and variety fully etpialling that of the finest Canary.
This species is not resident, but arrives about the 9th of April. He found
its nest and eggs in the Truckee Heservation, early in June. The nests
were in sage-bushes about tiiree feet from the ground.

Dr. Cooper found small flocks of this species at Fort Mohave, after Marcii

l-RIN(ilLLID.K--TIIE KINCIIKS. 15

20, frpqupntiiif:; S^^fsy spots nniinij; tlio linv biislics, aiid ii iiKHilli later tlicy
wcro .siiiuin.u', I'l^ inhU, imicli like ii Ciimiiy, 1ml iiiuri! lUiiitly. Tliey aiv iire-
.suiiR'd ti) iciiiaiii ill tlio valley all siiimiier.

The egys, lour in iiuml)er, aro of a lij^lit bluish-^'reen color, ohloii^ in
shape, nuiro roiin.led at the smaller end tliaii the ey^'S of the .su(i((/ui,u.m\ tiio
}^'ronnd is more of a ;,freen than in those of >'. jihI/UIk. They are marked and
lilotched in scattered markings of a goldcn-l)ro\vn eolor. These blotches are
larger and more conspicuous than in the eggs of the other species. They
measure .70 by .51 of an inch.

Spizella atrigularis, Daird.

BLACK-CHINNED SFABROW.

Sjiinilcs alrif/ularii, Caiianis, ,Miis. Hciu. l.srd, 133. S/ir.'l/n iilriijiihiris, 1!aii;ii, IJirils
N. Am. 1808, 470, pi. Iv, f. 1. — In. Mc.\. Moiiiul. ii, Itiids, p. 1(1, pi. .wii, I'. 1. —
Cooriii!, Oiii. Ciil. I, 210. ainUkus tUi-imciUalis, C'ouuii, I'r, A. N. Sc. I'liil. VII,
April, 1854, 67.

Sr. CiiAii. Tail olongntod, ilcoply forked and divaricated. C "ral color blnisli-ash.
paler bcncatli, and turniiipr to white mi the middle of the hdly. Inter.seapillar rei.'iuu
vi'llowish-rusly, .streaked with lilai'k. Foreheaci, loral rcf^ioii, and .side of head as far a.s
eye^i, chin, and upper jiart of throat lilaek. Quills and tail-ii'athers very dark brown, (,'ilj;-ed
with ft.sliy. Edges ol' coveii.-i like the back. No wiiite bands on the winys. Bill red,
feet dusky. Immature birds, and perhaps adult female, without any black on head.
Lentrlh, u.50 ; wing, '2.50 ; tail, 3.00.

IlAn. Me.xico, just .south of the Ilio Grande; Kort Whipple, Arin. (Cocks); Cape St.
Lucas.

This species is about the size of S. jmsilla and S. sorialis, resembling the
former most in its still longer tail. Tliis is more deejdy forked and divari-
cated, with broader feathers than in either. The wing is much roumled ; the
fourth quill longest ; the first almost the shortest of the jjrimarics.

Habits. This sjiecies is a Mexican bird, found only within the limits of
the United States along the borders. But little is known as to its history.
Tt is sui)posed to be neither very abundant nor to have an extended area of
distribution. It was met with by Dr. Cones in the neighborhood of Fort
\\'hiliple, Arizona, where it arrives in April and leaves again in October,
collecting, before its departure, in small Hocks. In the spring he states that
it has a very sweet and melodious song, far surpassing in power and melody
the notes of any other of this genus that he has ever heard.

Dr. Cones furnishes me with the following additional information in regard
to this species : " This is not a coiumon bird at Fort Whipple, and was only
observed from April to October. It unquestionably breeds in that vicinity,
as I shot veiy young birds, in August, wanting the distinctive head-markings
of the adult. A pair noticed in early April were seemingly about breeding,
as the male was in full song, and showed, on dissection, highly develoi^ed

IG

NORTH AMKIIK'AN lURDa

sexual orj,'aii.s. TIic soiij,' is very a<,'reoal)le, nut, in tho least rofMilling the
nutniitonous tlitty ol' tlie Cliip liinl, or tlio ratlier weak ijeilorniaiices of some
oilier .s])i!eies of the j,'enus. In tlie latter part itt' sununer and early autunni
the liirds were generally seen in small troops, ])erliaps families, in weedy
ydaees, associatinjf with tho western variety of tSjiizclla tiociulis, as well as with
duldlinches."

lieutenant ("ouch met with individuals of this species at Aj,'ua Nueva, in
Coaluiila, Mexico, in May, ]H'>:\. Tliey were found in small tlocks amony
the nuamtains. Their nest and eii<'s are unknown.

Mtln.sjiiza vitlfiilitt.

Urnus MELOSPIZA, liAiiti).

Mclospixa, RAriii), Rinls N. Am. 1808, 478. (TyiK-, Frimjilla melodia, Wii.s.)

Gkn. Ciiah. Body .stout. Bill conical, very oltsoletely notcliod, orisiiiooth; .somowhnt

com pressed. Lower inaudible not so deep
as tlie upper. Coniiiii.ssiirc nearly straif,'lit.
Gonys a little curved. Feet stout, not
stretchini,' beyond the tail; tarsus a little
longer than tho middle toe ; outer toe a
little longer than tho inner; its claw not
quite reaching to the i)ase of the middle
one. Hind too appreciably longer than tho
middle one. Wings quite short and roiiiid-
c<l, .scarcely reaching beyond the ba.se of
the tail ; the tertials considerably longer
than the .secondaries ; the quills considera-
bly graduated; the fourth longest; the first
not longer than the tertials, and almost the

.shortest of the priinaiics. Tail moderately long, rather longer from coccyx than the

wing.s, and considcralily graduated ; the feathers

oval at tho tijis, and not stifTened. Crown and

b.ack similar in color, and streaked; beneath thickly

stre.iked, except in if. puhialris. Tail iinmaeulato.

Usually nest on ground ; nests strongly woven of

grasses and fibrous stems ; eggs marked with rusty-
brown and purple on a ground ol'a clay color.

This genus differs from Zoiiotrichia in the
shorter, more graduated tail, ratlier longer
hind toe, much more rounded wing, which is
shorter; the tertiaries longer ; the first quill
almost the shortest, and not longer than the
tertials. The under parts are s))otted ; the
crown streaked, find like the back.

There are few species of American birds
that have caused more perplexity to the
ornithologist than the group of M'hich Melospiza melodia is the type. Spread

Meto.ynza wetotha.

FUINtlll-MD.K TIIK KI.NCII KS. I7

nvcr tlic wliulc (if Xniili AiiiiTica, and limiilinr In vwvy din!, wn liiid ciicli
n!;^i()ii 111 iMissi'ss a special I'nriii ftu wliiuli a s]H'L'ilic iiaiin! lias Ikm'Ii ^'ivcii),
ami yt't these passiiin iiilo eacli ntliei' liy siuli iiiseiisiMe gradations as tn
render it (|nile inipussiliK' to deline tlieni as species. Jletween J/, iinltii/id
!>[ till! Athinli(! States and J/, in.-iii/nls of KoiliaU the ililleieneo soems
wide; liut the counectinu links in the inlerniediale leninns inid^f this over
so completely that, with a seiies of hundreds ol' specimens lieloic 11s, wo
aliandon the allenipt at sp(!cilic sepaiatiun, and unite into one no less tlaui
eij;lit sjiecies previously reconui/etl.

Takinjf, then, the common Soiij; Sparrow of the Kasiern Atlantic Stat(>s
(J/, iiiilotlin) as the slartinj^'-point, and jn'oc'L'edin;^' westward, we liiid (luite a
dc'cided dilll'rence (in a variety , /''//''.'J when we reach the Middle l'iii\ince,
or that of tho itouky Mountains, The j^eiieral tints are paler, ^nayer, and
loss rusty; the superciliary stripe anteriorly more asjiy ; tlie hill, and espe-
cially the lejis, more dusky, the latter not at all to ho called yellow. Tho hill
is perhaps smaller and, thoujj;li sometimes equal to thi! average of eastern
sjiecimen.s, nuae slendi'r in proportion. In some specimens {\\\i\v;\\j'i(ll(i.ij the
streaks an; unilbrni rufous without darker centres, — 11 feature I have not
noticed in eastern mcludki. Another sta<,'e {livcniianni) is seen when we reach
tho I'acitic eoa.st of California, in a darker brown color (hut not rufous).
Here the hill is rather larger than in mw. fallur, and tho lej;s colored more
like typical ludodin. In fact, the bird is like ihiIiuIIk, but dark(n\ The
stripes on the back continue well defined and distinct. M. HKvnulis
{==ijoiddi) may stand as u smaller race of this variety.

Proceeding norMiward along tlio Pacific coast, another I'orin (var. (jnttdto),
peculiar to the coa.st of California, is mot with towards and beyond the
mouth of the Columbia (coming into Southern California in winter). This
is darker in color, more rufous; the stripes quite indistinct above, in fact,
more or less ob.solete, and none, either aliove or below, with daiker or '.ilack-
ish centres. The sides, crissum, and tibia are washed witli ochi.iceous-
brown, the latter ]>erhaps darkest. The bill is jiroportionally longer and
more .slender. This uice becomes still darker northward, until at Sitka
(var. rujiva) it shows iio rufous tints, but a dusky olive-brown instead, in-
cluding the streaks of the under parts. The markings of the head and
back are a])preciab]e, though not distinct. The size has become consider-
altly larger than in eastern melodia, the average length of wing being ".00,
instead of 2. GO.

The last extreme of difteronce from typical melodia of the east is seen in
the variety imiijuis from Kodiak. Here the si/e is very large : length, 7.00 ;
extent, 10.75 ; wing, 3.20. The bill is very long (.7:i from forehead), the
color still darker brown ana laore uniform above ; the median light stripe
of vertex scarcely apju-eciable in some specimens ; the superciliary scarcely
showing, except as a whitish spot anteriorly. The bill and feet have become
almost black.

VOL. II. 3

18 NOUTII AMERICAN "BrRDfl.

Tlio ibllo\viii<» synopsis iiiiiy servo as a ineaTis hy wliich to distinjruish the
several races of this s)iecie.s, as also the two reinaiiiing positive species of
the genus : —

Species and Varieties.

Ai Lower parts st leaked.

1. M. melodia. While of tin' Idwer parts uuintermptod fioiii the chin to
the crissuiii ; llie streaks ol' llie juijiiliiiii, ete., l)i'oa(l and euneali'.

(t. Streaks, alcove and helow, sliarply delined, and distinctly hlack
medially (except sometimes in winter [)lumaL'e).

Ground-color aliovc- roddish-graj-, the interscapulars with the
whitish and black streaks about e(|nal, and sharply contrasted.
Rump with reihlish streaks. Winjr, li.7(); tail, 2.00; bill ..'>(! from
nostril, and .'M deep. Huh. Eastern Province of I'nited States, to
the Plains on the west, and the Itio Grande on the south var. me to din}

Grounil-ciilor aliove ashy-fjray, the interscapulars with the black
streaks nuich l)roadcr than their rufous border, and the whitish
edges not in strong contrast. Rump without streak.s. Wing, 2.80;
tail, ;?.l."); bill, .33 and .22. Ilab. Middh; Province of United
States var. faUax.'

Ground-color above nearly pure gray, the interscapulars with the
black streaks unich broader than the rufou.s, and the edges of the
feathers not apprecial)ly iiahu'. Rump without streaks. Wing,
2.S0; tail, 2.85; bill, .32 by .27. Ilah. California, except along
the coast; Sierra Nevada var. hecrmanni?

Ground-color above grayish-olive, the intcrscapulara with the
black streaks much broader than their rufous border; edges of the
feathers scarcely appreciably paler. Rump and tail-coverts, above
and below, with distinct broad streaks of lilaek. Wing, 2.40; tail,
2.r)0; hill, .37 and .24. Ilah. Coast region of California var. samuelis.*

Ground-color al)ove olive-rutbus, the edges of the interscapulars,
alone, ashy ; dor.*al black streaks very broad, without rufous
border. Rump .streaked with black. Wing, 2.C0; tail, 2.8o ; bill,
.34 and .2."). Hah. Puebia, -Mexico . . . var. mexicuna.''

1 JViiitcr pliiimiiic Rusty prevailing above, but hoary whitish cdgos to feathers still in strong
contrast ; streaks beneath with a rufous .sulbision e.vtcriially, but still with tlie l)laek in excess.

^ fl'liitif plii.UKiiji; (iray above more olivaceous, the black streaks more subdued by a rufous
siill'usiou ; streaks bcucatli with the rufous |)ri'donnnatiiig, sometimes without any 1 lack.

* iriiitd- 2>liim(i(ii\ Above rusty-olive, with little or no ashy, the black streaks broad and
distimt. Streaks beneath with the black and rusty in about e((Uttl amount.

* In summer the streaks beneath are entirely intense black ; in winter they have a slight
rufous external suffusion.

^ Mil'i.-i/iitti iiicl-iiliii. var. miwirmia, Rinr.w.w. Mexican Song Sparrow. 1 1 Melospiza pecto-
nilin, VON MiJi.i.i'.K.

Se. CuAU. (Tyiie, (5(),n4(i, ruehla, Mexico, A. Boucaiid.) Similar to M. mctodia, but
ground-color above olive- brown ; inner webs of interscaiadars pale a.shy, but not in .strong
contrast. Crown and wings rusty-brown, the former with broad black streak.s, and divided
by a just ajipreciable paler line ; biick with broad black streaks without any rufous sulfu.sion.
Superciliary stripe pure light ash, bccondng white anteri(U' to the eye ; two broad, dark-brown
stripes on side of head, — one from the eye back along upper I'dge of aurieulars, the other back
from the rictus, along their lower border. Lowi'r jiarts pure white, the Hanks and crissum dis-
tinctly oehriiceous ; markings beneiith broad and lu'avy, entirely pure dee)) black ; those on the
jugulum deltoid, on the sides linear. Wing, 2. GO ; tail, 'I.Sit ; bill, .37 and .24 ; tarsus, .85 ;

FKINUILLIOJ-: — TUl'J KINCMIKS. jg

b, Stroaks, above and bolow, not sharply (Iclincd, and witliout black
UK'dially.

Above rufos(.'niit-olivo, tlio darker sliado-s castaiiuoiis ; streaks be-
neath caslaiieous-nifous. WiiifT, 2.(i0; tail, 2.^0; bill, .35 and .23.
Hah. I'aeilic Province from British Columbia, .southward . var. t/nlhtta.

Above seiiia-phnnbeous, the darker shades lidiirinoMS-sepia ;
streaks beneath fuli^dnons-sepia. Winj;, 3.(11); tail, 3.tH); bill, .41
and .2."). Huh. I'acilio Province from IJriti.sh Columbia northward.

var. r ufi n a .
Above iilnnd)eons, the darker inarkinfrs dull reddish-se])ia in
winter, (;love-brown in summer; streaks beneath castaneous-rnl'oiis
in winter, dull scjjia in sunmier. Wing, 3.40; tail, .3.0(1; bill, ..50
and .30. Jfiib. Pacific eoivst of Ala.ska (Ivodiak, etc.) . var. insiynts.

2. M. llutiolni. White of the lower parts intiM'rutped by u broad peclural
band of butf; streaks on the jn,i;idnm, etc., narrow linear. A vertex and
superciliary stripe of a.«hy ; a maxillary one of buff. Wing, 2. CO ; tail, 2.40 ;
bill, .30 and .2.5. Hah. Whole of North America ; south, in winter, to
Panama.

B. Lower parts without stroaks (except in younj,'.)

3. M. paluBtria. Jugulum and nape tinged with ashy ; outer surface of
wings bright casiaiieous, in strong conti.st with the olivaceous of the back;
dorsal stroaks broad, black, without rufous (!xtciiially ; a snpeieiliary and
maxillary stripe of ashy. f. Crown uniform chestnut, forehead black. ?.
Crown similar, but divided by an indistinct ashy stripe, and more or less
streaked with black (autumnal or winter J similar). ,/'/('. Head, back,
and jnguhnn streaked with black on a yellowish-white ground; black pre-
vailing on the crown. Hub. Eastern Province of North America.

Uelospiza melodia, Baird.

SONG SPABROW.

Fringilla melodia, Wilson, Am. Oni. II, 1810, 125, pi. xvi, f. 4. — Licnr. Vorz. 1823,
No. 2t!t. — Ari). Oru. Hiog. I, 18^2, 12(i ; V, mi, pi. 2r.. — In. Syii. 1839, 120.—
111. liinlsAiii. HI, 1841, 147, pi. dxxxi.K. -- Max. Cab. ,T. VI, 18.')8, 27r>. Xonntriclda
mrlotliu, Hon. List, 1838. — III. Coiispictus, IS.'ill, 478. N Fi-iiii/illd /nsriiifu, Omi'.i,i\,
Sy.st. Nat. I, 1788, 022. — \rrr.\u,, Man. I, (2d cd.,) 1840, r.r.2. ) i Fn,i<i!lhi
hijnnnUs, (!mi:i.in, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 022. Mrlo^pha mchdiu, Uaiiid, liirds N. Am.
18.';S, 477. — Samtkls, 321.

Sp. CiiAit. General tint of upjier parts rufous and distinctlj- streaked with rufous-brown,
dark-brown, and ashy-gray. The crown is rufous, with a. "superciliary and median striiio of
dull gray, the former lighter; nearly white anteriorly, where it sometimes has a faint
shade of yellow, principally in antunin ; each feather of the crown with a narrow streak
of black forming about six narrow lines. Inter.scapulars black in the centre, then rufous,
then pale grayi.sh on the margin, these three colors on each feather very sharply con-
trasted. Kunip grayer than upper tail-coverts, both with obsolete dark streaks. There is

middin toe without claw, .68. This may iio.^aibly ue the J/, jurtontli^ of von Miiller. The de-
.scriptioii cited abovp, however, does not agive with the specimen under consideration. The pec-
toral s|)0ta are exjiicssly stated to be brown, not cvvn a blaek slmft-stivak being mentioned,
whereas the pure bliiek spots of the siieeiiuen before us render it peculiar in this respect, being,
iu fact, its chief churucturistiu.

20 N'oKTII A.MKKIUAN BUtDS.

a wliilisli iniixillary stripe, bordoivil aliovc iiiiil l)olow by one of dark nifoiis-hrowii, ami
willi itiiotlicr from ln'liiiid llic oyc Tlu,' imdci' parts arc wliite ; tiif Jiij,'iilimi and sidt's
of Imdy stroakcd willi clear darlv-lirowii, s<iMietimi's witli a riifoiis siilfiision. On the
middle of the l)r('as| dicsc marks arc rather ayf^rc^atod so as lo Ibrm a s|)ot. Xo distiiii't
while on tail or winirs. licnL'lii of inak', (i.'iD; win};-, 2."))S ; tail, li.OII. liill |)alc brown
above; yellowish at, liasc beneath. Legs yellowish.

IIau. Eastern United Stales to the liij.'h Central Plains.

Sjji^ciiuun.s vary .soiiicwliiit in liaviiio; tlio strwiks acro.s.s tlio l)roa.st more or
less Hi)arse, the spot more or le.ss distinct. In aiitiiniu the colors are more
blended, the light maxillary stripe tinned with yellowish, the edges of the
dusky streaks strongly snfViised witii hrownish-rtil'oiis.

The yonng bird litis the npper parts ptiler, the streaks more distinct ; the
lines on tlie head scarcely apiiveciiible. The under parts are yellowish ; the
streaks ntirrower and more shivrply ilefined iltirk lirown.

As iilready stated, this species varies more or less i'rom the above descrip-
tion in (lid'erent parts (jf North America, its typical races having received
s])ecific names, M'hich it is necessary to retain for them as varieties.

Habits. Tlie common Song Sparrow of eastern Nortli America has an
extended ninge of distribution, and is resident througiiout the year in a large
part of the tirea in which it breeds. It nests from iibout South Carolina
north to the British I'rovinces of Nova Scotia and New J5riinswick at the
east, and to a not well-detined limit in Uritish Americti. The most northern
points to M'hich it has l)cen traceil are the plains of the Saskatchewan and
•the soiitliern sliore of Lake Winnepeg, in which latter pliice Mr. Kennicott
found it breeding. It is said by Dr. Cones to breed in South Carolina, and
by j\[r. Audubon in Louisiana, but I have never seen any of their eggs from
any ])oint south of Washington. In winter it is found from IMassachusetts,
wiiere only a few are ol)served, to Florida. It is most abundant tit this
period in North and South Carolina. It is not mentioned in Dr. Ger-
hardt's list as being found in Nortiiern (Jeorgia at any season of the year.
Mr. lUdgway informs me that it dttes not breed in Soutiiern Illinois. Its
song is not po]nilarly known tjiere, tlioiigii he has occasionally heard it just
before tiie.se Sparrows were leaving for the north. This species winters there
in company witii tlie Z. alhiroUia and Z. /ciirojiliri/s, associating with the for-
mer, and inhiibiting brusii-lieajis in the clearing.s.

To Massacliusetts, where sja'cinu'iis iitive been taken in every month of the
year, and where tliey have i)een heard to sing in January, they icI urn in
large numbers usually early in March, sometimes even in February. It is
probable that these are but migiants, jia.ssing farther north, and that our
summer vi,sitiints do not ap]>ear among us until the middle of Ajiril, or just
as they are about to breed. Tiiey reach Maine from the loth to the ^oth,
and breed there the middle of May. In ^Massachusetts they do not have
eggs until the first week in May, exce|it in very remarkalile season.s, usually
not until idler tlie I'duebird has already hatciied out her lirst broody and a
week later than the IJoliin.

FllINGILLID.E — THE FINCHES. 21

Tlio tido of retuniinii- emijxrutinn Lc^'iiis to sot sontliward early in Oetnlior.
('(illuctiii,^' ill small looso Hocks, iirolial)ly all of each ^i')!!)) nuMiilicrs of tlic
saiiio faiiiily, tlicy slowly move towards the south. As one set jiasses nn,
another succeeds, until the latter ])art oi' November, when we no lonj,'('r meet
^vitll Hocks, hut solitary iiidiviihtals or <,'roni)s of two or three. Tiiese are
usually a larger and stouter race, and almost suggest a different specties.
They arc ol'ten in song even into Decenihei-. They ap])arently do not go
far, and are the firSu to return. In early March they are in full song, and
their notes seem louder, clearer, and more vibratory than those that come to
US and remain to breed.

The Song Sparrow, as its name implies, is one of our most noted and con-
spicuous singers. It is at once our earliest and our latest, as also our
most constant musician. Its song is somewhat brief, but is rejjeated at short
intervals, almost throughout the days of spring and earl}' summer. It some-
what resembles the ojiening notes of the Canary, and though less resonant
and powerful, much surpasses them in sweetness and expression. Plain and
homely as this bird is in its outward garb, its sweet song and its gcuitle con-
fiding manners render it a welcome visitor to every garden, and around every
rural home wherein such attractions can be api)reciated. "Whenever these
birds are kindly treated they readily make friends, and are attracted to our
doorsteps for the welcome crumbs that are thrown to them ; and they will
return, year after year, to the same locality, whenever thus encouraged.

The song of this Sparrow varies in different individuals, and often changes,
in the same liird, in different parts of the year. It is even stated by an
ol)serving naturalist — Mr. Charles S. Paine, of Pandolph, Vt. — that he has
known tiie same bird to sing, in succession, nine (mtirely different sets of
notes, usually uttering them one after the other, in the same order. This was
noticed not merely once or during one season, Init through three successive
summers. The .same bird returned each season to his grounds, and came
each time provided with the same variety of airs.

Mr. Xuttall, who dwells with much force upon the beauty and earnestness
of expression of the song of this species, has also noticed and remarked
upon the power of individuals to vary tlitiir song, from time to time, with
very agreeable effect, but no one has recorded ,0 remarkable an instance as
that thus carefully noted by Mr. Paine.

These birds are found in almost any cultivated locality where the grounds
are sufiiciently open. They jirefer tlu; edges of open fit'lds, and those of
meadows anil low grounds, but are rarely found in woods or in thick bushes,
except near their outer edges. They nest naturally on the ground, and in such
situations a large majority build their nests. These are usually the younger
birds. A portion, almost always birds of several sum.ners, probably taught
by sad experiences of the in.security of the grr -d, build in bu.slics. A jiair
which had a nest in an adjoining field had been robbed, l)y a cat, of their
young when just about to fly. After nuich lamentation, and aii interval of a

22 NORTH AMKRlCA>i T.IRDS.

weok, 1 i'ouiul this hanie i)aii', wliicli I easily ivcoj^niizcd, luiildiny; tlieir nest
among some vinos near my lioiisc, some eiglit I'oet from the groninl. They
luid abandoned my neiglilior's grounds and taken refuge close to my house.
This situation tiiey resorted to afterwards for several successive sunnners, each
season building two nests, never using the same nest a second time, although
each time it was left as clean and in as good condition as wlien first made.
Indeed, this species is remarkal)le for its cleanlhiess, both in its own person
and in its care of nestlings and ncists.

Tlioy feed tlieir young chieily with insects, especially small caterpillars ;
tlie destructive canker-worm is one of their favorite articles of food, also the
larva; of insects and the smaller moths. When crundis of bread are given
them, they are eagerly gathered and taken to their nests.

In the ^liddle States they are said to have three broods i a setison. This
may also be so in Xew pjigland, but 1 have never known one j)air to have
more than two broods in tiie same summer, even wjien both had been suc-
cessfully reared. Nests found after July have always been in cises where
some accident had bel'allen the ])receding brood.

The nest of the Song Sparrow, whetiier built on grouml, bush, or tree, is
always well and thoroughly made, K.xternally and at tiie bfise it consists of
stout stems of grasses, iibrous twigs of plants, and small sticks and rootlets.
These are strongly wrought together. AVitliin is made a neat, well-woven
basket of fine long stems of gras.ses, rarely anything else. On the ground
they are usually concealed beneath a tuft of grass ; sometimes they make a
covered passage-way of several inches, leading to their nest. When built
in a tree or slirub, the top is olten sheltered by the branches or by dry
leaves, forming a covering to the structure.

The eggs of the Song Sparrow are live in number, and have an average
measurement of .82 by .00 of an inch. They have a ground of a day-color
or dirty white, and are spotted e(pially over the entire egg with blotciies of
a rusty -brown, intermingled with lighter shades of i)urple. In some these
markings are so numerous and coniluent as to entirely conceal the ground-
color ; in others they are irregularly diifused over dill'erent parts, leaving
patches unmarked. Occasionally tlio eggs arc unspotted, and are then not
unlike those of Lcacoatidc (/riacaincha.

Melospiza melodia var. fallax, Baird.

WESTERN SONG SFABBOW.

Zmwtrickia fdlhi.t; 15aiim), I'r. A. N. Sc. Ph. VII, June, IS.U, llil (I'lidilo Cici-k, New
Moxico). I Xonotrkhut faxciala, (Om.) GAMnEl, .1. A. N. Sc. V\\. 2il .Seiics, I, 18-47,
49. Mi'hisiiizii falliix, Uaii!!), IJinls X. Am. 18,^8, 481, pi. xxvii, f. 2. — Kknneuly,
P. 11. 1!. X, h. pi. x.\vii, f. •>. — (.'(i(.im;1!, Oiii. Oil. I, 21,'i.

Sp. Char. Similar to var. meloJin, but willi llic hill on tin? whole liillior .><innllor,
more sk'iidci', ami il:irkt'i'. Logs ciuito <liisky, not yoUow. Enliio pluuiagc of a nioi'o

FllINUILLIU.K — THK FINCllK;^. 23

fjrnyish past, iiicltidinif the whole snpi'rr'ili.-ii'y stripi'. Tho streaks on tlimat anil JiiLriilnni
ill spriiii; un- iiliiinst lilat'k, as in inilixiid ; in aiitniiin more riil'uiis; in all (;a.si.;.s (juito as
sharply (Iclincil as in mfhdin. Tho hill is ncafly hlack in spring'.
ll.vii. Middli' ]'n)vini:(' of United Stales, to thi" Sioi-ra Nevada.

This nice, intcriiioiliiito iH'twcen iiu'loiUn and Jirrntuijuii in Imljitat, is,
lioweviT, liardly so in cliaiiiclcrs. Tlio bill is iiniru .slender tliiin in oitlicr,
licino nuudi like that of ijvltntu, and tiio tail is longer in proportion to the
wing. In cokms it is paler than either, the o;ronnd-ca.st above being nearly
eleiir grayish : the streaks, l)oth on the back and jugiihun, are more sparse,
as well as narrower; very Iretpiently, in the winter plumage, those beneath
lack the central bltick, being wholly rufous ; such is the ease with the type.
In summer, however, they are frecpiently entirely black, the external rufous
having entirely di.sappeared. As in liccrnutnni, the rumj) is immaculate.
The young bird dilfers as does the adult, though the resemliLince to those of
vulodia and hcermanni is more ch).se than in the adult. The very narrow
bill and long tail are the most characteristic features of form.

ILviilTs. In habits and song, Dr. Cooper can find no apiireciable dill'er-
ences between this variety and its nearest allies. He states tlitit its nest,
which he found in a willow thicket, was eom])osed of bark and fine twigs
and grass, and lined with hiur. Its eggs he describes as bluish-white, blotched
and streaked with reddish-brown, aiul as measuring .74 by .55 of an inch.

])r. Cones found this species a common and permanent resident in iVri-
zona, and he pronounces its habits, manners, and voice precisely like those
of M. inchnlia. This spetnes, he states, occtirs throughout New Mexico,
Arizona, and a |)art of .Southern California, and is particnliirly tibundant in
the valley oi' the Colorado.

Dr. Kennerly observed this species only along I'ueblo Creek, in the month
of January. It did not confine itself to the open valley, but was oit(!n
seen among the thick l)ushes thiit margined the creek, far up into the Aztec
Mountains, where the snow covered the ground. In its habits it resembled
the Foosjiiza helli, being very restless and rajiid in its motions, accompany-
ing them with ti short chirp, feeding upon the seeds of the weeds that
remained uncovered by the snow. Its llight was also rajiid and near the
earth. The bird being very shy, Dr. Kennerly found it diiUcult to procure
many specimens.

According to ]\lr. Jiidgway, the Western Song Sparrow is one of the
most abundant of the resident species inhabiting the fertile portions of the
Great l>asin. It ])rincipally occupies the willows along the stretims, but is
also found in tul4 sloughs of the river valleys. From a long actpiaintanco
with the Western Song Sparrows, Mr. liiilgway is fully conviiu^ed of the i)ro-
priety of recognizing this as a distinct vtiriety from the eastern M. vulodia.
In all respects, as to habits, es])eeially in its familiarity, it replaces at the
West the well-known Song Sparrow of the J^ast. When first heard, the
peculiar measure and delivery of its song at once attracts attention. The

24 NOUTll AMEUICAN lilUDS.

})i'ociwiiin of stylu and method of utterance are iiuite distinct and constant
peculiarities. Tiie song, lliuugh as ])leasiiig, is not so loiul as tiiat of the
eastern Song S^iarrow, wiiiki the measure is very did'erent. lie ncjted the
syllables oi its song, and found tliem ([uite uniform. He expresses the song
thus: Clia-iIi((-(h<(-(lt((-ih(i-wU'—lar'-r-r-r-i'-r- tut. The lirst six syllables as
to accent iiro exactly alike, but with a consideral)lu interval or jiause between
the lirst and second notes. The second to the fifth follow in ra|)id succes-
sion, each being uttered with deliberation and distinctness. Then conies a
pause between the; last " cha " and the " wit," which is [)ronounced in a fine
metallic tone with a rising intlection, then another pause, and a li(iuid trill
with a falling inilection, the whole terminating abru])tly with a very peculiar
" tut," in an entirely different key from the other notes.

The nests and eggs were found in the Wahsatch ^Mountains, June 23.
The nests were generally among bushes, in willow thickets, along the streams,
about a foot from the ground. One of these nests found in a clump of
willows, about two feet from the ground and near a stream, is a compact,
firndy built nest, in the shape of an inverted dome. It is two and a half
inches in height, and about the same in diameter. Externally it is com-
posed of a coarse framework of stri})s of willow bark firndy bound around.
AVitliin is a compactly woven inner nest, composed of straws, mingled
and interwoven with horse-hairs. The ciivity has a depth and diameter of
two inches. The eggs, four in number, measure .80 by .(13 of an inch. Their
form is a rounded oval, distinctly ])ointed at one end. They have a greenish-
white ground, marked and blotched with splashes of purplish and reddish
brown.

Melospiza melodia, \ar. heermanni, Baird.

HEEBHANN'S SONO SFASBOW.

Mclo.i/iiza heermiiiini, !5aii!|), Mints N. Am, 1858, 478, pi. 70, f. 1. — Cooper, Oni. C'al. I,
212.

Sp. Char. Soiiicwliat liki' mrhx/ia, l)iit iliiikcr. The streaks on tlie back ami under
parts blacker, broader, more ilislinct, and siarcely niar.iriiied with reddish, except in
winter plumage. Th<^ median stripe on vertex indistinct. General shade of coloration
olivaceons-griiy rather than rusty. Leufith, (j.tO; winir, 2. ")0 ; tail, 3. Bill and legs in
si/.(! and color most like melodia.

IIab. Southern California; eastern slope of Sierra Nevada (Carson City), and West
Ilunilioldt Mountains, Nev.; liuxjwAV.

Of the various races of 3f. melodia, this one iipproaches nearest the
ty])ical style of the Atlantic region; agreeing with it in tlucker bill and
shorter tail, its compared with the var. J'allar, which occurs between them.
It differs from the var. melodia, however, in a more grayisli cast to the
ground-color of the upper i)lumage, being olivaceous-gray, rather than
reddish ; the black dorsal sti'caks are very mutjh broader than the nisty ones.

FlUNGILLID/E — Till': J'INCIIKS. 25

instoad of about e((iial to tliciii in width, and the cmI^'i's to tlio inttTscapular
fcatliLTS are not appreciably palor tlian tlio prevailinj,' shade, instead of beinn'
liuary wiiilisli, in strong contrast. Jn s[)ring the " bridlo" on the side of tlie
throat and tlie spots on tlie junuluni liavu the bhick of tiieir central j)ortion
in excess of their external rufous sulfusi(tn ; liut in autumn the rusty rather
predondnates ; at this season, too, the rusty tiut^ above overspread the whole
surface, but the black streaks are left shar]ily deliued. At all seasons, the
spots on the juguluni are broader and rather more numerous than in mr/uilia.
Tlie yoiing can scaritely be distinguished i'mm those of mr/utli'i, but they have
the dark streaks on the crown and upper tail-coverts consideral)ly broader.

Habits. The California Song Sjiarrow has been named in honor of the
late Dr. Heermann, who first obtained specimens of this bird in the Tejoii
Vall(!y, and misbjnk them for the Zoaotrirliid rjuttaUi of Gaml)el [M. riijiaa),
from which they were appreciably different. AVhetlier a distinct sjjecies
or only a local race, this bird takes the place and is the almost precise
counterjjart, in most essential respects, of the Song Sparrow of the East.
The exact linuts of its distribution, both in the migratory season and in that
of re])roduction, have hardly yet been ascertained. It has been lound in
California as far north as San Francisco, and to the south and southeast to
San Diego and the ^fohave Kiver.

The California Song Sparrow is tlu' characteristic Melo^pisa in all that por-
tion of the State south of San Francisco. It is found. Dr. Cooper states, in
every locality where there ai'e thickets of low bushes and tall weeds, espe-
cially in the vicinity of watei', and wherever unuKjlested it comes about the
gardens and houses with all the familiarity of the common laeludia. The
ground, under the shade of plants or bushes, is their usual jdace of resort.
There thej'^ diligently search for their food throughout the day, and rarely fly
more than a few yards from the place, and remain about their chosen locality
from one year's end to another, being everywhere a resident species. In the
spring they are said to percl; occasionally on some low bush or tree, and sing
a lively and pleasant melody for an hour at a time. Each song, Dr. Cooper
remarks, is a complete little stanza of a dozen notes, and is freipiently varied
or changed entirely for another of similar style, but c^uite distinct. Although
no two birds of this sjjecies sing just alike, there is never any ditliculty in dis-
tinguishing their songs when once heard. There is, he thinks, a similarity of
tune and style in the songs of all the species of true Mclospiza, which has
led other observers to consider them as of only one species, when taken in
connection with their other similarities in colors and habits.

Dr. Coojjer fo\md a nest, presumed to belong to this bird, at Santa Cruz,
in June. It was built in a dense blackljerry-busli, about three feet from the
ground, constructed with a thick ])eriphery and base of dry grasses and thin
strips of bark, and lined with finer grasses. The eggs were of a smoky
white, densely si)eckled with a dull brown. Although this bird was abun-
dant around Santa Cruz, he was only able, after much searching, to find two

VOL. II. 4

26 NOKTIi AMKIUCAN JMIIDS.

of tlieir nests. Ono was in a willow, close aj,'ainst the tree, and three feet
from the LiToiinil, coutiiininy, on tiie lltli of May, four eggs [)artially hatched.
Tills was laiilt of coarse dry .stems and leaves, lined with liner gnusscs and
horse-hair. It was Hve inches in e.\tt!rnal diameter, and lour high. The
cavity was tw(j anil a half inches dee]) and two in diameti^'. Tlii^se eggs
had a grounil of greenisli-while, and were l)lotciied and spotted with a
puriilisli-lirown, chielly at tlie larger end, Tliey were M l»y .Gl' of an inch
in measurement. The ground-color was paler and the spots were darker
than in eggs of Z. tjitmbcli, the whole cohiriug nuich darker than in tliose of
}f.J'i(ll(r,r. 'i'liis nest was apparently an old one used for a second brood.

Anotlier nest found as late as July It), and doubtless a second brood, was
in a thicket, six feet from tiie ground, and also contained four eggs. Dr.
('oo])er states that lie lias seen the newly Hedged young liy the 7th of May.

Dr. lleermann, in his account of tliis bird, which he supposed to be the
(jiittiilii of Dr. (iambel, .states that he found it abundant tiiroughout tlie
whole country over which he passed, anil more especially so in the buslies
bordering tiie streams, ponds, and marsiie.s. Its notes, sweet, and few in
numlier, resemiiled tiiosc of the connnon Song Sparrow. Its nests, usually
built in tlnck tufts of busiies, were composed externally of grasses and lined
witii liair, and contained each four eggs, with a pale ])luish-ash ground,
tinckly covered witii dashes of burnt uml)er. Kggs of tiiis species, from near
Monterey, collected by Dr. ("antield, vary in measurement from .85 l)y .(Jo of
an incli to .88 by .70, — larger tiian any eggs of Mclonphu mvlodia that I have
seen. Tiieir ground-color is a light green. The blotchtss are large, distinct,
and more or less eonlluent, and of a blended reddisii and purplish brown.
They are in some ditfused over the entire egg, in others disposed around the
larger end.

Melospiza melodia, var. samuelis, Baird.

SAMVELS'S BONO SFARBOW.

Ammodromus samiieH.i, Hauu), Pr. Boston Soc. N. It. VI, .luiip, 1858, 381. — In. Birds
N.Am. 1858, 455, jil. I.\.\i, f. 1. — CoorKU, Oni. Cal. 1, 191. Mclospha (loitldi,
Bauu), Birds X. Am. 1858, 47'.t.

Sp. CitAH. Soinowliat like Mehisjtlzn iiielndia, lint i'on.<i(lpral)ly .'iiiiallt'r luid dnrker.
Bill slender and aeiile, the depth iiDt more than half the (.'iilinen. Above streaked on
the head, back, and riiuip with dark brown, the borders of the I'eather.s p.iler, bnt without
any nifou.s. Beneath ]iure white ; the breast, with sides of throat .ind body, spotted and
streaked with blaek, apparently farther back than on otiier species. Winfrs above nearly
nniforni dark brownisli-rnlons. ITnder tail-eoverts yellowish-brown, eon.spicnously
blotched v.'ith lilaekish. An a.shy snpereiliary stripe, beeominp; nearly white to the bill,
and a whitish maxillary one below whieh is a liroad blackish stripe alonp the sides of
neck; the crown with faint prayish median line. Lciifith, .'i inches; wing, 2.20; tail,
2..3o, Bill dusky; Icf^s rather pah-. Bill, .. 1.5 from nostril by .24 deep; tarsus, .71 ; middle
toe without claw, .58. ('^/M ^, Pctahnna, Cal.)

IIab Coast rcirion of California, near .''an Franei.sco.

KIllNGlIiLID.K — TIIH l-'INCIIKS.

27

Tlio iil)i)Vi! (U!S(U'iptiou is of ii spcciiiion in worn suiiuiun' pluiiiui^c, when
the iiiiiikiiij,'s Imvc not the shiirp ck'tinitiou seen in tlic iiutnmiiiil i)lnniaj,'c.
Thi' iuittininul iihiniiij^o is us loHows: (i round-color iil)ovo j,nayish-olive,
outer siutaee of winj;;?, with tiie crown, more rufous ; crown witii narrow,
anil dorsal region with broad, strii)es of l)lack, the latter witii scarcely a
perceptiiile rufous .sulfusion; crown with a distinct median stripe of ashy.
Streaks on jugulum, etc., broader than in tlu; type, and with a sligiit rufous
sull'usiou. Wing, 2.20 ; tail, 2.'M'> ; bill from nostril .31, its depth .22 ;
tarsus .74 ; middle toe without claw, .(iO.

The type of Mehmpizii (/ouhli resembles the last, and dill'ers only in having
a more distinct rufous sulfusion to the lilaek markings; the nuiasurements
are as follows : Wing, 2.2t); tail, 2.35 ; bill, .33 by .23 ; tarsus, .73; middle
toe without claw, .oK.

This is proltalily a dwarfed race of the common .species, the very small
size lieiug its chief di.stinctive cliaracter. The colors are moat- nearly like
those of hcr.nnaimi, liut are considerably darker, caused by an exitansiou of
the black and contraction of the rufous markings. The pattern of colora-
tion is precisely the same as in the other nices. The present bird appears
to lie ])eculiar to the coast region of California, the only specimens in the
collection lieing from the neighborhooil of San Francisco.

IIabit.s. (.)f tlu! history, distribution, and general habits of this .species,
nothing is known. It was found at I'etaluma, Cal., hy Emanuel Samuels,
and described in the I'roceedings of the I>oston Society of Natural History in
1858. The following description of the nest and eggs of this bird, in the
Smithsonian collection, has been kindly furnished me by Mr. liidgway.

Nests elaborate and .symmetrical, cup-shai>ed, composed of thin grass-
stems, but externally chielly of grass-blades and strips of thin inner bark.
Diameter about 3.50 inches; internal diameter 2.00, and internal depth 1.5U;
external, 2.00. Egg measures .78 by .02 ; regularly ovate in shape ; ground-
color, greenish-white ; this is thickly sprinkled with purplish and livid ashy-
brown, the s]iecks larger, and somewhat coal(;sccnt, around the larger circum-
ference. (3553, San Francisco, Cal., J. Hepburn.)

Melospiza melodia, var. guttata, Baikd.

OBEGOK SOHO SFABBOW.

PringUla cincrcn, (Om.) Aud. Oin. Biog. V, 1839, 22, pi. cccxe. — Id. Syn. 1839, 119.—
111. Birds Am. Ill, 1841, U.l, pi. clxxxvii. Pusmrcllii, cincmi, I5i>. List, 1839. — In.
Coiis))ectus, 1850, 477. Frinf/illa {Pnsm'rcHit) {luffata, NUTTAIX, Man. I, (2(1 cd.,) 1840,
581. Zonotrichia guttata, Oamdix, J. A. N. So. I, Dee. 1847, 50. Melospiza rujim,
Bauus Birds N. Am. 1858, 480. — Cdovkr & SrcKi.KY, 204. — Dall & Ban.sisteii,
Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1859, 285. — CoopKlt, Oni. Cal. I, 214.

Sr. Char. TJill .oloiulor. Similar in pfoncral apponranoc to ^f. melodia, but darker and
much more rufous, and without any blaekisli-brown stnMik.^, or grayish edges of tlio

28 NORTH AMKiaCAN lilllDS.

fi'atlu'r.M ; frcnorally llic colms innrc hlciiilcil. ("iciiciiil iipponrnnfo nlmvp li;;lit i iifoiis-
liiiiWM, (lie iiiti'rs<'ii|)iiliii' ii'}{i()ii slicakc'il vny oiisdlrli'ly willi iliiik lirow iii.sli-nitbiis, tlio
li'iitlicis ol' (lie crown siiiiiliir, with still diukci ''^olt'to cciitnil streaks. A siipcicilinry
Hiul VL'iy iiiilistiiicl iiu'dian cpDWii-stripc asiiy. I'iuIim- parts dull white, tlio breast ami
sides of thioat ami hody liroadly streaked witii dark hrownish-ruloiis ; darker in the
centre. A lij;ht niaxillaiy stripe. Sides of the liody and anal ref^ioii tiiij,'ed stronirly with
tlie colors of the rnnip. Under coverts lirown. Lenf,'lh. (!.7o ; win;,'. '2.7tl; 'ail, ;!.()(•.
Legs rather darker than in vielot/in. iiill from nostril, ..'!7 ; from forehead, .(iO.
Hah. Pacifif eoiust of the Unileil States to Hrilish Cohnnhia.

A yotiiio liird from Xapa Valley, Cal. (12,012, ('oloiiol A. .1. (Jray.soii),
probably rel'i'rrilik' to tlii.s race, (lill'or,s I'roni the cori'csiioiicliii}.j .staoe of
heermunni, fn/i<t,r, and melodin in tlio following resjxicts : the },'roiin(l-c(ilor
above i.s much darker, l)eing dull dingy-brown, and the du.sky streak.'^
broader; the white beneath has a . 'strong yellowish tinge, iind the pectoral
streaks are very broiid.

Hawts. Dr. Cooper character i /OS tiiia species as the most northern and
mountain-frecpicnting representative of the Song Sparrows, being a resident
of the higher Sierra Nevada and on the borders of the evergreen forests
towards tlie Columbia, and tlience northward, where it is the only species of
this genus, and where it is common down to the level of the sea. Speciuums
have been obtained at Marysville in the spring, by Mr. Crnil)er.

Dr. Cooper says tliat he lias also met with tiiis liird, iind found it pos-
sessing habits and songs entirely similar to those of tlie eastern M. nic/oi/id,
and resembling also those of the more southern J/, heermunni. He was
never able to meet with one of their nests, as, like other forest birds, they are
more artful in concealing their treasures than liirds that have become accus-
tomed to the .society and protection of man, and who, no longer wild, select
gardens as the safest places in which to liuild. In the mild winters usual
about the mouth of the Columbiii, the.se birds do not evince any disjMjsition
to emigrate, but come familiarly around the houses for their food, when the
snow has liuried their usual supjily.

Dr. Suckley remarks that this Finch is quite a common l)ird in the vicinity
of I'uget Sound, and that it is tliert; resident throiighoui the yetir. lie litis
found them in very diHerent situations ; some in thickets at the edges of
prairies, others in stranded drift-logs on open salt niiirshes, a.s well as in
swamps, and in the dense forests of the Douglass firs, pecidiar to the north-
west coast. Its voice, he adds, is, during the breeding-season, singularly
sweet and melodious, surpassing that of the Meadow Lark in melody and
tone, but unequal to it in force.

Tliis species is stated to be a constant resident in the district wherein it is
found, never ranging far from the thicket which contains its nest, or the
house in the neighborhood of which it finds food and protection. Alnioist
every winter morning, as well as during the summer, as Dr. Cooper states, its
cheerful song may be hciird 1'roni the garden or the fence, as if to repay those
whose presence has ju-otetited it from its ra])acioiis enemies. When unmo-

KRINGILLID.R — THE FINCH KS. .j!)

IcsUhI, it, liccuiiios vt'iy Ciiiiiiliiii', iirid tlic old liinls luiiiu' tlieir yoiiii;,' to tin-
(lour to feed, as soipii iis tlicv caii leave tlioir iicst, Tlieir soiifj; is said to so
clnseiy icsemblc tliat uf llie eastern liird, in iiielddy and variety, tliat iL is
ini|i(issii)le eitlier to tell wliicli is llie superior or to point out the dill'erencps.
In wild disLriiis it is always to lie I'onnd near the sides of brooks, in thickets,
from wliicli it jealously drives oil' other birds, whether of its own or other
species, as if it considereil itself the jiroprietor. Its nest is built on the
ground or in a low bush. Or. Coojier has seen newly lledj;ed yoiinj,' as early
as May (1, at Olynipia, though the rainy season was then hardly over.

Mr. Xuttall ]ironiainees its song as sweeter and more varied in tone than
that of the Song Sparrow. He heard their cheerful notes throughout the
summer, and every tine day in winter until the niontli of Xovendjer, particu-
larly in the morning, tluiir .song was still continued. Thoir nests and eggs
wore not distinguishable I'rom tho.se of F. mdodia. The nests were (iomposed
of dry grasses, lined with finer materials of the same, and occasionally with
deer's hair. He stales that they kee]) nnudi in low ground and alluvial situ-
ation.s, amidst rank \veed.s, willows, and lirandile.s, where they are frec^uently
to be seen hopping about and searching after in.sects, in the numner of the
Swam]) Sparrow, which they so nnicli re.send)le in their plumage. They are
usually very solicitiais for the safety of their young or for their nests and
eggs, keeping up an ince.ssant chirp. They raise several broods in a season,
anil are, like the Song Sparrow, also engaged nearly the whole of the summer
in the cares of rearing their young.

Mr. Townsend met with this sjiecies through several hundred miles of the
Platte country in great inimbers, as well as on the banks of the Columbia,
generally frecjuenting the low bushes of wormwood (ArUmidu). It apptsired
also to be a very ]»ugnacious species. Two of the males were ofttMi observed
fighting in the air, the beaten party going off crestfallen, and the concpieror
repairing to the neare.st bush to celebrate his triumph by his lively and tri-
umphant strains. He again met with these birds, though not in abundance,
in .Tunc;, 182"), at the mouth of the Lewis I'iver, on the waters of the ('olundjia.

This Sparrow was also found very numerous at Sitka, by Mr. liischolF, but
uo mention is made of its habits.

Melospiza melodia, \ar. ruflna, Baird.

RrSTT SONO SPARROW.

Emherr.it riifimi, " Buandt, Deso. Av. Uossic IS.'itl, tub. ii, 5 (.Sitka)," I^hn.u'Aktk. Pan-
sere/ III. rittinn, I?on,\1'. foiinii. IS'ill, 477. (T liis iimy leiur to PiisucirUa toinincndi, Imt
is more inoliably tlic jiicsent bird.) Mc/oxphu ciiicrea, FiNscn, Abli. Nat. Ill, LS7'-',
41 (Sitka). Caui Friiiijilla c. O.mki,.) M. giUtata, FiN.scH, Abh. Nat. Ill, lb72, 41
(Sitka). (Not PrmgiUa (j. Nutt.)

Sp. Char. Resembling M. guttnta in the undefined inarkinn;s, slender bili, etc., but
olivaeeous-browni.sh in.stead of rufous above, the darker inaiknigs sepia-lnowii instead

30 NORTH AMEIIICAN'UIUDS.

of ciislnnoous. Tlio whito beneath iiuicli tiiiguil with nsliy; jiiguliiiii-.iiiots blciidt'd, nnd
of II si'[)i.i-lin>\vii tint. Wing, .'i.ni) ; tail, .'i.dO; liiU .11 iVoiii nostril, ami .'i.'j dui'i) at ba-^o.
Hah. Xoilliwest coust. from British Cnlnnibia iidilliward. (>^ilkii.)

Tlie altovo cliamctors are thoso of u luiyo nurics of .speoimoiis from Sitka,
and a few points along the coust In iIrs Huuthwuid and nuitliward, and
loproscnt tlie avcnioo fciitiire.s of a race wliicli is intorinediato iKitwonii
(jnUtita and insi(jiii!<, in appuaranui! as well as in lial)itat. Tracing this
variety toward the Coliinihia IJiver, it grachially passes into tiio former, and
nortliward into tlio latter.

AVo have no distinctive information relative to the habits of this race.

Melospiza melodia, var. insignis, Baird.

XOOIAK SOKG 8FABB0W.

f Friiiitilla ciiiirca, Gmki.is, 1, 1788, 1)22 (bo-sril on Cincivous Finch, LATir. II, 274). —
I'kn.v. Ai<;. Zotil. II, 08 (IJnala.schkii). Enihi.fha eincrra, HoNAi'. ('(insi). ]8ri0, 478.
^fl■l(lS|riza tiisiijiiU, MaiiiI), Tians. C.'hicaf^o Aiail. I, ii, 18(iP, ]). ;!!!•, pi. .\xix, lig. 2. —
Dai.i, & Manmstki!, do, 11. 28.-.. — FiNsuii, Alili. Nat. Ill, 1872, 44 (Kodiak).

Pp. CnAii. Siuiimer plumage (52,477 $, Kodiak, May 24, 1808). Above biownisli-
])lnnibi'(insj outer surface of wings somewhat more brown, the greater cov(!rt.s slightly
rufe.sccnt. Interscaiiulars wilh medial broad bnt ob.solete streaks of sejiia-ljrown ; crown
and upper tail-coverts wilh more sharply defuuMl and narrower dusky .shaft-streaks.
Crown without medial light line. Iteneath grayish-while, inneli obscured Ijy browni.sli-
])lumhcous laterally. A whitish supraloral space, bnt no appreciable superciliary stripe ; a
whilisli maxillary stripe; beneath it an irregular one of du.sky .sepia; irregular streaks of
dark grizzly-scpia on breast and along sides, blended into a broad crescent across tho
jngulmn. Wing, .'i..'}!); tail, o.oO ; bill, .48 from nostril, .28 deep at base, and .21 in tho
middle, the middle of the culmen being much depiesseJ, its extremity rather abruptly
deeurved.

Aiihnnnal pluniiKje (00,102, Kodiak, received from Dr. J. F. Brandt). Differs very
remarkably in appearance from the preceding. The pattern of coloration is everywhere
])lainly plotted, there being a distinct vertical an<l .sluirply defined superciliary stripe.
Ground-color above ashy, somewhat overlaid by rusty, except on the sides of the neck.
Whole crown, outer surface of wings, iind dorsal streaks, rusty rufous; l)lnck streaks on
erown and npi)er tail-coverts obsolete. Beneath pure white medially, tho markings rusty
rufous. Wing, 3.30; tail, 3.00 ; bill, .47 and .30.

Had. Kodiak and Tlnalaschka.

This race represents the extreme extent of variation in the species, and it
would be diliiciilt for a species to proceed farther from the nornuil standard;
iniieed, the present bird is so dilferent even in form, especially of bill, from
mclodui, that, were it not for the perfect series connecting them, few natural-
ists would hesitate to place them in different genera.

H.vBiTS. No inforniation has so far been jaiblished in reference to the
nesting of this Sj^arrow, or of any jieculiar habits.

Kin.NfiiLLiD.i'; -Till'; I'Mncfiics. 32

Melospiza lincolni, liAiiti).

LINCOLN'S FINCH.

FriiiijUla lim-nhii, Ai'i). Oni. 'tin;;. II, 1834, SHil, pi. rxi'iii. — Nl'TT. Mini. I, (-Jil cd.,) is id,
riilU. LiiHin'a 'iiu-nhii, Ulcii. l.Lst. 1S37. I'dnsiiviitii-i linen/iii, Umnai'. l-i>t, 1.h;)k.
J'tucitti liiiniini, Aiii). Synopsi.s, 1,h;!!>, \Vi. — In. lliid.s Am. Ill, ISU, llii, pi. clxxvii.
— lloNAI'. (oiisii. iHi'id, 181. III. CoiDiitivs Hcli'liis, XXVII, IS'it, lt2(). Mi/n.sj,i:,i.
lincolni, B.viiin, liinl.s N. Am. I8,'i8, 48'2. — D.M.i. & ItA.N.MsiKU, Tr. t'li. Ac. I, Ksii'.i,
285 (Alaska). — Cooi-kh, Orii. t'al. I, :!1(5. J'lisnerculun zoiinritui, (Mr.) Sulateii, I'r.
ZiHil. Sor. 18,'i«, 305.

.^1'. CiiAK. <icii('nil iis|)0(;t, aliovo tlial of M. mrladiit, Init jiatcr ami li'S.s rcilili.sli. (^rowii
(lull i;licsliiut, with a iiii'dian and laturnl or .-iiipi'n;iliaiy asli-coloii'd sliipi!; rai/li Icallicr
iiliovu .stivaki-'J uL-ntrnlly with hluck. Hack with luirrow streaks of liluok. Huncath
wliit(>, with a iiia.xillary stript! (Mirvin); round lichlnd the i-nr-covorts ; a wcll-dulincd liaiid
acM-o.ssthclMca.st, (■xli'iidiii},'ilowii tlic .sides, and tlio under tail-covcrt.s, of l)rownish-ycl!()W.
Tin; nia.xiilary stripe inargiiied aljovc and la'low with lines ol' hlaek sputs and a dusky
lino liehind eye. Tlie throat, upper part of ljrea.st, and sides of the body, with streaks (d"
blaek, snialltvst in the middle of the former. The pectoral l)and.t are sometimes paler.
]!ill above dusky; l)ase of lower jaw and kys yellowish.- Lenjrtli, 5.00; wirifj, 2.')0.

Hah. I'nited Stales from Atlantic to ]'a<Mlic, north to the Yukon Uive d tluj
Mackenzie, and .south throu<i;h Mexico to ranama. Oaxi a (Si-i,. 18.')8, .'(().'{) ; Xalapa
(Sci.. ISolJ, 305) ; Guatemala (Scl. Ibis, I, 18) ; Vera Cniz, winter (.Sr.v. M. B. S. I, .Wi;.

Tliero is little or no tliffovence in .specimens of tliis liinl IVoin the whole
of its miijif, except tliat one Ironi near AspinwiiU is consi(lei'iil)ly smaller tlian
usual, the streaks on the back narrower, and tlie color alwive more reildish.
A young bird from Fort Simpson, on the Mackenzie, is much like the adult.

Hadits. Lincoln's Finch wtis first met witli by Mr. Audubon in Labriidor,
and named in honor of one of his companions, Mr. Thoniiis Lincoln, now
residing at Dennysville, Maine, by wliom tlie first specimen was procured.
His atttmtiou was attracted to it by the sweet notes of its song, which, he
states, suipass in vigor those of any of our Amcirican Si)arrows with which
he was acquainted. He describes this song as a comiiound of the notes
of a Canary and a Woodlark of Europe. The bird was unusually wild, and
was procured with great difficulty. Other specimens, afterwards obtained,
did not (ixhibit the same degree of wildness, and they became more com-
mon as the jiarty ]iroceeded farther north. He did not meet with its nest.

He descrilies tlie habits of this species as resembling, in some respects,
those of tiie Song Sparrow. It mounts, like that bird, on the topmost twig of
some tall shrub to chant for whole hours at a time, or dives into the thickets
and hops firm branch to branch until it reaches the ground in search of those
insects or borries on which it feeds. It moves swiftly away when it discovers
an enemy, and, if forced to take to flight, flies low and rapidly to a consider-
able distance, jerking its tail as it proceeds, and throwing itself into the thick-
est bush it meets. Mr. Audubon found it mostly near streams, and always
in the small valleys guarded from the prevalent cold winds of that country.

32 NORTH A.MKUK'AN lUliDS,

Ho also doscriltos tins species as einineiitlv petulant and ])U<:;n.acious.
Two males would (il'teu ])ui'sue each citlicr until the weaker was ioreed to
abandon the valley, and seek ref'u^'e elsewheit^ lie seldom saw more than
two or tliree jmirs in a tract of severid miles in extent. I>y the 4th of -Inly
tlie youn^n' had left their nests and were following their ]iarents. As from
that time the old birds ceased to sing, he iiderred that they raised Imt one
Itrood in a season. Before he lelt Labrador these birds had all disappeannl.

Altliough first discovered on the coast of Ldjrador, snbseiiuent e\[ihirations
have shown this l)ird to be fir more common at the West tiian it is at the
East, M'iiere indeed it is exceeilingiy I'are. Not a specimen, that I am aware
of, has ever been found in Maine, allhougli it probably does uecasionally occur
there; and only a very few isolated indi\iduids had been taken in Massa-
chusetts b(>fore the spi'ing of 1872, when they were noticed by Mr. Brewster
and Mr. lleiishaw in considerable nund)ers. These birds, seven or eight in
number, were .shot, with two excejitions, in May, between the 1-tth and the
2r)th. Three were taken in Springiield by ^Ir. Allen, one in Xewburyport
by Mr. lloxie, two in Hudson by l\Ir. Jill.son, and two in Candiridge by
Mr. lirew.ster. The latter were olitair.ed, one in Sejitendjer and the other in
October. In ^lay, 1872, Mr. Brewster obtained six t)thers. Mr. Allen iiad
met with this Finch in Wayne County, X. \'., in May, where it was not
uncommon, and in Xorthern Illinois, where it was quite numerous. A few
have been taken near Xew York City, and in the neighborhood of ridla-
delphia, where they are regardetl as \ery I'are. Professor Baird, however,
frequently met with them at Carlisle, I'enn.

Farther west, from the Mississii)])i Valley to the Pacific, tliey are much
more common. Mr. liiiigwav states that they oceasionallv winter in South-
ern Illinois, where they frequent retired thickets ne-'v open ilelds. Tiiey
have been found breeding near Ilacine, Wis., by Dr. Hoy, and have been met
with also in Nebraska in considerable numbers ; and, during the breeding-
season, ^Ir. Audubon met with them on the Up]ier Missouri.

From ^larch to May Mr. Dresser found these birds very abundant in the
fields near the San Antonio Iliver. and in some swamjiy grounds. They
seemed to prefer tlnil sort of locality, and the banks of the river, keei)ing
among the ilags and rushes. Their stomachs were found to contain small
seeds. Mr. Lincecum also met with a few in Washington County of the
same State.

It was not met with in Arizona by Dr. ('ones, but Dr. Kennerly found it
in the month of February from tiie Uig Sandy to the (Jreat Colorado I'iver.
It confined itself to the thick busiies along the streams, and when seen was
generally busily iKjpjung from twig to twig in search of food. When started
up, its ilight was very rapid and near the earth.

Dr. Ileermann obtained this sjiecicss, not unfrequently, botli in Northern
California and in the Tejoii Valley. On all occasions he found it in company
with flocks of S]»arrows, composed of several species.

FRINaiLLID.E — THE FINCHES. 33

Lieutonaiit Conch took this wpccios at Tiuiiiir.lipas, Mexico, and at Tirowns-
ville, S()uthwc8l(.'ni To.xas, in JMarch. Jtha.s also lieen seen in Alay, at the
Forks of the Saskateliewan, by Captain lUakiston.

Lincoln's Finch was met with by iMr. liidgway in abundance only durin<,'
its siiring and fall niiij;vations. Towards tiie last of April it was (piite
connnon in wet bnishy places in the vicinity of Carson City. It was next
observed in October among the willows bordering Deep Creek, in Xorlhcrn
Utah. In the weedy pastmes in Parley's Park it was a connnon species,
frequenting the resorts of the Z. Icncvphriis. A nest, with young, was dis-
covered near tlie camp. It was embedded in the ground, beneath a bush.
Its song he did not hear, only a single chuck, almost as loud as that of the
Passcrcfla schist ace a .

Dr. Cooper reports this species as near San Diego aliout IMarch 25. Large
flocks were then passing northward. Diiring the day they ke])t auKjng the
gra.ss, and were rather shy and silent. They seemed to have a good deal of
the hal)its of the Panserculus, and to differ much in their gregariousness, their
migratory habits, and their /'eneral form, from the otiier j]/c/i)sj)i:a: Dr.
Cooper did not meet witli any of tlu^se birds in the Colorado A''alley, nor lias
he seen or heard of any iiaving been found in California during the summer.
The M. lincolni has been found breeding up to high Arctic latitudes. It was
met with l>y Mr. Kennicott at Fort Simp.son and at Fort Resolution. At the
latter place its nests were found between the 2d and the 14th of June.
They were also ol)tained in Alay, June, and July, at Fort Simpson, by Mr.
I). Ik. lio.ss, and at Yukon Kiver, Fort L'ae, Nulato, and other localities in the
extreme northern regions, by Messrs. Iieid, Lockhart, Clarke, Kirkl)y, and
Dall. On ^It. Lincoln, Colorado, above eight thousand feet, Mr. Allen found
this Sparrov,' very numei'ous.

Tiiis Finch Mas found by Salvin about the reeds on the margin o*" T.oke
Dnenas, Guatemala, in Fel>ruary, but was not common. It is conuu , ...
the winter montlis, near Oaxaca, Mexico, where it was taken by Mr. Iloucard.

Mr. Kennicott saw its nest June 14. This was on the groiuid, built in a
bunch of grass in ratiier an open and dry place, and containing five egg.s.
The female ['"rmitted Iiim to aj)))roach very close to her, until he finally
caught her on the nest with his lieating-net. Another nest was placed
in a bunch of grass growing in tiie water of a small grassy pond. The
nest contained four eggs and one young bird.

The nest and eggs of this species had been previously discovered by Dr.
lloy, near Iiacine. Tiiis is, I believe, the first instance in which it was iden-
tified by a natumlist, as also the mo.st southern point at which it has ever
l)een found. The.se eggs measure .74 by .00 of an inch. They have a pale
greenish-white ground, and are thickly marked with dots and small blotches
of a ferruginous-l)rown, often so numerous and confluent as to disguise and
partially conceal the ground.

viii,. 11, 5

34 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Melospiza palustris, Baird.

SWAMP SPARBOW.

Fringi/la palitstrui, Wilson, Am. Orii. Ill, 1811, 49, pi. xxii, f. 1. — Arn. Om. Biog. I,
1831, 331 ; V, 508, pi. l.xiv. Fringilla (Spka) pnlitstri.i, Ho.nap. Ob.s. Wilson, 182;'i,
No. 10;'). Piissnrii/iin iialtMtris, Udnap. lii.st, 1838. — In. t'onspectus, 1850, 4S1.
Aiiimmlromus juilu.itris, Ari>. Syii. 183!t. — In. Birds Am. Ill, 1841, 110, \A. clxxv.
Mi'liKjuzii palustriii, Haii'.i), BinLs N. Am. 1858, 483. — Sami'KI.s, 323. ! Fi-imjil/a
gcorijiami, Lath. Index Orn. I, 1790, 400 (iieilmps Pcucom astivnlin). — Liciir. Verz.
1823, No. 251. Fringilla (Aiiimoilromun) tjconjiana, Nurr. Miin. I, (2d(!d.,) 1840, 588.

Sp. Char. Jfiddle of the crown uniform chestnut; forehead black; .superciliary streak,
sides of head and back, and sides of neck, ash. A brown stripe behind the eye. Back
with broad streaks of black, which are edged with rusty yellow. Beneath whitish,
tinged with ashy anteriorly, especially across the breast, and washed with yellowish-
brown on the sides. A few obsolete streaks across the breast, which become distinct on
its sides. Wings and tail slnnigly tinged with rufous; the tertials black, the rufous
edgings changing abruptly to white towards the end. Lengtli, r).7"); wing, 2.40.

Female with the crown scarcely reddish streaked with black, and divided by a light
line. Young cons])icuously streaked beneath the head, above nearly uniform blackish.

IIab. Eastern North America from the Atlantic to the ^[issouri ; north to Fort Simp-
•son.

Ill autuiiiii tlie male of tlii.s species lia,s the feathers of tlie crown each
with a black streak ; and the centre of the crown with an in listinct light
.stripe, materially chanoing its appearance.

The forehead is usually more or less streaked with black.

In the inicertainty whether the Friiif/il/d (jcimjiniia of Latham be not
rather the Fvucav a'fffiva/ia than the Swamp S])arro\v, I think it best to
retain Wilson's name. It certainly applies as well to the latter, which has
the black sub-maxillary streak, and the chin and throat more mouse-colored
than in 2^ii/us(ris.

Hahits. Owing to the residence of this species in localities not favoring
fre(|ucnt visits or careful explorations, and still more to its shy and retiring
habits, otu- writers have not been generally well iiiformed as to the history
p..d general niiinners of this peculiar and interesting Sparrow. Its irregular
distribution, its abuiu^ance only in certain and unusually restricted locali-
ties, its entire absence from all the Piu'rounding neighliorhoot!, and its secre-
tiveness wherever found, have all combined to throw doubt awd obscimty
over its movements. Unless ])ur])ftsely looked for and perseveringly hunted
i.p, the Swamp Sparrow might exist in large numbers in one's immediate
neighliorhood and yet entirely escape notice. Even now its whole story
is but imperfectly known, and more careful investigation into its distribution
and gijiieral habits will doubtless cleiu' up several obscure points in regard
to its movements.

From what is now known, we gather that it occurs throughout the eastern
portions of Xorth America, from the Southern States, in which it passes the

FRINGILLID.K — THE FINC1IE8. 35

wintry months, to high nurthern hititiules, where some find their way in the
breeihng-seiisou, extending as i'ar to tlie west at least as the Missouri Itiver
region.

I'iiree specimens were obtained at Fort Simpson, by Mr. Keiiuicott, in Sep-
tember, whicli intUeates their probable summer jiresence in hititude '1')°, and
their near approach to the racitie coast at tiie extreme northwestern ]i(jrtion
of their distribution. Audubon also met with them in Niwl'oiuidland and
in Labrador. They are known to breed as far to the south as Tennsyl-
vania. They have been taken in the eastern jiortion of Nebra.ska, and breed
in consiileralile numbers in Southern Wisconsin. Further investigations in
regard to its distribution will probably show it to be a much more widely dis-
tributed as well as a more abundant bird than Iut- been generally su]»posed.

Mr. Ividgway writes me that this bird winters in Southern Illinois, and
remains there very late in the spring, but he thinks that none remain to
breed.

Wilson states that it arrives in Penn.sylvania early in April, where it fre-
(pients low grounds and river-courses, rears two and sometimes three broods
in a season, and returns to the South as the cold weather commences. Dur-
ing the winter, he met with them in large numbers in the innnen.se cyi)ress
ewamps and extensive grassy flats of the Southern States, along the numer-
ous rivers and rice plantations. These places abounded with their favorite
seeds and other means of sustenance, and appeared to be their general
places of resort at this season. From the river Trent, in North Carolina, to
the Savannah Itiver, and even farther south, Wilson found this species very
numerous. They were not found in Hocks, but skulked among the reeds
and grass, were shy and timorous, and seemed more attached to the water
than any others of this family. In Ajiril large nundjers pass through Penn-
sylvania northward. Only a few remain behind, and the.se frequent the
swamps and the reedy borders of creeks and rivers, lie found their nests
built in the ground, in tussocks of rank grass, suri'ounded by water, with
four eggs of a dirty-white ground, spotted with ruibus. He has found them
feeding their young as late as llie 15tl; of August. Their food seemed to be
principally gmss-seeds, wild oats, and insects. He supjwsed them to have
no song, and that their only note was a single clucp uttered in a somewhat
hoarse tone, 'ihey flirt (heir tails as they Hy, seldom or uev c take to trees,
but run and skulk from one low bush to another. ^

Excei)t in regard to their song, Wilson's account of their habits, so far as it
goes, is quite accurate, although this bird really does have quite a respectable
song, and one that improves as the season advances. At first it is only a
succession or repetition of a few monotonous trilling notes, which might
easily be mistaken for the song of the Field Sparrow, or even confounded
with the feebler chant of the sorialia, although not so varied as the former,
and is much more sprightly and pleasing than the other. Still later its
music improves, and more effort is made. Like the Soug Sparrow, it

30 NORTil AMKUICAN UIKUS.

mounts suiiie low twig, expiuids its tail-t'eatliers, ami gives forth a very
sprightly trill that eclioes tlirough tliu swampy thicket with an ell'ect which,
once noticed and identified witli the p(!i't'ormer, is not lii^ely to be ever niis-
tixken. Xnttall calls this song lond, sweet, and plaintive. It is to my ear
more sprightly than pathetic, and has a peculiarly ventriloquistic ellect, as
if tiie performer were at a much greater distance than he really is.

Tiieir food, when tliey first arrive, and that which tliey feed to tiieir young,
consists very largely of insects, prim'ii)ally coleopterous ones, with such few
seeds as they can glean. After the breeding-season, when their young can
take care of themselves, they eat almost exclu.sively the rijiened seeds of the
coarse water grasst^s anil sedges. Tliey are very devoted to their young, and
often display great solicitude for their safety, even when able to take care of
themselves, and often expose themselves to dangers they carefully avoid at
other times, and are thus more easily procured. At all other times they are
difficult to shoot, running, as they do, through the gra.ss and tangled thickets,
and rarely rising on tlie wing. They dive from thicket to thicket with great
rapidity, and even when wounded have a wonderful power of running and
hiding themselves.

Mr. Audubon met with them, during autumn and winter, among the flat
sand-bars of the Mississippi, wliich are overgrown with rank grasses. Though
not in flocks, their numliers were immense. They fed on grass-seeds and
insects, often wading for the latter in sliallow water in the manner of the
Trinyidcv,, and when wounded and forced into the water swimming off to
the nearest shelter. He also met with these birds abundantly dispersed in
the swamps of Cuyaga Lake, as well as among those along the Illinois Iliver
in the sununer, and in the winter up tiic Arkansas IMver.

Mr. Townsend oliserved these birds on the head-waters of the Upper Mis-
soiu'i, but did not meet with them beyond.

In Maine, Mr. Boardman gives it as a regular summer visitant at Calais,
arriving there as early as March, becoming connnon in May, and breeding in
that locality. rrofe.s.sor Verrill found it in Western Maine, a summer visitant
and breeding, but did not regard it as common. From my own experience, in
the neigiiborhood of Boston, I should have said the same as to its infrequency
in Eastern Massaciiusetts, yet in certain localities it is a very abundant sum-
mer resident. Mr. William Brewster has found it breeding in large num-
bers in the marshes of Fresh Pond, where it arrives sometimes as early as
the latter part of Marcli, and where it remains until ^oveml)er. In the
western part of the State it is more commor. as a migratory bird, and has not
been fouiul, in any numbers, stojjping to breed. Mr. Allen never met with
any later than May 25. Tiiey were observed to be in company with tlie
Water Thrush, and to be in every way as atjuatic in their habits. In the
autunui he again met with it from the last of September through October,
always in bushy marshes or wet ])lac( s. j\Ir. ^Icllwraith states that in the
vicinity of Hamilton, Ontario, it is a common summer resident, breeding

FlUNGILLIDvK — THE FINCIIKS.

37

there in luarsliy situations. At Lako Koskonoiij^, in Wisconsin, Mr. Kuni-
lien has also met witli tiio.so birds abundantly in suitable localities, and found
their nests and ejigs ([uite plentiful.

Mr. Kidgway has recently found this Sparrow to be a very abundant win-
ter resident in Southern Illinois, where it inhabits swampy thickets, and
Avhere it remains until ^lay, but is not known to breed there.

They always nest on the ground, usually in a depression sheltered by a
tuft of grass. The nest is woven of line grass-stems, but is smaller than
the nest of M. inclodia.

The eggs of this species, usually five in number, have an .average measure-
ment of .7<S by .GO of an inch. Their ground-cohn' is usually a light green,
occasionally of a light clay, marked and blotched with reddi.sh and ])urplisli
brown spots, varying in size and number, occasionally forming a confluent
ring around the larger end.

Genus FEUC2iA, Audubon.

Pcucaa, Arn. Synopsi.s, 1839. O'.vpe, Fi-imjilla as/ivalii.) Sci.aif.r & Salvin, 18C8,
322 (Syii()iKsi.>i.)

Grv. Char. Bill niodcriite. Uppor oiitlitio niid comniissiiio docidetUy cni'vod. Leg.*!
anil IV'ct witli the claw.s .small ; the tarsn.s
about equal to the iiiiildlo toe; the lateiid
toes equal, their claws falling considerably
short of the middle one ; the hind toe
reaching about to the iniddie of the latter.
The outstretched feet reach rather beyond
the middle of the tail. The wing is very
short, reaching only to the base of the
tail ; the longest tertials do not exceed the
secondaries, while both are not much short
of the primaries ; the outer three or four
quills are graduated. Tlie tail is consider-
ably longer tiian the wings; it is much

Peitrrrn fPstiralix.

graduated laterally ; the feathers, though long, are peculiarly narrow, linear, and ellipti-
eally rounded at the ends.

Color beneath plain whitish or brownish, with a more or less distinct dusky line each
side of the chin. Al)ove with broad obsolete brown streaks or blotches. Crown uniform,
or the feathers edged with lighter.

Species and Varieties.

Common CirARACTERS. A light superciliary stripe, with a brownish one below
it from the eye along upper edge of ear-coverts (not one along lower edge of
ear-coverts, as in Mehspiza). A narrow blackish " bridle " along side of throat
(sometimes indistinct). Crown without a distinct median stripe, ami lower jiarts
without markings. Ground-color above a.shy, .sometimes of a brownish east ;
dorsal region and nape with brown IMotches, with or without dark centres.
Crown blacki.sh-brown streaked with a.shy or plain rufous. IJeneath plain
brownish-white, lightest on the abdomen, darker across jugulum and along sides.

38 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

A. Crown plain rufous ; interscapulars without distinct black contres, and
tertinls without whitish border. JJIackish " bridle " conspicuous. Ucud of
wing fdpjcd with white.

1. P. ruficeps.

Above olivaceous-nsh, interscapulars with liroad streaks of dull
rufous, the shafts scarcely blackish. Crown bright rufous. \Vi"g,
2.40; tail, 2.70; bill, .21) from forehead, .20 deep; tarsus, .70;
middle toe without claw, .")"), Ilah. Calilbrnia (and Mexico in

winter?) var. ruficeps.

Darker, above brownish-iilumbeous, dorsal streaks scarcely rufous,

anil with distinctly black shaft-streaks ; crown darker rufous.

Wing, 2.40 ; tail, 2.fi0 ; l)ill, .34 and .2o ; tarsus, .77 ; middle tO(?,

.57. Hah. Mexico (Orizaba; Oa.xac.a), in summer . var. hoiicardi}

B« Crown streaked ; interscapulars with distinct black centres ; tertials

sharply bordered terininally witli paler. "Bridle" obsolete; bend of wing

edged with yellowish.

2. P. eestivEiliB. Above unilbrmly marked with broad streaks or lon-
gitudinal blotches of deep rufous; ))Iack streaks confuicd to interscapu-
lars and ciown. Tail-feathers without darker shaft-stripe, and without
indications of darker bars ; the outer feathers without distinct white.
Black marks on upper tail-coverts inconspicuous, longitudinal.

The bluish-ash, and chestnut-rufous streaks above sharply con-
trasted; black dorsal streaks broad. Wing, 2.45; tail, 2.05 ; bill,
.30 and .30 ; tarsus, .73 ; middle toe, .GO, Ilah. Southi;rn States
from Florida and Georgia to Southern Illinois . . \i\v. amtiv alt k.

The dull ash and light rufous streaks above not sharply defined ;
black dorsal stre.iks narrow. Wing, 2.05; tail, 3.00; bill, .32 an<l
.25 ; tarsus, .80 ; middle toe, .03. Hah. Southern border of the
Arizona region of Middle Province of United States . .var. arizonw.

Markings badly defined as in the last, but the rufous streaks
darker (in summer plumage almost entirely lalack), with more black
on the crown. Wing, 2.55 ; tail, 2.05 ; bill, .32 and .25 ; tarsus,
.80; middle toe, .CO. Hah. Mexico (Orizaba ; Mirador, Colima).

var. h otter ii .'■'

3. P. cassini. Above marked evcT-ywhere with broad short streaks of
pale (not reddish) brown streaks, all black medially. Tail-feathers with

• Zcmotrichia boucardi, Sci.ArEit, 1*. Z. .S. 1867, 1, J)l. i, La Puebia, Mex. (scarcely dcfuiablc
as distinct from riijurps).

" Pcuctca botkrii, .Sci.ArEi!, Cut. Am. 15. 1862, 116 (Zomtrichia b. V. Z. S. 1857, 214), Ori-
zaba. Colurnicubui mcxkaiia. Lawk. Ann. N. Y. Lye. VIII, 1867, 474 (Colima).

Tliis form (•.in scarcely be defined separately from wstivalia. The type of C. iruxkamis,
Lawu., is inidistinguishable from Orizaba speeimens. A specimen in the worn summer plumage
(44,752 9 1 Mirador, .Tuly) dilTers in having the streaks above almost wholly blnek, with scarcely
any rufous edge ; the crown is almost luiiforndy blackish. The feathers are very much worn,
however, and the specimen is without doubt n^l'errible to boUcri.

The Peiicwa noloslida of Sci.ArKR (P. Z. S. 1868, 322) we have not seen ; it apjiears to differ
in some important respects from the forms diagnosed above, and may, jrassihly, be a good species.
Its place in our system ai)])ears to be with section " A," but it differs from ruficeps and boucardi
in the median stripe on the ci'own, aifd the black streaks in the rufous of the lateral portion,
the blacker streaks of the dorsal region, and some other less important points of coloration. The
size appears to be larger than in any of the forms given in our synopsis (whig, 2.70 ; tail, 3.00).
Hab. States of Puebia and Mexico, Mex.

FRIXGILLID.E — THE FIXCIIK3. 39

distinct Mankisli Kliafl-stripo, tlii'owinf;; o(T narrow, ohsoloto liars toward
the edge of the f'eathors. Outer tail-leatliors distinctly tipped (l)roadly)
and edged with dull white, lilack marks on upper tail-eoverts very
largo, transverse. Beneath nearl}' uuil'orni dull white, scarcely darker
along sides and across breast ; flanks with broad streaks of blaekish-
hrown. Wing, '>.'>') ; tail, 2.S0 ; bill, .28 an<l .23 ; tarsus, .08 ; middle
toe, .")"), Ilab. Km Grande, region (San Antonio and Laredo), north
to Kansas (Allen).

Feucsea sestivalis, Cabants.

BACHMAirS SFABBOW.

FringiUa (vativaUs, LicilT. Verz. Douhl. 1823, 25, No. 254. — Bonai'. Consppctiis, 1850,
481. Pi-iiara (cslivalis, Cabanis, JIus. Iloin. 1850, 132. — Baiim), Birds N. Am. 1858,
484. Frinijilla bachmuni, Aun. Orn. I5iog. II, 18;14, 36(5, pi. elxv. Ammoilrovnis
hachmani, BoN. List, 1838. Pcuccca bachmani, Aun. Syii. 1839. — In. Birds Am. Ill,
1841, 113, 1)1. clx.xvi. — Bon. Consp. 1850, 481 (type). Frimjilln wsliva, Nirrr. I, (2d
od.,) 1840, 568. " Hummer finch, Latham, Synopsis, (2ded.,) VI, 136." Nuttall.

Sp. Char. All the feathers of the upper parts rather dark brownish-red or chestnut,
margined with bluish-ash, which almost
forms a median stripe on the crown. Inter-
scapular region and njiper tail-coverts with
the feathers becoming black in the centre.
An indistinct a.shy snpiM'ciliary stripe. Under
parts pale yellow-brownish, tinged with
ashy on the sides, and with darker brownish
acro.ss the upper part of the breast. A faint
maxillary dusky line. Indistinct streaks of
chestnut along the sides. Edge of wing
j'ellow; lesser coverts tinged with greenish.
Imiermost secondaries abruptly margined
with narrow whitish. Legs yellow. Bill

, , ,, . . , , r^ •! Pmririi irslivalis.

above dusky, j'ellowish beneath. Outer tail-
feathers obsoletely marked with a long blotch of paler at end. Female considerably
smaller. Young with rounded dusky specks on the jugulum, which is more oehraceous.
Length, 0.2.5 ; wing, 2.,30 ; tail, 2.78.

Had. Georgia; Florida; South Illinois, breeding (Ridgwav). (Perhaps whole of
Southern States from Florida to South Illinois.)

Specimens from Soutliein Illinois (Wiibasli Co., July, 1871; coll. of R
Ridgway) are similar to Florida examples.

Habits. iJachman's Finch has only been known, until very recently, as
a species of a very restricted range, and confined within the limits of the
States of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Our principal, and for some
time our only, knowledge of its habits was derived from the account fur-
nished by Rev. Dr. Bachman to ^Ir. Audubon. Tliat observing naturalist first
met with it in the month of A[)ril, 1832, near Parker's Ferry, on the Edisto
River, in South Carolina. Dr. Henry Bryant afterwards met with this
species at Indian River, in Florida, where he obtained specimens of its nests

40 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

ami oggs. Pr. Alexander (lerliardt also found these Sparrows common at
Varnell's Station, in tlio nortliein part of (•leorjjtia. Professor .losepli Ix'conte,
lias taken it near Savannah, and Mr. W. L. Jones has also ol)tained several
specimen • m Liberty County, in the same State.

After nicctin;^ with tliis sjiecies on tlie Kdisto, Dr. Bachman ascertained,
upon searching; for tliem in tlie vicinity of Cluirlestown, tiiat they breed in
small numbers on the jiine barrens, alwut si.x miles nortli of that city. He
was of the opinion that it is by no means so rare in tliat State as has been
su]>])osed, but that it is more often heard than seen. Wiien he first heard
it, tlie notes so closely resembled those of the Towhee IJunting that for a
while he mistook tliem for those of that bird. Their greater softness and
some slight variations at last induced him to suspect that tlie bird was
something difl'ereiit, and h'll him to go in })ursuit. After that it was cpiite a
common thing for him to hear as many as five or six in tiie cour.se of a morn-
ing's ride, but he found it almost impossible to get even a sight of the bird.
This is owing, not so much to its being so wild, as to the habit it has of
darting from the tall pine-t''ees, on which it usually sits to warble out its
melodious notes, and concealing itself in the tall broom-grass that is almost
invariably found in the places it fro([uents. As soon as it alights it runs off,
in the manner of a mouse, and hides itself in the grass, and it is extremely
difficult to get a siglit of it afterwards.

It was supposed liy Dr. IJachnmn — correctly, as it has been ascertained —
to breed on the ground, where it is always to be found when it is not singing.
He never met with its nest. In June, 185.'^, he observed two pairs of these
birds, each having four young. They were pretty well fledged, and were fol-
lowing their parents along the low scrul)-oaks of the pine lands.

Dr. Bachman regarded this bird as decidedly the finest songster of the
Sparrow family with which he was acquainted. Its notes are described as
very loud for the size of the bird, and capable of being heard at a consider-
able distance in the pine woods where it occurs, and where at that season
it is the only singer.

He also states that, by the middle of November, they have all disap-
peared, ])robably migrating farther south. It is ([uite probable that they
do not go beyond tlie limits of the United States, and that some remain in
South Carolina during the whole of winter, iis on the Gth of February, the
coldest part of the year, Dr. Bachman found one of them in the long grass
near Charleston.

Mr. Audubon says that on his return from Florida, in June, 18fi2, travel-
ling through both the Carolinas, he observed many of these Finches on the
sides of the roads cut through the pine woods of South Carolina. They
filled the air with their melodies. He traced them as far as the boundary
line of North Carolina, but saw none within the limits of that State. They
were particnlarly abundant about the Great Santee liiver.

This Finch, hitherto assumed to be an exclusively southeastern species, has

FRI\GILLID/E — THE FIN'CIIKS. 41

rocontly boon dotocteil liy ^Fr. Hidgway in Southern Illinois, whore it is a
.sunimcr resident, and where it breeds, but is not abundant. It inhabits old
fields, where, perched u]ion a fence-stake or an old dead tree, it is described
as clianting a very delightful song. It was first taken on the 12th of >hi\y,
1871, on the road about half-way between Mount Carniel and Ohiey. The
bird was then seen on a fence, and .'ts unfamiliar appearance and fine song
at once attracted his notice as he was riding l)y. As several were heard
singing in the same neighborhood, it seemed coninion in that locality, and
as a young bird was taken in its first plumage there is no doubt that it is a
regular summer visitant of Southern Illinois, and breeds there. Mr. IJidg-
way speaks of its song as one of the finest he has ever heard, most reseni-
Iding the sweet chant of the Field Sparrow, but is stronger, and varied
l)y a clear, high, and very musical strain. He descriltes its song as resem-
bling the syllables tM^e'^^eimi-iut, iTit-lut, tlie first being a very fine trill
pitched in a very high nnisical key, the last syllable abrupt and metallic in
tone.

The food of this species, Dr. Hachman states, consists of the seeds of grasses,
and also of coleo])terous insects, as well as of a variety of the small berries
so abundant in that ])art of the country. He speaks of its Higlit as swift,
direct, and somewhat protracted, and adds thai it is often out of sight before
it alights.

Dr. Coues did not meet with this Sparrow in South Carolin.a, b>it he was
informed by Professor Leconte that it occurs about Columbia and elsewhere
in the State, frecpieuting open pine woods and old dry fields.

Dr. 15ryant met with its nest in Florida, April 20. It was similar, in con-
struction, to that of the Savannah Sparrow, and contained five eggs. It was
the only S])arrow found by him in the pine barrens near Enterprise, and
was only seen occasionally, when it was a very dilficult bird to shoot, as it
rims round in the grass more like a mouse than a bn-d, and will not fiy
until almost trodden on, then moving only a few feet at a time.

The nests of this bird, found by Dr. Bryant in Floi-ida and by Dr. <.Terhardt
in Northern Georgia, were all placed ui)on the ground and concealed in tufts
of thick grass, and constructed entirely of coarse wiry grasses, with no other
lining than this material. The eggs, four in number, are of a pure, almost
brilliant white, of a rounded oval shape, and measure .74 by .GO of an inch.

Peucsea aestivalis var. arizonse, Kidoway.

ABIZONA BPABBOW.

Pewma cassini, Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 486. (FiOs Nofjales specimen.)

Sp. CnAR. (6,327 ,J, Los Nogales, Northern Sonorn, June, C. B. Kennerly.) Similar
to /'. wslivalis, but paler; wirig.s and tail longer. Ahove light chestnut, all the feathers
margined and tipped with bluish-gray, but the reddish prevailiug. Interscapular and

VOL. ir, 0

42 NORTH AMKHICAN BIRDS.

crown rciitlicrs with ii iiiirrow strciik of Mark, tliosci on ciown indistinct. Bcnciith dull
wliilo, linj;"il willi iisliy-di'liniccoiis iicniss tlio lircast and uloni,' tiic sides; crissum pale
oi'hraccdiis. An olisnlcic lic;lit supciciiiary, and narrow dusiiy maxillary slripi'. JJcnd
of win^' yellow; lesser coverts tin(;ed with groonish-yellow. Lenj^th, 0 inches; wing,
2.0."); tail, 3.00; liill, .o'J from no>lril, .'25 deep at lia-se ; tarsus, .80; middle toe, .63.
Haii. Los Noj,'ales, Sonora, and .'^oiilliern Arizona.

This race lias a cDiisitliMalilc! rosi'iulilaiico to /'. trstivn/is, hut differs in
some a]t]iie(:ial)lo jioints. The hrowu of the iii)iter parts is paler, and the
ashy edyiiij,' to the feathers appears rather less e.xtensive. The dark hrowii
blotches on the hack are of greater extent, the black streaks on the back
continiHl to a mere streak alony the shaft. There is less of an olive tinge
acro.ss the breast.

The proportions of the present race differ more from those of a'stivalvi
than do the colors, the bill being more .slender, and the wings and tail con-
sideralily longer.

The resemblance to J', hottcvii (= wfitmdix, var. hottrrii) of Sclater, from
Middle Mexico (Orizaba, Colima, etc.), is very ch)se ; the difference being
greater in the ])roiH)rtioViS than in the colors, the latter having a shorter wing
and tail, with thicker bill, as in var. adivalis. In hutkrii there is rather a
predominance of the black over the rufous in tlie streaks above.

Hauits. This, in its general habits, nesting, eggs, etc., probably resembles
the variecv a'ufwn/vi.

Feucsea cassini, Baird.

CASSIN'S SFARBOW.

Zonotn'cliia en.isii)i, WooDiiorsK, Pr. A. N. Sc. Ph. VI, April, 1852, CO (San Antonio).
Pci.isemi/us cassini, WooDiioi'sE, Sitgrpavoa's Hep. Zufii and Colorado, 1853, 85 ; Birds,
pi. iv. Penccm cassini, Baikd, Birds N. Am. 1858, 485, pi. iv, f. 2. — Heermann,
X, c, II. 12, pi. iv, f. 2. — COOPEK, Orn. Cai. 1, 219 ^^ot from Cal.).

Sp. Char. (0,329 ^, Texas; compared with type of species.) Ground-color of
upper parts gr.ayish-asli ; the middU.' portion of each feather dull brown, in the form of li
blotch, and with a black shaft-.streak, the latter becoming modified on scapulars, rump,
and \ippcr tail-coverts, into transverse spots, tho.se on the upper tail-coverts being largo
and cons[)icuou.«, and in the form of erescentie .spots*, the terminal margin of the feathers
being lighter ashy in sharp contrast. Middle tail-feathers clear a.shy, with a sharply
defined shaft-streak of blackish, throwing olf obsolete, narrow, transverse bars towanl
the eilge ; rest of tail clear dusky-brown, the lateral leather with whole outer web, and
margin of the inner, dull white, all, except the intermediate, with a large, abruptly defined,
terminal .space of dilute brown (decreasing in size from the outer), the margin whitish.
Upper secondaries broadlj" and .sharply margined along both edges with dull ashy-white,
the enclosed portion being clear dusky brown, intensified where adjoining the whitish.
A very obsolete superciliary stripe of ashy, becoming whitish over the lore ; auriculars
more dingy, but without distinct .stripe along upper edge. An uninterrupted but indis-
tinct " bridle " along sides of throat. Lower parts dull white, without any ochraccous,
but with a very faint a.shy tinge ever the jnguluni ; Hanks with broad, somewhat blended

FIUNQILLID.K -TlIK FIXCIIKS. 4^^

streaks of mixed lirowiiish and dusky. Uoiul of win;; vAjjt'A witli li^dit yellow. Wiii^',
U.'jo; tail, 'J. 80; liill, M^ li-oni nostril and .23 duep; tai'sii.s, MH; middle l(>(!, .;V).

Yniitiy. (4r),277, Laiciio, Texas, .(iiiio 28.) Very similar, l)iit with a few drop-sliapod
stri'aks of dark lirowii on the jn^'uluni mid along sides. 'I'lie feathers uhovc have a more
npiueeialilo leriniiial bor(ler of hnH',

Haii. ]{io ( I rando region of Southern Middle Provinoo ; Kansas, hrcoding (Ali.f.n).
San Antonio, Texas, summer (Dukssek, Ibis, 18Go, 48!> ; eggs) ; V Orizaba, temp. reg. (Su.v.
M. U. S. 1, .Jul).

In the IJirds of North America, the specimen characterized on p. 637 of the
present work as wdivalis, var. arizona; was referred to P. casnni, those
si)ecimens which are here retained as such being considered iis in i[uite im-
mature phimage. A more recent exsimination of additional nniterial, how-
ever, lias compelled us to change our view. In coiLsetiuence of tlie similarity
of the specimen in ([uestion to a-ntivalia, as noted in the article refo.red to
above, the general acceptation of the name cassini has been that of a term
designating a variety of the common species ; but we have as the result of the
investigation in question found it necessary lo retain under the head of
" camni " only the typical specimens from the Rio Grande region, and refer
the sujiposed alierrant specimen to a4iv(ilis. Iii this Los Nogidcs specimen
we find existing such diflercnces in proportions and colors as are suliicient to
warrant our bestowing upon it a new name, and establisliing it as the jNIiddle
Province race of wdivalis, in this way connecting the South Atlantic and
Mexican races (var. wstivalis and var. hotterii) V)y a more similar form than
the P. cassini, which must be set apart as an independent form, — in all
probability a good species. Several facts are favorable to this view. First,
we have of the P. cassini specimens which are beyond question in perfect
adult plumage, and others which are undoubtedly immature ; they differ
from each other only in such respects as would be expected, and agree
substantially in other characters, by which they are distinguished from the
different styles of (vstivalis. Secondly, the region to be filled by a peculiar
race of ccstivalis is represented by the var. arizona; which is undoubtedly
reJ'errible to tliat species ; thus we have in one province these two different
forms, whicli therefore are probably distinct.

The present bird is hardly less distinct from the races of wstivalis than is
ruficcps ; and we would be as willing to consider all the definable forms pre-
sented in the synopsis as varieties of a single species, as to refer the present
bird to wstivalis.

Habits. This Finch, in its general appearance, as well as in respect to
habits, nesting, and eggs, is (luite similar to Bachman's Finch. It was first
met with by Dr. Woodhouse, in tlie expedition to the Zuni Kiver, when he
found it in Western Texas. He shot it on the prairies near San Antonio, on
the 25th of April, 1851, mistaking it for Passerciilus savanna, which, in its
habits, it seemed to him very mucli to resemble, but upon examination it was
found to be totally distinct.

Dr. Heermann afterwards, being at Comanche Springs in Texas, had his

44 NUUTII AMKIMCA.V HIUUS.

iittontioii attmcted by the now note of ii bird unfamiliar to him. It was
fiiuiid, after houio ()l).serviitit)ii, to imiceud from tliis spocies Ho desuribos
it as lisiiijf wi.n a ironiulous motion of its wiii;,'s some twenty feet or more,
and then descending' aj,'ain, in tiie same manner, to within a few yanls of
the spot wlienco it started, and as accompanyinj,' its entire fHj,'ht with a
len},'tliened and jdeasinf,' s(tn;,'. The ooinitry in tliat nei^diborliood is very
barren, covered witii low stunted liushea, in whicli the bird takes refuge on
Iteing alarmed, h1'i''"o I'upidly throuj^h the j,'rass and shrubbery, and very
adroitly and elfectually evadinjf its jjursuer. He observed them during four
or (ive days of tlie jijiirney of his ]iarty, and after that saw no more of them.
They aeemeil, at the time, to Ije migrating, though tiieir continued and oft-
repeated song also showed that they were not far from readiness for the
duties of incubation.

The Fi'idad eussini is said, by Mr. Sumichrast, to be a resident species in
the valley of Orizaba, in the Stale of Vera (,'ruz, Alexico, and to be gen-
erally distributed throughout the temperate region of that district. It is
very probable, however, that he has in view the Mexican race of P. (cstivalis
(var. hotterii), and not the present sjjccies.

Mr. J. A. Allen, who considers this bird only a western form of P. ccstiva-
lis, mentions (Am. Naturalist, May, 1872) finding it (juite frequently near
the streams in Western Kiinsas, where its sweetly modulated song greets
the ear with the first break of dawn, and is again heard at night till the
last trace of twilight has disappearetl. Mr. Allen also states, in a letter,
that this bird was " tolerably common along the streams near Fort Hays, but
very itiring, singing mostly alter nightfall and before sunrise, during the
morning twilight. Wiien singing, it had the habit of rising into the air. I
shot three one morning thus singing, when it was so dark I could not find
the birds. The one I obtained does not differ appreciably from specimens
from Mr. Cassin's collection, labelled by him Peuccca cassini, collected in
Texas."

Mr. Ividgway regards this record of the manners of this bird, while sing-
ing, as indicating a specific difference from P. aestivalis. The latter, in
Southern Illinoi.s, has never been heard by him to sing at night, or in the
morning, nor even on the wing; but in broad midday, in the hottest days of
June, July, and August, he often heaul them singing vigorously and sweetly,
as they perched upon a fence or a dead tree in a field, exactly after the man-
ner of our common Spizdla pusilla.

Among Dr. Ileermann's notes, quoted by Mr. Dresser, is one containing
the statement that he found this species not rare on the prairies near the
Medina Eiver, in Texas, where it breeds. Mr. Dresser also states that when
at Howard's Ranche, early in May, he found this bird by no means uncom-
mon. He confirms Dr. Heermann's account, that it is easily distinguished as
it rises in the air, from a bush, with a pecidiar fluttering motion of the wings,
at the same time singing, and then suddenly dropping into the bushes again.

KKIN(}ILLIIhK — TIIH FINC'IIKS. 45

He adds tlmt, in liis absence, Dr. Heennaiin jji-ocured tlie eygs of this species
on tile Mediim, and wliile lie vas iiiniself tniveliiii',' in .Inly towards Loiedo,
lie found a nest wliicli lie was fully eonfideiit lteloii<,'ed to this liird. It was
plaied in a low hush not aliove a *oot from tliti <,'roiind, and in its construe-
ti(jn resembled that of the I'oosjnza hUincittu. The e<,'^'s were three in num-
ber, i)ure white, ch)S(!ly agreeing,' with those taken by Dr. lleermann, and
larger and more el()ni,'ated than those of the biliindtti.

An egj,' of this species, taken in Texas by Dr. II. Ii. Storer, the identifica-
tion of which, however, was incomplete, is more oblong than the eggs of P.
mtivalis, and smaller, measuring .72 by .58 of an inch. It is pure white
also.

Feucsea ruflceps, Baird.

BVFOUS-CBOWNED SPABBOW.

Ammodromus rujiccps, '.'assin, I'r. A. N. Sc. VI, Oct. 1852, 184 (Cnlifoniia). — Ib. Illu.st.
I, V, 1854, 135, pi. XX. Pcuami rujiccpi', IJaikd, Birds N. Am. 1858, 480. — t'oopKU,
Orii. ('ill. I, 1870, 218.

Sp. Char. Above brownish-ashy. The crown and nape uniform brownish-chestnut,
the interscapular region and neck with the feathers of this color, except around the
margins. A superciliary lushy stripe, whiter at the base of the bill. Beneath pale
yellowish-brown, or brownish-yellow, darker and more ashy across the breast and on the
sides of body ; middle of belly and chin lighter ; the latter with a well-marked line cf
black on each side. Edge of wing white. Under tail-coverts more rufous. Legs
yellow. Length, 5.50 ; wing, 2.35 ; tail, 2.85.

Hah. Coast of California, to Mexico ; ? Oaxaca, JIarch (Scl. 1859, 380) ; ? Vera Cruz,
temperate region ; resident (Su.v. M. B. S. J, 552).

This plainly colored species has the bill rather slender ; tail rather long,
and considerably rounded ; the outer feathers .40 of an inch shorter than
the middle ; the feathers soft, and rounded at the tip. The wing is short ;
the primaries not much longer than the tertials ; the second, third, fourth,
and fifth nearly equal ; the first scar -ely longer than the secondaries.

There is a blackish tinge on the forehead, separated by a short central
line of M'hite, as in Spizclla .loeialis. The eyelids are whitish, and there i.? a
short black line immediately over the upper lid. There is a faint chestni't
streak Imck of the eye. The chestnut of the nape is somewhat interrupted
by pale edgings. The blotches on tlie back melt almost insensibly into the
colors of the margins of the feathers. The outer edges of the secondaries
and tertials, and the outer surface of the tail, are yellowish-rusty.

This bird is similar in general appearance to the P. wsiivalis, but has the
head above more continuous chestnut ; the black cheek-stripe more distinct,
and the edge of wing whitish, not yellow, the bill more slender. A Mexican
specimen has a stouter '-ill.

The P. houcardi of Sclater (= riificeps, var. honmrdi; see table, p. 634), from
Mexico, is exceedingly similar, it being very difficult to present the differences

46 NORTH AMERICAN- BIRDS.

in a diagnosis. This troublo is partly the result of the insufficient series at
our command, for there are such different combinations of colors, according
to the sea.son, tiiat it is almost impossible to select the average characters of
two definable forms.

Habi r.s. This species was lirst described, in 1852, by Mr. Cassin, from a
specimen obtained in California by J)r. Heermann. Very little is i<nown as
to its history, and it appears to have been generally overlooi<ed by natural-
ists wlio liiive studied the ornithology of that State. Tiie extent of its dis-
tribution or of its numbers remains unknown, — a circumstance due undoubt-
edly to tlie nature of the country wiiicli it frequents.

Dr. Heermann states that in tlie fall of 185 1 lie shot on the Cosumnes
Iiiver a single specimen of tliis bird i'roin among a large flock of Sparrows
of various kinds. In the spring of the following year, among the mountains,
near the Calaveras Eiver, lie found it (piite almndant. It was tlien flying in
pairs, engaged in picking grass-seed from the ground, and when started it
never extended its fligiit beyonil a few yards. Its notes, in their character,
reminded him of the ditty of our common little Chipping Sparrow {Spizdla
socialis). He obtained several specimens. Its fliglit seemed feeble, and when
raised from the ground, from which it would not start until almost trodden
on, it would fly but a short distance, and almost immediately drop again into
the grass.

Dr. Cooper has only met with tliis species on Cataliiia Island, in June,
where a few kept about the low bushes, feeding on the ground. They were
very difficult even to get a sight of. He heard them sing a few musical
notes, that reminded him of tlio.se of the Cyanonpiza'. They flew only a short
distance, and in their habits reminded him of the Mchii^pka'. Their favorite
places of resort he supposes to be pine woods, as in tlio eastern sjiecies.

The fact that this species has been found by ^Ir. Sumichrast to be a per-
manent resident throughout all tlie temperate regions of Vera Cruz is a very
interesting one, and is suggestive of different manners and habits from tliose
supposed to belong to it as a bird allied witli tlie Ammodrami. They are
abundant, and breed there, as in the United States, but nothing is given
throwing any positive light upon their general liabits.

Gen'us EMBERNAaRA, Tjcsson.

Embernagra, Le.sson, Traitc d'Oniitli 1831 (Aoassiz). (Type, Hallitlor viviiUs, Vil-.ILLOT.^

f'KN. Cinn. Bill (.'onical, L'lonjratod, coniiircssod ; tlio upper outline con.siilorably curvnl,
tliu lower straight ; tlio ooinniissure sliffbtly concave, and faintly notched at the end.
Tarsi lengtlieneil ; considerably lonirer than the middle toe. Oiitei toe a little longer
tlian the inner, not reaching quite to the liasc; of the middle claw. Hind toe about as
long as the middle without its claw. Wnigs vcTy short, and much rounded ; the tertials
nearly equal to the primaries; the socomlaries a little shorter; the outer foiir primaries
much graduated, even the second shorter than any other quill. The tail is muUerate,

FRINGlLLIDvE — THE F[XCIIES.

47

about as loii.tr as tlio win;rs. much giwluateil ; the feathers rather narrow, linear, and
elliiitically roinidod at tlu^ end; the outer welis more than nsually hroad in proportion to
the inner, being more than one third as wide. The upper parts are ohve-green, the under
whitish.

The position of this genus is a iniittor of consideriihle unccrtiiinty. On
some accounts it wouUl bo hotter phicetl among the <S)jc('/(<>'.

There are numerous tropical species of this genus ; none of them are
nearly allied, however, to the single North American species.

Embemagra ruflvirgata, Lawrence.

TEXAS SPABROW.

Embcrnngm nifivirgnta, Lawiien-ui;, Ann. N. Y. Lye. V, May, 1851, 112, ph v, f. 2 (Texas).

— Sci.ATKU, I'r. Zo(il. Sue. 185G, yoo. - Haiim., Birds X. Am. 1853, 487, pi. Iv. f. 2.

— Ib. Mi'x. Jiouud. 11, Birds, 16, pi. xvii, f. 2. Zouotrichia plebeja, Liuirr. Box.
Comptes Rend. 43, 1850, 413.

Sr. Chak. Above uniform olivaceous-green. A stripe on each side of the head, and
one behind the eye, dull brownish-rnfous, an
ashy superciliary stiipe whiter anteriorly. Un-
der part.'^ brownish-white, tinged with yellowish
posteriorly, and with olivaceous on the sides;
white in the middle of the belly. Edge of
wing, under coverts, and a.xillaries bright yel-
low. Young with the head-stripes obsolete.
Length, S.oO; wing, 2.G0; tail, 2.70.

IIab. Valley of the Rio Grande, and prob-
.ibly of Gila, southward ; Mazatlan, Mexico.
Oaxaca, April (Sei,. lS,-)9, .380) ; Cordova ;
A'era Cruz, temperate and hot region.s, breed-
ing (Sr.\f. M. 15. 8. I, Sni) ; Yucatan (LAwn.

1a, 201). £mtiemagra rttjiiirgata^ Liiwr.

In this species the bill is rather long ; the wings are very short, and much
rounded ; the tertials equal to the primaries ; the secondaries rather shorter ;
the first quill is .65 of an inch shorter than the seventli, which is longest.
The tail is short ; the lateral feathei-s nnich graduated ; the outer half an
inch shorter than the nuiKllo.

All tlie Mexican specimens before us have the bill stouter than those
from the Ifio fJrande of Texas, the stripes on tlie head api)arently better
defined. The back is darker olive ; the ila.iks brighter olive-green, not olive-
gray , the wings are apparently shorter. The t cs is not surticiently perfect
to show other differences, if any e.xist.

Haiut.s. In regard to tlie liabits and distribution of this species we are
entirely without any information, other tlian that it has been met with in tin;
valley of the Rio Clrande, and at various places in Mexico. Specimens were
obtained at New Leon, Mexico, by Lieutenant Couch, and at Ringgold Bar-

48

NORTH AMERICAN' BIRDS.

racks, in Texas, by ^Ir. J. H. Clark,
•with is not indicated by liim.

Emberna^rtt nifivlrgata.

The season when tliese birds were met

It is stated by ]\Ir. Sumiclirast
tliat this species is I'ound throughout
botli the temperate and the hot dis-
tricts of the State of Vera Cruz,
Mexico. He also mentions that he
has found this bird in localities quite
remote from each other, and belong-
ing both to the hot and to the tem-
peiiite regions. In the latter it is
found to the height of at least four
thousand feet.

This species was met with by Mr.
Boucard, during the winter months,
at riaza Vicente, in the hot low-

lands of the State of Oaxaca, Mexico.

SiiiiAMiLv FASSERELLINiE.

Char. Toes ami cl.iws \n-y stout ; the lateral flaws reaching beyond the middle of the
middle one; all very slightly cuived.

Bill conical, the outlines straight ; both mandibles equal ; wijigs long,
longer than the even tail or
.slightly rounded, reaching
nearly to the middle of its
exposed jiortion. Hind daw
bnger than its digit ; the toe
nearly as long as the middle
toe ; tarsus longer than the
middle toe. Brown altovc;,
either iniiformly ,so or faintly
streaked ; triangular spots 1 le-
low.

This section embraces a Passerdia nhoi.

single North American genus, chiefly characterized by the remarkable elon-
gatitm of the lateral claws, as well as by the ])eculiar sha])e and large size
of all the clavs ; the lateral, esjiecitilly, are so much lengthened as to extend
nearly as far as the middle. Tlie only approacli to tiiis, as far as I recollect,
among Ignited States Conirostroi, is in Pijnlo mcgixlonyx, and Xanthocc^)halus
ideroccplmlm.

FRINGILLID.'E — THE FUX'IIES. 49

Gf.xcs FASSERELLA, Swaixson.
Passcrcllu, Swainsos, Class. Hiids, 11, 1837, 288. (Type, /'mj(/t'Wa (7wtca,'MERREM.)

Gkx. Ciiak. Body stout. Bill coniciil, not notched, the outlines straight; the two
jaw.s of equal depth ; rooi'ol'uiniL'r niandiljle deeply excavated, and vaulted; not knohbed.
Tarsus scarcely longer than the middle toe ; outer too little longer than the inner, its
claw reaching to tlie middle of the central one. Hind too about cipial to the inner
lateral ; the claws all long, and moderately curved only ; the posterior rather longer than
the middle, and equal to itvS toe. Wings long, pointed, reaching to the niiddlc of the
tail ; the tertials .'^eareely longer than secondaries ; second and third qnills longest ; first
equal to tiie fifth. Tail very nearly even, scarcely longer than the wing. Inner claw
contained scarcely otie and a half times in its toe proper.

Color. Kufous or sla^y ; obsoletely streaked or uniform above ; thickly spotted with
triangular blotches beneath.

Species and Varieties.

Common Characters. tironnd-('<)lor above. slaty-Jisli, or sepia; wings, upper
tail-coverts, and tail more rufcseont. Beneath, pure white, with numerous
triangular spots over breast and throat, sti'caks along sides, and a triangular
lilotch on side of throat, of the same color as the wings. The pectoral spots
aggregated on the middle of the breast.

A< Hind claw not longer than its digit. Back witii broad streaks of dark
rufous.

1. P. iliaca. Ground-color above ash (more or less overlaid in winter
with a rufous wash) ; wings, dorsal spots, upper tail-coverts, tail, auricu-
lar.s, and markings of lower parts, bright reddish-rufous. Wing, S.-^O ;
tail, 2.90 ; tarsus, .87 ; middle toe, without claw, .(i" ; hind claw, .35.
Hah. Eastern Province of North America.
B. Hind claw niueh longer than its digit. Back without streaks.
'1. F. townsendi.

Head and noik aliove witli back, scapulars, and rump, rich sepia-
brown, almost imiform with wings and tail. Belly thickly spotted;
tibiiu deep brown ; supraloral space not whitish. Wing, .3.05 ; tail,
2.85; tirsus, .80; middle toe, .02; hind claw, .43. Ilab. Pacific
Province of Xorth Auieriua, from Kodiak south to Fort Tcjon, C'al.

(iu winter) var. townsehdi.

Head and neck above, with back, .scapulars, and rump, slaty-ash,
in strong contrast witli the rufescent-brown of wings and tail.
Belly with only minute specks, or immaculate ; tibiie grayish ;
supralor.al space distinctly white. Spots i)eneath dove-brown.
Bill, .34 from nostril, by .25 deep at base; wing. 3.30; tail,
3.50 ; tarsus, .85; middh- toe, .00; hind claw, .45. Ilah. Mid-
dle Province of United States . . . var. .irltistacca.
Bill, .35 from nostril and .47 deep; wing, 3.30; tail, 3.50;
tarsus, .83; middle t:'e, .('"i ; hin.l claw, ..50. Hah. Sierra Ne-
vada, from Fort Tejon, north to Carson City, Nev.

var. me<jarhynclius.

No great violence would bo done liy considering all the above forms as
races of one species, the characters separating iliaca from the rest being of

VOL. u. 7

50

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

no great iTnj)oitanct'. However, in the large series examined, there is no
specimen of ilUua at all aberrant, and none approach in the sliglitest
degree to any of the other fcjrms. There can be no doulit whatever of the
specific identity of the three forms presented under section " B," as is i)lainly
shown l)y specimens of intermediate characters. These western forms are
parallels of the western race of Mchspiza ; sckistacea representing M. falliu;
megarhjachiis the M. hccrmanui, and toionscndi the M. guttata or rujina.

Fasserella iliaca, Swainsox.

FOX-COLOBED 8FABB0W.

Prinfii/ln iliaca, Mekukm. " Hi'itr. /ur besond. Gcsch. der Vogel, II, 1786-87, 40, pi. x."
— G.M. Syst. Nat. 1, 1788, i»23. — Am. Orn. liiog. II, 1834, 58 ; V, 512, pi. cviii. —
In. Syn. 1839. — Id. Birds Am. Ill, 1841, 139, pi. clx.xxvi. Fasserella iliaca, Sw.
Hiids, II, 1837, 288. — Bkx. Li.st. 1838. — Ib. Couspeetus, 1850, 477. — Baiud, Biid.s
N. Am. IS.IS, 488. — Dall & Ban.msteh, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 285. — Samuels, 325.
Friiiijilla riifd, Wii.mon, Am. Orn. HI, 1811, 53, pl. xxiv, f. 4. — Liciir. Verz. 1823,
Xo. 248. Friiitjitla fcrruginca, WiLsoN, Catalogue, VI, 1812. — Hall's ed. Wilson,
II, 255. " Eiiibcriza iiratcnsis, Vieill.," Gkav.

pp. Char. Ooneral aspect of upper parts Ibxy-red, the ground-color and the sides of

neck beinj; ashy ; the inter.seapular featliers each
witli a larpre l)loti;li of fox-red ; this color glossing
the top of head and nape ; .sometimes faintly,
sometimes more distinctly ; the rump unmarked ;
the upper coverts and surface of the tail continu-
ous fox-red. Two narrow white bands on the
wing. Beneath, with under tail-coverts and
axillars, clear white, the sides of head and of
throat, the juguhnn, breast, and sith's of body,
couspicuou.sly and sharply blotched with fox-red;
more triangular across breast, more linear and
darker on sides.* Scinetimes the e«tire head
above is continuously reddish. Firs-t quill rather
less than fifth. Hind toe about equal to its claw.
Length, 7.50; wing, . '3.50 ; tail, 2.90; tarsus, .87;
middle toe, without claw, .07; hind claw, .35.
Hab. Eastern North America to the Mississippi, to the north along valley of the Mac-
kenzie, almost or quite to the Arctic coast, and down the valley of the Yukon to the
Pacific. Breeds throughout the interior of British America.

In summer, the ash is more predominant above; in winter 't is overlaid
n!ore or less by a wash of rufous, as described above.

The young plumage we have not seen. The P. obscura, Verrill,^ may be
referrible to it.

' Fasserella obscura, "Veiirill, Pr. Best. N. H. Sor. IX, Dec. 18t)2, 143 (Anticosti). (Type
in Museum f'oiiip. Zoiil., Candjridge.)

"Size somewliat smaller than tliat of /'. iliiicn. Legs and wings a little shorter in proportion.
ClawH less elongated. Bill soniewlint shorter, thicker, and Ies.s acute. Color above rufous-brown,

Pasvrella Iniensendi.

FRIXGILLID.E — THE FINCHES. 51

Habits. The Fox-colored Simrrow, in its seasons of migrations, is a very
common liird tln-oughout the United States east of the Mississippi lliwr.
It lias not been as(;ertained to breed in any part of the United States, tli()Uj,'h
it may do so in Northeastern Maine. Mr. J5oardnian has not met with it
near Calais, nor did I see nor could I hear of it in any ])art of Nova Scotia
or New Ihninswick that I visited. In passin},' " rth, these Ijirds lieyin their
noriiiern movements in the middle of March, and from that time to the last
of Ai)ril they are gradually approaching their sunnner quarters. Their Hi-st
iil)pearance near JJoston is about the loth of March, and they linger in that
vicinity, or successive parties appear, until about the 20th of A])ril. Tlie last
cornel's are usually in song. On their return, the middle or last of Octolier,
they pass rapidly, and usually make no stay. In Southwestern Texas these
birds were not observed by Mr. Dresser, nor in Arizona by Dr. (Joues, but in
the Indian Territory Dr. Woodhouse found them very abundant on the
iiliproacii of winter. Dr. (.'oues speaks of tliem as common in South Caro-
lina from November to April, but less numerous than most of the Sparrows.

In the vicinity of Washington this bird is found from October to April.
1 have met with small groups of them through till the winter months among
the fallen leaves in retired corners of the Capitol grounds, where they were
busily engaged, in the manner of a Fipilo, in scratching in the earth for
their tbod. At those ]-eriods when the ground was open, their habits Avere
eminently similar to those of the gallinaceous birds. In March and April
they were in company with the White-throated Sparrows, but passed north
at least a month earlier.

bccoiiiiiig biiglit riifo\is on thi" rnmi) and e.xpo.srd portion of tlip tail, but a shade darker tlian in
P. ilitiai ; licnil luiiloiin brown, witli a slij^Iit tinge of ash ; fi'atlier.s of tlie baek t'cntrcd with a
streak of darker l)rown. Wings nearly the sanit! color as the back, with no white bands ; outer
webs of the quills rufous, inner webs dark brown ; secondary coverts rufous, with ilark biow'.i
centres ; ]irinaiy poveits uniform brown. Heneath dulVwhite, with the 'throat and breast thic'kly
coveivil with elongated triangular s])ots and streaks of dark reddish-brown ; sides streaked with
riifons-brown ; middle of abdomen with a few small triangular spots of dark Inown ; under tail-
eoverts brownish-white, with a few small spots of bright rufous ; tibiie dark brown. The auricu-
lars are tinged with reiMish-brown. liri-stles at the bn.se of the bill are numerou.s, extending
ov<>r tlie nostrils. Tail rather long, broad, and nearly even. Third ((uill longest ; second and
fourth e(|iial, and but slightly shorter ; first intermediate between the fifth and si.\tli, and one
fouitli of an iuili shoiter than the thiril.

"Length, (l.7:"> : extent of wings, 10.7.5 ; wing, 3.35 ; tarsus, 1 inch.

" This s|K>eies differs givatly in color from P. Hinca. It is darker in all parts ; the feathers of
the baek are riiious-brown, centred with darker, instead of ash centred with brownish-red ; the
two white liands on the wing are wanting ; the breast ami throat are thickly streaked with
ulongiiled siiots of dark reddish-brown, while in P. iliaca the spots are less numerous, .shorter
and broader, and luiglit rufous, and the central part of the throat is nearly fre.^ from spots ; tho
under tail-coverts are brownish-white, with rufous spots, instead of nearly jairc! white."

There ai-e some leatures in this bird, as described by Mr. Verrill, which seem to characterize it
as dill'.iviit from /'. ilinen, although it is barely possible that it is this bird in iimuiiture dres-..
The streaked baek at once .separates it from all our sjiecies excepting i'/mc". Notlii.i'; is said of
its habits. One speeinu'ii was killed in .\nticosti, .luly 1 ; the other, August S. The true iliaca
was found on the island, which fact i-enders it still more probable that this is its youug.

52 NORTH AMEinCAX JUHDS.

During their stay in the United States these birds keep in small distinctive
flocks, never minj^ling, tliimj^li often in tiie same places, witli other si)ecies.
Tiiey are f'onnd in the edges of tiiickets and in moist woods. They are usu-
ally silent, and only occasionally utter a call-note, low and soft. In the
spring the male becomes (piite musical, and is one of our sweetest and most
remarkable singers. His voice is loud, clear, and melodious ; his notes full,
rich, and varied ; and his song is uneciualled by any of tiiis family that 1 have
ever heard. They soon become reconciled to confinement and (|uite tame,
and sing a good pait of the year if care is taken in regard to their food. If
allowed to eat to excess, they become very fat and heavy, and lose their song.

Dr. Coues did not meet with these birds in Labrador, but Mr, Audubon
found them there and in Newfoundland in large numbers ; and, according
to the observations of Sir John Eichardsou, they breed in the wooded dis-
tricts of the fur countries, up to the (38tli parallel of latitude.

These birds were also found abundantly at Fort Simpson and Great Slave
Lake by Mr. Ilobert Kennicott and Mr. B. 11. Ross ; at Fort Anderson, An-
derson liiver, Swan liiver, and in various journeys, by Mr. II. Macl'arlane ;
at Fort Resolution, Fort Good Hope, La Pierre House, and Fort Yukon, by
Mr. Lockhart ; at Peel's liiver, by Mr. J. Flett ; at St. Michael's, by Mr.
H. M. liannister ; and at Nulato, by Mr. W. H. l)all. They were observed at
Fort Simpson as early as May 17, and by Mr. Kennicott as late as September
17. Mr. Dall states that at Nulato he found this Sjjarrow in abundance. It
arrived there from the lOth to tiie lath of May. It breeds there, and its
eggs were obtained on the Yukon River. In the month of August in 1867
and of July in 1868 it was abundant at the mouth of the Yukon and at
St. Michael's. One was also shot at I'nalaklik. The birds seemed to pre-
fer thickets to the more open country. Mr. Bannister did not find it abun-
dant. He shtr; only one< specimein during the ;Seaso.n, in an alder thicket
near the fort ; and Mr. Pease, who was familiar with the species, only saw a
single individual.

According to tlie reports of lioth Mr. MacFarlane and Mr. Kennicott, the
nest of this species was found both on the ground and in trees. In one
instance it was in a tree about eight feet from the ground, and in its
structure was said to lie similar to the nests of Tiirdiis alicia'. Tiiey were
nearly all found after the middle of June, a few as early as the 7th. One
was found on the ground at the foot of a tuft of dwarf willows, which helped
to couceiil it from view. This was comi)osed of coarse hay, lined with
some of a finer quality, a few deer-hairs, and a small quantity of fresh and
growing moss, intermingled together. In spen':ing of this nest Mr. Mac-
F'arlane states that all the nests of this Sparrow he had previously met
with had been built in the midst of branches of pine or sju'uce trees, and
had been similar to those of tlie T. nlicice, which, in this instance, it did
not resemble. He adds that this sjjecies, though not numerous, extended
cjuite to the borders of the wooded country, to the north and northwest of

FIUNOILLID.E— THE EIMCIIES. 53

Fort Amlersou. Afterwards lio observed several other nests on tlie },'ro\ind,
all of wliieli were similar to the last, and it is l>y no means imjiossible
that in certain instances these birds may have occu])ied old nests of tiie
T. nlkuv, and used them for imrposes of incubation. Itieliardson states that
its nests are constructed in a low bush, and are made of dry grass, hair, and
feathers. He states that the eggs are five in number, of a pale mountain-
green tint, and marbleil witli irregular spots ol' brown.

Mr. Audub(jn, who found several of the nests of this bird in Ijibrador,
near the coast, describes them as large for the size of the bird, and as usually
placed on the ground among moss or tall grass near the stem of a creeping
fir, the branches of which usually conceal it from view. Its exterior is
loosely formed of dry grasses and moss, with a carefully dis])osed inner layer
of fine grasses, circularly arranged. The lining consists of very delicate
fibrous roots, with feathers of different kinds of water-fowl. In one instance
he noted the down of the eider-duck. He found their eggs from the middle
of June to the 5tli of July. When their nest was approached, the female
affected lameness, and employed all the usual arts to decoy the intruder
away. They raised but one brood in a season, and about the first of Septem-
ber left Labrador for the south in small flocks, made up of members of one
family.

Their eggs measure from .92 to an inch in length, and .70 in breadth.
They are oblong in shape. Their ground-color is a light blui.sh-white,
thickly spotted with a rusty-brown, often so fully as to conceal the
ground.

Fasserella townsendi, Nuttall.

TOWirSEKD'6 BFASBOW. '

1 Emhcriza unnl(isrhl-cn.iis, Gmel. 11, 1788, 875 (based on AonnhischJca Buntimi, Lath. II,
202, 48; Vimltischka B., Pennant, .52). I'nsnerclla v. Finsl'II, AWi. Nat. Ill, 1872,
53 (Alaska). FriinjiUa tovnscndi, Aud. Orii. Biog. V, 1839, 23tj, pi. cccc.vxiv, f. 7. —
111. Syii. 1839. — In. Birds Am. Ill, 1841, 43, \\. clxxxvii. Frim/illa (PussercUa)
toiim.ifiitli, Nuir. Man. I, (2d cd.,) 1840, 533. P<isscir/lif fnwiinoidi, BipN. t'oiispectus,
1850, 477. — Baiimi, Birds N. Am. 1858, 48i>. — C'.ioPEii & SrcKi.KY, 204. — Dam,
& Bannistki!, Tr. f"li. Ac. I, 18(!!), 285. FriiKjilla weridoines, Via. Zoiil. Blossom
(Monterey, Cal.), 1839, 19. f Emberha (Zoiiotrichia) rufina, Kittmtz, Denkw. 1858,
200. (He compares it with P. iliaca, but says it is darker. Sitka.)

Sp. Char. Above vory dark olivo-brown, with a tiiitrc of iiiroiK-;, the color continuous
and uniform throu<,'hout, without any trace of blotches or spots; the upjjcr tail-coverts
and outer edges of the winp; aud tail feathers rather lighter and brighter. The under parts
white, but thickly covered with approximating triangular blotches colored like the back,
sparsest on the n)iddle of the body and on the throat; the spots on the belly smaller.
Side almost continuously like the back; tibiic and under tail-coverts similar, the latter
edged with paler. Axillars brown ; paler on edges. Claw.s all very large and long; the
hinder claw longer than its toe. First and sixth quills about equal. Length, about 7
inches; wing, about 3.00.

54

NUimi AMEIUUAN BIRDS.

Passerelta towmtndi.

TIad. Pacific coast of Fnitcd States, as far sontli as Sacramento, anrl p'ort Tcjon 7
north to Koiliaiv (and rnaiasciilva ?).

This species difl'ers a yood deal in form i'rom P. iliKcn. Tlio claws are

much larger and stouter, tlie wing
a good deal sliortor and more
rounded. Tlie difl'erences in color
are very apijreciable, the tints being
dark sepia-brown instead of red,
and perfectly uniform above, not
spotted ; the under parts much
more tldckly spotted.

Specimens from Alaska show a
tendency to longer and perhaps
more slender bills. Some are
rather more rufous-brown than tlie
type ; others have a faint tinge of ashy anteriorly, althougli scarcely ap-
preciable. This is especially noticeable in some skins from Fort Tejon,
they being almost exactly intermediate between townsendi and schistacca, or
7ncr/arJii/)ichiis.

Young birds are not materially different from the adult, except in having
the wliite of under parts replaced by pale rusty ; the back is rather duller
in color, but without spots or stripes of any kind.

No. 46,620 from British Columbia has the bill much stouter than in the
average.

It is by no means certain, however probable, that this bird is the K una-
lasi'/ikriiftis of Gnielin, an important objection being its absence so far in
collections received by tiie Smithsonian Iristitution i'rom that island. We
therefore leave the question open for the pre-sent.

Uaiiits. The history of this western analogue of the Fox-colored Spar-
row is still (piite imperfectly known. It was first obtained in Oregon by
Mr. Townsend, on the loth of February. He describes it as a very active
and a very sliy bird, keeping constantly among the low bushes of worm-
wood, and on tlie ground in tlieir vicinity. It was partially gregarious, six
or eiglit l)eing usually seen togetlier. Its Ctill-note was a short, shari), quick
chirp, and it also had occasionally a low weak warble.

Dr. (jand)el, ri'ferring prol)ably to its occurrence in winter in California,
speaks of tliis bird as an abundant resident in tliat State, wliicli is not cor-
rect, it being only a winter visitant, and not abundant south of San Francisco.
He describes its habits as very different I'rom those of any other Sparrow,
and more like those of a Thrush. It is said to keep in retired Inisliy places,
or in underwood, and was scarcely ever seen except on the ground, and then
would scarcely ever be discovered but for the noise it made in scratching
among the leaves. It was silent and unsuspicious, and he rarely heard it
utter even its occasional chirp.

FIUXGILLID^E — THE l-kVCUErf. 55

Dr. Coopor stiitos that liu t'oiind tliis Sjuiitow only ti wiiittT resident in
WiishinLjloii Turritury, wliere, in cunipuny with other Siiiirrows, it kept eou-
.stantlv un the groinid, IVecpientiny tiie tiiickets and seniteiiing iiniuny; the
fallen leaves for its food. It was most common in the interior, l)ut in very
cold weather sought the coast, in company with the Snowbird and other
species. lie ohsia-ved a lew lingering about tiie Straits of Fuea until A])ril.
After that he saw no more (jf them until their return southward in October.
During tlieir winter residence Dr. Cooper never heard them sing. J)r. Suck-
ley found tliem rather abundant near Fort Steilacoom, though not so (lonimon
as the Mtluxjii-u rujlaa, which they greatly resembled in habits and in gen-
eral ap]iearance.

Dr. Heermann describes tiiem as abun<lant and migratory in California,
visiting that State only in winter. He sjjcaks of them as of a solitary and
ipiiet nature, resorting to the thickets and underwood for its ft)od, turning
over the leaves and scratching up the ground in the manner of the Brown
Thrusli, occasionally hojjping backwards as if to asc;ertain the results of its
labors.

Dr. Cooper, in his Keport on the Birds of ('arlifornia, reaffirms that this
bird is only a winter visitant to the lower country near the Columbia, but
also conjectures that it spends the sunmier in the Cascade Mountains, be-
tween A\m\ and October. Specimens have been obtained near San J'ran-
cisco in winter. It seemed to him to lie both a shy and a silent bird, fre-
quenting only woods or thick bushes, and while there constantly scratching
among the fallen leaves, and feeding both on seeds and insects. He has
seen either this bird or the /*. lucf/arhi/nrhus as far south as San Diego in
winter. He has also noticed its arrival near San Francisco as early as Octo-
ber 20.

On tlie Spokan Plains, in Briti.sh Columbia, Mr. J. K. Lord first met with
this species. They wei-c there not uncommon in dark swampy places east
of the Cascades. These birds he found remarkable for their singular hr.bit
of scratching dead leaves or decayed material of any sort with their feet,
exactly as do barn-door fowls, — sending the dirt right, left, and behind. It
picks up seeds, insects, larv;e, or anything eatable that it thus digs out, and
then proceeds to scratch for more. The long and unusually strong claws with
which this bird is provided seem particularly well adapted for these habits,
so unusual in a Sparrow. At almost any time, by waiting a lew moments,
one may be pretty sure to hear the scratching of several of these birds from
under the tangle of iallen timber.

Several specimens were obtained in Sitka by Bischoff and others, but
without any record of their habits.

66

XDUTII AMEUICAX DIIIDS.

r?

Fasserella townsendi, var. schistacea, r>AiKn.

Panserclla sc/Miicca, Haiiih, Itiids X. Am. 1858, 490, pi. l.\ix, f. 3.

CiiAii. Hill slfiuler, iho k'ligtli being Ml I'rom nostril, tlio (k'ptli .2.") ; the tippor

iniindihli) iiiiicli .swollen at tlu; ba.se ; tiie under
yellow. Above ami on the .side.s wnilbrni .^lato
gray; the up|ii!r surface of wing.s, tail-leathers,
and upper covert.s dark brownisli-nirou.s ; ear-
covert.>( .streaked with white. JJeneatli pure
white, with l>road triangular arrow-shaped and
well-delined spots of slate-gray like the baek
everywhere, exeept along tiie middle of the belly ;
not numerous on the throat. A hoary .spot at tlie
ba.se of the bill above the loral region; axillars
nearly white. Length, 0.80; wing,;5.30; tail, a.oO.
IIaii. noad--water.s of Platte and middle region of United States to Fort Tejon and to
Fort Crook, California.

This .s])eeii'.s i.s readily (li.stiiigiii.slKMl from P. iliara by tlie .slaty back and
spots on the breast, tlie absence of streaks above, and the longer claws. From
townsendi it (lifters in having the liead, back, sides, and spots beneath slate-
colored, in.stead of dark reddish-brown. The spotting beneath is much more
sparse, the spots smaller, more triiingular, and confined to the terminal
portion of the feather.s, instead of freiiuently involving the entire onter edge.
The a.xilkrs are jjaler. The wings and tail are the same in both sj)ecies.

The yoinig bird is t[iiite similar; but the s]»ots beneath are badly defined,
more numerous, and longitudinal rather than triangular.

There can be little doulit, however, that this bird is a geographical race
of P. townsi'uili

HAnns. For all that we know in regard to the habits and general distri-
buti(tn of this species, we are imlebted to the observations of ]Mr. Kidgway,
who met with it while accomi)anying Mr. Clarence King's geological survey.
It was first obtained in July, 185G, by Lieutenant F. T. Bryan, on the I'latte
Eiver, ind others were afterwards collected at Fort Tejon by Mr. Xantus.

Mr. Itidgway found the Slate-colored Sparrow at Carson City, during its
spring migrations northward, in the early part of March. At this time it
was seen only among tlie willows along the Carson lUver, and was by no
means common. It had the habit of scratching among the dead leaves, on
the ground in the thickets, precisely after the manner of the eastern P. iliaca.
In the following September he again found it among the thickets in the
Upper Humboldt Valley. In I'arley's Park, among the Wahsatch Moun-
tains, he found it a very plentiful species in June, nesting among the wil-
lows and other shrubbery along the streams. There it was always found in
company with the M.fallax, which in song it greatly resembles, though its
other notes are quite distinct, the ordinary one being a sharp cUuch. The

VIUXCJILLID.K — THE FIXlMIKS.

57

nest of the two species, lie adds, were nlso so imicli alike in nmnuer of con-
Hlnictidu and sit imtion, anil the t'^^n so siiuihir, that it reciuired a careful
ohservution to idenlil'y a nest when one was found.

The I'gjis from one nest of the J'tifisirc/ltt Hclmtncca measure .9(J by .70 of
an iiieli, have a j^round of a light mountain-green, and are profusely spotted
witii hlotclies of a rufous-brown, generally ililfused over the entire egg.

Anotlier nest of tiiis species, obtained in Parley's Park, in tlie Waiisatch
Mountains, hy Mr. liidgway, June 23, 1869, was built in a clump of willows,
about two feet from the ground. The nest is two inches in lieight, two and
a lialf in diameter, cavity one and a half deep, witli a diameter of two. It
is composed externally of coar.se decayed water-gras.s, is lined witli fine hair
and finer material like the outside. Tiie eggs, four in number, are .8i) Ijy .07
of an inch, of a very rounded oval shape, the ground-ct)lor of a pale green,
blotched and marked chiefly at the larger end with brown spots of a wine-
colored hue.

Fasserella townsendi, var. megathynchus, Baird.

THICK-BILLED SFABBOW.

rnsscrdhi .vcliintdiYti, liAiitn, liinls N. Am. IS.IS, p. 4!»0 (in part; Ft. Tojon .specimens).
l',iii.v)r/l(i Meijiirliiniclnis, U.\ii!n, Biiils N. Am. 18,18, p. 1)25 (.Vppciuli.x). — C'oopElt,
Oni. Ciil. I, 222. I'(tsscrel/(t schisliura, vur. metjurhijnclms, Kidoway, Uept. Geol.
Expl. 40tli I'ur.

but bill

Sp. Chah. Similar to var. schi.itacea in oolor.'^, size, and general proportions ;
unnrniously tlii(;l<, its doptli beinj; very miiuh
greater tiian the distaiico from nostril to tip,
instead of much less; eolor of lower mandilile
ro.sy milk-white, instead of maize-yellow. Jiill,
..3ij from nostril, .4" deep; wing, li.uO; tail, 3.00;
tarsus, .83 ; middle too without claw, .G3 ; hind
claw. ")0.

ILvn. Sierra Nevada, from Fort Tejon north
to 40° latitude (Carson City, Nevada, breeding,
RibawAY).

Tliis very remarkable variety of P. townsendi is quite local in its distribu-
tion, having been observed only in the Sierra Nevada region, as above
indicated. The first specimens were brought from Fort Tejon by Mr. J.
Xantus, but at what season tiiey were found there is not indicated on the
labels. Eecently, specimens were procured by Mr. Ridgway at Carson City,
Nev., in April, tliey Iiaving arrived there about the 2()th of April, fre-
quenting the ravines of the Sierra near the snow. At the same place the
var. schistacca was found earlier in the spring, but among the willows along
the streams in the valleys, and not met with in the mountains ; and all the
individuals had passed northward before those of megarhijnchus arrived.

VOL. 11. 8

58 N'OUTir AMKiaCAN ItlliDS.

In tliia vestrietod distiiltution tlio jtrosont bird is a companion of tho
Mi'lospi'M mi'iliifiii, var. /iirnmnnii, and Ww c'liaiiictfiistics of form are tlio
same in Ixitii as comiiarcd witli tiieir Middle Province and Northern repre-
s(!ntatives ; wliile tliey Itotli differ from the latter (foirnsouli of J'umicrdla, and
riijinn of MiloKpiz(i) in jjiirer, lij^hter, and less brown colors.

llAHirs. Dr. (;oo])er met with several individnals of this bird toward,? the
snnmiits of the Sierra Nevada, in Septendjer, liSOlt, but was unal)le to preserve
any of them. So far as he was able to observe them, they bad no sony, and
their habits W(!re ;,'enei'ally similar to those of i\w P. towmeuili.

The Thick-billed Sparrow was foiiml by Mr. liidyway as a very common
bird amony tho alder swamjis in the ravines of the eastern slope of the Sierra
Nevada durin,t,' the summer. Near Carson ("ity, A])ril 25, in a swampy
thicket near the streams in the level slopes, he, beard, tor the first time, its
beautiful sonj,', and killed a s))ecimon in the midst of its utterance of what,
he adds, was one of the most exipiisitely rich utterances he ever heard.
This song, he states, resemliles, in richness and volume, that of the Louisi-
ana Water Thrush (Sfinrus IndorUldniiH), (juidities in which that bird is
har<lly e<[ualled by any other North American bird. They were sinj,Mi!g
in all parts of that swampy th ;ket, and up the ravines as far as the snow.
P^rom the nature of the ])lace and the character of their song, they were
at first supposed to be the Water Thrush, until specimens of these ex-
quisite songsters were secured, lie regards this bird as second to none of
our singers belonging to this family, and though in variety, si)rightlines,s,
and continuity, and also in passionate emotional character, its song is not
equfvl to that of the ('hand est cti f/nimmar(f, yet it is far superior in power and
richne.'^s of tone. Mr. IJidgway regards this l)ird as easily distinguishable
from the J\ schixfdirn, of which, however, it is only a variety. There is a
total discrepancy in its notes, and while neither s])ecies is resident in the
latitude of Carson City, through which both kinds jmss in their migraticms,
the P. sr/ii.Htomi lingers in the spring only a short time, soon passing to the
northward, while the /'. nujinrli unehnn arrives later and remains through the
summer. The former makes its temporary abode among the willows along
the river, while the latter breeds in the shrubbery of the mountain ravines.

SUBF.XMII.Y SFIZINiE.

Chah. Bill variable, always larfro, nuioli niflicd, ami with llic onlni(>n considcralily
ciirvfd ; sometimes of enornious size, and with a frieater development haekward of the
lower jaw, wliieh is always appn.-eialtly, sometime.s con.siderably, broader behind than the
upper jaw at its base ; nostrils exposed. Tail rather \-arial)le. Bill peneniliy blaok, li^ht
blue, or red. Winjrs .shorter than in tho first frroup. (Jape almost always nnieh more
stronjrly bristleci. Few of the speeies sparrow-liko or jilaiti in their appearance; usually
blue, red, or blauk and white ; except in one or two instances the se.ves very diflFerent in
color.

Kl!IN(ill-Lll>a<: — THE KINCHK8. 5g

Tho jnociMliiii,' diaj^'iiosis is iiitoiuled to enilinuo the hriglitly colored
piisst'iiiio liinls of Noi'tli Aincrini, ditVoiiMit in jiciicral iippuiinuice from tlie
coiiiniou Siiiurow.s, It is ditlii'idt to dniw tlit^ lino witli porfect striotness, so
lis to soiuirato tliu .s|)ec'iL'.s from tlio.-so of the iirecediii},' yroup, liut the bill is
always more ciirx ed, as well as larmier, and the colors are l)rijj;hter. They re-
semlile ijuite closely, at a siiperticial j,dance, the Oonvthmnntina', Imt may
lie readily di^tinjiuishod liy absence of the projecting tufts surronndiny the
base of the upper mandilile, siiorter, more rounded winj,'s, and lonyer tarsi.

The genera may Ije most conveniently arranj^ed as follows : —

A. Wings ileuiik'dly longer timii tlic tuil. Eggs iiliiin l)luo or white, unspotted.

a. Feet very stout, reiicliiii;; iieiuly to the end of the tail. Species tenes-
ti-iid.

Calamospiza. nill niodei'iite, the eoniinissure with a d(!ep angle
posteiioiiy and pioiniiieiit lobe lieliind it ; anteriorly neaiiy straight;
coinniissure ol' lower inandil)le with a iiromiiient angle. (Juter toe longi^r
than the inner, i)oth nearly as long as the ])c)sterior. Outer lour jjriinariea
al)out I'cpial, and al>niptly longer than the rest. Tertials neaiiy eqiail
to iiriinaries. Tail-featliers broad at tips. Color : Ijlaek with white spot
on wing in ^, brownish streaks in 9- ^'^I'^t on or near grouii'I ; egga
plain pale lilue,

Euspiza. Bill weaker, tho commissure with a more shallow angle,
and much less prominent sinuation l)ehind it ; anteriorly distinctly
sinuated. Outer toe shorter tiian inner, lioth much shorter than the
posterior one. First ])rimarj' longest, the rest successively shorttT.
Tertials but little longer than secondaries. Tuil-teathers atteiuiated at
tips. Color: back brown streaked with black ; throat white ; juguhun
yellow or ashy ; with or without Mack spot on fore lu'ck. A yellow
or white superciliary strijie. Nest on or near ground ; eggs plain jiale
blue.

b. Feet weaker, scarcely reaching beyond lower tail-coverts ; species arbo-
real.

a. Size lai-f/e (n-ivg more than 3.50 inr/ics).

Hedymeles. Ujtper mandible much swollen laterally. Colors : no
bine; upper parts ronspienou.sly dilVerent from the lower. Wings and
tail with white patches; axillars and lining of wing yellow or red.
Female streaked. Nest in a tree or bnsh ; eggs greenish, thickly spott(!d.
Ouiraca. Uppin- niandil)le flat laterally. Colors: ^ deep blue, with
two rufous bands on wings; no white patches on wings or tail; axillars
and lining of wing blue; J olive-brown without streaks. Nest in a
bush ; eggs plain bluish-white.

b. Size verij muull (iriiif/ fesn than 3.00 inches).

CyauoBpiza. Similar in form to Guiraca, but eulnien more curved,
rnandibl(! more shallow, the angle and sinuations of the commissure
less conspicuous. Color: ^ more or less blue, without any bands on
wing (except in C. amirnn in which they are white) ; 9 olive-brown.
Nest in a bush ; eggs ])lain blni.sh-white (except in ('. cin\ in which
they have reddish spot.'*).

B. W'ing and tail about equal. The smallest of American rv»i(ms7rc.?. Nest in
bushes. Eggs white, spotted.

60

NUKTH AMEUICAN BIUDS.

Spermopbila. Bill very sliort anil broad, scarcely lonp;or than liiffli,
not coiiiprcyscil ; culiuen greatly curvod. C'i)K)r ; (.'liiflly hlack and
wln'ti', or lirowii and pray.

Phonipara. Bill inoro t.rianf,Mlar, decidedly lonf,'er than dei'i), much
(■onii)rosseil ; ciilincn only slijrhtly curved, or perlcctly istraif,dit. Colors:
dull olivc-gnen and blackish, with or without yellow about the head.
Vm Wing niucli shorter than the tail.

It Head crested. Prevailing color red. Bill red or whitish.

Pyrrhuloxia. Bill ])yirhuline, very short, and with the cuhnen greatly
convex; shorter than high. Hind claw less than iUs digit; not much
larger than the middle anterior one. Tarsus equal to the middle toe.
Nest in bush or low tree ; eggs white, spotted with lilac and olive.
Cardinalis. Hill coccothrr.ustinc, very large ; cuhnen very slightly
convex. Wings more rounded. Feet a< in the last, except that the
tarsus is longer than the middh^ toe. Is'c^i in bush or low tree | egga
white, spotted with lilac and olive.

b. Head not crested. Colors black, brown, or olive, without red. Bill dusky,

or bluish.

Fipilo. Bill moderate ; eulnien and commissure curved. Hind claw
very large and strong; longer than its digit. Tarsus less than the
middle toe. Nest on ground or in low bush; eggs white sprinkled with
red, or pale blue with black dots and lines round larger end.

Ge.\l.s CALAMOSPIZA, Boxap.

Calamosjiha, Boxap. List, 1S38. (Type, Friiiijilla himhi; Towns.)
Cori/daliiui, Ai iiinnix, Syiiojisis, 1839. (Same type.)

Okx. Cn.\R. Bill rather large, much swollen at the base; the culmen broad, gently but

decidedly curved; tin; gonys nearly
straight ; the connnissure nuich
angulated near the base, then
slighllj' simiateil; lower mandible
nearly as deep as the np|)er. the
ni.'ugins much inflectorl, and shut-
ting under the upper mandible.
Nostrils small, strictly basal. Rictus
(piite slillly In Istly. Legs large and
stout. Tarsi a little longer than
the middlt? toe; outer toe rather
longer than the inner, and rea(;hing
to the eoneeak'd base of the mid-
dle claw ; hind toe reaching to the
base of tlic middle claw ; hind claw
and cousid(>rablv curved. Wiufjs

Ciilumospizn birolor.

about as long us its toe. flaws all strong, eomi)ressei
long and pointed; the first four nearly eipial, and al>ruptly longest; the tertials much
elongated, as long as the primaries. Tail a little .shorter than the wings, .slightly gradu-
ated ; the feathers rather narrow and oblicpiely oval, rounded at the end.

Color, Milk, black, with white on tlie wings. Femak, lirown above, beneath white,
with streaks.

FIUXGILLID.E — THE FINCHES.

61

Tliis genus is well clmnictorizeil l)y the large swollen bill, with its curved
cuhiien ; tlie large strong feet iuul cliiws ; the long wings, a little longer
tliiin the tail, and with the ter-

tiids as long as the i)riniaries ; _ \WJL\t^'/fJii6&'^/Jja K

the first lour (quills ai)out equal,
and ahruptly lougest ; the; tail
short and graduated.

The only group of North
American Spizcllimv, with the
tertials et^ual to the primaries in
the closed wing, is I'as^Hcrcalas.
Tiiis, however, has a difl'erently
formed bill, weaker feet, the aiia,,w,,,,za b,cdor.

inner primaries longer and more regularly graduated, the tail-leathers more
acute and shorter, and the i)luniage streaked brownish and white instead of
black.

Calamospir . bicolor, Ronap.

LABK BUNTINO; V^XE- WINGED BLAGKBISD.

Fnngilla bicolor, Townsk.ni., ,1. A. N. Sc. Ph. VH, 1837, 189. —In. Narrative, 1839, 346.

— Aui). Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 19, (il. cecxc. Calamospiza hkolor, IJonat. List, 1838.

— 111. Coiispeetus, 18,-)(), 47.';. — I!.\li!i>, Birds N. Am. 1858, 49L>. — Hekkm. X, c, l.l.
Cdi-u'ln/iiia liirohi; Ari). Synopsis, 1839, 130. — In. liirds Am. Ill, 18-11, 195, jil. cci.

— JL\x. C'al). J. VI, 1858, 347. — CoorKit, Orii. C'al. I, 225. Dulkkonijx bicohi;
NuTiALL, ilumial, I, ('-Med.,) 184(1, 203.

Sp. Char. Mule entirely black; a broad band on the wiiijj: (i overiiifj the whole of the
proiiter covurUs), with liie outer edges of the quills and tuil-featiier.'i, white. Lcnjrth, about
G.50; winjr, ^..'iO; tail, ;?.20 ; taiwis, 1.00; iiiil aliove, .(10.

/•'(•Hia/c pale brown, .streaked with darker aliovo; beneath white, s]iotteil and .streaked
rather .spar.sely with biaek on the breast and vsiil(>s. Throal nciiily innnaculate. A
maxillary stripe of blaek, bordered above by white. Hejrion aronnd the eye, ii faint
siripe aliove it, and an oli.senre ereseent b.iek of the ear-coverts, whilish. A broad liilvons
while band across the ends of the great n' winLT-coverts; edji-e ol' wing white. Tail-
feathers with a white spot at the end of the inner web.

Yuini;;. Similar to the female; a faint bulf tinge prevalent beneath, where the streaks
are narrower; dark .streaks above inoader, the li'atheis boidi'icd with biitfy-white.

IFaii. High Central Plains to the Hoeky Monntuins; southwesterly to Valley of-
Alimbres and Soiiora; San Antonio, Texas, winter (l)in:s.si:i!, Ibis, ISO"), IKt)). Fort
AVhipple, Arizona (Con-:s, P. A. N. S. ISllt;, SI). Parley's Park, Utah (iiimiWAv).

ILvBiTS. This peculiar s])ecics, known by some writers as the Lark hunt-
ing, and by others as the White-winged IMackbird, was first described by
Townscnd in 18;i7. He met with it when, in comiiiiny with Air. Nuttall, he
niiulc his western tour across the continent, on the L'4th of May, soon after
crossing the nortli branch of the I'latte lliver. The latter writer regarded it

62 NOKTJI AMERIC^VN BIRDS.

as closely allied to the Bobolink, and described it as a IMichonyx. He
describes the birds as gregarious, consorting with the Cowbirds, and, at tlie
time he met with them, uttering most delightful songs. Towards evening
they sometimes saw tliese birds in all directions around them, on the hilly
grounds, rising at intervals to some height, hovering and ila]i])ing their wings,
and, at the same time, giving forth a song wliich Mr. Nuttall describes as
being something like vxd-ircct-wt-wt-wt, notes that were between the huri'ied
warble of the Bobolink and the melody of a Skylark. It is, he says, one
(if tlie sweetest songsters of tlie prairies, is tame and unsuspicious, and the
wliole employment of the little bund seemed to be an ardent emulation of
song.

It feeds on the ground, and, as stated by Mr. Townsend, may be seen in
Hocks of from sixty to a hundred together. It was, so far as tlieir observa-
tions went, found inhabiting exclusively the wide grassy plains of the Platte.
They did not see it to the west of the Black Hills, or the first range of the
Kocky Mountains.

To Mr. Nuttall's account Mr. Townsend adds that this bird is strictly gre-
garious, that it feeds on the ground, around which it runs in the manner of the
Grass Finch, to whicli, in its habits, it seems to be somewhat allied. Mr.
Townsend adds that, as their caravan moved along, large flocks of these birds,
sometimes to the nundxn- of si.xty or a hundred individuals, were started
from the ground, and tlie piebald appearance of the males and females pro-
miscuously intermingled presented a very striking and by no means unpleas-
ing effect. While the Hock was engiiged in feeding, some of the males were
observed to rise suddeidy to considerable heigiit in the air, and, poising
themselves over their companions with their wings in constant and rapid
motion, continued nearly stationary. In this situation they poured forth a
numl)er of very lively and sweetly modulated notes, and, at the expiration
of about a minute, descended to the ground and moved aljout as before.
Mr. Townsend also states that he met with none of these birds west of the
Black Hills.

!Mr. Bidgway also mentions that though he found the.se birds very abun-
dant on the plains east of the Black Hills, he met with only a single speci-
men to the westward of that range. This was at Parley's Park, among the
Waiisatch ^lountains.

Dr. fiaml)el, in his paper on the Birds of California, .states that Ik; met
with small flocks of this handsome species in tlie bushy plains, and along the
margins of streams, during the winter months. And Dr. Ifeermaim states
tiiat he also found tliis species numerous in California, New ^lexico, and
Texas. Arriving in the last-named State in May, lie found this sj^ecies there
already mated, and about to commence the duties of incul)atif)ii.

Mr. Dresser found these birds common near San Antonio during the win-
ter. In December he noticed several Hocks near Ivigle Pass. Tiiey frequented
the niiids, seeking the horse-dung. They were c^uite shy, and when disturbed

rKINfllLLID.E — THE FINCHES. (]3

the whnlo tiock would go off together, tittering a low and melodious whistle.
In ]\liiy iind June sovenil were still about near Howard's Itanelio, and on his
return inmi Houston, in June, he sueeeeded in shooting one in its full sum-
mer jilumnge, when its speeific name is peeuliarly appropriate, lie does not,
however, think that, as a general thing, any of them remain about San An-
tonio to breed.

They breed in great nundjers on the plains of Wyoming Territory, and
probaldy also in Colorado, Montiina, and Dakota. The Smithsonian collec-
tion eml traces specimens olitained in July from the Yellowstone, from Platte
Ifiver, Polo Creek, the Ulaek Hills, and Uridger's Pass, indicating that they
breed in these localities ; also specimens from Te.xas, Xew Mexico, Sonora,
and E.spia, in jMexico, but none from California.

Dr. Kennerly, who met with these birds both in Sonora and at Espia, on
the Mexican Boundary Survey, states that he observed them in the valley
of the liver early in the morning, in very large flocks. During the greater
part of the day they feed on the hills among the bushes. When on the wing
they keep very close together, so that a single dischai'ge of shot would some-
times bring down twenty or thirty. Mr. J. H. Clark, on the same survey,
also states that he sometimes found them occurring in flocks of hundreds.
The greatest numbers were seen near Presidio del Norte. Great varieties of
plumage were observed in the same flock. Tiie food seemed to be seeds
almost exclusively. They were very simultaneous in all their movements.
Stragglers were never observed remaining behind al'ter the tlock had started.
They are, he states, the most absolutely gregarious birds he has ever met
with.

Dr. Cones, who regarded this bird as one highly characteristic of the priai-
rie finina, writes me tliat he met witii it in great nundters in Kansas, soon
after leaving Fort IJiley, and .saw it every day tmtil he reached the Katon
Mountains in Nt-w Mexico. " For two or three days, in fact, from Fort
Lnrned to the mountains," he writes, " I scarcely saw anything else. This
was the first week in June, and mot:; of the birds seemed to U' paired and
nesting, though occasionally a dozen or more were seen together, Hocking
like the Plackbirds that they strongly recall. Tliey were in full song, and
proved delightful vocalists. Sometimes they warble from some spray or low
bush offering a stand a little above the level flower-beds of the prairie, but
oftener they mount straight up, hovering high in tiie air on tremulous wings,
]iouring forth tiu'ir melodious strains until, .seemingly exhausted, they sink
back to the ground. At such times it is interesting to watch two ri\al males,
each straining every nerve to mount higher than the other, and sing more
acce]ttably to its mate hidden in the verdiu'e below. This habit of rising on
the wing to sing, so famed in tlie case of tiie Skylark, seems not confined to
l)articular species, but to be a forced practice of a nundicr of diireront birds
residing in ojmn level regions, that do not allord the elevated ]ierehes usually
chosen by woodland songsters for their performances. The ordinary flight

64 NORTH AMKRICAN J5IHDS.

of tliis s]»oci('S is iilti\notlior of a (lilffiviit chamctcr, boiiig a low gliding mo-
tion, ovcrtojiping tlie weeds and lui.slies. Tiiat the birds were nesting at tliis
time is rendered still more jirobuljle by the fact that the males noticed as we
passed along were out of all projiortion, in numbers, to the females seen,
Tiiey were very heedless of api)roacli, and any number could have been
readily destroyed. I never saw any at Fort Whipple, or elsewhere in Ari-
zona, though Dr. Heermann says that they are abundant in the southern
portions of the Territory, and si)ecimens are recorded I'rom Lower Califor-
nia."

Mr. Allen found the Lark Hunting one of the few birds that seemed
strictly confined to tlie arid plains near Fort H^ys, in Kansas, lie met witli
it in great abundance, but only on tlie high ridges and dry jdateau.s, where
they seemed to live in colonies. He describes them as very waiy, and very
tenacious of life, often Hying long distances, even after having been mortally
wounded. They seemed to delight to fly in strong winds, when most other
birds kept in shelter. Tliey sing while on the wing, hovering in the wind
and shaking the tail and legs alter the well-known manner of the Yellow-
breasted Chat. Its song seemed to him to strongly resemble that of the
Chat, with which, at sucli times, its whole demeanor strikingly accorded.

Dr. Heermann, in liis Iieport on the birds collected in the survey on the
o'2d jiarallel, states tliat lie first observed these birds on approaching the
Pimos villages. Tliey were associateil with large flocks of S23arrows, glean-
ing grain and grass-seed upon the ground. When started up they flew but
a short distance before they resumed their occupation. After crossing the
San Pedro lie again found them in large flocks. At Fort Fillmore, in ^le-
silla Valley, it was also (piite common and associated with the Cowbird and
Pdackbird, searching for grain among the .stable offals. Ho again met with
them in Texas, in the month of April, most of them still retaining their
winter coat. He describes the tremulous fluttering motion of the wings with
which tlie male accompanies its song while on the wing as very nnich after
the manner of the Piobolink, and he speaks of their song as a disconnected
but not an unmusical chant. He fuund their nests on tlie ground, made of
fine grasses, lined with hair, and in one instance he found tiie eggs spotted
with faint red dashes.

At Cilmer, in Wyoming Territory, their nests were found by Mr. Durkee
built on the ground, and composed of dry grasses very loosely arranged.
The eggs, four or five in number, are of a uniform and beautiliil light shade
of blue, similar to those of the EHspisa amcricarm. They measure .90 by
.70 of an inch, are of a rounded-oval shape, and, so far as I have observed,
are entirely unspotted, although eggs with a few reddish blotches are said to
have been met with.

FIUNGILLID.E - THE Fl.NCllES.

65

Genus EUSPIZA, Bonap.

Euspizd, HiiNAr. List, 1838. (Type, Emhcriui americatia, Gmelin.)
Eiusjiiiia, Cabanls, ilus. llein. 1851, 133. (Same type.)

Gkn. CdAU. Bill large and strong, swollen, nnil without any ridges ; the lower mandi-
lili" nearly as high as the npper ; as

broail at the base as the length ol'
the gonys, and considerably broader
than the upi)er mandible ; the edges
iinieh intlexed, and shutting mueh
within the upper mandible ; the
connnissure considerably angulated
at the base, then decidedly sinuated.
The tarsus barely equal to the mid-
dle toe ; the lateral toes nearly equal,
not reaching to the base ol' the mid-
dle claw ; the hind toe about equal
to the middle one without its claw.
The wings long and acute, reaching
nearly to the middle ol' the tail ; the
tertials decidedly longer than the .secondari
qui

Kuspiza ttmencana, Bonap.

1<159

ut much shorter than the prinuiries ; first
longest, the others regularly graduated. Tail considerably shorter than the wings,
though moderately long; nearly even, allhongh slightly emarginate; the outer feathers
scarcely shorter. Jliddle of back only striped ; beneath without streaks.

This jfontis come.s nearer to Cafmnoynza, hut has shorter tertials, more
slender bill, weaker and more curved claws, etc.

Species.

E. americana. Toj) and sides of head light slate ; forehead tinged with greenish-
yellow. A superciliary stripe, a nuixillary spot, sides of breast, and middle line of breast
and belly, yellow. Chin white, throat lilack, shoulders ch(>stimt. Female with the black
of the throat replaced by a crescent of spots. Ilah. Eastern Province of United States;
south to Xew Grenada.

E. tovrnsendi. Hody throughout (including the jugulum), dark a.sh, tinged with
brownish en the back and wings. Superciliary and maxillary stripi>, chin, throat, and
middle of belly, white. A maxillary line and a pectoral crescent of black spots. Xo
chestnut shoulders. Uab. Chester Co., Pennsylvania.

Euspiza americana, J'>nNAi>.

BLACK-THBOATED BTTNTINO.

Emberha. ameriama, Gmkt.ix, .'^y^t. \at. I, 1788, 872. — Wii.son, Am. Orn. Ill, 1811, 8(i,
pi. iii, f. 2. —Arn. Orn. P.iog. IV, 1838, 579, pi. ccclxx.viv. — Ib. Syn. 1839, 101. —
In. Hiiils Am. Ill, 1841, .-)8, iil. clvi. - Max. Cob. ,T. VI, 1858, 341. Fniiijilla {Sptxu)
amcricaiui, Honap. Ohs. Wils. IS'i.l, No. 85. Eusphu nmr.rkana, BoNAi'. List, 1838
(type). — 111. Conspectus, KS.IO, 4*59. — Ra nil), Hirds N. Am. 1858, 494. — Samhki.s,
3'27. Eunjiiiia iiiiif.ricaiid, Cabanis, Mus. Ilcin. 1851, 133 (tyjie). FriinfiHii flnvi-
colH.1, Gmelin, Syst. Nnt. I, 926. "Emherha mcficniKi, bAriiAM," Syn. I, 1790, 412
(Gray), rosscrina nir/ricollis, Vikillot. YcUaw-throatcd Finch, PENNANr, Arc,
'MA. II, 374.
vot,. II. 9

66

NORTH AMEIUCAN BIRDS.

.Si>. CiiAH. Mole. Sidi's of flic lie.id and sides and back of tlic neck ash ; crown tinped
with yi'llowish-gic'cn and faintly streaked with dusky. A siipereiiiaiy and short maxillary
line, middle of the breast, axillaries, and edge of the wing yellow. Chin, loral region,
patch on side of throat, belly, and under tail-coverts white. A black patch on the
throat diminishing to the breast, and ending in a spot on the upper part of the belly.
Wing-covcrts chestnut. Interscapular region streaked with black ; rest of back immacu-
late. Length, about (i.70; wing, 3.50.

Fenutle with the markings less distinctly indicated ; the black of the breast replaced l)y
a black maxillary line and a streaked collar in the yellow of the upi)er part of the breast.

II.\ii. United States from the Atlantic to th(! border of the high Central Plains, south
to Panama and New GraTiada. Xalajia (Scu ISoT, 205); Guatemala (Scl. Ibis, I, 18);
Turbo, N. Cr. (Cassis, P. A. N. 8. 18(i0, 140); Panama (Lawk. VII, 18C1, 298); Nica-
ragua, (traytown (Lawu. VIII, 181) ; Veragua (Salv. 1807, 142); Costa Rica (Lawk.
IX, lu;i) ; Vera Cruz, winter (Sum. M. B. S. I, 552).

^\ni()iig adiiU, males, scarcely two iiulividuals exactly alike can be found.
In some the liliick of the tliroat is continued in blotches down the nii<klle
of tlie bi'east, wliile in others it is restricted to a sjiot immediately under
the hciul. These variations are not at all dependent upon any difference
of habitat, for specimens from remoti; rejj;ions from each other may be found
as nearly alike as any from the same locality. Some specimens from Central
America are more deeply colored than North American ones, owing, no
dnubt, to the freshness of the plumage.

Hahits. The history of the Ijlack-throated Bunting has, until very re-
cently, Iteeu much ol)scured by incorrect
observations and wrong descriptions. Evi-
dently tliis bird has been more or less con-
founded with one f)r two other ,s])ecies entirely
different from it. Thus Wilson, Audubon,
iind Nuttidl, in speaking of its nest and eggs,
give descriptions ap])lical)le to CoturnicnliiH
jKtsscrhiKs or to V. hcm/oici , Ijut which are
wholly wrong as applied to those of this
bird. Nuttall, whose observations of North
American l)irds were largely made in Massa-
chusetts, spetiks of this bird being (juite com-
mon in that State, where it is certainly very
rare, and describes, as its song, notes that
have no resemblance to those of this P>unt-
ing, but which tire a very exact description of the musical performances of
the Yellow-winged Sjiarrow.

It is found in the eiistern portion of North America, from the Ijase of the
Black Hills to the AtLintic States, iind from Massachusetts to South Carolina.
I am not aware tliat on the Atlantic it ha-s ever been traced fartiier soutii
than that State, but farther west it is found as far at lea.st as Soutliwestern
Texas. During winter it is found in Central America, and in Colombia,
Soutli America,

Kttsinza americana.

FUINGILLlDyE — THE FINCHES. ^*f

In Mfissachusetts it is extremely rare. Mr. Hopkins found it breeding in
Williiuustown, and sent nie its eggs. I have also mot witli its nest and eggs,
in a low meadow near the sea, in llingham. In botli ol' these instances the
nest was on the gniiind. A specimen was sliot in Newton by Mr. .Tolm Thax-
ter, June 26, 1857, that had all the appearance of behig then in the process
of incubation. Tinoughout Pennsylvania, and in the vicinity of Washing-
ton, these birds arc ([uite common.

Wilson states that tliey are very common in the vicinity of I'hiladelphia,
■where they make tlieir appearance in the middle of May, and where they
seem to prefer level fields covercid with rye-grass, clover, or timothy. They
are described as more conspicuous for the quantity tlian lor tlie quality of
their song. Tliis consists of three notes, sounding like chijj-chip-che-rlie-che.
Of this unmusical ditty they are by no means parsimonious, and for nearly
three months after their first arrival, every level field of grain or grass re-
sounds with their quaint serenade. In their shai)e and numners, Wilson
states, they bear a close resemblance to the Emhcriza citrincUa of Euroj)e.
They become silent by September, and in the course of that month depart
for the southwest. It is a rare bird in South Carolina, but is very abundant
in Texas, where it is also resident, and undoubtedly breeds. Audubon states
that he was surprised to see liow numerous they were in every oi)en piece of
groun'i throughout that State, especially those covered with tufts of grivss.
They are, he states, not so common in Ohio, and quite rare in Kentucky.
Tliey are especially abundant in the open lands of Indiana, Illinois, Wiscon-
sin, Iowa, i^Iissouri, Kansas, and Nebraska ; and tliey have been found breed-
ing as far to the west as Wyoming Territory, near to the base of the eastern
range of tlie liocky Mountains. Mr. iVllen found this species one of the
most abiuulant birds of Western Iowa, characterizing it as eminently a prai-
rie species, and one of the few inhabitants of the wide open stretches.

]Mr. Dresser found, early in May, numbers of these birds in the mesquite
tliickets near tlie San Antonio and Medina Rivers, and, as he found them
equally numerous tliere in July, he naturally infers that they breed in that
neighborhood. Dr. lleerniann obtained some eggs which he had no doubt
belonged to this s})ecies, though he was unable to secure the parent.

It has also been found in Western Texas and in the Iiulian Territory by
Mr. J. H. Clark, in Texas by Dr. Lincecum, at the Kiowa agency by Dr.
Palmer, and on the Yellowstone ))y Dr. Hayden.

This bird is not gregarious, alwfiys moving in pairs, and although, as they
are preparing for their migrations, they congregate in particular localities,
they always keep somewhat apart in family groups, and do not mingle pro-
miscuously as do many others of this family. They are, at all times, unsus-
picious and easily approached, and when fired at will often return to the
same field from which tiiey were startled. They are very partial to certain
localities, and are rarely to be met with in sandy regions.

Mr. Audubon states that the notes of this species very closely resemble

68 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

those of the Emheriza viilkiria of Europe. Its uiiinusiciil notes are almo.st
continuously reiieated from sunrise to sunset. When the feiuiile is startled
from her nest she creeps quietly away througli the grass, and then hides her-
self, making no coni]ilaint, and not slutwing herself even if her treasures are
taken from her. Their nests are constructed of coar.se grasses and stems,
lined with finer and similar materials. They are, in certain localities, placed
(ju the ground, but more frecjueii; , in many parts of tiio country, they are
built in positions above the groui.d. This is almost invariably the ca.se
where they nest among the tall coarse grasses of the prairies. My attention
was first called to this peculiarity by Dr. J. W. Velie, then of JJock
Island, 111. He informed me that in no instance had he found the nest of
this species on the ground, but always raised a few inches above it. It was
usiuilly constructed of the tops of the red-top grasses, worked in among a
bunch of thick grass, so as to make the nest quite firm. The meadows in
which Dr. Velie found these nests were quite dry, so that there was no neces-
sity for their thus building clear from the ground in order to escape being
Avet. I was afterwards informed by the late Mr. Robert Kenuieott that his
experience in regard to the nests of these birds had been invariably the
same. Dr. P. Jl. Hoy, of Iiacine, is confident that these birds in Wisconsin
never nest on the ground, or else very rarely, as ho has never noticed their
doing so. He writes that during one season he visited and made notes of
nineteen diflerent nests. Ttm of these were built in gooseberry-bushes, four
on thorn-bushes, three among blackberry-l)rambles, one on a rasi)berry-bush,
and one on a wild rose. Xone were within a foot of the ground, and some
were six feet from it. They have two broods in a .season.

On the other hand, Mr. lUdgway informs me that in Southern Illinois the
nest of this species is always placed on the ground, usually in a meadow, and
that he has never found its nest ])laced anywhere else than on the ground, in
a tuft of grass or clover. ProfesstJr Baird has had a similar e-xperience in
Penn.sylvania. Mr. B. V. (loss found them nesting both in bushes and on
the ground at Neosho Falls, Kansas.

The eggs of this species are of a uniform light blue color, similar in shade
to the eggs of the common Bluebird, as also to those of the Colamospiza hi-
color. They vary considerably in size, the smallest measuring .80 of an inch
in length by .GO in breadth, while the larger and more conuuon size is .90 by
.70 of an inch.

Euspiza townsendi, Bonap.

TOWNSENS'S BTTNTING.

Emheriza Inwnsrndi, Am. Oni. liioj;. II, 1S:U, 1S3 ; V, 90, jil. cccc. — In. Syii. 1839.—
111. Hiids Ain. Ill, 1841, 62, iil. civii. — Nrn'Ai.i,, Miin. I, (2a ed.,) 1840, 528. Euspiza
towimmll, Bon. List, 1838. - iJ.uui), liirds \. Am. 1858, 495.

Sn. CiiAK. 2f(ile. T'piicr p.aits. lic.id and neck idl I'onnd, .sido.s of liodv nnd forop.irt of
bruiist, sldto-liliic; tli<^ hfick and upper .siuracc of wiiicr.s Uiii,'ed with yoUowisli-brown ; the

FItlNOILLIlJ.K — THE l-'INCIIKS.

69

intersciipulnr re},'ion streaked with lilaek. A snperoiliary ami maxillary lino, chin and
lliioat. mill central lino of nnih-r ]iarts lioni llie breast to erissiuii, white; the e(lj,'(! of the
win^i', iiMil a {.'loss on the breast and middle of belly, yellow. A blaek spotted lint^ from
the lower eoiiier of the lower mandible down the side of the throat, coimeetinjf with a
crescent ol' streaks in the npper edye of the slate portion of the breast. Length, 5,7'i ;
wing, "2.80; tail. 2.U(!.

IIaii. Chester County, Penn. But one specimen known (in the Mus. Smith.).

It is still a question whether this is a distinct species, or only a variety
of E. anwrtciOKi. Tliere i.s, however, little ground lor the last supposition,
altliotigh its nirity is a mystery.

The original tyite specimen of this species, collected by Dr. J. K. Town-
send, still continues to be the oidy one known, and hits been presented by
its owner. Dr. K. Michener, to the Smithsonian Institution.

H.\nri".s. Only a single sjiecimen of tliis ajipareutly well-marked species
has been observed, and nothing is known as to its history. The bird wiis
shot by Mr. J. K. Townsend, in an old field grown up with cedar-bushes, near
New Garden, Chester Co., Penn., May 11, 1833.

Genus HED7MELES, C.vii.v.vis.

I Ooniaphcii, Bowd. " Kxiurs. iu Madeira, 182r>," .Vjjassiz. (fype, Lojcia lutloviciana, ac-
cording; to Cray.)

Hahia, lii'.icHKNii. Av. Syst. Nat. 18,')0, pi. .x.xviii. (TyP'S L. ludovidana; not Uabia of
bivssox, l,S;il).

llci/i/mcks, C.viiAMs, Mus. Hein. IS.'Sl, 153. (Same type.)

Gkx. Ciiah. Bill very larfre, nnieh swollen ; lower mandible scarcely deeper than the
upper; feet almost coo-

cothrausline, t;: si and
toes very short, the elaws
stroufr and much curved,
tlioufi'h blunt. First four
primaries longest, and
nearly eipial, abruptly
loufi^er than the lil'tli.
Tail broad, perfectly
squai-e. Colors: IJlack,
white, and red, or black,
cinnamon, yellow, and
white, on the male ;
the females brownish,
streakecl, with the axil-
lars and lininpj of the
winfif yellow.

Hrilytnelrs mdanocrphalus.

There seems to be tibundant reason for se]iarating this genus from
Guiraca ; the latter is, in reality, nnich more nearly related to Cjftmospiza,
it being impossible to define the diviiling line between them.

70 NOIITII AMKRICAN BIRDS.

Speoies and Varieties.

('o.M.Mi).v CiiAKACTKUtf. ^, II'-'. Ill iiuil Upper piiit.s (uxcept runip) (lucp blftck.
Two lii'oad biuiils noro.is coverts, a Ini'RO patcli on Imso of priiimi'iuH, iinil ter-
iiilniil Imlf (if iiiiu-r wubs of tail-lbiitlicrs, pun; white. 13n!a.st cariniiK! or ciiinii-
iiioii; axillars iiiicl liiiiiif; of wing (.'aniline or gamboge. 9- Black replaced by
ocbraceows-lirdwn ; other parU more streaked.

H. ludovioianuB. Uunip and lower parts white ; lining of wing, and patch
on lirea,--!, rosy carmine. No nuchal collar. Feiwtle. Lining of wing
sall'ron-ycllow ; lireiust with numerous streaks. Ilah. Eastern Province
of Nordi .\ineriea, south, in winter, to Ecuador.

H. melanocephaluB. Hump and lower parts einnamon-rnfous; lining of
wing and middle of abilonien gamboge-yellow. A nuchal collar of rufous.
Female. Lining of wing lemon-yellow; brca.>*t without streaks; abdomen
tinged with lemon-yellow.

Crown contimioua black. No post-ocular rufous stripe. ILth. Moun-
tains of Mexico, and Central Rocky Mountains of I'nilcd States.

var. met anocephalus.
Crown divided by a longitudinal rufous stripe; a distinct post-ocular
stripe of the same. Hub. Western Province of United States, south,
in winter, to Colima sa.r. capital! a.

Hedymeles ludovicianus, Swainson

BOSE-BBEASTEO OBOSBEAK.

Loxia liuluviciana, Linn. .Syst. Nut. I, 176(5, 30(5. — AVilsox, Am. Orn. II, 1810, 135, 1)1.
xvii, f. 2. Guiruca Imloviciaiiii, Swai.nson, Phil. Mag. I, 18'i7, -138. — Bonap. Li.st,
1838. — III. Coiisp. 18,-|0, .-.01. — Ha I lit), ISiids N. Am. 18r)8, 497. — Sami^kls, 328.
Fi'iitijilhi hiiloricidiiii, .Vi'ii. Oni. I5i(ig. H, 1834, l(5(j ; V, .')13, pi. cxxvii. Piirrhula
Imliivicinna, Sail Zoiil. App. Kninkliii s Narr. t'occu/limiinlin ludovieidiid, Hicii. Li.st,
Pr. Hr. Ass. 1837. Cuccuhorns luiluviciiiiiii.s, Ari). Syii. 183i>, 133. — 1b. Bird.s Am.
Ill, 1841, 209, pi. 20r>. — Max. Cab. J. VI, ]8ri8, 2(57. "llimiuphca ludoviciamt,
BowDicii." Jfcdiiiiuhfi litilovicidiin, Cauanis, Mus. llcin. 1851, 153. Friiigilla
punicca, G.MKi.iN', Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 921 (mulel. Loxia obscura, Gmelin, I, 1788,
862. Loxiarosca, Wilson, Am. dm. pi. xvii, I'. 2. Coccothramlcsrubricollis, Vieillot,
Galerio dos Ois. I, 1824, (57, 1>1. iviii.

Sp. Char. Ui)j)er parts generally, with head and neck all round, glossy black. A
broad crescent across the upper jiart of the breast, extending narrowly down to the belly,
axillaries, and under wiiig-c'overts, cariiiine. Rest of under part.';, rump and upper tail-
covert.s, middle wing-coverts, spots on the tertiaries and inner great wing-covort.s, Im.sal
half of primaries and .secondaries, and a largo patch on the ends of the inner webs of the
outer three tail-feathers, pure white. Length. 8..'J0 inches; wing, 4.1.').

Female without the white of quills, tail, and rump, and without any black or red.
Above yellowi.sh-brown streaked with darker; head with a central stripe aljove, and a
superciliary on e.icli side, white. Beneath dirty white, streaked with brown on the
breast and sides. Under wing-coverts and nxiUars safTron-yellow.

In the iiial(> the black feathers of the liack and sides of the neck have a subtorminal
white bar. There are a lew black spots on the .sides of th(! breast just below the red.

The young male of the year is like the feniiile, except in having the axillaries, under
wing-covert.s, and a trace of a patch on the breast, light rose-red.

The depth of the carmine tint on the uncler parts varies a good deal in diflferent speci-
mens, but it is always of the same rosy hue.

FIMN'OILMD.K — TIM'; KIXCMKS.

71

Heitymttes vulaiuictiihalus.

IIaii. Easlcrii rnitctl Stales to tlic ^[i.ssnlll•i pliiins; soiitli to Rciiiulor. Iloiiiluras
(MoouK, 1*. Z. S. 1S5!», oS); Xalnpa (Sa.. 18.')!), ;!(!:)); Ho-,'ota (Sol. Is').-., 151); C.nloviv
|S('i.. lH,')ii, ;iOl); (.iiiatt'iuala (Soi,. Il>is, I, 17); Ciilia (Cvii. J. VI, !)) ; Ecuador (Soi,.
18(J(l, 2i)8j; Cosla Hica (Caii. J. <>1, 71); (Lawk. IX, Ki'j) ; Panama (Lawii. VII, 18(!1,
'2!t7) ; V(;ia (.'ni/,, wiiiUT (8iM. M. U. S. 1, o.VJ) ; Viiuataii (Lawk. Ann. IX, '210).

Habits. The liose-breasted Gni,sl)eiik, during the summer months, appears

to have a wididy extended area of ilistri-

l)Ution, tlioiigh nowhere a very abundant

species, and one of somewhat irregular

occurrence. It is i'ound as I'ar to the east

as Nova Scotia, to tlie north as Selkirlv

.Settlement and the valley of the Sas-
katchewan, and to the west as Nebraska.

It winters in great numbers in (iuate-

mala. In tiie last-named country, while

al)undant in the Vera I'az, it was not

found at Diiefias, but was a common

cage-bird in the city of (Juatemala. It

was also i'ound conmion at llerradura, in Colombia, South America, by Mr.
C. W. Wyatt.

Tiiis bird was notict.'d on a single occasion near Ran Antonio by Mr.
Dresser, but was not observed by Dr. Woodhouse in Texas, or in the Indian
Territory. Sumichrast did not meet with it in A'era t'ruz. At St. Stephens,
N. 1$., Mr. Boardman found this species a regular summer visitant, but rare,
nor did Mr. Verrill find it common in the western part of Maine. In Mas-
sachusetts this bird becomes more common, but is nowhere very abun-
dant. It has been met with in various places in the eastern part of the
State, but rarely, and only in restricted localities. In the western i)art of the
State it is more numerous, as well as throughout the whole of the Connecti-
cut Valley. At Springfield, Mr. Allen notes it as a summer visitant, breed-
ing in the open woods, but not abundant. He is of the ojiinion that
during the past twenty-five years this bird has increased in numbers in all
parts of the State, ^fr. Allen found this bird quite conunon in Southern
Indiana, in Northern Illinois, and in Western Iowa, where he found it fre-
quent in the groves along the streams. Dr. Coues mentions it as rare and
only migratory in South Carolina. Mr. Mcllwraith gives it as a stimmer
resident in the vicinity of Hamilton, Canada, where it is very generally dis-
tributed throughout the open woods, arriving there the second week in May.
It is also found throughout Vermont, in favorable situations in open woods,
on the borders of streams. It is not uncommon in the vicinity of Randolph,
where it regularly breeds.

Wilson, who enjoyed but few opportunities of studying the habits of this
species, states that it eagerly feeds on the ripe iruit of the sour gum-tree.
He was also aware of its fine song, its value as a caged bird, and that it
frequently sings during the night.

72 NollTII AMKIilCAN liinOS.

Sir .Iiilm li'icliunlsoii nicl with ii siiij,'ln s]ii'('iiiu'ii of tliis bird near tlii!
SaskiilcliL'waii ilnrin.u Iii.s lir>t cxiKMlitidii with Sir .Fohii Friuiklin, Imt did not
nl'tcrwards meet willi it. He .states tliat it rriMiuciits tlie deep recesses oi'
the forests, and tlicre sings n clear, mellow, and harmonious s()n<».

Niittall ajipears to have seen little or nothiii;,' of this bird, except in con-
finement. He describes it as thrivinj,' very well in a ca<i;e, and as a melodious
and iiiilei'atij^'aiple warider, ireiiuently passinj;- the "greater ])art of the nij^ht in
singin},', with great variety of tones. It is said, while thus earnestly cngagiid,
to mount on tiptoe, as if seemingly in nn ecstasy of enthusiasm and delight
at the unrivalled harmony of its own voice. These notes, lu; adds, are
wholly warbh'd, now loud and clear, now with a quendous and now with a
sjirightly air, and finally lower and more pathetic. In Mr. Nnttall's opinion
it has no .sn])erior in song, excejit the Mocking- 15ird.

^Ir. Say met with these iiirds in the spring, on the baidcs of the ^Ii.sso\iri,
and afterwards, on the oth of August, at I'enibina in the 4Uth dtigree of
latitude.

This bird arrives in Eastern ^Massachusetts about the loth of May, and
leaves in Septendier. It nests during the Hrst week in June.

^Ir. Audubon states that he has frequently observed this .s])ccies, early in
the month of March, in the L)wer parts of Louisiana, making its way ea.st-
Avard,aiul has notice(l the same circum.stance both at Henderson, Ky.,aud at
Cincinnati, O. At this jieriod it pa.sses at a considerable height in the air.
He never saw it in the maritime ])arts of (Jeorgia or Carolina, but they have
been procnrod in the mountainous parts of those States. On the banks of
the Schuylkill, early in May, he has observed this bird feeding on the tender
buds of tiie trees. Wlicn in Texas, in 18;!7, Mr. Audubon also found it v(.'ry
abundant in April.

Dr. Dachman, quoted by Audubon, states that, having slightly wounded ii
beautiful male of this species, he kept it three years in confinement. It very
soon became quite tame, fed, in an o])en room, on moistened bread. It was
at once reconciled to live in a cage, and fed readily on various kinds of food,
but preferred Indian meal and hemp-seed. It was also very fond of in-
sects, and ate grasshop])ers and crickets with peculiar rclLsh. It watched the
Hies with great a])parent interest, and often snatched at and secured the
wasps that ventured within its cage. During bright moonshiny nights it
sang sweetly, l)ut not loudly, remaining in the same position on its jierch.
"When it .sang in the daytime it was in the habit of vibrating its wings, in
the manner of the Mocking-lSird. It was a lively and a gentle conq)ani(m
for three years, but suffered from cold in severe wintry weather, and finally
died from this cause. It woidd frequently escape from its cage, and never
exhibited the least d(^sirc to Icavi^ him, but always returned to the house at
night. It sang iibout eight week.s, and the rest of the year had only a faint
rJi nek.

This Gro.sbeak builds in low trees on tlu; edge of woo'ls, frequently in

I'RINOILLin^ — TFIK ITXCIIKS. 7;^

small j^rovcs on tlm bunks ol' Htreanis. Tlicir nests aro cioarsoly laiilt, with
a base conipusud of waste stuliblo, IVa^'inents of k-avus, and stems of plants.
Tiiese are intei'min;,'lucl with and Htren,i,'tliened liy t\vif»s and coiirser stems,
riiey have a diameter of ei,i;lit inches, and a hei^iit of three and a half.
The njiiier portion of the nest is nsually eomposed of dry iismii mosse.s,
mingled with a few twin;s, and lined with liner twij,'s. Its cavity is three
inches in diameter and one in depth, beinj,' <[uite shallow for so lari,'e r nest.

The e<,'gs bear some rosenddance to those of tlu! J't/nnHja; lait are usually
nnich lari^er, though tlioy vary greatly in size". Their ground-coloi' is usually
a light but well-marked shade of verdigris-gnnm, \arying occasionally to a
tireenish-white, and are marked, more or less, over their entire surface, with
idotches of reddish-brown. They vary in length from l.do to .'.10 of an inch,
and from .78 to .00.

Diu'ing incubation, and in the ]iresence of its mate, this (Irosbeak is a
persistent and enthusiastic singer, and, at times, carries his love of song so
far as to betray hi.s nest. This is more especially so when he relieves his
mate, takes her [dace on the nest, and then, apparently oblivious of the dan-
ger of lifting up his voice in song when upon so responsible a duty, attracts,
by his melody, the o(.)logist to his treasures.

Dr. Iloy, of Kacine, supplies .some interesting information in regard to the
habits and nesting of this .siieeies. On the loth of dune, within six miles
of that city, he found seven nests, all withhi a space of not over five acres,
and he was assureil that each year they resort to the same locality and ne.st
thus socially. Six of these nests were in thorn-trees, all were within six to
ten feet from the ground, and all were in the central jHirtion of the top.
Three of the four i)arent birds sitting on the nests were males, and this he
was t(dd was usually the ease. When a nest was disturlii'd, all the neighbor-
ing (Irosbeaks gathered around and api)eared ecjually interested. I'oth nest
and eggs so closely resemble these of the Tanagers that it is dillicult to dis-
tinguish them. Their position is, however, usually different, the (irosbeaks
generally nesting in the central portion of a small tree, the Tanagers' being
placed on a horizontal limb.

Hedymeles melanocephalus, Swain8on.

BLACK-HEADED GBOSBEAK.

Ouiraca wehtnocrphuhi, Sw. Syii. Mt'X. Birds Pliilo.s. Mafj. I, Mi'Xi, 4^8. — Ron. List, 1838.
— In. Consp. 1850, .502. — Haiiii), Birds N. Am. 18r.8, 498. — CooiT.li k Sccklkv, 206.
Cmrnthnuistcs mi'ldiiiitrjilinlii, Ktrn. List, Vr. Brit. Ass. for 183(), 1837. Fiiiiijilhi
mcliiiiiii'i'jihiila, Ari). Orii. Biof;. IV, 1838, .llit, jil. ocdx.xiii. Coccnhorus meJamwcphithifi,
AiM). Synopsis, 1S39, 133. — III. Birds Am. Ill, 1841, 214, i)I. 206. — IIekkm. X, S,
51 (nest). — rooi'Klt, Orii. Cal. I, 228. (/nnidjilieii nirJanorep/mla, Scr.ATEli ? Ilcrljl-
melcs melmincephihi, f'AiiANin, Mus. Ilriti, 1851, 153. FrimjiVa xiinthomnsi'hili.i,
Waoleu, Isis, 1831, 525. rUiihis i/ultiihis, Lesson, IJev. Zoiil. II, 1839, 102.
IGuinica frkoltn; Le.s.son, Kov. Zoiil. II, 1839, 102.
vol.. u. 10

74 xoitTii AMi:i;i('.\.\ i;ii;iis.

Si'. ( 'ii.M!. \f'ih-. IFi'ad mIhivc :nii! on ihc >i(lr<. willi cliiii. liiick, win,i;s, iiiiil tail, Iiliick.
A wi'll-iii.iiknl I'olhir (111 liii- hiinl n, rk .ill niuiiij (:iii(l in \ar. rtijiiltilis a more oi' less dis-
liiirl nirdiaii >l ii|M' mi iiiiwii. ami cmc lirliiiid ihr eye), ciIlics of iiilL'rsi'a|iiiliil' It'iiliicrs,
niiii|i. anil iHidrr pails Licncially ]iali' l>ro\\iii>li-oran:^r, ahiiosl, liudit fiiinamoii. Middle
of liclly, axillaiirs. and nndcr wiiiLi-nivcils, yrllow. licUy just iiiiti'|-ior to llic anus,
uiidrr iail-co\i'it<. a lai\ur Moicli al llu' end of llic inner uclis of lii'st and second lail-
feallieis, a liand across llie middle and i;r<'alt'i' wiuLf-eovcrts, some spots on (he ends of
llie lerliaiies, llie liasal poilioMs of all the i(iiills, and the outer three primaries near the
lips, while, l.eiiLjih Mc'arly s inches; wint:', l.'Jo ; tail, ;!..")ll.

/■'(iiiii/r lias ilie chill, sides of throat, anil supei'ciliai'y stripe while; the Idaek markings
replaeed iiy oli\ aeeous-lirown : the einnauion niarkin^u's paler, and almost white; the
while of willies more resli'ieled ; Ihal of tail waiilinj;'. I'snally there are few or im
streaks IiciumiIi as in hiilin-iriini'is (liiini ones on llaiiks) ; in young males, however, they
arc more apprcciaMe, The lemon or Mainhogc yellow axillars and under coverl.s in all
•■lu'cs and slag<'s separate this species from ll.liiili}riri(iiiiis. the female and young of which
have those regions of a sallVoii or liihdus yellow,

IIai:. High ('I'litial I'lains from N'cllow stone to the I'aeitie. Talile-lands of Me.xieo,
.\alapa iSei.. |S.',tl, ;!i;.'i); ()ii/..dia (Sci,. 1S,")7, 2 K!) ; \'era I'ruz, .Vlpine and plateau,
hreeding (Sim. M. I!. ,'<, I, o.j ! ),

Tills liini, ill its liiiigc nf liiiliitat, a]i])oar.s to lie reiircsciitoil liy two varie-
ties, wliiili, liiiwt'ver, iiiii iiilu eai-li utiier, so that it is ol'leii dillieult to de-
tcriniiii' to wliii'li variety s|n'ciMieiis I'roiii iiiteriaediate reoioii.s .slioiild bo
rei'erred.

'I'akino- the series Iroiii Kasterii Me.xieo (Ori/alia and AFirador) and nortli-
ward aiiiiio the li'oeky .Moiiiitaiiis (d' the United Slali'.s, we lind the hlaek of
the head eoiitiiiumis, siiar|ily delincd liy a ociuly eiir\cd outline iKdiind, and
willioi'.t a tiaee of either tln^ verte.x or iiost-oeulai' stripi'S, 'I'liis is the true
iiicliiihiii iilfdii^, as restricted, and may he reoarded as the IfoeUy Mountain
I'liiiii. Tlic most western s|iceimi'ii is 1 ],li4l , t'roiii Fort lirid^er: the most
iMiiliein I ri.."i."i"i ', I'lom Stinkiiio l;iver, Xortlierii V.'yoinino', All spceimens
Innii the I'aeilir coast eastwanl to the western base of the liocky ^louiitains,
including Cape St. I.ucas and \\'esterii .Me.xieo soutii to Colima, differ i'roni
the li'ocky .Moiiniaiii scries in iiavinjx the posterior outline (d' tiic black hfiod
rag-Ill, and Iriegiilaily indented by the rut'ous of tiie na]ie, wliicii always
extends in a ipiite broad stii]ie toward tlut eye, alon^' tlu^ sid«! of the occiput,
and (piitc frci|neniiy lorms a coiis]iieiioiis median verte.x strijie, lliouoh the
laller fcaiiiiv n soiiicliincs not. distinct. These din'erencos arc observable
only ill the males, and, alllioiigli ap|iarently slight, are yet siifiieiently eoii-
siaiit to Justify distiiioiiishing them as races. The IJocky Mountain form
being the true uic/iiiiDriji/ndi's^ the name (■iipi/((/i-'< is propositi! for tlu^ veslern
one

il.M'.ii.s. 'I'liis binl occurs from tlie liigli Central I'lains to the Pueifie,
and tiom tjic noiilicrn portions id' Washington Territory to the table-lands
of .Mexiio. Mr. I.'idgway found this species iduiiidant, during; the summer
months, in nil the feitiie wooded districts along the eiitir(( route of this
siii'Vcy. .\t Sacramento it was common in the willow copses, and was oli-

FKl.N(ilI-Ml)-l';— TlIK ^'I^•(•I1I•;^^. 75

si'vvccl ill (lio <,'roatest miinliors, in ^lny, in tlic rirli viillcy n[' llu; Tiiickco, in
c(ini|i;iny witli JUillork'.s Oriole, tlie Lonisiaiiii 'I'ana.LiVi', ami oliicr sjccics,
iut'ilin^- U|i(in tiie lauls ul' tiii! " "iioasc-wdnd.'' It ]irinci|ially inhabits the
wiliowH alon.u liic rivers, ami the sliiuMiery skirting the streams ni' llie
iMiiuntain canons. In its nianm^rs ami notes IVlr. IJidgway iv^ards this
bird as an exaet eonnterpart of tlii! eastern species, the I/ii/i/iii(/(s /in/ariri-
oiiiia, its song being liy no means sniierioi'. The ]iecnliai' and viay odd (•//'/■
ol' the hi</tiriri((niis is saiil to be eiiually characteristic ol this iiird. Mr.
liidgway met witii its nests in willows, abont ten I'eet I'rom lliu ground, llo
had evidence that ihe male liird assi.sts the I'emale in the duties of incu-
bation.

Tiiis liird, though a common snmnu'r resident in the i.reat Sail Lake Val-
ley, had all migrated, according to .Mr. Allen, by the 1st of Sepli lulier. It
is well known tiie.re as the I'eabird, from its fondness for green ]ieas, of
which it is very desti'uctive.

According t(» Dr. ('oo]ier, this (Sroslieak arrives in California, near Sail
Diego, about April lli. It is numerous during the summer throughout the
mountains both of the coast and of the Sierra Nevada, and extends its mi-
grations at least as far as I'liget Sound. It is bfti'ii kejit in coiilinement
on ac(.'(aiiit of its loud, sweet song. In tlie Coast Moiinlaiiis, in May, its
music is said to be delightful, the males vying with each other from the lops
of tie trees, and making the hills fairly ring with their melody.

Dr. Cooper found a nest of this bird, May lli, at the easlern base of the
Coast li'ange. It was built in a low horizontal braiadi of an alder, ami con-
sisted of a, few sticks and weeds, Ncry loosely ]ait together, with a lining of
grass and roots. The eggs, tliri'e in numlier, he di'scrilies as of a jiale bluish-
wliito gruund, thickly sjjotted with brown, more densely near the laigcr end.
Their size he gives as .1)5 by .70 ol' an iiicli.

Dr. Cooper also states that they freciuent the ground in search of food, but
also live much on trees, feeding on their buds. They are not givgaiioiis,
assembling only in family groups in the fall. They do not tly high, nor tlo
they make any noise in Hying

He has oi 'served these birds at Santa Cruz Ajiril I L', or as early as he .saw
them at San Diego, three hundred and lifly miles farlher .south, ami has
found a young I'ird !! 'dged as early as M;iy '2.'<.

Dr. Cones speaks of this bird as an aluiiidant snmnier resident of .\ii/oiia,
where it arrives liy the lir.st of May, :iiid remains until the latter ]iart of
September. He speaks of it as fi\'(iuentiiig the thick brush of the ravines
and tl.e coltonwood and willow copses of the riNcr-iiotloms, Its call-iiole
resembles that of Lnji/ior/i/r i/iiiiiln/i. Its song, he says, is superli, — a
powerful, but melodious suc<'essioii of clear, rich, rolling notes, reminding
one somewhat of the Icterus hii/fiinorr.

Dr. Sm'kley speaks of this bird being s|iaringly found in the vicinity of
Fort Stcilucooui, I'uget SimiiuI, where he obi; ined two specimens.

70 N'ORTII AMEIUCAX nriJDs.

Dr. Hecnnanii sjioaks of tlio sonj]; of tliis liird as eloar and musical, and as
very closely vost'iiihling tliat of our Tunhm mif/nttoriia. lie di'scribes its
nests as formed witli very little care, of twijfs loosely thrown tonc^tlier, and
lined with roots, jilaced in tlie limnchos of bushes. The eji;^s, ibur in num-
l)er, lie desci'ilies as of a <,rreenish-l)hie <iround, marisod witii irre.^ular spots
of unilua'-brown, varying in intensity of shade.

The song of tiie western species is described by Mr. Nuttall as fully equal,
if not suporioi', to tliat of the Ifose-brcasted. He met witii it on the central
table-lands of the I'ocky Mountains, along the upjter brandies of tlie Colo-
rado Iliver, where he found it frenuciiting the thicl< groves of tiie streams,
and where, throughout its d(uise forests, the jiowerful song and tlie inimitable
voice of this "most deliglitful Finch" cheered that naturalist amidst tlie
wildest desolation of tliat " forest ]irimeval," where this sujierb vocalist made
the Wdods echo and re-eclio tu its untiring song. These notes, greatly resem-
bling those of its eastern relative, may be lieard from early dawn almost
even to the close of the following night. These are described as loud, varied,
high toned, and melodious, rising and falling with the sweetest cadence, fas-
cinating the listener most ]iowerfully with .sensations of a pleasing sadness,
its closing note seeming like a shrill cry of apjiealing distress, and then sink-
ing faintly on Liie ear. It is descril)ed as very shy and retiring in its lialiits,
and can be Imt very rarely observed closely while thus engaged in song.
On these occasions the bird is .said to sit up conspicuou.sly on a lofty bough,
near the summit of the tree, his tliroat swelling with the excitement, and
seeming to take a great delight in the .sound of his own music.

Mr. Sumichra.st finiiid this bird on the I'lateau of Mexico, and also in the
al]'ine regions of A'era Cruz. It was i'ound to the heiglit of 8,!](I0 feet, and
never lower than 4,()(MI.

The eggs of this species are of an oblong-oval shape, one end but slightly
more rounded than the other, and measure I.IO of an inch in length by .tio
in breadth. They have a bluish-green ground, blotched and spla.shed with
markings of a rusty-brown, for the most part more numerous about the
larger end.

(iR.MS GUIRACA, .SW.MNSOX.

Guirdcn, Swainsun, Zniil. .loiir. HI, Nov. IsJ", '(."ii'. ('rv|H', Ln.ria cirrnha, \,.)
Ciimiliiiriis, SwAlNMiN, Class, liiids, II, 1S:!7, 'J77. (.Siiiiic typi'.)

(!i:\. CiiAi;. bill very lai'^ri'. lu'arly a.s liii:h iis loiii:': llic ciiliiicii sliirlilly riirvi'il, willi a
ratliiT sliai-|i liiluc; the (•()iiiiiiissur<' fciii^piriiniisly aiiirulalcil Ju>l liclowlhi' iinsli'il, the
l«isli'i'i(ii' \f'T; of the aii<f|c' iica;ly as loui: as llic antciiDr, liDtli nearly sti'aii;lil. bower Jaw
(Ici'pci- tliaii the iippi'i-, and rNlfnilin^r nnicli lifliiml the liirclicad; llie width "rrealer than
the h'nL'lli "f tlic j^onys. I'lmsiilcralily widci' llian llir npprr Jaw. .\ pi'diiiincnl knob in
llii' niiif of the niiiMlh. Tarsi .sluirlcr than ihi- niiddlc toe ; (lie outer luc a lilllc lonjri'r,
ri'aciiiiifr not rphtc to tlu^ hasc of the middle claw ; hind toe rather lonirer than to this
liase. WinL'S loni;, reaching'' the middle of tlie tail; the .seeondaries and tertials nearly

FlilNr.TLLID.K — Til !•: FIXCII K.'^.

77

cqiiiil; tlio socnnil <iTiilI loiiL'i'st ; tin; liist loss tliiiii tlio tniiflh. Tail very lu.'iii'ly i.'vcn.
slidi-tiT I hail llic Willis.

The Huv^h Xortli Ameri-
can sjiccics of this genus lias
no near lehxtivo in tropieal
America ; intleeil, no other
species at ])reseut known
can be said to 1k>. strictly
congenei'ic.

In all essential details of
external structure, and in
every respect as to habits
and nidification, the tyjie of
the genus {G. cccrulea) is
nuich more like the species of Ci/onnspiza tlian those of J fed //miles, -witli
which latter it has usually been included.

Guiraca cfiridm.

Guiraca csBrulea, Swainson.

BIUE GBOSBEAK.

LiiMd cfrnifrii, LiN\. Syst. Niit. I, 17(iti, :iO(). — Wil.sdX, Am. Oin. Ill, 1811, "8, pi. xxiv,
r. 6. ? W.viil.Ki!, Isis, lS:il, S'i.j. (I'liifdoi cirrulin, Sw.mnsun, Ilinls Mi'x. in I'liil.
Miift. I, 1827, 4:!8. — lUiiU), Hinls N. Am. 18.-)8, -Ism. — Coiii-r.l!, Oiii. Cal. I, 2;>ii.
I'Viii/iillii. I'cvnilid, Am. Oni. lUdi^. II, 1S;U, 14(i; V^, HilS, jil. c.wii. CdCi-dliunis
C(rri(l<uis, S\v. Hinls II, 1887, 277. — Art). Syn. ls;!!>. In. liinlsAm. Ill, 1841, 204,
111. ociv. — Cahams, Mus. Iliiii. IS'd, l.")2. — I'lNscii, Abh. Xiit. !!'■ :ii. 1870, ;<:(!»
(Muzatliin). C'lidiidld.i-id etunihn, I>1'. ('ciiis]ii'utus, 18."iO, rp(l2. ii'inidi/ilnat avriilia, \i\:
ll/dc drdshfd/:, rF.NNANT, An;, /aul. II, 178"., lifjl.

Sp. CiiAU. Biilliaul hliio; darker aci'os.s the iiiidiUo of thf hack. Spafo aroiiinlbaso

of the liill ami loii's, with tai'-lcathpi'.'s,
hlai'k. Two liamls on tlio wiiisr aoross tlio
li|)sor till' iiiiililK; and .sooondary oovcns.
with oilier odjres of tortiaries, roddish-
hrowii. or perhaps oliestniil. I'"oalhors on
the posleiiiir ])orlioii of the under sur-
face lippeil narrowly wilh jjiayish-whito.
I.eii.iith, ".'J."!: win,L'. :!."iO: tail. 'J.Sll.

Fi'diiilr yellowi.-li-lirown aliove. lirown-
ish-yellow lielieath ; darkest aoross the
lii'cast. W'liifr-ooyorls and lertials hroadly
oilirod wilii hrownish-yollow. Soinelimesa
faiiil aeo of hluo on the tail. The youiif;
resoliihles the fellialo.

If.Mi. More soutliei'ii Fiiitod Slates from
Atlantic to raeili<', south l<i Costa Rica.

Xalapa (Sci,. 18")f). 30.")) ; Oaxa.M (Soi,. IS")!), ;17S); Cordova (,-■ i,. IS.Vl, iUll) ; Cuha (Cad.

J. IV, 9); Vera Viva (Sai,vin, Ihi.s, HI. ;?,VJ) ; Costa I!iea (I.awu. IX, KVJ); Vera Cniz.

winter fSt-M. M. B. S. 1. iVi2); Viieataii (Lawk. IX. 2(10).

(jllirnni rtmilm

7s Noirni AMEincAX iurdb.

The species described as ('i/iiniisj)i.:(i. /Ktirl/iiio in tlie Uirds of North
America, Imt wliicli so I'ar lias luil lieeii aclually d(!lect(!d north of Mexico,
is a niiniatiire Uairavd, mort; related, however, to tiie (1. coiicirta than to
arrnlcu. It is easily distinguislusil from the latter by more lobed bill,
darker back and under parts, alisenee of rufous winj^-bands, and inferior
si/e. Length, o inches; wiiiL;, I'.'iH.

Males from the Tacilic coast re.iiion (California, ("olima, etc.) have tails
considerably longer than eastern si)ecimens, while those from California are
of a much lighter and less puridisli l>lue, the ditl'erence iieing nnicli the same
as lictween Sialla sialis and ^^'. (t::iiirii.

Autumnal and winter males liavi; the feathers generally, especially on the
back and breast, tipped with light brown, ol)scuring somewhat the blue,
though producing a beautiful appearance.

H.viUTS. The IMue (irosl)eak, though mfire a bird of the Soutii(>rn States,
is also one both of an extended and of an irregular distril)utiou. It was
even met with one year in the vicinity of Calai.s, Me., although none have
been known to occur in any part of the country between that jiointand New
York City. It is found from the Atlantic to the Pacific; coast.

Tlie extent to which it is distributed throughout California is infernHl,
rather than known. Dr. Cooper noticed one at Fort Mohave, May (i, and
afterwards saw many more frequenting the trees and liushes along the river,
and singing a lively song, whicii he compares with that of the Curpodnvns
fiviitidU. He also saw tlii'm at Los Angeles and at Santa Barbara, and
states that they were found at Tit liiver, in the extreme northeastern part
of the State, l)y Dr. Xewhei'ry. Tliey were ol)served to frequent the banks
of streams crossing the great int(!rior plains and deserts, where there was
little vegetation except a few l)ushes.

The lUue Cirosbeak was only met with by Mr. Iiidgway and his party at
Sacramento. It does not occur — or, if so, it was not seen — in the interior .so
fai' to the north as the route of Mr. King's survey. At Sacramento it was
fo\ind iVei|U(Miting tiie same localities as the Ci/ioiospizu ((i)W)i/i,i\ui\ a])])eared
to be characteristic of tiie cottoiiwood co]isos. Their nests were found be-
tween the 18th and the 2',)th of June, and were all in similar situations.
These were l)uiU in small cotton wood-trees, on the edge of the copse, and
wei'e all about six feet from the gnaind.

Mr. .fohn liuiroiigiis, in one of l;is ciiarming popular essays > on the general
habits (if our liiids, refers to tlieir occasional ])reference, i?i sites lor their
nests, of the borders of fre(|uented roadsides, and mentions finding a nest of
the iilue (iroslteak among the trees that line! one of the main streets and
fashioiialile drives leading out of Washington City, less than half a mile
fnuii the boundary. Tlierc, he states, this biid, whicli, acc(jrding to Audu-
bon's oli.servations, is shy and reclu.se, allecting remote marshes and the bor-
ders of large ponds of stagnant water, had jilaced its nest in the lowest twig

1 Atkutio Monllily, XXlll, p. "07.

FH1N<;1I.LI1).K — Till'] [■•INCIIKS. 7!)

of tlie lowest liniiu'.h of a liirtic sycaiiioro iminodiately ovcra .uivat tliorminli-
laiv, aiitl .so iioar tlio ^hi'oiukI lliat a jx-rson staiuliii^ in a cart or sitting on a
licirsu coiiKl liavo readied it witii his hand. Tlie nest was composed mainly
of fragiiaMits of news|)a]K'r and stalks of j^'rass, and though so low, was re-
niarkalily well concealed liy one of the iieculiar clusters of twiys and leaves
wiiicii characterize tins tree. Tiie ne.st contained young' when ho discovered
il, and lliougii tiu) ])arent hirds were mucli annoyed by his loitering about
beneath the tree, they ])aid but little attention to the stream of vehicles tliat
was constantly passing. It was a source of wonder to him wlien the biids
could have built it, as they are so nuicli sliyer when l)uilding than at otlier
times. They must have wt)rked mostly in the early morning, wlien they
could have the ])lace all to themselves. The .same ob.server also noticed
anotiier ]iair of Dlue CJrosbeaks that had l)uilt their nest in a graveyard
within tlie city limits. This was placed in a low bush, and the male con-
tinued to sing at intervals till the young were ready to tly. Tiie song of this
bird he descrilies as a rapid, intricate warble, like that of tlie Indigo Tlird,
though .stronger and h)iider. Indeed, tliese two birds so much resemble
each otiier in color, I'orm, voice, manner, and general liabits, that, were it not
for the dillerence in size, — the tlrosbeak being nearly as large again as the
Indigo r>ird, — he thinks it wouhl l)e a liard matter to tell them a]iart. The
females of both birds are clad in the same reddish-brown suits, as are also
the young during the lirst season.

The nest of this sjiecies has also l)eon found built in a tree within the
grounds of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington.

The only time I ever met with this species was at Carlisle, Penn., in June,
1S4M. The jirevious nioiitii I'rofessor r>aird had found its nest in a low tree,
in oiien ground, and we fouiul tlie.se birds still fre(iuenting the same ground.s,
where we found another nest containing three eggs. It was in a h)W thorn-
tree on the edge of a wood, but standing out in open ground. The nest was
aliout five feet from tlu^ ground.

The Smithsonian s])eciniens are from Carlisle, I'eiin., ol)tained in April,
May, and August ; from (ieorgia, Texas, New .Mexico, Nebraska, Mexico, etc.
^Ir. Lawrence enunu'rates this among the bii'ds Ibiind near Xew York City.
Air. Dresser fiamd it common iie;ir Matainoras in July and August. It was
breeding there, though, owing to the lateness of the .sea.son, he was unable to
]irocure any of its eggs. Dr. Cones speaks of it as generally distributed in
.Vii/ona, but nowhere very common. A single specimen was taken near
Fort Whipple, August 10. Tiirnbull regarded it as a rare straggler to tlie
southern counties of Pennsylvania and Xew Jersey, arriving there in the
iniddle of May. Dr. Woodhouse found it common in the Indian Territory
iind Texas. Lieulenant Couch mentions seeing this bird first near .Monterey,
llie male always preceding the female. IIi' speaks of tlieni as exceedingly
tame. Mr. J. II. Clark states that this bird was not often seen, and, when
observed, was generally solitary, prei'erring the dark ravines and the canons

80 NORTH AMERICAN BtltUS.

on tlie mouiitiiiii-.sides. It is imt incntionod by Siiniiclirast as a hird of Vera
("niz, bwt was luuiid during tlu! winter months at Uaxaca, JNIexieo, by Mr.
lioiicard.

Mr. O. Salvin states (Ibis, Til. j). 'M'>'2) that lie found this species, though
not of very conunoii oeourrenee, pretty generally distributed, in winter,
throughout Vera Paz. lie met with it on the I'lains of Salania, and all the
colle(!tions from the warmer distriets to tiio nortiiward of Coban contained
S|)ecimens. It was found by Mr. tJeorge H. AVhite near Me.\ico.

^Vilson .si)eaks of this bird as retired and solitary, and also as a scarce
s])ecies, and as having Imt few notes, its most common one being a loud
vhucl: lie was, however, aware tiiat at times they have a few low sweet-
toned notes. He mentions their being ke\)i in Charleston in cages, but as
seldom singing in confinement. He fed a caged bird of tiiis sjjccies on Indian
corn, whii'li it easily bnjke with its jiowerful bill; also on hemp-seed, millet,
and l)erries. He speaks of them as timid, watchful, silent, and active.

Mr. Audubon was, apjiarently, somewhat at fault in regard to the pecu-
liarities of tliis species. His accounts of the eggs of the Pi/ndii/a a'stiva
are entirely inapjilicable to tiiat species, and, s(j far as I know, apply to no
other bird than the lUue (Jrosbeak, to which they exactly correspond. He
makes no mention and gives no description of the eggs of the latter. His
statements as to the nest ap]iear to be correct.

Dr. Ijachnuin kept several of these birds in an aviary ; two of the.se mated,
took ])Ossession of the nest of a Cardinal (irosbeak, which they drove olf,
and laid two eggs that were unfortunately destroyed. In the aviary these
birds were silent. !Mr. Audubon kept one, in confinement, with him in Edin-
lair,i,di. It had been raised from the nest. This bird freciuently sang in the
night, and before dawn. It was extremely tame, coming out or going into
its cage at pleasure, perching on the head-dress of Airs. Aiulubon, or on the
heads of other nu>mbcrs of the family, alighting on the table and feeding on
almost anything given to it. If a gold or silver coin wan thrown upon the
table he would go to it, take it uj) in his bill, and iij)])arently toss it about
with pleasure. After l)athiiig he would go to the fire and perch on the fender
to dry himself He would attack otlier birds, if ]mt i'>.to the cage with him.
In feeding he sometimes held his food in his claws like a Hawk.

The eggs of tliis bird are of a uniform light-blue color, and most resemble
those (jf the Sudia ari'tica, but are larger and of a lighter (!olor. Their color
is (juite fugitive, and readily fades into a dull white uiion even a slight ex-
posure to light. They are of an oval shape, e(|ually rouniled at either end,
and measure .98 of an inch in length by .Go in breadth.

FRINGILLID.E— THE FINCHES.

81

Gexus CYANOSPIZA, Baird.

Pasaerina, Vikim.ot, Aimlysi', 1816. Not of LinnjEUS, used in Botany.
tijihii, ItoNAl'.vUTK, Nyiioiisi.s, 1828. Not of 1825.
Ci/anospizu, Baii'.I). ^Tyjie, Tannijra cijanat, L.)

Gkn". CiiAit. Bill deep at the base, compressed; the upper outline considcmlily rurvcd ;
the cominissiire rather concave, with an
olitu.so, shallow lulie in the middle. (lonys
slifjhtlj curved. I'ect moderate ; tarsus idiout
equal to midiUe toe ; the outer lateral too
barely louirer than the inner, it.s claw lalliu";
short of the base of the middle; liinil toe
about ('((iial to the midil'e without daw.
Claws all much curved, ac.ite. Winfjs long
and pointed, reaching nearly to the middle of
the tail; the second and third quills longest.
Tail ap]>rceiably shorter than the wings;
rather narrow, very nearly even.

The species of this genus are all of very
small size and of showy plumage, usually blue, red, or green, in well-delined areas. The
females plain olivaceous or brownish; paler beneath.

Cyanospiza nnifrna.

Species.

Aa Head all round uniform blue: eyelids not dill'erent, commissure distinctly sin-
uatcd.

n. Lower parts blue; no white bands on wing.

1. C. cyanea. Entirely dcej) nltramarine-bhie, more ])iirplish on the
head, somewhat greenish ])0steri()i-ly. Female (h\\] umber above, grayish-
white beneath, the lireast with obsolete dari<er streaks. /Jab. Eastern
Province of United .States, south, in winter, to Panama.

h. Lower parts white, the breast rufous. One liroad and ilislinct, ami a
narrower, more ol)soletc white band on the wing.

2. C. amcena. Head and neck, all round, and rump, biight greenish-
blue; bat'k, wings, and tail more du.sky ; a narrow white collar between
rufous of the breast and blue of the throat. Female grayish-brown
above, the rinnp tinged with blue. Beneath dull whitish, the breast
and jugnlum more l)nny. lldh. Western Province of United States.

B. Head party-colored; eyelids dill'erent from adjoining portions. Ccnunissure
hardly appreciably sinuated, or even concave.

((. Back and breast similar in color. L^pper mandible much les.- deep than
lower, the connnissurc! concave.

.3. C. versicolor. Back and lircast dark wine-purple, occiput and

throat claret-red, forehead and rump ])nrplish-lilMe. Eyelids purpli.sh-

red. Female fiilvous-gray above, nnifoitn pale fulvous below. Ilah.

Northern Mexico, and adjacent borders of Uniteil States; Cape St.

Lucas.
/(. Back and breast very dilfercnt in color. U]iper manili'ilc scarcely less
dcej) than the lower, the connnissurc straight, or slightly sinuated.

4. C. oiris. 1/Ower parts vemiiliou-rcd. I? .'k green, crown blue;

rump dull red; eyelids red. Female dull green above, light olivaceous-

VOL. II. U

J^2 NORTH AMERICAN r.TltDS.

yellow hclow. Ilnh. OiiH' StatL's of United Status, ami whole of Middle

America.

5. C. leclancheri.' Lower parts pambofrc-yellow. rSaek liliie, erown

green, riiiii|) Ijliii-; eyelids yellow. Female not seen. Hah. Sontlioin

Mexico.

Cyanospiza cyanea, Uaird.

INDIOO BIBD.

Tiuuiijnt ciffinca, l.tss. Syst. Nat. I, 17ti's ai.'>. Emberiza viinnai, CIm. Syst. Nat. I,
17SS, S7(>. Fi-iiiijilht ciidiini, Wilson, I, 1810, 100, 111. vi, f. 5. — Ari). Orn. liiog.
I, 1832, 377 ; V, 50;!, pi. l.\.\iv. I'ttuscviaa eijuncii, Vikili.. Diet. Spha ajtinai, I!o\.
Li.st, 18;i8. — In. Coiisi). 1850, 474. — AUD. Syn. 1839, 100. — lli. iiinls Am. Ill,
1841, l)(), 111. cl.\.\. Cijunuspiza ajtiimi, liAlUD, Biids N. Am. 1858, 505. — Samuixs,
330. 1 Emhcrha cijiniclld, G.M. I, 1788, 887. / Embcrhu acruica, Gm. Syst. Nat. I,
1788, 870. Imlicjo liiniliiiij, and Blue DuntiiKj, Pknnaxt and Latham.

Sr. ("iiAii. Mali: IJlue, tini^ed with ullraniarine on the head, thioat, and middle of
breast; elsewhere with verdiijris-trreen. Lores and anterior any:le of chin velvet-hlaclc.
Winft-featheis liiown, edi;od e.\ternally with dull hluisli-lirown. Female. Brown above;
whitish, obscurely streaked or blotched with browiiish-ycllcnv. beneath; tinf,'cd with blue
on shoulders, edi,a's of larger feathers, and on rump. Innnature nudes similar, variou.sly
blotched with blue. Very yoinii: birds streaked beneath. Length, about 5.7") inches;
wing, nearly 3.00.

IIab. Kastern I'liifed States to the Missouri ; south to (iuateinala. t);'.\aca (.ScL. ISoO,
;{7f)); Cordova (f^a.. IS.VI. ;!04); Guatemala (Set,. Ibis. I, 17); Cuba (Caii. J. IV. S),
Costa Ilica (^Cad. Jol'K. 1801, 4 ; Lawu. IX, 103) : Vera Cruz, winter (Su.m. M. B. S. I, u.j'2).

In this spi'iMcs, which luiiv liu considered tiie typo of tho i,'enn.s, the tail is
sliglitly emarginiite ; the second (piill is longest, tiie tifst shorter than the
i'otirtli.

H.VBITS. The common Indioo IJjrd of the Kixstern States is fonnd in
nearly nniibrm and tolerable ahtiiuhmcc in various jiarts of the United
States, from tiie valley of the .Missouri to the Atlantic, and from Florida to
New IJriinswick. It is a summer visittiiit, but rare, in Eastern ]\raine, but is
common in the western part of the State, where it arrives etirly in May, and
where it breeds. ]Mr. Allen speaks of it its not very common in tiie vicinity
of .S[niiigli(dd, Mass., arriving there about the middle of ^lay, and breeding
in gardens, orchards, and the edges of woods, and making its nests in bushes.
It leaves there about the middh,' of Sejitemlier.

In the eiistern ])art of tjie State it is very uiieipially distributed. In cer-
tain localities it Inis not been met with, liut in other favorite places it .seems
to be ([uite common, and to lie on the increase. In the gardens of Brooklinc
and lioxbtiry they are comparatively (piite abundant. Mr. Maynard gives
May 10 as the earliest date of their ctiining. He tilstt states Ihiit in the
auttimn they are found in ilncks, and freijuent roadsides, high .sandy fields,

' C'iiiiiiiis/)ha Ici-landicri. .S/iha leclancheri, Laki:. Mag. Zoi)l. 1841, |il. .X-xii. — Lliss. It. Z.
1842, 74.

FRINUlLLlDvE — THE FINCHES.

83

and rocl<y pastures, wliicli I have never noticed. According to Dr. Coues, it
is coimnon and breeds as far south as ('olumbia, S. C, and, nccordiujj; to Afr.
Mclhvraitli, it is a eoniinon sunnner resident in tiie neighborhood of Hamil-
ton, Canada West. Specimens have been procured as far west as Fort lliley
in Kansas. It pas.si^i the winter in (tuateniahi, wliere it is (pute abundant,
thougli a very large i»roi)ortion of specimens received from there, in collec-
tions, are immature birds. It was not found in Vera Cruz by Mr. Sumi-
chrast, nor is it given by Mr. Allen as found by him in Western Iowa, while
it was common both in Northern Illinois and in Indiana. It was, however,
found by Mr. Allen, in Kansas, in considerable numliers, near Leavenworth,
in the spring of 1871. It was not met with by ^Ir. Dresser in Southwest-
ern Te.xas, though Dr. Woodhouse found it (piite common in the jirairies of
that State, where its pleasant song was heard in the tind)er on their edges,
or in the thickets on the borders of the streams in the Indian Territory,
where it was quite abundant. It was not observed on the jMexican i>ound-
ary Sur\'ey.

These birds were found, by ^Ir. Boucard, abundant throng] lout the State
of Oa\aca, Mexico, having been taken l)oth among- the mountains near To-
tontepec, and among the hot lowlands near Plaza Vicente.

According to Wilson, this bird is not noticed in Pennsylvania much, if
any, earlier than its first appearance in New England, and it leaves at al)out
the same time. He obsei'ved it in great abundance both in South Carolina
and Georgia.

In manners it is active and sprightly, and its song is vigorous and pleas-
ant. It is cousidered a better singer than eitlier the riris ov the (Diuntn. It
usually stations itself, in singing, on some high position, the top of a tree or
of a chimney, where it chants its peculiar and charming song for quite a
space of time. Its song consists of a repetition of short notes, at first loud
and rapid, but gradually less fre(juent, and becoming less and les.s distinct.
It sings with equal animation both in May and duly, and its song may be
occasionally heard even into August, and not less during the nooiulay heat
of sunnner than in the cool of the morning. Nuttall descrilies its animated
song as a lively .strain, conipo.sed of a repetition of .short notes. The most
common of its vocal ex])ressions sounds like ii^hc-(iihc-f^hr, rejieated several
times. While the female is engaged in the cares of incubation, or just as
the brood has appeared, the song of the male is .said to be much shortened.
In the village of Candiridge, Nuttall observed one of tliis s]»ecies regularly
chanting its song from the point of a forked lightning-rod, on a very tall
house.

The Indigo P)ird usually builds its nest in the centre of a low thick bush.
The first nest I ever met with was built in a thick sumach that had grown up
at the bottom of a deep excavation, some fifteen feet below the surface, and
but two feet above the base of the shrub. This same nest was occupied five
successive summers. It was almost wholly built of matting that the birds

84

NOIlTll AMEUICAN BlUbS.

had evidently taken from the tics of our fjinipcvinoa. Eacli year the nest
was repaired with tiie same niaterial. Oih'comIv tlicv liad two broods in one
season. The second hrood was not liatched out until Septeniher, and the
family was not I'eady to mij,'rate until after nearly all its kindred had assem-
bled and >,'one. This nest, thou<j;h principally made of bare matting, was
very neatly and thorougiily lined with hair. Other nests are made of coarse
grasses and sedges, and all are usually lined in a similar maimer.

Audubon and Wilson describe the eggs of this bird as blue, with purplish
spots at the larger end. All that I have ever seen are white, with a slight
tinge of greenish or blue, and unsjtotted. I have never been able to meet
with a sjiotted egg of this bird, the identification of which was beyond
susjjicion. They are of a ronnded-oval shape, one side is only a little more
pointed than the other. They measure .7o of an inch in length by .oS in
breadth. They resemble the eggs of C. tiDiunit, but are smaller, and are not
so deeply tinged with blue.

Cyanospiza amoena, Haird.

LAZULI FINCH.

Embcriza aiiwi)", Say, I,()ii;,''s ICvpcil. II, 18'2;!, 47. Fiingilla (Spivi) amiriia, Bon'ap.
Am. Oni. I, \i<-l'\, til, pi. vi, I'. ;"). Friiuii/la (imu-iui, Al'D. Oni. Itiog. V, 183y, 04,
23(1, \i\s. ct'c.voviii iiiiil occcxxiv. Sphu ininain, IJoXAP. List, 18138. — .\ui). Syii.
18311, lOii. — 111. Birds Am. Ill, 1841, 100, pi. cl.vxi. - Ma.k. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858,
283. — Hki;i!.m. X, s, 4l). ('//iniosjiiM aimvim, ItAiiii), Birds N. Am. 1858, 504. —
Cooi'Kli & SccKLEV, 205. — t'cHU'KR, Orn. Cal. I, 233.

Sp. CiiAH. Male. Upper piuij; ireuenilly, willi tlie ii(>a(l and nerk all round, grecnish-

Miie ; the iiitersi^iipidar re,u:ioii (linker. Upper part
of hrea.st pale browiiish-eliesliiut extelidiiipr along
the sides and separated IVoin the blue of the throat
by a faint white er(>.';eent ; re.st of under parts and
axillary wiiite. A white patch on the middle
winf:-eoverl.-i, and an ob.scuiely indicated white
band aero.-i.s the end.-; of the ^'reater eovert.s. Loral
reirion lilack. benjjth, about 5.50; wing, 3.90;
tail, •_'.(;().

Fcmnh: Brown above, tiinred with l)luc on rnnip
and tail : whitish beneath, tinu'ed with bull' on the
bi'east and throat : faint white bands on wing.s.

IIaii. llish Centr.nl Plains to the Paeilie.

Ci/aiwxpnn ammn

This species is about the size of C.
cj/rint'ci ; the bill exactly similar. The
females of the two sjieeies are scarcely
distinguishable, excp]it by the faint traces of one or two white bands on the
M'ings in ammKi. Sometimes both the throat and the upper part of the
breast are tinged with jiale iirownish-bufl'.

Habits. The La/uli Finch was first ol)taiued bv Mr. Say, who met with

FlUN(ilI,LII).K — TIIK I'lNCIIKS. g5

it in T/)ng'8 expedition. It was ol served, llmufili rnivly, along tlio hanks uf
tiie Aikimsiis li'ivcr liiirinj,' tlic .siininicr iiinnlliH, as far as the haso of tlio
liocky iMountains. It was said to I'liMinent tiie l)usliy valleys, keejiing nnicli
in the grass, niter its food, an<l seldom alighting on (iither trees or shrulis.

Townsend, who found this ratlier a common liird on the dolundiia, re-
garded it as shy and retiring in its hal>its, the female lieing very rarely seen.
It iios.se.sses lively and jdeasing powers of .song, which it pours i'ortli from
the uiii)er hranches of low trei's. Its nests were usually found jtlaeed in
willows along tlu! margins of streams, and were cfimposed of small sticks,
fine grasses, and hnlVahi-hair.

Mr. Nuttall found the nest uf this liird fastened l)etween the stem and two
branches of a large fern. It was fuunel-sha])ed, iieing si.\ inches in height
and three in hreadth.

This Itird ])o.ssihly occurs (juite rarely, as far east as tlie ]\lississii)iii, as I
have what is said to lie its egg taken from a nest near St. Loui.s. It only
becomes almndant on the jilains. Mr. liidgway found it very generally dis-
tributed throughout his route, iidiabiting all the bu.shy localities in tlie
fertile districts. He regarded it as, in nearly enny respect, the e.xact
counterpart of the eastern ('. ci/onra. The nf)tes of the two liirds aw. so
exactly the same that their song would be undistinguishable but for the fact
that in the amo'im it is appreciably weaker, lie found tlieir nests usually
in the low lind)s of trees, near their extremity, and only a few feet from the
ground. Mr. .1. A. Allen found this sjiecies common in ( 'olorado, more; .so
among the foot-hills than on the jdains, Imt does not a])pear to have met
with it in Kansas.

This species, Mr. Lord states, visits Vancouver I.sland and Ihitish Columbia
early in the summer, arriving at the island in ^lay, and rathei' later east of
the Cascades. The .song of the male is .said to l)e feeble, and only now and
then indulged in, as if to cheer his more somlire partner during inculiation.
The nest, he adds, is round and open at the top, composed of various mate-
rials worked together, lined witli hair, and placed in a low bush, usually by
tlie side of a stream.

The Lazuli Finch was met with in large numbers, and many of tlieir nests
])rocured, by ]\fr. Xantus, in the neiglibcu'liood of Ft. Tejon, California. Indeed,
it is a very al)un<lant species generally on the I'acific coa.st, and is found at
least as far north as Piiget Sound, during the sunnner. It arrives at San
Diego, according to Dr. Coo])er, about A]iril 'I'l, and remains there until Oc-
tober. A male bird, kejjt in a cage owr winter, was found to retain its lilue
plumage. It is a favorite cage-bird in California, where it is absurdly known
as the Indigo r>ird. During tlie summer months, according to Dr. Coo])er,
there is hardly a grove in the more o])en ])ortions of the State uninhabited by
one or more pairs of this beautiiul species. Although tlie i'emale is very .shy
and dilficult to obtain, except on the nest, the male is not timid, and fre-
quently sings his lively notes from the top of some l»ush or tree, continuing

86 XOIITH AMEUICAV BIRDS.

musical in all weathers and tlirongliniit tlie sninnier. He describes its song
as unvaried, as ratlier niunutonous, and closely n'senil)ling thai of C. cijtoiea.

Their nest, lie adds, is usually built in a Imsli, not more than three or four
feet from tiie ground, formed of fihrdus roots, strips of bark, and grass, witli a
lining of vegetable down or hair, and securely bound to the surrounding
branches. The eggs, Hve in nunil)er, he describes as white, faintly tinged
with liiue. At Santa Barbara he found them freshly laid May 0.

Tliese birds are never gregarious, though the males come in considerable
flocks in the sju'ing, several days before tlie females. They travel at night,
arriving at Santa Cruz about April 12. A nest foiuid by Dr. (Jooper, May 7,
in a low ))usii close to a public road, was about three feet from the ground.
It was very strongly l)uilt, supported by a triple fork of the l)ra.nch, and was
composed of blades of grass firmly interwoven, and lined with horseliair and
cobwebs. It measured three inches in heiglit and three and tlireo fourths
in widtli. The cavity was two inches deep and one and three fourths wide.

In Arizona Dr. Coues found this bird a summer resident, but not abun-
dant.

At Pugot Sound this bird arrives abont ^lay lo. Dr. Suckley states that
in Oregon it was observed returning from tlie south, in large Hocks, in one
instance of several hundred individuals.

The eggs of the Lazuli, when fresh, are of a light blue, which on the least
exposure soon fades into a bluish-white. They are almost exactly oval in
shai)e, and measure .75 by .00 of an inch. One end is somewhat more
rounded, but the difference is slight.

Cyanospiza versicolor, Baird.

VABIED BUNTING.

Spiza versicolor, Rox. IV. Zoiil. Sue. 1837, 120. -- In. Conspectus Av. 1850, 47.5. — Cab.
Mils. Hciii. IS.'il, 148. ('(inluclis lii.niosii.i, Li:sso\,,Et'v. Zoul. 1839, 41. Cjicinospiza
vcrsioiliir, Baikd, Uinls N. Am. ISi'i^, .fiOS, pi. hi, f. 2. — C'oupeu, Oin. Cal. I, 234.

Sp. Char. Po.storior half of hooil, with throat, dark browiii.sh-rod ; interscapular
icfrion similar, but darker. Forepart of hood, lesser wiiip-eovert.s, hack of the neck,
and rump, purplish-hluu ; the latter purest blue ; the belly reddish-purple, in places tinged
with blue, more ob.^onri' posteriorly. lA'athers of wing and tail dark-l)r()wn, edged with
dull Ijluish. Loral region and narrow I'lontal band blat!:. Feathers on side of rump
whili! at base. Length, 5.50; wing, 2.75; tail, 2.38.

Female. Yellowish-brown ; paler beneath, and lightest behind. No white on wing.
Tail with a bluish gloss.

Had. I>(ortliern Mexico, and Cape St. Lucas. Xalapa (Sci,. 1850, 305); Oaxaca (Scl.
18.59, 379); Orizaba (Scl. 1857. 214); (Su.m. M. B. S. I, 551; breeding); Guatemala
(ScL. Ibis, I, 17).

The bill is stouter and more swollen to the end, ami the mandible is much
more curved than that of C. ci/anca; and its perfectly concave commissure,
without any shallow lobe in the middle, and the much more arched ridge,

FRIXGILLID.E — THE FINCHES. 87

would almost separate the two generically. The wing is shorter and more
rounded, tlie fourth quill long 't, then the third, second, and fifth. The first
is only a little longer than the seventh. Tlie tail is decidedly rounded ;
rather more so than in 6'. ci/aiica.

The female is very similar to those of C. ammna and cyancu. The former
has whitish bands on tlie wing ; tiie latter differs in shape of bill, and has
the first (piill but liitle less tlian tlie second, or longest ; not shorter than
the sixth. In ;!4,Oo;3 ^ , (.'ai)e St. Lucas (June 20), the colors are much
brighter than in any other of the collection. The whole occiput is bright
scarlet, and the forehead nearly pure light blue, neither having scarcely a
tinge of i)ur[ile.

Autumnal and winter males have the bright tints very slightly obscured
by grayish-brown tijJS to the feathers, esjjecially on the back. Tiie female
in autumn is much more brown above aud more rusty beneath than in
spring.

H.VBiTs. This beautifid species has only doubtful claims to a place in
our fauna. It is a Mexican sjiecies, and may occasionally cross into our
territory. It was met with at Bocpiillo, in the Mexican State of New Leon,
by Lieutenant (,'ouch. It was procured in Uuatemala by Dr. Van I'atten
and by Salvin, and is given by IJonaparte as from Peru. It is also found at
Cape St. Lucas, where it is not rare, and where it breeds.

This bird is also found at Orizaba, according to Sumichrast, but is quite
rare in the State of Vera Cruz. Its common name is I't-nsinno. Its geo-
graphical distribution he was not able satisfactorily to ascertain.

Among the memoranda of Mr. Xantus made at Cape St. Lucas, mc find
the following in connection with this species: olT, nest and three eggs of
Ci/anospiza versicolur ; oljtained May 5 on a myrtle hanging down from very
high perpendicular bluffs, off the Trajolcs, at Cape St. Lucas. 15o5, nest
and eggs of the same found on a vine ten feet high.

Specimens of this species were taken by Mr. Boucard at Oaxaca, Mexico,
during the winter months.

'o

Cyanospiza ciris, ItAiiti).

NOMPABEIL; PAINTED BUNTING.

Embcrha ciris, Lixn. Koii<r. Sv. Vet. Akad. llainl. 175(1, 278 ; tab. vii, f. 1. — Tn. Syst.
Nat. I, 17(i(i, 31.3. — Wilson, Am. Oni. Ill, 1811, 08, pi. .\xiv, f. 1, 2. hissirim
ciris, ViKlLLor, C.al. Ois. I, 1S24, 81, |il. l.wi. Friiujilln (iri.i, Am. Om. Itio;,'. I,
1832, 279; V, r)17, jil. liii. Spivi ciri.% Bon. List, 1838. — In. (.'oiis]Hrtus, IS.'iO,
476. — AuD. Syii. 1839, 108. — In. Hinls Am. Ill, 1841, 93, pi. dxi.x. Ci/iiniKjii-ji
ciris, Maiiui, Rirds N. Am. 18,')8, M;i. — In. Mex. Roiiiul. II, Birds, 17, pi. xviii, 1'. 2.
— IlKKliM. X, (', p. 14. f FriiKjilla nuiri/xina, ScoroLi, Annals lli.st. Nat. I, 1709,

151. I'lllll/Cti Finch, t'AIKSllY, rKNNANT.

Sp. f 'hah. Mule. Ilcail and nock all roinid nltraman'np-blno, oxopptinij; a narrow .stripe
from the chin to the breast, which, with tlio under parts generally, the eyelids, and the

gg NORTH AMEIUCAN BIRDS.

riiinp (which is tincrccl with purplish), arc vcrmihon-rcd. Edges of chin, loral region,
greater wiiijf-uovurls, imicr tertiary, aiul iiitersca[)iilar region, };ieen ; tlio luidillo of the
latter glossed with yellow. Tail-I'eathert!, lesser wiiig-eovertvS, and outer webs of quills,
liurplish-l)lue. Length, about 5.50 iiiehes ; wing, "J. 70.

Friualc. Clear dark green above ; yellowish beneath. Yoiiinj, like female.

IIaii. South Atlantic and Gulf States to the Pecos River, Texas ; south into Middle
America to Panama; S. Illinois (Hihowav); Honduras (Sei,. 1858, 358); Oa.xaea (Sci,.
185!), 370); ("ordova (Sci.. IS'iVi, 304) ; (iuatemala (ScL. Ibis, I, 17); Honduras (Sci.. II,
10); Cuba (Cam. J. IV, 8); Veragua (Sai.v. 1807, 14'J) ; Costa Pica (Lawk. IX, 102);
Vera Cruz, winter (Sl'.m. M. li. S. I, 5512); Yucatan (Lawh. IX, 200).

Tail veiy sli.iflitly eniiiri^inatod ami rounded ; second, tliird, and fourth
{[\u\h equal; iir.'it rather shorter than the lilth.

Tho female is readily distinguishable from that of 0. ci/anai by the green
instead of dull brown of the back, and (he yellow of the under jtarLs.

Specimens of tiiis species from all parts of its range api)ear to be quite
identical.

Habit.s. Tlie Xonpareil or Painted P>unting of the Southern and South-
eastern States has a somewhat restricted distribution, not being found any
farther to the north on the Atlantic Coast than South Carolina and Georgia,
and probalily only in the more soutliern portions of those States, It has
been traced as far to the west as Texas. It was also met with at Monterey,
^lexico, liy Lieutenant Couch, and in winter by Mr. Boucard, at Plaza Vi-
cente, Oaxaca.

Mr. Dresser found it very common l)otli at Matamoras and at San Anto-
nio, breeding in both i)laces. Dr. Coues did not meet with it in Columbia,
S. C., and considers it as conKned to the low country, and as i;- ■ even there.
It breeils al)out the city of Charleston, S. C., from which neighborhood I
have received its eggs in considerable numbers, from Dr. Pachman. It is
also found in the lower counties of Cleorgia, und breeds in the \icinity of
Savaimah. It was not met with by Dr. (Jerhardt in the northern ]»ortion
of that State. Dr. Woodiiouse found it quite abundant in all parts of
Texas, where he tells us tla; sweet warblings of this beautiful and active
little Finch added much to the ])leasures of his trip across the prairie.s. Its
favorite places of resort a])])eared to lie small thickets, and when singing it
selected the highest branches of a bush.

In the Report on the birds of the ^lexican Bouuflary Survey, Lieutenant
Couch met with this spiscies among the low hedges in the suburbs of
Pes(pieria (Irande. Mr. J. IT. Clark observed that the individuals of this
species diminisJKnl as they proceeded Avi'stward. The male was almost al-
ways seen alone, flying a long distance for so small a bird. Tiieir nests, he
adds, were built of veiy line gra.ss, in low bushes, and resting in the crotch
of tlie twigs. Males were never seen about the nest, but the females were
so gentle tis to allow themselves to be taken olf the nest, which was deliber-
ately done on more than one occasion.

Dr. Kennerly reports having often listened to the melodious warlilings of

FRINGILLID.E — THE FINCHES. S9

tliis beautiful Finch in the vicinity of San Antonio, Texas, where he found
it very abundant among the tiiick iucs(|uite-bushes, in the niontli of July.
It was de.servedly a , cat favorite there, both on account of the beauty of its
plumage and its notes.

Wilson found this bird one of tlie most numerous suminer birds of Lower
Louisiana, where it was universally known among the French inhabitants as
Lc Papc Its gay dress and its docility of manners i)rocured it many ad-
mirers. Wilson also states that he met with these birds in the low coun-
tries of all the Southern States, in the vicinity of tlie sea and along the
bordere of the large rivers, particularly among the rice plantations. He
states that a few were .seen near the coast in North Carolina, but they were
more numerous in South Carolina, and still more so in (Jeorgia, especially
the lower parts. At Natchez, on the Mi.ssissippi, they were comparatively
scarce, but below Baton Ilouge, on the levee, they ai)i)eared in great num-
bers. Around New Orleans they were warbling from almost every fence.
Their notes very much resemljle those of the Indigo Bird, but lack their
energy, and are more feeble and concise.

Wilson met with these birds very generally in the houses of the French
inhabitants of New Orleans. In the aviaiy of a wealthy French planter
near Bayou Fourche, he found two ]iairs of these l)irds so far reconciled
to their confinement as to have nests and hatch out their eggs. AVilson
was of the opinion that with the pains given to the Canary these ])irds
would breed with etpial facility. Six of thein, caught only a few days before
his departure, were taken with him by sea. They soon liecame reconciled
to their cage, and sang with great cprightliness. They were very fond of
flies, and watched with great eagerness as tlie passengers caught them for
their benefit, assembling in the front of the cage and stretching their heads
through the wires to receive them.

These birds, he states, arrive in Louisiana from the South about the mid-
dle of April, and build early in May. They reach Savannah about the 20th
of April. Their nests are usually fixed in orange hedges or in the lower
branches of the trees. He often found them in common bramble and black-
berry bushes. They are formed exteriorly of dry grass intermingled with the
silk of cfiterpillars, with hair and fine rootlets. Some nests had eggs as late
as the 25th of June, which were probably a second bro(xl. The food of this
bird consists of rice, insects, and various kinds of seeds. They also feed on
the seeds of ripe figs.

A single sjiecimen of this species was detected by Mr. Ilidgway in South-
ern Illinois between Olney and Mount Carnu!l, on the 10th of June. It is
therefore i)resumed to be a rare sunnner resident in that locality.

The Noni)areil is possessed of a very pugnacious disposition, and, accord-
ing to Mr. Audubon, the liird-dealers of New Orleans take advantage of this
peculiarity in a very ingenious manner to trap them. A male bird is stufl'ed
and set up in an attitude of defence on the platform of a tra])-cage. Tlio

VOL. II, 12

00

NOIiTll AMERICAN JJIUDS.

first iiialu bird of tliis si)ecies tliat notices it is sure to make an attack upon
it, and is at once ti'apijcd. So pertinacious are tliey that even when thus
ini])riHoned tlie cai)tive repeats its attack upon its supposed rival. They
feed almost innnediately upon bein^f caught, and usually thrive in confine-
ment, Audubon mentioning one that had been caged for ten years.

This bird is very easily made to breed in confinement. Dr. Bachman has
had a single pair thus raise three broods in a season.

The eggs of this species measure .80 by .65 of an inch, and do not at all
resemble tlu; eggs of the cyanca or umaina. They have a duU or pearly-
white ground, and are very characteristically marked with blotches and dots
of purj>lish and reddish brown.

Ge.nus SPERMOFHILA, Swainson.

Spmiinphihi, .SwAix.s()N-, Zoiil. .loui-. Ill, Nov. 1827, 348. (iy\\e, Pyrrhula fakirostris,

Tkm.m. Siiflicieiitly distiiiet from Spcniwphilnti, F. Cuv. 1822.)
Hpiimphihi, C'AiiANl;*, Mus. Ht'iii. 1851, 148. (Type, Fringilla hypoleuea. Light.)

Gkn. Chau. Bill veiy short and very much curved, as in Pijrrhula, almost as deep as

long ; the commissure concave, abruptly bent
towards the end. Tarsus about equal to middle
toe ; inner toe rather the longer (?), reaching about
to the liase of the middle one ; hind toe to the
middle of this claw. Wings short, reaching over
the posterior third of the exposed part of the tail;
the tertiaries gradually longer than the secondaries,
neither nuich shorter than tlie primaries, which are
graduated, and but little difl'erent in length, the
first shorter than the si.xtli, the second and fourth
equal. The tail is about as long as the wings,
rounded, all the feathers slightly graduated, rather
acuminate and decidedly niucronate. Smallest of American passerine birds.

Spermnpliila munliti.

sharply

The essential characters of this genus are the small, very convex bill, as
high as long ; the short broad wings, with the quills differing little in length,
tile outer ones graduated; the tail as long as the wings, M'idened towards the
end, and slightly graduated, with the acuminate and niucronate tij) to the
feathers.

Many species of the genus occur in Middle and South America, although
none not readily distinguishable from the single North American one.

FlUNGILLIDi'E — THE FINCHES. 91

Spermophila moreleti, rucnEUAN.

LITTLE BEED-EATEB.

Spermophila morckti, (Puciieuan,) Bonap. Coiisjx'ctus, 1850,497. — Sci.atku, Pr. Zoiil.
Soo. 1856, 302. — Haiiid, Hinls N. Am. 1858, 500, i>l. liv, f. 2, 3. —In. Mcv. Hoiiiul.
II, Birils, 17, I>1. xvi, f. 2, 3. Spomphila morekti. Cab. Mus. lli-iii. 1851, 150. — In.
Journ. fur. Oni. IX, IStil, 4 (with .synoiiomy). Spermophila (illilijii/uris, (Si>i.\,)
Lawrence, Ann. N. Y. Lyceum, V, Si'pt. 1851, 124 (Ti'.xas. Xot oI'Simx).

Sp. Char. The top and .«i(les of tlie head, back of thci neck, a limad liand apros.^i the
upper part of the breast extundnig all round, the middle of tiu^ back, the wiiifrs and tail,
with the posterior upper coverts, black. The chin, upper throat and neck all round, but
interrupted behind, the rump, with the remaining under and lateral portions of the body,
white; the latter tinged with brownish-yellow. Two bands on the wing, across the
greater and middle coverts, with the concealed bases of all the (luills, also white. Lcnirth,
about 4 inclies; wing, 2.05; tail, 1.00.

Female. Dull yellow ; olivaceous above, brownish-yollow beneath. Wings and tail
somewhat as in the male.

Had. Rio Grande of Te.xas; .south to Costa Rica. Xalapa (8cr.. ISaO, 30")); Oa.xaca
(ScL. 1859, 378); Cordova (Scl. 18r)0, .302); Guatemala (Sci,. Ibis. I, 17; Sai.v. Iliis, I,
4G8; nest); Costa Rica (Cab. J. 18G1, 4); Vera Cruz, winter, uli>ine region, breeding
(Sum. M. B. S. I, 551).

The specimen upon which the preceding description of the male has
been based is the only one in full plu-
mage we have seen, and was kindly lent
by Mr. P. L. Sclater. It was collected in
Honduras. Some of the feathers of the
back have grayish tips. The specimen
described by Mr. Lawrence as S. alhogii-
hiris, though male, is, in most respects,
like the female, except that the wings
and tail are darker, the color of the upper
])art grayer, and the interscapular feathei-s
blotched with black. The black of tlie

head is strongly indicated, the feathers, s,„„„„„/„7„ ,L,.,i.

however, all with gray margins. In this

and another, a little further advanced, from San Diego, Mexico, (-id'.ir),) there
is a ve'y fainc indication of the black pectoral band, and there is no trace
of the whitish of the rump.

Habits. This pretty little tropical form of Sparrow can only rest a claim
to be included in our fauna by its occasional i)resence on the lUo Grande in
Texas. It is found throughout Mexico and Central America.

Mr. Sumichrast found it throughout the State of Vera Ouz, except only
in the elevated or alpine regions. Its common name was Frailccilo. It was
abundant throughout the hot and the temperate regions as well as the plateau.

This species was first met with near the Lake of Peten, in Guatemala, by

92

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

]\r. Moit'kit, and was descrilied from his speciiiiens in the Paris Museum
by Prince IJonapaitu. Mr. Salvin found it a not uncommon si)ecies about
Duenas, where it is fjeuerally to be found amongst the tall weeds on the
edge of the lake. It was also found at Belize. From a letter of Mr. Salvin,
published in tlie Ibis of 18;"t9 (p. 4t)8), we quote tlio following in reference
to the nest of tiiis species, which is all tlie information we have in relation
to tliis diminutive Sparrow: "A day or two ago I found two nests of
Spermoiihila morclcti, and took one rotten dried-up egg from one with a
young one in it. Nothing could be more difi'erent than this nest and that
of *S^. hicolor, so well described by Mr. Newton. That of S. morelcti, instead
of the loose domed structure of *S'. hicolor, with a large side-entrance, com-
posed entirely of one material, is one of the neatest nests you ever saw, — a
lieautiful, (Ji)eii, transparent nest, composed of fine roots and fibres, and lined
witli horsehair. It is not placed resting on a branch, but is suspended like
a Heed Warbler's (Salicaria arunduuiccaj, by several small twigs. The eggs,
too, differ materially." Mr. Salvin gives no description of these eggs.

This bird was found a resident during the winter months, and in May also,
at Plaza Vicente, in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. This is in the low or
hot lands of that region.

Ge.vus FHONIFARA, Bonap.

P/ionijMira, Bonai'.viite, 1850. (Tyjie, Loxia canora, Gm.)

Gen. Ciiak. Size voiy small.

Phonipara zena.

\ cry larg(?, and stronjrly curved.

Wing coiKsidc'ialily longer than the tail, but much
rounded; third or fourth quill longest;
first about equal to seventh. Tail very
slightly rounded, the feathers broad. Bill
very short and deep, but the depth through
the biise less than the cuhnen ; culinen but
slightly, or not appreniably, curved; bill
much compressed. Feet stout; tarsi longer
than the middle toe ; outer toe longer than
the innei-, its claw just reaching the base
of the middle claw ; hind too with the claw
Among the least of American Fnngillidce.

The introduction of this genus into tlie North American fauna is the
result of Mr. Maynard's indefatigable labors in the exploration of Florida.
The species are principally West Indian, a single race alone belonging to
the continental portion of Middle America-
Species and Varieties.

C0.MMON CnARACTERS. Sexes very diHerent. Above olive-green, beneath
blackish or whitish. $. Head and breast black, the formei' with or without
yellow patches. 9 with the yellow and black indicated only, or wanting.
Length, about 4.00.

FRINGILLID.E — THE FINCHES. 93

A« Head without any yellow.

1. P. zena Cnliiitni decidedly oiirvpd. Ahovo dull };riiyisli olive-
gree.;. $. Head and lower purls, espi'oiiilly nnleri(jrly, dull hlack, mixed
with wiJtish posteriorly. 9. Head and beneath ashy. Win;,', about
2.00; tail, 1.7".. Ilah. West Indies (Cuba, Hayti, Porto Rieo, St.
Bartholomew, .famaiea, etc.) ; also Key West, Florida (Mavnauo).

B< Head with yellow ]>atches.

2. P. puBilla. Culmen perfectly straight. Above rather liright olive-
green. ^, asupraloral stripe, u patch on chin, and upper part of throat,
with edge of wing, bright yellow ; forehead, lores, and jnguluni black.
9 with the black and yellow only indicated, or wanting.

Whole crown, checks, breast, and upper part of abdomen black.
Hah. Middle America, from Mirador to Panama, and southward.

var. ;) u sill 11 .'

Only isolated .spots, covering forehead, lore, and base of lower jaw,
and patch on juguhim, black. JIah. West Indies. (Porto Eic'o,
Hayti, Jamaica, Cuba, etc.) vnr. oli r aceu ■

3. P. canora.' Culmen decidedly curved. Above bright olive-green ;
beneath pale ashy, whitish on anal region. A bright yellow broad
crescent across the lower part of the throat, curving upward and
forward, behind and over the auriculars, to above the eyi;. ^. Lores,
auriculars, and chin, and a band across the jugulum, black. 9 • Chin,
etc., chestnut-brown ; no black on jugulum. Hub. Cuba.

Fhonipara zona, Bryant.

THE BLACK-FACED FINCH.

Fringilla zena, Linn. Syst. Nat. 1, («d. 10,) 1758, 183 (basod on Passer hicolor halmmcnsis,
CATEsnY, Carol. I, tab. 37, Bahamas). — BliVAST, Pr. Host. Son. N. H. X, 180.''., 254.
FriiH/illa hicolor, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, (cd. 12.) 17t)fi, 324 (same original as zcna).
Spcnnophila hicolor, GossE (Jamaica). I'huniiinra hicnhir, Nkwton (St. C'loix).
? Tiaris omissa, Jaudine, Ann. Nat. Hist. 1847, 332 (Tobago). Plwnipnra omi.tsn,
ScLATElt. Phunipara mtirchi, Baiud, Pr. A. N. S.-. Pliila. Nov. 1803, 297 (Jamaica).
Fringilla zciw, var. vuirclii, Bryant, Pr. Bost. Soc. 18G7, 43. FriiujiUa (Phonipura)
zena, var. portoriceiisis, Bi'AANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. X, 18t)5, 254 (Porto Rico).

Sp. CiiAU. ^fak adult (G27, Bryant coll. ; Inngna). Above dull olive-green, the head
and lower parts black, the two colors blending in.sensibly into each other ; feathers of
the middle of the abdomen and cris.sum edged with whitish. Wing, 2.10; tail, 1.80,
culmen, .35; tarsus, .0.3; niidiUe too, .50.

Female adult (983, Bryant coll.; Inagua). Above dull olive-green, beneath ashy,
whitish on the abdomen and erispum ; no black. Wing, 2.10.

Male jitv. (981, Bryant coll. ; Inagua). Like the adult female, but the head anteriorly,
the chin, throat, and jugulimi medially, black. Wing, 2.05.

Hab. West Indies (Bahamas ; Jamaica, Porto Rico ; St. Croix, Tobago?).

1 Tiaris pusillii, Swainson, Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 438. P/ionipara pusilln, Sclateis, P. Z. S.
1855, 159.

* Emheriza olivacea, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. I, 309. Plionipara olivacea, Sclateu, P. Z. S.

1855, 159.

* Loxin cnnora, Gmemn, Syst. Nat. I, 858. Plioiiiimm erninm, Ronap.

94 N'OUTIl AMMKICAN UIUDS.

(i^iiito a larni! scries of this sjwcics from tlio varioiis West Indian Islands
show a consiilerable variation in tlie amount of l)laei< in male Ijirds; notliing
cliaracteristic of the different islands, however, for, in specimens from each,
indivi(hials are to be found agreeinjf in every resjiect with the stages de-
scrilicd iiltove.

H.viiiT.s. The lilack-faced Finch of Jamaica and other West India Islands
claims a place in the fauna of tlie United States as an occasional visitant of
Florida; of liow common occurrence on that jjcninsula we cannot deter-
mine. It was taken there in the spring of 1X71 l>y Mr. Maynard, and is
possibly an accidental rather than a regular visitant. It is found in many
of tlic AVest ludia Islands, though being resident in their several places of
abode, tliey naturally exiiibit certain characteristics as of distinct races.
Tiie eggs of tiie St. Croix bird dill'er considerably from those of the Jamaica
one.

The ^Icssrs. Newton, in tlieir account of the birds of St. Croix, mention
this bird as liaving a IJunting-like song, heard always very early in the
morning. It is said to freciuent tlie curing-hou.ses, hopping on tlie uncovered
sugar-hogsheads, and making a ])lentiful meal therefrom. It is very sociable,
and feeds in small flocks, mo.stly on the ground among the guinea-gi-ass.
The cro])s of tliose dissected were usually found to conttiin small seeds.
Tliey build domed nests in low l)ushes, thickets of bauil)oo, or among creej)-
ers against tlie side of a house, seldom more than four feet from the ground,
comiMised entirely of dry grass, the interior being lined with finer materials
of tlie same. The opening is on one side, and is large for the size of the
nest. They breed from the middle of May to the end of July. The eggs
are white, spotted with red, esi)ecial]y at the larger end. The usual num-
ber of eggs is three, very rarely four. Their measurement is .05 by .50
of an inch.

In Jamaica Mr. ]March speaks of it as tlie most common of the Grass
Finclies, of which tliere are tliree otiier species, and as nesting at all seasons of
the year in low trees and bushes. Xear homesteads, in building their domed
nests, they make use of shreds, scrajis of cloth, bits of cotton, and other trasli.
Tiieir eggs, he says, are three and sometimes even six in n..mber; and lie
mentions their varying both as to dimensions and coloring, which may
explain the difference between the eggs from St. Croix and Jamaica. Those
from tiie latter place measure .72 by .50 of an inch, and the markings are
more of a brown tlian a red color.

Ml". Hill adils that tlie (Jrass Finch very frcfjuently selects a shrub on
wliich tlie wasps liave built, fixing the entrance close to their (sells.

Mr. (^tosse states that the only note of this s])ecies is a single hai"sh gut-
tural S(|ueak, difficult either to imitate or to describe.

FUIX<iIM-ri).l'; — TlIK KIXCIIKS.

05

(Jkmh PYRRHT7LOXIA, Honai'.

riirrhitloj-Hi, HoNAl'Al'.lK, Coiisiicitus, 1850, S(MI. (Typv, CnnliiKiIi.i siniirifiis, lli.s.)

Gkn. CiiAit. Tlio bill is very sliort mul niiioli enrvcil, tlio culiiifii I'onnin^' iiii im: of n
(•iici(' of (i(» (li'fjrw's or iiinic, mill ending' iit ii rifrlit aiit,'li' with tlin striii>,'lil jroiivs; llio
uoiniiiissiuro alintptly mufli luiijulatL'il iiiiturior to tlio nostrils in its niiiUllc point ; the

Pyrrhuloxin simiata.

lower jaw very much wider than the npper, and wider ilian the jronys is Ion?; anterior
portion of connnissure straiijjht. Tarsns lonjier than middle Uw; onter laltMat toes lonjjer,
not reachiiif,' the base of the middle; wini,' eonsiderably ronnded, first (|uill lonijer tiiau
seeondaries. Tail much loi)j;er than the winjr, graduated ; the leathers broad, truncate.
Head crested.

Color. Gray, with red feathers and pati.'hes.

The essential cliaractev of this gemis lies in tlie greiitly curved, very slu)rt,
and broad bill, something like that of Pi/rrhiila. In other resjji'cts like
Cardinalis, but with less graduated wing, and longer and broader tail.

Pyrrhuloxia sinuata, lioNAP.

TEXAS CARDINAL.

Cardimlis sdnmhui, \^v. Vi: Zoiil. Soe. Loud. V, 1837, 111 (Mexico). — Lawiiknci:, Aim.
N. Y. Lye. V, 1851, 116. — ('assin, lUu.st. 1, vii, 1854, 201, pi. xx.\iii. I'l/n-hiduxia
Kiniinta, Kn^i. Con.sp. 1850, 500. — BAiiin, Birds N. Am. 1858, 508. — HliicitM. X,
c. 16. — CooPKit, Orn. Cal. I, 236.

Sp. CllAH. Head with an elongated, pointed crest, si)rin.<>ing from the erown. Ipper
parts generally pale ashy-brown ; hood, sides of neck, and under parts of body, rather
paler. Long crest-feathers, bill all round including loi-es and encircling the eye, wing
and tail, dark crim.son. Chin and npper part of throat, l)reast, and meilian line of the
belly, inider tail-coverts, tibia, edge and inner coverts of the wings, bright carmine-
red. Bill yellowish. Length, about 8.50; wing, 3.75; tail, 4.50.

f)(5 JJOUTII AMEKICAX BIUDa

lu'initle siniiliir, witli tlip uiidi'i' piirt browiiisli-yollow ; iiiitlillo of ln-lly and throat only
tiiificd witli ic(|.

IIaii. Valli-y of tlic IJio (liaiido ol' 'IVxas and westward ; Capo St. Lucas; Mazatlaii,
Mexico.

The wing is considerably rounded, tlie fourth and fifth quills longest;

the first as long as the secondaries, the
second longer than the seventh. The
tail is long, graduated on the sides, the
outer about half an inch shorter than
the middle. The feathers are very
broad to the end and ol)li([uely trun-
cate. They are rather broader than '"
Cardinulis virgiiimiius. The crest is
narrower and longer, and confined to
the middle of the crown ; it extends
back about 1.80 inches from the base
of the bill.

The carmine of the breast is some-
Piirrhvioxin simmta. yr\^^^ hiddcu by grayisli tips to the

featliers ; that of tlie throat is streaked a little with darker. The exposed
surfaces of the wing-coverts and of secondaries and tertials are like the back.
The tail-feathers are tij)pod witli broM'nish.

Specimens from Cape St. Lucas are very much smaller than any others,
measuring only, wing, 3.30 ; tail, 3.8(1. Tlie crest is dull carmine, instead
of dark wine-])urple ; the red tinge on wing and tail much fainter, and the
sides, as well as tlie gray tints everywhere, more brownish ; there is none of
tliat dark burnt-carmine tint to the red of lores and cheeks observable in all
the Texas specimens. No. 4l),758, Camp Grant, xVrizona, is like the Cape St.
Lucas birds in colors, except that the crest is dusky, but the proportions are
those of the liio Crande series.

Habits. The Texan Cardinal was originally described as a bird of Mex-
ico by Prince Charles Lucien Bonaparte in the Proceedings of the Zoological
Society of London. It lias since been ascertained to inhabit the southern
central portions of our country, its range of extension northerly bringing it
within the limits of the United States. In Texiw, on the Rio Grande, it is
resident throughout the year, or of but limited migration in the coldest
weather. It was not observed by Dr. Cones in Arizona, but is said to occur
in the southern portion of that Territory. It was found breeding .at Cajie
St. Lucas by Mr. Xantus. It is not named by Suniichrast among the birds
of Vera Cruz.

Its habits are said to be of the same general character with those of our
common Cardinal.

The .specimens from which this bird was first described were procured in
the vicinity of the city of Mexico. The first obtained within the limits of

FRINGILLID.K-TIIE FINCIIK3. (J7

the United States were observed by t'iii)tuin McCowii ul' tliu U. S. Army,
at J{iiij,'j,'<)ld Jkrraeks, in Texas. Siiicu tiieii it lias lieeii proeureil by several
of the naturalists a(iuonij)anyiii;^ tiie yovernnient expeditions. It was ob-
tained in New Leon, Mexico, by Lieutenant Couch; in Texas, by Major
Emory ; in Texas and at El Paso, by Lieutenant Parke.

When first seen, in March, in the State of Tamaulipas, by Lieutenant
Couch, it was in flo(;ks, very shy and dilheult of ai)])roacli. It did not occur
nnich in open fields, but seemed to prefer the vicinity of fences and bushes.
It was often seen in company with the common Cardinal.

Dr. Kennerly found this bird (piite aliundant in the vicinity of El Pasn,
but did not observe it elsewliere. It ke])t generally in flocks of from three
to six, frequenting the hedges and fruit-trees in the vicinity of houses. It
became very restless when a])proached, flying from branch to branch and
from tree to tree, uttering its peculiar note with great \ ehemence.

Dr. Heermann met with the first specimen of this bird in a dry canon, a
little to the east of the crossing of San Pedro Itiver. It was perched on a
bush, seemed wearied and lost, and was probably a wanderer. No more were
seen until he readied El Paso. Tiiere he found it everywhere among tiie
hedges and trees, and continued to meet with it occasionally on his road,
until his party left civilization behind. It erects its crest as it moves active-
ly about in search of food, and utters at intervals a clear, plaintive whistle,
varied by a few detached notes.

Mr. iJresser considers this species rather a straggler from ^lexico than as a
Texan bird. Near Eagle Pass and Piedras Negvas he fouvid it abundant, but
it became scarce as soon as he travelled a few miles into Texas. He saw none
north or east of the Leona. He was told that (juantities breed near Eagle
Pass, and he saw not a few in cages that had liecn reared from the nest.
He found it a shy biid, and ditticult to shoot. Wiien followed, it flies about
uneasily, perching on tlie toj) of some high bush, and erecting its long tn-est,
uttering a clear, plaintive whistle. Sometimes it would take to tlie thick
brushwood and creep through the bushes so that it was imixi.ssilde to get a
shot at it. On the Lower Kio Grande it was of unconmion occurrence. He
noticed a single pair near Matanioras in August, 1H04.

Cai)tain McCown, in his account of this species, publi.shed by Cassin,
writes that, so far as seen on tlie liio (Jrande, this liandsome species appeared
to have a strong partiality for damp and bushy woods. So far as he observed,
it never ventured far from the river. He w-as under the im])ression that this
bird remains in Texas all the year, having met with it so late in the fall and
again so early in the spring, that, if not constantly resident, its migrations
must be very limited. He describes it as a gay, sprightly bird, generally
seen in company with others of the same species, frequently erecting its
crest and calling to its mate or conn-ades. It is rather shy, and not easily
approached. In its voice and general habits it appeared to him very similar
to the common species.

VOL. II. 13

08

NOUTil AMKRICAX BIRDS.

The eggs of this si)ecies are of an oval sliapo, uiu; end lu'iiij;' only a little
less ro'.iulod than the othtT. Tiieir aveiano iiicasiinMiient is one inch in
length by .80 in hreaiUh. Tlieir i,'roun(l-i'o]()r is a dull ehalky-wiiite, over
wliicli are distributed well-delined blotches of .. ''ight und)er-l)rown, and also
a number of indistinct markings of i»uri)le. The spots are [)retty uniform
in tiieso colors, but vary greatly in size and distril)ution. In some eggs they
largely consist of fine dots, in others they are in hold l)lotc]ies. In some tlie
brown is mure contluent and the effect that of a deeper shade.

GE.Nrs CARDINALIS, Uonai'.

Cardinalis, liiiNAPAiiiE, Saggio di una (listiibuzioiic mctoil. tlei Aiiiiiiagli Vertebrati, 1831
(Agassi/). (Tyi)L', Lm-ia airdimilis, Linn.)

Gen. Ciiah. Bill onoiinnuslj- lar;j(': ouliiioii \o\\ slii;iilly curved, coniinissni'o sinuated;
lower jaw broader than the length of tlie gonys, eoiit;idt;rably wider than the upper jaw,
about as deep as the latter. Tarsi longer than middle toe; outer toe rather the longer,
reaching a little beyond the base of the middle one; hind toe not so long. Wings

Cnrffiitalis viri^ititanits,

moderate, reaching over the basal third nl' the exposeil part oF the tail. Kotn' outer quills
graduated ; the lii-sl ecpud to the secondaries. Tail long, decidedly longer than the wings,
considerably graduated ; featiiers liro.id, truncated a little obliipiely at the end, the corners
rounded. Colors red. IFcail (nested.

Tlie essential eliaraeters of this genus are the crested liead ; very large
and tliick bill extending far back on the foreh(>ad, and only moderately
curved above ; tarsus long(>r tluin middle toe ; muclt gnuluated wings, the
first prim.iry equal to the secondary (luills ; tlie long tail exceeding the
wings, broad and much graduivted at the; end.

Of tliis geinis, only two species are known, one of them being exclusively
South American, the otlier beloTiging to North America, but in diiterent regions
modified into representative races. They may be defined as follows.

FHINGILLID.'E — THE FINCHES. 99

Species and Varieties.

Common CirAUArTr.its. Mule. 1!i\l;1iI vi'iiiiilioii-ifil, more dusky purplish on
upper surlaco ; loiilliiMs adiniiiinj; bnse of liiU liliick lor greater or less extent.
Female. Above oliviireous, Uk; \viui;s, tiiil, iiml crest reihlisli ; beuoatli olivaeeous-
wliitisli, slightly tinged on jiiguluni willi red.

C. virginianuB. ("hIimcu nearly straight; eonnnissure with a slight lobe;
upper niaudilile as deep as the lower, perli'ctly smooth. Bill red. Hhiek
pateli covering whole throat, its [lostcrior outline; convex. Female. I/ming
of wing deep vermilion. ()livaci!Ous-gray above, the wings and tail strongly
tinged with red; crest only dull red, without darker sh.'d't-streaks. Beneath
wholly light oehraceous. No black aroinid bill.
A« Crest-feathers soft, blended. Uumii not lighter red than b.ick.

a. Black of the loi'cs passing broadly across forehead. Crest brownish-
red. Bill moderate.

Cuhnen, .75; gouy.s. .11; d<>pth of bill, .04. Feathers of dorsal
region broadly margined with grayish. Wing, 4.05; tail, 4.50;
crest, 1.80. Hah. Eastern Province of 'died States, south of
40°. Bernnidas van virginianus.

b. Black of the lores not meciug across forehead; crest pure vermilion.
Bill robust.

Cuhnen, .81 : gonys, .47- dejith of bill, .70. Feathers of dorsal
region without grayish Ixirders; red beneatli more intense; wing,
3.()0; tail, l.'Jd; crest, 2.00. llah. Eastern Mexico (Mirador;
Yucatan; "noiidin-as") var. coccin e ns '

Cuhnen, .W ; gonys. .17; depth of bill, .05. Feathers of dorsal
region with distinct gray borders; red beneath lighter. Wing, 4.00;
t.ail, 5.00; crest, 2.00. //"/). Cape St. Lucas, and Arizona; Tres
Marias I.slands. (Perhaps .all of Western Mexico, north of the Rio
Grande de Santiago.) • . var. /,7»eM,s.

B. Crest-feathers still', compact. Rump decidedly lighter red than the back.

Cuhnen, .75; gonys, .41; depth of bill, .,57. Dorsal feathers
without grayish margins; red as in th.' last. Wing, 3.40- t.ail,
.3.80; crest. 2.O0. Ilab. Western Mexico; Colinia. "Acapulco
ct Realejo," ....••.•

C. phoeniceuB.' (^ulmen nmch arched; conunissure arched ; upper mandi-
ble not as deep as lower, and with grooves forward from the nostril, par.allel
with the curve of the cuhnen. Bill whitish-brown. Black patch restricted
to the chin, it.s posterior outline deeply concave.

1 CariUvdlia riviiiiiiiiiDin, v,ir. m-i-itinm. liinnwAY.

'■i CardhwUs vinjininiiiis, var. ctriinis. i t',inliii((li,i eanu-KS, Less. R. Z. 1842, 209. — RoXAl".

Consp. I, ."iOl.

Aeconling to tlio locality iniotcd (" .\ciipuleo et Roaliijo'") this name is the one to l.(> applied
to the variety iliagniiscd in the synojisis ; it is (liUleult, however, to make anything out of the
deseri])tiou, as it is evidently taken I'niiM a f.'Uiale or iinuiatiire bird. If the locality nuoted be
correct, this form ranges along the Paeilie Coast, iirnbably from latitude 20° .south, as far at least
ns Nicaragua. North of 20°, ami on tin' Tres Jlarias Islands, it is replaced by var. vjiiciis, and
on the Atlantic, coast, from Tampieo south to Ilonchnas, i.s rei)rpsentP(l by the var. coccuieK.t.

In the very long, stilf erest-feathers, and light reil rump, this variety of C. vmjinianu.i closely
aiiproximates to r. plneiiiirii.i, hut in other respects is very distinct.

3 Cardiiialh iiliieniWii^', (Covlv,) Wnww 1'. Z. S. 18;i7. 11. HI ; Consp. '., 501. — Sci.ATEK &
Sai.vin, Ex. (Irn. Pt. VIII, ISliS, pi. Ixiii.

100

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Ci't'st-H'.illiers stifl' iiiid (;oiiip;ict. No lilack above, or on lores ; crest
pure vermilion; rinnj) lif;lit Veriiiilinn, nuicli liufhter limn tlie biiek, wliicli
is witliont p'ay eilges to t'eatiiers. Cnlnien, ."5; jjonys, 30; lieiglit of
bill, .07 ; wing, 3.50; tail, 3.90; i're.»it, 'J.IJO. Female. Lining of wing
buff; above iusliy-olivaeeons, becoming jinre ash on head and neck,
except their under .side. CJ t-fealhers vermilion with black shafts;
no red tinge on wing.s, and only a slight tinge of it on tail. Forepart
of cheeks and middle of throat white ; rest of lower part deep ochra-
eeous. Black around bill as in the male. flub. Northern South
America ; \'enezuela ; New Granada.

Cardinalis virginianus, Hoxap.

BEDBIBD; CARDINAL OBOSBEAK.

Coccotftrmis/cn virijhiuniii, Bkissos, Orn. Ill, 17')0, 2.'')3. Loxia cardinal'' Iavs. Ryst. I,
17t)(>, 300. — Wii.siiN, Am. Oni. II, 1810, 38, pi. vi, f. 1, 2. Coccuflira .stci canlinalis,
ViKII.l,. Diet. Friiiijilld ((Jitcni/liraiisfen) cardinalis, Bo.v. Obs. Wils. 1825, No. 79.
Frinyilla cardinalis, Nirr. Man. 1, 1832, 519. — Am. Orn. Uiog. II, 1834, 336 ;
V, 514, pi. clix. Pilijlm ctmlinalis, Aud. Syn. 1839, 131. — lu. Birds Am. Ill, 1841,
198, jd. cciii. Cardinalis rinjinianiis, BoN. List, 1838. <— I u. t'onsp. ISfiO, 501. —
B.viiil), Birds X. Am. 1858, 509. — M.vx. Cab. .1. VI, 1858, 268. Grosbcc dc Virginic,
Buff. Pi. enl. 37.

Sp. Cir.vR. A llattencd crest of feathers on the crowr. Bill red. Body generally
bright vermilion-red, darker on the back, rump, and tail. The feathers of the back

and nnnp bordered with brownish-gray. Narrow
band around the base of the bill, extending to eyes,
with chin and upper part of the throat black.

Female of a duller red, and this oidy on the
wings, tail, and elongated feathers of the crown.
Aliove light olive ; tinged with yellowish on the
head ; beneatli Ijrownish-yellow, darkest on the
sides and across the breast. Black about the head
O'lly faintly indicated. Length, 8.50; wing, 4.00 ;
tail, 4..'J0 ; cnlnien, .75 ; depth of bill, .,58 ; breadth
of upper mandible, .35. (28,286 $, Mount Carmel,
Southern Illinois.)

Hab. More southern portions of United States
to the Missouri. Probably along valley of Rio
Grande to Rockv Momitain.s.

Oirdinalis virginianiu.

Tlie bill of this s])ecies i.s very large, and
shaped much as in Ilcihjmeks liidovicianns.
The central foiitliei-s of the crest of the crown are longer than the lateral ;
they spring from about the middle of the crown, and extend back about an
incli and a half from the base of the bill. The wings are mucli rounded,
the fourth longest, the second wiual to the seventli, the first as long as the
secondaries. The tail is long, truncate at the end, but graduated on the
sides ; the feathers are broad to the end, truncated obliciuely at the end.

PRINGILLID.R — THE FIN^CIIE.-' IQI

Most North American specimens we have seen have the leathers of the hack
edged with asliy ; the more nortliui'n tlio less luighllv colored, and larger.
Mexican skins (var. ivcriiwu.s) are deeper colored and without the olivaceous.
In all specimens from eastern Xorth America the frontal black is very
distinct.

Specimens from the Eastern Province of United States, including Florida
and the Bermudas, are all alike in possessing those features distinguishing
the restricted var. vinjinianus from the races of Afexico, namely, the wide
black frontal band, and distinct gray edges to dorsal feathers, with small bill.
Specimens from Florida are scarcely smaller, and are not more deei)ly
colored than some examples from Southern Illinois. Iiio Grande skins,
however, are slightly less in size, though identical in other respects.

Habits. The Cardinal Grosbeak, the Redbird of the Southern States, is
one of our few birds that i)resent the double attraction of a brilliant and
showy plumage with more than usual powers of song. In New F^ngland
and the more northern States it is chiefly known by ifei reputation as a
cage-bird, both its bright plumage and its sweet song giving it a high value.
It is a very rare and (mly an accidental visitor of Massachusetts, though a
pair was once known to spend the summer and to rear its brood in the
Botanical Gardens of Harvard College in C!amb'ridge. . It is by no means a
conmion bird even iu Pennsylvania. In all the Southern States, from Vir-
ginia to Mexico, it is a well-known favorite, frequenting gardens and ])lanta-
tions, and even breeding within the limits of the larger towns and cities.
A single specimen of this bird Avas obtained near Ducfias, Guatemala, by
Mr. Salvin.

The song of this Grosbeak is diversiiied, pleasant, and mellow, delivered
with energy and ease, and renewed incessantly until its fre([uent repetitions
somewhat diminish its charms. Its pecidiar whistle is not only loud and
clear, resembling the finest notes of the flageolet, but is so sweet and so
varied that by some writers it has been considered eijual even to the notes
of the far-famed Nightingale of Euroi)e. It is, however, very far fro.n
being among our best singers ; yet, as it is known to remain in full song
more than two thirds of the year, and while thus nuisical to be constant
and liberal in the utterance of its sweet notes, it is entitled to a conspicuous
place among our singing birds.

In its cage life the Cardinal soon becomes contented and tame, and will
live many years in confinement. Wilson mentions one instance in which a
Redbird was kept twenty-one years. Tl-'iy sing nearlj' throughout the year,
or from January to October. In the extreme Southern States they are more
or less resident, and some may be found all the year round. There is an-
other remarkable peculiarity in this species, and one very rarely to be met
with among birds, which is that tlie female Cardinal Grosbeak is an ex-
cellent singer, and her notes are very nearly as sweet and as good as those
of her mate.

102 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

This species has lieeii traced as far to the west in its distribution as tho
base of the Rocky Mountains, and into JVlexico at the southwest. In Mexico
it is also re])lace<l by a very ch)sely allied variety, and at ("ajie St, Lucas by
still anotlier. It is given by Mr. Lav.'rence among the birtls occurring near
Xew York City. He has occasionally met with it in New Jersey and at
Staten Island, and, in one in.stauce, on New York Island, when his attention
was attracted to it by the hnidness of its song.

It is given by Mr. Dresser as common throughout the whole of Texas
during the summer, and almost throughout the year, excepting only where
the P. sinunta [f, iound. At Matamoras it was very common, and may be
seen caged in almost every Mexican hut. He found it breeding in great
abundance about San Antonio in April and j\Iay.

Mr. Cassin states that the Cardinal Bird is also known by the name of
Virginia Nightingale. He adds that it inhabits, for the greater part, low and
damp woods in which there is a profuse undergrowth of bushes, and is par-
ticularly partial to the vicinity of watercourses. The male bird is rather
shy and careful of exposing himself

Wilson mentions that in the lower parts of the Southern States, in the
neighborhood of settlements, he fomid them more numerous than elsewhere.
Their clear and lively notes, even in the months of January and February,
were, at that season, almost the only music. Along the roadsides and fences
he found them hovering in small groups, a.ssociatcd with Snowbirds and
various kintls of S[)arrows. I'^vcn in I'ennsylvanii they frequent the bor-
ders of creeks and rivulets during the whole year, in sheltered hollows,
covered with holly, laurel, and other evergreens. They are very fond of
Indian c(n'n, a grain that is their favorite food. They are also said to feed
on various kinds of fruit.

The males of this species, during the breeding season, are described as very
pugnacious, and when confined together in the same cage they fight violently.
The male l)ird has even been known to destroy its mate. In Florida Mr.
Audubon found these birds mated Ity the 8th of February. The nest is
built in bushes, among briers, or in low trees, and in various situations, the
middle of a field, near a fence, or in the interior of a thicket, and usually
not far from rumiing water. It has even been placed in the garden close to
the planter's house. It is loosely built of dry leaves and twigs, with a large
proportion of dry grasses and strips of the bark of grajievines. Within, it is
finished and lined with finer stems of gra.s,ses wrought into a circular form.
There are usually two, and in the more Southern States three, broods in a
season.

Mr. Audubon adds that they are easily raised from the nest, and have
been known to breed in confinement.

The eggs of this species are of an oblong-oval shape, with but little differ-
ence at either end. Their ground-color appears to be white, but is generally
so thickly marked with spots of ashy-brown and faint lavender tints as to

FKINGILLIDyE — THE IIXUIIES. 103

permit but little of its <froiiiul to bo seoii. Tlie eggs vary greatly in ^ize,
r.uiging iron 1.10 inches to .98 of au inch in length, and ftoni .80 to .78
in breadth.

Cardinalis virginianus, var. igneus, Baird.

CAPE CARDINAL.

Cardinalit igneus, Baiki>. I'r. Ac Sc. PliiUi. 1859, 305 (t'apo St. Lucas). — Elliot, llliist.
N. .\iii. liirils, I, \\'\. — C'ooi'Elt, Oni. C'al. 1, 238. Vanlinalis vinjinianus, Finscii,
Abb. Xat. limn. 1870, 33U.

Sp. Cil.V" Itesemhliii}; vii-iiinkninK, liaviiip;, liko it, tlio (li.^tinet prniyi.sli odfft's to rcathcrs
of tlio iloi-.-;a1 region. Red lightor, liowovor, and tho top of lioad, including; crest, nearly
pure verii ihon, instead of brownish-red. Blaclc of the lores not passinjr acro.ss the fore-
head, reai.'hinff-only to tiie nostril. Winu;, 4.00; tail, /i.Od; culmen, .8;5 ; depth of bill,
.60 ; breadth of upper mandible, .38. (No. 49,757 $. Camp Grant, GO miles east of
Tucson, Arizona).

Female distinguishable from that o!' firi/iin'mn's oidy by more swollen bill, and more
restricted dusky around ba,se of bill. Young : bill deep black.

H.vu. Cape St. Lucas; Camp Grant, Arizona; Tres Marias Islands (oft' coast of Mex-
ico, latitude between 21° and 22° north). Probably Western Mexico, from Sonora south
to latitude of about 20°.

In the features pointed out above, all specimens from Arizona and Tres
Marias, and of an exceedingly large series collected at Cape St. Lucas, differ
from those of other regions.

No s])ecimens are in the collection from Western Mexico as far south as
Colima, but birds from this region will, witliout doubt, be found referrible
to the present race.

Habits. Tiiere appears to be nothing in the habits of this form of Cardi-
nal, as far as known, to distinguish it from the Virginia bird ; the nest and
eggs, too, lieing almost identical. Tiie latter average about one inch in length,
and .80 in breadth. Their ground-color is white, with a bluish tint. Tiicir
markings are larger, and more of a rusty than an ashy brown, and the inirple
spots are fewer and less marked than in C. iinjinidiiiis.

The memoranda of IMr. John Xantus show that in one instance a nest of
this bird, containing two eggs, was found in a mimosa bush four feet from
the ground ; another nest, with one egg, in a like situation ; a third, con-
taining three eggs, was about three feet from the ground ; a fourth, with
two eggs, was also found in a mimosa, but only a few inches above the
ground.

104

NOUTIl AMERICAN BIRDS.

Genus FIPILO, Vikillot.

rijnlo, ViKiLLiiT, Aiiiilysi', ISIU (Aijassiz). (Typo, Fr ing ilia cry throjihUuihm, Linn.)

Gkn. f'li.vH. Hill rnthci stout; tlic fuliiioii gontly curved, the gonys nonrly stvaicht;
tlic conimissure gently uonuave, with a deciilod iiotcii near the end ; the lower jaw not so

Pipilo fuxua.

deo]> as the ujipor; not as wide as the gonys is long, but wider than the base of the
upper inandil>le. Feet large, the tarsus as long as or a little longer than the middle toe;
the outer lateral toe a little the longer, and reaching a little beyond the base of the
middle claw. The hind claw about equal to its toe; the two together about equal to the
outer toe. Claws all stout, compressed, and moderately curved ; in some western speci-
mens the claws much larger. Wings reaching
about to the end of the upper tail-coverts; short
and rounded, though the primaries are consider-
ably longer than the nearly equal secondaries
and tertials; the outer four quills are graduated,
the first considerably shorter than the second,
and about as long as the secondaries. Tail con-
siderably longer than the wings, moderately
graduated externally; the feathers rather broad,
most roimiled olf on the inner webs at the end.
The colors vary ; the upper parts are generally
uniform black or brown, sometimes olive ; the
under white or brown; no central streaks on
the feathers. The hood sometimes differently
colored.

Pipilo erythropluhalmuj.

In the large number of species or races included in this genus by authors,
there are certain differences of form, such as varying graduation of tail,
length of claw, etc., but scarcely sufficient to warrant its further subdivision.
In coloration, however, we find several different styles, which furnish a con-
venient metliod of arrangement into groups.

FRINGILLIDJ-: — THE FINCHES. 105

Few genera in birds exliihit such constancy in trifling variations of form
and color, and as these are closely connected with gcograpliical distriliuti(jn,
it seems reasonable to reduce many of tlie so-called species to a lower rank.
In the following synopsis, we arrange the wiiole of North Aiuerican and
Mexican Tijiilos into iour sectior.:, with their more positive species, and
in the subsetiuent discussion c/f tlie sections separately we shall give what
appear to be the varieties.

Species.

A, Sido.s and lower tail-coverts rufous, in .siuirp contrast with the clciir wliito of
the abdomen. Tail-feathers with whitish patch on end of inner weh.s.

a. Head and nock black, sharply delined against the white of breast. IJump

olive or blackish.

lllttc.l: or dusky ulive above,

1. P. maoulatuB. Wiiite spots on tips of both rows of wiiif^-covorts,
and on scapulars. No white patch on ba.se of primaries. Hub. Mexico,
and United States west of the Missouri. (Five race.s.)

2. P. erythropthalmuB. No white spots on winjjf-co verts, nor on
scapulars. A white patch on base of primaries. I[(ib. Eastern Province
of United States. (Two races.)

lirujlit olive-green above.

3. P. maoronyx.' Scapulars and wing-cov'crts (lioth rows) with
distinct fjrccnish-white .spots on tips of outer wel)s.

4. P. chloroBoma.' Scapnlars and wing-coverts without trace of
white .spots. Hub. Tal)le-lands of Me.\ico. (Perha])s tiicse are two
races of one species, ntucroni/x.}

1 Pipih iiKicrnutix, .SWAIKSON, Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 434. Heal del Moiito, Mcx. — In. Aiiim. in
Men. 183S, ;i47. — Bp. C'ousp. 487. — Sclateu & S.vi.vix, 18(59, 3()1. I'iiiilo virrscens. Hart-
LAUn, Cab. Jour. 1803, 228, Mex.

Sp. CllAU. Prevailing color above olive-green ; the head and neck all round black, abruptly
contrasted below with the white under parts ; above passing insensibly into the green of the
back ; feathers of interscapular region obscurely dusky medially ; sides and cri.ssuni rufous.
Scapulars and greater and middle coverts with outer webs pale greeidsh-yellow at ends ; these
blotches faintly margined externally with olive-green. Edge of wing yellow ; outer primary
edged with whitish, edges of other primaries and of secondaries uniform olive-green. Fifth
qiuU longest, fourth and sixth scarcely shorter ; first shorter than ninth. Legs stout, claws
niucli curved. Tail wanting in the single specimen before us (a male from the city of Mexico,
belonging to Mr. G. N. LawreneeV

Dimensions (prejiared specimen) : Wing, 3.70. Exposed portion of first primary, 2.30 ; of
second, 2.73 ; of longest (measured from exposc^l base of fn-st primary), 2.85. IJill ; Length
from fore'. ead, .75 ; from nostril, .45. Legs: Tarsus, 1.14 ; middle claw, .38 ; hind toe and claw,
.85 ; claw alone, .52.

In describing this species, Swaiiuson mentions an accompanying specimen as similar, but with-
out any white spots on wings, suggesting that it may be the female. A specimen in tlie plumage
from Oaxaea is characterized as follows.

'■* Pipilo chlorosomn, Baiud. 50,225^, Oaxaea. Similar to P. mafTO?!?/j' in color, but without
any trace of white markings on the wings. Outer tail-feathers with an obscurely defiiu'd greenish-
white patch about an inch long, at the enil of inner web ; similar, but successively smaller
patches on the second and third feathers, all whiter on ujjper than lower surface. Fifth (piill
longest ; first shorter than ninth.

Z>i»«;«*i«)W (prepared siiecimen) : TotaUength, 8.20; wing, 3.75; tail, 4.80. Bill: Length

vol.. II. 14

100 NUltTII AMKUR'AN i!li;i>;i.

b, Ifciiil iiiiil iicik iisliy, paliT rm ji,<,'iiliiiii, wIiitc tlio color liuli-s grnfluiilly
into the whitr ol lii'r,i-.|, liiiiiip iiiiil iippi'i' liiil-fovcM'ls liri^'lit, nil'ous.

.',. P. supercilioss.' An ohsi.iiic wliiiish siiiHTfiliuiy sln|>c. Greater
\vi:i^'-c()verl.s olisoletely wliitisli at ti])s; no other white !iiarkiiif,'s on
ujiper parts, and |l • tril-piuuhes iiKhsliact. Ilnh. Brazil. (IVrhiips not
fieniiino Pipiln.)
Bt Siih's asiiy or liii;^eil witli ochraeeniis ; lower tail-covcrts oehra(;eoiis, not
sliaiply coiitfiisled willi while on the ahdonien, or else the ahilonieii coiieolor
Willi ihe side. Ileiid never Mark, and upper parts without lifrht markings
(except the winj.' m fuse UK var. iilbifiitlis).
a. AN'inus and tail olive-f^reen.

(i. P. chlorurus. Whoh' pilenni (except in yonng) deep ruCons, sharply
delined. A\'hole throat ]mre white, iininaeulate, and sharply delined
ngainsi the surrounding dee)) nsh ; a maxillary nnd a short snpraloral
stiipe ol' white. Anterior jiaits ol' body streaked in young. Hah.
AVestern Province ol' ['nited States.
6. Wiiejs and tail grayisli-hrowii.

7. P. fuBCus. A whitish or or hracoous patch covering the throat con-
trasiiny with the adjacent jiortions, and boimdetl by dusky specks.
Lores and ehin like the throat. Hub. Mexico, and United States west
of Itoeky Mountains. (Five rai'es.)

8. P. aberti. Throat concolor with the adjacent portions, and without
distinct spills. Lores and ehin blackish. Hub. Colorado region of
Mitldle I'lovince, United Stales. (Only one form known.)

SECTION I.

Hedd bldclc.

Pipilo erythrophthalmus.

After a careful study of the very large collection of Black-headed Pipilos
(lea\ iiig for the i)reseiit tlie coiiwideiatioii of those with olive-<>reeii bodies)
in tlie Siuitii.souiiui ]\Iuseuin, we have come finally to the conclusion that all
tlie sjH'cies descrilied as havinj,' the scapulars and wing-coverts siiotted with
while — as nrdicii.% orcrjoimii, and mefjalonijx, and even including the difier-
ently colored P. manilntus of Mexico — are probably only geographical races
of one species, nipresenting in the trans-Missouri region the P. cri/fhwjMMl-
mii>i of the eastern division of the continent. It is true that siiecimens may
be selected of the four races capable of accurate definition, but the transition

from forelicail, .7:3 ; from nostril, .-13. Lf^s : Tar.sus, 1.24 ; miildlo toe and ckw, 1.10; claw
alone, .;!() ; liinil toe and cliiw, .8;') ; claw alone, .SO. No. 00,0,50, Mexico, is similar, in all
essential respects.

From the analogies of the black IMjiilos, it is reasonable to consider those two birds as distinct
species, or at Ica.st varieties, especially as the siiccimeii before Us of that with unspotted wings
is marked male. The gen<'ral aiipcaranec is otherwise much the .same, the uii.spotted bird rather
smaller, and without the dusky interscapular markings ilcscribeil in maci;)iii/.>: Should No. 50,225
reiiresent a distinct siiccies, it may be called /'. chloniHomii, and ilistinguisUed as above. (00,050,
Mexico, norcvni).)

1 Pqnhi liitcnilis(S.KT\\). Em lierizti htkniUs, X.\rT. JFus. Vind. MSS. Poosjnxd lat. Burm.
Th. nra.s. Ill, Av. 2, y. 2\:, PipUo mpcralinsa, Swains. An. Men.ng. 311, 95, fig. 59.

FUINGILLID.K — Till] FINTIIES. 107

from one tft the otlier is so {j;ni(liml tliat a (M»iiHi(U'riil)le ])nrrontaf!n of the col-
hietioii can scarcely be assijjiied satisfactorily ; mid even if tills were jmssilih',
tiie ilill'ereiices after all are only .;iu'h as are caused liy a slii^lit cliaii^e in
t! 0 ])roi)ortiou of iilack, and the varyinj,' develo]iinent of feet and wiiii;s.

'liikint; morii/iifiis as it occurs in tiie isentral jiortion of its wide iidd ef
distribution, with \viiii,'-spots of avorajie si/e, we iind these sjiuts slightly
bordered, or at least often, with black, and tlie ]niniaries iMJ^ed externally
with V e only towards tiie end. The exterior web of lateral tail-fealiiei' is
edged mostly with wiiite ; the terminal white patches of outer I'eatiier ab(jut
an inch htn<^; that of inner web usually separated from the outer liy a black
shaft-streak. In more nnrtliern sjtecimens tlie ley:s are more dusky than
usual. Tlie tail is varial>le, Init lonij;er <ienerally tlian in tiie otiier races.
Tiie claws are enormously large in many, but not in all siM-cimeiis, vaiyiiii;
considerably; and the fourth ])riniary is usually longest, the first equal to
or shorter than the secondaries. Tliis is the race described as /'. )iiri/ii/ii,ii/.f
and characterizes the Middle Province, between tlie Siena Xevada of Cali-
fornia and the eastern llocky Mountains, or the great interior basin of the
continent ; it occurs also near the head of tlie Itio (Jrandc.

On the Pacific slojie of California, as we proceed westward, we find a chant;e
in the species, the divergence increasing still more as we ])id('eed iKjrlJi-
ward, until in Oregon and Washington the CAtrcme of range and alteration
is seen in P. om/oiuis. Here the claws are much smaller, tlie white markings
restricted in extent .so as to form ipiite small spots bordered externally liy
black ; the sjiots on the inner wel)s of tail much smaller, and even bordered
along the siiaft with black, and the outer web of the lateral entirely Idack,
or with only a faint white edging. The concealed white of the head and
neck has disappeared also.

Proceeding eastward, on the other hand, from our starting-point, we find
another race, in J\ arctivun, occuj)ying the western slope of tlie ^Fissouri
Valley and the basin of the Saskatchewan, in which, on the contrary, the
white increases in (piantity, and more and more to its eastern limit. Tlie
black l(orders of the wing-patclies di.sapi)ear, leaving tlieiuMhite externally;
and decided white edgings are seen for the tir.st time at the bases of primaries,
as well as near their ends, the two sometimes confluent. Tlie terminal tnil-
patches are larger, the outer web of the exterior feather is entirely white
except toward the very base, and we tlius have tlie o])posite extreme to P.
orcgonns. The wings are longer ; tlie third primary longest ; the first usually
longer than the secondaries or the ninth quill.

Finally, proceeding southward along the table-lands of IMexico, and
especially on their western slope;, we find P. nmcnhttiifi (the first described
of all) colored nmch like the females of the more northern races, except that
the iiead and neck are black, in decided contrast to the more olivaceous back.
The wing formula and pattern of markings are much like mnjalouyx, the
claws more like arcticus. Even in specimens of itm/nJunip; from tlie south-

108 NUKTII AMKKICAN BIRDS.

em portion of its area of distvilputioii, \v(! Hml a tcmleiicv to an nsliy or
brownish tingo on tlic nun|i, extending nion; or less along tlie baek ; few, if
any indeed, being uniforndy blaek.

As, liowever, a general expression can l)e given to the variations referred
to, and as they have an important geograjjhical relationshij), besides a gen-
eral diagnosis, we give their i'haraet(irs aiul distribution in detail.

The general impression we derive from a study of the series is that the
amount of white on the wing aiul elsewhere decreases from tlie Missouri
Jiiver to the I'acitic, exhibiting its mininnini in Oregon and Washington, pre-
cisely as in the snudl black Woodpeckei's ; that in the Great liasin the size
of the claws and the length of tail increases considerably ; that the northern
forms are entirely black, and the nioiu southern brown or olivaceous, except
on the iiead.

Tlie following synoj)sis will be found to express the principal characteris-
tics of the species and their varieties, i)remising that F. anikiiti is more dis-
tinctly delinalile than any of the others. We udd the character of the green-
bodied Mexican species to conijjlete the series.

Synopsis of Varieties.

I. P. erythrophthalrmia.

1. Win-r, 3.05 ; tail, 4.20. Outer tiiil-i'i'iitlicT witli torniiiial half of inner w.O)
white. Iris bright red, soiiiutiint's paler. Hah. Eastci-ii I'rovinco Unitfcl
States. (Florida in winter.) \!\\: erythropthalmus .

2. Winp, 2.90 ; tail, 3.75. Outer tail-feather with only terminal fourth of

mner wel) white. Iris white. //«/*. Florida (resident) . . ya,T. alleni.

II. P. maculatns.

A. Interscapulars with white streaks,
flf. Outer webs of primaries not edged with white at the base.

1. Above olive-brown, the head and neck, only, continuous blaek; back
streaked with blaek. White .spots on wing-eovorts not bordered externally
with black. Wing, 3.25 ; tail, 4.00 ; hind elaw, .44. TI(i!>. Table-lands of
Mexico y(j,._ mac ulatus.^

2. Above black, tinged with olive on rump, and .sometimes on the na])e.
White spots as in last. Inner web of lateral tail-leathers with terminal white
spot more than one inch long; outer web broadly edged with white.
Wing, 3.45; tail, 4.10; liind claw, .55. Feimde less deep black than male,
with a general slaty-olive cast. IM. Middle Province of United States,
from Fort Tejon, California, to Upper Rio Grande, and from Fort Crook to
FortBridger y.^r. megalonyx.

3. Above almost wholly black, with scarcely any olive tinge, and this only
on rump. AVhite .spots restricted, and with a distinct black external bonier.
White terminal .spot on inner web of lateral tail-feather less than one inch
long ; outer web almost wholly black. Wing, 3.40 ; tail, 3.00 ; hind elaw,
.39. Female deep tnnber-brown, inste.ad of black. JIah. Pacific Province of
United States, south to San Franci-sco ; West Humboldt Mountains, var. oregonus.

• Fipilo maculatus, Swainson, Philos. Mag., 1827.

KuiN(iii,i,ii).i; — Till!; FiN<niKs.

109

b. Outor wclis of inMiinrii'S dislinctly nd^i^d "illi while at Imso.
4. Above liliuk, cxc.i'iii (III mini), which Is tiiigcil with ohviici'Dii.i. White
spots very huffc, witli.ml hhu'k l)(pi'(h'r. Iliiicr wcib of hiteriil tiiil-fcallicr
Willi toniiinal half wliitc, tiio outer weh almost wholly white. Wing, 3 ")(!;
tail, ;i.!)0; hind ijnw, ,:',<). /•;.,//((/(• uiiilier-lii-own, ivplacinj: hlaek. ffab.
I'luius butwet'ii l{oei<y Mountuiiiti and the Mi!<souri ; Saskatehewan Hasin.

vnr. a re fie n s .

B. Intersenymiar.-i without, white streaks,
f). Above dusky olive; wiiiie spots on seapnlars and wiiig-eoverts small, and
without black ed<re. Tnil-patehes very restricted (outer only .40 long).
No white on itiiinaries. WiiiL'. •i.S."); tail, ;!.10. /'ewu^c scarcely dill'erent.
JIab. Socorro Island, oil West coast of Mexico . . . var. car w hh /.'

Pipilo ersrthrophthalmus, Viiillot.

OSOUND ROBIN ; TOWHEE ; CHEWINK.

FrincjUln cri/l/iroji/illnt/nKi, Linn. Syst. Xat. I, 17iiG, ;5]S. — AiM). Orii. Tiiog. I, 1832, lal ;
V, .111, Ml. .v.xi.v. KinUrizii i'riitliri:/i/illi(i/m,i, (iM. Syst. Nut. I, 17S8, 874. — Wil.so.v,
Am. Km. VI, Lsi2, !m, pi. liii. /Vy,,/,, n-iilhwiilithilmus, Vikill. (!al. Ois. I, 1824,
109, pi. l.\.\x. — IJos. List, l}<;i.s. _ III. I \ Mspcctu.s, 18f.O, 487. — Am. Syn. ]8ait, 124.
— In. Birds Am. Ill, 1K41, li>7, pi. cx.v. — lUiim, J5iids N. Am. 18.18, .512. — Samu-
els, 333. Pijiilu (i/ei; Vir.ii.i,, Ndhv. Diet. X.XXIV, 181!», 292. Tuir/icc liinl,
C.\TESBY, Car. I, 34. Towlicc Bunli,ig, Latua-m, Syn. U, i, 1783, 199. — I'en.nant,
II, 1785, 359.

Sp. Char. Upper parts peiierally, head and neek i\ll round, and upper part of the
breast, glossy black, abruptly delined against
the pure white which extends to the anus,
but is bounded on the sides and under the
wings by light chestnut, which is soineliinos
streaked externally with black. I'eatluMs of
throat white in the middle. I'nder coverts

similar to side.s, but p.iler. Edges of outer six primaries with white at the base and on
the middle of the outer web; inner two tertiaries also edged externally with Avhite.
Tail-feathers lilaek; outer web of the first, with the enils of the first to the third, white,
decreasing from the exterior one. Outermost (piill usually shorter than ninth, or even
than secondaries; fourth quill longest, fifth .scarcely shorter. Iris red; said to iie some-
times paler, or even white, ill winter. Length. 8.75; wing, 3.7"); tail, i.lO. Bill black,
legs llesli-color. Female with the I)laek repl.iced by a rather rufous brown.

Had. Eastern United States to the Mi.ssouri River; Florida (in winter).

The tail-feathers are only moderately graduiited on the sides ; the outer
about .40 of an incli shorter than tlie middle. The outer tail-feather 1ms
the terminal half wliite, tlie outline transverse ; the white of the second is
about half as long as that of tlie first ; of tlie third half tliat of the second.
The chestnut of the sides reaches forward to the black of the neck, and is
visilile when the wings are closed.

1 Pipiln carmnni, liAiiin, SISS. ; LAWr.nxer., Ann. N. Y. Lye. X, 7. (Specimens in collection
made by Colonel A. J. Uraysoii.)

110

NOIITII AMKRK'AN IIIFIDS.

A young bird 1ms tlio prevailing color reddisli-olivo al)Ovc, spotted with
lighter; lioncutli l)r()\viiisli-\vliitt', Htroiikod thickly with lirowii.

Tho description above given nmy be taken us rei)re.senting iho avernge of
the HpecieH in the Northern and ^liddle States. Most s[>eciinen.s from the
Mississipjii N'alley diller in having the two white patches on the priinavitis
conlluent; but this feature is nut sullicieutly constant to make it worthy of

ZI35 •J

2136

Prpi'/o etylhrophthnlmus.

more than passing notice, for occasionally western specimens have the white
spaces separated, as in the majority of eastern exanij)les, while among the
latter there may, now and then, be found individuals scarcely distinguishable
from the average of western ones.

In Florida, liowever, there is a local, resident race, quite different from
these two northern styles, which are themselves not enough uidike to be
considered separately. This Florida race differs in much smaller size, very
restricted white on both wing and tail, and in having a yellowish-white in-
stead of blood-red iris. Further remarks on this Fhjrida race will be found
under its proper heading (p. 708), as P. c7'i/throphthalmiis, var. alkiii.

Specimens of eriithrophthaimus, as restricted, from Louisiana, as is the case
with most birds from the Lower Mississippi region, exhibit very intense
color* comi)ared with those from more nortJiern portions, or even Atlantic
coast specimens from the samo latitude.

Haiuts. The Clround IJobin, Towhee, Chewink, Charee, or Joreet, as it is
variou.sly called, lias an extended distribution throughout the eastern United
States, from Florida and Georgia on the southeast to the Selkirk Settlements
on the northwest, and as far to the west as the edge of the Great Plains,
where it is replaced Ity f)ther closely allied races. It breeds almost Avherever
found, certainly in Georgia, and, I have no doubt, sparingly iir Florida.

This bird was not observed in Texas by Mr. Dresser. It has been found
in Western Maine, where it is given by Mr. Verrill as a summer visitant,
and where it breeds, but is not common. It arrives there the first of May.
It is not given by i\Ir. Boardman as occurring in Eastern Elaine. In Massa-
chusetts it is a very abundant summer visitant, arriving about the last of
April, and leaving about the middle of October. It nests there the last of

FI!I\r;iI,I,II).K — TIIK I'lXClIIX 111

Miiy, and lu'i^'iiis to sit iiiioii tlio ej,';49 about the first of June. It is Hli},'litly
gn!^'iiri()U.s just iw it is pivimring tu leave, but at all Dtiiur times is to bo luut
with only in solitary ]iairs.

TheCJiduud lloliin is in many respects one of the most stron<,'ly charaeter-
izcd of our Nortii American birds, exhibiting peculiarities in which all the
members of this genus slmre to a very large degree. They frciiiu'nt clo.se and
slieltereil thickets, wlu-re they spend a large proportion of their time on tlie
ground among the fallen leaves, scratching and .searching for worms, larvie,
and insects. Though generally resilient in retired localitie.i, it is far from
being a .shy or timid bird. I have known it to show itself in a front yard,
immediately under the windows of a dwelling and near the main street of
the village, whore for hours I witnessed its diligent labors in .search of food.
The spot was very shady, and unfre([uented during the greater part of the
day. It was not disturbed when the mendiers of the family jtassed in or out.

The call-note of this bird is very peculiar, and is variously interpreted in
difierent localities. It has always ap])eared to me that the Georgian jo-reet
was at least as near to its real notes as tuw-hee. Its song consists of a few
simple notes, which very few realize are those of this bird. In singing, the
male is usually to be .seen on the top of some low tree. These notes are
nttered in a loud voice, and are not unmusical. .Wilson says its song resem-
bles that of the Yellow-Hannner of Eur()])e, but is more varied and mellow.
Nuttall speaks of its notes as simple, guttural, and monotonous, and of its
voice as clear and .sonorous. Tiie song, which he speaks of as ipuiint and
somewhat pensive, he descriljos as sounding like t's/id-wXtvc-lS-tS-f^-tS-tS.

Wilson says this bird is known in rennsylvania as the " Swami) I'obin."
If so, this is a misnomer. In Xew England it lias no predilection for low
or moist ground, and I have never found it in sucii situations. Its favorite
haunts are dry njilands, near the edges of woods, or high tracts covered with
a low bru.shwood, selecting for nesting-places the outer skirts of a wood,
especially one of a southern aspect. The nest is sunk in a dejircssion in
the ground, the ujiper edges being usually just level with the ground, it is
largely composed of dry leaves and coaree •■■terns as a base, within wliicli is
built a firmer nest of dry bents well a:Tange).', usually with no other lining.
It is generally partially concealed by leaves c a tuft of grass, and is not
easily discovered unless the female is seen about it.

Dr. Coues says these Buntings are chiel!y spring and nntunmal visitants
near Washington, only a lew breeding. Tliey are very abundant from April
25 to May 10, and from the first to the third week of October, and are
partially gregarious. Their migrations are nuuve by day, and are usually in
small companies in the fall, but singly in the spring. Wilson found them in
the middle districts of Virginia, and from thence .souih to Florida, during
the months of January, February, and March. Their usual food is obtained
among the dry leaves, though they also feed on hard seeds and gravel. They
are not known to commit any depredations upon harvests. They may be

112

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

easily accustomed to confinement, and in a few days will become quite tame.
When .sligiitly wounded and captured, tiicy at first make a sturdy resistance,
and bite quite severely. They are nnicli attached to their young, and when
approached evince great anxiety, tiic female thrusting herself forward to
divert attenti(jn by her outcries and her simulated lameness.

The eggs of this species are of a rounded-oval shape, and have a dull-
white ground, spotted with dots and blotches of a wine-colored brown.
These usually are larger than in the other species, and are mostly congre-
gated about the larger end, and measure .'J8 of an inch in length by .80 in
breadth.

Pipilo eiythrophthalmuB, var. alleni, Coues.

WHITE-ET2S CHEWINK ; FLORIDA CHEWINK.

Pijii/o n/!eiii, Cui'K.s, Anieriean Naturalist, V, Aug. 1871, 366.

Sp. Cii.vit. Similar to eri/lhro/jhthalmiis, but did'ciing in the (bllowinjr re.^pects ;
White si)acL'.s on wings and tail much rcstriutod, those on inner webs of lateral tail-feathers
only .50 to .73 long. Size very inueli .smaller, except the bill, which is absolutely larger.
Iris white,

^. (or),2()7, Dnnnnits's Grove, Florida, March, 1809.) Length, 7.7") ; wing, 3.00 ; tail,
3.7.") ; bill from nostril, .38 ; tarsus, .07.

9- (u5,271, same locality and date.) Wing, 3.00; tail, 3.50; bill from no.stril, .37;
tarsus, .91. White on primaries almost absent.

This interesting variety of Pqnio eri/fliropfithalmns was found in Florida,
in the spring of 1860, by ^Fr. C J. Maynard, tind probably represents the
species as resident in thtat Sttite. It is considerid)ly smtdler than the average
(length, 7.75 ; extent, 10.00 ; wing, .'3.00 ; tarsus, .9;")), and has very apprecia-
bly less white on the tail. The outer web of outer feather is only narrowly

edged with white, in-
.stead of being entire-
ly so to the shaft
) (except in one speci-
men), and the termi-
nal white tip, con-
fined to the inner
web, is oidy from .50
to .75 of an inch long,
instead of 1.25 to

2ia!>, Pipilo rriithrnpl/in'mim 247. viir. rtHcni, 175 or about tllP

amount on the second feather of northern s])ecimens, as shown in the
accompanying figures. There is apparently a greater tendency to dusky
streaks and specks in the rufous of the side of the breast or in the adjacent
white. Resident specimens from (rcorgia are intermediate iu size and color
bet>veeu the northern and Florida races.

FUING1LLID.E — THE FINCHES. 113

The bill of Mr. I^Iay. ard's specimen is about the size of that of more
northern ones ; the iris is described by hi:ii as pale yellowish-white, much
lighter than usual.

Pipilo maculatus,^ var. megalonyx, Bairu.

LONO-CLAWED TOWHEE BUNTINO.

Pipilo megalo)i)jx, Raiiid, )iiids N. Am. 1858, 515, pi. Ixxiii. — Heehm. X, S, 51 (nest).
— Oool'Eii, Orii. Cul. 1, 242.

Sp. Char. Similar to P. arcticus in amount of wliito on the wings and scapnlnrs.
though thi.s frequently edged with bluek, but

without basal white on outer web of pri-

marie.'s. Outer edge of outer web of external

tail-feather white, sometimes confluent with /

that at tip of tail. Concealed white spots on \

feathers of side of neck. Claws enormously

large, the hinder longer than its digit; the

hind toe and claw reaching to the middle of the middle claw, which, wi'h its toe, is as

long as or longer than the tarsus. Inner lateral claw reaching nearly to the middle of

middle claw. Length, 7.^0 ; wing, 3.25 ; hind toe and cliiw, .90. Femule with the deep

black re[)laced Ijy ilusky slaty-olive.

Hab. Southern coast of California and across tln-ough valleys of Gila and Rio Grande;
north through the Great Basin across from Fort Crook, California, to Fort Bridger,
Wyoming.

This form constitutes so stronj^ly marked a variety as to be worthy of
particidar description. The general appciirance is tliat of P. arcticus, which
it resembles in tlie amount of wl.ite spotting on the wings. This, however,
does not usually involve the whole outer web at the end, but, as in orcgonus,
has a narrow border of black continued around the wliite terminally and
sometimes externally. There is not (piite so nnich of a terminal white
blotch on the outer tail-feather, this being but little over an inch in length,
and the outer web of the same feather is never entirely white, though always
with an external white border, which sometimes is confluent with the

> Pipilo macnlattis, Swaixson. Sp. Chau. Male. Similar to the female of Pipilo arcticus, but
rather more olivaoeous ; only the head and neck all round black ; shading above insensibly into
the back. The white markings mostly edged narrowly externally with black, and clouded with
rusty ; the n:'.p'--featliers faintly, the interscapular broadly, streaked centrally with blaekisli ;
lower back and rump, w ith outer edges of quill and tail feathers, olivaceous-brown. A narrow
shaft-streak in white at end of tail. Fourth quill longest ; fifth scarcely shorter ; first about
equal to secondaries. Claws moderate ; perhnits larger than in enjthrophthalmus. Length of
skin, 7.80 ; wing, 3.15 ; tail, 4.20 ; tarsus, 1.10 ; middle toe and claw, .96 ; claw alone, .34 ; hind
toe and claw, .81 ; claw alone, .45. Huh. Mexico (Oaxaea ; Real del Monte, Philos. Mag., 1827).

It is a serious question whether this comparatively little known Mexican simh ies of Pipilo is
not to be considered as identical with some or all of the species of the Unit(!d States, with siiotted
wing-coverts, notwithstanding the ditfcrence in the color of the body. It npixsars, however, to
be constant in the olivaueous character of the back, — no reference being made to Mexican speci-
mens entirely black above, — and as such it may be considered a permanent geographical race,

VOL. H, 15

114 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

terminal spot, but usually leaves a brown streak near the end never seen in
ardictis, whicli also has the whole outer web wliite except at the base.
From o)r(jonus the species dillers in the much greater amount of white on
the wings and tlie less rounded character of tlie spots. Onyonns, too, has
the whole outer Aveb of external tail-feather black, and the terminal white
spot of the inner web less than an inch in lengtii. We have never seen in
O7r(jotins any concealed white spotting on the sides of the head.

The areatest difference between this race and the two others lies in the
stout tarsi and enormously large claws, as described, both the lateral extend-
ing greatly beyond tlie base of the middle one, the liinder toe and claw
nearly as long as the tarsus. Tlie only North American passerine birds
having any approach to this lengtii of claw are tliose of the genus Paaserella.

This great development of the claws is especially apparent in specimens
from the Southern Sierra Nevada, the maximum being attained in the Fort
Tojon examples ; those from as far north as Carson City, Nev., however,
ar scarcely smaller. In most Itocky Mountain Pipilos, the claws are but
little longer than in ardictis.

In this race the female is not noticeably different from the male, being of
a merely less intense black, — not brown, — and conspicuously different as in
ardictis and orcfjon us ; there is, however, some variation among individuals
in this respect, but none are ever so light as the average in the other races.

The young bird is dusky-brown above, with a slight rusty tinge, and
obsolete streaks of blackish. White markings as in adult, but tinged with
rusty. Throat and breast rusty- white, broadly streaked with dusky; sides
only tinged with rufous.

Habits. According to Mr. Kidgway's observations, the P. megalonyx
replaces in the Iioeky Mountain region and in the greater portion of the
'ireat Basin the P. ardiciis of the Plains, from their eastern sloj)e eastward
to the Missouri Eiver, and tlie P. orcf/onits of the Northern Sierra Nevada
and Pacific coast. It is most nearly related to the latter. He became
familiar with the habits of this species near Salt Lake City, having already
made like observations of tlie orcgonus at Carson. A short ac(iuaintiince
with the former, after a long familiarity M'itli the latter, enabled him to note
a decided dilierence in the notes of the two birds, yet in their external
appearance they were hardly distinguishable, and he was at first surprised
to find the same bird apparently uttering entirely different notes, the call-
note of P. megalonyx being very similar to that of the common Catbird.
The song of this species, he adds, has considerable resemblance in style to
that of the eastern P. erytlirophthalmus, and though lacking its musical
character, is yet far superior to that of P. orcgonns. Tliis l)ird is also much
less shy than the western one, and is, in fact, quite as unsuspicious as the
eastern bird.

Nests, with eggs, were found on the ground, among the scrub-oaks of the
hillsides, from about tlic 20th of May until the middle of June.

FRIXGILLID.E — THE FINCHES. 115

This species lias been obtained on tlie southern coast of California, and
through to the valleys of the Uila and the lUcj (Irande. In California it
was obtained near San Francisco l)y Mr. Cutts and jMr. lle])bnrn ; at Santa
Clara by Dr. Cooper; at Monterey Ity Dr. Canfield ; in the Sacramento
Valley by Dr. Heerniann ; at San Diego by Dr. Hannnond ; at Fort Tejon
by Mr. Xantus ; at Saltillo, ^Mexico, by Lieutenant Couch ; in New Mexico
by Captain Pope ; and at Fort Thorn by Dr. Henry.

Lieutenant Couch describes it as a shy, (juiet bird, and as found in woody
places.

Dr. Kennerly met with this bird at Pueblo Creek, Xew Mexico, January
22, 1854. It first attracted his attention early in the month of January, in
the Aztec Mountains, along Pueblo Creek. There it was often met with,
but generally singly. It inhabited the thickest bushes, and its motions were
so constant and rapid, as it hopped from twig to twig, that they found it
difficult to procure .specimens. Its flight was rapid, and near the ground.

Dr. Coo])er .speaks of this species as a commcm and resident bird in all the
lower districts of California, and to quite a consideraUe distance among the
mountains. It was also found on the islands of (Aitalina and San Clemente,
distant sixteen miles from the mainland. Though found in New Mexico,
Dr. Cooper has met with none in the barren districts between the Coast
Range and the Colorado, nor in the valley of the latter.

Their favorite residence is said to be in thickets and in oak groves, where
they live mostly on the ground, scratching among the dead leaves in the
concealment of the underbrush, and very rarely venturing far from such
shelter. They never fly more than a few yards at a lime, and only a few
feet above the ground. In villages, where they are not inolested, they soon
become more familiar, take up their abodes in gardens, and build their nests
in the vicinity of houses.

Dr. Coopci ives them credit for little musical power. Their song is said
to be only a itclde monotonous trill, from the top of .some low bush. When
alarmed, they have a note something like the mew of a cat. On this account
they are po])ularly known as Catbirds. He adds that the nest is made
on the ground, under a thicket, and that it is constructed of dry leaves,
stalks, and grass, mingled with fine roots. The eggs, four or five in number,
are greenish-white, minutely speckled with reddish-brown, and i.<easure
one inch by .70.

Dr. Coues found this species a very abundant and resident species in
Arizona. It was rather more numerous in the spring and in the fall than at
other times. He found it shy and retiring, and inhabiting the thickest brush.
Its call-note is said to be almost exactly like that of our eastern Catbird.
He describes its song as a rather harsh and monotonous repetition of four or
six syllables, something like that of the Empiza ameriama. He fourd
females with mature eggs in their ovaries as early as May 5.

A nest of this species, collected by Mr. Kidgway near Salt Lake City,

116

NORTH AMERICAN RIRD.«.

May 2G, was built on the grouiul, among scrulvoak brusli. It is a vary slight
structure, composed almost entirely of coarse dry stems of grass, with a few
bits of coarse inner bark, and with a base made up wholly with the latter
material, and ha\ing a diameter of about four inches.

The eggs of this nest, four in number, have an average measurement of .95
of an inch in length by ,73 in breadth. Their ground-color is crystalline-
white, covered very generally with spots and small blotches of purplish and
wine-colored brown, somewhat aggregated at the larger end.

Fipilo maculatus, var. oregonus, Bell.

OBEOON GBOUNO BOBIN.

Pipilo oregonm. Bell, Ann X. Y. Lyo. V, 1852, 0 (Oregon^ — Bcnap. Corapte.s Rcndus,
X.KXVll, Dee. 1853, 922.-18. Notes Oiu. Dolattie, 1854, 22 (same as pree.). —
Bam!!', Birds Ji. Am. 1858, 513. — Loitn, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 64, 120 (British Col.).
— Cdii'EU & SucKLEY, 200. — Cooi'EU, Om. Cal. I, 241. Fringilla antica, Aud. Orn.
Biog. V, 1839, 49, iil. ece.veiv. (not of Swainson). Pipilo ardiai, Aud. Syn. 1839,
123. — Ib. Birds Am. Ill, 1841, 104, pi. exeiv.

Sp. Guar. Upper surfiice generally, with the head and neck all round to the upper

part of the breast, deep black ; the rest of lower
parts pure white, except the r;ides of the body
and under tail-coverts, which are light chestnut-
brown ; the latter rather i)aler. The outer webs of
scapulars (usually edged narrowly with black) and
of the superincumbent feathers of the back, with a
rounded white spot at the end of the outer webs
of the greater and middle coverts ; tlie outer edges of the innermost tertials white ; no
white at the base of the primaries. Outer web of the first tail-feather lilack, ocea,sionally
white on tlie extreme edge ; the outer three with a white tip to the inner web. Outer
quill shorter than ninth, or scarcely equalling the secondaries; fouith quill longest; fifth
.scarcely shorter. Length, 8.25; wing, 4.40; tail, 4.0t). Female with the black replaced
by a more brownish tinge. Claws much as in eryihrophlhalmus.

IIar. Coasts of Oregon and Washington Territories, south to San Francisco, California.
.Melting eastward and south into megaloiiijx. West Humboldt Mountains and Northern
Sierra Nevad.i.

Comparing this race with arctirus, we do not find much difference in the
wjiite of the scapular region, except that
the wliite marks here, as elsewhere on the
wing, are rounded, the extreme end of the
outer web of the feather being black in-
stead of running out acutely white to the
very tip of the outer webs of the feathers.
This gives rather less extension to the
white. In fact, most of the white marks
are edged externally with Ijlack. convert-
ing them into spots. There is no white wliatever at the exposed base of the

2667

FUINGILLID/E — THE FINCHES. 117

outer web of the second to fiftli priiniiries, and there is only a trace of white
near tl>e end, instead of haviuy a conspicuous white edging from base to
near the tip.

The out(ir web of the outer tail-featlier, instead of being entirely white
for the exposed portion, is only very slightly etlged with white ; usually
entirely black. The white at the end of the feathers is much more restricted,
and extends only over llie three outer feathers ; usually not reaching to the
shaft. The relati(>ns to var. iiuijuloni/x have been given under the latter head.

Habits. Tlie Oregon (iround IJobin, so fur as known, has a restricted
residence, the western portion of Oregon and Washington Territory during
the summer, and in the more northern portions of California. Its occurrence
in the latter State seems to have escaped tlie notice of Dr. Cooper, though
he gives it conjecturally, having seen birds which he supposed to l)e of this
species in the higher Sierra Xevada. In its habits and notes Dr. Cooper
could observe no diflerence between tliis species and P. nm/ahn/p; botli hav-
ing the complaining mew, from which tliey have obtained the name of Cat-
bird on that coast.

Mr. J. K. Lord found a nest containing six eggs, which he supposed to be-
long to a bird of tliis si)ecies, at Fort Colville. It was iniilt on tlie top of
a stump, round which young slioots had grown like a fringe, completely hid-
ing it from the sharpest eye. Mr. Hepburn met with it at Victoria.

Dr. Cooper, in his liejiort on tlie Birds of Washington Territory, states
that the song of this species in spring, as it sits on a low bush enjoying the
sunshine, is like the final trill of the Ifedwiug, or the lisping faint notes of
the Cowbird. It is a constant resident of the Territory, but only frequenta
the edge of the coast in winter. He also mentions finding it about thirty
miles so\ith of San Francisco in autumn. Dr. Suckley met with it west
of the Cascade Mountains.

In very many respects, in the opinion of Mr. Eidgway, the Oregon Ground
liobin very closely resemldes the common and fannliar eastern " Chewink."
Tliere is noticeable in this western representative a peculiar manner of flight,
and a predilection for l)us]iy places, clo.sely corresponding with those of the
eastern bird. It differs, in the most marked manner, however, in its extreme
shyness, and in the total absence of the agreeable and striking notes of the
Towhee. The notes of this bird are, he states, of the rudest descrii)tion,
and instead of being familiar and unsus[)icious, it is one of the shyest and
most difficult to approacli of any of the western V)irds.

He found it (luite i)leutiful about Sacramento, whore it inhabits the thick-
ets in company witii the western Chat. After crossing the Sierra Xevada it
was found more abundant still in tlie chaparrals of tlie sheltered ravines on
the eastern btise of those mountains, as well as in the shrubbery of tlie river
valleys. During the winter it forsakes the former for the latter localities.
Eastward this species was found as far as the West Humboldt Mountains,
where typical examples were obtained.

118 NOUTII AxMERICAN BIRDS.

At Carson City, early in March, his attention \vt,s attracted by the peculiar
notes of this Pii)ilo ; tlie bird was sitting on a high rock above the thick
chaparial of tlie hillside, and sharply defined against the sky. It was readily
distinguishable })y tlie black of its head antl breast, in sharp contrast with
tlie pure white of its lower jiarts. Every few moments it would raise its head
to utter, in a short trill, its rude song. When approached, it would jerk
its exjjanded white-tipped tail, and disappear among the bushes. It was
abundant in the chaparrals, on the hillsides, and among the thickets and
Initlalo-berry bushes along the rivers. The males were in full song, perclniig,
as they sang, on a prominent rock or bush.

Mr. Nuttall met witli a nest of this species on the 14th of June. It was
built in the shelter of a low undershrub, in a depression scratched out for its
reception. It was made of a ratlier copious lining of clean wiry grass, with
some dead leaves beneath, as a foundation. The eggs were four, nearly
hatched, very closely reseml)liug tliose of the Towhee, thickly spotted over,
but more so at the larger end, with very small round and very numerous
reddish-chocolate spots. The pair showed great solicitude about their nest,
the male, in particular, approaching boldly to scold and lament at the dan-
gerous intrusion.

The Oregon Ground Robin Mr. Lord considered a quaint and restless
bird. He found it very abundant from the coast to the sunnnit of the Ilocky
Mountains, and also very common on Vancouver Island. It arrives the last
of April and first of May, and fre<pients dark woods and thick tangled
underbrush. He describes it as stealthy and shy, with a Labit of hiding,
but its cry usually betrays its place of concealment. This cry he states to
1)6 like the squall of the Catbird.

Mr. Townsend found it abundant on the Coliunbia, where, as lie observed,
it lived mostly on the ground, or on bushes near the ground, rarely ascending
trees. Mr. Audubon gives the measui'ement of its egg as 1.12 inches in
length and .87 in breadth.

The egg of this species is more rounded tlian are those of this genus gen-
erally, and theio is but little difference between the two ends. The ground-
color is white, with a greenisJi tinge, and is very generally and profusely
spotted witli fine markings of reddish and purplish-brown. They measure
.Oo by .80 of an inch.

FKINGILLID^E — THE FIXCIIES. 11<J

Pipilo maculatus, var. arcticus, Swain son.

ABCnC TOWHEE BTTNTINO.

Pi/iyita (l'ipil(i) air/kn, Sw. F. Bor.-Aiii. II, 1831, 260. Pijii/o ardiciis, Nnr.M.L, Man.
I, 18;i2, 5St). — hi., (2d ed.,) 1840, 610. — Bkll, Ann. N. Y. Lye. V, 1852, 7. — Uaihd,
HiiiLs N. Am. isns, 514.

Sp. Ciiah. Upper paits froiicrally, with head find nock sill round to the upper piirt of
the breast, black ; tlie rump u.-iually tinged with ii.-;hy. -Miildle of breast and of Ijelly
wliite; .sides ehe.stnut ; under tail-coverts siniihxr, but paler. Eulin; outer web.s of
scapuhuvs and of dorsal feathers immediately above them, and of ends of primary and
.secondary coverts, to the shaft, with edges of outer webs of three innermost tertials, and
of the second to the fifth priniarict*, eonsi)icn<iusly white. Whole outer wel) of the first
and ends of the first to the fourth tail-feathers, white, tiie amount diminishing not very
rapidly. Outermost ciuill longer than ninth, sometimes than eighth, nearly always
exceeding the .secondaries ; third quill longest ; fourth scarcely .shorter. Length about
8 inches; wing, 4.40; tail, 4.10; hind toe and claw, .74. Female paler brown instead of
black ; the rufous, seen in P. erijlhrophthalmus, tinged with ashy.

IIau. High central plains of Upper Missouri, Yellowstone, and Platte ; basin of
Mi.ssouri River, especially west, including eastern slope of Rocky Mountains ; San
Antonio, Texas (Dresser, Ibis, 18G5, 402).

P. ardieuH is siuiilar in form to P. erjjthropldludmus, which, however,
is readily (hstingiii.sh(;il by the entire absence of wliite on the .scapulars and
wing-coverts. The amount of white on the tail decreases mucli less rtipidly.
The diflerences between it and P. orcyonas will be found detailed under the
head of the latter species.

One specimen (8,193) from Fort Ijcavenworth, witli a few white spots only
on the scapulars, may perhaps be considered a hybrid between ardiciis and
erythrophtlialmns.

In some specimens the interscapulars are edged externally with white.
The feathers of throat and sides of head show occasional concealed spots
of white about the middle. As in crjithropldhulmns, the bases of the
primaries are white along the outer edge, showing under tlie primary coverts,
sometimes, but perhaps not generally, contlueut with the white towards the
end of the same web.

The female is of a dull ashy-brown, difficult to describe, but with only a
slight tinge of the rufous seen in P. eri/throphthabiius, wjiich is most dis-
tinct on top of head ud back. There is an almost inappreciable asliy
superciliary stripe.

The young bird resembles in general appearance that of merjalonyx, but is
lighter colored, and with the dusky streaks on the jugulum nmch narrower.
Tlie brown above is as light as in cri/fhrojjhthalmus, but without the reddish
cast seen in the latter, and not blackish, as in mcffaloui/.i:

Habits. The Saskatchewan or Arctic (Jround Finch was first met with by
Sir John Richardson. It was observed by him only on the plains of the
Saskatchewan, where he had no doubt of its breeding, as one specimen was

120 NOUTH AMEIUCAN BIRDS.

killed laid in July. It wiis said to arrive in that region 'ii the end of May,
and In tVi'inient shady and nioi.st elinups of wood. It was generally seen
on the ground. Its habits, so lar as they were observed, correspond with
tho.se of the Towhee Hunting, which it closely resenil)les in external api)ear-
ance. It feeds on grubs, and is a solitary and retired, but not a distrustful
bird.

Besides its occurrence in the Valley of the Saskatchewan, these birds have
often been found on the high central plains of the Upper Alissouri, on
the Yellowstone and Platte liivers. Audubon met with it at Fort Union.
Dr. llayden obtained it on the Yellowstone, in August; at Fort Lookout,
June 22; at Bijou Hills, from May 1 to the lotli; at Ijou Homme Island,
May d. Dr. Cooper obtained it at Fort Laramie in Septend»er. Mr. Allen
found it in Colorado, where it was more abundant on the foothills than on
the plains. He also found this species an abundant inhabitant of the thick-
ets in the valley of the (Jreat Salt Lake, in its habits strongly resembling
the common birds of the Eastern States. Though its song is also somewhat
similar, its call-note, he adds, is totally ditl'erent, very nearly resembling that
of the Catbird.

Dr. Woodhouse met with but few of these birds either in the Indian Ter-
ritory or in New Mexico. Mr. Dresser, in November, 1863, when hunting
in the Bandera Hills, noticed several of these birds near the camp, and ob-
tained several near San Antonio dui'ing the winter. None of these birds
appear to have been observed in the Arctic regions beyond the Saskatchewan
Plains.

yir. Nuttall met with this sjiecies on the western slopes of the Rocky
Mountains, but as he apparently did not appreciate the ditterence between
this form and the om/onns, we cannot determine with certainty to which his
descriptions apply in all cases. He found it, in mannei-s and habits, the
counterpart of our common eastern species, frequenting forests and scratch-
ing among the dead leaves among bushes and thickets. He describes it as
more shy than the cojnmon species. If the nest be invaded, the male shows
more boldness, and reiterates his complaints until the cause of his alarm is
removed. He speaks of its warble as quaint and monotonous, and very
similar to the notes of the Towhee, — but the note of our bird, towJice, is
never heard west of the mountains. In its stead this bird is said to have a
note like the mew of a cat.

Tile egg of the arrtinn^ is oval in shape, and measures one inch in length
by .70 in breadth. It has a white ground, but is so generally and so thickly
covered with fine dots of umber-l)rown, intermingled with paler markings
of lavender and neutral tints, that the ground can hardly be distinguished.

FKlNdll.l.lUj; -TIIH I'lNcmx 1^1

SECTION II.

lliuti mill hiii/i/ iilfui'i lii-iiirii : lliruiil irilh n li'jlil /mlcli.

Pipilo fuscus, swAiNsd.N.

Synopsis of the Varioties.

Common Ciiauactkhs. (ini\ isli-ln-owu uliovu, willi n uuiw nv less ii|i[ncciiililc
rufous liiij;;!' on llic crown. A imli'li oovt'iiiif; the tliroat, oclnan'oMs oi' wliitc.
contrasting willi tlie suiioundin}; poiiions, luul cnfirclcil mhhc or Kss coni-
plctfly, esi)fcially posteriorly, l>y ilnsl<y spots; lores like the rliiii. Crissuin deep
ouhraccous, tliu lower part of al)(lonien liMj;eil more or less willi llie same.
Aa No triice of white tips to niiijille wiiijr-eoverts. Throat oelnaceous,

a. Crown only family tinjiud with rnlims.

1. Ahdonien jiah^ frrayish-lirown ; tiodat and lores (lee)) reddisli-
ochraceous ; the deep ochraeeous confined posteriorly to lower
tail-coverts. Win;,', .'i.!)U ; tail, o.OO. Jliih. California. var. r r inmil i s.

2. Ahdonien distinctly white centrally, hut snri-onmled liy-'jirayish
laterally and anteriorly; throat and lores ]iale ochrnceons; deep
ochraeeous of erissnin extending forward over lower part of
abdomen. Wing, ;i.8(); tail, 4.il(t. Jhib. ^Mexico . vav. f ii s c it s }

b. Crown very distinctly rufous.

3. The ochraeeous of posterior under parts spreading over whole
lower part of abdomen and Hanks. Ochraeeous of the throat
palest anteriorly, the chin and lores being almost white; it si)read8
over the juguluin also, outside the scries of rather scattered dusky

I Pipilo /ii.icii.1, Sw. Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 484 (Tfiinscaltepec'l. -In. Aniiii. in Menag. 1838,
347. — • Br. Coii.sp. 1851, 487. — St'I.ATKIt, 1'. /. .S. 1850, 304 (Cordova). > Kinnrin fiiwn, lip.
C. K. XL, 185.=), 350.

Sr. CllAK. Above dull olive-brown ; tlie top of liead liuving the central portion of feathers
tinged (ineoiispieiiou.sly and obscurely) with rufous. Chin and throat pah' rufous, Irordcred liy
dusky streaks ; a single dusky .spot in lower part of juguluni. Hidly and lluiiks bclnnd, aiud
region and eris.suni, rather darker rufous. Sides grayisb-cdive, lighter tiiau the back, tingi'iug the
breast, and leaving ludy a small pateli in the centre of under ])arts white, shading into the sur-
rounding a.sliy-brown. Fourth and fifth (piills longest ; first shorter than iniitli, or tliau secon-
daries.

/>!»W)MiV)».f (prepared sppcinieu) : Total length, 7.75 ; wing, ;i.8(i ; tail, 4.20 ; expo.si'd portion
of first primary, 2.30 ; of longest (measured from exposeil base of first ])rimary), 3.03. lUll :
Length from forehead, .ti5 ; from nostril, .40. Legs : Tarsus, .05 ; middh toe and claw, 1.00 ;
hind toe and claw, .68 ; claw alone, .30. fluh. Uighlauils of Mexico.

The s]ieeimeu described is from the city of Mexico, and belongs to Mr. (i. X. Lawrence ; others
iK'fore us an? from Temiscaltepeu (the original locality of Swaiusou's type), (iuadalaxara, and
Tepic.

While admitting the strong ])roliability that the different brown J'i/ii/ns with rufous throat
bordered by black spots, /'. fiiscim, c/mK/Zv, iiir.iii/iinciis, (ilbiijulu, anil pre'.ialily even nlliiiullia,
arc geographical moditicatiims of the same original type, the large collection liefore us vindi<ates
the action of those who have referred the California species to that descrilicd by Swainsou as/Vv-
ciis, and who have distinguished the P. mexokiu-iin from both. The original description of /iisnis
agrees almost exactly with crlssiiiis, both actually scarcely .separable ; while the mesuli'iiciis, in-
termediate in geograjdiical position, is decidedly diU'ercut from either. The relationslnps of
these different forms will be fouiul expressed in the general diagnosis already given.

Two descriptions given by Swaitison, copied below, of the J'. J'lisciix, differ son;ewhat from each
other, and may not have been taken from the same specimen. The identitii'ation of either with

vol.. II. 10

122 NOllTM AMKItlCAN IMIJDS,

spots. 'Wliolc lifciisl wliili". Win;:, .'i.Sd; tail, l.;!0, link
Soilllicni Midillo I'loviiR'c (if riiilcil Sliilcs. . var. u\ rmtl e uchh.

4. The ncliiaci'ous of iiiiilci' pait.s c'ldiliiicil to crissiim and anal
iT^^ion ; oflii'at'L'Diis ol' tlu; tliront palust i»)siciinrly, wln'ii? it is
iiuarly wliitc, anil ciinliiiod within llio cin-iii'lin;; sfiics ol' ratluT
t'oak'sccd dusky spots, Alidona'U, only, wliilc Wiii;:, It. 80; tail,
4.20. llah. Cape St. I.ncas vai'. iilhiguln.

B« Middli! covfi'ts distinctly, inid ^jivatcr olisok'tcly, tippcil witli white.

Throat wliito crossed by an ochrnucous band.

T). Crown without n trai'u of rulbus. Dusky sjiots sniroundin;; the
white guhir patch, coali'seed posteriorly into a narrow eresi'eiit.
Whole breast and abdomen white, somewhat broken anteriorly.
Flanks and lower tail-eoverts oehraeeous. Winir, JJ.IiO ; tail, 3.70.
Ilalj. Mexiei (var. '0 albicollis.^

Pipilo fuscus, var. crissalis, Vicioits.

BROWN TOWHEE; CANON FINCH.

Pipilo fusca, Ca.ssin, Illust. I, iv, 18.'i:t, 124, pi. xvii (the tigurc .seems to bo of the Cnlifor-
Ilia aiu'cirs, the deseription more like iiifsoleiteiis). — Ni;wiu;kiiy, Zoiil. Cal. k Or.
Route, Hep. P. K. 1{. VI, iv, IS,";?, 8il. Ki-Mi-iafusm, Uon.u-. (.'oiiiptes Kendus, XL,
18;").'), 35t>. Frini/il/ii ci-issa/is, Vlooiis, Zoiil. lilo.ssoin, 183!l, 1!>. Urihirim wranijcli,
HiiANDT, Uonap. Coiiiii. liend. 43, 185(1, 413. I'ij)i/i)/iinciiii, ISaiuu, Birds N. Am. 1858,
.'517. — HKKIt.M. X, S, 51 (ue.st). — t'ool'f.lt, Orii. Cal. I, 24.').

Sf. CiiAH. Above dark olive-brown, the erown with a very .«li^dit tinj^e of scarcely
api)reeialile dark rulbus. Under parts with the color somewhat shnilar, but of a lighter

P. iiiriHilciicuii would be a dillieult matter ; while tlie lir-st one exiire.sse.s the peeuliar eliaraeters
of crinsalis more nearly than any other. The stateuu'Ut of "white beneath," without any
iiualilkation, ajiplies better to misolciiciis than to others, but the "pale rulbu.s tinge" observable
in cri!is((lis and /iiafiis is very ditl'erent from the abni[)tly delined chestnut eap of mfsulriieiiii.

7'/7)i7o/i(4c'».v, SwAi.N.soN, IMiil. Mag. 1, 1827, 434. "(iray, beneath jialer ; throat obscure
fulvous, with brown spots ; vent ferruginous. Length, 8.00 ; bill, .70 ; wing.s, 3..'i(l ; tail, 4.00 ;
tarsi, .90 ; hind toe and claw, .70." Httb. Table land ; Tenu.sealtepee.

Pipilo fuscus, SwAiNsoN, Anim. in Men. 1838, 347. "Grayish-brown above ; beneath white ;
chin and throat fulvous, with dusky sjwts ; under tail-eoverts fulvous ; tail blaekish-brown,
inispotted. Hill and legs pale, the latter smaller, and the claws more curved than in any other
known species ; crown with a pale rufous tinge. Length, 7.50 ; wing.s, 3.50 ; tail, 4.00 ; tarsus,
.90 ; middle toe and claw the same ; hinder too, .65. Kathor smaller than maculnta."

' Pipilo nlbiivllis, Sci.ATKU. Above uniform olivaceous-brown ; the cap not dillerently colored.
Lores, chin, and throat white, the two last bordered and delined by dusky spots ; jugulum and
breast white, the former clouded with olivaceous, and with a dusky blotch in mid<lle ; middle of
throat cro.ssed by an olivaceous band which curves round on each side under the ear-coverts ; sides
grayish. Flanks behind, anal region, and crissum, rufous. Middle wing-eoverts with a whitish
bar across their tips. Fourth and fifth quills longest ; first shorter than ninth and secondaries.
Length, 7.00 ; wing, 3.30 ; tail, 3.70. Bill and legs light. Hab. t'entral M<',\ico.

This "species" may fairly bo considered as one extreme of the series of which /'. cri.isnlis is
the other ; and differs from the rest merely in a greater aimmnt of white, and the absence of
i-ufous tinge on top of head. The fulvons of throat is concentrated in a band acro.ss its middle
portion, leaving chin and lower throat white ; this, however, is foreshadowed in the paler chin of
mesoleucus, and the whitish lower throat of albiriuhi. The imiformity of I'oloring above; is nearly
equalled by that of P. crissalis. The whitish buml across the middle wing-eoverts is the most
positive character.

I'UlNdlM.lD.K -TIIK I'INCIIHS.

123

sliadc, mid wnslii'd with prnyisli ; niiddli! of tliv hclly only wliilish ; tlio uiulcr tail-covfi'ta
pall! nit'oiis, .-luKliiij; into lii;lilii' iiImhiI (lie vciil miil sides i)t' Inwi'r licily ; cliiii mid lliroat
wcil-di lined [liilf iiiliiiis, iiiaij^'ined all nmnd liy luciwii simls, a lew of tlieiii scaltuied

Pipilo fUACiiff vur criysalif.

within the ninri,'iii. Kyelids and sides of head, anlerior to tiio eye, rnroiis liko the throat.
One or two leathers on the lower part of the lireiist with a eoneealed brown blotch.
Outer primary not odjrod with white. FilUi quill loni;est ; lirst shorter than ninth, or
even than seeondaries. Hill pale brown, darker above; lei,'s lifrhl. lien;,'lh, 8.50 inches;
wing, 'l.no; tail, 4.(10.

IIau. Coast region of Culilbrnia,

The bill is sinuated, ns in F. abcrti, did'erins from that of P. vriithroph-

Tiii.s race is very similar to the ori<j;inal P./iiuckh of Me.xico, the orio;inal
description of Swainsou answering lUmost exactly. It is, however, consider-
ably larger ; the projxn'tions of wing are similar ; and there is no decided in-
dication of whitish in tlie middle of the body beneath, such as is always
distinctly ajijjfeciable in fii.^iciis, and still more in iiu'xd/cKnis.

A young bird dillers but little from the adult except in having obsolete
dusky streaks below ; the tii)i)er i)arts are nniform.

IIahits. The Brown, or (Jafion Fintih ol' California is found nearly
throughout tiie State of California. Mr. Xantus obtained it at Fort Tejon,
and Mr. Eidgway observed it among the chai)arrals on the loothills of the
western slo])e of the Sierras.

Dr. Cooper considers the name of Canon Finch ill applied to this species,
as it is eipially jdentiful in level districts, wherever trees and shrubbery
exist. He regards it as one of the most abundant and characteristic
birds of California, residing in all the lower country west of the Sierras, and
extending up the slojies of tlie Coast Ifange to the height of three thousand
feet. Tliey tire said to have habits very similar to those of all the other
species, living much upon the ground, and seeking their food among the

124 NORTH AMKIilCAN IllUDS.

(Ifiiil IfiivcH, which they i^'vcatly rt'soinlilo in mlnr. This rt'scinlilimcn Dr.
Coopor i't',u;iii<ls as 11 jii'ciit |ir(iti'c'ti(iii In tiicni iVoiii lliiwivs; tlw.'w litirs also
(•()ncs])(Piiil with thcisc (if till' iMi'th ami tlai dusky Inliaj^i! tliiriiij,' iiinst ui thu
year. Thi-y uiv thus lo.ss cinispiciKJiis in tin- li^'lit, and they venture nioro
iearlo-ssly luith and i'(!ed in open j^ruunds.

They have but little .soiij,', and oidy utter a lew faint chirpa ami hurried
notes, as they sit pereiied u|ion some low laisli, in tlu! s])rinij;. At San Diei^o
j)r. t'ooinT saw the lirst nest with e^^^s on April 17, Imt some birds had laiil
mu(;h earlier, as he found youn^' hatched by tlie 20th. He afterwards observed
other nests, all <jf which were Imilt in liusiies, from two to four feet from the
<,'round, and all but one contained three ej;<,'s ; the other had four. He has
found them l)uilt in low trees, and one in a vine growinj,' over the porch of a
house. The nest is formed of coarse twigs, bark, and j^rass, is thick and
large, and is lined with line root-lilires and finer grasses. Tiie eggs are i)alo
blue, spotted with puridish-lirown blotclies, mostly small and .scattered. Ho
gives the nuiasurenient of the eggs as .!)t) by At') of an inch. In the more
northern part of the State they are said to lay four eggs oftener than three.
Tiiey are supjiosed by him to have two broods in a season.

Colonel McCall has no doul)t that they are found throughout California,
as he has met with them from the upper waters t)f the Sacnimento to the
mouth of the (lila; the former having its origin in the extreme north, and
the latter touching the extreme southern boundary of the ytate. It is most
aliundant sontii of Santa Harliara.

Cohmel McCall .states that its habits and manners diller somewhat from
those of the common Towhee and the Arctic Finches. Its Hight is more
even and regular, and is without tiiat violent jerking of the tail from side to
side, which gives such a singular aj)pearance of awkwardness to the move-
ments of the Towhee. It is less shy iind suspicious than the Arctic. It is
also nnich less decidedly a (Jround Finch than either of the others. Its fa-
vorit? abode he I'ound to be the vicinity of watei'cour.ses, where it is gener-
ally to 1k! seen in ])airs, though he has, at times, surprised eight or ten
togetlier under the shade of a large bu.sh at noon in a summer day, when he
has liad no difHculty in ])rocuring three or four ai)ecimens before the party
dispersed. It is at all times a familiar bird, boldly coming into the roads to
feed, and permitting a close a])proaeh. If conijielled to retreat, it darts sud-
denly into the thicket, Init returns as soon as the cause of alarm has disa])-
peared. Xear Santa IJarbara he found thirty or forty of these birds, in the
month ot July, dispersed over an old field of some five acres in extent, con-
tiguous to a sea-beach, through which ilowed a small stream of i'resli water.
They were feeding on the ground, sheltered l)y a rank growth of weeds.
When one was finished it flew into a neighboring tree instead of seeking
shelter again in the weeds. The yoi.ng at that time were fidly fledged, and
scarcely differed in tlie color of their plumage from the adults.

J)r. Heermann once met with a ncstof tiiis bird built in a grapevine over-

KIUNCIM.ID.K — TIIK I'INCIIKS. 126

ImiigirifT tlio Sacmmonto liivcr. He doscribos tlio i><»jj;s of this hjjcl'U'.s ns
tlifluriiif^ entirely t'n>m any di' tiiis jiciiiis ho hiul I'Vcr iiict witii, ami as hav-
inj; so ^'I'wit a icsciiihlaiico to tho i'j,'^s (if tiii' throo diHi'it'iit siH'cics of I'.lack-
hirds inhaltitiii},' Califoniia that thoy wcro lialjle to lie tjonfoundod with
them unless maikod wlien taken fioni the nest.

Dr. Newlierry, \\\u) found this liird very common in the Sacramento Val-
ley, states that when he first met with it, a atraiij^e bird to him, its haliit of
scratching amou},' the dry leaves under the bushes, as well as its long tail
and jerking flight from one clump of bushes to another, at onee indicated to
him its ulHnities.

Anmng the ujemoranda made by Mr. Xantus at Fort Tejon are the fol-
lowing in reference to this species: "474, ne.it and two eggs, found May 19
on a small thorn-b>ish in a very dark thicket, about six feet from the ground ;
1,075, nest and one egg, (m a thick thorny busli, six feet from the ground ;
1,851, nest and two eggs. May 12, on a rose-bush, four feet from the ground,
eggs already incubated."

The eggs of this species measure one inch by .75, have a light ground of
robin-blue, and are spotted and blotched with varying shades of daik and
light purple. In some the color of the blotches is so deep as not to be
distinguishable from black, except in a strong light. The lighter shades
are a faint lavender.

Pipilo fascus, var. mesoleucus, r.Ainn.

CAfiON BUNTING.

Pipilo mcsoleuciis, BAlIin, Pr. A. N. Sc. Pli. VII, .Time, 1S.',4, 119 (Rooky Mouiitaiiis), --
111. IJinls N. Am. ISiW, .518 ; ).]. x.\i.\. - Kr.sNKUi.v, V. W. H. X, 1p. [il. xxix. —
Hkgkm. X, c, J), 15. — C'oorKU, Oni. I'lil. I, 'Ji7. .' Pijii/a/iisai, "Swain.s,," Sci.ArKB
& Salvin, r. Z. S. 18C9, aOl (city of Me-vico).

Sp. CiiAR. AI)ove very (lull oliviicooiis-brown, with a ffrayish tiiip:('; linod dull clipst-
niit, conspiLMioiisly didi'ivnt t'roin tin? l)!ick. Sides like tlio hack, liiit iiiilcr; iiostcriorly,
and ahoiit tlio voiit and iiiidor tail-oovoils, pale lii-owiiish-rcd. The ashy olivo-lnDWii of
the aides scarcely nioetiiif; across the breast, the lower portion of which, with the upper
b(?lly, is rather pure white. The loral reu'ion, chin, throat, and upper part of the breast,
pale yellowish-rufims. (iiiely spotted on the sides and more coarsely across th(! breast with
lirown: an obseiire spot in the middle of the breast; edjre of outer priinary white. Hill
pale brown ; leiifs lle.sh-color ; lirst f|iiill about ocpial to eijrhlh, third and fourth lon};est.
Length, 8.50 inches ; winp;, ;!.80; tail, 4.70.

IIah. Valley of Upper Rio Grande and across to tlu.' (Jila Itiver. East to Banta
Oaterina. New Leon.

This race is similar in general ajijiearanco to P. mumlin, but the
olive-brown tind rufous are both of a lighter shade. The crown is of a
decided rufous, conspicuously different from the back, instead of nearly the
same tint. The light reddish under the head is wider throughout, and

126 NORTH AMEIUCAN J3Ii:l)S.

extends down to the upper p<art of the breast, bU;nding witli the colors of
the breast and belly, instead of l)eing narrower, more sharply dc^finel, and
restricted to the cliin and tlnoat ; it is palest anteriorly, tlie chin and lore
being almost white. Tlie isolated larger spot on the brctist is more con-
spicuous ; tiie breast and belly are (piite pure white, shaded with obsolete
l)rownisli bh)tches, instead of being uniform grayisli-brown, with only an
a[)proach to whitish in tlie very middle. Tlie lidges of tlie wing and tail
feathers are a good deal ligliter, tlie outer web of the first primary being
sharply edged with pure white, instead of obscure grayish-brown. The size
generally is rather smaller, the wings more pointed.

C()mi)ared with /'. ftisciis, we find the tail decidedly longer ; the wing
more ])ointed ; the first (juill about eiiual to the eighth, instead of shorter
than the secondaries. The colors generally are i)aler ; the cap of head bright
distinct rufous in strong contrast with the other plumage, instead of being
only very obscurely tinged with that color. The white of belly is purer, and
extends farthei' forward, displacing the ashy tinge almost to the buff of tlie
throat.

If we consider all the brown Pipilos as modifications of one primitive
species, it will be well to consider the Arizoiiau and New Mexican bird as
the central figure around which the others are grouped. The common char-
acter will then be varied in the California race, crisfitt/is, by the absence of
decided rufous on crown, a darker shade of color, and an extension of the
gray of sides over the whole under parts, aliiio.st entirely displacing the
white. The wing is more rounded, and the general dimensions larger south-
ward on the central i)lains of Mexico ; the general tints are almost ]irecisely
as in the ("alilbrnia bird, except that the white of Itelly is very evident ; but
the chestnut cap and extended whiteness of bully, together with the pointed
wing of 7)iesolciicus, are wanting. In P. alhi(ji(ln of Cape St. Lucas we have
tlie general characters of vii'so/eiinis, with ])aler colors, more restricted sjiots
encircling throat, and a teiiilency to white in its lower part, in this it
apjiroaclies aUncollis of Southwestern Mexico.

Habits. This little-known form was first obtained by Dr. Kenuerly, nat-
uralist to the I'acilic Ivailroad Expedition on the ;>.">t]i parallel, under Lieu-
tenant Wliiitjile. He met with it at Itill Williams Fork, in Arizona, February
5, 1854. It was described by Professor Baird the following June. Dr. Ken-
nerly furnished at the time no information in regard to its habits.

Dr. Heermann, in his Keport on the birds oUserved in Lieutenant Parke's
expedition, mentions having met with tliis species in the vicinity of Tucson.
Its habits, so far as he could judge of them from his opii'irtunitics, ajipeared
very similar to those of Pipilo nherli.

Lieutenant Couch met with this species at Santa Catalina, Mexico, in
April, 185."), but furnishes no iiifornifitioii in reference to its manners. Mr.
J. H. Clark, who olitaiiied a specimen near the Copper Mines of the Mim-
bres, states that they were met with in abundance in the deep valleys or

I'lilNOILLID.K — TllK l-'INCIIKS. I'!7

cafions of that roj,Moii. Tlioy were almost always in or about the thick
clumps of l)uslu!S, several usually beiuv; in company.

Dr. Kennerly, who met willitliem on a second trip, in June, 1855, nearlios
Nofiales, in Mexico, speaks of them as not very common in that region. He
found them ])referring the dense hushes in the valleys. When apjjroached,
they became very restless, llyiu,!:f from one busli to another, accompanying,'
their motions witii very jieculiar notes, which he does not describe.

Dr. Coues found this .siiecies al)undantly distril)uted throughout the
warmer portions of New Mexico and Arizona, from the valley of the l!io
Grande to that of the ('oh)rado. He did not observe any at Fort Whijjple,
though they were fo\ind breeding some twenty-five miles to the southward.
He found them associating freely with Pipilo ahcrti, and inhabiting the same
regions. The two birds have very similar habits.

Dr. Henry also sUites that this species is connnon in New Mexico both
sunnner and winter, and, so far as he has ob.served, dwelling almost entirely
among the n:ountains. It appeared to him very retiring in its habits, and
seemed to prefer the canons. He has seldom, if ever, oli.served it far I'rom
shady gorges, where, like its relative of the Kastern States, the Towhee
Bunting, it jjusses the greater part oi its time on the ground, and is gener-
ally accompanied by its congener, the Arctic Finch. When disturbed, it
seeks the thickest cover, though it is by no means shy or ditlicult to a])proacli.
Its nest .s usually constructed in the branches of a thick cedar or dwarf oak,
and he has never known it to produce more than one brood in a season.

Dr. Cooper states that these birds are very abundant in Southern Arizona,
that their habits closely resemlde those of P. ahcrti, and that their eggs are
similar to those of I'ipilo J'lisrus.

Fipilo fuscus, \ar. albigula, Wxinu.

CAPE TOWHEE.

Pipilo alliiijiiln, Baoii), P. A. N. S. Nov. 18.")9, 30,-) (Capp St. Liions). — Ku.iot, Illust.
Am. nii'd.s, I, 111. .\v (" = /'. mtsokiiciis"). — VaovKli, Oni. <.'iil. 1, 248.

Sp. Ciiau. Similar to vnr. inesohuci.^, haviiifr, like it, a distinctly rufous crown and
white alidonien. Dill'crin?, however, in the following respects: The pale oehraeeous
gular area is morn .sharply defined, the ImlF lieinp; eonlini.-d within the cneircling series
of dusky spots ; the liutV is pali'st posteriorly, instead of direetly tlie opposite. The
rufous of the erissal region is more restricted, only I iiigeing the anal region instead of
mvading the lower part of the abdomen, the white beneath also k shifted farther back,
covering the abdomen alone, instead of the breast, the whole jngulum being distinctly
ashy, like the sides. Wing, 3.80 ; tail, 4.2').

Hab. Cape St. Lucius.

A very large series of specimens from Cape St. Lucas agree in possession
of the characters pointed out above, distinguishing them from mcsoleucus,
to which race the ])resent one is most nearly related.

128 NOKTH AMEHICAN JJIliDS.

Habits. The White-throated or Cape Towhee of Cape St. Lucas was first
met with liy Mr. Xantus in the suutheni extremity of tlie i)eiiiiisula of
Lower California, and deseril)ed by I'rofessor IJaird in 1859. Its close re-
semblance to r. memleucm suggests an equal similarity as to its lialiits, iu
regard to wliich we possess no actual knowledge. j\Ir. Xantus has fur-
nislied us witli no memoranda as to the manners of the bird. We have only
the l)rief mention among his notes to tlie efl'ect tiiat No. 4,855 is the nest
witli four eggs of this I'ipilo, found in a wild Huimdus thicket ; and tliat No.
5,070 is a nest with eggs of tlie same, found in a thicket of wild roses in
tlie garden fence.

Judging from the laige number of the nests and eggs of this si^ecies
collected by that gentleman at Cape St. Lucas, it would seem to be very
abundant in that locality.

The eggs of this variety measure .95 of an inch in lengtli and .72 in
breadth. They bear a strong resemblance to those of the /'. fusciis, but the
mai'kings are darker and more distinctly defined, standing out with a clear
and striking effect, in marked contrast with the light background. The
ground-color of the egg is a light tint of robin-blue. The markings of dots,
dashes, a.id lines are all about the larger end, and are of a deep dark shade
of purplish-brown, so dark as, except in a strong light, to be uudistiuguish-
able from black.

SECTION III.

Broxon ; throat without liijht i«itch.

Pipilo aberti, r.Aiitn.

ABEBrS TOWHEE.

Pipilo ohcrti, Bahid, Stansbnry's Rep. Great Salt Lake, Zoology, .lime, 1852, 325 (New
Mexico). -In. Birds N. Am. 1858, 516, pi. xxx. — Kknxkim.v, V. \i. R. X, b, pi.
XXX. - Heekmann, X, e, 15.— Cooi'Eii, Orn. Cal. I, 24i. Kiaieria abcrf Bonap.
Compti's Rendiis, XL, 1855, 35(5.

Sp. Char General color of upper i)nris pale brownish yoUowLsh-red ; beneath brighter,

and more oi-hraceon.s especially on the under
rovert.s, i)alest v,;. t'.ie middle of the belly.
.Sides of head anteiior to eyes, and chin dark
brown. Hill and Icirs yellowish. Lengtli, 9
inches; wing, . '1.70 ; tail, 4.8").

Hah. Base of Rocky Mountains in Now
Mexico. Valley of Gila -iiid Colorado.

This plainly colored bird is perhaps the largest of the Xorth American
Finches, and is without any blotches, sjiots, or variations of importance from
one color, except on the chin and sides of the liead. The bill is similar to
that of P. eriithrophtlmlmm, but the cutting edge is less concave and more

I-'IUNUILLID.K - THE KlNCHKrf. 129

siiuiateil. Tlie tail is mure gnuluated ; the claws thicker and stronger. The
wings are b.,(jrt and imicii rounded ; the fii-st quill shorter than the seconda-
ries ; tit'th and I'ourtli longest.

It may he easily distinguished from all the varieties oi' fumis by the
blackish lores and chin, as well as l)y the absence of any colored gular area,
there being, instead, a ])inkish rufous tinge prevalent over the wiiole throat
and juguluni. There are no dusky spots across the throat as iii/iisciis.

Habits. Dr. Cooper assigns tiie base of tlie liocky ^iountains, in New
Mexico, and the valleys of the Gila and Colorado llivers, as the habitat of
this species. 1 )r. Coues speaks of it as one of tlie most abundant and char-
acteristic birds (jf those two valleys, and adds that it langes northward to
within a few miles of Fort Whipple, but is not found in the adjacent moun-
tains. It was connnon at Fort Mohave, and particularly so at Fort Yuma.

Dr. Kennerly met witli it at Camp No. 114, New Mexico, February G, ai.«
again at Bill Williams Fork, February 12. He states that while travelling
down the liig Sandy Creek and Bill Williams Fork, in the month of Feb-
ruary, he ibund them very abundant. They confined fliemselves to the
thick bushes near the water. Genei-ally two or three were seen together.
Their motions were ver}' rapid, and their note was a peculiar, loud, chattering
sound, sharp but not disagreeable. After leaving the Great Colorado he did
not see it again.

On the borders of the (lila, east of Fort Yuma, Dr. Hecrmann found this
bird in great abundance. It kept in the close sheltered thickets, where,
secure from intrusion, it sought among the dead leaves for various seeds and
insects and their larvic, on whicli it feeds. In its habits it Aery much re-
sembles the Pijiilo fusvHH, or Canon Finch, diving into the bushes when
alarmed, and re])eating, at intervals, a short chirp. After leaving the Gila
River he did not meet with any more, as he followed no longer the course
of any large stream, for the borders of which these birds seem to have a
decided preference.

Dr. Cooi)er regards tliis species as the almost exact counterpart of the
Pipilo fuscus. The only diHeniuce he noticed in hab'*;s was in the character
of its loud note of alarm, remarkably similar, however, to that of two very
distinct birds of the same valley, namely, Ccutiirus uropj/giolis and Phaino-
pcpla nitcns. Like the Canon Fincli, this species is said to live almost con-
stantly on the ground, but ai)pears rather more gregarious, especially in
winter. •

About the first of April Dr. Cocjier met with many of their nests. Tiiey
were generally built in thorny shrul)S, and wer composed of a flooring of
coarse twigs, or of green herbs, and strongly interwoven with sti'ips of bark,
grass, and leav(>s. One bird had taken advantage of the recent introduction
of horses into the vailcv to obtain a lining of horse-hair for its nest. The
eggs were in all cases only three, bluish-white, with brown spots and streaks
in a ring near the large end, quite variable in number, and measuring one

vol.. u, 17

130 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.-

inch by .70. One of the nests was in a low mesquite-tree, another in a dense
duster of dead twigs hanging from a cottonwood. The time re([iiired for
liatching was twelve or thirteen days, and in a fortniglit more the young left
the nest. Dr. Cooper found nests with eggs as late as May 25, and had no
doubt that they raise two or more broods in a season. He adds that the
song of the male, tliroughout April and May, is precisely like that of P. fus-
cits, and iilso reminded him of tlie notes of F. orcyunus and of the eastern
Black-tln'oated Bunting {Ettapiza amerkana).

Dr. Coues has kindly sup[)lied me with the following interesting sketcli of
this species, as observed by liini in Arizona : —

" This species appears to have a remarkably restricted geogi-aphical distri-
buti(jn. I never saw it at Fort Whipple, but on the Colorado bottom in the
saine latitude, and thence along the river to Fort Yuma, I found it to be one
of the most abundant and cliaracteristic birds of all. At the time I observed
it, in September, it was generally in small flocks, and proved rather difficult
to ca[)ture, partly because the dense underbrush it inhabited was almost im-
penetrable, and partly on account of its natural timidity. E\erytiiiug along
the river-bottom is scorched with the heat, and the dry dead twigs constantly
snaj) at a touch, with such noise that it is almost impossible to force a pas-
sage through the underbrush without alarming all its inmates. Tlie bird
occurs everywhere along the river-side, but is particularly numerous on the
patches of mesquite, and the extensive areas grown up to young willows and
cottonwoods, and the arrowwood {Tcusaria borcalia). Its ordinary cry of
alarm, if not its call-note, is a loud, clear chirp, very different from the mew-
ing sound made under similar circumstances by its congener, the F. mega-
loni/x. Tlie latter, as is well known, is almost exactly like that of a Catbird.
I never heard the song of tliis bird, which apjiears to sing only during the
breeding-season, but Dr. Cooper says it resembles that of the western Black
Fipilos, and I can indorse liis observation, that this is curiously like the mo-
notonous notes of the Black-throated Bunting, — C/n'p, chip, chec-rhec-rhrc ;
the first two syllables deliberately pronounced, the others more rapidly enun-
ciated, with greater em])hasis. The associates of this species seem to be few,
if indeed they be not confined to the F. mcsokucm, a very near ally. The
moult seems to me unusually protracted, as many September specimens were
still in poor plumage.

" Excepting m}- experience with this bird on the Colomdo, I only met with
it on the Hassayampa, a small stream a few miles from Fort Whip))le, yet in
a somewhat different region, across a slight mountain-ridge, lower and warmer.
Two specimens were secured, adult and young, the first week in August."

Dr. Coues, on his way from Arizona to the Pacific (Ibis, 1866, p. 261),
men ">s that he was often startled by the loud, clear, sharp chirp of this
bird, whicli, though fringilline in character, is more than u.sually powerful,
and is its alarm-note. Everywhere in the Colorado ^'alley tliis was one of
the most characteristic birds. Fort Yuma seemed to be its head-quarters. It

FEINGILLID.E — THE FINCHES. 131

is, like all its congeners, a retiring species, and keeps perseveringly in the
almost impenetrable undergrowth. It is .said to be more decidedly gregari-
ous than most of the genus, often collecting in Hocks of a dozen or more,
wandering restlessly, yet in a cautious manner, tiirough the thickets.

A nest with eggs, procured at Fort Mohave by Dr. Cooper, is in the Smith-
sonian Collection (Xo. 7,276). The egg measures .9o by .70 of an inch, is
obovate in shape, being much rounded at the smaller end. Its ground-color
is a dull white, without any perceptible tinge of blue, — though possibly
bluish when fresh, — with heavy dots and occasional delicate, hair-like,
zigzag markings of black. These markings are wholly confined to tlie
larger end. One of the eggs has tlie.se markings much finer, consisting of
minute dots, more dense, and ujjon the apex of the larger end. The nest is
loosely built and very bulky. Its external diameter is about six inches, and
its depth three. The cavity is three inches wide and two deep. It is con-
structed almost entirely of stri2)s of inner bark, the coarser, ribbon-like
pieces being used on the outer portion, and the finer shreds composing the
lining. Externally are also a few sticks about one quarter of an inch in
diameter.

SECTION IV.

Crown rufous ; both/ above, olive-green.

Pipilo chlorurus, Baird.

OBEEK-TAILED BUNTING; BLANSING'S FINCH.

FringiUa cMorurn, (Towxsf.XD,) Aud. Om. Biog. V, 1830, 336 (Young). Zonotrichia
chlorurn, Ga.mbkl, J. A. N. Sc. Ph. 2d Series, I, 1847, 51. Embcriuirira cltlonira,
BoNAP. Conspectus, 18.')0, 483. Frimjillii bl(iitdi)i!ji(infi,(i\ilBKl., Vr. A. N. Se. Pli. I,
Ajiril, 1843, 260. Xmbcniiifjm Mninliiitiiiiun, Cassi.n, lUus. I, III, 18r)3, "0, jil. xii.
Pipilit rufijnhiis, Lafrksxave, Rev. Zoiil. XI, .Tune, 1848, 176. — Mr. Conspectus,
18riO, 487. Kieneriarufipili'us, BoN. Comptes Rendns, XL, 1855, 356. Pi/ii/ochlonini,
Baiiu), liiiils N^. Am., 1858, 519. — lIr.i;it.M. X, c, 15. - Cooi'Eii, Oin. Cul. I, 248.

Sp. Char. Alcove dull grayish olivc-grooii. Crown unifonn ehcstiuit. Forehead with
superciliary .stripo, and sides of the head and neck, the upper part of the breast and sides
of the l)ody, bluish-ash. Chin and upper part of throat abruptly defined white, the former
margined by dusky, above Avhich is a short white maxillary stripe. Under tail-coverts
and sides of body behind brownish-yellow. Tail-feathers generally, and exterior of wings,
bright olive-green, the edge and inider surface of the wings bright greeni.sh-yellow ; edge
of lirst primary white. First quill longer than eighth, fourth longest. Length, about 7
inches; wing, 3.20; tail, 3.0").

Had. AVhole of the Middh- Province, including the Rocky Mountains and eastern
slope of the Sierra Nevada ; north to beyond the 40tli parallel ; south to Mexico.

In this species tlie wing i.s considerably rounded, the tertials considerably
shorter than the primaries, and not exceeding the secondaries ; the fourth
quill longest, the first shorter than the sixth, the second and fifth quiLs

132

NOimi AMERICAN BIRDS.

considerably longer than the rest. The tail is long and considerably
graduated., the outer feather half an inch shortest; the feathers l)road
and obtusely pointed, the corners rounded.

__ -_ The extent of the chestnut

of the crown varies somewhat ;
more extended probably in the
males. Tiie region on the side
ol' the head, adjoining the
nostrils, is whitish ; tlie small
feathers under the eye are
spotted with the same. The
posterior outline of the ash of
the breast is much less sharp-
ly defined than the anterior.

Specimens vary in the
brightness of the olive aboxe,
which IS never as pure as that

of the wings and tail. The olive of the tail, too, is darker than that of the

wings.
A very young bird (1,89G) has the whole nnder parts dull white, streaked

and spotted on the sides of the throat and on the breast with dark brown.

Tlie crown and back are also tliickly spotted. In 5,734 the ash of the breast

has made its appearance ; the middle of the belly is white, spotted ;

tlie chin white, encircled by

spots. The spots above are re-
stricted to near the head, and

there is a small central jmtch

of chestnut on the crown.
No. 1,89G is the original

" Green-tailed Sparrow " killed

July 12, 1834, by Towusend,

and described in an extract of a

letter to ]Mr. Audubon, published

page 33G of Vol. V. of the Or-
nithological Biogriipliy. P'I'I'o rlilorimis.

Habits. Dr. Kennerly, who procured a specimen of this bird at San Eliza-
rio, Tex., December 10, states that it was obtained with some difficulty. For
several successive days it was found in the same place, occupying a small
clump of very thick weeds. When aroused, which was only accomplished with
some etl'ort, its flight was short, rapid, and decidedly irregular. Its motions
on the ground were very awkward This si)ecies was found by Mr. Ridg-
way very generaUy distributed throughout the fertile mountain portions of
tiie interior. It was not seen by liim in California, and was first met with
in the ravines at tiie l)ase of the eastern slope of the Siena Nevada. On the

FRINGILUD.K-TIIE FINCIIl-X 133

higli niountaiu-ranjfes it was a cliaractcristic and tlif liost -known sin;,'cv, as
well as ujie of tlio most abundant of the Friiujillulw, l)uing found in all
bushy places, from the bases to the summits of the mountains. It is exelu-
sively a summer species, arrivinj,' at Carson City about the middle of April.
He describes the usual note ol' this bii'd as very peculiar, and, as neai'ly as
can be described, a sweet lau^hiny utterance oi' the syllal)les lirk-lnf,', a
little resembling the timt. of a Canary, but very musical. This curious note
was generfilly uttered when anything unusual attracted its attention, such as
the approach of an intruder. Then, witii ehivated tail and its v(ny consi)ic-
uous red cap raised, it would hop familiarly and unsusi>iciously about. He
adds that it is a songster of high merit, in power and variety raid<ing very
little below the song of the Vliundcstis (jnimmum. The song varies in the
modulations greatly with the individual, but the .same general style is pre-
served. At times it seemed to have a slight resend dance to the song of
Bewick's Wren, and at others to that of a Ci/aiw.ynza, and nuire rarely, ti>
to be the reproduction of a passage from the song of the t'liondixtcs.

In the early part of July, near Austin, in the canons of the mountains, he
found tiiese birds breeding in the greatest abundance, and later in the same
month a few of its nests were found on the East Humlwldt Mountains. All
of its nests, with hardly an exception, were placed from eighteen inches to
two feet above the ground, among the thick Irishes of a si)eeies of Si/mji/iori-
cai'pu.% or " snow-berry," which grows in great almndance upon the siiles of
the canons of those mountaiu.s. The maxinmm number of eggs was four.
It was also quite a common bird in the Wahsatch Mountains, though less
abundant than the P. mrt/oloin/x.

Mr. Allen found this Finch quite numerous in Colorado Territory, and
speaks ol its song as very peculiar and very pleasing. It is said to resemble
in no respect the eastern Towhee Finch, with which it is classed, hut much
more closely the group of Sparrows, so familiarly represented at the east
by the White-throated, being like them in haliits, song, and general aspect.
It was more common among the foot-hills than on the plains. In Utah,
according to Mv. Allen, this Finch begins to ai)iK'iir in numbers al)out Sep-
tember 20, from its breeding-haunts in the mountains.

Dr. Coues met with this s])eeies in Arizona, Ind only as a sju-ing ami au-
tumn migrant. None remained there in summer to laeed, and none were
found there in the winter. In its migrations it passed rapidly by Fort
Whipple, being found there only during the latter part of April and the
beginning of May, and during the month of September. At those seasons
it appeared to him the nujst silent and retiring of all the Pipilos. He Ibund
it very diilicult to either ob.serve its habits or to ('a])ture it. It winters
spaiingly at Fort Mohave.

Si)ecimens of this bird were taken near Lookout ]\Iountain by C. S. Mc-
Carthy, and at Ciilmer, in Wyoming Ti'rritory, by Mr. Durkee.

Dr. Heennann, in his I?ej)ort on the Itirds observed on the .">lid parallel,

134 NOliTlI AMERICAN BIUDS.

under Lieutenant Piuke, mentions first meeting with this species near Tuc-
son. Tliey weie liequentinj^, in numbers, the thick undergrowth, and were
seeking seeds and insects on the ground. They seemed inclined to shun
observation, and always kept in the most retired situations. Tiiey were
sociable among themselves, going abi^ii singly or in jiairs, associated with
the rooapiza hilincutu and two or three other kinds of I'iiicii. When started
they Hy low, diving into the bushes, and soon disajjpear from sight. Occa-
sionally, until reaching El Paso, Te.xas, birds of this species were met with,
mingling with the flocks of migrating Frimjillida;. He there procured a i)air
apparently just entering upon incubation.

Instead of being .suited by coh)r, like most of the other Pipilos, to inhabit
dark thickets and among dry leaves, this species is clad in a gayer livery, and
seems well adapted for concealment in its summer resorts, and also among
the growing vegetation of the lower country during the rainy season. Dr.
Heerniann found a few wintering in the Colorado Valley, and yet more at
San Diego, but they left both places in March. He found them silent and
shy, hiding very closely in the bushes, and feeding altogether on the ground.
The only note he heard, resembled the crowing note of the California Quail.

Among the memordiida of Mr. Xantus, made near Fort Tejon, are the two
following : " 4,8l-5i), nest and two eggs (of Plpilo Morurus) found in a dry
hedge in Mr. Kitchie's garden ; 5,083, nest and eggs found in a dark garden-
hedge."

The eggs of the clilorurns are like those of no other Pipilo that I have
met with. They are peculiar in shape, being nearly of an exact oval, neither
end being apparently much mure rounded than the other. Their ground-
color is white with a bluish tint, over which is profusely diffused a cloud of
fine dottings of a pinkish-drab. These markings are occasionally so fine and
so thickly distributed as to give to the egg the appearance of a uniform
color, or as an unspotted pinkish drab-colored egg. Occasionally the dots
are deeper and larger, and more sparsely diffused.

In considering the eggs of the Piinlos in general we find certain variations
wliich deserve more than a passing notice. Those of crijthrop]ith(dmiis,
om/onus, arrticus, and vui/alonifc are all fringilline in their characters, and
have a marked affinity to eggs of Mdospiza, Zonotrichia, and many other
genera of this order. The eggs of aberti,fitsciis, mesolcncm, and ft/hif/nla are
also all closely alike, and exhibit a very close resemblance to those of the
Af/claii, and even of the Ictcri, while the eggs of P. chlonirus, though of a
fringilline character, are unlike either style.

ALAUDID.E — TlIK LARKS. i;]:

Family ALAUDIDiE. — The Lauks.

CiiAH. First |iiiiiiiu-y vcrv sliort or wanting. Tui-si .sciilelliitL- aiitLM'ioi'iy niid postoriorly,
with tlie pliitfs nearly of coricsponcling position and number. Uiii.l claw vi'ry long
ftnd nearly .straight. Hill short, conical, frontal feathers extending along side of the hill;
the nostrils concealed l>y a tiiil of Ijristly feathers directed forw ird. Tertials greatly
elongate beyond the secondaries.

Subfamilies and Genera.

Alaudinse. Hill stout, short, and conical ; nasal fossa; transverse and coMiiilelely
lilled liy the thi';k tuft of bristly feathers, and perforated anteriorly by a circular
nasal opening. (Old and New World.)

Crown with a depressed sort crest of feathers, of normal structure ; a spu-
rious primary ; tail deeply emargiuatc Alaiida.

Urown without a crest, but occiput with an erectile tuft of narrow elon-
gated feathers on each side. No spurious primary ; tail .square, or slightly

rounded h'remophila.

CalandritinsB. Bill broader, more depressed, and straightcr at the base ; nasal
Ibssie longitudinal, large, elongated, the nasal opening rather linear. (Old World.)

Of the Alavdiila only the two <,'cnoia diagnosed above belong to the
American continent ; and one of them is properly only a wanderer from the
Old World, while the otlier is cosmopolitan.

The most characteristic feature of the Larks among other oscine families
is seen in thj scntellation of the tarsus. Tlie anterior half of this is cov-
ered by divided scales lap])ing round on the sides, but instead of the two
plates which go one on each side of the posterior half and unite ultimately
behind as an acute ridge, there is but one which laps round on tlie sides,
and is divided into scales like the anterior ones, but alternating with them.
The posterior edge of the tfirsus is as obtuse as the anterior, instead of
being very acute. Tliere is a deep separating groove on the inner side of the
tarsus ; and there may be really but one plate divided transversely, the edges
meeting at tliis place.

In the elongated hind claw and lengthened tertials, general style of color-
ation, mode of life, and manner of nesting, there is a decided approximation
in the Alaudidm to the AnthirKv, of the family Motmillidcc ; but in these
tlie posterior edge of the tarsus is sharp and undivided transversely, the toes
more deeply cleft, the bill more slender, etc., — tiieir relations being rather
nearer to the Sylvicolidw than to the present family.

Genus ALAUDA, Linn.

Alauda, Link. S. N. 1735.

Gen. Char. Bill very small, less than half the length of the head, conical ; nostrils
exposed ; rictal bristles quite strong ; commissure without notch ; tarsus much longer

inn NOUTIl AMKIUC.VN lillMH

tlinn rni<l(llc tot' ; latcnil Iocs ('t|iml ; poslcfior toi' aliDnt as luiij,' as tho initldlo, its rlnw
lnii^r,.p iliiiii ihc (li;ril. and iicai'ly slraif;lil : claws of anlciioi' toe very small. Wiiij; loii);,
pniiitccl, ilic ihiid anil Iniirlli (ai)|)aii'iill_v si'cdikI anil tliiiil) quills Innjji'st, llu' second and
liltli siii'i'ssivclv, a litllu slioiii'r; tlic I'nst so small as In b(^ almost roni't-alfd ; U-rtials
nuu;li c'longati'd, rcai.'liinj,' about liall'-wiiy from und ol' aucouduries to tip of primarii's;
their unds t'iiiar<;inati;d ; tail ratliur duuply umai'giinttcd, and a littlu moro lluin half the
lon^'th of till! wing.

Species.

A. arvensis, Ahovu (riayish-lnown, licncath whitish, with a bufTy tinijo across
jiigulnin and along sides; every feather above with a medial streak of dusky; sides of
throat, sides, and across jngulum streaked with dusky; the outer tail-feathers partly
white, Wing, 4.90; tail, 2. SO ; culmen, .40; tar.'^us, .80 ; hind claw, .00. Ilab. Europe;
accidental in Oreenland and the Bermudas.

Alauda arvensis, Linn.

THE SKYLARK.

Alitudn arrcnsis, Linn, Faun. Sue. p. 7fi. Ahtuda vithinris, Leacii, Syst. Cat. Mamm.
and Biiils in 15. .M. p. -.21. Ahiudi ac/ipctn, I'am,. Zoiigr. I, .'i24. Alaudii segetitm,
lli!i;ilM, Viig. l)futsi;ld. yi8. Alauda nwiUaiia, Hukii.m, Viig. Deiit.schl. 319, t. 20,
1'. 1. Alauda ar/renti.i, IliiiiiiM, Viig. Dt-utschl. 320. Alauda Ualica, Qmkl. S. N. I,
793.

Si'. CiiAii. Adult. Above grayish umber-brown, beneath white, tinged across tlio
breast with soft light ochrai,'e()n.s. Kveiy feather above with a medial dusky streak, the
shaft black; wing-feathers and uppiT tail-coverts bordered with white. Outer tail-
feather mostly white, the iie.xt one edged with the same. A plain, light superciliary
stripe; aurieulars nearly uniform light brownish ; sides of the throat, jugiiluin, and sides
with short streaks ol' dusky brown.

Male. Wing, 4.90; tail, 2.80; enhneii, .40; tarsu.s, .80; middle toe, .55; hind claw, .50.

VmuH/. Above more yellowish-fulvous, the feather.s with central spots, instead of medial
stripes of dusky, and bordered terminally with whitish ; jugiilum washed strongly with
ochraeeous, and marked with dusky spots.

Had. Europe; accidental in Greenland and the Bermudas ; Aleutian Islands.

Haiiits. Tl>e famed Skj-lark of the Old World can rest a twofold claim
to be includod in a complete list of North American birds. One of these is
their occasional occurrence in the Bernuidas, and in Greenland. The other
is their proliably successful introduction near New York.

A few years since an attemi)t was made to introduce these birds, for
whicli purpose several individuals were set at liberty on Long Island. For a
short time they did well, and succeeded in raising one or more broods, but,
owing probably to the constant persecution of all small birds by the foreign
population of the neighborhood, the experiment nearly failed, and none were
noticed in that vicinity. Within the last year or two, however, severtvl
pans of these birds liavc been observed in Westchester County, and also on
Long Isliind, by parties competent to recognize them, and hopes are now en-
tertained that these desirable birds have obtained a foothold in this coinitry.

Al.AriUD.E — Till'] LAIiKS. l;{7

AccordiiiLr to Messrs. I)ivsscr iiiul Slmrpo, tlio Skyliirk is loiiiul tlirmii^lKnit
the |inlar Antir ivuimis, Innii tlin I'.rili.sli Isliiml.s eastward to Siln'ria and
Xiiitliciii CliiiM. A smaller siil)s|)cci('s is met with in Smitliuastciu Ku-
u>\n', wliiili (jdcs not picsiMit any cliaracler iiy wliicli it can lie .sc|)aratt'd
iVum it. In Kasicrn Kuiiipi' tliu l,ark has lieoii i'ound as far north as tlii!
Faroe Islands, Inii has not lieen oliserved in Iceland. It reaches Christiania
in .March, iind leaves in Octolier. it has heen i'onnd lireediiiij in I-a|iland as
far iiortii as latitude ().*», and is a coininon sunnner visitant in Finland.
I'allas lound it ahmidant thr(iu<;liont iJussia and Siberia, and Stellcr I'onnd
it not only in Kaintschatka, Imt (Miually in the Kurile Islands and in those
hetween Asia and Ananica, so that its occurrence in our Alaskan territories
may he rej^arded as a not imjaolialile event.

The same writers also state that the Skylark has lu'en twice recorded as
occurriiij.f in (Ireenhind and in America ; and in another i)lace they state that
"the Skylark occasionally visits (ireenhind, and has lieen met with in the
liermudas." In the latter place a storm-tried wail' was taken l>y Mr. J. M.
Jones after an easterly j^ale.

The Lark is a universal favorite in the Old AVorld, and as a vocalist enjoys
a reputation hanlly .second even to the far-fana-d Ni,u;htinj;ale. It is an in-
haliitant of all the countritvs of Kurope, and is said to he most aliundant in
the cultivated districts.

AVe only kiu)W of its son^' from cajj;ed specinuMis and from the testimony
of Kurojiean writers. Yarrell speaks of its notes as (iluicrful and exhilarat-
ing, fresh as the seas(»n of S])rin,!.i-, and the admiration of all hearers. Its
voice is descrihod as powerful to an extraordinary de,L;ree, and its song
wihl aiul joyous. They sinj,' while they ily, rising, with (luivering wings
almost perjiendicularly, until they gain so great an elevation that they can
no h)nger he distinguished; yet, while thus no longer visible, their wihl
music continues to he heard as that of some unseen si)irits of the air. It is
said that one familiar with their song can readily determine, hy their notes,
whether the singer is ascending, stationary, or descending. Occasionally,
when at this great elevation, the Lark will close its wings and drop to the
earth with the rai)idity of a stone. At times it will sing while on the
ground, hut its most lively strains are jioured forth during these flights.
And though this hird will sing while in confinement, and is a favorite cage-
bird, yet in singing they are said to flutter tluiir wings, as if this motion were
almost a necessary accompaniment to their song.

In regard to the song and its peculiarities writers are not {[uite in agree-
ment. The general opinion seems to be that, while in the (luality of its
tone it is surpassed by the song of the Nightingale, the Uulhnch, and the
l)Iack-ca]>, it is une(iualled in quantity, sjjrightliness, variety, and j)ower.
The Lark is in song eight months of the year, and during the summer
months it sings from two in the morning, with very little intermission, until
after sunset.

vol.. II. 18

l;l,S Nuinil A.MKItll'AN ItlUDS.

.Mr. ]\Iiic^illi\ ray ^'ivos lut exfL-Uciit ami ^Tapliic desciiptinn of tlio liabits of
tliis liinl, iVniii wliicli we extract a imrtioii ilcscripliM' of its snu<^. "It lias
lu'cii alli'i^cil," 111' writes, "tliat tlii' Lark asci'iiils in a si)iral inaiincr, lail my
nliscrvaliciii (Iocs nut currolioralc tlic statement. In risin,u' it often jiasses di
rccliy npwanl, l)Ut willi the lioily alway.s horizontal, or nearly .so, tlien moves
in a curve, and continues thn.s alternately, but witliunl a continiied spiral mo-
linn. At lirst, tile motion of the wiiij^s is nnii'urmly llutt(!rinjf ; hut afterwards
it shddts tiieni out l\\\. tr three limes succo.ssivoly at intervals, and when at
its j^reatest hei,L;ht e.xhiliits this actiun more remarkably. When il de.scoiul.s,
the siinj,' is Udt intermittoti, liut is continued until it approaches the j^ronnd,
when il usually darts down headlon;.,', and ali^dits aliruptly. Frecpiently it
resumes its soul? after ali^ditiiif,', and continues it for a short time, hut moro
cummouly it stops when it has reached the ground. Often a Lark may ho
.seen iKiverinj,' over a field, in full .soni,', for a considerable time, at a small
height. Oil the 4lh of May, 1<S;>7, I observed a Lark jierehed on a half-
burnt whin branch, where it remained sin^'in;f i. loiiu time. I have often
seen it perch on a wall, and .several tiuics on a hawthorn bush in a liodj^e ;
but it never, I believe, alights on tall Iree.s.

'•The soiiii of the Lark i.s certainly not musical, for its notes are not finely
modulated, lair its tones mellow ; but it is cheerful and clieerin<f in the lii>ih-
I'st di'i^rce, and ]notracted beyond all comparison. In a sunny day in Ajiril
or May, when the },'rass-fields have be<;un to resume their verdure, it is
pleasant to listen to the merry son<,'.ster that makes the welkin rinjj; with its
sprightly notes ; in the sultry month of July, still more ])lea.saiit is it to
hear its matin hymn while the dew is et on the corn; and in winter, sliouhl
you chance to hear the well-known voice on high, it reminds you of the
bright days that have gone, and tills you with anticijiation of those that are
to come. No doulit much of the pleasure derived from the Lark's song do-
]teiids upon association, but indeiieiidently of circuinstances and associations
tile .song of tlu^ Lark imparts an elasticity to the mind, elevates the spirits,
and sus])eiiils for a time the gnawing of corroding care. The carol of the
Ijirk, like the lively life, e.xcites ]»ure cheerfulness. In continement this
bird sings every whit as well as when at large, and when rapidly ])eraniVm-
latiug the sipiare bit of faded turf in its cage, it enacts its ]tart with appar-
ently as much delight as when mounting toward heaven's gate."

This bird succeeds well in cages, and lives to a groat age, Yarrell mention-
ing one that lived nearly twenty years in continement. Its natural food is
grain, the seeds of grasses, worms, and various kinds of insects. They be-
gin to mate in Ajiril, and have two broods in a season. Their nest is always
placed on the ground, often sheltered by a tuft of grass, or some other pro-
tection. The nests are woven of coarse grasses and stems of plants, and
are lined with finer materials of the .same. The eggs are five in number,
have a grayish-whit<^ ground, occasionally a greenish-white, very generally
sprinkled and blotched with markings of dark-gray and an ashy-l)rown, so

Al-AIDIU.K-TIIK LARKS.

139

prnfusflv us to anm'A llus f^'ruwinl. They aiv oval in slmiK>, sli-litly nioiv
poitiUMl at one end, aii.l mcasmi! .'.i:'. oi an iucli in len-^lli l)y .7ti in lara.llli.

Accordinn- to Sclhy, llm yuiiiij,' of tl.u liist laoo.l au; liilly ll.i.l-r.l l.v the
on.l of Jniif, anil llie s.ruii.l in Aii}j;iist. Tlie Liik i-in.r.s a very strong'
attaclinicnt to its y<MMi;4, an.l many intcivstin.u; ai;c(au:ts luv. <X\\ru \>\
Kuroiican writers ul" its int(!lli;4i'nt cndcavois to conc'cal ami to |.intccl its
nest,— in ono instance n.nstnictin^ an aitilicial dome of dry -riiss, wlaMv
till! nattival protcftioii liad U'vn rut away by mower.-, and in anotlaa'
attemi>liii^' to ri'inovu tiu; younj,' to a iilace of greater mifety.

Tho Lurk has, in sovuial instanws, been siiccessnilly induced to mate and
rear her youn- in an aviary; and Mr. \V. I'. Foster, of Haidviiey, is (jUoted
by Mr. Yiirrell as authority for the statement, that, durin-j; the period of pm-
ducin-,' the e^'f^s, tiie female has been linird to sin<j; with a power and a variety
of tone eiiual to the voice of her mate.

While his niali^ is sittin.u; on her e.u,t;s, lh(! male. T-ark, apparently timi<l at
all otlua' times, i.s remarkably bold, and drives away other birds that venture
too near their ne.st. He not only watches o.er iier and seeks to protect her,
but assiduously supplies her with food.

Gpa'us EREMOPHILA, lioiR

ErcmopMI,,, Hoie, Isis, IS-JS. M-l. (Typi', .lhn„la al/.slri.s. Sullicicntly ilistiii.t from

Eirmojihilus, Ilr.Miioi.Di-, [ImsIics,] 1805.)
Philaxmos, Hukiim, Dout.srlil. Vi)},'*'!. IS'fl.
Olomrls, I5(.N.M',\llTi:, 1S:)9. (Type, Ahuula <,!i„:ilrh, V,v.\Y.) (We nro uimlilc to liiid

wlu'ic I 111' ;,'('mis is iiiimctl.)

Gks. CilAU. Fiivl priiiiiiry Wiiiiliii!,'; liill scarcely liijrlicr tlmii b oiul : iicistiils circular,
coiicenkMl liy a denso lull of rcathcrs; tlie imsiil Ibssit ol)li(iuo. A lu-ctoral cruscunt ami
uhcck-patches of black.

Eremiipliiln alpi. ris.

This "enus differs h-om Melnnocorjixtha in having' no spurious first primary.

140

NORTH A.\[EU1UAX 15IRDS.,

although the other characters are somewhat similar. C'alrtnclritis of Cabanis,
with tiie same lack of first imiiuiry, has a nmch stouter liill. The spurious
liriinary, more depressed hill, and diMerently constituted nostrils and nasal
fossto of AhiHila are readily distincti\e.

Tlio type of this genus is
the Alduda (djicMria, Lijui.,
a well-known cosmopolitan
species, though the hirds of
the New World have been
distinguisJR-l under tlistine-
tive names, as coniKht, c/ir//-
so/(ciii((, iKirip'ina, etc. The
examination and critical com-
])iirison of more than a hun-
dred s])(!cimens from all parts
of NortJi America, however, has convinced us of the identity witli alficstris
of the .several forms mentioned above, though it may be advisable to retain
one or more of them as geographical races.

Erfmojfltiln tiljitsiris

Species and Varieties.
E. alpestris. Adtill. Ahovo pinki.'ili-gray, viiiviii;,' tn iMiiiiiiiiion, the pinkish
(Iee])i'.si uii iiajjo ami lesser wing-eovoi-ls ; tail lilaek (exeopt two niiilille foathei's),
the outer feather edjicd wilii white. Heneatli wjiite, tiie sides piiikisii oi- ffi'ayisii.
A fnintal hand and superciliary stripe, the middle of aurieulars, ehin. and throat
varying from white to deep Naples-yuljow ; forepart oferown, and " ear-tufts," a
pateh on lores and elioeks, and a hmad .'resr^enl aeross the jiiirulnm, ileep hiaek ;
end of aurieulars ashy. Fennile and iuilunnial males, wilh the pattern less
shar[ily delined, and the colors more suHiiscmK i'diiiif/. IJrownish-lilack aliove,
more or le.ss mi.xed with clay-color, and sprinkliMl wilh whitish dots: wing-
feathers all bordered with whitish. Jienealh white. Markings (in head and
jugnlum just merely iudieated l)y dusky cloudings.

Wing (of adult male), 4.20 to 4.()0 ; tail. 2.i)0 to. 1.10; enlmen. .(10 to .tl,"i.
Whit(! frontal band, .25 to ..'iO, wide; the lilaek iirefrout.il pateli, .2(i lo ,;!.")
wide. The piid<ish above of an .a.<hy-lilae shad,..

Thro.it and foreiiead white, with only a very faint linge ofyrllow;
pinkish tingi- above more rufous. Fiab. Interior Northern I'laiiw of

the I'nited .States var. n r <! il c n lit I i s .

Tliroat and forehead pale straw-yellow, oi' stronglv tinged with it;

pinkish tinge .above varying from a.shy-lilacous to pnrpli.^^ii-rufou.s.

Huh. Northern regions of Old iuid New Wor'ds . . \-.u: (( / pes I r I s .

Wing (adnlt male), 3.80 to 4.10; tail, 2.7;") to 2.00; culnien, .5.! to .02.

White frontal baud, .l.T to .10 wide; the black prefrontal pateh .;i') to .oO

wide. Pinkish above ol' a deep cinnamon shade. /fi(l>. De.xert ]ilains of

South Middle Province of United State.t, and tal)le-lands of Mexico, south

to Bogota \i\\: c /n- ij s o I ;c III u .

ALAUDID.E - THE LAliKS. 141

Eremophila alpestris, I '.die.

THE SHOBE LABK.

Si'. CiiAii. Adult male; spring. A i'roiital croscont, curving biU'kwanl in ii broad,
sharply liolinccl, siiiicrciliiiiy strips to thu ooMput; oiiin, throat and foronuuk, and a cri'sccnt
across niiddio of car-covcrts, wiiitish, eitiicr more or loss tinged willi yellow, or pin'c
white. Fiowcr parts, except laterally, white. A broad erosi;enlic jjateh behind the
liontal whitish crescent, running back on each siilo of the crown and terminating in an
erectile tiilt of narrow elongated feathers on each side of occiput, a pat(;h covering the
lores, nasal tufts, jiassing beneath the eye, and forming n broad '• mustaohe" on the
cheeks, with a convex outliiu! lieiiind and eoueavt? anteriorly, and a liroad cii'scentic i)alch
across tlu^ jiigiilinn, deep black. A (M'escentie spot of grayish-drab across tlie ends of liie
am-icuhus. Posterior portion of the crown enclosed laterally between the " ear-tufis,"
occiput, nape, latiMul lower parts, lesser and middle wing-(;overts, and upper tail-coverts,
piidiish-lirown ; the sides and Hanks with obsoli'te dusky streaks. Back, sca|)ulars, rump,
wings, ami two middle tail-fealhors, asliy-drab, the (eiither.s darker centrally, I'urming
rather conspicuou.s broad streaks on lower part of back; miildlo aiul se(;ondary coverts,
secondaries and primaries bordered torininally, quite conspicuously, with white. Tail
(except the iiilenncdia) \i\iick ; outer web of lateral feather almost entirely white, that
of the next edged with the same.

Adult female ; spring. .Similar, but markings rather less sliar[)ly defined; a tendency
to streaking of nape and crown; these streaks often displacing the ciuitimious black of
the anterior portion of crown. The "ear-tufts" less developed.

Winter adult. Similar to the spring dr<,'ss, but the black .u-eas obsiMired, more or less,
by whitish borders to the feathers; the frontal whitish band less .sharply delineil. ]5reast
with numerous more or less distinct deltoid s])e(;ks of |ilumbeous, and the pinkish of the
siiles much tinged with the same. The dusky streak.s above .-ire broader and more con-
spicuou.s.

Yoniif/. Kiist ])lumage, entirely diflerent from the adult. Above dusky, variegated
with whiti.sh dots, sprinkled over the whole surface; these specks tc-rmiiial on each
leather, and of a deltoid form, becoming more transverse and crescentic on the scapulars
and rump; each feather of the wings broadly bordere<l with pale lirowiiish, approaching
M'liite on the coverts. The blackish areas are but faintly indicated by a dusky suflusion,
generally very indistinct, across the breast, and over the cheeks; and variegated with
liadly delineil, more dusky spots; lower parts, including post-ocular stripe, dull white;
sides spotted with dusky.

Tlic E. ii/prsfris, iis restricted, is represented in the collection by throe
jierlect sju'cimens, in the severtil staoes of ]iluiiuioi' de.scrilied ; while there
is also ii line sju'cinien from Astriichan, representing ii white-throated race
(" var. //( /" on MS. label) of Central Asia. The series of American s]ieciiiien3
is all tiiat coidd posfjldy be desired, there beinn niuncrous examples from
nearly the wlnde northern continent, from the Arctic reoitms to as far .south
a.s JVioota, ami from coast to coast.

The common Shore Ltirk of the northern parts of North America ajipears
to bo absolutely identical with the Kiiropeaii bird, etich of the sjieciniens of
the latter beino; easily niiitched from the American .series. It therefore
becomes nece,.ssary to reduce the name " atriintii" to a synonyme n^ nipidris,

142 NOKTll AMEUICAN BIllUS.

the former not affording cliixractcrs to distingiiisli it as evcMi a variety. To
iil2h:siris may also lie referred the form knctwn as " oixkhnlKUs, ^IcCall," those
specimens from the interior regions which are destitute of any yellow tinge
on the tlii'oat. Were this feature a constant one in specimens from the
region which it characterizes, it would be, of course, right to retain the name
in the form of n/pcutria var. omdcntidw. As it is, however, ijuite a Lirge
])ercentage of the specimens from every locality where oiriiimfn/is is found
have more or less yellow throats, but it is jtossible that this mixture of the two
luay be the result of irregular migrations, those yellow-throated individuals
being stragglers from their breeding habitat, — more to the eastward and
northward. In its white i" "tead of straw-yellow throat, and more lilaceous
than viuaceous njiper parts, this form bears a close resemblance to a race of
the deserts of Western (and Central ?) Asia, — the " hci " ^ ; the latter,
however, has these features more exaggerated than in the one of the central
plains of North America. Breeding throughout the table-lands of Mexico,
and in the Western Province of the United States, north to al)0ut the 40th
parallel, is a more strongly ni;irked race, maintaining taLso more constancy
in its jieculiar features ; this race is the H. rhvi/sola-iita, Wagl., of which
name rii/ii, And., and minor, CJiraud, are synonymes. This race, which we
propose to call E. alpcstris var. c/in/fiola'tna, differs from both the northern
styles in smaller size and longer bill, and in coloration is the opposite ex-
treme from onidtnto/iii, iiavin„ the vinaceous tints deeper and browner,
ins* id of paler and less brown, than in coniufit (i. e. typical (i/^nstris).
The black markings are also more extended, in juoportion to the other colors,
reducing the white on the forehead to a very narrow band, instead of a broad
spot ei[ualling, or exceeding, the black in width. Specimens from Bogota
— about the .southern limit of the genus on this continent — are, ]ierhaps,
referrible to cJiri/no/a'ma, or at least not very different from it, though described
by Sdater as distinct, under the name pcrei/rinu.t'^

111 fewer words, the variations, with the region, are about as follows.
Starling with North America, north of the United States, we begin with a style
absolutely undistinguishable from that of Kurope ; this, to which the name
cornnfK belongs, visits the Eastern States only in winter, but breeds over the
])riiirie region of Wisconsin, Illinois, and westward. West of the h'ocky
Mouiitiiiiis, especially .south of about 4(1°, specimens referrible to this style
are most numerous in winter, and in a large series a great percentage of tin;
specimens entirely lack any yellow on the throat, while the piiikisli-brown
tints are lighter and less voddish ; this style rejtresents, in these ])eculiar fea-
tures, the " var. bci " of Western Asia (A.strachan), and has been distinguished
by tlie name occidcntcdU, jMcCall, though it is doubtful whether McCall's
description is of a ,s])ecimen of this style or of one of chri/solania, being

' The iiaiiii' ill iiiaimsoii]it on tlic lalpcl of a s|>irim('ii in tlic SchliUor colkH'tioii, I'nim Astiiu'lmn.
- Oliii-tirits /ii rrfjriiKi, tsCLATEH, V. Z. S. 1855, lit), jil. cii. Evcmophihi ^icr. !Sci,. Cat. Am.
liirils, 1802, 127.

ALAUDIU.E — THE LARKS. 143

taken from a ymnig or iinniatuve bird. Broediiiji; south of about 40'', i'roiu
tlie Jfucky .Mmintaiiis to tlie Tafific coast, and throu^liout the table-lands of
]\Ie.\ico, — ill wiiit(a- .sometimes resident at the nortlicrn limit a.ssigned, and
the''" mixed with norlliern-lired individuals, — is a kind w.liieh is smallt.-r,
and, generally, with a laiuer bill ; the throat is dee])er yellow than in the
northern lorm, tiie jiinkisii tints deepened into cinnamon, and the frontal
liand narrower, caused by an encroaelnnent of tlie black, which, in its several
areas, is extended more in ])roi)ortion to the other colors. This is the E.
c/in/.so/(nii(( of W'a.L;!, and of which minor, (iirand, and rii/o, And., are syn-
onymes, as already stated.

Along tiie coast of Oregon and Washington Territory is a very ])('(,'iiliar
race, represented in the collection by several specimen.s. Thes(! diller essen-
tially in having llie dark streaks above very sharply defined, broad and clear
blackish-brown,* wliile the lower i)arts are strongly tinged with yellow, even
as deeply so as the throat. Additional specimens from the northwest coast
in.ay establish the existence of a race as distinct as any of those named
above.

Var alpegtrigi

AlniH/a ii/iicstn\ Linn. .S. X. I, 28!). — Fonsr. I'liil'. Truiis. LXH, 1772, 383. — Wir.sox,

— Ari). — .lAia). - Mavn.vuk, 15. K. JIiis.s. 1870, 121. Olomnif <t. Fixscn, Alili.
Nat. 1870, 341 (syiionoiiiy iiiid ivniaiks). Ahiutia coniiila, Wii..s. Am. Oin. \, ISflS,
Sf). — liicH. K. 15. A. IL Emmpldht c. 15uii;, Isi.s, l,s2S, 322. — li.viiii), I5ii<ls N.
Am. 1858, 403. — Ldiid, P. H. A. Inst. IV, 118 (Hiitish CoL). — Cooim;i! & Sciki.kv,
XII, 195. — D.U.I, & I5AN.Msii:it, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1SG9, 213 (Alii.skn). — Cnoi-Ki!, Oni.
Cal. I, 1870, 2ril. -Sami-i'.ls, 280. I'hlhnmos i: Hoxai'. List, 1838. Otumris c.
Acer. O/ocoris utriilciilnlis, jM(,('ai.i,, I'r. A. N. Sc. V, June, 1851, 218 (Santa Fe).

— I5AHa), Stansburj'.s ltc|i., 1852, 318.

CiiAU. AiliiU. Vroiital wliitish crescent nion^ than linlf .is broad a."* tlio lilaok
palcli bi'liind it. Throat and (brclioad either tinged, more or less strongly, with yellow,
or perfectly white. Pinkish tint above, a soil a.sliy-vinaeeous.

Mciisinemciil.i. (')C>,')S'.i ^, North Eiir()|)e,) wiMjr, 4.40; tail, 2.00 ; cnlmon, .00; width
ol white liontal cre.scent, ."J."); of l)la(k, .;i0. (:!,780 <J, Wisconsin,) wing, 4.1iO; lull,
3.00; culmen, .60; width of white frontal crescent, ..iO ; of black, .20. (lO.TOS ^,
Hudson's IJay Ten.,) wintr, -ift'i ; tail, 3.10; cnhnen, .05 ; width of white frontal crescent,
.;io; of black, ..'3(). (8,401 $, Fort Ma.ssachusetts.) wing, 4.3") ; tail, 3.1o; culmen, .01 ;
width of white frontal crescent, .27; of black, 27. (The three perfectly identical in
colors.)

Yonnff. On the upper p.arts the l)lackish greatly in e.xce.ss of the whitish markings.
Spots acro.ss juguhun distinct.

Hah. Noilhern Hemisphere; in North America, lirecding in the .\rctic regions and
the open plains of the interior regions, I'rom Illinois, Wisconsin, etc., to the Pacilic, norlli
of about 38°.

' A specimen from Plcveland, dliio (7,4299. Ajiril 1, Dr. Kirtlandi, nnd one from AVasliing-
tiin, D. ('. (28,2t(>,J, Feb.), have nearly n.s distinct strwks above, but tlii; white of lower parts is
without any tinge of yellow.

144 NORTH AMERICA X niRDS-.

Var. cliryM>In;iiia<

Jhnuht fhri/.'^iiliciiii, \\.\i.l.. Isis, ].S31, ;!5(). — lioNAl'. 1'. Z. S. 1S:)7, 111. O/nrnri/.i cJi.
FlKscll, Alili. Xal. 1^7ll, 3-11. JIkihIu iniiKu; (illiAil), lii S|i. 'I'i\. 1!. 18 11. AUiiuln
riifa, Ain. lUnls Am. VII, l.'*4;), 'iU'i, pi. occoxrvii. (i/oivris i\, llr,i;i:M. X. s, \'t.
Hi/ocori/s /lercgrina, Sci.. 1'. Z. S. 185r>, 110, \<\. cii. L'rcmophi/a p., Sci,. Cut. .Vui. P..
1800, 127.

CiiAi!. Adult. Fmiitiil cresoent Ic.-^s tliaii hall' as widu as tin' lilai'k. Tliidat ami loiv-
lirad (li'cp straw-yclliiw ; piiikisii lints aliovc deep cilinaiiion.

(I. Spi'ciincns I'loiii Caliloniia and Mexico, streaks on back, eti'., very olisolele; liarker

centra! stripi! to middle tail-leathei's si-arcely oliservaliie ; white henealli.

Meiisureiiieiils. (3, "ill", ^J. Tonila, Mexico,) winjr, I! SO ; tail. 2.7"); bill, .•"<•! — -l") — .I--

" (9,11"), ^, Mexico,) '• 4.10; " LMH); " .(W — .1:! - ,r,().

" (;i,!«n, ^, Calilbniia,) " 3.8."); '• 2.75; '• .51! — .1 I — . I.",.

0W>8'-', ^, (it. Salt Lake City.)'' 1.10; " 2.80; '^ .(i2 — .!(; — . 32.

b. Specimens from coast of Oi-ec-on and Washington Territory. Streaks on hack, etc.,

very conspi(nions; dark central striiie ol' tail-feathers distinct ; yellow heiiealh.

Measurementn. (8,734 $ . Tort Steilacoom,) wing-, 3.75; fail, 2.(iO; hill, .(11 15 — .40.

TIaii. Middle America, from tliti desert regions of the sonllicrii iliddlo l'roviii(;c of
North America, south to ISogota.

IlAiilTS. Assiimiiio; the Sliorc Lark of tlic Labviidor coii.st and tlio riit'ou.s
Lark of the Westorn pniiries to bo one mid tho siuiio sjiccius, but sliglitly
modified by difl'erence.s of locality, eliniate, or food, we have lor this species,
at all times, a wide raiiu'c, and, diiriiio; the breed! no-season, a very iinu.stud
peciiliaiily, — their iibnndaut distributiun thrungh two vvidel}' distant tind
essentially dilfereiit regions.

During a large portion of the year, or I'roin October to April, these birds
may be found in all ])arts of the United States. Dr. AVoodhou.se found them
very common throughout Textis, the Indian Territory, N'ew Me.xico, tind Cal-
ifornia. ]Mr. Dresser states that he found the western variety — whieli he
thinks essentially dilTereut iu several res])eets from the eastern — in gretit
numbers, from October to the end of March, in the ])rairies around San
Antonio. Afterwards, at (ialveston, in May and June, 18t)4, he noticed and
shot sevend specimens. Althongh he did not succeed iu finding any nests,
he was very sure that they were breeding there. It is common, during win-
ter, on the Atlantic coa.st, from Massachusetts to South Caroliiiii. In Elaine
it is compartitively rare. In Arizona, Dr. Cones s])e!iks of the western fomi
as a i)ermanent resident in .all situations adapted to its wtints. The same
writer, who also had an o])portunity of observing the eastern variety in
Labrador, where he found it very abundant on all the moss-covered islands
around the coast, could notice nothing in their voice, llight, or general man-
ners, diiferent from their usuiil htibits in tlunr southern migrations, except
that during the breeding-season they do not associate in flocks.

IJichardson states that this Lark arrives in the fur coiuitries in company
with the Lapliind Jhinting, with which it a.ssocitites, and, being a shyer bird,
woidd act as sentinel and give the alarm ou the ai)proaeh of danger. As Mr.

ALAUDID.E — THE LARKS. 145

Dall only obtained n sin<j;lo skin on the Yukon, it ]irobal)ly is not common
tliere. Dr. Suckley states it to be a very abundant summer resident on the
gravelly prairies near Fort Steilaeoom, in Wasliingtou Territory, lie describes
it as a tame, unsusiiicious bird, allowing,' a man to ai)])roacli within a lew I'eet
of it. It is essentially a ground bird, rarely alighting on busiies or shrubs.

Dr. Coo^jcr adds to this that the Sliore Lark is c-ommon in the interior, but
he only noticed one on t'.ie coast border. In ordinary seasons tht;, , am to
be permanent residents, and in winter to be both more gregarious and more
conmion. He met with one as liite as July 1, on a gravelly plain near
Olympia, scratcliing out a hollow lor its nest under a tvissock of grass.

Dr. Cooper also found these birds around Fort JMohave in considerable
flocks about tlie end of February, but ali liad left the valley by the end of
Marcli. About May 21) he found numbers of them towards the summits of
the Providence range of mountains, west of the valley, and not far from four
thousand feet above it, where they probably had nests. They were also
common in July on the cooler plains towards the ocean, so that they doubt-
less breed in many of the southern portions of California, as well as at
I'uget Sound and on the (ireat Plains. Dr. Cooper states that in May or
June the males rise almost perpendicularly into tlie air, until almost out of
sight, and Hy around in an irregular circle, singing a sweet and varied song
for several minutes, when they descend nearly to the spot from wliich tliey
started. Their nests were usually ibund in a small dejaession of the ground,
often under a tui't of grass or a bush. Mr. Nuttall started a Shore Lark from
her nest, on the plains, near the banks of the Platte. It was in a small de-
pression on the ground, and was made of bent grass, and lined with coar.se
bison-hair. The eggs were olive-white, minutely spotted all over with a
darker tinge.

According to Audubon, these Larks breed al)undantly on the high and
dejiolate granite tracts that aboun^l along the. coast of Labrador Tliese
rocks are covered with large patches of mosses and lichens. In the midst
of these this ])ird places lier nest, disposed with so nnich care, and the moss
so much resembling the bird in hue, that the nests are not readily noticed.
Wiien flushed from her nest, she flutters away, feigning lameness so cuiniingly
as to deceive almost any one not on his guard. The male at once joins
her, and both utter the most soft and plaintive notes of woe. The nest is
embedded in the moss to its edges, and is composed of fine grasses, circularly
disposed and forming a bed about two inches thick. It is lined with the
feathers of the grouse and of other birds. Tlie eggs, deposited early in July,
are four or five in number, and are described by Mr. Audubon as markeil
with bluish as well as brown spots.

About a week before they can fly, the young leave the nest, and follow
tlieir parents over these beds of mosses to be fed. Tliey run nind)ly, and
squat closely at tlic first approacli of danger. If observed and jjursued, they
open their wings and flutter off with great celerity.
vol,, u. 19

146 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. .

These birds reach Labrador early in June, when the male birds are very
pugnacious, and outage iVciiuently in very singular figiits, in which often
several otliers besitles the tirst jjarties join, fluttering, biting, and tunil)ling
over in the manner of the Euro[)oan House Sparrow. The male is described
as singing sweetly while on the wing, but its song is comparatively short. It
will also sing while on the ground, but less fretpiently, and with less fulness.
Its call-note is quite mellow, and is at times so altered, in a vcntriloquial
manner, as to seem like that of auotlier bird. As soon as the young are
hatclied tlieir song ceases. It is said to feed on grass-seeds, the blossoms
of small plants, and insects, often catching the latter on the wing, and
following them to a considerable distance. It also gathei-s minute crusta-
ceans on the sea-shore.

]\Ir. liidgway Ibund this species abundant over the arid wastes of the inte-
rior, and, in Tnany localities, it was almost the only bird to be found. In its
habits he could obser\e no differences between this bird and the alpcstris.
He met with their nests and eggs in the Truckee Reservation, June 3. The
nest was embedded in tlie hard, grassy ground, l)eneath a small scraggy sage-
busli, on tlie mesa, between tlie river and the mountains.

Air. J. K. Lord mentions that, having encamped at Cedar Springs on the
Great Plains t)f the Columbia, where the small stream was tlie oidy water
within a long distance, he became interested in watching the movements of
tliese Larks. As e\ening approaclied they came boldly in among the mules
and men, intense thirst overcoming all sense of fear. He found these hand-
some little birds very plentiful throughout British Columbia. They were
nesting very early on tliose sandy plains, even before the snow had left the
ground. He saw young fledglings early in May.

A single specimen of this species was taken at Godhaab, Greenland, in
Octol)er, 1835. , « .

Egg.s from Labrador are much larger in size than those from Wisconsin.
Two eggs from the tirst, one obtained by Mr. Thienemann, the other by Mr.
George Peck, of J'>urlingtf)n, Vt., measure .93 and .94 of an inch in length by
.71 in breadth ; while some from tiie West are only .83 in length and .03
in breadtli, their greatest lengtli being .90, and their largest breadth .69 of
an incli. In tlieir ground-color and markings, eggs from both localities vary
about alike. The ground-color varies from a purplish-white to a dark gray,
while the spots are in some a brownish-lavender, in others a brown, and,
(juite fre(iuently, an olive-brown. In some they are in larger, scattered
blotches ; while in others they are in very fine minute dots so thickly and so
uniformly ditfused as almost to conceal the ground.

1CTE1UD.E - THE UUIOLES. 147

Pamily ICTERIDiE. — The Okioles.

Char. Pi-imarios nine. Taisi sait.-Uato i.nt.Mi..rly ; plated beliinil. Bill long, poncrally
equal to the head ui- longer, stiaight oi- p'litly curved, couieal. without any notch, the
conuuissiire bondinir downwards at an ol)mse anjrle at the base. Gonys generally more
than half the cuhntMi, no bristl.,.,s about tiie base of bill. Basal joint of the middle toe
iree on the inner side; united hall-way on the ouler. Tail rather louir, rounded. Legs
stout.

This family is strictly confined to the Xew Worl.l, and is cldsoly related
in many of its memlters to the Frini/ll/ida: J5oth have the angnlated nm-
missure and the nine primaries ; the bill is, however, usually much longer;
the rictus is completely without bristles, and the tip of the bill without

notcli.

The affinities of some of the genera are still closer to the family of
Sturuidw or Starlings, of which the Sturnns vidfjaris may be taken as tlie
type. The latter family, is, however, exclusively Old World, except for the
occurrence of a species in Greenland, and readily distinguislied by the con-
stant presence of a rudimentary outer primary, making ten in all.

There are three subfamilies of the Ictcrirla', — the Ar/clnina; the Icterincc,
and the Qakculhm} which may be diagnosed as follows, although it is
difficult to define them with precision : —

Agelaince. Bill shorter than, or about equal to, the head ; thick, conical, both mandibles
about equal in depth ; the outhnos all more or less straight, the liill not decnrved at lip.
Tail rather short, nearly even or slightly rounded. Legs longer than the head, adapted
for walking ; claws moderately curved.

Icterinse. Bill rather •slender, a*)(>,it as long as the bead ; 'either ;;traight or dectirved.
Lower mandible less thick than the upper ; the commissure not sinuated. Tarsi not
longer than the head, nor than nuddle toe; legs adapted Ibr perching. Claws much

curved.

QuiBoalihse. Tail lengthened, considerably or excessively graduated. Bill as long as,
or longer than, the head ; the culmcn curved towards the end, the tip bent down, the
cutting edges inflexed, the commissure sinuated. Legs longer than the head, fitted for
walking.

1 It is nn interesting faet in regard to the spiM'ics of Icterida:, that, as a general rule, female
birds of West Indian representatives of the A'ichihnr. and Quisniliua- are usually, or perluqis
universally, uniformly blaek, where the eontinental are brown, either eoiieoloivd or streaked. We
know of no exception to the lust part of this statement as to J;p'/„i„x, iXcsoimi; Srolccophigns,
and Qumalus. The smaller North American species of ^»/.«v(/»,s' have the f.uiales duller, but
not otluTwise very dilferent from the males, except in size. The females of the large Q„im,!us,
all continental, are much smaller than the males, an,l totally dilferent. In Ickni^ all the species
in which the female is verv ditferent in color from the male are Xoithern Mexican or coutniental
North American {piisfuhifus, .sy.ifnV.v, h,il/in,n,r, h,iU„,-ki, a,n,lh,lm, ete.V Most West Indian
Icterus also exhibit no ditlerenee in the sexes, domiuio-imx, hmmmcla^, xcinthomns, homnec, etc. ;
in one alone {lencoiUcn/x) is the dilVerenee api.reciable. The South American species have the
femaU-s pretty generally similar to the males, but smaller, a.s is the ca.se in the entire tamily.

148

NlJimi AMERICAN BIRDS..

Subfamily AGELAIN.S!.

Cii.Mi. l?ill Stout, coiiioni, and nciitoly jjoiiili'il, not longer tlmn tlio head; tlic outlines
ncaily stiainlit, tlio tip not (k'curvcd. I.cgs adapted for walking, longer than the head.
Claws not much curved. Tail moderate, shorter than the wings; nearly even.

Tlio Af/e/ainw, tlirough Molothrus and Bolichimyx, present a close relation
to the Friiifjillida' in tlie comparative shortness and conical shape of the
bill, and, in fact, it is very difficnlt to express in Inief words tlie distinc-
tions wliich evidently exist. DoUehonip) may be set aside as readily deter-
minable by tlie cliaracter of the feet and tail. The peculiar sul)family
characteristics of Molothrus will be found under the generic remarks respect-
ing it.

The following diagnosis will serve to define the genera : —

A. Hill shorter than the head. Feathers of head and nostrils as in B.
Bolichonyz. Tail-feathers with rigid stiflened acuminate points.
Middle toe very long, exeeeding the head.

Molothrus. T-.l with the feathers simple; middle too shorter than
the tarsus or head.

B. Hill as long as the he.ad. Feathers of crown soft. Nostrils covered by
a scale which is directed more or less downwards.

Agelaius. First quill shorter than the second and third. Outer lateral
(laws scarcely reaching to the base of middle ; claws moderate.
Xanthocephalus. First ipiill longest. Outer lateral claw reaching
nearly to the tip of the middle. Toes and claws all much elongated.

C. Bill as long as, or longer than, the head. Feathers of crown with the
shafts prolonged into stilfened bristles. Nostrils covered by a scale which
stands out more or less horizontally.

Sturnella. Tail-feathers acute. Middle to<! cqu.il to the tarsus.
Trupialia. Tail-leathers rounded. Middle toe shorter than the tarsus.

Gexcs DOLICHONYX, Swainson.

DoUch<my.v, .Swainso.v, Zoiil. Jourii. Ill, 1827, 351. (Type, Emberim oryzivora, L.)

Gen. Cuau. Bill short, stout, conical, little more than half the head; the eommis.sure

slightly sinuated ; the culmen
nearly straight. Middle toe
considerably longer than the
tarsus (which is aliout as long
as the head) ; the inner lateral
toe longest, but not reaching
the base of the middle claw.
Wings long, first quill long-
est. Tail-feathers acuminately
pointed at the tip, with the
shall stiffened and rigid, as in
the Woodpeckers.

The peculiar characteristic of this genus is found in the rigid scansorial

ICTEUID.'E -THE ORIOLKS.

149

tail and tlie very long middle toe, by means of which it is enabled to grasp
the vortical stems of reeds or other slender plants. The culir of the single
species is black, varied with whitish patches on the upper parts.

Dolichon^x oryzivorus, Swainson. -

BOBOLINK; BBEDBISD ; BICEBISD.

EmheruM onjsivorn, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 311. — Gm. I, 1788, 850. —Wilson, Am.
Orn. II, 1810, 48, pi. xii, f. 1, 2. Passcrina oryzirora, Vieiixot, Nouv. Diet. XXV,
1817, 3. DoUchonyx orijzimra, Swainson, Zoijl. .Four. Ill, 1827, 351. — Id. F. Hor.-
Am. II, 1831, 278. — Bon. List, 1838. —Ib. Con.spectus, 1850, 4!7. — Ann. Syn.
1839, 139. — III. IHnls Am. IV, 1842, 10, pi. ccxi. — Go.sse, Birds ,Tni.\ 1847, 229. —
Baird, Birds N. Am. IS.'iS, 522. — Max. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 266. — Cohpek, Orn.
Cttl. I, 1870, 255. — Samui;i,s, 335. Icterus agripennis, Bonap. Obs. Wils. 1824,
No. 87. AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 283 ; V, 1839, 486, pi. liv. — Nuit. Man. I, 1832,
185. Idcrus (Embcrizoidts) (i'iripenni.1, BoN. Syn. 1828, 53. Dolicluimjx agripcimis,
Rich. List, 1837. PsarocoUus caudacutus, Wagleh, Syst. Av. 1827, 32.

Sp. CiiAU. General color of ma/e in sprin<j, black; the nape brownish cream-color; a
patch on the side of the breast, the scapulars,
and rump, white, shading into li,<;ht ash on the
upper tail-coverts and the back below the inter- .
scapular region. The outer primaries sharply
margined with yellowish-white; the tertials less
abruptly ; the tail-feathers margined at the tips
with pale brownish-ash. In autumn totally
dlfl'crent, resembling the female.

Female, yellowish beneath; two stripes on tho
top of tho head, and the upper parts through-
out, except thd back of the neck and rump, and
including all the wing-feathers generally, dark
brown, all edged with brownish-yellow, which
becomes whiter near the tips of the quills. The
sides sparsi^ly streaked with dark brown, and a
similar stripe behind the eye. There is a super-
ciliary and a median band of yellow on the head,
tail, 3.15.

Hab. Eastern United States to the high Central Plain.s. Xorth to Selkirk Settlement,
and Ottawa, Canada ; and west to S.alt Lake Valley, Ut.ah, and Uuliy Valley, Nevada
(Ridgway) ; Cuba, winter (Caiian.) ; Bahamas (Brvant) ; Jamaica (Gossk, Sci... Oct.;
March, Oct., and in spring) ; James Island, Galapagos, Oct. (Golld) ; Sombrero, W. I.
(Lawrenck) ; Brazil (Pelzeln) ; Yucatan.

A female bird from Paraguay (Dec, 1859) is undistinguishable from the
average of northern ones, except by the smaller size. Specimens from the
western plains differ from those taken near the Atlantic Coast in having
the light areas above paler, and hiss obscured by the grayish wash so preva-
lent in the latter ; the ochraceotis of the nape being very pale, and at the
same time pure.

Dolkhnnijx onjzii'orus.

Length of male, 7.70 ; wing, 3.83 ;

150 NOllTII AMKHICAN IIIRDS.

llAitrrs. Tlie woU-knnwn iiiul fiuiiiliiir I'xilioliiik i)t' Xortli Ainorica lina,
at dilU'iciit Hi'iisoiis of tlio yi'iir, ii nMiiiiikiilily cxttiiuli'd (lisfrilnitinii. In its
iiii^'nitii)ii.s it tnivurses all of tliu I'liited States cast of the liij^li wiitnil plains
to tiie Atlantic as far to tho north as tliu r)4th parallel, whieh is lielieved to
he its most noilheni limit, anil wliicli it reaehes in June. In the winter it
reaehes, in its wandering, tiie West Indies, Central America, the nortliern
and even the central i)ortions of Sontli America. Von I'elzeln olitaiiied
lirazilian specimens from Matofjrosso and Iiio Madeira in Xoxcndier, and
from Marabitanas, April 4tli and I'Mh. Tiiose procured in Ajail were
in their .summer or In-eedinj; pluma<,'e, sujiiiestinj,' tlie possilalily of their
breeding in the high grounds of South America. Sclater received speiumens
from Santa Marta and from 15olivia. Otiier specimens have been reported
as coming from Uio Negro, Rio Napo, in Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, Porto llico,
Taraguay, liuenos Ayres, etc.

In North America it breeds from the 42d to the 54111 i)arallel, and in
some parts of the country it is very abundant at this season. The most
southern breeding locality hitherto recorded is the forks of the Susquehanna
Iiiver, along the west branc.'h of which, esjmcially in the. AVyoming Valley,
it was formerly very abundant.

' IMr. Eidgway also ol)served this bird in llnby ^'alley where, among the
wheat-fields, small coni))anies were occasionally seen in August. He was
informed that, near Salt Lake City, these birds are seen in May, and again
late in the summer, when tlie grain is ripe.

Of all our nnimitative and iiatuial songsters the Bol)olink is by far the
most popular and attractive. Always original and ])eculiarly natural, its
song is exquisitely musical. In tiie variety of its notes, in the rapidity with
which tiiey are uttered, and in the touching pathos, beauty, and melody of
their tone and expression, its notes are not equalled by those of any other
North American bird. We know of none, among our native feathered song-
sters, whose song resembles, or can be compared with it.

In the earliest approaches of spring, in Louisiana, Mhen small flocks of
male Bobolinks make their first ap]iearaiice, they are said, by Mr. Audubon,
to sing in concert ; and their song thus given is at once exceedingly novel,
interesting, and striking. Uttered with a olubility that even borders upon
the burlesque and the ludicrous, the Avliole effect is greatly heightened by
the singular and striking manner in which first one singer and then an-
other, one f(dlowing the other initil all have joined their voices, take up the
note and strike in, after the leader has set the example and given the
signal. In this manner sometimes a party of thirty or forty Bolxdinks will
begin, one after the other, until the wliole unite in producing an extraor-
dinary medley, to •vvliich no pen can do justice, but which is described
as very pleasant to listen to. All at once the music ceases witii a sudden-
ness not less striking and extraordinary. Tiiese concerts are repeated from
time to time, usually as often as the flock alight. Tliis performance may

ICTKIUD.K - TIIK ORIULES. 151

iilso bo witnessed early in Al)i'il, in the vicinity of Washington, tho Smilli-
soniiin ^'niumls hein.Lj ii liiviuite jiliicc of resurl.

J5y tlie time tlioe l>ii'(l.s liiivo reiiclieil, in their spring,' mij^rations, tho 4()tli
pinilh'l i)f liiiitiide, tliey im limber niovo in larj,'o llooixs, Imt liiivo he^'un to
separato into small jiarlies, and linally into jiairs. In Now Knyhuxl tlio
IJobiilink treats ns to no siieli coneeits as those described by Audubon,
where many voices Join in creatinjf their peculiar Jin^jling mehidy. When
they first appear, usually after the middle of May, they uru in small i)arties,
composed of eitlaM- sex, alisorbed in their courtships and overllowiny with
Honj^. When two or three male lioiiolinks, decked out in their gayest spring
ajiparel, are paying their attentions to tho same drab-cohjred female, con-
trasting so strikingly in her sober l)rowii dress, their iierformances are (piito
entertaining, each male endeavoring to outsing the other. The female
appears coy and retiring, keeping closely to tho ground, but always at-
t(Mided by the several aspirants for her affection. After a contest, often
(juite exciting, the rivalries are adjusted, the rejected suitors are driven
off by their more fortunate comjiotitor, and tho happy pair begin to put in
order a now home. It is in these love-(iuarrels tiiat their song appears to
the greatest ad\antage. They ])our out incessantly their strains of quaint
but charming music, now on tho grouml, now on the Aving, now on the top
of a fence, a low bush, or tho swaying stalk of a jdant that bends with their
weight. Tho groat length of their song, tho inunense miinber of shfirt and
variable notes of which it is comjtosod, the volubility and confused rapidity
with which they are ])ourod forth, the eccentric breaks, in the midst of
which we detect the words " bob-o-link " so tlistinctly enunciated, unite to
form a general result to which we can find no parallel in any of the musical
l)erformances ol' our other song-birds. It is at once a uniciuo and a charm-
ing jiroduction. Nuttall speaks of their song as monotonous, which is
neither true nor consistent with his own description of it. To other eara
they seem over wonderfully i'ull of variety, pathos, and beauty.

When their contests are ended, and the mated pair take jjossossion of their
selected meadow, and jn'opare to construct their nest and rear their family,
then we may find the male bird hovering in the air over the spot where his
homely jiartner is broodnig over her charge. All this while he is warbling
forth his incessant and ha])i)y love-song ; or else he is swinging on some
slender stalk or M'oed that bonds under him, ever overflowing with song and
eloquent with melody. As domestic cares and i)arental responsibilities in-
crease, his song becomes less and loss frequent. After a while it has degen-
erated into a few short notes, and at length ceases altogether. The young
in due time assume tho development of mature birds, and all wear the sober
plumage of the mother. And now there also appears a surprising change
in tho appearance of our gayly attired musician. His showy plumage of
contrasting white and black, so conspicuous and striking, changes with
almost instant ra])idity into brown and drab, until he is no longer distui-
guishable, either by jilumage or note, from his mate or young.

152 NollTll AMKIMCAN ItlltDS.

At tlio north, wlinni ihv llolMtlinks lirood, tliey aro not known to niolpat tlio
crops, confining' tlioir food iilnmsl entirely to insi!(rts, or tlii! seeds of viiliudess
Vfisds, in till! consiiniplion ol' wliic^li tlioy conlcr Itoiujfit, nitlicr than Imrni.
At tlu; sonth tlicy nw iukuihimI ol' injuring thu youiig wlii'ut iis thoy pass
nortliward in tiieir spring migrations, and ol" jihiniUsring tho rice plantations
on thoir return. Aliout tlic middle of August they appear in alni<i,st innu-
nierahle tloeks among the marshes of the Delaware liiver. There they are
known as lkeedl)irds. Two weeks later they Itegin to swarm among tlio
rice ])lantfttions of South Carolina. Tiiere tiiey take tho name of JJiceliirds.
In October they again ])ass on southward, and make another halt among the
West India Islands. There they feed uptm the seeds of the (iuinea-gras.s,
upon which they hecomc exceedingly fat. In .laniaiea they receive a new
appellation, and are called Ilutterbirds. They are everywhere sought after
l)y sitortsmen, and are shot in immense nundters for the table of the epicure.
More recently it has been ascertained that the.se birds feed greedily upon
the larva; of the destructive cotton-worm, and in so doing render an im-
mense service to the cultivators of Sea Island cotton.

Dr. Ihyant, in his visit to the Bahamas, was eye-witness to the migrations
northward of these l)irds, as they passed through those islands. He first
noted tliem on the Gth of May, towards sunset. A nundjer of flocks — ho
counted nine — were flying to the westward. On the following d.ay the coun-
try was tilled with these birds, and men and boys turned out in large num-
bers to shoot them. He examined a quantity of them, and all were inales
in full plumage. Numerous flocks continued to arrive that day and the
following, which was Sunday. On Monday, among those that were shot
were many females. On Tuesday but few were to be seen, and on Wednes-
day they had entirely disappeared.

Near Washington, Dr. Coues observed the Bobolink to be only a spring
and autumnal visitant, from May 1st to the 15th distributed abundantly
about orchards and meadows, generally in flocks. In autumn they fre-
quented in immense flocks the tracts of Zizania aquatica, along the Potomac,
from August 20 to October.

The Bobolink invariably builds its nest upon the ground, usually in a
meadow, and conceals it so well among the standing grass that it is very
difficult of discovery until the grass is cut. The female is very wary in leav-
ing or in returning to her nest, always alighting upon the ground, or rising
from it, at a distance from her nest. The male bird, too, if the nest is ap-
proached, seeks to decoy off the intruder by his anxiety over a spot remote
from the object of his solicitude. The nest is of the simplest description,
made usually of a few flexible stems of grasses carefully interwoven into a
shallow and compact nest. The eggs, five or six in number, have a dull
white ground, in some tinged Avith a light drab, in othera with olive. They
are generally spotted and blotched over the entire egg with a rufous-brown,
intermingled with lavender. They are pointed at one end, and measure .90
by .70 of an inch. They have but one brood in a season.

ICTKIIID.E — TIIH OKIOLES.

163

In Hoino i'li'^H, t'S]i('ciiilly tlmst! tuiiiid in iiiniu iiorlluM'ii liicalitics, the
f,'r(Piiii(l-((il((r is (Irali, with iv strong tinge of |mr|ilo. Over this is ditluseil ii
scries of (liisc'iiiv liivender-folor, luid tiien overlying liiesu are larger and
liolder iilotclies (if wine-colored brown. In a few eggs long and irregular
lines of dark iiuri>le, so dec]) as to be undistinguishablu from black, uro
added. Tliuso ugy.s aro quite pointed at oue end.

(!i;nis MOLOTHRUS, Sw.vinso.n.

Miihilhrus, SwAlNsoN, 1''. liiir. -Ain. II, 18;il, 277 ; .suii|iostu liy I'libaiiis to In- mciiiit lor
Moliihiii.s. (Ty|M', Fri'iiiii/lii jiimrin, (jM.)

<1kn. Cii.Mi. Hill short, siiiiif, iil)oui two tliirds the length of head ; the coiiiiuissiiro
striii;,'ht, etihiieii and ponvs sliyilitly
I'Uivcd, convex, the I'onncr lii'oiul,
rounded, convex, nnd rnnnin<r ImcU on
the hem! in ii point. Ijnteral Iocs nearly
e([nnl, renchiii}; the ha.se of the middle
one, which is siiortcr than taisns; (;laws
rather small. Tail nearly even; wings
long, pointed, the lirst ([uill longest. As
far as known, the species make iu> nest,
but deposit the eggs in the nests of
other, usually smaller, birds.

The genus Molothrus has the bill

Mololhrtix pnoris.

32'! 40

intermediate between Dolichoiujx
and Ayclainii. It has the culnien unusually broad between the nostrils, and
it extends back some distance into the forehead. The dift'erence in the
structure of the feet from BoHchoni/x is very great.

Species of Molothrus resemble some of the FriiKjiUidcc more than any

other of the LtcrUhe. The bill is,
however, more straight, the tij) with-
out notch ; the culnieu running back
farther on the forehead, the nostrils
being situated fully one third or more
of the total length from its posterior
extremity. This is seldom the ease
in the American families. The en-
tire absence of notch in the bill and
of bristles along the rictus are strong
features. The nostrils are ])erfectly
free from any overhanging feathers or luistles. The ])ointed wings, with
the first quill longest, or nearly equal to second, and tiie tail with its broad
rounded feathers, shorter than the wings, are additional features to be
specially noted.

Molothrus pfcorix.

VOL. II.

20

154 NMliTIl AMKIMCAN IMIiDS..

Molothrus pecoris, s^wainsox.

cow BLACKBIRD; COWBIBD.

Fi-iii'tiUu }icc(>rh, Omi'.i.in, Syst. Xat. I, ir.><S, ItHnii'iinili). — Lath. Iml. Oni. I, ITOn,
li:i. — I.icnr. Vi'izricli. l,s-.':t, Nos. -AM, i\\\. JCmkri-.n /„r.,ri.i, Wii.s. Am. Om. II,
ISIo, 1 !.■>, i>l. xviii, r. 1, -J, ;i. /r/rnis />a:on\ ]\a\\v. Olis. Wil.soii, IS-.M, No. f<S. —
All). t»lii. HioK- !, ].*>.!1, 41I.S ; V, 1>S;!<), L':!:!, t'.M), pis. .\cix iiiid (rccxxiv. /rlirim
{/■Jiiiliri-hiiiilis) jiicari.i, ItcpN. Syn. 1,S'J8, 5u. — In. Spcciliii) coniii. No. 41. -Nrrr.
Miiii. 1, l.Mi-i, irs, c.M cil.,) l!i(l. /'.min»' /irn,ri.s, ViKil.l,. N'lmv. I»i.t. X.W, ISIll,
■Jl'. I'.-nirufn/iiis /icrun'.i, \VA(il.i:i;, Syst. Av. 1S'J7, No. 'JO. Mtilnllini.i im-oris, Sw.mn-
s.pn, ]•'. liiir.-Aiii. II, l.s:n. -'77. - Kirn. List, US37. — Box. I,i.st, US3S. — In. I'oiisi).
1^.'.|^ 4:iii. Am. Syn. KS;J!t, l:!!t. - In. Minis Am. IV, 1S4-J, Hi, jii. cxii. — Caiiaxis,
Mns. Ilcin. 1«.M, I!);!. - I!aiui>, Minis N. Am. It^iKS, .V.'4. — roiU'Kli, <1iii. (."al. I, 1870,
257. — Samii-.I.s, ;i;ii». — Al.l.r.X, M. Kla. 2.>l. fDnHliii ni.snin, (i.MKI.IX, Syst. Nal.
I, 178.**, :i!i:i. ^ S/iinni.i »/«c/ovw. (!mi:i,ix, Syst. Nat. I, 178.8, 804 (cviilcnlly a .lA./o-
tliriis, and jirolialily, l>ut not fcrtainly, the ]iu'S(Mit s|ii'i'ics). Molatknis oltsfiintu, ('as-
.SIX, I'r. I'll. Ac. ISIiii, 18 (Miia Floivs, L. Cal.). -(ddl'Klt, Orii. Cal. I, 1870, ?i'0.
" Iclcriri iiiihin'-.iiii/is, Daiiux." / >^h(rini.ijuiic<h\ La ill. liuL 1, l7i>0, 3'2G (siiiiic as
S'/ Kill IIS (time II run, (i.M.t. > FriiKjilhi iiniliiiiiiK, XriTAi.i., XLiii. I, 1832, 484 (yimiig).
,Shir,iii.i iiiive-/ii.i/tiiiiiir, Miass. 11, 448.

Si'. CiiAit. Sci-iiinl (inill loiijiost : lirst spaiccly shorlcr. Tail nearly <'\"eii. or very
sliirlilly I'oiindrd, Mal<' willi tlic licad. ticrk. ami aiilcrior iiall' of iIr" lifcast lifjht
(diO('iilal('-lii'i)Wii. ralliiT liglitiT almvc; iv.st ol' liody lustmus lilack. with a vii.lcl-piirpjo
jrlo.ss noxi to li»' luiiwii. (if st<'cl liliic (111 tlic hack, and ol' L'l't'i'ii ilscwiici-i'. Fciiiak' lii;iit
(ilivaci'Diis-liriiwu all dvit. lii^htcr (in the licad and lu'iicalli. liill and loi^t, bhiok. Luiii^tli,
8 iiiclics; winj;-. l.d'J; tail. :',A0.

IIaii. Iniicd States linni the .Vtl.iiilic t(i (jaliliiriiia : not loiiiid imin('diat(_'ly on tho
(•oa<t of tlic I'acilic? Oi'i/alia (.Sci.. lS."i7. lil."!) : Texas (Dukssku, Has, ISd."), 4irj) ; Fort
\Vlii|i|ilc. Arizona (('oiks. 1'. A. N. S, 18(ili, i)(l); Nevada and I'tali (.Iiiugway) ; Mu/utlaii,
Tchiiantc|ie(.', ('a[ie Si. Lucas.

Tlic youiiu' liiiil "I till' yciir is livnwii mIkivc, limw iiisli-whito hciifiitli ; tlie
throiit imiiiuciiliitt'. A iiiii.xilliirv striiic iiiul oIlscur! .sticnk.s tliickly crowded
aci'iiss the wliole iirciist niid sides. There is ii i'aiut iiidicatidii of a jialcr
sii|icr('iliaiv stripe. 'i"he i'eathei'.s ol' the upper jiarts are all niaroined with
]ialcr. There arc alsn indications of lij;lit hands on the wiiios. Those mark-
ings are all ohsciire, init perlcctly api)rccialile, ami their existence in adult
1 Ills of any species may he considered as endiryoiiie, and sliowino; an
inl'eriority in dcoi'cc to the species with the under ])arts jierfeclly jilain.

S]ieciiiu'iis from tlii^ west a])|iear to have a rather loiio;er and narrower bill
tliiiii those I'roui tlic oast. Summer birds of Cape St. Lucas tiiid the l!io
(iiaiide are considerably smidler (var. nlMiiriin, Cassin). Lcn^'th about (i.od ;
wino, 4.(111 ; tail, li.Od. Some winter skins from the same region are e([ual
in size to tlic .(Veraoe.

liirds of this s]ie('ies lirecdin,!,' .south of the b'io (irande, as ^vell as those
from Cape St. Lucas, j\Li/a(laii, etc., are very niucli smaller than those ncst-
ini,' within the I'liited States; but the transition between tho extremes
of size is so onidual that it is almost impossilile to strike an average

RTEIUD.K — TilK OHIOLES. 1.').')

of c'liaracteivs I'or twci I'aci'.s. Tlic i-xticiiics of si/o in this siuuii's uiv as
lollows : —

/,(//•(/(■«/. (11,'JV], (J, I'diM I!ri(li.''<'r.) WiiiL', l.'KI; tail. .'!,.'l.'i ; ciilmcii. .72 ; Mrsiis, l.d,'!.
.s'hi((//c.< (I7.'J!)7, t?. Mini Klc.rcs, 1.. C.i ■• :!>'•: " -■''<'>; -"i"; " -^^1.

IIahits. TIic cDiiuiinii Cow I'.lai'kliinl lias a nciv cxlt'iidi'd ilistiiluitiiMi
from 1\h'. Atlantic to Calil'oniia, ami iVom Texas to Canada, and iaol)alily to
rL'j,Mons still t'artlicr north. TIk'V liavc not liccn traced to tiic I'acilic roa.sl,
tliouL!;]! almndanl on tliat of tlus Atlantic. Dr. Coojicr tliiid<s that a lew
winter in the, Colorado N'alley, and pmlialily also in tlu^ San .loa(|uin N'allov.

'J'liis sjiecies is at all times ,uri';4arioii^ and |iolynamous, never mating, and
never exliihitinji' any sij^ns of eitlu'r conjugal or ]iarental affections. Like
the Cnckoo.s of luirope, our Cow IMackhird ne\fr constructs a nest of her
own, and never hatches onl or attemiits to rear her own olfsprin^u', ''Ut im-
])o.ses her ej^gs ii|)on other birds ; and most of these, either uncjonscioiis of the
im])osition or unable to rid theniscdves of the alien, sit upon and iiatch tln'
stranger, and in so (U)ing virtually destroy their own oll's]iring, — for the
egg.s of the Cowbird are the first hatched, u.sually two day.s before the others.
The nursling is nnich larger in size, filling uj) a large ])orlion of the nest,
and is insatiable in its aj)]ietiti', always clamoring to be fed, and leceiving
by far the hirger share of the food bnaight to the nest ; its foster-companions,
either starved or stilled, .soon die, and their dead l)odies are removed, it is
supjiosed, by their ]iarents. They are ne\er found near tiie nest, as they
would lie if the young Cow lUackliird ex]ielled them as does tiu' Cuckoo;
indeed, Mr. Nuttall has seen parent liirds removing the dead young to a
distance from the nest, and there drojiping them.

For the most part the Cowbird dejiosits her egg in the nest of a liird much
smaller than herself, but this is not always the case. I have known of tiieir
eggs having been found in the nests of '/'nn/iis iiii's/c/linis nud 7\ J'n.fcfsrfns,
SturniUti iiiiii/iKi and »S'. inf/lrrfK. In each instance they luul been incubated.
Ilow the young Cowbird generally fares when hatcheil in the nests of birds
of e(|ual or larger size, and the fate of the foster-niusiings, is an interesting
subje('t for investigation. ^Ir. J. A. Allen saw, in Western Iowa, a female
llarporlniiivlnix riifiix feeding a in'arly full grown Cowliird, — a Ncry inter-
esting fact, and the only e\ideiiee we now have that these liiiils are reared
by birds of siijierior size.

It lays also in tiie ni'sts of tht! common Catliird, lait tlu> egg lu'ver remains
there long after tiie owner of the nest becomes aware of the intrusion. The
list of the birds in who.se nests the Cow Blackbird deposits her egg and it is
reared is \-ery laige. 'i'he most common nurses of tlu^se foundlings in New
I'aiglaial are S/ii-.c/ht norialis, Juj'/iidtiii'i /■ niininnis, (Inilltliipi^; triclmx, and all
our eastern I'l'iros, namely, n/irdrciis, K(ili/>iriiis, iiiiirbnrinu tixis, (fi/ri's, and
Jhivifniiin. i'x'sides these, I have found their eggs in the nests of I'oliojitila
(■U'ruhd, MiiiuliUa ctiriii, UihiUHlliofliiKjd rnjiiiijill/n, IhnilroiiHt riiriix, JJ.

156 XOIJTH AMKIiFCAN JilKDS..

hlavkhurnia , D. prmisylvaiiiid ami D. (/iscD/or, Siinnis aurora])iiliis, Sdophoga
rutinlht, (Ji/(niOfij)i.:a fi/mica, Vonfajins riirns, etc. I liavo also known of
tliL'iv e;ig.s having; been Ibnnd in the nests of Viiro belli and V. pKsillits, and
Ci/anonjikii iimouia. Dr. Cooper has found their eg;^ in the nest of Ideria
rhrns; and ^Ir. T. H. Jackson of West Chester, Penn., in those ol' £mj>ulu-
nnx ncadicits and Pjimnii« rubra.

X^sually not more than a single Cowbird's egg is found in the same nest,
though it is not lUKionnnon to lind two; anil in a few instances three and
even four eggs have been met with. In one instance Mr. Trippe mentions
having found in the nt if a lUack and White ("ree]ier, besides three eggs
of the owner of the nest, no less than ti\e of the parasite. Mr. II. S. Kod-
ney reports having found, in Potsdam, N. Y., May IT), 18G8, a nest of Zoiio-
trkhio IciicopJiri/s of two stories, in one of which was buried a Cowbird's egg,
and in the upjter there were two more of the same, with three eggs of the
rightful owners. In the sjjring of IHGit the same gentleman found a nest of
the Sai/ornisfitsriis with three Cowbird's eggs and three of her own.

Mr. Yickary, of Lynn, found, in the sju-ing of J8G(t, the nest of a Sriio'us
aurornpilliis, in which, with only one egg of the rightful owner, there were
no less than four of the Cowliird. All live eggs were perfectly fresh, and had
not been set upon. In the sunmier of the preceding j-ear the same gentle-
man found a nest of the IJed-eyetl Vireo containing three eggs of the Yireo
and four of the Cow Pdackitird.

How the oll'si)ring from these eggs may all fare wiien more than one of
the.se voracious nurslings are hatclied in the same nest, is an interesting
problem, well worthy the attention of some patiently intiuiring naturalist to
solve.

The Cow Dlackbird ap])ears in New England with a varying degree of
promptnes.s, sometimes as eiirly as the latter ]uirt of March, and as fretjuently
not until the middle of April. Xuttall states that none are seen in Massa-
chu.selts after tlie middle of June until tiie following October, and Allen,
that they are there all the sunnner. ^ly own observations do not correspond
with the statement of either of the.se gentlemen. They certainly do become
(piite rare in the ea.stern jiart of that State after the third week in June, but
that all the females are not gone is ja'oved by the constant iinding of freshly
laid eggs up to -fuly 1. 1 have ne\ jr been able to find a Cow Pdackbird in
Eiistern Mas.sachusetts between the iir.st of July and the middle of Sej)-
tember. This I attribute to the absence of sulUcient food. In the Candjridge
marshes they remain until all the seeds have been consumed, and only reap-
pear when the new crop is edible.

This Blackbird is a general i'eeder, eating in.sects, apparently in preference,
and wild seed. They derive their name of Cow I>lackl)ird from their keep-
ing aliout that animal, and finding, either from her jjarasitic insects or her
droppings, oj)portunities for i'ood. Thoy I'eed on the ground, and occasion-
ally .scratch for in.sect.s. At the South, to a limited extent, they frecxuent
the rice-fields in company with tlu; IJi'd-winged lUackbird.

ICTERID.K — THE ORIOLES. ]57

Mv. Xuttall staies tliat if a Cow J'.lackljird's egg is dopositod in a nest alone
it is uniibinily forsaken, and he also enumerates the Summer Yellowhird as
one of the nurses of tlie Cowhird. In both respects 1 think he is mistaken.
So far from forsaking her nest when one of tliese eggs is dejjosited, the Ifed-
eyed Vireo has heen known to eommence incuhatiou witliout having laid
any of her own eggs, and also to forsake her nest when tlie intrusive egg
has been taken and her own left. The B. ccstiva, I think, invariably covers
up and destroys the Cowbird's eggs when deposited before her own, and even
when deposited afterwards.

The Cow niackbird has no attractions as a singer, and has nothing that
deserves the name of song. His utterances are harsh and unmelodious.

In September they begin to collect in large Hooks, in localities favorable
for their sustenance. The Fresh Pond marshes in Cambridge were once
one of their chosen places of resort, in which they seemed to collect late in
September, as if coming from great distances. Tliere they remained until
late in October, wlien they passed .southward.

Mr. Eidgway only met with this species in two places, the valley of the
Humboldt in September, and in June in the Truckee Valley. Their eggs
were also obtained in the AVahsatch jMountains, dejjosited in the nest of /V,s-
sf.rcUd schistaccn, and in Uear K'iver Valley in tlie nt>st of (liDthhipis tritlua^.

Mr. Boardman informs me that the Cow lUackbird is a very rare bird in
the neighborliood of Calais, Me., .so much so that he does not .see one of
these birds once in five years, even as a l)ird of ]iassage.

The eggs of this species are of a rounded oval, though some are more
oblong than others, and are nearly e(|ually rounded at eitlier end. They
vary from .85 of an inch to an inch in length, and from .G") to .70 in breadth.
Their ground-color is white. In some it is so thickly covered witli fine dot-
tings of asny and ))urplish-l»rown that tlie ground is not distinguisliable. In
others the egg is blotched with bold dashes of pur2)le antl wine-colored
brown.

On the Kio Orande the eggs of the smaller soutlti'rn race were found in
the nests of Virco hdii, and in each f)f tlie nests of liie Viiro piinillua found
near Camp CJrant, Arizona, tliere was an egg of this species. At Cape St.
Lucas, Mr. Xantus found their eggs in nests of the J'dliojitild niilannra.
We have no information in regard to their habits, and can only infer that
they must be .sub.staiitially the same as those of the nortliorn birds.

The eggs of the var. oltsmnis exhibit a very marked xariation in si/'j from
those of the var. pecori.f, and have a diflerent apjieai^ancc, though their colors
are nearly identical. Tlieir ground-color is white, and their markings a
claret-brown. These markings arc I'mvt'r, smaller, and less generally dis-
tributed, and the ground-color is much more apjmrent. They measure
.60 by .55 of an inch, and their capacity, as compared with the eggs of the
jwcoris is as 1)3 to 70, — a variation that is constant, and apparently too large
to be accounted for on clinuitic diil'erences.

158

XOKTll AMERICAN BIRDS.

Agelaius phaniceus.

r.ENus AGELAIUS, Vikuj..

Jfjchiim, ViKlLLoT, "Analyse, ISltJ." (Type, Oriolus pha'iiiceun, L.)

Oks. CllAU. First quill shorter tliuii scuoiid ; uliiws short; the outer lateral scarcely reach-
ing the base of the middle.
C'ulnien dei)resse(l at base,
parting the frontal feathers ;
length equal to that of the
head, shorter than tarsus.
Both niandililes of equal
thicivness and acute at tip, the
edges much curved, the eul-
nien, gonys, and commissure
nearly straight or slightly
sinuated ; the length of bill
about twice its height. Tail
moderate, i-ounded, or very
slightly graduated. Wings
pointed, reaching to end of
lower tail-coverts. Colors black with red shoulders in North American species. One
West Indian with orangc-bufi'. Females streaked except in two West Indian species.

The nostrils are small, oblon.!,', overlinnj,' by a membranous scale. The
bill is higher than broad at the base.
There is no division between the {interior

tarsal scutella> and the single i)late on ^M^y^l^H^^^^^^ )
the outside of the tarsus. ^"^^Kr^^^^^^^^^^r \/f^

The females of two West Indian
species are uniform black. Of these
the male of one, A. r^s•.s•/»^//^s of Cuba,
is undistingnishable from that of A.
pJioniicfus; and in fact we may without
improijriety consider the former as a
melanite race of the latter, the change
ai)i)reciable only in the female. The

A. h Ktnc rails, ahii of Cuba, is smaller, Meiaws phanieew.

awl black, with the lesser covorts brownish orange-butf.

Species and Varieties.

C0M.MON CnAHACTERS. Mn/es glossy black without distinct liluish lustre, lesser
wing-covcrts bright red. Females without any red, and either wholly black or
variegated with light streaks, most coispicuous below.

A. phcsniceua. Tail ronndi'd. Red of sl.o.ililcn a bright scarlet tint,
liliick of plumage without lilui.«h luslrc. Feiiuiles with wing-coverts edged
with brownish, or without any light edgings at all.
a. Female continuous deep black, unvariegated.

ICTERIDyE — THE OraOLES. 159

AfiiMc wiiifj-eoverl.1 u-holhj huff in male.

Win?, 4.-10; tail, ;!.8(); cnliiifn, .'J') ; tiirsus, l.OD. Huh. Ciibji.
fc. Fenmk's striped beneatl. vm. «.s.s/m//i..'

Win^', 4."J0 ; tail, iJ.S.J ; cuIiikmi, .IKi ; tarsus, 1.10. Female.
Wliilo strijios on lower parts oxceoiliiiii; the dusky ones in width;
a conspiruous li>;liler supurc-iliary stripe, and one struMf^ly indiciileil
oil middle of llio erown. Hah. Wliole of Xurlli Anieriea, south
to (Jnatemala xm: phwniceus.

Middle iriiifz-coverts hlack, crcept at base.
AVin<r, 5.00; tail, .3.90 ; ouhnen, .90; tarsus, 1. 10. Female. White
stripes on lower parts narrower than dusky ones; the posterior
portion beneath being almcst continuously dusky. No traee of
median stripe on erown, and the snpereiliary ouo indistinct. Hah.
Paciiic Proviiiee of United States, south through Western Mi'xico.

var. <j uherna lor .

Middle winy-coverts wholly white in male.
B. tricolor. Tail sipiare. Red of the shonldeis a Ijrownish-.searlet, or
burnt-earmine tint. Hlaek of the plumage (both se.xes at all ages) with a
silky bluish lustre. Female with wing-eoverts edged with pure white.

Wing, 4.90; tail, ;i.70; euhnen, .97 ; tarsus, 1.13. Female. Like
that ot giihernator, \mt with searcely any brownish tinge to the
l)lutnage, and the lesser wing-coverts sharjily bordered with pure
white. Hab. California (oidy ?V

Agelaius phoeniceus, Vieillot.

SWAHP BLACKBIRD ; REDWING BLACKBIRD.

Orioh,.^ Vhmniceus, 1,ixx. Syst. Nat. 1, 1760, l(il. - Umklix, I, 1788, ;J80. - Lath. Ind.
Orn. I, 1790, 428. Aydaitis i>h,viu,riis, " Vieillot, Anal. ISlti." — Swaix.sox, 1.
Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 280. — ItoXAf. List, 1838. — In. t'oiisp. 1850, 430. — Alm). Syn.
1839, 141.— 111. liinls Am. IV, 1842, 31, pi. ecxvi. - lUllil), Birds X. Am. 1858,
52(i.'-MAX. Cab. .1. VI, 1858, 263. -CoopKii & Si'ciu.KV, 207. -C'oorKU, Orn. Cal.
I, 1870, 2til.-"SAMrKi..s, 341. — Ai.ir.N, Hirds K. Kla. 284. Ivtenis jihmiireM.s,
l'iciit. Verz. 1823, Xo. 188. — IloN. Obs. Wils. 1824, No. ti8. — Afl>. Oni. Hiog. 1,

1831, 348 ; V, 1839, 487, ]<\. Ixvii. f'.wriicoliun pliniiicciis, Waolki!, Syst. Nat. 182(,
N... 10. rclcriis iXatilhunius) /ihaiiiceu.',, liosAf. Syii. 1828, 52. — Nt'rrAr.l,, Man. I,

1832, l(i7, (2d I'd,,) 179. Sttinnoi /n-fediitoriii.i, Wii.sox, Am. On.. IV, 1811, 30, pi.
XXX. licd-winijed Urioh, Pennant, Aivtic Zoiil. II, 255.

Sp. C'liAit. Tail much rounded ; the lateral feathers about half an inch .shorter. Fourth
quill longc.^st; first about as long as the lifth. Bill large, .stout; half as high, or more
than half as high, as long.

Male. General color uniform lustrous velvet-black, with a greeni.sh rellection. Shoul-
ders and lesser wing-eovert.s ol' a bright crimson or vermiliou-red. Middle coverts
brownish-vellow, or IhiIV. and usually paler towards the tips.

Female' Brown above, the featl'iors edged or streaked with rufous-brown and

I Aijelaius assimili^i, OrxDi,. Cabanis, .lournal, IX, 12 (Wiit). -- In. Boston Journal, VI.
1853, 310.

160 NORTH AMERICAN iJ I RDS..

yellowish; beneath wliite, streaked wiiii brown. lAjrepart of throat, supcroihary, and
nuMHiui ,strij)e .strongly tinged with brownish-vellow. Lengtii of mule, 9.50- win.'" o.OO-
t.iil, 4.15.

ILui. Uniteil Stiite.s from Atlantic to Pacifu;; north to Groat Slavic Lake, Fort Resolu-
tion, Fort .SimiKson, Fort Rae. ete. ; ( liiateinala(.Sei.ATF:it, Ibis 1, llj; breeding^ ; Costa Kiea
(Lawuknck, America, .V. V. Lye. IX, 104); Bahamas (linvANT, B. P. VII, 18.'.1»);
Texas (Dkksskk, Ibis, C5, 4-J2) ; Arizona (Coues, P. A. N. S. ISCG, 00; Fort Whipple) ;
Yucatan.

Tliere i.s .some variation in tlie sliade of red on tlie .sliouider.'^, wliicli is
soniotinic's of the color of arterial l)l(jod or bri-iht erini.son. It never, how-
ever, has tiie lueniatitic tint of the red in A. tricolvr. Tlie middle coverts
are usually uniform hrownish-yellow to tlie very tips ; sometimes some of
these middle coverts are tipped at the end with black', Ijut these Lltick tips
arc usually of .slight extent, and indicate immaturity, or else a transition of
hybridism or race to A. (juhcrnntor.

There is also some variiition in the size and ]iroportions of tlie bill. Tiie
most striking is in a series of three from the Ked Kivcr .Settlement, decidedly
larger thtin more southern ones (wings, 5.15 ; tail, 4.40). The bill is about
as long as that of rcnu.sylvania specimens, but nuich stouter, the thickness
at the biise being coiisidertibly more than half the length of the culmeu.
One specimen from San Elizario, Texas, has the bill of much the same size
and i)ro])ortion3.

Tiie male of A. ((mmih's of Cuba cannot be distinguished from small-
sized, males of j)h<)ui(rHs from the United States, the females, however, as in
nearly all West Indian Idcriihr, are uniform tliough rather dull black. This
we consider as simply a local variation of melanism, not indicating a specific
dift'erence. A young male is siihilar, but witii the lesser coverts red, tipjied
with black. On the other extreme, .streaked female and young birds from
Lower California, Arizona, and Western Mexico are much lighter than in
eastern birds, tlie chin, tiiroat, jugulum, and sujierciliary stripe tinged with
a peculiar peacii-blossom pink ; not biiH", sometimes tinged with orange.

Habit.s. The much abused tiiid persecuted IJedwinged Blackbird is found
throughout North America as far north as the 57th parallel, from tlie Atlan-
tic to tlie Piicific ; and it breeds more or less abundantly wherever found,
from Florida and Texas to the plains of the Sa.skatchewtin. According to
the observations of Mr. Sahiii, it is resident all the year in Ouateinala. It
breeds among the reeds at the lake of Duenas, deferring its incubtition until
the month of June. The feiiiiiles congregate in large flocks near the lake,
feeding about the .swampy gra.ss on the edge of the water, tiie males keeping
separate. At Orizaba, ^Mexico, Sumichrast regarded this species as only a
bird of passiige.

On the Pacific coast, it is only found, in any numbers, in Washington
Territory and in Oregon, about cultivated tir.cts. Dr. Cooper thinks that
none inhabit the bare and mountainous prairie regions east of the Cascade
Mountains. Small flocks wintered at Vancouver al)Out stables and hay-

lUTERlDiE — THE OKIOLES. Jg^^

stacks. I~)r, Sucklov sjicaks ul' them as (piitc coniinon west of the Cascade
Mountains, arri\inj; i'roni tlie Soulli in March. In all the niarsliy places of
tlu) entire West Mr. J!id<,'way met with this species and their nests in <,'reat
abundance. In all res])ccts he fuund the western birds identical with the
eastern. Their nests were in low bushes in overflowed nieadt)ws.

])()nald (Junn found this species common in the IJed liivcr Settlements ;
and Itichardson met with them on the Saskatchewan, where they arrive in
May, liut do not breed until the 20th of .lune.

Jn Xew England this Blackbird is generally migratory, though instances
are on record where a few have been known to remain throughout the win-
ter in Massai'husetts. They are among the earliest to arrive in si)ring,
coming, in company with the l{usty (Irakle, as early as the 10th of March.
Those winch remain to breed usually come a month later. They breed
throughout New England, as also in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

It is eipially abundant and resident in Arizona and Texas, and in the ad-
joining jwrtions of ^lexico. (.)n the liio (irande, Mr. Dresser found it very
abundant, breeding on the banks of the rivers and streams. In the winter
season these birds are found in immense Hocks in the lower ])arts of Virginia,
both the Carolinas, and all the (iulf States, particidarly near the sea-coast
and among old fields of rice and grain. Wilson states that once, passing, in
January, through the lower counties of Virginia, he frei^uently witnessed
the aerial evolutions great bodies of these birds. Sometimes they ap-
peared as if driven about like an enormous black cloud carried Ijcfore the
wind, varying every moment in shape. Sometimes they rose uj) suddenly
from the fields with a noise like thunder, wliile the glittering of innumerable
wings of the brightest vermilion, amid the black cloud, occasioned a very
striking efl'ect. At times the whole congregated multitude would suddenly
alight in some detached grove and commence one general concert, that he
could plainly distingui'cli rt the distance of more than two miles, and when
listened to at a d is Lance of a quarter of a mile, the flow of its cadences was
grand, and even sublime.

He ad('s that with the Redwings the whole winter season seems one con-
tinued carnival. They find abundant food in the old fields of rice, buck-
wheat, and grain, and much of their time is spent in aerial movements, or
in grand vocal performances.

Early in March these large assemblies break up. A ])art separate in
pairs and remain among the Southern swamps. The greater portion, in
smaller flocks, the male bird leading the way, commence their movements
northward. Late in April they have all re-established themselves in their
chosen haunts, have mated, and are preparing to make their nests. In Penn-
sylvania this is done in May, in New England early in June, and farther
north a fortnight later. For their nest they invariably select either the
borders of streams or low marshy situations. Those they usually place in
low bushes, such as grow in moist situations, among thick bunches of reeds,

VOL. II. 21

162 NORTH AMHIIICAN IJIUUS. .

or even on the grouiul. In one iustiince, in iiu island on the marshes of
Essex Hivcr, Mr. .Mayiiiu'd I'ouikI tliese nests i)liicHHl in trees twenty feet
from the j^round. One nest was luiilt on u sleJider sapling at tlie distance of
fourteen feet from the ground. The nest was jiensile, like tliiit of the
Baltimore Oriole. It was wovcm oi' bleaehed eel-grass.

"When huilt in a bush, the outer, liasket-like frame of the nest is carefully
and strongly interwoven with, or fastened around, the adjacent 1"','s, and,
though somewhat rudely i)ut together, is woven firndy and ((uupactly.
AVithin this is packed a mass of coarse materials, with an inner nest of
sedges and grasses. The outer framework is usually made of rushes and
strong leaves of the iris. Tiie male bird is a very attentive and watchful
parent, constantly on tiie lookout for the approach of danger, and prompt
to do all in his jiower to a\ ert it, approaching close to the intruder, and
earnestly remonstrating against the aggression. If the nest is pillaged,
for several days he evinces great distress, and makes frcipient lamentations,
but soon prepares to remedy the disaster. So tenacious are they of a se-
lected locality, that I have known the same pair to build three nests with-
in as many weeks in the same bush, after having been robbed twice. The
third time tlu; pair succeeiled in raising their brood.

In New England these birds have but one brood in a season. Farther
south they are said to have three or more. In August they begin to collect
in small liocks largely composed of young birds. The latter do not reach
their full plumage until their third sunnner, but breed in their innnature
plumage the summer following their ai)pearance. When the Indian corn is
in the milk, these birds are said to collect in numbers, and to conunit great
depredations upon it. As soon, however, as the corn harden.s, they desist
from these attacks, and seek other food. In the grain-growing States they
gather in immense swarms and commit great havoc, and although they are
shot in innnense numbers, and though their ranks are thinned by the at-
tacks of hawks, it seems to have but little eH'ect upon the survivors. These
scenes of pillage are, for the most jjart, confined to the low sections, near
the sea-coast, and only last during a short period, when the corn is in a con-
dition to be eaten.

On the other hand, these l>lackbirds more than compensate the farmer for
these brief episodes of nuschief, by the immense benefits they confer in the
destruction of grub-worms, caterpillars, ami various kinds of larvte, the
secret and deadly enemies of vegetation. During the months of March,
Ai)ril, May, June, and July, their food is almost wholly insects, and during
that period the amount of their insect food, .all of it of the most no.xious
kinds, is perfectly enormous. These they 1)otli consume themselves and
feed to their young. Wilson estimated the nund)er of insects destroyed
by these birds in a single season, in the United States, at twelve thousand
millions.

The notes of this bird are very various and indescribable. The most

ICTKltlD.K — THE ORIOLIOS. 163

coiuinoii Olio sounds liku cxm-c ii r-cc. IWit tlicre is also an almost endless
miiigliiif; (if <,'iiUiiral, eieakiiiij;, or clear utteiauces that defy descrijition.

Their eggs vary greatly in size; the largest measures l.(J8 inches by .82 of
an inch, the smallest .'.»() liy .(i,".. They average about an inch in length and
.77 of an i (cli in lireadth. They are oval in shape, have a light-bluish
ground, and an niarbleil, lined, and blotched with markings of light and
dark purple and lilack. These markings are almost wholly about the larger
end, and are very varying.

Agelaius phoeniceus, \ar. gubernator, Uox.

CBIMSON-SHOTTLDEBED BLACKBIBD.

Psarocolius guhcriuUor, \VA(iLi;ii, Isi.s, 1S32, iv, 281. Jijr/iiiiis fiuheniiiloi; Hon. List, 1838.
— 111. Cons|.c(!tu.s, 1850, WO. — Ai:i). Syii. 183<.l, HI. — In. liinls Am. IV, 1812, 2!»,
1)1. (;i;xv. — Xkwukury, 1'. ]{. I!. Hep. VI, iv, 1,S,".7, 8<i. - liAiiili, I'.irds N. Am. 18,'.8,
52U. — IIi;i;u.M. X, S, 53 (iirst). — C(kiim.1!, Oni. Cal. I, 1870, 2ti3. Idenis (Ziiiillwr-
nus) (jubcruutui; XrnAi.i., Man. I, (2d cil.,) 181U, 187.

Sp. Ciiah. Bill rather shorter than tlio head, without any longitiulinal .iiilci, l)ut with
faint traces of transvorso ones at the base of the lower jaw. Tail rounded. First quill
nearly equal to the fourth.

Male. Throughout of a liistrou.s velvety-black, with a <j;reeni.'<h rellcction. The lesser
coverts rich cninson ; the middle coverts brownish-yellow at the base, hut the exjioscd
portion black. Wing, "i.OO ; tail, .'J.OO; cuhnen, .00; tarsus, 1.10.

Female. Nearly iinilorin daik slaty-brt)Wii ; an indistinct su|ieiciliary strijie, an indica-
tion of a iiia.\illary stripe, and blended streaks on chin and throat delicate pale jieach-
blos.soin pink, this on the juguluin interru|)ted by dusky streaks running in longitudinal
series; lesser wing-coverts tinged with dark wine-red. Wings with just appreciable
paler edges to the featiiers. Wing, 4.20 ; tail, 3.20.

Haii. Pacilic Province of Unit "d States, and Western Mexico, to Colima; Western
Nevada (Hiugwav). ? Xalapa (Sclater, ISfjO, 305).

In the female and all the immature stages, the dusky beneath is largely
in excess of the light streaks; the superciliary light stripe is badly defined,
and there is no trace of a median light strijie on the crown. 'J'liese charac-
ters distinguish this race from plnrniccKn ; while the rounded instead of
S([nare tail, and brown instead of pure white border to middle wing-coverts,
distinguish it from corresponding stages of tricolor.

Hauits. The Crimson-shouldered lilackbird was first met with by ^Ir.
Townsend, on the Columbiii liiver, where two sjiecimens were oljtiiined,
which were described by Mr. Audubon, in his Synopsis, in ]8:;>9. No infor-
mation in regiird to its habits, distribution, or nesting, was obtained by either
Mr. Townsend or liy his oomiianion, Mr. Xuttall.

This species, or local race, whichever it is considered, occurs from the Co-
lumbia Iiiver south throughout California. It is given doubtingly as also
from the Colonido liiver, but Dr. Cooper was only able to detect there the
common pluuniceiis. According to the observations of that careful natural-

104- N'OHTIl AMi;i;i('A.\ l!ll!I)S, .

ist, this sjincics i,s cliiolly fuiiiul in tlio wiirmer interior of raliloniia, Santa
('mi/ iK'inj,' tiiu nnly point (ju tlif const wlu'rc Ik; lias met witii it. llo
found it in seiittcrcd ]iairs, in ^liiy, tln'ou«,'iiout tlio Const l!anj,'t', even to
tlie sinnniits, wlioro tliuro are small marshes full of rushes, in which they
liuild. Ho has not been able to detect any dillereiiee between the habits
and notes of this bird and the common Ifedwin^f. The fact that specimens
with entirely red shoulders seem limited to the middle of the State, or are
rare alonjj; the coast, while most of those on the coast closely resemlile the
eastern bird. Dr. Coo]»er rej^ards as sugj^estive of its being only a local race,
though said tn occur also in ^roxico.

During the summer this species is said to emit a variety of sweet and
li(piid notes, delivered from some tree near its I'avorite marsh. The.se are
also sometimes mingled with jingling and creaking sounds.

])r. Suckley, in his Jleport on the Zoillogy of Washington Territory, ex-
pre.s.ses the o])inion, that, .although a specimen of this bird is re]»orted as
liaving been taken by Townsend on the Columbia, it is very rarely found so
far north, as he never met with it in Washington Territory, ami has never
been able to hear of any other specimen having been ftjund there.

Dr. Kennerly, in his lleport on the birds observed in the survey of the
35th parallel, slates that during the march along Bill Williams Fork, and
along the Grciat ('olorado and the ]\Ioliave IJivers, this species was Ibund ([uite
numerous. They were more aliundant still along the creeks and swampy
grounds that were passed as they a])]iroached the settlements of California.
Large flocks could there l)e seen whirling around in graceful curves, like dark
clouds, chattering joyfully as they moved along, or settling as a black veil on
the topmost branches of some tree, indulging loudly in their harsh music.

In his licport (tf the birds observed in the survey under Lieutenant Wil-
liamson, Dr. lleernumn mentions finding this species abundant, and, in the
full season, as associated wil'.i Mo/u/Itni.'i pccorix and A. friro/or. Its nest he
found built in the willow bushes and tussocks of grass alxive the level of
the water, in the marshes. There were but a few pairs togetiier, and in this
respect they difler froui the iriat/or, which prefers dry situations near
water, and which congregate by thousands while breeiling. The nest was
composed of nmd and tine roots, and lined with tine grasses. The eggs, four
in number, he describes as pale blue, dashed with spots and lines of black.

Neither this nor the triw/or was detected liy Dr. Cones in Arizona.

These lUackbirds were found by Mr. Itidgway abumlant in the marshy
regions of Calil'innia, but they were rarely met with east of tlie Sierra Ne-
vada. A few individuals were collected in Nevada in the valley of the
Truckee. A few pairs were found breeding among the tn/c' sloughs and
marshes. The nests found in the Truckee Reservations were built in low
bushes in wet mcatlows.

A nest procured by Dr. Cooper IVoin the summit of the Coast Eange was
built of grass and rushes, and lined with finer gra,s,s. The eggs are described

KTEUID.K — TIIK ORIOLKS. 166

as pnlo f^'ceiiiHli-wliitc, willi liirt,'o ciirviii^' streaks and spots ol' dark brown,
inustly at tlic lar^^o tiiid. Tlicy arc said to iiiuasuro one inch by .7"> of an inch.
K'^iiH of tiiis varicly in my cidiinct, taken in California by Dr. lloerniann,
arc of a rounded-oval sliapc, nearly tonally olituse at either end, and vary-
inj; in length from .',)() of an inch to an inch, and in breadth from .70 to .80.
Their ground-color is a light blue, fading into a bluisli-white, marked only
around the larger end with waving lines ol' dark lirown, much lighter in
shade than the markings of the p/hDuccus usually are.

Agelaius tricolor, Honap.

BED AND WHITE 8H0ULDEBED BLACKBIRD.

Icterus tricolor, " XriTAi.i,," .Vi;i). Oni. lUog. V, 1839, I, pi. oecl.\xxviii. — Nuttall,
Man. I, (2.1 (m1.,) 184(i, 18(i. Aijelniun trimhr, Hon. List, 1838. — Aru. Syu. 1839,
141. — III. Hiiils Am. IV, 184-2, 27, ]A. ccxiv. ~ ITkkum. X, S, 53 (iifst). — HAliin,
Birds N. Am. 18.'i8, 530. — Cooi-Ki!, Orii. C'lil. I, 1870, 205.

Sp. Chah. Tail nearly even. SltoikI and third quills longest; fir.st a little .«iiorter
than tliu fourth. Bill .slender, not half as higli as long.

Male. rr<"neral color unilo.ni histiou.s vclvct-blai'k, with u .strong silky-blui.sli rellec-
tion. Shoulders and lesser wing-eoveits brownish-red, of much the color of venous
blood; the median coverts of a weli-delined and nearly i)ure wliite, with .sometimes a
brownish tinge. Wing, 4.90 ; tail, ;i.7(>; eulmen, .1)7 ; tarsu.s, l.ll}.

Female. General color dusky slaty-brown, faintly variegateil on head also by lighter
streaks; middle wing-coverts broadly and sharply bcirdered with imre wliit(!. An
obsolete sn|)erciliary and ma.vciUary stripe ol' giiiyish-white. IJi'ueath grayish-white for
anterior half, with narrow streaks of dusky, this color gradually prevailing i)osteriorly,
the sides, flanks, and crissum being nearly miiform dusky. Wing, 4/25; tail, 3.20.

Hau. Pacilic Province of I'uited Stales, from Columbia lliver southward, not yet
found out of California and Oregon.

Immature males sometimes have the white on the wing tinged with
l)rownish-yellow, as in A. phdniccn.'^. Tiie red, however, has the usual
browiush-orange shade so much darker and iluller than the lirilliantly scarlet
shoulders of the otlier sjiecies, and the black has that soft liluish lu.stre
peculiar to the species. The relationships generally between the two species
are very close, but the bill, as stated, is slenderer and more sulcate in trim/or,
the tail much more nearly even ; the first ]>rimary longer, usiuiUy nearly
eijual to or longer than the fourth, instead of the fifth.

Two strong features of coloration distinguish the female and iunnature
stages of this s])ecies from (pihcnxifor and 2>Ji"'iiin ".s-. They are, lirst, the soft
bluish gloss of the males, l)oth adult and immature ; and secondly, the clear
white and broad, not brown and narrow, borders to the middle wing-coverts.

Habits. The Eed and White shouldered IJlackbird was seen by Mr.
Ridgway among the ti'l(^ in the neighborhood of Sacramento City, where it
was very abundant, associating with the A. iiJufniccnn and (/Khrnudor, and
the Yellow-heuded Blackbird. The conspicuous white stripe on the wings

100 NUllTIl AMHUK'ANf DIUDS.

ui tliis bird nMiders it oiisily roni^'iiizaldc from the otlior s|H'ci('s, wlien^ they
are nil ween toiit'dier. Mr. lii(lj,'\viiy i.s of tlie (t|iiiii(iii tliiil the iidtes of the
wliite-shuulilereil spoeies tiitfer very considenil)ly fruiii those of the two other
JUiU'kl)irils.

J)r. Ileeriiiaiiii fouiid tliis a very abiiiuhiiit bird in ('alifornia. Me states
that durinj,' tlie winter of IS.")!', when huntinj,' in tiie inarsiicH of Siiisan
VaUev, he lind often, on iiearinj; a dull, rushing, roaring,' noise, found that it
was produeed by a single lloek of this sjjeeies, nuinboring so many thousands
ns to darken the sky for some distance i)y their masses. In the northern
part of California he met with a breed inj^-plaee of this species that occupied
several acres, covereil with alder-bushes and willow, and was in the innuedi-
ato vicinity of water. The nests, often four or five in the same bush, were
composed of niiul and straw, and lined with lino j^ra.sses. The ej,'ys he de-
scribes as dark lilue, marked with lines and spots of dark umber and a few
linht purple dashes. Dr. Heerniann, at different times, fell in with several
other breed inj> -places of this species, similarly situated, but they had all
been abandoned, from which lu; inferred that each year dilferent grounds
are resorted to Iiy these birds for the purposes of incui)ation.

Dr. Kennerly obtained a specimen of this bird on the Colorado River, in
California, December, 1854. Dr. Cooper is of the opinion that it i.s, never-
theless, a rare s])ecies in that valley. The latter found them the most abun-
dant .s))ecies near San Diej^o and Los Angeles, and not rare at Santa IJarbara.
North of the last place they pass more into the interior, and extend up as
far as Klamath Lake ami Southern Oregon.

They are to be seen in considerable ilocks even in the breeding-.sonson.
Their song, Dr. Cooper states, is not so h)ud and is more guttural than are
those of the other species. Their habits are (jtherwise very similar, and they
associate, in fall and winter, iu immense flocks in the interior, though often
also found separate.

These birds were first obtained by Mr. Nuttall near Santa Barbara, in the
month of April. They were very common there, as well as at Monterey.
He observed no difference in their habits from tho.se of the common lled-
wing, except that they occurred in much larger flocks and ke])t apart from
that species. They were .seldom seen, except in the near sul)urlts of the
towns. At that time California was in the possession of Mexico, and its
inhabitants were largely occupied in the slaughter of wild cattle for the sake
of tlie hitle.s. Mr. Xuttall found these birds feeding almost e.xclusively on
the maggots of the flesh-flies generated in the offal thus created. They were
in large whirling flocks, and associated with the Molothri, the Grakles, the
Eed-wings, and the Yellow-headed Blackbirds. They kept up an incessant
chatter and a discordant, confused waride, much more harsh and guttural
than even the notes of the Cow r)lackl)ird.

Two eggs of this species, obtained i>y Dr. Heermann in California, and
now in my cabinet, measuring an inch in length l)y. 07 of an inch in breadth,

ICTEUID-i;- THE ORIOLKS.

k;

)<

aro morn ohldiij; in sliain! than tlio prccodinu, Imt nearly ciiually f)l)tii.sc at
uitlier t'nd. Tlu-y aiv similar in j^munil-i'iilor to tlio /i/ia iiiiriis, \mt n\v. cii' a
sli^'litly tli't'iici' hIui'i! (if Idiic, and are marked around ont! end with a riiij,'
of dark slaty-browu, almost black, lines, and irregular oblony blotches.

Geni;m XANTHOCEPHALUS, Bonap.

Xanthoccphiihts, Hunai'. ('()iis|K'i;tu.s, ISOO, 431. ^T>'l"-'i Ii^lcriis n/iriifi'jilialun, BonaI'.)

Gen. CnAit. Hill ('(iiiii'al, thu loiipth nlioiit twice the lioi^'ht ; the outlines nearly
.'•trnight. Claws ail very long; nuiuii curved; the inner liiternl the longest, reaching

Xanthorephahis icterorephnhix.

beyond the middle of the middle elaw. Tail narrow, nearly even, the outer weh scarecly
widening to tlie end. Winsrs long, much longer than the tail ; the first quill longest.

This genus differs from typical Ar/rhdns in much longer and more curved
claws, even tail, and first ([Uill longest, instead of the longest being the
.second, third, or fourth. The yellow head and lilack body are also strong
marks.

Xanthocephalus icterocephalus, Ikurd.

YELLOW-HEADED BL&CKBISD.

IctenM ictn-nerphnJiin, Honap. Am. Oin. I, 182.''), 27, I'l. iii. — Xi'TT. Stan. T, 1832, 17fi. —
III., (2il cd,,) 187 (not Orioltis kferiHvphahi.i, Linn.). Aijchtiiin kkrocephahis, Caiianis,
Mus. Heiii. 1S.'>1, 188. Icterus (X(nithonius) xanlliocephahis, BoNAr. .1. A. N. Si'. V,
II, Feb. 1826, 222. — In. Syii. 1828, ti'i. Irln-us xantlwcephahis. Am. Orii. liioc;. V,
18.'30, 6, 111. coclxxxviii. Aijehiitis uvnthoirphdliis, SwAlNsoK, F. Bor.-Aiii. II, IS."?!,
281. — Bon. List, 1838. — Aui). Syii. 1839, 140. —III. Hirds Am. IV, 1842, 24, \>\.
ccxiii. — Ni-.wiiEliliV, Zt)i)l. Cal. and Or. Route ; Kcp. P. U. R. Surv. VI, iv, 18."i7,
86. — Max. Cab. ,1. VI, ISoS, 301. — Hekum. X, S, r>2 (nest). Aijclaius IniKjip'-K,
SwAiNsdN, Phil. Mug. I, 1827, 43fi. P.mrocn/iiis perspicil/arm, " LiciiT." Waolki!,
Isis, 1829. VII, 753. Liei-im pTspii-i/hihin, " Lu'iri'. in Mus." Waoi.EU, as aliovc
XntithncrplKtlus jwrupk-illdlun, BoNAr. Coiisp. ISTiO, 431. Icicrits fremitus, LieiiT.
IsLs, 1843, .59. — Rkimiahht, in Krovei's Tidskrift, IV. — In. Vidensk. Mcddcl. lor
18.53, 18.')4, 82 (Grocidaud). Xanlhoccphidus u-ti^roce/ihulus, BaiiU), M. B. II, Birds,
18 ; Birds N. Am. 1858, 531. — Cooper, Om. Cal. I, 1870, 2«7.

168

NORTH AJIEraCAN BIRDS.

Si". CiiAK. First quill nearly as louj; as the socoiiil and third (lonp^est), dooidcdly longer
than the limrlh. Tail roundi'd. or slii;litly ■.'radnatiMl. (iciioral color l)li\('k, including,' the
inner sinliiee of winj^-.s and axillaries, base of lower niandihle all round, feathers adjacent
to nostrils, lores, upper eyelids, and remaining space around the eye. The lu^ad and neck
all round; the forepart of the breast, exteudiuf,' some distance down on the median line
and a somewhat hidden space round the anus, yellow. A conspicuous white patch at the

ba.<e of the wing tijiiued liy the .spinious
feathers, interrupted by the blaelc alula.

Female smaller, browner; the yellow con-
fined to the under parts ami sides of the head,
and a superciliary line. .V dusky maxillary
line. No white on the wing. Jycugth of male,
10 inches ; wing, ").()(•; tail, 1. .')().

II.vii. Westei'ii America i'roin Texas, Illinois,
Wisconsin, and .Vorth Red River, to (,'alifornia,
south into -Mcxiix); (jreeidand (Rkixiiaudt);
Cuba (C.\n.\xi.s, J. VII, 1S.')1). ;i,jtl); Massa-
chusetts (MAYXAiin, D. ('. Ma.-<.s. 1870, Vl'J.);
A'olusia, Florida (Mus. S. I.) ; Cape St. Lucas.

Xanthocephaliis icterocephalits.

The color of the yellow in this species

varies considerably ; sometimes being

almost of a lemon -yellow, sometimes of

a. rich orange. There is an occasional trace oi' yelliMV around the base of the

tarsus. Immature nudes show every gradation between the colors of the

adult male and femide.

A very young bird (4,8:32, Dane Co., Wis.) is dusky above, with feathers
of the dorsal region broadly tipped with ochraceous, lesser and middle wing-
coyerts white tinged with fulvous, dusky below the surftice, greater covei^s
very broadly tipped with iiih oiis-white ; primttry coverts narrowly tipped
with the same. Whole lower parts unvariegated tid\ous-white; head all
round plain ochraceous, deepest aitoye.

Haiuts. The Vellow-headed P.lacklurd is esseutitdly a prairie bird, and is
found in all favorable localities from Te.xas on the south to Illinois ami
Wisconsin, and thence to the Pacific. A single si)ecinuin is recorded as hav-
ing been taken in Greenland. Tins was September 2, lcS2(l, at Xcmutalik.
llecently the Smithsonian Museum has received a specimen from Xew
Smyrna, in Florida. In October, 18(iit, a si)ecimen of this bird was taken
in Yatertown, ]\Iass., and Mr. Cassin mentions the cajiture of sevend
netir Thiladelphia. These erratic ai)])eartinces in ])laces so remote i'roju their
centres of reproduction, and from tlieir route in emigration, sulliciently attest
tlie noniiulic cliariu'ter of tins species.

They are found in abundtmce in all the grassy meiulows or rnsliy marshes of
Illinois and Wi.sconsin, wk.ere they breed iu large communities. In swamjis
overgrown witii ttiU rushes, and partially overllowed, they construct their
nests ju.st above the wider, and Imild them around tlie .stems of tliese water-
plants, where tliey tire thickest, in sucli a nmnner that it is dilhcult to

ICTERiD.E -THE ORIOLES. iQij

discover tlunii, except by diliyent searcli, aided by i'liuiiliarity with their
luibits.

In Texas IMr. Dresser met with a tew in the fall, and a<,'ain in A])ril he
found tiie ])rairies covers' Mith these l)irds. For about a week vast Hocks
remained about the town, alter which they sudiU^nly disa])peared, and no
more wen* seen.

In California, Dr. ('oo[)er states tiiat they winter i'\ large iminbers in the
middle districts, some wandering to the Colorado \'alley and to San l)icgo.
They nest around Santa IJarbara, and thence northward, and are very abun-
dant about Klamath Lake. They associate with the f)ther J!lackl)irds, but
always kcr], in He))arate companies. Tliey are very gregari(jus, eve in
summer.

Dr. Cooper states that the only song the male attempts consists of a few
hoarse, chuckling notes and comical S(]ueakings, uttered as if it was a great
ellort to make any sound at all.

Dr. Cones .s])eaks of it as less numerous in Arizona than at most other
localities where found at all. He sj)eaks of it as a summer resident, but in
this 1 think he may have been mistaken.

In Western Iowa Mr. Allen saw a few, during the first week in -hily,
about the grassy ponds near lioonesboro'. lie was l(jld lliat they breed in
great numbers, nortli and east of that section, in the meadows of the Skunk
River country. He also reports them as breeding in large niimliers in the
Calumet marshes of Northern Illinois.

Sir .loiin Iiichardson found these birds very' numerous in the interior of
the fur countries, ranging in summer as far to the nortli as the 58th i)arallel,
but not found to the eastward of Lake Winnipeg. They reached the Sas-
katchewan by the 2()th of May, in greater numbers than the Kedwings.

Tlnougii California, as well as in the interior, Mr. Iiidgway found the
Yellow-headed I>lackbird a very abundant species, even exceeding in num-
bers the A. 2}li<''ii'if<'>'s, occuri-ing in the marshes filled with rushes. This
species he found more gregarious than the Kedwing, and fre([uently their
nests almost idled the rushes of their breeding-places. Its notes he describes
as harsher than tiuj.se of any other bird he is awiuainted witli. Yet they
c by no means disagreeable, while frequently their attempts at a song
. "■" eally amusing. Tiieir usual note is a deep cliirk, similar to that of
nu>.st Ulackbirds, but of a ratiier deeper tone. In its movements upon the
ground its giiit is firm and graceful, and it may freciuently be seen walking
al)out over tht; gras.sy fiats, in small companies, in a manner similar to the
Cow r.lackbird, which, in its movements, it greatly resembles. It nests in
the sloughs, anu)ng the (!i/(^, and the inaxinmm nnmber of its eggs is four.

Mv. W. .1. ^IcLaughlin of ("entralia, Kansas, writes (Anuu'ican Naturalist,

III, p. 498) that these birds arrive in that region about the first of j\Iay, and

all disa])])ear ahout the Kith of .Tunc. He does not tliink that any breed

there. 1) ng their stay they make themselves very valuable tti the farmers

vol.. n. m

170 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

by destroyiiijj; the swarms of youiijf grassliopjwrs. On the writer's land tlie
grasshojuiors had duposited their e;4gs liy the milHon. As they hegaii to
hatch, the YeUow-lieads toiiud tlieni out, and a tlock of aliout two liundrcd
attended abont two acres eacli (hiy, roving over the entire h)t a-s wikl
jtigeons feed, tlie rear ones Hying to the front as tlie insects were devoured.

Mr. Clark met with these? birds at New Leon, Mexico. They were always
in flocks, mingled with two or three of its congeneric species. They were
fonnd more abundant near the coast than in the interior. There was a roost
of these birds on an island in a lagoon near Fort Jirown. Hetween sunset
and dark these birds could be seen coming from ail quarters. For about an
hour they kept up a constant chattering and changing of place. Another
similar roost was on an island near the mouth of the Ifio Grande.

Dr. Kennerly found them very comuKtn near Janos and also near Santa
Cruz, in Sonora. At the former place they were seen in the month of April
in large flocks. He descriltes them as quite domestic in their habits, prefer-
ring the innnediate vicinity of the houses, often feeding with the domestic
fowls in the yards.

Dr. Heermann states that these birds collect in flocks of many thousands
with the species of Aycld.ins, and on the ajiproach of spring separate into
smaller bands, resorting in May to large .narshy districts in the valleys,
where they incubate. Their nests he found attached to the upright stalks
of the reeds, and woven around them, of flexible grasses, differing essen-
tially from the nests of the Ayelaii in the lightness of their material. The
eggs, always four in iniinber, he describes lus having a ground of pale ashy-
green, thickly covered with minute dots of a light umber-brown.

Mr. Xuttall states that on the 2d of May, during his western tour, he saw
these birds in great abundance, as.sociated with the Cowbird. They kept
wholly on the ground, in com])anie.s, the sexes .separated by themselves.
They were digging into the earth with their liills in search of insects and
larvie. They were very active, straddling about with a tjuaint gait, and now
and then whistling out, with greiit effort, a chuckling note, sounding like
ko-kiik kie-ait. Their music was inferior e\en to the harsh notes of M.
pecoris.

Several nests of this sjiecios, ])rocured in the niar.shes on the lianks of
Lake Koskoiiong, in Southern Wi.sconsin, were sent me by Mr. Kundien ;
tliey were all light, neat, and elegant structures, six inches in diameter and
i'our in height. The cavity iiad a diameter of three and a depth of two and
a half inches. The base, perijihery, and the greater ])orlion of these nests
were made of interwoven grasses and sedges. The grasses were entire, with
their panicles on. They were impacted together in masses. The inner por-
tions of these ne.sts were made of finer materials of the same. They were
placed in the midst of large, overflowed marshes, and were attached to tall
flags, usually in the midst of clumjjs of the hitter, and tliese were so close
in their growth that the nests were not easily discovered. They contained,

ICTERID.E — tup: ORIOLES.

171

usually, iVoni five to six ej^os. TIr'sl' aro of an ohlong-oval shape, and
measure 1.02 inches in len-,'th l)y .7(1 of an inch in breadth. Their <,n-ound-
color is of a pale greenish-wliitc, i)n)fusely covered with bhjtches and finer
dottings of drab, purplish-brown, and undier.

Gents STURNELLA, Vieii.lot.

Stiiniclla, VlKlLLor, Analyse, UslU. (Tyi)t', Alumlii miKjnn, L.)

Gen. Char. Body thick, stout ; legs large, too.s reaeliing Ix-vond the tail. Tail short,
even, with narrow acuminate feathers. Bill .slender, elongated ; length about three times

Sntrtiftln ma^im.

the height; commissure straight from the Imsal angle. Culmen flattened basally, ex-
tending backwards and paiting the frontal feathers; longer than the head, but shorter
than tarsus. Nostrils linear, covered by an incumbent membraiious scale. Inner lateral
toe longer than the onlci',
but not reaching to basal
joint of middle ; hind toe a
little .shorter than the middle,
which is equal to the tarsus.
Ilind claw nearly twice as
long as the middle. Feathers
of head stiU'ened and bristly;
tile .shafts of tliiise above
extended into i black seta.
Tertials nearly equal to the
primaries. Feathers above all
transversely banded. Be-
neath yellow, with a black
pectoial crescent.

The only species which we can admit is the »S'. ma;/na, though under this
name we group several geographical races. They may be distinguished as
follows : —

172 NORTH AMEIUCAN BIRDS.

Species and Varieties,
1. S. magna. Abovo l).owiji.sli, or grayi.vl., spotlu,! and b.irrcd with black;
crown divided by a medial, wliitish strii.c; side of li.e head whitish, with a
lilackisii streaic aloii- iipi.er udg.,. of tliu aiii-iculars. Jjeuealh num." or less
yellowish, with a more or less distiiici, dusky orescent on the jufjuluni. Sides
Hanks, and erissum whitish, streaked with dusky; lateral tail-fealheivs partly
white. Adnlt. Supraloral spot, ehin, tlii-oat, breast, and abdomen deej) gan.bo-e-
yellow ; pectoral ereseent deep blaek. Yo,iny. The yellow only indieat.Ml ;
pectoral cres(;onl obsolete. Length, about <J.()0 to lO.oO inehes. Sexes similar
in color, but female much smaller.

A. In spring birds, the lateral stripes of the vertex either contiimous black,
or with blaek largely pre.lominating; the black spots on the ba.,'k extending
to the tip of the leathei', or, if not, tlio brown tij) not barred (except in
winter dress). Yellow of the throat confmed betwe(>n the niaxillic, or
just barely oneroaching upon their lower edge. AV'hito of sides. Hanks, and
crissnm strongly tinged with ochraoeons.

a. Pectoral crescent much more than half an inch wide.

Wing, 4.50 to aOO; cnlmen, 1.20 tol.SO; tarsus, 1.35 to l.,-)5;
middle toe, 1.10 to 1.2(1 (extremes of a scries of four adult males).'
Lateral stripe of tlu' crown continuously black; black predominat-
ing on back an.l rump (heavy stripes on ochraecous irround).
Light brown .'(ci-ralions on tertials ami tail-feathers reaching nearly
to the .shaft (someliiiies the terminal ones uninterrupte,], Tsolatin.'
the black bar.-^). //-(ft. Eastern United States . . var.'w«yw«

Wing, .'3.75 to 4.;!0; cnlmen, 1.15 to I.IJO ; tar.su.s, 150 to 175-
mi.ldle toe. 1.10 to 1.2.5. (Ten a.lult males!) Colors similar, but
with a greater predominance of blaek ; black heavilv prevailimr on
liack an,l rumi,, and extemling to tip of feathers;" ak. predonn-
nates on t.-rtials and tail-feathers. Ilab. Mexico and Central

America . . . ,

••■■••. var. m exicu k n .'

Wmg, 4.45; cnlmen, 1.G2 ; tarsus, 1.50; middle (oe, 1.20. (One
specimen). Colors exactly as in last. Hub. Ura/.il.

var. m e vidian alia?
b. I eetoral crescent much less than half an inch wide.

Wing. . TOO to 4.10; cnlmen, 1.25 to l.;)5: t.'irsus, 1.40 to 1.55-

middle toe. 1. 00 to 1.20. (Three adult males.) Cnlors Lrenerally

similar to ma.im. but orown decidedly sireaked. thou-h black

l.redominates; ground-col.ir abovo le.ss'reddish than in Cither of

the i)rcceding, with markings as in mwjna. Pectoral crescent about

.25 in breadth. //„ft. Cuba .... y.v. hi ppocr cp is :^

B. In.«prmgbn-(!.s, crown about equally strcidvcd with 1. lack an.l grayish ;

black spots of back occupying oidy basal hall' „f C.atheis. the "ierniinal

portion being grayi.sh-brown, with narrow bars of bla.-k ; leathers of the

rump with whole exposed portion thus barred. Yellow of the throat

extending over the maxillic nearly to the angle of the mouth.

Wing, 4.40 to 5.05; ciilmcn, 1.18 to 1.40; tarsus, 1.30 to 14,5.
(Six adult males.) A grayish-brown tint prevailing above ; lessor

' Sturnt.Ua mr.rimiut, .Sclati:!!, Ibis, ]S(i], 179.
'^ Shn-nrlhi nin-idiiiHiilia, .Sci.ATi;!!, ll>is, IStil, 179.
Shinirlb, hi/>poa;/,i.i, Waoi.du, Ibis, Ksy^, 281. - Lawr. Ann. N. V. Lye. 18(50.

9

iCTERlD.r. — THE UlUOLKS.

173

\viiig-i-('Vcrts coiicdloi- with the wiii;.^s (inslciul nl' very ilci-idiidlv
moiv bluish;; Muck liuis ..I' Icitials mid tail-luiitlicrs clciiii, n:irn)\v,
mid isohilcd. WliiU; of sides, liaiii<s, uiid crissmii nearly imi-e.
lldh. Wesieiii Uiiitod States and Western Mexien . var. neijlcctd.

In mnfina iiml luy/n/a, tin. leatliors of tlie pectoral crescent are generally
lilaek to the liase, their roots beiii-,' j^rayisli-wliito ; one speciiueu ol' the
Ibrnier, iKJwevor, irom Xorth Carolina, has the roots of the I'etitliers yellow,
lorhulchng the aiiiioiiiicoiiient of this as a (iistinguisliiiij,' cliaracter ; nu.nmna
may have tlie liases oi' these leathers either yellow or grayish ; while kippu-
crepis has only the tips of tlie feathers black, the \\hole concealed portion
being bright yellow.

In mr.rintnd , there is more of an approach to an orange tint in the yellow
than is usnally seen in mwjna, but specimens from Georgia have a tint not
distinguishable ; in both, however, as well as in hipiwcrepis, there is a deeper
yellow tluu) in ^m/lerfa, in whicli tlie tint is more citreous.

As regards the bars on tertials and tail, tliere is considerable variation.
Sometimes in either of the species o])posed to ney/ccta by tliis character
there is a tendency to their isolation, seen in the last few toward tlie ends
of the feathers ; Init never is there an approach to that regularity seen in
neglecta, in whicli they arc isolated uniforinly everywhere they occur. Two
specimens only (.H.OlU California and 1(),:UG l>end)ina) in the entire series
of ncijlcdn show a tendency to a blending of these biirs on the tail.

Maipia, maricf.na, mcridioini/ix and hippoercpix, are most similar in colora-
tion; lu'iili'da is most dissimilar comiiared with any of the others. Though
each possesses peculiar characters, they arc only of degree ; for in the most
widely ditterent forms (nci/hrUi and vif.nrmia) tliere is not the sli-htest
departure from the pattern of coloration ; it is only a matter of extension or
restriction of the several colors, or a certain one of them, that produces the
differences.

_ Kach modilication of plumage is attended liy a still greater one of jiro-
portion.s, as will be seen from the diagnoses ; thus, thoiigh iin//<Tfa is the
largest of the grou|), it has actually tlie smallest legs and feet ; with nearly
the same general proportions, iiKfi/nu exceeds it in the latter respects
(esjiecially in tlie bill), while mcrinnKi, a very much smalh'r liird liiaii
either, has disi)roportionaliy and absolutely larger legs and feet united with
the smallest si/c otherwise in the whole .series. Mcriiliunuliti presents no
differences from the last, except in pro|i(n'tions of bill and feet; for wh-ile
the latter is the smallest of the series, next to na/lrrta, it has a bill much
exceeding that of any other.

The inarlcings of the upper plumage of the young or even winter birds
are different in pattern from those of the adult; the tendency being toward
the peculiar features of the adult iici/lrrfa ; the various species iu these
stages being readily distinguisiialilc, however, by the general characters
assigned. Mexkana and luy/cda are both in proportions and colors the

174 NORTH AMERICAN RTRDS..

most widely diflerei)t in the wliole series ; h ippurrcpis and nctjlida the
most siniihir. The relation of tlie several races to each other is al.'out as
ibllows : —

A> Yellow of throat conlini.'il within niaxiliae.
(^mwn with black streaks predomiiiatiii};;.

Siiiallest species, with reildish tints, and niaxhnum amount of black.

Largest hill meridionahn.

Smallest bill ; largest feet ..... ine.vira>ia.

Ne.xt largest species, with less reddish tints, and smaller amount of
black. Bill and feet the standard of eoniiiarison . . . magna.
Ciiiwn with the light streaks predominating.

Narrow(.'st pectorid crescent hippocrejiin.

B. Yellow of throat covering nia.\illie.

Crown with black and light streaks about equal.

Largest species, with grayish tints, and mininmm amount of black.

Smallest feot ueyteda.

Stumella magna, sw.unson.

MEADOW LABK ; OLD FIELD LABK.

A/audn maijna, I,inx. Syst. Xat. I, 175«, ICT, .m1. 10 (based on Ahtmhi mmpia, Oatkshy,
tab. 33). — li!., (12th ud.,) ]-«(!, 28S). - G.\i. I, 1788, 801. - WiL.sos, Am. Orn. Ill,
1811, 20, pi. .\i.x. - Doi'oiiTY, Cab. I, lS;jO, 85, pi. v. SHirndla mama, .Swainson,
Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 436. - Haiiu., Birds N. \m. 18,58, 53.5. -Sami-ki-.s, ;U3. Stiir-
mis hidoviciantis, Linnah'.s, Syst. Nat. I, 17tiil, 290. — 0.\i. I, 802. — Lath. !nd. I,
1790, 3:^3. -IJo.N. Obs. Wils. 182.5, 130. - Mrnr. Vcr/. 1823, Xo Kio.-Aiu. Oni!
Hiog. II, 1834, 21(3; V, 1839, 492, pi. cxxxvi. Slwnielh: liniovkiaiw, .Smaixso.v,
K. Hor.-Am. II, 1831, 282. ^ NrriAix, Man. I, 1832, 147. - Hon. List, 1838.--
Iii. Coii.siuictus, 1850, 429. -Aun. .Syn 1839, 148. —In. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 70,
pi. ccxxiii. -('AiiA.sis, Mu&. Hein. 1851, 192 — Ai.i.k.n, B. K. fV.i. 288. Shirnclla
collar,\ ViKii.i,. Analyse, 1816. — In. Galcrie des Ois. I, 1824, 134, pi. xc. .Sfiinius
coUaris, Wagi.uk, Syst. Av. 1827, 1. -In. Isis, 1331, 527. "CWinr, „hu,lam,s,
DAuniN," Caijanis.

Sr. CiiAK. The f.'athors aliove .lark brown, margined with brownish-wliite, and with
a terminal blotch of pale reddish-lirown. Exposed portions of wings and tail with dark
brown bars, wliich on tlie middle tail-feathers are eonn'ient .ilong the shaft. Beneath
yellow, with a black pectoral crescent, the yellow not extending on the sid(^ of the
maxilla; sides, crissntn, and tibias pale reddisli-brown, streaked with blackish. A light
median and superciliary stripe, the latter yellow anterior to the eye ; a black line behin.l.
Fanale smaller and duller. VoKm/ with pectoral orescent replaced' by streaks ; the yellow
of under surface replaced more or less by ochraceous or pale fulvous. Length, 10.00;
wing, .").00 ; tail, .'^.TO ; bill above, LSo.

IlAn. Eastern United States to the high Central Plains, north to Southern British
Provinces. England (Sclatkr, Ibis, III, 176).

Ha HITS. The ea.stern form of the :\rea.lo\v Lark is foimd in all the eastern
portions of the United States, from Flori<la to Texas at the soutii, and from
Nova Scotia to tlie :\rissoiiri at the north, liichardson met vith it on the

rCTERID.K -THE ORIOLES.

175

Saskatcliowaii, wliero it arrives about tliu lirst of May. In a lavgu ixn'lion
ot tile I'liited Staie.s it is resilient, or only i)artially migratory.

In Maine this .species is not abundant. A few are found in Southern
Manie, even as far to the east as (,'alais, where it is very rare. It was not
iouiid in ().\ford County by Mr. Verrill. In Xew Hampshire and Vermont,
especially in the southern portions, it is much more almndant. Throughout
Ma.s.sachu.setis it is a connnon sununer visitant, a few remaining all winter,
the greater number coming in March and leaving again in November, at
which time they .seem to be .somewhat, though only jiartially, gregarious.
South ol ^lassucluLsetts it becomes more generally resident, and is only verv
liai'tially migratory, where the depth of snow compels them to seek food
elsewhere. Wilson .'itates that he iMct a few of these birds in the month
of lei)ruary, duiing a deep snow, among the heights of the Alleghanies,
near Somer.set, I'enn.

The favorite resorts of this species are old fields, j)a.sture-lands, and mead-
ows, localities in which they can best procure the insects, largely coleopter-
ous, and the seeds on which they feed. They are not found in woods or
thickets, or only in very exee])tional cases.

In Xew England they are shy, retiring birds, and are rarely seen in the
neighborhood of houses ; but in (Jeorgia and South Carolina, Wilson found
them swarming among the rice ))lantations, and running about in the yards
and tiie out-buildings, in comjiany with the Killdeer Plovers, with little
or no n])]>earance of fear, and as if domesticated.

In Alabama and West Florida, Mr. Nuttall states, the liirds abound dur-
ing the winter months, and may be seen in considerable numbers in the salt
marshes, seeking their food and the shelter of the sea-(!oast. They are tlien
in loose Hocks of from ten to thirty. At this season many are shot and
brought to market. By some their flesh is said to be sweet and good ; but
this is denied by Audubon, who states it to be tough and of iini)leasant flavor.
Mr. Sdater records the occurrence of one or more individuals of this
sj)ecies in England.

The song of the eastern Mesulow Lark is chietly distinguished for its
sweetness more than any other excellence. AVheii, in spring, at the height
of their love-sea,son, they alight on the ])ost of a lence, a ])usli, or tree, or
any other high object, they will give utterance to notes that, in sweetness
and tenderness of expression, are surpassed by very few of our birds. I>ut
they are wanting in variety and power, and arc rre(|uently varied, but not
improved, by the substitution of chatterin}' call-notes, which are much infe-
rior in quality. It is noticeable tiiat at the West there is a very great im-
provement in the .song of this bird as compared with that of their more
eastern kindred, though still very tar from equalling, either in volume,
variety, or power, the lemarkable song of the iwilictn.

In the fall of the year these birds collect in small comp.'^ nes, and feed
together in the same localities, but keeping, iiulividually, somewhat apart.

170 NOHTII AMi:i!I('AX HIItDS.

In Xcw iMi^'liiiiil tliL'so l»inls iiiati! duriiij,' the liittor pint nf A])nl, and
cuiislniut tlicir nests in Miiy. 'I'liey ahvuvs pliifu tlutir nest on tliu j^ioiind,
usually in IIk; slicltcr ul' ii tliicU tuft of j^niiss, and liuild a covered ])assa}^o
to their liiddeu nest. This entrance is usually t'ornied of withered j,n'ass,
and so well conceals the nest that it can only he detected l)y Ihisliinji; the
female from it, or hy the anxiety of her mate, who will frec^uently ily round
the s]iot in so narrow a circuit as to hctrfiy its location.

Tlu^ e,L,'j;s of the Meadow Lark \arv j^ieatly in sizt; and also in their mark-
ings, though the general cliaracter of the latter is the same. The smallest,
from Florida, measure .'J5 hy .(J8 of an inch. The larg(^st, from Massachu-
setts, measure l.l'll inches by .!)(>. They liave a wliit(! ground, marked and
dotted with irrcgidar reddish-lirown s])ots. (Iiinerally thc.s(! are e(|ually
distril)Utcd, but occasionally aie chielly about the larger end. Their Mha])e
is o\al, nearly equally rounded at cither end.

The diversity in the characteristics of the eggs of this species has not un-
fretiuently occasioned remarks, and t^ven suggested conjectures as to specific
(lillerenccs. Tiuty are all, however, reconcilable with dilferences in the age
of the parents, and are, to some extent, affected by the circumstances under
which tlu'y are deposiUnl. The eggs of old, inatur(! birds, lU'iiositetl in the
early summer, or the first brood, are usually su'i-globular or obt\isely jjointed
at either end, large in si/e, and irrcyularly .siirinkled over with fine bright
red dots. Younger birds, breeding for the lir.st time, l)irds that have been
robbed of their eggs, or those depositing a third set, have smaller eggs, some-
times two thirds of tlie maximum size, more oblong and more jiointed at one
end, anil are marked, at the larger end only, with plashes of dark purplish-
brown.

Stumella magna, var. neglecta, Am.

WESTERN LABK.

SturncUa nc^hcta, Ai'ii. Birds Am. VII, 1843, 339, pi. (•(•trl.xxxvii. — Nkwrkruy, Zool.
Cal. & Or. Itoiite; Hc|.. P. 1{. I{. Suiv. VI, iv, 18,57, S(i. — BAini), Birds N. Am.

1858, 537. — Hi;i-.i;.M. X, -S 54. -V -.w k SrcKr.KV, 208. - ('((OPi-,ii, Oni. Cal. 1,

1870, 270. 1 SluriiMa hippocrepix, (W.viiLKU,) IIkkr.mann, .1. .\. N. Sc. Ph. 2(1 .serie.s,
II, 1853, 2'J!t, Suisiin.

Hi". CiiAK. Feathers above; dark lirown, marrrincil with lirDWiiisii-whilc, witli a tcr-
niiiial lilotc!- of pale ru(l(lisli-l)rciwii. E.xpo.si'd portion of wiiius and tail wilii ti'aiisvcr.'so
banils. wliii-ii, in tlu; latter, are completely i.solated I'roui each other, luirrow and lili(>ar.
Beneath yellov, with a black p(;etoral crescent. The vellow of the throat exleiidinp: on
the sides of the maxilla. Sides, orissntn. and tibia' very pale reddish-lirown, or nearly
white, streaked with hlaeki.sh. Head with a lifrlit median and superciliary strijie, the
latter yellow in front of the eye ; a blaeki,«h lino behind it. Tlu! transverse bars on the
leatlieis above (less so on the tail) with a tendency to become eonflnent near the exterior
niaririn. I.,en.Lrih, 10 inches; winjjr, .").2') ; tail, .'J.'J.") ; bill, 1.2.").

IIab. Western America from hijfh Central Plains to the Pacilic ; east to Pembina,
and perhaps to Wiscouvin, on the north (low.i, Allen), and Texas on the sonlh; western
Mexico, south to Colima.

ICTEUIDyK — THE OUIOLKS. I77

Habits. Tin; (lillcicnci's of iiluma^u betwciMi ll)i.s s|io('i('s ami our casteni
Meadow Lark arc so slight tliat \vu iiii,L;lit licsitatu to allow the exiHtciicc of
any .s]ieei(ic ili.stiiictiiess between tlie two loriu-i, were it not i'or tiie very
strongly marked dill'erences between tlieni in otiier re.speets. ^Vlletller we
regard them as races or as dill'erent species, their history diverges as we cross
the Missouri iJiver, thciigh both arc i'ound on eitiier bank.

The existence of tliis variety wa.s first made known by Messrs. Lewis and
Clark, in their memoralde expedition to the lloeky Mountains. They refer
especially to the ditference, in the notes, liclween this l)ird and the old Tieltl
Lark of the east. It remained unnoticed by our ornith(dogists \intil 184-J,
when Mr. Auduiion included it in the ajipcndi.x to his .s(iventli volume, lie
met with it in his voyage to tlie Yellowstone, and it would have escaiu'd his
notice had not the attention of his jiarty been callcil to its curious notes.
In its flight, manners on the ground, or general habits, he could perceive no
(lill'erence lit^tween it and tht; common species. None of its nests that lie
found were covered over, in tic manner of the nuii/iKt, and the eggs were
differently marked.

Mr. J. A. Allen, in his interesting paper on tiie i)irds oli.served in Western
Iowa, wliile he does not admit any .sjiecific dillerenco lu'tween these two
forms, ])re.sents with impartial exactness the very striking dissimilarity iie-
tween tliem, both in habits and in song. In regard to the diversity in iiabita
we (juote his words : —

"At tile little village of I)eni.son, where 1 first noticed it in song, it was
particularly common, and lialf domestic in its habits, preferring the streets
and gras.sy lanes, and the innuediate vicinity of tiie village, to the remoter
prairie. Here, wholly unmolested and unsuspicious, it collected its food ;
and the males, from their accustomed perclies on the houseto]is, daily wailded
their wild songs for hours togetlier." Tlie.se traits of familiarity, .so totally
different from anything ever observed in our eastern birds, he does not con-
cede, however, as establishing necessarily sjiecitic difference. Yet he does ad-
mit that its song was so new to him tliat he did not at first have the sligiitest
suspicion that its utterer was the western Meadow Lark, as lie found it to l)e.
He adds : " It differs from that of tlie iSIeadow Lark in the i-'.asterii States,
in the notes being louder and wilder, and at the same time more li(niid, mel-
lower, and far sweeter. They liave a jieiisivene.ss and a general character
remarkalily in liarmony witli the half-dreamy wildiie.ss of tlie primitive
prairie, as tiiougii the bird had received from its surroundings tiieir jjeculiar
impress. It differs, too, in the less freiiuency of the har.sli, complaining
cliattiu' .so conspicuous in the ea.stern l)ird."

Tlie value of the.sc marked differences, lioth in song and character, between
tlie eastern and western birds, we will not argue, but will only add that they
are none too strikingly presented by ^Ir. Allen. During the writer's brief
visit to the I'lains he was .strongly imiiressed by the natural, confiding
trustfulness of this si)ecies and its wonderful beauty of song, botli in

VOL. II. 2'd

178 NOIM'H A.MKKU'AX lUltUS.

siR'li R'iimrl<al)lo euntrust willi tlic liuliits of our eastern hirds. At Antelopo
Station a pair of tlicse liinU iiad Imilt liifir iicsL uiidcr llie window of llic
oHict', anil sirnuid to iMijoy tlio society of the family, wiiilu tlio dopot-iuuster,
familiar witli tla^ sony; and lialiits of our (tastcrn liirds, appnsciati'd the t,'reut
diniTcniTS hclweun lliu two forms, and called my attention to tlieni.

yU: Allen also found this Lark evi!iywh(!io aliundant in Colorado, Imt its
notes a]>i)eared to him ([iiite ditlerent from those of tho I'ctpresentativus of
this species livinjj; to the eastward, in the jiniirio States, lieinj,' less varied
and rin;,nn^, and naire <;uttiiral.

Dr. ('o(i|ier says this hird is nianidant in California, and resident nearly
tin()Mj,diout the entire State, iireedin;,' in the Colorado Valley and in all other
districts not quite waterless. Their .son;j;s are lively, sweet, and varied.
They sing at all seasons, early ami late, from the ground, from the tree-toj),
or in the air, and when unmolested are so tame as to make the house-top
their favorite perch. Kven the female has consideralile musical power, and
cheers her mate liy singing to him while he relieves her hy sitting on the
eggs. She also has a harsh, jietulant chiri», freipiently repeated as if in
anger. He .states that they liuild their nest in a slight depression under a
hunch of grass, and usually more or less arcluid over and artfully concealed.
The female, when llusiu'd, usually skulks olf .some distance before she flies.
The eggs lie describes as white, with a few large iturjdi.sh-brown blotches and
dots towards tlie larger end, and measuring 1.15 inches by .8.3. They are
very ol)tuse in shape.

They feetl cliielly on insects, seeds, and grain, do no danmge to the crops,
and desti'oy a \ast numhei' of no.xious insects.

Dr. Suckley found this iiinl common everywhere in Oregon and Washing-
ton Territory, scjuie remaining throughout every winter. In 1855 a few
were .seen at Fort Dalles as early as March 5. On the 7th he found them
(|uite al)undaiit on the jdoughed fields near Fort Vancouver. Some of these
had prol)alply remained all the winter. In February, 185G, he found them
(piite abundant at Fort Steilaeoom. At Fort Dalles, liy the 2d of May, he
obtained young biids nearly Hedged.

Mr. Dresser Ibuud it very common during winter near San Antonio, where
a few remain to lireed.

In Arizona, according to Dr. Cones, it is residiuit, but qin'te rare.

Lieutenant Couch found these binls from the Kio (irande to the high
bottoms of the Lower lloLson de Majiimi. Its notes he speaks of as highly
musical, contending even with the Mocking Uird for a supronuiey in .song.

Mr. liidgway found the western Meadow Lark one of the most abundant
and characteristic biids of California and all fertile ])ortions of tlu; interior
as far east as the Missouri, and remarks that, altliough closely resembling the
eastern bird in appearance, its song is totally different, not a note uttered
by it having more than a very distant resemblan(;e to any of the well-known
marjna of the eastei'ii meadows. In the depth of its tone and the charms

ICTEIIID.E — THE ORIOI.HS. jyj)

of its articuliitioii its sdhi,' is Inudly oxcuilcd, rcsi'iiililiii;,' very iiciuly i\n>.
song of tlio Wood Tlirusli. Mr, I!i(l,u\v;iy (IcsciUh's lis iiKMluliiUniis us ox-
prossud liy tlio syllalilcs t u ii;i-l n mj-l n itijidi-l il'lah-t il' loli-l n laj, ciicli imtc^ jiow-
erfiil iiiitl tlistiiict. Tlie (lill'd'cncc lictwi'cu the (illu-r luitcs of llic twn liiids
is .slili j^rc'iitui' tiiiin in tlicir sonji;, and ovt;n in eliiiracU'r tlii-si! aiv iiuL alike.
In the ne<jliilii liic cail-nnti' (if watchiiilness or alarm is a Imid, (U'cii-loiu'd
tiirh, similar to tin; rhinh of tin; I'.lackliird, l)iil nnicli loiidi'r and moro nu'tallic.
Tliat of synipatliy I'oi' the yonnj;, or anxiety wlien tiu! iicst is aii|iroacIi(Mi, is
11 loud, liiinid ////'/■, sliulitly rcsumlilin^f tliu coniiplainini; not(( oi' the (sastern
l>liiol»ird, and also o|' the Orchard Oriole. All of its notes are of a |io\ver
correspontliiin' to the si/e of the liird.

Mr. lli(ij;\vay also notices inijiortant diiferenees in their llii^ht. That of
the ea.stern species is carried on hy an necasioiial spasmodic heat or jerk of
the wings, which are then extended, tlie hird sailing a short distance. The
llight of the western Lark is niiicli more irregular, the hird Hitting along hy
ii tremhling ilutter of the A\ings, never assuming tiies(i ]ieculiar features.

An egg of this species, collected hy J)r. Cooper in Washington Territory,
June lit, 1856, niea.sures 1.20 inches in lengtli and .SlJ in lireadlh. It is of
an ohlong-oval shajie, ohtuscs ; the ground \\ iiite, s]iaringly sjjotted witli a
very dark pin'])le, most of the markings heing at the larger end. Three eggs
from Arizona, collected hy Dr. I'almer, measure 1. 10 incdies hy .SO. The
markings are of nuich lighter shades of lilac, jjurjile, and ])nrjdisli and red-
di.sh-lirown. The markings are more geiieridly diffused, liut jiredoniinate at
the huger end. An egg from the Vellow.stone, (Milleeled hy ^Mr. Audul)on, is
unusually pointed at one end, measures l.l:! inches hy ..S"J. The spots
are a dark pur]dish-hrown, intermingled with .suudler and lighter dottings
of reddish-l)rown. Kggs from California do not vary essentially in their
markings from tho.se of Arizona, and have an average measurement of 1.10
inches by .85. As a general rule, the mottling of the eggs of the western
bird is finer than that of the eastern.

Subfamily ICTEBIN^.
Gknls icterus, Alct.

Iflmii, Ruis.soN, R. A. ITfiO. — OiiAV, fJciii'iii.

Xinillionitin, CiiviKl!, Li'v'. Anat. Coiiiii. 1800. — (liiAV, fliMiora.

PcmbiUiius, Vliai.Lor, Aiinlysc, 181(i.

Vplmiilin, VlKILI.oT, Aiiiilysi', 181G. — (!i;.\v, fli iutii.

Okm. Ciiai!. Bill .slender, clonirntod, as Ioult as (lie liead, iiciici'ally a little donurved,
and very acMite. Tarsi not lonfjci- than the; niiddli" toe, nor than tlio head; elaw.s short,
nincli carved ; outer lateral toe a little longer than the inner, I'eachinir a little heyond base
of middle toe. Feet adapted lor perching. Tail ronnded or jrr.iduated. Prevailing colors
yellow or orange, and black.

The species of this subfamily are all as strikingly characterized by

180

NORTH AMEUICAX BIRDS.

Icteni.s hut/nrki.

diversity ami lirilliiu'cy of pluiiia,i,'e as tlie others are (with few exceptions)

for tiieir uniform soml>re ))liu-k, scarcely relieved by otlier colors. Of the

f.iiir yenera of this snlifainily, reco.nnized liy Gray, uU l)iit C'dciciis are well

represented in tlie I'liitcd States. This ditlers from all the re.st in hav-

in<^ the culmen wideneil and much deprcs.sed towards the base, wliere

it advances in a crescent on the forehead, separating- the i'rontal jjlumes.

In the other j>enera the culmen advances somewluit on the forehead, but

it is in a narrow acute jtoiut, and not dilated.

In studying the North Ameri-
can Orioles we have foiuid it
exceedingly diHicult to arrange
them in any sharply defined
sections, as whatever characters
be taken as the basis of classi-
fication, the other features will
not correspond. Thus, species
with the bill of the same pro-
portions and amount of curva-
ture differ in the shape and

graduation of the tail, while tails of the same form are accompanied by

entirely dissimilar bills and wings The bill is sometimes much attenuated

and decurved, as in /. viiculhiiiia,

M'hile in inr/anuccp/id/wi and Ixdti-

viorc it is stouter and straighter.

The tail is usually much graduated ;

in /. hdlfimure and hidlodi it is

only moderately rounded. Tliese

last-mentioned species constitute

the iienus Jfi/p/udifcu. Many of the

species have a naked sjiace round

the eye, very evident in /. vulijaris,

less so in iiic/iiixxrji/ni/us. I. vulgaris is jieculiar in having the feathers ol

the throat jiointed and lanceolate, as in the ravens.

In view of the dilliculties attendant upon the definition of subordinate

groups among the United States litvrinir, we propose to consider tliem all

under the single genus Ic/rrn'i, leaving it for some one with nio/e ingenuity

to estal)lish satisfactory di\ isions into sub-genera.*

* All atti-iii|it at ilivisiiin into siib^iciu'ra is as I'dllows : —

Icterus, Iiill >l(iiit, rdiiiial, tlic culnii'ii and ^(onys nearly straislit. Tail graduated. Species :
Vltl(/rri.i, ituduhoiii, tnehninfiphnhi^.

Xaiilhorai's, liill slender, sli^ditly dciurved. Tail graduated. Sjiecies : winjleri, parisonim,
spurius, eitciillii/iin.

Hjiphdntex, liill stout, conical ; the eulinen and j;onys strai^lit. Tail slij^litly rounded. Six;-
cies : liiilliinniv, hid/'u-ki, ulu,//, i.

We <lo not liiid, however, that tlie.se .suligenera are very tangible, excepting llijphatites, which

ktfrtis bnlUtrki.

ICTERID.K — TIIK ORIOLES. 181

The colors of the Orioli's are chielly hliick aiul yellow, or orange, the ving
sdinetiuics nuiiketl with white. Thi l'emale.s are generally much duller in
plumage, and tlie young male u.sually i-emains in immature dres.s till the
third year. In all tlie Xortli American sjiecie.s the rump is of the sauie
color witli the belly ; the chin, throat, and tail, black.

In the Js'ortli American Orioles the baftimuir and hulloiki have the tail
but little graduated ; spnriiifi, more so, the other.s very decidedly graduated.
The liills of tlie two hrst mentioned are stout and nearly straight; that of/.
imhnioccphaluH quite similar. /. jHirisonan has the bill nu>re attenuated,
but scarcely more deciuved; in tipHriim it is attenuated and decurveil, mucii
as in vitijlcri ; this character is strongest in /. cucidlatus. The nuuli gradu-
ated tail is condiiued with a slender decurved bill iu 1. cucidlatus and uyir/lrri;
with a stmighter one in pnrifioni.in ; with a thick, nearly straight, one in iiie-
lanoceplwliis. The arrangement, according to the graduation of the tail,
would be haltiiiiorc, biil/ocki, spiirius, jmriaorum, vatjlcri, mclitnoccphiduti, and
CHCullutus. According to stoutness and curvature of bill, it W(udd be hul-
timore, vielanocephaliis, bullocki, parisorum, spurius, wai/lcrl, and ciuullatas.

All the sjjecies have the rump and under parts yellow or orange. All
have the head entirely Ijlack, except bidtocki, in which its sides are orange,
and cucull(itii:<, wiiich has an orange crown. All have black on the throat.
In the species with black head and neck, all have tlie tails black towards the
end, excei)t bu/lurki and balfimorc.

The females and young males are so entirely diiVerent in colors from the
adult males, and so similar in the ditferent species, that they can best be
distinguished by the details of form and size. 'l"he /. ^»us//n'/«(7rt.s' and /.
mclanocrphal ufi are i)laced, according to the above arrangement, in different
subgenera, yet the young male of the former and the adult male of the latter
are so perfectly sinular in colors as to be umlistinguishable in this respect,
and require careful examination of points of e.xternal structure to be sepa-
rated (see description of /. mcldnoccphalan, p. 7<S2).

The I'oUowing synojisis may help to distinguish the North American
Orioles and their nearest allies, as far as color is concerned.

Species and Varieties.

ICTERUS. Head all ronml ilccp hliifk, shai'iily dclinoil acraiiist the yellow
oC tlic niip(,' ; winpr.s black, with or willioiit wliiic iiiaikiiii;'>;. liody gononiliy,
inchidinn; los.scr wiiiji-covort.s doop gicoiiisli-yi'llow (iiittMi.<o oriiiiiro-rud in some
So. til Aiiicricaii .'jpi'cifs).

I. vulgaris. Ffiillicis of the throat (?lonfTnte'l ami laiu'iMilatc Bill loiip:er
tliiiii lu'ad. IJack and seapiilar.s lihu-k; i,nvati-'r coverts and tcrtials with
much white on outer weUs ; middle wiiiir-covert.s vliilp. Rest of plumage,
including lesser coverts, chrome-yellow. Sexes alike, lluh. Northern .South

is rather well marked hy scpinri' tail and straight outlines of tin' hill, as iiidiiatcd nhove. The
iliirureiices an,' really so iiiiinili', and tin' ihiuartcis so viuiahle •. i*h the species, that it seems
entirely uiineee,s.sury to siihdiviile the gi'hu-s.

;^g2 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

America. .laniaica? Aci'iilental in southeastern United States?? Several

races.

I. melanocephaluB. Feathers ol' the throat not elonirate anil lanceolate,
but soft anil normal; bill sliorter than head. Baclc and scapulars greenish-
yellow. Rest of plumajre, including lesser wing-coverts, gamboge-yellow.
Sexes alike.

Wings without any white. Wing, 4.00; tail, 4.00; cnhnen, .Oo;
tarsus, .90. Hnh. Southern Mexico. . . km: mehiHOcephalns.

Wings with white eilgings to gieater coverts, sccondarii;s and tertials.
Wing, 4.25; tail, 4.40; culmen, 1.10; tarsus, 1.10. Hub. Northern
Mexico and Rio tirande Valley of I'nited States. . . var. a u d n honi.
XANTHORNUS. Back, scajinlars, wings, tail, and throat, black; wings
and tail with, or without, white. Rest of ])lnniage greenish-yellow, gamboge-
yellow, orange, orange-red, or chestnut-rufous.
A. Head and neck, all round, deep black.
ii. Tail-feathers wholly black.

I. domiuicensis. Head, neck, back, scapulars, wings, tail, and
jugulum, deep black ; lesser and middle wing-coverts, lining of the
wing, anal region, tibiie, and rump, deep gamlioge-yollow. No
white on wings or tail. Sexes similar (in all the races?).

Abdomrn and sides i/elloir.

Tail-coverts partially or wholly yellow. Wing, .3.25 to 3.50 ;
Tail, 3.75 to 4.00; culmen, .80; tarsus, .85. Hah. South
Mexico to Costa Rica .... \;xv. pros tli e melas:

Tail-eoverts uniform black. Wing, 3.75; tail, 4.50 ; culmen,
.80 ; tarsus, .00. Ilah. Mexico and Guatemala \m: wagleri.

Abdomen mid sides black.
Flanks and crissum yellow ; upper tail-coverts yellow. Wing,
3.50; tail, 3.50; eulmen, .80; tarsus, .85. Hab. Ilayti.

var. do m in icens is.'
Flanks black ; crissum mostly yellow ; upi)er tail-eoverts black.
Wing, 3.75; tail, 4.00; eulmen, .03; tarsu.s, .85. Hah. Porto
j{i(;Q ....... var. j)or tor icens is.'

Flanks black ; crissum mostly black ; upper tail-coverts black.
Wing, 3.75; tail. 3.00; cidnien, .80; tarsu.s, 8(i. Ifiib. Cuba.

var. /( ij pom elas .*

1 Idcrus dnminicoisis, var. prnslhcinchis. Icterus proslh-mclas, SriiicKi.Axn, .hud. ('out. Oru.
1850, 120, 1)1. Ixii. PcitdiiHiius p. C.\ssin, Icterida;, P. A. N. S. 18ti7, T.ti. Pciidnhiius kssmii,
HoSAl'. Consp. I, 43'2, 18.10.

^ Licnisdomiiiiirnsi", var. dnmiiiiee,i.'<is. Oriolm dumiiiiecn.w, Linn. S. N. I, 163, 1766.
Paidiilinusd. Cassin. P. .V. N. S. ISfiT, .')8. PcmiuUiiiis flin-iijastcr, Vli;il.l,. Noiiv. Diet. V,
317, 1S16. Pcndulinus riridis, VlF.ll.i,. Nouv. Diet. V, 3-21, 1810?

« Icfcrits dominicciisis, var. porforiccusis, Huvant, Pr. Bosf. Soc. 1866, 2iA. Peinhdimis /mr-
f^.riccusis, Ca.ss. P. A. X. S. 1867, 58. Tnrdus ater, Gm. .S. N. I, 830, 1788? Tiirdus jwjii-
/(ic/.v, LArii. Ind. Orii. I, 3.->l, 1790?

* Ictn-us dinnliiiceiisis, var. hiiimmc'.ns. Pcndidinita hypomehis, Ronai-. Consji. I, 433, 1850.
— Cass. p. a. N. .S. 1867. .'i9,

Tlu-ro seems to be no reason for not rcf.Mriiig all the above forms to one species, the dUIen'iues
being merely in the relative amount of bhu'k and yellow. The great.'r predominance of the
former color we slioidd exi.eet in specimens from the West Indies, where in this fauuly the
nielanistic tendency is so marked.

ICTERID.E-THE ORIOLES. 2j^3

rspurius. Head, neHv, l„u.k, s,.a,M,l.rs, win^s, an,I tail, .lo,.,,
Wack; o.l.or poi-.io.is, indu.linfr I,,,,,., ,„„i ,„i,|,llc. wi„.r-covurL«
l-niUK of AviMfr, a>„ ho tail-.overts, above an,| bolow, '.'.hestnut-
'•'.lous ; {jn.ator covorts an,l socomlarifs L..l^a.,l witli .lull wl.ite
an.l ta:l-lvatlR.r. niarghH.,! tfrniinally will, the sau.o. FemS
Kr.on,.sh-y..llow, dark,.,- above. yo„„,, ,nale in scrond year
similar, but with a black patch uovcM-inj, ta,.. and throat. Wi,,..
.!.-(; lail i.'jo, ,f,s j^raduation. .« ; culmen, .7.3 ; tarsus, .92. //«/,
La.stern 1 rovince of C.itcl Slatos ; .so.uh thron.dmut Middlo
America, to Now Granada.

volbw ''™"""''' ^'''"■"''' ""■ '"■" ""'''"" ""''^ "''"' t'"^"' '"'■^■''' •'""'
I. parisorum. Iload, neck, ju..,lun,, back, scupniars, wintfs. and
'"'■;"">:' "'I' :"■ tail, deep black; rest of pl„„.a.c, inch.din,: lesser
"'"i ■.nd.llo wmfr-eovorts, bright lo,non-ycll„w, approaehinj, white
oi. ho n,,ddc coverts; greater coverts tipped with whke, and
tc tas ed,ed w.th the san.c ; tail-feathers n,ar,.ined tern.inally
vviblhesan.e. .Sexes very d.lferont. Hal, Mexico ; Rio Grande
V alley and Cape St. Lucas.
B. Crown, ocMpnt, nape, and auricnlar.s, orange; frontlet, lores, cheeks

chm, throat, and jM.i:, , deep bl.ick. . cneovs.

1. cucullat^s. ]5ack, scapulars, wings; and tail, and patch covering
ugu^um and t roat, extending np over lores, around eles and acroj
f'ontlet, deep black. Oihcr portions orange. Sexes very dKFerent

Leaser coverts black: Idle coverts white; grea.er coverts tipped

w.th wh.te, and secondaries, pri.naries, and b.-rtials edged with the
Zr 'i"'"''"'!;':''^ "•'"' "-■■""■ ^^''ite tips. Wing, 3.30; tail,
4.00 cuhnen .SO; ta.-,s,.s, .90. Sexes very unlike. /lab. Southern
border ot Ueste,-., r,.ited States (Sau Berr.ardh.o, California,
Camp G..nU, An.o.,a a..,l Rio G,a..de of Texas), ..,>.,th th.ou.d
Mex.eotoGuateu.ala; Cape St. Lucas . . . var. .,/;„//„ ^„ ,,
Les,.er coverts gan.boge-yellow ; niiddle .•ove.ls vellow ; no white
on wn.gs o.- tail. \Vi.,g, 3.o0 ; tail, 3.90 ; e,.l,..e.i, .8a ; ta.s.,.., .90.

HYPHANTBS. C.-own, back, scapulars, wh.gs, a.,d pa,t of ta.l, deep black:
v.ng w.th .uueh wh.te. Other portions o.at.ge or vellow. Sexes very dif
ferent. " " •' '"

I. baltimore. IFca.l e..ti.vly ,lecp blac^k; tail ora.ige, the leathe.s hla<.k at
base; g,eater coverts bn.adly tipped with whif ; seconda.'ies and p,-i,na-
nes skirted with the sa...e. Other po.-tions rich, mellow o,-a,.ge, the rnn.p
as ,nte.,so as the b.-east. Wing, abo,.t 3.75; tail, 3.50; culme.., .80- tar-
sus, .9(. '

(Speciin..ns from Eastc.-n U.nted States and Middle America w.th
middle coverts deep o.angc.)

(Specimens fmn. the Plah.s of Kansa.s, Nebriuskn, etc., with middle

roverts pur.> white. Sou..- eastern spcciiu ns similar.)

1 bullooki. Head .uaiuly bl.u.k. with a>. onu.ge or yellow supc.-eiliary

stripe, an,l n broa.ler one beneath the eye, cutting off the black of the

throat into a na.row .strip ; tail orange or yellow, the feathers with bla. k

» Lirnu, amdlaliis, ,-ni-. ,„inc„/,i/l„s. Lkrm „uri,;,/nllii.s; t'.vss. PANS 1847 'iH'l
In. Journ. A. N. S. I, pi. xvi. f. 2. - 1... P. A. N. S. 18C7. 60. ~

1S4 NOKTIl AMKIMCAX lUUUS.

lit ends; prciiter coverts with outer welis wholly white, and iiiiildle coverts
cntii-elv wliile, prodneiii.u; ii lai-e cons|iiriious U)iii;iliidiiiid piileh on the
wingi'tertials and seeondaries liioadly nh^fd with wliite, an<l piiuiaries more
narrowly skirted M'ilh tiie same. Other portions rich orange or yellow.

Rump ii-riiyish-oiange; sides and Hanks deep orange; I'oreiiead and
iiuriculars orange; a broad siipraloral stri|ie ol' llie same. Xanthie tints
deep orange, with a reddisli tinge on the hreast. Wings, 4.00; tail,
3.50 ■ culnien. .SO; tarsus, .00. Hah. Westeiii Province of United

States. y.u: h„n„rI.-<.

Kuinp black ; sides and Hanks l)lack; Ibrehead and anricidars l)lack ; no
yellow or orange su|)raloral stripes. Xanthie tint a very intense gani-
iioue, without any .shade of orange. Wing, 4.00; tail, ;].r)0 ; cnlnien,
.75 ; tarsus, .85. /M. .Mexico ..... . var. « ft e i7/." .'

Icterus vulgaris, D.vtniN.

TBOTTFIAL.

OriolHS ictrrm, LiNN. Syst. Xat. 1, UOii, Kil. Idcni.i vul(,(,ris, " l\u di.n." - Ann. I'.irds
Am. Vll, 1844, anT, pi. ecw.xei.v. - Br. (-'(.iispeetiis Av. ISM, 4;i4. — B.uiil), liirds
N. Am. ISoS, r.42. — Cass. 1'. A. X. .S. lMJ7, 40. Le Imiqnak vnhjuiir, Uukfon,
I'l. oul. "532" (.-iU.1, I'.l'.K

8p. Cn.Mi. Bill curved. Throat and chin with narrow pointed feathers. A nakccl
space around and behind th.; eye. Tail-li%ithers graduated. Head an.l upper i)art of
neck all round, and beneath from tail to upper part of breast, inler.scapidar region of
back, winu's, and tail, black. Rest of under part.s, a collar on the lower hind neck, rump,
and upper tail-coverl.s, yellow-orange. Abroad liand on the wing and outer edges of
.second.arie.s, white. Lenglh, 10 inches ; wing, 4..".0 : tail, 4.50 ; bill above, l.:!5.

II.Mi. Xorthern South America and We.st Indies? Accidental on this .southern coast
of the United States ?

Tliis i.s the luvgost Oficle .said to Ik- iouiid in llio T'liitiMl States, and diflere
tVoin the rest in it.s bnocr liill, and pointed, oh)n,L;ated ieather.s on the thrt)at.
The hill i.s atteimated, and somewhat decnrved. The third (jnill is longest,
tlie first (inill almost the shortest of all the primaries. The outer tail-l'eather
is aliout .()() of an ineh less than the middle.

There is only a trace of whitisli on the edges of the iirimaries. The
hroad wliite edges to tlie .secondaries are eontintiotis in the folded wing with
tlie white on the gretiter coverts, the lowest row of which, however, is black.
The extreme and concealed liase of the tail is white.

One specimen has the light markings yellow, instead of orange.

This species is given by ]Mr. Andtibon as Xortii American, on thts strength
of occasional stragglers from South America. One of the specimens before
lis was received from Mr. Audubon (2,84ll), and is, ])ossibly, North Ameri-

1 IdrvMhiilJiiili, \-.n.iih,-ilhi. Xtinllmni'is ninilh'i, I.r.ss. licv. 'Am<\. lS:i!l, 101. Ifii/ikanfcs
a. C.\ss. 1'. A. X. S. ]S(i7, (i-i. ' (In'ii/iis nis/.i/ull. Cm. .Syst. Xat. I, iisr>, 17S8.

The oidy essential dillVrcmi' lioiii /. h.iUm-l.i is in the greater niuouiit of black, it bcuig
merelv more extended, while tlie pattern is the same.

KTEIUD/K- TIIK OHIOLES. -lor

can altli..,,.), w,. ,l..nl,t very u.u.l. wladluT the, spi^cies was ever taken witl.in
niir luints, (!xc(_.pt as ('sca]KMl fioiii caiitivity,

All allied rar,. (/. lonyiroslri.j iio.u Xew (livnada lias a luiin..,. a„d moiv
«l">uler iMll. and a ,,al,r, l.n.on-yelluw color. Tl.o I. aamnil,. of l!ra/il
lacks the lo„n, po.ntud, distinct leathers ol' the throat, and is of an intensely
neh oran-e-re.l color, with nuicli the same pattern as the present hird.

lAiiiTs. The common Tronpial of Sor.th America and some of the West
>'<lia Islands is prn!,al,ly only an imported species, or an accidental visitant.
It IS j^.ven l.y Mr. Audul,on in the appendix to his .seventh volume, <.n the
|.tren.th ol a spc^muMi shot in Charleston, S. C, l.y his son, Jolin W The
'in , when hrst seen, was perched on the point of the li-htninn-rod of J)r
jaehman s house. A lew days aRer othe,. were seen, one of which was
^I.ot thonnh ,t lell into the river and was lost. Mr. Au,lul.,n was after-
wards ,„iormed that sn.all groups of four or five sul,se,uently n.ade their
appea ance m he same city and among the islands. If his information was
correct, ,t precludes the supposition that those which have heen procured
iu-e caged lurds. Vet the Trou,,ial is so common and .so popular a l.ird in
the cage, that ,ts acculental occurrence is ppssil.Ie in many localities it never
visits ol Its own accord.

This hinl is conimon in all the northern countries of South America,
Venezuela, .uiami, Kio Xegro, Xorthern I5ra.il, etc. Its occurrence in Ja-
maica and the A\e.st Indies may l-e only accidental. It is said l.y Daudin
to be a common species in South America, where it a.ssociates in lai'ge ilocks
an(. constructs a large and pensile nest. In confinement it becomes very'
easily tamed, ,s reconciled to a life of imprisonment, and is very fond
••' fl'-se ^^ ho leed and care for it. It has a loud, clear, and rimnii..
whistle, and a great variety of call-notes and single or brief utterances,"lnU
rarely indulges >n a continuous song. One kept in c.nlineinent several years
answered readily to the name of rroop>,, and always promptly responded
when thus addressed by his mistress, in notes of unmistakable and aifec-
tinnate recognition, lie was v.-ry Ibnd of his liberty, and used his sharp
bill with SU..I1 elfect that it was dillicult to keep him in his cage. When at
arge he never attempted to escape, lait returned upon being called He
however, ac.piired such a mortal antipathy to children, attacked them .so'
hercoly wlien at large, and his sharp bill was »o dangerous a weapon, that it
was .ound very iieccs.sary to keep him a ch.se prisoner.
_ The eggs of this .species measure 1.02 inches in length l)v .88 of an inch
in oreadth ; they are a rounde.l, obtuse oval in sliai.e. Tlieir ground-color
is a red.hsh .iral,, and they are very generally blotched with markings of a
deep claret-br.nvn and faint purple, the markings being deeper and larger at
one end. °

186 NORTH AMERICAN RIR])S.

Icterus melanocephalus, var. auduboni, fiiKAun.

AUDUBON'S OBIOLE.

Icterus audiilioiii, Oikaimi, Sixtiin New S|iciiis Ti'Xiis HirclH, 1811 (not |iiij,'i'(l). — Raihd,
Birds N. Am. 1858, 542. - -Cassis, I'r. A. N. S. 18(17, ."<:i. .X'liilln'niin nir/iDUKr/iliii-
lus, HiiN. Cons]!. 18,"i(i, 4;i4 (nut tlir (Icsi'iiiilimi of the yniiiif;). Hi'nin iinhiiim-i/i/di/iix,
Casstn, 111. 1, V, 1S.'>4, l;i7, |il. x.\i (llir (li'Miiption, but pcrliaps not the lif^iiic).

Sp. Ci'Aii. liill stout; u])])!.'!- iviiil Inwcr (nitliiii's very little I'lirvod ildwinvar.ls. Tail
niiicii uTii 'iiiited. Head and ium^Iv all round (lliis oolor uxti'iidiiij;- down mi llic tliioal),
tail, and \viMj;s biauk : rest of liody, under \vinii;-i;overts, and uiiildle and Ics.scr u]iiM'r
eoverls, yellow ; more olivaceous ou the baek. An interrupted baud across llie ends ol"
the greater wiiift-covcrls, wilb llic tci'iniiud lialt' of tlie cd^cs of llic ([uills, wliite. Sup-
posed female similar, but tbe colors less vivid. riCii^tb, !t.'J."): wini:, -i.UO ; tail, 4. ().">;
tarsu.s 1.10.

Hah. Valley of the Lower Rio r!raud(> of Texas, southward ; Oaxaca (!Sci.. 1859, 38) ;
XalapM (Set,. 132) : Vera ("rui', (lenipcialo reirious; SfMicuuAST, M. 1!. 8.).

Tlii.s bird i.s pei'lmp.s rutln'v a lucal race (lai'ocr as more boreal) ol" /.
mcliinoccphalits^ of Southeru Mexico. Tlie dinereiices are indicated in the
foot-note.

Tlie adult male of this .species can he distin,i,'ui.shed from the young male
of /. pros//iniir/((s only by stouter and le.ss decurved bill, stronger feet, and
l)la('k insteiid of yellow iniddle wino-coverts.

IIa1!IT.'<. This liaiidsoine and rather recent addition to our fauna is a
Northern Mexican sjiecies, which extends north to the valley of the Jfio
(h'ande and into Texas, from various localities in which it has been procured.
Lt. 1). N. Couch, who iuuiul this species common from the Lower Ilio Grande
t(» the Sierra Mtidre, speaks of the strong mutual attachment shown by the
sexes. He describes its song as soft tuid melanclioly, and the notes as re-
sembling pcitt-jH)ii-if. The sweetness of its notes renders it a favorite as a
caged bird. In the State of Vera Cruz this bird is given by Sumichrast as
inhabiting the temperate regions, and as there having exclusively their centre
of propagation. They are very common in the district of Orizaba, where they

' Icterus melanocephalus, (ii!AV. I'.iiirdco/his mchnunrphiilK.i, \VA(a,i;i:, Isi.s, 1829, 7.")(i.
Icterus meld iiuceplm I us, (iiiAV, (iiMiera. — ScLArKli, Pr. Zoiil. Soc. ls.58. '.•7. — Cassin, Pr. A.
N. S. 1807, ti'i. — liAlIiii, iiinls X. Am. 1858, 54:i. X(nitli<iniiis nielditoce/ilinlus, liox. Cousi).
1850, 434 (description of young only). I Icterus ((radunmnda, Lksson, Itcv. Zoiil. 1839, 105.

.Si'. ChaI!. Similar to /. auduhmii, but without any white whatever i>n the win;;. Head and
neck all round, wings, scapulars, anil tail, uniforni ])ure bhutk. liest of body, including in-
side of wing and tibia and the lesser wing-eoverls, onnige-ycOlow ; clondeil with olivaeeons-
gre'U on the back, less .so on the rump. Hill and legs plumbeous, thi' I'ornK'r whitish at ba.se.
Length, 7.70 ; wing, 3.75 ; tail, 4.80. Ilab. Warm parts of Xlc^xieo.

Very like the auduhoiii, but smaller, the bill much stouter, .shorter, and the eulmen more
curved. The third cpiill is longest ; the fourth, tilth, and .second suce<'ssively a little shorter ;
the first and seventh about eipnd. The black of the head and neck comes farther behind and
on the sides than in ninluliDtii. Tbe wings arc totally destitute of the white edges of i[uills and
coverts a.s .seen in auduhani, and the middle coverts are black instead jf pure yellow. The tail,
too, is entirely black.

ICTEllI DM — THE ORIOLES. 1S7

Inewl. Tlioii' comninn iiaiiie is Cdhoiilrin, ii imiiio also given, willioiit tlis-
ci'iiiiiniiLioii, lo Four or iive (itlier sjmcics of Irlcri ('oimuoii in Vera Cm/.
Mr. I'casf, in 1847, ohscrvt-d eillier litis s|p('cii!s or llic iiir/(niiinji/iii/tis uL
.lalajia, and in tiu! nci<,'iil»orlioo(! of tliu city of Mexico, in con.sideralilc niiin-
licr.s. Tiii.s l)inl wjus first described and lirou.tilit to notice as lieluiij,dn,t,' to
onr fauna, liy Mr. (Jiraud, in 1S41. Since tlien, Mr. .lolm II. Claris, zoiiio-
yist on tiie Mexican boundary Survey, ulitained several si)eciniens from the
liower liio (irandi!. It was first seen hy iiini near ltiiij,'iiold ISarracks. It
was not abundant, and its (juiet manners and secluded baiiits ])revente(l it
from beinj; very consjiicuous. It was mo.st freiiuently observed by liiiu
feeding on the fruit of tlie hackberry, but whenever approached, wldle tlms
feedinj^', it always shfpwed signs of uneasiness, and soon aftei' sought refuge
in some ]ila(.'e of greater concealment.

I'sually ]iairs were to lie .seen kc^ejiing close together, a])]iarently ]irefer-
ring the thick foliage found on the margin of jionds, or in tlie old lied of the
river. They did not communicate with each other by any note, and Mr.
Clark was struck with their remarkalile silence. Their habits .seemed to
iiini very difi'erent from those of any other Oriole with which he was ac-
(juainted.

From the papers of T.ieutenant Couch, quoted by Mr. Cassin, we learn
that these birds were seen by him, March '.^, at Santa Iiosalio, eigiit leagues
from Matamoras. Tiiey were in pairs, and lioth sexes were very shy ami
secluded, seeking insects on the jirickly jiear, or among the low miniosa-
tree.s, seeming to he never at rest, but ever on the lookout for tlieir favorite
food.

While at Charco Escondido, farther in the interior of Tanianli]ias, Lieu-
tenant Couch met with a ]iair of these birds, and having brought down the
male bird with his gun, the fenmlo Hew to a neighlioring tree, ajiparently
unaware of her loss. She soon, liowever, observed his fall, and t'ndeavored
to recall him to her side with notes uttered in a strain of such exquisite
sadness tliat ho. could scarcely believe them utteri'd by a liird : and so
greatly did tlu'V excite his .symjiathy, that he almost resolved to desist from
further ornithological c(dlections. He achls that he never lieanl the lay of
any songster of tlie featJiered tribe expressed niore sweetly tlian that of the
])resent s]iecies. .Ac Monterey lie found it a favorite cage-liird. Tlic female
also sings, but her notes are less powerful than tliose of the male. (Jenerally
the llight of this liird was low ami ra])id, and it .seemed to ]irefer the shade
of trees. It was observed almost invariably in ])airs, and the male and
female showed for each otiier great tenderness and solicitude.

The eggs of this species measure .0(1 of an inch in lengtli by .70 in
breadth. Their ground-C(dor is a light drab or a dull ]iur]ilish-white, scat-
tered over which are faint markings of a subdued ]nir]ile, lilending imjier-
ceiitil)ly with the gnuind, and above these markings are dots and ij-regular
zigzag lines of dark brown, and darker jiurple, almost running into lilack.

1S8 N'OIiTII AMEinCAX IJIIIDS.

Icterus parisorum, F'.onai'

SCOTTS OBIOLE.

Icterus ])iifi'"i,-i( III, ("|{i>N-. Acad. Hniioli. ISIid.") — Hi'. IV. Zni>l. Sop. V, 1S:17. 100.—
ll.uiin, Itinls N. Am. 18.".8, 544, pi. Ivii, I'. 1 ; Mcx. 1'.. II, Itiids, in, pi. \ix, f. 1.
— Cassis, I'r. 18t)7, 54. — Cimu'ki!, Orii. Cal. I, lS7(i, •JTi!. Xiiul/iui-iiiis ji'ii'i!,oi'i<,ii,
III. ('oiis|ii'etu.s, 1850, 4U4. Ii-li-nin iiii'/iiiiiifiiri/siirii, l,i;ss(i\, Hev. JCoul. 1839, 105.—
Jdcriis milli, t'ui'fll, I'r. A. X. Sc. I'liil. VII, Apiil, 1854, liii (Coahiiilii).

Sp. Cii.vii. Bill .'ittonuatpd; not iniicli (Icciirvcil ; tiiil inoilcniti'ly }:i-iii1miiI(mI. Iload
and neck all roiniil, brua-st, iiitui^^ciipulai' irjiinn, wiiiu's, and tail, lilack. rmlLT [larts
generally, liindcr part of back to Ibc tail, iiiiddk' and k'sser niipcr, and wliulc ol' lower
wini^-coverts, and base of IIk; tail-fcathcis, j.''anil)oj,''('-yello\v ; a baud aei'o.ss the ends of
the i^ieatef cdveits, with the edjres of the inner secondaries and terliarie.s, white. Lenutli,
8.1i."); extent, 11.7."); winjr, 4.(i0 ; tail. ;].7') ; tarsus, .!)").

Female. Olivaceous above, the b.aek with obsi)lete dusky streaks; rniiip and under
parts yellowi.sh, clouded with iiray. Tail brownish-olive on upper surface, more yellow
beneath; win;,'s with two white bands.

IIai!. Valley of the Hio Grande; south to (ruateiiiala In Texas, found on the I'eeos.
Cape St Lueas. Oaxaca, winter (Sci,. 1858, 303); Ori/.alni (Scl. 18G0, 2'>l} ; Vera Cruz,
temp, and aljiine (."^im. M. B. S. I, (wS).

Tlie liill is .slender tiiicl atteimated, very little dooiirved. luucli less .so than
in /. ciiviilhtti'fi, slenderer and a little mure deciirvetl than in /. bdltunore.
Tile tail is moderately graduated, the outer leather .45 of an inch les.s than
the middle.

In this sjieeies the black feathers of the nock, except helow, have a suh-
termiiial bar of yellow ; elsewliere it is wantiii,i;. The black of the breast
comes a little po.sterior to the anterior extremity of the folded winu;. The
posterior feathers in the yellow jiatch on the shoulders are tinoed witli white.
The white in the bar across the ends of the <;reater coverts is conliued
mainly to the terminal (|iiarter of an inch of the outer web. In the full
jiluiiiage, there is oidy a faint trace of white on the edges of the ])riniaries.
The yeHow of the base of the tail oidy extends on tin' middle feather as far
as the end of the upper tail-coverts ; on tlie three outer, it reaches to within
an inch and a quarter of tin; end of the tail.

An immature male has the yellow more tinged with green, the black feath-
eiM of the head and back olivaceous witii a lilack spot.

Specimens vary much in si/e ; the more northern being tlu; larger.

Icltvns iriujliri ^ i.s an alli(Ml species I'oiind just south of the liio (irande
by Lieutenant Couch, but not yet detected within our limits.

1 Icterus u-niilf-ri, Sn.ATEi!, Pr. Zniil. ."^dc. 1857, 7.— liAilin, liiids X. Am. 1858, 545, |il.
Ivii, f. 2.— 111. Mcx. n. II, Birds, 10, jil. xix, f. 2. -('a>s, Pr. IStw, 55. I'miroroliuH Jhiri-
f/iitlir, Waoi.ki!, Isis, 182!', 750 (not of Vir.ii.l.oi). I'eii'liiliniis i/niiiiin'riiisi.i, Hr. Coiisp. 1850,
rs-2 (not of I.isx.).

Sp. Chai:. liill imucIi attcniLTti'd niid eoiisidciably (Iccinvrd. Tail consiilciahly i,'i'adnat('d.
Head and luck all round, back (the col' " cxtulKliiiy above over tin; whole iiilcrsfapular ii'j;ioii),

icTKiai).!'; — TiiK ()iti()i,i;.s. IS'.)

Habits. Nut-.tlistainliliu' tlio i\]iliaiciil iilniliiliilU'i! nf ihc sjKrirs ut ('aiu;
St. Liiciis, ami also in Norllii'iii .Mexico aliiii,^ (nir fUtiie iiindcr, as llir as
Now Mexicu ami Texas, (lur kiKiwlcd^c of its liistmy slill VLMiiains iniili' iii-
coiiiplt'tu. A siiio;lo .siK^ciiiiuii was dlilaiuiMl in Wcstcni Texas on tlic IVco.s
IfivLT, liy Caiptaiu I'ujii', in lS,")(i. Oiiuns were olitaiiicil liy Lit'iiluiiaut
Cuuch, Ajii'il, IS;-)"), at Santa Calarina, in .Mexico. Tliey were first seen liy
him in tlie vicinity ol' Monterey. 'I"iie> wcih; I'ouml to lie j^cnerally of se-
cluded lialiit.s. Their son,t,', consisting oi' three or lour notes, is .said to he
both rich and melodious.

In the State of Vera Cruz, this .species is [fiven hy Sumichrast as oceurrin;;-
in liotli tiie temperate and tiie alpine regions lis common name is Cdliin-
c/rin iiuUa. They are said l)y him to occur cliielly in the tmnperate jiarts,
where they breed, but nut to be o.xchisively conlined there, i'or tliey are also
found in the al])ine region to the height of at least live thousand feet, near
Orizaba, and on the ])lateau at even a higher elevation. Dr. Cooper .saw a
bird at Fort Mohave, in A])ril, which he suppcsed to be tiiis bird, liut he was
not able to assure him.self of the fact, liy ol)taining it.

Mr. Xantus found this .species very aliundant during his stay at Capo St.
Lucas, and ]irocured a nundier of specimens of tiie birds and of their nests
and egg.s. From his brief notes we gatlier that tiie nests are open, and are
not pensile. One, found ^lay 'I'l, was laiilt in a liuncii of muss lianging

wiiijjs, 1111(1 tiiil, iiicluilin.u; tlip wliolc of tlic lnwci- (•nvcrls mid llic li|is nl' lln- ii]iiicr, Muck.
I.cssiT ami iiiiililli' ii|i|irr, with lower wiii,;,'-iovrits, iiimlir iiiiit ol' iMik, riiiii|i, ami uiidrr ]iiiits
fji'iii'iiilly (rxci']it tail-coverts), oi'aii},'e-y('llow. l.ciij,'tli, !).."iii ; cxlciil, lii.dn : wiii.n, l.-'jii ; tail,
4.2.") ; tarsus, 1.1.').

l'i»/i;/ »/• ffiiKih. Aliovi" yrlliiwisli-j;n'('ii : imnc yellow on lirail ; (liroat black ; si.lcs of
neck ami lioily liciieatli dull yellow. \Viii}j;s dark lirowii. the covcils cdj;ed witli wliite ; middle
tail-featlicrs binwiiisli-lilaik ; outer ycllowisli-;;ieeii. Lcii^itli alioiit .S im-lics.

Vouiif^er birds arc entirely dull olivc-jjivcii above ; lieinMih j,'reeiiisli-y( How.

Huh, \orllieastcrn .Mi'xico to llio (iraiide Valley; south to ( liiateinala. Oaxacii, .Ian. and
JIarch (.Sci.. 18."i'.l, .')S1> ; ("iuateniala (.Sci,. Ibis, I, 2ii) ; Vera Cm/, hot nj,'ioii, resident (.Simi-
ciiKAsr, .M. li. .^. 1, M-i).

.\ close ally, ami jicrliaps only a rai'c, of this species, is the /. p,-'i''/liinh'lns, .>sii!ici<i.., which
dill'ers in smaller size, and in haviiii; the lower tail-coviMts y.dlow iiisiead ol' black (si'c .syiiu[.iieal
table, p. 77SK

H.MMis. This line species appiars to be all abundant bird from Northern Mexico Ihron^liuut
that republic ami ('ciitral .\nicrica to Costa liica. I am not aware that any specimens liavi' bci n
jirocurcd actually within our territory. It was met with at .'saltillo, in thi' stale of Coaliuila,
Mexico, by l.ieuteiialit I'oucli, where mily a single specimen was obtained. It was taken at the
raiieho of f)jn Caliai/f, or Hot .Spring's. It was ipiite shy and dillieiilt of a|i]proacli. Like all the
otlii'r Orioles, it appeared to lie i|uile fond of the palm-tri'c known as the .Spanish liayom'l.
It is ijiveii by .'iiiniichrast as oceurriiif; in the dciiartiiicnt of Vera Ciiiz. where it ajipciirs to be
eonlined to the hot rcj^ioii. It is iiuite lomnion in the district of Cordova, to the heij^ht of about
three fhousand h-et.

Jlr. .Salviii states this to be the only li-li rus found by him about Duefias, where it was not un-
coinnion. In a letter written by this naturalist, pub'islied in the lids of Uetolur, Is.V.i, he nieii-
tioii.s having taken the iicst and c^'^s of this species. The htructure, though of the same (haractcr.
— a liaiiuim.' nest, — is very dill'creiit from that of f. iiiilnrin, the comninn species on the Y/abal
road. The nest has none of the dcjilh of the other, but is comparalivi ly shallow.

100 NOUTII AMMUICAN lilliDS.

down I'loiu nil old ciictiis. Aiin(li(!r wiis iiiu(l(^ in a liiiiu;li ot' liops, sus-
])('iiil(!(l I'loiii a cactus. A tliinl was placed in a hiiiicli of weeds ^lowinj;
out I'roiii 11 cicfvice ill a |)er|ieiidiciilar idck. ^Viinilier, toiiiid ^^ay li'.l, was
built in a small tlcad tree, oveilmiio witli vines. This nest was alimit live
feet IVdin tlie j,'r(iuiid. A nest cuntainiii;,' I'our youii.y; liirds was I'niind placed
in a liiincli of nio.s.s, lian^^iiiii; out oi' u crevice in a rock. Tli(\s(! instances
serve to show the j^eiieral cliiiiacter of the ])ositi(in of tliei- nests. Without
lieiiij; ]ieiisile they are usually restiiij^ njion ]iendent hranclios, and are not
placed at j,n'eat elevations.

The eu'ns measure .UO of an inch in UMigtli liy .(io in lnvadth. Their shape
is an oliloii,t;-oval, and they are olttuse at either end. Their j,'r(aiiid-color is
a dull M'hite, with a purplish or a lihiish tint. They are variraisly marked,
in dilfereiit e^us, with sinnll hlotches and liner dottin^s of a light purple,
imrplisli-browii, darker purple, and tveii black.

Icterus spurius, r.ox.

OBCHAHD ORIOLE.

Oriu/ IIS npiiri 11.1, I.INN, Sy.sl. Nat. I, 17(il), ]t!'J. (Im. I, 17S8, :iS!t (very iiiiiccuriiti' de-
soi'ijitidii ; diily iilciitilii'il liy tlii' iclcrciiccs). Iilmis njiiiriiin, linN. ()l)s. on N'diii.
Wils. isi"., No. 11.- An>. Oiii. liiof,'. I, \yM, -Jl'I : V, 48.-., pi. -.lii. Iii. Uiid.s
Am. IV, 1842, 4(i, iii. .sxix. — li.\ii!i>, liiids N. Am. Isr.S, r.47. — .S.VMcr.i.s, 346.
Oriiihis niriiin, O.mki.ix, Syst. Nat. I, ITii'i, ;!!l(l. Tiifi/ii.i n/rr, (1m. Syst. 1788, I;
1788, 8;i. Oriii/ii.i c(i.t/,i,ifiis, I, A IMAM, Iml. Ilni. I, 17'.Ml, 181 (same citiitioiis a.s
U. riiriii.i, (!m.V Tiinhis jiiiiiihn Is, I.aiiiam, Iml. Oiii. I, 17!in, 'M'i\ (same citations
us T Urdus all- 1; (!m.). Yiilmiilis suliturin, Vii;ii.i,(rr ^. " [V ml ill in us niiji'iciiUis,
VlKW.l,. O. — i-irii/is. 111." (h-inliis i.iiihihis, Wii.si.N, Am. Orii. I, 1808, (J4, pi. iv,
f. 1 4. Xiiiil/iiirniis injiiiii, \,.\\\\\\.\i\:, AiiM. X. V. I,yi'. X. H. V, May, IS.'il, 113
(small rai'i' tVoin Tr.xas). /'ciiiliiliiiiis s., I'A.s.s. I'r. lS(i7, 01. J'ciiilii/iuus uj/hus, C.v.ss.
Vr. 1807, lil.

Si'. (^IIAR. liill sjcudcr, iilti'i)iiati'(l, (•oiisidcralily di'i-ui'Vrd ; liui inodcratclv f;'i'adnati.'d.
Md/i'. tiiicc years. Head and ni'i'k all i-onnd. \viiii;s. and inter: .apniar I'cjiinii of liafk. willi
tail-f'cathi'is. lilai'U. Itcsl of niidor parts, lower part of liack to tail, and lesser npper
wiiiL'-eoverts. with the lower one. lirownish-elieslnnt. A narrow line across the winpr.
and the extreme ontei' edjres of ipiills, white. Fviniile. rniforni <rreenish-yellow lieiiuath,
olivaeeons al)ove. and lirowner ni the niiildle of the haelc ; two white; hands on the wiiisis.
Younu' male of two years like the ti'inale, hnt with a hroad hlaek l)ateh from the hill to
the npper part of the liri'asl. this color extelidinLf aloiiLr the liase of the hill so as to
involve the eye and all anterior to it to the hase of the liill. somewhat as in /. ciicnlhilus.
Len;;tli of I'enn.sylvania male specimens, 7.2"): wiiiir. .'l.'-'o.

IIaii. I'nited States fi-om the Atlantic to the lii<;h Central Plains, proli.alily thron.di-
out Texas: south to fliiatcinala. Xalapa (Sci,. IS.V.l. .".lio) : Coidova (Set,. ls,-)(i, ;)(l|) ;
Guatemala (Sci,. Ihis. I, 20; Lawk. X. Y. Lye. IX. KM); Rio Atrato (Cass. I'. A. N. S.,
18(it), Mil); Costa Rica (Caiiax. .1. ISdl, S) : Panama (Lawii. X. V. Lye. IWU, ;{:U) ;
('nlia (Tii-Ni)i.A(ii) ; Verai;na (Sai.vix. I8!(i7, 14"Jj ; Vera Cniz, winter (Scm. M. 15. 8. 1,);
^Mazatlan.

Tills species varies oreatly in size with it.s goooniphical distriluilion.

ICTEUID.K -THK ( »I!1()I,KS. ]()1

Wiiitcr sfu'ciinoiis I'luiu Mcxiin luivc tli(.' liliulv ohsnircd \t\ lnnwnisli
lionK'i'N t(j lilt Icatlicrs.

Hadits. Tlu; ( >i'cliiii(l Or'ole is touml iilmiidiuit tliniiiylicut iiidst dl' the
Uuileil States, Irom tliii Allaiilic, to tlin Missouri \'allcy, ami on the south-
west to the valley of tlie iJio (iiaiide. Mr. .1. A. Allen mot with iiidiviihuils
of this species as far west as the liasi' of tiie llocky Mountains, in {'<dorado,
which lie icj^ards as the extreme wi'stern limit. It is a very rare sum ler
visitant in New Kngland, th(iu;^h found even as lar eastward as Calais, Me.
It was not iound in Western Maine Ity Verrill, nor am I aware of its havinji'
lieeii met Viith in eitl 'r New llamii.shire or Vermont. Mr. Allen states that
a few pans lireiMl tivery .sea.son near Sprinuli'dd, in Western Mas.sachnsetts.
I have never met with it in the eastern part of the State, hut oliiers have
heen more fortunate, and it is proliable that a few visit us each sea.son.

In Texas Mr. Dre.s.ser found this sjieeies very common at San Antonio
durin.t,' the summer, arriviiij,' there (pute early in April. Fie iiroeured a nnm-
l)er of their nests, all of which were made of li^dit-colored tlexililc j^ra.s.se.s,
c'lnd suspended fnjm the nj)pcr hranches of the mes(iuite-trees. He also
found them breeding near Houston, and on (ialveston Island. He de.scrihes
them as nuieli smaller than 1)irds from the Xorthern States. This smaller
race Mr. Lawrence ha.s regarded as a distinct speeii's, to wiiich he gives the
name of nj/iiiis. It has heen tiaced as far to the west as Fort Jliley in Kan-
sap, and Fort Lookout in Nebraska. It winters in (iuatemala, wluri; it is
very abundant at that season. Mr. James McLeannan killed it as far south
fis Panama.

])r. Klliott Cones considers this bird as rare and cliielly migrant in South
Carolina; but Mr. H. S. Itodney (Naturalist, Jan., ISTJ.) found them (piite
numerous at Camden, in that State, in the summer of 1S7L He met with
five nests between June 28 and July 19, and has no doubt he could have
taken many more, as he counted at least fifteen diflerent ])airs. From the
fact that J)r. Cones did not meet with any nest at ('(dundiia, oidy thirty miles
distant, Mr. IJodney infers that this Oriole is very jiartial to certain fa\'ored
localities, as is also the Baltimore.

The Orchard Oriole is an active, s]n'ightly, and very lively sjiecies, and
possesses a very peculiar and somewhat remarkable song. Its notes are
very ra])idly enunciated, and are both hurried and energetic. Sonu> writers
speak of the song as confused, but this attribute is not in the utterance of
the song, the musician manifesting anything but confusion in the rapid and
distinct enunciation of his gu.shing notes. Th(>se may be too ([uiek in their
utterance for the listener to follow, but they are wonderful both for their
rajtidity and their harmony. His ])erformance consists of .shrill and lividy
notes, uttered with an apparent air of greiit agitation, and they are (piite as
distinct and agreeable, though neither so full nor S(» rich, as are those of the
more celebrated (Johlen I'l^bin.

In the Central States, from New York to North Carolina, these birds are

11)2 NORTH AMKHK^VX RirtDR.

lint, (inly vory almiuliii t, ))ut vi-ry ^'oncnilly (liirnscd. Iljirdly mi orchnvd
(ir ii uiirdcii dl' any si/i^ imii lie I'oniul witlioiit lliciii. Tlicy sccin to pivt'cr
iili|il('-lr('i's lor tlicir almdc, anil I'or tlic (■(iiistnictinn of tlu n 'sts. Tlicso
sinictiircs, tliiiiiL,di csscnlially dilllTcnt, arc, in llicir style n|' ardiitcftnic,
iinitu as ciii'i<Misly WTdiij^iit and in,ui'nii)iis as Umsc nf tlic llaltiniorc. They
are suspended I'nun small t\\iL;s, di'ten at the very extremity ot' tiie hraiiches.
In I'eiinsyhaiiia lliey are iisualiy loriiii'd externally of a peculiar kind of long,
touL-li, and llcxihlc '^rass. This material is wnveii tliroiiuli and thrmi'jh in a
very wnnderl'ul maniu'r, and with as nuicli ncalness and intricacy as it actu-
ally sewed witii a lu'cille. They are lu'inispherical in shape, (ipcn at the top,
and j^enerally ahuiil I'lair inciies in lnvadtli and three dee]). Tlui cavity lias
a dejilli and a widlh nf aluait two iiiciies.

Wilson states that, liavinn' had the curiosity to delacii oiui ol" tiiese tihres
oi' dried j^rass I'rum the nest, he found it thirteen inches in length, and that,
in that distance, it had been honked through and returned no less tiiaii thirty-
f< air limes ! In tiiis manner it was passed entirely anaiml the nest. The
nests ari' occasionally lined witii wool or the down of ,sce(ls. The external
jiortioiis are strongly fastened to several twigs, so that they mayliu bhnvii
about by the wind without being ujiset.

Wilson also remarks that he observed tliat wiien these nests arc built in
tlu^ long ])endeiit branclies of the weeping-willow, where they an' lialile to
niiicii greater motion, though formed of the same materials, tliey are a.lways
made much deeper and of slighter texture. He regards tliis as a mani-
festation of a remarkable intelligence, almost eipii\ak'nt to reason. The
willow, owing to the greater density of its foliage, alfords better shelter, and
is ])rel'eri\'d (ai that aci-.iunt, and owing to the great sweep, in the wind, of
the liranciies, the egu laiid lie liable to be rolled out if the nest woro of
the usual de])lh ; hence this adaptation to such positions.

The foml ol' the Orchard Oriide is almost exclusively insects. Of tliese
it consumes a large niiiiilier, and witii them it also feeds its yiuing.
Most of these are of the kinds most obnoxious to tiie husliandman, preying
iipnii the i'oliage, destroying the fruit, and otherwise injuring the trees,
and llieir destroyers render an incalculable amount of benelit to tlu^ gar-
dens they fav(a' with their presence. At tlie same tiiiu; they are entirely
innocent of injury to crops of any description, and 1 cannot find that any
accusations or cxiiressions of suspici(ai have been raiNcd against them, 'i'hey
seimi to be, therefore, general favorites, ami, wherever ]irotei'ted, evince their
appriH'ialion of this good-will by tlieir familiarity and numliers.

The female sits upon her eggs fourteen days, and tiie young remain in the
ne.st aiiout ten days longer, 'i'hey are supposed to have occasionally two
broods in a seasi u, as nests with eggs an; found the last of -luly. Tlicy
are said to arrive i;i Pennsylvania aiiout the iir.st of May, and to leave beforu
tiu^ middle of Septemlier.

According to Wilson tliev are easily laised from tiie nest, and Ikmuiiuo very

ICTERIDyE — THE ORIOLES. IQ-^

tame ami familiar. One lliat lu' kept tlirouyli the winter, when two iiKiMlhs
old wiiisllt'd with yreat eli'arne.s.s and vivacity.

All tlui nests of this species that I liave seen from lleor<,Ma, ]'"lorida,
Louisianii, or Texas, liave no lining, liut are wiiolly made of one material,
a ilexil)le kind of reed or grass.

The sociability of tliis s]iecies is one of its most marked cliaracteristics.
Audulion says that lie has known no less than nine nests in the same en-
closure, anil all the l)irds living togetiier in great harmony.

A nest of this bird, taken in I>erlin, Conn., l)y Mr. l>raniligee, lias a diam-
oAvr and a height of four inche.s. Its cavity is tliree inches in dejjtli, and varies
from three to three and a half in diameter, being widest at the centre, or
half-way lietween the top and the base. It is entirely homogeneous, liaving
been elaborately and skilfully woven of long green blades of grass. The
inside is lined witli animal wool, l)its of yarn, and ii. rmi'!;';led with a
wooly substance of entirely vegetable origin. It was built .roin the extrem-
ity of the branch of an apple-tree.

An egg of tliis spccjies, from Washington, measures .80 of an inch in
length l)y .112 in brcatlth. The ground is a i)ale Iduisli-white, blotched with
a pale purple, and dashed, at the larger end, with a few deep markings of
dark purplisli-brown. An egg from Xew Mexico is similar, but measures
.79 of an inch by .o4. Both are oblong oval, and pointed at one end.

Icterus cucullatus, Swalvson.

HOODED ORIOLE.

Idn-iii ciicttthilHs, SwAiNsiiN, Pliilos. Mug. I, 1827, 436. — L.uvkf.nci:, Ann. N. Y. \.\\\
V, May, KS.'il, lUi (lirst introiluiiMl into faiinii of I'liitcil .St;itc>). — r.vssis. 111. I, 11,
IS.JM, I'J, 111. viii. —Codi'i-.i!, Oin. Ciil. I, IS/d, 27,'). — lUiiM), liiids X. Am. 1858,
540. I'cmlaUiius viifiiUiiliis, IJuN. ('(insi), 1S50, \'A,\. — C.vss. I'r. 1^07, (iO.

Pi'. ("riAR. ISotli iniuidililes niintli iMirvi'd. Tail iiuicli iriacluiitcd. Wiiiirs. a nillicr
nari'ow iiaiid across the liai-k, tail, and a patch staitiiiif as a naii'ow I'lcinlal liand, involving
the c^i's, aiili'iidr hal'' of chci'k. chin, and thi'oat, and cndinLT as a icmndi.'d [lalcli on llio
npix'i- part of lircast, lilack. Ilcst of body or,in,u:c-\cllo\v. Two hainls on (he winj: and
Iho cdL'cs of till' <piills white. Fciniih- williont the lihii'k patch of the throat ; the nppcr
pai'ls Licncrally yellow ish-ijrecn, livowii on the hack, benealh yellowish. I.enptli, 7..")l) ;
win^'. 3.'J.").

Ham Valley of Lower Uio (Jrande, sonlhwaiil; Tncson, ,\i'izona (Di; 1'ai.mi:i;);
Lower Calil'oi-nia, ("ordora (Set,. IS.'id, .'UtO) ; (lualenn\la? (Sci,. Ibis I, 'JO); Ctilia?
(Lawk. .\nn. \'IL 18()t), 2(17); San itcrnardino, California ((."ooi'kh, I'. Cat, etc. 1S(J1,
I'il'); Vera Crnz hot refrion (.Sr.xi. >L B. .^. 1. "..■..!); ^ra/.allan.

The orange varies greatly in tint and intensity with tlie individual;
sometimes it is deep orange-red ; often clear dull yellow, but more fretjueiitly
of an oily ortiiige.

This species is clo.sely allied to the f. anrocaplllus of South America, but

VOL. H. 25

194 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

difl'ers iu having Uack, not yellow, shoulders, and in the white markings on
the wings.

HAliins. The Hooded Oriole is essentially a Mexican species, though it
al.so extends nortliward into Texas at the liio ( '■ ninde, and into Southern
California and Arizona. It was not noticed by J)r. Cones in Arizona, but
Lieutenant Charles Bendire found it breeding near Tucson in the summer
of 1872. It is abundant at Cape St. Lucas. Dr. Coojjer found that this
si)ecies arrived at San Diego about April 22, where tliey were not rare for
a fortnight afterwards, and all then retired into the warmer interior valleys,
where he has seen them as far to tlie north as Los Angeles. Wliile mi-
grating, they were generally silent.

Captain McCown found it quite common on the liio Grande, where it
rears its young. When met witli in the woods and far away from the
abodes of men, it seemed shy and disposed to conceal itself. Yet a pair of
these birds were his constant visitors, morning and evening. They came
to tlie vicinity of his quarters — an unfinished building — at Ilinggold Bar-
racks, and at last became so tame and I'amiliar that they would pass from
some ebony-trees, that stood near by, to the porch, clinging to the sliingles
and rafters, frequently in an inverted position, ]nying into the holes and
crevices, apparently in searcli of si)iders and such insects as could be found
tliere. From tliis •■ 'cupation they would occasionally desist, to vatch his
movements. He never could induce them to partake of the food he offered
them.

Lieutenant Coucli found tliis species common in the states of Tamaulipas
and Xew Leon. He found their nests generally on or under tlie tops of
the palm known as the Spanish bayonet.

Tliis species is given by Mr. Suiniclirast as one of the birds of Vera Cruz,
wliere it is exclusively an inhabitant of the hot region, and where it is rarely
found above an elevation of eighteen hundred feet.

Tiie.se birds were found quite abundant at Cajie St. Lucas, Lower California,
by Mr. Xaiitus, by whom a nun'ber of tiieir nests and egj^s were obtained.
The following brief meinorandii in regard to a few of these nests will serve
to show tlieir general position : — "Nest and two eggs, found May 20, about
ten feet from tlie ground, woven to a small aloe, in a bunch of the Acacia
prosojnti. Nest and two eggs, found ^lay 22, on a dry tree overhung witii
Iiops. Nest and one egg, found May ',W, on an acacia, about fil'teeu feet
from tlie ground. Nest with young, found on an aloe four feet high.
Nest and eggs, found on a mo.ss hanging out of a perpendicular bluff, on
the sea-coast. Nest and eggs found on a Yucca anr)nstifoUa, on its stem,
six feet from tlie ground. Nest and two eggs, found in a convolvulus,
on a i)erpendicular rock fifty feet higii. Nest and three eggs, found on an
acacia, twenty-five feet high."

The eggs of tliis species vary somewhat in shape, some being obtuse and
more spherical, others more pointed and oblong. They vary in length from

ICTEUID.E — THE ORIOLES. 195

.02 tii .F!8 n!" an incli, and from .08 to .05 of an inch in breadth. They
have a clear white j^round niarljlcd and blotclied with largo dashe.s, dots, and
irregular zigzag lines of purple, brown, and black, chiefly disposed around
the larger end. In those where the spots are more difl'used they are blended
with obscure blotche.5 of a iiiint lavender.

Icterus baltimore, Daudix.

BALTIMORE OBIOLE ; GOLDEN ROBIK ; HANG-NEST.

Oriohis b'tllihiore, Lixs. Syst. Nut. 1, UtiG, 1C2. — Wilson, Am. Oni. T, ISnS, 2."?, pi. i.
- In. VI, 1812, [il. liii. " Icfcnis ball.imoir, nwi) " — Am. Orn. Biog. I, lS:il, 66 ;
V, is:i9, 278, pis. .\ii. ami occe.vxiii. — In. Hinls Am. IV, 1842, 37, pi. cc.wii. —
I'.Aii!!), IJinlsN. Am. 1858, .''.48. — Sci.Arr.it k S.m.vin, E.v. Oiii. I, 69, 188 (diagnosis).
— Samuels, 348. Vpluinlcs baltimvrc, Vikii.i.ot, (ial. dcs Oi.s. I, 1824, 124, pi.
l.x.x.wii. P.inrncoUus bnllimore, Waglrk, Syst. Av. 1825, No. 26. Lc Ilallimorc,
Buff. jd. fiil. 506, f. 1. llyphnnks h., Ca.ss. Pr. 1867, 62^

Sp. Char. Tail nearly oven. Head all round and to middle of hank, scapnlar.s, wing.s,
and upper surface of tail, black ; rest of under parts, rump, upper taii-covert.s, and le.sscr
wing-covert!., witli terminal portion of tail-fealliers (except two innermost), orango-red.
Edges of wing-quills, with a band acro.ss tlio tips of the greater covert.*!, white. Length,
7.50 inches ; wing, 3.75.

The female much les.-< brilliant in color; the black of the liead and back generally
replaced by browni.«h-yellow, purer on the throat ; each feather with a black spot.

Hah. From Atlantic coast to the high Central Plains, and in their borders; .south
to Panama. Xalapa (Scu 18.")G, 3C5) ; Guatemala (Scl. Ibi.s, 1,20); Cuba (Caban. J.
IV. 10); Ccsta Rica (Cahan, J. 18C1, 7; Lawr. IX, 104); Panama (Lawr. N. Y. Lye.
18G1, :!:51); Veragua (Sai.v. 1807, 142); Mosquito Coast (Sul. & Salv. 18(17, 279);
Vera Cruz (autunni, Su.m. M. U. S. I, 553).

A young bird is soft, dull orange beneath, palest on the throat, and tinged
along the sides with olive ; above olive, with an orange cast on the rump and
tail, the latter being without any black; centres of dorsal feathers blackisli ;
wings blackish, with two broad white bands across coverts, and broad edges
of white to the tertials.

Specimens collected in Western Kansas, by Mr. J. A. Allen, have the
middle wing-coverts pure white instead of deep orange, and, according to
that naturalist, have more slender bills than Eastern birds. Mr. Allen thinks
they form a rac(! pecidiar to the plains ; but in examining the series of speci-
mens in the mu.seum of the Smithsonian In,stitiirion, we have failed to dis-
cover any constancy in this respect. A male (5,350, Fai-m Isl., May 30) froiu
Nebraska has the middle wing-coverts pure white, — the lesser, clear orange;
the black throat-stripe is almost separated from the black of the cheeks by
the extension forward of the orange on each side of it, only the tips of the
feathers being black.

No. 01,192 $ , ]Mount Carmel, 111. (Angust 12),'^has the thrftat-strijie even
more isolated, being connected anteriorly for only about a (piarter of an inch
with tlu> black of the Jaw; there is also a distinct indication of an orange

196 NORTH AMKRICAN BlfJDS.

suju'vciliary stripe, mostly concoiilod, linwovcr, Ity tlie black tips of the
fcatliers. The middle coverts, like the; lesser, are ])iiro plain oran,i,'e.

A male from Cape May, X. J. (r)0,4r)8, ^lay), has the middle coverts white,
and the lesser wholly uniform l)lack. Tiie head, however, is as in tyi)ical
specimens.

In a series of twenty adult s]iring males I'rom Carlisle, I'enn., seven have
the mid'He coverts more or less white. lUit it is noticed that all tliesc speci-
mens wilii white middle coverts have invariabl} less intense colors than
tiiose with orange .shoulders, while in the Kansas specimens the other colors
are of the brightest character.

A male from Washington (12,:U7, ^lay G) is exactly similar.

H.vrsirs. The familiar Baltimore Oriole, the tlolden Itobin of the New
England States, is found Mn-oughout eastern North America, at various sea-
sons, *Vom Texas to tlie Ih'itish Possessions, and i'rom the Atlantic to the
plains. It is, however, for the most jKUt, not common beyond the Missis-
sippi Jliver. It has been traced as far to the north as the Snth parallel
of latitude, and probal)ly breeds more or less abundantly in every State
east of the [Mississippi Itiver. It is rare in Florida, and is not given by
]\rr. Allen as known to that State, but I have received its nest and eggs
from Monticello in West Florida. Tiie Smithsonian ^luseum embraces
specimens from as far west as Powder Itiver and the Yellowstone.

^Ir. J. A. Allen (Am Naturalist, June, 1872) mentions finding this species
at the base of the llocky ^fountains, in Colorado, which he regards as its
extreme western limit. In Kansas he found this species, as well as the
Orcliard Oriole, abundant, the Paltimore indulging in a dialect so different
from that of its nortliern relatives as oiteii to puzzle him to make out to
wliat bird its strange notes belonged. Its colors were also unusually bright
in all tlie specimens he examined.

]\Ir. P.oardman gives it as very rare at Calais, but Profes.sor Verrill tliinks
it common in Western Maine. It is abundant thnmghout the southern
and central portions of Vermont and New Hanii)s]iire, and in all New York.
It is a conunon summer resident at Hamilton, Ontario, where it arrives the
second week in ^lay. It was found on the plains of the Saskatchewan by
Captain Plakiston.

Mr. Dresser states it to have been abundant at Matamoras, where it was
breeding, though he was too late for its eggs. He saw none at San Antonio,
but ]\' . II. Clark was more fortunate. Numbers of them, he states, Avere
seen iic.iing in the mes(iuite-trees on the prairies, at which time they
were veiy nuisical, having somctinu's as many as tlu'ce nests in the same
tree. These were all Iniilt of fine grass, among the top branches, and inter-
woven with tlie leaves. Dr. Woodhouse found it (juite common in the
Indian Territory and in lOastern Texas. Specimens of this species were
taken by Mr. James M. Leannan, at Panama, which is jiresumed to be the
most southern locality on record for this bird.

ICTEUID.E — THE ORIOLES. 207

Tlio Baltiinoro Oriol > is one of the most common birds nearly tliron<,rli(jut
Xew Knj^land. Gay and lirilliant in plumage, interesting and lively in man-
ners and lialiits, and a vocalist of rare power, with jiathos, lii'uutv, and
van' 'ty in his notes, this hird has been, and would still be, a great 'avorite,
but for its trunsgressions among the pea-vines of our gardens, lie makes
his a]ipearance wi'a exemjilary punctuality, seeming I'egardless of the jire-
matureness or tardiness of the season. IJarely does tlie lOth of ^lay pass
without the sound of his welcome notes, and rarely, if e\er, does he come
sooner.

Their period of S(< g is not a long one, but soon terminates, as family
cares increase and the tender broods require an undivided attention.
Early in July this Or'ole ceases to favor tlie world with those remarkable
notes tliat seldom f.'il to attract attention by (heir peculiarity, and to e.xcite
admiration by their rich and full-toned melody.

When the male Baltimores iirst arrive, they come unaccompanied by their
mates. At this time their notes are unusually loud, and their voices seem
shrill. Their song appears to partake somewliat of the nature of tender
lamentations and complaining. At this, period they are very active and
restless, moving raj)idly through the branches of the trees, just opening into
leaf and blossom, searching busily for the insects which then form their
principal food. "When, a few days after their arrival, tliey are joined by the
females, tlie whole character of their song changes, which becomes a lower-
toned, richer, and more ])leasing rei'rain. During their love-season their
resonant and peculiarly mellow whistle resounds in every garden and orchard,
along tlie highways of our villages, and in tlie parks and jiulilie S(|uai'(!s of
our cities.

Nuttall, generally very felicitous in expressing by verbal equivalents the
notes of various species of our song-birds, describes the notes of its song as
running thus, Tfihippr-tfthKi/in-too-foo-tship/K-tshipfc-too-too, witli several other
very similar modifications and variations. But these characters give a very
inadecpiate idea of their song. It must be heard to lie ajijireciated, and no
descrijition can do justice to its beauties. The notes are of an almost end-
less variety, and each individual has his own special variations. The
female, too, has her own peculiar and very jiretty notes, which she inces-
santly warbles as she weaves her curiously elaborate nest.

To agriculturists this Oriole renders immense service in the destruction
of vast numbers of highly injurious insects; among the most notewortiiy of
tlie.se are the common canker-worm and the tent caterjiillars, both great
pests to orchards. These benefits far more than compensate for its annoy-
ing attacks on the pods of esculent peas, the only sin that can rightfully be
brought against it, e.xce])t, perhaps, the acts of theft committed against other
birds, in seizing u]toii and ajjpropriating to it materials coUectecl by smaller
birds for their nests.

Tiie Baltimore Orioles are devoted, faithful, and courageous parents, reso-

IQg NORTH AMKIUUAN BIRDS.

lately (lelendiiis tlicir yoiiii!,^ when in danjjor, and exposing; themselves fear-
lessly to danj^cr and to death rather tiiau forsake tiieni. If their youn^ are
tdvcn and caj^ed, tiie i)arents follow them, and, if porniitted, will continue to
feeil llieiM.

^Ir. liidLtwiiy mentions an instance where the female entered her nest
while he was in the aet of severinj; the liml) from which it was suspended,
and ])ersisted in remainiiiij; there until the nest had heen cut off and taken
into tiie house. One of these l)in!s, reared from the nest hy a family in
Worce-<t(M', ^lass., liecanie perfectly domesticated, was allowed full liberty,
and even when taken by the married daughter of its mistress, perched on
lier linger, ihroiii^h the open grounds to her own house, made no attempt to
escajie. It delighted in occasional acts of mischief, especially in putting its
])ointed bill through the meshes of the lace curtains, and then opening its
beak, seeming to enjoy the sound produced by tearing the threads.

In tiie con.struction of its nest the Oriole disjdays great skill and inge-
nuity. This structure is a pendidous and nearly cylindrical pouch, suspended
from the extremity of .some hanging branch. It is constructed by means of
the interweaving of the natural filaments of several fiaxlike plants into a
homogeneous faliric of great strength, and admiraldy adapted to its ]iurposc.
A nest of this sjiccies from West Florida, as well as the one figured by Au-
dnl)on, was made entirely of the long moss {TUlamhia usncoidcs) so abun-
dant in Southern forests.

The young birds, lud'ore they can fly, climb to the edge of the nest, and
are liable, in sudden tempests, to be thrown out. If uninjured, they are
good climbers, and by means of wings, bill, ami claws, are often able to
r(!acli jplaces of safety. In one instance a iledgling, wliicii had broken both
legs, and was ])laccd in a basket to be fed by its parents, managed, by wings
and bill, to raise itself to the rim, and in a few vlays took its departure.

The parents feed their young chiefiy with caterpillars, which they appar-
ently swallow and then di.sgorge for this puri)ose. In confinement they feed
readily on soaked bread and fruit, and are esjiecially fond of figs. They are
.soon reconciled to confinement, become very docile and even ])layful, sing
readily, and will even come at a given signal and alight on the finger of
their master.

Tlie eggs of the Haltimore are usually five and rarely si.\ in number.
They ai'c of an oblong-oval shajie, pf)inted at one end, and measure .01 of an
inch in length by .00 in lireadth. Tiieir ground-color is white, with a slight
roseate ting(! when fresh, fading into a bluish shade in time. They are all
variously marked, dotted, and marbled, with s])ots, blotches, and irregular
waving lines of purplish-brown. Tliese markings are of greatly varying
shades, from a light ])urple to alnio,st complete blackness, only perceptibly
purplish in a strong light.

ICTERID.E — THE OUlOLEiS. 1 99

Icterus buUocki, lioN.

BULLOCK'S ORIOLF

Xanthornns hiiUocki, Sw. Syn. JIcx. liirds, 'liiyloi's I'liil. Mag. I, 18ii7, 43G. Jfjclitius
hii'lucKi, Uicll. l!('|i. Urit. Assoc;. 1S:57. IcUran bulhiiki, ISos. 1-ist. ISas. -All>. Oni.
IJio};. V, 18311, !), Ills, ccolx.xxviii luid r('i:(X.\.\iii. — In. liinls Am. IV, 1.S4-J, 4;i, jil.
ci'xviii. — Nkwuf.uuy, Uc-p. 1*. U. 1!. VI, iv, 1857, 87. - M.viiti), llinls N. Am. laxS,
5-19. -Max. Culuiu. .1. VI, 1858, 259. - Loud, I'r. K. A. Iii.st. IV, 121. — Coopkis
& .SucKl.KY, 200. — Sl'L.vtku & S.viiViN, Kx. Oni. I, 18ii!l, 188 (diagnosis). — C'ooi'kii,
Orii. C'lil. I, 187(1, 273. I'miroaiUiis ituriaillin, M.vxiM. llciso Xordam. 1, 183!", 307
(Fort riiMiv, Neb.). llijphaiUcs h., Ca.s.s. Pr. A. N. S. 1807, 02. - IIkkk.m. X, ,V, .')2
(M..st).

Sp. CiiAit. Tail very sliulilly grudiiatiMl. L'piioi- iiait of tlic head and nock, bade,
wings, two central tail-lbatlicrs, line from ba.se of bill throngii the eye to the black of the
nape, and a line from the ba.se of the bill rnnning to a point on the throat, black. Under
jiarts generally, sides ol' head and neck, forehead and line over 'he eye, rest of tail-
feather.s, rump, and upper tail-coverts, yellow-orange. A broad band on the wings,
involving the greater and middle coverLs, and the outer edges of the ipiills, white.
Young male with the black replaced by greenish-yellow, that on the throat persisteul ;
female without this. The first idumago of th(! yoiuig difl'ers from that of hiil/imorc in
being more whiti.sh beneath; lighter olive iibove, and without dark spots 011 back; white
of middle and greater coverts connected by white edges of the latter. Length, about
T.'iO inches; wing, o.XO.

Had. High Central I'laius to the I'acific ; rare on Upper Missouri; south into Mexico.
City of Mexico (Sci,. & Sai.v. 18(J9, 3(;2).

A closely allied Mexican species is /. ohcilki ot Lesson, difrering princi-
pally in liavinff tlie sides and rump black.

Habits. Bullock's Oriole, the western counterpart of the eastern IJalti-
niore, is fonnd throughout the Pacific shore, from tiie great Central Plains to
the ocean, and from Washington Territory to ^lexico. It is not given by
Suinichrast as occurring in Vera Cru/, where its place is taken, as a migrant,
by the liiiltimore. It was not noticed by jNIr. Dresser on the Itio (irande,
but in Arizona it was found by Dr. Cones to be a common summer resident.
It was there seen to frequent, almost exclusively, the willows and cotton-
woods of the creek-liottoms. To the small twigs of these trees its pensile
nests were usually attached. It is said to arrive in Arizona late in Ajjril,
and to remain tliere nearly through September.

In the survey of tiie Mexican boundary Dr. Kennerly met with this
species in passing through Guadaloupe canon, where it was often seen, but
it was observed at no other point on the route. It seemed to prefer the
low bushes on the hillside to the large trees. In its motions it was quick
and restless, passing rapidly from bush to bush.

In Washington Territory this species is stated by Dr. Suckley to be more
abundant in the .sparsely wooded districts of the eastern base of the Cascade
Mountains than in the Coast liange. He found it exceedingly abundant at
Fort Dalles and along the eastern base of Mt. Adams. They arrive about

200 N(.)RTII AMERICAN UfRDS.

tlu' ir)tli of ^fiiy, and wore very cotntnoii amon^' the low oaks of that vi\i^ion.
III! s])c'ak.s of its .smijj; as very i)lousant, and esi)i;cially uit'lodious early in tlie
iiK.iiiiig, wlu'ii the l)ird is generally perehed on the sunny side or top of
an oak.

At I'lij^i't Sound, aeuordinji; (o l>r. Cooper, these hirds do not arrive until
the lu'uinninjf of June, and are at no time very conunon there. He dc^serilies
tlicir liahits as similar to tlio.se of the spurius, they heinjj; shy and dillieult to
discover amonu the foliage. Their song is more like that of the Baltimore,
loud, clear, and varied.

In his lieport on the birds of California, Dr. Cooper states that these hirds
arrive at San I'lego, from the south, about March 1 ; but at Fort Mohave, one
hundred and sixty niiles farther uertli, he .saw none until a month later.
Like the IJaltiuKJi'e Oriole, they re.sort to the open roads, gardens, and
orchards, ])utting themselves under the protection of man, and rei)ayiug him
both by their sweet melody and their usefulue.ss in destroying insects. They
keep cliieily in the trees and rarely descend to the ground, e.\cei)t to collect
materials for their nests. These are suspended fnjui the end of a branch,
and are constructed of fibrous grasses, horse-hairs, strings, bits of rags, wool,
hempen fibres of jdants, etc. At times only a single material is used, such
as horse-hair. These nests are neatly and closely interwoven in the form of
a deep bag or jiurse, and aie suspended by the edges from the forks of a
branch, near its end. Tliey have usually a depth of about four or five
inches, and a diameter of about three or three and a half In most cases
tliey are largely made of the flaxen fibres of wild lienipen plants, and by
■strings of this are firmly bound around the ends of the twigs to which
they are suspended. They are lined within with fine, soft vegetable down.
In some nests tiie inner bark of the silkweed largely predominates.

Dr. Cooper states tliat the eggs of Iiidlock's Oriole are, in nund)er, from
four to six. lie descriiies tiiem as bluish-white, with scattered, winding
streaks and hair-lines of black and reddish-brown near the larger end,
measuring .1)8 hy .60 of an inch. In the southern half of California they
are laid in the first or second week of May. At Santa Cruz, in l.SGG, he did
not observe any of this species until April o.

Mr. Allen did not meet with this species in Western Kansas, and it is not
included in his list of Ijirds observed by him near Fort Hays. At Ogden
ami Salt Lake City, in li^tah, which he reached the first of September, Bul-
lock's Oriole had already migrated southward.

In all tlu! fertile ])ortions of the country west of the ])lains, Mr. liidgway
found Ihdlock's Oriole — the western re])resentative of tiio Ualtimore — ex-
tremely abundant. In ]\Iay, when the valley of the Truckee, near Pyramid
Lake, was visited, he observed great nund)ers feeding upon the buds of the
grease-wood, in company with the Louisiana Tanager and the Black-headed
Gro.sl)eaks. In certain localities there was scarcely a tree that did not con-
tain one or more nests of these birds, and as many as five have been found in

KTEIUD.E — TlIK oUloI.ES. 201

a siii;,'lc trcf, AltlK)iij,'h constructed in ii iniiinicr iilnmst precisely similar ti»
tlidso 111 tlic ('(iiinnon ciistcrn sjn'cies, its iiost is less rrc([Ui'iitly ])cn(liil(ins,
being in nm.'v casiv! lixcd hctwTcn tiie uiirii;iil twij^s nciir tiic toji i-l' tlic tree.
It is, howfviT, i.Mil unrrt'iincntly susjicndoii, like tlial ol' tiu' lialtiiiKirc, tVnni
tli(! I'Nlreniity ol' a drodjiiu!,' lirancli, tluaiudi very rarely in so lieantiful
a niaiuier. Tlie tes of tliis ( h'iele, wliieli are similar tn those of llie
I'.allintore, are n;'. er so distinct, so mellow, nor so stron,u', and their etl'eet
is quite ditlerent i'roui that produeeil by the splendid midlow wliistling of
the eastern sjieeies ; and the mellow, rolling chatter so eharaeteristie of tlie
latter is not so full in the western species, and generally ends in a sharp
vliiiii\ much like the ciwious mewing of an Licrin. He regards I'.ulloek's
Oriole as altogether a less attractive species.

Mr. Lord found this bird liy no means an abundant sjiecios in I'ritish
Columbia. Tliose that were .seen seemed to ])ref(!r the localities where the
scrub-oaks grew, to the pine regions. lie found their long, jiendulous nests
suspended irom jioints of oak bnxnehes, without any attempt at concealment.
He ne\er met with any of those birds nortii of Fraser's Itiver, and very
rarely east of the Cascades. A few stragglers visited his quarters at Colville,
arriving late in May and leaving early in September, the males usually jire-
ceding the females three or four days.

On the Shasta Plains Mr. Lord noticed, in the nesting of this bird, a
singular instance of the readiness with which birds alter their habits under
ditliculties. A solitary oak stood by a little patch of water, both removed
by many miles from other oltjccts of the kind. E'-ery available branch and
spray of this tree had one of the woven nests of tb.is brilliant bird hanging
from it, though iiardly known to ctdonize elsewhere in this manner.

J)r. Coues, in an interesting paper on the habits of this species in the
Naturalist for Novend)er, I.S71, states that its nests, though having a general
resemlilance in their style of architecture, differ greatly from one another,
u.sually for obvious reasons, such as their situation, the time taken for tlicir
construction, and even the taste and skill of the builders, lie describes one
nest, built in a ))ine-trcc, in which, in a very ingenious manner, these birds
bent down the long, straight, needle-like leaves of tlu! stilT, tenuinal l)ranch-
lets, and, tying their ends together, made them serve as the up|ier portion
of the nest, and a means of attachment. This ne.st was nine indies long
and four in diameter.

Another nest, described by the same writer, was suspended from the forked
twig of an oak, and drajied with its leaves, almost to concealment. It had
an unusual jieculiarity of being arched over and roofed in at th.e top, with a
dome of the same material as the rest of the nest, and a small round hole on
one side, just large enough to admit the birds.

The eggs of this Oriole are slightly larger than those of the r)altimore, and
their ground-color is more of a creamy-whiti-, yet occasionally with a dis-
tinctly bluish tinge. They are marbled and marked with irregular lines and

vol,. II. Hi

202

NORTH AMKIUCAN BrRDS.

tracing's of tlurk umlwr-brnwn, (li'cpcniiii,' almost into l)la('k, hut novcr so
deep as in tliii v^'^s tit' tlu^ eastern s[ieeios. Tiieso niarlilin^'s vary constantly
and in a reniarkalilo dc^'reu ; in sonic tlioy are almost entirely wantinj,'. They
measnre .1)0 of an inch in len.^th hy .('i.'t in lireatltli.

SunFAMiiA QUISCALINiE.

C'lrvi!. Bill rather attenuated, as long as or longer than the iicad. Tlic ciilmpn curved,

the tip nuuii hoiil down. The
cutting edges inllectcd so as
to impart a soinewiiat tulnilar
a|ipeaianeo to oai'h niandihlc.
Tlio uoniiiiissuie siiiiialcd. Tail
longei- than the wings, usually
niucli grachiated. Legs longer
tiian tlie head, fitted lor walk-
ing. Color of males entirely
l)laek with lustrous reflections.

ScoUcnphttiiiis fnntsiineiis.

The l)ill of the Quisca-
linw is very different from
that of the other Jrtcridc; and is readily rec(),i,'nized by the tendency to a
roundino- inward alony' the cntting ed^es, rendcrinj^' the width in a croiss
section of the hill considerably less alon<^' the commissure than above or
below. The culmen is more curved than in the Aycluinm. iUl the North
American species have the iris white.

The only genera in the United States are as follows; —

Scolecophagus. Tail shorter than the wings ; nearly oven. Bill shorter than the
hcail.
Quiscalus. Tail longer tlian the wings ; nmcli graduated. Bill as long as or longer

than the head.

Genus SCOLECOPHAGUS, Swai.vson,

Scokcophngus, Swai.n'son, V. Uor.-Ani. II, 1831. (Type, Oriolus fcrriKjineics, G.mf.mn.)

Gi:x. CiiAK. Bill short(!r than the head, rather slender, the edges inflexed as in
QitisriiliiK, which it othci-wiso greatly resend)les ; Ihe eonniiissnro sinuated. CnlmtMl
I'onndi'd, hut not flattened. Tarsi longer than the middle too. Tail even, or slightly
rounded.

The fibove characteristics will readily distinguish the £;enus from its allies.
The form is much like that of Jf/r/ai)is. The bill, however, is more attenu-
ated, the culmen curved and .slightly sinuated. The bend at the ba.se of the
commissure is .shorter. The culmen is angidar at the base posterior to the
nostrils, instead of being much flattened, and does not extenil so far behind.
The two North American species may be distinguished as follows: —

KTKKID.E — Till'; OUIOLES. 20.')

Synopsis of Species.

S. ferrugineus. liill slcndci'; hfii,'lil at liasc iiol.ttlii^ Idliillcnirdi. Color of iiinlc

black, Willi liiiiil imiiili' ii'Mi'clioi. over wimlc lioiiy ; \viiif,'>, tail, ami iiliilnMicii ;.'Iii.ssim1
sli^rlitly Willi ^'I'l'i'll. ViiMilinial s|n'i'iiiicll.s \vitli Iballicrs lunailly nlucil willi caslalii'Diis
ruslv. J''iiiiiiir liiiiunisii (liisUy slalc, without ^'loss ; no li'acc' ol' lij,'lil sii|u.Tciliai-y stfi|H'.
S. cyauocepbalus. IJill stout, • luijilil at hasc nearly .5 tin.' total Iciij^'tli. Colof Mack,
with i.Tccii ii'llcctioiis over whole lioily. Head only jjlossi^d wilh iiiii|ile. Antiiiiiiial
speciinens, I'eatliei's eili,'(;d vcfy indistinctly with iiinhur-ljiowii. Fciimle dnsky-browii.
with a soft gloss; a ducided light siiporciliaiy stii|ic.

(Juba possossos ii s|)efios ivi'crred tu this ocmis {S. atroviolmxus), thouj,'li
it is not strictly eonooiieri(: with tho two North Americiiu onos. It dilli'r.s
in lacking any distinrt niunihranu above tlio nostril, and m hiiving thu bill
not conipri'ssod hitcrally, as well as in beinj,' niuuh stouter. The plumage
has a soft silky lustre; the geMt-nd color black, with rich purple or violet
lustre. The t'cuiale similarly colored to the male.

Scolecophagus ferrugineus, Swainson.

BUSTY BLACKBIBS.

Oriolus firnigincu.i, Omklis, Syst. Xat. I, y!t3, Xo. 4;i. — F-.vrir. Iiul. I, 17!)0, 170.
Hmcula fc.rruijincn, Wii.soN, Am. Orii. Ill, ISll, 41, pi. x.'ci, f. ;{. Qiii'sedlii.i J'lrni-
HiitcHs, Ho.N. OIks. Wils. lS2t, No. 40. — NfiiAM,, Man. I, Isyj, l!i>i. — Ain. (»ni.
liio},'. II, 1834, 315 ; V, 183i), 4«3, pi. cxlvii. — In. Synopsis, l,s3!l, 14t!. ~- In. liiids
Am. IV, 1842, ti'), pi. icx.vii. — M.vx. rabaii. J. VI, ISJS, '^04. •Sfnlrco/i/iHiiHs firm-
Hiiieus, .SwAix.soN, K. lior.-Ain. II, l.Slil, 280. — Hon. List, 1838. - liAiiin, IJircls N'.
Am. IS.IS, n.ll. — Coi:|.:.s, P. A. N. S. IStil, -J-i'.. — I'A.ss. 1*. A. N. S. ISGti, 412. —
Dai.i, & Banxi.siki!, Tr. Cli. Ac. I, 18(><), 285 (Alaska^ noriolu.t niijcr, (!mi:i.ix, I,
1788, 393, Nips. 4, 5 (perhaps Qiiiscalus). —H.\m-Kl.n, 350. — Al.l.KX, IJ. K. Fla. 2!il.
Scnlcc(ip/ia(/u.i iiiijer, Ho.SAi". Con.sp. 1850, 423. — ('AnANis, Mns. Iliiii. 1851, 195.
1 1 Orhhis fiisi-us, (Jmkmn, Syst. 1, 1788, 393, No. 44 (]i('rliaps Miilulhrus). Tunhia
/iiii/.soiiiicx, (!.MF;i,IN, Syst. Xat. I, 17SS, 818. — l.AllI. Ind. Tiirdim iinvchnnicoi.sin,
G.Mi:i,iN, I, 1788, 818. Tiinhis l,ihrii(/iini(f:, (i.Mi.i.is, Syst. Xat. I, 1788, 832.—
Lath. Ind. 1, 1790, 342 {hilmnhnis). " J'eiidii/inii.i a/<i; ViKlLl.oT, Xouv. Diet."
Vliiihvphancn virescni.i, Wai:i.i;i!, Syst. Av. (.Vppundix, Oriohts 9). / ]'i(ri'iin Xo. 22
from Severn IJiver, Forster, Phil. Trans. I<.\I1, 1772, 400.

Sp. f'llAH. Jiill slender; shorter than the head; ahout e(;iial to thi^hind loe ; its height
not quite two fifths the total li'iiirlli. Winy nearly an inch loiiLrcr than the tail ; si;cond
(piili loiijresl ; fii'st a little .shorter than the fourth. Tail slightly fjradinited ; the lat(.'ral
feathers about a ([Uarler of an inch shortest, (ieiieral color black, with purple reflec-
tii s; the winL's, under tail-covert.s, and hinder ]iart of tlu' belly, piossed with {rroen.
Ill autumn the feathers lar^-ciy f-dtred with ferruu'iiious or brownish, so as to chanire tho
appearance entirely. Spriiiir female dull, opaipie phunbeons or a.shy-black ; the wings and
tail .sometimes with a green lustre. Yoiim,' like autuiiinal birds. Length of male, 'J.oO ;
wing, 4.7"); tail, 4.01). Feinale sin.illcr.

Hah. From Atlantic coast to tho ^[issouri. North to Arctic regions. In Alaska on
the Yukon, at Fort Keiiai, ai:d Niilato.

Habits. The Kusty Blackbird is an eastern species, I'ound from the At-

'2{)A

NORTH AMKIUCAN liHlDS.

,*^--

Scotfenphntiifs firrusitit us.

liinlii! to tlio Missouri Itivcr, and from Loiiisiuna autl Florida to tlio Arctic
regions. In a larj;c jiorlion of llio United States it is only known as a
niij,'ratorv spei'ii'S, jjassin;,' rajjidly tlironj,'li in i-arly sprinj,', and Iianlly
niakin:; a lonj,'i!r stay in the fall. IJiciiardson slates tiiat the siunnier

ranj,fe of this bird extends to tlie
liHth parallel, or as far as the woods
exieud. It arrives at the Saskatch-
ewan in the end of April, and at
(ireat IJear Lake, latitude i'l'i", Ity
tile .'{(I of May. They conic in ])airs,
and for a time frequent the sandy
beaches of .secludiil lakes, feeding
on coleoiiterous insects. Later in
the season they are said to make
depredations upon the ffrain-lield.s.

They )iass through Massachusetts
from the Hth of March to the first of
April, in irre<,'ular comjtanies, none of
which make any stay, but move hur-
riedly on. Tliey ln'ji;in to return early in October, and an; found irregularly
throughout that month. They are unsuspicious and easily approached, and
frequent the streams and ed^es of ])onds during their stay.

My. Iioardman states that these lards are comUKUi near Calais, ^le., arriving
there in March, some remaining to breed. In Western ^Ia.ssachusetts, ac-
cording to Mr. Allen, they are rather rare, being .seen only eccasionally in
sja'ing and fall as stragglers, or in small tlocks. ^[r. Allen gives as their
arrival the last of Se])tember, and has seen them as late as Xovember '2A.
They al.so Mere abundant in Nova Scotia. Dr. Coues states that in South
Carolina they winter from Xovember nntil March.

These birds are .said to sing during ])airing-time, and become aearly silent
while rearing their young, but in the fall resume their song. Xuttall has
lieard them sing until the ai)proacli of v/inter. lie thinks their notes are
(piite agreeal)le and musical, and nuicli more nielodiinis than those of the
other species.

Dnring their stay in the viciinity of Boston, they assoml)le in large iinm-
bers, to roost in the reed marshes on the edges of ])onds, and esjiecially in
those of Fresh I'ond, Cambridge. They feed during the day chieily on grass-
lio])i)ers anil berries, and randy molest the grain.

According to AVilsiui, they reach Pennsylvania early in October, and at
this ]ieriod make Indian cm'n their principal food. They leave about the
niidille of Xovember. In South Carolina he found them numerous around
the rice jdantations, feeding about the liog-])ens and wherever they could
])rocure corn. They are easily domesticati'il, becoming very familiar ill a few
days, and readily reconciled to conlinement.

lOTKIUD.K -TIIK ( (IJfOlJvS. 005

U\ the PiHtriot ol' ("(ilmiilnii, I»r. CniU's I'luiiid llu^ IJiisty (liiikli- iiu al)im-
(laiit iiiiil siiiclly i^n'u'iiiinii.s winter rcsiilciit, iiiii\ Iiil; lln'ic tlii' tliiid week in
OuUilmr unci ri'iniiiniii^ until A\>i'\\, and I'ltiind i-iiiclly in swampy incaliiies,
but occasidnally also in ])l()nji;lu!t[ lit'ldsi.

Mr. Aiididxin i'ound tlu'so liinls daring' tlio winter nuaitliH, as far sontli as
Florida and Lower Louisiana, arriving' tiicic' in small il(«d<s, cominu' iu lom-
jiaiiy with tiic l!c'dwini;s and Cowliirds, ami rcmaiuini,' associati'd with tlicm
until tlio «i)i'in<,'. At tills suason tliey are also Ibund in nearly all the Soutli-
ovn and Westurn States. Tliey ajipuar i'ond of the coinipaiiy ol' eattle, and
are to ho seen with them, both in the pa.sluru and in the i'arm-yanl. Tliey
seem le.ss shy than the other specie.s. They also lVe(iuont moist places,
where thoy I'eed upon aipiatic inserts and small snails, lor which they search
among the reeds and .sedges, climliing them with great agility.

In their haliits they are .said to resemlde the Ifedwiugs, and, being eipially
fond of the vicinity of water, they construct their nest.s in low trees and
busiies in moi.st places. Their nest.s are said to be similarly constructed,
but smaller than those of the IJedwings. In l.,abrador Mr. Audubon found
them lined with iuo.s.ses in.stead of gras.scs. In Maine they begin to lay
about the lirst of Juno, and in Labrador about the liUth, and raise only one
brood in a season.

Tlie young, when first able to tly, are of a nearly uidform brown color.
Their ni'sts, according to Audubon, are also occasionally found in marshes
of tall reeds of the Ti/jiha, to the stalks of which they are firmly attached
by interweaving the leaves of the ])lant with grasses a.id tine strips of bark.
A friend of tlas same writer, residing in Xew Orleans, found one of these
birds, iu full jdumage and slightly woundeil, near the city. He took it
home, and put it in a cage with .some I'ainted Ihmtings. It made no at-
tempt to molest bis companions, and they soon became good friends. It
sang during its confinement, but the notes were less sonorous than when
at liberty. It was fed entirely on rice.

The memoranda of Mr. MacFarlane show that thes • birds are by no means
uncommon near Fort Anderson. A nest, found .June 12, on Mio branch of a
s]mu'e, ne.xt to the trunk, was eight feet from the grr.und. .\nother nest,
containing one egg and a young liird, was in the midst of a branch of a jiine,
five feet from the ground The jiarents endeavored to draw him from their
ne.st, and to turn his attention to themselves. A third, found June 22, con-
tained four eggs, and was similarly situated. Tiie eggs t'lntained large
embryos. ^Ir. MacKarluie states that whenever a nest of this species is
a])proached, both i)aronts evince great uneasiness, and do all in their jiiwer,
by flying from tree to tree in its vicinity, to attract one from the sjioi. Tliey
are spoken of as moderately abundant at Fort Anderson, and as liaving l)een
met with as far east as the Ilorton River. He was also infornu'd by the
Eskimos that they exte-id along the banks of the Lower Anderson to the
very borders of the woods.

200 NDRTH AMKIUCAN BfUDS.

Mr. Dall states that tlioso Blackbinls arrive at Nulato about IMay 20, where
they are tolerably abmitlaiit and very tame. Tiiey lu'eed later than some
other liinls, and liad not bej^un to lay l)efore he left, the last of May. Kj,%'s
\V(!re ])roeured at Fort \'ukon by Mr. Lockhart, anil at Sitka by Mr. Ijiseholl'.

liesides these localitit'.s, this bird was found breeding in tiie i>arien tirounds
of Anderson Kiver in (11)° north latitude, on the Arctic coast at Fort Keiiai,
by Air. IJischoll', and at Fort Simpson, P\irt IJae, and Peel Kiver. It lias
Ijecn found breeiling at Calais by Mr. Boardman, and at Halifax by Mr.
W. G. Winton.

F^ggs sent I'rom Fort Yukon, near the moutli of the I'oreujjine liiver, by
Mr. S. Jones, are of a ronu'ed-oval shape, measuring l.(i:> inches in length
by. 7") in breadth. In si/e, .shape, ground-color, and ccdor of their markings,
they are hardly distinguishable from some I'ggs of Brewer's IJlaekbird, though
generally different. All I have seen I'rom Fort Yukon have a grouiul-color
of very light green, very thickly covered with blotches and finer dottings of
a mixture of ferruginous and iJurjilish-brown. In some the blotches are
larger and fewer than in others, and in all tiiese the purple shading ])redoin-
inates. One egg, nujre nearly spherical tluin the rest, measures .1)8 by .82.
None have any waving Unes, as in all other lUackbird's eggs. Two from
near Calais, ]\Ie., measure 1.02 by .75 of an inch, have a ground of light
green, only sjiaringly blotched with shades of purplish-brown, varying from
light to very dark hues, but with no traces of lines or marbling.

According to Mr. Boardman, these birds are found during the summer
months about Calais, but they are not common. Only a few remain of
those that come in large flocks in tiie early sjiring. Tiiey ])ass along alunit
the last of April, the greater in\)))ortions only tarrying a short time ; but in
the fall they stay from five to eight weeks. They nest in the same places
with the Bedwiug Blackliirds, and tlieir nests are very nuich alike. In early
summer they have a very ])retty uote, which is never heard in the fall.

Scolecophagus cyanocephalus, Cxn.

BBEWER'S BLACKBIBD.

rii(iroc(iliiisciin)ineci)?i(i!ii!i, Wac.i.ki;, Isi.s, 1829, 758. Sathcophigus eyanocejihahis, CAn.\N'ls,
i\lii;s. lU'iii. 18.M, lita. — Maiki), Hiids N. Am. 18.18, .'ir)2. — Ca.ss. P. A. N. S. 1S«(J,
4i:i. — Hki;i!.m. X, .V, sa. ^ Coormi & Sucki.kv, 2()i>. — Cdui-ku, Orii. Ciil. I, 1S70,
278. Sidlirii/i/KKjiis mr.nh-aniix, Swainson, Aiiiiii. in Men. 2] tent. ISJiS, :?02. — lioN.
Coiisin'otus, 1850, 423. - Xr.wiii'.llKV, Zoiil. Cal. and t)r. licintc ; Hc|). 1'. 1!. I!. Siiiv.
VI, IV, 1857, 80. Quisatlus hirwcri, Ari>. Birds Am. VII, 1843, 345, pi. ci'ccxcii.

Sp. CiiAi!. 13111 stout, quisoalir.c, tli(! conimis.^ure snarcol}' .simmtcd ; sliortor tlian tho
lioad and the liiiid too; tlio liciirht lu-arly half loiigtli of ('idnicn. Wiiiir noarly an inch
lonircr than till' tail ; tin; .second (|nill lonfrcst ; tho fir-st about equal to tho third. Tail
rounded and modoratol}' ■.'raduatcd ; tho lateral roather.s about .35 of an inch shorter.
General color of niaie black, with lu.strous green rellections everywhere e.xcopt on tho

ICTERID.K-TIIK ORIOLES. 207

heail nn.l iiofk. wliicli arc frlosscd wiili imrplisli-violot. Female much duUor, of a liirlii
lirownisli aiil<'iioily : a very I'aiiit siipciciliary sliipt-. Lciiijth about 10 int'lit's; wiug,

r).;;o; tail, -i.io.

IIai',. Iliirli Criilral I'laius lo llii' I'acil'K.'; sotilli to Mexico. I'iMiiliina. Minn.; S.
Illiu<iis (U'aliasli Co.; U. liiiniWAV) ; Matanioias and Sau .\iUonio. Tcxa.s (bri'i'ds ;
DiiKSSKii, Iliis, lS(i!», 49;!); I'iati'au of Mexico (very abundant, and resident; Sf.Mi-
ciiuAST, M. I!. S. I, .Vi;!).

Autuiiiiial s^iecimons tk) iioL oxliibit the liroiid nisty edges of featlievs seoii
in S. /(■rri'(/iiici(,'i.

The tV'iiiiiles and iiiiiiiatm-e males diller IVoui the adult iiiale.s in nnich the
.same points as X y(/v«///«t'«.s', e.xcept that the " rusty" markings are less
prominent and mmv. grayisli. The dillerences generally between the two
species are very api)recial)le. Thus, 111 S. <ifiiniiirji/i((h(s, tlie bill, thougli of
tlie .same length, is much higher and broader at the ba.se, as well as niueh
le.ss linear in its upptn- outline ; the point, too, is less deeurved. The size is
every way larger. Tlie purplish gloss, which in fcrri((ji tie us is found on most
of tlie body e.Kcejit the wings and tail, is here confined to the head a:. I
neck, tiie rest of tiie body being of a richly lustrous and strongly marked
green, more distinct than tliat on the wings tuid tail of fc it la/ incus. In one
specimen only, from Santa liosalia, Me.xico, is there a trace of jnirple on
some of tiie wing and tail feathers.

ILviilTs. Tills sjieeies was first given as a bird of our fauna by Mr. Au-
dulioii, in the suiiplemeutary pages of the seventh volume of his liirds of
America. He met with it on the prairies around Fort Union, .it tiie junc-
tion of the Yellowstone and the Mis.souri llivcrs, and in the extensive ravines
in that neighliorhood, in wliich were found a few d' artisli trees and tall
rough weeds or grasses, along the margin of scanty rivulets. In tliese h)cali-
ties he met witli small groups of seven or eigiit of lliese birds. Tliey were
in loose lloeks, and moved in a silent manner, permitting an ajjproach to
within .some fifteen or twenty ])aces, and uttering a call-note as Iiis i)arty stood
watciiing their movements. Perceiving it to be a sjjccies new to him, he
procured several s]X'cimens. He states that they did not evince the pertness
so usual to liirds of this family, but seemed rather as if dis.satisfied with their
abode. On the ground their gait was easy and brisk, lie iieard nothing
from them of the nature of a song, only a single f/nd; not unlike that of the
IJedwing, between wliloh birds and the C. fcrrugincus he was disposed to
place this species.

Dr. Newberry found this lUackbird common botii in California and in
Oregon. He saw large tioeks of them at Fort Vancouver, in the last of Oc-
tober. They were flying from lield to field, and gathered into the large
sjiriiees about the fort, in the manner of other I'daekbirds when on the jwiiit
of migrating.

Mr. Allen found this Hlackbird, though le.ss an inhabitant of the mar.shes
than the Yellow-headed, associating with them in destroying the farmers'

208 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

ri])oiiiiig cnrn, and only loss destructive because less numerous. Tt appears
to lie ail abundant species in all tiie settled portiims of the western lei^ion,
extending to the eastward as far as Wisconsin, and even to Soutiicastern Illi-
nois, Olio si)eeiinoii having been obtained in Wi.s(!onsin by Mr. Kuinlien, and
(itlicrs in AVabash (.'o., 111., l>y Mr. ilidgway.

Til tlie suniniei', according to ]\Jr. Kidgway, it retires to the ccilar and
pinon mountains to lirecul, at that time .sehhini visiting the river valley.
In the winter it resorts in large Hocks to the vicinity of corrals and liarn-
yanls, wliere it becomes very tame and familiar. On tiie od of June he
met with the breeding-ground (jf a colony of these birds, in a grove of
ce<lars f)ii the side of a canon, in tiie mountains, near Pyramid Lake.
Nearly every tree contained a nest, and several had two or three. Each
nest was sad<lled on a horizontal branch, generally in a thick tuft of foliage,
and well conceakHl. The majority of the.se nests contained young, and
when these wei distnrlied the parents Hew about the heads of tiie in-
truders, uttering a soft r/inrk. The ma.ximum number of eggs or young
was si.\-, the usual numlier four or live. In notes and manners it seemed
to be ail exact counterpart of tlie C'. /cmii/incioi.

Dr. Siickley found these birds (piite almndant at Fort Dalles, but west of
the Cascade Mountains tliey were (piite rare. At Fort Dalles it is a winter
resident, where, in the cold weather, it may frc(pieutly be found in flocks in
the vicinity of barn-yards and stal)les. Dr. Coojier .also obtained specimens
of tliis (irakh; at Vancouver, and regards it as a constant resident on the
Columbia Itiver. He saw none at Fuget Sound. In their notes and iiabits
lie was not able to trace any diiference from the liusty IJlackliird of the
Atlantic State.?. In winter they kcipt about the staliles in Ihjcks of fifties or
more, and on M'arin days tlcjw about among the tree-tops, in company with
the Kedwings, .-iinging a iiarsli but ])lea,sant chorus for hours.

Dr. ('ooj)er states it to be an almndant s])ecies everywhere throughout
California, except in the dense forests, and resident throughout the year.
They fre(pieiit jiastnres and follow cattle in the luaiiiier of the Molothrns.
Tliey as.sociate with the other Blackbirds, and are fond of feeding and bath-
ing along the edges of streams. They have not much song, but tiie iioi.se
made liy a large Hock, as tliev sit sunning themselves in early spring, is .said
to be (piite pleasing. In tliis ciioriis the Jiedwings fre(piently assist. At
Santa Cruz he found tliem more familiar than elsewhere. They freiiuented
tlie yards about houses and stables, building in the trees of the gardens, and
collecting (hiily, after their hunger was .satisfied, on the roofs or on neighbor-
ing trees, to sing, for an liour or two, their songs of thanks. He lias seen a
]>air of thf'S(! birds jmrsue and cU-ive away a large hawk threatening some
tame pigeons.

This species has an extended distribution, having been met with by Mr.
Kennicott as far north as Fembina, and being also abundant as far south as
Northern Mexico. In the Boundary Survey si)ecimens were procured at

ICTEIUD.E — THE ORIOLES. 20'J

Eagle Pass and at Santa llosalie, where Lieutenant ( 'oucli I'ound tlieni living
about tlie nuiclit's anil the cattUvyards.

^Ir. Divs-ser, on his arrival at Matanioras, in duly, noticed these Mrds in
the streets of tliat town, in company with the Lonj^-tailed Orakles Q. nuurn-
rufi ami Mo/at/ini^ ^«'co/vk He was told by tlu! Mexicans tliat tliey Inccd
there, but it was too late to ])roeure their o,u<;s. In the winter vast Hocks
i're(|Uented tlie roads near by, as well as the streel^^s of San Antonio and Ea.ule
Pass. They were as tame as European Sjjarrows. Their note, when on the
wing, was a low whistle. When c(jngregated in trees, they kejtt up an inces-
sant chattering.

Dr. (,'oues found them ])ennanent residents of Arizona, and exceedingly
abundant. It was the typical IJlackbird of Fort "\Vhi})ple, though few proba-
bly breed in the immediate vicinity. Towards the end of Septendier they
become very numerous, and remain so until ]\Iay, after which few are ob-
served till the fall. Tiiey congregate in immen.ic Hocks about the corrals,
and are tame and fanuliar. Their note, he says, is a liarsh, rasping sipieak,
varied by a melodious, ringing whistle. I am indebted to this observing
ornithologist for the following sketch of th'eir jiecuiiar characteristics : —

"Brewer's Blackl)ird is resident in Arizona, tlie most aljundant bird of its
family, and one of the most characteristic species of tlie Teriitory. It ap-
pears about Fort Whipide in flocks in Septcml)er; the nundjers are aug-
mented during the following month, and there is little or no diminution
until May, when the iiocks disperse to l)reed.

"Tiie nest is placed in the fork of a large bush or tree, sometnnes at the
height of twenty or thirty feet, and is a bulky structure, not distantly resem-
bling a miniature Crow's nest, but it is comparatixely deeper and more com-
pactly built. A great quantity of short, crooked t\\ igs are brought together
and interlaced to form the basement and outer wall, and with these is
matted a variety of softer uiaterial, as weed-stalks, fibrous roots, and dried
grasses. A little nuul may be found nnxed with the other mat(!rial, but it
is not plastered on in any quantity, and often seemB to be merely what ad-
hered to the roots or plant-stems that were used. The nest Is finished
inside with a (juantity of hair. The eggs are altogether diiVerenl from tliose
of the (Jin'mdi and A(/c/(ri, and resendde those of the Yellow-headed and
liusty CJrakles. Tiiey vary in nundnn- from four to six, and measure barely
an inch in length by about three fourths as nuich in breadth. The ground-
color is dull olivac(!ous-gray, sometimes a paler, clearer bluish or greenish
gray, thickly spattered all over with small spots of lirown, from very dark
blackish-lirown or chocolate to light undier. These markings, none of
great size, are very irregular in outline, though probably never becoming
line-tracery; and they vary indefinitely in nundjer, lieing sometimes so
crowded tliat the egg appears of an almost uniform brownish color.

"In this region the Jilackbirds jday the same part in nature's economy
that the Yellow-headed Troupial does in some otlier parts of the West, and

VOL. II. i7

210 NORTH AMEIUUAN UlltDS.

the Cowltird ami riir])le Grakle in the Kast. Like others of their trilie they
are very alniii(hiiit where fouiul at all, and eminently jii'e<j;arious, except
whilst breedinL,'. Yet 1 never saw such innunieraljlc multitudes together as
the lied\vin},'ed lUaekbird, or even its Calilbrnian congener,^!, trirolor, ahows
in the fall, lioeks of fifty or a hundred beinjif oflenest seen. I'nlike the
Af/c/fci, they show no partiality for s\vam])y places, being lovers of the woods
and fields, and a])pcaring perfectly at home in the clearings about man's
abode, where their sources of suj)ply are made sure through his bounty or
wastefulness. They are well adapted for terrestrial life l>y the si/e and
strength of their I'eet, and spend much of their time on the ground, betaking
themselves to the trees on alarm. On the ground they habitually run with
nimble steps, when seeking food, only occasionally hopi)ing leisurely, like a
Sjjarrow, upon both feet at once. Their movements are generally (piick,
and their attitudes varied. They run with the head lowered and tail soine-
wliat eleviited and partly spread for a bahmce, but in walking slowly the
head is held high, and oscillates with every step. The customary attitude
when perching is with the body nearly erect, the tail hanging loosely down,
and the bill ))ointing u])ward ; i)u' .should their attention be attracted, this
negligent posture is changed, the birds sit low and firmly, with elevated and
wide-sjiread tail rapidly tlirted, whilst the In'ight eye peers down through
the foliage. Wh(Mi a Hock comes down to the ground to search for food,
they generally luuhlle closely together and pass ])retty i[uickly along, each
one striving to be first, and in their eagerness they continually Hy up and
re-alight a few ])aces ahead, so that the flock seems, as it were, to be rolling
over and over. When disturbed at such times, they fly in a dense body to
a neighlioring tree, but then almost invariably scatter as they settle among
the boughs. The alarm over, one, more adventurous, Hies down again, two
or tliree follow in his wake, and the rest come trooi)ing after. In their be-
havior towards man, they exhibited a curious mixture of heedlessness and
timidity; they would randde about almost at our feet .sometimes, yet the
least unusual sound or movement sent them scurrying into the trees. They
bccan.e tamest about the stables, where they would walk almost under the
horses' feet, like C'owbirds in a farm-yard.

"Their hunger .satisfied, the lUackbirds wouhl fly into the pine-trees and
remai'i a l(,!i;r lime motionless, though not at all ([uiet. They were 'at sing-
ing-school,' we used to say, and certainly there was room for im])rovement
in tlieir chorus; lait if their notes were not particularly harmonious, they
were sjirightly, varied, and on the Mdiole riillicr agreeable, suggesting the
joviality that Blackbirds always sliow when their stomachs are full, and the
])ros])ect of further supply is good. Their notes are ra[»id and emphatic, and,
like the bai'king of coyotes, give an imi)ression of many more performers
than are really engaged. They have a smart chirp, like the clashing of peb-
bles, fre(iuently repeatcMl at intervals, varied with a long-drawn mellow
whistle. Their ordinary note, continually uttered when they eve searching

IOTEUID.E — THE ORIOLES. 211

for food, is intermediate between the unttnral chuck of tlie Kedwing and the
metallic cltinl- of tlie Ifeedlnrd.

" In the fall, when I'ood is most alaindant, they generally grow fat, and
furnish excclltMit enting. They are tender, like other small hirds, and do
not have tin; intlier unpleasant Havor that the Kedwing gains by feeding too
long upon the Zi'.niiiit.

"These are sdciable as well as gregarious liirds, and allied sjjecies are
seen associating witii them. At Wilmington, Southern California, where I
found tliem extremely abundant in November, they were tlocking indiscrim-
inately witii the equally ]ilentiful .ii/ilnins triro/or."

J)r. Ileermann found this Blaekliird very common in Xew Mexico and
Texas, thcaigh he was proljably in error in su])]iosing that all leave there be-
fore the period of incubation. During the fall they frecpient the catth;-
yards, where they olitain abundanci' of food. They were very familiar,
alighting on the house-toits, and ap])arently having no cause for fear of man.
Uidike all other writers, he si)eaks u\' its song as a soft, clear whistle.
When congregated in spring on the trees, they keep np a contiinial chatter-
ing for hours, as though revelling in an e.xiiberance of spirits.

Under the common Si)anish name of J'njnro i^i'icto. Dr. iSerlandier refers
in MSS. to this specnes. Ft is said to inhabit the greater part of jMexico, and
es]iecially the F^astern States. It moves in flocks in com|iany Mitli the
other IJlackbirds. It is said to construct a well-made nest about the end of
April, of blades of grass, lining it with horse-hair. The eggs, three or four
in ninnber, are much smaller than tho.se of Qntscidiis iiuicrnrna, ol)tuse at
one end. and slightly ])ointod at the other. The ground-color is a i)ale gray,
with a bluisli tint, and although less streaked, bears a great resemblance to
those of the larger Ulackbird.

Dr. Cooper states that these birds nest in low trees, often several in one
tree. He describes the nest as large, constructed externally of a rough fraiue
of twigs, with a thick layer of mud, lined with fine rootlets and grasses.
The eggs are laid from ^\pril 10 to May 20, are four or five in number,
have a dull greenish-white ground, with numerous streaks and small blotches
of dark brown. He gives their measurement at one inch by .72. They raise
two and i>rol)ably three broods in a season.

Four eggs of this species, froui Monterey, collected by Dr. Canfield, have
an average measurement of 1.02 inches l)y .74. Their ground-color is a
pale white with a greenish tinge. Tlusy are marked with great irregular-
ity, with blotches of a light brown, with fewer blotches of a much darker
shade, and a few dots of the same. In one egg the spots are altogether
of the lighter shade, and are so numerous and confluent as to conceal the
ground-color. In the other they are more scattered, but the lines and
marbling of irregularly shaped and narrow zigzag marking are absent in
nearly all the eggs.

Mr. Lord found this s]iecies a rare bird in I'.ritish Columbia. He .saw a

212

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

few till VniK'ouvev Island in tlio yards wliere cattle were fed, and a small
nunil)LT IVetiucnteil tlie niulii-ciiiui) on tlie Sunias ])rairie. East of the
Cascades he met none cxcejit at ('olville, wliere a small tlock had wintered
in a settler's cowyard. Tlicv appeared to have a great liking lor the pres-
ence uf those animals, arising iVoni their finding more food and insects
there tlian elsewhere, walking between their legs, and even perching iii)on
their hacks.

Captain IJlakiston found this sjiecies breeding on the forks of the Sas-
katchewan, June o, 1858, where he obtained its eggs.

Genus QUISCALUS, Vieillot.

Quiscalns, Vikii.lot, An.ilyse, 181(3 (GuAY). (Tyjie, Gracula qiiUcala, L.)

Sp. Cii.vu. Bill as long as the hoail, the culmen slightly curved, the gonys almost
straight; the edges of the bill iiilleettMl and rounded; the commissure quite strongly

Quisrnlus /mrpHreus.

sinuated. Outlines of tarsal soul' :e well delined on the .siiles ; tail long, boat-shaped, or
oapalile of folding so that the two sides ean almost be lirought together upward, the
featluM-s conspicuously and decidedly graduated, their inner webs longer than the outer.
Color black.

The excessive giwlnation of the long tail, with the perfectly black color,
at once distinguishes this genus from any other in the United Stiites. Two
types may be distinguished : one Qin'Mcuhi.t, in which the females are much
like the males, although a little smaller and perhaps with rather less lustre ;
the other, Mnjuqitucnlna, much larger, with tlie tail more graduated, the
females considerably smaller, and of a brown or rusty color. The Qiriscali
are all from Xorth America or tht; West Indies (including Trinidiid) ; none
having been positively determined as South American. The Jf<(/(tqi(isciili
are AFe.xican and Gulf species entirely, while a tiiird group, the IIolo(2uiscali,
is West Indian.

lUTEUlDvE — THE ORIOLES. 213

Synopsis of Species and Varieties.

A. QUISCALUS. iScxcs iiciuly siiuiliii- in jilmiiiijfo. Color black; each
species glo-ssed with dirt'eroiit shades of lironze, purple, violet, preon, etc. Lateral
tail-feathers ahont .75 the leiij,'th of central. H'th. Eastern United States. Pro-
portion of winir to tail variahle.

Q. purpureus. a. Body uniform brassy-olive without varying tints. Head
and neek steel-blue, more violaceons aniiirinrly,

1. Length, 13.50; wing, 5.50 to 5.()5 ; tail, 5.70 to 5.80, its graduation,
1.50; culmen, 1.35 to 1.40. A'ivid l)luc of tiie neck all romid abruptly
defined against the brus.sy-olivo of the body. Female. Wing, 5.20 ; tail,
4.85 tn 5.10. Hah. Interior jjortions of North America, from Te.\as
and Louisiana to Saskatchewan and Hudson's Bay Territory; New
England States ; Fort IJridger, Wyoming Territory . . . var. aeueus.

b. Body variegated with purple, green, and blue tintjs. Head and neck
violaceous-purple, nion; blue anterioily.

2. Length, 12.50; wii-g, 5.(10 ; tail, 5.3t), its graduation, 1.20; culmen,
1.32. Dark purple of neek all round passing over the breast, and
appearing in patehes on the lower parts. Wing and tail pur|ilish ; tail-
coverts reddish-purple. Female. Wing, 5.10 ; tail, 4..50. Hah. Atlan-
tic coast of United States ...... \m: pttr p sirens.

3. Length, 11.75; wing, 4.85 to 5.G0 ; tail, 4.00 to 5.50, its graduation,
.00; culmen, 1.38 to 1.0(3. Dark purple of neck sharply defined against
the dull blacki.sh olive-green of the body. AVings and tail greenish-
blue ; tail-coverts violet,-l)lue. Female. Wing, 4.05 to 4.90; tail, 3.80

to 4.()0. Hah. South Florida; resident .... var. ag elaius.

B. HOLOQUISCALUS. (Cassin.) Tail shorter than wings; sexes similar.
Color glossy black, but without varying shades of gloss; nearly uniform in cacli
species. Tail moderately graduated. Hah. West India Islands, almost exclu-
sively ; Mexico and South Ainerici.

Q. baritus. Black, with a soft bluish-violet gloss, changing on wings and
tail into bluish-green.

Culmen deridedh/ curved ; hane of mandibles on sides, smooth.

1. Bill robust, comnii.ssure siiuiated ; depth of bill, at base, .54 ; cu^nicn,
1.33; wing, 0.15; tail, 5.50, its graduation, 1.30. Female. Wing. 5.20 ;

tail, 4.70; other measurements in proportion. Jfnb. Januiica. var. bar it us.'

2. Bill slender, commissure scarcely sinuated ; depth of bill, .43 ;
culmen, 1.35; wing, 5.40; tail, 5.10, its graduation, 1.20. Female.

W^ing, 4.00 ; tail, 4.20. Hah. Porto Rico . . var. hracli ij pterus.^

Culmen almost straight ; base of mandibles on sides corrugated.

3. Depth of bill, .51; culmen, 1.1 ; wing, 0.00; tail, 5.50, its gradua-
tion, 1.. 50. Female. Wing, .5.15; tail, 4.80. Hah. Cuba. vav. gun dlac h i .^

4. Depth of bill, .40; culmen, 1.35; wing, 5.00; tail, 4.50, its gradua-
tion, .85. Hab. Il.ayti var. niger.*

'■ Quiscahis baritus (Linn.), Cass. Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. Phila., 1866, p. 405. {Gracula buriUi,
Linn. .S. N. I, 165, 1766). Q. trassiroslrin, Swain.sox.
" Qtiiscahis braehijptfrus, Cass. Pr. A. N. S. ]86(), 406.

* Qui.wihtSgumllachi, Cass. Pr. A. X. S. 1806, 406.

* Quiscahis nigrr (Wnmw.wx), Ca.ss. Pr. A. N. S. 1866, 407. (Oriolus nigcr, Bonn. Tab. Pl.
Enl. p. 31, 1783.)

None of tlic continental forma are in the collection, and therefore their rektionship to each
other and to the West Indian species cannot be here given. They arc : (1) Q. hignbris, Swains.

214 NORTH AMERICAN RIRDS.

C. MEOAQXTISCAIiUS. (Cassin.) Tail loiignr than wings. Soxos very
unlilvc. I'Viiialc iiiiicli siiiiillcr, and very (liU'croiil in coloi-, bciiipf olivacooua-
brown, lii,'lilest ln-nuatli. Male without varying sliadus of color; lateral tail-
featliur about .(!() tin- iniiidle, or less.

Q. major. Cwlnicn slionjrly decurvcd tonninally ; bill robust. Female
willi back, nape, and crown like the wings; abdomen mueli darker than
throat.

Lustre of the jiliimat/K (/reen, passing into viulct anteriorly on head and neck.

1. Length, I'j.OO ; wing, 7.i"() ; tail, 7.70, its graduation, 2.oO ; c\ilinen,
1.60. Female. Wing, o.lO. Hah. Soutii Atlantic and Gulf coast of
United States var. major.

Lustre, violet passin;/ into (/reen posteriorly.

2. Length, 14.00; wing, 0.75 ; tail, 7.20, its graduation, 2.40; ctdmon,
1.57. Female. Wing, 5.30; tail. 5.00. Hah. Western Mexico. (Mazat-

lan, Colinia, etc.) vwv. paUistris.^

3. Length, IS.(M) ; wing, 7.70 ; tail, 0.20, it.s graduation, 3.50 ; cidmcn,
L7(i. Female. Wing, 5.80; tail, (i.30. Hah. From Rio Grande of
Texas, south through Eastern Mexico ; Mazatlan (accidental?).

var. macr U7'ua
Q. tenuirostris.' Cuhnen scarcely decurved terminally ; bill slender.
Female with back, najie, and crown very dilfereut in color from the wings;
abdomen as light as throat.

I. Male. Lustre inn-plish-violet, inclining to steel-lilue on wing and
upper tail-coverts. Length, 15.00; wing, 7.00; tail, 8.00, its gradua-
tion, 3.00. Female. Crown, nape, and back castaneous-brown ; rest of
upper parts brownish-black. A distinct superciliary stripe, with the
whole lower parts as far as flanks and cri.ssnm, deep fulvous-ochraecous,
lightest, and inclining to ochraceous-white, on throat and lower part
of abdomen; flanks and cri.ssnm blackish-brown. Wing, 5.10; tail,
5.35, its graduation, 1.80; cuhnen, 1.33; greatest depth of bill, .36.
Hub. Mexico (central ?).

Quiscalus purpureus, Babtr.

THE CBOW BLACKBIBD.

Sp. CnAn. Bill above, about as long as the head, more than twice as high ; the com-
missure moderately sinuatcd and considerably decurved at tip. Tail a little .shorter than
the wing, much graduated, the lateral feathers ,90 to L50 inches shorter. Third quill

(Cal)iuct Cyclopiedia, p. 20it, lS:i8. — Cass. Pr. A. N. S. 1866, 408). Hah. S. Am., Triniilad.
(2) Q. mcxicanus, Cass. (Pr. A. X. S. 1866, 408K I/(di. Mexico. Resides these are the two fol-
lowing, whosi! habitats are unknown : Q. iiiflrx'irnstru'i, Swains. (Cab. Cyc. p. 300, 1838), and
Q. rrcfiro.i/r;.i, Cass. (Pr. A. N. .S. 1866, 40i)).

1 Quisaihis pnliislris (SwAiNs.). Cassix, Pr. A. N. S., Phila., 186G, p. 411. (Seaphviurm
pal., Swains. Phil. Mag. IS'27, 4:!ri.

2 Quiscahis tenuirmlris, Swains. Cabinet Cyelopa;dia, 1838, p. 299. — Cassin, Pr. A. N. S.
1866, 411. The Q. a.i.sinn'lis, Sci,. Cat. Am. P. 1862, 141, from Bogota, and Q. perurianus.
Swains. Cab. Cyc. 1838, 354, of Peru, are nuL in the colleetion ; they are probably referrible to
the major type.

ICTERID.E — THE 0RI0I.E8.

215

longest ; first between fourth and liftli. Color l>lnok, variously cjlossuil with metallic

relleetions of hroiize, purple, violet, blue, anil green. Female similar, l)Ut .smaller and

duller, Willi pi'iliap.s more {jreen on

tliehead. Len^'ih, 13.t»0; wing, (J.UO;

ill above, 1.U3. "-N.

IfAii. From Atlantic to the high
Central I'lains,

Of the Crow lilackbiicl of the
United States, three -well-marked
races are now distinguished in
the species : one, the common
form of the Atliintic States ; an-
other occurring in the Mississijipi
Valley, the IJritisli iNissessions,
and the Xew England States, and
a tliird on the Peninsula of Flor-
ida. The comparative diagnoses
of the three will be found on jiago 809

Quiscalus purpurem.

Var. purpureuii Bartrah.

FTJBFLE OBAKLS.

OracuJa qnisenla, Likn. Syst. Nat. I, (cd. 10,) 1758, 109 ()h:{c<lnla purpurea, Cal.> ; I, (ed.
12,) 176ti, 165. — Gmki.is, I, 1788, ;!07. — L.\riiAM, Ind. 1, 17'.iO, 191. — Wilson, Am.
Orn. Ill, 1811, 44, pi. xxi, f. 4. ('hiilriiithanct qiiiscidus, Waglku, Syst. Av. 1827 (Gra-
ciilu). — C'Aii. Mu.s. Ilt'in. IS.")!, 190. li Orinlus huhivifianus, O.MEI.IX, Syst. Xat. I,
1788, 387 ; albino var. ?! Orinlus iiiijer, Omklis', Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 393. ! Oiacula
purimrea, lUurisA.M, Travels, 1791, 290. Qukcnhis rcrsicoloi; ViKii.i.or, Analyse?
1810. — In. Nouv. Diet. XXVIII, 1819, 4S8. — In. tial. Oi.s. I, 171, pi. oviii. — Hon.
Obs. Wils. 1824, No. 45. — In. Am. Orn. I, 1825. 45, [>!. v. — In. List, 1838. — In. Con-
spectus, 1840, 424. —Sw. F. Hor.-Am. II, 1831, 4S5. — Nuttai.i,, Man. I, 1832, 194.

— Aun. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 35 ; V, 1838, 481 (not the pi. vii.). —-In. Syn. 1839, 140.

— In. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 58 (not the pi. ccxxi.). — lUinn, ilirds N. Am. 18,'.8, 575.
(fmciila luirita, Oiin, J. A. N. Se. I, 1818, 253. ^'QuIschIhs piirpitiriiK, Lienr." —
Ca,ssin, Pr. A. N. Se., 18«6, 403. — IlinowAV, Vi: A. N. S. 1869, 133. — Al.i.KX,
B. E. Fla. 291 (in part). Qiii.m/u.f ni/eiis, Licnr. Verz. 1823, No. 164. Qitimtlus
punnirnfiis, SwAlx.soN, Anini. in Jbmag. 1838, No. 55. Purple Grakle, Pes.sant,
Aretie Zoiil. II.

Sp. Ciiau. Length about 12.50; wing, .')..50; tail, 4.92; culmen, 1.24; tarsus, 1.28.
Second quill longe.st, hardly perceptibly (only .07 of an inch) longer than the lirst and
third, which are equal; projection of primaries beyond seccnidaries, LijG; graduation of
tail, .02. General appearance glo.ssy black ; whole ])luninge, however, brightly glossed
with reddish-violet, bronzed purple, steel-blue, and grc'en ; the head and neck with pnr[)Ie
prevailing, this being in some individuals more bluish, in others more reddish ; where
most blue this is purest anteriorly, becoming more violet on the neck. On other portions
of the body the blue and violet forming an iridescent zone on each feather, the blue lirst,
the violet terminal; sometimes the head is similarly marked. On the abdomen the blue

216 NOUTIl AMKIUUAN BIRDS.

gonernlly predominates, on tlie rump the violet ; wings imd lull lilaek, with violet re-
llectioii, more lihiish on the lutler; llie wiiiji-coverls IVec|nent!y tipped with Kteei-bhie
or violet, liill, tarsi, and Iocs pnre lilaci< ; iris sidpiiin-yclli)w.

Hab. Atlantic Stales, norlii to Nova Scotia, west to tlie .Vilef^lianies.

This t'orni is nioro liaMo to
variation than any otiicr, tho ar-
nmyenicnt oi' tlin mi'tallic tinta
varyino; with tin; indivichial ; thi;ro
is never, however, an a])i>roach
to the sharp definition and sym-
metrical pattern of coh nation char-
acteristic of the western race,
var. purp„r,us. ^hc female is a little less bril-

liant than the male, and .slightly smaller. Tlie young is entirely uniloim
slaty-brown, without gloss.

An e.Ktremo example of this race {'2'2,')'2C), Washington, D. C. ?) is almost
wholly of a continuous rich pur[)le, interrupted only on tiie inter.scapulars,
where, anteriorly, the purple is overlaid l)y bright green, the featliers with
terminal transverse bars of bluish. On the lower parts are scattered areas
of a more bluish tint. The ])urple is richest and of a reddish cast on the
neck, passing gradually into a bluish tint toward the bill; on the rump and
breast the purple has a somewliat bronzy appearance.

H.VBiTs. The common Cow BL jkbird of the eastern United States e\-
liibits three well-marked ami permanently varying ibrms, wiiicli we present
as races. Yet tliese variations are .so well marked and so constant that they
almost claim the right to be treated as specifically distinct. We shall con-
sider them by themselves. They are the Purple Grakle, or common Crow
Blackbird, Quiiicaliin piirj)itirm ; the Bronzed Grakle, Q. ccnciai ; and the
Florida Grakle, (J. fi(//rnin.

The first of tliese, the well-known Crow Blackbird of tlie Atlantic States,
so far as we are now informed, has an area extending from Xorthern Florida
on the .south to Maine, and from the Atlantic to the AUeghauies. ^Ir. Allen
states that the second form is the typical form of New England, but my ob-
servations do not confirm his statement. Both the eastern and the western
forms occur in Massachu.setts, but the purpurcus alone seems to be a summer
resident, the cvncus occurring only in transitu, and, so far as I am now aware,
chiefly in tiie fall.

The Crow Blackbirds visit Massachusetts early in March and remain
until the latter part of September, tiiose that are summer residents generally
departing Ijefore October. Tlu^y are not abundant in the eastern part of the
State, and breed in small communities or by solitary pairs.

In the Central States, especially in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, they are
much more abundant, and render themselves conspicuous and dreaded by
the farmers through the extent of their depredations on the crops. The evil

ICTERID.K — TllK UUIOLKS, 217

doeds of (ill 1)irds arc ever luudi moro iioticod and dwelt ii]i(iii ihiui tlicir
lu^iiclifial acts. So it iw, to an cmiiirnt dugiue, with tlio Crow lllackliird.
V(.'iv t'liw seLMii award of the vast aniumit of lioniilit it confers on tin; farmer,
lint all know tnll well — and aro liitturly iirujiidicod l)y llie, knowledj^'o —
tlio extent of tliu danni^'us tiiis hird canses.

Tlioy retnrn to rennsylvania aliont tlit! middle of Mareli, in larj^e, loose
flocks, at tliat timo freiinenting tlie meailows and i)lonj,died fields, and their
food tlien consists almost wholly of ernbs, worms, etc., of winch tiiey de-
stroy prodii^dons nnmiiors. In view of tlie.se .services, anil notwithstanding,'
tlio iiavoc they commit on tlie crops of Indian corn, Wilson .states that lie
slionid hesitate whetiier to consider those birds most as friends or as enemies,
an they aro purticnlarly destructivo to almost all tUo noxious worms, yndis,
and caterpillars tiiat infest the farmer's fields, which, were they to he allowed
to multiply unmolested, would soon consume nine tontiis of all the iiroduc-
tions of his lal)or, and dissolato the country with the miseries of fannne.

The doiiredations committed liy tiiese birds aro almost wholly upon Indian
corn, ftt different staj,'os. As siou as its blades appear above the ground,
after it has been planted, those birds descend upon the fields, pull uj) the
ten<ler jtlant, and devour the .seeds, scattering the green blades around. It is
of little use to attomi)t to drive them away with the gun. They only fly
from one part of the field to another. vVnd again, as soon as the tender corn
ha.s formed, these Hocks, now replenished liy the young of the year, once more
swarm in the cornfields, tear off the husks, and devour the tender grains. Wil-
son lias seen fields of corn in which more than half tiie corn was thus ruined.

These l)irds winter iu inuuense numbers in the lower parts of Virginia,
North and South Carolina, and (Jeorgia, sometimes forming one congregated
nndtitnde oi' several hundred thousands. On one occasion Wilson mot, on
the banks of the ll(janoke, on the 20th of .lanuary, one of tiiese prodigious
armies of C'row IJlackbirds. They rose, lie states, from the sin-rounding
fiohls with a noise like thunder, and, descending on the length of the road
before him, they covered it and the fences completely with black. When
they again rose, and after a few evolutions descended on the skirts of tlie
high timbered Avoods, they jiroduced a most singular and striking effect.
Whole trees, for a considerable extent, from the top to the lowest branches,
seemed as if hung with mourning. Tlieir notes and screaming, he adds,
seemed all the while like the distant sounds of a great cataract, but in a
more nuisical cadence.

A writer in the American Naturalist (II. 326), residing in Newark, N. Y.,
notes the advent of a large nundter of these birds to his village. Two built
their nest inside the spire of a church. Another pair took possession of a
martin-house in the narrator's garden, forcibly expelling the rightful owners.
These same birds also attempted to plunder the newly constructed nests of
the liobins of their materials. They were, however, successfully resisted, the
Ikobins driving the Blackbirds away in all cases of contest.

vol.. II. :!ii

218

NORTH AMKUICAX UIKDS.

Till! Crmv BliiclvLird iicnts in various sitiintidiis, floiiictinica in low liiislios,
iiMii'(! rri'(|ii('iitly in tivfs, mid iit viii'idti.s lici^^lits. A ]iiiii', I'or jsi.-vcnil yrais,
liad their nest mi tlic toj) uf a liiijli fir-tiw, sonio sixty I'ci'l i'mni tliu ^TDUnd,
staiidiii,!,' a lew t'wX Iriiiii my front door. Tiioiiifji nanowly watclicd liy un-
i'liiaidly eyes, no ono could dctecl tliom in any iniscliici'. Xot a spear of corn
was niolcstcd, and their food was exihisivcly insects, for which they dili-
eently seaicheil. tnrnin,u' over cliips, jiieces of wood, and looso stones. Their
nests are lar^fe, coarsely hut slronj,dy made of twin's and dry plants, intor-
woven with stroiii,' stems of grasses. When the Kish JIawks huild in their
nci^ddiorhood, Wilson states tiiat it is a, freijuent occurrence for tho (irakles
to place their nesls in tlie interstices of those of the former. Somo-
tiiues several pairs make use of the same Hawk's nest at tho .same time,
liviii",' in siiij,ndar amity with it.s owner. Mr. Audidion sptsaks of tindinj;'
these birds ^'cnerally l)rciHliiii,' in the hollows of trees. I have never met
with their nests in these situations, hut Mr. William r>rew,stcr .says he has
found them nesting' in this maimer in the northern part of Maine. Both,
however, prolialdy rcfi'r to tlie var. (iiifus.

The eggs of the (irakle e.\hiliit great variations in their ground-color,
varying from a light greeiiisii-white to a deep rusty-lirown. The former is
the more common color. The eggs are marked M'ith large dashes and broad,
irregular streaks of black and dark brown, often presenting a singular gro-
tescpieiiess in their sha[tes. Kggs with a deep brown ground are usually
marked chieily about the larger end with continent, cloudy blotches of deeper
shades of the same. The eggs measure 1.25 inches by .90.

Vur. (cnons, Uidqwav.

BBONZED OBAKLE.

Qui.iailus vcr.iicnlur, AuD. Oni. I)ii)g. pi. vii ; I'.irds Am. IV, pi. ccxxi (fif^ure, Imt nnl
(Icsoi-iptinii). — I5.V1K1), liinl.s N. Am. ISiiS, 5S5 (western s])(>eiiiii'iis). — 8a.MI.'I;i,.s, 3S2.
Qitimtlus wiicus, liinuwAV, I'r. I'liil. Aeiul., Juiic, ISliit. 134.

Si'. CiiAK. Length, 12.50 to 13.50; wiiiir, 6.00; tail, G.OO ; f-nliiu-n, 1.20; tjivsus, 1.32.

Tiiinl and fourth (piilla loiij^ost and
oriual ; first shorter than lil'lli ; projec-
tion of primaries I)eyon(l .seeondaries,
1.28; frradnalion of tail, 1.48.

Metallic tints rich, deep, ami uni-
form. Head and neck all roiiiul ricli
silky steel-liluc, lliis strictly confined
to tliesic ])()rtions, and ahruptly dc-
llned behind, varying in shade from
an intense Prussian Mae to liia.ssy-
Var. anna. greoni.>ili, the latter tint always, when

present, most apparent on tlie neck, the head always more violaceous; lores velvety-
black. Entire body, above and below, unifonn continuous metallic bras.sy-olive, varyinff

ICTEIUD/K — Tilt; ORIOLES. 21'J

to bumisliod poWon nlivacfoiis-liroiiy.c, iM'coiiiini,' ^rniilimlly niiifonn tiiotallic iiiir|ilisli or
r('(Mi.-ili Mold oil \viiij,'.-i 1111(1 tiiil, tlic lust more piiriili.-ili ; pi'iiiiiiiU's violi'l-lilacU ; liiL, inisi,
mill toes imn.- Mack ; iris siilplmr-ycllow,

IIaii. ]ilississi|i|ii rt'^'ioti of I'liilcil States, east to Allejrliany Mountains, west to Korl
Briil^rer; Suskatelu'wan ltef.'ion, lliiilst)n's Hay Teriiloiy; Lalnadui-? ami Maine (.")'_', :IS'J,
Calais, Mo., (i. A. UonrUmaii). Moio or less abuinlant in uU ciusteni Stutos iioitli of New
Jersey.

Tills siwcies may 1>o rciullly (ll.stiii^'iilsluKl from the Q. jmrjiitims hy \.\\{>
color iiloue, iii(li'iicii(loiitly ol' the tliiVt.'iviUH'.s of proportions.

Tliu Muprussioii rectiivccl from ii ciisiiiil notice of ii specimen of the (,>.)iiir-
jiKirns is tliiit of a uniformly olossy l)liick bird, the iiictiillic tints licino- nmcli
broken or irr('j.nilarly disLriluitcd, beinj,' frctpieutly, or generally, arrano;ed in
sncccssive hands on the feathers over the whole body, jn'odncinj.' a ]ii'cidiar
iridescent efli'ct. In the (J. iniciis uothino; of this character is seen; lor,
among a very large series of western si)eciniens, not one litis tlu^ body other
than continuous bronze, the head and neck alone being green or blue, tind
this .sharply and abrujitly ileline<l tigainst the very dilferent tint of tin^ other
jMalions. These color.s, of course, have their extiemes of variation, but the
change is only in the shade of the metallic tints, the precise pattern being
strictly rctaimnl. In the present species the colors are more vivid and silky
than in the eastern, tmd the liird is, in fact, a iinich handsomer one.
(Itidgway.)

Just idler mo'ilting, the plumage is unusually brilliant, the metallic tints
being much more >ivid.

n.viiirs. 1'he Ihon/ed IMackbird has been so recently sejmrated from the
2>iirj)inriis that we cannot give, wilh exactness or certainty, the area over
which it is distributed. It is suijjiosed to occupy the country west of the
Alleghanies as far to the .southwest as the I>io (irande and Yovt Ihidger, ex-
tending to the Missouri ])lains on the northwest, to the Saskatchewan it; the
north, ami to Maine and Xova Seotia on the northeast. Subse(iuent ex]>lo-
rations may somewhat modify this supposed area of distribution. It is at
least known that this form occurs in Texas, in idl the States inimcdiutely
west of the Alleghiinies, and in the Xew England States, as well as the
vicinity of Xew York City.

In regard to its habits, as differing from those of ■piirpvinn^, mc are with-
out any oliservations sulliciently distinctive to be of value. It reaches
Calais about the lirst of Aja-il, and is a conmion summer visitant.

lu the fall of 18(j9, about the 10th of October, several weeks after the
Qinsca/i which had been spending the summer with us had disappctired, an
unusually large nundier of these bird.s, in the bronzed jJuinage, made their a])-
pearance in the place; they seemed to come all together, but kept in smaller
co)'ii>anies. One of these tlocks spent the day, MJiieh was lowering and
miplea.siiTit, Imt not rainy, in my orchard. They kept closely to the ground,
and seemed to be busily engaged in searching for insects. They had a single

220 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

call-note, not loud, and soomingly one of uneasiness and watchfulness against
diuiger. Yet they were not sliy, and permitted a close approach. Tliey
remained but a day, and all were gone the following morning. On the day
alter their de])aiture, we found tiiat (^uite a number of apples had been
bitten into. We had no doul)t as to the culjn'its, though no one saw them
in the act.

Audul)on's oliservations relative to the ('row ]>lackl)ird are chiefly made
witli reference to those seen in Louisiana, where this race is probably tlie only
one found. The only noticeable peculiarity in his account of these birds is
his statement that the Hhvkbirds of that State nest in hollow trees, a man-
ner of breeding now known to Ijc also occasional in the habits of the piD'pn-
rciix. Tlie eggs of this form appear to exhibit apparently even greater varia-
tions thiin do those of the purpKrcus. One egg, measuring 1.10 inches by
.8."), ',as p bviglit bluish-green ground, plashed and spotted with deep brown
markings. Another lias a dull gray ground, sjiaringly m.arked with light
brown; the measurement of this is l.l:> inches by .85. A third has a
greenish-white ground, so jjrofusely s])ottcd with a russet-brown that the
ground-color is hardly percei>tible. It is larger and more nearly s])lierical,
measuring 1.10 inches by .90. A fourth is .so entirel}' covered with blotches,
dots, and cloudings of dark cinnamon-brown that the ground can nowhere
be traced.

Mr. (Udeon J.,incecum, of Long Point, Texas, writes, in regard to tliis
species, that, in his neigliborliood, they nest in rookeries, often on a large live
oak. They build their nests on the top of large liml)s. In favorable situa-
tions four or five nests can be looked into at once. They are at this time
full of song, though never very mehidious. The ])eo])le of Texas shoot them,
believing them to be injurious to their crops ; but instead of being an injury
they are an advantage, they destroy so many worms, grasshoppers, caterpillars,
etc. They are migratory, and very gregarious. They all leave Texas in tlie
winter, and the sanui birds return in the spring to the same nesting-idaces.
They lay five eggs in a nest.

In Soutliern Illinois, as Mr. Iiidgway informs me, the.sc birds are resident
throughout the year, though ratlicr rare during tlie winter montlu" They
breed in tiie greatest abundance, and are V(;ry gregarious in the breeding-
season. On a single small island in the Wabash Iliver, covered with tall
willows, Mr. Iiidgway found over seventy nests at one time. These were
placeed indifferently on horizontal boughs, in forks, or in excavations, —
cither natural or made by the large Woodpeckers (H///o(omvs), — nests in
all the.se situations being sometimes found in one tree. They prefer the
large elms, cottonwoods, and sycamores of the river-bottoms as trees for
nesting-places, but select rather thinly wooded situations, .as old clearings,
oU'.. In the vicinity of Calais, according to Mr. Hoardman, they nest habit-
ually in hollow stubs in marshy bordei-s of brooks or ponds.

ICTERII)^ — TIIK ORIOLES.

221

Tar. agliii^ugi Daihd.

FLOBIDA OBAKLE.

Qiiiseahm hfirilim, B.vilin, ninls N. Am. IS.I.s, .'i.'id, pi. xxxii (not of Liw.K Qiiitrnlii.i
(ill/till/!, liAiitn, Am. Jour. Sii. lS{i(i, 81. — C'as.sin, I'r. A. N. S. lS()(i, 14. - IJinn-
WAY, I'r. A. \. S. KSdO, 135. Q. imrpui-ius, Ai.i.kn, 1!. K. l-'Ia. 291.

F>p. CiiAn. Lfii}:ili, KUIO; win':, 'i.'iO ; tail, .'j.12; culinen, 1.40 ; Uusu.s 1.40. Second
iiiiil lliird .|uills tMiiiiil and loinjc.^t ; Ihvt .shorter
tliaii loiirth ; projeelion of |iriniarie.s licyond
sceondaries, 1.12; jrraduation of tail, 1.00.

liill very .^lender and I'loiijrated, the lip of
iipjier iiiandiliie abruptly deeiirvod; eomiuis-
sure VL-ry ref;tdar.

^[('tallic tints very ilark. Head .ind nock
.ill lound Avell denned violucoous .stc'cl-bluo,
the head nui.st hhiisli, the neek more purplish
and with a bronzy ca!.;l in front; body miiform ^'"'■- n^'a-iw.

soft, dull, bronzy greeni.sh-blaek. .scarcely lustrous ; wings, npper tail-covert.s, and tail
blackish steel-blue, the wing-covcrls tipped with vivid violet-bronze; bell}' and cri.ssuni
glossed with blue.

TIab. South Florida.

Tlii.s race is (Hiito. well nmrked, though it grades insensibly into tlie vav.
pttrimrciifi. Tt (lifters from both tliat and ameus in mutdi smaller size, with
nutre slender and more decurved bill.

The arraiinement of the colors is much as in tlie larger western species,
wliile the tints are most like those of the eastern. All the colors are, how-
ever, darker, but at the same time softer thivn in either of the others.

Tn form this sjtecies approaches nearest the western, agreeing with it in
the primaries, slender bill, and more graduated tiul, and, indeed, its relations
in every respect aj)pear to be with this rather than the eastern.

This race was lirst described from specimens collected at Key Biscayne
by Mr. Wurdemann, in April, 18')?, iind in ISo.S, and is the smallest of the
gemis witiiin onr limits. The wing and ttiil eac.ii are about an inch shorter
than ill the other varieties of pnrpiireva. The bill, however, is much longer
and more slender, and tlie ti]) considerably more produced and decurved.
The feet are stouter and much coarser, tlie ])iids of the toes very scabrous,
as if to assist in holding slippery substances, a feature scarcely seen in
purpnirus}

1 A series of twenty-nine .siiociinens of Q. ^nirpureux from Florida, has hei'ii kindly furnished
for examination by Mr. C. J. Maynard, chiefly from tlm northern and middle portions of the
State, and consequently intermediate between the varieties lUjlitun and purpiiiviM. In color,
however, they are nearly all es.sentially, most of them typically, like the former ; but vi size
and proportions they .scarcely dill'er from more northern specimens of the latt<T. Their common
and nearly constr.nt foatiu'cs of coloration are, uniform Hoft dark greenish body, with blue tinge
on belly, and bluiah-grecn tail-coverts and tail, violet head, more blue anteriorly and more bronzy

222 NORTH AMEIUGAN BIRDS.

IIahits. Tliis race or siwcics socms to bo cuiiliucd exclusively to the lu'iiin-
siila of Florida. AVe liiive no notes as to any of its peculiarities, nor do we
know that it exliihits any differences of manners or habits from those of its
more northern I'elatives.

Of its eyys 1 Jiave seen but few specimens. These do not exhibit nnich
variation. The ground-color shades from a light drab to one with a greenisli
tinge. They average 1.17 inciies in length by .85 in Vireadth, are more ob-
lonii' in sliiine, and are vcrv .strikin<'iv marked with characters in black and
dark brown, resembling Arabic and Turkish letters.

Quiscalus major, Vieill.

BOAT-TAILED GBAKLE ; JACKDAW.

Omciifr linrilii, AVii.sdS, Imli'x Am. Orii. VI, 1812 (not of JjINN/KI'sV Gmcula qumiln.
UKii. J. A. N. Sc. I, 1818, 253 (not of Lisx.kfs). Quitculua mtijor, Vikim.iit, Xonv.
Pict. X.XVIII, 1819, 187. — Hdx. Am. Oin. I, 1825, 35, \i[. iv. — III. List, 1838.--
lli. ('(insi). 18.'i0, 4':4. — Aui). Oni. Biof;. II, 1834, 504; V, 1838, 480, pi. clxxxvii,
In. Syn. 1839, 14('. — In. Hiids .Vin. IV, 1842, 52, pi. ctxx. — I!Aiiti>, liiiils N. Am.
185S, 655. — C.vsKix, I'r. A. X. S. 1807, 409. — Am.kn, \V V.. Fla. 295. —Cor iw,
Ibis, N. S. IV, Xo. 23, 1870, 307 (IJioj,'iaiiIiy). ClMlaiplmiics vuijur, "Ti:.\iM." C'Ait.
Mns. Hoin. 1851, 190.

Sp. CiiAii. (1 ,.")('>l).) Form rather longtliencd, hut roliii.st ; bill strong, about the length of
heail ; wiii;^ rather loiij,'', second .anil third ([nills iisnally lonjjest, thontrh the (ir.'it four
(iuill.>i are IVeiiueutly nearly eipial ; tail luni,', graduated; lateral feathers about 2.50 iuelie.s
shor'er than the eentral ; leg.s and feet .strong.

Adult male. Blaek ; head and niik willi a line purple lustre, rather .abruptly defined
on the lower part of the neek behind, and sucici'ded liy a line green hu-itn,' whieh patsises
into a purple or steel-blue on i\w lower liaik and np[(er tail-eoverts. On the under partii
the pur])li' lustre of the head .anil neck pa.ssrs more gradually into green on the abdomen;
undiM' tail-eoverls nsn.illy iiurphsh-bliii', frcuniMitly plain b!a<'k. Smaller wing-eoverts
with green lustre; larger eoverts greenish-bronzes; quills I'icipu-ntly i)Iaiii blai'k, with a
greenish or bronzed edging and slight lustre. Tail usually with a slight bluish or greenish
lustre, frequently plain lilaek. Bill .and feet bl.aek. Iris yellow. Total length about lu
inehes; wing, 7.00; tail, ti.,"<0 to 7.110.

on the forenci'k, ami with this color abruptly deliued posteriorly against the jiccndia • uniform
bliuki.sh dull grern of the body ; the wiug-eovcrta usually tipped with vivid viniia and fjrci'U
.s]iots. One male is a typii'ul exanqile of t!u' var. piir/nirciii, distinguished by tlm lilcndiiig of
the .similar mrtallie tints on the body and head, the broken tints on tlii' body arrangrd in
transvt'iM' bars on the back, more purjilL' t.ail-eoverts, a'-d Ink of the vivid nictallii' tiiis to the
wing-iovi'its. There are also foiu' nearly tyjiieal speeiineiis of the var. axjlwus, these probably
from farther south on the peninsula, b\it with the ehnraeteristies of the raee less exaggerated
than in the types from \\w keys. The measurements of this .series are its follows : —

Var. jiiirjiiimt.i (one .specimen). ,J. Wing, 5.30 ; tail, 4.t'>5 ; cuhnen, 1.38.

Interiiiediate .speeimens. Typical icfihcim in colors, but like piirpurcux in si/.i-. (IG males,
and 17 females). $. Wing, 4.85 to 5.50 ; tail, 4.(iO to 5.50 ; eulmen, 1.25 to 1.50. 9. Wing,
4.65 to 4.90 ; tail, 3.80 to 4.50 ; cuhnen, 1.10 to 1.30.

Vnr. aijlmis (four specimens). J. Wing, 5.30 to 5.00; tail, COO to 5.30 ; eidmeii, 1.38 to
1.40.

ICTERID/K — THE 0RI0LE8. 023

r

Adult female. Smallor. Upper parts dark brown, lighter on the head and neck hchind ;
darker and nearly a dull lilack on llic Iowlm- [lart of the ljauk*uid upper tail-coverts ; inide
parts lighter, dull yellowish-brown ; tibia; and under tail-eoverts darker; win;j;s and tail
(hill bniwnish-blaek ; upper parts rre(|uently with a sliglii jireeuish lustre. Total lenirlh,
about 12.0(1; wing, iJ.oO to (i.OO; tail, o.')!!. (Cassin.)

Hah. Coast region of South Atlantic and Gulf States of North America. Galveston
anil Houston, Te.\as (Dkesseu, Ibis, IStio, 4'J-.1:).

Haiuts. The Bnat-tailed flrakle, or Jackdaw, of the Southern States, is
fotiiid in all the maritinie ])()rtiuns of the States that l)order both on the
Atlantic and tiie Gulf of Mexico, from Ncn'th Carolina to liio (irande. In
Western Te.xas it does not seem to be aljundant. Lieuteniint Conch met
with only a single si»ecimen at I'rownsville, in company with (J. macrwrns.
j\Ir. ])re8.ser, when at Houston and at Galveston in INIay and June, 18G4, no-
ticed several of these birds. Mr. Salvin mentions finding them as far sontli
as i\w. Keys of the Belize coast.

We learn from the ob,servations of Mr. Audubon that this species is more
particularly attached to the maritime jiortions of the country. It rarely
goes fartlier inland than forty or fifty mile's, following the marshy banks of
the larger streams. It occurs in great abundance in the lower portions of
Louisiana, tiiough not found so high up the Mississippi as Natchez. It also
abounds in the Sea Islands on the coast of the Carolina.s, and in the low-
lands of South Carolina, Cieorgia, and Florida.

Dr. Cones states that this species hardly occurs in any abundance north of
the Carolinas, and that it is restricted to a narrow belt along the coast of the
occcan and gulf, from North Caridina throughout our entire shore to Mexico.
He supposed it to stop there, and to be replaced by tiie macrnrus. Though
the larger projjortion of these liirds pass beyond our southern bouiularies to
spend the winter, a few, chielly old males, are resident in North Carolina
throughout the year. In the spring the I'emales are the fir.st to a])pcar. Just
before the mating has taken place, the Hocks of the.se birds are said to exe-
(Uite sudden and unaccountal)le evolutions, as if guided by some su'.gle com-
manding sjiirit; now hovering uncertain, then dashing impidsivc, now veering
in an instant, and at last taking a long, steady (light towards some distant
point. During this jieriod, Dr. Cones fiu'ther infori:;s us, their voices crack,
and they utter a curious medley of notes from baas to falsetto, a jingling,
unnuisical jargon that is indescribable. *

The laying-sea-son is said to be at its height during the latter part of
April. Ho found in no instance more than six eggs in a nest, nor less
than three. He thinks that they have two, and perhaps three, broods in
a season, as he found it not uncommon to meet with newly fledged birds
in Se])tember.

These birds are eminently gregarious at all seasons of the year, and at
certain seasons assemltle in large flocks. They are omnivorous, eating both
insects and grain, and are alternately benefactors and plunderers of the

224 NORTI[ AMERICAN BIRDS.

jpliiiitors. Ill till! early soasoii they seek their I'ood ainoiig the large salt
inavslics ol' the sealioanl, and along the imuUly banks of creeks and rivers.
Tliey do great damage to the rice plantations, both when the grain is in the
.soi't state and afterwards when the ripened grain is stacked. They also feed
very largely npon the small crabs called tiddlers, so common in all the niiid
Mats, earth\M)rms, various insects, sliriini)S, and other acpiatic forms of tiie
like character.

A few of these birds are resident throughout the year, though the
greater part retire farther south during a portion of the winter. They
return in l-'ebruary, in full ])himage, when they mate. They resort, by pairs
and in conii)aiiies, to certain favorite breeding-places, where they begin to
construct their nests. They do not, however, even in Florida, begin to breed
betbre Ajjril. They build a large and clumsy nest, made of very coarse
and miscellaneous materials, chietly sticks and fragments of dry weeds,
sedges, and strips of bark, lined with finer stems, fibrous roots, and grasses,
and have from three to five eggs.

It is a very singular but well-established characteristic of this species,
that no sooner is their nest completed and incubation commenced than the
mail! birds all desert their mates, and, joining one another in flocks, keep
ajiart from the females, feeding by them.selvcs, until they are joined by the
young birds and their niolhers in the I'all.

These facts and this trait of character in this species have been fully con-
firmed by the observations of iJr. J^)achnian of Charleston. In 1832 he
visited a breeding-locality of these birds. On a single Smilax bush he found
more than thirty nests of the Grakles, from three to five feet apart, some
of them not more than fifteen inches above the water, and only females were
seen about the nests, no males making their a])pearance. Dr. Bachman also
visited colonics of these nests placed upon live-oak trees thirty or forty feet
from the ground, and carefully watched the manners of the old birds, but
has never found any males in the vicinity of their nests after the eggs had
been laid. They always keep at a distance, feeding in flocks in the marshes,
leaving the females to take charge of their nests and young. They have but
one brood in a season.

As these Ijirds fly, in loose flocks, they continually utter a jieculiar cry,
which Mi: Audubon states rc^-^nibles or may be re]iresented by l-irrirk, rrick,
crick. Their usual notes .are harsh, resembling loud, shrill whistles, ■ud are
fre(pieutly accompanied with their ordinary cry of crick-crick-cnr. In the
love-season these notes are said to be more pleasing, and are changed into
sounds which Audubon states resendile firif, tirit, titiri-titiri-titiree, rising
from low to high M-itli great regularity and emphasis. The cry of the young
bird, when just a to fly, he compares to the whistling cry of some kind
of frogs.

The males are charged by Mr. Audulxm with attfickiug birds of other
species, driving them from their nests and sucking their eggs.

ICTERIDJi; — THE OKIOLES. 225

Pr. Bryant, who found this species the most common bird in tlie neigli-
borhood of Lake ^lonroe, adds tluit it could l)e seen at all times running along
the edge of the water, almost in the manner of a Sand])iper. They were
breeding by hundreds in the reeds near the inlet to the lake. On the fitli
of April some of the birds had not commenced laying, though the majority
had liatched, and the young of others were almost Hedged.

The eggs of this species measure 1.25 inches in lengtli by .92 in breadth.
TLoir gi(jund-color is usmxlly a brownish-drab, in some tinged with oli\e, in
others witli green. Over this are distributed various markings, in lines, zig-
zags, and irregular blotches of browu and black.

Quiscalus major, var. macrurus, Sw.

OBEAT-TAILED GBAKLB.

Quiscalus macrmirus, Swainson, Aniin. in Meimg. 2^ cpnton. 1838, 299, fig. 51, a. — Baird,
Birds N. Am. 1858, pi. Iviii. — lu. Mex. B. II, Birds, 20, pi. xx. — Cassi.n, Pr. A.
N. S. 1867, 410. Ohalcop/umes imicnirus, Cais. Mus. Ileiii. 1851, 19(5.

Sp. CnAR. (Tlie largest species of this genu.'!.) Form loiifrtlioned but rol)u.-<t, 1)111
stronc, longer tli.an the head; wing long, third quill u.sually longe.st ; tail long, graduated,
outer feathers three to five inches shorter than those in the middle; legs and feet strong.

AdtiU male. Black; head, neck, back, and entire under parts witli a fine bluish-purple
lustre ; lower part of back p.nd the upper tail-covcrts, and also the abdomen and under
tail-coverts, frequently with green lustre, though in specimens apparently not fully adult
tho.so piirts are sometimes bluish-brown, inclining to darl: steel-blue. Wings and tall
with a slight purpli.'^h lustre, .smaller coverts with bluish-green, and larger coverts with
greenish-bronze lustre. Bill and feet black. Iris yellow. Total length, 17.50 to 20.00 ;
wing, about 8.00; tail, 8.00 to 10.50.

Female. Smaller, and generally resembling that of Q. major, but rather darker colored
above. Entire upper parts dark brown, nearly black, and witli a green lustre on the
back; wings and tail dull brownish-black. Under parts light, dull yellowish-brown;
paler on the throat, and with a triiee of a narrow dark lino from each side of the lower
mandible. Tibia; and under tail-covcrts dark brown. Total lengtli about 13.00; wing,
COO ; tall, C.50. (Cassin.)

Hah. Eastern Texas to Panama and Carthagena. Cordova (Set. 1850, 300) ; Guate-
mala (Scr,. Ilns. I, 20, egg.s) , Honduias (Sci.. II, 112); Carthagena, N. 9 (C.vss. R. A.
S., 1860, 138); Costa Rica (Cabas. Journ. IX, 1801, 82; Lawr. IV, 104); Nicaragua
(Lawr. N. Y. Lye. VIII, 181); Rio Grande of Texas (Dresskr, Ibis, 18G5, 493, breeds);
Vera Cruz (from hot to alpine regions ; resident Sumiciirast, il. B. S. I, 553).

Habits. The Great-tailed or Central American Gmkle is an abundant
species throughout Mexico and Central America, and probably extends to
some distance into South America. In Vera Cruz, Sumichrast states it to
be one of the few hirds that are found in nearly equal abundance throughout
the three regions, hot, temperate, and alpine, into M'hich that department is
pliysically divided. It is abundant cvoryAvhoro throughout that State, and
also nests there. In the neighborliinxl of Cordova and Orizaba it lives ir«
large communities, a single tree being often loaded with the nests.

vol.. n. 29

226 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

On the Jlio Grande it extends into Texas, and thns qualifies itself for a
place within our fauna. A few specimens were procured at Kagle Pass and
elsewhere hy the Mexican liouudary Survey party. It is more abundant
on the western banks of the Rio (Jrande, especially at Matamoras. Among
the ^rS. notes left l)y Dr. Kennerly is a jiart of the memoranda of the
late Dr. Uerlandier of tliat place. Under the name of Pica elei/ans the lat-
ter refers to what is evidently this species. He describes it as found in
all parts of tlie l{epublic of Mexico, where it is known as Uraca, Pnjnrn
nn/rd, and, in Acapulco, Papate. It is found, lie adds, abundantly througli-
out the State of Tamaulipas. It lives upon grain, especially corn, devouring
the jilanted seeds and destroying the crops. It builds its nest in April,
laying its eggs in the same nu)ntli, and the young birds are hatched out by
tlie beginning of ^lay. The nests are large, the edges high, and the cavity
correspondingly dcH'p. They are constructed of dry plants and small bits
of cloth, which the birds find about the settlements, and the bottom of tlie
nest is plastered with clay, which gives it great firmness. This is covered
with grasses and pieces of dry weeds. The eggs are deseribetl as large, of a
pale leadtni-gray or a rusty color, over which are black marks, strijies, lines,
and s])ots without order or regularity. Tiiey are generally four in number.
The nests are built on the tops of the highest trees, usually the willows
or nicsipiitos.

^Nlr. G. C Taylor, in his notes on the birds of Honduras, states that he
found this l>lackbird common, and always to be met with .about the villages.
It appeared to be jjolygamous, the males being generally attended by
several females. A fine male bird, with his accompanying females, fre-
(piented the court-yard of tiie Ifailroad House at Comayagua, where Mr.
Taylor was staying. They generfilly sat on the roof of the house, or among
the u])per Iwanches of some orange-trees that grew in the yard. They had
a very peculiar cry, not unlike the noise produced l>y the sharpening of a
saw, but more prolonged.

Mr. Salvin found the bird very abundant in Central America. In one of
his i)a]iers relative to the birds of that region, he states that this species, in
(iuatemala, plays the part of the Eurojieau House Sj)arrow. It seeks tlie
abode of man, as does that familiar bird, and is generally found frequenting
larger towns as well as villages. Stables are its favorite places of resort,
where it scratches for its food among the ordure of the horses. It will
even perch on the backs of these animals and riil them of their ticks,
occasionally picking up stray grains of corn from their mangers. At Duenas
lie found it breeding in large societies, usually selecting the willows that
grow near the lake and the reeds on the banks for its nest. The breeding
season extends over some length of time. In May, young birds and fresh
eggs may be found in nests in the same trees. On the coast, young birds,
nearly ca]iable of flying, were seen in the early part of March. jMr. Salvin
adds that the nests are usually made of gra.ss, and placed anuuig uju'ight

ICTERIDyE — THE ORIOLES. OO-?

hmiiclios, the grass being intwiiied aroimcl ciich twig, to support the struc-
ture. The eggs in that regiou were seMoni I'ouiul to exceed liiree in uuiuher.

Mr. Dresser ibund tlie Long-tailed (Irakles very conmion at ^latanioras,
where they Ireciiieuted the streets and yards with no signs of fear. Tiiey
were breeding there in great (piantities, building a lieavy nest of sticks,
lined with roots and grass. They were i'ond of building in conijiany, and in
the yard of the hcjtel he counted seven nests in one tree. At Kagle I'ass,
and as far east as the Nueces liiver, he found them not nnconiiaon, liut
noticed none i'arther in the interior of Texas. Tiieir usual note is a loud
and not unnielodious whistle. They have also a very ])eculiar guttural note,
winch he compares to the sound caused by drawing a stick sharply across
the quills of a dried goose-wing.

Caj)tain jMcCown states that ho observed these Blackbirds building in
large conununities at Fort Brown, Texas. Upon a tree standing near the
centre of the jwrade-ground at that fort, a pair of the birds had built their
nest. Just before the young were able to fly, one of them fell to the ground.
A lioy about ten years ohl discovered and seized the bird, which resisted
stoutly, and uttered loud cries. The.se sooli brought to its rescue a legion of
old birds, which vigorously attacked the boy, till he was glad to drop the bird
and take to flight. Ca])tain McCown then went and ])ickcd up the young
bird, when they turned their fury upon him, passing close to his head and
uttering their sharj) caw. He jJaced it ujjou a tree, and there left it, to the
evident satisfaction of his assailants. These birds, lie adds, have a peculiar
cry, sonietliing like tearing the dry husk from an ear of corn. Trom this
the soldiers called them corn-huskers. He often saw other and smaller birds
building in the same iree. They were very familiar, and would frequentl}'
approach to within ten feet of a person.

The eggs measure 1.32 inches in length by .92 of an inch in breadth, and
exhibit greiit variations both in ground-color and in the style and character
of their marking. In some the ground-color is of a light grayi.sh-white Mith
a .slight tinge of green or blue ; in others it is of a light drab, and again many
have a deep brownish-dmb. The markings are principally of a dark brown,
hanlly distingui.shal)le from black, distributed in the shape of drops, or
broad irregular narrow plashes, or in waving zigzag lines and markings. In-
ternungled with these deeper and bolder markings are suffused cloud-like
colorations of purplish-brown.

228

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Family STURNIDiE. — The Starlings.

CiiAK. Genernl characters of the Jcterida:, but with a rudimentary first primary,
ninkiiig tlie total number ten.

The iiitrotluctioii of tliis family into the present work is required by tlic
occurrence of the typical species, Sticrmis vulgaris, in Greenland, although
it (itlicrwise characterizes the Old World exclusively. There are several
sul)faniilies, principally African and East Indian (Lamj)rotornithina', Ihi-
2>ha(/ina', Stimiiiur, and Graculuia), some of them of very brilliant plum-
aye.

The Stiirnidce in many respects constitute a natural stage of transition
from the Idcridoi to the Corvidw, through the Jays.

Genus STURNUS, Lini\.£us.

Shirnus, Linn. Syst. Nat., I, (od. 10,) 1758, 167. (Type, S. vulgaris.)

Gen. Cii.\r. Bill long, conical, much depressed ; the culuien, gonys, and commissure
nearly straight, the latter angulated at base. Wings, twice length of tail ; much pointed.

Sturnus vulgaris.

the primaries graduating rapidly from the second, the first being rudimentary, the secon-
daries much shorter. Tail nearly even ; the feathers acuminate. Tarsi short ; about equal
to middle toe ; lateral toes equal. Plumage coarse and stiff, each feather distinctly outlined.

The bill of Stnrnus is very similar to that of Sturnella, although less in-
flected at the edges. The shorter tarsi, much longer wings, with the inner-
most secondaries much less than the primaries, etc., readily distinguish the
two families.

STURNID-.E — THE STARLINGS. 229

Stumus vulgaris, Linn.

THE STABUNO.

Mtn-mis vulfinru^, Linn. Syst. Nnt. I, (oil. 10.) 1758, 1G7 ; (od. 12,) 17t!0, 290. — 1)k(ii.ani.
& Geuuk, Oni. Kuroii, 1, 1807, 232. — Uei.nh.vudt, Ibis, 1801, 7 (Hiui'iiIiukI).

Sp. CiiAii. rentliors principally lustrous-bluck, with purply and {iruon rclloctioiis,
except at tliuir extrcinitic.i, which arc iliiU and opaque ; lirownish aliovc, .silvcry-wliito
beneath. IJiil yellow in spring, brown in antmnn. Lejrs llesli-i'olor. Leiifrlh about
y.'jl ; wiiifr, "j.U; tail, U.Hl; bill above, 1.11, tiom nostril, .7u ; gape, 1.1") ; tarsus, l.l'i;
middle toe and claw, l.lo. Female .similar, but less brilliant.

ILvB. Europe and North Africa, most abundant in Holland. One speciuien killed in
Greenland, in 1851, and preserved in the Iloyal Zo61ogi<.'al Museum of Coi)eidiagen.

The preceding description will serve to (listiiioui.sli the Starling from any
North American species, although it is subject to coiisideralde variation.
A second form, scarcely distinguishable as a .s])ecies (S. vnicolor, De la
Marmora), of a prevailing black color, witliout terminal spots, and witli the
feathers of the under part elongated, is found in Sardinia and Sicily.

Habits. We give a place to the connnon Starling of Europe in the fauna
of Nortli America, as an occasional and rare visitant of Greenland. Only a
single instance is on record of its actual capture, — a female taken l)y Hol-
boll in 1851, and now in the lioyal Mu.seum of Cojienhagen.

The well-known Starling of Europe is handsome in plumage and of grace-
ful sliape. It is numerous, as a species, is very generally distributed, and
therefore very well known. With many it is a great i'avorite, and is also
familiar as a caged bird. Its sprightly habits, retentive memory, and ilexi-
bility of voice, commend it as an interesting and entertaining pet. It has
been taught to whistle tunes, and even to imitate the human voice, with
facility and correctness. In its natui'cal state it is a very social bird, and
lives in flocks the greater i)art of the year.

]\Ir. Waterton, who was a great admirer of the Starling, sought to induce
these birds to frequent his grounds, and with this view made various cavi-
ties in the walls of an old tower near his residence. His wishes were grati-
fied, and soon every cavity he had made was taken ]iossession of by a pair,
and many more would have been thus domiciled had provision been made
for them.

A similar instance is on record in Hamburg, where, within a few years,
a well-known horticulturist induced nearly two hundred pairs of Starlings
to occupy and to breed in wooden boxes put up in his grounds for their
accommodation. His plants had been destroyed by the attacks of hosts of
subterranean larva), and the Starlings were invited in tlie hope that they
would remove this evil, which tluy did quite eflectuiilly.

1 )r. IJeverley Morris gives a very interesting account of a female Starling
that he observed building a nest in a hollow tree. The male looked on, but

230 NOllTII AMERICAN BIRDS.

took no jiiut, except to drive iiway other intrusive birds. The female made
on an average three trips a minute, witli small twigs and hits of dry grass,
taking sometimes three or four at a time. He estimated that in the space
of six liours slie had taken to lier nest not less than a tlioasand sticks.

The Starling is .said to .select for its nest suitable places in church-steeples,
the eaves of houses, and holes in walls, especially of old towers and ruins;
occasionally it builds in hollow trees, in clill's or in high rocks overiianging
the sen, and also in dovecotes. The nests are made of slender twigs, stra\v,
roots, and dry grasses. The birds incubate sixteen days. The old birds are
devoted to their ofl'sitring.

Almost as soon as the nestlings are able to tiy, diflercnt families unite to
form huge flocks, which may be seen feeding on commons and grass-grounds,
iu company witli the Uooks and other birds. Their chief focjd consists of
larvie, worm.s, insects iu various stages, and, at times, berries and grain. In
conhnement they are very fond of raw meat.

jMr. Yarrell, quoting Dr. Dean of Wells, gives an account of an extraor-
dinary haunt of Starlings on an estate of a gentleman who had prepared
the place for occupation by Pheasants. It was in a plantation of arbutus
and laurustinus, covering .some acres, to which these birds repaired, in the
evening, almost by the million, coming from the low grounds alujut the
Severn. A similar instance is given by Mr. Ball, of Dublin, of an immense
swarm of several hundred thousand Starlings sleeping every night in a mass
of thorn-trees at the upper end of the Zoological Garden in riicenix Park.

The Starlings are found throughout Great Britain, even to the Hebrides
and the Orkneys, where they are great favorites, and holes are left in the
walls of the houses for their accommodation. They are common through-
out Norway, Sweden, and the north of Europe, and as far east as the Hima-
layas and even Japan. They are also found in all the countries on both
sides of the Mediterranean, and Mr. Gould states that they occur in Africa
as far south as the Cape of Good Hope.

The eggs of the Starling are five in number, of a uniform delicate pale
blue, oval iu shape and rounded at one eud ; they measure 1.20 iuches iu
length by .88 in breadth.

CORVID.E — THE CROWS. 231

Family CORVIDJB. — The Crows.

Char. PHmdrips ten; the iiist sliort, puiu'nilly iilimit Imlf ns loiip; lus tlm scrnnd (nr a
link' iiKirc) ; llie outer lour .Minuiitcil on the iiiiiin' udi^i'. Tim nasal lussju and U(psll■il,^
usually inoiH! or less concealed liy inu'i'ow, stillened bristles (or bristly leathers), willi
short apijressed lateral liranches extending' to the very tip, all direi'ted forwards (lln'se
hristles oucasionnlly wantiuj;). Tansi scutellate anteriorly, the sides luidivided (except
sonielinies below), and separated from the anterior plates by a narrow naked stiip, some-
times lille 1 u|> with small scales. ]5asal joint of mi<ldle toe luiited about e(iually to tlio
lateral, generally for about half the length. Bill generally notched.

The preceding clmracteva distinouisli the iainily of Crows quite imirketUy
from all others. Tiie featiire.s of the bristles on the bill, and the separation
of the lateral and anterior scales by a narrow inter\al, are worthy of par-
ticiiliir attention. The comniissure is without the obtusely angular bend
near the l)ase, seen in the Icta-uhv.

There are two sub-families of Corrida; represented in America, one end)ra-
cing the true Crows, the other the Jays. They pass very insensibly into each
other, and it is diflicult to mark the dividing line. We may, however, dis-
tinguish these, as found in the United States, by the following characters : —

Corvlnae. Bill ns long aa the head. Tail short, nearly even ; wings long and pointed,
loMirer than tail, and nearly reaching its tip; projecting beyond the under tail-coverts,
whii'h reach the middle of tail. Tip of wing formed by the tnird, fourth, and (iflh (piills,
which are lonsxest.

Oarrulinse. Bill usually .shorter than head. Tail lengthened, rounded, and generally
longer than the wings, which are short, rounded, and extend .scarcely beyond tlu- lower
tail-eoverts ; these not n'aching the middle of the tall. Tip of wing formed by the fourth,
fifth, and sixth quills, which are longest.

The row of small scales is usually present on both sides of the tarsi in
the CorviiKv, but in the Jays is generally restricted to the inner face.

Subfamily CORVINiE.

CnAR. Wings long and pointed; longer than the tail, and, when closed, reaching
nearly to its tip, extending far beyond the under tail-coverts; the third, fourth, and fifth
qudls forming the tip of the wing.

The following diagnosis may serve to distinguish the three genera of
North American Corvincc : —

A. ( Cnrvecp). Bill compre.ssod, much higher than broad ; its tip compressed.
Size large (i. e. over 1") inches long), color black, or mainly black.

Color black throughout ; bill much compressed, the culmen much
arched, and the gonya convex ; nasal bristles strong . . . Corvus

232

NOllTH AMEUICAN IHKDS.

B> {Xnri/rafjecr.) !'■!! cylindrii'nl, scarcely or not at all hiphor than
lifoiul; its li|) ilcpivsr.iMl. Size siimll (i. o. loss than 15 inches Iv ■;). Color
iiniforni liliic (ir willi a.siiy on body, and hlaiik wings and tail.

Color asiiy, with wings and tail mainly black. Cnlmeu convex,
pi"'vs slightly concave. Nostrils covered by the short nasal tull . Pkicorviis.

( . Hir uiiifDnn blue, l)riglitcr on the head; the thro.'.t streaked with
whitish. Ciilmcn straight; gonys sliglitly convex. Nostrils completely
exposed ; no nasal tufts Oi/mnokitta,

Genus C0RVT7S, LiNNiuua.

Corvus, LiNN^tTs, Syst. Nat. 1735. (TyiM>, Corvus corax, L.)

Gen. Chaii. The nasal feathers lengthened, reaching to or beyond the middle of the
bill. Nostrils large, circular, overhung behind by membrane, the edges rounded else-
where. Rictus without bristles. Bill nearly as long as the tarsus, very stout; much

Oirrus mmimmis.

higher than broad at the base ; culmen much arched. Wings reaching nearly or quite to
the tip of the tail, the outer four i)nmarics sinuated internally. Tarsi longer than the
middle toe, with a series of small scales on the middle of each side separating the anterior
scutellate portion from the posterior continuous plates. Si<les of the head occasionally
with nearly naked patches. Tail graduated or rounded.

(JOliVIU.E — THE cuows. 233

Spocies and Varieties.

RAVENS. Fontlicis of llic diin and iliioal sliD'ciicd, oloii<:atcil, nnrrow and

laiicciilaU-, willi llii'ir fiiitliiii's Very ili^linct.

I. C. oorax vai. oarnivoruB, l,cii;iili aliDiit ^'tMO; wiii^, I7.<i(i;
tail, |(».ni»; nradiialioii ,,1 tail, 1.00 („ -J.-tO. I'Y'iitlicrs of the wrk
mill lircasl lijilil, mny liciicatli siMlacc. ifiih. Wluilo of Xoitli
Aiiiciiia; fiiiatciiialaaiMl Mcxiio. Hare in Kaslcni I'liiti'il Status.
•_'. C. oryptoleuoua. I,ciij.'tli about 21.0(1: winrr, 11. (id; tail,
S.,")(l; f,Madilalii>ri of lail, alHiiit l:S-,. I'Valliuis iil' iiuuk and lircasi
snowy-wiiilc IilmiumIIi sinfai'f. Hah. Llano E.«tai'ado, or Staked
I'laiii oC Texas; Arizona; Colorado.

CROWS. Kealiiers of uliin and lliroat soft, short, liroad, oliluse, and with

their welis lilend( d.

A. An<,'lo of month I'eathi'red — North AniiM-iean ('ro\v.«.

a. Tarsus loiijrer than tlie hill. Kiist ,,iii|| u«l loii^rer tiian tenth.

;!. C. amerioanuB. The <ih»'^ of the jilnnia^'i! puriilish-violet. and
hardly iieree|iiilile on head and neek, middle toe ane elaw ratiier
shorter than tar.su.s, measured I'roni he^riunini; ol'.seiite|]a\

Win;;, 12'.^.'); tail, 7.2(1; eulinen, 1.8."); tarsus, 2.(1(1; inidiUe
toe, 1.4') ; winjr-formula, 4, o, .">, (J, 2; lir.st ciuill i'(|nal to
tenth, /full. Xorth Ameriea generally , var. « )» e c / <• o /, » .« ,'

Wiuf., 12.00; tail, 7.20; etdiiieu, 2.10; tarsus. 2.;!0 ; miihlle
toe, l.tiO. Winff-fornmlay (moult inir). fftil/. South l-'lorida.

var. Jlo r i da n us ,

4. C. OBBifragua. The yloss of pluinafro violaeeou.s-hlue, almost
green on the head, neek, anil breast, where very ])ereoptil)le.
Middle too and elaw loiif;er than tarsus, as above. Wiufr, 10..")0;
tail, G.")0 ; eulmen, l.u") ; tarsus, 1.0."); middle toe, 1,.']"). \Vin<;l
f'ormnia, 4. 3, 5; first quill .sliffhily shorter than tenth. Hah.
Atlantic (Joast of the United States.

b. Tarsus shorter than the l)ill. First quill lonj^er than tenth.

5. C. caurinus. Olo.ss of the plumafre as in tdnerirainiHj but
deeper. Win<;, 1(J.;J0 ; tail, 0.40; eulmeii, 1.!)."); tar.sus, 1.70; mid-
dle toe, 1.25. Wiiig-lbrmula, 4, 3, .">. F/ah. Northwestern coast
of North .\meriea.

G. C. mezicanuB.' Plmnapc hisrhly lustrous, blended. Soft bur-
nished steel-blue, eliangiiif; to violet on the crown, and with a
greenish east on lower parts. Wiuf?, !»,00 ; tail, 0.50; cuhnon,
1.00; tar-sns, 1.20; middle too, 1.10. Wing-formnla, 4, 3.5.
First quill very nnich longer than tenth. Hab. Western Mexico
(Mazatlan, etc.).
B> Angle of month naked — West Indian Crows.
a, Tar.sus much shorter than the liill.

' The iiioasuieniciits given arc of a California specimen, in order the better to show the great
distinction to lip made lictwccii this species and rniirinus, which is probably not found in
California, being a more northern .species, and having tlie coast of Wa.sIiington Territory, or
perhaps Oregon, as aliout its southern limit.

^ a. vifxicanus, Gmki,. Syst. Nat. \i. 375. This .species is perfectly di.stinct from all the
others. TIk? |)lumngc has a silky blended character, and very high lustre, almost exactly as in
the larger (Jraklcs {Qiiinni/iis mtijnr, etc.).

VOL. II. 30

234 NOUTH AMERICAN UIRUS.

7. C. nasicua.' Xostiils scaiccly coticcalcd by tlic sliort nasal liria-
tli'8. Kniiri'ly viohircuus-lilack, llic H'allR'i-s sTMoky-jjray l)cnoatli
the smract'. WiiiM-, U.dil; lail, 7."."); ciiluicii, "2.4"); (icptli oC
bill, .80; tarsus, !.!•"); iiiiddlu loo, J. "id; f,'ia(liiatioii ol' tail al)oiit
l.Otl; wing-lbniiul.i, 4, ;i. f), (I, li ; liislqiiiU sliorti'st. Hah. Cuba,
t^. C. leucogiiaphaluB.^ Nosiiils wrll t'ouci'alcd by the lougor, but
ratliLT scant, nasal bristles. Knliiuly violacuous-black, the loathor.'*
of the neck all round, bi-oast and sides, pure while below the sur-
face. Win',', 12.50; tail, lUtO ; culnien, 2.4.'); dei.lh of bill, .95;
tarsus. "-'.L") ; middle toe. 1.50 ; graduation of tail about 1.25.
Wiuff-fonnula, 4, 5, 3,0,2; lirst ijuill niueh the .shortest. Ilab.
I'oi'to Rieo.
h. Tarsus about cq\\a\ to bill.

9. C. jamciiceiisis.'' Xostrils just covered by the short bnt dense
tult of nasal bristles. Entirely dark sooty-iilumbeous, incliuinn; to
black on the head, wings, and tail, where is a very faint violacco\is
glo.ss. Wing, !).,50 ; tail, G..50; culnien, 2.00; depth of bill, 1.70;
tarsus, 2.05; middle toe. 1.35 ; graduation of tail, about .60.
Wing-lbrinula, 5, 4, 3, 0, 2 ; lirst shortest. Hah. Jamuioa.

Corvus corax, var. carnivorus, RAitTUAM.

AUEBICAN BAVEK.

Coitus cnntironix, RAi:ri!A.M, Travels hi K. Kloridii, 1 "!•.!, 290. — lUllin, Binls X. .\m.
18.")8, .WO, pi. x.\i. — Cooi'Ki! & SrcKi.r.v, 210, \A. xxi. — Corr.,s, I'. A. N. S. hStiti,
225.— Loiii), I'r. K. A. lust. IV, 1804, 121 (Mrilisli t'ohiiiibia). — D.vi.i, & Haxnistf.I!,
Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1809, 285 tAliisku). — Cool'Kli, Oni. Cal. I, 1870, 282. S.VMiKl.s,
;!;")'). Corvu.i coriij; Wll..soN, Am. Orii. IX, 182.5, KJO, pi. Ix.w. I'. 3. - lioNAr. Obs.
Wils. 1825, No. 3(). — III. Syii. 1828, 5«. — Dol-(iirrv, Cab. N. II. I, 18;!0, 270. pi.
xxiv. — l!icH. V. V,. Am. II, 1831, 290. — NrrrAM., Man. I. 1S;!2, 202. -Ari). Din.
Hi.ig. II, 1834, 47t>, pi. ci. —In. Syii. 1839, 150. — III. I'.iids Am. IV. 1842, 78. pi.
ccxxiv. — IIi;i'.ii.M. X, .s; 54. — FiN.scii, Abh. Nat. Ill, 1872, 40 (AlaskaV Con-as cum-
loll, " Waoi.ki!," ; MoNAi'. Pr. ZoiJi. Soi^. 1837, 115 (]icilmiis true wmW/). — In. bi.st,
1838 (probably not of Wagl'-r). — In. Coiisiicctiis, 1850, 387. — Maxi.mii.iax, Iti'ise
iiincic Xord Aiiicr. II, IS II, 289 (docs not consider it (lill'crciit I'rom KiiropcaiO. —
XKWiir.iiKV, r. If. If. licp. VI, IV, 1857, 82. Corni.s liuiidiris, Ahassiz. I'r. IJost.
Soc. N. II. II, Dec. I84G, 188.- In. Cabaii. ,1. VI, 1858, 195. — Baiiui, liirds X. Am.
1858, 503, pi. XX. — Kr.NNT.ni.v, P. 1!. It. .\, b. jil. xxii. Con-iis, var. liltomlis,
" lioi.niJLi,, Kroger Tidsk. IV, 1843, 390." — Sciii.koki,, note on ('(irras.

1 r. iiiisiciis, Tl-MM. PI. Col. 413. - (Irs-iil,. licv. y Catal. dc las Av.'s dc Pidia, 1805, 290.
Cornis (niii:ric(i)iiis, Lkmh. Avcs dc Cuba, 1830, 65. //"/(. Cvilia.

2 i;. leiiro,i,i,i)>'i,ihis, HAi-n. Tr. d'Oni. II, 231. — Sai.i.i,, P. '/.. S. 1857, 232. — P.nvANT,
Pr. Host. Soc. 1800, XI, 04. Jlrih. Porto Rico and Santo Domingo.

8 C.jinii'iirnisis, Cm. .S. X. I, 307. - (iossK, I!, .biiii. 209. — Sel.. Catal. .Viii. H. 1800, 140.
BoNAi'. Cons)). 385. — Sai.i.k, P. '/.. S. 1857, 232. - Maiich, P. A. X. .S, isii3, 300. — UiiVANT,
Pr. Host. Soc. 1800, .\l, 9t. /full. Tamaica and Santo Domingo.

The C. miiiu'us of Cuba \vc have not seen : ii 'ms, however, to be rallwr nearly rclalcil to
C. nssifrniiua, and ]iosscs.scs more Iciijjtlii'iicd n; d plumes than the three West Indian species
diiignoscd above. Its .synoiioniy is as follows : --

Corvus minunis, (JrNiii.. Cab. ,1. 1850, 20, p. 97. In. llev. y Catal. de las Avcs de Culja.
Hab. Cuba.

COliVlU.E — THE CKUW.S.

235

Sp. Chau. Foiiitli (luiU longest; tl.'j-d ami (iftli .aliout uqiial ; souoiul In-lwcfn lil'ili
mid sixth; lirst neaily fiiual In llic eigliili. Lcii^lli, about 24. CO or 'iu.OO; extent, oO.OO
to ")l.(tO: wintr, alioul IT.dO; tail, lll.dO. Tail nio(l<'nit''iy graduated; the outer t'ealhor
aliout l.fiO to li.4() inches less than the middle. Entirely glos.^y blaek, with liinnished
violet rellectious.

II.Mi. Entire continent of North America. Rare east of the Mississippi. South to
Guatemala.

Tlioiioli easily (listinguishable from the European Lird, tlie American Raven
is so nearly related to it a.s tu be beyond doubt rel'erriUe to it as a variety.
The dill'erenee.s presentetl in a very large scries of buth forms are, however.
very eonstiint and tangible. In the American liird the l)ill is always longer
and less deep, and the plumage is more highly burnished, while the wings,
especially the secondaries, are perceptibly uf ii more reddish violet than
the other jiortions. Tliough in an immense series of American specimens
many differences of form and size are noted, yet there is nothing stilliciently
charat;! eristic of any jjartindar region to indicate nujre than one variet}'.
As a rule, however, spe-
cimens from the high
north e.\ceed in size
those from elsewhere,
and have the bill more
robust, though not so
short as in the Eiu'opeau
bird ; while those from
the Middle Province and
Mexico (o (luatemala
(= "cuca/of/," Baird et
Auct.) have the jilumage
more brilliant than otli-
ers, and IVetjuently the
bill very narrow.

ll.MUTs. Assuming
thtit we must consider
its but one species the
two dilVering forms of
Haven f(aind in \orth America, we find this bird more or less common
througl 't nearly the whole continent. Tt is muidi more aluiiulant in some
regions than in others, and, as a general rule, is much more common and
also more genendly di.stiibitted in the western imrtion, where also its habits
are remarkably dill'erent from the n<anners of its eastern rejiresL'iitative.

It seems to lie more or less common throughout the Arctic regions.
Mr. Keiniieott met with Ravens at Liike Wimiipeg. Mr. MacFarlane found
them id)undiint at Lockhart liiver, at Fort Anilerson, and on the Eower
Anderson liiver. Mr. lioss obt .ined them at Forf Simjison, Mr. K'eid at

Cory»s mrnii'oitt\.

230 NUimi AMERICAN imiDS.

Big Island, IMr. Clarke at Fort Ifae, Mr. Lockliart at Fort Resolution, and
Mr. Dall at Xulato, in Alaska.

Ificliiirdson sjjoaks oi' it as abounding iu the I'ur countries, where it fre-
(^uents the barren grounds even iu the intense winter cold, and where its
movements .are regulatetl by those of reindeer, musk-oxen, and other ani-
mals, which it follows, to assist in devouring whatever may be killed.
Kavens are sen^n to collect from various (juarters wherever any animal is
slain, in order to feast on the olfal, and considerable numbers are in constant
attendance upon tlie several fishing-stations. lie mentions a singular
instance of the disijosition of this bird to apiirojiriate glittering objects of
no value to it for food or anything cicic. A liaven was seen Hying off
with something iu its claws, ])ursued by a nundier of its clamorous com-
panions. Having been fired at, it dropped the object of contention, which
jjroved to be the lock of a cliest.

Mr. MacFarlane's notes in regard to the nesting of these birds describe cer-
tain variations as to position, etc. One nest was on a ledge of a cliff of .shale,
and was comi)osed of dry willow sticks, lined with jneces of ralil)it skin and
the hair of moo.se. Botli parents were .seen, — one on the nest, the other
on a tree, ■ — l>ut both flew away on being approached. A second nest was in
the toi) crotch of a tall pine on the river-bank. It was made of dry sticks,
and tinckly lined with reindeer hair. Thc:e were eiglit eggs in tiiis nest.
A third was in -^ tall pine, and was forty-five feet from the ground. Tt was
constructed in a manner precisely similar to the i)receding. A fourth was
on the top of a tall pine, and only diifered in having been lined with dry
grass, moss, and a few reindeer hairs. Tlie other nests apju-ar to have been
similarly situated and constructed. Nearly ail were in high trees, built of
dry sticks, and lined with dry grasses, mos.ses, and the hair of various ijuad-
rupeds. The ma.ximum inimber of eggs was eiglit, their average si.x.

Mr. MacFarlane states tliat tiie Haven is found throughout the winter in
the Arctic regions, and that, though lie has met with it north of latitude 09°,
he has never known it to l)reed north of tluxt line. He informs us that it is
seldom that more tlian a single pair is to l)e .seen at a time, and occasionally
tiiey may be noted singly, Hying alone, or feeding on garbage. Sometimes
a dead fox or wolf will attract qnite a numlKir to the s])ot. On one occasion
he oliscrved as many as twenty IJavens amicably associated together around
the carcasses of two wolves that had Iteen poisoned with strychnine. In
many ca.ses he has known tlie partaking of a jioisoned atiimal prove fatal
to them, as also the eating of bait laid for i'oxes and wolves.

According to this same corres])ondent, one of these birds became almost
domesticated at Fort Anderson, during Fela'uary and ^larch, 1 Hd"). At first it
fed about tht> fort witli acom])anion ; soon after, coming alone, it grew l)older
and bolder, aliglited within the s(juare, allowed itself to be closely approached,
where tlie young dogs soon became familiar with it, an<l would even frolic
nnd gand)ol witii it, the IJaven joining heartily in the s])ort in its own way.

('(jitvioj': — THE CROWS. 237

It was never kiu)\vii to iittL'iii]>t to injure even tlie smallest of the yoiuij,'
ilojis, nor did any ui the tlo^n's ever oiler to annoy it. It at lenj^tli eanie to
be considered 1"' all as an inmate of the estahlishment. While it seemed to
liave full eontidenee in tiie people of the fort, it kept at a careful distamte
from all Indian or Ksiiuimaux visitors.

Mr. r>. li. lioss speaks of Kavcns as common as far north as tlie Arctic
Ocean. They feed on carrion, and act as scavenjj;ers to tlie estuhlishnicnts.
Their sight is remarkahly keen, and the sagacity with which they follow tlie
tra^iper is wonderful. Karly as the hunter may start, these harpicis will ha\ e
lieen liefore him, and torn out the eyes and entrails nf each hare. They will
break into uiarten-trai»s for the sake of the liait or tla^ ca])tured animal,
thrusting aside or pulling out with their beaks the sticks that compose the
enclosure. Sometimes they are caught in steel tra])s that are set for foxes,
or eat the strychnine baits laid i'or the same animals, ami slowly succumb to
this powerful poison. Their flesh is so rank that even a fox, unless sorely
pressed ))y hunger, will not eat it. Tln^y i)air in April, and usually con-
struct their nests in the loftiest trees. They have various call-notes, one of
whicli is like that of the ("anada Goose, and another is said l)y Mr. lioss to
be very litpiiil and musical.

j\lr. iJall states that these birds were abundant all the year at Nulato, and
indeed everywhere throughout Alaska, but nnich more common near the
Indian villages and trading-]iosts than elsewhere. They build on the .•Sand-
stone dill's at Nulato, in cavities that ha\c been occupied for years. They
lay about the 2(lth of April, and tlu; young .are hatched before open water.
He also sjieaks of tliem as very intelligent, and states that on several ex-
peditions made to obtain their eggs, the instant he stopped at the foot of
the bluff the whole colony would arrange themselves on the edge of the
rock in anxious consultation, uttering repeated cries of warning. On one
occasion, where the nest was inaccessible and the party went back unsuc-
cessful, their depart un; was announced by signilicant and joyous croaks
and derisive screeches. Havens were also found l>y Mr. IJannister com-
mon all the year on the small islands lying off tlie northeast point of St.
.Michaels.

In the Eastern States the Kaven is a conijiaratively rare bird, except in a
few special localities. These are usually mountain-ranges, jiigli ]ireci]iitous
l)anks of rivers and lakes and of the ocean, and among wild and lonely
islands. It occurs on tlie Lala'ador coast, at (!rand Mcnan in the I'lay of
Fundy, the Adiromlacks, Lake (Jeorge, the Hudson Ji'iver, etc. Mr. Law-
rence speaks of it as quite common on the coast of Xew Jersey. It is
found among the ninuntains of I'uncombe and other counties in North
Carolina, and Mr. Audubon mentions its occurrence at Table ^L)untain, in
the district of Pendleton, Soutli Carolina. Dr. Coues found L'avens not rare
at Labrador, where the almost inaccessilile cliffs allbrd them safe and con-
venient reti'eats. They were .so excessively wary that it was found impossi-

238 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

ble to shoot tlieni. They descendod in pairs to tlie sea-sliore to feed on
dead fisli, cml)S, and otlier animal substances thrown up by the sea.

Mr. Kidgway informs me of the ])resence of this bird in the heavy forests
of the bottom-hmds in Southern Illinois. It is there (piite rare, however,
as lie lias met with but a few pairs. These were resident, and nested in the
tall timber of the Big Creek bottoms, in Hicldand Co.

Auduljon's party found it equally impossible to obtain a specimen at Lab-
rador. One afternoon Mr. Audubon hid himself under a nest several hours,
to no purpose. Tlie old Ifavens would not show themselves while he was
within gunsliot, tliough the young clamored for food. As soon as he had
left the spot the female alighted on tlio nest, fed her young, and was off
again before slie could be approached.

At Grand Menan, where they are not rare, and where they breed among
the high clifts, I found them so wild that it was almost impossible even to
obtain sight of them. Passing liigh in the air above our heads, their loud,
hoarse croak attested their alarm at the sight of their enemy, man. They
are looked upon with aversion liy the islanders, and are pereecuted by them
without mercy. Tiiey rob the nests of the Herring Gulls, interfering with
the islanders in tliis privilege, and are, wrongfully I believe, cliarged with
destroying young lambs.

Years afterwards, when I again encountered individuals of this species at
Cheyenne, on the Plains, I could not but notice the immense difference in
their character. There perfect confidence in man took the ])lace of dread.
Unmolested by the people, Avho regard them as desira1)le scavengers, value-
less for food and useful in removing nuisances, they were as tame and famil-
iar as the European Sparrow in the parks of Xew York or Boston. On one
occasion 1 found one engaged in eating the remains of a dead cow just out-
side the city. It allowed me to a])proach to within five or si.v feet, when
with a very stately and dignified stride it moved out of my way, aiid kept
me at about this distance. I could not coni])el it to fiy to any distance,
even '*hen I hastened my steps.

In . Trw England these birds are very rare, and their occurrence is only
accidental. One has been shot on the Connecticut, and another on the Mer-
rimack, in Massachusetts. They are not uufrequently met with in Northern
Xew York.

On tlie Pacific Coast the Haven is common from Sitka to San Diego.
Throughout AVashington Territory it is said to be plentiful, more scattered
in the summer, and in the winter congregating about settlements and the
sea-shore. At Vancouver, during the winter, it was observed amicably as-
sociating with the Crows, and on the coast witli tlie Eish Crows, but during
the spring, when the latter liad nests, they boldly attacked the Havens, and
drove them away.

In California and in all the adjacent regions, Dr. Cooper states, the Paven
is found everywhere in pairs, more numerous than in the Atlantic States,

COIIVID.K — THE cuovvs. 239

and almndant even in the most biirrcn desert districts. Tt follows trains and
herds of cattle, and keeps on tiie lookout for anything liefalling them. It is
omnivorous, eating snakes, lizards, eggs, carrion, and even grain, tliough the
last very rarely. It is aceu.sed of destroying young chickens and lambs.

In Arizona I )r. (."ones speaks of it as resident, and very abundant about
the cattle enchjsui'es, where it congregates in immense numljcrs during the
autumn and winter. During the severe winter of 1804 -G") great numbers
perished of cold and iuinger at Fort Wliipple. Dr. Coues has favored us
with the following interesting sketcli of the habits of tliis bird as observed
by him in that Territory.

" The geograpliical distribution of the Eaven seems to l)e in great meas-
ure com])lementary to that of the Crow. On the prairies, in the desert,
among the mountains, of the Western States .and Tenitories, wliere the
Havens and their congenial companions, tlie coyotes, abound, the Crows are
rare or wanting altogether. In travelling westward, I saw uu Crows after
leaving the settlements this side of the Plains, while the Havens were con-
spicuous, until in .some parts of Southern California Crows reappeared, but
no Havens amongst tJiem. I saw a fair nunxber of Havens along the Arkan-
sas River, and they were i'reiiiu^nt in the valley of the Hio Grande ; after
cro.ssing tlie river, while traversing the wild region thence to the Colorado,
they were our inse])arable com])anions ; liundreds, if not thousands, of them
lived about Fort Whii)ple all the year, seemingly attracted from miles
around by ])robabilities of finding abundant food. Througliout the Western
wilds they liang on the footste])s of man, needy adventurers, claiming their
siiare of his spoils, dis])uting with the wolves and vultures for the refuse of
his cam]), and polisliing the skeletons of the Ijulfalo, with which he some-
times strews the plain. The more desolate the land, the closer the Haven
follows in the trail of the emigranj, till its disAial croaking sounds ominous
of hardshiji, and its plumage seems to foreshadow days as dark,

" One accustomed to the shrewdness and ])rudence of Crows in populous
districts is at first surprised at an a])i)arent familiarity the Haven often
shows in tlie West. Tiiere no one would tliink of wasting amnmnition on
the worthless bird, and it comes to look ui)on man more as its provider than
as an enemy. Nevertheless, like the rest of its tribe, the Haven is a saga-
cioiis bird, not likely to be twice deceived, and very ready to take a hint ;
lie always has his wits al)out him, and keeps a bright lookout when anything
stranger than a coyote is near. This wariness is something altogether dif-
ferent from tlie cliildlike timidity of little birds like Sparrows, that scurry
away in terror from any unusual sight or sound, and uiuiuestionaldy impliis
keen powers of observation coupliid with no small degree of reasoning
faculty. Almost every day during the winter of 18(i4-0r) I must have
pa.ssed within a few paces of H'aveiis stalking about the fort ; and yet, when
I wanted 'a specimen, it was not an ea.sy matter to secure one. The birds
assuredly knew the difi'erence between a person going (juietly about his busi-

240 NUUTIl AMERICAN BIRDS.

ness iiiid one "on iiiiscliicr lieiit,'' iincl tlioir iiitclli<j;ent watclifulnoss ren-
(leruil it (iiiitL- ini|M)ssililc lo iiji|iniiRli thum (i]iuiil_y willi gnu in hand.

" liavi'iis ai'i" resitlcnt in the logiim about Fort Wliipplu, and their appar-
ently diniinislied niiinlier in Muniiner is .simply (hie to tlie iact that tiiey are
tli(!n spread over a greater .surt'aee, are lesis re;stless, aiid hetter ]irovided for
in the matter of food. In winter, and especially when .snow covered the
ground, tla-ir nundiers at the fort were .simply ineahadable. They dotted
the ground everywheie during the day, and n)osted in erowd.s on the neigh-
boring pines by night. One jiatriarchal tree, that stood somewhat isolated,
was a favorite resting-])laee for tiie Itaven.s and Miizzards, and gradually as-
sumed a singidar appearance, as if it had been wliitewashed. This great jiine
overlooked a little open space where our beeves were slaughtered, and the
bani|ueting there was nc^ver ended. All night long the wolves howled and
harked as they tugged at the offal, till daylight .sent them reluctant to their
rocky fastnesses, when the great dark birds, witii a premonitory .stretching
of the wings, tlapiied down to renew the feast. The IJavens and Buzzards
seemed to get along very well together, (puirrelling no more with each other
than eacli s])eeies did with its own kind ; but in the occasional disputes the
smaller birds seemed to liave rather the advantage oi' the heavier and clum-
sier gluttons. This com])arative got)d-fe]lowship was in striking contrast to
the behavior of Crows towards Turkey liuzzards.

" The Itaven is not, on the whole, so noisy a bird as the Crow, though he
croaks vigortuisly on occasion, and his caw may claim to be impressive, if not
agreeable. Hut the (pieer sounds that the bird can utter, if he be so minded,
are indescribable; even his onlinary cawing is suscejitible of considerable
modulation. A favorite annisement of his, when, his liunger appea.sed for
the time, he feels particularly comfortable, is to .settle snugly on the toj) of
a pini!-tret, a),i talk to himself 'i':ie performance generally llegin's with a
loud caw, self-asserting, followed by a complacent chuckh; ; and then comes
a series of comical syllables, so low as to be scarcely audil)le from the ground
below, as if he were nnising aloud, and tickled with his own fancies. Then
he will raise his voice again, and tile away at some old .saw for a while, finish-
ing with the inimitable 'cork-drawing' for which his tribe is famou.s.

" A liaven that L had slightly wounded in the wing and cajjtured soon
became cpiite tame, and developed a variety of amusing traits. Proving
rather obtrusive and inconvenient in my narrow ([uarters, I undertook to tie
him in a corner with a string round his leg. This ho objected to, and it
was astonisinng to .see the ])er.se vera nee he showed in untying any nundier
of knots 1 might make. It was a task that .sometimes took him hours, but
he never rested until it was done. I had no chain light enough for the ])ur-
pose, but I finally got the hetter of him by twisting a wire with the cord.
Ilis intelligence did not reach in that direction more than six inches from
his leg."

Mr. Dresser observed the Ifaveu common at San Antonio, frequenting the

CORVID^ — THE CROWS. 241

slnii<];litcr-hoiisc8. In Noveinbor, in the Jiaudcra Hills, sevuml ciuno to liis
ciunp to feast on the ofl'al oi" deer. J)r. Woodhouse also found them very
almndant in Texas, the Indian Territory, and New Mexico, and especially
so on the buffalo i)lains. In the ^lexican Boundary Survey, Dr. Kennerly
observed these birds everywhere iu Northern Mexico, flocks of them follow-
ing,' the train from point to point. They were not at all shy, but often came
into camp in searcli of food.

Captain JJlakiston, having enjoyed unusual opportunities for oliservin<,' the
habits of the American Kaven during his residence in higii northern regions,
characterizes the species as anything but solitary. During the day they are
usually met with in i)airs, except when drawn together in large numbers
around the carcass of a dead animal. At night, during the winter, they
repair to some chosen resting-place, usually a clump of trees on the edge of
a prairie, and there roost in one innnense body. One of these roosting-places
was about a mile from Fort Carlton, and Captain Blakiston's attention was
first drawn to it by noticing that almut sunset all the liavens, fnjm all quar-
ters, were Hying towards this point. Keturning to the fort in the evening by
that (quarter, he found a clumj) of aspen-trees, none of them more than
twenty-five feet high, filled with Eavens, who, at his approach, took wing
and flew round and round. He also noted the wonderful regularity with
wliich they repaired to their roosting-place in the evening and left it again
in the morning, by pairs, on their day's hunt. They always left in the morn-
ing, within a minute or two of the same time, earlier and earlier as the days
grew longer, on cold or cloudy mornings a little later, usually just half an
hour before sunrise. In April they all paired off, and their roosting-place
became deserted. During an excursion about one hundred and fifty miles
southwest of Fort C'arlton, f'itiitain lUakiston found several n(;sts of Ifavens
with eggs, one of which w\as in a small tree near a lake, and was not more
than fifteen feet above it. It contained six eggs, was about a foot in diame-
ter, composed of sticks, and was lined with buttalo-liair and pieces of scarlet
cloth, evidently picked up about an Indian camping-ground.

Dr. Ileermann states that while in California he always found the nests
of the liaven placed high on bold jirecipitous cliffs, secure against danger ;
in the vast desolate plains of New Mexico he saw these birds building on
low trees, and even on cactus-plants, less than three feet from the ground,
showing how much circumstances and localities affect the habits of birds
regarding incubation.

A liaven, probably this species, is abundant on the plateau of Mexico.
The Cerro Colorado, near Tehuacan, is the rendezvous of a large number of
these birds, where, according to Sumichrast, at the time of the flowering of
the mntiueij, they gather in great abundance, to feed on the blossoms of this
plant, which are their favorite food.

Mr. ]>oardman writes me that he has several times collected Ravens' eggs
at (Jrand Menan, but always found the nest a hard one to take, as they

v.)i,. ti. ;Ji

242 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

usually build it under Sdine high clill'. Tiiey make a very largo and bulky
iiL'st, and, wlieie nt)t disturbed, use it several yeiirs in succession. Tliey
also breed very early. He once took a nest witli eight eggs on the lOtli
of .(V]>ril, when the snow all around was (juite deep. This was sent to
tlie Smithsonian Institution. Its contents nearly tilled a busliel basket.
He does not regard the Havens as migratory. Tliough tiiey are apiiarently
mure numerous in winter than in summer, this is jiroltaldy because they
forsake tiie woods and come about the open fields and tlie Imuks of rivers
for dead fish, and tiius are more noticed. They are very shy, sagacious, and
\ igilaiit, so much so tiiat it is almost impossible for one to get a siiot at
them, ('rows avoid them, and the two are never seen togetiier. The farmers
of (irand Menan accuse them of })ecking the eyes out of young lamlts, and
always try to destroy them, and they grow less and less numerous every
year. Tlie liaveiis, he adils, appear to be on good terms with the Duck
Ha\\ks, as he has known a nest of the former within a few rods of one of
tlie latter.

An egg of this species, from A >derson Kiver, measures 1.9G inches in
length by 1.32 in Itreadth. Two from Grand jMenan measure, one 2.00 inclies
by l..">0, the other 1.95 by 1.25. The ground-color of two of these is a
soiled sea-green, that of the tliird is a liglit bluish-green. This is more spar-
ingly marked witli dots, lilotche-s, and cloudings of faint purple and purplish-
l)rown, chiefly at the larger end. Tlie others are marked over the entire egg
witli blotches of varying size and depth of coloring, of a deep purple-browu ;
some of the markings are not readily distinguishable from black.

Corvus cryptoleucus, Couch.

WHITE-NECKED CBOW.

Corvus cn/ptoleuciis, Coi-cn, I'r. A. N. So. VII, A])ril, 1854, 66 (Tamaulipa.s, Moxioo). —
lUiiO), IJirds N. Am. 18S8, .505, i)l. .x.xii. ^Cooi-Eli, Orii. Cal. I, 1870, 284.

Sp. Cn.Mi. The foiirtli quill i.s loiifjcst ; tlio third and fifth equal; tho sproivl lotifrer
than Iho sixtii ; tlio liist about ('([ual to t\u: scvoTith. (rlossy black, with violet rcfluc-
tioiis; featlioi's of neck all i-ouiiil, hack, and hroast, snow-white at the base. Lcn<;th,
about 21.00; wing, 14()0; tail, ».'>{). Fi'athcr.s of throat lanceolate; bristly feathers
aion^' the bitsc of the bill covering it for nearly two thirds it.s length.

Ham. Valley of Rio (iranile and Oila. Alunidant on the Llano Estacado, and at Eagle
Pass, Texas (Duksskk, Ibis, 180"), 494). Colorado (Aikkn).

In the white bases to the feathers of the neck, etc., there is a resemblance
in this species to the 6^ Icin'ofpuiphnlus of I'orto Rico ; but the latter has
entirely diil'orent proportions, Itlended instead of lanceolate feathers on the
throat, exceedingly siiort instead of unusually long nasal ])lumes, and many
other differences, and is in every feature totally distinct.

Habits. Of the distinctive habits or the extent of the distribution of the

CORVID.E — THE Clio WS. 24o

Wlute-necked IJaven wo luvve vorv littlo knowledge. It was first descriljed
by Jjeiiteimnt (Jdiieli, in l<sr)4, i'nnn .speciniens obtained by him at ("liaico
Escondido, Mexico, in May, IS.ui. ( )tiier Hpeciiiieiis were afterwards ])n»-
cured by Dr. Keinierly, at Janos, ^[e.vico, in \H')'), and by Mr. Dresser iit
Eaji;le ra.ss, Texas, in Mareli, 18()4. Tlie latter yives" no notes as to its
habits.

Dr. Kennorly's note in regard to it is that it was nf)t very conmion, and
when .seen was generally associated witli tiie larger species of liaven. Lien-
tenant t!onch merely mentions it as found in small numbers in Eastern
Taniaidii)as, generally near ranches.

Mr. J. H. Clark writes that this species does not seem to possess the
cunning or wariness of its congeners. It was met witii, in the greatest
abundance, about watering-places. It was not found hal)itually in great
flocks, tliough at tiie head of the Limi)ia many were congregated and Hying
about the face of an innnenso rocky mountain wall, where they were
])robal)ly nesting. Their note he describes as coarse, and less shrill tlian
that of the common Crow. lie met with the .sujiposed nest in an arl)u-
rescent cactus.

Dr. Cones does not ai)pear to have met witli this si)ecies in Arizona, but
Lieutenant IJendire writes to Professor Baird from Tucson, A])ril 12, 1H72,
that it is the most common Crow or liaven tliere. This he discovered
accidentally, finding that three fourths of tiie IJavens he shot proved to be
of this species; tlic otiiers were the Colorado race of the IJaven. Sj)ei!i-
mens of this Crow were obtained at Fort IJuchauan by Dr. Irwin, at Pecos
Piver by Dr. Anderson, and in the Indian Territory by Mr. McCarthy.

An egg of this species, from Trout Creek, Texas, obtained June 20 by
Charles S. McCarthy, measures 1.75 inches in length by 1.25 in breadtli.
The ground-color is a light grayish-green, and is pretty uniformly marked
with fine dottings of mingled purple and brown.

Corvus americanus, Aud.

COHMON CBOW.

CorvH.i cnronc, Wilson, Am. Orii. IV, 1811, 79, \A. xxv, f. 3. — Bos. Obs. Wils. IS'24,
Xo. 37. — In. Syn. 182S, HC. — Hicil. F. H. Am. II, 1831, 291. — Ni'iT.vi.i,, M:iii. I,
lS3'i, 2(19 (not rii/T».s' (ywi/k: of Linn.). Cornis amfrieaiui.i, Aud. Oi-ii. Hioj;. II, 1.S3I,
317 ; V, 477, pi. clvi. — Iii. Syn. 1839, 150. —In. Uiiils Am. IV, 1842, 87, pi. I'lxxv.
— lioN. List, 1838. — lu. C'on.sp. 18.'iO, 385. — NrrrAl.i., Man. I, (2il al,) 184(t, 221. -
Maxim. licLso, I, 1839, 14n. — Nkwiikuuy, Zoiil. Ciil. k Or. Koutc, V. U. U. llrp. VI,
IV, 1857, 82. — lUlitn, Hinls N. Am. 18.")8, 5G6, pi. xxiii. — Max. Caban. J. VI,
1858, 108. — Si'iii.KOEl., Notici" sur Ics rorbcaux, 10, i)l. i, f. 16. — Coi'K.s, P. A. N. S.
1861, 226. — Samvkls, 357. — Ali.kn, 15. E. I'ln. 297 (in part).

Sp. Char. Fourth ([iiill loujicst ; second sliortcr than .sixth; first shorter than ninth.
Glossy black with violet reflections, even on the bi^lly. Len<;th, 10.00 to 20.00; wing,
13.00 to 13.50 ; tail about 8.00. Tarsus longer than the midtUe toe and claw.

244 NORTH AMEUICAN BIUDS.

IIaii. United States, from Atlantic to Paeilic ; rare in tlie Afidiile Province an<l on
Missonri Plains, and <in nortiiwest eiiiust. N. K. Texas (Diikssku, Ibio, 18(id, 11)4^. ^<urlU
to (ireat Slave Laivc, lAirt Hue, and Nelson Itiver, II. H. T.

Tlic C. amii'icauus lias no aiialojiiio in Ktivopo, tlnjiij,'li the C. vorouc soinc-
wliat reseinblos it. The must impoitaut feature of distinction appears to lie
in the striictnro of tiie leathers of the head and neck, wiiich in V. ivroiic are
narrow, with the tips distinct, while in the American bird these ti])s arc
blended tojrether and do not maintain their individuality. Tlio feathers on
the fore-neck in roroiic are also lanceolate and distinct, showing,' the outline
of each one as in the Uaven, while in the American Crow they are three
times as broad, rounded, and entirely bhmded. Mr. Audid)on further
remarks that the neck of the European bird is glossed with green and blue,
while that of the American has a decided ]>urplish-brown tinge.

Prince Maximilian states, in addition, that the note ditt'ers in the two
species.

IlAitiTs. The Common Crow of North America is found in great abun-
dance in all the Eastern States, from Texas to Elorida, and from the Missoiu'i
to Nova Scotia. A few are found beyond the Great I'lains, and they also
extend their migrations, in summer, into high Arctic regions. Jlichardson
found them as far north as the 55th parallel, but was in error when he stated
that beyond this they do not go. He adds that none ajiproach within five or
six hundred miles of Hudson's Bay. They were observed at Cross Lake and
at Lake Wimiepeg by Mr. Kennicott, at IJig Island by Mr. Iteid, at Fort
Rae l)y Mr. Clarke, and at F(jrt Anderson and on the Lower Anderson liiver
by Mr. MacEarlaiie, who also found them l)reeding even at this high latitude.
Th(!y were not seen in llussian America, and Dr. Cooper thinks that the
species does not occur in California, or, if at all, only rarely, but that it is
there replaced by C. canrinm.

Mr. liidgway found the Crow of very rare occurrence in the interior. A
very fevv were seen in the Truckee meadows, in Noxember, and others at the
Humboldt marshes, in Octolier. These western Inrds were exceedingly un-
suspicious and familiar, so much so that those seen in the Humboldt marshes
were walking al)out with all the familiarity of dom<. .tic ])igeons, oidy hop-
ping aside as they were ajjproached. None were seen either in spring or
summer.

In Western Iowa Mr. Allen states that he saw but very few of this spe-
cies, and even in Northern Illinois it was not very common. At the We.st
this bird is reported to be held in better estimation than at the East, by the
farmers. It is not known to pull corn, and seems to be entirely unsusj)!-
cious. It is regarded generally as a benefiictor, and not only deserves, but
receives, good treatment. In Indiana he found it more connuon.

Dr. Cones met with a single individual on the Labrador coast. In Nova
Scotia it is much more abundant, and there, as on the Western prairies, being
unmolested by the inhabitants, it is exceedingly unsuspicious, and will per-

COUVID.K — TlIK CROWS. 245

mit a very near ftpproacli boinre it will Hy, and even then will not move
to a (li.stanee. In all of llie I'nited Stiite.s east of the Missiswipjii it is very
abiintlant. In Texas, between Sun Antonio and the Mexican frontier, it is
not eonuuon ; liut Mr. Dresser found it very conmujn in tlio nortlieast part
of tlie State during the wiiole yctur.

I'rolialtly no one of our birds, so wliolly worthless for food, has been more
hunted and destroyed than tliis sjiccies. In certain j)arts of tlie country it
is iield in great aversion l)y tiie farmers, and in some States bounty-laws
have been enacted by legislatures to ])romote its destruction. Had not
these liirds been posses.sed of an extraordinary intelligence, they must long
since have lieen exterminated or driven from a large ])art of the country.
In some sections their numbers have been of lute nmch diininislied liy tlie
use of stryciinine. During the month of May tlie ('row is very destructive
in the cornlield, pulling u]) the grains as soon as they liegin to vegetate, and
compelling the farmer to replant perhaps several times. Wilson remarks that
in tiie State of Delaware these liirds collect in immense flocks and coiiimit
great devastation ujion crops of standing corn. They also occasionally com-
mit depredations in the barnyard, robliing hens'-nests of their eggs, and
even destroying young chickens. They also destroy the eggs and young of
other birds. Tiie mischief they thus do is doubtless very great, and the
ground for the jirevalent jirejudice against them is ipiite apparent. Yet it is
equally demonstrable that this bird is surpassed, and jirobalily is eijualled,
by no other in the vast amount of the benefits conferred niion agricultural-
ists. The evil it jierpetrates is very limited, and is confined to but a short
period, but during all the time it is resident the Crow is constantly engaged
in the destruction of injurious insects and rodent quadrupeds. In the early
spring it feeds almost wholly upon the most destructive grubs, and in
extensive districts of Massachusetts, where these birds have been largely
destroyed, the ravages of the May-bugs and the grasshopjiers in pasture-
lands have been a natural conse(|uence of so short-sigiited a jiolicy.

The persecutions to which the Crow is subjected have developed in them
a wariness and a distrust that is foreign to their nature. They can only live
liy keejiing on a constant lookout for dangers, and by learning to distinguish
the weapons thfit threaten their destruction. As soon as anything is seen
that causes alarm, the signal is at once given, and the warning passed from
one to another.

In New Jersey and in PeniLsylvania, during the winter months, the Crows
assemble in immense Hocks, and their movements apjiear to be regulated by
the guidance of a few chosen leaders. I received from the lips of the late
John Cassin, an ornithologist hardly less remarkable for his outdoor obser-
vations than for his researches in the closet, only a few days before his
death, a very surprising account of the movements of a large army of Crows,
witnessed by himself, in the spring of 1868.

On a Sunday morning in April, when Philadelphia was enveloped in a

24G NORTH AMERICAN lURDS.

fog so (lenso and inipeiietmlilc Hint it wiis Imrdly jMissiltk' to diHliiij,'uisli ob-
jects lUTosh, its sti'wts, Mr. Cassin's iitteiitiuii was ndlfd to an iiniiu'iisc
acciiiiiulation of tl'.ose birds in Indupondonco S(iiiare. Tiiu wiiolo [larlv liu
found, to Ilia utter astonislinient, ocriii>iod by an inuuenso army of ('rows.
Tlicy filli'd all (lie tree.s, beiidiii},' down tiie overloaded bniuclies, and swarmed
over and coverinl tlie ^n'ouiul. Tlio entire simce seemed alive with Crows.
Tliey liiid evidently lieeome bewildered in the fog, and had strangely taken
refuge in this small park in the very heart of I'liiladelphia. As if aware of
their close proximity to d.iiiger, the wiicdo a.ssenibly was iiiiiet, orderly, and
sihuit. A few liirds, evidently acting as leaders, moved noi.sele.ssly back and
forth through their ranks, as if giving tacit signals. These movements were
foUowtid by the departure of a few scouts, as if sent to make e.xplonitions,
but they soon returned unsuceessfiil. Again were repeated the unea.sy
movements of their leaders, jiassing slowly and cautiously through their
close ranks. After an apparently much longer consultation, another small
party ascended to exi)lore, wheeling round and ruund in wider and wider
zones. At lengtii, .satisfied with their observations, they (piietly returned,
and made tiuiir report in a manner evidently understood, though not audiltly
expressed; for immediately the leailers passed again among the crowd, and,
as if signals \\\'yo given for a general movement, tin; whole of this immense
congregation, numbering, ^fr. ("assin estimated, hundreds of thousands, ro.se
slowly and silently, preceded l>y their scouts, and, moving otf in a westerly
direction, were soon lost to view.

When taken young, tlu' Crow can be easily domesticated, and becomes a
very entertaining, lait a very mischievous pet. It is very secretive, hiding
objects of no value to it.self, and .seems to delight in mischief. It disjilays
ol'ten a wonderful intelligence, a])pears to understand and to obey certain
directions, and manifests also remarkable (luickness of vision. A tame Cnnv
belonging to a family resident near IJoston, and permitted to go at large,
manifested all the attachment of a dog. It especially enjoyed the society
of the children, and played with them in their games of hide and seek, sur-
passing them liy its readiness in finding the secreted object. It was es-
pecially attached to the nii.stress of the house, flying to her n-hencver she
apia'oached, hovering over her head, and alighting on her shoulder.

In a few instances the Crow has been taught to imitate articrdate sounds.
In one of these, in Cimfton, Mass., the Crow not only vociferated a single
UKmosyllable repeatedly, but at other times enunciated a short sentence of
five syllables.

A few are resident in Afassaclmsetts <lnring the year, but the greater por-
tion move south in Xo\ember and return in March. Those who remain
during the winter are chietly resident near the sea-shore. The Crow breeds
from April to June, varying with the latitude of its residence. In Massa-
chusetts it has full-grow^n young by June 1. It builds, Tisually in March, a
large rudely constructed nest of sticks, moss, aud bark, Uued with finer

CORVin.R — THE ciiows. 247

mofisofi, nnd soinotimos witli liair. TIio ])aroiit liirds arc very wiitchfiil and
vigilant it' their iie.st is in (lanj;ui', and uiton cxposo tiiuir iivus in tlioir anx-
iety I'or their young. Thu male bird is attentive to his mate durini,' inculia-
tion, and assists in t'oeding llie young. The young are fed ciiiully on insects,
I'l'ogs, miuo, and similar food.

Till) eggs of tht! Crow vary from l.(J(» to 1 .55 inches in length, and from
l.liO to 1. 10 in breadth. In tiieir markings they exhibit surprising varia-
tions. Tiiey usually lavve a ground t)f a ligiit sea-grocn, over \viii(!li arc
.scattered, more or less thickly, blotches, some of them (luite large, of a ilark-
brown, almost bhick, with purplish reflections. These are ehiclly aliout the
larger end. Another quite common variety is of a deeper ground of green,
very uniformly and thickly s]>rinklcd with fine (h)ttings of a sepia-brown.
Ollicrs have a gniund nearly white, .slightly tinged with green, more spar-
ingly 8])otted with small l)lotches of light purplish-brown. A nest found
near Springfield contained eggs having the ground-color on one side a
jiinkish-gray, the rest being greenish-white, all spotted with brown.
Another set of eggs from Hudson, Ma.ss,, were of a light bluish-green,
entirely unspotted, resembling large iJoliin's eggs; and Dr. Wood nuMitions
another four, the ground of which was llesh-color, and the spots red.

Corvus americanus, var. floridanus, Baird.

FLOBIDA CROW.

Comm (imericaniifi, var. floridanw, lUuiD, Birds N. Am. 5(58, pi. Ixvii, f. 1, 6'. amcrkn-
nus, Allkn, n. E. Fla. 297.

Sp. CnAii. About, tlie size of C. amerieanun, but bill and foet Inrffor. Tiiil loss rounded.
Third, foiu'th, and (itl)i quills nearly equal; third riitiier longer than ril'lii. Color lo.sa
violet, above. Lenjrth, lO.SO; wiiifr, 12.00; tail, 7.70; tarsus, 2.G0.

IIab. Soulliorn peninsula of Florida.

This resident Crow of Horida differs in some marked features from that
of the more northern localities in several characters. Although jjcrhaps
rather smaller, the l)ill and feet, especially the latter, are very consideralily
liuger. Tlie nasal feathers extend over the basal two fifths of the bill,
instead of the half The ])roportions of the bill are about the same ; in
the Florida bird it is rather the longer. The greatest difference is in the
feet. The tarsal joint of the tibia is bare, the feathers scarcely coming
below it, even anteriorly, instead of projecting some distance. The tarsus
is almost a quarter of an inch longer, covered anteriorly by nine scutelhc,
instead of eight. The outer lateral toe is shorter, not reaching the base
of the middle chuv. The middle too and claw are considerably shorter than
the tarsus ; the middle claw is sliorter than in the northern bird.

The wing-formula differs somewhat ; the third, fourth, and fifth ipiills are
nearly eijual, the tliird even longer than the fifth, instead of shorter. The

248 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

tail is slioi't iuid vmy iiwirly cvuii, \\w. iliH'iM'i'ncL! in liMij,ftli of feathers heing
loss tiiaii half an incii, iiLstcad of an incii. This, liowuvcr, niny in part Ijo
owing to the alisence of tiie nii(hllo pair.

The colors diller soniewliat from tiioso of the common Crow. There is
less \ iok't, anil the I'eatliers of the back have ahnost a l)rassy gk)ss on tlieir
margins, as in Cnifoji/iiti/a.

Tiie sj)ecinuMi upon wliich tiiese remarks are Ixiseil, thougii ap])arently
perl'ectly mature, is I'haiiging some of its featiiers, such as tlie inner prima-
ries, tlie middki tail-l'oathers, and tiie grisater coverts. The long primaries
and ten tail-feathers, however, are of full Ittnglh. It is possible that the
bird is really as large as the northern Crow, although this is hardly probalile.
it was killed on the mainland of the extreme southern i)ortion of Florida,
not far from Fort Dallas.

No comparison of this binl is rei|nired with the Fish Crow, which has the
middle too ivnd claw longer than the tarsus, not shorter, and the proportions
much less.

H.vtilTS. The connnon resident Crow of Fhirida exhibits so many pecu-
liarities differing from tiie northern species, that Professor Baird, in his
Jiirds of America, deemed it worthy of mention at least as a race, if not a
distinct species. We have no account of its habits, and do not know if,
in any resjiects, they differ from those of the common Crow. Dr. J. C.
Cooper, in his brief manuscrij>t notes on the birds of Florida, made in the
spring of 185!), s})eaks of the Florida Crow as very common, as being (piite
maritime in its haiiits, and as having full-fledged young on the 2(lth of
April. Three eggs of this race, obtained in Florida in the spring of 1871,
by Mr. ^layuard, differ not more from tho.se of the Crow than do those of the
latter occasionally from one another. Tliey measure 1.7.'5 by 1.20 inches ;
1.7<) by 1.20 ; and 1.54 by 1.25. Their ground-color is a bright bluish-green,
and they are all more or less marked, over the entire egg, with lilotches of a
mingled bronze and brown with viohit shadings. The latter tints are mort!
marked in one egg than in the others, and in this the sjiots are fewer and
more Jit one end, the larger end being nearly free from markings. Their
average capa ty, as compared Avitli the average of the 0. uincricaiiu^i, is as
5.1 to 4.2.

Corvus caurinus, B.uiii).

NORTHWESTEKN FISH CBOW.

Corvus miin'inin, H.^iui), jiirds N. Am. IS.'iS, .'iti!), ])]. xxiv. — Hon pp. it k SrcKi.r.v, 211,
1)1. xxiv. - -D.M.I, & IUnnistkh, Tr. Chii'. A(^ I, 18(i!», '2Sii (Alaskii). — Finmu, Alih.
Mat. Ill, ls7'i. 41 (Alaskal — Coiil'l-.l!, Oin. ("al. I, 1870, 285.

Si>. CiiAK. lAiui'lli (|iiill l(ini;i'st ; IHlli ami iIiIimI almiit c(|iial : second loiijri'i- lliaii sixth ;
liisl sliortcr tliaii niiilli. Color lilnck, frlnsscil willi iiiir]il('. Tail nearly oven. Tarsus longer
lliaii middle toe and claw. Leiifftli nlioul, 1(!..'J0 ; winp alioiit 11.00; tnil nbout 7.00.

ir.Mi. Xortlnvestern eoasi, from Colninliin River to Silka.

CDRVID.K — TIII<; CROWS. 249

This specicis is roiulily ilistiiijiuislictl i'miii tlio easturn Fish Crow l»y (ho
larj^iT size ; iho iilKsciiue (if i;iv('ii gloss on tlie holly ; tiio tarsi longer than
tlu; niidclle too and claw, instead of shorter; and the second tiiiill lieing
generally shorter than tho sixth instead oi' longer, and considerahly shorter
ihan tho culnion, instead of longer.

It is rather to he compared with (/. aiiifrinDiiix, with whicli it agrees in
colors, hnt from which it ditVers, essentially, in having the wing and tail
very muLh shorter, wiiile the hill is oonsidoraldy longer, and in having the
tarsus shorter than the culmen, instead of longer, as in all the other Xorth
American s]iecies. in this last respect it agrees with ('. nicrirmnin (see
synopsis, \). 8l!!t) of Western Mexico ; in this, however, the color and projior-
tions are entirely different.

H.VHITS. This sjH'cies a]>iiears to ho confined to tho sea hoard of the Ta-
citic, from Ahiska to California inclusive. Smaller than tho common Crow,
in its more essential features it closely rcsenddos that hird, while in all its
habits it a])p(.irs the exact cuunterpart of the Fish Crow, from which it is
specilically and essentially distinct.

It is found as iav north as Sitka, several specimens having been jnociu'cd
at that i)oint by Mr. Di.schoff.

In the oj)inion of I>r. Suckley, tiie marked differences in tlie habits of
this species from those of the connmin Crow, o\en more than the great dif-
ference in size, suiiicii'ntly mark them as entirely distinct. The western
Fish Crow is never wary or susjiicious, like tlie common species, but in its
impudent familiarity with man resenddes the Fnglish Jackdaw, and hardly
learns to be shy oven after having been annoyed with the gun. In Oregon
and Wa.shington Territory, he states, this Crow is very abundant, and is one
of the marked ornithological features of the country. The great abundance
of fish, es])ecially of salmon, in both of these divisions, ani]>ly supplies tins
.species with food. At I'uget Sound it is abundant throughout the year.
During tho winter it sultsists ])rincipally uiton tho refuse food and offal
thrown out by the natives from their lodges. He describes it as ennidng,
but very tame and ini])udent, allowing a very near ap])roach, and retiring but
a short distance whi'U i)ur.suod. Like the Uavon and the lleriing (lull, those
birds are in tho habit of carrying clams high into tho air and then dropjiing
Ihom, in order to break the shell. I)r. Suckley observed one friutle.s.sly try-
ing to lireak the shidl of a clam by letting it dro]) on .soft ground. In this
effort he ]iersistod per.se vori ugly as long as ho was watched.

Dr. Suckley found a nest of this species at Fort Dalles. It was situated
in a ilens(> willow-thicket, near a lagoon on the C(dund)ia, and contained
three eggs, lie describes them as aliout an inch and a half long and very
wide in their short diameter, of a dirty green ground with brown spots.

Dr. Coopi'r s]ieaks of it as much nioro gregarious and familiar than the
common Crow, Imt otherwise resendiling that bird in habits, being very saga-
ciou.s, feeding upon almost everything animal and vegetaiile, differing rather

VOL. u. -i-i

250 NOKTII AMERICAN 15IUD8.

in llie tone tlian in tlic cliiiriu'ter of its cries. Its diiof dependence for
food beinj,' on the sea, it is generally I'ound along the beach, devouring dead
fish and other olijects thrown u\) liy the waves. At high tide the birds leave
tlie shore and resort to dwellings near the sea, where they devour the oiful
and any refuse, vi'getal)le or animal. As soon as the tide changes they are
sure to notice it and to return to their favorite feeding-ground. They are
very tmulilesonie to the ln(lian.s, stealing their fish e.\po.sed for drying, and
other articles of food. From some sujjerstitious awe of them the Indians
never molest these Ijirds, but set tlu,, hildren to watch and drive them
away. They build in trees near tiie shore, and the young are Hedged in May.

In the southern half of California, Dr. Cooi)er states, these birds are
rarely seen near the sea, preferring inland disti'icts, and only occasionally
coming to the shores (jf the bays to feed. During most of the year they
associate in large Hocks, feeding in company, and are gregarious even iii the
breeding-season, building in ch)se proximity to one auotlier. Frequently
several nests may be; tViund on the same tree. In this resjiect they are very
uidike tlie eastern s]iecies, which never permit another pair near their nest.

Tiiese birds wen; found by Dr. Cooper breeding as far south as San Diego,
where they selected fur their breeding-places the groves of evergreen oaks
growing in ravines. Their nests were from twelve to forty feet from (he
ground. In the north they generally build in sjiruce.s. lie describes their
nesfs as strongly built ol' sticks, coarse on the outside, Init finer on the inside,
where they are mingled with roots, grasses, moss, horse-hair, etc., to form a soft
lining. The eggs, four in nund)er, have a ground-color of a dark shade of green,
thickly marked with dark bi'own and olive. He gives their average measure-
ment as 1. 00 by l.li) inches. At San Diego they are laid abtmt A})ril 15.

Where unmolested, these liirds have not yet become so shy as in the older
districts, but they soon learn to a])])rehend t\n: danger of a gun, and to evince
the cunning characteristics of their tribe. They have not, as yet, manifested
any disposition to disturli tlie growing crops, and the small de])redations they
commit are far nnjre than counterl)alaiiced by their destruction of immense
nund)ers of grubs, grass]io])pers, ami other injurious insects. They olttain a
large supply of food around the cattle-ranches.

In northern California they feed largely on lish, and on the Columliia on
clams and oysters.

For reasons not well understood, they avoid particular districts during the
lireeding-season. Dr. Coo]ier has never ncjticed one, during this season, on
the coast south of Santa Clara, has never seen oiu; in the Colorado Valley,
nor in the Sicu-ra Xevada.

At N'isalin, wlicre an extensive fVu'cst of oaks forms an oasis in the great
Tulare i)Iain, lie in(;t witli large flocks of these birds, with the .same gregari-
ous habits as weiv obserxcd on the coast.

i)uring tlie month of ,luly, ISOr), a large nundier of these Crows came
every evening to roost in an alder-grove near the town of Santa Cruz. They

COUVID.K — THE CROWS. 251

gathered in loiij::, continuous Hocks i'min tiio ncinhliorin^ iiclils, (lyinj^ riitlicr
high. All id once tlicy wouM dcsci-nd, willi /.i'^/.a'^ turns, to tlic low trees,
sportively chasing and pecking at one another, and ciiattering in the air.

Air. dohn K. Lord, who enjoyiid an unusually good opiiortunity of comiiar-
ing the habits of our coiumon ('row with tliose of tliis spcM'ies, lias not tlic
sligiit&st doulit as to their disthictnes.s, though ,si» very lil^c in all essential
respecLs, as far as color, fv)rni of bill, and other details are concerned. The
smaller size of this liird, the dilference in voice, and their habit of building
with nmd a domed ne.st, suHicientiy demonstrate liicir dilference. Tiiis
Crow he found i)rinci])ally near the sea-coast; retiring to the trees at higli
tide, following out its elib and retreating before its Hood, tiuty feed on any
marine food they can iind. The caw of tliis s])ecies renunded him of liie
Jackdaws of Europe. During the brecding-.season they abandoned tiie coast,
from early May resorting liy i)airs to tlie interior. Selecting jiatclies of ojien
jmiirie, they build their nests in tiie busiies of tlie cral)-apiile or wild thorn,
and something in the manner of the Magjiie, arching over the toji with
sticks, with two (jjicfuings for entrance and e.\it on I'itiier side. The inside
is plastered with mud, and lined with a few loose gni.ss-stalks. The eggs he
found generally small, and of a ligiiter color than tIio.se of tlie comnion Crow.
After nesting, they return with their young to the .sea-coast, and remain in
large Hocks. During tiie iireeding-season tliey feed on small reptiles, fresli-
water mollusks, insects, grubs, etc. Mr. Lord noticed them capturing butter-
flies flying near tlieir nests. Their eggs range in nundier from five to seven.

An egg of this species from Sitka measures 1.G2 inclics in lengtii by 1.V2
in breadth. It is of an olilong-oval siia|ie, jiointed at one end. The ground-
color is a light sea-green, with marks and blotches of olive-brown, of varying
size and different shades.

CorvTis ossifragus, Wilson.

FISH CBOW.

Corrit.1 (it.^ii/rdfiiis, AVii.son, Am. (>ni. V, ISTJ, 27, pi. xxxvii, f. '2. — P>(i\. Olis. Wil.s. lS2,"i,
No. :!0. — 111. Syii. 182S, :")?. — lit. ('(mspcMtiis. IS.'.O, 385. — W.vci.r.i:, Syst. Avium,
1827, (^iirvun, No. 12. — Nrn'Ai.i,, Man. I, l,s;!2, 21«. — Art). Oni. Hioj,'. II, lb\M,
2tlS ; V, 470, pi. cxlvi. — III. Svii. 18;i!t, l.'.l. — In. liinls Am. IV, 1812, 04, pi.
I'cx.wi. — liAiitii, liinls N. Am. 1858, 571, pi. Ixvii, 1'. 2. — S.VMria.s, 363. — Allkn,
H. E. Flu. 207.

Si'. Cii.Mi. Fmirtli ipiill loiiircst ; .■iccond Mitjicr loiifrcr tli.an sovcnlli ; lirst .■^liortiT I'aaii
the liiiilli. filds.sy liliicU. with i^rccu mid violet rcllcctions : tlie i^-lnss of the lielly
pri'oiii.-iii. licni^tli, iilidiit ir)..")(); wiiiL', 10.50; tail, less tliaii 7.00; tarsus shorter than
tilt! midille tue and daw.

IIaii. Atlantic coast, IVoni New Jersey to Florida.

The Fish Crow of the Atlantic States is readily distingui.=!hablo from the
common Crow by the much snniller size (IG inches instead of 2i); M-iiig,

252 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

ul)()ut 11 inches instead of lo) ; tlie )iill is hroiiiler at tlie base anil tapers more
rajtiilly to tlie end ; the jniihlle toe and chiw are h)n^er than the seutelhite
portion of the tarsus, not slKnter, tlie inner claw not reachin.L"- to the base of
the middle one. The tail is less rounded. The j^loss on the belly is ,yreen
instead of violet ; that on the back is mixed with yreeii, not entirely violet.

Habit.s. The Fish Crow of Eastern North vVnierica has a distribution
restricted to the .Southern Atlantic .and the (iulf shore. It is Ibund in the
States of New Jersey, I'ennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, A'irifinia, the Caro-
lina!?, (ieornia, and Florida, and, according to Audulion, thence to the mouth
of the Mississijipi AVest of that river it appears to be very rarely met with.
Dr. Wiirdeiiiann ol)tained it at Calcasieu, La. Mr. Allen, in a list of the
birds of Alassachusetts, published in 18U4, names this s])ecies as an occa-
sional visitor along the southern coast of that State, but 1 am not able to
find any corroboration of tlie statement, and believe it to be a mistake. Dr.
De Kay, in his iJeport on the birds of New York, states that this Crow is
occasionally seen on tlie shores of Lcjiig Island, but ^h: Lawrence is confi-
dent that it never occurs i'arther north than Sipiaw Beacli, in New Jersey.
So, too, Mr. Townscnd is (juoted by b(jtli Audubf)n and Niittall as authority
for its occurrence on the Columl)ia IJiver, of which we have no continuation.

This species was first described by Wilson, who met with it and observed
its habits on the sea-coast of (leorgia. In some respects its habits were
the exact reverse of those of the common Crow, as the former regularly re-
tired at evening int(j the interior to roost, and came down to the shores of
the river Savannah, on the first ap])earaiice of day, to feed. Its voice first
attracted his notice ; there was something in it very different from the utter-
ances of the Crow, being more hoarse and guttural, and more varied in its
modulations. The mode of flight was also observed to be quite different,
as the Fish Crow occasionally soars about in the manner of the liaven and
of Hawks, without Hapi)iiig its wings, — a flight which the Crow is never
obser\ed to make, and is i)robal>ly not alile to execute.

The food was also oliserved to bo unlike, as well as the manner of pro-
curing it. The favorite iiaunt of this species seemed to be the banks of the
river, up and down which they soared, and in a v(;rv ilexterous manner
snatched ii]) with their claws dead fisli, or other garbage found floating
on the surface. Tiiis Crow was also seen to jiercli freiiuontly on the back of
catlie, in the manner of the Jactkdaw of Kurope. It was never seen to
miii-le with the common Crows ; and never, like the latter, voosts among the
reeds and marshes near the water, but always seeks the shelter of the woods,
in which to pass the night.

Afterwards, in his Journey near the Mississiii])i, Wilson ob.served the same
birds freiiuenting the borders of rivers and ])onds, and feeding on the rej)-
tiles found in those waters. Tluiy were close attendants upon the cow-yards,
and were more solitary, but much less shy and susjncious, than the common
Crow. This sjiecicis was also oliserved liy Wilson in Cape May County, New

COKVID.E — THE CROWS. 2^}H

Jersey, and in the reyidus Ixmleviii^' on tlie Sclmylkill and the Dehnvare, near
I'hiliuleliihia, (hiring- the sliad and herring li.shing, or Iruni March till .hine.

During the breed iiig-si-ason they were oli.served to separate into jiairs, and
to liuild their nests in tall trees near the sea or the river shore. On(f of their
nests was in a tall wood at (rreat Egg Harbor, and they were presumed to
have tour or live young at a time.

In the District of Columhia, Dr. (,'nues I'ound the Fish Crow to he an
abundant resident throughout the year, less wary and suspicious than the
comiuon Crow, and more! eonfmed to the borders ol" rivers. It was generally
coutbunded with 0. amirirnnus.

The Fish (Jrow ajjjiears to have received, even if it does not merit, an
exemption fnjm the general unp(Ji)ularity of its race. It is generally believed
to be at least a harndess species, and in its destruction of reptiles and ver-
min to be oven bcnelicial. This belief, we ai)prehend, is for the most part
well fcmnded. Y'et Mr. Audubon accu.ses these ( 'rows of entering gardens
and feciding ujiou the best li'uits. He also states that, near (.'harleston, they
commit such dein-edations u])on the ripe figs, and become so troublesome
generally in the gardens, that it is often found necessary to station a man
near the fig-trees to shoot and destroy them.

The Fish Crow is confined either to the maritime districts or to the banks
of rivers branching from them. Audubon states that they ascend the Dela-
ware to (|uite a tlistancc, and that some breed in Xew Jersey every year, but
that all retire to the South on the ai)])roacli of cold weather. Some go up
the Mississippi to the distance of live hundred miles, but return to the sea-
shore in the winter. In I'-ast Florida, where they were very abundant, Mr.
Audulion found them breiMling in February, in South Carolina on the 2t)th
of March, and in Xew Jersey a month later, (^n the St. John's lliver, dur-
ing February, he saw them in flocks of .several hundred, but all seemed
mated and to move in pairs, sailing high in tiie air in the manner of Kaveiis.
After these aerial excursions the whole body <lescended to the water's edge to
feed. When their fishing was over, they wouM alight in Hocks on the live-
oaks near the shore, and there keej) up their gabbling, wliile they idumed"
themselves, for hours. They then returned to their fishing-grounds, where they
remained until near sunset, moving into the interior to great distances, to r<iost
on the loblolly-pines. These retreats were made in silence, but their return
to the sea-.shore in the early morning was made with noisy and lively demnn-
strations. They were then to be seen among the bays, rivers, .salt juinds, and
marslu's, searching for small fry, and ]ii(dviug u]) any garbage; they might find.

Mr. Aucbibon also accuses them of robbing other birds of their eggs and
young. This was especially ol)served on the Florida Keys, where they even
dared to plunder the nests of the Cormorants and White Ibi.s. They feed
largely on the small cralis cidled fiddlers, which they pursue and easily cap-
ture in their burrows. He has also seen them attack and pursue small Culls
and Terns, and attempt to make them disgorge the fish they have caught ; but

254

NOIITII AMEIU(;AN JIIIIDS.

as the Hij,'lit of tlio latter is swifter, tliev are frequently uiisiiccessf»il in tliese
attempts at roliljery. This Crnw can eatcii liviny tish witli considerable
dexterity, Imt cannot feed while on tiie winj;.

During the winter and early s])ring, Mr. Audnlmn states tliat tliese birds
feed on various kinds of berries, esiiecially those ol' the lle.r attinina and of
the common iiolly, and those of tlie exotic tallow-tree, now so coninion near
Ciiarleston (,Sti7/iiif/i(i si'J>iJ\rtt). In .fanuary and February tiiese trees are
much resorted to liy the Crows, who greedily devour their white and oily seeds.

^Ir. Audul)on found these birds breeding generally on moderate-sized trees
of tlie loblolly-pine, buildin;'; their nests towards the extremities of the
branches, about twenty feet from the ground. The nests are smaller than
tiiose of the ("row, and are built of sticks, lined witii dry grasses and moss,
and neatly Hnislied with tine filtrous roots. The eggs are live or six in num-
ber, and resemlile those of the Crow, l)ut are smaller.

Two eggs of this s^iecies, from St. Simon's Island, measure, one 1.50
in length by l.Kt in In'eadth, the otiier l.oii by 1.09. Their ground-color is
a ligiit blue with a .slight greenish tinge, marked over the entire egg with
small Idotches of a ligiit l)rown. An egg from (ireat Egg Harlior, obtained
by Wilson, from the old Teale Museum, and which may lie a faded specimen,
has no tinge of blue or green, but a ground of pinkish-gray, marked with
smaller blotclies and cloudings of dark drab. It measures 1.40 inches in
length by one inch iu breadth.

Gknts PICICORVUS, Boxap.

Pkicon-us, noxArAr.TK, Consi). Av. 1850. 384. (Type, Coreas cohnnJiianu/f, AViLs.)

Ge.v. Char. LuiKloii-irray color, with lihick wiiifrs and tnil. Bill longpr than tlio hoad,

considerably lonjrcr than the tarsii.^s,
attenuated, sliirhtly dcourvcil ; tip
without notch. Ciilnicn and coni-
niissnie cni'vcd ; {,'oiiy>i .^traiirht or
slightly coni'iivc, as lonj,' as the tarsi.
Nostrils circular, completely covered
by a I'liU tuft of iiuuinlieut white
bristly leathers. Tail much shorter
than the wiuirs, nearly even or
slitrhtly roinided. Winjjs pointed,
roachinjr to the tip of t.iil. Third,
fourth, and fit'th (piills loni.'<'st. Tarsi
short, scarcely loufrer than the mid-
dle toe, the hind toe and claw very
larpe. reachiuf; nearly to the middle
of the middle claw, the lateral ton
little shorter. A row of .«inall scales
on the middl(! of the sides of tarsus.

/=-

Pirititrftis rnUimhinnua.

Color of the single species leadeii-gray, with black winfrs and tail.

COIIVID.K — THE CROWS.

205

Tins rroni.s is so similar to Ki.rifraya ns to be hardly separahlo • the
principal clilloruucc being in the slender and more decurved and atleniiated

Pirkmms rnliimhinnus.

bill, With a slightly concave, instead of cnvex, culmon, and plain instead
ol spotted plumage. Tlie dilleronces of form are expressed by the accom-

Nurifrnga nrri/dmtnrtf.t.

panying outlines of the generic features of the two. But one species is
known, this being ]ieculiar to Western North America.

Picicorvus columbianus, Eonm'.

CIABKE'S CBOW.

CWnuynfnwbin,ms. Wilson, A,n. On,, MI, isil, 29, ,,1. xx. _ Ron. OI.s. Wilson UH
^o. 38 -In. Syn. 1S2S, 57. - XrrrAM,, I, isyo 21S. X„arr„.,a chnM.n,.,, Aru.
■ ... 1 .o«. n , 18,^S, 4.^,!), ,,1. .vvlxii. - In. Sy„. l.S,-,!,, ].^,i. _ l„, ni.ds A„>. IV, 1842,
:.< ,,1. oc.xxxv. - Hon. List, 18:i8. - XrnA,.,,, M,u,. I, (2,1. ,m1.,) 251. Pidco,-n,s co-
hunh,„m,s, DoNAP. Cons,,. 18,50, 384. - Nvwni;,iKY, 1>. li. |i. !{,.,,. yi, .v, 1S;?7, 83
-UOM. lUnls X. An,. 1858, 573. - Loin., Pr. If. A. Inst, iv, 121 ,n,ilisl, C.lnn,-

oTo ~.^'"''"^ '^^ "■''■"'■'■•"• '^••- <■''''■• -V-'- I. 18«!'. -'86.-COOI-KK, t),u. (Jul. I, 1870,
J89. Oorvus megi)nijx, W \(},\.v.\\.."

25G NoIlTII A.MKHICAX JMKD.S.

Si". ("iiAH. Tail n)iiii(Ii'(l or iiioilcralrly j^rndiiiilcil. ilic cldscil wiiiirs ri'iirliiiijr nearly to
its lip. l''i)nrlh i|iiill loiiy'i'st ; srcoiiil ('oiisiijcnilily slioi'lcr than llie sixlli. (iiMH'ral (•oior
lilnisli-asli, clianninu' "ii ll'o nasal Icatiicrs, llic liirclicail, siijcs nf iiriid (rspi'cially aroniitl
liie eye), and cliin, to white. The \viMj,'s, ineliidinj,' tlieir inner sinl'ace, irreenish-hiaek,
the sei'oiidarii'S and tertiais, execpt liic innerniost, hroadly lipiiecl witli white; tail wliite,
the inner wel) ol' liie lillli leather and the whole of the .--ixlh. with the upper lail-eoverls,
<,'reenisii-lilaek. The axillars phinilieons-lilaek. liill and I'eot hlaek. Yonuf; similar in
color, without additional niai-kinj,'s of any kind. The fjonys, however, convex, and the
hill irenerally more like that ol'lhc Jays. Lcnf,'lh olinalc (fresh), I'J.IMI; win;,', T.tJtt; tail,
4..i(l; tarsn.s l.'JO.

Jl.VM. From Rocky Monnlains to I'acilie. East to b'oit Kearney, north to Sitka,
sontli to Arizona.

TIaimts. C'lui'kii's Crow was first mot witli by tlie jmrties roiiiposiiio- the
CL'k'liriittitl exploring ])iirty U) tlio llucky Mouiitiiiiis iiiulcr tins iliructidii of
Lowis and Clarkf. It wan descrilied l»y Wil.sun in IS 11, wIki \va.s in-
Ibrniud l)y individuals Inddnoin^if U> tlie cxpi'dition tlnit tliuso hirds were
found iidmliitin,i; tiio slioivs of tlio Colniiiliia and tiit" adjaci-nt ('(iiintry in
j^rcat iniinln'i's, fri'i|nentinj,' the rivers and sL-a-siiorc, and tiiat it sucnied to
]ia\i' all the noi.sy and orejfarions lialiils oi' tliu I'omnion Crow of Kiirope.

In liis atrount of this siiucics, Mr. Xiittall states that dnriiii,' his jonrnoy
\vostwar(l in the month of duly, he tirst observed individuals of this iiird in
a small ojrove of i)ines on tiie iiorders of liear h'iver, near wliere it falls into
Lake Tiinpanaoos. Tliis was tit a height of alMint .seven thousand feet
above, the ,sea level, and in the 42d paralhd. Tiieir habit.s iipj eared to him
to correspond witli tIio.se of tlie Xiiltaaekers of Kurope.

lie afterwards saw a considerable tlock of the yomir!; birds early in iVti-
oiist, in a hd'ty ravine near tht^ Tliree iJtiites, a remarkal)le isolated monntaiu
o;rotip about forty miles west of the F^ewis Itiver. They appeared somewhat
.shy, imd were scattered thronj,di a o;rove of a.spens, flyino, with a slij,dit
chatter, from the to])s of bushes and trees, to the oround. lie was of the
opinion that tliis species never descends I)elowtlie mountain jdain.s, but that
it has a constant jiredilection for the pine forests.

Mr. Townsend afterwards found this species abundant on the ]>lue .A[oun-
tains of Ore<.fon. He ilescril)es its Hiyht us very unlike that of ii Crow,
beinij; performed in Jerks, in the niamier of a Woodpecker. At times, when
sitlino;, it is .said to keej) u]» a constant .scream, in a very harsh and oratino'
voice, and in an unvaried and i)rolono;ed tone. Tie states that it breeds in
very high pine-trees, and that he did not meet with it within live hundred
miles of tlie Columbia liiver.

Mr. Kidgway found this species one of tlit^ most abundant birds of the
pine forests of tiie Si(!rra Xevada. East t)f this ran.oe it was also met with,
though only in smaller nunibors, in the cedar and ]iinon woods of the Eiist
Humboldt Mountains. He ailds that it is a bird .so curiou.sly striking as
at once to attract attention. It bears but >ery little rtisemblance to any
bird of its family, and in its general appciiranee, llight, ;ind notes tijiproaches

COUVFDvE-TllE CROWS. 257

SO nearly to tlie Woodpuukers as to bu usually known to tliu suttler.s as a
bird of tliat tribo.

He i'urtlier remarks that its llij,'lit much resembles that of Milaacrpca ior-
qmittis, and, as it alij^hts i nn the top of a tall dead tree, ami sits quietly
{i;azin<,' around, it iiiij,dit readily be mistaken for one of the Pivida: He
describes them as being very active in their movements, now ilying from a
tree to the ground to pick up some article of food, now exannning the exca-
vations of an old dead stump or snag, or, on being ai)i)roached, as Ilying u]>
and alighting upon tlie extreme sunnnit of a tree, out of gunsliot. It is a
very noisy bird, and its notes are harsh and discordant, th(jugh less so than
are those of tiie Steller's Jay, which is generally seen in the same localities.
Its usual note is a har.sh guttural cliiirr-r/nin; generally uttered when two or
more alight on the same tree. Occasionally an individual takes u]) a ]iecu-
liar I'iping strain, which is immediately answered by all the others in the
neighborhood, thus awakening the echoes of tlie surrttunding solitude with
their discordant cries. In regard to its nest he can give no positive infor-
mation, but tliinks that they breed in cavities in old dead trees and stumps,
having found a nest in such a situation in the East Humboldt Mountains,
which he thinks belonged to a i)air of these birds which were Hying about,
and seen to enter this cavity.

l>r. Newberry, in his Report on the zoology of his route, states that he
found this si)ccies rather common along a large jiortion of it, and was tlius
enabled to study its liabits at leisure. He found it strictly contined to the
highlands and mountains, never, where lie saw it, descending to a lower
altitude than about lour thousand feet. On the other hand, while crossing
tlie Cascade Mountains at the line of perpetual snow, seven thousand feet
above the sea-level, he hiis seen this bird, in c-upany with the Mclniwrpfs
to7'(jHatus, Hying over the snow-covered peaks three thousand feet above
him.

He first met with this bird on the spur of the Sierra Nevada, near Las-
sen's l«utte, and found u constantly, when in high and timbered regions,
from there to the Cohnnbifi. He descril)es its habits as a compound, in
abo\it ecjual parts of those of the Jays and of the Woodpeckers. Its cry
he speaks of as particularly harsh and disagreeable, something like tliat of
Steller's Jay, but louder and more discordant. It seems to condiine tlie
shrewdness with all tlie curiosity of the Jays and Crows, and from its
shyness is a very dillicult bird to shoot, the Doctor never being able to
get directly within killing distance of one of them, but only olitaining
specimens by concealing himself and waiting for them to approach him.
Apparently from excess of caution, it almost invariably alights on a dry
tree. Even when going to a living tree for its food, it always iiies first into
a dry one, if one is near, to reconnoitre, and, if the coast is clear, it begins
to feeil. At the first movement of an intru<ler, without uttering a note, it
puts a safe distance between itself and its enemy.

vol,. II. 33

258 NORTH AMEKIC.VX IMUDS.

'I'lic I'lKxl of this liinl, tit llio tiiiu; wlicii Di. Xowliciry visited its haunts,
(•(iiisislcd exclusively of the seeds dI' the ytdlow iiiiie {]'. iiimtlrninti), in dis-
li)dj;in;,' which Irdiu the nines the hird displays j^reat dexlerily. iSuth
^raxiiiiiliaii's .lay and Stellei's .lay were, at that time, leedin^ on the same
seeds, lint not sn excliisivfly.

IM-. Siickley iiiitainetl a s|ieeinu'n dl' this Iiiid as i'ar east as Milk Itivei', in
N'eliraska, aluMit twd hiimlied miles east ol" the liiicky Miuintains.

In cKissiiin- the Cascaile Mimntains, in l«^."i;'., I)r. ('(Miper Iniind Ihest; liirds
i|uile aliundant (in \W'. hanks nf tiie ^'akima itivcr, and IVnm tliencit north
wherever there were trees of tiie long-leaved liiiie, the seeds of which were
its |irinci|ial lood. ( )ii returning to Vancouver during the severe cold weather
of the following -lanuarv, these hirds a]i]ieared there in considerahle num-
hers. At no <ither season of the year has la; met with them west of the
Cascade .Mountains, and helieves these migrations westward are only made
in the severest weather. Tliey extend eastward throughout Washington Ter-
ritory, as Dr. Cooiier has siiot them at Fort Laranue, and met with a strag-
gling jiair (!ven as far castas Fort Kearney. J )r. C'oo]ier has never known
the.se birds to eat anything except .seeds and berries. They rarely desceml to
the ground, and ntiver frecjueiit river-hanks, or other places, for lish or car-
rion. They may he sci'U on tiic tojis of trees extracting seeds from cones,
hanging head downwanls, like a Chickadee. Dr. Cooper has observed this
bird pecking at dead liark, in quest of insects. When i'eeding they are very
shy, flying otf, if approached, to a great di.stance before alighting. They are
not known to visit the Coast Mountains south of Sau Francisco, but abound
in the Koi-ky ^[ountains tin-oughout our limit.s.

Ml'. .1. K. Lord notes the arrival of this s[)ecies at F'ort Colville, in May,
in large Hocks. They were hojiiiing busily from Itranch to branch, amidst
pine-trees.

The .statement made to Wilson that this species fre([uents rivers and sea-
shores, and his infeience that its formidable claw.s' indicated that they feed
on living animals, is controverted by Mi'. Lord. They never frccpient river-
banks, never by any chance, eat iisli, and never capture any living tiling.
Their haliits are strictly arboreal, and their food the seeds of ])ine-trees.
These noisy seed-hunters u.se their formidalde claws to enable them to liang
on to till- pine cones while they .are extracting the seed, which they are
obliged to get out from under scaly (,'overings. For this nature has given
them feet and claws that serve the jiurpose of hands, and a powerful bill, like
a small crowbar. The cone must be steadied when they pry it o])eii, or it
would snap and fall. One foot clasjis it, and the powerful claws hold it
firmly. The other foot, encircling a branch, sujijTOrts the bird in every ])os-
sible position, the long grasping claws being ecjual to any emergency. The
cone is thus fixed, and the seeds are forced out from under the scales. Mr.
Lord collected a large packet of seeds of the Ahics doiKjlusai from the crops
of these birds.

amy i u.k — the cih)\vs.

25!)

On their iinival they iisseiiilih' in inmiense tlocks, and the noise they
make lie tlcserilics as a nmst ilisccadant, I'dntiiMiuus, i,'i'alin,L; clatter, intensilied
at times into a iicrlrct shriek. These asseniMies hist aiintit a week, al'ler
wliieli they separate in pairs,

A nest tit this hinl was liamd hy Mr. Lord in the ti)p nf a Icilty jiine at least
twii hundred feet hij;h, — Jelled in euttini;; the Ixmndary line. r»y ehaneo
he discovered the nest, nhoiit which llie nld hirds were hoverinj;, leaving; no
doulit of its ideiitily. This nest was very lari^c and cdniiiosed ol' tir twii,'s,
bits ul' hark, the leaves ol' the ]>ine, fine root-tilires, with small jiieees of
moss, and j,fray lichens mi.xed carelessly with the otiier materials. It was
shallow and round, and jacsented a lari^e extent of sini'aee lieytaid the mar-
gins of the hollow containiiin' the I'^ys. The eiiijs were; in fragments, much
like the e^ys of Steller's .lay in color, hut of a li,L;hter siiade of liluish-j;reen.
Ho thinks that their lialiit is to huihl in the very tallest jiines.

Dr. Kennerly also met with this Crow west of Allai(iuer<|ue, in Xew
Mexico, in the thick pine woods skirtiny; the eastern slo|ie of the iiocky
Mountains, where it was ijuite alamdant. lie I'andy saw more than two or
three to;,fether. None were met wiili after leaving the mountains.

A single specimen of this (irow was ol)lained at Sitka, liy lli.schoff.

CiATs GYMNOKITTA, I'u. M.vx.

(I'lniinnr/diiiis, Pit. Max. IJcmsc Nciid. Aimr. 11, ISll, '21. (Typ', (!. rii'iiiixrphala.)

(liiiitiinkittii, I'lt. .M.\x. " ]t>."iii," (Ii;av.

<'(/(! unci ji/id/im, HiiNAi'. " 1842," incdccuiiii'il in liotany.

Gkn. CiiAi!. Mill fliiiiiiiilcil. (l(']iii'sscil. .-liDi-liT than the tarsu-:, Idiv.'cr than llic head,
without iRilcii, .similar tii that of Slunicllii in shape. Cahncii iicai-ly straijrlii ; cdui-
missui'e curvuil ; gonvs a.scciuliii};^. Xo.'Jtrils small, oval. eMtii'dy exposcil. the l.nistly

Gifttmnh'fta ri/nnnr/phnln.

fcathors at tlic lin.<(' of the liill liciiiLr very miiiuto. Tail short, nearly even, much shorter
than the ])f)iiiti'(l wines, which cover throe fourths of the tail. Tarsi consiilcraVily lonjrer
than the niiilille toe. Color of the sinirle species hhie, most intense anteriorly: the throat
sti'(!ake(l wiili white.

2G0

NORTH AMKUICAN UlltUa

Tlic! Itill ill tliis <,'L'ims is not unlike thnt of Stumtis ami Stumclla, and
conspicuous among Curvinw by its uncovered nostrils.

O]annokitta oyanooephala, Pr. Max.

MAXIMILIAN'S JAT

Oi/mnorhinus q/anacfphahin, I'll. M.vxiMll i.\n, Iti'isc in dn.s iiiiii'vo Noril-Aiiiciikn, M, IS.ll,
21. — In. Voviif,'!' ilaiisrAiii. (Ill Noiil, III, lt*i;i, ^1)0. (Iiimiwk-illd ci/diiiicijiliiilii, " I'll.
M.\x. ISmi," Mr. ('uii.si)i(tii.s, ISj'iO, 382. — C'a.ssin, lllust. I, vi, 1S54, 1(>5, \>]. xxviii.
- Xkwiikuiiy, Hep. 1'. It. K. VI, iv, 1857, 83. — lUiiiD, Birds X. Am. 18.18, 074. -
M.VX. ('iil>. .1. VI, 18.18, 1U3. — Cool'Kli, Oiii. ('ill. I, 1870, 292. I'.silinliiiuis cijiino-
ccphalus, (llt.vv, (ifiifiii. t'lianucunu cassini, M't'.vi.L, I'r. A. N. Su. V, .luin.', 1801,
316.

Sr. Char. \Viiij,'s considerably lonjjfcr tinui the tail, nnd rciicliinp: to within an inch of

it.-! tip. Tail nt'iii'ly oven, (iciieral
color dull hliic, paler on the abdoiniMi,
the middle of whieli is liiifred with
.•i.<h ; the head and ncek of a inueh
dec'iier nnd more intense blue, darker
on the crown Chin and foivpiut of
llie throat whiti.sh, .streaked with lihic.
I.ciiirlii, lo.dtt; wiiijr, 5.00; tail, A'A);
taisii,-*, l..")ll. Young bird not difler-
in<r in niai'kin<<:.'i.

IIaii. Hocky ^^onntaills of Colo-
rado, to Ca.fcade Mt.-i. of Califoni.a and
Orejj^on. Not on the Pacific coast?
South to New Mexico and Arizona.

The foin.alc is appreciably dif-
ferent from the male, l)otli in size
and pluma<j;e, being smaller, and
of a light bluish-ash tint. This
difference is readily apprecialile when the birds are seen Hying.

Hahiis. Ma.ximilian's Jay was discovered and first described liy that
eminent natundist, j\Iaximilian, Prince of Wied, in his book of travels in
North ^Vmorica, ])ublislied in 1841. Mr. Kdward Kern, who was connected
with Colonel Fremont's e.xjiloring expedition in 184(5, was the first to bring
specimens of this interesting and remarkable bird to the notice of American
naturalists, transmitting them to the Philadelphia Academy. The sjjeci-
meiis procured l)y its discoverer were met with by him on jMaria's River,
one of the tributaries of the U])])er Missouri, in the extreme northern
jiortion of our northwestern territory, a point much farther north than it
has 1)een met with by any other naturalist. As this species has since been
seen in largi; numbers in New Mexico, it may be presumed to extend its
movements over iptite an extended area of distribution in the region of the
Iiocky Mountains.

Gtjmnokitta eyanocephala.

COHVID.K — Till'; citows. 2(tl

According,' to the ludrc nuciit ohsDrviitioiis of Mr. Hidj^way, tli(3 Miixiiiiil-
inii Jay iiilmliits oxcliiHivi'ly tliu init-i>iiii; and codai' woods on tho interior
mountain ranges, and is one of ilu' i> ost cliaractt'i'istic l)irdH of tlioso rcj^ions.
Tiiis H])i'ci('.s lio states to Im cniincnlly j^rcj^'arious, oven lireedin^' in coloides,
and in winter con^re^atin^j; in Hocks, sonuiliines of tlioiisauds. Kver restless
and in motion, as it moves it is <'onstantly uttering' its curious, (juernlous
notes. It is a very ('ons|)ieu(ais liird, and is one well worthy of ]tartieidar
attention. Its lilue eolor is the only thin;^ siij,',u;((stive of its alliidty to the
Jay. All its lial)its are dillorent, and its aiijiearance is (piite jieeidiar. It
ia as essentially mij^'ratory as the IJitopixtcs mt'yivlorui, its coniinj', and its
going lieiny quite as sudden and uncertain. On one occasion, in visitinji a
nut-pine wootl, Mr. Itidgway found it full of roving, noisy troops of the.se
birds, but upon visiting the same locality the next day not one could be
seen.

lie also states that these birds are exceedingly early in their nesting, as
he met with companies of fully Hedged young flying alxiut on the 2 1st
of April. Near (.'arson City, April 2(1, 1H(18, he found the.se birds aliundant
among the scattered cedars and nut-]tines on the lower slojies of the hills.
They were in pairs, often three or four pairs- in (;ompany.

The notes of this liird are both pemdiar and curious. The usual ones are
said to have some resemblance to the (luerult)us wailings of the Screech
Owl ; but none, in his oi)inion, have any resend dance to the cry of the Cat-
bird.

It Hies very swiftly, but with a gentle floating motion, vcrj' much in the
manner of the I'obin. In its movements among the small cedars, it gener-
ally alighted upon the summit of a tree, and, quietly sifting there, would
look about in the manner of the Plriroyrii.'i ro/iniilii((iiii!<. In Hying, it con-
tinually uttered a very ])eculiar (pierulous note, resembling very much one
of the notes of the Magpie, — tin; ])cculiarly soft note of that bird uttered
during the love-season, or when its nest is approached. In searching among
the cedars, Mr. Itidgway found several of its nests. Nearly all bad been
deserted, and there were several families of fully fledged young flying aliout.
One nest contained four fully feathered young. When these had been taken,
and placed in a hat, they all jum])ed out, squalling vociferously. The.se
nests were all .saddled upon horizontal branches of cedars, anil, excejit in
their greater bulk, they -closely resembled the nest of the eastern JUue Jay.

In autunni and in winter the large flocks of these birds, as they Hy back
and forth over the hills, present a very peculiar ai)pearance. Their flight is
then very swift.

Dr. Kennerly, in November, 1853, frequently saw large flocks of these
birds between the Puebla of Laguna and the Sierra Madre, about a hundi-cd
miles west of Albuquerque, in New Mexico. They were found chiefly fre-
quenting the watercourses, and when startled would circle around, rising
higher above their heads, uttering their singular cries ; then suddeidy de-

2C)2 NOIITII AMKIMCAX lilRrjS.

.si'i'inliiin iIk'V wimlil uli,i;lit in tlio li)|) of Sdiiu! tree on the adjoining cliffs,
lie c(jiniiiiri'.s its voice to (lint ol' tluM-oniiiioii Catliinl.

Dr. T. ('. Ilciirv also iv|iL'ale(lly notitnl liicsu hinls in tiie vicinity of Fort
Wclistcr, in \('\v .Mexico, lie liisl met witli tiieni near San .Mi}j;nel, in
-Inly, IN."p1', wiit'ic \\v, oh.served a party i)f ahout tiiirty tlittinj,' tlirough tlie
cedars aluM.n' the roadside. 'I'liiT were cliielly yoniii;' iiirds, and were con-
stantly aliL;litin,n' on llu' j.;ronnd for (Im |air|iosi' ol' caiiluiin^ li/ards, wliicli
tliey killed witii great readiness, and devonred. After tliat lu; repeatedly,
in winter, saw these I)ir(ls near Fort Webster, and nsually in Hocks of about
forty or lift/. Tliey evinced gieat wariness, and were very dillicnU ol tip-
liriiacii.

The lioi'ks wo\dd nsually aliglit near the summit of a hill and pass rap-
idly down its sides, ail the iiirds kce]iiiig (piite lu'ar to each other, and fre-
([uently alighting on the gnuind. Tliey appeared to be very so,'ial, anil kept
up a continual twittering note. Tliis bird, .so far as Dr. Henry oliserved it,
is e.xcbisjvidy a mountain species, and never seen on the plains or liottoni-
lands, and was never ob.served singly, or even in a single ]iair, but always in
companies.

Dr. Xewberry met witli this species in the basin of the Des Chutes, in.
Oregon. He first noticed it in Septemlu>r. Farly e\erv morning Mocks of
from twenty-ii\'' to thirty of these birils came aci'uss, in their usual sti-aggling
llight, chattering as tlu'V Hew to the trees im a iiill near the camp, and then,
from tree to tree, they niad(! their way to the stream to drink. He describes
their note, when tlying or feeding, as a fre(|uently re]ieated ni-fn-nl. Some-
times, when made by a straggler .separated from male or lloitk. it was rather
loucl and harsh, Init was nsually soft and agreeable. When distnrl)ed, their
cry was harsher. They were very shy, and could only l)e shot by lying in
wait loi' lliem. Suliseiiuently he had an opjiortunity of seiMiig th;Mn feed,
ami of watching them carefully as they were eating the berries of the cedars,
and in their habits and ciics tliey seemed clo.sely to re.semid(! Jays. A spe-
cimen, ]irevionsly killed, was found with its crop filled with the seeds of the
yellow ]iine.

Di'. t'nn|>er has seen s])ecimens uf this bird from Washo(\, just east of
till! ( 'alilbrnia State line, and he was informed by Mr. Clarence King tiiat
they frequent the junipers on niduntains near Mari])osii.

From Dr. Couc.s we learn that this bird is very abundant at Fort Wliijiple,
where it remains all the year. It lireeds in the retired ]Mntious of the
neighlioriiig mountains df San Francisco and Hill Williams, the young leav-
ing the nest in duly. .Vs the same liinls art! ready to lly in April, at Carson
City, it may be that they lia\(i two brofids in Arizona. During the winter
they cnllcct in immense llncks, ami in me instance Di'. ('ones estimates
their number at a tli(aisand or more. In a nnn'e recent contribution to tli','
Ibis iA]nil, ISTJ), Dr. Cones gi\'es a more full account of his uiiservations
ill respect to this bird. In regard to geographical range he considers its

coitviD.H — 'I'lii'; CHOWS. 2(»3

(listnl)ii(ion wvy nearly tlio saiiic witli tliiit of tlic /'In'rdrriix. Mr. Aiken
lias recently met wiili these iiirds in ('(ilurado Terrilurv, wliere, laiwever,
]\lr. Alle.. (lid iiul (liilain speeiuions. (ieneral MeCall Inund tiiese liirds
almndant near Santa Fe, in New .Mexien, at ,in altiliule ul' seven tlinasand
I'l'et ; and the late Captain I'eilner olitained sjieeinii'ns at Fort Cronk, in
Northeastern Calil'ornia. l)r. Cones considers its ranj^e to 1k^ the coiiil'e-
rons zone of vegetation within tiu' geograjtliical area hounded east\\::,d
by the loot-hills and slopes of the iJocUy ^louiitains; westward hy the
Cascade and Coast ranges; northward, jierhaps to Sitka, lint nndeter-
ndned; and soniewliat so soutliward, not traced so iar as tho tirrnt J'ria
of Mexico,

Dr. Cones adds that, like most birds which sulisi.st iudillereiitly on varied
animal or vegetable I'ood, tld.^ species is not, strictly speaking, nugratory,
as it can find ibod in winter anywhere excejit at its lol'tiesl p.'ints of
distribution. A descent of a few thousand feet from the nionntains tiuis
answeis all the pnrjio.ses tif a soutliward journey performed i)y other species,
so far as food is concerned, while its hardy nature enabU's it to endure the
rigois of winter. Acc(U(iing to his oliseivations, this iiiid fet'ds principally
n]>on jnni]H'r iierries and pine seeds, and also ii])on acorns and otiier small
hard fruits.

Dr. Cones descrilies this bird as garn loiis and vociferous, witii curiously
modulated chattering notes when at ease, and with extremely loud harsh
cries when excited liy lear or anger. It is also said to be rest less and
impetuous, as if of an nnbalanci'd mind. Its attitudes on the ground, to
which it frei|uently ilesceiids, are essentially Crow-like, and its gait is an
ea.sy walk or run, very diil'erent from the. leajiing manner ol' ]iidgress
made liy the .lays. When perching, its usual attitude is stiff and liiin.
Its fliglit resembles that of the I'lrirarrnx. After breeding, these liinls
unite in immense flocks, but disperse again in pairs when tiie breeding-
season commences.

Nothing, .so far, has been iniblishod in regard to the character of the

; Hi^\Mi!,v GARRULIlViE.

Pii.M?. Winsrs slior*. romnlcd : not loiiLrcr ni' much .■^lioi'lcr tli;ai the lail. wliii-li is crrailu-
■Tli'il. siiincliiiics cxfi'ssi'dv sn. Wiiit:s rcm-liiiip- not iiiucU licyond llic lnwir t.'iil-ccivci'ls.
lirislly Iciilli'-Ts al liiis.> of Mil VMrialilc. Itill ucaiii' -i^ Ihiil;- as llic licail. or shdilri-.
'i'tirsi lonu'cr t'liiu tfc Mil or than llii: niiilillc toe. Oulcr lalrral rl.-iws rallici- slimier lliaii
ihc iiiiKT.

Tiie ]ire(^eding diagnosis may perhaps chiiracteriz(> the garrnli'ie l»irds,
as compared with the L'i'iiw.s. The subdivisions of the group are as
follows : —

2(34 NORTH AJIERIOAN BIRDS.

A. Nostrils morleratc, complctolj' covered by inoiinihent feathers.

a. Tail iiiiich longer tliiiii the wings; first primary attenuated, falcate.

Pica. Ileail without iMost.

b. Tail nlioiit as long as the wings; first primary not falcate.

Cyanura. Head with lengthened narrow erest. Wing and tail
blue, baniled with black.

Cyanocitta. Head without crest. Above blue, with a gray patch
on the back. No bands on wing and tail.

Zanthoura. Head without crest. Color above greenish; the
head bine ; lateral tail-feathers yellow.

FerisoreuB. Head full and bushy. Bill scarcely half the head,
with white feathers over the nostrils. Pliunage dull,
B« Nostrils very lai-gc, naked, uncovered by feathers.

Fsilorhinus. Head not crested ; tail broad ; wings two thirds as
long as the tail.

Calocitta. Head with a recurved crest; wings less than half as
long as the tail.

There is a very close rclationsliip between the Jays and the Titmice, the
chief dift'erence being in size rather than in any r>ther distinguishing' feature.
The leatliers at the base of the bill, however, in the Jays, are bristly throngh-
oiit, with lateral Imanclies reaching to the very tip. In rarida' these feathers
arc inclined to be broader, with the shaft pnjjccting consi;lerably beyond the
basal portion, or the lateral branches arc confined to the basal jiortion, and
extended forwards. There is no naked line of separation between the
scutellic on the outer side of the tarsi. The ))asal joint of the middle toe
is united almost or quite to the end to the lateral, instead of half-w.ay.
The first jirimary is u.sually less than half the second, instead of rather
more ; the fourth and fifth primaries nearly eiiual and longest, instead of the
fiitli being longer than the fourth.

Ge.\o.s pica, Cuvier,

Corridas, biNX.Kr.s, Syst. Nat. ITM.") (tln.vv).

I'U-ii, i'litissoN, l)riutli(ilogi:i, 17iii>, ami of t'ltvii-r (.VoAssiz). (Type, Corvus pica, L.)

Clcpks, (lA.MliKl,, ,1. A. N. Sc. 2cl .Ser. 1, 1S47,47.

Gkx. Cn.vn. Tail very long, forming much more than half the total length ; the
feathers nnich gradnatcMl ; ihe lateral scarcely more than half the middle. First, primary
fali.'ate, curved, and atlenuate<l. liill about as high as linia<l at the ba.'se ; the culmen and
gonys nnicli curved, and almut c(|ual; the bristly feathers reaching nearly to the middle
of the bill. Nostrils nearly circular. Tarsi very lung; middle toe scarcely more than
two thirds the length. A ]y,\tf\i of naked skin lienealh and l)ehind the eye.

The ]XH;uliar characteristic of this geiuis, in addition to the very long
grailuatetl tail, lies in the attcnnatcd, falcate first primary, ('(dofittn, which
hits an equally long or longer tnil, has {\u\ first primary as in the Jays
generally (besides having the nostrils exposed).

CORVIDyE - THE CROWS.
A specimen of P. nuttalli l.as tlie lateral tarsal plates with two or thr

205

'ce

Pica hvdsonica.

transverse divisions on the lower third. This has not been observed by us
to occur in P. hudsonira.

Speeiefj and Varieties.
P. caudata. Head, nc-.k, hr-nsf, int.Tscapnlars, li.i,,. of win?, tail-coverta
an.l t.huo. ,1,.<-,. l.la.'k : win.n-s niolallio Kn'..nish-bh,e; tail rid, metallic preen tl.o
k^.thers pass,,,.. thro„.|, l,r„M/,> an,! r..,l.lisl,-violot into violet-bluo, at their lips,
heapulars abdomen, side.., (lank., and inner webs of j.riniaries, pure white.
teexi's ahkc ; young similar.

u. Bill and bare si)aee aroinid the eye lilaek.

Win- r.oO ; tail, 9..->() or less, its fjiadiiation less than half its h-nsth
4.00; eiihnen, 1.20; tarsus, 1.75; middle toe, l.or,. Hah. Europe. '

,,,• o V , ^''■"'- f fill da /(I '

Wm,sr, over S.OO (S.;,o maximum); tail over 10.00 (i;5.50 max its
graduation more (ban half its length, 7.70); eulmen, 1.5;",; tarsus W.V
middle toe, l.O.l Hub. Northern an,l Middle North AnuM-ic.i. exclu-
sive of the Atlantic Province ol' L'nited States and California.

, Till ,, ^'''"■- hudsov icd.

t>. liill and bare space around the eye yellow.

Wing, 7.50; tail. lO.oO; its graduation, rwO; culmen, 1.50; tarsus

1.75 ; middle toe, 1.05. //a&. California . . . . yai: n u tin I li .

1 Picacaudafo Vu-.M. li-it. An. p. 87. Corvu. pica, LiKV. Fnnn. Suoc. p. 31. n.n n.-l„-
noleuca, A .km, N. 1). XXVI, 121. Pic. alOivrnM., Vnca,.. Faun. Fran,,., p. 11!., t. C,,^ f ]

siriu"^:;. "r^- ''" ""• '''■ '"' -''-''• ^--^ «^- ^- '^-■- -"

vol.. 11.

34

26G

NOUTII AMERICAN BIRDS.

Pica caudata, A-ar. hudsonica, Bonap.

MAGPIE.

C'orvm phri, Ihhistkh, Pliil. Trans. LXXII, 1772, ;iS'i. —■Wilson, Am. Orn. IV, ISll, 7.">,
jil. XXXV. — 15oN. Olw. Wils. ISi"), No. Id. — In. Syii. 1S28, 57. — Xuitaix, Man. I,
1S32, 219. — Arn. Oni. liitig. IV, 1838, 408, pi. cedvii (not of I,inn/KIis). Corvua
luuhniiini, Jos. S.VBixK, App. Xarr. Franklin's JoiuiK'y, 1823, 25, 071. PicuH hud-
snnicii, HoxAP. List, 1838. — In. Conspeotus, 1850, 383. — Maxi.m. Uei.si! Nonl Amor.
1, 1830, 508. — In. Calmnis, .lonrn. 185(), 197. — Nkwbkuuy, Zoijl. C'al. k Or. lioiiti',
lii'p. r. K. R. VI, IV, 1857, 84. — I5aii!I), Birds N. Am. 1858, 570, pi. xxv. — Loiin,
Pr. \{. A. Inst. IV, 121 (lUitisli Columbia). — CVioi'KR & Sicki.kv, 213, pi. xxv. —
Dali. & liANSLsTKii, Tr. Chic. Ac. I, 1809, 280 (Alaska). — Fi.nscii, Abh. Nat. Ill,
1872, 39 (Alaska). — Cooi'Kl!, Orn. C'al. 1, 1870, 290. Ghptcs hadsonkus, (rA.MHKl,,
J. A. N. So. 2il Scr. I, Deo. 1847, 47. Pica mclaiiolcuca, " Vieill." Aud. Syii. 1839,
157. — Id. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 99, pi. cuxxvii.

Sp. Cuak. Bill and naked skin behind the eye black. General color black. Tlio

boll}', scapnlars, and inner webs of tiie
primaries white ; hind part of baek
grayish ; exposed portion of the tail-
feathers glossy green, tinged with
purple and violet near the end ; wings
glossed with green; the secondaries and
tertials with bine; throat-feathers .spot-
tiul with white in younger specimen.s.
Length, 19.00; wing, 8..50 ; tail, ],3.00.
Young in color and appearance similar
generally to tlu! adult.

IIab. The northern regions of North
America. The middle .and western
Provinces of the Unite(l States exclu-
sive of California; Wisconsin, Miclii
gan, and Northern lUinoi.s, in winter.

The American Mao'inc is al-
most exactly similar to the
European, ami differs only in
lai'oor size ami dispropijrtionably
lonjfer tail. According to Ma.vi-
milian and other authors, the
iris of the American bird lias a grayish-blue outer ring, wanting in the
European bird, and the voice is quite diflerent. It is, however, difficult
to consider the two birds otherwise than as geographical races of one primi-
tive stock.

Habits. The American Magjiio has an extended western distribution
from Arizona on the south to Alaska on the northwest. It has been met
with as far to the east as the Missouri I'iver, and is found from there to the
racific. It is abundant at Sitka ; it was observed at <)unga, one of the
Shumagin Islands, and was obtained by Biscliofl'at Kodiak.

Pirn niinnlU.

CORVID.'E — THE CHOWS. 267

Eichardson observed these birds on the Saskatchewan, wliere a few remain
even in winter, bnt are much more freiiuent in summer.

Mr. Lord, the naturalist of tlie British braneli of the Nortliwest Boundary
Survey, cliaracterizes our Magpie as murderous, because of its cruel persecu-
tion of galled and suffering nmles, its picking out tlio eyes of living animals,
and its destruction of birds. These birds caused so nmch troulile to the
party, in winter, at Colville, as to become utterly unbearable, and a large
number were destroyed by strychnine. They were then so tame and
im])udent tliat he repeatedly gave them food from his hand without their
showing any evidence of fear. He says they nest in JMarcli.

Dr. Suckley states that this Magi)ie is abundant througliout the central
region of Oregon and Washington Territory. He first met with it a hun-
dred miles west of Kort Union, at the mouth of the Yellowstone. It became
more abundant as the mountains were ajjproached, and so continued almost
as far west as the Cascade Mountains, where the dense forests were an
eflectual barrier. On l>uget Sound lie saw none until August, after which,
during the fall, it was tolerably abundant. It breeds throughout tlie in-
terior. He obtained a young bird, nearly fledged, al)out May 5, at Fort
Dalles. At this place a i'ew birds remailn throughout the winter, but a
majority retire fartlier south during the cold weather. One of its cries, he
says, re.sembles a peculiar call of Steller's Jay.

Mr. llidgway regards this Magpie as one of the most characteristic and
con.spioious birds of the interior region, distinguished both lor the elegance
of its form aiul tlie beauty of its })lumage. Wiiile not at all rare in tiie
fertile mountain canons, the princi])al resort of this species is the ricli bottom-
land of the rivers. The usual note of the Magpie is a fre(piently uttered
chatter, very i)eculiar, and, when once heard, easily recognized. During the
nesting-season it utters a softer and more musical and plaintive note, sound-
ing sometliing like kai/-c-ehk-lvij-c. It generally Hies about in snudl Hocks,
and, like otliers of its family, is very fond of tormenting owls. In the winter,
in com]tany witli the Itavens, it resorts to the slaughter-houses to feed on offal.
Th(^ yonng differ but little in plumage from the adult, the metallic colors
biMiig even a little more vivid ; the white spotting of tlie throat is charac-
teristic of tlie immature bird.

Tlie m!sts were found by ]\Ir. Ridgway in various situaticuis. Some wens
in cedars, some in willows, and others in low shrul).s. In every instance the
nest was domed, the inner and real nest being enclosed in an immense thorny
covering, which I'ar exceeded it in bulk. In the side of this thorny yu'otection
is a winding pa.s.sage leading into the nest, possibly designed to conceal the
very long tail of the Itird, which, if exposed to view, would endanger its safety.

Dr. Cooper first met this bird east of tlie Cascade jNIouiitaiiis, near the
Yakima, and from there in his joui'ney northward as far as the 4".ltli degree;
it was common, as well as in all tiie o]ien unwooded regions until the
mountains were passed on his return westward.

268 NOUTU AMERICAN BIItPH.

Dr. Kennei'ly met with those l)ir(ls on the Little Colorado in New Mexico,
in December. He I'ouiul them in yreat numher,s soon after leaviuj.;' the
Iiio (Jnuule, and t'roni time to time on the march to Calilornia. They seemed
to live indiU'erently in the deep canons amon^' the hills or in the valleys,
but were oidy found near water.

Dr. Newberry first met with these I)irds on the banks of one of the
trilaitarics of the Des Chutes, one hundred miles south of tiie Columbia,
afterwards on the Columbia, but nowhere in large numbei-s. lie reganls
them as much less gregarious in their habits than I'icn niiffalli, as all the
birds ho noticed were solitary or in pairs, while the Yellow-bills were oU'in
seen in tlocks of several hundreds.

All accounts of this bird agree in representing it as frequently a great
souice of annoyance to parties of ox])loration, especially in its attacks
upon horses worn down and galled by fatigue and privations. In the mem-
oral)le narrative of Colonel Pike's Journey in New Mexico, these birds, ren-
dered bold and voracious by want, are described as asseiidding around that
miseral)le party in great nundier.-,, picking the sore backs of their perishing
hor.ses, and snatching at all the food they could reach. The party of Lewis
and Clark, who were the first to add this bird to (uir fauna, also describe them
as familiar and voraciou.s, penetrating into their tents, snatching the meat
even from their dishes, and frequently, wluni t!ie Innitors were engaged in
dressing their game, seizing the meat suspended within a loot or two of
their heads.

Mr. Nuttall, in his tour across tlie continent, found these birds so familiar
and greedy as to bo easily taken, as they approached the encampment lor
food, by the Indian boys, who ke})t them prisoners. They soon became
reconciled to their confinement, and were continually hoi)ping around and
tugging and struggling for any offid thrown to them

Oliservers have rtiportcd this bird from dill'erent ])arls of Arizona and New
Mexico; but Dr. Coues writes me that ho never saw it at Fort Wlujiple, or
elsewhere in the first-named Territory. He found it breeding, however, in
the Itator. Mountains, in Juno, undei' the following circumstanccis, recorded
at the time in his journal.

"Yesterday, the 8th, we were rolling over smooth prairie, ascending a
little the while, Itut so gradually that only the change in the ilora indicated
the ditrerence in elevation. The llowery verdure was i)assed, scrubby juniiters
came thicker and faster, and pine -clad mountain-tops took shape before us.
We made the pass to-day, rounding along a ])ictures(pio ravine, and the
noon halt gave me a chance to see something of the birds. Troops of
Ijcautiful Swallows were on wing, and as their backs turned in their way-
ward fiight, the violet-green colors ln^trayed the sj)ecies. A colony of them
were breeding on the face of a clilf, aijjiarently like //. lunifi-oiin, but the
nests wore not accessible. Whilst I v.as watcliing tluiir movements, a harsh
scream attracted my attention, and the next moment a beautiful Magi)ie

COllVID/E — THE CHOWS. 209

flow swiftly past with (juivoriiig wings, and witli a dirt of the glittering tail
uml a curious cvululioii dusiiud into a dense tliici<et close by In tlie liojio
of seeing him again, and perliaps of finding his nest, 1 hurried to the s[)ot
where he had disa])]ii'ared, and jmsiu'd into the underltrusli. In a few
nionicnts 1 stood in a little o\)iM\ space, surrounded on all sides and covered
above with a network of vines interlacing the twigs and i'oliage so closely
that the sun's rays hardly struggled througli. A pretty shady bower ! and
there, sure enough, was tiie nest, not likely to be overlooked, for it was as
big as a buslud basket, — a globular mass, hung in the top of one of the
taller saplings, about twelve I'ect iVom the ground. The motlier bird was at
home, and my bustling ajiinoach alarmed her; she (lew out of the lU'st with
loud cries of distress, wiiiih Imiuglit tiie male to her side in an instant. As
I scrand)led up the slender trunk, which swayed with my weight, both birds
kept Hying about my head with redoubled outcry, aligliting for an instant,
then dashing past again so close that I tliought they would i)eck at nie. As
I had no means of preserving tiie nest, I would not take it down, and eon-
tented myself with such olwervations as I could make whilst bestriding a
limb altogether too slender for comfort. It was nearly s])herical in shajie,
seemed to be about eighteen inches in diameter, arched over, with a small
hole on one side. The walls, composed entirely of interlaced twigs liristliiig
outwardly in every direction, were extremely thick, the syiace insiiki being
much less than one would expect, and seemingly hardly enough to accom-
modate the bird's long tail, whicli I sup])o,se must be held u])right. The nest
was lined with a little coarse dried grass, and contained six young ones
nearly ready to lly. Authors state that the American ^Magpie lays only two
eggs ; but T suppose that this jiarticular pair lived too far from scientific
centres to find out what was exjiected of them. Other birds, noticed to-day,
were Steller's Jays among the i)ines and cedars, a flock of Cliri/somitris,
ajiparently ^j//i«s, feeding on willow-buds along the rivulet that threaded the
gorge, and some Kobin.s."

The eggs of tliis jMagpie arc somewhat larger than any I have seen of
]\ nuttalli, and are differently marked and colored. 8ix speciniens from
the Sierra Nevada exhibit tlie following measurements: 1.40 X O.itH, 1.1^2
X 1.00, 1.41 X 0.95, 1.28 X 0.95, 1.2G X 0.92, 1.32 X 0.9G. Their ground-
color is a grayi.sli-white, or light gray with a yellowish tinge, spotted with
blotches, dottings, and dashes of a piiri)li.sh or violet brown. In some they
are sparsely distributed, showing plainly the ground, more conlluenl at the
larger end. In others they are finer, more generally and more thickly dis-
tributed. In others they are much larger and of deejier color, and cover the
whole of the larger end with one large cloud of confluent markings. None
of these closely resembles the eggs of F. nuttalli. The usual number of eggs
in a nest, accordiiig to ]\Ir. Ridgway, varies from si.v to uiue, although it is
saitl that ten are sometimes found.

270 NUUTII AMERICAN UIllDS.

Pica caudata, var. nuttalli, Am>.

TELLOW- BILLED HAOFIE.

Pica nutttilli, Arn. Oni. Ilio^'. IV, 18.58, 4r)0, pi. m'lxii. — In. Syn. 1830, l.'i2. — In. Birils
Am. IV, 18J'J, lltJ, \>\. LC.x.xviii. — Hon-. List, 1838. — In. Coiispcifiis, 18,"i0, ;!83. —
Ninr.M.r., Man. 1, (2il cd.,) 184U, MU. — NKwni;i:i!V, Urj). P. \i. It. VI, iv, 1857, 84.
— ll.viiiK, liirds N. Am. 18.'j8, ,')78, ])1. x.wi. — IIkkii.m. X, .S', n-l. — ('(hu'KI!, On\.
C'al. I, 1870, 21)5. CUitlcs nuUa/li, G.v.Mnr.i., J. A. N. Sc. I'll. '2il Series, I, 1847, 4ti.

Sp. Cii.vk. Bill, and naked skin behind the eye, bright yellow ; otherwise .siinil.'ir to /'.
Iiiiihohlca. I,en,!,'lh, 17.00; wiiifr, S.OO ; tail, 10.00.

ll.vn. Califoiuiiv (Sacramento \'a!i('y, and southern coast region).

Wg cannot look npon tho Yollow-biUe<l Maj^pie otliorwi.se than as a local
race of the connnon kind, .sinco it is well known that aniony tho Jays many
species have the bill either black or yellow according to sex, age, or locality ;
and as the Yellow-billed Magpie occupies a more S(juthern locality than
usual, nnd one very dillereut from tliat of the black-billed species, it well
may exhibit a special geographical variation. The great restriction in range
is anotlier argument iu favor of its being a simple variety.

IlAHrrs. Tiie Yellow-billed Magpie seems to be e.Kclusively a bird of
California, where it is very abundant, and where it replaces almost entirely
the more eastern form. JMr. IJidgway, who met witli this variety only in
the viilley of the Sacramento, states that he there found it very abundant
among the oaks of that region. It differed from i\w common Magpie in
being exceedingly gregarious, moving about among the oak groves in small
companies, iucessiintly chattering as it Hew, or as it sat among the brandies
of the trees. He saw many of their nests in the tops of the oaks, — indeed,
all were so situated, — yet he never met with the nests of the other species
in a higli tree, not even in the river valleys. The young of this Magpie
have the white of the scapulars marked with rusty triangular spots.

Hr. Cooper found this Magpie altundant in the valleys of California, espe-
cially near the middle of tlit State, except during the spring months, when
none were seen in the Santa Clara Yalley, the supposition being that they
had retired eastward to the mountains to build their nests. At Santa Bar-
bara he found them numerou.s in April and May, and saw their nests in oak-
trees. The young were alrea ly Hedged liy the 2r)th of April. The nest, I'C
states, is comi)osed of a large mass of coarse twigs twisted together in a
spherical form, with a hole in the side. The eggs he saw resembled those
of the other species, and are described as being whitish-green, spotted with
cinereous-gray and olive-brown. They also breed abundantly about Mon-
terey. They have not l)een traced to the northern border of the State.

Tiieir food, Dr. Cooper adds, consists of almost everything animal and
vegetable that they can find, and they come al)out farms and gardens to ])ick
up whatever they can meet with. They have a loud call that sounds like

COIIVID.E — THE CROWS.

271

pait-jtait, with a variety of cliatti'i'iiif,' notes, in tone resembling the human
voice, which, indeed, tiiey can l)e taught to imitate.

An egg of this species from Monterey, California, is of a rounded oval
shape, a little less obtuse at one end than the other. The ground-color is a
light drab, so chisely marked with lino cloudings of an obscure lavender
color as nearly to conceal tlie ground, and to give the egg the a])pearance of
an almost uniform violet-brown. It measures 1.^0 inches in length by .90
in breadth.

Genus CYANURA, Swmn'.son.

Cyammis, Swainson, F. lior.-Ain. II, 1831, 495, Appomlix. (Type, Oonnis crhlatus,

Linn.)
Cijanocilitt, Cabanis, Mus. llciii. 1851 (not of SruicKi.ANP, 1845).

Gen. Char. Ilo.id crostoil. Winp;.s .and tail l)lii(', with tr.insvcrse lilurk b.avs ; hond aiul
back of tlu! 8UI110 color. Bill rather .'<k'ii(ler, somewhat broader than high at the base ;

Cijanura eristatn.

eulnion .nbont oqu.al to the head. Nostrils largo, nearly circular, concealed by bristles.
Tail about as long avS the Aving.s, lengthened, graduated. Hind claw large, longer than
its digit.

Species and Varieties.

CojfMov CnAnACTERS. Wings and tail deep blue, the latter, with the .second-
nries and tertials, sometimes also the greater coverts, barred with bl.ack.

A. Greater coverts, terlials, secondaries, and tail-fe.atliers tipped broadly
with white ; lower parts generally, including lateral and under parts of
head, whitish.

C. cristata. IT(>ad above, back, scapulars, lesser wing-coverts, rump
and upper tail-coverts, light ashy purplish-blue ; a narrow frontal band,
a loral spot, streak behind the eye, and collar round the neck, eoni-
niencing under the crest, passing down across the end of the auriculars
and expanding into a ert'-scent across the jugulum, bliiek; throat tinged
with purplish-gray, the breast and sides with smoky-gray ; abdomen,
an.il region, and erissum pure white. Wing, .5.70 ; tail, 0.00; bill, 1.25;
tarsus, l.li.') ; middle toe, .85 ; crest, 2.20. Hub. Eastern Province of
North America.

272 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

B. Ni) wliiti' (in wiiii: or tail; Idwit purls dccii liliic.

C. stelleri. Culdi' ik-cp blue, less intuiiso lliaii on winps nnd tnil, I'x-
ccpt ilorsal icLrioi., wliioli nmy bo deep liliic, n.sliv-lirowii, or suol.y-
bliu^k. Head ami neck dark j,'niyit:h-bro\vn, diisky-liluo, or di'cp
black, till' ibroat more g'l-ayisb.

((. \o wbito patch over Uio cvf ; lliroat and cliin not alirnplly

li,L;lili'r than adjuLrnt parls; si idary fovcrls not burred with

bhick.

Whoki hoad, nook, jiifrnhnn, and dorsal region plain snoty-
blauk ; no blue strcak.s on forfliead, or idso thusc only faintly
indicated. TIk! bliii! every whore of a nniforni dull <;reeMi.sh-
indij,'o .ihado. Depth of bill, A'> ; crest, 2.()t); wing, (i.OO ;
tail, fi.OO; I'ldnien, l.-lo; tarsns, 1.7."); niidille toe, 1.00. I/uh.
Northwest coast, from Sitka to the Columbia . var. stelleri.

Whole head, neck, jugnlinn, and dorsal region plumboons-
uniber ; the forehead couspicnoiisly streaked willi blue, and
tlio crest washed with the same. The bhio of two very
different shade.i, tho wings and tail being deep indigo, the
body and tail-coverts greeniuli cobalt-blue. Depth of bill,
.35; crest, 2.S0; wing, (i.OO; tail, G.OO ; culnien, 1.2.'); tarsus,
l.oa ; middle toe, .90. Hub. Sierra Nevada, from Fort Crook

to Fort Tejon var. /;■ on talis.

b. A patch of silky white over the eye; throat and chin abruptly
lighter than the? adjoining parts; secondary coverts barred dis-
tinctly with black.

Whole crest, cheeks, an<l foreneck deep black ; the crest
scarcely tinged with liluo ; dorsal region light ashy-|)hnnbeons ;
forehead conspicuously streaked with milk-white. The blue
contrasted as in yiii: //■oiitidi.i. Depth of bill, .35 ; crest, 3.00;
wing, (i.lO; tail, 0.10; culmen, 1.25; t.arsus, l.Go ; middle toe,
.90. Hab. Rocky Mountains of United States var. tii nc rolopha.

Whole cresi, cheeks, and foreneck deep black, the (ircst
strongly tinged with blue; dorsal region greenish phnnbeous-
bhie. The blue nearly uniform ; forehead conspicuously
streaked with Ijlnish-white. Depth ofbill, .35; cri'st, 2.S0;
wing, 5.90; tail, 5.90 ; culmen, 1.30; tarsus, 1.00; middle loo,
.90. Hub. Highlands of Jfexico . . . \m: dia il e m a t a }

Whole crest, cheeks, and foreneck <lee]) blue, lores black;
dorsal region deep pin'plisli-blue ; forehead conspicuously
• streaked witli light blue. The blue of a uniform shade —
deep pnrplish-indigo — throughout. Depth of bill, .40; length
of crest, 2..50; wing, .5.80; tail, .5.80; culmen, 1..30; tarsus,
l.CO; middle toe, .95. Hub. Southeastern Mexico (.Xalapa,
xfelize, etc.) ....... var. coronota.'-

Tlie different viirieties just indicated under Ch/mivra stcUn-i, namely, stel-
leri, frontalis, macrohipha, diadanata, and coronata, all appear to represent

1 Oiiiivnra diinhmatn (Ronap,), r,,fninrinrrn!u.i dwdcmfitvs, Ronap. f-niis)). p. ."i??. Cunnn-
citta dim/., ScLAl Ki:, Cafal. Am. li. 18(i2, 143. The O. gtdaila, Cau., from Bogota, wu have uot

seen.

2

Cyannra cormuda, Swains. Phil. M.ig. I, 1827, 437.

('oltVID.K- TIIK CUUWS. .J73

Avoll-iimi'kcd iiiid ciisily ili'lincd nicos of oiio ])riiiiitivc sppcicH, tlie ^inidii-
liou I'niiii (Pile Idiiii III the olhei' liciii;^ very rc^iiliir, mid ii;^iwiii^' with lluj
<,'i!iK'iid variiitidii atli'iid.iuL ii|>nii i^iMigniiiiiiciil dislriluitinii. 'I'liiis, lic^iii-
iiiiiU' with ('. siclliri, sw Imvi; lliu anterior ])iirt of luiiul mid liudy, in-
ciiidiiig iiitiM'scaiiiilm' region, lijack, witiKnit any niarkinj^s on tlu; licad. In
J'runtdlU tlio luiok is li^liti;r, and u glossy lihio sliows on tin; ibiclu'ad.
In viKirolophu Ww hliic ot posterior parts invades tlio anterior, tinj;i.'in<,' llicni
very di!cidedly, Icavinj^' llii' iiead black, witii a blue shade to the ercst ;
the forehead is j^lossed with liluish-widte ; the npjjer eyelids have ii white
spot. In mrtiiitita tlie l)liie tinj^c is detsper, and pervades the entire liody,
except tiie side of the head. The sliade ol' blue is dillerent from vuirroloplut,
and more like tiiut oi' ,s/r//rri ; c//(»/(,//(«/«, intermediate in haliitat lu'tween
■iiwcrulupha mid ivivhuIk, is also intermediate in coloi'S. The tail liecujines
rather more even, and the bill more slender, as we ))rooeed from stc/leri to
coronutu. The bars ou the secondary coverts l)eeome darker in the same
progression.

Cyanura cristata, Sw aixson.

BLUE J&T.

Cormis crislntus, Linn. Syst. Nut. I, (lOlli wl.,) l"r)S, 106 ; (I'itlu'd.,) 1766, 157.— G.\ii i.ix,
Syst. Nut. I, 1788, 309. — Wilson, Am. t»iii. I, 1S0.S, 2, pi. i, C. 1. - Ho.s. OIjs.
Wilson, 18-J4, No. 41. — Doroinv, Ciib. X. II. 11, 1N3'J, C-i, pi. vi. — Aii" Oin.
liiog. II, l.'syi, 11 ; V, 183!!, 475, ]i\. fii. (riirru/un crinhihis, " ViKii.i.ur, Kiuycloii.
890." — III. Diot. XI, 477. — Hk.v. Syn. 1828, 58. — S\v. F. I5or.-Ani. II, 1831, 293.

— VlKIM.()T, (ialfiic, 1, 1824, UiO, pi. oil. — Aui). Birds Am. IV, 110, jil. ccx.vxi.

— Max. Cabnii. J. 1858, VI, 192. Pica criKlntii, Waiim:1!, Syst. Av. 1827, Pica, No. 8.
('i/iniiiriiii<-risl(i/ii.i, )>\\.\]\si}s, V. Hor.-Am. II, 1831, app. 495. — Uaiisii, Binis N.
Am. 1858, 580. — Sa.mi'ki.s, 364. — Ai.i.kx, B. E. I'lii. 297. I'liuiuicnrn.i- crisluliis,
Bon. List, 1838. Cipnwcit/'t- cris/n/n, Sti;mki.a\i>, Ann. M.ijj,. N. II. 1845, 261.—
{'AiiAXl.s, Mils. Hcin. 1851, 221. Vij'UKKjamilii.i crMnfni, Bd.v. C'oiisp. 1850, 376.

Sp. f'liAn. Trcst iilioiit oiK^ third loiiji'or tli.in flic liill. Tail iiiiu'li oradiiatod. Ociiornl
color alinvc liirlit piirpli>li-lihn'; wind's and lail-frallii'i-s iillraiiiariiic-liliic ; llio .secondaries
and tcrtials, the irroatcr \viiii;-covorts, and the exposed siii'liiee of the tail, sharply haiided
with hlaek" and hroadlv tip|icd with white, except on the (.'entral tail-t'calhei's. liciieath
while: tiiifjcd with piirplish-liluc on the throat, and with lilnish-lirowii on the siiles.
A lilack eresceni on (he forepart of the breast, the horns passiiiu'' forwanl and eonneeliiii;
with a iiall'-eollar on the back of the neck. A nanow frontal line and loral rej:ion lil.ick;
feathers on the base of the hill lilnc, like the crown. Female rallier duller in color, and
a little smaller. Lcnirth, 12.2.'); wiiiir. r).fi.'">; tail. .".7:").

riAn. Eastern NcMtli Amciica. west to the Missouri. Northcaslern Texas (Dresser,
Ibis, 1865, 494). North to Red River and Moose Factory.

Specimen.s from iinrth of the T'^nited State.s are larger tlian more soutliern
ones. A s(>ries of specimens from Florida, brought by ^Ir. Pioardman, are
quite peculiar in some resjiects, ami prohalily re]>reseut a local race resident
there. In these Florida siiecimcns the wing and tail are each an inch or

274

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Cyantira crlstaia.

iiioi'o shorter than in Pennsylvania examples, wliile the bill is not any
smaller. The crest is very short ; the white spaces on secondaries and tail-
feathers more restricted.

Habits. The connnon Blue
Jay of >«orth America is found
throii^liout tiie continent, from
the Atlantic coast to the Mis-
souri A'alley, and from Florida
and Te.xas to tlie fur regions
nearly or q\iite to the oOth
parallel. It was found Ijreeding
near Lake Wimiepeg by Donald
Gunn. It was also observed in
these regions by Sir John llich-
ardson. It was met with by
Captain Ulakistou on the forks
of the Saskatchewan, but not
farther west.

The entire family to which
this Jay belongs, and of which
it is a \ery cons]iicuous member,
is nearly cosmopolitan as to distribution, and is distinguished by the
remarkable intelligence oi all its members. Its habits are striking, jx'culiar,
and full of interest, often evincing sagacity, forethought, and intelligence
strongly akin to reason. These traits belong not exclusively to any one
species or geiu'ric subdivision, but are common to the whole family.

When first met with in the wild and unex]tlored regions of our country,
the Jay ajipears shy and su.spicious of the intruder, man. Yet, curious to a
remarkable degree, lie follows tlie stranger, watches all his movements, hov-
ers with great pertinacity about his steps, ever keejnng at a resi)ectful dis-
tance, even before he lias been taught to beware of the deadly gun. After-
wards, as he becomes l)etter acipiainted with man, the Jay conforms his own
conduct to the treatment he receives. Where he is hunted in wanton sport,
because of brilliant plumage, or persecuted because of unjust prejudices and
n bad rejiutation not deserved, he is shy and wary, shuns, as mucli as jHjssible,
human society, and, wlien the hunter intrudes into his retreat, seems to
deliglit to follow and annoy him, and to give the alarm to all dwellers of
the woods that their foe is approaching.

In parts of the country, as in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and otlicr Western
States, where the Jay is unmolested and exenijjt from jiersecution, we find
him as familiar and confiding as any of the favored birds ol' the Eastern
States. In the groves of Iowa Mr. Allen found our lUue Jay nearly as
unsuspicious as a I51ack-capi)ed Titmouse. In Illinois he speaks of them as
very aljundant and half domestic. And again, in Indiana, in one of the

CORVID.E — THE CROWS. 275

principal streets of riiclmioiid, tlie same guutleiuan ibund tlie nest of these
birds in a 'ilac-l)>isli, under tlio window (jf ii dwelling. In the summer of
1843 I saw a nest of the .lay, tilled with young, in a tree standing near the
house of 'Mr. Audulion, in the city of New York. The habits of no two
species can well be more unlike than are those Mhich ])erseinition on the
one hand and kind treatment on the other have developed in this bird.

The IJUie Jay, wherever found, is more or less resident. This is espe-
ciiilly the case in tlie more southern portions of its area of rei)roduction. In
Texas, Dr. Lincecum informs us, this Jay renuiins both summer and winter.
It is there said to build its nest of nmd, a material rarely if ever used in
more northern localities ; and when jjlaced not far li'om dwelling-houses,
it is lined with cotton thread, rags of calico, and the like. They are, he
writes, very intelligent and sensil)le birds, subsisting on insects, acorns,
etc. He has occasionally known them to destroy bats. In Te.xas they seem
to seek the protection of man, and to nest near dwellings as a means of
safety against Hawks. They nest l)ut once a year, and lay but four eggs.
In a female dissected l)y him, he detected one hundred and twelve ova, and
from these data he infers that the natural life of a .Fay is about thirty years.

Mr. Allen mentions finding the Blue Jay in Kansas etpially at home,
and as vivacious and even more gayly colored than at the North. "While
it seemed to have forgotten none of the droll notes and fantastic ways
always to be e.\))ected from it, there was added to its manners that i'amil-
iarity which characterizes it in the more newly settled portions of the
country, occasionally surprising one with some new e.x])ression ol feeling
or sentiment, or some une.\i)ected eccentricity in its varied notes, perhaps
developed by the more southern surroundings.

Tlie Blue Jay is arboreal in its habits. It prefers the shelter and security
of thick covers to more open ground. It is onmivorous, eating eitlier ani-
mal or vegetable food, though with an. apparent preference for the former,
feeding upon insects, their eggs and larvi\!, and worms, whiiitner procurable.
It also lays up large stores of acorns and lieecli mast for lood in winter,
when insects cannot be procured in sutlicient abundance. Even at this sea-
son it hunts I'or and devours in large quantities the eggs of the destructive
tent caterpillar.

The Jay is charged with a propensity to destroy tlie eggs and young of the
smaller birds, and has even been accused of killing full-grown birds. I am
not able to verify these charges, but they seem to be too generally conceded
to be disputed. These are the only serious grounds of complaint that can
be brought against it, and are more than outweighed, tenfold, by the immense
services it renders to man in the destruction of his enemies. Its depreda-
tions on the garden or the farm are too trivial to be mentioned.

The ]>lue Jay is conspicuous as a musician. He e.xliibits a variety in his
notes, and occasionally a beauty and a harmony in his song, for which few
give him due credit. Wilson compares his jKtsition among our singing birds

276 NORTH AMKIUCAN mUDS.

to that of tiie tniin]i('ter in the band. His notes he varies to an almost
infinite extent, at one time screaming with all his mij^ht, at another war-
blinsT Mitii all tiie -^urtness of tune and moderation of tiie Blueliird, and
again imparting to his voice a grating liarslniess that is indescribable.

Tiie power of mimicry po.ssessed by the Jay, tlumgli dillerent from, is
liardly snrpa.ssed by tiiut of tlie Mocking-Dird. It especially delights to
imitate tlie cries of tiie Sparrow Hawlc, and at other times those of the IJed-
t.iik'd and lied-shonldered liawlcs are given with srndi similarity tiiat the
small birds lly to a covert, and tlie inmates of the poultry-yard art; in the
greatest alarm. Dr. .Tared P. Kirtland, of Cleveland, on whose grounds a
large colony of Jays took nji their abode and became very familiar, has given
me a very int'iresting accMiunt of their liabits. The following is an extract:
" They soon 1)ecame so familiar as to feed abunt our yards and corn-cribs.
At the dawn of every pleasant day throughout tlie year, the nesting-season
excepted, a stranger in my house might well sup]io.se tliat all the axles in
the country were screeching aloud for lubrication, hi-aring the harsh iind dis-
cordant utterances of these birds. During the <lay the poultry might be
frequently seen running into their hiding-places, and the gobbler with hia
upturned eye .searching the heavens for the enemy, all excited and alarmed
by the mimic utterances if the adapt ^■('ntriloquists, the Jays, sinnilating the
cries of the licil-shouldered and the I'ed-tailed JIawks. The domestic circle
of the barn-yard evidently never gained any insight into the deception by ex-
perience ; for, though the trick Avas repeated every few hours, the excitement
would always be re-enacted."

When reareil i'nnn the nest, these birds become very tame, and are per-
fectly reconciled to contiiiement. Tliey very soon ow into amusing pets,
learning to imitate the human voice, and to simulate almost every sound that
they hear. Wilson gives an account of one that had been brought u]) in a
family of a gentlmnan in South Carolina that displayed great intelligence,
and had all the lo(iuacity of a parrot. This Itird cf)uld utter several words
with great distinctness, and, whciievt'r called, would innnediately answer to
its name with great sociability.

The late Dr. Ksteep, of Canton, Ohio, an experienced bird-fancier, assured
Dr. Kirtland that he has invariably found the Blue Jay more ingenious,
cunning, and teachable than any other s]iecies of bird he has ever attempted
to instruct.

Dr. Kirtland has also inlbrnied me of the almost invaluable services ren-
dered to the farmers in his neighliorhood, by the Blue Jays, in the destruo
tiiin of caterpillars. "When he first settled on his farm, he found every a]iplo
and wild-cherry tree in the vicinity extensively disfigured and denuded of
its leaves by the larva- of the Cliaiornnipf) amcrirana, or the tent catei'jiillar.
The evil was so extensive that even the best farmers despaired of counter-
acting it. Xot long alter tlie Jays colonized upon his place he found they
were feeding their young quite extensively with these larvae, and so

CORVID.K — THE CROWS. 277

thoroughly that two or throe yoiu's afterwards not a worm was to be seen
in that neighl)orh(»nl ; and mure recently he has searched for it in vain, in
ordr to rear cabinet specimens of the moth.

'J lie Jay builds a strong coarse nest in the branch of some i'orest or or-
chard tree, or even in a low bii.sli. It is formed of twigs rudely but strongly
interwoven, and is lined with dark librous roots. The eggs are usually live,
and rarely six in number.

The eggs of tliis species are usually of a rounded-oval shape, oljtuse, and
of very e(|ual size at either end. Their ground-color is a browuisli-olive,
varying in depth, and occasit>nally an olive-drab. They are sparingly spotted
with darker olive-browu. In size they vary from 1.05 to 1.2U inches in
length, and in breadtli from .82 to .88 of an inch. Their average size is
about 1.15 by .86 of an inch.

Cyanura stelleri, Swainson.

STELLEB'S MT.

Corvus stclkri, P.MrLix, Syst. Xat. 1, 17SS, 870. — Lath. Ind. Orn. 1, 1790, 158.—
P.VLL.v.s Zoog. Hosso-As. I, IMl, y!);j. — liiix.w. Zool. Jour. Ill, 1827, •»!>. — In.
Suppl. Syn. 1828, 433.-^11). Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 453, pi. ccelxii. Gamihis
skllrri, ViKiLl-oT, Diet. .\'I1, 1817, 4M. — Bona)'. Am. Orn. II, 1828, 44, pi. xiii. —
Nl-TTALi., Man. 1, 1832, 22!». — All). Syn. 1830, 154. -In. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 107,
pi. cox.xx (not of Swainson, K. Bor. -Am. fK Cijiniiindi sirllcri, Swain.son, F. Bor.-
Am. II, 1831, 4!),"), App. I'im slrUn-i, V.'aiii.ku, Syst. Av. 1827, ricii, Xo. 10.
C'l/nnoconu' slclhri, BoN. List, 1838. FlNscii, Alili. Xat. Ill, 1872, 40 (Alaska).
Cynmcitld slcUcri, V.\n. Mus. Hoin. 1851, 221. Nr.wniatRY, P. R. R. Rep. VI, iv,
1857, 85. Cijanoijamtlus strUcri, Bcinat. Conspectus, 1850, 377. Slrlhr's Croir, Pkn-
nant, Arctic Zoid. II, Sp. 139. LArii. Syn. 1, 3S7. (Jiidinirn x. I'aiiii), Birds N.
Am. 1858, 581 (in part). Lonn, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 122 vBriti.sli <'oluml>ia ; nest).
— Dai.i, & Bannistkh, Tr. Chic. Ac. 1, 18G9, 486 (Alaska). —Cuul'Kii, Orn. Cal. 1,
1870, 298 (in i)art).

Sp. Char. Cro,«t about one third hiiifror than the bill. Fifth quill longest; .«eponil
nboul oqnal to the .secondary (|uill.«. Tail jrradiiatod ; lateral I'eather.s about .70 of an
inch .■"hortest. Head and neck all round, and forepart of breast, dark lirownish-blaek.
Back and lesser winfr-eoverts blaekish-hrown, the scapulars glossed witii l)luc. I'nder
parts, rump, tail-eoverts, and wings greenish-bluo ; exposed surfaces of lesser quills dark
indigo-blue ; teitials and ends of t.iil-feather.s rather obsoletely banded with black.
Feathers of the forehead streaked with greenish-blue. Length, about i;i.OO; wing, o.S.');
tail, r)..8o; tarsu.s, ].ir, (1,021).

TlAn. Paeilie coast of North America, from the Columbia River to Sitka; east to St.
Mai y's Mission, Rocky Mountains.

Habits. Dr. Suckley regarded Steller's Jay as probably the most abun-
dant bird of its size in all the wooded country between the Kocky Mountains
and the Pacific. He describes it as tamo, loiiuacious, and possessed of the
most imptulent curiosity. It is a hardy, tough bird, and a constant winter
resident of Washington Territory. It is nsmarkable for its varied cries and

278 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

notes, and scorns to have one for evcvv oiiiotinn ov pnrsnit in which it
is engiijfed. It also has a <;i'eat fondness I'or imitating the notes oi' other
birds. J)r. Siickh'y states tliat I'rei^nently wlien ])leasaiitly excited by the
hojie of ol)taiiiiiig a rare bird, in coiisec^uenee of lieariiig an unknown note
issuing from some clump of bushes or tliieket, he luis been not a little dis-
ajijxiinted by finding that it had issued from tliis Jay. It niinncs accurately
the iiriucijial cry of the (Jatliird.

1 )r. Coo])er also found it very common in all the forests on both sides of
the Cascudo ]\b)untains. While it seemeil to depend cliietly upon the forest
for its food, in the winter it would make visits to the vicinity of houses, and
steal anything eatable it could find within its reach, even potatoes. In
these forages n\)(m the gardens and farm-yards, they are both silent and
Avatchful, evidently conscious of the peril of their undertaking, and when
discovered they instantly Hy off to the concealment of the forests. They
also make visits to the Indian lodges when the owners .arc absent, and force
their way into them if possible, one of their number keeping watch, in the
forest tliey do not a])pear to lie sliy or timid, but bohlly follow those who
intrude upon their domain, screaming, and calling their companions around
them. Hazel-nuts are one of their great articles of winter food ; and Dr.
Cooper states that, in order to break the shell, the Jay resorts to the in-
genious expedient of taking them to a branch of a tree, fixing them in a
crotcli or cavity, and hammering them with its bill until it can reach the
meat within. Their nest he describes as large, loosely built of sticks, and
placed in a bush or low tree.

At certain seasons of the year its food consisted almost entirely of the
seeds of the pine, ])articukuly of P. hrwln/pkra, which 1 )r. Newberry states he
has often seen them extracting from the cones, and Mith which the stomachs
of those he killed were usually filled. He found these birds ranging as far
nortli as the line of the liritish Territory, and from the coa.st to the Itockv
^Idunfains.

In his Western journey Mr. Xuttall met with these birds in the Blue Moun-
tains of tlie On^gon, east of Walla-walla. There he foiuid them scarce and
shy. Afterwards lie found tJiem abundant in tlie ])ine forests of the Columl)ia,
where their loud trumjjeting clangor was heard at all hours of the day, calling
out witli a loud \-oice, '//"//-'//",'/, or chattering with a variety of other notes,
some of them similar to those of the connnon Blue Jay. They are more
bold and familiar than our Jay. Watchful as a dog, no sooner does a
stranger show himself in their vichiity than they neglect all other emjiloy-
ment to come round him, following and sometimes scolding at him with great
pertinacity and signs of irritability. At other times, stimulated by curiosity,
they follow for a while in perfect silence, until sometliing seems to arouse
tlieir ire, and tlien their vociferous cries are poured out with unceasing volu-
bility till the intruder has ])assed from their view.

In the month of Mav, Mr. Nuttall found a nest of these birds in a small

CORVID.E — THE CROWS. 27'j

sapling of tlie Douglas fir, on tlie lionlers of a donso forest, and, some timu
after, a second nest witli young, in an elevated lirancli of another lir, on the
border of a rocky cliff, 'riic first nest contained four eggs, of a pale green,
nmriv-ed witli small olive-laown spots, varied with others inclining to a violet
hue. Tlie ]iarents Hew at him with the utmost anger ami agitalion, almost
deafening him with their cries ; and allhougli he took only tw.. of their eggs,
the ne.\t day he foUi.d they hud forsaken their nest. TJiis nest was bulky,
made of interlaced twigs and roots, with a stout layer of mud, and lined
witli black rootlets. One of tlie eggs taken by .Mr. Xuttall is in my cabinet,
and is as he describes it, except that the oliscure markings of violet have
nearly faded out. It measures 1.20 inches in length, and .!»(» in breailth, is
oval in shajje, and a little more obtuse at one; end than at the other.

This Jay was obtained by Steller at Xootka, (m the west coast of Van-
couver Island, in latitude oO°. ?t was also found in abundance by .Mr. Dall
at Sitka, in British Columbia, where a number of specimens were oljtained
by Mr. BischoiT and by :\Ir. IClliot.

Mr. J. K. Lord states that this Jay ever makes its ]iresence known by the
constant utterance of discordant .screams. It is continually hopj)iiig from
bougli to bough, darting down to catch an insect, ]ierforniing short, erratic
flights, and jerking up and down its irest of bright feathers. Its noi.sy song
seems to be everywhere. It is the embodiment of restlessness, and, l)y dint
of sheer impudence, attracts attention even from tlie liunter. He adds that
it seemed fond of freiiiieiiting the haunts of man, and is always ].leiiliful
near Indian lodges or white men's shanties. It is by no means eiiiuurean
in taste, but readily devours anything, whether seeds or salmon, grasshop-
pers or venison. Its nest he found artfully concealed amidst the thick foli-
age of a young pine-tree. It was composed of moss, small twigs, lichens,
and fir frond,s, and lined with deer's hair. The average number of eggs l.dd
ajjpears to be seven.

Cyanura stelleri, var. frontalis, Ridgway.

SIERRA JAY.

Cyanura uteUrri, Auot. All ivfciviicc to Stcllcr's Jay as ocevirriiig in Ciilifoniia, exociiting
on the iiortlunn Coast Raiigf, relate to this vaiiety.

Sp. Cn.\R. Iloiid, nccic, .and donsnl roprion plnmhooiis-nnilKM-, darker on the head, and
postori'Hy chantrinpr prcdually into tlio li<rht grccnish-lilMc of the ivst of the liody ; whigs
and tail deep indiijo-bhie, the tertials. .«eeondaries, and tail conspimiously marked with
hi'oad and rather distant bars of blaek ; primaries frreeni.sh lifrht-liliie, like the rnmp,
abdomen, etc. Whole forehead eonspiononsly .■streaked with lilne (the streaks formin<r
two parallel serie.'!, wliere the feather.-f are not di.>;arran,L'-ed), and the crest .«trongly tinired
with bine. $ (.•)3,C3!), Carson City, Nevada, A])ril 30, l.^()8) : wing, G.OO ; tail, COO ;
cnlinen, 1.25; depth of l,ill, .3'); tarsns, 1.5o; middle toe, .90; crest. 2.80. 9 (53.0-10,
Carson City, Nevada, April 30, 1808): wing, 5.70; tail, 5.50. Yonuij with the blue of

280 iS'UUTll AMKIUCAN UHiDS.

tlie body tiiul head entirely replaced by a sooty grayish; and that of the wings and tail
duller, and less distinctly barred.

ITai!. Whole lenglii ol' the Sierra Nevada, from Fort Crook (where it ajiproaches
var. xtcllcri) to Fort Tejon.

Til the colors of the body, \vino;s, and tail, this woll-niaiked race resembles
0. iiiarfu/ojiJia ill every respeet, cixeept tliat tiie greater coverts are not barred
with black ; there beiu" the same ai)rupt contrast between tiie deep l)liie of
the wings and tail, and the light greenish-l)lue of tlu; body, tail-coverts, and
pi'iniari(!S, — seen only in these two forms. The variety is contined to the
monntains of California and Western Nevada, extending along the Sierra
Nevada abont tiie entire length of the State, there being specimens in the
collection from Kort Crook and Fort Tejon, and intermediate localities.

Hauits. The BItie-fronted Jay, so far as it was observed by Mr. Uiilgway,
was I'uniul to be exclnsively an inhabitant of the pine woods of the Sierra
Nevada, and is, with Clarke's Nntcraeker, one of the most characteristic
birds of that region. In its general haitits and manners, it greatly resembles
the eastern iilne Jay, but is rather more shy, while its notes are very
dill'erent, and do not possess the variety and Hexiliility of the crislata, but
are in comparison harsh and discordant. . The nsnal note is a hoarse, deejj-
toned monosyllabic sipiawk. Sometimes it utters a hollow sonorous chatter.

Near ('arson (.'ity one of these birds had been winged by a shot, and, in
falling, alighted on the lower iranches of a pine-tree. Upon an attempt to
capture it, tiic bird began to ascend the tree; limb by limb, at the same
time uttering a perftict imitation of the cry of the IJed-tailed Hawk, evidently
in tlie hope of frightening away his tormentors. Dr. Newberry regards this
Jay as the western counterpart of the V. cristata. Uy its more conspicuous
crest, its bold, detiant air, and its excessively harsh and disagreeable cry, it
challeng(;s and secures attention. He found it almost exclusively conlined
to the hilly and mountainous districts, choosing in preference those covered
with pines.

Dr. Heermann found these Jays al)undant and resident as far south as
Warner's lianch, wiiere, tiiough cmnmon, they were for some reason so
unusually wild and vigilant as not to be easily procurable. In feeding, he
observed that tliey seemed always to begin in the lower branches and
ascend, hopping from twig to twig, to the tojimost point, and, wiiile thus
employed, utter a harsh screaming note that can be heard to a considerable
distance.

Tiiis species, Dr. Coojier states, is numerous in the mountains of Cali-
fornia, inhaliiting the whole lengtii of the Sierra Nevada, and the Coast
llange as far south, at least, as Santa Ciuz. Thfmgli showing a decided pref-
erence for the pine forests, they sometimes in winter freipient tho.se of
oaks. They are omnivorous, eating seeds, acorns, nuts, insects, and in winter
even jjotatoes and dead fish. They are at times bold and prying, and at
others very cautious and suspicious. They soon learn to appreciate a gun,

CORVID.'E — THE CROWS. 281

and show great saf^acity in their movements to avoid its peril. On the
Columbia tlicy lay in May, and in Calitbrnia about a mouth earlier.

Cyanura stelleri, vur. macrolopha, Baird.

LONO-CSESTED JAT.

Cijnnneittn vuicrnhplia, n.MUl), Pr. A. N. Sc. I'hila. VII, .luno, 1854, 118 (AIlmquprqHc).
Klnn-ulus slilhri, Swainson, F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 29J, pi. liv (head-waters of Co-
lumbia ; tigure of a bird iiiti'iiiKMliatc lictwiicn C. strUeri and macrolopha). Cyanura
macrolopha, Baiud, Hird.s N. Am. 1858, 582. — Elliot, Illust Am. B, I, .wii. —
Codi'Kit, Oni. Cal. I, 1870, 300.

Sp. Char. Crest nearly twice the length of the hill. Tail moderately prraduated ; the
lateral feathers about .GO oP an inch shorter than the middle. Fourth and fillh quills
longest ; second sliorter than tlie secondaries. Head all round, throat, and forepart of
the brea.st, black, the crest with a gloss of blue; rest of back dark ashy-brown with a
gloss of greenish. Under parts, rump, tail-covert.s, and outer surfaces of primaries,
greenish-blue; greater coverts, secondaries, and tortial.'*, and upper surface of tail-feathers
briglit blue, banded with black ; forehead streaked with opaque white, passing behind
into pale blue; a white patch over the eye. Chin grayish. Length, 12.50 ; wing, 5.85;
tail, 5.85; tarsus, 1.70 (8.351).

IIau. Central line of Rocky Moimtains from northern border of the United States to
tible-lands of Mexico ; Fort Whiiiple, Arizona.

Young birds have tlie briglit blue of body and black of head replaced by
a dull slate ; the head unvaried.

An apparent link between this variety and C. stelleri is represented in
the Smithsonian collection by three specimens from the region towards
the head-waters of the Columbia, where the rcopcctive areas of distribution
of the two overlap. In this the anterior parts of the body are nearly as
black as in stelleri (mucli darker than mncrolopha), with the sliort crest; liut
the forehead (except in one specimen) is streaked with blue, and there is a
white patch over the eye. As in stelleri, tliere are no black bars on the
greater wing-coverts. As this is an abundant form, whether permanent race
or hybrid, it may be called var. anncetens.

Habits. The Long-crested Jay appears to occur throughout the central
range of the IJocky Mountains from British Columbia to Mexico, where it
is replaced by a closely allied species or race, the Ci/anura eoronata of Swain-
son.

Mr. Ridgway met with this Jay only among the Wahsatcli and the
Uintah Mountains. They appeared to be rather common in those regions,
though far from being abundant. In their manners and in their notes
they arc described as having been almost an exact counterpart of the
Sierra Nevada form. Tlieir notes, however, are said to be not so loud nor
so coarse as those of the more western species. A nest, found by Mr. Ridg-
way, Jinie 25, 18G'.), in Parley's Park, Walisatch Mountains, was in a small

VOL. II. 3()

282 NORTH AMERICAN BIRRS.

fir-troe on tl'.o e(lj,'(! of a wood. It was aaddlcd on a hori/ontal hranc.li
ttlioiit lillecn I'ect from tlio ground, and coiitiiiniid six eggs. 'J'hu l)ase of tliu
ne8fc was coni|tosed of coarso strong sticks, rudtily put togotlior. Ui)on this
Mas constructed a solid, firm plastering of mud of a nniibrm concave siiaj)e,
lined willi line wiry roots. Tlio external diameter is al)out nine iuciius, and
tlie lu'igiit of Uie nest four. Tiio interior is five inches in (hametor, and three
in depth.

Tiie species was first described liy Professor Baird, from s]>ecimens
obtained by JJr. Ivennerly, who writ'ss tliat he first saw tins bird among
tlio lofty pines of tlie Sierra Madre in Novend)er, IS;")!}. Leaving that
range, he did not meet with it again until his i)arty crossed the Aztec
Mountains, in January, liSr)4, where it was less abundant than wlieii first
nu^t with. It was, for the most part, fVtund among the cedars on the high
gro\inds, though occasionally seen among the clunijw of large pines that
were scattered along the valley. The party did not meet with it again.

Dr. Coucs found this species a common and a resident bird in Arizona.
It was observed to be almost exclusively an inhabitant of pine wood.s, and was
generally to be met with only in small companies, never congregating in the
manner of Woodhouse's Jay. He describes it as very sliy, vigilant, noisy,
and tyrannical.

The eggs of C. mncroloplm measure 1.30 inches in length and .01 in breadth.
Their ground-color is a light sea-green. They are somewhat sparingly
spotted with fine markings of dark olive-brown, and lighter cloudings of a
purplish or violet brown Tltey are oblong oval in shape, obtuse at either
end, liut more tajJiM'ing at one end. They ap])ear to be a little larger than
tlie eggs of stellcri, and the ground-color is brighter, and the markings deeper
and more of an olive hue.

Genus C7ANOCITTA, Stuickland.

Cynnocitta, Stiiicki,.\np, Annals and Mag. N. 11. XV, 1845, 260. (Type, Gnrnihi-i call-

fiirniciis, Vkjors.)
Jphchimma, C.ui.vxi.s, Mus. Hcin. 1851, 221. (Samo type.)

Cii.vH. Head without crest, Wiiiijs an<l tail liliio, without any b.-inds. Back usually
witli a frray p.ilL'li, (liUbrcnt Irom tiiu head. Bill about a.s broad as hij.')! at tho base, and
tlic culiucii a liltlo .shorter than tho lieacl. Ncstrils larpc, nearly circular, and concealed.
Tail nearly eipial to tin; wings, lengtluMied, graduated, or else shorter and nearly even.

This genus is readily distinguished from the preceding by the entire
alisence of crest and of black bars on the blue of wings and tail. The
species and races hitherto described will be found detailed in the accompa-
nying synopsis. The characters indicated above are of no very great generic
value, but as the group is a very natural one it will bo as well to retain it.
As in Oi/anura, the species are peculiar to the I'^nited States and Mexico,
one indeed being ajiparently confined to the Peninsula of Florida.

CORVID/E — THE CROW'S.

283

It would perhaps lie not very for out of the way to consider Sections A

Cyanocilta califomica

and r, as representing in their general characters, respectively, the types
from which their subdivisions have spnui".

A. Tail lon-er than wings. A sniierciliary sti-ipo of whitish streaks ; jn-ular
an. poctoral Ibathors faintly cdge.l wilh l.h.ish, postcriorlv f.»-.nin.r an in.li.rtinot
collar, uitorrnptod medially. Ea.-covert. ,l„sky, except in var. vnn,lhonse!.

a. Forehead and nasal tnfts hoary wliite; the snperciliary stripe a continnou.
wash ol the same. Scapulars blue like the wings; dorsal region (the inter-
scapulars) as hght-eolored as the lower parts.

C. floridana. Back and lower j.arts pale ashy-l,rown; lower tnil-
coverts hright blue. Wing, 4.50 ; tail, 5.70 ; bill, 1.20 and .35 ; tarsu.
1.40; middle too, .85. Wing-formula, 4, 5, 6, 7, 3, 8, 9, 2, 10; fir.sti
1.80 shorter than longest. Graduation of tail, 1.50. Ilnh. Floridii
(only).

h. Forehead and nasal tufts bright blue ; superciliary stripe composed of
narrow streaks; scapulars ashy like the back; back much darker than the
lower parts.

C. californica.

Lower tail-coverts bright bine, dorsal region not well-defined ashy;
auricnlars bluish, beneath continuous pure ash. Superciliary streak
well defined. Wing, 5.15; tail, COO; bill, 1.35 and .3(1;" tarsus,
1.40; middle toe, .85. Wing-fornnila, fourth, liith, and sixth
equal; 7,3, 8, 9=2; first, 1.80 shorter than longest. Gradua-
tion of tail, .90. Ilnh. Rocky Mountains and .Aliddle Province of

United States .... ..n,. „. ^ ^ ii

var. IV 00(1 ho u isei.

Lower tail-coverts pure white; dor,«al region well-defined ashy;
auricnlars blackish; beneath dull white, approaching ash on bieast.
Superciliary streak indistinct. Wing, 5.C5; tail, 0.00; bill, 1.20
and .35; tarsus, 1.42; middle toe, .90. Wing-formula, 5, G,' 7, 4,
8, 3, 9, 10=2; first, 2.20 shorter than longest. Graduation
of tail, .80. Hab. Mexico (Orizaba ; City of Mexico) var. s u m ich ra.'f /.>

' C,janoci(/ammichram, R.noWAv, i;,.p. II. S. Geol. Expl. 40th Par. All Mexican Oiann-
««.« with a wlntisl. superciliary strenk, blue edgings to jngular IVatl.ers, etc., are to he referred
to tins strongly ina.ked race. A very eouspi.n>ous character of this variety is the stroi,.- " hook-
to the ,,pper mandible ; the tip beyond the notch being much elongated, or unusuallv " pro-
Uucea. In the collection is a specimen («0,0589, Jft'xico, A. Boucard) whi.di we have re-

284 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Supercilinry streak .sliarjjly (li'liiuMl, eonMi)iciioiis. Wing, n.OO;
tail, 5.00; bill, 1.20 and .37; tarsus, l.f)r); iniildlo toe, .!)."). Winj;-
fonniila, 4, ."., (;, 7, 3, 8, 9, 2, 10; (ii-st, 2.10 shorter timii lonKost.
Gradnation of tail, 1.1a. Hub. I'ueilie I'rovinue ol' United .Slates ;

Cape 8t. Luuiu>< \a\: cali/urnica.

B. Tail not longer than win^,'s, or eonsiderahly shorter. No superciliary
.stripe, and no streaks on throat or jugnlmn. Auriuulars blue like the (.'rown.

C. ultramariua. Lower parts whitish, conspicuously dilTerent (ioni the
upper.

Tail nearly, or perjeclly even.
Length, 13.00; taiUi-en; bill. 1.50; tail, 7.00. /lab. Mexico.

var. ultrumurina}
Length, 11.50; tail very slightly rounded (graduation, .25 onl^ ~
bill, 1.28 and .35; tail, 50. Above bright blue, dorsal region
obscured slightly with .nshy ; beneath dull pale ash, becoming
gradually whitish posteriorly, the crissuni being pure ash. Lores
blue. Tarsus, 1.45 ; middle toe, .95. Wing-fornuila, 5, 4 =- (i, 7,
3, 8, 9, 10, 2 ; first, 2.10 shorter than long.'s*. Graduation of tail,
.25. Hab. Lower Rio Grande \&r. couchi.

Tail considerably i-ounded.

Colors as in cotidii, but dorsal region scarcely obscured by ashy.

Lores black. Wing, 7.50; tail, 7.50; bill, 1.30 and .40; tarsus,

l.GO; middle toe, .90. Wing-formula, 5, 4, 6, 3 = 7, 8, 9, 2; first,

2.75, shorter than longest. Craduation of tail, 1.15. Hub. Mexico

(Orizaba, Mirador, etc.) vw.sordida.^

Graduation of the colors as in sordkla, but the blue, instead of
being a bright ultramarine, is very much paler and duller, and with
a greenish east, the whole dorsal region decidedly ashy ; ash of the
pectoral region much paler, and throat similar, instead of decidedly
whitish, in contrast ; pure white of posterior lower parts covering
whole abdomen instead of being confined to cri.ssum. Wing, ().20;
tail, 5.70; bill, 1.30 and .40; tarsus, 1.50; middle toe, .97. Wing-
formula, fourth, fifth, and sixth equal; 7, 3, 8, 9, 2 ; first, 2.20,
shorter than longest. Graduation of tail, .50. Hab. Southern
Rocky Mountains (Fort Buchanan, and Copper Mines, Arizona).

var. arizonce.
C. unioolor.' Lower parts bright blue, like the upper. Entirely

ferifd to this race, but wliich differs in such an important respect from all other specimens of
tlie several r.ices referrihle to calif„niim, as ext.Mi.led, that it may belong to a distinct form.
Having the precise aspect of mmichmsti in regard to its upper plumage, it lacks, however, any
trac! of the blue edgings and pectoral collar, the whole lower parts being continuously uninter-
rupted (hill white, purer posteriorly. The appearance is sucli as to cause a suspicion that it may
be a link between sumichrasti and one of tlic races of uUramarina. It measures : wing, 5.50 ;
tail, 6.00 ; graduation of tail, .70.

» Oyanocitta ultramarirm, (BoNAi-.) Stuickland. — Garrulus iiUranwrinus, Honap J A
N. S. IV, 1825, 386 (not of Audubon).

■' Chjanocitta sordida, (Swains.) (not of Baihd, Birds N. Am., whicli is arizonm). -Sci.atkr,
Cat. Am. B. 1862, 143. Oarndus sirrdidus. Swains. Phil. Mag. 1827, i, 437.

« OyamcUta unicolor, (Du Bus) Bonai-. Consp. p. 378. — Cyanocorax unicolor, Dv Bus.
Bull. Acad. Brux. XIV, pt. 2, p. 103.

COIiVIDyK — THE CHOWS. 285

uniform rich uUiaiuarino-bluo ; lores blauk. Wing, C.70 ; tail, 0.70 ;
bill, 1.30 and .50; tarsus, 1.45; niiildle too, .!t5. VVinir-foriuula, 5, (i,
4,7, .'5, », !l, '2; lirst, 'J.tiO .siiortor lliaii linigost. (irailiiation of tail,
1.50. Huh. Soiitiu'rn Muxiuo (Cordovii, Miradur, otc) ; (iualoinala.

In the iii'st section dI' tliis ;^i()Up we .see tlie same iiiilication of variation
from a common type with tlie rc^'ioii that is so evident in C'l/iniurd. Tims,
C'i/(inovUta wooillwioici ditlcrs from euUfoniim, nnich as C'//itin(r(( iiiarm-
lujiha docs from C. stillcri {\M:J'n»itnlis), in more lender bill and a jii'cater
])ercentage of Idiie; tliis invading tlie back and nnder jiarts, the h)wer tail-
coverts especially. IWit here the parallel of modilication ends, fiu' the
Mexican representative of the species (6'. sumirhrdxti) iippears to ri'vert
back to the characters of mtlj'ornka, having like it a minimum amount of
bine, though this almost obliterates the sni)erciliary sti'i])e of white, in
this respect there is more resemblance to the caoo of Pipilo fmra and its
three races in the three regions inhabited by these representative forms of
Cj/unocitta calif ornira ; for, while the Me.vican {I'./ioira) and Californian (/'.
crinsalis) are very much alike, the one from the intervening region (/'. vicsd-
Icicca) is more different from the two extreme races than they are from each
other.

In the other section of the genus the relation between nrizonn- and
sordida is a ])arallel to that between Ctjanura munvlopha and ('. roroiintd ;
the southern forms (anrdida, and covonata) differing princii)ally in the greater
intensity and prevalence or amount of the blue. Tlie relations of couch i
and idtramarina to the two above mentioned are yet oli.scnre, owing to the
small material at command, — there being only two sjieciniens of the former,
and none of the latter, in the National !Museum at Washington.

Cyanocitta floridana, Bonap.

FLOBIDA JAY.

Corvxis floridanm, Rautram, Travels, 1791, 291. —Am. Oni. Biog. I, 1831, 444, pi.
l.\.\.\vii. (larruhm Jloriduiim, IJoN. Am. Oni. 11, 1828, 11, pi. xi. — NurrAi.i., Man.
1, 1832, 230. ~Aun. Syn. 1839, ITil. — Tii. ISirds Am. IV, 1842, 118, jil. (.-.xxxiii.
C'lliiiiurusj!orii/(iiiu.i,i^\\.\lSiii>s, ¥. H. A. II, 1831, 4!)5. Cijaiwcnni.i- Jioridanux, I'xiN.
List, 1838. Ciiiinocitki Jhiridanit, BoN. Tonsp. 1850, 377. ~ Baiisd. Birds N. \m.
1858, 586. — Am.en, B. E. Fla. 298. Aphelocoma Jloriduna, C'aua.mi.s, Mils, lli'iii.
1851, 22. Garndus ctjaneus,\iVAi.i.Q\\ Xouv. Diet. XII, 1817, 470 (not dfscrilitHl).
fGairuliui cwrulesccn.i, ViKir.LOT, Nouv. Diet. Xll, 1817, 480. — Oai). J. A. X. Se.
1, 1818, 347. Piai cxrulcsccns, \Vaolei{, Syst. Av. 1827, Pica, No. 11.

Sp. Ciiak. Tail much graduated ; lateral fealliers nearly 1.50 inches shortest. Tail an
inch longer than the wings. Above blue, including scapulars ; interscapular region and
back brownish-ash, tlie former lighter. Forehead and sides of the crown, including
the nasal feathers, hoary white. Sides of head and neck blue ; the former tingcil with
blackish, the latter sending a streaked collar of the same entirely across the breast; region
anterior to this collar dirty white, streaked on the edges of the feathers witli blue ; rest

286 NORTH AiMKlllCAN BIRDS.

ol' uihIlt parts dirty whitish-brown ; uiulci' tail-i'overts bhie, the tibia tinged with the
same. Leiij^'lh, 11.00; winj,', 'l,')!) ; tail, 0.70; tarsus, 1.45.
1 1 All. Florida only, and quite local.

H.vnrrs. Tliis boiiiitiful sjicjii ,. appears to bo cxchisively coiifiuecl to
tbu pL'iiiusiilii of Florida, iiud tliere i.s no luitheiitio cvidouce that it Im.s cvor
been found outside of tlie limits of that State. The statement of IJouaparte,
that these birds are found in tlie States of Louisiana and Kentuciky, has
never been confirmeil, and Mr. Audubon, wlio was for many years a ri'sident
of botli States and familiar witii tiie birds of each, was very positive tlie
statement was without foundatiori. It luis never been observeil even in
(JeorLjia ov Alabama, and Air. Nuttall states that it is not fouuil in any part
of West Florida.

Mr. Allen, in his recent paper on the winter birds of Etist Florida, speak-
ing of this species, states tliat it is numerous in the scrub, l)ut does not appear
to frequent the pine woods, the hummocks, or the swamps. He saw none
along the St. Jolin's, e.vcept at Blue Springs, but they occur in numbers a
few miles back from the river.

Dr. Bryant, in liis Notes on tlic birds of Florida, mentions tliat this spe-
cies is tolerably ])lentiful in the vicinity of Enterprise. He regarded it
as exceedingly interesting on account of its limited geogra])hical distribu-
tion. Witii no apparent obstacle to its movements, it is yet confined to
a small ]iart of the peninsula of Florida, its area of distribution north and
south not exceeding tlu'ee degrees of latitude, if so much. He saw none
north of St. Augustine, and none south of Jupiter's Inlet. So far as lie
observed them, they were exclusively confined to the growth of scrub-oak,
wiiidi in many places is so entangled with creeping plants that it is im-
possible to walk through without cutting a path. This growth is genertUly
found on elevated ridges running parallel to the sea-coiist. Tlie most ex-
tensive of these, near Enterprise, is about three miles wide, and eighty feet
above tlie lake.

The flight of this species is said by Mr. Audubon to be performed at a
short distance from the ground, and to consist cither of a single sailing
sweep, as it passes from one tree to another, or of continuous tlapi)ings witli
a sliglitly undulating motion, in the manner of the Canada Jay. Its notes
are described as softer than those of the Blue Jay, and more freciuently
uttered. Its motions arc also ([uicker and more abrupt. Its fond is said to
consist of snails, which it collects on the ground, insects, and various kinds
of fruits and berries. It is also charged with being very destructive of eggs
and yooug birds.

Tlu! Florida Jay is said to be easily kept in confinement, feeding readily
on dried or fresh fruit and the kernels of various nuts, and soon a]tpears to
be reconciled to its loss of liberty. It secures its food between its feet, and
breaks it into ])ieces before swallowing it. In this way it feeds on the lu'orn
of the live-oak, snails, and the seeds of the sword-palmetto.

CORVID^ — THE GROWS. 287

The nest oftliis Jay is I'ormecl of dry sticks, placed across each Dtlicv,
and, altiiough rounded in ibrni, is so lightly made that the birds may lie
seen througii its interstices. It is lined witli fibrous rootlets, (^nly one
brood is raised in a season. Audubon's descriptions of its eggs are inaccu-
rate, and only applicable to tliose of tlie IJlue Jay.

Mr. Audubon observed a pair of these birds in confinement in New
Orleans. They were led ui)on rice and dry fruit. At dessert they were
allowed their lil)erty, when tlicy would Hy to the talile, feed on tlie almonds
given them, and drink claret diluted witli water. They attempted to mimic
various sounds, but did so very imperfectly.

Mr. Nuttall states that at tiie approach of winter these birds retire to the
south of St. Augustine. JTo regards tlieir voice as less harsh tiian that of
the JJlue Jay, and states thai they have a variety of notes, some of whidi
are jtrobably imitations, and ar; said to resemble the song of the Wt/od
Thrush and the calls of the commo- Jay.

An egg of the Florida Jay before me is of a rounded oval shape, being
nearly equally obtuse at either end. The ground-color is a light bluish-gray,
marked almost exclusively at the larger end witli a few small spots of a liglit
rufous-brown. It has no near resemblance to the eggs of the California Jay,
nor to those of any other Jay that I liave seen. It measures l.Oa inches
by .80.

In its flight and action. Dr. Bryant thought the Florida Jay resembled
the Mocking- Bird. It has none of the restless, suspicious manner of the
Blue Jay. lie never heard it utter more than a single note, tiiis being
much softer thau the iisual cry of the Blue Jay ; its song he regarded ns
rather monotonous. It seldom flies moi-e than a short distance at a time,
and seems to trust for jirotection to the difficulty of access to its abode. It
aLso evinces a great partiality for particular localities. Generally (Uily a
single pair is seen at a time, though in one place he has seen three pairs
tcgether. It is not fond of civilization, and is seldom known to fre(|ueiit
tlie vicinity of dwellings.

A nest found by Dr. Bryant on the 15th of April was built in a scrub-
oak about three feet from tlie ground. It was made of small twigs, vom-
pactly and carefully lined with fibres of the dwarf palmetto, that had ap-
parently been brought a distance of lialf a mile. The cavity measured about
five inches in breadth and one and a half in depth. The nest contained
three eggs of a liglit blue, sparingly sprinkled with rufous, the spots being
lai-ger and more numerous towards the larger end. Another nest, found a
few days later, contained five eggs of a more neutral tint, with the spots
darker, larger, and more evenly distributed.

288

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Cyanocitta californica, Stuickland.

CALIFOSNIA JAY.

Gamdiis mli/oniicus, '.'inous, Zoijl. Beechcy's Voyagi", 18.39, 21, pi. v. Ci/anncUta, cali-
fornicn, Siimckland, Aim. Mag. XV, 1845, 342. — CiAMnKi,, .T. A. N. Sc. 2(1 suiics,
1, IVc. 1847, 4.5. — lioN. Con-sppctus, 18.50, 377. - Nkwbkkrv, P. K. 11. U«p. VI,
IV, 18.57, 8.5. — lUlun, Birds N. Am. 1858, .584. — Heeum. X, S, 55. — CmrEii,
Oiii. Cal. I, 1870, 302. Ci/fiiiocorax ca?ifornii;iix, GAMnEL, Pr. A. N. Sc. Ill, Ap.
1847, 201. Jpli'/iicnmam/i/oniv-a, Oahanms, Mus. Hein. 18r)l, 221. — Bon. C'omptes
Hi'iidus, XXXVI 1, Nov. 18.53, 828 ; Notes Orii. Delattre. Conns tcHraiimritiii/!, Avv.
(Ira. liiog. IV, 1838, 450, pi. ccolxii (not Garrulux ullramarinus, Bon.), (larruliis
nltrnnmrimis, AuD. Syn. 1839, 154. — in. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 115, \i\. cpxxxii (not
of Bonai'aute). Cijanocitta supcrcilinsn, Stkicki.and, Ann. Miig. XV, 1845, 200
(type of g('nuH Cijanocilta). "C'orvus pallmius, Duapiez," Bosat.

Sr. ("riAii. Wiiltli of bill at base of lower mandible rat'i more than half the length
of culinen. Lateral tail-f('ather.s about an inch the shortest Tail an inch longer than
the wings. General color above, including the surface of the wings, bright blue, without
bars. The whole Ixiek, inehidiug to some extent the scapulars, brownish-ash, very faintly
glossed with blue in the adult. A streaked white superciliary line from a little anterior
to th(! eye as far as the occiput. Sides of the head and neck blue, the region around and
behind the eye, including lores and most of ear-covcrt.<;, black. The blue of the sides of
the neck (>xtends across the forepart of the breast, forming a crescent, interrupted in the
middle. The under parts anterior to the crescent white, the fe.ithcrs edged with blue ;
behind it dull white ; the sides tinged with brown. Length, 12.25 ; wing, 5.00 ; tail,
G.15: tarsus, 1.55. (Xo. 2,841.)

IIab. Paeilic Province from Columbia River to Cape St. Lucas ; Carson City, Nevada
(RinowAv).

Specimens from Cape St. Lucas are rather smaller and perhaps whiter
beneath than elsewhere ; those from the eastern slope of Sierra Nevada are

very large. Upon a careful
comparison, we find that the
supposed sjiecimens of C. enli-
fornka in the Smithsonian col-
lection frotn Mexico (Orizalia,
etc.) constitute a (juite differ-
ent form, characterized by very
indistinct sui)fcvciliary white
find blui.sh ed<fes to throat
and jujfular feathers, and es-
pecially by the lengthened
wings, which average 5.75
„ .„ ,.^ . inches instead of 5.0(1. In

general respects the resem-
blance, as .suggested by Scltiter, is to californica, and not to woodhoHnei.
The dorsal patch is very distinct.

One Mexican specimen (8,405 from Keal del Monte ?), presented by Mr.

COllVIDili — Til.'; CROWS. 289

Jolin Gould, differs ajjain in liavinu; the dorsal patch oi)scuro<l l)y a liluisli
wasii; nil unusual aiuuuul oi' hluu ed.uinj, to the throat and jugular I'uatht'rs,
and a dull brownish tin.ne to tiio belly, it almost suggests the possibility
of a hylirid form Ijetween simtichrasti and ultra mar inn.

llAitiTS. Tiie California -lay appears to be a I'aeiiic coast species, oc-
curring from the Cuhimltia liiver southward to Cape St. l.ucas, l)ut not
found in the interior at any considerable distance from tiie coast. Mr.
Ifidgway s[>eaks of it as the Valley .Jay of California, having been oiiserved
by him in abundance only among the oaks of the Sacramento Valley, the
brushwood of the ravines, and the scatteretl pines of tiie foot-hills along the
western base of the Sierra Nevada. It was also (pute common, in \\m\, in
the vicinity of Carson City, where he found it breeding. Its notes and
manners, he adtls, are very similar to those ol' the Woodhouse Jay, l)el(jnging
to the wooded regions of the interior, but the siu'ill cries of this species are
even more piercing. There is, moreover, somethingln its appearance, caused
by the sharp contrast of the briglit l)lue, the light ash, and the jiure white
colors, by which it may be distinguished at a glance from the more uniformly
colored woodhouse L

Dr. Heerman speaks of it as freijuenting to seme extent the same districts
as Steller's Jay, but also found in greater abundance throughout the val-
leys. He likewise describes it as noisy, aha-t, and cunning in its haliits,
wild and wary, and yet often seeking the haliitations of man, near wiiich
to rear its young, drawn thither by the abundance of food found in such
localities. Their uests, he states, are built in a tiuck-leaved bush, or on the
lower branches of an oak, at but little height from the ground. Tiu'y are
constructed of twigs, and are lined with tine rootlets. The eggs, four in
number, are, he says, emerald-greeu iii color, profusely dotted with umber-
brown spots.

Dr. Newberry states that he found the trees and the thickets bordering
tlie streams in the valleys the favorite haunts of the Calil'omia Jay. As
his party ascended among the evergreen forests of the higher grounds, and
passed northeasterly from the Sacramento Valley, these birds were no
longer met with, and long before reaching the Oregon line they lost sight
of it altogether. Nor did they meet with it again until their return to
California. Tiiis Jay, he adds, has all the sprightliness and riistlessness of
the family, but is less noi.sy, and its notes are tar more agreeable tlian those
of Steller's Jiiy, l>y which it is replaced at the north.

The Smithsonian Museum lias a specimen of this species obtained on the
Columbia by Townseiid, and Mr. Nuttall mentions that early in October,
on arriving at the forests of the Columbia, near Fort Vancouver, he met
with it in company with Steller's Jay. Ther were breeding in the dark
pine woods, and by the loth of June they were I'eeding their fully Hedged
young. He also states that they were found as far north as Fraser's IJiver,
migrating to the south at the approach of winter. Without questioning the

v.)i.. II. a;

290 NOIITII AMEUICAX JJIUDS.

CDiTectiic'SS of this statement, it is ■worthy of iiujiiiioii that tliese binls have
not been met there by more recent coilecUjrs, and that Dr. Newberry no-
wlierc met witli them in Oregon. Dr. Cooper sug<,'est.s that, since then, the
increased severity of the winters may have th'iven them permanently farther
soutii.

Mr. Xuttall describes its habits as very nnich like tliose of the Bine Jay.
It usually thes out to the toj)s of tiie tallest i)iues, jerks its tail, and perches
playtully on .some extreme branch, wiiere, as if in anj^er, it calls woit, woit-
iroit, with an occasional recoj,'nition note of tvxc-tuxc. Wiien pursued, it
retreats to the shade of the loftiest brauciies. It feeds on insects, acorns,
which it breaks up, and pine seeds. He describes it as a gracef(d, active,
and shy bird, with a note much less harsh and loud than that of Steller's

.i-y.

Dr. Cooper remarks tiiat this species is one of the most common and
conspicuous oi tiie birds of the State of California. They frecjuent every
locality in which oak-trees are found, even within the limits of large town.s,
where they enter gardi'us antl audaciously plunder the fruit. They have all
tlie usual cunning of tlieir tribe, and when alarmed become very (piiet, and
conceal themselves in the thick foliage. They are usually noisy and i'ear-
less, and tiieir odd cries, grotescpu", actions, and In-iglit plumage make them
general favoi'ites in s|)ite of their depredations. They are also said to have
a talent for mimicry, besides notes to express tlieir various wants and ideas.

They breed abundantly througliout the western parts of California, and
construct a large and strong nest of twigs, roots, and grass. These are
placed in a low tree or busli. They lay about live eggs, wliich Dr. Cooper
descriljcs as dark green marked witli numerous jwde brown blotches and
si)()ts, and measure 1.80 by 1.04 inches. At San Diego he found these eggs
laid as early as Ajn-il o.

This .Fay inhabits the Coast IJange of mountains to their sunnnit, south
of San Francisco, and the Sierra Nevada as far as tlie oaks exteuil, fir to an
elevation of from 1,000 to o.OOO feet. Dr. Cooper saw none on the east side
of the Sierra Nevada in hititude oT.

He descrilies tlieir llight as slow and laborious, on account of their short
wings, and states tliat they never liy far at a time. He also acciLses them
of being very destructive to the eggs of smaller liirds, hunting for tliem in
the spring, and watcliing the movements of other birds with great attention.

]\Ir. Xantus found tiiese birds very alniudant at Cajie St. laicas, being,
like all the other resident species there, much smaller than those occurring
in more northern localities. Their habits are said to be very much the
same.

This species was taken in winter near ();ixaca, Mexico, by Mr. Boucard.

Four eggs of this s]iecies from diJl'ei'ent jiarts of California present the
following measurements: 1.20 X <Xf^o; MO X O.SO ; l.l:! X 0..S0 ; l.OoXO.80.
The measuriMnents given l)y Dr. Cooper we are conlident must be a mistake.

CORVID/K — THE CHOWS. 21)1

Thoir ground-color i.s u lirii^lit, liiit not a dark, cniendd-ureon ■, and thuy aro
nuirked and blotclicd witli laiiil purj)lisli-l)n)\vn, and duL'i)ur sjjots of dark
nmber. Tln'se s]Mits aro sjiaringly distributed, and are chielly about the
larger end. In one tiiey are wholly of a liglij violet-biown. 'i'hese eggs arc
of a perfectly oval shape.

Mr. Charles 1). Gibljcs, of Stockton, writes that he found iu a Harden in
that city a nest built by a pair of these birds that had become half domesti-
cated. It was [daced in a vt^ry tliick arlior of honeysuckle. The body of
the nest was composed of clipjiings from a hedge of o.sage orange, with tliorns
on them half an inch long. These twigs were tied and interlaced with twine
and bits of cotton stiings. Within this frame was a layer of tine weeds and
grasses nicely arranged, the whole lined with horse-hair. The nest was
found in ^lay, ami contained live eggs. Tlu^ parents kejit a good deal
about the kitchen door, and would steal anything they had an oi)portunity
to take. They made use of an old nest in the same giU'den as a recejitacle
for their stolen goods ; among other things was found a large slice of bread-
and-butter.

Cyanocitta californica, var. woodhousei, r.Ainn.

WOODHOUSE'S JAT.

Oyanocitla voodliovsei, V>\uii>, lUnls N. Am. ISHS, IJU'i, \t\. lix. — In. .Mox. 15. II, liiids,
20, pi. xxi. — Cooi'Kii, Orii. Cal. I, 1870, 304.

Bp. Char. Sizo iiiid gpnoial appoaranoo of f. ralifnnnca. W\\\ sicnilor. Orailuation
of tail one inch. IJliie, with a very olwciiro ashy patL-h on the back. Sides of thi' head
and neck and inconiplcto pt'ctoi-al collar, hluo; throat streaked with the same. IJreast
and lielly uniloini liiowni.sh-a.sh, ;_dossed with Idne ; under tail-eoverts liiiL;'ht blue. Sides
of head, ineludiiitr lores, black, glossed with blue lielow; a sli'i'aked white sujiereiliary
line. Length, l]..")t1; wing, o. 35; tail, O.ID; tarsus, l.OO. Wmnij. All the blue, except
that of the wings and tail, replaeed liy dull ash.

Ham. rtoeky ifoiuitains and Midille Province of United Slates: north tf) Idaho and
Wyoming (HiudWAv) ; south to Xortheili Mexico ; east to Wyoming ami Colorado.

The blui.sh wash on the back nearly obscuring the dorsal patch, the
general ashy tinge of the under parts, the decided blue under tail-coverts,
Jind the longer ami much slenderer bill, distinguish this form from ralifonika,
altliough ju'obably lajth are geograi)hical races of tlie same sjjocie.s.

Hahits. This bird was first met with by Dr. AVoodhousc among the San
Francisco Mountains of New Are.xico, and was given by him, in his IJeport
of the Sitgreaves Kxpedition, as the Ciilifornia Jay. He states in regard to
it, that wherever he found the i)iiion, or nul-]pine (J'iiiioi a/ulis), growing
in New^ Mexico, this liird wtis sure to be there in great numbers, feeding
upon the fruit of those trees. Among the men it was known as the pifion
bii'd. Its notes are saitl to be harsh and disagreeal)le. It was e.vtremely

292 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

restless, and was contimuilly in motion, Hying I'roin tree to tree, uttering its
well-known cries.

^Ir. liidgway calls this a very interesting species, and states that it was
found vory abundant in the fertile canons of the West Humboldt Mountains,
as well as in all the extensive nut-pine and cedar woods to the eastward. On
tlie Toyaba and East Humboldt Mountains, and the extensive pifion woods in
Sdiitheru Idaho, it was eijually common. In Utah, in the canons of the
"W ahsatch Mountains, it was occasionally seen, though oftener observed in
the valley of the Weber. AVhen unmolested, this bird is, he stuces, very
unsuspicious, and anything unusual at once excites its curiosity. Often
when at work, in camp, skinning birds, on the edge of bushes, one of them
would ap])roach within a few feet, and c|uietly watch every movement. At
I'nionsville they were cpiite common in the gardens and around the door-
yards of the town, and were very familiar and unsuspicious. Their cries
greatly resembled those of the California Jay, and consisted of a repetition
of harsh screeching notes.

This .species, according to Dr. Coues, is a resident and a very abundant
species in Arizona, where it is one of the most characteristic species. It
was found in all situations, but seemed to shuu dense pine woods, and to
prefer to keep on the open hillsides, among the scrub-oaks, etc. lu winter
it collects in rather large flocks, sometimes as many as fifty together. They
are, however, usually seen in small groups of six or seven individuals.
They are said to be a restless, vigilant, shy, and noi.sy species.

Mv. C. E. Aiken found this bird a common and resident species in Colo-
rado. He met M'ith it along the foot of the mountains, in brush thickets, in
which tliey also breed. The base and periphery of a nest found by him were
composed of dead twigs, intermingled within with fine rootlets and horse-
hair. The eggs, four or five in number, are said to be laid about the first of
May. They have a ground-color of a light bluish -green, and marked with
reddish-brown specks, thickest at the larger end. They are of a rounded
oval shn])c, much more pointed at one eiul, and rounded at the other, and
average 1.06 inches in length by .80 of an inch in breadth.

Cyanocitta ultramarina, var. arizonse, Ridgway.

CyannciWi sonlUla (rot of SwAlN.s.!), Baikd, Birds N. Am. 1858, 587, pi. \x. f. 1. — In.
Mcx. |{. II, Birds, 21, 1)1. xxii, f. 1._Coopeh, Om. Cal. I, 1870, 305. Cyanocitta
sonlida var. arixonw, Ridgway, Rep. U. S. Geol. Expl. 40th Par.

Sp. Ciiah. Bill sliort, thick ; lialf as lii<?li a.s lonp;. Wing considerably longer than the
tail, which i.s .slightly graduatoil f.fjO of an inch). Upper .sinfaco (including whole .side
of liead to the throat) light .sky-blnc, the whole dorsal region inclining to pure blnish-
asliy. Beneath fnie, uniCoim, jtalc ash for anterior lialf ('in(tliiding the throat), this
gradnaliy lading into white on the posterior portions (including wliole abdomen), the

CORVID.E — THE CROWS. 293

lower tail-cov(M-ts bcint? pure while. Loivs liluc. Lcnj,'lli, I.'IOO; wing, 0.20; tail, 5.70;
culim-n, l.oO; dcpUi of bill, .Ki; liiisus, l..')(l ; iiiiilillo luc, .07. Fourth, lilth, and si.xth
quills t-(iiial ami longest, se(.-oiu| slioner thiui ninth; lirst 2.20 shorter than longest.
(18,27!», Fori Huehani 11, Ari/.ona, Deeenilier ; Ur. Irwin.) Immulnre (S,Ki!) ^, Copper
Mines, Arizona). The 'Aw, except thi'l of the wings and tail, replaced by dull ash;
the blue leathers appearing ill .seattered patehes.

Had. Arizona (Copper Mines, J. 11. Clark; and Fort Buchanan, Dr. Irwin, U. S. A.).

The nt'tii-e,st ally of this rtice i.s tliu var. sordida of ^loxico, which, how-
ever, dilliers in many important re.spects ; the dilfereucos between the two
being giving in the .synojisis (page 880), it is unneces.sary to repeat them
here. In botli there i.s a tendency towards a party-colored bill; each exam-
ple of the northern style, and most of those of the southern, having more
or less wliitish on the lower mandible.

Nothing delinite is known as to the habits or reproduction of this bird.

Cyanocitta ultramarina, var. couchi, Baird.

ULTBAMASINE JAT.

Oarrulus vltmmarinus, IIonai'. J. A. N. Sc. IV, 1825, 38G (not of Audubon). — Temm.
PI. Col. II, 439. Ci/mwciUa ji/trcdiutniKi, STitieKi.ASi), Ann. & Mag. XV, 1845, 260.
— Gamiikl, .1. A. N. Sc. 2a Ser. 1, 1847, 45. — Haiiu), Birds N. Am. 588, jil. 60, f.
2. — Ib. Mex. H. II, Bird.s 21, pi. xxii. Cijanoijiirralus ullmiitftrinun, Bon. t'oii.sp.
1850, 378. Cijanocitta couchi, Baiui), Birds N. Am. 1858, 588.

Sp. Ciiar. Tail rounded, but little graduated ; lateral leather about a quarter of an
inch shortest. Wings longer than the tail ; when closed, reaching nearly to its middle.
Above and on sides of head anil neck bright blue ; the lores blackish ; the middle of the
bac'k slightly chiller, the tips of some of the leathers dark brown. Beneath browuish-ash,
paler on the chin and towards the anal region, which, with the crissuni, is wliite. No
trace of white or black on the sides of the head, nor of any streaks or collar on the
breast. Length, (fresh,) 11.50; wing, COO; tail, (dried,) 5.40; tarsus, 1.50.

Had. South side of valley of Rio Grande, near the coast, and southward.

This well-marked species is (piite different in form from the C. californica,
having a shorter, mcjre even tail, much longer wings, and stouter feet. The
absence of any collar or streaks on the breast and throat, of black or white
on the side of the liead, and of decided ash on the back, are very well
marked features. There is also mucli more green in the blue of the head.

As suggested in the P. Ii. 1>. Ifeport, the birds collected l)y Lieutenant Couch
at Monterey, Mexico, although agreeing almost exactly with the original de-
scription of Bonaparte, are much smaller, and perhaps entitled to recognition
as a separate form. The tail is nearly two inches less, 5 40 instead of 7.00,
or over.

Habits. Tlie Ultramarine Jay is a well-marked species, and is .specifically
finite distinct from the C. cnlifornirn. It is found in the valley of the liio
Grande, and thence soutliward and eastward in the northern provinces of

294

NORTH AMKIMCAX imH)S.

Mexico. Thduuli ue Iciiow of i„, siuiciim-ii.s luniiiu' Lct. i.rnmrod on this
.si.lo or tli... iM.uii.laiT line, tlu'ir o(riim..ir.! is .,.,iie piohabk'. Liuutomiut
(■'.ucli mot witi) tliis siHrirs near .Alont.'ivy, Moxi..., and IVoiii tlienoo west
to I'lirnis. Kti (le.s.;ril.cs it a.s Ikmii- -n-ariuiis and eniin-ntly Jay-like
in Its liah. s. Tlicy are very noi.sy and vociferons in thuir (.utcrios, and
xhive vv lunr of them siitlice to keep a wliole forest in an npn.ar. \ear
Ciiiyapneo a large sna':e (Ororr/ia vhsohh,) Mas seen pursui'd l.y three or loar
ol this speeies. Tiie reptile was iiiakin- every ellurt to eseape Irom their com-
bined attacks, and wonld, no doubt, have been killed l,y them, had they not
been interfered with. The cause ot ,so mueli animosity against the snake
was e.xplamed when, on opening its stomaeh, three young of this species,
about two thirds grown, were I'ouiid.

In the Department of \'cra Cruz, Snniichrast found what he calls 0.
Hltranwrim in comimny ^ith C;,.nnnv ,;m,nnl„ an.l Vi/anovitla immi, " cali-
Joniiar {^iimlchra^tl), and wnli,l<,, occurring in tlu* alpine region, and
with the three finst named restricted to that localitv. The limit of their
extension is about that of the alj.inc region, that is, fnmi an elevation of
about 4,000 feet to the height of 10,500 feet. The ^ordida is also fbuud on
the plateau.

Genus XANTHOURA, Bo

N.U'.

Xa„lh,u,ra, Rox.VPAUli;, Cons,,. Av. 1850. (Type, " Oom,s pa-nvianus, Gm.")

Cir.Mi. Iload Willi,,,,! onst. Throat hlaek. Lateral tail-fontlicis Ini-lit yellow Bill
very .stout, i-ather highe,- tl.an bvoa.l ; ..iilmen crved from tho l,n,.,.. Nostrils ,'a.her small

\nnthnurn hi.ritnsa.

oval, oonoealofl by a ,„isal tuft varyin- in l,.„i,tl, witl. species. Tail Ion-,.,- than the
wm.irs: gra.luated. The wiu.^^s eo>i,.,,ve, ro,n„l,.,l ; ,|„, .s,.eo,>,la,-i..s nea,-lv as lon^^ as the
pnmar.es. L,.jrs v.tv stout ; hi,„l elau' al„.„t liaif the total length of the too. "

The genus A',n,thH>ra is composed of three so-called species, of difierent
geographical distribution, and exhibits a progressive change from one to
the other, with varia.tion of latitude that enforces assent to the hypothesis

CORVlDvE— THE CROWS. 20r)

of their all belon^'infj to oik; piiiuitivu t'onu. Those din'oronces may be
cxpiVHseil as I'oUnws . —

CoMMdX ('i[.M!A(ri.i:.-<. Nasiil tiit'ls, |int<-li on >i(lc <u lowiT j:iw anil one
nbuvc I'Vc, (liolli I'Vi'liils.) l.iiL'lil liluc; icMiiiiiulcr of liicc and lliroal lilack.
Back, anil uppri- smliii'i' ol' wini;s anil tail (tin' I'onr runtral leatluTs), f,'iven, the
latter tin;,'! (1 witii Miif at eml ; tlic rest of tail-fealliufs lirijilil yellow. Belly
and crissniii \aiyiii^- I'loni lui^'lil yellow to green. Forehead yellowish or
whitish.

a. Xasal lulls short, only eoveringf the nostrils; whi-le top of head {ex-
cept anteriorly; and nape liri^ht lilne.

1. Body lienealli, and eri.ssinu, green. Ilab. Mexieo and South Texas.

var. I nx uosa.

2. Body beneath, and cri.ssnni, yellow," sides more greoni.sh. Hub.
Guatemala and lloiiilnras v.w. i/ uatemal e nsis.

b. Nasal liit'l eloiin;aleil, t'orminji: an anterior crest, the leathers reaching far
beyond nostrils. Whole to)) of head [lale heavy yellow, glossed behind with
blnish.

3. Body beneath, and erissnni. very bright gamboge-yellow. Ilah.
Colombia, Eciiadoi', Bogota, and IJolivia .... var. incas.

Thus, stai'tiiio with the green-bellied liwuosa of the Itio (h'aiule, we cmiic
to the yellow-bellied iiiuitcnKilcnuis ; but interniediate loetdities show dif-
ferent proportions of the two colors. The nasal tufts in the first do not
e.xtend l)eyoiid the nasal fos.sit> ; and tlie frontal yellowi.sh is very narrow.
In the second tliese tiitts reach beyond tlie Ibssio, and the fronttd yellowish
is more e.\tended. In inrar, a,!j;ain the ntisal tufts have retiched their
maximum, M'hile the frontal yellowish extends over the whole cap, leaving
only a trace of blue on the nape.

Xanthoura incas, var. luxuosa, Bonap.

OBEEN JAY.

Oamiliis liixitosH.t, l.i;ssns, Rev. Zool. A|iril, 1830, 100. Ciifiiwrnrri.i' lir:rnoiiii^, T)v Bus,
Esipiissi's OriiitliiiU)gii|iii's, iv, IMS, pi. xviii. — C'.\ssin, lUiist. I, 18.")3, I, pi. i.
Xtmthoiim hi.ricisn, Kon. .('i)nsp. Is.'iO, ;iSO. — (\\ii,\S:is, Mus. Hein. IS')], 224. —
BamiI), liirils X. Am. lS,"i8, ,"i8!). Pirn clihii-ondlii, W.voi.l-.u, isis, 1820, 7.')0 (young
mall'; nana' lirlmigs to Corriin /u'riiciiouii, (J.M.V C'l/diini-nrii.f (■ii(iiiirii/ii7/uii, Cahanis,
Finuui I'l'niana, 1844 - 4ti, 2;>;5 (iioti'K ('iiiiinu'Driij; iiiiois, " lioiin.Kur." I.awkknx'K,
Ann. \. Y. l-yi'. V, Ajiril, ISni, ll.-> (first added lii-rc to I'auiia of I'nitcd States^

Sp. CiiAU. Wings sliortei' than the tail, which is much gradnatcd, the lateral leathers
1.2.5 inches sliorti'r. Above green: beneath yellow, glossed eonliimon.sly with green;
inside of wings and onler I'onr tail-leathers sli-aw-yellow; rest of tail feathers green,
glossed with bhie. Sides of Ihe head, and benealli IVom the bill to the forepart of tlie
breast, velvet-blaek. Crown, na|ie. and a short maxillary stripe rnnning np to the eye and
involving the npper eyelid, bi'illiant bine; the nostril-feathers rather darker; the sides of
the forehead whitish. Bill blrek ; leet lead-coloi-. Length, 11.00 ; wing, 4.7o; tail, 5.40;
tarsus, 1.0").

Had. Valley of Rio Grande, of Texas, and sonthward.

296

KOUTII AMKUICAN BIHD8.

Xanthoitrn hixnoxa*

As reiufii'kod iil)r)vc, the |iiissa.!,'o into tlie yclldw-lioUiod t/iKtlcmalaisis is
giaduiil as wo jiiocucel soiitli; and tiiu latter, and jicriiaiis even tliu inras, can
only bo consiiloiod as follow races of u common orininal siiocios.

llAlUT.s. Within the limits of the United States this lieautiful sjiecies

has thus far been only met with in
Southeastern Texas in the lower val-
ley of the liio Uraude. It was lirst
described in 1H;!!», by M. Lesson, u
French naturalist, from a Mexican
si)ecimen, and in 1851 was first
brou,nht to our notice as a bird of the
United States by Mr. Ueo. N. Law-
rence of New York. S])eciiuens of
this bird were obtained liy tlie l)arty
of the Mexican J>oundary Survey,
and by Lieutenant Couch on the itio
Grande, at Matanioras, New Leon, and
San Dio^^o, jMexico. The only note
as to its habits by Lieutenant Couch is to the elfect that it eats seeds and
insects.

The late Dr. l>orlandier of ^Litamoras obtained R])0cimens of this bird in
the vicinity of that city, which were found among his collections. Among
his manuscript notes occurs a description of the plumage and habits of
this species, which he had described under the name of Pictt (rrrantcnii.
In this he states that this bird inhabits the whole eastern coast of Mexico,
but that he has only met with it f>n the banks of the liio I'.ravo del Norte,
in the vicinity of ^latamoras. It is said to be both carnivorous and grami-
nivorous, and comes about the houses in search of the refuse. Although it
can swallow whole grains of corn, before eating it Itreaks them with its
beak, holding them between its claws, in the manner of liirds of jirey, and
biting with great force. It is commonly known as I'ajaro rcvde, or tireen-
bird.

Mr. Dre.sser states that this species was common on the lower IJio Grande
during the winter, but was not found on the Upper Itio Grande or in Texas,
except as a straggler I'rom Mexico.

This bird, Mr. Sumichrast states, is common throughout the Department
of Vera Cruz, whore it is generally known by the name of V^'crdc (htoca and
Sonajn. It is said to be one of the birds most generally difl'used through-
out the whole de])artment. It iidiabits both the hot and the temperate
regions, and is ff)und even at the foot of the alpine, to the altitude of nearly
six thousand feet aliovo the .sea. It is also said to be abundant in other
parts of ^Mexico. It was observe 1 to be quite numerous on the Ticrra
ti'77iplada, or table-lands, and also among the hills that bound the jdains of
Perote and Puebla on the east, Ijy Mr. William S. Pease, a naturalist who

CUUVID.E — THE CROWS.

2U7

was witli (ioneral Scott's army in its cain])aij,'ii in Mexico. Mv. IVnso stated
tiiat it lived on tlic sides ol' tiie hills tliroiiyliout the year, and lliiil its local
name was /Vyw nirdi:

("olonul (reoi'oe A. McCall, Ins|)ect()r-(!enenil of the United States Army,
was tlie lir.st jjcrson to collect these l)irds within oiir limits. Jle olilained
them in the forests that horder the Jlio (Iniiide on the .southeastern frontier
of Texas. There he found them all mated in the month of May, and
iio felt no donlit that they had their nests in the extensive and almost
imj)enetrablo thickets of niinujaa, commonly calleil chaparial. From the
jealou.sy and pugnacity which these liirds manifested on the aiijjroacli, or
ai)pearancc even, of the large boat-tailed lUackbirds of that country {(Jnisat-
liia momtriis), which were nesting in great nuniliers in the vicinity, t'(donel
MuCall was satisfied that the Jays were at that time also engaged in the
duties of incubation and rearing their young. In character and temiieranient
these birds appeared to be very active and lively, though le.ss noisy than
some other species of the family. Tlieir gay phimaiie was exhiiiited to great
advantage as they flitted from tree to tree, or dashed boldly in pursuit of
such of their more plairly attired neighbors as ventured to intrude upon
their domain.

f'aptain J. V. McCown, also quoted l)y Mr. Cassin, furnishes some
additional observations in regaid to these l)irds. He states that during the
several years that he was in Texas, he frequently saw these Jays, but never
met with them above Kinggold IJarracks, or north of the woods that skirt
the liio Crrantle. They seemed to [)refcr the acacia groves which have
sprung up where the gnnind has been overllowed. He regards it as a rather
cautious bird. He observed nests high up in the trees above mentioned,
which he supposes l>elong to this species, though this was never positively
ascertained. He had no doubt that they breed in Texas.

Genus FERISOREUS, Boxap.

Perisorcus, Bonap. Saggio di uiin dist. met. 1831. (Type, CurviM camdciisls /^
Di/soniilhui, SwAi.NsoN, F. B. Am. II, 1831, 49.5. (Sumo type.)

CiiAii. Featliors lax and full, ospceially on the back, and of very dull colors, without
auy hhie. Head without distinct crest. Bill very short; broader than high. Cuhncn
scarcely half the length of the head ; straight to near the tip, then .slightly curved ; gonys
more curved than culnien. Bill notched at tip. Xostrils rounil, covered by bristly feath-
ers. Tail about equal to the wings ; gr.aduated. Tarsi rather ,«hort ; but little longer
than the middle toe. Plumage very sott, and without any lustre.

The Canada Jay has a near ally in a species of northern Europe and
Siberia, — the Siberian Jay (P. infmistus). In size and proportions the two
are quite identical, there being about the same proportionate length of wing
and tail, and a general correspondence in the niinutiie of external anatomy.

vol.. ir. 33

2!>S

NORTH AMKItlCAX IlIItDS.

Ill colors, liowevcr, they dillcr ciitiivly ; tlio I', infmixtits linviiij,' tliu licad
(linker tliaii tlio liody, mid iiiiironn (instciid of tliu coiitniryj, and in liuviiig
tlui lower priiiiiiry ami lower leatliei'.s ol' tin,, m renter coverts, as well as the
f;reater part of llie tail, l)ri;jlit rufous.

A. Dusky imclial lioml i-facliiiif; torwiinl to, or in (lont of, (ho eyes; iiliim-
beous-lilack.

norml fentlirrs with white shnfl.i in old mid i/oiiiii/. Tuil-Jealli^rs not
dintinctli/ jiiiler iil nidx.
1. Wliitc I'nint.'il patoh narrower tlmii Icii-ili ol' tlir liill ; Mendiiifr jTradiinlly
witli llic Maikish of thi' crown. I'ppcr | irt.s uiiil)ur-l)rowiiisli. Wilier, 5.50;
tail, n.-lU; liill, .!)() and .;i(l. Young. Entirely pliiiulwoiis-lirowii, iuatluMs of
lioad al.ovo liordcri'd with jmlcr. Ik'iifatli ])ak-r, wliilisii l.rowii. Huh.
Ori'fjoi), \Va!iliinf.'ioirJVril(iry, liriiisii ('oliiinl)ia, do. . . var. oh.icttrus.

Dnrsid feitllin-K iri/lioii/ irliilc shifts in old or j/nniif/. Tail-fciithers
brondlji li/i/icd with dull icliili'.

2. While (ront.al p.iti.h iinicli hrondcr than Iciifrlh of hill ; ahriiptly defined,
with a eonvex oiilline lieh.ud, ai.'-aiiisl the ihisky ol' the oeeiimt. I'pper
parts pliiiiibeou.s, with a slight l)rownisli cast. Winjr, 5.25 ; tail, 5.80; bill,
.05 and ..■35. Young. Entircjjy uniforni dark jiluinlieoiis. Ilah. Canada,
Maine, and Labrador to tlio Yukon vm: ni n a d e n sis .

B. Dusky nneh.il hood not reaehinir to tlie eyes, tint confined to tiie nape;
bIuish-pliunl)cous.

3. Wl]it(! frontal patch covering whole crown, melting gradually into the
ashy of the nape; upper jiarts l)luish-a.shy. "Wing, 0.00; tail, 0.00; bill, 1.00
anil.;il. Young, liluish-plunibcoiis, inclining to a.shy-wliite on the crown

and cheek,«. //«?;. Rocky Mountains of Fnited States . . \a.\: capital is .

In the more slender form, loiiyor and narrower bill, and paler tints

with a predomiimnco of
the light colors, of the
var. cft2)itrt/is, compared
with the ty])ical, or
standard, var. rrtnndcn-
■s/.s', we see the pccu-
£_^ liar imi)ression of the
middle rej.;ioii ; while
in the var. ohscitms, the
more dusky tints, and
predominance of dark-
er colons, the inthience
of the ■well-known law

Peri.snrfits rana'fensis.

affecting colors in birds of the northwest coast region is seen

CUlt\ lU.li — THE t'UUW.S.

2UU

Ferisoreus canadensis, IIoxap.

CANADA JAT; WHISKEY-JACK; MOOSE-BIRO.

Corvu.i cniwdciisi.i, Linn. Syst. Nut. 1, 17tiil, l.'JS. — FiiitsiKii, I'liil. 'I'niii>. I..\'ll, 1772,
382. —Wilson, Am. Oni. Ill, IStl, 33, pi. xxi. — 1!(i.n. Ob.s. 1>S'J4, Nc 42. -Arn.
Orii. Iliii;,'. II, 1S34, ^>3 ; V, ls;)ll, 208, pi. evil. Unrnthis eitmitknm, UiiN. (.Siij^gio,
1S31 f) Syii. 1828, .18. — .Sw.\in.son, V. nor.-Am. II, 1831, 29.''.. - NnT.u.i., Man.
I, 1832, 232. — All). .Svn. 183!>, 1.-.".. III. liir.ls Am. IV, 1842, 121, pi. (vx.\.\iv.
DilsDniithiii, (•riiiiK/iiisin, SwM\ni\\, V. lidi'.-Aiii. II, 1831, Appriiilix. I'l n'.suiriis tuinii-
rffM.f/.v, |!i)N. List, 1838. — III. t'onspc'ctus, l.sr.O, 375. - Caii. .Mils. Iliin. 18.',1, '21!).
— Nkwiikkuv, lii'p. I'. H. R. Swv. VI, iv, 18.')7, 85. — IUikd, liinl.s X. Am. 18.'i8,
COO. — t'cpUKs, r. A. N. S. 18(il, 22(1. — S,\mitei,.i, 3fi0. G<irritlii.i /iisfim, VlKlLLor,
Nouv. Diet. XII, 1817, 479. /'/<■« uiii-linll.t, W.vni.Kii, Sy.st. Av. 1S27 (Ticii Xo. 14).
Oinruliin friic/ii/n-lii/iic/iii.s, .Sw.viNsoN, !•". lloi-.-Aiii. II, 1831, 290, pi. Iv (young).
"Coniiiun mci'hdiiu.i, Tkm.minck," Gkay.

Sp. Chau. 'I'liil gniduiitod ; latoral fuathur.s uboiit one inch shortest. \Viii<,'i< a little
shorter than the tail. Head and nouk
and forep.'irt of breast white. A
rather .sooty plmnbeoiis iniclial patch,
becoming' darker behind, from the
middle of the cap to the liack, from
wliieh it is .separated by iin inter-
rn[)ted whitish collar. Rest of upper
parts dark ashy-plunilieous ; the outor
primaries niarf;iiied, the secondaries,
tertials, and tail-featlieis obscurely
tipped with white. Ueneatli sinoky-
pray. Cri.ssmn whitish. Bill and feet
bliick. Length, llXTO ; winj;, .O.Tfj ;
tail, fi.OO; tarsus, 1.40.

Hab. Eastern Northern .Vnicrica
into the northern part of United
Stall's ; Briti.sh America to Upper
Yukon.

Pfrisori us r/tnaiti'it^is.

Tlie yoiiiiK of tliis s]K)Gies nee everywhere of a dull sooty-])liiinbGoui3,
lighter on the middle of the belly, and more blai.sh-plumbeon.s on tlie wingg
and tail. Witli increasing age the region about the base of the bill whitens.

There is a decided blui.sh cast to the plumbeous of the tail. The wliite
frontal ])atc]i has a convex po.^teri' r outline, and is abruptly defined against
the blackish of the occiput and nape.

All s])ecimens from Canada and the Northeastern United States, to the
interior of British America, are rererrible to this variety ; in the Yukon
Territory specimens sliow a tendency ro var. obscitrus of the northwest coast,
having a narrower whitisli frontal patcb.

Habits. The Canada Jay wtis procured at Fort Sinip,son by ^^^r. Ken-
nicott in August, September, and December, and at the same point by ^Ir.
llo,ss in March and April, in the years 18G0 and 1861. It was found breed-

3UU N(;ktii amkrican imuds.

int,' in ^lay at Andorson lUver Fort l)y Mr. MiicFarlaiio. Tt was also pro-
cuicd al r>in' Island hy Mr. Koid, at Nulato and I'nalakk'ct Ity Mr. Dall, at
St. Mii'liad'.s by Colonel Hulkley, at Fort Kcnai by liisclioll', and at Fort Ji'ac
by Mr. Clarke. From the memoranda of ^Ir. MaeFarlane, we have valuable
information in rej,'ard to the nesting,' and breeding,' habits of this species. May
L'4, at Fort An<ler.son, an Indian lad disciovered a nest of this .Jay. It was
bnilt in <i tree, was eomposed of hay and feathers, and contained, with two
yonng birds a few days old, an egg that was perfectly fresh. This biid, Mr.
!MaeFarlane states, is tolerably numerous in that (^aarter. During the seven;
cold of winter it is not (juite so common as at o^her seasons. It is by no
means a dillicult bird to shoot, as it will always venture into close prox-
imity to man. Flesh or fish are certain to attmct nundiers of them, and
they also cause great annoyance to the marten-hunter, by eating the bait
placed in the traps used for ca])turing those animals. None of this species
were observed on the Arctic coast, nor east of Morton Ifiver, Fort Anderson
being the most northern point where ^Ir. ^lacFarlane saw any, in his jour-
neys across the barren grouials.

Other nests found in the same region were usually built in sju'uce-trees,
on brandies near the trunk, well concealed from \ iew, and about ten i'eet
from the ground. They were constructeil of hay and feathers, supi)orted
underneath by a few willow sticks laid crosswise.

Mr. I>all characterizes this species as u very bold and familiar bird, that
Avill fre(|nently lly down and steal away his dinner from some hungry dog,
if lie is not on the alert, or devour the fish hung uj) in camp by the Indians
to dry. They breed very eai'ly, and occupy tlu; same nest year after year.
The nest is very large, and composed entirely of soft materials, iiioss, hair,
anil the like. On the 20th of A]iril, Mr. Dall received a nest of this Jay.
containing four half-fledged young, so that they must lay in March. The
bird was abundant everywhere on llie Yukon lliver.

These birds are known througlu)ut the fur countries liy the name of
Whiskey-.Tack, not from any su])iio.sed ])redilection for that beverage, but
proltably, as Mr. Keiuucott has .suggested, from a corruption of the Indian
name for these birds, Wiss-ka-chon, which has been contorted into Whiskey-
.Fohn and thence into Whiskey-Jack. Ilichardson observed these birds from
Canada lo the fur countries as far as latitude ()'.)°. Throughout that region
it is a constant attenlant at the fur-posts and fishing-stations, and becomes
so tame in the winter as to feed from the hand. Yet it is im])atient of con-
finement, and soon jiines away if deprived of its liberty. Its voice is said to
be plaintive and sijueakiiig, though it occasionally nuikes a low chattering.
It hoards lierries, jiieccs of meat, etc., in hollow trees, or between layers of
bark, by which it is enabled to feed its young while the ground is still
cnvert;d with snoM".

Dr. Newlierry found this .lay as far to the south, in Calilbrnia, as the
up])er end of the Sacramento \'alley, in latitude 4(»''. The fact that the

cuuvij).!-: THE tntuus. 301

isotlu'rniul lino of this ivijinii ])iis.sfs soutli of ("iiuMiiiiiiti, shows tliiit cliiiiate
and toni])ei'iitiu'i! chi not roj^'iilate tlio lanyo of this simcios. As olisuivcd in
thi! snninior niontlis anionu; tlio forests oi' Orej^on, the Canada .lay appeared
as a ratlier sliy hird, exhiliitin^ none of the familiarity anil inipudenee ex-
hibited in winter wlien made hold liy hunj^er.

Wilson mentions the St. Lawrenee as the southern boundary of tliis bird,
a few only winteriii"; in Nortliern New York and Vermont. lUit tliis is
inexact. Tluiy are found resident tiiroughout the year in a large part of
Maine and in all the higidands of New Hampshire and Vermimt. They
are resident at Calais, wliere they breed in ^hirch at about latitude 45", and
de.sceud in tiie winter to tlie soutlnvest eoruer of Vermont, whenee it is
(juite ])robable a few eross into Massaehu.setts, at William.stown and Adams,
tiioiij;]! none have been detected, tiiat I am aware. Wilson himself states
that lie was informed by a pMitlunan residing near Hiulson, N. Y., that these
l)irds have been observed in tliat neighborhood in the winter.

Dr. Coues met with these birds in Labrathir. The lirst he saw were in a
dense spruce forest. These were very shy, aligiiti"g only on the tops of tlie
tallest trees, and flying off witli loud harsh screams on las approaih. Sub-
sciinently, at IJigolet, he found them abundant and very familiar. One or
more were always to be seen hopping unconciirnedly in the garden-patches
siround the liouses, not in the least disturlied by tiie near presence of man,
and showing no signs of I'ear even when very closely approached. Ho
descrilies tiieir voice as a harsh, discordant scream.

Mr. Edward Harris, ol' jMoorestown, N. J., informed Mr. Audubon, that
once, when lislung in a canoe in one of the lakes in the interior of Maine,
these Jays were so tearless as to light on one end of his boat while he sat in
the other, and helped themselves to his Ijait without taking any notice of
him.

A nest of the Canada Jay, found by Mr. IWrdman near St. Stepiien's,
New Brunswick, nieiisures four and a inilf inches in diameter and three
inches in height. Tlie cavity is about three inches wide and two deep. The
nest is woven above a rude platform of sticks and twigs crossed and inter-
laced, furnishing a rougiily made hemispherical ba.se and perii»hery. Tpon
this an inner and more artistic nest has been wrought, nuule of a soft felting
of fine mosses closely impacted and lined with feathers. The nest contained
three eggs.

The egg of the Canada Jay measures 1.20 inches in lengtli, by .82 of an
inch in breadth. They are of an oblong-oval sliape, and are more tapi'ring
at the smaller end tliau are most of the eggs t)f this family. The ground-
color is of a liglit gray, witli a sliglitly yeHowi.sh tinge over the entire
egg, rincly marked, more abundantly about tlie larger end, with iioints
and blotches of slute-color and brown, and faint cloudings of an obscure
lilac.

302 NORTH AMEKICAN BIKCS.

Ferisoreus canadensis, var. obscurus, Ridgway.

ALASKAN GBAT JAT.

Perisoreiis canadensis, CoorKii & Sucklky, 216. - Dali, & BANNisTKit, Tr. Chic. Ac. I,
ISO'.), 280 (Alaska). — FiNsuil, Abh. Nat. Ill, 1S72, 40 (Alaska). — Cooper, Orn. Cal.
I, 1870, 307.

Sp. Ciiah. {^,\rA Slioalwater Bay, W. T., March 10, 1854; Dr. J. G. Cooper.) Above
plunibeous-unibur, inclining to grayisli-iihiinl)eon.s on wing.s and tail; shafts of the dorsal
fcalliors con-spicuously while. Whole crown and nape, aliuve the lores and auricnlars,
sooty-black ; .separated from the brown of the l)ack by a whiti.sh tint. Forehead (narrow-
ly), nasal tufts, loi-es, whole lateral and under side of head, with jugulnin, pure white, rest
of lower parts a duller and more brownish white. Wing, .5.iJ0; tail, 5.30; culnien, .93;
tarsus, 1.20. Yuiniy (5,904, Slioalwater Bay). Entirely pluinbeous-brown, inclining to
brownish-white beneath. Dorsal feathers with white shaft,*, and those of the forehead,
crown, and nape, as well as the wing-coverts, with ol)solete whitish borders.

This form, as described above, seems to be peculiar to the northwest coast,
reaching its extreme develoi)ment in Washington Territory and Oregon.
North of Sitka, and in the Yukon Territory, sjieciinens incline toward the
var. amndcnsis, in broader frontal white, and jjiirer plumbeous colors.

Habits. Dr, Cooper met with this variety at the moutli of the Columbia
Eiver in March in small scattered flocks, industriously seeking in.sects and
seeds among the spruce-trees, occasionally whistling in a loud melodious
tone like that of the Cardinal Gro.sbeak. He also states that the notes of this
bird differ much from the other Jays in being clear and musical, and they
sometimes show a considerable variety of song.

Tliis Jay, ^Ir. Loid states, is so familiar and confiding, and so fond of
beiuff near the haliitations of man, that the settlers never harm it. In the
cold Nveather he has seen it hop by the fire, ruffle up its feathers and
warm itself without the least fear, keeping a sharp lookout for crumbs, and
looking so beseechingly with its glittering gray eyes, that no one could
refuse such an apjteal for a stray morsel. It winters in British Columbia
and Vancouver Island.

Ferisoreus canadensis, var. capitalis, Baibd.

BOCKT MOTTNTAnr OSAT JAT.

pp. (^iiAii. (fll,0f=!4. Henry's Fork, Wyoming Teritory, F. V. Harden.) Above fme
light bluish-pluinbeous, becoming much lighter on the anterior portion of the back;
tertials, secondaries, wing-covert,«, priniarie.i, and tail-feathers passing into whitish
terminally, on the latter forming quite broad and distinct tips. A nuchal patch of a
slightly darker tint than the l)ack, and separated from it by the hoary whitish of the
anterior dorsal region. Whole of the head (except the nuchal patch), with th<' anterior
lower parts, as far as the breast, ]inre white; rest of lower parts ashy-white, becoming
gradually more- ashy posteriorly. Wing, 5.80; tail, 6.00 ; culmen, 1.00. Young (18,440,

CUKVID^E — THE CROWS.

303

Fort Benton, April 23, J. A. MuUan). Gciioi'ally ashy-plumbeous, with a deciJecl bluish
cast to wings anil tail ; orbital region, lores, tbrehead, and nasal tufts blaokisli ; crown, a
broad space l)clow tlic eye Ironi the bill iicross tiie aurioulars, with the middle of the
abdomen, pale hoary-asliy. Wings and tail as in tliL adult.

This race, very (lifl'ereut from the two styles found to the westward and
eastward of it, is peculiar to Itocky Mountain regions, and apparently only
occurring soutli of the northern boundary of the United States. A very
large series of specimens, brought in at various times from numerous lo-
calities, substantiate the constancy of the characters pointed out above.

Genus FSILORHINUS, Rl'ppell.

Psilorkinus, RtJi'i'KLL, Mus. Senck. 1837, 188. (Type, Pkamorio, Wagler.)

Char. Color very dull brown above. Bill very stout, compressed, without notch ;
higher than broad at the nostrils ; culmen curved from the base. Nostrils rounded ; the

PsilorMnm morio.

anterior extremity rounded off into the bill ; not covered by bristlt-.-., but fully exposed.
Tail rather longer than the wings, graduated ; the lateral feather three fourths the
longest; secondaries and tcrtials nearly as long as the primaries. Legs stout tind short,
not equal to the head, and little longer than the bill from base.

This genus embraces Jays of larj^e size and very dull plumage. The tliick
bill, with the much curved culmen, tlie moderate tail, and tlie open nostrils,
may serve to distinguisli it from its allies. Tlie nostril is very large, and its
anterior portion is bevelled off to a greater degree tlian in any genus, except
in Calocitta. This last-mentioned genua lias the same fo: of l)ill anil of
nostrils, but the head has a long recurved crest ; tlie tail is twice as long as
the wings ; the lateral feather nearly half the middle ; tlie lateral tarsal
plates scutellate for the inferior lialf, etc.

804

NORTH AMElllCAN BIRD'S.

In the shape of the bill and the shortness of tiie primaries, compared
with the broad tertials and secondaries, there is much resemblance to
A'anfhoitra. The nostrils are, however, uncovered, the legs much stouter
and shorter, being shorter than the liead instead of longer ; the tail-feathers
are broader, etc.

Fsilorhinus morio, Gkay.

BBOWN JTAT.

Pica morid, Waoleu, Isis, 182!), vii, 751. — Ib. l.sis, 1831, .'!27. — Voyiige.de la Favorite,
V, 1839, i)i (.said to have been killed at San Francisco, Cal., by liotta). Psilorhinua
morio, Okay, List, genera, 1841, 51. — Bcinap. Consp. 1850, 381. — Cab. Mus. Hcin.
1851, 226. — Baiiii), Birds N. Am. 1858, 592, pi. Ixviii, f. 1, 2. " Pica fuliyimsa,
Lksson, Traite d'Orn. 1831, 333." Fsilorhinus mcxiamus, Kiii'iucLL, Mus. Senck, 1837,
pi. xi, f. 2.

Sp. Char. Tail much graduated; the lateral featlicr.s about two indies sliorte.st.

Secor.;! (|uill equal to the sicoondaries; third
and fouriii longctit. General color dark
snioky-lirown, becoming almost black on
the head ; the brea.'jt brownish-gray ; nearly
white about the anus ; under tail-coverts
tinged with brown ; the expo.^ed portion of
the tail with a decided glo.-s of blue; bill
and feet, in some specimens yellow, in
othera black. Length, 16.00; wing, 8.00;
tail, 8.25; tarsn.s, 1.80.

IL\n. Rio Grande Valley, north-ea.stern
Mexico, southward. Cordova (Scl. 1856,
300); ? Guatemala (Scl. Ibis, I. 22); Hon-
duras (Scl. II, 113); Costa Rica (CAnAN.
J. 1801, 8.3); Vera Cruz, hot and temjierate
regions (Su.Micii. Alem. Bost. Soe. I, 554).

The difference in the color of the
bill appears to be inde])endont of sex.
The feet of tlie yellow-billed birds
are not oi' the same pure yellow.
The P.'^i/orliiitiin mcnvanvs of Riippell is described as having white tips to
the tail-featliers ; of tliese there is no trace in the adult specimens, male and
female, from tlic Ifio Grande, before us. He speal<s of a supijosed young
bird sent from Tamauli])as, I)y Lindheimer, as being without these wliite
tips.

A series of specimens of this species exhibits considerable diversities.
Some skins from Mirador, :\Iex., imt far from Vera Cruz, ])erhaps best rep-
resent the species as first described l)y Wagler. In these the head and neck
are sooty-brown, becoming lighter on tlie jugulnm and on the back. The
wings and tail show a trace of dull l)luish. In Xo. 23,9ir) the under parts
are sooty-gray, the bill and legs black; in 23,;J16 the colors are similar.

I'sihrhinus mnrin.

CORVIDyE — THE CROWS. 305

wiMi a fulvous tinj:je on tho broast, the liill aii<l foot yellow. In both the
under surface of tail is brown to the end. In '2o,\)n the under parts, from
breast to crissuni inclusive, with the tibia?, are brownish-white, the tail-
feathers (excepting the two median) tipped with white for over an inch, tiie
bill and feet black. This one also has an obscure dull bluish wash or
patcli along the featiiei's of the ramus of lower jaw not observed in other
s])(!cimens.

The specimens collected by Lieutenant Couch, and descrilied in the racitlc
llailroad lieport are consideral)ly smaller, and exhibit other differences which
may prove of specific importance. In this case they will appropriatcdy bear
Iiiil)l)eirs name of /*. mixicrtiius.

ILvr.rr.s. This is a Mexican species, occasionally extending its movements
as far north as the valley of the liio Grande, and probably crossing our lines
into Texas, although of this there is as yet no positive evidence.

Specimens of tiiis species were procured by Lieutenant C'ouch at I>o(piillo,
San Diego, and at China, in north-eastern Alex ico, and were found by him
living in forests of high trees. It is Jay-like in its habits, being decidedly
gregarious, and having Iiarsh and loud note's. Though making more noise
than any other bird in the neigldjorhood, if one of their number is brought
down by the discharge of a gtui, the noise inishes them at once, and the rest
mma oil" in perfect silence.

IMr. Sumichrast, in his paper on the Distribution of the Birds of Vera
Cruz, states that tliis species abounds in both the hot and the temperate
regions of that department, and, indeed, the greater ])ortions of Vera Cruz.
He s]H'aks of it as a Ijird well known and generally detested on accouTit of
its troublesome ami noisy habits. It is found everywhere except in the
aljiine region, and it does not appear ever to go beyond a vertical elevation
of 4,000 feet. Tliis gentleman has been assured that tiie bird never makes
any nest of its own, luit invariably lays its eggs in those belonging to other
Ijirds. He does not so state, but we infer that he means to convey the idea
that this -lay appropriates the nests of otlier bii'ds in which to liatch its own
young, not that, like the Cowbird, it leaves its eggs to be brought up l)y
strangers.

This Jay was met with 'iy Mr. G. C. Taylor at Taulevi, in Honduras ; and
from that place eastwaiu, as far as the Atlantic, he found it very common.
It was generally seen or heard shrieking in the bushes by the roadsides. It
was also found by Mr. Salvin to occur on the eastern road between Quiriijua
and Iguana, on the road to Guatemala.

Mr. Joseph Leyland found this species common both in Honduras and
the IJelize. It occiirred in small flocks, which were very noisy, and annoyed
the hunter by always giving the alarm.

vol.. II, 39

30G NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

FAAriiT TYRANNIDJE.— Tyrant Flycatciikrs.

PiiiMAiiv CiiAKACTKKS. rriiuiirii's toil. JJill in lyiiicil I'oniis ln-oad, triangular, niiidi
(icprcssfil, iibniplly (louiu-vcd and notclicd al lip, willi lung liristlcs aloiii;- jfapc. Tarsi willi
scuifiliv! extending rniind the outer face of tarsus from the Iront to baek ; .sonietimes
divided on llie outer side. Bill with eulineii nearly as long as the head, or .shorter;
siraiulit to near (he tip, Ijieii suddenly bent down into n eons])ienons hook, with a notch
lieiiiiid it; lip of lower Jaw also notehed. Coiiiinissure straiglit to near the notch ; gony;;
.•^iigiiliy convex. Noslriis oval or rounded, in the anterior extremity oC the nasal ;roove
and more or less conuealed by long bristles which extend I'roni the posterior angle of tlio
jaws along the base of the bill, becoming .smaller, but reaching nearly lo the median line
of the Ibrehead. These bristles with lateral branches at the base. Similar bristles are
mixed in the loral feathers and margin the chin. Tarsi short, generally less than middle
toe, completely envelojied by a series of large scales, which meet near the posterior edge
of the inner side, and are separated either by naked skin or by a row of small scales.
Sometimes a second series ol' rather lai-ge plates is seen on the ].osterior f:\<:c of the tarsus
these, however, nsually on the npjier extremity only. Basal joint of middU' toe iiniled
almost thronghont to that of the outer toe, l)iit more than half free on the inner .side •
outer lateral toe rather the longer. Wings and tail varialile; first qnill always more than
three fourths the second. The onter primaries sometimes attenuated near the tin.

The primary characters given almve will servo to ilistiiiguisJi tlio Xorth
American I'l/rannidw i'roni their allies ; tlie essential features consisting in
tlie i)eciiliarity of tjie scales of the tarsus and the ten immaries. In the
t^l/lcimlidcv there are species as truly " ilycatching," and witli a depressed
bristly bill, bnt tiie nine (not ten) primaries, and the restriction of the .scales
to the anterior face of the tarsus, instead of extending entirely round the
outer side, will readily se])iirate them.

The relationships of tlie Ti/nmiiiifa' are closest to the Cotinr/ida: These
last differ mainly in liaving the tai'sus more or less rcticidated, or covered in
part at least with small angular scah's, instead of continuous broad ones ;
and in the greater adhesion of the toes. Tlie logs are shorter, and the body
bro;i ler iind more depressed. Tlie bill is less abundantly jirovided witli
bristles, and tlie sjiecies do not appear to be strictly llycatcliers, feeding
more on berries and on stationary insects and larva^, rather than cai)turing
them on tlie wing. Two species of this family, Hiahodumns ajfini.'i^ and
Fach lira lit phi»< wajm-^ were introduced into tiie Birds of North America,
from specimens collected by Lieutenant Coucli in tiie valley of the Ifio

1 irtidrostomus affinis. Flatjipmris affinis, Ki.r.iOT, Il.is, IS.'iO, 394, pi. xiii. rorlii/rompliv.i
aglaim, Baiki), liirds N. Am. 1858, \U, pi. xlvii, f. 1. — In. liop. M«x. Bound. II, Bird.s, 7,
pi. xix, f. 1. Htidroslomus aijlaia, Caiianis, Mas. Ilciii, II, 8.5 (Xalapa). — In. .lourii. 18(i],
2.V2. — ScLATEi!, p. 7,. S. ]8(i4, 17G (City Mex.). Hah. Northern Mexico, Jalaim, Nicaragua
(ScL. (Catalogue, p. 240) ; Yucatan (LawhknceK

^ PachjimmpltKs major. JUithmidiinis mojor, ('An. Orn. Nat. 1847, I, 24(5. — Caii, ht Hein.
Mus. llpin. II, 89. — Baiki), Birds N. Am. 1858, Iti.';, pi. xlvii, f. 2 ?. — In. Rep. Mex. Bound.
II, Bird.s 7, ]il. xix, f. 2. r(ic/ii/rain/}/nis iiwjoi; ScLATEit, T. Z. S. 1857, 78 ; 1864, 176 (City
of Mex.). Ilab. Mexico and Guatemala.

TYRANNID.E — THE FLYCATCHKRS. 397

fJraudo, not far from tlio border of tlio United Status, Init as tliey have not
yot lieen detected witliin our limits, we have conchided to omit them in tlie
l)resent work.

The hird fauna of Anu^rica may he said to liave one of its cliief features
in tlie great number and variety of its Ti/rtinniihv, the family being strictly
a Xew World one. Nearly every ])ossible diversity of form is e.vhibited by
different members ; the size, however, usually varying from tliat of our com-
mon I!ol)in t( that of the Kinglet, our smallest bird with exception of the
Humming-riird. Of the nunun'ous subfamilies, however, only one the
Ti/raiiiii)i(v Y)vopcr, belongs to Xorth America, and will be readily distin-
guished from other of our land birds by the family characters given at the
head of this article, and which, as drawn up, apply rather to the subfamily
than to the I'l/ranniilw generally.

The Nortli American species of the Tiirannincr. may, for our present
purposes, be divided into Ttjratmi and TyrannuU. The former are large,
generally with brigiit color, iiointed wings, with attenuated primaries and a
colored crest in the middle of the crown. The others are plainer, smaller,
without colored crest ; the primaries not attenuated.

The genera of our Flycatchers may be arranged as follows : —

TYRAKNI. gizc laijro ; colors gpnorally brilliant.; crown with a bri<rlit]y
coloroil <Mcst, usually concoalcil ; outer primaries aliruplly contracted or attenu-
ated near the tip; upper scales of tarsus usually continuing round on the outside
and behind. Nest in trees, very Imlky, containin-i; much downy material; eggs
white or i)inl<ish, with ovate dots of rich brown, of various shades.

Milvulus. Tail excessively forked and lengthened ; more than twice
as Inng as the wings.

Tyrannus. Tail moderate ; nearly even or slightly forked ; less than
the wings.
TYRANNULI. Size generally small ; colors usually plain ; crown without
any colored crest concealed l)y the tips of the feathers; primaries normal; seules
of the upper part of the tarsus usually contiiming oidy to the middle of the
outer face, and a second series opposite to them behind.

1. Tail lengthened ; about equal to the wings, which reach scarcely to its
middle.

Myiarchus. Tarsus c(pial to the middle toe, which is decidedly longer
than the hinder one. Tail even or roinidcd. Throat pale asli, rest^of
lower paits yellow generally, the primaries edged with rufous, and
innc I webs of tail-feathers with more or less of the same color. Nest
in a cavity of a tree, of loose material ; eggs wliitish, with intricate
tangled lines and streaks of dark brown, the general elTect salmon-color.
Sayornis. Tarsus rather longer than the middle toe, whii'h is scarcely
longer than the hind toe. Tail .slightly forked. Bill very narrow. No
light orbital ;ing, nor distinct bands on wings ; both mandibles black.
Nest attached to rocks or parts of buildings, very compact and bulky,
containing much mud in its composition ; eggs pure white, innnaculato,
or with very minute sparse dots near larger end.
2. Tail decidedly shorter than the wings, which reach beyond its middle.
Tarsus shorter than the middle toe.

308

NORTH AMEUICAN BIRDS.

Contopua. Hind too much longer tlmn th • luternl. Tail considerably
IbrJicd. VVin^s long, pointed ; nuich longer than the tail, reaching be-
yond the middle of the latter; lirst quill about e.iual to the Iburth. '' Bill
broad. Color olive-gray, and white, sometimes with a yellowish tinge
beneath. Lower numdible pale-oolored. Nest saueer-shaiie.l, eonipiiet,
and very small, saddled very securely ujjon a thiek branch ; eggs cream-
colored, with a zone of lilac and rich brown blotches round the larger end.
3. Tail shorter than the wings, as in the liust. Tarsus considerably lunger
than the middle toe; hind toe much longi'r thaa lateral. Tail nearly even,
sometimes slightly rounded, but little shorter than the wings ; lirst primary
much shorter than the fourth.

Empidonax. Head moderately crested ; tail about even. Bristles of
bill reaching about half-way to tip. Legs stout. A conspicuous light
orbital ring, and distinct bands on the wing. More or less tinged
with sulphur-yellow on lower parts. Nest variously constructt-d,
deeply cup-shaped, compact or loose, entirely of either gnussy or fibrous
and downy material, and lixed to slender twigs or lodged in a crotch
between thick branches; eggs white, inniiaculatc, or with blotches of
brown round larger end.

Mitrephorus. Head decidedly crested. Tail forked. Bristles of bill
reaching nearly to tip. Legs very weak and slender. Beneath more
or less tinged with fulvous or ochraceous.

Pyrocephalus. Head with a full crest. Tarsus but little longer than
the middle toe ; hind toe not longer than the lateral. Tail browi, eviMi ;
first quill shorter than the fifth. Beneath, with whole crown bright
red (e.'wcci)t in P. ohsciiriin). Female vci'y dill'erent, lacking the red,
except i)osteriorly beneath, and with the breast obsoletely streaked.

Genus MILVULUS, Swainson.

Milvultis, Swainson, Zool. Jour. HI, 1827, 1G5.

Despolcs, KEicnENiiAcn, Avium Syst. Naturale, 1850 (in part).

Sp. Char. Bill shorter than the head, and nearly equal to the tarsus. Tail nearly

twice as long as the wing,
excessively ibrked ; the
middle feathers scarcely
half the lateral. First
primary abruptly atten-
uated .at the end, where
it is very narrow and
linear. Head with a
concealed crest of red.

This group is dis-
tinguislied from Ty-
rannus by the very
long tail, but the two
species assigned by

Milvulus/orficaw, im^bnonoal). ^UthorS tO North

America, altiiough agreeing in many respects, differ in some parts ol' their
structure. The peculiarities of coloration are as follows : — ■

TYUANNirxE — THE FLYCATCHEIW. 309

M. forfloatUB. Wliitish-nsli uliovo ; riinip black. Tnil-loatlici-s rose-wliito
with bliiuk tips; sliouKU-r.-i, axilliiis, ami liully li^,'lit vermilion. Ilah. Middlo
Aim.'iica, and opuii portions of Tuxas, Indian Turritory otc. ; accidental in
New Jersey.

M. tyrannuB.' Head above and tail black ; tlie latter edged externally
with while. Back iu«liy. J5cneatli pure white. Ilah. Middle America,
accidental ia Eui>teni United States.

Milvulus tyrannus, Bo.>i.

FOBK-TAILED FLYCATCHEK.

Miiscicapa lyrannus, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 17(i6, 325. Milvulus tyvannus, Ronai'. Goog.
List, 1838. — Al'DUUo.N, Synopsis, 183t>, 38. — lu. Birds Am. I, 1840, 196, pi. Hi. —
lUiiiK, liinls N. Am. 1858, 108. — C.ui.VN. Journ. 1801, 251. —Sei,. List. 1802, 237.
— FiNscil, p. Z. S. 1870, 572 (Trinidad ; considers rio/i^ittiui, tymHiiun, and moiiachus
as identical). Lcs-jmIcs tijraiuius. Bona p. Comptcs Ui^ndus, 1854, 87. Tyrannus
snnma, VllciLl.oT, Ois. Am. Sept. L 1807, 72, pi. .\.liii. — Swainson, Mon. Ty. Shrikes ;
(Quarterly Jour. XX, Jan. 1820, 282. Muscicapa saoaiia, Bo.nai". Am. Orn. I, 1825, 1,
pi. i, 1'. 1. — Aui). Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 387, pi. clxviii. Milmctus snmmis, C.kav,
List, 1841. Tyrannus milvulus, Nuttai.l, Man., (2d rd.,) I, 1840, 307. Fork-luilal
Flycatclier, Pennant, Latham. Tyran a queue fourdiuc, Buffon, pi. onl. 571.

Sp. Chau. Outer four primaries abruptly attenuated at the end, the sides of the attenu-
ated portion parallel. Second and third quills longest; fourth little .shorter, and not
nmeh exceeding the first. Tail very deeply forked; the external feather linear, and twice
as long as the head and body alone. Top and sides of the head glos.sy black. Ilunip,
ii|)per tail-coverts, and tail almost black ; the outer web of outer tail-leather yellowish-
white for more than the basal half; rest of upper parts ash-gray. Under jiarts generally
pure white. Wings d.ark brown ; the outer primary and tertials edged with white.
Crown with a concealed patch of yellow. Length, 1-4.00; wing, 4.7.5; tail, 10.00; depth
of fork, 7.00. Young. No colored patch on crown ; wing-coverts (including the le.sser)
and tail-feathers, with their upper coverts, bordered with rusty ochraceous. Black of
head, tail, etc., duller than in adult.

Hah. Mexico to South America. Accidental in the United States. (New Jersey,
Kentucky, and Mississippi, AuuuiioN.)

This species claims a place in the fauna of the United States on account
of two s[)ecimens captured in New Jersey, at long intervals, and one or two
seen by Mr. Audubon in the southwest. It is, however, hardly proper to
include it in our work on so slight a basis, and we oidy retain it for the
purpose of referring to the notice of it by Mr. Audubon^

Habits. The Fork-ttviled Flycatcher is of purely accidental occurrence in
the United States. Two specimens, taken at long intervals, are said to have
been captured in the United States. One of these was shot by Mr. Au-
dubon, in June, 1832, near the city of Camden, N. J. It was first observed

' M. lyranmw, var. violenttis (Tyrannies violcntus, Vieill. N. D. xxxv, p. 89. Milvulus
v., ScL. Catnl. Am. B. 1802, 237), is the South American race of this species. It is exceedingly
similar, but differs slightly, though constantly, in certain characters. We have not at present
the means of comparing the two.

310 NOUTU AMEUICAN UinDS.

flying' (ivcr 11 nicailnw, in imrsiiit of iii.socts. It aftunviivds iili;,'htc(l on tlio
liip (if ii snmll ili'liU'litid troo, wlum it was sei'iu'oil. Tlio bird upiuiaveil to
liiivc! Idst its Wiiy, wiis unsuspicious, and jmid no iitlontion wlicn aiiiiroiutlicd.
On tilt; winy, it seemed to niako use ol' its lung tail wheiuver it soujfjit to
suddenly turn in pursuit of its pruy. On the yrouud, it vibrated its tail in
the manner of a Sparrow-HawU.

When the bird fell to the ground severely wonmled, it uttered a sharp
s(pieak, which it rejieated, accompanied by a smart clicking of the liill, when
Mr. Audubon a]iiiroacIied it. It lived only a few moments, and from this
sjiecimen he mad(! his drawing.

Several years jjievious to this, one of these birds had been shot near
Henderson, Ky., but it was so far decayed when given to Mr. Audulion
that it could not be ]ireserved. It had been obtained among the IJarrens
late in October. Near Natchez, ISIiss., in August, IH2'2, j\Ir. Audubon was
confident he saw two others of this species. Tliey were high in the air, and
were twittering in the manner of a Kingbird. He was, however, unable to
secure then'..

Another straggler was obtained near Bridgton, N. J., early in December,
l-'rom this specimen was made the engraving in IJonajiarte's Ornithology.
It was given to Titian I'eale by Mr. J. Woodcraft of that place.

This Flycatcher is a resident in tropical South America from (Iniana to La
I'lata, and in its habits resembles the swallow-tailed species of our southern
fauna. It is said to be a solitary bird, remaining perched on the lind) of
a i"ee, frcm wliich, from time to time, it darts after passing insects; while
standing, it is said to vibrate its long tail in the manner of the European
Wagtail. It also occasionally utters a twitter not unlike the common note
of the Kingltird. Besides in.sects, this bird also feeds on berries, as the
bird obtained near Bridgton had its stomach distended with the fruit of the
poke-wx»ed.

This species, according to Snmichrast, is found abundantly in winter in the
savannas of the hot lands of Xera Cruz, and occurs to the height of about
two thousand feet. He is not aware of its being resident.

Mr. Leyland found this species fre([uenting Old Biver and the pine ridges
of Beli/.e. They were also plentiful on the Hats near I'eten, and were
occasionally found at Comayagua and Omoa, Honduras.

Mr. C. W. Wyatt met with this Flycatcher in Colombia, South America,
on the savanna in the neighliorhood of A(|nacliica. When at Ocana, ho
used to sec them congregated in considerable nund)ers just before sunset,
whirling round high up in the air, and darting down like rockets to the
ground. He only found it frcfjuenting the open part of the country, and he
never met with it at a greater elevation than five thousand feet.

An egg of this species obtained by Dr. Baldanius, from Cayenne, exhibits
a strong resemblance to the egg of the common Kingl)ird. Tt has a dear
white ground, and is spotted with deep and prominent marking of red and

TVlt..NNlILK — TlIK KLVCATCUEUS.

311

rod-brown. Tlioy nro nf an nl)lnng-oval sliapo, aro tajicring at one end, and
nicasiiro .'JO by .G8 ui an inch.

Milvulus forflcatus, Swain.

SCI880B-TAIL ; SWALLOW-TAIL FLYCATCHEB.

Mnneimpa/iiffiinlii, (iMi.i.rs, Syst. Xiit. I, ]'»><, n:!l. — Vii:ii.i.nr, Ois. Am. Sept. 1, ISO?,
71. -SlKl'ilDNN, in .Shaw's Ziml. X, ii, H;!, {A. iii. - Uonat. Ami. Oni. I, lb-2:>, l."),
(il. ii, f. 1. Ain. Uiii. Itioi,'. IV, 1S;!M, I'Jti, |il. ciclix, ('. 3. Tiiniuiui.t /urjifnhin, Say,
Long's Kxpcd., II, lf<L>;i, 'J-.'l. - Nittam.'s Maiuml, i, (l'iI nl.,) ISJO, y(ii). Milnilns
fiirfuvhi.t, "Swains." Iticii. I,ist, 1837. — Ai'DCitoN, .Syiioiwi.s, l.sitli, 38. —in. Ilinls
Ain. I, 1.S4I1, 1<.)7, i>l. liii. — (.'AiiAN. Mus. Iliiu. II, 7'.i. — Sim., i-i.^l, l.-^O'J, -iM.—
Maiiii), Minis N. Am. IS.'kS, liiH. — In. Mcx. I!. II, Zoiil. 7. — IIi'Kkm. X,''. p. 11.
TiiriiiiiiiiK ini:fii'(iniis, .Si kimiiins, Sliaw, (irn. /.hdI. liirds, Xlll, II, l^Jli, IJ!.'). M'ni-
ilii nil/i; a queue J'uiirchuc (lit Jlcji'iuc, liui'l'UN, i)I. enl. 077. Uinl o/ r((iiu(ise of the
Tt'.xaiis.

Sp. riiAR. Wing with the outer primary only abruptly atteniiatcil, and nanowly
liiic.'U' (I'or alioiit .8.") of an incli) ; tlio
sifcoiid but .slii;lilly (Mnar^'iiialo ; sci'ond
(piill loiificst; fust and tliird equal. Tail
veiy doi'ply forkud, tlio lateral feathers
twice as lonir as the body, all narrow
and linear or siibspatnlate. Top and
siiles of lh(! head very pa1(^ ash ; tli(>
back a little darker, and faintly tinged
with light liriek-red ; under parts nearly
pure white, tinged towards the tail with
light vermilion, rather more rose on the
niider wing-eoverts ; a patch on the .side
of till" breast and along the fore-arm
dark voriuilion-ied. Tail-feathers rosy
white, tipp(><l at the end for two or three
inehes with black. Rump dark brown,
turning to black on the (;oveils. Wings
very dark brown; the coverts and ipiills,
excepting the primaries (and including
tlie outer of these), edged with whitish,
Crown with a concealed patch of white,
having .some orange-red in the centre.
F,englh, 13.00; wing, 4.7o; tail, .S.oO;
depth of fork, 0.80.

Had. Middle America, from Panama
northward ; prairies and oak barrens of Texas, Indian Territory, and occasionally South-
west Missouri and Kansas. Accidental in Eastern States (New Jersey, Tnisnru. ; District
of Columbia? Couks) ; Xalapa (Hcu 18.-)7, 204); Onatemala (Set,. Ibi.s, I, 121; Mus. S.
1.) ; Honduras (Sei.. II, 1 14) ; Costa Rica (Cauan. J., 18U1, 252) ; Vera Cruz, hot and
temperate regions (Sum. M. B. S. I, fwO).

This exquisitely beaiitil'nl and rjmcefiil bird is quite abtnidant on the
prairies of Southern Texas, and is everywhere conspicuous among its kindred

Miltvtm forficatiis.

312 NOliTII AMKUICAX BIRDS.

HjH'cios. Tt is usually known us tlio Scissor-tail rrnm tlio habit of closinj^
iind dpcnin^' tin: lon^ rciitliuis ol' tlio tail likt! tlio blades of a pair of scissors.
Tlio adult fonialu is very similar, tlioii},'li nitlior sniallur. Tlio youn<f is not
I'onspit uously din'rri'nt, (»nly lacking the concealed patch of the head.

II Altns. 'I'lie Swallow-tailed Flycatcher appears to be a common species
iVoiii Ccntial Texas to the Itio (irande, and thence throughont jMexico to
Ci'iitnd America, as far south at least as Ouatemala. It is also found in
the Indian Territory, where it breeds, specimens of the nest and eggs having
been olitained at the Kioway Agency by Dr. K. Palmer.

It was found very ])lentiful at Langui, in Honduras, by Mr. (i. V. Taylor,
and also in fewer numlters in other h)calities. In the evening, Ju,st before
roosting time, they were in the habit of assembling on the tops of certain
favorite trees, where they remained until nearly dark. They then all went
olf t(j the woods. He generally met with them on open grt)und, not much
encumbered by tn^es or brushw(jod.

Mr. Dresser states that he found this very graceful bird quite abundant at
jMatamoras ami in Western Texas, where it is known by the name of
"Te.xan Uiril of I'aratlise." He found it as far east as the river (inadaloupe.
It arrives, he states, in the neighborhood of San Antonio, late in March, and
remains until the middle or latter end of October. It breeds abundantly
near San Antonio, building its nest in a mes(iuite or other tree, anil lays
from three to four eggs, whicli, as he states, are pure white, blotched with
large spots of a dark red color.

He adds that these birds are of a quarrelsome and fearless disjiosition,
rarely brooking intruders near their homes. During the breeding-season
Mr. Dresser has often, when travelling, stopped to admire four or five of
them fighting on the wing. They show their long tail-feathers and the
rich scarlet color under their wings to the fullest advantage. After passing
(Juadaloupe IJiver, he saw none of these birds to the eastward, though he
wa.s told they have occasionally been seen on CJalveston Island.

This Flycatcher was met with at Eagle Tass, in Lower Texas, and in
Tamaulipas by Mr. Clark and Lieutenant Couch, in the Mexican Uoundary
Survey. None were found occurring west of the valli^y of the liio Pecos.
Mr. Clark states that he always saw them either following one another
through the air, or perched upon some solitary twig. In their gyrations the
scissors were always more or less expanded, suggesting the idea of bal-
ancei"S. Their nests were built of sticks, lined on the inside, though not
very softly, with grass, and were placed almost invariably on dry limbs
of the mes(|uite. They contained from three to five eggs, and, what was
quite remarkable, more than one pair always seemed to have an interest in
the same nest, over which they were all very watchful, and gave proofs of
their courage by darting ^.t the intruders. He describes their notes as short
and sharp, without nnich variation, and they can be heard at quite a distance.
The Mexicans imagine that this Flycatcher lives on the brains of other birds.

TVIiANXID.K TIIK I'LVCATCUHltS. ;][;]

Lictitiiiinut, ("oiicli (Icscrilics tlic Scisxor-tiiil iis sliy, but ul" n vcvv livoly
(lis|Misitinii. r.siiiilly lour nr iiimv mv sct'ii iii cniiipiiiiy, iiml scciii In iircl'cr
tlic thinly wiMiili'il imiirics to clnsc iliickcts. In hciuity, l-iculcnunt ( 'nucli
cnnsiilois it llio (luccn n\' all llic liii'ds Inund in Northern 'I'liiuiniiiiias.
Tliis snpcriority is not uwinu so niudi to the Inilliiini'y of its phiinii^'c, I'or
in thai it is cxci'llcil liy scvcial s|i('ci(?s, hnt to I lie ininiitiiiilc uiace and
charm ol' its lli^lit. liisiiiL; IVoni tlu' topniosl liranch of sonii^ acacia, it
sciMu.s t(} float, rather than to tly ; th. ■ ■' 'sccndinii ix^riifiidicularly, it retakes
its jposition, utteriny: its usual note. lie did not see it west of liie ( 'adereita.
!)r. Keiinerly, in his niarcii I'roni the (iulf of Mexico into Western Texas,
I'reiiuently met with those FlyciitehuVH alonji' his rmitu. lie usually saw them
in tho o]ieu prairie, or uniniiM; the nies(|uite-ltushes. When perched, they
were generally on the top of a hush or a tiill weed, and their tails were con-
stantly in motion. When they darted oil" after some passing insect, they
usually cireleil around, ilis])laying the .singular hifurcatioii of their tail, Imt
seldom uliuhtinj,' again on tl;(! same bush. It was occasionally seen on the
open jM'airie, ilyinti- for u long distaneo near the earth, as if in search of
insects.

In ViH'a ("ruz this species is an inhabitant of tlie hot lands. A few in-
dividuals ascend, though very rarely, to the height of the city of Orizaba, or
about I?,?*)!) feet.

]\Ir. Xuttall states that he met with this Flycatcher rather coniinon along
the banks of the Ited h'iver, near the eonthienee of the Kianieslui. lie
again mtit thorn, even more fre(|ucntly, near the (Ireat Salt IJivorof Arkansas,
in August. They soeuieil to l)o preying upon grasshoppers.

])r. Woodhouse not only found this species abundant in Texas, in the
vicinity of San Antonio, but in the Indian Territory also it was (piite com-
nifin, ]iarticularly near the Cross Timt)ers. Ho found them breeding in tho
beginning of the month of July, on tho Groat I'rairie. Its ne.st was built
on the horizontal branch (jf a small scrub-oak, about six feet from the
ground, and was composed of cofirse dry grass and sticks. It contained
four young l)irds nearly able to lly. On his approach the I'emalo flew from
the nest to a bush near by. The male bird How to a groat height above
him, circling rouiul in the air, a])])arently watching his movements, find at
the same time uttering a coarse scolding chirp.

Dr. (Jideon Lincocum, of Toxa.s, writes that the Scissnr-tail Flycatchers
have greatly increased in nundiers in that State since 1S48. They are
severe hunters of insects, and make great havoc among honey-bees. They
are exclusively jmiirie birds. Ho adds that they construct their nests far out
on the toji branches of the live-oak or any other lone tree on the ju-airics.
They seem to bo a very i)layti.l bird, and delight in shooting ra])idly up-
wards, cutting the air with their sti'ong wings with such force that the sound
may be heard to the distance of three hundred yards or more. Their notes
are harsh and inharmonious. They leave Texas late in autumn, and return

vol.. u. 40

314

NORTH AMEKK^VN BIRDS.

iigain about tlio first of A]>nl. Tlie icsoundiiii;' strokes of their wings niul
tiieir oft-repeated cries are lieanl just before llie dawn of dry. Tliey usually
linve but throe egt^s.

\ siu.yle individual of Jfi/ni/ns, and su])i)osed to be one of this species,
was seen by Mr. ( '. Dre.xler, May (i, 18(11, but was not obtained, in the
vicinity of Washington. Another bird of this species is mentioned by ^Ir.
Alibott as lia\in,y- been taken near Trenton, N. J., A])ril IH, 1872. It was a
male bird in full lu'alth and feather. Its stomach was found to be full of
small coleoptera, insects' egi^s, tlies, etc.

Tiie engs of this s])ecies vary greatly in size, from .92 by .75 to .80 by .GO
(;f an inch. They are in shajjc a rounded oval, and tapering at one end.
The ground-color is white, marked with a few very large dark red spots,
and occasionally of an obscure purple.

Gi-.Ms TYRANNUS, (^ivter.

Tjimnmis, CuviEii, Lei;oiis Anat. Comi). 1799, 1800 ^.\^.A.>;sIz).

Gkx. Cn.\i!. Tail nearly even, or moderately forked; rather shorter than the wingr.« ;

the leathers broad, and widen-
injr -somewhat at the ends.
Wings lonfj and pointed ; the
outer priniai'ies rather ahrnptly
attenuated ni'ar the end, the
attenuated portion not linear,
however. Head with a con-
cealed patch of red on the
crown.

The s]iecies of this
genus are especially char-
actyrized by their long,
attemiated j)rimaries, their
nu'derately forked or
nearly even tail, and the
concealed coh -d crest in
T,m„n,„^ r„rn>i,„„s„. ^j^g crown. Their ailini-

ties iire nearest to Milnilua, from which the tail, shortei' than the wings,
instead of twice as long, or niftre, will always serve as a point of distinction.
Th(^ attenuiilion of the ])rimary differs in being less abrupt, and not truly
linear, sloping gradually, and not bounded behind by a notch. We are
unable to appreciiite any other diHerences of importance.

The character and extent of the attemiiition of the ])riniaries, the depth
of the fork of the tail, with the size of the legs and bill, all vary considerably,
and may, ]ierha|is, serve as ground for further subdivisions. The bill, in
particular, varies nuich in size in the North American si)ecies, from that of

TYKANNID.E — THE FLVCATCIIEKS. ({ | 5

T. citrulinnms, wliero tlio culiiien is but little inoro tliiui half the lu-ad, to
tliat t»t' T. (luminiccmin (,i,'i!iius Mvlitturcliii.'^ of Cabaiiis), wlicru it is d fiikuliy
longer tiiuii the head, ami almost as stout as that of SkhiviiIhiiiuh.

Tlie North American species of 7\i/r<tiiiuts (witli tiieir nearest Mexican
allies) may l)e arran^otl l)y colors, acconliiij^ly as they are white beneatii or
yellow, in the following,' manner : —

A. t'lidiT parts wliili.sli, witlioiit any. sliado of yellow. A tiiiiit j;niyisli-
pluiiibcuiis pcclDral liaml.

1. T. carolinensis. Tail isli^lilly ioiukUmI. ]!ill iiiiicli shdrlcr tliaii the
head. Aliovc lilack, shadiiii: into (hiik pliiiiilicoiis oil the lia^'k. Tail
aliniplly and hruadiy inai'j,aMcil and lip|n'd wilii pure wliiio. ( Ti/rdiniu.i.)
Hub. Wiiolo (if Xoi'th Ainiiira, north to the Ihitisli I'lovimcs, and
south to Panama. Rare in tli<! Woslcrn I'lovincc of .Vorlli Anii'iira.

2. T. domiuiceusis. Tail inodoiatcly forked. liili hingor than the
head. Aliove liiay ; tlio tail and wini;s lirownish. The ed^'cs and lips
of the tail narrowly niarfrined with soiled white. (Mclit/drcliiin.) Hub.
West Indies, New Granada, Panama, Florida, (jeorjria. and Sontli
Carolina.

B. Above ashy-olive, liecominf; purer ash on the head. Tail lirown oi' lilaek.
Beneath yellow ; the eliin |ialer ; the l)reast strou^dy shaded with olivaeeons or
ashy. (Lii/i/ii/iie.t.)

a. Tail nearly black ; the outer e(l}j;es of the outer webs of the feathers with
the libres united closely throuj;hout, and colored similarly to the rest of the
featlu'rs; beneath sulphni'-yellow.

.'i. T. verticalis. Tail sliuditly forked; external feather with the entire
outer Web and the outer half of the slialt abruptly yellowish-wbiie.
Pectoral band pale ashy, li^rhter than the li.ick. JIab. Western Prov-
ince of Pnited Slates.

•t. T. vociferaus. Tail nearly even or sliLjhtly rounded ; external
feather with the shaft brown ; the outer eilj;e only of the outer web
ol.wuu'cly yellowish-while, and all the feathers fading' into [laler at the
tip. Throat anil lireast broadly liiiL'cd with dark ashy-olive like the
back. //((/(. Plains and southern .Midille Province of United States,
south into Miilille .Vmeric^i.

b. Tail brown, .scarcely darker than the winu's; outer (mIltcs of the outer
webs of the tail-feathers olivaceous like the back, in contrast with the
blown ; the libres loo.sened externally ; shafts of tail-feathers white beneath.
Heneath briulit Liacibon-e-ycllow.

'). T. melaiicholicuB.' Tail quite deeply forkeil (.7i> of an inch),
brownish-black, tli( liirhtcr edifiiifrs ob.solete, and lho.se on wiicj-s in-
distinct. Throat ashy. Iftib. South .Xmerica . var. iti el a 11 r li nl ii: 11 .i ,
Tail moderately forked (.,'JO of an inch), jrrayish-lirown, the lii;hl cclj^-cs
I'onspicnou.s, as are also those of the wni;i:s. Throat while. /Iiib. Middle
America, north to southern bounilary of rnitcd States . . var. roiirlii.

In the Birds of Xorth America ii sii])]iosed new sjieeies, T. ronrlii, was
mentioned as eoniin|.^ .so close (o the lioundary line of the I'liited Stales in

1 Tiiniiinuit iiirliiiirliiih'ciis, Vikim.ot, Xouv. Diet, xxxv, 1810,84. — n.VTiiD, Birds N. .\m.
18.">8, 17(5. -Sci.ATi-.l!, Ciital. Am. Binls, 18i!-.', 23.'). I/iih. South Anicriin. .\ iiioiv iiorthoru
race scarcely distiiiguisliahle (Paiiunia, C'o.sta Itica, etc.), separated as T. sativpa, Liciir.

31 G

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Toxas iis to wammt its iiitroiluction into our fauna. Wu have, liowever,
concluik'd to oive iu tlie ])re.sent work uotliing but wliat has actually been
ibuud witliiu its ju'escribed limits.

Tsrrannus carolinensis, Baiud.

KINGBIBD ; BEE HABTIN.

? Lanius tijrannus, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 1760, 130. This belongs to the Cuban T. matiitinus,
neiunling to lioniniiiite. Mt(m:icupa lijriinnus, (iJiii.s.suN /) Wilson, Am. Orn. I, 18U8,
00, pi. xiii. — Ai:i). Oin. Hiog. I, 1832, 403; V, 1839, 420, pi. Ixxi.x. — Id. Biids
Am. 1, 1840, 204, pl. Ivi. Lnnius ti/miinus, var. 7, ctd-oUiicnui.s, 5, huluck-uiniui,
Gmklix, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 302. Musckapa rex, liAurox, Fingmcnts N. H. Penna.
1790, 18. Tijrannus pipiri, Vikillot, Ois. Am. Sept. 1, 18(i7, 73, pl. xliv. — C.vu.
Journ. Orn. Ill, 18r)r), 478. — Sti,. List, 1802, 230. Tyntnnns inlirpidus, Vuai.i.oT,
Oalorii! Ois. I, 1824, 214, pl. exxxiii. — Swainson, Mon. Ty. Shrikes, Quart. Jour.
1820, 274. Muscicapa iinimosa, LlCHT. Verz. Doubl. 1823, Xo. SSS. Gabe Moiiv/ie
lie la Caroline, IJi-ffox, Ois. V, 281, enl. pl. 676. Tyrnnnus Icucngaster, Sri;i>iii;Ns,
Shaw, Gen. Zoiil. XIII, 11, 1820, 132. 7\i/rnniiiis carolinensis, Baiud, Birds N. Am.
1858, 171. — C'AiiAN. Mas. lleiu. 11, 79. — Lonn, I'r. 1!. A. lust. IV, 04, 113.—
Cuoi'i;u & Si-cKLEY, 107. - ■ Samukl.s, 128. — Oooi'Kii, Orn. C'al. 1, 1870, 31]

Sp. Ciiai!. Two, .sonictinii's three, outer priiiiarie.s alinijUly nttennated at the end.
Second quill longest; third little shorter; first rather longer than Ibnrlh, or nearly equal.

Tail slightly rounded. Above dark bluish-ash.
The top and sides of the head to beneath the
eyes bhiisli-lijaek. A eoneealed erest on the
crown vermilion in the centre, white behind, and
before partially mixed with oiange. Lower
parts pure wliite, tinged with pale bluish-ash on
the sides of the throat and across the breast;
sides of the breast and under the wings similar
to, but rather lighter than, the back. Axiliaries
jiale grayish lirown tip[)e(l with lighter. The
wings daik brown, darkest towards the emls of
the (piili.-; the greater eoverts and (piiils edged
with while, most so on llie tertials ; the lesser
eoverts edged with paler. Upper lail-eoverls
and upper surfaeo of the tail glossy black, the
all the leathers tipped, and the extei'ior i.iai-gined
externally wnii white, funning a con.spicnou.s terminal band about .25 of an inch broad.
Length, 8..j(); wing, 1.05; tail, .1. 70 ; tarsu.", .7.".

IIau. Eustei'n North America to Rocky Mountains. Occasional iu various ]iarfs of the
Western Province (\Va.sliiugton Territory, Salt Lake Valley, Triieki-e Rivei-, Nevada,
etc.). South to rana.ia. Oaxaea. lowlands. March (Sei.. P. Z. S. lS."iS, :]()•>) ; Hondnra.s
(M00HE, P. Z. S. l.'<.")0, 5.')); fimileuiala (Set,. Ibis I, 120); Cuba (Cau. .1. [11.471!;
Guxni.. Rep. 1805, 2;il), "7: pipiri''); Panama, (Mus. S. L; Lawu. Ann. X. V. Lye.
VII, 205); Greylown, Nie. (Lawr. Ann. VIII, 18,'!); East of San Antonio, Texas
(Drk,<.-»ku, Ibis, 1805,472; breeds); Upper Amazon, Peru, Nauta (Scr,. and Salv. P. Z. S.,
ISGO, ISiJ); Vera Cruz, hot region, resident (Su.viciirast, M. I!. S. I, 557).

Tiirniinii.-i titiittuii itAlit.

iailer vc'i'v dark brciwn 'len

■ath

The youno' of tlio year is similar; tlic colors duller, tlie concealed colored

TVIUNNID.E — THE FLYCATCHERS. 3] 7

])atch oil tlie crown wanting. Tlie tail more rounded; tlie primaries not
iittemiated. ^

Si)('c'iiuoiis vary in the aiiioiint of wliito niiirt^iiiinu; tlio wing- leathers ;
the u|)])('r tail-ooverts are also margined sonietinies witii wliite.

IIai'.its. The coninioii Kingl)ird or l>ee Alartiii of Noitli America is
found throughout tlie continent, from Te.\a.s and Florida, on the south, as far
to the noitli as tlie oTtii parallel of north latitude. Westward, north of the
44tii i)arallel, it is found from the Atlantic tt) the I'acilic, hut south of this
it has not been found west of the liocky Mountains. It is included hy Dr.
Cooper among the liirds of California, hut 1 am not aware that it has ever
been taken within tlie limits of that State. Mr. Allen regards tlie eastern
slope of the Kocky Mountains its extreme western limit ; but Mr. Itidg-
way states that this sjjccies was met with by him in var: s portions of the
Great Hasiii, though always in less abundance than the T.vcrtu'cilu. Among
the cottonwoods of the Truckee Valley, in Western Nevada, two or three
pairs were seen in July and August. In the fertile Salt Lake Valley it was
nearly or quite as common as the T. verticalis, aud was also met with in the
fertile " parks " of the Wahsatch Mountains.

Tiiis species not only has this widely fextended area, but is also quite
abundant wherever found. It is apparently as alnmdant throughout Nova
Scotia as it is in the State of Florida. Iiichardson even found it common on
tlie banks of the Saskatchewan, where he traced its northern migrations
beyond the oTth parallel of latitude. It was found at the Carlton House
early in May, and retired southward in September. It winters in Central
and South America, and has been received by Mr. Lawrence from Panama.

Dr. Suckley found this species (luite plentiful at the eastern base of the
liocky Mountains, in Washington Territory, and more s])ariiigly at Paget
Sound, where he ol)taiiied .several specimens. They appeared to shun the
dense forests near Puget Sound, but were moderately ])lciitiful in the groves
of low oaks, and among the cottonwood-trees fringing the lakes on Nisqually
Plains, wlicre, August .">, he ol)tainod a nest with newly llcducd young.

Mr. Jose[ili Lcyland found this s) cies near Omoa, in Hont'nras, migra-
tory. Tiiey came in tiocks of two or three hundred, but remained only a
short time before di'iiiirting faather south. Tlicy Hew high, and seemed very
wild. This s])ecies was also met with, in ^lay, at Playa Vicente, in the low
lands of the State of Oaxaca, Mexico, by Mr. Boucard, and during t'.ie win-
ter montiis is tbund throughout Mexico.

No one of our co;,inion birds ])nssesses more strongly marked characteris-
tics of manners and habits than this s]H>cies. Its pugnacious dis))ositioii
during tiie breeding-season, the audacious bohliiess with which it will attack
any liirds larger than itself, the persistent tenacity with wliicdi it will con-
tinue the.s(! attacks, and the reckless courage with which it will maintain its
une(]ual warfare, are well-known ju'culiarities of this interesting and familiar
species. Its name, Kingbird, is given it on the supjiositiou that it is supe-

318 NORTH AMERICAN BIRD?,

rior to all other binls in tJKj.so contests. My own observations lead me to
tiio conclusion tliat writers have somewhat exagjieratcd the (iuai'relsome dis-
position of this bird. I have nevei', or very rarely, known it to molest or
attack any other birds than those which its own instinct in-omjits it to drive
away in self-defence, such as Havks, Owls, Eagles, Crows, Jays, Cuckoos, and
(iraklcs. These it will always attack and drive off to (juite a distance from
their nests. Nothing can be more striking than the intrepidity with which
one of these birds will jiounce upon and harass birds vastly laiger and more
powerful than itself. The Kingbird is always prompts to jjcrceive the ap-
proach of one of these enemies, and always rushes out to meet it. IMount-
ing in the air high above, it pounces down upon its back, upon which it will
even rest, furiously pecking at the exposed Hanks of its victim, and only
leaving it to descend again and again with the same unrelenting animosity.
In these encounters it always comes off coiKpieror.

AViLson states that his jealous affection for his mate and for his nest and
young makes him susjjicious of every bird that happens to pass near his resi-
dence. But this is not the case in all instances. A pair of these birds
nested, in the summer of 1871, and ])eacefully reared their young, in an
ai)ide-tree near my residence, within four feet of the nest of the Ualtimore
Oriole, and not more thiin eight or ten feet from the nest of a Ifobin, all
in the same tree. The three pairs M-ere on evident terms of amity and
mutual good-will. The male Kingl)ird kept a sharp lookout Ibr danger
from the to[)most l)ough, and seemed to have all under his s])ecial guardi-
anship, but showed no disposition to molest or annoy them.

The Purple ^Martin is said to be the imphicalJe enemy of the Kingbird, and
one of the few birds with which the latter maintains an unecpial contest.
Its superiority in flight gives the former great advantages, while its e(iual
courage and strength render it more than a match. Audubon relates an
instance in which the Kingliird was slain in one of these struggles.

Wilson also narrates an encounter, of which he was an eyewitness, be-
tween one of this species and a l{ed-lieaded Woodjiecker, in which the latter,
while clinging on the rail of a fence, seemed to aniu.se itself with the vio-
lence of the Kingbird, playing bo-pee]) with it round the rail, while tlie
latter became greatly irritated, and made repeated but vain attempts to strike
at him.

The Kingl)ird feeds almost exclu.sively upon winged insects, and consumes
a vast number. It is on tliis account one (J our most useful birds, but,
unfortunately for its ])oi)ularity, it is no respecter of kinds, and destroys
large miniljers of bees. In districts M'here hives of honey-bees abornd, the
Kingbird is not in good repute. Wilson suggests that they only destroy the
drones, and rarely, if ever, nmUh witJi the working bees. T.ut this dis-
crimination, even if real, is not appreciated by the rai.sers of bees, who
regard tliis lijid as their enemy.

The Kingbirds arrive in Pennsylvania the latter part of April, and iu New

TVllANNID.K — TIIK I'LYCATCllEHS. ,S10

Eii;4liii)(l early in Miiy, and leave lor the Sontli in Sei>tenilHM'. Tliey nest
in May, .seJecLin.L; an uii])er braneli, nsually of an isolated true, and olten in
an expo.siul situation. Tlieir nesls an; lar;4;e, broad, and eonipanitively slial-
l(»\v, and coarsely, lliou,nli strongly, made of I'ude materials, sneli as t\vi<j(S,
withered plants, hits of rags, strings, etc. These are lined with line rootlets,
hor.se-hair, and line grasses.

The Kingbird has no song, but, instead, utters an incessant monotonous
succession of twitterings, which vary in sharpness and hnidness with the
emotions that promjit them.

The llight of the Kingbird when t»n the hunt for insects is peculiar and
characteristic. It flies slowly over the tieUl, with rapid vilu'ations of the
wings, in the manner of Hawks, and soars or .seems to lloat in the air in
a manner e([nally similar. At other times it Mies with great rapidity, and
dives about in the air in the manner of a Swallow. It also e.\hil>its great
power and rajiidity of llight when rushing forth to encounter a Hawk or
an Eagle.

As they are known occasionally to phmge into the water, and, emerging
thence, to resume their seat on a high Imuich, to dry and dress their plumage,
it has been conjectured that they feed on small fish, but this is unsupported
by any jiositive evidence.

Though the Kingbird usually builds in trees, it does not always select such
situations. In the summer of LSol, passing over a bridge near the village
of Aylesford, in Nova Scotia, I observed a Kingbird lly from a nest built on
the projecting end of one of the planks of which the bridge was made. So
remarkaldy exposed a jiosition, open to view, and on a level with and within
a few feet of a highway, nuist be quite unusual.

The eggs of this bird are live, sometimes six, in number, and vary con-
sideralily in size. Their ground-color is white with a more or less decided
ro.seate tinge, beautifidly spotted with l)lotches and markings of purple,
brown, and red-brown. In some, these are disposed in a confluent crown
around the larger end ; in others they are irregularly distributed over the
entire egg. In length they vary from 1.05 to .8t] of an inch, and in breadth
from .72 to .70 of an inch.

Tyrannus dominicensis, lUcii.

ORAT KINGBIRD.

Ti/rniiiiii,i (lomiiiiiriinis, Hiu.ssdN, (»is. II, 17t>(), 394, pi. xxxviii. tig. 2. — Riril. M.><t, 1S37.
— H.vnin, liirils X. .\iii. 1S.")S, ^~•l. Louiitu tiirnnnnn, viir. jS, ilniiiiiiirnisis, (i.Mr.i.is,
Syst. Xiit. I, 1788, ;i(l-2. MiixriiniM ilnmhiifnixiK, Afl). Orn. Hinj,'. II, 18:U, 392, jil.
xlvi. — 111. Hinls Am. I, 18Hi, 2ill, ))1. Iv. MiHH(irrliiis (hmiiiiirnsix, C.miams, ,Iour-
nnl fill' Oniitli. Ill, Nov. IS'i'i, 478. Tiinniiiiis ijri.vtix, Vm'.ii.i.ot, Ois. .\iii. Sc|it. I,
18(17, 7i), 111. xlvi. .SwAiNsiiN, Moil. Sliiikc's, (Jiiatt. Jour. X.X. 1S2i), 27ii. ~ Br.
Consp. IS'iO, 192 (Honaiiaitc iiiiiki's two .spcck'.s). — Hci,. List, 1802, :'.'iH. Tymunus
iniiltitiiiiis, Vll'.ll.l,. Dc I,u .Siif;iii, |il. xiv.

320 NUUTII xV.MHUlUAN BIRDS.

Sr. PllAR. Bill very liiru'i' iiml stout. Tail couspii'iionsly Ibil^'cl. Wiii^'.s lonj;; the
lii'sl six (luills iitli'liiiiilcMl iiliiii|)lly, iimcli JDiiircr iIkiii the si'vciilli. Ti'ilials iiiiii'li
(U'\i'l(]liril, iiciiily iiilcniiciliiilc ill li'iij^lh lit'twcfii llic loiijjosl pniiiarii'S luiil the shortest
sccoiKliiiy. Aliovc, iiinl on llie sides ol' llie lieail and iieek, a,-li-;:i-ay, shaded in jilaoes
with lii'owii, whieh loi'ins the middle ])orti()ii oCeaidi feather. Downy portion ixt the base
of enoh leather ahove lif,dil ash, then lii,'ht brown, lippeil and edged with darker ash-gray.
TluMnotlhid ap|iearanee is eaused by the lirowii showing from iindor the leathers; the
ear-eoverls darker. A eonei'aled colored paleli on the crown, formed by the base of the
feathers, white belbre an<i behind, orange in the middle. Lower parts grayish-while,
tingeil wilh ash ai'ross the lireasl. dee[)est anteriorly. Sides of the breast similar to, Imt
lighter than, the baek. Tnder wing-edverls and axillars pale siilphnr-yellow. The wings
lirown, darker to the tips ; the secondaries narrowly, the terlials more broadly, edged wilh
(hill white. Edges of tiie coverl.** paler. Alula dark brown. Tail .similar in color to the
quills. Upper tiiil-coverls brown. ]}ill and lect black. Length, 8.0tl ; wing, 4.05; tail,
4.00; tarsus, .70.

Young. Lesser wing-eoverts and upper tail-covert.s distinelly bordered Avilh pale
oehraeeous ; tail-feathers bordered all round with a deeper shade of the same. No
colored patch on the crown.

ir.vn. South Carolina coast, accidental ; Florida Keys and West Indies ; Nicaragua ; New
Granada. Santa Cm/. (.Xkwton, Ibis I, 140, eggs); Carlhagcna, N. G. (Cass. I'. A.N. S.
1800, 143); Cuba (Cau. .T. Ill, 478, breeds; Gundl. Rep. 1805, 238, " JM ,</mT«.s' ") ;
.Tamaica (Gossk, 13. J. 10!), breeds; Maiscii, P. A. N. S. 1803. 287) ; St. Thomas (Cass.
r. A. N. S. 18(i0, 375); Sombrero (Lawh. Ann. N. Y. Lye. VIII, 1804, 9!), '' yriscus");
Greytown, Nicar. (Lawu. Ann. 183j; Sta. Bartholumy (Sund. 180!), 584); Mas.sachusetts
(Maysaki., B. E. Mass. 1870, 124).

Tliis .species, thoutjh about the same size as the T. mroHucnsin, is much
nuiro powcri'uUy built, tlie bill ami feet being much stronger, the former
con,siderubly longer than the head, and as large as that of Suiiropluifju-s
sulphuriitus, though less compressed.

Specimens from Nicaragua and New Granada ap]iear to be almost per-
feetl}' iilenti(;al with those from Florida and the West Indies, differing only
in being just iippreciably smaller, which, however, might be expected from
tiieir more southern habitat.

H.\mTS. The Gray Kingbird — the T'ii)iry Flycatcher of Audubon, or Oray
Petchary of Jamaica — is, exce]it in Florida, of .scarcely more than occasional
occurrence within the limits of the United Sttites. A single specimen has been
taken in Massachusetts. This was .shot in Lynn, October 2;^, 18()8, and was
in immature ])lumagc. The bird was siiot on a tree near one of tlie streets
of tliat city by Mr. Charles (biodall. Mr. Audubon also ibuiid these birds
quite common on tlie Florida Keys, iilmost eveiy K(\v, however smidl, having
its pair. A ]iair was observed breeding in the college yard at Charleston,
S. C., liy Dr. Uachman ; and for at least three yetirs in succession they regu-
larly returned ctich year, and raised two broods in a season. Tiiis Flyciitcher
is abundant in St. Croix, Cuba, Jamaica, and in the other West India Isl-
ands. In the first-named locality ^Ir. Alfred Newton found it one of the
most conspicuous and commonest birds over the entire island. Its favor-
ite station, he states, was the top of the spearlike unexpanded frond of a tall

TYRANNID.E — THE FLYCATCHERS. 321

iiii)initiiin-cal)liage tree, from wliicli plnce, in the breeding-season, it darted
(low 11 to attack almost any aiiiiiuvl tliat passed near. Its favorite object of
attack was the Green Heron {Bitforidc.i viirsccns), at whicli it would make
several well-directed swoops, never leaving it until it had driven it into some
shelter, wlieii, nuich pleased with it-s prowess, it would return to its lookout
station and celebrate its victory with cries of triunii)li. On one occasion
Mr. Newton observed a Gray Kingbird pursue a (!reen Heron out to sea
fm- a quarter of a mile and I)aek. It is descrilied as a very clainoroiis bird,
even when there is api)areiitly no need ; taking alarm from tlie domestic
poultry, its oft-repeated notes were heard every morning before the dawn.
This noise it continued pertinaciously till sundown. Its food consists of
insects, which are caught with great dexterity on the wing. It also feeds
very largely on the Ijlaek berries of a myrtle-leaved parasite that grows
abundantly on the orange-trees. The nest is often placed under the fronds
or among the spathes of a cocoamit or mountain-cabbage tree, and sometimes
in any ordinary situation. It is described as flat in construction and large
for the size of the bird, l)cing nearly a foot in diameter, composed of a plat-
form of twigs, in the midst of whicli is hollowed a cup lined with fine roots.
In St. Croi.x; the eggs rarely exceeded three in number, and are sjOTken of as
exceedingly beautiful wlien fresh, of a delicate creamy white, marked at the
larger end with blotches and spots of ))ink or orange-brown, often di.sposed
in a zone. He found their eggs from May till August.

Mr. liicliard Hill, of Spanishtown, Jamaica, in some interesting notes fur-
nished to Mr. Gosse, states that ah)iig the seaside savannas of that island
migrant Hocks of these birds swarm early in September. Numbers then
congregate on the trees around the cattle ponds and about the open mead-
ows, pursuing the swarms of insects which fill the air at sundown. These
throngs are immediately joined by resident birds of this species, which
gather about the same places, and do not return to their usual abodes until
the breeding-season is at hand.

The Jamaica bird is not exclusively an insect-feeder, but eats very freely
of the sweet wild berries, especially those of the jiimeiito. These ripen in
September, and in groves of these this bird may always be found in
abundance. By the end of Septemlier most of the migrant birds have lett
the i.sland.

This is among the earliest to breed of the birds of Jamaica. As early as
January the mated pair is said to be in possession of some lofty tree,
sounding at day-dawn a ceaseless shriek, which is composed of a repetition
of three or four notes, sounding like pe-rhee-7'i/, according to Mr. Hill, and
from which they derive their local name. In these localities they remain
until autunni, when they quit these haunts and again congregate about the
lowhmd ponds. In feeding, just before sunset, they usually sit, eight or ten
in a row, on some exjiosed twig, darting from it in pursuit of their prey, and
returning to it to devour whatever they have caught. They arc rapid iu

vol.. II. 41

322 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

their movements, ever constantly and Inirriedly clianginnr their positions in
llij,dit. As tliuy fly, tlioy are able to check their speed suddenly, and to turn
at the smallest imaginable angle. At times they move oil' in a straight
line, glichng with motioijlcss wings from one tree to another. When one de-
scend.s to pick an insect iron ihe surface of tlie water, it has tiie appearance
of tuni1)ling, and, in rising again, ascends with a singular motion of the wings,
as if liurled into the air and endeavoring to recover itself

In the manner in which the male of this species will perch on the top of
some lotty tree, and from that vantage-height scream defiance to all ai'ound
him, and pursue any large bird that approaches, as described by Mr. Hill,
all the audacity and courage of our Kingbird is e.\hil)ited. At tlie ai)])roach
of a Vulture or a Hawk, he starts off in a horizontal line, after rising in
the air to the same height as his adversary, and, hovering over him for
a moment, descends upon the intruder's back, rising and sinking as he
repeats his attack, and shrieking all the while. In these attacks he is
always ti'iumpliant.

This Flycatcher is also chai-ged by I\rr. Hill with seizing upon the Hum-
ming-IJirds as they hover over the blossoms in the garden, killing its prey
by repeated blows struck on the branch, and then devouring them.

The nest, according to Mr. Hill, is seldom found in any other tree than
that of the palm kind. Among the web of fibres around the footstalk of
each branch the nest is woven of cotton-wool and grass. Tlie eggs, he add.s,
are four or five, of an ivory color, blotched with deep purple spots, inter-
mingled with brown specks, the clusters thickening at the greater end. Mr.
Gosse, on the contrary, never found the nest in a palm. One, taken from
an upper limb of a bitterwood-tree that grew close to a friend's door, at no
great height, was a cup made of tlie stalks and tendrils of a small passion
flower, the spiral tendrils very prettily arranged around the edge, and very
neatly and thickly lined with black horse-liair. The other, made in a spondias
bush, was a rather loose structure, smaller and less compact, iilmost entirely
composed of tendrils, with no horse-hair, but a few shining black frond-ribs
of a fern.

Mr. March states that the migrant birds of this species return to Jamaica
al)out the last of March, gradually disjjerse, and, like the resident birds, oc-
cui>y their selected trees in solitary pairs, and immediately set about prepar-
ing their nests. At St. Catharine's the first nest found was on the 14tli of
April, and the latest in the middle of July. They seldom build in the tree
in which they perch, but select a lower tree near it. Some make their nests
high, others low, usually at the extremity of a lateral branch. He describes
them as loose structures of twigs and the stems of trailing plants, with the
cup of grass, horse-hair, and vegetable fibre. The eggs are three, rarely
four, of a long oval, with a ground of light cream-color, dashed around the
larger end more or less thickly with blotches of burnt sienna, and with
cloudings of pale bistre underneath.

TYRANNIDJS-TIIE FLYCATCHERS. 323

Mr. Audubon states that this Flycatcher readies the Florida Keys about
the first ol' April. He describes their usual flight as performed by a con-
stant llutter of the wings, except when in chase, when they exhibit con-
siderable power and speed, lie noticed them pin-sue larger birds, such as
Herons, ('rows, Cuckoos, Grakles, and Hawks, following ihem (juite a dis-
tance. They did not molest the Doves. They built their nests in a nuunier
similar to the Kingbird, on the horizontal I. ranches of the mangrove, almost
invariably on the western side of the tree and (jf the island. Some were not
more than two feet above the water, others were twenty feet. On one of the
keys, although of small size, he saw several of their nest.s, and more than
a dozen of the Ijirds living amicid)ly together.

Dr. J. G. Cooper, who visited Florida in the spring of ISoU, informed me,
by letter, on his return, that when he reached Cape Florida, March 8, none
of this species were to be seen on any of the keys. The first he noticed were
about the first of May, near Fort Dallas on the maiidand. As, however, it
rarely appears at this place, he sui)poses they reached the keys some weeks
sooner. About May 1-4 he found several pairs at the Cape, and, going up
the coast to New Smyrna, he found them altundant about the marshy islands.
On the first of June, with a companion, he went in a small boat for the ex-
jjress purpose of finding their nests ; and, pushing IIks boat about among the
islands which almost filled ^Ios(|uito Lagoon, he discovered three in one after-
noon. They were all built among the small branchl'S of low dead mangrove-
trees, about ten feet from the ground, formed of a loose, open flooring of
small twigs, witii scarcely any lining of a finer nuiterial. One contained ibur
eggs half hatched, another three young and one egg, the third four young
just hatched. He preserved one nest and all the eggs, and presented them
to the National ^luseum in Washington. The old birds showed no resent-
ment, and neither came near nor followed him, difl'ering very much in this
respect from the fearless and devoted Kingbird. The only notes this bird
was heard to utter were loud and harsh rattling cries. Dr. Bachman in-
formed Dr. Coojjcr that these birds had become quite regular summer visi-
tants of Charleston, where they continued to breed each season. Dr. Cooper
saw none away from the Florida coast, and thinks that none go inland.

The eggs of this species measure from 1 to 1.05 inches in length, and from
.70 to .72 of an inch in breadth. They are of an oblong oval shape, vari-
ously marked with large blotches and smaller spots of purple, red-brown,
and a dark purplish-brown. The latter color, in a few cases, is found in
large masses, covering nearly a fifth of the entire surface of the egg ; not
inaptly compared by ^Ir. Gosse to the sinuous outlines of lauds, as repre-
sented on a terrestrial globe.

824 NORTH AMERICAN liUlbti.

Tyrannus verticalis, Sav.

ABXANSAS FLYCATCHEB.

Ti/mnnus vcrliaiUs, Hay, Loi.k's ExjuhI. II. lS2a, tio. -Nuttall, Jlan. J I, (2cl ..,1. ) Ksj(i
30G. -IJ.viKi,, liii.lsN. Am. nM, 17;i. -Sci,. Cut.il. lS(i2, 235. - Loiii) IV 1{ .\'
I..«t. IV, 113 (111-. Col.). -(',M)|.KU k Sr.KM.;Y, 108. - Coopku, Dim. (.•„). J, i.s;,,'
312. MummjMi ivrticalis, lio.sAl'. Am. Oin. 1, 182:,, 18, j.l. xi. - Aud. Din Hi...-
IV, 1838 122, pi. ..•clix.--Iii. nir.ls Ain. I, 1840, lm», pi. liv. Lujj/,i/clc, a-r/ica/Z,
Caua.n. Mils. lU.iii. 11, issy, 77. — Ili;i;ii.M. X. .V, 37.

Sp. Ciiak. TIr" ibnr oxtonoi- ,,iiills attonuated vuiy gently at tiio unil, tin, liivt mom
.so; tlunl an.l louitli .[niJIs lon-tvst, .suuoiul anil (iftli tium..ssivi;lv a littlu .siioittT. Tail
-siiglitly U.iia.l; l.ill .sl„j,ter than the head. Crown, sides of hea.'l above thu ..yiv. naj.,.
and si,l-.,s of neek pale lead-color, or a.sh-gray ; a cneeale.l erest on the urown, ver'niihon'
in the eentre, and yellowish belbro and l.ehin.l. Hind neek and hack a.sli-gniy, .strongly
tnige.l with light olivaceous-green, the gray turning to brown on the rump ; ."ippcr tail-
coverts nearly black, lower dusky ; chin and jiart of ear-coverts dull white ; throat and
upper part of l)reast similar to tlu; head, but lighter, aii.l but slightly eontraste.l with the
chill ; rest of lower parts, with the under wing-coverts an.l axillars, yellow, deepening to
gamboge on the belly, tinged with olivaceous on the breast. AVing brown, the coverts
with indistinct ashy margins ; secondaries and tertials edged with whitish ; inner webs of
primaries whitish towards the base. Tail nearly black above an.l glo.<sv, duller brownish
beneath ; without olivaceous edgings. Kxterior leather, with the outer web and the
shaft, yellowish-white; inner edge of latter brown. Tii)s of remaining feathers pale.-.
Bill and leet dark brown. Female rather smaller and colors less bright. Length of male
8.2.'); wing about 4.50. '

IIaii. Western North America, from the high Central Plains to the Pacific; Colima,
Mexico. Accidental in Eastern States (New Jersey, Tuksucll ; Plymtoii, Maine Oct!
18Gi>, Bkyaxt, Pr. Bost. Soc, X, 1805, !)C). '

The young bird is, in goiieval, quite similar, with the exception of the
usual iijipeavanco of iniinatuiity, tlie culoml patch on the crown wanting.
In one specimen the first primary only is attenuated, in ethers none ex-
hibit tliis cliaracter.

A specimen of this bird, sliot at Moorestown, N. J., is in the museum
of the I'hiladelpliia Academy, but this locality can only be considered as
very excei)tional.

Hauits. Tlie Arkansas Flycatcher was first discovered by the party in
Long's Expedition in 1823, and described by Mr. Say. It is a bird of western
Nortli America, found from the great plains to tlie Pacific, and only acci-
dentally occurring east. A single specimen is said to have been sliot in
Moorestown, N. J., near Philadelphia. It has been met with in Texas as far
east as the river Mimlires, and in Nebraska nearly to tlie Missouri Kiver.
Tlie specimen from which tlie first description was made was obtained iu the
beginning of July, near the Platte Piiver.

Mr. Nuttall, in his Western tour, first met with this species early in July,
among the scanty wood on the banks of the northwest branch of the Platte
Eiver. He characterizes it as a bold and querulous bird. He found it

TYUANNID.K — TlIK FLYCATCHERS. 325

ill! lliu wiiy IVoiii tliuiici! to llic Inivsts of tlit'Coliiiiibiii iiiid tliu Wiililiiinut,
ttiid tlirouylumt Ciilirurnia In lalilutlu '.'>2". Jlu siiwiks of llieiii as roiiiarkalily
noisy and ((luirriilsunio with each otiior, and, liko tliu Kinj,'l)iid, .sulU'iinj^-
notliin;,' of tlio bird kiml to ai)i)roaL'ii tiieni without exhibiting thuir \nvd[-
lection lor diH|niti!. Hu dcscrilics tiieir note as a diseordant, clicking wailde,
I'osonililing fnh'k-tuk'k-tshimiit, — 8(junding not unlike the crciaking of a rusty
docu'-hinge, soniothing in the manner of a Kingl)ird, witii a blending of tiie
notes of the common I'urph^ (li'akle.

Mr. Townsend mentions linding this l)ird numerous along the banks of
the Platte, particularly in the vicinity of trees. From that river tu tlie
banks of the Cohnnbia, and as far as the ocean, it was a very common
species. The males were wonderfully belligerent, fighting almost constant-
ly and with great fury.

Dr. .r. Cr. Cooper states that in California this is an abundant spiicies,
arriving in that State about the 2tltli of March. None are known to remain
within tiie State during the winter. Small parlies of males come lirst, and
arc; very (piarrelsome imtil each one has selected its nu ic. Tiiis is not done
for several weeks, and the earliest nest with eggs that he has found was on
the 12th of May at Santa Barbara. The nest, built on a branch of a low oak
near the town, was five inches wide, constructed of licliens, twigs, coarse
grass, and wool, lined with hair. It contained four eggs, measuring .9-4 by
.70 of an inch. He de.scribes them as creamy-white, spotted witli inirple of
two shailes near the larger end.

These birds are said to be almost an exact counter])art of the Kingl)ird,
exhibiting tlie same courage in defence of their nests. Their notes are more
varied and noisy, and they utter them almost constantly during the spring,
often when Hying and figiiting. They are very destructive to bees, but com-
pensate for tiiis damage by destroying great quantities of noxious insects.
They leave the State in October. At Tuget Sound, early in June, J)r. Coo])er
found this species associating with the common Kingbird without any signs
of disagreement, though their similar habits would naturally lead to disputes.
lie has even seen them together in])arties of ibur about the period of mating.
They do not approach the coast in Washington Territory.

Dr. Suckley found this species abundant in the central and western por-
tions of Oregon and Washington Territory. He first ncjted their arrival from
the South about May 15. The first notification of their presence is given
by the skirmishes and quarrels incident to the love-.season. Their battles
are generally fought in the air, and present ludicrous alternations of pursuit
and flight. At Fort Dalles their favorite breeding-places were oak-trees for
the most part.

Mr. Charles D. Gibbes, of Stockton, informs us that these birds occasionally
build their nests in the shrubbery about the gardens, but more frequently
in large oak-trees, fifteen or twenty feet from the ground. They are con-
structed of weeds and grass firmly woven together, and lined with cotton.

826 XOUTII A.MEUICAN JUUDS.

rfiitlu'i's, strinj^s, and other sol't niatovials. Tliey an; usually secured to the
linil) ou wliicli tiiey are i>lacfd hy a portion ol' the strinj^. Tiie diiunotcr of
the ciivity of the nest is ah(jut tnreo inches, de])tli one and a lialf. Their
e^,i,'s an! laid in May and .luue, and are four, live, or six in number. They
are dcscrilied as wjiite, marked with dark Itniwn sjuits on the laryer end.
In some the si)ot.s, decreasinj^ in size, extend to the sn)aller end.

Dr. Hoy iid'orms nie that he has never detected this liinl witliin the limits
of Wiscoi in, tjiougii he has no doul)t that they may occasionally straggle
into its limits, as have many of the l)inls jteculiar to the Mis.souri region.

Mr liidgway gives it as one of tlie most uliundant and familiar of
the Tjiriinaiihv in the Sacramento Valley and the I'ertile portions of the
(ireat l>asin. Ho notes their excessively (|uarrelsome disposition, which far
exceeds that of the eastern Kinghinl, for lighting among themselves .seems
to be tiieir cidef amusement. As many as half a dozen of these birds were
.sometimes noticed jiitching at one another ])romi.scuousl)', in their playful
combats; and when a nest was distii.bed, the cries of the ])arents invarialdy
biought to the vicinity all the birds of this species in the neighborhood,
which, as soon as gathered together, began their aerial battles by attacking
each other without regard apjjarcntly to individuals, accompanying the light
by a shrill twitter, very different from the loud rattling notes of the T. cnroH-
nciisiH. Indeed, all the notes of the western Kingbird are very conspicuously
different from those of the eastern sjjecies, being weaker, and more twitter-
ing in their character. The nesting habits, the construction of the nest, and
appearance of the eggs, are, however, almost perfectly identical.

Mr. IJidgway gi\es a interesting account (Am. Xat., Ang., liS(j'.») of a
young bird of this S])ecies which became (piite domesticated with his party
in the gecdogical survey of the 40th parallel. It had been taken about the
ndddle of July, full}' fledged, from the nest, by some Indians, and was fed
with grasslioppers and flies until able to catch them for itself ^Vhen not
in (juest of food it remained (niietly perched on Mr. Uidgway's shoulder or
his hat, or would perch on a rope extending from the toji of the tent to a
stake. At night it frequently roosted under an umlirella which hung outside
of tiie tent. If permitted, it w(»uld have lu'eferred to keoj) on its master's
shoulder, snuggling against his neck. In the morning it was sure to come
fluttering al)out his head, singling him out from a dozen or more persons who
lay annmd ujion the ground. It had aji insatiaijle appetite, and was ascer-
tained by actual count to consume one hundred and twenty fat grasslioppei-s
in a day. It soon learned its own name, ('hipjiy, and always answered to
the call. It followed jMr. Itidgway when on horseback, occasionally leaving
to sport with other birds, but always returning to his shoulder or hat. It
evidently jjreferred the society of the camp to that of his own race. It
Avas once, by acciident, nearly shot, and ever after held the gun in gi-eat dread.
It went with Mr. liidgway from camp to camp, continuing perfectly tame
and domesticated, until, as Mas supposed, it fell a prey to a Hawk.

TY l!A N N ID.K — THE F LV( •ATCIIER!='. 327

Tho opgs of tliia sptioius arc not easily (li.stingiii.slmlile I'rniu tlinse of tlio
coiuinoii Ivingltird. They have a },'roiiiHl-e()lor of a crystalline whiteness,
marked with hold daslies of reddish ai;d purplish hrosva, the latter fewer
and faint. They arc ohlmi^ in shaiie, are pointed at ono end, anil measure
1 inch in length by .70 of an ini'h in breadth.

Tyrannus vociferans, Swaixsox.

CASSIN'B FLYCATCHER.

Til rail II IIS vm-ilViunis, .SwAiN.sdN, Moii. Tyiiint Slirikis in l.Mmifcrly Journal So. X.\, .Tiiii.
l.SL'ii, :i7;). -^lii. I'hilos. Maj,'. I, l,s:i7, atis. - I'.aii;|), Minis N. Am. IS.'.M, 171, |il.
.\lviii. - III. .M. li. II, liinls H, pi. x. — Hi.i,. Catiil. lH(i2, 2;!;"). — CiMPl'r.li, Urn. Cal.
I, 1H70, lilt. Liijiliiiiir.i fiiri/iriiii.i, Caii.vn. Mils. Ilciii. II, 77. T[/raninis eiinsini,
I,A\vi!r.N( T., Ann. N. Y. Lye. N. II. Y, ISJ'i, ast, pi. iii, t\<^. 2 (Texas).

Sr. ("iiAli. liill tioiii tliii forulieail aliout as loiiij; as the head. Tail (-ven or slii,'litly
roiiiiiled. Outci" fivi! primaries ntto'-uali'd ; tlio first four aliriiptly and d(.'c'|)ly ciiiarijji-
natcd ; tliiid iinill ioiijicst, .second and I'imrlh a liltli! less, first .shorter than tiie si.xlii, and
half an inch less than the loni,'est. Head and neejv nliove and on ihu sides rather dark
bhii.sh-ash; the throat and breast similar, and only a little paler. Uest of upper parts
olivc-^rieeii tin,u:eil with fjray, mixed with hrowii on the niiiip ; the upper tail-eoveits and
siirfaee of tiie tail nearly Ijjack ; tho outer web of tlii; external feather and tlit! tips of all
pale brown. The eliin i.s white, in .stronj,' contrast to the dark ash of the throat ; the
rest of the under parts brif.d)t sulphur-yellow (the sides ohvaeeoiis), palest on the iiniler
tail-coverts and inside of winjj;. A concealed viM'milioii patch in the erown, liordcred by
straw-yellow. Winij-fealhers brown, tinged with olive, becoming paler towards the edge,
licngth, 8.S0 ; wing, iVJ,'. ; tail, 4.2.").

IIaii. Vall(\v of (lila and southern California, eastward to I'eoos River, Texas, and into
Mexico, on talije-lands; north along tiie I'lain.s to Fort I,araniic, south to ('osta Rica.
Oaxaca (8ci,. 1'. Z. S. 18.V,), .38:!); Vera IV. (f^ci.. Ibis I, I2l): ^V. Arizona (Corns, P. A.
N. S. 18CC, u!)/ ; Xvrn Cruz, hot .and temp, regions, and Plateau (Sum. M. Bost. Soe. I, o'>7.)

The table of specific characters presented under the generic head will
readily serve to distinguish this species from its near ally, T. vniim/is. The
white outer web of the exterior tail-feather i i rrrficah'-v, compared with tlie
brown web, only edged with whitish of the present bird, is always sullicient
to separate them ; while the deep ash of the jugulum, and the much lighter,
more brownish shtide of the wings, are entirely peculiar features.

Habits. This bird is abundant in A'^era Cruz, where it is known by the
name of Fortiujuc'z. According to Sumichrast, it belongs to the hot and
tempenite regions, rather than the alpine. It is also common in the Plateau,
and is found in all parts of ]\Ie.\ico.

In Arizona Dr. (^oues states this bird to be an abundant summer resident,
arriving in that Territory during the third week in April, and remaining
until the latter part of September. It was fouu'l in every kind of htcality.
lie furnishes no information as to its habits.

During the Afe.xican Boundary Survey this sjiecies was ttiken on the

328 XORTII A^rERICAN I3IRDS.

Colorado l^iver, in California, by Dr. A. Scliott, and at Los Xoj,'alos, Mexico,
hy Dr. Konnorly. It was also met with in the Sacrauionto Valley by Dr.
lleerniann ; at Fort Tiiorn, New Mexico, by Dr. Jleury ; on the Pecos,
Texas, by ('a])tain Pope; and specimens from Mexico liave been received
fi)in Mr. (iould. It docs nut appear to have been observed in Southwestern
Texas by ]\Ir. Dresser.

Tills species Dr. Cooper states to be (piite common throu(,'hont tlie south-
ern half of California, and resident throu<fhout the year at least as far north
as Los Angeles. In color they greatly resemble tlio T. vcrfint/is, but are
less lively and not so (puirreLsome in tlieir habits. During the early jiart of
th(( year they begin to sing by daylight, generally from the top of some high
tree. Tlieir notes are said to be loud and much more nuisical than those of
tlie other species, and their song exhibits considerable variety for a bird of
this family. During the middle of the day they are rather quiet, and sit
nuK'h of the time on their jierch, occasionally catching an insect tliat comes
very near, but they an; supposed by Dr. Cooper to feed mostly in the very
early morning. This observer found them breeding at San Diego as early
as March 28, as well as subsetiuently. Their nest is said to be much larger
and more firndy built than are those of others of the genus, being five and
a half inches in external diameter and about two and a lialf in height. The
ca\ity is three inches wide at the rim. The eggs, which he describes as
wliite, with large scattered reddish-lirown and umber blotches, measure .90
of an inch in length and .70 in breadth. lie found some of these birds in
Santa Clara Valley in May, 18(54. Tliey appeai'ed to be smaller and greener
on the back than tliose from the South. They winter in large numbers at
Santa Clara, in latitude :)7°.

Dr. Coues found tliis a very abundant summer resident at Fort "Whipple,
breeding there in considerable numbei's, and all leaving early in October.

Mr. Jiidgway did not meet with this sjiccies anywhere in the Great F)asiu,
nor in the Sacramento Valley. On the plains it is found as far north as
Cheyenne and Laramie Peak, and in the soutiiern portion of the Western
Provinces extends westward to California.

Sjieeimeiis were obtained by Mr. George M. Skinner from Salaimi, Vera
T'az, ill Central America. It was also taken, in Februiiry, near Oaxaca,
Mexico, by ^Ir. Poucard.

A nest of tiiis bird (Xo. 1,828), in the Smithsonian Museum, was taken at
Volcan de Colima, June, 18()3, by Mr. John Xantus. It is a slight struc-
ture com])osed chietly of wiry grass, mixed with bits of wool, and lined with
finer gra.sses. The eggs are two in number, having a pure-white ground,
freckled on the larger end with purplish-brown and grayish-lilac. These
markings are more sparse and are finer than those of the eggs of any other
species of this ,^nus, so far as I am aware. One of the eggs has a few
blotches of unilier on the larger end. They measure, one .93 by .G8 of an
inch, the other .93 by .65.

TYUANNID.'E — THE FJA'CATCIIEUS. 329

Tyrannus melancholicus, var. couchi, Baird.

COUCH'S KINOBIBD.

Tyrannus eouchi, I)aiui>, Birds N. Am. 1858, 17.'>, \<\. xlix, f. 1.— Sui.. Catal. Am. B.
18G2, 235.

Sr. Chah. ]?ill long a.s tlio lioail. Feet sloiit. Five outer priinarie.s al)niptly attenuated
at (lie end ; tlie tliinl anil lourtli loiii,'est ; tlie (ir.^t a little lonjrer tlian tlii' si.xtli. Tail
consiilerahly I'orked (depth of fork about .;!l) of an ineli, or more;. Head, neek, and
jugulum l)]uisli-a.sliy, beeoniing nearlj' white on the throat, and shaded with yellow on
the breast. Ile.st of lower parts }i;atnbo<ro-yellow. Rest of ujiper parts olive-green,
tinged with ash anteriorly. Tail and primaries grayish-brown, the tail not the darker.
Wing-coverts ])nssing externally into pale, the tertials edged witii almost white. Crown
with a concealed patch of bright orange-red. Length, 0.00; wing, 'i.tK) ; tail, 4."0.

Hah Middle America (both coasts), from southern border of Uijited States, south to
Guatemala; Tucson, Arizona (Bkndiuk).

All specimens of T. mclonrholicns from regions north of Guatemala are
reforrible to var. von rid ; all I'mni Costa liica southward, to mclanchiilinis.

It is only Ity comparing specimens from near the extreme nortlierii and
soutlieru limits of tlie range of the species, that differences are readily dis-
ceriiil)le ; and hetween tliese two extremes there is so gradual a transition that
it is iinpo.ssil)le to draw a line; se])arating two well-marived varieties, so that it
is necessary to assume an arl)itrai'y ge()grai)liical lino, and determine speci-
mens from the middle regions by their i)osition, wlietlier to the nortli or
south of the line establislied. Si)ecimens from Ikienos Ayres, the Parana,
and IJrazil, to Peru and New (iranada, are identical. Costa Ilica specimens
(7'. scttnqm, LicllT.) have the dark tail of var. Diclunclioiicua and white throat
of eouchi.

Genus MYIARCHUS, Cabanis.

Myinrcktm, Caiianis, Fainm Ti'mann, 1844-46, 152. — Burmeistkh, Thiiu-e Brasilicns,
II, Viigcl, 1850, 4ti!).

Gen. Char. Tarsus equal to or not longer than the middle toe, wliich is decidedly
longer than the hinder one. Bill wider at bn.<?e than h.alf the culmen. Tail broad, long,
even, or slightly rounded, about equal to the wings, which scarcely reach the niiildle of the
tail; the fust primary shorter than the sixth. H(;ad with elongated lanceolate distinct
feathers. Above brownish-olive, throat ash, belly yellow. Tail and wing feathers varied
with rufous.

This geinis is well marked among the American "nyratohers, and consti-
tutes what r>onaiiartt! (tailed ITItimi Tifrtinnovnm sire 7\i/minni/((ri(m prima:
Tlie type is the Afimrirnjin f('ro.v of Gmelin, (M. ff/mniinliis,) wliieh, as identi-
fied by Cabanis and Ihirmeister as above, ap])ears to resemble our s])ecies
very closely.

For an elaborate discussion of the variiuis forms of this e.xccedingly dith-

voi,. u. 42

330

JSfOliTll AMERICAN BIRDS.

1**9

cult genus, we are indebted to a recent monograph by Dr. Coues, in the

l'rocoeding.s of the
~zr:^^r~^'^ ~i IMiihidelphia Acad-

emy, for June and
July, 1872 (pp. 56-
81). With the same
material for our in-
vestigations, we have
been led, after a very
careful perusal of the
valuable pajier men-
tioned, and tedious
critical comi)arison
of the large material
at our command, to
adopt a somewhat

M!,iarc/,us mericam,.,. difficult vlcW of tllC

relationship of the forms characterized. The following synopsis expresses
their affinity as at present understood : —

Co.MMON Characters. Above olivaceous, usually uniform, sometimes darker,
sometimes more ashy, on the head above. Head and jngulum more or less a.^hy,
though the latter is soinetimes very pale. Rest of lower parts sul])hin'-yello\v,
sometimes almost or quite white. Primaries, secondaries, and rectrices usually
more or less edged on either web with rufous ; but sometimes entirely destitute
of this color.

Species and Varieties.

A. Bill sub-conical ; sometimes nearly terete, its depth equal to, or exceeding,
its breadth in the middle portion ; its lateral outlines moderately divergent
basally ; terminal hook abrupt, strong. (Myiona.r.)

1. M. tyrannuluB. No trace of rufous edgings on either wings or tail.
Above ashy-olive, the pileuni similar, the outer webs of wing-covertvS and
secondaries edged with whiti.-ih. Head, laterally and beneath, ashy, the
throat and juguhnn more wliiti.-<h rest of lower parts suli)liur-yellow.
Tail slightly rounded.

Pileum uul nape umber-brown ; upper surface umber-grayish. Bill
dark brown. Wing. 3.riO-3.70; tail, 3.C0-3.90; culmen, .90 - .95 ;
tarsus, .80 - .90. Ilab. South and Central America, from Bolivia and

Southern Br.azil to Costa Rica var. lyra until us}

Whole head and neck pure ash, paler on the throat, and darker on tlie
pileuni; upper surface greenish-ash. Bill black. Wing, 3.70 ; tail, 4.00;
culmen, .82 ; tarsus, .91. Ilab. Ecuador and Guayaquil.

var. p h uenc cphalu n .'

' ^^!linrclnl.1 It/rntiii kIiii {},Uiu,.), Coites. Miuicicnpa tyranvvlii.s, MCli,. (G. R. Oit. Hand List,
No. 5,.')27). .Uijinrchns t. CoUEs, I'. A. N. S. Phila. July, 1872, 71. {M. aurora, Riinn. ; fluri-
vcniri.i, .SiEl'H. ; firo.r, G.M. ; su-niii.iovi, OAnAS. ; pnnamciisis, Lawii. ; vcnr.zueli'n.'tis, Lawr.)

' ifi/iarchun li/rminvlux, var. pJiirncfplmlus (Sclatkh). Mi/inrc/ius }>k(aKep/uilus, S(.'i,. P. Z. S.
1860, 481. — CouK,s, P. A. N. S. 1872, 73.

TYRANNID.E — THE FLYCATCIIEKS. 331

2. M. vallduB.' All the winji-covorts, tertials, secondaries, primaries, and
rectrices distinctly cdfred with rulous (tlie latter on botli webs). Above
olivaceous, more ashy anteriorly; the upper tail-eoverts more rufescent ;
remi<;es broadly rulous on exterior edges; rcctrioes with the whole inner
web (except a narrow streak alonjr the sliaCt) and edge of outer weli nitbus.
lli'a<l beneath, and entire throat and lireast, deep ash ; rest of lower parts
sulphur-yellow, the jiniction of the two colors not well defined. Wing,
:!.8()-4.20; tail, .'i.SO -4.2(t ; euhnen, 1.00; larsu.s, .80-91 ; tail even ;
third and fomili quill longesl. [[nh. .laniaiea.

3. M. crlnitUB. Outer webs of jirimaries distinctly edged with rufous (no
other rufous on wings) ; inner wt^l)s of rci'trices broadly, sometimes entirely,
rufous, non(! on outer webs (except in youi.g). Above olivaceous, varying
from a greenish to an ashy east, the pileum more brownish. Wnig-covertt!
(both rows) Ijroadl)' tippedwith l)rownish ashy-whitish; tertials, secondaries,
and lateral tail-feather broadly edged on outer wel) with the same. Head
laterally and beneath ashy, paler on th(> throat anil jugulum; rest ol' lower
parts delicate yellow, varying from a rich lemon to a pale sul[)hur tint.
Hah. Continental Anierica.

Bill dark brown (never black). Uj)per parts decidedly greenish ; ash
of throat and jugulum, and yellow of abdomen, etc., very deep.

Inner webs of rectrices wholly rufous, or with only a narrow

strip of dusky along the shad. Wing, .3.7") -4.25 ; tail, .'5.75-4.20;

culmen, .i),T- 1.00; tarsus, .S.'i-.OO. Hnh. Eastern Province of

North America ; in winter south through Eastern Mexico to

Guatemala (grading into var. irritabilis in Nicaragua) . var. crinitus.

Bill deep black ; upper part.s without a greenish, lint, instead, an a.>;hy-

brownish cast; a.sh of throat and jugulum, and yellow of abdomen,

etc., very pale.

Inner webs of i-ectrices broadly (but not entirely) rufous to the
extrenu! tip, with a bro.nd dusky stripe next the slialt.

Wing, 4.10-4.50; tail, 4.00-4.70; euhnen, 1.10-1.20;
tarsus, 1.00-l.t)5. Hah. Southern and Western Mexico
(Tehuantopec, Yucatan, Mazatlan, etc.) . . var. cooperir

Wing, .-5.60- ;!.i)0; tail, 3.50 -3.75; euhnen, .90-1.00; tarsus,
.80 -.85. Hah. Eastern i^outh America, and Central America,
from Paraguay to Costa Uira (grading into var. coojieriin (Jua-
temala, and into var. cincrusceH.i in Tehuantepec) var. ir ritabil is.'

1 Myiarchus vnlidii.i, C.\n\'Si!^. Tyrnniius crviihi.i, GnanK, U. .lani. ISO (noc Aui't.). Myiar-
chu.1 f(i/ii/i(n, C'AliAN. Orii. Niit. II, Sni, et Auct. CofK.s, V. A. N. S. .lu'.y, 1S72, t)2.

'■* Mi/idixhus criiiiliis, var. coopcri {Kavt.) HAiun. Tyrannuln conpcri, Kaim". P. Z. S. IS.'jI,
CI. Mjiiiirchiis aiitpii-i, ISaikd, Birds X. Am. 1858, 180. Mi/iarchu.i criiiihi.'i, var. coopcri.
Cones, l\ A. N. S. ,luly, 1872, <>7.

* Mi/ian/i(t.i cri>iilii.'<, var. ifri/abilis {X\k\u,.), Cotes. Ti/rniuiiiii irritahili.t, Vir.ii.i,. Y.nc.
Meth. 1823, II, 847. Mjiiarchw criuitiis, var. irritabilis, CorKs, P. A. N. S. .luly, 1S72, 05.
(.1/. erylhrmercus, .Sci.. ; M. mcricdnus, Kai'I", I.awr. ; M. iiiimtaHrn.iifi, Lawu.)

Ob.i. — It is, porl'ps, probable that in Yucatan this race grades into the ^f. stoli<lu.<i (var.
s/iili(liis), .since there is a spociniou in the collcctiiMi from Merida (;)0,21.'?, .\pril 9, 1805, A. Schott)
wlucli .seems to be very nearly ititcniii'ili:itc in every way liciwcon the two. It has the very
l)lack bill, restricted rufous on inner webs of nvtrices, and pale yellow of lower parts of M.
sliiliilii.i, iind the brown pilevmi and more robust ])ro|iortions of irrifnbili.t. The si>ecinicn, how-
ever, is in poor condition, being of worn and faded plumage, and much distorted, so that its
true characters cannot be ascertained satisfactorily.

332 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Inner webs of loctrices almost entirely rufous to near the extreme
tip, the enil of the ^veb, however, being brownish-dusky like the
outer.

Wing, 3.35-4.10; tail, 3.35 -4.10; eulnien, .80-1,00; tarsus,

.80 -.91. llah. VVostorn Province of United States, and

Western Mexieo (grading into var. irritabilis in Teluiantepec,

and in winter migrating into Eastern Mexieo) var. c i n e r ascens.

4. M. stoliduB Colors essentially nearly as the varieties of lU. crinilus.

Primaries more or less distinctly edged with rufous, especially on inner

quills; rectrices with inner webs more or less edged with rufous (found

only terminally in var. atitil/ariim). Wing-coverts broadly tipped with dull

ashy-whitish. Above brownish-slaty, with an olivaceous cast, the pileum

more or less appreciably darker. Beneath ashy-white, without distinct

yellow (except in var. utolidiis, in which the abdomen, etc., are pale

siilplnny yellow). Tail varying in shape from slightly rounded to distinctly

emarginated. Ilab. West Indies.

Beneath entirely white, only faintly, or hardly appreciably, tinged
with sulplmr-yellow on the flanks.

T'.iiier web of rectrices broadly edged with rufous for the whole
length. Crown scarcely darker than the back. Tail distinctly
emarginated. Wnig, 3.ir)-3.r)0; tail, 3.30-3. (iO; culmen, .80-
.9i); tarsus, .80-85. (Bahanian specimens the larger). Ilab.

Bahamas and Cuba var. w /i ff J c .'

Inner web of rectrices not edged with rufous except at extreme
tip, where sometimes also absent. Crown decideilly darker than
the back. Tail slightly rounded. Wing, 3.25- 3.50; tail, 3.20-
3.f)0 ; culmen, .85 - 95 ; tarsus, .85 - 90. Hab. Porto Rico.

var. anf illarum.'
Beneath white only on throat and jugulum, the abdomen, etc., being
sulphur-yellow.

Inner webs of rectrices more or less distinctly edged with rufous
for whole length. Pileum very much darker than the back. Wing,
3.35-3.50; tail, 3.35-3.U5; culmen, .90 - .95 ; tarsus, .80 -.85.
Tail faintly doubly-rounded. Hab. Hay ti, Jamaica, (and Yucatan ?)

va.v. utolidiis?
B. Bill nnich depros.^olf, its depth only .aliout half' its width, in the middle
portion ; lateral outlines widely divergent basally ; terminal hook weak.
(.l/y(V«■(7l)^«.)

5. M. tristis. Colors very variable, and amount of rufous exceedingly
diHerent in the diflerent races. Inner welis of rectrices seldom edged with
iiifons ; rufous sometimes entirely absent on both wings and tail, and some-
times th(^ whole wing and both wel)s of rectrices distinctly edged with it.
Above a.xhy-olive, usually with more or le.ss of a greenish cast, the pileum

1 Miliarchm utolidns, var. ])ho'he (D'Oitn.), Coues. Tijraniiv.i plicebc, D'OiiB. Sagra's Cuba,
Ois. p. 84. Mi/mrchm stolidus, var. phahc, Coues, P. A. N. S. July, 1872, 78. (Sugrce.,
GuNDl.. ; s/olidii, var. /ucai/sif.nsis, liiiV.VNi'K

'■^ Mi/itirc/im s/iih'i/ii.i, var. anlilhrruin (Biivakt), Couks. Ti/ranniui (.Ui/iarcMls) antillaruvi,
BiiVANT, P. B. S. N. H. 180G, p. 2. Mijinrchus stolidus, var. aiUillarum, Coues, P. A. N. S.
July, 1872, 79.

* MjliarcMis stolidus, var. stolidus (Oossk), CAnAN'li;. Myiohius sfolidu.i, finssi:. R. Jam.
p. 168. Miiiiircims s. Caiianis, J. fiir Orn. IS-Oo, 479. — Coi;k,s, 1". A. N. S. 1872, 77. (Stolidus
var. domiiiiccmis, Bryant.)

TYIIANNID^— THE FLYCATCHERS. 333

decidedly darker (except in var. Idivreiicei) ; throat and Jufjuliim ashy-white ;
rest of lower parts sulpliur-yuUow. Ilab. Central and South Aiueriuii, and
Jamaica.

Pileuni sooty-brown, decidedly darker than the back ; wings and tail
entirely (lestitutc of nilbiis edgin},'s, except a faint tinge on outer webs
of inner secondaries and rectrices, towards the biuse. Tail faintly
rounded. Wing, 3.00; tail, 3.10; cuhnen, .80: tarsus, .65. Ilab.
Jamaica var. tristis.^

Pileum grayish-brown, not appreciably darker than the back ; outer
webs of inner secondaries and primaries and rectrices faintly edged
with rufous. Wing, 2.80-3.40; tail, 2.85-3.45; cuhnen, .85 -.90;
tarsus, .75 -.80. Hab. Northern Mexico, from northern boundary,
south to Colima, Tchuantepec, Yucatan, and Salvador . var. lawrencei?

Pileum sooty-blackish, decidedly and abruptly darker than the back.
Outer weljs of wing-coverts, primaries, secondaries, and rectrices dis-
tinctly edg(Ml with rufous. Yellow beneath brighter than in lawrencei.
Wing, 3.20-3.30; tail, 3.15 -3.30; cuhnen, .80 -.85; tarsus, .75 -.80.
Hab. Central America from Panama to Guatemala (grading into var.
i«iiTe«cet in Tehuantepec, and Orizaba) . . . var. nigricapillus.'

Pileum ileep black, abruptly difTcrent from the greenish-olive of the
b.ick, and separated fi-om it by a more ashy shade. Wings and tail
wholly destitute of rufous edgings. Yellow beneath brighter than in
var. nigrimpiUns. Wing, 3.20 ; tail, 3.20 ; culmen, .85 ; tarsus, .78.
Tail about even. Hab. Northwest South America, from Ecuador
northward (grading into nigricapillus on Isthmus of Panama).

var. nigriceps.*

* Mijiarchm tristii (Gosse), CouES. Mgiobius trislis, Gosse, B. Jam. 167, pi. xli. Myiarclvist.
CouEs, 1'. A. N. S. .luly, 1872, 80.

' Mfliarchiis tristis, var. hncreitcci {(\i\i\vd), Baird. Tyrannula lau-rcncei, GiH.\un, 10 sp.
Tex. B. pi. ii. Myiarchm I. Baikd, Birds N. Am. 1858, 181, pi. xlvii, f. 3. — Coues, P. A. N. S.
July, 1872, 74.

Obs. — The most typical specimens are from Mazntlan and northward, across the northern
portion of Mcxiio. On the eastern coast, specimeiis from Mi.'|Wlor and Or'Izaba alKjady strongly
incline townnl var. niijricapilhis. *

' .\[iji(in-hm tristi.i, var. iii(/riaipilfi(.i, C'aban'IS. " Myiarchii.i ninricapillHn, Cahan." Sci,.
t'at. Am. 15. 1802, 2y3, et Auct. M. lairrnicci, C'oi;ks, V. A. X. S. 1872, 74 (in i)art).

Obs. — A very strongly diU'erentiated form, hut unciucstioiiably grading into var. laiorcncei on
the one hand, and var. »/;/c(Vry« on tlie otlier.

* Mjliiirchm trixti.i, var. nigriir/is, Sci.Ariai. .Uijiarchus nigrkrps, ScL. P. Z. S. 1860, 08,
295. — ('(.fi;s, P. A. X. S., July, 1872, 75.

Obs. — The last tln'ee races appear to be all n'dueihle to one .s|>ecies, as, taking the large series
of spceimens before us (over .30 skins), we fuiil it impossible to draw the line between them.
Specimens from Southern Mexico are referrible, with eipial |)ropriety, to hnrivturi or to niijriea-
pillus, while .skins from I'anaina of nl<jrici'im are less typical than those from Ecuador. This
case of gradually increasing niclaiiistic tendency as we proceed southward alfords an exact parallel
to that of Vircosijlvm yihus and K. jumplice, Hai/oniis nigricans and H. aqua/icus, anil many
other cases.

J34

NORTH AMERICAN BIRD8.

Myiarchus crinitus, Cabanis.

OBEAT CBE8TE0 FLTCATCHEB.

Muscicapn crinila, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 32.';. —Wilson, Am. Orii. II, 1810, 75, pi.
xiii. — LiCHT. Vera'iolmi.ss Doiibl. 1823, No. 551). — Aud. Oiii. Biog. II, 1834, 176;
V, 423, pi. (X.xix. — III. Hiids Am. 1, 1840, 20i), pi. Ivii. Ti/mimiis cnn'uiw, Swain-
son, Moll. Tyrant Sliiiki's in (inartcily .loniiial, XX, .Ian. 1826, 271. — Ni'ttam,,
Man. I, (2(1 vd.,) 1840, 302. —Max. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 182. Mi/iohim crinilus, Oixw',
Gi'iiera, I, 248. Tjirmnida crinUa, Bonap. Consp. 1850, 189. — Kwv, Pr. Zool.
See. 1851, 51. Myiarchus crinitm, Cauams, .Tourn. fiir Oinitli. HI, 1855, 479.—
Baiud, Birds N. Am. 1858, 178. — Scl. fatal. 1862, 232. — Sa.muki.s, 131. Mijionux
crinitus, Caiian. Mus. Ilciii. 1859, 73 (type, .loiun. 1861, 250). Muncicapa luduvici-
ana, Gm. Sy.st. Nat. 1, 1788, 934. — Latham, liid. Ti/rannus liidovicianiis, Vikillot,
Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, pi. xlv. Musciaipa virginiana cristala, Bkisson, II, 1760,
412. Crested Fiyaitchcr, Pksnant, Latham.

Figure : Buffon, pi. enl. 569, fig. 1.

Sp. Char. Head with a dojires.'ied crest. Tiiird qnill longest; fourth and second
successively but little shorter ; lirst a little longer than seventh ; much shorter than sixth.

Tail decidedlj' rounded or even graduated ; the
lateral feather about .2o of an inch .shorter.
Upper parts dull greeni.sh-olivo, with the feath-
ers of the crown and to some extent of the
back showing their brown centres; upper tail-
coverts turning to pale rusty-brown. Small feath-
ers at the ba.se of the bill, ceres, sides of the hcail
as liigh as the upper eyelid, .sides of the neck,
throat, and forepart of the breast, bluish-ashy ;
the rest of the lower part^, including axillariea
and lower wing-coverts, bright .«uli)liur-yelIow.
A pale ring round the eye. Sides of the breast
and body tinged with olivaceous. The winga
brown ; the first and second rows of covert.s,
■ with tlio sedindary and tcrtiit quil'>- margined
externally with dull white, or on the latter slight-
Primnries margined externally for more than half tlieir
length from the base with ferruginous ; great portion of the inner webs of all the quills
very pale ferruginous. The two middle tail-feathers light brown, shads paler; the rest
have the outer web and a narrow line on the inner sides of th(; shaft brown, pale oliva-
ceous on the outer edge; the remainder ferruginous to the very tip. Outer wel) of ex-
terior feather dull brownish-yellow. Feet black. Bill dark brown above and at the tip
below; paler tow.ards the li.ise. Length, 8.75 ; wing, 4.25 ; tail, 4.10; tarsus, .85.

Hah. Eastern North America to the Missouri and south to Eastern Texas (not yet
observed farther west). Guatemala (Sci,. Iliis. I, 121); Cuba (Gundl. Repert. 18G5, 239;
Caii. ,T. Ill, 479) ; ? Jamaica (Gossk, B. J. I8G) ; Panama (Lawr. N. Y. Lye. I8G1, 329) ;
Costa Rica (Caran. J. 1801, 250; Lawr. N. Y. Lye. IX, 115); San Antonio, Texas
(Dresser, Ibis, 18G5, 473, rare).

The foiiiale apjiears to liave no brown on the inner -weh of tlie quills along
the shaft, or else it is conliiied chiefly to the outer feathers.

Tlie young is hardly appreciably different, having merely the wing-coverts
tinged with rusty at the ends.

Mijiurchus cinerascens.

ly tinged with olivaceous-yellow.

TYUANXID.E — Til V. FLYCATrilERS. 335

Habits. Tlie common Groat-cref=itc(l Flyciitcher of eastern Xortli America
has a nincli more extLMided northern distribution tlum lias l)een ^'eiierally
given it by earlier writers. Wilson speaks of it only as a bird of Penn.syl-
vania. Audubon mentions tlieir occurring as far as Massachusetts, but as
confined to the mountains, and as entirely unknown farther eastward. Mr.
Nuttall refers to it as nearly unknown hi New England, and as never
a])pcaring near the coast.

It is now known to be a regular though a somewhat rare summer resident,
at least as far to the northeast as St. Stei)hen, New Brunswick, latitude 45°
north, longitude ()7° west, and as far to the north in Vermont as llandolph,
and Hamilton in (,'anada, both in about latitude 44°. Mr. lioardman men-
tions it as a regular summer visitant, and as breeding near Calais. Pro-
fessor Verrill gives it as a rare sunnner visitant of Western Maine. Mr.
Mcll wraith states it to be a conunon summer resident of Hamilton, Canada
West, where it arrives about the 10th of May, after which its harsh cry
is heard in all parts of the woods. It winters in Central America and
Panama.

In a letter dated June 17, 18G5, Mr. .C. S. Paine of Randol])h, Vt, in-
formed me that he had, within a few days, found a nest of this Flycatcher.
It was built in tiie hollow of a decayed apple-tree, in one of its limbs. The
nest was built up from the bottom of the cavity some eight inches, and con-
tained si.K eggs. Though not very abundant in that neighborhood, Mr. Paine
had 1)een aware, for several years, of the occurrence of this Flycatcher, but
had never before been able to ascertain its manner of nesting. He has
since informed me that these Flycatchers have continued to occur every
sunnner, as they always nuike their presence known by their harsh notes,
which may be heard to (|uite a distance, and he knows that the/ breed there
regularly every year, l^iey are shy, and do not come about the buildings,
but are generally seen in the woods and orchards.

In Eastern Massachusetts they are not common, but scattisred pairs have
been met witli in Concord, Acton, Newton, Hingham, and in other places.

Dr. Cones states that the Great-crested Flycatcher reaches AVashington
the third week in Ajn-il, and leaves the last of Septend)er. It is a conunon
sunnner resident, but is most numerous in the spring and autumn. It is
found on the edge of open woods, and betrays its presence by its peculiar
notes. In the western part of Massachusetts, ^Ir. Allen gives it as a rare
summer visitant, having been taken by him from May 15 to September 17,
and having been found breeding on Mount Tom by Mr. C. W. Pennett.
It is found abundantly in the Middle and Southern States as far south as
Florida and Te.xas, and occurs as far to the west as tug Missouri Ri^•er.
Dr. Woodhouse found it very abundant in Texas and in the Indian Terri-
tory, and Mr. Dresser obtained specimens at San Antonio in the month of
April.

In speaking of the habits of this species, Wilson accuses it of being

336 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

addicted to eati;i<f bees equally with the Kincibird ; but as this bird is known
to feed largely on berries, and to feed its younj;' tu some extent with the
same, the extent of sucli ])ro])ensity may well be doubted. It is not so prone
to attack birds larger than itself as is the Kingl)ird, which Wilson charac-
terizes as cowardice, but which it would l)e more charitable to call imidence.
It is said to be harsh, cruel, and vindictive to smaller birds and to weaker
individuals of its own species.

In its ilight it moves with power, steadiness, and swiftness, and when in
pursuit of insects follows its prey with great zeal and i)erseverance. AVhen
it captures a large insect, it retires to its perch and beats it against the
liml). These birds are not in the least gregarious. They occur in isolated
pairs, and appear to have no interest or sympathy with others t'lan those of
their own household. To each other, however, they are attentive and con-
siderate, and they are devoted in their solicitude for their young.

Their usual call-note is a sharp disagreeable sciueak, which, once known, is
easily recognized. Besides this it has a monotonous succession of squeak-
ing, harsh notes, only a little less unpleasant. They raise but one brood in
a season, and remain together in a family group of from six to eight until
they leave, in the middle of Seiitember.

During the early snnuner this species feeds chiefly upon insects of various
kinds, which it catches with great facility, skill, and assiduity ; afterwiirds, as
if from choice, it chiefly eats lipe berries of various kinds of shrubs and
plants, among which those of the poke- weed and the huckleberry are most
noticeable. It nests altogether in hollows in trees, stum|)s, or limbs. It
lines the bottoms of these hollows with a great variety of miscellaneous
materials, and in quantities tliat vary with the size and shape of the place to
be occupied. These beds are composed of loose hay, feathers, the hair of
various small quadrupeds, etc., while the exuvi* of snakes are almost always
to be met Avith.

The eggs, four, five, or six in number, are peculiar and noticeably varied
and beautiful in their style of markings, varying also somewhat in shape.
Generally they are nearly spherical, and equally obtuse at either end.
Occasionally they are an ol.ilong oval, one end a very little more tapering
than the other. Their ground-color is a beautiful liglit buff, rather than a
cream-color, over which are waving lines, marblings, markings, and dots of a
brilliant jjurple, and others of a more obscure shading. The lines are
variously distributed, generally running from one pole of the egg to the
other with striking effect, as if laid on with the delicate brush of an artist.
In some eggs the whole surface is so closely covered with these intercrossing
and waving lines, blending with the obscure cloudings of lilac, as nearly to
conceal the ground. Usually the buff' color is conspicuously apparent, and
sets off the pur])le lines with great effect.

An oblong-oval egg from Xew Jersey measures 1.10 inches in length by
.70 of an inch in breadth. A more nearly spherical egg from Florida nieas-

TYRANNID^E — THE FLYCATCHERS. ;]37

iires .00 by .7") of an inch. Tlie.se well represent the two extremes. Their
averaye is about I inch by .7r> of an inch.

The eggs of all the nienibei's of tliis genus have a reniari<able similarity,
and can scarcely be mistaken for those of any other group.

Mjriarchus crinitus, var. cinerascens, L.vwu.

A8H-THB0ATES FLTCATCH£B.

Tyrannula cinerascens, Lawiienik, Aim. X. Y. Lye. N. Hist. V, Si'pt. 18.')1, 109. Mi/-
iui'chus ciueniscnis, .Si'L. List, lS(i2, 133. — In. 1'. Z. S. IftTl, m. — L'oL'Ks, I'r. .\.
N. ti. July, 187-, OU. MyUirchus mcj-icunus, \i.\lKU, liinls X. Am. ISuSS, 17'J, pi. 5.
— Hkkiim. X, S, 37, pi. V. — Cooi'Kli, Orti. C'ul. I, 1870, 310. Mi/iiirchiis iiuxiatiuis,
var. pcrliiwj; I!.vii!i), V. A. N. S. 1859, 303 (C'lipu Si. Luius).

Sp. Ciiau. Bill bluck, the width upposito thi^ nostrils not half tho length of eiilnieii.
Head crested. Tiiil even, the lateral feathers slightly shorter. Second, third, and fourth
quills longest; first rather shorter tii.in the seveiitii. Above dull grayish-olive; the
centres of the feathers rather darker ; the crown, rump, and ujjper tail-coverts tinged
with brownish. Tho forehead and sides of the head and neck grayish-ash ; the chin,
throat, and forepart of the breast asliy-wiiite; the middle of the breast white; the rest
of the under parts very pale snl[)hur-yellov>' ; wings and tail brown. Two l)ands across
the wing, with outer edges of .leeondaries and tertials, dull white ; the outer edges of the
primaries light chestnut-brown (i-.xcept towards the tip and on the outer feather) ; the
inner edges tinged with the same. Whole of middle tad-ti-athers, with the outer webs
(only) and the ends of the others brown ; tho rest of the inner webs reddish-chestnut,
the outer web of exterior leather yellowi ii-white. Legs and bill black ; lower mandible
brownish at the l)ase. Length about 8.00 ; wing, 4.00 ; tail, 4.10; tarsus, .90.

Hah. Coast of California, to Cape St. Lucas, and across by the valley of Gila anil Rio
Gr.inde to Xortheastern Mexico. Seen as far north in Texas as San Antonio. Oaxaca
(Set,. 18o9, 384) ; ? Guatemala (Sci,. Ibi.s, I, 129) ; Vera Cruz hot regions, resident (Su.m.
M. I5ost. Soc. I) ; San Antonio, Texas (DuiiSSEn, Ibis, 18G5, 473).

In a young .specimen the crown is more tinged witli brown; the upper
tail-coverts and the middle tail-feathers are chestnut, and, in fact, all the
tail-feathers are of this color, except along Ijoth sides of the shaft on the
central feathers, and along its outer side in the lateral ones.

This species is easily distinguished from T. crinHits and T. coopvri by
the Ijrown tip of the tail ; the colors paler than in the former, bill slenderer,
and tarsi longer.

A variety of this sjiecies {pcrtinox'^) is found at Cape St. Lucas, and dis-
tinguished chiefly by the considerably larger and stouter bill.

Habits. The Ash-throated or Mexican Flycatcher ap])ears to be a com-
mon species, from 8an Antonio, Texas, its extreme northeastern point, south-
westerly throughout Mexico fis far south as Guatemala, and westward to
the Pacific coast. It has been obtained in various parts of California
by Mr. Cutts, Mr. Schott, Dr. Heennann, and others, as also on the Gila

' Mjliarchits m^ucicutiux, var. per/hiii.i; nAiiit), Pr. Phil. .\i!rtd. 18.59, 303.
VOL. II. 43

338 NORTH AiMEUICA.V lUItinS.

Eiver. Dr. KiMinorly ])i'0(:iiicil 8|iocinicns at Los Noj,'al(!s, Mexico, and
others have met with it near the city ul' ^Mexico, at Saltillo, anil in diHerent
]iarts of ^^'estern Texas. It was lound hreedinj; at Capo San Lueas by Mr.
Xaiitus.

In tile 1 Jejiartnient of Vera Cruz, Mr. Suniieln-ast found this species a])par-
ently conliued to the hot reyiou. He did not meet with it anywhen; else.

Mr. I>resser tliinks that this Flycatcher does not reach San Antonio be-
fore the latter part of April. The fir-st tliat came under his notice was one
that ho shot, on the 2od of that month, on the Medina liiver. It breeds
near the Medina and the San Antonio Kivers, making its nest in a hollow tree,
or taking possession of a deserted Woodpecker's hole. Mr. Dresser observed
these birds as far to the east as the (iuadaloujio Itiver, where they w ere com-
mon. Farther east he saw but very few. Their eggs he speaks of as pecu-
liarly marked with a multitude of ]>uii)le and brown dashes and lines on a
dull yeHowish-brown ground, and very similar to those of jMi/iinrfiun rriuifiis.

In tiie Mexican Boundary Survey, individuals of this species were taken
by ]\Ir. A. Schott, March 'M, on the Colorado Bottom ; near the (Jila Iiivor,
New Mexico, December 31 ; and also at Eagle Pass, in Texas, date not given.
Mr. J. H. Clark obtained a specimen at Frontera, Texas, where he mentions
finding it in great abundance in damp places, or near the water. In May,
1853, Lieutenant Couch secured several near Saltillo, and notes its occur-
rence among mesquite-bushes. In the following June, Dr. Kennerly found
thein very al)undant at Los Nogales. Where two were found together, they
were generally noticed to be uttering a loud chattering noise.

Dr. Ileermann, in his lici)ort on the birds observed in the survey of Lieu-
tenant Williamson's route between the ;)2d and the Sotli parallels, mentions
finding this siiecies abundant. His si>eciniens were obtained near IVisa
Creek. He describes them as of shy and retiring habits, preferring the deep
and shady forests where its insect food abounds. The nests, found in hollows
of trees or in a deserted siiuirrel's or Woodpecker's hole, were comiiosed of
grasses and lined with feathers. The eggs, five in number, he describes as
cream-colored, marked and s]jeckled with puFplish-red dashes and faint
blotches of a neutral tint.

Dr. Cones found them a c. nmon summer resident in Arizona, where they
arrived in the third week in A]iril and remained until the middle of .Septem-
ber. They were seldom found among pine-trees, but appeared to prefer
ravines, hillsides, and creek bottoms. Some wintered as high up in the Col-
orado Valley as Fort ^lohave. At I'ort Whipple young birds were first
observed early in July.

Dr. Cooper obtained one of this species at Fort Mohave, January lo, and
is of the opinion that some may habitually winter in the Colorado Valley.
In California tiiey begin to arrive about March 10, and extend their range
through very nearly the whole of the State. He describes their notes as
few, loud, and harsh, but little varied, and uttered from time to time as they

TV \l.\ N N 11U-: — Til K KI.VOATCIIl'JUS. 339

fly lifter lui insert from iiii iicciistoint'd pt-rch, uaimlly a lowor dead liinli of
a I'dii'sL Iruo. Tli^'y jH'cftir sluuly situutiiiua, and uri! said to fuud late in the
ovoniiij,'.

^Ir. liidyway nii't witli tliis siieeii-.s in all suitnblo localities, from the Sae-
nuiu'nlo Valley eastward to liie Walisateli Mountains. It was most aluni-
dant among the oaks of the jdains between the Saeramento IJiver and th(!
Sierra Xovada ; Imt in the wooded river valleys of the inteiior, as well as in
the cedar and jiinon or niahoj;any woods on the mountains of tiie latter
rc;4ion, it was also more or less freijuently met with, in its maimers it is
de.scrilied as a eiamterpart of the eastern J/, rriiii/iis, l)ut its notes, though
generally similar in eliaraeter, have not that strength whieh makes the
vociferous screaming whistles of the eastein species so noticeable.

This species, or a very closely allied race of it (var. jicrtina.i) was pro-
cured at C'a])e St. Lucas by Mr. Xantus. It had the peculiarities of a
southern race, stronger feet, stouter bill, and a generally smaller size.

A few iiulividuals of this species were found by ^Ir. CJrayson inhabiting
the islands of the Three Marias, on the Tacilic coast of Mexico. He usually
saw them among low bushe.s, darting from their perch after ilies and other
winged insects. They were very silent, and seldom uttered a note.

Four eggs of this species from Matamoras, collected by the late Dr. r>cr-
landier, have the following measurements : .H2 by .To, .91 by .71, .!*5 by .7"),
.98 by .7") of an inch. Thoiigh having a very close resemblance to the eggs
of M. cvinita, there are noticetible certain constant variations. I'he ground-
color is a little lighter, and has a tinge of pinkish not found in the eggs of
the eastern s]iecies. The markings are nu)re in oblong plashes of irregular
shape, and rarely exhil)it the waving lines. There are more and larger
blotches of a light purjdish-brown. The eggs are a little more spherical in
their general shape, and tin markings are less abundant. The eggs of M.
coopcri have a still more ros(!ate tint in the buff of the ground-color, are
marked with smaller blotches of bright jjurjtle and much larger cues of
lilac-brown. They measure .92 by .70 of an inch.

Genus SA70RNIS, Honap.

Siii/nmi», UiiNAl'. ?Ateiioo itftliaiH), IS.Ji. — In. Coinptes Reiulus, 18,')4, Notos Orii. Do-

lattiv.
Aulanaj; Cabanis, Journal fiir Oni. lS.")(i, 1 (type, viiirlniiis).

Gen. Char. Iloail willi a Wended dcprosspd moderate crest. Tarsus decidedly lonj^cr
than middle too, which is scarcely lonirer llian the hind toe. Bill ratlicr narrow ; width
ot base abont hall' the culnien. Tail broad, lonir, slightly forked; vqwA to the winfrs,
which are moderately pointed, and roach to the middle of the tail. First primary .shorter
than the sixth.

This genus agrees with the preceding in the length of the broad ttiil, but

340 NOinil AMIOKIOAN UlUDB.

luw II liiiigiT tiirsiis and a (liflcicnt style of coloriition. The species are dis-
tin;^'uislR'd as Ibllows : —

8. uigrioaiiB. Suoty liluuk ; aliduiiit'ii ami cil^ru ul' oiiiui' web ut' lateral
liiil-li'niliiT piiri' wliilt'. .

(t. LoWLT tail-uovi'its piiie white.

Greater wing-coverts paler toward lips ul' outer wehs. Wing,
3.00; tail, 3.4.'). Hub. I'acilie I'loviiieo, liiiteil States, niid M(^x-
ifi) .......... var. n i (J r icitnii.

b. Lowiu- tnil-coverts blaekisli.

Qrcatcr I'overts not appreciably paler ul cmls. Wing, 3.35; tail,
3.30. llab. Middle America, north of Panama . vav. aqnalic im,^

Uoth rows of wing-coverts distinctly tipped with white; white

edging!* of secondaries very eonspieiious. Wing, 3.35; tail, 3.30.

Hah. New Granada; Venezuela . . . var. cinernnccns^^

S. fusouB. Orayish-olive above, ami on sides ofbn.'ast; beneath (including

tiu-oai) wliile, tinged with sul|)hur-yelIow. Wing, 3.40; tail, 3.'J0. Hah.

Eastern Province Uniteil States ; Eastern Mexico.

S. sayus. Urowiiish-ashy, the tail and upper tail-eovorts black ; abdomen
and crissuni deep ochraceous. Hub. Western Province of United States,
and whole of Mexico.

Sayomis nigricans, P.onap.

BLACK FEWEE.

Tijrannula -nigrieam, Swainson, Syn. liiids SIe.\. Taylor's rail. Mag. I, 1827, 3G7. —
NF.wnF.nitv, Zoiil. Cal. k Or. Uoule, licp. P. II. R. Surv. VI, iv, 1857, 81. Miuicicaprt
viijn'aDts, Ain. Orn. Itiog. V, 1839, 302, pi. cccclxxiv. — In. Bink Am. I, 1840,
218, jil. Ix. Tiimnnm vUjriatns, Nittam-, Man. I, (2d pd.,) 1840, 320. ^fl/iohius
viririaiiin, OliAV. Mjiinn-hus niijricinis, ('AliANis, Tschudi Fauna IVruaii. 1844-46,
1.13 (I'fiu). Sai/nmi.i nigricnns, IJoxap. f'omptes liendus XXVIII, 1854, notes Orn.
87. — lUiKii, riirdsX. Am. 1858, 183. — IIeek.m. X, S, 38. — CoorEii, Orn. Cal. 1,
1870, 3iy. AiilaiKix niriricitii.i, f.'AnA.Nis, C'nb. Journ. fiir Ornith. IV, .Ian. 185G, 2
(tyiM' of genus). — lu. M. II. 11, 68. Musciciqia sciiiUitrti, Vkioks, Zoul. IVccliey
Voy. 1839, 17.

' Sin/oriiis niijrimns, var. (iqiititlcii.i. Saijorni.i aqwttkh.t, Sci.ATKU & .Sai.vin, Ibis, 1859,
p. 119 ((iuatcmala).

- iSin/iinii.i iiiijricnii.i, vnr. ciiicroccn.i. ftniinriiis ^liicraeca, Lafh. I?ov. Zoiil. 1848, p. 8. —
Scl,. Ciital. Am. Birds, 1862, 200. The above race.'- are clearly shown to be merely modifieations,
with latitude, of one type, by the series of sj)eeimcns before us. Thus, specinu'iis of S. niijri-
cans fiom Orizaba show more or less tlusky on the lower tail-eoverts, while in more northern
.specimens (i. e. typical var. iihjricuiis) there is not a trace of it. Tyiiical s|ieciinens of aqmtticna,
from Oiiateniala, show merely a more advanced melanism, the lighter markings on the wings
becoming greatly restricted ; there is still, however, a decided presence of white on the lower
tail-coverts, .'^lucimens from Costa Itica (typical aqititt icus) exhibit the maximum degree of
nndanism, the white beneath being confuicd to a central spot on the abdomen. In cineraccus
(from New Oranada) the white beneath is similarly restricted, but on the wings is very coii-
siiicuous, showing a reversion back to the character of nigricans, though surpassing the latter
in the amount of white on tla? coverts and secondaiies.

The ,V. /ii/imstris (.lnhniiu- L Cah. k Hf.is. Mas. Ilein. ii, p. 68 ; Sdi/oniis 1. ^c\.. Cat. Am.
H. 1862, 200), from Kcuador, we have m)t seen. It is probably also refembic to tlu; same type.

TYKA.NNIDvK — THE FLYUATCIIKKH.

341

Sr. CiiAii. Wiiif.'s |(iiiim1('c1 ; s ml, tliiid, aiid fourth longest; liwl nilluT s«lioi'ti>r

tlinn sixth. Tarsi with u .si'i'oinl row

of st'ftli's hi'hind. Tin,' hi'iul iiiul

neck all idunil, Ibrt-part ami .sides of

lh(! hrcast, dark .■.(loly-lirowii ; iho

rest oC the upiHT piiils similar, hut

liffhti'r ; faintly tinged with lead-i'olor

towards the tail. The middle of the

lireast, nhdomeii, ami lower lail-

coverta white? ; .some of the latter,

with the shafts and the cent re, hrown.

Tlu! lower winf,'-eoverts firayish-

hrown, edp'd with while. Winpa

dark hrown ; the edj^'es of .seeomlary

coverts rather lighter; of primary

eoverts dull white. Edj:e of tlio

exterior vane of the llrst primary and

of secondaries white. Tail dark

hrown, with the greater part of the outer vane of the exterior tail-feather white ; this

color narrowiiig from the ba.sc to the tip. Bill and feet black. The tail rounded, rather

cmarginate ; feathers hroad ; more obliquely truncate than in satjuii. The bill slender ;

similar to that of S./uscus, Length, nearly 7 inches; wing, 3. GO; tail, .T.l.).

Had. California coast (rini)fpia Valley, Oregon, Newberry), and across by valley of
Gila and tapper Ilio Grande to New Leon, and south; Mazatlan. Ouxaca (Sci.. 18o9,
383) ; Cordova (Sci,. 18">(>, 2i)C) ; Vera Cruz, temp, and alp. regions, breeding (Su.m. M. B.
Soc. I, .V,7) ; W." Arizona (Coues, P. A. N. S., 18GG, GO).

Siyornh niifrirnns.

The feuialo appears to diU'er only in tlie smaller size. A young bird from
San Francisco lias two bands of rusty on tlie wing ; the shoulders and
hinder part of the back tinged witli the same.

II.vniTS. Within our limits the Black Flycatcher litis a distribution very
nearly corresjjonding with that of Mi/iarrhus cincrasmis. It is found from
Oregon and California on the Pacific coast, to tlie valley of the Kio CJrande,
and thence south throughout ^lexico. It also occurs as a resident in Guate-
mala. Specimens in the Smithsonian Museum are from various parts of
Mexico, from New Mexico, and California.

During his explorations in Northern Mexico, Lieutenant Couch first met
witli tliis species at Cader(;ita, Mexico, in April, occurring in abundance under
the high btiuks of tlie stream which supplies the town with water. Its habits
ai)iK'ared to him to be much the same with those of the common Phfcbe-Bird
{S((i/o)')m fmcm). Its nest was supposed to be in the bank. Dr. Kennerly,
who found it at Espia, Mexico, could not observe any difference in the habits
from those of the Pi/rorcphaius rnbincus. They were both observed in the
same vicinity, feeding alike on insects and having the same movements.

In the Department of Vera Cruz, Mr. Sumiclirast says th.at this species is
known by the common name of Aguador. It is very common in both the
temperate and the colder regions of that State. It nests within tlie dwell-
ing-houses in the city of Orizaba.

;}42 >J0UT1I AMKIUOAN \mU)S.

Pr. KcMinoi'ly statos tliat after ])assiiijj; tliu inountairis ol' California, and
desoondiiig into tiie valley of tlie San (iabriol JJivcr, he found liicse birds
(luito almndant on tlic, I'ui!l)lo Creek hi New ^lexieo, tliongii lie had noticed
none jmniously. They were t^enerally found ])erehed upon tlie suiuniit of a
hush, IVoiu which they would occasionally make siiort excursions in search
of prey. At the season in wiiich timy wei'e observed, ]\Iaicii, they were
rarely found in ]iairs, from which he inlerred they were already hatching.

Dr. llcerniann speaks of it as aliundant throughout all California, and
as constructing its nests in situations similar to those of the common
eastern species (S. fii>inis). It seems to have a marked predilection for the
vicinity of streams and lakes, where it is luuiily always to ho seen, perched
ujion a stake or branch. It occasionally darts into the air for nu insect, and
returns to the same place to renew its watch ami to re])eat these movements.
The nest, com))osed of nuid and mosses and lined with liair, is jilaced against
the rocks, the rafters of a house or bridge, or against the inside of a largo
hollow tree, and the eggs, four or live in number, are pure white, speckled
with red.

J)r. Cones found this Flycatcher a very abundant and ])evmanent resident
in the valleys of the (lila and Colorado, and the more s(iutlu;rn jiortions of
the Territory of Arizona generally. It was not observed in the immcuiate
vicinity of Fort Whipjile, though it was detected a few miles south of that
locality. As it has been found on the I'acitic coast so mucli farther iu)rth
tlian the latitude of F'ort Whipple, he thinks it nuiy yet be met with,
at least as a summer visitant to that jdace. In his journey from Arizona
to the Pacific, he ascertained that it is common throughout Southern Ari-
zon; , being, among land birds, his most constant com]ianion on the route.
IVrched generally in ]>airs u)>on the dense verdure that in niany jilaces
overhangs the river, it pursued its constant vocation of securing the va-
grant insects ai'ound it, constantly uttering its jieculiar unnielodious notes.
In all its movenuuits the I'ewee of the F^astern States was unmistakably
reproduceil. It was rather shy and wary. In Southern Arizona and Cali-
fornia it remains throughout the winter. It seems to delight not only in
river bottoms, but also in deej) mountain gorges and precipitous canons
with smell streams (lowing through them.

Dr. Newberry found 'his s])e(;ies (|uite common in Northern California,
and specin\ens were also obtained as I'ar to the north as the I'mpiiua Valley
in Oregon. According to Dr. Cooper it is an abundant and resident s])e<'ies in
all the lower jiarts of California, except tlie Colorado Valley, where he found
none later than March 20, as they had all evidently passed on farther north.
At San Diego, lit that date, the following year (lS(i2), all these birds had
nests and eggs, and were there, as elsewhere, the first birds to laiihl. Their
nest, he states, is forined of an outer wall of mud about five and a (luarter
inches M-ide and three and a half high. It is built like that of the r>arn
Swallow, in little pellets, piled successively, as they dry, in the shape of

TVIiANNlD,K-TIIE FLYCATCHEKS. o^o

^.!;:l'::L,,r;;r:::.M;;r' 'r "''• t^--^^""^^ ^'--' - ^^ «>'^"^
ke^i';i;:;\;:::;:':,j;:;::;; ::;v'^'''^ ^^ '^"'"- '-^"^-''-- -•• "-- ^o

tinns. It will nrto TZu '''^'""""•""« *''^^ "-y '""' i>» -ch «it„a-

quite lii; the .,! ^^ ^ ^^ t^ ' v j' ^:"';r "''• ^'-^^^'^y -P-ted. and

clocI,in, ,uid<ly L :. ^ t ^t t";.^ ' «'-t^l.«tanco at a tnno. tun.in, and
of the bill. ' "* '^' 1"^'^' ^^^"^^^ ^"^ ^^Pti'i'es With a sharp snap

san.e fan.ilia.ity an.l -^CMieral nbl n 1 ' T ""' '''''™ ^''"•""' '"^^'"o ^''«
sun.e bcl..no.i„/,, ,s'. •;;;!"; ' ""^^ ''^"^ "'^'^^ "°* distinguishable Irom

respeetn.s.LblinlS^! !^ '1" t' "'"'? "'''' ^"" ^"' ^'«^^- "' ^''i

^^.. up the streani .T thl tS ; 1^:;:' '^ t'" "'^'"'^'^ """ ^"^ ^•'^-
In its actions it is dosenbe.l .^ •. i , """"'•' ^'""^'^ ^'"^ lake.

;.avin, bnt little ..ese;;;;:!;:' U^^^.^'C'T: '''-'u' "' ""^ "'^"-^
found near water, -,,„„„],,, ..,■ '^'■"f ' '•> ^^atchers. It may always be

constantly darts toso^ a'lv ' '" 7"" "" ^'^ ""•^"'' ^'•'- -"-'' ^^

Sayornis fuscus, n.unu.

PEWEE; PHffiBE-BIRD.

■' '"""i '■ .IIKKCira/l,! „fi;i (:m,.,,v. w. ^ X, ■ > .WI.I.MS, (

- . I'l. Ml.. .]/,,„./.,i<, inmdM, (iu.vv, (;.,,,r.i.

344

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Satfornis nigricans.

I, 248. Musckapa carolinetisis fusca, BuissON, Oiii. II, 17<iO, 3G7. Jilatk-headed
Fli/adclur, I'knxant, Aiv. Zoiil. II, 38ii, 209. llluch-ciijj F/i/mtcher, Latham, Sy-
nopsis, 1, 353. Kinpidiu.i fuscus, C'AUAS. il. II. II, Sept. 1859, 69 (type). — Sci..
Catal. 1S(J2, 234. Sai/ornin/uscus, lUluu, liiiJs N. Am. 1858, 184. — SA.MUias, 133.
— Am.kn, li. Flu. 1871, 299.

Sp. Cuau. 8idus ol' breast and upper parts dull olive-brown, fading sli{;htly towards

the tail. Top and sides ol' head daik brown.
A few dull wliiti' feathers on the eyelids.
Lower parts dull yellowish-white, mixed
with brown on the cliiii, and in some indi-
viduals acrf)ss the breast. Quills brown, the
outer primary, secondaries, and tertials
edged with dull white. In some individuals
the greater coverts faintly edged with dull
white. Tail brown ; outer edge of lateral
feather dullwhiti',- outer edges of the rest
like the l)aek. Tiliiie brown. Hill and feet
black. Hill slender, edges nearly straight.
Tail rather broad and .><lightly forked.
Third quill longest ; soeond and fourth

nearly equal ; the lirst shorter than si.xth. Length, 7 inches ; wing, 3.42 ; tail. .3. 30.
Hab. Eastern North America ; Eastern Mexico to Miiador and Orizaba. Cuba (Cabajj.

J. IV, 1) ; Xalapa, (.^ci.. List, '2oi) : Vera Cruz, winter (.Simicukast, M. B. S. I, 557) ;

San Antonio, Texas (Dressku, Ibis, LS05, 773, rare).

Til aiituniii, and occasionally in early s])i'inff, the colors are nuicli clearer
and briffliter. AVliole lower parts soiuetinies lu'ii^'ht siil|iliin-yellow ; above,
greenish-olive; to]) and sides of the head tiiij^ed with sooty. In the young
of the year the colors are nmch duller ; all the wing-coverts broadly ti])iied
with light ferruginous, as id.so the extreme ends of the wings and tail-
feathers. Tlio brown is prevalent on the whole tlirotit and breast ; the hind
part of the back, ruiuji, and tail strongly ferruginous.

H.viiiTs. The Pewee, or Pliu'be-Uird, a well-known harbinger of early
spring, is a conunon species throughout the whole of eastern North Amer-
ica, from tlie Kio (Irande, on the southwest, to the ])rovinces ol' Xova Scotia
and New Brunswick on the northetist, and as far west as the Mi.ssouri Kiver.

Dr. Woodhouse found it ;M)minon lioth throughout Texas an<l in tiie In-
dian Territory. It '"a.s taken by Sumichrast in the Department of Vera
Cruz, but he was in doubt whether it occurs there as a resident or is only
migratory. Tt was observed at San Antonio, Tc^xas, but only tis a migrant,
by both Dresser and Heermann ; but at Ht)uston, in that State, it evidently
remains and breeds, as indivithials were seen there in June by Dresser.
Specimens were taken in February at IJrownsville, Texas, l)y Lieutenant
Couch, and afterwards in March on the opposite side of the river, — in
Tiimaulipas, ^lexico.

In South Carolina, Dr. Cones found tliese birds most common in the
months of February and Marcli, and again in October and November. He
had no doubt tiiat some remain ami ])ass the winter, and tluit others are

TYRANNIDyE — THE FLYCATCHERS. 345

resident in th(» State diirinj,' the summer months, but believes the great
majority go I'artlier nortli to breed.

In Western Maine it is a common summer visitant, breeding tlicre in con-
si(h'ral)le numbers. I'rol'essor Verrill states tliat it is frequently seen there
tlie lirst of Mardi, beconnug ([uite common l)y the first of April. It is also
a summer visitant about Calais, where it breeds, but is rather rare. At
Hamilton, (Janada, Mr. Mcllwiaith reports it as a common summer resident,
arriving about April 15.

In IVimsylvania tliis siwcics arrives among the earliest spring visitants,
sometimes as early as the iirst week in Marcli, and continues in that region
until late in October. Wilson has seen specimens as late as the 12th of
Novendjcr. He states that in tiie month of February be met with them
fe(!ding on the smilax berries in the low, swampy W()(jds of North and South
Car(jlina. They were already chanting tlieir simple, phuntive notes. In
IMassachusetts they usually arrive from the loth to the 25th of Marcli.
In the warm spring of 1870 they were already abundant by the lOth.
They were nesting early in April, and their first brood was ready to iiy by
the middle of May. They have two broods in a season, and occasionally
perhaps three, as I have known fre.sh eggs in the middle of August. They
leave late in October, unless the season be luuisually open, when a few linger
into Novemljcr.

Tiieir well-known and monotonous, though not unpleasing, note of pe-wee,
or, as some hear \t, ph<}i-hm, is uttered with more force and freijuency in
early spring than later in the season, though they repeat the note throughout
their residence north. It usually has some favorite situation, in which it
remains aU the morning, watching for insects and contiiuially repeating its
simjde song. As he sits, he occasionally liirts his tail and darts out after
each passing insect, always returning to the same twig.

This species is attracted both to the vicinity of water and to the neighbor-
hood of dwellings, probably for tin; same reason, — the abundance of insects in
either situation. They are a familiar, confiding, and gentle bird, attached
to localities, and returning to them year after year. They build in sheltered
situations, as under a bridge, under a projecting rock, in the porches of
houses, and in similar situations. I have known them to build on a small
shelf in the porch of a dwelling ; against the wall of a railroad-station, with-
in reach of the passengers ; and under a ])rqjecting window-siU, in full view
of the family, entirely unmoved by the presence of the latter at meal-
time.

Their nests are constructed of small pellets of mud, jdaced in layers one
above the other, in semiturcular form, covered with mosses, and warndy lined
with fine straw and feat Inns. When the nest is jdaced on a Hat surface, —
a shelf or a projecting rock, — it is circular in form, and mud is not made
use of. A nest of this descrijjtion, taken by Mr. Vickary in Lynn, and con-
laining five egg.s, was constructed on a ledge, protected by an overlianging

Mil,. II. 44

346 NORTH AMERICAN HIRD'S.

rock, only a few feet from the ground. It measured four and a half inches
in diiumrter and tln'cc in hei-ht. The cavity was nearly three inches wide
and one and a half deep. Its base was constructed of layers of fine leaves,
strips of bark, roots of plants, and otlier miscellaneous materials. Tlie
great mass of the nest itself was made up of tine mosses closely interwoven,
and strengthened by an intermixture of firmer plant fibres. The whole was
carefully and softly lined with strips of the inner bark of various deciduous
shrid)s, fine roots, and finer grasses. The semicircular nests are usually
placed out of reach of thu weather under some projecting shelter.

Wilson states that they often nest in eaves, and occasionally in an open
well, five or six feet down, among the interstices of the side-walls. Niittall
has known them to nest in an empty kitchen.

Their attachment to a locality, when once chosen, is remarkable, and is
often persevered in under the most discouraging circumstances. In one in-
stance, Nuttall states that a nest was built in the boathouse at Fresh Pond,
Candiridge, — a place so common as to be almost a thoroughfare. Although
with its young brood this nest Avas torn down by ruffian hands, the female
immediately built a new one in the same spot, and laid five additional eggs.
This was lined witli the silvery shreds of a manilla rope, taken from the
loft over the boathouse.

Besides the common call-note, from which these birds deri\-e their name,
they have, during the love-season, a low twittering song with which they
entertain their mates, but which is heard only when the birds are in com-
pany, and for a brief season.

The flight of the Pewee is an alternation of soaring and a succession of
light fluttering motions, more rapid wlien pursuing its prey than in its
orilinary movements. Its crest is usuatly erected when it is in motion, or on
tlie lookout for in.sects.

Mr. Audubon found these birds in full song in Florida during the winter,
and as lively as in spring, but met with none breeding south of Charleston.
Tlioy leave Louisiana in February, and return to it in October. They feed
largely on berries, es])ecially during the winter, and Mr. IMaynard found
s(uiie in the spring of 18G8 with hawthorn berries in their stomachs.

Tlie eggs of tlie Pewee measure .80 of an inch in length and .60 in breadtli.
Tliey are of a rounded oval shai)e, pointed at one end and much lai'ger at the
other. Their ground-color is a pure bright white, and generally unsiiotted ;
but a certain proportion, one set in every five or six, is distinctly marked
with reddish-brown dots at the larger end.

TYRANNID.E — THE FLYCATCHP^RS. 347

Sayornis sayus, Baird.

SAY'S FEWEE.

Musdcapa saya, Bonap. Am. Om. I, 1825, 20, pi. xi, fig. 3. — Arn. Oni. Tliof;. IV, 1838,
428, pi. cfolix. — 111. Hiiils Am. I, 1840, 217, pi. lix. Tiintntiiis ndijn, NrriAi.i,,
Miiii. I, (-2(1 cil.,) 1840, an. Mjiiuhius mijti, (ili.w, (ionciii, I, 1844 -4!>, 240. OMlwca
siiyt, ('.\1IANI'<, Wii'j;iiiiiiiii Airliiv, 1847, l, 2.'),'> (not typr). Tiiraaiiula .inijit, Hos.vi'.
Conspectus, 18.50. — M.\x. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 183. Aulauax satjus, Caiunis, .loiiiri.
Orn. 1850, 2. Tijranniila pallida, Swainson, Syn. Birds JU'X. No. 15, in Tiiyloi'.s
Phil. Mag. I, 1S-J7, 3(i7. Saijunih iMllida, Bo.sai-. — Sci.. V. /,. S. 1857, 204. Saij-
oriiis sdi/iis, liAiiii), Birds N. Am. 1858, 185. — In. M. B. II, Birds, it. — CooPKli,
Orn. Cal. I, 1870, 320. Thcromijuis suyu, Caua.n. M. II. 11, Sept. 1859, 08 (type).

Sp. ("iiau. Aliovo and on tlio sido.^ of the lio.id, nock, and breast, prayish-hrown,
darker on tlif crown ; rejrion aljout the cyo dusky. The chin, throat, and njipcr part of
the l)roa.st .similar to the back, but rather lighter and tinged with the color of the rest of
the lower parts, which arc; pale ciniuvmon. Under wing-coverts pale rusty-white. The
wings of ft rallier deeper tint than the back, with the exterior vanes and tip.s of the (piills
darker. Edges of the greater and secondary covert.s, of the outer vane of the outer
primary, and of the F:(!condarios and tertials, dull .white. The upper tail-covertvS and tail
nearly bhu'k. Edge of outer vane of exterior tail-feather white. Bill dark lirown,
rather pali r beneath. The feet brown. Second, third, and fourth cpiills nearly etpial;
fifth no.irly equal to sixth ; sixth much .shorter than the fifth. Tail broail, eniarginate.
Tarsi with a posterior row of scales. Length, 7 inches ; wing, 4.30; tail, 3.35.

IlAn. Missouri and central High Plains, westward to the Pacific and south to Mexico.
Xalapa (S<-i,. 18.")9, 3G(i) ; Orizaba (Sci.. List, 19!)); Vera Cruz, winter? (.Srw. Jf. Host.
Soc. I, bi)7) ; S. E. Texas (Uresseh, Ibis, 18G5, 473, breeds) ; W. Arizona (Couks, P. A.
N. S. 18CC, GO),

The young of tlie year have the upper parts slightly tinged with ferrugi-
nous ; two broad (rcmiginoiis) bands on the wings formed by the tips of the
first and second coverts. Tlie ipiills and tiiil rather darker tliau in tin adult
specimen.

Autumnal specimens are simply more deeply colored than spring examples,
the plumage softer and more blended.

IIauits. Say's Flycatclier has an e.xtended distribution througliotit west-
ern North America, from Mexico, on the south, to the plains of the .Saskatcli-
ewan on the nortli, and from the liio (.Jrande and the Missouri to tlie Pacitic
Ocean.

It was first discovered by Mr. Titian Peale on tlie Arkansas River, near
the llocky Mountains, and described by r)onaparte. Mr. l*eale noticed a
dilVerence in its voice from that of tlie common H. /iiuciik, and found it nesting
in a tree, building a nest of mud and moss, lined with dried grasses. Its
young were ready to fly in July. Kichardson obtained individuals of this
species at the Carlton House, May l.'i. It is not given by Cooper and
Suckloy in their Zottlogy of Wa.sliiiiglon Territory, but Dr. Newberry found
it not uncommon throughout both Oregon smd California.

Mr. Sumiclmist ascertained the presence of this bird within the Department

348 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

of Vera ('ruz, Init wlietlier tliere as resident or as exclusively migratory he
was not able to state. It lias also been found in winter throughout Alexico.
Mr. J. II. Clark met with it near Fort WeUster, in Xew^le.xico, and describes
it as particularly abundant about the cojiijer mines. One of the sliaits near
the fort, and w liicii was partially filled u]), served as a sinkliole i'or the oll'id
of the town, and around this quite a number of these birds cftuld always be
seen in pursuit of Hies and insects attracted to the place. Mi', ("lark observed
that their sudden darting from their perch and their instantaneous return
were not always attended with the capture of an insect, but seemed at times
to be done only for ainusenient or exercise. Mr. Dres.ser first noticed these
birds in November, when walking in the gardens of the arsenal at San
Antonio. On liis journey to Eagle Pass in December, lie saw several daily,
generally in i)air,s. They would perch on a bush by the roadside, occasionally
darting off" after some insect, and, as soon as he drew near, would lly off to a
convenient perch some distance ahead, thus kee])ing in advance for miles.
During the months o\' January and February tliey were not uncommon,
but after tliat he lost sight of them altogether. They seemed to prefer
the open country, as he generally found tliein on the prairies, and never
in the mesquite thickets. Their stomachs were found to contain small
insects.

Dr. Woodhouse frequently met with these birds in Western Texas and in
New ^lexico. They seemed more silent and more shy than the fuscus, but
otherwise similar in tlieir habits.

Dr. Kennerly met with this species at Bill "Williams's Fork, New Mexico,
February 10, 1854. He states that he found them common in Texas, and as
far to the westward as the Great Colorado Kiver. Tliey built their nests
under the cliffs along the stream, and iu notes and in every other respect
closely resembled the common Pewee.

Dr. Heermann mentions finding this species almndant in Southern Cali-
fornia. It was more especially plentiful iu the fall, at tlie time oi' its migra-
tion southward. lie also found it in New Mexico, in tlie northern part of
Texas, near £1 Paso, and in Sacramento Valley, though somewhat rare. In
migrating, it prefers the deej) valleys bordered by higli hills, but also occurs
on the open plains, where, perched on the stalk of some dead weed, or on a
prominent rock, it darts forth in pursuit of its prey, to return to the same
point.

In Arizona, Dr. Cones found this Flycatcher common throughout the Ter-
ritory. At Fort AVhipple it was a summer resident. It was one of tlie lirst
of the migratory l)irds to make its appearance in S]iriiig, arriving early in
M.irch, and remained among the last, staying until October. It winters
in tlie Colorado Valley and the .southern portions of the Temtory generally.
He ibuiid it frequenting almost exclusively open jilains, in stunted cha])aiTal
and sage brush. In .some other points of habits it is said to differ remark-
ably from our other Flycatchens. It does not habitually I'requent canons,

TYIIANNIILE — THE FLYCATCHERS. 349

rocky porj^es, and secluded banks of streams, as does S. fuscus, nor dues it
inhabit forests, like other Flycatchers

Dr. Cooper regards tliis bird as mostly a winter visitor in the southern
and western parts of CalitVtrnia, where he has seen none later than March.
In summer it is said to mij^rate to the great interior plains as far to the
north as latitude 00°. It arrives from the north at Los Angeles in Sei)tem-
ber, and i)erhai)s earlier in the northern part of the State, and i)()S.silily breed
there east of the Sierr'is Mr. Allen found it common in Colorado Territory,
among the mountains.

In the arid jmrtions of the Great Basin this si)ecies was often seen by Air.
llidgway. In its natural state it preferred rocky shores of lakes or rivers,
or similar places in the canons of the mountains, where it attached its bulky
down-lined nests to the inside of small caves or recesses in the rocks, usu-
ally building them upftn a small imtjecting shelf. Wherever man has erected
a building in those desert wastes, — as at the stage-stations along the road,
or in the mining towns, — it inunediately assumed the familiarity of our
eastern Pewee, at once taking jjossession of any outbuilding or any alnm-
doned dwelling. Its notes differ widely from those of the S. /usrnn and
»S^. nigricans, the common one consisting of a wailing jkci; varied by a tremu-
lous twitter, and more resembling certain tones of the AVood I'ewees (Con-
topxs vircm mid richardmni), with others which occasionally call to mind
the Myiarchti^ cincrascens.

This species Ims been observed as far to the east as Racine, Wisconsin,
where it was taken l)y Dr. P. K. Hoy. The specimen was sent to Mr. Cas-
sin, and its identity fully established. Dr. Palmer found it breeding near
Port Wingate, in Arizona, June 11, 1869, and Mr. llidgway obtained its
nests and eggs at Pyramid Lake, Nevada, May 23, 18G8. One of these
nests (No. 1:5,588) he describes as a nearly globular mass, more flattened on
top, ^5.50 inches in depth by 4 00 in diameter, and conqiosed chiefly of spiders'
webs, with whi(ili is mixed very fine vegetable fibres, of various descriptions.
This composition forms the bulk of the nest, and makes a closely matted
and tenacious, but very soft structure ; the neat but rather shallow cavity
is lined solely with the grayish-white down of wild ducks. The nest was
placed on a shelf inside a small cave on the shore of the island, at about
ten or twelve feet from the water.

Their eggs are rounded at one end and pointed at the other, measure .82
of an inch in length by .05 in breadth. They are of a uniform chalky white,
and, so far as I am aware, entirely unspotted.

350

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Genus CONTOPUS, Cabanw.
Contopns, Cabanis, Journ. fUr Ornith. Ill, Nov. 1855, 479. (Type, Museicapa virens, L.)

Gen. Cii.Mt. Tarsus very short, lint stout; less thau the middlo toe and scarcely longer
than the hinder; considerably less than the euhnen. Bill quite broad at the base; wider

_ ^ ''"'" ''''*'f the culnien. Tail

ilcrately forked. Wiuprs
very lon;^ and inneh pointed,
reaching beyond the middle
of the tail ; the first jirimary
about equal to the foui'tli. All
the primaries slender and rath-
er acute, but not attenuated.
Head moderately crested. Col-
or olive above, pale yellowish
beneath, with a darker patch
on the sides of the breast.
Under tail-covert.s strt^aked in
most species. A tuft ol' cottony-
white feathers on oaoli side of
tlu^ rump (concealed in most
species).

Contopus borealis.

This genus is pre-eminently characterized among North American Fly-
catcliors by tlie very sliort tarsi, and the long and much pointed wings.

In most other genera, as S'ni/oria, Mi/iair/uif<, and Empidonax, a trace of a
cottony tuft may be discovered by careful search on the Hanks ; but in the
])resent genus, there is, in addition, tlie tufts on the rump, not found in the
others. The species are as follows : —

Species and Varieties.

A. Cottony pateh of white feathers on sides of the rump greatly developed, and
conspicuous, llictal bristles very short (about one fourth tlie length of the bill).
Lower parts distinctly and abruptly white medially (somewhat interrupted on
the breast).

1. C. borealis. First f|uill longer than the fonith, generally exceed-
ing the third. Wing, 4.00 to 4.40; tail, 2.!)0 to 3.00; cuhncn, .90;
tarsus, .00. Above dark olive-plumbeous, the tertials edged with
whitish ; low<'r parts a lighter .shade of the same, laterally and acro.ss
the breast (narrowly), the throat and miildle line of the abdomen
being abru])tly white. Young not dilferent. Itcih. Northern parts of
North America, to the north border of United States ; on the mountain-
ranges, farther south, on the interior ranges, penetrating through Mexico
to Costa llica.

B. Cottony jjatch on side of rump rudimentary and concealed. Rictal bristle.'*
strong (on<' half, or more, the length of the bill). Lower parts not distinctly
white niedially.

a: First prima.y shorter than fifth, but exceeding the sixth. Tail shorter
- than wings.

TYRANNID.'R — THE FLYCATCHERS. 35I

2. C. pertinax. Wing more tlinn H.-'jO. Ornyisli-olive, liopominff lighter
on llie throat (in(h.stin(Mly) and alxlonicn (lU'ciilcdly). No distinct
light bands on the wing. Rictal lirisllos about hall' the length ol' bill.

The olivo of a grayish cast, and not darker on the crown. Wing,
4.45; tail, 3.90; depth of its fork, .35; cnlnu'ii, .92; tarsus, .70.
Hab. Mexico, generally north into Arizona (Kort Whipple, Couks).

var. ]> cr t i n <i x .

The olive of a sooty cast, and darker on the crown. AVing, .'t.tiO ;
tail, 3.10; its fork, .20; cuhnen, .83; tarsus, .Gl. Hah. Costa
Rica var. luguhr i s}

3. C. brachytarsuB. Wing less than 3.00; colors much as in pertinax,
var. 2>erHitax, but wing-bands distinct, breast less grayish, and pihnini
decidedly darker than the back. Rictal bristles two thirds as long as
the bill.

Wing, 2.60; tail, 2.55; culnien, .GO; tarsus, .53. Hah. Panama.

var. hrachijtarsus?
Wing, 2.90 ; tail, 2.55 ; culmen, .07 ; tarsus, .53. Ilah. Yucatan.

var. schottL''
b. First primary shorter than the si.\th. Tail variable.

4. C. caribaeuB. Bill much depressed, very long and broad, the sides
more nearly parallel on the basal than on the terminal half; rictal bristles
very strong (two thirds, or more, the length of the bill). Above
olivaceous, generally rather dark, but varying in tint. Beneath wliiti.sh,
or dull liglit-ochraccous, more l)rownisli along the sides and (more
faintly) across the breast. Axillars and lining of the wing deep light-
ochraccous.

Tail longer than wings ; bill moderately depressed ; rictal bristles
three fourths as long as the bill.

Dark greenish-olive above ; beneath dingy ochrey-yellowish.
Wing, 2.80 ; tail, 2.90 ; culmen, .78 ; tarsus, .58. Hub. Cuba.

var. c (/ r i b a- u s }
Dark olive-gray above ; beneath whitish, with scarcely any
yellow.sli tinge. Wing, 3.00 ; tail, 3.05 ; culmen, .70; tarsus,

.59. Hah. Ilayti var. hispaniolcnsis.^

Brownish-olive above ; beneath deep dingy ochrey-yellowish.
Wing, 2.85; tail, 2.90; culmen, .CG ; tarsus, .50. Hab. Ja-
maica var. pallidas.'^

Tail shorter than wing ; bill excessively depressed ; rictal bristles
only one half as long as the bill.

1 Contopux lugubrii, Lawis. Ann. N. Y, Lye. VIH, 1865, 134 (Costa Rica, Baranca).

* C'imtopii.i brtic/iijliirsiis, .Si'i..\rK,i!, Cat. Am. U. 1S()2, 231. {Empidonax brachyt. ScL. Ibis,
ISoO, p. 441.) A strongly marked race, but distinguishable from schotti only by just a[)precia-
ble dilFerences in color ^being paler beneath), and shorter wing and bill, the latter broader at
tlie tip.

8 Oontopus (brnchytarsus var. ?), var. scliolH, Lawii. Ann. N. Y. Lj'C. IX, 1860, 202 (Yucatan).
Very nearly related to C. ricluirrtioni, but easily distinguished by the very dill'erent proportions.

* Vontopiis cariboMs (D'Okb.) Mnsci/idd carikra, D'Oiin. (H. de la Sagra), Hist. Cuba, 1839, 77.
'' Con/opitu carUwcHs, var. hiiixtniolcnsii, BiivANr. 'J'lirannuhi caribwa, var. huip(iniolfnsi.i,

BiiYAN-r, I'r. Bost. Soc. XI, 180(5, 91.

" Contopus caribcviui, var. pnl/idits (Gossi;). Afj/hhiiis jmllidus, Oossk, Birds Jam. KitJ.
Blnckus pallidiis, Scl. P. Z. S. 1861, 77. Contopiis p. Sci-. Catul. Am. B. 1862, 231. — Makch,
Vr. Ph. A. N. Sc. 1863, 290.

352 NORTH AMKHFCAX lilU'DS.

01ivo-])liinili('oiis ntinvc ; licni'iitli iliiifry white (not intor-

nipli'd oil tlio lirenslj; liiiircd poslcrini'ly willi .lulpliiirv Ciiot

oclircy) yclldw; wiiii.'-liiiii(ls piilo iisli. Wiiiu:, 2.t^(l ; tail, ■_'.<)."» ;

cnliiicii, .7!) ; tiirsus, .(i.'i. Jlab. Jiiilmnm.s. . \av. Ixi li a m eim in .'

C First quill much ion^'ci' tliiiii lil'ili (sonu'tiim'.s ('(|iml to fourtli). Tiiil iiiiich

slidili'i' lluui tliu will};. Ijill iiiurji siiiiillur, losH tloprcsscd, and liioru triaii;,'iiliir ;

liijtal brisilt's idioiit one liaH'tiio hill.

5. C. virena. Colors of carihinin var. hahameiisis, hut rnllior iiioro
olivaceous uhove, aiul iiioro distiiuMly tin},'od with sul|iluir-yi'llo\v pos-
teriorly heiieatli. Lining of the wiiips, nnd nxillais, without any
ochiiiceous tini,'(!; lower tail-eoverta distinelly frrayish centrally.

Whitish of the lower parts not interrupted on the breast. Winpr,
3.40; tail, 2.00; cuhncii, .G7 ; tarsus, .54. Hah. Eastern Province
of T^iiited States ........ var. vireiis.

Whitish of nieclial lower parts interrupted liy a prayish wash
across tlu! lireast. Wiiij.', 3.40; tail, 'IXtii in 'l.'O • culnieii, .70;
tarsus, .54 to 50. llah. Western Province of United States, south
throuj,'hout Middle Anieiica to Ecuador . . \ax. richur dsou i?

• Contoims (enrihecus var. ?) iHihuiiiriisin, HuvAsr. f'nijtidiiiKir lutlwmnisin, Uuv ant, I,i^l of
liiiils of till' Hidiaiiias, ls,")!l, y. 7. Youiif; with llic I'oliirs iiion^ ashy ahovr, anil less yi'llmvisli
luMK alh ; till! ujiiicr parts witli fratlicis faintly tipped with jialrr, causing an obsolrti! traiisvii'so
iiiDttliiig ; two distinct l)aiiils on wing of \k\V' oi'Iiiiu'cdus.

or llie above, caribiriis, lu.yiiiiiiuhiini-i, aiul ])til/i<lii.s avu i.lcarly to be referred to one si)eeii's ;
the ' '. Iiiiltitmrnsis also 1ms nmiiy (diiuacters in eoninioii with them, niiJ no violence would be
iliiiie by rererring it, also, to the same ty|M' ; it is, however, more moilitied from the standard
lliiui any of the others, tliough the inodificatioiis are not of importance.

2 Till se measurements are not only those of United States and .Mexican exiunplcs, but also of
Middle .\muricau examples (" siirilidiilii.s," .SeLA'rKli, and "jileliciuti," C'aiianis), and of a scries
from Kcuador and New Granada {= " Inxjotoisis," .Sci.atei!). In eoinpariiig a ipiite largi'
niimbcr of smh Middle ,\meiican and Ivjuatorial s]ieciinens with the large series of Xortlicin
examples, we have been utterly unable to appreciate even the slightest dill'erelicc between thciii.

The ('. /iiiiKjisis (Lawi;. Ann. N. Y. Lye. l.\, l.S(ill, '2:i7 ; Puna Island, (luayaipiil) is foiiiidccl
upon ail iiiimaturi! sjicciiiieii, so tlii^ characters of the species cannot be given with exactness.
The relatioMsliip apjicars very close to the ''. eiiribtrim, there being the same large, very depressed
bill, with the long bristles reaching nearly to its tip, and the tail about as long as the wing ;
while the npiicr i>liimage has the light faint transverse mottling seen in the young mrihtfitx, var.
/i(i/iii)nciinis, and the lining of the wing ochraccons. In colors, however, the two are very diller-
eiit, the young of y<i//«H.s/.s- being ashy-green, instead of pure ash, (Ui the back, the crown very
mmh darker, instead of not a|iprccial)ly so ; the wing-bands are white instead of ochraccous,
wbili^ the breast and sides are dull suliihnr-yellowish, instead of ashy, without any yellow tinge.
The measurements are as follows : Wing, 2.60 ; tail, 2.60 ; culr.icn, .72 ; tarsus, ..'i6.

The a. ni'hrmrus, Sci.atkr k Sai.vix (V. Z. .S. 1860, 419 ; Saj.v. Ibis, 1870, 11.1), of Costa
Itica, we have not seen. From the description, however, it seems to bo scarcely dilfercnt fidin
V. liKiiihrin, and it is ])robably the same. The size (wing, 3.30) appears to be a little smaller,
and the belly more deeply yellowish.

TYUAXNIIJ.E — TlIK FLYCATCIIEUS.

35;j

Contopus borealis, Haikd.

OLIVE-BIOED FLYCATCHER.

Turniniiis bumtlis, Sw. k Uioil. F. Itor.-Aui. II, 1H31, 141, pliitc. Mi/iuliius Ijuiriilis,
OitAV, (Jcni'iu, 1, '2ii. Musficu/ia cuopcri, NriTALL, Man. 1, 18yj, ^S'J. — Arn.
Oiii. Hiog. 11, 1834, Vl-i ; V, ISUi), 422, I'l. clxxiv. — In. Syiioiisis, 18;J!I, 41. In.
Birds Am. I, 1840, 212, \i\. Iviii. I'l/mnnun coiijicri, linN.vi'. List, 1838. — NliiAl.i,,
Man. I, (2(1. I'll.,) 184(1, 2!I8. (,'oiiliijiiis eimpn-i, Caiiani.s, .Idiiriial liir (»niilli<il. Ill,
Nov. 18r).'i, 470. Mii.scifiijKi hiiii-nnlii, XrriAi.i., iMaii. 1, 1832, 282. ('iiii>ii/>iis hin'mlis,
Haiiiii, Uinls X. Am. 1858, 188. — Codi'Kit & Si:i;Kl.r.v, lUU. — Sci.atkii, ( atiil, l^(i2,
230. — Sa.mim;i..s, 13'i. — C'diii'Ki!, Oni. C'lil. I, 1870, 323. C'iiiifi>/)ii.i iKisult'iiru-i. .Sci.a-
TKli, P. Z. S. 18.')9, 43. — lu. Ibis, 1859, 122, 151. Ti/miinit.s iiii/iicuiiii. Max. Uib.
J. VI, 18.^.8, 184.

Sp. Ciiah. Win<;s long, much pointod ; the second quill lonjre.st ; the lir.-it loiijri'r tlian
the tiiird. Tail di'cply forked. Tar.-ii .-^liort. The upper parts usliy-browii, sliuwiug
darker brown centres of the feathers; this is emi-
nently the ca.se on the top of the head ; the sides of
the head and neek, of the breast and body, re.sem-
bling the back, but with the edges of the featliLTS
tinged with gray, leaving a darker central streak.
The chin, throat, narrow lino down the middle of the
breast and body, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts
white, or .sonietinies with a faint tinge of yellow.
The lower tail-coverts somewhat streaked with brown
in the centre. On each side of the rump, generally
concealed by the wing.-;, is an elongated bunch of
white silky feather.s. The wings and tail very dark
brown, the former with the edges of the sei'ondaries
and tertials edged with dull white. The lower wing-
coverts and axillaries gniyi.sh-brown. The tips of the
primaries and tail-feathers rather jialer. Feet and

upper mandilile black, lower mandible brown. TIk; yomig of tin; year similar, but the
color duller; edges of wing-leathers dull rusty instead of grayish-white. The feet light
brown. lA-ngth, 7.50 ; wing, i.X\ ; tail, 3.30 ; tarsus, .00.

TIai!. Norihern portions of whole of North Amerieii, throughout Rocky Mnuiitain.';.
.south through elevafeil regions of Mexico to Costa Riea. Localities: Oaxaca, high reiiions,
Oct. (Sol. 18.")8, 301); Xalai)a (Sol. 18o9, 300) ; Guatemala (Sci,. Iliis, T, 122); Costa
Rica (Lawk. IX, 115); Veragua (8ai,v. 1870, 190); San Antonio. Texas (Duksskh, Ibi.s,
18G5, 474, winter).

Tliere i.s wonderfully little variation in this species, both in coloration ami
size, with diflerent regions ; in fact none other than individual can be
observed. Contrary to the usual rule, spring sjjecimens have a more
appreciable sulpliur-yellow tinge below.

Habits. This still comparatively rare species was first obtained by Kich-
ardson and described by Swainsnn. Tlie specimen was shot on tlie Sas-
katoliewan. No other was taken, and no ini'orm.ation was obtained in reference
to its habits. It appears to have been next met with by Mr. John Iletlnine,
in Cambridge, June 7, 1830, in the woods of Mount Auburn. This and a

Contnptis borfal'ts.

vol,. II.

lo

354 North American iurds.

st'coiul speciinoii, ()l)tixiii(ul soon (ifter, wore feiimles, on the point of incuba-
tion. A tliird Ifiiiiilc WHS sliot in the lollowiii;,' your, .Fiine L'l. Supiio.sod to
1)0 11 now siiocios, it wiis doscriliod by Mr. Xuttull us Ti/rttuiuiti rod/xri. All
the Hi»orinioMs proourod luid their stonuichs tilled with turn l'ra;^nients ol' beos,
wiusp.s, and similar in.sects.

Mr. Nutlall, who watched the motions of two other liviii},' individuals of
this s])ooio.s, states that they appeared tyrannical ami (juarrelsome even with
each other. Their attacks were always accompanied with a whining, (pieru-
lous twitter. The disjjutcs seemed to be about the occupancy of certain terri-
tories. One bird, a feiiialo, apptMired to contine herself to a small clump of red
cedars, in the midst of a sandy piece of forest. From the tree-tops she kept
a sharp lookout for passing' in.sects, and purstied them, as they ai)peared, with
great vigor and success, sometimes chasing them to the ground, and returning
to her i)erch with a mouthful which slut devoured at her leisure. Wiien
.she resumed her ])osition, she would occasionally (juiver her wings and tail,
erect her crest, keeping up a whistling call iii' j>ii-pi1, uttered with variations.
Besides this call the. male had a short song which souniled like ch'-j)hchee.

The nest of this pair Mr. Xuttall discovered in the horizontal l)ranch of a
tall rod cedar, fifty feet from the ground. It was made o.xtornally of inter-
laced dead twigs of the cedar, lined with wiry stems, and dry grasses, and
fragments of lichens. It contained three young, which remained in the nest
twenty-three days, and wore fed on beetles and other in.sects. liefore they
left their nests they coidd ily as well as their pdirents. Tiie male bird M-as
very watchful, and would fretpiently follow ^h\ Nuttall half a mile. They
were in no way timid, and allowed him to investigate them and their premi-
ses without any signs of alarm.

In I'S.WJ, tiie same ]iair, a]>parently,took po.sses.sion of a small juniper, near
the tro(! thoy had ()C(!ui)ied the year before, in which, at the heiglit of lil'teen
feet, they placed their nest. It contained four eggs which, except in their
sujiorior size, won^ ]irocisoly similar to those of the Wood IVweo, yellowish
cream-color, with dark brown and lavencU-r-purple spots, thinly disjjorsed.
Alter removing two of these eggs, the others were accidentally rolled out of the
nest. The pair constructed another nest, iigain in a cedar-troe, at a short dis-
tinico. The next year thoy did not return to that locality. ]Mr. Nuttall after-
wards met with individuals of this species in the fir woods on the ('olund)ia.

On the Sth of August, 18:52, Mr. Audubon, in company with Mr. Xuttall,
obtained the s])ecimen of this species in lirookUne, Mass., from which his
drawing was made. In the course of his journey farther east, Atulubon
found it in ;\Iaine, on the Magdeleine Islantls, and on the coast of Labrador.
He afterwards met with it in Texas.

iSIr. P.oardman reports the Olive-sided Flycatoher as having of late years
been very abundant during the summer in the dead wo(k1s about the lakes
west of f'alnis, where formerly they were (piite uncommon. Mr. Yeirill
metitious it as a summer visitant in Oxford County, in the w(.'8tern part o;

TYHANNID.K-TIIl'; FLYCATCHKIW, 355

till) State, hut not very cnmiiKni, and mh undoiilttiMlly hrooiUnjj; tluro. It was
never olisorved tliero beloie llu; 2l)tli of May. It is aaid to bo more uljun-
dnnt 1 1 [,alv('. Uniba^^oj,'.

In NV^'stein MasHacliusetts Mr. \\hi\ re<?ards tlii.s bird as a not very mre
Hunnnor visitant. It arrives altoiiL May 12, Ijreeds in iiijfli open woods, and
is .seldom seen at any distance I'rom tlieni. It leaves about the niiildle of
Se|)t('nd)er.

Mr. William IJrewster, who resides in ( "ambrid<,'e, in the neij^hborhood in
which this species was lirst observed by Mr. Nuttall, infornis me that these
l)irds still continue to bo found in that locality, lie has himself met with
five or si.v of tlmir ncssts, all of which were placed lunir the extremity of
some lonj,' hm'i/ontal branch, usually that of a i)itch-i»ine, but on one occa-
sion in that of an a])i)le-tree. The ejjiys were laid al>out the loth of -Tune,
in only one instance earlier. The femulcs were very restless, and left tiieir
nest lonj,' before he had reached it, and, sittinj,' on some dead l)ranch con-
tinually uttered, in a complainiui,' tone, notes re.seml)lin<^ the syllal)les ^)///-
2vll-}>UI, occasionally varyinj,' to pn-jiii-]m. The males were fierce and (piar-
relsome, and attacked indiscriminately everything that came near their
domain, sometimes seeming even to fall out with their mates, fighting sav-
agely with them for several seconds. When incubation was at all far
advanced, the l)irds evinced considerable courage, diu'ting down to within a
few inches of his head, if he approached their nest, at the same time loudly
snajjping tiieir liills.

A nest of this Flycatcher was found in Lynn, Mass., by Mr. George O.
Welch, in June, IH'tH. [t was Iniilt on tiie top of a dead cedar, and con-
tained three eggs. It was a flat, shallow structure, five inches in its external
diameter, and with a very imi)erfectly diitiued cavity. The greatest dei)th
was less than half an inch. It was coarsely and loosely V)uilt of strips of
the bark and fine twigs of the red cedar, roots, mosses, dry grasses, etc.
The nest was so shallow, that, in climbing to it, two of the eggs were rolled
out and broken.

Mr. Charles S. Paine has found this bird breeding in Randolph, Vt. On
one occasion he found its nest on the top of a tnU hemlock-tree, but was not
able to get to it.

In riiiladelphia, Mr. Trumbull found this species very rare. It passed
north early in May, and south in September. Near Hamilton, Canada, it is
very rare, none having been seen ; and two specimens obtained near Toronto
are all that Mr. Mcllwraith is aware of having been taken in Canada West.

Dr. Hoy informs me that this species used to be (piite common near
Kacine, frecpienting the edges of thick woods, where they nested. They have
now become (piite scarce. Some years since, he found one of their nests,
just abandoned by the young birds, which their parents were engaged in
feeding. It was on the horizontal branch of a maple, and was composed
wholly of iisnca:

356 NORTH AMERICAX 13IKDS.

In "Wiisliington Territory lliis bird appeavs t(i lii^ somewhat more common
than ill other ijortioiis of the United .Stales. Dr. Suekkiy obtained a S])eci-
iiieii at Koit Steilaeooiii, July 111, 185(3. It \va.s not very almndant about
I'liget .Sound, and .showed a prei'erenee I'or siiady thieivets and dense I'oliage,
where it was nut easily shot. Dr. Cooper speaks ol' it as very common,
Miriviiij;- early in Jlay and I'reiiuentinjf the borders of woods, where, stationed
on tiie tups ol' tall dead trees, it rei)eals a loud and melanehuly ery tIirou<ih-
out the day, during the whole of summer. It frequents small pine groves
along the coast, and also in the interior, and reinains until late in September.

In Califc.rnia Dr. Cooper found this species rather common in the Coast
IJange tow..ri;s Santa Cruz, where they had nests in May ; but as these were
liuih ill high inaece.ssilile branches, ho was not able to examine them. He
who found it at Lake Talioe in September.

Tliis sjjecies was only met with by Mr. Kidgway in the pine woods high
u[i on the East Humboldt, AVahsatch, and Uintah Mountains. There it was
breeding, but was nowhere abundant, not more than two pairs being ob-
ser\ed within an area of several miles. They preferred the rather open pine
woods, and were shot from the highest branches. Their common note was a
mellow ^)«t7', much like one of the whistling notes of the Cardinal Grosbeak
{CdrdUmlis virjiin ictnua).

^Ir. Dresser states it to be not uncommon near San Antonio in the winter
season. Dr. neermann mentions that two specimens of this species were
obtained, to his knowledge, on the Cosumnes Itiver, in California. It has
lieen taken in winter, in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico, by Mr. Boucard, and
has been met with at Jalajia, and even as far south as (iuatemala.

A single s])eciinen of this bird was taken, August 21t, 1840, at Xenortalik,
CiriH'iilaiid, and sent to Copenhagen.

Tliii eggs of this species measure .8(; of an inch in length by .62 in breadth,
and are rounded at one end and sharply ta])ering at the other. The ground-
color is a rich I'ream-color with a roseate tint. They are beautifully marked
aiDUiid the larger end with a ring of contluent spots of lilac, ])uri)le, and
ivd-brown. These; vary in number and in the size of this crown, but the
markings are invariablv about the larger end, as in Contopus vireiis.

Contopus pertinax, Cabanis & Heink.

UEXICArr OLIVE-SIDED FLTCATCHEB.

Cniitnpn.t prrliiiii.f, (\\n. ot Ilr.iN. Mils. ITi'in. 11, p. 72. — Sci.ATEll, Tatnl. Am. 15. 1S()L>,
•J^il. - Cori-.s, Tr, Ac. I'liil. ISm!, 60. — Ki.i.ior, Illu.st. H. Am. I, pi. viii. — CodPrni,
(!c()l. Srrv. Cilif. din. I, :!'2t. - Cdopi:;!, Oni. Ciil. I, 1870, .324. Contopus hnirnlis,
S([,.vn'.!i, I'. '/,. S. \>^:,'H, :i01 ; 18.19, 4:i ; Ibi.s, IS."")!), 122, 440.

Sp. Ciiat!. Xi'.'iily iiiiiConnly olivc-^jfriiy. lifrlitor on the tlivn.it anil aluloniiiiiil rcfrion,
where i.s a .^trmij,' liiijro of ochraceous-yellow ; I'eallier.s of the wiiig.s with Ihintly lighter

TYRANNID.E — THE FLYCATCHERS. 357

odfrcs. Lonjrth nlwut S.(ii); winjr. 1.1') ; tail, .'!00; dciilli of its link, ..35 ; onliiipn. .!•'_' ;
tiusiis, ."(>. Ivirtal Inisllcs loM.ir. iilioiit lialf tlic liill ; Inwcr iniuuliMt! whitish, yoiini/.
iSiuiiliU', liiit wilh 11 stnm^H'r ochniccous liiigi" on iho iili(lonit'n niui hniii^' of Iho vviugs,
niid two (lisliiii't oi'hl'aci'Oiis hands across Iho wiiij;'.

Hab. AFcxico •icncially, into .southi'iii hoixh'rs of United Statos (Vort Wliipplo,
Arizona; Du. Coi'Kti).

HAnri'.'^. Dr. ('ones I'mind this .species .i rare summer resilient at Fort
Wliipplo, wliere a .single speeimen wu.s taken August 20, in good ])luniiige.
This was its first introduction into the i'auua of the United States. It is one
of several Mexican and peninsular birds ibund in Upper Arizf i, prohaMy
folh)wiug th(! course of the valley of the (_jireat Colorado IJiver. Nt) olnserva-
tions were made in reference to its habits.

This species is abundant in the Department of Vera Cruz, according to
^fr. Sumiclirast, who gives it as confined to the alpine region, lie found
both it and C. riirns common in the mountains of Orizaba, between the
luiight of 3,000 and 7,500 feet.

Contopus virens, Cabanis.

WOOD FEWEE.

Miiscii-npn vimi/i, Lin'n. .Syst. Nat. I, 17('>(j, ;;27. — Omklix, .Sy.st. Xat. I, 17S,<<, O.lfi. —
L.vni.vM, Index Oin. - Licirr. Vm.. 182;?, .ItiS. — NrrrAi.i,, Man. I, l,s;i2, :is.'.. —
Ari). Oin. !»()■,'. II, l.SIit, !l.i ; V, 1>S;!!I, 4-_'.%, pi. c.w. — 111. .Synopsis, 1S;!0, 4';. -In.
Hinls Am. 1,1840,231, pi. I.\iv. — (iotACO, liiids I,. Island, 1844, 4;l. Miisri,;,/,,,
qucruin, Vii'.M.l.or, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 18(17, (!8, pi. .\.\.\i.\ (not of ^Vii.son). Miiscicn/iii
i-apixx, Wll.sox, Am. Oin. II, 181(1, 81, pi. xiii, f. 5. Tiiniiuiiila rinn.i, Kicil. Ap]).
Back'.s Voyaj^i". — iioNAl'. Li.st. ISJiS. Mi/iohiiin cZ/vh-s (Ikay. Tiirnnniis rirriix,
NllTAl.!,, JIan. 1, (2d imI.,) 1840, '.WCt. diiii/njiiis rinn.i, Caiiams, .((lurnal flir Or-
nitlu)lof,de. 111, Nov. ISar., 4711. — Haiuii, Biid.s N. Am. 1858, 11)0. — Silatkk, Cutal.
1862, 231. --Samikls, 1:(7.

Sp. Char. T1u> soooiid ipiill longest; llio tliiid a little shorter ; the first sliortor th.an
thofonrtli; the latter nearly .•!() loiip'r tiian the liftli. The primaries more than an iiipli
lonf,'or tiian the .soeoiuh.ries. The upper parts, sides of the head, neek, and breast, dark
olivaceou.s-brown, the latter rather paler, the liead darker. A narrow white rim,' round
the eye. The lower parts pale yellowish, deepest on the abdomen ; a<'ross the breast
tiiiired with ash. This pale ash .ometimes oeenpies the whole of the breast, and evi'n
c.ei'asioiially extends up to the chin. It is also sometimes ulos.sed with olivaeeons. The
wiiiffs ami tail dark brown ; generally deeper than in S. /iikciis. Two narrow bands
across the wiiijr. the outer odp;o of first primary and of (he .secondaries and leriials. dull
white. The edncs ki\' the tail-feathers like (h<' back : the outer one scarcely liiihler.
Upper inandibh' black ; the lower yellow, but brown at the tip. Leiii;th, (5.15 ; wing,
:!.5(l; tail. ;!.(I5.

Haii. Ivistern North .Vim'rii a to the borders of the hiirh (^entral Tlains. Localities:
?nua(emala (Sci.. Ibis, 1. 122); ^[cxieo (Sci.. Ibiis, ]. dill; Culm ? (('An. . I. III. I7i»;
OuNDi,. Hep. l.'<(!5, 2:!!l): Costa Uica (Caii. .1. ISiil, ;!48 ; I,Awit. l.\. 115): ("ob.in (Sei,.
List) ; Vera Cruz, alpiiu- refiion, breeds (Sim. M. Host. Soc. F, .)57) ; San Antonio, Te.xas
and r ern Te.xas (Dkkssku, Ibi.s, L8(J5, 471, brceils).

35P NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Young birds are duller in plumage ; tlie whitish markings of wing tinged
witli i'errugiuous ; the lowur luandililo more dusky.

IIaijits. The common Wood I'uwee ol' cia.sturu North America occurs in
aliundauce from tlie Atlantic to the great plains, and from Texa.s to New
Bruuswick. It broed.s from South Carolina and Texas north. It is found in
Central aud Soutiieru Maine, but is not .so abundant as it is farther south.
It is i'ouud near St. Stepliens, N. Jl, iuid breeds in that vicinity, but is not
common. It is a summer visitant at Norway, Me., but I'roi'essor Verrill
states that it is much less coiumon than in Massachusetts, where it arrives
the last of May. At llaudltou, in Canada, Mr. Mcllwraith records this
.species as abundant in the suiumer, arriving there the middle of May. I am
not aware of its liaving been taken north of the 45th parallel of latitude, with
the excei)tion of one at lied liiver, Minnesota, and another at Fort William
by Mr. Keunicott. It is .said by Dr. Coues to be a summer resident of South
Carolina from the middle of A])ril to tiie middle of October, and J\Ir. Dresser
states that he found it very counuon in the wooded river-l)ottoms near San
Antonio during the • ammer, not arriving there until late in April or early in
May. Their call-note, he states, is a low prolonged whistle. Their stomaclis
were found to contain minute coleopterous insects. Dr. Woodliouse also
s])eaks of it as connnon in Te.\as and in the Indian Territory. In tiie De-
partment of Vera Cruz, ]\Ir. Suuiichrast ibund this species, as well as the
Cuntopus 2K')iin.a.r, conuuon iu the mountains of Orizaba, between the heiglit
of :?,(1(;() and 7,500 feet.

In Pennsylvania, Wilson states that the Wood Pewee is the latest of the
summer Ijirds iU arriving, seldoui coming before the 12th or 15th of ]\Iay.
He ibund it frequenting the shady high-timbered woods, wlicre there is little
unilerwood aud an abundance of dead twigs and bninches. It was gen-
erally found in low situations. He adds that it builds its nest ou tlie upper
side of a lindj or branch, formed outwaidly of moss and liued with various
soft luaterials, and stoics that the female lays five white eggs, and that the
brood leave the nest about the middle of June. Probably the last statement
is correct as ajijilied to Penn.sylvaniu, but tiie intimation as to the color of
the egg and some of tlie characteristics of the nest is so inaccurate as to
make it doubtful whether Wilson could have ever .seen the nest for iiimself

Tliis species, like all its family, is a very exjjert catcher of insects, even
the most minute, and lias a wonderfully quirk ])ercc])tion of their near
presence, even when the light of day has nearly gone and in tin; deej) gloom
of thick woods. It takes its .station on the end of a low dead limb, from
wliich it darts out in (picst of iu.sects, .sometimes lor a single individual,
which it .seizes with a peculiar snaj) of its liill ; and, freijuently meeting in.sect
after insect, it k(!eps up a constant snapi)ing .sound as it ))asses on, and finally
returns to its jiost to resume its watch. During this watch it occasionally is
heard to utter a low twitter, with a ([uivering nioveiiujut of the wings and
tail, and more rarely to enunciate a louder but still feeble call-note, sounding

TYRANNJD.E — THE FLYCATCHERS. 359

like pee-e. Tliese iiotos are oontiiuu'd until diirk, and are also uttert'd
throughout the season.

Mr. Nuttall .states that this .specie.s at times displays a tyrannical disjiosi-
tion, and that it lias heen oliserved to ciiase a harmless Sparrow to the
ground, l)eeause it hfi])penod to approach liis station lor collecting insects.

According to Mr. Audubon, some of these birds spend the winter months
in the extreme Southern States, Louisiana and Florida, where tliey feed upon
berries as well as insects.

In ^rassfiehu.setts the Wood I'ewee is a very abundant species, and may
usually be I'ound in any (jjien woods, or in an orchard of large spreatling
trees. In the latter situation it fre<|uently breeds. It usually selects a
lower dead limli of a tree, i'rom ten to tliirty feet from the ground, and occa-
sionally, but more seldom, a living moss-grown branch. It always choo.ses
one that is covered with small lichens, and saddles its nest upon its uj)per
surface, so closely assimilated by its own external coating of lichens as not
to be distinguishable from a natural protuberance on tlie lind». Tliis struc-
ture is extremely l)eautii'ul, rivalling even the artistic nests of the Hnmming-
Bird. It is cup-shaped, and a perfect segment of a sphere in shajie. The
periphery of the nest is made of line root fibres, small lichens, and bits of
cobwel)S and otlier similar materials. Tlie outer sides are entirely covered
with a beautii'ul coating of mosses and lichens, glued to the materials witli
the saliva of the builder. The eggs are usually four in number, measure
.78 of an inch in lengtli and .'>'> in breadth. Tlicy 'ire obtuse at one end
and tapering at tlie other, have a ground of a rich cream-color, an'' are
marked about the larger end with a wreath of blended i>urple, lilac, and red-
brown in large and confluent spots. They hatch about the midille of June,
leave the nest in July, and iiave but a single brood.

A nest of this spttcies, taken in Lynn by Mr. Welch, and built on tlie
dead branch of a forest tree, has a diameter of thro(^ and a height of one and
a half inches. The cavity has a depth of one inch, and a diameter, at the
rim, of two and a hidf inclios. The base is tlatlened liy its jiosition. Its
walls are strongly woven of fine dry stems, intermingled with vegetable
down, covered externally with lichens, cemented to the exterior, apparently
by the secretions ol' the bird. The base is thinner, and made of softer
materials.

Duruig the winter montlis this sjiecies is present as a migrant in various
parts of Mexico, south to Guatemala.

SCO iSUHTIl AMERICAN BIRDS.

Contopus virens, \ar. richardsoni, Haird.

SH0RT-L£GO£D FEWEE ; WESTEBN WOOD FEWEE.

Tiimniuiht rii-lttd-ilsoiii, Swai.nsun, ]•'. Bor.-Ain. II, 1831, 14(), plate. Miixcicapa rkhard-
.idiii, Aui). Oiii. liioj,'. V, 1S.J9, •2111), |il. cLi'cxxxiv. Tynimiuht jiliabc, Hon. List,
isass, 2-t. .ynni'icii/iii p/iu:bi; At Dilio.N, Syiiojihis, isyi), 42. — II). Biid.s Am. I, 1840,
■Jill, (il. l,\i (not of Latii.v.m). Ti/niiiniis ji/nrbc, Nuttai.i,, Man. I, (2(1 cd.,) 1840,
;U!i. 'riiraiinitsa/riirjis, D'Onnicw (lidc (!. li. (iUay). Contopus rklmrilsoni, Baiisd,
Biids X. Am. 1858, ISil. — S(i,.vn;it, Catal. 18t>2, 231. — (,'ooi'Kii, Orn. L'al. I, 1870,
325. Ch^'fupHs xitnlidulus, Scl-AlKl!, Catal. 18ti2, 231. Contopus p/cbiiu.i, (Cabas.)
Scl.ATKl!, Cat. 181)2, 231. Contopus bmjotciisis, (Bu.NAP.) Sci.ATEK, 1'. Z. S. 1858, 459.
{Tiintnnula b. Bo.NAr. Conii). Uciid. \i. li)(i.)

Sp. Ciiah. GLMicral a])|H'aniiico of f. rirei:s. Bill bidad. Wini,'.s voiy long and much
pointed, considc'i-alily oxcuudin;^ the tail ; st'cond (piill l(inj:(.'st; tliird a little .^lioiter; first
shorter than fourth, and about midway between distance from second to fifth (GO of
an inch). I'riiniiries 1.20 inches longer than secondaries. Tail moderately forked.
Above dark olive-brown (the head duiker) ; tiie entire breast and sides of head, neck,
and liody of a paler shade of the .siinc, tinycin<r strongly also the dull whitish throat and
chin. Alidomen and under tail-coveils dirty pale-ydlowish. Quills and tail dark
biaekish-browii ; the .secondaries narrowly, liie terlials more broadly edged witii wliitish.
Two quite indistinct bands of brown i.sh-wliito across the wing.s. Lower mandible yellow ;
the tip brown. Length. (i.20 ; wing, 3.05; tail, 3.10.

Had. High central dry plains to the Pacific; Rio (irandc Valley, soutjiward to Jlexico;
Labrador (Ai-Di-iioN). Localities: Orizaba, Ouateina'a, Col)an (Rci-. Ciital. 1S02, 231);
Costa Rica (Law li. IX, llo); .Matamoras, Texas (Duk.sskh, Ibis, 180"), 474, breeds); San
Antonio, Texas (Duksseh, one spec); W. Arizona (Colks, P. A. N. S. 18GG, Gl).

This s]iecios lias a very clo.so relationsliip to C. rii-cns, aoreeiiig with it in
general shape (if wings and in color. The wings are, however, still longer
and more ])oiiitod : the primaries e.xceeding the .secondaries ))y nearly 1.2ij
inches. The iiroportidiis of the (piills are netirly the same in l)otli ; the
primaries, too, are siinihirly a little cniarginated or attenuated towards the
end. The tail is rather more deejily forked, the feathers liroader. The
hills are similar; the feet are larger and stouter.

The g(,'iieral colors are almost precisely the same. The outer primaiT,
however, lacks the decidedly white margin. The under ])arts are much
darker anteriorly, the entire hreast being nciarly a uniform olive-brown, but
little paler than the back; the throat, to(j, in .some specimens, being sctircely
]ialer. Tlun-e is little or none of the pale suljihur yellow of C. virnin on the
abdomoi, and the under wing-coverts and a\illaries are much darker oli\a-
ceous. In C. rirois the middle line of the breast is always paler than the
sides, or at Ica.st the connecting space is short.

The lower mandible is geiiernlly yellow ; in a few specimens, however, it
is (piite dusky, csjieciidly on its terminal half.

The young bird bus tlie darker hetid and brondcr light edgings, with the
fcrniginoiis tinge on the wing-markings, usually seen in young of the
Ti/f((ii)iidus.

TYRANXID/E — THE FLYCATCHERS. 361

A large series shows considemlile variations; autumnal specimens have a
more appreciable tinge of yellow on the lower parts, while summer individ-
uals are more grayish.

Habits. Tliis species was first obtained by Richardson in tlie Arctic
regions, and doscrilied by Swainson. It was found in tlie neigliborliood of
the Cumberlantl House, wlierc it frecpiented moist shady woods by tlie
banks of rivers and lakes. It was supposed likely to travel in summer as
fiir as the shores of the (Jreat Slave Lake.

Since its discovery by Iticiiardson, this Flycatcher has been found to have
a widely extended geograpliical rang(>, as I'ar to tlie south as Guatemala, and
even Panama, and northward as far as the GUth parallel of latitude, and from
tlie great plains to the Pacific.

During the survey of the ^Mexican Boundary, specimens of this bird were
obtained by Mr. J. H. Clark in Kl Paso, Texas, and in the month of May by
Lieutenant Couch in Monterey, Mexico.

JNIr. Dresser found tliat this bird was very common near Matamoras dur-
ing the summer, and that they were breeding there. He also shot one speci-
men near San Antonio in ]May. Its stomach contained small insects. Dr.
Cones thinks this Flycatcher an exceedingly abundant summer resident in tlie
Territory of Arizona. It arrives tliero in sjiring about the first of ^lay, the
latest of the Flycatcliers, and is deemed l)y tlie Doctor a counterpart of the
eastern C'onfopnn rircnu. It departs fnnn tiiat Territory ahout the tliird week
in September. It is found in all situations, but most especially in open forests.

This species arrives in California, according to Dr. Coojjer, at least a fort-
night earlier than the date of its earliest advuiit in Arizona as given by Dr.
Coues, or about the lath of April, and spends its summers in the most
mountainous parts of the State. It is said to perch mainly on the lower
dead limbs, watching for the jiassing insects, uttering occasionally a plaintive
jK-ah. It is usually very silent, and seems to prei'er the dark, solitary
recesses of the forests.

Dr. Hoy informs me that this Flycatcher is occasionally f')und in the
neighl)orhood of Itacine, but that it is rare. It keeps in the deep forest,
and never comes near dwellings in the manner of C. vircii'i.

This l)ird Avas found lu-eoding at Fort Tejon by Mr. Xantus, at N"apa
Valley by Mr. A. J. Grayson, and both in the Sacramento Valley and at
Parley's Park, among the Wahsiitch Mountains, by Mr. Pidgway.

A nest of this bird in the Smithsonian Museum (10,07(3) from California,
collected by W. Vuille, had been ap]iarently sadiUed on the limb of a tree,
in the manner of C. rirrns, having a l)road ilattened base, and a general
resemblance to the nests of that species. It dill'ors, however, somewhat in
regard to materials, and mo.st esjiecially in having no lichens attached to the
exterior. It has a diameter of three inches and a height of one and a half.
The cavity is aliout one inch deep and two wide at the rim. The base and
sides of this nest are largely composed of the exuviie of clirysalides, inter-

voi.. II. 46

362

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

mingled with liomi)-like fibres of jilants, stems, and fine dry grasses. Tlie
rim is firmly wrought of strong wiry stems, and a large jiortidn dl' the inner
nest is of the same material. The wliole is warmly and thorougldy lined
with the suit fine iiair ul' small qnadrui)eds and with vegetable fila-es.

Aecording to Mr. Kidgwa /, tliis is tlie most al>undant and generally difTused
of all tiie y'l/nnniii/i of the (ireat l'.asin, as well as of California. It inhab-
its every grove of the lowest valleys, as well as the higla^st aspen coj)ses on
the mountains in tiie aljiine region, and l)reeds abundantly in all these
places, liesemliling the eastern C. rimis in its general habits, its aiipearance,
and its every motion, it yet diifers mo.«t widely from it in notes, tiie com-
mon one being a disagrcealili! weird squeak, very unlike tiie sad, wailing,
but not unpleasant one of the eastern Wood IVwee. INIr. Kidgway relates
tliat having shot a female bird, and taken her nest and eggs, he was surprised,
a few days afterwards, to find the male witii another mate, and a new nest
built ill ])re(;isely the same spot from which the other had been taken.
U]ioii climbing to the nest, it was found to contain one egg ; and the parents
exliiliited very unusual distress. Wlien visited two or three days after, it
was found to be deserted aiul tlie egg broken.

The eggs, three in number, measure .(it) of an incli in length and .53 in
breadth. They liave a ground of beautiful cream-color slightly tinged with
a roseate tint, surrounded at the larger end with a wreath of pin-jde and
reddish-brown sjiots. A few smaller markings are sparingly distributed, but
nearly all are about the larger end.

Gencs EMFIDONAZ, C".\h.\\is.

EmpidoMtx, Caiianis, Journal fiir Oniitliologic, III, Nov. 1855, 480. (Type, Tijrannula

jmsilla.) Tjtriiiiiiuht of most aiithoivs.

Gen. Char. Tarsus loiigthuiioil, cousidoralily loiifrer tliaii the hill, and pxooptlinp: the

middle toe. whii'h is deeiiledly longer than
llie hind toe. IJili vai'iahle. Tail very
sliu'htly linked, even, or ronnded ; a little
shorter only than the wings, whieli are
eoiisideralily rounded ; the first primary
nuieh shorter than the fourth. Head
nioilerately crested. Color olivaceous
above, yello'vish beneath ; throat geiierally
gray.

The lengthened tarsi, the short
toes, the siiort and rouinU'd wings,
and the plain dull olivaceous of the
plumage, readily distinguish the

Einpiflnnax acadicus.

species of this genus from any other Xortli American Flycatcliers. The
ui)l)er plates of tlie tarsi in a good many species do not encircle tlie outside,
but meet there a row on tlie posterior face.

TYIUNNID.K — THE KLYCATOllERS. 3G8

There are few sjjecies of Xortli Anievicaii birds more diHicult to distiii-
giiisli tluiu the small Flycatchers, the characters, though constant, beiuy very
slight and almost inai^jrecialile, except to a very acute observer.

The following synopsis may aid in distinguishing the species : —

Species and Varieties.

Aa Iiiiior \V('1)s of sui'diuIiu'Il'S t'dgiHl Willi iiiiiki.sh-liiill'.

a. Olivi'-ln'owii iiliovt', whitisli lic'iiL'iuli ; liliiiu ocliriU'Oons.

E. bruiiueus.' Tliiid ([iiili li)iii;\'st, liist L'(|Uiil to s(!vl'1iI1i ; tail slightly
rouiKli'il. liutisot-olivc ubovc, tlio crown, winjrs, iiiiil tail wiili u rud-
disli-browii lingo; a yellowisli-gray sliadu across the Ijiisisl, and a I'aint
siili>lun-y('llow lingo to posterior lower parts. Wing-liands broad,
ghai-piy dclined, dcop oohraecons ; lining of wing and tiliiai slightly
tinged with the .same. Wing, 2.:i.") ; tail, 'J..'M ; bill, ..J7 ami .'27; tarsus,
.5n ; iniildle toe, .:i;!. l/ab. Paiaiia.

E. axillaria.' Third (piill longest, lirst eipial to sevcnith ; tail ? Daik
gi'ayish-liidwn above, nearly unil'oi'ni, lueast oehraeeons-olive; a just
appreciable tinge of s;id[>lnn-yellow on abdonien. Wing-bands narrow,
badly defined, in color nearly like llut back ; lining of the wing and
tibial very deep ochraceons. \V"ing, 2.40; tail, 2..")0; bill, .GO and .30;
tarsns, .00; middle toe, .Hi. ir,M!. (Jri/alia.

b. 01iv<'-grt'en above, y^'llow beneath ; liliiai gi'ceiiish.

Zj. flavescens.^ Tiiird, or third and fourlh tpiills longest ; first oipial to
eighth. Tail ilecidedly emarginaled. Intense greenish-olive above, the
crown with a decided rii.sset tinge; beneath bright lenion-yellow, with
a shade of fulvon.s-brown across the breast. Wing, 2.'.i') to 'J. 70 ; tail,
2.20 to 2.40; bill, .;j!) and ..'JO ; tar.sii.s, .(iO; middle toe, .;>"), /I<tli. Co.sta
Riea.

E. bairdi.* Fourth qiiill longest, fn'st.^horter than eighth. Tail slightly
emarginated. Dull greenish-olive above, nearly imiforni ; beneath
clear .sulphur-yellow, with a green isli-olive shade across the breast.
Wing, 2.00; tail, 2.50; bill, .02 and .21); tar.su.s, .0.") ; middle toe, .35.
J/<ih. Eastern Mexico (Mnt.Mioi!).
B> Inner webs of secondaries edged with yellowish or grayish white.
a. Olive-green above, yellowi.sh licnealh.

§. Vtiiiiiij not motlird ahuve.

E. flaviventris. Bill broad, twice as wide as deep, and the cnlincn
less than twice the breadth. Outer web of lateral tail-feather dusky,
like the imiei-. Wing-bands narrow, wliitish. Tail s(|iiare.

Clear olive-green above, siilpliur-ycUow lieneath ; wing-bands
sulphur-yellowish ; lining of wing clear .<;iilphui'y-ycllow. Wing,

1 Empulomu: bruniicus, IIidowav. A very distinct species, not needing ooniparison with any
othiT.

* Empidmmx axilhiris, I!iiw;wav.

' Eiii/)ii/t)iiii.r iliircscciis, L.vwii. .\biy lie tlie soiitheni form of luiinli, but (liller in .some ap-
parently I'ssi'iitial features.

* Empuhmn.!- hainii, Sci.ATi'.i!, 1\ Z. S. ]Sri8, ;!01 ; Ibis, IS.^iO, 4-1-2 : C.ital. Am. R. 1802,
230. — Sci-ATKU & Halvi.s, Ibis, ISOU, 'M. UIhIi. Cordova, Coban, JIazatlaii, Mimdor, etc.)

304 NORTH AMERICAN UIRM

2.00; tail, '2,'.]^i, or less; 1)111, .57 ami .'J": tarsii-:. .(10; inidilU? toe,
.37. Jtcih. Kaslciii I'loviiK'C! Noilli Aiuuriua, south lliioiij;li l^ast-
I'l'ii Mexico to (iiiatfinala ..... \m: Jt (i v i v en tr i s .
Dull olivu-i,'niy above, polo, somewhat ochraceous, yellow beneath ;
wiiij,'-liaiiils frrayish-wliite ; liiiiuj,' of wiiif; sti'oiif,'ly tluffiid with
liilvoiis. Wiiij;, 1^.7"); tail, 2.00 to 2.7"). Hub. Wcsteiii Proviiiuu
of North America, south, tiinjiigh Western Me.xieo, to Colima.

var. difficilii.
E. fulvipectuB.' liiU narrow, tlu- width but little more than the
depth, and the culmeii eonsidcrably more than twice the breadth at
base. Outer web of lateral tail-feather distinctly whitish, very dilferent
from the dusky of the inner web. Tail dee|)ly emar<,'inated. Colors
of flaviveiilris var. (lijfiri/i'!, but win^'-bands broad and buify olive, and
a deep shade of fulvous-olive across the Ijie.ist. Wiuf.'. .'i.OO ; tail, 2.90;
bill. .01 and .22; tarsus, .00; middle toe, .'M. Huh. City of Me.xieo.
h. Grayish or greenish olive above, whitish beneath.

^. Tail (Iccphj emarginnted.

E. obscuruB. Exact form and proportions ot fuJvipectus,hvi\j tarsus
nnich longer proportionall}'. Ashy al)ove, with a slight olive tinge;
white beneath with no yellow tinge, and without distinct ashy sh.ide
acros.s breast; sides of breast like the back. Orbital ring, wing-
markings, and outer web of lateral tail-feather pale clear ashy. Wing,
3.00: tail, 2 SO ; bill, XA and .24; tarsus, .77: middle too, .42.
£. hammoudi. Very similar, but bill nnich smaller and less elongated.
Color of upper parts tlu' ^;anle as in ahscunis ; but anterior lower parts
nearly unilbrm ashy, the throat only indistinctly paler, and the posterior
portions distinctly uniform p.alc sul|)hur-yellow. Out<'r web of lateral
tail-feather less distinctly whitish. Wing, 2.8"); tail, 2..'>o ; bill, .50 and
.20 : t.'irsus, .04 ; middle toe, .34.

E. minimuB Very similar to hammoiHli, but bill inuch larger, broader,
and the lati'ral outlines less straight. Outer web of lateral tail-feather
not appreciably paler than the inner; whole throat distinctly whitish;
wing-bands only about half as wide as in hammoudi.

Wing, 2.70; tail, 2.00; bill, .57 and .27; tarsus, .00; middle too,
.35. Ilab Eastern Province of North America, and Eastern
Mexico ......... var. 7ninimt(s.

T. Tail (Innhhj rounded.

Wing, 2.35 ; tail, 2.20 : Ijill, .,54 and .25 ; tarsu.s .62 ; middle toe,
.33. Colors of inininnis, but wing-markings whiter. Huh.-
Panama (var. ?) pec ta r a lif J'

' Empidmax fulripcdm, I.,vwii. Ann. N. V. Lye. FpIi. 1S71, 11. (Typo cxainiiied.) A very
distinct s|)ecies, most nearly related to obscurus, from wliich it differs totally in color and in
niiiili shoiter tar.sus.

'•^ Empiiliiiiiix ininimun, var. pcclnrtili.i. Empidonnx prclorali.i, L.vwii. It seems but reason-
able to I'liiisiclcr this bird as the southern race of minimum, as the tlitrerenccs — i. e. smaller size
and whiter wiiict-liauds — are just what we iind in several other species of the .same region,
coin|)ared with allicil and jirohaWy eo-si)ecilie northern types, — as (irisciijularis and acoilicus,
southern s,)erimi'ns of Irnilli var. /tiisH/ns in which the wing-bauds are much whiter than in
northern specimens of the same bird.

TYUANNID.E — THE FLYCATCHERS. 365

E. griseipectuB.' Colors of hnmmondi, but wiiijf-baiitls whiter and
narrowfi-, very sharply ileliuod; sides tinged with clear greenish;
jugiilinn and sides of throat elear ashy. Wing, 1!.40 ; tail, 2.40 ; bill,
.56 and .27 ; tarsus, .00; middle toe, .35. Huh. (iiiayaciuil, Ecuador.

IT. 71/(7 nijiinre, or sUyldly rounded ; feathers ue.iite at lips.
B. puBilluB. Urownish-olivc or olive-gray above, wing-bands olive
or gray ; beneath whitish, with a grayish shade across tiie breast, and
a sulphur-yellow tinge posteriorly.

(Mive-grayisli above, wing-bands inueh lighter, or whitish-gray.
Wing, 2.1)0; tail, 2.70; bill, .09 and .20; tarsus, .07; middle toe,
.40. Hub. Western Provinci! of North America, and Middle

and Western Mexico var piisillus.

Brownish-olive above, wing-bands but little ligliter. Wing, 2.tt0 ;
tail, 2.r)0; bill, .04 and .27 ; tarsus, .00; middle toe, .38. Hub.
Eastern Province of North America, and Eastern Mexico . var. trailli.

§. Young with )ij)jier plumar/e tmnsversehj mottled. Wing-bands with a

pale liiiff tinge; upper muudihie brown.
B. acadicuB. Grayish-green above, greenish-white beneath ; throat
purer white. Wing, 3.10; tail, 2.80; bill, .07 and .30; tarsus, .60;
middle loe, .34. Ilab. Eastern Province of United States, and Eastern
Mexico .......... \ar. u cadicns.

Wing, 2.0"}; tail, 2.50; bill, .00 and .30; tarsus, .62; middle toe,
.33. Wing-bands whiter. Ilnb. Panama . var. gr i.ieigular is .''

In Em,ndona.v, a.s well a.s Contopus, autumnal birds have the phunaye
softer and the colors brighter than in sjjring; the lirilliancy of the yellow
shades is especially enhanced. The young of the year resemble the parents,
but there is a greater tendency to light bands on the wings, which with the
other markings of this region show an ochraceous tinge. The lower mandi-
ble is also usually tinged with dusky. In the young of E. acadica, alone,
there are light transverse bars over ui)]ier surface, as in the young of some
species of Contopus (C. hahamaisis and C. puncnsl^i).

1 Empidonax grise.ijKdn.t, liAWit. J[ay possibly be niiothor seasonal plumage of tlie same
species as pcctorulis, but dillers in some seemingly important resiiects.

^ Emjiidonax uatdicus, var. griscinu/itris. Empidonax griiciijubtris, Lawu. Dill'ering from
aciuUcus only in smaller size and whiter wing-bands.

The remaining described American species of Empidonax, which we havi; not seen, are the
following : —

Empidonax magniroslrix, GouLn, Voy. Beagle, pi. 8. — Gr.AY, Hand List.

Empidonax albiguhvis, Sci.ATEn & Sai.vix, Ibis, 18.">9, p. 122 (OrizabiiV — Sn.ATER, Catal.
Am. B. 1862, 221). This may possibly be the species described above as E. axiUarid.

306 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Empidonax pusillus, Cabanis.

UTTLE FLYCATCHEB.

t

I Platijrhynchua pusillus, Swainsun, Phil. Mug. 1, May, 1»27, 366. Tyrannula pusilla,
Sw. V. 15. Am. II, 1831, 141, pi. — Uaii. App. Hack's Vuyiigo, 1834 36, 144.—
ti.v.Mliia, I'r. A. X. Sc. Ill, 1847, 156. Miisciania pusilla, Arii. Oni. Itiog. V, 1831),
•288 i pi. (;cco.\.\.\iv. — 111. Hiid.s Am. 1, 1S4(I, •230, pl. l.wi. TiiMnnas punillii, Ni:r-
lALL, Man. I, {'2.A ed.,) 1840. JCiiijH<loiin.i' pusillus, Haiuh, lliiils N. Am. 18r)8, l'J4.
Cool'Kii & SucKLEY, 176. — Sci.ATKli, Crttal. 186^2, 229. Empidomu Imilli, CoopEU,
Orn. t'al. I, 1870, 327 (Colorado lUvcr).

Sp. Guar. Secoml, tliinl, aiul Iburlli (iiiili.>* lon^fo-it; first sliortiT than tlio sixth. ]5ill

ralhiT liroad ; yellow liuiicath. Tail evon. Tarsi
rather long. Aliovo dirty olivc-hrown, palor and
nioro tiiigod with hrown towards the tail. Throat
mill lirea.st whito, tingud willi grayisli-(>livo on tho
sidi's, .'^hading across the lircast; bfUy and iiiidur
tail-(.'ovfrts very palo sulpluir-yellow. Wings with
two dirty narrow brownisli-whitu liaiids slightly
tingi'd with olive; the .sec^ondaries and tertials
narrowly and iiu'onspieuonsly margined with the
same. First priinary faintly edged with whitish ;
tho outer web of first tail-feather paler than the
inner, but not white. Under wing-coverts red-
di.sh oehraeeous-yellow. A whitish ring rniind
the eye. Length, 5..''j0; wing, 2.80; tail, 2.75.
„ ., .„ Younq. Wing-bands oehracc'ous instead of grayish.

LtJijiulomuF pttsulus. JO

IIah. High Central Plains to the Pacific. l<ur

countries. Southward into Mexico. Fort Whipple, Arizona (CorKS, P. A. N. S. 18GC,

Glj : Vera Cruz, teinp. reg. resideiii (Su.m. Mem. Jiost. .Soc. I, 557).

Tlii.s race represcnt.s tlio var. irai/fi in the region west of the Rocky
Mountain.^. The present bird is paler colored than trail I i, the olivaceous ahove
nuicli more grayish anteriorly, and more brownish posteriorly, the olive
being tints less greenish and less unilbrm in tint ; the iirowni.sh .shade
across tlie breast is lighter and more ashy, and the yellow tinge posteriorly
beneath more I'aiiit ; the wing-bands lighter and more grayish. In color,
j)iisi//iin thus approximates srmiewhat to i,'. wm//K/M, which, however, is a
very distinct sjjecies, and more closely reltited to E.hammomU; mmuiius
may be distinguished by nuich smaller size (the bill especially), the wing-
bands grayish-wliite instead of olive-gray, and the tail emarginated instead
of aiipreciably rounded; minimus lays a white egg like Ji. ohKciirits, while
2)usillu!i and fnri//i lay distinctly spotted ones, and build a very diil'erent nest.

Habit.s. I'rofessor Baird, in his Birds of North America., assigns to this
species an area of distribution extending from the Great I'lains to the
Pacific, southward into jMcxico, and north to the I'ur country. Dr. Hoy cites
it as of Wisconsin in his List of tlie Ijirds of that State, but witliout positive
data for this claim ; it has, however, since lieen actually taken, a summer

TYIIANNID.K-TIII'; KLYCATrilMRa. 3G7

resident breedin^f in Jellersoii Cnunty, in tliiit Stiite. This is its most east-
ern kudwii occniTeiice. In the Sniitiisoniiui Museum are skins from Fort
.StoiLacouni, Fort Tejon, and Mexico, Tliis species is ])r(ilpiiiily identical with
tlio Litthi Tyrant Flyeatclier, descrilied liy Swainson in tiie Fauna I'xireall
as both IVdui Mexico and i'nun the Arctic r(\L,d()ns. I)r. liichardson was not
nblo to sujiply anytliinj,' in re;j;ard to its habitn. Th(!y were lirst seen l>y
liim at the Carlton House on the 19th of May. For a tew days they were
found llitiini,' aluiut anions; low bushes on the l)aidvs of the rivt'r, alter which
thoy retired to moist shady woods lyinj,' fartiter north.

Mr. Jfid^way menti(jns the E. jiksH/hk as tiie mo.sl common of the Empi-
(hnnrvH in the (Jreat jjasin, as well as in California and tla; lloeky Moun-
tain.s. It is eliielly, if not entirely, confined to the willows alon;; streams,
but it is as common in the river valleys as in the mountain " [larks." In all
resi)ects it is a (!ounteri)art of the E. tniilli ; its notes, as well as its manners,
being tlie sarae. In Farley's Park, in the Wali.satch Mountains, at an ele-
vation of over 7,00(1 feet, tlu'y were breeding,' alauidantly ; about nightfall
they became ))articularly active, (diasing each other, with a merry twitter,
through the willow thickets, or, as they perched upon a dry twig, uttered
frequently, with swelling throats and raised crest, their odd but agreeable
enunciation oi pirlt// dear, as their notes were translated l)y the peojde of
the locality.

In the Department of Vera Cruz, INIexico, Mr. Sumiclirast gives thi.s spe-
cies as a summer resident witiiin the temperate region. He found it (|uite
common around Orizaba in the months of June and July.

It was also met with on the Mexican lioiuidary Survey in summer, hav-
ing been taken in June at Los Xogales by Dr. Kennerly, and at Itio Nasas,
in Duvango, by Lieutenant Couch, the same month.

Dr. Cones mentions it as moderately plentiful as a summer resident in
Arizona. None of this genus were very connnon at Fort Whipide, but this
one was by far the most characteristic species. It arrives there about the
nuddle of April, and remains through Se])teinbor.

Dr. Suckley found this species (piite al)undant in the vicinity of Fort
Steilacoom, where it arrives early in May. It seems to prefer the vicinity
of bushes and low trees at the edges of dense forests. Tiiis sjjecies, he adds,
is rather less jjugnacious than others of the group, and in habits generally
more resembles the Vireo family. Its notes are said to be short but sweet,
and just after sundown on warm summer evenings particularly low, plain-
tive, and soothing.

1 )r. ( "ooper s])eaks of it as found by him freciuenting the dark and gloomy
sjiruce forests, which it seems to prefer to more ojien jdaces. He fomid it
most inimerous near the coast, but also saw a few at Puget Sound, where
it arrived about the l.'.")th of A])ril, He s]ieaks of its song as lively but
monotonous. He found it very diHicult to get a sight of this bird among
the upper branches of the tall spruces, its color making it almost invisible in

368 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

the shade. One of these birds was observed to keep constantly on the
border of a small pond and to drive away a Kin<^bird from the place. He
adds that it has a peculiar short and lisping song of three notes, very difter-
ejit from those of the other species. In the fall the young birds uttered a
very different call-note.

Mr. liidgway found this species breeding, June 23, at Parley's Park, Utah.
One nest was built on the horizontal branch of a willow, over a stream,
about four feet from the ground. It was partly pensile. It was three
inches deep and four in diameter ; the cavity was two inches wide and one
and a half deep. Externally the nest was somewhat loosely constructed of
flaxen fibres of plants, soft strips of inner bark and straw, and lined more
firmly with fine roots of plants. This structure was firmly bound around the
smaller branches of the limb. The inner nest was much more compactly in-
terwoven than the periphery. The eggs, four in number, were of a chalky
whiteness, more pinkish when unblown, finely sprinkled at the larger end
with reddish-brown dots. Length, .77 of an inch ; breadth, .51.

Another nest from the same locality was built in the upriglit fork of a
wild rose, in the undergrowth of a willow thicket, and al)out four feet from
the ground. It is a much more compact and homogeneous nest. Its ex-
ternal portion was almost wholly composed of the interweaving of tlie fine
inner bark of deciduous shruljs, blended with a few stems of grasses, feath-
ers, etc., and is lined with a few fine grass stems and fibrous rcjots. The
eggs, four in numlier, have a pinkish-white ground, and are spotted at the
larger end with reddish-brown and chestnut spots, in scattered groups.

In the sununer of 1870 a son of INIr. Thure Kumlien, of Jefferson Co.,
Wisconsin, found the nest and eggs of this species. Eoth parents were ob-
tained, and were fi.lly identified by Professor Baird. The nest was placed in
a thick mass of coarse marsh grasses, near the ground, and firmly interwo\en
with the tojis of the surrounding herbage. The grass and reeds, among which
it was made, grow in the midst of water, and it was discovered l)y mere acci-
dent in a hunt for rail's eggs. It was found, June 28, on the edge of Lake
Koskonong. It is a large nest for the bird ; its base and sides are made of
masses of soft lichens and mosses, and within this a neat and firm nest is
woven of bits of wool and fine wiry stems of grasses, and lined with
the same. The eggs measure .70 by .54 of an inch, are white with a pink-
ish tinge, and are marked with reddish-browu and f nnter lilac blotches at
the larger end.

TYRANNIDiE - THE FLYCATCHERS. 369

Empidonax pusillus, var. trailli, Baikd.

TBAILL'S FLTCATCHEB.

Muscicapa trailli, Aid. Orn. liu)};. 1, 1832, 236; V, 1839, 426, pi. xlv. — Ib. Syu. 1839,
43. — In. Hiiils Am. I, 1840, 234, pi. Ixv. Tumnnula trailli, Kicil. List, 1837.—
Bo\Ai'. List, 1838. TijraiiHus Irailli, Nuttali,, Man. 1, (2(1 ed.,) 1840, 323. Umpi-
tloniuc trailli, Baiiid, Birds N. Am. 1858, 193. — Sulateu, Cutal. 1862, 231.—
Samuels, 140.

Sp. Ciiau. Tliird quill longest ; .second scarcely shorter than fourth ; first .shorter than
fil'tli, about .35 shorter than tiio longest. Primaries about .75 of an inch longer than
secondaries. Tail even. Up[)er parts dark olive-green ; lighter under the wings, and
duller and more tinged with ash on nape and sides of the neck. Centre of the crown-
feathers brown. A pale yellowish-white ring (in .some specimens .iltogether white) round
the eye. Loral feathers mixed witii white. Chin and thro.at white ; the breast and siiles
of throat light ash tinged with olive, its intensity varying in individuals, the Ibrmer
sometimes faintly tinged with olive. Siiles of the l)reast much like the back. Middle of
the belly nearly white; .sides of the belly, abdomen, and the lower tail-coverts, sulphur-
yellow. Tlie quills and tail-feathers dark brown, as dark (if not more so) as these parts
in C. virens. Two olivaceous yellow-white bands on the ving, formed by the tips of the
first and second coverts, succeeded by a brown one ; the edge of the first primary .and of
secondaries and tertials a little lighter .shade of the same. The outer edge of the tail-
feathers like the back ; that of the lateral one rather lighter. Bill above dark brown ;
dull brownish beneath. Length, nearly O.Ol) ; wing, 2.90 ; tail, 2.00. Young with the
wing-bands ochraceous instead of grayish-olive.

Had. Eastern United States and south to Mexico. Localities; ? Isthmus of Panama
(Lawr. VIII, 63); ?San Antonio, Texas (Drkssku, Ibis, 1865, 474, breeds); ? Costa
Rica (Lawr. IX, 114) ; Yucatan (Lawr. IX, 201). All these localities, except perhaps
the la.st, are to be questioned, as being more properly in the habitat of var. pusillus,

Tliis species is most closely related to E. minimus, but difiers in larger
size and tlie proportions of quills. The middle of the back is the same
color in both, but instead of becoming lighter and tinged with ash on the
rump and upper tail-coverts, these parts very rarely differ in color from the
back. The markings on the wings, instead of being dirty white, are
decidedly olivaceous-grayish. Tlie yellow of the lower parts is deeper.
The tail-feathers are rather broad, acuminate, and i)ointed ; in minimus they
are narrow and more rounded, while tlie tail itself is emarginated, instead
of square, as in the present bird. The bill is larger and fuller. The legs are
decidedly shorter in proportion.

Habits. Traill's Flycatcher was first described by Mr. Audubon f s a west-
ern bird, procured from Arkansas. In his subsequent reference to this species
he also speaks of it as identical with severid birds obtained by Townsend near
the Cohimbia Itiver, but which our present knowledge as to the distribution
of this species compels us to presume to have been specimens of the Empi-
donax pusillus, a closely allied species or race. That Traill's Flycatcher does
occur in Arkansas, on the other hand, is rendered probable by its abundance
in other parts of the country, making this region directly within its range of

VOL. II. 47

370 NORTH AMERICAN BiflDS.

mii^vation. Dr. "Wondliouso found it very common both in Texas and in
(lie Iiiilian Territoiy. Mr. J)res.ser found it common durinj,' the summer
season near San Antonio, and to tlie eastward, breeding tliere, and building a
small hanging nest. He also had its eggs sent to him from Systerdale. The
stomach of the specimen he procured c(.intained minute iiLsects. It is men-
tioned by J)r. E. Coues as found in South (,'arolina, but whether as a migrant
or as a resident is not stated. 1 )r. William 1'. Turnbull refers to it as rare near
riiila(k'l[iliia, and as only a spring and autumnal migrant. Mr. McIlwTaith
cites it as a rare summer visitant near Hamilton, Canada West. It is
mentioned by Mr. Boardnuui as found near Calais, but has not been recorded
as oeciurring in Nova Scotia, as far as I am aware. In Western Maine, I'ro-
fcssor ^'errill found it a regular but not a common summer visitant, arriving
tliere the third week in May. And Mr. Brewster found it breeding in con-
siderable abundance near Lake Umbagog in the summer of 1872.

In ^lassachusetts it has been found to occur very irregularly, and so far
chieHy as a migrant, at least I am not aware that it has been known, ex-
cept in a single instance, to breed within the limits of that State. It passes
through the State about the middle of Alay, is rare some seasons, much more
alundaut for a few days in others. Near Siiringfield Mr. Allen regarded it
as a rather rare summer visitant, arriving from the lOth to the 15th of May,
ami also mentioned it as probably breeding. A number have been taken in
Lyini by Mr. Welch, but none have l)een observed to remain more than
a day or two. Mr. Maynard once met with it on the 1st of June, 18G9, in
a swampy thicket. It was very shy, and he heard no note.

This species was observed by Mr. Taine, at liandolph, Vt., where it was
found to be a not uncommuu, though very retiring and shy species. It
was found frecjuenting shady thickets, on the borders of the mountain
streams, and several of its nests were procured. The bird was thoroughly
identified, specimens of the parents hav itig been sent to I'rofessor Baird for
verification. jMr. Paine was not able to ol)tain much insight into the man-
ners and habits of this species, on account of its shyness. The nests were
always jilaced in low alder-bushes, near running streams, and not more than
three or four feet from the ground.

Mr. I'aine has since inlbrnied me that Traill's Flycatcher reaches Central
Vermont from the 20th to the 2r)th of May, and is one of the last l)irds to
arrive, coming in company with C'ontnpyn riiriis and C borculis. They all
leave before the close of Septeml)er. ^Ir. Paine has met with a great many
nests of this species, but has only found one containing more than three
eggs. It has a very simple song, consisting of but two notes. It has also a
sort of twitter as it plays with its mate. They are ustudly found in thickets,
for tlie most part near water, but not always, and are never seen in tall
woods. Tliey are occasionally seen chasing one another in the open fields.

Mr. William Brewster intbrms me that he found Traill's Flycatcher mod-
erately common and breeding at the foot of Mount Washington, in the (Jlen,

TYRANNID^ — THE FLYCATCHERS. 371

in August, 1869, and in the townsliip of Newiy, Me., in June, 1871. Their
favorite haunts were the dense aider thickets along the runs and small
streams, over the.se dark retreats, perched on some tall dead branch, full in
the rays of the noonday sun. The male sang vigorously, occasionally
darting out after some in.sect, and returning to the same perch. His song
consisted of a single dissyllabic refrain, kciciiKj, uttered in a harsh peevish
tone at an interval of about thirty seconds, varied occasionally to he wliik,
or hi-wint'h. At each utterance his head is thrown upwards with a sudden
jerk. They were retiring, b>it not sliy, were easily approached, and were
apparently not so restless as most Flycatchers.

Xear Washington, Dr. Coues found Traill's Flycatcher a rare .spring and
fall visitant, a few possibly remaining to breed. They came about the last
of April, and ])a.ssed south the last of September. Frofessor Baird freiiuently
met with them about Carlisle, ]'a.

In Southern Illinois, Mr. Itidgway has found this .species a rather common
summer resident, chiefly met witli in the open woods. It was found nesting
in Nortinvestern ^lassachusetts by Mr. A. Hopkins, in Illinois by Mr. Tolman,
in Nesv Brunswick by Mr. ISarnstow, aiid at Fort Ilesolution by Messrs.
Keiniieott, Ross, and Lockhart.

I have myself found this species on the banks of the Androscoggin
and Feabody Fivers in (lorliam, and met with several of their nests.
Tliey were all in similar situations, and it was quite impossible to obtain
a glimpse of the bird after she had left her nest. Tlie nests were all made
like those of the Indigo-Bird, e.xternally of dry grasses and fine strips of
bark, and lined with finer stems of grasses. The eggs were five in number,
and incubation commenced about the first of June. I have discovered their
nests at the same time among tl.e I'oot-hills at tiic base of Mount Washington,
its wo(jded sides being, at the time, covered with snow to the depth of
several feet.

Among the memoranda of IMr. Kcnnicott I find one dated Fort Fesolution,
July !), mentioning the procuring of the parent nest and egg of this s])ecies.
The nest was tliree feet from the ground, in a small spruce among thick low
bushes. Tiie female was shot on the nest, which contained two young and
two eggs. Fggs of thii species from (iorham, N. H., and Coventry and
Fandolpii, Yt., do not essentially vary in size or shape. They measure
.63 of an inch in length, by .56 in breadth. Their ground-color is white,
with a distinctly roseate tinge. Tiiey are oval in shape, a little less obtuse
at one end, and marked almost entirely about the larger end with huge and
well-defined spots and blotches of purplish-brown.

372 NORTH AMERICAN BI-RD8.

Empidonax minimus, P>aird.

LEAST FLTCATCHEB.

Tyrannufa minima, Wm. M. ami S. F. Baiud, Pr. A. N. Sc. I, July, 1843, 284. — I b.
Sillim. Am. Jour. Sc. July, 1844. — Ari). IJiids Am. VII, l.s44, ;54;!, jJ. oceexoi.
Hiiipidomix miiiimm, Baiud, liiids N. Am. 1858, 195. — Sclateu, Cutal. 18t)2, 22U.
— Samuels, 141.

Sp. CiiAU. Second quill lonpost ; tliird and fourth but little shorter ; fifth a little leas;
first intermediate between liftli and sixth. Tail even. Above olive-brown, darker on
the head, becoming paler on the rumii and ujipcr tail-coverts. Tiio middle of the bai.'k
most strongly olivaceous. The nape (in .some individuals) and sides of the head tinged
with ash. A '•ing round the eye and some of the loral feathers white ; the chin and
throat white. The sides of the throat and across the breast dull ash, the color on the
latter sometimes nearly obsolete ; sides of the breast similar to the back, but of a lighter
tint; middle of the belly very pale yellowish-while, turning to pale sulphur-yellow on
th(! sides of the belly, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts. \Vings brown ; two narrow white
bands on the wing, formed by the tips of the first and .second coverts, succeeded by one of
brown. The edge of the first primary, and of the secondaries and tertials, white. Tail
rather lighter brown, edged externally like the back. Feathers narrow, not acnminate,
with the ends rather blunt. In autunni the white parts are strongly tinged with yellow.
Length, about 5.00 ; wing, 2.65; tail, 2.50. Young with ocliraceous, instead of grayish-
white wing-bands.

II AH. Eastern United States to Missouri Plains ; Mirador; Orizaba; Belize. Locali-
ties : Oaxaca (Scl. 1859, 384) ; Guatemala (Scl. Ibis, I, 122) ; Orizaba (Sci.. Ibis, I,
441, and Mus. S. I.); Coban, E.scuintla, Dueuas (Scl. Catal. 18C2, 229); San Antonio,
Texas (Dkesser, Ibis, 1865, 474, common, summer).

Habits. Tlie distinctness of this species from the acadica, with which it
had been previously confused, was first pointed out by the Messrs. Baird in
1843, hut it was some time before the complete diH'erences between the two
species and their distinctive habits and distribution were iuUy appreciated
and known. This species, one of the commonest birds in the State of
Massachusetts, where the E. acadica is nearly or (piite unknown, was sup-
posed by ^Ii-. Xuttall to be the latter species, and under that name is treated
and its history given. Wilson contriljuted to cause this error. For although
his account of tlie acadica is in part correct, it is not wh'.'lly free from error,
and probably tlie nest and eggs described as belonging to the latter were
those of the minima. The discovery, by Professor Baird, of the nest and
eggs of the acadica, and their marked difl'erence in all respects from those of
the mhiimu, which had hitiierto been attributed to it, at once pointed out
the errors tliat had prevailed, and permitted the real facts to be appreciated.

Tliis bird is an abundant species throughout Eastern North America, occur-
ring as a migrant in all tlie States between the Atlantic and the Greao Plains,
and breeding from the 40th ])arallel nctrtliward over an extent not fully defined,
l)ut probably to within the Arctic Circle. It occura in great numbers from
Maine to Nebraska, and, unlike all the other species of this genus, is not shy

TYRANNID^ — TUE FLYCATCHERS. 373

or retiring, but frequents the open gi-ounds, visits gardens, is found in the
vicinity of dwellings, and breeds even in the vines that half conceal their
windows and doors.

Tliis Flycatcher reaches Washington, according to Dr. Cones, the last of
April, and remains aljont two weeks. It returns in autunni the third week
in August, and remains till the last of September. It is oidy a spring and
autumnal visitant, none breeding, and is rather common. It frequents the
margins of small streams and brooks.

I am not aware that the nest of this species has ever been procured farther
south than New York City, yet it is given by Mr. I )resser as having been
found common by him, through the sunmier, near San Antonio. It is not,
however, mentioned by Dr. Woodhouse, nor by the Mexican Survey, nor was
it met with l)y Sumichrast in Vera Cruz. It is cited by Dr. Cuues as only
a migrant in South Carolina. Near riuladelphia Mr. Turnbull gives it as
a somewhat rare migrant, passing nortli in April and returning in Septeml)er,
l)ut adds that a few remain to breed. I did not find it breeding in the vicin-
ity of Newark, nor, among a very extensive collection of nests and eggs
made in that neighborhood, were there any eggs of this species. It is men-
tioned by Mr. Boardman as occurring at Calais, and in the western part of the
State Mr. Verrill found it a very common sunnner visitant, arriving there
about the middle of May and breeding there in numbers. It is also an ex-
ceedingly fre([uent summer visitant at Hamilton, Caiuida West, according
to Mr. ^Icllwraith. It is found during the winter niontlis near Oaxaca,
^lexico, according to Mr. Boucard, and has been met with throughout Mex-
ico and .south to Guatemala.

In Massachusetts this Flycatcher is one of the most abundant and familiar
species, arriving I'rom about the 2()tli of April to the 1st of May. It is found
most fre([uently in orchards, gardens, and open groinids, and very largely on
the edges of woods, remaining until October. They ixvi much addicted to
particular localities, and return to the same spot year after year, if undis-
tiu'bed. A pair that had estal)lished their hunting-grounds in an open area
north of a dwelling in IJoxbury returned to the same spot for several .suc-
cessive years, and would come regularly to the piazza of the house, where
bits of cotton were exposed for the benefit of such of the whole feathered
tribe as chose to avail themselves of it. p]ach year they drew nearer and
nearer the house, until at last the nest was made in a clump of honeysuckle
on the corner of the piazza, from which they would sally forth in quest of
in,sects, entirely unmindful of the near presence of the famil3^ I never
observed the ([uarrelsome disposition that Nuttall s])eaks of, nor liave I ever
seen them molest other birds, even wlien the summer Yellow-Birds and the
Chipping Sparrows have nested in the same clunij). They are very silent
birds, having no song and no other cry or note than a very feeble, guttural
utterance, given out either as a single sound or as a succession of twitters.
Their nest is a very common receptacle for the eggs of the Cow Blackbird.

374 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Tliis species was found breetling at Fort Eesolution, latitude G2°, by Mr.
Kennicolt, the nest being in an alder-bush, and about Hve I'eet from the
ground. It was also found nesting in the same locality by Mr. Ross and by
Mr. Ix)ckhart. Its nest was found at Lake Manitobah by Mr. McTavish,
and at Fort Simpson by Mr. lioss.

This species has been gradually undergoing certain modifications of habits
and manners in consetpience of its contact with civilization and becoming
familiarized to the society of man. In nothing is this made more apparent
than in the construction of its nests. Those made on the edge of woodlands
or in remote (jrchards are wrought almost entirely of fine deciduous bark,
hempen fibres of vegetables, feathers, dried fragments of insect cocoons, and
other miscellaneous substances felted and impacted together; within this is
a lining of fine strips of vegetable bark, woody fibres, fine lichens, and soft
downy feathers. In some the lining is exclusively of fine pine leaves, in
othei-s with the seeds or pappus of coinpositaceous plants. The nests are
always quite small, rarely measuring mf)re than three inches in diameter or
two in height. Tiiose made in the vicinity of dwellings indicate their neigh-
borhood by the variety of miscellaneous and convenient materials, such as
bits of paper, rags, cotton, wool, and the larger and more conspicuous feath-
ers of the poultry-yard. "Where raw cotton was abundantly pro\ided, I have
known this material, strengthened with a lew straws and woody fibres, with
a lining o'' feathers, constitute the whole substance of the nest.

One nest, constructed in a thick tamarack swamp in Wisconsin, is com-
posed of a dense, impacted mass of a dirty white vegetable wool, inter-
twined at the base with shreds of bark, vegetable stems, and small black
roots. The inner rim and frame of the nest are made of black, shining root-
lets, intermingled with slender leaves and stems of dry sedges, and lined
with the pappus of a small composite plant and a few feathers.

The eggs of this species are pure white, ne^■er, so far as I am aware, spot-
ted, of a rounded-oval shape, nearly equally obtuse at either end, and meas-
uring about .60 of an inch in length by .50 in breadth.

Empidonax acadicus, Baird.

SMALL OBEBN-CHESTED FLTCATCHEB.

t Miiscicnpn acndim, Gmf.i.ix, Syst. Nut. I, 1788, 947. — Latham, Index Orn. II, 1790,
489. — Vii-.ii.i.oT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 180", 71 (from LatiiamV — Aun. Orn. Hiog. II,
1834, ano ; V, 1839, 429, jil. oxliv. — In. Birds Am. I, 1840, 221, pi. Ixii. — Nuttali,
Man. I, 1832, 208. — GiuAin, Bird.s L. Isliuid, 1844, 40. Mvscieapa qxuriila, Wiwon,
Am. Orn. II, 1810, 77, pi. xiii, f. 3 (not of ViKii.i.or). "Plaii/rhi/nchiis virescens,
Vir.ll.I.nr." TjinutiniUi itcadien, Rkmiaimisiik, ? Hon. T.ist. Ti/rannii.i naiiiica, IsvT-
TAi.i,, Mnn. I, (2d <m1.,) 1840, 320. Eiiipiilimax anidiciin, Baiud, Birds N. Am. 1858,
197. — ScLATKlt, Ciitnl. 1862, 229. — Sa.muels, 143.

Sp. Char. Tlie second and third quills .are longest, nnd about equal; the fourth a little
shorter; the lirst about equal to the fifth, and about .35 less than the longest. Tail even.

TYUANNID.E — THE FLYCATCHERS. 375

Tho upper parts, with sides of tlio liend niid nock, olive-frrcen ; tlio nrown very little if
uy Jarkur. A ycllowi-sli-wliite riiii,' round the (jye. The sides of the body under the
w I igs like the back, but fainter olive; a tinge of the same across the breast; the chin,
: ■ .t, and middle of the lielly white; the abdomen, lower tail and wing eoveits, and
sides of the liody not eoveivd by tlie wings, pale greenish-yellow. Kdges of I lie lirsl
pi'imary, secondaries, and tertials margined with dull yellowish-white, most broadly on
the latter. Two transveiso bands of pale yellowish (sometimes with an oeln-ey tinge)
across tho wings, formi'd by tiie tips of the sc'ondary and primary coverts, sueeeeded by
n brown one. Tail light brown, margined externally like the back. I'piicr mnndiiile
light lirown above ; pr.K' yellow beneath. In autumn the lower parts are more yellow
Length, r,A\'>; wing, ;!.(H); tail, 2.7."). Youuf/ (0l1,,s!)2 Mt. Carmel, 111., August 11, 1870;
I!. liiiKiWAV.) Whole upper surface with indistinct transverse bars of pale oehraceous ;
wing-iuiukings light oehraceous.

IIab. Eastern United States to the Mississippi; Yucatan. Localities: Cuba (Lawr.
VII, 18(!(), 2Cht ; Gu.NiJi,. Kept. 1805, 240); San Antonio, Te.xas, summer (DKt;ssKK,
Ibis, ISO."), 47')).

Tliis s]iecios i.s very similar to E. irailli, but the uppei* parts aro of a
lirigliter and more luiit'orm olive-green, much like that of Virco olivnccini.
Tiie feathers of the crown lack the darker centre. Tliere is less of the
olivaceous-asli across the breast. Tlie .bands across the wing are light
yellowish, instead of grayish-olive. There is much more yellow at the
base of the lesser quills. The wing.s are longer, both proportionally tuul
absolutely. The primaries exceed the secondaries by nearly an inch,
instead of by only about .70 ; the proportions of the quills are much the
same.

Habits. This species belongs to Eastern North America, but its distril)u-
tion north and east is not determined with entire certainty. I have never
met with or received any evidence of its breeding northeast of Philadel-
phia. Nuttall's account of this bird so blends what he had ascertained
in regard to the habits of a different species with what he derived from
otlier writers, that his whole sketch must be passed as unreliable. It is
shy and retiring in its habits, frequenting only lonely places, and would
readily escape notice, so that its presence in New Jersey, New York, and
even New England, may not be uncommon, although we do not know
it. Mr. Lawrence mentions its occurring in the vicinity of New York
City ; but I can find no evidence whatever that a single specimen of this
bird has e\er been procured in any part of New England, except Mr.
Allen's mention of finding it near Springfield. That it is found in the
immediate neighborhood of riiiladelphia I have positive evidence, having
received its nest and eggs, found in AVest Philadelphia. Mr. TurnbuU
gives it as of frequent occiu'rence from the lieginning of May to the middle
of September. He generally met witl it in the most secluded i)arts of
woods. Mr. McHwraith calls it a rare summer resident near Hamilton,
C'anadii West.

I am informed by Mr. Thomas H. Jackson, an accunite observer, resident
in Westchester, T\i., that this Flycatcher arrives in that neighborhood early

376 NOllTF AMERICAN BIRDS.

in May, constvnctiii,t,' its jiost ahout tlio first of June. Tiiis is gt ;-
rally placed on a ilroopiny limb of a Leech or dogwood tree at the height
of from six to ten feet i'rom the ground. It is never saddled on a limb
like that of a Wood Powee, neither is it pensile like those of the Vircos,
but is built in the fork of a small limb, and securely fastened tlicreto by a
strip of bark. Tlie nest itself is mostly made of fine strips of bark (u- weed-
stalks, woven together without much care as to neatness or strength, and so
very slight is tlie structure that you may often count tiie eggs in the nest
from below. Occasionally this bird constructs its nest of the blossoms of
the iiickory-tree, and when thus made is very neat and pretty.

The eggs are generally three in number (Mr. Jackson has never known
more in a nest), and they are said to be of a rich cream-color, thiidy spotted
near the greater end. The Cow-Bird sometimes imposes on this species
with its parasitic ofl'spring, but not so often as upon other birds.

Mr. Jackson also informs mo that this is quite a common bird in some
localities. In one piece of woodlantl, half a mile east of West Chester, ho
can every season meet with si.x or eight of their nests, while in another
direction, in a wood ai)parently similar in every respect, lie has never met
with any.

Mr. J. A. Allen mentions finding this Flycatcher as a rare summer visit-
ant in Western ]Massachusetts, where, as he states, it breeds in swamps and
loM- moist thickets, which are its exclusive haunts. He characterizes it as one
of the most sjiirited and tyrannical of this geinis. It is said to hiive a short
quick note, sounding like quequcal, which it utters hurriedly and sharjily,
and to have an erect, hawk-like attitude. He adds that it is very quarrel-
some with its own species, a battle ensuing whenever two males meet.
They pursue each other fiercely, with snapping bills and sharp, querulous,
twittering notes. He found it a very shy bird, and difficult to collect, fre-
quenting exclusively, so far as he was able to observe, thick alder-swamps
and swampy thickets, keeping concealed among the thick bushes, or at a
j^reat distance.

Wilson's history of tl.is species is quite brief, and he expressly states that
it is a bird but little known. His account of its nest and eggs is inaccurate,
and refers probably to that of the minimus, as also the statement that it
extends its migrations as far as Newfoundland. He found it inhabiting
only the deepest solitary parts of the woods, stationed among the lower
branches, uttering at short intervals a sudden, sharp squeak, heard at con-
siderable distance through the woods. As it flies, it utters a low, querulous
note, wliich it changes, on alighting, to its usual sharp cry. He adds that
it is a rare and very solitary bird, always haunting the most gloomy, moist,
and mifreqnented parts of the forest, feeding on flying insects, devouring
wild bees and huckleberries in their season.

To this account Audubon furnishes but little additional that is reliable. He
eviilently confounded with it the minimtis, repeats Wilson's description of its

tyranxid-t; — TnE flycatchers. 377

e<j;;,'s, and is incorrect as to its nortlicrn distrilmtion. Ho speaks of it as
extremely i)ugnacious, chasing from its i)remisus every intruder, and when
once mated seldom leaving tlio vicinity of its nest except in pursuit of
food. His description of the nest applies to that of the minimus, hut not
to that of til is species.

Mr. Kidgway writes nic that in Southern Hlinois it is the most abundant
of tlie Emi>i(lon(urs, In-eeding in tlic same woods witli E. irailli. It is so
exceedingly similar to that species in manners and general habits that they
are liard to distinguish, and it rccjuires a long acquaintance with tlie two
in the woods to learn to distinguish tlicm wlien seen or heard. A close
attention, however, shows that the notes of the two are (piite distinct.

Mr. Dresser jnentions finding tliis si)ccies not uncommon near San An-
tonio, Texas, during the summer. Its stomach was found to contain small
insects. Dr. AVoodhouso also speaks of it as common in Texa.s, New
Mexico, and the Tnilian Territory, but at what season is not mentioned.

Dr. Hoy writes me that this bird, quite common about llaciue some
twenty-five years ago, lias now almost entirely disappeared.

Near AYashington Dr. Cones found this Flycatcher a common summer
resident, the most almndant of the kind, and the only one that breeds there
in any numbers. Tliey arrive the last of April, and remain until the last
of September.

A beautiful nest of this species was found by Mr. George 0. Welch near
Indianapolis, Indiana. It was fully identified, and the parent shot. This
nest lias a diameter of four inches, and a height of two. Its base is com-
posed to a large extent of dried grasses, intermingled with masses of with-
ered blossoms of diflerent herbaceous plants. Above this is constructed a
somewhat rudely interwoven nest, composed entirely of long, fine, wiry stems
of grasses. The cavity is two inches wide and less than one in depth. The
eggs, three in number, are exceedingly beautiful, and differ from all the
eggs of this genus, having more resemblance to those of Contopi. They
have an elongated oval shape, and are quite pointed at one end. They
measure .78 by .56 of an inch. Their ground is a rich cream-color, tinged
with a reddish-brown shading, and at the larger end the eggs are irregularlj-
marked with scattered and vivid blotches of red and reddish-brown. The
nest was found on the 3d of June.

VOL. II. 48

378 NOliTII AMKIUCAN JtlUUS.

Empidonax flaviventris, Baibd.

YELI^W-BELLIED FLYCATCHER.

TiiraiiiiulK. jhn-ivnitrLi, Wm. M. niid S. F. HAinn, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sc. Phila. I, July, 1843,
1283. — 111. Am. Jouiii. SciiMic.', April, 1844. —Am. Rirda Am. VII, 1844, 341, pi.
wccKv.. Tijmnnuhi jmnilhi (.Sw.mnsdn), KKiNriAiiTvr, Vidc-isk. Mcdilcl. fur 18r>3,
1804, 82. — (ii.iKir.i!, Cull. ,l(nir. 18ri4, 4'Jii. Em/ni/oiKix hiipardii/hii.H, Haiud (pi'o-
visiyiial iiiUi" for eastern .spi'ciiiieiis). JCiii/iit/niiii.r ilijiici/i'.i, llAllin (provisimial imiiie
fi)f western). Enipiilitiinx Ihii-irmlrh, IJaiiih, llirds N. Am. ISSO, 198. — Stl.ATKIl,
Ciilal. 18l>-J, 'liV. ~ AlAYNAUl), I!. K. Mas.s. 1870, IM.

Sp. f'liAU. Socoiid, iliird, and foiutli (piills arly equal ; firat intprniofliatc botweon
(illli and .si.Nlli. Tail nearly even, sliithtiy niuiidod. Tar.'^i long. Aliovc hiijrlit olive-
green (haek veiv .similar to that of Vireo iioveboracoisi.i) ; erown latlicr darker. A
bi'oad yellow rin;;; round tlio oye. Tln^ .si(l<'s of the head, nock, lirea,st and hody, and a
hand across the lireast like tho haek, Imt lightur; the rest of the lower parts bright
greenish snl|iluir-yellow i no white or ashy any where on the body. Quills dark brown;
twfi bands on tho wing formed by the tips of the primary and secondary eovert.*!, the
outer edge of the lirst primary and of llie secondaries and tertials pale yellow, or greenish-
yellow. The tail-feather.s In-own, with the exterior edges like the ba<,'k. The bill dark
blown above, yellow beneath. The feet black. In the autumn the colors are ])urer, llu^
yellow is deeper, and the markings on the wings of an ochrey tint. Length, 5.15; wing,
2.8;! ; tail, 2.45.

IIaii. East'.-rn United States, and Eastern Middle America, south to Costa Rica. Lo-
calities: Cnatemala (Sci,. Ibi.s, T, 122); Xalapa (Ret,. Ibis, I, 441); Choctun, Duenas,
(Sci,. Catid. 18(>2, 230); Costa Rica (Lawh. IX, 114) ; Panama (Lawh. VITI, 03); Vera
Cruz, winter, resident? (Sum. M. U. S. I, 557) ; San Antonio, Texas (Dukssfr, Ibis, 18(j5,
-175).

Specimens from the ea.stern reunions of North and Middle America,
thoiioh varvincf slightly among themselve.s, all agree in the characters which
distinguish them from the western series.

H.VBiTS. This well-marked species was first ohtained in Carlisle, Penn.,
and described by the Hairds in 1843. It lias since remained a comparatively
rare and scattered species, and has been only seldom met with. I found it
breeding in the vicinity of Halifax, and also among the Grand Menan
Islands, and in both cases was so fortunate as to be aide to obtain its nest
and eggs. It has been found near Calais by Mr. Boardman, and its nest
also procured. It has also been fotind breeding near Trenton, N. J., by
])r. Slack, and in a not distant locality in the same State by Dr. Abbott.

Dr. Coues observed the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher to be a rather rare
sjn-ing and autumnal visitant at Washington. As specimens were taken there
July 28, undoubtedly they occa.sionally breed there. They appear early in
May, and go south the latter pnrt of Seiitember.

Two specimens of Flyciitcher, identified as of this S])ecies, are recorded
by Professor Ileinhardt as having been taken at Godthaab, Greenland, in
1853.

Sumichrast met with this siiecies in Vera Cruz, but whether as a resident

TYRANNIDJi: — THE FLYCATCHKRS. 879

or ctnly as ii inif^rnnt lie could not iletermiiie. Mr. Dresser states that it is
common in tiie summer near San Antonio, arriving there in April. l>r.
Cones met it in its migrations through South Carolina. Dr. Turnbnll si)ealvS
of it as rare in the iieighljorhood ot rhilailel|)hia, where it arrives in the
middle of April on its way north. It has lieen i'ound throughout Eastern
Mexico and (Inatemala, and as I'ar .south as I'anama.

Mr. Verrill regarded this sijccics as a summer resident ii- '''estern Maine,
though he never met with its nest, and at no time very connuon. Speci-
mens were procured between the last of May and the midille of June. It
was found, though very rare, by Mr. Mcllwrailh, at llaniilton, where it was
sn])])o.sed to be a summer resident. Specimens were taken about the midillo
of May.

Dr. Hoy detected this sjjccies in the summer of 18G9, in the vicinity of
IJaeine, and although he had no doubt that they had a nest in the vicinity,
he was not able to discover it. He was surprised to find that the male of
this species has quite a ])retty song. This fact has since been confirnuHl liy
the observations of Mr. IVjardman, who has heard this bird give foith (juite
a pleasing, though somewhat monotonous trill. This, according to Dr. Hoy,
resembles Pea-imi/k-pea-v:ai/oc, several times repeated iu a soft and not un-
pleasant call or song.

In Western ^lassachusctts ^Ir. Allen has found this sjieeies rather rare.
Those met with have all been taken from May 15 to June 5. Dr. Coue.-s,
in his List of the birds of Xew England, expresses his conviction that this
sjjecies is probably much less rare than collectors have generally supi)osed.
It harbors very closcdy in shady w<jods and thickets, and is very rarely to be
met with anywhere else. In the distance it is not easily distinguished from
other species of this genus, and may have been allowed to go unsought,
mistaken for a nuicli n.iore common species. 'Mr. Allen has generally met
with (piite a number each year in May, .sometimes several in a single excur-
sion. Mr. Maynanl took eight specimens in a few hours, May 31, in I'^astern
Massachusetts, and Mr. Welch obtained an unusual number in a single season.
Dr. Coues has also met with them near Washington during their breeding-
season.

At (rrand Menan I found the nest of this species in a low alder-bu.sh, on
the edge of a thicket, but within a few feet of the shore. The ntjst was
about two feet from the ground, placed in the fork of the bush, and Itearing
a close rescMublance to the nest of the Vi/miospiza ci/coira. It was loosely
made of soft strips of the iinier bark of deciduous trees, and lined with
yellow stems of grasses. It was not largii for the liird, but the conspicuous
color of the materials at once betrayed the nest as we chanced to land within
a few feet of it. The female immediately .slid from it, and was not seen
again, but her mate was undisturbed by o>n' ])resence. Afterwards other
nests were obtained at Halifax, on the edge of swamjiy woods, made of
stubble, and placed in low bushes. All the eggs I obtained were white, of a

380 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

slightly more chalky hue than those of the minimum, and more oblong. Those
l)i'ucuiL't.l hy Mr. lioanhnau were sprinkled with minute dots of reddish-
brown. Their measurement is .68 by .52 of au inch.

Empidonax flaviventris, var. difficilis, Baiud.

WESTEBK TELLOW-BEUIED FLTCATCHEB.

Empidmiiuv difficilis, Baiiid, Birds N. Am. 1858, 198 (under E.flixrimilris), y\. Ixxvi, f. 2.
— 8(.'i.ATElt, (Jatal. 1862, 230. Empiilomix flavivaUris, Coiu'Eit, t-)rii. C'lil. I, 1870,
328.

Sp. Char. Similar to flaviventris, but tail much longer, and colors lighter and duller.
Tlio olive above loss green, and the sulphur-yellow beneath less pure, having an ochra-
ceous cast, this especially marked on the edge of the wing; wing-bands grayish rather
tiian yellowish white. Measurements, $ (oSjOuO, Parley's Park, Wahsatch Mountains,
Utah, Augusts, 18G9; C. Kino, 11. Ridowav) : Wing, 2.90 ; tail, 2.80; wing-formula, 3,
4, 2, 5, fl, 1. Yuung. Wing-bands ochraceous, instead of grayish-white, with a sulphur-
yellow tinge.

Had. Western Province of United States, and Western Mexico. (Mazatlan, Colima,
etc.) Fort Whipple, Arizona (Coues, P. A. N. S. 18G(j, 02).

Habits. This Flycatcher is a western form, closely allied to our eastern
E. flaviventris. It was met with by Dr. Coues in Ari/(jna, where it was
rather rare, and appeared to be a sunnner resident. It arrives in that
Territory about the middle of April, and remains there until the latter part
of September. Dr. Coues found it difficult to distinguish this form from
our eastern flaviventris.

])r. Cooper obtained at Monterey, Cal., specimens of the western types of
this bird, having darker markings on the M'ing, which, however, he regards
as only indicative of a young plumage, and not of specific distinctness. He
found these birds chiefly fre(^uenting woods of Coiiifcnc, and very silent,
which, so far as the observation has any value, indicates a marked dillereuce
between the eastern and the western birds.

The eggs of this species are also different from any of the eastern E.
flarircntris that I liave ever seen, and are more like the eggs of E. trailli
than of the other species of Empidonax. They measure .73 of an inch in
length, by .58 in breadth, have a creamy-white ground, marked at the
larger end with reddish-brown and purplish markings. They are of an
oblong-oval shape. Mr. Eidgway met with tliis species only once in his
western ex])lorations, when he obtained a pair in a tliick pine woods on the
Wahsatch Mountains, in June. They were exceedingly retiring, and fre-
quented dark woods, whose solitudes were shared besides only by tlie
Tardus anduboni and MjiiadcMes toicnscndi. Their note was a pit, much
more like that of soiue "Warblers than like the notes of the other Empi-
donaces.

This species, called by Mr. Grayson " The Lonely Flycatcher," was found

TYRANNID.?? — THE FLYCATCHERS. 3^]

by him quite common in the Tliree Marias, islands off tlie Pacific coast
of Mexico, as well as on the main coast, and also in California. The
accustomed places of resort of this solitary little bird were, he states, the
most retired and secluded dells of the forest. He tliere met witli it beneath
the canopy of the natural and shady grottos formed by the overlappiiif;;
branches, intermingled with innumerable creeping plants, sitting upon some
low twig watching for a passing fiy. At other times it miglit be seen
frequenting some secluded and shady little brook, near the surface of
which it often darted upon the Hies that skimmed over the surface of tiie
water, ever and anon uttering a low and plaintive one-syllabled note.

Empidonax obscurus, Baird.

WRIGHT'S FLTCATCHTJt.

ITiji- inula ohscura, Swainson, Syn. Me.x. IMnls, in Pliilos. Mag. T, 1827, 367. Empi-
cUnciM obscurus, Baikd, Birds N. Am. 1858, 200, pi. xlix, f. ;i. —In. M. U. II, liiiils
9, pi. xi, f. 3. —Sol. Cntal. 1862, 230. — Cool'Kit, Oni. Cal. I, 1870, 32it. Kinpidwinx
tvrifjhti, Baiui), Binls N. Am. 1858, 200 (name proposed in case this should prove not
to be the T. obscura of Swainson).

Sp. Char. Bill very narrow. Tarsi long. Wing rounded. Secor d, tliird, and fourth
quills longest; first shorter than sixth, sometimes than seventh and eighth. Tail rounded.
Above dull brownish-olive, paler on the rump, tinged with gray on the head. Loral
region and space round the eye whitish. Tlu'oat and forepart of the breast grayish-
white, slightly tinged with olive across the latter ; the rest of the under parts pale
yellowi.sh. Wings and tail brown ; the former with two conspicuous bands of brownish-
white; the outer primary edged, the secondaries and tortials edged and tipped with the
same. The outer web of the external tail-feather wliite, in strong contrast. Leugtli,
5.7u ; wing, 2.75 ; tail, 2.55 ; tarsus, .70. Young. Wing-bands yellowish-gray, or grayish-
bu(r(not ochraceous) ; upper parts with a brownish wash ; abdomen tinged with dull bull'.

Hah. Rocky Mountains and Middle Province of United State.s, and table-lands of
Mexico. Localities: La Parada, Mexico (Sci.. Catal. 18G2, 230); A'era Cruz, winter,
perhaps resident (Sum. M. B. S. I, 557) ; Fort Whipple, Arizona (Couks, P. A. N. s!
18(iG, G3).

The most decided character of this species is seen in the combination
of the narrow bill and the white outer margin of the external tail-feather,
together with the long tarsi. Tlie bill measured across opposite the middle
of the nostrils is less than half its length from tlie forehead, instead nf
being considerably more, as in nearly all the otiier Nortli American spe-
cies, except hammomU. From tiiis, liowever, the longer tail, edged exter-
nally with wliite ; tlie longer bill and tarsus, the more rounded wings, the
paler throat, etc., will distinguish it. Some specimens (spring and sunnn(!r
individuals) are very pale, .showing scarcely any yellow beneatli ; tlio
upper parts more tinged with gray. Sometimes there is a decidedly hoary
frontlet.

A young specimen (53,303, ? , Upper Humboldt Valley, Nev., September

382 NORTH AMEUICAN BIRDS.

IG, 18G8 ; C. King, Ii. llidgway) is remarkable for its pale ami iinusuiilly
grayisli colors. There is nowhere any tinge of yellow, and scarcely any of
brown, tlie colors being simply clear ash and pure dull white, except the
dusky of wings and tail. In these respects it ditfers from all others in the
cnllection ; there can be no doubt, however, that it is the same species as
tlie browni.sh individuals obtained in the same locality.

Habits. This Tlycatclier ajjpears to have been first described as a Mexi-
can species by Swainson in 1827. Since then it has been obtained by Sumi-
chrast in the Department of Vera Cruz, but whether resident or only
migratory he was unable to decide. Specimens were obtained at El Paso,
in Texas, by Mr. V. Wright, on the Mexican IJoundary Survey. Dr. Coues
found this bird a summer resident in Arizona, but rare. It arrives there
eaily in April, and remains until October. Dr. Cooper first observed this
sj^ecies at Fort Mohave al)out April 1, and a few afterwards until May 25.
Tliey ke]it among low bushc? .vere generally silent, or with only a single
lisi)ing chirp. Occasionally they flew a short distance after insects in the
general manner of this genus. AVe are indebted to Mr. Eidgway for all the
knowledge we possess in reference to the habits and nesting of this rare
species.

He met with them in all the aspen groves and thickets of the high
mountain regions, from the Sierra Nevada to the Wahsatch and Uintah
Mountains. The aspen copses at the head of the canons of the highest
and well-watered ranges of the Great Basin were their favorite resort; but
they were sometimes seen in the " mahogany " woods on the spurs, and
occasionally, e\en, on the %\illows in the river valleys. Their common note
was a weird swccr, much like the call of Clirijsomitris innua, but very often,
especially when the nest was approached, they uttered a soft liquid %(^nt. In
the Toyabe Mountains, where these little Flycatchers were breeding abun-
dantly in tlie asjien co])ses, j\Ir. Eidgway found them to be so unsuspicious
that several were taken from the nest with his hand ; and one which was
shot at and slightly wounded returned to her nest and suH'ered herself to
be taken off without showing any alarm.

A nest obtained by Mr. Eidgway near Austin, in Nevada, July 3, 1868,
was built in the crotch of a small aspen, about five feet from the ground.
This nest is a very neat, homogeneous, comi)act structure, cup-like in shape,
three inches in diameter, and two iind a half in heiglit. Its cavity is one
and a half inches in de])th, and three inches across the rim. It is com])osed
almost entirely of strips of soft and bleached fragments of the inner bark
of deciduous trees and shrubs, ajid hem]H'n fibres of various plants. The
inner nest is a lining made of finer materials of the same, with a few fine
roots and feathers.

The eggs, three in number, are of a uniform creamy white, unspotted,
and not unlike the eggs of Eittpidomtx miainiiis. They measure .73 of an
inch in length, and .60 in breadth.

TYRANNIDjE — THE FLYCATCHERS. 383

The nest and i'.g<;s of this species were also found by Mr. C. S. McCarthy,
ill Dodge Valley July 2, 185'J. The nest was in a low tlowering l)ush, and
w as a few feet from the ground. It was likewise found breeding at Camp
CJrant, Arizona, by Dr. Palmer.

Empidonax hammondi, Baird.

HAMMOND'S FLTCATCH2S.

Tyraiinnla hnmmondi, Dk Vesky (Xantus), Pr. A. N. Sc. May, 18.58. Empidotw.r htm-
mondi, li.uiii), IJinls N. Am. 18,'.8, 199, pi. Ixxvi, f. 1. — Sclatku, C'lital. lHti-2, :i;i(P.
— Oooi-ER, Oiii. C'al. 1, 1870, 330.

Sp. Char. Tail moilorately forked ; the foathcrs acutely pointed. Third quill lonpe.st. ;
second and then fourth a little shorter. Fir.st much shorter than fifth, a little longer than
sixth. Bill very slender ; dark brown. Above dark olivc-};reen, considcr.ably darker on
the head. I3reast and sides of the body light olive-green, the throat grayish-while ; the
rest of under parts bright sulphur-yellow. A whitish ring round the eye. Wings and
tail dark brown; the former with two olivaceous gray bands across the coverts; the
latter with the outer edge a little paler than elsewhere, but not at all whit«. Length,
5.50; wing, 2.80; tail, 2.50 ; tarsus, .07.

Had. Mexico and Western Province of United States (Clark's Fork; Fort Laramie;
Fort Tcjon, Orizaba, and numerous iiitermccliatc points). North to Lesser Slave l^ake,
where breeding abundantly (S. Jonks, Sins. S. L). Localities: Vera Cruz, winter,
perhaps resident (Sum. M. B. S. I, 557) ; W. Arizona (Coues, P. A. N. S. 1800, 02).

In tills species the olive-green on the sides is scarcely distinguishal)lo,
from that on the l)ack, although liecoming more yellow on the middle of the
breast. Tiiere is a decided ashy shade on the whole head. The only light
edging to the ijuills is seen on the terminal half of the secondaries. The
upper mandililc and feet are black ; the tip of the lower (and in one speci-
men the whole) dark brown. . Tiie fork of the tail measures a quarter of an
inch in depth ; the longest quill exce'-,ds the first by .40.

This species is at once distinguishable from all t'le North American
T//mii.nn/as, except ohsrvnis, by the extreme narrowness as well as shortuess
of the bill. This is only .25 of an inch wide at the posterior angle of the
mouth, and only .19 at the nostrils. Tts colors above are those of amdicus,
wliile the general effect is much more that of Jlariventris, although less
briglitly olive. The throat is grayish, not of the .same yellow with the
belly; the ring round the eye white, not yellow; the olive of the breast
mucli more continuous and distinct ; tlie bands on the wings dull grayish
instead of clear greenish-yellow. Tlie tail, instead jf being nearly even, is
quite deeply forked. The bill is scarcely half as wide, and brownish, not
yellow, beneath. The tarsus has tlie same peculiar scutellatioii.

The differences from T. ohscurus are less easily expressed. It is, however,
considerably smaller, and more olivaceous above and below, the tarsi very
much shorter ; the most tangible cliaracter is seen in the absence of the

384 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

wliito on the outer web cf tlie external tail-feather, vliich is only a little
jiiiler blown tliivn elsewhere. The abdomen is much more distinctly yel-
lowish.

ILvitiTs. This species was first discovered in the vicinity of Fort Tejon,
Cal., by Mr. Xiiiitus, in 1858, and described by him in the I'rocr xiings
of the riiiladeljihia Academy. It has since been taken in other parts of
California and ^[e.xico. Sumichrast found it in the Department of Vera
Cruz; and J)r. Coues has taken it in Arizona, where he regarded it as a
ratlier rare summer resident, arriving late in April and remaining until tlie
third week iu October.

1 )r. ('ooper obtained a single specimen of this species at Fort Mohave,
May 20. It closely resembled E. ohsrimis in its habits at that time, and
he mistook it for that species. He afterwards met with others, as supposed,
of these birds, on Catalina Island, iu June. They kei)t in low trees, and
uttered a few faint lisping notes. Tlie first of this species arrived at Santa
Cruz, March 13, and they were numerous during the summer, disapjiearing
in September. April 27, iJr. Cooper found the first nest. It was built on
the horizontal branch of a negundo-tree, about eighteen feet from the
ground, lie found i'our others afterwards, from four to ten feet high, either
on horizontal branches or on forks of small trees. They contained three or
four eggs each, or young. The last one with eggs was found as late as
June 29, probably a second nest of a pair that had been robbed. These
nests were all thick walled, composed externally of dry mosses and downy
buds, witli a few strips of bark and leaves, and slender woody fibres,
and often with a few hairs or feathers lining the inside. Externally the
nests Avere about four inches wide and two and a half high. The cavity
was two inches wide and one and a half deep. The eggs were white with
brov.'n blotches and specks near the larger end, disjiosed mostly in a circle.
Tiiey measured .68 by .52 of an inch.

These birds, he further states, fre(juented only the darkest groves along
the river, and had a very i'ew simple call-notes of a monotonous charac-
ter. They were so very shy that he could not get near enough to de-
termine the species, which in all probability was not this species, but the
E. pysil/iis.

Tiie E. hnmmondi was met with by Mr. Ridgway only in the East Hum-
boldt ]\Iountains, where, in September, it was found in the thickest groves
of tall aspens. It seemed to be confined to these localities, and was much
more secluded than the E. oh/icurus. Its common note was a soft pit.

A number of nests and eggs sent, witli the parent birds, froin Lesser Slave
Lake, by Mr. Strachan Jones, show that its eggs are unspotted creamy-
white, like those of E. minim-us and E. ohsrurus. Indeed, a number of nests
and eggs of tlie former of these two species, also accompanied by the parent
l)irds, could not be distinguished, except by their apparently just appreciably
larger size, on the average.

TYRANNIDyE - THE FLYCATCHERS.

885

Genus MITREPHORUS, Scl

ATER.

40602 ^

Mitrci,!u,rus, Sci.atek, P. Z. S. 1859. 44. (Tyi,., J/, pha-ornr,,..)

Gen- C„AR. Si.nih,. in general character to .1/. empklonax, but with fulvo.,., fulvous-olive
and rufous tints, nisteacl of clear olive, firay, white,
and .sulphur-yellow. Head crested ; bristles'of gopo
reaching nearly to tip of bill. Feet very weak.

The type of this genus (J/. 2}ficvoccrciis)
is (luite different in form i'roni Eitqmlonax,
the nearest North American ally, but both
M. prilksccus dmi/ulvifrons could with little
violence be placed in it. There is no posi-
tive character to separate the latter from
the average of species of Emjmhnax, ex-
cept it be the color. The crest is not at aU conspicuous, nor is there any
appreciable difference of form ; while in the form of the bill these species
are much nearer E,npidona.v than Mitrcphorus. The legs, however are
weaker, and the rictal bristles longer.

There are two forms of the group, as defined by Sclater: one embracin-r
Kpha'occrcus, bclater (Mexico and Guatemala), and £. anrantikcntris, Lawr
(Costa Ilica) ; the other E. fulvifrons, Giraud, and paUesccns, Coues. The
differences between the last two. which are probably merely races of one
species, may be expressed as follows : —

M. fulvifrons. Olivaceous above; beneath ochraceous-fulvous ; darkest on

whitlsir ' '' " °" ""'°'' '"'^ "■'''""'• ^^'''"•■'' "'S*' °^ °"''^'- t-l-fcathe.^

Olive of back fulvous; under parts decided ochrey-fulvous. Wing-bands

t nged with oclu^oeons; wing r..ther pointed. First quill equal to sixth;

thud, longest. Wmg,2.C5; tail, 2.40 ; tarsus, .61. Hah. Northern Mexico!

Olive of back grayish; beneath obscurely ochroy-fulvous and much pa'ler"'"^"' "*"'
wuig-bands grayish-white ; wing rather rounded. First quill shorter than
s.xh; fourth longest. Length, 4.75; wing, 2.15; tail, 2.00; tarsus, .55.
tlab. Arizona .

var. pall esc ens.

<M..xi!.o'jf''T-^'w ■''"''''"; /C'""''"^'"/"'^/'-''-. G'«ArD. 16 species T..xa,s bird.,. 1841. pi. ii

Vol.. ti.

49

386

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS,

Mitrephorus falvifrons, var. pallescens, Coues.

BUFF-BREASTED LEAST FLTCATCHEB.

Mitreplwrus pallescens, CoUKs, Pr. Pliilatl. Ac. 18fi6, 63 (Fort Whipple, Arizona). — CooPEii,
Oni. Calif. I, 334. Milrcpkorusfidcifruiis, Elliot, lUust. B. Am. I, pi. xix.

Sp. Cii.M!. Above I'lilvo-is-gniy, wiLh an a.sliy cast on the tail and crown; lighter
acro.«s the nape. Two giiiyish-wliite hands across the wings, and the terminal half of the
.secondaries and outer web of lateral tail-leather broadly edged with the same. AVhole
lower part,s inchiding the lores and cheeks, and lining of wing, light ochraccoiis, very
deeply ochraceous across the breast and on the sides, nearly white on the abdomen and
erissum. Upper mandible deep black, lower whitish ("bright orange-yellow" in life);
feet dccj) black. Wing-formula : second, third, and fourth quills equal and longest, 5, 0, l!
Tail very slightly emarginated, but lateral feather a little the shortest. Male. Length,
4.7ij; wing. 2.25; tail, 2.00; culmen, .r)4 (measured to concealed ba.se) ; breadth of bill,
.24 ; tarsus, .54 ; middle toe, .28. Female. Colors paler ; deep ochraceous of breast, etc.,
less distinct.

Hab. Southern border of Middle Province of United States (Fort Whipple, Arizona).

The true M. fulvifi-ons of Me.xico differs simply in deeper colors, the
shade above being decidedly fulvous, instead of grayish, and the lower parts
much more deeply ochraceou.s, the abdomen not approaching white ; the
wing-markings are also tinged witli ochraceous.

Habit.s. Tliis species, both new to our fauna and previously undescribed,
was taken by Dr. Coues at Fort Wliipple. It belongs to a newly established
genus of Flycatcliers, recently established by Mr. Sclater, similar to Empido-
nax. So far as known, its members are more or less tropical in their resi-
dence. It is a rare siuumer resident at Fort AVhipple, arriving there early
in May. Nothing is stated in reference to its habits, except that they cor-
respond with those of the Empidonaces.

Gk.vus FYROCEFHALUS, Gould.

Pi/roeephalus, (ioiLD, Zocil. of Beagle, 1838, 44.

Gex. Char. Tarsus moderate, very little longer than the middle toe ; hind toe not

longer than the lateral. Bill
slender, very narrow at the base.
Tail broad, even, considerably
shorter than the wings (about
fo\u' fifths), which reach be-
yond the middle of the tail.
First quill shorter than the
fifth. Head with a, conspicu-
ous rounded crest. Sexes di.s-
siniilar. Male with the crown
and lower parts rod (except in
K obscurus) ; tail, back, and
wings dark brown.

Pijrori jilmlus riibineiis.

38206

TYRANNID.E — THE FLYCATCHERS. fjg^

The single Nortli American species of this genus is readily distinguished
among other Flycatcliers by the bright red of the under parts. Tiie I'emale
is quite difl'erent in color from the male, being peculiar in this respect among
Nortli American Flycatcliers.

Species and Varieties.

E. obacurus.' Entirely uiiironu si'iiia-ljiowii liuiieatli, with a wiiiu-piii-ple
tinge posteriorly and on the ibiolicad. Hab. Peru.

E.rubineuB. Wiiolo crown, and entire lower parts (except lining of wing),
brilliant searlut-riMl ; a stripe on side of the head, and entire upju'r parts,
sepia-brownish. Femalr. '..'hitish anteriorly I leneath, more or less reddish
posteriorly; anterior portion with dnsky streaks; crown dusky, youinj
without any red; featheis above bordered with lighter; streaks beneath
numerous. Length, about iJ.'iO.

The brown of a dark sepia cast, edges of wing-leathers not appreciably
paler, the red with a slight calamine shade. No whitish on the edge of
outer nor on tips of other tail-feathers. Jfiih. South America var. rnbineus?

Similar to last, but outer web of lateral tail-feather distinctly whitish,
the rest lipped slightly with whitish. ITah. Northern South America

(Bogota and Guayaquil) \a.r. nan ns?

The brown of a decided grayish cast, and edges of wing-feathers very
distinctly paler ; red more .scarlet (but ecpially inten.se). No whitish
tips to tail-feather.s, and no white edge to the outer. Hah. MiiUllc
America; north into southern border of United States . var. mejoicanus.

P3a*ocephalus rubineus, ^ar. mexicanus, Sclateb.

BED FLYCATCHEB.

Pi/roccphalus rubineus, b.vwuiiNCK, Ann. N. Y. Lye. V, May, 18.")1, 115. C.v.ssi.n, 111. I,
IV, 1S53, 127, pi. xvii. — Hauid, Bhds N. Am. 1858, 201. — S.vlvadoim, Atti. Milan,
vii, 18t)4. — Heekm. X, 6', 38. Tyranmihi conmalii, Swainsox, AVagli;!!, Lsis, 1S31,
529. Pijrocephalus imiitis, WooDUousE, Sitgruave's lloport, 1853, 75 (not of (Joii.n).
PijrocepluUas mcckunus, Sclateu, P. Z. S. 1859, 45, 50, 300; 1S04, 17(>. — In. Ibis,
1859, 442. —111. fatal. 227. — Sclaieii & Salvi.v, Ibi.s, 18(iO, 39!) ((iiiatemala). —
Cabanis, Mus. H(?in. li, 1859, 68. — Coopei!, Oiii. Cal. I, 1870, 333.

Si'. Char. Head with a full rounded or globular crest. Tail even. Crown and whole
under part.s bright carmine-red; rest of upper part.s, including the cheeks as far as the
bill, and the lining of the wiijg, didl grayi.sh-brown ; the u|)jier tail-coverts darker; the
tail almost black; greater and middle wing-coverts and edges of secondaries and tertials

1 Pyroccphalus obscuriis, Gould, Zoiil. Voy. Bcag. ill, 45. — Sci.atek, V. Z. S. 1859, 4G ;
Catal. Am. 15. 1862, 228 (Peru).

'■^ Piiroccphalua rubinciis, (Boiin.) Cab. Mnsckapa rnhinca, Ronn. (ex Buff. pi. cnl. cel.w,
f. 1). Pyrocepliahia r. Cabanis et Hkix. Mus. Hehi. ii, p. 67. — Sci.ateu, Catal. Am. B. 1862,
227.

' PliroMphaliM rubincns, var. nanus, Gotti.ii, Zoiil. Bcig. iii, 45, pi. vii. — Sci.ater, P. Z. S.
1859, 46, 144 ; 1860, 282, 295 ; Catal. Am. R. 1862, p. 228. The last is hardly separable by
the characters given, as, although they are never seen in southern s|)eeimens, they are not con-
stant in the northern ones. Specimens of uamis are as large as any jf rubinciM, there being in
every region a great range of variation in dimensions.

388 X(MITII AMERICAN BIRDS.

dull white towards tho edges. Female siniilai-, without tliy crest ; the crown brown, like
the buck ; the under parts whitish anteriorly, streaked with brown ; behind white, tinged
with red or oehraeeoiis. Length of male about o.oO ; wing, .'!.2') ; tail, 2.7."). Yuuiiq
resenibhng the f'euiule, but lacking any trace of red, and with each feather of the upper
parts liordered with whititih, producing a very variegated appearance.

IIah. A'alleys of Rio Urande and 'lila southward. Localities ; Honduras (Moork,
P. Z. S. 18o9, i>ij) ; Cordova (Sol. 185G, 29G) ; Vera Cruz, hot to alpine regions [Svm.
M. B. S. I, i>o7) ; Yucatan (Lawk. IX, 201) ; Arizona (Coues, P. A. N. S. I86C, G4).

Every stage between tlie youngest plumage described and tbe adult male
may be found in a huge series of immature specimens : the shade of the red

in botli sexes frequently varies, it being
sometimes of a slightly rosaceous tint,
and again decidedly inclining to orange ;
its amount in the female varies almost
with the individual. The two South
American races (var. nanus and var. ru-
hinius; see synopsis) differ in having the
brown of up]ier parts, etc., very decidedly
darker ; no appreciable light edgings to
wing- feathers, and sometimes an ap-

Pyrorfplinlus rubineus. '• i -, • , i ^-\ .>

preciably more mtense red. One oi
them {nanus) has a distinct white outer edge to lateral tail-featlier, and
slight whitish tips to the other ; the other has no more than a trace of
these markings.

H.viUTS. This brilliant species is a rare summer visitant to Texas, New
Mexico, Arizona, and probably Southern California. It is found throughout
Middle America. It lias only witliin a few years been known as a resident
witliin our territory, but was first observed in Texas by Captain McCown, of
the United States Army, in 1850, and its claim to a place in our faima
publicly made by Mr. G. X. Lawrence. Captain McCown, in some notes on
the liabits of certain Texan birds, published in the Annals cif the N. Y.
Lyceum, speaks of this Flycatcher as being seldom seen, and of his having
noticed not more than a dozen in Western Texas. He always found them
near ponds of water, in the vicinity of the Kio Grande, generally on a tree
or a stake near tlie water. He only met with one nest, and this was in-
accessible. It was built on an acacia over the water.

Lieutenant Couch, in a letter to Mr. Cassin, states that he first met with
this bird at Charco Escondido, in Tamaulipas, on the 10th of March. The
males had come in advance of the females, as the latter were not observed
until se\-eral weeks afterwards. Early in the morning, and again about sunset,
one of these liirds came to the artificial lake constructed there for tlie supply
of water to the inhabitants. It ajipeared to be of a very quiet and inoffen-
sive disposition, usually sitting on the upper branches of the trees, occasion-
ally uttering a low chirp. He subsequently met with these birds in Nueva

TYUANX ID.E — THE FLYCATCHERS. 889

Leon. In tliuir Imliit.s they appeared to be in some respects similar to the
smaller northern Flycatchers.

Dr. Henry also met Avith these birds in the vicinity of Fort Webster, in
New JNIexico ; ho foiuul them e.Kceedinj,'ly rare, and his observations were
confirmatory of their partiality lor the neighborhood of water. His first
specimen was obtained on the Itio Mimbres, near Fort Webster, in the
month of March.

Dr. Woodhouse met with an individual of this Flycatcher near tlie settle-
ment of Quihi, in Texas, in the month of May. It was breeding in a thicket.
He did not hear it utter any note.

According to the observations of Mr. Sumichrast, this bird is very
abundant throughout the entire Department of Vera Cruz, common every-
where, at all heights, in the hot, the temperate, and the alpine regions. Mr.
Dresser obtained a fine male specimen from the San Pedro River, near San
Antonio, in August. Another, a young male, was obtained September 25.
It was very sliy, and made its way through the low bushes like the Hiidge
S))arrow of Eur(jpe. A third was obtained April 5, after much difficulty.
It was not so shy as the others, but kept more in the open country, always
perching on some elevated place. Its note resembled that of the Milvidus
forjiadna.

This bird, according to Dr. Coues, is not found as far to the north as Fort
Whipple, among the mountains, though it extends up the valley of the
Colorado to an e(jually high latitude. It is also said to be common in the
valley of the Gila and in Southern Arizona generally.

Mr. p]. (J. Taylor (Ibis, VI, \>. 86) mentions finding this Flycatcher tolera-
bly abundant both at Ciudad Bolivtar and at Barcelona, but he did not meet
with a specimen on the island of Trinidad. He notes its great resemblance
in habits to tiie Muscicapoe of Europe.

Dr. Kemierly reports that these birds were often observed by him at
various points on the road, from Boca Gmnde to Los Nogales. It generally
selected its perch on the topmost branch of some bu.sli or tree, awaiting the
approach of it.s insect food, and then sallying out to capture it. Sometimes
it poised itself in a graceful manner in the air, while its bright plumage
glistened in the sun like some brightly colored flower.

Dr. Heermann procured a specimen of this Flycatcher at Fort Yuma,
where he was informed that it was ([uite common in sjiring. He saw other
individuals of this species at Tucson in Sonora. These birds, he states,
station themselves upon the topmost branches of trees, and when pursued
appear quite wild, flying to a considerable distance before again alighting.

Dr. Cooper saw at Fort Mohave, May 24, a bird which he had no doubt
was an individual of this species, but he was not, aT)le to procure it. It
perched upon the tops of bushes, and would not suffer him to approach witliin
shooting distance. One has since been taken by Mr. W. W. Holdeu in
Colorado Valley, lat. 34°, April 18.

390 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS!.

Mr. Joseph Leyland found tliis species common on the flats near Peten,
in Guatenmhi, as also on the pine ridges of Belize. They have, he states'
a sinf;ular habit of spinnin<.r round and round on the wing, and tlien
dropping suddenly witli wings loose and fluttering as though '^shot, — ap-
parently done for amusement. They lay three or four light-colored eggs
in a small nest composed of light grass and lined with cottony materiafs.
Mr. Xaiitus found tlie nest and eggs of this species at San Jose. Mexico
May IG, 1861.

ALCEDINID.E — THE KINGFISHERS. 39^

Family ALCEDINIDiE. — The Kingkisueks.

Char. Head large ; bill long, strong, straight, and sub-pyramidal, usually longer than
till! liend. Tongue very small. Wings short; legs small; the outer and middle toes
united to their middle. Toes with the usual number of joints (2, 3, 4, 5).

The gape of tlie bill in the KiugHshers is large, reaching to beneath the
eyes. The tliird primary is generally longest ; the first decidedly shorter ;
the secondaries vary from twelve to fifteen in number, all nearly ecpial.
The secondaries cover at least three quarters of the wing. The tail is sliort,
the leathers twelve in number ; they are rather narrow, the outer usually
shorter. The lower part of the tibia is bare, leaving the joint and the tarsus
uncovered. The tarsus is covered anteriorly with plates ; behind, it is
shagreen-like or granulated. The hind toe is connected with the inner, so
as to form with it and the others a regular sole, which extends unl)roken
beneath the middle and outer as far as the latter are united. The inner toe
i" much shorter than the outer. The claws are sharp ; the middle expanded
on its inner edge, but not pectinated.

The North American species of Kingfisher belong to the subfamily
Ccrylincp, characterized by the crested head, and the plumage varying with
sex and age. The single genus Ccryle includes two types, Strqitoccryk and
Chloroceryle.

Genus CERYLE, Boie.

Cmih, BoiE, Lsis, 1828, 316, cli. (Type, Alccdo ntdis of Africa.)
hpida, Sw. Hirds, II, 1837, 336. (Type, A. aki/un, in part.)

Gkn. Char. Bill long, straight, and strong, the culmen slightly advancing on the fore-
head and sloping to the acute tip ; the sides much compr'esscd ; the lateral margins rather
dilated at the base, and straight to the tip ; the gonys long and ascending. Tail rather
long and broad. Tarsi short and stcut.

This genus is distinguished from typical Alcedo (confined to the Old
World) by the longer tail, an indented groove on each side the culmen,
inner toe much longer tlian the hinder instead of equal, etc.

The two species of North American Kingfishers belong to two different
subgenera of modern systematists, the one to Streptoceryk, Bonap., the other
to Chloroceryle, Kaup. The characters of these subgenera are as follows : —

Streptoceryle, Bonap. (1854). Bill very stout and thick. Tarsns about
equal to the hind toe; much shorter than the inner anterior. Plumage
without metallic gloss ; the occipital feathers much elongated, linear, and
distinct. Type, C. aki/on.
Chloroceryle, Knup (1849). Size smaller and shape more slender than in

302

NOKTIl AMERICAN BJHIXS.

iho proceiliiif,'. Bill loiip, thin. Tiirsi longt.T than hiiul toe; almosit or quite oa
long iiM thu inner anterior. I'liiniagi; witii a green nietalHi! gloss above; tho
ocuii)iit witii a ercst of rather short, inilislinut lealhurs. Type, .1. ainazona.

Thu goiuis C'cn/lc wiis estiiblishoil liy IJoie on tho Almhi riidi.i, of Limioeus,
an Al'rit'iin siiucies. Mudorn sy.stuniuti.sts soiiiinito tlio Aiiu'riciui Kinj^fislicrs
from tliuso of tlic Ulil World, iiud if correct iu so doing, iiuuLlicr gunuric

Cnyle atryon.

nnme mnst be selected for the f(jrnier. If the two American sections he
combined into one, Clilormrri/lc of Kanp (type, Alccdo umdzona) mnst be
taken as being tiie older, nnless, indeed, hpida of Swainson (1837) be
admissible. This apjicars to have been based on Alccdo alci/oii, although
including also some Old World species.

Ceryle alcyon, Bora.

BELTED KINOFISHEB.

Ahrdnahijim, Linx-Wts, .Syst. Nnt. I, 1766, 180. — Wilson, Am. Orn. Ill, 1811, 59.—
AunuiioN, Orn. Ilioi,'. I, 1831, 384 ; pi. Ixxvii. — In. Hirds Anicrioa. — Max. Cah. .T.
VI, 1858, 102. Crnjh nki/nii, BoiK, Lsis, 1828, 316. — IJiucwku, N. Am. Oology, I,
1857, 110, pi. iv, lig. 52 (egg). — Wood, Am. Naturalist, 1868, 37!) (nesting). — H.Ulin,
liirils N. Am. 1858, 158. — Cooi-kk & SrcKT.KY, 167. — Dai.i, & Hanni.stkr, Ch.
Ac. I, i, 1869, 275 (Alaska). - FiNsoii, Abh. Nat. Ill, 1872, 2!) (Alaska). — SA.MiM'.t.s,
125. — Oool'Kl!, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 337. — Am.kx, B. Flu. 300. Mcfiaivn/k nki/on,
RKK.'MKSn. Ilinidl). Sp. Orn. I, it, 1851, 25, pi. I'cccxii, fig. 3108-9. Isjiida Indorici-
ana, O.MEM N, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 452. "Alccdo jar/uacatc, Dii.MOSr, Dirt. Sc. Nat.
I, 1816, 4,55" (Oa.ssin). "Alccdo (tiincu, ViKii.i.or, Noiiv. Diet. XIX, 1818, 406,"
(Cassin). Sfre.ptoccryle alcijon, Cadanis, Mus. Iluiii. II, 151.

.Sp. Piiar. Head witli a long crest. Above ashy-bliio, without mntallie lustre. Beneath,
with a conoo.iled band across the ocei|>ut, .and a spot anterior to tlio eye, pure white.
A band across the breast, and the sides of the body under the wings, like the back.

ALCEDIXID.K — THE KINGFISIIKHS.

393

Primnriea wliito on tlio Imsal Imll', tlic t.'rininal niispotU'il. Tuil -villi tiaiisvorso bands

and sitoU of whitf. Ftmnle. and ijuuuij wiih sidi's i T body and a band ucinsa ilic

belly liciow llic pectoral oiio

li(,'lit clu'slnul; lliu pciloral liand '^^r

nioiv or less tinjicd with the

sanie. Leiij,'lli of aihilt alioiit

l'J.7") ini'luM; wilif.', (!.l)ll.

Haii. Tilt! entile conlineiit ol'
Xorth Aiiu'iini to I'luiania, iii-
elildili}^ West Indies. Loeali-
ties: Honduras (Moouk, T. /. S.
18.VJ, M; Set,. Ibis, II, ll(;j;Sta.
Cruz, winter (Nkwton, Ibis, 1,
(i"); Helizo (Sci.. Ibis, I, i;!l);
YorkFa.lory, II. li. T.iMiuuAV,
Ediiib. I'hil. J. Jan 18G0); Cuba
(Caii. J. IV, 101 ; (ii-Nni,. Rej).
1. 1800, '2!)2) ; Uahaiuas (Hiivant,
JJost. 8oe. VII, 18.')!)): .lamaica
((jossK, liirds Jntn. 81 ; Oii/.abii
(Sc!-. P. Z. S. 18(i0, 2.")3) ; Paii-
nnm (Lawr. N. Y. I,y<'. 18G1,
318 n.) ; Costa Riea (Cah. J. 1802,

102; Lawk. N. Y. Lye. IX, 118); Tobn?o (.lAiin. Ann
Ibis, 18(i."), 471); Arizona (Corts, P. A. N. 8. 1800,50); Stn. liartlioleiuy (Su.sa OlV
1800, 585).

Cfrytf nfrt/on,
Majr. 10,8(1); Texas (Dukspkr,

This species varies consideralily in size witli locality, as do so many
others. Western specimens are appreciably larger, esi)ecially those I'rum the
noithwcfit coast. Accordiiij,' to NuttiiU and Atidiiboii, it is the leniale that
has the transverse band o!' chestnut across the Itelly. In thi.s they may be
correct ; but several specimens in the Smithsonian colkction marked female
(perhaps erroneou.sly) sliow no indication of the chestnut.'

Two closely allied but mucii ...rger sjiecies uclono; to Middle and South
America. They differ in havin«,f the wholt! body beneath of a reildish
ci.dor.

Habits. The common Belted Kinglishor of North America is a widely
distributtjd species at all times, and in the summer is found in every portion
of Xorth America, to the Arctic Ocenti on the north, and from the Atlantic
to the I'acific. It is more or less resident throtighout the year, and in
mild and open winters a few have been known to linger througliout New
England and even in higher latitudes. Tn 1857 Captain Blakiston found
it remaihtng on the lower part of the Saskatchewan River until the 7th
of October, and afterwards, in 1859, at Pendjina, on the 1st of May, he ob-

* Tliis confomiiiu,'- of the two scxos has ))iobably ri'sultod from puess-work of the collector,
who, noticing the marked diflficiH'c between the male and female, and naturally suppo.sing the
former to be the more brif^htly colored, marked tl e rufous-breasted specimens accordingly ;
while the few marked correctly may have been thus labelled after careful dissection.

vol.. II. 50

394 XOUTII AMKIUOAN HIRDS.

served thciu to lie present, iiltlidugh the river was not yet open. Those
tliat have migrated to the south make their reapiiearanee in spring through-
out tlio eontineut as soon a.s, and not xinfrequently hei'ore, the ice has disap-
])eared from the rivers and ])onds.

It occurs in extreme northern latitudes. Mr. MacFarhme received skins
from the Eskimos obtained on the Arctic coast, and Mr. Dall i'ound them
breeding at Fort Y\dion, where it was ([uite common on all the small streams
flowing into that river. It was also found by Dr. Uiehardson frequenting
all th'3 large streams of t'"3 fur countries, as far at least as the <)7th parallel.
In California a larger race than our Atlantic species is found abundantly
along the coast, and about nearly every stream or lake in which the water
is not turbid and muddy.

Mr. A. Newton reports this bird as a winter visitant at St. Croix, leaving
the island late in April. It iVe(iuents mangrove swamjis and the mouths
of small streams, sometimes ti.shing half a mile out at sea. The stomacii of
one contained shells of crabs. The occurrence of two specimens of this
species in Ireland is recorded by Mr. Thomjjson.

The Kingfisher is an eminently un.soeial species. It is never found other
than in solitary jiairs, and these are very rarely seen together. They feed
almost entirely upon fish, which they capture by plunging into the water,
and which they always swallow whole on emerging from their bath. Un-
digested portions of their food, such as scales, bones, etc., they have the
power of occasionally ejecting from their stomachs. They may usually bo
noticed by the side of streams, mill-ponds, and lakes, stationed on some con-
venient position that enables them to overlook a deep place suitable for
their purpose, and they rarely make a plunge without accomplishing their
object.

The cry of the Kingtisiier, uttered when he is disturbed, or when moving
from place to place, and occasionally just as ho is about to make a plunge,
is loud anil harsh, and resembles the noise made by a watchman's rattle.
This noise he makes repeatedly at all hours, and most especially at night,
during the breeding-season, whenever he returns to the nest with food for
his mate or young.

They nest in deep holes excavated by themselves in the sides of .streams,
ponds, or cliffs, not ahviiys in the immediate vicinity of water. These ex-
cavations are often near their accustomed fishing-grounds, in some neighbor-
ing bank, usually not numy feet from the ground, always in dry gravel, and
sufhciently high to be in no danger of inundation. They make their
liinrow with great industry and rajtidity, relieving one another from time
to time, and working ince.s.santly until the result is satisfactorily accom-
plished. When digging through a soft fine sand-baid< their progress is
surprising, sometimes making a dee]) excavation in a single night. The
pages of " The American Naturalist " contain several animated contro-
versies as to the depth, the shape, and the equipments of these passages.

ALCEDINID.E — THE KINGFISHERS. -JOS

The result of tlio eviduiice thus given seems ti) lie tliat the holes the
Kiiij^'tisliers iimkc' are not loss tliiui four nor more tliiiu fifteen feet in
length ; tluit some are ])erfectly straiglit, while some, just before their
termination, turn to the right, and otliers to tlie left ; and that all have,
at or near tlie terminus, an enlarged spaee in whieli the eggs are deposited.
Here the eggs are usually laid on the bare sand, there being very rarely, if
evei', any attempt to construet a nest. The use of hay, dry grass, and feath-
ers, spoken of by tiie ohler writers, d(;es not appear to ue eontirmed by more
recent testimony. Yet it is ipute possible that in certain situations the u.se
of dry nuiterials may be resorted to to protect the eggs I'rom a too damj)
soil.

The i>lace diosen for the excavation is not always near water. In the
sj)ring of IS'io 1 found the nest of a Kinglisher in a bank by the side tf the
carriage path on Mount Washington, more than a mile from any water. It
was a shallow excavation, made that season, and eontained fresh eggs the
latter i)art of May. The food of tin; ]>air was taken m^ar tlu' dam of a saw-
mill on Veabody liiver. In another instance a i)air of Kiuglishers made
their abode in a sand-bank in the midst of the village of llingham, witliin
two rods of the main street, and withiua few feet of a dwelling, and not in
tlu! near vicinity of water. Here the eontidence they displayed was not
misjilaced. They were ]»rotected, and tlieir singular habits carefully and
curiously watched. During the day they were (cautious, reticent, and rarely
seen, but during the night they seenu'd to be ])assing back and forth contin-
ually, the return of each parent being announced by a loud rattling cry.
Later in the season, when the young required constant, attention, these noc-
turnal noises seemed nearly incessant, and became almost a nuisance to the
fann'ly.

The Kingfisher, having once selected a situation for its nest, is very
tenacious of it, and rarely forsakes it unless compelled to by too great
annoyances. They will submit to be robbed tinu^ after time, and still
return to the same r,]mt aiul renew their attempts. They are devoted to
their young, exhibit great solicitude if their safety is threatened, and will
sutler themselves to be taken fn»m their nest rather than leave it, and
innuediately return to it again.

Mr. Dall observed a male bird of this species digging other holes in the
bank near his nest, apparently for amusement or occui)ation. They were
never more than two feet in hnigth and about eight inches in diameter. He
seemed to abandon them as soon ao made, though seen to retire into one to
eat a fish he had captured.

The eggs are usiially six, rarely seven, in number, and are of a heautifully
clear crystal whiteness. They arc^ very nearly spherical in shajie, and meas-
ure 1.31 by l.UO inches.

396 NOimi AMKKICAN Jil^DS.

Ceryle americana, \ar. cabanisi, Tschudi.

TEXAS KINGFISHEB; GBEEK KINOFISHEB.

Alccdo aiiierkami, (i.MKl.lN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 451 (in jiait). (Jcryh anurkcnm, Law-
KKNLK, Annuls N. Y. Lyccuni, A', 1851, 118 (first introduction into tlie fauna of
United Status). — t'A.ssiN, Illustrations, 1,1855, 255. — BliKWKl!, N. Am. Oology, I,
1857, 3, pi. iv, f. 53 (i"^). — Haiuu, Hirds N. Am. 1858, 159, pi. xlv. — In. Me.x.
B. II ; Birds 7, pi. vii. — Cooricit, Orn. Cul. I, 1870, 339. Alccdo viridis, Vieillot,
Nouv. Diet. XIX, 1818, 413 (C.v.s.sin). Ccnjle aibtmisi, Kkr'ue.nb. Ilandb. sp. Orn.
I, 27. — Caban. Mus. Ileiii. II, 147. Alccdo aibanisi, Tsoiiuui.

Sp. Chau. Head slightly crested. Lrp])er partti, together with a pectoral and abdominal
band of blotches, glos.sy green, as also a line on each side the throat. Under parts
generally, a collar on the back of the neck, and a double series of spots on the quills,
white. Female with a broad band of chestnut across the breast, Yowuj of both sexes
similar to the adult, but white beneath tinged with buff, and mark! ig on breast more
obsolete. Length about 8.00 ; wing, 3. 14.

Hah. Rio Grande region of Texas and southward. Localities : Honduras (Scr,. P.
Z. S. 1858, 358) ; Bogota (Sci.. P. Z. S. 1853, 130) : Cordova (Scl. P. Z. S. 1850, 280) ;
Guatemala (Sn.. Iliis. T, 1,31) ; Honduras (Ibis, IL 1 17) ; S. E. Texas (Duesskr, Ibis, 1865,
472, breeds) ; C(jlorado River (Coues P. A. N. S. 1806, 59) ; Costa Rica (Lawr. N. Y.
Lye. IX, 118).

This sjK'cies is much smaller than the Northern or Belted Kingfisher, and
is easily distiii<;uishable by the diagnostic marks already given. The sexes
apjiear to diHor, like tliose of C. alcijoii, namely, the female being distin-
guished by a I'lifous pectoral band, which is wanting in the male

Tschudi and Caljanis separate the northern from the more southern bird
under the name of C. cahomi ; Tschudi retaining the name of C. americana
for specimens resident in eastern South America. The differences are
said to consist in the larger size, longer bill, greater extension of the white
of the throat, and the decided sjjotting on the wing-coverts and quills of
cahanisi. Though those difl'erences are readily appreciable, they correspond
so entirely M'ith natural laws, distinguishing northern and southern in-
dividuals of most resident sj)ecies, that it is only fair to consider them as
merely modifications of a single species.

Several other s])ecies of Ch/oroccri/le proper are found in Tropical America.

Habits. So far as is certainly known, this species is only found witliin
our fauna as a bird of Texas, where it is occasional, rather than common, and
confined to its western limits. From information received, I am confident
that it will yet become known as at least of rare occurrence in Southern
Florida, and possiI)ly ahmg the whole gulf coast. It was first noticed as a
bird of the United States by Captain McCown, and added to our list by
Mr. Lawrence, in 1851. It has since then been occasionally taken near the
liio Grande and in all the northeastern portions of Mexico. It is said to
be found nearly throughout Mexico, and to be abundant also in Central
America.

ALCEDINlDyE — THE KINGFISHERS.

397

Mr. Dresser noticed several of tliese birds at jNIatainoras, in August, and
afterwards found tlieni common on the Nueces and tlie Leona Itivers, in
which places tliey were breeding. In December he saw others near Eagle
Pass. They were nowhere so abundant as the common belted species.

Dr. Coues states tliat they have been observed on several points on the
Colorado liiver between Fort Mohave and Fort Yuma, — the only instances
of their occurrence in the United States other tlian on the llio Grande. We
have but little information in regard to their Jiabits, but there is no reason
to suppose that they differ in this respect.

Mr. Salvin states that this species occurs abundantly everywhere upon
the small streams in the Atlantic coast region, and in the interior of Cen-
tral America. It was frei^uently observed near Dueiias, botli on tlie Gua-
calate and on the outlet of Lake Duenas. And Mr. J. F. Hamilton, in his
Notes on the birds from the province of Santo Paulo, in Brazil, states that
he found this species several times in the vicinity of shallow pools, most
especially those of wliich the banks were well wooded. Several times he
saw them perched on logs projecting a few feet out of the water. Dr. Bur-
meister speaks of this bird (var. americana) as tlie most common sjjccies
of Kingfisher in Brazil. It is there met with everywhere near the small
brooks, on the overhanging branches, and plunging into the water after its
prey, which consists especially of small fish. It is less shy than otlier
species, coming (piite near to the settlements and being easily shot. Its
nest is found in holes in the banks.

Mr. E. C. Taylor also mentions finding this species pretty common in the
island of Trinidad, especially among the mangroves in the swamps and
lagoons.

Eggs marked as those of Kingfishers were found in the collection of the
late Dr. Berlandier, of Matamoras, and are presumed to Ijelong to this
speciies, though no notes in relation to their parentage, and none referring
to this bird, were found among his papers. Except in size, they closely
resembled eggs of the C. alcyon, being of a pure bright crystal-white color,
and measuring 1.06 inches in length by .61 in bleadth.

Sternum of CrryU alri/on.

398 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDa

Family CAPRIMULGID^. — The Goatsuckers.

Cii.vR. Bill very short ; tlio gape oiionnoiisly long und wide, opening to beneath or
beliind tlic eyes. Ciilnien Viuiiilile. Toes connected by a movable sivin; seuonduries
lengthened; plumage soft, sometimes very lull and loose, as in the Owls.

Tlie preceding diagiiosis in connection with that of the order will suffice
to separate the Caprimnlijidcc from tiieir allies. Their closest relatives are
tiie Cjipsclidrv, next to whicii })erhaps may be reckoned the Trochilida:

In definin--: the subdivisions of tins family, we make use of un excellent
nionograpii of the American species by Dr. Sclater, in I'roccedings of the
Zoological Society, London, ISGCi, 123. He establishes three subfamilies as
follows : —

I. Podarginae. Claw of middle too not pectinated; outei toe with live
phalanges. Sternum with two pairs of posterior lissnres.

Outer nnir of posterior sternal fissures much deeper than inner
pair ; tarsus long and naked. Eggs colorless. Podargus, Bairacho-
stomiis, jEgulheles, Old World.

Outer pair of posterior fissures much deeper than inner pair •
tarsus extremely short and feathered. Ni/cfihiii.i, New World.

II. Steatornithin*. Claw of middle toe not pectinated ; outer toe with
five phalanges. Sternum with one pair of siiallow posterior fissures. Eo-o-s
colorless. Steatonii.i, New Woi-ld.

III. Caprimulginae. Claw of middle toe pectinated ; outer toe with four
phalanges only. Sternum with one pair of shallow i)osterior fissures. Eggs
colored (colorless in Antrostomus nuitalli, Baiid).

a.^ GUirirostres. Rictus smooth. Podager, Liirocalis, C/ionleiles,
New World. Lynconiis, Eurgatopodus, Old World.
h. Setiroslres. Rictus armed with strong bristles. Caprimulgus,
Scotoniis, Maa-odiptergx, Old World; Antrostomm, Stenopsis, Hydrop-
sidi.1, Heleothreptus, Nyctidromus, Siphonorhis, New World.

Dr. Sclater is of the opinion that Podarfius may ultimately have to be
placed in a different family from the GaprimiiUjidm, with or without the
other genera placed under Podanjince ; of these Njictibius, the sole New
World genus has species in Middle (including Jamaica) and South America.
Skatornis curipnisis, the single representative of the second subfamily, is
found in Trinidad, Venezuela, and Colombia. It lives in caverns and deep
chasms of the rocks, becoming excessively fat (whence the scientific name),
and is said to feed on fruits. The bill is large and powerful, more like
that of a Hawk than a Goatsucker.

Subfamily CAPRIMULGINiB.

CiiAH. Outer toes with four digits only; claw of middle toe pectinated. Sternum
with one pair only of sternal fissures or notche.>*. Toes .scutellate above. Hind toe
directed a little more than half forward, nostrils separated; rather nearer the commissure
than the culmen.

CAI'KIMULGID.E — THE GOATSUCKERS. 399

Tlie Caprimidfjincc have been divided l)y Dr. Sclater as follows: —

A. OlabriroBtrea. Rictus smooth.

I. Tarsus stout, longur tlian iniilillo too, entirely naked . . . Podmjer.

II. Tarsus moderate, shorter than middle toe, more or less clothed with
feathers.

a. Tail short, almost square Lurocalis.

h. Tail elongated, a little forked Chordeiles.

B. SetiroBtres. Rictus bristled.

III. AeriaL Tarsi short, more or less clothed.

o. Wings normal, second and third quills longest.

1. Tail moderate, rounded at tip Antrostomus.

2. Tail elongated, even at tip iSleiwjjsis.

3. Tail very long, forked or bifurcate .... Hydropsalk.
h. Wings abnormal in mah; ; outer six quills nearly equal . Heleothreptus.

IV. Terrestrial. Tarsi elongated, naked.

o. Bill moderately broad ; nasal aperture scarcely prominent . Nyctidromus.
6. Bill very broad ; nasal aperture much projecting (Jamaica) . iSiphonorhis.

Of the genera enumerated above, only two certainly belong to the fauna
of the United States {Chordeiles and Antrostomus), although there is some
reason to suppose that Nyctidromus should be included, as among the manu-

Chordeilfs popetuf!.

script drawings of Dr. Berlandier, of birds collected at Matamoras on the
Lower Rio Grande, is one that can he readily referred to no other than JV.
cdbicollis} The briefest diagnoses of tliese three genera will be as follows : —

Chordeiles. Gape without bristles; tarsi moderate, partly feathered; tail narrow,
slightly forked ; plumage rather comjiact.

1 NycUdmmm albimUis. Cnprimulqus nlhicnllis and r/iiiannixis, Omklik, S. N. T, 1788,

1030. Ni/clidromtis americaiuis, CA.ssrx, Pr. A. N. S. 1851, 179. Xnc/iUromus r,iii<ninisi«,

derbijamis, tjrnlliirius, — nffinis of nutliors. Xiiftiilnniiiis iilhicollis, ScLATEIl, P. Z. S. 1SG6,
145. Hab. From Northern Mexico .southward to Kouador ami 15razil.

400 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

AntrostomuB. Gape with bristles ; tarsi moderate, partly feathered ; tail broad, con-
siiloniljly nmiKlud ; j)liiiniige soil.

Nyotidromus. Gaix; with bristles; tarsi lengthened, bare; tail broad, rounded;
plumage solt.

Genus CHORDEILES, Swainson.

Chordcihs, SWAIXSON, Fauna IJor. Amor. II, 1831, 490. (Type, Caprimulgus virginianua.)

Gkn. Ciiah. Bill small, the nostrils depressed ; the gape with feeble, inconspicuous
bristles. Wings long, luirrow, and pointed; the lirst quill nearly or quite equal to the
second. Tail rather narrow, slightly forked; plumag. quite compact. HabiUs diurnal
or crepuscular.

Many species of this genus belong to America, altliough but two that are
well characterized enter into the fauna of the United States. These are
easily distinguished as follows : —

Species and Varieties.
C. popetue. White patch on primaries extending over the five outer quills,
anterior to their middle portion. No rufous spots on (luills, anterior to the
white jiatch.

a. Dark mottling predominating on upjwr parts ; lower tail-coverts dis-
tinctly banded.

Wing, 8.00; tail, 4.40. Hah. Eastern Province of United States
and Northwest coast var. popetue.

Wing, C.90 ; tail, 4.00. More rufous mottling on scapulars and
jugulum, and a decided oi^hraccous tinge below. Ifab. West

^ .I"'^'''« var. ,«,-»or.>

b. Light mottling predominating on upper parts; lower tail-coverts
only very indistinctly and spar.sely banded.

Size of var. popetue. Hub. Middle Province of United States
. var. hen ryi.

C. acutipennis. White patch on primaries extending over only four outer
quills, and beyond their middle portion ; distinct rufous spots on quills,
anterior to the white patch.

Wing, 6.20 to C.oO ; tail, 3.90 to 4.10. Hah. South America.

var. acutipennis.^
Wing, 7.00 to 7..30; tail, 4.40 to 4.75; Colors not appreciably
dilferent. Hah. Middle America, north into southern border of
United States v<,v. texensis.

» Cliordciles popc/nc, var. minor, Cabanis. iViorrkiles minor, Cab. Joum. f. Orii. 1856, p. r,
— ScLATEU, Catal. Am. B. 18U2, 279. Oh. (,ii,nl/„chi, Lawu. Ann. X. Y. Lye. VI, 165. ' '

" C/wrdcilc.1 acutipciuiis, (Bonn.) Cass. Gaprimtihins acitlipennis, Bodd^ekt, Tab. PI Enl
p. 46 (1733). aionkilcs a. Cassin, P. A. N. S. 1851 (Catalogue of Caprimulgidw, in Mus.
IhiliiJ. Acad.). Caprimuh/us (u;a,i.<,, (Imki,. C. prmmmis, T.sciiudi. C. exilis. Lesson
Chordeile.i lahcculalm, Jaudine. "Caprimulgus semitnrquatus, L., Gm., Pa. Max.- Tschudi.
Cliordeiles peruvianus, Peale. Ilab. Soutli America.

CAPRIMULGID.E — THE GOATST'CKERS.

401

Chordeiles popetue, viu. popetue, liAiiu).

NIQHT-HAWK; BULL-BAT.

Caprimulijici popetue, Vir.ii.i.cir, f)is. Am. Si.pt. I, iMir. fiti, pi. .\.\iv (9). Clii>n/,:iles
popelue, li.uui), liiids N. Am. Is.-.s, ir.l. — L(piii>, I'r. li. A. Inst. IV, IStU, 113
(Ur. Col. lu'stiiig). — t'lMii'Kii i ,SriKi.KV, Hill. — .S.vmukl.s, 122. Vnprhnitli/u.'iumcri-
mnus, \ViL.soN, V, 1812, 05, ],\. lxI. C. 1, 2. Chordeiles amcricanus, DkK.vy, N. Y.
Zoiil. II, 1844, 34, pi. .\.\vii. t'd/iriniiilniin n'njiiiiiniu.s, Biii.s.'^o.N, II, 17ii(», 477 (in
part only). — Aua Oni. liioj,'. 11, l,s;54, 273, pi. txlvii. — Max. Tali. .1. VI, 1858. —
WAliTHAl-.sKS, Cub. J. IStiS, 37:i (nesting). (J(i/)i-i„iiil(jiis (Clii>ril,ilcs) rin/iniuiiiis,
.Sw. V. Hor.-Am. II. 1831, ti2. ( lioi-ikih-s cinjinimiuit, Hon. List, 1838. — Ari). IJinls
Am. I, 1840, LIU, pi. xliii. — Nkwmkuhy, ZoiJl. Cnl. and Oregon Honte, 7!) ; Kup. P.
H. H. Surv. VI, 18.07. Loiiij-u-iiiijnl il„„lxiii-k-er, rKSSAxr, .Vretic Zoiil. 11, 17S.i, 337.

Sp. Chak. Male, ubovo grounish-lilack, but with litilc iMoiiliiijr on the lioad and back.
Wing-coverti? varied with
grayi.«h ; .seapulars with yel-
lovvisli-riifoii!;. A miohal band
of fine gray niottling-, behind
whieh is another co.ir.ser one
of rufon.>f .«pots. A white.- V-
.'ihaped mark on the throat;
behind this a colhvr of pale
rufous blotches, and another
on the breast of grayish
mottling. Under paits band-
ed transversely with dull yel-
lowish or reildi,>;h-wliite and
brown. AVing-(|uills q\iite
uniformly brown. The live
outer primaries with a white
blotch (about half an inch
long) midw.iy between the
tip and carpal joint, not extending on the outer well of tlic outer quill. Tail with a
terminal white patch, which does not reach the outer edge of the feathers. Female with-
out the caudal "diite piitdi, tlic white tail-banils more mottled, the white of ilie throat
mixed witli roddisli. Length of nnile, O.'iO; wing, 8.20.

IIab. United States and north to Hudson TJay ; in winter visits Greater Antilles,
and southward to Central America (Rio .Faneiro, Pi;i,zi:i,x) ; said to breed in .Taniica. In
Rocky Mountains, replaced l)y the variety hennji. Localities: Trout Lake. 11. B. T.
(Murray, Edinl). Phil. Journ. 1800); Bahamas (Bryant, Bost. 8o(;. Vll, 18."ii)) ; Guate-
mala (ScL. Ibis, II, 27")) ; Cuba (Lawr.) ; Janniica (March, P. A. N. 8. 18G.3, 28."), breeds) ;
Matamoras (Drksskh, Ibis, ISG.'i, 471, breeds) ; Rio Janeiro, January (Pki.z.. Orn. Hra.s.
L 14); Veragua (Sai.vin, P. Z. S. 1870, 203).

Habits. Tlie common Night-Hawk of North America is a very common
species throii<i;lioiit a widely exteiideil area, and within tlie United States
breeds wlierever fonnd. Its range extends from Florida and Texas to the
extreme northern latitudes, and from the Atlantic at least to the great Cen-
tral Plains. It has been found as far to the south as Panama.

At Matamoras Mr. Dresser found this species alnmdant during the sum-

voL. n. 51

Chortli ilfs pap^tite.

402 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

mer season, and towards dusk tlionsands of tliese birds and of C. texcnsis
and C. Junri/i niij^lit bo seen flyinjf in towards the river i'rom the prairies,
this one being the h'ast eonnnon of tlie tiiree. In Xnrthern Fhnida it is
also a ciiniinon species, and I have rarely received any ccdlection of eggs
from that State without the eggs of this bird being found among tiieni.
They are kiu)wn there as r>ull-bats.

In many of its habits, as well as in its well-marked generic distinctions,
this species exhibits so many and such well-marked diH'erences from the
Whippoorwill that there seem to be no good reasons for confounding two
birds so very unlike. It is esjiecially much less nocturnal, and has, strictly
sjieaking, no claim to its eonnnon name, as indicating it to be a bird of the
night, wliich it is not. It is crepuscular, rather than nocturnal, and even
this habit is more due to the iligjit of the insects ujjon which it feeds at
morning and at evening than to any organization of the bird rendering it
necessary. It may not unfre(piently be seen on tlie wing, even in bright
sunny weather, at midday, in pursuit of its winged prey. Tiiis is especially
noticeable with such birds as are wont to fret[uent our large cities, which may
be seen throughout all hours of tiie day sailing liigli in the air. Generally,
howe\'er, it is most lively early in the morning and just before nightfall,
when its supply of insect food is most abimdant. But it is never to be
found on the wing after dark. As soon as the twilight deepens into the
shades of night all retire to rest as regularly, if not at (juite as early an
hour, as other birds in regard to the diurnal habits of which there is no
question.

This species appears to be equally abundant throughout the fur countries,
where. Dr. Richardson states, few birds are better known. In the higher
latitudes to which these birds resort the sun does not set during their stay,
and all their pursuit of insects nuist ha made by sunlight.

In the winter this species leaves the United States, retiring to Mexico,
Central America, and the northern portions of South America. Specimens
from Mexico were in the Kivoli collection. They were taken by Barruel
in Xicaragua, by Salvin in Guatemala, in Jamaica by Gosse, and in Cuba by
both Lembeye and (lundlach.

Tiie movement.'^, evolutions, and general habits of this specie.^, in the pur-
suit of their prey, l)ear little resemblance to those of the Antntdonii, but
are nuich more like those of the Fa/cniiidrr. They Hy high in the air, often
so high as to be hardly visible, and tra\erse the air, moving backward and
forward in the manner of a Hawk. At times they remain ])erfectly station-
ary for several moments, and then suddenly and rapidly dart ott", tiieir wings
causing a very peculiar vibratory sound. As they tly they utter a very loud
and shrill cry which it is almost impossible to describe, but often appearing
to come from close at hand when the bird is high in the air. liichardson
compares this sound to tiie vibration of a tense cord in a violent gust of
wind.

CAl'RIMULGID.E — THE GOATSUCKERS. 4()*]

In some ol' tlie i)e(;uliiiiitics of its breeding the Mosquito-Hawk displays
sevoml very iinirked variations ol' luibit from tlie Wliipjjoorwill. Whilii
the latter always deposits its eyys under the cover of shady trees and in
thick w(ji)ds, tiiese l)irds select an ojien rock, a barren heath, or an exposed
liillside for their breedinj,'-pliice. This is not iinfreciuently in wild spots in the
vicinity of a wood, but is always o))en to the sun. I have even known the
eygs carelessly dropi)ed on the bare <,'round in a corner of a jjotato-field, and
have found the feniale sittinji' on her eggs in all tiie bright ghire of a noon-
day sun in June, and to all a])i)earanee undisturbed by its brilliance. A
nujre eonnnou situation for the eggs is a slight hollow of a bare rock, the
dark weather-beaten shades of which, with its brown and slate-colored
mosses and liciiens, reseuiltling both the parent and the egg in their color-
ing, are well adaj)ted to sci'cen them from observation or detection.

The great abundance of insect life of certain kinds in the vicinity of our
large cities has of late years attracted these bird;:, Each summer their
number in Boston has ]ierce]itibly increased, and through June and July,
at almost all hours of the day, most esjiecially in the afternoon, they may
be seen or heard sailing high in the air over its crowded streets. The
modern style of house-building, with tint Mansard roofs, has also added to
the iiulucements, aflbrdiiig safe and convenient shelter to the birds at night,
and serving also for the deposition of their eggs. In quite a numl)er of in-
stances in the summers of 1870 and 1871 they were known to lay their
eggs and to rear their j'oung on the flat roofs of houses in the southern and
western sections of the city. I have also been informed by the late Mr.
Turnbull, of Philadelphia, that the flat roofs of large warehouses near the
river in that city are made similar use of.

If a])pro<ached when sitting on her eggs, the female will suffer herself to
be almost trodden on before she will leave them, and when she does it is
only to tumble at the feet of the intruder and endeavor to draw him iiway
from her treasures by well-feigned lameness and pretended disability. Her
imitation of a wounded bird is so perfect as to deceive almost any one not
aware of her cunning devices.

The eggs of this bird are always two in inimber, elliptical in shape,
and equally obtuse at either end. They exhibit marked variations in size,
in ground-color, and in the shades and niunber of their markings. In cer-
tain characteristics and in their general elfect they fire alike, and all resem-
ble oblong-oval dark-colored pebble-stones. Their safety in the ex])osed
positions in which they are laid is increased by this resemblance to the
stones among which they lie. They vary in length from l.'M) to 1.13 inches,
and in breadth from .84 to .94 of an inch. Their ground is of various
shades of stone-color, in some of a dirty white, in others with a tinge of
yellow or blue, and in yet others a clay-('()lor. The markings are more or
less dift'used over the entire egg, and difi'er njore or less with each specimen,
the prevailing coloi^s being varying Shades of slate and of yellowish-brown.

404 North American biuds.

Willi all these variations liio ej,'g.s are readily rewjgnizable, and bear no re-
80iiil)lanc(i to any otliers exee])t those «!' te.icnuitt and kcnri/i. From the
former they twv easily distinguished l»y the greater size, but from the latter
they can only be separateil by uonsi' ■rations of locality.

Chordeiles popetue. var. henryi, Cassin.

WESTEBN NIGHT-HAWK.

ahorddhn hairiji, Canmn, Illiist. liiids of Cal. i Tux. I, 1855, 233. — Baird, Birds N. Am.
1858, I.'..'), pi. xvii. ScLAiKit, P. Z. S. 1806, 133. — Cooper, Oin. Cat. I, 1870, 343.

Sp. ("iiAit. Siiiiiliir to \iir. pojic/ hi; hut tlio male con.siderably lighter, with a greater
proilomiiiaimo of the li;,'Iit iiiotllinns, jiroduciiig a more grayish aspect ; the fomaio more
rufoii.s. Wiug-patfli oF tli(> male iargcT (at least an inch long), and, like tiie tail-patch,
crossing tlio wliole brcadtli of tlie feather.

Hah. Western I'lovinec of \orth Aniurica, e.\ce[)t Pacific Coast region. Matamoraa
to Siin Antonio, Texas (Dukssku, Ibis, ISUu, 471); Arizona (Couks, P. A. N. S 1866
68). '

In examining a large .series of Xight-Hawks, we find the differences in-
dicated above, in specimens from the Black Hills, liocky Mountains, and the
adjacent regions, to be ipiite decided and constant. Skins, however, from
Wasliington, Oregon, and Ciilifornia, seem darker even than the typical
eastern. There is no prominent difference beyond the lighter colors of male,
and greater distinctness, extent, and purity of the white or light markings,
and in the white patches of wing and tail, crossing the outer webs of all the
feathers ; the general proportions and pattern of coloration being quite the
same. It will therefore seem ])roper to consider C. hmriji as a local race,
characteristic of the region in which it occurs, and as such noteworthy,
but not entitled to imlependent rank.

AnotluM- race, C. minor, Cab., similar to var. popetue, but considerably
smaller (Z.aO, wing, 7.0U), is resident in Cuba and Jamaica. C. popetue is
also said to breed in the latter island, but minor is probably referred to.

Haiuts. This form, whether we regard it as a good species, or only a
western race of the common Night-Hawk, was first described as a new va-
riety by Mr. (^'issin, in ISoa, from specimens procured at Fort Webster,
New Mexico, by Dr. Henry, in honor of whom it was named. Its claim to
be considered a distinct race or species rests chiefly upon its constantly dif
ferent coloratiotis.

Dr. Coojier, who regarded this form not specifically distinct from the Night-
Hawk, states that it is not found near the coast border of California.

Dr. Kennerly encountered it in abundance in the vicinity of Los Nogales,
in Sonora, in -Tune. Late in tlie afternoon they came in great nuinbers
around the camp. They kejit circling round and round, and approached the
earth nearer and nearer with the declinin" sun.

CArillMULtHDJ-] — THK (JOATSUCKEUS. 405

Mr. Drcs.ser t'oiiinl tlu'iii very iilmmliuit iit AlataiiiDriw, iind us tar oast as
the Sal (.'oltuadu, lieyoml wliicli liu ilid imt uiout witli any. About dusk,
thousands of tliose liirds iuij,dit be suuu tlyin^' in towards the river from the
jmiirius. At San Antonio, wlicre Mr. Dresser found botli C. jinpihic and C.
kjcnsiii, he never procureil a sinj,de specimen of this bird, nor did Dr. lleer-
rnann ever meet with one the-re.

Dr. Cones says tliese birds are aljundant tlirouj^hout the Territory of
Arizona. At Fort \Vhi|ipK) it is a sunnner resident, arrivinji in Ajiril
and reniaininj,' until Oetolier, lieiny j)articuhirly numerous in Auj,nist and
September. Mr. Drexler made a hirj,'e collection of these birds at Fort
IJridger, in Utah, all of which showed sucli constant dillerences from east-
ern specimens as to indicate in his opinion the pro])riety of a specitit;
separation.

An egg of this bird taken at Fort Crook, California, by Lieutenant F'ulnor,
measures I.Jo inciies in lengtii by .\)2 of an inch in breadtli. While re.sem-
Iding in general elfect an egg of V. popctac, it is lighter in colorings, and
varies from any of that l)ird I have ever seen. Its ground-color is tliat of
clay, over wliicii are diffuseil curious aggregations of small spots and cloud-
ings of yellowish-brown, mingled witii- lilac. These markings are (piite
small and separate, but are grouped in sucli close proximity into several
collections as to give them the appearance of large blotciies ; and the blend-
ing of these two shades is so general as to produce the eff'ect of a color
quite different from eitiier, excep;. upon a close inspection, or an examina-
tion through a magnifying glass.

This variety was met with at the Forks of the Saskatchewan, in June,
1858, by Captain lilakiston, and specimens were obtained on the Saskatche-
wan Plains, by M. lionrgeau, in the summer of the same year. The latter
also procured its eggs. These are said to have lieen three in number, de-
scribed as light olive, l)lotched with black more thickly at one end than
the other. No mention of shape is made. This description, incomplete as
it is, indicates a great dissimilarity with eggs of this bird, fully identified in
the Smithsonian collection.

The western variety was met with by Mr. Hidgway tiiroughout the entire
extent of his route across the Great Basin. It bred everywhere, laying its
eggs on the bare ground, beneath a sage-bush, usually on the foot-hills of
the mountains, or on the mesas. In August and September they congregate
in immense Hocks, ajipearing in the evening. Not the slightest difference
in habits, manners, or notes, was observed between this and the eastern
Night-Hawk.

40G NORTH AMKUICAN BIRDS.

Chordeiles acutipennis, var. texensis, T.awrknce.

TEXAS NIOHT-HAWX.

ilinnlcilin hnisiliiiiiun, Lawiiknck, Aim. N'. Y. Iaci'Iuh, V, May, If*,'!!, 114 (not nf
(i.MKI.IN). — Cassis, 111. I, IS.'i,"), •J:IS, I'luirdrilis siipili, ItdN. Ciilispi-rtUH Avium, I,

1841), t(3. (.'honlfile.i li.ivii.v.i, Lawiikmk, Ann. N. Y. Lyo. VI, Doc. 1850, 167. —
lUiiii), Binls N. .\iii. l,s,1S, 1,-|4, i>l. .xliv. - In. M. 11. II, KiriLs, 7, pi. vi. -Cooi'Kii,
Oni. ('ill. I, 1870, a45. V((jjriiiiii/<jusl(.ixiisis, WaisiiiausKN, Vnh. J. 1808, 370 ^lU'St-
inK>-

Sp. CiiAit. Much .snialliT llmu ('. ririiiiildiniii. I>nt soincwiiaf similar. Wliilo ou tiio
winp cxti'iidiiif; over oiily lour outer priniarii's, tho hasu.s of wliii'ii, as well as the roiiiaiii-
inp; oucs with other iiuills, have roiunl rufous n\wt» on both webs. Uniler tail-coverts
null abdomen with a stroiifr yellnwish-rul'ons tiii<;e. Female lucre rul'ons anil without tho
white spot of llie tail. I,enj;lli, S.7'); winj:, 7.00.

Had. Basins of Rio Grande, Gila, and Colorado Rivers, and west to ( iuU'olCalilbrnia ;
.'^oulli as far, at least, as ("osla I'iea. Localities: Matainoras to .San Antonio (Dkkssf.h,
Ibi.s, I8(i."), 471, lirce.l.*): W. Arizona (("ori-x V. A. N. S. IHtitl, .Vs) ; Costa Uica (Lawr.
An. N. V. Lye. IX, 120) ; Yucatan (Lawk. N. Y. Lye. IX, 204).

Tlie iniukiii<,'.s of tlii.s species are quite difl'erciit fritiii those of Ohordfiilcs
popctnt: lir'avenioe siieciiiiuns tlie prtivailiiio color alinve may lie described
as a inixed pjray, yellowi.sh-ru.sty, black', and brown, in varied but veiy fine
niottling.s. Tlie toji of tlie head is ratlier iinil'ornily brown, with a few
niottlinj^s of <,'rayish-riisty, altliotio;h the concealed portion of the feathers is
much varied. On the najie is a finely mottled collar of <frayish and black,
not very consjiicuously detined, and rather interru]itcd on tho niedi.an line.
A similar collar is seen on the forejiart of the breast. The middle of the
back and the rump exhibit a coarser mottling of the same without any
rufous. The scapulars and wing-coverts are betiutifully variegated, much as
in some of the Waders, the ])attern very irregular and scarcely cayiable of
definition. There are, iKJwever, a good many large round si)ots of pale
yellowish-rusty, very conspicuous among the other markings. There is
quite a large blotch of white ou the wing, situated considerably nearer tho
tip than the carjial joint. It only invohes four primaries, and extends
across both outer tind iinier webs. The four first ])rimaries anterior to the
wliite blotches, and the remaining ones nearly from their ti])s, exhibit a
series of large round rufous s])ots not seen in the other North American
species. The other wing-ijuills have also similar markings. There is a
large V-shajJed white mark on the throat, as in C. virf/iiuuiuDi, though ratlier
larger proportionally. Posterior to this there are some ratlier cons]iicuous
blotches of rufous, behind which is the obscure finely mottled collar of gray
and brown already referred to. The breast and remaining under jiarts are
dull white transversely banded with brown, with a strong tinge of yellowish-
rufous on the abdomen, about the vent, and on the under tail-coverts. The
tail is dark brown with iibout eight transverse bars of lighter ; the lust are

(".\lM!lMll,(ilI)J';~ TIIK (iOATSI'CKKIJS. 407

white, and I'xti'iid iicross liotli viuich ; tlio otliors li'ss cuiitiiiiious, ami yel-
liiwisli-niiuus l)cii('iitli us wi'U as ahovis ('specially (in llit; inner vane.

The i'oinuh'.s are (|uitc similar, hut laek the white iialih ol' the tail, have
more niimentns rniniis sjnits on (|uil!s, and are perhaiis more rulv(ais in
general aiipearanee. Voiinjj; liirds, however, would hardly he rec(pi,'ni/.ed us
the same, exeept when taken with adults, owinj; to the predominance ol" a
])ale cinnamon shade ahove, and a decided tin^'e ol' the same on all the
white and <;ray markinj,'s. Nearly all the ])rimarie8 have a liorder ol' this
color.

The variety aciitijunniH of South America (see synopsis) \h very sin'ilar,
dilleriny merely in smaller dimensions.

Habits. The Te.xan Ni<,'ht-llawk occurs in the valley of the Kio Grande
from Texas on the east, through New Mexico, Arizona, Southern California,
and Cape Sun Lucas. It is found in the northern provinces of Mexico dur-
ing the summer months, and thenee southward to Central AMierica. It was
found at Duenas, in Cuatemala, iiy Mr. Salvin, and also at Cohan. Mr.
Xantiis found it breeding at Cape San Lucas in May.

This species was iirst added to our fauna hy Mr. Lawrence, in 1851, as a
bird of Texas, supposed to be 0. Iintsilifmvn, and in ' '5(5 described by the
same writer as a new sjiecios.

According to Dr. Cooi)er, it makes its first appearance at Fort Mohave by
the 17th of April, and soon after becomes (luite numerous, hunting in com-
panies after sunset, and hiding during the day on the ground under low
bushes. Iiy the Uoth of May they had all jiaired, but continued nearly
silent, making only a low croaking when ap])roached. They ilew in the
manner of the common species, but seemed to sail in rather smaller circles.
Dr. Cooper found them as far west as the (,'oast Mountains.

Dr. ('ones states that this species is common in the Colorado Valley, even
farther north than the latitude of Fort Whipple. It was not, however, met
with by him at that ])ort, nor iiuleed for some fifty miles to the south of it,
and then only in the sunnner. He adds that it extends from the Eio
(irande Valley westward to the Pacific. It was ftmnd abundant at Cai)e
St. Lucas by Dr. Xantus.

Mr. Dresser found it very common at Matamoras during the summer sea-
son, and thence to San Antonio and to the ea.stward of that place. At San
Antonio, in the .s])ring, he first noticed them on the 2d of May, when he
saw seven or eight flying about at noonday. A few days later they had be-
come very numerous. They remained about San Antonio until the end of
September, and soon after disappeared. He noticed none later than the first
week in October.

Mr. J. H. Clark met with this species at l^inggold Barracks, Texas, in
Junt. They were to be seen sitting about in the heat of the day, at whicli
time tliey could he easily aiiproached. I )uring the hottest days they did not
sally forth in c^uest of food until lute in the (!vening. On one occasion, near

408

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

El Paso, Mr. Clark saw tlu'se birds congregated in <iich quantities over a
niud-liole from wliicli wero issuing myriads of insects, tiuit he felt that the
discharge among tliem of mustard-seed shot would involve a wanton destruc-
tion. This species is not known, according to his account, to make a swoop
in the manner of tlie common species. It does not utter the same hoarse
sounds, nor does it ever liy so high.

Among the notes of the late Dr. Uerlandier, of Mataraora.", we find refer-
ences to this species, to which he gives the common name of Pauraque, and
in his collection of eggs are many that lUKjuestionably are those of this
bird, and which are, in all respects but size, in close athnity to the eggs of
the common Night-lLawk. These eggs measure 1.18 inches in length by
.87 of an inch in breadth. Their ground-color, seen througii a magnifying
glass, is of clear crystal whiteness, but is so closely covered by overlaying
markings as not to be discernible to the eye. They are marked over tiie entire
surface with small irregular confluent spots and blotches, which are a blend-
ing of black, umber, and purplish-gray markings. Tiiese combinations give
to the egg the ai)pearance of a piece of polished marble of a dark gray color.
They are both smaller and of a lighter color than those of the common
eastern bird.

Genus ANTROSTOMTJS, (Iould.

Anlrostoimts, UoL'U>, Icones Avium, 1838. (Tyi*, Cupriimtlgus carolinemis, Gm.)

Ukn. CiiAU. Bill very .<inall, with tubular nostrils, ami the i;apo with long, stiff, sonio-
times pectinated bristles projecting beyond the end of the bill. Tarsi niodi'i'iitc, partly

feathered above. Tail broad, round-
yr^'^ ed ; wings broad and rounded; first
^-» q\iill siiorter than third ; phnnage soft
and lax. Habit noeturnal.

In what the genus Antrostoinus
rctally diH'ers frcin C<(pnmulyHs
proper, we are quite unable to
say, as in the many variations
of form of both New and Old
World sjiecies of these two di
visions respectively, it is said to
be not difficult to find species iu
each, almost identical in form. In the want of suitable material for com-
parison, we shall follow Sclater in using AiUrostomas for the New World
species.

Antrnslomus nuttal'i

CAPIUMULGID.L - THE GOATSUCKERS. 409

Species and Varieties.*

A. Bristles of gape with lateral liiaments. Light tail-spaces confined to inner
web of feathers.

Dark markings on crown lom/itudinal Ochraceom or white (jular collar inform
of a narrow band across juguliim.
A. oarolinensia. Throat ochraceous, with sparse, narrow, transverse
bars of blaelv ; jugular collar more whitish, with broader but more dis-
tant black bars. Crissum barred, and inner webs of primaries with
black prevailing. Wing, 8.!H) ; tail, 0.30. Hub. Louisianian region of
the Eastern Province of United States (Florida and the Carolinas to
Arkaiisa.s). Costa Rica.

B. Bristles of gapy without lateral filanionts ; light tail-spaces covering both
webs.

a. Throat blaclc, with sparse, nariow, transvei'se bars of jialc brown. Cris-
sum bai-red, and inner webs of primai-ies with black greatly predominating.
A. macromystaz. Crown pale brown and whitish very coarsely
mottled with dusky ; lower parts clouded with whitish, in conspicuous
contrast v ith the ground color. Light tail patch restricted to less than
terminal third, and decreasing in bniadth toward the middle feathers.
Bristles of gape enormously long and stout; bill compressed, nostrils
large.

White patch on end of tail confined to three outer feathers, and
decr'-asiiig very rapidly in extent to the inner. Wing, 6.()0 ; tail,
5.30; rictal bristles, 1.40, JIab. Mexico (Mirador, La Parada).

var. 7nacroviy stax*
White patch on end of tail, on .'3ur outer featheui, and just
appiceiably deci'easing in extent toward the inner. Wing, 7.00 ;
tail, 5.50 ; rictal bristles, 2.00. Hah. Cuba . . var. cuhancnsis}
A. vociferuB. Crown ash, (inely mottled or minutely sprinkled with
dusky; lower parts without whitish cloi-dings. White tail-patch cover-
ing more than terminal half, and decreasing in breadth toward the outer
feather. Bristles of gape modcM'ate, slender; bill weaker, less com-
pressed, and nostrils smaller. Wing, C.40; tail, 5.' :-ti»l bristles,
1.50 or less. Hub. Eastern Province of North Ai..^..v,.., south to
Guatemala.

Dark markings of crown transverse. Gular collar pure white, covering
nearly lohole throat.
b. Throat pure white, without any markings. Crissum immacnlato ; inner
webs of primaries with ochraceous very largely predominating.

A. nuttalli. White space of tail occupying about the terminal fourth,
or less, on three feathers, and gradually decreasing inwardly. Wing,
5.75 ; tail, ,3.90 ; rictal Inistles lesg than LOO. Hab. Western Province
of United States, from the Plains ij the Pacific.

1 Tlip females differ siiniily in having the light tail-spnoo much rcduccl in size, and dull ochra-
ceous, instead of whiti.sh ; in that of carolincn^i.i it is wanting altogether.

* Animslomus vMenmi/slax (Waui,. '!) Sclatek, P. Z. S. IStifi, 137 (La Parada, Mex.).
f Oaprimulgns ma^-ruMi/slitj; Waoi,. l.sis, 1831, p. 533.

* Jntrnstomus niacromyslax,, var. cubavcnsis (Lawii.) Antrostonms cubaiiensis, Lawk. Ann.
N. Y. Lye. VII, May, ISbO, p. 260.

vol,, II, 52

410

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Antrostomus carolinensis, Gould.

CHVCK-WIIX'S WIDOW.

Caimnmlgus carolinensis, Gmklin, Syst. Nut. I, 1788, 1028. —Attd, Orn. Diog. I, 1832,
273, pi. lii ; V, 1839, 401. — In. Birds Am. I, 1840, IDl, ]il. xli. — Waiitiiacsun,
Cab. J. 18tJ8, 368 (nesting). Antrostomus carolinensis, Gould, Icones Avium, 1838 ?
— CA.S.SIN, lUiist. N. Am. IHids, I, 1855, 230. — UAiim, Birds N. Am. 1858, 147. —
Al.i.EN, H. Flu. 300. Caprimulcjiis ni/iis, Vikillot, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 57, pi.
XXV (9). C'upriiiiulgus hnic/i i/pterus, Stephkns, Shaw's Zoiil. X, I, 1825 ? 150.
S/wrl-win/jcd Goatsucker, Pennant, Arctic Zoiil. 11, 1785, 434.

Sp. Char. Bristles of the bill with lateral filaments. Wing nearly nine inches long.
Top of the head finely mottled reddish-brown, longitudinally streaked with black. The

^■^rrsna

Antroslmnus carolinensis,

prevailing shade above and below pale rufous. Terminal two-thirds of the tail-feathers
(except the four CLMitral) rufous white ; outer webs of all mottleiV ho\vever, nearly to
the tips. Female without the white patch on the tail. Length, 12.(.'^ ; wing, 8.50.

Hau. South Atlaiitic and Gulf States to Veragua; Cuba in wintT. Cuba (Caban. J.
IV, C, winter) ; San Antonio, Texas (Dkesskr, Ibis, 1805, 70, breeds) ; Costa Rica (Lawk.
IX, 120) ; Veragua (Salvin, P. Z. S. 1870, 303).

This, fccording to Sclater, is the largest of the Antrostomi and the only
species with lateral filaments to the 1)ristles of the mouth.

The extent of the Avhite spaces on the inner webs of tail-feathers varies
with the individual, but in none does it occu])y less than the terminal half

The A. rii/iis {Cwprimahjus rnfm, BoDD. ct Gmel. ex PI. Eiil. 73.'; (?) ;

CAPRIMULGIDyE — THE GOATSUCKERS. 411

Antrostomns r. Sclater, P. Z. S. 180G, 13(3 ; A. riUilus, IJuuM. Syst. Ueb. II,
385) and A. omatus (ScL. P. Z. S. 18GG, 58C,^pl. xlv), of South Aniciica,
appear to be the nearest relatives of this species, agreeing very closely in
coloration ; but both have the rictal bristles simple, without lateral filaments,
and would thus seem to be distinct species. In the latter, the white spaces
of the tail are found only on the second and third feathers, instead of on the
outer three, while the former is said to have no such markings at all.

Haiuts. 'The exact extent of tlie geographical range of tliis si)ecies is
not very clearly defined. I'arely anywhere a very abundant species, it is
more common throughout Florida than in any other State. It is also found,
more or less frequently, in the States of Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Dr. Woodhouse mentions finding it
common in the Creek and Cherok- countries of the Indian Territory, and
also extending into Texas and I»lew Mexico. Mr. Dresser noticed several
of this species on the Medina lUver, in Texas, April 28, and afterwards
in May. On the 18th of the same month he ag^iin found it very numerous
at New Bi-aunfels, and also, on the 20th, at P>astrop. Dr. Heermann states
that these birds visit the neighborhood of San ^Vntonio in the spring, and
remain there to raise their young.

James Eiver, Virginia, has been assigned as the extreme northern limit
of its migi'ations, but I can find no evidence of its occurring so far north,
except as an accidental visitant. Wilson, indeed, claims to have met with
it between Richmond and Petersburg, and also on the Cundjerland Kiver.
Dr. Bachman states that it is not a common bird even in the neighborhood
of Charleston. Mr. Audubon, who claimed to be a very close and careful
observer of the habits of this species, states that it is seldom to be met
with beyond the tlien southern limits of the Choqtaw nation, in Mississippi,
or the Carolinas on the Atlantic coast.

I have been informed by Dr. Kollock that these birds are rather common
at Cheraw, in the northern ])art of South Carolina. Dr. liiyant found them
quite abundant near Indian River, in Florida, though he makes no mention
of them in hir paper on the birds of that State. Mr. Cassin informed me
that Colonel MeCall met with this bird in New Mexico. Lembeye includes
it among the birds of Cuba, but in reality refers to cuhanensis.

These birds, according to Mr. Audubon, arc not residents, but make their
appearance within the United States about tliL middle of March. They are
nocturnal in their habits, remaining silent and keeping within the shady re-
cesses of the forests during the daytime. As soon as the sun has disap-
peared and the night insects are in motion, this species issues forth from its
retreat, and begins to give utterance to the jteculiar cries from which it
receives its trivial name, and which are said to resenible the syllables chuek-
iciUs-vi-dov\ These sounds are said to be repeated with great rapidity, yet
with clearness and power, six or seven times in as many seconds. They are
are only uttered for a brief period in the early evening.

412 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Mr. Audubon states that deep raviue.s, shady swunips, and extensive pine
proves, are resorted to l)y this species for safety during the day, and for food
during the night. Their notes are seldom heard in cloudy weather, and
never during rain. They roost in hollow trees, standing as well as prostrate,
wliich they never leave by day except during incubation. He adds that
whenever he has surprised them in such situations they never attempt to
make their escape by flying out, but draw back to the farthest corner, ruHle
tlieir feathers, open their mouths to the fullest extent, and uttbr a hissing
sound. When taken to the light, they open and close their eyes in rapid
succession, snap their bills in the manner of a Flycatclier, and atte.upt to
shuiHe off. When given their liberty, they tiy straight forward until quite
out of sight, readily passing between the trees in their coui'se.

The flight of this Ijird is light, like that of the Whippoorwill, and even
more elevated and graceful. It is performed by easy flapping of the wings,
with occasional sailings and curving sweeps. It sweeps, at night, over
the open fields, ascending, descending, or sailing with graceful motions in
pursuit of night beetles, moths, and other insects, repeatedly passing and
repassing over the same area, and occasionally alighting on the ground to
capture its prey. Occasionally it pauses to alight on a stake or a tall plant,
and again utters its peculiar refrain, and then resumes its search for insects.
And thus it passes pleasant summer nights.

Like all the birds of this family, the Chuck-will's Widow makes no nest,
but deposits her eggs on the ground, often among a collection of dry decidu-
ous leaves, in the forest. These are two in number, and the spot chosen for
them are thickets, and the darker and more solitary portions of woods. iJr.
Bryant, who took several of their eggs in Florida, informed me that they
were in each instance found deposited on beds of dry leaves, but with no
attempt at any nest, and always in thick woods.

Sometimes, Mr. Audubon thinks, the parent bird scratches a small space
on the ground, among the leaves, before she deposits her eggs. If either
their eggs or their young are meddled with, these birds are sure to take the
alarm and transport them to some distant part of the forest. In this both
parents take part. After this removal Mr. Audubon found it impossible,
even with the aid of a dog, to find them again. On one occasion he actu-
ally witnessed the act of removal of the eggs, and presumed that they also
treat the young in the same manner when they are quite small. The eggs
were caiTied off in thr capacious mouths of these birds, each parent taking
one and flying off", skimming closely to the ground until lost to sight among
the branches and the trees. To what distnnce they were carried he was
unable to ascertain.

During the period of incubation they are silent, and do not repeat their
peculiar cries until just before they are preparing to depart on their southern
migrations, in August.

The food of these birds consists chiefly, if not altogether, of the larger

CAPRIMULGID.E — THE GOATSUCKERS. 413

nocturnal insects, i'or swallowing wliicli their mouths are admirably adapted,
opening with a prodigious expansion, and assisted by numerous long bristles,
which prevent the escape of an insect once within their enclosure. In a
single instance the remains of a small bird are said to have been found within
the stomach of one of this species.

The inner side of each middle claw of the Chuck-will's Widow is deeply
pectinated. The apparent use of this appendage, as in the otlier species in
which it is found, appears to be as an aid in adjusting the plumage, and
perhajjs to assist in removing vermin.

The eggs of this bird are never more than two in number. They are
oval in shape, large for the size of the bird, and alike at either end. Their
ground-color is a clear crystal white. They are more or less sjiotted, and
marked over their entire surlace with blotches of varying size, of a dark
purplish-brown, and cloudings of a griiyish-lavender color, with smaller oc-
casional markings of a light raw-umber brown. In sliape and markings
they very closely resemble those of the Whippoorwill, differing chiefly in
their much larger size. They measure 1.44 inches in length by 1.06 iu
breadth.

Antrostomus vocifems, Bonap.

WHIPPOORWILL.

Caprimulgus vocifents, Wilson, Am. Orn. V, 1812, 71, pi. xli, f. 1, 2, 3. — Aud. Orii.
Biog. I, 1832, 443 ; V, 405, pi. l.xxxv. — Id. Birds Am. I, 1840, 155, pi. xlii. — Max.
Cab. J. VI, 1858, 98. Antrostonvus vocifcnis, Bonap. List, 1838. — C'assin, J. A. N.
Sc. H, 1852, 122. — Id. 111. I, 1855, 236. — Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 148.—
Samuels, 119. —Allen, B. Fla. 300. Caprimulgm vinjinianus, Vieill. Ois. Am.
Sept. I, 1807, 55, pi. XXV. " Caprimulgus clamalor, Vieillot, Nouv. Diet. X, 1817,
234 " (Cassin). Caprimulgus vocifcrans, Wautuausen, Cab. J. 1868, 369 (nesting).

Sp. Char. Bristles without lateral filaments. Wing about G.oO inches long. Top of
the head ashy-brown, longitudinally streaked with black. Terminal half of the tail-
feathers (except the four central) dirty white on both outer and inner webs. Length,
10.00 ; wing, 0.50. Female without white on the tail.

Had. Eastern United States to the Plains; south to Guatemala (Tehuantepec, Orizaba,
Guatemala). Coban (Salv. Ibis, II, 275).

In this species the bristles at the base of the bill, though stiff and long,
r.re without the lateral filaments of the Chuck-will's Widow. The wings are
rather short ; the second quill longest ; the first intermediate between the
third and fourth. The tail is rounded ; the outer feathera about half an
inch shorter than the middle ones.

The colors of this species are very difficult to describe, although there is
quite a similarity to those of A. carulincnsis, from which its greatly inferior
size will at once distinguish it. The top of the head is an asliy gray, finely
mottled, with a broad median stripe of black ; all the feathei-s with a narrow
stripe of the same along their centres. The back and rump are somewhat

4l4 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

siiiiiliir, though of a different shade. There is a collar of white on the
under side of the neck, posterior to which the uppei" part of the breast is
finely .<'3ttled, somewhat as on the top of the head. The belly is dirty
wliite, with indistinct transverse bands and niottlings of brown. The wings
are brown ; each quill with a series of round rufous spots on both webs,
quite conspicuous on the outer side of the primaries when the wings are
folded. The terminal half of the outer three tail-feathers is of a dirty white.

The female is smaller ; the collar on the throat is tinged with fulvous.
The conspicuous white patch of the tail is wanting, the tips only of the
outer three feathers being of a pale brownish-fulvous.

Mexican and Guatemalan specimens are identical with those from the
United States.

H.\uiTS. The well-known Whippoorwill has an extended range tiirough-
out tlie eastern ])(U'tion of North America, from the Atlantic to the valley
of the Missouri, and from Southern Florida to about the 50th parallel of
nortli latitude. Dr. Richardson observed this bird on the northern shores
of Lake Huron, but did not meet with it at any point farther north. It is
found throughout New England and in portions of New Brunswick and
Nova Scotia, but is rare in the latter places, and is not common in the vicin-
ity of Calais. It breeds from Florida northward. It has not been found as
far west as Texas. It was noticed by Mr. Say at Pembina. It is given by
Dr. Hall, of Montreal, as common in that neighborhood, and by Mr. Mcll-
wraith as an abundant summer resident around Hamilton, Canada. Dr.
Lembeye names it as a resident Cuban species, and Dr. Gundlach informed
me that he had taken its eggs within that island. I have also received its
eggs from various portions of Floi'ida.

The Whippoorwill is nowhere a resident species in any portion of the
United States. They make tlieir appearance in the Southern States early
in March, and very gradually proceed northward, entering Pennsylvania
early in April, but not being seen in New York or New England until the
last of that month, and sometimes not until the 10th of May. Mr. Maynard
mentions their first appearance in Massachusetts as from the 19th to the
24t]i of May, but I have repeatedly known them in full cry near Boston at
least a fortnight earlier than this, and in the western part of the State IMr.
Allen has noted their arrival by the 'iytli (jf April. Tliey leave in the lat-
ter part of September. Mr. Allen also observed the abundant presence of
these birds in Western Iowa, where he heard their notes as late as the 20th
of September.

In its habits the Whippoorwill is very nearly the counterpart of the
mrolincnsis. Like that bird, it is exclusively nocturnal, keeping, during the
day, closely within the recesses of dark woods, and remaining perfectly
silent, uttering no note even when disturbed in these retreats. In very
cloudy weather, late in the day, these birds may be seen hunting for insects,
but this is not usual, and they utter no sound until it is quite dark.

OAPRIMULGID^ — THE GOATSUCKERS. 4 J 5

Like the preceding species, tins bird receives its comiium name of Wliip-
poorwill from its nocturnal cry, wliicli has some slight resemblance to these
three sounds ; but the cry is so rapidly enunciated and so incessantly re-
peated that a fertile imagination may give various interpretations to the
sounds. They are never uttered when the bird is in motion, but usually at
short intervals, when resting on a fence, or bush, or any other object near the
ground.

Their flight is noiseless to an incredible degree, and they rarely Hy far at
a time. They are usually very shy, and are easily startled if approached.
At night, as soon as tlie twilight disappears, these birds issue IVom their re-
treats, and fly out into moi'e open spaces in quest of their favorite food.
As many of the nocturnal insects, moths, beetles, and others, are attracted
about dwellings by lights, the Whippoorwill is frequently enticed, in pur-
suit, into the same vicinity. For several successive seasons these birds have
appeared nearly every summer evening within my grounds, often within a
few feet of the house. They never suffer a very near approach, but fly as
soon as they notice any movement. Their pursuit of insects is somewhat
different from that narrated of the preceding species, their flights being
usually quite brief, without any perceptible sailing, and more in the manner
of Flycatchers. Their song is given out at intervals throughout the night,
until near the dawn.

The nocturnal habits of this bird have prevented a general or accurate
knowledge of its true character. Strange as it may seem, in many parts
of the country the Night-IIawk and the Whippoorwill are supposed to be
one and the same bird, even by those not ill informed in other respects.
This was found to be the case in Pennsylvania by Wilson, and is eiiually
true of many portions of New England, though disputed by Mr. Audubon.

Like the Chuck-will's Widow, this species removes its eggs, and also its
young, to a distant and safer locality, if they are visited and handled. Wil-
son once, in passing through a piece of wood, came accidentally upon a
young bird of this species. The parent attempted to draw him away by
well-feigned stratagems. Wilson stopped and sketched the bird, and, return-
ing again, after a short absence, to the same place, in search of a pencil he
had left behind, found that the bird had been spirited away by its vigilant
p<arent.

When disturbed by an intnisive approach, the Whippoorwill resorts to
various expedients to divert attention to herself from her offspring. She
flutters about as if wounded and unable to fly, beats the ground with her
wings as if not able to rise from it, and enacts these feints in a manner to
deceive even the most wary, risking her own life to save her offspring.

The AVhippoorwills construct no nest, but deposit their eggs in the thick-
est and most shady portions of the woods, among fallen leaves, in hollows
slightly excavated for that purpose, or upon the leaves themselves. For
this purpose elevated and dry places are always selected, often near some

416 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

fallen log. There they deposit two eggs, elli])tieal in sliaiie. Their young
wlien first hatched, are perfectly helpless, and their safety largely depends'
upon their great similarity to small jnijces of mouldy earth. They grow
rai)idly, and are soon able to follow their mother and to partially care for
themselves.

The egg of tlie Whippoorwill has a strong family resemblance to those
of both species of Euroi)ean Vaprimuhji, and is a complete nuniature of that
of A. mrolincmis. In shape it is oblong and oval, equally obtuse at either
end. Resembling the egg of the Chuck-will's Widow, it is yet more notice-
able for the purity of its colors and the beauty of their contrast. The ground-
color is a clear and pure shade of cream-white. The whole egg is irre<ni-
larly spotted and marl)led with lines and patches of purplish -lavender,
mingled witli reddisIi-l)rown. The former are fainter, and as if partially
obscured, the brown usually much more distinct. The eggs measure 1.25
incites in length by .88 of an inch in breadth. Wilson's account of its egg
is wholly inaccurate.

In the extreme Southern States these eggs are deposited in April, in
Virginia and Pennsylvania about the middle of May, and farther north not
until early in June. Tiie young are hatched and able to care for themselves
during July, but, with the female, rarely leave the woods. The notes of tlie
male are once more occasionally heard in August. Mr. Allen has heard
them late in September, but I have never happened to notice their cries
later than August.

Mr. Nuttall states that the young of these birds, at an early age, run about
with remarkable celerity, and that they utter, at short intervals a i^^-ugh,
in a low mournful tone. Tlieir food appears to consist of various kinds of'
nocturnal insects, besides ants, grasshoppers, and other kinds not nocturnal,
frequenting decaying wood and shady thickets.

^4V,

""<^.

Left foot of AntroHomus voci/erus. Left foot of Ngctilriu, janmUemis.

CAPRIMULOID.E — THE GOATSUCKERS. 417

Antrostomus nuttalli, (^assin.

HUTTAIL'S WHIPPOORWILL ; FOOB-WILL.

Caprimulgits nuttalli, Aud. Bir<ls Am. VII, 1843, pi. ccccxcv. Appendix. Antrostomus
nuUalli, Cassin, J. A. N. Sc. Pliila. 2(1 series, II, 1852, 123. —In. 111. I, 1855, 237.
— Nkwdkuiiy, Zoiil. Cal. nnd Oregon Route, 77 ; Rep. P. R. 1{. Surv. VI, iv. —
Baiud, Birds N. Am. 1858, U9. — Cooi'EB & Suckley, 160. — CoorEU, Orn. Cal.
1, 1870, 341.

Sp. Char. Rictal bristles without any lateral filaments ; wing, about 5..'j0 ; the top of the
bead hoary gray, with narrow and tran.sverso, not longitudinal bands. Tail above, e.xcept
the central feathers, nearly black on the terminal half, the extreme tip only (in the outer
feather of each side) being wliite for nearly an inch, diminishing on the second and third.
Length, 8.00; wing, 5.50. Female without tiie white tip of tail. Audubon describes the
male as follows : " Bill, l)lack ; iris, dark hazel ; feet, reddish-purple ; scales and claw.s,
darker ; general color of upper parts dark brownish-gray, lighter on the head and medial
tail-feathers, which extend lialf an inch beyond the otliers*, all which arc minutely streaked
and sprinkled with brownish-l)lack and ash-gray. Quills and coverts dull cinnamon color,
spotted in bars with brownish-black ; tips of former mottled with light and dark brown ;
three lateral tail-fe.ithers barred with dark brown and cinnamon, and tipped with white.
Throat brown, annulated with black ; a band of white across foreneck ; beneath the
latter black, mixed with bars of light yellowish-gray and black lines. Under tail-coverts
dull yellow. Length, 7.25; wing, 5.75; bill, edge, .19; second and third quills nearly
equal. Tail to end of upper feathers, 3.50 ; tarsus, .03 ; middle toe, .03 ; claw, .25 ;
strongly pectinated."

Hab. High Central Plains to the Pacific coast. San Antonio, Texas (Dresseb, Ibis,
1805, 471, breeds) ; W. Arizona (Coues, P. A. N. S. 18CG, 58) ; Guanajuata, Me.x. (Salvin,
p. 1014).

Nuttall's Wliippoorwill is readily distinguished from the other North Ameri-
can species by the transverse, not longitudinal, lines on the top of head, the
narrow white tip of tail on both webs, and the inferior size, as well as by
numerous other points of difference.

Habits. This species was first described by Mr. Audubon from a speci-
men obtained near the Rocky Mountains, but with no information in regard
to any peculiarities of habit. From Mr. Nuttall we learn that these birds
were first observed by Iiim on the 10th of June, amidst the naked granite
hills of the sources of the Upper Platte River, called Sweet-Water. It was
about twilight, and from the clefts of the rocks they were uttering at inter-
vals a low wailing cry, in the manner of the Wliippoorwill, and sounding
like the cry of the young of that species, or pe-cu. Afterwards, on the 7th
of August, when encanii)ed on the high ravine of the insulated mountains
so conspicuous from Lewis River, called the Three Buttes, this bird was
again observed, as it flew from under a stone near the summit of the moun-
tain. It flew alK)ut iiawking for insects near their elevated camp, for two
or three hours, but wtis now silent. On the 16th of June, near the banks
of the Sandy River of the Colorado, Mr. Nuttall again" heard its nocturnal
cry, which he says sounded like jyevai.

vol.. II. 53

418 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Dr. Cooper (lid not meet with this bird in tho ("nlovado Vnllcy, hut he
lioard their nocturiml call, which he says sounds like ponr-unll, on the l)arren
mountains west of tlio valley, in May. He lias never seen or lieard any
west of the Coast Kange, nor in the Santa Clara Valley in the spring. They
are, however, said to be common in the hot interior valleys, and remain near
San Francisco as late as November, usually hiding on the ground, and fly-
ing at dusk in short, fitful courses in pursuit of insects. Dr. Cooper adds
that they iidiabit the almost bare and barren .sagc-i)lains east of the Sierra
Nevada, where their rather .sad whistle is heard all night during the spring,
sounding like an echoing answer to the cry of the eastern species.

Dr. Suckley, in the lleport on the Zoology of Washington Territory, speaks
of this species as moderately abundant in the interior of that Territory, as
well iis of Oregon. East of the Cascade Mountains, at Fort Dalles, they can
be heard on almost any fine night in spring or early summer. Their cries
closely resemble those of the roriferiin, but are more feeble, and not so inces-
santly kept up. Dr. Cooper, in the same report, also speaks of finding this
bird common near the Yakima liiver, in I800. Two specimens were killed
in the daytime by a whip. Late in the evening he found them flying near
the ground. Dr. Woodhouse, in passing dcnvn the Little Colorado liiver, in
New Mexico, found this bird quite abundant, as also among the San Fran-
cisco Mountains.

Dr. Newl)crry met with this species in all the parts of California and
Oregon visited by him. Near the shores of Khett f^ake he met with its
nest containing two young nearly ready to fly. The old bird fluttered off as
if disabletl, and by her cries and strange movements induced one of the party
to pursue her. The young resembled those of the eastern species, were of a
gray-brown color, marbled with black, and had large, dark, and soft eyes.
They were quite passive when caught.

This species was observed by Mr. J. H. Clark near Rio Mimbres, in New
^le.xico. From the manner in which it flew, it seemed so similar to the
Woodcock that until a specimen was obtained it was supposed to belong to
that family. He saw none east of the Rio Grande, but met with it as far west
as Santa ('ruz. It was nowhere abundant, and was generally solitary. It
was found usually ainong the tall grass of the valleys, and occasionally on the
plains. It was only once observed to alight upon a bush, but almost invaria-
bly, when started up, it flew down again among the grass at a short distance.
A single specimen of this bird was taken by Dr. Kennerly on the Great
Colorado River. Dr. Heermann met with two specimens among the moun-
tains bordering the Tejon Valley, and he was informed by Dr. Milhau that a
small species of Whippoorwill was abundant round that fort in the spring
and summer.

Dr. Heermann killed one of these bii'ds on the Medina, in Texas; and
during the summer, passing along Devil's River, he heard their notes every
evening, and judged that the birds were abundant. Mr. Dresser obtained a

CArRIMULGID.K — tup: aOATSLTKEItfl. 4iy

siii^'le specimen, sliot iiuiir tliu town of Sun Antonio, where it was of un-
common ocuunoncu. He received iilso another specimen from Fort Stock-
ton. l-)uriny his sUiy iit Matiuuorus ho diil not notice this bird, but was
informed that a kind resemljling this species was very conunon at a raiiclio
about twenty-five miles distant, on the Monterey road. J)r. Cones found
this species particuhirly abundant tlnoughout Arizona. At Fort Wliii)plo it
was a sununer resident, arriving there late in April and remaining until
October. So numerous was it in some localities, that around the camp-
fires of the traveller a perfect chorus of their i)hiintivc two-syllabled notes
was continued incessantly through the night, some of the i)erformers being
80 near that the siiarp click of their mandibles was distinctly audible.

Mr. J. A. ^Vllen found this species abundant on the lower parts of the
mountains in Colorado, and heard the notes of scores of them near the
mouth of Ogden Canon on several occasions afte) nightfall. Though so
numerous, all ellbrts to itrocure specimens were futile, iis it did not usu-
ally manifest its presence till after it became too dark for it to be clearly dis-
tinguished. He saw it last, October 7, during a severe snow-storm on the
mountains north of Ogden. It had been quite common during the greater
part of September. He also met with this bird at an elevation of 7,000
feet. He had previously ascertained its presence throughout Kansas from
Leavenworth to Fort Hays.

From these varied observations the range of this species may be given as
from the valley of the llio Grande and the more northern States of Mexico,
throughout New Mexico, Arizona, and the Great I'lains nearly to the Pacific,
in California, Oregon, and Washington Territory.

The egg of this species (13,587) was obtained among the East Humboldt
Mountains, by Mr. llobert Kidgway, July 20, 1808. Its measurement is
LOG inches in length by .81 of an inch in breadth. It is of a regularly
elliptical form, being equally rounded at either end. Its color is a chjar
dead-white, entirely unspotted. The egg was found deposited on the bare
ground beneath a sage-bush, on a foot-slope of the mountains. The nest
was nothing more than a bare spot, aj^parently worn by the body of the bird.
When found, the male bird was sitting on the egg, and was shot as it Hew
from the spot.

Mr. Salvin (Ibis, III. p. 64) mentions taking, April 20, 1860, on the moun-
tains of Santa Barbara, Central America, a species of Autrosiomus, a female,
with two eggs. This is spoken of as nearly allied to, perhaps identical with,
A. voci/eriis. Its eggs are, however, sjioken of as white, measuring 1.05
inches by .80 of an inch, almost exactly the size of the eggs of this species.
Mr. Salvin adds : " I do not ([uite understand these eggs being white, except
by sujiposing them to be accidentally so. In other respects, i. e. in form
and texture, they agree with the eggs of other species of Cnprimulyida:
These eggs, two in number, were on the ground at the foot of a large pine-
tree. There was no nest."

420

NUUTU AMEKICAN B.IKDS.

In regard to tlie i)arGiitii<j;ii of the ogys tlius discovered, the coloration and
size of wliicli corrcH|»oinl so closely with those of the Poor-will, Mr. Siih in
writes, in a letter diiled March 10,1872: "In respect to thti Aiitrosfoinus
which lays white eggs in (iuatc^niala, I have carefully examined the skin of
the female sent to mo with the eggs in question, and represented as their
parent. It certainly is not A. nuttalli, hut appears to hclong to the spe-
cies descrihed by Wagler as A. mavromjistax. This species is very closely
allied to A. von/criis, but appears to he sufficiently distinct, inasnuich as
the rictal bristles are very long, the throat is almost witliout white feathei-s,
and the white on the tail is more limited in extent than in A. vocij'vriis.
Tiie true A. voei/erus is frecjuently found in winter in (Tuatemala, but is
probably only a migrant. The other species would certainly appear to be a
resident in South Mexico and Guatemala. With respect to A. nuttalli, I
may add that I have recently acquired a skin from Ouanajuata, in Mexico.
This is the first instance of the occurrence of the species in Mexico at all,
that I am av are of."

Mr. IJidgway met with the Poor-will from the eastern slope of the Sierra
Nevada to the Wahsatch and Uintah Mountains. He describes its notes as
much like those of the eastern A. wci/erus, except that the first syllable is
left off, the call sounding like simply jwor-will, the accent on the last sylla-
ble. It frequents chiefly the dry mesa and foot-hills of the mountains, and
lives almost entirely on the ground, where its two white unsi)otted eggs are
deposited beneath some small scraggy sage-bush, without any sign of a nest
whatever. Both sexes incubate.

Stemom of Chordtiles virginianta.

Btemum of Caprimulgus mielotnus.

CV I'SKLID.K - THE SWIFTS.

421

Family CYPSELIDJE. — Tun Swifts.

Ghak. Bill very smiii! without iiot(!li, triangular, much broader than high ; the cnhucn
not one sixth the gape. Anterior toes cleft to the base, each with three joints, (in the
typical species,) ond covered with skin or feathers ; tin.' middle (?lnw witho\it any scn-atioiis ;
tlic lateral toes nearly equal to the middle, llill without bristles, but with minute feathers
extending along the under margin of the nostrils. Tail-feathers ten. Nostrils elon>;ated,
superior, and very close together. Plumage compact. Primaries ten, elongated, i'alcate.

The Cypsdidcc, or Swifts, are Swallow-like birds, generally of nither tliill
phuuage and medium size. Tliey were formerly associated with tlie true
Swallows on accomit of their small, deeply cleft bill, wide gape, short feet,
and long wings, but are very difl'ereut in all the essentials of structure,
belonging, indeed, to a difl'erent order or suborder. The bill is much smaller
and shorter ; the edges greatly inflected ; tlie nostrils superior, instead of
lateral, aid witliout bristles. The wing is more falcate, with ten primaries
instead of nine. The tail has ten feathers instead of twelve. The feet are
weaker, without distinct scutelhe ; the hind toe is more or less versatile, the
anterior toes fretiuently lack the normal nnmber of joints, and there arc
other features which clearly justify the wide separation here given, especially
the difference in the vocal organs. Strange as the statement may be, tlu'ir
nearest relatives are the Trochilidcc, or Humiuing-Birds, notAvithstanding
the bills of the two are as opposite in shape as can readily be conceived.
The sternum of the Ci/pselida: is also very ditierent from that of the Ilirun-
dinida;, as will be shown by the accompanying figure. There are no emargi-

OuBtura prtagiea.

Pro^f snbh.

The
The

natipns or openings in the posterior edge, which is regularly curved,
keel rises high, for the attachment of the powerful pectoral muscles,
manubrium is almost entirely wanting.

In this family, as in the Caprimnlgida:, we find deviations in certain
forms from the normal number of phalanges to the toes, which serve to
divide it into two sections. In one, the Clutturinw, these are 2, 3, 4, and 5, as

422 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

usual ; but in the Cypseliiw they are 2, 3, 3, and 3, as sliown in the accom-
panying cut borrowed from Dr. Sclater's masterly memoir on the Cypscliila:,
(l*r. Zoul. Soc. London, 1805, 5'J3), which also serves as the basis of the
arrangement Iiere presented.

i^

Left foot of Clurtma zonaris. Left foot of PanyplUa mtlanoUuea.

Cypselinae. Tarsi li'atlicrocl ; phalanges of the iniilclle and outer toes three
eaeh (instead ol' four and live). Hind toe directed either forward or to one
side, not bacicward.

Tarsi feathered ; tot'sl)are; hind toe directed forward . . . Ci/pselil.l.
U')tli tarsi and toes feathered ; hind toe lateral .... Panyptila.
Ch%turin%. Tarsi bare ; phalanges ol' toes normal (four in middle toe,
five in outer). Hind toe directed backwards, though sometimes versatile.
Tarsi longer than middle toe.
Tail-feathers spinous.

Shafts of tail-feathers projecting beyond the plumage . Chcetura.
Slial'tvs not i)rojeeting, (Xcphvecetes) .... Cijpsehides.

Tail-feathers not s|)inous Vollocalliu.

Tarsi shorter than middle toe Dendrochelidon.

The Swift,s are cosmopolite, occurring througliout the globe. All tlie
genera enumerated above are well represented in the New World, except
tlie last two, wliicli are exclusively East Indian and Polynesian. Species of
Collovallia make the " edible bird's-nests " which are so much sought after in
Ciiina and Japan. Tliese are constructed entirely out of the hardened saliva
of tlie bird, although formerly supposed to be made of some kind of sea-weed.
All the C'l/jisi'luffi- liave tlie salivary glands highly develojjed, and use the secre-
tion to cement together the twigs or other substances of which tlie nest is con-
structed, as well as to attach this to its support. The eggs are always white.

There are many interesting peculiarities connected with the modification
of the Cijpsclula', some of which may be briefly adverted to. Those of our
common Chimney Swallow will bo referred to in the proper place. Poiu/p-
tila sancti-hicroniimoi oi Guateniala attaches a tube some feet in le Ji to
the under side of an overhanging rock, constructed of the pnijpus or seed-
down of plants, caught Hying in the air. Entrance to this is from below,
and the eggs are laid on a kind of slulf near the top. Cha-twra imliura of
Brazil again makes a very similar tube-nest (more contracted below) out of
the seeds of Trixis divarimta, susj)ends it to a horizontal branch, and covers

OYPSELID.E — THE SWIFTS.

423

the outside with feathers of various colors. As there is no shelf to receive
the eggs, it is believed that these are cemented against the sides of the
tube, and brooded on by the bird wiiile in an ujn-iglit jMisition. Din-
drochcliiloii khrho, of Java, etc., builds a narrow Hat platform on a horizon-
tal l)ranch, of feathers, moss, etc., cementoil together, and lays in it a single
egg. The nest is so small that tlie bird sits on tlie iiranch and covers the
egg with the end of her i)e]ly.

Owing to tiie almost incredible rai)idity in Hight of the Swifts, and the great
height in tiie air at wliich they usually keep themselves, the North Americiin
species arc, of all our land birds, the most dillicult to procmv, oidy living
sulliciently near the surface of the ground to be reached by a gun in damp
weather, and then re([uiring great skill to slioot tliem. Their nests, too,
are generally situated in inaccessible places, usually high perpendicular
or overhanging mountain-cliffs. Althougli our four species are sulliciently
abundant, and are frequently seen in flocks of thousands, it is only the com-
mon Chimney Swift that is to be met with at all regularly in museums.

Subfamily CYPSELINJE.

Tlie essential character of this subfamily, as stated already, is to be found
in the feathered tarsus ; the reduction of the normal number of phalanges in
the middle toe from 4 to ',\, and of tlie outer toe from T) to 3, as well as
in the anterior or lateral position of the hind toe, not posterior. Of the
two genera assigned to it by Dr. Sclater, oiu!, Cjipselua, is enlarged by him so
as to include the small West Indian Palm Swifts, Tnrhornis of Gosse.

Genus FANYPTILA, Cabanis.

Panypdln, Cabanis, Wipgm. Arcliiv, 18 »7, i, 345. — Bitumeister, Thierc Bras. Vogcl, I,

IS.'it), 368. (Typo, llintndo cayaiicnsi.t, Gm.)
Psnidoprnnir, Stukuiiki,, Isis, 1848, 357. (Siiinc type.)

Gen. CiiAii. Tail liall" as long as the wings, moderately forked ; tlie feathers rather
lanceolate, roimded at
tip, the .iliarts stifl'ened,
but not projfotintr. First
primary shorter than the
second. Tarsi, toes, and
claws viTy thi(?k and
stent; the former shorter
than the niitldlc toe and
claw, which is rather
longer than the lateral

" . PanyjMa vifiannlriira.

one; nnddie claw longer

than its digit. Hind too very short; half versatile, or inserted on the side of the tarsu.s.

Tarsi and toes feathered to the claws, except on the nndt>r snrfaces.

424 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Three species of this gemis are described by autliors, all of them black,
witli wliite throat, and a luitcli of the same on each side of rump, and other-
wise varied with this color. Tlie type P. cayancmis is much the smallest
(4.70), and has the tail more deeply forked than P. melanoleuca.

Synopsis of Species.

P. cayanensis. GloKt^y intense black; a .-Jiipraloral spot of white; white
of throat transversely defined ])osteriorly. Tail deeply forked, the lateral
feathers excessively attenuated an<l acute.

Wing, 4.80; middle tail-feather, 1.20, external, 2.30. Hub. Cayenne
and Bra;!il var. cayanensis}

Wing, 7.30; middle tail-feather, 1.90, external, 3.60. Hah. Guateniahv.

var. sancti-hieronym i.'
P. melanoleuca. Lustreless dull black ; no snpraloral white spot, but
instead a hoary wash ; white of throat extending back along middle of
abdomen to the vent. Tail moderately forked, the lateral feathers obtuse.
Wing, 5.75 ; middle tail-feather, 2.30, outer, 2.85. Hab. Middle Province
of United States, south to Guatemala.

Panyptila melanoleuca, Baird.

WHITE-THSOATED SWIFT.

CypscJus melanolcucus, Baird, Pr. A. N. Se. Phil. VII, June, 1854, 118 (San Francisco
Mountains, N. AI.). — Cassi.v, iUiMt. 1,1855, 248. Panyptila melanoleuca, Baiko,
Birds N. Am. 1858, 141, pi. .wiii, f. 1. — Sci.ateb & Salvin, Ibis, 1859, 125 (Guate-
mala). — Sclatku, P. Z. S. 1865, 607. — Kenneuly, P. R. K. X, b, 36, pi. xviii, f. 1.
— Hkehmann, lb. X, c, 10. —Cooper, Orn. Cal. I, 1870, 347.

Sp. Char. Wings very long ; tail forked ; tarsi and feet covered with feathers.
Black all over, except the chin, throat, middle of the belly as far as the vent, a patch
on each side of the rump, the edge of the outer primary, and blotches on the inner webs
of the median tail-feathers, near the base, which are white, as is also a band across the
ends of the .secondaries. Length, 5.50 ; wing, 5.50 ; tail, 2.70.

IIar. Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and southern Rocky Mountain.s, to Guatemala.
Localities : Cajon Pjuss (Cooper, Pr. Cal. Ac. 18G1, 122) ; Arizona (Coues, P. A. N. S. 1866,
57) ; San Diego (Cooper).

Although there is no difference in size between Eocky Mountain and
Guatemalan specimens, the only two of the latter in the collection arc darker
colored, showing scarcely any indication of the frontal anu supraloral wnitish
so conspictious in most northern skins. In tlie Guatemalan female (30,837,
Duefias, February 13) the dusky of the lateral, and white of the medial,
portions of the breast blend gradually together, there not being that sharp

> Panyptila cayanensis (Gmki,.), Cab. Hirundo cay. Gmei.in, Syst. Nat. I, 1024. Panyptila
cay. Cahan. Wiegm. Archiv, XlII, 345 (1847). — Sci,. P. Z. S. 1866, 606.

* Panyptila .ianct.i-hiiToii.ymi, Sai.vi.n (P. Z. S. 1863, 190, pi. xxii ; Scr,. P. Z. S. 1866,
607). May be the northern form of cayanensis, which, however, we have not seen.

CYPSELIDyE — THE SWIFTS.

425

Fanyptiln melnnnJeum.

line of junction seen in all tiie otliers, including tliu male from Guatcnuila
(oO,8;}G, JJuenas, Nov.).

Hahits. Tiii.s new species was tirst discovered by Dr. Keunerly on Bill
Williams Fork, New Mexico, February 1(3, ISo-i. >He speaks of it as a
very curious and interesting bird, found by him only among the can(jns of
that stream, and not observed
elsewhere during their journey.
Large Hocks ct)idd be seen at any
time in the vicinity of those
canons, Hying and circling around
very high, and far beyond the
reach of shot. Towards the close
of the day, when the sun had sunk
behind the hills, they occasionally
descended lower. He only met
with them where the walls of the
canons were very high, and con-
sisted of almost perpendicular
masses of rock. At times they
were seen to sweep low down, and then to ascend nearly perpendicularly
very near the stones, as if examining them in order to select a place for
their nests. The construction of these had obviously not then connnenced.
Dr. Keunerly saw none engaged in the work, nor did he observe any old
nests, unless they build after the manner of the connnon Cliff Swallow,
which were also abundant in that region. Mr. MoUhausen was of the
opinion that these birds build in the holes and crevices of the clifl's. In
their flight and habits they a))peared to closely resend)le the common
Chcutura jyelriffirn.

Dr. Heermann met with this species several times, first in San Fernando
Pass, near Los Angelos, and again near Palm Spring, lietween the Colorado
de.sert and Vallicita, at anotlier time near Tucson, and once also in Texas.
He always found thorn flying at a great lieight, either far beyond or on the
extreme limit of gunshot range. From the extent of their wings they
seemed formed to live in the air, where they pass most of their time gliding
about in extensive circles, with ap])arently very little motion of the wings.
During ])leasant weather they found their insect prey in the upper air, but,
when cloudy or rainy, they flew nearer the ground in their pursuit. When
on the gi'ound, they were oljserved to rise with ditticulty, owing to the
shortness of their legs and the length of their wings. When they rest,
they always alight on some eleviited jioint whence they can throw them-
srlves into the an', and take to wing. Nvnnbers were observed flying
about the rocks near Tucson, but none were heard to utter a note. They
were sociable among themselves, gathering in large flocks, but never
mingled with the Swallows. H(! states that they construct their nests in

VOL. 11. 54

426 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

tlio crevices of rocks, and tliat their eggs are pure white, and of an elongated
form.

Dr. Cones found this species rather sparingly distributed throughout Ari-
zona, always in the neigliborhood of clifl's and precipices, wliicli it exclu-
sively inhabits. From Inscription liock, about one day's march from
Wliipplc's I'ass, to tlio San Francisco Mountains of Arizona, he found these
birds in great numbers, except along the valley of the Colorado Chicjuito,
where tliere were no suitable cliHs for their habitation. He generally found
thom congregated in considerable, sometimes in immense, numljers in the
vicinity of iiuge clitl's and piles of rocks. Their note, he adds, is an often and
quickly repeated twitter, loud and shrill, and quite different from that of
the C. iKlagica. lie states that they build their nest ui)on the vertical I'acea
of precipitous rocks.

Dr. Woodhouse met with a Swift in the same region referred to by Dr.
Cones, which he called Accnithj/lis sa.rati/is, which may possibly be the same
species, but of which no specimen was procured. Tliey were breeding in
tlie crevices of the rocks. The description, however, does not at all corre-
spond.

This species has lately been met with by Mr. Salvin, in Guatemala, where
it is by no means common, and so very local that its presence might readily
have been overlooked. He found it near Duefias, in a gorge witli precipi-
tous rocks on the rigiit hand, along the cour.se of the river Guacalate. His
attention was drawn to a noise coming from the rocks, which he at first took
to be bats in some of the cracks. After watching for some time, he saw two
Swifts dart into a crack in the rock twenty feet from the ground, and the
noise became louder than before. I'esorting to several expedients, in vain,
to make them Hy out, he climbed up part way, and there found one of them
killed by a random shot of his gun. Another discharge of his gun brought
out five or six more, which were immediately imrsued by the Coti/lc scrri-
jh'miii^. He obtained .thren specimens in all. Jhe spot was evidently their
common roosting-place, and by the noise they made he judged they were
there in large numbers. He found them about the middle of February.

Dr. Coo])er met witli this species near Fort Mohave, but saw none before
^lay. On the 7th of June, near the head of Mohave lliver, lie found a few
about some lofty granite cliffs, and succeeded in obtaining one. Their flight
was exceedingly swift and changeable, and tliey were very difficult to shoot.
He also found them about some high rocky bluffs close to tlie sen-shore,
twelve miles nortii of San Diego. They were seen tlij ^.st of March, but
may have been there for a montli jireviously.

Mr. Alien encountered this little-known Swift near Colorado City, where
it was quite numerous alwnt the higli cliffs in the "(Jardenof the Gods,"
and of wliicii, with great difficulty, he procured four S])ecim('ns. It was
nesting in inaccessible crevices and weather-beaten holes in the rocks, about
midway up the high vertical cliffs, some of which were not less than three

CYPSELID-E — TFIK SWIFTS. 427

hundred i'cet liij,di. It soemod to be very wary, and Hew witli j^reat velocity,
rarely descending within reacli of the guns.

The White-tiiroated Swift was met witii in great abundance by Mr. Ividg-
way at the East Humboldt Mountains, and was seen by him more sparingly
in the Toyabe and Wahsatch. In the former mountains it inhabited the high
limestone cliHs which walled the caftons, congregating in thousands, and
nesting in the chinks or crevices of the rocks, in company with the Violet-
green Swallow {Tac/i//riiirf(i (ludiissimt). It was a very noi.sy species, having
a vigorous chatter, reminding one somewhat of the notes of young IJaltimore
Orioles when being fed by their parents. It was also very |)Ugnacious, a
couple now and then being seen to fasten upon one anotlier higii up in the
air, and, clinging together, falling, whirling round and round in their descent,
nearly to tlie ground, when they would let go each other, and separate.
A couple would often rush by with almost inconceivable velocity, one in
chase of the other. Their flight was usually very high, or, if tiiey occasion-
ally descended, it was so swiftly that Mr. Kidgway only succeeded in shoot-
ing tln'ee specimens, while he found it utterly impossible to reach their nests,
which were in the horizontal fissures in the face of the overhanging cliff.

Subfamily CHJETURINJE.

This subfamily is characterized by having tlie normal number of plialanges
to tlie middle and outer toes (4 and 5, instead of 3 and 3), tlie backward
position of the hind toe, and the naked tarsi, which do not (iven appear to
be scutellato, but covered with a soft skin. Of the two North Americati
genera, O/mfirra has spinous projections at the end of the tail-feather.'^,
while in Xepkn'cctcs the sliafts of tlie tail-feathers, though stilfened, do not
jiroject beyond the plume.

■ This .subfamily appears to 'be composeil of two definable sections, with
subdivisions as follows : —

A. Tail forked; si>inoii.< points of the feathers not cxtendin;,' far lieyond the
webs, or entirelj' wanting. Feathering of the .siile.s of the forehead (extending
forward outside the nostrils nearly to their anterior end.

fi. No trace of .siiinou.s jioints to tail-feathers. Feathering of frontal points
almost oonii)let,ely enclosing the nostiils lietween them. No lif^Jjl collar
round the neck; sides of the foreheail with a hoary suirnsiou . . Nephccceies.
, b. Spinous points of tail-feathers distinct. A light collar round the neck.

1. Nostril ii» hi Xe.jihu'fefei>. Siiles of forehead with a hoary sull'usion.
Collar chestnut. Wing less than r)..")0. (('. riitiht.)

2. Feathered frontal j)oints narrower, not reaching anterior end of
nostril. Sides of forehead without hoary suffusion Collar white.

Wing more than 8.00 Ilemiprocne.

Ba Tail rounded ; spinous points of the feathers much elongated and j)rojectiMg.
Feathering of sides of forehead scarcely reaching beyond posterior end of nostril.
Wing less than 5.50 Cliaiiirti,

428

NORTH AMERICAN BLKDS.

Gents NEPHCECETES, Haird.

Ncphmxtes, Baird, Birds X. Am. 1858, 142. (Tyi>p, llinuuh nUjra, Gmel.)

Gex. CiiAn. Tail idtlier loss than hull' tlio wings ; quitu deeply forked (les.s so in the
female) ; the feathers obtusely aeuniinate ; the shaft.s scarcely stillcned. First quill
longest. Tarsi and toes comiiletely bare, and covered with naked skin, without distinct
Indications of scutellic. Tarsus i ;itlier longer than middle toe ; the throe anterior toes
about equal, with moderately stout claws. Claw of middle toe much shorter than its

Neplmrrtex niger.

digit. Hind toe not versatile, but truly posterior and opposite, with its. claw rather
longer than the middle toe without it. Toes all slender; claws moderate. Nostrils
widely ovate, the feathers margining its entire lower edge.

The comparative characters of this genus will be found in the diagnostic

tables at the head of the
family. According to
Sclater, Ci/psfloidcs of
Streubel (Isis, 1848,
366) with C.fuiuif/atus
as type, r.4;iy luve to be
taken for this genus, as
it was named by Streu-
bel as an alternative
to Hemijirocne, which
belongs to Chat urn.
Until this question
of synonymy can be
decided positively, we retain Nephivretes.

The single North American species, N. nrr/rr, has a singular distribution,
being abundant near Puget Sound in summer, and again found in Jamaica
and Cuba, M'ithout having been met witli in any intermediate locality,
except in the Province of Huatasoo, Mex. The West India specimens are
rather smaller, but otherwise not distinguishable.

Nephacftfs nii^fr.

CYPSKLID.-K — THE SWIFTS. 429

Nephoecetes niger, Baird.

BLACK SWIFT.

1 Hiruvdo iiir/rr, Omei,. S. N. I, 1788, 102r>. Cjipschm niger, GossK, B. Jam. 1847, C3. —
lu. lllust. H. Jiini. \i\. X. — Gi'SDL. k Lawk. Ann. N. Y. Lyo. VI, 1858, 268. — Sli,.
P. Z. S. 1865, 615. Xephncfdc^ niijer, Baikd, Birds N. Am. 1858, 142. — Eli.iot,
lllust. Birds N. Am. I, .\.\. — ('iioiM'.ii, Orn. Ciil. I, 1870, 349. C'l/jmlus horcalis,
Kenneuly, V. A. N. S. riiiliul. IX, Nov. 1857, 202. —Scl. P. Z. S. 1865, 015.
Iliniwlo njms domiiticensi.s, Bkisson", II, 1700, 514, jil. xlvi, (. 3.

Sp. Cmar. Wing the length ol' the body. General color rather In.stron.'* dark sooty-
brown, with a greenish glo.-;.'<, becoming a very little lighter on the brea.^t anteriorly
below, but rather more .so on the neck and head above. The feather.s on top of the head
edged with light gray, which Corm.s a (■ontiniions wash on each side of the forehead
above, and anterior to the usual black crescent in li'ont of the eye. Occasionally sonic
feather.s of the inidcr parts behind are narrowly edged with gray. Bill and feet black.
Length, i't.ln ; wing, 0.75 ; tail, 3.00, the depth of its fork about .45 in the male, and
scarcely .15 in the female.

Had. Washington Territory, Oregon, Nevada, and Orizaba (var. boreulis) ; Cuba and
Jamaica (var. niger), breeds. Vera Cruz ; breeds (Sumichrast, Mem. Bost. Soc. T, oC2).

The tail is considerably more forked in the male than in the female, in
which it is sometimes nearly even, and in the males its depth varies con-
siderably.

Jamaican specimens (var. niger) are rather smaller, considerably blacker,
and seem to have narrower tail-feathers, even when the other dimensions are
about cqu.al.

Whether the Pugot Sonnd bird visits the West Indies is not known ; but
the difference in size and colors between them and the West Indian birds
would seem to indicate th^it they se'ect a mor.3 directly southcrii region.
The fact that the Orizaba specimen is most like the Northwest Coast birds
favors this latter supi)osition.

Habits. This Swift is of irregular and local occurrence in the West
Indies and in Western North America. Specimens were obtained at Simi-
ahmoo Bay, Washington Territory, by Dr. Kennerly, in July, 18r)7. Dr.
Cooper saw a black Swift, which he thinks may have been this species, iu
Pah-Ute Canon, west of Fort Mohave, May 29, 18G1, and again at Santa
Barbara, May, 1863.

Dr. Gundlach, in his ornithological explorations in Cuba, in 1858, met
with this species among the mountains between Cienfuegos and Trinidad, on
the southern coast of that island, and also in the eastern parts of the Sierra
Maestra. He saw the.se birds for the first time in the month of ^lay, near
Bayamo, where they connnonly arrived every morning about one liour after
sunrise, and Hew in a circular direction over the river at a considerable
height, making their evolutions always in the same jilace, ap])arently em-
ployed in catching the insects attractfd by the ])ro.\imity of the river.

430 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

In the iiibntli of Juno tliey came every day towards noon, whenever it
threatened to rain, and sometimes returned again alter sunset. Wlieu tired
of their exercise they always llew together towards the mountains, where lie
had no douht their breeding-i)laces existed. He states that when one of
these birds flies in cha.se ol' another, it emits a soft continued note, not
luilike a song. Having taken many young birds in the month of June, ho
supposes that these Swifts lireed in April and May.

It is stated by Suinichrast to liave been occasionally met with in the table-
lands of Mexico, and that it is resident and breeds within tlie State of Vera
Cruz, Mexico.

A single specimen of this bird was known to Gosse to have been taken
near S]ianishtown in Jamaica, in 1843, in company with many others. Mr.
March, in his paper on the birds of this island, gives a similar account of
the habits of this species to that of Dr. Giuidlach. He states that it was
rarely seen except at early dawn, or in dull and cloudy weather, or after
luin in an afternoon. He has sometimes procured specimens from Health-
shire and the St. Catharine Hills. The only place known to him as their
actual resort is a cave in the lower St. Catharine Hills, near the ferry,
where they harbor in the narrow deep galleries and fissures of the limestone
rocks.

Mr. J. K. Lord cites this species as among the earliest of the spring vis-
itors seen by him in Ih'itish Columbia. On a foggy morning early in June,
the insects being low, these birds were hovering close to the ground, and he
obtained four specimens. He saw no more until the fall of the year, when
they again matle their appearance in large mimbers, among the many other
birds of that season. He again saw this Swift at Fort Colville.

Captain Prevost, li N , obtained a single^ specimen of this bird on Van-
C(niver Island, which Mr. Sclater compared with Gosse's Cypselus niger,
from Jamaica. He, however, is not satisfied as to their identity, and is
inclined to regard the t^o birds as distinct.

According to Cajitain Feilner, this species breeds in the middle of June,
on high rocks on the Klamath River, about eight miles above Judah's
Cave.

The Black Swift was seen liy Mr. Ridgway, during his western tour, only
once, when, about the middle of June, an assembly of several hundreds
was observed early one morning hovering over the Carson River, below
Fort Churchill, in Nevada. In the immediate vicinity was an immense
rocky cliff', where he sui)]iosed they nested. In their flight they much re-
sembled Chimney-Swallows (Vlifctura), only they ajjpeared much larger.
They were perfectly silent. On the Truckee River, near Pyramid Lake,
in May of the same ye<ar, ho found the remains of one which had been
killed by a hawk, but the species was not seen there alive.

CYl'SEIJD.E - THE SWIFTS.

431

Genuh CHJBTURA, Stephens.

Chatura, Stepiik.\s, Slmw's (icii. /oiil. I'.inls, XIII, n, 182,-., 7fi. (Tyjic, C
AeiiHtliii/i.i, Hon:, Isis, Isyti, !i7]. {V,,pwliis .yiiiiiiviK/u.)

htf/icii.)

Gks. Ciiah. Tail V(;ry short, snaivcly moro than two liftiis tho wings ; shgliliv n)un<lu(l •
the shads stiU'cncd ami ox- ^ ' '

toiHlin<rsome distanco hcyonc
llio fcatliors in a i-igiii Kpino.
I-'irst i)iiniary longest. Legs
covered by a nake<l sl<in,
without seutelliu or featiiers.
Tarsns longer tiian njiddle
toe. Lateral toes equal,
nearly as long as the middle.
Hind toe scarcely vei-satile,
or quite posterior ; inelndinjr

I'hrrtttra pdfii^ien.

' » ' o

claw, less than the middle anterior withont it. Toes slender ; claws moderate. Feathers
of the base of the bill not extending beyond the begimung of the nostrils.

By the arrangement of the genera on page 1018, the C. rntila and large
white-collared species are excluded fiuHi the present genus as restricted
Chatura, as here defined, is a genus of very extensive distribution, species
occurring not only in Xorth and South America, but also in Africa and Asia.
Among the several American members, three styles are distinguishable,
these probably representing oidy as many species ; the several more closely
allied forms bein-.-, in all probability, but geographical modifications of these
three types. They may be arranged as follows : —

Plumage with no marked contrast of shades.
C. pelagica. Nearly uniformly dusky grayish-brown, the throat, however,
very nuich lighter, an<l the rump just ajiprecial.ly .<io.

Above glossy dusky-brown, hardly ai)i.reciably paler on the rump;
abdomen scarcely .paler than the back. Wing, 5.20. Hub. Eastern
Province Xorth America . . . . '. . . y^xr. pelagic a .

Above glossy l)lackish-dusky, very decidedly paler on the rump ;
abdomen very much paler than the back. Wing, 4.u0. Huh. Pacilic
Province of North America, south to Guatemala (from whence speci-
mens are much darker, almost black above, and .slightly sniiiUer) var. vaux i.
Above glossy black, fading into sooty dusky on tho rump; abdomen
like the rump. Wing, 4.80. IM. Northern South America (Cayenne,

'^''^^SO) xav.poliura.'

Plumage with mnrhed contrast of shades.
C. oinereiventris.' Tipper parts, except the rump, glossy, intense blue-
black ; rumj) and lower parts bluish-cinorcous, conspicuously diHerent.

> Ch(clura poUurri, (Tkm.m.) Scr,. Cat. Am. B. 1862, 101 ; P. Z. S. 1866, Gil (Ciipsclus
pnlii'iirus, Tl•:M.^^. Tab. Moth. p. 78.)

" ChccturaciHtnivcntri!^, Sci,. Cat. Am. B. 18(!-2, p. 283; P. Z. ,S. ]8fi3, p. 101, pi. xiv, f 1 •
P. Z. 180G, 612. C. sclateri, Pklz. Orn. Braz. I, 1868, pp. 16, 56, is Jlso refe'rrible to' it as'
perhaps a race.

482

NUUTII AMEUIUAN UlUDS.

C. splnioauda.' Uiipor parts glossy black, with a white bund across tho
ruini). Dilow sooty-whitish, with iiulislinct bhick marks on tho brcusU
wing, 3.00. Hub. Caycnuo and Brazil.

Cheetura pelagica, Baird.

CHIMNET SWALLOW.

IJinindo pelagica, LiNN. Syst. Nat. cd. 10, 1758, 1U2. HirundojKlasijin, LiNN. Syst. Not.
I, 170(i, 345. — Wii.s. Am. Dm. V, 1812, 48, pi. xxxlx, lig. 1. Cijpselm pclas(jiii,
Aui). Oni. Biog. II, 1834, 32!) ; V, 419, pi. clviii. Chcchim pclamjia, Stki-ukss, in
Shaw's Gen. Zoiil. Birds, XIII, ll, 1825, 70. --In. Birds America, I, 1840, 104, pi.
xliv. — B.viui), Birds N. Am. 1858, 144. — .SAMfKl..s, 110. — Allkx, Birds Fla. 301.
Acfinthylis pcldsijia, "Te.m.m." — Bon. C'onsp. 1850, 04. — C'assin, 111. I, 1855, 241.
Hcmiprucne pclasijia, SruKUUEL, Isis, 1848, 303. Aculeuted Swalloiv, Pes.n. Are.
Zoijl. 11, 1785, 432. Cypsdus pchistjius, Max. Cab. Joiini. 1858.

Sp. Ciiak. Tail slightly rouuded. Sooty-brown all over, except on the throat, which

becomes considerably lighter from the
breast to the bill. Above with a
greenish tinge ; the rinnp a littli-
paler. Length, ").'2") ; .ving, 5.10; tail,
2.15.

Had. Eastern United States to
slopes of Rocky Mountains ?

The etymology of the specific
name of pchinfjia, used by Lin-
iiiL'us, of this bird, iu the twelfth
edition of Systema Natura3,
has always been a question.
We find that the word in the
tenth edition is iKhajica, refer-
ring probably to the supposed
passage over tho Carilibean Sea in its annual migrations.

Chaturct vau.ri,\.\\e western representative of this bird, i.s extremely similar,
but distinguishable by considerably smaller size, much ligliter, almost white,
tlu'o^^, paler rump, and under parts decidedly ligliter than the back. C.
poliiu-a, which much resembles it, is blacker above, and much darker below.
(See syno])sis ou page 1027.)

Habits. Tlie common Chimney Swallow of North Am(u-ica lias an ex-
tended range throughout tlie eastern portions of the continent, from tiie
Atlantic to the oOth parallel of northern latitude. It was not met with by
Dr. llichardson in the fur regions, but was found by Say at Pembina, on

1 Chmtura spinicauda, Sci,. C'l/psehts spinicanduji, Tkm. Tabl. Jletli. p. 78 (ex BiiH'. PI.
Enl. 726, f. 1). Ariiiilhiilh s. BdtK. Isis, 1826, p. 971 ; Boxap. Cnnsp. p. 64. Cliattitra s. Sci,.
Catal. Am. Birds, 1862, 283. Uinmdo pelasgia, var., Lath. Iml. Orn. II, 581. Hab. Cayenne
and Brazil.

Oiatum pelasfira.

0YP8ELIDJ)— THE SWIFTS. 433

the Red River, in wliat is now the northern part of Minnesota. Its western
range is not well detcrniinud, but is presumed tu lie terminated by the great
plains. It has been found as far west as Bijoux Hill, in Nebraska.

In its habits, especially during the breeding-season, this Swift presents
many remarkable dillerences from the European species. While the latter
arc shy and retiring, sliunning tlio places freiiuented by man, and breeding
chiefly in caves or ruined and deserted habitations, their representatives in
eastern North America, like all the Swallow family here, have, immediately
upon the erection of the dwellings of civilized life, manifested their appre-
ciation of the protection tliey afford, y)y an entire change in tlieir habits in
regard to the location of their nests. When the country was first settled,
these birds were known to breed only in the hollow trunks of forest trees.
The chimneys of the dwellings of civilized communities presented sulHciont
inducements, in their greater convenience, to tempt this bird to forsake their
primitive breeding-places. The change in this respect has been nearly com-
plete. And now, in the older portions of the country, they are not known
to resort to hollow trees for any other purpose than as an occasional roost-
ing-place.

In wild portions of the country, where natural facilities are still afforded
to these Swifts, they are occasionally found breeding v ithin the hollows
of decaying trees. Mr. George A. Boardman, of St. Str^jhen, N. B., writes
that in his neighborhood this bird continues to build in the hollows of
trees. He adds, that in the summer of 1863 he found them building within
a hollow birch. He also met with one of their nests built against a board
in an old winter logging-camp, at a distance from any chimney. Mr.
Eidgway has also met with the nest of this bird inside the trunk of a large
sycamore-tree, and also mentions finding another attached to the planks of
an outbuilding, in the Wabash valley of Southeastern Illinois.

Mr. J. A. Allen found this species quite numerous in Kansas, where it
was breeding chiefly in the hollow trees of the forests, which it always
seems naturally to prefer to chimneys, to which it is compelled to resort, in
most of the longer settled districts, or else wholly to abandon the country.

The Chiniuey Swallow is known to breed throughout the Central and
Northern States, from Virginia to Canada. Dr. Woodhouse states that he
found this species very abundant throughout the Indian Territory, as also in
Texas, and New Mexico, even to California. It was not, however, taken at
San Antonio by Mr. Dresser, nor in any portion of Texas, and was not pro-
cured by any of the naturalists in the other Western expeditions.

The Chimney Swallow is crepuscular, rather than nocturnal, in its habits,
preferring to hunt for its insect prey in dull and cloudy weather, or in the
early morning and the latter part of the afternoon. In this it is proba-
bly influenced by the abundance or scarcity of insects, as it is not unfre-
quently to be seen hawking for insects in the bright glare of noon. AVhcn
they have young, they often continue to feed them until quite late at night.

VOL. n. 55

434 NORTH AMEUICAN BIUOS.

Tlicy arc not, hnwpver, to be roj,'arcle(l as nocturnal, ns tliey are only known
to ilo this diirinj,' ii brief puriud.

Tiie nest of tlii.s species is a very poculiur and remarkable structure. It
is composed of small twigs of nearly uniform size, wrouj^lit and interwoven
into a neat seniiciicular basket. In selectin;,' the twi^s with wliicli they are
to construct their nests, the Swifts break from the tree tiie ends of liviiij,'
l)ran('hes, which they <^atiier witli great skill and adroitness while on the
wing. Sweeping upon the coveted twig somewhat as a Hawk rushes on its
]irey, it diviiU-s it at the desired i)laco, and bears it off to its nest. This is
a well-attested I'act, familiar to all who have ever watched these birds in
the eaily morning as they are at work constructing their nests.

Eacii one of these twigs is strongly fastened to its fellows by an adhesive
saliva secreted by the V)ird, and by tiie same cement the whole structure is
made to adhere to the side of the chimney in which it is built. This saliva,
as it dries, hardens into a tough glue-like substance, as firm even as tlio
twigs it unites. In separating nests from the sides of chimneys, I have
known portions of the brick to which it was fastened part sooner than tne
cement. When moistened, however, by long-continued rains, the weight of
tiieir contents will sometimes cause these nests to part, and the whole is
precipitated to the bottom. The young birds cling very tenaciously to the
sides of the chimneys with their bills and claws. They not only are often
able, in these accidents, to save themselves from falling, but even at a
\ery early age can cling to the sides of the chimney and work their way
to the top. They always leave their nest and climb to the upper part of
the chimney several days before they can fly, and are there fed l)y their
parents.

Occasionally the young birds fall to the bottom of the chimney, out of the
reach or notice of their parents. I have never been able to induce them to
take any food, although they keep uttering i)itiful cries of hunger. In such
cases the young birds i)laced on the roof near their native chimney soon
manage to climb to its base, and there receive the aid of the old birds.

Their eggs are four in numbei', somewhat elliptical in form, though some>
what less obtuse at one end than the other. They are of a pure white
color, and are never spotted. They vary but little in size or shape, and
measure from .75 to .81 of an inch in length, and from .50 to .55 in breadth.

In New England the Chimney Swallow raises but one brood in a season.
In Pennsylvania it is said to have two.

UYi'SJiLIU.E— THE SWIFTS. .(35

ChsDtura (pelagioa var. ?) vauxi, (Towns.) DeKay.

OUGON CHIIIHET SWin.

Ci/pselua raii.ri, Townsenh, J. A. X. So. VIII, 18;«t, 148 (Coluinbia Rivpi). --In. Niirmtivc,
ISai). Cluclura vuuri, DkKav, N. Y. Zoiil. II, 1844, 3U. — H.viiiK, Itiiil.s N. Am.
145, 1)1. xviii. — SuLAlKli, Out. 282. -- In. P. Z. S. 18U;), KM) ((limttiniiiu). - Khnm-.u-
LY, 1'. U. (I. X, b, pi. xviii, f. 2. — ('(idit.I! it Sclki.kv, lOr). — ('(iuri;ii, Orii. I'ul. I,
1870, ii.ll. .lciutlhi/tisfauu:i, Uo.NAl'. Cuiuiiti'S liciidus, XXVill, 18,''.4 ; iKiti's Dclattri',
00. — Cashin, 111. I, 1855, 250. — XiiwuEiiiiY, Zuul. C'lil, iiml Or. Umitf, 78 ; l". li. It.
Siiiv. VI, 1857.

Sp. Char. Lij,'ht sooty-brown; rump mid under parts paler; lightest on the chin and
throat. Lengtii, 4.50 ; wing, 4.75; tail, 1. 00.

TIau. Piioilic ('OH.>it, from Pugot'.M Sound to Culifornia. West coast to Gimteirmla (Scr,.
P. Z. S. 18G3, 100); Yucatan (Lawk. Ann. N. Y. Lye. IX, 204).

This species bears a very close resemblance to the common Chimney Swal-
low of the Ea,stern States, lioiiig only readily distingiiishable by its much
smaller size, 4.50 inches instead of r).25. The wing, too, is nearly an incb
shorter. The tarsus and the midille toe, however, seem absolutely longer.
The rump is a little paler than in 0. pchu/lrn, as well as the under ])aits,
where tlie chin and throat are lighter, almost dirty white, and graduidly
becoming a little darker beliind, although even the hinder part (jf the lielly
is luucli lighter than the back, even in strong contrast, instead of being of
the same color with it. Guatemalan specimens are much darker.

Habits. This western Swift was first discovered by Mr. Townseud on the
Columbia IJivor, where he found it having the primitive haljits of the eastern
species, and breeding in liollow trees, forming a nest in a similar manner, and
laying four pure-white eggs. It differs from the common bird in its smaller
size and lighter color. It is said to occur from Tuget Sound to California.

Dr. Cooper met with these birds May 4, 1804, in the Coast Eange, twelve
miles south of Santa Clara, lie was of tlie opinion that they liad nests in
hollow trees at the summit of the mountains, but he was not able to find
any. He did not observe any at Fort Vancouver in tlie summer of 185;{,
nor did he learn whether these birds are found in the central valleys of
California. In 18GG they were observed to make their first appearance at
Santa Cruz on the 4th of May, though as they rarely descended to the town
they might have been on the hills earlier thiin tliis. On the 5th of October
he observed five of them, in com])any with a large flock of Hirundo Idcolor,
spending the morning in hunting insects near the town. They were apparent-
ly delayed in their migration southward by a tliick fog and cold south-wind.
They may have been a late brood from the nortli.

Dr. Kennerly obtained a single specimen of tliis species at tbe Straits of
Fuca, showing that these birds sometimes e.Ktend their migrations up to the
49t]i parallel. Neither Dr. Suckley nor Dr. Coo])cr was able to find this
Swift anywhere in Washington Territory.

436' NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Dr. Newberry olwerved this species quite coimnou in California, but could
obtain no specimens, owing to the height at which they tlew. He saw noth-
ing of it in Oregon.

Two specimens of this species obtained in Mexico by M. de Saussure are
in the collection of l;r. Sclater.

Mr. Uidgway saw on the Truckee IJiver, near Pyramid Lake, in May,
ISOS, what he suppo.ses to have been this_species. It wa,s not' common,'
only a few individuals being observed every evening just before dusk, Hying
overhead exactly in the manner of Chimney Swallows ((7. pdaijica), which
they also exactly resembled in appearance. Tliey Hew so high that speci-
mens conld not be obtained. They were entirely silent, and appeared at no
other time than in the evening, iu these respects differing strikingly from
the eastern species.

TROCIIILID.E — THE HLMMlNG-lilllDS. 437

Family TROCHILIDJB. — The Humming-Birds.

CiiAK. Leiust of all birds ; steniuin very deep ; bill subulate, and },'enendly longer than
the head, slraijjht, arched, or upcurved. Tongue composed of two lengthened cylindrical
united tubes, capable of great protrusion, and bilid at tip; nostrils basal, linear, and
covered by an operculum ; wings lengthened, pointed ; first ipiill usually longest except
iu ^l«7/j'<)M.s, where it is the second; primaries, 10 ; secondaries, (J ; tail of ten feathers.
Tarsi and feet very diminutive, claws very sharp. (Goui.n.)

There is no grou]) of birds so interesting to the ornitliologist or to the
casiuil observer as the Huniiiung-Hirds, at once the smallest in size, the most
gorgeously beautiful in color, and almost the most abundant in species, of
any single family of birds. They are strictly contined to the continent and
islands of America, and are most abundant in the Central American and
Andean States, though single species range almost to the Arctic regions on
the north luid to Patagonia on the south, as well as from the sea-coast to
the frozen summits of the Andes. Many are very limited in their range ;
some confined to particular islands, even though of small dimensions, or to
the sunmiits of certain mountain-peaks.

The bill of the Humming-lJird is awl-shaped or subulate ; thin, anil sharp-
pointed ; straight or curved ; sometimes as long as the head, sometimes
nnich longer. The mandibles are excavated to the tip for the lodgement of
tlie tongue, and form a tube by the close ajjposition of their cutting edges.
There is no indication of stiff bristly feathers at the base of the mouth.
The tongue has some resemblance to that of the Woodpecker in the elonga-
tion of the coinua backwards, so as to pass round the back of the skull, and
then anteriorly to the base of tlie bill. The tongue itself is of very jieculiar
structure, consisting anteriorly of two hollow threads closed at the ends and
united behind. The food of the Humming-lUrd consists almost entirely of
insects, which are captured by protruding the tongue in flowers of various
shapes without opening the bill very wide.

The genera of Humming-Birds are very difficult to define. This is partly
owing to the great number of the species, of which nearly four hundred and
fifty have been recognized by authoi-s, all of them with but few e.xccjttions
dinunutive in size and almost reiiuiring a lens for their critical examination,
so that characters for generic separation, distinct enough in other families, are
hero overlookeil or not fully apjireciated. A still greater tliliicidty, perhajis, is
tlie great dilTerence in torm, especially of tlie tail, between the male and female,
the young male occu]n'ing an intermediate jiosition. Tlie coloration, too, is
almost always very dilferent witli sex and age, and usually any generic
characters derived frotn features other titan those of bill, feet, and wing do
not api)ly to the females at all.

In the large number of species of ilunnning-Birds arranged in about one

438 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

hundred and thirty genera, only two subfamilies have been recognized, as
follows : —

FbaBthornithinaB. Anterior toes connected at the base. No metallic lus-
tre to the iliill plumage.

Troohilinae. Anterior toes not connected at the Ijaso. Plumage brilliant,
with more or less of metallic lustre, at least in the males.

The first-mentioned subfamily embraces five genera, and about fifty
species, none of which are iound in the United States. Tlie TrochUincv
count nearly four hundred species and one hundred and twenty-five genera,
and in the absence of any successful attempt to arrange them in subordinate
groups, the dilUculties of determination on the part of the tyro may readily
be imagined.

Of tlie seven genera accredited to North America, with their ten species,
we cannot pretend to do more than present an artificial analysis, which may
serve to define them as comi)ared with each other, but bear little reference
to tlie family as a whole. The characters are select(;d partly from the shape
of tail and partly from color.

Common CirAUACTKiis. All the North Amei'ican TYochilidce have metallic green
baeivs, exceptinfj Seldsjihorus riifus, this color extending over the top of head,
except in Cali/ple (metallic red and violet), and HeUopcudica (bluish-black). The
latter alone has a white stri[)e tliroiigh the eye. Aithis heloisie alone has the tail
tii;)ped with wliite in the male. Females of all the species except Heliopcedica
have tail tipped with white; all have it rounded. All females lack the metallic
tln-oat. Tiio males of the several genera belonging to North America may be
distinguished as Ibllows : —

I. Bill covered with feathers between nostrils.
A. Top of head green.

Feathers of throat not elongated.

Tail rounded or sligiilly euiarginated, the feathers broad, rounded, and
metallic rufous-purple, or greenish-blue. Wing more than 2.50 . Lampornis.
Tail more or less Ibrked ; feathers pointed, narrow, and without rufous

or blue. Wing much less than 2.00 Trochilus.

Throat-feathers elongated laterally into a kind of ruff. Tail-feathers edged
or banded with ciiniamon at liase.

Tail cuneate, the outer primary attenuated at end. Innermost tail-
feather green above.

Tail dusky at end Selasphoriis.

Tail tipped with wliite Atthis.

Tail nearly even, and emarginated. Outer primary not attenuated at

end. Innermost tail-feather brown above Stellula.

Urn Top of head metallic red or violet.

Metallic feathers of side of throat much elongated Calypte.

II. /ill! hire nf feathers between the nostrils.

C, Top of head hluish-lilack ; a white line liirough eye.
Metal'io feathers of side of thi'o.'it not elongated.

.. luiirly even, and slightly euiarginated. Lateral feathers verv
broad anil olitiise at end Ilcliopa'dica,

TROCHILID.E — THE HUMMING-BIRDS. 439

"We have included Lampornis in the list of United States genera on
exceedingly doubti'ul evidence of the occurrence of L. mamjo, which was
said to have been taken at Key West, and sent to Mr. Audubon, who figured
it. The species, liowever, proves to be one belonging to Brazil, and not the
Jamaican form (Z. porphp-ura, Gould), \\\m\\ might possibly have straggled
there.

In rel'erence to the large number of species of Trochilida', it may be well
to remark that many differ by very slight, sometimes (piite inai)prL'ciable
characters, and are to be looked on as only climatic or geograpliical varieties.
All those given for the United States are, however, well marked.

Additional species of Trochilida; will doubtless yet be detected witliin
our limits, especially in Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern Texas, wliere
almost any of tlie Mexican table-land species may be looked for, such as
Calyptejloresi, Calotliorax cyanopocjon, etc. South Florida will probably yet
furnish to us the Bahaman Doricha evclynw.

The following synopsis expresses, perhaps, a more natural arrangement of
the genera : —

A. Nasal operculum entirely covered by the frontal feathers ; base of the bill
narrow.

a. Tail forked, and unvariegatcd in the male. Outer primary strongly
bowed, or eurvpd inward at the end.

Stellula. Tail deeply cinarKinatcd in $, somewhat doubly rounded in
9 , but outer leather not longest ; the feathers sjjatulate ; outer primary
very strongly bowed, and very broad at end. f. Gorget feathers
linear, mueli elongated ; only their terminal halfuolored; crown green
like the back. 9. Similar in form, but the intermediate featiiers of tail
longer tlian the external, instead of shorter.

TrocliiluB. Tail deeply emarginated in the male, the feathers attenu-
ated toward tips; doubly roimded in 9 , '^nd broader ; outer primary
strongly bowed, Ijut narrow at end. $. (iorget feathers broad, short,
squamatc ; colored blue or crimson to their bases. Crown green like
th(! liack.

Calypte. Tail as in D-nchihis, hnt the external feather abruptly nar-
rower than tlii next, with its edges nearly parallel. Outer primary as
in Trochilus. Crown metallic (violet or crimson) like the throat.
Female like that of Ti-ochilus.

b. Tail rounded or graduated, an<l variegated in the male. Outer primary
only slightly bowed, and narrow at end, except in 9 "f Attliis.

SelasphoruB. Tail graduated in the ^, the feathers attenuated at ends.
Outer primary abruptly attenuated, the end turned outwards. Gorget
feathers broad, elongated laterally, rose-purple or fire-color; crown
green like the back ; tail-feathers edged with rufous. 9 with tail less
graduated, and the feathers broader at ends. Outer primary broader,
and not attenuated and turned outward at end.

Attbia. Sexes alike in form. Tail rounded ; outer primaiy bowed at
end, rather narrow in the ^. Gorget feathers nnich elongated, posteri-
orly and laterally ; tail-feathers tipped with white.

c. Tail rounded, or slightly emarginated, and usually unvariegatcd in either

440 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

sex ; the feathers very broaci, and rountlod at the ends ; primaries normal,
the outer broail to tiie end, and moderately bowed.

LamporniB.' Bill cylindrical, considerably curved. Wing very long,
reaching to, or beyond, the tip of the very broad tail. Size large (wing,
2 uO, or more). The male dark-colored (green or black) beneath. Sexes
sometimes alike (in West Indies).

Ba Nasal opercidum entirely uncovered ; base of bill very broad. Female

with tail-feathers not tipped with white.

HeUopaedica. Sexes alike in form. First primary longest, much
bowed toward end. Tad more than two thirds the wing, nearly square
(a little emarginated in the (J, slightly rounded in the 9)) the feathers
very broad, rounded at ends. Color, metallic green above, white or
rufous glossed with green below ; a conspicuous white post-ocular
stripe, and an aurictdar one of black beneath it. ^. Forehead and
chin black or metallic blue ; throat rich inctalliu green. 9 • Forehead
dull brownish -green ; chin and throat white, glossed with green, or
plain ochraeeous ; tail plain bluish-black or purplish-rufous, the middle
feathers more or lofs green.

Thaumatias. Sexes alike in form and color. General form of Helio-
pccdica, but tail emarginated, instead of rounded. Color nearly uniform
green, with or witiiout white throat and abdomen. Tail grayish-dusky,
with an obscure subterrainal band of black (with basal three fourths
white in T. chionurus).

Habits. The habits and manners of the whole family of Trocliilidcv- are, in
many striking respects, entirely jieculiar to themselves, and without any known
correspondence or close resemblance to those of any other kinds of birds,
either in America or elsewhere. This i'amily is found exclusively in Amer-

1 Genus Lampomis, Swains. Chaii. Size large (wing, 2.50) ; tail large, more than half tho
wing, the feathers very broad ; usually a little rounded, sometimes slightly emarginated (as iu
L. mango, L. virijinnUH, and L. aunikntns). Bill cylindiieal, considerably curved, its vertical
thiekness least at about the middle. Nasal opercula nearly covered by tho frontal feathers ;
tarsi naki'il. Wing very long, reaching to or beyond the tip of the tail ; first i)rimary longest,
only slightly l)owed, and not atteiuiated at tip ; inner primaries normal.

The sjiecies of this genus belong ehielly to the West India Islands and to Tropical America, —
principally on the Atlantic coast. They are all of more than the average size, and distinguished
by broad tail-feathers, and rather dull, though handsome colors. In L. porphyrurius the sexes
ai-e alike in color. The following .si)ecies has been accredited to North America, but probably
upon erroiK'ous data, since it belongs to northern South America, not even being an inhabitant
ol' any of the West India Islands, except Trinidad. Still it is possible that, as alleged for Thnii-
iiiiiliiiK Umicci (see pag(^ 1064), it may have wandered far from its usual habitat, and have reacliecl
Fhuiila, as stated by Mr. Audubon.

Liimjmniis mango, (L.) Swains. — Tlie Mango Hummer. Trochilm mango, L. S. N. I, 191.
— Gmei. S. N. 1. 491. — Attn. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 486 ; pi. 184. — In. Birds Am. IV, 1842,
186, pi. ccli. Lnmpnniis mango, Sw. ZoiJl. .lourn. HI, 358. — BAiitn, Birds N. Am. 1858, 130.
Si'. Chaii. — Ma/i: : Above dee)) golden green ; b(!neath opaqut! velvety-black medially, from
the bill to the anal region, separated from the lateral and superior green by a tint of metallic
greenish-blue. Tail richly metallic rufous-purple, the feathers bordered terminally with blue-
black ; inteimediiB plain dark bronzy-green. Primaries plain dull dusky. Female. Similar,
but white be.neath, except laterally, and with a medial strii)e of black, from the bill to the anus.
Wing, 2.00-2.70 ; tail, 1.50-1.70 ; bill, .90. Hab. Northern South America (Brazil, Guiana,
Venezuela, New Granada, Panama, and Trinidad) ; accidental in Florida ? ? ?

TUOCIIIMD.K — THE IIl'MMING-BIRDS. 441

ica, eitlior in the isliuids ov on tlie continent, ami number in all not tar from
lour liundred species, distriliutoJ into various subdivisions and genera, but
all possessing, to a very large degree, the same common peculiarities, of
which the well-known iJuljy-throat of eastern Nortii America may be taken
as eminently typical. The haljits and peculiarities of this numerous family
have boon closely studied, and many valuable facts in relation to them have
been contributed l)y various naturalists; by none, perhaps, with more intelli-
gent attention than by the eminent Swiss naturalist, M. H. de Saussure, in
his visit to the West India Islands and Mexico, to whose observations
we are largely indebted.

On the first visit of this naturalist to a savanna in the island of Ja-
maica, lie at once noticed what he at first took to be a brilliant green insect,
of rapid flight, aiijiroaching him by successive alternations of movements
and pauses, and rapidly gliding among and over the network of interlacing
shrubs, lie was surprised l)y the extraordinary dexterity with which it
avoided the movements of his net, and yet more astonished to find, when he
had captured it, tliat he had taken a bird, and not an insect.

He soon satisfied himself that this entire family not only have the form
and aspect of insects, but that they have also the same movements, the
same habits, and the same manner of living, with certain insects. Tlieir
fliglit is exactly like that of an insect, and in this respect they form a re-
markably exceptional group among birds. When we notice their long wings
in our cabinet specimens, we naturally suppose that they use these instru-
ments of flight in the same manner with the Swallow or tlie Swift. Yet
investigation shows that, so very far from tliis, these wings, comparatively so
very long, vibrate even more rapidly than do those of Ijirds with projiortion-
ately the smallest wings, such as the Grebe, the Loon, and the Tenguin, and
that, more than tliis, they vibrate witli an intensity so vastly superior, that
they become wholly invisible in the wonderful rapidity of their movements.

Tlie altogether exceptional character of their Hight is a subject for never-
ceasing iistonishment. Until we actually witness it, we should never con-
ceive it to l)e possible for a l)ird to vibrate its wings with so great a rapidity,
and by them to sui)))ort itself in the air in the same manner witii the Anthvaccs
and other aerial insects. This feat is rendered all the more surprising by the
extreme narrowness of tlie wing and the comparative weight of the body,
which is (piite considerable, on account of the compactness of the flesh and
bones, and th(i small size of the birds themselves, whose wings di,splace but
a small quantity of air. The resistance of the air to the stroke of the wing
of a bird should be. not in proportion to the surface of that wing, but to its
square, or even to ita cube, if the movement is very rapid. Hence it follows
tliat a due pro])ortion being re(piired as between the weight of the body and
tlie surface of this organ, a small bird cannot keep itself poised in the
air except by means of vibrations more rapid than those of a larger kind.
Tliis is, without doubt, one explanation of the fact that Hummiug-IJirds, in

vol,, II. 56

442 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS,

tlicir fli,q;lit, are so insoct-like. Tlioy pnss from Imsh to busli as if suspended
in tlic iiir, iuid pause over eaili llower, vibrating tiieir wings, in jn-ecisuly tiie
same manner with tiie Sphinxes, and witli the same humming sounds.

The lligiit of tiio Huinming-J5ird is of two kinds. One of tiiese is used
for a Iiorizontal movement, and is so rapid that one can hardly follow it
with the eye. Tliis is acconii)anied hy a kind of hissing sound. The other
seems to keep the body in the air immovable, in one spot. For the latter
purpose tlie liird assumes a position nearly vertical, and beats its wings with
great intensity. These organs must vibrate all the more rapidly, because
the innnobility of tiie body re(|uires a shorter stroke, and therefore the more
iVeipiently repeated. Tlie etiuilibriuni of the body is preserved by the alter-
nate up and down strokes of the wings, no inconsiderable force being re-
• [uiri'd to keej) its immobility, besides that requisite for neutralizing the
weight of the liody.

The Hinnming-l'.ird is entirely aerial. They pass with the rapidity of an
arrow, stop, rest for a few secmids on some small branch, and then sud-
denly depart with so much rajiidity that wo cannot trace its Hight. They
disappear as if by enchantment. Tlieir life is one of feverish excitement.
They seem to live more intensely than any other being on our globe. From
morning to night they traverse the air in (piest of honeyed Howers. They
come like a flash of light, assume a vertical position without any support,
tln-ow their tail forward, expanding it like a fan, vibrating their wings with
such ra]iidity that they l)ec(jme absolutely invisible, plunging, at the same
time, their thread-like tongues t(t the bottom of some long corolla, and then
they have gone as suddenly as they came. They are never known to rest
on a brancii in order more at their leisure to plunge their tongue into the
ilower. Tlu^ir life is too short for this delay; they are in too great haste ;
they can only stop long enough to beat their wings before each flower for a
few seconds, but long enough to rt;ach its bottom and to devour its inhabi-
tants. WJKMi wo take into consideration how entirely aerial is their life, and
the prodigious relative force recpiisite to enable them to keep suspended in
the air during the entire day, almost incessantly, either in rapid motion or
accomplishing the most violent vibrations, we can but be amazed at the
extraordinary powers of flight and endurance they manifest.

The Humming-Bird enjoys even the most tropical heat, avoids shade,
and is easily oveicome by cold. Though some travellers speak of having
met with these birds in the depths of forests, Saussure discredits their
statements, having never found any in such situations. They prefer open
flowery fields, meadows, gardens, and shrubbery, delighting to glitter in
the sun's rays, and to mingle with the swarm of resplendent insects with
wliich trojiical regions a1)ountl, and with the habits of which their own so
well accord. Xearly all live in the open sun, oidy a very few an more or
less crejiuscnlar and never to be seen except very early in the morning or in
the evening twilight.

TUOClilLlD.K— THE IILMMINU-BIUDS. 443

Mr. Salvia is of the opinion that Hunnninj^'-Ijirds do not roniain hjn^ on
tho wing at once, but rest Imiiiently, clioosing for that pur[iose a small dead
or leaHoss twig at the top, or just within the brandies of the tree. "While
in this position tiiey trim their feathers and clean their bill, all the time
keeping up an incessant jerking of tiieir wings and tail.

In Mexico, where these liirds are very abundant, tiiey are attracted by the
blossoms of the Agave amcricniKt, and swarm around them like so many
beetles. As they fly, they skim over the fields, rifle the flowers, mingling
with the bees and the butterflies, and during the seasons of bloom, at cer-
tain hours of the day, the fields appear peri'ectly alive with tliein. The ear
receives unceasingly the whistling sounds of their flight, and their sliiill
cries, resembling in their shari) accent the clash of weapons. Although the
Hiiraming-Bird always migrates at the apiiroach of cold M-eather, yet it is
often to be found at very consideralile elevations. Tiie traveller IJourcier
met with them 011 tlic crater of richincha, and M. Saussure obtained speci-
mens of Culothorax liicifcr in the Sierra de (Jiiernavaca, at the heiglit of
more than 9,500 feet.

While we must accept as a well-estal»lished fact that the IIumming-Kirds
feed on insects, demonstrated long since by naturalists, it is eipially true
that they are very fond of the nectar of flowers, and tliat this, to a certain
extent, constitutes their nourishment. This is shown liy the susleiiaiicc
which captive Humming-ljirds receive from iioney and otlier sweet sub-
stances, food to which a purely insectivorous bird coulil hardly ada[it itself.

Notwithstanding their diminutive size the lliimming-lJirds are notorious
for their aggressive disiiosition. They attack with great fury aiiylliiiig that
excites their animosity, and maintain constant warfare with whatever is
obnoxious to them, expressly the Si)liinxes or Ilawk-Moths. Wheiuner
one of these inollensive moths, two or three times the size of a lluiiimiiig-
Rird, chances to come too early into the garden and encounters one of these
birds, he must give way or meet with certain injury. At sight of tlie
insect the bird attacks it with his i)ointed beak with great fury. The
Sphinx, overcome in this unlooked-for attack, beats a retreat, but, soon
returning to the attractive flowers, is again and again assaulted by its iiil'u-
riated enemy. Certain destruction awaits these insects if they do not
retire from the field before their delicate wings, lacerated in these attacks,
can no longer sujiport them, and they fall to the ground to perish from other
enemies.

In other things the Huniming-llird also shows itself all the more imperti-
nent and aggressive that it is small and weak. It takes oflence at every-
thing that moves near it. It attacks birds nuicli larger than itself, and
is rarely disturbed or molested by those it thus assails. All other liirds
must make way. It is possible that in some of these attacks it may be in-
fluenced by an instinctive promiiting of advantages to be gained, as in the
case of the spider, in whose nets they are liable to be entangled, and mIiosc

444 NORTH AMEUICAN BIRDS.

wc'Ijs often seriously iuconiinode tliein. When ii Hiuniniufj-Bird jierceives a
spider in tiie niiilst of its net, it rarely fails to make an attack, and with
such rapidity that one cannot follow the movement, but in the twinklinj,' of
an eye the spider has disappeared. This is not only done to small sjnders,
which doubtless they devour, l)ut also to others too larj^c to be thus eaten.

Not content with thus chastisinij small enemies, the Hummiuf^'-liird also
contends with others far more powerful, and which yive them a good deal
of trouble. They have be known to engage in an unequal contest with the
S[)arrow-Hawk, yet rarely without coming oft" the conc^uerors. In this strife
they have the advantage of numbers, their diminutive size, and the rapidity
and the irregularity of their own movements. Several unite in these at-
tacks, and, in rushing upon their powerful enemy, they always aim at his
eyes. The Hawk soon ai)preciates his inability to contend with these tor-
menting little furies, and beats an ignominious retreat.

Advantage is taken of this aggressive disposition of these birds, by the
hunter, to capture them. In their combats with one another, or in their
rash attacks upon various offensive objects, even upon the person of the
snarer himself, they are made prisoners through their own rashness and
reckless impetiu)sity.

In enumerating the prominent characteristics of this remarkable family,
we should not omit to refer to the lavish i)rofusion of colors of every tint
and shade, excelling in lustre and brilliancy even the costliest gems, with
which Nature has adorned their plumage. And not only are nearly all the
birds of this group thus decked out with hues of the most dazzling bright-
ness and splendor, when alive and resplendent in the tropical sun, but many
also display the most wonderfully varying shades and colors, according to
the position in which they are presented to the eye. The sides of the fibres
of each feather are of a dill'erent color from the surface, and change as seen
in a front or an ol)li(][ue direction, and while living, these birds, by their
movements, can cause these feathers to change very suddenly to very differ-
ent hues. Thus the Selasphorus riifus can change in a twinkling the vivid
tire-color of its expanded throat to a light green, and the species known as
the Mexican Star (Oi/miiithns lucifcr) changes from a bright crimson to an
equally brilliant blue.

The nests and the eggs of the Humming-Birds, though in a few exceptional
cases differing as to the form and position of the former, are similar, so far as
known, in the whole family. The eggs are always two in number, white
and unspotted, oblong in shape, and equally obtuse at either end. The only
differences to be noticed are in the relative variations in size. The nests
are generally saddled upon the upper side of a horizontal branch, are cup-
like in shape, and are largely made up of \arious kinds of soft \'cgetable
down, covered l)y an outward coating of lichens and mosses fastened upon
them by the glue-like saliva of the bird. In T. coluhris the soft inner por-
tion of the nest is composed of the delicate downy covering of the leaf-buds

TliOUHILIU.l!: — THK HUMMING-BIRDS.

445

of several kinds of oaks. In (ieor;^ia tlio color of this down is of a deep
nankeen line, but in New Kn^land it is nearly always wiiite. At lirst tlie nest
is made of tliis sulistaiiee alone, and the entire comidement of eggs, never
more than two, is sometimes laid before tiie covering of liciiens is put on by
the male bird, who seems to amuse himself with this while his nuite is sit-
ting upon her eggs.

Genus STELLULA, (ioiTi.n.

Stellula, Gould, Introd. Trocliil. 18(51, 00. (Type, Trnhilit.t fiiriinjii', (ii.fi.i).)

Gen. Char. Bill rntlier lonjrcr lliim Hio hoad ; straifrht. Winers iiiiicli dcvoloned, reach-
ing lioyond the tail, which is short, nearly even, or .slightly n)uiuled, and with the innor-
niost leathers ahrniitly shoi't ; the onler I'eaihef rather nar-
rower and more linear than the others, whieli have n rather
spatnlate I'orni. Metallic throat-feathers elongated and rather
linear and loose, not forming a continuons metallic surliiee.
Central tail-feather without green.

This genas, established l)y Gould, has a .slight re-
senil)lance to Atthis, Ijut dilfers in absence of the
attenuated tip of outer primary. Tlie outer three tiul- *'"""'" '""'"f-

feathers are longest and nearly even (tiie second rather longest), the fourth
and fifth etpial and abruptly a little sliorter, the latter without any green.
The feathers are ratlier broad and wider terminally (liie outermost least s<»),
anil are obtusely rounded at end. Tiie tail of the female is (juite similar.
The absence of green on the tail in the male .seems a good character. Ihit
one .species is known of the genus.

Cidothonui is a clo.sely allied genus, in whicli the tail is considerably
longer. One species, C. ci/anojioijon, will probably be yet detected in New
Mexico.

Stellula calliope, CJould.

THE CALLIOPE HVHUINO-BIBD.

Trochihi.i cnlliopr, Ooi-i.n, Pr. Z. S. 18-17, 11 (Mexico). C'aln/Iionix caUiopc, Gray, Ocnora,
1, 100. — nox. l!i'v. Mag. Zoiil. IS")!, 2,'.7. — Gori.ii, Mon. Troth. Ill, pi. c.\lii. —
Xan'its, Vv. a. N. Sc. ISriO, 190. — El.MoT, lllust. I'.inls N. A. I, xxiii. Stellula
wllii'pe, Goi'i.D, Iiitrod. Trocli. 18G1, 00. — Cooi'ki!, Orii. Cal. I, 1870, 363.

Sp. Char. AfnJe above, except on tail, golden-green, beneath white, the sides glossed
with green, the flanks somewhat with nisty ; cri.ssnm pnre white. Tln'oal-feathers pnre
white at ba.se, terminal half violet-red, more reddish than in Atthis hrloisa; ; the sides of
nock pure white. Tail-feathers brown, edgecl at base, especially on inner webs, but in-
conspicuously, with rufous; the ends paler, as if fade<l ; central feathers like the rest;
under m.indiblc yellow. Length, 2."."): wing, l.GO; tail, 1.00; bill above to base of
feathers, ..')"). Fvitutle without the metallic gorget (repla(;ed by a few dusky specks), and
the throat-feathers not elongated ; no green mx sides, and more tinged with rufous beneath.
A white crescent under the eye. Tail more rounded and less emarginato than in the male.

446 NORTH AMERfCAN BIRDS.

Tim DUttT llii'ci! I'l'iitlit'i'.s jjfi'ciMi lit Ijasc, then l)lii('k, ami lipped with whito ; tho fourth
prcou iiiid hlack ; the lil'lh ;,'ii'oii, with a thisky shade at end; all, except central, edged
internally at hase willi rnl'ons. TIk! niulcr niandililo is paler at base than elsewhere, but
not yellowish-white as in the male.

Il-Mi. Mountains of Washiiif^fton Territory, Oregon, and Califurnia, to Northern
Mi'xieii. East to East Humboldt Mountiiiiis (Riuoway); Fort Tejon (X.\stu,s); Fort
Crook (Fkii.skii).

The male liinl is easily distingiiished from otlior North American species
hy its vuiy small size, the snowy-white liases of tiio eloiij;;ated loose throat-
featiiers, and by the shape of tlie tail, as idso tlie absence, at least in the
several males before ns, of decided metallic green on the central tail-feathers.
The females resend)le those of ^1. licloUw most closely, but have longer bills
and wings, broader tail-feathers, and tiieir rufous confined to tlie edges,
insteiid of crossing the entire basal portion. Sclunphorus 2>h(t yccrcus and rufus
are much larger, and have tails marked more as in A. hcloimi.

Haiuts. Tills interesting species was first met with as a Me.\ican Hum-
ming-l>ird, on the high table-lands of that ri'iiublic, by Signer Floresi. His
specimens were obtained in the neigliborliood of the Ifeal del Monte mines.
As it was a comparatively rare bird, and only met with in the winter
months, it was rightly conjectured to be only a migrant in that locality.

This si)ecies is new to the fauna of North America, and was first brought
to the attention of naturalists by Mr. J. K. Lord, one of the British com-
missioners on the Northwest Boundary Survey. It is presumed to be a
mountain species, found in the highlands of British Columbia, Washington
Territory, Oregon, California, and Nortluirn ^lexico.

Early in May ^Ir. Lord was stationed on the Little Spokan IJiver, super-
intending the building of a bridge. Tlie snow was still remaining in patches,
and no llowers were in bloom except the brilliant pink Rihcs, or Howering
currant. Around the blossoms of tiiis shrub he found congregated quite a
number of IIumming-Birds. Tiie bushes seemed to him to literally gleam
with their flashing colors. They were all male birds, and of two species ;
and upon obtaining several of both they proved to be, one tlie Sc/a.y)horHS
ri'fn.i, the other the present species, one of the smallest of Ilumniiiig-Birds,
and in life conspicuous for a frill of minute pinnated feathers, encircling the
throat, of a delicate magenta tint, which can be raised or dejiressed at will.
A few days alter the females arrived, and the species then dispersed in
pairs.

He afterwards ascertained tliat they prefer rocky hillsides at great alti-
tudes, where only pine-trees, rock jdants, and an alpine flora are founu. He
fretpiently shot these birds above the line of perpetual snow. Tiieir favor-
ite restiiig-jilace was on tlie extreme point of a dead pine-tree, wlu^re, if un-
disturbed, they would sit for hours. Tiie site chosen for tlie nest wiis
usually the branch of a young jiine, where it was artfully conoeided amidst
the fronds at the very end, and rocked like a cradl' by every passing breeze.

TROrniLID.K-Tllh in;MMIN(i lUltDS.

4n

l")r. Conpcr tliinks thai lio iiict witli tlii.s s|)(>cit'.s in Ati;,'u.st, ISn:'., (ui tlic
suiuinit i)( lliL' CaisciiiUi .Motuiliiiii.s, luit mistook tiio siicciiiicus lor llio young
of &lti)ip/ioni.i I'tiJ'idi.

Kaily in Juno, IS,")',), Mr. Jolm Foilncr found tlioso birds brocdinj,' noar
I'itt liiver, I'lilifornia, and olituinitd llioir ncst.s.

This .species was olitainoil by Mr. l!iil,n\vny only on the Kast Humboldt
Mountains, in Eastern Xevada. The two or three specimens sjiot were
fei.iale.s, obtained in Auj^nist and St'ptomber, and at the time mistaken for
the youn;;' ol' Sriiisp/ionts p/iiti/airHs, which was abundant at tiiat locality.

Dr. W. J. Holfman writes, in relation to this .species, that on tlie 2lltli of
July, 1871, being in camj) at Hig I'incs, a place about twenty-seven miles
north of Camp Independence, California, on a mountain stream, the banks
of which are covered with an undergrowth of cottonwood and small l)ushes,
he frequently saw nml heard Humming-Hirds Hying around him. He at
length discovered a nest, which was perched on a limb directly over the
swift current, where it was sometimes subjected to the sjiray. The lind)
was but half an inch in thickness, and the ne.st was attached to it by nu-ans
of thin fibres of vegetable nuvterial and hairs. It contained two eggs. The
parents were taken, and ]iroved to be tins sjiecies. There were many birds
of the same kind at this point, constantly on the tops of the small pines
in search of insects.

Genus TROCHILUS, Linx/Eus.

Trochilus, LiXN«us, Systema Natuife, r/48 (Acas.siz).

Gen. Char. Metallic govgot of throat m-ai-ly even ;ill round. Tail forked ; the feathers

lanceolate, acute, becoming gradually niu'iower Ironi the

central to the extciior. Inner .si.x

primaries .ibruptly and con.sideriilily

smaller than the outer tour, with the

^^"^ ° inner web notched at the end.

The female has the otiter tail-

Trorhii,,s roiubri, . featlicrs knceolatc, as in the
male, though much broader. The outer feathers are
broad to the terminal third, where they become tyoMIuh eotuMs. ^

rapidly pointed, the tiji only somewhat rounded ; the sides of this attenuated
portion (one or other, or both) broadly and concavoly emarginated, which dis-
tinguishes them from the females of Sclasjihorit^ and Cctbjptc, in which the
tail is broadly linear to near the end, which is much rounded without any
distinct concavity.

A peculiarity is observable in the wing of the two species of Trochilus
as restricted, especially in 7\ rolxhri.s, which we have not noticed in other
North American genera. The outer four primaries are of the usual shape,
and diminish gradually in size ; the remaining si.x, however, are abruptly

448 NOUTll AMEIUCAX UIRDS,

inucli smaller, more linear, and nearly eijiial in width (aluint that of inner
wel) of the foiirliij, so lliat liie interval lietween tlio liflli and fourth in from
two to live times as great as that between llie til'tli and sixth. The inner
welt of these nulucod jiriinariea is also eniarginated at the end. This ciiar-
aeter is even sometimes seen in the females, l)Ut to a less extent, and may
servo to distinguish hotli rdlnhrU and aUxaiuIri, from other allied species
where other marks are obscured.

The following diagnosis will serve to distinguish the species found in the
Tnited States : —

Common ('maiiactkus. Aliovc iind on the .'^idos inotnllin grpcii. A rnfT of
liu'tiillic rcallu'is lidiii till' liili lo the hrt'iist, bcliind wliicli is ii wliitisli <'()liiir,
conlliicut with a iiiurow ali(loiiiiiiiil strl[)(.'; ii white spot liciiind tiio I'vc Tail-
fcatliois witliout li^'lit iiiai^riiis.

Tail dci'ply IoiUimI (.;ii) of an ini'li). Throat brijrhl coppory-red IVoin the
chill. Tail of li'inalo roiiiiijrd, uiiiarijinatc'd ..... T. cohihriK.

Lai'KiT. Tail slijjhtly loikcil (.10 of an inch). Throat goiyct with violet,
steel, ffrcon, or bine reileetions behind; aiitoriorly opatpie velvety-blaek.
Tail of f'emnlo graduated ; .scarcely eiiiarginated .... T. (tle.miidn'.

Trochilus colubris, T.ixn;kus.

BUBY-THBOATED HUHHINO-BIBD.

Troeliilu.1 enhih'iK, LiNV. Syst. Nat. I, 17(if>, 1!U. — Wilson, Am. Oni. II, 1810, 20, pi.
X. — Aim. Oni. niog. I, 1832, 248, jil. .\lvii. — lii. Itiid.s Am. IV, 1842, I'JO, pi.
(•diii. — Baiiii), Itirds X. Am. IS.'iS, 131. — Max. C'al>. .1. VI, iri4. — Sa.mukls, 111.
— Al.i.KN, H. Kill. 301. Ornixi/niii. co/itlirin, l)i;vii.i,i:, Ui'v. vt Jlag. Zool. May, 1852
(liabitsV Trin'hihis imri'lijustr); liAWKKNCK (idi.'iiliolic spccimon.s).

Sr. CiiAii. Tail in the male ileejily Ibrked ; the fi'athers all narrow laneeolate-acnto.
In the female slightly rounded and emarginate; the reatlier.s broader, though pointed.
Male, uiiiforin inetallie greiMi above; a riiby-red gorget (lilaekish near the bill), with no
conspieuons riill'; a white collar on the jiignluin ; sides of liody greenish; tail-feathers
Uliil'oriiily browni.sli-violet. Female, without the red on the throat; the tail roiniileil
and eiiiarginate, the inner feathers .shorter than the outer; the tail-feathers banded with
black, and the outer lipped with white; no rufons or einnaiiion on the tail in either se.x.
Length, 3.25 ; wing, 1.00; tail, 1.20; bill, .(If). Yming males are like the females; the
throat usually spotted, .sometimes with red; the tail is, in shape, more like that of the old
male.

ITab. Eastern Xorth America to the high Central Plains; south to Brazil. Localities:
Cordova (.Sci,. I'. Z. S, 18.")(!, 2S8) ; Ciiateiiiala (.^cl,. Ibis, T, I2f)) ; Uiiba (Cab. J. IV,
98; (iuiidl. Kep. I, 18(50, 2',)1) ; S. E. Texas (Dkksskk, Ibis, 1805, 470, breeds) ; Veragua
(Sai.v. p. Z. S. 1870, 208).

The Trorliilm nurrii/nnicr (itiirn'i/itln ?) of Lawrence, described from an
alcoholic .specimen in the Smithsonian collection, differs in having a
green throat, liccoming golden towards the chin. It is quite probable, how-
ever, that the difference is the result of immersion in spirits.

The red of tlie throat apjiears paler in some Mexican and Guatemalan

TK()ClIII,lI).K-TnK IlIM.MIN(i-niUI)S, 449

skins ; oIIrts, Iiowtvit, iiii; not distiiifjiuialiahlo from tlui ii(irtlu;rn sjicei-

IIU'IIS.

llAiiiTS. This species is luiiiul tliioui,'lu)ut unstern North America, as far
west us tiie jNIissoiiri Valluy, and luvcds from Klnrida and tiie valley of the
iJio (irandii to lii;^ii norllii'ni latitudes, liiciiardson states that it ranges at
least to the oTtii iiarallcl, and proijably even fartiier north, lie ol)taiiied
specimens on the plains of tiie Saskatchewan, and Mr. hrnnnnond found
one of its nests near tiie siairce of the Klk Itiver. i\Ir. Dresser found this
i)ird lireeding in Soutliwestern Texa.s, and also resident there during' the
winter months, and 1 have received their nests and e<,'ys from Florida and
(Jeorj^ia. It was found by Mr. Skinner to Iw abundant in (Juatttmala durin<,'
the winter months, on tiie soutliern slope of the j;reat Cordillera, showiiijf
that it chooses for its winter retreat the moderate climate afforded l)y a re-
gion lying between the elevations of three and four tiiousand feet, wluro
it \vint(!rs in large numliers. Mr. Salviu noted their first arrival in
(luatemala as early as the li4tli of August. From that date the mimlier
rapidly increased until the first week in October, when it had become by
far the most common species about huenas. It .seemed also to be univer-
sally distributed, being eipially conlmon at Coiian, at San (leroninu), and the
jilai.is of Salaniii.

The birds of tiiis species make tlieir appearance on our southern border
late in March, and shiwly move northward in their migrations, reaching
Up])er Georgia about the loth of April, Pennsylvania from the last of
April to about the middle of May, and farther north the last of May or the
first of June. They ne.st in Massachusetts aliont the lUtli of June, and are
about thirteen days between the full number of eggs and the appearance of
the young. They resent any ai)i>i'oach to their nest, and will even make
angry movements around the head of the intruder, uttering a sharp outcry.
Other than this I have never heard them utter any note.

Attempts to keej) in confinement the Humming-Hird have been only par-
tially successful. They have been known 'o live, at the best, only a \'ew
months, and soon jierish, ])artly from imjierfect nourishment and unsuita-
ble food, and probably also from insuflicient warmth.

Numerous examinations of stomachs of these birds, taken in a natural
state, demonstrate that minute insects constitute a very large jiroiwrtion of
their necessary food. Tiiese are swalhnved whole. The young birds feed
by putting their own liills down the throats of their parents, sucking ]irolia-
bly a prepared sustenance of nectar and fragments of insects. They raise,
I think, lait one brood in a season. The young soon learn to take care of
themselves, and apjiear to remain .some time after their ])arents have left.
They leav(! New Kngland in September, and have all passed southward be-
yond our limits liy Noveiiilier.

A nest of this iiinl, from Dr. (Jerhardt, of Georgia, measures 1.7") inches
in its external diameter and l.uU in height. Its cavity measures 1.00

VOL. II. 07

450 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

in (leptli ami 1.25 inclit's in breailtli. It is oi' very homogeneous con-
stniction, tlio niiiterial of which it is made being almost exclusively a suh-
stance of vegetable oi'igin, resembling wool, coarse in fibre, but soi't, warm,
and yielding, oi' a deep Imtl' color. Tiiis is strengthened, on the outside, by
various small woody (Hires; the whole, on the (mter surl'aee, entirely and
compactly covei'ed by a thatcliing of small lichens, a sjiecies of J'annc/i((.

A nest olitained in Lynn, Mass., by iNfr. C»eorge (). Wtdch, in June, 18G0,
was built on a horizontal biancli of an a])ple-tree. In measures 1.50 inches
in height, and 1'.1'5 in its external diameter. The cavity is more shallow,
measuring .7i> of an inch in depth and l.UO in diameter. It is eipially
homogeneous in its composition, being made of very similar materials. In
this case, however, the soft woolly material of which it is woven is liner in
fibre, softer ami more silky, and of the purest white color. It is strength-
ened on th(! base witii ])ieces of bark, and ou the sides with Kne vegetable
fibres. The whole nest is beautifully covered with a compact coating of
lichens, a species of I'ltrmelia, but dill'erent from tho.se of the Georgian nest.

The fine silk-like substance of which the nest from Lynn is chiefly com-
posed is sup])osed to be the soft down which appears on the young anil
une.xpanded leaves of the red-oak, immediately before their full develop-
ment. The buds of several of tiie oaks are fitted for a climate liable to
severe winters, by lieiiig protected by separate downy scales surrounding
each leaf In Massachusetts the red-oak is an abundant tree, expands its
leaves at a convenient season for the llumming-Iiird, and these soft silky
scales which hiive fulfilled their mission of jn-otection to the embryo leaves
are turned to a good account by our tiny and watchful architect. The spe-
cies in (leorgia evidently make use of similar materials from one of the
soutliern oaks.

The eggs measure .50 by .35 of an inch, and are of a pure dull white.

Trochilus alexandri, Rouih-. c^- Mrr,s\xT.

BLACK-CHINNED HUMMING-BIBD.

Troi-liihi/i a!cvii>iilri, liorKi ii;i! & Mn.s.vxT, Aim. dc hi Soc. d'AKiic. dc Lyons, IX, ISIO,
;i:!0. — IIi;i:i;mann, ,Iouv. A. X. Sc. Pliila. 2(1 scv. II, isn:), 2f)9. — r.\,-isiN, 111. .
Am. liird-s, I, v, 18r)4, 141, pi. xxii. — (i(iri.i), Mdii. Tnicliilidiv, xiv, Si'pt. 1857,
platf. -R.uiin, liirds N. Am. l^.vs, 13;!, pi. .xliv, f. ;!. — In. M. 15. II, liinls, ti, pi.
V, f. ;!. IlKr.iiM, X, ,S', iiij. -('(ion.1!, Oni. Oil. I, 1S70, ;!,-i3.

Si'. ("ll.M!. Very similar to Troi-liHii.i clnhri.':. Tail sli,i;litly forked ; lli,' cliiii and U|ipi'r
part ol' tiic throat opa(|iic vi'lvcly-lilai'k, williniit nictallii! reflections, uhieh are "i ilined
to tho posterior border of llie uoru'et. and are violet, sometimes clianiiin;,'- to steel lihie or
f;-i'een. instead of I'oppery-reil. Iwn,<tlc withnnt the metallic .seah's ; llie lail-feather.s
tipped witli white: llie tail frriidiiated, not emari;inated ; the innermost feather amoiijr the
loi,','est. Len.u'lh of male. .I..'!!) ; winL'. l.TD; tail, 12(!; l.ill, .7.").

n<ih. Coast of Californiii, soutliward, and easl to the Wahsatch and Tiiitali Moentailis,
riah.

TROnilLID.E — THE IIIMMINd lilltns.

451

'^JKi:

T">i Itilus u'> .ittmlii.

The cliief cliaractcrs (if tliis species ave tn bo i'oiuid in tlic violet,
steel-lihu', or steel-i^veeii retleetioiis of tiie liiiider part of the p:tirget, vary-
ing with the situation of the feathers and the specimen, as distinpuislied
from the liright liery or cojjpery red of the other. Th(( eldn and upper
part of the throat extending heneatii the eves
are opaciue velvety or greenish lilack, witiiout
metallic lustre, while in T. co/nhris it is only the
extreme chin winch is thus dull in ajipearance.
The bill is about .10 of an inch longer, the tail
less deeply forked, and tinged with green at the
end.

It is exceedingly dilHcult to (listing ,..^h the female of this s]iecies from

that of T. ailiihn'a. The size is rather
larger, and tlie tail rounded, without any
distinct einargination ; tlic nnddle feathers
being. 1") (»f an inch longer than the lateral
ones, instead of actually sliorter. The
color is much the same. The ]irimaries
are also nuicli broiuler in tiie present spe-
ei(!s.

In both species the outer tail-feathers,
though broader tlian in the mal'\ are (piite
acutely ])ointc(l on the terminal third, one
side or the other of which is slightly concave, iiistead of l)eing linear to near
the end, and ronnded witluait any concavity, as in Sr/((sp/wnis and Cdl/fjih:

H.MilTS. This llumming-Iiird, originally described as a ^lexican species,
is found from the higidands ot that rejmblic northward, not only to the
southern borders of the western Uiuted States, but as far north as tlie TiSth
liaiallel. It was first diNcovered on tlie lalib'-lands of Mexico, east of the
city, by Signor Floresi, a distingni.siied naturalist, wiio devoted himself to
the study of the Trorlii/itlc of Mexico, but was tirsf added to the f iiina of
Xortli America liy Dr. irccrmann. wiio detected il, imd obtained S(!veral
s])eciinens, within the buryiug-gnuind of Sacramento City, Cat. Tiiere .sev-
eral ])airs remained (hiring the jieriod of incnliation, and reared their young,
lindiiig both food and sludter among the flowering plants of tluit cemetery.
He found several of their nests whicli were essentially similar to the 7'.

Dr. ('oo])er met witii this s])ecies along the Mohave Kiver. He saw the
first on the .">d of dune. He alx) found one of tiieir nests built iii a dark
willow-thicket in the fork of a tree, eigiit feet from the ground. Those
afterwards found near Santa liarliara wen; all built near tlu! end of hanging
branches of the .sycamore, constructed of white down from willow catkais,
agglutinated by the bird's saliva, and thus fastened to the liranch on which
it rested. These were built in the latter jiart of April, and early in May

TrorUUils alrxnnilri.

452 NORTH AMERICAN lURDS.

cuntiiiiiud two cgjijs, exactly resembling those of the T. cohibris, and measur-
ing .")! by .'.VI of an inch.

Ai'terwards Mr. W. W. Holden obtained a specimen in the Colorado Val-
ley, March 20.

Ml'. J. K. Lord, one of tlie English commissioners of the Northwestern
J)0nndary Survey, met with this si)ecies near ins camping-place on the west-
ern slope of the liocky ^Mountains. This was near a lake, by the margin of
u-hicli, with otlier trees, grew a niuuber of the black birch. On tiiese trees
he found a sweet gunnny saj) exuding plentifully from splits in the bark,
and on this iap hosts of insects, lirgc and small, were regaling themselves.
As the sap was very sticky, numbers of the smaller winged in.sects were
trapi)ed in it. Busily emiiloyed in picking off and devouring these captive
insects were .several very sondire-looking Humming- Bird.s, poising them-
selves over the tiower.s, and nipping off, as with delicate forceps, the im-
prisoned insects. Upon securing f)ne of these birds, he ascertained that it
belonged to this si)ecies. 'Hiis was ])retty satisfactory proof that they are
insect-eatei's. Xot only on this occasion, lint many times afterward.?, JMr.
Lord saw tiiis liird ])ick tlie insects from the tree; and the stomaclis of those
he killed, on l)eing open(Ml, were filled with various kinds of winged insects.
He found this l)ir(l lingering around lakes, ])ools, antl swami)s, where these
birches grow. Tliey generally liuild in the birch or aider, selecting the fork
of a brancii liigh up.

Tiiis species bears a very close resemblance in size, appearance, and niark-
ing.s, to tiie comnu)n eastern .species, but is readily distinguishable by the
difference in the color of the chin and tiie .sliape of the tail.

In the sjjring of LS.'il, on a trij) to Sonora, :M('xico, Dr. Heermann found
tliese iiirds al)undant in the arid country around (Juaymas, where amid the
scanty veg('tation they had constructed their nests in the month of A])ril.
lie also afterwards found them on Dry Creek and the C'l.suiunes Itiver.

According to the ob.srrvations of Mr. liidgway, this species has ([uite an
extended distribution in tin! West. He fo-md it in vaiying abundance from
tiie Sacramento Valley, in California, to the Wahsatch and Uintah Moun-
tiiins in I'tah.

At Sacnimento it was more aliuiulaiit tlian the C. anna, nesting in tlio
door-yards and in gardens, but particularly in tlie thick copses (.f small oaks
in the outskirts of the city. In the (Jreat Dasiii it associated witli the
Sc/(isp/iurHs riifiis in tiie western portion, and with ,S'. p/itfi/mri'n to the east-
ward, nesting ev(!ry where, from the lowest valleys to a height of eight or
nine tii(jusaiid feet in tiie inountahis.

TllOCUlLID.E — TIIE II UMM IN(J-JiIRDS.

453

■VVU^'

Call/pie costrF.

any other in North America.

GiAus CALYPTE, Ct)Li.i..

(■ahjph; 0„ri.D, Int.oil. Tiofl.ilichu, ISUl, 87. (Typ.., Omn^mna cstw.)

Gkn-. Ci.ai!. Bill l.,nnt.r than the I.l™1, stn.i-ht or sli,trl,tlv nn-vtHl ; tail rathor .liort

OuU'i- pr iiy not att(_Muiatod at end. Top oC luwl, as Wfll

as throat, Willi incIalli.;scalL-lila' leathui's, a d.'cidcl and -J'^SO S ^^ /,394009j

i'loii,!,'ated riilFon uacli
side the nook.

The metallic ^^

feathers on top \\y
<>t head, the at- caiypie mstre.

tenuateil outer tail-feathers (except in 6'.
hdcnw), and the elongated riiCC, distinguish
the males of tlii.s nenus very readily "from

Species.

A. No rufous on tail-t;.athcrs ; tail forlco,! ,.,• oniar^inatod

miJ:;;''::!, 'ft'^z " '"'"" ^ '" ^'"'-^ ^ '"" ----«>-'• i^>n.i. and

niui(Uc lail-lcathors lilne.

C. helenae.- Vory small (win,,, 1.15); ...otallic hood and r„iF of

tlu" nialo puri)lish-rcd. Hah. (Julia.

h. Lat,.ral tail-lWtth,.r ahruptly narrower than tho others, tail forked. Itunm

and niKldJi' lail-fealhers ,sroen. '

C. anna. I.ar.n. (win- 2.00) ; outer tail-feather with a d.ml.le

'•'"■";; ,""■ *;■'"' '"'■' '•"■ '""^^■••"•■'- -^I-'^'ili'' 1"""1 '"Hi rulf of tho nial..

purplish-red. //„/;. California.

C. cost*. Small (win,,-, 1.75, ; outer tail-featli,.r with a simple

'urve, the ,.„d nirlmin.ir inward. McMallie h 1 and rulf of tho male

vioK.t-hlue. Ilnh. .Southern Calilornia, Arizona, and .Me^ieo. '
B. Inner welis of tail-feathers moslly rulnu... an.l outer w,0,s ed.vd with the
smne. Tiul rounoed. Lafral tail-feath,.,. ahruptly narrower than the others.

V; f°^^f; , ''""' "'' ' • """"■ " ' =""' '•""■ "'' ""-■ '"•■'1'^' f'i.n.son.

ll<ib. lahle-landsof ilexieo (IJolanos).

f.o.h. m. pi. ..xxx-.x. Tl„.,v are ....rtainly few reason.s for eousiderin. this hh,l as a Sch,.„ho.
•M .S wlnle there are iim.iy fer rererrh,.- it te r,,/,^,,. The only I'.atmv that it shares with tho

oni,,.r ,s the peeuhar .oloratioii, aiel to s-m,. ...xtent tli,. shape, of th,. tail. n.nv..ver, Se-
'"V'/'oru. tl,.. outer pnniary is always un tli. „ial..) attenuated aid a-iite a, tli. tip , tte

;r":;"7;, ""■"'■• "'"•■"' ""^'^"■"'" ">••-■ ■■"-"- is ...... a,te,n,a„.d n.. a,: i

' ■' '7""- '■'"'■"■"•'•; ^■"" ' '"■" «l--'--<. "'■ "itl-r K.'"us, a,uve in ,|,is respeev. h^iew,

i^u^ these consulerataiiis, w.. find Jlorosi to be strietly oougeuerie with the ther species o

454

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Calypte anna, (idULn.

ANNA HUHMINO-BIKD.

Ornismiia oniw, |j;ss(ix, Oiscuiix Moiiclics, l,s;{0, (?) pi. cxxiv. Trochilus anna, Jaudixe,
Nat. I,il>. lluiiiiiiiii;;-l>iicls, 1, Wi, \i\. vi. — All). Oiii. IJio},'. V, Ksyst, -lliS, \i\. ccocxxviii.
— 111. Ilirds Aiiu'iua, IV, 18t-.>, 1>S8, pi. nlil. — IIkkiim. X, ,S', TjO (ii^^t). Calliphhij:
atnia, C.vMiii'.i., I'r. A. N. Sc. I'liil. Ill, ISliI, ;i. -hi. Jouni. il .*•!■. I, 1S47, 32.
Troc/ii/a^ (./W/k'.v) anna, IJlcicilKMi.M'll, Cab. .lour. Kxtialici't lor 18,"i3, 18r)4, App. 12.
Troclii/a.i idiTocr/i/ia/as, Xiitam., Man. I, ("Jil cil.,) 1S40, 7V1 (mail' with Ibiclu'aJ cov-
P1P(1 witli yellow polk'ii). J/t/iis (iniia, It.MUii, liiiils N. Am. 1S,')8, 137. Ca I iipk ajii'M;
(iiiri.l), Iiitroil. 'rroiliilida;. — ('(iiU'Hl!, Oni. Cal. I, 1870, 3.')8.

Si'. CiiAU. Larjrcsl nl' N'oilli Aiuericaii .<pL't'it's ol' Iliiiiiiiiiiifr-ISinl. Tail deeply forked;
external I'eallier narrnw, liiieai'. Top of the liead, lliroal, and a moderate mil', niotallio

rriiiiso!i-red, willi purple relleetioii.i. Rest of
iip])er pails and ii hand aeross llie liroatit green.
Tail-I'eallier.< pnipli.sli-liiown. darkest centrally. In
llie female the tail i.s .slij,dilly ronmled, not eniargi-
nate ; the seales of tlic liead and throat are want-
ing. Tail barred with black, and tip|>eil with white.
Length, abc)nt;i.(iO; wing, 'J.(H); tail, I.4.").
IIah. Mexico and coa.>;t region of California.

Tlie 0. Jlorrsi of tlie tal)le-lauds of
Mi'.xico re.somlilos this .speeie.s in every
rt'sjH'ct except the tail, whieli is soino-
wliat like that of Sclnajylionm rufn-f. The
only Xorth American siiecie.s to which the
male of this bird hears any resemhlance i.s the A. coskr, which has the same
metalli(! crown ami other omeric features. The latter, however, is much
smaller; Inus the metallic reflections varied,
chielly violet, instead of nearly uniform pur-
plisii-rcd. Tiie tail is much less deeply forked,
the depth beino; oidy about .10 of an inch, in-
stead of .o'2 ; tlu! outiM' feather is nuu'h nar-
rower. Tlie females of tlie two, iiowever,
ap])ear to lie distin;,fuishalile only by tiieir
relative size. Tlie absence of rufous, and the
rounded, not jfraduiUed, tail always sejiarates the female of (iiuin from tliiit
of Si/(i.-<jili()ni.s ni/n.'i. The hu'oer .size is tlio chief distinction from the
female Ca/i/pfr ros/o', while the size and less acutely jioiuted outer tail-
featliers distinj^uish it from the female Trorhihm (vluhrln.

We have never seen any specimens of this liird taken out of California,
nor i|iioted oj' late years as occurrino- iu Mexico, altiiouoh stated by Gould to
bulono- to tlie table-lands.

ILvniTS. This beautiful llumminif-liird is found from the hi,i,di table-
lands of Mexico throughout the western jiortions of that region, and through

Calypte aiiim.

Calijptf anna.

TUOCIIILID.K — TIIK IFrM.MIN(VI!lHI)S. 455

all tlie coast cnuiitiy "f Califdniia, I'roiii the slopes of tlio Sierra to llic
ocean. It was first talcen in Mexico, and named in lionm- ol' Anna, Duchess
of IJivoli. JMr. Nntlall was the lii-st of our own naturalists to take it within
our territory. He captured a female on its nest near Santa l)arl)ara. This
was described and Hjiured hy Audidxiii. The nest was attached to a small
burnt twig of I'/i()tini((, and was small for the binl, being only 1.25 inches in
breadth. It was somewhat conic in shape, made of the down of willow cat-
kins, intermixed with their scales, and a few feathers, the latter forming the
lining. It had none of tlie neatness of the nests of our connnon s])ecie.s,
and was so rough on the outside that Mr. Xuttall waited several days in
expectation of its being completed, ami found the female sitting on two
eggs when he caught iier. Dr. ('ooi)er, however, thinks this description
ai)plies much better tu the nest of 7'. (ilf.randvi, as all that lie has seen of
this species are twice as large, and covered externally with lichens, even
when on branches not covered with the.se j)arasites.

Dr. fiamludl, in his paper pul)lished in 184(5 on tlie birds of California,
describes this as a very abundant species, numbers of which jiass the entire
winter in California. At such times ho found them inhabiting sheltered
hillsides and jjlains, where, at all seasons, a few bushy ))lants were in ilower
and furnished tiiem with a scanty sulisistence. In the latter part of Feliru-
ary and during Marcli they a])i)eared in greater nund)ers. About the I'ueblo
the vineyards and the gardens were their favorite resort, where they build a
delicate downy nest in small flowering bushes, or in a concealed spot aliout
a fence. In April and May they may be seen in almost eve? • garden.

In the wilder iKU'tions of the c(tuntry Dr. (landiel found tlicm attacldiig
their nest almost exclusively to low horizontal branches of the {hicirns «i/ri-
folid, or evergreen oak, so common in that region. The nest lie describes
as small, only about an inch in dei>th, and 1.25 inclies in diameter, f(M'med in
the most delicate manner of pappus and down of various jdants matted into
a soft felt, with spider's-webs, which he fre(piently observed them collecting
for the purjjose, in the spring, along hedges and fence-rows. The base of
the nest is formed of a few dried male an\ents of the oak, which, with the
adjoining felt-like matting of pajjjais, are agglutinated and l)ound around
the twig with a thick layer of .S)>ider's-wel)s. The note of this liinl, he
states, is a slender c/ic/i, frequently rejieated. During the biveding-season
they are very jjugnacious, darting like nu'teors among the trees, uttering a
loud and rejieated twittering .scold. Tliey also have the habit of ascemling
to a ccuisiderable height, and then of descending witii great rajiidity, uttering
at the same time a i)ecidiar cry. The glutinous pollen of a tidiular flower
upon which llie.se liirds feed often adheres to the rigid feathers of the crown,
and causes tlie bird to seem to have a bright yellow h.ead. Nuttall, who
never obtained the male of this s])ecies, but saw them in this condition, sup-
l)osed this to be a yellow spot in the crown, and hence his sujiposed species
of i(ti')virph<(/iis.

450) NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

In ('alirm'iiia, soiitli of Sun Francisco, this species was also ohscrvotl, by
Dr. C(io]»cr, to ha a constant resident in mild winters, remaining among the
foot-liills of tlie Sierra Xevada, at least iil'teen hundred I'eet above tlie sea.
There lie lias i'ound them (juite common in Feljruary. At tliat season tlow-
crs, and conse(|nently insects, are mure almndant tlian in the ihy snnnners.
Tlie males are in tine plumage early in f January.

Dr. Cooper states that the nests ot this species are huilt at various heights
and positions, oi'ten in gardens, and sumetimes on dead liranches, without
any attem])t at concealment cxcej)t tlie outside covering of lichens. He
has found them made almost wholly of mosses, witii only a lining of
featliers and down of plants. In the neightiorliood of San Francisco the
young are sometimes hatched as early as the middle of March. 'I'liis species
ap]iears to he more hardy than tlie others, being connnon along tlie coa.st
border, though Dr. Coojier saw none near the summits of the Sierra Xe-
vada.

The notes of the male bird, lie states, are like the .sound produced l)y the
filing of a saw or the whetting of a scythe. They enter familiarly into the
city of San Francisco, and even venture into rooms, attracted liy the tlowers.
They are bold and contident, ajiproach to within a few feet of man, but at
the least motion disappear like a Hash.

Dr. Ifecrmanu found this species (juite common at San Diego in March,
and in its full spring plumage. In Seiitemiier he ])rocured a nnmlier of
specimens on a small island in the Cosumnes IJiver. While on tlie wing
in pursuit of insects, or after alighting on a small branch, he heard them
utter a very weak twitter, conliiiucd for a minute or more.

A nest of tliis species from I'etaluiiia is about l..")(l inches in diameter,
and l.tJit in height, and hears no resemblance to the one described by Xut-
tall. It is made of a commingling of mosses and vegetaljle down, covered
e.xteriially with a tine yellow lichen. The eggs measure .(Id by .40 of an
inch, and are al)(nit ten per cent larger than those of any other X'orth
American llumming-Jiird.

Another nest of this llnniming-TJird, obtained in T'etaluma, Cal., by Mr.
Emanuel Samuels, measures l.To inches in diameter, and about I. (10 in
heiglit. Its cavity is one incli in diameter at the rim, and half an inch ifi
depth. Its lining is composed of such soft materials that its limits are not
well detiiK'd. Tlie base of the nest is made of feathers, mosses, and lichens
of several varieties of the smaller kinds. Tiie ])eri|iliery and rim of the nest
are of nearly the same materials. The inner fabric consists of a muss of a
dirty-white vegetaiile wool, witii a lining of the very finest and softest of
feathers, intermingled with down from the seeds of .some species of silk-
weed. The jiredominant lichen in the base and sides of the nest is the
Ramulina mcnzmti, which is peculiar to California. The nest contained a
single egg.

TROCllILIU.K — THE Ur.M.MIXG-lilUUS. 457

Calypte costse, Unvu).

COSTA'S HUMMING-BIBD ; RUFFED HTJMMEB.

Oniismija cnsia; liarncii;!!, IWv. Zoi.l. (Xt. !»«!», 204 (Lower C'lililbniia). — In. Ann. Sc.
Phys. ct d'Hist. Xat. de Lyon, 1840, 225, tab. ii. — I'uKVo.sr & Dks Mn:s, Vovago do la
Venu.s, ZooL 1, ISr.;"., 194, Atlas, tab. ii, f. 1, 2. Schis,,/wn<^ o-i/.c, lidx. ("onspeetiis
AviniM, I, 1850, 82. .INhis coxtir, 1!i:iciii:nii.\(1I, t'ab. .lonr. fiii- Oiii. Extialicl't,
1853, 1854. -- lUiiM), liirds \. Am. 1858, 138, \>\. .\i>:. — KKXxr.iif.Y, I'. 1{. R. x, b,
31), pi. xi.\. Ca/i/jitc cosla; UuuLU, Mou, Iluniniiny-iJiids. — I'uoi'Kii, Oin. Cal. I,
1870, 300.

Si'. CliAU. Tail very fiiinlitly .■niaririniit.Ml ami i-oiiiuIimI ; cxtcrioi- fuatluT very narrow .
and linear. A very long rull' on each .sidu of tin; throat. Head aliovc and below, with
the ruli; covered with metallic red, jiurple and violet (sometimes steel green). Remain-
ing npper i.arts and side.s of the body green. Tinoat nnder and betw.'en the rnlls, si.le
of head behind the eye, anal region, and uuiler tail-eovorts wliiti.sh. Female with the tail
roimded, .scarcely emarginale; barred with black, and tii)ped with white. The metallic
colors of the head wanting. Length, ;!.-J0 ; wing, 1.7.'); tail, 1.10; bill. .(!S.

H.Mi. .Mexieo, Sonihern C'alil'ornia, and the Colorado Ba.sin, Monterey (Xkdol'.v). Ari-
zona (Couhs, P. A. N. 8, 18()U, 57).

Specimens vaiy cuiisideriil)ly in tlje color of the nifi; which, however, is
only occasioiiiilly green ; violet lieiiiy the lavvailiiig .shiide. The length of
tiii.s iip])en(lage varies considerably.

The lemale of this species dillcrs much from the male in the absence of
the metallic scales on the head iind throat. It lias a clo.se resemblance to
the female T. rohihris, although the bill is smaller and narrower. The tail-
feathers !ire narrower, more linear, and Icjss acutely ])ointetl at the tip. Tiie
black on the outer tail-feathers, instead of extending very nearly to tlie
base, is confined to tlie terminal half, the basal portion beit^;> green. All
the tail-feathers are terminated by white, although that on "he Ibnrth tind
fifth is very narrow. In T. coluhrln this color is confined to the three outer
ones. The iniicli smaller size will alone di.stingiiisli it from the female
of C. itnna.

Hamits. This species is a ^lexican l)ird, first discovered by Signor Floresi
among the valleys of the Sierra Madre, in tliat conntry, througliout the west-
ern portions of M-hich it is said to be an al)nndant species, as well as
along our southern borders, whence it extends into Xew ^Mexico, the Colo-
rado Valley, Southern Californiti, and Arizona. It was first described by
I5ourcier in 18;!'.l, and named in hoinn-of the ]\Iar(|uis de Co.sta, of Chambery.

Mr. Xi II ills found this .species exceedingly abundant at ("ajjc St. Lucas.
It has iilso been found on the eastern coast of the Gulf of California, at
Guayma.s, and ]Mazatlan, and also on the table-lands of Mexico.

It was first added to our fauna liy Dr. Kennerly, who obtained sjiecimens

near l]ill Williams Fork, in Xew Mexico, Februtiry 9, 1854. At that early

season a few fiowLi's had already expanded beneath the genial rays of the

sun, and around them the jiarty rarely failed to find these lieautifiil birds.

vol,. It. j8

458

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

They liad already paired, and were constantly to bo seen lioverin<,' over the
fluwers. Tlu'ir notes consisted of a rajjid chirpiny; sound, As J)r. Keniierly's
party up])roached the coast of Califonua, where the valleys al)oiinded with
Dowers of every hue, these liirds continued llittinj,' before them in <,'reat num-
bers. ] )r. ( '(tues states tiiat tins species was not taken at Fort Whipple, tiiough
abundantly distriiiuted throughout the Territory, particularly in its soutliern
and southwestern portions, and fouiul about tifty miles south of Prescott.
It is ])resumed to winter within the Territory, and also within the valley of
the Colorado. Dr. Cooper ilid not ol)serve any at Fort Mohave until March
5, and they were not numerous afterwards. At San J)iego, in 1862, when
the spring wa.s umisually backward, he saw none before April 22, and he has
since met with them as far north as San Francisco, where, however, they arc
rare. The notes uttered by the male he compares to the highest and sharp-
est note that can be drawn from a violin. Nothing more is known as to their
distinctive specific peculiarities.

Genus SELASPHORUS, Swainson.

Sclasjjlioms, Sw.vinson, V. IJ. A. II, 1831, 324. (Type, Troclii/us riifitn.)

As already stated, the characters of Sedi-yihoriis, as distinguished from
Caljipte (to whicli it is most nearly related, through the V.Jlorcsi), consist in

the lack of metallic feathers on . e crown, and
in the attenuation of the outer primary, and the
pointed and acuminate cuneate (instead of
forked) tail.

Ah distinguished from Trochiliia, the quills
diminish gradually, instead of showing an ab-
rupt transition between the fourth and fifth, so
characteristic of the two species of Trovhilus, as
restricted. The very attenuated ti]) of the outer
primary is a chai'acter entirely ])eculiar to Sflnsphorus.

The two Xorth American species, though strictly congeneric, differ from
each other considcirably in details of form, as well as in color. They may
l)e distinguished ii'om each other and from their two Central American
allies as follows : —

Species and Varieties.

Aa FcatliiM's of Mio metallip ajorfjct not ol(>n,i,'iit(Hl latcriilly.

S. platycercuB. Aliove oniuinuous niotallio greon ; tail-feathers merely
edged willi nitons. Gorget ]inrpli.'<li-red.

Wing, 1.90 ; tail. 1.40 ; hill (iVoni foichead), .00. Gorget rich solferino-
pnrple, the feathers gi-ayisli-\vhit(^ beneatli the snrfaee. Outer primary
with it.s attennateil tip turned outward. Hub. Rocky Mountains and
Middle Province of Tiiited States, south to Guatemala . var. platij cercus.

Sflasphorits rnfus.

THOCIIIMD.K — TIIK lIUM.MLXG-IJIIinS. 459

Winjj, 1.05; tail, l.^'O; l.ill, .41. Gorget dull vclvcty-iMiinsnii, tlio
fi'alhcivs oulinvwoiis Ijuncalli the surlacc. Outer |iriiiiai-y apijaiviilly
with its atti'iniaU'd tip (Mirvi'il iiiwaiil. Hab. Costa itiea . \m\ Jlam m ulii }
B. Foathcfs of the iiictailic; Kor;,'ct nuicli cloujiatoil lalofally.

S. rufua. Aljovu diidly fiiroiis, ovcdaid l)y y:iveii (except in S. srintir/,,,
wiiieii is ainiost wiiolly u-reen above); tail-lbatliei's nifoiis witli a sliall-
sti-oaiv of (luslvy. (joiMjel fieiy fuil. Altt'iiiiatcd tii) of <jiitLT piiinaiT curved
inwards.

Wing, 1.00; tail, 1.;J0; hill, M. Riifoiis provailin.L' ahove ; frorpet
very hrilliaiit, Jlab. Western I'roviiiee of Xorlli America, from East
Ilimiholdt Mountains to the racilie. North to Sitka, south to .Miia-

"'*'' var. r 11 fn.i.

Winjr, 1.35; tail, 1.00 to 1.10; bill, .42. Continuous frreen above;
gorj,'et not brilliant, Imt with a dusty appearance. Tail less irradualed.
Mab. Costa Kica and Chiriqui vnr. .ic i 1, t i I la .'

Selasphorus rufus, Sw-vinson.

BTJPOUS-BACKED HUHMINO-BIBD.

Trochihis rufus, Gmij.ix, Syst. Nat. I, 17SS, 407. — Aud. Oni. 15iog. IV, 183S, 555, pi.
coukr.ii. Schisphoriis nifiis, JSw.vixson, F.-l!or. Am. 11, 1S31, ;i:ij. — .\i-n. Birds
Am. IV, 1842, 200, jd. mViv. — lUiiii), I'.irds \. .\m. IS.'.S, 134. — C'oon-i: & .Sl-cki.hy,
164. — Dalt, & HA.NNrsrKit, Tr. I'hic. Ao. I, ISO!), 275 (Alaska). — Ki.nscii, Abli. Nat.
Ill, 1872, 2<J (.Vlaska). — Coo[>i:ii, Orii. Cal. 1, 1870, 355. Truchihts colhtrh, Latii.
(Uonapartc). 'J'nichi/us nil kens is, Kathkk (lioiiapartc). Onii/fimiu susiii, Li;sson
(Bonaparte).

Sp. Cuau. Tail stronarly cnnoato and wedcie-.ehnppd. Upper parts, lower tail-covorts,
and breast ciiniamon. A trace of mutallic i;iecii on the crown, which sometimes extends
over the back, never on the belly. Throat coppery red. with a well-developed rnff of
the .same; below this a white collar. Tail-feathers cinnamon, edged or streaked at the
end with purplish-brown. Female with the rufous of the back covered or replaced with
green; less ciimamon on the breast. Traces oidy of metallic feathers on the throat. Tail
rufou.s, banded with black and tipped with white; middle feathers glossed with green at
the end. Tail still cuncate. Length of luale, 3.50 ; wing, 1.55; tail. 1..".0.

IlAfi. West coast of Xorth America, anil across from Gulf of California to the Upper
Uio Grande Valley, and along the table-lands of Mexico, south ; in Middle Province east
to Ea.st Humboldt Mountains.

' Seldsithoriix {p/cili/nTcii.i, var. Dflammuln (Sai.v.K Sdrisphnni.i flunuivi/n, Sai.vin, 1'. Z. S.
1804 (Costa liiou). (ncserilicd almvi' from spcciincn in Mr. Lawroiioe's coUpctioii.)

^ Sela.y)li(inis (ni/iis var. ?) scinlilhi (C.ot'i.li). Selasphorus seinliUa, Gori.n, 1'. Z. S. 1850,
162, Monog. Troeli. Ill, pi. c;xxxviii. The foregoing s]HHdes are so similar in all essential
respects to the northern .?. p/nfi/rnviis and S. rufus, that it is exceedingly pi'obab'e that they
are merely the soutlK'ni forms of those sjiecies. Both dill'er in exactly the same respects fioiu
their northern reiu'e.sentatives, namely, in smaller size and less burnished throat, and to a very

.slight degree only in form. The only sjieei n of the S. flammuin that we have examined is a

badly shot male in Mr. Lawrence's collection ; what apjiears to he the outer j.iinary in this
speeinien is not atteminted at the tip, which is curved inward, instead of acutely atteiiuafed and
turned ontward as in platycercus ; the wings are badly cut with shot, however, and the iirst
jirimary may be wanting.

4G0 XUllTll AMEIUCAN BlliUrf.

Spuciineiis IVoin the tiiblo-liuids of Mexico are siimllur tlr.iu tliosu fiom
Oregon, iiiul liuvo yellowur, Iosh iiil)y tliiouts.

Hahit.s. Tliis hiilliiiiil si»ecius luis an uxteiidutl distril)iiti()ii througliout
tlie wusturn part (tf Nurth America, Ijcing Ibund from tiie valley of the Uio

(Jrando to the Pacific, and from Mexico to
.Sitka. It was lirst discovered near Xootka
Sound, !)y that distinguished navigator. Cap-
tain (A)ok, and described by Latham, and has
lieen met with as far to the south as Ileal del
^[onte, on the table-hinds of Mexico, by Mr.
^^^^^^"' Taylor, whoso siiecimens were described by

zona, near Fort Whipple, as it is also along the wIkjIo slope of the JJoeky
Mountains. It is a summer resident in tliat Territory, and lireeds there al)un-
dantly, arriving at Fort Whipple April lo, and remaining until the middle
of September, lieing found in all situations, particularly meadows, oi»eu
copses, ravines, etc., where llowers are most abundant.

Mr. Dall gives them as conunon summer residents at Sitka. Bischoff
obtained sixteen specimens. Dr. Suckley says they are very abundant in
the western provinces of both Oregon and Washington Teri'itory, an<l in
Vancouver Island. They appear to be very hardy, and are one of the earli-
est of the migratory liirds to arrive in spring. At Fort Steilacoom, latitude
47', they appeared April 10. They are supposed to commence their south-
ern migrations from that region in Septemlx^', — a move induced by the
scarcity of llowers and lack of means of cajitivatiiig insects, rather than by
cold. In Washington Territory their incubation connnences about the 10th
of May, and is made evident by the tierce and angry battles continually oc-
curring l)etween the male birds, in which they tilt at each other at full
speed, at the same tinu; keeping up a loud anil vociferous squeaking and
buzzing.

A nest with eggs, of this species, obtained by Dr. Cooper near Fort
Slaughter, ^lay 215, was found in the forked branch of a snowberry-bnsh.
It was composed princiiially of line green moss, lined internally with the
delicate floss of the cottonwood, and externally bordered most artistically
with rock lichens. The female was on the nest, and .allowed so near an ap-
proach as almost to admit of being grasped by the liand. The nest was 2.00
inches in diameter and l.;jO in height. The eggs measured .45 by .oM of an
inch, and were white, as in all the species.

Dr. Cooper states that the appearance of this species at the Straits of
Fuca is coincident witli the blossomir.;;: of the red-llowering currant, which
begins to bloom on the Columliia March 10. The male of this species has
a remarkable habit, when a stranger or a wild animal a]iproaches its nest, of
rising to a great height in the air, aiul of then darting down perpendicularly

TUOClllUD.E — TIJE IIUMMIXU-DIUDS. 4^1

upon tlio intruder, producing a hollow rusldng sound, liko tliat of llio Mylit-
Iliiwk, liut of a niucii sharper tone. Tiiese sounds are produced hy ihc
wings. In duly, wheu llowers aie more alaindant among the miaintain sum-
mits, tlu'V leave the lower eountry. Dr. Cooper I'ound theiu aliundant in
Augu.st at un elevation of nearly six tiioiLsand feet, and where ire was
formed at night in their eamj).

In California, Dr. Cooper has not found any of this species remaining in
winter, even at San Diego, wiiere, however, he has known them to arrive as
early as the olh of Feliruary. lie also saw several on the '22d of the .same
month feeding among the llowers of the evergreen gooseberry. I'>y the lirst
of April they were swarming ahout San Diego. Their young are hatehcd
before the mithlle of dune. When perching, this .sjieeies is said to utter a
shrill wiry call, like Die iiighest note of a violin. They also produce a curi-
ous kind of bleating sound. They are among the most noi.sy and lively of
their race,ai'e very (luarrelsonie, chase each other away i'roni favorite llowers,
rising into tlie air until out of sight, ehirinng as they go in the most excited
manner.

Mr. Lord noticed the arrival of tliLs species at Little Spokan IJiver, in
latitude 4'.)°, early in May. He Ibund their nests usually in low shrulis and
clc^jie to rippling streams. The females of this and other s|)ecies are .said to
arrive about a week later than the males.

Dr. Ileermann i'or several successive seasons found many pairs of these
birds breeding in the vicinity of San Francisco.

Air. Nuttall c(»mpares the ai.i>earance of the male birds of this sjjccies,
when he approached too near their nests, to an angry coal of Itrilliant lire,
as they darted uixrn him, jias.sing within a i'ow inches of his lace as they
returned again and again to the attack, making a sound as of a breaking
twig.

Dr. Woodhousc, who found this bird aliundant in New ^NFexicn, ]iaiticu-
larly in the vicinity of Santa Fe, speaks of the great noise they niaki; for so
small a bird, and of their (piarrelsome and pugnacious dis])osition.

j\Ir. ]{. Urown, in Ids .syno])sis of the birds of Vancouver Island, notes the
ap])earanco of this species, I'nnn the end of Marcli to tlie beginning of May,
according to the state of the sea.son. Its nest was built on the ti])s of low
bushes, or the under branches of trees. This was the only species of Hum-
nung-IMrd seen west of the Cascade Mountains.

The Kufous Ilununer was first noticed by ]\Ir. IJidgway in the valley f)f the
Truckee liiver, in August, where it was the only species shot, and was ex-
tremely aliundant among the sunllowers winch ornament the meadows. In
May of the succeeding year, when the same locality was again visited, not
one of this sjiecies was to be found, its jilace being a]iparently su])plied by
the T. alcxamh'i, which was (juite common, and breeding. Eastward it was
met with as far as the East IIundj(ddt Mountains, where, however, only a
single pair was seen, and one of them shot, in Septendier.

462

NORTH AMEIUCAX BIRDri.

Selasphorus platycercus, Gould.

BBOAO-TAILED HUMMING-BIBD.

Ti-ochilusiihttjiccirHx, Sw. Pliilos. Miig. 1, KS27, 441 (Mexico). Sehtuplwrus phdijccrms,
OouLii, Moil. Trocliilid. or Iliimiiiiiig-lUrils, lu, May, 1S52. -- IJaiiui, liinU X. Am.
ISriS, la."), 111. .\liii, li<,'s. 1 1111(1 li. — (.'oui'Kl!, I'r. L'ul. Ao. 1S«» (Uiko Tahoe). — 1b.
Oni. Cal. I, 1S7II, 'A^il ■ Onihiaia triailur, Li>si>N, Colibirs, VIH (no date), pi. xiv
(Brazil). -I I!. Tiocliiliile. lb:31,lo(j, pi. l.\ (Mexico). —.I.viaii.xi;, Xat. Lib. II, 77,
pi. xiii. Ornifiiaijii laoiihaia, Lkn.so.n, Trocliilid. lS:jl, 1()1, pi. Ixiii, adult, and 1(J3 ;
jil. Ixiv, yoiuif; (Mcxii'o).

Sp. Ch.vu. Oiiti'i' priiiiarios crcatly alteiuiatud at tliu end and tiinicd outward. Outer
tail-leathers nearly liiu'ar, lint wiiiening- a little from the base; its width .20 of an inch.

Tail sljo-htly graduated and eniav-
ginate. Hale above and on the
side.s metallic green ; chin and
throat light reddish-purple, be-
hind which, and along the belly-
to tlic tail, is a good deal of white.
Wings and tail dusky purplish;
the tail-feathers, excepting the
internal and external ones, edged
towards the base with light
ciniiainnn. Female without the
metallic gorget ; the throat-feath-
ors with dn.sky centres. The tail
somewhat cuneate, as in the male,

St lasphnruK iifati/rrrnts.

the feathers less pointed ; the outer three cinnamon-rnfoiis at base (this extendinir some-
what along the outer edges), then black, and broadly lipped with white (mueli as in the
male Affhiii hchkn), the inner two featlior.s green, the fourth with black spot at end, and
only edged at ba-;e with rufous. The sides and crissuni also tinged with cinnainon.
Length, 3..')(»; wing. X.'.Yl: tail, 1.40. liill, ga|)e, .8t).

IIai!. Table-lands of Mexico and Roeky i[onntains, and Middle Province of United
States, nortli to Wyoming Territory; TMutah, Walisatcli, and East Humboldt ^[ountains
(RiiMiWAv); Sierra Xevada (Cooi'nii) : C.u-dova (Scr.. P. Z. S, LSoO, '2S8) ; (iuatemala
(Sci.. Ibis, I, lliD); Arizona (Coii:.s, P. A. X". S, 1800. .-)7).

A decided chiiraetor of tlii.s .sjiocics uiiioner it.s Xorth American reliitives i.s
tlie riilous outer border of llio exterior tnil-1'e.atlicr.s. Tliis rutbiis in ,S'. nifiis
pervades mcst of tlie featliers, in.stead of lieinf? restricted as above. Females
of tbe two .■species are not dissimilar: those of S. plat ifcc rem are lar,!for, less
rufous beneath ; the tail-feathers In'oader and le.:s pointed, and witii the
inner two (on each side) entirely oreen to 1)ase (the fourth edged with
rufous), instead of boiiiff ])rinci]ially rufous, e\-oe])t at tip.

Siwciinens from ^Mirador, :\Ie.\ico, are undistinouishablc from those of
Fort Bridger; tlio.se from (hiaiemala are smaller tlian the ^Mexican.

Habits. Until recently this Hummin.i^f-r.ird has been i>resuined to be an
exclusively ]\Iexican ami Central American species. Until taken Mitliin our
limits, it had been supposed to bo confined on the north to the ]\Iexican plateau,

TROCIIILID.E — THE HUMMING-BIRDS. 403

westward to the city, and tlieiice southward to (iiiateinala, while througliout
this region it is said to Ijo very generally ami very ])lentii'ully distriljiiled.
It was tirst taken, in 1"")1, l)y Air. .1. 11. Clark, near El Paso, Texas. Sul)-
sequently numerous si)eeii'iens were seen hy Dr. Coues on the summit of
Wliipple's I'ass of the liocky ]\Iountains, in July, feeding among clumi)s
of wild roses. It was not iiotieed ni;ar Fort Whipple, tliough the range
of this species is now well known to include Xew Me.\ieo and Arizona, as
far north, at least, as Fort liridger in Wyonung. It was found lireeding
abundantly in the vicinity of Fort Urant, Arizona, hy Dr. I'almer.

This Iluniming-Bird was fountl liy Mr. Allen more or less common among
the foot-hills, as well as among tlie mountains, of (Colorado, and extending
several miles out on the plains. On Mount Lincoln, in Colorado, he found
it exceedingly numerous, and though larger and otherwise dillerent from the
eastern Iluby-throal, it might easily be mistaken for it. The shrill whistling
of its wings, lie adds, is a peculiarity one is sure to notice. This Humming-
Bird continued to be couimon on the sides of Mount Lincoln to faraliove
the tindjer line, being apparently as much at home anK)ng the l)right Howers
growing on the highest jjaits of the mountain as in the valleys.

At Lake Talioe, at an elevation of six thousand feet, Dr. Coo])er found
the young of this species 'juite common near the miildle of Septend)er.
Supposing them to be the more common X ru/tm, he only obtained a single
specimen. He thinks that the.se liirds extend their nortliern migrations as
far as the Blue Mountains, near Snake IJivcr, Oregon, and that they are the
ones referred to by Nuttall as seen by him in autumn, and sujiposed to be
the rnfiia.

The nests of this species jn-ocured by Dr. Palmer were large for the size
of the bird, uinisually broad and shallow, composed of soit downy pappus
from seeds of plants, and vegetable down, with the outer walls covered with
mosses and lichens. The eggs are not distinguishable from those of the
other species.

The liocky Mountain or Broad-tailed Hummer, according to Mr. Itidg-
way's ol)servations, is tiie mo.st abundant wpecies in the (treat ISasin, though
he did not see it to recognize it west of the East Humboldt Mountains. It
is essentially a bird ol' the mountains, since in that region there are few
flowers elsewhere ; yet in the gardens of Salt Lake City, an altitude i'ar belov/
its usual habitat, it was abundant. Its I'avorite resorts are the flowerv
slopes of the higher and well-watered mountain-ranges of the Great Basin
and IJocky Alountain system, at an average elevation of about eight or
nine thousand feet, yet it will lie found wherever flowers are abundant.
Mr. Iiidgway saw one at an altitude of about twelve thousand feet, in July,
on the East Humboldt Mountains, but it merely passed rapidly liy him. In
the Wahsatch ^Mountains, particularly in the neighborhood of Salt Lake
City, this species was most pleiitil'ul. It there nested abundantly in the
scrub-oaks on tlie hills or slopes of the canons.

4G4 NORTH AMEKICAX UIKDS.

TJiG male liinl is very ]mifiiaei()iis, and was observed to attack and drive
away an Anipiti-r fusms, the Hawk' reti'eatin<f as ra])idly as possible. WJieu
the nest is ajiproaehed, the male often rises hinh into the air and then sweefts
down almost to the head oi' the intruder, its swil't descent Ijeinjf accompa-
nied by a very jieciiliar shrill, screeching buzz, ol' an extraordinary degree
of loudness to lie ])roduced by so small a creature. The same sound ^Iv.
Iiidgway noticed when the l)ird was passing overhead, in a manner not ob-
served in any other sjiecies, its horizontal flight being by a ]ieculiar undu-
lating course. The shrill noise made Ijy the male of this .species he suggests
may be cau.sed by the curious attenuated and still'ened outer jirimary. He
noticed a curious piece of ingenuity in nest-making on the part of this .sjjecies.
The nest in ([uestiou was fastened npon a dead twig of a small cottonwood-
trce; the loo.sening bark, which probably had .separated after the nest was
finished, had allowed the nest to turn around so as to hang beneath the
branch, thus spilling the eggs \\\mi\ the ground. Tlie owners, however, built
anotlier nest upon the top of the branch, iastening its sides to that of the
old one, and making the new nest lighter and less bulky, so tiiat the weight
of the older nest kept the other iu a permanently upright position.

Gk.nls ATTHIS, Ukicuexbach.

Aithis, Hkich. Cnli. .Imir. I'. Oin. ixtralu'l't liir 1853, 1854. Appenili.v B. (Type, Onys-
inija lichiisd, Lics.siis, l)i;i,. )

Gi:n-. CiiAK. Size vory (liiniimtivc; bill short, .-scarcely loiicror than the head. Outer
primary atteiiuatc(l nearly us in Scla^phonis ; the tail frraduated, the ("cat hei-s, however,

not lanceolate-acute, but rounded at eip md tipped witli
white in the male.

Tills genus seems closely related to SclastjjJio-
nis, agreeing in character of throat, the curious
attenuation of outer iirimary, and the general
.shape of the tail, witii its rufous base and edg-
ing. The feathers, however, are not lanceolate
and pointed, either sharply as in »S'. ru/iis, or ob-
tusely as in philjicrnvs, but are more ecpial to near the end, where they round
oil'. The white tip of the tail in the male seems to be the principal reason
why ^fr. (ioidd removes the single s])ecies from Mn.y>/ioni.% where it was
previously placed by him, and \\-hcre perhaps it might luue not inappropri-
ately remained.

TROCHILIDiE — THK HUMMIN(i-BlKDS. 4(35

Atthis heloisa, Li;ss. & Dkl.

HEtOISA'S HUHMINO-BIBD.

Ornifsmya lic/inM, Lksson & Di;i,att:if., Hi'v. Zoijl. 1838, 15 (Xaliii>a). Md/imujd Ihlulmi,
tiiiAV & Mitch i;i,i., (!i'ii. liinls, I, 113. Tryphwiia hclumi, Ijonai'. (oiisp. Tmrli.
Kov. Mag. Zoiil. 1854, 257. Srhinplniriis lir/nimi; (IdUi.D, Jloii. 'rnuliil. Ill, ]il. cxli.
Atthis hflui.sm, Hkich. Cab. Jour. I'xtni'icl't, 1853, Aini. \i. — (ioii.n, liilnnl. Tiinliil,
1801, 89. — Elmut, llhist. liiiils X. Am. 1, xxi, xii, iilato. — C'niii'Ki!, (»ni. Cal. 1,
1870, 301.

Sp. CiiAU. Male. Above motallic f;rucii with golden ri'llcctioiis; liciicnili white; the .^ides
of breast {(lo.sseil with prreen; tlie (hiiik.-i witli rufous, which tincres thecrissuui very i'aiiulv ■
gorget brilliant violet or light [lurplish-red, bordered behind liy clear while. .\11 the tuil-
fcathers rufous-cinnamon for basal half ; the three outer black eenlrally ami li]i|)ed wiih
while (uii.xed with reddish ou the third); the fourlh green, eeiilrally li|i|ieil with lilack ;
the ccnti'al entirely green for the exposed portion, perhaps glossed with bhukish at lin'
end. Length, "2.70; wing, 1.35; tail, l.(H); exposed |)art of bill above. .15. FcindU-.
Outer primary not atlenuateil. Colors similar to male, wanting the metallic gorget : tin'
feathers spotted with dusky; eri.ssmn and flanks more rufous; innermost tail-feathers
entirely green; other feathers as in male, Ijut with the central black encroaching on the
basal rufous; third and fourth feathers tipped with reddish-white.

Hac. Southern New Mexico and Texas, to Uualeinala.

The introtliiction of tliis s])ooieR into tlio fiiiina oi' tlic riiitcd .Stutos is
based on a female .specimen collected l>y Mr. .T. II. Clnik at Kl I'aso, Texas,
and for a time supposed to be Si'lnfiphoriin rufu^i, bnt ai'tcf a caicl'iil cxainiiia-
tion by ^Fr. Lawrence, jiroiumnced to belong to this .spccie.s. its raiine is
southward alon^' the iiio;hlrtnd.s to (iuatemidii.

The species is very miicli like Sc/axjiliori's in shajit;, and liardly diUcrs
more than (S'. ritfii.<i and plafi/corxs do from eacli otiicr. 'I'iie nude is easily
distino'uished from its allies; the females are closely related to tliose of
riifioi, difjeriii},' in much shorter bill (..jo to .do), much less rufous on the
more nearly even tail, with broader featliers, etc.

Habits. This species claims a jdace within the faiiiiii of Nortli America,
prol)ably only as an accidental visitor, on the oround of a single siH'cimeii, —
a iemale, taken by Mr. J. H. Clark at Kl Past), Textis. It was at lirst mis-
taken for Stldsplionia mfux. It is a Mexican and Central American sjiccies,
ranginc; throughout the highlands at least as far to the s(aitli as (iiiateiiiala,
where it wtis taken by ^Fr. Salvin.

It was first discovered on the liighlands of Mexico by Mr. Dclaltrc, who
procured his s])ecimens between Jalapa and Quatepu. It is crei)uscidar in
its habits, collecting its food oidy in the morning or in tlie evening. Mr.
Delattre states tiiat tlie male bird is known to rise very early in the morn-
ing, cand is never seen in quest of I'ood later than nine in the forenoon. It
very seldom goes to anj' distance from its mate or yotnig, seeming to prefer
to frecpient tlie flowers in the edge of forests, but does not ilisdain (Imse of
the open fields. Mr. Snlvin received specimens of this species taken in a

vol.. u. .jU

I ('ill

N(»i!TlI AMKItlCAN BII!I)S.

pliU'c called Chiiiiaclioyo iiciii' Caldcras, in the Vnlcan de Fuego, and otlicv
speciiiu'iis taken in the tirrra ralinitc, near (Joban, showing that, like many
dtlier s])ecies, it is t'miiid in very diilerent eliniates.

CiMs HELIOP^DICA, (JdiiD.

Hc/iojiivi/ini, (ii.ii.i), Mdii. Timhilida', 11, liitioil. Tioi:iiil. 1861, 00. (Type, Trocldlus

Virliniilllls, SwAINSdN.)

Gen. Cii.u!. Hill Idiiyci- than head, depressed, broad at it.'* exposed base; the frontal
leathers not inlvancinfr forward beyond tiie beginniiijf of the nostrils, nor so far as those

of the ehin. Hind toe shorter than the lateral,
tarsi feathered ; outer primary not attenuated.
Tail nearly even, sliprhtly rounded and einarginate,
the feathers broad, the webs nearly even. Metallic
feathers of tiuoat not elongated. Female quite
similar in form.

Heliopaulica xatUusi

TIii.s genus is quite peculiar among those
of Nortli America in the exposure of tlie
base of bill, which is entirely bare between
the lengthened nostrils, instead of covered
by the frontal featliers. Tliis makes the
bill appear very broad, althongli it really
is more so than in the other genera. The i'eatliers on the chin extend con-
siderably beyond those of the forehead, instead of to about the same line.
The tail and its feathers are much broader than in the other genera.

The two Icnowu species of this genus may be distinguished by the follow-
ing characters : —

Common Cihractkrs. Above metallic green ; tail plain black or chestnut,
glossed with green, and without white in either sex. A conspicuous white post-
ocular stripe, iiiid a blaekisii auricular one beneath it; lieneath. with more or less
green. ^. Forehead, chin, and side of head deep black or metallic dark blue;
throat and jugulum lirilliant green. 9 . Front dull brownish-green ; chin, throat,
and jugidum whit(> or ochraceous, with or without a green glo.ss.

H. niptanotis." .]fii!e. Belly white, glossed with green ; tail black beneath ;

base ol bill, all round, brilliant blue; white cheek-.stripe beginning back of

llie eye. Female. Beneath white glos.sed with green; tail bluish-black.

Il'ih. Ouatennla and table-lan<ls of Mexico.

H. xantuBi. Male. Belly cinnamon; tail beneath purplish-cinnamon ; chin

lilack; white cheek-stripe beginning at the liill. Femnle. Beneath plain pale

rufous; tail deep rufous. Iliib. Cape St. Lucas.

» Jlelinpminu i:\i-l aunt is, (SwAiNs.^ f!iM-|.i>, .Monog. Troch. II, pi. Ixiv. Trochilus mclanotux,
.Sw.viNs, Phil. Mag. 1827, 4-tl. Trockilm letccotis, ViEiLL. Ornismyia arsenni. Less. HhIi.
Mi'xi(,'r) and Guatemala.

TliOCIllLID.'E — THE llLMMlNli-BUiUS.

•iG7

HeliopsBdica xantusi, L.vwkicnce:.

XANTTJS'S HTrKMING-BIBD.

Amazilia xantusi, LAWltUMi;, Ann. N. Y. Lyo. VII, Aiuil, IStiO, ino. HcJiopmlica
xanlim, G(jui.I), Mon. Troth. II, jil. I.w. — In. Introil. Tvoili. Ul. — Ei.i.KH', 111.
Birds N. Am. Xl, plate. — Cool'Eli, Oiii. I'al. I, 1870, 3(i5. IlcUopm/icri ciislinicnciuiln,
Lawuenll, Aim. N. Y. Lye. IStiO, 145 (lenmlc). — Klliot, Illii.st, Birds X. Am.
I, xxii.

Sp. Char. Afale. Above iiiotallic green ; the forehead, checks, and ehin velvety l)la(k
(the former with a deep bine srioss). A distinet white 8tiipe from bill, throuirli and
behind the eye. Throat and Ibrepart of breast In-illiant
inetallio green ; rest of under parts ciunainon-nifou.s;
all the tail-feathers purplish-rnfous, — the central
glos.sed with green above, near the edges, tlu; olhei's
obscurely edged with blackish along ends. 15111 red
at base, black nt end. Length, 3.. 'lO ; wing, 2.10; tail,
1.40; exposed portion of bill above, .05. Female.
Forehead and all under parts light cinnamon beneath,
without any green, or any du.sky specks on throat ;
white cheek-stripe appreciable, but tinged with rufou.s.
Tail as in male, but the central feathers entirely green
above, the other, except the outer, with a dusky greeni.sh or [)urplisli spot on each web
near the end. Whole upper mandible apparently dusky ; liase of lower, red.

Had. Cape St. Lucas.

This well-marked and intere.sting species we owe to Mr. Xaiitus, toj^ether
with many other liird.s oi' tlie west coast. It is sutticieutly (listinc;t to require
no comparison other than that given under tlie general lictid ; it can Vie sep-
arated from H. mc/anotis in all stages of plumage liy tlie riiiniis tail.

Specimens A'ary .sometimes in the intensity of tht! rufous shade, and, as
stated, it is probable that tlie forehead, instead of being black, in lull plu-
mage is deep blue, as in mflanotis.

Habit.s. This is a new and well-marked species, and altliough belonging
to the North American fauna cannot lie claimed for tlie United Stales, hav-
ing thus far been only taken at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. Xantus, and descrilKYl
bv Mr. Lawrence in 1860. Nothing is known as to its specific haliits.

Hrlioprpftirft .rnntitsi.

.4()S NOItTH AMEiaCAN lilHUrt,

Genus THAUMATIAS, Bon ap.

fiKN. Cm.m!. \'ciy siiniliii- in },'oiR'ral I'omi to Heliopwdiai, hut the tail emarf;inated,
instead ol' roundcci, tliu (('atlitTs narrower and less rounded at tliu ends. Tlie coloration
qniie diU'erent. Sexes alike, in all the species. Color nearly iinilbrni green, with the
lUKil ri'irion wiiite, the wiug.s and tail dusky. Many species with the whole lower parts,
cxci'iif laterally. pur(> white. One species ('/'. chiouuruii) with the tail white, except the
ends of the feathers aiul the intermedia.'.

The s|)('(i('s lire nil of nitlicr sniiill size and rather pl.ain appearance, from
the tmiforniity of their oreen, or green and white, coloring. They belong to
northern South America, and to Centi'al America north to Guatemala.

Th.; genus is inchuli'd in the North American fauna solely upon the
accidental occurrence of one species (T. linncvi) in Eastern Massachusetts.

Thaumatias linnsei, I'.oxap.

LINN.£TTS'S EMERALD.

TIuniiHfdiiis lliiiHvi, ISoxAf. I'l'v. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, 255. Thamnatias I. Oori.n,
Mimog. Troclnlid. pi. .' Tivclii/.iis Inkici, G.mkl. Syst. Nat. I, 498. ! Trochihis toba-
(fcii.ti.% \j.\ru. Ind. Orn. I, 31i). > Troehilus tobnijo, SllAw, Gen. Zoiil. viii, 350. Or-
7ii.-iin;/", ftfiili>isiinii, Li;ss. Hist. Xat. 257, pi. Ixxv. f L'Oi.icnu-mouche <i poitrine vcrle
(Truchilns mdciddliit), Am. ot Vll'.ii.i.. Oi.s. Dor. toin. I, 87, pi. xliv. ArgyrtrUt
■iiKiriildlii, M.VYNAi!!), Mirds K. Mass. Ks7(i, US (Cambridge, Mass. I).

Sp. Cir.Mt. Continuous jrreen, darker aliove, more lirilliant, and of an emerald tint on
thi' throat and jufrnlum : rrissum, anal region, and middle of the abdomen, white.
I'riiuariv's [ihiiu dusky. Tail bhu^kish, 'vith a liiint relh'ction of dark blue sul)terminally,
and ol' did! green basally, llie latei'al leathers obscurely tipped with dull dark ashy.
S.'xes alike'. Wing, about 2.01) : liill, .70.

IIaii. Northern lira/.il, Guiana, Tobago, ami Bogota (Gould) ? ? Accidental in the
('astern Tnited States (Caud)ridge, Mius-s., .Mavn'ard).

This race iiiucli rescniiiles the T. dfljirentris, CRF.K'iiKxn.) Bonai'. (Gould,
Moling. Troch., \'n\. V, p. ccci ), of Brazil, but is siiid to be smtiller and with
less white on tiuj iil)donien and the under tail-covorts tinged with gray.

IlAiiirs. The single specimen of this Ilnmming-Rird, referred to by both
]\Ii'. Miiyiiiinl and ^^r. Allen ' as having been taken in Massachusetts, is said
to liiive lieen sliot l)y Mr. William i)row,ster in the summer of LSfiS, in Cam-
bridge, near Mount Auburn. It was .secured by accident, and was presumed
to l)e, when taken, a female specimen of TrocJii/us colubris. It was sent to
Mr. Vickary, of i>yini, to be mounted, and the question has been raised if
by chance a South American bird may not have been substituted for the
originid. This, however, ^\r. Vickary is positive could not have happened.
Notliing distinctive was ol)served as to its habits. Tn view, however, of the
possibility of an error, the propriety of including it in our fauna is very
(juestionabh'.

' .\iii. Natiii.ilist, lsi)!t-7ll.

CUCULID.E — THE CUCKOOS. 459

The three families next in order are those generally known as the Zijgodac-
tyli, in their more restricted sense, that is, naving the toes arranged in pairs,
two before and two beiiind. In tiie present case the anterior toes are tlie
inner and the middle (the second and third), the posterior being the hinder
and outer (the first and fourth) ; where, as is sometimes the case, a liind toe is
wanting, it is the first, or tlie hind toe proper.

By tliis definition we exclude the Trofjonidw, the Bucconifkc, and the
Galhiulida; which liivcwise have the toes in pairs, but in which they are dif-
ferently condjined.

The North American families, the Cncidkhc, the Fidda; and the Psittncida,
are defined as follows : —

A. Upper mandiblu not movable nor hinged. Tai'.siis with transverse scntellnc.
Bill without a naked skin, or cere, at the ba.se; lower mandible mueh longer
than deep, the end not truncated.

a. Tongue short, and not extensible ; not barbed at the point.

Bill hooked or curved at tip ; not constructed for liammcring. No

nasal tufts Cuculidcc.

h. Tongue long and cylindrical, and generally capable of great extension ;
barbed at the point.

Bill not hooked, liut nearly straight; strong, and constructed for ham-
mering. Thick nasal tufts at base of the bill (except in the XiidiiiKres),

Pindce.

B. Upper numdiblo movable 01 hinged. Tarsus without transverse scntelkv;.
Bill with a naked skin, or cere, at the base ; lower mandible not longer than
deep, its end truncated.

c. Tongue short and thick, fleshy.

Bill enormously large, much curved, the upper mandible hooked, both
much arched Psiltacida:

470 NOIITII AMERICAN BIRDS.

Family CUCULIDJE. — The Cuckoos.

Char. Bill compressed, usually more or loss lengthened and with decurvod culmen.
RJL'tal bristles l\;w or none. Nouitrils exposed, no uasiil tuft;-. Tail long and soft, of
eif,'lit to twelve feathers. Toes in ])airs, deeply eleft or not united, the outer anterior toe
usually versatile, but directed rather laterally than backward.

The Ciirulida; form a strongly marked group of birds, easily distinguished
among the Zyfjodadyli by the characters given above. Tlie outer toe is
versatile, l)ut in the American form is more lateral than posterior in the
skin, standing sideways, or even anterior, more frequently than beliind.

Modern systeniatists divide the family into six or more subfamilies, of
wliioli two only are American, none of these having more than ten tail-
feathers. These may be characterized as follows : —

Coccyginae. Face covered with feathers; bill elongated, more or loss
cylindrical, straight or curved. Tail of ten feathers.

Bill about the length of the head, or not longer ; curved. Loral
feathers soft. Legs weak, tarsus shorter than the toes. Arboreal . Coccygus.
Bill longer than the head ; straight. Loral feathers stiff, bristly. Tarsi

much longer than the toes. Terrestrial Geococcyx.

Crotophaginae. Face naked. Bill much compressed, with a sharp crest.
Tail of eight feathers. Bill shorter than and nearly as high as the head.

Crotophaga.

SUBFA.MILY COCCYOINiE.

Gesus GEOCOCCYZ, Waoler.

Ocococci/.t; Waolkii, Isis, 1831, 524.

Leptostoma, Swaixsox, ( 'lii.ssifiuution Birds, II, 1837, 325.

Gen. CiiAU. Bill long and strong, slightly compressed, and at least a,^ long as the head ;
head crested ; loral feathers, and those at base of bill, stiffened and bristly. Nostrils
elongated, linear. A naked colored skin around and l)ehind the eye ; the eyelids ciliated.
Tarsi longer than the toes; very stout. Wings very short and concave; the tertials a.s
long as the i)rimaries. Tail longer than the head and body ; composed of ten narrow,
much graduated feathers.

This remarkable genus is represented in the United States by a single
species, known as the Paisano, Chaparral Cock, or sometimes Koad-Ifunner,
on account of its frequenting public highways. Its very long legs enable
it to run with great rapidity, faster even than a fleet horse. A second
species occurs in ^le.xico, the Gcocom/.r ajjiniti of TIartLiub. This is smaller,
and differently proportioned. In both the feathers above are bronzed brown

CL'CULID^E — THE CL'CKOOS. 47]^

ami green; nearly all with ojwKjue white o(l<,a's ; l)eneatli wliite, with Idack

Grocoeeyr mlifnminnus.

streaks on the sides of neck and breast ; the feathers with broad white tips ;
the principal difl'erences are as follows : —

O. californianuB. Bill above, about 2.00 ; gape nearly straight to near
tip; nostril behind miiklle of gape. Feathers of throat and upper part of
breast light brownish, with shaft-streaks of black. Hab. Southwestern
United States, from Cape St. Lueas and Southern California to Te.xas.
G. afflnis.' Bill above about l.GO ; gape gently curved throughout. Nostril
ojiposite middle of gape. Feathers of throat and breast fulvous-white,
without shaft-streaks, except on the sides, where they arc broad and abruptly
defined. Hah. Mexico, from A[azatlan to Xalapa.

This last species is common at Mazatlan, as well as elsewhere in Mexico,
and may yet be found in Arizona.

> Oeococci/x affini.i, Hartlauii, Rpv. ZoiJl. 1844, 215. — Box.vp. 97. — Sci,. P. Z. S. 1858,
305. — ScLATEU & Salvin, Ibis, 1859, 134. — Sciateu, Catal. 1862, 325. Ocococcy.c vclox.
Kakw. Boxap. 97.

472

XORTII AMERICAN BIRDS.

Geococcyx californianus, Raird.

FAISANO; ROAD-BTTNNEB ; CHAFABBAL COCK.

Saurothera ailiJ'unuaiKi, Lksson, Compli'in. liiitl'. VI, 1829, 420. — Botta, Ann. di". Muh.
1835, r21, 1)1. ((/ii|m St. I.uciis to .San Kriuicisco). (Jc.hcoccijj- curinjalii, Waolkh, Isis,
V, 1831, 524. Siiuriilhrra Imlht: (Ill.Al.svil.l.K), I.ksson, Tiiiitu dOrn. I, 1831, 145.
Jlii>loj)tcriiii I'lnlifiis {IacIiT.) IJciIK, Isis, 1831, 541 (no dcsi'iiption). (feocoecin- iiiaticun,
llAi..i..vrii, Kcv. Zoiil. 1844, 215. — MTai.i,, I'r. A. X. Sc. Ill, .Inly, 1847, 234.—
Bos. ("onsp. 1850, 97. — In. Consji. Zyj,'o(I. in Atrii. Itiil. 1.H54, 5. — lIi;r.i!MA.NS, J.
A. N. .Sc. I'll. 2il sciii's, II, 1853, 270. — XKWiiKKltS Zoiil. ( al. and Oirgon Kontc,
91, r. 1!. 1!. liiji. VI, 1857. SiiKra/hn-ii iiuinjinafd, Kmv, Isi.s, 1832, 991 ; tab. x.vvi
(li){. of Iicad anil foot). Lrp/asloiiKt hmijiciiudit, ISWAIN.sdN, Birds, II, 1837, 325. —
CiAMnKi,, I'r. A. X. S. I, 1843, 2(13. Gcococciij' mcx-icuiiim, (Iamuki,, .). A. X. Sc ''d
sciii's, I, 1849, 215 (not of Gm F.I.I. s). — C'Assix, III. I, 1855, 213, jil. xxxvi. — Sclatku,
fatal. 324, 18(12. — Hkkkm. X, .S', 59 (nest). Gciicocajx culi/nriiidiius, Baikd, Birds
X. Am. 1858. 73. — t'oul'Kli, Orn. Ciil. I, 1870, 3(58.

Sp. Char. Tail very Idmi,'; llii- lateral fcatliLMs iiiiu'li shorte-st. An erectile cre.st on
the head. A hari- .skin around and lichind the eye. Li'ga very ioiijr ami stout.

All the leathers of the upin'r parts uud \viuii;.s of u dull metallic olivaceous-green,
broadly edged with white near the end. There i.s, however, a tinge of black in the green
along the line of white, which itself i.s .sull'used with brown. On the neck the black pre-
ponderates. The sides and inider sin-fac(! of the neck have the white feathers streaked

Otototryx eali/orniania.

centrally with black, next to which is a brownish sufTnsion. Tlie remaining under parts
are whiti.sh, immaculate. Pritnary quills tipped with white, .ind with a median band
across the outer web.s. Central tail-feathers olive-brown ; the others clear dark green,
all eilged, and (except the central two) broadly tipped with white. Top of the head
dark blacki.sh-blue. Length, 20 to 23 inches; wing, about G.oO ; tail, 12 to 13. Size
gcMierally very variable.

TIab. Middle Texas, New Mexico, and California to Contr.al Mexico. Seen as far
north as Fort Reading, California, and Fort ('hadbour-.ic, Texas. Localities : Southeast
Texas (Dresser, Ibis, ISOo, 40G, resident; ; W. Arizona (CotTES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 57) ;
Cape St. Lue.^s (Xantt's) ; Kioway .Vgency (Dr. Palmer).

crcriJD.K — TiiK crcKoos.

47;!

Tlit'iv iirc scciuiiijily iiu dilloruiici's dl' pluiiiiij^e iU'IilmkUh^ mi sex, n<^v, or
season.

Ill calling tliis speck's (I'tunirri/.f ni/ifuriilmiiis we ild not Iccl fiiliicly sure
that \vu have sek'cteil the earliest name. Ilaillauli and utiier authnis mve
liSU'J as the date uf L.'.s.sun's \'(j1. \'1, oI' cdiiiiilenient to I'.iitloii ;\'I,4l.'0).
A coi)y of this volume in the Library of ('on;.,'ress iiears datr of IS.'!! ii|")ii
the titlfepa,ue. It is, however, (pioled at the ilate of ISl",) liy iMiucimanii,
so that the copy reh'iTed to al)ove may possiiily he a .second eilitioii, or \\itli
a new ])ost-dated tith'pai^e. In this uiicertaiiity, however, we prefer to
retain the name of fdli/drinnnnx.

liotta, ill his description of tlio bird (the orij^iiial of Lesson's species),
speal i of it as occurring from Cajjc St. Lucas to San Francisco. S|)ecimciis
from Cape St, Lucas, Inouglit by Mr. Xantus, are .smaller tliaii tho.se of
I'ljjier California, but olherwi.se apparently identical.

Habits. This very remurkable l)ird, variously iianied, in Mexico, Texas,
and California, tiie I'ai.sano, the lioad-Kuniier, tlie Ciuijiarral Cock, the (imuud
Cuckoo, the Prairie Cock, and the Corre-camino, is one of tiie most curious
and interesting of the recent achlitioiis to our ornithological lists. It is found
throughout Northern Alexico, Texas as lar norlli as Fort CiiaiUiournc, and in
California a.s i'ar as Fort Heading. It is also abundant in iiortioiis of Arizona
and Now M \xico, and is Hupi)o.scd to be resident in all tlic.sc disti'icts. It
is described as very remarkable ku" great swiftness of i'ool, in wliicli it
appears to be e(iualled by no other North American bird. In Mexico, and
in some parts of the Tiiited States, it is not unusual to hunt tiie.-e birds,
as a matter of amusement, on horseliack, and to ])ursue tlieiu witli liounds,
— a test of their lleetne.ss in which they are said to often make a huiger race
than their ]airsuers anticijiated.

This bird habitually freiiueuts the ground. When walking or running, its
long tail is borne in an erect ])osition, and often assumes a variety of grotcsipie
positions. While thus more or less terrestrial in its hal>its,niid .sharing with
gallinaceous birds many of their peculiarities, it has no other alhiiities with
them, but ranks in a very dilferent ornithological division, being classed with
the Cuckoos.

This bird was first brought to the attention of American naturalists by
Dr. William (Jambel, wlio published a descri])tioii of it in 1840. Two years
afterwards Cohuiel ^fcCall published the first satisfactory account that has
been given of its habits and niauners of life. He states tliat tliougli this
bird is zygodactyle, with toes di.sposed in opposite pairs, yet that the reversi-
bility of the outer toe favors its use for climl)iiig or perching, as well as i'or
movements on the gnaiiid.

The food of tlie (Jrouiid Cuckoo consi.sts of coleopterous and almost every
other descriiition of insects, iind wliere snails aliound they also are gre(?dily
eaten. These are usually taker, either from the ground or a branch, and car-
ried to a particular spot, where the .shell is broken and its contents eaten.

VOL. u. 00

474 XORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

riles ol' tliese shells are ultcii fduud thus collected in places frequented by
liu'i*-. They are also said to he ready iind expert in eateliinj^ their prey in
tlie air, sometimes springing \\[> to the height of eight or ten feet In these
jierforinances the wings and tail are expaiii': ' for hut a moment, the Itill is
heard to snap as the insect is seized, and the bird drops again suddenly to
the ground.

Colonel ^IcCall adds that the general impression that its powers of flight
are very limited is not correct. When suddenly alarmed in open ground, it
rises with a light (piick motion, and tiies some hundreds of yards contiim-
ously with an ease that attests its ability to maintain even a longer Hight.
He hiis often seen it climb to the top of a straight leafless branch, and there
sit, apparently to enjoy the first rays of the morning sun.

Tiiey aie shy and retiring in disposition, wary, vigilant, and cautious, so
that it is generally dillicult to approacii them on the open ground. When
suddenly surprised and driven to fly a considerable distance for cover, though
they t!y witii e\ident ease, they rarely rise higher than six or eight feet from
the ground. In evidence of its wonderful swiftness of loot, (,'olonel McCall
states that when on one occasion, a])proaching Limpia Creek, in Texas, with
a small ]>arty, he discov(;red a Chaparral Cock in the open road, about a
hundred yards in advance, for his amusement he ]tut spurs to his horse, and
dashed after tiie bird with one of the men. It was thus jiursued for full four
hundriid yards along a smooth and level road, over which with sti'aightened
neck and slightly ex])anded wings it swiftly glided without seeming to
touch tlie ground. When at last it sought shelter in the thicket, they had
not gained upon it more than fifty yards.

Cajitain ]\IcCown kejjt a young half-grown bird in confinement, but it re-
fus('(l to eat, and soon died ; others, however, have been more fortunate, and
ha succeedeil in taming them.

J)r. lleermann states that the stomachs of all the.se birds examined by
him were filled willi the grasshoppers and the large Idack beetles found on
the plains. A nest of this bird was found by him, built on the brandies
of the cactus, and constructed of loose sticks put negligently together in
a manner sinular to the nests of the Yellow-billed Cuckoos. It contained
two largt! white and nearly spherical egg,s.

Dr. (iamliel states that these birds devour reptiles as well as other insects,
which is also confirmed by the ob.servations of ^fr. Arthur Schott.

Lieutenant Couch mentions that this bird, called I'ai.sano by the Mexicans,
is als(j held in high estimation by them on account of its enmity to the rat-
tle-snake, which it usually succeeds in killing in fair combat. Though by
no nu'iuis deficient in courage, it is represented as remarkably (jniet and
harmless in its habits. The only note he heard from it was a weak scream,
which is seldom uttered. It is unsocial, is never seen in flocks, and rarely
wanders from its restricted locality.

In regai'd to tlieir note, Dr. Cooper mentions hearing one at Fort ]\Iohave

orcrLinvE-TiiE cuckoos. 41^5

making a low cnoinj,' noise like tliat of a dove, for which it was at first mis-
taken. He afterwanls lieard it eooing harsiily and ciiatterin.u its mandibles
toyetlier, at the same time jerking up its tail and erecting its crest.

Wliere not molested, Dr. Cooper states that they hecome (juile tame, and
seem to iiave a preference for towns and houses. At Santa Uarliara he
observed one young Itird nearly Hedged as early as ^lay.

Mr. A. J. (h-ayson had one of these birds in conlinement, wliich became
quite tame, and readily fed upon any kind of raw meat, lait jirelerred lizards
and small birds, tlie hitter of which it swallowed, featlicrs and all. If given
to him alive, he would play with tliem awhile l)efore swallowing them, as a cat
does witli a mouse. They are sometimes tamed, and kei)t about gardens to kill
mice and insects. Di'. Kennerly also states that when taken alive they soon
become quite tame, and willingly remain aliout a house, soon destroying all
the mice in the vicinity, which tliey catch with as nnuh dexterity as a cat.

Air. Dresser found this bird abundant t'-vougjiout the mescjuite regions, and
more particularly so near the Ilio Grande. Ho found its eggs near San An-
tonio in April and .May, and received them e en as late as the 2:'.d of Sejitem-
ber. They build a clumsy nest of mesquite twig.s, ])laced at .some heiglit
on a bougii or in a hollow tree, and lay from two to four ]iure wliite eggs.
The stomachs examined by Mr. Dresser were found to contain small snakes,
lizards, and ticks. He had one in a .semi-domesticated state at Matamoras,
which became very tame, and was so nuschievous that lie could not let it
remain in the house. It would steal and hide everything that it conlil cany
off, and was particularly fond of tearing up letters and u]isetting tlie inkstand.
It was never caged or tied up, and would frequently ]iay thi' neighbors a
visit, always returning Ijefore evening. He fed it on raw meat and lizards. It
flew witii great ease, and was very fond of perching on the house-top. Tiiis
bird had a singular antipathy to a tame ])arrot, and wlienever the latter was
let out of the cage, it would get into a rage, and either go to tlie house toji
or decani J) to some of the neighbors.

The eggs are white, of a rounded oval, equal at either end, and measure
l.GO by 1.22 inches.

Gkxus COCCYGUS, Vieillot.

Co(r!i::ii.i, Vikii.i.ot, Analyse, 1810. (Tvpc, <'iirii/ii.< iimerieaiius, LiNN.)
Enjthrophrm, Swainsox, Class. Birds, 11, 18:!7, «2-2.

Gex. Cii.\i(. Head witlioiU crest : fcatlior.'! about base (if bill .«(ifr : bill nearly as loiiir
n.s tho head, dcM'iavcd, slondi-r, and attcumatod towards the end. Xdstrils linear. Wings
lengthened, reaeliinpr the middle of the tail; the tertials short. Tail of ten graduated
feathers. Feet weak ; tarsi shorter than the middle toe.

The species of Cocci/(/ii>i are readily distinguished from those of Geococcyx
by their arlioreal habits, confining themselves mainly to trees, instead of
living habitually on the ground. The plumage is soft, fine, and compact.

470

XdltTlI AMERICAN BIRD^;.

TIio AiiKM-icim Cucknos (lifU'r fniin tlio Eiiro))ean (Cnniliis) Ly having
leiigtlieiH'il iiiiked tiirsi, instead of very short leathered ones. The nostrils,
too, are elongated instead of rounded. Tiie liahils of the two are entirely

Coccys^is ar.iericanus,

different, the Arnerican species rearing- their own young, instead of laying
the eggs in the nests f»f other birds, like the European Cuckoo and the
Anicrieau Cowliird (MD/ofJinm pccorifi).

The f(jllowiiig synojisis will serve to distinguish the North American spe-
cies of C'occ>/i/>i.<i, with tiieir more nearly related southern allies, all of them
heing of a light greenish color above, tinged with ashy towards the head : —

Species and Varieties.

A. Tiiil-rciitliors oxnopt two iniiliik' ones Ijlaok, with broad, sharply defined

terminal spaces of while.

a. Lower maiiililile yellow.

C. americanwB. lieiieath pure wliitp, witli an asliv .shade arross the
JM;/iilinii. Inner welis of ])riniaries mostly rnPons. Anrieular.s nearly
ooneolor with the na]ie. Jicntrth, 1'2.(H1 : winjr, 5.4"); tail, 5.04: oul-
nien, 1.0(1 ; tarsus. .00. ffah. United Staters (very rare in the West-
ern Province), .lamaiea. I'urto Rieo,

2. C. minor. Beneath oeliraeeous, i;'eiierally ;ialer anterioi'lv. Inner
welis dl' pi-imaries wilhont any rul'oiis. .Vnrienlars hlaekish, eon-
.<!pi(ni()nsly ilill'erent liom the nape. Lent;lh. 12.00; winir, 5..'i0 ; tail,
7.50: irradualiou of tail, 2.75. Tail-spots almut 1.00 lonjr. JM>.
West Indies, and Xorthern and Eastern Sonth Anu'riea, Southern
Floriila.
6. Lower mandilile lilaekish like the npper (pale hlne in life).

.'!. C. melanocoryphiis.' Colors similar to those of ('. minn); hnt
npper parls inoic lii'own. Wino-. 4.50; tail. 5.85; frraihiation oi' the
tail, 2.00. Tail-spots ,ibont .50 lonsr. II(il>- Sonth America (Bnenos
Ayres, Peru. I,a Plata. C.iyi'nne. etc.).

' Corq/ifiis iiiifiiii'Horii/iliii.':, ViKli.i.or, Nouv. Di.'t. VIII, 271. — Sci,.vrr,u, Catal. 1802, 323.
— hi. P. Z. .'^. l.^^iit, 122.

CUCULIDJi; — THE C'rCKO.)S.

477

B. Tail-
white.
c. T.

fe.atliers all frra} isli-lirnwn, with narrow icnniiiiil. (ihsciiro spots of

owcr iiiandiMc lila.'kish liUo tin' u|i|iit (pali' liliic in lil'c?).
C. erythrophthalmua. No rulnns ><n piiniaiirs. cxcqit in yonng (which
have blai/k hill, lin.wn tail-riNitlicrs, etc.). lieiKuith continuous white,
with a (aint ashy -1 mil" shailo a(•l•o^;s tho jiiiruhnn ; above grayish-brown.
Laro eyelids briudit red in the adult. Length, 11.30; wing, 0.12; tail,
C.2-1 ; tarsus, .90 ; cuhnen, 1.00. JJab. Eastern Provineu of the United
States, south through eastern Middle America to Hogota.

Coccygus americanus, Bonap.

TELIOW-BILLED CTTCKOO.

Cuadus amcricanm, Linn. .Syst. ^^at. \, 17G6, 170, 10. Coceyzus americanus, Hon. Obs.
Wilson, 1825, Xo. 47. — In. r(mspo<tu.s, 1850, IV. — Aun. Oni. Biog. I, 18:32, 18,
V; 520, pi. ii. -In. IHrdsAni. IV, 1842, 2!t3, pi. o.lxxv. - H.miid," Hirds N.Ani!
1858, 70. — Scr.. Cat. 1802, 322. — Cdoi'kI!, I'r. CaV. Ac. 1808 (.Sacramento, Cal.) —
Sa-MUELs, 83. — Cool'Kl!, Orn. Cal. I, 1870, 371. i;n/throj)hn/s a, ne nam, is, .S\v. Mirds
II, 1837. —Bon. List, 1838. Ciircus mncriainus, Bon. List, Eur. Birds, 1842.
?Cuculiis dominiccnsis, Linn. .Syst. Nat. I, 1700, 170, 13. UJucIhs ,hm,i,ii,-us,
LATIIA.M, Syst. I, 1700, 221 (considered distinct by BoNArAirri;). Oi,cq/,fiis dtminiciis,
Baihd, pi. C'uculiis aii-oliiicisis (I5i:iss(jn), Wilson, Am. Orn. IV, 1811, 13, pi.
xxviii. Cuadus cimrosiis, Tkmminck, Man. IV, 1835, 277. (Mvi/zhs /ii/i-r/oip/rnis,
ViElM,. Diet. Cocciiijus Ixtirdi, Sci.atei:, 1'. Z. S. March, 1804, 120 (.famaica ; no
rufous externally on wing), i tWq/ftus julicni, Lawh. Ann. X. V. Lye. VIII, June,
1864, 42, 99 (Sombrero Island ; no rufous on wing).

and

Sp. Char. Upper mandible and tip of lower, black; rest of lower nunu
cutting edges of the iii)per, yellow.
Upper parts of a mc^tallio greenish-
olive, slightly tinged with ash towards
the bill; beneath white. Tail-feathers
(except the median, which are like
the hack) black, ti|)ped Avith white
for about an inch on the outer feathers,
the external one with the outer edge
idniost, enlii-ely white. Quills oran.ge-
cinnanion : the tei'ininal portion and
a gloss on th(! outer webs olive; iris
brown. Length, 12.1)0; wing, 5.95;
tail, ().;55.

IIap. Eastern T'niti^l States to the
Missouri jilains. California and Xe-
vada(RiiK!\VAY) ; Ma/atlaii ; Jamaica;
Torto Rico. Localities: ? Sta. Cruii (Xkwton, This, I, 149, eggs!); Cuba (OAn. .T. IV,
1.54; Cn-NDi,. Rep. I, 180(5, 295): .laniai.'a (dossK, B. Jam. 279?) Costa Rica (Cab.
J. 1802, 107) ; Lower Rio Grande (Duks.skk, Ibis, 1805, 400, breeds).

Tlicro is coiisidcmblc variati(>n in tlie ■sinniuit of nifoii.s in the (niills ;
.sonietinios tlii.s .slniw.s very distinctly oxtornally, soniotiinos it i.s ontirdy
replaced by the liron/ed olive of the hack. A greater anionnt of the riifoii.ti

Coccysius nvirnrnnus

478 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

soenis to characterize the more southern and Jamaica specimens, which also
are smaller; northern specimens, however, show similar variations. In the
immature l)irds the umler surface of the tail-feathers is gray, not black, so
tliat the contrast with tlie white tips is very indistinct, as in eri/tlirop/ilhal-
mioi, in which, however, these light tips are nnuili nai'rower, while the bill is
entirely black.

Specimens of this l)ird from re.i,'ions west of the Missouri, and especially
one from Cantonment Burjfwyn, Xew Mexico, are appreciably larger than
eastern, with decidedly longer bill. One brougiit from Mazatlan by Mr.
Xaiitus is uudistii'.guishable from the long-billed western variety.

H.viiiTS. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is distributed throughout North
America from Canada to Florida, and from the Atlantic coast to Cali-
fornia. It has been met with in all the principal West India Lslands.
I have r(!cei\ed specimens of its eggs and nest from Southwestern Te.xas.
Audul) jn mentions finding this bird liigh u]) on the Missi.ssippi Itiver, on
the iii)per branches of the Arkansas, and in Tpper Canada, as well as in
every State I)etween these limits. Mr. Newton found it breeding in tlje isl-
and of St. Croi.x, ]Mr. Gosse mentions it as a bird of Jamaica, and Lend)eye
gives it among those of Cul)a, and Mr. Salvin found it in Central America.
It is known to breed from tlie Wi'st Indies and Florida to Minnesota, and
from New IJrunswick to Texas. It does not appear to have been met with
in any of tlie government expeditions, except by Dr. Woodliouse, who sjjeaks
of it as very common in the Indian Territory, Texas, and New ^lexico.

This species was seen on one occasion, and liei-rd at otiier times, near Sac-
ramento City, Cal., by Mr. Kidgway, in June, 18G7. It was there rare, or at
least not conunon, and found principally in the willow-tiiickets. It was
again met with in July, of the same year, along the Truckee Iiiver, in Ne-
vada, where, also, it appeared to be very rare.

Wilson traced it as far north as Lake Ontario, and speaks of finding it
numerous in the Ciiickasaw and Ciioctaw nations, and as breeding in the
upper part of (Jeorgia. He seems to have oliserved very carefully its haluts,
and to have enjoyeil favorable oi)portunities for his observations. Ilis ac-
count of their nesting is interesting. He states that, in marked contrast to
the singularly unparental conduct of their European relatives, tlie Americau
Cuckoos build tlieir own nest, hatch their own eggs, and rear their own
young, and that in conjugal and parental affection they seem to be surjiasscd
by no other birds. He adds that they begin to pair early in May, and com-
mence building about the 10th of that month. 'He descril)es their nest as
usually fixed among the horizontal branches of an a])])le-tree ; sometimes in
a solitary thorn, crab, or cedar, in some retired pari of the woods. It is con-
structed with little art, and scarcely any concavity, of small .sticks and
twigs, intermixed with green weeds and blossoms of the nuiple. On this
almost fiat bed the eggs, usually tliree or four in number, are placed ; these
are of a uniform greenish-blue color, and of a size proportionate to that of

CrCULID.E — THE CUCKOOS. 479

the bird. '\V liile the female is sitiiiijx, the male is usually not far distant, and
yives tiie alarm liy his nutes when any persim is aiipmaching. The female
sits so chise that you may almost reach her witii your liand, and tiien precipi-
tates herself to the ground, feigning lameness to draw you away from the spot,
fluttering, trailing her wings, and tnndjling over in tin. manner of the "Wood-
cock and other birds. Ijoth parents uniie in provi'ung food for the young.
This consists cliietiy of caterpillars, particularly such as infest apph'-trees.

Mr. Auilubon speaks of this species as not abumhuit anywhere, tlierein
differing frou. ''•.'^'ilsou's statements, but more in accordance with my own ol)-
servations. They arc, as a species, pretty genei'ally distriliuted, liut at the
same tinu? their numbers are materially affected by the chai-icter of the
localay, as they are chiefly to lie met with on low groumls and in damp
places. Mr. Audubon also describes their nest as sinqjle and fiat, composed
of .1 i'ew dry sticks and grass, formed much like that of tlie Carolina Dove,
an(l like it fastened to a horizontal branch, often within reach. He sub.se-
quently states that when, in Charleston, S. C, in the early part of June, 1837,
he was invited by Mv. IJhett to visit his grounds in the vicinity fif tliat city,
for the purpose of viewing a nest of tliis bird. The following is his account
of it : " A nest, which was placed near the centre of a tree of moderate size,
was reached by a son of the gentleman on whose grounds we were. One of
the old Ijirds, which was sitting upon it, left its situation only when within
a few inches of the climber's hand, and silently glitied off to another tree
close l)y. Two young Cuckoos, nearly al)le to Hy, scrambled ofl' from their
tenement among the branches of tiie tree, and were caught. The nest was
taken, and carefully handeil t(j me. It still contained three young Cuckoos,
all of different sizes, the smallest ajiparently just iiatched, the ne.xt in size
probably several days old, while the largest, covered with pin-feathers, would
have been able to leave the nest in about a week. There were also in the
nest two eggs, one containing a chick, the other fresh or lately laid. The
two young birds which escaped from the nest clung no firndy to the branches
by their feet, that our attemjjts to dislodge them were of no avail, and we
were obliged to reach them with the hand. On looking at all these birds,
our surjirise was great, as no two of them were of the same size, wliich
clearly showed tiiat they had been hatched at different periods, and 1 should
suppose the largest to have been fully three weeks older than any of the
rest. Mr. IMiett assured us that he had oljserved the same in another nest,
placed in a tree witliiii a few paces of his house. He stated tluit eleven
young Cuckoos had been successively hatched and reared in it by the same
pair of old 1)irds in one season, and that young birds and eggs were to be
seen in it at the same time for many weeks in succession."

]\Ir. Xuttall .states that the nest of this bird is usually forsaken by the owner
if the eggs are handled before the commencement of incubation. They aie
very tenacious and affectionate towards their young, and sit so close as al-
most to allow of being taken off by the hand. Tliey then fre(|uently precipi-

480 XOIITII AMERICAN BIRDS.

tate tliem.selvos to tlio <j;roiiii(l, IhitU'riiiLT. tninliliii.u, and roij^niiis lameness, in
tlie manner of many utliur alleutionate and artful l«i'd«, to draw the intruder
away from tlie vicinity of the l)i'ood. ^Vt sueli times, tiie motiier also utters
the most uncouth j^uttural sounds as she runs along the jjround. While tlie
female is nn^^aged in sittiiij; on her ciiarL,'e, the mule takes liis station at no
great distance, and gives alarm by liis notes, on the api)roach of an intruder.
When the young are hatched, both unite in the lalwrof providing them with
food. He suhse(iui iitly .states that these birds hatcli several broods in a
season, which lie infei'red from the fact of his meeting with a nest contain-
ing eggs as late as the I'Hth of August. He .also speaks of finchng in one
instance an egg of the Cuckoo laid in tiie nest of a Catbird, and in another
instance (June lo) an egg in the nest of a I\obin. Such instances must,
however, be very rare. No other writer menti(ms any similar instance, and
none have ever fallen under my ob.servations.

Mr. (Josse, in his Birds of Jamaica, describes the Yellow-bill as among
the liirds of tliat island, speaks of it as among the regular visitants in spring,
but niiikes no mention of its breeding there.

'Mr. Edward Xewton, in his paper on the liirds of St. Croix (Il)is, 1859,
p. 14'.)), gives an interesting account of its breeding in that locality. He adds
his testimony to the general credit given to this species for the conjugal
affection they evince. On one occasion, he says, a male having been sliot,
and shrieking as it fell, the female instantly flew to the spot, and fluttered
along tiie ground in the manner that an old hen Partridge or other bird would
do, to lead astray the pursuer of her young. On June 2, ISoS, he shot a
female of this sjiecies, having an egg in lier ovary nearly ready for exclusion ;
it was (piite soft, but had its proper color. On the 29th of the same month,
while riding, he saw the white terminal spots of a Cuckoo's tail jtrojecting
from a small nest on a manchineel that overliung the path. It was built
in a very o])en situation, and the liird, as he rode underneath, was not more
than a yard above his head. She sat with nearly all her neck and breast out-
side the nest, which was only just large enough to contain the eggs. She did not
fly off until after he had tied up tlie pony hard by, and had almost touched her
with his whip. There were three eggs, loi<l side by side in a row, «/()«(/ which
the bird had been sitting. The nest was at some distance from the stem of
the tree, and placed loosely on the bough. It was a mere platform of small
sticks laid one across another, with a few finer twigs and a little grass as a
lining ; so .slightly was it put togetlier, that, on attempting to take it from the
tree, it fell to pieces.

No M'riter Itesides Mr. Audul)on makes any mention of, or appears to have
been aware of, the peculiar hal)its of these birds in hatching out their succes-
sive depositions of eggs, one liy one. In this resper^t they are eccentrics, and
do not always exhibit this trait. Wiiili! I have rejientedly oliserved facts
exactly corresponding witli those noticed by Mr. Audubon in the garden of
Mr. lihett, at other times I have found in tiie opening of the .season three or

riTi-Liuji — THE cicivoos. 4j;jj

four o<,'o;s laid before inoul)ation coinmeiired, uud nil liiilelicd before otliers
were deposited. Tlieii tlie iiureiits seemed to d^'pend, in no small degree,
upon the warmth of the bodies of the older ollsiirini^' to compensate to tlic
younger for their own negleet, as w-H us lo- ilie ex])(is(dand nisiidieient
warmth of the nest. I liave rei)eutedl.v found in a nest tinee young and
two egg.s, one of the hitter nearly fresh, one with the endiryo half devejoped,
while of the young birds one would be ,j\i.st out of the shell, one lialf Hedged,
and one just ready to lly. My attention was first called to these peeuliaii-
ties of hatching as early as LS;U, Ijy finding, in Cambridge, in a nest with
three young bird.s, an egg which, instead of proving to lie addled, as I antici-
pated, was perfectly fresh, and evidently just laid. Subse(juent observations
in successive seasons led to the conviction that both this species and the
Black-billed Cuckoo share in these peculiarities, and tliat it is a general, but
not a universal practice. These facts were communicated to :\Ir. Audubon,
but not before his attention had been called to the .same thing.

In referring to these peculiarities of the American Cuckoo, Mr. Audulion
finds in them a cloisely connecting link with the Kuro]ieaii liird, and :\rr.
Darwin, carrying still farther the same idiia, finds in tliem also data for re-
garding our birds as only one remove from the vagaries of the European
Cuckoo. At the first glance there may seem to be .some ]ilausibility in these
deductions. The mere ajtology for a nest of our Cuckoos and their alterna-
tions of laying and hatching may, to some extent, bo reganled as but one
remove from the total neglect of the European to build any nest, making,
instead, successive depositions in the nests of other birds, liut there are
other peculiarities of our Cuckoos to bo taken into consideration, t(jtally
variant from the polygamous, uncoujugal, and unjiarental lairojiean. Their
devotion to their mates and to their oifsju-ing, in which both sexes vie; with
each other ; their extended breeding-season, varying from one to nearly four
months, — all these characteristics separate them by a long interval from
their namesakes of the Old World.

If the nests of the Cuckoos are incomplete and insidficient, so are also
those of the most exemplary of ])arents, the whole tribe of Pigeons, and,
like the latter, our Cuckoos more than atone for such deficiencies by the de-
voted fidelity with which they adhere to their po.st of duty even in the i'ace
of imminent dangers ; while, after the first offspring of the season have been
hatched, the warmth of their bodies becomes an additional protection from
the exposure of the bare jilatform on which they are deposited.

The eggs of this species are of an oblong-oval shape, eipially obtuse
at either end, and measure 1.30 inches in length by 1.00 in breadth.
They vary considerably in size, their minimum breadth being .90 of an
inch, and the length 1.20 inches. Their color is a uniform light bluish-
green, extremely fujdtive, and fading e\en in the closed drawer of a
cabinet.

vor,. ir. Qi

482 NORTH AMKRICAN BIRDS.

Coccygus minor, C'ahanis.

MANOBOVE CUCKOO,

f t'liculiis minor, Omki.in, Sys' X t. I, 1788, 411. iCoccyzm minor, Caiianis, C'al).
Joiinml liii- Oin. Ibi'iil, lni (Ciiha). — Uaiiid, Uinls N. Am. IS.'iS, 7S. — Ciuiiliis
scnicii/iiK, I.ATii. Inil. I, ITitii, •Jl!t. Cocci/^K.inrniriiiii.i, Ni"nAi.i., Man. I, 18a-2, flns.
— Ai-i). Oiii. liidf,'. II, 18154, ;i!Mi, pi. il-ix. — 111. Hinls AiiKMiuii, IV, 1842, 30;}, pi.
celxxvii. -dos.si:, IJiiils .limiaiea, 281. — ISos. Coiispc'ctus, 1850, III. En/throp/tri/s
scnictilKs, liiiN. List, 1838. (heci/r/ufi domiaicus, Sci,. ("at. 180'_>, 32.'!.

Sp. riiAu. T.nwor inan(lilil(! yellow, c.xcfpt at the ti]). Hody aliovc olivaecnns, stronji;ly
tinged with asliy towards ami mi the head. IJeiieath pale yellowisli-lirown, darkest on
the legs and abdoineii, lieeoining liglitcr to the liill. An t'longatod spot of dark iihiinl)uoii.s
behind the eye. Tiinei- edges of the quills and niider wing-ooverts like the belly. Tail-
feathers, exeept the eentral, blai'k, with a sharply <leliiie(l lip of white for about an iii(;h,
this color not extending along the outer web of tlu; ipiill. Length about 12.K0 ; wing
about .").'jr).

Hah. Florida Keys to West Indie.s. Localities :? Sta. Crii/. (XnwTo.v, Ibis, I, l.OO) ;
Cuba (Cah. .r. IV, 154; GfNni,. Repert. I, 1806, 295); Jamaica (Oo.ssk, B. Jam. 281).

This species is readily (listinoni.slialjle by its fulvous under parts, dai'k ear-
coverts, and lack oi' ruluus on inner \ve1)H of (piills. It lias the yellow Iiill
and dark tail, with broad white tips, of 0. ameviminia, althouoh the white
does not extend along the outer web of the featiiers.

According to ^Ir. Audubon, this s]iecies is a regular summer visitor to
Key West and the other Florida keys.

This species is more es])ecially West Indian, occurring in nearly all the
islands. There are some local vtiriations in color (I'orto-Rican being much
redder, liahiunan paler), iis well as in size, liut in a large series from the same
island there will be found such differences as to warrant us in considering
all as one species. In a very large series before us, we cannot see any
tangible ditference, although Cabanis and Sclater recognize a C. nmotcji from
the Antillean West Indies, as distinguished from C. urnicHliin from South
American and the windward West Indies ; the former, smaller and paler,
iind, according to Cabanis, with the white of tip of tail confined to the imier
web ; the latter darker beneath, and larger. These characters I do not find
snbstantiated, nor have I seen one specimen without white in both webs at
the ends of the tail-feathers.

As the name of (.'. minor is the earliest one for at least the South Ameri-
can race, we retain it in jireference to scaiculiis, as although scarcely minor
in this genus, it is so compared with Piaj/a, Geococrt/.r, and Sdurothcni.

Habits. This species claims a place in the fauna of North America as a
resident of the Floridti keys. This is the only locality positively known as
its habitat within the limits of the territory of the United States. The
only sjiecimen referred to in tlu; ninth volume of the Pacific Railroad Sur-
vtivs was supjiosed to li.ave been olifained in Florida. Mr. Nuttall, who

('i('ii,ii).K-Tiii'; CUCKOOS. 4^3

was tlio first tn iii(lii(l(. tl,,' Maiij^Movu Cnckno iimoii,!,^ Nnrtli AiiKiriciiu birds,
s])oaks of it as an iiil.al.itant t^iiiotly of (,'ayonuo, uiul as owasi(.iuilly visit-
m>4 tl.n oxtreme Soutlierii States. :Mr. Audubon, who was tiie first to incct
witli flic species witliin the limits of tiio United States, only obtained sjieei-
niens ): it iu T'lorichi, near Ki-y West. I have seen a sixjcinieii which was
given to Mr. John C. IJell as havinj.' been jn'ocnred in Souliieni Mi.ssissippi.
Mr. Gosse obtained specimens of this bird in Jamaica, thou^dl lie had no
opportunit] observing it.^ domestic economy. In the month of January
the specimens he dissected had e^j^s in their ovaries as laroc as duck-
shot. J)r. Uundlach j-ives it as a Cuban bird, but does not mention it as
one that breeds on that island. The Newtons met with this species in St.
Croix, but appear to have re.ganled it as not a summer resident, but only in
the light of a visitant in the winter.

.Air. March, referring without doubt to this .species, mentions it as a con-
stant resident in the island of Jamaica, where it is common in the lowlands
during summer. It is said to bi'ced from March to July, building in the
low branches of trees or in shrubs. The nest is described as a .s"tructure
composed of a few dry sticks, so loo.sely put together that it falls to pieces
on any attempt to remove it. Three, rarely four, eggs are lahl, which are
of a glaucous-green color, oval, generally round at both ends, and varying
in size from 1.2j indies by .!)() to l.;58 inches by 1 inch.

Of late years no specimens seem to have been olitaincd in Florida, either
by Maynard or by the many other explorers of the I'eninsula ; anil even
if the earlier notices are correct, we may have to consider it as merely a
straggler from the Bahamas, like Cnihiulu haho mentis, Cro(op/ia>/a uni, Vho-
niiHira zcmi, Viirvs///ri(i harhatulii, etc.

Mr. Audubon, who was the only one of our naturalists who met with
the nest and eggs, di.scovered them near Key West. He descrilies the nest
as slightly constructed of dry twigs, and as almost flat, nearly resembling
that of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Tiie eggs are the .same in number and
form as those of that species, but are somewhat larger. It is said to rai.se
tw(j broods in one season, and to feed its young on insects until they are
able to provide for themselves. An ohl bird, caught on its nest, which Mr.
Audubon saw confined in a cage, refused all food and soon pined itself to
death, — thus evincing, in his opinion, the great affection these birds have for
their own eggs. An egg in the Smithsonian Institution collection, given me
by :Mr. John G. Bell of New York, is said to have been obtained iu I\Iis-
sissippi with the parent bird. Its color has slightly faded, and, except in
its greater comparative breadth, it is not distinguishable from the eizas of
the Yellow-bill.

484 NOUTU AMEUICAN IJIRDS.

Coccygus erythrophthalmus, Don.

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO.

Cuculun n')i/linijih//i<i/,itii.t, Wii.min, Am. (Jrii. IV, 1811, 10, pi. xxviii, Coccjixux cry
l/ifop/i'/ia/iitus, lioN. ()l)s. Wils. 182.'), 18. — In. Consp. iHi'id, IV. - Ari>. Oiii. Hiog.
1, ls;l2, 170; V, ,"<2:i, pi. .\xxii, — in. Ilinls Aniciiiii, IV, 1,S4-J, ;tOn, pi. cdxxvi.—
liAli;i>, liiids N. .\iii. 18.'.8, 77. — Sii,. Cat. IHii'J, 323. — .Sa.mi r.l.s, 85. AV;/-
Ihiii/i/irys friil/irii/ili/liii/iiiii.i, lios. List, l.><38. ( 'tnri/-:ii!> (luiiiiiiic''..i, (LaI'II.) Nuit.
Mail. I, 1S32, .")r>tl [uot lit' l.AiliA.M, wliicli Iwliiiif^s rather vO C. itincriatniin, on ncoount
(if till' rcil (piills anil white edj,'!' of (nitcr tail-lVathrr).

Si'. f'liAi!. Tiill ciitiioly lilark. I'piKT [larts {generally of a luotallio fri'i'oni.sli-olive, ashy
towarils till! liaso of the Mil; bciicalli iiiirc white, with a biowiiish-ycllow tiiifTL' on the
tiiroat. Fuller wobs ol' the i|iiills tiiiuicl witli ciiiiiaiiioii. I'lider .surface of all the tail-
feathers hoary ash-ora}'. All, e.xeeiit the central on eithi'r .siile, siilfused with darker to
the .short, hhiitih-white, and not well-defined tip. A naked red skin round the eye-
Len^'th, about I'i.OO; win<.'. "i.OO ; tail, 0.5t).

IIaii. I'nited States to the Missouri plains, .south to lioLrota. Loealitics : Cuba (Cad. J.
IV, l.")l, iie.sts ; (iiNDi.. Ueperl. I, l.-ilitl, 'Jit.")); Ouateinula (Sai.vix, Ibis, II, •270);
.Mexiio and lin-ola (Sci,, Cat, :i'J.'5) ; Istli. Panama (Lawu. Ann. N. Y. Lye. VII, 62);
Costa Uica (Lawu. .\. \. Lye. I.\', I'JM).

Tlii.s .sjiocies (liirer.s I'roiii tlio 0. (uiieriatHiiH in the bliick bill, and the
absence of bliuk on tlie tiiil-l'eiitliur.s, the white tips of which are much
shorter and less abru])tly ilefiued. One specimen (r),2ri3) from the Upjier
Mi.ssouri has a nmch stnuiger tinge of yellowish-cinnanion on the inner
webs of tlie ([uills th.in the other.s. The se.xes are iiuite similar.

H.MiiTS. Tile lUack-billed Cuckoo, so closely allied with the common
sjiecies in respect to size, iii)pearance, habits, and till its general characteris-
tics, is also distril)iited tluouohont very nearly the same localities, where,
however, it is usually regarded as a much less abundtxnt bii-d. It is found
throughout the L'nited States as ftir west as the Missouri plains. Dr.
Woodhouse met with this liird in his expedition down the Zuni and Colo-
rado lii\crs, but states that he saw but very fe,w, either in Texas or in the
Indian Territory. Lembeye, De la Sagra, and Dr. (Jundlach include it as a
visitant, in the winter niontlis, to Cuba. Mr. Audubon met with this
Cuckoo in Louisiana only a few times in the course of his various re-
searches, and never in any Western State except Ohio. He does not .seem
to have been aware that it rver breeds south of North Carolina. From
thence to ^Maine, and even as far north as the Canadas, Xova Scotia, and
Southern Labrador, ho gives its its distribution during the breeding-sea-
•son. lie also regarded it tis much more common in low and wooded ground
on the Ijorders of the sea, where it freipients the edges of woods rather than
their interior, and chiefly on tin; edges of creeks, and in damj) idaces. Mr.
Xuttidl iippeared to have regarded it as very nearly as common as the Yel-
low-bill tin'oughout tiie I'nited States, and as extending its migrations as far
north as Xova Scotia and Newfoundland. He states that it is found in St.

cu(jri,ii).K TiiK cicKoos. 485

Doiniiiy;o and (hiiana, and also, on tliu antliority of Mr. Alil)ott, tliat it
breeds in (uM)rj,'ia a^ early as the 1st of April, Mr. Audubon .says it was
never met with by J)r. llachnian in South Carolina, it certainly breeds,
however, as fur south, at least, us treorjjiiu, as the nest and egjjis of this spe-
cies were taken at Vanu^ll Station, in the northwestern part of that State,
by the late Hr. Alexander Gerhardt.

It is not mentioned by either Dr. (Janibel or Dr. lleernmnn as anionjj; the
birds of the Pacific (.'oast, and it does not ajipear to have been actually
obtained by any of the expeditions to the Pacilic beyond tlu; Indian Terri-
tory. Its distribution, therefore, ilurinj,' the breedinji-season, would seem to
be from (ieorgia to Canada, and from Texas to Minnesota, inclusive of all the
intermediate territory. Dr. Newberry freiiueutly saw and heard what he
.su])posed to have been this species, in the trees liorderiny Cow Creek, near
Fort licading, but as he did not secure a Hi)ecimen, he may have been mis-
taken. It has been taken at Devil's Lake, in Minnesota, and in the lied
liiver Settlement.

Wilson describes the nest of this bird as generally built in a cedar, much
in the same nuiuner, and of nearly the same materials, as tlia.t of the Yellow-
bill ; the eggs are smaller than tho.se of that bird, usually ibur or five in
number, and of a deeper greenish-blue.

Mr. Audubon speaks of the nest as built in ])laces similar to those chosen
by the other sjiecies, as formed of the sanu! materials, and arranged with (piite
as little art. He gives the number of eggs as from four to si.x, of a greenish-
blue, nearly equal at both ends, but rather smalha' than those of the Vellow-
l)ill, rounder, and of a nmch deeper tint of green, lie gives their measure-
ment as 1.50 inches in length and .87 of an inch in breadth.

]Mr. Xuttall, whose description more nearly corresponds with my own ol)-
servations, speaks of this species as usually retiring into the woods to breed,
being less familiar than the former species, and choosing an evergreen l)ush
or sapling for the site of the nest, which is made of twigs pretty well put
together, but still little more than a concave thxjring, and lined with moss
occasionally, and withered catkins of the hickory. The eggs are described
as smaller, and three to live in nund)er, of a bluish-green. The female sits
very close on the nest, admitting a near apin'oach before Hying. He also
sj)eaks of this species as being less timorous than the Yellow-billed, and
states that near the nest, with yijung, he has observed the ]»arcnt composedly
sit and plume itself for a considerable time without showing any alarm at
his jiresence.

In all the instances in which I have observed the nest of this species, I
have invariably found it in retired damp places, usually near the edg(»s of
woods, and built, not in trees, after the manner of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo,
but in bushes and in low shrubbery, often not more than two or three feet
from the ground. The nest, without being at all remarkable for its finish,
or the nicety of its arrangement, is much more artistic and elaborate than

ISCi N'oKTII A.MEItlCAN UIUDH.

tliiit (if tlin Yollnw-bill. It is wim]nisc(l of twij^s, roots, fimi strips ot ])ark,
uiiil moss, 1111(1 is soiiictiiiics iutcrwovi'ii mid inirlially iiiicil with tins soft cat-
kins of trws and iilossoias of i)lants. Tlio oj,',ns vary from llireo to six in mun-
l)er, and an! oftiui found to liavn liocii dciiositi'd, and in(nil)atioii conimonccd
on tliciii, at irroj^iilar intervals, and to iio in various staycs of dc-vidoimu'iit
in tliu sauiu nust. I iiavo iiardly been alilc to olisurvo a sullifiunt iiuinlior
of their nests to be able to state wliether this species carries this irregularity
so far as the Vcllow-bill, nor am f aware that it has ever liccn known to
extend its incubations into so late a period of tlie season. It is, if anything,
more devotcul to its ollspring than the Vellow-iiill. Hoth parents are as-
siduous in the duties of incubation, and in siijijilying food to each other and
to tlieir ofl'spring. In one instance, where the female had been sh(3t by a
tiiouj;htless boy, as she flew from the nest, the male bird successfully devoted
himself to the solitary duty of rearing the brood of iive. At the time of
the death of the female the nest contained two eggs and three young birds.
The writer was ])resent wh(!n the bird was shot, and was unable to interi)o.se
in season to prevent it. lieturning to the spot not long afterwards, he I'ound
the widowed male sitting uj)on the nest, and so unwilling to leave it as
almost to jiermit himself to be captured by the hand, llis fidelity and his
entreaties wisre not disregarded. His nest, eggs, and young, were left undis-
turbed ; and, as they were visited from time to time, the young nestlings
were found to thrive under his vigilant care. The eggs were hatched out,
and in time the whole five were reared in safety. This single incident
shows how wide is the interval between these Cuckoos and their European
namesakes.

The egg resembles that of the other, but is more spherical and of a much
darker shade of green. The color is equally fugitive, and even in a close
cabinet fades so that the eggs of the two .species are undistinguishable, ex-
cept in size and shape. This egg averages 1.10 inches in length by .'JO of
an inch in breadth.

Genus CROTOPHAGA, Linnaeus.
Crotophar/a, Linn^us, Sy.stema Nnturic, 175t). (Type, C. ani, Linn).

Ge.v. Char. Bill a.* lonp ns the lioarl. very much comprcs.sod ; the cnlinon clov.itod into
ft high crest, extending alinvc the level of the forehead. Nostrils exposed, elongated.
Point of liill inucli decurved. Wings longtliened, extending heyoiid the ba,se of the tail,
the fouitli or lifth ([uill longest. Tail lengthened, of eight graduated feathers. Toes long,
with well-developed claws.

The feathers in this genus are entirely black ; those on the head and neck
■with a peculiar stifiened metallic or scale-like border. The species are not
numerous, and are entirely confined to America.

Of Crotophaija, two species have heretofore been recognized in the United

<^'l'crLII).K TIIK ULCKoos

487

StiiUss, C. uni iiiid a riN/i,mfri.i. \\',, aiv, however, Hatisfu-d that tliciv is l.iit
one lioiu and in the \V\.,sl Indies, C. aiu (cixloudinn l., S„uth Anioiicaj. C.

ihtiiip/insn nni.

major of South America, and 6'. .wfrim^/ri-^, found from Mexico southward
are tho otlicr species, and are easily distinguisliablo by the followin-^ charac-

ters amonif others

C. major.' Length, 17.00: winjr, 7.50; „„tlino of culmon ahnintly

niifriiliitod in the midillo. JM. Bvny.W and Tiinidail

C. aiii. Lenfrtl., 13.00 tn 15.00; n-injr, (i.OO ; ndMu.n .irontlv curved from

base. Bill smooth or with a few tranver.<e wiinklo.'!. 'l/„b. Xoitli-

(.'astoin South America, West Inches, and South Florida.

C. 8uloiroBtri8.» Len-th, 12.00; wi„K, 5.00; eulmen .crently curved.

Bill with .several frrovcs parallel to culnicn. flab. Middle America,

from Yucatan, south to Ecuador.

> Cyotnplmtia major, T,ixy. Ryst. Nat. I, 363. —Mav, Meitr. P", lilO. -Sor.. Cut ISC S^o
(■■ "Hi, ViKiM.. Gal. Ois. ii, 3.'!, pi. xliii.

^2 Croloplmcia suldrostnx, Swainsox, Phil. Ung. 1S27, 1, 440. - Ronap. C.nsp. 89. -S,l.
r. Z. S. 1850, 309, 1859, pj). r.O, 3GS, 388, et IStiO, |ip. 28"., 2;i7. — Ili. fatal. 1862 3-'o"
C. msasi, Lii.s,s. Voy. Co(i. Zoiil. I, pi. ii, 019, et Ciuit. ZoiJl. £.1. i.x.

IS8

NORTH AMKIUCAN BlltDS.

Crotophaga ani, I.inn.

THE ANI; THE SAVANNA BLACKBIBD.

CroloplnKja ani, LlNX. Syst. Nat. I, 17(>l>, ir.4. — nrKMiasTi'.n, Th. Hras. (Viifjd.) ISnfi,
•2:,i. — liAiiM), llinls X. Am. IS.W, 72, iil. lxx.\iv, I'. 2. -C.viiam.s Mus. Ili'iii. iv,
10(1. ('rcl'i/i/iinj'i miiiiii; lil'.ss. Tiviitc Orii. 1S:!1, 13(1, Crnlophiiija hrviivxlni, SwAls-
SON, All. ill Mi'imi,'. 2] ('.'iit. 18:!.s, 321. ('i;<li<i>hiiijii niijiiwfni, Swainscin, 2.t Cent.
1838, 321, li",'. C's bill. — HruM. Th. linis. 11, 1850, 23;'.. — 15a lit d, I'.iids N. Am.
ISr.S, 71, 1>1. Ixxxiv. f. 1.

Sp. Char. Bill at tin" uo.^trils iicrtily twiw as liisrh a-s l)ioa<l ; the nostrils elliptical, a
little oblique, situated in the inidiUe of the lower half of the upper inandi. le. Gonys

nearly striiiirht. Iiulieations of
faint transverse wrinkles alonif the
upper portion of the bill, nearly
porpenilieiilar to the cn'.ir.eu. Leiis
stout; liusus loiitrer than niiddlo
toe, with seviMi broad seutelhu
anteriorly exteiidin<; round to the
middle of each side ; the remain-
iiisx or posterior portion of each
side with a series of (piadrangular
pliiics, eorrespondinp; lu-arly to the
anterior ones, the series meeting
bi'hind in a sharp rid,E;e. The
wings reach over the basal third
of the tail. The ]iriinary (piills arc
broad and aeute. the Ibnrtli longest ; the first about equal to the tertials. The tail is
frradualeil, the outer alioiit an inch .ind a half shorter than the middle ones.

The color generally is lilack. with steel-blue rellections above, changing sometimes into
violet; duller beneath. The pointed feathers of the head, neck, and breast, with a bronzy
metallic border, appcai'ing also to some extent on the wing-coverts and upper part of
liack. Iris brown. Length, l.'J.liO ; wing, (i.OO ; tail, 8.30: tarsus, l.t.*^.

Hai!. West Indies; 8outh Florida. Accidental near Phihulel|)hia. Localities: Sta.
Cru/, (Nkwtox, Ibis, I, 118).

As iili'oady remarked, we do not find roa.soii to admit more than one
.sjH'eie.s uf Crotopliaijit in tlie United States and the We.st Indies, as in the
<,'reat variation in size, and to some extent in shape of hill, there is nothing
constant. The species can hardly ho considered more than a straggler in
the United States, although a considcrahle ntimher of s|H!cim('iis hiive heeii
.seen or taken within its limits. That in the Smith.sonian collection was
killed on the Tortiigas ; hut there is one in the collection of the Philadelphia
Academy, killed near rhiladel}ihia hy Afr. John Kriiler, and iiresented by
him. Mr. Aiidiilton also po.ssesse(l a jniir saiil to Imve been killed near New
Orleans.

1IAI1IT.S. This species, the common Savanna Blackbird of the West India
IsLinds, is jiroludily oidy an accidental visitant of the United States, and
may not strictly belong to the iivi-faiina of Xorth An»erica.

Crnlophnsn ani.

CUCUUD.E — THE CUCKOOS. 489

Tt is conunon tlironsliniit tlio West Indies, and in South America as far south
as lirazil. Gosse states it to be one of tiio most abundant birds of Jamaica-
In speaiving of its breeding liabits he mentions that it was universally main-
tained by tiic inhabitants that these birds unite and build in company an
iuTinense nest of basket-worlv, made by tlie innted labors of the flock. Tiiis
is said to be placed on a liigli tree, where many parents bring forth and edu-
cate a common family. This statement is reiterated by Mr. Hill, who says
that a small flock of about si.\ individuals build but one large and capacious
nest, to which tliey resort in common, and rear their young together.

In duly Mr. (Josse found the nest of one of these birds in a i/iirzuma
tree. It was a large mass of interwoven twigs, and was lined with leaves.
There were eight eggs in the nest, and the shells of many others were scat-
tered beneath the tree.

^Ir. Newton foumi these birds very common in St. Croix. He mentions
meeting with a nest of this species June 17. It was about five feet from
the ground, on a large tamarind-tree. He speaks of it as a rude collection
of sticks and twigs, large and deep, partly filled with dry leaves, among
which were fourteen eggs, and around the margin were stuck upri'dit a few
dead twigs of tamarind. Fi\e days afterwards he went to the nest, where he
found but nine eggs, two of which he took. Three days later he found but
four eggs in the nest, it having been robbed in the interim ; but six days
afterwards the number had again been increased to eight. He never found
the eggs covered up as if intentionally done. The nest was evidently com-
mon property. There were generally two or three birds sitting close to or
on it, and up in the tree perhaps four or five more, who woidd continue
screeching all the time he was there. Mr. Newton adds that when the egg
is fresh the cretaceous deposit on tlio shell is very soft and easily scored,
but it soon hardens. It is mentioned in De Sagra's list as one of the com-
mon birds of Cuba.

Mr. J. F. Hamilton, in his interesting paper (Ibis, July, 1871) on the
birds of Brazil, mentions finding this species very common at Santo Paulo.
There was scarcely an ojien ])iece of ground where there were but few bushes
that had not its flock of these birds. They were especially fond of marshy
ground. They were also often to be seen running about among a herd of
cattle, picking \\\i the insects disturbed by the animals. They seemed utter-
ly regardless of danger, and woulil scarcely do more than flit from one l)ush
to another, eve.i .vlien the numbei-s of their flock were being greatly thinned.
When concealed in the long grass, they would allow themselves to be almost
trodden on before rising. The Brazilians seldom molest them, as their flesh
is not good to eat.

This bird is known as the Black Witch in St. Croix, — a name Mr. Newton
sup])oses to be due to its peculiar call-note, which sounds like qvc-ifurh. Its
familiar liabits and its gwte.sque appearance m.ake it universally known. It
is a favorite object of attack to the Chickaree Flycatcher, in which encoun-

vui.. II. 02

490 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

tors it is apt to lose its iiresence of mind, and to be forced to make an igno-
minious retreat.

These birds are said to be attracted by collections of cattle and horses,
upon the bodies of whicli they are often seen to aliglit, feeding upon tlie
ticks witli wliicii they are infested. They are at once familiar" and wary,
permitting a limited acquaintance, but a too near approach sets the whole
Hock ill motion. It moves in a very peculiar gliding Hight. In feeding it
is omnivorous ; besides insects of all kinds, such as ticks, gras.shoppers, bee-
tles, etc, it eats berries uf various kinds, lizards, and other kinds of food.
It catches insects on the ground by very active jumps, pursues them on the
wmg, and with its sliarp tiiin bill digs them out in the earth. They hop
about and over tlie l)odies of cattle, especially when they are lying down,
and when grazing they have been observed clinging to a cow's tail,°picking
insects from it as far down even as its extremity.

]\Ir. Hill states tliat these birds are downward, not upward, climbers.
They enter a tree by alighting on the extremity of some main branch, and
reach cs centre by creeping along tlie stem, and seldom penetrate far anion"
tiie leaves. °

The eggs of this species are of a regularly oval shape, equally obtuse at
either end. In color tiiey are of a uniform light-blue, with a very slight
tinge of green. Tliis is usually covered, but not entirely concealed, by a
wlute cretaceous coating. Wlien fresh, this may readily be rubbed off, but
becomes hard and not easily removed. The eggs vary in size from 1.40 to
1.50 inches in length, and in breadth from 1.10 to l.lu inches.

PICID>E — THE WOODPECKERS. 491

Family FICIDiE. — Tiik WoonrKCKEns.

Char. Outer toe turned backwards permanently, not versatile laterally, the basal
portion of the tongue capable of jjrcat protrusion.

The preceding characters combined a]>pear to express the essential char-
acters of tlie Plcidcc. In addition, it ni.ay be stated tliat tlie tongue itself is
quite small, tlat, and short, acute and horny, usually sirmed along the edges
with recurved hooks. The horns of the liyoid apparatus are generally very
long, and curve round the back of the skull, frequently to the base of the
bill, playing in a sheath, when the tongue is thrown forward out of the
mouth to transfix an insect.

There are twelve tail-feathers, of which the outer is, however, very small
and rudimentary (lying concealed between the outer and adjacent feathers),
so that only ten are usually counted. Tiie tail is uparly even, or cuneato,
never forked, the shafts very rigid in the true Woodpeckers ; soft in Piciimni-
vw and Yungina;. The outer primary is generally very short, or spurious,
but not wanting. The bill is chisel or wedge shaped, with sharp angles
and ridges and straight culmeu ; sometimes the culmen is a little cur\ed,
in which case it is smoother, and without the ridges. The tarsi in the North
American forms are covered with large plates anteriorly, posteriorly with
small ones, usually more or less polygonal. The claws are compressed,
much curved, very strong and acute.

The Picidcv are found all over the world with the exception of Madagascar,
Australia, the Moluccas, and Polynesia. America is well provided with
tiiem, more than half of the described species belonging to the New World.

The subfamilies of the Picii/w may be most easily distinguished as follows,
although other characters could readily be given : —

Picinae. Tii.. feathers pointed, and lanceolate at end; the shafts very
ri^iil, thickened and elastic.

Picumninse. Tail soft and short, about half the length oCwing ; the feath-
ers without stifTened shafts, rather narrow, linear, and rounded at end.
Tunginae. Tail soft and rather long, about three fourtho the length of
wing; the feathers broad, and obtusely rounded at end.

Of these subfsimilies the Picina; alone occur north of Mexico. The
F«/iY/iHrt', to which the well-known Wryneck of England (Ji/nx torquiUa)
belongs, are exclusively Old World ; the Picumnincc belong principally to
the tropical regions of America, although a few species occur in Africa and
India. One species, Piciimnvs micromcf/as, Sundevall, belongs to St. Do-
mingo, although erroneously assigned to Brazil. This is the giant of the
group, being about the size of the Wliite-bellied Nuthatch {Sitta ('((ra/innisis)
the other species being mostly very diminutive, varying from three to fo.
inches in lenLith.

492 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Subfamily PICINJE.

The diagnosis on tlio preceding page will serve to distinguish tliis group
from its allies, without the necessity of going into greater detail. It in-
cludes by i'ar the largest percentage of the I'icidcv, and in the great variations
of form has heen variously subdivided by authors into sections. Professor
Sundevall, in his able monograph,^ establishes the following four series, refer-
ring all to the single genus Piciis : —

I. AngusticoUes. Neck slender, elongated. Nostrils concealed by
briislk's. Tail-feathers black or brownish, immaculate.

II. Securirostres. Neck not slender, and shorter. Nostrils concealed
by bristles. Bill stout, cuneute, with the nasal ridges widely distant
from each other.

III. Iiigonirostres. Neck not slender. Nostrils covered, nasal ridges
of bill placed near the culraen (or at least nearer it than the lower
edge of the upper mandible), for the most part obsolete anteriorly.

IV. Nudinares. Nostrils open, uncovered by bristly hairs. Neck and
bill various.

Of these series, the f , st and second correspond with Picecc, as given below,
while Centurecc and Colaptcce both belong to Ligonirostrcs. The Nudinarcs
are not represented in North America, and by only one group, C'eleus, in any
portion of the continent.

In the following account of the Picince, we shall not pretend to discuss
the relationship of the North American species to the Picina' in general,
referring to Sundevall's work, and the monograplis of Malherbe and Cassin,
for information on the subject. For our present purposes they may be con-
veniently, even if artificially, arranged in the following sections : —

Piceee. Bill variable in length ; the outlines above and below nearly
straight; the ends truncated; a prominent ridge on the side of the
mandible springing from the middle of the base, or a little below, and
running out either on the commissure, or extending parallel to and a
little above it, to the end, sometimes obliterated or confluent with the
lateral bevel of the bill. Nostrils considerably overhung by tlie lateral
ridge, more or less linear, and concealed by thick bushy tufts of feathers
at the base of the bill. Outer posterior toe generally longer than the
anterior.

Centureae. Bill rather long ; the outlines, that of the culmen espe-
cially, deci(le<lly curved. The lateral ridge much nearest the culmen,
and, though quite distinct at the base, disappearing before coining to
the lower edge of the mandible ; not overhanging the nostrils, wh'.oh
are broadly oval, rounded anteriorly, and not concealed by the bri.^lly
feathers at the base. Outer pair of toes nearly equal; the anterior
rMtlici- longer.
ColaptesB. Bill rather long, much depressed, and the upper outline

' Conapcctnn nriinn picinarum. Stockholm, 18G6.

PICID.*; — THE WOODPECKERS. 493

much curved to the acutely pointed (not truncate) tip. The commissure
considerably curved. Hill without any ridges. The nostrils hroadly
oval, and much exposed. Anterior outer toe longest.

The preceding diagnoses will serve to distinguish the three groups suf-
ficiently fov our present purposes ; tlie bill being strongest in the I'icina; and
best fitted for cutting into trees by its more perfect \vedge-shai)e, with
strengthening ridges, as well as by the lateral bevelling of both mandibles,
which are nearly ei[ual in thickness at the base, and with their (jutlinos
nearly straight. The lateral ridge is prominent, extending to the edge or
end of the bill, and overhangs the nostrils, which are narrow and hidden.
Tiie Centurcce and the Culaptccv have the upper mandible more curved
(the commissure likewise), the lower mandible smaller and weaker, the
bill with little or no lateral bevelling. The nostrils are broadly oval and
exposed. In the former, however, there is a distinct lateral ridge visible
for a short distance from the base of the bill ; while in the other there
is no ridge at all, and the mandible is greatly carved.

In all the species of North American Woodpeckers, there is more or less
red on the head in the male, and frequently in the female. The eggs of all
are lustrous polished white, witliout any markings, and laid in hollow trees,
upon a bed of chips, no material being carried in for the construction of the
nest.

Section PICE^.

With the common characters, as already given, there are several well-
marked generic groups in this section of Woodpeckers which may be arranged
for the United States species as follows : —

A. Posterior outer toe longer than the anterior outer one. (Fourth toe longer
than third.)

a. Lateral ridge starting above the middle of the base of the bill, and

extending to the tip.

1. Campephilus. Lateral ridge above the midd'o of the lateral profile
of the bill when opposite the end of the nostrils, which are ovate, and
rounded anteriorly. Bill much depressed, veiy long ; goiiys very long.
Posterior outer toe considerably longer than the anterior. Primaries
long, attenuated towards the tip. Spuriof? quill nearly half the second.
Shafts of four middle tail-feathers rem:. ]:ably stout, of equal size, and
abruptly very much larger than the others ; two nii<ldle tail-feathers
narrower towards bases than towards end.' A pointed occipital crest.

2. Picus. Later.al ridge in the middle of the lateral profile opposite the
end of the nostrils, wliieli are ovate and sharp-pointed anteriorly. Bill
moderate, nearly as broad as high.

' A ehavactcr cnmmon to all the iiiciiilicrs of tlic genus, and distinguishing tlinni from the
sjii'ui'S iif cvc-.-y other ; tliia peenliiir fi>riii of the niidille tiiilfeatliers is oaused iiriiu'ipidly by ft
foliii:i;,' nf the webs lownwarit, almost iipiiiist eaeli other. Tlie under .surface.s of the shafts have
a vi'iy deep groove their wliole length, which is seen in no other gemis.

494 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Outer liiud toe moderately longer than the outer fore toe. Primaries
bi-oad to the tip, and rounded. Spurious primary not one third the
second quill.

3. Ficoides. Lateral ridge below tlie middle of the profile, opposite
the end of the ovate acute nostrils, which it greatly overhangs. Bill
greatly depressed ; lower mandible deeper than the upper. Inner
hind toe wanting, li'aving only tln-ee toes. Tufts of nasal bristles very
full and long.

b. Lateral ridge starting below the middle of the base of the bill, and
running as a distinct ridge into the edge of the commissure at about its
middle ; the terminal half of the mandible rounded on the sides, although
the truncate tij) is distinctly bevelled laterally.

4. Sphyropicus. Nostrils considerably overhung by the lateral ridge,
veiy small, linear. Gonys as long as the culmen, from the nostrils.
Tips of tail-feathers elongated and linear, not cuneate. Wings very
long ; exposed portion of spurious primary about one fourth that of
second quill.

B« Posterior outer toe considerably shorter than the anterior outer one. (Fourth
toe shorter than third).

5. Hylotomus. Bill depressed. Lateral ridge above the middle of
the lateral pi'olile near the base. Nostrils elliptical, wide, and rounded
anteriorly. Tail almost as in Sjihi/ropicus. A pointed occipital crest,
as in CaiiipephiluK, and not found in the other genera.

Tlie arrangement in the preceding diagnosis is perhaps not perfectly
natural, although sutHciently so for our present purpose. Thus, Hylotomtis,
in having the lateral ridge extending to the end of the bill, is like Piviis,
but tlie nostrils are broader, more open, and not acute anteriorly. The tail-
feathers of Sphyropicus difler greatly from those of the others in being
abruptly acuminate, the points elongated, narrow, and nearly linear, instead
of being gently cuneate at the ends. Vumpcphilus and Hi/lotomvn belong
to Sundevall's AmjmticoUfs, with their long slender neck, and elongated
occipital crest {Bn/ocopinn; Cab.) ; the other genera to Sccurirostrex, witli
shorter, thicker neck, and no crest (Deiulrocopiiice, Cab.). But no two
genera iu the subfamily are more distinct than Campcphilm and Hylotomus.

Genus CAMPEFHILUS, Gray.

Campephtlus, Okay, List of Genera ? 1840. (Type, C. principalis.)
Majapicus, Malheuiik, Mem. Ac. de Metz, 1849, 317.

Gen. Guar. Bill considerably longer than the head, much depressed, or broader than
high at the base, becoming somewhat compressed near the middle and gradually bevelled
off at the tip. Culmen very .slightly curved, gonys as concave, the curve .scarcely ap-
preciable ; oommissnre sti'aight. Cidnion with a jiarallel ridge on each side, starting a
little ,ibove the centre of the basal outline of the liill, the ridge projecting outwards and
downwards, and a .slight concavity between it and the acute ridge of the! cnlmen. Gonys
considerably more than half \\n: cominissuie. Nostrils oval below the lateral ridge near
the b.ise of the bill ; concerned by the bristly feathers directed forward. Similar feathera
are seen at the sides of tlie lower jaw and on the chin.

PICIDiE — THE WOODPECKERS.

495

Feet large ; outer liind too iiuiuli longest ; claw of inner fore toe reaching to miildle of
outer fore claw ; inner liind toe scarcely more than half the outer one; ; its daw reaching
as far as the Uaso of the iniuM- anterior daw, considerably more than half the outer
anterior toe. Tarsus rather shorter than the inner fore toe. Tail long, cnneale; shafts
of the four middle feathers abruptly much lai';^vr than the others, and with a deep groove

Campephilus principalis.

running continnoiiply along their under surface ; webs of the two middle feathers
deflected, almost against each other, so that the feathers appear narrower at the base
than terminally. Wings long and pointed, the third, fourth, and fifth quills longest;
sixth secondary longest, leaving six "'tertials," instead of three or four as usual; primaries
long, attenuated. Color continut < black, relieved by white patches. Head with a
pointed occipital crest.

This genus embraces the largest known kind of Woodpecker, and is con-
fined to America. Of the two species nsiially assigned to it, only one occurs
within the limits of tlie United States, C. rinpcrialis, given by Auihibnn,
and by subsequent authors on his credit, really belonging to Southern Mexico
and (\Mitral America. Tlie diagnoses of tlie species are as follows : —

496 NOUTir .UFKRICAN HIRDS.

CciMMOM riiARAfTKiis. liill i viiiv-wliilc. Flody ciilirc'ly i.'l(issy liliip-lilack. A
sfapiiliir slii|u', ^ccninliiiics, ends of iniiiT priiiiiuics, ami undiT winp-coverts,
wliilo. Crest sciiilcl ill I lie male, lilack in tlie Ibinnlc.

1. C. principalis. A white stripe on eacli side of the neck. Bristly
lealhcis ill, llic liiise ol' the liiil white.

Wliite iieck-stripi; not exteiidiiij,' to the hase of the bill. Hliiek
leathers of erest loiijrer than the si'arlet. Wit)},', 10.00 ; oulmcn, 2.00.
[[(th. Gulf region of I'nited States .... \nr. pri tt r! pali n.

White stripe reaciiiiiir tin' hase of the hill. Scarlet feathers of cre.it
loiijrer liiaii the hlaek. Winj:, I).")0 ; cuhneii, 2.40. Ilab, Ciiha . var. hairiJi}

2. C. imperialis. No white stripe on the sides of the neck. i[ore white
on tiie wings. Hristly feathers at the base of the bill black. Ilab. Sonth
Mexico ; Guatemala.

Campephilus principalis, Gray.

IVOBT-BILLED WOODFECKEB.

Picm principalis, Lixx. Sy.st. Nat. I, 17C6, 173. — Wilson, Am. Orn. IV, 1811, 20, pi.
xxxi.\, f. ti. — ■\VA(ii.Kit, Syst. Avium, 1827, Xo. 1. — Arn. Orn. Hi.ig. I, 1S32, 311 ;
V, 52,5, pi. Ixvi. — In. liirds America, IV, 1812, 214, pi. cclvi. — Si'nukvai.i., Consp.
Pic. 4. Dcndriicnptis priiicipaUn, l5ox. List, 1838. Viitiipfphilus priiici/m/i.i, (Ikay,
List Ocnc'ia, 1840. — IJAiun, hinls N. Am. 83. ('ah. & 1Ii;in. .Miis. Ilcin. IV, it,
100. — DitKssEi!, Iliis, 1805, 4()8 (breeds in Brazos iiiid Trinity, Texas). — (iiiAV, Cat.
53. — Ai.i.KX, Birds K. Florida, 301. Dnjultmuin (.Uei/npicii.s) priitiipalis, Bow. Con.
Zyg. Aten. Ital. 1854, 7. Drifocojiii.i jrriiieipa! is. Bos. Consp. 1850, 132. While-hilled
Woodpeekt;; Catksiiy, Car. I, IG. — Pe.nxant, Latjiam.

Sp'. Char. Fonrtli and fifth qnills efpial ; third a little shorter. Bill horn-white.
Body entirely of a glossy blnc-black (glossed with green below) ; a white stripe beginning
half an inch posterior to the eonimissiirc, and passing down the sides of the neck, and
extending down each side of the back. Under wing-covert.«, and the entire exposed
portion of the secondary cpiills, with ends of the inner primaries, bristles, and a short
stripe at the base of the bill, white. Crest scarlet, npper surface lilack. Length, 21.00;
wing, 10.00. Female similar, without any red on the head, and with two .spots of white
on the end of the outer tail-feather.

ILvn. Southern Atlantic and Gulf States. North to North Carolina and mouth of the
Ohio; west to Arkansas and Eastern Texas. Localities: Brazos and Trinity Rivers,
Texas (Duesskh, Ibis, 18G5, 408, broods).

In the male the entire crown (with its elongated feathers) is black. The
scarlet commences just aliove the initldle of tlie eye, and, passing backwards
a sliort distance, widens behind find bends down as far as the level of the
under edge of the lower jaw. The feathers which spring from the back of
the head are much elongated above ; considerably longer than those of
the crown. In the specimen before us the black feathers of the crest do
not reach as far back as the scarlet.

Eeference has already been made to the Cuban variety of the Ivory-billed

1 Cavipephilus hairdi. Cassis, Pr. A. N. So. 1863, 322 (Cuba). — Gundlach, Repertoriuin,
I, 1866, 293. —In. Cab. .lour. 1866, 352. Ilab. Cuba.

PICID.K — THE WOODPECKHRS.

4t>7

Woodpecker naTiied C. Imirdi hy ^Ir. Ca.ssiii, and dillurinj,' in .smaller size ;
extension of the wliitc cluiek-stripe to the very Iwse of the bill, and the
excess in length of the U])per hlack t'ealliers nf the crest over the scarlet.
These features appear to be constant, and characteristic fif a local race.

For the reasons already adduced, we drop <J. iniprridlia from the list of
North American birds, altiiouuh given as such by Audul)on.

Habits. So far as we have information in regard to the geographical dis-
tribution of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, it is chiefly restricted in its range
to the extreme Southern States,
and especially to those bordering
on tlie Gulf of Mexico. Wilson
states that very few, il' any, are
ever found north of A'irginia,
and not many even in that State.
His first specimen was obtained
near Wilmington, N. C. It is
not migratory, but is a resident
where found.

Mt. Audubon, who is more
full tlian any other writer in his
account of this bird, assigns to it a
more extended distribution. He
states that in descending the
Ohio liiver he met with it near
the confluence of that river with
the Mississippi, and adds that it
is frequently met with in follow-
ing the windings of the latter
river either downwards towards
the sea, or upwards in the direc-
tion of the Missouri. On the At-
lantic he was inclined to make North Carolina the limit of its northern
distribution, though now and then individuals of the species have been
accidentally met with as far north as Maryland. To the westward of the
Mississippi he states that it is found in all the dense forests bordering the
streams which empty into it, from the very declivities of the Itocky Moun-
tains. The lower parts of the Carolinas, Georgia, North Florida, Alabama,
Louisiana, and Mississippi, are, however, its favorite resorts, and in those
States it constantly resides.

It was observed by Dr. Woodhouse in the timber on the Arkansas Eiver,
and in Eastern Texas, but quite rarely in both places. It was not, however,
met with in any other of the government expeditions, either to the Pacific,
in the survey of the railroad routes, or in that for tlie survey of the Mexican
boundary line. It is given as a bird of Cuba by 1 )e la Sagra, in his catalogue

VOL. II. 63

CamprphUvs prixcipalis.

498 Noirrii amkiucax jjihds.

(if tliu Itirds of thiit isliuiil, as (tliHorved liy liiiii, Oetoltor, IHaU, and liy Dr.
Jolin (lundlacli, in Ids list uf the iiirds tliat lnvud in Cuba. It is not uwn-
tionuil liy Go.sse among tim liinls uf .faniaica, nor liy tlu; Nowtons as found
in St. ("roix. As it is not a nnj^ratory liird, it niiiy In; ru^ardcid as lireediuf,' in
ail its localities, oxccpt wlieru it is oliviously an accidental visitant.

Wilson, who novor luut with the neat of this Woodjiecker, states, on the
authority of reliabh; informants, that it breeds in the lar<;e-tindiered cypress
s\vami)s of the Carolinas. In the trunks of these trees at a eonsitlerable
height from the groinid, lioth jiarents working alternately, tliese liirds dig out
a largo and cajiacious cavity for their eggs and young. Trees thus dug out
have fretjuently been cut down with both the eggs and the young in thcaii.
The hole was described to Wilson as generally a little winding, to keep out
the rain, and sometimes live feet deep. The eggs were said to be generally
four, sometimes five in number, as large as jiuUets', pure white, and equally
thick at both ends. The young make their ajjpearance about the middle or
end of Juno.

]\Ir. Audubon, whose account of the breeding-habits of the Ivory-liill is
given from his own immediate observations, supjilies a more niimite and de-
tailed history of its nesiing. He states that it breeds earlier in spring than
any other species of its tribe, and that he has observed it boring a hole for
that purpose as early as the beginning of March. This hole he lielieved to
be always made in the trunk of a live tree, generally an ash or a hackberry,
and at a great height. It pays gi-eat regard to the jiarticular situation of the
tree and the inclination of the trunk, both with a view to retirement and to
secure the aperture v. ainst rains. To jirevent the latter injury, the hole is
generally dug ii imediately under the protection of a large bmnch. It is
first bored horizontally a few inches, then directly downward, and ncjt in a
si)iral direction, as Wilson was informed. This cavity is sometimes not
more than ten inches in dej)th, while at other times it reaches nearly three
feet downward into the heart of the tree. The older the bird, the deeper its
hole, in the o])inion of ]Mr. Audubon. The average diameter of the different
nests which Mr. Audubon examined was about seven inches in the inner
parts, although the entrance is only just large enough to admit the bird.
Both birds work most assiduously in making these excavations. ^Ir. Audu-
bon states that in two instances where the Woodjieckers saw him watching
them at their lalxirs, while they were digging their nests, they abandoned
them. For the first brood, he states, there are generally six eggs. These are
deposited on a few chips at the bottom of the hole, and are of a pure white
color. The young may be seen creeping out of their holes aliout a fortnight
before they venture to fly to pny other tree. The second brood makes its
appearance about the loth of August. In Kentucky and Indiana the T\ory-
bill seldom raises more than one brood in a season. Its flight is described
by Audubon as graceful in the extreme, though seldom prolonged to more
than a few hundred yards at a time, except when it has occasion to cross a

I'ICID.E- THK WOODI'KCKKna 4()9

lar^'i! liver. It tlimi Hies in dec]) undulations, njit'iiinj,' its win,i,'s at first to
their lull extent, and nearly elusin^' tl'eni to renew tlieir ini|iul,so. Tiie
transit from tree to tree is pert'ornKMl \>y a siii^de swoo]), as if tlie hird had
been swunj,' in a eurved line from the one to the other.

K.\eej)t during the love-.season it never utters a sound when on the \vin<j[.
On alightiny, or when, in aseending a tree, it leaps again.st the upper ])arts
of the trunk, its remarkable voice may be constantly heard in a clear, loud,
and rather plaintive tone, sonu'tinies to the distance of half a mile, and
resembling the false high note of a clarionet. This may i>e represented by
the mono.syllaljle ^«n'/ thrice repeated.

The food of this Woodi)ecker consists principally of beetles, larva', and
large grubs. They are also es])ecially fond of ripe wild grapes, which they
cat with great avidity, hanging liy their claws to the vines, often in the
position of a Titmouse. They also eat ripe persimmons, hackberries, and
other fruit, but are not known to disturb standing corn nor the fruits of the
orcliard.

These birds attack decaying trees so energetically as often to cause them
to fall. So great is their strength, that Audubon has known one of them
to detach, at a single blow, a stri]) of bark eight inches long, and, by begin-
ning at the top braiu.'h of a deail tree, tear olf the bark to the extent of
thirty feet in the course of a few hour.s, all the while sounding its loud
notes.

Mr. Audubon further states that this species generally moves in pair.s, that
the female, is the least shy and the most clamorous, and that, except when
digging a hole for the reception of their eggs, they are not known to
excavate living trees, but only those attacked by worms. When wounded,
they seek the nearest tree, and ascend with great rapidity by successive hoi)s.
When taken by the hand, they strike with great violence, and inflict severe
wounds with their bills and claws.

Mr. Dresser states that these birds were found on the Brazos IJiver, and
also on the Trinity, where they were by no means rare.

Wilson dwells at some length and with great force iipon the great value
of these birds to our forests. They never injure sound trees, only those
diseased and infested with insects. The pine timber of the Southern States
is often destroyed, thousands of acres in a season, by the larvte of certain in-
sects. In Wilson's day this was noticeable in the vicinity of (Jeorgetown,
S. C, and was attributed by him to the blind destruction of this and other
insect-eating birds.

An egg of this species (Smith. Coll., No. lfi,196) taken near Wilming-
ton, N". C, by Mr. N. Giles, measures 1.35 inches in length by .1)5 of an
inch in breadth. It is of a highly polished porcelain whiteness, and is nnich
more oblong in shape and more pointed than are the eggs of Hi/lulu/nus
jnlcatus.

600

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Picua vilhsus.

GENU8 PICT7S, LiNN/EUB.

ricua, Linn. Syst. Nut. 1748. (Tvjic, rii:ii.i marliiu, I,.)

Gen. Char. IJill pquni to tlui IknuI, or a littlu long(.T ; tlie Intcrnl ridpcs oon.ipicuoiis,

Htnrtiiid nbout the iniddlo of tlic
linse of the l)ill ; tljc bnsnl
elongated oval nostrils nearest
the coinMii.><.siiru ; the ridges of
the eulinen and gony.s acute,
and v(!ry nearly straiglit, or
slightly eonvex towards the
tip; the hill hut little broader
than high at the base, becoming
compressed considerably before
the middle. Feet much as in
Cnmpephiliiit ; the outer pos-
terior toe longest ; the outer
anterior about intermediate
between it and the inner an-
terior ; the inner posterior
reaching to the base of the claw
of the inner anterior. Tarsus about e(iual to the inner anterior toe ; shorter than the
two other long toes. Wings rather long, reaching to the middle of the tail, rather rounded ;
the fourth and fifth ipiills longest; the quills rather broad and rounded.

In the genus Picus, as chamcterized above, are contained several sub-
divisions more or less entitled to distinct rank, and con-esponding with
peculiar patterns u\' coloration. Thus, taking the P. villosiis as the type, P.
bormli.'i has proportionally niucli longer primaries ; the spurious primary
smaller ; the bill is considerably more attenuated, and even concave in its
lateral outlines. Tlie wings are still longer in P. a/bolurvatus. The species
may l)e arranged as follows : —

A. Black above, and white bcnciith. Wings spotted with white ; a black
maxillary stripe.

a. Two white stripes on the side of the head, one above, and the other
below, the ear-coverts, which are mostly black. I'irst quill shorter than
sixth. Tail-feathers broad and obtuse at ends, the nari'owed tips of middle
feathers very short.

DR70BATES, Boie. Jliddlo of back streaked longitudinally and con-
tinuously with white. Maxillary and auricular black stripes not con-
fluent ; the latter running into the black of the nape. Beneath white
without spots. Red of he.id confined to a narrow nuchal band.

1. P. villoBUS. Outer tail-feathers immaculate white, great va-
riation in size with latitude. Length, 7.00 to 10.00.

All the quills, with middle and greater wing-coverts, with
large white spots. Ifab, Eastern North America . var. vilJosus.

Iimermost quills and some of the coverts entirely black,
or unspotted with white. Remaining spots reduced in si^ie.

I'lClD^ — THK WOUDl'ECKKUS. 5()J

(Vnr. jardini similar, I)ut mucli smsiUcr, 7.00, and lower parts
smoky-lirowii.) Hah. Middle and western North America,
mill soulii to Costa lliea vnr. hurriti.

2. P. pube»oen«. Outer tail-feather white, with transverse blaek
bands ; length about O.'J'j.

All the ((nills, with middle ami proator winft-eoverts, with
larjje white .<|i()ts. Ilah, Eastern Xortii America . var. /» uhence ns.

Innermost (|nills ami some of the eoverts enti-ely blaek ;
remainini,' while spots reduced in si/e. Jfith, Westein North

America var. (jdirdneri.

DYOTIOPICUS, 15ox. Whole back banded transversely with !)lack
and white. IJcneath white, with black spots on sides. Ma.xiUary
and auricular blaek strijies conlluont at their posterior ends, the latter
not running into the nape. In the nmles at least half of top of head
red. Length, about O.'jO.

3. P. BoalariB. Anterior portion of the l)nck banded with white;
lores and nasal tnft,s smoky brown. Black striiies on sides of the
head very nmeh narrower than the white ones, and not eoimcctcd
with the blaek of the shoulders. Mule with the whole crown rod.

Outer Web of lateral tail-feathers barred with black to the
base. White bands on back exceeding the black ones in width ;
red of the crown very continuous, on the forehead predomi-
nating over the Ijlack and white. (Sometimes the blac'k at
base of inner web of lateral tail-feather divided liy white
bars.) Iluh. Southern and Eastern Mexico, and Ilio Grande

region of United States var. ncalaris.

Outer web of lateral tail-feather barreil with lilack only
toward end. Red of crown much broken anteriorly, and in
less amount than the blaek and white mi.\ed with it. White
bands of the back not wider, generally much narrower than
the black ones.

Bill, .90 ; tarsus, .70. Red of crown extending almost to
the bill. Ilab. Western Mexico, up to Western Arizona.

var. gratj soni.
Bill, 1.10 ; tarsus, .7"). Red of erown disappearing aliout
on a line above the eye. Hah. Cape St. Lucas.

var. lucasa n us.
i. P. nuttalli. Anterior portion of back not banded with white ; lores
and na.sal tufts white. Black stripes on side of the head very much
broader than the white ones, and connected by a narrow strip with the
black of the shoulders, ^fale with oidy the nape and occiput red.
Hab. California (only).
b. One white stripe, only, on side of head, and this occupying whole
auricular region. Tail-feathers narrowed at ends, the points of the middle
ones much elongated. First quill longer than sixth. Bill very small, much
shorter than bead.

PHRENOPICnS, BoNAP. Baek and wings transversely banded with
black and white, and sides spotted with black, as in Dijctiopicns.

i"). P. borealia. Red of male restricted to a concealed narrow
line on each side of the occiput, at the junction of the white and
black. Maxillary black stripe very bread and conspicuous, running
back to the series of blaek spots on sides of breast. Three outer

502

NORTH AMERICAN JJIRDS.

tail-feathers nioru or loss wliito, with n few bars of black near their
ends, i)riiK'i|ially on inner webs. Ilah. South Aliiintic States.

Ba I3o(ly entirely (•oiuinuoiis l)huk; head all round innnaeulale white. First

quill shorter than sixth.

X^NOPICUS, liAMiii. Tail and primarica as in "A," but much more
lengtiiened. Hill as in Dri/olxilci, but more slender.

(). P. albolarvatua. Red ol' nuile a narrow transverse oceijiital
ere.seent, between the white and tlie bhiek. Basal halt", or more, of
primaries variejjjated with white, this continuous nearly to the
end of out(>r webs ; inner webs of secondaries with larg;e white
spots toward their base. Ilah. Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges,
PaciWc Province, United States.

SuBOExrs DRYOBATEB, Boik

Dri/obafcs, Boii:, lS'2ti. (Type, I'ifus jikIhuciiix, Jidr VxnAfiis, Mas. Hoin.)

Trk/iopicus, HoNAT. IS;')!.

Trulwpipo, Caii. & Hki.n. Mus. Hoiii. 18(33, 02.

According to Cabanis, as nliovo cited, Drijohntcft, as Gstal>lislicd l\v Boic in
ISl'G, had the Picus imhcMrns as ty])o, although oxteiided in 1828 to cover a
much wider ground. ^Vs a subgeneric name, therol'orc, it must take prei-
erence of Tricliopinia of Iionaparte, whicli, like all the allied names of this
author, (cabanis rejects at any rate as hybrid and inadmissible.

The syno])sis under the head of ricus will serve to distinguish the
species in lirief.

The small black and white Woodpeckci-s oi' North America exhil)it great

variations in size and markings, and it
is extremely difiicidt to say what is a
distinct species and what a mere goo-
graithical race. In none of our birds is
the dilference in size between specimens
from a higli and a low latitude so great,
and numertms nominal species hove been
established on tliis ground idone. There
is also much variation with locidity in
the amount of white sjiotting on the
wings, as well as the companitive width
of the white and bltick bars in the banded
species. The under ])arts, too, vary from
pure white to smoky-brown. To these
variations in what may be cimsidered as
good speci(!S is to be added the i'urther ]>er]tlexities caused by hybridism,
wliich seems to jji-evail to an unusual extent among some Woodpeckers,
wiiere tlu; area of distribution of one species is overlajjped by a close tilly.
This, M-hich ctm be most satisfactorily demonstrated in the Co/npfm, is also

^-f%^

Piius fiarn'si.

I'lClD.K — TIIK WOODl'EClvKllS. 503

probably tlie case in tlio black iiiul wliito species, and leiulcrs tlio linal set-
t lenient of the (piestii^ns involved veiy ditUcuU.

After a careful consideration of the subject, we are not inclined to admit
any species or permanent varieties ul' the gronp of four-toed small white
and black Woodi)eckers as North or Middle American, other than those men-
tioned in the preceding synopsis.

Ficus villOBUS, Linn.kus.

HAIBT WOODPECKER ; LABGEB SAFSUCKEB.

Var. caniideiislg. — Nortlicni anJ Western regions.

fPicus lettcomclns, Hodd/EKT, TaM. I'l. Kill. 17t*3(No. 34'., f. 1, fiuAY). -Cass. P. A. X. S.
1863, 199. Drifoki/cs kiicnimhis, Caii. & Ukis. Mils. Ileiu. iv, G7. ! I'iniK canaikn-
si.% Gmki.in, Syst. Nat. I, 178S, 437. — ? laniVM, liul. Oiii. I, 1700, 231.— Aid.
Oil". IJiog. V, 1S3!>, ISS, 1)1. ccccwii. — Id. Syii. lS3i», 177. — In. lUnls Aiiiciii-a, IV,
1842, 235, 111. i;clviii. — liijXAl'. I'oiisii. 1850, 137. — In. Atcii. Ital. 1854, 8. riais
villosim, FdlisiKii, l'liilo.s. Trails. LXII, 1772, 383. — Uaiimi, IJirtls N. Am. 1858, 84.

— C'A.ssix, 1' A. N. S. 1863, 19i». — OiiAV, Catal. 181)8, 45. — Dai.i. .■!: I!ansisti:i!,
Tr. OhicaKO Ac. Sc. I, 1809, 274 (Aln.ska). — FlNscil, Ahli. Nat. 'II, 1872, (il^AlaskaK

— S\ML'i:..s, 87. I'icii.i{/>cii<lriifi)jiiis) vi/lnsii.i, S\v. I''.-I5i)i-. Am. II, 1831, 3li5. J'iciis
phillipsi, All). Orii. Hioj,'. V, 1839, 180, pi. (recxvii. In. Syii. 1839, 177. — In.
Birds Aincr. IV, 1842, 238, |)I. ccli.x (iiiimatiiiv, with yellow rinwii). — XirrAi.i,, Man.
1, (2(1 0(1.,) 1840, (i80. — C:a.ss. I". A. X. S. 1803, 199. /'(V«.s- imtrliiut; Al'M. Oiii.
Uiojr. V, 1839, 181, pi. ccccxvii. — In. Syii. 1839, 178. — lit. Iliivls Aiiirr. IV, 1842,
240, pi. ' ilx (yoiiiiy mall', with red IVathcis on liowii). — I'ass. V. A. X. .S. 1803, I'.IO.
Picus niltricajiilliis, XciTAi.L, Man. I, (2il I'll.,) 1840, 085 (same as pivi'ialiiig). Plats
septcntrionalis, Nuttali,, Man. I, (2d cd.,) 1840, 084.

Var. vlUosuSa — Mijillo Status.

Picus villosus, LlXN.KUs, Sy.st. Nut. I, 1758, 175. - ■ Vikii.i.ot, Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807,
04, pi. o.\x. — W11..SOX, Am. Orn. I, 1808, I5t1, pi. i.\-. — Wagi.kh, Syst. Av. 1827,
No. 22. — Aui). Oiu. liiof,'. V, 1839, 104, pi. ccccxvi. — hi. IMids Amer. IV, 1842,
244, jil. c'llxii. — HdNAI'. C'oiispodtiis, 1850, 137. — SfXliKVAM,, JIoii. Pio. 17.--
Haiud, Birds N. Am. 1858, 84. Picus Intmmdanus, WAOi.r.ii, Syst. Av. 1S27,
No. 18 (youiij; malo in siiiniiii-r). Hairij Woodpecker, PiiSNASr, IjATIIAJI. Dnjtibaics
villosus, L'Ait. & Hei.n. Mns. lloiii. rv, 2, 00.

Var. auilubonl. — Soiitlioru States,

Picus auduhnni, SwAlNsiix, F. 15. A. 1831, 300. - Tiii'DKAr, .1. A. X. So. Ph. VII, 1837,
404 (vi'iy young male, with crown spotted with ycdiow). — .Vrn. Orn. Bing. V, 183!>,
194, pi. ccccxvii. — In. Birds Aiiier. IV, 1842, 259, pi. eclxv. — Xi'tt. Man. I, (2d
od.,) 1840, 684. —Cass. P. A. X. S. 1803, 199. Pieus villosus, BiiVANT, Pr. Host.
Soc. 1859 (Bahamas, winter). — Ai.i.en, B. K. Flu. 302.

Sp. Ciiar. Abovi! black, with a wliito band down the iniddlo of tlu> back. All the
middlo and larger wing-coviM-ta and all the quills with conspicuous spots of wliito. Two
wliito stripes on each side of the linad ; the U[)pcr scarcely eoiiliueiit behind, the lower
not at all so ; two black stripes eoiilhieiil with the black of the uajie. liiMieatli white.
Three outer tail-feathers with the exposed portions while. Leiigtli, S.tUt to 11.00; wing,
4.00 10.5.00; bill, 1.00 to 1.25. Male, witli a nuchal .scarlet crescent (wanting in the
female) covering the white, generally continuou.s, but oReu interrupted in the middle.

504 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Immature bird of either sex with more or less of the wliole crown spotted with red
or yellow, or both, sometimes the red ahnost continuous.

Haii. Nortii America, to the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, and (var. canaden-
sis) along the 40th parallel to British Columbia; Sitka; accidental in England.

In the infinite variation shown by a large numl)er of siieciniens in the
markings of the wings, so relieil on by authors to distinguish the apecies of
the black and white spotted North American Woodpeckers liaving a longi-
tudinal band of white down the back, it will be jierhaps our best plan to cut
them rigorously down to two, the old-fashioned and time-honored P. villosiis
and 2^ubcsci'ns ; since tlie larger and more perfect the series, tlie more diffi-
cult it is to draw the line between them and their more western representa-
tives. Tlie size v'aries very greatly, and no two are alike in regard to the
extent and number of the white spots. Beginning at one end of the chain,
we find the wliite to predominate in the more eastern specimens. Thus in
one (20,001) from Canada, and generally from the north, every wing-covert
(except the smallest) and every quill shows externally conspicuous spots or
bands of white ; the middle coverts a terminal band and central spot ; the
greater coverts two bands on the outer web, and one more basal on tlie inner;
and every .^uill is marked with a succession of spots in pairs throughout its
length, — the outer web as bands reaching nearly to the shaft ; the inner
as more circular, larger spots. The alula alone is unspotted. This is the
typical marking of the P. leucomdus or canadensis of authors. The white
markings are all larger respectively than in other forms.

The next stage is seen in typical or average P. villosus for the Middle
States. Here the markings are much the same, but the white is more re-
stricted, and on the outer webs of the feathers forms rounded spots rather
than bands. Some Carlisle specimens have two spots on the middle coverts
as described, others lack the basal one. Another stage is exhibited by a sjjeci-
men from Illinois, in which with two spots on the middle coverts there is but
one terminal on the outer web of the greatei-, and a reduction in number
of spots on the inner webs of innermost secondaries, terminal outer spots
not having the corresponding inner. This form is quite prevalent westward
and on the ITpper ]Missouri, but cannot be considered as strictly geograph-
ical, since a Ma.ssachusetts and a Georgia skin agree in the same characters.

In all this variation there is li' Aq diminution in the number of spots
visible externally, nor so far have we seen any from th'j region east of the
Missouri plains that lack wiiite spots on every covert (except the smallest
ones) and every quill, and with few exceptions on both webs of the lattei".
It is tlierefore this style that ve propose to consider as pure P. villosns,
irrespective of variations in the size or shape of the spots, of the amotmt of
white on tail and back, or of the bird itself. Any deviation from this may be
called a variety. It has the distribution already mentioned, and extends along
the Upper Missoin-i to British Colambia and Sitka, straggling into Washijig-
ton Territory, where, however, it is found with the more typical western form.

PICID.E — THE WOODPECKERS. 505

var. harrisi. A spcciineu collected by Mr. Hepburn at Caribou, on the. Upper
Fra.scr, is absolutely uudistiuguishable from typical P. caiuulcnuis in size
and marking:

We now come to the western race or variety, hardly to be called species,
tlie J\ harrisi of Audubon. Here tiie e.vtreme of condition most opjic^sod to
typical rilloHHS is shown by the entire absence of white on the exposed sur-
i'ace of the wing, except on the outer webs of the four or five longest prima-
ries, where the spots are very small. (We have never seen them entirely
wanting.) The white of the back, too, may be norm.Ti in amount, or else
nmch restricted. Concealed white spots on some of the feathers will lie
.seen on raising them. The white of tail-feathers sometimes shows black
spots or blotches, es))ecially on the inner web of the second. These features
belong more esjjecially to specimens from the coast region of Oregon and
Washington.

Proceeding eastward irom the Northern Pacific Coast we next find speci-
mens showing a few white streaks on the greater coverts and ne.\.t on the
middle coverts. The spots on the secondaries, too, begin to show themselves;
but as a general rule they do not occur on the innernios*^^ of the greater
coverts and of the secondaries. This, therefore, may be considered as the
limit of a variety, characterized by the absence at lealit of sjiots in these
members of the wing.

With the variation in spo*s in the westein variety we have, as already
remarked, differences in amount of white on the tail and the back, as well as
in the color of the belly, which is sometimes ])ure white, sometimes of a
smoky gray; this latter variation not at all parallel with other dilferences or
with geographical distribution, and ecpially observable in eastern vi/fosna.
The size, too, varies somewhat, but not to the same extent as on the Atlantic
side. Here, however, we have Pirns Jarrl in i of ^lexico and Central America,
as the small southern race, almolutely undistinguishable from dark-breasted
Oregon specimens, except in size (length, 7.00 ; wing, 3.90 ; bill aliove, .85),
and perhaps a more fulvous tinge on the under j)arts. The specimens before
me have one or two black spots on the inner web of the next to the outer
tail-feather, as in darker varieties of hnrrvii, I)ut these are not symmetrical
or constant in either, and are to b(; looked on as mere indications of the
general tendency to melanism.

H.vniTS. This common and familiar species of Woodpecker has an ex-
tei'ded range throughout eastern North America. Sjtecimens in the Smith-
.sonian Institution iiave been collected from almost eve»7 portion of North
America east of the Pocky ]\Iountains. AVilson s]ieaks of it as connnon
tln'oughout the (Mmtinent from Hudson's Bay to Carolina and Georgia. Mr.
Audvd)on, wlio regarded Pinin martina', P. 2^liillipsi, and /'. camukn.sis as dis-
tinct species, instead of varieties of this Woodpecker, states, in regard to its dis-
tribution, that the P. ri/lonin is a constant resident both in the maritime and
inland districts from Texas to New Hampshire, as well as in all the wooth'il

vor.. M. C4

506 NORTH AMERICAN BIRD8.

tracts intervening between the junction of the Missouri and ^lississippi, and
tlie iiortlieni borders of tlic great lake. He adds that not an individual was
found by him or by his sons in Elaine, where he did, however, obtain in great
aliundanee the variety he called P. canadensis. According to Sir John Rich-
ardson it is found as far to the north as the Ood 2)arallel. It remains all tlie
year round in tiie fur countries, and is the most common species up to the
fifty -sixth degree of latitude, north of which it yields in fretjuoncy to the
tiiree-tocd species. Dr. Woodhouse speaks of it as common in Texas and
in the Indian Territory. Althougli not crossing the liocky IMountains in
the United States, it reaches the Pacific Coast of I'ritish Columbia, and is
found north as far as Sitka, and ])erhaps still farther, tlius replacing the var.
harrisi. It is a resident, and not a migratory, sjiecies, and wlierever found
it also breeds. Several specimens have been killed in England.

According to the observations of "Wilson, this Woodpecker frecjuents the
orchards and cultivated grounds, and is less wild and more domestic than
most of the species. In May, with its mate, it seeks the retirement of the
woods to breed, selecting a branch already hollowed, or excavating one for
itself. In the former case the nest has been known to be four or five feet
from the opening. AVhen it excavates its own opening, it digs horizon-
tally six or eight inches into the 1)ody of the tree, and then downward
to about twice that distance, carrying iip the chips in the bill or scrap-
ing them out with the feet. Tliey not unfrequently breed in orchards,
and have been even known to excavate their holes in the rails of old
fences. Tlie female lays five white eggs, which are usiuilly hatched out
early in June.

jMr. Audubon observed these birds, at all seasons, in almost every ])ossible
locality, from the isolated trees of large towns and cities, even to the very
midst of tlic salt marshes about the mouth of the ^Iississii»pi. He found
the excavation for the nest more frecpiently running obli(piely than [lerpen-
dicularly. In the Southern States they rear two broods in a season, the first
appearing the last of May, the second usually aliout tlie first of August. In
tile middle and northern districts they rarely raise more than one. Tiiose
which Mr. Audubon observed to raise iiKjre than one brood in a season made
use of the same excavation for both, and not unfreijuently within a few yards
of a house. The eggs of the first brood he found usually six in number, and
of the second four. Where they have but one brood, the number varies from
four to six, and in two instances he has found seven. The measure given by
him is one inch in length by .69 of an inch in breadth. They are elliptical
or almost erpially rounded at both ends, smoot]i,pure white, and translucent.
The young remain in the nest until well able to fly.

Mr. Audubon states that the Hairy Woodpecker becomes, during the win-
ter months, a very common bird in all parts of the Southern States, coming
to t! •'arm-yards with the downy sjiecies to glean the grains of corn left by
the c^ctle. At this season their visits to the corn-cribs are extremelv fie-

riClDyE — THE WOODrECKERS. 507

queiit. They may also be seen clingiu",' to tlio .*talks of tlio suj^ar-cane, bor-
ing them, and evidently enjoying the sweet juices of that iilant.

Their tlight is short and rapid, rescnililing that of other allied species.
They are not social, never more than the members of one family being seen
together. They feed chieily on insects and their larva>,, often seizing tlie
former on the wing. In tlie autumn tliey occasionally eat berries, seeds,
and small fruit. Tlieir notes are sharp and loud, uttered in monosyllaldes,
at times with great frec^uency.

An egg of tliis species, tiikeu in Ko.Kbury, Mass., is of a pure crystal whiti!-
ness, oblong in shape, and et^ually rounded at either end, measuring l.Ol
inches in length by .72 of an inch in breadth. Another, from Georgia, is
more rounded at one end, and measures 1.02 inches iu length and .73 of an
inch in breadth.

Pious villosus, var. harrisi, Aud.

HABBIS'S WOODPECKER.

Picus harrisi, Arn. Orn. Bing. V, 1830, 191, \\\. ccrcxvii. — Ib. Syn. 1830, 178. - In.
Birds Ainciicjii, IV, 184-2, 2H, pi. otlxi (.liiik-licllii'd vaiiety). — NliiAi.i,, Man. I,
(2d. ed.,) 1840, 027. — B.uitl), Birds N. Am. 1858, 87. — Suniievai.i., Moii. 17.—
Loud, Pr. K. Art. As.s. IV, 111 (uo.stiiig). — Couks, Pr. A. N. S. ISOG, 52 (Oregon).
Sl'.MruiiiiAsT, Mum. Bost. Soc. I, 1809, 562 (Aliuuc regions of Vera Cruz). — (iu.w,
Catal. 1868, 47. — Caiux. .1. 1862, 175. — Ca.ssix, P. A. N. S. 1863, 200. — Codi'Kii
& SucKLKY, 150. — Coornii, Orn. Cal. I, 1870, 375. i I'ir.us inunniliis, Liciir. (lion.
Consp.). Pieiii (Trichuj)icii/i) /idrrisi, Bi-. Consji. Zyg. Aten. Ital. 1854, 8. Dnjulmlcs
harrisi, C.vU. & IIkix. Mus. Hein. IV, 2, 08 (jardini, 69.) Picas jardini, Mai.ii. Kev.
ZoiJl. Oct. 1845, 374 (Moxico). — Cau. Jour. 1862, 175. Picus hyloscopus, Cau. i
Heix. Mus. Hein. IV, 2, 1863, 09 (white-liellifd form).

Sp. Char. Similar to typical viUosii.i ; the innonnost of the greater wing-coverts and
of the seoondary quills without any white spots externally ; varying from this to tlic
iMitire ateence of exposed white on wing except on the outer web of longest i)riniaries.
Belly varying from pure white to smoky or fulvous gray, white of tail-feathers very
rarely blotched with black. Average length, in north, 9.00 ; wing, u.OO ; exposed part of
culmen, 1.15.

\ixv. Jardini much smaller. Length, 7.00 ; wing, 3.90 ; culmen, .85.

Had. Whole of Western United States, west of the Missouri plains, extending into
Mexico and Central America, where it passes into the smallest and darkest .southern ex-
treme, known as P.jurdiui. Localities: West Arizona (Coi-es, P. A. N. S. ISUG, 52);
Vera Cruz, Alpine regions (Sumichrast, M. Bost. See. I, 18G9, 502).

In the preceding article we have given some general remarks on Harris's
Woodpecker, and shown why we cannot consider it a well-defined species.
If the specimens from the extreme west were constant in tliemselves, and the
variations, as with Colnptcs hyhridus, occurred along the line of contact with
villosus, we might refer to hybrids many of the intermediate forms ; but as
scarcely any two are alike, even on the Pacific coast, such a view is inad-
missible. As, however, in the extreme limits of variation, there is yet a

508 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

difference from eastern specimens, t'uul this is characteristic of a large area
of country, it may bo proper to recognize the form by tlie name Imrrisi.

T\m J'.jardini appears to be notliing more than the most southern race
of this dark western form of F. villosus, and shows the smallest, as well as
tlie darkest, extreme to which the species attains. In Southern Mexico
typical F. hurrid and tliis form grade insensibly together. The minimum
of size and maximum darkness of colors are reached in Costa liica.

Habits. This variety was first described by Mr. Audubon from specimens
obtained by Mr. Townsend on tlie Columbia lliver. No information was
obtained in regard to its habits, which, it may be presumed, do not ^ary veiy
essentially from those of the more familiar ijuhcscciis and villosus. In regard
to its geographical distribution, it has been found in more or less abundance
from Nebraska to the Pacific, and from Mexico to British America. It is
known to occur in Texas on the Eio Grande, in New Mexico, in Arizona,
Nebraska, California, Oregon, and Washington Territory.

This indicates a very general distribution throughout Western North
America from the eastern slope of the Itocky Mountains to the Pacific, and
from New Mexico and Texas probably to the limits of the forests in the
northwest. It seems to take the place of the F. villoms in the far west. Dr.
Heermann, in his notes on the birds of California (Journal of Pluladeli)hia
Academy, II, 270), says it is not a common bird, although it is oc(;asionally
met with in that State. Dr. Gambel, however, states that it occupies, on the
western coast, the same place that the F. villosus does on the Atlantic, but
seems to have a greater partiality for the pine woods. Dr. Woodhouse did
not meet with it in the expedition to the Zuni and Colorado. Dr. Newberry
speaks of it (U. S. P. 11. R. Survey, VI, — Zoology, p. 89) as not uncommon
in the wooded districts of Northern California and Oregon. Dr. Kennerly,
in his report on the birds obtained by Lieutenant Whipple's party, states
that Harris's Woodpecker was found along the Little Colorado Piver in the
month of December, wherever the cottouwood trees grew (U. 8. P. 11. P.
Survey, X, Pt. VI, 21). It is not mentioned by Dr. Heermann in his Eeport
on the birds of Lieutenant Parke's exploiations near tlie 32d parallel. The
same writer, in his Report on the birds of Tiieutenant Williamson's party,
speaks of this bird as having been occasionally observed during the survey,
but as a somewhat rare species, though procured in Northern California and
at Tejon Pass. Dr. Suckley speaks of it as (juite abundant at Fort Dalles,
where he found it among the true pines, and at Fort Steilacoom, among the
firs {D. douglasi), and as a winter resident in both localities (Natural His-
tory of Washington Territory, Zoology, p. 159). Dr. Cooper states tliat
Harris's Woodpecker is the most abundant species in Wasliington Territory,
being found on both sides of the Cascade Mountains, frequenting the lower
parts of the great coniferous trees. He found it a constant resident in May,
burrowing out a nest in a dead tree, sometimes only four feet from the
ground. He describes its cries and habits as so exactly like those of the

PICID^E — THE WOODl'ECKEUS. 509

larger Sapsucker (P. vil/osus) of the Atlantic States, that, wore tliere not
constant and unchangeable dillerenees in plumage, it would be taken for
the same species. He furnishes no description of the eggs, but it is cpiite
probable that tliere is no appreciable difference between them and those of
the I'ivus viUuHiis.

Dr. Cones mentions this species as one of the most common and characteristic
birds in the vicinity of Fort Whipjjle. Dr. lleermann speaks of its having clear
trumpet-like notes that betray its locality and render it an easy bird toslioot.

In California Dr. Cooper found this chiefly a northern bird, frequenting
the forests of all kinds up to the summits of the Sierra Nevada, and also
resident as far south as Santa Barbara, descending, in winter, to the eastern
branches of the Colorado and to Tejon Pass. He found it more common
in the higher Coast liange near Santa Ouz, and still more so toward the
Columbia IJiver. Its cry, he adds, is louder than that of most of the small
Woodpeckers, and it is rather shy, especially when it imagines itself pur-
sued. It feeds at times on fruits and berries, and sometimes it visits gardens.
It is known as one of the " Sapsuckers," but does more good than harm in
the orchard, destroying both insects and their larva;.

Mr. John K. Lord states that this Woodpecker is by far the most abundant
species in the district through which his party passed. He found it on Van-
couver's Island, and along the entire course of the boundary-line, south through
Oregon and California, and north to Fort Simpson. A lew remained at Colville
during the winter, but the greater number retired to the coast and returned in
April and ]May. In the latter month they mate, and bore out a hole in a dead
tree. They use no lining for the nest, but lay the eggs on the bare wood. Their
favorite haunts are the stumps of trees growing round swamps or prairie-land.

Tliis Woodpecker was met with by Mr. Eidgway in all wooded portions
of the Great 1' isin, but was most abundant among the pines on the moun-
tains. In all respects, it is a perfect counterpart of the P. nillusus of the
east.

Ficus pubescens, Linn.

DOWNT WOODPECKER; LESSER SAF8VCKER.

Piciis pubescens, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 17G6, 1.5. — Vieillot, Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 65, \A.
cxxi. — Wn,.so.N, Am. Orii. I, 1808, 153, pi. i.\. — Waci.ku, Sy.st. Avium, IS'27, Xo.
23. — AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 81 ; V, 539, pi. cxii. — lu. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 249,
pi. cclxiii. — Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 89. — Sundevall, Mon. Pif. 17. -Mai.u.
Mon. Pic. I, 119, pi. xxix. — Ca.s.sin, Pr. 18G3, 20. — Sul. Cat. 1802, 334. — Gray,
Cat. 1868, 44. — Dali,& Banxisiki!, Tr. Chicago Ac. I, 1869, 274 (Alaska). — FiNscii,
Abh. Nat. Ill, 1872, 60 (Alaska). — Samuels, 89. —Allen, B. E. Fla. 304. Picas
{JifiidrocopiM) pttbtsceiis, Sw. F. B. A. II, 1831, 307. Piciis (Trichopicas) pubesceiui,
BoNAi". Coiisp. Zyg. AtciR'o Italiauo, 1854, 8. 1 Picas medianus, Sw. F. B. A. II, 1831,
308. Picus meridionulis, Sw. F. B. A. II, 1S31, 308 (small southcni race). Piciis
Icconti, .Tones, Ann. N. Y. Lye. IV, 1848, 489, pi. xviii (Georgia ; thrcc-toed .speci-
men, first toe wanting. 'Sy\}a oi Tridactylia, Br.) Dryobatcs pubescens, Cab. & Hein.
Mus. Hein. 1863, 63.

010 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Sp. Char. A minialiirp of P. vHIokus. AUovc; liliick, with ft white bniul down the
l)aci{. Twii while stiipfs on tlie siiii; of tiic lioad ; tlii; Iowlt of opposito si(h's iihvays
.separated beiiiiiil, tiie iippi.T soinetirne.s conOiieiit on the nape. Two stripes of bhick

011 the side ol' till- head, I he h)wer not niiiiiiii^' into the Ibreliead. Beiieatii white; all
the middle and greater eoverlM and all the ((nills with white .spots, the larger coverts
with two series each ; terliaries or inner se(;oiidaries all banded with white. Two enter
tail-feathers white, with two bands of Ijlaek :i' end; third white at tip and externally,
crissnin .soinetiines spotted with blaek. Leii: ili, about G.25 ; wing, 3.75. Mule with rod,
terininating the white leathers on the nape. Ytnuitj with whole to|) of head red.

Il.\i!. Eastern Unitecl States, towanls the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, into
British Cohinibia and the Iliiniboldt Mountains, and north to the limits of the woods;
along whole Yukon River ; perhaps to the Paeilie, north of the 4!ltli jiarallel ; Kodiak.
Localities : San Antonio, Texas (DiiKSSKU, Ibis, 18U5, -11)8). Accidental in England.

Tlio reniai'k.s already made on tlie variation of Ficus rillosus apply e([ually
well liere ; all the differences in size and markings with locality being almost
exactly reproduced. The western vari(!ty, /'. (juirdncri, is equally uncertain
in characters as P. harrisi, and as little entitled to specific distinction. As
in the previous instance, we shall call typical pubesccTis those specimens in
which all the middle and greater coverts and all the quills including tlie
iimermost secondaries are spotted with white, while those in whicli any of
these feathers, whether all the coverts, as in Oregon birds, or only a few of
them, are unspotted, may be called var. (jairdneri.

Of typical puhcsccnti in the Eastern States there are minor variations, but
not of much account. Thtis the forehead itself, apart from the white na.sal
tufts, is sometimes white, connecting witli the white superciliary stripe ;
more frequently, however, tlie whole forehead is black. Nortliern specimens
are larger and have larger white spots, and not unfrequently the black cheek-
stripe is invaded anteriorly by white, wiiich, however, is appreciable at tlie
base of the feathers. The black bars on the tail are much restricted in
specimens from the Yukon. Southern specimens are smaller and darker,
witli smaller spots on the wings.

In all the changes of the two species, there is no difficulty in distinguisli-
iiig P. 2)id)csccns from P. villosiis l>y the black bars on outer tail-feathers of
the former, and their absence in the latter. Tlie crissum oi' 2)ubesiriis is some-
times somewhat spotted with blackish. The white markings on the coverts
are larger in proportion, and there are almost always two series of wliite
spots on the greater coverts, as in northern varieties of villosus, not one, as
in most of those from the Middle States.

Habits. This species, like the Hairy Woodpecker, is a resident rather
than a migratory species, and breeds wherever it is met with. It also seems
to have very nearly the same geographical distribution with that species. Dr.
Woodiiouse found it common throughout the Indian Territory, Texas, and
New jNIexico. It does not, however, appear to have been collected by any
of the parties engaged in the Pacific Railroad surveys, nor by that upon
the survey of the Mexican boundary. Of seventeen specimens given by

PTCTD.E — THE WOODrECKKRS. 51^

Professor Baird in IS.'iS as in tlie (.•(•Ucctiuf.s of tlm Sniitlisoniau Institu-
tion, six are from Pennsylvania, two from ^rassucliusetts, two from Missuuri,
one from Bonlionnnc Island in NehrasUa, and the rest from Fort Leaven-
worth, Salt Creek, Fort IJilcy, and I'hitte liivor in Kansas. It is (|uite
L'ommon thronglioiit the cdast re^iim of Alaska, exclusive of the Aleutians,
and throughout the entire valley of the Yukon. Wilson makes no nu'ntion
of its geogra]iliical distribution, ]irol)al)ly beeause he found it everywhere
common, to the extent of his own investigations. Audulion speaks of it as
very genei'ally distributeil from the lower parts of Louisiana to Lalirador,
and as far westward as ho travelled.

8ir .John Pichardson states that this species is a constant inhabitant of the
fur countries up to the oSth parallel. It seeks its food principally on the
maple, elm, and ash, and, north of latitude 54°, where these trees are not
found, on the aspen and birch.

According to Wilson, these birds select a suitable place for the excavation
of their nest, about the middle of ilay. An apple, pear, or cherry tree, often
in the near neighl)orhood of a farm-house, is generally fixed upon for this
pnrpo.se. The work of excavation is begun by the male, who cuts a hole in the
solid wood as circular as if described with a pair of compasses. lie is occa-
sionally relieved by the female, both parties -working with the mo.st inde-
latigal)le diligence. The direction of the hole, wiien made in the body of
the tree, is downward by an angle of forty degrees for the distance of six or
eight inches, and then directly downward for ten or twelve more. ^^ ithin,
the excavation is roomy, capacious, and as smooth as if polished by tlie hand
of the most finis! ed workman. The entrance is, however, left only just
large enougli to admit the bodies of the birds. During their labor they even
take the pains to carry their chips to a distance, to prevent suspicion.
This operation sometimes occupies the chief part of a week. The eggs are
generally six in nnmlier, jiure wjiite, and laid on the smooth bottom of the
cavity. The male supplies the female with food while she is sitting. The
young generally leave the nest about the last of June.

The same writer also gives an interesting account of the impudent coolness
of the House Wren, who, coveting the well-built home of this Woodpecker, and
unable to excavate sucli an a2)artment for itself, waits until the poor Wood-
pe(!kers have completed their woik, and then attacks tliem with violence and
drives them off from the nest they have been at so nnich pains to prepare. He
states that he saw a striking example of this, where the AVoodpeckers, after
commencing in a cherry-tree, within a few yards of the house, and liaving
made considerable progress, were turned out by the Wren. They began again
on a pear-tree in the garden, a few yards off, when, after digging out a most
complete apartment, and laying one egg, they were once more assaulted by
the same impertinent intruder, and finally forced to abandon the place.

Mr. Audubon gives substantially the same account of their nesting, only
he assigns an earlier period, the middle of April, for its commencement, and

-,12 NORTH A.^^ERI^AN niRDs.

cbscrihes tlio oiitmuce to i\n: rxciiviitidii iis often boinj,' at right angles to the
trunk Torn lew iiii'lics Ipcl'ore it descends, lie states that in the SoutiuM'ii
and Middle Slates two liruods are raised in a season, farther north seldom
more tiian one.

jNIr. C. S. I'aine, of Tiandolph, Vt, s^ieaks of this "Woodpeeker as being one
of tiio most common and familiar, in Vermont, of the family. Tiieyarc to be
met with in ids neigidioriiood at all seasons of lh(! year, tiiough he is of tlie
opinion that many of them go soutli to spend the winter. They deposit their
eggs about tlie lirst of .June in tiie very snug little e.\eavations they prepare.
Tiie male bird will .sometimes priipare a .separate apartment for himself, apart
from his mate. Mr. I'aine lias taken the male in sueli a hole by himself, and
witliout any nest or eggs, evidently only prepared for shelter.

This Woo(lp(!fker lias a single n<jte or cry, sounding like chink, which it
Irecpiently repeats. When it Hies, and often when it aliglits, this cry is
more slirill and prolonged. They are very industrious, and are constantly
employed in search of insects, chiefly in orciiards and the more open
groves. The orchard is its favorite resort, and it is particularly fond of bor-
ing the bark of apple-trees for insects. This fact, and the erroneous impres-
sion that it (ajis the trees for the sap, has given to these birds the connnon
name of 8apsuckers, and has caused an unjust jirejudice against tliem.
So far from doing any injury to the trees, they are of great and iinmi.xed
benefit. Wilson, who was at great pains to investigate the matter, declares
that he invariably found that those trees that were thus marked by the
Woodpecker were uniformly the most thriving and the most productive.
" Here, then," adds Wilson, " is a whole species — I may say genus — of
birds, which Providence seems to have formed for tlie protection of our fruit
and forest trees from the ravages of vermin, which every day destroy mil-
lions of those noxious insects that would otherwise blast the hopes of the
husbandman, and even promote the fertility of the tree, and in return
are proscribed by those who ought to have been their protectors."

The egg of this species is nearly spherical, pure white, and measui-es .83 by
.72 of an inch.

Ficus pubescens, var. gairdneri, Aud.

OAIRSNEB'S WOODFECKEB.

Piciis gairdiwri. Am. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 317. — 1b. Syn. 1839, 180. — In. Birds Amcr.
IV, 1842, 252 (not figuml). — nAlltl), Riid'^ N. Am. IS.'iS, 91, pi. Ixxxv, f. 2, 3. —
Si-Ni)KVAi.i,, foiis]). 1866, 17. — (!ray, Cat. 1868, 44. — CoopEli & Suckley, 159. —
ScLATEii, Catal. 1862, 334. — JIat.ii. Moiiog. Pipidii-, I, 123. — Ca.s.s. P. A. N. S, 1863,
201. — CiPurEii, Oiii. Cal. I, 1870, 377. — Loiu), Pr. R. Art. Inst. IV, 1864, 111.
Piens mcridimudin, Xutt. Man. I, (2d cd,,) 1840, 6ii0 (not of Swaisson). — GA.MnEr,,
J. A. N. So. I, 1847, 55, 105. PicK.i lurall, Mamieuue, Mon. Pic. 1, 125, tali. 29
(small race, 5.50, from Monterey, C'al., nearest ^xfftf.fcoi.s). Dryohates turati, Cad. &
IIein. Mus. Hein. IV, 2, 1863, 65. Drijubalcs homorus, Cad. & Hein. Mus. Hein. IV,
2, 1863, 65 (larger, more spotted style).

PICID/E — THE WOODPECKERS. 513

Sp. Char. Similnr to pnhenmis in size ami markings, but with less wliito on llu> wings.
Varies IVoni ontire absence of'exposcil wliite spots on tiie middle and greater wing-coverts
and inneiiiKist secondaries, with small spots on the quills, to spots on mo;it of their
feathers, but absent on some, and the spots generally larger.

Hah. Pacific coast of United States to Jloeky Mountains. Darkest and with least
ivhite in Western Oregon and Washington.

In tlio preceding article we have given the comparative characters of this
form, which we can only con,si(ler as a variety, and not very permanent or
strongly marked at that.

As in pnbcsreiis, this race varies much in the color of the under parts,
w'liich are sometimes pure white, sometimes smoky-brown. It is suggested
that this is partly due to a soiling derived from iuhahiting charred trees.
It is, at any rate, of no specific value.

Habits. Gairdnci's Woodpecker is the western representative and coun-
terpart of the Downy Woodpecker of the east, resembling it in size and
general haliits, and only differing from it in certain exceptional character-
istics €already mentioned. It is found throughout western North America,
probably from Mexico to the British Possessions, and from the eastern bnse
of the Itocky ^lountains to the Pacific.

Dr. Cooper met with it in California, chiefly in the northern parts of the
State, but did not observe any south of the Santa Clara Valley. Dr. Coues
saw none in Arizona, or possibly a single specimen not positively ascer-
tained.

Dr. Cooper found one of its nests near Santa Clara, on the 24th of May,
containing young. It had been burrowed in a small and partly rotten tree,
and was about five feet from the ground. From the fact that they were
found breeding so far south he infers that among the mountains they prob-
ably occur nmch farther to the south, as do most other northern birds. He
found them frequenting chiefly the smaller trees in tlie vicinity of the ever-
green woods, where they were to be seen at all seasons industriously tapping
the bark to obtain insects.

Dr. Newberry mentions finding them very common in Oregon, and also
in Northern California. In Washington Territory, Dr. Suckley found them
extremely common on the Lower Columbia, especially among the willow-
trees lining its banks. They were resident throughout the winter, and in these
situations were very abundant. In January, 1856, he found them so abun-
dant among the willows growing on the islands in the delta of the Willa-
mette, that he readily obtained eight .specimens in the space of an hour. At
that season they were very unwary, giving little heed to the presence of man,
not even allowing the near discharge of a gun to interfere with their busy
search for food.

Dr. Heermann speaks of it as neither common nor especially rare. He
obtained several specimens among the mountains of Northern California.

Mr. Lord met with these Woodpeckers abundantly in the Northwestern

vol.. II. ()5

514 NORTH ANFERICAN HIRDS.

Jidiiiidiiiy Siirvov. Tlioy (lillbrcd slij^litly in tlicir liiiliits I'roin the P. hnrvm,
j^ouunilly Imiiting fur insects on tlie niiiples, alders, luid stunted oaks, rntlier
than on i'..e ])ine-trees. Specimens were taken on Yiinconver Island, Snuiass
I'rairic, Colville, and tlie west slope of the Jvocky Mountains at an altitude
of seven thousand feet above the sea-level.

Mr. liid;,'way f(tund tiiis Woodpecker to he unaecountahlv rare in the
Sierra Nevada and all jtortions of the CJreat liasin, as well as in the Wah-
satch and I'intah Mountains, even in ])laees where tlie 1'. harrixi was at all
times aliundaiit. Ii "eed, he only met with it on two or three oucasions, in
the fall : lirst iu the U])])er Ihunholdt Valley, in Septemlier, where it was
lure in tlie thickets alon^' the streams ; and again in the Wahsatch jNfoun-
taina, where hut a sini,'le hrood of younj,' was met with in August.

An egg of this species fnun Oregon, ol)tained by Mr. Jiiek.secker, is larger
than that of the puhmxns, but similar in shape, being very nearly si)herical.
Tt measures .'JG of an inch in length i)y .85 in breadth.

SuBOExis DYCTIOPICtTS, Bonap.

Dijctiopiais, RoNAP. Atcnco Ital. ]8,')4, 8. (Tvpp, Picas scahtris, Waoi.EU.)
Dyctiopipn, Cabanls & Hki.v. Mus. Jleiii. IV, 2, 1863, 74. (Sniiii' tyjie.)

CiiAR. Small species, banded above transver.sc]y with black or brown mid white.

Of this group there are two sections, — one with the central tail-feathers
entirely black, from Mexico and the United States (three s[)ecies) ; the other
with their feathers like the lateral black, banded or s])otted with white
(tlire(> species from southern South merica). The northern section is char-
acterized as follows : —

Common Charaptkrs. All the Inrpfor oovorts and qnills with white .spots becoming
transverse bands on innermost .secondaries. Cheeks black with a supra-oibital and a
malar stripe of white. Back banded alternately with black and white, bnt not on njiper
tail-coverts, nor four cciitr.al tail-feather.s. Beneath whitish, sides with elonfrated lilack
spots ; flanks and cri.ssum transversely barred. Tail-f('ather.s, except as mention<'d, with
spots or tranvcrse bars of black. Head of male with red patch above (restricted in
mittalll), each feather with a white spot below the red. Female without i-ed.

The characters of the species scalaris, with its varieties, and nuttalli, will
be found under Picus.

PICIU^E -THE WOODPECKEUS. 515

Pious soalaris, Waolkk.

LAODEB-BAOKED WOODPECKEB.

Picas scalnri.i, Waoi.kii, Isis, IS-Ji), V, nil (Mcxiin). IIcinap. fonsi). IS^O, liiS. Sci ,
r. Z. H. !«:.»), !1U7. — Si-mi. Coiisli. IS. — It.Mltl), liiiils N. Am. Ih'iN, '.tt, pi. xli, I'. 1.
— 111. Uv[<. Mi'X. liouiiil. II, 4, pi. iii. --Sir,. Cat. 1802, aay. — (.'.«.•*. I'. A, N. S.
180:1, 1115. —<ill.vv, Cat. ISliS, ■!«. — HkkiiM. X, i; p. 18. - ('dol'r.li, Orii. Cul. I,
1870,371). /'ieiis[/)ijvtivj>icus)sc(iliiri.i, ItoN. Coiisp. ZyK'"l- Atcli. Ital. 1}<.')1, 8. Jh/r-
tiujil/x) Hcii/itrin, Cau. k IIkin. Mus. 74. Picas tiriiei/i'<, l,i-.ss. l!i'V. Zdiil. Lsiiii, iio
(iMixicd). Piiiin parvun, CAimr, Ilo-stoii Joiii'. N. II. V, 184,'i, IHI (.Sl.sal, Yinatnii).
Pii-iiH i)i-i-.(ihii; CAK.SIN, I'r. A. N'. S. 18ti3, I'.itl (Oiizalia). Picu^ bu<julus, Cas.sin, I'l-.
A. X. S. l»(ia, liMi ; Joiir. A. N'. S. V, 1803, 4(i(i, pi. Hi, f. 1 (Mox.). Piciis hiinli
(.S.I.. UH^.), iMai.iii-.I!Iii:, Mon. I'lc;. I, 118, t. xxvil, f. 7, 8. — Srr,. Cat. Ml), (?) 1'. '/.. S.
04, 177 (lity of Mcx.). -Cau. k Hkin. Mus. Ildii. IV, 2, 70. — Cassin, I'r. A. X. S.
180;l, I'.Ki. — Ciili;s, I'r. A. X. S. 1800, 52 (perhaps var. iji-aj/soni). ~ L)iiks,skii, llii^t,
1805, 408. Jldlj. Texas ami Xmv Mfxicu, to Ari/onu ; wmtli tliroiiyli Ea.stcrii iMcxini
to Yucatan. I'ii-iis .wii/m-is, var. ijraijsoiii, DAlltU, ilSS. llub. Wfsti'ru Arizona ;
Wi'stern Mexico and Tres Muriiia.

Sp. Char. Hack IjniulL'd traii-svorscly with black uiid white from nnpo to rump (not
uppur tail-f()V(Mt.s). Quills ami ('ovurt.s with .spots of wliitu; Ibrniiiig bands on the
Bt'condarios. Two whito stripus on sides of head. Top of head i'i.'il, .spottud witii white.
Nasal tuHs brown. Beiiuatli browiiish-wliitu, with black .spots on sides, lieooining bands
behind. Outer tail-leatluM-s more or lu.ss banded. Length, about 0.50; wing, 3.50 to
4.50 ; tail, about 2.50.

Hah. Guatemala, Mexiifo, and adjacent southern parts of United Slates. Localities:
Xalapa (.Sol. 1'. Z. S. 18.50, ;i(!7) ; Cordova (Sei,. 1850, 357); Onatenuda (.Sci.. Ibis, I,
130); Orizalia (Scl. Cat. 333); S. E. Texas (Uhkssku, Ibis, 18(i5, 408, breedsj ; \V.
Arizona (Couks, P. A. N. S. 1800, 52); Yucatan (Lawii. Aim. N. Y. Lye. IX, 20.j).

In the above tliiigno.sis we liave endcavoretl to express the average of
cliavacters belonoiiig to a WooiliH'cker to whidi many names, based on
trilling geographical variations, have been assigned, but wliich legit innitcly
Ciin be only considered as one species. This is among tlie smtiUest of tin;
Nortli American Woodpeckers, and in all its variations the wings are long,
reaching as I'ar as the short feathers of the tail. The upper parts genendly
are black, on the back, rump, and exposed feathers of the wings banded
transversely with white, tlie l)lack bands rather tlie luirrower ; tlie quills and
larger coverts spotted with the same on both webs, becoming bauds on the
innermost secondaries. The upper tail-coverts and two inner tail-featliers
on either side are black. The white bands of the back extend all the way
up to the neck, without any interscapular interruption. The under parts
are of a pale smoky brownish-white, almost witli a lilac tinge ; on the sides
of the breast and belly are a few scattered small but elongated spots. The
posterior parts of the sides under the wing and the under ttiil-coverts are
obscurely l)anded transversely witli black. Tlie top of the head, extending
from a narrow sooty frontlet at the base of the bill to a short, broad nuchal
crest, is crimson in the male, each feather with a white spot In tween the

516 NORTH AMERICAN BUiDS.

crimson and the dark lirowii base of the feathers. The brown nasal tuft is
scarcely diUcrcnt from tiie I'eatliers of the forehead.

In a large series of specimens of this species, from a M'ide area of distribution,
considerable diH'erences are appreciable in size, but fewer in coloration than
niiglit be expected. Yucatan birds are the least {Pkus parriis, ('abut ; «(//((-
tus, Cassin), the wing measuring '^^^() inclies. Tliose from Southern Mexico
are but little larger (wing, li.lid). In Northern Mexico the wing is nearly
4 inches; in New Mexico it is 4.i50. The markings vary but little. The black
and wliite bauds on the back are about of ecpial width, liut sometimes one,
sometimes the other, appeal's the larger ; the more eastern have, perhaps, liic
most white. The pattern on the tail is tpiite constant. Thus, assuming tlie
three outer featliers to be white, banded with black, the outermost may be
said to have seven transverse bars of black, of which the termiiuil four
(sometimes five) are distinct and perfect, tlie basal three (or two) confiuent
into one on the inner web (the extreme base of the feather wiiite). The
next feather has, perhaps, the same number of dark bands, but here only
two (sometimes three) are continuous and com])lete ; the innermost united
together, the outer showing as scallops. The third feather has no continuous
bands (or only one), all the inner portions being fused ; the outer mere scal-
lops, sometimes an oblic^ue edging ; generally, however, the intersi)aces of
the dark bands are more or less distinctly traceable tlirough their dusky suf-
fusion, especially on the inner web of the outer feather. The number of free
bands thus varies slightly, but the general pattern is the same. Tiiis condi-
tion prevails in nearly all the specimens before us from Yucatan and Mexico
(in only one specimen from Arizona, and one or two i'rom Tcxa.s), and is
probably the typical scalaris of Wagler.

In specimens from the Iiio CJi-ande and across to Arizona the seven bands
of the outer feather are frequently continuous and complete on both webs
to the base, a slight suffusion only indicating the tendency to union in tlie
inner web. The otlier feathers are much as described, except tliat the white
interspaces of the lilack scallops penetrate deeper towards the siiaft. This
is perhaps the race to which the name of P. hiirdi has been applied. We do
not fiiid, however, any decided reduction in the amount of red on the ante-
rior portion of the liead, as stated for this species (perhaps it is less continu- -
ous towards the front), except in immature birds ; young females jiossibly
losing the immature red of the crown, as with typical scalaris.

A tliird type of tail-marking is seen in specimens ironi the Pacific coast,
and from the Ties Marias especially ; also in some skins from Southwestern
Arizona. Here tlie extreme forehead is black, with white spots ; the red of
the crown not so continuous anteriorly even as in the last-mentioned race.
The general ])attern of tail is as described, and the bars on tiie inner webs
are also confiuent to^ "ds the liase, but we have only two or three trans-
verse bars at the end it the outer feathers ; the rest of outer web entirely
white, this color also invading the inner. The second feather is similarly

PICID.E — THE WOODPECKEIW. 517

marked, soniotiinus witli only (tne spot on outer web ; tlio third luvs the
black scalloi)s restricteil. Tiiis may be called var. (/ni/jsoni, as most speci-
mens in tlie Smitlisonian collection were furnished by Colonel Grayson.
The size is equal to the largest tyjiical «■«/«?•«.

We next come to the ("a])e ^t. Lucas bird, described by Mr. Xantus as /'.
liicasanus. Here tiie l)ill and I'eet become disproportionally larger and more
robust than in any described ; the black bands of the Inick larger than the
white, perhaps fewer in number. The continuous red of tiie head also ap-
jK'ars restricted to a stripe above ami behind the eye and on the occiput, al-
thougli there are some scattered feathers as far forward as aliove tiie eyes.
The specimens are, however, not in very good idumage, find this marking
cannot be very well defined ; tiie red may really be as continuous forward as
in the last variety. The nasal tufts are brown, as in the typical scalaris.
The outer three tail-feathers in most siiccimens show still more white, with
one or two indistinct terminal bands only on the outer two ; one or two
additional spots, especially on inner wel), and the sub-basal patch of inner
web greatly reduced. Specimens vary iiere in this resjiect, as in other races
of srahiri.i, but I'lc average is as described.

Notwithstanding the decided difference lietween typical smldrin and li(ra-
sa)iu)i,t\\i\ discovery of the yar'ioiy f/rdi/aoni makes it possible to consider both
as extremes of one siiecies. To nvllaUi, however, it is but one step farther ;
a restriction of the red to the posterior half of the top of head, the white
instead of brown nasal feathers, and the whiter under jwrts being the only
positive characters. The markings of the tail are almost itlentical witii those
of lueasanus. Tiie anterior portion of the back is, however, not banded, as
in the several varieties described. For this reason it may therefore be ques-
tioned whether, if lueasanus and scalaris arc one, nuttalU should not belong
to the same series.

We thus find that the amount of black on the tail is greatest in South-
ern and Southeastern Mexican specimens, and farther north it begins to
diminish ; in Western Mexico it is still more reduced, while at Cape St.
Lucas the white is as great in amount as in the U])i)er Califoruioii P.
nitttalli.

The characters given above for the different varieties or races of Picus
scalarLs, as far as they relate to the tail, may be expressed in the following
table, illustrated by the accompanying diagram, showing the markings of
outer tail-feather in scalaris and nnttalli

Outer tail-fcathcr.s with so'en ili.stinct traiisvi-rao black bands.

These Imiids coiidiuMit oil iiini'i- wel) iioar the l)aso . . var. scnlarin.

Bands distinct on inner wol) var. lirdi.

Bands on outer taii-fealhcr distinct on (inter webs at end only, olisolete
or wantin;; towards l)ii,<e (as in tnitlalli).

Tarsus, .(i8. Bill and lejrs as in average . . . . var, fjr a;/. 10 ii i.

Tarsus, .78. Bill and legs very stout .... var. lucasa n a s .

518

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Habits. Tliis species belongs to our southern and south\ve.stern fauna,
ciiterinfj our borders from Me.vieo, occurrinjf from tlie valley of the Eio
(iriinde to Southeastern California, and the slopes of
the liocky Mountains south of tiie .S5th parallel.
It is found throughout Mexico to Yucatan and Gua-
temala.

Dr. Samuel Cabot obtained a single specimen of
this bird at Yucatan, which he described under tlie
name of P. jnirvus, in tlie Boston Journal of Xatural
History, V, p. 92. It was jnocured early in Decem-
ber, 1841, in the neighborhood of Ticul, Yucatan.
l^v. Kenuerly considered it a not uncommon species
in tlie vicinity of Uoca ( !ninde ; especially wherever
there were large trees. The same naturalist, in his
Iteport on the birds of Lieutenant Whipple's expedi-
tion, states that he very often saw this bird near

Ontprmost tail- Outermost tall- •'

feather of Kcud teiither of p/cw Sail Aiitouio, Tcxas, as Well as duriiifj the march

scataris. nuttallt. ^

several hundred miles west of that place, but that,
after leaving the Rio Grande, he did not meet with it until he reached the
head-waters of Bill Williams Fork. From thence to the Great Colorado
liiver he saw it fre(piently, wherever there was any timber ; but it was
very .shy, alighting on the tops of the leafless cotton-wood trees, and keep-
ing a vigilant lookout.

Dr. Heermann, in his Report on the birds of Lieutenant J. ('. Parke's
expedition, states that he observed this Woodpecker in the soiithenimost
jiortion of California, and found it more and more abundant as he advanced
towards Texas, where it was quite common. The same naturalist, in his
IJeport on the birds of Lieutenant Williamson's expedition, remarks that he
procured this bird first at \'allicita, but fuuntl it aliounding in the woods
about Fort Yuma. He cjiisidered the si)ecit'S as new to the California
fauna, though frecpiently seen in Texas, several of the expeditions luuing
collected it.

Dr. AYoodhonse, in his Ileport on the birds of Sitgreaves's expedition to
the Ziini and the Colorado speaks of finding this beautiful little Woodpecker
abundant in Texas, east of the Pecos liiver. During his stay in San An-
tonio and its vicinity, he became quite familiar with it. It was to be seen,
at all times, flying from tree to tree, and lighting on the trunk of the mes-
quites (A/r/nrobia), closely searching for its insect-food. In its habits and
notes, he states, it much resembles the commoii Hairy Wood[)ecker. D:-.
Woodhouse elsewhere remarkr that he did not meet with this bird west of
the Iiio San Pedro, in Texas. In regard to its lireeding-habits, so far as I am
aware, they are inferred rather than known. It is (juite probable they are
not unlike those of the P/r«.s pithrM-cns, wliich it so clo.sely resembles. The
eggs in the collection of the Smithsonian were obtained with the collections

PICID^ — THE WOODPECKERS. 519

of the late Dr. Berlandier of ^latanioras, in tlie province of Taniaulipas,
Mexico.

Dr. Cooper states that tliis Woodpecker is abundant in the Colorado Val-
ley, and that they are sometimes seen on the hushes covering tlu; neiji;hljor-
in<^' mountains. In liabits he regards them tlie exact couuterjiart of 7'. nul-
tn/li, to \ hich they are allied.

Mr. Dresser found them resident and very common througliout all Texas
and Xortlieastern Mexico. It breeds abundantly about San Antonio, boring
into any tree it finds most suitable for its purposes.

Di\ Cones regards Fort Wliijiple as aliout the nortliern limit f)f this species
in Arizona. It is not very common, is only a summer resident, and breeds
sparingly there. Fartlier south, tln'oughout tlie Territory, and in the Col-
orado Valley, he found it abundant. It does not cross the Colorado De.sert
into California, and is there replaced by P. nuttalli. It extends south into
Central America. A bird shot by Dr. Coucs, June 5, appeared to be incu-
bating ; young birds were taken just fledged July 10. The nest was in the
top of a live-oak tree. Mallierbe, who speaks of this Woodpecker as ex-
clusively Mexican, states that he has been informed that it is abundant in
that country, where it may be seen at all times, climl)ing over the trunks
and branches of trees. It is said to be very familiar and unwary, living com-
monly in gardens and orchards through the greater part of the year, and
many of them nesting there, though in regard to their manner of nesting he
has no information.

The egg of this Woodpecker in shape is most similar to the P. villosus,
I)eing of an oblong-oval. It is larger than the puhcsccns, and not of so clear
a white color. It measures exactly one inch in length by .75 of an inch in
breadth.

Ficus scalaris, var. lucasanus, Xantus.

THE CAFE WOODPECKEB.

Picits hicanaitn,-!, Xantto, Pr. A. N. S. 1859, 2i)8, 302. — M.u.iiKiinK, Mon. Piculfe, I,
100. —Cassis, Pr. A. N. S. 18C3, 19.5. — Cooi'iut, Oni. Cal. I, 1870, 381.

Sp. Ciiau. Geneial apiiearanco that of Picus nuttalli and sailaris. Bill stout, a.s Ion;;
as or lonijcr than tlio liead. Aliovo black, lianclod tran.sver.scly with wliito on tho bai;k
and scapulars to the nape, tho white narrower band, the rump and inner tail-feathers en-
tirely blaek ; quills with a row of white spots on eaeli web ; the outer si;".are, the inner
rounded, these spots on the terlials becoming transversely qundrantjular. Beneath lirown-
i.sli-white, with rounded black spots on the sides of the breast, passinar behind on the (lanks
and under tail-coverts into transverst! bars. Oreater inner win}j-eoverts transversely
barred. Outer two tail-feathers white, with one, sometimes two terminal bars, next to
which are one or two bars on the inner web only ; third feather b! ick, tho outer web
mostly white, with traces of a terminal blaek bar; sometimes then? is a greater pre-
dominance of blaok on the inner web. Two white stripes on side of head, one starting
above, the other below the eye, with a tendency to meet behind and form a whitish

520

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

collar on the nnpp. Malo with the nntiro top of the head streaked with red, becoming
more conspicuous lichiiid; each red strcajx witli a white spot at base. Feathers covering
the nostrils srnoky-lirown. Len.u'th, 7.15; extent, 12.15; wing, 4.00; bill above, 1.00;
middle toe and claw, .80; tarsns, .70.
IIau. Cape St. Lucas.

Of tlio di.'^tiiiL'tness of tliis hird as a species from P. nuttalli and ncalarii^ I
liad at one time no dotiht; bnt the discovery that the otherwise typical
scnlaris from Mazatlan and Western Mexico generally have the same nuirk-
ings on the tail has induced me to consider it as a kind of connecting link.
I have, liowever, thought it best to give a detailed description for compari-
son. Of al)out the same size with nuttalli, the liill and feet are much
larger. Tiie legs, indeed, are nearly, if not (juite, as large as those of
male P. villosus from l'enn.sylvania ; the hill, however, is somewhat les.s.
Tiie relations to P. .seolnris are seen in the dorsal bands extending to tlie
nape, the smoky-ljrown feathers of the nostrils, the red on the whole top
of liead (scattering anteriorly), the brownisii shade beneath, the width of
the white clieek-l)ands, etc. On the other hand, it has the black bands of
the back rather wider than tlie white, as in nuttalli, and the white outer
tail-feathers even less Ijanded with black. The two outer are entirely white,
witli one terminal black bar ,: one or two s[)ots on the outer web ; and two
or tln-ee Itands on the inner, with a sub-basal patch on the inner web, even
smaller than in nuttalli. It is rarely that even two continuous transverse
bands can be seen to cross both -webs of the tail. The bill and feet are
nuich larger.

The following measurements taken from the largest specimens before us
of Bi/diopicim, and one of P. villosus, will illustrate what has been said of
the size of bill and feet of P. lueasanus.

Bill from forehead,

p. villosus.

884 cT

p. lucasarms.
cf 12939

"yo

.76

p. nullalli.

p. scalnris.
cffilOS

cTUSi

1.2C

.90

.99

Tansus, ....

.76

.70

.08

Middle toe and claw, .

.87

.84

.75

.05

Claw alone.

.3!)

.34

.32

.31

Outer hind toe and claw.

.95

.84

.79

.80

Cluw .alone,

.40

.32

.31

.31

Habits.

Nothing distinctive is known of the habits of this race.

PICID/E — THE WOUDPECKEKS. 521

Pious nuttalli, CrAMUKL.

NTTTTALL'B WOODPECKEB.

Picus nuttalli, Gamdel, Vy. A. \. So. I, Ajnil, 1843, 25!) (Los Aiigt-les, Cal.). — Baird,
Birds N. Am. 1858, 93. — Susijkvai.i,, Coiisi). Pie. lU. — Mai.ii. Mon. Pii;. I, 100. —
Cassin, p. a. N. S. 1863, 195. — (iUAY, Cat. 18«8, 50. — Coopku, Oin. Ciil. I, 1870,
378. Piim scalai'i.i, (\VA(ii.Ki!) (Ia.mbki,, J. A. N. >Sc. Ph. 2(1 .so r. I, Di'c. 1847, 55,
pi. ix, f. 2, 3 (not of Waglku). I'ktia wiUoni, Mai.iikuiu:, Kev. Zoijl. 1849, 529. —
Bo.NAl'. Coii.sp. 1850, 13'. Pii'Hn i^Ti-iclmpicua) wihuiti, Bonai-. Coiisj). Z_j,. ti;ii.
Ital. 1854, 8.

Si*. Chak. Back black, banded traiisvcr.sely with wiiitc, but iicit on upper tail-covcrts,
nor as far forward a.s the neck. Greater and middle coverts and (piiils with spots or
bands of white. Crown black, with white spots, sometimes wantinj,'. On the nape a
patch of white, behind this nnbanded bl.ack. Occiput and nape crimson in the male.
Tufts of feathers at the base of the bill white. .Sides of the head black, with two white
stripe.*!, one above the eye and pa.^sing down on the side of the neck, the other below
and cut off behind by black. Under parts smoky yellowish-white, spotted on the sides
of the breast, and banded on flank and crissuni with black. Predominant character of
the outer tail-feather white, with two or three interrupted bands towards end ; none at
base. Length, aliout 7.00 ; wing, 4.50. Female with the top of the head uniform black,
or sometimes spotted with white.

Had. Coast region of California.

Third, tburtli, and fifth ([uills nearly equal and Ljngest ; second inter-
mediate hetween the seventii and eightii. General color above black, barred
tran.sver.sely with white on tlie back, rump, and Hank.s ; the upper surface
of tail and tail-covert.s, and a broad patch on the upper part of the back about
half an inch long, pure black. The white bands measure about .12 of an
inch, the black about twice as much. The top of the head is black, each
feather with a short streak of white ; on the extreme occiput and the nape
is a transverse patch of crimson, each feather having a white spot just below
the crimson. The crimson patch is usually as far from the base of tlie 1)ill
above as this is from its point, 'the sides of the head may be described as
black ; a white stripe commences on the upper edge of tlie eye, and, passing
backwards, margins the crim.son, and extends on down the side of the neck
to a patch of white, apparently connected with its fellow on the opposite
side by white spots. Another narrow white stripe commences at the
nostrils, (the bristles of which are whitish,) and passes as far as the occiput,
where it ceases in the middle of the black of the cheeks. There are tlius
two white streaks on the side of the head bordering a black one passing
through the eye. The under parts generally are white, with a dirty yellow
tinge. The sides of the breast and body are faintly streaked with black ;
tiie flanks barred with the same. The under coverts are barred with black.

The three outer tail-feathers are yellowish-white, with two or three inter-
rupted bars of black on the jjosterior or terminal fourtli, ami a concealed
patch of black on the inner web near the end. Oidy the terminal band is

VOL. II. 06

522 NORTH AMERICAN WRDS.

cuntinuous across, sometimes tliu others ; always interrupted along tlie
shaft, and even reduced to rounded spots of black on one or both webs. No
distinct liands are visilde on raising tlie crissum. Tlie black ptitch on inner
wel) of outer tail-featlier near tlie base increases on the second and third,
on the latter leaving the end uidy witii an oblique white i)atch. The bands
on the under surface have a tendency to a transversely cordate and inter-
rupted, rather than a continuous, linear arrangement.

Young l)irds iiave the whole top of head red, as in P. scalaris, with or
without white at the base ol' the red. The white nasal tufts and other
characters will, however, distinguish them.

This bird, though widely diffenMit in apjiearance from scala7'is, may never-
theless, without any violence, be regarded as but one extreme of a species
of which the lighter examples of smluriH {hairdi) are the other, the tran-
sition towards nuttaUi being through var. smlaris, var. (jraijsoni, and var. lu-
casunus, each in that succession showing a nearer ai)proach to the distinctive
features of nHtUdlL We have not seen any intermediate specimens, how-
ever. The pure white instead of smoky-brown nasal tufts, and their greater
develo[)ment, arc tlie only characters which show a marked ditt'erence from
the varieties of sailaviti ; lait the other differences are nothing more than
an extension of the black markings and restriction of the red in the male,
the result of a melanistic tendency in the Pacific region.

Habit.s. This species was first discovered by Dr. Gand)el near Los An-
geles, C'al., and described by him in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia
Academy. Afterwards, in his jiaper on the birds of California, published in
the Academy's Journal, mistaking it for the /'. smlaris of Wagler, he fur-
nished a fuller description of the bird and its habits, and gave with it illus-
trations of both sexes. So fixr as now known, it ajipears to be C(jnfined to
the regions in California and Oregon west of the Coast Kange, extending as
far south as San Diego, representing, in its distribution on the Pacific, the
P. horenlis of ^the Atlantijo States. Que specinitui in the Smitifeonisin collec-
tions was obtained on Um]K(ua liiver, in Oregon Territory; the others at
Santa Clara, San Francisco, Petaluma, liodega, and Yreka, in California. Dr.
Woodhouse says, in his IJeport on the birds of the Zuni and Colorado ex^DC-
dition, that he has only seen this bird in California, from which region he
has examined numerous sjwcimens. Dr. Heerniann, in his lieport on the birds
of Lieutenant Williamson's ex])edition, .states that this Wood])ecker is occa-
sionally found in the mountains of Northern California, but that it is much
more almndant in the valleys. Dr. (iambel found it abundant in California
at all seasons. IL^ describes it as having the usual hal)its of Woodpeckers,
familiarly examining the fence-rails and orchard-trees for its hisect-fare.
lie found it breeding at Santa liai-bara, ami on the 1st of May discovered a
nest containing young in the dead stumj) of an oak, about fifteen feet from
the ground. The hole for entrance was remarkably small, but inside ajipeared
large and deep. The parents were constantly bringing insects and larva).

PICIDyE — THE WOODPECKERS. r)23

Dr. Cooper states tliat this Woodpecker is (juito abundant towards tlie
coast of California, and anionj,' the footiiills west of the Sierra Nevada. It
frei^uents the oaks and the smaller trees almost exclusively, avoiding the
coniferous forests. It is very industrious, and not easily frightoncil, wlien
engaged in liannnering on the bark of trees aUowing a very near appnjach.
At other times, when pursued, it becomes more wary and susi)icious. Ajtril
20, 18G2, Dr. Cooijer discovered a nest of this bird near San Diego. It was
in a rotten stumj), and was only about four feet from the ground. He cap-
tured the female on her nest, which contained five eggs of a i)ure pearly
whiteness.

Tiiese birds fire .said to remain througliout tiie year in the valley.s, and to
migrate very little, if at all. Dr. Cooper has not observed it west of the
Coast Range, except near Santa Barbara, nor has he seen any around gardens
or orchards. None have been ob!3erved nortli or east of the State. East of
the mountains it is replaced by the scularis.

Mr. Xantus mentions finding a nest containing two eggs in a hole in the
CireuH ffii/nnteits, about fifteen feet from the ground. The excavation made
by the bird was about a foot and a half deep and six inches wide.

This Woodpecker Mr. UidgWcay saw only in the Sacramento Valley, wliero,
in June, it appeared to be a common species among the oaks of tlie plains.
He did not learn anything of ics habits, but describes its notes as very
peculiar, tlie usual one being a prolonged (querulous rattling call, unlike
tliat of any other bird known to him.

Subgenus FHRENOPICUS, Bonap.

Phrcnopictis, Bonap. Consp. Vol. Zygod. Atotico Ital. 1854. (T\-jio, Pints borcalis, Vieill.)
Phrcnopipo, Cad. & Hkin. Mus. Ilein. 18G3, 70. Same type.

, k ♦

This subgenus is closely related in external form to the preceding, differ-
ing in ratiier longer and more pointed wings and tail, the latter especially,
and a very small, sliort bill. The first quill (excluding the spurious one) is
considerably longer than tlie sixth, not shorter. The tail-feathers are nnich
attenuatc^d at end. Tiie most marked diflerences in coloration of the type
species, /'. borcalis, consists in the absence of the ])ost-ocular black patch,
leaving tlie whole auricular region white, and in the restriction of tlie red
to a very narrow line on each side, usually concealed.

Some autliors place Piais siricklaiuU of Mexico (Phrenojjipo or A'ulocopus
stricldandi, Cab. and Hein.) in this section, to which it may indeed belong as
far as the wing is concerned, but the markings are entirely different.

524 NORTH AMERICAN LIKDS.

Ficus borealis, Xivall.

BES-COCKADED WOODFECKEB.

Picus ImraU.i, Vieim.ot, Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, titi, I'l. cxxii. — Stki'IIKNs, in Sliaw's
(ieii. ZoiJl. IX, 1817, 174. — H-uiiii, Birds N. Am. 1858, DO. — Cas.si.n, I'r. A. N. S.
18();i, 201. - (iu.w, Catal. 18(if<, SO. — .\i,i,i:x, 15. E. KIu. a05. — Sundkvam,, Coiis)).
18(J(j, 21. T/iri'iKi/iijKi liiimilh, I'Aii. k Hkin. Mils. Hciii. IV, 2, 7o. I'ican qiiiriilitu,
Wilson-, Am. Oiii. II, 1810, 103, pi. xv, f. 1. — VVaulkis, Syst. Av. 1827, No. 21. —
In. Lsis, 1820, 510. - Arn. Oin. Itiog. V, 1830, 12, pi. ceclxxxix. — Id. Itiids Am. IV,
1842, 2.")4, pi. n-Ixiv. — Br. Coiisi>. 1850, 137. — (;a.s.six, IV A. N'.S. 1803 (.soiitlicnimost
race). I'ii'ti.s (I'liirnopiem) qiirrtihis. Hi'. Coiis]). Zyy. Aton. Ital. 1854, 8. I'icux leiicotia,
Ilmcku (lido Li(liti'iist4'iii in letter to Wagler ; )icrliaps only a catalogue name). —
LiCHT. Verzcieh. 1823, 12, No. 81. Picus viril/o/i, Waoleu, Syst. Av. 1827, No. 20.

Sp. Ciiah. Fourth (piill (not counting the .spuriou.'!) longest. First nearer tip of fifth
than of sixth, intcrniediato between the two. Uppi-r parts, with top and sides of tlie
head, hhiek. Haek, rump, and scapulars handed transversely with white; rpiills spotted
with white on both webs; middle and greater coverts spotted. Bristles of bill, under
parts generally, and a silky patch on the side of the head, white. Sides of breast and
body .streaked with black. First and .second outer tail-feathers wliite, barred with black
on inner web. Outer web of the third mostly wliite. A short, very inconspiituous
narrow streak of silky .sc, rlet on the side of the head a short distance behind the eye,
along tilt! junction of the white and black (tliis is wanting in the female); a narrow short
lino of white just above the eye. Length, about 7.2.') ; wing, 4.50; tail, .'5.2.').

Hab. Southern Statc^s^ becoming vcM-y rare north to Pennsylvania.

This .species difl'ers from the other Laiided "Woodpeckers, as stated in the
diagnosis, in having a hirge ]iatcli of white behind the eye, inchiding the
ears and sides of head, and not traversed by a black post-ocular stripe. The
bands of the back, as in P. nnttuUi, do not reach the nape, nor extend over
the upper tail-covert. The wliite patch occupies almost exactly the same
area as tlie black one in vnttoUi ; the white space covered by the .supra-
orbital and malar stripes, and the white patch on side of nape, of the latter
species being here black.

According to Mr. Cassin, southern specimens which he distinguishes as
P. qticnthi/i from I', hovcalis of I'eunsylvania, differ in smaller number of
transverse bars on the back, and shorter f[uills, and in fewer white spots on
the wing-coverts and outer ])rimaries. The black band on the back of neck
is wider. Tliis therefore exhiliits the same tendency to melanism, in more
southern specimens, that has been already indicated for P. vil/otim, scalaris,
etc.

Habit.s. The Ked-cockaded "Woodpecker has a restricted distriliution to the
Southeastern Atlantic States, being rarely met with so far north as Pennsyl-
vania. Georgia and Florida are the oidy localities reiiresented in the Smith-
sonian collection, though other Southern States not named have furnished
specimens. It has been met with as far to the west as Ea,stern Texas and the
Indian Territory, where Dr. Woodhouse speaks of having found them com-

PICID.E — THE WOODPECKERS. 525

iiion. (Report of an Kxpeilitinn down tlie Zuni and Colorado Ilivi'rs,
Zoiilogy, p. 89.) Wilson imly met with it in the jiiiio woods of North Caro-
lina, (Jeorjfia, and South Carolina, and does not ap[iear to have heen ac-
((uainted with its habits. Audulion sjieaks of it as lioinj^ found altundaiitly
from Texas to Now Jersey, and as far inlan<l as Tennessee, and as nowlierc
more numerous than in the pine barrens of Florida, (leorj^da, an<l the Caro-
linas. He found these birds mated in Florida as early as January, and
cn<fa<;ed in preparing a lireeding-jjlace in P'ebruary. The nest, he states, is
not unfrequontly bored in a decayed stump about thirty feet high. The eggs
he descril)es as smooth and i)ure white, and as usually four in number,
tliough he has found as many as six in a nest. The yoiuig crawl out of their
holes before they arc able to tly, and wait on the branches to receive the food
bronght by their jiarents until they arc able to shift ibr thcKisclves. .')uring
the breeding-season the call of these birds is more than usually lively and
petulant, and is reiterated through the pine woods where it is chieily
found.

Wilson compares the common call-notes of these birds to the querulous
cries of young birds. His attention was first directed to them by this
peculiarity. He characterizes the species as restless, active, and clamorous.

Though almo.st exclusively a .Southern species, and principally found south
of North Carolina, individuals have been known to wander much farther
north. Mr. G. N. Lawrence obtained a specimen of this bird in Hoboken,
N. J., opposite New York (-"ity.

In (luickness of motion this Woodpecker is said to be equalled by very
few of the family. ^Ir. Audul)on states that it glides upwards and sideways,
along the trunks and branches, on the lower as well as the upper sides of
the latter, moving with great celerity, and occasionally uttering a short, .shrill,
clear cry, that can be heard at a considerable distance. Mr. Audubon kept
a womuled one several days. It soon cut its way out of a cage, and as-
cended the wall of the room as it would a tree, seizing such spiders and
insects as it was able to find. Other than this it would take no food, and
was set at liberty.

In the stomach of one dissected were found small ants and a few minute
coleopterous insects. In Florida it mates in January and nests in February.
In the winter it seeks shelter in holes, as also iti stormy weather. IMr.
Audubon states that it occasionally feeds on grain and on snmll fruits.
Some go to the ground to search for those that have i'allen from trees. They
are always found in pairs, and during the breeding-season are very pugna-
ciou,s.

An egg of this species obtained near Wilmington, N. C, by Mr. N. Giles,
measures .95 by .70 of an inch. It is pure white, ai)peared less glossy than
the eggs of most Woodjieckers, and was of a more elliptical shape. An-
other egg of this bird sent to me by Mr. Samuel Pasco of Monticello, Fla.,
measures .98 by .70 of an inch, being even more oblong in shape, and cor-

526 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

resijoiids also in the absence of that brilliant polish so common in most
Woodpeckers.

Subgenus XENOPICXTS, Baird.

Xcnnpieus, BAliin, Birds N. Am. 1858, 83. (Tyiic, Ltueoiierpcs albolarvalwi, Cas.s.)
XeiUH-mmjuK, ('All. k Ili'.is. Mils. Hfiii. IV, 2, 1803, 74. (Same type.)

TIlis section of rims is not appreciulily different in form from Pkus
villosus, which niiiy be taken as the American type of the genus Picus. Tlie
plumage appears softer, however, and the uniformly black body with white
head and wliite patch at base of primaries will readily distinguish it from
any allied group.

Ficus albolarvatus, Baird.

WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER.

Lenconcrpes albolarvatus, Cassin, Pr. A. N. Sc. V, Oct. 1850, 106 (California). Bonap.
Consi). Zyg. At. Ital. 1854, 10. Milaiicrpcs alhultirviitus, Cassi.v, Jour. A. N. Sc.
2il series, II, Jan. 1853, 257, 1>1. xxii. — Newiif.uuy, Zoiil. Cal. and Orog. Ifoutc,
0, Kej). r. It. U. VI, 1857. Picuit {Xcnnpieus) allmhti-ralus, BAIItl), Bird.s N. Am.
1858, 90. — CAS.S1N, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1803, 202. — Loud, Pr. It. Art. Ins. IV,
1864, 112 (Ft. Colvillo ; nesting). — Cooi-Kii & SrcKi.KY, 100. — Ki.i.ior, Birds
N. Am. IX, plate. Picus aUmhtrvalus, Suxdkvai,!,, Consp. Pic. 29. — CooiT.n, Orn.
Cal. I, 1870, 382. Xiiwcraugus nihilarratus, Cab. k Heix. Mus. Hein. IV, 2, 1803,
74. Xowpicua albolarvatus, Elliot, lllust. Bird.s Am. I, pi. xxix.

Sp. Chak. Fourth and fiflli quill.'^ equal and longest ; tip of fir.<!t equidistant between
_ sixth and seventh. Entirely liluish-black,

oxeepting the head and neck, and the outer
edges of the primaries (except outermost),
and the concealed bases of all the quills,
which are white. Length, about 9.00;
wing, 5.25. Male with a narrow crescent
of red on the occiput.

Had. Cascade Mountains of Oregon and
southward into California. Sierra Nevada.

Habits. This very plainly marked
W^oodpecker, formerly considered very
Picus aihnian-nu,>. ^pg^ jg jjg^y kuowH to bc abuudaut in

the mountains of Northern California and Nevada, as also in the mountain-
ranges of Washington Territory and Oregon. Dr. Cooper found it quite
common near tlie summits of the Sierra Nevada, latitude 39°, in September,
1863, and procured three specimens. Three years previously he had met
with it at Fort Dalles, Columbia River. He thinks that its chief range of
distri1)ution will be found to be between those two points. He also found
it as I'ar north as Fort Colville, in the northern part of Washington Territory,
latitude 49°. He characterizes it as a rather silent bird.

PICID.K — THE WOUDPECKEKS. 527

Dr. Newbeny only met with this bird iimoiiy tiiu Cascade Mountains, in
Oregon, where lie ilid not find it common.

Mr. J. (j. 13ell, wlio lir.st discovered this species, in tlie vicinity of Sutter's
Mills, in (Jalilbrnia, on the Anuu'ican Uiver, represents it as treipientiiif,' the
hi},dicr branches of the pines, keejiiiig almost out of gunsiu)t range. Active
and restless in its movements, it uttered at rare intervals a sharp and clear
note, while busily pursuing its search for food.

Mr. John K. Lord states that tlie only place in which he saw this veiy
i-are bird was in the open timbered country about tlie C'olville Valley and
Spokau River. He htas observed that this Wootlpecker almost invarial)ly
haunts woods of the PinHn pondcfuHH, and never retires into tiie thick damp
forest. It arrives in small numbers at L'olville, in April, and disapi)ears
again in October and November, or as soon as the snow liegins to fall. Al-
though he did not succeed in obtaining its eggs, he saw a pair nesting in tlie
month of May in a hole bored in the branch of a very tall i)ine-tree. It
seldom flies far, but darts I'rom tree to tree with a short jerking flight, and
always, while flying, utters a sharp, clear, chirping cry. Mr. Kidgway found
it to be common in the pine forests of the Sierm Nevada, in the region of
the Donner Lake Pass. It was fii'st observed in July, at an altitude of about
five thousand feet, on the western slope of that range, where it was seen play-
ing about the tops of the tallest dead jiines. On various occasions, at all sea-
sons, it was afterwards found to be quite plentiful on the eastern slope, in the
neighboriiood of Carson City, Nevada. Its habits and manners are described
as much like those of the P. harrisi, but it is of a livelier and more restless
disposition. Its notes have some resemblance to those of that species, but
are of a more rattling character. It is easily recognized, when seen, by its
strikingly peculiar plumage.

528

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDa

Picoitfex nrctinis.

Gkms FICOIDES, Lxckv.

I'iciiii/i's, I,ACK1'. Mpiii. Inst. 17!i!i. ('''yin', Picun Iridudi/liu,)
Tridiu-lijliii, SiKi'it. Sliuw, (icii. Zuiil. 1*10.
Jlilinuis, Sw. V. It. A. II, US.'U, ;!11.

Gkn. Ciiah. Hill about as louj; u.>i llio licad, very imicli dcprcwscil at tlu> ba.xf ; the

outlines nearly strai^jlit ; tliu lalci-nl
liili^c at il.-i liasc niucli ncarci- the
L'oinuii.s.KUi'c than tlic cnluicM, .so a.s
to briiiff tlic larp', lallicr linear no.s-
tril.s elo.s(! lollieedfre ol'tliee.innnis-
surc. Tliep)nys very Ion;:. e(|ual to
the (li.stnnco I'roni the nostril.s to the
tip of tho hill. Feet with only
three toes, tho llr.st or imier hinder
one Ijeini; wantiuir ; the outer
lateral a little lonj,'er thnii the
inner, hut slijrhtly exceeded by tho
hind toe, which is about equal to
tho tar.siis. Winjfs very lonp,
reaehiiif,' beyond the middle ol' the
tail, the tip of the liist (piill
between those ol' sixth and seventh.
Color black above, with a broad patch of yoUow on the crown; white beneath, trans-
versely banded on the sides. Quills, but not wing-eoverts, with round spots. Lateral
tail-feathers white, without bands on exposed portion, except in European specimens.

The ])eculiarities of tliis oeiuis coii.sist in the al).sence of the inner hind
toe tuul the great depression of tlio bill. The tignre above fails to rejircseut
the median ridge of the bill as viewed from above.

Common Ciiahactkus. The American species of Plcouhn afrroe in beinf? black above
and white beneath; the crown with a square yellow patch in the male; a white stripe
liehind the eye, and another from the loral region beneath tho eye ; the quills (but not
the coverts) spotted with white ; the sides banded transversely with black. The diagnostic
characters (including the European species) are as follows : —

Species and Varieties.

P. arcticus. Dorsal region without white markings; no supraloral white
stri))e or streak, nor nuchal band of white. Four middle tail-feathers wholly
black; the next pair with the basid half black; tho outer two pairs almost
wholly white, without any dark bars. Entire sides heavily banded with
black; cri.ssum immaculate; sides of tho breast contimiously black. ^.
Crown with a patch of yellow, varying from lemon, through gamboge, to
orange, and not surrounded by an}' wliiti.sh markings or suffusion. 9-
Crown lustrous black, without any yellow, and destitute of white streaks
or other markings. AVing. 4.85 to 5.25; tail, 3. 00 ; cnlmen, 1.40 to 1.55.
Hah. Northern parts of North America. In winter just within th<!
northern border of the United States, but farther south on high mountain-
ranges.

I-K'ID.K- TlIK WoonrKCKMltS. r»2!)

P. trldaotyluB. \)'<y<:\\ n"/\>m willi wliilc iiiiirkinu's, of vnriniis iiiiidiiiiI,
Mii'l iliii'cliiMi ; 11 iiioic nr less ilisliiict siipiiilipi-iil wliilc strciik <>r slii|M'. ;iii<l
II uKirc or It'f-i iil)|mn'iil iiucliiil IiiuhI »{' llic siiiiii'. Kdiir Id nIx iiiiihllc lail-
li.'nllu'rs ciilircly liliii'U ; wlicii six. ilii' ii'iiniiiHlcr arc wliiic, with disiitiL't
lilnck Imrs Id llicii- ciiiis ; wlii'ii I'diii-, llicy iiic wliiic wiliioul any liliick liars,
except, Dc<!asiDiiiilly a lew iDWiini iIk' li:i>e. Siiii's always wilii Muck streaks
Of iimrkiiifrs, Imt tliey arc sDUicliiiics very spiirsi- ; crissuin Kamlcd with
binek, or iiiiiiiiieiilalc; sidi's of ilic breast not conliimDiisly bliick. (J.
Crown with a imteli of f,MiiiliDf,'c, amber, nr .siilpiiiir-yeilDW, siirrDiiinleil by
ft wliitisli siill'iisiDii DP iiiarkiii,i.'s. 9. CrDwii wiihDiit any yellow, lint dis-
tinctly streaked, spi'cklcd, or snll'iised n-illi whitish (very seldein plain black).
a. Six middle lail-leathers wholly black. Europe and Asia.

Sides mid crissniii heavily barred with black (black bars aliDUt as
widi.' as the white ones).

Back iisMidly transversely spotted with white; occasionally
lonirilndiiially striped with the same in Scandinavian exiunplcs.
Win^', 4.80 to.").lO; tail, ;5.80 to 4.00; culuieii, l.'iO to l.:!''.

I/i(h. MiirDpe var. iv i dnct ijl us}

Sides and cri.ssnin almost tree tioni black liars; black liars on the
outer tail-feathers very much niirrowcr than the white.

Back always (■.') striped loniritiidiiially with white. Winir,
4.70 to 4.7.'): tail. ;!.()."• to ;!.!)0; <'nlmen. 1.20 to l.,'l."). Ilah.
Siberia and Ndrthern Uiissia . . . \m: cr i m^nl c 11 ri, a-

h. Four middle tail-leal licr.s, only, wholly black. North America.

Sidi's heavily barn.Ml with black, but erissinn •vithout bars, except
beneath the surface. Thi-ce outer tail-tt'iillicrs witliDilt black bars,
except sniiiclimes on the liasal portion of the inner wcbs. Winj;.
4.40 to .'i.lO: tail, ;i.40 to :!.70; culinen, 1.10 to 1.25.

Mack transversely spottcil or barred with white. llnh.
Hudson's Bay rcirion ; sonlli in winter to northern burder of

Ea.stcrn I'nited States \-m-. <im c r ican hk .

Baidc lonjjilndinally striped with wliiti; at all seasons. llnh.
Rocky Mountains; north to Alaska . . , . \m: tl or mili k .

* Pirniilci Iridiirtiihi.i, var. triihiclijUis. Pirns tn'i/iicliiliix, Lis.s. ,S. N. 1-Jlli cd. I, 177(17lifi).
— I)t;oi,ANli, Orn. Kur. 1, Kil 0^''''- .//''''•""•''■ frii/uctiiln.i, IJdnai'. liirds (]S:iS), p. 9. —
Oiu-l.n, lUrds of Kuropc, pi. cixxxii. Pimiiirn trhhieliihts, (ili.VV. Pioiii/i:.i eiuvjxeun, I.Kss.
Orn. p. 217 (1831).

2 /'iciii,/isln'<l(i<-/iiln.i,\nr. crissiilnin(.s. Pirns crissnlfin-ii.f, IJuAXivr, Jlus. I'ctrop. Aplernns
crissnhurus, I'.oXAf. C'on.sp. — lif.icil. .Syn. ii. -MVl, No. S;!ii ; pi. dcxxxi, f. 4197, illKS. PioMrs
crissoh-iicits, Mai.II. Moiio^'. Pic. 1,180. "Jjita;iHs /.r,mn-li(it/.y,isis, BoNAf." — Mai.ii. MencK.
Pic. 1, 180 (ill synonoiny). ApUrnus tridiuiijlus, ^lus. ilc JIayeiieo. — Pallas, Zuogr. lios.
As. I, 415.

67

530

XORTII A.MERIC.VN HIRDS.

Picoides arcticus, (Juay.

THE BLACK-BACKED THBEE-TOED WOODFECKEB.

PictlS (A/itrniiis) (iir/inis, Xw. !•'. I'lor. Am. II, ISIil, :U:!. .Ipln-nKsinrliciis, Hr. List,
1838. — 111. ('(in.s|.. l,Si">(i, l:ii". — \i;wi!Ki:i;y, Zuiil. Cal. ami Orc';. Tvimti', 'M, I!ip.
r. 1!. K. Smv. VI, l.s.'iT. /''V».s (iirlini.t, Arn. Syii. 18;!ii, IS-J. In. liinls ,\imr.
VI, 18CJ, -'lii!, pi. ciKviii. XiiiAi.i,, Man. I, cJii cil..* IStii, (i'.il. - Scndkv.m.i,,
CiMisi). 1, lS()ii, 1.-). fii-ualrithirliilim, I'x.N. Am. Oiii. 11, IS-iS, 14, \<\. xiv, f. 2. -
Aim. I>ni. Ilidj;. 11, 18;!4, li»8, pi. c.xxxii. Ti-hliietiilin n>\iii-ii. ('ah. & llrix. I'ii-niiif:
fiir/icii.i, (iiiAY, Cm. -lUini), liinls N. Am. lSri8, 98. — l.iii;i>, Pr. 11. .Art. Insi,
Woolwk'h, IV, 18(U, 112 (Cnson<Ic Mouiitain.s). — Cooi'Kl!, Pr. Cal. Ac. .S'. ISCS (l.akc
Tahdo ami .•^iiTia Xcvaila). — Samikls, 94. — C(inn;i;, Oni. Cal. I, 1870, ;iS4.

Sp. Char. Almvo I'lilirciy iiivli'-iii j^lo.^sy bliiisli-lilai'k ; a .si|iiiir(' |)alcli oii tlic iniildlc

ol'tlii" cTDWii .•^allVciii-ycllow, anil :< \'r\v
wiiiti' spills (111 llic (.niter (>ilj;v.'* 'il I'ntli
wclis (if llic jiriiiiary ami sccniiilarv
(|iiilis. liciicatU wiiitc. on llic siili's ni'
wlidlc liiidy, axiilars. anil inner \vinj;--
cDverts liaiiileil transveisely willi lilaek.
Cri.ssiini wliito, willi a lew spots an-
teriorly. A narrow eoneealed while
line I'loni the eye a sliorl ilistanee liaek-
wanls, and a \vliite stripe IVoiii the
exticine loreheail inieelinu' anterinrly)
iiniler the eye. anil down llie sides of
the neek, liorderod below hy a narmw
stripe oClilaek. liristly leathers of the
base of the liill lirowii ; soinetinies a
P,rmil,.t inrtinis. fc w ji'i'av ill teriiiixeil. Kxposed iiorlion

of two outer tail-fealhers (first and

second) white : the third ohliiinely white at end, tipped with hlaek. Soiiieiimes tiieso

featliers with a narrow lilaek lip.

IlAn. !N'ortlierii Xorth Anieriea ; south to norlhein holders of riiiled .*<iates in winter.

.A[assacliusetts (Mavnako. I!. M Mass., 1S70, 1211)- Sierra Nevada, .south to W.)". Lake

Talioe (Cooi"i:n) ; Caisoii City (Kihowav).

'I'lii.s ,s|i('cii's (lillfis i'luiii the other Aiiiericiiii tlireo-tned Woodjieekei's
chietly in hiiviiio- tlie liiick entirely hlaek. The white line tnnu llie eye is
iistiiilly iiliuost inipereeiitihle, if not waiitino entirely. Speeiineii.s vary very
little; line tVniii Slave Lake lia.s a lonoer liill than nsnal, iind (he tup dl
liead niiire nranoe. Tiie .sizt; of tlie vertex pateh varie.'* ; sonietiines tlie
IViinlal v.-liitish is inapprecialile. Xone of the females lefore mo Iiave any
wliite splits ill the lilaek of liead, as in that of rnnericitnux.

'I'lie varialiiiiis in this species are very siiojit, lieiiio- cliiclly in llie shade id
1 lie yellow jmleh mi the eniwn, which vtiries I'nim a siilpliiir tint to ti rich
oranoe. Soinetinies there i.s tiie faiii'.est trace of a whilisli jiost-ocidar
.streak, hnt nsiially tliis is wholly alweiit. Western and Ka,stcrn e.\ain]ilcs
iipjiear to lie identical.

riClD.H — THE WOODPKCKlOItS. 53 j

II.UUTS. Tlii:5 spwios lias u wi'll-iU'tiiictl iiiul (.'Xlciuloil ilistiil)iili(iii, rnuu
tho Paeilii'. to Uk) Alliintic, iiiul I'l'Dm tlic iiurilu'in iiditioiis of tin' riiitcLl
Slates to tlici cxtiviiit) Arctic rcninns. In tin; I'liiU'd Slates it lias liccii ruiiiul
in far south as Massachiisclts, New Vovk, ami ( Hiio, Im! rarely : and, so far as
[ am aware, it is a winter visitant only to any hut tlu! I'slieiiic norliicrii |iiir-
lions of tlio Fiiioii, c.\ce|it aloiij;' tlie line of tlie itoiky Mountains and the
Sierra Xevada. Atuluiion says it occurs in Northern Massacliuselts, and in
all portions of Maine that are covered hy forests of tall trees, where it con-
stantly resides. He saw a few in the (Jroat I'inc Forest of I'enii>ylvania,
anil Dr. Uachnian iioticeil several in tlie nei^iihoihood of \ia,i;ara Falls,
and was of the ojiinion that it breeds in the northern jiart of New York.
The .same writer dcscrilios tho nesting-place of the Arctic Woodpecker as
generally bored in the body of a sound tree, near its lirst large liranchos.
lie olj.served no particular choice as to the timber, having seen it in oaks,
pines, etc. 'i'lu^ nest, like tiiat of most of this family, is worked out by both
sexes, and rcjiiires fully a week for its ciuuiiK'tion. Its usual (lc|itli is
from twenty to twenly-fmir inches, it is smooth ami broad at the bottiun,
although so narrow at its I'litraiicc as ti) ajipoar scarcely suilicieiit to enable
one of the liirds to enter it. The eggs are from four to si.x, rather rounded
and pun; white. Only one brood is raised in the season. The young follow
their jiartMits until tiie antumii. In the southern districts wiiere these
Woodpeckers are found, their numbers are greatly increased in the winter
by accessions from the North.

Dr. Cooper found this species (piite numerous, in Septt'iulier, in the vicinity
of Lake Tahoe and the suinmits of the Sierra Nevada, abo\e an altitude of
six thousand I'eet. From tlu'iice this liird has a uorlheni range chii'lly on
the east side of these nionutaius and of the Cascade llange. None were
seen near the Lower Columbia. At the lake they were ;[uilc fearless, com-
ing idose to the hotel, and industricaisly rapping the trees in tlH'e\cning and
in the early morning. Farther north Dr. Cooper found them very wild,
owing probably to their having been hunted by the Indians for their skins,
which tiiey consider very Viiluable. He noticed their burrows in low pine-
trees near the lake, where he had no doubt they also raise tiieir young. Dr.
Cooper has always buind them very silent birds, though in the spring they
probably have! more variety of calls. The only note he heard was a shrill,
harsh, rattling cry, (piitc distinct from that of any other Woodpecker.

The ilight of this Wood]pe(d<er is described as ra]iid, gliding, and grt'atly
uiiilulatcd. Occasionally it will lly to (jiiite a distance beiore it alights,
uttering, from time to time, a loud shrill note.

I'rofessor Verrill .says this bird is veiy common in Western Maiiu', in
the spring, fall, and winter, or from the middle of October to the middle or
end of March. It is not known to occur there in the sumiiier. Ni ar Calais
a IV'W are seen, and it is supposed to breed, b\it is not coumiou. in Massa-
chusetts it is only a rare and accidental visitant, oci.iiiiiiig usually late in

-,32 NOItTlI A^^EI{lCAN lUIiDS.

wiiitiT or ill Mai'L'li. Twu wen; takoii near Saloiu in November. It is also
a rare winter visitant near Hamilton in Canada.

Mr. Ilidt^way met with liut a single individual of this species during his
We.-;terii exidoiations. This was sliot in Feliruary, near ( 'arson City, Xevada ;
it was Imsily enga,gcd in [lecking upon the trunk of a large pine, and \vas
peri'ectly silent.

Mr. -lohii K. Lord obtained a single sjiecinien of this bird on tlie summit
of the Cascade Mountains. It was late in Sej)U'm1ier, and getting cold ; the
bird was living restlessly from tree to tree, but not searching lor insects.
Both when on the wing and when clinging to a tree, it was continuiiUy
uttering a shrill, ])liiini ive cry. Its favorite tree is the I'iiuis (■(iiifurtu, Mdiich
grows at great altitudi^. It is found chicily on hill-tops, while in the val-
leys and lower plains it is reidaced by the I'lmiiJis Jiirxntns.

Kggs of this species were obtained liy Professor Agassiz (Ui the northern
shore of Lake .Superior. They were sliglitly ovate, nearly s|)liorical, rounded
at one end and abrui)tly pointed at the other, of a crystal wiiiteness, and
measured .'Jl of an inch in length by .70 in breadth.

An egg received from j\Ir. Krieghofl' is small in proi)ortioii to the size
of the bird, nearly spherical in form, and of a uniform dull-white color. It
measures .1)2 of an inch in length by .76 in breadth.

Picoides tridactylus, var. americanus, Brehm.

THE WHITE-BACKED THBEE-TOED WOODPECKER.

Picus hirsntiia, Vikili.ot, Ois. Am. Si']it. II, 1807, 08, jil. c.xxiv (Europcnii .specimen). —
Waolkii, Syst. Av. 1827, Xo. '27 (iiiixi'd witli ii,iilii!(ih(s). — An>. Oni. liio;,'. V, 1839,
184, pi. tcicxvii. — In. liiids Aii.'r. IV, 1M2, pi. trlxix. — NriT.u.i,, Mmii. I, (2di'd.,)
18 40, 022. A/ilcniKuJtii-sii/iii), Iki.v. List. I'iniiilfn Idrmtlitu, lUllin, Hinls N. Am. 1858,
98. — S.\Mi'El,.s, 9"). f Pnim iiiiduhilim, ViEll.Lin', Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 09 (Ijnsed
on PI. cnl .")"i3, fictitious .siiccii's ?) PicK.i muhitiiK, TicMM. Pkus uitdomi.t, Crv. R. A.
1829. -151 (all liascd on .saiiio figure). Triiladiiliu undahitu, V\n. k IIi.iN. Mils. Ilein.
IV, 2, 1803, 28. Piciia Iridnclifhi.i, Sw. F. Hoi-. Am. 1831, 311, iil. hi. Pkokbs
timi-riciiiiii.i, ni!i:iiM Viif,'i'l Dciitsililiiiid.s, 1831, 195. — M.vi.iiF.Kiii:, .Mmi. Picidit, I,
170, pi. xvii, 30. — .Sii.AiKi;, Catiil. — (iii.w, t'at. Br. Mus. Ill, 3, 4, 1808, 30. Jp-
(criiiin niiifrkuiiii.'i, Swainson, Class. II, 1837,300. Picii.i (imciicuiiii.i, i^\simv.\U,,
C'oiisp. Av. Pirin. 1800, 15. Pimides dursalis, Baiiu), Birds N. Am. 1858, 100, jil. .
Ivxxv, f. 1. — CiKii'Kl!, Oiu. Cal. I, 18/0 (under P. (iiiirn'cdniis). Tridtictijlia dorsaUs,
('All. & III IN. PiniK dorsal' . Srsiir.VAI.L, C'oiisp. 1800, 14.

Sp. CiiAii. Tilarli aliDvi'. Tlio back iiiaikiiiL's of while, traiisvor.se in summer, and
longitudinal in winter; tlip.so extend to tlic rump. wliicU i.>< sninetinie.s almost wholly
white. A white line Ironi hehind the I've, wideninu' on the nape, and a broader one
under the eye i'roni the loral reffion, but not extending on the forehead ; oeeipiit and sides
of head unirorin black. (,tuills. but not coverts, sjiotted on l)otli wel)s with wjiite. .seen on
inner wclis of inner sccDndarie.s. I'lider parl.s. ini-iiiding erissuiii, white : the sides, iiiehid-
iiig axillars and liniiii; lA' wing, banded transversely willi black. Expo.si'd portion of outer
three tail-feathers white ; that nf tiiird niiicli less, and simietinies with a narrow tip of
black. T'p])er lail-eoverls .soiiieluiies lip]ied with white, and oeeasioually, but very rarely,

I'ICIDJ-; — THK WOODl'ErKEIJS. 533

banilod with the siitnL'. Tup nf the lieuil spotlcil, stn':il<<'il. <<r sull'iisi'd with wliitr; the
(Town of tlio iiiiile witli a vi'llnxv patcli. \;is:il luisllcs l)hii;l\. iiiixi'd with j,'ray. I'ciiialc
with tho wh(jlc' tol) of head ii-Mally spottuil with while, vcrv raivly eiiliicly lilai-lc.

IIar. Ai'ctit; ruirioii.-; of Xoilh Aiiifi-iea ; soiiiliwaiil in the Kocky .MniiiilaiiK to l''<iit
IJiichanaii : iiorllii'i'ii IxirdiT nf llu' EasliM'ii I'liitrd Slates, in winter (Massariiu>etts,

N[AVX.Miti).

Tlii.s s])ecios vtiries considerably in its niiirkinus, I'sjicciiilly in tlic iiinoiint
of white iiliDvc. The head is .sdiiietiines luoie coarsely s])oU('d wiih white
than in the avi'itiLie ; very rtirely are the white spots wantinu, leaving merely
the broad mala.' and interrniited posf-ocular strijie. The rictal lilack stripe
is sometimes niiicli obscured by white. In ty]iic;d s])ecimens IVoni the Hud-
son Iiiiy and Labrador I'rovinces, which seem to be darkest, the leathers of
the centre of the liack have three tninsverse bars of white (one of them
terminal), rather UiU'iower than tlie intermediate black bars ; the basal white
ones disa|ppearino lioth tinteriorly lunl posteriorly, leaving but two. In
siiecimens from the Mackenzie itivcr ilistrict there is ti Ljreater development
of white ; tlie white l)ands bein^ liroader tlian the black, tind sometimes
extending along the shafts so as to reduce the black Itars to ]pairs of spots.
The next step is the disappearance of these s])(jts on one side or the other, or
on lioth, leiiving the end of the feathers tnitjrely white, esjiccially anteriorly,
where the liack may liave a longitudinal strijie of white, as in J'iins ri/lnsiis.
Usually, however, in this extreme, the upper tail-coverts rcimiin banded
transversely. In till tht! s|)ecimens from the h'ocky Mountains td' the I'nited
States, especially Laramie I'eak, tins white back, unbarred exccjit on tlie
rump, is ti constant 'ditiracter, and added to it we htive a broad nucliitl ])atcli
of white running into that of the liack and connected with the white post-
ocular stripe. The bands, too, on the sides of the liody, tire less distinct. It
was to this state of ])lumage that the name of /'. ilorsuli-'^ was applied, in
ISoS, and altiiough in view of the connecting links it may not be entitled to
consideration its a di.stinct race, this tendency to ii itermaiicnce td' the longi-
ttulintil direction of tlie white miiikings aliove seems to be especially charac-
teristic of the Iiocky Mountain region, a])])earing only in winter birds from
elsewliere. This same character |ireviiils in all the Kocly ^lountain s]ieci-
meiis from more northern regions, iiicltiding those from i'ort Liiird, and in
oidy one not found in that region, namely, No. 4U,t)()."), collected at Xuliito iiy
Mr. Dall. Here the middle of the liack is very white, although the nuchal
band is less distinct. (Ither s|iecimeiis from that locality and the Yukon
liiver generally, as also from Kodiak, distinctly show the transverse bars.

In one specimen (L".l,l2(i) from the Mackenzie liiver, all the uii]ier tail-
coverts are banded decidedly with white, and the wing-coverts s]iotted with
the same. Kven the central tail-feathers show wliittt .scallojis. The back is,
however, liaiidcd transver.sely very distinctly, not longitudinally.

J', mill rim ims in all stages of color is distinguished from nrr/ii'ns by the'
white along the miihlle of the back, the absence of distinct fronttil white

:,;]4 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

and black bands, more nuuieroiis spots of white on the head, etc. The inner
welis (it inner secondiiries are banded with white, nol nnil'orin Idaclc. The
niaxiUarv lihick stripe is ratlier larger than tlie rietal white one, not smaller.
Tiie size is decitledly smaller. Females almost always have the top ot head
si)otted witli white instead ot" nini'orni black, which is the ride in tor/ifnti.

It is ])roI)able tliat the diil'ercnee in the anionnt of wlnte on llie upper
parts of tliis species is to some extent dne to aj;e and season, the wintei'
specimens and the younj^f showinj^' it to the greatest degree. Still, however,
there is a decided geograi)hieal relationshij), as already indicated.

This race of J'. /ri(/i((/j//iis can be easily distingnished from tlm Enropean
form of Ncn-thein anil Alj)ine Europe liy the tail-feathers; of these, the outei'
three are white (the rest Idack) as far as e.xpo.sed, without any bands; the
ti}) of the third being white only at the end. The su])ra-ocular white stri})e
is very narrow and scarcely ai)preciable ; the erissum white and unhanded.
The back is banded trasisversely in one variety, striped longitudinally in the
i)ther. In /'. /rii/dcfi/hi.s the outer two featiiers on each side are wliite,
banded witli black; the outer with the liaiuls regular and eipial from base;
the second black, except one or two terminal liand.s. The erissum is well
banded with black; the back .striped longitudinally with wiiite ; the sujira-
oeular white stripe almost as broad as the infra-ocular. J'. rrisolrm-Uf:, of
Siberia, is sinular to the last, but ditfers in white erissum, and from bnih
species in the almost entire absence of dark liands on the .siiles, sliowing the
Arctic nuixinuim of white.

We follow Sundevall in using the sjieeific name Kiiicricniiiis, Ibehm, for tliis
species, as being the first legitimately belonging to it. /'. /lii'sn/iis of Yieil-
lot, usually adopted, is based on a European liird, and agrees with it, tiiough
referred by the author to the American. The name of inidiiliifnx, \'ieillol,
selected by Cabanis, is based on liulfon's ligure i I'l. enl. 7>7u\) of a bird said
to lie from Cayenne, with four toes ; the whole topoi' the head red ii\)m liase
oi' liill to end of occi])uf, with the edges nl tiie dorsal leathers narrowly
wliite, and with the three lateral tail-feathers regularly banded witii black,
tipped with red; the fourth, banded white and lilack on outer web, tipped
with lilack. Xiuie of those features belong to the bird of Arctic America,
and the markings answer, if to either, better to the Euro])ean.

ll.viui's. This rare and interesting species, so far as has l)een ascertained,
is nowhere a eonnnon or well-known bin!. It is jirobaldy exclusively ol'
Arctic residence, and only occasionally or very rarely is ibund .so far south as
Mas.sachusetts. In the winlei of 1S;>() I found a .s])ecinien exposed for sale
in the IJoston market, which was sent in alcohol to Air. Audubon. Two
s])ecimens have been taken in Lynn, by Mr. Welch, in 18()S. They occur,
al.-;o, ill Southern Wisconsin in the winter, where Air. Kundien has several
times, in successive winters, obtained single indivitliials.

Sir John IJichard.xon states that this bird is to be met witli in all tiic
forests of spruce and fir lying between Luke Superior and the Arctic fcJeu, ani.1

prciD.E — TIIK WOODPECKKKS.

;>.>')

tliat it is tlie most coinnion W(X)(l])t'ckev luirth ol' (ireat Slave Lake, wliciut'
it has riviiiieutly lieeii si'iit to the Siniilisoiiian Institution. It is said to
nrciitly rosenibk; /'. vU/osus in liabits, cxceiit tliat it si-eUs its lood princi-
pally u^ion decaying trees of tiie ]iine trilie, in which it IVeipicntly makes
holes lame enough to bury itself. It is not migratory.

Genus SFHYROFICUS, R.vmn.

PiUimnus, Box. Cons]). Zyguil. Atcnco ItaliiUio, May, l^.'>4. (Typi' P. Hi;irnii/rHs\ pn-

ouciipii'il in cnislaccans.
SpJii/ro/nciis, liAiiin, liinis N. Am. 18.".S, liH. (Yyix; Ph'k.i ruriiis, I. inn., C'(iri;s, I'r. A.

X. S. 18t)ti, 52 (anatimiy).
ri,i(li<s,-u,iiix, (Alt. .'*c llr.lN. Jills, ilriii. IV, 2, ]S(i3, 80. ('I'yi"', /'. mi-inx.)

(Iks. CiiAi!. Hill as ill /'(V((.s-. hut tlic lalonil ridgo, wliicii is vei-y proiiiiiiciit, ruiiuiii!:;
out ilistiiii-liy to till' ciiiii-
luissiirc at alHiiil ilsiuiililii',
licvdiiil wliii-h the liiU is
loundi'il willidiitaiiy auirli's
at ail. Tlic ciiliiicii and
froiiys arc viTy nearly
straiii'lit, liiit sli^-litly con-
vpx. the bill tapcrinirrapid-
Iv to a point ; the lateral
outline eoneavc to very
near the sliulitly lievelled
lip. Outer l)air ol' toes
Iduuest ; the hinder ex-
terior rather lnni;-est ; the
inner |iosterior tni' very
shnrt. less than the inner
aiiterioi- without its elaw.
Wilms loie^- and liointed ; the third, exehidinpr tin' spurious, longest. Tail-leathers very
liriiad, aliru[)tlv aeinninate. with a very loiiir linear tip. Toni^ue seiireely exleiisihle.

Tlic genus Sji/ii/r<i/iin(x, instituted in 1M.")S, ])ri)ves to he so strongly marked
in its characters that Dr. Cunes jiroposcs to make it the tyiic of a distinct
stiliraniilv, S/i/ii/riijiiiiiur (I'r. IMiil. Acad. ISdli, .-|2\ In addition to the ]iccii-
iiarities .ihvady iudicateil, there is a rcinarkiililc fciiture in the tongue, vvliicli,
according to Dr. Cmies, Dr. Hoy, Dr. j'ryaut, and others, is incapalile of ]iro-
trusion much licyond the tip of the hill, or not more than the third of iiii
ineli. Dr. t'oues sttites tliat the apo-hyid and cerato-hyal elements of tlie
hvoid hone do not reach hack miicli lieyond the tyin])ano-ma.\illary articula-
tion, iusttsid of extending round, as in /Vr^'s', over tlie occiput to the lop of the
craniinii,or even curving into tin os.seous groove around the mliit. '["he liasi-
hvals supporting tiie tongiu' are shorter and differently shaped. Tlie toiigtU!
itself is short tind ilattened, witli a superior longitudinal median groove and
a corresponding inferior ridge ; the tip is broad and Ilattened and obtusely

Sphtirojiir.us itiic/ialis.

536 NOJiTi. AMERICAN UUIUS.

rouiidod, and with iiuincrinis lonj,' and soft bristly hairs. This is, of course,
very ditferent from thu lung, oxtensiU', iiculidy i>uintt'd tunj^uc of otlier
WoodiieeUers, with il.s lip iirinud with u few strong, sharp, short, recurved
barbs.

l)r. Hoy and Dr. (.'ones maintain that the food of these ^Voodpecke^s con-
sists mainly of tiie camliium or soft inner bark of trees, wiiicli is cut out
in patches sometimes of .several inches in e.xtent, and usually ja'oducing
S(puire holes in tlie bark, not rounded ones. As may be sujiposed, such pro-
ceedings are very injurious to the trees, and ju.stly call down the vengeance
of tlieir jn'Oinietors. Tiiis diet is varied with insects and fruits, when they
can be had, luit it is l)elieved that cand)iuni is their jirinciiial sustenance.

Tiiis strongly marked genus appears to l)e com])osed of two sections and
three well-defined spucies ; the tir.st being characterized by having the back
variegated witii whitish, and the Jugidum with a sharply defined ere.scentio
patch of black, though the latter is sometimes concealed by red, when the
whole head and neck are of the latter color, and tlie sharply defined strijjcd
jiatterii of the cephalic regions, seen in the normal plumage, obliterated.
Comparing the e.Mremc conditions of jdumage to be seen in this ty]ie, as in
the females of rnrlns and of rulnr, the differences ajijiear wide indeed, and
few would entertain for a moment a suspicion of their specific identity ; yet
u})on carefully examining a suflii-iently large .series of specimens, we find
these extremes to be eimnected liy an unbroken transition, and are thus led
to view these ditlerent conditions as manifestations of a iieculiar law jn^inci-
]ially affecting a certain color, which leads us irresistibly to the conclusion
that the groaj) which at first seemed to comiwwe a section of the genus is in
reality only an association of forms of .specific identity, beginning with the
birds of the Atlantic, region (<S'. nn-in^), we find in this series the minimum
amount of red; indeed, many adult femah's occur winch lack this color en-
tirely. Laving not only the whole throat white, liut the entire jiileiun glossy-
black ; usually, however, the latter is crimsim. In adult males fnnn this
region the front and crown are always crimson, shar])ly defined, and bordered
laterally and ]iosteriorly with glossy-black; and lielow the Idack occipital
band is another of dirty white; the criuLson of the throat is wholly con-
fined between the continuous broad, black malar stripes, and there is no
tinge of red on the auriculars ; there is a lu'oad, sharply defined stripe of
white liegiiniing with the nasal tufts, ])assing beneath the lilack loral and
auricular stri]>e, ami continuing downward into the yellowisli of tlie abdo-
men, giving the large, glo.ssy-black ])ectoral area a sharply defined o\itline ;
tlie dirty whitish nuchal band is continued forward beneath the black occi))-
ital crescent to above the middle of the eye. The pattern just descrilied
will lie found in ninety-nine out of a hundred s])ccimens from the Kastern
Province of Xorth America (also the West Indies and Avhole of Mexico);
but a single adult male from Carlisle, I'enn. (Xo. 12,ti71, W. ;M. liaird), h.as
the whitish nuchal band distinctly tinged with red, though differing in

I'll'ID.K THH WOODPECKKHS. 537

tliis respect only, wliili- nn adult t'l'male, IVtiiu Wasliiii!:;ton, I). ('. (Xo. lL',ii(J(i,
C. Drcxlcr), lias tliu lowi-r ]>art of tlu' tlivoat mucli mixed with red.

Taking next tlio speeinuMis from the liocUy Mountains and Middle I'rov-
inco of tlic United Stat(;s (X niirlialis), we (iud tiiat (ill the speeimen.s pos-
sess hoth these additional amounts of tlie veil, there heing always a reil, in-
stead of dirty-white, nuelial erescent, wiiih' in the female tiie lower [)art of
tile throat is always more or hiss red ; in addition, the male has the red ^^^
the throat reaching laterally to the white stripe, thus interrupting the l>lack
malar one, which is always unliroken in the eastern form ; and in addition,
the anriculars are fre([Ut;ntly mixed with n-d. rroceeding towards the ( 'oluni-
bia liiver, we find the red increasing, or escajiiug the limits to which it is
confini'd in the normal i»attern, staining the white and black areas in ditt'er-
eiit i)laces, and tingeing the whitish which liordei"s the black jiectoral area.

Lastly, in the series from the racific coast (A', nihrr), we find tlie whole
normal pattern rendered scarcely definable — sometimes entirely obliterated
— by the extension of the red, which covei-s continuously the whole head,
neck, and lireast ; but nearly always the normal ])attern may be traced, the
feathers of the normally black areas being dusky beneath the surface, and
those of the usual white stripes very white for the concealed jiortion.
Usually, in this form, the red of the breast covers only the black pectoral
area ; but in extreme spetMinens it reaches back to the middle of the l)ody
beneath, and stains the white spots of the back.

With the increase of the red as we proceed westward, then; is also a ile-
crease in the amount of ■ ite above ; thus, in rurina the whole back is
irregularly spotted with ilirLy white and black, — -the former predominating,
the latter most consjiiciujiis as a medial, broken broad stripe, — and the
lateral tail-feathers are much variegated by white spots. In niirlidlis the
back is mostly unbroken glossy-black, with two parallel narrou' strijies of
white converging at their lower ends; and the lateral tail-ftnither is almost
wholly black, having merely a narrow white border toward the end. S. rnlur
is most like nuclKdia, but has the white still more restricted.

In v(trii(!i the bill is dark brown, in niichdlls it is deep black, and in rnJirr
wax-brown. In rnrius the yellow of the lower parts is deepest, in ntichalis
just appreciable.

Species and Varieties.

Ai Wing with iv white patch on the niiddio and greater coverts. Maikings
along tlio sides with a lonuilndinal toiidenoy.

1. S. variiiB. IJack vai-legated nu'dially with hi-ownish-white ; secon<l.'ii'ios
with tl'ansvcr.sc rows of white spots.

White (ijiil hhirh stripes on side of head shar/di/ dejined. as is also

the hliiric jtertoriil erescent. lied eDuJhied to isiddted pdtehes, — tirn

hri/e ones, one on. the ennru and one nn the throat; irhe.n there is

wore, Old// n tini/e on tlie aiirirnlars. and a erescent on nape.

Crown soinelinies gh)ssy lilack willioiit a traci' of red on the fcinide ;

no tingo of .scarlet on tlie nape. Ked of the throat entirely eonlined

vol.. n. O.S

538 NORTH AMKKICAN BIRDS.

within till' liroiid, fniitinucnis liliick iimxillary stripcf. Female with tlio
tiiroat \vh(illy wliitc /lah. Kiisiciii I'mviiicc Noitli Aiiu'iicii, soutli
in winlc'i- into West Inilics, iiiid over wiiolo of Moxico, to (iuatu-

inala var. v(iriii.t.

Crown always red in adult. A nnclial crcsi'cnt of scarlet in liotli
soxos. Red 111' till' thioal not contincd hy the lilack maxillary sti'ipt',
which is intoi'i'uptud hy it in the middle, allowinj; tin; rud to touch the
white stfipc; a tinge of red on the aniiculars. Fonnle always with
more oi- less red on lower pait ol' the throat. Ilab. Rocky Moinilains
and Middle I'l-ovinco ol' I'niled Slates .... \:\r. n n cli a I i n.
Wliitf (lull lildck slri/ii's nil siile of liead nlisnJefc, iln is ill <• black

pertonil ci-cureiit, nniscil hi/ hi-liiij iirersjiri'iiil hij a riiiiliiiKnun red
ivii.ih e.ileiiiUiHi orer irlnilv lieail, nerh\ and hrcunl.
Whole head, neck, and lircast red, with the light and dark stripes of
the normal pattern only faintly traceable. Sexes similar. Hah. Pacific
Province of I'nited States, north to Briti.sh Columhia . . \iu: r uhe r.
2. S. ■v/illiamBoni. Rack nnvaricfrated; secondaries without bands of
white spots.

Whole crown and ujiper parts (except lower part of rump and
upper tail-covcrt«, and winfr-patch), a stripe on side ol' head, a broader
one on side of Ihe throat, and Ihc whole jugulnni and sides of the
breast, unliroken glossy-lilack ; alidonien briyhl Icnion-yellow. Male
with a narrow stripe of scarlet on middle of the throat. Female with
it white. Yoiini/ like the adult. Ifah. Western Province of United
States.
B. Win? without a white patch. Markings on sides regularly transverse.

.1. S. thyroideus. Head all round light brown; abdomen bright lemon-
yellow ; rump and upper tail-coverts white. Entire upper surface, with
sides, regularly and continuously liarred with lilack and white, in nearly
equal amount ; the lilack bars usually coalesced on the jugulum into a more
or less extensive patch. .]fale with the throat tinged medially with scarlet.
Female without any red. Hab. Western Province of United States.

PIUID.E — THE WOODPECKERS.

539

Sphyropicus varius, vm. varius, T5aiud.

THE YELLOW-BELLIED WOODFECKEB.

Picits mrius, L. Syst. Nut. I, l/Oti, 170. — Vieii.i.'it, Ois. Am. II, 1807, (!."», jil. exviii,
c.\ix. - Wli-suN, Am. Urn. I, 1808, 147, 1>1. ix, f. 2. — Waim.i;!!, Syst. Av. 1.S-J7,
No. 1«. --Aru. Orii. IJiiif;- H. !»«•*. •'>!!'; V, 537, 1>1. lito. — In. iSihls Amur. IV,
1842, 2(i. 1)1. cdxvii. — I!i.n. List, 1838. — In. Consii. IS.'.o, 1IJ8. -.Maxim. Cali, .Icnir.
VI, 1858, 41tj ^lvl'L'^s to in'iiiliai- toiit,'uc). — (ios.si:, IJiids Jam. 'J/O (.lamaiia). — N'kw-
To.\, ll)i.s, 18«0, 308 (St. Croix). —Tavu)!!, Ilii.s, 18(30, 119 (lloiidura.s). — Si-.sDH-
VAi.L, Consp. 33. — (ilJAY, Cat. 51. J'ican (Jiini/ivvoiinn) rin-iit:i. S\v. F. I!. A. II,
1831, 30U. J'ilinnnnn niriits, lias. Coiisj). Zygoil. Atcii. Itai. 18.">4, 8. ('IhiIaiscojius
varius. Cad. k lli;ix. Mus. 80. I I'iciis utriithiiritj; Lkssos, Traiti! (l'(>initliolof;ii', I,
1831, 229. — rrniKisAX, li.v. Zoiil. VII, 183.^., 21. (liflVrs it to I'iai.s ainiis.)
Yilliiir-bcllitil W'oiuliiixkci', rn.VNANT, Latiiam. Sjilujfojiicun mrius, I'.aikh, Minis X.
Am. 1858, 103. -Sclatki:, V. 'A. S. 185!l, 307 (Xalapa). — In. Calal. 335 ^Orizaba). —
III. Ibis, 1859, 130 ((imitL'iiiala). — 111. 1800, 119 (Honduras). — ('All. .lounial, IV,
1850, 102. — (lrsi)i..\(ii, Rcpcrtorium, I, 1800, 294 (CubaK — UiiYAvr, I'r. liusi. .'^oo.
1859 (Maliamas). — In. 1805,91 (Anatomy of toiit,'nc.) — Dui;.s.si;ii, Ibi.s, ls05, 408 ^bri-rds
in Texas). — Sam IT. i.s, 90. — Ai.lkn, B. K. Fla. 300.

Sp. CiiAK. Tliinl (|uillloi);fi',st ; seooiitl a little shorter; lirtit between fourth anil fifth
con.'iiderubly sliorlci'. General eolor above black,
iniieh variegated with white. Feather.-* of the
baek and ninip browiiisli-wliite, spotted with
blaek. Crown eriiiison, bordered by blaek on
the side.s of tin; head and nape. A streak from
above the eye, and a broad .stripe from the
bristle.s of the bill. ])a.vsiui,' below the eye, and
into the yellowish of the lielly. eiieio.siiij,' a blaek
])ost-oeiilar one, and u .stripe alonj; the edg;es of
tlie winpf-coverts, white. A triangular broad
patch of scarlet on the ohin, bordered on caoii
side by black stripes from tlie lower mandible
which meet behind, and extend into a lar<re
quadrate .spot on the breast. Rest of under parts
yellowish-white, or yellow, streaked and liaiuh-d
on the sides with black. Inner wel) of inner
tail-feather white, .spotted witli blaek. Outer
feathers b'ack, edged and .spotted witli white.
Quills spott(!d with white. Length, S.lio ; wing, about 4.75 ; tail, 3.;]0. Feimtle \\\i\\ iha
red of the throat replaced by white. Immature bird without blaek on the brea.st, or red
on top of the head, as in every intermediate .stage to the perfect plumage.

Hah. Atlantic! coa.st to the eastern .slopes of the Rocky Mountains; Greenland;
West Indies; whole of Mexico, to fiuatemala. Localities: ? Oax.aea (Sol. P. Z. S. IHoS,
30")); Orizaba (Sci,. Cat. :!:!")) ; Xaiapa (Sci.. 185!), ;5()7) ; Yucatan {L.\\\r. Ann. N. Y.
Lye. IX, 205); Ouatemala (Sci,. Ibis, I, llUi); Honduras (Set,. Ibis, 11, U!)) ; Cuba (Cah.
J. IV, 102); (GuNDi,. Report. I. 1800, 294); Uahama.s (I3i!Yant, Pr. Bost. Soc. VII,
1859; In. 18G7, G5) ; Jamaica (Gossk, R. Jam. 270); St. Croix (Sci.. Ibis, II, 30S) ;
E. Tex.as (Dkksseh, Ibi.s, 18G5, 4()8 ; breeds).

There is an occasional variation in tlie niarkinos of tlio tail-feathers.
Tims, in No. 782, from Carlisle, the innermost one is entirely black, while

iSjihyrofiinni vnriii.s.

540 NOUTll AMKIUCAX JilliDS.

ill 4,(i;!l, fnnH tlid rpiifr ^fissdiiii, tlic oiitor wolt of tin; siiiiie ft'iitlicr luis
nearly, autl in l',l(»7, ln»m Carli.slo, it has (juitL', as niiicli white as the inner
web. The outer wehs do not apjKMir to vary so niiicli.

Speeinieiis Iroiii tlie whole of Alexit^i, including; even the west coast, arc
rd'errihle to rarins ; they are probably winter migrants from the eastern
United States.

A female, from Washinjiton, I>. C. (Xo. 12,20(1, ('. Dre.vlcr), has the lower
half of the throat much mixed with red, as in var. hiivIhiUh ; but there is no
trace of this color on the iiajie. A male from Carlisle (Xo. 12,071, W. M.
Baird) has the nape ilisti nelly tinged with red, as in nnchalu, but the black
malar strijie is uninterrui)ted. Similar .specimens have been taken in New
England, by Messrs. Urewstia- and Henshaw.

]Maiiy females occur with the entire jiileuiii glossy-black, there being no
trace of red, though there are sometimes s])ecks of white.

IIahits. The Yellow-bellied Woodpecker is found throughout the United
States, from the (lulf of Mexico on the south and the Atlantic on the east
to the liocky Mountains, and is met with as far to the north as the Gist
])arallel of latitude. Sir John Itichard.son found it common in the fur coun-
tries, being the only Woodpecker that visits those regions in flocks. He
observed the Yellow-bellied Woodj)ecker on the north .shore of Lake Huron
on the 14th of April, in 1S2."), and in 1S27 it made its first ajipeaiance for
the .season, on the i)lains of the Saskatchewan, on the 14th of May. Swain-
son received specimens of this Woodjiecker from Mexico. De la Sagra and
Dr. Gundlach both give it in their list of ('ul)an birds, though not as breed-
ing on that island. (lo.sse olitained .several specimens in the months of
December, January, and February, in Jamaica, where he regarded it as only
a winter migrant from the northern continent. It is not given by the New-
tons among the birds of St. Croix, but appears in Sclater's list of the birds
of Central America, on the authority of Mr. (leorge M. Skinner. Two
si)ecimens have been taken in tireenland.

Wilson, in his account of its breeding habits, s))eaks of it as a resident
bird from Cayenne to Hudson's I'ay, as being common in the States of Ken-
tucky and Ohio, and as having been found in the neighborhood of St. Louis.
111! describes the haliits of this sjiecies as similar to those of the Hairy and
Downy Woodpeckers, with which it generally as.sociates. The only nest of
this bird which Wilson ever met with was in the body of an old jiear-tree,
abfuit ten or eleven feet from the grovind. The hole was almost exactly cir-
cular, small for the size of the bird, so that it crept in and out with difliculty ;
but the excavation suddenly widened, descending by a small angle, and then
running downward about fiftiH'U inches. ()n the .smooth solid wood lay four
white eggs. This was about the 2r)tli of May.

Mr. Audubon, on the other hand, speaks of this species as returning to
Louisiana and the other Southern States only about the beginning of Octo-
ber, remaining there during the winter, and again taking its departure before

I'lriD.i; TIIK WdODPKCKKIiS. 541

the bogiiiniii^' cif April, iiftui' which poriod he luncr oliscrvcil it in tiiosn dis-
tricts. A l\iw iiiily, iifcdrdiiiL,' to llic siiiiio luithoril y, hrcinl in Kiiiitiicky, Imt
the yroator luiiiilicr mij^ruto to thi) nunv iinrliicrii parts of tlic I'liioii. Ho
dcscrihos it, in its liuhits, us iircl'ciTin^ tiiu interior oi' tiic forest (hiring' the
si)rin,t,' iiiid .sununer, sehloni showing itself near the liiil)itation of man at
those seascjns. it generally, he adds, liores its nest at a eonsidcralile lieiglil,
and usually in the trunk of an tuideeayed tree, immediately lieneath a largo
branch, and on its southern side. The hole is worked out by the male as well
as the female, in the manner followed by the other sjiecies, and to the de])tli
of fnmi fdteen to twenty-four inches. The ajierturo is jnst large enough to
admit the birds, but the whole widens gradually towards the bottom, where
it is large and roomy. The eggs, which an; from four to six, and jiure wliite,
with a .slight blush, are dejtositod on the chips without any nest. The
ytiung seldom leave the hole until they are fully Hedged.

Mr. Audubon elsewhere sjieaks of having found tlii.s specie.s extremely
abundant in the ujipcr parts of the State of Maine and in the Provinces of
Nova Scotia and Xew Brunswick; but he saw none in Nowioundland or
Labrador.

For my specimens of the eggs of this species and valuable information a.s
to its haliits, I am indebted to Mr. Charles S. I'aine, of Kast lictiiel, Vt.,
in which State it .seems to be (juite abundant. In a letter written in the
stmnner of IHllO, he furnishes the results of his observations relative to their
habits, so far as they have fallen under his notice.

The Yellow-bellied Woodpeckcns reach the central and northern parts of
that State about the Kith of April. They soon make their jiresence known
there by their loud and continued drununing, rather than tapping, on the
trunks and larger l)ranchos of decaying trees. (.)f this driinmung they seem
to be ])eculiarly fond, es])ecially where they can ])roduce a bind ringing
sound. Sometimes, when Mr. I'aine had lieen engaged in the ]»roce.ss of pre-
paring maple sugar, he had left a lew empty -wooden buckets hanging on the
branches of trees, until needed for use. Tpon these the liird will drum,
apparently with the greatest delight. At times they would o.xperinicnl upon
th(! till jiails, l)ut, l)eing unalile to obtain good standing-ground, they did not
follow it u]). On such occasions their drumming did not a])])('ar to be
done in the ]>ursuit of worms or i'ood, but was very evidently for their own
entertainment, or in a sjiirit of rivalry one with another, as if seeking to
please their mates. When two male liirds meet, tliey pursue each other
through the woods with great clamor. They have a loud, distinct, and lively
note, but their fixvorite music appears to lie this drumming. They mate and
commence the excavation of their nests the last week in April. Their eggs
are usu.ally deposited, in this section, somewhere between the '20th of May
and the first of June. The excavations for their nests are usually made in
the tops of large decaying trees. He adds that he found four or five of
these nests that year. The eggs of one of these he was able to f)1itaiii with-

542 N'oin'II AMKUIC'A.V JilKDS.

out imidi tnmlilo, tlio otliors Imd hiitcluMl. Wlion tlio yomij,' Uiiivo their
iiostH tlioy usiiiilly kciop l()j,'t!lliL'r, iiiiil ot'tiiii I'oiir or livo niiiy be hcoii idiiyiiij,'
iilioiit tlie liiirk III" the same tree wliile waiting for their parents to hriiig
theui tlieir food.

Til is speeies is far more ahmidant at tlie West than it is in the New Eng-
land States. In tlie States of IMiode Island, Conneetieut, and Massaehusetts
it is very rarely met witli. It is commonly known as the Sap-Sucker, and
much better deserves that name than do other species to wliicli this term la
also applied. Owing to the peculiar formation of its tongue and the nuiscles
connected witii it, it feeds less readily ujion insects, and tiiey form a smaller
l)roportion of its food. In the spring of tlut year these liirds ])rey largely
upon the inner bark of trees, and where they e.vist in great numbers often do
a great deal of mischief In April, IHCtH, I visited gardens in Ifacine, in com-
pany with Dr. Hoy, where these Woodpeckers had every successive s])ring
committed their mvages, and was eyewitness to their i)erformance. Their
jjunctures were unlike those of the piihi-Hrcna, being miudi deeper, penetrating
the inner bark, and, being repeated in close i)roximity, becomes entirely
stripped off alter a wiiile, often n-sulting in the girdling and comjilete de;
struction of the tree. In one garden of some considerable size, all the moun-
tain-ash and white-jiine trees had thus been killed. In prairie countries,
where trees are a deficiency and their cultivation l)oth important and at-
tended with difticulty, these birds jtrove a great pest, and in a few hours may
destroy the labor of many years. These habits, .so well known to most of
our Western farmers, api)ear to have entirely escaped the notice of our older
ornithologists.

j\Ir. Dresser found these birds near San Antonio at all .seasons ol' the year,
but rather rare. He shot a couj)le near tlie Medina liiver, and Dr. Heer-
niann also jn-ocured the eggs in that neighliorhood.

Mr. Ilidgway says that in Southern Illinois this Woodpecker is only a
winter resident, coming I'rom tlie north in September or October, and dejiart-
ing in A]iril. It is the oidy one of the eight s|)ecies of Woodpeckers of
that section which does not lireed there, and also the only one which is not
resident.

Sjjecimens of its eggs from Vermont measure .95 by .70 of an inch. TJiey
are of an oval shape, a little less rounded at one end than at the other.

Sphsrropicus varius, var. nuchalis, Baird.

THE BED-NAFED WOODFECKEB.

Sphyropinis variit.i, var. iiuc}inli/i, Baihd, Birds N. Am. 1858, 103, pi. x.\xv, li<,'s. 1, 2. Sphij-
rnpkus nui-haUs, Baikii, lb. 921. — CoiiKS, Pr. A. N. So. 1866, 53. — Cooi'Ki!, I'r. Cal.
Ac. 1861, 122. — CA.S.S. P. A. N. S. 1803, 204. — Codi-eii, Orn. (\x\. I, 1870, 390.
Picus vnrius occUkntaUs, SuxDEVAl.L, Consp. Pic. 1866, 34. Claduscopus nuchiUs,
Cab. & Hein. 82.

PICID.K — T!IK VV(J()I)I'1<X'KKIW. 543

Sp. Ciiab. Markinjjs, >,'cnciiilly, 111 in S. nirinK. A ri'ii iiudml t'lTscciit. liclly ycllow-
isli-wliitc. Tlu' ri'il uf lUv llinmt cxiiMiilin;: over iiml uliliicriiiin^' ilic MaiU .slii|n' rinin ilii>
lower limmlilili', t'Xi;u|)l on llic niilc ol' llii' jiiw. I'dsl-ni'iilar liliuk piilcli tiii},'cil willi rt'd.
St'coiKliii'ifS witli litllf or 110 wliiti' (111 mitcr wi'lw. Tail-li'iillior.- Iiliick, .si'iirucly varicil;
tli(^ iniit'iiiKist willi iiiiii'r well, as in t<(irliis, l-'cinalc similar, Iml willi tin' I'iiiii \vliili>;
tliu throat rcil, liorilcrcil, as 1 \ male, liy a lilaek stripe I'rom the hill to the hlaiU peetoral
pnteh. F.eii},'tli, H.tIO; winjr. i)."l); tail, .I..".! I.

IIab. Miil(ll(! Proviiieu of riiite<l Stales. Localities; Fort Molmvo (L'ooi'ku, I'r. C'al.
Ac. 18G1, 122); W. Arizona (Coi:ks, I'. A. X. S. l.Stiti, o,!).

This bird, first indicated iis a .siiiiplo variety of (S'. niriii», is yet a.s deuideilly
distinct and constant in its inarkine;s a.s a liir;,'e nunilier of wiiat are consid-
ered to be valid species. Tiie priiiciiKil dill'erences i'roiu rnriiis liave been
mentioned idiove: they consist mainly in tlie greater development of red, as
seen in wider throat-patcii ; nuduil crescent ; tine;e on cheek ; a f^reater
lunount of black, shown in unspotted outer webs of secondaries and blacker
tail, and in the paler colors l)elo\v. The most strikino- iiectdiarity is in the
half-red throat of the female, which is entirely white in rurln.i. Tiie lij,dit
markings of the back are more distinctly arranged in two lines enclosing a
median of lilack, which show no concealed white sp(jts as in variiis. 'J"he
breast is nnicli iKiler, only slightly tinged with yellow, instead of the rich
color to which S. cariii>i owes its trivial name.

Young birds vaiy in color to the same e.Kcessivo degree as in riirlm.

Hauit.'^. This form, clo.sely allied to the viiriiis, was at Hi'St known only
.Vom thtj southern l{o(;ky .Mountain.s. Afterwards a large number of s])eci-
mens were olitaincd by Mv. < '. Dre.vler at Fort Ih'idger, in Utah.

Dr. Cooper procured a female specimen of this species at Fort Mohave, on
the 20th of February, IHlil, which had probaldy wandered in a storm i'rom
the mountains, and which was the only one he met with. J )r. Heermann
states, also, thtit they were not rare at Fort Yuma. Dr. Cooper's bird wiis
silent and intictive, as if exhausted by a long flight. He also saw these birds
rather common as he crossed the mountains near latitude 4(S° in Septemlier,
18G0, and noticed a great similarity in their haliits to tlio.se of the S. na-in-t.
They chietly frequented small deciduous trees, fed in the usual maimer of
other Woodpeckers, and had also a shrill, unvaried call or note of alarm.

Dr. Coues ibund this Woodjiecker an abundant and a ])ermanent resident
in Arizona. Its distinctness as a species he did not question. Everywhere
common, it seetned to prefer live cotton wood- trees and willows. Two speci-
mens of this race have been ttiken in New England, — one in New Hamp-
shire by Mr. William I'irewster, the other in Ctimbridge by Mr. Henshaw.

The lied-naped Woodpecker was found by Mr. Ilidgway to be one of the
most abundant and characteristic species of the Wahsatch and Tintah
Mountains. It was also found, in greater or less numbers, throughout the
Great Basin, in the region of his route, and was even obtained on the eastern
Sierra Nevada, where, however, only one specimen was seen. Its favorite
resort, during summer, was the aspen groves in the mountains, tit an altitude

544 NOUTH AMKUICAN 151 UIK

avci'iijiiiij^' a1)oiit seven thnusiiiul toot ; and ovon wliou pine woods wore near
tlic ii.spL'U.s wori! imiiriiilily clioson as iiostiiig-placos. Its excavations wore
always in living trees, and tlie abandoned oni's were taken intssession of by
riu'iile .Martins and Wliite-lielliod Swallows {Proi/iir siibis and Tacliijcincia
hicolor) as nestiiii^-jilaces. In winter it was i'onnd amoiij^ the eottonwoods
and willows of the river valley's. Its haliits, manners, and notes are de-
scribed as almost perfectly similar to those of *S'. curias.

Sphyropicus varius, \ar. ruber, IJaikd.

THE BED-BSEASTED WOODFECKEB.

Pku^ riihn: Om. Syst. Nat. I, 17t<!^, tii'.i. - WAia.Ki;, Syst. Av. 1S27, No. 1.")!. — Aid. Oni.
liidj,'. V, l.s:i'.), 17!', 111. (ifc.wi. In. Minis Aiiiri'. IV, 1S42, -JC)!, )il. cclxvi. Sr.s-
])KVAI.l., Cdiisp. I'll'. :V1. Mr/diirr/iis niliii; lilcll. Ij.st, I'r. I!r. Assor. I'oi' lS:!."i. —
IJoxAl'. I.i.st, 1S38. — 111. ('iiiLsp. IN'iii, ll.'i. I'ihnimm riibi-r, Ho.v. t'oiisp. Zvf,'- Atcii.
Ital. 18.')-), 8. I'i'-HS Jhiviiriitrh, Vll'.M.l.oT, Oi.s. Am. Sept. 11, 1S(l7, (17. SiiliitrapicitK
riihn; It.vntii, liiids X. Am. lti,')><, 1U4. -('(mpi'i.I! .^ SirKi,i;v, liiii. (Jkay, Cut.
;')!. — ('oiil'Kl!, (till. Cal. I, lf<7(i, 'M'l. ('/ni/iisrii/iiix riihi-r, ('All. .t IIkin. .Mii.s. Ilcin.
IV, l.S(i3, S-.'.

Sp. CiiAH. I'duitli (piill loiiLTc.'^t ; third iiilciiiiiMliati' lictwccii loiirlli anil I'll'th. JJill
brown wa.x-colcii-. Ilcml ami ncrk all round, and liri'a.-^t, (;arininc-r('d. Almvi' blai-k,
(•(•nirai lim^ ol' hack Iroin nape to riiin|) .•^potted witii wliiti.sji ; iiiinp. \vinu'-i'ovci't.<, and
inner wcl> of (he inner tail-leal liers white, the latter with a .series ol' ronml black .spots.
IJellv siilphnr-yellow. streaked with brown on the sides. Narrow .space around and a
little in I'ronl ol' the I'ye black. A yellowi.sh stripe tioiii the nostrils, a sborl distaiieo
below and behind the eye. Lenj;tli, about S..'jO; winj;, 5.1)0 ; tail, .'i.lO. .Se.\cs similar.

IIaii Paeilic .slopes of the riiiled Slale.s.

As stated in the remarks before tlie synopsis on pa^e ll.'iS, tliore is every
reason for eonsiderinjf this as merely a geooraphieal race of a .species, of
wliieli nnc/i(i/is and rurii's are the other form,« The dilferences from ran'iny
consi.'^t merely in an e.xeessivo amonnt of red, this oiditeratino- tlit! normal
])attern of tlie cephalic i)ortions; and in an inerea.sod ammmt of black, or a
manifestation of the melanistic tendency .so often distino-ni.sliiiio- birds of tiic
racifie coast ri\i,non from their eastern eo-siieci(ic rei)re.sentatives.

(S'. iiHrli(t/ix is e.Kaetly intermediate in all respects between >S'. nihrr and »S'.
Tiiriiis, — the extremes, ^ wliile eacii of the latter is connected with the in-
termediate race by sjiecimeiis comliinino; tin; eliaracters of botli raises.

llAinrs. Tiie oeoiri';i])hical dislril)iition of tiii;; form seems to be restricted
to the I'acitic coast region.

Dr. ('oo])er only met with these ')irds three times in Wasliin^ton Teriitory.
This was in sprino and AiU. He si)eaks of them as beiiie; very shy, siU'iit,
and retirini,', remaining among the dense tojjs of the dark forest trees.
Whether it resides and liret^la in the Territory he had no means of deter-
mining. Dr. Snckloy saw but one .specimen, and regarded it as coiiliiied, for
the most part, tu tlio close vicinity of the coast.

I'ICID.K -TlIK WOODl'KCKlOltS. 545

Mr. Audubon assigns to it the siime (lislriliution, but is only alilo to givu
tlio information in regard to its lialiits whicli lio derived I'roni tlie ol)serva-
tions of Mr. Xuttall, wldeli, however, do not corres])onil with those lA' Dr.
Coojjer. Mr. Xuttall states that tins s])eeies, seen in the forests of the Co-
hindiiu and the lUue Mountain.s, has most of the habits of the eoninion IJed-
headed species, lie concedes that it is less i'ainiliar, and that it keeps gen-
erally among the tall tir-trees, in tiic dead trunks of which it burrows out a
hole for a nest, sometimes at a great elevation. On ap])roaching one that
was feeding its young in one of the.se situations, it uttered a h»ud reviM'ber-
ating <'/•?•, and seemed angry and .solicitous at ids apjiroach. He adds tliat
this species also iidiabits California, as well as the northwest coast up to
Nootka, and that it is found eastward as far as the cential chain of the
Ilocky ^lountains An egg taken from a nest whicli contained four was
1.2") in length and .7"' of an inch in breadth. It was smootii, e(|ually
rounded at both, ends, though somewhat elongated, and jiure white.

We aro contident that there must be some nustako in this statement.
The dis])roportion between the length and the breadth is unprecedented,
liven in the most oblong egg there is rarely so much as twenty-live per cent
difference.

Dr. (.'ooper, in his Uirds of California, speaks of it as rather a nortliern bird,
having seen none south of Santa Clara, and there only in the mountains of
the Coast Ifange in early s]iring.

Dr. Heermann found tiiis form not at all rare in the Sierra \evada ^Moun-
tains, and occasionally met a stray one among the valleys. Their call-note
was similar to the cry of a child in distress, and was very disagreealde.
In their quick, restless motions, and their untiring diligence in quest of food,
they resemble the rest of the Woodpecker family.

It was noticed by Mr. liidgway only on the Sierra Nevada, and he 'S not
certain that lie saw it on the eastern slope of that range.

Sphyropicus williamsoni, Baiud.

WILLI£.MSON'S WOODFECKEB.

7" IS villiKmsnni, Nf,\vi!k1[1!Y, Zoiil. Calirorria ami Oicfioii Hortc, 80, P. li. R. Rcpts.
VI, 1S57, 111. x.\.\iv, lif{. 1. — .SrNL)i'.v.\;.r. Coiisp. ;i'J. J/i'/fMcc/K'.s' ndiriijulin-Jx, >Sci..

. !s iiiid Mag. X. II. 3(1 scries, 1, I'Vli. ISO.S Vll. — I'r. Zoiil. tSdc. ISfiS, 2, pi. ixxxi.

,Si>li!/ivj)iciis iril/mtn.wiii, liAOtn, lUiil.s N. Am. IS.'iS, lO.'i, ]t\. xxxiv, f. 1. -('iiri;s, I'r.
ISCC), n-l. — Ca.ss. p. a. X. S. l.'<0:i, -JOi. — CiiiirKl:, Oni. Cal. 1, 1S?(I, :!<);!. i'/<(,lo-
scoiiua williiiiiiwiii, ('All. .'(c IliMN. .Mils, llt'iu. IV, iiHi'i, 82. Mduncqus uil/iatn-
soiii, OuAV, Catal. lir. Mils. 18li8, IKi.

Sp. CiiAi!. Itjpli Mack ; initMlc line ul' lirlly yellow; oiMitr.il lino of uliiii ami lliroal
above red. .V laiyr palcii on llic wiiii;', niiii|i, ami iippci- lail-i;ov('ils, iv liiu' I'luin liic loic-
licad lii'iioatli the eyo, ami anotlici- IVoiii ils upper bonk'r. white. Tail entirely Mark. lv\-

VOl.. II. (iii

54G NOUTU AiII<:iaUAN 13IIIDS.

posed siiiliiii^ of iiuills withdiil iiiiy while, t'xeept, on the outoi- primaries. Female with
tlie ehin white instead <if reil. I.iMi,i;th, 0.0(1; win;:. ").(•(); fail, 4.70.

ILvn. Udf'ky Mountains to the Caseiide Mountains, Sierra Nevada. Loealities; West
Arizona (Cones, V. X. X. S. ISGG, 51).

Jlead and neck all rouiul, sides of breast and bmly, upper parts jfenerally,
wings, and tail, glossy greenisli-lilack. A well-detincd white stripe from the
nostrils (including the bristly nasal feathers) passing backwards under the
eye ; another, nearly jiarallel, starting at the upper ]iart of the eye, and nctarly
meeting its fellow on tlic occii)ut. Chin and throat red along tlieir central
line. A large ])ati]i on the wing, including the exposed portions of tlic
middle and greater coverts, white, although the anterior lesser coverts are
black. The inner face of the wings, excepting the smaller coverts, is black,
banded trans\ersely on tlie inner primaries with white ; the sides of body
behind and under tail-coverts white, with broadly Y-shaped bands of black,
which coloi' on tlie latter occupies the whole central iiortion of the feath-
ers, iiuni]) and upjier tail-coverts pure white ; back with a few indistinct
and concealed sjiots of tlie same. (j>uills l)lack ; the margins of e.xterior
primaries s))otted with white, the inner margins only of the remaining (pulls
with similar but larger ana more transver.se blotches. Middle of the body,
from the breast to tiie vent, sidphur-yellow, with the exception of the
type which had been [n-eserveil in alcohol (which sometimes extracts the
red of feathers). We have seen no specimen (except young birds, marked
female), in a considerable number, without red on the chin, and are inclined
to think that 1)(jth sexes exliibit this character. Young birds from the liocky
Mountains t.re very similar to the adult, but have the throat marked white,
and the inner web of innermost tail-feather banded with the same color.
Xo. 10,0',)t», i ad. (F(n't Crook, ( 'alifornia), has a single crimson feather in
the nnddle of the forehead.

II.VDiTs. This comparatively new sjjecies of Woodpecker was first dis-
covered by Dr. Newlierry in the pin'b forest on the eastern border of the
upper Klamath Lake. Its habits ajjpeared to liim to be very sinnlar to those
of P. harrisi and F. f/ninln, ri, which inhabit the same region. The indi-
vidual he procured was creeping u]) the trunk of a large yellow ])ine (I', bra-
clnjptcm), searching for insects in tlie bark. Its cry was very like tliat of
r. /Kd-flsi. Although killed by the first fire, a second disciiarge was re(piired
to detach it iVom tiie limb to which it clung fast.

According to Dr. Cones, it is resident and not uncommon in the Territory
of Arizona, occurring exclusively among tlie jjine-trees. It is said to range
from both sh)pes of the Jiocky ^Fountains to the Pacific, fr(nn as far north
at least as Oregon. Fort Whi]i]ile is su]i])osed to be aliont its southern
lunit. Dr. Coues states that this species po.s.sesses the auiitomical peculiari-
ties of the S. ravins, and that its iuvl)its entirely correspond. Mr. Allen found
it aliundant on the sides (.'f Blount Lincoln, in Colorado Territory.

Dr. Cooper met with a straggler of this species in the valley of the Colo-

PK'in.E — THK WOODPErKEUS. ^47

rudo, shot on the 12tli of March, 18(11. In Si'i)t(!nibci', ISO;'., lio loiind thoni
rather common near the summit of tlie Siciiiu Xevada, latitude :'.!•', wiiero he
shot two. It has since heon met witli at Laramie I'eak, and near the mouth
of tlie Klamatli Kiver,

It was ibund hy Mi'. Itidgway on tlic eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada,
and again on tiie Wahsatcli Mountain.s ; in lioth regions inhabiting tlie pine
forests exclusively, and in neither place at all common. Ft occurred so sel-
dom that Mv. liidgway couhl learn but little concerning tlm peculiarities of
its habits, etc. Its connnon note is a plaintive wailing squeal, much like
that of S. varius (common to all the memi»ers of the genus), Init other notes
were heard which were quite jieculiar.

Sphjrropicus thyroideus, Baiud.

BROWN-HEADED WOODFECKEB.

Picus thtjroidms, C.vssin, Tr. A. N. Sc. V, Dec. ISfil, 349 (California). — Heeuman-v,
J. A. X. Si;. Ph. 2d scr. II, 18.53, 270. —ScxDi-.VAM,, ('ons]). 32. Mdancrpcs llii/ru-
ideus, Cassin, 111. I, 1854, 201, pi, xxxii. Pilumnus thi/roiileus, Hon. C'oiisp. Zygoil.
Atcn. Ital. 1854, 8. Sphiiropku^ thiimiilciis, Uaiuh, Binl.s N. Am. 1858, lOii. —
EllH)T, 111. niids N. Am. II, pi. — CouEs, 1'. A. X. S. 18iJ(J, 54. — Cass. I". A. N. S.
1803, 204. — OiiAV, Cat. 52. — Kllkh', IS. Am. 1, pi. xxxv. — <'oiiri;i!, (tin. Cal. I,
1870, 394. ? ? Picus nntii/ic; Mai.iieui!!;, Call, .lourn. 1'. Ornitli. 1854, 171.

Sr. CiiAU. About till' sizi! (if 7'. (•(/(•/'(.<. llrud il.irk asliy-lirow ii : uniLTal color nsiiy-
brown ; head and ni'(dv s(.'ari;(dy marked : middle Vnw of lielly sidpluir-yellow ; riini[) ami
upper coverts pure white; rest of body apparentlv encircled by narrow transverse and
continuous bands (crossing the win','.'! and tail) ol'blark, the outer s|)aees beconiinu' whiter
behind; a larf;i; round black pati'h on llie lii'east. Xo iivl on lop of the lieail. Male with
reddish chin. Lenjjtli, about 'J.(»); winjj;, 5.110 : tail, 4.10.

Had. Cascade and Coast Ranges of California and Oregon; Sierra X'^evada. Wahsatch,
and Uoeky Mountains, rocalities: West Arizona ((.'ocks, 1'. A. ^^ S. 18()(!. 54).

In addition to the characters alntady assigned, the crown of the head is
indistinctly streaked or spotted witii black. Tiie under coverts are barred
with black. The tail-feathers are black, tin! inner and outer barred trans-
versely witli white cm Ijoth webs ; the shafts, however, entirely black. The
([uills are all s]iott{!d with white on both wel»s.

The jugular black patch shows more or less indication of the transverse
band.s, and is .sometimes wanting, leaving the bands distinct. In one speci-
men (38,28;") 9, [.araniie Peak) it is remarka1)ly large and almost unbroken,
while the black nalar stri])e is decidedly indicated ; on the back the black
bars much exceed in width the light f)nes, which are nearly wliite. The
generic rictal white stripe is usually inapjireciable, as also the black maxil-
lary one, although both can be detected in some sjieciinens.

A young bird is not appreciably dill'erent from the adult.

Habit.s. Dr. Coojier regards this bird as <juite a rare siiecies. He has
never met with it, and d^nibts if it is ever found so far south as San Fran-

548 NORTH AMERICA X HIKOS.

Cisco. "Sh. J. O. r>cll, of Now York, was tlio first to meet with tliis bird in
the Lower Sierra Nevada.

Dr. Heerinann procured specimens amon<f the sf)uthern mines, near tlic
Colorado Jviver, where tiiey were es2)ecially i'reciuentinji; the jjine-trees in
search of their food. He saw none ol' tiiem alight on an oak, though those
trees were abvmdant in that locality. It lias since been met with near Fort
Crook, and JJr. Cooper thinks it jmibable they may be more connnon in the
mountains of Eastern Oregon and in those of (Antral Utah.

Dr. Cones says that it is resident, but very rare, in Arizona. It frequents
pine-trees by jireference. Its range is .said to include both slopes of the Kocky
Mountains, from Oregon to the Itio (Jrande, and ])robably to Sonora.

Mr. liidgway met with this rare Wooilpecker on the Sierra Nevada and
Wahsatch ^Mountains, where it inhabited the same woods with the S. u-Uliam-
.toiii ; it ap])eared to have the same manners and notes as that s[)ecies, but it
was so seldom met with that nothing satisfactory could be learned concern-
ing its habits. Its consi)icuously barred coloration gives it much the appear-
ance of a CciUurus, when Hying.

Genus HTLOTOMUS, IVmru.

Dryotomus, Mamikimik, Mem. Ac. Jlt-t/, 18:49, 322. (Not of S\vain.son, 1831.)
Dryopirm, Hiinai". Consp. Zygoil. in Atoii. Ital. .\liiy, 1.S51. (Not of Malueube.)
llyhttonius, IJAUiii, Hirds X. Am. 18r>8, 107. (Typo, I'icus pikatiis.)
Phlmotomus, Cab. & Hkix. 1863. (Same type.)

Ges. CiiAit. Bill a little longci- than llic licad ; coii.-iidcrably depressed, or broader than
hiph at the base; shaped iinieli as in Cmriji/'jiliiliis, exeept shorter, and without the
bi'istly feathers directed forwards at the liase of the lower jaw. Gonys about half the
lenjjth of the oonnnissure. Tarsus shorter than any toe, e.xeept the inner posterior.
Outer posterior toe .shorter than the outer ant(Mior, and a litlii! lonner than the iiuier
anterior. Inner jjosterior very short, not half tiie outer anterior; aliont iiall' the inner
anterior one. Tail lonjr. j,'rad'.iated ; the lonu'er feathers nnieli iueurved at the li|>. Wiuir
ionu'er than the tail, reaehintr to the niidille of the exposed surfaee of tail; considerably
L^raduated, lliouji'h pointed ; the fourth ami llftli (piills loiii;(>st. Color iniifonn black.
li<'ad with |)ointed occipital orest. \ stripe frnm nasal tufts beneath the eye and down
side of neck, throat, liuiug of winyr, and basal portion of under surfa(;e of i[uill.s, while;
some species with the .abdomen and .sides barre(l lilack and browni.sh-white; otliers with
a white sea[iular strijie in addition. Male with whole crown and crest and maxillary
l)atch red ; female with only tin; crest red.

This genus is similar in gonernl ap])earancc and size to Caniprphihia, but
differs essentially in many respects ; tlii' difl'erences l)eing, however, mostly
those which dislinguish all other Woodpi;ckers from the species of ('aniju'-
])Ji a im, which is uniipie in tlie ])eculiiir .structure of the tail-feathers, the great
graduation of the tertitils (si.xth, instead of tliird or fourth, longest), and very
long gonys with the flat tuft of hair like feathers at its base. The less develop-
ment of tlie outer hind toe in Hylofomus, which is about exactly intermediate

I'lUlD.K — THI-J WOODPECKEKf^.

549

Ijotwoeu the outer and inner anterior, tlic outer larfjest, instead of being
longest, and liaving tiie outer anterior intermediate l)etween it and tlie
inner, Uie shorter bill, tlie gonys I'nlly hall' the length of the connnissure,
are additional distinctive features.

Of Hiilututnnn tliere are several species in tropical America, all differing,
however, in transversely banded lower parts, while some have a broad wliite

Htjldtfimns pifintits.

scapular stripe ; in these featun;., of coloration (Imt in these only, for the head
pattern is always nuicli as in the //. pilcatm) they resemble closely species
of Cumpcphilas {0. f/uatcma/ensv^, C. alhirostris, 0. malhcrhci, etc.,) I'ound in
the same region; one (If. mqmlnris, of Mexico) even has a whitish ivory-
like bill. They may all be distinguished from the species of Campcplulus,
however, by the generic diflerences.

550

NOIITII AMinaCAX BIRDS.

Hylotomus pileatus, Baird.

BLACK WOODCOCK; LOO-COCK.

Pints pHeatKn, LixN. Sysf. Nat. I. 17il(i, ]7.'i. — ViKli.l.or, Ois. Am. Scjit. II, 1807, 58,
pi. ex. — Wii.sdN, Am. OiM. IV, IMl, -^7, pi. .\.\ix, f. 2. - WAiii.Ki;, Sy.st. Av. 1827,
No. 2. — All.. Oni. liioy. 11, KS;i4, 71 ; V, .'',;!;!, \,]. cxi. — lu. Birds Amcr. IV, 18'12,
2C0, pi. fclvii. —Maxim, (.'uli. .lour. VI. 1S.'>8, 8.12. - Si-ndevall, Consp. 8. /'(V((.s
(Dryotomus) jiilcalus, .S\v. F. Bor. Am. II, isyi, ;!U4. Drijotomus pilcntus, Br. Li.st,
1838. Dn/oeopus pilailiifi, BoNAl". C'oiisp. Av. 18.'i(), 132. Jh-i/opicKs pilcittus, lios.
C'oiisp. Zyj,'- At.'ii. Ital. I. — Sci.ATKi;, C'lital. 18(12, 332. — GliAY, Catal. fi'J. Vilcatcd
fl'tml/irdri; Pi-.NXANi'. — Latiia.m. J/iiln/niiiiis /n7tiititx, lUiKi), Birds N. Am. 1858,
107. — Loiii), I'r. H. Art. Iii.st. IV, 212. — ('(mppkii >t SicKi.r.Y, Kil. — Dui:,ssF.ii, Ibis,
1865, 4t)9 (K. Te.\as, but not Kio (iramlu). — (.'iiorKit, Orii. C'al. I, 1870, 39G. Cenph-
locus pikulus, t'AB. .lour. 1802, 176. (Jfi/hlinnn, preoccuiiicd by Latreillo ! !) Cab. &
HuiN. Mils. Ili'iii. IV, II, 1863. —Samuels, 99. — Ai.len, 15. K. Fla. 302.

8p. Char. Fourth aud fillh quills equal and longo.-Jl; third intcrnipdiato botwcon sixtli

and seventh. Bill blue-black; more horn-color bciK'atli. General color of body, wings,

_ and tail dull greenish-black.

A narrow white streak from
just al)()ve the eye to the oc-
ciput; a wider (Mie IWiui the
nostril feathers (inclusive),
iiiuler the eye and along the
side of tlic head and neck ;
sides of tin' breast (concealed
by the wing), axillaries, and
under wing-coverts, and con-
cealed bases ol'all the (|uills,
witli chin and beneath the
head, white, tinged with sul-
l)hui'-yellow. J'Jitire crown
from the base ol" the bill to
a well-developed occipital
crest, as also a palcii on the
ramus of the lower jaw,
scarlot-red. A Unv faint
white eix'socnts on the sides
of the body and on, the ab-
domen. Longer primaries generally tijiped wilii white. Length, about 18.(iO; wing, O.oO.
Female without the red on the cheek, and the anterior half of that on the top of the
head replaced by black.

Had. Wooded parts of North Auierica ri'oin Atlantic to Pacific, Localities: E. Texas
(not Rio Grande!), (Duksskh. Ibis, ISCm. 4()1), breeds).

Speciiiions of this .species from Fort Liard in the Kortheni Rocky Moun-
tains, and from Piioet Sdiiiul region, are nearly four incites longer than those
from the Southern Atlantic States, and are scarcely exceeded in size by the
Ivory -billed W( lodjiecker.

Sjiecimens from the northwest coast reoion (Columbia Eiver, British

Hylolomtis pikatus.

riCID.K TllK WooDl'KCKKIlS. 5;51

(^'oluiultia, etc.) Ii;i\T, no tmw! ol' tlu? wliitu spots on ends of outer ])riniaries,
always fuuiul in eastern s]ieciiiicns.

llAnrrs. Xo memlier of this larj^f family lias a wider (listrilmt ion tliau
the I'ileated Woodpeekcr, extending from the (lulf of .Mexico to the ex-
trcmest limits of the uortliern forests, und from the Atlantic to the I'acitic.
It seems to be a resident everywiieie l»ut in its extreme northern localities,
rather than a migratory s])ecics. Thew; are speeimeus in the Snnthsonian
collection from Xelson liiver, on the nortii, to St. Johns liiver, Florida, on
the .south, and from lY'iiiLsylvania on the east to the l!io (Irande and liie Co-
lundiia on the we.st. Sir .lohn Uicliardsoii {Fiinna Jiiiir<i/i-Aincrir((ii(i, 11, ]).
;<(I4) speaks of it as resident all tlie year in tlie interior of tiie fur countries,
up to the 02(1 or (J.'Ul parallels, rarely ajijiearini,' near lluds{jn"s l>ay, hut fre-
cpicntinj^ the "gloomiest recesses of tlie forests tliat skirt the Itocky Moun-
tains. Dr. AVoodiiouse, in his IJeport on tlie natural history of the expedi-
tion down the Zuui and the Colorado Itivers, speaks of this Woodpecker as
having been found abundant in the Indian Territory, Texa.s, and Xew
Mexico. Neither Dr. Oandjel n(n- Dr. Ileermann ;4ive it in their lists of the
birds of California, nor does Dr. Newlxfrry mention meeting witii it in his
Eeport of the zoiiloify of his route. Dr. Suckley, however, speaks of tiie
Log-Cock as abundant in the, vicinity of Fort Steilacooin, \\'as]iinf,'ton Terri-
tory, during summer, and J )r. Cooi>er also mentions it as an almndant and
constant resident in the forests of the Territory. 1 have occasionally met
with it in the wilder portions of New Hampshirii and Maine, but have no-
where been so fortunat(^ as t(j observe its nest or its breeding-haljits. It has
always seemed a very shy liird, dillicult of ajiproach, always keciping at a
-safe distance, and ev(M' greeting your attempts for a nearer view witli a loud,
cackling cry, not vndike a derisiv(>. laugh.

According to the ob.servations of Wilson, their eggs are deposited in the
hole of a tree dug out by themselves, no other materials lu'ing u.scd but the
soft chips of rotten wood. The female lays six eggs, of a snowy whiteness,
and they are .said to raise two broods in a season.

^Ir. Audulion states that it almost always breeds in the interior of the
forest, and frecjuently on trees placed in deei) swamps over the wattn', a])-
pearing to give a preference to the southern side of the tree, on which side
the hole is usually found to which they retreat in the winter and during
stormy weather. The hole is sometimes Ixired ])erpendicularly, but occasion-
ally in the form of that of the Ivory-iiilled W(iod|)ecker. The usual depth
is from twelve to eighteen inches, the breadth from two and a half to three,
and at the bottom live en- six. lie l)elieved they raise but a single brood
in a season. The young follow their parents a long while, sometiuu's until
the return of spring.

Ivev. Dr. I'achman gives an interesting account of a pair of Pileated
"Woodpeckers building a nest in an old elm-tree in a swamp, and o('cn])ying
it the first year. Early the luixt spring two Uluebirds took possession of

552 NDltTII AMERICAN UIllDS.

it, and tlicrc liiid yoimj,'. liiiforo tlicy wcio Iiiilf j,'ro\vn the Woodpeckers
returiiod In tlir ]iliu'i', luid, di'spiln the; cries and reiterated attacks of the
IJhiehirds, took out the yoiiiij,' and carried them away to some distance.
Next, tiie nest itself was disjxised of, tlie hole cleaned and enlarged, and
there they raised their hrood. The tree was large, l)iit r.o situated that Dr.
IJachnian could reacii tlie nest from the liranches of another. 'I'lie hole was
eighteen inches deep, and he could tcmch the bottom with his hand. The
eggs, six in nunilier, were laid on fragments of chi])s expressly left liy the
birds, and were large, white, and translucent. IJefore the Woodpeckers l)egan
to sit, he robl)ed them of tlieir eggs to see if they would lay a second time.
They waited a few days as if undecided, and then he heard tlie female at
work again, dee])ening the hole and making it liroader at the bottom. She
soon recommenced laying, this time depositing five eggs. Jle su tiered her
to bring out her young, lioth l)irds alternately incubating, and each visiting
the other at intervals, looking in at the hole to see if all were right and well
there, and Hying otV afterwards in search of Ibod. When the young were
old enough, he took them home and endeavored to raise them. Tin-eo
died, refusing .all food. With two he was more successful. lUit even tiieso
he found untamable and destructive and troublesome pets, which he was at
last glad to release.

Dr. Cooper, who observed this species in Washington Territory, discovered
a pair early in April on Whitby's Ishmd, burrowing out a hole for their
nest in a dead trunk, about thirty feet from the ground. Tiiey worked alter-
nately, and were very watchful, keeping perfectly silent while they heard any
noise near by. He found the jdace V)y noticing cliips on the buslies below,
and after watching silently for some time, one of them began to work, now
and then ]n'otruding its bill full of chips, iiiul, after cautiously looking round,
dro])i»ing them.

According to Mr. ( ". S. Paine, of Randolph, Vt., the IMleated Woodpecker
is very rare in \'ermont, and extremely shy. It is diilicult to ajjproacli one
nearer than from fifteen to twenty rods, except by surprise, lie adds that
in only a single in.stanee has he been able to .shoot one. This fell with a
broken wing, before he could reach it, the bird commenced climbing a tree,
and nearly es(;aped. When overtaken, it fought furiously, and wounded Mr.
Paine severely in the hand, setting u]) at the same time a loud outcry, not
unlike that of a domestic lien. He lias never met witli its nest, although he
has several times seen the young when just alile to leave it. The elder
Mr. Paine states that, .some fifty years previous, this species was aiuindaiit in
Vermont, .and not .at all timid, and is of the opinion that their present shy-
ness is all that exem})ts them from extermination.

Mr. Dresser found this Woodjiecker resident and quite numerous in Texas
near all the large rivers, where tlie timber is heavy. A few were seen on
the Medina, and their eggs obtained thcnv, but they were not abundant in
that district. On the Colorado and Ijrazos IJivers these birds were verv com-

PICIU.K- TIIK WOODI'KCKKIW. 553

mon, and Mr. Dresser luund several nests in lui<,fe cottonwood-trees, Imt luul
no means nl' j^ettin^' to tlieni.

Mr. J. K. Lord assij^ns tn tliis species a wide western range, buinj; ennunon
both east and west of the Cascades, iind on tlie west slope of tiie llocky
Mountains. He met with it north as far as Fort Itiipcrt in \'uncouver
Island, and south tiirough Orej^on and California. He found them at Col-
ville durinif the winter. He states that they nest in May, generally in a
tall dead pine-tree, at a great iieight.

For my first specimens of tiie eggs of this sjiecies I aiu under ohligations
to Dr. (Jornelius Kollock, of Ciieraw, S. C. They wen; olitained l)y him
from excavations made in large trees at the height of al)out twenty-live feet
from the ground, and in localities at no great distance from tiie inhabited
parts of the country.

The eggs of this species I'rom South Carolina and Florida are of a very
brilliant crystalline whiteness, of a rounded-oval shape, and measure 1.2")
inches in length by 1.02 in breadth. Xorthern specimens are probalily
larger.

'o"-

Section CENTURE>E.

The United States genera of this section are very similar to each other,
and may be most easily distinguished by color, as follows : —

Centurus. Back ami wiiifjs banded transversely with Mack and white. Crown more
or less red; vc»t of head with under parts jirayish, .and with red or yellow tinge on the
middle of the abdomen. Ilnmp white.

Melanerpes. TTp()er parts unilbrm l)lack, without bands, with or without a while
rump ; variable beneath, but without transverse bands.

Genus CENTURUS, Swainson.

Centuriis, Sw. Cla,ss. Birds, II, 1837, 310. (Type, 0. caroKmm.)
Zebrapims, Mai.h. Hum. Acad. Metz, 184H, 3fl0. (Typo, 0. airnHiiiis.)

Gkn. CirAH. Bill about the length of the head, or a little longer ; decidedly compressed.
except at the extreme base. A lateral ridge starting a little below the eulmen at the base
of the bill, and angular for half the length of the bill, then becoming obsolete, thougii
tracealile nearly to the tip. Culmen considerably curved from the base ; gouys ncaily
straight. Nostrils very broad, elliptical ; situated about midway on the side of tli(.' man-
dible, near the base ; partly con<'ealed. Outer pairs of toes unequal, the anterior toe
longest. Wings long, broad ; third to fifth primaries ei|ual and longest. Tail-feathers
rather narrow, stifTened.

Tlie species are all banded above transversely with black and white ; the
rump white. The hsad and under parts arc l)rown, or grayisli, tlie latter
sometimes much the lighter. Tiie belly with a red or yellow tinge. The
under tail-coverts with V-shaped dark marks. The Nortli American species
of Centurus may be arranged as follows : —

voi,. 11. 70

554 NORTH AMEIilCAN BIRDS.

C. oarolinuB. Middle ol' lully reddish ; wliol(< crown mid iiapo red in male.
Nupe, "uly, red in H'liialc.

Fori'liead rcddi.sli ; lienuatli soiled asliy-wliite ; alidoincn pinkish-red;
crissnni with .sa};iUat(! marks of dusky. Wiiifr, ■).2r) ; tail, .'i..S|( ; l)ill,
1.30. Hub. Enstein I'rovineo United (Elates . . . vaf. rtirolinus.

Forehead smoky-while; benealli sninky-cilive, middle of ahdomen rar-
mino-red ; crissum with liroad transverse hai's of dusky. Wing, •l..'JO ;
tail. 'i.OO; bill, l.OS. Huh, Central Ameriea; Venezuela . var. tricolor.^
C. aurifrons. Middle of l)elly yellowish ; red of erown, in male, eonliiied
to an ovoid vertical pateli. Nape and forehead ;,'aiulio}re-yellow ; white of
rump and upjier tail-eoverts imiinieulale. Fcmuk without any red on llio
crown.

Iimer webs of middle tail-H'athers nnvariei;;ated black. Lower parts
dirty ashy-whitish, abdomen dilute !,'ambo<r(!-yellow. Wilier. ").-0 ; tail,
3.G0 ; bill, 1.50. Ilah. Eastern Mexico, north to the Hio (irando.

var. (( (( r ifrons.
Inner wnbs of middle tail-feathers .spotted with white. Lower parts
smoky-olive, belly brie;lit oranue-yellow. Winj;. 4.70; tail, 'J.HO; bill,

l.Ki. Ilah. Co.sta liica \i\r. hoj'fmanni?

C. uropygialis. Middle of the belly yellowish. Nape and forehead soil
smoky L;rayish-lirown. Fcmiih: without red or yellow on head. White of
rump and upper tail-coverts with transverse dusky biu-s. Inner webs of
middle tail-feathers spotted with white. Winj;, 5.30; tail, 3.70; bill, 1.3.').
Ilab. Western Jlcxico, north into Colorado, region of Middle Province of
United States.

Centurus carolinus, Eoxap.

BED-BELLIED WOODFECKEB.

rici's cro-nUi'us, blNN. Syst. Nat. I, 17ti(>, 174. — Wll.sos', Am. Orn. I, 1808, 113, pi. vii,
f. 2. -Ari). Orn. IJinj,'. V, It^Jii', Hi'.), pi. eeiTXV. — I It. Hird.s Amcr. IV, 1842, 270,
pi. cclxx. —Max. Cab. .Teur. IS^S, 418. — Suxdkv.vi.I., Coiisp. .^3. ('fii/iiniscnn)liiui.%
Sw. Br. List, 1838. — In. Coiisp.'ctiis, Av. 18.''.0, Hi). — H.uim, IHrds N. Am. 109. —
Caii. .Tour. 18()2, 324. — Diir.ssKU, Ibis, 18ti.O, 46!) (resident in Texas). — Sui,. Cat.
1862, 342. — CritAY, (/at. 9'.). — Ai.i.r.N, H. E. Fla. 30t). Ccnlunis carolincmis, Sw.
I'.irds, [[, 1837, 310 (<'n-or). Vims ;/ri.ini.% ViKlu,. Ois. Am. Sept. U, 1807, .'')2, ])1.
exvi. / I'icii.i n-iilliraiiclh'ii, ^X.\v.i,K\i, Syst. Avium, 1827. I'icus zrhni, 15o|)I)^:kt,
Talil. lib fill. ((!rav, j;i'ucia>.

Sp. Char. Third, fourth, and fifth quills ne.arly equal, and longest; second, or enter-
most, and seventh about ecpial. Top of the head and nape crimson-red. Forche.ad whitish,
.stromrly tin.'z'eil with li.irht hmI. a shade of which is .also seen on the cheek, still stronrrcr on
the middle of the lielly. T'nder jtarts brownish-white, with a (liint wa-sh of yellowish on
the belly. Back, rumi), and wimr-eoverts banded black and white ; upper tail-covert white,
with occasional lilolches. Tail-feathers black ; first, transversely banded with while; sec-
ond less so ; all the rest with whitish tips. Inner feathers Ijanded with white on the

1 Centurus caroJinnx, var. Mcnlnr. Pii-iis Irienhr, Waoi,. Isis, 1829, 512. Oenfuru.i tn. ScL.
Catal. Am. B. 1802, 343. ('. niilirh-ijinin, Scl-. P. Z. .S. 18,"),''., I(i2 ; 18r)(), 143.

2 ri'titiirus aurifruns, var. Iioffinauiii. Ccnlurus hoffinaiiiii, Caiianis, Journ. Sept. 1862, 322
(Costa Kica).

PICID.K-TIIE WnoIil'HCKKns.

G5G

Cftiturus rurotiitus

iiinor :,fh; tlic oulcr \vcl> willi a sli'ijic of while nloiif,' llii' iiiiildlc. Lcnj.'lli, lt.7"'; wiii^',
iilMHit o.OO. Fciimlc Willi lln' iTowii ashy ; rorcht'iiil piiU' ifd; iiiiiiu l)iij,'hl iimI.

IIaii. North Aiiiciica, _

friiiii Atlantic coasit to tin.'
caslcni slopi' of till' Hocky
Moiiiilains. Iiocalilii's :

Texas (DiiKSiiKU, Iliis, 1805,
•t<!!<. rosiilciil).

Sjiociiuoiifl vary con-
aidorably in size (witli
latitude), ami in tiie
tiiioe of veddiHJi on
cliin, breast, etc, Tiic
widtli of the dorsal
hands differs in dilf(!r-
ent s])eeiniens. The
runii) is haniled ; uj)-
per tail-coverts are j,'cnerally innnacidate, Imt are Hnnietiiiics dashed with
black. Specimens from the ^Iississip])i Valley are j^enerally more hrit^ditly

colored tlian those from the Atlantic
States, tiie lower parts more str(ino;ly
tin^'cd with red. Florida exani]iU's are
siiialliM'tlian niu'thern ones, the black bars
broader, tlie lower parts deeper ashy and
strongly tinned with red, but of a more
])ur|ilish shade than in western ernes.

llMdTS. The IJed-ludlied Wood-
pecker is distriljuted throno;hont North
America, from the Atlantic Coast to
the eastern slope of tlie Koeky Moun-
tains. Tt is, however, much more abiui-
dant in the more southern and western
portions. In the collections of the
Smithsonian Institution none are re-
corded from farther north than Tennsyl-
vania on Mie east and Nebraska Territory on the west, while otliers M'ere
obtained as far south as I'"lorida. Xor am I aware thiit it is found, except
very rarely, north of IVinisylvania on the Atlantic coast. I have never met
with it in Eastern Massachusetts, although ^Ir. Audubon sjieaks of it as lireed-
ing from Mfiryland to Nova Scotia. 1 )r. Woodhouse ionnd it conunejii in the
Indian Territory and in Texas. AVilson speaks of having fonnd it abundant
in Upper Canada, and in the northern parts of tlie State of New York. He
also refers to its inhaliiting the whole Atlantic States as far as Uctorgia and
the southern extremity of Floritla. Its al)sence in Eastern ^Massachusetts
was noticed by Mr. Nuttall. It is not given by Thompson or Paine as

Ctittltnis lurtilnm^.

556 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

one of the Ijirds of Veriiioiit, nor tloes Lieutenant lUand mention it as one
of the birds of Xova Scotia, and it is not inchided by .Sir John llichardson
in the Fauna Borcali-Anuricana.

Mr. Audubon speaks of it as generally more confined to the interior of
forests tlian the Hairy Woodpecker, especially during the breeding-season.
He further states that he never met with its nest in Louisiana or South
Carolina, but that it was not rare in Kentucky, and that, from the State of
jMaryland to Xova Scotia, it breeds in all convenient places, usually more in
the woods than out of them. He also states that he has found the nests in
orchards in Pennsylvania, generally not far from the junction of a l)ranch
with the trunk. He describes the hole as bored in the ordinary manner.
The eggs are seldom more than four in number, and measure 1.0(5 inches in
lengtli and .75 of an inch in breadth. They are of an elliptical form, smooth,
pure white, and translucent. They are not known to raise more than one
brood in a sefvson.

Wilson si)eaks of tliis species as more shy and less domestic than the lied-
headeil or any of the other sjjotted Woodpeckers, and also as more solitary.
He adds that it prefers the largest liigh-timbered woods and the tallest de-
cayed trees of the forest, seldom appearing near the ground, on tlie fences,
or in orchards or ojten fields. In regard to their nesting, he says that the
pair, in conjunction, dig out a circular cavity for the nest in the lower
side of some lofty branch tliat makes a considerable angle with the horizon.
Sometimes they e.xcavate this in the solid wood, but more generally in a
hollow limb, some fifteen inches above where it becomes solid. This is
usually done early in April. The female lays five eggs, of a pure white, or
almost semi-transparent. The young generally make their appearance
towards the latter part of May. Wilson was of the opinion that they pro-
duced two broods in r, season.

Mr. I )re.sser i'ound tliis bird resident and abundant in Texas. It is also
equally al)undant in Louisiana aiul in Florida, and Mr. Ridgway considers
it very common in Southern Illinois. Neither Mr. lioardman nor Mr.
Verrill have found it in Maine. Mr. j\lcllwraith has, however, taken three
specimens at Hamilton, Canada AVest, May .i, near Chatliam. Air. Allen
gives it as a summer visitant in Western Alassachusetts, having seen one on
the i;U]i of May, 18G:i. It has also been taken several times in Connecticut,
by I'rofesRor Emmons, who met with it, during the breeding-.soason, in
the extreme M-es;3rn part of the State. Mr. Lawrenc^ has found it near
New York City, and Mr. Turnbull in Eastern Pennsylvania.

The eggs vary from an oblong to a somewhat rounded oval shi.pe, are of a
bright crysti nine whiteness, and their measurements average 1.02 inches in
length by .88 of an inch in breadth.

riUlD.K — THE WOODPECKERS. 557

Centums aurifrons, C.ray.

YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER.

Picus aurifrmis, Waoi.ki;, Isis, 1820, h\2. — Suxdkvam-, C'onsi). Pic. 53. Ccntiirus auri-
frons, Gray, Gi'iu'ia. — Caiiams, Jimr. 1862, 323. — Cciippeu, Orn. C'nl. I, 1870, ;59».
Ccntiirus Jifirivciilri.i, Swai.ssun, Aiiiiii. in Jlciiaf;. 1838 (2\ fcntcuaiics), a.")4. — l>Ali:l),
Birds N. Am. 18r.S, lid, jil. .xlii. — Hekiimanx, P. H. l<v\>. X, c, 18. — Uiir.s.sKi!, Ibis,
1865, 409 (I'csidrnt in Texas). — lu. Kej). Mox. Bonnil. II, 5, pi. iv. Vcnhirus clcijuns,
LAwr.KSii;, Ann. N. Y. Lye. V, Jlay, 1851, lUi. Centums snnfncru:i, L.uvitiixcK,
Ann. .'^. Y. Lye. V, 1851, 123 (not of lionap.). Ficus oriuilus, Lkss. KfV. Zool.
1839, ni2.

Sp. Char. Fnurtli .ind fiOli quills nearly equal ; third a little .shorter; longer than the
fourth. Back banded transversely with blaok and white ; rump and upper tail-eoverts
pure white. Crown with a subquadratc spot of crimson, about half an incli wide and
long; and separated iiom the gamboge-yellow at the ba.se of the bill by dirty white,
from the orbit and occiput liy browni.sh-ash. Nape half-way round the neck orange-
yellow. Tnder part generally, and sides of head, dirty white. Middle of belly gaiuboge-
yellow. Tail-feathers all entirely black, except the outer, which has some obscure bars
of white. Length about O.")!) ; wing, 5.00. Female without the red of the crown.

Hai!. Rio Grande region of the T'liited States, .south into Me.Kieo. Probably Arizona.
Localities : Orizaba (Scr.. P. Z. S. 18Gtl, '2o2) ; Te.xas, .south of San Antonio (Duesser,
Ibis, 180"), 409, resident).

Young birds are not (lifferent from adults, except in .showing indication of
dark sliaft-lines beneath, becoming l)roader behind on the sides. Tiie yel-
low of the nape extends over the whole side of the head.

Hauits. Tiii.s beautiful Woodpecker is alnmdant througliout the valley
of the liio Grande, from I'^agle Pass to its mouth ; how far to the west witliin
our boundaries it occurs, I am not iible to state. It is common throughout
Mexico, and was found in the Guatemalan collection of \'an Patten, tliough
not mentitjued by .Sclater and Salviii. Dr. Woodhou.se, in his IJeport on the
zoology of Captain Sitgreavcs's expedition, speaks of finding it quite abun-
dant in tlie neighborhood of San Antonio, Texas. He adds that west of the
Itio San I'edro lie did not meet with it. He speaks of it as having a loud,
sharp cry, wliicli ii utters as it tlies from tree to tree. He observed it mostly
on the trunks of the mestpiite (A/ ga robin), diligently searching in the usual
manner of Woodpeckers. In the Keport u]ion the birds of the Mexican
Boundary Survey, it is mentioned by Mr. Clark as id)undant on tlie Lower
liio Grande, as very shy, and as kee])ing chielly about the mesipiite. Lieu-
tenant Couch speaks of it an very common throughout Tamaidipas.

Mr. Dresser found tlie Yellow-bellied Woodpecker plentiful from the
Kio Grande to San Antonio, and as far north and east as tlie (jiiadaloiipe,
after which be h)st sight of it. Wherever the inest^uite-trees were large,
there it was sure to be found, and very sparingly elsewhere. Near Sau
Antonio it is quite common, but not so much so as the C. caroliiius. At
Eiighi I'a.ss, however, it was the more abundant of tlie two. He found it

558 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

breeding near San Antonio, lioriny for its nest-hole into a niesqiiite-tree.
Mr. iJresser was inibrnied by Dr. Hcerniann, who has seen many of their
nests, tliat he never fonnd them in any otlier tree.

These birds were found breeding by Dr. Berlandier, and his collection con-
tained (juite a niunber of their eggs. Notiiing M'as found among his papers
in relation to their liabits or their manner of In-eeding. Their eggs, procured
by him, are of an oblong-oval shape, and measure 1.05 inches in lengtli by
.85 of an inch in breadth.

Centurus uropygialis, Baird.

QILA WOODFECKEB.

Ccnluriis uropygialis, Baird, Pr. A. N. Sc. Ph. VII, June, 1854, 120 (Bill AVilliams
River, N. iM. — 1b. Birds N. Am. 1858, 111, pi. xxxvi. — Caii. Jour. 1882, 330. — Su.v-
DEVALL, Consp. 54. — KF.NNiiiUiY, P. R. R. X, li, pi. x.xxvi. — Heku.mann, X, c, 17.
CouEs, Pr. Avi. 1866, 54 (S. Avizonn). — Cool'EU, Oni. Cal. I, 1870, 399. Ccnlurus
hypopoUus, (Bp.) Pucueisan, Rov. et Mag. 1853, 163 (not I'icus (Centurus) hypopolius,
Waoi.eu). Zchrapicus kaupii, AlALUEimE, 1855. — Guay, Catal. Br. Mex. Centurus
sul/urciventer, Reichenbaoi, Haiulbuch, Picium, Oct. 1854, 410, iigs. 4411, 4412.

Sp. Char. Thirrl, fourth, and fifth qnills lonirost, and aliont equal. Back, rump, and
upper tail-coverts transvcrsidy barred with black and white, purest on the two latter.
Head and neck all roinid pale dirty-brown, or brownish-ash, darkest above. A small
subquadrate patch of red on the niiddh! of the crown, separated from the bill by dirty
white. Middle of the abdomen f,'amboge-yellow ; under tail-coverts and anal .cgion
strongly barred with black. First and second outer tail-feathers banded black and white,
as is also the inner wel) of the inner tail-feather ; the outer web of the latter with a
white stripe. Length, about 9.00; wing, T) i"). Female with the head uniform brownish-
ash, without any red or yellow.

IIab. Lower Colorado Rivei' of the West, to Cape St. Lucas. South to Mazatlan.
Localities : AV. Arizona (Coues, P. A. N. S, 1800, 54).

Habits. Tliis species was first discovered by Dr. Kennerly in his route
along the 35th parallel, and descrilied by Professor Baird, in 1854. Tlie
Doctor encountered it almost continually during the entire march along the
Big Sandy, lUll Williams Fork, and the Great Colorado; but it was so very
shy that he had great ditticulty in procuring specimens. Seated in the top of
the tree, it was ever on guard ; and, ui)on the approach of danger, flew away,
accompanying its flight with the utterance of very peculiar notes. Its flight
was in an undulating line, like tluit of other birds of this class.

Dr. Heermann found tiiis Woodpecker abundant on the banks of the
Gila River among the mesquite-trees. The giant cactus, often forty feet
high, which grows abundantly on tlie arid Iiillsides throughout that wliole
section of country, M'as frequently found filled with holes bored out by
this bird. The pith of tlie jjlant is extracted until a cliamber of suitable
size is obtained, when the juice exuding from the wounded surface h.ardens,
and forms a smooth dry coating to the cavity, thus making a convenient

PICID.K — THE WOODPECKERS. r.r

place for the purposes of incubation. At Tucson, in Arizona, he found it
frequenting tlie corntields, where it might be seen alighting on the old hedge-
posts in searcli of insects. Its note, he adds, resemldes very niucli tliat of
the Hed-headed Woodpecker. He afterwards met with tliis bird in Cali-
fornia, in considerable numbers, on the Colorado. Ik'sides its ordinary notes,
resembling those of the Mdaiicrpcs erijthroccphalns, it varies them with a soit
plaintive cry, as if hurt or wounded. He found their stomachs filled with
the white gelatinous berry of a parasitic ])lant which grows abiuidantly on
the niesquite-trees, and the fruit of whicli forms the principal food of many
species of birds during the fall.

Dr. Cones gives tliis bird as rare and probably accidental in the immediate
vicinity of Fort Whipple, but as a common bird in the valleys of the Gila
and of the Lower Colorado, where it has the local name of Smmrrow, or
Sdffuaro, on account of its partiality for the large cactuses, witli the juice of
which plant its plumage is often found stained.

Dr. Cooper found this Woodpecker abundant in winter at Fort Moliave,
when they feed chiefly on the berries of the mistletoe, and are veiy sliy.
He rarely saw them pecking at the trees, but they seemed to depend for a
living on insects, which were numerous on the foliage during tlie spring.
They have a loud note of alarm, strikingly similar to that of the Phanoinpla
nitcns, which associated with them in the mistletoe-boughs.

About the 2r)th of March he found them preparing their nests in burrows
near tlie dead tojis of trees, none of them, so far as he saw, being accessible.
By the last of May they had entirely deserted the mistletoe, and were prob-
ably feeding their young on insects.

Genus MELANERFES, 8w.\inson.

Mdanerpes, Swainsox, F. li. A. II, 1831. (Tyiii', Picus crylhroccphaius.)
Metnmpiriis (Section 3), SlAMiKiinK, Mi'm. Ac. Jlctz, 1840, 30.").
Asyndesmus, Col'E.s, Pr. A. N. S. 18(50, i");'). (Tyiie, Picun torquattm.)

Gen. Char. Bill about oiiiial to the hoad ; l)i-oa<ler than hij;h at the ha.so, but becom-
ing compressed immediately anterior to the commencement of the ponys. Cnlmen and
gonys with a moderately deeided ani^ular rid^fe ; both decidedly curved from the very
base. A ratlier prominent acute riilu'e coinmcuces at th(> ba.se of the mandible, a little
below tlu^ ridge of the cnlmen, and proceed> but a short distance anterior to the nostrils
(about one third of the way), when it sinks down, and tlie bill is then smooth. The
lateral outlines are gently concave from the basal two tliird-i; then jrently convex to tin;
tip, which does not exhiViit any abrupt bevcUinf?. Nostrils open, broailly oval; not con-
ceabd by the feathers, nor entirely l)asal. Eork of chin less than half lower jaw. The
onter pair of toes eiiual. Winurs lonjr, broad ; lengthened. Tail-feathers liroad, with
lengthened points.

The species all have the liack Idack, without any spots or streaks anywhere.

Dr. Coues jdaces M. torqitotitx in a new genus, Axi/nthsmufi, characterized
by a peculiar te.xture of the under part and nuchal collar, in which the

560

NORTH AMERICAN J5IRDS.

fibres are disconnected on tlieir terminal portion, enlarged and stiffened,
almost bristle-like; otherwise the clsaracters are much as in Mclanerpcs. It

Melanrrpes erylhrocephnlus.

shoiUd, liowever, be noted, that the feathei-s of the red portion of the head in
the other species have tlie same texture.

Species and Varieties.

A* Spxcs similar. Ynvrtrj vnry dillerent from the adult.

M. torquatUB. Feathi'r.s of tin; lower parts, as well a.s of frontal, lateral,
and under portions of the liead, with the fibres bristle-like. (Asyndesnum,
CorES.) Upper parts wholly uniform, cnntiniious, very metallic blacki.th-
grcen. Adult. Forehead, lores, cheeks, and chin deep crimson, of a hurnt-
carmino tint; juf^ulum, breast, and a ring entirely around the nape, grayish-
while ; alxlonien light carmine. Rack glo.ssed with purplish-bronze. Young
without the red of the head, and lacking the grayish nuchal collar ; abdomen
only tinged with rcil, no puriile or bronze tints above. Wing, 0.70 ; tail,
4.00. Ilah. Western Province of the United States, from the Rlack Hills
to the Pacific.

M. erytbrocephalus. Feathers generally soO, blended ; those of the whole
head and neck with stiffened and bristli^-like (ibres in the adult. Secondaries,
rump, and upper tail-coverts, with whole lower parts from the; neck, con-
tinuous pure white. Two lateral tail-feathers tipped with white. Adult.
Wiiole head and neck bright venous-crimson or blood-red, with a black
convex posterior border across the jugulum ; liack, wings, and tail glossy
blue-black. Vniiiif/. Head and neck grayish, streaked with dusky ; back
and scapulars graj'i.«h, spotted with black ; secondaries with two or three
bliick bands; breast tinged with grayish, and with sparse dusky streaks.
Wing, r-i.m ; tail, '^30. Huh. Eastern Province of the United States, west
to the Rocky Jfountains.

B< Sexes dissimilar ; young like the adult.

M. formicivoruB. Forehea<l and .a broad crescent acrc^s the middle of the
throat (the two areas connected by a narrow strip acro.ss the lore), white,
more or less tinged witli sulphur-yellow. Rump, upper tail-covert.s, ab-

PICID.E — THE WOODri'X'lCEKS. 561

domen, sides, and crissum, with patdi on base of primaries, pure wliite,
the sides and breast with black streaks. Other portions glossy bhie- black.
$. Whole crow n and nape carniiiie. 9 with the occiput and nape
alone red.

More than the anterior half of the pectoral bund immaculate.
9 with the white frontal, bl.iek coronal, and red occipital bands
of about equal width. Forehead and throat only slightly tinged
with sulphur-yellow. Wing, 5.80; tail, 3.90; bill, 1.27. Ilab.
Pacific Province of United States, and Northern and Western
Mexico ........ \tu:for)nicivoru.i.

9 with the white frontal band only about half as wide iis the
black coronal, which is only about half as wide as the red occipi-
tal, baud or patch. Forehead and throat bright sulphur-yellow.
Wing, .').40 ; tail, 3.Go ; bill, 1.23. Ilab. Lower California.

var. a n gust ifr on,i.

Nearly the whole of the black pectoral band variegated loith white streaks.

Relative width of the white, black, and red areas on the crown as in
formicivorus. Wing, 5.30 ; tail, 3.75; bill, 1.22. Hub. Middle America,
south of Orizaba and Mirador .... var. .it riatipectus}

$. Nape, only, red (as in females of preceding races) ; 9 without
any red.

Whole breast streaked, the black and white being in about equiil
amount. Wing, 5.70 ; tail, 3.90 ; bill, 1.20. Hab. New Granada.

var. Jlavig ula.^

Melanerpes torquatus, Boxap.

LEWIS'S WOODPECKEB.

Pictis torquatus, Wii.sos, Am. Orii. Ill, Ibll, 31, pi. .\x. — Wagler, Syst. Av. 182/, No.
82. — Aun. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 170, pi. ccccxvi. —In. Birds Amer. IV, 18-12, 280, pi.
cdxxii. — SuNDKVALL, C'oiisp. .51. Melanerpes torquatus, Bp. C'onsp. IS-iO, 115. —
Hekumann, J. A. N. S.'. Phil, ad scr. II, 1853, 270. — XEwnKitiiv, Zool. Cal. & Or.
Bouto, 90, in 1>. U. K. Surv. VI, 1857. — lUiun, Birds N. Am. 115. — Cooi-Kii &
SucKLEY, 1«1. — Cassix. Pr. A. N. S. 1863, 327. —Loud, Pr. 11. A. lust. IV, 1804,
112 (nesting). — C'odi'EI!, Orii. Cal. I, 1870, 400. Picus montiinus, Oisi). in Outluic's
Gcog. 2d Am. I'd. II, 1815, 316. Pieu.i Icwisii, DuAi'iuz. (Gray.) Asyndesiiius tor-
quatus, C'oUES, Pr. A. N. S. 1866, 55.

Sp. Cuah. Feathers on the under parts liristle-like. Fourth quill longest; then third
and fifth. Above dark glos.sy-green. Breast, lower part of the neck, and a narrow collar
all round, hoary grayish-white. Around the base of the bill and sides of the head to

• ^fe.lancr|>es formicivorus, var. striatipectus, Rinr.WAV. In view of the very aiipreeialilc
diircrcni^i! from the other nices ninuml, it appears ni'ci'ssary to naiiic this oiic, in ortlcr that it
may rank eipially with tliii rest. The almost entirely streaked breast is only an approaeli to what
wc see, in its extreme phase, in the vai-. flaviijula. The l)lack vertex of the female apiiears
broader than in sjieeimens of viw. furmieienrus.

'^ Mrlnuerpes formicivorus, var. Jliiriijulii, Natt. .}felamj)ieus favigiilu (^\T[.), Mai.u. Uev.
Zool. 1849, 542, Monog. Pie. II, 202, pi. xcix, f. 5, 0. Melanerpes fliivi'juli<ris, .Sci,. P. Z. .S.
1856, 161. This ean only be considered the melanistie extreme of a siieeies of which the var.
formicivorus is the rubeseent one, the transition being gradual through the var. slrialij)eelus of
the intermediate region.

VOL. II. 71

r,62 NOllTIl AMERICAN BIRDS.

lu'liiiid the eyos, dark criiiison. Holly blood-roil, streaked finely with hoary whitish.
\Viii},'s niid tail eiiliroly iiiiilbriii daik fi'lussy-green. Female siniiliir. Length iiboiit 10.50;
wing, (l.")0. Young wilhont the nnelial eollar, and th(! red of head replaced by blaek.
IIau. Western Ameriea IVoni Black Hills to Tfteilie.

The peculiiuities in the tViithei's of the under parts have already been ad-
verted to. This structure ap]ioars to be e.ssentially connected with tlie red
featiiers, since these have tlie same texture in the other species ol' the genus,
wlierever the color occurs. The remark may perhaps apply generally to the
red i'eatliers of most, if not all, Woodjieckers, and may be connected with
some chemical or physical condition yet to be determined.

Habits. Lewis's Woodpecker woidd seem to have a distribution through-
out the Pacific Coast, from tlie sea-shore to the mountains, and from Puget
Sound to the Ciulf of California, and extending to the eastern border of the
(heat Plains, within the limits of the United States. They were first ob-
served by Messrs. Lewis and Clarke, in their memorable journey to the
Pacific. Subseiiuently Mr. Nuttall met with them in his westward journey,
in tlie central ciiain of tlie IJocky ^lountains. Tliis was in the month of
July. Among the cedar and pirn; woods of Pear IJiver, on the edge of Upper
California, he found them inhabiting the decayed trunks of the pine-trees,
and already feeding tlieir young. Afterwards, at the close of August, he met
them in flocks on tiie plains, sixty miles up the Wahlamet. He describes
them as very unlikj Wood[)eckers in their liabits, perching in dense ilocks,
like Starlings, neitlier clind)ing branches nor tapping in the manner of their
tribe, but darting after insects and devouring berries, like Thrushes. He saw
them but seldom, either in the dense forests of the Columbia or in any set-
tled part of California.

Townsend ;5peaks of fheir arriving about the firet of May on Bear River
and the Columbia. Both sexes incubate, according to his observations.

Dr. (Jambel first observed this Woodpecker in a belt of oak timber near
the Mission of St. Crabriel, in California, and states tliat it was abundant.
H(! also describes its liabits tis ])eculiar, and unlike the generality of Wood-
peckers. Dr. Heermann, too, speaks of finding it in all the parts of Cali-
fornia which he visited. 1 )r. Xewberry, in his Notes on tlie zoiilogy of
Lieutenant Williamson's expedition, refers to it as most unlike the Cali-
fornia Woodjiecker in the region it occupies and in its retiring habits. He
describes it as seeming to choose, for its favorite haunts, the evergreen
forests upon the rocky declivities of the (Cascade and Itocky Mountains.
He first observed it in Northern California, but subsequently noticed it in
tlie mountains all the way to the Columbia. Thougli often seen in low ele-
vations, it was evidently al])ine in its preferences, and was found most fre-
quently near tlie line of perpetual snow; and when crossing the snow lines,
in the mountain-passes, it was often oliserved flying far above the party. He
describes it as being always shy, and difficult to shoot.

1 )r. S. W. Woodhouse describes this species as being common in the Indian

PICID^ — THE WOODPECKEUS 5(53

Territory and in New Mexico; while Dr. Cooper, in his Report on the
zoology of Washington Territory, speaks of it as being connnon, during
sunimei", ill all the interior, districts, but seldom or never aj)proaciiing the
coast. It arrives at Puget Sound early in May, and some even remain, dur-
ing mild winters, in the Territory. According to his account, it l)urro\vs
holes for its nests at all heights from the ground, but commonly in dead
trees. The eggs are descril)ed as ])ure white, and, when fresh, translucent,
like those of all the "WoodiJCcker tribe, and hardly distinguisbal)l(! in size
and general appearance from tho.se of the (lolden-winginl Woodpecker
{Colaptcs (lurntus). Its harsh call is rarely uttered in summer, wh<;n it
seems to seek concealment for itself and nest. The Hocks of young, which
in fall a.ssooiate together to the number of eight or ten, are more noisy. Dr.
Suckley, in the same Itcjiort (jiage IHi'), speaks of tliis Woodp>.'''ker as being
very abundant throughout the more open portions of the timbered region of
the northw> st coast, preferring oak openings and groves. At Fort 1 )alli's, on
the Columbia, they are extremely numerous, not (jnly breeding there iluring
summer, but also found as winter residents. Their breeding-idaces are gen-
erally holes in oak and other trees, which, from the appearance of all he
examined, seemed to have been excavated fortlie purpose. At Puget Sound
this species was found less freipiently than at Fort Dalles, on the Columbia.
At the latter ])lace they were constant winter residents. Dr. Suckley also
speaks of tliem as being semi-gregarious in their habits.

Mr. Lord thinks that this Woodpecker is not to be met with west of the
Cascade ^[ountains, but says it is very often found between the Cascades and
the liocky Mountains, where it fretpients the open timber. The habits and
modes of fligiit of this bird, he states, are not the least like a Woodpecker's.
It flies with a heavy Happing motion, much like a Jay, fee<ls a good deal on
the ground, and chases insects on the wing like a Slirike or a Kingbird.
"Whilst mating they assemble in large numbers, and keep up a continual,
loud, chattering noise. They arrive at Colville in A])ril, begin nesting in
May, and leave again in October. The nest is in a hole in a dead pine-tree,
usually at a consideral)le height from tlie ground.

Dr. Cones says this bird is very common at Fort Whij)])le, in Arizona,
where it remained in moult until November.

Mr. J. A. Allen found this the most numerous of the Pirida- in ("olo-
rado Territory. Ho also states that it differs consideriibly in its ha1)its from
all the other Woodpeckers. He fre([uently noticed it rising high into the
air almost vertically, and to a great height, api)arently in pursuit of insects,
and descending again as abru])tly, to repeat tlie same mameuvre. It was
met with by Mr. Kidgway in the Sacramento Valley, along tlie eastern base
of the Sierra Nevada, and in the East Humboldt Mountains. In the first-
mentioned locality it was the most abundant Woodpecker, a iid inhabited the
scattered oaks of the plains. In the .second region it was very abundant —
perhaps more so than any other species — among the scattered pines along

5G4 NOIITII AMERICAN BIRDS.

tlio very base of the castorn slo]ie ; and in the last-montionud place was ob-
served on a low occasions anionj,' the tall aspens bordering,' the streams in
the lower portions of tiie caHons. In its habits it is descril)ed as apjiroacli-
in<^ most closely to our common Ited-headed \Voodi)eciver {M. eri/lhroccpha-
lus), but possessing,' many very distinctive peculiarities. In the character
of its notes it (piitc closely approximates to our common lledhead, but
they are weaker and of a more twittering character ; and in its lively play-
ful disposition it even exceeds it. It has a very peculiar and characteristic
habit of ascendinji; high into the air, and taking a strange, floating ilight,
seemingly laborious, as if struggling against the wind, and then descending
in broatl circles to the trees.

The eggs are more spherical than are usually those of the Colapics mirahis,
are of a beautiful crystalline whiteness, and measure 1.10 inches iu length
and .92 of an inch in breadth.

Melanerpes orythrocephalus, Swaixson.

BED-HEADED WOODPECKER.

Pints crijthroccpliahis, Linn. Syst. Nut. I, 1766, 174. — Vikii.lot, Ois. Am. Sppt. II, 1807,
60, pi. c.\ii, cxiii. — WiLSDN, Am. Om. I, 1810, 142, pi. ix, fig. 1. — Waci.kk, Syst.
Av. 1827, No. 14. — 111. Isis, 182i>, .IIS (young). — Avn. Oin. Hiog. I, 1832,141;
V, 536, 1)1. xxvii. - In. liinls Americii, IV, 1842, 274, pi. cclxxi. —Max. t'ab. ,1. VI,
18r>8, 419. Mehiiia-iK.i cnjllimriihahis, Sw. F. B. A. II, 1831, 316. — Bon. List,
1838.— In. ConsiHTtiis, IS.-iO, 11.5. — Camuki,, ,T. Ac. Nat. Se. Ph. 2(1 scr. I, 1847,
55. — lUnil., Birds N. Am. 1858, 113. —Sci,. Cut. 1862, 340. — Samuel.s, 102.—
CoorF.li, Oiii. (\il. I, 1870, J02. — Ai.i.KN, B. E. Flu. 307. Picm obscnnis, Gm. I,
178S, 429 (yoww^). — Red-hcadt I Woodpecker, Pennant, Kalm, Latiia.m. While-
riiinpid Woodpecker, Lai'IIAM.

Sp. Char. Iload and neok all round crim.«on-rod, marsrincd by a narrow crosoont of
black on the iiiiix'r part of the breast. Back, priniar}' (inills. and tail bhiisli-black. Under
parts <jonerally, a bioad band across the middle of the wing, and the rump, white. Tlie
female is not din'erent. Lenglh, about 0.75 ; wing, '>.'>(). Bill blui.sh-white, darker ter-
Miinally ; iris chestnut; feet olivi'-gray. Young without any red, the head and neck being
grayish streaked with dusky; lireast with an .ashy tinge, and streaked .s))arsely with
dusky ; secondaries witli two or three bands of black ; dorsal region clouded with grayish.

IIah. Eastern Province of Unite(l .States to base of Rocky Mountains, sometimes strag-
gling westwaid to coast of California ((!a.miiki.). Salt Lake City, Utah (Ridgwav). Other
localties: Nueces to Brazos, Texas (Duksskk, Ibis, 1805, 400, breeds).

Western specimens frequently have the iibdomen strongly tinged with
salmon-red, or orange-red, and are generally more deeply colored than
eastern.

Habits. The IJed-headod Woodpecker is one of the most ftimiliar birds
of this family, and ranges over a wide extent of territory. Excepting where
it has been exterminated by the persccuti(jns of indiscriminate destroyers, it
is everywhere a very abundant species. Once common, it is now rarely met

I'R'ID.K — TIIK WoOnri'X'KEKS. ,5(J5

witli in the noyiliorliood ol' rxistoii, tlioiinh in tlui western ])art (tf Miissa-
c'liusflts it is still to liu loiuul. In tlic cipllectidiis of tlu; Sniitlisonian In-
stitution are speeinieiis iVoiii I'ennsylviiniii, Wyoniinj;', Ncjlirivska, Kansas,
Missouri, Louisiana, tiic Indian Territory, ete. Sir John Kielianlson speaks
of it as ranj,'iiit,' in sunnner as far north as the northern shores of Lake
Huron. lie also remarks tliat in the llmlson I'.ay Museum tlu're is a speci-
iien from the hanks of the ('olunil)ia lliver. Dr. (ianiliel, in his juiper on
the liiriU of Caliiornia, states that he .saw many of them in a hell of oak tim-
1)cr near the Mi.ssion of .^t. (iabriel. As, however, Dr. lleermaiui did not
meet with it in California, and as no other coUeetor has olitaiiied s])eeimens
in that State, this is ])ro!>al)ly a mistake. With the exeeption of Dr. W'ood-
liou.se, who speaks of having' found this s])ocies in the Indian Territory and
in Texas, it is not mentioned l)y any of the ^'overnment exph)rin^ parties.
It may therefore ho assigned a range extending, in summer, as hir north as
Labrador, and westward to the eastern slojies of the IJocky Mountains.
Throughout the year it is a jiermanent resident only of the more .soutliern
States, where it is, however, nuich less abundant in suuuner than it is in
TemLsylvania.

Wilson, at the tiuie of his writing (1S08), speaks of fii'ding several of the
nests of this Wood))ecker within the boundaries of the then city of I'liila-
delphia, two of them lieing in buttonwood-trees and one in the decayed
lind) of an elm. The jjarent birds made regular excursions to the woods
heyond the Scliuylkill, and ])reserved a silence and cirenmspection in visiting
their nest entirely unlike their habits in their wilder places of residence.
The species is altogether migratory, visiting the Middle and Xorthein States
early in May and leaving in Octolier. It begins the construction of its nest
almost innnediately after its lirst ajipearance, as with other memhers of its
family, by excavations made in the trunk or larger limbs of trees, depositing
six white eggs on the bare wood. The cavities for their nests are made
almost exclusively in dead wood, rarely, if ever, in the living portion of the
tree. In Texas, J.,ouisiana, Kentnck}', and the ("arolinas, they have two
broods in a season, but farther north than this they rarely raise more than
one. Their eggs are u.sually six in number, and, like all the eggs of this
family, are piu'e white and tran.slucent when fresh. They vary a little in
their shajjo, but are usually slightly more oval and less spherical than those
of several other si)ecies. Mr. Xuttall sjieaks of the eggs of this bird as
being said to l)e marked at tin; larger end with reddish spots. I have never
met with any thus marked, and as Mr. Xuttall docs not give it as from his
own observations I have no doubt that it is a mistake. Mr. Paine, of
l{andol|)h, Vt., writes that ho has only seen a single specimen of tliis
Woodpecker in that part of Vermont, while on the western side of the
Ch'een ^lountains they ai'e said to be very common. He adds that it is a
tradition among his older neighbors that these Woodpeckers were formerly
everywhere known throughout all portions of the State.

500

NUUTII AMKUICAN BIRDS.

Mr. liidpway saw n single individual of this species in the outskirts of
Suit Lake City, in .hily, 18G'J.

Tlieir eggs vary both in size and in shape, from a spiierical to an oblong-
oval, the latter being the more usual. Their length varies from 1.10 to 1.15
inches, and their breadth from .80 to .00 of an inch.

Melanerpes formicivorus, var. formicivorus, Bonap.

CALIFOBNIA WOODPBCKEB.

Pieus formiciruruK, Swaixson, Birds Mex. in I'liilos. Mag. I, l"""', 439 (Moxico). — VinoRs,
Zool. lilossoin, ]8;J9, 23 (Moiit(ivy'). — NrTTAl.l., Miin. I, 2d cd. 1840. Milancrpcs
formicivorun, \\i: t'onspcctus, IS.'iO, 11,"). ~ Hkkumann, J. A. N. Si:. Pliil. 2d serios,
II, 18.')3, 27cl. — Cassin, Illust. II, 18,'.3, 11, |d. ii. — Nkwrkkuy, Znol. C'al. & Oregon
Koutc, yo, P. K. It. Siirv. VI, isr.7. — liAiiiK, Hirds N. Am. 1808, 114. — Sumi-
CIIKAST, Mem. Bust. .Soc. I, 180,'), ,'«t)2 (coi'ivotiiig an error of Saiissurc). — 1'a.ssi.v, I'r.
A. N. S. 03, 328. — IlKKliMANN, r, 1!. U. X, .''.8 (nesting). — Baiud, Kcp. M. Bound.
II, Birds, 6. — Sil,Ari;n, Br. Z. S. 1858, 305 (Oaxaoa). — In. Ibis, 137 (Honduras).—
C'An. .lour. 1802, 322 (Costa Hiea). — CorKs, I'r. A. N. S. 1806, 55. — Coofku, Om.
Cal. I, 1870, 403. J'iciis mcUiiiopmjim, Tkmmintk, I'i. Color. IV, (1829 () pi. ecccli.
■ - WAiiLKK, Isis, 1829, V, 515. — lSrsi)i;vAM,, Consp. 51.

Sp. Char. Fourth quill lonfro.st, liiinl n littlo shorter. Above and on the anterior half
of the body, glos.sy bluish or greenish black ; the top of the liead and a short occipital

crest red. A wliite patch on the fore-
head, connectinif with a broad crescen-
tic collar on the upper part of the neck
liy a narrow isthmus, -white tinged with
sulphur-vellow. Belly, rtnup, bases of
primaries, and inner edges of the outer
quills, white. Tail-feathers uniform
black. Feniah," with the red conlined
to the occipital crest, the rest replaced
by <rreenish-black ; tlie three patches
white, black, and red, very sharply de-
fined, .ind about equal. Length about
9.50 ; wing, G.OO ; tail, ;i.7').

IIai). Pacific Co.ist region of the
United states and south ; in Northern
Mexico, oastw.ird almost to the Gulf
of Mexico ; also on the Upper Rio
Gr.ande; south to Costa Rica. Locali-
ties: Oax.ica (ScL. P. Z. S. 1858, 30a) ;
Cordova (Scl. ISuG, ,'307) ; Gu.itemala (Sui,. Ibis, I, 137) ; Honduras (Scl. Cat. 341) ;
Costa Rica (Cad. .L 1862, 322) ; AV. Arizona (Coues, P. A. N. S. 18GG, 55).

In most specimens one or two red feath^irs may be detected in the black
of the breast just behind the sulphur-yellow crescent. The white of the
breast is streaked with black ; the posterior portion of the black of the
breast and anterior belly streaked with white. The white of the wing only
shows externally as a patch at the base of the primaries.

Melanerpes formicicorus.

I'lOID.K — TIIK WOODrKCKKRS.

r,07

Dr. Cones calls iittciitioii ••) cxtnumliiuiry (lifll'rencos in the color of tlio
iris, which varies from whitt; to rod, hliio, yellow, ochniceoiis, or brown. A
mixture of blue, he thinks, imliciites immaturity, and a reddish tinge the
full spring coloration.

The nialc of tliis si)ecies has a white forehead extending a little liaekwards
of the anterior edge of the eye, the rest of the top of head to the nape Ijeing
red. The female has the wliite forehead, and a (piadrato otx'ipito-nuehal red
patch, a black band al)out as broad as the white one separating the latter
from the occipital red. Tiie length of th. two anterior bands together is
decidedly greater than that of the jjosteriin- red. In lioth sexes the Juguluni
is entirely and continuoiisly bla(;k. Anteriorly (generally with a red spt)t in
its anterior edge) and on the feathers of its ])osterior bonier only are these
elongatoil white spots, on each side the siiaft, the feathers ol' the breast being
streaked centrally with black. The inner webs of the secondaries have an
elongated continuous ])atcli of white along their internal edge, with a very
slight, almost inappreciable, border of black ; this white only very rarely con-
verted ])artly or entirely into (quadrate spots, and that never on the inner-
most quills marked with white. Specimens from California are very similar
to those from the llocky Mountains and the. Hio Grande Valley, except,
perhaps, in being larger, with longer and straighter bill.

In M. Jlavi(jidi( from Bogota, tiie male has the head marked with the red,
black, and white (tiie red much less in extent, however) of the female M.
formkironis, while the female has no red whatever. All, or nearly all, the
feathers of the juguluni have the two white spots, and (as jiointed out by
Eeichenbach) the white of the inner webs of the inner (piills is entirely con-
verted into a series of non-conlluent qiuulrate spots. The black streaks on
the sides and behind appear to be of greater magnitude, and more uniformly
distril)uted. In both species all the tail-feathers are perfectly Idack.

A Guatemalan bird, received from Mr. Salvin as M. formiciror !(.■<, — and in-
deed all specimens from Orizaba and jMirador to Costa lUca, — agrees in the
main with t'le northern bird, except that all the black feathers of the jugu-
luni have white spots, as in M.fari(jul:(. The outermost tail-feather of Mr.
Salvin's specimen has two narrow transverse whitish bands, and a sjHjt indi-
cating a third, as well as a light tip. The white markings on the inner
quills are more like the northern bird, though on the (nitermost ones there
is the same tendency to form spots as in a few northern specimens (as
G,149 from Los Nogales, &c.). The bill is very dill'erent from either in being
shorter, broader, much stouter, and the culinen nun-e decurved.

These peculiarities, which are constant, appctar to indicate a decided or
strongly marked variety, as a series of almost a hundred specimens of
the northern bird from many localities exhibit none of the characters
mentioned, while all of an equally large series from Central America agree
in possessing them.

A series of Jalapan specimens from the cabinet of Mr. Lawrence show a

5G8 NDIITII AMERICAN IMRDS.

close relationshiii to skins from tlio Kio Graiulo, and do not approach the
Guatemalan liivd in the peculiar cliaiaeters just ret'ei'red to, except in the
shortness and curvature of tiie bill. In one specimen there is an ajiproach
to the Jioj^otan in a lu- lerate degree of barrinjj; on the white inner edgings
of the tertials ; in the rest, liowever, they are continuously white.

ILviiiTs. This handsome Woodpecker, distinguished both by the remark-
able beauty of its plumag(^ and tiie peculiarity of its provident habits, has a
widely exteiuled area of distribution, covering the Pacific Coast, from Oregon
throughout Mexico, in (,'entral America it is replaced by the variety
sfridfipcdiis, !X,id in New (Jreuada by the \iu: Jl((rit/ii/a, whila at Cape St.
Lucas we iind another local form, J/. Kiii/ustifrons. S(j far as we have the
means of ascertaining their haliits, we find no mention of any essential dif-
ferences in this respect anuing these races.

Sucklcy and Coo])er did not meet with this bird in "Washington Territory,
and Mr. Lord met with it in abundance on his journev from Yreka to the
boundary line of British ("olumbm. j\Ir. Dresser did not observe it at San
Antonio. ]Mr. Clark met with it at the ('op])ermines, in New Mexico, in grccat
nund)ers, and feeding imncipally among the oaks. Lieutenant Couch found
it in the recesses of the Sierra Madre tpiite connuon and very tame, resort-
ing to high trees in search of its food. He did not meet with it east of the
Sierra ]\ladre. J)r. Kennerly first observed it in the vicinity of Santa (_'ruz,
where it was very freijuent on the mountain-slopes, always preferring the
tallest trees, but very shy, and it was with ditliculty that a .specimen
could be procured. ^Ir. Nuttall, who first added this bird to our fauna,
speaks of it as very ])lentiful in the forests around Santa Barbara. JJetween
that region and the Pueblo de los Angeles, Dr. Gambel met with it in great
abundance, although neither writer makes mention of any peculiarities of
habit. Mr. Emanuel Samuels met with it in and around I'etaluma, where
he obtained the eggs.

Dr. Newberry, in his Report on the zoology of Lieutenant Williamson's
route (P. II. 11. I'eports, YJ), states that the range of this species extends to
the Colund)ia, and jierliajis above, to the westward of the Cascade Ilange,
though more common in California than in Oregon. It was not found in
the Des Chutes Basin, nor in the Cascade Mountains.

In the list of the birds of Guatemala given by Mr. Salvin in the Ibis, this
Woodpecker is mentioned (I, p. L")7) as licing found in the Central Begion,
at Cidderas, on the Volcau de Fueg(j, in forests of evergreen oaks, where it
feeds on acorns.

Dr. Heermann describes it as among the noisiest as well as the most abun-
dant of the Woodpeckers of California. He speaks of it as catching in.sects
on the wing, after the manner of a Flycatclier, and mentions its very ex-
traordinary habit of digging small holes in the bark of the pine ami the oak,
in which it stores acorns for its food in winter. He adds that one of these
acorns is jdaced in eacli hole, and is .so tightly fitted or driven in tliat it is

I'H'ID.K - TllK WUODI'KCKEU.S. 569

with clillifiilty oxtracU'd. Tims, tlie liark of a lar^'c pine forty or fit't}' loot
high will prosont llie a]ipoaranco of lioiiig closely Htiuldod with brass nails,
the heads only being visiblo. Those iutorns are thus stored in large quanti-
ties, and serve not only the Woodpecker, but trespassers as well. Dr. Ileer-
niann sjH'aks oi' the nost as boing excavated in the body ol' the tree to a
depth varying i'roni six inches to two feet, the eggs being four or five in
nunilier, and pure white.

These very reinarl<al)lo and, tor a Woodpecker, somewhat anomalous
hal)its, first mentioned among American writers by Dr. Ileermann, have
given ri.se to various conflicting statements and theories in regard to the
design of these collections of acorns. Some have even ventured to discredit
the facts, but these are too well authenticated to be (piestioned. Too many
naturalists whose accuracy cannot be doiibted have been eyewitnesses to
these performances. Among these is ^Ir. J. K. Lord, who, however, was
constrained to confess ^is utter inability to explain why the birds did so.
He was never able to fii. an acorn that seemed to have been eaten, nor a
trace of vegetable matter in their stomachs, and at the close of his investi-
gations he frankly admitted this storing (jf acorns to be a mystery for which
he could offer no satisfactory exidanation.

M. n. de Saussure, the Swiss naturalist, in an interesting ])aper ])ublished
in 1858 in the Bihiiotlu'qni' Unircmilc of Geneva, furnishes some very
interesting obsei'vations on the haliits of a Woodpecker, which he supposed
to be the Co/ojitrs Duvacntdiifr.-i of ^lexico, of storing collections of acorns in
the hollow stems of the maguay ])lants. Sumichrast, who accom|)anied
Saussure in his excursion, while recognizing the entire truth of the interest-
ing facts he narrates, is confident that the credit of all this instinctive fore-
thought belongs not to the Co/nji/cx, but to the Mexican race of this siiecies.
Saussure's article being too long to (piote in full, we give iin abstract.

The slopes of a volcanic mountain, I'izarro, near Perote, in Alexico, are
covered with inunense beds of the maguay {A<imr. nmrricioui), with larger
growths of yuccas, but without any other large shrubs or trees. Saus-
sure was surprised to find this silent and dismal wilderness swarming with
Woodpeckers. A circumstance so unusiial as this large congregation of birds,
by nature so solitary, in a spot so unattractive, jn-ompted him t(j inves-
tigate the mystery. The birds were seen to tly first to the stalks of the
maguay, to attack them with tlieir l)eaks, and then to pass to the yuccas,
and there repeat their labors. These stalks, upon examination, were all
found to be riddled with holes, placed irregularly one above another, and
communicating with the hollow cavity within. On cutting open one of
these stalks, he found it lille<l with acorns.

As is well known, this plant, after flowering, dies, its stalk remains, its outer
covering hardens into a flinty texture, aiul its centre becomes hollow. This
convenient cavity is nseil by the Woo.ljwcker as a storehouse for provisions
that are unusiuil foinl for the tribe. The central cavity fif the stalk is only

vol,. M. 72

570 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

large enougli to receive one acorn at a time. Tliey are packed in, one above
the other, until the cavity is full. How did tlie.se W()()d])ecivers lirst learn
to tluLS use these storehouses, by nature closed against them ? The intelli-
gent instinct that enabled this bird to solve this problem Saussure regarded
as not the least surprising feature. AVitli its beak it pierces a small round
hole through the lower jiortion into the central cavity, and thrusts in acorns
until the hollow is lilled to the level of tlie hole. It then makes a second
o])ening higher uj), and fills the sjjace below in a like manner, and so pro-
ceeds until the entin; stalk is full. .Sometimes the space is too small to re-
ceive the acorns, and they have to be forced in by blows from its beak. In
other stalks there are no cavities, and then the Woodpecker creates one for
each acorn, forcing it into the centre of the ])ith.

The labor necessary to enable the bird to accomplish all this is very con-
siderable, and great industry is reipiired to collect its stores ; but, once col-
lected, the storehouse is a very safe aiK convenient one. iVIount Pizarro is
in the midst of a barren desert of sand and volcanic debris. There are no
oak-trees nearer than the Cordillera.?, thirty miles distant, and therefore the
collecting and storing of each acorn required a flight of si.xty miles.

This, reasons Saussure, is obviously an instinctive preparation, on the
part of these birds, to provide the means of sujjporting life during the arid
winter months, when no rain falls and everything is parched. His observa-
tions were made in A])ril, the last of the winter months ; and he found
the Wood])eckers withdrawing food from their depositories, and satisfied
himself that the birds were eating the acorn itself, and not the diminutive
maggots a few of them contained.

The ingenuity with which the bird managed to get at the contents of each
acorn was also quite striking. Its feet being unfit for grasping the acorn, it
digs a hole into the dry bark of the yuccas, just large enough to receive the
small end of the acorn, which it inserts, making use of its bill to si>lit it
open, a;i with a wedge. The trunks of the yuccas were all found riddled
with these holes.

There are several remarkable features to be noticed in the facts observed
l)y Saussure, — tlie provident instinct which prompts this bird to lay by
stores of provisions for the winter ; the great distance traversed to collect
a kind of food .so unusual for its race; and its seeking, in a spot so remote
from its natural abode, a storehou.se so remarkable. Can instinct alone
teach, or have experience and reason taught, these birds, that, better far than
the bark of trees, or cracks in rocks, or cavities dug in the earth, or any
other known hiding-place, are these hidden cavities within tlie hoUow stems
of distant plants ? What first taught them liow to break through the flinty
(coverings of these retreats ? By what rev(!lation could these birds have
been informed that within these dry and closed stalks they could, by search-
ing, find suitable places, protected from moisture, for preserving their stores
in a state most favorable for their long preservation, safe from gnawing

PICID.E— ''HE WOODrECKERS. ',71

rats, and t'roin those acorn-eating birds wliose bills are not stronjf or sliarp
ennugli to cnt tln'ongli tlieir tougli enclosures ?

M. Suniicln-iist, wlio ai'terwauls enjoyed unusual opportunities for observ-
ing tlu' lial)it8 of tliese Woodpeckers in the State of Vera Cruz, states tliat
they dwell exclusively in oak woods, and tiiat near I'otrero, as well as in
the alpine regions, trunks of oak-trees are found pierced with small holes in
circular lines around their circumference. Into each of these Iioles tiiese
birds drive the acorns by rejieated blows of tlieir beaks, so as to fix them
firmly. At other times they make tlieir collection of acorns in opening.j be-
tween the raised bark of dry trees and the trunks. This writer states that
he has sought in vain to explain such jierformances satisfactorily. Tiie
localities in which these birds I'eside, in Mexico, teem at all seasons witli
insects ; and it seems absurd, therefore, to suppose that they can lie in (piest
of the small, almost microscopic, larva; contained in the acorns.

Dr. C. T. Jackson sought to account tor these interesting performances on
the ingenious hypothesis that the acorns thus stored aif always infested with
larva.', and never sound ones ; that they are driven into the tree cup-end fore-
most, so as to securely imprison the maggot and prevent its escape, and thus
enable the AVoodpecker to devour it at its leisure. This would argue a won-
derful degree of intelligence and forethought, on the part of the Woodjjecker,
and more than it is entitled to ; for the facts do not sustain tliis hy-
pothesis. The acorns .are not put into the tree with the cup-end in, but in-
variably the reverse, so far as we have noticed; and the acorns, so far from
being wormy, are, in nine cases out of ten, sound ones. Besitles, this theory
aflbrds no explanation of the large collections of loose jxcorns made by these
birds in IkjUow trees, or in the stalks of the maguay plants. Xor can we
understand why, if so intelligent, they make so little use of these acorns, as
seems to be the almost universal testimony of California naturalists. And,
as still further demonstrating tlie incorrectness of this hypothesis, we lia\e
recently been informed by Dr. Canfield of Monterey, Cal., that occasionally
the.se Woodpeckers, following an instinct .so lilind that they do not (iistiu-
guish between an acorn and a pebble, are known to fill up tlie holes tliey
have drilled with so nuich labor, not only with acorns, but occasionally with
stones, in time the bark and the wood grow over these, and after a few
years they are left a long way from the surfiice. These trees are usually tlic
sugar-pine of California, a wood much used for luinl)er. t)ccasionally one
of these trees is cut, the log taken to mill without its being known that it is
thus charged with rounded pieces of flint or agate, and the saws that come
in contact with them are broken.

Without venturing to present an expl.anation of facts that have ai»i)eared
so contrirdictory and unsatisfactory to other naturalists, such as we can claim
to be either comprehensive or entirely satisfactory, we cannot discredit the
positive averments of such observers as Saussure and Salvin. We b(']ic\e
tliat these Woodpeckers do eat the acorns, when they can do no better.

572 X<»I!TII AMKIilCAX I'.IllDS.

^Viid wlicn wo are coiifrontoil with tlie fact, wliich \\\i ilo not i'oel at liberty
to altogether disreganl, that in very large regions this bird seems to labor in
vain, and makes no use of the treasures it has tlius heaped togetlier, we
can only attempt an explanation. Tliis Woodpecker is found over an im-
mense area. It everywliere lias tiie .same instinctive promptings to provide,
not 'for a rainy day," but for the exact op])osite, — for a long interval
during which no rain falls, for nearly two Inindred days at a time, in all the
low and hot lands of Mexico and Central America. Tliere these accumula-
tions become a necessity, tluire we are informed tiiey do eat the acorns, and,
more than this, many other l)irds and beasts derive tlie means of self-pres-
ervation in times of famine I'rom the jirovident laliors of this bird. Tiiat in
Oregon, in California, and in tlie mountains of Mexico and elsewliere,
where better and more natural food offers throughout the year, it is rarely
known to eat the acorns it has thus labored to save, only seems to prove that
it acts under tlie inlhiences of an undiscriniinating instinct that prompts it
to giitiier in its storc.'i wlicther it needs them or not.

It may be, too, that writers have too hastily inferred tliat the.se birds never
eat the acorns, because they have been unalile to oljtain complete evidence
of tlu! iact. We have recently received from C. W. I'lass, Esq., some inter-
esting facts, which, if they do not jirove tliut the.se birds in the winter visit
their stores and eat their acorns, render it highly prol)alile. Mr. Plass re-
sides near Napa City, Cal., near which city, and on the edge of the pine
forests, he has recently constructed a house. Tiie gable-ends of this dwelling
the California WoodjK'ckers have found a very convenient storehouse for
their acorns, and j\Ir. Plass has very ccjusiderately permitted them to do so
unmolested. The window in the gable slides up upon puUies its whole
length, to admit of a passage to the upper verandah, and tlio open space in
the wall admits of the nuts falling down into tiie upper hall, and this fre-
quently liappens when the birds attempt to extricate them from the outside.
Xearly all tliese nuts an^ found to lie sound, and contain no worm, while
those that fall outside are empty shells. Emjity shells liave also lieen
noticed by Mr. Plass under the trees, indicating that the acorns have been
eaten.

Tiie Smithsonian Institution has received specimens of the American race
of this Woo(l]iecker, collected at IJelize liy Dr. Berendt, and accompanied
liy illustrations of their work in the way of implantation of acorns in the
bark of trees.

The eggs of tliis Woodjiecker, obtained by Mr. Emanuel Samuels near
Petaluma, Cal., and now in the collection of the P)Oston Society of Natural
History, are undistinguisliable from tlie eggs of other Woodpeckers in form
or color, except that they are somewhat oblong, and measure 1.12 inches in
length by .90 of an inch in breadth.

PICID.E — THE WOODl'ECKEUS. 573

Melanerpes formicivorus, vai. augustifrons, V,\niD.

THE KABBOW-FBONTED WOODFECKBB.

Melanerpes formicivorus, \ax. (iiiijiis/i/ni is, Haiiid, Codi'EU, Oiu. Cul. I, 1870, 40").

Sp. Char. Compared with M, fonniciconis, the size is smaller. The liij;ht frontal hai' is
much narrower; in the I'cniale seairely more than hall' the Llaek niie lichiml it, ami not
reaehii){5 anytiiinf,' like as tar liack as the anterior liorder of the e^ye, instead nf cxi'eeilinK
this limit. The lif^ht I'roiita! and the blaek bars together are only almm two thiids the
length ol' the occipital red, instead of cxet-ediiii,' it in lengtii ; the red patch reaches lir-
ward nearly or ([uite to the jiosterior liorder of the eye, instead of falling a eonsidc.ahle
di.stance behind it, and being much broader posteriorly. The frontal band too is gamboge-
yellow, much like the throat, and not white ; the connection with the yellow throat-pan:h
much broader. The white upper tail-coverts show a tendency to a black edge. Length,
8.00 ; wing, 5.20 ; tail, 3.20.

Had. Cape St. Lucas.

As the diflerences mentioned are constant, we consider tlie Cape St. Lucas
bird as forming at least a permanent variety, and indicate it as above. A
single sjiecinion from tlie Sierra ^ladre, (if Colima, is very similtir.

Habits. We have no information as to the habits of tliis singular race
of the M./onnicirurns, found at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. John Xantus. It
will be an interesting matter for investigation to ascertain to what c.xttnit
the totally different cliiiracter of the region in which this bird is met witli
from those in which tlic M. fovmicicorus is found, may have modified its
habits and its manner of life.

Section COLAPTE^.

This section, formerly embracing but one genus additional to Colnptcs, has
recently had three more added to it by Bonaparte. The only United States
representative, however, is Cohqjtes.

Genus COLAPTES, Swainson.

Colaptes, Swainson, Zool. Jour. Ill, Doc. 1827, 353. (Typo, Ciicuhis aural us, Lix\.)
Geopicos, Malheiibe, Mcni. Acad. Metz, 1840, SoS. (O. campcslris.)

Gen. Citar. Bill .slender, depressed at the base, then compressed. Cnlnien nmch
curved, gonys straight ; both with acute ridges, and coming to quite a sharp point with
the coinmissm-e at the end ; the bill, conseiiucntly, not truncato at the end. No ridges
on the bill. Nostrils basal, median, oval, and exposed. Gonys very .short; about half
the culmcn. Feet large ; the anterior outer toe considerably longer than the posterior.
Tail long, exceeding the secondaries ; the feathers suddenly acuminate, with elongated
points.

574

NOUTII AMElilCAN BIRDS.

Tliere aio four well-marked representatives of the typical genus Colaptes
belonging to Middle and North. America, three of them found within the

Colni't'S aiirittits.

limits of the United States, in addition to what has been called a hybrid
between two of them. The common and distinctive characters of these four
are as follows : —

Species and Varieties.

Common Ciiau.vcters. Head anil neck ashy or brown, unvaried except by a
black or red malar patch in tlie male. Back and wings brown, banded trans-
versely with black ; rump and upper tail-coverts white. Beneath wliitish, with
circular black spots, and bands on crissum ; a black pectoral crescent. Shafts and
under surfaces of quills and tail-feathers cither yellow or red,
A> Mustache red ; throat ash ; no red nuchal crescent.
a. Under surface and shafts of wings and tail red.

1. C. mexicanoides.' Hood bright cinnamon-rufous ; feathers of
mustache black below surface. Upper parts barred with black and
whitish-brown, the two colors of about equal width. Shafts, etc., dull
brick-red. Runij) spotted with black ; black terminal zone of under
surface of tail narrow, badly defined. Wing, G.l") ; tail, 4.00; bill, 1.77.
Hab. Southeni Mexico and Guatemala.

2. C. mezicanuB.' Hood nshy-olivaceons, more rufcscent anteriorly,
light cinnamon on lores and around eyes ; feathers of mustache light
ash below surface. I'ppcr parts umljor-brown, barred with l)lack, the
black only about one fourth as wide as the lirown. Shafts, etc., fine
salmon-red, or pinkish orange-red. Rump unspotted ; black terminal

» Colaptes meyknmidcs, LAFr.. Rot. Zool. 1844, 42. — Sci,. & Sai.v. Iliis, 1859, 137. —Set..
Catal. Am. B. 18(!2, 344. Culn/ifes rubricalm, GitAV, (Jen. B. pi. cxi. Oropicu.i nih. Mai.ii.
Monog. Pic. 11, 2t).''), pi. ox, fig.s. 1, 2. Picus suhmf.ricnnwi, .Sund. Coiisp. I'ic. 1806, 72.

^ A series of hybrids between mexiciDiiin niul aural its is in the Smithsonian collection, these
specimens exhibiting every possible conibiuation of the characters of the two.

riClD.E- TIIK WUUDPECKEKS. 575

zone of tail broad, sl>arply dufinccl. Wiiif?, C.70 ; tail, ij.OO ; bill, 1.(50.
Iliih, MidiUo ami Wutitcrii I'lovinco of L'liited States, south into
Eastern Mexico to Mirndor and Orizaba, and Jalapa.
h. Under surface and shui'ls of wiiii^s and tail f,'anibof;e-yello\v.

3. C. chryrjoidea. Hood uniform lii,dit cinnamon ; ui)i)er parts raw
umbel with sparse, • cry mirrow and distant, bars of black. Knnip
immaculivtc ; black teiininal v.oxw of tail occiipyini; nearly the tcniiinal
half, and very sharply delinod. Wing, 5.90 ; tail, 5.70 ; bill, 1.80. Ilnh.
Colorado and Cape St. Lucas region of Southern Middle Province of
United States.

Ba Mustache black; u red nuchal crescent. Throat pinki.^h, hood ashy.

4. C. auratus. Shalls, etc., gamboge-yellow ; upper parts olivaceous-
brown, with narrow bars of black, about half lus wide as the brown.

Rump immaculate ; black terminal zone of under surface of tail
broad, more than half an inch wide on outer feather. Edges of
tail-feathers narrowly edged, but not indented, with whitish.
Outer web of lateral feathers without .spots of dusky. Wing,
G.IO ; tail, 4.80 ; bill, 1..58. Ilab. Eastern Province of North
America var. auratus.

Rump spotted with black ; black terminal zone of tail narrow,
consisting on outer feather of an irregular spot le.«s than a quarter
of an inch wide. Edges of all the tail-feathers indented with
whiti.sh bars ; outer web of lateral feathers with quadrate spots of
dusky along the edge. Wing, 5.75; tail, 4.75 ; bill, l.GO. Ilab.
Cuba var. chry socaulosns}

Colaptes auratus, Swaixson.

FLICKSK; TELLOW-SHAPTES WOODFECKEB; HiaH-HOLSES.

Cuculus nuralns, Lixs. Syst. Nat., I, (ed. 10,) 1758, 112. I'icm auratus, Lixs. Syst. Nat. I,
(cd. 12,) 1760, 174. — Fok.stei!, Phil. Tran.s. LXII, 1772, 383. — Vif.illot, Ois. .\m.
Sept. II, 1807, 66, pi. cx.xiii. — AVii.sox, Am. Orn. I, 1810, 45, pi. hi, f. 1. — Wagi.ki!,
Syst. Av. 1827, No. 84. — Am. Oni. Biog. I, 1832, 191 ; V, 510, pi. xx.xvii. — Ib. Birds
Amer. IV, 1842, 282, i>l. oclxxiii. — Si-xdkvai.i,, ( "onsp. 71. Coluptcs uumtus, Sw. Zoiil.
■Tour. Ill, 1827, 353. — In. F. Hor. Am. II, 1831, 314. — Box. List, i838. — In.
Conspectu.s, 1850, 113. — B.Miin, Birds N. Am. 1858, 118.— Max. Cab. Jour. 1858,
420. — DiiKssKU, Ibis, 1865, 470 (San Antonio, one speciTiicii only seen). — Sci,. Cat.
1862, 344. —Okay, Cat. 1868, 120. — Fowi.kk, Am. Nat. Ill, 1869, 422. — 1)ai.l&
Baxnister, Tr. Chicago Ac. I, 1869, 275 (Alaska). — Sa.muki.s, 105. — Ai.lex, B. E.
Fla. 307.

Sp. Chau. Shafts and under surfaces of wing and tail feathers gamboge-yellow. Male
with a black patch on each side of the cheek. A red crescent on the nape. Throat and
stripe beneath the eye p.ale lilac-brown. Back glossed with olivaceous-green. Female
without the black cheek-patch.

AnuiTioNAL Ciiaractkrs. a crescentic patch on the breast and rounded spots on the
belly black. Back and wing-coverts with interrupted transverse bands of black. Neck
above and on the sides ashy. Beneath pale pinkish-brown, tinged with yellow on the

* Colaptes auratus, var. chrysocaulosus. Colaptes chi-ysoeatdosus, Gundlacii, Boston Jour'\al.
— Ib. Report. I, 1866, 294.

.-)76 NUKTll A.MEUIL'AX UlJiDS.

aliilDincn. each fcallicr wiili a hcait-sliaiicil siiof of lilack near the end. Rum]) white
LLMifrili, 12.ri(): win;:-. i;.(M(.

IIaii. All ol' CiisliTii Xortli Anicrica ti> lliu oastorn slopi's of Ilocky .Monnlaiiis ;
fartlici' nnrlli, cxtciKliiii:: across aloiif,' llio YiiUoii as far at least as Xiilalo, iierlia|is to
the Paeilie. (ii-eeiiiaml (Ukimiakiit). Localities: San Aatouio, Texas, only one i<|ieeiineii
(DuiissKii, II lis, iSU.'j, 17(1).

Specimens vary coiisidevaMy in size niid ytroportions ; the more uortlioni
ones are much tlio liirger. Tlie sjMjt.s vary in numl)er and in size ; tliey
may 1)e circular, or transversely or longitiulinally oval. Western si)eciniens
iilipear ])aler. In a Selkirk Settlement specimen the belly is tinged with
pale suliihur-yellow, the hack with olivaceous-green.

Tliis species, in general ]>attern of coloration, resembles the C. iiiriianiiiji,
although the colors are very diil'erent. Tims the shafts of the (piills, with
their under surfaces, are ganibogc-yellow, instead of orange-red. Tiiere is a
conspicuous imclial crescent of crimson wanting, or but .sligiitly indicated, in
mexicnHH>i. The idicek-patch is pure black, widening and aliruptly truncate
behind, instead of liright crimson, pointed or rotindcd liehind. The shade
of the upi)er parts is olivaceous-green, instead of purplish-lmiwn. The top
of the head and the ua])eai'e more ashy. The chin, throat, neck, and sides of
the liead, are pale purplisli or lilac brown,, instead of l)luish-ash ; the space
aliove, below, and around the eye of tlie same color, insteail of having
reddish-brown above and ashy below.

Tiie young of this species is sutticiently like the adult to be readih' recog-
nizable. Sometimes the entire crown is faintly tipped with red, as charac-
teristic i)f young Woo(li)eckers.

II.viUTs. The (iohlen-winged Woodpecker is altogether the most com-
mon and tlie most widely distributed of the Xorth Americjan representa-
tives of tlie genus. Acctirding to Sir John llichardson, it visits the i'ur
c(mntri('s in the summer, extending its migrations as far to the north as the
Great Slave Lake, and resorting in great nund)ers to the jilains of the Sas-
katchewan. It was found by Dr. Woodhon.se very almndant in Texas and
the Indian Territory, and it is given by Iteinhardt as occurring in (trecnland.
j\Ir. McFarlane found it breeding at Fort Aiulerson ; Mr. Iioss at Fort liae.
Fort licsfdution, and Fort Sinijison ; and Mr. Kennicf)tt at Fort Yukon. All
this testimony demonstrates a distriluition throughout the entire eastern
portion of Xorth America, from the Gulf of Mexico almost to the Arctic
Ocean, and from the Atlantic to the I\oeky Mountains.

In the more ncn-tliern portions of the continent this bird is only a sum-
mer visitant, but in the Southern and ^liddle, and to some extent in the
New England States, it is a piirmanent resident. Wilson speaks of seeing
them exposed for sale in the markets of I'hihideljdiia during each month of
a very rigorous Avinter. Wilson's observations of their habits during breed-
ing, made in Pennsylvania, were that early in April they begin to prepare
their nest. This is built in the hollow body or branch of a tree, sometimes,

I'icru.K — THE w; (odpecfvEKS. i177

though not always, iit iieousidemlilo height from the grouml. lie adds tliat
ho lias fVcciuently known them to tix (m the trunk of an ohl apple-tree, at a
height not more than six feet from the root. He also mentions as (juitc sur-
prising ihe sagaeily of this l)iril in discovering, under a sound l)ark, a lioUow
limlior trunk of a tree, and its perseverance in ])erforating it for purposes of
incuhation. The male and female alternately relieve and encourage each other
by mutual caresses, renewing their labors for several days, till the ol>jcct is
attrined, and the place rendered sulticiently capacicms, convenient, and secure.
Tliey are often so extremely intent upon their work as to he heard at iheii
labor till a very late hour in the night. Wilson mentions one instance where
he knew a pair to dig first five inches straight forward, and then downward
more than twice that distance, into a solid black-oak. They carry in no
materials for their nest, the soft chips and dust of the wo(jd serving for this
purpose. The female lays si.x white eggs, almost transi)arent, very thick at the
greater end, and tapering suddenly to the other. The young soon leave the
nest, climbing to the higher br.mches, where they are fed by their parents.

According to Mr. Audubon this Woodpecker I'ears two broods in a season,
the usual number of eggs being six. In one instance, however, Mr. MacCul-
loch, quoted by Audubon, speaks of having found a nest in a rotten stump,
which contained no less than eighteen young birds, of varinus ages, and at
least two eggs not quite hatched. It is not im]irobalile that, in cases where
the number of eggs exceeds seven or eight, more females than one have von-
tributed to the inunber. In one instance, upon sawing off the decayed to]i
of an old tree, in which these birds had a nest, twelve eggs were found.
These were not molested, but, on visiting the place a few days after, I found
the excavation to have been deepened from eighteen to twenty -four inches.

Mr. C. S. Paine, of IJandoljjh, Vt., writing in October, 18G0, furnishes some
interesting observations made in regard to these birds in the central i)art of
that State. He says, " This Woodpecker is very common, and makes its ap-
pearance about the 20th of April. Between the 1st and the loth of ]\Iay it
usually commences boring a hole for the nest, and deposits its eggs tlie last
of May or the first of June." He found three nests that year, all of whicli
were in old stumps on the banks of a small stream. Each nest contained
seven eggs. The boy who took them out was able to do so without any cut-
ting, and found them at the depth of his elbow. In another nest there were
but three eggs when first discovered. The limb was cut down nearly to a
level with the eggs, which were taken. The next day the nest had been
deepened a whole foot and another egg deposited. Mr. Paine has never
known thein go into thick woods to breed, but they seem rather to ]nv-
fer the edges of woods. He has never known one to lireed in an old cavity,
but in one instance a pair selected a partially decayed stump for their opera-
tions. When they are disturbed, they sometimes fly around their nests, utter-
ing shrill, sqi'.eaking notes, occasionally intermixing with them guttural or
gurgling tones.

vol.. II. 73

578 NORTH AMERICAN BI-RDS.

It is probably true that tliey usuiilly excavate their own burrow, but tliis
is not an invariable rule. In the tall of 1870 a pair of tliese Wooilpeckers
took slielter in my burn, remaining there during tlie winter. Although tiiere
were abundant mean,s of entriincti and of egre.ss, they wrought for themselve.s
other pa.ssages out and in through the nio.st solid part of tlie side.s of the
building. Early in the spring they took possession of a large cavity in an
old api)le-tr('e, directly on the path between tlie l)arn and tiie iiouse, where
they reared their family. They were very .shy, and rarely ]>ernutted them-
selves to be seen. The nest contained six young, each of which had been
hatched at successive intervals, leaving the nost one after the other. The
youngest was nearly a fortnight later to depart than the first. Just before
leaving tiie nest, the oldest bird climbed to the 02)ening of the cavity, filling
the whole space, and uttering a loud hissing sound whenever the nest was
approached. As soon as they could use their wings, even partially, they
weri; removed, one by one, to a more retired part of tiie grounds, where they
were feil by their parents.

Throughout ^lassaciiusetts, this bird, generally known as the Pigeon
Woodpecker, is one of the most common and familiar birds. They abound
in old orciiards and groves, and manifest more appaient confidence in man
than the treatment tluiy receive at his hands seems to justify. Their nests
are usually constructed at the distance of only a few feet from the ground,
and though Wilson, Audul)on, and Xuttall agree upon six as the average
of their eggs, they frecpiently exceed this immber. Mr. Audubon gives as
the measurement of the eggs of this species 1.08 inches in length and .88
of an inch in breadth. Their length varies from 1.05 to 1.15 inches, find
tlicir breadth from .91 to .85 of an inch. Their average measurement
is 1.09 by .88 of an inch.

Colaptes mexicanus, Swainson.

BED-SHAFTED FIICKES.

Colaptes mexicanux, S\v. Syii. Mcx. Birds, in Pliilos. Mag. I, 1827, 440. — In. F. T5or. Am.
II, 1831, 315. — NKWHKituv, Zoiil. Cul. & Or. Routo, 91 ; P. U. K. Kop- VI, ISST. —
Baiud, Uinls N. Am. 18r.8, I'io. —Max. Cab. .lour. 1858, 420, mixtd with hiihrUliis.
— Loud, Proe. K. Art. Iii.st. I, iv, 112. — Cooi'Kit & Sucklky, 163. — Soi.atkii,
P. Z. S. 1858, 309 '.Oaxaca). — In. Cat. 1862, 344. — Dkk.s.sf.I!, Ibi.s, 1865, 470 (San
Antonio, rareV — Coue.s, Pr. A. N. S. 1866, X. — SiiMlcilUAsr, Mem. Best. See. I,
1869, 562 (alpine ilistriot. Vera Crnz). — C.uay, Cat. 1868, 121. — Dam, & Baxxistki!,
Pr. Cliioago Ac. I, 1869, 275 (Aliiska). —Cool-Kit, Orn. Cal. I, 1870, 408. Picnit mr.vi-
amies, Aru. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 174, pi. ecccxvi. — In. Birds America, IV, 1842, 295,
pi. cclxxiv. — ,St:NM)KVAt.i,, Consp. 72. Oolnpfrscollarh, Vioons, Zoiil. .Tour. IV, .Tnn.
1829, 353. — In. Zoiil. Beechey's Voy. 1839, 24, jd. i\. Picas nhrlmtiis, Waoi.ei!,
Isis, 1829, V, May, 516. (" Lichtenstein Mus. Berol.") Colaphs ruhrkntus, Bon. Pr.
Zoiil. Soc. V, 1837, 108. — In. List, 1838. — In. Conspectus, 1850, 114. .? Picmcafei;
Gmelin, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 431. - Latit. Index Ornitli. II, 1790, 242. ? KfiM
laihami, Wagleu, Syst. 1827, No. 85 (Cajie of Good Hope ?).

I'K'ID.K — TIIK WOODl'KCKEIiS.

r,70

with a
V fuiiit

Si". CiiAit. Shafts ftiid iiiidiT .siiriiifcs (if winj; mul tail ll-athors oraiigo-ieil. Malo
rud patch im cai/h side tiie check ; uapu without rod crescent ; somcliiucs vci
indications hitci-aiiy. Throat and stripe
lieneath the eye liiiiish-asii. liuciv
glossed willi iiurpiisli-lirowii. KcMiale
without tiio rod clieol<-patcli. I,('ii;:tii,
about l.'i.OO; win;r, over ().')().

ADUITION.Vr, CuAKACTKIiS. SpOtS OU

the belly, a crescent on the lircast, and
interrupted transverse liandM on the
back, black.

Had. Western North A nierici from
Pacilio to the JJlack Hills ; north to
Sitka on the coast. Localities:
Oaxaca (Sol. P. Z. S. IS.'.S, .-iOo) ;
Vera Cruz, al[)ino regions (SiMiciiiiAST,
Mem. Bost. Soc. I, 18(19, 502) ; San
Antonio, Texas (Dkksskr, Ibis, 18G.'>.
470) ; W. Arizona (Coiks, P. A. N. S.
180G, r>G).

CoiafUtf tnexicfiintx.

Tlie female is similar in every-
way, perliaps a little smaller, but lacks the red mustache, ''"his is, liowever,
indicated hy a brown tinge over an area corresponding witli tiiat of the red
of the male.

In the present specimen (1,880) there is a slij;lit indication of an inter-
rui)ted nuchal red band, as in the connnon Flicker, in s'jiue crimson fibres
to some of tiie featliers about as fai' liehind the eye as this is from the bill.
A large proportion of males before us e.xliibit the same characteristic, some
more, some less, although it generally requires careful examination for its
detection. It may jjossibly be a characteristic of tlie not fully matiu'e bird,
altliough it occurs in two out of three male specimens.

There is a little variation in tlie size of the pectoral crescent and spots ;
the latter are sometimes rounded or oldong cordate, instead of circular.
The bill varies as much as three or four tentlis of an inch. The rum]>,
usually innuaculate, sometimes Juis a few black .-streaks. The extent of tlie
red whisker varies a little. Tn skins from Oregon and Washington the color
of the back is as described ; in those from California .ind New Mexico it is
of a grayer cast. Tiierc is little, if any, variation in the shade of red in the
whiskers and (juill-featlicrs. The liead is waslied on the forehead with
rufou.s, passing into asiiy on the nape.

Tliere is not only some difference in tlie size of this species, in the same
locality, but, fis a general rule, the more southern specimens are smaller.

This species is distinct from the 0. mci'iriowidva of Lafresiiaye, though
somewhat resembling it. It is, however, a smaller bird ; the red of the
cheeks is deeper ; the whole upper part of the head and neck uniform reddish-
cinnamon without any ash, in marked contrast to that on the sides of the

-,S0 N'oRTlt AMKUICAN milDS.

liciul. Till" biuk is Hti'(Mi^,'ly ;,'l(i.s,s('(l willi riHldisli-brown, and tlio blnck
tnuisvorst) burs iiro iiiiu'h imiro tlistiuct, cldser luul broiulur, thrue or lour on
t'licli rciillior, inst(!iul of two only. The ruin]> imd np|K;r tiiil-eovi'its iiru
clo.sc'ly hiuTL'd, till' cfntru of tlie lorini'i' only clearer white, but even here
each leiither has a cordate spot of white. The spots on the Hanks posteriorly
exhibit a tendency to become transverse bars.

Specimens from Mount (Jrizabu, Mexico, are very similar to those from
Orej,'on in color, i)resentini,f no aj)precialtle dill'erence. The size is, however,
nnich less, a male measi ving lU.oO, winy G.UO, tail 4.00 inches, instead of
12.75, G.7r>, and ^>:2'> re.s])ectively. "While, however, the feet are smaller
(tarsus I. DO instead of l.l.")), the bill is fully as larj,'e, or even larger.

Most young birds of this si)ecies have a tinge of red on top of the head,
and frequently a decided nuchal crescent of red ; but these are oidy embry-
onic features, and disapjiear with maturity.

II.viMi's. This species, the counterpart in so many respects of the (_ioldon-
winged Woodpecker, appears to take the place of that species from the slopes
of the llocky Mountains to the Pacilic, throughout western North America.
Dr. Woodliouso s])eaks of finding it abundant along the banks of the Ivio
rirande. And in the line collection belonging to the Smithsonian Institu-
tion are specimens from the Straits of Fuca, Fort Steilacoom, and Fort Van-
couver, in Washington Territory, from the Columbia Itiver, from various
points in ("ulifornia. New Mexico, Arizona, lUah, Kansas, Nebraska, Te.\a.s,
Mexico, etc. Dr. (iaml)el, in his l*a])cr on the bin's of California, lirst met
with the Iicd-shafted Woodpcciker soon after leaving New ^lexico, and it
continued to California, where he found it very abundant. Ho describes it
as a remarkalily shy bird, and adds that ho always saw it on the margins of
small creeks, where nothing grew larger than a willow-bush. Dr. Heermann
also found it abundant in California. Dr. Newberry, in his lieport on the
zoiilogy of Lieutenant Williamson's expedition, p])eaks of the I!ed-shafted
Fli':ker as rather a common bird in all parts of California and Oregon which
his i)arty visitetl. Ibj describes many of its habits as identical with those of
the Golden Flicker {C. aumtus), but regards it as much the shyer bird. Dr.
Coojier also mentions the fact of the great aliundance of this bird along the
western coast, eiiualling that of its closely allied cousin on the eastern side
of the Mississii)])i. It also resembles, he adds, that bird so exactly in
haliits and notes that the description of one will a])])ly with exactness to the
other. It is a constant resident in Washington Territory, or at least west
of the Cascade Mountains. lie; observed it already burrowing out holes
for its nests in April, at the Straits of Fuca. About June 1 he found a
nest containing seven young, nearly fledged, which already showed in the
male the distinguishing red mustache. Dr. Suckley, in the same report,
also says that it is extremely connuon in the timbered districts of Washing-
ton Territ(jry, and adds that its ha1)its, voice, calls, etc., are precisely similar
to those of the Yellow-IIammcr of the Eastern States. Mr. Nuttall, as

lMi;il).l'; — TlIK WOODI'KCKKUS. 581

(Hioted by ^Ii'. AudulKni, stiitL's tluit he lirst ciiiiu' u\)nu tliis l)inl in tlus <\;\y-
I'ow licit of loix'st wliitii lionliTs Liiniiiiic's Koi'k of the I'liit'i', ami lulds
that lio scarooly lost si^'iit of it from tiiiit time until Ik; ri'iiclu'd liiu shores
of the I'lU'ilic. Its mamiers, in id! respects, are so cMtircly similar to those
of the common species that the same dcscriiilion applies to liolh. Ife also
rej^ards it as the shyer liird ol' the two, and less fretiuently seen on the
ground. They Ijurrow in the oak and pine trees, and Iny white e^'j,'s, after
the manner of the whole family, and these eggs are in no wise distinguisli-
iiblo from those of the (jolden-wing.

Dr. Cooper, in his Report upon the birds of California, refers to this as a
common species, and found in every jiart of the State except the liaro plains.
It even I'reciuents the k)W bushes, where no trees are to be seen for miles.
In the middle wooded districts, and towards the north, it is much more
abundant than elsewhere.

Their nesting-holes are at all heights from the ground, and are usually
about one foot in depth. In the southern jiart of the State their eggs are
laid in April, but farther north, at the Cohmibia, in ]\Iay.

Dr. Coo])er attributes their shyness in certain localities to their lieing
hunted so nuich by the Indians for their bright feathers. (Icnerally he
found them (piito tame, so that their intcsrestiug liaiiits may lui watched
without diiliculty. He regards tliem as an exact coimterpavt ol' the eastern
auratus, living Inrgely on insects and ants, which they collect without miicii
trouble, and do not depend niton hard work, like other Woodpeckers, for their
food. During the season they also i'eed largely on berries. Their curved
bill is not well adapted for hammering sound wood for insects, and they only
dig into decayed tiees in search of their food. Like the eastern species, the
young of these birds, when their nest is ii]i])roaclu'd, make a curious hissing
iioiso. They nifiy bo seen chasing each other round th(( trunk of trees, as
if in sport, uttering, at the sanm time, hjud cries like irliittoa, irliillati, n-li'iUoo.
Dr. Kennerly found these birds from the Big '' ..ndy to the Great Colorado,
but they were so shy that he could not obtain a sjiecimen. They wee seen
on the barren liills among the large cacti, in which they nest. Their extreme
shyness was fully oxpl lined afterwards by finding how closely they are
hunted by the Indians loj- the sake of their feathers, of which head-dresses
are made.

Mr. Dresser states that this bird is found as far east as San Antonio, where,
however, it is of uncommon occurrence. In Decend)cr ho noticed sevoml
near the Nueces River, and in February and March obtained others near
Piedras Xegras.

Dr. Coues gives it as aLimdant: and resident in Arizona, where it is I'ouud
in all situations. Its tongue, lu>, states, is cajiable of protrusion to an extent
far beyond that of any other Xt^i Lh American Woodpecker.

This bird, in .some parts of California, is known as the Yellow-Ilammer, a
name given in some parts of New England to the Culaptcs aamtast. Mr.

582 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

C. W. Plass, of Naj).! Citj', writes me tli.at this Woodpecker " makes liimself
too much at home with us to be af.'reeable. He drills larg(! holes though the
weather-boards of the house, and slielters himself at night between them and
the inner wall. He does not nest there, but simjily makes of such situations
his winter home. We have liad to shoot them, for we find it is of no use to
shut up one hole, as tliey will at once make another by its side."

Mr. J. A. Allen mentions finding this species, in the .absence of suitable
trees on the Plains, making excavations in sand-banks.

According to Mr. Ridgway, the iied-shafted Flicker does not diifer from
the Yellow-shafted species of the east in the slightest particular, as regards
habits, manners, and notes. It is, however, more shy than the eastern spe-
cies, probal)ly from the fact that it is pursued by the Indians, who prize its
cpiill and tail-feathers as ornaments with which to adorn their dress.

Their eggs are hardly distinguishalile from those of tlie aumtus, but range
of a very slightly superior size. They average 1.12 inches in length by .89
of an inch in breadth. Their greatest length is 1.15 inches, their least 1.10,
and their breadth ranges from .87 to .90.

Colaptes hybridus, Baird.

HYBBIO FLICKER.

Colaptes nijrmi, AuD. Birds Am. VII, 1843, 348, pi. ccccxciv. Colaptes hybridtis,
Baird, Hirtls N. Am. 1858, 122. Colaptcn mexicamis, Max. Cab. Jour. 1858, 422
(inixi'il witli mexicanus). Picics hybridiia auraio-niexicanus, Sundevall, Consp. Pie.
18GG, 721.

Sp. Chak. Yellow shafts or foather.<! on wing and tail combined with red, erred spotted
cheek-patches. Orau^'e-red shafts combined with a well-defined nuchal red crescent, and
pinkish throat. Ash-colored throat combined with black cheek-patch or yellow shafts.
Shafts and feathers intermediate l)etwccn gambofre-yellow and dark orange-red.

Had. Upper Missouri and Yellowstone ; Black Hills.

The general distribution of Colaptca mcvicanus, as already indicated, is
from the l*acific coast of the United States, eastward to the Black Hills and
the Upper Missouri and Yellowstone ; that of the C. auratus from the At-
lantic Coast to about the eastern limits of mexicamis. But little variation
is seen in the two species up to the region mentioned ; slight difl'erences in
shade of color, size, and frequency of spots, etc., being all. '.\'here they
come together, however, or overlap, a most remarkable race is seen, in which
no two specimens, nay, scarcely the two sides of the same bird, are alike,
the characters of the two species becoming mixed up in the most extraor-
dinary manner. Thus, the shafts show every sliade from orange-red to pure
yellow ; yellow shafts combine with red cheek-patch (as in C. ai/irsii of Au-
duljon) ; a red nape, with orange-red shafts ; cheek-patches red with black
feathers intermixed, or vice versa ; perhaps the feathers red at base and black

PIOID.E -THE AVOODl'ECKERS. 5g3

at tip, or black at baa^ and red at tip, etc. As tlie subject lias been pre-
sented in sutlicicnt ci .il in the Dirds of Xorth America, an (juoted above,
it need not be lepeated here, except to say that collections received since
ISoS only substantiate what has there been stateil.

To the race thus noted, the name hyhridus was given, not as of a variety,
since it is not entitled to this rank, but iis of a heterogeneous mixture, caused
by the breeding together of two different species, and re([uiring some ajipella-
tion. Whether the presumed hybrids are fertile, and breed with each -ithcr or
with full-blooded parents, has not yet been ascertained ; perhaps not, since
the area in which they occur is limited, and it is only occasionally that
individiuils of the kind referred to have been found beyond the bounds men-
tioned. It is very rarely, however, tliat jnu'e breeds occur in the district of
hyhridus, a tauit being generally apprecialile in all.

The conditions in the present instance a))pear dilferent from those adverted
to under the head of Picus rillostis, where 'Jie question is not one of hybridism
between two strongly marked and distinct species, but of the gradual change,
between the Atlantic and the Tacitic, from one pattern of coloration to an-
other.

Colaptes chrysoides, Male.

THE CAFE FLICKEB.

(icopicus chrysoides, Malii. Ucv. vX Mag. Zool. IV, 1852, .553. — In. Jlon. Pic. II, 201,
tab. 109. Colaptes chrysoides, Baiiiu, Birds N. Am. 1858, 125. — Elliot, 111. Birds
N. Am. VI, i<lat(\ — (\(oi'Kn, Vr. Cal. Ac. ISlil, 122 (Fort MohavcK — Corns, Pr.
A. N. Sc. 18G6, 56 (Arizona). —S<i,. Cat. 1862, 344. — Elliot, Illust. Am. B. I, jil.
x>vi. — Cooi'F.it, Orn. Cal. I, 1870, 410. Picus chrysoiJci, Su.ndevall, Coiisi). 72.

Sp. CiiAK. Markiiiffs generally as in other speoies. Top of head nifons-brown ; chin,
throat, and sides of head ash-gray. Sliafts of iinills and tail-feathers, with their iiiuler
surfaces in great part, gainboge-yollow ; no nnchal red. Malar patch of male red ; want-
ing in the female. Length, 11. ")0; wing, 5.7") ; tail, 4.">0.

Had. Colorado and Gila River, north to Fort Mohave, south to Cai)e St. Lucn.s. Locali-
ties: Fort Mohave (Cooi-ek, Pr. Cal. Ac. 18G1, 122); W. Arizona (CocES, P. A. N. S
1860, 50).

This interesting species is intermediate between auratvs and inc.i'icauii.i in
having the yellow shafts and quills of the former; a red malar jiatcli, an
ashy throat, and no nuchal crescent, as in the latter. To nifjiaoioidcs the
relationship is still closer, since both have the rufous-brown head above. A
hybrid between tiiis last species and anratus would in some varieties come
very near vhrjinoidcs, but as it does not belong to the region of chri/soidca,
and there is no transition from one species to the other in any specimens, as
in Jii/hridus, there is no occasion to take this view of tlie species.

Cape St. Lucas specimens, where the species is exceedingly abundant, are
considerably smaller than those from Arizona, and aj)pear to be more strongly

584

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

marked with black above ami below ; otherwise there seems to be no dif-
ference of special iiiii)ortaiice.

As neither C. aurattis nor mexicanus has tlie top of the head ruf(nis-brown,
(tliough slightly indicated anteriorly in the latter), this character has not
been noted in the hybrids botwccn the two {hijhridus), and its presence in
chri/.ioidcs will serve to distinguish it from hijhridus.

Habits. Tiiis comparatively new form of Woodpecker was first de-
scribed in 1852 by Malhcrbe, from a California specimen in the Paris
Museum, whioh had been at first supposed to be a female or immature
ayroiii. V/hat Dr. Cooper thinks may have been this species was met with
by Dr. Heerinann among the mountains bordering upon the Cosumnes
I{i\er, in California, where it was rare, and only two specimens were tak':n.
In February, 1861, other specimens of this bird were taken at Fort Mohave
by Dr. Cooper. They were feeding on larvae and insects among the poplar-
trees, and were very shy and wary. The bird is supposed to winter in the
Colorado Valley, and wherever found has been met with in valleys, and not
on mountains. It is an abundant and characteristic member of the Cape
St. Lucas fauna.

According to Dr. Cooper these birds were already mated at Fort Mohave
after February 20. They had the same habits, fiight, and cries as the C.
mcxicanns. They appeared to be migratory, having come from the south.

Mr. Xantus, in his brief notes on the birds of Cape St. Lucas, makes men-
tion of finding this bird breeding. May li), in a dead Cercns gignnteiis. The
nest was a large cavity about fifteen feet from the ground, and contained
only one egg. The parent bird was also secured. In another instance
two eggs were found in a Cerevs gigantcus, at the distance of forty feet from
the ground. The eggs were not noticeably different from those of the
common Colaptcs mcxicanvs.

PSITTACID.E — THE PARROTS. r)85

Family PSITTACIDiE. — The TARnoTs.

Char. Bill frroatly lujokLMJ ; tlio maxilla movable and wiih a core at tlio baso. Nostrils
in the liase of tlie bill. Feet scansorial, covered with granulated scales.

The above diagnosis chamcterizes bvieily a family of tlie Zi/i/od(irt>/!l having
representatives throughout the greater part of tlie world, except Europe, and
embracing about three hundred and fifty r-pecies, according to the late
enumeration of Finsch,^ of which one hundred and forty-two, or nearly one
half, are American (seventy Brazilian alone). Tlie subfamilies arc as
follows : —

I. Stringopinae. Appearance owl-like; face somewhat veiled or with a

facial disk, as in the Owls.

II. Flyctolophinse. Head with an erectile crest, of variable shape.

III. Sittacinae. Head plain. Tail long, or leug thcned,' wedge-shaped or
graduated.

IV. Psittacinse. Head plain. Tail short or moderate, straight or rounded.

V. TrichoglosBinae. Tip of tongue pai>illose. Bill compressed ; tip of

ma.xilla internally smooth, not crenato ; g'onys obliquely ascending.

Of these, Nos. Ill and IV alone are represented in the Xew World, and
only the Sittacinm occur in the United States, with one species.

Subfamily SITTACINiB.

The lengthened cunente tail, as already stated, distinguishes this group
from the American Psi/taninw with short, square, or rounded tail. The
genera are distinguished as follows : —

Sittace. Culmen flattened. Face naked, except in 51 pacliyrhynchn. Tail
as long as or longer than wings.

ConuruB. Culmen rounde<l. Face entirely feathereci, except a curve around
the eye. Tail shorter than wings.

Of the genus Sittace, which embraces eighteen species, two come suiBciently
nefir to the southern borders of the United States to render it not impossible
that they may yet be found to cross the border. Of one of these, indeed,
(»Si. 2Mchi/rJii/nchn,) tliere is a specimen in the Museum of the riiiladelphia
Academy of Natural Sciences, prjsented by J. W. Audulmn as shot on the
Kio Grande of Texas ; and another (.S'. militiiri.'<) is common at ^lazatlnn, and
perhaps even at Guaymas. There is considerable reason for doubt as to tiie
authenticity of the alleged locality of the S. j}achi/rhi/ncli((, but for the

' Die Papageien. Monographiseh benrbeitet von Otto Finsoh. 2 vols. Ticidcn, 1807, 1808.
VOL. II. 74

r,8G

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

piivpose of identification, sliould eitlier species present itself, we give
diagnoses in the accompanying foot-note.^

Genus CONURUS, Kuhl.

CiDitu'iis, Kflll., C.'on.si>. I'sittiic. 1, Ibao. — In. Nova Acta K. L. C. Acad. X, 1830.

Gks. Ciiau. Tail long, conical, and pointed ; liill stout; cheeks featlici'cd, but in some
species leaving a naivcd ring mnnd the eye; cere I'euthcied to the base of the bill.

The ])rcceding diagnosis, though not very full, will serve to indicate the
essential chaiacteristics of the genus among tlie Middle American forms

Cnmtrtis rnrtiliii/nxis.

with long pointed tails, the most ])rominent feature consisting in the densely
feathered, not naked, cheeks. Ikit one species helongs to the United States,

' A. Tail long<'r than tin' wings ; loics and checks inikcd ; the latter with narrow lines

of .small I'ciiihi-is.

S. militaris. firci'u : foivln-ad reel ; pristcrioi' ]iwti(in (if Ipaik, njipcr and under
tail-cnvcits with ipiills and tip of tail, sky-lilne ; under side of tail dirty orange-
yellow. Wing, U.(Mt : middl,. tail-feathers, l.''..no ; tarsus, 1.08. I/al). North-
western Mexico to liolivia.

.'fynonyniy : Puii/iims nii/i/nn'-i. Link. S. X. 1707, 139. Sitlacc militaris,
FiNsc 11, Die Papageien, 1, 18(17, It'./O.

B« Tail aliont e(|ual to the wings ; lores and checks feathered.

S. pachyrbyncha. (!reen ; the forehead, edge of wings, and the tihiiB red ;
greater under wing-coverts yellow. Wing, S.OO to 10.00 ; middle tail-feather, 6.50.
Ifcih. Southern Mexico (.lalapa and Anf;angueo), given jnolmhly erroneously from
the Rio Orande of Texas. Synonymy: Mntrncrrcus ji<iehiirh}nichus, Sw. Syn. Eirds
Jfex. in Philos. Mag. T, 1S27, 4.'i9, No. 70. Itlinnchnpni/la paclii/r/ii/iiclia, Ro.v.
Tahleau des Pciroipiet.s, I{(?v. et Mag. de Zool. 1851, 140. Sil/acc pdrhjirhynclM,
FiN.scii, Die Papa';eien, 1, 18(17, I'iW. l\lliti<-i(s pitachi, Waoleu, Isis, 1831, 524.
PsilliieMs stri'Hiii s, Liciir. Preis-V(n'Z('ichiKS, 1830.

I'SITTACIU.E — THE PAllUOTS.

087

though three others are tbuiul in Mexico, and many more in South and
Ceutral America. A lew species occur in the West Indies.

Conurus carolinensis, Kuiil.

PABAKEET; CAROLINA PABBOT; ILLINOIS PABBOT.

Psitlaca mrolinnixh, IJiiissdN, Uniitli. II, ITti'J, lliS. I'sillwus niniltacnKis, Linn. Syst.
Nat. I, 175.S, '.17 ; ITiiij, 141 (iicc ScniMii.i). — Wii.sdX, Am. Oiii. Ill, 1811, s'J, pi.
xxvi, lij;. 1. — Aim. Mni. Hini,'. I, 1.h:J'J, 13,'), iil. .\xvi. Cuniirim aa-u/inciisii, KriiL,
Nova Acta K. I,. ('. 1830. — I'.civ. List, 1S38. — I'l;. Max. Caliaiiis .loiirii. I'iii- Oiii.
V, March, 18,')7, t>7. — H.viui), llir.ls N. Am. 18.08, ')7. — Fisscll, Papagei. I, 1857,
478. — Sc'L. Cat. 18ti'i, 347. — Ali,i;n, I!. K. Fla. 308. t'cnlunin oiruHiicnsis, Aw.
Syn. 183i), 189. — In. IJir.ls Am. IV, 1842, 300, pi. (rl.x.wiii. I'sill((cit.i laduclcktaus;
G.M. Sy.st. I, 1788, 347. Psiltuctts Uiatiisdiuin, Vikilu l",iicy. .Mt'th. 1377. Contiras
ludovici<tiiii.i, (!l!AV. Catal. Br. Mils. I'sittac. IH.'iU, 3(5 (maku.s distinct spucics I'rom
carulineiisis). Cui'oUna parrot, Catksby, Car. I, tab. xi. — Latiia.m, Syn. I, 227. —
PKXSANr, II, 242. Oranrjc-hcmkd jxirrot, Latiia.m, .Syn. I, 304.

Sp. Char. Head and neck all ro\ind gamboge-yellow ; the forehead, from above the
eyes, with the side.s of the head, pale
brick-red. Body generally with tail
green, with a yellowi.sh tinu'c beneath.
Outer webs of |)riniaries bluish-green,
yellow at the base; secondary eoverts
edged with yellowish. Edge of wing
yellow, tinged with red ; tibi.u yellow.
Bill white. Legs llesh-eolor. Length,
about 13.00 ; wing, 7..'>0 ; tail, 7.10.
Young with head and neek green.
Female with head and n(,'i'k green ; the
forehead, lores, and siiU'usion round the
eye.'!, dark red, luid without the yellow
of tibiiu and edge of wing. Size con-
siderably less.

Hah. Souliiern and .-Joutiiwi'stern
Stales and Mississippi Valley ; north to
the Great Lakes and Wisconsin.

This species was once very
abundant in the United States
east of the llocky Mountains, be-
ing known tiiroughout tlie Sontli-
ern States, and tlie entire valley of the ^ris.sissijipi, north to the (Jreat
Lakes. Stragglers even penetrated to Pennsylvania, and one case of their
reaching All)any, X. Y., is on reconl. Xow, howe\er, they are greatly
restricted. In Florida they are yet abundant, but, according to Dr. Coues,
they are scarcely entitled to a jilace in the i'amia of South Carolina. In
Western Louisiana, Arkansas, and tlu; Indian Territory, they are still found
in considerable numbers, straggling over the adjacent States, but now seldom

Cotuints rarnlinfusis.

588 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

<,'() nortli of the month of the Oliio. We liave seen no note of their occurrence
soutli of the United States, and in view of their very limited area and
rai)id diminution in numbca's, tliere is little doul)t but that tlieir total extinc-
tion is only a matter of years, })orhaps to be consummated within the lifetime
of persons now living. It is a question whether both sexes are similarly col-
ored, as in most American Parrots, or whether the female, as just stated,
lacks the yellow of tlie head. Several female birds killed in Florida in
Marcli agree in the characters indicated above for that sex ; but the material
at our connnand is not sufficient to decide whether all females are similarly
marked, or whether the plumage described is that of the bird of the second
year generally. Tliere is no trace whatever of yellow on the head.

Hadits. In determining the geographical distribution of the Carolina
Parrot, a distinction should be made between its accidental occurrence and
its usual and habitual residence. Strictly speaking, this species, though of
roving habits, is not migratory. Its movements are irregular, and dependent
upon the al)undance or the scarcity of its food. Where it breeds, it is usu-
ally a permanent resident. An exceptional visit to a place cannot be taken
as certain evidence that it will reappear in that locality.

Wlien Wilson wrote, it inhabited the interior of Louisiana and the country
lying upon the banks of tlie Mississippi and Oliio I!iver.s, and their tributary
waters, even beyond the Illinois Eiver, to the neighborhood of Lake Michi-
gan, in latitude 42° north. The same writer insisted that, contrary to the
generally received oj)inion, it was at that time resident in all those places.
Eastward of the great range of the AUeghanies it has been very seldom seen
north of the State of Maryland, though straggling parties have been occa-
sionally observed among the valleys of the Juniata. Barton states that a
very large flock of these birds was observed in January, 1780, about twenty-
five miles northwest of Albany.

The occurrence of this species in midwinter so far to the north, and its
constant residence west of tlie AUeghanies throughout tlie year in colder
regions, justify the conclusion of its being a very hardy bird. In evidence
of this, Wilson mentions the fact of his having seen a number of them, in
the month of February, on the banks of the Ohio, in a snow-storm, flying
about like Pigeons, and in full cry.

The very evident preference whicli tlie Carolina Parakeet evinces for west-
ern localities, though in the .same parallel of latitude with those east of the
AUeghanies, which it rarely or never Aisits, is attributed by the same atten-
tive obser\er to certain peculiar features of the country to which it is par-
ticularly and strongly attached. These are the low, ricli alluvial bottoms
along tlie borders of creeks, covered with a gigantic growtli of buttonwood,
deep and impenetrable swamps of the cypress, and those peculiar salines —
or, as they are called, salt-licks — so frequent throughout that region, all of
which are regularly visited by the I'arakeets. The great abundance of the
seeds of the cockle-bur {Xunthiam striimarium) is also given as a still greater

PSITTACID.E — THE PARROTS. 589

inducement for their frequenting tlie l)anks of tlie Ohio and the Mississippi,
where these ]ilants are found in the greatest abundance. The seeds of the
cypress-treeg are another powerful attraction, while the aljuudance of the
mast of the beech, on which it feeds freely, may explain their occasional
visits to more northern regions, and even to places where they were before
unknown.

In descending the Ohit) in the month of February, Wilson met the first
flock of Parakeets at the mouth of the Little Scioto. He was informed by
an old inhabitant of Marietta that tliey were sometimes, tliougii rarely, seen
there. He afterwards observed Hocks of them at the mouth of tiie Great
and Little Miami, and in the neighborhood of the numerous creeks which
discharge themselves into the Ohio. At Big Bone Lick, near the mouth of
the Kentucky Kiver, he met them in great numbers. They came screaming
through the woods, about an hour after sunrise, to drink the salt water, of
which, he says, they are remarkably fond.

Audubon, writing in 1842, speaks of the Parakeets as then very rapidly
diminishing in number. In some regions where twenty-five years before
they had been very plentiful, at tliat time scarcely any were to be seen. At
one period, he adds, they could be procured as far up the tributary water of
the Ohio as the Great Kanawha, the Scioto, the head of the Miami, the
mouth of the Mauniee at its junction with Lake Erie, and sometimes as far
northeast as Lake Ontario. At the time of his writing very few were to be
found higher than Cincinnati, and he estimated that along the Mississippi
there was not half the number that had existed there fifteen years before.

According to Nuttall, this species constantly inhabits and breeds in the
Southern States, and is so hardy as to make its appearance commonly, in the
depth of winter, along the wooded banks of the Ohio, the interior of Ala-
bama, and the banks of the Mississippi and Missouri, around St. Louis, and
other places, when nearly all tlie other birds have migrated.

Its present habitat seems to be the Southern and Southwestern States, as
far west as the Missouri. They occur high up that river, although none were
seen or collected much fartlier west than its banks. In the enumeration of
the localities from which the specimens in the Smithsonian collection were
derived, Florida, Cairo, 111., Fort Smith, Arkansas, Fort Eiley, Kansas, Ne-
brask and Bald Island, Missouri River, and Michigan are given.

In regard to the manner of nesting, breeding-habits, number of eggs in a
nest, and the localities in which it breeds, I know nothing from my own
personal observations, nor are writers generally better informed, with the
single exception of Mr. Audubon. Wilson states that all his informants
agreed that these birds breed in hollow trees. Several affirmed to him that
they had seen their nests. Some described these as made with the use of no
additional materials, others spoke of their employing certain substances to
line the hollows they occupied. Some represented the eggs as white, others
as speckled. One man assured him that in the hollow of a large beech-

590 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

tree, which he had cut down, he found the broken I'ragments of upwards of
twtMity Parakeet's eggs, wliich he described as of a greenisli-yeUow color. He
described tlie nest as formed of small twigs glued to each otlier and to the
side of the tree in the manner of the Chimney-Swallow ! From all these
contradictory accounts Wilson was only able to gather, with certainty, that
they build in companies and in hollow trees. The numerous dissections
M'liich he made in the months of ^March, April, May, and June led him to
infer that they connnence incubation late in spring or very early in summer.
Mr. Audubon, who speaks from his own observations, describes their nests,
or the places in which they deposit their eggs, as simply the bottom of such
cavities in trees as those to which they usually retire at night. Many
i'emales, ho thinks, deposit their eggs together; and he expresses the opinion
that the number of eggs which each individual lays is two, although he
was not able absolutely to assure himself of this. He describes them as
nearly round, and of a light greenish-white. An egg of this species from
Louisiana is of a rounded oval shape, equally obtuse at either end, and of a
uniform dull-white color. It measures 1.40 by I.IU inches.

INDEX TO PLATES OF LAND BIRDS.

/Egiothus bi'cwstcii,

oxilipfs, rf

fllSC'fSUI'US, cf

rm, 1)1. 22, fig.
49H, " "
4'j:j, "

(t «(

Agelnius giilwrimtor (shoitMi
cf II.
giiheriuitor,
lihrciUKi'ii.s,

" {.ihouhkr),
tricolor {.ihnithkr),

9 "

J "

9 "

cf "

cf "
cf '
(I 9 '

Aliimla arvt'iisis, '

Amiiiodroimis cauJiicutu.t, I

luaritiiuus, "

Ampclis ct^droriim, cf '

garrulus, cf "

Anteiior uiiieinctiis, 1 1 1

Aiitlins lu(lovi(:iaiiu.s, I

prati'iisis, "

Antro.stoinus caroliiicnsis,

cf 11.

uuttnlli, cf "

vocil'cru.s, cf "

Aquila oanadcnsis, III.

Arcliilmteo fcrrugiiiuus, "

saiifti-johaniiis, "

Astur atricapillus, "

Asturina plagiata, "

Atthi.s licloisa, cf 1 1 .

Auriparus llaviceps, 1 .

pi. ;w, "
hi-.i, "

!:-,!•, " "

it i( (t

(( 1( It

Ki.'i, "

13(i, pi. 32, "

5r.7, pi. 25, "

ijtio, " "

4(11, pi. 18, "

aim, " "

2.')().

in, pi. 10, "

173, " "

, 410, pi. 46, "

417, "

413, "
, 314.

300.

304.

237.

24t!.

465, pi. 47, "
pl. 7, "

Bouasa sabiiici,
uiubi'Uoules,
wmbc'llus,

Bubo areticus,

liacilicu.s,

virgiiiiumis,
RiidytcH llava,
Buteo boreali.i,

caliiru.s,

coopiii,

eli'gans,

liarlaiii,

krideri,

liiicatus,

lueasaiius,

oxyptcru.'f,

ppiiiisylvanicu.s,

swainsoiii,

zonocercus.

III. 454.

" 453, pl. 61, "

" 448, "

ft tt (( ft

" 64.

" 0,5.

" 62.

I. 167, pl. 10, "

III. 281.

" 286.

" 205.

" 277.

" 292.

" 284.

" 27.5.

" 285.

" 266.

" 2.59.

" 263.

" 272.

C'alaiiiospiza bicolor, ?
( 'alliiHpla si[iiaiiiata, cf
Calyptr anna, a'

<'l)stil', cf

('anip('i)liilus ]irincipali.s,

cf

('anipyli>rliyni'lius allinis.

Iininnrii'a|iilln.''
Canaic I'aiiadeiisis,

IVanklini,
i'uliginipsu.s,
(ibsiinrus,
t(

ricliard.soni,
C'ardinalis cocciueu.s,
igni'n.s,
plKrnii'cn.s,
virginianiis.

1 Cai-podacus calilbrnifus,

3

2|

cassiui,

frontalis,

9

cf
cf

<f

9

cf
cf

cf

9

cf

II. 61, pl. 29, fig. 3

11. 1.S7, pl. 63, " 6

II. 454, pl. 47, " 7

" 457, " " 8

" 496, pl. 49, " 1

(t tt tf ft t>

I. 133, pl. 8, " 6

" 132, " " 5

111. 416, pl. 61, " 5

" pl. 59, " 6

ft ti tt r

419, " " 3
495.

422, " "1

" 2

427, " " 4

pl. 3U, " 8

103, " " 0

" " " 9

100, " " 6

7

Calamospiza bicolor, <f II. 61, pl. 29, " 2

hd'niorrliou.s,
rliodo(:i)l|iu.s,
purpnri'us,

Catharista atrata, III,

Catlicrpcs nii'xicanus, I.

Centroccrciis urciiihasiami.s,
cf III.

" cf ■■•

( 'eiitronyx bairdi,
I'ciiturus aurifrons,

oarolinus,
tt

uropygialiH,

t'crtliia anicrioana,

nifxii^ana,
Certliiola baliameu.si.s,
CVrylc alcyon,

cabanisi,
CliKtura pelagica,

vauxr,
Chainaja I'asciatn,
(;iianii«])i'lia ])as.scriiia,
Chondcste.s graniniaca.

46.5, pl. 21, " 10

" 11

460, " " 4

t( ti tt e

465, " " 3

" " " 6

468, " "9

462, " "7

t( (t ( ( Q

351.

139, pl. 8, " 4

pl. 60, " 2
.. 4

429, 1)1. 61, " 6

,531, pl. 25, " 3

557, pl. 52, " 3

" 6

554, " " 1

■1 II »i 4

558, " " . 2

I.

12.5, pl. 8, "11
" 128.

(f " 428, pl. 19, " 5

cf II. 392, pl. 45, " 6

cf " 396, " " 9

cf " 432, pl. 4.5, " 7

9 " 435, " " 8

I. 84, pl. 6, " 8

cf in. 389, pl. .58, " 6

cf II. 562, pl. 31, " 1

11

INDEX TO PLATES OF LAND DIUD.S.

Cliordi'iles lioiini,

liiilictlli',

IcXl'llsis,

Chryaomitiis luwicmi,

nnzdiiii',
iMi'xicuiia,

]I1I111H,

jisaltvia,

tiistisi {.siimiiii-r},
" \iriiili-r),
C'inclus mcxicamis,
(Jiii'p.s liiulsoiiius,
Cistdlliiiiiis [lalustris,

stcllaiis,
( 'i)C('yj!iis aincncaiiiis,

"(jrytlnoiilitlialmiiN,

minor,
C'olaptfs auratus,

clirysoiil.es,

n

liyliiidiis,

ini'xicaiius,
i(

CoUurio lioiTalis,

<f II

<f "

,f 1,

V "

<f •'

? "

<f "

cf "

'i •'

(f "

d "

1(14, 1,1. 10, ng.

•I(i7.

■Kll!, " "

47>, \<\. •!■>, "

47<i, "

480,
474,

471,

.lli, Jil. 5,
■J14.
1(11, III. 1»,

477, III. 48,
484, "
4S-_', "

&7ri, jiI. 55,
(< tt

583, jiI. 54,

582, "
578, pi. 55,

(Jki:)

1. 415, pi. 10,

c.xciiliitoioidL'S, cf "
lu(l(ivii:iamis, <f "

lobuslu.'*, "

Coliinilia I'asc'iata, if II

llaviio.stiis, (f "

linicci'phala, cf "

Contopiis Imrcalis, cf "

pritiiiax, (f "

riclianlsoiiii, cf "

viicn.s, <f "

(.'ominiscaiolinciisis, (^UL ) "
(Jitr.y

Covviis aincrioaiius,

carnivorus,

iiuniiuis,

cryptok'ucus,

iloiiilamis,

iiifxionmis,

ossii'nigus,
Cotuniiciilus lieiislowi,

li'coiiti,

iH'Inoccplialua,

Iia.sseiiim.s,

I)cipallidus,

C'otyle riiiaiia,

Crotopliaga niii,

t'upidoiiiii cupido,
ii

. pallidiuiiicta,
Cyaliocilta arizoiiii',

oaliloniita,

co\uIii,

tloridana,

sordida,

sumiclivasti,

WDndhousci,
Cyunospiza aiiifciia,

ciris,
(f

(lyaiiea.

cf

cf

cf
cf
:f
9
cf

9
tf

421, "
418, "
420.

3(iO, pi. 57,
:itiG, "

yoa, "

353, pi. 44,
35(), "
3(50, "
357, "
587, pi. 5(i,

■243, pi. 37,

234, "

248, "

242, "

247, "

233, "

251, "

553, pi. 25,

5,52, "

pi. 40,

553, pi. 25,

5.50.

353, pi. 16,

, 488, pi. 48, ••

, 440, pi. 01, "
tt (t (1

440.

, 292, pi. 41, "

288, pi. 40, "
293.

285, "

292, pi. 41, "

pi. 40, "

21)1 " "

84,' 111. 29, "

87, '*
ti ti (t

82, " "

4
1 ,

a I

1 I

2 I
3

3!
4I
1

1
2 '

ai
4 ;

1 \

2 I

41

31

^1

5

61

('yniinsi)iza cyaiica,
panllilia,
vc'isicoliiv,

I'yaliiira coiuiiata,

iiistala,

IVdiitalis,

iiiai'i'dloplia,

.sti'llrri,
Cyi'toiiyx iiias.sciia.

Di'lididica a'stiva,

alliiUiiii,

audiiliuiii,

lilai'I<1iiii'iiia',
(I

(t
cicnik'sct'iis,

castanca,
t(

tliiy.sdliaiTia,
cuioiiata,

discolcir,

diiiniiiica,

giacia',

kiitlaiidi,

iiiaeukisa,

iiKiiilaMa,

iiigrc'Kii'ii.s

oi.'cjidcntalis,

olivacca,

lialinaiuiii,

pc'inisvlvanica,

(Jiu-
piiius,
.striata,

9
cf
J
V
cf
cf
cf
cf
cf

cf

9

II. 82, pi. 29, fig. 14

III

80, "

< 1 (I

Jil. 39,
273, pi. 42,
279, pi. 39,
2H1, "
277, "
492, pi. 01,
" III. 04,

D
4
7
5
0
0
4

14
2
1
7

2
1

4

1

2

8

11

12

7

8

13

towiLseiidi,
viiens,
Doliclionvx orizyvonis, cf

9

cf
9

cf

9

cf

9

cf

9

cf

cf

9

cf

'f

cf
cf
cf

cf

<f

cf
rf
cf
. cf
cf
cf

9

cf

.f

1.222, 111. 14,

" 240, "

" 229, pi. 13,

" 237, "

14 It (t

" 23,5, "

tt (t ft

" 254, pi. 12,

t( It II

" 251, pi. 13,

t( if II

" 200, pi. 12,

" 227, "

11 (f 11

" 270, pi. 14,

" 240, "

" 243, "

" 272, "

" 232, "

" 271, "

" 258, pi. 12,

" 200, "

pi. 14,

" 273 "

" 245,' pi. 13,

tf II tt

" 208, "

" 248, "

11 tl II

" 205, pi. 12,

" 201, "
II. 149, pi. 32,

9

10

4

3
1
2
ii
6

1

7

1

2

3

10

11

10

11

4

6
«
9

12
9
5

10
5
2
3
8
5
4
8
7
8
G
9
12
7
4
■ 4
' 6

Ectopistcs niigratoria, c

KlamiM liuiuiiis,

Kiiibc'inagra villi virgata,

liiupidoiiax acadicius, cT
diliiiilis,

llavivciitii.s, cf

hainiiiondii, cf

luiiiiimis, cf

obsciirus, cf

pusiilus, cf

traillii, d

Fh'pmopliila cornuta, cf

" 308, pi. 57, " 5
III. 198.

II. 47, pi. 28, " 3
" 374, pi. 44, " 11
" 380.

Euspiza americana,
towii.sendi,

Falco anatuiii,
caiidicans,
columliarius,
rcinoi'.ilis,
isabelliuus,

(.y«r.
cf
9
9

)"

378, '•

383, "

372, "

381, "

300, "

309, "
141, pi. 32,

It It

65, pi. 28,

(t f I

08, "

" 12
" 7
" 10
" 6
" 9
" 8
" 1
*' 2
" 11
" 12
" 13

in. 132.
" 111.

" 144.
" 155.
" 171.

[N'DKX TO l'I,ATi;s or L.VN'I) lillllK

111

117.
i;i7.

l-j;!.

IIH.

iir..
1 (lit.

147.

W, I.

1. ;t,

4i>:!. I-

.48,

■.W\, |>

.15,

:!iil,

It

•Ji>7.

ft

81.

77, !>

.•JP,

Fiili'o isliiiiilicua, "

liiliniildm, "

(M'lili'i, "

|ii)lya>,'nis, "

liclmrilsoiii, "

siiccr, "

H|iuiv('riiiH, "

.suck ley i, "

Ottlfloscoptes caroliiii'iisis, I.
Geocoucy.t ciilit'oniiamis,

<f II.
(Ii'othlypis niacgiiiivi'iivi,

> I.

>> ^ <i

lihilail('l[ihia, cf "

It 9 *'

tiicluLS, cf "

V "

(ilauiidiuiii calil'oniiciiin, III.

rriiufjinciiiii, "

Ouimwi lii'iiili'a, cf II.

9 "
Ciyiiiiiokitta (;yttliocc[)liala,

<f " 2fiO, pi. 38,

Haliftetu.s albicilln. III. 324.

luunoci'plialu.s, " 32l!.

Iliirpoihyni'lms uiiiercus, I. lit, pi. 4,

crissalis, " 47, "

I'lirviro.stiis, " 41, pi. .'!,

li'CDiiti'i, " 44, pi. 4,

liiiii^irostris, " ;!i), ]il. 3,

imliiieri, " 43.

imlivivus, " 4."i, i>l. 4,

nit'iiH, " 37, I'l. 3,

lli'ilyiiielcs Imlovic'iaiius,

<f II. 70, pi. 30,
t( ^ (( (( (t

mclanoeeiiliolus, cf " 73, "

«( Q tt (t (I

HcliojifeJica xaiitusi, d" " 4('(7, pi. 47,
Heliiiinthupluiga bacliinani,

<f 1.194, pi. n,
celata (var. t'a()« Luca.s),

1. 204, "
" {var. Florida), " "

" (var. Rocky Mts.),
1.
(;liryso|)tpni, cf "

luciic, "

pert'griim (in x/iriiKj), "
" (inautuiini),"
piiius, (f ' '

lulicapilirt, "

(frtr. Calif.),"
Virginia!, "

IlelmitliL'ius swainsoiii, "
vi'riiiivorii.s, "

Hcspcripliona inontana,

202, "

19-.', "

200, "

205, "

19.-), "
19t), "

199, "
190, pi. 10,
187, "
449, pi. 22,

339, ])I. 10,
.^.'lO, ])l. ;-)(!,

vi'spcrtiim, cf

Hiniiido lioneoiuiii, <f "

Hylotomu.s pilcatiis, 9 II.

" cT "

Icteria longicatula, 1.309.

vircns, cf ' ' 307, pi. 1 5,

luteriLs aiuiuboni, cf II. ISfl, pi. 35,

Baltimore, cf " 195, "

buUocki, cf " 199, pi. 34,

tig. 5

2
9

10

11
1
7
s

12
9

10
4
1
9
4
5

12
1

litcnis liiilloikl.

9

II

199, p

1.31,

"k

7

I'UciillaliiN,

cf

(1

193, p

. 35,

k\

pailsiiriilii.

cf

II

188,

11

II

7

s|>lll'ills.

J

it

190, p

.34,

"

4

{Jllf.)

<f

II

ii

II

II

Tl

<«

V

(t

**

II

II

i\

waglcii.

cf

• (

1.

. 35,

"

2

Ictiiiia mi».sis.sippiiiisi

III

203.

.liiiicu aikc'iii.

,f

1

.5.S4, pi

. 21!,

Ii

tt

I'aiiii'cp.i,

,f

tl

5S7,

il

3

liyciiialis.

cf

II

580,

"

**

a

ciri'goiiuM,

cf

tl

5S4,

It

il

2

l.ago|>tis ulliils,

II

. 157, 1

l.lil

1*

8

" (numiiirr

, ^f

II

" I'

1. (12

II

1

" (ir ill fir),

-f

il

II

II

II

3

" (niniiiiirr)

y

ti

II

II

II

2

icui'iii'Ms (siiiiimi'r)

..f

t i

4(!4,

II

II

ti

nilicstris (ii-iiilrr).

cf

"

4t>2,

II

*'

4

" (siniitiirr)

9

• 1

Ii

II

II

5

l.aiiiviivo ciis.siiii.

cf

1.

37<!, pi

.17,

**

9

llavirriiiis.

cf

• <

379,

II

II

5

pliiiulii-a,

cf

"

377.

II

II

10

.solitaiia.

cf

"

373,

II

"

H

I.eUDOstii'tc! aretoiis,

"

I'l

.23,

il

10

australis.

II

il

II

9

campi'stris.

**

507,

II

Ii

7

grisi'iii'iiclia.

cf

(i

508,

II

II

5

littoralis.

(i

507,

II

II

(1

Icphroiotis,

II

504,

"

II

8

l.opliopliaucs atiiuriiitatus,

II

90, pi

. G,

II

• >

liii'oloi',

II

87.

II

Ii

inoriiatiis.

II

91,

il

II

Wolhvi'lllT',

II

93,

II

il

I.ophoity.v calironiiciis

III.

479, pi

(11,

II

It

cf

II

" pi

. (14,

Ii

**

?

'*

It

il

II

giiinlifll,

cf

'*

482,

11

il

It

r-

II

It

II

It

I.D.xia amoiioaiia,

if

9

ii

484, pi
If

23,

Ii

tl

IfUcoptora,

cf

ii

488.

II

Ii

2

tt

?

II

II

tl

"

3

iiic.xicana.

II

it

Mclaiioipcs angii.stifions,

cf

11.573, pi. 53,

I'lytliroci'plialus,

I'uniiic'ivoiiis,
ti

tonpiatu.s,

lli'lcagris gallopavo, 1 1 1

iiicxicaiia, "

MeloiM'li'ia Icui'optfia, cf "

ilelospiza fallax, 9 II.

guttata, "

liccniiaiiiii, cf "

insignis, "

lincolni, "

mclodia, "

palustiis, cf "

It 9 '*

rufina, "

saniurlis, "

Micnitlicup whittipyi, III.

Milvulu.s foiiiciatus, cf II.

tyiaiinus, "

Jlinius polyglottu.s, I.

9

of

5fi4,

5(i(),
It

501,
. 404.

410.

37(i,
2''
27',
24,
30,
31,
19,
34,

II

29,
26,
87.
311,
309.
49,

pi. 54,
pi. 53,

II

pi. 54,

1)1. 58,
pi. 27,

pi. 28,

11

pi. 27,

II

pi. 43,
pl. 3.

" 4

" 10
" 12
" 9
" 8
" 13
" ti
" 1
" 2

" 11

It 7

IV

INDKX TO ri,ATKS OK LAND BIRDS.

Mitn'plioniHpiillpHucMs

S

II.

:t8«.

pi. 44,

liR.

13

PcrisorpiiH cnpitalis,

tf

II.

3()'2, pl. 41,

««•

4

Miiidlilta viuiii,

<f

1.

iMi.

pi. 10,

tt

8

obsi.iirus.

It

II

.MolutjllllN IH'COI'iH,

V
9

II.

151,

pl. 32,

It

6
7

Pi'riHsi)f{l(is.sa i.arbonati
tigriiia.

I.

It

•214, 1)1.12,
•21-2, '•

3
1

obscuniH,

<f

(1

*t

"

8

"

9

ti

tl tl

2

Molai'illa iill)ii,

1.

Kin,

pl. 10,

tt

1

Pctiocliclidoii hinifroiis

,<f

**

334, pl. 16,

13

Mviadixli's towiisi'iidi,

<f

"

iiiti,

pl. 18,

•'

5

Pc'Uiwa it'stivalis.

II.

39, pl. 2f<,

4

" (Jiir.)

((

It

*•

• 1

6

ai'i<<))iiit'.

ft

41.

Mymvh\i» ciiu'iasi'i'iis,

<S

II.

337,

J.l. -ia,

"

8

caipallH,

ft

pi. 4(i,

8

iiiiiitiis.

(f

it

'•

'*

7

(•as»iiii.

tt

42, pl. •2\

5

lawi'ciicii,

cT

it

4(

ti

0

lUlicCPH,

Phitiiopt'p a nitciis.

II

4.'i, '•

6

MyiodiiM'tcs canaili'iisis

,<i

I.

3-20,

pl. 16,

'♦

6

<f

I.

405, pl. IS,

3

niiiiiitu.s,

ti

31 ti.

tt

"

2

It

cf

tl

II

4

iiiitiatUH,

9

314,

pl. 1.'),

tt

10
11

Phoiiipara zcna,
II

9

II.

93, pl. 29,

15
16

pilcolatu.s,

i(

319.

Pliyllopiu'Hstc borcalis

1.

pl. T),

it

laisilliiM,

<f

ti

317,

pl. 16,

II

3

Pica Imdsoiiira,

'cf

II.

266, pl. 38,

1

"

9

n

It

It

It

4

nutlalli.

<f

"

270, "

3

Picicoi'viis columbiaims,

II

•2.1,\ "

4

Niiueli'i'iis foiHi'atus,

III.

19'2.

Pii'oidi.s anii'iicamiH,

cT

*'

53-2, pl. 50,

'2

Ncncoiys s])n\;{ii('i,

9

1.

175,

pl. 10,

tt

5

aiiticiis.

tf

"

530, "

?

N'l'iilici'ci'tc.s iiimT,

9

11.

42!»,

pl. 45,

It

•4

Picus albolarvatus,

rf

it

526, "

7

^ 1S11.S COOIXJII,

Ill

■230.

1'

9

it

It tl

8

I'llSl'llS,

"

•2-24.

liorcalis.

J

**

524, pl. 49,

8

iDcxicaiius,

"

•231.

Kairdncii,
iianisi.

II

51-2.

Nyi'taU^ lii'liaidsoiii,

•'

40.

It

.'•)07.

acadica,

((

43.

liu'a.saiius.

tl

519.

Nyctcii scandiaen,

((

70.

nuttalli.
It

9

<f

11

tt

521, pl. 50,

11 II

It

tt

3

Oiiychotcs f,'''"l)'''''>

((

254.

pnbescciis.

ft

509, pl. 49,

"

6

Oi)oronii.s ajjilis.

<f

I.

290,

1)1.15,

tt

1

It

9

It

II II

1 t

7

9

it

ti

If

2

Kcalaris,

cT

tl

516, pl. .lO,

II

4

foiniosa.

<f

a

29.'!,

t(

It

3

It

9

It

tf

It

5

Oicopclcia Diartiiiica,

d-Iil.

393,

pl. 58,

It

1

villosns.

cf

It

503, pl. 49,

tt

3

Orooityx pictus.

<f

*i

475,

pl. 63,

tt

5

tt

9

tt

ft II

**

4

Oicoscoptr.s iiioiitanus,
Ortalida iiiacalli.

I.

3'2,

pl. 3,

**

6

(J III'.)

<f

It

tl 1 1

II

5

II.

398,

pl. 57,

11

1

Pinu'ola cimilcator.

<f

I

453, pl. 21,

II

1

Oityx ti'.xaiius,

9 III.

474,

1)1. 63,

**

4

It

9

It

tt It

It

2

a

<f

i(

((

It

II

3

Pipilo abi.ili.

cf

II.

]'28, pl. 31,

tl

7

virgiiiiamis,

<f

t(

468,

It

*l

1

al bifida.

cT

II

1'27, "

tl

11

" 11

9

(1

((

It

It

2

alleni.

tt

11 •2.

Otus bmchyotus,

(1

•22.

ai'<'tii'us.

9

tl
tt

119, "

It II

ft
ft

5

wilHoiiianus,

**

18.

(>

oblorura.

rf

ft

131, "

tt

4

Pniidion caniiiiieiisis,

<(

184.

(•iis.Kali.s,

<f

It

122, "

ft

8

I'aiiyptila mclanok'uca

,<f

II.

424,

pl. 45,

It

5

erytliioplitlialimis

,<f

It

109, "

It

t)

Panila niiicricaiia.

cf

I.

208,

pl. 10,

tt

7

It

<f

It

< t If

'*

3

I'aiiis atricapilliis,
I'aioliiicnsis,

ti

9C),

i)l. 7.

II

1

iiiPf»aloiiyx,

9

**

113, "

tt

11

It

10'2,

(f

tt

4

ini'soU'iicus,

d-

It

1-25, "

' '

10

Imdsoiiicu.s,

ti

105,

t(

ft

7

orcj^oiiii.s.

9

ti

116, "

tf

12

iDontaiuis,

(<

95,

(t

ft

5

PliM'tropliaiies lapponicits.

()coi(U'iitali.s,

((

101,

it

tt

3

e

1.

515, pl. '24,

tt

7

ruft'.si'i'iis,

(1

104,

tt

ft

6

inaci'owni,

s

"

523, "

(f

1

scptentriDiiali.s,
Passciculus alaudinus,

((

99,

It

il

2

iiielaiionmN,

dT

'*

.'-.21, "

If

6

ti

537,

pl. 24,

tt

11

iiivali.s,

tf

**

512, "

**

*}

anthimis.

it

539,

It

tt

10

orimtus.

cf

ft

5^20, "

**

3

(•al)oti,

IT

pl. 46,

tt

9

pictiis.

cf

**

518, "

tf

4

fjuttatiis,
piiiicops,
rostratus,

I.

544,
540,

pl. 25,

(t

tt
ft

1
2

tt
Polioptila ca^rnlca,

9

II
ft

ft II

78, pl. 6,

tt

5
5

((

54-2,

pl. 24,

It

U

midaiuiia,

ft

81, "

1 1

7

.saiidwidicnsis,

((

538,

It

11

9

)lninb('a,
Polybonis auilnboiii.

**

80, "

**

6

savanna.

t(

534,

It

(t

8

III

178.

Passerc'lla iliaoa,

II.

50,

pl. 28,

It

7

Pooca-tcs gi-.iiiiineus.

II

545, pl. 29,

ft

1

nioganhyiicha,
scliista" .1,

(1

57,
56.

((

It

10

Poos )iza belli,
)iliii('ata,

(f

I

If

593, pl. 26,
590, "

ft

9

8

towiispiidi,

9

((

53,

tt

fl

8

iicvadciisis.

If

594.

Pt'did'C'ctcs eolumbianii.s.

111

434,

pl. 60,

ft

1

Progiie ciyptolcuca.

ft

332.

pliasinncllus,
Peri.soicus cnnadeii.si.s,

it

436,

(t

If

3

.subi.s.

9

It

329, pl. 16,

ft

7

<f

11

299,

pl. 41,

11

3

ft

<f

**

If t f

f 1

10

" {Juv.)

it

pl. 42,

tt

4

Protonotaria eitrca,

ft

184, pl. 10,

If

8

FXDEX TO PLATKS OF LAND iilRUS.

Psttltiipiirn.s inclaiioti.s,

iiiiniiiiiiH,

|iIiiiiiIh'iim,
rscuiliiifiyiiliiis niliriiriiiiiii

P.tilorhiims iiiorio,
Pyrnii;,'a icstivn,

c'ooperi,
II

licpiitii'ii,
«(

hulovii'ittiin,
t(

ruliiii,

III.
II.

PyiKitii liomcsticii,
Pjr(KC|iliiilus iiii'xicamis,

<f II
P.vnhiilii (•iis>iiii, J I

Pynliiiloxiii Himmlii, rf I|

Quisi'llillS IL'IIIMIS,
llfjIlVUS,
Illllrlourius,

major,
imi'purcus,

l!cf?nliis ciilciKlula, I.

cuvicii, "

aatra|ia, "

l{hitinf,My|)lms aura, III.

Kostrliamiis .sociabilis, "

Salpiiicti's olwolctu.s, I.

Saxicola (riiaiitlic, "

Sayoriiis t'usims, cf II.

iiigrii'aiis, ^ "

.say us, ^ "

Scarilarcll.i iiica, cf III.

ScoK'«'|ilialu.s L'vaiiocc)ilialu.s,
$ II.

fcrrugiiicus, cf "

.St()|i.s asio, JII

llaiiinifola, "

floriilaua, "

kciiniiolti, "

niacculli, "

Seiuru.s aurocapillus,

hiilovicianus, cf

iioveboraci'usi.s, cf

1<I8, pi. 7,
lOit,
11(1, "

;!;i,H.

liiit, i>l. 42,
. -141, jil. 20,

■iih ;;

41(1, •'

it 4 (

4:17, "

■i:\',, "

.V.'."., |il. 2.'i,

n,s7, pi. 44,

4.M, pi. 2:t,

!(.'., |.l. ;i(),

21 H.

221, j.l. 37,

225, pi. 3(i,

.)•).< .1
it ( .

214, pi. 37,

7'), pi. r>,

it t i

73, ••
•■ill.

2()iJ.

Spi'Dlytd JiypilKwn,
.Spcniicipliihi niDii'lcti,
" 1(1 Spli\ ii]|iiiii.s iiuclialiH,

liK. H
" !l

(i

" 1

" 2

'• !l

•• 1(P

" 3

'• 4

" 7

" .s

" 12

cf
cf

cf

cf
cf

V
V

cf

III.
II.

I'l. 5,

St'lnsphorus platycercus,

nifu.s,
Sctophaga iiicta,

niticillii,

n

Sialia arctica,
incxicaua,
.sialis,

Sitta aoulcata,

canadensis,
t(

carolinfinsis,

pusilla,
pyginaia,

<f
5
cf
9

II.

13.^ pi.
(i(l,
343, "[.l. 4"),
340, "
317, "
387, JiI. r,8,

2(l(i, pi. 35,
203,

4i».

58.

57.

53.

52.
280, pi. 14,
287, "
283, "

462, pi. 47,

459, "

pi. 46,

pi. 5(i,

. 322, pi. 11),

r)7, pi. 5,

65,

62, "
117.
118, 1)1. 8,

114, "

122, "
120,

11
3

alii.
<f

'Mill.'
cf
cf

" 11

" 13
" 12

" 1
" 2
" 9
" 10

I'lilicr,

lliyi'oiili'U.s,

vai'iii.s

williaiiisciiii,

Spizi'llii ai'i/.oiia',

atrigiilari.s,
t i

liri'Hc'i'i,

iiiiiiiliciila,

piilliila,

piisilla,

.sDi'ialis,

StiU'iiii'iiMs cyaiKM'i'plii

Sti'lgiiloplcryx .si'iripi

."^li'lllila calliiipc,
.SIrix pi'iiliiii'oia,

StUI'lll'llil lllllirliii, ^

lll'filcria, <f

Stiiriiii.s viilf^ai'is, cf

Siiriiia iiliila,
Syniiiiiii c'iiii'i'ctiiii,
ipcliirlip.siiin,

OI'(!ill(Utull!,

Tai'liyi'iiicta Iiicolcir, cf
lliala>siiia, cf

Tliauiiiatias liiiiia'i,
TiiiyntliDi'iis lu'i'laiiilicii.
lic'wii'ki, cf

Irili'Of^astcr,

liiiliivii'iaiiiis,

spiliinis,
Ti'ocliilus alcxaiuli'i, cf

I'cilula'i.s, .jf

Trofflodyti'.s luiloii,

alasccii.si.s,

li.vi'iiiali.s,

pllrilicus,

parkiiiainii,

Tiii'ilus aliciif, '

aiiduliiiui, '

I'liiiliiiis, '

I'usccsi'cns, '

iliiKus, '

iiiigi'af(iriu.s, '

iniislclimis, '

iiiv-'viiis, '

iiaiiu.s, '

jiallasi, '

swaiiisoni, '

ustiilatu.s '

Tyraiimi.s caroliiieii.si.s, cf I

CMJIll'lli, cf '

d(iiiiiiiii'cii.sis, d '

vci'tii'alis, cf '

voi'ircraiis, cf '

Vireo ati'icapillus, cf

liidli, a- '

liuttoiii, cf '

nnvi'lioriiconsis, ■'? '

pusillus, a' '

I.

II.

III.

on.

01, pi. 20,
512, pi. 51,

544, "
517, pi. 5(1,
530, pi. 51,

515, "
II.
. I.I. |il. 2(1,

. i;!, pi. 27,

3,

11, "
5,

7, "

•■105, pi. 58,

, 3.MI, pi. 1(1,

445, pi. 17,
13.

I. 174, pi. 34,
17(i, '•

2'JO, pi. 35,
. 75.

.•;o.
34.
38.

. 3(1, pi. IC,
:il7, '• '

. 4(i8.

.144, pi. 0,
145, "

147.

M-i, "

117.

4."'(i, pi. 47, •

418, "

1 40, ],1. 0, '

157, " '

155. •'

tw 17

'• 3
" 4
li
i;
I

II

12
4

8
11

153.

11, pi. 1,
21, "
27, id. 2,

'•K pi. 1,
2:!, 111. 2,
2.-., "

7, pi. 1,
2!), pi. 2,
20, pi. 1,
IS, "
14, "

. 31(1, pi. 43,
32!t,
310,

324, "
327, "

;i
8
1
5
4
3

1
.J

7
1)

4
2
■>
(i
.3
4

. :!8;!, ,d. 17,

,380,

387, "

385, "

391, "

" G
" 13
" 12
" 11
" 14

vi

INDEX TO PLATES OF LAND -BIRDS.

Vireo vicinior, J I- 393, pl-^l?. fi&

Vircosylviu Ijavbatula, cf " 3tj0,

flilvoiiridis, " 3b6. _

gilvii, '^ ^^h' .. ..

olivacpa, cf ^^ .il>^,

swainsoui, " 371.

Xantlioceiilialusietcroce;.liiiliis,

cf 11. !*>/, 1>1. 32,

" $ " " pi. 'i'i, "

Xantboui-a luxuosa, " 295, pi. 42,

7 , Zenaida amaWlis. . rf HI- 37^ pl- 58, fig. 3

Zeiiaidura carolinciisis, <f

Zonotricliia a'bicollis, cf

coroiiata, <f

(jambeli, <f

leucophrys, (/id'.) cf

" cf

quei-ula, {Ail^ cf

1.574, pl. 26,

' 573, "

' 569, pl. 25,

U 11 "

" 566, "
<> i< "

" 577, pl. 26,

2
10

1
11

■ 12
' 9
' 10
' 4

' 7

PLATE XXVU.

i

■J l/i ~3

so

C* ^ X

.S .= i2

JS I Tj
Sl I

= g S

>/*

PLATE XXVin.

PLATE XXIX.

1. Poocxtes Rramineus. D. C, 10147.

2. Calainospiia bicninr. n Nch., 572">. ,.

3. " '* V N. Mcx..6j.j6. 8

4. Gutraca caerulca. cf Diilad , 6480. 9
<;. " •' V Ciii. 10

It

6. Cyanospiza parelllna. <S N, Leon, Mcx., 4074. « Cyanospi/a aimrna. T Ncvnda, 55551.

r '* cirls. cf Texas, ^271. 13. " cyanca. cf Pn., 3645-

" V. 14- '* " ? t'-i-. 1=426.

versicolor, c^ N. \.ct.\. Met . 4n75. i'^. Plionlpara zcn.i. (f nahnmas.

9 C. St. Kucas. 13984. 16. " " 9

atiiuena. <S I't. Union, Dak., 1898. 17. Spcrmophila iiiureluti. cf Costa Rica. 30534.

PLATE XXX.

<» 00 l> -i

i "*' 3
- "^ g

o*

lis

1

•oOt

1

^

1

•o

§ *

(J

J

1

1

'1

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1

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i rt

PLATE XXXI.

in

•o(3 .

5 ^

t 5,
■> e

•el'

it

c n

X z
Wo

2 -S

i

Is.

S -5.!
o -

TLATE XXXII.

1. Iirciinn>liila tortmta. O Nov., sur"-

2. " " 7itv., Wihc, 4330.

3. Alaudn nrvciisi?.. Kiirope.

4. Dolichonyx i>ryziv«irus. C I'a.. 977.

5. ** " V K:ins.is, \\-t6if.

6. Mnl.ithnis jiciciri. 5 (;.i.. 3J440.

7. •• •■ ?.

8. " " 7'.»r. itlisiuiiis. <S M.iii^anill*', Nk-x., V'ltiS-

y. XaiitliiHi|ili. litis iiKT-'CCplialii-. ^ l'la!i, 3S6J4,

PLATE XXXUL

^^^^^r^

^^^^^^.^^';:^

s. A(;e1a!us phoeniceus. c/ Pa,, 1386.

2. '• "9 Pa., 2174.

3. " " O shoulder.

4. " ^bcrnator. cf "

5. " tricolor, d "

6. Aifclaius tricolor, o Cal., ^836.

7. •' " ? Cat.. 551=.

8. " gubernatnr. V Cal., 5530.

9. Xanthoccpttatus icterocephalus. T Kansas, 6557.

PLATE XXXrV.

I. Sturnella ncglccta. ff Nevad.i, 53593.
3. Icterus buUockl. d Ft. Bri(lj;ir. ii:;8j.

4. Icterus sinirius. <f I. a., 4386.

5. " " o Jul:, I'a., 1437.

6. '* " ♦ I'a., 150.

7. " tmllockii. 9 Cat., 39UO.

PLATE XXXV.

Icterus aMc!til>oiii. n Tatiiniili[>as. Men,, 4fyS'i.

Srolecophaniis ry.niiiccpJialirs i Niv.iili, ';,\^t/i.
" fLTrii^jinciis. '' Vn , fin

5, tclenis l>nl!imfirc. (^ Tt Garry, 17046,

fi *' ruruIlatiK. cf Tain.iiilip.ts, \I»?x., 4r/.'.

7 •' parisnnim cf N". I.C"*i. Mi\ . .1 i.^'i.

R Stiirmis viiljiari** l-'r,intc. i'yt7\

PLATE XXXVL

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PLATi: XXXVII.

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PLATE XXXVm.

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