\Y SY ACs ‘\ N . wt AX \ AN \\ ty $e Zs LAY . CAN WE \\ AY WAN CORNELL LAB of ORNITHOLOGY LIBRARY AT SAPSUCKER WOODS Illustration of Snowy Owl by Louis Agassiz Fuertes win»... =e Not S rugs = i 1 24 DATE DUE GAYLORD PRINTED INUSA 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://www.archive.org/details/cu31924090251632 BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH The Birds id Virginia HAROLD 1 H.BAILEY WITH FOURTEEN FULL PAGE COLORED PLATES, ONE MAP, AND ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT HALF-TONES TAKEN FROM NATURE TREATING ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-FIVE SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES; ALL THE BIRDS THAT BREED WITHIN THE STATE. 1913 J. P. BELL COMPANY, Inc. PUBLISHERS LYNCHBURG, VA. oe itit Q be os4 ve BIS Copyrighted, 1913 By Harotp H. BAILEY Newport News Virginia For ober forty pears he Has been an active bird Inver and student, and the bopish enthusiasm he still displays is an incentive for me to follotw in bis footsteps. To fp Father 3 dedicate this book. INDEX PAGE Accipiter cooperi -.......... Cooper’s Hawk. 333.......2.2.222-----+ 109 Accipiter velox ... Sharp-shinned Hawk. 332. . 105 Actitis macularia Spotted Sandpiper. 263... 71 -Egialitis meloda ..... Piping Plover, 277............ 75 Red-winged Blackbird, 498.......... 201 Wood Duck. 144... Agelaius-p-pheeniceus AIX sponsa ........-- Aluco pratincola Ammodramus-s-australis Grasshopper Sparrow. 546. 223 Anas platyrhynchos ..... Mallard. 132 20 Anas rubripes. ..........---- Black Duck. 22 Antrostomus carolinensis .- Antrostomus-v-vociferus .. Aquila-chrysetos -........- Chuck-will’s-widow. — 416.............. 166 Whip-poor-will, 417... Golden Eagle. 349... Archilochus colubris .........-----.- Ruby-throated Hummingbird. 428 173 Ardea-h-herodias ......-----.2----+- Great Blue Heron. 194..............-. 38 Asio flammeus .. Short-eared Owl. 367.. 137 asio wilsonianus .- Long-eared Owl. 366. .. 134 Astragalinus-t-tristis 2... Goldfinch. 529... 217 Beolophus bicolor ..........-...--.-- Tufted Titmouse. Bartramia longicauda .............- Upland Plover. Bittern, American 190 Bittern, Least ...... 191 Blackbird, Red-winged -............. BOB cccccseeeeeetceeeee mere Bluebird POO aciceccescsses Bobwhite BOQ cee arsanveras Bombycilla cedrorum ..............-- Cedar Waxwing. 619. = Bonasa-u-umbellus © ....... Ruffed Grouse. 300......2..20.0..00-+ 88 Botaurus lentiginosus . Bittern. 190 33 Branta-c-canadensis .... Canada Goose. 172.. 28 Bubo-v-virginianus Great Horned Owl. 146 Bunting, Indigo -.. DOS: caesieusdeccyettersnesetss iazenee = _ QAT Buteo-b-borealis ... Red-tailed Hawk. 337...... lll Buteo-]-lineatus ...Red-shouldered Hawk. 339. x ALS Buteo platypterus ..Broad-winged Hawk. 343............ 115 Butorides-v-virescens .......-...------- Green Heron. 201....0...00.2...0002--- 47 Cardinal 593 Cardinalis-ce-eardinalis ..........-..- Cardinal. Catbird 704 Cathartes-a-septentrionalis ..... Turkey Vulture. 325.0000... 97 Catharista urubu. .......2.------- Black Vulture. 326.222.000.000... 100 Catoptrophorus-s-semipalmatus Willet. 258.. 67 Centurus carolinus ..--.---2-2--2:-+ Red-bellied Woodpecker. 409...... 161 Certhia-f-americana ..Brown Creeper. 726.....20..20.20002.. 335 Ceryle aleyon .... ..Belted Kingfisher. 390... Chetura pelagica ..Chimney Swift. 423 Chat, Yellow-breasted ...: ....683 Chickadee opines INDEX V -..736 Nighthawk. 2G” ch .-Marsh Hawk. Chickadee, Carolina ........ Chordeiles-v-virginianus Chuck-will’s-widow Cireus hudsonius Coceeyzus-a-americanus Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 387 Coeeyzus erythrophthalmus ......Black-billed Cuckoo. 388. Colaptes-a-auratus 0.20.2... Flicker. Colaptes-a-luteus --Northern Flicker. 412-A........ Colinus-y-virginianus ...... Bobwhite. 289...2...00.... Compsothlypis-a-americana Parula Warbler. Compsothlypis-a-usnex -............ Northern Parula Warbler. G48-A ........ ... 288 Corvus-b-brachyrhynchos «Crow, 488..... Corvus ossifragus ......... Fish Crow. 490... Corvus-e-principalis Northern Raven. 486-A Cowbird 495 Creeper, Brown Creciseus jamaicensis Crossbill -....... Crow Crow, Fish .-. Cryptoglaux-a-acadica Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Black-billed, .... Cyanocitta-c-eristata Blue Jay. 477... .-Pintail. 143 i < Yellow Warbler. 652.......... Cairns’s Warbler. © 654-A. Cerulean Warbler. Dafila acuta Dendroica-a-estiva Dendroica-c-cairnsi Dendroica cerulea ... Dendroica discolor .... Prairie Warbler. is Dendroica-d-dominica Yellow-throated Warbler. 63 Dendroica fusca ........ Blackburnian Warbler. Dendroica magnolia ..Magnolia Warbler. 657 ee Oh Dendroica vigorsi «Pine Warbler, (67)... 2 Dendroica pensylvanica Chestnut-sided Warbler. 65%)...... Dendroica virens Black-throated Green Warbler. i exsurccisemanstsanwwers tener aacenan 297 Dove, Mourning .. 316 94 Dryobates borealis ...Red-cockaded Woodpecker. 395... 155 Dryobates-p-medianus Downy Woodpecker. 394-C.......... 155 Dryobates-p-pubescens ..Southern Downy Woodpecker 394 . 154 Dryobates-v-auduboni ........2....- Southern Hairy Woodpecker. Duck, Black Duck, Mallard ... Duck, Pintail Duck, Wood Dumetella carolinensis —. _Catbird. 704 vi InDEXx PAGE Eagle, Bald 352 .. 119 Eagle, Golden - BAD asec veerereen nie neat 118 Egret 196 41 Egretta-c-candidissima ..........--.- Snowy Egret. 197.22... 43 Egret, Snowy 197 43 Empidonax flaviventris Empidonax minimus .... Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. 463... 185 Least Flycatcher. Empidonax virescens .........-.----- Acadian Flycatcher, 465.............- 186 Faleo-p-anatum .....-------+---+----- Duck Hawk. 356-A....00...-- 123 Faleo-s-sparverius -...-------+--------- Sparrow Hawk. 360........-.....2-.----- 124 Flicker 412 163 Flicker, Northern AD eit eh Bas sealed oe Clan 165 Florida cerulea .......-------------- Little Blue Heron. 200...............- 45 Flycatcher, Crested 452 pe 178 Flycatcher, Acadian 465 186 Flycatcher, Olive-sided 459 181 Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied -......- 463 .. 185 Flycatcher, Least -.....-------------- 467-G 187 Gallinule, Florida 219 63 Gallinula galeata -.....--.---.---------- Florida Gallinule. 219... 63 Gull-billed Tern. 63............ re -Florida Yellow-throat. 681-B...... 312 ..-Maryland Yellow-throat. 681....... 311 Gelochelidon nilotica Geothlypis-t-ignota ... Geothlypis-t-trichas ...... Gnatecatcher, Blue-gray .......-.--- 751 348 Goldfinch, American 529 217 Goose, Canada 172 28 Grackle, Boat-tail 513 212 Grackle, Purple 511 210 Grosbeak, Blue 597 244 Grosbeak, Rose-breasted ...........- 595... - 242 Grouse, Ruffed 300 88 Guiraca-c-cerulea -......2.-----0-- Blue Grosbeak. 597..........-.---.------ 244 Gull, Laughing 58 3 Hematopus palliatus ..............-- Oyster-catcher. 286...............2020--- 80 Haligetus-l-leucocephalus .......... Bald Eagle. 352........2.....002----+ 119 Hawk, Broad-winged 343... 115 Hawk, Cooper’s 333 = 109 Hawk, Duck .......2...2...2.2..200------ 356-A .... 123 Hawk, Marsh Choi lee an aoc oe eeareN Se 03 Hawk, Sharp-shinned 332 — 105 Hawk, Sparrow 360 .... 124 Hawk, Red-shouldered 339. — 113 Hawk, Red-tailed 2D B7 lll Helinaia swainsoni ............. -Swainson’s Warbler. 638.............- 280 Helmitheros vermivorus .- -Worm-eating Warbler. 639.......... 281 Herodias egretta ...Egret. 196 4] Heron, Black-crowned Night....202 50 Inprx vil Heron, Great Blue 194 Heron, Green 201 Heron, Little Blue 200 wevadhgonidecs Hirundo erythrogastra ...........- Barn Swallow. 613......... Hummingbird, Ruby-throated....428 : Hylocichla mustelina ---Wood Thrush. 755.........2:2.00000- 351 Hylocichla-f-fuscescens Veery. 756 353 Teteria-v-virens .........222..eeee: Yellow-breasted Chat. Icterus galbula ... ..-Baltimore Oriole. 507... Icterus spurius ... -Orchard Oriole. 506.... Iridoprocne bicolor -Tree Swallow. 614...... Ixobrychus exilis .....022.02 Least Bittern, 19] Jay, Blue = 477 190 Junco-h-earolinensis Carolina Junco, 567-E......2.....---- 231 Killdeer QD gece eA ue ees al eh 74 Kingbird 444 176 Kingfisher, Belted 390 .... 151 Kinglet, Golden-crowned .......... 748 346 Lanius-l-migrans ........2..2-2.2-.-+-- Migrant Shrike. 622-E .--Yellow-throated Vireo. ...-Mountain Vireo. 629-C. Laughing Gull, 58...... Lanivireo flavifrons . Lanivireo-s-alticola Larus atricilla ..... Loxia-@-minor ecco Crossbill, 521s i Mallard 132 20 Martin, Purple 611 253 Meadowlark .............. 501 203 Meadowlark, Southern . Megaquiscalus-m-major Melanerpes erythrocephalus.. Meleagris-g-silvestris Boat-tailed Grackle. 513.............. 212 Red-headed Woodpecker. 406.. Wild Turkey. 310-A.... Melospiza georgiana ............--... Swamp Sparrow. 584 Melospiza-m-melodia .............-.... Song Sparrow. 581... Mimus-p-polyglottos Mockingbird. 703... Mniotilta varia -................+.++. Black and White Warbler. 636.. 278 Mockingbird 703 320 Molothrus-a-ater -........-.-..--..-++ Cowbird, 40D ivscseccven cones 198 Myiarchus crinitus ..................- Crested Flycatcher. 452.............- 178 Myiochanes virens .........--.--.-+ Wood Pewee. 461......-----.--2--2---- 183 Nannus-h-hiemalis ........---...--. Winter Wren, 722......2.--ee 331 Nighthawk 420 169 Nuthatch, Brown-headed .......... TOO: poteascotess heen eteeSiag Ae deen ee 340 Nuthatch, Red-breasted .. Nuthatch, White-breasted Tae 336 Nuttallornis borealis -. ..Olive-sided Flycatcher. 459.......... 181 Nyeticorax-n-nevius -.....-.---... Black-crowned Night Heron. 202 50 vill INDEX Ochthodromus wilsonius .......... Wilson’s Plover. 280........2..-.--+-+-- Olor columbianus --Whistling Swan. 180..... Oporornis formosus .........-.-.----. jxentucky Warbler. 677. 3 Oriole, Baltimore 151 (rere wei ee ae arenes eRe Sun EM Oriole, Orchard 506 oo. Osprey 364 * QOtusaFdsiOs scien kee Sereech Owl. 373.......0.02---eeee- Ovenbird 674 Owl, Barn 365 Owl, Barred —....-.2.. ees 368 Owl, Great Horned ...... 375 Owl, Long-eared 366 Owl, Saw-whet 372 Owl, Sereech es 373 Owl, Short-eared 367 Oxyvechus vociferus .........2...2.--- Killdeer. Oyster-catcher 286 cssdecensereereaietetevespyiiss Passerherbulus caudacutus........ Sharp-tailed Sparrow. Passerherbulus-h-henslowi --Henslow’s Sparrow. Passerherbulus-m-maritimus ....Seaside Sparrow. 550 ss Passerina cyanea .-Indigo Bunting. 598........-.-...--.--- Passer domesticus -................-.. English Sparrow. (Introduced Breeder) .....:.c0c00-2c0sceseeceeeeeeees 221 Pandion-h-earolinensis -............. Osprey. 364 127 Penthestes-a-atricapillus --Chickadee. 735.........2..2-22:20:00eceee 344 Penthestes-c-carolinensis --Carolina Chickadee. 736.. .. 344 Petrochelidon-l-lunifrons ..........Cliff Swallow, 612....0000020-.--+ 255 Peucea-a-bachmani ...........------- Bachman’s Sparrow. 575-A.......... 232 Pewee, Wood AGE coos tests 183 Phleotomus-p-pileatus _............ Pileated Woodpecker. 405............ 158 Phasianus torguatus —.............. Ring-necked Pheasant. duced. Breeder) -......--....--2--..0... Pheasant, Ring-necked .............. Introduced Breeder.................22....- Philohela minor ...............2.....----- Woodeoek. = 228... Phebe 456 Pipilo-e-erythrophthalmus ........ Towhee, 587............------1---- Piranga erythromelas ............... Piranga-r-rubra ...2...2--2:-2::210----- Planesticus-m-migratorius . Planesticus-m-achrusterus Plover, Piping DET dcedast raw es Plover, Upland —...00......--- 261 .... Plover, Wilson’s _..0000.2.020....--- D80 oo. Powcetes-g-gramineus ..Vesper Sparrow. 540 Polioptila-c-cxerulea Blue-gray Gnateatcher, 751... Progne-s-subis ......... Purple Martin. 61 1............. Protonotaria citrea 2.22... Prothonotary Warbler. Quiscalus-q-quiseula W022... Purple Grackle. 511... 210 Rail, Black Rail, Clapper .. Rail, King 54 Rail, Virginia = 59 Rallus-e-crepitans Clapper Rail. 211. 56 Rallus elegans Rallus virginianus .- Virginia Rail. Raven, Northern -486-A ... Redstart | 687... Regulus-s-satrapa --748 Riparia riparia -... --Bank Swallow. 616 Robin 761 : 7” Robin, Southern .. .-761-B Rynchops nigra .... .-Black ..King Rail. Sandpiper, Spotted 0.2.0.2... oe fei gat Sane de ces aes a viol Sapsueker, Yellow-bellied a 157 Sayornis pheebe ............. 456........-.. 180 Seiurus aurocapillus ........ Seiurus motacilla -.. . Setophaga ruticilla - Shrike, .Migrant Sialia-s-sialis .-.-Bluebird. Siskin, Pine -....... 533 Be ox es Sitta-c-carolinensis ...White-breasted Nuthatch. 727.... 336 Sitta canadensis Red-breasted Nuthatch. 728. Sitta pusilla ..-.-..-Brown-headed. Nuthatch. 729 Skimmer, Black 80 : Sparrow, Bachman’s Sparrow, Chipping . Sparrow, English Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Henslow’s ............... Sparrow, Seaside Sparrow, Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Vesper 676 Sparrow, Swamp 584 36 Sphyrapicus-v-varius | -...2....22...-. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. 4 i Spinus pinus .... Pine Siskin. 533... 219 Spizella pusilla Spizella-p-passerina ........ Stelgidopteryx serripennis . Sterna antillarum ... Sterna caspia .... Sterna forsteri -. Sterna hirundo ... Sterna maxima Field Sparrow. 563... Chipping Sparrow. 560... Rough-winged Swallow. 6 Least Tern. 74 Caspian Tern. Forster’s Tern. ..-Common Tern. .-Royal Tern. 65 xX INDEX Sterna-s-acuflavida ......2.02.2-.- Cabot’s Tern. 67-......ceccceceeeeeeneee Strix-v-varia -...........- -Barred Owl. 368............ Sturnella-m-argutula -Southern Meadowlark. Sturnella-m-magna .........----.--...- Meadowlark. 501... Swallow, Bank 616 Swallow, Barn 613 Swallow, Cliff 612 Swallow, Rough-winged 617 Swallow, Tree 614 Swan, Whistling 180 Swift, Chimney 423 Tanager, Scarlet G08) sessccie ise teense eiedeeegeee eee 249 Tanager, Summer 610 250 Telmatodytes-p-palustris ..........Long-billed Marsh Wren. 725...... 332 Telmatodytes-p-mariane _ .......... Marian’s Marsh Wren. .725-E...... 333 Tern, Cabot’s 67 .... Tern, Caspian 64 Tern, Common 70 Tern, Forster’s 69 Tern, Least 74 Tern, Royal .. 65 Thrasher, Brown 705 Thrush, Louisiana Water ........ 676 Thrush, Veery ..............2.:::-0 756 .... Thrush, Wood 755 Troglodytes-a-aédon — ............2...-- House Wren. Thryomanes-b-bewicki_ ...... Bewick’s Wren. Thryothorus-]-ludovicianus _ ...... Carolina Wren. Titmouse, Tufted 731 Towhee 587 Toxostoma rufum ............2.--2 Brown Thrasher. 705...............---- 323 Turkey, Wild -......... 91 Tyrannus tyrannus WAG iz. cocaiet tac 22s tatscdteet ah 176 Vermivora bachmani ... .-Bachman’s Warbler. 640 Vermivora chrysoptera . ..Golden-winged Warbler. Vermivora pinus ..... ..Blue-winged Warbler. 641. Vireo-g-griseus. ..... ..White-eyed Vireo. 631......... Vireo, Mountain ...........--..-2----+ 629-C Vireo, Red-eyed 624 Vireosylva-g-gilva ......202222----- Warbling Vireo. 627 Vireosylva olivacea ................+-+- Red-eyed Vireo. 624.......... Vireo, Warbling 627 = Vireo, White-eyed O31. cece ed ceseeeeocsredtavnceavevsusyysesyieeni) ceases Vireo, Yellow-throated .............. 1 een ee eee Vulture, Black 326 Vulture, Turkey 325 See emer Warbler, Bachman’s Warbler, Warbler, Warbler, Blackburnian Blue-winged Black and White 641 Warbler, Warbler, Warbler, Cairns’s Cerulean Black-throated Green667 Warbler, Warbler, Canada Chestnut-sided Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, i Warbler, Warbler, Warbler, Pine Prairie Prothonotary Warbler, Warbler, Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-throated Waxwing, Cedar Willet Wilsonia canadensis B Wilsonia citrina -..0....20.2.- Hooded Warbler. 684...............-.-- 315 Woodcock 228 66 Woodpecker (Flicker) ..............: 412-412-A (See Flicker j Woodpecker, Pileated 405 158 Woodpecker, Red-bellied -......... 409 161 Woodpecker, Red-cockaded ......395 .... 155 Woodpecker, Red-headed 406 159 Woodpecker, Downy ...... 394-C 155 Woodpecker, Southern Downy..394 154 Woodpecker, Southern Hairy....393-B 153 Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ........ BOD) senses setae sie eke eee 326 Whip-poor-will 417 167 Wren, Bewick’s 719 327 Wren, Carolina ............---..1.----- TAB preteen ar a see te 325 Wren, House LL winder enact tacts eas sae ee 328 Wren, Long-billed Marsh ........ TOY oleh ce bess tet eee 332 “Wren, Marian’s Marsh .... 725-E 333 Wren, Winter 722 331 Yellow-throat, Florida .............. 681-B J1g Yellow-throat, Maryland 681 311 Zamelodia ludoviciana .............- Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 595...... 242 Zenaidura-m-carolinensis .......... Mourning Dove. 316.................... 94 INDEX OF COLORED PLATES BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH FACING PAGE Frontispiece ) CaBot’s TERN Biack SKIMMER Biack RAIL FLoripaA GALLINULE WILLET PIPING PLOVER OYSTER-CATCHER WiL_p TURKEY RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW SUMMER TANAGER YELLOW-THROATED VIREO ...... SWAINSON’S WARBLER INDEX OF HALF-TONES Bittern, American (nest and eges of) Bittern, American (nest and young of) Bittern, Least (nest and eggs of) Bittern, Least (female incubating eges).. Blackbird, Red-winged (nest and eggs of) Bluebird (nesting hole of) Bobwhite (nest and eggs of) Bunting, Indigo (nest and eggs of) Cowbird (see blue-winged Warbler) photo.......2022000.0cc cece 284 Crow (nest and eggs of) .......... Gaveessdegnigtsettpahecs vensuted usays1,,cenet auc lideees 194 Dove, Mourning (nest and. eegs) sn... hee 93 Duck, Black (female brooding eges) 2 21 Duck, Black (mest and eg Qs) -W......2...scccsssseeesesceeseetsceeeereceeeeseneeeeneneeee 21 Duck, Black (old and young) ........2..2.22:2::2:ceceeeeeeeee 21 Duck, Pintail (mest and eges of) -.....2.2-.2.eeececec eee eects eeeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 24 Eagle, Bald (nest of, in live pine) -.....2.022..2c:ceececeeeeceeeceeeeeeee tenes 117 Egret (nest and eggs of)...... 40 Egret (female brooding young)...... . 40 Egret, Snowy (female brooding young) .........-..2-.2-.22.-2----0 ee 44 Egret, Snowy (young of the) 44 Egret, Snowy (nest and three eggs) 42 Egret, Snowy (nest and three young) 42 Flicker (nesting cavity of)... 222-22. 162 Gallinule, Florida (nest and eges of) Gnateatcher, Blue-gray (nest and eggs of) Goldfinch (nest and eggs of) Goldfinch (nest and young of)............ Grosbeak, Blue (nest. of) -.....222.....22..2222:00-2000-+- Gull, Laughing (nest and eggs) Hawk, Broad-winged (young three weeks old) ........2....2.22.22-2.:22--0-- ll4 Hawk, Cooper’s (young four and a half weeks old)... 108 Hawk, Cooper’s (young of the) : 106 Hawk, Marsh (young, 14, 16 and 18 days old)... 102 Hawk, Marsh (young 25 days old) 102 Hawk, Red-shouldered (nest and eggs of) 112 Hawk, Red-tailed (nest and eggs of) 110 Hawk, Sharp-shinned (nest and eggs of)... eee eee 104 Hawk, Sparrow (young of—ready to fly) 122 Hawk, Sparrow (young of—S8 days) 122 Heron, Great Blue (nest and small young) 2 BT Heron, Great Blue (nest and large young) ae Heron, Green (nest and eggs of) - 46 Heron, Black-crowned Night (nest and eggs of) -.-......0..2e 49 Heron, Black-crowned Night (large young)................ 49 X1V Inpex oF HaLr-Tones PAGE Heron, Black-crowned Night (nest and young ready to fly).....-.- 49 Jay, Blue (female on nest) doa haste aenesearece 189 Killdeer (nest and egos Of) -......2..:ceccsceccceeeceseeceececeeeeeeeceseeeceeseeeeenenenes 73 Kingbird (nest and eggs of) 7 . 175 Martin, Purple (nesting box of) -.....22.2.c2:c:ecceeeee ..- 252 Meadowlark (nest and eggs of) .. 202 Nighthawk (nest and eggs Of) 2.2.2.2... cece cece cee ceec eee ceneenceceeneee Nuthatch, Brown-headed (stub with nesting holes of) ..... Oriole, Baltimore (young of) Osprey (nest in dead pine)...... Ovster-catcher (nest and eggs of) Ovenbird (nest and eggs Of) -..........-e ee Owl, Barn (young two weeks old) Owl, Barn (young ten weeks old) Owl, Great-horned (small young of) Owl, Long-eared (nest with eggs and young) Owl, Long-eared (young three weeks old) -........20.0.0.0------ Owl, Screech (voung four weeks old) 22 Owl, Short-eared (nest and eggs of)... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeteteeees Owl, Short-eared (nest and young of) Pewee, Wood (nest and eggs of)...... Phebe (nest and eggs of) Plover, Wilson’s (nest and eggs of) Rail, Clapper (nest and eggs of) es 55 Rail, King (nest and eggs of) -....022.. 2c cece ee eee ene 53 Rail, Virginia (female brooding eggs) -......2--2.. ee 58 Rail, Virginia (nest and eggs of) 58 Robin (female and young of) -.....-...-..--------. . 856 Sandpiper, Spotted (nest and eggs of) = 70 Shrike (young on nest)... ..-- 266 Skimmer, Black (nest and eggs of) dW Sparrow, Chipping (mest and young) ......22.......c:cecceeceeceeceeeeeeee teeters 228 Sparrow, Song (nest and eggs Of)... eee ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 233 Tern, Common (nest and eggs) 13 Tern, Common (young of the) ..........2..22..2:.2:-2:21eeeeeeeeeees 11 Thrush, Louisiana Water (nest and eggs of) -....-.22-.:.22:-1eeeeeee 306 Thrush, Wood (nest and eggs of) 352 Towhee (nest and eggs of) 237 Towhee (young of).............-. 239 Invex or Hatr-rones xv PAGE Vireo, Red-eyed (female on nest) -2.2...0.22....2c.cecccceceeeececeecceceeeeeeeeneees 269 Vireo, White-eyed (nest and eggs of) Vulture, Turkey (nest and eggs of) Vulture, Black (nest and eggs of) Vulture, Black (old bird) Warbler, Blue-winged (nest and four eggs of, and one of the CONCDIEG)), -csceo ot wonsiuce eausganebecbastie Warbler, Hooded (nest and eggs of) Warbler, Kentucky (nest and eggs Of) -......2.....2eeccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Warbler, Pine (nest and eggs of) Warbler, Prairie (nest and eggs of).......... wee Waxwing, Cedar (nest and eggs Of) ...........c:ceeceeeeeecececeeeseceeeeeeee Woodcock (female brooding eggs) Woodpecker, Red-bellied (nesting site of) Wren, Long-billed Marsh (home of the) Yellow-throat, Maryland (nest and eggs of) -..0.. eee 310 MISCELLANEOUS HALF-TONES Bunches of Concord Grapes Pecked by Orchard Orioles............... 205 Wingbone of Greater Snow Goose, Healed by Nature.......... . 358 In the Warblers’ Breeding Grounds ge QUT Collecting in a Swamp, Water Knee-Deep 89 Blind Used for Photographing Birds 141 A Veteran Ornithologist and his Family...... 138 The Author in a Heron Rookery... site al An Ornithological Paradise 215 An Ornithologist’s Camp...........-.---.--- Fe aie ee 86 PREFACE. In presenting “The Birds of Virginia” to the public, the author had two objects in view. Since the days of Audubon, and Wilson, many orni- thologists have paid short visits to our State, their notes appearing in various magazines and papers from time to time. To date, however, there has never been published any thorough, systematic work on our breeding birds, and feeling the need of such a volume as a check list by the advanced ornithologists of our country, the author com- menced this work some six years ago. On the other hand, he has tried to present his accumulation of data in such shape as to be of interest to those who only come in contact with our native birds from time to time, and so stimulate interest along this line. It seems strange that there should be so few bird lovers in our State, considering its size and the great amount of bird life there has always been here. Resident bird students have, however, always been scarce, and little or no interest shown in the welfare of the birds. This book only treats of those birds which are known to breed within the limits of our State, though many other species winter with us and remain for a short time during their migrations northward and southward, each spring and fall. If my ornithological friends find it of help as a reference, or if in any way it should help to promote interest in the native birds throughout our State, I will feel amply repaid for the time spent upon it. H. H. B. Newrort News, Va., March 15th, 1918. bo INTRODUCTORY. Since moving to Virginia in 1889, I have been actively engaged in bird work some part of each year, with the exception of two (which was then carried on by my father), until the present time, during which period a large amount of specimens, data, and general information has been gathered. From this accumulation I have taken the greater part of the material used in this book. To the American Ornithologists Union Check List, I am indebted for the ranges of our birds; correcting such data where the birds were known to breed or winter within our area, and were not so listed in the “Check List.” To the U. 8. Department of Agriculture I am indebted for the data on the food of a number of birds, ones I have not had time to make this close study of. To my friends, who have contributed photographs and data, credit for which is given elsewhere in each instance, I again thank. For the benefit of those not familiar with the American Ornithologists Union Check List of North American Birds, I wish to state that the number in brackets preced- ing the scientific name represents its classified place in that list; while the names in brackets following the vernacular name, i. e., Bluebird, Robin, are the local names by which the different species are known by persons throughout our State. The dates of arrival and departure of migratory breeding birds are average dates; those of the land birds being gathered almost exclusively on the James River Peninsula, while those of the sea birds from the vicinity of Smith’s, Cobb’s, and Hog islands. The measurements of eggs, which is in hundredths of an inch, as well as the nesting material, height of nest, etc., also is the average, exceptions to all cases of course being found. I have placed in the “Hypothetical List” only such birds as should breed within our State, but which I have been XX IN rRODUCTORY unable to gain satisfactory evidence of their doing s0. Neither have I listed the birds which are now extinct as breeding within our area; of these I shall refer to else- where. The half-tones are from photographs taken from nature, by the author and his ornithological friends. During this long period of field work I have had as a helpmate and advisor, my father, H. B. Bailey, whose knowledge and interest in birds has been the main factor in my advancement along this line. By turning to the map, one will readily see that I have drawn a line from the southern boundary line to the northern boundary line across our State, and about one hundred and twenty miles from the seacoast at the widest point. This area I have designated Tidewater Virginia, and it lies in longitude 3614° to 38°, latitude 7514° to 7714°. The tides in the rivers, however, rise and fall much further inland than this point. Climatic conditions, as well as the flora and altitude, commence to change rapidly from near this line as we go westward, while this seems to be nearly the dividing line between our breed- ing coastal species and those of higher zones. The islands off our coast and from Cape Henry southward, are mostly low, sandy stretches, the highest point probably not being over twenty-five feet above sea level, while in the middle of many of these islands are low, swampy sloughs and marsh land. On the seaward side one finds high sand dunes and hard beaches, while on the inward side are wide expanses of low marsh, and broad bays and creeks between them and the mainland. From Cape Henry southward, one finds a narrow strip of sandy beach, with marshes, swamp land, and Back Bay between it and the mainland. The altitude of the area on the mainland west of the Chesapeake Bay is probably at no point over one hundred feet above sea level; thus all this area is in the Lower Inrropucrory XX Austral Zone and Austroriparian fauna. The mean annual temperature of this area is about 59°. Bay, laurel, sumac, pokeberry, black and dew berry, blue and huckle berry, azalea, partridge berries, ferns, wax myrtle, and bay berry are commonly distributed; while the trees are repre- sented by the short- and long-leaf pines, red and white cedar; white, red, and pin, chestnut, post, and Spanish oaks; hickory, black walnut, maples, dogwood, sassafras, black-gum, syeamore, beech, locust, persimmon, yellow poplar or tulip, chinquapin, holly, cypress or Juniper, willow, and live oak. Chestnut trees were formerly quite numerous through the area between the York and James rivers, but the majority have succumbed to the dreaded chestnut blight. The well known magnolia also grows to a large size in the yards and gardens, and we have also the crépe myrtle and altheas, ete. Central Virginia, or the territory between the Tide- water line and the Blue Ridge Mountains, lies in the Carolinian fauna, with an altitude of seldom over five hundred feet, and a mean annual temperature of about 55°. The flora of this section does not differ greatly from the Tidewater section, but with such trees as the live oak, black-gum, cypress, and fig, omitted. The “Valley,” between the Blue Ridge and the Shenan- doah and Alleghenian ranges, is also in the Carolinian fauna, with an altitude ranging from about 240 feet to about 1,865 feet at the summit in Augusta County, and on up to 2,594 feet at Mount Airy, in Surry County, N. C. In the mountains we have both the Alleghenian and Canadian fauna, with a mean annual temperature of about 45°, and such trees as the hemlock, yellow poplar, cherry, white oak, spruce and balsam, are found. The beautiful rhododendron is also plentiful in suitable locali- ties. XX1l Ix rroptcrory From the time of the early settlements, our State has always teemed with bird life; but the march of civiliza- tion, together with the almost total destruction of many of the species for the millinery trade, the killing and ship- ment of game birds from the State, and other minor causes have sadly depleted our enormous bird resources ; for such they were. Like the ovster industry, the northern markets have profited principally by the shipment of game out of this State, and one can readily see that if the season’s record of two hundred and twenty-five thousand ducks, geese, and swan are killed in this State for many seasons, the feathered tribe will rapidly decrease, not only from our own State, but the whole country as well. Many of the once plentiful breeding species are now extremely scarce, such as the Upland Plover, Ovstereatcher, Willet, Snowy Heron, Egret, Least, Gull-billed, Cabots, Caspian, and Royal Terns. The Roseate Tern as a breeding bird is gone from our coast, while such birds as the Passenger Pigeon, Eskimo Curlew, Carolina Paraquet, and numerous other migratory birds are things of the past with us. It is only of late years that, from the protection afforded them in other states, the Wood Duck has become numerous with us once more. Such a bird as this, bringing as it does $30.00 a pair alive for breeding pur- poses, should be taken from the game list entirely, as well as the Whistling Swan. The negro is never too lazy to hunt, respecting neither bird, premises, nor law, while his ill-fed, half-starved dogs (the poorer the negro the more dogs he owns) roam the fields and woods at all times, dis- turbing and breaking up sitting birds and killing the young of both mammals and birds. The forest fires which sweep unchecked each season over a great area of Virginia, destroy many birds and eggs, while our game laws are not Inrropucrory Xxill enforced as they should be, owing to no regular game warden system. These, and many other lesser causes, are the main factors in the decrease of birds and game in general throughout our State, and only by following the example of other states and having a practical game and fire warden system, game propagation farm, game pre- serves or refuges for the local and migratory birds, can we help the fast-approaching extinction of many useful species. The amount of good the majority of our birds do in helping to keep down the ever-increasing agricultural pests can hardly be overestimated, and a realization of this fact is becoming more generally known throughout our country each year. May our State and its people not be backward in realizing this, and help to protect and increase our birds. There is much of interest in connection with the feathered tribe, such as the building of the nests and the material used in their construction, which will afford many hours of enjoyment if one will but spare the time for this side of nature study. The period of incubation is another interesting time for both bird and bird student, while the feeding of the young is in itself the most important period of all. Nearly all young birds are partly or wholly eared for by the parents for a few days or weeks after leaving the nest, to be left at last to shift for them- selves and become a help in keeping the laws of Nature. On the other hand, how well Nature helps the birds is illustrated in one instance (see page 358), where the larger bone of a wing was broken and was healed in such a manner as to allow of the northward or south- ward migration covering probably 1,500 miles, within a short time of fracture. While many birds are destroyed by storms and disease, and old age claims many more, were it not for the hand of man no species could or would become exterminated. THE BIRDS OF VIRGINIA Z THE BIRDS PHOTO BY THD AUTHOR. G2 NEST OF THE LAUGHING GULL OUT ON DRIFT ON MARSH. OF VIRGINIA | 3 FAMILY LARID/E.—GULLS AND TERNS. SUBFAMILY LARIN/Az.—GULLS. GENus Larus. [58]. Larus atricila (Linnwus). Laughing Gull, | Black-headed Gull]. Ranee.—Tropical and temperate coasts. Breeds from Maine (rarely) and Massachusetts (abundantly but lo- cally), south on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts to Texas, the Lesser Antilles and Venezuela; winters from Georgia and the Gulf Coast south to western Mexico, Chile, and Brazil; casual in Colorado, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Ontario, and Towa. This beautiful, graceful little gull is probably our most common sea bird. I am glad to say that while many of our other species of water birds are rapidly diminishing in numbers, the Laughing Gull is not only holding its own, but increasing rapidly in numbers. All along our coastal islands, where they formerly bred in detached colonies, they have now become so common that the colonies really become one continuous chain, both on the marshes adjoin- ing the islands, and those between the main chain of islands and the mainland. Our great Chesapeake Bay and its lower tributaries would seem desolate without them; as it is, they remain with us until late in Decem- ber, by which time numerous species of ducks and the Her- ring Gulls partly make up for their absence. 7 THE BIRDS They arrive about April Ist, and one’s notice is soon called to them by their noisy clamor, as a large flock or a few single birds rest upon some sand bar at low tide. As the season advances the birds desert our harbors and rivers to gather near their nesting grounds, and by June Ist their nesting site is selected, and eggs deposited shortly after- wards. Our earliest record is June 3rd, while fresh eggs may still be found until the middle of July. Two to three eggs constitute a full set, rarely four,—which vary in color from a gray to brown ground,—spotted, blotched and specked with various shades of brown, and fainter mark- ings of lavender. Size, 2.25x1.60. While some birds con- struct a complete nest, the majority utilize the tide drift caused by the equinoctial storms left high above the ordi- nary tides, and resting on fop of the tall salt marsh grass. This drift is composed of sea weed, marsh grass, and trash of every description, and the birds simply form a slight hollow in it and start housekeeping. A few pair undoubt- edly raise two broods, but if unmolested the majority only raise one. As it is, these birds, as well as all the other sea birds breeding on our coast, are systematically robbed daily by the neighboring inhabitants and visiting water- men of all callings. Each colony is visited soon after egg laying commences, and the contents of all nests with more than one egg is destroyed. They are then visited every day or two days, the eggs being gathered in baskets and the egger sure of strictly fresh eggs. Large quantities of the different sea-bird eggs are salted down by the seafaring people for their winter use, and the birds go on laying until they eventually are allowed to raise a brood. Egging stops about July 4th, and the birds are thus allowed ample time to raise a brood before the fall equinoctial storms set in. OF VIRGINIA z) SUBFAMILY STERNIN/ZE.—TERNS. -GENUS GELOCHELIDON. [63]. Gelochelidon nilotica (Linneus). Gull-billed Tern. [Marsh Tern]. Raxcu.—Nearly cosmopolitan. Breeds in North America on the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, North Caro- lina, Virginia (formerly to New Jersev), and in the Bahamas; wanders casually to Maine and Ohio; winters in southern Mexico, southern Guatemala, and from Brazil south to Patagonia and Chile. Breeds also in Europe, Asia, and Australia, and winters south to northern Africa. This is now one of our most rare breeding sea-birds, though it was formerly verv abundant and bred in large numbers on the coastal islands. There is probably not over a dozen pair now breeding along our entire coast line, where hundreds formerly bred in colonies on Linnen Bar, Wreck, Bone, Cobb’s, Pig, and Hog islands. I attribute their decrease to the same causes that annihilated the Least Tern on our coast, the unsportsmanlike spring gunner, and the millinery trade demand for their plumage. The nest location of the few remaining pair has changed from the inner side of the island sand dunes and marsh edges, to the open beach, but now well concealed amongst the oyster shells, rocks, and pebbles, not an unsimilar loca- tion from that of the Oystercatcher. This location makes 6 THE BIRDS their nests less easy to find by the eggers, and the chances are about even nowadays that they raise a brood of two or three each season. The nest is a slight hollow scooped out by the birds in the sand, well above the high tides, and amongst the shells, stones, and trash left by the spring equinoctial storms. Two to three eggs constitute a full set, and are deposited about June 16th to July 1st. The birds arrive from the south about April 25th, and depart early in September. The eggs are easily distin- guished from other terns by the peculiar texture of the shell, and the grayish- and yellowish-buff ground color. They are profusely marked over the entire surface with blotches, spots, and specks of reddish-brown, with fainter markings of lilac. Size of eggs, 1.80x1.30. They raise but a single brood in a season. GENUS STERNA. [64]. Sterna caspia (Pallas). Caspian Tern. [Gannet Striker]. Ranex.—Nearly cosmopolitan. Breeds in North America at Great Slave Lake, Klamath Lake, Oregon, on the islands of northern Lake Michigan, on the coast of southern Labrador, and also on coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Virginia; winters from coast of central California to lower California and western Mexico (Colima), and on South Atlantic and Gulf coasts; casual in migration north to Alaska, James Bay, and Newfoundland. OF VIRGINIA 7 Like the Least Tern, this handsome large tern is now a rare bird in our territory, although a few pair still breed on one of our coastal islands. It was never thought as common a bird as the Royal Tern, and I do not attribute its decrease in numbers to being shot by the spring gunners, and egging by local seafaring men, causes so disastrous to some of the following species. The changed conditions of the islands affecting their breeding grounds has had much to do with their leaving our territory for nesting sites elsewhere. They are one of the last sea-birds to lay, fresh eggs being seldom found before the 5th of July. They arrive about the 15th of May and migrate southward the latter part of August. The nest is a slight hollow scooped out by the birds in the sandy beach, well back from the water, in which is deposited two eggs, seldom three. The eggs are easily distinguished from those of the following species, the ground color being a light olive or grayish-buff, while the texture of the shell is much smoother, and the smaller ends much more round than that of the Royal Tern. Over the entire surface the egg is spotted with blackish brown and chestnut, with fainter markings of lilac. Size of eggs, 2.70x1.75. Only one brood a season. [65]. Sterna maxima (Boddaert). Royal Tern. [Gannet Striker]. Rance.—Tropical coasts north to United States. Breeds in West Indies and on South Atlantic and Gulf coasts north to central Virginia and west to Texas; wanders casually to Massachusetts; not rare in summer 8 THE BIRDS from San Francisco Bay south to western Mexico; winters from Monterey, California, and Gulf of Mexico south to Peru and Brazil, and on west coast of Africa from Gibralta to Angola. There is practically no difference made by the local watermen between this and the former species, both being called Gannet Strikers, while the eggs differ so slightly to them, they pay little heed to the Caspians. The Royal Terns are much more numerous, a large colony still breed- ing on one of our coastal islands. They did, however, for a number of years during the overwhelming destruction of some of the following species for millinery trade, desert our coast entirely, but it has only been within the last few years that they have become established as breeding birds once more. The size of their eggs makes them eagerly sought after by the fishermen, large quantities being put away each season in brine for winter use. Fresh eggs are seldom found before July 1st, and two eggs constitute a full set, which are laid in a hollow in the sandy beach. The ground is a grayish-white, specked and spotted with blackish-brown and fainter markings of lavender. Size of eges, 2.60x1.70. These birds were rather too large for the ladies’ hats, thus they escaped the slaughter accorded their smaller kinsmen during the four years of activity along this line. With ample protection there is no reason why they should not be established as breeding birds on a number of suitable islands off our coast. They do not winter with us, arriving the last week in May, and de- parting about the middle of September. Only one brood a season. NUAL S.LOLVO “Za “acc tS OF VIRGINIA 9 [67]. Sterna sandeicensis acuflavida (Cabot). Cabot’s Tern. Rayer.—North and South America. Breeds from Virginia to Florida, Texas, and Mexico; winters from the Bahamas, Florida, and Louisiana to Central America (both coasts), the Greater Antilles, Colombia, and Brazil ; accidental in Ontario, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and the Lesser Antilles. This is an extremely rare bird on our coast, and it was not until the summer of 1912 that a set of two eggs of this species was secured from one of our coastal islands. As there has been a small colony of these birds breeding on the North Carolina coast for the last few vears, the birds with us are probably stragglers from that colony. The eggs were laid in a slight depression in the sandy beach, well back from the ordinary high-tide line. They have a bold creamy ground; streaked and blotched with heavy markings of blackish-brown, with lghter shade markings of lavender. Size, 2.12x1.42. They probably arrive and depart with the other large terns, such as the Royal and Caspian. I hope these birds will continue to breed with us, for while they are very common further south, they are a rarity and novelty with us, besides helping to beautify our bays and shores by their presence. They raise but a single brood each season with us. [69]. Sterna forstert (Nuttall). Forster’s Tern. [Big Striker. Big Sea Swallow]. Rayer.—North America. Breeds on interior lakes of California, southern Oregon, and Nevada, and from sonth- 10 THE BIRDS western Saskatchewan and Manitoba south to northern Colorado, northern Nebraska, northeastern Illinois, and southern Ontario, and on coasts of Texas, Louisiana, and Virginia; winters from southern California, Gulf of Mexico, and South Carolina to southern Guatemala; in migration oceurs on the Atlantic Coast, casually as far north as Massachusetts; casual in Brazil. To the average person there is little difference between this species and the following one, though on their breed- ing grounds they are easily recognized by the location of the nests. The Forster’s Tern always breeds back from the beaches; in, or bordering the marsh; either building a substantial nest in the marsh, or utilizing the drift cast up by the equinoctial storms, or on pieces of boards or lumber out in the marsh. The Common Terns prefer the ocean beach, the closer the better, and make little or no nest compared to that built by the Forster’s Tern. In a large series of eggs of both species there is clearly shown that there is so little difference in both size and color of the eggs that they could not with a certainty be identified. They are rather a scarce breeding bird on our coast now compared to former times, for they, like the other terns, were slaughtered by the thousands for the millinery trade. Their graceful flight and rapid movements in search of food, especially if scraps are thrown over from a vessel, can not but interest the onlooker, even though he is not a bird crank. A most pleasing sight is to see a large flock of terns sitting on the sand bar or beach at low tide, their heads drawn down or turned around and partly tucked under the wing coverts, all apparently asleep. The ripples as they wash up under the birds carry some off their feet, throwing them against others, when a general OF VIRGINIA 11 PHOTO BY THE UTHOR. YOUNG OF THE COMMON TERN. NOTE THE PROTECTIVE COLORATION. I. THE BIRDS squabble ensues, and in a twinkling away the whole flock sail, apparently all good friends again. They arrive on our coast about April 28th and depart from their breed- ing grounds about the middle of September, although during mild winters some few remain in Hampton Roads and its immediate vicinity. Three eggs constitute a full setting generally. I know of but a single instance of five eges being found in a nest, probably laid by two birds. The ground color varies from a light gray to a light brown, spotted, specked, and blotched with dark shades of brown and fainter markings of lilac. The size varies greatly also, the average being 1.80x1.30. Fresh eggs from May 25th to June 15th, though eggs have been found as late as July 6th, the birds though probably having been broken up previously. They rear only one brood a season. [70]. Sterna hirundo (Linneus): Common Teri. [Big Striker. Big Sea Swallow. Wilson’s Tern]. Raner.— Northern Hemisphere, northern South America, and Africa. Breeds from Great Slave Lake, central Keewatin, and southern Ungava south to south- western Saskatchewan, northern North Dakota, southern Wisconsin, northern Ohio, and North Carolina; winters from Florida to Brazil; casual in migration on Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Lower California. In Eastern Hemisphere breeds in Europe and Asia, and winters in India and southern Africa. Fortunately the style of birds in hats about the year 1890 called for small ones, else this species, like the fot- lowing, would have been driven from our coast before an OF VIRGINIA 13 PHOTO BY THE AUTHOR. TYPICAL NESTING SITE OF THE COMMON TERN. 14 THE BIRDS adequate law was passed prohibiting the killing of all gulls and terns for millinery purposes. As it is, we still have several large breeding colonies scattered along our coast, and they seem to be on the increase slowly. They arrive with us about April 25th, and remain after the breeding season until the latter part of October, when large numbers of this species, together with other terns and gulls, frequent our lower rivers, Hampton Roads, and Chesapeake Bay. There is no doubt but that they do a great deal of good gathering in the refuse thrown over from ships, as well as other sea-food, and we should miss them from our waters very much when traveling to and fro on the steamers. Three to four eggs constitute a set, seldom five. The color varies from a dark buffy to grayish ground, spotted, blotched, and specked with dark brown, and fainter markings of lilac. Size of eggs, 1.80x1.30. The eggs are generally placed in a slight hollow on the drift cast up by the high spring tides, and fresh eggs can be found from May 20th until July 7th. Only one brood a season. [74]. Sterna antillarum (Lesson). Least Tern. [Little Striker. Sea Swallow]. Ranex—Tropical and temperate America. Breeds on coast of southern California and on Gulf Coast from Texas eastward; also northward to Missouri (formerly to Iowa), and northwestern Nebraska; has occurred in Wisconsin and South Dakota; breeds also from the coasts of Massa- chusetts, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida south to the Bahamas, West Indies, British Honduras, and OF VIRGINIA 15 Venezuela; now rare, but formerly abundant in the breeding season from Florida to Maine, wandering to Labrador and Newfoundland; in migration occurs on coasts of Lower California and western Mexico; winters from the Gulf Coast to Venezuela and Peru. Formerly one of our most abundant of sea-birds, this beautiful little tern is now almost extinct as a breeding bird on our coast. A few pairs do, however, breed near the southern boundary line, and north of us, and I hope before many years they will increase so abundantly at other breeding grounds as to overflow and return to our coastal islands at least. In 1889 these birds were so numerous that a large colony were breeding on the main- land beach, at the entrance of Back River into the Chesa- peake Bay. Shortly after this, the slanghter commenced ; the birds being shot and skinned for the millinery trade of the large northern cities. During the breeding season on the islands, sometimes three to five hundred birds were shot in a single day. This slaughter went on for a few seasons, the numbers of birds diminishing each year until they disappeared from our shores almost entirely, and the market gunners could not further make a living shooting and skinning these birds at ten cents each, the price paid by the wholesale millinery houses. They are the most dainty and graceful of our sea-birds. The spring migra- tion of those breeding northward, and those formerly breeding with us, occurs about April 26th, while small flocks may be seen in Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Bay as late as the last of October, on their way south for the winter. Two to three eggs are desposited in a slight hollow in the sandy beach, well back from the ocean and convealed well by the surrounding shells, pebbles, and 16 THE BIRDS stones, near which the nest is located. Fresh eggs June 10th to July Ist. Size, 1.25x.95. The ground color is a grayish-white, specked and spotted with dark brown, and fainter markings of lilac. The weather conditions have much to do with the depositing of eggs of this species. Only one brood a season. OF VIRGINIA 17 ial pe em PHOTO by THE AUTHOR. NEST OF THE BLACK SKIMMER. 18 THE BIRDS FAMILY RYNCHOPID-A.—SKIMMERS. GENUs RYNCHops. [80]. Rynchops nigra (Linneus). Black Skimmer. [Flood Gull. Cut-Water]. Ranexr.—Tropical and temperate America. Breeds from Virginia (formerly New Jersey) to the Gulf Coast and Texas; wanders casually north to the Bay of Fundy; winters from the Gulf Coast to Colima, Mexico, and Costa Rica; casual in the West Indies. Of all the sea-birds nesting on our coast, this species is holding its own and increasing more rapidly than any other species. The apparent reason for this is that they arrive from the south late in the spring, about May 5th, when all the gunning after beach birds is practically finished, and therefore is seldom shot by the gunners for sport, should other birds be scarce. Then again they do not commence laying until the latter part of June, the season being at its height the 5th of July, by which time the taking of sea-birds’ eggs, by the surrounding inhabit- ants for food, is stopped; and all danger of high tides or bad storms is past. They are a graceful bird on the wing, but around the breeding grounds of slow flight, making them easy marks for the gunner, and are of course unfit for food. It is a wonderful sight to stand in the center of the breeding grounds of a large flock of these birds, slight hollows in the sandy beach filled with eggs on every hand, as far as the eye can see them, while overhead and OF VIRGINIA 19 to one side flap slowly by these queer-looking birds, all the while uttering their mournful note. Another pleasing sight is to watch a number of them skim along the sur- face of the water, just inside the breakers which roll in from the broad Atlantic, the large lower bill dropped down under the water while the upper bill remains even with the water, thus skimming in its food of small fish or minnows. As we lie awake at night in our boat, club- house, or life-saving station bedroom, we can hear these birds passing to and fro from their inland water feeding grounds to their nesting grounds. No nest is constructed ; a slight hollow in the sandy beach, back above high tide, is wallowed out by the birds, in which is laid from three to four creamy white eggs, spotted and blotched with heavy markings of dark and light reddish-brown, and chestnut; and lighter markings of lavender. Size, 1.75x1.30. Fresh eggs June 20th to July 10th. Only one brood a season if undisturbed. They leave in the fall migration about September 10th. They do not breed on the coast main- land; islands off the coast north of Cape Charles being their favorite resort for the last fifty years, if not longer. 20 THE BIRDS FAMILY ANATIDZE.—DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. SUBFAMILY ANATIN/E.—RIVER DUCKS. GENUS ANAS. [132]. Anes platyrhynchos (Linneus). Jfallard. [Gray Mallard]. Rayce.—Northern Hemisphere. In North America breeds from Fribilof Islands, northwestern Alaska, northern MacKenzie, central Keewatin, and Greenland, south to Lower California, southern New Mexico, southern Kansas, central Missouri, southern Indiana, Maryland (rarely), and southeastern Virginia; winters from the Aleutian Islands, central Alaska, ceutral Montana, Wyom- ing, Nebraska, southern Wisconsin, northern Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, and Nova Scotia (rarely), south to Mexico, the Lesser Antilles, and Panama; casual in Bermuda and Hawaii. This species, like the following, should have its breeding range extended in the A. O. U. check list southward to Virginia, for it not onlv breeds readily in captivity both on the Eastern Shore, and on my place at Warwick County, but it breeds sparingly in its wild state in numerous creeks emptving into the upper James River. I would not be surprised if it did not breed also in the upper end of Back Bay, though as yet I have no positive evidence of its doing so. Probably it is the best-known wild duck by the public at large, found abundantly in the markets during the YHNNIMS MOVIE OF VIRGINIA 21 THE NEST. : PHOTOS BY THE AUTHOR. PARENTS AND YOUNG, THE BLACK DUCK. 22 THE BIRDS winter season, and now easily recognized by nearly every housewife when in search of game for the table, especially the drake with his brilliant green head. Unless they have been feeding in salt-water marshes too much, they are one of our best table ducks; but unless they are driven out of the marshes into the larger bodies of water by the ice, a case seldom happening with us, they prefer the brackish and fresh-water streams. The fall migration begins the first week in October, and by the 15th the flight is well under way, and birds are numerous with us. The great mass of them move northward through here, the last week of February, a few stragglers remaining until the middle of April sometimes. They are the most easily tamed and reared in captivity of any of the ducks, and if the eggs are taken away as soon as laid, will lay from twenty-one to thirty-five eges in one season. In the wild state they lay but from seven to ten eggs, a rich olive green. Size, 2.25x1.25. Like most of the ducks the young can not fly until about half grown, in which stage they are called “flappers,” though they take to the water as soon as hatched. The nest is not far distant from the water, or placed in the tall flags in the marsh, a saucer-shaped depression, lined with feathers and down. Fresh eggs about April 10th to 15th, though old birds in captivity commence the latter part of February or first of March, according to the weather. They rear but one brood a season in the wild state. [133]. Anas rubripes (Brewster). Black Duck. [Black Mallard. Dusky Duck]. RancE.—Eastern North America. Breeds from central Keewatin and northern Ungava south to northern Wis- OF VIRGINIA 23 consin, northern Indiana, and southeastern Virginia; winters from Nova Scotia south to southern Louisiana and Colorado; west in migration to Nebraska and central Kansas; casual in Bermuda; accidental in Jamaica. The A. O. U. check list for 1910 only gives the southern breeding range of this species as southern Maryland. This, however, is not correct, for the Black Duck has been for years a breeder on our coastal islands, more so of former years than now. It still breeds sparingly over there, while it breeds in Warwick County (1911), and outside Tidewater in a number of the fresh-water creeks emptving into the upper James River. It is also a common breeder in captivity, both on Chincoteague Island, and my pens in Warwick County. It was interesting to note, though, that wild, unclipped wing birds that remain with my birds all during the winter in the pen, even though the pond was frozen over for eight weeks (1912), migrated the last week in March with some Pintail. They are a bird that is shy and wary, do not become entirely tame, or take kindly to confinement, though thev breed so fairly well. The eggs are laid the last part of April and first week in May, from six to ten in number, a pale buff. Size, 2.30x1.70. The nest is composed of weed stems or flag blades and down, placed close to the water, and on the ground, well hidden by vegetation. The eggs take from twenty-six to twenty-eight days to hatch, and the young as soon as dry may be seen following the parents in search of food. Of all the so-called table or fresh-water ducks, this species is found as much in the salt-water creeks and marshes along our coast, as further inland. It is still a verv plentiful bird, and brings from 75c. to $2.00 a pair in the markets. The southward migration commences about the 5th of October, while the northward flight is in full swing by the last week in Mareh. Only one brood a season. BIRDS THE 24 TEGANZA. Puoro By A. O. TR K. NTAIL DUC F THE PI EGGS O AND NINE T NES OF VIRGINIA 25 INTRODUCED BREEDER. GENUS DAFILA. [143]. Dafila acuta (Linnwus). Pintail. [Sprig-Tail. Sprig]. Raner.—Northern Hemisphere. Jn North America breeds on the Arctic Coast from Alaska to Keewatin and south to southern California, southern Colorado, northern Nebraska, northern Towa, and northern Illinois; winters from southern British Columbia, Nevada, Arizona, southern Missouri, southern Wisconsin, southern Ohio, Pennsylvania (rarely), and Delaware south to Porto Rico and Panama, and in Hawaii; in migration occasional on the Atlantic Coast to northern Ungava, Greenland, and Newfoundland, and in Bermuda. This abundant winter duck is not a regular breeder in its wild state in our area, the fall migration taking place the first part of October, while the northward or spring migration commences the middle of March. During the winter months, however, it is one of the most plentiful of the fresh-water ducks, selling in the Norfolk market for as low as 60c. a pair. It is truly a fresh-water duck, the upper rivers and inland ponds, Back Bay, and Curri- tuck Sound being its preference for feeding grounds, though a few occasionally are seen in the lower salt-water rivers and bays. It takes kindly to captivity, and birds were laying in my breeding yard within six weeks after arrival, notwithstanding they had come from far-distant 26 THE BIRDS Kansas and arrived in poor condition. They did not, however, lay a full clutch or set. The nest is a well- concealed affair of grasses and down, placed in a slight hollow in the ground. Fresh eggs May 20th; six to ten in number, a dark gray color. Size, 2.20x1.50. Only one brood a season. GENus AIX. [144]. Aix sponsa (Linneus). Wood Duck. [Summer Duck]. Raner.—Temperate North America. Breeds from southern British Columbia, central Saskatchewan, northern Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia south to central California, southern Texas, Florida, and Cuba; winters chiefly in the United States from southern British Columbia, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey south to southern California and the Gulf of Mexico; accidental in Bermuda, Mexico, Jamaica, and Europe. This bird, the most beautiful of all the waterfowl breeding within our limits, is fast becoming killed out by the early shooting in the fall, and the timber being cut off, both in the progress of cleaning up the farm lands, and the timber craze which has gone over our Tidewater section within the last ten years or so. The opening of the season, September 15th, is far too early to shoot these birds as game, while the plumage of the male, at least, should shame any one from killing and plucking another to eat, if from no other reason. Even in their wild state OF VIRGINIA Zt they are rather tame birds and are an easy mark for the gunner,—while to shoot them for their meat is hardly worth while,—the body when dressed not making much more than a meal for a half-grown person. Their queer ways of whistling and bobbing their heads, and their beautiful plumage and brilliant red eyes, make them a favorite in captivity, and much sought after by public parks and private estate of monied men. During mild winters many remain with us, though the majority migrate southward in November and return northward in February. The eggs are laid in a hollow of a tree not far from a fresh-water river, pond or swamp, usually from ten to thirty feet up. From seven to fourteen eges are laid; the nesting material being of coarse grasses and weeds, lined with feathers. The eggs are buffy white, and measure 2.05x1.50, and are deposited about April 10th, while young may be seen during the latter part of May following the parent birds in search of food. They take kindly to captivity and nest and rear young as easily as any other species of domesticated wild fowl. I hope an early date will see the species taken from off the so-called list of “Game Birds.” They raise but a single brood in a season. 28 THE BIRDS INTRODUCED BREEDER. SUBFAMILY ANSERIN/E.—GEESE. GENUS BRANTA. [172]. Branta canadensis canadensis. (Canada Goose). [Wild Goose. Honker. Nigger Goose]. Rancr.—North America. Breeds from limits of trees in valley of Lower Yukon, northwestern Mackenzie and central Keewatin south to southern Oregon, northern Colorado, Nebraska, and Indiana; formerly bred casually south to New Mexico, Kansas, Tennessee, and Massachu- setts; winters from southern British Columbia, southern Colorado, southern Wisconsin, southern Tllinois, and New Jersey (rarely southern Ontario and Newfoundland) south to southern California, Texas, and Florida; acci- dental in Bermuda and Jamaica. J include this bird amongst our breeders for the reason that it breeds very commonly all along our coast region. Of course it was originally bred in confinement, but a few generations have produced geese that build their nests in almost natural haunts, feeding and rearing their voung in the open salt waters and returning, even after mingling with their wild cousins, to their owner and their artificial feeding of corn. Birds raised at a place seldom join the migrating flocks, though the call of the wild is often a temptation as they see their brethren passing over, but, aside from a great honking and flapping of wings, few leave. Every gun club, and nearly every market gunner, OF VIRGINIA 29 now has his pen of decoy Canadas, and I suppose it is safe to say that seven-eighths of the geese shot are through the means of these tame birds. Though birds may pair off the second vear of age, the female will not as a rule lay until the third season. They remain mated for life, if not broken up, and some attain the ripe old age of twenty years. Probably the most successful breeder of these birds in the world is Mr. J. W. Whealton, of Chincoteague Island, this State, who has been breeding these birds for over twenty-five vears, and raises them in large numbers. some seasons as many as four hundred young being raised to maturity. His geese, on reaching the age of full plumage, are allowed to feed ont in the bay at large, and he seldom loses any. The wild birds commence to arrive about the middle of October, and are common on all our large rivers and bavs; Back Bay and Currituck Sound being their ideal feeding grounds. Thev migrate north- ward in the spring about the middle of March, the loud honking readily attracting one’s notice to the flock over- head, flying in the shape of a wedge or “V.’ The nests are well-made structures of weeds, stems and grasses, trash and other handy material, lined with feathers and down. The eggs are a light buff color, and number from four to six, five being the average. Size, 3.50x2.50. In con- finement they lay in March and early April, but in their wild state they breed in May and June. Only one brood a season. 30 THE BIRDS INTRODUCED BREEDER. SUBFAMILY CYGNIN/E.—SWANS. GENUs OLorR. [180]. Olor columbianus (Ord.). Whistling Swan. [ Wild Swan]. Raner.—North America. Breeds from northern Alaska south to Becharof Lake, Alaska Peninsula, and on Arctic islands from about latitude 74° south to northern Mackenzie and northwestern Hudson Bay; in migration oceurs west to Behring Island; winters on the Pacific Coast from southern British Columbia, rarely south to southern California, and in the interior from Lake Erie and southern Illinois to coasts of Louisiana and Texas, and on Atlantic Coast from Delaware and Maryland to South Carolina, rarely north to Massachusetts and south to Florida; casual in northern Mexico; accidental in Scot- land and Bermuda. This beautiful and graceful bird is included in our lst as a breeder in captivity, its natural breeding grounds being in the extreme northern latitude. It is however a very common bird during the winter months in Chesa- peake and Back Bays, and Currituck Sound; where many are killed by the market gunners and shipped into Norfolk market. It is surprising how little demand there is for them as food, for, if people really only knew it, a fat young bird is the finest of game; the flavor not unlike venison, while the breast meat will average as much as thet of two geese. Notwithstanding all this thev sell for the OF VIRGINIA Z| ridiculously low price of from ouc dollar to a dollar and a half each. I will admit though that an old bird is the toughest proposition teeth ever tackled, but one can soon learn to pick out a young bird by the dark purplish hue ot the feathers on the neck and back. Nearly all the gunning clubs along the lower coast have one or two for decoys, where a few pairs have been known to breed in captivity. During a tramp down the coast in 1908, in- specting the live decoys and breeding methods used by the various gun clubs, I was told by a keeper at one club of a female swan and tame white gander having mated, the offspring resembling the swan more than the goose. These birds I did not personally see,—the statement as told me I leave in the hands of my readers,—though I hope to verify this statement shortly. The birds arrive at their winter feeding grounds the latter part of October, and depart northward about the middle of March, these dates being judged by specimens seen. In confinement, as in their wild state, they only raise one brood, the eggs num- bering from four to five. The nest is rather a bulky affair of sticks, moss, grass, and rubbish, lined with feathers, and placed on the ground not far from the water. Size of eggs, 4.00x2.75. The above data was taken from a set of eggs in my collection taken June 5, 1882, on the Yukon Delta by a friend. The above data will apply as well to birds in captivity, though the breeding date is possibly somewhat earlier on account of our warm climate. Tt seems a pity they should be shot, and I would dearly love to see them taken off the game list, for they are becoming less plentiful each year. 32 THE BIRDS Puoto By V. Burtcu. Nesr anp Ecos. ee ey : et: ta >. (Bay i 6 fs - 7 | Puoto By C. F. STONE. LooKING FoR Foop. BITTERN. OF VIRGINIA 33 FAMILY ARDEIDAL.—HERONS, BITTERNS. SUBFAMILY BOTAURIN/E.—BITTERNS. GENUS BoTAURUS. [190]. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montagu). Biltern. Ranex.—North America. Breeds from central British Columbia, southern Mackenzie, central Keewatin, southern Ungava and Newfoundland south to southern California, northern Arizona, Kansas, the Ohio Valley, and North Carolina, and less frequently in southern United States; winters from California, Arizona, southern Texas, the Ohio Valley, and Virginia south to Cuba and Guatemala, and casually to the Bahamas, Porto Rico, Jamaica, and Great Britain. This bird, as well as the following species, is almost unknown to the majority of people, other than bird stu- dents, or the so-called “Bird Cranks.” Inhabiting the marshes as it does, seldom rising unless flushed by man or dog, and migrating by night, few there are to see it. It is, though, a much larger bird than the Least Bittern, and its habits are not auite so seclusive as that species, and it flushes more easily when disturbed during its feeding. If one should creep quietly through the underbrush border- ing some sluggish stream, or quiet pond overhung with bushes, and keen quiet for some time, they might easily expect to see a Bittern cautiously skulking along the shore line searching for food, or in their most characteristic atti- tude, motionless, with head and neck drawn down as if the head and shoulders were closely connected. While 34 THE BIRDS os Nest AND Ecos. Puoros py O. E. BAYNARD. FEMALE INCUBATING. THE LEAST BITTERN. OF VIRGINIA 35 they may be found in both salt- and fresh-water marshes, they seem to have a preference for the latter, and in the long marsh grass, rushes, or on some tussock out in the pond, may be found their nest. The nest is a loosely made platform of grasses or rushes, placed on the ground near the marsh, or more often just a trampled-down mass of dry vegetation out in the marsh or pond proper. On this are laid those unmistakable glossy olive-drab eggs, three to five in number, measuring 1.95x1.50. Fresh eggs May 5th to 15th. Only one brood a season. Favorable seasous some few remain through the winter with us, but the majority reach us about April 10th. GENUS IxoOBRYCHUS. [191]. Ixobrychus exilis (Gmelin), Least Bittern, Ranere.—Temperate North America and northern South America. Breeds from southern Oregon, southern Saskatchewan, southern Manitoba, southern Quebec, and Nova Scotia south to the West Indies and Brazil; winters from Florida and the Gulf of Mexico southward. This shy, retiring bird is probably never seen by any person other than an ornithologist or oologist out in quest of specimens. Although it is a bird of the marshes, it is rather doubtful if the average gunner in this section out after snipe, rails, or ducks, flushes one or knows what it is. It inhabits the upper brackish marshes and fresh- water sloughs and ponds, while Back Bay, Princess Anne County, is a very favorable locality for nesting sites and feeding grounds. It does not winter with us, arriving about the middle of April. Unlike their comrades of the 36 THE BIRDS marsh, the rails, they do not run for protection, but trust to the color of their plumage and motionless attitude, which blends entirely with the surrounding vegetation. One can almost step on these birds before they will flush. Small ponds in the islands off our coast also form an attractive home ground for them during the breeding time. The nest is a well-constructed platform of dry marsh grasses and stems, or rushes; fastened to the upright blades of marsh grass or rushes, from six inches to a foot above the marsh or water. The eggs number from four to five, a light, pale greenish-white. Size, 1.20x.90. Fresh eggs June 5th to 10th. Only one brood a season. OF VIRGINIA 37 pier ee) Mh PHOTOS BY THE AUTHOR. Two-THIRDS GROWN. YOUNG OF THE GREAT BLUE HERON. 38 THE BIRDS SUBFAMILY ARDEIN/AE.—HERONS AND EGRETS. GENUS ARDEA. [194]. Ardea herodias herodias (Linneus). Great Blue Heron. [Big Blue Crane. Cranky]. Rawer.—Western Hemisphere. Breeds from south- western British Columbia, central Alberta, central Mani- toba, northern Ontario, and Prince Edward Island south to southern Lower California and Isabella Island, Mexico, northern Texas, and South Atlantic States (except parts of Florida) ; winters from Oregon, the Ohio Valley, and Middle States south to the West Indies, Panama, and Venezuela. This large heron, commonly called “crane,” is an abundant species with us in the Tidewater area. A few pair remain through the winter, but the majority move further south the latter part of December, and return about the middle of March. They are one of the most familiar and easily recognized birds along our bays, rivers, creeks, and water courses; while a solitary bird standing motionless on the edge of the river, up to his thighs in water, neck outstretched, ready to spear a soft crab or minnow with the long sharp beak, is a sight well worth watching. Another interesting sight is to watch a large flock returning from their feeding grounds to the rookery, easily identified at a great distance by their large expanse OF VIRGINIA oe, of wing and slow wing beats, neck stretched ont to about half its Icugth, and long legs stuck straight out behind, reaching well beyond the tail. They follow one behind the other, separating and sailing in as they near the tree in which their nest is lovated, and as they are about to alight, the long, ungainly legs are drawn. forward and downward, the feet often missing the branch on which they intended to alight, when after another most awkward attempt they generally succeed. They seldom land directly on their nest, alighting nearhy and walking up and on to it. This practice during the time the young are on the nest is a most unsatisfactory method for the vomme; each trving to reach the old bird first, they start to climb fram the nest awkwardly toward the parent, often resulting in their being precipitated to the ground below, where thev are devoured hy crows, buzzards, racoons, or oposstens, all of which are attracted and make their habitat near a rookery. Large rookeries of these birds formerly were found on some of the islands off the coast, but the eutting of the live timber and destruction of the old dead trees by fire and the elements, as well as gunners disturbing them during the srrine migration of beach birds, has driven them to the mainland to safer retreats. The nests are quite large, bulky platforms of dead sticks and twigs. placed as high up as possible and often near the extremity of the limb when live trees are used. The eges number from three to five, greenish-blue. Size, 2.45x1.45. On account of their nests being robhed by crows. and vonng destroyed hy various causes, fresh eges may be found in rookeries from Arril 20th until June 15th. Their food consists of small fish and minnows, shrimp, soft crahs, eels,-ard other marine life. 40 THE BIRDS “ai Nest anp Eaas. . i SID PuHoros ny O. E. BAyNArp. AT Home. THE EGRET. OF VIRGINIA 4| GeENus HEROobIAS. [196]. Herodias egretta (Gmelin). Egret. [White Crane]. Raner.—Temperate and tropical America. Breeds in Oregon and California, and from Virginia, Florida, the Gulf Coast, and Mexico south to Patagonia; formerly bred north to New Jersey and Wisconsin; winters from the Gulf of Mexico southward; casual in Manitoba, Quebec, New England, and Nova Scotia. There are a few of these birds still breeding within our area; formerly they were quite common with us. The demand for their plumes for the millinery trade un- doubtedly was the main cause of their decline, like that of numerous species noted heretofore. There are still some found in the Chickahominy region, many working down the James River during August and September in search of food. *In the coast region they nest out on the marsh, build- ing their nests above the reach of high tides, of dry marsh grass, stems and fine sticks. Three to four eggs form a complete set, May 15th to June Ist; light bluish-green color. Size, 2.30x1.45. Elsewhere they usually nest in trees like the other Herons. In the year 1911, during a visit to the Eastern Shore, I heard of a man having shot some and eating them, and it is only a question of a short time before these birds of the coast region will entirely disappear, though those further inland are still quite safe. They arrive about April 15th and migrate southward early in September. *Note.—This was the species referred to as the “Snowy Heron,” “seen by Captain Crumb, Rives’ Catalogue of the Birds of the Virginias, page 50, No. 65. 42 THE BIRDS Puoros By O. BH. BAYNARD. YouncG, Five Days OLp. SNOWY EGRET. OF VIRGINIA 43 GENUS EGRETTA. [197]. Hgretta candidissima-candidissima (Gmelin). Snowy Hgret. Raxcre.—Temperate and tropical America. Formerly bred from Oregon, Nebraska, Indiana, Illinois, and New Jersey south to Chile and Argentina; now breeds locally in the United States from southeastern Virginia and North, Carolina to Louisiana; winters from Florida southward ; casual in British Columbia, Ontario, Massachusetts, and Nova Scotia. This species still breeds sparingly in our area in the Chickahominy Swamps and I am quite sure it still breeds in the Back Bay tributaries also. It formerly was quite an abundant breeder, but like other species noted, it gave way before the demand for millinery purposes, until now they are one of our rarest birds. These are the birds most noted for their egret or osprey feathers worn on women’s hats, the demand for which nearly exterminated them. The nest is a frail platform of dry sticks in a low tree in swamp, or on an island in a river; a few pair generally breeding with the colonies of Louisiana and Little Blue Herons. The nest is seldom more than thirty feet above ground or water. The eggs usually number from three to four, a light bluish-green. Size, 1.80x1.20. Only one brood a season. They arrive and depart about the same time as the Egret. Unless very stringent laws, with wardens to enforce them, are passed, this species will soon pass from our list of breeding birds forever. THE BIRDS 44 NARD. O. E. Bay PHOTOS BY THE SNOWY EGRET AT HOME. OF VIRGINIA 4 GENus FLorIDA. [200]. Florida cerulea (Linnwus). Little Blue Heron. [Little Blue Crane J. Rance.—North and South America. Formerly bred from Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, and New Jersey to western Mexico and south to Argentina and Peru; in the United States now breeds locally in the Gulf Coast north to Virginia (James River tributaries); wanders casually to Nebraska, Wisconsin, Ontario, New England, and Nova Scotia; winters from South Carolina southward. These birds do not winter with us, arriving about April 10th. While I have as yet no actual knowledge of these birds now breeding on our coast, they do, however, nest in the swamps and creeks near Jamestown and in Chicka- hominy region in large rookeries, and the young birds work down the James River in the early fall to within a few miles of Newport News. They probably also nest in the swamps bordering Back Bay. I have had numerous young in their white plumage in my pond every vear, while the creeks further up the river are dotted with them during low tide. Their nests and habits are almost iden- tical with the following species, while their eggs can not be. distinguished with a certainty from those of the Green Heron except in measurement, which is a trifle smaller. Eggs three to four in number, a pale bluish-green. Size, 1.65x1.30. Fresh eges May ist. Only one brood a season. In 1875 my father found them breeding abundantly on Mock Horn Island, but they have been driven from that section, as was the Great Blue Heron. 46 THE BIRDS PuoTo BY THD AUTHOR. NEST OF THE GREEN HERON. OF VIRGINIA 47 GENUS BUTORIDES. [201]. Butorides virescens virescens (Linnaeus). Green Heron. [Scow. Fly-Up-the-Creek. Little Crane. Scout]. Raner.—Eastern North America. Breeds from southern South Dakota, northern Wisconsin, southern Ontario, southern Quebee, and Nova Scotia south to the West Indies; winters from Florida and the West Indies. southward, and rarely in southeastern United States; casual in Colorado. This heron, commonly called “Scow,” remains through the milder winters with us, and during the breeding season every small marsh, pond, or brackish stream, affords a fishing preserve for one or more pair. On the islands along the coast they are still quite numerous, though not as much so as formerly, when the cedars, scrub pines and other foliage afforded abundant nesting sites, and large colonies were common. There are probably more eges of this species, and the Great Blue Heron, destroyed by crows, both Common and Fish Crows, than are hatched by the birds themselves. I have been on the ground under- neath these rookeries when the eggshells of these birds, dropped by the crows after sucking the contents, literally made the ground look blue. The nest is a well constructed saucer-shaped platform of small sticks and twigs, and although the eggs can generally be seen through the nest from below, the construction is such that it holds its con- tents during the severe wind and thunder storms that sweep the rookeries generally when the breeding season is at its height. While the birds and eggs are sometimes eaten by 48 THE BIRDS the watermen along the coast, still it is not considered game by many. The eggs number four to six, a rich greenish- blue, and measure 1.48x1.12. The height at which the nest is placed varies considerably. I have found nests in low bushes overhanging the water, only three feet up, while nests placed in pine trees, as well as in cedars in rookeries, have been thirty-five to forty feet up. Occasion- ally more than one brood is reared a season. The young are most awkward when walking around the limbs surrounding the nest, a habit resorted to after being about half grown, resulting often in death by falling to the eround below or becoming entangled in the foliage or vegetation, from which they are unable to extricate them- selves. Fresh eggs may be found from April 22nd to May 15th. OF VIRGINIA 49 PHOTOS BY THE AUTHOR. PuHoTo By W. O. EMERSON. Reapy To LEAVE. AsoutT TEN Days OLxp. NEST AND YOUNG OF THE NIGHT HERON. 50 THE BIRDS GENUS NYCTICORAX. 1202]. Nycticorax nycticorax nevius (Boddaert). Black-crowned Night Heron. [Night Crane. Night Squawk]. Raner.—North and South America. Breeds from northern Oregon, southern Wyoming, southern Manitoba, northern Quebec, and Nova Scotia south to Patagonia; winters from northern California and Gulf States soutb- ward; casual in winter north to Massachusetts and southern I]linois. This bird breeds on the mainland of the Eastern Shore (Cape Charles Peninsula), and in the Chickahominy swamps, also in the swamps bordering Back Bay. Resi- dents of the country bordering water are familiar with them by their loud “squawk,” as they pass overhead about twilight, bound from one feeding ground to another. They nest in quite large colonies as do the other herons found within our limits, sometimes as many as a dozen nests being found in one tree. By the time the young are full grown the rookery takes on a whitish appearance from the excrement found on every limb, bush and shrub, while the ground is likewise covered and gives forth a sickly odor from the dead young, rotten eggs, etc., scattered all over. Should one climb a tree in which happened to be nests with young, he is soon beating a hasty retreat from the rapid fire of unsavory smelling fish disgorged by the young. This practice is resorted to for protection by the other species of herons as well. The nest is a well made OF VIRGINIA 5| Puoto sy W. O. Emerson. THE AUTHOR IN A HERON ROOKERY. AZ THE BIRDS saucer-shaped platform of small sticks and twigs, from ten to fifty feet from the ground. The eggs number from three to five, a pale green color, and measure 2.00x1.40. Fresh eggs April 10th to 20th. Only one brood a season. Some years these birds do not spend the winter with us, arriving the later part of Mareh or first of April, and departing the end of October. Other mild winters find them with us in numbers. This season (1913) I found them very abundant in Princess Anne County during all the winter months. When their supply of food; minnows, small fish and other marine life, is frozen up, they migrate southward at once, returning as soon as the weather breaks. OF VIRGINIA 53 PHOTO BY THE AUTHOR. NEST OF THE KING RAIL. 54 THE BIRDS FAMILY RALLIDAZ.—RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. SUBFAMILY RALLIN/AZ.—RAILS. GENUS RALLUs. [208]. Rallus elegans (Audubon). King Rail. [Marsh Hen. King Sora]. Raner.—Eastern North America. Breeds from Ne- braska, southern Minnesota, Ontario, New York, and Connecticut south to Texas, Florida, and Cuba; winters mainly in the southern part of its breeding range; casual north to South Dakota and Maine. This handsome large rail is not a common breeding bird over Tidewater Virginia, though I have taken two sets of eges each year for the last two seasons, from a pair of birds breeding in one of my ponds on my place in Warwick County. This is the only positive record I have of their breeding within our area, though I see no reason why they should not be found in the marshes adjoining Back Bay, which is virtually fresh water. The birds breeding with me became quite tame, allowing me to approach within five feet of them when brooding eggs. The nests were placed in a thick bunch of swamp grass erowing in the pond, about two feet above the water. They were made of dry marsh grass, a slightly hollow platform well packed, and contained nine and eleven eggs respectively the first settings, and six and seven eggs the second. They did not move over twenty-five feet after OF VIRGINIA 55 PHOTO BY THE AUTHOR. NEST OF THE CLAPPER RAIL. CANOPY REMOVED. 56 THE BIRDS being broken up the first time, and about one hundred feet the second time, the third laying being allowed to hatch. The young were jet black, and all remained in the near vicinity until the fall high tides, when they migrated with the other rail, principally Virginia and Sora. These fall tides oceur about September 15th to October 10th, during which times many King Rail, as well as other species, are killed further up the rivers. The egos have a glossy rich cream ground color, blotched and specked with reddish-brown, with fainter markings of lilac. Size, 1.60x1.20. Fresh eggs, May 20th to June Ist. Only one brood a season. Their food consists of insects, seed, and various forms of marine life gathered from the edges of the ponds and streams. [211]. Rallus crepitans crepitans (Gmelin). Clapper Rail. [Mud Hen. Sage Hen]. Raner.—Salt marshes of the Atlantic Coast. Breeds from Connecticut to North Carolina; winters mainly south of New Jersey; casual north to Maine. This is the largest of the rails breeding with us, and during mild winters many remain through the year. As spring approaches they become more fearless and inhabit small marshy places often within a hundred feet of inhabited buildings, from which they utter their harsh “ohak, ghak,” making their presence readily known. During the breeding season numerous pairs of these birds are scattered over every salt marsh, and during early morning and late evening hours, their long harsh cries, OF VIRGINIA 57 ore answering the other, so it seems, keep the marsh vibrating with sound, As they run so rapidly from place to place, one is led to believe there are many more birds in the marsh than there really are. On the islands off the coast they are very numerous, and their method of nest building is entirely different from that on the mainland west of the Chesapeake Bay. The spring equinoctial storm leaves large masses of drift, such as seaweed, dry marsh grass, and trash of every description, along the inland shore of the coastal islands, supported above the ground about eight inches by the thicker stems of marsh grasses. Under these masses of trash the Clapper Rails build their nests, the trash above forming the canopy for which the birds are so noted. The nests in the marshes on the mainland are chiefly placed in some thick bunch of marsh grass or flags, and attached thereto, from six to ten inches above the marsh and canopied over with the sur- rounding vegetation. During the late fall and early spring, numbers of these birds are caught in the steel traps set for mammals in and along the creeks and water courses. The eggs number from eight to thirteen, the ground color a rich glossy buff, specked and blotched with different shades of reddish-brown, and fainter markings of lavender or gray. Fresh eggs April 27th to June 1st. Size, 1.70x1.20. The nest is composed of dry marsh grasses and stems, a well built platform, slightly hollowed. Numbers of these birds with the Virginia, Black, and Sora Rails, are shot during the Sora tides, the latter part of September each year. The young are jet black when hatched and leave the nest to follow the parent as soon as dry. Two settings are laid by many birds. Second sets of fresh egos July Ist. Seeds and marine insect matter form the greater part of their food. 58 THE BIRDS Puotos By V. BurtcH. AT Home. AFTER LEAVING. THE VIRGINIA RAIL. OF VIRGINIA 59 [212]. Rallus virginianus (Linneus). Virginia Rail. Raner.—North America. Breeds from British Columbia, southern Saskatchewan, southern Keewatin, Ontario, southern Quebec, and New Brunswick south to southern California, Utah, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, New Jersey, and eastern North Carolina, and in Toluca Valley, Mexico; winters from Oregon, Utah and Colorado to lower California and Guatemala, also in the lower Mississippi states, and from North Carolina (casually Massachusetts) to Florida; occurs casually north to northern Quebec and Newfoundland. This species of rail with the Sora, and a few of the Black Rail, are taken quite abundantly during the fall high tides. During these times the waters rise above the tops of the majority of marsh grass in the small rivers and creeks, and the birds are driven from their safe retreat on the ground below, to the tallest of the marsh grass stems, here to be shot by the gunners pushed over the marsh in a light draft punt or skiff. The Virginia Rail is, however, not as abundant as the Sora during these periods, the proportion being about twenty to one. They breed in suitable localities throughout Tidewater, while further inland they are very abundant in the brackish marshes at the heads of the creeks emptying into the James. The waters of Back Bay and its tributaries is an ideal breeding section for it. Mild winters a few remain with us, but the majority migrate further south in October and November, arriving with us in the spring, the middle of April. The nest is placed in or near the water, six to ten inches up, a well built platform of dry marsh grasses and stems, canopied over and concealed by 60 THE BIRDS the surrounding tall vegetation. The eggs number from eight to twelve, the ground color a glossy creamish-white, specked with reddish-brown, and with fainter markings of lavender, more profusely on the larger end. Size of eggs, 1.25x.90. Fresh eggs may be found from May 20th till June 5th. Probably only one brood a season. Their food is similar to the other members of the family: seeds, worms, beetles, snails, and other insect matter, being freely eaten. GENUs CRECISCUS. [216]. Oreciscus jamaicensis (Gmelin). Black Rail. Ranexr.—Eastern North America. Breeds from southern Ontario and Massachusetts south to Kansas, Illinois, and South Carolina; winters from Texas east through the Gulf States and south to Jamaica and Guate- mala; casual in Bermuda. During the fall equinoctial storms when the extra high tides are caused by the water being backed up the James River, a few of these birds are shot on the marshes by the gunners after Sora. It was not until the season of 1911 that I had positive evidence of their breeding within our area, but on June 16th my father took an incomplete set in Northampton County, thus establishing a record for the State. The bird reminded him more of the common marsh or Norway rat (Hpinys Norvegicus) by the way it ran and skulked among the tall marsh grass. The nest is placed near a fresh-water marsh, on the ground, and com- posed of fine blades of flags and wide strips of marsh grasses, lined with fine strips and grasses. The eggs BLACK RAIL OF VIRGINIA 6] number six to nine, a glossy light cream ground color, pro- fusely specked over the entire surface with reddish-brown, and under markings of faint lavender. Size, 1.06x.65. Probably only one brood is raised a season. Fresh eggs June 12th. They arrive the latter part of April from the south, and migrate southward the latter part of September and first part of October. Their food is similar to the other members of the family. 62 THE BIRDS Zo PuHotTo BY O. E. BAYNARD. NEST AND EGGS OF THE FLORIDA GALLINULE. OF VIRGINIA 63 SUBFAMILY GALLINULINE-E. GENUS GALLINULA. [219]. Gallinula galeata (Lichtenstein). Florida Gallinule. [Marsh Pullet]. Ranex.—Tropical and temperate America. Breeds from central California, Arizona, Nebraska, Minnesota, Ontario, New York, and Vermont south through the West Indies and Mexico to Chile and .\rgentina, and in the Galapagos and Bermuda; winters from southern California, .\rizona, Texas, and Georgia southward; casual in Colorado, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Maine. Although we were quite sure the Florida Gallinule bred within our limits, it was not until the season of 1911 that my father actually took a set of eggs and identified the bird. The record set was found on the margin of a small brackish pond in the interior of Hog Island, Northampton County, June 17th. Incubation was far advanced; four eggs from the setting of nine were all that were saved. Undoubtedly they breed extensively along the shores and at the upper end of Back Bay, Princess Anne County, a mest suitable locality, and lower portions of rivers on the north side of Chesapeake Bay. Unless the weather be very cold, they remain with us until the middle or latter part of December, returning again the last of March, or a little later; weather con- 64 THE BIRDS ditions affecting it somewhat. Like the other rails, the migration is made during the night. A handsome speci- men was once brought to me early one morning, dead, having been picked up in the city street under the tele- graph wires. The bird had been flying at such a rapid rate that when it hit the wire, the shock had ruptured the heart and death had been almost instantaneous, facts brought out when skinning it. The nest is placed a few inches above the water or wet ground, sometimes floating on the water, composed of dry flag blades and marsh grass, well concealed by overhanging vegetation. Eggs number seven to ten, the ground color a rich glossy cream, the entire surface blotched, and spotted with a reddish-brown, and milder markings of lavender. Size, 1.65x1.15. Only one brood a season. The young when hatched are jet black except their tiny, orange-colored legs, and as soon as their coat becomes dry, they leave the nest and follow the parent. Vegetable matter, worms, beetles, snails and seed, form the principal part of their food. OF VIRGINIA 65 PHoTo BY O. REINECKE. WOODCOCK, 66 THE BIRDS FAMILY SCOLOPACID/E.—SNIPES, SAND- PIPERS, ETC. GENUS PHILOHELA. [228]. Philohela minor (Gmelin). Woodcock. Rayxer.—Eastern North America. Breeds from north- eastern North Dakota, southern Manitoba, northern Michigan, southern Quebec, and Nova Scotia south to southern Kansas, southern Louisiana, and northern Florida; winters from southern Missouri, the Ohio Valley, and New Jersey (rarely Massachusetts) south to Texas and southern Florida; ranges casually to Sas- katchewan, Keewatin, Colorado, Newfoundland, and Bermuda. Probably this bird will be seen by less people, other than the sportsman, than almost any bird on our list. He frequents the low marshy ground, especially in and around woods, sticking his long bill deep down into the mud or ' soft earth in quest of insects, worms and larve, and leaving a small round hole, a sign easily detected by the close- observant sportsman when in quest of him. Never flying by day, unless flushed, he feeds mostly in the dark shadows of the woods, only to emerge at night as his legitimate time of action. During favorable seasons a few of these birds remain throughout the winter, the majority, though, going further south during November. The migration northward begins early in March; favorable weather many reach us in February, and during these migrations many are shot by the local gunners. They are, however, ATONITTVS VdCIdoOTs OF VIRGINIA 67 becoming less common each year, until a bag of from four to eight birds is considered an exceptionally good day. Eggs are deposited with us the first week in March, while a female with young riding on her back has been noted on March 22nd. The nest is a slight depression in the ground, on some high spot bordering the swamp or marsh, lined with dry leaves. The eggs number four, a glossy buff-eream ground, spotted and blotched over the entire surface with a light shade of brown, and fainter blotches of lavender. The eggs are blunt pyriform in shape, size, 1.50x1.14. Only one brood a season. J found them abundant in western Virginia as high as 3,500 feet altitude. GENUS CATOPTROPHORUS. [258]. Catoptrophorus semrpalmatus semipalmatus. (Gmelin). Wallet, Raxee.—North and South America. Breeds from Virginia (formerly Nova Scotia) south to Florida and the Bahamas; winters from the Bahamas to Brazil and Peru; accidental in Bermuda and Europe. This was formerly a very abundant game bird all along our coast, often being found in numbers even on the lower shores of our large rivers and Chesapeake Bay. It is, however, fast becoming a bird of the past, and within a few years they will be considered a rare bird with our coast sportsmen. Being one of the earliest birds to lay, many are shot by the spring gunners after beiny mated and with eggs, a condition sure to diminish if not extermi- nate sooner or later any species of bird, no matter how 68 THE BIRDS plentiful. They arrive from the south about April 15th, apparently mated at that time. During the nesting season it is a most noisy bird, their oft-repeated ery of “Pilly willet, Pilly willet,” high overhead, attracting the atten- tion of everything for hundreds of yards around. Formerly the nests were quite easily found, being placed among the sand dunes near the beach, but the few remain- ing pairs on our coastal islands have learned to nest further back toward the bay side, where, amongst the tall, thick grass, they are very hard to locate. Sometimes they lay out on the marsh, though this practice is not common. The nest is a slight hollow in the sand or earth, a few fine grasses for an inner lining. The eggs number four, the ground color a bright, glossy, greenish- or grayish-buff, heavily spotted and blotched with various shades of brown, and undermarkings of lavender, preferably on the larger end. Fresh eges Mav 17th to 25th. Only one brood a season. The eggs are pyriform in shape and measure 2.10x1.60. They leave us for their migration southward the latter part of September. The greater part of their food con- sists of tender rootlets, seeds, snails, and marine insects cast up by the tides. GENUS BARTRAMIA. [261]. Bartramia longicauda (Bechstein). Upland Plover. [Field Plover]. Raner.—North and South America. Breeds from northwestern Alaska, southern Mackenzie, central Kee- watin, central Wisconsin, southern Michigan, southern WILLET OF VIRGINIA 69 Ontario, and southern Maine to southern Oregon, northern Utah, central Oklahoma, southern Missouri, southern Indiana, and parts of Virginia; winters on the pampas of South America to Argentina; in migration occurs north to Newfoundland and in Europe; accidental in Australia. This is probably one of our rarest species, and is, I think, the next bird to become extinct. Formerly they were very common over our area, but of late years one seldom sees them, especially in the breeding season. They arrive from the south about April 22nd, and migrate southward early in August, about the Sth. Like the Willet, they are a very noisy bird when one is near their nest, though it is much harder to find than the nest of that species. For a breeding ground, they prefer an old pasture or a low, sandy waste covered with short grass, the nest being a slight hollow scooped in the ground and lined with fine grasses. The nest is generally located in some dense growth or clump of grass or weeds, making it invisible from many angles. Four eggs is a full set; the ground color a rich, creamy buff, finely specked and blotched with light reddish-brown and faint undermark- ings of lavender. Size, 1.73x1.23. Fresh eges June 1st to 10th. They raise but a single brood a season with us. When plentiful and during the migrations, they were a bird much sought after by the gunners, and their habit of resorting to the open meadows, fields and pastures, where they fed on grasshoppers, worms, cutworms and locusts, was the main factor in their decrease. During such times they were persistently hunted by the local inhabitants and market gunners, until now they have become a novelty in a huntsman’s bag. They should be rigorously protected at all times. .\ few pair still breed in the State as far south as Montgomery County. 70 THE BIRDS PHotTo By ALEX. WALKER. THE HOME OF THE SPOTTED SANDPIPER. OF VIRGINIA 7\ GENus ACTITIS. [263]. Actitis macularia (Linneus). Spotted Sandpiper. [Teeter. Tip Up. Sand Snipe]. Ranexr.—North and South America. Breeds from tree limit in northwestern Alaska, northern Mackenzie, central Keewatin, northern Ungava, and Newfoundland south to southern California, Arizona, southern Texas, southern Louisiana, and northern South Carolina; winters from California, Louisiana, and southern Virginia to southern Brazil and central Peru; stragglers to Great Britain and Helgoland. This little shore bird, or “Teeter,” as called by the local residents, is a most common bird with us during the entire year. Even along the salt water shores of our bays and rivers it can always be seen running along in and out the surf foam, looking for insects and other marine crustea cast up by the waves. The inland ponds and marshy places also have their numerous pairs, around which places they really seem more at home, and breed to a greater extent. Their cry of “teeter, teeter, teeter,” on being flushed, and uttered while flying over the waters, is one of the easiest ways of identifying them. The nest is a slight depression in the ground amongst the thick grass, placed well for concealment, and lined with weed stems, grasses or seaweed. The eggs number four to five, gener- ally the former, pyriform in shape, a grayish-buff ground color, spotted, specked and blotched with brownish-black, or black. Size, 1.35x.90. The young leave the inest soon 72 THE BIRDS after being hatched, and their downy coats have the pro- tective coloration scheme so well carried out that it is almost impossible to distinguish them, especially on the sandy beach amongst the shells, pebbles or stones. They raise only one brood a season. Fresh eges June 1st to 10th. Their food consists principally of insect matter cast up by the water, or inhabiting the wet edges. 73 OF VIRGINIA x. WALKER. ROTO BY ALK p KILLDEER. 74 THE BIRDS FAMILY CHARADRIIDAE.—PLOVERS. GENUS OXYECHUS. [273]. Oxyechus rociferus (Linneus). Killdeer. [Killdee}. Rayee.—North and South America. Breeds from central British Columbia, southern Mackenzie, central Keewatin, and central Quebec south to the Gulf Coast and central Mexico; winters from California, Arizona, Texas, Indiana, New Jersey, and Bermuda south to Venezuela and Pern; casual in Newfoundland, Paraguay, and Chile; accidental in Great Britain. There was a time some fifteen or eighteen years ago when this shore bird was one of the common breeding birds all over Virginia, but of late years it has become more scarce each season, until it has entirely disappeared on the James River Peninsula as a breeder, and but few pair still breed on the Eastern Shore, and in Princess Anne County. During the migrations a few pair are now seen in the plowed fields and pasture land, while now and then a small flock on the beaches and flats, a remnant of a once plentiful bird with us. The farmers tell me, “Many vears ago one could find two or three pair nesting in every field on their farms, but nowadays they seldom even hear one the vear round.” They do, however, migrate in greater numbers, and breed sparingly further inland. They are a pleasing, though noisy, bird to have around the farm, and they do a great deal of good by gathering worms and insects from the fields. They are PIPING PLOVER OF VIRGINIA 75 exceptionally active birds on their legs, and one can follow an unstartled bird all over a field many times, the bird running ahead some thirty to fifty feet, all the while gathering up insects at each interval of stopping. The nest is placed in some open field, pasture or corn field, a slight depression in the ground, with a few straws or blades of grass as a lining. The eggs number three to four, and are pyriform in shape. The ground color when fresh a beautiful light olive buff, heavily blotched and spotted with black. Size, 1.52x1.12. The birds wintering with us are presumably northern birds, while our breeding birds migrate further southward. Only one brood a season, the young, like all the shore birds, leaving the nest almost as soon as being hatched. Fresh eggs May 20th to June Ist. The great amount of grasshoppers, locusts, beetles, earthworms, caterpillars and other insects, eaten by these birds should place them at the front of the beneficial list of birds, and every landowner in the country should give them the best of protection. GENUs /EGIALITIS. [277]. Afgialitis meloda (Ord.). Piping Plover. [Little Plover. Ring Neck]. Ranex.—KEastern North America. Breeds locally from southern Saskatchewan, southern Ontario, Magdalen Islands, and Nova Scotia south to central Nebraska, north- western Indiana, Lake Erie, and Virginia; winters on the coast of the United States from Texas to Georgia, and in northern Mexico; casual in migration to Newfoundland, the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and Bermuda. 76 THE BIRDS PHOTO BY THE AUTHOR. NEST OF THE WILSON’S PLOVER. OF VIRGINIA 77 This is another bird fast becoming extinct on our coast, the main reason for which is that they are shot at by the gunners who are after spring beach birds, when other larger varieties are lacking. They are tame little fellows, and, when driven by curiosity, will come within a few feet of a person sitting still on the sand dunes. They usually breed in small colonies, four to ten pair, the nest a hollow in the sandy beach, well back from the ocean, in which is laid four eggs. They choose, however, a place where shells, stones and pebbles are numerous, thus afford- ing the nest abundant color protection. The eggs are pyriform in shape, the ground a pale gray, spotted and specked with black. Size, 1.25x1.00. Fresh eges June 25th to July Ist. Only one brood a season. Seeds and insect matter, cast up by the waves and tide waters, form the greater part of their food. GENUS OCHTHODROMUS. [280]. - Ochthodromus wilsonius (Ord.). Wilson’s Plover. [Stuttering Bird]. Raner.—Southern North America. Breeds from Texas eastward along the Gulf Coast, and from southeastern Virginia (formerly New Jersey) south to the northern Bahamas; winters from southern Lower California, Texas, and Florida south to southern Guatemala and probably to the West Indies; casual in Nova Scotia and New England, and at San Diego, California. .\s a breeding bird it is fast becoming uncommon on our coast, though as late as 1896 it was still abundant. The 78 THE BIRDS scarcity of other ‘beach birds” of late years has been the cause of its decrease with us, the spring gunners having turned to this little plover when other larger birds were lacking. They present a very pretty sight, a flock with their snow-white underbreasts, black feet and bills, and broad band of black on the upper breast, following the surf foam as it runs in and out on the sandy beach, now and then all standing still with head drawn in, many balancing themselves on one leg and evidently asleep for an instant. The nest is a slight depression in the sandy beach, back from the ocean some twenty to fifty feet, among the shells and trash thrown up by the spring tides. The eggs number three to four, generally the former, the ground color a rich greenish-gray, blotched, spotted and lined with blackish-brown, and light lavender. Size, 1.40x1.05. Fresh eggs May 12th to June 10th. Only one brood a season. They arrive with us about May Ist. Their food is similar to the former species, and procured on the mud flats and ocean beaches. OF VIRGINIA 79 PHOTO BY THE AUTHOR. NEST AND EGGS OF THE OYSTER-CATCHER. 80 THE BIRDS FAMILY HAEMATOPODID/E.—OYSTER- CATCHERS. GENUS HAMATOPUS. [286]. Hematopus palliatus (Temminck). Oyster- catcher. [Sea Crow]. Rancre.—Coasts of North and South America from Texas, Louisiana, and Virginia (formerly New Jersey) south on both coasts of Mexico to the West Indies, southern Brazil and central Chile; casual north to New Brunswick. Breeds probably throughout its range. This is the next bird to become extinct on our Virginia coast, for it is truly a scarce bird now. Formerly it was fairly plentiful all along the coastal, and island sandy beaches, but of late years it has become so scarce that none of our islands can boast of over one or two pair of breed- img birds, some not that. This large, showy bird fell an easy mark to the spring gunners, breeding as it did during the height of the spring migration of “beach birds,”’ from May 10th to 25th. Nesting among the sand dunes or flat beaches back from the ocean, over which the spring gunners tramped dailv, these birds were right in the line of travel, so to speak, and were either killed, or their nests broken up. As they laid only from two to three eggs a setting, the increase has been less than decrease, and they have become fewer and fewer year after year. It was my good fortune to find on Fisherman’s Island on June 22nd, 1900, a set of four eges of this species, the only set of this WHAOLVO-UALSAO OF VIRGINIA 8] size I have ever heard of. They arrive about April 18th and depart early in September. The nest is only a slight hollow in the sandy beach or sand dune, around which is generally gathered a few bits of beach shell. The birds make large footprints, and many well-trodden paths lead to their nests, making them rather easily located, especi- ally after incubation has commenced. The eggs are a beautiful shade of creamy buff, blotched and spotted with dark brown and faint lines of lavender. Size, 2.20x1.50. Only one setting a season. Its food consists of mussels, manoes, snails, worms, shrimps and small crabs, while many insects are also eaten by them. 82 THE BIRDS PHOTO BY THE AUTHOR. NEST OF THE BOBWHITE. OF VIRGINIA 83 FAMILY ODONTOPHORID/E.—BOB- WHITES, QUAILS, ETC. GENUS COLINUS. [289]. Colinus virginianus virginianus (Linneus). Bobwhite. [Quail. Partridge]. Rancre.—Upper Sonoran and southern half of Tran- sition zones of eastern North America from South Dakota, southern Minnesota, southern Ontario, and southwestern Maine south to eastern and northern Texas, the Gulf Coast, and northern Florida west to eastern Colorado, introduced in central Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, California, Oregon and Washington. “The gamest bird that flies,’ some sportsmen call him, and all through the summer from the ditch, corn, and fence rows, briar patches, and open grain fields, comes the cheery call. of “Bobwhite, Bobwhite,” making him universally known, from the farmer at the plow to the autoist as he speeds along the country road. Notwith- standing he is persistently pursued year after year, even before the open season begins, and sometimes before many of the young birds are over half grown, this bird is hold- ing its own fairly well all over this section. Weather con- ditions also have much to do with their numbers; notably, the season of 1911, birds were more numerous than for many years previous, due to the dry summer, but the long- continued cold weather, snow and sleet of January and February of 1912, depleted, if not wiped out entirely, 84 THE BIRDS many fine coveys. Farmers should scatter a little grain for these birds during the winter time, for they are one of his best friends in the way of getting away with obnoxious seeds.