1, ■ FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY COLOR KEY TO "NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS By FRANK M. CHAPMAN Curator of Ornithology in the American Museum of Natural History HANDBOOK OF BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA Revised Edition. With Keys to the Species, Descriptions of their Plumages, Nests, etc., and their Distribution and Migrations. With over 200 Illustrations. 12mo. LIBRARY EDITION, $3.50 net. Postpaid, $3.64. POCKET EDITION, flexible covers, $4 net. Postpaid, $4.10. BIRD-LIFE. A Guide to the Study of Our Common Birds POPULAR EDITION in colors, $2.00 net. Postpaid, $2.16. BIRD STUDIES WITH A CAMERA. With introductory Chap- ters on the Outfit and Methods of the Bird Photographer. Illustrated with over 100 Photographs from Nature by the Author. 12mo. Cloth, $1.75, postpaid. COLOR KEY TO NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS With upward of 800 drawings by Chester A. Reed, B. S. 8vo. Cloth, $2.50 net. Postpaid, $2.74. THE WARBLERS OF NORTH AMERICA With Contributions from other Ornithologists and 24 full- page Colored Plates illustrating every Species, from Draw- ings by L. A. Fuertes and B. Horsfall, and Half-tones of Nests and Eggs. 8vo. Cloth, $3.00 net. Postpaid, $3.20. CAMPS AND CRUISES OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST With 250 Photographs from Nature by the Author. 8vo. Cloth, $3.00 net. Postpaid, $3.24. D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, NEW YORK CYwm TOPOGRAPHY OF A BIRD Bluebird (natural size) COLOR KEY TO NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS With Bibliographical Appendix BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN CURATOR OF ORNITHOLOGY IN THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Author of " Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America," " Bird-Life," Etc. With Upward of Soo Drawings BY CHESTER A. REED, B. S. Revised Edition NEW YORK D. APPLETON & COMPANY 1912 Publish"/ November, 1912 COPYRIGHT, DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & CO. L903 COPYRIGHT I). A.PPLETON & C >.. 1012 Printed in the United States PREFACE. CO LEARN to call a bird by its right name is the first step in the study of ornithology. We may propose to investigate the structure, food, and habits of the birds of the world, or desire merely a super- ficial knowledge of the species found in our garden, but in either case we are at once confronted by this question of identification. From the scientific point of view there is but one satisfactory way to identify a bird. A specimen of it should be in hand in order that its form, color, and size may be accurately determined, when, with the aid of analytical keys, with which most text-books are provided, it is a simple matter to ascer- tain the bird's name. Wide experience has shown the writer, however, that where one dead bird is identified, hundreds of attempts are made to name the living bird in nature. This is to be expected. It is the natural outcome of the recent remarkable interest in the study of birds which, fostered by Audubon Societies and nature study teachers, has assumed an ethical and educational imi:>ortance of the first magnitude. We cannot place a gun in the hands of these thousands of bird-lovers whom we are yearly developing; indeed most of them would refuse to use it. Specimens, therefore, are rarely available to them and we should make some special effort to meet their peculiar wants. The present volume has been prepared with this end in view. Identification of the bird in the bush is its sole end; an end, however, which we trust will prove but the beginning of a new and potent interest in nature. Frank M. Chapman American Miiseum of Natural History, New York City, 1903. PREFACE TO REVISED EDITION. In the present edition of the Color Key the body of the book, aside from the correction of typographical errors, remains as it was in the preceding edition. The Systematic Table has been reset and brought up to July, 1912, the date of the publication of the latest supplement to the third edition of the American Ornithologists' Union's 'Check-List of North American Birds.' Two Appendixes are added. The first includes all the changes in nomencla- ture and descriptions of new birds which have been accepted by the A. O. U. Committee on Classification and Nomenclature since the publication of the Color Key in 1903; the second contains a list of faunal ornithological papers which it is hoped will add greatly to the reference value of the book. American Museum of Natural History, f.m.c. New York City, October, 1912. vm CONTENTS. Introduction 1 How to Learn a Bird's Name \ How Birds Are Named 4 Synopsis of Orders and Families of North American Birds 9 Color Key to North American Birds 41 Systematic Table of North American Birds 257 Appendix I. Additions, Subtractions, Emendations 293 Appendix II. Bibliography 305 Index 333 ILLUSTRATIONS. The illustrations in this volume are designed to aid the student in identi- fying birds in their haunts by giving, in color, those markings which most quickly catch the eye. They do not pretend to be perfect reproductions of every shade and tint of the plumage of the species they figure, but aim to present a bird's characteristic colors as they appear when seen at a distance. It was inpracticable to draw all the birds to the same scale but all those on the same page are so figured. Reference should always be made, however, to the measurements given at the beginning of each description. The figures are based on the male bird. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. S . The sign of Mars, signifying male. $ . The sign of Venus, signifying female. Ad. Adult, a bird in fully mature plumage. Yng. Young, a fully grown bird which has not yet acquired the plumage of the adult. L. Length, the distance from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail. This measurement is made from dead birds, birds in life appear somewhat shorter. W. Wing, the distance from the 'bend' of the wing to the end of the longest feather. T. Tail, the distance from the insertion of the tail-feathers to the end of the longest one. Tar. Tarsus, the distance from the heel to the insertion of the toes, or of the so-called 'leg.' B. Bill, the distance from the feathers at the base of the bill above to its tip. Note. All measurements are in inches and tenths, and a variation of about ten per cent, from the figures given may be expected. The number before the name <>f each species is that of the American Ornithologists' Union's 'Check-List of North American Birds.' INTRODUCTION HOW TO LEARN A BIRD'S NAME "How can I learn to know the birds?" is the first question of the seeker after bird-lore. The scientist's reply, "By shooting them and studying their structure and markings in detail," may do for the few who, like himself, desire to know the birds scientifically; but it is emphatically not the answer to give the ninety and nine who, while they desire to secure an intimate, accurate knowledge of birds, will not gain it at the sacrifice of bird-life. In the present volume, therefore, an attempt has been made so to group, figure, and describe our birds that any species may be named which has been definitely seen. The birds are kept in their systematic Orders, a natural arrangement, readily comprehended, but, further than this, accepted classi- fications have been abandoned and the birds have been grouped according to color and markings. A key to the Orders gives the more prominent characters on which they are based; telling for example, the external differences between a Duck and a Grebe. In comparatively few instances, however, will the beginner have much difficulty in deciding to what Order a bird belongs. Probably eight times, out of ten the unknown bird will belong to the Order Passeres, or Perching Birds, when one has only to select the color section in which it should be placed, choose from among the colored figures the bird whose identity is sought, and verify one's selection by reading the description of the bird's characteristics and the outline of its range. How to Learn a Bird's Name In the case of closely related species, and particularly subspecies, the subjects of range and season are of the utmost importance. Most subspecies resemble their nearest allies too closely to be identified in life by color alone. and in such cases a bird's name is to be learned by its color in connection with its distribution and the season in which it is seen. During the breeding period, unless one chance to be in a region where two races intergrade, subspeeific names may be applied to the bird in nature with some certainty, for it is a law that only one subspecies of a species can nest in the same area; but during migrations and in the winter, when several subspecies of one species may be found associated, it is frequently impossible to name them with accuracy. For example, during the summer one need have no hesitancy in calling the Robins of the lowlands of South Carolina the Southern Robin (Planes- tieus migratorius achrusterus) but later, when the Northern Robins (Planes- ticus migratorius migratorius) begin to appear, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish them in life from the resident birds. If it were possible to impress the student, who proposes to name the bird in the bush, with the absolute necessity for careful, definite observation he would be saved many disappointing and discouraging experiences. It is not possible to examine your bird too thoroughly. Never be satisfied with a superficial view and a general impression. Look at your bird, if you can, from several points of view; study its appearance in detail, its size, bill, crown, back, tail, wings, throat, breast, etc., and at once enter what you see in a note-book kept for that purpose. In this way, and this way alone, can you expect to compete with those who use the gun. It does not follow, however, that because one does not collect specimens of birds one cannot study them scientifically. While the student may not be interested in the classification of birds purely from the standpoint of the systematist, he is strongly urged to acquaint himself with at least the arrange- ment of the Orders and Families of our birds and their leading structural characters. How to Learn a Bird's Name To the student who desires to prepare himself for his work afield such a study may well come before he attempts to name the birds. But where the chief end in view is to learn a bird's name, the more technical side of the subject may be deferred. In any event, it should not be neglected. This orderly arrangement of knowledge will not only be practical benefit in one's future labors but it will bring with it that sense of satisfaction which accom- panies the assurance that we know what we know. As one learns to recognize bird after bird it is an admirable plan to classify systematically one's list of bird acquaintances under their proper Orders and Families. These may be learned at once from the systematic table at the end of the book, where the numbers which precede each species are arranged serially, and hence systematically. In some instances, as an aid to identification in the field, descriptions of birds' notes have been included. It is not supposed that these descriptions will convey an adequate idea of a bird's song to a person who has never heard it, but it is hoped that they may occasionally lead to the recognition of calls or songs when they are heard. An adequate method of transcribing bird's notes has as yet to be devised and the author realizes only too well how unsatisfactory the data here presented will appear to the student. It is hoped, however, that they may sometimes prove of assistance in naming birds in life. As has been said before, the aim of this volume is to help students to learn the names of our birds in their haunts. But we should be doing scant justice to the possibilities of bird study if, even by silence, we should imply that they ended with the learning to know the bird. This is only the begin- ning of the quest which may bring us into close intimacy with the secrets of nature. The birds' haunts and food, their seasons and times of coming and going; their songs and habits during courtship, their nest-building, egg- laying, incubating and care of their young, these and a hundred other sub- jects connected with their lives may claim our attention and by increasing "our knowledge of bird-life, add to our love of birds. HOW BIRDS ARE NAMED Birds have two kinds of names. One is a common, vernacular, or popular name ; the other is a technical or scientific name. The first is usually given to tin living bird by the people of* the country it inhabits. The second is applied to specimens of birds by ornithologists who classify them. Common names in their origin and use know no law. Technical names are bestowed under the system of nomenclature established by Linnaeus and their formation and application are governed by certain definite, generally accepted rules. The Linnaean system, as it is now employed by most American ornithologists, provides that a bird, in addition to being grouped in a certain Class, Order, Family, etc., shall have a generic and specific name which, together, shall not be applied to any other animal. Our Robin, therefore, is classified and named as follows: CLASS AVES, Birds. ORDER PASSERES, Perching Birds. Sub-order Oscines, Singing Perching Birds. Family Turdidcz Thrushes. Sub-family 7 urdina' Thrushes. Genus, Planesticus, Thrushes. Speciks. migratorius American Robin. The Robin's distinctive scientific name, therefore, which it alone pos- sesses, is Planesticus migratorius. There are numerous other members of the genus Planesticus, but not one of them is called migratorius, and this com- bination of names, therefore, is applied to only one bird. 4 How Birds are Named The questions Why use all these Latin terms? Why not call the bird '"Robin" and be done with it? are easily answered. Widely distributed birds frequently have different names in different parts of their range. The Flicker (Colaptes auratus), for instance, has over one hundred common or vernacular names. Again, the same name is often applied to wholly different birds. Our Robin (Planesticus migratorius) is not even a member of the same family as the European Robin (Erithacus rubecola.) If, therefore, we should write of birds or attempt to classify them only by their common names, we should be dealing with such unfixed quantities that the result would be inaccurate and misleading. But by using one name in a language known to educated people of all countries, a writer may indicate, without danger of being misunderstood, the particular animal to which he refers. Among people speaking the same tongue, where a definite list of vernacular names of animals has been established, they can of course be used instead of the scientific names. Such a list of North American birds has been prepared by the American Ornithologists' Union. It furnishes a common as well as scientific name for each of our birds, and is the recognized standard of nomenclature among American ornithologists. The names a»nd numbers of birds employed in this Color Key are those of the American Ornithologists' Union's 'Check-List of North American Birds.' It will be observed that in this 'Check-List,' and consequently in the following pages, many birds have three scientific names, a generic, specific, and sub-specific. The Western Robin, for example, appears as Planesticus migratorius propinquus. What is the significance of this third name? In the days of Linnaeus, and for many years after, it was supposed that a species was a distinct creation whose characters never varied. But in comparatively recent years, as specimens have been gathered from through- out the country inhabited by a species, comparison frequently shows that specimens from one part of its range differ from those taken in another part of its range. At intervening localities, however, intermediate specimens will be found connecting the extremes. 5 How Birds are Named Generally, these geographical variations, as the}- are called, are the result of climatic conditions. For instance, in regions of heavy rainfall a bird's colors are usually much darker than they are where the rainfall is light. Song Sparrows, for example, are palest in the desert region of Arizona, where the annual rainfall may not reach eight inches, and darkest on the coast of British Columbia and Alaska, where the annual rainfall may be over one hundred inches. In going from one region, however, to the other the gradual changes in climate are accompanied by gradual changes in the colors of the Song Sparrows, and the wide differences between Arizona and Alaska Song Sparrows are therefore bridged by a series of intermediates. Variations of this kind are spoken of as geographic, racial, or sub- specific and the birds exhibiting them are termed subspecies. In naming them a third name, or trinomial is employed, and the possession of such a name indicates at once that a bird is a geographic or racial representative of a species, with one or more representatives of which it intergrades. Returning now to the Robin. Our eastern Robins always have the outer pair of tail-feathers tipped with white and, in adults, the back is blotched with black; Avhile Robins from the Rocky Mountains and westward have little or no white on the outer tail-feathers, and the back is dark gray, with- out black blotches. These extremes are connected by intermediate specimens sharing the characters ; of both eastern and western birds. We do not, therefore, treat the latter as a species, but as a subspecies, and consequently, apply to it a subspecific name or trinomial, Planesticus migratorius propin- quus, (propinquus, meaning nearly related.) A further study of our eastern Robin shows that in the southern parts of its breeding range (the Carolinas and Georgia), it varies from the northern type in being smaller in size and much paler and duller in color; and to this second geographical variety is applied the name Planesticus migratorius achrustertis, (achrusterus, meaning less highly colored). After the recognition of western and southern races of the Robin under three names (trinomial) it would obviously be inconsistent to apply only two 6 How Birds are Named names (binomial) to our eastern bird, the former being no more subspecies of the latter than the latter is of the former. In other words, to continue to apply only generic and specific names to the Eastern Robin would imply that it was a full species, while the use of a trinomial for the Western or the Southern Robin shows them to be subspecies. As a matter of fact we know that there is but one species of true Robin in the United States, consequently in accordance with the logical and now generally accepted method, we apply to that species the name Planesticus migratorius, and this is equally applica- ble to Robins from east, south or west. When, however, we learn that the Eastern Robin is not a species but a subspecies, we repeat the specific name by which it was made known and call it Planesticus migratorius migratorius. It may be asked, Why give names to these geographical races? Why not call Eastern, Western and Southern Robins by one name, Planesticus migratorius, without regard to their climatic variations? In reply, two excellent reasons may be given for the recognition of sub- species by name; first, because in some cases they differ from one another far more than do many species, when it would clearly be inadvisable to apply the same name to what are obviously different creatures. For example, it has lately been discovered by Mr. E. W. Nelson that the small, black- throated, brown-breasted, Quails or Bob-whites of southern Mexico, through a long series of intermediates inhabiting the intervening region, intergrade with the large, white-throated, black-and-white breasted, Bob-white of our northern states. It would be absurd to call such wholly unlike birds by the same name, nor could we give a full specific name to the Mexican Bob- white since at no place can we draw a line definitely separating it from the northern Bob-white. Furthermore, the use of only two names would conceal the remarkable fact of the intergradation of two such strikingly different birds; a fact of the first importance to students of the evolution of species. For much the same reason we should name those birds which show less pronounced variations, such as are exhibited by the Robin. Here we have a species in the making, and in tracing the relation between cause and effect, How Birds are Named we learn something of the influences which create species. Thus, climate has been definitely proven so to alter a species, both in size and color that, as we have seen in the case of the Song Sparrows, marked climate changes are accompanied by correspondingly marked changes in the appearance of certain animals. In naming these animals we are, in effect, giving a 'handle to the fact' of their evolution by environment. Since it is evident that a bird may vary much or little, according to the governing conditions and its tendency to respond to them, no fixed rule can be laid down which shall decide just what degree of difference are deserv- ing a name. It follows, therefore, that in some cases ornithologists do not agree upon a bird's claim to subspecific rank. In North America, however, questions of this kind are referred to a committee of seven experts of the American Ornithologists' Union, and their decision establishes a nomenclature, which is accepted as the standard by other American ornithologists and which has been adopted in this volume. Foreign birds of wholly accidental occurrence, most of which have been found in North America but once or twice, are included in the systematic list of North American birds, but are not described or figured in the body of the book, where their presence would tend to convey an erroneous im- pression of their North American status. Furthermore, records of the presence of birds so rare as these can be properly based on only the capture of specimens. In the preparation of the following pages both author and artist have had full access to the collections of the American .Museum of Natural History, and they are .also glad to acknowledge their indebtedness to William Brewster of Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Robert Ridgway, Curator of Birds in the United States National Museum, and to C. Hart Merriam, Chief of the Biologic Survey, for the lo.au of specimens for description and illustration. SYNOPSIS OF ORDERS AND FAMILIES OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. The figures are all life-size, except as stated. WATER BIRDS. Order I. Grebes, Loons, and Auks. PYGOPODES. (3 families, 32 species, 3 subspecies.) Duck-like birds with the bill usually pointed, never wider than high, and without flutings, 'gutters,' or serrations on its side; wings short, never with a bright colored patch or 'speculum'; tail rudimentary, not noticeable; toes webbed or lobed. Color usually blackish above, white below; the throat often dark. The Grebes and Loons, when pursued, dive rather than fly; the Auks usually take wing. PIED-BILLED GREBE. Family i. GREBES. PODICIPID/E. Toes four, with lobate webs; tipped with a broad nail; tail wanting FOOT OF RAZOR- BILLED AUK. 9 Synopsis of Orders and Families- loon. Family 2. LOONS. GAVIID/E. Toes four, webbed; toe-nails not broad and flat; tail present. Family 3. AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. ALCID/E. Toes three, webbed; toe-nails sharp; tail present. Order II. Gulls, Terns, Jaegers, Etc. LONGIPENNES. (3 families, 42 species, 1 subspecies.) Birds generally seen dn the wing, as a rule, over water. Bill strong, thick; hooked in the Gulls and Jaegers; sharply pointed in the Terns; often colored in part yellow or red; wings very long, the outer feathers much the longest; tail usually short and square in the Gulls, long and forked in the Terns; toes webbed. Color usually pearly gray above, white below in adult Gull and Terns; Jaegers and many young Gulls are dark. PARASITIC JAEGER. Family 4. SKUAS AND JAEGERS. STKRCORARIID^E. Toes four; three front ones webbed; bill with swollen, hooked tip, scaly shield. 10 its base with a Synopsis of Orders and Families. HERRING GULL. COMMON TERN. Family 5. GULLS AND TERNS. LARID/E. Toes usually four, three front ones webbed; upper mandible curved and hooked; tail usually square (Gulls, subfamily Larince). Bill straight and pointed; tail often forked (Terns, subfamily Stemince). BLACK SKIMMER. 11 Synopsis of Orders and Families. Family 6. SKIMMERS. RYNCHOPID/E. Toes four, three front ones webbed; bill thin and blade like, the maxilla longer than the mandible; tail slightly forked. Order III. Albatrosses, Shearwaters, Petrels, Etc. TUBI- NARES. (2 families, 30 species, 1 subspecies.) Sea-birds keeping, as a rule, well off shore, and flying low, near the water, often skimming over the waves. Bill, with upper mandible hooked; nostrils opening through tubes; wings long and pointed; tail short; feet webbed; hind-toe rudimentary or absent. Color usually gray or black and white; no bright markings. BILL OF SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS. Family 7. ALBATROSSES. DIOMEDEID/E. Nostrils opening through tubes, separated and on either side of the bill. FULMAR. LEACH PETREL. Family 8. FULMARS, PETRELS. AND SHEARWATERS. PROCELLARIID^E. Nostrils joined and situated on top of the bill. 12 Synopsis of Orders and Families. Order IV. Cormorants, Pelicans, Gannets, Man-o'war Birds, and Tropic-Birds. STEGANOPODKS. (6 families, 19 species, 5 subspecies.) Large birds, two feet or more in length, varying widely in appear- ance and habits; in external structure agreeing only in having all four toes joined by webs. YELLOW-BILLED TROPIC BIRD. Family 9. TROPIC BIRDS. PHAETHONTID^E. Bill pointed, somewhat tern-like; central tail feathers much elongated; chin feathered. Jv/ax.Size, GANNET. Family io. GANNETS. SULID/E. Bill stout, its tip not hooked; chin and eye space bare; tail pointed, its feathers not 'fluted.' 13 Synopsis of Orders and Families. ANHINGA. Family ii. ANHINGAS; SNAKE-BIRDS. ANHINGID/E. Bill straight and slender; chin and eye space bare; tail rounded; its middle feathers fluted. VIOLET-GREEN CORMORANT. Family 12. CORMORANTS. PHALACROCORACID/E. Bill with a hooked tip; a small pouch at its base; plumage usually black or blackish. MAN-O' WAR BIRD. 14 Synopsis of Orders and Families. BROWN PELICAN. Family 13. PELICANS. PELECANID/E. Bill hooked at tip, with a large pouch; tail short, square; eye space bare. Family 14. MAN-O' WAR BIRDS. FREGATID/E. Bill hooked; pouch small; tail long and forked; eye space feathered. Order V. Ducks, Geese, and Swans. ANSERES. (1 family, 49 species, 6 subspecies.) Birds of familiar form; bill, except in Mergansers or Saw-billed Ducks, broad and with rows of 'strainers' or 'gutters' on either side; wings short, in the Ducks usually with a bright colored patch or speculum; tail generally short; legs short; feet webbed. Most species, unlike the Grebes, take wing rather than dive when pursued. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 15 Synopsis of Orders and Families. MALLARD. Family 15. DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. ANATID/E. Bill long, narrow, and rounded with tooth-like projections along its sides. (Mergan- sers. Subfamily Mergirue.) Bill broad, flattened, typically duck-like; tarsus or leg with transverse scales; hind toe without a lobe. (River Ducks. Subfamily Anatmc?.) Bill and tarsus as in preceding, but hind toe with a broad lobe or flap. (Sea and Bay Ducks. Subfamily Fuligulince.) Bill proportionately narrower than in the River or Bay Ducks; gutters on its sides less developed; scales on front of tarsus rounded. (Geese. Subfamily Anserince.) Large, usually white birds, witn bare eye space. (Swans. Subfamily Cygniiue.) Order VI. Flamingoes. ODONTOGLOSS^E. (1 family, 1 species.) Bright red or pink and white birds, standing four feet or more in height; side of the bill with gutters, its end bent downward; wings rather short; legs long; feet webbed. 16 Synopsis of Orders and Families. AMERICAN FLAMINGO. Family 16. FLAMINGOES. PHOENICOPTERID/E. Characters of the Family similar to those of the Order. Order VII. Herons, Bitterns, Ibises, HERODIONES. and Spoonbills. (4 families, 19 species, 3 subspecies.) Long-legged wading birds, generally found along shores or on muddy flats; bill variable; in the Herons straight and sharply pointed; in the Ibises, slender, rounded, and curved downward; in the Spoon- bill, flattened: wings rounded; tail short; legs long; toes all on same level, long, slender, without webs. Herons and Bitterns fly with a fold in the neck, the head being drawn in; Ibises and Spoonbills fly with the neck straight, the head being extended. 17 Synopsis of Orders and Families. 33i.ll -Jvom above. ROSEATE SPOONBILL. Family 17. SPOONBILLS. PLATALEID/E. Bill flattened and much broadened at the end; crown and face bare in adults; toes partly webbed. WHITE-FACED GLOSSY IBIS. Family 18. IBISES. IBIDID/E. Bill long and curved down; its side with grooves; toes partly webbed. WOOD IBIS. Family 19. STORKS AND WOOD IBISES. ClCONIID^E. Bill stout, without grooves; tarsus reticulate. 18 Synopsis of Orders and Families- GREEN HERON. Family 20. HERONS, EGRETS, AND BITTERNS. ARDEID/E. Bill usually straight and sharply pointtd; lores naked; head feathered; tarsus with transverse scales; middle toe-nail pectinate or with a comblike edge. Order VIII. Cranes, Rails, Coots, Gallinules, Etc. PALU- DICOL^E. (3 families, 16 species, 3 subspecies) Birds varying greatly in size and appearance, but all agreeing (and differing from Herodiones) in having the hind-toe elevated, that is, leav- ing the foot at a higher level than the front toes; tail short; legs usually long. All fly with the neck extended, a fact by which Cranes in flight may be known from Herons. Rails are short-winged skulkers in grassy marshes; Gallinules frequent reedy shores; Coots, which alone of the Order have webbed (lobate) toes, are as aquatic as Ducks, from, which they may be known by their pointed, white bill, nodding motion of the head when swimming, and habit of pattering over the water when alarmed. SANDHILL CRANE. 19 Synopsis of Orders and Families. Family 21. CRANES. GRUID/E. Large birds over three feet in length; head partly bare in adults. LIMPKIN. Family 22. COURLANS. ARAMID^E. Bill long and slender; head wholly feathered; toes not webbed. SORA. CLAPPER RAIL. 20 Synopsis of Orders and Families. AMERICAN COOT. Family 23. RAILS, COOTS, AND GALLINULES. RALLIDvE. Bill variable; toes always long, webbed OobedJ in only one species; wings short and rounded; tail short. Order IX. Snipes, Sandpipers, Curlews, Plovers, Etc. LIMICOL^E. (7 families, 55 species, 4 subspecies.) Generally long-legged, slender-billed birds of shores and mud flats, and sometimes fields. Most of them are under a foot in length; none are so large as the Ibises; wings long and pointed; tail short; toes long and slender, usually without webs; color generally brown or blackish above, mottled and streaked with whitish and buff. Many species utter characteristic piping whistles as they fly or when they take wing. NORTHERN PHALAROPE. ^amily24. PHALAROPES. PHALAROPODID^E. ">ront toes with lobes or webs; tarsus flattened; plumage thick; swimming Snipe. 21 Synopsis of Orders and Families. BLACK-NECKED STILT. 22 Synopsis of Orders and Families. Family 25. AVOCETS AND STILTS. RECURVlROSTRlD/t. Long legged, wading Snipe; in Avocets toes four, front three webbed; bill recurved; in Stilts toes three, almost unwebbed; bill straight. HUDSONIAN CURLEW. Family 26. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, CURLEWS, ETC. SCOLOPACID^E. Toes usually four; tarsus with transverse scales; bill generally long, slender, and soft, used as a probe. 23 Synopsis of Orders and Families. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. Family 27. PLOVERS. CHARADR1ID/E. Toes usually three, or when four, the fourth rudimentary; tarsus with rounded scales; bill, as compared with that of Snipe, short and stout. TURNSTONE. Family 28. SURF BIRDS AND TURNSTONES. APHR!ZID>E. Toes four, tarsus with transverse scales; bill short, rather hard. 24 Synopsis of Orders and Families. AMERICAN OYSTER-CATCHER, Family 29. OYSTER-CATCHERS. H/EMATOPODID^E. Toes three, webbed at base; tarsus stout, with rounded scales; bill heavy, com- pressed, and said to be used for opening shells. MEXICAN JACANA. Family 30. JACANAS. JACANID/E. Toes four, with their nails greatly elongated to support the bird while walking on aquatic vegetation; wing, with a sharp spur; bill with fleshy lobes at base and, in some species, on its sides. LAND BIRDS. Order X. Grouse, Partridges, Bob-Whites, Etc. GALLIN./E. (3 families, 24 species, 25 subspecies.) Ground-inhabiting birds of chicken-like form; bill stout, hen-like; wings short and rounded; tail variable; feet strong; hind-toe elevated. Color usually mixed brown, black, and buff, or bluish gray. 25 Synopsis of Orders and Families. bob-white. RUFFED GROUSE. Family 3I. GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, ETC. TETRAONID/E. 0,nikramlSft Ie S*m!uas^osA of the °rder: tarsus naked in Partridges and Ouails, more or less feathered in Grouse and Ptarmigan. 2G Synopsis ok Orders and Families. TURKEY. ^Homily 32. TURKEYS, PHEASANTS, AND CHICKENS. PHASIANID/E. Tarsus naked, often spurred; tail remarkably variable (Tor example, Turkey, Pea- cock J; head often with a comb, wattles, or other excrescences. CHACHALACA. Family 33. CURASSOWS AND GUANS. CRACID/E. Large tree-haunting, pheasant-like birds; toes four, all on same level. Order XI. Pigeons and Doves. COLUMB^E. (1 family, 13 species, 3 subspecies.) Walking birds, feeding both on the ground and in trees; bill slender, grooved, nostrils opening in a fleshy membrane; tail variable, short and square, or long and pointed; feet stout, often reddish. Color usually grayish brown. Call-notes a characteristic cooing. mourning dove. Family 34. PIGEONS AND DOVES. COLUMBID/E. Characters those of the Order. 27 Synopsis of Orders and Families. Order XII. Vultures, Hawks, and Owls. RAPTORES. (4 families, 56 species, 33 subspecies.) Generally large birds with hooked bill; strong, heavy feet, and long, curved nails ; wings large; tail rather long, usually square. TURKEY VULTURE. Family 35. AMERICAN VULTURES. CATHARTID/E. Bill not strongly hooked; toe-nails comparatively weak; nostrils large, piercing the bill; head and more or less of neck, bare. RED-TAILED HAWK. 28 Synopsis ok Orders and Families. Family 36. FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. FALCONID/E. Nostrils opening in a cere at the base of the bill; hook of bill and claws well developed; plumage firm and close; tarsus usually largely bare. ^Haf Size. BARN OWL. 29 Synopsis of Orders and Families. Family 37. BARN OWLS. STRIGID/E. Eyes black, set in a somewhat triangular facial disc; bill more or less concealed by feathers; nostril opening at the edge of a fleshy cere; inner edge of middle toe-nail serrate; no 'ears'; tarsus feathered. pj^C^-M SCREECH OWL. Family 38. HORNED OWLS, ETC, BUBONID/E. Eyes yellow or black, set in a circular facial disc; bill more or less concealed by feathers; nostrils opening at the edge of a fleshy cere; tarsus feathered. Order XIII. Paroquets and Parrots. PSITTACI. (1 family, 2 species.) Usually bright green birds with a heavy hooked bill, broad scoop- shaped lower mandible; long, pointed wings; tail, in Parrots, generally square; in Paroquets, pointed; feet heavy, two toes in front and two behind. CAROLINA PAROQUET. Family 39. PARROTS AND PAROQUETS. Characters the same as those of Order. 30 PSITTACID/E. Synopsis of Orders and Families. Order XIV. Cuckoos, Trogons, Kingfishers, Etc. COCCYGES. (3 families, 8 species, 2 subspecies.) A composite Order of several groups of birds bearing no close rela- tion to each other. Cuckoos have slightly curved bills, long tails, and two toes in front and two behind. Trogons have short, rather broad, stout bills, and soft, loose plumage, often green above, red below; moder- ately long tails; small feet with two toes in front, two behind. King- fishers have long, rather stout, pointed bills; wings, long; tail, medium; three toes in front and one behind; middle and outer toes joined for half their length. yellow-billed cuckoo. Family 40. CUCKOOS, ANIS, ETC. CUCULID/E. Toes two in front, two behind; bill, usually, more or less decurved; tail, long and rounded, the outer feathers being, generally, much shorter than the middle pair. COPPERY-TAILED TROGON. Family 41-. TROGONS. Trogonid/e. Toes two in front, two behind; bill, short; upper mandible decurved and dentate; tail square; plumage, soft, loose, and generally shining green above. BELTED KINGFISHER. 31 Synopsis of Orders and Families. Family 42. KINGFISHERS. ALCEDINID^E. Legs short; feet small; toes, three in front, one behind; third and fourth toes join- ed; bill, stout and long. Order XV. Woodpeckers. PICI. (1 family, 24 species, 22 subspecies.) Climbing birds with stout, pointed bills, bristly nostrils, pointed, stiffened tail feathes, strong feet and nails; two toes in front and two behind, except in Picoidcs, which has two in front and one behind. Prevailing colors, black and white, the males usually with red on the crown. FOOT OF THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. PILEATED WOODPECKER. Family 43. WOODPECKERS. PICID/E. Characters the same as those of the Order. 32 Synopsis of Orders and Families. Order XVI. Goatsuckers, Swifts, and Hummingbirds. MACROCHIRES. (3 families, 27 species, 6 subspecies.) Bill, in the Goatsuckers and Swifts, small; mouth large; in the Hum- mingbirds, bill long, slender, needle-like; wings and tail variable; feet, in all three groups, small and weak. Color, in Goatsuckers, mixed brown, buff and black; in Swifts, black and white; in Hummingbirds, usually shining green above with resplendent throat-patches of varied hues. WHIP-POOR-WILL. Family 44. GOATSUCKERS, ETC. CAPRIMULGID/E. Feet usually small and weak; toes, three in front, one behind; middle toe-nail pectin- ate or combed; bill small; mouth very large and usually beset by long bristles. CHIMNEY SWIFT. Family 45. SWIFTS. MlCROPODID/E. Bill small, triangular when seen from above; mouth large, no bristles; tail variable, in Chcetura with projecting spines; wings long and narrow; feet small and toes short; plumage usually dark. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. Family 46. HUMMINGBIRDS. TROCH1LID/E. Bill long and slender; feet slender; wings large and pointed; tail exceedingly variable, often assuming the most striking shapes. 33 Synopsis of Orders and Families. Order XVII. Flycatchers, Jays, Blackbirds, Finches, Swal- lows, Warblers, Thrushes, and Other Perching Birds PAS- SERES. (18 families, about 325 species and 226 subspecies.) Bill, wings, and tail variable; feet with four toes not connected, the hind-toe as long as the middle one; its nail generally longer than that of the middle toe. This Order contains more species than the re- maining sixteen Orders put together. In it will be found over 80 per cent, of the birds commonly seen by field students. It is difficult of definition, but almost ?ny small perching bird may, with more or less certainty, be referred to the Passe res. PHOEBE. Family 48. FLYCATCHERS. TYRANNID/E. Bill broad, flat, hooked at tip, its base with bristles; wings rather pointed, the sec- ond to fourth primaries longest; tarsus rounded behind as well as in front; feathers of crown generally somewhat lengthened, forming when erected, a small crest; pose, when perching, erect; food of insects usually captured on the wing; voice generally unmusical. HORNHD LARK. Family 40. LARKS. ALAUDID/E. Hind toe-nail much lengthened: bill rounded, straight; tarsus rounded behind as well as in front; our species with a tuft of feathers on either side of the head; outer primary short or rudimentary; walking birds, singing while on the wing. 34 Synopsis of Orders and Families. BLUE JAY. Family 50. CROWS AND JAYS. CORVID/E. Large perching birds, usually twelve inches or more in length; bill stout; nos- trils covered by projecting bristles; feet heavy; outer tail-feathers usually shortest; fourth to fifth primary longest, first about half as long. PURPLE CRACKLE. BALTIMORE ORIOLE. Family 52. BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. ICTERID/E. Base of bill, between nostrils, extending back and dividing feathers on forehead; nostrils not concealed by bristles; first three primaries of equal length. REDPOLL. SONG SPARROW. 35 Synopsis of Orders and Families. EVENING GROSBEAK. CARDINAL Family 53. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. FRINGILLID^E. Bill short, stout, conical; third or fourth primaries longest; first about half an inch shorter; the majority are small birds and but few are over eight inches in length. SUMMER TANAGER. Family 54. TANAGERS. TANAGRID^E. Bill somewhat finch-like but more swollen in outline; the upper mandible, in typical forms, toothed or dentate. TREE SWALLOW. Family 55. SWALLOWS. HIRUNDINID/E. Bill short, broad and flat; feet small and weak; wings long and narrow; tail notched and sometimes forked; birds of the air, feeding while on the wing. 36 Synopsis of Orders and Families. CEDAR WAXW1NG. Family 56. WAXWINGS. AMPELID/E. Bill short, stout, and rounded, its tip notched; wings rather long; head crested. NORTHERN SHRIKE. Family 57. SHRIKES. LANIID/E. Bill stout, its mandible hooked and hawklike; feet truly Passerine; pose, in perching, erect; solitary grayish birds. RED-EYED VIREO. Family 58. VIREOS. VIREONID^E. Bill small, but distinctly hooked; outer primary usually very small and sometimes apparently wanting; olive-green gleaners among the leaves. 37 Synopsis of Orders and Families. NASHVILLE WARBLER. YELLOW WARBLER. AMERICAN REDSTART. Family 60. WARBLERS. MNIOTILTID^E. Bill, in most of the species, slender, sharply pointed, and without a notch or hook at the tip; in the genera IVilsonia and Setopbaga, flat and flycatcher-like; in Icteria stout; backof tarsus compressed into a thin ridge; three outer primaries of nearly equal length. AMERICAN PIPIT. Family 61. WAGTAILS. MOTACILLID/E. Hind toe-nail much lengthened; bill slender, nostril not covered with bristles, as in true Larks; back of tarsus thin, not rounded; terrestrial, walking with a wagging motion of the tail. AMERICAN DIPPER. Family 62. DIPPERS. ClNCLID/E. Thick-set birds with short wings and tail; plumage thick and water-proof; tarsus scaled; semi-aquatic in habit, haunting mountain streams. 38 Synopsis of Orders and Families. 1^|pfc BROWN THRASHEP, HOUSE WREN. Family 63. WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. TROGLODYTID/E. Tarsus scaled; tail rounded, the outer feathers being shortest; third to fourth primary longest, the outer half as long; bill in Thrashers often decurved, its base with bristles; in Wrens, bill without bristles; brown or grayish inhabitants of lower grovth. BROWN CREEPER. Family 64. CREEPERS. CERTHIID^E. Bill slender and much decurved; tail usually pointed and stiffened. CHICKADEE. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. Family 65. NUTHATCHES AND TITS. PARID^E. Fourth or fifth primary longest; first an inch or less in length. Chickadees (sub- family Panmr) have a short, stout bill, the nostrils covered with bristles; the tail is rather long and rounded. Nuthatches (subfamily Sittince) have a long, slender bill, short, square tail, and large feet. 39 Synopsis of Orders and Families. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. Family 66. KINGLETS, GNATCATCHERS, ETC. SYLVIID/E. Bill slender and Warbler-like, but first primary only one-third as long as the fourth. V WOOD THRUSH. Family 67. THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. TURDID/E. Tarsus 'booted', without scales, (see foot of Robin under Synopsis of Order Passeres); tail square; mandible notched and slightly hooked; outer primary an inch or less in length; second to fourth of about equal length. 40 COLOR KEY TO NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. Ordkr I. DIVING BIRDS. PYGOPODES. Family 1. GREBES. Podicipid.e. 6 species. Family 2. LOONS. Gaviid.-e. 5 species. Family 3. AUKS, MURRES, and PUFFINS. Alcid.e. 21 spe- cies, 3 subspecies. Grebes are at home in reed-grown ponds or sloughs where their nests are made on raft's or islets of water-soaked vegetation. Their eggs number from four to eight, are dull white in color, and are usually covered by the bird with a portion of the nesting material when it leaves its home. Grebes occasionally rest on the shore, but- are rarely found far from the water. When on land they may lie flat on their breasts or sit erect on their tails and entire foot, or tarsus. Their progress on land, as a rule, is awkward and they may use their wings as fore feet to assist them. In diving, Grebes sometimes spring part- ly from the water and then plunge downward head first, or they may quietly sink with scarce a ripple to mark the place of their disap- pearance. Loons generally pass the summer on some large lake, and in the winter many of them live at sea. They nest, as a rule, on the shore, but so near the water that the parent bird may slide off its two dark brown, mottled eggs into its favorite element. Like the Grebes, Loons are expert divers, and birds of both families so often seek safety under the water rather than in the air that it is frequently difficult to make them fly. The young of both Grebes and Loons are born covered with feathers and take to the water shortly after birth, often using the back of the parent bird as an ever present island on which they may rest at will. The Auks, Murres, and Puffins are sea birds which nest usually in large colonies on isolated islets or rocky, inaccessible shores of the northern part of the northern hemisphere. They lay one or two eggs, sometimes in an exposed position among the rocks with no attempt at nest-building, sometimes at the end of a burrow excavated by the birds. In the latter case, the young are reared in the nest; in the for- mer, they sometimes enter the water at an early age. The one egg laid by Murres is remarkable both in color and in shape. In color it varies from bluish green to buff, and is usually heavily scrawled with black. In outline it is pyriform or pear-shaped. When moved it does not roll away as would a hen's egg but revolves about its own tip. In this manner it retains its place on the narrow ledges often chosen by Murres for nesting-sites. 42 Grebes and Loons 2. Holboell Grebe (Colvmbus holballt). L. 19. Ads. Crown and hindneck glossy black; back blackish; throat, cheeks, and underparts white; foreneck and sides rufous. Winter. Above blackish brown; throat and underparts white; foreneck pale rufous. Yng. Similar but no rufous. Notes. An explosive kup" and "An exceedingly loud harsh voice not unlike that of an angry Crow, but of much greater volume. The calls were also given more slowly and indeed with singular deliberatior., car, car, three or four times, sometimes lengthened to caar, and again, broken and quavering like ca-a-a-r or ca-a-a-a-r." (Brewster.; Range. — North America, eastern Siberia, and Japan; breeds locally In the interior from about Lat. 50? northward; winters from Maine and British Columbia southward to South Carolina, Nebraska and southern California, chiefly on the coasts. 3. Horned Grebe (Colymhus auritus). L. 13.5. Ads., summer. Crown, hindneck, and throat glossy black; plumes behind eye deep buff; back and wings blackish; foreneck, breast, sides, and lores chestnut; abdomen white. Winter. Above grayish black; be- low white. Range. — Northern Hemisphere: breeds largely in the Interior from eastern Quebec, northern Illinois, St. Clair Flats, North Dakota, and British Columbia northward; winters from Maine and British Columbia south to Gulf States and southern California. 4. American Eared Grebe (Colvmbus nigricollis califormcus). L. 13. Ads. Above, neck all around, and upper breast brownish black; cheek tufts yellowish brown; flanks chestnut; belly white. Winter. Grayish brown above; white below. Range. — Western North America east to Kansas; breeds locally from Texas and middle California north to Manitoba and British Col- umbia; winters from British Columbia, on the Pacific coast, and Texas southward. 5. Least Grebe (Colvmbus dominicus bracbypterus*). L. 10 Ads. Throat black; cheeks slaty, above blackish; below grayish. Winter. Similar but no black or slate on throat or cheeks. Smallest of our Grebes. Range. — Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and southern Lower California south to northern South America. 6. Pied - billed Grebe (Todilymbus podiceps). L. 13.5. Ads., summer. Above brownish black; throat and band on bill black; foreneck, breast, and sides brownish; belly white. Winter. The same, but throat white, breast more rusty, bill without black band. Notes. A loud, sonorous, il cow-cow-cow cow-cow-cow-cow- cow-cow- uh, cow-uh, cow-uh, cow-u/i." Range. — Argentine Republic; north through Mexico and West Indies to Lat. of Hudson Bay; breeds locally throughout its range, but chiefly northward; winters from New Jersey, Illinois, and southern California southward. 43 Grebes and Loons I. Western Grebe; Swan Grebe (SEchmophorus oc- cidetttalis). L. 26. Ads., summer. Crown and hind- neck black; back grayish brown; sides of head and un- der parts white. Winter. Crown and hindneck like back. Notes. A loud, rattling, grating whistle. Range. — Western North America: in summer eastward to Shoal Lake. Manitoba; northward to southern Alaska; breeds locally from northern California and North Dakota northward; winters from British Columbia to central Mexico. 7. Loon (Gavia imber). L. 32. Ads., summer. Above, including whole neck, glossy black; throat and neck with white streaks; back and wings with white spots or bars; belly white. Winter Above blackish margined with grayish; no white spots; below white. Notes. A loud, maniacal laugh. Range. — Northern hemisphere; in North America, breeds from Maine, northern Illinois, Minnesota, and northern California north to Greenland and Alaska; winters from about southern limit of breeding range south to Gulf of Mexico, chiefly on coasts. 8. Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii). L. 36. Similar to No. 7, but larger and bill yellowish or whitish. Notes. Similar to those of No. 7, but harsher. (Murdoch.) Range.— "Arctic America west of Hudson Bay, and northern Asia; asual in njrthern Europe." (A. O. U.) 9. Black-throated Loon {Gavia arctica). L. 27; W. 12. Ads., summer. Foreneck and back bluish black; throat, neck, and back streaked or barred with white; crown and nape gray; belly white. Winter. Similar to No. 7, but smaller. Notes. A dismal "too- too-e-e." (Turner.) Range. — Northern part of northern hemisphere; in America breeds from Hudson Bay north to Arctic coast; winters south to British Col- umbia, the Great Lakes and, casually, to Long Island. 10. Pacific Loon (Gavia pacified). Similar to No. 9, but foreneck in summer reflecting deep blue or green; hindneck paler; smaller, W. 1 1. Notes. A harsh "kok, kok,kok." (Murdoch.) Range.— Western North America; breeds at Point Barrow, Alaska, and eastward; winters south along Pacific Coast to Mexico. 11. Red-throated Loon (Gavt a lumme). L. 25. Ads., summer. Foreneck chestnut, head and neck ashy. Winter. Similar to No. 7, in winter, but back spotted with white. Notes. A harsh "gr-r ga, gr-r, gr-r-ga, gr-r." (Nelson.) Range.— Northern part of northern hemisphere; in North America breeds from New Brunswick to Greenland and Hudson Bay, and northwest to Alaska; winters south to South Carolina and southern California. 44 Auks, Murres and Puffins 12. Tufted Puffin (Lunda cirrhata). L. 15. Ads., summer. Cheeks white; a pair of long straw color plumes from behind eyes; rest of plumage sooty. Winter. Cheeks sooty, plumes usually absent. Yng. Similar to winter adult, but breast and belly whitish. Range. — Northern Pacific; resident locally from Santa Barbara Islands north to Alaska. Accidental In Maine. 13. Puffin {Fratercula arctica). L. 13; W. 6; B. 1.8. Ads. Above, and foreneck blackish; cheeks and under parts white; bill in summer touched with bright red. Notes. A hoarse croak. Range. — North Atlantic; breeds from Bay of Fundy north to Green- land; winters south to Long Island. 13a. Large-billed Puffin (F. a. glacialis). W. 7; B. 2. 1. Similar to No. 13, but larger. Range. — Arctic Ocean from Spltzenbergen to northern Greenland. I 4. Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata). Simi- lar to No. 13, but in summer with the throat blackish. Notes. "A hoarse snuffling, rattling note" (Nelson.) Range. "Northern Pacific from Kuril Islands to British Colum- bia." (A. O. U.) 15. Rhinoceros A uklet (Cerorhinca monocerata). L. 15.5. Ads., summer. A horn on base of bill; two pairs of white tufts; above blackish; throat and breast gray- ish; belly white. Winter. Similar, but no horn. Yng. Similar to winter ad. but no tufts. Range.— "North Pacific: breeding south (formerly) to the Far- allones; In winter south to Lower California and Japan." (A. O. U.) 45 Auks, Murres and Puffins 16. Cassin Auklet. (Ttycoramphus aleuticus). L. 9. Ads. A white spot above eye; above blackish; throat and breast grayish; belly white. Notes. A shrill, squealing "Come bear-r-r, come bear-r-r." Range.— "Pacific Coast of North America from Aleutian Islands to Lower California;breeding south to San Geronimo Island (Lat. 300 )." (A. O. V.) 23. Marbled Murrelet (Brachyrampbus marmoratus). L. 9.7. Ads. , summer. No crest; above dark brown, finely mixed with rusty; below white, all feathers edged with brown. Winter. Wholly different; above gray; head dark; below white; a nearly complete white nuchal collar. Yng. Similar to winter ad. but blacker above; sprinkled with blackish below. Range. — North Pacific; breeds from Vancouver north to Aleutian Islands; winters south to southern California. 24. Kittlitz Murrelet (Bracbyrampkus brevirostris) . L. 9.5; B., from feathers on top, .4. Ads., summer. Above gray, mottled with buff; breast and sides mottled with buff and black; belly white. Winter. Sides of head, to above eye, and lower parts white; above gray; outer tail-feathers white. Range. — Northern Japan. Kamchatka and Aleutian Islands, east to Unalaska. (A. O. U.) 25. Xantus Murrelet (Brachyrampbus bypoleucus). L. 10. Bill slender. Ads. Above slaty black; under surface of wing white; inner webs of outer primaries white. Range. — Pacific Coast from Monterey south to Cape St. Lucas; breeding as far north as Santa Barbara Island. 26. Craveri Murrelet {Bracbyramphus craveri). L. 10. Bill slender. Ads. Above slaty or brownish black; sides slaty; under surface of wings dusky, some- times mixed with white. Range. — Coasts of Lower California, from Cape St. Lucas north to Espiritu Santo Island in the Gulf of California, and to Natividad Island (lat. 28 °) on the Pacific side. (A. O. U.) 34. Dovekie {Alle alle). L. 8. Ads., summer. Above blackish; inner wing feathers tipped with white; throat and breast blackish brown. Winter. Similar, but throat and breast white or mixed grayish. Range — North Atlantic and East Arctic; in America breeds from Lat. 68 ° northward; winters south to Long Island, rarely to Virginia. Ac- cidental in Michigan. 46 Auks, Murres and Puffins 17. Paroquet Auklet (Cyclorrbynchus psittaculus). \.. 10. Ads., sum»nr. M? crest; a white plume from behind eye; above blackish; throat grayer, rest of un- der parts white. Winter. Throat white. Notes. "A low, sonorous, vibrating whistle." (Nelson.) Range ward.' "North Pacific, from Sitka and the Kuril Islands north- (A. O. U.) Five records for coast off San Francisco in win- L. I 8. Crested Auklet (Simorkynchus cristdtellus). 10. Ads., summer. Bill red; a crest of slender re- curved feathers; a pair of white tufts from behind eye; above sooty black; below grayer. Yng. Similar but bill brewn; no crest or tufts. Notes. "A chirping note," (Nelson.) Range. — North Pacific from Kadiak and Japan northward." (A. O. U.) 19. Whiskered Auklet (Simorhynelius pygmceus). L. 7.5. Ads., summer. White feathers at base of sides of bill and, much lengthened, from above and below eye; a crest of slender recurved feathers; above, and throat dark slate fading into white belly. Yng. Similar but no crest; little or no white on head. Notes. "A low chattering note." (Nelson.) Range — "North Pacific, from Unalaska through the Aleutian chain to Kamchatka." (A. O. U.) 20. Least Auklet (Simorliynchus pusillus). L. 6.5. Ads., summer. No crest; sides of head with white feathers; above blackish; chin sooty; throat white; under parts white, marked irregularly with sooty. Winter. Little or no sooty on breast. Yng. Similar to winter ad., but no white plumes. Range. — "North Pacific, from Sitka and Japan north to Bering f^_ Strait." (A. O. U.) 21. Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus). L. 10.5. Ads., summer. No crest; head and throat black; broad white stripes behind eye; back gray; breast and belly white. Winter. Similar but throat white; no white head stripes. Notes. "A low plaintive whistle." (Nelson.) Range. — North Pacific, from southern Vancouver Island and Japan northward; south in winter to Monterey, California; accidental in Wis- consin. 47 Auks, Murres and Puffins 27. Black Guillemot (Ceppbus grj lie). L. 13. Ads., summer. Black; greater wing-coverts white, black ai base; under surface of wings white. Winter. Above gray or black tipped with white; below white. Range. — Coasts of northern Europe and North Atlantic; in Ameri- ca breeds from Knox Co., Maine north to southern Greenland; win- ters south to Quebec and Massachusetts; rarely to Toronto, Con- necticut, and Long Island. 28. Mandt Guillemot (Cepphus mandtii). Similar to No. 27, but bases of greater wing-coverts white. Ranpe. — Arctic regions; breeds from Labrador and Hudson Bay north to northern Greenland and northern Alaska; in winter migrates but little southward; no satisfactory United States record. 29. Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba). Similar to No. 27, but inner surface of wings sooty gray. Notes. A squealing, vibrant whistle. Range. — North Pacific; breeds from Santa Catalina Island north to Bering Strait, west through Aleutian Islands to Kamchatka and northern Japan; winters in same region. 30. Murre (Uriatroile). L. 16; B. 1.7. Ads., sum- mer. Above and neck sooty brown; under parts and tips of secondaries white; sides with blackish streaks. Winter. Similar, but throat white washed with sooty. Notes. A hoarse murre and squawking a-r-r-r-r-r-rh. Range. — North Atlantic; breeds in North America from Bird Rock, Magdalen Islands, north to southern Greenland; winters south to Maine and, rarely, Ontario. 30a. California Murre (U. t. californica). Similar to No. 30 but larger, W. 8. 2; B. 1. 9. Range. — North Pacific; breeds from Pribilof Islands south to Farall- ones; winters south to southern California. 3 1. Brunnich Murre (JJria lomoia). Similar to No. 30, but bill shorter, 1.2. In summer, head and throat browner, lower mandible swollen at sides and grayish at base. Range. — North Atlantic and eastern Arctic: breeds in North Amer- ica from Bird Rock, Magdalen Islands, north to Greenland; winters south to New Jarsey and along St. Lawrence to Lakes Champlain and Ontario, rarely to Lake Michigan. 31a. Pallas Murre (U. I. arra). Similar to No. 31, but larger; W. 8.6; B. 1. 5. Notes. "A peculiar growling or hoarse chattering note." (Nelson.) Range. — North Pacific; south to Kadiak and Kamchatka. 32. Razor-billed Auk (Alca torda). L. 16.5. Ads., summer. Above sooty black, foreneck browner; tips of secondaries, line from bill to eye, and under parts, white. Winter. Similar, but foreneck white. Yng. Similar to winter ad. but without eye line. Notes. A hoarse grunt or groan. Range. — North Atlantic; breeds from Bird Rock, Magdalen Islands, north to Greenland; winters south to Long Island and, rarely, to On- tario and North Carolina. 33. Great Auk (Plautus impenms). L. 29; W. 5. 7. Ads. Above blackish; a large white spot before the eye; secondaries tipped witli white; sides of neck and the throat seal brown; belly, white. Resembling No. 32 in general appearance but body much larger; wing, however, shorter. Range. — Formerly, the coasts and islands of North Atlantic, south on American side to Florida (in winter?); now extinct. 48 Order II. LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS. LONGIPENNES. Family 1. SKUAS and JAEGERS. Stercok akud.K. 4 species. Family 2. GULLS and TERNS. Larid/K. 37 species, 1 subspecies. Family 3. SKIMMERS. RynchopidvE. 1 species. Skuas and Jaegers are pirates among the birds of the high seas. Bold and dashing, they pursue the swift flying Terns or much larger Gulls with equal success, forcing them to drop the fish they have cap- tured and catching it ere it reaches the water. Gulls (Subfamily Larincr) are usually considered so characteristic of the sea that 'Sea Gull' is the name popularly applied to all members of the subfamily to which they belong. Several species, however, are equally at home, both in the winter and when nesting, on the larger bodies of water in the interior, and one species is rarely or never found on our sea coasts. Gulls nest on the ground, on drifts of marsh-grass, on cliffs, and one species, at least, among American Gulls (the Herring Gull) has as a result of persecution, acquired the habit of nesting in trees. Gulls feed from the surface of the water, picking up their food with their strongly curved bills in passing or while hovering, not by plung- ing into the water, as do the Terns. They are, in fact, the scavengers of the water, and perform a service of great value to mankind by de- vouring the bodies of various forms of aquatic animals which, in dying, come to the surface and, if cast ashore, might, in decaying, prove a source of disease. For this reason it was especially unfortunate that the plumage of these birds became fashionable for millinery purposes, with the result that thousands of them were destroyed for their wings and breasts. In 'this country, however, through the efforts of the American Ornitholo- gists' Union and the Audubon Societies, laws have been passed pro- hibiting the killing of these beautiful and useful birds, and wardens have been placed on their nesting grounds to protect them. Gulls often rest in great flocks on the water, sitting high up and riding the waves buoyantly, but the Terns (Subfamily Stcrnincr), after they have acquired the power of flight, are rarely seen on the water. They are lighter, more active birds than the Gulls, with longer wings and tails, and sharper, more pointed bills. They feed largely on small 49 Long-winged Swimmers. fish (the species called silversides being a favorite) of no value to man, which they secure by darting from the air with great speed and direct- ness. When looking for food, Terns usually fly with the bill down- ward, a habit which will aid in distinguishing them them from the Gulls, whose bill is carried in a line with the body. Terns usually nest in large colonies on the beach of some isolated islet either on our sea coasts or in the interior. The nest is generally composed of a few wisps of sea-weed or grass, or the two or three eggs are not infrequently laid in a slight hollow in the sand or among the shells and pebbles. Like the Gulls, Terns have been slaughtered in enormous numbers for millinery purposes; but in this country, at least, effective efforts are now being made to preserve them. Skimmers nest in numbers on our Atlantic Coast from Virginia southward, laying their four eggs in a slight depression in the sand. In feeding, their mouth is held open and the longer, thin, lower mandi- ble is dropped beneath the surface of the water, when, flying rapidly, they readily pick up food. In young Skimmers, however, the two mandibles are of equal length and the lower mandible does not become appreciably longer than the upper one until the birds begin to fly. During the flightless period of the bird's life, the bill may be used to pick up food along the shore, but when the power of flight is acquired and with it ability to feed in the characteristic Skimmer manner, then the peculiar bill of these birds becomes fully developed. The young of all the Gulls and Terns are born covered with down and can leave the nest a few hours after birth. The Noddy, however, is said to be several weeks in its stick nest, which, unlike other mem- bers of its group, it often builds in bushes. The young are colored to harmonize with their usual surroundings. Young Skimmers are pale, sandy brown, of the same color as the sand in which they are hatched. Young Terns are darker, and young Laugh- ing Gulls born in nests of reeds or meadow grasses, are the darkest of the three. All young Gulls and Terns have the habit of squatting low near the ground in the presence of danger and remaining motionless until act- ually touched when they seem to realize that they have been seen and trust to their legs for safety. 50 \ Skua and Jaegers 35. Skua (Megalestris skua). L. 22. Ads. Above dark, dirty brown, below paler. Yng. Similar, but more distinctly streaked with yellowish, especially on head and neck. Range. — North Atlantic, chiefly eastern; breeds from Shetland Islands northward; winters south to Gibraltar, and rarely Long Island. One specimen from California coast. 36. Pomarine Jaeger {Stercorarius pomarinus). L. 20; B. 1.5. Middle tail feathers rounded. Ads. light phase. Cap black; throat, breast, and neck, all around, white tinged with straw; back, lower belly, upper and under tail coverts brownish slate. Ads. dark phase. Dark brown, paler below. Yng. Above blackish brown m irgined with rusty; below white margined with dusky and buffy. Notes. "A low, hoarse, chattering cry." (Nelson.) Range.- Northern hemisphere; breeds north of Lat. 70 ° ; winters, mainly at sea, south to South America, southern Africa and Australia. 37. Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus). L. 17; B. 1.1; its scaly shield longer than distance from end of shield to tip of bill. Ads. Both phases simi- lar in color to No. 36, but central tail feathers pointed, 8.6 long. Yng. Similar in color to No. 36 but smaller, bill shorter, middle tail feathers more pointed. Notes. "Loud waling cries, interspersed with harsh shrieks." (Nelson.) Range. — Northern hemisphere; breeds in Arctic regions; winters mainly at sea. from California, Great Lakes, and Massachusetts south to South America. 38. Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus). L. 21; B. 1, its scaly shield shorter than the distance from its end to the tip of bill. Ads. In both phases resemb- ling No. 36 but central tail feathers pointed and 12 in. long. Yng. Like No. 36 and No. 37, but to be dis- tinguished by differences in bill measurements. Notes. "A hoarse qua, a shrill pheil-pheil-pheu-pheo, when flying; or a rattling kr-r-r-r-. kr-r-r-r, kr-r-r, kre-kre-. kre-kre, the latter syllables shrill and querulous." (Nelson.) Range. — Northern hemisphere; breeds in Arctic regions: winters mainly at sea, south to Gibraltar and Gulf of Mexico; one California 51 Gulls 39. Ivory Gull (Pagopbila alba). L. 17- Ads. Pure white; bill yellow; feet black. Yng. Similar, but wings and tail tipped with blackish; throat dusky. Range.— Breeds in Arctic regions: winters south to Great Lakes and British Columbia; rarely to Massachusetts. 40. K itt i wa ke (Rissa tridactyla). L. 16/ Hind toe a knob. Ads. Head, neck all around, underparts, and tail white; 3 in. or less, of tips of primaries black. Yng. Tip of tail, ear-coverts, nape, and wing-coverts with black; bill black; inner web of ^primaries with white. Notes. A rapidly uttered kit-a-wdke, kit-a- wake. Range. — North Atlantic and eastern Arctic regions; breeds in Amer- ica, from Gulf of St. Lawrence to Greenland; winters south to Great Lakes, Long Island and, rarely, Virginia. 40a. Pacific Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla pollicaris). Similar to No. 40, but hind toe more developed; black tips to 3 outer primaries, 3 in. or nore in length. Notes. "A shrill, harsh cry when disturbed and a low whistle whan communicating with each other." (Nelson.) Range. — "North Pacific and Bering Sea; south in winter, casually to southern California." (A. O. U.) 41. Red-legged Kittiwake (Rissa brevirostris). Ads. Similar to Ad. of No. 40, but legs red, back and inner web of primaries darker; bill shorter, 1.2. Yng. Sim- ilar to No. 40, but no black on tail or wings. Range. — Coasts and Islands of Bering Sea." (A. O. U.) 54. Ring-billed Gull [Larus delawarensis). L. 18. Ads., summer. Bill greenish yellow, a black band across tip; ends of primaries black, a white spot near tip of outer one. Ads. Winter. Similar, but head and neck streaked with grayish. Yng. Tail grayish with a broad black band; primaries black; back brownish gray and whitish; belly white; end half of bill black. Range. — North America, coast and interior; breeds from Newfound- land, southern Minnesota, and British Columbia northward; winters from Nova Scotia and British Columbia south to Cuba and Lower California. 55. Short-billed Gull (l.arusbracbyrhynchus). L. 17; B. 1.50 Ads., summer. Head, neck, tail, and underparts white. Two outer primaries tipped with black, their white spaces followed by black; remaining primaries tipped with white. Yng. Grayish brown; basal half of tail pearl. Notes. "A sharp querulous kwew-kwew," (Nelson.) . . Range. — North Pacific; breeds in Alaska and interior of northern British Columbia; winters on coast from British Columbia to southern California. 52 Gulls 42. Glaucous Gull (Larus glaucus). L. 28; W. 17. 1; B. 2.35. No black in plumage. Ads. Primaries white tinted with pearl; bill with red spot at end of lower mandible. Yng. Dirty white or gray, mottled with dusky and butty, chiefly above; primaries white; outer webs brownish. Range. — Northern hemisphere; breeds in America, from Labrador northward; winters south to middle California, Great Lakes and Long Island. 42.1. Point Barrow Gull [Larus barrovianus). Similar to No. 42, but bill through angle not so deep, (.8 as compared with .9 in glaucus); primaries more distinctly tipped with white. Notes. "ku-kii-M, ku- ku-kii, kU-lee-do, kil-lee-od, ku-lee-oo, ku-kil-kii, ku- ku-kii, the ku-ku hoarse, the rest a shrill screaming." (Nelson.) Range. — "Bering Sea and contiguous waters; northeast to Point Barrow, southwest to Japan." (A. O. U.) 43. Iceland Gull {Larus leucopterus). L. 25; W. 16; B. 1.75. Similar in color to Nos. 42 and 42.1, but smaller. winters south in America to Range. — Atlantic; breeds in Greenland; Great Lakes, and rarely, Long Island. 44. Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens). L. 27. Ads., summer. Head, tail, and underparts white; back pearl; primaries pearl, tipped with ■white. Ads., winter. Head and neck streaked with brownish. Yng. Brownish gray, more or less mixed with white, including wings and tail. Range. — North Pacific; breeds from British Columbia to Bering Straits; winters south to southern California. 45. Kumlien Gull {Larus kumlieni). W. 16.2; B. 1. 75. Similarto No. 43, but primaries with well de- fined ashy gray space*;; outer primary tipped with white, with ashy gray on outer web and shaft part of inner web; second primary ashy gray on only shaft part of outer web. Range. — "North Atlantic coast of North America, breeding in Cum- berland Gulf; south in winter to the coast of the Middle States." (A. O. U.) 46. Nelson Gull (Larus nelsont). "Wing 18.25, culmen 2.35. Ads. In plumage exactly like L. kum- lieni; depth of bill through angle .80; tarsus 3.05; middle toe (without claw) 2.40." (Ridgv/ay.) Range. — "Coast of Norton Sound, Alaska . " (A. O. U.) 53 Gulls 47. Great Black-backed Gull [Larus marinus). L. 29. Ads., summer. Back and wings slaty black; wing feathers tipped with white. Ads. , winter. Similar, but head and neck streaked with dusky. Yng. Back grayish brown margined with buffy white; rump whiter; primaries black; below white more or less marked with dusky. Notes. "A braying ha-ba-ha, adeepkeow, keaic, a short barking note, and a long-drawn groan, very loud and decidedly impressive." (Brewster.) Range. — North Atlantic and northern Ilurope; breeds In North America from Nova Scotia to Greenland; winters south to Great Lakes and South Carolina. 48. Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus). L. 26. Ads. , summer. General appearance of No. 47; back lighter; primaries as figured. Ads. , winter. Head and neck streaked. Yng. Above brown margined with buff and white; primaries brown; tail brown with little or no mottling; below brown. Range. — "North Pacific, chiefly on the Asiatic side; Herald Island, Arctic Ocean, and Alaskan coast of Bering Sea." (A. O. U.) 49. Western Gull (Larus occidentalis). L. 24. Ads. , summer. Head, neck, tail, and underparts white; back slaty gray; outer primaries black, a large white spot near tip of first one. Ads.,'winter. Crown and hind neck streaked with brownish. Yng. Grayish brown mixed with white; wings and tail fuscous. Notes. Ooeek, ooeek, ooeek; ca-ca-ca, and other calls. Range. — Pacific coast; breeds and winters from Lower California to British Columbia. 57. Heermann Gull (Lar us beermanni). L. 17. Ads., summer. Bill redjhead and throat white, snading into slate above and below; tail blackish, tipped with white; primaries black. Ads. , winter.. Head and neck streak- ed with grayish brown. Y ig. Uniform grayish brown. Range. — Pacific coast of North America: breeds from Mazatlan, Mexico, north to Lower California; occurs regularly north to Van- couver Island; winters south to Panama. 54 Gulls 5 1. Herring Gull (Larus argentatus). L. 24. Ads. , summer. White spaces at end (if outer primaries sometimes juined. Ads., winter. Similar, but head and neck, streaked with grayish. Yng. Above ashy brown, margined and marked with buffy; wings brown- ish black; tail the same; sometimes margined with buffy; below ashy brown, sometimes lightly barred or streaked with dusky. Notes. Cack-cack-cack; hah, It ah, hah, and other notes. Range. — Northern hemisphere; breeds in America from Maine, Great Lakes, Minnesota, and British Columbia northward; winters south to Cuba and Lower California. 52. Vega Gull [Larus vegas). Similar to No. 51, but back said to be darker; feet yellow. Range. — "Bering Sea and adjacent waters; south in winter to Cal- ifornia and Japan.'' (A. O. U.) 53. California Gull [Larus californicus). L. 20. Ads. Similar to No. 54 but larger; a red spot near tip of lower mandible; white spot on outer primary, larger and nearer end. Yng. Similar to No. 54 but darker; tail nearly uniform fuscous. Range. — Western North America; breeds chiefly In interior, from Utah to Lat. 68 ° , }o'; winters from British Columbia to Mexico. Gulls 58. Laughing Gull (Larus ; atricilla). L. 16. Ads. , summer. Head dark slate; tail white; bill with red- dish. Ads., winter. Similar, but head and throat white with grayish on nape and behind eyes. Yng. Tail grayish with a broad black band; nape and back ashy brown; forehead and under parts white. Notes. A nasal cow-ow, also cuk-cuk-cuk, and a high, long- drawn laugh. Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from Texas and Florida to Maine and Nova Scotia; rare in interior; winters from South Carolina to northern South America. 59. Franklin Gull (Larus franklini). L. 15. Ads. , summer. Breast with a rosy tinge; outer primaries with wide black spaces near ends, bordered at base and tip with white. Ads., winter. "Head mainly white, with [its] sides and back grayish dusky." Yng. "Top and sides of head and back grayish brown; quills dusky, tipped with white; tail with subterminal band of dusky; rest of tail, under parts, forehead, and eyelids white." (Bailey.) Range, — Interlorof North America; breeds from Iowa and Minneso- ta northward to Great Bear Lake; winters from west Gulf States to South America. 60. Bonaparte Gull [Larus Philadelphia). L. 14. Ads., summer. Outer web of outer primaries and tip black; inner web and shaft white; bill black. Ads. , "win- ter. Similar, but throat and head white, its back grayish. Yng. Tail white, tipped with black; outer primary black, inner two-thirds of inner web and space near tip white; rest of plumage much as in young of No. 58. Range. — North America; breeds In interior from Hudson Bay and Manitoba west to the Yukon; winters from British Columbia and Maine to Lower California and Gulf of Mexico. ■61. Ross Gull (Rhodostethia rosea) L. 13.5. Bill small, .7; middle tail feathers longest. Ads., summer. White areas tinged with pink; a black collar. Ads., winter. No collar; a bl?ck spot before eye. Yng. Lesser coverts black, margined with whitish; tail white, central feathers tipped with black; back pearl; ear spot and space about eye dusky; crown white, washed with pearl. Range.— "Arctic regions; south in autumn and winter to Kamchat- ka, Point Barrow, Alaska and Disco Bay, Greenland." (A. O. U.) 62. Sabine Gull (Xema sabinit). L. 14. Tail slightly forked. Ads. , summer. Head and throat slaty black, margined behind with black; bill black, tipped with yellow; outer primaries black, small tip and inner half of inner web white. Ads., winter. Similar, but head and throat white; nape region dusky. Yng. Tail white, tipped with black; crown and back ashy brown; forehead and underparts white. Notes. 'A single harsh grating note." (Nelson.) Range — Arctic regions; breeds in America from St. Michaels, Alaska and Melville Bay, Greenland, northward; winters south on At- lantic coast, rarely to New York; casually to Texas, and on Pacific coast to Peru. 56 Terns 64. Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia). L. 21. T. 6., forked 1.5. Largest of our Terns. Ads., breeding. Bill red; cap black; above pearl; below white; primaries frosty black. After breeding, crown streaked black and white; bill more orange. Yng. Similar to last but wings and tail with blackish. Notes. A loud, harsh itkay-ap}k" or "key-rak." Range. — Cosmopolitan; breeds in North America, locally from Texas to Newfoundland and Great Slave Lake; winters mostly south of United States; three California winter records. 65. Royal Tern {Sterna maxima). L. 19; T. 7, fork- ed 3.5; B. 2.5. Ads. , summer. Primaries frosty black, white on inner two-thirds of inner web except at tip, where frosty; bill orange red; crown black; above pearl; below white. Ads. , winter. The same, but head white with black streaks. Yng. Similar to winter ad. but wings and tail with grayish. Range. — Middle America; breeds from southern Brazil and Peru to Gulf States, Virginia, and California; wanders north to Great Lakes and Massachusetts; winters from Gulf States and California southward. 66. Elegant Tern (Sterna elegans). L. 16. s; B. 2.7. Similar to No. 65, but smaller; bill longer and more slender. Ads. Tinged with shell pink below. Range.- O. U.) "Pacific coast of America from California to Chili." (A. 67. Cabot Tern (Sterna sandvicensis aatflavida). L. 16; T. 5.5, forked 2.7. Ads., breeding. Bill black, the tip yellow; crown black; above pearl; below white; primaries much as in No. 65. After breeding, head white; nape with black streaks. Yng. Similar to list but with back and tail with blackish; tip of bill less yellow. Range. — Tropical America; breeds on east side of Mexico north along Gulf Coast to Florida, and Atlantic coast to South Carolina; wanders to Massachusetts; winters south of United States to West Indies and Central America. 57 Terns 63. Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica). L. 14.5; T. 5.5. Ads., summer. Bill thick, short, black; tail short, forked only 1 . =,; crown black; above pearl; below white. Ads., winter. Head white, with black patch before and behind eye. Yng. Similar, but above edged with buffy; head and neck streaked with gray- ish. Notes. A high, thin, somewhat reedy tee-tee-tee, sometimes suggesting a weak-voiced katydid. Range. — Cosmopolitan; breeds in North America from Mexico to Florida and nortli to Virgiria; wanders north rarely to New Bruns- wick; winters from southern Texas southward. 73. Aleutian Tern (Sterna aleuticd). L. 14. T. 6.7, forked 3. Ads., summer. Above and below pearl gray, browner below; throat white; crown black; fore- head white; line from bill to ere black. Ads., winter. "With rather more white on forehead." (Cat. B. M.) Notes. "A thin, clear, trilling whistle." (Nelson.) Range. — Alaska from Kadiak to Bering Strait, southwest to Japan. 74. Least Tern (Sterna ant dlarum). L. 9; T. 3.5, forked 1.7. Ads., summer. Bill yellow, black at tip; forehead white; a black line from bill to eye; crown black; above pearl; below white. Ads. , winter. Crown white; nape black; bill dark; tail shorter. Yng. Sim- ilar to last, but above with buffy or brownish. Notes. "A sharp squeak much like the cry of a very young pig following its mother." Range. — Western hemisphere; breeds locally from northern South America northward to Massachusetts, Dakota, and southern Cali- fornia; winters south of United States. 76. Bridled Tern (Sterna ancrthetus). L. 15. Ads. Forehead and line over eye white; lores and crown black; nape whitish; back sooty gray or sooty brown; outer tail feathers white, except at tip; inner ones grayish brown. Notes. A soft qua. Range. — Tropical regions; north In Atlantic to the Bahamas; casual in Florida. 58 Terns 69. Forster Tern (Sterna forsteri). L. 15; T. 7, forked. 4. Ads., summer. Inner web of outer tail feather dusky; below pure white; bill orange, blackish at end; crown black; back pearl. Ads., -winter. Crown white or grayish; a large black spot about eyes; bill black. Yng, Similar to winter ad. but above with brownish. Notes. A long drawn, deep, reedy cock and tweet-tweet-tweet-tweet. Range. — North America: breeds locally north to California, and from Texas along coast to Virginia and in interior to Manitoba; wan- ders to Massachusetts; winters from southern California and Texas south to Brazil. 70. Common Tern (Sterna hirundo). L. 15; T. 5.5, forked, 3.2 Ads. , summer. Outer web of outer tail feather dusky; below white, washed with dusky; bill red, blackish at end; crown black; back pearl. Ads. , winter. Forehead and underparts white; bill black. Yng. Similar .to last, but above with brownish; tail •shorter. Notes. A vibrant, purring, tearrr, and other ■calls. Range — Northern hemisphere, in America, chiefly east of Plains; breed > locally on coast and in interior from Gulf States to Barren •Grounds and Greenland; winters south of United States to Brazil. 71. Arctic Tern (Sterna par adisa; a). L. 15.5; T. 7 2 forked 4.5. Similar to No. 70, but summer ad. •with bill wholly bright red; tail longer; tarsus shorter, .6 instead of .7. Notes. Like tearr of No. 70, but shriller, ending in rising inflection, like squeal of a pig. (Brewster.) Range. — Northern hemisphere; breeds from Massachusetts north 1o Greenland and northwest to Aleutian Islands and Alaska; winters ■south to California and Virginia. 72. Roseate Tern (Sterna dougalli). L. 15.5; T. 7.5, forked, 5.2. Ads., summer. Bill black, reddish only at the base; below white tinged with shell pink; tail wholly / white; crown black; back pearl. Ads. , winter. Fore- head with white; no pink below. Notes. A reedy ■cack. Range. — Temperate and tropical regions; breeds in North America on east ccast only, from Florida north to Nova Scotia; rare north of Virginia; winters south of United States to Venezuela. 59 Terns and Skimmer 75. Sooty Tern {Sterna fuliginosa). L. 17. Ads., summer. Above blackish, forehead and underparts white; tail black, except outer feathers which are: mostly white. Yng. Sooty slate; linings of wings. white; scapulars, upper tail coverts, and tail feathers, tipped with white. Notes. A squeaky quack, a nasal'. ker-wacky-wak, and other calls. Range. — "Tropical and subtropical coasts of the globe. In Amer- ica from Chili to western Mexico and the Carolinas. and casually 10 New England." (A. O. U.) 77. Black Tern (Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis). L. 10. Ads., summer. Head and underparts black; back, wings, and tail slate. Ads., winter. Forehead, nape, and underparts white; head gray. Yng. Simi- lar to last, but above with brownish margin.,. Notes. A sharp peek. Range. — Temperate and tropical America; breeds in interior from California, Kansas, and Illinois to Alaska; irregular migrant on Allan- tic coast from New Brunswick southward; winters south of United States to Chili. 79. Noddy {Anous stolidus). L. 15. Ads. Crown silvery whife; rest of plumage sooty brown. Yng. Sim- ilar, but all o'ooty brown except white line from bill to eye. NoUx A low reedy cack increasing to a hoarc?, guttural k'r-r-r-r-r-r-r. Range — Tror'"' and subtropical regions; In America from Brazil and Chili north to the Gulf and South Atlantic States." (A. O. I'.) 80. Black Skimmer [Rynchops nigra). L. 18. Ads. Lower mandible longer than upper; forehead, under- parts, part of secondaries, and tail white; rest of plum- age black. Yng. Plumage widely margined with buffy. Notes. Varied, nasal, penny-trumpet-like; also ca-you, ca-you, like a hound's voice. Range. — North America, chiefly eastern; breeds from southern New Jersey southward; wanders rarely to Nova Scotia; winters from. Gulf States to northern South America. 60 Order III. TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS. TUBINARES. Family 1. ALBATROSSES. Dkxuedeid.e. 4 species. Family 2. FULMARS, SHEARWATERS, and PETRELS. Pro- CELLARiiD/fi. 26 species, 1 subspecies. The Albatrosses, of which about ten species are known, are birds of far southern seas, where they nest on isolated islands. After the young are reared, several species migrate northward and are found off our Pacific coast. The largest known species, the Wandering Alba- tross, which has been made famous by Coleridge's "Rime of the Anci- ent Mariner," measures from twelve to fourteen feet in expanse of wing, and, like other members of this family, is a tireless ocean wan- derer. In the museum of Brown University, there is a mounted Wandering Albatross, killed off the coast of Chili by Capt. Hiram Luther, Decem- ber 20, 1847. When captured, a small bottle was found tied around the bird's neck, containing a slip of paper from which it was learned that the bottle had been attached to the bird December 12, 1847, by Capt. Edwards of the New Bedford Whaler, "Euphrates," when about 800 miles off the coast of New Zealand, or about 3,400 miles from the point at which, eight days later, the bird was secured. The Fulmars, (genus Fulmarus), are northern birds and nest in im- mense numbers on isolated islets, somewhat like certain Gulls. Comparatively little is known of the nesting places of our Shear- waters, but it is believed that most of them breed on the islands of the South Atlantic and South Pacific, and pass their winter, (our summer) off our coasts. One of the Petrels, (Wilson Petrel), is known to have this habit. It has been found nesting on Kerguelen Island, in S. Lat. 49° 54', in February, and in May it appears off our coasts for the summer. Petrels nest in holes in the ground, laying one white egg. They are never seen near their homes during the day, the bird then on the nest waiting until night to feed, when the one which has been at sea re- turns to assume its share of the task of incubation. These birds are therefore both diurnal and nocturnal. 61 Albatrosses 81. Black-footed Albatross I Diomedea nigripes). L. 32. Ads. Sooty brown, lighter below; region about base of bill whitish; upper mandible broad and rounded at its base. Notes. A whining groan, uttered when contesting for food. (Turner). Range. — North Pacific; north to Lat. 520 ; south at least to Lower California. 82. Short-tailed Albatross (Diomedea albatrus). L. 36. Ads. White; the head straw; tail and primaries gray brown; upper mandible broad and rounded at base. Range. — North Pacific, north to Bering Strait; south, at least, to Lower California. 82.1. Laysan Albatross {Diomedea immutabilis). L. 32. Ads. Head, neck, rump, upper tail covens, and whole under surface white; lores next to the eye sooty black; back, wings, and end of the tail dark sooty brown; interscapular region paler; base of the tail whitish. (Cat. B. M.) Range. — Laysan Island, Pacific Ocean; casual off the coast »f Lower California; 83. Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassogeron culmin- ates). L. 36. Ads. Above slate brown, grayer on head; rump white; below white; neck sometimes grayish; tail gray. Range — "Indian and southern Pacific Oceans; casual off the coast of Oregon; accidental in the Gulf of St. Lawrence." (A. O. U.) 84. Sooty Albatross [Phaebetria fuliginosa). L. 35. Ads. Sides of lover mandible conspicuously grooved; en- tire plumage sooty brown, except a white eye-ring. ^\\Jk_S NXtWItO f*OV\ ABOvt. Range — "Oceans of southern hemisphere, north t< Oregon." iA. O. U.) 62 the coast of Fulmars and Shearwaters 86. Fulmar (Fulmaihs glacialis). L. 19; W. 13; B. 1.5. Ads. Light phase. Head, neck, and under parts white; back, wings, and tail slaty gray. Dark phase. Uniform dark slaty ;ray. Notes. Silent. Range —North Atlantic, breeds from Lat. 690 northward; winters south to Lat. of Massachusetts, and rarely to Virginia. 86b. Pacific Fulmar (F. g. glupischa). Similar to No. 86, but nasal tubes light. Range. — North Pacific; breeds from Ber'ng Sea north; winters south to Mexico. 86.1. Rodger Fulmar [Fulmarus rodgersii). Sim- ilar to light phase of No. 86, but back with white .gathers; no dark phase. Range. — "Bering Sea and adjacent parts of North Pacific." A. O. U.J 87. Slender-billed Fulmar (Priocella glacialoides^. L. '8.5. Ads. Head and underparts white; back ind tail pearl; primaries black, white on inner web. Range. — Southern Seas; north on Pacific coast to Washington. 94. Sooty Shearwater [Puffinus Juliginosus). L. 17. Ads. Sooty gray, lighter below. Range. — "Atlantic Ocean, breeding in the southern hemisphere; a summer visitor off our coast, from South Carolina northward." (A. O. U.) 95. Dark-bodied Shearwater [Puffinus griseus). L. 17. Ads. Above dusky black or brownish, paler be- low; under wing coverts white and dusky; bill black. Range. — South Pacific; north In summer on the American coast to California. 96.1. Wedge-1ailed Shearwater {Puffinus cuneatus). L. 17. T. 5.4, pointed. Ads. Above brown; below white; sides of neck mottled v ith gray; middle tail feathers nearly 2. longer than lateral ones. (Cat. B. M.) Range. — "North Pacific Oc»in, from the Hawaiian Islands north to the Bonin Group and Lo-ver California." (A. O. U.) 63 Shearwaters 88. Cory Shearwater (Puffinus borealis). L. 21. Ads. Above grayish brown; below, including under wing coverts and under tail coverts, white. Range. — North Atlantic; recorded only off the coast from Massa- chusetts to Long Island. 89. Greater Shearwater (Tuffinus gravis). L. 20. Ads. Above grayish brown or blackish; tips of longer upper tail coverts white; below white; middle of belly and under tail coverts ashy gray. Range. — "Atlantic Ocean, from Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope north to Arctic Circle." (A. O. U.) 91. Pink-footed Shearwater {Puffinus creatopus). L. 19.5. Ads. Above dusky gray or brown; below white; sides and lower belly with grayish; longer under tail coverts dusky brown; feet, flesh-color; bill yellowish. Range. — Pacific Ocean north on the American coast in summer and fall to middle California. 92. Audubon Shearwater [Puffinus Ihermmieri). L. 12. Ads. Above black or brownish black; below v\ hite; under tail coverts sooty. Range.— Middle Atlantic; breeds in West Indies and Bahamas; wanders north to Long Island. 93. Black-vented Shearwater (Puffinus opistbomelas.). L. 15. Ads. Above dusky black; below white; sides of breast grayish; under tail coverts dusky brown; bill black Range. — "Pacific Ocean, chiefly southward; coast of Lower Cali- fornia north to Santa Cruz, Cal." (A. O. U.) 93.1. Townsend Shearwater (Puffinus auricn- laris). Similar to No. 93, but bill and feet smaller, B. 1.2; above darker, nearly black; black of head ex- tending below eye. (Townsend.) Range.— Pacific Ocean (Clarion Island, Lower California). 96. Slender-billed Shearwater [Puffinus tenuirostris), L. 13., bill slender 1.2 Ads. "Above dark sooty slate; beneath deep sooty gray, paler on throat where some- times inclining to whitish." (Ridgw.) Range.— North Pacific, from Japan and Kotzebue Sound south on the American coast to middle California. 64 Petrels 93. Black-capped Petrel {/Estrelata hasitata). L. 16. Ads. Above sooty brown; back of neck and up- per tail coverts white; base of tail white. Range. — Tropical Atlantic; irregular In United States (Florida, Vir- ginia, New York, Kentucky, Vermont, and Ontario.) !03. Least Petrel [Halocyptena microsoma) . L. 5. 7. Ads. Sooty blackish brown, lighter below. Range. — "Coast of Lower California south to Panama." (A. O. U) 105. Forked-tailed Petrel [Oceanodroma Jurcata). L. 8. 7. Ads. Tail forked; bluish gray, wings darker; a blackish space about eye. Range. — North Pacific; breeds in Aleutian Islands; recorded north to Bering Strait; winters south to California. 105.1. Kaeding Petrel {Oceanodroma kaedingi). W. 6. Ads. Similar to O. leucorrhoa, but much smaller with much less deeply forked tail. (Anthony.) Range. — Pacific Ocean; (Socorro Islands, Lower California.) 108. Ashy Petrel (Oceanodroma homochroa^. L. 8. 5. Ads. No white on rump; tail forked; sooty black above, browner below; wing coverts grayish. Range. — "Cor.^t of California; breeds on tha Santa Barbara and Farallone Islands." (A. O. U.) 65 Petrels 104. Stormy Petrel; Mother Carey's Chicken(7Vo- cellaria pelagica). L. 5.5. Ads. Sooty black, brown- er below; upper tail coverts white, tipped with black. 104. g^ Range. — NorO Brunswick. Atlantic: winters south to western Africa and New 106. Leach Petrel; Stormy Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa). L. 8., W. 6.2. Ads. Tail forked; above sooty brownish black; below browner; lesser wing cov- erts grayish brown; longer upper tail coverts not tipped with black. Notes. An elfin-like crow of eight notes. Range. — North Atlantic and North Pacific; breeds from Maine to Greenland and from Farallone to Aleutian Islands; winters south to Virginia and California. 106.1. Guadalupe Petrel (Oceanodroma macro- dactyla). L. 8.4; W. 6.4; T. 3.9, fork 1 in. deep. Ads. Similar to O. leucorlwa, but with much longer and more deeply forked tail, larger feet, shorter bill, and very broad dusky tips to the upper tail coverts. (Ridgw. in Cat. B. M.) Range. — Pacific Ocean; (Guadalupe Island, Lower California.) 107. Black Petrel (Oceanodroma melania.) L. 9. /07 Ads. Sooty black, paler below; wing-coverts grayish, tail forked. Range.— South Pacific, north to Santa Barbara Islands; breeds or Coronados Islands, southern California. 1 08. 1 Socorro Petrel (Oceanodroma socorroensis). W. 5.5. Ads. Similar to No. 108, but wings longer: tail shorter and less deeply forked; sides of rump whitish; no white on under surface of wing. (Towns.) Range.— Pacific Ocean; (Socorro Island, southern California.) 109. Wilson Petrel; Stormy Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus). L. 7. Ads. Webs of feet with yellow patch: tail not forked; longer upper tail coverts not tipped with black. Notes. A weak reset, weet, and a hoarse chattering patret-tu-cuk-cuk-tu-tit. (Wilson.) Range. Atlantic Ocean; breeds in Southern seas, (Kerguelen Is- land in February) , and migrates north to Newfoundland, spending summer off coast of eastern United States. 66 Order IV. TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS. STEGANOPODES. Family 1. TROPIC BIRDS. Pha'ethontid^. 2 species. Family 2. GANNETS. Sulid.*:. 6 species. Family 3. DARTERS. Anhingid^e. 1 species. Family 4. CORMORANTS. Phalacrocoracid/E. 6 species, 5 subspecies. Family 5. PELICANS. Pelecanhxe. 3 species. Family 6. MAN-O'-WAR-BIRDS. Fregatid.e. 1 Species. The members of this Order agree in having all four toes connected by webs, but in other respects they differ widely in structure and, con- sequently, in habit. The young of all the Steganopodes are born naked, unlike the young of most of the other water birds, which, as a rule, are hatched covered with' feathers and can swim or run about soon after birth. The nests of the Steganopodes are, of necessity, therefore, more complex structures than those of birds whose nests are merely incubators and not cradles as well. Tropic Birds resemble the larger Terns, when in the air, but their wing strokes are more rapid. They usually nest in holes in the face of cliffs, and lay one whitish egg, marked with chocolate. Gannets are true sea birds, but, as a rule, do not live very far from the land. When breeding, Gannets are usually associated in great numbers. Their nests, as a rule, are placed on the ground or on cliffs, and one or two chalky white eggs are laid. At this season the birds are exceedingly tame and in localties where they have not been much molested, one may walk about among the sitting birds without their taking flight. Gannets are powerful birds on the wing. Their vigor- ous wing strokes are interrupted at intervals by short sails. They feed on fish which they capture by diving from the air. The Darters or Anhingas number four species, distributed through- out the tropical parts of the globe, only one species inhabiting America. This is generally called the Snakebird or Water Turkey in Florida, where it is a common species on the more isolated rivers and lakes. 67 TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS. The name Snakebird is derived from the bird's habit of swimming with the body submerged, when the long, sinuous neck, appearing above the water, readily suggests a snake. At other times Snakebirds mount high in the air and sail about, like Hawks, in wide circles. They build a large, well-made nest in a bush or tree, generally over the water, and lay four bluish white, chalky eggs. Cormorants nest in large colonies, generally on isolated islets, but sometimes in remote swamps. The nests are placed closely together on the ground, in bushes, and less frequently in trees, according to the nature of the bird's haunts. Cormorants feed on fish which they catch by pursuing them under the water. They dive from the surface of the water like Ducks, or from a low perch, but not from the air, as do the Gannets. Pelicans nest in colonies, generally on some small island, building their nests on the ground or in bushes, and laying two or three large, white, chalky eggs. Brown Pelicans secure their food by plunging on it from the air, gen- erally from about twenty feet above the water. The sides of the bill are then bowed outward, theopening'widened, forming, with the pouch, an effective net in which fish, twelve and fourteen inches long, are cap- tured. White Pelicans, on the contrary, feed from the water, scooping up fishes as they swim. At times a flock of these birds may surround a school of small fish in shallow water and drive them shoreward, at the same time actively filling their pouches. Young Pelicans are fed on fish which they take from the pouch of the parent bird by thrusting their bills and heads well into it and prod- ding actively about for the food to be found there. Young Cormorants secure their food in a similar manner. Frigate Birds, of which only two species are known, have a greater expanse of wing in proportion to the weight of their body than any other bird. Their power of flight is consequently unexcelled and they may spend days in the air without tiring. Their feet are as weak as their wings are strong, and are of use only in perching. The food of Frigate Birds consists chiefly of fish, which they catch from near the surface of the water, or rob from Gulls and Terns by pursuing them, forcing them to disgorge their prey, and catching it ere -t reaches the water. 68 Tropic Birds and Gannet i 1 2. Yellow-billed Tropic Bird {Tkaethon american- us). L. 30; T. 19. Ads. Bill yellow; no bars above; middle tail feathers lengthened. Yng. Above barred with black; middle tail feathers not lengthened. Range. — Tropical coasts; breeds In West Indies, Bahamas and Ber- mudas; casual in Florida; accidental in western New York and Nova Scotia. 113. Red-billed Tropic Bird {Thaethoncethereus). L. 30; T. 20. Ads. Bill red; above barred with black; iong middle tail feathers pure white. Range. — Coasts of tropical America, north on the Pacific coast to Cape Coinett, Lower California; accidental on the Newfoundland Banks. Breeds on San Pedro Martir and other Islands In the Gulf of California." (A. O. U.) 117. Gannet (Sula bassana). L. 35. Ads. White; head and neck tinged with straw; primaries blackish. Yng. Grayish brown with white spots. Notes. A harsh gor-r-r-rok. Range. — North Atlantic; breeds, in America, only on Bird Rock and BDnaventure Islands, Gulf of St. Lawrence; winters off the coast, south to Florida. I mmaTure. Boobies 115 WmChVwrC I 14. Blue-faced Booby (Sida cyatiops). L. 28. Ads. Body and lesser wing coverts white; central tail feath- ers whitish, others dark brown. Yng. Above plain dark grayish brown with some grayish streaks; below white; flanks streaked with grayish. Range. — Tropical seas; north in America to Lower California and Bahamas; casual in southern Florida. 114. 1. Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii). L. 33. Ads. Head, neck, and underparts white, the first two streaked with grayish; back dusky brownish, tipped with whitish; legs and feet bright blue. (GossJ Range: — Pacific coast of America, from Gulf of California to Gal- apagos and Chili. (Cat. B. M.) I I 5. Booby [Sula stila). L. 30. Ads. Breast and belly white; bill and feet yellow. Yng. Entirely brownish, lighter below; bill blackish; feet yellow. Notes. A harsh, guttural hork, hork. (Audubon). Range. — "Atlantic coasts of tropical and subtropical America, north to Georgia. Also. West Pacific and Indian Oceans." (A. O. U.) Ac- cidental on Long Island. No United States breeding record. I 15.1. Brewster Booby (Sula brewsteri). L. 30. Ads. Similar to No. 115, but head and neck paler, bill blue, feet greenish. Range. — "Coasts and Islands of the eastern south Pacific Ocean, north to Lower California; breeding as far north as Georges Island at the head of the Gulf of California.' (A. O. U.) 116. Bed-footed Booby (Sida piscator). L- 28. Feet reddish. Ads. White; head and nape straw color; primaries hoary gravish brawn', tail white. Yng. Above sooty brown; head, neck, and lower parts light smoky gray. (Ridgw.) Range. — Tropical seas, except Pacific coast of America (Cat. B. M.); north in Atlantic to Bahamas and, rarely, southern Florida. 70 Cormorants I I 9. Cormorant (Thalacrocorax carbo". L. 36; T. 7.5, of 14 feathers. Ads. Chin and sides of throat whitish; back glossy brownish, distinctly margined with black; below uniform shining black. Breeding plumage. Head and throat with white plumes; a white patch on flanks. Yng. Belly white, above olive grayish brown, margined with black; throat whitish; neck brownish. Range. — North Atlantic; breeds from Nova Scotia to Greenland; winters south to Carolinas. 1 20. Double-crested Cormorant (Thalacrocorax dilopbus). L. 30; W. 12.5; T. 6.2, of 12 feathers. Ads. Back brownish with distinct black margins; below shining black. Breeding plumage. With tufts on either side of head black, sometimes mixed with white; throat pouch orange. Yng. Back browner; head, neck, and lower belly brown; breast whitish. Range. — Eastern North America; breeds locally from Bay of Fundy, Minnesota, North Dakota, northward; west to Asslniboia; winters from southern Illinois and Virginia southward. 120a. Florida Cormorant {P. d. Jloridanus). Simi- lar to No. 120, but blacker and smaller. L. 25. Range. — South Atlantic and Gulf States; breeds north to North Carolina and southern Illinois. 120b. White-crested Cormorant [P. d. ctncinatns). Similar to No. 120, but larger, L. 36; nuptial crests white. Range. — Pacific coasts; breeds in Alaska; winters south to Cal- ifornia. 1 20c. Farallone Cormorant (P. d. albociliatus). Similar to 120b., but smaller, L. 28. Range. — Breeds on California coast and In interior, south to Socorro Island. (Ridgw.) 121. Mexican Cormorant {Phalacrocorax mexican- us). L. 25. W. 10. Ads. Narrow border at base of pouch white. Breeding plumage. Neck with white plumes. Yng. Head and hindneck brownish; back grayish, margined with black; throat, foreneck and breast brownish white; belly black. Range. — Breeds in West Indies and Central America to west Gulf States; north in summer rarely to Kansas and southern Illinois. 71 Wind toe Cormorants 122. Brandt Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicilla- tus). L. 35; T. 6. Chin and sides of throat huffy white or brownish. Ads. Above blue black, faintly margined with black; below green black. Breeding plumage. With white, hairlike plumes from back and neck; no white on flanks; throat pouch blue. Yng. Above dark brown; throat and belly whitish; breast and sides brown. Range.- dent. -Pacific coast from Cape St. Lucas to Washington; resi- 123. Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus). L. 28; W. 10; T. 6.2. Forehead feathered; back feathers not margined. Ads. Above glossy green and purplish black; below bottle green. Breeding plumage. With white plumes on neck and rump and white patches on flanks; nape and forehead, crested. Yng. Above greenish dusky brown, less green below. Range. — "Aleutian and Kuril Islands, and Kamchatka, south to Japin." (A. O. I.) 123a. Violet-green Cormorant (P. p. robust us). Similar to No. 123, but larger; bill stouter, W. 10.8. Range. — Coast of Alaska, from Norton Sound south to Washington." (A. O. U.) 123b. Baird Cormorant (P. p. resph mdens). Sim- ilar to No. 123, but smaller; bill slenderer; W. 9.5. Notes. A croaking, guttural note. Range. — Pacific coast from Washington south to Mazatlan, Mexi- 124. Red-faced Cormorant (Phalacrocorax urile). L. 34. Forehead as well as lotes bare. Ads. Above green and purple; head and neck blue black; belly green. Breeding plumage. With forehead and nape crests and white patches on flanks. Notes. "A low, droning croak." (Nelson.) Range. — "Pribilcf, Aleutian, and Kuril Islands, and coast of Kam- chatka. South in winter to northern Japan." (A. O. t'.j 72 Anhinqa, Pelicans, and Man-o'-War Bird 118. Anhinga; Snakebird; Water Turkey (An- binga aubinga). L. 36. Ad. tf . Black; grayish head and neck plumes which, in winter, are absent. Act. 9. Resembles male but whole head, neck, and breart brownish. Yng. Similar to 9 but black- parts duller. Notes. 'A rasping, clattering croak, uttered when fighting or in coming to the nest. Range. — Tropica] and subtropical America: breeds north to south- ern Illinois and South Carolina; winters from Gulf States southward. 125. American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythror- hynchos). L. 60. Ads. White; primaries black; bill in breeding season with a knob. Yng. With crown brownish. Range: — North America; breeds in interior from eastern California, Utah, Yellowstone Ptrk. Minnesota (? I northward to Lat. 6c° ; win- ters from Gulf States and southern California, south to Central Amer- ica. 126. Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidenta lis). L. 50; W. 19.5. Ads. Pouch greenish; head white, rarely yellowish; neck brown. In fall, no brown on neck. Yng. Brownish gray, white below. "Notes. Adults as a rule silent; young before flying, very noisy. Range: — Atlantic and Gulf coast of tropical and subtropical Amer- ica; breeds from northern South America to South Carolina; has strayed to Illinois and Nova Scotia; winters from Gulf States south- ward. 127. California Brown Pelican (Pelecanus californ- icus). Similar to No. 126, but larger. L. 54; W. 21; pouch in breeding season, red. Range. — Pacific coast from Galapagos north to British Columbia; oreeds north only to Los Coronados Islands. 128. Man-o'-War Bird; Frigate Bird (Fregata aquila). L. 40. Ad. rj\ Black, glossy above; pouch "scarlet or orange." Ad. V. Browner; breast and belly white. Yng. Similar to 9 , but head and neck white. Notes. Usually silent; rarely a croaking note. Range: — Tropical and subtropical coasts; in America north to Florida, Texas, and southern California; casually to Kansas, Ohio and Nova Scotia; winters from southern Florida and Lower Cal- fornia southward. 73 Order V. DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. ANSERES. Family 1. DUCKS, GEESE, and SWANS. Anatid^. 49 species, 6 subspecies. The Anatidse of North America are placed in five well-marked sub- families, the Mergansers (Mergiiuz), River Ducks (Anatina) , Sea Ducks {Fuligulirue) , Geese {Anseriruz)t and Swans ( Cygninee) . The Mergansers, Saw-bills, or Shelldrakes are fish-eating Ducks and their rounded bills, set with toothlike projections along the sides, are of evident use to them in holding their prey. The River Ducks include such well-known species as the Mallard, Black Duck, and Widgeon. They differ from the Bay or Sea Ducks in not having a well-developed web or flap on the hind-toe. As a rule they feed in shallow water by tipping, standing on their heads, as it were, while reaching the bottom for food. The Bay or Sea Ducks have the hind-toe webbed. They feed, as a rule, in deeper water than the River Ducks, sometimes descending to the bottom in water over one hundred feet deep. During the winter they gather in flocks often of several thousand individuals, and fre- quent the larger bodies of water. With both the River and Bay Ducks the sides of the broad, flat bill are set with gutters which serve as strainers, retaining the mollusks, seeds and roots of aquatic plants on which these Ducks feed, while the mud or water taken in with the food is forced out the sides of the bill as it closes. Geese are more terrestrial than Ducks and often visit the land to nip the grass. This is particularly true in the west where large flocks of Geese, especially Snow Geese, may be seen feeding on the prairies. On the water they feed over shallows by tipping and probing the bottoms. Swans also feed from the surface of the water either by simply im- mersing the head and neck or by half submerging the body, when, with the tail pointed to the zenith, the length of their reach is greatly in- creased. In spite of their comparatively short wings the large muscles attach- ed to them give to the Anatidae great power of flight. Not only do they make extended journeys, when migrating, without a rest, but they attain a speed which is surpassed by but few birds. Some of the smaller species, when alarmed, doubtless flying at the rate of one hundred miles an hour. In common with other diving water birds the Ducks, when molting, lose most of their wing feathers all at once, and for a time are there- fore unable to fly. During this comparatively helpless period the brightly colored males assume in part the plumage of the females and 74 Ducks, Geese, and .Swans. are thereby rendered less conspicuous. With the return of the power of flight, however, they regain their distinctive, male plumage, which is usually brighter than that of the female. With our Geese and Swans there is no sexual difference in color. Most of our Ducks and Geese breed in the north, some within the Arctic Circle, and winter from the southern limit of frozen water south- ward. The American Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Wood Duck, Buffle-head, Golden-Eyes, Tree Ducks, and possibly Harlequin Duck nest in hollow trees, at times some distance from the water. The young of the American Golden-eye and of the Wood Duck have been seen to reach the water by jumping from the nest-hole and fluttering down in response to the calls of the parent below. It is said that they are also brought down in the bill of the old bird, but tnis statement apparently lacks confirmation. The remaining species of our Ducks, Geese, and Swans, nest as a rule, on the ground generally near water. From five to fifteen and, in the case of the Fulvous Tree Duck, possibly as many as thirty eggs are laid. In color they vary from white to burly and pv le olive and are al- ways uniformly colored. Incubation is performed by the female alone. The males at this period among most Ducks deserting their mate to un- dergo the partial molt before mentioned. While incubating the females surround their nest with soft down plucked from their bodies and when leaving the nest to feed, this down is drawn over the eggs with the double object, doubtless, of concealing them and of keeping them warm. With Eider Ducks this down constitutes the larger part of, if not the entire nest. Saunders states that in Iceland the down in each nest weighs about one-sixth of a pound. This is gathered by the natives, who, however, are careful to afford the sitting bird an opportunity to raise her brood without further molestation. The collection of Eider down thus furnishes an admirable illustra- tion of proper economic relations between man and birds. The down is an important source of income to the natives of the comparatively barren, northern countries in which the Eiders nest. So long as man can remember it has been gathered annually. Still the Ducks con- tinue to return in numbers year after year to the same region, per- haps the exact spot in which they nested the year before. Less intelligent methods would perhaps rob the bird of its second, as well as of its first nest and, unable to reproduce its kind, the species would become extinct within a comparatively short period. The evils which would follow such a course are, however, thorough- ly understood. The Ducks, in the first place, are encouraged in every way. It is said that should one walk into a peasant's cabin and pre- empt his cot as a nesting-site, the peasant would gladly give up his bed to so valuable a visitor. 75 Ducks 129. American Merganser (Merganser americanus). L. 25; B. from nostril, 1.5; nostril midway between eye and tip of bill. Ad. rj\ No band of streaks on breast; no crest. Ad. $ . and Yng. Chin white; crown and throat reddish brown; rest of underparts and spec- ulum white; above and tail ashy. Range. — North America; breeds from New Brunswick, rarely mountains of Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and mountains of Colorado and California northward; winters from Maine and British Columbia south to South Carolina and southern California. 130. Red-breasted Merganser (Merganser serratot). L. 22; B. from nostril, 1.8; nostril nearer to eye than to tip of bill. Ad. rj\ Breast with a broad cinnamon band streaked with black; head feathers lengthened. Ad. 9 and Yng. Crown grayish brown, washed with rusty. Chin and throat paler; rest of underparts and speculum white; back and tail ashy. Notes. When alarmed, several low, guttural croaks. (Elliot.) Range. — Northern hemisphere; breeds, in America, from New Bruns- wick and northern Illinois north to Greenland and Alaska; winters from southern breeding limits, south to Cuba and Lower California. 131. Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus). L. 1 7.5. Ad. J*. A large, circular black and white crest. Ad. $ Yng. A small cinnamon crest, head, neck and breast grayish brown; back, blackish; belly white. Notes. 'A hoarse croak, like a small edition of that of the Red-breasted Merganser." (Elliot.) Range. — North America from Cuba and Lower California north to Labrador and Alaska; breeds locally throughout its range, chiefly In Interior of British America; winters from British Columbia, Illinois, and Massachusetts southward. 132. Mallard (Anas boschas). L. 23. Speculum (patch in wing j purple bordered by black and white; under surface of wing pure white. Ad. fj\ Head green; breast chestnut, a white neck-ring. Ad. $. Above blackish and buffy, below rusty buff mottled with dusky grayish brown. Notes. The familiar quack of the barnyard Duck. Range. — Northern hemisphere; breeds, in America, from Labrador, Indiana, Iowa, and California north to Greenland and Alaska; winters from British Columbia, Kansas, and New Jersey to Central America and West Indies. i 143. Pintail (Dajil a acuta). L. J1, 28; 9, 22. Ad. , Central tail feathers black, 7.5 long, pointed. Ad. , Tail 3.5,; feathers sharply pointed; brownish black, w.th buff bars; under wing-coverts dusky and huff; back blackish with internal buff loops. Notes. A loud quack, less sonorous than that of the Mallard; a low mellow whistle, and a harsh rolling note. (Nelson.) Range.— Northern hemisphere; breeds, In America, from New Bruns- wick, Iowa. Illinois, and British Columbia northward; winters from British Columbia. Illinois, and Virginia, south to Central America and West Indies. 76 Ducks 133. Black Duck {Anas obscura). L. 22. Ads. Speculum bluish purple tipped with black] no white in wing; lining of wing white and dusky) ctown without paler margins; throat, usually, without markings; legs 'olivaceous brown" bill "greenish black, dusky olive, or olive-green." Notes. A quack resembling that of the Mallard. Range. — Eastern North America; chiefly east of Mississippi; breeds locally from New Jersey and Illinois north to Labrador and Hudson Bay; winters from Maine to West Indies. 133a. Red-legged Black Duck (A. o. rubripes). Similar to No. 133 but larger; crown edged with buff or gray; throat spotted; legs red; bill yellow. Range. — Summer range not definitely known, but breeding speci- mens have been taken in northern Labrador, James Bay, and west shore of Hudson Bay; in winter south to Virginia and Arkansas. 134. Florida Duck {Anasfidvieula). L. 20. Ads. Throat and front of neck plain buff, usually unmarked; speculum sometimes tipped with white; belly rusty buff; broadly streaked with black. Notes. A quack sim- ilar to that of No. 133. Range. — Florida to coast of Louisiana; resident. 134a. Mottled Duck (A. f. maculosa). Similar to No. 134, but underparts mottled with black the mark- ings being rounder. Range. — Eastern Texas; breeds (at least) from Corpus Christi north to Kansas; winters on west Gulf Coas t. 135. Gadwall (Chaulelasmus streperus), L. 19.5. Under wing coverts and axillars pure white. Ad. rf. Wing-coverts chestnut; breast ringed with white. Ad. 9. Head and throatas in cf, back fuscous and buffy; breast and sides ochraceous thickly spotted with blackish; speculum ashy gray and white. Notes. A quack like that of the Mallard but shriller and more often repeated. Range. — Northern hemisphere; in America, breeds in the Interior from Kansas and California north to Manitoba and Assinlboia; winters from Maryland to Florida, rare in northeastern Atlantic States. 136. Widgeon (Mareca penelope). L. 18.5. Ad. . White patch on either side of rump; crown ashy blue. Ad. 9 an J Yng. Resembling same plumages of No. 159 and No. 160. Range. — Northern hemisphere; breeds from Labrador and St. Michaels. Alaska north to Greenland and Arctic Ocean; winters south to New Jersey (rarely Ga.), and Great Lakes; one California record. 82 Ducks 163. American Scoter (Oidemia americana) . L. 19. Feathers at base of bill not extending forward on sides or top. Ad.tf. Wholly black; bill black, yellow at base. Ad. $. Brownish above, lighter below; no white on wing or on sides of head. Notes. A long musical whistle. (Elliot.) Range. — Northern North America; breeds from Labrador and Alas- kan shores of Bering Seu northward; winters south to Virginia, Great Lakes, Colorado, and California. 166. Surf Scoter (Oidemia perspicillata) . L. 20. Feathers extending forward on top of bill. Ad. cf . Black, nape and crown white; bill orange, yellow, and white, a round black patch on its sides. Ad. 9. Above black, throat and breast paler; belly whitish; a whitish patch at base of bill. Yng. Similar but with white patches on ears. Range. — Northern North America; breeds from Newfoundland northward; winters sojth to Virginia, Florida, Illinois, and Lower Cal- ifornia. 165. White-winged Scoter {Oidemia deglandt). L. 22. A white patch on wing, feathers extending forward along sides and top of bill nearly to nostrils. Ad. rj\ Black, a white spot about eye; bill orange, black at base. Ad. 9. Dusky brown above; lighter below. Yng. J*. Similar but sides and front of head whitish. Range. — Northern North America; breeds from Labrador and North Dakota northward; winters south to Virginia, southern Illinois, and Lower California. 177. Black-bellied Tree Duck (T>endrocygna au- tumnalis). L. 22. Ads. Belly and tail coverts black: foreback and breast gray; greater wing-coverts whitish. Notes. A shrill whistle. (Elliot.) Range. — Tropical America north to southern Texas. 178. Fulvous Tree Duck (SDendrocygna fulva). L. 22. Ads. Belly uniform rusty brown; upper tail coverts white; a black streak on hindneck; no white in wing. Notes. A squealing whistle. Range.— Tropical America, north in summer to Texas, Louisiana, Nevada and central California. "Casual in North Carolina and Missouri." (A. O. U.) 83 Geese and Swans 169. Lesser Snow Goose (Chen hyperborea). L. 23-28, Ads. White, head sometimes rusty; primaries black. Yng. Head, neck, and above grayish. Range.— "Pacific coast to the Mississippi Valley, breeding in Alas- ka; south in winter to southern Illinois and southern California; cas- ually to New England." (A. O. U. ) I 69a. Greater Snow Goose (C. larto No. 169, but larger, L. 30-38. /'. nivalis). Sim- Range.— Eastern North America; breeds in Arctic regions; winters from Chespeake, New Jersey (rarely) south to Cuba; rare on Atlantic coast north of Maryland. 170. Ross Snow Goose (Chen rossit). L. 21; B. 1.6. Similar in color to No. 169, but much smaller; bill particularly smaller. Range.— Arctic America in summer; California and east to Montana in winter. Pacific coast to southern 180. Whistling Swan (Olor columbianus). L. 55. Nostril nearer to tip of bill than to eye. Ads. White, bill and reet black; a small yellow spot before the eye. Yng. Head and neck brownish, rest of plumage washed with grayish. Notes, 'wboogb, 'zchoogb, very loud and shrill. (Nuttall.) Range.— North America: breeds within Arctic Circle; winters from British Columbia (? ) Lower Mississippi Valley, Chesapeake Bay. south to Gulf of Mexico: rare on Atlantic Coast north of Virginia. 18 1. Trumpeter Swan (Olor buccinator'). L. 65. Nostril about in middle of bill. Ads. White, bill and feet black; no yellow on lores. Yng. Head and neck brownish; rest of plumage washed with grayish. Notes. Loud and sonorous in tone like those of a French horn. (Elliot.) Range. — "Chiefly the Interior of North America, from the Gulf Coast to the Fur Countries, breeding from Iowa and the Dakotas north- ward; west to the Pacific Coast; rare or casual on the Atlantic." (A. O. U.) 84 Geese 169.1. Blue Goose (Chen caerulescens). L. 28. Ads. Head and neck white; below brownish gray; foreback 'ike breast; rump gray. Yng. Similar but head and neck grayish brown. Range. — North America; breeds in Hudson Bay region; winters on west coast of the Gulf of Mexico; two California records; said to have occurred in New Jersey. I 7 la. American White-fronted Goose (Anser albi- frons gambeli). L. 28. Ads. Forehead and rump white; below spotted with black. Yng. Similar but no white on head no black below. Range. — North America; breeds in Arctic region; winters on Gulf Coast, California and Mexico; rare on Atlantic coast. 176. Emperor Goose (Thilacte canagica). L. 26. Ads. Foreneck blackish; rest of head and neck white sometimes tinged with rusty; tail mostly white. Yng. Body less distinctly scaled; head and hind-neck spotted with grayish. Notes. When flying, a deep, hoarse, x ~ a ~ x ~ strident cla-ha, cia-ha,cla-ha; when alarmed and about to fly, a ringing d-ltigh, -M&gh. (Nelson.) Range. — "Coast and islands of Alaska north of the Peninsula; chiefly about Norton Sound and Valley of the Lower Yukon; Com- mander Islands, Kamchatka; casually south to Humboldt Bay, Cal- ifornia." (A. O. U.) 176. 85 Geese and Brant 17 2. Canada Goose {Branta canadensis). L. 38. Ads. A white patch on cheeks and throat; rest of head and neck black; no whitish ring at base of black neck. Yng. Similar but with blackish on white of throat. Notes. A sonorous honk. Range. North America; breeds from Labrador. Minnesota and British Columbia, north chiefly in the interior, to Alaska; winters from Long Island, Illinois and British Columbia south to Mexico and southern California. 172a. Hutchins Goose {B. c .butcbinsii). Simi- lar to No. 172, but smaller; L. 30; tail feathers, 14-16. Rarge. — Western North America; breeds in Arctic regions; winters from British Columbia and Kansas south to Lower California and Mexico. 172b. White-cheeked Goose (B. c. occidentalism. Size of No. 172, but throat blackish, lower neck with white collar. Range. — 'Pacific coast region, from Sitka, south in winter to Cal- ifornia.'' (A. O. U.) I 7 2c. Cackling Goose (JB. c. minima). Similar to No. 172b, but smaller, L. 24; tail feathers 14-16. Range, — Western North America; breeds in Alaska; winters from British Columbia southward; east rarely to Wisconsin. 173. Brant {Br antabernicla glaucogastra). L. 26. Ads. Sides of neck with white markings; belly whitish. Notes. A guttural car-r-rup, or r-r-r-rouk. (Elliot.) Range.— Northern hemisphere; breeds in Arctic regions; winters in America, from Mississippi Valley east, and from Illinois and Massa- chusetts southward; rare in interior. 174. Black Brant (fBranta nigricans). I. .26. Ads. and front of neck with white markings; belly nearly as dark as back. Notes. A low guttural gr r-r- r-r; on alarm repeated often with emphasis. (Nelson.) Range.— Western North America; breeds in northern Alaska and eastward; winters from British Columbia to Lower California; occas- ional on Atlantic Coast. 86 Order VI. FLAMINGOES. ODONTOGLOSS^E. Family 1. FLAMINGOES. Phcenicopterid^e. 1 species. Flamingoes might be called long-legged Ducks. Their feet are webbed, and their bill is set with ridges, which serve as sieves or strainers, as do the 'gutters' on a Duck's bill. They are, however, wading birds and their webbed feet are of use in supporting them on the soft mud of shallow lagoons or bays where they search for the fav- orite food of small mollusks. In feeding the flat top of the bill is pressed into the mud when its tip points upward toward the bird's body. Flamingoes fly with the neck and legs stretched to the utmost presenting on the wing a picturesque, but by no means so graceful an appearance as do the Herons. Their voice is a vibrant honking like that of a Goose. Order VII. HERONS, STORKS, IBISES, ETC. HERODIONES. Family 1. vSPOONBILLS. Plataleid^. 1 species. Family 2. IBISES. Ibidiixe. 3 species. Family 3. STORKS and WOOD IBISES. Ciconiid.e. 1 species. Family 4. BITTERNS, HERONS, ETC. Ardeid.^r. 14 species, 3 subspecies. The Roseate Spoonbill was formerly a common bird in Florida and along the Gulf coast, but so many have been killed for their plumage that in the United States the species is now exceedingly rare except in the most remote parts of southern Florida. Spoonbills build a rude nest of sticks in mangrove bushes or small trees and lay three to five whitish eggs speckled with shades of brown. Ibises are usually found in flocks along the shore of lagoons, lakes, etc., or in marshy places. They fly with the neck outstretched and are generally silent. Their nests of reeds, weed stalks, etc., are some- 87 Herons, Storks, Ibises, Etc. times placed in low bushes, at others in grassy marshes. The eggs number from three to five. They are plain blue in the Glossy Ibis, greenish white with chocolate markings, in the White Ibis. The Storks are largely Old World birds, only three of the some twenty known species inhabiting the Western Hemisphere. But one of these is found regularly north of the Rio Grande, the so-called Wood Ibis which is abundant in southern Florida. It lives in flocks and builds a nest of sticks usually in cypress trees, often forty feet from the ground, laying two or three white eggs. When flying the neck is extended. It progresses by alternate flapping and sailing and occa- sionally soars high overhead in circles, like a Vulture. The Bitterns and Herons unlike our other long-legged wading birds, fly with a fold in the neck. They belong in two subfamilies, the Botaitn'na- and Ardeirus, respectively. The Bitterns are usually soli- tary birds inhabiting grassy or reedy marshes where their colors har- monize with their surroundings and render them difficult to see. The American Bittern nests on the ground and lays three to five pale brownish eggs. The Least Bittern usually weaves a platform nest of reeds among rushes growing in the water and lays four or five bluish white eggs. Herons feed along the shore' and are consequently more often seen than Bitterns. With the exception of the Green Heron and the Yellow-crowned Night Heron, which usually nest in isolated pairs, our species gather in colonies to nest. Several hundred pairs occupying a limited area in some wooded or bushy swamp to which, when undis- turbed, they return year after year. Herons build a rude platform nest of sticks, sometimes placing it in bushes, sometimes in the tallest trees, and at others on the ground or beds of reeds in marshes. The eggs are greenish blue in color and usually four hi number. It is among those Herons, which in nesting time are adorned with delicate plumes or aigrettes, that the greatest ravages of the millinery hunter have been made. Attacking these birds when they have gathered on the nesting ground, they are not permitted to rear their young and the species is thus exterminated branch and root. The voice of Herons is a harsh squawk varying in depth of tone with the size of the bird. 88 Flamingo, Spoonbill and Ibis 182. Flamingo (Phmnicopterus ruber). L. 45; from toe to bill, 60. Ads. Rosy red, lighter on back; prim- aries and secondaries black. Yng. Smaller, grayish brown; lighter below Notes. A bonk resembling that that of a Canada Goose. Range. — Atlantic coasts of tropical and subtropical America; resi- dent (breeding?; In southwestern Florida (Monroe county); casual west to Texas, north to South Carolina. 183. Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja). L. 32. Ads. Head and throat bare; sides of breast and end of tail rusty buff; lesser wing-coverts, upper and under tail-coverts carmine. Yng. Head feathered, buff and carmine replaced by pink. Range. — Tropical and subtropical America; north to Gulf States. 185. Scarlet Ibis (Guara rubra). L. 24. Ads. Scarlet: tips of primaries black. Yng. Grayish brown, lower back, rump, and upper tail-coverts white; under- pays dull white. Range "Florida, Louisiana and Texas, southward to the West Indies and northern South America. No record of Its recent occur- rence in the United States." (A. O. U.) 89 Ibises 184. White Ibis (Guara alba). L. 25. Ads White, tips of outer primaries black, face orange red. Yng. Grayish brown, rump, breast and belly white. Notes. When near nest, crook, croi , croo; when dis- turbed, a loud, hoarse, bunk, hunk, hunk. ( Audubon). Range.— Tropical America; breeds north to Lower California, southern Indiana, southern Illinois and South Carolina; winters from Gulf southward; accidental in South Dakota, Connecticut and Long Island; 186. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis autumnalis). L. 24. Ads. Front of head black with greenish reflections. Yng. Head and neck fuscous brown margined with white, rest of underparts fuscous brown; back with greenish reflections. Range. — Tropical and subtropical regions in America; rare or local in southeastern United States; casual north to Massachusetts and Illinois 187. White-faced Glossy Ibis (Plegadis guarauna). L. 24. Ads. Front of head white. Yng. Resembles young of No. 186. Range. - Tropical and subtropical America; north to California, (rarely British Columbia), Texas, Kansas, east rarely to Florida; winters south of United States. 188. Wood Ibis (Tantalus load at or). L. 40. Ads. Head and neck bare; white, primaries, secondaries and tail blackish. Yng. Resembles ad. but head and neck feathered, grayish brown. Note. When alarm- ed, a rough, guttural croak. (Audubon.) Range.- Tropical and subtropical America; breeds in Gulf States, i I mi 1 1 ialiforni 1 . and I iti-r may stray as far north as New Ycrk, Wisconsin, anj California. 90 Bitterns 190. American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosis). L. 28. Ads. A glossy black streak on either side of the neck. Yng. Similar to ad. but colors much deep- er, more rusty. Notes. Call, quawk; song, pump-er- lutik. Range. — North America north to Labrador and British Columbia, breeding chiefly north of latitude 35 °; winters from about latitude 35 ° southward. 191. Least Bittern (Ardetta exilis). L. 13. Ad. cf. Hindneck rufous, foreneck, underparts, and under tail-coverts white and buff. Ad. ?• Similar, but crown and back brown, below streaked with brownish. Notes. Call, an explosive quab; song, a soft coo repeat- ed four or five times. Range. — North America: breeds from Gulf States to New Bruns- wick and Manitoba; winters from Gulf States southward. "Less common west of Rocky Mountains; on the Pacific coast north to northern California." (A. O U.) I 9 1. 1. Cory Bittern (Ardetta neoxena). L. 13. Ad rj\ Hindneck black, foreneck chestnut, belly mixed black and chestnut, under tail-coverts black. Ad. y . Similar, but crown and back duller. Range. Eastern North America; recorded from Florida, Ontario, (breeding), Massachusetts, and Michigan; about 20 specimens known. 91 Herons 192. Great White Heron (Ardeaoccidentalis). Ads. White, no "aigrette" plumes. A white Heron about the size of a Great Blue Heron What is supposed to he a gray-blue phase of this bird has been called Ardea wuerdmanni, a bird which resembles No. 194, but has the head and neck whitish. Range. - Southern Florida, Cuba and Jamaica 196. American Egret {Herodias egretta). L. 41. Ads. White, about 50 straight "aigrette" plumes grow from the back between the wings; legs and feet black. Ads. when not breeding and Yng., the same, but no plumes. Range.— Tropical and temperate America; breeds north to Virginia, southern Illinois, and California; later strays to New Brunswick, Minnesota, and Oregon; winters from southern California and Gulf States southward. 197. Snowy Heron (Egretta candidissima) . L. 24. Ads. White, about 50 recurved "aigrette" plumes grow from back between the wings; legs black, feet yellow. Ads when not breeding and Yng. The K same, but no plumes. Range. — Tropical and temperate America; bred formerly north to Long Island, southern Illinois and California; now very rare In east- ern North America; winters from Gulf States and southern California southward. 92 Herons 194. Great Blue Horoi. {Ardea berodias). L. 45; W. 18.5; B. 5.5; Tar. 7. Ads. Center of crown white, head crested, legs blackish. Yng. Similar, but no crest, crown wholly black, plumage more streaked. Range-. Northern South America north to Arctic regions; breeds locally throughout most of North America range; winters from about latitude 42 ° southward. 194a. Northwest Coast Heron {A. h. fannini). Similar to No. 194 but much darker; upperparts bluish slate black; tarsus shorter, 5.3. Range. — Pacific coast from Vancouver to Sitka. 194b. Ward Heron (A. h. wardi). Similar to No. 194 but whiter below, neck darker; legs olive; larger, L. 52; W. 20; B. 6.5; Tar. 8. Range. — Florida: coast of Texas. 202. Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nyc- ticorax na^vius.) L. 24. Ads. Crown and back green- ish black . lower back, wings and tail ashy ; head with two or three rounded white plumes, except just after breed- ing season. Yng. Grayish brown streaked with white; below white streaked with blackish; outer webs of primaries, pale rufous. Notes. An explosive quawk. Range. — Western hemisphere; breeds in North America north to New Brunswick, Quebec. Manitoba, and Oregon; winters from Cal- ifornia and Gulf States southward. 203. Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violaceus). L. 23. Ads. Blue-gray; crown and ear- coverts whitish, rest of head black; scapulars streaked with black:head with two or three rounded, white plumes, except just after nesting season. Yng. Crown black, streaked with whitish; primaries bluish slate, no rufous; back brownish streaked with white; below whitish streaked with blackish. Range.— Tropical and subtropical America; breeds north to South Carolina, southern Illinois, and Lower California; strays to Massa- chusetts and Colorado; winters from Gulf States southward. 93 Herons 198. Reddish Egret (Dickromanassa rufescens). L. 29. Two color phases independent of age. Ads. Dark phase, Head and neck rufous; back slate; about 30 "aigrette" plumes. White phase. White, including plumes; tips of primaries sometimes speckled with gray. Yng. Rufous and gray, or white, without plumes. Range. — West Indies and Central America north to coasts of Gulf States. Illinois [rarely), and Lower California. 199. Louisiana Heron {Hydranassa tricolor ruficol- lis). L. 26. Ads. '"Aigrette" plumes, short, dirty gray; rump and belly white; legs blackish. Yng. Head and neck brownish; throat and line down fore- neck white; above slaty washed with brownish; rump and belly white. Range. — West Indies and Central America north to Gulf States, casually to Long Island and Indiana. 200. Little Blue Heron (Florida caerulea). L. 22. Ads. Head and neck marroon; rest of plumage slaty blue. Yng. White, tips of primaries bluish, legs greenish yellow. Range. — Tropical America and eastern United States; breeds north to Virginia and Illinois, later may stray north as far as Nova Scotia; winters from South Atlantic and Gulf States southward. 201. Little Green Heron {Butorides virescens). L. 17. Smallest of our Herons. Ads. Crown, glossy green-black; throat and line down foreneck buffy; rest of head and neck purplish chestnut; back green wash- ed with bluish gray. Yng. Neck and below streaked with blackish; back-feathers not lengthened; duller. Notes. A rattling oc-oc-oc-oc-oc, a startling sco-w, and, more rarely, a deep, hollow groan. (Brewster.) Kange. — Tropical and temperate North America; breeds from Gulf States north to Nova Scotia and Manitoba; winters from Gulf States ■. mthward to northern South America. 201a. Frazar Green Heron (B. v. fra^ari). Sim- ilar to No. 201, but rather larger and darker, neck more purplish, light stripings on throat and foreneck more restricted. (Brewster.) Range.— Lower Califorina. 201b. Anthony Green Heron us. Yng. Below white; crown and back black margined with ochraceous; nape brownish gray. Winter. Above gray, upper tail-coverts white; below white. Notes. A soft, txumpetingjma,jma. Range. — North America, chieflv in the interior; breeds from north- ern Illinois (rarely!, Minnesota and Central California, north to latitude 550 : winters south of United States to southern South America. 283. Turnstone (Arenaria interpres). Similar to 283.1 but larger, W. 6., and upperparts in ad. with black prevailing. Yng. Blacker than young of 283.1. Range. — Eastern hemisphere, in America, only in Greenland and Alaska. 283.1. Ruddy Turnstone {Arenaria morinella). L. 9.5; VV. 5.7. Ads. Reddish brown prevailing in upper surface. Yng. Above and breast grayish brown margined with buffy, throat, abdomen, rump and long upper tail-coverts white as in ad.; shorter upper tail-coverts black. Notes. When flying, a loud twittering note. (Nuttall.) Range. — Nearly cosmopolitan: breeds in Arctic regions; winters in America south of United States to Patagonia. 288. Mexican Jacana (Jacana spinosa). L. 8. Toes over 1.5. Ads. Chestnut and black; wings mostly greenish. Yng. Forehead, line over eye, and below white. Above grayish brown, sometimes with rump chestnut, nape black. Notes. A harsh, rapidly repeated eep, eep, eep. Range- Centr.il America and Mexico north to Lower RioGrande Valley, Cuba and Haiti. J 02 Shore Birds 225. American Avocet {Recuroirostra americana). L. 16.5; B. 3.7. Ads. Head and neck rufous; belly white; wings black and white. Yng. and Ads.inwinter. Similar, but head and neck grayish or whitish. Notes. A rather musical, loudplie-eek hurriedly repeat- ed. Range. — North America west of Mississippi: breeds from northern States, central California and rarely lexis, north in the interior to latitude 540 • winters from southern California and western Gulf States to Central America and West Indies; casual on Atlantic coast. 264. Long-billed Curlew {Numenius longirostris) . L. 24; B. 6., longest among our Snipe. Ads. Above black and buffy; tail barred buffy and black; below buffy, neck and breast finely streaked with dusky. Yng- Similar, but buff deeper. Range.— North America: breeds on Atlantic coast from Florida to North Carolina; in interior north to Manitoba a-'d British Columbia: later strays casually to Newfoundlmd ml Ontario; winters from Gulf States and southern California southward. 265. Hudsonian Curlew {Numenius hudsonicus). L. 17; B. 3.7. Ads. Less buff than No. 264; above dark grayish brown and brownish gray; tail barred with same; below white, breast streaked; sides barred with blackish. Range. — North America; breeds In Arctic regii United States to South America. winters south o\ 266. Eskimo Curlew {Numenius borealis) L. 13.5; B. 2. Ads. Tail barred with grayish brown and black; above blackish and buffy; below. uiffy,the breast thickly streaked; sides barred with blackish. Range.- Eastern North America; breeds in Arctic regions: winters- south of United States to South America: migrates chiefly through Interior. 103 Shore Birds 226. Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus). L. 15; Tar 4.10. Ad. <$. Forehead, lower hack. and underparts white; crown, hindneck, upper back, and wings black. Ad. 9. Similar, but upper back and scapulars grayish brown. Yng. Similar to $, but brown and black feathers lightly margined with buffy. Notes, A sharp, rapidly uttered ip-ip-ip when flying; a hoarse k-r-r-r-r-ing note when on the ground. Range.— Temperate and tropical America: breeds north to Gulf States, (locally and rarely in Mississippi Valley to Minnesota) and California; winters from southern California and West Indies to northern South America; rare east of Mississippi except in Gulf States. 286. American Oyster-catcher {Hcemalopus pallia- tus). L. 19. Ads. Base of tail and longer upper tail-coverts white, shorter coverts and all back black- ish brown; white in wings conspicuous in flight. Yng. Similar but feathers above with buffy margins. Notes. A sharp eep, eep. Range.— Temperate and tropical America; breeds on sea coasts only, north to Virginia and western Mexico; winters south of L'nited States to South America; casual north to Nova Scotia. 286.1. Frazar Oyster-catcher [Hcrmatopus fra- {ari). Similar to No. 286, but darker above, black breast passing into white belly through a mottled black and white band; upper tail coverts with brown markings. Range.— "Lower California (both coasts), north to Los Coronados Islands." (A. O. U.) 287. Black Oyster-catcher {Hcematopus backmant). L. 17. Ads. Black. Yng. Somewhat browner Notes. A musical, piping whistle. Range.— "Pacific coast of North America from Aleutian Islands to La Paz, Lower California." 104 Shore Birds 228. American Woodcock (Pbilohela minor). L. n. Ads. Below ochraceous-rufous; no bars; forehead slaty, crown black with rusty bars; back mixed black, rusty and slaty. Notes. A nasal peent or paip; a whistling of wings and a twittering whistle. Range. — Eastern North America; breeds locally from Florida to Labrador and Manitoba, but chiefly northward; winters from southern New Jersey and southern Illinois to Gulf States. 230. Wilson Snipe (Gallinago delicata). L. 11.2. Ads. Throat and belly white or whitish; breast rusty buff indistinctly streaked; sides barred: above streaked black and cream-buff; tail black and rusty; outer feathers barred black and white. Notes. When tak- ing flight several sudden, hoarse scaipes; a tremulous, penetrating bleating, thought to be produced by air rushing through the birds wings; a kuk-Mk-kuk. (Brewster.) Range. — North America; breeds from northern New England (rare- ly Connecticut), northern Illinois and northern California north to Labrador, Hudson Bay, and Alaska; winters from California, southern Illinois, and South Carolina to northern South America. 26 I . Bartramian Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda). L. 11. 5. Outer primary barred black and white. Ads. Above black, ochraceous, and brownish gray; breast and sides with dusky arrowheads; throat and belly whitish. Yng. Similar, but more buffy. Notes. Call, a soft, bubbling whistle; song, a prolonged, mournful, mellow whistle, "cbr-r-r-r-r-ee-e-e-e-e-e-oooo-o- 00." Range. — North America chiefly interior: breeds locally from Kansas and Virginia to Alaska and Nova Scotia; winters south of United States to South America. 262. Buff-breasted Sandpiper {Tryngites subnificol- lis). L. 8.5. Inner border of inner web of primaries beautifully speckled with black and white. Ads. Above black widely margined with grayish brown; below ochraceous-buff; a few black spots. Yng. Above blackish brown, finely and evenly margined with whitish; below much as in adult. Range. -"North America especially in the interior; breeds in the Yukon district and the interior of British America north to the Arctic coast; south in winter as far as Uruguay and Peru." (A. O. U.) 28 1. Mountain Plover (Podasocys montana). L. 9. No black on breast. Ads. Lores and crown-band black; above grayish brown washed with pale rusty. Yng. Similar, but no black, rusty wash deeper. Win- ter. Same as last but rusty paler. Range.— Western United States; breeds from Kansas to North Dakota; winters westward to California, south to Lower California and Mexico; accidental in Florida. 105 Shore Birds 23 1. Dowitcher (Macrorbampbus griseus) L. 10.5; B. 2.1, pitted at tip. Ads. Rump, tail, under wing-coverts, and axillars barred black and white; above black margined with rusty; rump, white; below reddish brown, spotted and barred with black. Yng. Similar, but breast gray tinged with rusty; belly white. Winter. Above gray, breast gray mixed with dusky, belly white. Range.— Eastern North America; breeds chiefly north and north- west of Hudson Bay; winters from Florida to northern South Amer- 232. Long-billed Dowitcher {Macrorhamphus scolo- paceus). B. 2.1 to 2.9. Similar to preceding but larger, bill longer; in adult spring plumage more barred below. Notes. A lisping, energetic musical, peet-peet; pee-ter-wee-too; wee-too repeated. (Nelson.) Range.— "Western North America, breeding in Alaska to the Arctic coast, migrating south in winter through western United States (in- cluding Mississippi Valley) to Mexico, and less commonly along At- lantic coast." (A. O. U.) 233. Stilt Sandpiper {Micropalama himantopus). L. 8.2; tarsus long, 1.6. Ads. Entire underparts and upper tail-coverts white barred with black; tail not barred. Yng. Resembles ad. but below white, breast lightly streaked; rump white no bars. Winter. Simi- lar to yng. but back gray. Range.— Eastern North America; breeds within Arctic Circle; win- ters from Florida to South America. 234. Knot (Tringa canutus*). L. 10.5; B. 1.3. Upper tail-coverts with black bars and loops; tail feathers without bars narrowly margined with white. Ads. Mixed black, gray and reddish brown above, reddish I Town below. Yng. Above gray, margined with cream-white and black; below white; breast lightly streaked. Winter. Similar, but above gray. Range. Northern hemisphere; breeds within Arctic circle; winters from Florida to South America: migrates chiefly along the coasts, rare on Pacific coast of United States. 244. Curlew Sandpiper [Erolia ferruginea). L. 8; B. 1.5, slightly curved. Ads. Below chestnut-rufous, above rusty and black. Yng. Above brownish gray margined with whitish; back blacker below white. Winter. Above plain brownish gray; below white. Range.— "Old World in general; occasional in Eastern North America and Alaska." (A. O. U.) 106 Shore Birds 235. Purple Sandpiper {Arquatella maritima). L. 9. Ads. Above black, margined with rusty and cream-buff; below white, breast and sides heavily marked with black. Winter. Head, neck, and breast, slaty; back blacker, margined with slaty; central sec- ondaries largely white. Range. — "Northern portions of the northern hemisphere: in North America chiefly the northeastern portions, breeding in the high north, migrating In winter to the Eastern and Middle States (casually to Florida), the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi Valley." (A. O. U.) 236. Aleutian Sandpiper (Arquatella couest). L. 8.5. Similar to No. 235, but ad. and yng. with more ochraceous; in winter grayish margins to back lighter and wider. Notes. When flying, a low, clear, musi- cal tweo-tweo-tweo\ when feeding, clu-clu-clii. (Nelson.) Range. — "Aleutian Islands and coast of Alaska, north to Kowak River, west to Commander Islands, Kamchatka." (A. O. U.) 256. Solitary Sandpiper (Melodramas solitarius). L. 8.4. Under wing-coverts, axillars, and all but middle tail-feathers barred black and white. Ads. Above fuscous with a faint greenish tinge; head and neck streaked, back spotted with whitish ; below white; throat and breast distinctly streaked with dusky. Yng. Fewer spots and streaks above; breast markings fused. Winter. Practically no white markings above. Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from Northern States (rarely and sporadically) northward: little known of breeding habits; winters south of United States to South America. 256a. Western Solitary Sandpiper (H. s. cinnamom eus). Similar to No. 256, but spots above buffy, es- pecially in fall; inner margin of outer primary speckled black and white. Range.- Western North America: breeds in British Columbia (ex- act breeding range unknown) ; winters south of United States. 263. Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia). L. 7.5. Ads. Below white thickly spotted with bl?ck; above brownish gray with a faint greenish lustre, lightly marked with black. Yng. Similar above but faintly margined with dusky and buff; below white, breast grayer; no black marks. Winter. Same but no margins above. Notes. Teet-weet, repeated. Range. — North America, north to Hudson Bay; breeds throughout Its North American range; winters from southern California and West Indies to South America. 284. Black Turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala). L. 9. No rusty; lower back, longer upper tail-coverts and base of tail white; shorter upper tail-coverts black. Ads. Above and breast brownish black; belly white. Yng. Browner margined with whitish. Winter. Same as Yng, but no margins. Notes. A sharp, weet, weet, too-weet. (Nelson.) Range.— "Pacific coast of North America from Point Barrow, Alas- ka to Santa Margarita Island. Lower California; breeding from Alas- ka to British Columb.a. " (A.O.UJ 107 Shore Birds 23 7. Pribilof Sandpiper (Arquatella ptilocnemis), L. 10. Ads. Similar to No. 236 above but crowu much lighter; breast with a black patch. Yng. Re- semble adult above but breast grayish indistinctly streaked and with a pale buff band; belly white. Winter. Similar to yng. but slaty gray above. Range. — "Breeding in the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, and migrat- ing to coast of adjacent mainland south of Norton Sound." (A.O.U.) 243a. Red-backed Sandpiper (Telidna alpina pa- cifica). L. 8; B. 1.5; slightly curved. Ads. Belly black; back chiefly rusty. Yng. Breast buffy, light- ly streaked with dusky; belly white spotted with black; back black, rusty, and buff. Winter. Above brown- ish gray; below white; breast grayish, indistinctly streaked. Range. — North America; breeds in Arctic regions and winters from Gulf States and California to South America. 246. Semipalmated Sandpiper (Ereunetes pusillus). L. 6.3; B. .6 to .8. Toes webbed at base. Ads. Above brownish gray and black; little or no rusty; below white, breast indistinctly streaked. Yng. Above with rusty and whitish margins; below white, breast grayish no streaks. Winter. Above brownish gray with black shaft streaks; below white. Notes, weet-weet. Range. — Eastern North America: breeds in Arctic regions; winters from Gulf States to South America. 247. Western Sandpiper {Ermnetes occidentalism . Similar to preceding but bill longer .8 to 1.2; ads. more rusty above, breast streaks more distinct and more numerous. Notes. Call, a soft weet-weet; song, uttered on the wing, "a rapid, uniform series of rather musical trills." (Nelson.) Range, — North America, chiefly west of Mississippi Valley; breeds In Arctic regions; winters from Gulf States to South America. 248. Sanderling (Calidris armaria). L. 8. Three toes, tarsus scaled. Ads. Above rusty, black and grayish; below white, breast spotted, with black and washed with rusty. Yng. Nape grayish, back blaek, feathers with two white or yellowish white terminal sp its; below silky white. Winter. Above brownish gray with dusky shaft streaks; below silky white. Range. — "Nearly cosmopolitan, breeding in Arctic and Sub- Arctic regions, migrating, in America, south to Chili and Patagonia." (A. O. U.) 108 Shore Birds 238. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Actodromas acumin at a). L. 8.7. Tail feathers pointed. Ads. A white line over eye; breast buff streaked with blackish. Yng. Crown as in ad., back black and rusty; below white, breast buffy, no streaks. Winter. Back gray- ish brown streaked with blackish; below as in yng., but breast grayer and with indistinct streaks, Notes. A soft metallic pleep-pleep. (Nelson.) Range. — "Eastern Asia, and coast of Alaska, migrating south to Java and Australia." (A. O. U.) 239. Pectoral Sandpiper (Actodromas metadata). L. 9. Ads. Middle tail-feathers longest, pointed, blackish margined with rusty; above black and rusty; below white, breast thickly streaked; upper tail-coverts black. Yng. and in winter much the same. Notes. Call, a grating whistle; song, a hollow, resonant, musical too-u, repeated eight times, made after filling esopha- gus with air until it is puffed out to size of the body. (Nelson.) Range. — North America; breeds in Arctic regions; winters south of United States to South America; rare on Pacific coast. 240. White-rumped Sandpiper (Actodromas fusci- collis). L. 7.5. Longer upper tail-coverts white. Ads. Breast white, distinctly spotted or streaked. Yng. More rufous above; breast less distinctly streaked. Winter. Brownish gray above; similar to yng. below. Range. — Eastern North America; breeds in the interior north of Hudson Bay; winters south of United States to southern South Amer- ica; rare on Pacific coast. 241. Baird Sandpiper (Actodromas bairdii). L. 7.5. No rusty in plumage. Ads. Longest upper tail-coverts blackish; breast buffy, faintly streaked. Yng. Similar, but back conspicuously margined with whitish. Winter. Above "buffy grayish brown," no white margins. Range. — Interior of North America; breeds in the Arctic regions and winters south of United States to southern South America. 242. Least Sandpiper (Actodromas minutilla). L. 6. Smallest of our Sandpipers. Ads. Above black, buff and rufous; below white breast lightly streaked. Yng. Similar, but breast less distinctly streaked. Winter. Above brownish gray, often streaked with black, be- low white. Notes. Peep-peep. Range.— North America; breeds from Sable Island and Magdalen? northward; winters from Gulf States and California south to South America. 109 Shore Birds 243. Marbled Godwit (Limosafedoa). L. 18; B. 4: slightly recurved. Tail barred, cinnamon and black; under wing-coverts cinnaimn with more or less fine black markings. Ads. Above black and ochraceous; below buffy white finely and uniformly barred with black. Yng. Similar, but with no or with but few bars below. Range. — North America; breeds in the Interior from western Min- nesota rarely Iowa and Nebraska northward; winters south of United States to Central America and West Indies. 250. Pacific Godwit (Limosa lapponica baueri). L.16. _ B. 3.7, slightly recurved, tail barred black and white; under wing-coverts black and white. Ads. "Head, neck and lower parts, plain cinnamon color." (Ridgw.) Winter. Above black, grayish and rusty, former pre- vailing; below white; throat streaked, elsewhere with irregular, black bars. Notes. "A loud ringing ku-zre-.e, repeated." Range. — "Shores and Islands of the Pacific Ocean, from New Zea- land and Australia to Kamchatka and Alaska. On the American coast recorded south of Alaska only from La Paz, Lower California." (A. O. U.) 25 1. Hudsonian Godwit {Limosa bcemastica). L. 15; B. 3.2, slightly recurved. Under wing-coverts dusky; upper tail-coverts black and white; tail black at end, white at base. Ads. Above black, rusty and grayish, below chestnut-red barred with blackish and faintly tipped with white. Yng. Similar, but below buffy whitish, breast grayer. Winter. Similar below but above brownish gray. Range. — Eastern North America chiefly interior; breeds In Arctic Ree-ions; winters south of United States to South America. 270. Black-bellied Plover (Squatarola squatarola). L. 11. Hind-toe present, small. Ads. Above black and white, no yellowish; below black. Yng. Above grayish bro\vn spotted with white and some yellowish; below white. Winter. Similar to preceding but near- ly uniform brownish above. Range. — Northern Hemisphere; breeds in Arctic Regions, winters in America from Florida to Brazil. 272. American Golden Plover (Charadrius domini- cus). L. 10.5; W. 7. No hind-toe; axillars dusky. Ads. Above conspicuously spotted with yellow; be- low black, sides of breast white. Yng. Duller above, below grayish white with dusky marks and yellowish wash. Winter. Similar but no yellow below. Notes. Call, a plaintive too-lee-e; song, a marvelously har- monious succession of notes. (Nelson.) Range. — Western Hemisphere; breeds in Arctic Regions; winters from Florida to Patagonia, rare on Pacific coast. 272a. Pacific Golden Plover (C. d.fttlvus). Simi- lar to No. 272 but wing shorter, 6.5; yellow richer. Ss# Range. — "Breeding from northern Asia to the Pribilof IslmJs 3: and coast of Alaska, south in winter through China and India to Australia and Polynesia." (A. O. U.) 110 Shore Birds 254. Greater Yellow-legs {Totanus melanoleucus). L. 14; B. 2.2. No rusty; upper tail-coverts mostly white; tail barred with black and white or gray. Ads. Above black margined with whitish; below white and black. Yng. Above grayish margined with whitish; below white, breast lightly streaked. Winter. Simi- lar but white margins less conspicuous. Notes. A whistled when, wheu'wheu-wheu-wheu'wheu-wheu, wheu- voheu. Rjnge. — North America: breeds from Minnesota, rarely northern Illinois, and Anticosti northward; winters from Gulf Statesand Cali- fornia to southern South America. 255. Yellow-legs {Totanus flavipes). L. 10.7; B. 1.4. Similar in color to preceding but smaller in size. Range. — North America; breeds rarely in upper Mississippi Valley but chiefly north of latitude 55 ° ; winters from Gulf States to southern South America; rare on Pacific coast. 258. Willet (Symphemia semipalmata). L. 15; W. 8; B. 2.1. Primaries black with a broad white band; upper tail-coverts mostly white. Ads. Above brownish gray, black, and a little buff; below white heavily marked with black and slightly washed with buff. Yng. Above brownish gray margined with buffy; below white, breast lightly streaked with dusky. Winter. Similar, but above plain brownish gray. Notes. Song, pil ' ly -unit-will et , repeated. Range. Eastern North America; breeds from Florida to southern New Jersey, later strays casually to Maine; winters from Gulf States to South America. 2 58a. Western Willet (5. s. inornata). Similar to No. 258 but slightly larger. W. 8.5; B. 2.4. In sum- mer above paler, less heavily marked with black both above and below. Yng. and Winter. Indistinguish- able in color from No. 258. Ringe — Western United States; breeds from Texas to Manitoba; winters from southern California and Gulf States southward. A rare migrant on Atlantic coast from South Carolina to Florida. 259. Wandering Tatler (Heter actitis tncanus). L. 11. Tail-coverts plain slaty gray. Ads. Above plain slaty gray; below white barred with slaty gray. Yng. Above slaty gray more or less margined with whitish; breast and sides slaty gray; throat and belly white. Winter. Similar, but no white margins above. Range.— Pacific coast; breeds from British Columbia northward; winters south to Hawaiian Islands and Galapagos. 282. Surf Bird (Apl/ri^a virgata). L. 10; B. 1. Upper tail-coverts and base of tail-feathers white. Ads. Above black, slaty, and rusty. Yng. Above slaty margined with whitish; breast barred slaty and whitish; belly white spotted with slaty. Winter. The same, but no whitish margins. Range. — "Pacific coast of America, from Alaska to Chili." (A. O. V.) Ill Shore Birds 273. Killdeer (Oxyechus vociferus). L. 10.5. Rump and upper tail-coverts rusty. Ads. Above grayish brown and rusty; below white with two black rings. Notes. A noisy kildee, kildee. Range. — North America, north to Newfoundland, .Manitoba and British Columbia; (rare on North Atlantic coast); breeds throughout its range; winters from Virginia, Lower Mississippi Valley and California south to South America. 274. Semipalmated Plover {/Egialitissemipalmata). L. 6.7. Web between bases of inner and middle toes. Ads.. One black ring around neck; a white ring in front of it. Yng. Similar, but black parts brownish; back margined with whitish. Winter. Same as last but no whitish margins. Range. — Breeds from Labrador northward; winters from Gulf States to Brazil. 275. Ring Plover {JEgialitis hiaticula). L. 7.5. No webs between toes. Similar to 274 but larger, bill yellow at base, black or brown bands wider. Range. — ;' Northern parts of Old World and portions of Arctic Amer- ica, breeding on the west shore of Cumberland Gulf. " (A. O. I'.) 277. Piping Plover {/Egialitis melodd). L. 7; B. short, .5. Very pale above. Ads. Above ashy, crown and sides of breast black; no rusty. Yng. Sim- ilar, but black replaced by ashy gray. Notes. A short plaintive, piping whistle, repeated. Range. Eastern North America; breeds from Virginia to Newfound- land; winters from Florida southward. 277a. Belted Piping Plover {/E. m. circumcincta). Similar to No. 277 but black on sides of breast meeting to form a breast band. Range. — Mississippi Valley; breeds from northern Illinois and Ne- braska north to Lake Winnipeg, east to Magdalen arid Sable Islands; winters from Gulf southward; casual migrant on Atlantic coast. 278. Snowy Plover {/Egialitis nivosa). L. 6.5. No complete ring. Ads. Black on crown; ear-coverts and sides of breast black. Yng. The same, but no black; above margined with whitish. Winter. Same as last but no whitish margins. Range. — Western Tnited States east to Texas and Kansas; breeds from Indian Territory and southern California northward; winters from Texas and southern California southward. 2 80. Wilson Plover (Ochthodromus wilsonius). L. 7.5; B. .8. No black on hind-neck. Ad. c?. One black breast -and crown-band; some rusty about head. Ad. 9. Similar but black areas brownish gray. Yng. Same as last, but above margined with whitish. Winter. No whitish margins. Range. — Tropical and temperate America; breeds north to Virginia, Gulf States, and Lower California; winters southward to Brazil; casual north to Nova Scotia. 112 Order X. GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, BOB-WHITES, Etc GALLINAE. Family 1. GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, etc. Tetraonid.f.. 21 species, 22 subspecies. Family 2. TURKEYS, PHEASANTS, etc. Phasiaxid.k. 1 species. 3 subspecies. Family 3. CURASSOWS and GUANS. Cracid.*:. 1 species- The members of the family Tetraonidse are usually placed in three subfamilies as follows: (1.) Perdicinse, containing the true Quails and Partridges of the Old World and with no species in America. (2.) Odontophorinse, including the Bob-whites and so-called 'Quails' and 'Partridges' of the New World, and with no species in the eastern hemisphere. (3.) Tetraoninae, the Grouse, with representatives in the northern parts of both hemispheres. All the members of the first two families have the legs bare, while the Grouse have the legs, and often even the toes, more or less feathered. The application of different names to the members of this family, in various parts of the country, often make it uncertain just what species is referred to under a given title. Our Bob-white, for example, is a 'Quail' at the north and a 'Partridge' at the south. As a matter of fact it is, strictly speaking, neither a true Quail nor Partridge but a member of a family restricted to America. Again, the Ruffed Grouse is a 'Partridge' at the north and a 'Pheasant' at the south, whereas in truth it is neither one nor the other. So far as the application of these local names goes, it is to be noted that where the Bob-white is called 'Quail' the Grouse is called 'Partridge' and that where it is called 'Partridge' the Grouse is known as 'Pheasant'. All the Tetraonidae are ground-inhabiting birds, and their plumage of blended browns, buffs and grays brings them into such close har- mony with their surroundings that, as a rule, we are unaware of the presence of one of these birds until, with a whirring of short, stiff, rounded wings it springs from the ground at our feet. It is this habit of 'lying close,' as sportsmen term it, in connection with their excellent flesh, which makes the members of this family the favorites of the hunter and epicure and only the most stringent protective measures will prevent their extinction as their haunts become settled. 113 Grouse, Partridges, Bob-whites, etc. With the Ptarmigan this harmony in color is carried to a remarkable extreme, the birds being white in winter and brown, buff and black in summer; while during the early fall they assume a grayish, neutral tinted plumage to bridge over the period from the end of the nesting season, in July, to the coming of the snow in September. The Tetraonidae all nest on the ground, laying usually from ten to twenty eggs. The young, like those of their relative, the domestic fowl, are born covered with downy feathers and can run about shortly after birth. The Turkey is the only wild member of the Phasianidae in this county, but the family is well-represented in the domesticated Chickens, Peacocks, and Pheasants, all of which have descended from Old World ancestors. Our domesticated Turkey is derived from the Wild Turkey of Mexico, which was introduced into Europe shortly after the Conquest and was thence brought to eastern Xorch America. It differs from the Wild Turkey of the eastern United States chiefly in the color of the tips of the upper tail-coverts. These are whitish in the domesticated Turkey, as they are in the Mexican race from which it has descended, and rusty brown in the Eastern Wild Turkey. Besides the five races of Wild Turkey described beyond, another species of Turkey is found in America. This is the Honduras or Yu- catan Turkey, now largely confined to the peninsula of Yucatan. It is not so large as our bird, but is even more beautifully colored, its plum- age being a harmonious combination of blue, gray and copper. Ring-necked and 'English' Pheasants have been introduced into various parts of the United States, and in Oregon and Washington and in the east, on various private game preserves, they have become naturalized. The true English Pheasant {Phasiauus colchicus) is b; lieved to have been introduced into England from Asia Minor probably by the Romans. Unlike the Ring-necked Pheasant {Phasiamis torquat- 7/s) it has no white collar. The last named species, however, has also been introduced into England where it freely interbreeds with the ear- lier established English Pheasant and individuals without at least a trace of white on the neck are now comparatively rare. The Curassows and Guans are tropical American birds, only one species reaching the southern border of the United States. They are arboreal in habit and form an interesting link between the Partridges, etc. and the Pigeons. 114 Bib-whites and Partridges 289. Bob-white; 'Quail;' 'Partridge' (Colinus vir- gimanus). L. 10. Ad. $. Throat, forehead and line over eye white. Ad. % . Throat, forehead and line over eye buff. Notes Song, a ringing, whistled Bob-white or buck-wheat-ripe; calls, a conversational quit-quit and a whistled whtre-are-you and Vm here, repeatedly uttered when the individuals of a flock are separated. Range. — Eastern North America, resident from southern Dakota, southern Minnesota, southern Ontario, southern Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, south to Georgia and western Florida; west to South Dakota. Nebraska. Kansas. Oklahoma, and eastern Texas. "I l'roducfd at virious points in Colorado, New Mexico. Utah, Idaho, California and Washington." (A. O. I.) 289a. Florida Bab- white (C. v. floridanus). Sim- ilar to No. 280, but smaller, L. 8.5, and much darker; black bars below mure numerous. Range. — Florida; typical onlv in southern half of peninsula, grading into No. 280 in northern and western parts of the state. 289b. Texan Bob-white ( C. v.texanus). Similar to No. 289, but brown and buff areas paler; black bars below wider. Range. — Texas, except western part, rarely to western Kansas, south to Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, Mexico. 291. Masked Bob-white {Colinus ridgwayi 3 14. White-crowned Plqeon(Columbaleucocephala). L. 13.5 Ad. cJ1. Crown white; body slate; lower hindneck iridescent; nape maroon. Ad. ?. Much paler; crown ashy. Range, — Greater Antilles and islands about Anegada Channel, coast of Honduras, Bahamas and certain Florida Keys. 124 Pigeons and Doves 3 15. Passenger Pigeon, Wild Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius). L. 16. Outer tail-feathers chestnut at base of inner web. Ad. o7'- Chin, whole head, and lower back bluish slate. Ad. ?. Browner above, breast brownish ashy; neck feathers less iridescent. Notes. An explosive, squeaky, squawk. Range. — Formerly eastern North America north to Hudson Bay; now exceedingly rare, less so in the upper Mississippi valley than elsewhere. 3 16. Mourning Dove, Carolina Dove {Zenaidura mat roura). L. 1 1.8. Outer tail-feathers slate color at base of inner web. Ad. tf. Chin whitish; sides of head buffy; a black ear mark. Ad. 9- Similar but paler, breast more ashy brown, neck-feathers less iridescent. Notes. Coo-o-o-ah,coo-o-o-coo-o-o-coo-o-o. Range. — North America, breeding from West Indies and Mexico 3/6 north 10 southern Maine. Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia; winters from southern New York, southern Illinois, Kansas and southern C tlifornia southward. 317. Zenaida Dove {Zenaida ^enaida). L. 10. Ad. o7*- Tail short, without white markings; all but cen- tral pair of feathers tipped with ashy blue; secondaries tipped with white. Ad. ?. Similar but pinkish of crown and underparts brownish; neck feathers less iridescent. Notes. Resemble those of No. 316, but are louder and deeper. Range. — Greater Antilles, coast of Yucatan and Bahamas, north in April to Florida Keys. 318. White-fronted Dove (Lefitotila fulviventris hrachypte'ra). L. 12. No black ear-mark; under wing- coverts rusty chestnut. Ad. cf . Forehead whitish; all but central pair of tail-feathers tipped with white. Ad. 9. Forehead dingier; breast brownish ashy; neck feathers less iridescent. Notes. A short, soft Range. — Central America and Mexico, north in February' to valley of Lower Rio Grande. 125 Pigeons and Doves 319. White-winged Dove {Melopelia leucoptera). L. 12. Wing-coverts, externally, widely margined with white; large black ear marks. Ads. All but cen- tral pair of tail-feathers bluish slate with a black band and whitish tip. Notes. A loud, crowing cookeree- cookeree-coo-ree-coo, crow-co-er-coo, crow-co-er-coo. Range. — Southern border of United States from Texas to Arizona- south to Lower California and Central America, Cuba and Jamaica, casual at Key West, Florida. 320. Ground Dove; Mourning Dove (Columbigal- Una passerina terrestris). L. 6.7. Smallest of our Doves. Ad. (?. Forehead and underparts deep vina- ceous pink; hindhead and nape ashy blue margined with dusky; base of bill coral, tip black. Ad. $. Forehead and breast brownish gray; breast feathers with dusky centers and margins. Notes. A soft, :rooning coo. Range. — Atlantic and Gulf States north to northern North Carolina west to eastern Texas; more common neir coast. 320a. Mexican Ground Dove (C. p. pallescens). Similar to No. 320, but forehead and underparts much paler; back grayer. Range. — 'Texas to southern California and south to Central America. 320b. Bermuda Ground Dove (C. />. bermudiana). Similar to 320a, but smaller and paler; bill wholly black. (Bangs and Bradlee.) Range. — Bermuda. 32 1. Inca Dove (Scardafella inca). L. 8. Ads. Tail long, outer feathers tipped with white; plumage above and below margined with dusky, giving a scaled appearance. Range. — Southern Texas (San Antonio), southern Mexico and southern Arizona south to Lower California and Central America. 322. Key West Quail-Dove [Geotrygon cbrysia). L. 12. Ads. A white line below eye; belly white; back rich rusty with beautiful, metallic, purplish, green and blue reflections; tail rusty with no white. Range.— Cuba, Hayti, Bahamas and, rarely, Florida Keys. 322.1. Ruddy Quail-Dove {Geotrygon montana). L. 11. Ad. (J1. No white line below eye; breast dull pinkish; belly deep buff; back rich rusty with purplish reflections, tail rusty without white. Ad. 9. Above olive-brown with greenish reflections; below rusty buff. Range. — Mexico south to Brazil; West Indies; casual at Key West Florida 323. Blue-headed Quail Dove (Starncenas cyanocep- halo). L. 12. Ads. Crown and sides of throat dull blue; middle of upper breast black with white bars and pinkish tips; belly rusty brown, lower back as in No. 316. Notes. A hollow sounding bu-ub, the first syllable lonjj, the second short. (Gundlach.) Range. — Cuba, and rarely Florida Keys. 126 Order XII. VULTURES, HAWKS, AND OWLS. RAPTORES. Family 1. AMERICAN VULTURES. Cathartid.k. 3 species. Family 2. FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, etc. Falcoxid.i:. 33 species, L3 subspecies. Family 3. P>ARN OWLS. Strigid.e. 1 species. Family 4. HORNED OWLS. Bubonid.e. 19 species, 20 sub- species. In the Raptores we have a group of birds of great value to man but whose services for the most part, are so little appreciated that, far from protecting these birds, we have actually persecuted them. The Vultures, it is true, are given credit for their good work as scavengers and they are protected both by law and by public sentiment. Every one knows that a living Vulture is infinitely more useful than a dead one. As a result throughout countries inhabited by these birds they are usually both abundant and tame, entering the cities to feed in the streets with an assurance born of years of immunity from harm. But how differently their kin of the family Falconidae act in their relations to man! 'Wild as a Hawk' has become an adage. These birds are universally condemned. To kill one is a commendable act. Every ones hand is raised against them. In some localities a price has actually been set upon their heads. A fondness for chickens, it is alleged, is the chief crime of Hawks, and in popular parlance all Hawks are 'Chicken Hawks' and as such are to be killed on sight. Naturalists have long been aware that only one of our common Hawks habitually preys upon poultry while most of our species, by feeding largely on meadow mice, are actually beneficial. It was not, however, until this matter received the attention of the Biological Survey of the United States Department of Agriculture, that the economic status of Hawks, as well as of Owls, was placed on a sound scientific basis. In Dr. A. K. Fisher's report on the food of Hawks and Owls, issued by the Biologic Survey in 1893, the results of the examination of the contents of several thousands stomachs of these birds is tabulated. It is stated, for example, that only three out of two hundred and twenty stomachs of the so-called 'Chicken' or Red- 127 Vultures, Hawks, and Owls. shouldered Hawk contained the remains of poultry, while mice were found in no less than one hundred and two, and insects in ninety-two. That the Sparrow Hawk is also wrongly named is clear from a study of its food, only fifty-four out of three hundred and twenty stomachs examined containing remains of birds, while insects were found in two hundred and fifteen. As a matter of fact, among our commoner Hawks, the Cooper and Sharp-shinned are the only ones feeding largely on birds and poultry, and if the farmer will take the pains to ascertain what kind of Hawk it is that pays unwelcome visits to his barn-yard, he will be spared the injustice of condemning all Hawks for the sins of one or two. Feeding after sunset, when the small mammals are most active, Owls are even more beneficial than Hawks. The Great Horned Owl, it is true, has an undue fondness for poultry, but the bird is generally so rare near thickly populated regions that on the whole it does com- paratively little harm. Fortunately, it is those Owls which are most common in settled regions which are of most value to man. Thus, our little Screech Owl feeds chiefly on mice and insects. Only one of the two hundred and fifty-five stomachs examined by Dr. Fisher contained the remains of poultry while mice were found in ninety-one and insects in one hundred. Of the Short-eared or Marsh Owl, seventy-seven out of one hundred and one stomachs contained mice remains, and the same injurious little rodents were found in eighty-four out of one hundred and seven stomachs of the Long-eared Owl. The bones and hair of the small mammals eaten by Owls are rolled into oblong pellets in the stomach and are ejected at the mouth. These pellets may often be found in large numbers beneath the roosts in which Owls pass the day. In 200 such castings of the Barn Owl Dr. Fisher found the remains of 454 small mammals of which no less than 225 were meadow mice. Hawks build large bulky nests of sticks placing them usually well up in large trees, and lay, as a rule, four eggs which are generally whitish, blotched with brown. The Marsh Hawk is an exception. Its nest built largely of grasses, is placed on the ground in marshes and the eggs, often numbering six and rarely eight, are bluish white unmarked. The Owls nest in holes in trees or banks, or, in some instances, an old Hawk or Crow nest may be occupied. The eggs usually number three to five and are always pure white. 128 Vultures and Osprey 324. California Vulture {Gymnogyps californianus) . L. 44-55; Ex. 8 1-2 to nearly 11 feet. (Ridgw.) Ads. Head and neck orange, blue, and red, unfeathered; feathers around neck and on underparts narrow and stiffened; greater wing-coverts tipped with white; under wing-coverts white. Range. — "Coast ranges of southern California from Monterey Bay. south to Lower California and east to Arizona" (Bailey). Recorded from Burrard Inlet, British Columbia (Fannin). 325. Turkey Vulture; Turkey Buzzard (Cathartes aura). L. 30; T. 11. Ads. Head and neck red un- feathered; brownish black; no white in plumage; bill whitish. Notes. A low hissing sound when disturbed. Range. — Western Hemisphere from central and northeast New Jersey, central Illinois, northern Minnesota, the Saskatchewan region and British Columbia, south to Patagonia: winters from southern New Jersey, southern Illinois and southern California southward. 326, Black Vulture; Carrion Crow {Catharista urubu). L. 24. T. 8. Ads. Head and neck unfeath- ered, black, plumage black; under surface of wings silvery. A >tes. A low grunting sound when disturbed. Range. — Tropical America, north, as a resident to North Carolina, southern Illinois and southern Kansas: west to the Plains, south to northern South America, strays as far north as Maine and South Da- kota. 364. American Osprey; Fish Hawk (Pandion halia- etus carolinensis) . L. 23. Nape white; feet large; no bars on primaries. Ad. <$. Below white with few or no spots on breast. Ad. 9. Similar, but breast with numerous grayish brown spots and streaks. Notes. Loud, plaintive, whistles. Range. — America; breeds from Florida. Texas and Lower California, north to Labrador, Great Slave Lake and northern Alaska; winters from South Carolina and Lower Mississippi Valley to northern South America. 129 Kites and Marsh Hawk 327. Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoidesforficatus). L. 24. Ads. Back purplish black, wings and tail blue- black. Notes. A shrill, keen, e-e-e or we-we-we. (Ben- dire.) Range. — Middle America; summers north to Virginia, central Illi- nois, northern Minnesota. Manitoba and Dakota; west to central Kan- sas, rarely to Colorado; winters in Central and South America. 328. White-tailed Kite {Elanus leucurus). L. 15.5. Ads. Shoulders black; back and middle tail-feathers ashy gray; rest of tail-feathers, forehead and underparts white. Yng. Upperparts with rusty. Notes. A plain- tive, musical whistle. (Barlow.) Range. — Middle America north to South Carolina, southern Illinois, Indian Territory, western Texas, Arizona and central California: south to Argentine Republic; rare east of the the Mississippi. 329. Mississippi Kite (Iclmia raississippiensh) . L. 14. Ads. Head, ends of secondaries, and un lerparts bluish gray; back bluish slate; tail black without b irs. Yng. Head streaked black and white; back blackish, tipped with rusty; tail with three or four broken white bars; underparts buffy, streaked with rusty and blackish. '"• Range. — Middle America: breeds north to South Carolina, southern Illinois and Kansas; winters in tropics. 330. Everglade Kite; Snail Hawk {Rostrhamus so- ciabilis). L. 18. Longer upper tail-coverts and base of tail white. Ads. Slaty black; end of tail with brownish and whitish bands. Yng. Above blackish brown tipped with rusty; below mottled rusty, black- ish and buff. Range. Tropical America north to southern Florida and eastern Mexico; south to Argentine Republic. 33 1. Marsh Hawk; Harrier {Circus budsonius). L. rf, 19; 9, 22. Upper tail-coverts and base of tail white. Ad. rf. Above gray or ashy; underparts with rusty spots. Ad. $, and Yng. Above brownish black with more or less rusty, particularly on the nape; below brownish rusty with black streaks on breast. Notes. A peevish scream and peculiar clucking or cackling. (Preston.) Range. — North America, breeds locally north to about latitude 60 ° ; winters from southern New York, northern Illinois, northern Kansas Colorado and British Columbia south to Central America. 130 Hawks 332. Sharp-shinned Hawk {Accipitervelox). L. cT> II. 2; 2, 13-5; T. d\ 5-5; V, 7. Tail square at end. /&fc. Above slaty gray; crown darker; below barred white and rusty brown. Yng. Above blackish brown lightly margined with rusty; below white streaked with brown. Note the relatively long tail in this and the two following species. Notes. Cac-cac-cac. (Ralph.) Range.— North America; breeds throughout its range but chiefly northward; winters from Massachusetts and Vancouver Island south- ward. 333. Cooper Hawk {Accipiter cooperii). L. tf, 15.5; 9, 10; T. cf, 7-7', ?> 9- Similar in color to No. 332, but tail rounded; adult with crown blacker. Notes. A cackling or chattering. (Bendire. ) Range. — North America: breeds from southern Mexico north to British America; winters from Massachusetts, Lower Mississippi Val- ley and Oregon southward. 334. American Goshawk {Accipiter atricapillus) . L. p7*, 22; §, 24; T. cf , 10; 2, 11. 5. Ads. Above blui>h slate; crown darker; a whitish line over the eye to the nape; below finely marked with gray and white. Yng. Above blackish brown, rusty and buff; below buffy white streaked with blackish. Range.— North America; breeds chiefly north of United States; winters south to New Jersey, rarely Virginia, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas; west to Oregon. 334a. Western Goshawk {A. a. striatulus). Simi- lar to No. 334, but Ad. dark plumbeous above, mark- ings on lower parts heavier and darker. Stripes on lower parts of >'//». broader and blacker. (Ridgw.) Notes. A shrill scream and a frequently repeated keeab or kreeab. (Bendire.) Range.— "Western North America; north to Sitka, Alaska; south to California: east to Idaho. Breeds in the Sierra Nevada south to latitude 38°. " (A. O. U.) 346. Mexican Goshawk (Asturina plagiata). L. 17. Ads. Above slaty fjray; below barred slaty-gray and white. Yng. Above blackish brown with rusty markings, particularly on wing-coverts; longer upper tail-coverts white with black spots or bars; tail brown- ish with numerous black bars; below whitish with large elongate spots. Notes. A peculiar piping note uttered while hovering in the air. (Bendire.) Range. — Middle America, from Panama north, in March, to Mexican border of United States. 131 Hawks 335. Harris Hawk {Tarabuteo unicinctus harrisi) L. cT, 19; ?, 22. Lunger upper tail-coverts, base and tip of tail white. Ads. Shoulders, thighs and under wing-coverts, reddish brown; under tail-coverts white. Yng. Similar but streaked below with rusty, buff and black; legs barred with white. Notes. A long, harsh, Buteo-like scream. (V. Bailey.) Range. — Middle America from Panama north to southern Texas, rarely Mississippi and iouthern California. 337. Red-tailed Hawk 1 Buteo borealis). L. tf, 20; 9,23. Four outer primaries notched. Ads. Tail rusty brown with a black band, sometimes broken, near its tip; below buffy white, a band of spots across the belly; legs usually without bars. Yi/g. Tail gray- ish brown with a rusty tinge and numerous blackish bars; upper tail-coverts barred black and white; below- less buffy than in adult; legs more often barred. Notts. A shrill whistle, suggesting the sound of escaping steam. Range. — Eastern North America, west to the Great Plains, north to i'bout latitude 6o° : breeds throughout its range; winters from Mass- achusetts, Illinois and South Dakota southwatd. 337a. Krider Hawk (B. b. kriderii). Similar to No. 337, but nearly or wholly white below. Ads. Usually without black tail band. Range. — "Great Plains of United States from Minnesota to Texas: east irregularly or casually to Iowa and northern Illinois." (Bendire). 337b. Western Red-tail (B. b. calurus). Very variable in color. Ads. Sometimes sooty brown above and below with more or less rusty; in light phase resembles No. 337, but tail averages paler and some- times has more than one bar; the underparts are deeper and legs are usually barred with rusty. Yng. Similar to Yng. of No. 337, but markings below heavier; flanks more barred. Range. — Western North America from Rocky Mountains to Pacific; north to British Columbia, south to central America; generally resi- dent. 337d. Harlan Hawk (B. b. barlani). Ads. Above sooty brown; tail closely mottled with blackish, rusty and whitish; below varying from white, more or less spotted on belly to sooty brown. Yng. Similar, but tail barred with blackish, gray, rusty or whitish. Range. — '"Gulf States and Lower Mississippi Valley, north (cas- Kansas, Iowa, Illinois and Pennsylvania; east to Georgia and Florida." (Bendire). 131! Hawks 339. Red-shouldered Hawk {Buteo lineatus). L. cf, 18.3; V , 20. 3. Four outer primaries notched. Ads. Lesser wing-coverts bright reddish brown. Yug. Be- low whitish streaked with brownish; lesser wing-cov- erts less reddish; primaries with rusty buff. Notes. A loud screaming kee-ver, kee-ver. Range. — Eastern United States to Oklahoma, eastern Kansas, eastern Nebraska and Minnesota, north to Maine, south to northern Florida; generally resident. 339a. Florida Red-shouldered Hawk (B. l.alleni). Smaller than No. 339- (W. o7'. "•) Ad. Much grayer above, no rusty on head, much paler below. Range. — Florida north along coast to South Carolina; west along coast to eastern Texas. 339b. Red-bellied Hawk (B. 1. ehgans). Similar to No. 3 3Q, but rusty of breast usually unbroken. Young with lower parts deep brownish or dusky pre- vailing; less buff on primaries. (Ridgw.) Range. — Pacific coast from Lower California north to British Columbia; east rarely to Colorado and western Texas. 342. Swainson Hawk {Buteo swainsoni). L. tf , 20. Three outer primaries notched. Ad. rf. Breast patch rusty brown. Ad. ?. Breast-patch grayish brown. Dark phase. Brownish black more or less varied with rusty; tail obscurely barred. Yug. Below rich rusty buff with elongate black spots. Notes. Pi-tick, pi-tick, frequently repeated. (^Bendire.) Range. — "Western North America from Wisconsin, Illinois, Ar- kansas and Texas to the Pacific coast; north to Arctic regions and south to Argentine Republic, casual east to Maine and Massachu- setts. Breeds nearly throughout its North American range." (A. O. U.) 343. Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus). L. o7, 15.8; 9,16.7. Three outer primaries notched. Ads. Tail with two whitish bands and a brownish tip; be- low barred with rusty brown. Yug. No buff in prim- aries; tail brownish with several black bars; below whitish, streaked with blackish. Notes. A high, sharp, keen, penetrating whistle. Range. — Eastern North America, breeds west to Plains, north to New Brunswick and Saskatchewan: winters from southern New Jersey south to northern South America. 133 Hawks and Caracara 340. Zone-tailed Hawk {Buteo abbreviatus) . L.J*, 19; j . 21. AJs. Tail with liltle if any white tip; itunr webs of all but "Riddle fe ithers with black and white bars. Yng. Brow ner; tail grayish brown; white on inner webs, with numerous blackish bars. Notes. Not unlike those of Buteo borealis. (Belding.) Range.— Tropical America north to southern Texas, southern Ari- zona and southern California. 344. Short-tailed Hawk {Buteo bracbyurus) . L. 17; T. 7. Ads. Above slaty gray, tail barred with black and tipped with white; sides of breast rusty; rest of underparis white. Dark phase. Blackish, forehead whitish; tail lighter than back, barred with black. Yng. Above blackish brown, below cream buff, without black markings. Notes. Somewhat resemb- ling the scream of the Red-shouldered Hawk, but more prolonged. (Pennock.) Range.— Tropical America, north to eastern Mexico; rare in Flori- 345. Mexican Black Hawk {Urubitinga anthracina). L. (j\ 19; 9,2i. Ads. Tail with a white tip and broad white band across all the feather^. Yng. Above brownish black, buff and rusty; below buffy striped with blackish; tail with several black and whitish bars. Notes. Piping cries like the spring whistle of Numenius longirost ris. ( B e n d i re . ) Range.— "Tropical America in general, north to central Arizona, and the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.'' (Bendire). 362. Audubon Caracara [Polyborus cheriway). L. 22. Tail white witli a black end and numerous black bars. Ads. Breast and hindneck barred; belly black. Yng. Crown, back', and belly dark brown; hindneck, breast and belly streaked with butty. Notes. Generally silent, but sometimes utters a prolonged cackling note. (B. F. Goss.) Range.— Northern South America, north to southern Texas, south- ern Arizona and Lower California; interior of southern Florida; resi- dent. 363. Guadalupe Caracara {Tolyborus littosus). Resembles No. 362, but has rump and upper tail-cov- erts dull brown sh buff broadly barred with dull brown; tail brownish buff with broad bars of grayish brown bordered by narrower zigzag bars or lines of dusky- terminal band less than 2.00 wide. (Ridgway.) Range.— Guadalupe Island, west of Lower California. 134 Hawks 34 1. Sennett White-tailed Hawk {Buteo alhicauda- tits sennetti) . L. cT, 21; $,23. Three outer primaries cut. Ads. Grayish slate above. Yng. Above brownish black; breast usually white, throat blackish, belly heavily marked with rusty and blackish; some- times wholly black below; tail generally silvery gray, white on inner webs with numerous indistinct blackish bars. Notes. A cry much like the bleating of a goat (Merrill.) Range.— From southern Texas and Arizona south to Mexico." (Bailey.) 347a. American Rough-legged Hawk (Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis) . B. .7 deep, smaller than in No. '348. L. tf, 21; ?, 23. Le.u;s feathered to the toes. Ads. Basal half of tail white, end half barred with black; belly with more or less black. Yng. No black bars on end half of tail; huffier belovv, more black on belly. Black phase. Black more or less varied with brown and rusty as it approaches light plumage of ad. or yng; but to be kaown by feathered legs. Range. — North America; breeds north of United States; winters south to Virginia, Missouri and central California. 348. Ferruginous Rough-Leg (Archibuteo ferrugi- ntus). B. 1. deep, larger than in No. 347a; L. tf, 22; $,24. Legs feathered to toes. Ads. Above rich rusty streaked with black; legs rusty barred with black; tail grayish sometimes washed with rusty. Yng. Above blackish brown margined with rusty; below white; breast with a few streaks; legs spotted; tail with inner webs and base white; outer webs grayish. Dark phase. Sooty brown more or less varied with rusty; tail as in ad. Range. — Western North America from the Plains (east North Da- kota to Texas) . west to «he Pacific and from the Saskatchewan region south into Mexico; casually east to Illinois. Breeds from Utah, Colo- rado and Kansas north to the Saskatchewan Plains." (A. O. U.) 35 5. Prairie Falcon {Falco mexicanus). L. tf, 17; ?,2o. A blackish patch on the sides. Ad. tf. Above including middle tail feathers, grayish brown; back with more or less concealed buffy bars. Ad. ?. No buffy bars on back. Yng. Above margined with rusty and whitish; head much as in ad. Notes. Kee', kee, kee and a sort of cackle. (Bendire.) Range. — "United States from the eastern border of the Plains to the Pacific and from the Dakotas south into Mexico; casual east to Illi- nois. Breeds throughout its United States range." (A. O. U.) yJsa 34-8. 135 Eagles and Gyrfalcons 349. 349. Golden Eagle {Aquila chrysaetos). L. tf, 30- 35: £ , 35-40; Ex. cf, 7884; V, 84-90. (Ridgw.) Legs feathered to toes. Ads. Back of head and nape paler than body; basal two-thirds of tail white. Yng. Base of tail with broken grayish bars. Notes. A shrill, kee-kee-kee, and, when alarmed, kiah-kiab repeated a number of times. (Bendire.) Range — Northern parts of northern hemisphere; in America south into Mexico; rare east of Mississippi, more common in Rocky Mount- ains and mountains of Pacific coast. 352. Bald Eagle [Haliceetus leucocephalus). L. $, 33; +, 35; Ex. rj\ 84; 9> 89. Legs not feathered to toes. Ads. Head, neck and tail white. Yng. Head and body blackish, more or less varied with white; tail blackish mottled with white. Notes. Of the male, a loud, clear cac cac-cac; of the female harsh and brok- en. (Ralph.) Range. — North America breeding locally throughout its range, more frequently near the Atlantic coast: resident in United States. 352a. Alaska Bald Eagle [H.J. alascanus). Simi- lar to No. 352, but larger. W. d\ 23.8; 9, 24.6; T. J\ 11.5; 9, 12; Tar. rj\ 4.1; 9,3-7- (Townsend.) Range. — Alaska. 353. White Gyrfalcon {Falco islandus) . L. J1, 22; ? , 24. Tarsus feathered in front nearly to toes; only outer primary notched. Under tail coverts pure white. Ads. Below white with few or no black markings. Yng. Dark areas above larger, below with elongate blackish spots. Range. — Arctic regions, in America south in winter casually to Maine. 354. Gray Gyrfalcon {Falco rusticolus). L. tf, 22; 9 , 24. Tarsus feathered in front nearly to toes; only outer primary notched. Under tail coverts with du>ky margins. Ads. Crown usually more white than dusky; above barred with blackish and grayish; below white, breast streaked; sides and legs barred with dusky. Yng. Above dark brown brown with broken buffy bars and margins tail with while and 'ir>wn bars of nearly equal width below white everywhere streaked with blackish. Range. — Arctic regions; south in winter to the northern border of the United States; casually as far as Kansas and Maine. 354a. Gyrfalcon (F. r. gjirfalco). Similar to No. 354, but head usually with more dusky than white; back in ad. indistinctly barred with grayish. Yng. With dark stripes of lower parts usually about equal in width to white interspaces. Range. — "Northern Europe and Arctic America, from northern Labra dor and coasts of Hudson Bay to Alaska" (Ridgw.); south in winter Casually, to northern b< rdcr of United States as far as Long Island. 354b. Black Gyrfalcon (F. r. obsoletus). Similar to No. 354, but much darker; above plain dusky with few or no buffy markings; below dusky margined w i.h buffy, the former prevailing. Notes. A chattering ke-a, ke-a, ke-a, blending into a rattling scream. { Turner. ) Range.— Labrador; south in winter to northern New England; cas uallv to Long Island. 136 Hawks 356. Duck Hawk (Falco peregrbius anatum). L. cT, 16; 5, 19. Sides of throat black. Ads. Above bluish slate; below huffy. Yng. Above blackish margined with rusty; tail with broken rusty bars and whitish tip; below deep rusty buff streaked with black- ish; under surface of wing uniformly barred. Notes. Loud screams and noisy cacklings. (Bendire.) Range. — Western Hemisphere; breeds locally from Southern States to Arctic regions; winters from Northern States southward; more common west of Rocky Mountains. 356a. Peale Falcon (F. p. pealei). Ads. Crown uniform with back; chest heavily spotted with blackish; bars of remaining underparts very broad. (Ridgw.) Range. — "Pacific coast region of North America from Oregon to the Aleutian and Commander Islands, breeding throughout its range." (A. O. (J.) 357. Pigeon Hawk \Falco columbarius) . L. rj\ 105; 9, 13. Two outer primaries notched. Ad. cf. Above slaty blue; middle tail feather with not more than /o/i nearly bare. Range.— Interior of southern Florida. 138 Owls 368. Barred Owl (Syrnium varium). L. 20. No ear-tufts; eyes black. Ads. Head, back and breast barred; toes feathered nearly if not quite to the nails. Notes. A loud, sonorous wboo-whoo-whoo-too-whoo, to-whoo-ak; a long-drawn, whoo-ah; rarely a wild scream; and when two individuals meet, a remarkable medley of hoots and ba-has. Range. — Eastern North America except Gulf Coast: north to Nova Scotia and Manitoba; west to Colorado; resident, except at northern limit of range. 3 68a. Florida Barred Owl (S. v. alleni). Similar to No. 368, but smaller, darker; black bars especially on breast, wider; toes nearly if not quite bare. Ringe. Florida; north along coast to South Carolina; west along coast to Texas. 368b. Texas Barred Owl (5. v. helveolum). Sim- ihr to No. 368 in color, but with the toes bare as in No. 368a. Range. — Southern Texas. 369. Spotted Owl {Syrnium occidental) . Resem- bles No. 368, but has the head and neck spotted with white; primaries with broad, whitish tips. Notes. Probably similar to those of No. 368. (Bendire. ) Range. — Western United States from southern Colorado and New Mexico, west to California, south to Lower California and Guanajuato, Mexico. 369a. Northern Spotted Owl (S. 0. caurinum). Similar to No. 369, but darker; white markings small- er; white spots on head and neck reduced to minimum; white tips to primaries nearly obsolete. (Merriam.) Range. — Western Washington and British Columbia. 370. Great Gray Owl (Scotiapiex nebulosa). L. 27. No ear-tufts; eyes yellow. Ads. Above black finely and irregularly marked with white; breast streaked; feet feathered to toe-nails. Notes. Said to be a trem- ulous, vibrating sound. (Fisher.) Range.- North America; breeds north of Lat. 550 ; winters south to northern border of United States casually as far as New Jersey, Ill- inois. Minnesota, Idaho, and northern Cal: ornia. 37 1. Richardson Owl (Nyctala tengmalmi richard- soni). L. 10. Ads. Above grayish brown with num- erous white spots, particularly on head; feet feathered to toes and usually with indistinct, dusky bars. Notes. A musical, soft whittle. (Wheelright.) A peculiar grating cry. (Nelson.) (See next page. ) Range. — Northern North America; breeds from Gulf of St. Lawrence and Manitoba northward; winters south to northern border of United States, casually to Massachusetts, Iowa, and Colorado; no Pacific coast record (?). 139 fi'i- ft?*; . .'-j. ; • v Owls 372. Saw-whet Owl; Acadian Owl I Nyctala acadicd). L. 8. Ads. Above cinnamon brown; forehead with many, hindhead with few streaks; back with white spots; feet and legs less heavily feathered than in No. 371 and without dusky bars. Yng. Breast and back cinnamon brown with few white markings; belly rusty buff, unstreaked. Notes. A frequently repeated whistle; sometimes high, sometimes low; generally begins slow and ends rapidly; resembles noise of saw-filing. (Ralph.) Range. — North America; breeds from mountains of Pennsylvania, M issachusrtts (rarelv) , northern New York, northern Illinois: and, in Rocky Mountains, frrm Mexico northward; winters south to Virginia, Kansas and central California. 372a. Northwest Saw-whet Owl (N. a. scotma). Similar to No. 372, but darker both above and below, dark markings everywhere heavier; flanks, legs and feet more rufescent. (Osgood.) Range.— Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. 379. Pygmy Owl {Glaucidium gnoma). L. 7. Top of head spotted. Ads. Above grayish brown; spots whitish. Yng. No spots on head. Notes. A soft cooing coohuh, coobuh, repeated a number of times. (Bendire.) Range. - "Timbered regions of western North America, from south- ern Rocky Mountains in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona," west to California, Oregon, and Washington, except coast belt, south into Mexico. 379a. California Pygmy Owl ( G. g. calif ornicum) . Similar to No. 379, but darker; spots above buff or rusty. Range. — Humid coast region from Monterey, California, north to British Columbia. 379.1. Hoskin Pygmy Owl {Glaucidium boskinsii). Similar to No. 379a, hut smaller and grayer, the fore- head and facial disc with more white, the upperparts less distinctly spotted. (Brewst.) Range. — Southern Lower California. 380. Ferruginous Pygmy Owl {Glaucidium pkalce- uoides). L. 7. Top of head streaked. Ads. Above varying from grayish brown marked with whitish to plain reddish brown without marks; below white streaked with grayish brown or reddish brown. Yng. No streaks on head. Notes. A softly whistled coo re- peated many times at intervals of about one second. Range. — Tropical America; from Brazil north to Mexican border of United States. 38 1. Elf Owl (Micropallas whitneyi) . L. 6. Small- est of our Owls. Ads Above grayish brown, head spotted; back barred with rusty; below mixed rusty, white and grayish. Notes. A tremulous cha-cha, cha- cha, in different keys, sometimes low, sometimes dis- tinct. (Bendire.) ^ ange. — Tableland of Mexico from Puebla north to Mexican border of United Suites; Lower California, and (rarely.) California. 140 Owls 373. Screech Owl (Megascops asio). L. 9.4; \\ • 6.4; T. 3. Two color pnases; with ear-tufts; eyes yellow. Ad. Gray phase. Above buffy gray irreg- ularly marked with black; below gray, white, rusty and black. Ad. Red phase. Above bright rusty brown with a few black streaks; below white streaked with black and barred with rusty brown. Yng. Above gray or rusty barred with black and white; below white thickly barred with blackish. Notes A fre- quently repeated tremulous, wailing whistle; often followed by a slower refrain-like call; a castanet-like snapping of the mandibles. Range. Eastern North America from Florida north to New Bruns- wick, Ontario and Minnesota, "est to the Great Plains; resident. 373a. Florida Screech Owl (M. a. floridanus). Smaller than No. 37s, W. 6.0; T. 2.8. Two color phases. Similar to those of No. 373, but averaging darker and more heavily marked below; especially in red phase. Ringe. Florida, north along coast to South Carolina; west along coast to Louisiana. 373b. Texas Screech Owl (M. a. mccalli). Simi- lar to No. 373, but smaller, W. 6.1, underparts, es- pecially sides of belly, with more black bars; toes barer. I have seen only a gray phase. Range. "From western and southern Texas across east border of tablelands of Mexico." (Bailey.) 373c. California Screech Owl \ M. a. bmdirei). W. 6.6. A gray color phase only. Resembling No. 373, but somewhat darker above; less buff about the nape; black streakings more regularly distributed; un- derparts much as in No. 373b. Range. — California and southern Oregon. 373d. Kennicott Screech Owl (M. .7. kennicottii). L. 10; VV. 7. 25. Ads. Sooty brown prevailing above; blackish markings below nearly if not fully as wide as white ones; darkest of our Screech Owls. Range.- Pacific coast from Oregon to Sitka. 373e. Rocky Mountain Screech Owl (M. a. max- wellice). W. 7. Similar to No. 373f above but paler; pale grayish buff predominating; black markings throughout much narrower and less numerous than in No. 373g; palest of our Screech Owls. Range.— "Foothills and adjacent plains of the east Rocky Moun- tains from Colorado north to Montana" (Bendire). 141 Slie. Owls 373f. Mexican Screech Owl (M. a. cineraceus). A gray color phase only. Similar to No. 373b, but much grayer above; butt markings of No. 373b almost wholly absent; below black bars more numerous and narrower than in No. 373b. Range. — "New Mexico, Arizona, Lower California, and western Mexico." (A. O. U.) 37 3g. Aiken Screech Owl (M. a. aikeni}. A gray color phase only. W. 6.5. Similar to 3731, but still grayer; almost no buff above; black markings wider on head, back, and underparts. Range. — "Plains, El Paso County. Colorado, south probably to central New Mexico and northeastern Arizona." (A. O. U.) 373h. MacFarlane Screech Owl (M. a. macfarlanei) . A gray color phase only. Ads. Of the size of kenni- cottn, but with color and markings of betidirei. W. 7.2; L3.8. (Brevvst.) Range. — "Eastern Washington and Oregon to western Montana and probably intermediate regions, and north to the interior of British Columbia." (Bailey.) 373.1. Spotted Screech Owl (Megascops trtchopsis). L. 7.7. Ads. Above mixed black, grayish brown and buff; black prevailing on head; feathers of foreback with buffy white spots on either side near the end; below much as in No. 373f. Range. — Southern Arizona and southward into northern Mexico. 373.2. Xantus Screech Owl (Megascops xantusi . W. 5.3. Ad. rj\ Above drab, back tinged with pink- ish rusty and faintly vermiculated with reddish brown; breast paler ashy faintly suffused with pinkish or rusty; belly whitish; underparts finely barred with red- dish brown and streaked with clove-brown. (Brewst.) Range. — Cape Region of Lower California. 374. Flammulated Screech Owl (Megascops flam- meola). L. 7. Ads. Ear-tufts small; eye surrounded by rusty, then by gray; crown, nape and tips of scap- ulars largely rusty; neck band rusty. Range. — Mountains of Guatemala north to Colorado (n speci- mens, 7 from Boulder County, Cook), west rarelv to California (a specimens). 374a. Dwarf Screech Owl (M.f. idahoensis). Sim- ilar to No. 374, but slightly smaller and paler, es- pecially on underparts where ground color is white and black markings are restricted. Range. — Idaho, eastern Oregon and California (San Bernardino Mountains, 3 specimens, Grinnell). 142 Owls 375. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). rj\ L. 22; W. is. Ads. Ears conspicuous; the feathers nearly throughout the body rusty basally; facial disc rich rusty. Notes. A loud, low, deep-toned whoo, hoo- hoo-hoo, whooo-whooo, variable, but usually on the same note; rarely a hair-raising scream. R.mge. — Eastern North America; north to Labrador, south to Central America; resident. 37 5a. Western Horned Owl (B. v. pallescens). Smaller and paler than No. 375, W. 13.7; racial disc washed with rusty. Range. — Western United States, except Pacific coast region, east to Great Plains; casually Wisconsin and Illinois north to Manitoba and British Columbia; south to Mexico. 375b. Arctic Horned Owl (B. v. arcticus). Black and white prevailing above; bases of feathers light yellowish buff; below black and white with little or no buffy; facial disc gray. Range. — Interior ot Arctic America, from Rocky Mountains east to Hudson Bay; breeds north of Lat. 510; in winter straggles south- ward to adjacent border of United States; rarely to Wyoming and Nebraska. 375c. Dusky Horned Owl (B. v. saturatus). Size of No. 375b, but much darker; black bars below equal- ling white ones in width; darkest bird of group. Range. — "Pacific coast region from Monterey Bav, California, north to Alaska; east to Hudson Bay and Labrador." (A. O. U.) 375d. Pacific Horned Owl (B. v. pacificus). Some- what smaller than No. 375b, W. 13.5; more like No. 375 in color but less rusty. Range.— California, except humid coast region; east to Arizona. 375e. Dwarf Horned Owl CB. v. elachistus). Sim- ilar to No. 375c, but very much smaller. W. rj1, 12.8; £ , 13.4. (Brewster.) Range. — Lower California. 376. Snowy Owl (Nyctea nyctea) . L. 25. Ad. tf . White more or less barred with blackish. Ad. ?. Sim- ilar, but more heavily barred. Range. — Northern parts of northern hemisphere; in America breeds from Lat. 500 northward; winters south to northern United States; straggles as far as Texas and California. 377a. American Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula caparoch). L. 15; T. 7.2 long and rounded. Ads. Above brownish black, crown thickly spotted, scapulars con- spicuously margined with white; chin blackish; belly barred. Notes. A shrill cry generally uttered while flying. (Fisher.) Range.— Northern North America; breeds from Newfoundland and northern Montana northward; winters south to northern United States, rarely to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Illinois; rare on Pacific coast. 143 Order XIII. PAROQUETS AND PARROTS. PSITTACI. Family 1. PARROTS and PAROQUETS. Psittacid.e 2 species. Parrots are found throughout the warmer parts of the earth. About one hundred and fifty of the some five hundred known species inhabit America. The Carolina Paroquet, practically the only member of this family found in the United States, since the Thick-billed Parrot barely reaches our border in Arizona, was once an abundant bird in the Southern States, but it is now restricted to a few localities in Florida and possibly Indian Territory, OrderXIV. CUCKOOS, TROGONS, KINGFISHERS, Etc. coccyges. Family 1. CUCKOOS, ANIS, etc. Cuculid.e. 5 species 2 sub- species. Family 2. TROGOXS. Trogonid.e. 1 species. Family 3. KINGFISHERS. Alcedinid.e. 2 species. The Cuckoos are a group of world-wide distribution, but are more numerous in the eastern than in the western hemisphere where only thirty-five of the some one hundred and seventy-five species are found. The habit of the European Cuckoo in placing its eggs in the nest of other birds is well known. The American species, however, build nests of their own though it is true they are far from well made struc- tures. With the Anis one nest serves for several females who may de- posit as many as thirty eggs, incubation and the care of the young being subsequently shared by the members of this singular family. Trogons are found in the tropics of both the Old and New Worlds. They are quiet, sedentary birds inhabiting forests and feeding largely on fruit. So far as is known they nest in hollow trees. Only eight of the one hundred and eighty or more known King- fishers are found in America, the remaining species being confined to the Old World where they are most numerous in the Malay Archi- pelago. 144 Parrots and Paroquets 382.1. Thick-billed Parrot {Rhynchopsitta pocky- rkyncha). L. 16.5. Ads.. Forehead, loral region, stripe over eye, bend of wing and thighs red; greater under wing-coverts yellow; rest of plumage green. Range - Central Mexico north rarely to southern Arizona. 382. Carolina Paroquet {Conurus carolinensis) . L. 12.5 Ads. Forehead and cheeks deep orange, rest of head yellow. Yng. Forehead and loral region orange; rest of head green like back; no yellow on bend of wing. Notes. A sharp, rolling kr-r-r-r-r-r. Range. — Formerly eastern United States, north to Maryland, Great Lakes, and Iowa; west to Colorado, Oklahoma and eastern Texas; now restricted to southern Florida and parts of Indian Territory. 145 Cuckoos 383. Ani (Crotopkaga ant). Resembling No. 384, but upper mandible without grooves. Notes. A com- plaining, whistled oo-eeek, oo-eeek. pange. — Eastern South America: north to West Indies and Ba- hamas: rarely to soutnern Florida; accidental in Louisiana and Penn- sylvania. 384. Groove-billed Ani {Crotopbaga sulcirostris). L. 12.5; B. .7 high\ the upper mandible with ridges and furrows. Ads. Blue-black, many of the feathers with iridescent margins. Range. -Northwestern South America, north through Mexico to Lower California and southeastern Texas; casually Arizona, Louisi- ana, and Florida. 385. Road-runner [Geococcyx calif ornianus) . L. 23. Toes two in front, two behind'. Ads. Above glossy olive-brown with whitish and rusty margins: tail much rounded, outer tail-feathers tipped with white. Notes. A soft cooing and a low chittertng note produc- ed by striking the mandibles together. Bendire men- tions a note like that of a hen calling her brood. Range.— Central Mexico north (rarely) to southwestern Kansas, southern Colorado, and Sacramento Valley, California, rarely to southern Oregon. 386. Mangrove Cuckoo ( Coc'cy^us minor). L. 13. Ads. Underparts uniformly rich buff; above grayish brown, crown grayer; ear-coverts black; tail black, outer feathers broadly tipped with white. Range.— Northern South America, north through Central America, Mexico and Greater Antilles (except Porto Rico?) to Florida and Louisiana; migrating south in fall. 386a. Maynard Cuckoo (C. m. maynardi). Simi- lar to No. 386, but underparts paler, the throat and forebreast more or less ashy white. Range.— Bahamas and (eastern?) Florida Keys. 387. Yellow-billed Cuckoo {Coccy^us americanus) . L. 12.2. Ads. Below white; lower mandible largely yellow; tail black, outer feathers widely tipped with white. Notes. Tut tut, tut-tut, tut-tut, tut-tut, cl-uck, cl-uck, cl-uck, cl-uck, cl-uck, cl-uck, cow, cow, cow, coze, :r, usually given in part. Range. — Eastern N >rth America: breeds from Florida to New Brunswick and Minnesota; winters in Central and South America. 387a. California Cuckoo (C. a. occidentalis) . Sim- ilar to No. 387, but somewhat grayer and larger; the bill slightly longer, 1.05. Range. — Western North America; north t.» southern British Col- umbia; east to Western Texas; winters south into Mexico. 388. Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccypts erythropbthah urns). L. 11.8. Ads. White below; bill black; tail, seen from below, grayish narrowly tipped with white: above, especially on crown, browner than No. 387. Notes. Similar to those of No. 387, but softer, the cow notes connected. Range.— Eastern North America; west to Rocky Mountains: breeds north to Labrador and Manitoba; winters south of United States to Brazil. 146 Trog-on and Kingfishers 389. Coppery-tailed Trogon {Trogon ambiguus). L. 12. Ad. cf. Wing-coverts finely vermiculated; tail coppery tipped with black; outer web and end of outer feathers white, mottled with black. Ad. $ . Ear-cov- erts gray; back grayish brown; middle tail-feathers rusty brown tipped with black; breast brownish; upper belly grayish; ventral region pink. Notes. Resemble those of a hen Turkey. (Fisher.) Range. — Southern Mexico north to Lower Rio Grande and Arizona. 390. Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon). L. 13. Ad. (J. Breast-band and sides like back. Ad. $. Breast-band and sides rusty. Notes. A loud, harsh rattle. Range. — North America; breeds from Florida, Texas, and California north to Arcti.- regions; winters from Virginia, Kansas, and southern California south to northern South America. 39 1. Texas Kingfisher (Ceryle americana septen- trionalis). L. 8.7. Ad. tf. Breast rusty brown; back greenish; a \^j>ite collar. Ad. 9- Throat and breast white, sometimes tinged with buffy; a breast and belly band of greenish spots. Notes. When flying, a sharp, rattling twitter; when perching, a rapid, excited ticking. Range. — Tropical America, from Panama north to southern Texas. 147 Order XV. WOODPECKERS. PICI. Family 1. WOODPECKERS. Picid^e. 24 species, 22 sub- species. The some three hundred and fifty known species of Woodpeckers are distributed throughout the wooded parts of the world, except in Aus- tralia and Madagascar, nearly one half of this number being found in the New World. Feeding largely upon the eggs and larvae of insects, which they can obtain at all seasons, most of the North American species are not highly migratory but are represented in the more north- ern parts of their range at all times of the year. Woodpeckers nest in holes in trees generally excavated by them- selves. The eggs, four to eight or nine in number, like those of most birds that lay in covered situations, are pure white. The young are born naked and are reared in the nest- In few birds is the close relation between structure and habit more strikingly illustrated than in the Woodpeckers. Their lengthened toes placed two before and two behind (except in one genus) and armed with strong nails enable them readily to grasp the bark of trees up which they climb. Their stiffened, pointed tail-feathers are also of assistance to them in retaining their position on tree trunks, serving as a prop on which they may rest while chiseling out their homes or lay- ing bare the tunnels of the grubs of wood boring beetles. For this purpose they use their bill, a marvellously effective tool with which some of the large Woodpeckers perform astonishing feats. I have seen an opening made by a Pileated Woodpecker in a white pine tree, twelve inches long, four inches wide, and eight indies deep, though perfectly sound wood to reach the larvae at work in the heart of the tree. The bill is also used as a musical instrument, the 'song' of Woodpeckers being a rolling tattoo produced by rapid tappings on some resonant limb. As might be supposed the Woodpeckers are great of economic value. Professor Beal states that at least two-thirds to three-fourths of the food of our common Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers consists chiefly of noxious insects. 148 Woodpeckers 392. Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus princi- palis). L. 20; B. 2.7, ivory white. Ad. <$. Crest scarlet. Ad. $. Similar to the J1, but crest black. Notes. A sharp, penny trumpet-like yap-yap. Range. — Florida west to eastern Texas; north to southern Miss- ouri and Oklahoma; formerly north to North Carolina, Illinois, and Indiana. 400. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker {Picoides arc- thus). L. 9.5. Back shining black without white; toes two in front, one behind Ad.rf. Crown yellow. Ad. ?. Crown black. Notes. A sharp, shrill, chirk, chirk. (Hardy.) Range. — "Northern North America, from the Arctic regions south to northern United States. (New England. New York. Michigan, Minne- sota and Idaho), and in the Sierra Nevadas to Lake Tahoe." (A. O. U.) 401. American Three-toed Woodpecker {Picoides americanus) . L. 8.7. Back with white; toes two in front, one behind. Ad. rj\ Crown yellow; white bars on back broken, detached not confluent. Notes. A prolonged squealing, rarely uttered. (Turner.) Range. — Northern North America; west to Rocky Mountains; breeds from Maine, mountains of New Hampshire, northern New York, and northern Minnesota northward; south in winter, rarely to Massachusetts, central New York, and northern Illinois. 401a. Alaskan Three-toed Woodpecker (P. a. fasdatus). Similar to No. 401, but white bars on back confluent forming a more or less continuous white patch. Range. — "Alaska Territory; casually? south through western British Columbia to northwestern Washington (vicinity of Mt. Baker); east irregularly to Great Bear Lake and the Mackenzie River Valley, Northwest Territory." (Bendire.) 40 I b. Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker (P. a. dorsa- lis). Similar to No. 401a, but larger. W. 5; bill narrower. Notes. A harsh, nasal cry; a sudden, sharp whip, whip, whip, (Mearns. ) Range. — "Rocky Mountain region from British Columbia and Idaho south into New Mexico." (A. O. U.) 405. Pileated Woodpecker (Ceophlaeus pileatus). L. 17. W. 8.9. Ad. rj\ Crown, crest, and streaks on sides of throat red; sides of neck and patch on wing white. Ad. 9. Forehead brownish, no red on sides of throat. Notes. A sonorous cow-cow-cow, repeated slow- ly many times and a wichew call when two birds meet; both suggesting calls of the Flicker. Range.— Southern United States north to South Carolina. 405a. Northern Pileated Woodpecker (C. p. abie- ticola). Similar to No. 405, but slightly larger, W. 9; T. 6.2. Range. — Locally distributed throughout more heavily wooded regions of North America, except in southern United States, north to Lat. 63 o . 149 Woodpeckers 3 93. Hairy Woodpecker {Dryobates villosus). L. 9; VV. 4.7 Outer tail-feathers white without terminal black marks. Ad. tf. Wing-coverts spotted, under- pays white; nape with a red band. Ad. $. Similar but nape band white. Notes. A sharp peek and a King- fisher-like rattle. Range. — Eastern United States from North Carolina to Canada. 393a. Northern Hairy Woodpecker {D. v. leucome- Us). Similar to No. 393, but larger; L. 10; W. 5.2. Range. — British America north to Alaska. 393b. Southern Hairy Woodpecker (D. v. audii- bonii). Similar to No. 393, but smaller; L. 8; W. 4.2. Range.— South Atlantic and Gulf States, north to South Carolina. 393c. Harris Woodpecker (D. v. barrisi). Simi- lar to No. 393, but wing-ccverts usually without white spots; underparts dirty, dusky, brownish. Range. — Pacific coast from northern California to British Colum- bia. 393d. Cabanis Woodpecker | D. v. hyloscopus). Similar to No. 393c, but whiter below. Range.— California, east to Arizona. 393e. Rocky Mountain Hairy Woodpecker ( D. v. monti'cola). Similar to No. 393c, but pure white below; larger, size of No. 393a. Range. — Rocky Mountain region from northern New Mexico north to British Columbia. 393f. Queen Charlotte Woodpecker (D. v picoideus) Similar to No. 393c, but middle of back barred and spotted with black; flanks streaked with black. (Osgood.) Range. — Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. 394. Southern Downy Woodpecker {Dryobates pubescens). L. 6; W. 3.5. Outer tail-feathers white with terminal black marks. Ad. <$. Nape-band red; smallest of group, underparts dingier than in No. 394c; white of less extent; wing-coverts spotted. Ad. \ . Similar but nape-band white. Notes. A sharp peek and a rattle similar to that of No. 393, but not so luud. Range. —South Carolina. Georgia, and Gulf States to Tex IS. 394a. Gairdner Woodpecker {D. p. gairdnerii). Similar to No. 394b, but underparts sooty gray; the darkest below of any form in the group. Range.— Pacific coast from northern California north to British Columbia. 394b. Batchelder Woodpecker (D. p. bomorus). Similar to No. 394c, but wing-coverts with few or no white spots, under tail-coverts without dusky ^streaks. Range. — "Rocky Mountain region of the United States." (A. O. U.) 394c. Northern Downy Woodpecker (D. p. mcdian- us). L. 6.5; W. 3.7. Similar to No. 394, but larger; whiter below; white markings of greater extent. Range. — Eastern North America south to South Carolina. 394d. Alaskan Downy Woodpecker (/). p. nelsoni). W. 4. Similar to No. 394c, but still larger and whiter; largest of the group. Range. — Alaska. 150 Woodpeckers 394e. Willow Woodpecker (D. p. turati). Simi lar to No. 304a, but smaller, W. 3.8. superciliary patch and underparts whiter; tertials always more or less spotted with white. (W. K. Fisher.) Rangs. — "California, except: desert ranges and eastern slope of Sierra Nevada, coast region north of Marin Co., and region north of upper end of Sacramento Valley." (W. K. Fisher.) 395. Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates bore- alts). L. 8.4. Sides of head and neck white bordered by black below. Ad. tf. A nearly concealed red tuft on either side of the hindhead. Ad. 9. Similar, but no red on head. Notes. A loud, hoarse, yank, yank. Range. Southern United States; west to e .stern Texas; north to Virginia and Arkansas. 396. Texan Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris bairdt). L. 7.5. Outer tail-feathers barred to their base; nasal tufts brownish. Ad. rf . All crown feathers tipped with red; back barred: below brownish white, spotted and streaked with black. Ad. $. Similar but top of head wholly black. Range. Northern Mexico, north to Texas boundary. New Mexico, southern Colorado, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, and south- eastern California. 396a. Saint Lucas Woodpecker (T>. s. lucasanus). Similar to No. 396, but outer tail-feather barred with black only on terminal half or less, except sometimes on inner web. (Ridgw.) Range. — Lower California, north, rarely to Colorado Desert, Cali- fornia. 397. Nuttall Woodpecker {Dryobates nuttallii). L. 7.5. Below white only slightly soiled; outer tail- feather barred only on end half. Ad. <~Z. Crown black streaked with white; nape red. Ad. ?. Similar but top of head entirely black, usually with a few white spots. Yug. Top_ of head dull red. Notes. A sharp quee-quee-quee-qnccp; a diminutive chittah. (Bail- ley.) Loud rattling notes. (Henshaw.) Range.— Northern Lower California, north locally, to southern Oregon. 398. Arizona Woodpecker {Dryobates ari{once). L. 8.2. Above brown, below spotted. Ad. • Throat with more or less green, belly and above more bronzy than in 9- Range. — Nlcaraugua. north in mountains to mountains of southeast- ern Arizona.and southwest New Mexico; winters south of United States. 429. Black-chinned Hummingbird [Trocbilus alex- andri). L. 3.5; W. 1.7. Ad. rj\ Chin and upper throat black, lower throat amethyst; tail forked, feathers pointed. Ad. $. Throat grayish white; chin buffy\ tail feathers more rounded, three outer ones tipped with white. Yng. cf. Similar to $, but throat with dusky spots. Range.— Western United States; breeds from San Antonio. Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California north to Montana and British Columbia; rare on Pacific coast north of southern California; winters south of United States. 430. Costa Hummingbird [Calypte costce). L. 3.1. No rusty in plumage. Ad. cf. Crown, throat and lengthened neck-feathers amethyst, back dull green. Ad. 9- Below grayish white; above grayish green; outer tail-feathers gray at base, then black and at tip white. Yng. cf. Similar to 9, but throat usually with some amethyst spots; tip of outer tail-feather grayish. Range. — Northwestern Mexico; breeds north throughout Lower California, to southern California, northern Nevada, southwestern Utah, and southwestern New Mexico; winters from Mexican border southward. 437. Lucifer Hummingbird (Calotborax lucifer.) L. 3.6; B. .8. Ad. rf. Throat purplish pink, feathers at its side much lengthened; tail feathers very narrow, the outer ones less than .05 in. wide on end half. Ad. 9. Below nearly 1. r if orm rust v buff, above bronzy green; tail-feathers white-tipped. Range.— "From western Texas and southern Arizona south to ihe city of Mexico and Puebla." (Bailey.) 440. Xantus Hummingbird {Basilinua xautusi)- L. 3.6. A white streak behind eye. Ad. rj\ Chin, forehead and cheeks black; throat green; tail rusty brown. Ad. 9- Below uniform rusty, above green; outer tail-feathers rusty brown. Range. — Lower California, noth to Lat. 290 ; most common in Cape Region. 159 A~*RfcEO Humminobirds 42 7. Blue-throated Hummingbird (Cxligena dem- entia). L. 5.2. A white stripe behind, and a smaller one before eye. Ad. <$. 1 hroat blue; belly grayish; back green; tail blue-black, outer feathers broadly- white tipped. Ad. 9- Similar but throat dusky gray. Range.- Southern Mexico north, in mountains to mountains of southwestern New Mexico and southern Arizona; winters south of United States. 438. Reiffer Hummingbird (Amaplis t^acatl). L. 4.1. Ads. Above, throat and breast shining green; belly grayish; tail square, rusty brown, narrowly mar- gined with coppery. Yng. Similar but more rusty above. Range.— Northern South America; north, rarely, to Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. 439. Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amaplis ceriini- ventris cbalconota). Similar to No. 438, but belly rusty gray, tail forked and broadly margined with coppery green. Range. — Central America, north, in spring, to Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. 440.1. White-eared Hummingbird (Basilwua leu- cotts). L. 3.7. A white line behind eye. Ad. rj\ Chin, forehead and cheeks blue, throat and breast green, tail blackish bronzy green. Ad. ?. Crown rusty, back bronzy green, below gray spotted with green; outer tail-feathers tipped with gray. Yng. cf . Similar. Range.— Nicaraugua north, in spring, through mountains to south- ern Arizona. 44 1. Broad-billed Hummingbird {Iache latirostris). L. 4. Ad. cj\ Above green; below darker; throat purplish blue; tail darker. Ad. 9- Below gray; outer tail-feathers green at base, then bluish black tipped with gray. Yng. rj\ Similar to Ad. $, but tail blue black with faint gray tips; throat with metallic green feathers. Range. — Southern Mexico; breeds north through mountains to southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. 428. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Trochilus col- ubris). L. 3.5; W. 1.5. Ad. <$. Throat ruby, chin blackish; tail forked, the feathers pointed. Ad. 9- Throat grayish, tail-feathers rounded, three outer ones tipped with white. Yng. rj\ Like 9 but throat with dusky spots. (See next page.) Range. - Eastern North America, west to about Long, too0 : breeds from Florida and eastern Mexico, north to Labrador and Hudson Bay region; winters from southern Florida to Central America. 160 Hummingbirds 431. Anna Hummingbird {C-lypte annce). L. 3.6. Ad. <$. Crown and throat glittering purplish pink; feathers at sides of throat much lengthened. Ad. 9- Above green; below grayish washed with green; throat usually with pink feathers; tail with a narrow white tip. Yng. Similar but browner above. Range. — Western United States, from northern Lower California north to northern California; east to southern Arizona; south In winter to Mexico; recorded from Guadalupe Island. 432. Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selaspborus platy- cercus), L. 4. Ad.rf. Outer primary very narrow, end sharp; crown green, throat pink; tail green above, purplish below without white tips. Ad. 9. Outer tail-feathers rusty at base, then black with a broad white tip; middle feathers entirely green; above bronzy green; throat feathers with dusky centers; sides rusty. Range. — Rocky Mountains: west, rarely to eastern California; north to southern Wyoming and Idaho; winters south of United States. 433. Rufous Hummingbird (Selaspborus ritfits), L. 3.6. Ad. c?\ Next to middle pair of tail-feathers notched near tip of inner web; back reddish brown some- times washed with green. Ad. 9- Sides rusty, back green, throat spotted with green and sometimes ruby, outer tail-feathers rusty at base, then black and a white tip, the feather more than .12 wide; middle tail- feathers green at base, end black. Vug. cf. Similar to 9 but all tail-feathers rusty at base. Range.— Western United States; breeds from the higher mountains of southern California and Arizona, north to Lat. 61 ° in Alaska; dur- ing migrations east to Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and western Texas; winters in southern Mexico. 434. Allen Hummingbird {Selaspborus alleni). L. 3.6. Ad. c? . Crown and back green, and tail rusty tipped with dusky, no notch in tail-feathers; in other respects like No. 433. Ad. 9 and Yng. cf. Like the same of No. 433, but outer tail-feather less than .12 in. wide. Range. Pacific coast, from Monterey, California, north to British Columbia; migrates south through Arizona, and southern California to Mexico. 435. Morcom Hummingbird (Attbis morcomi). L. 2.9. Ad. 9. Above bronzy green; middle tail- feathers bronzy green tinged with rusty on basal half; rest of tail-feathers rusty brown, then green, then black and tipped with white; below white, sides rusty, throat spotted with bronze-green. (Ridgw.) Male unknown. Range. - Huachuca Mountains, southern Arizona, (known from one specimen.) 43 6. Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope). L. 3. Ad.rf. Throat purplish pink, white at base showing through; above green. Ad. 9- Sides rusty, throat with green spots, above green, outer tail-feathers gray at base, then black, then white in nearly equal amounts. Yng. r^. Similar to 9- Range. — Mountains of western United States; breeds north to Montana. Idaho, and British Columbia; west to eastern Oregon and eastern California; winters south of United States; rare on Pacific coast of United States. 161 Order XVII. PERCHING BIRDS. PASSERES. Family 1. FLYCATCHERS. Tyrannida?. 32 species, 7 sub- species. Family 2. LARKS. Alaudid.e. 1 species, 13 subspecies. Family 3. CROWS AND JAYS. Corvida?. 21 species, 14 sub- species. Family 4. BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. Icterid.*:. 18 species, 14 subspecies. Family 5. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. Fringillida:. 87 species, 92 subspecies. Family 6. TANAGERS. Tanagrid.e. 4 species, 1 subspecies. Family 7. SWALLOWS. Hirundinidai. 9 species, 2 subspecies. Family 8. WAXWIXGS. Ampeud.e. 3 species. Family 9. SHRIKES. Laniid^e. 2 species, 3 subspecies. Family 10. VIREOS. Yireonid.e. 13 species, 10 subspecies. Family 11. WARBLERS. Mniotiltid.e. 55 species, 18 subspecies. Family 12. WAGTAILS. Motacillidaj. 3 species. Family 13. DIPPERS. Cinclida?. 1 species. Family 14. WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. Troglodytid.e. 26 species, 24 subspecies. Family 15. CREEPERS. Certhiid.e. 1 species, 4 subspecies. Family 16. NUTHATCHES AND TITS. Paridai. 21 species, 20 subspecies. Family 17. KINGLETS, GNATCATCHERS, ETC. Sylviid.e. 7 species, 3 subspecies. Family 18. THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. Turdid.e. 13 species, 14 subspecies. The North American members of the Order PASSERES are placed in two Suborders, the Clamatores, or so-called Songless Perching Birds, which includes all the Flycatchers, and the Suborder Oscinest or Sing- ing Perching Birds , which includes all our remaining Perching Birds. While the Flycatchers are therefore technically classed as songless birds, it does not follow that they have no songs. Sing they do, but because of the less developed condition of their voice-producing organ, they cannot give utterance to the longer and more musical songs of the Oscines, which are supplied with a better musical instrument. 162 Perching Birds. The Flycatchers, (Family Tyrannidtz) number somewhat over three hundred and fifty species, and are found only in America, where they are most abundant in the tropics. Feeding almost exclusively on insects, those species which visit the United States are of necessity migratory, not more than half a dozen of the thirty species which nest with us, remaining in the United States during the winter, and these are found only on our southern borders. Flycatchers as a rule, capture their prey on the wing. When perch- ing, their pose is usually erect and hawk-like. They often raise their crown feathers, which in many species are somewhat lengthened, a habit giving them a certain big-headed appearance. Flycatchers are most useful birds. The food of the Kingbird, for example, a species which is erroneously believed to destroy honey bees, has been found to consist of 90 per cent, insects, mostly injurious spe- cies, while only fourteen out of two hundred and eighty-one stomachs contained the remains of honey bees; forty of the fifty bees found be- ing drones. The true Larks, (Family Alaudidez) are chiefly Old World birds, the Skylark being the best known member of the Family. In America we have only the Horned or Shore Larks, one species of which shows so much climatic variation in color throughout its wide range, that no less than thirteen subspecies or geographical races of it are recognized in the United States. The Horned Lark is a bird of the plains and prairies and is less common in the Atlantic States than westward. Like the Skylark it sings in the air, but its vocal powers are limited and not to be com- pared with those of its famous relative. The Crows and Jays, (Family Corvidce) number about two hundred species of which some twenty-five inhabit the western hemisphere. To this family belong the Raven, Rook, Magpie and Jackdaw, all birds of marked intelligence; and our Crows and Jays are fully worthy of being classed with these widely known and distinguished members of their family. The Crows and Jays, by varying their food with the season, are rare- ly at loss for supplies of one kind or another and most species are repre- sented throughout their ranges at all times of the year. In the more northern parts of their homes, however, some of these birds are 163 Perching Birds. migratory, and Crows, as is well known, gather in great flocks during the winter, returning each night to a roost frequented, in some instances, by two or three hundred thousand Crows. While the Crows and Jays are technically 'Song Birds' their voices are far from musical. Nevertheless they possess much range of expression and several species learn to enunciate words with more or less ease. The Starlings, (Family Sturnidce) are Old World birds represented in America only by the European Starling which was introduced into Central Park, New York City, in 1890 and is now common in the sur- rounding country. The Blackbirds, Orioles, and Meadowlarks, (Family Icteridce) number about one hundred and fifty species and are found only in the New World. The Blackbirds are most numerous in North America, where, migrating in vast armies and often living in large colonies, they be- come among the most characteristic and conspicuous of our birds. The Orioles are most numerous in the tropics, where some thirty species are known. Apparently all of them are remarkable as nest builders, the large Cassiques, nearly related, great yellow and black birds, weaving pouches three and four feet long, several dozen of which, all occupied, may be seen swinging from the branches of a single tree. The Finches, Sparrows, Grosbeaks, etc., (Family Fringillidce) number nearly six hundred species, a greater number than is contained in any other family of birds. They are distributed throughout the world, except in the Australian region, some ninety odd species inhabiting North America. Varying widely in color, the Fringillidae all agree in possessing stout, conical bills, which are of service to them in crushing the seeds on which they feed so largely. The streaked, brownish Sparrows, often so difficult of identification, are usually inhabitants of plains, fields, or marshes, where they are rendered inconspicuous by their dull colors. The more gayly attired Grosbeaks, Buntings, Cardinals, etc., frequent trees or bushy growths, where their plumage either harmonizes with their surroundings or where they have the protection afforded by the vegetation. Most of the members of this family are good singers, some of them 164 Perching Birds. indeed being noted for their powers of song. They are less migratory than insect-eating birds and some species are with us at all seasons. Their abundance, musical gifts, and constant presence render them, from the field student's point of view, highly important members of the great class Aves. From an economic standpoint the Fringillidae are no less deserving of our esteem. Some species are of incalcuable value as destroyers of the seeds of noxious weeds. Fifteen hundred seeds have been found in the stomach of one Snowflake or Snowbunting, and it has been estimated by Professor Beal, of the Biological Survey of the United States Department of Agriculture, that during the winter season, in the single State of Iowa, where his studies were made, Tree Sparrows devour no less than 875 tons of weed seeds, chiefly of the ragweed. The Tanagers, (Family Tanagridce) are found only in the New World, where they are most numerously represented in the tropics. As a family they are remarkable for the brilliancy of their colors; the common, but mistaken idea that most tropical birds are brightly clad being in no small part due to the abundance of Tanagers and beauty of their plumage. Only five of the some three hundred and fifty known species reach the United States and these are migratory, coming to us in the spring and returning to the tropics in the fall. Tanagers, as a rule, are not possessed of much vocal ability, our species ranking high in their fam- ily as songsters, the notes of many species being far less musical. Like most gaily costumed birds the plumages of many Tanagers un- dergo striking changes in color with age and season. The male of our Scarlet Tanager, for example, is olive-green with black wing-coverts during his first winter, the scarlet plumage not being acquired until the following spring. It is worn, however, only during the nesting season after which the less conspicuous olive-green dress is again acquired, the wings and tail, however, remaining black. Swallows, (Family Hirundinidce) are of world-wide distribution, and as might be expected in birds possessing such remarkable powers of flight, many of the species have unusually extended ranges. Our Barn Swallow, for example, is found throughout North America in summer, and in the winter it migrates as far south as southern Brazil. Birds of the air, the aerial habits of Swallows are reflected in their 165 Perching Birds. long wings and small, weak feet; while their small bills and broad, widely opening mouths indicate their manner of feeding. In spite of their poor equipment of tools, Swallows take high rank as nest builders, and it is interesting to observe that although the birds are structurally much alike, their nests often differ widely in character. Compare for instance, the mud-made dwellings of the Barn and Cliff Swallows with the tunneled hole of the Bank Swallow and one realizes how little the character of a bird's home may depend on the structure of it's builder. The food of Swallows, remarks Professor Beal, "consists of many small species of beetles which are much on the wing, many species of diptera (mosquitoes and their allies), with large quantities of flying ants and a few insects of similar kinds. Most of them are either inju- rious or annoying, and the numbers destroyed by Swallows are not only beyond calculation, but almost beyond imagination." The true Waxwings, (Family A mpelidcz) number only three species with representatives in the northern parts of both hemispheres. Their notes, as a rule are limited to a few unmusical calls, which, with our Cedar Waxwing, are usually uttered when the bird is about to fly. Waxwings are found in small flocks during the greater part of the year and roam about the country as though they were quite as much at home in one place as in another, provided food be plenty. Small fruits, chiefly wild ones, constitute their usual fare, but they also feed on insects, the injurious elm beetle being among their victims. The Shrikes, (Family Laniida) are represented in America by only ♦wo species, the remaining two hundred or more members of this family being found in the Old World. Shrikes are noted for their singular habit of impaling their prey on thorns or similarly sharp-pointed growths, or occasionally they may hang it in the crotch of a limb. This proceed- ing enables them to tear it to pieces more readily, for it will he observ- ed that while Shrikes have a hawk-like bill, their feet are comparatively weak and sparrow-like and evidently of no assistance to them in dis- secting their food. Our Northern Shrike, or Butcherbird, feeds chiefly on small birds, and mice, while the southern species, or Loggerhead, is a great de- stroyer of grasshoppers and he also eats lizards and small snakes. The Vireos, (Family Vireonidce) number fifty species, all American. 166 Perching Birds. They search the foliage carefully for leaf-eating insects and their eggs, and examine the crevices in the bark for eggs of the injurious wood-boring insects. They are therefore unusually beneficial birds. Bearing a general resemblance in size and color to many of the Warblers, Vireos are sometimes confused with members of that family. They are, however, as a rule, more deliberate in their motions and not such active flutterers as are many of the Warblers. They are also more musical, all the Vireos having characteristic songs, which if not always highly musical, are generally noticeable, pronounced and unmis- takable. The nests of all our Vireos are pendant, deeply cup-shaped struct- ures usually hung between the forks of a crotch, to the arms of which they are most skilfully woven. The Warblers, (Family Mtiiotiltidce) like the Vireos are distinctly American birds, indeed they may be called characteristic North Amer- ican birds since most of the one hundred odd species are found north of Mexico. Between thirty and forty species of these active, beautiful little creatures may be found in the course of a year at a single local- ity in the Eastern States and they therefore constitute an exceedingly important element in our bird-life. Most of them come in May at the height of the spring migration, when the woods often swarm with them as they flit from limb to limb in pursuit of their insect food. The larg- er number of them pass onward to their northern homes and in Sep- tember they return to us in increased numbers. The beauty of their plumage, the briefness but regularity of their visits, the rarity of certain species, combine to make the Warblers es- pecially attractive to the field student and their charms are heightened by the difficulty with which many of them are identified. Study them as we may there are still species which have escaped us. By far the larger number of Warblers may be described as flutterers that feed agilely about the terminal branches, (genera Dendroica and Hehninthophila); others are true flycatchers, so far as feeding habit is concerned, (genera Setophaga and Wilsonia,) while others still feed in the undergrowth or on the ground, (genera Geothlypis and Seiurus). Insects constitute almost their entire fare and they are among our most beneficial birds. Most of the Wagtails (Family Motacillidce) , are inhabitants of the 167 Perching Birds. Old World, only three of the sixty odd species being found in this country. Our Pipit or Titlark is our best known, most widely distrib- uted species. Like other members of its family it has the habit of wagging or tip- ping its tail both when walking (for it should be noted that these birds are ground-inhabiting and walkers) and at rest. The Dippers (Family Cinclidce) though numbering only twelve species are distributed throughout the larger part of the world from the Andes of South America to the mountains of Alaska, Europe, Asia and Africa. Everywhere they are haunters of streams, usually dashing mountain torrents, over and under which they seem equally at home. Darting into the rushing waters they fly beneath the surface or feed on the bottom with perfect ease, their thick, dense plumage evidently forming a waterproof covering. Their nests are great balls of moss often placed so near some boiling cascade as to receive frequent showers of spray. The opening, however, is at the side, and the eggs and young are well protected by an effective roof. The Wrens, Thrashers, and Mockingbirds, (Family Troglody tides) form two well defined subfamilies. The Wrens, (Subfamily Troglody- tintz) number about one hundred and fifty species all but a dozen of which are confined to America. The Thrashers and Mockingbirds, (Subfamily Miminez) number some fifty species, all of which are con- fined to America. As their dull, neutral colors would lead us to suppose, both Wrens and Thrashers are inhabitants of the lower growth rather than of the tree-tops, and while they may seek an elevated perch whence to deliver their song, their food is secured and their time consequently largely passed near or on the ground. Few families of birds contain so many noted musicians, nearly every member of this family being a singer of more than usual ability. The Creepers, (Family Certhiidtz) number twelve species, only one of which is found in America. This, however has a wide range and, presenting more or less climatic variation in color, is recognized under several subspecific names. Its habits, nevertheless, are much the same everywhere. It climbs the trees of the mountains of Mexico or of California with the same ceaseless energy it shows in Maine. The sharply-pointed, stiffened tail-feathers of the Creeper are of evident use to it as it ascends trees and pauses here and there to pick 168 Perching Birds. out an insect's egg from the bark. The same type of tail feather is shown by Woodpeckers, an excellent illustration of similar structure accompanying similar habits in birds not at all closely related. The Nuthatches and Titmice, ( Family Paride?), like the Wrens and Thrashers, belong in two well marked Subfamilies; The Nuthatches, (Subfamily Sittinte) number about twenty species, only four of which inhabit America; the Titmice, (Subfamily Parincz) number some seven- ty-five species, of which thirteen are American. Nuthatches are tree-creepers, but climbing up or down with equal ease, their tail is not employed as a prop, and consequently shows no special development of pointed or stiffened feathers. Their toes, however, are long, and their nails large and strong, evidently giving them a firm grip on the bark of trees. The Chickadees are generally resident birds and, as a rule, whatever species we find in a given locality are apt to be there throughout the year. We therefore become better acquainted with some of these birds than with others which are with us only a short season. This is especially true of our eastern Black-capped Chickadee, which comes familiarly about our homes in winter to partake of the feast of nuts and suet which we spread for him at that season. Feeding largely on the eggs or larvae of insects particularly injurious; to trees, the Nuthatches and Titmice are of great value to man. The Kinglets, Gnatcatchers, and Old World Warblers, (Family Syl~ viidce) number about one hundred and twenty-five species, which are divided among the following well-defined subfamilies: The Kinglets, (Subfamily Reguli?icen will not be confused with other species. The Gnatcatchers, like the Kinglets, are architects of more than usual ability, building a nest beautifully covered with lichens. 169 Perching Birds. The Thrushes, (Family Turd idee) are variously classified by different ornithologists, but under the ruling of the American Ornithologists' Union they are grouped in the same family with the Bluebird, Solitaires, and Stonechats. This family numbers about three hundred species, of which about one-half are true Thrushes (Subfamily 7 urdince) . The members of this subfamily are, as a rule, fine singers, many of them being among the best known song birds, and from a musical point of view the group, as a whole, is usually given the first place among birds. If, however, all the fifteen known species of Solitaires sing as well as the four species it has been my privilege to hear, I am assured that no one would dispute their claim to the highest rank which can be awarded singing birds. In the succeeding pages, the five hundred and fifty odd species and subspecies included in the preceeding families of the Order Passeres are grouped according to some obvious color character in order to facilitate their identification in life. A satisfactory arrangement of this kind is out of the question. Lines sharply separating the groups pro- posed do not exist and some species appear to fit in one section as well as in another. Nevertheless, it is hoped that in most instances, the system will be found to serve the purpose intended. Under its ruling our Perching Birds are grouped as follows: 1. With red markings. 2. With blue markings. 3. With orange or yellow markings. 4. With reddish brown or chestnut markings, chiefly in the form of patches or uniformly colored areas. 5. Brownish, generally streaked birds. 6. Dull, inconspicuously colored birds, without prominent markings. 7. Gray, black, or black and white birds. While the first object of the bird student is to learn to name birds I would again urge him to acquaint himself with at least the arrange- ment of the Orders and Families of our birds and their leading struct- ural characters, (see page 2.) Having identified a bird, its family may always be determined by re- ferring to its number in the systematic list of birds at the end of the book; and the more important characters of its Order and Family will be found in the synopsis of Orders and Families beginning on page 9. 170 Perching Birds Marked With Red 607. Louisana Tanager (Tiranga ludoviciana) . L. 7.5. Ad. (j\ Yellow; back, wings, and tail black, head more or less red. Ad. $. Above olive-green, head rarely red-tinged; below dusky greenish yellow; wings and tail brownish edged with greenish, two yellowish white wing-bars. Yng. cf. kike V, but head and rump greener, underparts yellower. Notes. Call, clit- tuck; song, resembles that of No. 608. Range. — Western United States from the Plains to the Pacific; breeds from Arizona to British Columbia; winters in Mexico and Cen- tral America. 608. Scarlet Tanagerr/Yra//^? erj/thromelas) . L. 7.4. Ad. c?. Scarlet; wings and tail black. Ad. $ Olive-green, yellower below, wings and tail blackish brown, no wing-bars. Yng. cT. Like ?, but brighter wing-coverts black. Ad. $, Winter. Like Yng. 6, but wings and tail black. Notes. Call, chip-churr; song, a rather forced whistle, suggesting a Robin's song, but less musical, Look-up, way-up, look-at-me, tree-top; re- peated with pauses. Range. — Eastern United States, west to the Plains; breeds from Virginia and scuthern Illinois north to New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters in Central and South America. 609. Hepatic Tanager (Piranga hepatica). L. 7.8. Bill large. Ad. <$ Vermilion, back grayish; tail dull red. Ad. $, No wing-bars; above grayish olive; crown and tail greener; below dusky yellow. Yng. cf. Like 9 and variously intermediate between it and ad. rj\ Notes. Call, clut-tuck; song, like that of No. 608, but somewhat more robin-like. Range.— From Guatemala north in spring to New Mexico and Ari- zona; winters in Mexico and Central America. 6 10. Summer Tanager {Piranga rubra). L. 7.5; W. 3.8. Ad. J\ Rosy red. Ad. ?. Olive-yellow above, dusky saffron below. Yng. cj]. Variously in- termediate between Ad. <$ and V- Notes. Call, ehiekv-luckv-titck; song, resembles in form that of No. 608 but is more musical and less forced. Range. Eastern United States, west to the Plains; breeds from Florida and western Texas north to southern New Jersey, southern Illinois, and Kansas; winters in Central and South America. 610a. Cooper Tanager (P. r, cooperi). Similar to No. 610, but larger; W. 4; bill more swollen, colors paler. Range. "Breeds from southwestern Texas to the Colorado Valley. California, and from Arizona and New Mexico to northwestern Mexico; south in winter to western Mexico; casually to Colorado," :M ym <6\0. 171 11 Perching Birds Marked With Red 594. 593. Cardinal {Cardinalis cardinalis). L. 9; W. 3.7; T. 4.1. Ad. but with head and rump reddish. Notes, Song, sweet; in winter strong and cheery; in spring tender and plaintive. (Chamberlain. ) Range.— Northeastern North America; breeds from New Brunswick and northern New England northward: winters south, irregularly, to southern New England, Ohio, and Manitoba, and casually to District of Columbia and Kansas. 5 I 5a. Rocky Mountain Pine Grosbeak (P. e. mon- Una). Similar to No. 515b, but decidedly larger, W. 4.8, and coloration slightly darker; the adult male with the red of a darker, more carmine hue. (Ridgw.) Range.— "Rocky Mountains of United States, from Montana and Idaho to New Mexico." (Ridgway.) 5 15b. California Pine Grosbeak {P. e. californica). Similar to No. 515, but cf with red much brighter; feathers of back plain ashy gray without darker centers; 9 with little if any greenish on rump. Range. — Higher parts of "Central Sierra Nevada, north to Placer County and south to Fresno County, California " (Grinnell.) 5 1 5c. Alaskan Pine Grosbeak (P. e. alascensis). Similar to No. 515, but decidedly larger with smaller or shorter bill and paler coloration, both sexes having the gray parts of the plumage distinctly lighter, more ashy. (Ridgw.) Range. "Northwestern North America except Pacific coast, breed- ing in interior of Alaska; south, in winter, to eastern British Colum- bia, Montana (Bitterroot Valley) , etc." (Ridgway.) 5l5d. Kadiak Pine Grosbeak (P. e. flammula). Similar to No. 515, but with much larger, relatively longer and more strongly hooked bill; wings and tail grayish brown instead of dull blackish. Range. — "Kadiak Island and south on the coast to Sitka, Alaska.'' (Ridgway.) 521. American Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra minor}. L.6.i;W. 3.4; B. .66. Tips of mandibles crossed. Ad. rj\ Red, more or less suffused with greenish or yellow. Ad. 9. Olive-green, rump and underparts yellower. Yng. Resemble Ad. 9- Notes. Calls, when feeding, a conversational twittering; louder and more pronounced when flying; song, sweet, varied and musical, but of small volume. Range.— Northern North America, chiefly eastward; breeds from northern New England (in Alleghenies from Georgia) north and west to Alaska; winters south irregularly to Virginia and Nevada; casually to South Carolina and Louisiana. 521a Mexican Crossbill (L. c. stricklandi). Simi- lar to No. 521, but larger; W. 4; B. .78. Range. — "Mountains of Wyoming and Colorado, west to the Sierra Nevada, and south through New Mexico, Arizona and the tablelands of Mexico to Guatemala." (A. O. U.) 173 Perching- Birds Marked With Red 522. White-winged Crossbill (Loxij l-ucoptira). L. 6. Tips of mandibles crossed. Ad. <$. Rose- pink; middle of back black; wings with two white bars. Ad. 9« Olive-green and dusky; rump and under- pays yellower; wings with two white bars. Yng. Like Ad. $. Notes. Resemble those of Nj. 521. Range. — Northern North America; breeds from northern New England, northern New York and northern Michigan northward; winters south irregularly to Virginia, Illinois, British Columbia, and Nevada. SZZ. 5 95. Rose-breasted Grosbeak iZamdodia ludovicia- na). L. 8. Ad. q7'. Black; rump, belly, tips of inner vanes of outer tail-feathers and patch in wing white; under wing-coverts and breast rose. Ad. $. Under wing-coverts saffron; above streaked brown and black; below whitish streaked with blackish; a white line over eye; two white wing-bars. Yng. rf. Resem- bles $, but under wing-coverts rose; breast more or less rose-tinged. Notes. Call, a sharp, steely peek; song, a rich, fluent, joyous carol. Range. — Eastern United States, west to the Plains; breeds from northern New Jersey, northern Ohio, and northern Indiana (and south in Alleghanies to North Carolina) , north to Nova Scotia and Manitoba; winters in Central and bouth America. 5 17. Purple Finch iCarpodacus purputt its). L. 6.2; W. 3.2. Bill swollen and rounded; nostrils large, partially covered by projecting, grayish, bristly feath- ers; tail slightly forked. Ad. rf. Dull rose, head and rump brightest; back brownish; lower belly white. Ad. 9. Above grayish brown, slightly edged with whitish and brownish ashy; below white streaked with dark brownish; a more or less distinct whitish stripe over the eye. Yng. Resemble Ad. 9- Notes. Call, creak, creak, and a querulous whistle; song, a sweet, rapidly flowing warble. (Seepage 175.) Range. Eastern North America, west to the Plains; breeds from northern New Jersey, the mountains of Pennsylvania, and northern Illinois northward; winters from the northern States to the Gulf of Mexico. 5 17a. California Purple Finch (C. p. californicus). Similar to No. 517, but c? duller and darker; V decided- ly olive greenish above. (See page 175.) Range. — Pacific coast region; breeds in the mountains of Califor nla; west of the Sierra north to British Columbia; winters from cen- tral Oregon to southern Arizona. 174 Perching Birds Marked "With Red 5 18. Cassin Purple Finch {Carpodacus cassini) . L. 65. Ad. cf. Similar to Ad. tf of No. 5'7 and No. 5-i 7a, but back much blacker, streaks more sharply defined; crown as bright but appearing like a cap; be- low much paler. Ad. ?. Similar to Ad ? of No. 517a but larger and more sharply streaked with black, both above and below. Notes. Resemble those or No. 517. Ranee -Western United States, east to the eastern base of the Rockies, west to the Pacific; breeds in the mountains from New Mexico north to British Columbia. 5 19. House Finch [Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis) . L. 6.1; W. 3.1. Ad. cf\ Throat, breast, fore/wad, line over' eye, and rump, bright rose-red; back grayish brown tinged with red; belly white, streaked with brownish. Ad. ?. Above brownish gray obscurel> streaked with brownish, no olive tint; below white streaked with brownish. Ad. rj' in Winter. Red areas dull purplish pink tipped with grayish. Yng. Resemble Ad. ?. Notes. Call, nasal, in chorus, chattering; song, a musical cheery, varied warble, re- minding one of that of No. 517, but recognizably diff- erent. Range— Western United States, east to the Plains, west to the Pacific, and from northern Mexico north to southern Wyoming and Oregon. 5 19b. St. Lucas House Finch (C. m. ruberrimus). Similar to No. 519, but smaller, W. 2.8; red more ex- tended, always showing in males on under tail-coverts. Range, — Southern Lower California. 5 I 9c. San Clemente House Finch (C. m. dementis) Similar to No. 519, but wing and tail averaging short- er, the bill decidedly, and feet slightly larger; colora- tion somewhat darker. W. 3; B. .48. (Ridgw.) Range. — Santa Barbara Island, California; Todos Santos Island, Lower California. 520. Guadalupe House Finch {Carpodacus ampins). Similar to No. 519, but red deeper; back dark brown without red suffusion. Range. — Guadalupe Island, Lower California. 520.1 San Benito House Finch (Carpodacus mc- gregori). Similar to No. 519, but much larger with relatively shorter wings and tail; above much grayer and more distinctly streaked; red areas paler, more flesh-colored, often dull yellow; W. 3.7.; T. 2.5; B. .5. (Ridgw.) Range. — San Benito Island, Lower California. 175 Perching Eirds Marked With Red ^ 527. Greenland Redpoll (Acanthis hornemannii). L. 6.1; W. 3.3. A red crown-patch. Ad. cf. Rump, lower breast, sides and belly white, generally unstreaked\ breast and rump sometimes faintly tinged with pink. In winter. Throat, breast, and above washed with buff. Ad. $. Similar to o71. but no pink on breast or rump, sides sometimes lightly streaked. Range. — Breeds in Greenland; winters south to Labrador. 527a. Hoary Redpoll (A. h. exilipes). Similar to No. 527 but smaller and darker; rump still white, but with sides more apt to be streaked; L. 5; W. 3; T. 2.3; B. .3. Range.— Breeds in Arctic regions; in America, winters south irreg- ularly to Massachusetts, Ontario, northern Illinois, and Michigan. 528. Redpoll {Acanthis linaria). L. 5.3; W. 2.8; T. 2.3. B. .36. Crown-cap red. Ad. <$. Above blackish brown edged with yellowish brown and some whitish; rump heavily streaked with blackish edged with whitish and tinged with rose; breast rose; sides heavily streaked. Ad. 9- Similar, but no pink on rump or breast. Yng. rj\ Like female. Notes. Call like that of Goldfinch or Siskin and chit\ song like that of American Goldfinch but distinct. (Minot.) Range. — Breeds in northern parts of northern hemisphere; In Amer- ica, winters south to northern United States, irregularly to Virginia, Alabama, Kansas, Colorado, and northern California. 528a. Holbcell Redpoll (A. I. holboellit). Similar to No. 528, but larger, the bill longer; W. 3.2; T. 2.3; B. .38. Range. — Breeds in northern parts of northern hemisphere; In Amer- ica, winters south, casually to northern United States, (Quebec, On- tario, and Massachusetts.) 528b. Greater Redpoll {A. I. rostrata). Similar to No. 528, but larger, above darker; L. 5.5; W. 3.2; T. 2.5; B. .35; depth at base, .28. Range. — "Southern Greenland in summer, migrating south In winter, through Labrador to (sparingly) the northern border of the United States, (New England, lower Hudson Valley, northern Illinois, etc.) , and west to Manitoba." (Ridgway.) 749. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula). L. 4.4. A conspicuous whitish eye-ring. Ad. o71. A more or less concealed vermilion crown-patch; back olive-green; underparts soiled whitish more or less tinged with buffy; two white wing-bars. Ad. $ and Yng. Similar, but no crown-patch. Notes. Call, a wren-like ~ack\ song, a surprisingly loud, rich, musical, varied, flute-like whistle. Range.— North America; breeds from the northern border of the United States northw.ird an.l south In the Rocky Mountains to Arizo- na and on the Sierra Nevada of California; winters from South Car- olina and Oregon southward to Central America. 749a. Sitkan Kinglet ( R. c. grinnelli). Similar to No. 749, but more olive-green above, more buffy below. Range.— Pacific coast; breeds in southern Alaska; winters south- ward to California. 176 Perching Birds Marked With Red 750. Dusky Kinglet (Regulus obscurus). Similar to No. 749, but above sooty olive. Ad. tf. With crown- patch pinkish or purplish vermilion-red. (Ridgw.) (See page 176.) Range. — Guadalupe Island, Lower California. — European Goldfinch (Cardnelis carduelis) , L. 5.50. Feathers at base of bill red; crown and neck-stripe black; back brownish; wings with a yellow band; inner webs of tail-feathers tipped with white; below white tinged with brownish. Notes. Call, twit] song, 'sweet and varied." (See page 176.) Range. — Introduced In this country near Hoboken, N. J., in 1878; now not uncommon near New York City. 443. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Muscivora forfica- tta). L. 14.5. Ad. lateau north to southwest New Mexico and Arizona , 690. Red-faced Warbler (Cardellina rubrifrons). L. 5.2. Ads. Forehead, face, throat and sides of neck- red, crown and ear-coverts black, nape band and rump whitish; back gray; no white in wings or tail. Notes. A prolonged, very clear, whistled song. (Scott.) Range. — From Guatemala north over the Mexican Plateau to south- ern Arizona and western New Mexico. 177 Perching Birds Marked With Red 498. Red-winged Blackbird {Agelaius phceniceus). L. d\ 9-5; W. 4.7; B. .88; depth at base, .5. Ad. $. Black, in winter more or less tipped with rusty; lesser wing-coverts scarlet; median wing-coverts buff, tips in summer whitish. Ad. 9- Above brownish black, widely margined with buffy and rusty; below whitish heavily streaked with black; throat tinged with orange or yellow; lesser wing-coverts tinged with red. Yng. cf. Similar to Ad. rj\ but heavily margined with rusty above and less so below; lesser wing-coverts duller and narrowly edged with black. Notes. Call, chM, chink, a reedy each; song, a chorus song, a liquid kong-quOr-rei', alarm note a shrill cbee-e-e-e-e. The notes of this species are subject to much variation with locality, but 1 find it impossible to express on paper differences perfectly apparent when heard. Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from Gulf of Mexico north to New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters from Virginia and southern Illinois southward. 498a. Sonoran Red-wing {A. p. sonoriensis). Sim- ilar to No. 498, but larger, bill more slender; 9 paler, streaking below browner. W. 9> 4-8; B .95; depth at base .5. Range.— Lower Colorado Valley In California and Arizona, southern Arizona and south over coast plain of Sonora; Cape St. Lucas. 498b. Bahaman Red-wing {A. p. bryanti). Simi- lar to No. 498, but bill slightly longer, the female streaked below with b.ownish instead of black. Range. — Bahamas and southern Florida. 498c. Florida Red-wing {A. p. floridanus). Simi- lar to No. 498, but smaller, the bill longer and more slender; rf, W. 4 2; B. .9; depth at base .4. Range. — Florida, except extreme southern portion; west along Gulf coast to Texas. 498d. Thick-billed Red-wing (A. p. fortts). Simi- lar to No. 498, but larger, bill shorter and proportion- ately thicker. W. 5; B. .8; depth at base .5. Range. — Breeds on Mackenzie River, Athabasca, and other Interior districts of British America; during migrations Great Plains, from Rockies to Minnesota, Iowa, western Illinois, northern Kentucky, and southwest to western Texas a id Arizona. (Ridgway.) 498e. San Diego Red-wing {A. p. neutralis). Sim- ilar to No. 498a, bat slightly smaller, the 9 with streaks below wider. W. 4.7; B. .95; depth at base .5. Range.— Great Basin region from southern British Columbia south to Mexico, western Texas, to southern California and northern Lower California; in winter as far east as Brownsville, Texas. (Ridgway.) 498f. Northwestern Red-wing (A. p. caiirinum). Similar to No. 498, but slightly larger, bill somewhat longer and more slender, the rj: with median wing- coverts deeper buff, the 9 much darker, streaks be- low wider, darkest 9 of group. W. 4.8; B. .9; depth at base .45. Range. — Pacific coast from northern California to British Columbia; south in winter to southern California. 178 Perching Birds Marked With Red 499. Bicolored Blackbird (Agelaius gubernator californicus). Ad. rf. Similar to No. 498, but median wing-coverts darker and broadly tipped with black, concealing as a rule, their brownish bases. Ad. $. Very different from 9 of No. 498; above and below blackish slightly edged with rusty. Notes. Similar in character to those of No. 498, but with easily recogniz- able differences. (See page 178.) Range. —Pacific coast; breeds from northern Lower California northward, west of Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges, to Washing- ton; migratory at north part of range. 500. Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor). Ad. cf . Similar to No. 498, but glossier, lesser wing- coverts darker, median wing-coverts white; in winter black more or less edged with grayish brown; median wing-coverts dingy. Ad. 9. No rusty; above black- ish edged with grayish; below black bordered with whitish. Notes. "Said to be quite different" from those of No. 498. (Bendire.) (See page 178.) Range.— Northern Lower California north to southern Oregon; local in valleys of interior. 5 23. Aleutian Leucosticte (Leucosticte gnseonucha) •, Like No. 524a, but much darker, breast chestnut- chocolate; larger, W. 4-4. Range.— Islands of Bering Sea (resident); in winter. Shumagin Islands, lower portion of Alaska Peninsula and Kadiak Island. 524. Gray-crowned Leucosticte (Leucosticte tephro- cotis). L. 6.7; W. 4.1. Ad. cf. Reddish brown more or less tipped with grayish; rump, upper tail- coverts, lesser wing-coverts, outer edges of primaries, and lower belly tipped with pink; forecrown black; hindhead gray; cheeks down to blackish throat brown. Ad. 9 . Similar but duller. Yng. Nearly uniform brownish; margins of primaries showing some pink. Notes. A quick alarm note, qui, qui. (Silloway.) Range. — Western LInited States; breeds in higher parts of Sierra Nevada of California, from Mt. Shasta south to Mt. Whitney, and on White Mountains (Grinnell) ; north in Rocky Mountains to British Columbia; in winter east to Manitoba, Colorado, and NebraSKa. 524a. Hepburn Leucosticte ( L. t. littoralis). Sim- ilar to No. 524, but cheeks gray like hindhead; throat often grayish. Range. — Higher mountains of Washington and British Columbia; north to Alaska; winters south to Colorado and, on Pacific Coast, as far north as Kadiak Island. 525. Black Leucosticte {Leucosticte atrata). Simi- lar to No. 524, but brown replaced by brownish black in Ad. rf, or dusky slate brownish in Ad. 9 and Yng. Range. — Breeds on higher mountains of Idaho and Wyoming; winters south to Colorado and Utah. 526. Brown-capped Leucosticte [Leucosticte aus- tralis). Resembles No. 524, but little or no gray on hindhead, the black of fo.ehead passing gradually into brown of nape and back. Range.— Breeds in mountains of Colorado at about 12000 feet alti- tude, winters at lower altitudes and south to New Mexico. 179 Perching Birds Marked With Blue 599. Lazuli Bunting (Oyanospi^a amcena). L. 5.5. Ad. cf. Two white wing-bars; breast cinnamon, throat and upperparts light blue; back blacker. In winter more or less tipped w'th rusty. Ad. $. Middle wing-coverts tipped with whitish', above grayish brown with generally a blue tinge, strongest on rump and leaser wing-coverts; below whitish, breast buff. Yng. Like 9 , but browner, no blue. Notes. Suggest those of the Indigo Bunting. Range.— Western United States, east to western Kansas; breeds north to Montana and British Columbia; winters in Mexico. 600. Varied Bunting [Cyanospi^a -versicolor}. L. 5.5. Ad. <$. Reddish purple, crown and rump blue, nape red. Ad. 9- Above brownish gray; below whitish washed with buff; a slight tinge of blue on rump, wings and tail. Much like 9 of No. 598, but less brown above and no streaks below. Yng. Re- semble 9- Range.— Mexico; breeding north to southern Texas and southern Arizona; winters south of United States. 600a. Beautiful Bunting (C. v. pulchra). Similar to No. 600, but slightly smaller, rump more purple, throat with less red. Range. — Southern Lower California. 601. Painted Bunting; Nonpareil (Cyanospi^a arts). L. 5.4. Ad. rth to Labrador and Hudson Bay region; winters in Central and South America. 654a. Cairns Warbler (D. c. cairnst). Similar to No. 654, but c? darker, the back with more or less black; V darker and duller. Range. — Breeds In higher portions of southern Alleghenles; winters south of United States. 180 Perching Birds Marked With Blue 658. Cerulean Warmer {Dendroica cerulea). L. 5. Ad. cf. A gray-blue breast band; above bright gray- blue streaked with black; wing-bars and spots in tail white. Ad. 9 and Yng. c?. Above blue-gray washed with greenish, below yellowish white; a whitish line over eye. Notes. Call, a warbler lisp and tchip of the Myrtle Warbler; song resembling that of Parula Warbler. (Brewster.) (See page 180.) Range. — Mississippi Valley, breeding north to Minnesota and east to Cayuga County, New York, Maryland, and West Virginia; gener- ally rare east of Alleghanies; migrates south through Texas and winters in Central and South America. 597. Blue Grosbeak {Guiraca ccerulea). L. 7; W. 3.4. Ad. fj\ Deep, dark blue, back blacker and sometimes with brownish edgings; lesser wing-coverts broadly, greater wing-coverts narrowly tipped with chestnut. In winter more or less tipped with brown- ish above and below. Ad. 9- Above grayish brown, deepest on head; below grayish white washed with buffy; wing-bars buff. Some specimens show more or less blue, particularly about head. Yng. tf. Like 9, but browner. Notes. Call, a strong, harsh, ptchick; song, a beautiful but feeble warble, somewhat like that of Purple Finch and with a slight resemblance to that of Rose-breasted Grosbeak. (Ridgw-) Range. — Eastern United States; breeds from the Gulf north to Maryland and southern Illinois; winters south of United States into Mexico and Central America; casually north as far as Maine and Quebec. 597a. Western Blue Grosbeak (G. c. lunula). Sim- ilar to No. 597, but larger, W. 3.6. male brighter blue; back blacker; tips of wing-coverts paler, those of greater coverts usually decidedly paler than those of lesser coverts and averaging wider than those of No. 597. Female averaging paler, less brown. Range. — Western United States; breeds from Mexico north to Kansas, southern Nebraska, Colorado, and northern California; winters in Mexico and Central America. 598. Indigo Bunting {Cyanospi^a cvanea) . L. 5.4. No white wing-bars. Ad. tf. Deep blue, darkest on head. In winter brown, paler below, more or less mixed with blue. Ad. 9- Above brown; below whitish washed with brown with a suggestion of streaks; lesser wing-coverts and margins of tail-feathers usually tinged with blue. Yng. Similar to 9 but below more streaked; browner, and generally without blue tinge. Notes. Call, a sharp/)//; song, a tinkling, unsympa- thetic, rapid warble, July, July, summer-summer' s here) morning, noontide, evening, list to me. Range. — Eastern United States, west to the Plains, casually to Col- orado; breeds north to Nova Scotia and Manitoba; winters in Central America. 181 Perching Birds Marked With Blue 766. Bluebird (Sialia sialis) . L. 7. Ad.tf. Above, including wings and tail, bright blue; throat and breast rusty brown, belly whitish. Ad. ?. Above grayer, below paler. In winter specimens of both sexes have upperparts tipped with rusty. Notes. Call, tur-wee, tur-wee; song, a rich and sweet but short warble. Range. — Eastern United States; breeds from the Gulf States to Nova Scotia and Manitoba; winters from southern New England and southern Illinois southward 76 6a. Azure Bluebird (5. s. a^urea). Similar to No. 766, but breast paler, upperparts less deep, more cerulean. Range. — Mountains of eastern Mexico north to southern Arizona. 767. Western Bluebird ( Sialia mexicana 'Occident alts) . L. 7. Ad. cf. Above bright blue,foreback with more or less rust-brown, but rarely wholly chestnut; throat blue, breast rust-brown, belly bluish gray. Ad. 9- Above grayish blue; rust on foreback faintly indicated; throat bluish gray, breast paler than in rj\ Notes. Call, suggests that of No. 766, but is louder and wilder. Range. — Pacific coast region from northern Lower California north to British Columbia, east to western Nevada and casually, during mi- grations, to New Mexico. (Ridgway.) 767a. Chestnut-backed Bluebird (S. m. bairdi). Similar to No. 767, but foreback wholly rust-brown. Range. — Rocky Mountain region from Wyoming south into Mexico. 767b. San Pedro Bluebird (5. m. anabelce). Rust-brown of back and breast greatly reduced in ex- tent, usually wholly wanting or barely indicated on back, and divided into two patches on breast by back- ward extension of blue of throat; W. 4.2. (Ridgw.) Range. — San Pedro Martir Mountains, Lower California. 768. Mountain Bluebird (Sialia arctica). L. 7.5. Ad. (j\ Above beautiful cerulean blue, throat and breast paler, belly whitish. Winter specimens are more or less tipped with brownish. Ad. 9. Above brownish gray, rump blue, throat and breast gray- ish buff; belly whitish. Notes. Call, suggests that of No. 766, but in fall is merely a feeble chirp. (Ridgw.) Range. — Western United States, except Pacific coast; breeds from the Sierra Nevada east to the Plains and from New Mexico north to the Great Slave Lake region; winters from the Mexico boundary states south into Mexico. 182 Perching Birds Marked With Blue 477. Blue Jay {Cyanocitta cristata). L. 11.7. Ads. Above gray-blue, breast and sides washed with grayish; white tip to outer tail-feather rarely less than one inch long. Notes. Varied; commonly a loud harsh jay jay\ often whistling calls and imitations of the notes of ether birds, particularly of common Hawks. Range. — Eastern North America, west to the Plains; breeds from Georgia and northern Texas north to Labrador and Hudson Bay region; resident, except at northern part of range. 477a. Florida Blue Jay (C. c. florincola). Simi- lar to No. 477, but smaller, L. 10; blue above with a purplish tinge; greater wing-coverts more narrowly barred with black and tipped with white. Range. — Florida and Gulf Coast to southeastern Texas. 482. Arizona Jay (Apbelocoma sieberii ari{ once). L. 13; W. 6.3; T. 5.8. Ads Above grayish blue, head, wings and tail brighter than back; below unstreaked, gray breast tinged with bluish; belly whiter. Notes. Noisy, harsh, and far-reaching. (Bendire.) Range. — Northern Mexico, north to southern New Mexico and Arizona. 482a. Couch Jay (A. s. couchi). Similar to No- 482, but smaller; W. 5.8; T. 5.3; bluer above, throat whiter. Range. — "Eastern Mexico, extendingto western Texas In theChisos Mountains." (Bailey.) 492. Pinon Jay {Cvetnocephalns cyanocephalus) . L. 11; T. 4.8. Ads. Above nearly uniform grayish blue, head slightly darker; below slightly paler, throat streak- ed with white. Notes. Variable, some as harsh as those of No. 491, others like gabble of Magrie; others like Jays' common call a shrill, querulous, peek, peeh; when on ground maintain a constant chatter. (Ben- dire.) Range. — Western North America, from New Mexico and Lower California north to southern British Columbia; east to Rockies, west to Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges. 183 Perching' Birds Marked With Blue 479. Florida Jay (Aphelocoma cyanea). L. 11.5. Ads. Foreback clay-color or pale brownish gray; head, nape, wings, tail, sides of throat and faint breast- streaks blue; a grayish line over eye; throat gray; belly dingier; forehead usually hoary. Notes. Harsh and unmusical calls. Range. — Florida; confined mostly to coast of the middle portions of the peninsula. 480. Woodhouse Jay { Aphelocoma woodhousei). L. 12; W. 5. Ads. Back grayish or brownish bine, usual- ly not sharply defined from nape; crown, nape, wings and tail blue; throat gray; belly dingier; breast streaked with blue; under tail-coverts blue; a narrow white line over eye. Resembles No. 479, but is larger, back bluer, forehead not hoary; line over eye sharper. Range. — Western United States (chiefly Great Basin region), from northern Mexico north to southeastern Oregon and southern Wyoming; east to western Texas and Colorado; west to California, east of the Sierras. 480.1. Blue-eared Jay (Aphelocoma cyanotis). Re- sembling No. 480, but larger; W. 5. 5; under tail-cov- erts white; back slaty-gray tinged with blue; white line over eye less evident. Range. — "Mexican tableland north casually to Sutton County, Texas." (Bailey.) 480.2. Texan Jay (Aphelocoma texand). Similar \o. No. 480.1, but white line over eye more distinct, below paler and browner gray, lower throat and chest with obsolete grayish streaks instead of blue streak >. Differs from No. 480 in having pure white under tail coverts and in other respects. (Ridgw.) Range. — "Southeastern Texas, from Concho and Kerr Counties west to the Davis Mountains." (Bailey.) 48 1. California Jay {Aphelocoma californica). Sim- ilar to No. 480, but back brown; usually sharply de- fined from nape; blue areas brighter, throat and bellv whiter; breast less streaked with blue. Notes. Varied, usual call a harsh, metallic squawking. Range. — Pacific coast from northern Lower California, north to southern Wahington, east, in California, to the Sierra Nevada. 48 la. Xantus Jay (A. c. Inpoleuca). Similar to No. 481, but blue areas somewhat lighter, underparts de- cidedly whiter. Range. — Lower California, north to Lat. 280 . 48 1b. Belding Jay {A. c. obscura). Similar to No. 481, but darker and with smaller teet; W. 4.7. (An- thony.) Range. — San Pedro Martir Mountains, Lower California. 48 1.1. Santa Cruz Jay {Aphelocoma insularis). Similar to No. 481, but larger; W. 5.6; blue area^ much deeper, back much darker, grayish sooty tinged with blue. Range. — Santa Cruz Island, California. 184 Perching- Birds Marked With Blue 478. Steller Jay (Crauocitta stelleri). L. 13. Ads. Crest, back and upper breast sooty brown; rump and belly dark, (Antwerp) blue; forehead more or less streaked with blue. Notes. Varied, usual call a loud, harsh squawking; the bird is a mim'c and also a whistler. Range. — Pacific coast from Monterey, California, north to near Cook Inlet, A|aska, including Vancouver Island. 478a. Blue-fronted Jay (C. s. frontalis). Similar to No. 478, but back paler, grayer, rump and belly turquoise, forehead with more blue which sometimes extends to the crest. Range. — "Southern coast ranges and Sierra Nevada of California and western Nevada, from Fort Crook south to northern Lower Cal- ifornia." (A. O. U.J 478b. Long-crested Jay (C. 5. diademata). Simi- lar to No. 478, but paler, grayer above, blue turquoise, as in No. 478a; :rest longer, the forehead with pale, bluish ■white streaks; a white spot over the eye. Range. — "Southern Rocky Mountains; north to southern Wyoming; west to Uintah Mountains, in eastern Utah, and the higher ranges of northwestern Arizona; south to New Mexico." (Bendire.) 478c. Black-headed Jay (C. s. annedens). Be- tween No. 478 and No. 478b. Forehead streaks, and spot over eye much as in latter; color of body dark as in former. Range. — Northern Rocky Mountain region from northern Utah and southern Wyoming north to Alberta and British Columbia. 47 8d. Queen Charlotte Jay (C. s. carlottce). Sim- ilarto No. 478, but darker, sooty slate above, blue deeper. Ranee. — Queen Charlot'e Islands, British Columbia. 483. Green Jay {Xanthoma luxuosa glaucescens) . L. 11. Ads. Crown and patches at side of throat blue; oack, wings, and central tail-feathers green; outer tail-feathers yellow; throat black, breast and belly greenish yellow. Notes. Noisy and harsh often suggesting certain of the Blue Jay's calls. 483 Range. — Lower Rio Grande Valley, eastern Mexico. Texas, and south Into north- 185 Perching Birds Marked With Yellow or Orange 503. Audubon Oriole {Icterus audubonii). L. 9.5. Ads. Head, breast, wings and tail black; belly yellow; back greenish yellow. Yng. Greenish yellow below; olive-green above. Notes. See No. 507.' Range.— Mexico north to the Lower Rio Grande; casually as far as San Antonio, Texas; resident. 504. Scott Oriole (icterus parisorum) , L. 8; B. .95; Ad. (j\ Lesser wing-coverts, base of tail, rump and belly yellow; rest of plumage black. Ad. $. Yellow- ish below, olive-green above, two white wing-bars. Yng. rf. Like female, but throat black. 'Notes. See No. 507. Range. — Mexican tableland, migrating north to western Texas, northern New Mexico, southern Nevada and southeastern California: wintersin Mexico. 505. Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus sennetti). L. 8; B. .75. Ad. (?. Orange; forehead, face, throat, foreback, wings and tail black; lesser wing-coverts and tips to greater ones white. Ad. $. Yellowish below, brownish olive-green above, two white wing-bars. Yng. tf". Like $ , but throat black. Notes. See No. 507. Range. — Mexico; migrating north to the Lower Rio Grande; winters In Mexico. 505a. Arizona Hooded Oriole (/. c. nelsoni). Sim- ilar to No. 505, but head, rump, etc. yellow instead of orange. Range. — Northwestern Mexico and Lower California, migrating north to southwestern New Mexico, Arizona, and southern California, west of Sierra Nevada; winters in Mexico. 507. Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula). L. 7.5. Ad. c? . Throat, whole head, foreback, wings and middle tail-feathers black; breast, belly, rump, lesser wing-coverts and ends of outer tail-feathers orange; wing-coverts and tertials margined with white. Ad. £• Head and foreback olive-yellow spotted with black; rump and tail brownish yellow, below dull yellow, throat generally blackish. Notes. The notes of all the orange and black Orioles known to me are mellow, musical, querulous whistles generally given in detach- ed fragments, all much alike in character but dis- tinguishable when one becomes familiar with them. Range. — Eastern North America west to the Rocky Mountains; breeds from Florida and eastern Texas north to New Brunswick and the Saskatchewan; winters in Central and South America. 508. Bullock Oriole (Icterus bullockt). L. 7.5. Ad. rj1. Cheeks, most of underparts, forehead and line over eye orange; rump and outer tail-feathers yellower; center of throat, crown, foreback and middle tail-feath- ers black; a large white wing-patch. Ad. 9. Above olive grayish brown; below yellowish, belly whiter; tail olive-yellow; wings blackish, median cov- erts tipped, greater coverts externally margined with white; chin sometimes blackish. Yng. tf. Like 9, but center of throat and lores black. Notes. See No. 507. Range. — Western North America, from Mexico north to Assiniboia and British Columbia; east to western Texas; west to the Pacific; winters In Mexico. 186 Perching Birds Marked With Yellow or Orange 63 7. Prothonotary Warbler {Protonotaria citrea). L. 5.5. Tail-feathers with large white areas. Ad. cf. Whole head and underparts orange-yellow; back greenish yellow; rump gray. Ad. 9- Crown green- ish like back; yellow paler; belly whitish; less white in tail. Notes. Call, a sharp, metallic chink; song, a "high pitched, penetrating and startling" "peet, tsweet, tsweet, tsweet, tsweet, tsweet." (Jones.) Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from the Gulf States north to Virginia, Ohio, and southern Minnesota; winters in the tropics. 65 1. Olive Warbler {Dendroica olivacea). L. 5.2. Ad. rj\ Head and breast orange brown, a black band through the eye; back olive-gray; belly grayish; wing- bars white; outer tail-feathers largely white. Ad. 9. Above olive-gray, head yellower; eye- band dusky; breast yellow; belly white. Notes. Song, a liquid quirt quirt, quirt, in a descending scale. (Price.) Range. — Highlands of Guatemala and Mexico north to mountains of Arizona and New Mexico. 662. Blackburnian Warbler {Dendroica blackbur- nice). L. 5.2. Ad. rf. Throat, line over eye, center of crown, and sides of neck bright orange; back black with a few whitish streaks; wing-bars broadly white; tail-spots white. Ad. 9- Yellow areas paler; above grayish streaked with blackish. Yng. and Ad. in Win- ter. Similar to Ad. 9, but throat paler, back browner; wing with two distinct bars. Notes. Song, wee-see-wee- see, tsee-tsee, tsee, tsee-tsee, tsee, tsee, in an ascending scale, the last shrill and fine. Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from northern New Eng- land (and in Berkshire and Worcester counties, Massachusetts), and northern Minnesota, north to Labrador and Hudson Bay region, (and south in Alieghanies to South Carolina); winters in tropics. 687. Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla). L. 5.4. Ad. cf. Black; sides of breast, band in wings and in tail rich salmon. Ad. 9- Sides of breast, band in wings and in tail dull yellow; back olive-brown, crown gray; be- below whitish. Yng. cf- Intermediate between adults. Notes. Song, ching, ching, chee; ser-wee, swee, swe-e-e. Range. — North America; rare on the Pacific coast; breeds from North Carolina, and Kansas north to Labrador and Alaska; winters in the West Indies, Central and South America. 748. Golden-crowned Kinglet (Ttygulus satrapa). L. 4. 1. Ad. cf- Crown orange and yellow bordered by black; a whitish line over eye; back grayish olive- green; below soiled whitish. A blackish band in wing bordered basally by yellowish white. Ad. 9- No orange in crown, its whole center yellow. Notes. Call, a fine, high ti-ti; song, five or six fine, shrill high-pitched notes ending in a short, rapid, rather ex- plosive warble, "tree, t^ee, t^ee, t{ee, ti,ti,ter, tt-ti-ti." Range. — North America; breeds from northern United States north- ward, and southward along the Rockies into Mexico and in the Alle- ghenies to North Carolina; winters from about its southern breeding limit to the Gulf States and Mexico. 748a. Western Golden-crowned Kinglet (R. s. olivaceus). Similar to No. 748, but upperparts brighter olive-green; underparts with a brownish tinge. Range. — Pacific coast region; breeds from the higher Sierra Ne- v«da of California north to southern Alaska. "] oy 12 Perching- Birds Marked With Yellow or Orange 666. Golden-cheeked Warbler {Dendroica chryso- paria). L. 5. Ad. rf. Throat, crown and back black; cheeks and spot in forehead yellow; a narrow black line through eye; wing-bars and tail-patches white. Ad. 9. Above olive green with black streaks; cheeks duller than in ;?, eye-streak dusky; throat yellow, breast blackish; belly white. Notes. Song, tser, weasv-weasy, twea, resembling song of No. 667. (Nehrling.) Range.— Western central and southern Texas and south through eastern Mexico to highlands of Guatemala. (Ridgway.) 667. Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens). L. 5. Ad. rj\ Throat and breast black; cheeks greenish yellow; back olive-green; wing-bars and tail patches white. Ad. 9 and Yng. cf. Similar, but throat yellowish; black breast tipped with yellow- ish; belly tinged with yellow, back without black streaks. Yng. 9- Throat and breast yellowish white, little or no black. Notes. Song, a droning ^ee, $ee, ^e-ee, ^ee. Range. —Eastern North America; breeds from Connecticut and northern Illinois north to Nova Scotia and Hudson Bay, and south In Alleghanies to South Carolina; winters in Central America. 668. Townsend Warbler {Dendroica townsendi). L. 5.1. Ad.rf. A black eye-patch bordered by yel- low stripes; crown and throat black; back olive-green spotted with black; wing-bars and tail-patches white. Ad. 9- Eye-patch olive; throat yellow, indistinctly blackish; crown and back olive-green, with few black streaks. Yng. Similar, but yellower. Notes. Song, de-det de-de,de, like that of No. 6 '7. (Merrill.) Range. —Western North America; breeds from mountains of south- ern California north to Alaska, east to western Colorado; in migra- tions to western Texas: winters in Mexico. 669. Hermit Warbler (Dendroica Occidents lis). L. 5.1. Underparts without streaks. Ad. rf. Crown and cheeks yellow; throat black; back gray spotted with black; wing-bars and tail patches white. Ad. 9- Crown less yellow; throat yellowish; back olive-gray, usually without spots. Yng. 9- Similar, but yellow- er. Yng. cf- Throat dusky; forehead and cheeks yellow; back olive-green with concealed black spots. Much like Yng of No. 667, but forehead yellower, no streaks below. Notes. Song, ^eegle-^eegle-^eegle-^eek. (Barlow. ) Range. — Western United States; breeds In high mountains from British Columbia to California, and from Pacific Coast district of United States to Rocky Mountains; migrates to Low- er California, Mexico, and Guatemala. (Bailey.) 684. Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia mitrata). L. 5.7. Outer tail-feather with white patches. Ad. cf. Fore- head and cheeks yellow; hindhead extending to breast and throat black; belly yellow; back olive-green. Ad. 9- Throat yellow, hindhead olive-green usually with black. _ Notes. Call, a sharp cheep; song, a gracefully whistled you must come to the woods, or you wont see me. Range.— Eastern United States: breeds north to southern Connecti- cut, central western New York, and southern Michigan; winters In Central America. 188 Perching Birds Marked With Yellow or Orange 53 1. Lawrence Goldfinch (Astragalinus lawrencei). L. 4.7. Ad. tf. Crown, throat ana front of cheeks black; body gray] breast, rump, wings and, to a less de- gree, back with yellow; outer tail feathers with large white spots near the end. Ad. ?. Similar, but no black, back browner and without yellow. Notes. Suggesting those of the Goldfinch, but weaker. Range — California, west of the Sierra; breeds from northern Lower California north to Chico, California; winters to Arizona and New Mexico. 642. Golden-winged Warbler (Helminthophila chrv- soptera). L. 5. Ad. <$. Crown yellow, wing-bars broadly yellow; above bluish gray; below grayish white; throat-patch and eye-stripe black. Ad. $. Crown duller; throat-patch and eye-stripe gray. Notes. Song, a lazy ^ee-^ee-^ee-^ee all on same note. Range. — Eastern United States; breeds from northern New Jersey and northern Indiana north to Vermont, southern Ontario, and Mich- igan, and south along Alleghanies to South Carolina; winters In Cen- tral America. 678. Connecticut Warbler (Geotli lifts agilis). L. 5.5. Eye-ring white; no white in wings or tail. Ad. c?\ Crown and cheeks bluish slate; throat and breast paler, the latter with no black; above olive-green; be- low yellow, sides greenish. Ad. 9 and Yng. Throat and breast olive brown; belly yellow; back brownish olive-green; crown browner. Notes. Call, a sharp peek; song, suggesting that of Maryland Yellowthroat and also that of Ovenbird, free-chapple, free-chapple,free- chapple, whoit. (Seton.) Range.— Eastern North America, north to Maine and Manitoba; known to breed only in Manitoba; winters in northern South America. 679. Mourning Warbler {Geothlypis Philadelphia). L. 5.4. No white in wings or tail. Ad. <$. No white eye-ring; crown and cheeks bluish slate; throat black- ish; breast black more or less veiled by slaty; belly yellow; back olive-green. Ad. 9- Head slaty; throat and breast grayish; an inconspicuous white eye-ring. Yng. Similar, but browner above; throat more yellow. Notes. Song, clear and whistled, tee te-o te-o te-o we-se, the last couplet accented and much higher pitched. (Jones.) Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from northern New Eng- land, northern New York and eastern Nebraska north to Nova Scotia and Manitoba, and south along the Alleghanies to West Virginia; winters in Central and South America. 680. Macgillivray Warbler {Geothlvpis tolmiei). L. 5.4. Ads. Similar to No. 679, but with an incom- plete white eye-ring showing above and below eye, Range. — Western North America from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific; breeds from western Texas and mountains of southern Cal- ifornia north to British Columbia; in migrations ranges east to Ne- braska and middle Texas; winters in Mexico and Central America. 189 Perching Birds Marked With Yellow or Orange 656. Audubon Warbler [Dendroica audubont). L. 5.6. Crown, sides of bre.ist, rump, and throat usually with yellow. Ad. Ad. $. Similar to male, but breast grayish; yellow less bright; less white in wings. t white on four or five outer tail-feathers instead of on two or three. Range. — Western United States; breeding In higher mountains from southern California and New Mexico north to British Columbia; winters south into Mexico. 65 6a. Black-fronted Warbler (D. a. nigrifrons). Similar to No. 656, but Ad. $ with forehead, sides of crown, and ears black; back black, narrowly margined with bluish gray. In winter. Bluish gray, not brown- ish above. Ad. $ darker, more heavily streaked with black above. (Ridgw. ) Range. — Mountains of northern Mexico north to southern Arizona. 657. Magnolia Warbler 1 Dendroica maculosa). L. 5.1. Rump yellow; seen from below a white band across middle of tail. Ad. rj\ Crown ashy, back black; wing-coverts broadly white; below yellow streaked with black. Ad. $ . Duller; fewer black stripes below; wing-bars separated, narrow. Yng. and Ad in winter. Crown and sides of head brownish ashy, back olive-green; below yellow, sides occasionally streaked. Notes. Song, a loud, clear whistle, chee-to, chee-to, chee-tee-ee, uttered rapidly and with a falling in- flection. (Langille. ) Range. Eastern North America, west in migrations, to the Rock- ies; breeds from northern New England, noriliern Michigan (and south along the Alleghanies to Penns\ lvani.i), north to Quebec and Hudson Bay region; winters in Central America. 663. Yellow-throated Warbler {Dendroica domini- ca). L. 5.2. Ads. I hroat and line from bill to eye yellow; cheeks and forehead black; back bluish gray; two broad white wing-bars; tail-patches white. Notes. Song, loud, ringing and ventriloquial; suggesting that of Indigo Bunting but shorter. Range.— Southeastern United States; breeds from Florida north to Virginia and winters from Florida south into West Indies. b63a. Sycamore Warbler (D. d. albilora). Simi- lar to No. 663, but bill smaller, line from eye to bill white or with but traces of yellow. Range.— Mississippi Valley; breeds from Texas north to Kanas, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and West Virginia; winters in Mexico and Central America. 664. Grace Warbler (JDendroica gracice). L. 5. Ad. c?. Throat and line over eye yellow; cheeks gray; above gray, crown and back with black streaks; wing- bars and tail-patches white. Ad. $?• Similar, but duller, back sometimes brownish. Range. — Northwestern Mexico, north to New Mexico, southwestern Colorado, and Arizona. 3 90 Perching Birds Marked With Yellow or Orange 686. Canadian Warbler {Wilsonia canadensis). L. 5.6. No white in wings or tail. Ad. rf. A neck- lace of black spots on breast; back gray; belly yellow; forehead black. Ad. 9 and Yng. tf. Black areas smaller. Yng. 9. Slightly yellowish above; necklace slightly indicated by dusky spots. Notes. Song, tu-tu, tswe, tu, tu, longer or shorter and suggesting in style of utterance both he Yellow Warbler and Goldfinch. (Jones.) (Seepage 190.) Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from Massachusetts, cen- tral New York, and northern Michigan north to Labrador and Manito- ba, and south along the Alleghanies to North Carolina; winters In Central and South America. 640. Bachman Warbler {Helminthophilabachmanii). L. 4.2. Outer tail-feathers usually with a white patch more or less distinct. Ad. ^ . Breast-patch and crown-band black; forehead, chin and belly yellow; back olive-green, hindhead grayish. Ad. 9. Above grayish olive-green, head grayer; below dingy grayish with a yellow tinge. Notes. Song, when migrating, re- sembles that of Parula Warbler, (Brewster); when breeding, that of Worm-eating Warbler, Junco or Chippy. (WiJmann). Range.— Southeastern United States, west to Louisiana, north to Virginia and southern Indiana; rare on Atlantic coast; known to breed onlv in Missouri; winters south of United States. 641. Blue-winged Warbler {Helminthophila pinus). L. 4.8. Ad. cf- Crown and underparts yellow; back olive-green; a black stripe through eye; two whitish wing-bars; outer tail-feathers with white patches. Ad. 9. Similar, less yellow on head, duller below. Notes. Song, a wheezy, swee-chee, the first inhaled, the second exhaled; also, later, wee, chi-chi-chi-chi, chilr, ckee-chur. Range.— Eastern United States; breeds north to southern Connecti- cut and Minnesota, occasionally wanders to Massachusetts; winters south of United States. 670. Kirtland Warbler {Dendroica hirtlandi). L. 5.7. Ad. cf. Above bluish gray streaked with black; below pale yellow, sides streaked with black; wing- bars grayish; tail-patches white. Ad. 9- Similar, but browner. Notes. Song, said to resemble that of Maryland Yellow-throat and also that of Yellow-throat- ed Warbler. Range. — Eastern United States; has been found from April to Oc- tober in United States as follows: in Florida, South Carolina, Virgin- la, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, Michigan, and On- tario, in all some twenty odd specimens; found breeding in summer of 1905 in Oscoda County, Michigan; winters in Bahamas where some fifty specimens have been taken. 67 1. Pine Warbler {Dendroica vigorsii). L. 5.5. Ad. cf. Throat and breast greenish yellow; above bright yellowish green; wing-bars and tail-patches white. Ad. 9- Similar, but breast duller, back browner. Yng. tf. Similar to Ad. cf, but browner. Yng. 9- Below huffy white, breast slightly or not all yellowish; back olive-brown. Notes. Song, sug- gesting a Chipping Sparrow's but more musical. Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from Gulf States north to New Brunswick, Minnesota, and Manitoba; winters from Virginia and southern Illinois to Gulf States. 191 C. R.VtttO Perching- Birds Marked With Yellow or Orange 696. Siberian Yellow Wagtail (Budytes flavus leu- costriatus). L. 6.5. Ad. $. Crown bluish slate, a white line over eye; back olive-green; below yellow; wing-bars yellowish; outer tail-feathers largely white. Ad. 9. Similar, but duller, head and wing-bars browner. Notes. Call, a sharp, pU-pli-pIe; song, a low, clear, medley of jingling notes uttered on the wing. (Nelson.) (See page 191.) Range.— China, Eastern Siberia, and Bering Sea portion of eastern Alaska. 529. American Goldfinch (Astragalinus tristis). L. 5.1; W. 2.8. Ad. rf. Yellow, cap, wings and tail black; wing-coverts, secondaries and inner margins of tail-feathers tipped with white. Ad. 9> Above gray- ish olive-brown; below buffy whitish; throat yellowish; wings and tail duller than in male; white tips to tail not distinct. Yng. c? and Ad. <$' in winter. Simi- lar to 9 but wings and tail black; white markings grayer than in summer. Notes. Calls, when perch- ing, hear me, hear me, dearie, soft and sweet, when fly- ing, per-chic-o-ree; per-chic-o-ree; song, sweet, rapid, varied and canary-like. Range. — Eastern North America west to the Rockies; breeds from Virginia and Missouri nortli to Labrador and Manitoba; winters from northern United States to the Gulf States. 529a. Western Goldfinch (A. t. pallidas). Similar to No. 529, but larger, W. 3.05. Ad. J\ in summer, similar in color to No. 529. 9 and rj1, in winter. Much paler, the white areas greater in extent. Range. — Rocky Mountain region from northern Mexico north to British Columbia. 529b. California Goldfinch {A. t. salicamans). Similar to No. 529, but wings and tail shorter and color darker. Ad. rf in summer. With back always (?) tinged with pale olive-green; in winter darker than No. 529, but with white areas as large as in 529a. (Ridgw.) Range.— California, west of the Sierra, south to Lower California, north to Washington. 530. Arkansas Goldfinch (Astragalinus psaltrid). L. 4. 1. Ad. S1' Cap, wings, and tail black, most of primaries and tail white basally; back and cheeks olive- green, often marked with black; below yellow Ad. 9. No black cap; above olive-green; below dull yellowish; wings and tail brownish black, former with white much reduced, latter with little or no white. Yng. Re- semble female. Notes. Call, se-e-e-ep; song, sweet, varied and musical. Range. — Western United States, from the Plains to the Pacific; breeds from northern Lower California and western Texas, north to Colorado, southern Idaho, and Oregon; winters from the southern part of its breeding range southward. 530b. Mexican Goldfinch (A. p. mexicanus). Re- sembles No. 530, but cheeks and entire upperparts black; 9 as in No. 530. Range. — Mexico, north to southern Texas. 192 Perching- Birds Marked With Yellow or Orange 685. Wilson Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla). L. 5. No white in plumage. Ad. $. Crown shining black; forehead, cheeks and underparts yellow; back olive- green. Ad. 9. Similar, but crown-patch often smaller, sometimes absent. Yi/tr. 9. Crown-patch absent. Notes. Song, 'tsh-'tsh-'tsh-tshea. (Nuttall ) Suggests that of Redstart or Yellow Warbler. (Minot.) Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from Nova Scotia, north- eastern Maine, and Ontario north to Labrador and Hudson Bay re- gion; winters in Mexico and Central America; "occasional during mi- gration in Colorado . . . and other parts of the Rocky Mountain dis- trict " (Ridgw ) (See n lee 192.) 685a. Pi leolated Warbler (IV. p.pileolata). Sim- ilar to No. 685, but yellow deeper, olive brighter. Range. — Western North America; breeding throughout the Rocky Mountain district from western Texas in higher mountains, north- ward to Alaska, coast and interior; westward to eastern Oregon and Queen Charlotte Islands; in migrations over all of western North Amer- ica and east to Minnesota; in winter south to Central America. (Ridgw.) (See page 102.) 685b. Golden Pileolated Warbler (IV. p. chryseo- la). Similar to No. 685a, but still brighter, richer yellow; forehead nearly orange; back brighter green. Range. — Pacific coast; breeds from southern California north to British Columbia; in migration east to eastern Oregon; south to Chihuahua and Lower California. (Ridgw.) (See page 192.) 677. Kentucky Warbler {Geothlypis formosa). L. 5.6. No white in plumage. Ad. q71. Cheeks and crown black the latter tipped with ashy; back olive- green; a yellow line over eye; below bright yellow. Ad. ?. Similar, but less black in crown and on cheeks; yellow duller. Notes. Song, a loud musical whistle, turdle, turdle, turdlc, suggesting notes of Carolina Wren. Range. — Eastern United States; breeds from Gulf States north to lower Hudson Valley, southern Michigan and eastern Nebraska; winters in Central and northern South America. 681. Maryland Yellow-throat (Geothlypis trichas). L. 5.2; W. 2.1. Ad. o71- Forehead and cheeks biack, bordered behind by ashy; back olive-green; throat and breast yellow, belly whitish washed with yellow, sides brownish. Ad. ?. No black mask; above dull olive- green, forehead brownish; throat and breast more or less washed with yellow, belly whitish, sides brown- ish. Yug. o*« Similar to Ad. ?, but browner; breast yellow; cheeks and forehead with more or less half- concealed black. Notes. Calls, pit, chit, or cback; song, variable, often wicbity, wichity ,wichity . Range.— "Atlantic Coast district of United States^ breeding In Vir- ginia, District of Columbia, Maryland and southern Pennsylvania (Carlisle), probably also in Delaware and southern New Jersey and In upland portions of Carolinas and Georgia; .... south in winter to Bahamas . . . . " (Ridgw.) 68 1a. Western Yellow-throat (G. t. occidentalis). Similar to No. 68rd, but yellow below richer, border of mask whiter and broader. Range. — Arid western United States; east to western portions of Great Plains, north to Montana and eastern Washington (?) ; west to southern California; breeding southward to northern Chihuahua and northern Lower California; southward in winter to western Mexico and Cape St. Lucas. (Ridgw.) 193 Perching Birds Marked With Yellow or Orange 68 lb. Florida Yellow-throat (G. t. ignota). Simi- lar to No. 68id, but yellow below more extended and deeper, sides browner; black mask wider; upperparts, especially hindhead, browner. Range.— South Atlantic and Gulf Coast districts of United States fiom southeastern Virginia to Florida and westward along Gulf low- lands to eastern Texas; winters from at least coast of South Carolina southward; also in Cuba. (Ridgw.) 68 I c. Pacific Yellow-throat (G. t. art^ela). Sim- ilar to No. 68ia, but bill smaller, wings and tail shorter, color duller, whitish margin of mask narrower, yellow usually less orange; W. 2.2; T. 2.1. (Ridgw.) Range. — "Pacific Coast district, from British Columbia southward; breeding southward to Los Angeles County. California, and eastward to Fort Klamath, Oregon; during migration to Cape St. Lucas." (Ridgw.) 68 Id. Northern Yellow-throat (G. t. brachidactyla). Similar to No. 681, but averaging larger; W. 2.2. Ad. o71. More yellow below, more olive-green above. Ad. ?. Usually with yellow below brighter and more extended. (Ridgw.) Range. — Northeastern United States from northern New Jersey to Newfoundland; west to northern Ontario and eastern Dakota, and south through Mississsippi Valley to upland districts of the Gulf States and east central Texas; in winter Bahamas, Mexico, and Cen- tral America. (Ridgw.) 68 1 e. Salt Marsh Yellow-throat (G. t. sinuosa). Similar to No. 681c, but much smaller and slightly darker, especially on sides and flanks; W. 2.1. (Ridgw.) Range. — Salt Marshes of San Francisco Bay, California. 682. Belding Yellow-throat [Geotblypis leldingi), L. 5.7. Ad. o71- Black mask crossing head diagonally bordered behind by yellow; rest of plumage much as in No. 681a. Ad. ?. Similar to $ of No. 681, but larger. Range. — Lower California. 682.1. Rio Grande Yellow-throat (Geotblvtrs pol- iocephala). L. 5.7. Ads. Lores and forehead black, crown gray, back olive-green; underparts yellow. Range. — Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and southward Into Mexico. 194 Perching Birds Marked With Yellow or Orange 645. Nashville Warbler (Helminthopbila rubricapilla) . L. 4.8. No wing-bars; no white in tail. Ad. <$. A chocolate crown-patch; rest of head and cheeks bluish gray; a white eye-ring; back olive-green; below bright yellow. Ad. $. Similar, but little or no chocolate in crown; yellow duller. Yng. Head brownish; under- pays washed with brownish, particularly on throat and flanks. Notes. Song, ke-tsee-ke-tsee-ke-tsee-cbip-ee. chip-ee-chip-ee-chip, first half like Black and White Warbler's, second half like Chipping Sparrow's. (Langille.) Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from southern New York, Connecticut, and northern Illinois, north to Labrador and Hudson Bav region; winters south of United States. 645a. Calaveras Warbler (f-f. r. guttur alt's) . Sim- ilar to No. 645, but rump brighter; underparts richer yellow. Range. — Western United States; breeds on high mountains, from the Sierra Nevada to British Columbia, east to eastern Oregon, northern Idaho; south in migration to Lower California and Mexico; southeast to Texas. (Rldgw.) 648. Parula Warbler [Compsotblypis americana). L. 4.5; W. 2.3. Ad. 3.8. Forehead and line over eye very slightly, often not at all, tinged with yellow; throat yellow; back brown edged with pinkish gray; resem- bles No. 474b, but is paler and less distinctly streaked above. Range. — "In summer, western United States from central Dakota, western Kansas and western Nebraska to Idaho and Nevada, north on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains to Alberta; in winter, south to Texas, Chihuahua. Sonora, and southeastern California." (Ober- holser.) 474e. California Horned Lark (O. a. actio). W. d\ 3-9» 9> 3-6. d\ summer. Back of head and nape, spreading on to sides of breast, pinkish cinnamon; back distinctly streaked with brownish black; throat always, forehead and line over eye usually tinged with yellow. $ , winter. Less distinctly streaked above; cinnamon areas paler and with grayish tips; black areas more or less tipped with yellowish. 9, summer. Crown and back uniformly streaked with blackish margined with pink- ish gray. 9, winter. Less distinctly streaked; black areas tipped with whitish. Range. — Northern Lower California north, west of the Sierra, to Marin and San Joaquin Counties, California. 474f. Ruddy Horned Lark (0. a. rubea). Similar to No. 472e, but nape region, sides of breast, etc., much deeper in color, deeper than in any other of our Horned Larks; back less distinctly streaked with blackish and more ruddy in tone, not sharply defined from nape; yellow areas richer in color. Range. — Sacramento County, California. 474g. Streaked Horned Lark (0. a. strigatd). Cinnamon areas less extensive but nearly as deeply colored as in No. 474f; back distinctly and widely streak- ed with blackish; forehead, line over eye, throat and breast washed with yellow. Ringe —"In summer, the states of Oregon and Washington west of the Cascade Mountains; in winter, to eastern Oregon and Wash- ington, south to northern California." (Oberholser.) 474h. Scorched Horned Lark (O. a. adusta). W. cf, 4; 9, 3.8. Nearest to No. 474I, but the male differs in being nearly uniform pinkish brown above, back with only a few indistinct brownish streaks; color deeper, browner, more ruddy. Range. — "In summer, the central part of extreme southern Arizona; in winter, northern Sonora and Chihuahua, Mexico." (Oberholser.) 474i. Dusky Horned Lark (O. a. merrilli). W. tf, 4; 9 » 3-8. Similar to No. 474b, but somewhat darker above, the line over the eye usually tinged with yel- low. Range. — "In summer, northwestern United States, and southern British Columbia, from northeastern California and northwestern Nevada, northward through Oregon and Washington east of the Cas- cade Mountains to British Columbia and extreme northern Idaho; in winter, south to central California." (Oberholser.) 201 Perching Birds Marked With Yellow or Orange 474j. Sonoran Horned Lark (O. a. pallida). W. c?, 3.8; 9, 3.6. Nape very pale pinkish; back pale grayish brown edged with grayish; forehead, line over eye, and throat tinged with yellowish. Resembles No. 474I, but is still paler. Range. — "Region immediately adjacent to the head of the Gulf of California, Mexico." (Oberholser.) 4741. Montezuma Horned Lark (O. a. Occident a lis). W. o7', 4; 9i 3-8. No distinct blackish streaks above; back pale brownish edged with pinki.sh gray; throat yellow, forehead and line over eye tinged with yellow. Similar to No. 474I1, but paler, less ruddy above; differs from No. 474c in being browner and less streaked above. Range.— In summer, central New Mexico, west to central Arizona; In winter, south to northern Sonora and Chihuahua, Mexico and southeast Texas." (Oberholser.) 474m. Island Horned Lark (O. a. insularis). Sim- ilar to No. 474g, but slightly darker above, breast usually without a yellow tinge. Range. — Santa Barbara Islands, California. 446. Couch Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus couchii). L.9.5. Ads. Throat white, breast and belly yellow, tail dark brown; crown gray with an orange patch, back grayish green; Yng. Similar, but no crown-patch. Range. — Guatemala, north in spring as far as Lower Rio Grande, Texas. 447. Arkansas Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis). L. 9. Ads. Throat light gray spreading over breast to yellow belly; tail black, outer margin of outer feather wholly white; above resembling No. 446. Yng. With no crown-patch. Notes. Squeaky, rattling, rolling notes; a noisy bird. Range. — Western United States; breeds east to about Long. ioo° , north to Assiniboia, southern Alberta southern British Columbia, west to the Pacific; winters south of United States, to Central America. 448. Cassin Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans). L. 9. Ads. Throat and breast dark gray, belly yellow; tail black, outer web of outer feather not wholly white; above as in No. 447. Yng. With no crown-patch. Notes. Less noisy than No. 447. (BendireJ Range. — Western United States, northwestern Mexico and north through Rockies, from western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, to southern Wyoming; in California north to S.m Benito County; win- ters south of United States to Central America. 449. Derby Flycatcher (Pitangus derbianus). L. 11. Ads. Back brown, wings and tail externally rusty; a yellow crown-patch; forehead, line over eye and across nape white; throat white, below yellow. Notes. Kiskadee, repeated. (Richmond.) Range. — Northern South America; breeds north as far as Lower Kio Grande, Texas. 202 Perching Birds Marked With Yellow or Orange 45 1. Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher {Myiodynastes lu- teiventris). L. 8. Below sulphur streaked with black; tail largely rusty brown; a yellow crown-patch; inner wing feathers widely margined with whitish; back grayish brown streaked with dusky. Yng. With no crown-patch. Notes. A screech, like squeaking of a wagon wheel, and a single note. (Poling.) Range. — Central America; breeds north as far as southern Arizona. 452. Crested Flycatcher (Mytarchus crinitus). L. 9. Inner webs of all but middle tail-feathers rust- brown. Ads. Throat and breast gray, belly bright sulphur; back grayish olive-green; greenest above and yellowest below of our larger Myiarchi. Notes. Loud, chuckling, grating whistles. Range — Eastern North America; west to the Plains; breeds from Florida and Texas north to New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters from southern Florida south to northern South America. 453. Mexican Crested Flycatcher (Mytarchus mex- icanus). L. 9.2; W. 4. Inner webs of all but middle tail-feathers rust brown. Ads. Throat and breast gray, belly sulphur, both paler than in No. 452; back grayish brown, with little or no green tinge. Notes. Resemble those of No. 452. (Merrill. ) Range.— Central America; breeds north as far as Lower Rio Grande, Texas. 453a. Arizona Crested Flycatcher (M. m. magis- ter). Similar to No. 453, but larger, L. 9.4, W. 4.2, and averaging slightly paler. Range. — "Western Mexico; north to southern Arizona and south- west New Mexico; south in winter to Tehuantepec, Mexico." 454. Ash-throated Flycatcher {Mviarchus cineras- ecus). L. 8.; W. 4. Inner webs of all but middle tail-feathers rust-brown, outer pair dusky at tip of inner web. Ads. Throat and breast pale grayish white, belly white tinged with yellow, above grayish brown, outer web of outer tail-feather whitish. Palest below of our Myiarchi. Notes. A rather resonant but wooden chfich-pr-r-r-r. Range. — Western United States: breeds from western Texas and Lower California north to Colorado and Oregon; winters in southern Mexico and Central America. 454a. Nutting Flycatcher (M. c. nuttingi). Simi- lar to No. 454, but smaller, W. 3.6, outer margin of outer tail-feather not whitish, tip of its inner web rusty, not dusky. Range.— Breeds in southern Arizona and western Mexico; winters n Central America. 454b. Lower California Flycatcher (M. c.periinax). Similar to No. 454a, but bill larger and stouter; above grayer; below less yellow. (Brewster.) Range.— Lower California. 455a. Olivaceous Flycatcher (Myiarchus lawrencei olivascens). L. 7. Ads. Inner webs of tail-feathers like outer webs; tail-feathers margined with rusty; breast and belly as in No. 452; crown brownish, back grayish olive-green. Notes. A short mournful peeur. Range.— Breeds from western Mexico north to southern Arizona; winters south to southern Mexico; casual in Colorado. 203 Perching Birds Marked With Chestnut or Reddish Brown 587. Towhee; Chewink (JPipilo erythrophthahnus). L. 8. Three outer tail-feathers with white; iris red. Ad. Pacific; breeds from Mexico to Manitoba and British Columbia; winters south to Centre 1 America. 218 Perching" Birds Chiefly Brown or Streaked 536. Lapland Longspur (Calamus lapponicus). L. 6.2 Hind toe-nail as long as or longer than toe; two outer tail-feathers with white at ths end. Ad. rf, sum- mer. Nape chestnut; crown, cheeks, throat and upper- breast black; back black margined with rusty brozvn. Ad. 9 , summer. Crown and back black margined with rusty; nape brighter; below whitish; breast feath- ers dusky at base; sides streaked with blackish. Win- ter, cf. Black areas and nape veiled with whitish or buff y tips; ^ , like 9 in summer. Range. — Breeds in northern Europe and northeast North America south to northern Labrador; in America, winters south, irregularis-, to South Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, Texas; west to Manitoba. (Ridgw.) 536a. Alaskan Longspur (C. /. alascensis). Simi- lar to No. 536, but margins to back feathers much paler, brownish gray or buffy; nape in winter more buffy. Notes. Song, uttered on wing as bird with up- stretched wings floats downward, sweet, liquid, tink- ling, of same general character as that of Bobolink, but shorter, less powerful. ( Nelson. ) Range. — Breeds in Alaska, Aleutian and Pnbilof Islands east to Fort Simpson; winters south to eastern Oregon, Colorado, and western Kansas. (Ridgw.) 553. Harris Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula). L. 7.5. Ad. summer. Throat and crown black; nape chestnut, cheeks brownish; two white wing-bars. Ads. winter. Throat mottled with white, crown tipped with grayish. Notes. A queer, chuckling note; song of pleasing, plaintive whistling notes in musical tone like those of No. 558, but delivered in a different song. (Cooke.) Range.— Interior of North America; from Illinois west to the Dako- tas; in summer, the region west of Hudson Bay (exact breeding range unknown) ; south in winter to Texas (and Mexico?) ; accidental in British Columbia, Oregon and California. 565. Black-chinned Sparrow (Spi{ella atrogularis) . L. 5.7. Below slaty gray. Ad. tf. Throat and front of face black; rest of head and underparts slaty gray, the belly whitish; back reddish brown narrowly streaked with black. Ad. 9 , Throat with little o"r no black; crown washed with brownish. Yng. Simi- lar to Ad. 9 , but never with black on throat; crown more heavily washed with brownish. Notes. Song said to resemble that of No. 563. (Bailey.) Range.- Mexico and southwestern United States; breeds from southern New Mexico and southern California southward; winters south into Mexico and southern Lower California. — English Sparrow (Passer domesticus), L. 6.3. Ad. o*. Throat and upper breast black; crown slate; band behind eye and on nape chestnut. Ad. 9- Below dirty white; crown and rump dingy grayish brown; back streaked with black and rusty brown; a buffy stripe behind eye. Yng. 4. (Brewster.) Range. — Lower California. 458. Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans). L. 7.2. Ads. Breast and head black, back grayer; outer web of outer tail-feather white; belly black, under tail-cov- erts white streaked with dusky. Notes. A liquid hip, a rising kee-ree, and a falling hee-wray. (Bailey.) Range. — Mexico, except Yucatan and Pacific coast from Colima northward, north into Texas, New Mexico, and southeastern Arizona. 458a. Western Black Phoebe (5. n. semiatra). Similar to No. 458, but under tail-coverts white with- out dusky streaks. Range — Pacific coast of Mexico and United States, from Colima to Oregon, including most of Arizona. (Nelson.) 494. Bobolink; Reedbird {Dolichonyx orypvorus). Ad. rj\ summer. Black; nape buffy, lower back, scapulars and upper tail-coverts white. Ad. ?. Above yellowish brown streaked with buff, and black; below yellowish white, sides streaked with black. Winter plumage, Ads and Yng. Like 9 but yellower. Notes. Song, an irrepressible bubbling outburst of "mad music'' often given on the wing; calls, a black- bird-like chuck and a metallic, far carrying, chink. Range. — Eastern North America, west to Utah; breeds from north- ern New Jersey, Illinois and Kansas, north to Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and Montana; migrates south through Florida and West Indies, and winters south 01 Amazon. 534. Snowflake (Passerina nivalis). L. 6.9. Hind toe-nail twice as long as shortest toe-nail. Ad. cf, summer. Head, rump, secondaries, outer tail-feathers and below white; rest of plumage largely black. Ad. 9 , summer. Similar, but crown blackish, back edged with rusty or grayish. Winter. Above rusty and black, below white, breast tinged with rusty. Notes. Calls, a clearly piped whistle, and a peculiar chirr, often uttered when taking wing; song, short, simple, but rather sweet. (Minot.) Range. — Breeds in northern parts of northern hemisphere: in winter south to northern states; Irregularly to Georgia, southern Indiana, Kansas, Colorado, and eastern Oregon. 534a. Pribilof Snowflake (P. n. towusendi). Sim- ilar to No. 534, but larger, with relatively longer bill; tf, W. 4.7; B. .5. (Ridgw.). Range. — Aleutian and Commander Islands, Pribilof Islands, Shuma- eln Islands. (Ridgw.). 535. McKay Snowflake (Passerina hyperborea). L. 7.5; W. 4.6; B .4. Similar to No. 534, but with more white. Ad. rjf, summer. Back and scapulars entirely white. Ad. 9> summer. Crown and hind- neck white. Yng. Not certainly distinguishable from Yng. of No. 534. (Ridgw.) Range.— Breeds on Hall and St. Mathews Islands, Bering Sea; In winter west coast of Alaska. 251 16 Perching Birds Chiefly Gray, Black, or Black and White 605. Lark Bunting [Calamospi^a melcmocorys). L. 7.2. Ad. cf. Black, patch in wing white, outer tail- feathers tipped, tertials margined with white. Ad. $. Above grayish brown streaked with blackish; below white conspicuously streaked with black; all but cen- tral tail-feathers with white tips; broad wing-bars buff. Y»g- cf- Variously intermediate between Ad. cfand ?. (See page 251). Range. — Western United States, chiefly east of Rockies; breeds from western Kansas and eastern Colorado, north to western Minne- sota and Assiniboia; wintersin Mexico; irregular west in migrations to Idaho and southern California. 484. Canada Jay; Whiskey Jack (Perisoreus cana- densis). L. 1 1.5. Ads. Black of hindhead reaching to back of eye; back, wings, and tail gray, belly lighter, throat white; forehead buffy white. Notes, ca-ca-ca and a number of peculiar sounds impossible to repro- duce on paper. (Bendire.) Range. — Eastern North America; Nova Scotia. New Brunswick, northern New England, northern New York, northern Michigan; northern Minnesota, north to Newfoundland and Hudson Bay region, west to the Rockies in Alberta. 484a. Rocky Mountain Jay (P. c. capitalis). Sim- ilar to No. 484, but head white, black of hindhead grayer and not reaching to eye. Range. -Rocky Mountain region from New Mexico and Arizona north to Montana and Idaho. 484b. Alaskan Jay (P. c. fUmifrons) . Very near to No. 484, but forehead averaging more yellowish. Range. Alaska; Interior and west to Cook Inlet, north of southern coast region. 484c. Labrador Jay (P. c. mgricapillus). Similar to No. 484, but black of hindhead deeper and reaching forward as a well defined ring around the eye; below browner. Range. — Labrador. 485. Oregon Jay (Perisoreus obscurus). Similar to No. 484, but back feathers with light shaft streaks, fore- head less white, underparts nearly uniform white. Range. — Pacific coast from northern California to southern British Columbia. 485a. Gray Jay {P. o. griseus). Similar to No. 485, but larger and grayer; back, etc., deep mouse gray, instead of brown; below grayish white instead of brownish white. (Ridgw.) Range. — British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and northern California, east of Coast and Cascade Ranges. (Ridgw.) 49 1. Clarke Nutcracker (Nua/raga cotumbiana). L. 12. Ads. Gray; wings and middle tail-feathers black, tips of secondaries and outer tail-feathers white. Notes. A loud, harsh, car-r-car-r. Range.- Mountains of western North America, from northern Low- er California, Arizona and New Mexico, north to northern Alaska: casually east to Mississippi Valley. 252 Perching- Birds Chiefly Gray, Black, or Black and White 475. American Magpie {Pica pica hudsoma). L. 20. Ads. Bill black; scapulars, belly and most of inner margins of primaries white; wings glossy blue black, tail externally greenish; back and breast vel- vety black. Notes. Cack, cack, also garrulous gabble intermixed with whistling notes. (Bendire.) Range.— Western North America, east to the Plains, west to Cas- cade and Sierra Ranges; breeds from northern New Mexico and northern Arizona north to Alaska^strays farther east in winter. 476. Yellow-billed Magpie (Pica nuttalli). Similar to No. 475, but bill and eye-space yellow, smaller, L. 18. Notes. A harsh,. rasping, cac-cac-cac; and a low, rich whistle, audible only at a short distance. Range. California, west of Sierra Nevada, "north to Red Bluff and south to Santa Paula." (Grlnnell.) 493. Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). L. 8.5; T. 2.5. Ad. summer, Metallic green and purple spotted above with buffy; bill yellow. Ad. winter. Similar, but above heavily spotted with brownish buff; below heavily spotted with white; bill blackish. Notes. A long-drawn, two-noted whistle, the second lower; and a chattering, metallic call when in flocks. Range.— Europe and northern Asia; accidental in Greenland; In- troduced into New York City in i8go; now common, extending east to New Haven, Connecticut, north, to Ossining, New York, south to Staten Island and^Plainfield, New Jersey. 495. Cowbird [Molothrus ater). L. 7.9; W. 4.2. Ad. cT. Head and neck coffee-brown, body greenish black. Ad. ?. Brownish gray, throat lighter. Yng. Like ?. Notes. A metallic twitter, and by the male, a long-drawn, glassy kluck-tse-e-e; and watery gurg- ling notes uttered with spread wings and tail. Range. — United States: rare west of Rockies; breeds from Florida and Texas north to New Brunswick and Little Slave Lake; west to eastern Oregon, Nevada, and southeastern California; winters from southern New Jersey, southern Illinois, Indian Territory, northern Texas, and southeastern California, southward. 495a. Dwarf Cowbird (M. a. obscurus). Similar to No. 495, but smaller, L. 7.5; W. 4. Range. — Southwestern United States; from Gulf Coast of Texas west along Mexican boundary to Arizona and Lower California; win- ters south of United States. 496. Red-eyed Cowbird (Callotlirus robustus). L. 9. Ad. cf • Velvety bronze-black; wings and tail shining blue-black. Ad. 9- Dull black, wings and tail with slight greenish reflections. Range. — Southern and eastern Mexico north, in spring, to Lower Rio Grande, Texas. 620. Phainopepla (Pbainopepla nitens). L. 7.5. Crested. Ad. <$. Shining black; inner vanes of Primaries largely white, showing in flight. Ad. 9. )ark gray, tail blacker, wing-coverts and quills nar- rowly margined with whitish. Yng. Like 9- Notes. Calls, commonest, like call of young Robin; male has also a scold, a Meadowlark-like note and a harsh ca-rack or ca-racack; song, a jumble of flute- like tones and weak, squeaky notes. (Bailey.) Range. — Mexico north to western Texas, southern Utah and south- ern California; winters from Mexican border southward. 253 Perching Birds Chiefly Gray, Black, or Black and White 509. Rusty Blackbird (Scolecopbagus carolinus). L. 9.5. Ad. :: rodgersi *'<■'• Priocella glacialoides 63 Daption capense \ . V Puffinus borealis 64 gravis 64 puffinus A.Y. creatopus <'>1 Puffinus lherminieri 6 I assimilis -YY. opisthomelas 64 " auricularis 64 griseus 63 tenuirostris 64 cuneatus 63 " bulleri A.Y. Priofinus cinereus A.V. ^Estrelata hasitata 65 scalaris A.V. " f'sheri A.Y. Bulweria bulweri A.Y. 103 Least Petrel Halocyptena microsoma 65 l n 1 Stormy Petrel Thalassidroma pelagica 66 105 Forked-tailed Petrel Oceanodroma furcata 65 260 Systematic Table of North American Birds A.O.U. No. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page 105.2 Kaeding's Petrel Oceanodroma kaedingi 65 106 Leach's Petrel leucorhoa 66 106.1 Guadalupe Petrel macrodactyla 66 [106.2]Hawaiian Petrel castro A.V. 107 Black Petrel " melania 66 108 Ashy Petrel " hoiuochroa 65 108.1 Socorro Petrel " socorroensis 66 109 Wilson's Petrel Oceanites oceanicus 66 [110]White-bellied Petrel Fregetta grallaria A.V. [Ill] White-faced Petrel Pelagodroma marina A.V. Order STEGANOPODES. Totipalmate Swimmers. Family PHAETHONTID.E. Tropic Birds. 112 Yellow-billed Tropic-bird Phaethon americanus 69 113 Red-billed Tropic-bird tethereus 69 [113.1]Red-tailed Tropic bird rubricaudus A.V. Family SULID.E. Gannets. [114] Blue-faced Booby Sula cyanops 70 114.1 Blue-footed Booby 115 Booby 115.1 Brewster's Booby [116] Red-footed Booby 117 Gannet nebouxi 70 leucogastra 70 brewsteri 70 pi.scator 70 bassana 69 Family ANHINGID^E. Darters. 118 Water-Turkey Anhinga anhinga 73 Family PHALACROCORACID^. Cormorants. 119 Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 70 120 Double-crested Cormorant " auritus auritus 71 I20ff Florida Cormorant " " floridanus.. . . 71 120/> White-crested Cormorant " " cincinatus. . . 71 120r Farallon Cormorant " " albociliatus. . 71 121 Mexican Cormorant vigua mexicanus ... 71 122 Brandt's Cormorant " penicillatus 72 123 Pelagic Cormorant pelagicus pelagicus . 72 123a Violet-green Cormorant " " robustus 72 123b Baird's Cormorant " " resplendens.. 72 124 Red-faced Cormorant urile 72 261 Systematic Table of North American Birds Family PELECANID.E. Pelicans. A.O.U. No. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page 125 White Pelican 126 Brown Pelican 127 California Brown Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos 7:1 occidentalis 7?. californicus 73 Family FREGATID.E. Man-o '-War Birds. 1 28 Man-o'-war-bird Fregata aquila 73 Order ANSERES. Lamellirostral Swimmers. Family AXATID^E. Ducks, Geese, and Swans. Mergus americanus serrator Lophodytes cucullatus Mergellus albellus A. Anas platyrhynchos " rubripes fulvigula fulvigula maculosa 129 American Merganser 130 Red-breasted Merganser 131 Hooded Merganser [131.1]Smew L32 Mallard 133 Black Duck 134 Florida Duck ] 34a Mottled Duck 135 Gadwall Chaulelasmus .streperus 136 European Widgeon Mareca penelope 137 Baldpate [138]European Teal 139 Green-winged Teal 140 Blue-winged Teal 141 Cinnamon Teal [141.1]Ruddy Sheldrake 142 Shoveller 143 Pintail 144 Wood Duck [145] Rufous-crested Duck 146 Redhead Canvas-back American Scaup Duck Lesser Scaup Duck Ring-necked Duck American Golden-eye Barrow's Golden-eye 147 148 1 1!' 150 151 152 153 15 1 1 55 americana Nettion crecca A " carolinense Querquedula discors " cyanoptera Casarca ferruginea A Spatula clypeata Dafila acuta Aix sponsa Netta rufina A Marila americana " valisineria marila " affinis " collaris Clangula clangula americana islandica Charitonetta albeola Buflle-head , Old-squaw Darelda hyemalis Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus 262 Systematic Table of North American Birds a.o.u. No. COMMON NAME. 1 56 Labrador Duck 1 .",7 Stellar's Eider L58 Spectacled Eider 1 59 Northern Eider L60 American Eider 1 61 Pacific Eider 1 62 King Eider 163 American Scoter [Ml] Velvet Scoter 1 65 White-winged Scoter L66 Surf Scoter L67 Ruddy Duck [168]Masked Duck 169 Lesser Snow Goose 1 69a Greater Snow Goose 169.1 Blue Goose 170 Ross's Goose [171] European White-fronted Goose. 171a White-fronted Goose [171.1]Bean Goose [171.2]Pink-footed Goose 172 Canada Goose 172a Hutchins's Goose 172o White-cheeked Goose 172c Cackling Goose 173a Brant 174 Black Brant ri75]Barnacle Goose 176 Emperor Goose 177 Black-bellied Tree-duck 178 Fulvous Tree-duck [179]Whooper Swan , 180 Whistling Swan 181 Trumpeter Swan SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page Camptorhynchus lahradorius 81 Polysticta .stelleri 8] Arctonetta fischeri 82 Somateria mollissima borealis 82 dre.sseri 82 v-nigra 82 spectabilis 82 Oidemia americana 83 fusca A A'. deglandi 83 perspicillata S3 Erismatura jamaicensis SO Nomonyx dominicus 80 Chen hyperboreus hyperboreus 84 nivalis 84 " caerulescens 85 " rossi 84 Anser albifrons albifrons A.V. " " gambeli 85 " fabalis A.V. " brachyrhynchus A.V. Branta canadensis canadensis 86 hutchinsi 86 " occidentalis. ... 86 " minima 86 bernicla glaucogastra 86 nigricans 86 leucopsis A.V. Philacte canagica 85 Dendrocygna auturnnalis S3 bicolor 83 Olor cygnus A.V. " columbianus 84 " buccinator 84 Order ODONTOGLOSS^. Lamellirostral Grallatores. Family PHCENICOPTERID^]. Flamingoes. 182 Flamingo Phoenicoptems ruber 89- 263 Systematic Table of North American Birds Order HERODIONES. Herons, Storks, Ibises, etc. Family PLATALEID^. Spoonbills. A.O.U Xo. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page 183 Roseate Spoonbill Ajaia ajaja 89 Family IBIDID^E. Ibises. 184 White Ibis [185] Scarlet Ibis 186 Glossy Ibis 187 White-faced Glossy Ibis Family CICONDIID^E. 188 Wood Ibis '. [189].Tabiru Guara alba " rubra Plegadis autumnalis guarauna . . 90 89 90 90 Storks and Wood Ibises. Mycteria americana 90 Jabiru mycteria A.V. Family ARDEIDtE. Herons, Bitterns, etc. 190 American Bittern 191 Least Bittern 191.1 Cory's Least Bittern 192 Great White Heron , 194 Great Blue Heron 194a- Northwestern Coast Heron. . . , 194& Ward's Heron , [195]European Heron 196 American Egret 197 Snowy Egret 197a Brewster's Egret 198 Reddish Egret 199 Louisiana Heron 200 Little Blue Heron . , 201 Green Heron 201a Frazar's Green Heron 201& Anthony's Green Heron 202 Black-crowned Night Heron.. 203 Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Botaurus lentiginosus 91 Ixobrychus exilis 91 neoxenus 91 Ardea occidentalis 92 " herodias herodias 93 " " fannini 93 wardi 93 " cinerea A.V. Herodias egretta 92 Egretta candidissima candidissima. 92 " brewsteri ...294 Dichromanassa rufescens 94 Hydranassa tricolor ruflcollis 94 Florida cserulea 94 Butorides virescens virescens 94 " " frazari 94 " " anthonyi 94 Nycticorax nycticorax nsevius 93 Nyctanassa violacea 93 Order PALUDICOL^. Cranes, Rails, etc. Family GfKUIDM. Cranes. 204 Whooping Crane Grus americana 96 205 Little Brown Crane " canadensis 96 206 Sandhill Crane " mexicana 96 264 Systematic Table of North American Birds A.O.U. No. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Pagu Family ARAMIDiE. Courlans. 207 Limpkin Aramus vociferus 96 Family RALLIDiE. Rails, Gallinules, and Coots. 208 King Rail Rallus elegans 97 209 Belding's Rail " beldingi 97 210 California Clapper Rail " obsoletus 97 210.1 Light-footed Rail " levipes 294 211 Clapper Rail " crepitans crepitans 98 211a Louisiana Clapper Rail " saturatus 98 211?) Florida Clapper Rail " " scotti 98 211c Wayne's Clapper Rail waynei 98 211.2 Caribbean Clapper Rail " longirostris caribseus 98 212 Virginia Rail " virginianus 97 [213] Spotted Crake Porzana porzana A.V. 214 Sora " Carolina 98 215 Yellow Rail Coturnicops noveboracensis 97 216 Black Rail Creciscus jamaicensis 98 216.1 Farallon Rail " coturniculus 294 [217]Corn Crake Crex crex A.V. 218 Purple Gallinule Ionornis martinicus 99 219 Florida Gallinule Gallinula galeata 99 [220] European Coot Fulica atra A.V. 221 Coot " americana 99 Order LIMICOL^. Shore Birds Family PHALAROPODID^E. Phalaropes. 222 Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius 102 223 Northern Phalarope Lobipes lobatus 102 224 Wilson's Phalarope Steganopus tricolor 102 Family RECURVIROSTRIDiE. Avocets and Stilts. 225 Avocet Recurvirostra americana 103 226 Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus 105 Family SCOLOPACID^. Snipes, Sandpipers, etc [227] European Woodcock Scolopax rusticola A.V. 228 Woodcock Philohela minor 105 [229]European Snipe Gallinago gallinago A.V. 230 Wilson's Snipe .• . " delicata 105 265 Systematic Table of North American Birds a.o.u. No. COMMON" NAME. IGreat Snipe 231 233 234 235 SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page " media A.V. Dowitcher Macrorhamphus griseus griseus . . . 106 Long-billed Dowitcher " • scolopaceus. lut> Stilt Sandpiper Micropalama himantopus 106 Knot Tringa canutus in.; Purple Sandpiper Arquatella maritima maritima L07 235a Aleutian Sandpiper " " couesi 107 2356 Pribilof Sandpiper " " ptilocnemis 10S 238 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Pisobia aurita L09 239 Pectoral Sandpiper " maculata LOS 240 White-rumped Sandpiper " fuscicollis 109 241 Baird's Sandpiper " bairdi L09 242 Least Sandpiper " minutilla L09 [2 12.1] Long-toed Stint " damacensis \ \\ [243]Dunlin ; Pelidna alpina alpina W. 243a Red-backed Sandpiper " " sakhalina LOS 244 Curlew Sandpiper Erolia ferruginea 106 [245] Spoon-bill Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmseus VV. 246 247 248 249 250 251 Semipalmated Sandpiper Western Sandpiper Sanderling Marbled Godwit Pacific Godwit Hudsonian Godwit [252]Black-tailed Godwit [253] Green-shank , [253.1] Red-shank 25 4 Greater Yellow-legs 255 Yellow-legs Ereunetes pusillus 108 mauri ins Calidris leucopha?a 108 Limosa fedoa 110 " lapponica baueri 110 haemastica 110 " limosa A.V. Glottis nebularia A.V. Totanus totanus \.Y. " melanoleucus Ill " flavipes Ill 256 Solitary Sandpiper Helodromas solitarius solitarius. . .107 256a Western Solitary Sandpiper " " cinnamomeus.107 [257]Green Sandpiper " ocrophus A.V. 258 Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus semi- palmatus Ill 258a Western Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inor- natus 259 Wandering Tatler [260]Ruff 201 Upland Plover . . . Heteractitis incanus Ill Machetes pugnax \.\\ Bartramia longicauda 105 262 Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis 105 263 Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia 107 264 Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus 103 266 Systematic Table of North American Birds A.O.U. Xo. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Pack 265 Hudsonian Curlew Xumenius hudsonicus 103 266 Eskimo Curlew " borealis 103 | 267] Whimbrel phaeopus A.V. 268 Bristle-thighed Curlew tahitiensis 295 Family (TIARADRll I >.K. Plovers. [269]Lapwing Vanellus vanellu.s A.V. [269.1] Dotterel Eudromias morinellus \.V. 270 Black-bellied Plover Squatarola squatarola L10 [271]European Golden Plover Charadrius apricarius \.Y. 272 Golden Plover dominions doniinicus. . .110 272'/ Pacific Golden Plover fulvus 110 273 Killdeer Oxyechus vociferus 112 274 Semipalmated Plover iEgialitis semipalmata 112 275 Ringed Plover hiaticula 112 [276]Little Ringed Plover " dubia A.V. 277 Piping Plover nieloda 112 278 Snowy Plover nivosa 112 [279] Mongolian Plover mongola A.V. 280 Wilson's Plover Ochthodromus wilsonius 112 281 Mountain Plover Podasocys montanus 105 Family APHRIZIDiE. Surf Birds and Turnstones 282 Surf-bird Apbriza virgata Ill 283 Turnstone Arenaria interpres interpres 102 283a Ruddy Turnstone " " morinella 102 284 Black Turnstone " melanocephala 107 Family H^EMATOPODIDyE. Oyster-Catchers. [285]European Oyster-catcher .' Hasmatopus ostralegus A.V. 286 Oyster-catcher " palliatus 104 286.1 Frazar's Oyster-catcher frazari 104 287 Black Oyster-catcher " bachmani 104 Family JACANID^. Jacanas. [288]Mexican Jacana Jacana spinosa 102 267 Systematic Table of North American Birds Order GALLING. Gallinaceous Birds. Family ( >T>< )XTOPHORID^E. Bob-whites. Quails, etc. A.O.U. No. COMMON XAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page 289 Bob- white Colinus virginianus virginianus 115 289a Florida Bob-white " « floridanus 115 2896 Texas Bob-white " « texanus LIB 291 Masked Bob-white " ridgwayi 1 I ;, 292 Mountain Quail Oreortyx picta picta 116 292o Plumed Quail » « piumifera 116 292ft San Pedro Quail " " confinis '. . . 116 293 Scaled Quail Callipepla squamata squamata 116 I hestnut-bellied Scaled Quail " " castanogastris.116 294 California Quail Lophortyx californica californica . . 116 294a Valley Quail « « vallicola 116 295 Gambel's Quail " gambeli 116 296 Mearns's Quail Cyrtonyx montezumae mearn.si 115 Family TETRAONID^E. Grouse, Partridges, etc. 297 Dusky Grouse Dendragapus obscurus obscurus. . .117 297a Sooty Grouse « » fuliginosus..H7 2976 Richardson's Grouse " " richardsoni . 117 297c Sierra Grouse " « sierrae 295 298 Hudsonian Spruce Partridge Canachites canadensis canadensis.. 117 2986 Alaska Spruce Partridge " " osgoodi . . . 117 298c Canada Spruce Partridge " " canace ....117 299 Franklin's Grouse " franklini 117 300 Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus umbellus 118 300a Canada Ruffed Grouse " " togata 118 3006 Gray Ruffed Grouse " " umbelloides 118 300c Oregon Ruffed Grouse " " sabini 118 301 Willow Ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus lagopus 119 301fl Allen's Ptarmigan " " alleni 119 3016 Alexander's Ptarmigan " " alexandrse 295 301c Ungava Ptarmigan " " ungavus 295 302 Rock Ptarmigan " rupestris rupestris 119 302a Reinhardt's Ptarmigan " " reinhardi 119 '■\02b Nelson's Ptarmigan " " nelsoni 119 302c Turner's Ptarmigan " " atkhensis 120 302d Townsend's Ptarmigan " " townsendi 120 302 e Adak Ptarmigan " " chamberlaini ...296 302 f Dixon'.s Ptarmigan " " dixoni 296 302.1 Evermann's Ptarmigan " evermanni 120 303 Welch's Ptarmigan " welchi 120 Systematic Table of North American Birds A.O.U. No. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page 304 White-tailed Ptarmigan Lagopus leucurus leucurus 118 304a Kenai White-tailed Ptarmigan... " peninsularis 118 305 Prairie Chicken Tympanuchus americanus americanus 121 305a Attwater's Prairie Chicken " attwateri.121 306 Heath Hen " cupido 121 307 Lesser Prairie Chicken " pallidicinctus 121 308 Sharp-tailed Grouse Pedicecetes phasianellus phasianel- lus 121 308a Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse.. Pedicecetes phasianellus columbianus 121 308?> Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse " " campestris. .121 309 Sage Hen Centrocercus urophasianus 122 Family MELEAGEID^E. Turkeys. 310 Merriam's Turkey Meleagris gallopavo merriami 122 310a Wild Turkey " " silvestris 122 310& Florida Turkey " " osceola 122 310c Rio Grande Turkey " intermedia.. . .122 Family CRACID^. 311 Chachalaca ClJRASSOWS AND GuANS. Ortalis vetula mccalli 122 Order COLUMB^. Pigeons. Family COLUMBID^E. Pigeons. 312 Band-tailed Pigeon 312a Viosca's Pigeon 313 Red-billed Pigeon 314 White-crowned Pigeon [314.1] Scaled Pigeon 315 Passenger Pigeon 316 Mourning Dove 316i Western Mourning Dove 317 Zenaida Dove 318 White-fronted Dove 319 West Indian White-winged Dove. 319a White-winged Dove 320 Ground Dove 320a Mexican Ground Dove 320& Bermuda Ground Dove Columba fasciata fasciata 124 " vioscse 124 " flavirostris 124 " leucocephala 124 squamosa A.V. Ectopistes migratorius 125 Zenaidura macroura carolinensis. . .125 " margin ella . . .296 Zenaida zenaida 125 Leptotila fulviventris brachyptera. .125 Melopelia asiatica asiatica 126 " " trudeaui 296 Chasmepelia passerina terrestris 126 " " pallescens.. .126 " " bermudiana.126 269 Systematic Table of North American Birds a.o.u. No. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page 321 Inca Dove Scardafella inca 126 [322] Key West Quail-dove Geotrygon chrysia 126 [322.1]Ruddy Quail-dove « niontana ...... .12Q [323]Blue-headed Quail-dove Starnoenas cyanocephala 126 Order RAPTORES. Family ( WTHAETI1XK 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 334a 335 337 337a 3376 3370- 337 e 339 339a 3396 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347a 348 349 Birds of Prey. American Vultures. California Vulture Gymnogyps califomianus i 29 Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura septentrionalis . . . L29 Black Vulture Catharista urubu 129 Family BUTEONIILE. Hawks, Eagles, Kites, etc. Swallow-tailed Kite . . . , Elanoides forficatus 130 White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus 130 Mississippi Kite Ictinia mississippiensis 130 Everglade Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis 130 Marsh Hawk Circus hudsonius 130 Sharp-.shinned Hawk Accipiter velox 131 Cooper's Hawk << cooperi 131 Goshawk « atricapillus atricapillus . . . 131 Western Goshawk « « striatulus 131 Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi 132 Red-tailed Hawk Buteo borealis borealis 132 Krider's Hawk Western Red-tail Harlan's Hawk Alaska Red-tail Red-shouldered Hawk Florida Red-shouldered Hawk. Red-bellied Hawk Zone-tailed Hawk Sennett's White-tailed Hawk.. Swainson's Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Short-tailed Hawk " krideri L32 calurus 132 " harlani 132 " alascensis 296 lineatus lineatus 133 " alleni 133 " elegans 133 abbreviatus 134 albicaudatus sennetti 135 swainsoni 133 platypterus 133 brachyurus 135 Mexican Black Hawk Urubitinga anthracina 134 Mexican Goshawk Asturina plagiata 131 Rough-legged Hawk Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis.135 Ferruginous Rough-leg " f errugineus 135 Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos 136 270 Systematic Table of North American Birds a.o.u. No. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page [351]Gray Sea Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla A.V. 352 Bald Eagle " leucocephalus leucocephalus 136 352a Northern Bald Eagle alascanus. .136 Family FALCONDID^E. Falcons, Caracaras, etc. 353 White Gyrfalcon Falco islandus 136 354 Gray Gyrfalcon " rusticolus rusticolus 136 354a Gyrfalcon gyrfalco 136 354fr Black Gyrfalcon " " obsoletus 137 355 Prairie Falcon " niexicanus 135 [356] Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus peregrinus A.V. 356a Duck Hawk " anatum 137 356b Peale's Falcon " pealei 137 357 Pigeon Hawk Falco columbarius columbarius. . . .137 357a Black Pigeon Hawk " " suckleyi 137 358 Richardson's Pigeon Hawk " richardsoni ....137 [358.1] Merlin " aesalon A.V. 359 Aplomado Falcon " fusco-caerulescens 137 [359.1] Kestrel " tinnunculus A.V. 360 Sparrow Hawk " sparverius sparverius 137 360a Desert Sparrow Hawk " phalasna 138 360b San Lucas Sparrow Hawk " peninsularis 138 360c Little Sparrow Hawk " " paulus 296 [361]Cuban Sparrow Hawk " sparveroides A.V. 362 Audubon's Caracara Polyborus cheriway 134 363 Guadalupe Caracara " lutosus 134 Family PANDIONID^E. Ospreys. 364 Osprey Pandion haliaetus carolinensis 129 Family ALUCONDIDiE. Barn Owls. 365 Barn Owl Aluco pratincola 138 Family STRIGID^L Horned Owls, etc. 366 Long-eared Owl Asio wilsonianus 138 367 Short-eared Owl " flammeus 138 368 Barred Owl Strix varia varia 139 368a Florida Barred Owl " " alleni 139 368b Texas Barred Owl " " albogilva 139 271 Systematic Table of North American Birds A.O.U. No. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page 369 Spotted Owl Strix occidentalis occidentalis 139 369a Northern Spotted Owl " " caurina 139 370 Great Gray Owl Scotiaptex nebulosa nebulosa 139 [370a]Lapp Owl " " lapponica ...A.V. 371 Richardson's Owl Cryptoglaux funerea richardsoni. . .139 372 Saw-whet Owl " acadica acadica 140 372a Northwestern Saw-whet Owl " " scotsea 140 373 Screech Owl Otus asio asio 141 373a Florida Screech Owl " " floridanus 141 373b Texas Screech Owl " " mccalli 141 373 c California Screech Owl " " bendirei 141 373d Kennicotfs Screech Owl " " kennicotti 141 373 e Rocky Mountain Screech Owl... " " maxwelliae 141 373 f Mexican Screech Owl " " cineraceus 142 373(7 Aiken's Screech Owl " " aikeni 142 373ft MacFarlane's Screech Owl " " macfarlanei 142 373 i Sahuaro Screech Owl " " gilmani 297 373.1 Spotted Screech Owl " trichopsis 142 373.2 Xantus's Screech Owl " xantusi 142 374 Flammulated Screech Owl " flammeolus flammeolus 142 374a Dwarf Screech Owl " " idahoensis 142 375 Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus virginianus 143 375a Western Horned Owl " " pallescens 143 375& Arctic Horned Owl " " subarcticus 143 375c Dusky Horned Owl " " saturatus 143 375d" Pacific Horned Owl " " pacificus 143 375e Dwarf Horned Owl " " elachistus 143 375 f Labrador Horned Owl " " heterocnemis 297 375a Saint Michael Horned Owl " " algistus 297 376 Snowy Owl Nyctea nyctea 143 [377]European Hawk Owl Surnia ulula ulula A.V. 377a Hawk Owl " " caparoch 143 378 Burrowing Owl Speotyto cunicularia hypogaja 138 378a Florida Burrowing Owl " floridana 138 370 Rocky Mountain Pygmy Owl Glaucidium gnoma pinicola 140 379a California Pygmy Owl " " californicum .. .140 379.1 Hoskins's Pygmy Owl " hoskinsi 140 380 Ferruginous Pygmy Owl phalaenoidas 140 381 Elf Owl Micropallas whitneyi 140 272 Systematic Table of North American Bikds Order PSITTACI. Parrots, Macaws, Paroquets, etc. Family PSITTACIDiE. Parrots and Paroquets. A.O.U. No. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page 382 Carolina Paroquet Conuropsis carolinensis 145 382.1 Thick-billed Parrot Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha 145 Order COCCYGES. Cuckoos, etc. Family CUC\JIXDM. Cuckoos, Anis, etc. [383]Ani 384 Groove-billed Aui . . . 385 Road-runner 386 Mangrove Cuckoo . . . [386a]Maynard's Cuckoo . 387 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3S7« California Cuckoo . . . 38S Black-billed Cuckoo . T388.1] Kamchatka Cuckoo Crotophaga ani 146 sulcirostris 146 Geococcyx californianus 146 Coccyzus minor minor 146 maynardi 146 " americanus americanus. .146 offidentalis.146 erythrophthalmus 146 Cuculus canorus telephonus A.V. Family TROGONID^E. Trogons. 3S9 Coppery-tailed Trogon Trogon ambiguus 147 Family ALCEDINID.^. Kingfishers. 390 Belted Kingfisher 390a Northwestern Belted Kingfisher. [390.1]Ringed Kingfisher 39 1 Texas Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon alcyon 147 " caurina 297 " torquata A.V. " americana septentrionalis. .147 Order PICI. Woodpeckers, Wrynecks, etc. Family PICIDtE. Woodpeckers. 392 393 393fl. 3936 393c 393(Z 393 e 393 f 393o Ivory-billed Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Northern Hairy Woodpecker . . Southern Hairy Woodpecker . . Harris's Woodpecker Cabanis's Woodpecker Rocky Mt. Hairy Woodpecker. Queen Charlotte Woodpecker. Newfoundland Woodpecker . . . Campephilus principalis 149 Dryobates villosus villosus 150 leucomela,s .... 150 auduboni 150 harrisi 150 hyloscopus . . . .150 monticola 150 picoideus 150 terrasnovse . . . .297 273 Systematic Table of North American Birds a. or Xo. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page 393* White-breasted Woodpecker 394 Southern Downy Woodpecker... 394a Cairdner's Woodpecker 3947> Batchelder's Woodpecker 394 c Downy Woodpecker 394<7 Nelson's Downy Woodpecker. . . . 394 c Willow Woodpecker 395 Red-cockaded Woodpecked 396 Cactus WToodpecker 396« San Lucas Woodpecker 3967* San Fernando Woodpecker 397 Nuttall's Woodpecker 398 Arizona Woodpecker 399 White-headed Woodpecker 400 Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker.. 401 Amer. Three-toed Woodpecker... 401« Alaska Three-toed Woodpecker.. 401 & Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker. . 402 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 402a Red-naped Sapsucker 403 Red-breasted Sap.sucker 103a Northern Red-breasted Sapsucker 404 Williamson's Sapsucker 405 Pileated Woodpecker 405a Northern Pileated Woodpecker. . 406 Red-headed Woodpecker 407 Ant-eating Woodpecker 107a Californian Woodpecker In7'< Narrow-fronted Woodpecker .... 408 Lewis's Woodpecker 409 Red-bellied Woodpecker 410 Golden-fronted Woodpecker 411 Gila Woodpecker 412 Southern Flicker 1 1 -a Northern Flicker 413 Red-shafted Flicker 1 1 3a Northwestern Flicker 414 Gilded Flicker MP/ San Fernando Flicker 4146 Mearns's Gilded Flicker 415 Guadalupe Flicker Oryobates villosus leucothorectis. . .L".i7 pnbescens pubescens ...150 gairdneri . . . .150 homorus 150 medianus . . . .150 nelsoni 150 turati 151 borealis 151 scalaris cactophilus ....151 lucasanus 151 eremicus 297 nuttalli 151 arizonse 141 Xenopicus albolarvatus 151 Picoides arcticus 149 " americanus americanus.149 " fasciatus . . .149 dorsalis .. . .149 Sphyrapicus varius varius 1">2 " " nuchalis 152 ruber ruber 152 " notkensis 152 thyroideus 152 Ceophlceus pileatus pileatus 149 abieticola . . . .149 Melanerpes erythrocephalus 1 5 :'. " formicivorus formicivorus 153 " bairdi 1 ■<'■'■ angustifrons.153 Asyndesmus lewisi 152 Centurus carolinus 153 aurifrons L53 " uropygialis 15:! Colaptes auratus auratus 1 5 1 " " luteus 1 5 1 " caf er collaris 154 " " saturatior 154 " chrysoides chrysoides .. . .154 brunnescens. . .154 mearnsi 298 " rufipileus 1 5 I 274 Systematic Table of North American Birds a.o.u. No. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page Order MACROCHIRES. Goatsuckers, Swifts, etc. Family CAPRIMULGID.E. Goatsuckers, etc. 416 Chuck-will's-widow Antrostomus earolinensis 156 417 Whip-poor-will " vocif erus vociferus .... 156 417« Stephen's Whip-poor-will " " macromystax.156 418 Poor-will Phalaenoptilus nuttalli nuttali 156 418« Fro.sted Poor-will nitidus 156 41S/> Dusky Poor-will " calif ornicus. 156 419 Merrill's Parauque Nyetidromus albicollis merrilli 157 420 Nighthawk Chordeiles virginianus virginianus. . 157 420rt Western Nighthawk " henryi 157 420& Florida Nighthawk " " chapmani . . 1 57 420c Sennett's Nighthawk " " sennetti ....157 421 Texas Nighthawk " acutipennis texensis. . . .157 Family MICROPODID^E. Swifts. 422 Black Swift Cypseloides niger borealis 158 423 Chimney Swift Chsetura pelagica 158 424 Vaux's Swift " vauxi 15S 425 White-throated Swift Aeronautes melanoleucus 158 Family TROCHILIDiK. Hummingbirds. 426 Rivoli's Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens 159 427 Blue-throated Hummingbird .... Cyanolsemus clemenciae 160 428 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris 160 429 Black-chinned Hummingbird alexandri 159 430 Costa's Hummingbird Calypte costse 159 431 Anna's Hummingbird " anna 161 432 Broad-tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycercus 161 433 Rufous Hummingbird " rufus 101 434 Allen's Hummingbird Selasphorus alleni 161 435 Morcom's Hummingbird AtthLs morcomi 161 436 Calliope Hummingbird Stellula calliope '. 161 437 Lucifer Hummingbird Calothorax lucifer 159 438 Rieffer's Hummingbird Amizilis tzacatl 169 439 Buff -bellied Hummingbird " cerviniventris chalconota.160 439.1 Salvin's Hummingbird Uranomitra salvini 298 440 Xantus's Hummingbird Basilinna xantusi 159 440.1 White-eared Hummingbird " leucotis 160 441 Broad-billed Hummingbird Cynanthus latirostris 160 215 18 Systematic Table of North American Birds a.o.u. No. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page Order PASSERES. Perching Birds Family COTINGID.E. Cotingas. [441.1]Xantus's Beeard Platypsaris aglaias albiventris A.V. Family TYRANNID^E. Tyrant Flycatchers. [442] Fork-tailed Flycatcher Muscivora tyrannus A.V. 443 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher " forficata 177 444 Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus 247 445 Gray Kingbird " dominicensis 247 446 Couch's Kingbird " melancholicus couchi. ... 202 447 Arkansas Kingbird " verticalis 202 448 Cassin's Kingbird " vociferans 202 449 Derby Flycatcher Pitangus sulphuratus derbianus 202 451 Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Myiodynastes luteiventris 203 452 Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus 203 453 Arizona Crested Flycatcher " magister magister 203 453a Mexican Crested Flycatcher .... " " nelsoni 203 454 Ash-throated Flycatcher .... " cinerascens cinerascens 203 454fr Lower California Flycatcher " "■ pertinax ...203 455a Olivaceous Flycatcher " lawrencei olivascens 203 456 Phoebe Sayornis phcebe 208 457 Say's Phcebe " sayus 205 458 Black Phcebe " nigricans 251 459 Olive-sided Flycatcher Nuttallornis borealis 208 460 Coues's Flycatcher Myiochanes pertinax pallidiventris. . 208 461 Wood Pewee virens 238 462 Western Wood Pewee richardsoni richardsoni . 208 462a Large-billed Wood Pewee Myiochanes richardsoni peninsula?. 208 463 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris 211 464 Western Flycatcher " difficilis difficilis 210 464.1 San Lucas Flycatcher " cineritius 210 465 Acadian Flycatcher virescens 210 466 Traill's Flycatcher " trailli trailli 209 466a Alder Flycatcher " " alnorum 209 467 Least Flycatcher minimus 209 468 Hammond's Flycatcher " hammondi 209 469 Wright's Flycatcher " wrighti 209 469.1 Gray Flycatcher " griseus 209 470a Buff -breasted Flycatcher " fulvifrons pygmseus 215 471 Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus mexicanus. . .177 472 Beardless Flycatcher Camptostoma imberbe 211 276 Systematic Table of North American Birds a.o.u. No. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page Family ALAUDID^E. Larks. [473]Skylark 474 Horned Lark 474a Pallid Horned Lark 4746 Prairie Horned Lark .... 474c Desert Horned Lark 474a" Texas Horned Lark 474 e California Horned Lark . 474 f Ruddy Horned Lark 474*/ Streaked Horned Lark . . 474/i Scorched Horned Lark . . 474 i Dusky Horned Lark 474; Sonora Horned Lark .... 474fc Hoyt's Horned Lark 474 I Montezuma Horned Lark 474/» Island Horned Lark Alauda arvensis . Otocoris alpestris A.V. alpestris 200 arcticola 200 praticola 200 leucolasma 201 giraudi 200 actia 20i rubea 201 strigata 201 adusta 201 merrilli 201 pallida 201 hoyti 200 occidentalis . . . .201 insularis 201 Family CORVIDiE. Crows, Jays, Magpies, etc 475 Magpie Pica pica hudsonia 253 476 Yellow-billed Magpie " nuttalli 253 477 Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata cristata 181 477a Florida Blue Jay " " florincola 182 478 Steller's Jay " stelleri stelleri 185 478a Blue-fronted Jay " " frontalis 182 4786 Long-crested Jay " diademata 185 478 c Black-headed Jay " " annectens 1S5 478d Queen Charlotte Jay " " carlottae 185 478e Coast Jay " carbonacea 298 479 Florida Jay Aphelocoma cyanea 184 480 Woodhouse's Jay 480.1 Blue-eared Jay . 480.2 Texas Jay 481 California Jay . . . 481a Xantus's Jay . . . 4816 Belding's Jay . . . 481.1 Santa Cruz Jay . 482 Arizona Jay .... 4S2a Couch's Jay .... woodhousei 184 cyanotis 184 texana 184 californica californica.184 " " hypoleuca . 184 " " obscura. . .184 " insularis 184 " sieberi arizonae 183 " " couchi 183 483 Green Jay Xanthoura luxuosa glaucescens. . . .185 277 Systematic Table of North American Birds a.o.u. No. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page 484 484a 484/; 484c 485 485a 486 486a 487 488 488a 4886 489 490 [490 [490, 491 492 Canada Jay Perisoreus canadensis canadensis. 252 Rocky Mountain Jay Alaska Jay Labrador Jay Oregon Jay Gray Jay American Raven Northern Raven White-necked Raven American Crow " capitalis 252 " " fumifrons 252 " " nigricapillus. ..252 obscurus obscurus 252 " " griseus 252 Corvus corax sinuatus 255 " " principalis 255 " cryptoleucus 255 " brachyrhynchos brachyrhyn- ' chos 255 " brachyrhnchos pascuus.. . .255 " " hesperis . .304 " caurinus 255 " ossifragus 255 " frugilegus A.V. " cornix A.V. Nucifraga columbiana 252 Pifion Jay Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus 183 Florida Crow Western Crow Northwestern Crow Fish Crow ,l]Rook 2] Hooded Crow ... Clarke's Crow .... Family STURNID^E. Starlings. [493] Starling Sturnus vulgaris . . 494 495 495a 496 496a 497 498 498a 498b 498 c 498a" 498 e 498f 498a 499 500 Family ICTERIDiE. Blackbirds, Orioles, etc Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus 251 Cowbird Molothrus ater ater 253 Dwarf Cowbird " " obscurus 253 Red-eyed Cowbird Tangavius aeneus involucratus 253 Bronzed Cowbird " " aaneus 304 Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus ... 199 Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phceniceus phoeniceus. . .178 Sonora Red-wing ....... Bahama Red-wing Florida Red-wing Thick-billed Red-wing . , San Diego Red-wing . . . Northwestern Red-wing Vera Cruz Red-wing.... Bicolored Blackbird Tricolored Blackbird . sonoriensis. . . .178 bryanti 178 floridanus 178 fortis 178 neutralis 178 caurinus 178 richmondi . . . .298 gubernator californicus.. .179 tricolor 179 278 Systematic Table of North American Birds A.O.U. No. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. 1'AGE 501 Meadowlark 501a Rio Grande Meadowlark 501c Southern Meadowlark . . 501.1 Western Meadowlark . . . Sturnella magna magna 199 " hoopesi 199 " argutula 199 " neglecta 199 503 Audubon's Oriole Icterus melanocephalus auduboni. .180 504 Scott's Oriole 505 Sennett's Oriole 505a Arizona Hooded Oriole parisorum 186 cucullatus sennetti 186 nelsoni 186 spurius 206 galbula 186 bullocki 186 506 Orchard Oriole 507 Baltimore Oriole 508 Bullock's Oriole 509 Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus 254 510 Brewer's Blackbird " cyanocephalus 254 511 Purple Grackle Quiscalus quiscula quiscula 254 511a Florida Grackle " " aglseus 254 511& Bronzed Grackle " " seneus 254 513 Boat-tailed Grackle Megaquiscalus major major 254 513a Great-tailed Grackle " " macrourus. . .254 Family FRINGILLID^E. 514 Evening Grosbeak 514a Western Evening Grosbeak. 515 Pine Grosbeak 515a Rocky Mt. Pine Grosbeak. . . 515& California Pine Grosbeak . . . 515c Alaska Pine Grosbeak 5150" Kadiak Pine Grosbeak [516]Cassin's Bullfinch 517 Purple Finch 517a California Purple Finch 518 Cassin's Purple Finch 519 . House Finch 519& San Lucas House Finch 519c San Clemente House Finch.. 520 Guadalupe House Finch 520.1 McGregor's House Finch . . . 521 American Crossbill 521a Mexican Crossbill 522 White-winged Crossbill Finches, Sparrows, etc. Hesperiphona vespertina vespertina 199 montana. . .199 Pinicola enucleator leucura 171 " montana 171 calif ornica ....171 " alascensis ....171 flammula 171 Pyrrhula cassini A.V. Carpodacus purpureus purpureus. .171 " calif ornicus. . .171 " cassini 175 mexicanus frontalis. . .175 " ruberrimus.175 " " dementis.. .175 " amplus 175 mcgregori 175 Loxia curvirostra minor 173 stricklandi 173 " leucoptera 171 279 Systematic Table of North American Birds a.o.u. No. COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Page 523 Aleutian Rosy Finch Leucosticto griseonucha 179 524 Gray-crowned Rosy Finch " tephrocotis tephrocotis.179 524a Hepburn's Rosy Finch " " littoralis 179 525 Black Rosy Finch " atrata 179 526 Brown-capped Rosy Finch " australis 179 527. Greenland Redpoll AcanthLs hornemanni hornemanni.176 527a Hoary Redpoll •• » exilipes 176 528 Redpoll « linaria linaria 176 528a Holbcell's Redpoll " " holbcelli 176 528& Greater Redpoll " " rostrata 176 529 Goldfinch Astragalinus tristis tristis 192 529a Pale Goldfinch " " pallidus 192 529& Willow Goldfinch " " salicamans 192 530 Arkansas Goldfinch " psaltria psaltria 192 530a Green-backed Goldfinch " " hesperophilus 299 531 Lawrence's Goldfinch " lawrencei 189 [532]Black-headed Goldfinch Spinus notatus A.V. 533 Pine Siskin " pinus pinus 225 534 Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis 211 534a Pribilof Snow Bunting " " townsendi ..211 535 McKay's Snow Bunting " hyperboreus 211 536 Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus. . .219 536a Alaska Longspur " " alascensis ..219 537 Smith's Longspur " pictus 220 538 Chestnut-collared Longspur " ornatus 218 539 McCown's Longspur Rhynchophanes mccowni 218 540 Vesper Sparrow Pocecetes gramineus gramineus 221 540a Western Vesper Sparrow " " confinis 221 540& Oregon Vesper Sparrow " " affinis 221 541 Ipswich Sparrow Passerculus princeps 225 542 Aleutian Savannah Sparrow '* sandwichensis sandwichen- sis 223 542a Savannah Sparrow " sandwichensis savanna. . .223 5426 Western Savannah Sparrow " " alaudinus. .223 542c Bryant's Sparrow " " bryanti 223 542. v. heter- oCnemis), Similar to No. 375c. "but bill larger; posterior lower parts paler; feet lighter colored and less heavily .spotted; upper parts with usually less ochrace- ous." (Oberholser). Range. — "Northern Ungava and Labrador" (A. O. TJ.). Page 147. After No. 390 add: 390a. Northwestern Belted Kingfisher (C. a. caurina). Similar to No. 370 "but size greater, especially measurements of flight-feathers." W. 6.54 (Grinnell, Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool., V. 1910, p. 388). Range. — Northwestern America, south along the Pacific coast in winter. Status of California breeding birds still undetermined. (Grinnell, Univ. Cal. Pub. Zool., V, 1910, p. 389). Page 150. After No. 393f. add: 393g. Newfoundland Woodpecker (D. v. terrcenovoe) . Similar to D. v. villosus, "but slightly larger, the black areas of the upperparts increased, the white areas reduced both in number and in size, especially in the remiges and wing-coverts," (Batch elder). Range. — Newfoundland. Page 150. After No. 393e. add: 393h. White-breasted Woodpecker (D. v. leucothorectis) . "Much like No. 393e. but decidedly smaller; wing-coverts prac- tically always without white spots." W. 4.83; T. 3.07; B. 1.10 (Oberholser, Proc. U. S. N. M. 40, 1908, p. 608). Range. — "Canadian and Transition Zones, from southern Utah, northwestern and central New Mexico and extreme southwestern Texas, south to the mountains of western Zacatecas, Mexico" (A. O. U). Page 151. After No. 396a. add: 396b. San Fernando Woodpecker (D. s. cremievs). Similar to No. 396a, but larger; lower surface darker; upperparts darker, the white bars on back averaging narrower and les.s regular, the neck bars wider; black bars on posterior lower parts averaging somewhat wider." $ W. 4.16; T. 2.67; B. 1.02 (Oberholser, Proc. U. S. N. M., 41, 1911, p. 151). Range.- — Lower California, north of Ukai and Plaia Maria Bay, except extreme northeastern portion" (A. O. U). The Range of No. 396a is thus restricted to the southern half of Lower California. Page 351. Dryobates scalar is bairdi proves to be restricted to Mexico; No. 396, its representative in the southwestern United States, has been named 297 Additions, Subtractions, Emendations Cactus Woodpecker (D. s. cactopMlus) . (OberhoLser, Proc. V. S. X. M., 41, 1911, p. 152). Page 154. After No. 414a. add: 414b. Mearns's Gilded Flicker {C. I mearnsi). Similar to C. c. chrysoides but decidedly larger and paler, with pileum more strongly cinnamomeus, black bars on back, etc., narrower, spots on outer web of primaries more conspicuous (primary coverts also sometimes spotted, gra3r of throat, etc. lighter, and spots on underparts usually smaller. W. 5.74; T. 3.77; B. 1.39 (Ridgway). Range. — "Extreme southwestern California, northern Lower California and southern Arizona south to southern Sonora" (A. O. U.). The Range of No. 414 is now restricted to "southern Lower California," that of No. 414 to "middle Lower California." Page 160. After Xo. 439 add: 391.1 Salvin's Hummingbird (Vrmomitra salvini). Ad. ^ . Head glittering blue; back dark shining green; tail dark glossy green, outer pair of feathers broadly tipped with drab; below soiled white, throat tinged with clayey white, sides of throat spotted with blue; sides of breast greenish blue; sides of body brilliant green. W. 2.07; T. 1.27; B. 1.02 (Brewster). Yng. 9. Similar but duller, rump edged with rusty; sides of body brownish gray (Bishop). Range. — "Huachuca Mountains, southern Arizona, and eastern Sonora (only two specimens known" (A. O. U.). Pages 162 and 166. The Waxwings alone new compose the Family BOMBY- GILLIDiE (formerly AMPELIDiE) while the Phainopepla is placed in the Fam- ily PTILO'GOXATID^. Pages 162 and 169. The subfamily Chamgeinaa is now elevated to full family rank and stands as Family CHAMMIBJE, Wren-Tits. It contains solely the Wren-Tits, (Nos. 742 to 742c) the only family of birds restricted to North America. Page 178. After No. 498f. add: 498g. Vera Cruz Red-wing (A. p. rich- mondi). Similar to A. p. floridanus but slightly smaller; adult female much lighter colored (resembling female of A. p. sonoriensis), about intermediate in color between females of A. p. floridanus and A. p. brymti. <$ W. 4.40; T. 3.22; B. .90; depth of B. at base, .44. 9 W. 3.61; T. 2.67; B. .77; depth of B. at base, .39. Range. — "Southern coast and Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas south through eastern Mexico to Yucatan and eastern Guatemala; winters south to eastern Nicaragua and Costa Rica." (A. O. U.). Page 185. After No. 478d add: 478e. Coast Jay (G. s. carbonacea) . "Inter- mediate in size and coloration between G. s. stellcri and C. stelleri frontalis. Dorsal surface sooty black as in stelleri, but with blue on forehead nearly as extended as in frontalis. Tint of blue of posterior lower parts paler than in stelleri, and extending further forward into pectoral region as in frontalis" (Grinnell). Range. — "Breeds in the humid Pacific coast strip from southern Oregon to the 298 Appendix I Santa Lucia mountains, California and east to the mountains on the west side of Napa Vall