ot 4 aa Beers ees ite bebe econ ao. Rae aa < o tat ‘ i aia Petes or dea 4 ee é cee bereeaieud ean ts ae S 7 ens ah at 45 hes ay mate ots Sel < 7 aetty tats fee a Xs e eae ee yee Pesaniute eet Ee a Sal hace heroes sate etenreeasl pia butoten EL nate Wise eat * aie opted pies Poe ays ihe ies ie 2 eee) * ease e ei ite * ae eas Sa ieee sR feats ae ree reretete ntti eavtetes ete ‘ a af te oe eyeet eats elt ~ telenb se reas * rote es . 5 rete ie . - a aan e ahs (ee fees x een ie) Sc¥ea) 5 ¥. ah : Ss seirireranyzeens eorerertoeeupe eater go iiaceaerientiats sae ay My ort > = ae sie Oe ! eG bere ens ee ipebetee jai as aie Sait ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY THE GIFT OF (ae Fough Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http :/Awww.archive.org/details/cu31924022564920 BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. EAST OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS A MANUAL FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES IN HAND OR IN THE BUSH By AUSTIN C. APGAR AUTHOR OF “TREES OF THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES,” ETC. _ NEW YORK.:-CINCINNATI-:. CHICAGO AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY Copyrieut, 1898, By AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY. APGAR’S BIRDS. W. P. 3 PREFACE Mucu interest and enjoyment may be added to our lives by familiarity with those most beautiful, sprightly, and musi- cal forms of life,—the birds. Yet few of us know or even see more than a very small part of the feathered songsters of our woods, fields, and waysides. The object of this book is to encourage the study of birds by rendering it a pleasant and easy task. The introductory chapters explain briefly the meaning of technical terms used by ornithologists. These chapters are designed chiefly for reference, a much smaller vocabulary being employed in the body of the book. The descriptions have been prepared with great care, and present several advantages over those in other books: (1) They are short, being limited to points essential to the identification of the species. (2) They consist generally of only two connected sen- tences, which can readily be recalled while looking at a bird. They are thus especially adapted for field use. (3) Sufficient reference is made to the changes due to sex, age, and season, without describing in any particular species all the phases found in nature. 3 4 PREFACE (4) They are adapted for the use of beginners in the study of birds, not for reference by ornithologists, who have access to more comprehensive works. Keys, if properly arranged, furnish the easiest and most practicable method of enabling beginners to identify species. The Keys in this book were originally prepared as aids in discovering the names of birds by examination of their external features only. They were thus printed, and used by over a thousand students under the direct supervision of the author. Every difficulty encountered by the pupils suggested to the author changes to render the Keys more effectual; and now, after their final revision, they are so simply and carefully arranged that even a child can follow them with ease, and discover by their aid the names of birds both in the hand and in the bush. Two series of Keys have been introduced : (1) Keys to be used only with birds in the hand; that is, with prepared skins, mounted specimens, or recently killed birds. These place emphasis on the parts which change least with age, sex, or season, and give exact measurements of these parts. (2) Keys to be used in the field for identifying the living birds that frequent our fields and groves. These emphasize such features as can be seen with the naked eye or through an opera glass, with the birds at some distance from the observer. In these Keys the birds are separated for conven- lence into groups, determined by their relation in size to our most familiar birds, the English sparrow and the robin. The illustrations were drawn especially for this work by Miss Ada Collins Apgar and Mr. Richard B. Farley, and their scientific accuracy and careful execution add much to PREFACE 5 the value and the interest of the book. The line under each cut represents an inch, and can be used in measuring the various parts. Its main purpose, however, is to show the scale of the drawing. If the line is half an inch long, it indicates that the illustration is one half as large as the living bird; if the line is but one tenth inch, the scale is but one tenth; ete. The map on page 41 shows the territory covered by the birds described in this book. Because of the migration of birds, a book describing all the species of a given section necessarily includes nearly all those of regions extending hundreds of miles beyond. Hence the ground covered by this book practically extends to Ontario, Quebec, etc. In nomenclature and classification, the “Check List of North American Birds,” by the American Ornithologists’ Union, has been followed without any change, except a re- versal of the order of the families, the higher classes of birds being placed first. The numbers with the scientific names in parenthesis are in accordance with those in the Check List. These numbers will be found useful in coin- paring the descriptions with those in other books where the same classification is followed ; also in labeling specimens of eggs, nests, or birds, without writing the full names. The common name at the beginning of each description is the one given in the Check List; the names at the end in parenthesis are others in popular use. Scientific names are marked to indicate the pronunciation. The vowel of the accented syllable is marked with the grave accent (*) if long, and with the acute (’) if short. Through the kindness of the authorities of the Academy of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia, and of the American 6 PREFACE Museum of Natural History, of New York, the large collec- tions in both museums were placed at the disposal of the artists and the author. Thanks are due especially to Mr. Witmer Stone, Mr. Samuel N. Rhodes, Dr. J. A. Allen, and Mr. Frank M. Chapman for valuable advice and assistance. AUSTIN C. APGAR. State Normay Scuoor, Trenton, New JERSEY. EXTERNAL PARTS AND CHAPTER I. II. CONTENTS BirDs AND THEIR FEATHERS PART I DESCRIPTION Heap anp Bovy Tue Bitt . Wings Lecs . Tue Tair. Voice, Movement, AND MIGRATION Nests anp Eacs PART II THE TERMS NEEDED FOR THEIR KEY, CLASSIFICATION, AND DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIES ORDER I. METHOD OF USING THE KEY Kry To THe Famivies or Birps Percuine Birps HummMinepirps, Goatsuckers, Erc. WoopPecKERS AND WRYNECKS Cucxoos, Kiverisuers, Ete. . Parrots, Macaws, Erc. Birvs oF PREY PicgEons, Etc. . GALLINACEOUs Birps 7 39 42 49 166 171 179 183 184 : . 214 . . 219 ORDER IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVIL CONTENTS Snore Birps Raivs, Cranes, Etc. Herons, Storxs, Etc. TooTH-BILLED WADERS ‘TooTH-BILLED SWIMMERS TorrpALMATE SWIMMERS. TuBe-NoskD SwIMMERS LonG-wInGED SwIMMERS. Divine Birps . PART III Tue Stopy or Birps In THE FIELD Kry to Birps IN THE FIELD PART IV PREPARATION OF Birp SPECIMENS GLOSSARY INDEX . a PAGE 227 254 263 275 276 306 314 320 337 349 355 373 391 397 PART I EXTERNAL PARTS AND THE TERMS NEEDED FOR THEIR DESCRIPTION —-0794 0o- —_. CHAPTER I BIRDS AND THEIR FEATHERS THERE is no group in Nature which can be defined so accu- rately and so easily as that of birds. Birds are animals with feathers. All animals with feathers are birds. Many other peculiarities might be mentioned; many statements might be made about the structure and the organs of birds, which would make us realize more comprehensively the differences between them and other animate forms. A complete definition is neces- sary for the ornithologist; but many years’ work in botany and zodlogy in schoolrooms has convinced the author that such statements are beyond the comprehension of beginners, and that any attempt to force them on the pupils at the start results in loss of interest in the work. Full knowledge is a growth, hence the end, not the beginning, of the book is the place for a complete definition of birds. The great external parts of birds are the head, the body, the tail, the wings, and the legs; these parts will be treated in subsequent chapters. The feathers form the covering, more or less complete, of all these parts. Feathers are the most won- derfully complex and perfect of skin growths. They not only protect the body from the effects of all atmospheric changes, 9 10 EXTERNAL PARTS but form the best and lightest of all flying organs. Some study of the parts of feathers and a knowledge of the descrip- tive terms applied to them are important. Parts and kinds of feathers. — Every feather’ consists of the main scape, or stem, and the two webs. The scape has first the hollow portion, the calamus or quill, and then the four-sided — sii solid portion, the | rhachis, which ex- =, tends to the tip of the feather. The rhachis bears on each of its sides lateral processes called barbs. These, with the | rhachis, form the 1 spreading portion of the feather, the vane. The calamus has an opening at the bottom through which the pulp penetrates, and another open- ing, the superior aperture or umbilicus, on the lower side where the calamus joins the rhachis. The barbs are narrow plates obliquely joining the rhachis, and tapering to points at their free ends, their edges being directed upward and downward when the vane is horizontal. On the sides of the barbs are minute processes, called barbules, branching from the barbs as the barbs branch from the rhachis. These barbules are often serrated and terminated by little hooks which interlock with hooks on the next barbule. (All these parts can be seen with the naked eye, or by the aid of a magnifying glass. With a microscope, the barbules will be found to divide again into barbicels or cilia } and hooklets, forming a fringe to the barbules.) This gives firmness to the vane. If there is no inter- locking of barbules, downy? feathers are formed. Sometimes the scape is very long, and the barbs are very short; such feathers are called filament * feathers, or filoplumes. eee eae 2 BIRDS AND THEIR FEATHERS 11 Many a feather’ has, besides what is above described, another rhachis, on its lower side, called an aftershaft. This after- shaft joins the scape at the umbilicus, and has on its sides barbs and barbules about the same as those on the main rha- chis. This part of the feather, even when present, is, in all of our birds, much smaller than the main vane. The figure ~—~—— — : a shows a feather from the back of the English sparrow, with an aftershaft, and, at the right, the aftershaft separated from the feather. The description so far given is that of the wsval feather, and, if the aftershaft is present, of a complete feather. There are, however, many modifications of these forms, concerning which some knowledge is important. First, as has already been said, the aftershaft is frequently wanting. Sometimes the barbs are found on only one side of the rhachis; this makes a one- sided vane. Frequently the barbs are lacking on both sides, thus changing the feather to a bristle,‘ as around the mouth, nostrils, and eyelids of most birds. Some- , times the barbs lack barbules on certain sections of their length, forming feathers with transparent por- tions. Sometimes the barbs are so far apart that there can be no locking of barbules, even when present; this causes the for- mation, in certain cases, of the most beautiful of plumes, as in the “aigrette” of the herons during the breeding season. In review, it is well to recall the types of feathers spoken of in the foregoing pages, and to notice examples of each, as shown 1n the English sparrow. 1. The typical feather, or pen feather, where the interlocking of the barbs is complete, as in the great quills of the wing. 2. The complete feather, where there is an aftershaft as well as the main vane, as in the larger feathers of the back. 12 EXTERNAL PARTS 3. The downy feather, or plume: feather, where the stem is short and weak, the rhachis soft, and the barbs have long, slender, thread-like barbules without hooklets. These are abundant everywhere over the body of the sparrow, under and among the feathers which form the outer coating. 4. The hairy! feathers, where the stem is very long and slen- der and the vanes very small. These can readily be seen after plucking the feathers from the sparrow as, apparently, hairs scattered over the body. They are the parts singed off by the cook before preparing a bird for the oven. 5. The bristly feathers or bristles,’ where the rhachis lacks vanes either throughout, or toward, the external end. These are abundant around the mouth of the sparrow. Many feathers show in different portions two or even more of the above types. A complete feather may have a downy base, a pennaceous center, and a bristly? tip. Location of different kinds of feathers.— The feathers which form the great bulk of the plumage of birds are called contour feathers. These usually consist of a perfect stem or quill at the base, an interlocked or pennaceous tip, and a downy por- tion between. They give outline, color, and most of the orna- mental appendages of birds. Among the different birds there is a wonderful variety of contour feathers. They range from the almost fish-like scales of the penguins to the magnificent gorget of the hummingbirds. In their various modifications they form almost all the gorgeous crests, tufts, ruffs, and plumes which render the birds the most beautiful of animate forms. These contour feathers can all be moved by muscles situated under the skin. Many birds have thousands of these feather muscles, by the aid of which the feathers can be made to stand erect, as can readily be seen in the turkey when its tail is erected and its feathers ruffled up, giving the bird the appearance of great beauty and of twice its usual size. Under these contour feathers and usually entirely hidden from view, but forming more or less of a complete covering to the body, there are the downy’ feathers. These have the plume- BIRDS AND THEIR FEATHERS 13 like structure throughout. They frequently consist of a stem without any rhachis, the barbs forming merely a tuft at the end of the quill. Finally, there are among the contour feathers, coming from the same holes in the skin, long, slender, almost hair-like parts, jilament feathers, or hair’ feathers. These have little distinction of stem and rhachis, and almost no barbs at all, though some- times there are a few small ones near the end of the rhachis. Besides the foregoing, which can be found on nearly all birds, there are peculiar growths which are characteristic of certain groups, distinguishing them from others. Thus the herons and a few other birds have on their breast and hips downy feathers which continue to grow indefinitely; but as fast as they grow the ends crumble to powder, forming a whit- ish, greasy or dusty spot. These are called powder-down tracts, and are covered with powder-down feathers. Very few birds have the feathers equally distributed over the skin. Most birds have the feathers closely placed on cer- tain patches or bands of the body, while other spaces are either entirely bare (as the lower breast and belly of the English sparrow), or merely covered with down. The penguins and toucans have the skin almost entirely and evenly covered with feathers, but the great majority of birds have large open or naked spaces as far as the skin is concerned, though the plum- age as a whole in most cases really covers the body com- pletely. There are a few exceptions; thus the head and more or less of the neck are naked in such birds as the vultures, buzzards, ete. The general marking or coloring of a bird depends upon the changes in the coloring of its individual feathers. Mottled plumage is given by margined® feathers; streaked plumage by striped* feathers ; spotted plumage by dotted® feathers, and barred plumage by cross-striped® feathers. 14 EXTERNAL PARTS CHAPTER II HEAD AND BODY CERTAIN regions of the head and body have received special names, which are much used in descriptions. A few diagrams and definitions of these parts will be necessary. The top of the head (see cut) is the crown; in front of this next the bill is the forehead ; back of the crown is the nape. Above the eye there is a region often marked by a peculiar color; this is the supereciliary line, in this book usually called the line over eye. A line around the eye has been called orbital NOSTRIL IN «| NASAL FOSSA t j és | AURICULARS \, cat \ ring. A straight band extending from the eye to the bill is called the lore; this strip is bare of feathers on many swim- ming birds. Below and back of the eye, in the region of the ear, are the auriculars. This region, including a little below it, forms the cheek. The back corner of the mouth forms the rictus. This section is often bristly with hairs which are called rictal bristles. HEAD AND BODY 15 The space just below the bill in front is the chin (see cut) ; ‘below this, to about the bend of the closed wing (sometimes including the chin), is the throat. The greatest bulging portion of the body in front is the breast. From this backward, under the body, about to the legs in most birds, is the belly. Back of the position of the legs, in typical birds like the English sparrow, is the anal region (this is not marked on the diagram), BACK 4 -SEKPULARS # SHOULDERS and still further back is the crissum, or under tail coverts. From the hind neck about half way to the tail is the back ; next comes the rump, and then the upper tail coverts. The under and upper tail coverts are formed of those feathers which cover the stem portion of the tail feathers. By the side of the back there are often a number of enlarged feathers, and these form the scapw- lars or shoulders. Under the wings‘are the sides in front, and the flanks back of them. In the description of birds in Part II., the expression back or upper parts is often used, in a more general sense, to include all of the back, rnmp, ete. In the same way below is used to include nearly all the lower parts. 16 EXTERNAL PARTS CHAPTER III THE BILL Tue bills of birds, although equipped with neither lips nor teeth, have many offices. They are implements for cutting, handling, and carrying; they are organs of touch or feeling; they contain the nostrils for breathing and smelling. With the possible exception of the legs, no feature of birds is more varied in form, size, or appendages, or is more frequently used Mugshot a ~~ LO NOSTRIL IN P LINE OVER EYE *, ye % {NASAL FOSSA Noo ee We OD ras ihe, H (LORE 2 { AURICULARS 5, jg Angle of Mouth i x aK in systems of classification. Birds can often be classified into families by noting the peculiarities of the bill alone. It would therefore be well to study this chapter thoroughly before using the “ Key to the Families of Birds.” Parts of the bill. — The two great parts are the upper mandible and the lower mandible. These consist of projecting skull bones covered by a horny material, usually comprising one piece for each jaw. Both jaws are movable. The lower jaw, in most birds, has a great range of movement, while that of the upper jaw is but slight. In parrots this is reversed, the upper jaw having THE BILL 17 the greater range. The ridge along the upper side of the upper mandible is the culmen, that along the lower side of the lower is the gonys. The gonys extends from the tip of the bill to where the central ridge forks; these two ridges at the base are called the rhami (singular rhamus). The angle of the gonys is between the gonys and the rhami. The openings in the upper mandibles are the nostrils. These openings are frequently found in grooved portions of the bill ; in such cases the groove is called the nasal fossa (plural fosse). The gape is the whole opening of the mouth. Though rictus is sometimes used to mean the same thing, it is usually and more properly restricted to the back corner of the mouth as ex- plained below. The term commissure is used to indicate the edges of the mouth when closed, and the commissural puint or angle is the back angle of the mouth. The word tomia is used to indicate the cutting edges of the mandibles. The rictus proper extends from the basal end of the tomia to the corner of the mouth. The covering of the bill.— The sheath-like covering of the mandibles is usually hard and horny as in the sparrows, but in many groups of birds it becomes, in part or as a whole, soft and skin-like, and is furnished with nerves of feeling. Most water birds, especially, have soft, leathery, or skin-like and very sensitive coverings to the bills, for feeling the food in the mud at the bottom of the water. A duck has a hard, so-called nail at the tip of the upper mandible.t A pigeon has a bill, soft at base and hard at tip, and a soft, swollen membrane at the top base of the upper mandible, roofing the nostrils.’ Eagles, hawks, and parrots have a peculiar covering over the base of the upper mandible extending beyond the nostrils.* This covering is so peculiar that it is given a special name, the cere,* because it frequently has a waxy appearance. In the B << Ge as 1 APGAR’S BIRDS. — 2 18 EXTERNAL PARTS parrots the cere is generally covered with feathers, and looks much like a part of the forehead, but “as the nostrils open through it, it must be considered as part of the bill. Positions of the nostrils. — The nostrils are frequently in a sort of hollow which has already heen spoken of as a nasal fossu. The groove, if long and narrow, is sometimes called the nasal sulcus Many birds show no evident fosse at all, but the nostrils open flush with the surface of the Dill.’ There are a number of terms used to denote the position which the nostrils occupy in the upper mandible. They are almost universally lateral,* that is, on the sides of the mandi- ble, away from the ridge; rarely they are culminal,> that is, together on the ridge of the culmen. The position on the sides, with reference to the width and length of the man- dible, is defined as follows: superior’ indicates a position above the central line between the culmen and the tomia, and inferior’ below it; basal’ indicates a position at the fore- head; sub-basal® near it; median” half way between the base and the tip of the bill; terminal" nearer the tip than the base. Kinds of nostrils. — The nostrils are usually open or pervious. Sometimes they are not distinctly open, in which case they are said to be impervious. Usually the two nostrils are sepa- rated by a partition; they are then said to be imperforate.” Rarely it is possible to see through the nostrils from side to side, as in the turkey buzzard, when they are said to be per- forute."8 Forms of nostrils. — A linear” nostril is elongated and of eae ON Set -S MD SY &e Sh Se ot THE BILL 46 about equal width throughout; clavate, or club-shaped,® indi- cates an enlargement at the end nearer the tip of the bill, aud ovate’ at the end nearer the base of the bill. An on” nostril is widest near the middle and wide for its length, while an elliptical’ one is narrower. If the nostril is about as wide as long, it is called circular; if there is a raised border to the circular nostril, it is called tubular.” Appendages to the nostrils. — The usual plan is to have the opening through material like the covering of the rest of the bill, of soft skin in the snipes, and of horn in the sparrows. Some- times there is a special piece of about the same material as the bill either above or below the nostril, called a nasal scale”! A more frequent appendage consists of feathers proper or bristle- tipped feathers. These are usually frontal feathers, more or less changed into bristles, often entirely filling the nasal fossze, and frequently so covering the base of the bill as completely to cover the nostrils.” This is well seen in the crow and in the blue jay. Sometimes the nostrils have special feathers of their own. If these are separated and quite feather-like, they form nasal tufts.> When not separated but extending from side to side, they form a ruff* Those feathers or bristles which are turned forward are called retrorse.” . Other appendages to the bill.—The base of the bill is, in hawks, ete., covered by a special membrane extending beyond the nostrils; this is called a cere.% Something somewhat cere-like, but consisting of an enlarged and swollen mem- 13 14 1B - - : 5 ee = <4 = £ 20 EXTERNAL PARTS brane! extending over the nostrils, is found in the doves and in the pigeons. The rictal portion of the mouth is frequently fringed with longer or shorter hairs; these are called rictal bristles.” Shape of the gape. — The gape is straight® when the commis- sural line, formed by the tomia and the rictus, is straight. This line may be curved,’ sinuate,* or angulate.’ General size and form of the bill. — The length of the head is used to measure the length of the bill. A long® bill is longer than the head, a short’ bill shorter, and one of medium length is about as long as the head. A compressed® bill is one flat- tened sideways, so that its height is greater than its width. A depressed ® one is flattened up and down, or is wider than high. A straight® bill is not only straight throughout its length, but is also in line with the head. If not in line with the head, it is said to be bent." A recurved ™ bill is one that curves upward, and a decurved® bill one that curves downward. The ducks, geese, and a few other birds have a peculiar set of ridges just within the edges of the mandibles, in certain cases looking much like teeth; they are called lamelle, and a bill that has them, lamellate.* Besides the foregoing general terms, applying more or less to all bills, there are some special forms which have been given names that are frequently used in descriptions of birds. These need to be well fixed in mind. Conirostral indicates such a bill as the English sparrow has, — stout at base, conical in form, and with the gape so angulated as to bring the corners of the mouth down. Conirostral bills are short’ in the sparrows and long™ in the orioles. The swallows, etc., have jissirostral® bills. In this class of bills the culmen is very short, but the gape is both wide and deep, — about as wide as the head and so deep as to reach to the eyes. The creepers and the hum- mingbirds have tenuirostral” bills. The tenuirostral bill is slender, long, and has a rather short gape. The snipes have longirostral® bills; the bill is elongated, nearly equal in size throughout, and with the upper mandible grooved for the slit- like nostrils. 22 EXTERNAL PARTS CHAPTER IV WINGS Use. —The general purpose of a wing is to be an organ of flight, and in most birds this is its principal use.. In a few birds the body is too large and the wings are too small for this office. This is true in the ostrich and a few swimming birds. These use their wings to lighten their weight on the ground and possibly to aid them in running. In a few species, as in the penguins, the wings are not covered with feathers and quills, but with scale-like parts. In these, the wings act almost like the fins of fishes, and just like the paddles of whales and of porpoises, and enable the bird to move through the water almost if not quite as rapidly as any of the fishes. Some birds, as the divers, the dippers, etc., use their wings both for flight and for swimming. Many birds can use their wings as pow- erful weapons in fighting, and some have them fitted with strong and sharp spurs to render them the more useful for this office. Most birds make use of their wings to protect their young from enemies and from storms. Parts. —The bones and the flesh of the wings consist of four readily seen parts,— the upper arm, the forearm, the pinion, and the thumb. Feathers. — The quills or remiges are the stiffest, strongest, and most pennaceous (pen-like) of feathers, and form the spread WINGS 23 of the wing. These form the flight feathers proper. Their number is smallest in the hummingbird (16) and very large in the albatross (50 or more). Most of the other feathers are small and very weak; they are used for covering up the bases of the quills, both above and below, and for this reason are called wing coverts. Besides the remiges and coverts of the wing there is a third group of small quills, fastened to the thumb. These quills form the alula or little wing; they are generally of little use to the bird. Quills. —The remiges or quills are readily divided into three groups, according to the joint of wing to which they are attached. Those fastened to the pinion are called pri- maries; those to the forearm, secondaries; and those to the upper arm, tertiaries or tertials. This third term is generally applied rather indifferently to the inner secondaries, those attached to the elbow, which are frequently different in form, size, and color from the other secondaries. Primaries. — In number, the primaries are wonderfully uni- form, being in almost all birds either nine or ten. Not only is 24 EXTERNAL PARTS there great uniformity with birds in this number, but the posi- tion of a bird in a system of classification can often be deter- mined most readily by the number of the primaries and the comparative length of the outer or first primary. Secondaries. — The secondaries vary in number from only six in the English sparrow to upwards of forty in the albatross. These secondary quills are sometimes peculiarly colored; among some of the ducks they are very bright and iridescent. Such a colored spot on the secondaries is called a speculum.’ Sometimes the secondaries are very much enlarged and brilliantly marked, as in the Argus pheasant, and sometimes of remarkable shapes, as in some tropical birds. The inner secondaries are much elongated in the larks and in the snipe, and in the grebes they are all so long as to cover the primaries completely when the wing is closed. In the chimney swift and in the hummingbirds they are peculiarly short. Tertiaries or tertials. —The quills growing upon the upper arm —the true tertiaries—are not very evident upon most birds, but two or three of the inner secondaries are frequently conspicuous for either their length or their coloring; these are attached to the elbow and are the feathers which in the descriptions of the birds are generally called tertiaries. Sometimes conspicuously enlarged feathers on the shoulders, though not quills at all, are described as tertiaries. It is unfortunate that there is so little definiteness in the use of this term, but students will usually be right in considering any specially enlarged or peculiarly colored feathers about the shoulders of birds as being called tertiaries, as, for example, the enlarged inner secondaries of the larks, snipes, etc., and the peculiarly marked ones of the sparrows. First primary and point of wing.— When quills are com- pared in length, the comparison refers to the position of their tips when the wing is closed. The first primary is the outer one, seen from below, and is often very short, as in the blue- bird; frequently it is nearly as long as the longest; rarely it is the longest of all. Technically speaking, the expression jirst WINGS 25 primary refers to the outer one of ten, as though we always considered the number to be ten; if there are only nine primaries, the first one is absent, and the series begins with the second. In other cases where there is a very short one beginning the series, the first primary is called spurious. In this book, which is written neither for anatomists nor orni- thologists, but for beginners, no such technical use of the term will be attempted. The first primary?” will always refer to the first apparent quill as seen from below at the outer edge of the wing. The point of the wing is frequently formed by about the third quill.® Sometimes, in what are called rounded wings,! the fifth or sixth forms it, while in the pointed wings* of the swallows it is formed by the first. Coverts. — The feathers covering the bases of the primaries usually show imperfectly if at all on the closed wing, and are generally not mentioned in the descriptions of birds. ‘The coverts fastened to the forearm on the upper side are the most important, and in many birds regularly form three series, as in the English sparrow.? The longest are called greater coverts. The next in size are called middle coverts. Each of these consists usually of a single row of feathers of nearly equal length. The last, called the lesser coverts, are generally small feathers in several rows. One or more rows of the coverts are apt to have their ends of a decidedly different color from the rest of the wing; these bands of color are called wing bars.® The English sparrow has one white wing bar formed by the tips of the middle coverts.® The under side of the wings has under coverts, but these are rarely mentioned. The first primary and its length as compared with the others are important points to be determined in classifying most song birds. By raising the wing, if the bird is alive, or has been recently killed, the first primary will be readily seen. SCAPULARS a) ea. ==) 26 EXTERNAL PARTS If the bird is mounted, any raising of the wing should be prohibited as it would permanently injure the specimen. If the bird has been properly mounted for study, the wings will be spread enough to allow the first primary to show. If not, the feathers of the body can usually be pressed away from the wing by the tip of a pencil, enough to enable one to see it. The first primary is said to be spur/ous' when only about one third the length of the second, and short* when two thirds as long. In many birds of prey and in many shore birds, more or less. of the primaries are rather abruptly narrowed on their inner webs; such primaries are said to be emarginate or notched.’ If not so abruptly narrowed, the word attenwated* is used. These words do not refer to the tip of the quill itself; it can be rounded, acute, or even acuminate. Forms of wings. — The three great varieties of wings are the long und pointed? (swallows), short and rounded? (wrens), and the ample, or both long and broad (herons). CHAPTER V LEGS Use. — The legs of birds serve many minor purposes in the different groups, besides the general one of locomotion. A large majority of birds perch on stems and hop (leap or jump would be more accurate words for the purpose) from twig to twig. The woodpeckers and many others climb up the surfaces of tree trunks; ducks swim; the grebes dive; and the parrots grasp and handle. In the use of the organ for locomotion there are wonderful differences in the various families. The SCAPULARS LEGS oT ostrich can run more rapidly than the horse, the barn fowls ean walk and run, the bluebird can only leap or hop, while the auks can scarcely waddle. The legs, like the bills, show a wonderful variety of modifi- cation in the different groups of birds. A careful study of either or both these parts will enable one to place any bird into its proper family. The use of the legs as a means of classification makes this chapter an important one, and it should be thoroughly studied before any attempt is made to determine the names of birds by the aid of the Key. Parts. — The terms applied to the different parts of the legs of birds will be better understood by the student if he recalls what he learned in physiology about the bones of his own leg, and then compares the joints with those in the legs of a bird. In the sparrows and a large proportion of other birds, the space from the heel to the claws is all that shows of the leg (see cuts, pp. 15 and 22); these parts are called tarsus and toes. The tibia is entirely hidden by the feathers, and the thigh is so united with the skin of the body as to seem a part of it. In the grebes even the tibia is confined by the skin of the body. The joint which bends forward in the hind limbs of all ver- tebrate animals is the knee, and the joint which bends back- ward is the heel. An examination of the horse’s hind leg will show that it also has its heel as near the upper as the lower end of what appears to the eye as the leg, and that the knee is fastened to the body by the skin. Covering of legs. — The thigh is feathered in all birds. The tibia is also feathered in most of the higher birds; but among wading birds there are on the tibia all stages of covering, from a completely feathered covering in the woodcock to one almost completely scaly in the stilts. The tarsus in most birds is scaly, but the grouse have it more or less completely feathered. Most of the owls have the tarsus fully feathered, and many of them the toes also. The barnyard fowls often have curious tufts of feathers on otherwise bare sections; some of the wild birds also have some odd tufts irregularly placed. 28 EXTERNAL PARTS The parts of legs which are bare of feathers need close observation, as the kind and arrangement of the scaly covering of these parts have much to do with the classification of birds. The commonest arrangement is to have a distinct row of squarish scales down the front of the tarsus, as in the Eng- lish sparrow. Sometimes such a row is also found down the back, as in most snipes; occasionally there is found a row down the outside of the tarsus, as in the flycatchers. These large, squarish scales are called scutella, and the tarsus is described as scutellate in front, in front and behind,’ or in front and along the outer side,’ as the case may be. In the bluebird and in some others these front scales are so completely grown together as to look like a continuous covering; such a tarsus is said to be booted. In many cases a portion of the tarsus, and in the geese the whole, is covered with small scales not very regularly arranged. These seem to form a fine network, and portions having such scales are said to be reticulate.’ The scutellate portions are different from the reticulate in another way. Scutella show as somewhat overlapping scales, and the whole forms a solid covering, but the small scales which form the reticulation are rather imbedded plates not touching at their edges, and the covering is apt to be more or less loose and pliable; rarely, these plates are elevated at their centers, and thus form tubercles, as in the fish hawk; such a leg is said to be granulated.® Sometimes a row of plates of any kind will be so roughened, in a regular way, as to be properly called serrated.® The toes are almost invariably scutellate along the top. The tibia, when bare of feathers, has scales much like those of the tarsus, and of course the same words are used for their descrip- tion. In some cases this part is covered with loose skin with- out any scales at all. LEGS 29 Length of leg.— The proportional length of leg and body of birds is extremely variable. The leg is very short in swallows and in all true swimming birds, medium in sparrows, longer in hawks, very long in the ostrich, and exceedingly long in cranes, stilts, and wading birds generally. The tarsus varies from about one thirtieth to one third the full length of the bird. Number and arrangement of toes. — The usual number of toes is four, and among the birds of our region there are but few exceptions. The only other number represented in our fauna is three; but the ostrich has only two. When the toes are four in number they are arranged in three ways. The most com- mon of all is shown in the sparrow, in which there are three toes in front and one behind.’ In order to understand the modi- fications of this common plan, it is well to give names and numbers to the toes. The hind toe represents the great or inner toe of the human foot, and is called the hallus or first toe; the inner front toe is the second toe; the middle one the third toe; and the outer the fourth toe (see cut, p. 15). These, with few exceptions, have the following number of joints: the first toe two-jointed, the second three-jointed, the third four-jointed, and the fourth fivejointed. Some of our birds have the first toe absent, as will be shown hereafter; all the rest have joints as given, except the goatsuckers, which have but four joints to the fourth toe. The second plan for the arrangement of four toes is shown in the woodpeckers, parrots, etc. In these there are two in front and two behind.’ The first and fourth toes are behind, and the second and third in front. The third plan is represented in the owls. In these, the first toe is permanently behind, the second and third perma- nently in front, and the fourth can be used either in front or behind,’ and for this reason is called a versatile toe. 30 EXTERNAL PARTS When there are but three toes, the usual arrangement is to have them all three in front.’ This is the same as the arrange- ment in the sparrow, except that the first or hind toe is want- ing, the three toes in front being the second, third, and fourth toes of the usual four-toed birds. Examples of this arrange- ment are found among the plovers. One of our woodpeckers lacks the first toe, and the fourth toe is thrown behind. This gives the last arrangement of three-toed birds; viz. two in front and one behind? It will thus be seen that the first toe is in many cases en- tirely wanting. From its absence to its reaching the length and strength of the front toes, there are all possible grades found in the feet of our birds. The kittiwake gull has the hind toe so small and wart-like (often without any claw), that it is readily overlooked by beginners in ornithology. Most of our plovers have just three toes, but the black-bellied plover shows a minute hind one. All of our barnyard fowl have a short hind toe, and in them, as in other birds with the first toe short, it is elevated * above the level of the front toes. Appendages of toes. —'The toes of birds have claw-like nails; these are called claws (or usually nails in this book), and vary much in strength, length, and curvature. They are so strong on birds of prey that they have the special name talons.’ ‘The hind claw is very long and almost straight * in the horned larks. In the grebes, the claws are much flattened® and resemble human nails. The herons and a few other birds have a curi- ous saw-like ridge along the inner side of the middle claw; in these cases the claw is said to be pectinate.' In many birds, the basal portions of some of the toes are more or less grown together. This growing together reaches the maximum in the kingfisher, where the outer and middle toes are united for half their length.® 1 2 3 4 5 THE TAIL 31 The principal union of toes is through their connection by a thin, movable membrane; this, whether small or large, is called webbing. In many families of birds, the three front toes have a distinct webbing at base only; if this webbing does not reach more than half way, the feet are semipalmate.® In the ducks, terns, etc., the front toes are webbed to the claws. This plan, which is so common, is called palmate. A few of our birds have all four toes joined by a full webbing, and for this arrangement the word totipalmate™ is used. Some birds with more or less webbing at the base of the toes have, in addition, a stiff, spreading membrane along the sides, sometimes lobed, sometimes plain; this plan is called lobate.? In the sea ducks, the front toes are palmate and the hind toes lobate;” in the grebes, the front toes are lobate. Many of the snipes have a narrow border along the edges of the toes, but not wide enough to be called lobate; these are said to be margined.™ CHAPTER VI THE TAIL Use. — The general office of the tail is to guide the bird in flight, but it is also used for other purposes. The wood- pecker climbs trees, and the chimney swift climbs and rests on the sides of chimneys by its aid. Kinds of feathers. — The feathers of the tail, like those of the wings, are of two sorts: quilllike feathers and coverts. The true tail feathers, or rectrices, are stiff, pennaceous, well-devel- oped feathers having a strong quill and a broad, spreading vane, with rarely any plain aftershaft, or downy portion. The inner side of the vane is wider than the outer. The number Ori S26 5 POCO, > bp > FAM. I. THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 51 Plumage more or less blue, rather brightly so on the tail.......... A esiatee sec ed chen cas she cu tea warasny aelnyajagget aden tah crests goa oe eae onan 9. Bluebird. Head and tail quite dark colored, almost black ; outer (under) tail feathers tipped with white ; breast brownish. .6. American Robin. Tail blackish, the outer feathers tipped with white; a dark collar across the breast; western................0-. 7. Varied Thrush. Outer tail feathers white at base but broadly black tipped ; upper tail COVERS: WhItGs. 5.0 ond eencane weer ee dae 8. Wheatear. Tail without white or blue ; breast spotted ; general color brownish. @.) B. Upper parts reddish on head, shading to olive on rump and tail..... B. B. sib Wri abana atlas in uaa th fh au cave ade a pontine ae 8 1. Wood Thrush. Upper parts olive on head, shading to reddish on rump and tail...... Tahara’ fs niaiopap aves a cit a eile 4. & Glanalaneinmsiadenee nas 5. Hermit Thrush. Upper parts from forehead to tip of tail of almost the same shade of color. (C.) C. Upper parts reddish from head to tip of tail................... bette Sata ea ecanti tthe wheat. ee Rica eel sha ce Sh DNA EE 2. Wilson’s Thrush. C. Upper parts olive throughout. (D.) D. Throat, breast, and ring around eye a rich creamy-buff............. ee eee ae eee 4. Olive-backed Thrush. D. No distinct buffy eye ring, and the throat and breast nearly white, with only a slight buffy tinge; a grayish blotch in front of the eye......... 3. Gray-cheeked Thrush. 1. Wood Thrush (755. Tuérdus mus- telnus). — A large, common, brown- ish-backed thrush, with white, heavily spotted under parts, including the sides. The crown is a bright cinnamon-brown, and the back gradually changes in shade to an olive-brown on the tail. It is not at all confined to the woods, as its name would indicate, but is often seen on shaded lawns and in shrubbery. Its power of song is very great, com- paring well with that of any of the thrushes. Length, 8; wing, 4} (4-43) ; tail, 3; tarsus, Wood Thrush 1}; culmen, 3. Eastern United States; breeding from Virginia and Kansas northward, and wintering south to Central America. 52 KEY AND DESCRIPTION 2. Wilson’s Thrush (756. Tiirdus fuscéscens).—A large thrush, with a dull cinnamon-brown back, uniform in tint from head to tail. Its throat, belly, and sides are white; its breast buffy, delicately marked with tri- angular brownish spots. A retiring, though not par- ticularly shy bird, inhabit- ing the dense woodlands, especially low, wet ones, and usually to be found nearer the ground than the wood thrush. Its notes are among the sweetest given by any bird, but it is impossible to write them in words or music. Its peculiarly weird song must be heard to be appreciated, (Veery ; Tawny Thrush.) Length, 7}; wing, 4 (3}-4}); tail, 3; tarsus, 1}; culmen, $. Eastern North America from Ontario southward; breeding from northern Ohio and New Jersey northward, and wintering mainly south of the United States. The Willow Thrush, a variety of the last (756%. T. f. saliciola), is a little larger, and has the upper parts less tawny, a russet-olive color, only a slight buff tint to the throat, and very few spots on the white breast. Length, 73; wing, 4; tail, 31; tarsus, 11; culmen, 3. Rocky Mountain region, occasionally east to Illinois and possibly to South Carolina. 3. Gray-cheeked Thrush (757. Tuirdus alicie). — A uniformly olive-backed thrush, with the middle of throat and belly white, the sides of throat and breast faintly buffy, spotted with tri- angular marks, and a whitish eye ring. In front of the eye there is a grayish blotch. > Pp 1. Mocking Bird (703. AM mus polygidttos). — A large, ashy- colored, long-tailed bird, with much white on the center of wing and outer tail feathers. This is the most noted song- FAM. V. MOCKING BIRDS, WRENS, ETC. 65 bird of America, and as a mocker the most wonderful in the world. He is to be found in woods, gardens, parks, and even in the streets of towns, always fear- less and alert, and with the power to mimic almost any sound in nature. Mr. L. M. Lumis re- ports having heard one imitate thirty- two different species of birds in less than a quarter of an hour. Mocking Bird Length, 10}; wing, 41 (4-5) ; tail, 5; tarsus, 1}; culmen, }. United States to Mexico ; rare north of Maryland, though found in southern Ohio and Massachusetts ; winters from Florida southward. 2. Catbird (704. Galeoscoptes carolinénsis).— A large, very common, slate-colored bird, with a chestnut-colored patch under the tail and almost black crown and tail. This gro- tesquely active bird can be found every- where around our orchards and shrub- bery. It is a very charming, but not loud, singer, and a good mimic; most people know it only by its cries when dis- turbed. Length, 8%; wing, 33 Catbird (83-33) ; tail, 4; tarsus, 11; culmen, 3. North America, though common only east of the Rocky Mountains ; breeding from the Gulf States northward, and wintering in the Southern States. APGAL’S BIRDS. —5 66 KEY AND DESCRIPTION 3. Brown Thrasher (705. Harporhiynchus rifus).— A common, large, long-tailed, brown-backed bird, with the white under parts heavily spotted or streaked with dark-brown, except on the throat and middle of the belly. The wings, tail, and crown have the same rufous color as the back. It is an inhabit ant of the ground or the lower growths along fences and the borders of the woods. It is a rich, sweet singer of its own notes, but not re) mocker of the notes of other birds. When singing it usually perches on a twig in a prominent position as though it wished all to know how melodious a vocalist it is. (Brown Thrush.) Brown Thrasher. Length, 114; wing, 44 (4-44) ; tail, 5}; tarsus, 13; culmen, 1. East- ern United States, west to the Rocky Mountains, north to Ontario; breeding throughout and wintering north as far as Virginia. Besides this species and the Curve-bill Thrasher given in the Key, there can be found in Texas Sennett’s Thrasher (706. Harpo- rhgnchus longiréstris sén- netti), a bird much like the brown thrasher, but with a darker- brown back, blacker spots on the lower parts, and a longer (1}-1}) and some- what decurved bill. 4. Carolina Wren (718. Thrydthorus lu- dovicianus). — A ner- vous, scolding wren, distinctly barred, rich-brown, with long curved bill, a very distinct whitish line over the eye, and a tail the color of the back. It inhabits undergrowths in wet places, and has the ability to disappear Carolina Wren FAM. V. MOCKING BIRDS, WRENS, ETC. 67 from sight and appear again with surprising quickness. Its fear and its curiosity alternate in power over its actions. It has been called mocking wren from the variety of its vocal notes, some of which are so loud and ringing as to be com- parable with those of the tufted titmouse. It is probably resi- dent wherever found. (Mocking Wren.) Length, 5}; wing, 23 (23-24) ; tail, 21; tarsus, $; culmen, §. East- ern United States, west to the Plains, and north to southern New York and southern Michigan; resident or nearly so throughout. 5. Bewick’s Wren (719. Thrydthorus be- wickii).— This is a slightly smaller, less distinctly barred wren than the last, with a tail quite a little darker than the back, and without bars on the primaries; the outer : tail feathers are black, Bewick's Wren tipped with grayish. This species is a sweet singer of clear, ringing notes, and very fearless. It is found around outhouses, fences, etc., and is in every way more deliberate in its movements than either the house or Carolina wrens. Its long tail frequently leans toward the head. Length, 51; wing, 2} (2-21) ; tail, 21; tarsus, 2; culmen, }. Eastern United States, west to Nebraska ; common in the Mississippi Valley ; rare and local east of the Alleghanies and north of central New Jersey ; mi- gratory along the northern border of its range. Baird’s Wren, a form of this species (719. JT. b. leucogdster), is found in Texas, Kansas, and west- ward to southern California. It is a more ashy-brown bird, with pure white on the middle of the belly, and white specks on the sides of the head. 68 KEY AND DESCRIPTION 6. House Wren (721. Troglédytes aédon).—A dark-brown wren, with the tail decidedly more reddish than the back. The wings, tail, sides, and flanks are fully cross-barred with darker lines, and the under parts are whitish. As its name indicates, it likes to live near human _habita- tions, returning to the same place year after year, and building its nest in the same hole in a log, bird box, or chink in an outhouse. It is active, irritable, noisy, and coura- geous. It is resident in the Southern States, and is there so numerous in winter as to overflow the settled regions, and so is found in the forests miles from any house. House Wren Length, 5; wing, 2 (13-21); tail, 1}; tarsus, $; culmen, 3. Eastern United States north to southern Ontario, and west to Indiana and Louis- iana. It winters from South Carolina southward. The Western House Wren (721>. 7. a. dzte- cus) is a variety of this species with less of red on the upper parts, and the back and rump are very distinctly barred with blackish. As a whole, it is a lighter colored bird. Interior United States from near the Pacific, eastward to Illinois. 7. Winter Wren (722. Troglddytes hi- emdlis).— A small, very short - tailed, cinnamon-brown wren, with more brownish under parts than any other species of ours. In its breeding range of the north, it is a very sweet singer; in other Winter Wren FAM. V. MOCKING BIRDS, WRENS, ETC. 69 localities, it merely gives its hearty quip-quap call notes. It lives in the woods, and can be found among the lower growths, and on and under old logs and stumps. Its quiet ways and dark colors render it difficult to be seen. Length, 4; wing, 1{ (1}-2); tail, 1}; tarsus, 3; culmen, $. Eastern North America; breeding from the northern United States northward (in the Alleghanies from North Carolina), and wintering from New York and Illinois south- ward. 8. Short-billed Marsh Wren (724. Cistothdrus — stellaris). —A small, short - billed, marsh and meadow-living wren, with its whole back, including the crown, very distinctly streaked length- wise with dark and light shades. The under parts are white, with buffy sides and breast. This, like many of the wrens, is so shy that it is much more frequently heard than seen. Short-billed Marsh Wren Length, 41; wing, 13 (18-17) ; tail, 13; tarsus, §; culmen, 3. The United States from the Plains east- ward, and north to southern Michigan and southern On- tario. Itwinters in the South Atlantic and Gulf States. 9. Long-billed Marsh Wren (725. Cistothorus palistris). —A long- billed, white - belhed ‘ wren, with a black back, Heong laa Meee striped lengthwise with white. The crown is unstreaked, and the wings, tail, and sides 70 KEY AND DESCRIPTION are brown. This bird is common in reedy marshes, but because of its shy, suspicious habits, needs careful, quiet searching. Its grumbling notes can readily be heard, and if it were not for its inquisitive nature, which leads it to expose itself for a second or two to see its visitor, it would be impossible to observe it. Length, 54; wing, 2 (13-24); tail, 1}; tarsus, 3; culmen, }. Eastern United States north to Ontario; breeding throughout, and wintering (lo- cally) from southern New England southward. Worthington’s Marsh Wren (725. CO. p. griseus), found along the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia, is a lighter colored, more grayish and more faintly barred and striped bird. Wing, 13; tail, 14; bill, }. Marian’s Marsh Wren (725-1. Cistothorus mariane) of western Florida is a darker bird than the long- billed marsh wren, and has the sides and flanks of the same brown as the rump. ‘The under tail coverts and sometimes the breast are spotted with black. Wing, 17; tail, 1$; bill, }. FAMILY VI. WAGTAILS, PIPITS (MOTAC{LLIDZ) A family (80 species) of mainly Old World, ground-living, tail-wagging, walking or running birds, represented in our re- gion by two species a little larger than the English sparrow. They are usually to be found in open pastures, meadows, and recently plowed fields. The tail is very long, usually as long as the wings, and is moved in a peculiar see-saw way, as though to enable the bird to balance itself. This habit is also common among snipe, though they have short tails. The bill is slender, acute, shorter than the head, and notched at tip. The inner secondaries are lengthened, about as long as the primaries in the closed wing; feet large, and the hind nail long and nearly straight. 1. American Pipit (697. Anthus pensiludnicus). — A common, dark-olive-brown-backed, tail-twitching bird, with buffy under parts marked on the breast with brownish dots like the thrushes. This is a walking bird of the open fields, and in its vacillating flight the white outer tail feathers can be seen. The pipits are social birds seen in numbers (5-20), more or less together while feeding, but usually flying in larger flocks when startled. (Titlark; Wagtail.) FAM. VI. WAGTAILS, PIPITS 71 Length, 6}; wing, 33 (31-34); tail, 23; tarsus, 7; culmen, }. North America; breeding in the subarctic regions and higher mountains and wintering in the Gulf States to Central Amer- 1ca. 2. Sprague’s Pipit (700. Anthus spra- gueti).— A bird in appearance very much like the last, but with the colors brighter and the markings more dis- tinct. This species has the tarsus shorter than the hind toe and claw, while the preceding has it as long, sometimes longer. This has a tail always less than 25, the other greater, sometimes 3 long. While the two are so simi- lar in form, size, and colors, they are wonderfully different in power of song. This is a sky-singing bird, like the skylark of Europe. Dr. Coues says: “No other bird music heard in our land compares with the wonderful strains of this songster ; there is something not of earth in the melody, coming from above, yet from no visible source; . .. the whole air seems filled with the tender strains.” (Missouri Skylark.) Length, 6}; wing, 3} (3-38); tail, 22; tarsus, 7; culmen, }. Interior plains of North America. Once recorded east of the Mississippi (in South Carolina). American Pipit FAMILY VII. WOOD WARBLERS (MNIOT{LTID&) A family (100 species) of exclusively American brightly colored, small birds of woodlands and thickets. Their habits in gathering their insect prey vary greatly; some, like the vireos, search carefully for hidden insects, resting or crawling on leaf, on bark, or in flower; others flit from twig to twig, gathering the exposed insects, while still others are like the flycatchers, capturing most of their prey while on the wing. 72 KEY AND DESCRIPTION Most warblers are tree living; some are only to be found in the tops of tall trees, but many live in low bushes, while a few are terrestrial. As a whole, the warblers do not deserve their name, as their vocal powers are inferior, though a few species are remarkable singers. But few species are as large as the English sparrow, and only one, the chat, is larger. Numbers 1 and 11 are creepers; Nos. 2-10 are worm eaters; these are usually creepers along the smaller twigs; Nos. 12-28 are the usual or typical warblers; Nos. 29-85 are ground war- blers; Nos. 37-40 are flycatching warblers; while No. 36 is a large, heavy-billed, aberrant form placed in this family only because it belongs nowhere else. Key to the Species * Large, over 6} long; bill rather stout and compressed; under parts bright yellow, abruptly changing to white at about the middle of the length from chin to tail...... 36. Yellow-breasted Chat. * Bill depressed, broader than high at base, notched and slightly hooked at tip; rictal bristles nearly or quite half the length of the bill.2 (R.) * Bill slender and not depressed ; rictal bristles small® or ®@ 1 none (A.) A. No bright yellow or orange anywhere, at most a slightly x & yellowish tinge. (L.) A. Yellow nearly everywhere; inner web of under tail 2 feathers yellow, outer web dusky ; no white blotches on under tail feathers........... 13. Yellow Warbler. A. Whole head and neck bright yellow; wings ashy, with neither white nor yellow wing bars ; inner web of under 8 tail feathers mostly white. .2. Prothonotaria Warbler. . Whole head and neck not bright yellow ; under tail feathers blotched with white. (E.) A. Under tail feathers with no white blotches, but of about the same color on both webs; no distinct wing bars. (B.) B. ‘Tail and wings of about equal length, each about 2 inches (12-24) ; back, wings, and tail olive-green....... 35. Maryland Yellow-throat. B. Tail about 4 inch (j-}) shorter than the wing. (D.) B. Tail over } inch (3-1) shorter than the wing. (C.) C. Head, neck, and breast bluish-gray (or in the female and young, grayish-brown); other upper parts olive-green ; belly yellow; a well-marked white line around the eye. .33. Connecticut Warbler. D. D. E. Rictus without evident bristles (less than 7; long FAM. VII. WOOD WARBLERS 73 C. A clear yellow line extending from the bill over the eye and curv- ing round back of the eye; under parts bright yellow............ digi Basilera ith Ue o dared seaytoseha ds egg AED AAS Ree 32. Kentucky Warbler. C. On account of the very short tail and the yellowish tint to the olive of the head, see............ cece eee ee 10. Tennessee Warbler. Head, neck, and throat bluish-gray (male) ; head and neck grayish (female) ; no white ring around eye; belly yellow .............005 OCHS SAS a teens en Aiinamemresnavee ¥aelele wick 34. Mourning Warbler. Top and sides of head bluish-gray, changing to olive-green on the back (or in the female only sides of head brownish-gray) ; breast yel- low changing to nearly white on the lower belly..................- Paiagiatuae wie xo Wea t acakece dade mM mame 8. Nashville Warbler. . A large black breast patch surrounded by yellow (male); bend of wing yellow (female) ; crown black (male); grayish (female) ; Gulf States, accidental in Virginia.......... 5. Bachman’s Warbler. E. Bluish-gray above with a golden-green patch in the middle of the back ; two white wing bars‘#....... a ere ee eee Jl. Parula Warbler. xs if any) ; bill very acute. (K.) E. Rictus with evident bristles ; bill usually not very acute and usually with a slight notch near tip.6 (F.) = F. Wing bars or wing patch white. (H.) F. Wing bars if present not white (sometimes in the young 5 yellowish-white). (G.) G. Wing bars yellowish and belly yellow (young have the wing bars very indistinct) ; back usually spotted with chestnut ; wing, 2} or leSS) ca2ye2 sass amis nawoe dass ees cs as ce eons 28. Prairie Warbler. G. Wing bars yellow (yellowish-white in young); belly pure white ; sides usually with more or less chestnut......... 0... c ee asec eee EG PURE THRE TNS Mate FEET Sis 19. Chestnut-sided Warbler. G. Wing bars brownish and inconspicuous ; white blotches square and on the tips of the under tail feathers; crown more or less dis- tinctly marked with chestnut............. 0005 27. Palm Warbler. G. Wing bars inconspicuous; whole under parts pale yellow; back ashy without any tint of green or olive; wing, 2} or more........ ag W iH HAE wal ONG iete ere g eeteaa aL TeraNE ee 25. Kirtland’s Warbler. . Rump and crown patch yellow (crown patch somewhat obscure in winter) ; sides of breast also generally yellow; throat white........ ....15. Myrtle Warbler ; throat yellow....16. Audubon’s Warbler. Rump and belly yellow; white blotches on the middle of nearly all the tail feathers ; crown not yellow, usually clear ash.............. Ses hudeg ieee eae seus as 54 baits Uapalde Dials 17. Magnolia Warbler. H. Rump and sides of neck usually yellow; bill very acute and dis- tinctly decurved near the tip............... 12. Cape May Warbler, Rump not yellow; bill not very acute. (I.) 74 KEY AND DESCRIPTION I. Throat yellow or orange; crown with a small or large yellow or orange spot ; under tail feathers with outer edge white edged as well as white blotches on the inner web.............--cesseeeeee I. Sides of head bright yellow ; inner web of under tail feathers en- tirely white; outer web white at base......... 0.0... cece eee eee, Fo Cinco ageen ce me Moe ae 24, Black-throated Green Warbler. I. Upper parts, chin, throat, breast, bill, and feet black ; sides of head yellow. In southern Texas the Golden-cheeked Warbler (666. Dendroica chrysopdria) can be found. Its habitat extends to Cen- tral America. (See p. 87.) I. Not as above; throat more or less yellow. (J.) J. White tail blotches large and oblique near the end of two or three under tail feathers ; no sharp markings anywhere. .26. Pine Warbler. J. Throat definitely yellow; belly white ; back not greenish........... sR SAS gee AR Aan eee 23. Yellow-throated Warbler. K. Wings with white wing bars;1 back bright olive- green ; eye with a black line extending across it Sr ener Ny ane ree 6. Blue-winged Warbler. Wing coverts yellow, forming a yellow wing patch Cis. fata la eh dee aha 7. Golden-winged Warbler. K. A black throat patch surrounded by yellow (male) ; bend of wing yellow ( female) ; a yellow wing bar formed only of the lesser cov- ONS iGuide hans Dehn sentoun Ronan has 5. Bachman’s Warbler. K. The supposed hybrids, Brewster’s and Lawrence’s Warblers might be looked for here. They seem in markings and habits interme- diate between 6 and7. Brewster’s has the throat and breast white, and Lawrence’s has a large black patch on the breast. About a dozen specimens of Lawrence’s have been found, chiefly in New Jersey and southern Connecticut, and many of Brewster’s from southern New England to Michigan. (See p. 79.) No. 10 (‘Ten- nessee Warbler) might also be looked for here, as its tail feathers are sometimes marked with white. L. Under tail feathers without white blotches ; wings without wing bars. (N.) L. Under tail feathers blotched with white. (M.) M. Body nearly everywhere streaked with black and white, including. the crown, which has a middle streak of white................... SG DH RAT NAN Aah See Mldara MMe hess 1. Black and White Warbler. M. Crown black ; all other parts much streaked with black and white ; back with some ashy.... ........ 21. Black-poll Warbler (male). M. Upper parts olive-green more or less streaked with black; under parts more or Jess yellowish and somewhat streaked on breast and SI6Sitidg: atau a ge iaa sees 21. Black-poll Warbler ( female). M. Under parts, especially the crissum, buffy ; crown and throat usually CICA Ge ae ev ke cues eeee sa wee 4494 k4Ke 20. Bay-breasted Warbler. 1 M. M. M. N. N. N. FAM. VII. WOOD WARBLERS 75 Two white wing bars ;! entire upper parts sky-blue (male) or dull greenish, brightest on the head ( female), under parts white (tinged with pale yellow in the female)............ 18. Cerulean Warbler. Slightly yellowish-white wing bars ; sides with some chestnut mark- DINOS 1s 5242.3 08 eS esl nntanies test ny Liens Gv aeube 19. Chestnut-sided Warbler. No wing bars but a white blotch on the primaries near the base (very sinallin female and young) ; upper parts grayish-blue (male) or olive-green ( female)......... 14. Black-throated Blue Warbler. Crown with two black stripes separated by a broader one of buff ; two other black stripes back of the eyes; under parts buffy, un- SPOLEM iiss whee sangre ds do ig ee Ammen 4. Worm-eating Warbler. Head brown, a whitish line over eye; under parts white, grayer on sides and not definitely spotted............ 3. Swainson’s Warbler. Not as above, and the tail 3 inch or more shorter than the wing. (P.) Tail not over 4 inch ahOrter than the wing. (0.) 0. Upper parte: somewhat ashy with more or less of an orange-brown P. Q. Q. Q. R. R. patch on the crown (except in the young) ; under parts dull, some- times with dusky streaks on the breast; a yellowish or white ring around the €ye....... cece eee eee 9. Orange-crowned Warbler. A small white patch on the base of the primaries, near and partly hidden by the coverts; upper parts olive-green, with a brownish tinge on the tail............... 14. Black-throated Blue Warbler. Upper parts yellowish-olive; under parts dull white more or less tinged with yellowish but without definite spots ; a whitish line over the eye and white under tail coverts........ 10. Tennessee Warbler. . Conspicuously spotted or streaked below, thrush-like ; back brown, brownish-olive, or dusky ; head striped, at least a distinct line over the eye. (Q.) Crown with an orange-brown stripe bordered with black lines. .... ated Bytetidla anal eo ece Soe ae ds he Samia RR SS A BAS ale tes 29. Oven-bird. No central stripe on crown, but a whitish to buffy line over the eye ; under parts, including the throat, tinged with yellow and very fully streaked with black............ 0.0 seen eee 30. Water Thrush. Line over the eye conspicuously white ; under parts slightly buffy tinted, and the black streaks do not extend over the throat or mid- _ dle of the belly.......-...e ee eee eee 31. Louisiana Water Thrush. Without bright yellow, but with more or less of flame color or dull yellow on wings and tail......-.....0. sees 40. American Redstart. Breast bright yellow. (S.) S. Under tail feathers with white blotches...... 37. Hooded Warbler. S. Under tail feathers without white blotches on the inner webs; no T. T. wing bars. (T.) Above bright olive-green ; crown black without streaks (black cap sometimes lacking in female and young)..... 38. Wilson’s Warbler. Above bluish-ash ; a necklace of black (male) or dusky ( female) spots across breast........6.-. eee cece eee 39. Canadian Warbler. 76 KEY AND DESCRIPTION 1. Black and White Warbler (636. Mniotilta varia). — A black and white streaked warbler, with a broad white stripe on the top of the head and no yellow any- where. Female with some brownish on the sides and fewer black stripes on the lower parts. This is a silent bird, common in woodlands, ereep- ing over twigs and branches, often hanging from the lower surfaces, hunting in- dustriously for insect food. (Black and White Creeper.) Length, 51; wing, 2} (23-24); tail, 2}; tarsus, 7; culmen, 4. Eastern North America. Breeds from Virginia north to Hudson Bay, and winters from the Gulf States south to northern South America. 2. Prothonotary Warbler (637. Protonotdria citrea).— A very pretty warbler, with the whole head, neck, upper back, and under parts a rich orange. The rest of the upper parts gradu- ally change through greenish to bluish to ashy, and the lower parts to almost white on the crissum, and large white blotches on the under tail feath- ers. The female has the yellow paler. It is found most fre- quently in the low growths near and over the water, where it is more like a creeper in its habits than like a flycatcher. Its usual notes are clear, penetrating peet, tweet, tweet, tweet, given without change of pitch. (Golden- headed Warbler.) Black and White Warbler Prothonotary Warbler FAM. VII. WOOD WARBLERS 77 Length, 53; wing, 27 (23-8); tail, 21; tarsus, ¢; culmen,}. Eastern United States, north to Virginia and southern Michigan ; south in winter to northern South America; breed- ing throughout its United States range. 3. Swainson’s Warbler (638. Helindia swainsdnii). —A brownish warbler, with whitish under parts, inclined to yellow on the middle, and grayish on + ‘ the sides. This ground warbler of the Southern States is a beautiful singer of loud, rich, yet tender notes of most pene- trating quality. Length, 6; wing, 23; tail, 17; tarsus, #; culmen, %. Southeastern United States, north to southern Virginia and southeastern Missouri, and south in winter to central Mexico. Swainson’s Warbler 4. Worm-eating Warbler (639. Helmitherus vermivorus).— An olive-green-backed and creamy-bellied warbler, with a buffy head, distinctly marked with four black lines, two on the crown and two through the eyes ; no white on back, wings, or tail, all being of about the same shade of olive-green. A rare, shy bird, found usually in the dense undergrowth of wooded hills and ravines. Length, 54; wing, 2} (25-27); tail, 2}; tarsus, }; culmen, §. Eastern United States north to southern New England ; west to Nebraska and Texas ; in winter south to northern South America. 5. Bachman’s Warbler (640. Helminthdphila bachmdnii).— A rare, southern warbler, having forehead, throat, and belly yel- low, with a large conspicuous patch of black on the breast; the rest of the bird bright olive-green, shading to grayish on the wings, and with a white-blotched tail. Female with the yellow Worm-eating Warbler 78 KEY AND DESCRIPTION of the forehead and the black of the breast not so distinct, but with the bend of the wing yellow; breeding range and habits unknown. Length, 4}; wing, 23; tail, 1$; culmen, } nearly. South Atlantic States fom: southern Virginia to Florida and Louisiana ; Cuba in winter. 6. Blue-winged Warbler (641. Helminthdphila prnus). — A yellow warbler, with slaty-blue wings and tail; the yellow of the upper parts changes to olive- green on the rump. There is a black line through the eye, and the wing bars are yellowish. Female with less yellow. This is a common, creeper-like warbler, found mainly in the under- growth of woods. In its creeping movements it is slow and delib- erate, and may occa- sionally be seen hang- ing head downwards. This is more of a singer than most of the warblers. Bachman’s Warbler Length, 43 ; wing, 23 ; tail, 2; tarsus, 3; cul- men, ;;- Eastern United States from southern New England and south- ern Minnesota south- ward; west to Nebraska and Texas; in winter south to Central America. , Blue-winged Warble: 7. Golden-winged ie dios Warbler (642. Helminthéphila chrysdéptera). — A warbler with a yellow crown, yellow wing coverts, a black patch around and FAM. VII. WOOD WARBLERS 79 below the eye, and another on the breast, with two conspic- uous white stripes, a narrow one above the eye patch and a wider one between the eye and breast patches. Upper parts grayish, below white. The under tail feath- ers blotched with white. Female with the head less dis- tinctly marked, and with grayish instead of black. An insect- eating creeper in the lower growths at the borders of woods. Golden-winged Warbler Length, 5; wing, 2}; tail, 2; culmen, 3. Eastern United States north to southern New England and southern Minnesota; breeding from its northern limit south to New Jersey and Indiana, and in the mountains to South Carolina. In winter south to northern South America. The last two species are supposed to interbreed and form two named hybrids, Brewster’s Warbler (H. leucobronchialis) and Lawrence’s Warbler (H. lawrencei). he former has broad yellow wing bars and white breast, the latter white bars and a black throat patch. Different specimens show great variety of plumage, but all are intermediate between Nos. 6 and 7. The Key, page 74, gives other facts about these puzzling birds. 8. Nashville Warbler (645. Helminthédphila rubricapilia). — An olive-green-backed warbler, with all the lower parts bright yellow, lighter on the belly. The top and sides of the head are gray, with a more or less concealed chestnut patch on the crown. No * white bars on wing or white blotches on tail. The young are duller and have brownish washings on _ head, back, and sides. An inhabitant of open woods and fields. Nashville Warhlex Length, 43; wing, 22 (21-24) ; tail, 13; culmen, 3. From the Plains eastward and northward to the fur coun- tries ; breeding from the northern United States northward, and wintering as far south as Central America. Laboratory of Ornithelosy WO Ceorci-bar Woeds Road 80 KEY AND DESCRIPTION 9. Orange-crowned Warbler (646. Helminthdphila celdta).— A rare warbler, with the whole upper parts nearly uniform olive-green except the more or less concealed orange-brown crown patch. The lower parts greenish-yellow, with slight dusky streaks on the breast. Young lack the crown patch, and are in all respects duller birds, but with a white ring around the eye. Length, 5; wing, 24 (23-21); tail, 2; culmen, 3. Eastern North America from Mackenzie River south through the Rocky Mountains ; wintering in the South Atlantic and Gulf States and Mexico. Rare north of Virginia in the Eastern States. 10. Tennessee War- bler (647. Helminthd- phila peregrina). — A rare warbler, with the lower parts white, more or less tinged with yellow, and the upper parts bright-olive-green, chang- ing abruptly to bluish-gray on the head. No white wing bars, but the inner web of the under tail feathers generally white at tip. Female has the crown tinged with greenish and the under parts more dis- ia tinctly yellowish. The breast of this species is pale greenish yellow with nostreaks, and the under tail coverts white. ‘&J Tennessee Warbler Length, 42; wing, 23; tail, 1¢; culmen, 3. East- ern North America ; breed- ing from northern New York to Hudson Bay, and J wintering from Mexico to Parala. Warbler northern South America. 11. Parula Warbler (648. Compséthlypis americdna). — A greenish-yellow-backed, yellow-breasted, grayish-blue warbler, FAM. VII. WOOD WARBLERS 81 with white wing bars and belly. This bird generally has a darkish, more or less reddish band across the breast. The greenish-yellow of the back forms a central patch. The female sometimes lacks the dark-reddish breast band. (Blue Yellow- backed Warbler.) Length, 4%; wing, 2} (21-23); tail, 12; culmen, 3. United States from the Plains eastward, north to Canada; breeding throughout, and wintering from Gulf States south to eastern Mexico and West Indies. Sennett’s Warbler (649. Compséthlypis nigrilora), of western Texas, southward, is a similar bird, but the parula has a white spot on each eyelid, which is lacking in Sennett’s warbler ; and in front of the eyes (lores) of the parula there is a dusky spot. In Sennett’s warbler this spot is intensely black, and this black crosses the front of the head just above the bill. 12. Cape May Warbler (650. Dendroica tigrina).— This is a rare but beautiful warbler, with black-streaked, olive-green back, chestnut cheeks, black crown, and yellow rump; the under parts are yellow, heavily streaked with black, but changing to white on the crissum. The wing coverts form a large white patch, and the under tail feathers have white patches near the tips on the inner webs. The female lacks the white wing patch, but has a narrow, white wing bar; the Warn: May Westies back is somewhat grayish, the rump less yellow, but there is a yellow line over the eye. The young female has almost no yellow below. This is a warbler of the tree tops. Length, 51; wing, 2} (23-2); tail, 2; culmen, 3. North America from the Plains eastward, north to Hudson Bay Territory; breeding from northern New England northward, and wintering in the West Indies. APGAR’S BIRDS. —6 82 KEY AND DESCRIPTION 13. Yellow Warbler (652. Dendroica cestiva).—This is the yellow warbler in fact as well as name, having some shade of yellow throughout, and forming our only canary-colored wild bird. The un- der parts are some- what streaked with reddish, and the un- der tail feathers are yellow on the in- ner webs and dusky on the outer. The female is less bright- ly yellow, and the under parts are less streaked. This is a common inhabitant of our gardens and orchards, and is often thought to be an escaped canary; its slender bill shows that it is a different species. (Summer Yellow-bird; Golden Warbler.) Yellow Warbler Length, 5; wing, 2} (23-23); tail, 2; culmen, 3. North America throughout, except the southwest ; breeding in nearly its whole range, and wintering south to northern South America. 14. Black - throated Blue Warbler (654. Dendroica —ccerulés- cens). — A common, grayish -blue- backed, white-bellied warbler, with black sides of head and throat, and irregular patches of black along the sides of the body. The bases of the primaries form a white patch on the wings. The female has the upper parts olive-green and the lower parts Black-throated Blue Warbler FAM. VII. WOOD WARBLERS 83 yellowish, and in the main lacks the black throat, while the white wing patch is much reduced. Length, 5}; wing, 2}; tail, 2}; culmen, ,§,. North America from the Plains eastward; breeding from northern New York northward (in the Alleghanies south to Georgia), and wintering in the tropics. 15. Myrtle Warbler (655. Dendroica corondta). — A com- mon, large, streaked, bluish- and black-backed warbler, with distinct patches of yellow on crown, rump, and sides of breast, and a white throat and lower belly. There are two white wing bars, white blotches on the under tail feathers, and heavy black marks on the breast. The female has browner upper parts, > =i and fewer black marks on the Ape Manlee breast. The yellow on the crown and sides of the breast are much reduced in young and winter birds. (Yellow-rumped Warbler.) Length, 53; wing, 27 (23-3); tail, 21; culmen, 3. North America, but rare west of the Rocky Mountains ; breeding from northern United States northward, and wintering from southern New England and the Ohio Valley, southward to Central America. 16. Audubon’s Warbler (656. Dendroica auduboni).— A west- ern warbler similar to the last, but with yellow on the throat instead of the white of that species. The wing bars blend together into a wing patch. Length, 53; wing, 3 (23-31); tail, 21; culmen, 3. Western United States eastward to the western borders of the Plains; accidental in Penn- sylvania and Massachusetts. 17. Magnolia Warbler (657. Dendrotca maculdsa).— A gray- crowned, black-backed, yellow-rumped warbler, with the breast and throat yellow; heavily streaked on the breast and sides with black. The wing coverts form a large white patch; the middle of the under tail feathers is white, and the end third 84 KEY AND DESCRIPTION black. Female similar, but duller. Both the female and young have the white tail blotches on the middle of the feathers. _ (Black and Yellow 7 Warbler.) / / Length, 5; wing, 23 (24-23) ; tail, 2; culmen, 3, North America from the Rocky Mountains eastward ; breeding from northern New York northward (southward in the mountains to Penn- ’ sylvania), and wintering Magnolia Warbler south of the United States to Central America. 18. Cerulean Warbler (658. Dendroica cerilea). — A warbler with bright blue upper parts, white lower parts, and many black streaks on the sides; wing bars and much of the under tail feathers white. Female with greenish tint to the back and yellowish tint to the belly. It lives in the tops of the forest trees. Its song is very much like that of the parula warbler. Length, 41; wing, 21 (23-23); tail, 1; culmen, 3. Eastern United States and southern Ontario west to the Plains; rare east of the Alle- ghanies; in winter, south to northern South America. 19. Chestnut-sided Warbler (659. Dendroi- ca pensyludnica). — A chestnut-sided, yellow- crowned warbler, with mottled black and olive back and white under parts; wing bars yel- lowish and cheeks white, outlined with black. Female similar, but duller; the young has the back somewhat streaked with black on a ground that is yellowish- Cerulean Warbler FAM. VII. WOOD WARBLERS 85 olive, and the under parts silky-white; the sides are sometimes blotched with chestnut; an inhabitant of bushy borders. Length, 5; wing, 2} (23-23); tail, 2; cul- men, 3. Eastern United States from the Plains, including southern Onta- rio; breeding from north- ern New Jersey and cen- tral Illinois northward (southward to Georgia in the mountains), and win- tering in the tropics. 20. Bay-breasted Warbler (660. Den- droica castanea). — A brownish-ashy-backed warbler, with chestnut crown and brown- ish breast and sides; forehead and cheeks black; wing bars and belly white; the under tail feathers have the white patches at their tips. Female with the crown somewhat olive, the under parts not so white, and less rufous on the breast and sides. This is a beautiful warbler, living in its summer home, among the tree tops. (Autumn Warbler.) Chestnut-sided Warbler Length, 54; wing, 22 (23-3); tail, 2}; culmen, §. Eastern North America from Hudson Bay southward ; breeding from northern New England and northern Michigan northward, and wintering in Mexico and Central America. 21. Black-poll War- bler (661. Dendroica stridta).— A common, very much streaked, mainly black and white warbler, with distinct black cap and white cheeks. The male has grayish and the female olive-green tints on the back, including the crown, thus obliterating the black cap. The female is less distinctly Bay-breasted Warbler 86 KEY AND DESCRIPTION streaked. The young is even less streaked than the female, has greenish-yellow tinting on the under parts, and almost no markings. It is found in orchards, gardens, and open, especially evergreen woods. Length, 5}; wing, 2/5 tail,2}; culmen, 3. North America from the Rocky Mountains eastward; breeding from northern New England northward, and wintering south to northern South America. 22. Blackburnian Warbler (662. Dendroica bldckburnie).— A warbler, with orange-col- ored throat, breast, and center of crown, black upper parts mottled with lighter, and white belly; wing coverts and un- der tail feathers with much white. The back of the female is brownish - olive, streaked with black ; the orange of the male is replaced by yellow, and the white of the wing coverts forms two wing bars. The young has the crown patch nearly absent. It lives mainly in the upper branches of evergreens. (Orange- throated Warbler; Hemlock Warbler.) Length, 51; wing, 2% (21-23); tail, 2; culmen, 3. North America from eastern Kansas eastward; breeding from Massachusetts and Michi- gan northward (farther south in the mountains), and wintering south to Peru. 23. Yellow-throated Warbler (663. Dendroi- ca domtnica). — A yellow-throated, gray- backed, white-bellied warbler, with black Yellow-throated Warbler cheeks; white wing Black-poll Warbler Blackburnian Warbler FAM. VII. WOOD WARBLERS 87 bars distinct, and white blotches near the tips of the under tail feathers. A southern warbler, with some of the habits of a “creeper” among the tree tops. Length, 5}; wing, 2} (23-23) ; tail, 21; culmen, }. Southern United States; breeding from Virginia southward, and wintering from Florida southward ; accidental in New York and Massachusetts. The Sycamore Warbler (663°. D. d. albilora) is a variety very much like the yellow- throated, but that species has a yellow line in front of the eye and a white line over it, while the sycamore has the line in front of the eye white. 24. Black-throated Green Warbler (667. Dendroica virens).— A common, olive-green-backed, black-breasted warbler, with whitish belly and yellow sides of head. Two white wing bars and the under tail feathers with much white, including the base of the outer web; black streaks on the sides. Female with much less of black on throat and breast, and some yellowish. The young may entirely lack black on the throat. During the breeding season, its home is in the tops of coniferous trees; when migrating it can be found in the growths anywhere. Length, 5; wing, 2} (21-23); tail, 2; culmen, 3. Eastern North. America from the Plains ; breeding from Connecticut and Illinois north to Hudson Bay (in the mountains south to South Carolina), and winter- ing south to Central America. The Golden-cheeked Warbler (666. Den- droica chrysoparia), a species found in southern Texas, has black upper parts, yellow sides of the head and neck, yellowish-white belly, black chin, throat, and breast, and black streaking on the side of the body. There are two white wing bars and a black stripe through the eye and extending g some distance back of it. The tail has large white patches. This bird is much like No. 24, and probably the female varies as in that species. 25. Kirtland’s War- bler (670. Dendroica kirtlandi). — An extensively black-spotted warbler with brown- ish-ashy back, bluish-gray head, and light yellow under parts. Kirtland’s Warbler 88 KEY AND DESCRIPTION The sides, breast, and back are the most fully spotted; the space in front of the eye and the sides of the throat are almost wholly black. There are no white wing bars, but the under tail feathers have white blotches near their tips. This is one of the rarest of the warblers. Length, 5$; wing, 2$ (23-2]) ; tail, 2}; culmen, 3. Breeding home unknown ; migrates through the Mississippi Valley and the southeastern United States. 26. Pine Warbler (671. Dendroica vigdrsii). — A bright olive- green-backed warbler, with the under parts bright yellow except near the tail, where the yellow is gradually changed to white. Sometimes there is a touch of ashy color both on the back and on the belly. The wing bars are whitish, the under tail feathers have white blotches near their tips, and the sides are some- times streaked with black. Female similar but less bright, the upper parts somewhat brownish, and the lower parts yellow only on the breast. As its name indicates, it is nearly always to be found among the pines; in summer up in the trees; in winter mainly on the ground. Length, 5} (5-53); wing, 27 (23-8); tail, 21; culmen, 3. United States from the Plains eastward, north to New Brunswick ; wintering in the South Atlantic and Gulf States. 27. Palm Warbler (672. Dendroica palmarum). — A warbler, with the upper parts grayish-brown, the lower parts yellow, Pine Warbler ~ FAM. VII. WOOD WARBLERS 89 The sides are streaked with chestnut, and the crown has a chestnut patch, very distinct in the breeding season. In winter the crown patch is rendered more or less in- a distinct by brownish tips to the feathers. oy In summer there is a yellow line over the eye; in winter this is white, and a ring around the eye is also white. The under parts in winter are rather yel- lowish than yellow. This is the Palm Wavr- bler of the Mississippi Valley; in winter in “ *"%# the South Atlantic and armen Gulf States; occasionally seen in other localities (Red-poll Warbler). Yellow Palm Warbler (672°. D. p. hypochrijsea). — A warbler, with the upper parts dark olive-green, the lower parts entirely bright yellow, the crown chestnut, and the sides streaked with chestnut; over and around the eye there is a yellow line. There are no white wing bars, but the under tail feathers have white blotches near their tips. In winter the chestnut crown is partly concealed by brownish. The yellow of the under parts of this variety is much the brighter and more uniform. (The Palm Warbler always shows whitish on the belly.) This is an active warbler of the open field rather than of the woods, and in winter in the south it is a common town and village bird. It has a tail-wagging habit which is very characteristic. (Yellow Red-poll.) Length, 51; wing, 23 (21-23) ; tail, 2); tarsus, 2; culmen, 3. Atlan- tic States ; breeding from eastern Maine to Hudson Bay, and wintering in the South Atlantic and Gulf States. (The Pali Warbler is found north to Great Slave Lake, and winters south to Mexico.) 28. Prairie Warbler (673. Dendroica discolor). — A small olive-green-backed warbler with the under parts bright yellow, streaked with black on the sides. ‘The center of the back is marked in the adult with a brownish patch, and the under tail 90 KEY AND DESCRIPTION feathers have large white patches at their tips, even the outer webs having white at their bases. There is a yellow line over the eye, and a black crescent-shaped mark under the eye. The female sometimes lacks the brown patch of the back, and the young usually has the whole upper parts ashy in shade. . G. t. igndta) has the under parts a deeper yellow, the upper parts browner, and the black mask larger. Florida and Georgia. The Western Yellow-throat (681%. G. ¢. occidentalis) is a larger and brighter colored bird, the bright yellow of the breast extending almost to the anal regions, and the black mask bordered behind by a grayish white band. The wings and tail are each about 21 long. From the Mississippi Valley to the Pacific coast. 36. Yellow-breasted Chat (683. Ictéria virens).— A large, bright-yellow-breasted, white-bellied, olive-green-backed bird, with a white line over the eye, no wing bars, and a stout bill. This is a bright-colored, noisy dweller of bushy thickets, much more readily heard than seen. Its notes are indescrib- 94 KEY AND DESCRIPTION able in their taunting, mocking, and ventriloquistic qualities. When disturbed in its medley, it merely repeats the complain- Yellow-breasted Chat ing call notes of chit chit. Length, 74; wing, 38 (22 34); tail, -84; culmen, 4. United States from the Plains eastward ; breeding north to Ontario, and wintering south to Central America. 37. Hooded Warbler (684. Sylvania mitrata). — A beautiful, black-hooded, olive- green- backed, yel- low-bellied, flycatching warbler with yellow fore- head and cheeks, and al- most completely white under tail feathers. The hood is made up of a crown piece connected on the sides of the neck with a large throat patch. The female has a less distinctly outlined hood. This is a restless bird, gen- erally found among the lower trees or higher shrubs’ of dense wet woods. It is a sweet singer. Length, 53; wing, 23 (24-23); tail, 21; cul- men, %. United States from the Plains eastward ; breeding from the Gulf of Mexico northward to Hooded Warbler southern New England and southern Michigan, and wintering south of the United States to Central America. 38. Wilson’s Warbler (685. Sylvania pusilla). — A yellow- faced, bright olive-green-backed, yellow-bellied, flycatching war- FAM. VII. WOOD WARBLERS 95 bler with a distinct black cap, but no wing bars or tail blotches. Female similar, but usually lacks the black cap. It is gener- ally to be found among low bushes near the water, and ~s acts much like the true fly- catchers in its habit of dart- ing in and out by short flights, in search of its insect prey. The flycatchers proper almost invariably return to the same twigs from which they darted; the warbling flycatchers do not. (Green Black-capped Warbler.) — Length, 4}; wing, 2} (2-28); ; tail, 2; culmen, 4+. North America from the Rocky Mountains eastward ; breeding mainly north of the United States, and wintering south to Central America. ed Wilson's Warbler 39. Canadian Warbler (686. Sylvania canadénsis).— A gray- backed, flycatching warbler with all the lower parts yellow, except a necklace of black spots across the breast, and white under tail coverts. It is without either wing bars or tail blotches, but has spots of black on the crown, black sides of neck, and a yellow spot in front of the eye. Female lacks the black of the head, and the necklace is made up of dusky spots. It is generally to be found in the same localities as No. 88 and has about the same Se habits. Itisa loud but sweet “Bes x Dh at ————] rk ee singer. Canadian Warbler Length, 53; wing, 23; tail, 24; culmen, 8. North America, from the Plains eastward ; breeding from northern New York northward (far- ther south in the mountains), and wintering south of the United States to northern South America. 96 KEY AND DESCRIPTION 40. American Redstart (687. Setdphaga rutictlla).— A small, very lively, dark-colored, brilliantly-marked, flycatching war- bler, with bright or- ange or flame color at base of tail, middle of wings, and under the wings. The belly is nearly white, the bill is very broad, and the ric- tal bristles fully half as long as the bill. The female is a brownish- gray bird with dull- yellow markings re- placing the orange of the male. This is one of the most beautiful and active of the warblers, and is to be found abundantly in most woodlands and shrubberies. Ameiican Redstart Length, 5} (43-53); wing, 21 (23-23); tail, 23; tarsus, $; culmen, . North America, west casually to California; breeding from North Carolina and Kansas north to Labrador, and wintering south of the United States to South America. FAMILY VIIL VIREOS (VIREONIDA) A family (50 species) of exclusively American, small, olive- backed birds of woods and thickets, with narrow, stout, notched and hooked bills.’ Our largest species is about the size of the English sparrow. The vireos are insect-eating birds, but un- like many warblers and all the true flycatchers, they gather their prey while perching. With rather slow movements they patiently search over and under leaves, on twigs and bark, for spiders, beetles, caterpillars, etc. All our species are good singers, and some are noted for their vocal powers. Dr. Coues thus speaks of them: “ Next after the warblers, the greenlets [vireos] are the most delightful of our forest birds, though their charms address the ear and not the eye... In the FAM. VIII. VIREOS 97 quaint and curious ditty of the white-eye, in the earnest, vol- uble strains of the red-eye, in the tender secret that the war. bling vireo confides in whispers to the passing breeze — he is insensible who does not hear the echo of thoughts he never clothes in words.” They build beautiful basket-like nests, which are suspended from forked twigs, sometimes near the ground and sometimes from the highest parts of forest trees. The vireos are usually to be found on trees or bushes, very rarely on the ground. Any of the common names given can end in Greenlet as well as Vireo. Key to the Species * Rather stout species with distinct white or whitish wing bars. (C.) * Rather slender species with no distinct wing bars. (A.) A. The first primary less than one inch long ; 8 under parts white with yellowish on the sides (if there is almost no yellowish on sides, look for 2. Red-eyed Vireo, as it has been found with a short first DPLIMATY:) 44. ihelom eae a iabnes Eearee ues 4S 5. Warbling Vireo. A. The first primary much over one inch long. (B.) B. Under parts yellowish, brightest on the breast ; crown ashy, without a bordering black line over the whitish eye line. 4. Philadelphia Vireo. B. Under parts mainly white with almost no yellowish; crown ashy- gray margined with blackish just above the white line over the eye. fb? CUA BSCR LLT ESI eR Rae aun e mee Nea 2. Red-eyed Vireo. (or 1. Black-whiskered Vireo, if in Florida, and if there is a dusky streak on the side of the throat. ) B. Sides bright olive-yellow, and the under tail coverts clear sulphur- yellow (Texas). .00.cvesee vig bare eane asst ae 3. Yellow-green Vireo. C. First primary nearly as long as the second; breast bright yellow ag d,s a Btaltas segue iesay dace? er Shacevere cea aA akg gum 6. Yellow-throated Vireo. C. First primary less than one inch long.? (D.) Top and sides of head grayish-blue, with a distinct white line around THE CVG icaiiews eee aee nanwldsi Aba gs Oned Gaara whe 7. Blue-headed Vireo. Crown olive, much like the back; a distinct yellow line over the eye. siaslinaitevéilscars sw 'ap aus sig“oh i nleuy tislare.a's desig ste dees a hetdaray eis 9. White-eyed Vireo. Crown ashy ; a distinct white line around the eye (Western). ..... Svscaiesse 6 atesiesaveuet Apes ou suaueae wlohic Bn sAgrerdue nace epi SORRIGC NAS eis TERS 10. Bell’s Vireo. Crown and sides of head black (Kansas to Texas)...........-++4.. re ee ere aevesevecevees 8 Black-capped Vireo. “> 1 APGAR’S BIRDS. —7 5 9 YS 98 KEY AND DESCRIPTION 1. Black-whiskered Vireo (623. Vireo calidris barbdtulus). — A species found in southern Florida, West Indies, and south in winter to Central America. It is very much like the next species, but has a narrow dusky streak extending from the bill, below the eyes, along the side of the throat. Length, 51; wing, 34 (8-3}) ; tail, 2}; culmen, 3%. / 2. Red-eyed Vireo (624. Vireo olivaceus).—A very common, small, olive-green-backed, white-bellied vireo, with a black-mar- gined slaty-gray crown, white line over the eye, and no wing bars. The dark border to the crown gives emphasis to the Red-eyed Vireo white line over its red eye. This com- mon inhabitant of trees has been called the preacher, because of its tireless singing. In the words of Wil- son Flagg, “We might suppose him to be re- peating moderately, with a pause between each sentence, ‘You see it — you know it—do you hear me? —do you believe it?’ All these strains are delivered with the rising inflection at the close, and with a pause, as if wait- ing for an answer.” Length, 64; wing, 3} (8-32) ; tail, 21; tarsus, 3; culmen, 3. North America, from Utah eastward ; breeding from the Gulf States to Hudson Bay, and wintering from Florida to South America. 3. Yellow-green Vireo (625. Vireo flavovtridis).— A vireo of western Texas and southward to Peru; very much like the last species, but with the under parts, especially the sides, flanks, and under tail coverts, much more brightly yellow. Length, 64; wing, 3 (24-31) ; tail, 21; culmen, 3. 4. Philadelphia Vireo (626. Vireo philadélphicus). — A small, light, olive-green-backed, grayish-crowned vireo with all under FAM. VIII. VIREOS 99 parts light greenish-yellow and a whitish line over the eye. There are no wing bars. This is a smaller and raver bird than No. 2, but with similar habits and song. Length, 5; wing, 23 (23-22) ; tail, 2; tarsus, $; culmen, 3. Eastern North America ; breeding from New Hampshire north to Hudson Bay, and wintering south of the United States to Central America. 5. Warbling Vireo (627. Vireo gilvus).— An olive-green- backed, white- or whitish-bellied vireo, without wing bars and with some yellowish on the sides. This, as its name indicates, is a good, continuous “ warbler” of rich notes. It lives mainly among the tops of tall trees, so that it can be heard more easily than seen. Length, 5¢; wing, 2% (28-3); tail, 21; tarsus, $8; culmen, 1. North America in general ; breeding nearly throughout, and wintering in eastern Mexico. 6. Yellow-throated Vireo (628. Vireo flavifrons).— An olive- green-backed, bright-yellow-breasted, white-bellied vireo, with two distinct white wing bars. It is an inhabi- tant of the tree tops. eee Its notes are deep, rich, © and varied, and occa- sionally it shows a power of song which is surprising in its fine and intricate qual- Ft ity. The bird looks in Yellow-throated Vireo color much like the yellow-breasted chat, though decidedly smaller. Length, 57; wing, 3} (8-8}); tail, 21; tarsus, $; culmen, #. Eastern United States; breeding from Florida north to Ontario, and wintering from Mexico to Central America. 7. Blue-headed Vireo (629. Vireo solitarius). — An olive-green- backed, bluish-headed vireo, with the lower parts, ring around eye, and two wing bars white. It is, like the vireos in general, an inhabitant of the woods and a fine singer. (Solitary Vireo.) 100 KEY AND DESCRIPTION Length, 53; wing, 27 (23-3); tail, 2}; tarsus, $; culmen, 3. North America, from the Plains eastward ; breeding from New England to Hud- son Bay, and wintering in Mexico to Central America. The Mountain Solitary Vireo (629. V. s. alticola), of the higher southern Alleghanies, is a similar bird but larger, and with the en- tire upper parts a nearly uniform dark lead-color with almost no tinge of y green. Wing, 3} (8-3}) ; tail, 21. 8. Black-capped Vi- reo (630. Vireo atri- capillus).— A small, rare, Texan, black-headed, olive-green-backed, white-bellied vireo, with olive-shaded sides. Blue-headed Vireo Length, 43; wing, 2}; tail, 2; tarsus, 3; culmen, }. Central and western Texas, north to southwestern Kansas. “J 9. White-eyed Vireo (631. Vireo noveboracénsis).— A small, olive-green-backed, white-bellied vireo, with much yellowish on wings, tail, and sides of head, including two distinct wing bars. A ring around the eye, and line from eye to bill yellow. This is a saucy inhabitant of underbrush, with mocking bird powers, which it uses in in- tricate “medleys” of bird notes. White-eyed Vireo Length, 5; wing, 23; tail, 2; tarsus, 3; culmen, }. United States from the Rocky Mountains eastward ; breeding north to southern New England and Minnesota, and wintering from Florida as far south as Central America. FAM. IX. SHRIKES 101 10. Bell’s Vireo (633. Vireo béllii). — A stout, western, thicket- - living, olive-green-backed, yellow-sided vireo, with the ring around the eye, and line from eye to bill white or nearly so. The belly is white, and the crown ashy-gray, gradually changing to a bright olive-green on the rump. This is a smaller bird than the last. Length, 43; wing, 2} (2-21) ; tail, 1j; tarsus, $; culmen, 3. Great Plains, to the upper Mississippi Valley, eastward to western Indiana, and southwestward to Mexico. FAMILY IX. SHRIKES (LANIIDA) A family (200 species) of mainly Old World birds, repre- sented in America by two species of large-headed, strong- bodied gray birds, with black wings and tail, and white belly. Their size is not much less than that of our robin. The hawk-like bill! enables them to capture their @ prey, which consists of mice, small birds, insects, etc. Their greatest peculiarity is the habit of impaling their food upon thorns, the barbs of wire fences, ete. In watching for their prey, the shrikes almost always occupy the outside twigs of bushes or trees or other exposed situations. When an insect, a small bird, a mammal, or a reptile is seen, they will dart through a distance of many feet and secure it. 1 Key to the Species * Breast generally with distinct wavy cross lines; black on the sides of the head not connected by a black line on the forehead........... palplan te seeena ier ed insduatich wicdece OF Hinace See's Bepeeadoiine als 1, Northern Shrike. * Breast usually with no distinct wavy cross lines; black on the sides of the head connected by a black line across the forehead. ....... .... wieNedhacnsswtesestons aaa Sasnaats wueraue(eare traphenen 2 Conder eawtaanaats 2. Loggerhead Shrike. 1. Northern Shrike (621. Lantus boredlis). — A gray-backed, white-bellied bird, with black wings and tail. There are black blotches on the side of the head, which are not joined together by a black line across the forehead, and narrow wavy bars across the breast. It is a low-flying bird, with a peculiarly straight course till it is ready to alight, when it makes a short 102 KEY AND DESCRIPTION upward turn and perches on the outside twigs of the tree or bush. It may be distinguished by the terror it causes among the small] birds in its vicinity. (Butcher-bird.) Length, 10; wing, 4! (43-43); tail, 44; tarsus, 1; eulmen, 3. Northern North America; breeding north of the United States, and wintering in the Middle States. 2. Loggerhead Shrike (622. Lantus lu- dovicidnus). — A bird similar to the last, but with more black on the sides of the head, connected across the forehead by a narrow black stripe. There are fewer wavy lines, or almost none, across the breast. Both these species are noted for the habit of impaling their prey — grasshopper, lizard, snake, or bird on thorns. Both of these birds sing in the springtime. The notes of northern shrike are very musical, and resemble some- what those of the cat- bird, but those of the § loggerhead are too ° harsh to be pleasant. Northern Shrike Length, 9; wing, 3; (33-4); tail, 4; tarsus, 1; culmen, }. United States, from the Plains eastward, and north to northern New England ; breeding from the Gulf States north to southern Loggerhead Surike New Jersey and the Great Lakes. The White-rumped Shrike (622%. /. l. excubitorides), a variety found from the Plains to the Pacific, has, as its name indicates, the upper tail coverts more or less distinctly whitish. FAM. X. WAXWINGS. 103 eee FAMILY X. WAXWINGS (AMPELID~) This very small family of birds includes two of our crested, smooth-plumaged, rich grayish-brown species, with short, square, yellow-tipped tails and long wings. The waxwings practically have no song, and their notes are so quietly uttered as to be by many unnoticed. The name “ waxwing” is derived from the fact that the secondary wing quills, and sometimes the tail feathers, are tipped with horny appendages resembling red sealing wax. Key to the Species * Under tail coverts chestnut ; wing bar white..1. Bohemian Waxwing. * Under tail coverts white; no wing bar........... 2. Cedar Waxwing. 1. Bohemian Waxwing (618. Ampelis gdrrulus).— A rare, distinctly crested, rich brown-backed, grayish-bellied bird, with the under tail coverts chestnut and the tail feathers tipped with yellow; having a white wing bar, white tips to the secondary quills, and a brown- ish breast. The fore- head, chin, and line through the eye are black. (Northern Waxwing.) Bohemian Waxwing a Length, 8; wing, 4} (43-43) ; tail, 2}; tarsus, 3; culmen, 7. North- ern parts of the northern hemisphere; breeding north of the United States, and wintering rarely south to Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Kansas. 2. Cedar Waxwing (619. Ampelis cedrorum). — A common, distinctly crested, rich brown-backed, yellowish-bellied wax- wing, with the under tail coverts white, and all the tail feathers tipped with yellow. There is no wing bar. The breast is like the back and the forehead; the chin and the line over the eye are black. These smooth-plumaged birds move, excepting in the 104 KEY AND DESCRIPTION breeding season (May to August), in small flocks, and when on the wing fly close together in a straight line on about a level with the tree tops. They are chatterers rather than singers. (Cedar-bird; Cher- ry-bird.) Length, 7}; wing, 3} (83-87); tail, 23; tarsus, #7; culmen, 3. North America ; breed- ing from Virginia and Kansas northward (farther south in the moun- tains), and wintering throughout the United States south to Central America. Cedar Waxwing FAMILY XI. SWALLOWS (HIRUND{NIDA) This family comprises eighty species of long-winged, small birds. They spend most of the time in the air in pursuit of their food, which consists almost entirely of insects. Many have forked tails; few have colors other than black and white; many have glossy, and some, iridescent plu- mage. On account of their weak, small feet, they usually perch on very slender twigs, or by prefer- _ ence on telegraph wires. The top of the bill is very 1 short, but the motith is both wide and deep, reaching about to the eyes.? Key to the Species * Wing over 5 long ........... 1. Purple Martin, or 2. Cuban Martin. * Wing, 5 or less long. (A.) A. Tail, 3 or more long, the notch more than an inch deep; the under tail feathers with white blotches; throat chestnut ; back lustrous BLEEDING cosas concn musanye ois heater yeenewas 4, Barn Swallow. A. Tail, 2} or less long; back with metallic luster. (C.) A. Tail, 2} or less long ; back brownish, without luster. (B). B. Breast brownish ; belly and throat white....,....6. Bank Swallow. FAM. XI. SWALLOWS 105 B. Throat and breast brownish ; belly white. 7. Rough-winged Swallow. B. All under parts white.......0 0.0.0.0... 0.000.005 5. Tree Swallow. C. Throat chestnut or black ; upper tail coverts reddish. ... .....-.+ Pee eee eect reece eset r ec etetees seeeeeeeo. Cliff Swallow. C. All under parts white......,............. ...5, Tree Swallow. 1. Purple Martin (611. Prdégne sidis).— A large, shining, blue-black swallow, with a notched tail. The female is not so glossy on the back; and her throat, breast, and sides are brownish-gray, and her belly white. It nests in boxes, gourds, etc., near human habitations, and is very common throughout the Southern States. Length, 8; wing, 53 (51-61); tail, 3'; forked, 3; culmen, 4. North America from Mexico to Ontario, wintering from Mexico to South America. 2. Cuban Martin (611. 1. Prdgne crypto- lewea).— A Florida and Cuban species, very much like the last in habits and appearance, but if the belly feathers are opened, there will be found a broad, white spot on each. The female has the neck, chest, and sides a sooty- Purple Martin brown, changing abruptly to the white of the belly and under aie tail coverts. Length, 7}; wing, 5} (53-53); tail, 31. South- ern Florida and Cuba. 3. Cliff Swallow (612. Petrochélidon li- nifrons). — A steel- blue-backed swallow, with a white fore-..... head, much chestnut ap, on the neck, pale Olif Swallow brownish above the 106 KEY AND DESCRIPTION tail, and a white belly. Tail very slightly notched. This bird builds gourd-shaped mud nests under the eaves of buildings and on rocks. (Have Swal- low.) Length, 5}; wing, 4} (4-43); tail, 2; culmen, }. North America ; breeding from the Potomac and Texas northward into the Arctic regions, and wintering in Central and South America. 4. Barn Swallow (613. Ché- lidon erythrogdstra). — A com- mon, chestnut-bellied, steel- blue-backed swallow, with a “deeply forked tail. The breast is dark chestnut, but the other under parts are lighter; the under tail feathers are white blotched. It nests in barns, using mud and grass for build- ing. In flying, it keeps nearer the ground than most swallows. Barn Swallow Length, 7; wing, 43 (41-5); tail, 8-5; culmen, 3. North America ; breeding from Mexico to the Arctic regions, and wintering in Central and South America. 5. Tree Swallow (614. Tachyctneta bt- color). — A steel- blue- backed — swal- low, with all the under parts pure white. The back sometimes has a tinge of green, and the wings and tail are blackish. The young has brownish-gray upper parts. The tail is very slightly forked. The nests are found mainly in Tree Swallow FAM. XI. SWALLOWS 107 hollows in trees, but some are built in boxes, like the mar- tins. (White - bellied Swallow.) Length, 5%; wing, 43 (43-5); tail, 23; culmen, !. North America ; breeding from the Ohio Valley north- ward, and wintering from the Gulf States to Central America. 6. Bank Swallow (616. Clivicola riparia). —A_ small, common, dull, brownish-backed swallow, with white throat and belly, and a broad band of grayish-brown on the breast. The tail is slightly notched. There is a curious tuft of feathers above the hind toe. This bird breeds in great colonies in appropriate sandy banks, and if the locality is suitable, is very abundant. (Sand Martin.) Length, 5; wing, 4 (83-41) ; tail, 2; culmen, a little over }. Northern hemisphere ; breeding from the Gulf States northward, and winter- ing from Central to South America. Bank Swallow 7. Rough-winged Swallow (617. Stelyi- dépteryx serripénnis). —A dull, brownish- gray swallow, with white only on the lower belly; tail slightly notched. The adult has recurved hooklets on the outer edge of the first primary. The young lack these, and have the breast somewhat tinged with chestnut. Rough-winged Swallow 108 KEY AND DESCRIPTION In general appearance much like the last, but slower in its flight. It nests in sand banks or among the timbers of bridges. Length, 5}; wing, 43 (444); tail, 2; culmen, }. Southern Ontario and Connecticut southward ; breeding throughout. FAMILY XII. TANAGERS (TANAGRIDA) This is a large family (800 species) of tropical, tree-living birds, with brilliant colors and generally weak voices. Our three species are stout-billed,! migratory birds. The males are mainly bright red, and without the crest i which is so conspicuous on the cardinal grosbeak. e Key to the Species * Male red, with black wings and tail, wings without wing bars; female, olive, with most under parts greenish-yellow. ...2. Scarlet Tanager. * Male red throughout; female, yellowish-olive, with the under parts Butt y=VellOWe aztec tseu gt deae's Metaoed tres nee 3. Summer Tanager. * With yellow or yellowish wing bars ........... 1. Louisiana Tanager. 1. Louisiana Tanager (607. Pirdnga ludoviciana).— An ex- treme western species which has been recorded from a few of the Eastern States. It is a crimson-headed, yellow-bodied tana- ger, with the back, wings, and tail black; wing with two yellow bars. /emale, much like the female of No. 3, but with two light-colored wing bars. Size like that of the other tana- gers. Western United States, from the Plains to the Pacific. 2. Scarlet Tanager (608. Pirdnga eryth- romelas). — A com- mon, summer, red- bodied bird, with black wings and tail, and no wing bars. Female, olive-green above, greenish-yellow below; blackish wings and tail. This Scarlet Tanager FAM. XII. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 109 brilliantly colored bird is found in dense woods, singing its robin-like cavol in the tree tops. Length, 7; wing, 33 (31-87); tail, 3; culmen, 3. The United States, from the Plains eastward; breeding from Virginia to New Brunswick, and wintering from Mexico to South America. 3. Summer Tanager (610. Pirdnga rubra).— A common, sum- mer, red bird of the south, without either crest on head or black on wings or tail. Female, brownish-olive above and buffy-yellow below. This is a sweet singer in open woods, with notes which resemble those of the last species. Its call notes are very peculiar, and have been written chicky- tucky-tuck. (Summer Red Bird.) Length, 74; wing, 33 (31-4); tail, 3; tarsus, #; culmen, 7. Eastern United States ; breeding from Florida to New Jersey, wandering to Nova Scotia, and wintering in Mexico to South America. Summer Tanager FAMILY XIII. FINCHES, SPARROWS, AND GROSBEAKS (FRING{LLID2) This is the largest of the families of birds (550 species), and comprises medium to small forms to be found everywhere (ex- cept in Australia) at all seasons of the year. The family has never been successfully divided into groups, and the student, in working with these forms, will have greater difficulty in de- termining species than anywhere else among birds. All have somewhat short, conical bills, with the corners of the mouth abruptly bent downward.'?3+* Most of our small species have plain colors arranged more or less in a streaky manner; these . ZG BPH SH SS 1 2 3 4 5 \ 110 KEY AND DESCRIPTION are popularly called sparrows. About a dozen of the large species have very heavy, stout bills, and are called grosbeaks.'% Some are bright colored, others have bright markings of red or yellow; these often have names to indicate their colors. Some have the nail of the hind toe peculiarly elongated and straight- ened;* these constitute the longspurs. Others, the cross- bills, have the bill remarkably curved and crossed at tip? Others, as the juncos and towhees, have the plumage un- streaked, but with masses of different colors on different portions of the body. None of our species equal the robin in size, though a few come near it. The English sparrow is about the average, there being about twenty species smaller, twenty larger, and about twenty like it in size. The painted bunting, the smallest species (except Sharp’s seed-eater of Texas), is about the size of the kinglets. The singing power varies wonderfully ; some hardly sing at all, while others are noted songsters. Some of our favorite cage birds —the canary for example — belong to this family. Nearly all are seed-eaters, and for this reason are not so migratory as the insect-eaters of other families; the migration of birds being more due to lack of food than to inability to stand the cold. The streaked species are mainly inhabitants of the ground, while the brighter col- ored ones are more generally to be found among the trees. Key to the Species * Mandibles long and much curved, their points crossed at tip.2 — Without wing bars............ cece eee 4. American Crossbill. — With white wing bars................ 5. White-winged Crossbill. * Bill very stout, as high at base as the culmen is long; top and bottom of bill usually much curved.13 (X.) * Bill neither very stout (at least not so high at base as long) nor the points crossed at tip. (A.) A. Rather evenly colored birds; there may be large patches of dif- ferent colors, but they are not sharply spotted or streaked either above or below ; some are somewhat mottled, but not in any very, definite manner. (T.) A. Decidedly spotted or streaked either above or below. (B.) B. Upper (middle) tail feathers especially narrow and sharp-pointed, much more so than the under ones.> (Q.) FAM. XIII. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 111 B. All tail feathers rather narrow and acutely pointed, and in many cases stiff.6 (L.) B. ‘Tail feathers neither especially narrow nor especially sharp-pointed, and in no cases stiff. (Nos. 36-37 have narrow but not acute tail feathers.) (C.) C. Wing, 4 or more long ; under parts white, sometimes with brownish markings subsRuGs as Srettgnsieies, Neel 2g wink Avae sg Daoon caesar bases 12. Snowflake. —No yellow on breast........... 30. White. throated Sparrow. And under that species.......... Golden-crowned Sparrow. C. Wing, 3 or less long. (D.) D. With a spot of bright red on the crown.......... 6 and 7. Redpolls. D. With some distinct yellow somewhere. (I.) D. With neither distinct red nor yellow anywhere. (E.) E. Tail rounded ; breast without distinct streaks ; crown dark chest- nut or streaked ; no whitish wing-bars...... 40. Swamp Sparrow. E. Tail rounded ; breast sharply streaked. (H.) E. Plumage not streaked below ; tail somewhat notched. (F.) F. Crown slate-color, ashy- brown, or liver-brown ; a distinct white or buffy wing bar..11. European House Sparrow and E. Tree Sparrow. F. Crown grayish with a light central stripe ; a white line over the eye. — Rump brownish .................. 33. Clay-colored Sparrow. — Rump slate-gray...... oa Ghee Soy saphuteend 82, Chipping Sparrow. F. Crown chestnut. (G.) G. Crown bright chestnut ; a narrow black line back of the eye and some black on the forehead.............. 32. Chipping Sparrow. G. Crown bright chestnut ; a reddish-brown line back of the eye and a black or blackish spot on the breast......... 31. Tree Sparrow. G. Crown dull chestnut; no black on the forehead; a whitish eye FING 2. Gane Honaaneasee So iey wotamd bedauk with the nail of the hind toe longer than its toe. The length of the hind toe and its nail can often be de- termined by its tracks. The back has streaks Taplan Leneepee of black, brown, and buff. This bird is found among flocks of shorelarks and snow- flakes, and has the habit of squatting back of some clod, where. 122 KEY AND DESCRIPTION it will remain till almost trodden upon; then it will run a little distance and again attempt to hide. Length, 6}; wing, 33 (34-87) ; tail, 28; tarsus, $; culmen, %. North- ern regions; breeding far north, and winteriug in the northern United States, irregularly farther south even to South Carolina. 14. Smith’s Longspur (537. Calcdrius pictus). — A rare winter bird of the western plains, of size and habits similar to that of the Lapland longspur, but with much more buffy color to its plumage, and the head and back with much black. A line over the eye and the ear coverts white; a broad, white, wing bar, and the two under tail feathers mostly white. Length, 61; wing, 33 (8}-3}); tail, 24; tarsus, ?; culmen, 3. In- terior of North America; breeding far north, and wintering south to Illinois and Texas. 15. Chestnut-collared Longspur (538. Calcdrius ornatus).— A beautiful western longspur of bright colors, with a chestnut collar, black breast and crown, and much white on head and tail. The bird may be distinguished by the great amount of white on the tail feathers (the under mostly white, the others with much white at base). Female usually without black. Length, 6; wing, 33 (84-31); tail, 21; culmen, 3. Interior of North Afnerica; breeding from western Minnesota west and north, and wintering south to Texas; accidental in Massachusetts. 16. McCown’s Longspur (539. Rhynchdéphanes mecdwnii). — A heavy-billed, grayish-brown, mottled, western longspur, with black crown and crescent-shaped mark on breast and white- blotched tail feath- ers. The female lacks the black of head and breast, but both sexes have the under tail feathers white, and the others, except the middle pair, white at base with square, dark tips. (Black-breasted Longspur.) McCown’s Longspur FAM. XIII. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 123 Length, 6; wing, 3} (8}-87); tail, 2}; tarsus, $; culmen, }. Interior North America ; breeding from northern Kansas north to the Saskatche- wan, and wintering south to ‘Texas and northern Mexico. 17. Vesper Sparrow (540. Pooccttes gramineus). A ground- living, streaky sparrow, with the bend of ie wing chestnut and the outer tail feathers white. The back is mainly brownish-gray, and the under parts white, streaked with black and buffy. This, though mainly a field sparrow, will occasion- ally perch on fences and trees. It is one of —— the sweetest singers of i a the morning and evening, the evening song giving it the name of vesper sparrow. Its notes are much like those of the song sparrow, but more plaintive. (Grass Finch; Bay-winged Bunting.) Length, 64; wing, 3{ (22-88) ; tail, 2}; tarsus, ~; culmen, §. North America from the Tinie eastward ; breeding from Virginia and Missouri north to Nova Scotia, and wintering from south New Jersey southward. ‘The Western Vesper Sparrow (540%. P. g. confinis) averages slightly larger, is grayer in color, and is found from the Plains to the Pacific. 18. Ipswich Sparrow (541. Ammdédramus princeps). — A rare, seacoast, brownish, much-streaked sparrow, with a white line over the eye, two buffy wing bars, and sometimes a spot of sulphur-yellow in front of the eye and on the bend of the wing. The upper parts Ipswich Sparrow are streaked with brownish, black, and ashy; the lower parts are white, with streaks of blackish and buff on the breast and sides. 124 KEY AND DESCRIPTION Length, 64; wing, 38(23-54) ; tail, 22; tarsus, 7; culmen, 3. Atlantic coast ; breeding in Nova Scotia, and wintering as far south as Georgia. 19. Savanna Sparrow (542°. Ammddramus sandwichénsis savdnna).— A common, very streaky, ground sparrow, with some yellow in front of the eyes and on the bend of wing; in habits, size, and coloring much like the vesper spar- row. The streaky under parts and the method of flying are especially similar, but it lacks the chestnut bend of wing and the distinct white under tail feathers of that species, only the outer edge being whitish. Length, 5}; wing, 2} (2}-2]) ; tail, 2; tarsus, 7; culmen, 3. Eastern North America; breeding from northern New Jersey and Missouri to Hudson Bay, and. wintering from North Carolina southward. The West- ern Savanna Sparrow (542%. A. s. alaudinus) has a smaller and more slender bill and is paler and more grayish in color. It is found from the Plains westward. 20. Baird’s Sparrow (545. Ammddramus bdirdii).— A western, ground-living, pale, yellowish-brown sparrow, with a streaky, grayish-brown back and many sharp, small, dark streaks on its head and breast. From the breast the under parts are a dull white. Its notes have been written by Dr. Coues, “zip- zip-eip-zr-r-r-r.” This spe- cies is much like the last, but its tail feathers are more narrow and acute. Length, 53 ; wing, 23 (28-8) ; tail, 2); tarsus, $; culmen, 3. Interior North America from the Plains westward to Arizona. 21. Grasshopper Sparrow (546. Amméddramus savan- narum passerinus). — A common, streaky-backed, buffy-breasted, ground sparrow, with the sides much like the breast, but the Grasshopper Sparrow FAM. XII. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 125 belly whitish and bend of wing yellow. The upper parts are streaked with black, brown, ashy, and buff, and the blackish crown has a buffy line through the center. There is an orange dot in front of the eye. The tail feathers are very acute, and their edges are decidedly lighter than the brown centers. This bird is one of the quietest and most easily overlooked of our common birds of the open fields. It takes its name from its voice, which is much like that of some grasshoppers. It rarely takes a higher position than that of the fences, and from such a perch it usually does its singing. (Yellow-winged Sparrow.) Length, 5; wing, 23 (21-21); tail, 17; tarsus, #; culmen, ,’,. United States from Plains eastward ; breeding from the Gulf States tu Canada, and wintering from Florida to Central America. The Western Grass- hopper Sparrow (5462. A. s. perpdllidus) has larger wings and tail, a more slender bill, and is paler in color. Wing, 2}; tail, 2. It is found from the Plains westward. 22. Henslow’s Sparrow (547. Ammddramus hensloiwit), — A ground-living, sharp-tailed, brownish sparrow, with the back, breast, and sides very much streaked with black, brown, and buffy. The bright brown on the back, wings, and tail and the olive tints of the head are the plainest charac- teristics of this rare, secre- tive, weed-inhabiting bird of the meadows or dry fields. Length, 5; wing, 21 (2-21); tail, 2; tarsus, 3; culmen, { or a little more. United States from the Plains eastward; breeding from the Gulf States northward to southern New England and Ontario, and wintering in the Gulf States. 23. Leconte’s Sparrow (548. Ammddramus lecdnteii). — A sharp-tailed, streaky-backed, buffy-colored sparrow, with a cream-colored streak along the center of the blackish crown ; the breast is practically without streaks, but there are some Henslow's Sparrow 126 KEY AND DESCRIPTION streaks along the sides; the belly is white; the under tail feathers are nearly a half inch shorter than the middle pair. This is a western species of fields and marshes. Length, 5; wing, 2 (17-2!) ; tail, 2}; tarsus, §; culmen, 3. Interior United States; breeding from Minnesota north to Manitoba, and winter- ing from Iowa to Florida and Texas. 24. Sharp-tailed Sparrow (549. Ammddramus caudacutus). — A common, salt-marsh, sharp-tailed, streaky, olive-gray spar- row, with distinct orange-brown bands on the head, above and below the eye. The buffy lower parts are darkly streaked on the sides and breast, but the throat and belly are nearly white. This bird prefers to escape from a person by running and hiding among the grasses and reeds of the salt marshes (where it dwells), rather than to use its wings in flight. Length, 53; wing, 2} (21-23) ; tail, 2; tarsus, 7; culmen, 8. Marshes of the Atlantic coast; breeding from North Carolina to Maine, and winter- ing along the south Atlantic and Gulf States. WNelson’s Sparrow (549%. A. c. nélsont) is a slightly smaller variety with the feathers of the back darker in the center and with wider whitish edges, and the sides, breast, and throat darker in tint, but much less streaked. Fresh marshes of the interior; breeding from Illinois northward, and wintering from Texas to South Carolina; accidental in New England. The Acadian Sharp- tailed Sparrow (549. v1.c. subvirgdtus) differs in having the sides, breast, and throat more creamy in tint and faintly streaked with gray rather than black. A salt marsh form ; Nova Scotia to South Carolina. Sharp-tailed Sparrow 25. Seaside Sparrow (550. Ammddramus maritimus).— A common, salt-marsh, sharp-tailed, slightly streaked, grayish- brown sparrow, with a little yellow at bend of wing and in front of eye. The white throat and middle of the belly and FAM. XIII. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 127 the dusky breast indistinctly streaked with whitish are good distinguishing marks of this species, but a dusky and white stripe at each side of the white throat and the absence of any tint of reddish brown are still more charac- teristic. It is a ground bird, found nearly always among the reeds and grasses within both sight and sound of the sea. Length, 6; wing, 23 (24-21) ; tail, 2}; tarsus, 7; culmen, §. Atlantic coast; breeding from Georgia to Massachusetts, and wintering from Virginia southward. Scott’s Seaside Sparrow (550%. A. m. peninsulce) is a south Atlantic and Gulf coast variety of a very much darker color. Seaside Sparrow 26. Dusky Seaside Sparrow (551. Ammddramus nigréscens), — A Florida species more nearly like Scott’s seaside sparrow than any other form, but differing in having the feathers of the upper , parts black,with gray- ? ish edges, and the “under parts sharply streaked with about equal amounts of black and white. Length, 6; wing, 23; tail,22:; tarsus, 2; cul- men, 3. Eastern Florida. Schts 30. Alpomado Falcon. G J. Wing, 5-91 long; two primaries notched. (K.) L. L. L. K. Back or belly with more or less of bright brownish-red........... soi a ameAe 31. American Sparrow Hawk or Cuban Sparrow Hawk. K. Back bluish slate color, or blackish and without bright rufous.... See tnd a eae aaraniee 28. Pigeon Hawk or 29. Richardson’s Merlin. Tail gray, barred with blackish ; wing, 13-16 long; common....... .... 6. Marsh Harrier. Tail mainly white but much barred; wing, 14-18 long; Texas...... Hse Wa Sieevalesaacadjnemer au alinaes 15. Sennett’s White-tailed Hawk. Tail zoned black and white ; extreme southwestern hawk with wing OF=12 TONG ce cava iy aeraneareda wees sa ly os esaree te 8 18. Mexican Goshawk. M. Base and tip of tail white; shoulders and tibia chestnut; wing, 12-15 long ; western .... 2.6... fel se eee eee eee 9. Harris’s Hawk. M. Three white bands across the tail at base, tip, and center; Texas Sky (ei uaa 12. Zone-tailed Hawk or 17. Mexican Black Hawk. M. Wing, 10-13 long; Florida ; black phase of. .16. Short-tailed Hawk. 196 KEY AND DESCRIPTION M. Wing, 141-171; western; black phase of..14. Swainson’s Hawk. M. Wing, 133-161; northeastern ; black variety under.............. hk Wade Ba Sina WEE eS ee wa eva sie ay eee 25. Gray Gyrfalcon. N. Tarsus hardly at all feathered at the upper part....27. Duck Hawk. N. Tarsus feathered less than half way down in front ; back grayish- PLOW. 4. cess tosis es yeee pee Rwide seca eE ys 26. Prairie Falcon. N. Tarsus feathered over half way down in front and on the sides..... Big tars Basmashsdana replete ines 24. White Gyrfalcon. 25. Gray Gyrfalcon. 0. Tail white without bars and square tipped; wing, 11-14 long..... Yin Cal abidagie Sartor ose aA Wee A Dade eae Sie 2. White-tailed Kite. 0. Tail white at base and whitish at tip; tail coverts above and below mainly white; upper mandible lengthened and hooked; culmen, 1 or more long; wing, 12-16 long; Florida....4. Everglade Kite. 0. Slaty-blue above, gray below; tail black, unbarred .............. dete Neath oats attetamar’, aoa valancitaves winin Gaerene 3. Mississippi Kite. P. Legs bright brownish-red with black bars.20. Ferruginous Rough-leg. P. Legs more or less buffy without brownish-red................005 deitig bela yisheieh- sea ee Laceale eee se 19. American Rough-legged Hawk. 1. Swallow-tailed Kite (827. Elanotdes forficdtus). — A beau- tiful, large, glossy, bluish-black kite, with the head, rump, and under parts white, and the tail deeply forked. The neck and under wing coverts are also white. This is a graceful bird, generally seen on the wing, where its move- ments remind one of those of a swallow. It is remarkable in that it can drink as well as eat, while coursing through the air. Common in the south. Swallow-tailed Kite Length, 20-25 ; wing, 16} (153-172) ; tail, 134; tarsus, 1}; culmen, 1. Interior United States, west to the Great Plains, north to North Carolina and Minnesota; casual to New England and Manitoba; breeding locally throughout its regular range, and wintering in Central and South America. 2. Whitetailed Kite (328. Elanus leucitvrus).— An ashy- backed, white-headed, white-tailed, white-bellied kite, with the wing coverts conspicuously black. The young have the whites FAM. XXIX. HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 197 more or less marked with reddish-brown, and the tail with an ashy bar near the tip. The tarsus is feathered half way down in front, and the ex- posed portion is finely reticulated. This is one of the strongest of the kites; its food consist- ing of birds, quadru- peds, reptiles, and in- sects. Common in marshy regions, west 2 of the Mississippi. ~ (Black-shouldered op Kite.) White-tailed Kite Length, 15-17; wing, 124 (114-133) ; tail, 7; tarsus, 13; culmen, 4 i, Southern United States ; breeding north to South Carolina and southern Illinois, and south throughout most of South America. Casual in Michi- gan. It winters south of our territory. 3. Mississippi Kite (329. Ictinia mississippiénsis).— A kite with slate-colored wings and back, light gray head, neck, and belly, and black, unbarred tail. The primaries are blotched with much chestnut. The young lacks the chestnut of the wings, has the head more or less streaked with black and white, and the tail marked with a few white, irregular bars. Length, 13-153 ; wing, 114 (103- 123); tail, 64; tarsus, 13 ; cul- men, %. Southern United States east of the Rocky Mountains; breeding north to South Carolina, southern Illinois, and ; “> Kansas, and wintering in Mississippi Kite the tropics. 4. Everglade Kite (330. Rostrhamus socidbilis).— A dark, slate-colored kite, with the upper tail coverts and the base of 198 KEY AND DESCRIPTION the tail white; the tip of the tail is somewhat whitened and notched; the upper mandible is peculiarly lengthened and hooked. This bird acts much like a gull, flying over the shallow, fresh waters of southern Florida; it dives for snails, which form its main food. (Snail-hawk.) Length, 17; wing, 14 (15-15) ; tail, 74; tarsus, 2; culmen, 1}. Florida, Cuba, and eastern Mexico, south to the Argentine Republic. 5. Marsh Hawk (331. Circus hudsdnius).— A large, com- mon, ashy-colored or gray hawk, with white tail coverts, and white belly, spotted or barred with reddish. The primaries are blackish, and the tail is silvery- gray, irregularly barred with blackish. ‘The fe- male has a brownish back, head, and ueck, darker primaries and tail, and the under parts more buffy, streaked on the belly with blackish. This is a common, low-flying hawk of the open coun- try, easily determined by the white tail coverts. It may often be found perching on a low elevation, or even in the grass. (Marsh Harrier.) Marsh Hawk Length. 18-24; wing, 143 (13-16) ; tail, 93; tarsus, 3; culmen, 1 nearly. North America; breeding throughout, south to Panama. 6. Sharp-shinned Hawk (332. . B. b. calirus) of North America, west of the Rocky Mountains (casual in Illinois), is a nearly evenly colored, dark chocolate-brown hawk, with the red tail crossed by several black bars. Harlan’s Hawk (3374. B. b. hdrlani) of the Gulf States (casually north to Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Kansas) is nearly uniform black, with the tail rather longitudinally mottled with dusky and white, and having more or less of the red tinge and the zone of black near the tip. (Black Warrior.) 11. Red-shouldered Hawk (339. Biteo linedtus).— A common hawk, with much brownish-red on head, shoulders, breast, and belly. The tail and primaries are black, with broad bars of white. The throat is streaked with blackish, and the breast and belly are much barred with white or whitish. The young is very different and hard to determine; above | plain, dark brown, with little indication of the red shoulders; head, neck, and under parts are nearly white, fully streaked with dark brown ; tail and wing quills brown, crossed with many in- distinct, hghter and darker bars. Four primaries are notched on the inner web. This is a bird of well-watered woods, living on small quadrupeds, insects, and reptiles, in the order given. (Misap- plied names: Hen Hawk; Chicken Hawk.) Length, 171-22; wing, 11}-14}; tail, 8-10; tarsus, te 3; culmen, 1. North America from the Plains eastward, bow yyy north to Manitoba and Nova Scotia, south to Mexico; Red-shouldered breeding throughout. The Florida Red-shouldered Hawk Hawk (3399, B. 1. dlleni) of South Carolina to Texas, mainly coastwise, is a smaller hawk, with a streaked, grayish-white head, grayish throat, indis- tinctly barred, buffy under parts and no red shoulders, 202 KEY AND DESCRIPTION 12. Zone-tailed Hawk (340. Biteo abbrevidtus).— A south- western glossy-black to blackish-brown hawk; the tail has three slate-colored bands above, and three pure white ones below. The young has a grayish-brown tail crossed above with numerous oblique black bands, and showing below mainly the white inner webs. When disturbed, the feathers of this hawk show much white, especially on the head and breast, as much of the plumage is pure white at base. Length, 18}-214; wing, 15-171; tail, 8!-103; tarsus, 2); culmen, 1. Texas to southern California, south to northern South America. 13. Sennett’s White-tailed Hawk (341. Buteo albicaudatus sénnetti).— A Texas, ashy or lead-colored, short-tailed hawk, with the tail coverts, tail, and entire under parts white, and the wing coverts chestnut. The tail has numerous narrow, broken, zig-zag lines, and a broad black band near the tip. The young is a brownish-black bird, with a grayish tail, becom- ing darker near the tip. This hawk, like the last species, has white bases to many of the feathers, which show when the plumage is dis- turbed. Length, 23; wing, 141-18 ; tail, 7-10; tar- sus, 3}; culmen, 13. Southern ‘Texas and southward into Mexico. 14. Swainson’s Hawk (342. Biteo swainsoni). — A western, dark-col- ored hawk, very va- riable in color, but usually with conspic- uous dark patches on the sides of breast, and many (8-12) dark tail bars. The breast has a large, cinnamon-red patch; the Swainson’s Hawk FAM. XXIX. HAWKS, EAGLES, ETU. 203 primaries are unbarred, and the three outer ones are notched on the inner web; the belly is much blotched and barred with blackish, whitish, and buffy markings. There is a very dark (uelanistic) form of this bird, in which the whole plumage is evenly blackish. Of course there are birds of. intermediate colors. The size and the peculiar primaries as above given are distinct enough to fix the species. Length, 19-22; wing, 141-171; tail, 8-10; tarsus, 21; culmen, 3. Western North America from Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Texas to the Pacific, north to the Arctic regions, and south to the Argentine Republic ; breeding throughout its North American range. Casual to Massachu- setts and Maine. 15. Broad-winged Hawk (343. Biteo latissimus).— A dark- colored hawk, with grayish tail, crossed by two broad, dark bars; under parts brownish, heavily barred. The primaries are without red- dish markings, and the three outer ones are notched on the inner web. The young has a grayish-brown tail, crossed by three to five indistinct black bars, but has the narrow whitish tip of the adult. A slug- gish, unsuspicious hawk, feeding on in- sects, small mammals, batrachians, and reptiles. Length, 13-17 ; wing, 10-11} ; tail, 63-8; tar- sus, 21; culmen, 3. Eastern North America. north to New Brunswick, south to northern South America; breeding throughout its United States range. 16. Short-tailed Hawk (344. Biteo bra- chytirus). — A rare, Florida, slaty-gray to grayish-brown hawk, with all under parts pure white, except some brownish markings on the sides of the breast. The grayish tail is barred with black and narrowly tipped with white. The young has the under parts washed with buffy. This species, like No. 14, is found in a very dark Broad-winged Hawk 204 KEY AND DESCRIPTION (melanistic) phase, in which nearly the whole plumage is a somewhat glossy black. Length, 15-18 ; wing, 10!-18; tail, 6-74, tarsus, 2+; culmen, 3. South America north to Florida, where it breeds. 17. Mexican Black Hawk (345. Urubitinga anthracina).—A southern Texas, coal-black hawk, with a central broad white band across the tail, and a white tip; the ends of the upper tail coverts are also white. The young is mottled blackish- brown above and streaked buffy below; the tail is crossed with about seven bands of blackish and grayish. Length, 21-23; wing, 13-16; tail, 8-11; tarsus, 31; culmen, 1}. Northern South America north to southern Texas. 18. Mexican Goshawk (346. . M. y. oscedla) of southern Florida is a smaller, and darker bird. The primaries are much less regularly barred with white. The Rio Grande Turkey (310°. Jf. g. éllioti) of the lowlands of Texas and northeastern Mexico can be dis- tinguished from all the others by the dark buff edgings on the tail, and upper and lower tail coverts, in contrast with the white on the same parts of the Mexican turkey, and the deep, dark, reddish-chestnut of the com- mon wild turkey. The brilliantly colored European and Ring-necked Pheasants have been introduced and more or less acclimated in several of the states. The males are 36 long and the females 25 long. The females are plainly colored. As most of the specimens are hybrid forms descrip- tions would be of little value. FAM. XXXIV. GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, ETC. 221 FAMILY XXXIV. GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, ETC. (TETRA- ONID) A large family (100 or more species) of game birds of all countries, living almost entirely on the ground, and having mainly brown and gray colors. They have the habit of hiding rather than flying to escape the gunners, and, if it were not for the ability of dogs to detect their presence, they would generally escape the fowler’s shot. When they fly, their flight is rapid, accompanied by a whirring noise caused by the beating of their small, concave wings. Like the hens of the barnyard they scratch the ground to obtain their food, which consists of worms, insects, seeds, etc. They are generally large birds with short bills, heavy bodies, short, more or less feathered legs, and, in many species, rather long tails. (For European Pheasants, see p. 220.) Key to the Species * Wing, 10 or more long; tail stiff and pointed and about as long as the WING os ydsamadesd eos Geeeeacoeas auc d Meese 11. Sage Grouse. * Wing, 8-10 long. (C.) * Wing, 6-8 long. (B.) * Wing, 4-6 long; tarsus bare of feathers. (A.) A. Tail less than an inch shorter than the wing; Texas............. psi ed VRE caer Noe Biol SAG ibe RE vate oubiav manage RCS 2. Scaled Partridge. A. Tail about 2 inches shorter than the wing; common.1. Bob-white. A. Tail nearly 3 inches shorter than the wing; Texas............. sich SpA gta OL He Wok ct bonged reac nlebeaea O's 3. Massena Partridge. B. Tarsus bare of feathers for half its length........ 6. Ruffed Grouse. B. Tarsus entirely feathered, but the toes bare...... 5. Canada Grouse. B. Tarsus and toes entirely feathered.............+.-- 7. Ptarmigans. C. Tail about 2 inches shorter than the wings and square............ sac Md Gerald eats baat Wie as bee 'a a ai a apse ebay enue NES Tota’ 4. Dusky Grouse. C. Tail, 34-5 inches shorter than the wings. (D.) D. Tail pointed, wedge-shaped ; tarsus full feathered................. 10. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse. D. Tail rounded. (E.) E. Tarsus full feathered, no bare stripe behind...... 8. Prairie Hens. E. Tarsus scantly feathered, exposing abare stripe behind........... | Rite ARERR RES Mie tes Sea co's Slebneouten 9. Lesser Prairie Hen. 399, KEY AND DESCRIPTION 1. Bob-white (289. CoNnus virginidnus). — A common grass- inhabiting, brownish-mottled, white-throated, game bird, with the belly much lighter than the back. The female has a_ butt throat patch instead of the white of the male. The notes bob- white so often heard in spring are given by this bird. In sum- mer, the crown is blacker, and the buffy markings lighter than in winter. The tints of the back have much of reddish- brown and chestnut, and the lower breast and belly are white barred with black. (Quail; Virginia Par- tridge.) Length, 10; wing, 44 (41-43) ; tail, 2}; tarsus, 1}; culmen, }. United States from Kansas eastward and north to southern Ontario. It is also found locally in many places west of the Rocky Mountains, even to the Pacific. The Florida Bob-white (289°. C. v. floridimus) of Florida is a smaller bird, with darker plumage, especially with more black on the back. The regular northern bob-white will occasionally take to the trees when flushed, but the Florida bird is more apt to do so. The Texan Bob-white (289. C. v. textinus) of Texas and Mexico is a small bird like the last, but paler, having much gray and tawny in the plumage. Bob-white 2. Scaled Partridge (293. Callipépla squamdata). — A Texas, crested, bluish-lead-colored quail, with the neck and most under parts peculiarly “scaled” by crescent-shaped black tips to all the feathers. The crest is dark brown, ending in pure white, and the back belly orange-brown. (Blue Quail.) Length, 10-12; wing, 44 (44-5) ; tail, 4}; tarsus, 1!. Table-lands of Mexico, north to central Texas and southern Arizona, FAM. XXXIV. GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, ETC. 228 3. Massena Partridge (296. Cyrtonyx montezime). — A Texas, crested, short-tailed, brownish and purplish quail, with the sides of the head and neck fantastically marked with black and white stripes, and the sides of the body crowded with numerous round white dots on a dark ground. The middle line of breast and belly is mahogany-colored, the under tail coverts are black, and the crest is brown. The female lacks the peculiar black and white stripes of the head, and the sides are mottled instead of dotted. The prevailing color of the female is pinkish-cinnamon. Length, 9; wing, 43; tail, 2; tarsus, 1}. Table-lands of Mexico, north to western Texas and Arizona. 4. Dusky Grouse (297. Dendrdgapus obsciirus). — A large, Rocky Mountain, dark brown to blackish grouse, with slate- colored belly, a rather short, broad tail, near- ly white throat patch, and red, bare skin around the eyes. This bird is finely mottled with lighter tints ev- erywhere, and the tail is tipped with a dis- tinct gray band. Length, 18-24; wing, 91 (83-10); tail, 74; cul- Scaled Partridge men, 3. Rocky ‘Moun tains from central Montana east to the Black Hills of South Dakota and west to Nevada. 5. Canada Grouse (298. Dendrdgapus canadénsis). — A large, northern, forest-living, short-billed, dark-colored grouse, with much white mottling, especially on the under parts. There are brown tips to the tail feathers and a red patch of bare. skin over the eyes. The female is much browner, especially on the head and neck. These birds have the upper parts much barred with blacks, grays, and browns. They are com- 224 KEY AND DESCRIPTION mon in the evergreen forests of the north, and are usually resi- dent where found. (Spruce Partridge.) Length, 143-17; wing, 7 (6}-73) ; tail, 5; culmen, 1. Northern por- tions of Minnesota, Michigan, New York, and New England, and north- ward and westward to Alaska. 6. Ruffed Grouse (300. Bondsa umbéllus). — A large, common, woodland-living, brown-mottled grouse, with a glossy black ruff of feathers on each side of the neck, and a dark band near the = end of the broad, fan- S%_ shaped tail. The fe- male has the neck ruff much smaller. The male produces a loud “drumming” noise by rapidly beating the air with his wings. This bird is improper- ly called “ partridge ” in the New England States, and just as im- properly “pheasant ” _ a in the Middle and Sinffed (Grenss Southern States. Length, 153-19 ; wing, 7} (7-73) ; tail, 61; culmen, §. United States from Minnesota eastward, north to southern Canada and south to Georgia, Mississippi, and Arkansas. The Canadian Ruffed Grouse (300°. B. uw. togata), of the spruce forests of the northern portions of New York and New England, north to the southern portion of Hudson Bay, and west- ward to Oregon and British Columbia, differs in having the upper parts gray rather than reddish-brown, and the lower parts, including the breast and belly, fully barred. 7. Willow Ptarmigan (301. Lagopus lagopus). — An extreme northern, large ptarmigan with blackish outer tail feathers, and a coloration of body depending on the season. In winter the whole body is white; in summer the back, head, and neck are mottled in browns or rufous. The female in summer has the plumage more regularly and more fully barred with rufous. FAM. XXXIV. GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, ETC. 225 This is an abundant bird in the Arctic regions, but does not nest farther south than central Labrador, though in winter it migrates southward, even into northern New York. The ptarmigans have the toes fully feathered. Length, 14-17 ; wing, 7} ; tail, 41; culmen, 3. Northern portions of the northern hem- isphere; south in winter occasionally into the northern border of the United States. The Rock Ptarmigan (302. Layopus rupéstris),of Arctic Amer- ica south to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, has in winter the outer tail feathers blackish, generally tipped \ with white, and the lores a r< 4 black, while the rest of the plumage is pure white. In summer it has mottled and barred grayish plumage with almost no rufous. Welch’s Ptarmigan (303. Lagopus wélchi), of Newfoundland, has in win- ter the whole tail blackish, except the white tips of the central feathers, and the lores black, while the rest of the plumage is white. In summer the upper parts are black with wavy lines of buff and white, and the belly white. Probably none but the Willow Ptarmigan has ever been found in the United States. Willow Ptarmigan 8. Prairie Hen (305. Tympanichus americinus).— A large, ground-living, short-tailed, very much mottled, brownish, some- what crested grouse, with a tuft of ten or more, narrow, stiff- ened, mottled, black feathers on the side of the neck, under which there is a patch of bare, inflat- able, yellow skin. The peculiar neck feathers have their Prairie Hen tips rounded, and APGAR’S BIRDS. —15 226 KEY AND DESCRIPTION the rounded, blackish tail is white tipped. The female has the neck tufts much smaller. This is a bird of the open prairies, rarely found, except during severe storms, within timbered tracts. (Pinnated Grouse; Prairie Chicken.) Length, 17-19 ; wing, 9 (8}-9!); tail, 4; tarsus, 2; culmen, §. Prairies of the Mississippi Valley, south to Louisiana, east to Ohio, north to Ontario, and west to Nebraska. The Heath Hen (806. Tympanuchus cupido), of Martha’s Vineyard (formerly New England and Middle States), differs from the last in that the neck tufts consist of less than ten pointed feathers. There are but few (less than 100) of these birds left on the island. 9. Lesser Prairie Hen (307. Tympaniichus pallidicinctus).— A southwestern bird similar to the common prairie hen in dimen- sions of parts, but paler and browner in color, and with the tarsus much less fully feathered. The darker bars of the back appear in sets of threes, there being a continuous broad bar inclosed between two narrower and darker ones in each set. From Texas to Kansas along the eastern edge of the Great Plains. 10. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse (308°. Pedioccetes [ped-i-o-se-tes] phasianéllus campéstris).— A large, northwestern, sharp-tailed, very much mottled, brownish grouse, with the central tail feathers projecting and rounded at tip, and the outer ones sharp- pointed. There are no neck tufts of peculiar feathers, but the breast has many V-shaped, black marks. The middle of the belly is white. This is a somewhat migratory bird, living in the open prairies in summer, and in wooded tracts in winter. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse Length, 15-19; wing, 8}; tail, 42; culmen, §. Plains and prairies of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, east to Illinois, and south to New Mexico. FAM. XXXV. JACANAS 227 11. Sage Grouse (309. Centrocércus wrophasidnus).— A very large, western, much-mottled, dark-colored grouse, with long, sharp-pointed tail feathers, and having inflatable, bare skin on the sides of the breast. The female has a shorter tail. Length, 24-30; wing, 12 (101-13); tail, 8-18; culmen, 13. Sage- brush regions of the Rocky Mountains, east to North Dakota, Nebraska, and Colorado, south to New Mexico, and west to California. ORDER IX. SHORE BIRDS (LIMICOLA) A large order of plover-like and snipe-like birds, usually found in open places, near the water. They are most of them small; they have slender and frequently long bills, small and, as a rule, fully feathered heads, long-pointed wings, short tails, and long legs, with more or less of the tibia exposed and bare of feathers. A few species have the legs short and the tibia fully feathered. The hind toe is short and elevated, or completely wanting (with one exception, the jacana of the first family). With us this order is represented by seven families. FAMILY XXXV. JACANAS (JACANIDZ) A small family (10 species) of peculiar, somewhat ia plover-like, wading birds, with very long toes and long, straight claws, the hind claw fully as long as 1 the toe. 1. Mexican Jacana (288. Jacana spindsa).— A small, Texas, long-legged, long-toed, purplish-chestnut-colored, wading bird with a horny, yellow spur on the bend of the wing, and a pecul- iar, yellow, leaf-like lobe of skin extending on the forehead from the plover-like bill. The rich chestnut color is brightest on the wings and tail, and darkest on the back, breast, and sides. The young is grayish-brown above, buffy below, and has but little of the frontal lobe of skin. Length, 8}; wing, 5 (4-53) ; tail very short and soft ; tarsus, 2; mid- dle toe and nail, 2}; culmen,1}. Southern Texas, Mexico, and Central America, 228 KEY AND DESCRIPTION FAMILY XXXVI. OYSTER-CATCHERS (HEMATOPODID A) The birds of this small family (10 species) are found only on the outer beaches of ocean shores, searching for the = shellfish left by the receding tide. They are large birds, with stout, long, hard bills,’ stout, rather short legs, and pointed tails. Our one species has but three toes. 1. American Oyster-catcher (286. Heemdtopus pallidtus). — A large, shy, rather solitary, long, red-billed, three-toed, seacoast bird, with black head, neck, and back, and white belly. There is a large, white patch on the center of the wing and also onthe rump. When disturbed, it gives a shrill cry and flies to a great distance. It runs swiftly or walks in a stately manner, and feeds mainly on bivalves, which it opens with its long, strong bill. . Length, 17-21; wing, American Oyster catcher 103 (10-12); tail, 43; tarsus, 22; culmen, 3-4. Seacoast of America, from New Jersey to Patagonia (occasionally north to Massachusetts) ; breeding along the Southern States, and wintering south of the United States. FAMILY XXXVII. TURNSTONES, ETC. (APHRIZIDE) A small family (4 species) of seacoast birds of rather small size, short, hard bill, and (for shore birds) short legs. 1. Turnstone (283. Arendria intérpres).— A common, shore- living, stout-billed, brightly marked bird, with a back marked like calico, and a white belly with a black breast patch. The center of the back, as seen while flying with scapulars separated, FAM. XX XVII. PLOVERS 229 is white. In summer there is much rufous, black, and white on the upper parts; in winter the bright, reddish-brown is lacking, and the colors of the back are mainly blacks and grays. This bird is often seen turning over stones and shells along the outer shore for food. (Calicoback.) iain L , i “an Length, 9}; wing, 6; {jj & tail, 2); tarsus, 1; cul- -é..... es men, {. Along nearly all bracts nie shores of lakes, rivers, Turnstone and oceans. In the New World, from Greenland to the southern part of South America. More or less common along the great rivers and lakes of the interior ; breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering mainly south of the equator. FAMILY XXXVIII. PLOVERS (CHARADRIID) This large family (100 species) of snipe-lke birds with long wings, short, pigeon-shaped bills,’ and (in most spe- J cies) three toes, is represented throughout the world, =z though only eight species are found in North America. These are short-billed, round-headed, short-necked, plump-bodied, long-winged, short-tailed, wading birds with (in most species) rather short legs for waders, and but three toes. Many species inhabit the shores of water, both salt and. fresh, but some are found on the dryest plains. They move rapidly when running or flying, and their note is a mellow whistle. 1 Key to the Species * A hind toe present about } long. — Head without crest............. 2c eee 1. Black-bellied Plover. — Head crested; back metallic green. The Lapwing (269. Vanél- lus vanéllus) of the Old World has once been seen on Long Island. Wing, 83-9; culmen, 1. * Toes only three; hind toe absent. (A.) A. Plumage speckled on the back with whitish or yellow ............ sgagiieees HILSON AMATO ae Oee wee 2. American Golden Plover. 230 KEY AND DESCRIPTION A. Plumage of the back about uniform in color. (B.) B. Wing, 6-7 long; rump, orange-brown ....... ........ 3. Killdeer. B. Wing, 5}-6 long; no black band across breast. .8. Mountain Plover. B. Wing less than 51 long. (C.) C. Culmen, $ or more long; a black or dark brown band across breast {isaspeieriodhs csvepies AVS eRe eam RA RRS 7. Wilson’s Plover. C. Culmen about § long ; no black band across breast.... dss henGasuaest autos Wnduveady taeee Spas eo NRA a 6. Snowy Plover. C. Culmen less than § long. (D.) D. All toes distinctly webbed at base;! feathers black be- i tween the eye and the bill.....4. Semipalmated Plover. D. Inner toes without distinct webbing; no black from the eye to the Dil taa satecosaena coe es ARIS Ge CUE nde 5. Piping Plover. 1. Black-bellied Plover (270. Squatdrola squatdrola).— As seen in the autumn and winter in the United States: a short-billed, short-tailed, large (for a plover), mottled, grayish- brown, shore bird, with grayish or whit- ish under parts mot- tled with more or less of blackish on the breast. This is our only plover with a hind toe; it is mi- nute, being only about 2inch long. The bird derives its name from its very black under parts, in the breeding season, in the far north. During its northward migration in the spring, it is found with a more or less complete black breast and fore belly. The axillary plumes* (long feathers Black-bellied Plover growing from the armpit and seen underneath the “es>.> wings) are black. (Black-breast; Bull-head Plover ; Beetle-head.) Length, 11}; wing, 7} (7-73); tail, 3; tarsus, 2; culmen, 1}. Gen- erally throughout the northern hemisphere, though not confined to it; breeding far north, and wintering in Florida, the West Indies, and northern South America. FAM. XXXVII. PLOVERS 231 2. American Golden Plover (272. Charddrius dominicus). — As seen in the United States, a short-billed, three-toed shore bird, with the entire upper parts blackish, brightly dotted and marked with golden and whitish spots, and the lower parts grayish-white, with brownish streakings on the sides. In late spring, while migrating northward, some of these birds are seen with the black bellies of the breeding season. These graceful, quick-moving birds are found in marshes and old fields as well as on the sand flats exposed by the tide. They have the habit, common among plovers, of rapidly running a few yards, then stopping, elevating the head and looking around. (Greenback.) Length, 94-11; wing, 7 (63-73); tail, 3; tarsus, 1%; culmen, {. America; breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering from Florida to Patagonia. 8. Killdeer (273. Hgialttis vocifera).— A common, noisy, active, beautifully marked, short-billed, three-toed, brown- backed, white-bellied plover, with two dark bands across the breast, the upper one extending around the neck. The rump is very brightly colored, often decidedly red, and the wings have much black and white. This bird is very abundant, spending most of the time on the ground, often far from water. Its shrill notes give it its name, kil-dee. Though scattered while feeding, it usually moves in flocks when on the wing. Length, 10}; wing, 6} (6-62) ; tail, 4; tarsus, 1}; culmen, }. United States, north to Newfoundland and Manitoba ; breeding throughout, and wintering from Virginia to northern South America, including the West Indies. 4. Semipalmated Plover (274. Zgialitis semipalmata).— A common, short-billed, ashy-brown-backed, white-bellied plover, with a rather broad, complete ring of black around the neck, and distinctly marked black, white, and brown head, including a black band from the eye to the bill. The female has the neck band and head markings brown instead of black. This is an abundant seacoast plover, with the toes nearly half 239) KEY AND DESCRIPTION webbed. In feeding, the small flocks of five to ten scatter, but on the wing form a compact bunch. (Ring-neck.) Length, 7; wing, 43 (43-5); tail, 21; tarsus, 1; culmen, }. North America; breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering from the Gulf States to Brazil. 5. Piping Plover (277. «...............4. 13. Curlew Sandpiper. 0. Tibia naked at the joint ; crown striped lengthwise ; outer web of the primaries without bars......-....-....05. 2. Wilson’s Snipe. QO. Tibia entirely feathered ; crown banded crosswise...1. Woodcock. eK OF B FAM. XXXLX. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 287 P. Wing, 10-12; bill, 5-8} (very young, 23-5) ; axillars? rich, dark buff, usually without any bars.....-....... 27. Long-billed Curlew. P. Wing, 84-104 ; bill, 23-4}; axillars barred. .28. Hudsonian Curlew. P. Wing, 73-8}; bill, 2-27; axillars barred....... 29. Eskimo Curlew. 1. American Woodcock (228. Phildhela minor).— A common, muddy-wood-living, long-billed, short-legged, much-mottled, brown snipe, with eyes far back on the head, and the back of the crown with two dark cross stripes; the three outer primaries are ab- ruptly shorter than the fourth and are pecul- iarly narrow and stiff. The soft muddy places where these game birds get their food by the use of their long, pl- able, sensitive bills are usually in or near woody tracts. These birds are particularly noted for their nocturnal, spiral flights in the air, which have been called “sky dances.” They migrate by night to places where soft ground is to be found. American Woodcock Length, 11; wing, 5} (44-5}) ; tail, 2}; tarsus, 1}; culmen, 23-3. Eastern North America, north to the British Provinces and west to Kan- sas; breeding throughout. The European Woodcock (227. Scélopax rusticola) is a larger bird, but similar in ap- pearance. It does not have the three narrow outer primaries. Wing, 7-8; culmen, 3-3}. Ac- cidental in eastern North America. 2. Wilson’s Snipe ™ , (230. Gallinago deli- Wilson's Snipe cata). —A common 238 KEY AND DESCRIPTION grassy-meadow-living, long-billed, very much mottled, brownish snipe, with a buff breast and white belly. The eyes are above the ears, and the mottling of the head is so arranged as to give a central, lengthened, hght band between two darker ones. This is one of the most noted game birds, because only expert gunners can shoot it as it starts from the ground in its crooked but swift flight. It is found only where the ground is so water soaked as to give it a chance to probe with its soft, sensitive bill, and where clumps of vegetation will enable it to hide from view. (“English Snipe.’’) Length, 11; wing, 5 (41-51); tail, 2}; tarsus, 1}; culmen, 23-23. North America; breeding from the northern United States northward, and wintering from Illinois and South Carolina to northern South America. 3. Dowitcher (231. Macrorhdmphus griseus).— A common, large, shore-living, long-billed, long-legged, generally varie- gated, brownish-bodied snipe, with darker wings, lighter, much-barred tail, and nearly white belly. In winter, the upper parts and breast are plain gray with almost no traces of black or bay, while in summer the wpper parts are much mottled with these colors. During migra- tions this bird is found in large flocks on the mud flats, exposed by the falling tide. (Red-breasted Snipe, sum- mer; Gray Snipe, winter.) : Length, 11; wing, 5? (54-53); tarsus, 1}; culmen, 2-21. Eastern North America; breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering froin Dowitcher Florida to Brazil. +. Long-billed Dowitcher (232. Macrorhdmphus scolopdceus).— In winter this bird and the last are practically alike except in FAM. XX XIX. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 239 size, but in summer the long-billed has the breast and belly more uniformly rufous, and the sides more heavily barred with black. This is the dowitcher of the interior of the United States and is rare on the Atlantic coast, though it can be found there quite regularly in the late autumn. (Western Dowitcher; Red-bellied Snipe.) Length, 12; wing, 53-6; tarsus, 13; culmen, 21-31. Western North America; breeding in the Arctic regions, migrating south through the western United States (including the Mississippi Valley), and wintering in Mexico and possibly South America. 5. Stilt Sandpiper (233. Micropdlama himdntopus).— A rare, very long-legged, long-billed, very much mottled sand-piper, with the center of each of the feathers blackish Gn general) and the edges brown- ish-gray. The tail, throat, and line over the eye are much lighter. The colors are much grayer in winter, the under parts being white. It isslow moving as com- pared with other sand- pipers, and is more apt to squat than fly when disturbed. Stilt Sandpiper Length, 74-91; wing, 55; tail, 2}; tarsus, 13; culmen, 14-13. Eastern North America; breeding far north, and wintering from the West Indies to South America. 6. Knot (234. Tringa canttus).— A very large and, as usually seen in the United States, mottled, gray-backed, white-bellied, plover-like sandpiper, with more or less of a red, robin-like breast. The back and wings are more beautifully marked in 240 KEY AND DESCRIPTION the summer than in the winter with black, brown, and buff. The young has the breast finely spotted or streaked with black- ish, and the flanks barred or streaked with the same. The knot is found on muddy flats and sandy beaches, prob- ing the ground, like the true snipe, for its food, which con- sists of crustaceans and mollusks. The knots bunch very closely when decoyed, and so numbers can be killed by a single discharge. (Robin Snipe.) Length, 104; wing, 64; tail, 23; tarsus, 1}; culmen, 13. Nearly all coasts ; breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering from Florida to South America. r ‘. Purple Sandpiper (235. Tringa martitima).— A northern sandpiper, with grayish-purple to ashy head, breast, and back; white throat, and whitish, somewhat streaked belly. The ashy breast is one of the most constant of its peculiarities. The bill is + inch longer than the tarsus, and the tibia is feathered to the seit It has a fondness for rocky shores, where it se- cures its food from among the seaweeds attached to the stones. Length, 9; wing, 5 (44-53); tail, 2}; tarsus, 7; culmen, 14. North- ern hemisphere ; breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering southward to the Middle States and rarely to Florida. 8. Pectoral Sandpiper (239. Tringa maculdta).— A short- necked, mottled, dark-brown-backed, white-bellied, streaky buff- breasted sandpiper, with black upper tail coverts slightly tipped with buff. The back has much black nuxed with the brown and buff, the centers of the feathers being black. This is an inhabitant of grassy meadows rather than beaches, and FAM. XXXIX. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 241 the name krieker is derived from its notes. (Krieker; Grass Snipe.) Length, 9; wing, 54 (5-5%); tarsus, 14; culmen, 11. America; breed- ing in the Arctic re- gions, and wintering in south America. 9. White - rumped Sandpiper (240. Tringa fuscicdilis). — A short - billed, dark - brownish - col- ored, much mottled sandpiper, with white upper tail cov- erts, throat, and mid- ee dle of belly. The Pectoral Sandpiper above is the summer plumage; in winter, the upper parts are slightly streaked, brownish-gray. These birds are social, and frequent the sandy beaches and marshy shores of the coast, as well as the upland lakes of the interior. Length, 63-8 ; wing, 4]; tarsus, }; culmen, nearly 1. Eastern America ; breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering in the West Indies, Central and South America. 10. Baird’s Sandpiper (241. Tringa bairdii). — This bird is similar to the last, but has the upper tail coverts blackish in- stead of white. In winter it has a more buffy breast and lighter upper parts. Length, 74; wing, 43 (44-47) ; tail, 21; tarsus, $;culmen, {7 America; mainly in the interior of North and the western portion of South Amer- ica ; breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering in South America; rare on the Atlantic coast. APGAR’S BIRDS. — 16 —— White-rumped Sandpiper 242 KEY AND DESCRIPTION 11. Least Sandpiper (242. Tringa minutilla.) — A common, very small, mottled, brownish-backed sandpiper, with the under parts from bill to tail white, streaked with black on the breast. The toes without webbing distinguish this species from No. 14, with which it often associates along our shores and beaches. This species can be seen also on grassy meadows. (Meadow Oxeye; Peep.) Length, 6 ; wing, 3} (3}-33) ; tail, 13; tarsus, 3; culmen, ¢. America; breeding north of the United States, and wintering from the Gulf States to South America. 12. Red-backed Sandpiper (243°. Tringa alpina pacéfica).— A brownish-red-backed, black-bellied sandpiper, with a spotted buff breast and a long bill which is decurved near the tip. In winter it lacks the black patch on the belly and has usually an ash-gray back, a pale gray, somewhat streaked breast, and a white belly. This fearless little snipe is found mainly on beaches and mud flats, though it occasionally visits grassy meadows. (Black Breast, spring; Winter Snipe, autumn.) Length, 8; wing, 43 (43-5) ; tail, 21; tarsus, 1}; culmen, 13. North America and eastern Asia; breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering in the South Atlantic and Gulf States. The Dunlin (248. Tringa alpina) of the Old World has been seen on Long Island. It is smaller and less brightly colored. Wing, 4}-4}. 13. Curlew Sandpiper (244. Tringa ferruginea).— A very rare, European, rather long-billed, brick-red-colored sandpiper, with black primaries and spotted white tail coverts. In win- ter it is much grayer. The bill is decurved, curlew-like, from end to end. Length, 7-9; wing, 44 (43-51) ; tarsus, 11; culmen, 1}. Old World in general ; occasional in eastern North America and Alaska. 14. Semipalmated Sandpiper (216. Ereunetes pusillus).— A common, very small, short-billed, mottled, brownish-backed sandpiper, with the under parts from chin to tail white, streaked or spotted with black on the breast. The toes have plain webbing at the base. In winter, this bird is more ashy. This species, in habits, form, size, and color, appears like FAM. XXXIX. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 248 No. 11, with which it often associates, but the former is more common on sandy beaches, the latter on grassy plains. Large numbers congregate together in flocks, and when disturbed fly in a compact mass. (Sand Oxeye; Peep.) Length, 64; wing, 32 (54-4); tail, 2; tarsus, %; culmen, }. Eastern North America; breed- ing north of the United States, and wintering from the Gulf States to Brazil. 15. Western Sandpiper (247. EHreunetes occidentalis). — This bird is much like No. 14 in every way. In summer it can be distinguished from it by the brownish-red edgings to the feathers of the back, and usually also by the heavier spots on the breast; in fall and winter the best method is by compari- son of the length of the bill. No. 14 rarely has a bill { long, while this species has one varying from 7-11. Its range is mainly through the west, though occasionally it is to be found with the eastern spe- cies (No. 14) on the Atlantic coast. Length, 64; wing, 34 (83-87) ; tail, 2; tarsus, $; culmen, 1. Western North America; breed- ing far north, and win- tering in Central and South America. Occa- sional in the eastern United States. ees 16. Sanderling (248. Sanderling Cdlidris arenaria). — 244 KEY AND DESCRIPTION A common, three-toed, beach-living, mottled-brownish sand- piper, with short bill and unspotted white belly. In winter the reddish of the back is replaced by grayish. This bird often associates with No. 14 on the beaches, but it is larger, lighter in color, and usually less spotted on the breast, which in summer is brownish in tint. (Ruddy “Plover”; Surf Snipe.) Length, 8; wing, 43 (43-5); tail, 21; tarsus, 1; culmen, 1. Nearly all beaches of all countries ; breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering in America south to southern South America. 17. Marbled Godwit (249. Limdsa fédoa).— A very large, shy, long-billed, long-legged, generally brownish-red-colored, mottled snipe, with the upper parts much darker, usually blackish marbled with buffy. The inner web of the outer primaries and both webs of the others are buffy, speckled with black. The mottlings, barrings, and streaks are found everywhere except on the throat, which is whitish. The bill is curved up- ward to a slight extent. The young has the lower parts less barred. This is a western bird rarely found on the Atlantic coast. (Brown Marlin.) Length, 16-22; wing, 83 (84-9}); tail, 3-4; tarsus, 3; culmen, 33-5}. North America; breeding in the interior from Iowa and Nebraska north- ward, and wintering in Mexico, Central America, and Cuba. 18. Hudsonian Godwit (251. Limdsa hemdstica).— A bird similar to the last, but smaller, and with the upper tail coverts white, and the tail black, with a narrow tip of white. It is rare on the Atlantic coast, migrating chiefly through the in- terior. (Ring-tailed Marlin.) Length, 14-17; wing, 8} (73-83); tail, 3}; tarsus, 2}; culmen, 23-8}. Eastern North America ; breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering in South America. 19. Greater Yellow-legs (254. Tétanus melanolevcus). nee rather common, large, long, yellow-legged, long-billed, mottled, brownish-gray-backed, white-rumped snipe, with the white un- der parts, spotted on the breast and sides. In winter the back FAM. XXXIX. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 245 is grayer, and the under parts are less spotted. (Greater Tell- tale; Long-legged Tattler.) Length, 12-15; wing, 8 (74-84); tail, 3}; tarsus, 23; culmen, 2-21. America; breeding from Iowa northward, and wintering from the Gulf States to Patagonia. 20. Yellow-legs (255. Tétanus fild- vipes).— A bird similar in habits and appearance to the last, but appreciably smaller, though the legs are proportion- ately longer. Both of these species occur wherever there is water, and during migrations are abundant, though more com- mon on coasts than along rivers. This is usually more abundant than No. 19, and more easily decoyed by the hunter; it is espe- cially plentiful in the late summer and autumn during its south- ward migration. The notes of both this species and the last are a clear, whistling, wheu-wheu-wheu. (Summer Yellow-legs; Lesser Telltale.) Length, 10-12; wing, 64 (6-7); tail, 2}; tar- _ sus, 2; culmen, 14-13. America ; breeding north of the United States, and wintering from the Gulf States to Patagonia. In the United States more common east than west. Greater Yellow-legs 21. Solitary Sand- piper (256. Tédtanus Bobtery Beadpiper solitarius). — A com- mon, small, dark, olive-brown-backed, white-bellied sandpiper, with the neck and back spotted with white. The throat 246 KEY AND DESCRIPTION and belly are pure white, and the sides of head, neck, and breast white or slightly buffy, streaked with black. In winter the back is less distinctly speckled. This is an inhabitant of the woody borders of ponds, lakes, and streams of inland places, and is rarely found near salt water. As its name indicates, it is generally solitary in its habits, though some- times a few (3-6) are to be found together. (Solitary Tattler.) Length, 8}; wing, 51 (43-53) ; tail, 21; tarsus, 1}; culmen, 1}. North America; breeding along the northern border of the United States and northward, and wintering in the Southern States and southward to cen- tral South America, 22. Willet (258. Symphemia semipalmata). — A large, shy, brownish-gray-backed, white-bellied snipe, with a distinct, large white patch on the wings, and white upper tail coverts. In sum- mer the head, neck, and sides are much streaked with white, and the ashy tail is barred with blackish. It is found on both fresh and salt water marshes and shores. The name comes from the shrill-whistled call notes, pilly - will- willet. Length, 16; wing, 8 (74- 9); tail,3; tarsus, 2-3; cul- men, 2-23. Eastern North America; breeding from Florida to New Jersey and locally to Maine, and wintering in the West Indies to South America. The Western Willet (258°. 8. s. inornata) of western North America can hardly be distinguished from the eastern form. It averages larger and with a longer bill, and is in general a grayer bird. It breeds from Texas to Manitoba; mainly found in the Mississippi Valley and westward, but occasionally along the coasts of the South Atlantic and Gulf States. FAM. XXXIX. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 247 23. Ruff (260. Pavoncélla pignax).—This Old World spe- cies has occasionally been found in eastern United States. The female is a large, grayish, brown-backed, shore bird, with an ashy breast and white belly. The back in summer is dis- tinctly barred or streaked with black. The male in summer has a very peculiar and large ruff around the neck and on the breast, which may be of many colors—chestnut, black, black and white, white and brown, etc. Length, 9!-18; wing, 53-8; tail, 21-3; tarsus, 11-2; culmen, 1-1}. The smaller numbers refer to the female. It has been found in different states from Maine to New Jersey and west to Ohio. 24. Bartramian Sandpiper (261. Bartrdmia longicatda).— large, shy, comparatively long-tailed, ee: and-upland- ees beautifully mottled, or buff and dark brown, plover-like sandpiper. The throat, neck, and under parts are creamy-buff, the sides of head and neck bright- er and streaked with dark brown, and the breast with some arrow-headed spots of the same. The tail extends beyond the wings when closed, and the outer primaries are barred with black and white Its notes have been described ~~ as most weird and mournful. , It is seldom found near the Bartramian Sandpiper water and, if near it, probably never wades. In habits, it is much more of a plover than a sandpiper, and has received many names to indicate this fact. (Upland “Plover”; Field “Plover”; Grass “ Plover.) Length, 11-13; wing, 6} (63-7); tail, 38}; tarsus, 2; culmen, 1}. North America, mainly east of the Rocky Mountains, north to Nova Scotia and Alaska; breeding throughout, and wintering south of the United States to Brazil. 248 KEY AND DESCRIPTION 25. Buff-breasted Sandpiper (262. Tryngites subrujicdllis). — A small, short-billed, buff-colored, field-and-grassy-plain-living, plover-like — sand- piper, with the back and wings a mottled brownish-buff, dark- est on the wings. A peculiar black speckling on the in- ner webs of all the primaries is the dis- tinguishing mark of this small species. It is rare east, com- mon west. Length, 7-9 ; wing, 5} (5-5}) ; tail, 2}; tarsus, 11; culmen, 3. North America, especially in the interior; breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering in South America. Buff-breasted Sandpiper 26. Spotted Sandpiper (263. Actitis maculdria).— A common, small, brownish-gray-backed sandpiper, with the white under parts everywhere spotted with black. ‘This is an inhabitant of the margins of all rivers, ponds, and lakes, as well as of the ocean. In summer, it is about our only fresh-water sand- piper. It is a rapid runner and a good “teeterer.” Its sharp notes peet-weet are given when flushed. It usually returns to its starting point, at Spotted Sandpiper least after several flushings. (‘Lilt-up ; Teeter Snipe; Peet-weet.) Length, 7-8 ; wing, 4} (4-43) ; tarsus, 1; culmen, 1. America, from Alaska to southern Brazil ; breeding throughout temperate North America, and wintering in the West Indies to South America. FAM, XXXLXY. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 249 27. Long-billed Curlew (264. Numenius longiréstris).— A very large, long-legged, much-mottled, dark-brown-backed, shore bird, with buffy under parts, and a sickle-like, downwardly curved, exceedingly long bill. The head and neck are peculiarly streaky. These birds, though mainly found along muddy shores and on grassy meadows, are known to live and breed in upland regions at a distance from water. (Sickle-bill.) Length, 20-26; wing, 10} (10-114); tail, 4; tarsus, 3; culmen, 2} (young), 53-81 (adult). United States; breeding north to the South Atlantic States (casually to New England), and in the interivr to Mani- toba, and wintering from the Gulf States to the West Indies. 28. Hudsonian Curlew (265. Numenius hudsdénicus). — A large, common, much-mottled, generally brownish, shore bird, with whitish belly, and a long, sickle- like, downwardly curved, slender bill. This is a smaller, but more common bird than the last, and has similar habits and fre quents like places. (Jack Curlew.) Length, 16-18; Hudsonian Curlew wing, 93 (9-103) ; tail, 34; tarsus, 21; culmen, 38-4. America; breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering mainly south of the United States. 29. Eskimo Curlew (266. Numenius boredlis).— A large, slender-billed, long-legged, much-mottled, brownish curlew, with a decidedly curved bill like the last two species. The under parts are buffy, with a darker and very streaky breast. This, the smallest of the curlews, is more abundant in the interior, and frequents dry uplands and fields in preference to muddy shores. It often appears in great flocks on the western prairies. (Small Curlew; Dough-bird; Fute.) 250 KEY AND DESCRIPTION Length, 12-15; wing, 81-83; tail, 3; tarsus, 13; culmen, 2}-23. Eastern North America; breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering in South America. FAMILY XL. AVOCETS AND STILTS (RECURVIROSTRID#) This is a small family (11 species) of extremely long-legged, long-necked, slender-billed, wading birds. ‘Their bills are long as well as slender, and have more or less of an upward bend. The Avocets swim with great ease, and are tame birds, gener- ally found in flocks. Their food consists of water-insects, and crustaceans, which they obtain mainly iu shallow water, swing- ing the bill from side to side ike a man mowing. ‘The Stilts are much like avocets, but have even longer legs, and are not so well fitted for swimming; so, though their food consists of the same kind of insects and crustaceans, they obtain nearly all of it by wading. Key to the Species * Bill over 3 long, and decidedly curved upward; the three front toes WEDDED a ccnec arene wismina as & hema rauaindee andgengts 1. American Avocet. * Bill less than 3 long and but slightly curved upward ; only two of the toes connected by webbing .................. 2. Black-necked Stilt. 1. American Avo- cet (225. Reeurvird- stra americana). — A very long-legged, slender - billed, al- most white-bodied, wading bird, with dark wings, having large, white bands formed of the coverts and secondaries. The long bill is decidedly curved upward. In summer the head and American Avocet neck are cinnamon- FAM. XL. AVOCETS AND STILTS 251 red. Common in the interior along the shores of shallow ponds, rare eastward. (Blue Stocking.) Length, 16-20; wing, 84 (73-93) ; tail, 31; tarsus, 32; culmen, 3h North America; breeding from Illinois (rarely from Texas) north to the Great Slave Lake and wintering along the Gulf coast to Central America. 2. Black-necked Stilt (226. Himdntopus mexicdinus).— An ex- ceedingly long-legged, long-billed, black and white wading bird of the shallow ponds. The black begins back of the forehead and extends along the neck and back to the tail; the wings are also black. The white in- cludes the fore- head, all lower parts, and most of the tail. The black is glossy and somewhat greenish. This graceful bird is especially fond of wading in shallow, salt- marsh ponds. During the breed- ing season it is very noisy, with a sharp click-like note, which is often given out while on the wing. Its long wings enable this bird to fly well, and it has the habit common in the whole order (Limicole) of exhibiting alternately the upper and lower side of the body. With this bird, which is so black above and white below, this change of position adds much to the beauty of its movement. (Lawyer; Long-shanks.) Length, 133-15); wing, 9 (83-93); tail, 38; tarsus, 44; culmen, 23. United States; breeding from Texas, irregularly, in the interior to the northern border; rare on the Atlantic coast north of Florida. South in winter to Brazil. Black-necked Stilt 252 KEY AND DESCRIPTION FAMILY XLI. PHALAROPES (PHALAROPODID#) This is a small family (3 species) of small, brightly colored, long, slender-billed, long-legged, swimming and wading birds, which, on shore, appear like sandpipers. They have lobed toes! like the grebes and coots. In this group the sexual characteristics are almost completely reversed. " The female is the larger and the brighter colored and does the courting of her mate. When the eggs are laid her duties are about over; the male performs most, if not all, of the duties of incubation. Soon after the young are hatched they are able to swim and find their own food. Key to the Species * Bill over Lh long... ciscacasewsvaeseaees vee 3. Wilson’s Phalarope. * Bill under 1{ long. (A.) _ = A. Bill stout and with a flattened tip ;2 wing over 43 long == sugaeria nnd buveleneas gosrens Se aees 1. Red Phalarope. A. Bill very slender and not flattened ; wing under 43 long 2 BOG fone weet Raber Cuslases de Siicean seeds aaaneaelausute, dear teae 2. Northern Phalarope. JL 1. Red Phalarope (222. Crymdphilus fulicdrius).—In sum- mer a red-bodied, gray-winged, black-backed, small, ocean- swimming bird with much black and white on the head. In winter a grayish- backed, white-bellied bird with washings of red on_ head, wings, rump, and tail. This is mainly an inhabitant of the Red Phalarope ocean at some dis- tance from land, and rarely comes to shore except after storms. In the autumn it is occasionally seen on the western lakes and rivers. It keeps in flocks, swimming like a duck or walking on floating seaweed FAM. XLIL PHALAROPES 2538 as though it were land. The toes have broad, rounded lobes. (Gray Phalarope.) Length, 73-84; wing, 54 (5-53) ; tail, 2}; tarsus, ;; culmen, 7. North- ern parts of the northern hemisphere ; breeding far north, and wintering irregularly south to the Middle States, Ohio Valley, and Cape St. Lucas. 2. Northern Phalarope (223. Phaldropus lobatus).—In sum- mer a common, small, ocean-swimming, slender-billed, brightly marked and colored bird, with much of red, black, white, and gray in its plum- age. In winter the upper parts are gray- ish and white. This bird is often seen in great numbers on the ocean, scores of miles from _ shore, but is rarely seen on land except in its breeding region of the far north. Like the last species, its toes are furnished with broad, rounded lobes. (Red-necked Phalarope.) Length, 7-8; wing, 44 (4-43) ; tail, 2; tarsus, {; culmen, {. Northern hemisphere ; breeding in the far north, and wintering south to the tropics. 3. Wilson’s Phalarope (224. Stegdnopus tricolor). — This in- land phalarope has its back ashy colored, with two stripes ex- tending from the bill past the eyes along the sides of the back to the rump, black in front, changing to chestnut near the tail. Wilson's Phalarope Its lower parts are Northern Phalarope 254 KEY AND DESCRIPTION white, with a chestnut tint on the sides of the neck. The male is much duller. The small size, lobate toes, slender bill, and swimming habits will readily distinguish this bird from any other in the inland regions. Length, 8-10; wing, 5 (43-54); tail, 21; tarsus, 1}; culmen, 1}. Temperate America, mainly inland; breeding from Illinois and Utah, north into the British Provinces, and wintering south to Patagonia. ORDER X. RAILS, CRANES, ETC. (PALUDICOLA) An order of wading birds, differing widely in external pecul- larities, but associated together because of structural charac- teristics. FAMILY XLII. RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS (RALLID&) This large family (180 species) of mainly marsh-living birds is readily divided into three groups, both by habits and ex- ternal peculiarities. (1) The Rails form the largest and most characteristic of these subfamilies. They have short bills, narrow, compressed bodies, long toes, and short, upwardly turned tails. They inhabit marshes closely covered with reeds and rushes, and their peculiarly narrow bodies fit them to pass without trouble anywhere they wish between the plants, and their long toes enable them to walk with ease and safety over the softest mud, or even over floating weeds. (2) The Gallinules are brightly marked, chicken-like birds of marshes and reed- grown borders of ponds and lakes. They swim well and appear in their swimming like coots, which they also resemble in having a horny shield or plate on the forehead;! but they are like the rails in having long toes without lobes along their edges. (3) The Coots are swimming birds the size of small ducks, with the legs much longer, and the toes lobed 2 instead FAM. XLII. RAILS, GALLINULES, ETC. 255 of webbed. There is a horny plate on the forehead.! They inhabit creeks and rivers which are surrounded with just such marshes and reed-grown shores as are the dwelling places of rails. The coots are nearly exclusively swimming birds, almost as much so as ducks. The rails swim but little, and the gallinules are intermediate. Key to the Species * Forehead with a shield-like, horny extension of the bill ;! under tail coverts white ; wing over 6} long. (E.) * No horny extension of the bill on the forehead. (A.) A. Bill slender, decurved,’ 2 or more long. (D.) A. Bill slender, decurved,? 11-13 long.............. 4. Virginia Rail. A. Bill stout, not decurved, 1 or less long. (B.) B. Wing over 5 long; Old World species, rare in America........... 5 ee eR ee re ror ery 8. Corn Crake. B. Wing under 5 long. (C.) C. Feathers of the back black with broad, buffy borders ........ ... Hae ow Ree eee G 24 LRN Me OmaMET Ss eed de ae 6. Yellow Rail. C. Back olive-brown; wing over 4 long............ 2. 65. 5. Sora. C. Back blackish with round, white spots; wing, 24-34......... ... EASES hist Shas Yak SAW. OMOEA Raa Rha ees 7. Black Rail. D. Upper parts rich olive-brown, streaked with black; flanks black barred with white; wings generally over 6 long and with rufous COVELISsscencdagaa ey ee eeees RN Sad DEE Mate Bee 1. King Rail. D. Upper parts grayish streaked with black; flanks not black, though barred with whitish ...................0.. 2 and 3 Clapper Rails. E. Most of the head and all under parts purplish-blue (mottled with white in the young) ; back olive-green (washed with brownish in the VOUNS) ssscsio5.n 29 94 D4 asta yeiaion ae 9. Purple Gallinule. E. Generally slate-colored above, with conspicuous white streaks on the flanks ; toes without lobes along their edges ......... 1.2.04. dcsalidhansathiant Cpe tree N'a Rea Aa giaKs- 8 asitbaMmendere dase 10. Florida Gallinule. E. Slate-colored, with white tips to the secondary quills; toes with broad, membranous lobes2......... 0. cece eee ce tee ees 11. Coot. 1. King Rail (208. Rdillus élegans).— A large, brightly col- ored, long-billed, cinnamon-red-breasted, olive-brown- to black- backed, distinctly blotched, fresh-water, marsh rail with sides more or less barred with black and white. The wing coverts are brownish-red. The downy young are glossy black. This, like most of the rails, rarely flies when it is possible for it to 256 KEY AND DESCRIPTION run and hide in its sedgy home, and so, though it is brightly marked, it is rarely seen. Length, 16-19; wing, 63 (6-7); tarsus, 2}; culmen, 2%. Eastern United States, in fresh-water marshes; breeding north to Missouri and Connecticut and wintering from Virginia southward. Occasionally north to Wisconsin, Ontario, and Maine. 2. Clapper Rail (211. Rdllus crépitans).— A large, pale-col- ored, olive-gray, salt-marsh rail with yellowish-brown breast, whitish throat, and more or less white-barred belly and sides. Downy young are glossy black. This salt-marsh inhabitant takes the place of the last species of the fresh marshes. In the south it is also found in the mangrove swamps. (Mud Hen.) Length, 14-16; wing, 5% (53-64) ; tail, 2}; tarsus, 2; culmen, 2-2}. Salt-water marshes of the Eastern and Southern States ; breeding from Connecticut southward and wintering in small numbers over about the same range. Casual north to Massachusetts. The Louisiana Clapper Rail (211%. R.c. saturdtus) of Louisiana is a darker-colored bird having the back broadly striped with brownish-black and the breast more cinna- mon-colored. 3. Florida Clapper Rail (211-1. Rdllus scditi’). — This species differs from No. 2 in having the feathers of the back almost black with olive-gray margins, the neck and breast dark cinna- mon-red, and the belly and flanks black. These colors give it much the appearance of the king rail, but it lacks the rufous wing coverts of that bird. Length, 14; wing, 53; tarsus, 17; culmen, 23. Western coast of Florida. 4. Virginia Rail (212. Rdllus virginitnus).— A small, common, brightly colored, short-tailed, long-billed, cinnamon-breasted, brown-backed, distinetly marked rail of both fresh and salt marshes. The sides are somewhat barred with black and white, the wing coverts brownish-red, belly like the breast, and the throat white. The back proper has very dark centers to the feathers. The common morning and evening note of this bird is a grunting sound much like that of a hungry pig. FAM. XLIL RAILS, GALLINULES, ETC. 257 Like all the rails, it is a difficult bird to observe because of its ability as a skulker. Length, 8-104; wing, 4} (4-42) ; tail, 14; tar- sus, 13; culmen, 13. North America ; breed- ing from Illinois and Pennsylvania, north to Manitoba and Labra- dor, and wintering from about the same states southward to Central America. 5. Sora (214. Por- zdna carolina). — A common, short tailed, short-billed, long-legged, _ olive- brown, marsh bird or rail, with many white lines and dashes on the back and wings. The under parts are slaty-gray, changing to white near the tail, the flanks being barred with black and white. The feathers of the back have darker centers and lighter edges. The adult has black about the base of the bill, on the crown, and down the middle of the neck; the young lacks these Sora black marks and APGAR’S BIRDS. — 17 Virginia Rail 258 KEY AND DESCRIPTION has the breast washed with cinnamon. Fresh-water marshes inhabited by these birds in summer are vocal during the late afternoon and early night with whistled ker-wees and loud rolling whinnies. Were it not for these cries, many places in- habited by these birds might remain unexplored. (Carolina Rail; Common Crake.) Length, 8}; wing, 4} (4-44) ; tail, 2; tarsus, 1}; culmen, }. North America ; breeding from Illinois and New York north to Hudson Bay, and wintering from South Carolina to northern South America. 6. Yellow Rail (215. Porzdna noveboracensis). — A rare, very shy, small, short-billed, much mottled, brownish-yellow rail with the under parts much lighter and less blotched than the back. The feathers of the back have almost black centers, ochraceous buff borders, and more or less of white bars. The sides are barred with dark and white, and the middle of the belly is almost pure white. Its notes have been compared to those of the frogs. (Yellow Crake.) Length, 7; wing, 33 (3-33); tail, 14; tarsus, 1; culmen, 4. North America; breeding from the Middle States, north to Nova Scotia and Hudson Bay, and wintering south to Cuba. Not so rare east as west of the Rocky Mountains. 7. Black Rail (216. Porzdna jamaicénsis).— A rare, very small, short-billed, very dark-colored, somewhat speckled rail. Its general color is brownish-black, and the markings are mainly white. There is some reddish-brown on the back neck and slate-color on the head and breast. (Little Black Crake.) Length, 53; wing, 2} (24-3}) ; tail, 13; tarsus, 4; culmen, 3. United States ; breeding north to Massachusetts, Ilinois, and Oregon, and winter- ing south to western South America. 8. Corn Crake (217. Crew crex).— A large, Old World short- billed, brownish-buff rail with much of brownish-red on the wings. The feathers of the back have almost black centers, the sides are barred with white, and the middle of the belly is wholly white. This bird is of only casual occurrence in eastern North America. Length, 103; wing, 5}; tail, 2; tarsus, 13; culmen, %. Very rare. FAM. XLII. RAILS, GALLINULES, ETC. 259 9. Purple Gallinule (218. Jondrnis martinica).— A short-tailed, long-legged, brilliantly purplish-blue, chicken-like, marsh bird with very long toes, enabling it to walk on the floating leaves. The back itself is a shining olive-green, the under tail coverts white, bill with much red, and the legs yellow. The young has much brownish on the back, white mottlings below and bill without red. Length, 18 ; wing, 74 (63-74) ; tail, 23; tarsus, 28; culmen, 13. South Atlantic and Gulf States; breeding as far north as southern Illinois and South Carolina, straying rarely to Maine and Wisconsin, and wintering from Florida to Brazil. 10. Florida Gallinule (219. Gallinula galedta). — A common, southern, dark slate-colored, chicken-like, marsh bird with long toes like the last spe- cies. The front half | of the bird is nearly black and the rest brownish, except the white under tail cov- erts, edge of wing, and streaks on the flanks. The bill is red and the legs are yellow in life. (Com- mon Gallinule; Red- |. #4 2 i billed Mud-hen.) Florida Gallinule Length, 133; wing, 7 (64-74) ; tail, 2}; tarsus, 2}; culmen, 13. Tem- perate and tropical America; breeding north to Canada and wintering from the Gulf States to Brazil. 11. American Coot (221. Fidica americdina).—A common, large, noisy, short-tailed, short-billed, long-legged, dark slate- colored, swimming bird, with white under tail coverts, white bill, and blackish head and neck. The long toes have broad, scalloped lobes along their edges. When swimming, this bird bobs its head in a peculiar manner; when disturbed, it partly flies and partly swims just over the surface of the 260 KEY AND DESCRIPTION water, giving out a characteristic pattering noise. (Mud Hen; Crow “Duck”; Blue Peter.) American Coot Length, 15; wing, 74 (7-73); tail, 2; tarsus, 2}; culmen, 13. North America, north to New Brunswick and Alaska ; breeding locally through- out, and wintering from the Middle States to Central America. FAMILY XLII. COURLANS (ARAMIDA) A small family (2 species) of large, rail-like birds, with habits like those of the herons. We have only the fol- , lowing: 1. Limpkin (207. Aramus gigdnteus). —A very large, southern (Florida and Texas), long- billed, chocolate- brown, rail - like bird, with most of the plumage FAM. XLIV. CRANES 261 sharply streaked with white. It is usually to be found along the borders of wooded streams and in the swamps, though occa- sionally it visits the uplands, and, like the heron, perches in trees. It receives the name “ Crying-bird,” from the character of its wailing call notes. (Courlan; Crying-bird.) Length, 26; wing, 12 (11-134) ; tail, 6}; tarsus, 34-5; culmen, 31-5. Florida and southern Texas, south to West Indies and Central America. FAMILY XLIV. CRANES (GRUID®) A family (18 species) of very large, very long-necked, long- legged, heron-like birds, which is placed in this order (Paludi- cole) with the rails, because of certain structural similarities, not because of size or general appearance. As in the herons, the head is more or less naked, but the plumage is compact, while that of the herons is peculiarly loose. They are inhabit- ants of marshes and meadows, and live upon both animal and vegetable food, such as frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, Indian corn, etc. Their voice is peculiarly harsh and resonant, and when a number are together the sounds have been likened to those of a pack of hounds in full cry; they can be heard for the distance of a mile, or even two. In flight the neck is extended as in the case of the ibises or storks. Key to the Species * Tarsus, 10%-13 long; general plumage white in the adult............. Sain PM on a eielersatuing Baia eaalwhae tees HERA AS ge eHees 1. Whooping Crane. * Tarsus, 9-102 long; bill, 43-6 long........ .......8. Sandhill Crane. * Tarsus, 6-9 long; bill, 24-44 long ............ 2. Little Brown Crane. 1. Whooping Crane (204. Grus americdna).—A very large, white crane, with dull-red head and black wing quills. The red portion, which consists of the top and side of the head and a little along the side of the throat, is free from feathers but is covered by a growth of black hairs. The young is similar, but the head is fully feathered, and the plumage is more or KEY AND DESCRIPTION less covered by rusty patches, espe- cially on the back. (White Crane.) Length, 50; wing, 24 (22-26); tail, 9; tarsus, 114; culmen, 5} (5-G). Interior of North America; breeding from Illinois north to the Arctic regions, and wintering in the Gulf States. 2. Little Brown Crane (205. Grus canadensis). — Almost exactly like the next, but smaller, the general color being slaty or brownish gray. Length, 35; wing, 181 (17-20) ; tail, 7; tarsus, 74; culmen, 34 (3-41). Western North America; breeding in the northern portions and migrating southward, mainly west of the Mississippi into the western United States and Mexico. 8. Sandhill Crane (206. Grus meai- cana). —A very large, slaty to brownish-gray crane, with the whole top of the head bare of feathers, but covered with black hairs on a dull reddish skin. The plumage is more or less washed with rusty. The young has the head entirely feathered, and the plumage brown, extensively washed with rusty. During the early spring these birds jump about in the most ludicrous manner, as though danc- ing an Indian war dance, and they stop only when exhausted. (Brown Crane.) Length, 44; wing, 212 (21-224); tail, 9; tarsus, 104; culmen, 5} (5-6). South- ern half of North America, rare on the Atlantic coast except in Georgia and breeding locally throughout, even north to Manitoba. Florida ; Sandhill Crane FAM. XLV. HERONS, EGRETS, ETC. 263 ORDER XI. HERONS, STORKS, IBISES, ETC. (HERODIONES) An order of large, long-necked, long-legged, long-billed, short- tailed birds, with portions of the heads and sometimes of the necks bare of feathers, but covered more or less with hairs. FAMILY XLV. HERONS, EGRETS, BITTERNS, ETC. (ARDEID#) A large family (75 species) of large, long-billed, long-necked, long-legged birds, with the head fully feathered, except a space between the eyes and bill (lores). This is the one family of the order (Herodiones) well represented in all portions of our region. ‘These birds are abundant along the shores of rivers, lakes, salt-water marshes, and bays. In flying, the head is brought back close to the breast by the folding of the neck. Nearly all other birds belonging to this order fly with the neck stretched forward to its full length, and the legs extended back- ward. The name “squawk” is applied popularly to a number of the species of herons, because of the peculiar ery which is characteristic of the family. Bitterns differ from the true herons in being more solitary in their habits, occupying more exclusively grassy meadows and marshes, and in their vocal performances, which have been appropriately called “booming” and “stake driving.” Key to the Species ® Outer toe shorter than the inner one; hind nail fully half as long as the toe. — Wing, 10-18 long.......... eee e eee eee eee 1. American Bittern. — Wing, 4-6 long ..... eee e cece renee eee 2, and 38. Least Bitterns. * Outer toe as long or longer than the inner one; hind nail less than half as long as the toe. (A.) A. Bill slender, fully four times as long as it is — high at base. (C.) == zi A. Bill stouter, about three times as long as it is high at base.2 (B.) B. Bill less than a half inch shorter than the tarsus; top and bottom of the bill but slightly convex ....,,.,18. Black-crowned Night Heron. 1 2 264 KEY AND DESCRIPTION B. Bill over a half inch shorter than the tarsus; top and bottom of bill decidedly convex.) .............. 14. Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Wing, 17-22 long; plumage pure white .........-.-+- ——— eer er ere ty re ree 4. Great White Heron. Wing, 17-21 long ; upper part grayish or slaty-blue. . .=— boat elg Guach yacht 5. Ward’s Heron or 6. Great Blue Heron. 1 Wing, 14-17 long; plumage pure white....... 7. American Egret. Wing, 11-14 long; plumage Naini white or slate colored......... eC ee ee eee Ta 9. Reddish Egret. Wing under 11 long. (D.) D. Wing, 6 8 long ; back with much green or greenish ............... ee ee Te ee eT er re or 12. Green Heron. D. Wing, 8-lllong. (E.) E. Plumage pure white...... 8. Snowy Heron (and young of No. 11). E. Wing coverts more or less margined with rusty .................. ada tieanapgsumuachevs nt hER eae en te Eh eet has tae 10. Louisiana Heron. a 46 8 6 1. Aoeeioai Bittern (190. Botatrus lentigindsus).— A very common, large, solitary, retiring, grassy-marsh-living, stout- billed, buffy and brown, mottled, heron-like bird, with many elongated, loose feathers on the crown and lower neck. There is a velvety black streak on the side of the neck. This bird makes a note which sounds like driving a stake with a mallet, or at other times like the work- ing of an old wooden pump. This “booming” can be heard a long distance, and during its progress the bird exhibits most amazing contortions of its body. It is noted for its ability to stand in one position for an indefinite period, though the other mem- bers of the family are also good at “tableaux vivants.” (Stake-driver; Marsh Hen; Bog-bull. ) Length, 24-34; wing, 10} (93-123); tail, 4; tarsus, 33; culmen, 3. Temperate North "America; breeding: mainly north of the Carolinas, and wintering from Virginia southward to Central America, American Bittern FAM. XLV. HERONS, EGRETS, ETC. 265 2. Least Bittern (191. ......... dag a tse Wine Magara or Win WE SE OK OG ean Seemoaigrgs 7. Stormy Petrel. 1. Fulmar (86. Fiilmarus glacidlis). Light phase.— A large white bird with slaty-gray mantle and nearly black wing quills; the tail the color of the back. Dark phase.—A nearly uniform dark, slaty-gray bird. This bird is a con- stant attendant upon fishermen on their trips to the fishing banks, living upon the offal which is a¢ 3 316 KEY AND DESCRIPTION thrown overboard and which they secure while swimming. The statements made in the general description about the position of the wings while scudding will enable one to distin- guish the fulmars from the gulls. (Noddy.) Length, 19; wing, 13 (12-14); tail, 42; tarsus, 2; culmen, 1}. North Atlantic, south in winter to Massachusetts, casually to New Jersey. The Lesser Fulmar (86% F.g. minor) is a similar bird, but much smaller. Wing, 12; culmen, 13. The same distribution. 2. Cory’s Shearwater (88. Priffinus boredlis). — A rare shear- water, with the wings and tail nearly black, the back some- what ashy, and the under parts white, with a slight grayish tint on the breast. The under tail coverts are white, mottled with grayish, and the sides of head and neck are somewhat lighter than the back; bill yellowish. Length, 21; wing, 14 (133-144); tail, 6}; tarsus, 2}; culmen, 2}, Known only by specimens from off the coasts of Massachusetts south to Long Island. 3. Greater Shearwater (89. Prifinus gravis). — A sooty-black or almost black-backed shearwater, with the under parts almost white; shading from = | white on the breast | Samm to ashy-gray on the under tail coverts; bill blackish. (Hag- don.) Length, 20; wing, 12} rts (114-13); tail, 53; tar- Greater Shearwater sus, 25; culmen, 1}. At- lantic Ocean from Cape Horn to Cape of Good Hope, north to the Arctic Circle. 4. Audubon’s Shearwater (92. Pifinus audubdni).— A small shearwater, with all the upper parts from forehead to tail a sooty-black, and the under parts white. There is a patch of sooty on the flanks and under tail feathers, and some grayish on the sides of the breast. This bird is abundant and breeds in the West Indies. FAM. LVII. FULMARS, SHEARWATERS, ETC. 317 Length, 114; wing, 8 (71-83); tail, 5}; tarsus, 13; culmen, 1}. Warmer parts of the Atlantic, north casually to Long Island. The Manx Shearwater (90. Pifinus piuffinus) is much like the last, but larger. Length, 14; wing, 84-91; tail, 4 ; tarsus, 13; culmen, 13. A European species, accidental on the North American coast. 5. Sooty Shearwater (94. Pifinus strick- landi). — A sooty-black shearwater with the under parts somewhat grayer and the bill blackish. (Black Hag- don.) 7 Length, 17; wing, 112 Sooty Shearwater (114-12); tail, 4; tarsus, 21; culmen, 13. Atlantic Ocean; breeding south of the equator, and migrating north in summer to South Carolina and northward. 6. Black-capped Petrel (98. -¥strélata hasitdata).— A rare, southern, blackish-brown-backed petrel, with all lower parts and base of tail white. ‘The otherwise white head is dis- tinctly capped with black and marked with a bar of black back of the eye. The tip of tail and the primaries are darker than the back. The young has the black of the head more or less connected and con- tinuous down the back neck. Length, 15; wing, 111; tail, 5; tarsus, 13; culmen, 13. Warmer portions of the Atlantic Ocean, straying to different sections from Florida to Ontario. Black-capped Petrel 7. Stormy Petrel (104. Procelliria peldgica).— A very small, square-tailed, sooty-black petrel, with white upper tail coverts, 318 KEY AND DESCRIPTION having the longer feathers black tipped. The under tail coverts are mixed with whitish, and the bill and feet are black. The common stormy petrel of the Atlantic near Europe. Length, 53; wing, 43 (41-5); tail, 24; tarsus, 3; culmen, 3. Atlantic Ocean, south over the American side to the Newfoundland Banks. 8. Leach’s Petrel (106. Oceanddroma leucdrhoa). — A fork-tailed, sooty- brown petrel, with white up- per tail coverts and black bill and feet. The forking of the tail is over 4 inch. an 8; wing, 64 (6-64); tail, 34; > tarsus, $; culmen, 3. Stormy Petrel Northern oceans, south in America to California and Virginia ; breeding from Maine northward. 9. Wilson’s Petrel (109. Oceanites Renee —A_ square- tailed, sooty-brown p—— ~ — 4 petrel, with white ‘ : upper tail coverts and a white bar on the wings at the edge of the wing coverts. The webs of the feet are most- ly yellow, and the under tail coverts somewhat grayish. This is the common small petrel of the Atlantic Ocean, in | our summer, its Leach's Petrel FAM. LVII. ALBATROSSES 319 breeding time being the southern summer and its breeding home the southern seas. Length, 74; wing, 6 (53-64); tail, 3 ; tarsus, 14; culmen, 3. North Atlantic ocean, and oceans of the south- ern hemisphere. The White-bellied Petrel (110. Cymédroma gral- laria) is a small, long- legged, blackish-gray ms : petrel with the lower Wilson's Petrel breast and belly abrupt- ly white. The upper tail coverts and the bases of all tail feathers, except the middle pair, are also white. Length, 8; wing, 61; tail, 3; tarsus, 14; culmen, }. ‘Tropical oceans; accidental on the coast of Florida. FAMILY LVIII. ALBATROSSES (DIOMEDEID A) The albatrosses are large ocean birds of the southern hemi- sphere,with very great expanse of wings and power of flight. These birds have rarely, if ever, been found on our eastern coasts; four species visit our Pacific coast. They are rarely found near shore, being able, seemingly, to remain on the wing without a a ever tiring. Two rec- ae ords are given of two Wandering Albatross of the species. 1. The Wandering Albatross (80. 1. Diomedea éxulans) is a large species of dusky to white color, according to age. Length, 50; wing, 28. Reported from the western coast of Florida. 3820 KEY AND DESCRIPTION 2. The Yellow-nosed Albatross (83. Thalassdgeron culmindtus) is a brownish-backed, white-bellied species. Length, 36; wing, 18; tail, 84; tarsus, 8}; culmen, 43. Reported from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. ORDER XVI. LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS (LONGIPENNES) An order of swimming birds, with very long, pointed wings, open nostrils, and a small hind toe or none. These birds show great power of sustained flight as well as of swimming. FAMILY LIX. SKIMMERS (RYNCHOPID&) A small family of but three similar, sea-skimming birds, one of which is found frequently on our southern coasts. 1. Black Skimmer (80. Rijnchops nigra).— A short-tailed, long-winged, short-legged, black-backed, white-bellied sea-bird, with a peculiar, long, knife-like bill. These birds skim over the surface of the water with the lower mandible so buried beneath the waves as to “plow the main” for their food, which consists of small sea animals. They feed chiefly during the dusk of the evening and at night; during the day- time they are usually found resting on the sand bars. Their notes are very hoarse, somewhat resembling the croaking of some herons. Black Skimmer Length, 18; wing, 15 (14-16) ; tail, 5; tarsus, 1}; culmen, 2}-23. Warmer parts of America; breeding as far north as New Jersey, and wandering to the Bay of Fundy. FAM. LX. TERNS AND GULLS 3821 FAMILY LX. TERNS AND GULLS (LARIDA) A large family (100 species) of birds, divided about equally between the two subfamilies. The Terns are noisy, shrill-voiced, nearly white, swallow-like birds, generally much smaller than the gulls. They have, usu- ally, notched or forked tails, while those of the gulls are even. The terns are almost entirely confined to the coasts; they are most abundant on islands and are numerous on the shores of fresh-water lakes. The gulls are less common except near salt water, and are generally found out at sea far from shore. Terns are readily distinguished from other birds when in the air, but it is almost impossible to determine the species with- out having them in hand. Terns can easily be separated from gulls by the position of the head while flying. Gulls hold their heads in line with the body, while terns hold theirs pointing downwards. Gulls are hoarse-voiced, large, long-winged, sea and shore birds, usually with square tails. They are good swimmers, spending much of their time on the water. In this they differ from the terns, which are much of the time on the wing. Gulls procure their food by gathering it from the surface of the water with their strongly hooked bills. Terns plunge downward into the water from the air, often disappearing beneath the surface. Gulls have a varied diet, —mammals, birds, eggs, and fish. Terns live mainly on fish, though some eat insects. The nests of both gulls and terns are almost always on the ground. Key to the Subfamilies * Bill more or less hooked, the culmen much curved near tip ;! tail about square (No. 25 has a forked tail with the outer feathers rounded at tip, white under parts, and wing over 10 long); colors generally white with a darker, usually grayish mantle on @ = the back (young birds have much mottled browns and WHI): wig cce das cis ave ece syne ee deerme line Gulls, p. 328. 1 APGAR’S BIRDS, — 21 3822 KEY AND DESCRIPTION * Bill not hooked ; culmen slightly but evenly curved from end to end! (No. 1 is merely curved near tip?) ; tail decidedly forked (No. 1 has a doubly-rounded tail; the outer feathers are about 2 inches and the middle ones about 3 inch shorter than the longest ones)........ pnd a Btn h wiceben ie bid Rete SEO ORONO NAT ee Se Terns, below. TERNS (SUBFAMILY STERNINA) Characteristics given on p. 321. Key to the Species * Tail doubly rounded,’ the outer feathers about 2 inches, and the middle ones } inch shorter than the longest ones.........++++65 12. Noddy. * Tail decidedly forked. (A.) A. Tail with the outer feathers broad and rounded ;* front toes but little more than half webbed ; plumage dark...... 11. Black Tern. A. Tail with the outer feathers acutely pointed, and in most cases narrow ; front toes well webbed ;5 plumage light. (B.) B. Bill dark and stout, its depth at base over } the length of the cul- MEN? aasmeirnaarwn (iA needeweces et Ss Memes 1. Gull-billed Tern. B. Bill Jess stout, usually slender. (C.) C. Wing, 15 or more long; tail forked for less than } its length...... Sista ald: Heater eB Me a Bah et asataASey SEATON a CEA AOS 2. Caspian Tern. C. Wing, 14-15; tail forked for about } its length....3. Royal Tern. C. Wing less than 13 long. (D.) D. Head decidedly crested ; wing, 11-13 long.......... 4. Cabot’s Tern. D. Head but little if at all crested. (E.) E. Wing under 7 long; back pearl-gray.............- 9. Least Tern. E. Wing, 103-12} long; back sooty-black ; inner webs of quills dusky. LeoNe eee BAA CARE EAS SERNA AR REE ROME IG 10. Sooty Tern. E. Wing, 8-12 long; back in adult pearl-gray. (F.) F. Outer tail feathers with the inner web dusky, outer web white....... pep eeyees4e® Aagess 1h wks one: meee eens 5. Forster’s Tern. F. Outer tail feathers with both webs white....... ... 8. Roseate Tern. F. Outer tail feathers with inner web white, outer web dusky. (G.) G. Bill red with a blackened tip ; tail but little more than } the length Of ther WING ciscc eos send whee wine Meaney ee 6. Common Tern. G. Bill red throughout ; tail over 3 the length of the wing .. ....... spoane Gia nts uielsettigdle: eon ain n nels od Oa eels eae EER AAS 7. Arctic Tern. FAM. LX. TERNS AND GULLS 323 1. Gull-billed Tern (63. Gelochelidon nildtica).— A southern, black-capped, black-billed, black-footed tern, with the upper parts, including the wings, a light pearl-gray, and the lower parts white; tail forked 14 inches, nearly white. In winter, this, like most terns, loses its black cap; the crown is white, space in front of eyes black- ish, and back of Gull-billed Tern them grayish. A common tern on the southern coast, feeding extensively on insects. The voice has a harshness similar to that of the gulls. (Marsh Tern.) Length, 14; wing 12 (113-121); tail, 5}; tarsus, 14; culmen, 13. Nearly throughout the world, in North America chiefly along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts ; breeding north to New Jersey, and wandering casually to Massachusetts. 2. Caspian Tern (64. Stérna tschegrdva).— A very large, red- billed tern, with the back of the neck, tail, and under parts white, back and wings pearl-gray, and the primaries slaty- black, with silvery outer webs. In spring, it has a black cap, but after the breeding season and in winter, the top of the head is merely streaked with black. The young has the pearl- gray back, and tail spotted or barred with brownish-black, and the head streaked black and white. This is a tern of world- wide distribution, but is not common in North America. It is in appearance, when seen 6n the wing, almost identical with the next. Length, 21; wing, 16 (15-174); tail, 6, forked, 1}; tarsus, 1}; cul- men, 24-3}. In North America, breeding locally from Virginia, the Great Lakes, and Texas northward ; migrating through the interior as well as along the coast, and probably wintering beyond our borders. 3. Royal Tern (65. Stérna mdaxima).—A very large, some- what crested tern, with the back and wings pearl-gray, the 824 KEY AND DESCRIPTION outer web and tips of primaries blackish, and the rest of the plumage white. In the breeding season, there is a black cap, but during the rest of the year the head is streaked black and white. This is much like the last species, but in all ages and seasons, the royal tern can be distinguished by the inner web of the primaries which is white, at least on the inner half. This is a common, strong, and powerful tern of the southern coasts, and is nearly as large as any gull; so the student may distin- guish the gulls from the terns by noting the difference in the position of the heads of the species when in flight. The gull’s head is in line with the body, the tern’s points toward the earth. Length, 19; wing, 14} (14-15); tail, 7, forked, 3}; tarsus, 18; cul- men, 2}; America, chiefly tropical ; breeding north to Virginia ; wander- ing to Massachusetts and the Great Lakes, and wintering from the Gulf coast southward. 4. Cabot’s Tern (67. Stérna sandvicénsis acufldvida).— A southern, crested, pearl-gray-backed, white-bellied tern, with a large, yellow-tipped, black bill, and black feet. In the breeding season, the whole top of the head and crest is black, but during the rest Cabot's Tern of the year the crown is white, somewhat spotted with black, and the crest black streaked with white. The young has the pearl-gvay back spotted with blackish, the slaty- gray tail short, and the bill nearly all black. (Sandwich Tern.) Length, 15; wing, 12}; tail, 6, forked over 2; tarsus, 1; culmen, 21, America, chiefly tropical; breeding along the Gulf coast, and along the Atlantic north to South Carolina; wandering north to New England, and wintering from Key West to Central America. 5. Forster’s Tern (69. Stérna forsteri). — A medium-sized tern, with wings and back pearl-gray, rump and all under parts white, and bill blackish at tip and dull orange at base. The tail is light colored, and the inner webs of the tail feathers are always darker than the outer ones. In summer, the whole top FAM. LX. TERNS AND GULLS 325 of the head is black, but in winter the crown is white spotted with black, and the side of the head is marked with a large black spot surrounding the eye. The young has a mottled back and short tail. Length, 15; wing, 10 (94-103) ; tail, 5-8, forked, 2-5; tarsus, $; cul- men, 13. North America; breeding north to Virginia, inois, Manitoba, and California; wandering to Massachusetts, and wintering south to Brazil. The Trudeau’s Tern (68. Stérna trudedut) of southern South America has been seen a few times in the eastern United States. It isa pale, pearl-gray tern, with the head and under surface of wings white, and tail and rump lighter than the body. A narrow bar of slate color begins in front of the eye, passes through it, and curves downward toward the back of the head. Length, 16; wing, 101; tail, 44-61; tarsus, 1; culmen, 1}. 6. Common Tern (70. Stérna hirtindo).— A pearl-gray-backed, white-throated tern, with a pale, pearl-gray breast and belly, and a deeply forked ail In summer, \ the whole top of the head is black, and the bill is red except the end third, which is black; but in winter, the front part of the head is white, the bill mainly black, and even the un- der parts change from pearl-gray to white. The outer webs of the outer tail feathers are gray, and the inner webs white. The young is somewhat mottled, and has a short tail. On the islands of our coast this tern was a very com- mon bird, until fashion de- manded it as an ornament for ladies’ hats; at present it is out of fashion, but the bird has become almost extinct. (Sea Swallow ; Wilson’s ee Length, 144; wing, 10} (9% ; tail, 6, forked, 34; tarsus, 4; cul- men, 13. Northern a ca . North Asneriea, mainly east of the Plains ; breeding from Florida and Texas to the Arctic coast, and winter- ing from Virginia southward. Common Tern 326 KEY AND DESCRIPTION 7. Arctic Tern (71. Stérna paradiscea).— This is almost exactly like the last, but the tail is somewhat larger, and the bill decidedly redder. Mr. Brewster says the usual cry of the Arctic tern is shriller and more pig-like. Length, 154; wing, 10-11; tail, 6-8}, forked, 44; tarsus, 3; culmen, 11. Northern hemisphere ; breeding from Massachusetts northward, and wintering south to Virginia and California. 8. Roseate Tern (72. Stérna dotgalli). — A rare, black-billed, white-tailed tern, with back and wings pearl-gray, and the white under parts often delicately pink-tinted. The bill is slightly reddish at base, especially in young birds. In summer, the whole top of the head is black, but in winter, the front of the head is white with black streaking; the under parts in winter are pure white. Mr. Chapman says this species “is a less excitable, wilder bird than hiriéndo [No. 6.], and its single harsh note, cack, may be distinctly heard above the uproar of common terns, as it hovers somewhat in the background.” Length, 15}; wing, 94 (94-93) ; tail, 74, forked 4; tarsus, 3; culmen, 14. Tropical regions generally ; breeding north on the Atlantic coast, rarely to Maine, and wintering south of the United States. 9. Least Tern (74. Stérna antillarum).— A very small, rare tern, with the back, wings, and tail pearl-gray, the under parts white, the forehead white, and the bill mainly yellow. There is a black cap extending forward past the eyes, and the M outer webs of the outer primaries are black. The young is somewhat mottled ~ and has a blackish bill. Length, 9; wing, 63; tail, 34, forked, nearly 2; tarsus, 3; culmen, 1}. Northern South America, and north to New England, Minnesota, and California; breeding mainly throughout. Cas- ual to Labrador. Least ‘Tern 10. Sooty Tern (75. Stérna fuligindsa). — A large tern, with nearly all the upper surface black, and the lower surface white. The tail is deeply forked, and the bill and feet are FAM. LX. TERNS AND GULLS 3827 black. The outer tail feathers are white, with brownish on the terminal half of the inner web. Length, 16; wing, 12; tail, 74, forked, 81; tar- | sus, 1; culmen, 12. ‘T'rop- ical regions generally ; breeding in North Amer- ica rarely north to North Sooty Tern Carolina; wandering to New England, and wintering south of the United States. The Bridled Tern (76. Stérna anethétus) has the two outer tail feathers wholly white. It is a tropical tern ; casual in Florida. Wing, 10}; tail, 6}; tarsus, 7; cul- men, 14. 11. Black Tern (77. Hydrochélidon agra = surinaménsts),—A Bridled Tern small, short - tailed, black tern, with the back, wings, and tail somewhat lighter and more slate colored, and the under tail coverts white. The young (also the adult in winter) has the front head and under parts mainly white, and the back and wings pearl-gray. : This is an_ insect- oe eating bird, and is often found far from large bodies of water, and oc- casionally on the driest of open See : plains. Black Tern Length, 10; wing, 81; tail, 33, forked, ¢; culmen, 1. America, from 328 KEY AND DESCRIPTION Alaska to Brazil; breeding in the interior from Illinois to Alaska, and migrating through all parts of the eastern United States. 12. Noddy (79. Anous stdélidus). — A southern, dark brown, almost black tern, with a whitish crown and a rounded tail. _., The young lacks the ~,, whitish crown, but “jas more or less of a white line over the eye. This is a com- * mon summer visitor : vA es in the South Atlantic ee i and Gulf States, and Noddy breeds in Florida. Length, 15; wing, 10} (10-103); tail, 6; tarsus, 1; culmen, 1%. Tropical regions generally ; in America from Brazil to the southern United States. GULLS (SUBFAMILY LARINZA) Characteristics given on p. 321 Key to the Species * Hind toe minute or wanting (much less than } inch long) ; tail slightly Notched: OF CVeNonisaeie sax ivewew Weseanasde seen Beets 14. Kittiwake. %* Hind toe small. (A.) A. Tail forked about 1 inch ; tail feathers rounded at tip............ CG Me AERe ewe CEN RATS SIae THAME eae TA SEH a 24. Sabine’s Gull. A. Taileven. (B.) B. Adults pure white ; tarsus rough behind and less than the middle toe and nail in length; wing, 13-14 long...............13. Ivory Gull. B. Adults with a darker mantle ; tarsus not very rough, and equal to or greater than the middle toe and nail in length. (C.) C. Wing, 8-9} long. The Little Gull (60-1. Larus minutus) of Europe has been found once on Long Island. C. Wing over 94 long. (D.) D. Wing, 10-10} long ; bill black and slender....23. Bonaparte’s Gull. D. Wing, 104-12 long ; bill red, with usually a dark band near tip...... ssfaunietircioacd tetas a bas ede des te wieBNE Oe Bhat Raawars akan tieawranee 22. Franklin’s Gull. D. Wing, 12-133 long; outer primary black........ 21. Laughing Gull. D. Wing over 13} long. (E.) E. Primaries pearl-gray, fading to white at tip, no black. (H.) FAM. LX. TERNS AND GULLS 329 E. Primaries pearl-gray, tipped with white but having distinct gray spaces on the outer webs...........0.ee eee 17. Kumlien’s Gull. E. Primaries with white tips and dusky or black spaces near tips (in young sometimes all dark). (F.) F. Shafts of the primaries white through the dark spaces in adult ; wing, 17-20 long ; back dark slaty-black..... 18. Great Black-backed Gull. F. Shafts dark like the spaces. (G.) G. Wing, 153 or more long..........-. 0.00 cece eee 19. Herring Gull. G. Wing less than 153 long...............0005 20. Ring-billed Gull. H. Wing over 16} long; culmen over 2............ 15. Glaucous Gull. H. Wing under 16} long; culmen under 2............ 16. Iceland Gull. 13. Ivory Gull (39. Gavia dlba).— A large, rare, northern, pure white gull with black feet and yel- low bill. The young has some gray patches on different parts of the body, but espe- cially at the tips of the tail feathers and primaries; sometimes the wing coverts have black spots at their tips. Ivory Gull Length, 15-20; wing, 134; tail, 54; tarsus, 14; culmen, 13. Arctic regions ; south in the Atlan- tic to about the border of the United States. 14. Kittiwake (40. Rissa triddctyla).— A three- toed, white gull, with pearl-gray mantle, black tips to the outer primaries, yellowish bill, and black feet. The hind toe is rep- resented by a little knob. The third to the fifth primary have white tips be- yond the black. In winter the top of the 4 head and the back of Kittiwake the neck are tinged 330 KEY AND DESCRIPTION with pearl-gray, but there is a darker spot around the eye. The young has the back of the neck and lesser wing coverts black. The name is derived from the bird’s cry, kitti-aa, kitti-aa. Length, 17; wing, 12}; tail, 4}; tarsus, 1}; culmen, 14. Arctic re- gions, south in eastern America, in winter to the Great Lakes and the Middle States. 15. Glaucous Gull (42. Larus glaicus). — A very large, north- ern, nearly white gull, with yellow bill, a light pearl- gray mantle, and white tips; no black | anywhere in any plumage. Young much mottled ashy and buffy. (Burgo- master.) Length, 80; wing, 18 (163-183) ; tail, 8; tar- sus, 27; culmen, 24. Arctic regions ; breed- ing in America from Labrador northward, and south in winter to the Great Lakes and Long Island. Glaucous Gull 16. Iceland Gull (43. Larus leucdépterus).— A large, north- ern, almost white gull, much lke the last in coloring, but in its movements and feeding more like the herring gull (No. 19). The mantle is pale pearl-gray, and there are no dark tips to the primaries. Length, 25; wing, 15} (143-16}) ; tail, 64; tarsus, 24; culmen, 13. Arctic regions ; south in winter to the Great Lakes and Long Island, sometimes still farther. 17. Kumlien’s Gull (45. Larus kwmlteni).— Similar to the last two, but with the primaries distinctly marked with ashy- gray. The first primary has a white tip with ashy-gray outer web; the second, with only a part of the outer web ashy-gray ; the third and fourth have little gray on the outer webs, but some on both webs near the tips. FAM. LX. TERNS AND GULLS 3831 Length, 24; wing, 16 (15-17); tail, 63; tarsus, 21; culmen, 13. Atlantic coast of North America, south in winter to Massachusetts. 18. Great Black-backed Gull (47. Larus marinus). — A very large, very shy, black-mantled, white gull, with white tips to all the wing quills. The head and neck are streaked with grayish in winter. The youny is much mottled with black, browns, buffs, and white. (Saddle-back.) Length, 380; wing, 184 (174-193) ; tail, 8; tarsus, 3; culmen, 2}. ° North Atlantic; breeding in America from the Bay of Fundy northward, and south in winter to Long Island, and sometimes farther. 19. American Herring Gull (51°. Larus argentdtus smithsoni- anus). — A very common, large gull, with dark pearl-gray man- tle, and the head, tail, and lower parts white. The ends of the outer primaries are mainly black, but with round white spots near their tips. The adult in winter has grayish streaks on head and neck. The young is much mottled, ashy, black and buff. This gull is less ex- clusively marine than most others, as it is found on rivers and in harbors. It shows but little fear American Herring Gull of man. 332 KEY AND DESCRIPTION Length, 24; wing, 17} (151-174); tail, 74; tarsus, 23; culmen, 2}. North America; breeding from northern New York, Minnesota and northward, and wintering from Nova Scotia to Cuba. The European Herring Gull (51. Larus argentitus) is occasionally seen in eastern North America. It is somewhat smaller, and the black spot on the first primary is either broken or entirely absent. 20. Ring-billed Gull (54. Larus delawarénsis).— A large, white-headed gull, with pearl-gray mantle, white belly, white tail; the tips of the six outer primaries white, and back of the tip black for a less and less distance. The bill is greenish- yellow with a dark ring-like band in front of the nostril. The young is very much mottled, with blackish and grayish colors nearly everywhere. Length, 19; wing, 142 (183-153); tail, 6; tarsus, 21; culmen, 13. North America at large, more common in the interior; breeding from Minnesota and Newfoundland northward, and wintering from Long Island to Mexico. 21. Laughing Gull (58. Larus atrictlla).— A rather large, black-headed gull, with dark pearl - gray mantle, the lower neck, breast, belly, and tail white, and the pri- maries, except the small tips of the inner ones, black. In winter, the head and throat are white, with more or less of grayish tints. Laughing Gull Its notes sound “like the odd and excited laughter of an Indian squaw.” (Black-headed Gull.) Length, 164; wing, 13; tail, 5; tarsus, 2; culmen, 1%. Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States; breeding from Texas to Maine, and wintering from South Carolina to northern South America. FAM. LX. TERNS AND GULLS 333 22. Franklin’s Gull (59. Larus franklinii).— A western, small, black-headed gull, pearl-gray mantle, and the lower parts and the tail white. The whole head and throat are sooty- black, and the lower parts are often rosy tinted. The first primary is mainly white, but the outer web is black except at the tip; the second has a black mark on the inner web, and a black strip on the outer web near the tip; the third to the sixth are tipped with white. In winter, the head and neck are white. The young is much marked with grays and browns. This gull is not found on the Atlantic coast. Length, 14; wing, 11}; tail, 44; tarsus, 13; culmen, 1}. Interior North America, chiefly from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River; breeding from Iowa northward, and wintering from the Southern States to Peru. 23. Bonaparte’s Gull (60. Larus philadélphia).— A small, black-billed, almost black-headed, white-tailed, white-bellied gull, with the wings and back pearl-gray and the first three primaries tipped with black, the next three with small, white tips and three large black spaces. In winter the head and throat are white. The young has the back varying from brownish to pearl-gray, the tail banded with black and white, and the head tinted with grayish. Length, 18; wing, 104; tail, 4; tarsus, 12; culmen, 1}. North America generally; breeding mainly north of the United States, and wintering from the Middle States south- ward to the Gulf. 24. Sabine’s Gull (62. Xéma sabinii). —A very rare, northern, winter-visiting, small, tern-like gull, with a pure white, slightly forked tail. The head and neck Sabine's Gull 334 KEY AND DESCRIPTION in winter (the only season the bird is seen in the United States) mainly white, with a varying number of blackish marks on the back and sides of head; back and wings dark pearl-gray ; under parts, except throat, white; first primary black, with the inner half of the inner web white except at the tip; the next three tipped with white; the secondaries tipped with white. In summer the whole head and throat are slate-colored. Length, 13}; wing, 10} (10}-11}); tail, 4%, forked, 4; tarsus, 1}; culmen, 1. Arctic regions; south in winter to New York, Great Lakes, and Great Salt Lakes ; casual in Kansas and the Bahama Islands. FAMILY LXI. SKUAS AND JAEGERS (STERCORARIIDA) A small family (6 species) of mainly dark-colored, rather long-tailed, long-winged, swift-flying, swimming birds, with the central tail feathers abruptly projecting beyond the others. These birds are hawk-like in the form of their bills! ® and in their actions; they chase the terns and smaller gulls and snatch from them the fish and other prey : which they have caught. Although good swimmers, they seem unable to dive. The bill has a large, cere-like cover- ing to the nostrils. Key to the Species * Wing over 15 long; culmen over 14; tarsus, 21-23........... 1. Skua. * Wing, 133-15 long ; culmen under 14; tarsus, 1f-21 ....... .....0.., aia See ae hres eee et eee scenes eeseeeesseeeees. 2, Pomarine Jaeger. * Wing not over 134 long ; tarsus not over 14; central tail feathers acute. (A.) A. Scaly cere over the nostril more than half the length of the cul- men; central tail feathers projecting less than 5 inches beyond THO OtH OTS 55 wines siduarsratelaminetran diye bakes dades 3. Parasitic Jaeger. A. Scaly cere less than half the length of the culmen; central tail feathers in the adult projecting over 6 beyond the others.......... Ee hic eatientaane ha eA Rea eh earemelg op 4. Long-tailed Jaeger. 1. Skua (35. Megaléstris skia).— A northern, large, stout- bodied, dark-brown sea-bird, with a nearly even tail having all feathers broad at tip; the under parts are somewhat lighter than the upper ones, and the neck is streaked with whitish. FAM. LXI. SKUAS AND JAEGERS 835 The shafts of the tail feathers, and the shafts and the basal portions of the inner vanes of the wing quills, are white. The young is some- what streaked with yellowish, especially about the head and neck. Length, 22; wing, 16(15$-16}); tail, 6; tarsus, 23 ; culmen, 2}. The coasts and islands of the North At- lantic, south in America to North Carolina, but very Skua rare. 2. Pomarine Jaeger (36. Stercordrius pomarinus). — In usual or light phase, a large jaeger with cap, wings, back, and tail blackish-brown, back of neck yellow, and the lower parts white with many streaks and bars of brown, especially on the breast and sides. Dark phase. — A dark brown to black bird with the lower parts somewhat lighter, the bill dark greenish, and the feet black. The central projecting tail feathers have rounded tips. Length, 22; wing, 13% (184-14); tail, 51-9; tarsus, 2; culmen, 13. Arctic regions ; south in winter to Africa, Australia, and probably South America. Found on inland waters as well as seas. 3. Parasitic Jaeger (37. Stercordrius parasiticus). — A smaller bird, but similar in coloring to the last, with the brown of the back not so black- ish. It occurs in alight anda dark phase. The middle tail 336 KEY AND DESCRIPTION feathers of this and the next species are pointed. The best method of distinguishing this species from the last is by the difference in size and the acute instead of rounded ends to the central tail feathers. To separate it from the next ' compare the length of the \ horny covering to the nos- ' trils, with that of the top of bill or culmen; in this species it is always more than half; in the next, less than half. In the adult, the length of tail: enables one to separate them. Length, 18; wing, 12} (113-133); tail, 5 (young), 84 (adult) ; tarsus, 13; culmen, 13. Northern regions; breeding in high latitudes, and win- tering in America from New York and Cali- fornia to South America. Migrates through the Lake region as well as along the coasts. 4. Long-tailed Jaeger (38. Stercordrius longicatidus).— This is another bird like the last two, having the same coloring and occurring in the light and dark phases. In the mature birds of this species, the central tail feathers are much longer. This bird, as stated , above, has the horny | cere which covers | the nostrils less than _ half as long as the /culmen. In young '— birds before the full | length of the tail is attained, the species can be distinguished only by noting the length of the cere. See the illustra- tion. Length, 22; wing, 12} (114-13); tail, 6 (young), 11-15 (adult); tar- sus, 1}; culmen, 1}. Northern regions; breeding in high latitudes, and migrating mainly along the coasts to the Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies. Long-tailed Jaeger FAM. LXII. AUKS, PUFFINS, ETC. 337 ORDER XVII. DIVING BIRDS (PYGOPODES) This is preéminently the order of water birds; all species are at home only in the water, and all species swim and dive with perfect ease. The legs are situated at the tail end of the body; so in attempting to stand, the birds hold the body in an erect position, and the tarsus and tail are often used as partial supports. These birds are very awkward in their movements on land, their method of progression being by a shuffling motion. FAMILY LXII. AUKS, PUFFINS, ETC. (ALCIDA) A family (80 species) of short-necked, marine divers with peculiar, short bills and three full-webbed toes. The append- ages to the bill, which are numerous and remarkable, are shed after the breeding season, and so are practically never observed in the United States, as the nesting grounds are in the far north. These birds differ from the other divers in the use of their wings as an additional aid in swimming under water. They breed, often in immense colonies, in cold regions, and migrate southward in winter. Most species are strong flyers, and all are wonderful swimmers. All the species belong to the northern hemisphere, and more than half are found along the Pacific Ocean. They feed exclusively upon animal matter, and are mainly silent birds. Key to the Species * Bill light-colored, and more than an inch high at base. (F.) * Bill dark-colored, and less than an inch high at base. (A.) A. Culmen about } inch long; wing under 5} long....... 8. Dovekie. A. Culmen, 1 or more long. (B.) B. Wing, 54-73 long; nostril overhung by a horny scale. (E.) B. Wing, 71-9 long; nostril more or less completely hidden by dense, velvety feathers. (C.) C. Tail of pointed feathers ; bill nearly an inch high at base and much flattened sideways.......-.. cc eee eee eres 7. Razor-billed Auk. C. Tail of rounded feathers ; bill less than 3 inch high at base. (D.) APGAR’S BIRDS. — 22 338 KEY AND DESCRIPTION D. Culmen over 1$ long... 6... cece cece eee ene eens ....5. Murre. D. Culmen less than 1 long........... 2... 006. 6. Briinnich’s Murre. E. Greater wing coverts wholly white... ..... 4. Mandt’s Guillemot. E. Greater wing coverts black at base........... 3. Black Guillemot. F. Upper parts, including a band around throat, brownish-black ; belly IEE et 5 tetova oa tak MRe cae cn AL nce ie SN Na as 2. Puffin. F. Upper parts a glossy blue-black ; belly grayish-brown ; head of the adult with crests of yellow feathers............... 1. Tufted Puffin. 1. Tufted Puffin (12. Linda cirrhdta).— A bird similar in form to the next, with the upper parts a glossy blue-black and the lower ones grayish- brown. The head is fur- nished with two crests of yellow, silky feathers above the eyes, and the face por- tion of the head is white. . Young lacks crests, white BD aca, and the grooves of Tufted Pufin the bill. Length, 15 ; wing, 73; tail, 2¢; tarsus, 14; culmen, 23. North Pacific ; accidental on coast of Maine. 2. Puffin (13. Fratércula dretica).— A very stout-billed diver, with the upper parts, including a band around the neck, brown- ish-black, breast and belly white, and the sides of the head grayish-white. The bill in life, especially during the breeding season, is peculiarly ridged and of bright red, blue, and white colors. Breeding birds have a horny spine over the eye. (Sea- Parrot.) Length, 13; wing, 6} ~ (6-64); tail, 24; tarsus, 1; culmen, 1}. North Atlan- FAM. LXII. AUKS, PUFFINS, ETC. 339 tic, on coasts and islands; breeding from the Bay of Fundy northward, also south to Long Island, and rarely farther south. 3. Black Guillemot (27. Cépphus grille). —In winter, a mot- tled, grayish-black-backed, white-bellied “sea pigeon,” with sooty-black wings marked with a white blotch, formed by the terminal half of the greater wing coverts. The back has the feathers more or less tipped with white. In summer, it is a sooty-black bird, with the same white patch on the wings. These birds fly rapidly in a straight line just above the sur- face of the waves, but are usually found, in small flocks, swimming or diving in the water. Length, 13; wing, 6} (6-7); tail, 2; tarsus, 11; culmen, 1}. Northern Atlantic Ocean on both shores; in America breeding from Maine to Newfoundland, and wintering south to Phila- delphia. 4. Mandt’s Guillemot (28. Cépphus mdéndtit).—Sim- ilar to the last in habits, --- size, and markings, but the white blotch on the wing is larger, including the bases as well as the tips of the greater wing eoverts. Mandt's Guillemot Length, 18 ; wing, 63 (51-74) ; tail, 2 ; tarsus, 14; culmen, 1}. Arctic regions; in America breeding from Labrador northward, and wintering south to Massachusetts. 5. Murre (30. Uria tréile). — An auk-like bird, with the upper parts from bill to tail a sooty-black and the lower parts white, excepting a brownish band across the lower neck in summer, which in winter is lacking. The head is more brownish and the back, wings, and tail are more blackish. There are white tips to the secondary quills, making a band across the wing. In winter the throat is somewhat tinted with brown and the belly marked with black. (Common Guillemot.) KEY AND DESCRIPTION Length, 17; wing 8 (73-81); tail, 21; tarsus, 14; culmen, 13. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic; breeding from the Gulf of St. Law- rence northward, and wintering south to southern New England. 6. Briinnich’s Murre (31. Uria ldmvia). — A bird similar to the last, but with a smaller and shorter bill and a slightly longer wing. In breeding plumage there is some difference of color, but in winter, when found in the waters off our eastern shores, the difference in length of bill is the distin- guishing mark. (Thick- Murre billed Murre.) Length, 17 ; wing, 84 (74-83) ; tail, 245 tar- sus, 14; culmen, 13. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic ; breeding from the Gulf of St. Lawrence north- ward, and wintering south to New Jersey. 7. Razor-billed Auk (32. Alea térda).— A short, high, thin- billed auk, with the upper parts generally sooty-black, and the lower parts white. The black bill is crossed by a white band, there is a white line from the bill to the eye, and a line is formed on the wings by the white tips of the secondaries. The bill is flattened sidewise, whence the bird derives the name of razor-bill. It has 1. Brimnich’s Murre 2. Murre the habit when on the water of turning its tail almost directly upward. (Tinker.) FAM. LXIUI. LOONS 341 Length, 17; wing, 8} (73-81) ; tail, 31; tarsus, 11; culmen, 14. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic; in America breeding from Maine northward, and south in winter, casually to North Carolina. 8. Dovekie (34. Alle dile).—A small, short-billed, sooty- backed, white-bellied bird, with white tips to the secondaries, and some white streaks on the shoulders. ‘The small wings of Razor-billed Auk Dovekie this bird are moved with almost bewildering rapidity, enabling it to fly with great swiftness. It swims with grace and ease, and dives, like all of the order, with great expertness. (Sea Dove; Little Auk.) Length, 8}; wing, 43 (43-5); tail, 1}; tarsus, 3; culmen, }. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic; in America breeding far north; south in winter to New Jersey, accidental in Michigan. FAMILY LXIII. LOONS (URINATORIDZ) A small family (5 species) of large, heavy, long-necked, short-tailed, diving birds, with the legs situated at the tail end 842 KEY AND DESCRIPTION of the body. There are four toes, the three in front being full webbed. In summer, all species when adult have the dark back regularly spotted with >, nearly square white blotches. | They are all migratory, breed- , ing, with one exception, in the Arctic regions, but found in the United States in winter. These birds, like all the div- ers, are exceedingly clumsy on land, which they seldom visit except for breeding pur- poses; but in the water their powers of swimming and div- ing are only equaled by the grebes. They are also strong and rapid flyers. In their migrations, they keep at a considerable height and are usually seen in small flocks. In pursuit of fish, which forms their only food, they move through the water by the aid of their feet alone. In this they are like the grebes, but unlike the auks. Loon Key to the Species * Wing, 13-16 long ; tarsus, 3-34; culmen, 23-31.............. 1. Loon. * Wing, 10-134; tarsus, 24-3; culmen, 2-27. (A.) A. Adult in summer, throat black; adult in winter and young, no white spots on the back, but pokua margins to the feathers...... SEAN Ennis cabodaneneause ciel tune Oe eee Ow Conrado 2. Black-throated Loon. A. Adult in summer, throat gray with a triangular, chestnut patch ; adult in winter and young, back distinctly apeited with white..... Bream Pee Raai ieee « aeinsiea wc GWerisnate eat 3. Red-throated Loon. 1. Loon (7. Urinator imber).— Adult in summer, a very large, greenish-black-headed, black-throated loon, with the breast and belly white. The back and wings are greenish-black, with many nearly square, white spots. There are spaces on the FAM. LXIII. LOONS 3438 sides of the neck and breast, streaked with white, and on the sides of the body and under the tail spotted with white. Adult in winter and young, a loon with all upper parts blackish, the feathers edged with grayish, but with no white spots; all under parts white, with some grayish on the throat. Birds in the United States can be found with all grades of white spotting on the back. This is the only species of loon breeding in the states and thus the only one to be found at all seasons. Length, 28-86; wing, 13-15}; tarsus, 3-3}; culmen, 23-3}. Northern hemisphere ; breeding from the north- ern range of states northward, and wintering south to the Gulf of Mexico and Lower California. 2. Black-throated Loon (9. Urinator dreticus). —A bird similar to the last, but ranging much farther north. Adulé in winter and young. \e having upper parts, including wings and tai] "~~ with the feathers, blackish at their centers and grayish along their borders; no white spots on the back. This is practically the winter appearance of the last, so the difference in size must be noted to determine the species. The absence of white spots separates it from the next. In summer the adult can be separated from the last by the ashy head, and from the next by the black throat and absence of chestnut color. Black-throated Loon Length, 26-29; wing, 12-13}; tarsus, 27; culmen, 24-27. Northern hemi- sphere; breeding north of the United States, and south in winter, casually to the northern states east of the Rocky Mountains. — 3. Red-throated Loon (11. Urinator limme).— This is the smallest of our loons. It is found in the Northern States from October to May, and eh lt irregularly south, in winter, to South Carolina. 844 KEY AND DESCRIPTION In winter, this bird in all stages has the square white spots on the back. This separates it from the last species, and its much smaller size distinguishes it from the first. It derives its name from a triangular, chestnut spot on the neck. All our loons are wild, wary birds. The Pacific loons of the western coast are “tamer than any other water fowl I have seen. . . . They constantly swam around the vessels . . . and all their motions, both on and under the clear water, could be studied to as much advantage as if the birds had been placed in artificial tanks for the purpose. Now two or three would ride lightly over the surface with neck gracefully curved, propelled with idle strokes of their broad paddles . . . while their flash- ing eyes, first directed upward, then peering into the depths below, sought for some attractive morsel. In an instant, with a peculiar motion impossible to describe, they would disappear beneath the surface, and shoot with marvelous swiftness through the limpid element, transfix on their arrow-like bill an unlucky fish, and lightly rise to the surface again.” (Dr. Coues.) Length, 24-27; wing, 10-114; tarsus, 22; culmen, 2-21. Northern hemisphere ; breeding from Manitoba and New Brunswick northward, and wintering south to South Carolina. FAMILY LXIV. GREBES (PODICIPIDA) A family (30 species) of fresh- and salt-water diving birds of general distribution throughout the world; five species are found in the region covered by this book, and only six in North America. The grebes are long-necked divers with straight, slender bills, and with the feathers of the under parts of a peculiar satiny texture. The three front toes have lobed membranes along their sides. ‘The heads in many species are furnished, in the breeding season, with brightly colored crests, ruffs, etc. These are lost after the nesting is over, thus pro- ducing seasonal differences so great as to make the birds appear as separate species. These head appendages, and their erect position, give the birds a most grotesque appearance. FAM. LXIV. GREBES 345 They have the power, when alarmed, of sinking quietly back- wards into the water and then swimming almost any distance with only the tip of the bill above the surface. Like all of the divers, their food consists mainly of fish, which they are able to catch under water by their rapid swimming, using their feet alone for propulsion. In this they differ from the auks, which use both legs and wings. Key to the Species * Bill stout and somewhat hooked, its length not quite twice its greatest depth at base! .......... 6. Pied-billed Grebe. * Bill straight and more slender, its length more than twice its depth at base.2 (A.) ss = A. Culmen more than 2} long................. F ¥ seniind Uh usta waoabgia alte ane Rune a 1. Western Grebe. 7 A. Culmen, 11-21 long; wing over 6 long....... 2. Holbcell’s Grebe. A. Culmen, $-14 long; wing under 6 long. (B.) B:. Wing under 44.0ng.. co... 450 4 cdamareeuanes 5. St. Domingo Grebe. B. Wing, 44-6 long. (C.) C. Bill flattened sidewise and thus higher than wide at base......... Aaa ete fess Pee SS ea ae MOR AUORe eee Rey 3. Horned Grebe. C. Bill wider than high at base ...4. American Eared Grebe. 1. Western Grebe (1. ch- méphorus occidentalis). — A very large, long, slender-billed, mot- tled, brownish-backed grebe, with all the under parts satiny white. The primaries are choc- olate-brown with white bases, and the secondaries are mostly white. It has a short crest and puffy cheeks. This is a com- mon grebe of the extreme west. The grebes rarely fly to escape their enemies, but depend upon their diving and swimming powers. Western Grebe 346 KEY AND DESCRIPTION Length, 24-29; wing, 8 (74-8}); tarsus, 3; culmen, 24-3}. Western North America east to Manitoba, and south to central Mexico. 2. Holbell’s Grebe (2. Colymbus holbeilii). — Adult in winter, a common, blackish-brown-backed, whitish-bellied grebe, with some pale brownish- red on the sides of the neck. Young, a _ blackish-backed, | sil- | very-bellied grebe, with the neck and sides grayish. Adult in summer, a black- ish-backed, chocolate- brown-sided, white- bellied grebe, with the crown, small crest, and back of the neck black. There is a silvery-ash patch on the throat, changing to deep, brownish- red on the front and sides of neck to the breast. On the water this is a very graceful bird, swimining and diving with the greatest ease. When fly- ing, and it flies rapidly, the neck and feet are stretched to their full length. (Red- necked Grebe.) Length, 19; wing, 7% (71- 84); tarsus, 23; culmen, 12- 23. North America; breeding from about the northern border of the states northward, and wintering south to about the Gulf, at least casually. Holbell’s Grebe 3. Horned Grebe (3. Coljmbus auritus).— Adult in summer, —a very much crested and ruffed grebe, with the top of head, hind neck, and throat black; stripe and plumes behind the eye chestnut, blackening on the sides; front of neck to breast chestnut; back and wings blackish; belly white, and sides FAM. LXIV. GREBES 347 washed with chestnut. Adult in winter, a common, slightly crested, grayish-black-backed, silvery-white-bellied grebe, with some grayish tints on throat and breast. This and the pied- billed grebe (No. 6.) are in their winter dress much alike in appearance, and are often mistaken for each other. The horned grebe’s bill is straighter and more slender than that of the pied-bill. “When ordinarily swimming, the feet struck out alternately, and the progres- sion was steady; but sometimes both feet struck together, and then the movement was by great bounds, and was evidently calculated to force the bird over an expanse of very weedy water, or through any tangle of weeds or rushes in which it might have found itself.” (HE. E. Thompson.) Length, 121-15}; wing, 5} (54-53); tarsus, 13; culmen, %. North America; breeding from the northern range of states northward, and wintering south to about the Gulf of Mexico. 4, American Eared Grebe (4. Colyjmbus nigricollis californicus).— Adult in summer, —a western, black-headed, black-necked, blackish-brown-backed, white-bellied grebe, with conspicuous golden-brown ear tufts and a white blotch on the chocolate- brown wings, formed by the tips of the secondaries. The winter coloring is much the same as that of the last, but the difference of bill (wider than high at base), and the smaller size distinguish the species. Length, 13; wing, 54 (5-53); tarsus, 13; culmen, 7. Northern and western North America (west of the Mississippi in the United States), south to Central America. 5. St. Domingo Grebe (5. Colymbus dominicus).— An extreme southern, very small, brownish-black-backed grebe, with dusky- mottled, silky-white belly. The crown is deep, glossy, steel- blue, and the sides of head and the neck all around are ashy- gray. There are no decided crests or ruffs. 348 KEY AND DESCRIPTION Length, 91; wing, 3 (84-44); tarsus, 14; culmen, $. South America, from Paraguay north to Texas and Lower California, including the West Indies. { 6. Pied-billed Grebe (6. Podi- lgmbus podiceps).— A common, sinall, brownish-black grebe (in summer), with the lower breast and belly nearly white. The front and sides of the neck are lighter than the back, and more nearly brown; there is a black band across the bill at the middle. In winter, the coloring is much the same, but the band across the bill is lacking, and the throat is white. This is our common- est grebe. It can dive head first ; beneath the water, as well as Pag buled rete sink gradually like the other species. (Dab-chick; Dipper; Diedapper; Hell-diver; Water- witch ; etc.) Length, 133; wing, 4% (41-5); tarsus, 14; culmen, 3. America, from the Dominion of Canada to the Argentine Republic, including the West Indies ; breeding nearly throughout, PART II THE STUDY OF BIRDS IN THE FIELD Tus part is designed to enable any person with moderate patience and energy to become familiar with all conspicuous common birds. The only preparation necessary for its use is the ability to recognize the English sparrow, the robin, and the crow when seen, and to tell the difference between an owl and a hawk. The Keys furnish a guide to two hundred of our most common land birds, helping the pupil to recognize them at sight or by their notes, without shooting a single specimen. With two mornings each week of the spring and early sum- mer devoted to the pleasant task of seeing and hearing the birds, the learner should, in a few seasons, be sufficiently familiar with them to recognize these common birds at sight. A few birds will always remain unidentified until they are dead and in the hands of an experienced ornithologist. It is easy enough to recognize the family to which they belong— to see that they are finches or wood warblers or vireos or fly- catchers, but it is far more difficult to determine the species. These difficulties present themselves mainly with females; but since they perplex even the skilled ornithologist, they must not discourage the beginner. Progress will seem to be slowest during the first season. It will be harder to learn the first ten birds than any succeeding twenty. At the start it appears difficult to observe any birds with care, but one gradually learns to move and work in such a manner as not to frighten the birds. After some practice the observer notes more peculiarities at a single glance than a minute or two of careful study reveals to a beginner. Practice 349 350 THE STUDY OF BIRDS IN THE FIELD in this as in everything else renders the work easy, certain, and rapid. At the start few bird voices will be heard; after a little experience, the woods and fields will seem to resound with them. To the beginner the bird notes mean little; to the bird lover they are replete with meaning. In studying birds in the field, the observer must remem- ber that they are naturally timid and have remarkably sharp eyes and ears; almost invariably they see before they are seen. They desire to investigate, not to be investigated ; so, the more careless the learner appears to be, the less he shows that he is studying the birds, and the more strange chirps and whistles he can utter, the nearer he can approach and the better he can observe. Methods of study. —There are three methods of studying birds. (1) To stay in good bird localities and await the ap- proach of the birds. (2) To walk quietly in field and wood, on the alert, while advancing, for the objects of study. (8) To be driven slowly in a carriage or other conveyance through good. bird localities. The first method is by far the best for begin- ners; the others are very useful after a score or more of common birds are well known. The success of the last method will be a surprise. Birds do not expect observation from the occupants of moving vehicles, and so will act naturally and may be closely approached. The slowest of walking horses should be used. Locality. —In order to choose a good locality for carrying out the first plan, attention must be given to the fact that some birds are always to be found in forests, some in shrub- bery, some in open fields, some near the water, some on the ground, and some in the tree tops. Hence a place which com- bines as many forms of landscape as possible within the scope of the eye and ear will be the one to select. If a stream of water flows through a wood and then into a field, a covered position near the brook at the point where it issues from the forest will be well adapted for a view of many kinds of bird haunts. Then, if the proper time of day and the proper time SPECIAL FEATURES 351 of the year are chosen, there will be no lack of birds to study ; the danger is rather that there will be so many that they will bewilder the beginner. Season. — For many reasons the best time of the year to begin work is the spring and early summer. The birds are then most brightly plumaged; they sing most loudly, most sweetly, and most characteristically ; it is nesting time, and near their nests the same birds can be seen day after day, and thus can be thoroughly studied; the young birds with their plain tints are not abundant enough to confuse the student, and the females are most of the time hidden from view. Time of day. —In spring and summer the best time of day is the early morning from sunrise to 10 a.m.; next best is the evening just before sunset. The poorest time of all is the mid- dle of the day. During the cold months the best hours are from noon to about 3 p.m. Which birds to study. — A beginner should try to determine the names of only those birds that have conspicuous colors or markings. They will, as a rule, be males, and are the birds that have characteristic notes, and those that are especially described in the Keys of this part of the book. When a bird is determined upon for study, it should be closely examined through an opera glass, and as many points as possible should be mentally noted before the book is opened, and even before the opera glass is taken from the eyes. All bird workers first become acquainted with the males, and later learn to recog- nize the females and young by seeing them associated with the males, and reading such descriptions as are found in Part II. of this book. Special features to examine.— The points to be first deter- mined are the size as compared to that of the English sparrow and the robin; the length of the bill as compared to the length of the head; the form of the bill, whether stout or slender; the actual and comparative length of the wings and the tail; the colors, markings, etc., of the breast, the back, and the wings; the presence or absence of wing bars, and their color, if present; 852 THE STUDY OF BIRDS IN THE FIELD the tip of the tail, whether notched, square, or rounded; and the presence or absence of white on the tail feathers (to be seen when the bird is on the wing). Of course any peculiarity of habit of perching or flying, any sounds produced, any posi- tion habitually taken, the method of gathering food or of progressing on the ground (walking or hopping), should be observed. Aids to successful work. — A power of mimicry is a valuable attainment for bird study. By imitating the notes heard, not only will you better remember the sounds, but the birds will try to investigate the source of the notes, and will thus come nearer to you than under any other circumstances. If you are not able to imitate bird sounds, then “squeak” by rapidly kiss- ing the finger; this gives a sound similar to that of a bird in distress, and will usually bring into view many of the birds of the vicinity, especially during the mating season. Bird whistles that can be held in the mouth are useful in lieu of mimicry. Winter study of birds. — Though for a beginner spring and summer are the best times for study, there are some advan- tages in winter work which are worthy of mention. There are comparatively few birds to be seen in the winter, and no young to confuse by their nondescript plumage; and there is but little foliage to hide the birds from view. The middle of the day is the best time for study during the winter. Local bird lists. — Obtain all the lists you can of the birds of your locality. The more local the list, the better it will be. Such a list will enable you to know what birds are to be ex- pected at any season. General hints. — In order to emphasize the important points, a brief résumé is here given. (1) All your movements must be quiet and not sudden. Acquire the habit of investigating without appearing to do so. If you need to get near a bird, do it by imperceptible advances. (2) Your clothing should be free from bright or sharply con- trasted tints; and it is better to have the sun back of you. METHOD OF USING THE KEYS 353 (8) You need an opera glass or a field glass. If this is bright or glossy, cover it with gray cloth, and let this cloth extend about an inch beyond the front lenses. It is well also to have a folding artist’s stool, as your patience may be tried by an uncomfortable position. Always carry a notebook and pencil with you and use them. (4) Find a good bird locality and visit it day after day, until you have learned a goodly number of its feathered song- sters. Good localities are such as have within easy reach trees, bushes, water, swamp, upland, and lowland. (5) Begin your investigation in spring just before the leaves expand, and attempt to find the name of one new bird at a time. Let that one be a male with some decided peculiarity of color, marking, note, or habit, or, if possible, all of these. (6) Accustom yourself to observe and remember many things without removing the opera glass from your eyes. Think at the start of each of the following parts: bill, back, breast, belly, crown, wings, and tail, and observe something peculiar about each. The ability to do this will grow rapidly, and you will soon be surprised at the ease with which you observe. (7) Try to make sounds similar to those of birds, either chirpings or more elaborate sounds. If you can do no better, hold the finger against the lips, and, by drawing in the breath, make kissing sounds somewhat like those of a bird in distress. This will cause a commotion among the smaller birds, and will frequently bring a number into view. Use a mechanical bird whistle if you can do no better. (8) The true colors of birds cannot be determined with accu- racy when seen against a bright sky. So for color of plumage try to observe the bird when brush or grass or trees are in the background. Method of using the Keys. — The construction of the Keys for the birds in the bush is on the same plan as the others in the book, but as the Field Keys are especially designed for beginners, who need more cautions and hints than others, the APGAR’S BIRDS. —23 854 THE STUDY OF BIRDS IN THE FIELD directions are here repeated more minutely, with an illustrative example showing the plan of procedure. Note first the great divisions of birds into groups as given on page 856. You have to decide, mainly by the size of your bird, which Key contains it. Turn to this Key, read all the statements beginning with stars (*), and choose the one which best describes the bird you are investigating; at the end of the one chosen there is a letter in parenthesis (or possibly the name of a bird and the page where it is described). The letter directs you to the statements under the same letter somewhere below, and from among these statements you must choose the one that best describes the bird you are observing. In order to decide, you must carefully read all the statements. At the end of the chosen one you will find another letter in paren- thesis. Turn to the place where this is used and continue as before. Never refer to any letters or read any statements except those to which you are directed by the letter in paren- thesis. At some stage in your progress you will find, instead of a letter in parenthesis, the name of a bird and the page where it is described. ‘Turn to this page and carefully read the description; if there is an illustration, examine it and compare it with the bird you are studying. The descriptions of all birds in this book were especially written for use in the field, and just such markings as can readily be seen at a short distance are emphasized. Great pains have been taken to form descriptions in sentences so connected that they can be readily remembered, and repeated mentally. If the bird is seen against a bright sky, some allow- anee must be made for colors. Suppose you are observing a bird with the following charac- teristics: when at rest the head, back, and most of the wings appear black. The spots on the wings and the base of the tail are orange or flame color, and the belly white. Under the wings there is much flame color. It is somewhat smaller than the English sparrow; hence you will find it by the aid ot the Key on page 356. (As it is sometimes nearly as large as KEY TO BIRDS IN TUE FIELD 355 a small English sparrow, it is given also in the Key on page 359.) Read the three statements following the stars. Though your bird is a peculiarly lively one, and is often seen flying from twig to twig, floating down- ward and darting up- ward, you conclude that it can hardly be considered as generally on the wing, and as it does not show creep- ing habits on the trunks and larger limbs, you search for it under the third star, where, in parenthesis, you are directed to read the statements following the A’s, of which there are four. Reading these carefully, you find that the second is most satisfactory, and you turn to the K’s. Here there are five statements, and the first is seemingly right. The name Redstart is given, with the direction to turn to page 96, where a description of your bird will be found. GENERAL KEY TO BIRDS IN THE FIELD LAND BIRDS This Key includes a few Water Birds which occasionally do not show their water habits. Jor the general Key to Water Birds, see page 371. In the Keys of this section (Part III.) no general attempt has been made to include any but male birds in good plumage, as the introduction of the female and young forms would have increased the number of divisions of the Keys to such an ex- tent as to render them too difficult for the use of beginners. The rarer species are omitted for the same reason, 356 THE STUDY OF BIRDS IN THE FIELD * Owls. Mainly night-flying birds, of loose plumage and large heads ; they have their eyes in a facial disk, and so look forward instead of SIDEWAYS) edie e eying oa Sea eee on aonedmacnaidas se ees Key, p. 369. * Hawks, Vultures, Kites, and Eagles. Generally large birds, with very hooked bills. ‘hese birds in most cases take an erect position in POICHING i. ssa cienncwnmie Sade rave Aa eee ETE Eee So Key, p. 370. * Land birds, other than the Birds of Prey. (A.) A. Birds plainly smaller than the English sparrow....... Key below. A. Birds about the size of the English sparrow............... p. 859. A. Between the English sparrow and the robin in size....... p. 363. A. Birds about the size of the robin. ....... 0... ee eee eee ee p. 366. A. Birds larger than the robin. ....... 0... 000 eee eee eee p. 368. Key to Birds Smaller than English Sparrows The numbers refer to the pages where the birds are described. * Birds seen mainly on the wing. The feet of these birds are small and weak ; when at rest they perch on slender things, such as telegraph wires. (S.) * Creeping birds on tree trunks and larger limbs. (Q.) * Birds without special creeping habits and not seen constantly on the wing. (A.) A. Birds with conspicuous bright yellow on parts other than the bend of wing or center of the crown and without bright blue or purple. (L.) A. Birds with bright red or flame color, but no distinct lemon-yellow or blue. (K.) A. Birds with either bright purple or blue or slaty-blue (if only slaty- blue, then with no yellow). (I.) A. Birds with none of the above bright colors, except possibly a spot in the crown or at the bend of the wing. (B.) Very small, plain olive or grayish birds, with no bright colors except in some specimens, a small crown patch ; under parts whitish. (H.) Brown birds, with some cross bars! and with the habit of holding the tail erect. (G.) Birds with the sides of the head and breast white and a conspicuous black throat patch. These birds plainly say chick-d-déé. (F.) Upper parts olive ; wings and tail blackish ; two whitish wing bars ;2 under parts grayish white............ 0... Least Flycatcher, p. 165. Not as above; stout-billed birds.24 (C.) C. Conspicuously streaked, brownish birds. (E.) wow wm Wo C. Cc. KEY TO BIRDS IN THE FIELD 857 Plain, clay-colored bird, with no conspicuous streaks, but with a white line over the eye ....... ....Clay-colored Sparrow, p. 131. Olive-green-backed birds which are generally seen deliberately searching on leaf and twig for insects. (D.) D. Lower parts yellowish ; no wing bars..... Philadelphia Vireo, p. 98. D. Lower parts white ; two distinct wing bars ;2 eyes white scan egient aimtpuounie Wibod Sehaudt A tod eeu eee aan oy ava White-eyed Vireo, p. 100. E. E. E. Tail notched,* and with some yellowish at the base of the blackish feathers ; wing also with some yellow... ... Pine Siskin, p. 119. Tail notched ;* crown chestnut ; forehead blackish ; a whitish line over the eye......... Phaivandl ak Aawdst Chipping Sparrow, p. 130. Tail not notched, usually rounded,® of narrow, sharp-pointed tail feathers.7 Grasshopper Sp., p. 124. Henslow’s Sp., p. 125. Fe avenaubecastinle: hyde Vata Makcraban ane econetra NeBRORAS TERS: Sharp-tailed Sp., p. 126. F. Head with a distinct plack Gap} back ashy". sc. sc0nsee oh emwmaeurns dis ites, syelodesnalsleln tas Chickadee, p. 61. Carolina Chickadee, p. 62. F. Crown dull brownish ; extreme northern............ 0.000 e cece eee G. G. G. G. pAb amare eats sind Cte ava de yeaheah Roamans Hudsonian Chickadee, p. 62. Tail very short ; under parts brown like the back, but lighter. .... i yiceecanan tits aca ators wry ava tinalalate Milan adele eitile ers Winter Wren, p. 68. Tail longer; under parts grayish; back dark brown, without SELCAKS|. 6 voision wate easing Bede) AGkn Heaw eae House Wren, p. 68. Upper parts dark cinnamon-brown ; a distinct white line over the eye; tail with the outer feathers black, and the central ones barred snare we Aes sated mecense meee Bewick’s Wren, p. 67. Back streaked lengthwise with white or white and black......... Short-billed Marsh Wren, p. 69. Long-billed Marsh Wren, p. 69. H. Olive-green birds, seen flitting near the tips of twigs and bushes; under parts yellowish-gray ; crown usually with a bright spot. ..... ....Golden-crowned Kinglet, p. 56. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, p. 57. H. Slender, grayish bird, with a long tail. .Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, p. 57. I. I. 1 Whole plumage blue......-.-....... eee Indigo Bunting, p. 139. Southern bird, with bright blue, green, and red in the plumage.... sida bsts Widope rlacehee MGR ob Bik hig tg deed Mk Sy Painted Bunting, p. 139. Slaty-blue-backed birds. (J.) J. Throat and sides black; lower breast and belly white, a distinct white WING PAtChisous acwseareanemee nd Black-throated Blue Warbler, p. 82. J. Throat and belly white ; sides streaked with black; two white wing bars?.. 2... Bop ematon Mee ghaaidane sy eae Cerulean Warbler, p. 84. K. With much flame color at base of tail and middle of wing; upper parts black; belly about white ........ American Redstart, p. 96. ae S ee ae —S : 5 6 T 858 THE STUDY OF BIRDS IN THE FIELD K. Streaky, winter bird, with red on the crown, and in the male on tHE: Dre asbiAlsOln. ccd ode eaten al ecauctcamcnis Bien teed Redpoll, p. 118. K. Throat and breast orange flame color; head black striped with Pop oe ow M. N. 0. P. P. Aame COOKS 02 6 sciecice cmsenee vars cmos Blackburnian Warbler, p. 86. Very small, olive-green-backed birds, with red or flame color on the CLOWN yes dae bes cade guca yy 14a nce mAlOaeen ede Seeks Hee eau es . Golden-crowned Kinglet, p. 56. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, p. 57. Bird with crimson, black, yellow, white, and plain brown, in the PIMMNGE) os ct nde ee eelee eset sa ser European Goldfinch, p. 120. A yellow-bodied bird, with black wings and tail (in the winter the body is washed with brownish)......... American Goldfinch, p. 118. Face bright red; back cinnamon-brown ; wings with a yellow band Signal aymeh toh a AOR SNRs Sasser European Goldfinch, p. 120. Bird with some shade of yellow nearly everywhere ................ AGE RIP DORR OHRALEHISS EASE ee. suse terion Yellow Warbler, p. 82. . Slender-billed birds, not as above. (M.) Throat and breast bright yellow, unspotted and unstreaked. (P.) Breast and belly white or nearly so, with at most a tint of yellow. (0.) Throat and upper breast black; belly white; much of the head yellow ; back olive-green....Black-throated Green Warbler, p. 87. Head, neck, and throat bluish-gray, changing to black on the breast ; helly yellow; upper parts, including wings and tail, olive- green ; no wing bars ...............055 Mourning Warbler, p. {2. Breast yellow, with dark streaks or blotch. (N.) Upper parts grayish-blue, with a golden spot in the middle of the back ; two white wing bars.!..Parula Warbler, p. 80. Geom black ; cheeks chestnut ; a broad white wing bar ; yellow under parts heavily streaked with black < gevnuegtaceutereiessce en Cape May Warbler, p. 81. Rump as well as the under parts rich yellow; breast and sides heavily streaked with black ; two white wing bars ;! upper parts dark Olivewssceesavs ceaeed oxvensechs Magnolia Warbler, p. 83. Crown chestnut ; yellow under parts streaked with chestnut on breast and sides....... Palm Warbler, p. 88. Yellow Palm Warbler, p. 89. Crown and wing patch yellow; chin, throat, and band through eye black ; back bluish-gray....... Golden-winged Warbler, p. 78. Back olive-green (abruptly changing to gray on the head of the male) ; no white wing bars; no black on head and breast........ aedpadl dettie ad Wire wen walk Auansaeam men arsceers Tennessee Warbler, p. 80. Crown yellow; sides chestnut; back and wings streaked with black and yellow................ Chestnut-sided Warbler, p. 84. Sides of neck and body with black streaks ; back olive-green (spotted with chestnut in the male) ; two yellow wine DATSasuda uke extents aie Di soeihck an oidiavcutla ahniaerk ¢ Sateledy Ae myunememe ty Prairie Warbler, p. 89. Back olive ; head with a peculiar black mask; lower belly white.... SoEeee ees SoteG Ke eEEe Reese gyaede Maryland Yellow-throat, p. 93. KEY TO BIRDS IN THE FIELD 359 P. Cap black; back olive-yellow ; under parts yellow shading to olive OM the SINGS 3.25 con wktenatibenotes Aeunnane Wilson’s Warbler, p. 94. P. Sides streaked with black; white line over the eye ; two white wing bars ;! belly white................ Yellow-throated Warbler, p. 86. P. Back olive-green, changing to gray on the head and neck; wing and tail brownish ; no wing bars.............. Nashville Warbler, p. 79. P. Back olive-green; wings slaty-blue; forehead and all under parts bright yellow ; a dark line through eye. ..Blue-winged Warbler, p. 78. Q. Slender brown bird, with long tail of sharp-pointed feathers used in climbing; belly white........ .......... Brown Creeper, p. 69. Q. Slender bird, with the whole plumage streaked black and white... sich nara eas Cine Sb Sasa erties SEO Stare Black and White Warbler, p. 76. Q. Short-tailed birds creeping with the head downward as often as upward. (R.) R. Lower breast and belly reddish-brown. Red-breasted Nuthatch, p. 59. R. Top of head dark brown............ Brown-headed Nuthatch, p. 60. . Very small bird, seen hovering over flowers. Hummingbird, p. 166. Larger bird, with mouse-colored back and white belly............ kividrawa tes Rough-winged Swallow, p. 107. Bank Swallow, p. 107. Steel-blue-backed, long-winged bird, with reddish rump.......... {ETEEG Whines FE MO UN NE eEMaEs ay Oe Ew hg se Cliff Swallow, p. 105. The flycatchers are so frequently seen on the wing after insects, that they might be looked for here; they sit on a twig, with depressed tail and quivering wings, till an insect is seen, when they dart out, and after catching their prey, return to the same perch... ans hiten Ds Baoan Sh b yews Mipmenenre eae Ss -Least Flycatcher, p. 165. Dn ae. Key to Birds about the Size of the English Sparrow The numbers refer to the pages where the birds are described. * Birds seen mainly on the wing. The feet of these birds are small and weak ; when at rest they perch on slender things, such as telegraph wires. (W.) * Birds seen creeping along trunks and larger branches of trees. (V.) * Birds neither constantly on the wing nor creeping on tree trunks. (A.) Birds with a consj:icuous amount of bright yellow, but no red. (P.) Birds with rich orange or flame color, but no lemon-yellow. (0.) Stout-billed birds, with more or less of distinct red in the plumage. (N.) Birds blue in color. — Including breast... .Indigo Bunting, p. 139. — Breast brown.............. Bluebird, p. 54 Birds with none of the above bright colors (yellow, om flame, red, or blue) in conspicuous amounts. (B.) fs, B. Crested,? loud-voiced, gray bird .. Tufted Titmouse, p. 61. Ae B. Stout-billed birds, without crest. (F.) B. Slender-billed birds, without crest. (C.) 2 > bp bbb 360 THE STUDY OF BIRDS IN THE FIELD D. D. D. fy fa i fe C. Birds with somewhat barred 1 brown plumage, and with the habit of holding the tail erect. Bewick’s Wren, p. 67. Carolina Wren, p. 66. C. Crown, throat, upper breast, and sides chestnut.................. HaavnovaineringSjaicumim wee san Rais wen ace Bay-breasted Warbler, p. 85. C. Black add white streaked ; crown black. Black-poll Warbler, p. 85. C. Walking ground bird, of open fields and pastures, with white tips to the outer tail feathers and a voice which plainly says dee-dee, OCOD os et shi toca calc ineoeasigrmiclety Ses Mea Sn ole saith American Pipit, p. 70. C. Olive-green to olive backed birds, with at most a yellowish tint on the under parts, usually without any yellow. (D.) and (M.) Birds with a thrush-like, spotted breast. (E.) Flycatching birds, with the habit of sitting on a perch, with depressed tail and quivering wings, watching for insects. These they capture on the wing with a click of the bill, and then return to the same perch. Wood Pewee, p. 163. Green-crested Flycatcher, p. 164. Least Fly- catcher, p. 165. Crown distinctly marked with four black and three buffy stripes ; under parts whitish...............0005 Worm-eating Warbler, p. 77. E. Crown bright orange, edged with black stripes...Oven-Bird, p. 90. E. Crown olive, like the back, .........ccccc cece ccc uceeuecevavces seein haled rey Water-Thrush, p. 90. Louisiana Water-Thrush, p. 91. . Slate-colored bird, with the belly abruptly white, and the outer tail feathers: White s< 222 ¢esees sess 084 esau wes RE The Juncos, p. 132. . Winter bird, mainly white in color, more or less blotched with DEGWMISN piicisieet ie died Gd sanena uhenrene aad Snowflake, p. 121. . Birds with the sides of the head and breast white, and a conspicuous black throat patch; their notes seem plainly to say chich-a-dee...... hie eae Rca sas ARES ghee Be BRR SRN AE The Chickadees, p. 61. . Olive-green to olive backed birds, with at most w yellowish tint on the light-colored under parts; these birds deliberately hunt for insects upon twigs, leaves, and bark. (M.) Streaky, brownish birds. (G.) G. Outer tail feathers conspicuously white. (This can readily be seen when the birds are flying.) (L.) G. Outer tail feathers not white. (H.) Breast grayish to white, unstreaked ; no distinct throat patch. (J) Breast definitely streaky. (1.) Breast with a black patch .. ..... European House Sparrow, p. 120. Breast with an indistinct dark-brown blotch. ..Tree Sparrow, p. 130. I. Marsh sparrows, with narrow, sharp-pointed tail feathers? ...... Aen CBee Sharp-tailed Sparrow, p. 126. Savanna Sparrow, p 124. KEY TO BIRDS IN THE FIELD 361 I. A common, reddish-brown sparrow, with the marks of the breast more or less massed in a blotch at the center; no buffy or creamy band across the breast ..............-..0% Song Sparrow, p. 133. I. A grayish-brown sparrow, with a sharply streaked, buffy, or creamy band across the breast................ Lincoln’s Sparrow, p. 154. J. A salt-marsh sparrow, with a grayish, buffy breast ; a yellow spot in front of the eye, and on the bend of the wing; crown not chestnut, but like the back in color.................. Seaside Sparrow, p. 126. J. A western, grayish, clay-colored bird, with but little streakings, and no chestnut on the crown............. Clay-colored Sparrow, p. 131. J. A common town and village sparrow, with ashy crown............. See Teh! Salis eras kw a xeres Oh Female English Sparrow, p. 120. J. Sparrows with more or less of chestnut on the crown. (K.) K. Tail rounded ;3 lower parts white, with an ashy band across breast ChE Gsa. SHMERUMERe TET SLadt age aares Swamp Sparrow, p. 134. K. Tail forked ;# lower parts dark ashy ; a black line through eye.... ib Siterncauy ab aeavatGuay-ssandaa- MOL UcAe Ie Rae a RE -Chipping Sparrow, p. 130. K. Tail forked ;4 lower parts ashy; no dark line through eye; back, bright, reddish-brown ; bill reddish........ Field Sparrow, p. 131. L. Sides of head distinctly marked with bands and spots of white, black, and chestnut ; under parts white, unstreaked, but with a small black spot on the breast; western................. Lark Sparrow, p. 127. L. ‘lwo white wing bars,® and the bend of the wing chestnut; upper parts brownish-gray ; under parts white, with the breast and sides distinctly streaked..................0. case Vesper Sparrow, p. 123. L. Under parts buffy ; two white wing bars, with a black band between ; western winter bird ................004. Smith’s Longspur, p. 122. L. Wing without distinct wing bars; head, throat, and breast with much black ; under parts white, with some dark streaks on the sides of the breast and belly; northern winter bird .. Lapland Longspur, p. 121. M. Crown gray, bordered by blackish, rendering a white line over the eye very distinct ; no wing bars; under parts pure white......... uote icsse ya WE Bet Bosal awsacseauio Re AAA Mint Rina Gis Red-eyed Vireo, p. 98. M. Under parts slightly tinted with yellowish ; no white line over the eye; no wing bars............. ce eee Warbling Vireo, p. 99. M. Head bluish-gray ; a white eye ring, two white wing bars®....... plete SAWS & nth tog sarah Sr aanttionm ess Sis Bega nie a aie Blue-headed Vireo, p. 99. WN. Streaky winter bird, with red on the crown, and in the male on the breast also; bill not crossed at tip...............06- Redpoll, p. 118. N. Bill not crossed at tip; orchard or wood-living bird, with the plumage more or less generally reddish................ Purple Finch, p. 116. 3862 THE STUDY OF BIRDS IN THE FIELD N. Bill crossed at tip;! pine-woods-living birds, with dull, blood-red PlUNIAGSS! Bs ie ai ES sg Sane Mowaearcieinene tag The Crossbills, p. 116. N. A red-faced bird, with yellow, brown, black, and white in the plu- MAGO wives reele eu avd gaudy ecadlen European Goldfinch, p. 120. 0. Throat and breast orange flame color; head black, striped with MAME: COlOR aes ceed cevsctints Sepak Blackburnian Warbler, p. 86. O. Whole head, neck, and under parts rich orange.................. sistant ae suit 24 Ga Gah a iaaaio ane ate eg oes Prothonotary Warbler, p. 76. O. With much flame color at base of tail and middle of wing ; upper parts black; belly about white.......... American Redstart, p. 96. A yellow-bodied bird, with black wings and tail (in the winter the body has brownish washings)........... American Goldfinch, p. 118. A streaky, bluish-gray, slender-billed bird ; a yellow spot on rump, crown, and side of breast.............-. 20085 Myrtle Warbler, p. 83. Breast yellow, without streaks ; belly white or whitish. (T.) Breast and belly yellow, unstreaked (the lower belly may be whitish). (S.) Belly yellow, but the breast not pure yellow. (R.) Breast yellow, with streaks or spots. (Q.) ©: All under parts'yellow, with a necklace of black spots across the breast ; upper parts gray............05. Canadian Warbler, p. 95. Q. Crown black ; cheeks chestnut; a broad white wing bar; under parts heavily streaked with black....... Cape May Warbler, p. 81. R. Head, neck, and breast bluish-gray ; eye ring white................ LQRUAEPSSG TSUN RSE ORL LES be seeR Sa ese eS Connecticut Warbler, p. 92. R. Head, neck, and throat bluish-gray, changing to black on the breast ; upper parts olive-green ; no wing bars..... Mourning Warbler, p. 92. R. Upper parts dark olive-green; throat, breast, and sides washed with olive-green ; two whitish wing bars?.... 0.0.0... eee eee eee Pa RATES CERT EEN eee eer ea Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, p. 164. S. Crown black, connected below the head with a black throat pateh ; forehead, sides of head, and belly yellow ; back olive-green....... ALTER ANGE se Tee eeteees ee ewateeecouse Hooded Warbler, p. 94. S. Crown and side of throat black, but the throat yellow; a curved yellow line over the eye; no wing bars. ..Kentucky Warbler, p. 1. S. Crown like the back olive-green ; two whitish wing bars.......... Sh aihReg ald aha Pear anneea vest 6 sgte waalele aroma vieraihes, Pine Warbler, p. 88. T. Stout-billed3 ground bird, with a black blotch on the throat; chin white ; back streaky ; breast bright yellow....... Dickcissel, p. 141. T. Heavy-billed,* bright olive-green-backed bird, with two white wing bars? and a white eye ring. ........... Yellow-throated Vireo, p. 99: ~ md om T. Vv. V: Vi KEY TO BIRDS IN THE FIELD 363 . Slender-billed® birds. (U.) U. Crown chestnut; yellow under parts streaked with chestnut on breast and SideS.. oicsiccecee see cea ee tess Palm Warblers, p. 88. U. Back olive; head with a black mask....... .. a Bice yah aetwanatlchastdsbiegensts bed Cele e Spa RS es SS BREA EE G lopheapececy Maryland Yellow-Throat, p. 95. U. Sides streaked with black ; a white line over the eye ; two white WINS DAIS? cease organs sew es Yellow-throated Warbler, p. 86. Slender brown bird, with long, sharp-pointed tail feathers®......... Berd ec Sci N Pa AE Dah de a ea da see Brown Creeper, p. 63. Slender bird, everywhere streaked with black and white............ iS axhiateadispiditaasneealae ase chad ae aie sea mien Black and White Warbler, p. 76. Short-tailed creeper, with much black and white in the plumage ; creeping head downward as often as upward.......... 0-20 000e eee ah desis feshiysiiecans scr weaned meni he ih avina! duane sheila White-breasted Nuthatch, p. 59. W. Iridescent or glossy-backed swallows. (Z.) W. Dull-colored birds, without iridescence. (X.) X. Sooty-brown bird, with very short tail, much shorter than the wings ee ee er nae rae Chimney Swift, p. 167. X. Mouse-colored swallows, with not especially short tails. (Y.) Y. Under parts white, with a brownish band across breast.......... db bsp tirker Tega dah allem Ge. eases inset tA yy 6 Bank Swallow, p. 107. Y. Throat and breast brownish ; belly white....................00. PNA RIOR cians hee De a RR ak aie Rough-winged Swallow, p. 107. Z. Steel-blue-backed swallow, with the throat and breast chestnut ; tail eeply fOTKed ins Res etda teas jawed ne Barn Swallow, p. 106. Z. Back steel-blue; rump chestnut; tail nearly even; head, throat, and breastiehestnuts .'.caues ada Soa ireiewateey cw oe Cliff Swallow, p. 105. Z. Blackish-green-backed swallow, with all lower parts white ; tail nearly COVEN. ste c Ak sede teeta tas Mas Tree Swallow, p. 106. Key to Birds between the English Sparrow and Robin in Size * The numbers refer to the pages where the birds are described. Creeping birds upon the trunks of trees. (N.) Birds practically always seen on the wing. (M.) Ground birds, with slender bills and plainly spotted breasts. (K.) Decidedly crested, seal-brown birds with yellow tips to the tail feathers Dia Sen siahia a ied a wie yess mae batansuntewat' gests e's'ne Waxwings, p. 103. Not as above. (A.) A. With a conspicuous amount of bright yellow or orange in the plumage. (J.) 364 THE STUDY OF BIRDS IN THE FIELD With decided red in the plumage. (I.) With decided blue. (H.) Black bird, with a brown head and neck......... “Cowbird, p. 144. With large amounts of both black and white, but no bright red. (G.) Not as above. (B.) With head, back, and tail black, and belly chestnut... ........ ge PAPARRO TESS LE ERATAS TEESE ETASE SIA TOS Orchard ‘Oriole, p. 147. Slate-colored bird, with chestnut patch under the tail. ..Catbird, p. 65. Winter bird, mainly white in color, but more or less washed with PLOW ceaseecesadea sess ceeuotemeremes dev eue red Snowflake, p. 121. Ground bird, with pinkish-brown back, white belly, and black cres- CONG CI DECA oocl £6 SS ca Some de ese sad mee eee Horned Lark, p. 156. Brown to olive, unstreaked birds, with gray breasts. These birds have the habit of sitting on a perch, watching for insects, which, when seen, are captured on the wing with a characteristic click of the bill, the bird returning to the old perch. (F.) B. Streaked, brownish, heavy-billed, sparrow-like birds. (C.) C. With acute-pointed tail feathers,! and no white anywhere ........ Wied, Et hese Pees LRVP ERE AS TE ACME EAE Ra Sho 40s Bobolink, p. 144. C. Outer feathers of the tail with much white....................00. edie ee EERAS EOI ARMA D OREO ER AEN The Longspurs, pp. 121, 122. C. Tail feathers not acute, and the outer ones not white. (D.) D. Head without stripes ; body and wings with much chestnut ; breast decidedly spotted sos ccisacs isan oss ude naa eae Fox Sparrow, p. 135. D. Head without stripes ; no chestnut on body or wings ; head and back blackish streaked ; under parts conspicuously streaked............. Seen ede s MOE Ye ties ewe hg he ceurag aun Red-winged Blackbird, p. 146. D. Head decidedly striped ; throat with a distinct patch of white; breast grayish. (E.) E. A yellow spot in front of eye..... White-throated Sparrow, p. 129. E. No yellow spot in front of eye....White-crowned Sparrow, p. 128. Slightly crested bird, with much chestnut on the wings and tail; throat and breast pearl-gray ; belly yellow. Crested Flycatcher, p. 161. Olive-brown-backed, nearly black-crowned bird, with the under parts yellowish-white, and the bill black.............. 0... Phebe, p. 162. Blackish-olive-backed flycatcher, with the side olive-colored and only the central line of the lower parts white. Olive-sided Flycatcher, p. 163. Grayish-slate-colored bird, with a white band across the tips of the tail feathers ; belly and throat white ; breast grayish... . Kingbird, p. 160. G. Ata distance the bird above given (last F.) might be considered mainly black and white. It can be known by the white tips to the ere wow ww oD 3 7 a blackish tail feathers........... 00.0.0. c00e ce eee Kingbird, p. 160. G. Entire under parts black; back of head buffy ; rump white. A musical bird of meadow and field in spring...... Bobolink, p. 144. G. Hea and back black ; belly and outer tail feathers white : ; sides chestnut. A thicket-living DIPGs scicc yas al ove ee Towhee, p. 136. H. H. KEY TO BIRDS IN THE FIELD 365 G. Gray-backed birds, with black wings and tail, and the under parts mainly white ; bill decidedly hooked?2.. ..... ... Shrikes, p. 101. Upper parts with much blue; breast brown; belly white........... alah Dade 8 Bw ty) Se ate tas linac a eee ahaa tra ate ike gti Bluebird, p. 55. Very stout-billed,? dark-blue bird, with black wings and tail. ‘This is a southern bird, found mainly in shrubbery near water............. ittaitgabee yellow under parts, and a black crescent on the breast..............5+5+ steak Sie Lomereemenem ingest an vase ad Meadowlark, p. 147. Very much mottled, short-legged birds, with a white or buffy collar around thé throat... .s.cse.ea aeares Chuck-will’s-widow, p. 169. B. Black, without iridescence...........-... The Crows, pp. 155, 156. B. Black, glossy, and iridescent..........-.... Purple Grackle, p. 150. C. Cc. Large-headed bird, with a heavy, long, straight bill,® and two bluish bands across the breast....... Bich ieee Belted Kingfisher, p. 179. Tail and wings heavily barred? with black; a black band across Dreastvx icc, te exavseei se eemrmmosnaceeenan ... Blue Jay, p. 153. D. Tail long, and when expanded, fan-shaped; a ruff of black feathers on the lower part of the side neck .. ......... Ruffed Grouse, p. 224. D. Tail extending but little beyond the tips of the wings when closed ; a tuft of feathers higher up on the side neck st baad sees ay cc ania cca hae Wise aN esaesg SS Soha Prairie Hen, p. 2265. KEY TO BIRDS IN THE FIELD 3869 E. With square tails ;® size generally larger than the crow........ Sida ao acec te ns Go caiteahs Hem neeh See 5 ive Sie ean Ma aarav ae Aaya) Besa’ Gulls, pp. 329-333. E. With forked tails,9 and usually not larger than the crows......... MobtuGintt Me 4 BH FETE AEA ER RERE EEE RCS Terns, pp. 3823-327. Key to the Owls The numbers refer to the pages where the birds are described. * Owls with conspicuous ear tufts! and yellow eyes. (F.) * Owls without ear tufts,!! and black or yellow eyes. (A.) A. Large, 12 inches or more long. (C.) A. Small, less than 12 inches long; back spotted with white. (B.) B. Ground-burrowing, day owls, of the south and west, with very long legs, nearly naked of feathers....The Burrowing Owls, pp. 190, 191. B. Short-legged owl, less than 9 inches long, with the head streaked, and the back spotted with white............. Saw-whet Owl, p. 187. B. A northern, winter, short-legged owl, nearly a foot long, with both head and back spotted with white......... Richardson’s Owl, p. 187. C. Eyes black or nearly so. (E.) C. Eyes distinctly yellow. (D.) D. A very large, winter owl, with nearly white plumage............... operate pe am taidan tipiem hack bere ome wee ee .. Snowy Owl, p. 189. D. A very large, grayish-mottled owl, with the white lower parts broadly streaked on the breast, and irregularly barred with blackish on the belly and sides cosy sca cvus Aiveewee ee erg ene Great Gray Owl, p. 186. D. A medium-sized, day-flying, long-tailed, somewhat hawk-like owl, with the back dark, sooty-brown, and the head and neck much spotted with white................ ... American Hawk Owl, p. 190. D. A medium-sized, dull orange to buffy ow], with darker streaks. This owl has short, and usually unnoticed, ear tufts.................5. SOE Sie ee Wee eee teg PURE RRR ON GEES Meee Short-eared Owl, p. 185. E. Large owl, with curious, heart-shaped, monkey-like face.!2 This is a spotted and speckled light-colored bird......... Barn Owl, p. 192. E. A large, grayish-brown, hooting owl, with the back and breast much barred, and the belly and sides streaked..Barred Owl, p. 186. F. A common, small, brownish-gray or reddish owl, less than 12 inches VOWGS cieginninncnetine Ree A Divina Aousigrscnceninaie, Stee % Screech Owl, p. 188. F. Owls over 12 inches long. (G.) G. A very large, heavy owl, with ear tufts !° two inches long, and dark, mottled back ; the belly is rusty buff, barred with black.......... Abie TE EERSTS INGE HF 40H LOWERED UE GOA Great Horned Owl, p. 188. APGAR’S BIRDS, — 24 370 THE STUDY OF BIRDS IN THE FIELD G. A medium-sized, conspicuously eared owl (ear tufts 1 inch long), with dark brownish back mottled with white and orange. The lower parts buffy, streaked on the breast, and barred on the sides anid DElMY? hed s cree e eae American Long-eared Owl, p. 185. G. A medium-sized, inconspicuously eared owl, with both breast and belly streaked. The general plumage is dull orange to buffy...... Seip Seek go oy Sa EARS SEE SED Ba ae Short-eared Owl, p. 185. Key to the Hawks, etc. The numbers refer to the pages where the birds are described. * Bird of prey, with long, deeply forked tail.1 Swallow-tailed Kite, p. 196. * Small, less than 14 inches long. (E.) * Large hawks, 14-25 inches long. (A.) * Very large birds of prey, over 25 long. .Eagles, p. 205. Vultures, p. 212. A. Hawk with densely feathered legs ; plumage usually dark-colored. . een PEAS RE DEAS ARMS VES American Rough-legged Hawk, p. 204. A. Tarsus bare for at least one third its length. (B.) B. Plumage with a conspicuous amount of rusty red. (D.) and first (C.) B. Without rusty red. (C.) C. A long-tailed hawk, with the upper tail coverts entirely white. An inhabitant of marshy places................ Marsh Hawk, p. 198. C. A fishing hawk, with the head, neck, and lower parts white. This bird is usually seen flying over large bodies of water and frequently dashing down for its fish food........... American Osprey, p. 211. C. All upper parts slate-colored and nearly uniform ; the sides of head with peculiar ‘‘ mustache’? blotches .......... Duck Hawk, p. 208. D. Shoulders conspicuously rusty red ; tail black, with about four broad white bands, and white tip........... Red-shouldered Hawk, p. 201. D. Tail rusty red, with a narrow black band near the tip, but the tip white ; upper breast streaked buffy and brown; lower belly white, WithOt SINGORS, 444.4 pa Raa eedeneueeeuss Red-tailed Hawk, p. 200. D. A blackish-crowned, medium-sized hawk, with a much rounded ashy- gray tail crossed by blackish bands and a white tip........ .......- LSSHREASN GIADA AS EIS VEER ERE RRS Eee sd Cooper’s Hawk, p. 199. D. A iidiumnsined hawk, with the under parts heavily barred with rusty TOUTE sie eis acauarsatpaica pape RSeaseuatoutrnceruieiaeaons Broad-winged Hawk, p. 203. E. A long-tailed, bluish-gray-backed hawk, with the lower parts whitish, barred on the sides and breast with rusty red or brown........... Sa aot essglpael acecrapsnaueyous spam oeMteddnuipeecanne Sharp-shinned Hawk, p. 198. E. A very small hawk, with much rusty red on the back and usually Of THE GOW oi08 case eters aw cee American Sparrow Hawk, p. 210. E. A small hawk, with slaty-blue back, a rusty collar on the neck, and about three whitish bars on the tail, and a white tip.............. ined haaehned Aaemahanenan- Van tarow neato Pigeon Hawk, p. 208. KEY TO BIRDS IN THE FIELD 371 General Key to the Groups of Water Birds This Key is a very general one. ‘The illustrations in Part II. are believed to serve better for the identification of most water birds, seen at a distance, than any field keys that could be prepared. The object of this Key is to state concisely the general characteristics of each group and refer the learner to the pages where descriptions and engravings can be found. * Shore birds, with round heads, short, pigeon-like bills,? short necks, and stout bodies. These are found near both salt and fresh water ponds and streams. None are over 12 inches long. Because of the short- ness of the bill, a few of the sandpipers might be looked for here, especially those found on pp. 247 and 248...... 0... 00. ce eee ee eee er eT Ree eee Plovers, pp. 229-233. Turnstone, p. 228. * Shore birds, with slender and usually elongated bills,? and generally loug legs and necks. ‘These are found abundantly on marshes, meadows, and along the shores. The plumage is generally of mottled brown color. The length varies from 6 to 25 inches.... ..... eit — Bill long and curved downward................ Curlews, p. 249. — Bill long and curved upward ....... 6... cee ee ee bee eho ued cae a naw Godwits, p. 244. Avocets, pp. 250, 251. — Bill straight and of varying length...................... 0. 05 shed t atede: toa. bs Snipes, Sandpipers, pp. 237-249. Phalaropes, p. 252. * Reedy marsh birds, with long legs, long toes, and narrow bodies. Plain- colored, generally skulking birds, hiding in the most inaccessible places, and thus difficult to see. ‘They are noisy birds, with penetrat- ing voices of varied character which have been likened to those of pigs, frogs, chickens, etc. The length of the different species varies from 6-15 inches................. Rails, p. 255. Gallinules, p. 259. * Swamp birds of large size, with long necks, long, strong bills, and long legs. They are often seen standing on one leg. These are brightly marked and in the breeding season beautifully crested birds......... Listen saysrersmieoenes Bitterns, p. 264. Herons, pp. 265-270. Cranes, p. 261. * Small swimming birds, which on shore seem much like sandpipers..... Sahil ell ay aed da SOM Gg eam we aE maioineer eet Phalaropes, p. 252. * Swimming birds, with stout, flattened bodies, large heads, and usually broad, depressed bills.6 These are generally large birds found swim- ming in all waters. When flying they move through the air with wonderful velocity ........ Sea Ducks, pp. 286-296. River Ducks, pp. 297-303. Fish Ducks, p. 304. Geese, p. 280. Swans, p. 279. a a i 5 3872 THE STUDY OF BIRDS IN TUE FIELD * Swimming and diving birds, with almost no tails. Heads peculiarly crested in the breeding season. Body held nearly erect when stand- ing — —Neck shorts ss cc ccess ages wiseenece orev ees Auks, pp. 338-341. SSNCCK ONE, 58 sac ace tee ee orate a Loons, p. J42. Grebes, p. 345. * Very long-winged, flying, and swimming birds, seen usually in the air over the water along all shores. — Smaller birds, with forked tails, and the head so held as to point downward when flying ; voices shrill........ Terns, pp. 823-328, — Larger birds, with even tail and the head held in line with the body when flying ; voices hoarse............ Gulls, pp. 829-336, PART IV PREPARATION OF BIRD SPECIMENS FOR DIS- PLAY OR STUDY WHETHER it is better to have skins or mounted birds depends entirely upon the use they are to serve, the number there are to be, and the room at disposal for their preservation. For beginners in ornithology, mounted birds show far more than skins.