Author: Warren, Benjamin Harry Title: Report on the birds of Pennsylvania Place of Publication: Harrisburg Copyright Date: 1890 Master Negative Storage Number: MNS# PSt SNPaAg004.7 <812572>*OCLC* Form:mono2 lnput:BLN EditFMD 008 ENT: 971009 TYP: s DT1: 1890 DT2: LAN: eng 035 (OCoLC)37571386 037 PSt SNPaAg004.7 $bPreservation Office, The Pennsylvania State University, Pattee Library, University Park, PA 16802-1805 090 00 QL684.P4 $bW2 $cst*1 534658*23900332 $clfM 0742310 $crb*25013931 090 20 Microfilm D244 reel 4.7 $cmc+(service copy, print master, archival master) 100 1 Warren, Benjamin Harry $d1858- 245 10 Report on the birds of Pennsylvania $bwith special reference to the food habits, based on over four thousand stomach examinations $cby B.H. Warren. 246 30 Birds of Pennsylvania. 250 2d ed., rev. and augm. 260 Harrisburg $bE.K. Meyers, State Printer $c1890. 300 xiv, 434 p., 100 leaves $bcol. ill. $c25 cm. 500 Published by authority of the Commonwealth. 500 Spine title: Birds of Pennsylvania 504 Includes bibliographical references (p. 404-407) and index. 533 Microfilm $bUniversity Park, Pa. : $cPennsylvania State University $d1997. $e1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm. $f(USAIN state and local literature preservation project. Pennsylvania) $f(Pennsylvania agricultural literature on microfilm). 590 This item is temporarily out of the library during the filming process. If you wish to be notified when it returns, please fill out a Personal Reserve slip. The slips are available in the Rare Books Room, in the Microforms Room, and at the Circulation desk. 590 Archival master stored at National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD : print master stored at remote facility. 650 0 Birds $zPennsylvania. 830 0 USAIN state and local literature preservation project. SpPennsylvania. 830 0 Pennsylvania agricultural literature on microfilm. j i.^ 7 4 I f REPORT ON THK BiEDS OF Pennsylvania. t ■^ With Special Reference to the Food-Habits, based on over Four Thousand Stomach Examinations. BY B. H. WARREN, M. D., OHNITHOLCilST. PENNSYLVANIA STATE BOAKD OK AGKICULTITRK. i3 J c nn- l/c^p -v, (3 4 SECOND EDITlOxN, REVISED AND AUGMENTED. ILLUSTRATKD BY OnK HuNDRKD Pi,ATES. / « • » I • • 1 t > < > Published by Authority of the Commo'^nvtahi » lilt, t r > • » J » » I > > t > • <• t • > > » > • . ' » . » II 11^ r 1 ) J > > > > > • I » » I • * > • HABRISBURG : E. K. MEYERS, STATE PIIINTER. 1800. J Copyrighted, 1890. Office of the Ornithologist of the State Board of Agriculture, West Chester, Penna., October /, 1S90. To the Honorahle Senate and House of Representatives of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania: Gentlemen : I have the honor to transmit herewith the revised edition of the Report on the Birds of Pennsylvania, authorized by the act of April 20, 1889. B. H. WARREN. > 4 • t« *>• •• < , • . » • • • « • • • • • • » • * • • 1 • a < • • -». 4 • * i « • • (ii) (iii) 11929G CONTENTS. Extract from an act to provide for the publishing of a revised edition of the Report on Birds of Pennsylvania^ by the Ornithologist of the State Board of Agriculture, and the distribution of the same. Section 1. Be it enacted, etc., That there shall be printed nineteen thousand copies of a revised edition of the Report on Birds of Pennsylvania, by the Ornitholo- gist of the State Board of Agriculture, size not to exceed four hundred and fifty pages and to be bound in half morrocco, and to be distributed as follows, namely : Five hundred copies for use of the Governor ; one hundred copies for use of the lieuten- ant Governor ; two hundred copies for use of the Secretary of the Commonwealth ; three hundred copies for use of the State Librarian ; fifty copies each for use of At- torney General, Auditor General, State Treasurer, Secretary of Internal Affairs, Su- perintendent of Public Instruction, Adjutant General, Commissioner of Insurance, and Superintendent of Public Printing and Binding ; one thousand copies for the use of the School Department for distribution to school superintendents, normal schools, and school libraries in the commonwealth ; six hundred copies for use of the State Board of Agriculture ; six hundred copies for use of State Grange for distribution through county pomona granges ; three hundred copies for use of the Ornithologist of the State Board of Agriculture for distribution amongst scientists ; five thousand copies for use of Senate, and ten thousand copies for use of the House, to be deliv- ered to the members of the present legislature. (iv) I List of Plates Introduction, Order Pyjfopodes— Divinj? Birds Family Podicipidic— The Grebes Urinatoridii'— The Loons, Alcidu.'— The Auks, Murres and Puffins . Order Longipennes-LonK-winged Swuumers, Family Stercorariida?— The Jaegers, Larldte— The Gulls and Terns, . . , Rynchopidic— The Skimmers Order Tubinares— Tube-nosed Swimmers • Family ProcellariidiE-The Shearwaters and Petrels, .... Order Steganopodes—Totipalmate Swimmers, Family Phalacrocoracidai— The Cormorants, Pelecanida*— The Pelicans, Order Anseres-Lamellirostral Swimmers Family Anatidse— The Ducks, Geese and Swans Order Hercxliones— Herons, Egrets, etc., Family Ibidida*— The Ibises, Ciconiidsc— The Wood Ibises, Ardeidai— The Herons, Bitterns, etc., Order Paludicolip— Kails, Coots, etc., Rallidtc-The Kails, Gallinules, etc. Order Limicolic— Shore Birds, Family Phalaropodid;e— The Phalaroi^es, • Scolopacida;— The Snipes, Sandpipers, etc., Charadriidic-The Plovers, Ai)hrizida'— The Turnstones, Order Galhnje— Gallinaceous Birds, Family Tetraonidsc— The Grouse. Partridges, etc., Phasianidsc— The Turkeys, • Order Columbse— Pigeons, Family Colurabidic— Pigeons, Order Kaptores— Birds of Prey, Family Cathartidtc— The American Vultures, Falconidie— The Hawks, Eagles, etc, Strigidje— The Barn Owls Bubonidjc— The Horned Owls, etc , Order Coccyges— Cuckoos, etc., Family Cuculidic— The Cuckoos, Alcedinida'— The Kingtlshers, Order Pici— Woodpeckers, Family Picida'— The Woodpeckers, Insects that Woodpeckers eat Order Macrochires— Goatsuckers, Swifts, Family Caprimulgidic— The Whip-poor-will and Nighthawk, Micropodida*— Swifts. Trochilida;— Hummingbirds, Order Passeres— Perching Birds, . . Family Tyrannidir— The Flycatchers Alaudida*— Larks, Corvidte— The Crows and Jays, Icteridie— The Blackbirds, Orioles, etc Fringillida'— The Finches, Sparrows, etc., TanagridrtJ— The Tauagers, (V) \tge. vii xi I 1 H 8 10 10 13 '2i 2.'> '^b 28 28 29 .30 30 53 53 53 54 67 67 75 75 77 97 103 104 104 io;> 110 110 114 114 ' 144 146 159 159 162 164 164 176 178 178 182 183 186 186 197 198 205 224 ;:50 vi BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Page. Order Passeres— Confintted. Family Hirundinidav- The Swallows, 352 Am pelida;— The Wax wings, 357 LaniidiX'— The Shrikes, 259 Vireonidu'— The Vireos, 262 Mniotiltidie— The Wood- Warblers 267 Motacillida'-The Wag-tails 303 TroglodytidiL'— The Wrens, Thrashers, etc , 304 Certhiida?— The Creepers, 313 Parida^— The Nuthatches and Tits 314 Sylviidie— The Kinglets and Gnatcatchers 320 Turdidit— The Thrushes, Bluebirds, etc., 324 • APPENDIX. Birds of Prey and the "Scalp'' act of June 23, 1885 333 Food of Hawks and Owls 346 The Food of Crows, 367 The English Sparrow, 394 Some Nocturnal Migrants, 400 Protection of Birds, 403 List of Authorities, 404 Glossary of Technical Terms, 411 Index, 425 i I LIST OF platp:s. The greater part of the illustrations in this rnnr^rt >,o..« k , positions, etc., have been made in nearrv alb frZth b,f " ^^P'^^ (some alterations as to America." By copying from saM work whL ^he small edition of "Audubon's Birds of many of the finest portrayXofbtdsthJh« '' 'T'^^^ by competent critics as containing dollars per plate, o? o^^ ^ wtgfwl^rer^hT^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^hf s^aH " ^^^'"^"^' Prof. Itobert Ridgway, Curltor Department of B^^^^^^^ '''" ""^"^'^ ^""°"' '" ^^™ ^>' ington, D. C. Notwitttanding fho"^" " tL thf '"o^^^^^^^ ^'"T^ ''"**"""^ ^"«^"°^' ^-^- colors,the lithographer ha. with the rnnfMf , j'^V ^'''"'^ restricted the number of Platen. 1. Figures illustrating terms use. fr I . 8. H. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 10. 17. 18. Iff. 20. 21. 2.1. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31, 32. < Horned Grebe (Colymhus auritus). Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cuciillahis). Wood Duck (Ate sponsa). American Bittern (Botaurus lentmnosmt Black-crowned Night Heron (Nuctian-ar nyctWorar unrnw) Sora (Porzana Carolina). American Coot {Fulica americnia). Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago dcUcata). Solitary Sandpiper (Totanux solitariius). Killdeer i^Egialitis vocifera). Bob-white or Partridge ( Cotintw viryijiiaiius) Marsh Hawk (Circus hud807iius). Sharp-shinned Hawk iAccipiter velar). Ited-tailed Hawk (Buteo horealls). Broad-winged Hawk (liuteolatistiimus). Sparrow Hawk (Faico xparvemts). Barn Owl (Stri.t praWicola). Screech Owl (Meyascops asw). Great Horned Owl (Bubo iHrginianus). Yellow-throated Vireo ( Viren Jfavifronsy Blue-winged Warbler (Helminthaphila pinmK Be.ted Kingfisher iCerylc alcyon). ^i^^'l'^'^'^f, Woodpecker (Melanerpe. eryihraf 68 pubescens). Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus). Yellow-bellied Woodpecker {Sphyrapicus varius). Virginia Rail (Rallus xrlrgi)iianus) . Least Sandpiper ( Tringa minutilla). 79 American Woodcock {Philohela minor). 80. American Osprey (Pandiluml>arim) . American Long-eared Owl {Anio wilsonianus). Short-eared Owl (Asioaccipitrinus). Barred Owl {Symium )icJnd(>sum). Saw-whet Owl {Nyetala acadica). Snowy Owl {Nyctea nyctea). Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coecyzus americanus). Black-billed Cuckoo (CKxyzus erythrophthalmm) Chimney Swift (Chcetura pelagica). Bank Swallow (Clivicola riparia). CresttMi Flycatcher {Myiarchus crinitus). Phcebe (Sayornis phcebe). Wood Pewee (Onitopus vireiis). Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax acadicu^n). Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertina.) Brown Creeper (Cert hia familiar Ls americana) Black and White Warbler (Mniotilta varia). American Pine Grosbeak {Pinicola enucleaUyr canad^nMs) American Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra minor). White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera). Tree Sparrow (Spizella monticola). SnowHake (Plectrophenax nivalin). Magnolia Warbler (Dendnncn maculosa). Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitherus vermivot us). White-throated Sparrow (Znnofrichia albicnllis).' White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) Towhee (Pipih, crythrophthnlmus). Water Thrush (Seiurus nomb(rracensis). Northern Shrike {Lanius borealis). Loggerhead Shrike {Lanim ludoviciamis). Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria vireiis). Gray-cheeked Thrush (Turdus alicicB). Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica rfrer»«) Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendruica avrulescens) Parula (Compsothlypis americana). Hooded Warbler (Sylvania mitrata) Myrtle Warbler {Dendrtrica coronata). Kentucky Warbler ^Oeothlypsts fortnosa) Blackburnian Warbler (Dendr(>tcrt blachburtii.ei. lufted Titmouse (Parus J>icoUn-). Mocking bird {Mimiis polyyh,ttos). Oven bird (Seiurus aurocafdllus). Wood Thrush {Turdus mustelinm) Olive-backed Thrush (Turdus ustulatus swainsmiH). Hermit Thrush (Turdtis aonalaschkce palla^i) Wilson's Thrush (Turdus fnscescens) J INTRODUCTION. 1 i' ^-\ ,., (X) I The State of Pennsylvunia is situated between 89 "" 43' and 42 "" 15' north latitude, and between 74° 42' and 80° 35' west long-itude from Greenwich. It is bounded on the north by New York and Lake Erie; on tJie east by New York and New Jersey, being- separated from the latter state by the Delaware river. Its length from east to west is about three hundred and ten miles, and about one hundi-ed and sixty miles in width (" except at the angle at Lake Erie where it is one hundred and seventy-five "). It contains an area of 28,808,443 acres, of which only about 15,004,962 were imjn'oved in 1889. "Face of the Country.— No state in the Union presents a greater variety of sur- face tiian Pennsylvania. Though they do not rise to any great elevation (seldom above 2,000 feet), its mountains spread over about one-fourth of the state in parallel ridges, in a direction generally from northeast to southwest, and occupy the south- ern, central and eastern counties. Though all forming parts of the great Appala- chian chain, they are known by various local appellations. Commencing below Easton, on the Delaware, we have the South mountain ; then in order, pro(!eeding west or northwest, the Blue or Kittatinny mountain (both entering the state from New Jersey, and passing southwest into Maryland), and the Broad mountain, which lies south of the North Branch of the Susquehanna. We now cross the river just mentioned, but still have with us the Broad mountain, under the name of the Tuscarora; passing which, we come [upon another ridge, lying mostly south of the Juniata river, known as Sideling Hill ; which is succeeded in turn by the Allegheny mountains proper, the dividing ridge between the Atlantic slope and the Mississippi valley. Descending the very gradual Ohio slope, we cross two inferior but well- defmed chains, known as Laurel and Chestnut Ridges. As before stated, these mountains do not rise to a great height; the South mountain is within 1,000, and the Blue mountains within 1,500 feet. Broad mountain is said to rise higher above its immediate base than the Allegheny range, but to be inferior to them in elevation above the sea. These different ranges are separated by valleys, now contracted within narrow limits, and now spreading out to a width of from fifteen to thirty miles. The entire belt in Pennsylvania spreads over a space of two hundred miles— the greatest breadth the Allegheny range attains in its whole course from Maine to Alabama. In the southern part of the state the mountains become high and rug- ged hills ; the west is also hilly, and the southeast and northwest moderately so, but occasionally level. The rivers of the western part of the state, cutting their way through the table-land, present sometimes precipitous shores of several hundred feet in height, and many valleys bear evident marks of their having been formed by running water." (xi) Xll BIIWS OF PENNSYLVANIA, INTRODUCTION Xlll "Climate.— Theclimateof Pennsylvania is variable, and liable tosudden extremes, having sometimes the heat of the Carolinas, and at others the cold of Cayada, but in periods generally of only three days, intermingled in summer with sharp winds from the northw est, and mitigated in winter by the milder breezes from the south- west. Periodsof warm weather sometimes occur in January and February. * * * The mountainous region has a greater degree of cold, and the snows are deeper and lie longer than in other portions. In the west the climate is milder and less vari- able than in the east." " Rivers, Lakes, Etc.— The only lake of importance in this state is Lake Erie, which forms its northwest boundary for about fifty miles. The Delaware, which rises in the southeast part of New York, and Hows southerlv, separates New York and New Jersey from Pennsylvania and Delaware, and empt'ies into Delaware Bay. It is navigable for large ships to Philadelphia, about ninety-six miles from the sea, and for sloops and steamboats to Trenton, thirty miles further up. The Susque- hanna, the largest river in the state, enters Pennsylvania from New York, and flow- ing southerly for four hundred miles, crosses the entire state, dividing it into two unequal portions, having the larger part on the west. This river is not navigable, except at high-water in the spring and autumn, when large (luantities of timber are floated down it in rafts. * * * Owing to its rapid descent to within a few miles of the Chesapeake Bay, into which it flows, it is but little aflected by the tides:' Its principal tributaries are the West Branch and Juniata from the west, and the Swatara and Conestoga from the east. Between the Susquehanna and Delaware are the Lehigh and Schuylkill, alfluents of the Delaware, and each about one liundred miles in length. The Ohio, which is formed by the union of the Allegheny from the north, and the Monongahela from the soutli, drains the western part of the state, having about fifty miles of its course in Pennsylvania. It is navigable for large steamboats to its head at Pittsburgh. The Allegheny is about three hundred and the Monongahela two hundred miles in length, and both, at high-water, are navi- gable, the former two hundred and the latter sixty miles, for small steamers. The Youghiogheny, a branch of the Monongahela, and the Beaver, a branch of the Ohio, are small rivers. Canals coast most of these rivers, except the Monongahela and Youghiogheny, to a greater or less extent, "-i.?;>;?mco^<»«>'<>«y at Harvard College. Vols, xll and xiil. The Water nu d^a i.^;' f n""r ^" f ' T" ''• ''''''''^ ''^ ^' '''''''^' """ "" '^'"«^''y- ^^''"^•^ '" continuation of the B wn. Tr "'^'««*:''"^'^»' Survey of California. .7. D. Whitney. State Geologl.st. Boston. Little. Brown and Company. 1S84. [Illustrated by numerous wo«wl -cuts; pages IIOIJ. I f [ I I XIV BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA 7. Breast or pectus, also spoken of as pectoral region. 8. Wing-coverts (greater, middle and lesser). 9. Bastard or spurious wing. 10. Occiput. 11. Tetiaries, tertials, or tertiary quills. 12. Scapulars or scapular feathers. 13. Abdomen or belly. 14. Lower tail-coverts ; crissuni. 15. Crown or top of head. A. Culmen. B. Cere. C. Lore or loral space. D. Gape or rictus. E. Commissure. F. Ear-coverts or auriculars. The Avriter is under many obligations to Mr. George B. Sennett, of Erie . Prof. August Kock, of Williamsport ; Dr. Walter Van Fleet, of Reno'vo ; Dr. John W. Detwiller, of Bethlehem-all gentlemen well versed in ornithological science-and others* -.vhohave spared no pains to assist in securing reliable information relating to our feathered fauna. To Mr. Benjamin M. Everhart, of West Chester, a gentleman who deservedly ranks as one of the foremost botanical authorities in this country, the writer is particularly indebted for much valuable assistance in the prepa- ration of the present work. Mr. Everhart, although specially interested in the study of cryptogamic botany, has for over forty years devoted much attention to the study of birds, and while he has become eminent in botanical circles his knowledge of the feathered tribes is such that he is one of the best ornithologists in the state. The copious field notes (manuscript) of Mr. Everhart, also his large and valuable scientific library, having been plac^ed at the disposal of the writer, a considerable amount of interesting and valuable matter has been given on the follow- ing pages that would not otherwise have been obtained. THE AUTHOR. West Chester, Penna., November^ 1890. a j Plate I. <3^hiA UL. uck. Description (Plated). Adult.— Bin black, with yellow or whitish tip, about 1 inch long and considerably shorter than head; iris carmine, with a fine inner circle of white; crests and rulls well developed ; head and ruir glossy black (in some specimens of a greenish hue). A brownish-yellow band, darkest in color between eyes and bill, runs over eyes and unites with long occipital tufts (horns) of same color ; plumage of upper parts dark brown, margined with white and gray ; secondaries (ihietly white ; primaries brownish-gray ; greater part of neck, upper breast and also portions of the sides reddish-brown, rest of sides dusky ; lining of the wings white ; lower parts silvery- white ; legs brownish, ^^ellow or greenish on inside. KoMW,7.— Bill blackisli-])rown ; iris yellowish ; ruffs and crests slightly developed ; upper parts brownish-gray ; feathers on back more or less edged with white or grayish ; chin, throat, sides of head white ; abdomen and breast silvery-white ; tarsi and feet brownish. Length about 14 inches; extent about 25 inches. Habitat.— yorihern hemisphere. Breeds from northern United States northward. This species is recorded as quite a common winter resident through- out the United States, and although sometimes found nesting within our northern limits, it retires chiefly nortli of the ITnit(Ml States during the breeding period (middle of May to middle of August). Audubon {Birds 0/ America) states that he found, in Ohio, near Lake Erie, in the month of July, nests containing eggs in which incubation was well advanced. Dr. Coues {Birds of the Northioest) mentions that he has found it breeding at various points in northern Dakota, where, in June BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. - '- , , ,, "„„„ „„A voung, the latter newly liatched. and July, he .^--'^dbott.^lf ^ t y« ^ ^^ ^^^^.^^ .„ ^^^e north- This species .8 recorded by Mr^^. A^ ^^^^^ .^ ^^ .^^^^^^^^^^ em latitudes than New ^"f ''"^^■. , ^^'^j^X of October until early in sojourner, in Pennsylvania from the m'ddle o .^ ^ ^^^^ Ajril. In the --^hs" . W^^^^ jf li^lence with us. Although numerous than at othei *>>««; ''™ ^ sometimes in parties of four, generally "^^^^^f^^l'^ZlZl^Zt, in the past ten years, flocks five or SIX, I have seen, on inie^ during the sprmg numbering from twelve to ^^tj^^- ^ "'^^^.^pltare rivers."^ Dr. n^igrations, on the f ^^^-^^^^^^U^^Sson both of Renovo, Clinton AValter Van Fleet and Burgess J. H^^J^"^™'; ^ of March or -fst^I-^riin central P^^^^^^^^ or three days before passing nor hwarch M.-^er J ^^^.^ at least two hundred Grebes m the nve. ^t Je^ojo, ^^ ^^^^ killed by gunners. In ^ ^^^ ^^Jf .^ of the food of Horned Pleet secured --;-» ^r^Jtl Im^achs of almost all that I Grebe, says: I l'^^^"""^?. • .u^^ substances rolled together like T TrofoV^'b^t haUno^^^^^^^^^^^ whether or not these masses the pellets of owls, but ua ^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^.^ ^^^^.^^ ^^j^j^ „„ g,,lt are disgorged, fioT,p« and minute Crustacea, water, is composed of shrimps, ^«^fJ^^;\^^J\^,n frogs, tad- While on fresh water, they ^^^^^^I^^' u^^T'^^^^ of grasses." poles, and aquatic izards; ^^^ ^'^^X^^^,! i,,. j ,, The stomach-contents of nine of ttesc ^^ds win ^^.^^^ ^^ sisted mainly of sand, remains of ^^ > ^^^ksj^ad hog ^^^.^^^^ ^ feathers. Genus PODILYMBTJS Lesson. Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.). ...ed..mo.. GrCH,; !-.,..« Dipper ; U.Ue P>.h DuC . HC. ..ivor Description. ,,uu.-.m tMcU, Shorter t.an ,>eaa -'Hugher than wM^^ \:r("Hrp— ')' ers; "o conspicuous tufts or c.„s^ ;br ad nUdo^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^(^^^ _^^^^,_ ^_p^,^^ bluish white, culn.en .lusky and » "3'. ^„,, th,oal with a long showy parts ,lark brown, darkest on hcact an back Um ^„„„i,b-a8h -, sec black patch ; sides of head and "<'<='^ ' ^^^tkTn front and upper part of breast ondarles grayish and white; '"^JXl ^r bTr'ed with black on upper portion of yellowish-brown more or less spoted or bar ed ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^. ^^^^^^^^^^ with streaks of white ; lower part of breast and abdomen silky white ; sides dark grayish-brown ; feathers on upper part of breast on sides brownish-black edged with rusty ; plumage of upper parts dark brown, somewliat grayish on top of head and about nape of neck ; feathers on lower part of neck and the back are darkest. The specimen before me has a decided gloss on back feathers ; the feathers on the sides about the thighs are hair-like in appearance. Length about 134 inches ; extent about 22 inches. ^a6i«a^— British provinces southward to Brazil, Buenos Ayres and Chili, includ- ing the West Indies and the Bermudas, l)reeding nearly throughout its range. The Pied-billed Grebe, or Dabchick, is a common spring and fall vis- itor, and in winter it is often seen, especially in the southern counties of the state. The Dabchick is the only one of the Grebes which has been known, to naturalists, with whom I have corresponded on the mat- ter, to breed in Pennsylvania, but as a native the bird is rare, or if it breeds at all regularly with us, it retires to such secluded situations that collectors rarely find it. In the counties of Crawford and Erie Mr. George B. Sennett has observed the species as a "moderately common spring and fall migrant," and Mr. August Koch, of Williamsport, has noted it, in his locality, only as a spring and fall visitor. Dr. John W. Detwiller, natin-alist, residing at Bethlehem, Northampton county, uTites me he has found it breeding here. Prof. H. Justin Koddy, of the Millersville State Normal School, says : This Grebe about ten years ago bred in Perry county, Pennsylvania. The following interesting and valuables notes concerning the nesting habits of the Pied-billed Grebe are given by Mr. Langdon in his list- Summer Birds of a Northern Ohio Marsh : "The little floating island of decaying vegetation held together by mud and moss, which consti- tutes the nest of this species, is a veritable ornithological curiosity. Imagine a ' pancake ' of what appears to be mud, measuring twelve or fifteen inches in diameter, and rising two or three inches above the water, which may be from one to three feet in depth ; anchor it to the bottom with a few concealed blades of 'saw-grass,' in a little open bay, leaving its circumference entirely free ; remove a mass of wet muck from its rounded top and you expose seven or eight soiled browiiish-white eggs, resting in a depression the bottom of which is less than an inch from the water ; the whole mass is constantly damp. This is the nest of the Dabchick, who is out foraging in the marsh, or perhaps is anx- iously watching us from some safe corner near by. "The anchoring blades of coarse saw-grass or flags, being always longer than is necessary to reach the bottom, permit of considerable lateral and vertical movement of the nest, and effectually provide against drowning of the eggs by any ordinary rise in the water-level such as frequently occurs during the prevalence of strong easterly winds on the lake. A small bunch of saw-grass already growing in a suitable situa- tion is evidently selected as a nucleus for the nest, and the tops bent so as to form part of it. " During the day we invariably found the eggs concealed by a cover- BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. task." Suborder CEPPHl. Loons and Auks. Family URINATORIDiE. Loons. THE LOONS. ,uost expert of all bird«. They ret.: e ^'"X/adva"ce" ..igrate southward. Duri..g Kions to reartheir you.,g, and as cold "•«^""'';^^';:^^^:;," /„„., „„ the large lakes in migrations 1,00ns are ■nostn<.„.ero,>sabo...Jursea«.oa floundering ,he interior. Like the Grebes they ■""^'l "^'j," ^J^^'^^.a ^i.e.. .nigrating they and awkward .nanner, their "'gOt, however >« «P.d, a __^^^^^ ^^^. ^^^^^, generally fly at a <.onsiderab e eleva .on ^he shr, a ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^__^ Inrriers. ,trn<>ture of reeds, grasses, etc., o.i the The nest is described as a ■•"''^y-^"'^™^^ eggs are said to l,e u^ ground near the water = "'« <'»f ''■<'° °7f, '""^X" llnH-oi.ned, being „..ite spear- in number. Bill long, hard stra.ght ;^^' «"' »^"",„„f,. ' '^v, ,.o,.sisting principally like in appearance, and well f "Jf «'\''' ' ^."i^, ^^ „r mils. Tall well of fishes. Lores co.npletely feathered ' 'reL situated far behind. Tibia . nostly t-iXd^u^^eir tTwrfor;^^^^ -- »- --"-v — Genus URINATOR Cuvier. Urinator imber (Gunn.). L.o<)n : Great Northern Diver. Description {Plate5l). ^auU.-mX and legs (dried speei.ncn) ^f^^^^; }::^^ti::i^^^^ dark bluish-green ; sides of head ., "He l-/'' f' / '^";^^^^f « wl.ite featlle^ : tri- "•r «.H,,tra,.sverse streak o^^^^^^ „„„,., .„a nar- ^rgTs^hrelnd': rt" neck, where ^-J - ---.Ue'"".!" o,! ZZ parts tnd sides glossy-black, -nspicuotjs^y ;P° "^^^^ .^ :^' ,; , i,„„e„e rows. ,art of back, r,.mp and sides are small spots -^^j^- ^ ••■■■ ^^.^ „f ^^^^^, ,„,,k with TsV^er^srsoieLtridirhp"^^ k'-rr :if,\rd^r;:rmr;rxrra:sk7on ..."- /euowish . t I i base ; tarsi and feet brownish -yellow ; length about 32 inches ; extent about 55 ; bill along culmen about 3 inclies. //a6i«a/.— Northern part of Northern Hemisphere. In North America breeds from the northern tier of states northward ; ranges in winter south to the Gulf of Mexico. This bird, the larg^est of all the Divers, is about as large as a medium- sized domestic goose. The Loon, known to many as the Great Northern Diver, is a regular and tolerably common spring and fall migrant, fre- quenting, principally, the rivers, larger streams and lakes. In the winter, when streams and other bodies of water are not frozen over, indi- viduals of this species are frequently to be found with us. Although not known to breed in Pennsylvania, these birds are sometimes seen here in the breeding season. Hon. N. F. Underwood, member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Agi'iculture, residing at Lake Como, Wayne county, and hunters living in Wyoming and Susquehanna counties, have informed me that solitary Loons are occasionally to be found throughout the summ(>r months, inhabiting the numerous small lakes in the northeastern parts of this ccmimonwealth. In Lycoming county Mr. August Koch says " the Loon is a common visitor of tener to be noticed in the spring than in fall, and occasionally single birds may be noticed in the first summer months." The Loon, ever cautious and vigi- lant, will dive at the flash of a gun and proceed under the water to a very considerable distance before reappearing. These l)irds, it is said, when endeavoring to elude their enemies, and also, at times, when in quest of food, swim under the water with greater rapidity than they fly through the air. Writing of the Loon, Nuttall says, in referring to its voice, " far out at sea in winter, and in the great western lakes, par- ticularly Huron and Michigan, in summer, I have hoard, on a fine, calm morning, the sad and wolfish call of the solitary Loon, which, like a dis- mal echo, seems slowly to evade the ear, and rising as it proceeds, dies away in the air. This boding sound to mariners, supposed to be indic- ative of a storm, may be heard sometimes for two or three miles, when the bird itself is invisible, or reduced almost to a speck in the distance." The stomach contents of seven Loons, captured during the winter months in Chester, Delaware, Clinton and Ijehigh counties, Pa., con- sisted entirely of fish-bones and scales ; two other specimens, purchased in the winter of 1881 from a game dealer in Philadelpliia, were found to have fed on small seeds and portions of plants, apparently roots. Indi- viduals of this species are, it is said, somc^times found in the Hudson Bay region weighing as much as fifteen or sixteen pounds apiece. The female is somewhat smaller than the male. The weight of three females taken in Pennsylvania in the early spring ranged from seven to seven and three-quarter pounds each, and two mak^s, one taken on the Lehigh river, in the fall, the other captured in AVarren county, on tlie Allegheny river, in the spring, tipped the scales each at nine and three-quarter pounds. 8 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA- Urinator lumme (Gunn.)- Red-throated lioon. Description. t.r inches long and bluish-black ; tront Bill rather slender, about two and on|^;^--;^^^^ '^^ ,, ,Lk bluish-gray ; crown, liiiliiiiiifii iirS£r;r?»=r;:-.... -— - nearly acres, the United States. .^^^ .^^ ^^^.^ ,^^^j.^y The Red-throated Loon a rare f"*^ '"^f^, , .i„^, indifferent parts has been taken iu the late fall, winter and earbsv .^ ^,.^^^^^^ of the state. Specimens have ^een c^Pt^^ed y^^^ .^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ Northampton and Phdadelpl^a coj Ues^aml ^^^^ ^.^^ .^ ^^^^^ ^^ on Lake Erie, in the -xghbo homl -^^ J* «^^. J^^^, ,,i,ich come as far with, especially late in the ^utunm. ^ Ked-throated Loons are southward as Pennsylvania are uu^lyy-^^^ ^^^.^^ to Maryland-m SerBri'^rs:ni-i;drLiiai.tot^ .. pre.. ously described species. Family ALCID^. Auks, Mubhes and Puffins. THE AUKS. ETC. . ■ .hnnt twentv-ftve species an.l subspecies The members of this family. numl>er.ng !»b«u"^«"'y J i„habit almost con- mN^h America, are all «-!-'-'/ '™- ,„oreL-e-- on the Pacific coast "untly the northern seas. Speces «« ™"* ^"° |,^^e been observed in Pennsyl Zn o^> the Atlantic-, but few birds o. *■' ™ j^i^,„ i„,and by severe storms, vaniaand doubtless those taken ."^^^ ^.^/.^^'^i^ny during the breeding season The^e birds are gregarious, -"^^^^^^"^X^n the bare ground or in crevices of assembling in great numbers. One egg is la d ^^^ ^^^^^.^^ bree.i.ng-s.tes. rlks -, high cims along the ocean, it '" ^'*«"; ^^^^^ „/„„ ^ an awkward manner ; LTkethe Loons, most of these ^^ds move over th^g ^.^^ ^^^^^ ^,,^,,3,. U e^r mght. however, is quite rapid ""^^ '^„ .g:^'" rticulariy fish, on which they When swimming under the 7';-;:,^^^tgsn the same manner as when flying m principally subsist, they ^'^'^^''^ f"^'' ZJZ^ birds are. it is said, quite highly be air The eggs and young '>\«^':^J ^^^Z, where the tough skins with their esteemed as food by natives in A;;"-- '''^^^"^^^t; „,ed to make articles of wearing united by a continuous web. »^ Q3 -♦~s .l a 'ra -i1 I BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 9 Subfamily FRATERCULINtE. Puffins. Genus FRATERCULA Brisson. Fratercula arctica (Linn.), Puttiii. Description. yidult, in winter.— ]iin quite stout, flattened laterally and nearly as high as long; both mandibles with curved and distinct grooves ; bill and legs (dried skin) brown- ish yellow ; upper parts and space on front of neck brownish-black ; throat and sides of head grayish-white, under parts white. Length about 13i inches ; extent about 24 inches. Habitat.— Coasts and islands of the north Atlantic, breeding on the North Aineri- (!an coast from the Bay of Fundy northward. South in winter to Long Island, and casually further. The Puffin or " Sea Parrot," as this bird is frequently called, has been observed in Pennsylvania only as an accidental winter visitant. But one specimen of this species has, so far as I can learn, been captured in our state. This bird, now in the possession of Mr. Joseph Krider, of Philadelphia, was killed by a gunner in the winter, about 1876, along- the Delaware river, near Chester city. The Puffins, according- to' ditfer- ent writers, breed either in crevices of hig-h rocks or cliffs on the sea- coast, or in bun-ows which they dig: in the g-round. These holes, it is stated, are usually excavated to the depth of about three feet. " Their food consists of various kinds of small fish, particularly sprats, the smaller kinds of crabs, shrimps and sea-weeds, and it is not improbable but that their sudden mig-rations are regulated by the presence or ab- sence of certain kinds of fish on which they delig-ht to heLV'—NuttalL Subfamily PHALERINi?:. (Juillk.mgts, Etc. Genus CEPPHUS Pallas. Cepphus grylle (Linn.). Black Guillemot. Description. Adult, inwinter.-Bill black, sharp-pointed, quite straight and shorter than tho head ; head, neck, under parts, rump, and space on wing white ; back, wings and tail dark brown or black, mixed with white ; tarsi reddish. Length about 13 inches • extent about 23 inches. ' ^ Habitat.— Coast of northern Europe, south to Denmark and the British Islands. Coast of Maine, south in winter to New Jersey. The Black Guillemot, an inhabitant of the dreary coasts and islands of the north Atlantic, is a rare and irreg-ular straggler in winter on the Atlantic coast, southward to New Jersey. In Pennsylvania this species has been observed as an accidental wanderer in winter. A specimen in the museum at Lancaster city, Pa., was taken, it is said, on the Susque- COLOR PLATE 10 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. hanna river in Lancaster county. Messrs. C. D. Wood and John Krider had in their possession two or three of these birds, which they stated, had been captured in the neighborhood of Phdadelphia Prof H. Jus- tin Roddy of Millersville State Normal School, records the capture ot a Black Guillemot in the late fall or winter in Perry county, Pa. Subfamily ALLIN^ Dovekies. Genus ALLE Linn. AUe alle (Linn.). Dovekio ; Sea Dove. Description. Adult, in winter :-YM\\ very short and thick, upper mandible curved ; upper parts brownish-black, scapulars edged and streaked with white, and secondaries Upped with same ; chm, throat, sides of neck and un dreary arctic solitiides to rear their young. During the winter season, or at other times when migrating, thev are generally found singly or in pairs, but when bree of America generally, breeding on the Atlantic coast Irom Mame northward ; in winter south to Cuba and lower California. This species is a rather common spring and fall migrant on Lake Erie where during the winter months, if the weather is not exceedingly cold' these birds are also sometimes seen singly or in small companies of five or eight. Throughout the state in general this species occurs as quite a rare and irregular visitor. On the Delawarejiver. near Phila delphia, and on the Susquehanna, below Lancaster, Herring Gulls are perhaps more frequently observed than elsewhere in Pennsylvania, ex- cept in the vicinity of Erie city. . , , t^ i. The Herrino- Gull is not especially an arctic breeder. It nests, ac cording to difterent writers, along the coast and about lakes of the inte- rior in the New England states, and also from Lake Superior northward to the Arctic shores. This species breeds generally on the gi-ound, though sometimes high and inaccessible cliffs are selected as breeding phu^es, and occasionally in some localities, particularly in regions where the natives collect both the eggs and young for food, they frequently, to escape such depredations, build their nests in the tops of high trecs^ Mr George Spencer Morris, of Philadelphia, informs me he lias observed both Herring and Ring-billed Gulls, as winter visitants, on the Dela- ware river, near the city. ft Larus delawarensis Ord. Ring-billed Gull. Description. - AdulL-V\e'M\, neck, under parts and tail pure white ; back and wings very ligljt pearl blue ; tirst and second primaries black for two-thirds of their length owards [he end, the three next quills have the black much less in extent, an< on the s.xth t is reduced to a sub-terminal bar ; the first quill is black at the end above which is a broad white band ; the second quill is black to the tip, with a white spot on the inner web an inch and a half from the end ; the other primaries tipped with white ; secondaries and tertiaries ending in white ; iris yellow ; bill crossoc near the end with a blackish-brown band, between which and the base it is greenish-yellow ; the tip is yellow ; tarsi and feet greenish-yellow. Length about 20 inches ; extent about 48 inches. BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 15 " Young.— The upper plumage mottled with blackish-brown and gray ; beneath grayish-white, with light-brown spots ; primaries black ; tail white, with a sub- terminal black band ; bill black with yellow base."— .BaiVd'a Birdie of N. A. Habitat.— ^orih America at large ; south in winter to Cuba and Mexico. This species occurs in Pennsylvania during the spring- and fall migra- tions, but is not common. Specimens have been taken on the Dela- ware, Susquehanna, Allegheny and Ohio rivers in this state, and also at Lake Erie, near the city of Erie. Unlike most of its relatives, this Gull breeds in many sections of the United States, as well as far northward. This is one of the common Gulls to be seen, in winter, on the Atlantic coast from New Jersey southward. Larus atricilla Linn. Laughing Gull. Description. Adult, in hrcediuf/ plumat/e.-liQjui and iii)per part of neck cially from New Jersey southward. The nest- built on the g-round— is composed of sea-weed, grrass or other veg-etable mate- rials. The e^g-s, two or three in number, measure about 2.20 inches in leng-th by about 1.58 inches in width ; they vary considerably, but usu- ally the g-round color is g-rayish or brownish-olive, spotted and blotched with different shades of dull reddish-lirown and black oi- purplish ; the marking's are often more abundant about tlie larg-er end. The eg-g-s of 16 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. this":;^^!^^^^ many sections aW the Atlantic coast, especi- X in sle of the southern states, for table purposes. Larus Philadelphia (Oiu).). Bonaparte's Gull liittle Gull." Description {Plate 52). , . • /Hripd skin^ reddish-vellow ; head and upper part of Ad^aL-m\, black; tarsi ^^'ifj^'"^^^^^ parts, rump and t^il pure white ; neck dark ^^^ ^^^l^Z^'^^^^^ white ; first primary with sP""g- ,, • V .f »^a«»o • tarsi reddish-yellow (dried skin) ; \ou«<,.-\m. I.l-k. y«»7'^' 'r;,,atne'=k ''"d under par« white ; tail, iri8, hazel; greater part of l>ead, "'« "'"^'' "'^"^„^''. primaries with much more white, except a black bar ncar.yan,nhwde^end^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ X'rheTvie:— ^wiriijr;:::;^^^^^^^ '';":S-Wro':of Non.':'Arerica. breeding .nostly uorth of ti.e United State. ; ,outh in winter to Mexico and Central America. TV. s species known t., fishermen on Lake Erie and about tlte l)ela. This spec>t. kno ^ ^^^ .^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^,„ Z: :rln thrOurtn Pennsylva^ where it occurs as a re^lar m. danto aiit. ^ migrations, particularly in the ^T fSrs, Wis are frequently to be seen in considerable numbers :W th l^b^^^^i^ Bo'naparte-s Gulls are found generally t^ruit the sUte, about the numerous lakes ponds and large St earns Occasionally in the interior good-sized flocks are noted, bu usuZthey are seen singly, in pairs, or sometimes in small parties .^ four or five individuals. They generally an-ive here early m April and rema^ mostly until early in May, when they pass northward to their breeding c^rounds, from which they return here ustially about he first teek in October knd remain until early in November. At Lake Ene Tere the species is perhaps more numerous than m «°yf her section rf Pennsylvania, I observed a flock of a dozen or more of these Gulls m compa°v w^h t vo or three Herring Gulls late in the month of Decem^ beri889 This bird, in addition to feeding on fish and other kinds o aSatranimal life, subsists, also, to a considerable extent, on different insects, particularly beetles and giasshoppers. Genus KISSA Stephens. Rissa tridactyla (Linn.). Kittlwake. Description. ., u HPad neck entire under plumage, rump and tail, white; back and ■ , ithTwut^hX ' the ends of the five outer primaries, and the outer w^b of trrrs black the^Zrth an., fifth have small white tips; bill, grcenish-yellow • rt reddish br;wn; legs and leet brownish-black, with a green tmgc. I BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 17 '< Young. — The head is white, marked on the hind head and neck with bluish-gray; a spot of the same color over the ears ; a narrow crescent of black in front of the eye ; wings and shoulders marked with black; primaries, black ; tail, white, with a sub- terminal black band; bill, black; rest of the plumage same as in adult." — BaircTs Birds of N. A. Length about 17^ inches ; extent about 35 inches. Habitat. — Arctic regions, south in eastern North America in winter to the great lakes and the Middle States. Accidental winter visitant. About ten years ag-o the late Henry B. Graves, of Berks county, mounted a young Kittiwake, which had been captured near Lancaster city in midwinter. Mr. Joseph Krider, of Philadelphia, has in his collection one of these birds which was shot several years ag-o near Philadelphia by the late John Krider. Dr. A. C. Treichler, of Elizabethtown, mentions this species as a strag-gler in Lancaster county, Pa. The Kittiwake is a common bird in the arctic regi(ms, and in winter this species wanders irregfularly southward along- the Atlantic coast as far as New Jersey, where it is quite rare. SuBFA.MiLY STERNINiE. Terns. THE TERNS. While these birds are most abundant on the seacoast, neighboring bays and inlets, they are not exclusively maritime ; many frequent, during migrations, inland waters (large lakes commonly) where some also remain during the summer to rear their young. None of the Terns are known to breed in Pennsylvania. Although quite a number of these birds — known commonly about the seashore as "Sea Swallows"— have been taken by various naturalists and collectors, in this state, during migrations, none, according to my observations, can be said to occur through- out this commonwealth as regular or common spring and fall migrants. Several species are common on the coast of New Jersey during migrations, and some are also found there as summer residents. Almost every year, in the spring, late sum- mer and in the autumn, after severe stormy weather, Terns of different kind are frequently noticed about the rivers, lakes and ponds in the interior, principally, however, in the eastern sections of the state. These birds, it would appear, have been, by force of the elements rather than their own inclinations, compelled to leave, temporarily, their chosen haunts in the vicinity of the ocean. At Lake Erie, some species of this subfamily are found as common migrants ; in the harbor at Erie city two or three species are more or lass common every spring and fall. This is the only section in Pennsylvania, so far as I have been able to learn, where Terns are seen with any degree of certainty during migrations. Terns, with a few exceptions, are much smaller than Gulls, from which they difter also in having straight, slender, sharp-pointed bills, and, mostly, conspicuously forked tails. The sexes are quite similar in size and color, but the young and old birds in fall and winter show great variations in coloration ; wings long, narrow and pointed ; the flight is buoyant and graceful. They seem to be almost continually on the wing, and sometimes are seen out at sea many miles from land. Terns are unable to dive ; their feet are webbed, but they are scarcely ever seen on the water ; it is said they never swim from cho'ce. These birds walk but little, though they often alight on the beach, sand-bars and rocks. Terns, especially the larger kinds, subsist princi- pally on little fish ; some of the smaller species, in addition to small fish, feed to some extent on insects. When in quest of prey they frequently make extensive circuits over the ocean, bays, brackish ponds and marshy places ; in flying over the water, searching for food, they invariably are seen with the bill pointing straight down- ward ; this, as Dr. Coues writes, " makes them look like colossal mosquitoes." They 2 Birds. w * BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA-^ r'e/hi, prey in his Ulons the Tjn-^X.rly noisy .vhen wounUea or if thei. Bharp, shrill and often repeated 'h^y arepa.t y^^^^^ ,^ __^^_^^^_._ ^^^ generally breeding-places are approached. T^« «S8«^ ^^^. ^^ a,„ng the sea-beach ; smne deposited in a slight er>^''''«fZ^X, ^nd^ of Gulls, arc annually slaughtered of these birds, a..d '"''"^''''.10^ and greedy "feather hunters" to supply the along the Atlantic coast by heartless and greeay mmfnery establishn.ents of our large cties. Genus GELOCHELIDON Beehm. Geloohelidon nilotica (Hasselq.). Gull-billed Tern ; Marsh Tern. Description. Aam.-m^ short, stout and ---;>'- ^.:;::"';i^^?4ryLC^me of whUe bltk. which runs downward on s.des ;[ '"^J^ ^'ti^'^u-gW ; tail feathers very at base of upper mandible ; back ""^;;',"^"J^%/„eck and entire under plumage — ll^'lird' trbirrrda^l r^n. .ength ahout U inches . e.tent ""Th^ yountrave brownish-colored bills and legs, top of head largely white ; upper ''Ta6"r-Nr,:-'rm'o;:uta~North Americachieny along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the united States. .^^^,^,,^, ;„ eastern Pcnnsyl- This species is a very rare and "'egui. vania, aud iu the central ^^^^-^^^^ •^^Zl^^tT.l^^^r. of one has noted its occurrence. Mr. H. R Graves r^e J^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ years ago I have never seen this bird m Pennsylvama. GiHtis STERNA LiNN^;us. Sterna tschegrava Lkpbch. Caspian Tern. Description. .„ge,t of all the Terns ; hill large and stout, measuring about three inches : tail very slightly forked. j ^^ l,l.^,,k, glossed with ..^du/t.-Forehead, crown, sides '^j/^f J^^^^j^^^j^ back u N fc^ CO cv": Fern .^^.■^ • ^ (Nl 'xs 'Oi oi J^ ^ * BFRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 19 and feet black. Length 21| inches; extent of wings 51 inches."— ZJairrf's Birds of North America. Habitat. — Nearly cosmopolitan ; in North America breeding southward to Vir- ginia, Lake Michigan, Texas, Nevada, California. The Caspian Tern has been observed in but few locaUties in this state. Hon. J. J. Libhart, in his ornithological report, published in the history of Lancaster county, Pa., records the capture of two of these birds "on the Susquehanna at Marietta, September 21, 1847." About three years ago Mr. Joseph Krider, of Philadelphia, had in his possession an adult Caspian Tern, which a customer had brought to him to be mounted. This bird was said to have been shot in Delaware county, near Chester city. Mr. George B. Sennett has in his collection one or two specimens of this species, taken at Erie bay, where nearly every fall, in September and October, a few of these birds are seen. Sterna maxima Bodd. Royal Tern. Description. This bird ranks next in size to the Caspian Tern. Bill about as long but much more slender than bill of Caspian Tern ; tail conspicuously forked. Adult. — Front, lop and back of head glossy-black (some specimens have front of head wliite) ; back and wings pale bluish-gray ; rump and upper tail coverts white ; tail nearly white ; under parts white ; bill deep reddish-yellow ; tarsi black ; iris brown. Length about 20 inches ; extent about 43 inches. Habitat. — Tropical America and warmer parts of North America, northward to Massachusetts, the great lakes and California. West coast of Africa, north to Tan- gle rs. The Royal Tern, which breeds in great colonies along the Atlantic coast, from Virginia southward, is a very rare and irregular visitor in this state. Henry B. Graves records the capture of a specimen in Berks county, in September, 1879. Dr. John W. Detwiller, of Bethlehem, Pa., has also observed this beautiful Tern as a straggler in our state. I have never seen this bird m Pennsylvania. Sterna forsteri Nutt. For8t«r's Teni. DESfRirTION. " Adtdt. — Upper part and sides of the head, to a line Just below the eye, and hind neck black ; back and wings bluish-gray ; primaries grayish-white on the outer webs and dusky-gray on the inner next the shaft, and over the entire web at the end, darker on tlio inner margin ; the remaining portion of inner webs white ; tail bluish-gray, except the outer web of the outer tail feather which is white ; the inner web of this feather blackish-gray for about two inches from the end ; rump white with a slight tinge of pale bluish-gray ; sides of head, throat and entire under surface white ; in the dried s[)ecim(;ns bill is orange-3'ell()w at the base, black near the end, with the tip [)ale yellow; legs and feet scarlet. Ijength al)out 15 inches; extent about 30 inches." — liaird'n Birds of N. A. COLOR PLATE 20 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Habitat.— -Sorth America generally, breeding from Manitoba southward to Vir- ginia, Illinois, Texas and California ; in winter southward to Brazil. This species is found in Pennsylvania as quite a rare and irregular visitor during the spring and fall migrations. In the summer of 1879 I visited Cobb's Island, Virginia, where this Tern was breeding quite plentifully in the marshes. Forster's Tern feeds principally on little fish. Sterna hirundo Linn. Common Tern ; Wilson's Tern ; Sea Swallow Description. Adult.— Bill (dried skin) red from base to about half its length, then black, with pale-yellowish point; iris brown; legs reddish-yellow; upper part of head and hind neck black ; back and wings light bluish-gray ; sides of neck and head, line along base of upper mandible, chin, throat, upper and lower tail coverts and most of tail, also lining of wings, white ; the outside tail feather has black outer web ; sides of breast and of lower part of neck and rest of lower parts grayish-white. In the young the bill is blackish and yellow, the latter color especially on lower mandi- ble ; tarsi yellowish ; front of head and entire under plumage white ; crown gray- ish-'white and black plumage about eyes, back of head and upper part of hind neck dull black ; back and wings indistinct bluish-gray with patches of light-brown ; most of feathers on back edged with white. liCngth about 14| inches ; extent about 31 inches. Ha/)itat.—Gre3iteT part of the Northern Hemisphere and Africa. In North Americachielly confined to the Eastern Province, breeding trom the Arctic coast, somewhat irregularly, to Florida and Texas, and wintering northward to Virginia. The Common Tern or " Sea-Swallow," as this bird is commonly called by fishermen on the coast of New Jersey, is one of few species of this group, which has been frequently found in different sections of our state during migrations. Mr. George B. Sennett has observed it as an irregular migrant in the spring and fall in the vicinity of Erie city, where, I have no doubt, it is oftener met with than in any other section of Pennsylvania. Dr. John W. Detwiller, of Bethlehem, in a letter ad- dressed to me, says : I have shot the Common, Arctic and Least Terns on the Lehigh river in the fall, and he further adds they were " prob- ably driven inland by severe storms." IVIr. August Koch, notes the species as an irregular migrant— spring and fall— in Lycoming county, and Dr. Walter Van Fleet, of Renovo, has found it in Clinton county as a straggler. InBerks county Mr. D. Frank Keller, of Reading, reports that he has observed it as an iicci dental visitor ; according to Dr. A. C. Treichler, of Elizabeth town, this bird is a straggler of rare occurrence in Lancaster county. Prof. J. R. Robertson, of Franklin, Venango county, mentions the Common Tern as a very rare and uncertain visitor in that locality. Several specimens of this species have been captured when migrating, particularly in the autumn, in the counties of Chester, Dela- ware and Philadelphia. The Common Tern breeds in New Jersey and elsewher(3 along the Atlantic, and also about many of the large inland lakes and ponds. BIBDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 21 Sterna paradiseea Brunn. Arctic Tern. * Description. "^d..tt -Upper part of the head and hind neck black; back an,l wings light ZZ'tt^Zl "- P"'»-Vdeep.black on the outer web, dusky-gray on tlte inner ext the shaft, and over the entire web at the end, inner margin olinnerweb white- he nex i^ve pnmanes are bluish-gray on the outer web and on the inner web nex the shat th,.s color extending over the entire web at the end, where it is blackish- gray on the nmcr n.argin, the remaining part of inner web wliite ; central tail feath- cTS and mner webs of the others white, the outer web of the outer tail feather Wa, ". ,sh-gray, the outer webs of the two next pale bluish-gray ; run.p, sides o the ead ihe bl" blur"'''' ""'" '• "'"'"'" P"""^^" "'"-"-S^y. ">■ ="i8l.ter shade tha"; he back ; b 11 deep carmine ; iris, brown ; legs and feet dark crimson. Length 14J : wing, lOk : tail, 6J ; bill, IJ; tarsus, y-B. B. o/ N A ^e«gt'^. HaMat.-^onhern Hemisphere ; in North America breeding from Massachu- setts to the Arctic regions, and wintering southward to Virginia and Calitornir The Arctic Tern, is a very rare straggler in eastern Pennsylvania About tour years ago I was sIioto two of these birds by Mr C ])' Wood, ot Phdadelphia, which he said had been shot in September on tlie Delaware nver below Philadelphia. Dr. John W. Detwiller of Beth- lehem, has in h,8 collection a specimen of this Teni, captured' by him- self on the Lehigh river in the fall. In Berks county, according to Mr. I). Frank Keller, the Arctic Tern is an accidental visitor. I have never seen the Arctic Tern in Pennsylvania, nor am I aware that any of that species, other than those mentioned above, have been taken in the .state. Sterna dougalli Montaq. Koseale Tern. Description. whi^'''!!!T^T'''""'"'^ ""*''*'"' '<"•« '"•<"P"«l feathers deep black ; hind ucck white; back and wings pale bluisli.gray ; rtrst primary blackisi -gray on the outer rdthtlT T '""'' "'"' '"^^"^"^ ''""'''"'' PriniLes bluish.gi"secon, and third dusky-gray near the shaft; all the primaries white on the inner narTo • their mner webs ; secondaries and tertiaries eiged with white ; tai vervlght^tearl gray; entire under plumage white, with a beautiful roseate inge • b u towni^^ " black, orange at base; iris brown; legs and feet Vermillion AnV.l ,<. / Wing, 9J ; (extent about 30) ; tail, 8 ; bfll, U."_ A b"/N A ^ '" ' //«6.(a<.-Temperate and tropical regions ; north on the Atlantic coast of North America to Massachusetts, and casually to Maine. ^"a'>"<-- coast of North Very rare or accidental visitor. I have never seen the Roseate Tem in his state but give it in this report on th,. authority of Dr L D Balliet, ot DuBols^ who writes me he has observed it as a straggler in Clearfield county, Penna. ""SS^'i-' m NoTE.-In the first edition of the "Birds of Pennsylvania " pag,. 232 ^chuylkill and Delaware rivers in the neighborhood of Philadelphia In making this statement I was in e„or, as I have subsequently earned the specimens " referred to were not taken in Penn.sylvania I 22 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Sterna antillarum (Ltsss.)- Least Terii. Description (Plate 5.'i). Adult, in .s^^rin^.-Length about 9 inches ; extent about 20 inches. Rill yellow, witli black tip ; legs yellow, claws black ; iris brown ; a triangular white spot on forehead, extending to eye ; narrow black line extending from base of upper man- dible is continuous with the black of crown and region about back ol head ; back, wings, rump and tail light grayish-blue; two or three outer primaries black on upper surface ; narrow line about base of bill above sides of head, neck and entire under parts white, " ... , ^ i Young, in August.-BiU (dried skin) blackish-brown; lower mandible towards the base and inside of mouth yellowish-brown ; tarsi yellowisli ; iris brown ; fore- head dirty brownish-white ; crown and upper parts generally mottled with brown ; upper part of wings mostly dark slate color ; primaries darker than m old bird ; under plumage w hite. ,^ , , Habitat.— Northern South America, northward to (California and New Kngland, and casually to Labrador, breeding nearly throughout its range. This handsome and graceful little bird is the smallest of the Terns. Fishermen on the coast of New Jersey, where the Least Tern is a com- mon summer resident, know it by the names of "Sea Swallow," "Little Gull " and "Striker." During- migrations, particularly in the latter part of August and September, Least Terns are not infrequently met with in Pennsylvania, especially in the southeastern section. I have seen seven of these Terns taken— one in the spring, the others in August and September— in the counties of Chester, Lancaster, Montgomery and Delaware in the past ten years. Hon. Gerard C. Brown, of Yorkana, has observed it in York county as a straggler. Dr. John W. Detwiller, of Bethlehem, shot one on the Lehigh river, in the fall, and in Berks county Mr. D. Frank Keller says it is an accidental visitor. According to Prof. J. R. Robertson, of Franklin, a straggler was once taken in Ven- ango county- In the summer of 1883, at Brigantine, New Jersey, where the Least Terns were then breeding in considerable^ numbers, laying their eggs in slight depressions in the dry sand and among the shells on the sandhills along the beach, I obtained the bodies of over seventy- five of these Terns from two taxidermists who were collecting the skins for New York and Philadelphia dealers to be used for ladies' hats. An examination of these birds— all killed in one day— showed that they had fed almost exclusively on little fish ; not more than four or five had any traces of insects in their stomachs. s sterna fuliginosa Gmel. Sooty Tern. Description. Adult.— Ijength about 17 inches ; extent about 34 inches. Bill and legs black ; iris reddish-brown ; forehead, sides of head and entire under parts white ; back, wings and upper parts deep black. In the young the plumage is sooty-brown, darkest on back and wings, grayish on abdomen ; lining of wings white ; scapulars and wing coverts tipped with white. COLOR PLATE Plate 4. Wood Duck— Summer Duck. 1. Male; 2. Female. BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 23 Habitat.— Tro^ic2i\ and subtropical coasts of the globe. In America from Chili to western Mexico and the Carolinas, and casually to New England. The Sooty Tern is a rather rare and irreg-ular visitor in Pennsylvania during the apring- and fall migrations. About five years ago two of these Terns were taken in Delaware county, and I have two specimens in my collection that were killed in Chester county. Dr. John W. Det- willer, of Bethlehem, has observed it in his locality. Dr. A. C. Treich- ler mentions this bird as a strag-g-ler in the neighborhood of Elizabeth- town, Lancaster county. Specimens captured in Lycoming county, in the spring and fall, are in the valuable collection of my esteemed friend, Mr. August Koch, of Williamsport. Prof. J. E. Robertson writes me that the Sooty Tern is an accidental visitor in Venango county. Genus HYDROCHELIDON Boie. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (Gmel.). Black Tern ; Short-tailed Tern. Description. Adult, in i^prinfi find breeding plumage.— Head, neck and under parts black, darker on head and neck than on abdomen, where the color is sooty-black ; edge of wing and under tail coverts white ; back, wings, rump, and tail, lead color ; under surfaceof wings somewhat lighter than the upper parts ; bill (dried skin) black; tarsi brownish-yellow ; iris brown. Length about 9 inches ; extent about 24 inches. Adults in winter, and young in the fall have head, neck and under parts mostly white. /fafti^a^— Temperate and tropical America. From Alaska and the fur countries to Chili, breeding from the middle United States northward. The Black or Short-tailed Tern is a rather irregular, though not an uncommon visitor during the spring and fall in different sections of Pennsylvania. In North America this species has quite an extended distribution, being found both along the sea-coasts and about marshes, lakes and reedy ponds in the interior. According to various writers it breeds more or less abundantly about marshes in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Dakota, Oregon, etc. Dr. John W. Detwiller, an ornitholo- gist of over twenty-five years' experience, residing at Bethleham, North- ampton county. Pa., writes me, that, some years ago he " procured eggs of the Black Tern upon drift-wood on Lake Erie, near Erie city." I have never had an opportunity of observing these birds when breeding, and I am not aware that they are now known to breed anywhere in the neighborhood of Erie county or elsewhere in our state. The following remarks relative to this species in the breeding season are taken from Mr. F. W. Langton's " Summer Birds of a Northern Ohio Marsh .•" " A very common summer resident in the marsh, nesting, or rather lay- ing its eggs on the iskinds of decaying vegetation and mud formed by sunken muskrat houses. Three eggs constitute a full set, and they are apparently rolled about in the mud purposely, imtil well-coated, so as 24 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. to hide the markings and thereby make them less conspicuous. In two or three instances only did we observe any attempt at a nest, and these would not have been recognized as such without the eggs, consist- in- as they did of merely a few fragments of grass or bulrushes so dis- po'sed as to prevent the eggs from rolling; in most cases the eggs rested in a slight depression on the bare mud. The sun appears to be their chief incubator, although the decaying vegetation of which the aband- oned muskrat houses consist, doubtless plays some part in the process. In no instance did we succeed in flushing a bird from the eggs, although they would appear in pairs to the number of twenty or thirty and hover about within a few feet of our heads making a great outcry when we approached their property, which was soon to be ours by right of dis- covery. . - " At other times the birds were not at aU gregarious, being usually observed foraging singly or in pairs. Several young of the year were taken thus confirming the statement of the resident who informed us that he had taken numbers of the eggs of the first brood in May. Of the dozen or more sets of eggs taken by us early in July, more than half were fresh or nearly so." At Erie Bay, near the city of Erie, single in- dividuals or small flocks of these Terns are seen neariy every spring and fall. Mr. George B. Sennett, of Erie, a gentleman to whom I am greatly indebted for much valuable information concerning the bird-life of the Erie-Crawford district, has observed the Black Tern in the vicinity of Erie city only during the spring and fall. I have in my collection four Black Terns, three of which were captured in Chester county (two in fall, one in spring), the other was shot in Delaware county (September, 1880). The following-named gentlemen report the occurrence of this species in their respective localities : Lycoming county— an iiTegular spring and fall visitor— August Koch, Williamsport, Pa. Lancaster county —a strag- gler—Dr. A. C. Treichler, Elizabethtown, Pa. Venango county— a rare strao-gler— Prof. J. R. Robertson, Franklin, Pa. Mercer county- -"one specimen shot in the spring, 1887"— S. S. Overmoyer, New Lebanon, Pa. Cumberland county— one seen in the autumn -Messrs. AVm. M. and S. E. Baird (List of Birds of Cumberland County, Pa., published in 1844). Family RYNCHOPID^. Skimmers, the skimmers. Only one species of this family is found in the United States. These birds have extremely long wings and webbed feet, but like the Terns, they rarely, if ever, it is said, swim or rest upon the water. They have exceedingly odd-looking bills ; l)oth mandibles are quite flat, with blunt ends ; the upper mandible is much shorter than the lower. They subsist almost exclusively on fish which they catch when skim- ming close to the water's surface. I U T I li v?" - .H a • HO ■+0 Q-) fen Cl '" peculiarity, certainly occurs In many cases. The food ,s entirely of an animal nature, and fatty substances, in particular are eagerly devoured. When irritatcortion of Northern Hemisphere ; south in winter through- out the United States. I l'JJi_I^S^' I'ENNSYLVAmA. 33 TT^l"''/!^"'^''""'""''*''*^ Mers-anser, a summer resident chiefly north of the Umtecl btates, appears to be the rarest of the three species in Pennsvl- vania ,v'liere it is found frequenting, usually, rivers and larg-e creeks fron> late m October until early in April. Formerly, according to Dr 1 urn bull, Judp. Libhart, and some few other writers, this duck occa- sionally reared its young in this state. None of these birds, however have been observed for many years past in Pennsylvania as summer resi- dents, and I am inclined to believe that this Merganser is not now found with us as a breeder. The nest and eggs are described by Audubon, as follows : " In Lab- rador, as well as in several parts of the United States, where I have lound the nests, they were placed within a very short distance of the margins of fresh-water ponds, among rank grasses and sedges or beneath low bushes. * * * The nest is made of dry weeds and mosses of various kinds, and is warmly lined with down from the breast of the female bii-cl, Jor the male leaves her as soon as she has completed the aying ot the eggs, the number of which I have never found to exceed ten they being moiv fivqueiitly six or eight. It is a very remarkable tact that the eggs lu tliis family of birds are usually <>ven in number whereas in most land birds they are odd. * * * The eggs resemble n form tlio.s,. of the domestic fowl, and are of a uniform plain dull yel- lowish cream-color." The stomachs of three Ii,-d-breasted Mergansers, which 1 have exam- ined, contained only the remains of fisli. Genus LOPHODYTES Reiciibnbach. Lophodytes cucullatus (Linn.), Hooded Merganser. § Description {Plate ,j). Nostrils rather long and narrow ; frontal leathers extend beyond those on sides of Ull , .r.s in both sexes yellow ; bill shorter than head ; head with a consnteuous compressed sen,ioir,„lar crest, smaller in the female than the n.ale '=""''"<^"""'' hri r L fr^. t'iTf wT,"'' """• Tk" "" ™"""'''"'' "-l^- "'-k; white on sides of o^cres „nde LZ ^' r'"'", ^ ''™ "''"='' «'-<"«^«"'». "»> triangular-shaped centre ^id.? ""''f l'^"»' »nd speculum (the latter eros»e-"-''. -asi (driidl'"; F-cmale Adult.-mw (,dr\od skin) up,>er mandible brownish-black, except edires S olt::"' T' "T"""" ^'""'"- ■' '^''"""' f-'^'-'^-brown ; top XTd dark wS neck r'^iri '''^ "PPerpart of throat whitish, breast and under parts mostly h»nl ' T^ reddish-brown, lightest on sides and darkest on back and lower parts • Sererertru't'^^rehir^ ^""^ °" "-- "- '- --• -"«- -"ti^ thmfgtut't^range.™""" ^""'"^" ^°"'' "^ ''"''"''' ^°'' ^""''^ '^-^-^ --'^ 3 BiKDS. 34 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. This handsome bird, the smallest of the Merg-ansers, is found j^enerally throug-hout North America. Nuttall remarks that in winter it migrates as far south as Mexico. The Hooded Merganser breeds in various por- tions of the United States, and also far northward. Dr. Coues {Birds of the Northivest) states that it "breeds in northern Dakota and also on the upper Missouri and Milk rivers." I have seen eg-g-s of this bird which were labeled " Maine," and am informed that young, but a few days old, have been taken in New York State. In Pennsylvania this species is rather common, and is generally seen singly or in pairs, sometimes in flocks of five or eight, in rivers and ponds during the spring, fall and winter months. A few of these ducks are also observed here in summer, but as natives they are quite uncommon, and they have of late years been found breeding only in a few secluded locali- ties in our state Prof. H. Justin Roddy, of Millersville, Pa., in a letter dated July 15, 1889, says, "The Hooded Merganser does not now breed regularly in Perry county (Pa.), but I have the last two years secured young specimens ; one last June (1888), and one this year in the same month. They formerly bred regularly along Sherman's creek, near the Warm Springs." Mr. Augrust Koch, of Williamsport, informs me this Merganser is a regular but rare breeder in Lycoming county. The late Wm. Y. Rambo, of West Chester, had in his collection two adults (male and female) of this species which were captured four years ago, in midsummer, in Union county. I have an adult female taken June 23, 1890, in Chester county, where this Merganser is seldom seen in summer. " The Hooded Mergansers that remain with us nestle in the same kind of holes or hollows as the Wood Duck ; at least I have found their nests in such situations seven or eight times, although I never saw one of them alight on the branches of a tree, as the birds just mentioned are wont to do. They dive as it were directly into their wooden burrows, where, on a few dried weeds and feathers of different kinds, with a imall quantity of down from the breast of the female, the egg's, five to eight in numl3er, are deposited. The young-, like those of the Wood Duck, are conveyed to the water by their mother, who carries them gently in her bill ; for the male takes no part in providing for his offspring, but abandons his mate as soon as incubation has commenced. The affec- tionate mother leads her youngr among the tall, rank grasses which fill the shallow pools or the borders of creeks, and teaches them to procure snails, tadpoles and insects." — Audubon. I have noticed that the Hooded Mergansers are usually to be found about mill-ponds and other small bodies of water, while the other two species are mostly found frequenting the shallow borders of the larger streams. During the summer months these birds are said to feed on fishes and various forms of aquatic insects. In the following table will be found the stomach contents of eleven Hooded Mergansers examined by myself: BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 35 iS feO CI • a --H o> ^ >s ft^ oo CI • -s o Qi Q Q s o fe^ ^o . cyj c« • •> «^ q3 c~> '— ^ CO •^ fM ''^^■J^Ms^ ^iftMk'f ii-w COLOR PLATE No. H 0 10 II Date. November 23, 1881. December 24. 1882. January , 1883, Janiiary . 1883. Fobniarv 20. 1884, April •{, 1884, March 'H), 1887, March 2ii. 1887. November 20. 1885), November 20, 1889, June 23, 1890, Locality. Chester county. Pa., . . Philadelphia Market, Pa., Philadelphia Market. Pa.. Philadelphia Market. Pa.. Delaware county. Pa.. . . Chester county, Pa Chester county, Pa Chester county. Pa Philadelphia Market. Pa. , Philadelphia Market, Pa., Chester county, Pa Food Materials. Remains Remains Remains Remains Remains Remains Remains Remains Remains Remains Irish and offish, offish, offish, offish, offish, offish. of fish, of fish, of fish, offish, beetles. Subfamily ANATIN-S:. River Ducks. THE RIVER DUCKS. About three dozen representatives of this subfamily are attributed by different modern writers to North America, and of this number probably fifteen species occur l'''''' ••''^'"•^'^-•— ' ^'^^-» With grayish ; breast with nume ou^^ breast, and body, finally waved with grayish-white and black ; crissum black in 38 BIIWS OF PENNSYLVANIA. middle, and brownish-yellow on each side ; speculum l)right green, bordered on front with dark reddish-brown of the greater coverts and posteriorly by whitish tips of secondaries. Female.— CB.n easily be recognized by the wing, which is like that of male but duller. Habitat.— moYih America, breeding chiefly north of the Ignited States, and mi- grating south to Honduras and Cuba. Common spring and fall migrant and casual winter visitor. The Green-wing-ed Teal althoug-li frequently met with on niany of our small creeks and ponds is generally much more plentiful about the priiudpal rivers. Late in August and in September these birds are ({uite com- mon at Erie bay where many of them are shot for the market. Individ- uals of this species are occasionally captured during the early summer months at Erie bay. Prof. August Kock, of Williamsport, says the Green-winged Teal occurs as a rare breeder in Lycoming county, Pa. The nest is placed on the ground ; the eggs are a light greenish-butt' color and measure about IJ inches long by about IJr inches broad. The food of these ducks consist principally of seeds of dift'erent grasses and weeds ; they also eat different insects, and in a few instances I have found fragments of chestnuts and wild grapes in their stomachs. Anas discors Linn. ■' H if'- ■■ ,^. «'. . . I Blue-winged Teal. Description. Bill broader than in Green-winged Teal and about as long as head. Adult Male. — Bill black ; feet and legs yellowish ; iris brown ; top of head, chin, and feathers bordering white spaces in front of eyes blackish ; rest of head and upper part of neck dull lead color; leathers of lower part of neck and foreback spotted with black and margined with white and grayish-brown ; lower part of back and rump dull brown ; crissum black ; sides of tail coverts, more or less glossed with green, white patch on each rump ; wing coverts and outer webs of few scapulars sky-blue; greater coverts tipped with white; speculum bright green with narrow white tip behind. Female. — Chin and throat yellowish-white and unspotted; head and neck dark colored with grayish and yellow ; upper parts generally dark-brown, feathers edged with grayish ; wings with conspicuous sky-blue patches ; lower parts grayish-white with obscure dusky spots. Length about 16 inches ; extent about 30 inches. Habitat. — North America in general, but chiefly the eastern province; north to Alaska and south to the West Indies and northern South America, breeds from the northern United States northward. This species, a regular and somewhat common migrant in the spring and fall, is more numerous in this state in September, than at other times during their residence with us. The Blue-winged Teal inhabits mainly muddy ponds, pools and sloughs, where it collects ditt'erent seeds and other vegetable materials, which t'onstitute its chief bill of fare. i ''!* BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA, Genus SPATULA Boie 89 Spatula clypeata (Linn.). Shoveller ; Spoonbill. Description. Bill much longer than head, spoon-shaped, being twice as wide toward the end as at base. In any plumage may be distinguished from other species by its odd spoon-like bill. Male. — Bill (dried skin) black; tarsi brownish-yellow ; iris reddish-yellow ; head and upper neck all round dark glossy green ; top of head in specimen before me is glossy black with purplish reflection ; lower part of neck and fore breastand patches at base of tail on each side, also most of lining of wings white; wing coverts and some of the scapulars on outer webs blue ; scapulars also conspicuously striped with black and white, fore back brownish-black mixed with white, and many of feathers edged with grayish ; lower part of back black. ^^ Female. — With wing similar, but blue of wing and coverts less distinct ; head and neck brownish-yellow spotted with dusky ; the belly with a decided chestnut tinge." Length about 21 inches ; extent about 32 inches. Habitat. — Northern hemisphere. In North Ameri(;a, breeding from Alaska to Texas ; not abundant on Atlantic coast. The Shoveller is a rare and rather irregular spring" and fall migrant in all sections of the state. When found here this species is usually seen singly, or in pairs, and occasionally, though very seldom, small flocks are found. The Shoveller does not breed in Pennsylvania. Genus DAFILA Stephens. Daflla acuta (Linn.). Pintail ; Sprig-tail. Description. Bill a little longer than head and rather narrow ; neck long; tail of male long and pointed. Male in Spring. — Bill black-bluish on sides ; tarsi brownish lead color with greenish tinge ; webs black ; head, and about half of neck above dark-brown, glossed with green ; black stripe on back of neck, on either side of which is a long white stripe, connecting with white of lower half of neck and breast and abdomen ; back and sides grayish with fine transverse lines of black and white ; lesser wing coverts gray ; speculum greenish-purple, with a bulf border in front and a Ijlack and white border posteriorily ; crissum and long central tail feathers black, other tail feathers light-gray; scapulars and long tertiaries striped longitudinally with black and silver-gray. Length (depends on development of tail, which is usually 5 or 6 inches long) about 28 inches ; extent about 35 inches. *' Female. — With only a trace of the markings of the wing ; the green of speculum brownish with few green spots; feathers of back are brown with a broad U or V-shaped brownish-yellow bar on each feather anteriorily ; sometimes these bars in the shape of broad transverse lines." — BainVs B. of N. A. Habitat. — Northern hemisphere. In North America breeds from the northern parts of the United- States northward, and migrates south to Panama and Cuba. The Pintail Duck is a regular spring and fall migrant, but rare winter COLOR PLATE 40 niEDS OF PENNSYLVANTA. visitor in Pennsylvania. This species is one of the first to arrive in spring-, being seen here often early in March frequenting principall\' tlie rivers and other larger streams. Genus AIX Boie. Aix sponsa (Linn.), Wood Du(!k ; Summer Duck ; Acorn Duck. Description {Plate 4). Bill high at base and shorter than head, the latter crested. Male Adult. — Head with conspicuous green and purplecrest ; sidesof head irides- cent purple, streak of white from base of bill to occiput, streak back of eye contin- uous with that of throat pure white ; sides and front of lower neck and fore part of breast bright-chestnut with tine white spots ; lower parts generally white ; upper surface of wings beautifully marked with iridescent metallic hues. Female with grayish head and lengthened feathers behind ; throat white ; fore neck, upper breast and sides brownish-yellow, and streaked with grayish ; upper parts generally dark- brown glossed with purple chiefly. Length about 19 inches ; extent about 28 inches. Habitat.— Temper^ie North America, breeding throughout its range. The Wood Duck is a resident, and breeds in various sections of this commonwealth. During the breeding season it generally is found about streams and ponds in heavily wooded and thinly populated districts. In Pennsylvania this species is rare in winter and most plentiful in autumn. The Wood Duck is an abundant winter resident in Florida, where it also breeds. I have seen downy young of this bird which were captured late in March, 1885, in Orange county, Florida. " The AVood Duck breeds in the Middle states about the begin uing of April, in Mas- sachusetts a month later, and in Nova Scotia, or on our northern lakes, seldom before the first days of June. In Louisiana and Kentucky, where I have had better opportunities of studying their habits in this respect, they generally pair about the first of March, sometimes a fort- night earlier. I never knew one of these birds to form a nest on the ground or on the branches of a tree. They appear at all times to pre- fer the hollow, broken portion of some larger branch, the hole of our large Woodpecker, or the deserted retreat of the fox squirrel ; and I have frequently been surprised to see them go in and out of a hole of any one of these, when their bodies, while on the wing, seemed to be nearly half as large again as the aperture within which they had de- posited their eggs. Once only I found a nest (with ten eggs) in the fissure of a rock, on the Kentucky river, a few miles below Fninkfort. Generally, however, the holes to which they betake themselves arc (uther over deep swamps, above cane-brakes, or on broken branches of high sycamores, seldom more than forty or fifty feet from the water. They are much attached to their breeding places, and for three successive years I found a pair near Henderson, in Kentucky, with the eggs, in the beginning of April, in the abandoned nest of the Ivory-billed Wood- I .1. i \^ I eg I CO ^ o <33 to <3:i niRDS OF PEKXSYT.VANIA. 41 pecker. The egg-s, which are from six to tifteen, according to the age of the bird, are placed on dry plants, feathers, and a scanty portion of down, which I believe is mostly plucked from the breast of the female They are perfectly smooth, nearly elliptical, of a light color, between l)uff and pale-green, two inches in length by one and a half in diameter. " No sooner has the female completed her set of eggs than she is aban- doned by her mate, who now joins others, which form themselves into considerable flocks, and thus remain apart till the young are able to fly, when old and young of both sexes come together, and so remain until the commencement of the next breeding season. * * * * If the nest is placed immediately over the water the young, the mo- ment they are hatched, scramble to the mouth of the hole, launch into the air with their little wings and feet spread out, and drop into their favorite element ; but whenever their birth-place is some distance from it, the mother carries them to it, one by one, in her bill, holding them so as not to injure their yet tender frame. On several occasions, how- ever, when the hole was thirty, forty, or more yards from a bayou or other piece of water, I observed that the mother suffered the young to fall on the grasses and dried leaves beneath the tree, and afterwards^'led them directly to the nearest edge of the next pool or creek." —Audnhon. Li some twenty odd examinations that I have made of these birds wl>icli Avere killed in Florida in March and April, 1885, I found only vegetable substances, consisting chi(>riy of various small seeds, had been fed upon. The food materials of eight Wood Ducks, taken in the fall and early winter months, in or near Pennsylvania, are given in the following table : N<). Date. September—, 1ST8. September — . 1878. September . 1878. September . 1878. October 4. I88U. October 4. IHSO. Noveml)er 20. 18H;i. November A. 1882, Locality Chester county. Pa., . . Chester county. Pa., . Chester county. Pa., . Chester county. Pa.. . . Philadelphia Market. Pa, Philadelphia Market. Pa, Philad(>lphia Market. Pa. I'hiladelphia Market, Pa. F()OI> MATEKIAL8. Acorns. Acorns. Acorns and small seeds. Small seeds. Acorns. Small seeds and ack. Description. Bill high at base, larger than head, rather narrow and somewhat tapering. Male -Bill blackish ; legs dark-gray ; iris red ; head and upper part of neck dark reddish-brown; feathers on top of head and about bill blackish; otherwise (,uite .'•This plant like many others, has a variety of local namen. Some of the most common which I now call to mind arciape^rjiss. Jrom the tape-like appearance of the long leaves ; channel-weed as it fZ.on^C^sruLl^U-i^- the water flows, not swiitly; eel-grass, this name arises. It Is said bvDr IMriTn^onfHoli cjfr.fc4). • from the habit which eels have of hiding under the leaves which are^LS^?p^cumWy «.,atrng under the^ waters surface.' The appellation • wild celery-a ocal LrtnauDlled:>thlnk..chienybyg««n«rs.a'na'watermen at Havre-de-Grace and vicinity-is. I consider. SmTrty vul^*arsyn VaHtsnerk. an UalCan b.»tanist : the specific spiralis Is applied in consequence of the fact that the f«rAll^»tfflk1n m d>ve fcypment assumes a spiral form. It Is a remarkable dioecious, herbaceous plant on account of its mode of fertilization. It grow, entirely underwater, has long, radical grass- ilke leaves, from one to three feet long and from one-fourth to three-fourths inch wide The female flowers float on the surface at the end of long thread-like spiral scapes, which curiously contract and lengthen with the rise and fail of the water. The male flowers have very short stems or scapes, from wh^h the flowers break off and rise to the surface, to fertilize with their pollen the attached floatmg female flowers. ••-«. M. Everhart' b Botariical Publications. November, um. ______^J^J^^ ^^' PENNSYLVANIA. 43 inches; oxte„la,,",:3:U,,e,l ^ """'""" '" """""' '""'-'"''^- ^•^"^^" ""out 33 n««rwl':d7i'ir.L'" "' ''""" ^'"^'""" "^^""'"^ ^-^ "- -onhweste™ state.. This well-known and l.if,l,ly-asteemecl <,amo bird is f„„„a ,,, ^ tolerably frequent spring an.l fall migrant, and occasionally as a winter v.s,toron be 8us„uehanna river, sontlnvard fron. Harrisburg Inotl «• sections of onr state it appears to occur only as a rare or crLf^^ Andnbou, wnt,ng of the food of the Canvas-back. says: "It vaZ t: conhng to the season and locality. The plant rallisZria, on wh "h it ;iabtd:tir;:,"'^'"f"'^*r "^ "^•^ Chespeake,'is not foun h Tua Ititv l! M I ''J'' ''"'' 7'" "'"'■" '^ '^t *»»''« «° reduced m quantHy that this duck, and several other species which are equally leeches, snails and moUnsca, as well as such seeds as they can meet with stnlh:'"^'' '^^'^ '''''' "' --'- - '«- .uantity'foundirrhS My examinations of four of these ducks, which were kille.l at Havre tSro^'^S,.^.'^ ^^^"^'"^ -''^*— ■ -^'^^ I Judged totr Wilson asserts that the Canvas-backs when feeding o„ the Fallunena Aythya marila nearctica Ste. JN. American Scaup Duck ; Bi^-BIac k-head : Blue.l.iH. Description. green ; lower paA oT la^ ^ i!?. h.^n ^™'"" '^""'^ ' "''""""' """^ glossed with brownish (but M^kJj^J^^Z^l '^ ''",""'' *"" "'"' """"''^ '""«" »" iJIIiDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 45 neck "n.lerplumagOKenoraiv an,r,ni',lnt yellowish ; ,ns orange-yellow ; lower inches. •> winte CM wmgH. Length about 20 inches ; extent about 31 .a^:' -r^ru:::":,:;; r'c^b'r '""^ ''-"'" *''''•"' -^^ "■■' «''"»" •-^-n-^ -"i- This han,ls..m,3 l«nl, called, ttsuully l.y sportsmen, Whistl.-r hum the .K^t that when %,„j, its win,.s make a lot.d whistling sound irUu lar and ra her common spri,,,. an.l fall mi,.-a„t, and ht winter i"is often < en about o„r larj,e rivers and on Lake Erie. The GoldenUe lene Jlyshy andyexy d.ffietdt to appr-wh, is an expert diver Ind fp,' K-ularly rapid flj-..-. Feedinf, as it does, principally, on f[ 1 crav fi^ ' bivalves, etc., its fle.sli is usually fi.shy and very unpalatable "^ ' Genus CHARITONETTA Stejnboer. Charitonetta albeola (Linn.). Biinlr-lleail. DEscitirrioN (Plate eo). io™ir;;:,r;'T;:s;7:ta::r^" "'""" """ """ •■■"•^^ ---^-o^noeu re;Tt-.7er:;;;::;;;eTr;rk"^^^^^^^^ vide, hues; ringaroun.1 lower par^of nick :mesand"ur;r' ,'""""'' ^'"'^" """ of ab,lou,en is grayish) wing coverts ox^^'nr.h^ T . '''"'"''Se (lower part aries, whil,., and ba,k bla L • ,^1™ . ' ^"^^ '""' """'>' "' 'he second- primkries gl,ssv black in ngof wZT """T ^r-'-^hlte ; upper surface of blue, legs brownish yellow, e^tZwJ'^rrrJ;."';' "f!-''' ^" <""''d'kin) dull inches. Female is smaller t ,„n ,,. \T i , l^ " '" '"' '""'""' = """«"' »''0"t 24 and has head, nc^k I.M p e "^ ^g^ X' iarkta'^hT'' """' "'"^'"^ "'"''«^' Of White patches on side., 'o\ held, baroTb^rr?::!;:,:; ^r ' "'''" ""«'" '"- Mat:rt;:^a-r:r::i:;h:f:^i:7rarir^^^^^^ --- — -- This beautiful little duck, ..ommonly called Butter-ball, is frecuentlv met with cunn,. migrations about our rivers and mill-ponds The species IS however, much more common in autumn than^h„n. the «.nter and spring. The BulHe-head, like the Grebe and Loon, wiUd ve at he flash ot a gun and swim, it is said, under the water with on y Is bill above the surface. Audubon says: "Their food is much vafiel according to situation. On the sea-coast, or in estauries, they d via S shrimps, small fry and bivalve shells, and in fresh wa er they feed on small cray-fish, leeches and snails, and even grasses." Li the stomachs of five of these ducks, which I have examined, were found . maU Xlls and coleopterous insects. s^xifus COLOR PLATE 1 I 46 BIRDS OF PENNSYTjVANIA. Genus CLANGULiA Leach. Clangula hyemalis (Linn.). Old-squaw ; Liong-tailed Duck. Description (Plate 6^). Bill smaller and much shorter than head ; tail of 14 pointed feathers. Male in winter.— Bill black, yellowish towards end; iris red; legs light lead color ; head, neck and fore part of back white or whitish ; lores and cheeks gray, and a blackish oblong space below ears on sides of neck ; lower part of back, upper tail coverts, breast, upper part of belly and four long middle tail feathers, black ; posterior part of belly white ; wings brownish. Female.— Head, neck and lower parts mainly white ; top of head, sides of same and chin brownish-black ; throat streaked with dusky ; upper parts l>lackish-brown, darker on lower back. Length of male (depends on development of four central tail featl^ers) about 23 inches. Length of female about 18 inches ; extent about 28 inches. Habitat.— Northern hemisphere ; in North America south to the Potomac and the Ohio ; breeds far northward. Regular spring and fall migrant on our principal rivers, and at Erie bay, but seldom seen about the smaller streams and ponds in the state. This species, in winter, is frequently found on the Susquehanna from Harrisburg southward. Prof. August Kock says the Old-squaw is a very plentiful visitor in April on the Susquehanna river in Lycoming coimty. The flesh of the Long-tailed Duck is quite tough, dark-colored and fishy. The stomachs of five of these ducks, shot last winter near Harrisburg, contained fish, mussels, beetles and sand. Genus SOMATERIA Leach. Somateria spectabilis (Ltnn.). King Elder. Description. Bill high at base, shorter than head ; frontal feathers and those of chin extend far forward. Afale in winter.— Bill (dried skin) brownish-yellow, darker toward end; legs l)rownish ; eyes dark-brown ; head reddish-brown, darkest on top, briglitest on sides, and faintly spotted with dusky ; throat and most of neck blackish ; jugulum dirty yellowish-white with dusky spots; sides mostly dull black ; breast and under parts generally grayish-brown ; upper parts dark brownish ; feathers of fore-back, scapulars, wing coverts and about root of tail, edged with rusty and gray. The female in winter is very similar to male, as described above, except she has less black, espe('ially on neck which is dark reddish-brown, very much same as the sides of head of male. Habitat. — Northern parts of northern hemisphere ; breeding in the Arctic regions; in North America south casually in winter to New Jersey and the Great Lakes. Accidental winter visitor at Erie bay, where, on the 30th of November, 1889, a flock of probably eighteen or twenty individuals made their ap- 1 lURDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 47 pearance a few hours after a severe storm, which lasted for two days, had visited the region of the Great Lakes. About fourtc^en of these ducks, which the hunters called " bool)ies "—a name that is also given by them to the surf ducks which freqently visit the bay— were shot by three or four gunners, who had no trouble in approaching within a few yards of the stupid ducks which were found swimming close to the dock where a large number of men were engaged in unloading iron ore from vessels. Through the kindness of Mr. James Thompson, of Erie, Mr. Geo. B. Sennett and I secured, from gunners, seven of these birds, six immature males (all of which varied greatly in plumage) and one female. Two hunters, who unfortunately before they knew we were anxious to pre- serve the ducks for our collections, had cooked three or four which they had captured, said the dark-colored flesh was tough, stringy and so rank and unsavory that they could not eat it. The okkst hunters assured us they had never before seen ducks of this kind in tliat locality. Note.— A duck supposed to be the American Eider "(^om^/ZeWa dresseri) was captured in tlie winter of 1886, near Chadd's Ford Dela- ware coimty, but as the bird was not positively identified, I have not included it among the birds of our state. Genus OIDEMIA Fleming. Oidemia americana Sw. & Rich. American Scoter ; Booby ; Sea Coot. Description. Bill high at base and swollen. Adull Male -am (dried skin) l.ase of upper mandible reddish-yellow, rest "l." ' ' '"" J,^™"'" • "«•»' "'ac-kish ; entire plunmge black, the neek and bael^ wHh » hgh glos,. Fenmle sooty-brown ; throat an.! sides of bead whitish, lower ^nZZ « l.ghtor than that of upper parts; belly grayish-white; bill blaekish and small!' fem"ale'«nallcr """" """"'"■"' '^^ '""*"' '°"« """ "^ '""''"'* f°'" "P '« "P ' //a6i(a(.-Coasts and larger lakes of northern North America; breeds in Labra« Great Lakes and Rather me migrant in spring and autumn, and occasional winter visitor on Susquehanna and Delaware rivers. At Erie bay this species 18 said to be of very rare occui'rence. Oidemia deglandi Bonap. WhIto-wlnBed Bcoter; Booby. Description. tri'^'r-n""',™;"''' '"'°"^" ""'' ""'^^ "' *"^^- f^-'hers extend on sides near nos tnls ; bill ,,u.to broad, black at base and on edges ; rest rod ; eyes yellow ; legs red" 48 BITU)^ OF PENNSYLVANIA dish-yellow. General plumage black, a white streak about one inch long runs un- der and behind eye ; secondaries and tips of greater coverts form a white speculum. Female— B\\\ blackish and less swollen than in male ; general plumage similar to male but paler ; speculum white ; whitish pateh on side of head. Length about 22 inches ; extent about 38 inches ; female smaller. HahitaL— Northern North America, breeding in Labrador and the fur countries ; south in winter to the Middle States, southern Illinois and southern California. Spring and fall migrant and winter visitor on our principal rivers and at Erie bay. At the last mentioned locality this species is some- times seen, particularly in the late fall or early winter, in o-ood-sized iiocks. On the Susquehanna river it is usually found singly or in pairs. Oidemia perspicillata (Linn.). Surf Scoter ; Surf Duck ; Booby ; Sea Coot, Description. >/ct?e.— Upper mandible much swollen and frontal feathers extend far forward ; maxilla swollen at sides and wider at upper part of base than below^ ; general color black ; a triangular white patch on top of head, beginning at about middle of eyes and narrowing as it extends over forehead ; a second white triangular patch, widest above on nape and extending down on back of neck ; bill (dried skin) pale-yellowish and red, with large rounded black spots on side ; legs red ; iris yellowish. F'emale has a blackish bill which is not swollen at base ; general plumage sooty-brown ; lower parts grayish ; sides of head whitish, in some individuals a whitish loral patch ; forehead and hind neck brownish black. Length of male about 20 inches ; extent about 33. Habitat. — Coasts and larger inland waters of northern North America ; in winter south to the Carolinas, the Ohio river and Lower California. Rather rare spring- and fall migrant and winter resident. When found with us this duck inhabits the same localities as the two previously described species. In January, 1890, I i)urcliased from a hunter at Erie, one of these Scoters, which he had shot on the bay, where he said a flock of about twenty had been seen. Genus ERISMATURA Bonaparte. Erismatura rubida (Wils.). Ruddy Duck : Spine-tailed Duck. Description {Plate 6S). Bill bent upwards and about as long as head, very broad ; nostrils small and situ- ated near culmen ; head small ; neck thick ; tail consists of eighteen stiff and narrow feathers ; the under surface of shafts of tail feathers channelled ; tail coverts very short. iV/a/c— Hill bluish ; legs grayish-blue ; iris reddish-brown ; top of head and nape blackish ; upper plumage, greater part of neck rusty-brown, brightest on back ; sides of head and chin white ; lower parts whitish, breast sometimes very rusty. Female and young male. —Top of head and upper parts generally brownish, dotted with grayish and reddish-brown ; sides of head grayish-white and rusty lower parts grayish-white. A small duck about 15 inches long and 22 inches in extent. Habitat. — North America in general, south to Cuba, Guatemala and northern South America, breeding throughout niohi of its North American range. BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 49 t Winter resident found g-enerally throughout the state. Arrives in October and remains until late in April ; in summer, occasionally, stra-- ^lers of this species are observed at Erie bay, but I am not aware that they ever breed there or in any other part of Pennsylvania. Althou-h the Spme-tailed Ducks are found here in winter, they are much mwe numerous during- the spring- and fall migrations than in winter The Ruddy Duck varies g-reatly in its plumage, but can easily be recognized by its long still tail which, when swimming, is carried high up Like the Grebe, this duck is an expert diver. Its food consists chieHy of vegetable substances-seeds, roots and stems of grasses and other acmatic plants. Subfamily ANSERINiE. Gkkse. THE GEESE. But one representative of this subfamily-the con.mon Wild Goose (B. canaden- .««)-is lound as a regular and common migrant in our state. ft Genus CHEN Boie. Chen caerulescens (Linn.). Blue Snow (ioose. Description. "Hill an,l feet llo.sh-pink,f„r,.,or with tho reces., l.etween the nmi.diblos black he ,,a,l.s wh.ush ; ,„s .lark hrown ; .laws .lusky. Ilca.l a,„l neck above white tho neck below, „as„n« o„ to .he ba,k an,l breast, clusky-gray, then fading i.noT\mZ on the „„,ler parts, changing on the wings into line bluish-gray, or silvery ash rnn,p and upper tail coverts whitish ; ,,uills and tail feathers dusky, e Ige f with' wlnt,sh prunanes black. Si.e of the Snow Goose (CAe„ UyperLorll ,1*:! L or :;^^' i«rSirrLfXr.^,r""""« "^ -"-- -'• "- ^-^^ ^«"«- ^^'^^ n"TZ7s'""'" '"'""■''"' "' ""^'" ^""' ""'""y "' "><= interior).-Co«„-. AVy to The Blue Snow Gooso, CHllod also the Bhte (;,x.sc, i.s place.l i„ tho Hy potiietical List of the A. O. U. Check List, hut Prof. Kobert Eid..- way (Manual uf N. A. liirds) states that it is beyou.l .juestion a good species. 1 have never seen the Blue Goose in Pennsylvania, but j^ive it A tr '" "^ 'T""' "," "'" '"'"'""*^ "'■ ^'- T- '^' Hazzard, residing at Allegheny City, Pa., who writes me that he saw one which was shot on the Ohio river, near Pittsbui-h, iu the fall of 1887. This bird was seen in company with other wildfowl. The Doctor further ad.ls it is very rare here even as a migrant. ^ Chen hyperborea nivalis (Forst.), Greater Snow Goose Description. " Bill carmine-red or pale purplish with a salmon tinge, th<. nails white the renes, between^m^ml^es black, l.yes dark brown. Feet du'u' lake r^^, TtiZ ^. , It ;o BTBDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. ish. Adult plumage pure white, the head usually washed with rusty-brown, like a swan's, the ends of the primaries blackening. Young resembling the last, but the head not white, wlule other parts are colored. Large : length, 27.00—31.00 ; extent, 57.00—62.00; * * * weight 5 or 6 pounds."— Co?- /T^r/ iV. ^. ^. Habitat.— ^orih America, breeding far north, and migrating south in winter, chiefly along the Atlantic coast, reacliing Cuba. Kare and irreg-ular visitor in the early spring, late fall, and in winter. Specimens have been taken in Pennsylvania by Dr. John AV. Detwiller of Bethlehem, Pa., and Prof. H. Justin Roddy of Millersville, Pa. Genus BRANTA Scopoli. Branta canadensis (Linn.). Canada Goose. Description {Plate 64). r ♦' Tail of eighteen feathers ; head, neck, bill and feet, deep-black ; a large triangular patch of white on the cheeks behind the eye ; the two of opposite sides broadly con- fluent beneath, but not extending to the rami of lower jaw ; a few whitish feathers on lower eyelid ; upper parts brown, edged with paler ; under parts light, with a tinge of purple-gray, sometimes a shade of smoky brown ; the edges of the feathers paler ; the color of the body of the feathers, though similar, becoming deeper on the sides, tibia, axillars, and inside of wings ; the gray of the belly passes gradually into white on the anal region and under coverts ; the upper tail coverts are pure-white ; the primary quills and rump are very dark blackish-brown ; the tail feathers are black ; iris brown. " Tjength, 35 inches ; wing, 18; tarsus, 3.10; commissure, 2.10 inches."— ^airrfV? Birds of N. A . Habitat.— VoAwxtevAie North America, breeding in the northern United States and British Provinces ; south in winter to Mexico. This well-knoAvn bird, usually called Wild (xoose, is a common sprin^r and fall migrant in Pennsylvania. In referring to this species, Wilson says : " The flig-ht of the Wild Geese is heavy and laborious, generally in a straight line, or in two lines, approximating]: to a point thus, > : In l)oth cases the van is led by an old gander, who, every now and then, pipes his well known honk, as if to ask how they come on ; and the honk of 'All's well ' is generally returned by some of the party. Their course is in a straight line, with the exception of the undulations of their tlight. When bewildered in foggy weather, they appear sometimes to be in great distress, Hying about in an irregular manner, and for a considerable time over the same quarter, making a great clamor. On these occasions, should they ap- proach the earth and alight — which they sometimes do to rest and rec- ollect themselves — the only hospitality they meet with is death and de- struction from a whole neighborhood already in arms for their ruin." The food of this species consists chiefly of vegetable materials, such as cereals, the seeds, roots and other portions of plants. m\ ¥ t CO 0^ M V Q3 CD ^ ^1 /^riiDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 51 Branta bernicla (Linn.). Brant. Desciiiption. streaked with wk^k "w wZ,, in ' " '?'" *""*' "'"^•'' «"<''>«'' ''"e of neck brownish-gray, lowe; ;,al"' !?^^^^^^ ""<' ■"»'•' '"^er ej-elids; back o;..k.-eat.f..ahoJt-;:r:.-";r'^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The Brant or Brant Goose, a« this species is usually called by sports men, :s found .n Pennsylvania only as a very rare and irref,2z vSr' about our lar-^e nvers. In January. 1890, 1 purchased onTofthese bWs buT \rZ d'i ""\^'k ,f "V'?'^ «- . Ih. Brant feeds almost exclusively on a ve^^etable diet. SUKFAMII.Y CYGNINiE. SVVAXS. Genus OLOR Wagler. Olor columbianus (Okd.). AVhisrling Swan. Description. Plumage „la,iulti, pure whfte wUh fhl > I, ^ f """ '""' ''^'^^ ' «>""* '''■'™"- tinge IT\"T^, ""' "'"'^' '" """"' "'"ivi-luals ;i"«o<. With .ve.,owi,h. jo.:;:^ :rr roitro t; trr,? r -I't ""t r^ f)onig much paler. ^ ' *®®*' '^ described as HaMtaf.-^yUole <,f North America, hroeding far north. Sprin- and f.dl mi-rant, also o(x-asional winter visitant Th\. . • -— ^^^^^^^g^n^the^torm, and becoming- overweighted • Bulletin Nutt. Club. Vol. V. pp. 126. 126.' ~^ COLOR PLATE BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 52 ^vithk^^on grewscTexhaustea that they settled into the nearest ponds Ind streaTafmost helpless. Generally a single one ^vas seen m some mm pond or creek, and the fowling-piece loaded with large shot, and ^ nnf— ntlvthe rifle, was used to bring to bag the noble game, ul.t cSS the plight they were in. in all probabihty any one ShaTpaxldleduptothebirdsand taken them ahve. I- *-* m a number of instances they were reported as thus taken -1^- L^^*^ ^rks were seen in some districts in the same ^^'^-'^lVT'''^2..S. close vicinity of MeadviUe only two, I believe, were taken. Titusville anToTcity and the intervening eigliteen miles up Oil creek and its Whes seem to have been the points where they were seen in greatest 1^ £. A published report from the former Pl- f tes^a^ ten o twelve AVhite Swans were captured alive' near East TitusviUt. iUc rlport from the Rouseville (three miles above Oil City, on Cheny run) coriespondent of the Oil City Derrick states: 'A flock ot rcmi thirty- three to thirty-five American or WhistUng Swans surprised the inhabi^ ants of Plumer on Saturday forenoon by alighting m the waters o Chen-y run One of the swans was almost immediately shot at and kUled and. to the surprise of the now large crowd of men and boys U ■ romander of the flock, on account of the ice ax^cumulating on the r vi^Cwas unable to fly, and a general rush was then made o the Tw birds and twenty-five were captured alive by the eager f.^lows hornet e tim V t aL, but many were killed for their feathers and fle" The remaining eight or ten birds finally managed witli great dS ulty to arise. One. however, soon alighting in the midst o Uous^eviUe V lliet Cheny run, wassoon killed by DavoPh, hps. the balance flying I Uttl further, alighting in Oil creek. A general stampede <> ^ - nd boys now took plax., the greater part armed with some weapon of wa - fare- but Charley Clark, a noted sportsman and ,iccurate shot led the to 'and was successful in laying over two <,f the splendid birds and bS'lv wounding a third, at the first shot. He afU^rward shot tlu- third Sourth, amUhe vociferous crowd returned to town, four "H-n beanng the burdens of the victors spoils. The larger of the birds shot by Cla k was a magnificent creature, measuring fifty-one mches from tip ot bill tota 1 and eiglity-six inches in extent, and weighing over sixteen iTouniritis «ai.l'that the one shot by Phillips wa« larger, weighing twenty pounds." ^ 1 \ i ninns of Pennsylvania. 53 OKDEK HEKODIONES. Herons, Ibises. et(\ SuBoimKR CICO^IM. Storks, Etc. Family CICONIID^. Wood Ibises, Etc. Subfamily TANTALINiE. Wood Ibises. Genus TANTALUS Linn.eus. Tantalus loculator Linn. AVootl Ibis. Description. ^./a^..-Bill („ne,l skin) both ,nandU„e, ab' u b^se ll^ktu „' o:;''?," .i.ble, sides of „,axilla in front of nostrils and ™i,nen of brow.', n ■•"" ■"*"" on upper surface- bare skf„ ,.r l.„o.i , '^"^ ""^ """"'"''-yeHow ; lightest C.i. kr; eovered,'es'peSu;' , ap . 'dTtk'T:,.!;."':';,""'^' ""," "'"'«"■"-''. tail and long wing featl.ers blaek, wi l/ g ee^ , pHsT ' luM ' """r '"'''^ = Host of plumage pure white- le<,» <-drie,. J,^ \ ' , """''■" "-ellefitions. iHs dark-brown^-^ength ab:,ut':Lt^;'e:l? ;; ;~''-^ //an^„,.-South,.rn Unite.l States, fron, the Ohio V^Uey olr-fdom. ri",-'- ...a. ete., son.,, to Buenos Ayres : easual, v nor. hward to V.^!:;^]^^;,:;^^^ Tlie Wood Ibis, a common resident in tlu. southern states occurs in Pennsylvania as a very rare and irr..gular visitor. The late JuXe Lib bait, in his oi„,thol,.gi,.al report of Lancaster <-ounty, sLf- "J 1 M. Lly on the Sns'^",*Vtl « a<.o. In the museum at Lancaster city, tlK^re is a «P<:« "^^^ "^ Roseate Spoonbill iAJaJa ajaja)- family »'-*;■ jj^'/ '^f ^J was captured over twenty-five years a^o in Lancaster county^ As no, e of these three species have, so far as I can learn, been «^ -jf " f «^^^\ sylvania during the past quarter of a century, I do not consider that any of them are entitled to a place in this report. SUBOKDEK HERODII. Herons, Ecrets, Bittekxs. Etc. Family ARDEID^. Herons, Bitterns, Eobets. THE HERONS, ETO. Birds o. this family-containing, it is sai,., a.,out ^^^^Z:^:^!:::'::^^ generally dispersed throughout all parts of the g""'«- ^f J^ 7^";;^"^" rcmperato and ■ countries, but the great majority of t''«f ^^^<»«" '"'^'l'' "^ ' ^^^^^s ™^^Lut fiffen tropical regions. In di.Verent '--l"'-.«7"« '"^e re o led by mociem writers ; species and varieties (lo<-,al or geographical races) are '^''<=°"'°° ^ j „„,„., o? these nine species have been taken, during ^-f ^^o ^J^-J/l .^^ tea here species occur with us as regular -'""-^^^f ^l^f" , ; "i' ^.f ''^he e birds frequen. only as transitory visitors ,n the ''?""« ^'^"'^^•^',\'^',^;'^,^^^ ound about swan.py muddy banks of rivers, creeks, ''',''«« ''"'''^""f'/'^f/^'^VVell supplied with pools razrratr'rr/trtbi;^^^^^^ ;:Vdaytime but a^^ening a.,^^^^^^^^^ ;rkeim is S; oli group subSt chie.'ly on various kinds of ftshes (tish n.eas- often l' reed together in great numbers, frequently in company wUh cormorants w^er turkey°1nd ibises The herons and egrets build rude and bulky nests o Xks Ind twigs"! trees or bushes ; the bluish or greenish colored and unspotted ei^^s vary fr^m two to six in number. The sharp, rasping cries of these b.rds, arc S uttered:,! feeding, also if they are frightened -''/-n-"' >: -'-'J^'^^^'^^^f either when migrating or when going to an.l from their feeding places, n rds ol t^ lamiW a" known by the following characters : Long neck an. legs; bill long St aigM tapering, acute and furnished with sharp cutting edges. Lores naked and nsull v parti 'ularly in the breeding season, bright colored ; the head is rather long, narrow 'and flat on the sides. When breeding these birds frequently have l-ack ol held he lo e neck, back or scapulars, beautiiully ornamente.l with long plunies. Herons anf these birds which had been killed by plume-hunters in Oiiuige ami \ olusia counties. Florida. Twelve birds had fed entirely on hsh ; three had taken fish and cray-fish ; two, small snakes ; one hogs and hsh; one, fish and a few feathers; one, tra.,es of beeth-s' Tlire<> birds were destitute of all food materials From my investigations made in Flori.la, as well as the records in the^toUowing table, I would say this heron is mainly piscivorous in * No. 1 .lune ■i Auk. June 4 June & Ma.v ('• Sept. 1 Oct. K April y Auk. lU Aug. Date. 2.!. 7, 12. ir., 24.' 20, IST't IM71) IHSO Brlsrantinp N. J.. in«,i CheHter county. Pa..' iuH() Delaware (>ountv. Pa. luo,, Berks county. Pa.. I^OCALITV, FOOU-M ATEUI A LS. LH8U. 1882. 188;{. Chester county. Pa MrlKantine, N. J., ly^y I Delaware county. Pa 1HH4. 1884. I>elaware county. Pa Wllll.stown. Pa . Wllllstowu. Pa., Remains Remains Remains Remains Remains Remains Remains Remains Remains Remains of Hsh. offish, of hsh. of Hsh. of flsli. of Hsh. of Hsh. of Hsh. of Hsh. of Hsh. Ardea egretta ( Jmel. . Ainericau Egret; Largo White Crane. Description. The ph„„a^^o of this bird is entirely white ; in the breeding .eason thoadultshave Tins beautitul bird, now chiefly found in the southern states, where tZT ' '"" -terminated by the heartless and money-lovrng plume-himters is a rather rare and irregular migr.uit in Pennsylvania It occurs in this state, generally, only in the late summer and autumn' when straggling individuals are seen in suitable locations, iif a Zst 3oT' "' l'-! ''°— ••^•«'- Tn former years, this speciT'L S.1 to have roared its young in Pennsylvania. The stomach contents of thirteen of these c.grets, which I have examined, are here given • 60 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. No. DATE. LOCALITV. Kood-Materiai.s. 1 2 3 4 5 0 t 8 9 10 11 12 13 August, 1879 July. 1881 July. 1884 April. 1885 April, 1885' April. 1885 April. 1885 April. 1885 April, 1885 April. 1885 April. 1885 May. 1885 May. 1885 Lancaster county. Pa Chester county. Pa Delaware county. Pa Orange county, Kla Orange county, Kla Orange county. Kla Orange county, Kla Orange county, Kla Orange county. Kla Orange county. Kla Orange county, Kla Volusia county, F'la Volusia county, Kla Klshea and insects. Kield mouse aiui cray-fish. Kishes and Irons iHuna). Cray-fish. Kish-scales and bones. Fishes. Insects. Keathers, apparently of a sparrow ( ?) Cray-tlsh and small snake. Kisli -.scales and t)ones. Cray-tlsh and fish-scales. Stomach empty. Beetles and dipterous Insects. Ardea candidissima Gmel. Snowy Heron ; Little White Egret, Description. Adults in the breeding season have long tine hair-like occipital feathers ; the long plumes on back are freqviently curved upward at ends, which reach to or a little beyond the ends of tail ; plumes on lower neck similar but not curved. Plumage in both sexes, and at all ages, entirely white ; bill black, yellow at base ; lores, eyes and posterior part of tarsus, yellow, rest of legs black ; length al)out 24 inches ; ex- tent about 38 inches. In young birds the occipital feathers are slightly developed, and they also lack the long plumes of back, and jugulum. Old birds when not in l)reeding dress, have generally at all seasons, the occipital crests well developed, but lack the hair-like plumes on back and lower neck. Habitat. — Temperate and tropical America, from Long Island and Oregon south to Buenos Ayres ; casual on the Atlantic coast to Nova Scotia. This beautiful heron is most plentiful in the southern states, where it breeds in company with other species. Solitary individuals are sometimes found in this locality durinfir the late summer or c^arly autumn. This (^g-ret is much less frequently met with in Pennsylvania tlian the last. In the counties of Crawford and Erie, Messrs. Geo. 13. Sennett, of Erie city, and H. C. Kirkpatrick, of Meadville, have found the Snowy Heron only as a very rare and irregular visitor. Prof. H. Justin Roddy, writing- to me July 29, 1887, from Landisburg-, Perry county, says, " July 27th I secured here a very fine specimen of the American Egret {A. egreffa); the first I have ever seen in this county. I have a number of times seen the Snowy Heron {A. candidissima) in this locality." Occasional stragglers of this species have been met with in Lehigh and Northampton counties, by Dr. John VV. Detwiller, of Bethlehem. Mr. J. F. Kocher, of South Whitehall, Lehigh county ; Dr. Geo. R. Ross, of Lebanon, Lebanon county ; Dr. Walter Van Fleet, Renovo, Clinton county ; Jonas Stern, Kutztown ; D. Frank Keller, Reading, Berks county ; George Miller and Casper Loucks, York, York county ; Dr. A. C. Treichler, Lancaster county ; M. J. Webster, Madi- sonville, Lackawanna county, and Dr. I. F. Everhart, of Scranton, Lac^ka- wanna county, all report this heron in their respective counties as a rare and irregular straggler. Nuttall says: "Its food, as usual, consists of small crabs, worms. Plate 14. i 1 li ^. Sbarp-sbinned Eawt 1. Male; 2. Female. COLOR PLATE i«|Mi*wii> BTBDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 61 IP ':. If • i snails, frog's and lizards, to which fare it also adds at times the seeds of the pond lilies and other aquatic plants." In April, 1885, I visited an island in a small lake in Oranges county, Florida, where this species, also the Louisiana, Little Blue, and Green Herons, were breeding: on low bushes. I shot seven Snowy Herons, and found in the viscera of all only the remains of hsh. Ardea tricolor ruficollis (Gosse.). Liouisiana Heron. Description. Adulf in hreedintj .%e Oct. 10. 1870 Clmstpr county. Pa • Fall-flsh." o April 29. 1880 rhestcrciMiiity. I*a KroK nnd minnows. 4 April 29. 1879 Chester county. Ta Frajfinents of inse<'ts and small (juantity hair, probaltly that of a Held-mouso. of ,*> May 12. 1880 Chester county. Pa Beetles. fi July 3. 1880 Delaware «-ounty. Pa.. . . Vrvit. 7 June :«. 1881 CheNtercounty. Pa Remains of small tlshes. R Aug. IT. 1881 Ches«tercounty. Pa Beetles and other Insects. 0 May 14. 1882 Lancaster county. Pa.. . . F'ishes and froRs. 10 July 29. 1882 Chestercounty. Pa Remains of small tlshes. • 11 July 29. 1882 Cliestercounty. Pa Remains of small tlshes.* 12 July 2«.». 1882 Chestercounty. Pa Remains of small fishes.* 13 July 2<.t. 1882 Chestercounty. F'a Remains of small tlshes.* 14 Sept. 4. 1883 Vorkcuuuty, Pa Dipterous and other Insects. * Four yonnK birds taken from the nest. Genus NYCTICORAX Stephens. Nycticorax nycticorax naevius (Bonn.). Black-crowncil Ni^lH ilt'»*«" ; Squawk; \igiit-hen. I) p:sc r 1 p r ion ( Plate '/ ) . Kill very stout jind thick ; maxilla slightly curved ; bill and tarsus each about 3 inches lonjjj ; head and neck large, the latter (juite short; body rather short and heavy. Adult. — Ijength about 25 inches ; alar extent, about 44 ; bill black ; lores greenish- yellow ; eyes red ; legs yellowish ; top of head and middle of back glossy-greenish BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 65 with a faint yoUoLu or a verv doli^f^' Tf T'"' "'""'■'' ^'""'' o""" ""8"" b,„e ; „oek, except U^Zt. , Ularbuf pa "fr Z^:;:"'r ' ^^'"^^ """ ""' ^"y ..lands, including ;:rtorhe west IndL.''"'''"°"'' "'"'"™^"' '" "'•' ^''"'•'-<* Next to tlie Green Heron tlie Niffht Heron is unquestionablv tl,« most abundant of the family in tlzis state. Tlie adult birdsTre 1 1 v dusttn^jshed from otl>er herons by the black feathers on op ofTead and back, red eyes, and frequently tliree Ion? fine .lii ( Ju wijich ,row frotn the base of L head TiL ap^Jkl'^nrNil^ Herr ^ htffhly appropriate, as this bird is strictly nocturnal i^itl f l!?' Durtn^ the daytime the Ni^^ht Heron is inacL an^ralt is tS^d perched on a lop or tl:e limb of a tree in a quiet nook abouHlTe swZt and streams. As t.-ilijrltt approaches this drowsy wader becomerTs^ were a new be.„^-i„,pel,ed, no doubt, by the ' pan^ of hunS'r-he stands erec, the loose and shaggy plu:nage. which before eemed ill adapted to his body, now fits neat and closely as he carefully walks to the extremity of the dead and decorticated linfb on w "h he irs Sen .lozincr, and .su.ldenly with a loud sguawk launches himself i^to the ah uttering at short intervals his harsli note, and, rising above he trees of he forest he speedily visits some favorite mill.lam. These birds aSve of J:,7^y^""^ -Jb""' the 25tli of April and remain until tlie Latter part W?1 ^^'■- P'"^ '"•"" '" ••^P'''^ "»* ^^-^ °° «'eir arrival in sprWto pro.-ide for themselves the^sf bird's' foZi^e'^^r^rif Ld s -ir ^r ::l^- :z:^z-^ - ^^rr t/ee" Inrrr'^'T" ^'^^l^ "^ ^^^^s and placed u.sually in W^" IZaU "et?tSt:::inte"^J;^:f .Tr^ ''^''f^^ '^''^ margin of which was a good-s zed sti^am "!^%'7^^V'°°''' ''°"? '^^ nests were built in a buL of sMi^Sromo^fiftS: of tt^n^fLf hSt i| I'! 66 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA, writer, in referring to examinations which he made, states that the teeth of the pectinated claw were thirty-five or forty in number, and, as they contained particles of the down of the bird, showed evidently from this circumstance that they act the part of a comb to rid the bird of vermin in those parts which it cannot reach with its bill. The late Isaac G. Darling-ton, of West Chester, some years ago, had large numbers of gold-fishes in a pond near his residence. One day Mr. Darlington caught twenty -five of these fish and placed them in a small pool, intend- ing to remove them the following morning. About bedtime, Mr. D. said, I heard a loud squawking, and on going out saw two Night Herons actively engaged in catching these fish. I shot one of these robbers, which you there see mounted, on the book-case, and on making an in- vestigaton found only one of the fish remaining. "An incident may illustrate the habits of the Night Heron, and perhaps of the whole family. A Night Heron had been noticed for several days sitting on a tree near a branch of White Clay creek. It was at length shot and brought tome, with the tail of a large fish projecting four inches beyond its bill. On removing the fish (a sucker Catostomus, which must have been twelve inches long), its head and shoulders — except the bony por- tions— were eaten away by the gastric liquor of the stomach." — Michener. I have examined the stomachs of twenty odd of these herons, adult and young, which have been shot in June at the breeding-gi'ounds, and found in all only the remains of fishes. In two or three immature birds, taken in August and September, I have discovered a few grasshoppers and portions of insects. Note. — The Yellow-crowTied Night Heron {N. violaceus) which is found in eastern North America, "from the Carolinas and the lower Ohio valley south to Brazil," has not, within the last twenty years, to my knowledge been observed in Pennsylvania. Dr. Turnbull, * wTiting of this species says: "A rare straggler from the south. It has been seen on the borders of the Schuylkill near Philadelphia." • Btrfis of East Pennsylvauia and New Jersey, published in 1801). Piatc J 5. Red- tailed Eawk. L Male; 2, Female, COLOR PLATE )« f i; i BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 67 OR PER PALUDI€0LJ5. Rails, Etc. SuBOKDEK RALLI. Rails, Coots, Etc. Family RALLID^. Kails, Gallinules and Coots. SuBFA.M,LY RALLIN.S. Rails. THE RAILS. Six species are found in Pennsylvania oith.- „. migrantsorcasual visitants. T^ZTZt'tZmTu^: T"*"""' '^'"'"8 «-"» t^ % usually in a feeble manner, gig moX but ^ 1 ?hw' ''"''"'^''" ^'^^''^''^''^^ and ),i,le in tl>e thick vocetation »hn,?.T*^ .°''' '''''*"™ '^''^n t^ey alight -inch they inhabit al„,„stTaWt"aUv Rails' Z " "'""'"' """ ^"''■"Py P'^^ treats, seem to prefer to escape I v sk^.ii. ' 1 ^-'P'-^^d in their marshy re- pressed they make short StsdronH*' 'L'"' ■''""l^*"'' S^^-'e-- but if closely With outstretched wi ,1^ o™ ext'sive^r T'^' """^ '""""' ti.emselves or run blades of grass, or twi^, are rest 2 RaT , """"■• °" ^"'"'^ ^'"'"«'<'<' >««™«. frequently esc;pe by sw mm ng !', if "•"""" """""«"' P'"-"™larly if winged, birds can escap^ in this ma mer thev aUo^ ""'■ ""^ '"P'^'^ "'<'"'' slender-toed times to escape their enem'erwiR remain 1 """! "^^'^ '" "'^'"g. "nd some- dinging by t'he long toesr;,rn r;"ron,v''thrK'n ''f ■' *""' """«■■ ""^ """''- six to twelve whitish, yellowi.T or ^ravir. ^ , " *'"'™ "■" '"'"'■''<=''• «""» '"y of blades of grass, reeds or smalsfi/ "" 'P""'"'' "'^^s, in shallow nests buiit ponds and m^rsh^s T^rdTny y mg71"K- *" T^"^ ^''^"^ " '"'"^ '" Rails are black. These birds feed Ur2f ""'King, V.rgmia, Clapper and Sora ^urious water plants Thev !lso ea, ^ "« I' ' """ '*"'"'' 'eaves and buds of The Clapper (L saU-wltT .narshe, olTtfanr'^T. "^T' """ """' '"-=*- killed in great numbers by sportsmen are vl k .T'* """ ^"" '^*'''' '"'>'«'' *■•« other species, equally as pairbl^n t ^U^TJ ^^ ^ ^'""""^" *'*""' '"■•"^- Tbe the Kingand Virginia RaUs are aebl^. .^ "^"epf on of occasional examples of ing individuals of Ither s^cetes ' a .-'" '■" °- ""'''"^ '"'" ■^'"''' """ ''^'"'^^■ Often found, in August Indeart in Sen, T^ ' ^'"'''"''"' """ '^'"« Ra""- a--" bio l?'«• linules ; tibia, naked ,,lw. toe, t^n " n7"^ T^ ''""'"' P""^ "" '" ^""^ ^"<' '^'al- branes, and the Wings are skr;rrn;^'r:--::-rZ^^^^^^^^ Gentts RALLUS Linn^us. Rallus elegans Aud. Kint; lUil: Biff Rod Rail. Description. ,. i 68 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. legs and bare parts of tibiae brownish ; iris reddish. A pale streak from base of maxilla runs back over eye ; lores dusky ; top of head and back of neck dark- brownish, almost black ; spot on lower eyelid, chin, most of throat, some leathers on edge of wing also some under tail coverts, white ; sides and front of neck and breast bright rufous, growing paler below, belly in same birds is nearly white ; wing- coverts similar to breast but darker. Feathers of upper parts generally, are mostly brownish-black, edged with olive-brown ; lower part of abdomen, flanks and axiUars blackish, with conspicuous transverse white bars. . , ,^ ^ . Habitat.-Fresh-water marshes of the eastern province of the United States, from the Middle States, northern Illinois, Wisconsin and Kansas southward. Casually north to Massachusetts, Maine and Ontario. Spring- and fall migrant. Most frequently seen in fall, and much less common than either the Virginia or Sora Rails. Always observed singly or in pairs ; often in same swamps with Sora and Virginia Rail during migrations. Probably a regular breeder in some of our extensive swamps and marshes. Specimens of this species have been shot by Messrs. James and Scott Thompson, in the late summer and early autumn, in the neighborhood of Erie city, and Mr. George B. Sennett has observed it in Erie county as a spring migrant. Dr. John W. Det- willer, of Northampton county, has found nests of this, also the Sora and Little Red Rail in Pennsylvania. Hon. Gerard C. Brown, York county ; A. T. Lilley, Bradford county ; Dr. A. C. Treichler, Lancaster county '; D. Frank Keller, of Berks county, and Dr. Van Fleet, Clinton county, state that the King Rail occurs in their localities as a straggler. During the past ten years I have obtained in Delaware, Philadelphia and Chester counties about a dozen birds of this species ; two of these were killed in spring and the others in August and September. The nest, a rude platform of grasses, weeds, etc., is placed on the ground or in a tussock of grass above the water, in a marsh. The eggs measure about 1.65 X 1.20, and are dull creamy white, dotted and blotched with reddish-brown and light-purple. Rallus longirostris crepitans (Gmel.). Clapper Rail : Mu>aM marshes of the Atlantic coast of the United States, from New Jersey southward ; resident from the Potomac southward, casually north to Massachusetts. Tlie Clapper Rail or Mud-hen is the noisy game bird which is often kdled ni such great numbers about the salt-water marshes in the neigh- borhood of Atlantic City, New Jersey. In Pennsylvania this rail has been found as a very rare, or, more probably, accidental visitor The late Judge Libhart records the capture of one in Lancaster county by Mr. G. W. Hensel; and Dr. Detwiller has also taken it in the state A bird of this species was shot near Chester city, Delaware county Sep- tember, 1880, by ex-Sheriff Cxeorge R. Hoopes, of West Chester and presented to me. Rallus virginianus Linn. Virginia Rail; fiittle Red Rail. Description (P/afe 78). Much sinaller than eitherthe Clapper or King Rails, but resembling them in form and resembling also n. elegan.i in colors. Jdu/^-Nine or ten inches long and about fourteen in extent. Specimen before me has sides of head mostly grayish-asliy, little or no white about lower eye-lid otherwise same as King Rail previously « ^^p- or brow„i,h. ...any feathers tipped .trnVroX^.W r^^f,'*"'' '"T-' -^"-h oc^re-yellow ; region witl, transverse l.ands of ark rl IH h f'"'"'""" ^^'"t*' = «»"ks ""d ventral under tail coverts r..fons wm/s„^^ 'p's of whira"nd"h, T"^ ^■"'" "' """«^ white. Length (fro.n tip of bill to en^l of Lm ^ , . ' ""'''"' "'"K-^overts Wings. ; tail IJ ; bill . iL.''-B b"/[^"T ' '^""" "''""' " ' 72 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Habitat.— ^2L9,iern North America, from Nova Scotia and Hudson's liay west to Utah and Nevada. No extra-limital record except Cuba and the Bermudas. Birds of this species are occasionally taken about our rivers and meadows during- the spring and fall migrations. I have seen two speci- mens which were captured in the early part of July, 1882, in Delaware county, near Chester city. It is possible that this little rail sometimes breeds in Pennsylvania, yet I have no positive information to this effect. The eggs, according to different writers, vary from six to ten, and are described as creamy buff", marked at the larger end with reddish spots, and measure about 1.13 by .82 inches. Porzana jamaicensis (Gmel.). Black Kail. Description. •'Upper parts blackish, finely speckled and barred with white, the hind neck and fore back dark chestnut. Head and under parts dark slate color, paler or whitening on the throat, the lower belly, tlanks, and under wing and tail-coverts barred with white. Quills antl tail-feathers with white spots. Very small ; length about 5^ ; wing 2J to 3 ; tail \\ ; tarsus l.'*— Coneys Key. Habitat. — Temperate North America, north to Massachusetts, northern Illinois and Oregon ; south to West Indies and in western South America to Chili. This diminutive, shy and secretive bird — the smallest of our North A merican rails — is said to have been found, many years ago, breeding in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, by the late John Krider. I have seen two specimens which were shot in September, on the Delaware, near Chester city. Dr. John W. Det wilier, of Bethlehem, has captured this species in his locality ; George R. Ross, of Lebanon, says that he has taken two in Lebanon county, one, August, 1879, the other Au- gust, 1880. I have never seen the eggs of the Black Rail. Mr. Ridg- way* says they number "about nine, 1.01 by .79, white or buffy white sprinkled, or finely speckled, chiefly on the larger end, with dark red- dish-brown or chestnut." Sttbfamily GALLINULINiE Gtallinules. THE GALLINULES. The Oflllinules are found in the same localities as the rails, to which thoyare quite similar in habits. Two species occur in the United States, and both are found in Pennsylvania. They have a broad, bare, and often highly colored horny plate on the forehead ; bill short and similar in shape to birds of the genus Porzana. Feet large and stout ; toes long, "and in G. galeata with a slight marginal membrane." Gallinules nest in marshes, and lay many yellowish or buff-colored and spotted eggs. * Munxuil of North Anurican liirda, p. 14U. « Plate 17. <• 1 J Bsltu Owl COLOR PLATE BTRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 73 Genus IONORNIS Reichenbach. lonornis martinica (Linn.). Purple Galliuule. Description. " Head, neck and under parts beautiful purplish-blue, blackening on the belly, the sides and lining of wings bluish-green, tlie crissum white. Above, olivaceous- green, the cervix (hind neck) and wing-coverts tinged with blue. Quills and tail feathers blackish, glossed on the outer webs with greenish. Frontal shield blue (or dusky) ; bill carmine, tipped with yellow ; legs yellow. The young with the head, neck and lower back brownish, the under parts mostly white mixed with ochrey. Length 12-14; extent about 22."— Coues. Habitat. —Sonih Atlantic and Gulf States, casually northward to Maine, New York, Wisconsin, etc. ; south throughout the West Indies to Brazil. The Purple Gallinule, a southern species, is a very rare and irre^-ular visitor as far northward as Pennsylvania. Joseph Krider, two or three years ag-o, had a specimen which was taken near Philadelphia. In other localities strag-o^lers, at irreg-ular intervals, have also been captured and reported to me as follows : York county, Casper Loucks and Geor^-e Miller ; Mercer county, S. S. Overmoyer : Luzerne county, Dr. W. L. Hartman. Genus QALLINULA Brisson. Gallinula galeata (Light.). Florida Gallinule ; Blue Rail. Description {Plate 66). >l(^wZ^— Length about 14 inches ; extent about 20 inches; general color grayish- black, darkest on head and upper hind neck ; lightest, and sometimes quite white on abdomen; middle of back, brownish-olive; edge of wing, outer edge of tirst primary, some of under tail-coverts, and stripes on the tlanks, white. Frontal plate and ring about lower part of tibije red (the red color on frontal plate and tibijjc is oftentimes hardly noticeable in specimens taken in autumn and in immature birds the frontal shield is rudimentary, and the bill is brownish). Bill red with yellow end ; legs greenish-yellow ; iris brown. The young have much white or whitish on under parts. Habitat.— TempeTAte and tropical America, from Canada to Brazil and Chili. Reg-ular, but rather rare spring- and fall mio-rant. Probably breeds. Reports which I have received from twenty-two naturalists and collec- tors residing- in different counties of the northern, southern, eastern, western and central parts of the state, show that the species is g-enerally distributed in suitable localities throughout the commonwealth. All of my informants mention this Gallinule— called by sportsm(m Blue Rail- as a strag-ffler or very rare migrrant. The Messrs. Baird mentions this species as a rare native in Cumberland county. Their food, according- to Audobon, "consists of gn'asses, seeds, water insects, worms and snails, along with which they swallow a good deal of sand or gravel." i, 74 niRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. No. DATB. Locality. Food-Matekials. I 2 ;{ 4 May 11. 1879 Sept. 8. 1880 Sept.lo. 1880 Oct. 20, 1883 .. . Chester county. Pa Near Chester city, Pa Near Chester city. Pa Philadelphia, Market, Pa . . Vegetable matter (green-colored). Seeds. Seeds and green-colored vegetable matter Black-colored seeds. In addition to the examinations ^iven in the above tabh\ I found in the g-izzards of five of these birds, which were killed in Florida, in March, 1885, numerous small yellow and brown seeds ; also the stems and leaves of different kinds of aquatic plants. Subfamily FULICINiE- Coots. THK COOTS. Only one species of this subfamily is found in the United States. Coots frequent the same localities in which are found the rails and gallinules. They resemble in many ways their near relatives, the gallinules, from which, however, they can easily be recognized by the large semicircular lobes on front toes. Coots spend much of their time in tlie water, in which they swim and dive with ease. Genus FULICA LiNNiEUs. Fulica americana Gmel. American Coot ; Mud-hen; Crow Duck. Description (Plates.) Adult, in sprinp.—B\\\ short, thick and white or nearly so; frontal i)late and spot near end of each mandible reddish-brown ; head and neck black ; edge of wing, tips of secondaries, and some of lower tail-coverts white; rest ot plumage dark grayish-lead color, lighter on belly than el.sewhere ; eyes reddish or brown ; legs dark greenish-yellow ; length about 14 inches ; extent about 28. The young of this species are similar but everywhere much paler in color. Habitat.— l^orih America, from Greenland and Alaska, southward to the West Indies and Central America. The American Coot, commonly known in eastern Pennsylvania as Mud- hen,* breeds in various localities throupfhout its extensive range. In the British Provinces it is said to be quite a common summer resident. Mr. Samuels remarks that it breeds probably in all the New England Stater. Dr. Coues has found it breeding in northern Montana and Dakota. Mr. H. W. Henshaw found them to be very numerous at the alkali lakes, southern Colorado, where, according to this eminent authority, " they breed in colonies among the rushes, the nests often being but a few feet apart. These are very bulky structures, composed of weeds and rushes raised to a height of several inches from the surface of the water, so that the eggs are kept perfectly dry, and are moored to the stems of the sur- • The vernacular name of Mud-hen Is also given to the Clapper Rail (/frt//ii» lonviroatris crepitans— Gmel. ) which breeds so abundHntly In the extensive marshes about Atlantic City and elsewhere on the Atlantic coast In New Jersey and southward. i I SIBDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 75 rounding reeds." puring the winter months coots may be^^, krge flocks alonjr the St. Jolm's river, Florida; at "Mud Lake." about ten miles north of Sanford, I liave seen over a thousand in one flock rhercoot IS found throughout Pennsylvania as a common sprinj? and fall miffrant-April, .September and October-frequenting usually sloughs, pools and sluggish streams. They generally are much more numerous m autumn than in spring; and at Erie bay these birds are frequently seen, especially in the fall, in flocks, swimming among the reeds and rank grasses near the shore. I have never observed the coot n Pennsylvania m the breeding season, and am quite certain it seldom breeds here. Lis s of birds received by me from naturalists and collec- tors, residing m all but five or six counties of the commonwealth, witli wo exceptions show that the coot has been noted only as a spring and all visitor. That it has been found breeding in at least two locahtie there appear to be no doubt, as both Mr. S. 8. Overmoyer of Mercer county and Dr. -Tolm W. Detwiller, of Northampton coun^. mei^'nTt l^r^^Vl ^^'' °",* "* '^°''"' ^-^^ *° 2.00 long by 1.20 to 1.35 broad, ITv L 1 i ''"mTT, ''""'' '^^' •''"'*'■ '^I'^y^olor, uniformly and min: utely dotted with dark brown, the spots usually mere pin-heads some Stn^p? f . .^^'If""" '"'t'^'^ '=°^-'^red ^vith black down, fantasticall J 8tnped ^nth bright orange-red, with vermiUion bill tipped with bLock."- C O U€S. Audubon states that its food consists of seeds, grasses, small fishes worms, snails and insects, along .vith which it introduces into its st^ ach a good qiwntity of rather coarse sand. Nuttall ob.serves that they In March, 1885, I obtamed seventeen coots at Little Lake Geor-e Sr wi-r "V" ''" ^'"'"^'^'^^ °' '^" "^'y «-^" «-ds, bladesif grass wth, in most every instance, a small quantity of sand or gravel Six of these birds, which I have obtained in Chester county, P^ h J Okdkk LLMiroL^. snoitF Birds. Family PHALAROPODIDiE Phalaropes. THE PHALAROPES. respects the sandpipers, they can readily be distinguished from tlie latter h v f h« on »,hich they sw.m ,„ an easy and graceful manner. The under plumageis coml 1 7G BTEDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. pact like a duck's to resist water. These birds undergo marked changes of plumage with age and season. The bills, as well as the marginal membranes of the toes, all differ in slight particulars, but the toes in all these species are united by basal webs. Two species are recorded as breeding only in the Arctic regions, but they all migrate southward in winter and two, at least, penetrate to the tropical countries. The Phalaropes, it is stated, nest on the ground, and lay three or four olive-buff or pale grayish-buff colored eggs, spotted with different shades of brown. These peculiar birds, combining as they do to a certain degree, l)oth the habits and appearance of certain waders and swimmers, frequent both salt and fresh water. Their food, it is said, consists principally of aquatic insects, worms, molusca, etc*. Genus PHALAR0P,US Brissox. Phalaropus lobatus (Linn.). Northern Phalaropo. Description. Length about 1\ inches ; extent about 14 ; bill and legs blackish ; iris brown ; the bill, less than an inch long, is straight and pointed ; the wings are long, and the tail is short and rounded ; membrane of toes scolloped at joints. " Winter plumage {adult).— Yorehaad, superciliary stripe, sides of head and neck with lower parts generally pure white ; top of head grayish, the feathers with dusky shaft-streaks and whitish borders ; a blackisli spot in front of eye and side of head, from beneath eye, across ear-coverts mixed dusky and grayisli-white ; upper parts chiefly grayish ; sides of chest washed or clouded witli grayish. " rown^.— Top of head dusky, with or without streaks ; ba<;k and scapulars black- ish, distinctly bordered with bufl" or ochraceous ; middle wing-coverts bordered with buff or whitish ; forehead, supra-auricular stripe, lores and lower parts white, the cliest and sides of breast sometimes suffused with dull brownish; ear-<'overts dusky."— i^ifi^^fay Manual of N. A. Birds. Habitat.— Northern portions of northern hemisphere, breeding in Arctic latitudes ; south in winter to the tropics. , At Erie bay and about the lake shore in Erie county this phahirope is found as a ratht^r reofular but not common mi^rrant, seen most fre- quently in the fall. In other sections of the state the Northern Phala- rope is a rare and irregular visitor. Prof. August Kock has observed it in Lycoming county as a "rare migrant." Stragglers have also been captured, at irregular intervals, during recent years, about the rivers Delaware, Susquehanna and Ohio. Phalaropus tricolor (Vieill.). Wilson's Phalaropo. Description. Length about 9 inches ; extent about 15^ inches; bill and legs black; iris dark- brown ; bill about 1^ inches long, cylindrical, tapering, slender and acute ; lateral membrane of all the toes even or unscolloped. i^Winter piMTna<7e.— Above plain ash-gray ; upper tail-coverts superciliary stripe and lower parts white, the chest and sides of breast shaded with pale-gray. " Founf/.— Top of head, back and scapulars dusky blackisli, the feathers distinctly bordered with buff; wing-coverts also bordered with pale buff or whitish ; upper tail-coverts superciliary stripe and lower parts white, the neck tinged with buff."— Ridgway^a Manual of N. A. Birds. Plate 1 8. «f Screech Owl COLOR PLATE lURDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 77 f^rtft^Ca^— Temperate North America, chielly in the interior, breeding from north- ern Illinois and Utah northward to the Saskatchewan region ; south in winter to Brazil and Patagonia. , Bare and irreo^ular migrant tliroug-hout the state, but at Erie bay small flocks of these phalaropes are sometimes to be seen in the fall swimming- in the water like ducks. Note.— The Bed Phalarope {CryniojMlus fnlicarius) which appears to be more exclusively maritime than the others, can easily be dis- ting-uished by the bill, which is short, stout and broad, with lancet- shaped tip. The Bed Phalarope was mentioned in the first edition of the Birds of Pennsylvania on the authority of Mr. C. D. Wood, of Phil- adelphia, who had two specimens, both of which I have since learned were taken in New Jersey, and not at Philadelphia, as I had first been informed. Family SCOLOPACID^. Snipes, Sandpipers, Eto. About twenty species of this large and important family, including several species which are eagerly sought after by the sportsmen and highly prized by epicures, are found in Pennsylvania during migrations or as summer residents. The great majority of the members of this family breed in higli northern regions ; three species— the American Woodcock, the Spotted and Bartramian Sandpipers— brood regularly and generally throughout our state. Some of those birds are solitary, but most of the species, when migrating are gregarious, and often thoy are seen in large flocks, which fre(iuently contain diflerent species. Although many of these birds occur in all parts of the commonwealth, more species and individuals, particularly in large Hocks, are to bo observed during the spring and fall migrations at Erie bay and about the lake shore in Erie county than in other localities of the state. The Snipes and Sandpipers, with a few exceptions, inhabit commonly the muddy and sandy shores of rivers, lakes, (!reeks and ponds ; they likewise fre(iuent, swamps and marshy meadow lands, and some of them are also to be found, usually, about bogs and watery places in woods and tliickets. '*The general econony of these birds is similar to that of a plover, a chief peculiarity being probably their mode of procur- ing food, l)y feeling for it, in the majority of cases, in the sand or mud with their delicately sensitive prol)e-like bill. The eggs are commonly four, parti-colored, pointed at one end and l)road at the other, placed with the small ends together in a slight nest or mere depression on the ground : the young run about at birth."— CoucK Key of y. A. liirds. These birds subsist almost exclusively on an animal diet, consisting mainly of insects, worms, water leeches, etc. Genus SCOLOPAX Linn/EUs. Scolopax rusticola Linn. F]uropean W<>ocl<'ock.. Description. "No outer primaries shortened or peculiar, the tirst narrowed somewhat on inner web near end; first and second longest, third little shorter, fourth much shorter; wings long, comparatively * * * Generic characters, excepting those of wing, much as in Philohcla ; fsame style of bill and feet and configuration of body and head ; plumage similarly variegated above, but below barred crosswise through- out; size much superior. I i 78 BTBDS^ OF PENNSYLVANIA. '« Cock bird.— QoXors above harmoniously blended and varied black, brown, chestnut and yellowish-gray: under parts brownish-white, regularly wavy-barred throughout with dark brown. A dusky stripe from bill to eye. Top and back of head brownish-black and brown, divided by three or four cross-bars of brownish- white and brown. Each feather of upper parts chestnut and black, in variegation, the black usually forming a large sub-terminal spot. Yellowish-gray tending to form a scapular stripe on each side of back. Quills and coverts of wings blackish, pretty regularly varied with dark chestnut bars, on the larger quills this chestnut paler and reduced to marginal indentations ; outer web of first primary plain whitish. Upper tail-coverts rich chestnut, little varied with black, with pale tips. Tail feathers black, with angular chestnut indentations of outer webs ; their tips gray from above, viewed from below glistening silvery-white. Under parts brownish-white, more or less suffused with chestnut-brown on breast, the regular dusky barring only giving way on the whitish throat, changing to lengthwise streaks on under tail-covcrts. //<^n.— Unmistakably similar— substantially the same ; grayer above, much ot the russet mottling of the male replaced by hoary-gray, * * * (about a third larger than P. minor) ; weight 12 to 15 ounces. Over a foot long ; wing seven inches or more ; tail 3| ; bill only about as long as in our woodcock."— Co we'a Key to N. A. Birds. Habitat. — Northern parts of the Old World ; occasional in eastern North America. From several reports, about a half dozen in all, received during- the last ten years, from gunners in eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, I am inclined to the opinion that this bird is oftener met with on this side of the Atlantic than it is generally supposed. Not having any specimens of the European Woodcock in my collection, I have quoted from Dr. Coue's Key, a very full description of the generic and specific characters of the species, in order that sportsmen will have no difficulty in identi- fying stragglers which may come into their possession. At least two of these birds have been captured, during recent years, in Pennsylvania. Dr. John W. Detwiller informs me that Mr. John Mack, of Bethlehem, shot one several years ago, while hunting American Woodcock, in North- ampton countj^ In the early part of November, 1886, Mr. David M. McFarland, a prominent banker, residing at West Chester, killed a large female of this species, when hunting quail on the "barrens," in East Nottingham township, Chester county. September, 1889, I found one of these woodcock in the possesion of a game dealer in Philadelphia, which he said had been sent to him, with a lot of Soni and reed birds, from New Jersey. This bird, unfortunately, was too far gone to be pre- served. Genus PHILOMELA Gray. Philohela minor (Gmel.). American Wo<>d<><' : Rn^IiHh Snipe ; Jack-nnipe. Description {Plate 9). The body is more slender and head and neck smaller than in Philohela. About a (luarter of an inch on lower part of til)i8e naked; ears under eyes; the three first primaries are longest, and the rather long wing is more pointed than that of a wood- cock ; bill (three specimens measured) about two and one-half inches long, not very stout at base, and straight; both mandibles have grooves on sides, extending from base to near the end ; in life the l)ill is vascular, sensitive, and soft toward the end where it widens; in dried specimens about one inch of the bill toward end is pitted; short, rounded tail-feathers with transverse bars; toes long and slender without basal webs or marginal membranes ; sexes similar. Adult. — Length about 11 inches ; extent about 18 inches ; female a little smaller ; bill (dried skin) brownish ; legs blackish-brown ; iris brown ; top of head blackish, •The eyes, being situated high up and far back In both the snipe and woodcock (well shown In plate No. 9. flg. 1), Is a wise provision of nature, as these birds, by this peculiarity, escape many of their enemies. It can easily be understood by this arrangement that the field of vision Is greatly Increased. Obtaining their sustenance, ns they do, chiefly by probing with their long bills, so amply supplied with nerves, they have comparatively little us© for their eyes when feeding, unless It Is to keep a watch for their numerous foes. — TFarren. 4 i BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 81 with a pale buff middle stripe, and a streak of same color extends from base of maxilla Dack over each eye ; chin and upper throat yellowish-white ; neck and breast spotted and streaked with black, dusky, and different shades of brown; bellyand outer web of first primary, white ; back and upper parts generally blackish varied with different shades of brown and whitish ; the pale yellowish edges of scapulars form two long stripes on back, separated by a broader streak of black or blackish ; axillars and lining of wings barred with black and white ; sides whitish with trans- verse dusk y bars ; tail feathers chiefly black, with a transverse and broad »)and of bright reddish-brown, suc(;eeded by a narrow black band, and the ends almost white ; primaries mostly dark brown on upper surface and paler below. Habitat.— ^oriha.nL\ middle America, breeding from the northern United States northward ; south in winter to the West Indies and northern South America. This bird, usually, though improperly, called " English Snipe," ar- rives in R^nnsylvania about the last week in March, and is common until about the middle of May, after which the species is seldom seen until the fall migration occurs. Wilson's Snipe is not found in woods or dense thickets, but at times, when sojourning here, is seen about open places in wet meadows, swamps, and on the muddy banks of streams and ponds, and in th(^ early spring he shows a special preference for spring-heads, about which, at this time, the tender blades of grasses grow in abundance. These birds an^ found singly, or in small fk)cks of three, five, a dozen or twenty each. According to my experience these flocks, or " wisps " as they are often called, an ^ much more freciuen^dy met with in spring than at other times, in nearly every section of the state, except in the vicinity of Erie city, when^ I have several times in the late fall observed " wisps " of a dozen or more. They r(^turn liere from the northern breeding giounds in Septemlxn-, and individuals are often seen as late as the middh; of November, occasionally during "warm spells ' in Dt^cember and January stragglers hav<^ l)een captured in the counties of Chester and Delaware. Their sharp cry of scape, scape, is uttered soon after they arise from the ground, and as they fly rapidly off in a zigzag manner, which leads many sportsmen to ccmsider them as (me of the jnost difficult birds to shoot. AVilson's Snipe is also found HI this state as a rare and occasional ])i-eedcr. Mr. George B. Sennett informs nw. it was found breeding, about ten years ago, in Crawford county ; Mr. Samuel Thompson, of Eric^ city, reports having discovennl a nest and four eggs in June, 1889, in a swamp near the Erie county poor-house. In Bradford county Mr. J. L. Camj), of Herrick, also Mr. J. M. Ketcham, of Minnequa, have o])served it as a rare summer resi- dent. Dr. H. A. Tingley, of Susciuehanna, says it has been known to breed in his locality, and Dr. G. A. Sci-oggs, of Beaver, tells me it has been taken in June and July in B(;aver county. Individuals of this species have been shot in summer near Wc^st Chester, also in Delaware county, ])ut on examining them I found that, although abh; to fly a short distance, th(>y were so crippl<>d from wounds received during th(^ spring shooting season that they were unable to perform any extended 6 Birds. I 82 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. migrations. Should these cripples remain in a locality duringr the sum- mer months, I have no doubt some of them mig-ht reproduce. Accordingr to Audubon, "the food of our common snipe consists prin- cipally of g-round-worms, insects and the juicy slender roots of different veg-etables, all of which tend to give its flesh that richness of flavor and juicy tenderness for which it is so deservedly renowned, it being equal to that of the woodcock. Many epicures eat up both snipe and wood- cock with all their viscera, worms and insects to boot, the intestines, in fact, being considered the most savory parts. On opening some newly- killed snipe, I have more than once found fine large and well-fed ground- worms, and at times a leech, which I must acknowledge I never con- ceived suitable articles of food for man, and for this reason I have always taken good care to have both snipe and woodcocks well cleaned, as all game ought to be." The food-materials found in viscera of twenty-five snipes examined by the author are as follows : No. 1 2 i 4 ft 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 11) 17 18 !eeds and earth-w^orms. Beetles and earth-worms. Beetles. Beetles and earth-worms. Various Insects and vegetable matter. Small seeds. Small seeds and earth-worms. Vegetable matter. * Small seeds. * Polygonum. Genus MACRORHAMPHUS Leach. Macrorhamphus griseus (Gmel.). Dowitcher. Description. Bill similar to Wilson's Snipe ; wings rather long and pointed ; about threo-fourtha of an inch of lower part of tibia bare ; front toes with basal webs especially between the middle and outer ; tail double-emarginate with twelve feathers ; Galliyiago usu- ally has sixteen tail feathers; sexes alike, but plumage varies much with age and season. Although this bird has a general reseml)lance to Wilson's Snipe, it can easily be distinguished from it by basal webs of toes; or even when flying by the white markings of lower back. Plate 19. k I Yellow- throated Vireo. 2. Blue- winged Warbler. 3. Great Eorned Owl Males. COLOR PLATE BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 83 ^rfwZf.— Blackish-brown above, varied with reddish and grayish; rump white; tail and its upper coverts blackish, barred with white ; lower parts rusty-red, paler or whitish on abdomen. Fall birds have upper parts and breast grayish and lower part of back and most ot under parts white. //a6^7a^— Eastern North America, breeding far north. Kare spring- and autumnal visitor. Specimens have been taken in Chester, Lancaster and Erie counties. This species, when found here, is seen singly or in pairs, and never in flocks such as are found about the Atlantic coast during- mig-rations. Genus MICROPALAMA Baird. Micropalama himantopus (Bon a p.). Stilt Sandi)ii)er. Description. Bill much as in Oallinago but shorter ; less widened at end and less distinctly furrowed on top, sometimes perceptibly curved. Wings long, pomted, first primary longest; legs very long ; tibiae l)aro an inch; tarsus as long as bill; feet semi-pal. mate, the front toes being connected by two evident basal webs ; sexes alike.—T^rom Coues* Key. ''Adult in Slimmer.— Above blackish, each feather edged and tipped with white and tawny or bay, which on scapulars becomes scolloped. Auriculars chestnut; a dusky lino from bill to eye, and a slight superciliary one ; upper tail-coverts white with dusky bars. Primaries dusky with blackish tips ; tail feathers 12, ashy-gray, their edges and a central field white ; under parts mixed reddish, black and whitish, in streaks on jugulum, elsewhere in bars; bill and feet greenish-black. Length 8i-9 ; extent lG-17 * * bill 1.50-1.70 * * * Young and adults in winter ashy-gray above, with or without traces of black and bay, the feathers usually with white edging ; line over eye and under parts white, the jugulum and sides sullused with the color of the back, and streaked with dusky ; legs usually pale greenish- ylored Sandpiper. Description. Bill straight, short, about 1^ inches long ; both mandibles have grooves on sides ; legs short and stout ; toes short and stout, without any webs, but front toes have rather wide margins ; hind toe rather long and slender ; tail feathers about even. I 84 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Adult in spring.-VvV^^v parts grayish-brown and many leathers have black cen- ters with paler edges ; rump and upper tjiil-coverts chietly white witli irregular bars or spots of black or biownish ; streak over eye, chin, throat and breast rusty-red; belly, flanks and under tail-coverts white or nearly white ; sides whitisli with dusky streaks ; bill and legs black, eyes brown. Birds both young and old, taken in autumn, have upper parts more grayish and less black, and lower parts generally white. Habitat.— ^e&rXy cosmopolitan ; breeds in high northern latitudes, but visits the Southern Hemispliere during migrations. The Robin-snipe or Gray -back, as the Knot is called by hunters on the Atlantic coast of New Jersey, where it is abundant during mig-ra- tions, is a reg-ular and somewhat common visitor about the lake shore and at Erie bay, in Erie county, during the spring and fall migrations. In other parts of the state the Knot is seldom seen. Tringa niaritima BrOnn. Purple Sandpiper. Description. Bill quite slender and straight or slightly curved down at end. •' Wi7iter (Zre.s.>?.— Back and scapulars sooty black, strongly glossed with purplish, tlie feathers bordered terminally with dark plumbeous-gray; jugulum uniform mouse-gray or brownish-plumbeous. " Young, first p/wma^e. -Scapulars, interscapulars and wing-(;overts l)ordered with pale grayish-bufl-, with little or none of rusty ; lengtli about 9 inches; (extent about 16) ; bill ai)out 1.20 ; tarsus about .99"-/i. B. .0 /?. Bird.H of N. A. Halnfaf.—Sotthcrn portions of Northern Hemispliere , in North America chiefly the northeastern portions, breeding in the high north, migrating in winter to the eastern and middle states, the great lakes and the shores of the larger streams in the Mississippi valley. This species I havt; nt3ver met with in Pennsylvania, where it occurs only as a very rare or casual migrant. Mr. George B. Sennett, of Erie city, mentions it as a straggler in his locality. The. late Judges Lil)hart records in his report the capture of a Purphi Sandpiper in August (year not ^ven) in Lancaster county. A specimen in the U. S. National Museum was taken many years ago near Philadelphia. Tringa maculata Vikill. Pectoral Sandpiper; Grass-snipe; .Ia«k-8nipe. Descuiition {Plate tjti). vlr^M^^ — Length about 10 inches; extent about 18 ; bill little over an inch long and straight; bill (dried skin) blackish, paler toward base; legs dark greenish; eyes brown ; upp(!r i)arts, generally blackish-brown, feathers edged witiv reddish-brown and white or whitish ; chin, upper part of throat and indistinct lineover eye whitish ; foreneck and upper part of breast ashy-gray (with sometimes a buff" tinge) with numerous dusky streaks, rest of breast, belly, sides and crissum pure white. Hahitat.—Tho, whole of North America, the West Indies and the greater part of South America ; breeds in the Arctic regions. Of frequent otjcurrence in Europe. BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 85 * Common spring and fall migrant, arriving, generally, in April. These birds, after rearing their young- in the far north, return to their winter resorts and again make their nppearance here in September, and they art; often found with us in October and the early part of November. The Pectoral Sandpiper is found frequently in small flocks (sometimes in hirg(i Hcx^ks) or singly, and often in company with other species, par- ticuhirly the Wilson's Snipe. The Grass-snipe as tliis species is best known to gfunners, frequents the same localities as the Wilson's Snipe, but it is oftener seen about low, wet, g-rassy flats in open fields and mea- dows than about the sliores of streams and ponds. Tringa fuscicoUis Vieill. White-rinnped Sandpiper. Description. Length about 7^ inches ; extent about 15; bill black at end, much lighter at l)ase of lower mandible ; iris brown ; bill about an indi long. This bird although smaller is very similar to the Pectoral Sandpiper, from which it can be distinguished by tiie (usually) pure white upper tail-coverts ; dusky streaks on foreneck and breast, chin and throat witli small dusky specks. H afnta f.—Kiisteru province of North America, breeding in the high north. In winter, the West Indies, Central and South America, south to Falkland Islands. Occasional in Europe. Very rare spring and fall migrant in Pennsylvania. One of these sandpipers was taken in Berks county, near Beading, by Mr. D. Frank K(!ller. I liave seen two of these birds in th(» possession of Mr. C. D. Wood, which were captured, he said, along tin; Schuylkill, near Phil- adelphia. I have never met witli the species in Pennsylvania. Tringa minutilla Vieill. Ijeasi Sandpiper; Peep. Description (Plate 7S). Smallest of all the sandpipers; length about 5^ inches; extent about KH ; bill, slender, straight and about ^ of an incli long. ' ' Adult spriuf/ f/ /-CSS. — Upper parts brownisli-black, feathers with dark centers, edged with bright reddish or chestnut, and more or less tipped with white ; fore- neck and breast pale brownish-white with numerous dusky streaks ; rest of under parts white. The adults and young in fall are quite similar, but with more white on chin and upper throat, and foreneck and breast is light-grayish with a few indistinct dusky streaks. This spociescan easily be distinguislied from Semipalmated Sand- piper by not only its smaller size, but by the fact that itslong slender fnmttoes have no basal webs as in the Semipalmated. Habitat.-ThQ whole of North and South America, breeding north .>f the United States. Accidental in Euro[)c. The Least Sandpiper is a common spring- and fall migrant in Penn- sylvania. At Erie bay it is very abundant, being- usually seen in large flocks, m company with the Semipalmated Sandpiper-, and l)oth species I 86 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. are known there by the common name of " Peeps." This species is also found, often in considerable numbers, about streams and ponds in all parts of the state, but is generally more numerous in the interior in the fall than during the spring migration. Referring to these, the smallest of all our sandpipers, Nuttall says that " for the discovery of their food their flexible and sensitive awl-like bills are probed into the mire, marshy soil, or wet sand, in the manner of the snipe and woodcock, and in this way they discover and rout from their hidden retreats the larva? and soft worms which form a principal part of their fare. At other times they also give chase to insects, and pursue their calling with amusing alacrity." Tringa alpina paciflca (Coues.). American l>uiiliii ; Red-backed Sandpiper ; Black-bellied Sandpiper Description. Bill and legs black, the former rather stout and slightly decurved. The bill is much longer than head (three specimens before me average 1.50); sexes alike. Like other sandpipers this species shows great variation in its colors with age and season, hut adults in the spring may l)e known by the bright chestnut and blackish feathers (many with grayish or white tips), of upper parts, the black colored rumpand upper tail-coverts, and a broad black patch on belly. The foreneck and upper part of breast grayish-white, streaked with dusky, rest of under parts white. The adults and young in fall dress have upper parts rather dark ashy-gray ; rump and upper tail-coverts much darker (specimens are often seen with reddish and black feathers on back, and sometimes single feathers or patches of black on belly). Lower parts usually white ; foreneck and breast grayish-white streaked with dusky. Length about 8j or 9 inches ; extent about 15 ; eyes l)rown. Hafntnf.—'S orih America in general, breeding far north. Regular s]n'ing and fall migrant. The American Dunlin or Red- backed Sandpiper is much more numerous at Erie bay, and about the lake shore in Eri(^ county, tlum in any other section of the state. AVhen these birds are met with about the gravelly or muddy shores of our larger water courses — Susquehanna, Delaware, Allegheny and Ohio rivers chiefly — they generally are seen singly or in small flocks, usually in com- pany with other species. At Erie, in the fall, the Dunlin is a very abundant bird, being found in Hocks which often number a hundred or more. Large numbers of this species, and other shore birds, are killed by gunnt^rs in the fall (the principal fliglits occur usually in September) along the beach on the peninsula, and about the muddy Hats at the mouth of Mill Creek, which flows into Erie bay, below the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, at Erie city. The Dunlin feeds on worms, insects, small bivalve shells, etc., and when fat, is equally as palatable as the snipe or plover. if Plate 2o. I i Belted Kingffsher, 1. Males; 2. Female. COLOR PLATE BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 87 Genus EREUNETES Illiger. Ereunetes pusillus (Linn.). Semipalmated Sandpiper; Peep. Description {Plate 81). Size small, a little larger than T. viinutilla from which in any plumage it can bo recognized by the basal webs of front toes ; bill and legs black ; eyes brown. Adult in sprinr/.— Above grayish-brown, feathers more or less edged with brown, ish or rusty, and tipped with whitish ; lower parts white, except jugulum which is pale grayish-brown, streaked with dusky. The old birds and young in the fall have upper parts more grayish (particularly about back of neck), and less rusty ; lower parts white ; jugulum (adult) very faintly streaked with dusky; jugulum (voung) pale buff without streaks. Halnt at.— Kastern province of North America, breeding north of the United States ; south in winter to the West Indies and South America. Common spring and fall migrant, similar in habits, and occurring- in the same localities as the Least Sandpiper. Genus CALIDRIS Cuvier. Calidris arenaria (Linn.). Sanderliug. Description. Very similar in general character to the sandpipers, but hind toe is absent • bill about as long as head, stout and straight, end somewhat thickened and expanded- toes sliort. ' ^^Adnlt in sammer.-Xhoxe, light rufous, broken by large spots of black, thefeath- ers mostly tipped with whitish. Head, neck, throat and jugulum pale cinnamou- rulous, speckled below and streaked above with blackish. ^^ Adult in xvinter.-Ahove, very pale pearl-gray (the lesser wing-coverts darker anteriorly), relieved only by faint darker shaft-streaks of the feathers. Throat and jugulum pure white. -Adult in sprin<,.-AhQve, light grayish, with large black spots (streaks on the crown), here and there mixed with rufous ; jugulum speckled with dusky on a white ground. "^ " lown^.-Above, pale gray, spotted with black and whitish, the latter on tips of the feathers ; jugulum immaculate white, laintly tinged with dull buft" - Bill and feet black; iris brown '-(Aud.). Length about 7.75 to 8.00 inches" (extent about 1.5 inches).— 7?. B. and It. N. A. Birds. Habitat.-^ early cosmopolitan, breeding in the Arctic and subarctic regions mi- gratmg, in America, south to Chili and Patagonia. Common spring and fall mig-rant at Lake Erie, where it is often seen in flocks, frequently in company with the Piping- Plover ; much less common in the interior of the state, where, generally, only scattered birds are found, usually, about the shores of rivers, lakes and large ponds. 88 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Plate 21. Genus LIMOSA Brisson. Limosa fedoa (Linn.). Marbled Godwit. Description. " Bill lengthened, * * -^ slender, and curving gently upwards ; grooved to near tip ; the tip not attenuated, but pointed ; the lower almost as long as the upper. Cul- nien without any furrow. * * * A short basal membrane between the middle and outer toes ; hind toe lengthened ; tail short, even. " Sp. c/t.— Bill long, curved upwards ; both mandibles grooved ; wings long * * * legs long ; tibia with its lower half naked ; toes rather short. * * * Entire upper parts variegated with brownish-black and pale reddish, the former disposed in ir- regular and confluent bands, and the latter in spots and imperfect bands ; in many specimens the black color predominating on the back, and the pale red on the rump and upper tail-coverts. Under parts pale rufous, with transverse lines of brownish- black on breasts and sides ; under wing-coverts and axillars darker rufous * * * tail, light rufous, with transverse bars of brownish-l)lack. Bill i)ale yellowish, red at base ; brownish-black at end ; legs ashy black. Length about 18 inches ; bill 4 to 5; tarsus 3."— B. B. of N. A. Habitat.— l>i orth America; breeding in the interior (Missouri region and north- ward), migrating in winter southward to Central America and Cuba. The Marbled Godwit, or Marl in, is a rare and irreg-ular spring and fall mig^rant in Pennsylvania. Mr. Geoiore B. Sennett informs me strag-^lers are occasionally taken in Crawfcjrd and Eri(^ counti(»s. A few specimens have also been captured in recent years in Lancaster, Phila- delphia and Delaware counties. Note.— The Hudsonian Godwit {Limosa hcpmasfica Linn.) is said to have been captured many years a^o near Philadelphia by the late John Krider. I have never met with this bird in Pennsylvania. None of the naturalists or collectors whose lists of birds of Ptuuisylvania are before me make any reference to it. Genus TOTANUS Bechstein. Totanus melanoleucus (Gmel.). Greater Yollow-leRs: Greater Tell-tale; Greater Yellow-shankH. De8(>'Ription (Plate 81). Bill long, slender, and with deep grooves in front of nostrils ; tibiw mostly bare ; the long and slender legs are yellow ; bill and claws black ; iris brown ; the short and rounded tail is blackish with numerous transverse white bars; upper tail (;overts white with few brownish bars ; upper parts generally brownish-black (ashy on back of neck) with numerous white spots or edging on feathers ; chin, upper throat, lower part of breast, abdomen, most of sides and under tail coverts white ; lower neck in front and upper l)reast grayish-brown, with many dusky streaks. Length, bill to end of tail about 14 inches; extent about 2o ; bill about2; inches, never under 2. Habitat.— America, in general, breeding in the cold temperate and subarctic por- tions of North America, and migrating south to Chili and Buenos Ayres. T K i \ i Red- beaded Woodpecker, L Male; 2. Female; 3. Young. COLOR PLATE BIEDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 89 Common sprmo- and fall migrant, but more numerous in the fall- li-om last of August to middle of October-than in spring-. At Lake Lrie tins species is often seen in small flocks, but in other parts of the state It IS mosUy found singrly or in pairs, inhabiting tlie same localities as the Lesser Tell-tale. The Greater Yellow-leg^s feeds sometimes, it is said, on small fish. A dozen or more of these birds which I have ex- nmmed had in their stcmiacl, chiefiy diffen.it kinds of insects, worms -•md small ])ai'ticles of shells. Totanus flavipes (Gmel.). Yelloiv-less; liOHser Toll-tale; Yellow-shanks. Description. This bird is a miniature of the Greater Yellow-legs ; (-olors the same Len^h about be ore me the l>ills average a trifle less than one and one-half inches JistrK ts, and m grating south in winter to southern South America Less common m the western than the eastern province of North America. common xl]'^ Yellow-leg-s, commonly known along the sea-shore as "Little \ellow-leg-Tell-tale,'' is quite frequently found in Pennsylvania during rnig^rations. Although often seen in sprint it is most numerous durin J Grie ?eltw 1 "• "' .f^Vt^-^^--- At Erie bay this bird, also the (xreatei Yellow-legs, is (pnte common frcmi the latter part of Au^^ust until some seasons, as late as the first week in Novc^mber. It is ^e^ner- ay found in the interior, singly or in pairs, and sometimes, though not often, HI parties of five or six. I have often found them about ;onds ools,and muddy fiats, never along streams of running water, unless the borders of such streams were muddy and destitute of grasses and other vegeta ion. Dr. Ezra Michener, in a list of the Che.^ter c'ounty birds published m 1863, says this species is a ''frequent summer rel clent. I have never known this bird to occur in Chester cnmnty as 1 summer resident and am satisfied that it is now found in Chester couiity and throughout Pennsylvania only as a spring and autumnal migrant The food-materials of thirteen of these birds examined by the wr ter are given in the following table: ;{ 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Chester county. I'a. . Chester county. Ta.. Asscjmnck countv. Va" Assoniack county. Va April ;«}, 1879. . . . May 7. 1879. ... Auk. 27. 1879. ... Auk. 27. 1879 Se"ift ^' iS? I Assomack county.' Va slK:--;l£ iBHKantine. N. .1. . , Sept. . 1882. ... ■ ■ ■ A UK. ;«). 1882. . . • • • Oct. 10, 1880. . . Oct. 10. 1880. . . • • • • Oct. 10. 1880. . Oct. 10. 1880, . . Insects. chleHy heetles. Small • ■ worniK. '" Insects. Insects. Insects. BrlKimtlne, N. .).. 3m^ '^"'•""'•.. BrlKantine. N. .1.: ; ! ; ; " " " S™"V_^"'-™'*- Chester county. Pa Chester countv. Pa Chester countv. I'a Chester county. Pa Chester county. Pa Beetles. Insects. Beetles and "worms.' Insects and fraKmentsof shells. Insects. Insects 90 BIBDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Totanus solitarius (Wils.)- Solitary Sandpiper. Description {Plate 10). Bill long, straight, slender ; maxilla with deep grooves in front of nostrils ; slender legs and toes ; basal webs, but that between outer aTul middle toes much the largest ; tail rounded and barred with white and blackish ; bill blackish ; legs greenish ; eyes brown. Adult, in spring. — Upper parts dark-brown, with faint tinge of olive ; top of Jiead, and back of neck streaked with white, rest of upper plumage spotted with white ; chin, lower breast, most of sides, abdomen and under tail-coverts wliite ; front of nec^k white with numerous dusky streaks ; primaries blackish above, paler below ; lining of wings and axillars with dusky and white bars. Old birds in the fall and the young are very similar to the adult in spring but are duller in color ; the top of head, hind neck and most of sides of the latter grayish-brown with few or no faint dusky streaks ; chin and upper throat white ; front of neck grayish-brown and white v/ltli indistinct dusky streaks. Length 8to9mches; extent 15 to 17 ; bill 1^ inches or a little less. Habitat. — North America, breeding occasionally in the northern United States, more commonly northward, and migrating southward as far as Brazil and Peru. Common spring and fall migrant. Breeds occasionally in a few localities. The Solitary Sandpiper, unlike other of the sandpipers occui-ring in this region, appears to have a sj^ecial fondness for stagnant pools in and about the woods. During its spring and fall passage through Pennsylvania it is common, frequenting, generally, the muddy borders of ponds, pools and sloughs. This species seldom arrives in this state before April 25. About the first week in May you find them singly, in pairs, and occasionally in flocks, numbering sometimes as many as eight or even twelve individuals. In Wilson's Ornithology, the following mention is made of the species: "I have made many long and close searches for the nest of this bird without success. They regularly breed on Pocono mountain, between Easton and AVilkes-Barre, in Pennsylvania, arriving there early in May and departing in Septem- ber." In Cumberland county tht^ Messrs. Baird record it jis a native. Wilson also states that these birds inhabit the watery solitudes of our highest mountains during the summer from Kentucky to New York, but are nowhere numerous, seldom more than one or two being seen together. Dr. Coues has found " young birds in July in northern Dakota, about the pools of Turtle mountain." The same writer also states that " in Maryland and Virginia, and in nearly correspondent latitudes in the west, I have shot birds in August so young as to leave no doubt in my mind that they were bred in the vicinity." I have never seen a Solitary Sandpiper in Pennsylvania in June or July, but that it breeds sparingly, and in several localities, there is no doubt. Mr. George B. Sennett, of Erie, has several times met with this species in midsummer about streams i-unning through woods, in the vicinity of Meadville, Crawford county ; and Mr. H. C. Kirkpatrick, a taxidermist residing at Meadville, says it is occasionally found in that neighborhood as a native. Prof. H. Justin S ^ J i4 1 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 91 Roddy, of Millersville, Pa., writing (letter) of this species in Perry county, says: "In the latter part of June, 1884, I shot an adult male Solitary Sandpiper. There were a pair of them in a swamp, and from their actions they were nesting. I devoted a good bit of time in search- mg for their nest but could not find it. I have no doubt, however as to their breeding." Dr. Treichler, of Lancaster county, mentions it' as an irregular breeder ; he has found young about half grown in the Cone- wago meadows early in July. Dr. Walter Van Fleet, of Renovo, states that the Solitary Sandpiper breeds in Clinton, Union and Northumber- land counties. Prof. A. Kock, of Williamsport, tells me that he is quite positive that this bird sometimes breeds in the mountainous regions of Lycoming county. Although the bird is common, very little is known concerning its nest or eggs. Prof. Robert Ridgway * says, " Egg (iden- tification doubtful, but probably correct) 1.32 by .90, dull light-buffy, thickly spotted and clouded with rich madder-brown and purplisli-gray '' Mr. Oliver Davie {Nests and Eggs of N. A. Birds, third edition) ^^^ay^: " Li the last edition of this work I mentioned an egg; supposed to belong to this species, which I took in an open field bordering the Scioto rive^, near Columbus, Ohio, in the latter part of May, 1887. * * * * xhe egg was of a pointed oval shape, and not nearly so pyriform as are the eggs of most of this family, size 1.25 by .88, smaller than the eggs of the Spotted Sandpiper. Tlu^ ground was clay-color with a reddish tino-e thickly marked with reddish and blackish-brown. The nest was on tlie ground in as exposed a locality as is ever frequented bv this bird It contained two eggs, both far advanced in incubation, only one of which was preserved." According to Audubon, the Solitary Sandpiper is expert in catchino- insects on the wing, " especially the smaller kinds of dragon-fiies, whicli it chases from the sticks on which they alight, and generally seize before they hav(^ flown across the little ponds which are the favorite places of resort of this species. I have found their stomachs filled with acpiatic insects, caterpillars of various kinds, and black spiders of considerable size." The food materials of eleven birds examined by the writer are given below : ^ Vo. 10 II Datk. May May May May May Sept, Oct. Oct. May May May 5. 188U. tj. 1880. ». 1H80. 7, 1882. 7. 1882. 21. 1888. i). 1883. 20. 1883. 11. 1884. II. 1884. 11, 1884. Locality Chester county, Pa. . Chester county. Pa.. Chester county. Pa.. Chester county. Pa.. Chester county. Pa.. Chester county. i*a.. Chester countv. Pa.. Schuylkill county. Pa. Chester county. Pa.. Chester county. I'a.. Chester county. Pa. . Fooii-Matehi.m.s. Hmall HhelKs. VcKotablo matter. Small • • worms. " ' "Worms " and beetles. "Worms '• and beetles. Beetles ' 'Worms.'" Insects. Beetles and earth-worm Dipterous Insects. Small * ' worms. " Manual of North American Birds. paKe 106. I 92 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Genus SYMPHEMIA Rapinesque. Sympheinia semipalmata (Gaiel.). Wilh't. Description. Size large, bill long, thick and grooved to middle ; legs stout and long ; lower half of tibia? bare ; toes short and stout with marginal membranes and basal webs <'on- necting inner and outer with the middle toes ; tail feathers nearly even. This spe- cies varies more or less with age and season. Three specimens, male and females, (taken in August), before me have bluish black legs, blackish bills, the latter 2^ and 2J inches long. Upper parts brownish-gray, darkest on head and back, streaked with dusky, and many of the feathers with whitish edges ; back of neck ashy-gray ; foreneck, the sides and portion of breast grayish, with dusky streaks or spots ; chin upper part of throat, breast, except on sides, belly and crissum white ; axillars, lining of wings, primary (ioverts and ends of primaries black ; most of the u])per tail-coverts, most of the secondaries and a large space on primaries, white ; tail ash v- white with fine dusky markings. Length about 16 inches ; extent about 28. /fa/>i7a<'.— Temperate North Anu^rica, south to the West Indies and Brazil. Rare and irreg-ular spring and fall niigrant in eastern Pennsylvania, and when observed here is, usually, seen late in August. Mr. Sennett, and the Messrs. Thompson, of Erie city, have never known the Willet to visit that locality ; and none of the naturalists and collectors, whose reports are before me, have observed this species in any of the central, northern or western counties of the state. I have two specimens, one taken in Delaware county (Aug-ust, 1885), the other was killed by flying against a telegraph wire along tli(^ Brandy wine, in Chester county (August, 1887). Dr. Detwiller, of Bethlehem, has secured specimens (mostly "after severe fall equinoctial storms" about the Delaware and Lehigh rivers. Mr. W. H. BuUer, Lancaster county, says : " The Wil- let has, occasionally, been killed on the gravel bars along the Susque- hanna river ; the last one, to my knowledge, was captured in the autumn of 1878." The Willet subsists, mainly, according to different writers, on worms, various aquatic insects, small crabs, minute shell fish, small shells, etc. Genus BARTRAMIA Lesson. Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.). Bartramiau Sandpiper; Grass Plover ; Field Plover; Upland Piover. Description {Plate 68). Bill about as long as head and nearly straight ; upper mandible with long grooves on sides in front of nostrils; neck, legs and tail long; lower part of tibije naked ; legs rather slender; toes, especially the hind one, rather long and slender, outer toe and middle joined by small basal web ; sexes alike ; no marked seasonal changes in l>lun)ago. Tapper parts mostly brownish-black, most of the feathers with tawny and whitish edgings; top of head and back darkest ; crown divided bv a narrow buff line; lower part of back and rump plain brownish-black; chin and upper throat white; neck and breast faint yellowish or whitish with numerous streaks and spots of dusky ; lower part of l)reast, abdomen and crissum white ; axillars and lining of wings, barred with black and white ; wing (juills black and brown, with white bars on inner webs : middle tail feathers darkest, others pale-buff with bars, spots or {M.'ite 22. 1 A 1 Flicker. 1, Male; 2. Female. COLOR PLATE BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 93 s'tnpes of white'and black ; tip and top of bill blackish rest yellowish ; legs yel- low • pves brown • length about \2\ inches : extent about Zi. . ,. Ilalitat -Elstern lorth Anierlca, north to Nova Scotia and Alaska, breeding th"ut i!^ North An.erican range ; nngrating in winter southward as far even as southern South America. Occasional in F.urope. This bird, known to sportsmen as the Field or Grass Plover, is a common migrant and summer resident in Pennsylvania from about the 20th of April until September. This species resides during the breeding season in grass fields and highlands. In this particular it differs from others of its family. Often in the summer these birds alight cm fences along the roadside, in trees, etc., and raise their long wmgs to their full extent. When breeding these birds are foimd singly or in pairs, and they are then quite unsuspicious, often allowing a very near approach before they take to wing or run off and Inde m the grass, Imt in the late summe^r when assembled in flocks they become exceedmgly shv and difticult of approach. Many gunners who shoot every season, in Auo-ust, large numbers of these delicious game birds, generally go on hor^seback or in wagons in order to get within easy range of their fleet- footed, swift-winged and wary game. Nests on the ground, the spotted eg-s three to four, measure a little over \\ inches long by a trifle more than li inches broad. Its ordinary note is a rather loud yet soft and pleas- ino- whistle, but when breeding it frequently utters a loud, prolonged and tremulous piercing scream, which, when heard at considerable distance, sounds very much like the sudden cry of a child in great distress. Late in July and in August, or when the young are amply able to provide lor tlu^mselves, the plovers collect in flocks of six, eight a dozen, or twenty, and somc^timc^s many more, and frecpient grass fields and meadows, particularly where grasshoi3pers, which are one of their favorite articles of food, aiH^ abundant. i • 4.1 • By the last of September l>ut few of the species are touiid in the in- terior, as they appear to soon leave the breeding gi'ounds and migrate towards the seacoast and large tidc^ rivers. In addition to feeding on different forms of insect-life, especially beetles and grassh()i)pers, the plover often eats various kinds of bemes and seeds Fourteen of these birds, which I have examined, were found to have fed on the following-named insc^cts, etc. : No. 1 2 w 4 5 (> 7 8 10 II 12 13 14 DATE. Locality . Ko«»i)-Matekiai-s. July — . July - . July -. June ti, June ti. Se!»t.ir). Sept. 15. Auk. 20. Aim. 2(J Aim. 'id, AiiK. 20, A\\\t. 14 A\\{1. 14 Aug. 14 187'.>, 187'.t. 187i). 1H80. 1880. 1880. 1880, IHH.'^. 188:{. 188:i. 188;{. WllHstown. Pa WilllHtown. Pa Wilil^^t()wn. Pa liuneybrouk. I'a Uonoybnidk. Pa Phila