IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. 1.0 I.I 1.25 1.4 1.8 1.6 ^^ <^ /a ^l '« ■^a <^ '/ S Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^^ iV .^x^ l -> -J 379 iJuffle-head . . .' ' ' ' " !?^ • 197 • l<^) ■ 373 ■ 76 • 77 • 71 ■ 122 . nS • '^ I f • 10 • 403 . 169 , 3^5 35- 30- 345 346 1 iJuck, Ruddy . . Scauj) . . ! Wood . EfiRKT l<<.iidish . Eider j ^i'^C^ I Northern . . ' Fl.AMI.NGo . i Fulmar .... Lesser . . Gaij\v,\i,i, Gallinule, Florida . Lin-jjle . Gannet .... Godwit. Hudsonian -^L^rbled . Golden-eye ... Barrow's . Goose, Blue . . . . Canada . . Greater Snow Hutchins's White-fronted Grebe, Ilolball's . Horned . . I' 33 i 343 3K 64 MS 3-^4 329 5-9 104 2(hj ::7r 201 375 16.S £66 349 35 f -^3 2S 281 290 2S4 3^4 i'ied-billed 3.% -, Canada . . Grouse Ruffed . . Sharp-tailed Guillemot, Black Gull, Bonaparte's ..... 2^8 Franklin's ... C^s: 41 30 39 395 VI CONTKN'IS. Gull (;l.'^l^Cf^U^ ... (iiL-.it r.lacklKickccI llLniii,n Icchuul . . Ivor^- . . Kiimlii.irs l,.iUL;iiiti,^ . . Kiiig-billucl Ross's . . . Sal)inc's . . IlKN, Ilcatli . . . I'lairic . . . llcruii, Ulack-ciowiic Clicai I'll tic Gical \\ hitc (iiccn . . Litilc IMiic Louisiana . Snowv . . Ward's . . Yellow-crowned Ibis, Glossy Scarlet While Wood N Xi Jaegkk. Lonti-tailcd Parasitic . Pomarine . KlI.LDEKR Kitti\val I 7 309 6S 57 59 66 64 61 35 47 4S 43 406 '4 9 196 ^\^> iSS I So •94 340 150 49 142 164 ■3f> 134 Paue .233 355 54 3(iS 3' '4 2''3 267 J07 -05 311 I 7 309 68 57 59 66 ''4 61 35 47 4,S 43 406 14 9 196 X83 18S iSo 194 340 150 49 142 164 C( ).\Ti:.\is. Sandpiper, Rcd-!iackcil . Scnii-p.tlniatcd Sulitary , Spotted . , Stilt . . . , Wliitc-runipcd Scoter, American . . , . Suri White-winged . shearwater. Audubon's . . ^<'ry'> . . . Cireater . . . Sootv . . . black Shoveller Skimmer, Skua . . , . Snipe. Wilson's . .Sora Spoonbill. Roseate Stilt. . iack-necked Swan, TrumpettT . Whistling . I'AOh . 1 36 • '43 • '57 . 160 • '45 . IJ9 ■»■»-. • jjj • 33i • 334 • =75 • =74 ' -/ - -'75 joo 260 =55 •72 1S9 lOS 52 299 296 TlAi., lilue-win.uLd (MlLll-WIUyetl IViii Arciic . . lilack . . Cabot's (."aspl.tii Coniiiiiiu . Foiftter's . (aill-l)illcd Least . . Roseate . Ko\al . . Sooty . Tropic liird. Red billed Turkey, Wild . Turnstone . . Winc.KoN . ... NNillct ..... Wdodcock . ... Via.i.uw-i.Kcs Greater VII Pa>.e • 3>9 3=' J30 3;,o -'•3 3IO 2IS =25 23.S 3^' '5 3^3 146 170 '54 15= 125 136 130 134 i ILLUSTRATIONS IN VOL. II. COLORED PLATES Pi \I! XI. . . . Fro.itisfiic- I K'" K I'lAK.Mic.w (Male). ::. i<«" K I'lAKMicAN (Feinalf). r\KTKnii:i;. Wij.l) Fi(;i,(j\ (Male). Will) I'lcinN (Female) KlMiKii Gkoisi;. 4- r^^e A2 I'lAl) XIl. . . . I. 1'IP1N(; I'l.ovi.K. :;. SiMl-l'Al.MATKI) I'LUVKK. 3. Gul.DKN ri.(ni;K. 4- Pkairik IIkn. 5. Canada Gkui'sic I- WfiiTj>Ku.\iPi;D Sandi'ii-kr. 2. Knot. 3 HlllKKN 4 Samikki.inc. 5- Kk.ldkkr. Tlatk XIV. I- Gkkatkr Yr.M.o\v-Li;(;s. 2. Kkddish E(;rkt. 3. Rfd-Rrkasikd S.vu'i;. 4 L'.NC-Bli.i.Kn CURLKW Pci-e 152 I'l.AII. XV. . . . I .SokA. 3. ViKdIMA k\II. Ci.APf'KK k\ri.. \VX.\mW k.\ii.. Fl.AMix«;o. Paire iSj 3- 4. y '•'^'^ -WI pa^, ,38 I NoklllKkN PHALAkOPE. 2. IioNAi'AkTKS Gill. 3. Wilson's ThkN. 4. HK.kkiM; Gull (Adult Male). 5. HiRRiNf; Glll (Young. First .Autumn I. Platk XVII. . , . 1. IJRANT. 2. Wilson's pKTkF.L 3. ROSKAIK TKkV. 4- Canada G< xj.sk. Pl.ATK XVIII. . . . 1. WoolMoCK. 2. Canvas-Ha. K Dl'CK 3- MAi.i.Akii Dcr K. 4- lii.Ai K 1)1 «:k. 5. Ki 11 v I)n K. Pa-e r64 Page 3if ?f ILLUSTRATIONS. I'l.Aii XIX /'<',.v 350 , Pi. ATI; XX. 1. Gadwai.l Duck. 2. Scaup Dtck. 3. AMI.RH AN Gii1.|)|;N-EVK. 4. H/KLK(jri.N Duck. 5. Slrf Dl'ck. /'.\. 3. likU.NMCH's MlRRE. 4. Plkfix. 5. King Eidkr. ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT. 87. yo. 91. 92. 93- 94 95- 96. 97- 98. 99. 100. lOI. 102. 103. 104. 106. IC7. loS. 109. 1 10. r 1 1. 112. "3- 114. Pas.sengkr Pigeon . . i Kkv \Vi:.st (^UAIL-Dovi. 9 MuuRM.Nt; Du\ 1: . . [I \Vii,i; TiRKiiv ... 15 l)Oi;-\Viirn: .... 23 Pk.urik Hen .... 35 SiiARi'-TAii ED Gruu.se 39 Sa.Miekli.ng .... 49 A.MERICAN OV.Sl'ER- Catcher .... 54 Ri.\. ; Plover .... 66 ]ii..\cK-l]EEMED Plover 6S Turnstone 71 Snowy Heron ... 86 Bl AC K-C RoWN EI ) N 1 1 ; 1 1 r Heron 91 Flamingo 104 Roseate Spoonimll . lOcS Wood Iins 1 10 Glossy Ir.is .... 114 HunsdNi.w CuRi.iAv . 120 Curlew Santptper . 125 RUKF-l^.REASTEI) S.WD- i'lPER 132 Purple Sandpiper . . 134 Knot 140 S em i-Palm ated S a n i >- piper 143 WiLEET 146 RUEF 150 Solitary Sandpiper . 157 Spotted Sandpiper . 160 Vo. '5- 16. 17- 16. 19. 20. 21. 26. 27- 28. 33- 34- 35- 36. J/ ■ 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43- Marbled Godwit . Wilson's Snipe . . Virginia Kail . . King K.vil .... Yellow Rail. . . American Coot . . Red Phalarope . . Co.MMON Tern . . Gull-Billed Tern . Arctic Tern . . . Caspian Tern . . Black Tern . . . Sai!Ine'.s Gull . . Laughing Gull Kittiwake .... Ivory Gull . . . Herring Gull . . Gi .\ucous Gull . . Great Black-Backed GULI Skua Pomarine Jaeger . Leach's Petrel . . Fulmar Greater Shearwater Yellow-Nosed Alp.a- TROSS Gre.\ter Snow Goose American \VinTE- Fronted Goose . . Canada Goose . . . Erant ...... 166 172 180 18S 194 IT 213 218 220 236 2_ll 244 246 24S 257 263 269 27 2 281 284 285 293 ILLUS'iRAlIONS. XI 144. 145. 146. 147- I4.\ i-VJ- 15c. OJ- 154. :>:)• 1 5(j. <57- 15s. Sikjvki.i.kk . . , Ci.MiWAl.l. . . I'lM All. . . . l;.\l.l)l'ATK . . WllKlKOX \V()(jD I)U( K . . (IkKK.N-WlNCl It Tl A.Ml-.KIC.W IjlU-.K M'l;l-' Sci.ill.K . . RkDHKAI) . . AMKKICAN SCAl 1' J) 1!U1 ri.l.-llLAl) llARLKQlIN DrCK UU) SnVAW . . Hu(j1)J:ij Mei'ga.\si:k 1. 300 309 3" 317 3-' 3-4 • ■>y ■ 3-10 " '•^ 343 • 347 • 35- ■ 355 Ak 159. CoKM<,)RANT , . . 160. CA.N.NKr .... 161. Ki;i)-l;il.|.i;lj iKoi'ic lilKli i6j. II(jk.m-.ij Gki i;i; . . 163. l'[i.i)-l;ii,i.i.i. (;ri i;k 164. L(ju.\ . . . . 165. Kl I) TllKoAl I I) L(M\ 166. 1!| Ai K C.t'II i : Mol 167. Ml'kRK l6S, KrUWICII'.S MlRRL 169. l)(i\ I.KIK . ... I/O. Pri'i'iN , . . , . 171. R.\Z(jR-i;n,i.i:i) .XiFK 172. Grkai Auk 375 3^' 3S(, 3SS 393 395 39^ 401 403 406 410 414 1 i PASSENGER PIGEON. WILD PIGEON. ECTOPISTF.S MIGRATORIUS. Char. Above, grayish blue, deeper on head and rump, back tinccd with brown; primaries l)lackisli with border of ]Kile bhie ; middle tail- feathers dusky, the remainder shading through blue to white ; neck with metallic reflections of golden purple and wine color ; under parts brown- ish red with a jmrple tint shading through purplish jiink to white. A't'st. In tree. — a frail platform of twigs. £,^xs- I or 2 ; dull white; r.45 X 1.05. The Wild Pigeon of America, so wonderful for its gregarious habits, is met with more or less according to circumstances V(^L. II. — 1 PIGEON TKIIiE. fnjin Mexico to Hudson 15ay, in which inhospitable region it is seen even in December, weathering tlie severity ut" the climate with indifference, and sui)porling itself upon the meagre buds of the juniper when the ground is hiddt-n by inundating snows, do the west it is found to the ba^)C of the Northern Andes, or i\.ocky Mountains, but docs nut appear to l)e known beyond this natural barrier to it.-, devious wanderings. As might be su])posed from its extraordinary history, it is formed with peculiar strength of wing, moving through the air with extreme rapidity, urging its tlight aLo by (juick and very muscular strokes. During the season of amorous address it olten Hies out in numerous ho\ermg cir- cles ; and while thus engaged, the ti[)s of the great wmg- feathers are heard to strike against each other so as to produce a very audible sound. 'I'he almost incredible and unjiaralleled associations which the species form with each other appear to have no relation wuh the usual motives to migration among other birds. .\ general and mutual attachment seems to occasion this congre- gating propensity. Nearly the whole species, which at any one time inhabit the continent, are found together in the same place ; they do not tly from climate, as they are cajxible of enduring its severity and extremes. They are even found to breed in the latitude of 51 degrees, round Hudson Bay and the interior of New Hampshire, as well as in the 32(1 degree in the dense forests of the great valley of the Mississippi. The accidental situation of their food alone directs all their move- ments ; while this continues to be supplied they sometimes remain sedentary in a particular district, as in the dense forests of Kentucky, where the great body remained for years in suc- cession, and were scarcely elsewhere to be found : and here, at length, when the mast happened to fail, they disappeared for several years. The ra])idity of flight, so necessary in their vast ilomestic movements, is sufficiently remarkable. The Pigeons killed near the city of New York have been found with their crops full of rice collected in the plantations of Georgia or Carolina ; l'A»EN(.EK I'lGEc^iN. c region y uf the jion the ddeii by r,e oi the it apl)ear devious aordiiiary ;. moving ht i\Uo by reason of .crnig cir- dtice o pro ons which [10 relation birds. A Ins congre- at any one the same capable of 11 found to n l>ay and |l degree in >pi. The heir move- sometimes use forests ars in suc- and here, isappeared [t domestic ?ons killed I their crops Ir Carolina ; anut the Hawk is not their only enemy : i';ns of thousands are killed in various ways by all the inhabitants far and near. The evolutions of the feeding Pigeons as they circle round are both beautiful and amusing. Aligiiting, they industriously search through the withered leaves for their favorite mast ; those behind are continually rising and passing forward in front, in such raj^id succession that the whole tlock, still cir- cling over the ground, seem yet on the wing. As the sun begins to decline, they depart in a body for the general roost, which 's often hundreds of miles distant, and is generally chosen in the tallest and thickest forests, almo.st divested of underwood. Nothing can exceed the waste and desolation of these nocturnal resorts ; the vegetation becomes buried by their excrements to the depth of several inches. The tall trees for thousands of acres are completely killed, and the ground strewed with m.assy branches torn down b\- rhe clustering weight of the birds which have rested upon them. The whole region for several years presents a continued scene of devastation, as if swept by the resistless blast of a whirlwind. The Honorable T. H. Perkins informs me that he has seen one of these desolated roosting grounds on the borders of Lake Champlain in New York, and that the forest to a great extent presented a scene of total ruin. The breeding-places, as might naturally be expected, differ Irom the roosts in their greater extent. In 1807, according to A\'ilson, one of these immense nurseries, near Shelbyville in Kentucky, \vas sew ral miles in breadth and extended through the woods for upwards of forty miles. After occupying this situation for a succession of seasons they at length abandoned fi I'ASSENGKk rU iKoN. 5 ind they iroach of ions are ;e placid . concen- g sweeps iieanders :hoasands .md near, round are Ivistriously •ite mast ; orward in ;, still cir- )dy for the ant, and is sts, almost 1 waste and becomes ral inches, illed, and a by ihe ipon them, nued scene whirlwind. IS seen one rs of Lake reat extent 'C ted, differ ccording to Ibyville in led through iipying this abandoned v? it, and removed sixty or t-ighty miles off to the bank^ df dreen Kivfr in thi- >ame State, w!ierc they congregated m (.-(lual numbers. These situations seem regulated by the prospect of a NUpplv of food, such as beech and (jak mast. 'I'Ik-}' also i'jL-d ou most kinds of jiulst.' and grain, as well as wJKHtle- l)i.rries, with those of the holly and nettle tree. W'iNou often counted upwards of ninety nests in a single tree, and the whole forest was filled with them. These frail cradles for the young are merely formed of a few slender dead twigs negligently i)Ut togetlier, and with so little art that the concavity aj)pcars scarcely sufficient for the transient reception of the young, who are readily seen through this thin fiooring from below. The eggs are white, as usual, and only two in number, one of them abortive, according to Wilson, and producing usually but a single bi''d. Audubon, however, asserts that there are two, as in the tame Pigeons, where the number of the sexes in this faithful tribe are almost uniformly e([ual. '1 heir c(>oi/ii( call, billing, and general demeanor are apparently (juite similar to the l)ehavior of the domestic species in the breeding-season. iJinls of jirey, and rapacious animals generally, are pretty regular attendants upon these assailable communities. I'ut their most destructive enemy is man ; ans, or young Pigeons, of which three or four broods are produced in the season, are extremely fat and palatable, and as well as the old birds killed at the roosts are often, with I'IGKON TRII'.E. ;i waiuon i)n)(liLMlily ;;ncl l)ro(li,^ilJU^( slaughter, strewed (ju the L^rouiid a> tatu-iiin.u; fixul for thr ho^^s. At the rocjsts the (Icstniction i:i iio 1l>s extensive; {^uins, chibs, long poles, pots of burning siil[»lnu-, and every other engine of d'. stru( tiun which wanton avarice can brnig forward, are all eniploNed against llu- swarming host. Indeed for a time, in manv places, nothing scarcely is seen, talked of, or eaten, but Pigeons. In the Atlantic States, where the flocks are less abi.ndant, the gun, dec(jy, and net are put in operation against the devoted throng. Twenty or even thirty dtzen have been cauglit at a single sweep of the net. Wagon-loads of them are pin'.red into market, where they are sometimes sold for no more than a cent ai)iece. Their combined movements are also sometimes sufficiently extensive. The Honorable T. H. Perkins remarks that about the year i 79S, while he was pass- ing through New Jersey, near Newark, the flocks continued to pass for at least two hours without cessation; and he learnt from the neighboring inhabitants that in descending upon a large pond to tlrink, those in the rear, alighting on the backs of the first that arrived (in the usual order of their movements on land to feed), pressed them beneath the surfiice, so that tens of thousands were thus drowned. They were likewise killed in great numbers at the roosts with clubs. Down to twenty years ago immen.^e fiocks of Pigeons were seen yearly in every State of New England, and they nested n\ communities that were reckoned by lliousands. Now, in place of the myriads that gathered here, only a few can be found, and these are scatteied during the breeding-season, — each pair selecting an isolated site for the nest. Twenty years ago the Wild Pigeon was exceedingly abundant in the Maritime Provinces of Canada: now it is rare. Mcllwraith sends a similar report from Ontario. Wheaton, in Ohio, finds it " irregular and uncommon," and writes of the " throngs " that formerly nested there. Ridgeway says nothing of its occurrence in Illinois to-day, but repeats the story of the older observers, to whom it was familiar. Warren says it appears in Pennsylvania in the fall, but no longer in the abundance of former years. To- day we riust go to the upper regions of the Mississippi valley and ^f th( wniTE-cK' tWNKn I'ir.roN. [ on the losts llie Ics, pols ,t.ni(tii)n mploycd .n many ten, bui brndant, linsl the avc bcL-n i of them ,1(1 for no iicnts are ble l'. H. was pass- iitinued to he learnt ig upon a le backs of ements on at tens of killed in [eons were nesled n\ in place of and these ; electing an abundant in Mcllwraith hio, finds it ,ags" diat occurrence observers, ennsylvania years, lo- valley and ;ii ihe heavily iimhered di.>trif.> ui .MiehiuMn to tiiul large Hocks of ligeons, and even there wc can rind but a remnant of the hosts that assembled in those regions a tew years ago. The most important of recent contributions to the biography of this si)eiies is Mr. William lireuster's a'ticjr in "'Ihe Auk" for October. 18.S9. He tells there of a -nesting"" in Michigan in 1S77 that covered an area' twenty-eight miles long and tiiree to four miles wide, and says ; " Kor t!ie entire distance of t\veiity-ei;.;ht miles everv tree of any size had more or less nests, and nuuiy tree.> were filled with them." Brewster visited Michigan in iSSS, and lieard that a large riock !iad passed over the nortliern .section of the southern penninsula. l)u' t liad gone farther nortii l)efore nesting. — he could not find it. He thinks the tlock was sutiiciently large to stock the Western States again, were these birds protected for a few years from the terrific slaugluer that now imperils their existence : lor it is simply this slaughter that has dimini.slied tlie numbers of the jjirds. Tliere is no mysterv aliout their disappearance, as many writers iiave tried to represent. Doubtless this species has been irregular in appear- ing in any given locality at all times, the movements of the tlock.s being influenced by the food supply. Hut the Pigeons have been e.xterminated in t!ie East just as they are being exterminated in the West, — bv -netting." One old netter tolcl Mr. Brewster that during 1881 as many as five hundred men were engaged in nettmg Pigeons in Michigan, and. said he, -'They ca])tured on the average twenty thiiu>and apiece during the season."' At this rate the Pigeon will soon ioin the buffalo on that list so di.sgraceful to humanity, "the extinct species.*" — a list that will be filled rapidly if a check is not iir.t on men's avarice and the law's shameful negligence. WHITE-CROWNED PICiEON. COLL'MB.\ LEUCOCF.PHAL.\. ' rfAK. (ieneral color dark slate blue, darker on winps and tail, p.-iler below ; ui)per part of head white ; cape on hind neck of rich maroon, and below it a band of metallic green, each feather bordered with scale-like liatches of black. Length about i^Ji inches. AV.fA In low tree or bush, made of twigs and roots, lined with gr.ass Ei.'l^s. 2; white; 1.40 v 1.05. This species, well known as an inhabitant of Mexico and the West Indies, is also gregarious, and found in great numbers 8 I'ICJLON TKIIit:. on tin- rocks of the l-'lorida Keys, where it breeds in society .111(1 when llrst seiMi in the s|)ring feeds i)rin(:ii);illy upcjn the bceeh-phnn and .he berries of a kind of pahn. Kroia the pecuhar seK( t'on of its hri'edin,i,'-pla(;es it is known in some of the W t -.1 ., particularly Janiaiea, St. I )oniin^'o, and I'orto Rico, by the name of Rock Pigeon, it likc.vise abounds in the llahama islands, and f(jrms an important article of food to the inhai)itants, — particularly the young birds as they become fully grown. .According to .\udubon, these birds arrive on the s(juthern keys of the Floridas, from the island of Cuba, from tl.e 20th of April to the ist of May, remaining to breed tluring the >um- mer season. 'I'hey are at all times extremely shy and wary, remaining so indeed even while incubating, skii)ping from the nests and taking to wing without noise, and remaining off sometimes as much as half an hour at a time. In the month of May the young s(iuabs are nearly able to lly, and are killed in great numbers by the wreckers who \isit the ke)s. The nest ih ])laced on the summit of a cactus shoot a few feet from the ground or on the u])i)er branches of a mangrove, or (]uite low impending over the water; externally it is comjjosed of small twigs, and lined with grass and fibrous roots. The eggs are two, white, rather roundish, and as large as those of the domestic Pigeon. This bird has apparently several broods in the season. His cooing may be heard to a considerable ilis- tance ; after a kind of crowing ]:)relude he repeats his /v/^ k/x^ kop. When suddenly ai^proached, he utters a hollow guttural sound, like the Common Pigeon. White-crowned Pigec^ns are easily domesticated, and breed in that state freely. About the beginning of October they are very numerous, and then return to pass the winter in the West India islands. society )on the rum tlio scMiie of 1(1 I'urto junds in food to become s(juthern he 2oih the >uin- nd wary, from the ming off \v month lie killed vs. I'he feet from • or quite posed of The eggs e of the ,i )roods in T able dis- "f i i /:('<> k(>o guttural 1 [eons are 3 liMUt the ■J t\\ return 4 KKV WKSr QIAIL-DOVE. rAKTKIIXiK PKiKoX. ( JK( tlRVGON MARI INUA. Char. Above, reddish purple, tlic iicik and liead with metallic retlcc- tioiis ui green ; beluw, pale viiiaceoiis, lading to white un chin, and x.>y buff on under taiVcovcrts; white of chin extends below the eyes. Length about II inches. Xest. In low branches, sometimes on the ground ; made of liulu twigs. Eg^s. 2; white: 1.40 X i.oo. This beautiful species, orig nally discovered in Jamaica, was found by Audubon to be a summer resident on the island u( Kev West, near the extremity of East Florida ; it retires \n winter to the island of Cuba. Its flight is low, swift, and protracted, keeping in loose flo( ks or families of from five or six to a dozen. These dwell chiefly in the tangled thickets, but go out at times to the shore to feed and dust themselves. This bird contracts and spreads out its neck in the usual manner oJ Pigeons. Its cooing is not so soft or prolonged a> that of the Common Dove ; the sound resembles 7i>hoe 7i>hoi'- oh-oh-oh-oh. When surprised, it gives a guttural, gasping sound, somewhat like that of the Common Pigeon in the same circumstances. Quail Doves keep usually near shady secluded ponds in the thickest places, and perch on the low branches of the trees. The nest is formed of light dry twigs, sometimes 10 I'IGtON TKIIJK. oil tlu' ;^r()unkiitler twi^'",. ( )ii the joili of May it will eontain two whitL- I'ffus. aJMKj^t traiisluient. in July the>e |)i;4eoas come out of the thic ket> in llocks of all aj,'fs, an«l fretpienting the roads to ilust theinsii\e>, an* then easily procured and conr^idered yood food. rhe\' (cvd chielly on berries ami ^eeds, and it:irti( nlarly the sta-urape. They depart for I uba ur tlie otiier West India islands ,d)out the middle of October. This s])L'( ics is now met with onlv on Kcv West and the ex- • 0 0 trcnie southern isl.uuls of Morida. and even there is a rare bird. Nori;. — A specimen of the Kl ODV Oi' ail-dove {Gt'otiyc^fln ttioiitinid) was capturud on Key West in December, l8S8. the first taken within tlie borders ot North America. /I.NAIDA DOVE. ZeNAIDA ZF.NAIliA. ( iiMx. Above, olive gray with .1 red tinge; top of head and under parts purplish red; neck wiili metallic reflections; a black jiatch on wing-coverts; tail with terminal band ut black tipped with white. Lenj;th about 10 inches. A't'st. In low bush ; a slight affair of fine twig>. The nests are some- times placed on the sand and concealed by tuft- of grass, and these ground-nests are compactly built of leaves and grass. /;■;,■;'•'■• :; white ; 1.20 X 0.95. This beautiful little species inhabits the Keys of Florida, but is rare. Individuals have been foun»l in the neighboring island of ( "uba. They keep much on the ground, where they dust themselves and swallow gravel to assist digestion. When rising on the wing, the same whistling noise is heard from the motion of their wings, as is the case ot the common Carolina Turtle Dove. MnrRXiNC, \)()\'K. CAROLINA |)(»\i:. TIKTI.E DOVK. /.IN \I1H k\ MAI Ui iIUA. Char Male: abovr, grayish liliic, tlie l)ack washed with brownish olive: sides of head and nucix ami br(.a>t purplish red; Ix-Ily buninh ; sidfs of ncck witli metallic rctkctions ; a black .-pot on the cheeks; tail with bar cif black, uiucr fuatht.rs brIi nv on fence rail it rr.rk. — a mere platform nadely made- of twigs. £-.'.-. .2-4 (ustiallv J); white; i.r; X 0..S5. This n'most familiar I'i^con in the course of the sprinij leisurely migrates through the interior as far as to ("anacia, though in the Eastern States it is rarely met with to the north of ( "onnecticut. Many apjiear sedentar)' in the warmer Slates, where they breed as far south as Louisiana. They are also said to inhabit the .Antilles, and we saw them not uncom- mon in the Territory of Oregon. In the warmer parts of the L'nion they commence laying early in April, and in South Carolina I heard their plaintive coo on the 29th of Januarj' ; but at the e.xtremity of their range they scarcely begin to breed before the middle of May. They lay. as usual, two eggs. of a pure white, and make their nest in the horizontal branches of a tree. It is formed of a mere layer of twigs so loosely and slovenly put together as to appear scarcely sufficient to pre- vent the young from falling out. 12 ri(;KUX TRIBE. I!y the first fine days of the early Southern sj^ring we hear from the biuklin!^^ trees of the forest, or the already blooming thicket, the mourntul call of the Carolina Turtle I)ove. com mencing as it were with a low and plaintive sigh, a\i;h <<'> loo coo, re])eated at imjiressive inter\als of half a minute, and heard distinctly to a considerable distance through the •^till and balmy air of the reviving season. This sad but ])lea>ing note is also more distinguished at this time, as it seeks the noon-day warmth in which to utter its complaint, and where it is now heard without a rival. The flight of this species is rapid and protracted, and, as usual in the genus, accompanied by a very audible whistling noise ; the birds fly out often In wide circles, but sel. with other kinds according to the season. In the nuptial period the wide circling flight of the male is often repeated around his mate, towards whom he glides with wings and tail expanded, and gracefully alights on the same or some adjoining tree, where she receives his attentions or fosters her eggs and infant brood. On alighting, they spread out their flowing train in a graceful attitude, accompanying the motion by a clucking and balancing of the neck and head evincing the lively emotion and mutual affection they cherish. When the female now con- fines herself to her eggs, her constant mate is seen feeding her with a delicate and assiduous attention. The roosting places preferred by the Carolina Turtle Doves are among the long and unshorn grass of neglected fields, in the slight shelter of corn-stalks, or the borders of meadows ; they also occasionally seek harbor among the rustling and fall- ing leaves, and amidst the thick branches of various ever- I GROUND DOVE. 13 up a greens. lUit in every situation, even though in darkness, they are so vigilant as to fly at the instant of approach. They do not huddle together, but take u[) their rest in solitude, though a whole llock may be in the same field ; they also fretiuently re>ort to the same roosting jjlaces, if not materially molested. It is a hardy species, enduring consitlerable cold, and indi- viduals remain even in the Middle as well as the Southern Stales throughout the year. 'I'hese birds are far less gregarious and migratory than is the common Wild Pigeon. \\ hen their food becomes scanty in the fields in the course of the winter, they approach the farm, feeding among the poultry with the lUackbirtls, Sparrows, and other guests of the same accidental bounty, and if allowed without reprisal, appear as gentle as Domestic Doves. Raised from the nest, they are easily tamed, an 1 mstances are known of their breeding in confinement. 'Yhvir Hesh is also much esteemed, and l)y some considered as scarcely mferior to that of the Sni])e or Woodcock. The Mourning Dove is a common summer resident of portions of southern New JMigland. and occurs sparingly northward to New Urunswick. Mr. Mcllwraitii reports it breeding sparingly in soutliern Ontario. m a and otion con- g her GROUND DOVE. Sw.r ik . COI.U.MBIGALLIXA I'ASSF.KIXA TERRESTRIS. Char. Back and rump grayish olive, head and neck purplish red glossed with blue, the feathers edged with grayish olive ; wings like hack, but tinged with purple and spotted with steel blue ; central tail-feathers like back, outer feathers blackish with paler tips ; lower parts purplish red, tlie feathers of the breast streaked with grayish olive ; bill yellow, tipped with black ; feet yellow. Female and young paler, grayer, and without the jnirple tints. Length 6/2 inches. A'tst. On a tree, usually on a low branch, but sometimes 15 to 20 feet from the ground ; little more than a platform of twigs. £,i,'gs. 2 ; dull white or creamy; 0.S5 X 0.65. 1 he Oround Dove is an inhabitant of all the States of the Union south of Virginia, and is met with also in the West Indies. It is common in the sea islands of the Southern 14 PIGEON TRIBE. States, particularly in South Carolina and (leorgia, where it is seen in small tlocks of from fifteen to twenty. 'I'hese binb are found usually upon the ground, and prefer the o{)en fields and cultivated tracts to the woods; their llight is seldom pro- tracted, as they fly out commonly only to short distances, though on the approach of winter they retire to the islands and milder jxirts of the continent, arriving again at their northern resorts early in April. Like some other species, they have a frecjuent jetting motion with the tail, and the usual tender cooing and gesticulations of the tribe. 'I'hey feed on various seeds and berries, particularly on those of the tooth- ache tree, near which they are frequently seen in the season. They likewise feed on rice and other small grain, antl become easily tamed and reconciled to the cage ; in this way they are also occasionally fattened for the table, and arc particularly esteemed by the French planters. The Ground Dove is still a common bird in the South, and wanders orcasionally as far north as the District of Columbia. BLUE-HEADED QUAIL-DOVE. SlARXfENAS CYANOCEPHALA. Char. Above, olive brown ; crown rich blue, bordered by black ; a wide stripe of white from chin to back of neck ; below, russet, the breast tinged with purple ; throat black, edged with white. Length 1 1 inches. A'l-s/. On a tree or low busii ; a platform of loosely arranged twigs. i5^yj. 1-2; white; 1.40 X 105. This species was observed by Audubon on the island of Key West early in ^Lly, — probably soon after its arrival from Cuba, where it abounds. It is rarely to be seen, from its habit of keeping on the ground and living among dense thickets. 'I'hese birds also inhabit Jamaica and Cuba, and in the latter island they are commonly caught in traps, and brought to market in great numbers, being esteemed as food. They admit of being tamed, but when tame refuse to propagate. The tail is carried downwards, as in the Partridge. They keep in small bands, are chiefly seen on the ground, on which they often s(|uat, and do not roost on trees. i ere it is ic birds 11 fields jm [)ro- btances. islands at their es, they le usual feed on e tooth- season, become they are ticularly )uth, and ibia. jlaok ; a le l)rcast inches, twigs. and of al from its habit thickets. e latter ujiht to They jjjagate. ey keep ch they I WILD TURKEY. IV-^^ :>Va-"''. Meleagris galt.opavo. Char. General pluiiiage coppery bronze, with metallic reflections of copper color, green, and purple, the feathers edged with rich black ; iicad and neck naked, and of blue color studded with excrescences of jjurpiish red ; tail dark chestnut, with bars and a broad subterminal band of l:)lack ; upper tail-coverts and tips of tail-feathers chestnut ; wings duskv, banded by dull white. Male with a conspicuous tuft of bristles depending from the breast. Female similar, but paler and duller Length about 4S inches. dVt'st. Under a bush or amid thick undergrowth or tall weeds, or beneath brush heap ; a depression in the ground — natural or scratched out — lined with leaves, grass, or leathers. E,i^gs. 10-15 (usually 12) ; rich cream color or pale buff, spotted with bright brown ; size variable, averaging about 2.50 X i.So. The Wild Turkey, once prevalent throughout the whole continent of North America, from Mexico and the Antilles to the forests of Lower Canada, is now, by the progress and den- sity of population, chiefly confined to the thickly wooded and uncultivated tracts of the Western States, being pariicularly abundant in the unsetded i)arts of Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and throughout the vast forests of the great valleys of the Mississippi and Missouri. On the banks of the latter f i6 TL'RKKVS AM) PHEASANTS. river, however, where the woods disappear beyond the ( ontlu- ence of the Platte, the Turkey no longer ai)pears ; and the feathers of the wings, for the purpose of pluming arrows, form an article of small commerce between the other natives and their Western countrymen. For a thousand miles up the Arkansas and Red River, in the wooded alluvial lands, they are not uncommon. They are met with in small numbers in Tennessee, Alabama, and \Vest Florida, and are also abundant in Texas ; but none have been found in the Rocky Mountains or to the westward of them. From the Atlantic States gener- ally they are now nearly extirpated. According to Audubon, a few of these valuable birds are yet found in the States of New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine. The Wild Turkey is neither gregarious nor migratory, but from the necessity of wandering after food ; it is otherwise resident throughout the whole of the vast region it inhabits, including the greatest diversity of climate, and it is prolific in proportion to its natural resources ; so that while in the United States and Canada it only breeds once in the year, in Jamaica and the other West India islands it is said to raise two or three broods in the same period. In quest of mast, these birds therefore spread themselves through the country and insensibly assemble in considerable numbers to the district where their food abounds. These movements are observed to take place early in October. The males, or goi>l>krs, as they are often called, from their note, are now seen apart from the other sex in companies varying from ten to a hun- dred. The females move singly, or accompanied by their almost independent brood, who all at first assiduously shun the persecuting society of the selfish male. Vet after a while, when their food i)roves abundant, separate mixed flocks of all ages and sexes often promiscuously join in the bounteous repast. Their migration — very unlike that of the rapid Pigeons — is made almost entirely on foot until their progress is perhaps arrested by a river. Their speed, however, is very consider- able, and when surprised they more commonly trust to their legs than their wings, running nearly with the velocity of a % 4 WILD TLRKEV. 17 conflu- md the vs, form ves and up the ds, they nbers in bundant ountains s gener- lubon, a i of New tory, but )ther\vise inhabits, irohfic in e United Jamaica two or Lst, these itry and district bserved \/>/t'n\ as ■n apart a hun- .)y their ;hun the |a while, •ks of all hunteous Pigeons [perhaps lonsider- Ito their jity of a hound. On meeting with an impcdinient of this kind, after considerable delay they ascend to the tops of the tall trees, and at the cluck of the leader they launch into the air for the opi)Osite shore. The transit is a matter of little difficulty, though considerable labor, for the older birds ; but the younger and less robust sometimes {M short of the bank, and are either drowned, or attain the land by swimming. After crossing, it is remarked that they often become an easy prey to the hunter, as they seem bewildered by the new country in which they have arrived, or more probably are fiitigued by the novelty and extent of their excursion. .After long journeys and privations, particularly in frosty weather or while the ground is covered with snow, they are sometimes reduced to the necessity of making their appearance near farm-houses, where they now and then even associate with the poultry and enter the stables and cribs after grain. In this desultory and foraging mar.' cr they spend the autumn and winter. .According to the latitude and the advancement of the sea- son, thttugh always very early in the sjiring, they begin to be actuated by the instinct of propagation. 'Jhe males commence their gobbling and court the society of their retiring mates. The sexes roost ajiart. but in the same vicinity, and at the yelp of the female the gobbling becomes reiterated and extravagant. If heard from the ground, a general rush ensues Lo the spot; and whether the hen appears or not, the males, thus acciden- tally brought together, spread out their train, quiver p. id depress their rigid wings, and stnitting and i)uffing with a pompous gait, often make battle, and directing their blows at the head, occasionally destroy each other in a fit of jealousv. As with our domestic fowls, several hens usually follow a favor- ite cock, roosting in his immediate neighborhood until they begin to lay, when they withdraw from his resort to save their eggs, which he would destroy if discovered. The females are therefore seen in his company only for a few hours in the dav. Soon after this period, however, the male loses his ardor, and the advances of affection now become reversed, the hen seek- ing out the society of her reluctant mate. In moonlight nights vol.. II. — 2 i8 TURKEYS A\D I'lIEASAN IS. the gobbling of the male is heard at intervals of a few minutes for hours together, and affords often a gratifying means of their discovery to the wakeful hunter. After this i)eriod the males become lean and emaciated so as to be even unable to tly, and seek to hiile themselves from their mates in the closest thick- ets, where they are seldom, seen. They now also probably undergo their moult, and are so dry, lean, and lousy, until the ri[K'ning of the mast and berries, as to be almost wholly indi- gestible and destitute of nutriment as footl. So constant is this imjioverished state that the Indians have a pro' erb, " As lean as a 'I'urkey in summer." About the middle of April, in Kentucky, the hens begin to provide for the reception of their eggs and secure their pros- pects of incubation. The nest, merely a slight hollow s( ratched in the ground and lined with withered leaves, is made by the side of a fallen log or beneath the shelter of a thicket in a dry place. Th eggs, from lo to 15, are whitish, covered with red dots and measuring two and seven eighths inches in length by two in breadth, and rather pointed. While lading, the female, like the domestic bird, always apj^roaches the nest with great caution, varying the course at almost every visit and often concealing her eggs entirely by covering thera with leaves. Trusting to the similarity of her homely garb with the withered foliage around iier, the hen, as with several other birds, on being carefully ai)i)roached sits close widiout mov- ing. She seldom indeed abandons her nest, and her attach- ment increases with the growing life of her charge. The domestic bird has been known, not unfrequently. to sit stead- fastly on her eggs until she dietl of hunger. As soon as the young have emerged from the shell and begun to run about, the parent by her cluck calls them around her and watches with redoubled suspicion the approach of their enemies, which she can perceive at an almost inconceivable distance. To avoid moisture, which miglit prove fatal to them, they now keep on the higher sheltered knolls ; and in about a fortnight. Histead of roosting on the ground, they begin to fly at night to some wide and low branch, where they still continue to nestle at t I WILD TLRKEV. 19 .'\v minutes ins of their I tlic males to fly, and Dsest thick- o probably y, until the vholly indi- constant is •O' .-rb, "As 'US begin to their pros- w scratched nade by the thicket in a overed with es in length laying, the he nest with visit and them with rb with the veral other iihout mov- her attach- arge. The to sit stead - .oon as the run about, \nd watches mies. which stance. To , they now a fortnight, ' at night to ue to nestle s i under the extended wings of their protecting parent. .At length they resort during the day to more open tracts or ])rairies, in quest of berries of various kinds, as well as grass- hoi)pers and other msects. The old birds are very partial lo pecan nuts, winter grapes, and other kinds of fruits. They also ea: buds, herbs, grain, and large insects ; but their most gen- eral and important fare is acorns, after which they make exten- sive migrations. \)y the month of August the young are nearly independent of their parent, and become enabled to attain a safe roost in the higher branches of the trees. The young cocks now show the tuft of hair upon the breast and begin to strut and gobble, and the yovmg hens already j-urr and leap. One of the most crafty enemies which the Wild 'i'urkey has to encounter is the lynx, or wild-cat, who frecjuently seizes his prcv by advancing round and waiting its approach in ambush. Like most other (lallinaceous birds, these Turkeys are fond of wallowing on the ground and dusting themselves. When approached by moonlight, they are readily shot from their roosting-tree, one after another, without any aj^jjrehfnsion of their danger, though they would dodge or fly instantly at the sight of the Owl. The (iobblers, during the season of their amorous excitement, have been known even to strut over their dead companions while on the ground, instead of seek- ing their own safety by flight. In the spring the male Turkeys are called by a whistle made of the second joint-bone of the wing of the bird, which })ro- (luces a sound somewhat similar to the voice of the female : i)pa\ on coming up to this call they are consequently shot. They are likewise commonly caught in quadrangular pens made of logs crossing each other, from which is cut a slanting covered passage sufficient to allow the entrance of the lurkey. Corn is then scattered in a train to this cage for some distance as well as within ; and the neighboring birds in the surround- ing woods having discovered the grain, call on each other by a clucking, and entering one \i a time, they become secured in the pen, as, for the purpose of escape, they constantly direct their view upwards instead of stooping to go out by the path which they had entered. 20 TURKEYS AND I'lIEASANTS. The niale Wild Turkey weighs commonly from 15 to 18 pounds, is not imfre([uentlv as much as 25, and sometimes, acconling to Audubon, even 36. The hen c(jmmonly weighs about 9 pounds, and the usual price for a Turkey iunn the Intlians is 25 cents. The domestic bird, when irritated by the sight of any remarkable object, struts out with exjxmded tail, and drooping his stiffened wings, swells out his wattles, which become red and turgid, and advancing with a grave and haughty air, utters a humming sound, now and then accomi)a- nied by a harsh and dissonant >7//C', orook, orook, repeating it at every whistle or unusual sountl that strikes his ear. The exhibition of a red rag is also sure to excite his wrath and induce him to rush with stupid temerity at the disagreeable object which he exerts himself to injure or destroy. A whole flock sometimes will unite in chasing a common cock from the poultry yard in conse(iuence merely of some whimsical antip- athy. From these singular dislikes, this cowardice and folly, the 'I'urkey bears in France the same proverbal imputation of stupidity which in England is bestowed on the (loose. The feathers of the wild bird, attached to strips of bass, were anciently employed by the aborigine.^ for tippets and cloaks, and were so arranged that the brilliant surface formed the outside of the dress ; and in later times similar dresses have also been made by the Cherokees. The Turkey was first sent from ^^exico to Spain in the six- teenth century, and in the reign of Henry VIII., in the year 1524, it was introduced into England, and soon after into France and other portions of Europe. Since Nuttall wrote, this famous bird has become extinct in the New England States, as well as in Canada. Very early in colonial days it had disappeared from the Province of Quebec, for at the height of its abundance this bird was found only within a limited area along the valley of the Ottawa, in the vicinity of the Chaudiere Falls, — if I correctly mterpret the words of Pierre Bouche. who was governor of the l^rovince in 1663. By some chance several small flocks survived to a much later date in Ontario. Mcllwraith reports that it was numerous along the southern border as late as 1856, and he thinks a few still remain. WILD 11 KKEV, 21 In New En<,Mand, as in Quebec, the early settlers made havoc with tile flocks, and drove into the wiklerness tiiose they ilid not destroy. John Josselyn, writinij in 1O7;:. states that the bird was l)ecominely .uranged leaves and grass. Occa- sionally a deserted nest in a tree has been used. .£<;;.>'. '"^-'4 (usually about 12, sometimes l6 or 20), olive brown, some- times bluish green ; 1.S5 X i-45' I iiave called this the •' Knt^lisli " Pheasant to clistinujuish it from other species that have been introduced into this country. In England it is known as "Pheasant," or " Common I'heasant." It is not indigenous to Oreat Pritain, though when it was intro- duced there is not known, some writers asserting that it was carried by the Romans, while otiiers consider the Norman Con- quest resjjonsible for its introduction. The true home of the bird is the valleys of the Caucasus and the eastern shores of the Cas- pian Sea. hut it has been introduced into almost every country of luuopL'. In (ireat Pritain very few' thorough-bred specimens are to be found, most of the birds displaying a collar of white. — which proves their relationship to the Ring-necked Pheasants brought from China. Other species, as well, have been introduced and suc- cessfully bred with both true colchic7is- and hybrids. Within a few years the present species has been introduced into this country by Mr. C. P. Cory — who loosed several pairs on Great Island, off the southern shore of Cape Cod — and by a club of sportsmen who liave stocked Jekyl Island, on the Georgian coast. Poth colonies have become naturalized and are increasing. .Several other species have been imported from China and Japan, and liberated in Oregon and British Columbia, where they are Increasing rapidly. gated to l)e s arc Ijiuwn clistril)iitcil 1 bliii.', witli acli Iciithcr die feathers ow bars oi irlvcr l)rtnvn It 3 feet ; of iied out by ass. Occa- ■(jwii, somc- isli it from untrv. In Pheasant." iwas intro- at it was man Con- the bird the Cas- oiintry of mens are -wliich irousxht 1 and sile- nced into pairs on vy a ehil) rieoru:ian ;reasinijj. [d Japan, they are BOB-WHiri:. QUAIL. P.XRTRIDGE. Coi.rNTS VIR(;iN"I\Xts. Char. Above, reddish brown, mottled with gray, black, white, and buff; stripe over eyes and patch on throat white or biitfv white, dark- est in females: lower parts buffy white with brown and black markings. Length about lo inche>. y\W/. In pa.>ture or field, hid amid thick growth or under a bush or tuft of long grass : made of ^ -"ass. weeds, and leaves looselv arranged. -£•;:;'.?. S-20 (Usually 15 to iS, and a set of 2S has been lecorded); white ; 1.20 X 1. 00. The Panriflge of America, exceedingly i^rolific, has extended its colonies from the inclement coasts of \e\v laigland and the western plains of Miss limit, no doubt, is deter- mined by the length and severity of the winters which |)revail in this rigorous climate. They seldom migrate, exiept I'l ^hort (listances in (\\w>l n{ foot.1, and <;on>e«iuently oftiii piri^h beneath deep drifts of snow, so that their existence i> rendered impossible in the Arctic winters of our high latitudes. Indeed. st)metimes they have been m) thinned in thi> part of tiie coun- try that spcjri.men a(«|uainted with their local attac hments ha\e been known to introduce them into places for breeding and to prevent their threatened extermination. So sedentary arc ihc habits of this interoting bird that until the tlock is wholly routed by the unteeling hunter they continue faithfully attached to the neighborhood of the spot where they have been raised and sujjported. John>ton, \\ illoughby, and Ray di>tinguished the Mexican bird by the (|uaint title of the " (Quail's Image." i'he first settlers of New I'.nglaml also thought they saw in this familiar bird the (Juail of the country they had relinijuinhed. Tiie two birds are, however, too ilit'ferent to recjuire any < ritical comparison. Ours is even justly con»ideretl by Kuropean ornithologists as the type of a peculiar American genus, to which has been given the name of Oknx by Ste\ens, — the original api)cllation of the (Juail, or ]'t>,/i.\ re ////•// is, as known to the ancient (Ireeks. The name of Colin, contracted by lUiffon from the barbarous ajjpcllation of some Mexican spe- cies, has been adopted by C'uvier, Temminck, and Meillot. Although there is liOme general resemblance between the (^uail of the old and new continent in their external appearance, their habits and instincts are exceedingly different. 'Ihe true (^uail is a noted bird of passage, with a favorable wind leaving Kurojie for the warmer parts of Asia at the approach of winter ; and with an auspicious gale again returning in the spring, in i-Mch amazing numbers that some of the islands of the Archi- pelago derived their name from their abundant visits. On the west coast of Naples, within the small space of four or five miles as many as a hundred thousand have been taken in a day by nets. Our Partridge, though occupying so wide an extent of the noH-wiiiTi:. 25 Mexican I'Ik- first f;i miliar 1. The ( ritical [UropCvin mis. to — the known ted by n spc- ot. en the > ranee, If true eaving u inter ; ng. in \rchi- )n the c miles lay by of the \tlantic and Western Slates, ami even pcnetratinp into Mexico, is scarcely ever a bird of passage ; it only as^»emble> in single fimilics, which nviy sometimes be rediuetl to four or five by .iccidenls, and at others iiK reaseil to twenty or thirty. The instinctive sociability of this bird continues uniformly, until inierrupted in the spring by the desire of pairing. .\t this s.ea>on the eager call of the male is often heard, but it nearly ctrases when he is mated, and is only long continued b> those who are dissatisfied and have been unsuccessful in their con- nections ; and bv imitating the reply of the female, the male is easily decoyed to approat h tcnvards the enemy who thus allures him. < )n these occasions, when the rival caii«iiuale5> hap]»en to meet, they exhibit, the only time in their lives, a qiiarrelsome disposition, fighting with obstinacy, until the < on- lented victor at last gains the fiekl with his submissive male. The conjugal selection being now com luded, they are not exceeded by any of the feathered race in their mutual attach- ment and common affection for their brood. In the vagrant Quail, the want of reciprocal and durable attachment gives rise to a wholly different character in instinctive morality, a com- naon concubinage prevailing among them, as with our Cow Troo]»ials. Instead of the mild sociability so prevalent with our Partridge, they are pugnacious to rt proverb : " As quarrel- some as Quails in a cage." was an ancient reproof to striving children. Their selfishness forbids all mutual alliance, and thev only find safety from each other in roaming solitude. Partridges are not partial to the depths of the forest, thoutrh they sometimes seek the shelter of trees, and perch on the low branches or hide amongst the bnish and under\vood. Their favorite food, however, commonly conducts them to the open fields, where they glean up various kinds of grain, and are particularly fond of rye and buckwheat, as well as Indian corn ; and when not too much disturbed by the sfx^rts- ooan, will often, particularly in the autumn and winter, fearlessly assemble along the most public roads, or around the bam and stable, in search of a scanty pittance among the domes- tic fowls ; like them, also, very industriously scratching u;> 26 GROUSE FAMILY straw, and probably the ground, in quest of grain and insects which, with seeds and various kinds of buds and berries, as well as broken acorns, according to the season, often consti- tute a considerable part of their native diet. Remaining with us commonly the whole year, the little social band often suffer from the inclemency of the seasons. At this time they perch together on some rising ground beneath the shelter of brush or briers, and forming a close circle, with their heads outward to discern any ajjproach of danger, they thus greatly aid each other by their mutual warmth to resist the chilling effects of frost. It is probable, however, they have no great fear of snow when together, as they may often be seen patiently encountering the storm, as its white wreaths invade them, and fret^uently on the arrival of a thaw, unfortunate coveys, suspecting no danger, are found buried beneath the inundating waste, huddled together in their accustomed man- ner. They are observed even, on the approach of danger, to rush into the snow for shelter , and it is only when the drift becomes so consolidated by a frozen glazing of sleet as to resist all their efforts to move that it proves their grave, rather than their retreat. .\s they happen to afford a fovorite and delicate article of food, every means which gun and trap can effect are put in operation against the innocent race. Their very sociability often affords means for their destniction : for while crowded together in a ring, a dozen or more have been killed at a shot ; and the small remains of the unfortunate covey, feeling their weakness and solitude, are said to join some neighboring brood, for whom they soon form the same friendly attachment they had for the fraternity they have lost. From the latter end of August to the month of March, the markets of all our principal cities are often stocked with this favorite game. Some time in the month of May the Quail, at the bottom of a sheltering tuft of grass, scratches out a cavity for her nest, which is usually lined substantially with such withered leaves and drj' grass as happen to be convenient. Though generally II BOB-WHITE. 27 le of )ut in bility )\v(led ,hot ; their rood, had 1. the this open, it is sometimes partially covered by art and accident ; hut no studious concealment is ever practised by this artless bird. The eggs are from 15 to 20; antl unlike the sj)otted charge of the true Quail, are white, and rather suddenly nar- rowed at tlie smaller end. '["he period of incubation is about tour weeks. They have generally two brootls in a season, as young birils scarcely tledged may be observed here as late as the begmning of October. When this hapjiens, it is not uncommon to find both coveys still associating with their j)ar- ents. Like most other (iallinaceous birds, the young run about as soon as they are freed from the shell, and gain the complete use of their wmgs in about a fortnight from hatching. They are now attentively conducted by the mother, and occasionally by eitlier parent, in ([uest of their ai)i)roi)riate food, and called together in a voice resembling the low twittering of chickens. At times they shelter beneath the wings of the mother ; but if the little busy flock are startled by danger, artillce rather than courage is the instinctive means of safety employed by all the party. The parents tlutter in the path in real as well as simulated distress ; and the young, instantly aware of their criti- cal situation, make no useless attempts to fly, but vanish singly, and closely hitling among the withered grass, which they almost resemble in color, are thus fortunately rendered nearly alto- gether invisible. The alarm at length dissipated, the tender, cautious call of the parents again reassembles the little grateful family. The eggs of the Quail have been often hatched by the domestic hen ; but the vagrant disposition of the diminutive brood, the tlifficulty of procuring their proper food, and the superior attention they require over chickens, prevent the possi- bility of their domestication ; and even when they have survived the winter in this state, i\v; return of spring leads them to wander off in compliance with that powerful instinct which inspires them to a mutual separation. So familiar are these little birds that occasionally, as de- scribed by Wilson, they have been known to lay their eggs in the nest of the domestic hen, when situated at any considerable i 28 GROUSE FAMILY. distance from the habitation. From two eggs thus depositeil were raisetl a pair of young (Quails which, when abandoncil by the hen, showed their social attachment by accompanynig the cows. These they followed night and morning from the pas- ture, and when the cattle were housed for the winter our little Partridges took up their humble abode in the stable. iJut even these, so docile, anil sei)arated from all their race, on the return of spring obeyed the instinct of nature, and wandered away to their congenial woods and thickets. It is probable at times, as asserted by observers, that our Quails, like some other birds, lay their eggs in the nests of each other, — a fact which would only be in accordance with their usual friendship and mutual fiimiliarity. The American Quail, according to Wilson, has likewise, in turn, been employed to hatch the eggs of the domestic hen, which she brought out, defended, and fed as her own otispring. She even succeeded in imparting to them a portion of her own instinct to such a degree that when alarmed they hid in the grass and ran timidly from sight like so many young Par- tritlges, exhibiting all the wildness of unreclaimed birds. A tlock of these (Quails, however attentively fed, and confined, always exhibit a great decjree of fear and shvness : their attachments remaining truly natural, they appear only to recognize the com- pany of each other. Put a solitary individual becomes friendly and familiar to the hand that feeds it, and for want of more congenial society forms a similar attachment to its keeper. In the month of Sei)tember, the little brood, now nearlv full grown, assemble in families ; and at this period, as well as in the spring and early part of summer, the clear, whistling call of the male is often heard. This well-known note is very similar to the pronunciation of the words 'hob i^hifCy to which is often added a suppressed introductory whistle. While seated, perhaps on a fence-rail, or the low limb of an orchard tree, this peculiar note, sometimes interpreted in showery hay-weather into the augury of more 7vet, more 7c>e/, continues uninterruptedly, at short intervals, for more than half an hour at a time. Du Pratz says these birds are known BOB-WHITE. 29 as ling to the aborigines by the name of ho-ouy i^ho-ivee), which is also imitative of the call they sometimes utter, as I have heard, early in the morning, from a partly domesticated covey. When assembled in a corner and about to take wing, the same low, chicken-like twittering, as is employed by the mother towards her more tender brood, is repeated ; but wht-n dispersed, by necessary occupation, or alarm, they are reassembled by a loud and oft-repeated call of anxious and social inquiry. This note, 'ho-Kwc, is, however, so strongly instinctive as to be commonly uttered without occasion, by the male even in a cage, surrounded by his kindred brood ; so that this expression, at stated times, is only one of gen- eral symjjathy and satisfaction, like that of a singing bird uttered when solitary and confined to a cage. In conse(iuence of the s'hortness and concavity of its wings, in common with most other birds of the same family the Ameri- can (Juail usually makes a loud whirring noise in its flight, which is seldom long continued, always laborious, and generally so steady as to afford no difficult mark for the expert sjiorts- man. According to the observations of Audubon, the flight of our Partridge and Cirouse, when not hurried by alarm, is attendetl with very little more noise than that of other birds. Whatever may be the fact, when our little Partridges alight on the ground, they often run out to very considerable distances, when nol directly flushed, and endeavor to gain the shelter of briers and low bushes, or instinctively squat among the fallen leaves of the woods, from which, with their brown livery, it is difficult to distinguish them No great destruction is made among them while on the wing, as they do not take a general alarm on being approached, but rise at inter\als only by two or three at a time. ];.il)-White has been so long and so persistently called by this nickr.anK' that that conservative body, the American Ornitliologists' Union, has been constrained to appro\e of it, and has dignified it witli their sanction — tlirowing to the winds lor one brief mo- ment the "canon of priority," and adopting Seebohm's favorite micfonon pluriinoniiii. The bird is also known as "Quail" in "^o GROUSE FAMILY. New England, and as "Partridge" farther soutli. Bob-White is still a common l)ird in southern New Englan-I, though ot some- what local distribution. It is rarely ft)und nortli of Massachusetts, but a few scattered flocks are occasionally met with along the southern borders of the three northern States. In Canada it occurs only in the southern peninsula of Ontario north to (iravenliurst, and tliough quite common near Lonilon aiid Hamilton, is reported " rare "' about Toronto and Lucknow. NoTK. — The Florida Boh-white {CoH/iks "riri^ii/iamis Jlori- dauHS) is a smaller race with darker colors and broader black mark- ings. It is found in the northern and middle regions of Florida. The Cuban Bob-white (C viri(iiiiaiius cubaiieiisis) differs chiefly from the type in the markings of the plumagu. It is r'.tstricted in the United States to the southwestern or tropical region of Florida. The Mkssixa Quail {Cotuitiix cotiintix) has been imported from Europe by hundreds during the last fifteen years antl let loose in various parts of the country ; but though a few young and old birds appeared in the neighborhood for a year or two following their release, the effort to naturalize the species is considered a failure. In 1S7.S a number were released near St. Ste])hen. New Brunswick, and during the ne.xt three years I heard occasionally of small bevies being seen near the Bay of Fundy shore between St. Stephen and St. John, as well as in the Kennebecasis valley as far east as Sussex ; but either the climate or the food was unsuitcd to them. RUFFED GROUSE. PHEAS.\NT. PARTRIDGE. BIRCH PARTRinGE. Bonasa U.MBELLUS. Char. Upper parts mottled brown and gray, with markings of black and dull white ; head with crest ; a " rufl'" of long black feathcr.s on sides of neck ; tail with broad suh-tenninal band of black ; uniler parts pale tawnv, throat unmarked, breast and belly barred with brown ; legs com- I)letelv covered with feathers. Length 16 to iS inches. iVest. Amid a thicket or under cover of a bush, — usually nn border of heavy timber ; a mere cushion of leaves, grass, moss, etc. ■^C;'"''- 6-20 (usuallv 10 or 12); color varies from pale cream to dark buff, often marked with faint spots of brown ; 1.60 X 1.15. RUFFEU GROUSE. ark This l)t'autiful species of (Irouse, known by the name of JVuasaiii in the MiiMle and Western States, and by that of Partriih^c in New England, is found to inhabit tite continent from Hudson I Jay and the parallel of 56° to deorgia, l)ut are most abumlant in the Northern and Middle States, where they often prefer the most elevated and wooded districts ; and at the South they affect the mountainous ranges and valleys which border upon or lie within the chains of the Alleghanies. They are also prevalent in the Western States as far as the line of the Territory oi ?slississippi ; antl though not found on the great Western plains, they reappear in the forests of the Rocky Mountains and follow the (."olumbia nearly to the Paci^c. Althour' , ji' n,;iy speaking, sedentary, yet at the ap])roach of autumn, acv rding to Audtibon, they make, in common with the following species, partial migrations by single familio m (juest of a supply of food, and sometimes even cross the Ohio in the course of their peregrinations. In the northern part> of New England they appear also to be partially migratory at the approach of winter, and leave the hills for lower and more sheltered situations. So prompt, indeed, at times are their movements that in Noveml)er, 1831, in travelling nearly to the extremity of New Hampshire, not a single l)ird of the species was now to be seen, as they hail no doubt migrated southward with the first threatening and untimely snow which had f^iUen, being indeed so unusually abundant previously to that period as to sell in the market of IJoston as low as twelve and a half cents apiece. Although elevated countries and rocky situations thickly overgrown with bushes and dense ever- greens by rivers and brooks are their chosen situations. \et at times they frequent the lowlands and more open pine-forests in the vicinity of our Northern towns and cities, and are even occasionally content to seek a retreat far from their favorite hills in the depth of a Kentucky cane-brake or the barrens of New Jersey. They are somewhat abundant in the shrubby oak-barrens of Kentucky and Tennessee, in which their food abounds. This consists commonly in the spring and fall o^ 32 GROUSE lAMII.V. Uk- buds of trees, the catkins of the hazel and alder, even fern-l>r. formed, and they live in a state of limited conciibi- nage. '1 he drumming parade of the male is likewise often the signal for a ([uarrel ; and when they hai)i)en to meet each other in the vicinity of their usual and stated walks, ol)stinate battles, like those (,f our domestic fmvls for the sovereignty of the dung hill, but too conunonly succeed. \\'hen this sound, indeed (according to Audubon), is imitated by striking care- fully upon an inflated bhulder with a stick, the jealous male, full of anger, rushes forth from iiis concealment and falls an easy prey to the wily sportsman. Some time in May a female selects some thicket or the side of a fallen log m the dense part of the woods for the situ- ation of her nest. This is formed merely of a handful of with- ered leaves collected from the surrounding and similar surface of the ground. The eggs, ten to fifteen, more or less, are of a uniform dull yellowish color. The young run about as s(jon as hatched, and in about a week or ten days are able in some degree to make use of their wings. The mother now leads them out in search of their appropriate and delicate food, and broods them at night beneath her wings like the common hen ; she likewise defends them by every stratagem which affection can contrive. On the appearance of an enemy she simulates lameness, to impose on the unwelcome spectator ; while the young themselves squat on the ground, by which they are secured, from their similarity to its surface. During summer these birds are fond of basking and dusting themselves, and for this purpose are now and then seen in the public roads. When flushed, and on the instant of rising from the ground, the bird usually utters a cackling note (juickly repeatetl about half a dozen times, and also before rising utters a very peculiar lisping whistle. Like the Ptarmigan, the Ruffed (irouse when alarmed in winter is frequently known to plunge into the soft snow and burrow out at such a distance as fre- quently to elude the pursuit of the hunter. Besides other successful methods of destruction which await the devoted Grouse, snares and traps of various kinds are employed to vol . II. — 3 34 GROUSE FAMILY arrest them. They are even smoked to death in tlie same manner as the Wild Pigeons in tlie Western country, while sleejiing harmlessly and unsiisi)ectingly on their leaty roosts. l]y this system of indiscriminate extirpation they are now greatly thinned throughout the more jjopulous parti of the Union, and sell in Philadelphia and New York from seventy- five cents to a dollar apiece. The common pri( c of these birds (decidedly, as I think with Autlubon, superior in tlavor to the Pinnated (Irouse) is in the market of Poston from 40 to 50 cents the i)air, showing how much more abundant the species is in the rocky regions of New ?aigland than in any other part of America. Deleterious effects have sometimes occurred from eating this game, sujiposed to arise from their feetling on the buds of the broad-leaved Kalmia ; yet most l)ersons eat them with safety at all seasons of the year, even when these kind of buds have been found almost filling the stomach. The systematists have recently separated the Ruffed Grouse dis- tributed over the Northern and Middle States and the more southern sections of Canada from those found along the northern border of New England and in the adjacent portions of Canada, making the latter a subspecies and giving to it the name of Canadian Ruffed Grouse {B. iimhcllus toi^ata). The Canadian race is in general darker colored, and lacks a reddish tinge on the back; also the markings of the under parts are more conspicuous. The range of true umbellus is from Vermont to \'irginia and the hills of Georgia, and west to Minnesota. " Birch Partridges," as they are commonly called by the gunners of northern Maine and the Maritime Provinces, are still fairly abundarit, though the markets have been generously supplied with them every year. PRAIRIE HFN. PRAIRIE CHICKEN. PINNATED GROUSE. TVMP.A.NLLHL> A.MKRIC.\NLS. Char. Above, brownish ochraceous. tinucd with grav ; back barred with biack ; below, wiiitc, barred with dusky brown; throat buttish ; head with slight crest ; erectile tufts of 7 to 10 long >tilf feather> on sides of neck, and below these, patches of bare and elastic skin. Length about iS inches. Nest. On the open prairie amid tufts of long grass or at the foot of a bush; a slight hollow scratched out and thinly lined with grass and feathers. ^'S,K'-^- S-16 (usually about 12); dull buff or greenish vellow, some- times with a reddish tinge, and occasionally ?potted slightly with brown; 1.70 X 1.25. Choosing particular districts for residence, the Grouse, or Prairie Hen. is consequently by far less common than the pre- ceding species. Confined to dr\-, barren, and bushy tracts of small extent, these birds are in several places now wholly or nearly exterminated. Along the .Atlantic coast they are still met with on the Crouse plains of New Jersey, on the bnishy plains of Long Island, in similar shrubby barrens in Westford, Connecticut, in the island of Martha's Vineyard on the south side of Massachusetts Hay. and formerly, as probably in many other tracts, according to the information which I have re- ceived from Lieut.-Governor Winthrop, they were so common on the ancient bushy site of the city of Boston that laboring people or servants stipulated with their emplovers not to have the Heath Hen brought to table oftener than a few times in the 36 (iROL'SE KAMI I A'. week. According to Wilson, they are also still met with anioiiL; the scrub-oak and pine-hills of Pocono, in Northampton county, Pennsylvania. 'I'hey are also rather common through- out the barrens of Kentucky and on the i)rairies of Indiana, and as far south as Nashville in Tennessee, but 1 believe no- where more abundant than on the plains of Missouri, whence they continue to the Rocky Mountains. Dislike of moisture, as with the Turkey, but principally the nature of their fooil, ai)i)ears to intluence them in the choice of their resort. The small acorns of the dwarf-oaks, and various kinds of " ild fruits, as strawberries, whortleberries, and ])artridge-berries, with oc- casional insects abounding m these wooded thickets. ai)j)ear to be the princijjal inducement to their residence ; from which they rarely wander at any season, unless compelled by a failure of their usual food, antl so become, notwithstanding the almost inaccessible nature of the ground, a sure j)rey to the greedy and exterminating hunter. In the Western States, where they apj)ear as an abundant species, they are at times observed to traverse the plains and even cross extensive rivers in (piest of the means of subsistence. In winter they likewise feed on buds as well as mast, sometimes swallowing leaves, and occa- sionally the buds of the pine. At times, if convenient, they have been known to visit the buckwheat field for their fare, or even devour the leaves of clover. In wintry storms they seek shelter 1)\' ])erching in the evergreens ; but in spring and summer they often roost on the ground in company. They feed mostly in the morning and evening ; and when they ( an stir abroad without material molestation, they often visit arable lands in the vicinity of their retreats. In the inclemency of winter, like the ()uaii, they approach the barn, basking and perching on the fences, occasionally venturing to mix with the poultry in their repast, and arc then often taken in traps. The season for ])airing is carh- in the spring, in March or A])ril. At this time the behavior of the male becomes remark- able. Early in the morning he comes forth from his bushy roost and struts about with a curving neck, raising his ruff, ex- panding his tail like a fan, and seeming to mimic the ostenta- IKAIKIE HEN. 37 tion of the Turkey. He now seeks out or meets his rival, anoo^ 'k'-finn-f>0<\ once or twice rejieated, after which is heartl a sort of guttural squeaking crow or koak, koak, koak. In the inter- vals of feeding we sometimes hear the male also cackling, or as it were crowing like Vv ko ko Xv, kooh kooh. While en- gaged in fighting with each other, the males are hearil to utter a rapid, i)etnlant cackle, something in soimd like excessive laughter. I'he tooting is heard from before daybreak till eight or nine o'clock in the morning. .Vs they frequently as- semble at these scratchiih^-placc:^. as they are called, ambus- cades of bushes are formed round them, and many are shot from these coverts. The female carefully conceals her nest in some grassy tus- sock on the grounc. and is but seldom discovered. The eggs are from ten to twelve, and of a plain brownish color. The young are protected and attended by the female only, who broods them under her wings in the manner of the common fowl, and leads them to places suitable for their food, some- times venturing with her tender charge to glean along the public paths. When thus surprised, the young dart into the neighboring bushes, and there skulk for safety, while the wily parent beguiles the spectator with her artful pretences of lameness. The affectionate parent and her brood thus keep together throughout the whole season. By the aid of a dog 'i r 38 GROUSE FAMILY. they are easily htmtcd out, and are readily set, as they are not usually inclined to take wing. In the i)rairies, however, they not unfre(|uently rise to the low boughs of trees, and then, starinj; about without much alarm, they become an easy l)ri'y to the niarksman. 'ihe ordinary weight of a full-grown bird is about three pounds, and they now sell, when they are to be had, in New York and Boston, from three to five dollars the pair. 'I'hey have been raised under the common hen, but prove so vagrant as to hold out no prospect of domestication. This species is common now only in tiie prairie reudon of Indi- ana and Illinois and westward : a few scattered docks occur in the adjacent St.iles .md in southwestern Ontario. It is supposed that the Pinnated (irouse. which occurred in the Atlantic States in Xuttall's day, should be referred to tlie Heath Hen. — a distinct race, a remnant of which is s^till found on Mar- tha's Vineyard. HEATH HEX. TVMPAXUCHUS CIPIDO. Char. Similar to the Prairie Hen, but reddish brown above, and beneath rustv white, barred with dark reddish brown ; neck tufts composed of four or five acutely lance-pointed feathers. A'lSf. In woodland of scrub-oak or pine ; a slight hollow, thinly lined with lea'.es and leathers. />j,'-.f. 6-S; yellowish green and unspotted ; 1.70 X 1.25. This interestin,p<.ncd willi white ; head with slight crest, a naked patch oi orange color over the eyes; two middle tail-feathers longer than the others; lover jiarts white, with dark \'-sliapeil markings ; legs and feet feathered. Len,;'!! about 17 inches. .Visf. In open woodland or on border of grove, or in thicket along a stteani. hidden under brush or at foot of a low bush ; a slight dej^ression intbe ground scantily lined with grass and feathers. £i:.i'-'- <^»-i4 (usually about i.;) ; reddish brown or yellowish brown, marked with fine spots of a darker shade of brown ; 1.70 X i 35. This c'jrious species of (Irouse is also principally an inhabi- tant of the coldest habitable parts of the .\nierican continent, being found around Hudson Bay in the larch thickets through- out the whole year. It is not uncommon in the forests of the Rocky Mountains, and Mr. Say saw it in the spring likewise in Missouri but little beyond the settlements, at which season it also \nsits the vicinity of Fort William, on Lake Superior. We met with it on Larimie's Fork of the Platte in June, where it was breeding. As an article of food it proved plump and well flavoretl, superior almost to any other of the large species in the United States. These birds are, as usual, shy and solitarx', living onlv in pairs throughout the summer, when they subsist mnch upon berries. In autumn and winter they are seen mov- ing in families, and frequent the thickets of juniper and larch, on whose buds, as well as those of the birch, alder, and poplar, they now principally live. They usually keep on the ground, 40 GROUSE FAMILY hut if disturbed, take to trees. When hard pressed by the hunter, diey sometimes seek safety by plunging into the snow, and ([uickly burrowing beneath it. come out at a distance, and often from a situation the least expected, so that they fre- rjuently make good tluir retreat from their enemies. 'I'liL- Sh. ■j)-t,iilcd (irousc makes its ne^t on the ground, near s(j;ne bush, with loose grass and a few feathers; the cg^s are from () to 13, white, with dusky spots. The young are hatched about the middle of June, and utter a puling note something like chickens Unsuccessful attempts have been made to domesticate them. i'he male ha:: a shrill, rather feeble, crow- ing note : and both se.xes, when disturbed, and. on taking wing, rejieat a reiterated cry of /vz/C', /v/X', /v//^, accomixniied by a smart tlirimg of the tail-'lathers, nearly similar to the opening and closing of a fan. In the breeding-season the male struts about proudly, in the usual manner of the genus and order to whi( h he belongs. The weight of this bird is about two pounds, and the flesh is light brown when cooked, and i>> much esteeme'l. Tlu' northern limit of the range of this species, according to Richard on, i^ (ireat Slave Lake, in 61 degrees; and its most southern recorded station is in 41 degrees, on the Missouri. It abounds oi the outskirts of the Saskatchewan plain>, and 's found throughuut die woody districts of the fur countries, in open glades and thickets on the borders ot lakes, particularly in the partially cleared tracts contiguous to the trading posts. In winter, like the Pinnated (irouse, it perches generally on trees, bit in summer it is much on the ground, and is at all times associated in coveys of ten to sixteen individuals. Early in spring a family of these birds selects a level spot, whereon tiiey meet every morning, and run round in a circle of fifteen or twenty feet diameter, on wliich the grass becomes worn (juite bare. On approaching this ring, the birds squat close to the ground, l)ut in a short time stretch out their nei ks ta Mir\ey the intruder, and if not scared by any nearer advance, they soon re^jinne their circular course, some running to the right, and (ithers to the left, thus meeting antl crossinc: each CANADA GRULSK. 41 other. ThcbC " Partridge dances" last for a month or more, mitil conchided by the more serious employ of incubition. In imitation of this curious amusement of the Sharif-tailed (Irouse, the Indians of the upper Missouri have what they call a Partridge- Dance, in which the old men chiefly join. The true Sharp-tail is not found south of the Canadian I)order. It occurs in the wooded districts along the north shore of Lake Superior, and Mience north to the tim])er limit, and west to British Columbia and Alaska. XoTi:. — -The'TKAiKiE Cmickkx" is a paler race, called ly the systematists the PkaiiUE Siiaui'-tailkd (ikousi: (/'. />/i.!s/a- nclliis caiiiptstris). It differs from the type in displayiii-' nujre of the gray shades, with tints of l>uff and drab, and less frijzen bed by ascending to the limits of eternal ice. Like ^o many other animals of this inclement boreal region, this bird \> com- mon to both the old and new continen.. It is met with in Siberia, Kamtschatka, (Ireenland, most parts of northern lui- rope, the Highlands of Scotlanil, and even as far south as the romantic scenes of the lakes of Cumberland, a few JK-ing ;>till seen in the lofty hills which surround the vale of Ke->wick, as well as in Wales. I'his species has scarcely been met with on the American continent, excej^t on Melville Island and Churchill River. The Ptarmigan feeds on many sorts of berries, particularly the crow-berry {^Empctrum )iii:;ri/»i) and cow-berr\- { riu-ci- niuin vitis it/u-a), as well as the tops of the same plant ; it also collects catkins, buds, and the young shoots of the pine, heath, rosehi])s. and sometimes the different kinds of lichens, which it searches out in the extensive burrows it makes beneath the snow. To all this bill of frugal fare, it also sometimes adds a few insects. These birds search oiit their food chiefly in the morning and evening, and in the middle of the day are observed sometimes to bask in the sun. Like the l'.s(iuimaux of the human family, whose lot is cast in the same cold and dreary region, they seek protection from the extreme severity of the climate bv dwelling in the snow ; it is here that they commonly roost and work out subterraneous paths. In the morning, as soon as they leave their frozen dens, they fly out vigorously into the air in an upward direction, shaking the snow from their warm and white clothing. While thu> feeding they socially call on one another at intervals in a loud tone, and sometimes utter a sort of cackling cry, almost like a coarse and mocking laugh. The nest, about the middle of June, is made in oi)en i)iaces WILIJJW I'TAk.MIGAX. 45 where moss abounds, or in the shelter of the low, creepini,' bushes, forming the only woody growth of these naked and >terile regions. The egj^s. 7 to 15. are oblong, of a rufou> yellow, from the great number of large and small spots of black i)T of redilish '^lack with which they are covered. I'rom the lingering attachment of the male to his mate when killed, it is l>r()bal)le that the species may be monogamous, or even con- stantly mated. .After the young are fully grown, and released from the care of their parents, they and the old are seen to assemble in flocks of two or three hundred, about the begin- ning vi October, when they appear to migrate a little to the soutn in (juest of food, or rather from the mountains towards the [ilains. At this time they are seen in great numbers round Hudson Day, where they assemble for subsistence ; and as the st(_)re diminishes, they push tlu-ir tardy migrations in other directions for a fresh supj)ly. l'nsus])i(:ious of the wiles and ai)i)etites o{ man, Ptarmigans api)ear often as tame as domes- tic chickens, more particularly when the weather is mild ; they are allured even by crtmibs of bread, and on throwing a hat towards them, or any strange (jbject, they are so attracteil by tile appearance as to allow of an approach so near that a noose ip.ay be thrown round their necks, or, api)roached fnjm behind, they may be knockeil ay that fiftv or seventy are sometimes obtained at a single haul of a net about twenty feet square. IJetween November and April as many as ten thousand are taken for the use of the settle- 46 GROUSE FAMILY. )! nicnt ; and in luiropc, during the winter, they are carried in thousands to the niari^et of Uergen in Norway, and when half- roasted or jerked, are put uito barrels and transported t7o Groitsf, or Lan^c Pttinnii^an. This larger species, called the Willow (Irouse by Hearne, the Wood Grouse of the Norwegians, is another inhabitant oi both continents, extending its residence to the eternal limits of the polar ice. In America they abound arounil Hud^^n iiay, where they are said to breed along the coast, making their nests on dry ridges on the ground. In the ancient continent they shelter their nests in the high tufts of the heath, ami in the dwarf willows. Their eggs> lo to 12, are longer than those of the preceding species, of a muddy white, or inclining to pale rufous, covered and marbled with great numbers of spots, of the color of clotted blood. They even breed in Lab- ratlor about the beginning of June. According to Audubon, they are sometimes seen in the State of Maine and around Lake Michigan. This species also ajjpears to be monogamous, as both sexes remain together and show an equal anxiety for the safety of their brood. It is somewhat remarkable that this species, still more boreal than the Common Ptarmigan in Europe and Asia, should con- stantly inhabit to the south of that Si)ecies in North America, where it seems, as it were, to have usurped its residence. The general habits of these birds are very similar lo thor^e of the preceding. Like them, they become gregarious at the setting in of winter, roaming after their food in (locks of as many as two hundred, living then and at most seasons on the tops, buds, and even seeds of the dwarf-willow, and hence called Willow Partriiliycs. They also subsist on most kinds of north- ern berries, and many other kinds of buds and leaves, with the tops of the heath and the seeds of the birch. As food, this species is preferred to the smaller Ptarmigan. Nuttall followed Audubon in thus separating this species and recognizing as a distinct form the White Ptarmigan, — \.\\^ anieri- ROCK PTAKMIGAN. 4/ canits ot Autluboii, — but ISaird douhtt'd its validity, and it iia.s IjLcn entirely omitted from recent works. I liave given above tin two bioijrapliies as tliey appeared in Nuttall's book, tor together they tell about all that is known of the present species. The Willow l'tarmi;;an ranges through boreal America from Labrador to Alaska, and in winter is (|uite abundant on the north shore of the (lulf of St. Lawrence. During some seasons a number have wandered sufficiently near to (Quebec and Montreal to get into the markets. There are only two instances recorded of the occurrence of this bird south of the St. Lawrence, — one secured by Mr. C. B. Cory CMi the Magdelen Islands, and the second shot by Dr. C. Hart Merriam in Lewis Countv, northern New York. XoTE. — A variety of this species — Allen's Ptakmk.a.v (Z. lagopus allcni) was described by Dr. Stejneger in 1N84. It differs from true hvj^opus in having the wing-feathers mottled with black, and black shafts. This race is restricted to Newfoundland. ROCK FFARMKiAN. Lagopus rupestris. Char. Similar to the Willow Ptarmigan, l)iit smaller (length about 14 inches), and in summer displavs more black and less of the 1 ufous tint. Also distinguished by a line of black running through the eyes. Nest. A mere depression, with a slight covering of grass and moss. Ei^i:;s. 8-16 (usually 10) ; buff or pale reddish brown, marked with darker brown ; 1.70 X i.^o. This species is nearly allied to the Common Ptarmigan, but is smaller, has more of the brownish yellow in its summer dress, broader bars of black, and none of the cinereous tint which prevails in the livery of the Ptarmigan. In winter it is only distinguishable by its size. This species is, according to Hutchins, numerous at the two extremities of Hudson Bay, but does not appear at the middle settlements (York and Severn factories) except in very severe seasons, when the Willow Grouse are scarce. It abounds in Melville Island in the dreary latitude of 74 and 75 degrees in the short summers ■ ( i ''■\'-\i\ 48 CIROL'SE FAMILY. of that frigid and cheerless region. It is also found on Mel- ville Peninsula and the IJarren Grounds, and indeed sekloni proceeds farther south in winter than the 63d itarallel in the interior, but descends along the coasts of Hudson I5ay to lati- tuile 5.S degrees, and in severe seasons still farther to the south. It is met with in the range of the Rocky Mountains as fir to the south as the latitude of 55 degrees. In its habits and mode of living it resembles the Willow Clrouse, but does ni;t irtire so far into the woody country in winter. It fre- (iuent> the o])en woods on the borders of lakes at the same season, i)articularly in the 65th parallel, though the bulk of the species remains on the skirts of the Barren Grounds. It hatches in June. Tlic usual hal)itat of this species is the barren ground region of tliL' Arctics, tliougli one example was shot on Anlicosti by Mr. William ISrewster. Xoii:. — In Reinhakut's PTAK.Mifi.VN (/,. rupestn's rcinJiardi) the male in summer plumage is more mottled, above, than true rupestn's. and the female is black, above, varied with grayish buff. This race is found in Greenland and on the western sliore of Cuml)erh\nd Bay and the northern extremity of Labrador. WELCH'S PTARMIGAN. Lacopus WKLcm. f'HAK. Ill winter similar to rxipestris. Male in summer: above, dark brownish grav blended witli whitish gray and reddish gray; head and neciv lighter ; wings white ; breast and sides like back ; throat, belly, and legs white; tail duskv grav; bill and claws black. Female: similar, but (if lighter color, and the back and breast tinged with yellow. Length about 15 inches. \i-st and .^j,';j,''.f. Unknown, but probably similar to rtipestris. This species, which is clcsely related to the Rock Ptarmigan, is restricted to Newfoundland, where it ranges over the rocky hills and barrens of the interior. It was first described by Brewster, in 1S85, from specimens taken by George O. Welch, of Lynn. \\ >'^>- SANDERI.IXG. RUDr3V IT. OVER. BEACH-DIRD. (."Al.IlJklS ARF.XAKIA. Char. Xo hiiul ti^e : bill somewhat «imilnr to n P'ovrr. In summer: above, iiMttlcd rufous and b'iacki>h brown, nio^i r>f tlic leathers tipjicd with gravish white; head aid neck pale chestnut spotted with brown; wing-covci t< tipped with white; outer tail-teathpr< white: lower parts white. In winter the rufous tints are replaced bv pearl cray. and the spring ]V,uniage ilisplavs a mixture of the two. In yotmc birds the head, neck, and back are tinged with biuf. Length .ihout S inches. .\V.>/. Under a bu>h or aniid a tuft of weeds; a depression lined with dry grass. i^tr^^f. ::-4 : greenish butY or brownish olive, spotted chietlv around the larger end with brown ; 1.40 X 0.95. The Sandcrlings, in accumulating flock>. arrive on the shores of Massachusetts from their remote northern breeding-places towards the close of .\ugust. They are seen also about the same time on the coast of New Jersey and still farther to the South, where they remain throughout the greater part of I he winter, gleaning their subsistence exclusivelv alontj the immediate borders of the ocean, and are particularly attached to sandy flats and low. sterile, solitar}' coasts divested of vege- VOI,. II. — 4 I 50 WADING lUKDS. ^;f talion and perpetually bleached by the access of tides and storms ; in such situations they are often seen in numerous flo( ks running,' along tiie st» d, busily employed in front t-f the moving waves, gleaning ilii agility the shrimjis, minute shell-fish, marine insects, and small moluscous animals which ever-recurring accident throws in their way. The numerous flocks keep a low circling course along the strand, at limes uttering a slender and rather plaintive whistle nearly like that of the smaller Sandpii)ers. On alighting, the little active troop, waiting the opj)ortunity, scatter themselves about in the rear of the retiring surge. The succeeding wave then again urges the busy gleaners before it, when they ajipear like a little i)igmy arm\ passing through their military evolutions ; and at this time the wily sjiortsman, sei/jng his opportunity, >i)reads tlestruction among their timid ranks; and so little arc they nware of the nature of the attack that after making a \\:\v aerial meanders the sur\ivors pursue their busy avocations with as little apparent concern as at the first. The breediiv^-place of the Sinderlings, in common with many other wading and aquatic birds, is in the remote and desolate regions of the North, since they appear to be obliged to ([uit those countries in America a little after the middle of .August. According to Mr. Hutchins, they breed on the coast of Hudson Hay as low as the 55th parallel ; and he remarks that they construct, in the marshes, a rude nest of grass, laying four dusky eggs, spotted with black, on which they begin to sit about the middle of June. Flemming supposes that those seen in (ireat Britain breed no forther off than in the bleak Highlands of Scotland, and Mr. Simmonds observed them at the Mull of Cantyre as late as the second of June. Tliey are found in the course of the season throughout the whole Arctic circle, extending their migrations also into moderate climates in the winter. 1'hey do not, however, in Europe proceed as far south as the capital of Italy, as we learn from the careful and assiduous observa- tions of the Prince of Musignano. According to Latham the .Sanderling is known to be an inhabitant even of the remote I SANDI-KMNf;. 51 coast of Ausiralu. anING BIRDS. « lil.ACR-MiCKKlJ STILT. Him AMOI'L'S MKXICAMS. ClCAR. Legs bright pink and exceedingly long: l)ill black, -lender, ami longer than the head; crdwn, hack ot neck, back, and \ving>> hi.ick; forehead, patch over the eyes, throat, and under parts white. Lciii;tli about 15 inches. A'i?ion in the turf, lined witii dry grass. Sunietiutes — if the ground is very wet — .1 high platform is built, of weed-stems and twigs. /.-.-,. ^_j; pale olive or L;ri.eni>h bull, spotted with brownish black; size e.\ceeclin,i;ly variable, average about I 75 .< 1-20. 'I'hc l>l;u:k-mi l mii t. 53 creased in height with tiif dry twin's of salt marsh >iinil>s, root-. of grass, sea-weed, and any other coarse maieriaU which may be convenient, until the whole may now weigh two or three |>ounds. The eggs, four in numUer. are of a dark yellowish ilrab. thickly marked with large blotches of brownish black. "I"hct>e nests are often situated within fifteen or twenty yartls of each other, the respective proprietors living in mutual friendship. While the females are sitting, their mates are either wading in the adjoining ponils, or traversing the marshes in the \-icinity : but on the approach of any intruder in their peace- able community, the whole troop assemble in the air, and living steadily with their long legs extended behind them, keep up a continual yelping note of clich, click, click. Alighting on the marsh, they are often seen to droi) their wings, and standing inih iheir legs half bent, and trembling, they seem to sustain their bodies with ilifticulty. In this singular posture they will sometimes remain for several minutes, uttering a curring^junil, and quivering their wings and long shanks as if in the act of laboriously balancing themselves on the groim.I. \ great deal of this motion is, however, probably in manoeuvre, to draw the spectators' attention from their nests. Although so sedentary in the breeding-season, at times they eJrtend their visits to the shores, wading abotit in ;he water an-. 2-3; I)]uish white or pale buff marked with several shades of brown ; 2.20 X 1.55. The Oyster-catcher is common to the north of both conti- nents, breedini^ in dreat Britain, France, Nonvay, an, the parents make wide circuits on either hand, now and then alighting, and practising the usual stratagem of counterfeited imtti ( ility, to draw away attention from their brood. The note of this species consists commonly of a ([uick. lou 1. and shrill wlii^itling call like '7>.'/u'(p, 'l " for .August. 1SS7. gave an interesting account of a pair of tliese birds moving their ei^gs when the nest was discovered. While .Mr. Hoxie was watching the parents thev carried the eggs al)Out one hundred vards from tin- old nest, and de|)Osited them safely in a nest wiiich he saw tlic birds prepare. NoTK. — The lairopean Ovsti:i<-c.\ rcniCK (Ilcciiuitopiis i>stra- Ici^iis) occurs occasionally in Greenland. AMKKICAX GOLDEN I'LOVER. 3/ AMERICAN GULDEN PLOVER. COMMON PLOVEK. Wilis ILING I'l.UVEK. PALE-LiELLY. OKEEN PLOVEK. Chakadkils DOMIMCUS. (liAK. No hind t(jL-. Alxjvc, -pottcil with black and lemon yellow; furciicad and line over the eyes white ; tail grayish brown witli imperfect bars of ashy wiiite ; beneath, black. In winter plumage the black of the lower parts is replaced ijy mottled gray and white, the throat and breast spotted with du>ky. A'c.eabeacli ; a mere deive^sion m the soil lined with a few bit;^ of gra>s. /'^!,Xs. 3-4 (u^naliy 4) ; of sharply pointed pyriform shape ; dark bnnvn- ish \)ui\', sonietiniLS tinged with di.dj or grayish white; spi-ttcd ,ind bloiciied with various sliades of brown ; 2.00 X 1.40. The Common Plover is, according to the season of the year, met with in ahnost every part of the world, particnlaily in .Asia and Europe, from Kamtschatka to China, as well ..> \n the South Sea Islamls ; and on the present continent from Arctic America, where it breeds, to the Falkland Islands : it is also seen in the interior at least as far as Missouri. It breeils in Siberia and in the northern i)arts of (ireat Pritain. but not ui France or Italy, where it is also common. At su( h times it selects the high and secludetl mountains, sheltered by the heath, where, without much attempt at a nest, the female dciiosits about four, or sometimes five, eggs of a pale-olive color, marked with blackish spots. These Plovers arrive on the coast of the Middle and North- ern States in spring and early autumn. Near to Xantaskel and Chelsea Peach they are seen on their return from their inclem- ent natal regions in the north by the close of .\ugust, and the young remain in the vicinity till the middle of ( )i tober, or later, according to the state of the weather. They live princi- ]xillv ui)on land insects, or the larvae and worms they meet with in the saline marshes, and a|)pear very fond of grasshoj)- pers. About the time of their departure they arc, early in the morning, seen sometimes assembled by thousands ; but they al' «• ;.^ WADING I5IRDS. begin to disperse as the sun rises, and at length disapjiear high, in the air for the season. They usually associate, however, m small tlocks and families, and when alarmed, while on the wing, or giving their call to those who are feeding around them, they have a wild, shrill, and whistling note, and are at most times timid, watchful, and difficuit to ajjproach. Thougli they con- tinue iissociated in numbers for common safety during the day, thev disperse in the evening, and repose apart from each other. At day-break, hawever, the feeling of solitude again returns, and the early sentinel no sooner gives the shrill and well-known call than t'lcy all assemble in their usual comjiany. .At this time they are often caught in great numbers by the fowler, with the assistance of a clap-net stretched, before dawn, in front of the j)lace they have selected to pass the night. The fowlers, now surrounding the sj)ot, i)rostrate themselves on the ground when the call is heard ; and as soon as the birds are collected together, they rise up from ambush, and by shouts and the throwing up of sticks in the air, succeed so far in intimidating the Plovers that they lower their flight, and thus striking against the net, it falls upon them. In this and most other countries their flesh, in the autumn, and particularly that of the young l)irils, is esteemed as a delicacy, and often exposed for sale in the markets of the principal towns. The ( '.olden Plover is common, and in some localities abundant, in the autumn along the .shores of New England and the Maritime Provinces, but in tlie spring migrations it i.s rarely or never seen. Dr. Wheaton found it abundant in the spring, and common in the fall, in Ohio ; but some observers in Ontario consider it a rare I)ir(l ill that province. \(vn:. -The European Coldkn' Pi.ovf.k {Cliaradrhis apri- farius) has been seen oecasionallv in Greenland. ririNG PLuvER. 59 PIPINCi PLOVER. .Emamiis MKI.oDA. Char. Above, jiale a»li tinged with pale brown : forehead and inter- rupted ring about the neck biack; V)elow, white ; black patches on side ot chest; feet orange ; bill orange, tipped with black. In young birds the Ijlack of tiie iiead and neck is replaced by brown. Length 0'4 to j,'* inciic^. -W.f/. Amid the shingle of a sea-beach; a shallow dcjjression in the sand. /.'.,..',•. r-4 (usually 4) ; pale butt" or creamy, marked with tine spots of blackish brown and a few spots of lavender ; 1.30 X 100 'Ihis species is a omnion inhabitant oi our sea-coast, arriv- ing in the Middle States from its Southern hibernal retreats towards the close of April. It does not, ho\ve\er, ])roceed so far to the north, but resides and breeds in the United States, from the siiores of New Jersey to Nova Scotia. Along the low, sandy, anil .solitary borders of the sea, in small scattering tlocks. the Piping Plovers are therefore seen throughout the summer, rap- idly c ursing over the strand, either in (|uest of their food or to ehule the search of the intnuling si)ectator. After gliiling swiftly along for a little distance, they often stop for a short interval to watch any approach or pick up some insect, occasion- ally bending forward and jerking the head uj) in a balancing attitude : when still, their pale livery so nearly resembles the color of the sand that for the instant they are rendered nearly invisible. On approaching their nests, which are mere shallow hollows in the sand and gravel, they usually exhibit consiiler- able emotion, running along with outspread wings and tail, and tluttering as if lame, to attract attention from their eggs and voung. They will sometimes j)ractise this artifice at a consideral^le distance from their brood, and often folK)w the spectator for a mile or two, making their shrill, mournful, monotonous call. fre(]utntly alighting and running, with a view to deception, near any place which hapjiene to be examined ; and by these reiterated feints and fears it becomes often nearlv impossible to discover their breeding-haunts. About I 1 60 WADINCi i;iRl)S. the 20th of May, or later, as they proceed to the North, they commence laying, the ei^gs, being about four, rather larue, of a i)ale (ream ( olor, or nearly white, irregularly spotted and bhjtched nearly all over with blackish brown ami main sub- dued tints of a much })aler color. The cry of this si)ecies, tittered while running along the strand, is rather s(;ft and musical, consisting chietly of a single, varied, and repeated plaintive note. (Jn approaching the breeding-spot, the birds wheel around in contracting (>(>, with occasionally a call of /•//'. At times, in the >ame sad and wihl accent with the vcjciferous Lapwing, we hear a cry of kfc'-7L'tt\ and even the same pai-i^'t'c, pce-voo, and /\ii-r()0. When in hurry and consternation, the cry resembled '/.7, '///, '///, '//. Sometimes, in apparent artifice, for the defence of their tender brood, besides i)ractising alarming gestures, they even stpieak like yoimg biri_ls in distress. The food of this species is (juite similar with that of the Semi-jialmateil Ring Plover; indeed, the birds are scarcely to be distingui>hed but by the paleness of the ])lumage in the present species, and the shortness of the web between the exterior toes. 'I'hey are usually fat, except in the breeding- season, and much esteemed as game. The l'i])ing I'lover is a common summer resident of New Kng- land and tlie .Maritime Provinces, though rare in some localities 011 the 15av of Fundy. Mr. C. B. Cory found it abundant on the Magdalen Island.s. Mr. Thomjison thinks it a migrant near Toronto: but Mr. Saunders found it breeding at Point I'elee. on Lake Lrie. XoTi:. — The Pi-i.ted Piimng Pi.ox'r.K (.7/. iinloda circnin- iiiuta) is a Western variety, restricted chietly to the Mi.ssouri River region, though it has been occasionally seen on the Atlantic coast. It differs from true mcloda in having "the black i)atcheN on the sides of the chest more or less completely coalesced "" instead of separated. • Tlie first syllable uttcreil with .i guttur.-il lisj). WII.Xjx's I'LOVKR. 6i WILSONS PUA'KR. .Mmai.iih whsonia. Th \K. Aliove, olive asli or pale a>.hv brown, tiniiied on the nape with rufous; iinf.ler parts and fon!ieahy meadow; a mere depre-^ion in the sand or turf, sometimes slightly lined with dry g Jij,X^- sui 1 -1 ; buff, sometimes drabish, marked with line >iJots of dark bro. • 1.55 ^ 1.10. The well- known, restless, and noisy Killdeer is a rommoii inhabitant throughout the United States, in nearly all i)arts of which it is known to breed, wintering, however, generally U) the south of Massachusetts. In the interior it also j)enetrates to the sources of tlie Mississippi, the remote plains of the Saskatchewan, and Vieillot met with it even in St. hoiningo. On the return of spring it wanders from the coast, to which it had been confined in winter, and its reiterated and shrill cry is again heard as it i)asses through the air, or as it courses the shore of the river, or the low meadows in the vicinity of the sea. About the beginning of May it resorts to the fields or level pastures which hai)i)en to be diversified with pools of water, and in such situations, or the barren sandy downs in the immediate vicinity of the sea, it fixes upon a place for its nest which is indeed a mere slight hollow lined with such straw and dry weeds as come most convenient. In one instance Wilson saw a nest of the Killdeer curiously paved and bordered with fragments of clam and oyster shells ; at other times no vestige of an artificial nest was visible. The eggs, usually four, large and jxjinted at the smaller end, are of a yellowish cream cclor thickly tnarked with blackish blotches. ,\t all times noisy and (luerulous to a proverb, in the breed- ing-season nothing can exceed the Killdeer's anxiety and alarm ; and the incessant cry of kiUcer, kiUeer, or tc tc Je tfif, and /<■ i/if, as they waft themselves about over head or descend I KILLDEER. ^^l ami lly around you, is almost deafening. At the >anK- tune, to carry out this ajjpearance of distress they run along the ground wuh hanging wings, c ountert'eiting lameness to ilivert '* » intention of the intruder, Imleed, no jierson can now approa i the breel MH'AI.MAIA. Char. Abnvc. hiowiii^li a>li ; forelic.id wliitc, bordered with bl.ick; cliLcIo lii.ii.k ; tlim.'it .uid b.iiid round mck wliitc ; bn.a-.t and band rA < 'n the in.ni^ii) ot a >ali-in.ii.sh or a .swain]))- inlet ot the .-ea ; a slijilit Imllow partially lined with i;rass or weeds. y^\wr, 2-4 (usuallv 4); greenish butf or olive drab, marked with sev- eral sjiadi.^ ut brown; si/e variable, aveiaL^e i 30 X 0.95 rhi-> ^lnall species, so nearly relaleil to the Kini; Plover of luiropc. arrives from the South along our sea-coasts ami tliDse of the Middle States towards the close of April, where it is seen tcedini,' and busily collecting its insect fare until the close of May. These birds then (lisai)i)ear on their way farther north to breed, and in the summer are even observed as far as the i< y shores of ( Ireenland. According to Richardson they aboun 1 in Ar( tic America during the simimer, and breed in similar situations with the (lolden Plover, Mr. IhUchins adds, its eggs, generally four, are dark colored and s]K)tted with black. The aborigines say that on the api)roach of stormy weather this species utters a chirping noise and claps its wings, as if inlluenced by some instinctive excitement. The same, or a \ery similar species, is also met with in the larger West India i>lainls and in Prazil according to the riule figure and imperfect descrii)tion of Piso, The early commencement of inclement weather in the cold regions selected for t!ieir breeding haimts induces tlie Ring Plo\ers to migrate to the South as soon as their only brood have actjuired strength for their indispensable journey, ['"locks of the old and young are thus seen in the vicinity of lioston l)y the close of the first week in .August, and they have been observed on the shores of the Cumberland, in Tennessee, by the ninth of September, The Semi-palmated Ring Plover, though so well suited for an almost aquatic life, feeds on land as well as marine insects, collecting weavels and other kinds, and very assiduously cours- SEMI-rALMAlED I'LOVLK. 6$ ing the 5trani>icious, ami may rea«iily be approachctl by the fowler, as well as iletainetl sometimes by whir>iling in imitation of their ([uailing call. On most occa- sions, an, near which they almost perpetually course, gliding and run- ning with great agility before the retiring or advancing water-.. Their rlesii is commonlv fat and well llavored, and in earlv autumn they are not uncommon in the markets of lioston and New \\)xk. Thc^.e pretty and inierLSting birds arc abuiulaiU tlirougliout the United htatcs during l>oth the spring and the autumn nui;rations; but excepting an occasional i)air that arc found in Maine, wmc breed south of the Canadian boundary. Dr. Louis IJ. ISishop reported numlx-rs breeding on the .Magilalen Islaiuls, in iSSS, and tiie birds are abundant during the summer on the coast of Labra- dor. In winter they range into South .Vmerica, many going as far as Dra/il and Peru. VOL. II. ;— 5 j KINC; PLOVER. ^EciIALlTIS HI.VIICLLX. Chak. Above, rich brown: forehead and stripe behind the eves while; crown, cheeks, and collar black. — the collar widest on the breast ; l)atch on wings white; central tail-ftathtr- brown, tiiiped witli white; outer feathers mostly white; beneath, white : bill yellow, tipped with black. Length 7^4" inches. .\V.f/. A cavity among the pebbles of a scawa>hcd beach, sometimes slightly lined with weeds, — occasionally the lining is of small stones about the size of peas. F.,i,xt- ^' iially 4; dull buff, marked with brownish black; 1..J0 X 1.00. This Kiiiopean bird, known to many of I'ne old cotintry jiunncrs as the Kinged Dottcrell. and closely allied to our well-known Senii- palniated I'lover. was found by Kumlien breeding: in numbers on the western shore of Cumberland Hay. The sameobseiver reports it common iilso at Disco Island, (ireenland. It is not known to KlNJiKI) ri.DVKk. ^7 (.IS iiii- to occur regularly elsewhere in America, thouj,'!' one example has b«rrnlakcn at ( Ireat Slave Lake: Imt it is found throu;il»«»ui Kuro|K\ and ranges over r.ortiurn .\>ia to l)Lrinj;"> Straits. It i"> met uitit jhrouyhout the entire year in I'nyhiml, breeflint; as tar M>uth as Kent and Sussex, and ranges imrth to Kit. 80' 45', and Mjuth (in minler) to the shores of Africa. Stn;l»olim thinks that the liird found nestin;; in the Iirit:sh Inlands is a ku'^tr and hi;hter-t oh)red race, i.iyin;^ a larger cyi:; .and he proposes to make it a sub-species and name it htatii.ula major. Like others of the family, the Kini^ed IMover feeds on small thin- shelled crustaceans, sut h as shrimps, etc., and sea-worms. a.s well as <.*n insects, which it catches with much adroitness: and with its food Jt minifies small pel)i)li-s and parti* Ils of sand to aid di;;estion. The usual note of this hinl is a melodious wluslle; b'lt the call- note is harsli, while the cry of alarm, though noisy, is rather plain- tw. This last note has been written pexc-y-et and too'it. The male, however, uses a distint t i .dl-n(it<.' durin:^ the matinij-sciMin. It is the same note as the usual call, but repeated so rapidly it forms a trill, and it is also delivered in more li(|uid tones. This riover is described by Seebohm a.s a wild, wary bird when feeding in its uinter-ciuarters. l)Ut quite the opposite when or: its breediii:^-<;rounds in the Far North, it there becf>mes an unoluru- sjve little creature, neither shy nor wary, and rarely displayinij more than a shade of an.xiety in its actions, — running but a little distance from an intruder, or living to an adj.n eiit kii '11 to watch his move- ments: sometimes s(|uattinLC close to the sand until almost under one's feet. It runs with .ijreat swiftness, j)ausin;; now and then. and danini; away attain. Keei)in<^ close to the edj^e of the water. It follows the receding w.ives picking up what food may have iK-cn stranded, and hastening shoreward as the waves return. Note. — A few examples of the .Mountain I'i.ovfr {JEi;ialiii% momtana^ have been taken in Florida, The usual habitat of this ^>ecies is from the Great Plains wtstuird. li! if ■j'l - j-^^^Taa..- HLA( k-ri:li.ii:i) pi.ovkr. BKETLE-ill.An. liUM.-HKAD. SWISS PLOVER. CHAKADKH S S<,)LAT.\R(Jl-A. CiiAK. Siimnior iiliinia,i;o . nlxive, sixittcd l)lack and white or a>!iv; bcneatli, l)la( k Wiiikr plumage . alxivc, -pottotl black ami hrownisli vul liiw ; l)ciu:iili, l)IacU mixed witli wliitc Distinguished frion in the soil, lined with a tew leaves and ! its of grass. l\Z^s 4 , buftish olive or greenish drab thickly marked with brown- ish black ; J "lo X 1.40 The Black-bt'llied or large Whistling Field Plover is met with in most parts of the northern hemisphere, and in America is known to breed from the ojien grounds of Pennsylvania to the very extremity of the Arctic regions. It is common around vul thcr 1!Lalk-i;i;li.ii:i) i'i.ovkr. C^j Hudson liay. How f.ir this bird (.'xtcnds its mis^nitions to the smithwanl is not satisfactorily ascertained, thou<;h there is httle doubt but that it ranges lo the confines of Mexico, and it has been seen in considerable number^ in Louisiana and the C'ar- olnias tluring the winter. .\( cordini,' to \\'il>t)n it L'enerailv arrives in the inland parts of I'ennsylvania in the Litter pari of April; and less tnnid than the (loKlen Plover, it often selects the jiloughed field for the Mte of its nest, where the ordinary fare of earth-worms, lar\;e, beetles, antl wingetl insects now abounds. The nest, as in most of the binls of this class, is very slightly and ijuickly made of a few bhules of stubble or withered grass, in which are generdly deposited four eggs, large for the .si/e of the bird (being s( art ely a Hne short of fvo inches in length), of a cre;nn color slightly inclining to olive, and speckled nearly all over w,ih small sjjots and blotches of lightish brown, and others of a subdued tint, bordering on lavender purple ; the s|)ecks. as usual, more numerous towards the large end. In the more temperate parts of the I'niled States it rears often two broods in the se.ison, though only one ill Massachusetts, where, indeedi, the nests are of rare o cur- rence. During the summer the young and i)h\ now k-vd much upon various kinds of berries, particularly those of the early bramble, called dewd)erries ; and tiieir lie>h at this tune is highly esteemed. .About the last week in August the Uetel- headed Plovers (as they are called in New lingland) descend with their young to the borders of the sea-coast, where they assemble in great numbers from all their Northern breeding- places. Now passing an unsettled and roving life, without any motive to local attachment, they crowd to such places as promise them the easiest and surest means of subsistence ; at this time small shell-fish, shrimj)s, and other mmute marine animals, as well as the grasshojjpers, which abound in the fields, constitute their principal fare. The Black-bellied Plover is at all times extremely shy and watchful, uttering a loud, rather plaintive whistling note as it flies high and circling in the air, and is so often nois\, partic- ularly in the breeding-season, as to have acciuired among many ill ro \V.VDINC; BIRDS. of till' i^Miincrs alonji th»- coast the name of the iJlaek-belhed Killdeer. From a supposed similarity, probably in the note, it is remarkable that liie inhabitants of the I'arcK- Islands de- nomiiiate the ( )yster-s related to \\v rio\er>, i^ remarkable for its siiiiilarity. '\\\^ }5etel-headed Plovers n>nally lin;4er round the sea-eoast in the Miiltlle States till the commencement of November, when, the frosts beginning sensi!)ly to diminish their ])rospect of sub- sistence, th.ey in>tinctively move off t(nvards the South, proceed- ing probably, at this time, under the shadi' of twilight, as moving llock-. are nowhere, a> far as 1 vaw learn, seen by day. About the middle of September in the marshes of Chelsea ( Mass. ). contiguous to the beach, they sometimes assemble at (lay-break in flocks of more than a thousand individuals together, and soon after dis])erse themsehes in (X)mpanies to feeil, on the shores, uj)()n small shell-fish and marine insects. This crowding in>tinct takes place a short time i)revious to their general migration southward. Wilson originated the irior that tliis species breeds in the mountains of I'eiinsylvania. and Audubon. Richardson. .Xuttail. and otIuTs have helpt-d to perpetuate it. TherL' is no good evidence obtainable that the bird has nested south of the Hudson Bav dis- trict, but numerous ol).^erveis have met with it in summer on the iiarnn (iround region .ind .ilong the shores of tlie Arctic Ocean. It has bi'i-n founi! in winter in tlie West Indies and South .Amer- ica On its spring migration it goes north bv various routes. - .icross the interior as well as aloiiij: the coast-Iinc — l)nt on the Atlantic shores it is more abundant in autumn than in spring I did not meet with any e\am|)les during spring on the I>av of Kundy or the New Brunswick shores of tiie (lulf of .St. Lawrence, but Mr. IJoardman informs me that the species occurs .sparinglv at the mouth of the .St. Croix River. Stearns reported it common in southern I.,ii)rador, but Turner did not lind it at Lbi-'ava. NoTi:. — (Occasionally an example of the Lai'Wi.\(. {^Witulltit '•iHiiu-lliis) — a European species — visits ("ireenlaml. It has been t.iken on Long Island also. •■X- 'IIK.NSIONK. CHICKEN I'l.nVKK. UKAN I lilRD. KKD-LECCKD PLOXT.K. ArI \\KI\ IMf-.RPRF.S. (^HAK Head. ncrk. hrc.Kt. niid ^linuldcrs varicantrrl hl.ick and white; back streaked chestnut and Mack; win^s witli I)an(l of white; rump wliitc; tail-coverts and nio-t of tail-tcathcrs chirk l)ro\vn ; beneath, wiute. I.ei^s and feet orant,'e red; hind toe turning iiruhi>iL Hill black, slnut, and acute. Length 9 inches. yW>7 Under shelter of bn-hes or anionj: herl)ac:e near the sea-shore; a sliijht dei)ression, lined with a few leave* and blades of grass or weed- stetns. /•.\;' ?-4 fnsnallv 4) ; grecni-Ii grav, spotted and streaked with brown and liluish ash; too X iio. 'I'lu'sc sinj^tilar marine birds are not only conimon to the whole northern hcniis|»here, bnt extend their colonies even to Senegal and the Cape of (lood IIo])e, in the southern half of the Ljlohe. Their favorite brecdinj^'-resorts are, however, con- fined to the inclement regions of the North, to which they arc in no haste to return, but linger alonj; the coast in the tem- l)erate climates for scwral months before they attain to the remote md desolate shores of their nativity. 'I'heir southern ^-^ /#:^: ;2 WAlJiNCi DIRDS. I'll ])r()gress in America is in .ill j)i()l)ability >"ontinucil ;is iar .'i the tiDlMcs, siiHo tlu'ir rare even extends itself int(j the other hemi- sjjhcre. liulTon, in fact, figures a si)ccinicn of the younj^ bin! from Cayenne. In New Jersey, according to W'ilrion. these birds arrive in the month of April, and there linger until June, very soon after which they are seen at their breeding-(nnrters (jn the shores of Hudson ]5ay and along the desolate strand of the Arctic Sea, where they ha\e bien met with by the northern navigators as far as the 75th j)arallel. 'I'hey already begin to (Kjiart from these remote boreal regions in August, in whi( h month, and even towards the close of July, I have >>een young bii(U for sale in the market of llo^ton. They visit the >hores of (ire.U liritain also about the same time, arri\'ing thence probably from the Arctic shores of Siberia. Five or six weeks later they are observed to visit the borders of the Delaware, and i)roceed onward to the South as the weather in( veases in coldness. The most southern summer residence of these binis known, if Mr. I""lemming be correct, is the Scottish isles of Zet- land. They are also said to inhabit the isles of the Haltic during summer. In a mere de|)ression of the sand or gravel, along the sea-coast, they are said to drop their egir-, which are four in number, and according to Mr. Ilutchin.i are of an olive green si)Otted with blackish brcwn. This bird is naturally n*" n wild and solitary disposition, coursing along the shore \\\ ',>airs or in small fa.nilies whi( h ha\e been bred together, in the months of .Ma\- and June, in New Jersey, they almost wholly feed upon the spawn i)f the king-crab, or horse-foot {Monofit/i/s />()/y/>/i('iiiNs, Lis.), which affords them and other animals an abundant and almost inex- haustible su[iply. The Turnstone, while flying, often utters a loud twittering note, and runs at times with its wings lowered, but is Ks^ swift in its movements than most of the Sand|)ipers, and more ])aticnt and intent in obtaining its fan-. Like the W^xxl- neckers, it is content to search over the same j^lace for a con- siderable length of time ; the mechanism of its bill seems well l)rovided for diis purpose, and it is often seen in this way WllOOi'l.NG CKANL / 0 turning over stones ami itcl)l>ics from side to side in >einh of various marine worms and insects. 'Ihe young feed aW> tipon shrimps and different kinds of small shf.'ll-fish. jLiitica- larly minute mussels \vhi( h are o( casionally cast up by the tides. According to Calesby, this habit, of turning over stones in (juest of insects is retained by the species even when subjected to tlomestication. Tlie 'runistonc is a coiumon spring and autumn migrant tiirough- out tills liastirn region. l)ut near the AtlaiUic is found only on the sca-sli<)r<'. It makes its nest in the Arctic regions, from Hudson Hay northward, and during the winter ranges throughniit South America to the Straits of .Magellan. The food of the.se birds is the usual shore-birrl diet: I>ut they have been known to thrive upon boiied rice and bread >oakeil in milk. They make interesting jK'ts. as they are gentle atul confid- ing, and are readily reconeiied to confinement. WHOOl'INC. ('R.Wi:. (;ri:.\t white ck.wk. (iKl.> .\MI kICAN.A. Cu.\K. Gencr.u plumage white; oiucr wiiig-fcathers, or juI'iukic*. bl.ick ; crown and cheeks neariy naked and cnlored oran.ue ■. x. th-.* sparse hair-like featJRrs black ; tail covered with long a'l' ..'lacciul plume-feathers. 15111 grceni.sh yellow, 0 inches long, stout, ;u' puinied. Length over 4 feet. jVis/. On a dry mound in ;. marsh or on margin of a swanqi , luadi <>£ heavy marsh gra>s and pLiccd on high platform of sedges. /;';%'-f- 2-^; rough and coarse, Muish ash soniclimes ti.^cil w.r.h brown; m.irked with pale brown; 3.80 X 2.60. This stately Crane, the largest of all the feathered tnt»es in the United States, like the rest of its family dwelling amidst marshes and dark and desolate swamjjs, according to the season is met with in almost every part of North .\merica, from the islands of the West Indies, to which it retires to pas> the winter, to the utmost hal)itable regions and fui couiitrieii ot the North. .A few of these birds hibernate in the warmer parts of the Union, anil ^omc have been known to linger through 74 WADl.Nd lUKDS. tin- wiioli- of tin- iiick'incnt season in tlu' swatiips of .W-w Jersey, near to Cape May. NN'hen disctjvered in their rt-treat-., thev ..re ol)ser\i'(l wandering .iloii_j, the marches and nniddy tlai> near the sea-shore, in i|ue>.t of n-ptiles, fi-^h, and maruie worni^. ( )e(asionaliy they are ^eiii >aihnu aioni,' from j)lare to pLi( e uitli a heaw. siKait llii^lit, elewiti'd hut htlle ahose tlie ■>nrfare of the earth. lAer wary, and ■>te;ihn;^f from the view nf ;dl ol)ser\i'rs. these _uannt hiia(U'h of something which (:on>ta'itl\ a\-oids the social light impress the nund no less with I inio>ity than axi-rsii)!) ; and it is surprising that, lurtive and inharmonio\is as owls, they ha\e not excited the prejudice of tiu' superstitious. At times tlu'V ntti'r a loud, clear, and piercing cry that may he luard to a \ery considerahle distance, and which, i)eing not unaptl)' com])are(l to the whoop or yell of the savages wluii rushing to hattle, has conferri'd upon oiu' hird his pe( u- liar apjK'il.ition. ( )tiier species of tlu' genus possess also the same sonorous crv. When wounded ihe\' attack those who approach ilum with considerahle vigi)r, so inu( h so as to have heen known to dart dieir sharp and daggi'rdike hill through ti.e incautious haml held out for their cai»ture. Indeed, ;iceording to I >r. Richardso! . the\' ha\e sometimes dri\en the lo\v 1 r furly out of the fuld. In the winter season, dispersed from their native haunts in quest )| s\il)sistence. they are often seen prowling in the K. I.irm.' as iIkjsc ot" the ^^\^^l^, and uf a bliiiNh-whiU' color blott hi-d wiih l)ro\vii. \\ lii>o|)in.u Craius u-^o wiih ilitti« uh\ from the urotind, llyini; low tor ,i uinc, :iiid thu> allord aii fa->y mark lor the sport^in in. At other tiiius the\ lly around in wide » ircles as it' reconnoi- tring tlie sinrounilin^ ( ountry for froh feeding ground ; o( casioiialiy ihey ri>c ^jjirally into the air to a great heigiit, minghng their >.( reaming voices together, which are still so loud, when they are almost out of sight, as to re>eml)K' a i),i( k of hounds in full < ry. I^irly m l-\l)ruary Wilson met with several of these ('rane> in South Carolina ; at the same season and in the early part of the t'olK)wing month 1 heard their ( lamorous c ries nearl\ e\(.r\- morning around the enswamped |)onds oi \\ i>i Idorida and throughout (leorgia, so that man\' indi\iduals probably pas> either the winter or the whole \ear in the southern extremity of tlu' I'nion. It IS ini])ossiijle to descrilu- tin- i lainor of one of the>e roost- ing llock>. which the\ begin usually to utter ai)out sunrise, lake the howling-monkeys, or j>rea( hers, of South America (as they are (ailed), a single individual sei'med at first as if haranguing or (ailing out t.) the assembled company, and after uttering a round number of diMdrdant. sontjnjus, and braying tones, the address seemed a> if re( ei\ed with becoming ap- plause, and was se( onded with a reiteration of jingling and trumpeting hurrahs. The idea conveyed by thi> singulai as^o ciation of ^ounds was so striking, ([uaint. and ludicrous that I could never hear it without >miling at the coik cit. Captain Amidas (the llrst I'.nglishman who ever set foot in North America) thus graphicallv describes their ( himor on his land- ing (in the i>le cf Wokokou. off the roast of North 1,'arohna. in the month of Ji ly : *' Siu h a t1i>'k of < 'ranes (the most part white) arost.' under us, with >uch a cry, rc.urelv tlescending on tin bo.sijin of ill ;6 WADING lilKDS. tlu' Mississippi in one of the tradinj; boats of that jiciiod, 1 had an opjjortunity of witnessing one of these vast nugrations of ihi- \\"h()i)ping Cranes, assembled by many thoiisancU from all the marshes and im])assable swamps of the North and West. The whole continent seemeil as if giving,' np its (piotaofthe species to swell tiie mighty host. Their tlight took place in the niglit, tlown the great aerial valley of the river, whose southern course conducted them every instant towards warmer and more Im^piiaMe climes. The clangor of these numerous legions passing along high in the air seemed almost deafening ; the confused cry of the vast army continued with the length- ening procession, and as the vocal call continued nearly throughout the whole night without intermission, some idea may l)e formed of the immensity of the numbers ncjw assem- bled on their annual journey to the regions of the South. Tlie Whooping Crane is almost entirely contiiicil to the reiitral portions of the continent, breeding from about the forty-third par- allel northward, and wintering in Te.xas and the swani])y interior of Florida. It is doubtful if this species ever occurred in .\en- luig- land, and at this day it is not seen near the Atlantic to the north of tile Chesapeake. It is a rare spring and fall migr mt in Ohio, and a few pairs nest annually in the prairie region of Illinois. I ITTI.K r.ROWX CRANE. CRL'S canadf.nsis. Chau. General color bluish grav, washed in places witli tawny; cheeks and throat ashy, sometimes white ; crown partially covcreil with black hair-like feathers ; wintjs ashy brown ; bill blackish, /oung brown- ish gray washcil with tawnv. Length almut 3 feet. A't's( On the marshy bank of a river or pond; a hollow in the turf lined with dry grass. /'.';■,;■■'• Usually 2; olive drab or ashy yellow ur sea-green, marked with brown ; 3.65 X 2.30. For the distribution of this species, see the account of the Sand- lull Crane. SANDHILL CRANE. 77 ClI \K 4 ICLl. A'e.t and E^i;:^s X 2.45. SANDHILL CKANF.. liKMUN CKAXi:. GkLS MKXICANA. Similar to the Little I'-rjwn Cram.-, Ijut larj;er. L'-n^th about Similar to the smaller race. The eyy.'^ largwr . 400 This N])ecies, scarcely inferior to the iiiiitncatia in nia^ni- tiide, visits all parts ut' the I'ur countries in suinnur up to the shores of the Arctic Sea. and is iii'leed, aylvania on their way either to the North or West ; but as the Atlantic coast has become more settled and ikjjhiIous, these shy birds have, for the most part, altered their route, and now |)n>ceed more within the wilder interior of the continent. In May they are seen about Hudson Bay ; and like the \\"hoo|»ing Crane, which they resemble in manners, they nest on the ground, laying two eggs, of an oil green, irregularly and rather thi( kly si>otted with yellowish brown and umber, the spots continent and dark on the greater end. The tlesh is accountetl good food, resembling that of the Swan ( Cx-^niis l>iicciiiator\ in flavor. It is !K)t surprising tVi.il ".iie older writers slmuld have treated canai/e>isi.\ and mexiianii as one species, for in appearance and in general distribution they are very similar, though the larger of the two may he termed a Southern race, as it breeds south to Florida, while the smaller race breeds north to the .Arctic regions: but both f"-rms are tound on the Western plains. Aldii^ the vallev of the .Mississippi these birds are very abun- dant ; but excepting an occasional wanderer, they are .seen to the eastward of that river in (leorgia and Florida only. One example of the Little iWown Crane has been shot in Rhode Island and another in South Carolina. 78 WADINL. LIKIj: GRKAT r.i.n: hi.ron, DLL I. CUANK. AklMlA IIKKOUIAS. ("II \i' Ci(iuial color ashy Itliic, darkir on the \viiij;>; llii^li^ ukI ftlgc oi wings «.lit>ima ; crot wliiu, bonkrccl by blaik, from wlmli (mil two 'oiig, slundcr black iVatlurs ; ^pois of dusky and clicxinn* on front of the nf«.k ; under |)ait.s ilu>ky, broadly striped willi wliite : long and slender pliuues of pale pearly gr.iy hang from the breast and (all graiefully over the wings (these plmnes are wanting in tlie autunm) ; bill longer th.m e head, stout, and acute, of yellow color ; leg^ and feet blaik. I.engdi about 42 to 50 inches. .Vti/. Isualiv witit a connnunitv situated in a svraniorc 01 (\ press -wain|), or (at the North) in a grove of deciduous tiee«; placed on the upper blanches of tall trie-. — sometimes on bare rocks; made ol small dry twigs, and lined (.ach year with fresh green twigs. ^XX"-^- 3-5 (u.->ually •>) ; greeidsh blue: j.;o a 1.50. The (Ircat Heron of Aiuc-rica, nowhere numerous, may be considered as a constant inhabitant of the Atlantic States, from New \(>rk to ]''ast I'^Iorida, in tlie storms of winter seekiii.^ out open springs, muddy marshes subjected to the overllow of tides, or the sheltered recesses of the cedar and cypress swamps (ontiguous to the sea-coast. As a rare or accidental visitor, it has been found even as far north as Hudson iJay, and com- monly passes the l)reeding-season in small numbers along the ( oasts of all the New laiglantl States and the adjoining parts of British .\merica. Mr. Say also ol)served this species at I'embino, in the 49th parallel. Ancient natin-al heronries of this species occur in the deejj maritime swamps of N\)rth and South Carolina : similar associations for breeding e.\.ist also in the lower parts of New Jersey. Its favorite and long-fre- (juented resorts are usually dark and enswami)ed solitudes or boggy lakes, grown up with tall cedars, and entangled with an under-growth of bushes and Kalmia laurels. These recesses defy the reclaiming hand of cultivation, and jjresent the same gloomy and haggard landscape they did to the aborigines of the forest, who, if they e.xisted, might still pursue through the tangled niazis of these dismal swamps the retreating bear and (JKtXT r.M K IlKKON. 79 timorous «lccr. From ihc lHj<>oin »)rtlu>f choktil like>. an«i arising out of the «lark iim\ pitchy bo^, iniy In- Miti htiiv clumps «>l" the tall < yprcss { L'u/>/rss//s i/ii/i,/iti), like the in- niuiurable tonnectinu <<»hjmiH t»t' the shady m.iuiirow. for sixty or more feet rising without .1 hiaiu h ami tin ir >prea almost to exchule the light from bcmath tlieir hraiK hes. In the t«»p> ai the talle>t of these tree the wary Herons, as>o(iatit.'., eai ii one in the top of .1 single tree; iher^e are large, formed «>f coarse stick-i. and merelv lined with smaller lwig>.. 1 he egg>, gene- rally four, are somewhat larger than tlu)>e ol the l:.n. of a light-greenish bhu*. and destitute of si)ots. I'he ytum,:^ an; seen abroad about the middle of May, and hnoine extrenjely ♦at and full grown Ix-fore they make any eliec tivi' attempt-, to liy. They raise but a single brood : and when disturbed at liieir eyries, lly over the >pot, sometimes honking almost like a goose, and at others uttering a loud, hollow, and guttural grunt. Fish is the primijiai Ax>d of the (Ireat Herons, ai'.d tor this purpo'.e. like m\ exiieriencetl angler, they oftm wait fo- th.it jomlition of the tide which best suits their experience anuch times they are seen slowly sailing out fnun their inland bree»ling-haunts during the most silent and <<).»| perio«l ol the summer's day, selecting usually suhallow inlets as the ebbing tide leaves bare or accessible to their watchful and patient mode o{ prt)wling ; here, wading to the knees, they stanti motionless amidst the timorous try till some victim coming within the compass of their wily ran^e is as instantly sci/eii by the ]>owerful bill of the Heron as if it were the balanceprey. If large, the tish is beaten to tleath. and com- monly swallowef' with the head des< ending, as if to avoid anv obstacle arising from the reversion of the fins or any hard external processes. ( )n land the Herons have alsti their fare, as they are no less successful anglers than mousers, and ren- der an imponant strxace to the farmer in the destniction they make among most of the re]>tiles and meadow shrews. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) A / 1.0 I.I 1^ iM 1.25 iu 1 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation #> s. (These plumes are worn only during the nesting season, and are not seen on young hirds ) Rill black, yellow at the base; legs black, feet yellow. Length 20 to 27 inches. Ays/. With a coniniunitv ; placed usually on a low cedar or willow, — a mere jilatform of dry twigs. £i,%^. 2-5 (usually 4) ; greenish blue : 1.S3 X 1.25. This elegant Heron, so nearly related to the little Egret of Europe, inhabits the marshes and swamps of the sea-coast nearly from the isthmus of Darien to the estuary of the St. Lawrence, generally omitting, however, the maritime range of I If 3. nil \ i:: SN'OWV IIliRON. 8- ;alccl the end Ivor II P.ill ^7 of )ast St. >f ii the ccniral j, 'ts of Xrw I'.ii^lanil. it anr/cs in t!u' I'liiti-il States from tin. South e.irlv in .\i)ril, ami i)aM.Tin^' inlaivl, at length i)rocee(l.s up the \aiU'\- of tlie .^^is^,issi|)pi, and even ascends the borders of tiie Arkansas, thus j)tirsuin,t,' an e.xtensive inland route to tiie final (U-stinatiDU in tiie wilds of ( 'anada. It departs from the Middle St ite->, louirtls its hibernal desti- nation in the South, in the course of the month of ()(tol)er. Like mo^t of the summer visitors of this family, the Snowy Heron confines its re^ideiK e to the >all-marshes, where its bril- liant whiteness renders it a cons[)icuous object at a ili>tanie. Its food, as ustial, consists of small crabs, worms, snails, Iroi^s, anf rich red- dish brown, sometimes tinged with [nirple ; scajjular ])lunies and train — the latter extending beyond tiie tail — grayish blue, tinged with brown towards the ends; bill pink, tipped with bhick ; legs bUie, claws black. White phase. Plumage entirely white ; bill pink, tipped with black; legs and feet olive, soles yellow. Length about 30 inches. V(nnig of both phases simdar to the adult, but lacking the nuptial plumes. Sometiines the blue and white colors are displayed by the same specimen in a " pied " form. iXest. With a community close by the sea-shore ; placed on a low tree or bush, sometimes on the ground, — a platform of dry twigs. Ei:;i:;s. 2-6 (usually 3); pale blue tinged with green; size variable, average about 1.90 X 1.45. This is another of those dichromatic species that have caused confusion and controversy, and given to both systematists and book-makers a deal of trouble. The white phase has in this instance been made to play the shuttlecock ; and appearing first as a distinct species, under the name of '■ Peale's Egret," it has been tossed hither and yon by the numerous writers who have laid claim to a solution of the problem which these varied phases of plumage present. At one time made out to be the young of A. nifa, later set up as a white phase of this species, again seized upon by the hungry variety-makers I KLDDLSII ECJKfcr 89 low ea.ncr to convert it into a j^co^rapliical race, it was at last. tlu(ju,i;li the conservatism of the A. C). L'., laid to rest in that relume lor (|uestional)le cases, tlie *• iiypothttical list," there to await the j;atherini; ot" more decisive data. In liie mean time, as it becomes necessary lor me to de.-^crihc its characteristics, I treat the while biril as an individual vari.ition or phase ot the present species, because I think this will bf its ulti- mate destiny, but these white s])ecimens have alw.iy.> been com- paratively rare, in a tlock ol lliivty birds not more than lour or live will wear white plumes, — anil the plume-hunters may exterminate them before any naturalist cm luive any opportunity to make further study of their orij^in. Indeed, as I write, the remnant may be yieldim,^ their plumes to the in.>>atiable crew, for the heronries of the South have been almost wipetl out during the last few years. Nuttall makes no mention of the Reddish Kj^ret, thou^dl he does give a short note tellinj^^ of the discovery of /6V//t7, — the white phase (Jur bird is not well known even at this day. few observers having met with it. It occurs regularly within the I'nited States only in Florida and along the (lulf coast, though examples occa- sionally wander up the Mississippi valley as far as Illinois These birds are said to begin breeding in March, and eggs have been taken through April. The young are nearly naked wlien hatched, wearing nothing but a few patches of down : but it is a disputed point whether all the young are white, or a part of them are blue. .Audubon says that they are fed by regurgitatif)n. grow- fast, and soon l)ecome noisy. They leave the nest when about seven weeks old, fully fledged and able to fly. The favorite feeding-ground of these Egrets is a mud flat over which the outgoing tide leaves but about six to ten inclus of water. In this they stand, and silently and motionless watch for their prey, or using their feet among the water-plants, drive the tisli — their principal food — from under cover. If they miss the object at their first dart, they give chase : and though appearing so climisy and awkward as to present a ridiculous figure while in pursuit of a scudding fish, are much more expert at this chasing than are any others of their kin. The red-and-blue specimens and the white always gather in one Hock, and it has been remarked that they quarrel with each other persistently, — white against white, as well as white against red ; but neither white nor red birds have b'len observed to attack any other species. The flight of this species is strong and graceful, and when two males combat in mid-air their evolutions are performed with rare skill. Like many other birds. — aye. like most birds. — this Egret is less shy during the breeding-season than at other times. Some observ'ers deny them all credit for shyness, but admit that they seem % 90 \VAUIN(i IJIKDS. cxtrtnu-ly fearless when mate and younj,' demand tlair protection. Said Auiiiiljon. writing ot the fearKssiiess of tlu- Herons durinj; this jK-riod. •• As llie slren;,'th ol their atLiclimeiit toward tlicir mate • or proj,'eny increases tliroiijLjh tiie process of time, as is tlie ca>e with the better part ol' our own species, lovers and parents perform ;ut> of heroi^Ill uhicii indiviiUials having no sm h attacli- mcnt to each oUier would luvir dare lo contemphite " He was of the opinicm th.it under the intluence ol' alYection tlic t/iou^/its oi birds change: they become careless of tliemselvv's. and tluis ai)pear fearless and imlilfLreiit to (hinder. No one can stiuh birds in the field without bt.coinin,!,f convinced that these creatures have thoughts, and that they are cajjable of heroic devotion. Few men will ri^lit more valiantly for home and youiiii; than will many of thc^c timid and gentle birds. VKLLUW-CROWNKl) MCIIT HURON. NvcTicoKAx VK )!,.\d;rs. Chai. General plumage ashy l)hio, darker on wiug.s and tail, paler beneath; feathers of upjicr parts witli medial stripe of black ; dorsal plumes narrow and extremely long, reaciiiug bt-yond the tail ; crown, patch on side of head, and long narrow plumes creamy yellow; bill stout and black, sometimes tinged in patches with greenish yellow; legs yellow- ish gret-n. Voung grayish brown, feathers ot' upper parts with medial stripe of pale buff. Length 22 to 28 inches. AV.-/. In a community usually near a stream ; jilaced on a lower branch of a tree. — a mere platform of dry twigs. ^.C<^- 3~^ (usually 4) ; pale and dull blue, slightly tinged with green ; 2.00 X 1.45. This species has been frequently named the White-crowned Xiiiht Heron by authors because the yellow color of the head and plumes fades very soon after death, and finally the feathers be- come cntirelv white. It is found in the warmer portions of this Eastern Province. breedin<; in the Carolinas and the Ohio valley, and south to the Gulf States. It is found also in South America. Occasionally examples are met with to the northward of the usual habitat, two bavin;.; been captured in Massachusetts. In habits, as in appearance, this inrd differs little from its North- ern congener, thou^jh it is less tamable and not so easily domesti- cated : rebelliniT to the end against captivity, and yearning ever for a return to the freedom of a wi'd life. Sometimes these birds search for food during the daytime, but in general they are strictly nocturnal, and feed as well as migi^te at night. Their diet consists chiefly of small reptiles and young biols. III!! E A ctly jists BLACK-(:R(3\Vi\KD NIGHT HERON. SQUAWK. QUA BIRD, NVCI'ILORAX NVC'IICORAX X.KVIUS. Char. Toj:) of bond and back greenish black ; forehead, sido of licad, and iluoat white ; wings and sides of neck bluish gray ; no plumes except- ing two long narrow white feathers at back of head ; lower parts white tinged with pale creamy yellow. V'oung : above, grayish brown ; beneath, dull white, streaked with brownish. iJody stout; bill thick and black; legs short and yellow. Length 23 to 26 inches. Xest. In a community situated near the bank of a stream ; placed on an upper branch of a tall tree, — sometimes placed on the ground in a swamp ; a simple platform of dry twigs. E,i;gs. -1-6: pale green tinged with blue; 2.00 X 1.50. The (ireat Night Heron of America extends its migrations probably to the northern and eastern extremities of the United ^l.t ^ ■ ■■ r, 92 WADING BIRDS. States, but 1- '.vholly unknown in the high boreal regions of the cuntincnl. In the winter it proceeds as far south as the tropics, having been seen in the marshes of Cayenne, and their breeding-stations are known to extend from New (Jrleans to Massachusetts. It arrives in Pennsyhania early in the month of April, and soon takes possession of its ancient nurseries, which are usually (in the Middle and Southern States) the most solitary ami deeply shaded part of a cedar-swamp, or some inundated and almost inaccessible grove of swamp-oaks. In these places, or some contiguous part of the forest, near a pond or stream, the timorous and watchful flock pass away the day until the commencement of twilight, when the calls of hungei and the coolness of evening arouse the dozing throng into life and aciivity. A: this time, high in the air, the parent birds are seen sallying forth towards the neighboring marshes and strand of the sea in qu-:rst of food /or themselves and their young : as they thus proceed in a marshalled rank at intenals they utter a sort of recognition call, like the guttural sound of the syllable Vt^'j///. uttered in so hollow and sepulchral a tone as almost to resemble the retchings of a vomiting person. These venerable eyries of the Kwah Birds have been occupied from the remotest period of time by about eighty to a hundred pairs. When their ancient trees were levelled by the axe, they have been known to remove merely to some other quarter of the same swamp : and it is only when they have been long teased and plundered that they are ever known to abandon their ancient stations. Their greatest natural enemy is t' .• Crow : and according to the relation of Wilson, one of these heronries, near Thompson's Point, on the banks of the Dela- ware, was at length entirely abandoned through the persecu- tion of these sable enemies. Several breeding-haunts of the Kwah Birds occur among the red-cedar groves on the sea- beach of Cape May : in these places they also ailmit the associa- tion of the Little Egret, the Green Bittern, and the Blue Heron. In a ver>' secluded and marshy island in Fresh Pond, near Bos- ton, there likewise exists one of these ancient heronries ; and though the birds have been frequently robbed of their eggs in 111 :as in I5Lack-cro\\.\i:d night heron. 93 great numbers by mischievous boys they still lay again imnio- diately after, and usually succt 1 in raising a sutifirient brood. The nest>, always in trees, art comjjosed of twigs slightly inter- laced, more shallow and slovenly than those of the Crow ; and though often one, sometimes as many as two or three nests are built in the same tree. The eggs, about four, are as large as those of the common hen. and of a ])ale greenish blue color. The mar>h is u^5ually whitened by the excrements of these birds: and the fragments of broken egg-shells, old ne^ts. and small fir-h which they have dropped while feetling their young, give a characteristic picture of the slovenly, indolent, and voracious character of the occupants of these eyries. On entering these dark and secluded retreats of the Xight Heron, the ear is assailed bv the confused and choking noise uttered by the old and young, which, however, instantly ceases the moment the intruder is observed ; and the whole throng, lately so clamorous, rise into the air in silence, antl fly to the tops of the trees in some other part of the wood, while parties of the old birds, of from eight to ten, make occasional recon- noitring circuits over the spot, as if to observe what may be going on in their sur^irised domicile. However deficient these nocturnal birds may be in vision by day. their faculty of hearing is so acute that it is almost impossible, with every precaution, to penetrate near their resi- dence without being discovered. As soon as the young are able to fly, and long before they are capable of sustained flight, they climb to the highest part of the trees near their nests, as if to solicit the attention and watch the return and protection of their officious jiarents ; and yet, with every pre- caution, the young fall victims to the prowling Hawks, who, hovering round, make an occasional sweep among their tim- orous ranks. About the middle of October the Qua Birds begin to retire from this part of Massachusetts towards their southern winter quarters, though a few of the young birds still linger occasion- ally to the 29th or 30th of that month. Their food consists chiefly of small fish, which they collect in the twilight or . I ! (;i- 94 WADING BIRDS. towards night, and in the wide gullet which commences at the immediate base of the bill they probably carry a sui)i)ly for the use of their young. In the month of October 1 obtained two specimens of the young Night Heron in their second i)lumage ; these were so extremely fat that the stomach was cpiite buried in cakes of it like tallow. Their food had been Ulva latissinia, small fish, grasshoi)pers, and a few coleopterous insects \ so that at this cool season of the year these birds had ventured out to hunt their fare through the marsh by day, as well as evening. In the stomach of one of these birds, towards its upper orifice, were parasitic worms like taenia. About the time of their departure -the young, in their plumbeous dress, associate together early in the riorning, and proceed in flocks, either wholly by themselves, or merely conducted by one or two old birds in a company. I have visited two heronries of this species in northern New Brunswick, on streams emptying into the Gulf of St. Lawrence at about latitude 47°. It is common in the Muskoka district of Ontario, and Mr. (iunn reports it numerous at Shoal Lake in .Manitoba. He found the nests placed on the ground among the reeds. The bird is a common summer resident of New England, though extremely local in its distribution. The heronry at Fresh Pond, Cambridge, which was celebrated in former years, has been deserted for some time. LriTLE BLUE HERON. \\m BLUE EGRET. Arde.4 CCERULKA. Char. General plumage dark ashy blue; head and neck rich maroon ; plumes on back of head, breast, and back, the last extending over and beyond the tail ; bill slender, curved at the point, and of blue color shad- ing to black at the tip; legs and feet black; eyes yellow. Sometimes the plumage is "pied," — of blue and white, — and occasionally it is almost entirely white, with some traces of blue. The young are usually white, spotted more or less with blue. Length 22 to 26 inches. N'est. Usually in a large community or "heronry;" placed on a top branch of a tree or bush ; made of twigs loosely laid. Ej^gs. 2-5; bluish green ; size variable, averaging about 1.75 X 1.30. 9 'i J -A on ; and ad- the nost hite, top 30. LITTLE BLUE IIERUN. 95 The I)lue Heron may be considered almost a restricted native of the warmer chmates of the United States, from whence it migrates at the ai)[)roach of winter into the tropical parts of the continent, being found in Cayenne, Mexico, and the island of Jamaica. I'he muddy shores of the Mississipi)i from Natchez downward are its favorite rer^ort. In the course of the spring, however^ a few migrate to New England, restricting their visits, like many other of the tender species, to the confines of the ocean and its adjoining marslies, where their proper food of reptiles, worms, and insect larvai abound. They also often visit the fresh-water bogs in the vicinity of their eyries, and move about actively, sometimes making a run at their l)rey. Like the Snowy Herons, with which thev sometimes associate, they are also, when the occa- sion requires, very silent, intent, and watchful. Ihese noc- turnal and indolent birds ap|)ear tacitly to associate and breed often in the same swamps, leading towards each other, no doubt, a very harmless and independent life. Patient and timorous, though voracious in their appetites, their defence consists in seclusion, and with an appropriate instinct they seek out the wildest and most insulated retreats in nature. The undrainable morass grown up with a gigantic and gloomy forest, imperviously filled with tangled shrubs and rank herb- age, abounding with disgusting reptiles, sheltering wild beasts, and denying a foot-hold to the hunter, are among the chosen resorts of the sagacious Herons, whose uncouth manners, harsh voice, rank flesh, and gluttonous apjDetite allow them to pass quietly through the world as objects at once contemptible and useless ; yet the part which they perform in the scale of existence, in the destruction they make amongst reptiles and insects, affords no inconsiderable benefit to man. A few of the Blue Herons, for common safety, breed among the Night Herons, the Snowy species, and the Green Bittern, among the cedars (or Virginian junipers) on the sea-beach of Cape May. The Blue Egret nests regularly, though in small numbers, as far north as Virginia and Illinois. An occasional strairsiler has ';!" ^'■l: 51 i 1 06 WADING BIRDS. i:( been taken in New England, and in 18S4 one was shot near Halifax, N. S. Some naturalists place this among the dichromatic species, while others consider that the white phase, so called, is seen only in young birds, — that all the young are white or pied. LOUISIANA HERON. Ardea tricolor ruficollis. Chak. .\1jove, ashy blue, darker on head and neck; crest reddish purple, excepting the long narrow jjlumc-featliers, which are white; plumes oi the breast mixed, maroon and l)lue; train of straight hair-like plumes from the back extending beyond the tail, of light drab color, lighter toward> the tips ; under p;irts white. Length 24 to 27 inches. /iV.f/. Usually in a community ; ])iaced on a low tree or bush ; made of small twigs. Ex'gs. 2-6. blue with a slight tinge of green ; 1.75 X 1.35. This richly apparelled bird, sometimes called the " Lady of the Waters," occurs in numbers in the Carolinas and southward to the Gulf, and is very abundant in Central America. An occasional straggler has been found as far north as Long Island and Indiana. Those who are familiar with the bird's habits say that it is extremely sociable, and is usually found in company with other species, — the White Egret, IJlue Heron, Night Heron, etc. In its movements are combined rare grace and dignity. Even when hunting for prey it displays less impetuosity than any other of the group. The usual feeding-place is a sand-bar or shallow pond, and there it saunters with stately tread, or stands calmly waiting and watching. If a coveted leech or water-bug halts beyond reaching distance, the Heron stalks upon it in a crouched and cat-like atti- tude, .'.nd then strikes quick and straight. The flight is rather irregular, but is swifter than that of any other Heron. If one of a flock is wounded, its companions hover about it with cries of sympathetic interest. I« li ji 111 GREEN HERON. 97 GREEN HERON. AK]L>EA VIRESCENS. Char. The smallest ot'tEie Utron family, excepting the Least Bittern. Toi> of head and crest dark nvttEjBc green; re>t ot head and neck ricl\ eiicstnut, sometimes with a :.:.i h streams and brushy ponds, where it not only often a.s.sO'.:.-.t~ with the kindred Kwa Birds and Great Herons, but freqnently with the more petulant herd of chattering Blackbirds, ^"r.-n surprised or alarmed, it rises in a hurried manner, utten'.r .. hollow guttural scream and a '^'z£/, 'i^'w, '/&'7t', but does n .-. :: . far, being very sedentary ; and soon alighting on some ^t - - or tree, looks round with an outstretched neck, and b.i,-:. ng itself for further retreat, frequently jets its tail. [- -'. -netimes flies high, with neck reclining and legs extende :,. .".i]jping its w-ings and proceed- voi,. w. — 7 ii 98 WADING HIKDS. ing with considerable expeilition. It is also the least shy of all our species, as well as the most numerous and widely dis- persed,, being seen far inland, even on the banks of the Mis- souri, nearly to the River Platte, and freciuent near all the maritime marshes, and near ponds and streams in general, it 's also particularly attracted by artificial ponds for fish, not refrain- ing evc to visit gardens and domestic premises which any jjrospect of fare may offer, h is at the same time perhai)s as much in (juest of the natural enemy of the fish, the frog, as of the legitimate tenants of the i)ond. These bold and intrusive visits are commonly made early in the morning or towards twilight, and it not unfretpiently, when pressed by hunger, or after ill-success, turns out to hunt its fare by day, a^ well as dusk ; and :i.t such times collects various larvxs i)articularly those of the dragon-fly, with grasshoppers and different kinds of insects. At other times it preys upor small fish, crabs, and frogs, for which it often lies patiently in wai^ till they reappear from their hiding-places in the water or mud, and on being transfixed and caught, — an operation which is effected with great dexterity, — they are commonly beaten to death, if large, and afterwards swallowed at leisure. The Small Hittern in the Middle States usually begins to build a.yout the 15th of April, sometimes in solitary pairs, in dark and swampy woods, at other times in companies, and as already remarked, by similarity of taste and habi*^ frequently joins the heronries of the larger ::pecies as its sort of humble dependant and watchful defender of the general eyry. The young, as usual, slowly acquire the full use of their limbs, and remain patiently in the nest until able to fly. The C/reen Heron is a common summer resident of New Eng- land, and tliough usually rather rare as far north as the Maritime Provinces, is sometimes quite common there. It is common also in Ontario and abundant in Ohio, and ccurr, westward to the Mississippi and northward to Manitoba. In winter the majur pt)r- lion of these birds retire to the West Indies and northein South America, though a few remain In the Gulf States. I 4 AMERICAN r.ITTER.N, 99 hy of I clis- Mis- 1 the It's frain- 1 any ips as as ()i rusive iwarcls ;er, or .•ell as :ularly kinds )s, and appear I being d with f large, gins to airs, in ami as nuently humble The Ds, and |\v Ens;- aritime ion also to the hur por- Soulh AMKRICAN BirniRN. STAKE DRIVER. IJ< ) 1 ALRL S Li;\ riGixosus. Char. Upper parts biownish buff thickly spotted or mottled — "freckled" — witii reddish brown and black; neck butY ; line down the throat white, spotted with brown ; a patch of black or dark brown or gray on the sides of the neck : under parts jjale buft" striped with brown ; bill rather short, stout, and of yellow color ; legs yellowish green. Eeiigth 25 to 30 inches. iVest. In a swamp or reedy marsh, ])lr.ccd on the ground ; a thick mat of coarse grass 'oosely laid. ACs'-f- 3-5; brownish drab, sometimes with an olive tint ; 1.90 X 1 45. 'I'hc Bittern of America, though apparently nowhere numer- ous, from its retiring habits, is found in almost every part of the continent where there exist extensive marshes either maritin ^" or inland, up to the 5Sth parallel, and is found in the morasses and willow-thickets of the interior throughout the fur countries. From the inclement regions it retires in the winter, while in other parts it is permanently resident. It is said to revisit Severn River, at Hudson liiy, about the begin- ning of June, nesting in the swamps among the sedges. It breeds also in several parts of Massachusetts, young birds being met with in the Fresh I'ond marshes and other places in the vicinity of Boston about the middle of summer. 1 )uring the day the Night Hen, as it is here called, remains hidden in the reeds and sedge, and rarely comes out till the a])proach of night. When disturbed in its retreat, it flies off with a hollow 'kioa, or kowk, kowk, and sometimes gives a loud squeak of alarm ; at this time, as it flies heavily and at no great height, it is easily shot down. These birds are also sometimes obtained by lying in wait for them as they sally out in the evening towards the salt-marshes, in a particular direction, in quest of food. In the breeding-season and throughout a great part of the summer we often hear the loud booming note of this bird from the marshes of Fresh Pond, morning and evening, and some- lOO WADING BIRDS. times even during tl'.e day. Instead of the In'intp, or /'i>om/>, however of the true Jiittern, the call is something like the uncouth syllables of 'pump-di'i-gah, but uttered in the same low, bellowing tone. The iry of the Kuropean Bittern, so similar to that of our own species, is thus elegantly tlescribed by (loldsmith in his " Animated Nature." " Those who have walked in a summer's evening by the sedgy sides of unfrequented rivers must remember a variety of notes from different water-fowl, — the loud scream of the Wild Goose, the croaking of the Mallanl, the whining of the Lapwing, and the tremulous neighing of the Jack- snipe ; but of all these sounds there is none so dismally hol- low as the booming of the Bittern. It is impossible for words to give those who have not heard this evening call an adecpiate idea of its solemnity. It is like the interrupted bellowing of a bull, but hollower and louder, and is heard at a mile's dis- tance, as if issuing from some formidable being that resided at the bottom of the waters. This is the Bittern, whose wind- pipe is fitted to produce the sound for which it is remarkable ; the lower part of it, dividing into the lungs, being supplied with a thin loose membrane that can be filled with a large body of air and exploded at pleasure. These bellowings are chiefly heard from the beginning of spring to the end of autumn, and are the usual calls during the pairing season." The American bird, no less than the true Bittern, is con- sidered by many as excellent food. The Bittern is still a familiar bird throughout temperate North America, breeding from the Middle States northward ; but, like many another bird wliose form is familiar, the Bittern's habits are known only to the few, and many erroneous opinions of its charac- teristics have been current. The " booming of the Bittern " has been a favorite topic of con- troversy ; but probably that matter has been finally settled by an account of the performance contributed to " The Auk " for Janu- ary, 18S9, by Mr. Bradford Torrey. Mr. Torrey described the performer as first filling its crop with air, opening the bill and shutting it with a click, repeating this several times. Then, while the bill is kept tightly closed, the air LLAST HITTKKX. lOI from the crop is forced through the th.ro.it, produrinf; a deep hol- low sound in three distinct syllables, 'i'he (|uality of the notes suggests their being emitted under water; and tiiis has givun rise to the theory, so strongly urged by many writers, that the performer held its bill uniler water. The emission of the sound is accom- jjanied by convulsive movements, as it tlie bird was \i)miting. The iiittern"s fondness for retirement has been exaggerated , fui- though it does dwell in tlie wilderness, — on the marshy margins of streams and lakes, and in the depths of swamps. — I have fre(|uently found tl/ ne:it close to a bustling village; one within sound of children's voices j)laying around a school-house. i of with this e air LEAST lUrrKRN. ARDKriA K.XM.IS. Char. Adult male: crown, Inick, and tail black, glossed with green; narrow stripe of buff on each side of Iwck ; back of neck chestnut ; wings buff and rufous ; under parts i)aie buff. Female; similar to male, but black of head and back mostly replaced by brown. Length about 13 inches. A't'sf. Usually amid the rank grass and rushes on the marshy margin of a i)ond ; placed on the ground and made of coarse grass or dead rushes. Aa'J.-'j. 3-5 ; dull white witli a i)ale tinge of blue or green ; 1.20 X 0.95. The Least Bittern has not so extended a distribution as its larger congener, but it is found regularly as far north as Massachusetts, and stragglers have been captured in .Maine and New Brunswick. It is common in southern Ontario, and occurs in Illinois and north to .Manitoba, and b'-z.-ds south to the Gulf States. Though a shv !,ird, courting retirement and rarely appearing outside the sheltv.;- of its reedy haunts, it seems to be indifferent to adjacent noises. For years some pairs have spent the summer in a marshy tract close to the busiest district of the town of Brookline, within a stone's throw of a street-car track and a playground: and Fresh Pond marsh, near Cambridge, has long been a favorite resort. The food of this Bittern consists chiefly of small fish, lizards, and young frogs ; but it will not refuse a chance to vary this diet with a mouse or shrew. It utters .several notes; but that most com- monly heard is a hoarse croak, though during the nestin<:-season a cooing note is heard that is low and soft and sweet. When \\ I02 \VAI)lN(i niKDS. startled it gives a cry rest' m hi inn; tlio qua of liie Night Heron, anrl ilispi.iys ii Kail-like disposition to hide amid the grass rather than tly Irom danger. Some ohservcrs *' Us flight is feehle and cannot he sustained, wIuIl others a iiat tiie l)ird is capal)le of prolonged flight. { !i CORV'S LKAST IJirTERN. Arim:ita xkoxkna. Char, Similar to A', fr///.!, hut smaller, and Licking the stripes uf hull" on the sides (/ the hack ; lower tail-coverts hlack ; wing-coverts ciK.stmil. Length ahoiit II inches. A'i'st. In a swauij) on ixinkr of lake; on a low bush two and a lialf feet ahove the surface of the water ; built of twigs and lined with leaves. K<.<^' This species was described by Mr. Charles li. Cory in i8S6 from the type which was taken in Florida hy .Mr. K. T. Stuart. Since then some tliirteen examples have been reported, five from Florii.l.i, one from .Michigan, and seven from Toronto. The habits of the bird arc supposed to be similar to those of cxilis. Mr Scott's example was discovered while walking on the leavi's of pond-lilies, and when startled it retreated to the tall grass on the margin of the pond. Mr. Menge, who collected several of the Florida specimens, dis- covered a nest with four young birds. He writes : — " I had one of the old birds in my hand, which I think was the female. She was not inclineil to fight and would not leave the nest. The other old bird was two or three feet from me, and seemed a much larger bird. I did not disturb them, and when I let the old bird go she hopped back on her nest as though she was accustomed to being handled." (R. A. Chapman. '• The Auk," January, 1896, p. 14.) LIMPKIN. COUKLAN. ARAMUS GIGAXl'EU.S. Char. Prevailing color dark brown glossed with purple ; head, neck, and back striped with white ; throat white. General appearance rather I-Ieron-like. Length about 26 inches. I.IMI'KIN. 103 « ,AV'/. Amid luslics or upon .1 Ikvv hii^li, on the mari'iii <>f ,1 imiul m slixMiii; made nt vine Ic.ivo and grass. A^yj', ^-S ; hiilty wliitc nr urayisli whitL- spotted with hrnwn ai\d may; variaMe in >i/e, a\eia::e alxjut :!.40 X 1.70. This siiigiihir bird iiriiu ipally inluiUits Caycniio, l!ra/il, niid I'aniguay, where it is ratlier common ; it i>. immeroiis in thi- island id' Cuba and othir warm jiirt^ td' Aineru-a. In the I'nited States, l-'loriihi a])i)ears to be it> mo>t natural residence, and a few instances have occurred ot" its visiiini; the Middle States. The Cuurlan K-ads a solitary life, or only ass(;ciates by pairs. jJy night as well as day it is heard crying out in a loud and sonorous voice iitniii .' and is well entitled to the name of the stijjposed •'crying-bird " of liartram. MoUusca, frogs, and other aipiatic animals are its ordinary food. It is very shy, carefully iiiding itself; but when aware of being iliscovered, it starts rapidl}- to a gre;it elevation, and its tlight is long con- tinued. It also walks with great agility, but never willingly wades into the water. It alights on the summits of trees, and builds 111 the grass, near stagnant water, concealing the nest with mut h art. The young are covered with blackish down when hat( hed, and soon follow their parent Like the Rail, this bird runs swiftly through the grass, comp essing its narnjw body so as to pass through a small hole, ami is very difficult to catch when wounded. This species has been named Limpkin by naturalists, because that is the name by which it is known in Florida, — the only State of the Union in which the bird is found. The name is said to iiave been suggested by the walk of the bird, its movements resembling tlie motions of a lame person. In Jamaica it is called tlie "Clucking Hen," from its habits of saunteriny; along and delibera:ely clucking like a fowl. Dr. IJryant reported finding a nest containing fifteen eggs ; but five or si.\ has been the usual number ot the sets taken during recent years. il ' M neck, irather i m I ■• (f I il FLAMINGO. PHfKNICOFIT.RUS RUBER. Char. General color bright pink, deei)cst on breast and winus ; ]iri- mar\- and s^econdary feathers of wings black ; base of bill yellow, terminal half black. Legs red. The young are paler, the pink tints deepening with age Length about 4 feet. Stature nearly 5 feet. .\«./. L'sually in a colony, situated on the shore of a shailow lagoon or pond, or on a mud island, — a saucer-like depression in the mud, with a rim or bulwark 3 to 6 inches in height. Sometimes a cone-shaped mound of mud is built up from the bottom of the lagoon and raised S to 10 inches or higher above the water level. iEgjTf. 2 ; white, n>uch elongated, and with a rough plaster-iike surface ; 3.60 X r.20. FLAMINGO. lO: pri- minal ifiiing agoon with a nound inches irface ; i The I'lamin^'C) of Anu-rica is found rhiefly in tin- tropit al regions, whence it appears to emigrate in sununer on either side the eijuator, in the southern hemisphere vi^itinu llra/il. Peru, C'hih, and Huenos Ayres, on the Nhore>. of la Plata. It is also seen in Cayenne (where it is known by the name of Tueoco, from the usual sound of its call) ami in vari- ous islands oi the West Indies. It breeds in Cuba and tlu' iJahamas, is not infre(|uent at certain seasons on the loast carded, recent observers affirming that the feet are drawn up under the sides of the body, the nest being close to the ground, or no higher than is necessary to protect the eggs from the water with which they may be surrounded. Wlien on the nest the neck is gracefully curved and the head neatly tucked away among the feathers of the back, like a Swan's; but when dying, the Flamingo does not curve its neck, as a Heron will, but carries both neck and legs outstretched and rigid. AMERICAN AVOCET. ReCI"RVIRO>TR.\ AMERICANA. Char. Back anc most of wings black, remainder of plumage white, excepting head and neck, which are pale brown in summer and pale gray in winter: feet webbed; legs blue; bill black, long, and recurved. Length about 17 inches. jVcsf. A bulky affair of dn,- grass or seaweed lined with fine grass; placed amid tail herbage on the marshy margin of a pond. £^X^. 3-4 : buff or reddish drab, sometimes with an olive tint, cov- ered with spots of brown of several shades ; size variable, average about 2.00 X 1.35. The American Avocet, supposed to winter in tropical Amer- ica, arrives on the coast of Cape May, in New Jersey, late in April, where it rears its young, and retires to the South early in the month of October. In the spring it was obser\-ed by Mr. Say in the lower part of Missouri. It is also known to visit Nova Scotia, though scarcely ever seen in the State of Massachuseits. Dr. Richardson also found it abundant in the Saskatchewan plains as far as the 53d parallel, where it frequents shallow lakes, feeding on inr.ects and fresh-water Crustacea. In New Jersey it seerns to have a predilection for the shallow pools of the salt-marshes, wading about often in search of prey, which consists of marine worms, small paludi- nas, turbos, etc., to which, like the European species, it some- times adds small /v/tv or marine vegetables. ( i»3^*^'v. AMERICAN AVOCET I 107 The Avocets near the ir breeding-places are very noisy, quailing, and clamorous, flying around in circles near ihoir invaders, and in a sharp but ])laintive tone uttering \-likf 'clik, 'clik, in the manner of the Stilts or Long Legs {I/imanfopus), with which at times they familiarl} associate in small numbers to pass the important period of repro