3 = aie eth CORNELL LAB of ORNITHOLOGY LIBRARY AT SAPSUCKER WOODS Illustration of Snowy Owl by Louis Agassiz Fuertes : mimi, DATE DUE 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/cu31924090284179 SaaS BOB-WHITE HANDBOOK OF BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA WITH KEYS TO THE SPECIES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THEIR PLUMAGES, NESTS, AND EGGS THEIR DISTRIBUTION AND MIGRATIONS AND A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THEIR HAUNTS AND HABITS WITH INTRODUCTORY CHAPTERS ON THE STUDY OF ORNITHOLOGY, HOW TO IDENTIFY BIRDS AND HOW TO COLLECT AND PRESERVE BIRDS THEIR NESTS, AND EGGS BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN ASSISTANT CURATOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MAMMALOGY AND ORNITHOLOGY IN THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, NEW YORK CITY ; MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION, ETC. WITH FULL-PAGE PLATES IN COLORS AND BLACK AND WHITE AND UPWARD OF ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY CUTS IN THE TEXT SIXTH EDITION NEW YORK D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 1901 OR NIT os CF | CH 46 190 | CoryRicnt, 1895, By D. APPLETON AND COMPANY. TO MY MOTHER WHO HAS EVER ENCOURAGED HER SON IN HIS NATURAL HISTORY STUDIES THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED PREFACE. Ir this book had been written in the last century it might have been entitled “Ornithology made Simple, or How to Identify Birds with Ease, Certainty, and Dispatch.” It may be unworthy so com- prehensive a title, nevertheless I have made an honest endeavor to write a book on birds so free from technicalities that it would be in- telligible without reference to a glossary, and I have tried to do this in a volume which could be taken afield in the pocket. Ihave not addressed an imaginary audience, nor have I given my prospective readers what, theoretically, I thought they ought to have, but what personal experience with students of birds has led me to believe would meet their wants. The preparation of this work has firmly convinced me that the poet would have been nearer the truth had he written “One touch of nature makes the whole world kind.” In the succeeding pages I have attempted to express my appreciation of the assistance which natural- -ist friends and associates have generously given me, but here I desire to especially thank Miss Florence A. Merriam, Dr. J. A. Allen, and Mr. Ernest E. Thompson for much valuable criticism and advice. Frank M. Cuapman. AMERICAN Museum or Natura History, New York City, January, 1895. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION Cuaprer I.—TuE Stupy or OrniTHowoey. Systematic Ornithology. Philosophie Ornithology Economic Ornithology . Sentiment of Ornithology Cuaprer I].—Tue Srupy or Birps Ovut-or-Doors . How to Identify Birds . How to Find Birds When to Find Birds Tables of Migration The Nesting Season Note-books and Journals Cuaprer III.—Con.ectine Brrps, THEIR Nests, AND Ecos PLAN List PF ABBREVIATIONS . Collecting Birds Making Birdskins. Sexing Birds . Cataloguing and habeline Care of a Collection : Collecting and Preserving Nests aiid Eggs . oF THE Work. : Nomenclature adopted . Definition of Terms The Key to Families The Keys to Species Measurements Range Biographies Illustrations Color Chart vii viii CONTENTS. PAGE THE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA EAST OF THE NINE- TIETH MERIDIAN . : ‘ : ‘ ; é . 41 Key To ORDERS AND FamILigs . : . é 3 , 4 All I, Orper Pycoropes: Diving Birds . : ; ‘ . 56 1. Family Podicipide: Grebes ‘ ; : j . 56 2. Family Urinatoride: Loons ; ‘ . 58 3. Family Alcide: Auks, Murres, and Puffins ‘ . 60 II. Orper Loneirennes: Lone-winceD SWIMMERS. . 65 4, Family Stercorariide : Skuas and Jaegers . ‘ . 65 5. Family Laride: Gulls and Terns é zi ’ . 67 6. Rynchopide: Skimmers . 3 A ‘ ‘ . 8 III. Orper Tupinares: TUBE-NosED SWIMMERS . z . 86 7. Family Diomedeide: Albatrosses . . 86 8. Procellariide: Petrels, Fulmars, and Shenwaters . 86 IV. OrpER SteGANopopES: ToTIPALMATE SWIMMERS . . Of 9. Family Phaéthontide: Tropic Birds. 5 a . 91 10. Family Sulide: Gannets . . - é . 92 11. Family Anhingide: Darters . j : . 93 12. Family Phalacrocoracide: Cormorants . , . 94 13. Family Pelecanide: Pelicans . 3 ; 95 14, Family Fregatide: Man-o’-War Birds. : (OF V. ORDER ANSERES: LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS F . 97 15, Family Anatide: Ducks, Geese, and Swans. . 97 VI. OrpER OpontoeLoss#: LAMELLIROSTRAL GRALLATORES . 125 16. Family Pheenicopteride: Flamingoes . . . 125 VII. Orprrk Heroptones: Herons, STorks, [Bises, ETC. . . 125 17, Family Plataleide: Spoonbills . 5 ‘A é » 125 18. Family Ibidide: Ibises . a . 126 19. Family Ciconiide: Storks and Wood lies: 7 . 127 20. Family Ardeide: Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns =. 128 VIII. Orper Patupicona: Cranes, Raizs, ETc. . “ . 187 21. Family Gruide: Cranes . ® : : ; . 137 22. Family Aramide: Courlans. . . 138 23. Family Rallide: Rails, Gallinules, sia Coots E . 189 IX. Orper Litcop#: Sore Birps : ‘ . 147 24, Family Phalaropodide : Phalazopes . : . 147 25. Family Recurvirostride: Stilts and Avocets . . 149 26. Family Scolopacidaw: Snipes, Sandpipers, ete. . » 150 XII. XII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. CONTENTS. PY? 3 Family Charadriide: Plovers 28. Family Aphrizide: Turnstones, ete. . . 29. Family Hematopodide: Oyster-catchers . . ORDER GALLINZ: GALLINACEOUS Birps . 80. Family Tetraonide: Grouse, Bob-whites, etc. . 31. Family Phasianide : Pheasants, etc. . . ORDER CoLuMB&: PicEons AnD Doves 32. Family Columbide: Pigeons and Doves . OrprR Raprores: Brrps or Prey . - 33. Family Cathartide: American Vultures . 34. Family Falconidew: Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, ae 35. Family Strigide: Barn Owls . : 36. Family Bubonide: Horned Owls, Hoot Owls : OrveR Psirtaci: Parrots, Macaws, ParogueEts, ETC. 37. Family Psittacide: Parrots and Paroquets ORDER CoccyeEs: Cuckoos, KINGFISHERS, ETC. 38. Family Cuculide: Cuckoos 39. Family Alcedinide: Kingfishers OrpeER Pict: WoopPECKERS, WRYNECKS, ETC. . 40. Family Picide: Woodpeckers . Swirts, ETC. 41, Family Cpr Nighthawks, Whip: poor- ; . 236 . 239 . 240 » 242 . 242 . 252 « 253 » 259 - 260 . 271 . 316 . 818 . 823 « 825 . 827 » 833 wills, ete. r 42. Family Missopodide: " Swifts 48, Family Trochilide: Hummingbirds . Orper Passeres: Percuine Birps . 44, Family Tyrannide: Flycatchers 45. Family Alaudide: Larks . 46. Family Corvide: Crows and Jays 47, Family Sturnide: Starlings 7 48. Family Icteridze: Blackbirds, Orioles, ale 49, Family Fringillide: Finches, Sparrows, etc. 50. Family Tanagride: Tanagers . . 51. Family Hirundinide: Swallows 52. Family Ampelide: Waxwings . 53. Family Laniide: Shrikes . 54. Family Vireonidew: Vireos . ‘ 55. Family Mniotiltide : Wood Warblers ix PAGE 2171 . 176 ~177 . 178 . 178 185 . 187 . 187 . 191 . 191 . 193 . 218 . 213 » 222 » 222 » 224 + 224 . 226 + 227 » 227 OxpeR Macrocuires: GoatTsucKers, HumMinapirDs, . 226 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. AppenDIx: A Field Key to our Commoner Eastern Land Birds CONTENTS. Family Motacillide: Wagtails and Pipits @. Family Troglodytide: Thrashers, Wrens, etc. . Family Certhiide: Creepers Family Paride: Nuthatches and Titmnise, Family Sylviide: Kinglets and Gnatcatchers . Family Turdide: Thrushes, Bluebirds, etc. List oF PRiIncipAL WORKS REFERRED TO InDEXx PAGE . 875 . 376 . 885 . 386 . 891 . 394 . 404 . 411 . 415 Bos- WHITE LiST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. FULL-PAGE PLATES. TO FACE PAGE Coton CHART PIED-BILLED GREBE AND Youve Heaps oF Ducks Litrte Buve Herons CLAPPER RaIL . Woopcock anp Youna SPOTTED SANDPIPER AND YOUNG RuFFED GROUSE AND YouNG . Sparrow Hawk anp Youne . Harry WoopPEcKER; YELLOW-BELLIED ‘Siustennn WHIP-POOR-WILL 33 LEAst FLYCATCHER ; Pours BopoLink . MEADOWLARK WHITE-THROATED Sanaws Watre- CROWNED ; Seienew Sone Sparrow; Swamp Suannay ‘ YELLOW-THROATED VIREO; WARBLING ike. LovistaNA WATER-THRUSH Woop THrusH; WItson’s THRUSH. FIGURES IN THE TEXT. FIGURE OBAIOARwWWDH . A completed birdskin : £ . a: . . Topography of a bird ; . (a) Spotted, (6) streaked, (c) bares, @) matgined feathers . Rule showing inches and tenths . F . . Feet of (a) Pied-billed Grebe, (5) Loon, ©) Puffin . (a) Bill of Parasitic Jaeger ; me bill and foot of fess cin Gull . Bill of Common Tern F ‘ . Bill of Skimmer xi . Frontispiece. 39 57 97 . 135 . 140 . 153 . 169 . 181 . 211 » 229 . 237 « 245 « 262 . 265 . 800 . 806 . 330 . 368 . 395 PAGE 28 33 34 37 41 41 42 42 xii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. FIGURE PAGE 9. (a) Bill and foot of Black-footed Albatross ; @ bill and foot of Fulmar . ‘ 9 42 10. Foot of Cormorant . , ‘ i ‘ 5 . 43 11. Bill of Yellow-billed Tropic Bird z ‘ 2 “ c . 43 12. Billof Gannet . 3 a : 5 : 7 ‘ ‘ . 43 18. Bill of Anhinga. 3 : é : : : : F . 43 14, Bill of Cormorant . 2 ‘ zi ‘i é . 43 15. Bill of Man-o’-War Biel. F ay Bie ‘ . : . 43 16. Billof Merganser . ‘ . 44 17. (a) Bill and foot of Mallard; oO} ten of Ganvashask 6 . 44 18. Bill of Flamingo 7 ‘ E A é - 45 19. Bill and toe-nail of Little Gueea ‘deton ‘ . : 5 . 45 20. Bill of White Ibis. ‘ . ‘ ‘: : ; : . 45 21. Bill of Roseate Spoonbill. .. 45 22. (a) Bill and foot of Clapper Rail: itis of () Yellow ail, (c) Sora, (d) Florida Gallinule; (e) bill and foot of Coot . 46 23. Bill of Sandhill Crane. ‘ ‘1 ‘ . 46 24, Bill of Limpkin. . 46 25. Bills of (a) Dowitcher, ® inet: ©) Bleck: belliea Plover, (d) Semipalmated Plover. 47 26. Feet of (2) Red Phalarope, (6) Knek (e) Tawitcian, oR Black- bellied Plover, (e) ie case Plover . . . 47 27. Bill of Ruffed Grouse ‘ E : . . . 48 28. Bill of Wild Pigeon . ‘ : . 48 29. Feet of (a) Barred Owl, (8) Rea siacldéred Hewk:. é . 48 30. Head of Barn Owl . 7 . . F . 48 31. Head of Barred Owl . . ‘ ‘ . ; A ‘ . 48 82. Head of Turkey Vulture . ‘ : : : . : . 49 33. Head of Red-shouldered Hawk F , : 4 F . 49 34. Bill and foot of Carolina Paroquet . e as : 3 . 49 35. Bill and foot of Belted Kingfisher . : - oe : . 49 36. Bill and foot of Yellow-billed Cuckoo . : 49 37. (a) Bill and foot of Hairy adobe (6) foot ‘of Avelie Three-toed Woodpecker ‘ é F * . 50 38. Bill and foot of Nighthawk . . E 2 F - 50 39. Bill and tail-feather of Chimney Swift A ‘ . ‘ . 50 40. Bill of Hummingbird F { Z ; ‘ é 5 . 50 41. Foot of Robin . ‘ ; e . . Fi : : . 51 42. Bill and wing of Pheebe . Z . ‘ é i ‘ » 51 43. Bill and hind-toe of Horned Lark . : . . - 61 44, (a) Bill and wing of Blue Jay, (8) bill of Caw : . . 51 45. Bill and wing of Starling . é : : . . . 52 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. xii FIGURE PAGE 46. (a) Bill and wing of Baltimore Oriole; bills of (6) Meadow- lark, (c) Purple Grackle : 52 47, Bills of (a) Cardinal, (b) Pine Grosbeak () Purple Finch, (d) Red Crossbill, (¢) Seaside Finch, ( fi ) Goldfinch 52 48. Bill of Scarlet Tanager : 52 49. Bill and foot of Cliff Swallow . 53 50. Head of Cedar Waxwing . 53 51. Bill of Loggerhead Shrike 53 52. Bill of Blue-headed Vireo 53 53. (a) Bill of Tennessee Warbler; (d) bill wing: | ne fee of Pine Warbler; bills of (c) Redstart, gs Water-Thrush ; (e) Chat . . . 53 54. Bill and hind-toe of Ameri ican Pipit . 54 55. (a) Bill of Brown Thrasher, (6) bill and wing of Cathind bills of (c) Carolina Wren, (d) House Wren. . 54 56. Bill and tail of Brown Creeper . 54 57. (a) Bill of White-breasted Nuthatch, 6) bill and ging of Chickadee . 65 58. (a) Bill and wing of Adiden-cowned Ringlet, ® bill of Blue Gray Gnatcatcher . “ 55 59. (a) Bill of Robin, (0) bill and ind of Bluebird 55 60. First primaries of (2) American Herring Gull, (6) Ring- billed Gull, (¢) Laughing Gull, (d) Franklin’s Gull, (e) Bona- parte’s Gull . . 69 61. First primaries of (a) Chapian Tern, (2) oval Tem, (c) ‘Gots. mon Tern, (d) Arctic Tern, (e) Royal Tern . 78 62. Head of Least Sandpiper . . 160 63. Head of Red-backed Sandpiper . 161 64, Wing of Solitary Sandpiper . 166 65. Head of Semipalmated Plover . . 174 66. Head of Wilson’s Plover . . 176 67. Tail of Sharp-shinned Hawk . 198 68. Tail of Cooper’s Hawk . 199 69. Primaries of Red-shouldered Hawk. . 202 70. Primaries of Broad-winged Hawk . 204 71. Foot of Golden Eagle - 206 72. Foot of Bald Eagle . 3 - 207 73. Tail-feathers of Yellow-billed Cuckoo » 225 74, Tail-feathers of Black-billed Cuckoo . 226 75, Head of Crested Flycatcher . 245 76. Head of Prairie Horned Lark . . 253 77. Head of Cowbird . : . 262 xiv LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. FIGURE 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84, 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. ‘ : . Head of Black and White Warbler . . Head of Worm-eating Warbler . Head of Blue-winged Warbler . ; . Head of Golden-winged Warbler . . . Head of Parula Warbler . . Head of Myrtle Warbler . . Head of Magnolia Warbler . Head of Chestnut-sided Warbler . Black-throated Blue Warbler . . Head of Black-poll Warbler . Head of Prairie Warbler . . Head of Oven-bird . ‘ . Head of Kentucky Warbler . Head of Maryland Yellow-throat . Head of Wilson’s Warbler . Head of Hooded Warbler. . Head of Canadian Warbler . Head of Yellow-breasted Chat . . Head of Short-billed Marsh Wren . Head of Long-billed Marsh Wren . Head of Red-breasted Nuthatch . Head of Tufted Titmouse. . Head of Golden-crowned Kinglet Head of Orchard Oriole Head of Purple Finch Head of Redpoll Hind-toe of Lapland Longapat Tail-feathers of Vesper Sparrow Tail of Grasshopper Sparrow . Head of Seaside Sparrow . Head, of Lark Sparrow Head of Chipping Sparrow Head of Fox Sparrow Head of Dickcissel . Barn, Cliff, Tree, and Bank Sirillows Section of primary of Rough-winged Swallow Head of Red-eyed Vireo . Wing of Warbling Vireo . PAGE . 267 . 281 . 285 . 289 . 290 . 293 . 297 . 299 . 802 . 809 . 315 . 318 . 823 . 828 . 829 . 851 . 851 . 351 . 851 . 851 . 851 . 351 . 351 . 854 . 366 . 866 . 866 . 866 . 366 . 866 . 366 . 866 . 372 . 883 . 384 . 888 . 889 - 892 A HANDBOOK OF THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I. THE STUDY OF ORNITHOLOGY. Birps, because of their beauty, the charm of their songs, and the ease with which they may be observed, are doubtless the forms of animal life which first attract the young naturalist’s attention. His interest in them gives evidence of an inborn love of Nature. Too often this priceless gift is lost simply through lack of encouragement and instruction. Properly developed it should prove a never-failing source of pleasure and inspiration, if indeed its influence does not become the most potent factor in our lives. Let us hope that the day is not distant when the importance of in- troducing natural-history studies into our schools will be generally recognized. The young student of Nature will then be helped over the repelling technicalities which render so difficult the first steps to a knowledge of his chosen subject. Without a guide he now either loses his way completely or travels under disadvantages which handi- cap him for the whole journey. The uninstructed beginner in ornithology usually expends his en- ergies in forming a collection, and he knows no better way of pursuing his study of birds than to kill and stuff them! Collecting specimens is a step in the scientific study of birds, but ornithology would have small claim to our consideration if its possibilities ended here. Prop- erly considered, it includes what may be termed the science of orni- thology and the sentiment of ornithology. As a science it treats of birds as the exponents of natural laws and seeks to determine their place in the scale of life. In the sentiment of ornithology Nature ap- peals to us through the most interesting and beautiful of her animate forms, ) 1 SYSTEMATIC ORNITHOLOGY. bo The Science of Ornithology.—The science of ornithology may be divided into three branches—systematic, philosophic, and economic. Thé systematist aims to classify birds according to what are appar- ently their true relationships. He is the ornithological storekeeper, and having taken an account of stock it is his duty to keep the books of the firm in order. The philosophic ornithologist accepts as a fact the statement of affairs given him by his fellow-worker the systemat-. ist, and tries to explain the wherefore and why. He is a seeker of causes. The economist is of a more practical turn of mind. He is impressed by the incalculable influence which birds exert over our agricultural interests, and the necessity for learning with exactness whether this influence is for good or evil. But let us describe these three departments of scientific ornithology more fully. Systematic Ornithology—The first step in the scientific study of any group of animals is to name and classify them. Orders, families, genera, species, and subspecies are to be described and arranged in what appears to be the most natural manner. ‘Thus all the Perching Birds, for example, are placed in the order Passeres, and this order is divided into numerous families—for instance, the Thrushes or family Turdide. But how are we to know which are Perching Birds and which of the Perching Birds are Thrushes? The systematist answers, by studying a bird’s structure. Generally speaking, orders and fami- lies are based on skeletal, muscular, and visceral characters which may be termed internal characters. Genera are based on the form of bill, feet, wings, and tail, or on external characters, while species and sub- species are based mainly on color and size. Thus all the members of a family or order agree more or less in their principal internal charac- ters: those of a genus agree in external characters, and the individ- uals of a species or subspecies resemble one another in color and size. The object of classification is to aid us in understanding not alone the relationships of one bird to another bird, or of one family or order of birds to another family or order, or even of living to extinct birds, but also to assist us in explaining the relationships of all the classes of the animal and vegetable kingdoms—mammals, birds, rep- tiles, fishes—and thus down the scale to the lowest forms of life. This systematic study of the relationships of birds has taught us that they have been evolved from reptilian ancestors. There is much evidence in support of this fact, but the most conclusive is furnished by the discovery in the lithographic slate of Solenhofen, Bavaria, of several specimens of a remarkable fossil, a reptilelike bird, which has been named Archeopteryz lithographica, It is the earliest known direct progenitor of the great class Aves, PHILOSOPHIC ORNITHOLOGY. 3 The importance of systematic classification is also shown in the ne- cessity of naming objects before we can study them toadvantage. As the alphabet is the foundation of a written language, so this great series of scientific names, which appears so formidable to the student, is the groundwork for all ornithological research. Philosophie Ormithology.—Having learned the alphabet of orni- thology, we may pass from the systematic to the philosophic study of birds; from the study of dead birds to that of living ones. A study of specimens shows their relationships through structure, but a study of the living bird in its haunts may tell us the cause of structure. In classifying birds we have taken note of their form and coloration; our object now is to determine how these characters were acquired. ; As Prof. E. S. Morse has said, “There is no group of animals which exceeds birds in varied and suggestive material for the evolu- tionist.” Compare a Hummingbird with an Ostrich, a Swallow with a Penguin, and the enormous variation in the structure and habits of birds is brought very forcibly to our minds. When we remember that these widely divergent types descended from a reptilian ancestor, we are impressed anew with the truth of Prof. Morse’s remark, A brief review of the more important branches of philosophic ornithology will show how rich a field is open to the student of birds. They are: (1) The origin of birds and their place in Nature ; * (2) their distribution in time and space, and the influences which determine their present ranges; + (8) the migration of birds, its origin. object, ex- tent, and manner; { (4) the nesting of birds, including a study of the significance of sexual differences in form, color, and voice, the location and construction of the nest, the number and color of the eggs, together with the habits of birds during the entire nesting season ; (5) the effect * See Newton’s Dictionary of Birds (London : Adam and Charles Black, 1893) ; articles, ‘‘ Anatomy of Birds” and * Fossil Birds” ; Coues'’s Key to N. A. Birds. + Read The Geographical Distribution of North American Mammals, by J. A. Allen, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., iv, 1892, pp. 199-244; four maps. The Geo- graphical Origin and Distribution of North American Birds, considered in Rela- tion to Faunal Areas of North America, by J. A. Allen, The Auk, x, 1893, pp. 97-150 ; two maps. The Geographic Distribution of Life in North America with Special Reference to the Mammalia, by C. Hart Merriam, M.D., Proc. of the Biological Soc. of Washington, vii, 1892, pp. 1-64; one map. Laws of Tempera- ture Control, by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, Nat. Geog. Mag., vi, 1894, pp. 229-238 ; three maps. ¢ On this subject read articles by the following authors: J. A. Allen, Scrib- ner’s Magazine, xxii, 1881, pp. 932-938 ; Bull. Nuttall Orn. Club, v, 1880, pp. 151- 154 ; Scott, ibid., vi, 1881, pp. 97-100 ; Brewster, Memoirs Nuttall Orn. Club (Cam- bridge, Mass.), No. 1, pp. 22; Cooke and Merriam, Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley (Washington. 1888); Chapman, Auk, v, 1888, pp. 37-39 ; xi, 1894, pp. 12-17; Loomis, Auk, ix, 1892, pp. 28-39; xi, 1894, pp. 26-89, 94-117 ; Stone, Birds of E. Penn. and N. J., Bird Migration, pp. 15-28. 4 GEOGRAPHICAL RACES, of climate upon the color and size of birds;* (6) the relation of a bird’s color to its haunts and habits.t Besides these general subjects which enter into our study of the life-history of every bird, we have the special instances of intelligent adaptation to changed conditions of life, and, most interesting of all, the relation between structure and habits, or the part played by a bird’s habits in determining the form of its bill, feet, wings, and tail. Thus the Crook-billed Plover of New Zealand turns over or probes under stones and shells in search of food, not because its crooked bill makes an excellent lever or probe, but it has acquired a crooked bill through this habit. Again, the Gallinules of certain islands in southern seas are flightless, not because their wings are too small to support them, but because after having flown to these islands they had no further use for wings, which in time, through dis- use, became so small that the birds have lost the power of flight. In other words, it is not because their wings are small that they do not fly, but because they do not fly their wings are small. But to enlarge upon these problems which confront the philo- sophie ornithologist would require a volume. It is important, how- ever, that the student should have in the beginning at least a general idea of the effect of climate on the size and color of birds and the migration of birds. The first is well illustrated by our Bob-white or Quail. In New England, at the northern limit of its range, it is a fine, large bird with a light-brown back and a white breast narrowly barred with black. As we proceed southward it becomes smaller, the brown is of a deeper shade, the black bars of greater extent. Finally, when we have reached the humid region of southern Florida, the minimum in size is attained, the back is dark, rich chestnut barred with black, and the breast is almost wholly black. No one who compared this small, dark Florida Quail with the large, pale Quail of New England would consider them the same species. But on examining a series of Quails from all the Atlantic States one sees how gradually this change in color and decrease in size occurs, and that nowhere would it be possible to draw a line separating the two extremes. They are species in process of formation still connected by a chain of natural links. Ornithology presents many similar cases. They illustrate two laws in the evolution of animals—decrease in size southward and greater * Read Part III of Dr. J. A. Allen's Mammals and Winter Birds of East Florida, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zodl., vol. ii, No. 3. Cambridge, 1871. + Consult Poulton’s Colors of Animals (D. Appleton & Co.; 1890); Bed- dard’s Animal Coloration (Macmillan & Co.) ; Keeler’s Evolution of the Colors of North American Land-birds (Occasional Papers of California Academy of Sciences, ili, 1898); also reviews of last two works in The Auk, x, 1893, pp. 189- 199, 373-380. MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 5 intensity of color in regions of greatest rainfall. They are thus evi- dences of an evolution so recent that we can assign its cause. In nomenclature these partly formed species are termed subspecies or races. Under the trinomial system they are distinguished by a third name: thus Colinus virgintanus floridanus is a subspecies or race of Colinus virginianus. But if through any change in the earth’s sur- face the regions occupied by the large, light Quail and the small, dark one should be separated, the intermediates would disappear and in- stead of a race or subspecies we would have a full species—Colinus floridanus. The Migration of Birds.—Certain insects, fishes, and mammals migrate, but no animals compare with birds in the extent of their migrations. Some birds nest within the Arctic Circle and winter in the southern parts of the southern hemisphere, performing this jour- ney of thousands of miles year after year and returning to their sum- mer or winter haunts with marvelous certainty and regularity. Not only is the migration of birds an interesting subject in itself, but the almost constant changes it causes in the bird-life of the same region gives an interest to the study of ornithology which is ever re- newed with the changing seasons.: Indeed, to the lover of Nature birds are a living calendar. “ What was that sound that came on the softened air? It was the warble of the Bluebird from the scraggy orchard yonder. When this is heard, then has spring arrived.” A discussion of the origin of bird migration will be found in the books and papers on this subject to which reference has been given. Here it is possible only to outline its principal features as they exist to-day. Generally speaking, birds migrate at the approach of winter, in search of food. “The reason why they leave a land of plenty in the tropics and follow the footsteps of retreating winter to nest in the comparatively barren north is as yet not satisfactorily explained. As.a rule, the extent of a bird’s migration depends upon the nature of its food. Insect-eating birds are forced to extend their migrations much farther than the seed-eaters, many of which are permanent residents at their place of birth. The land-birds of the Western States winter in Mexico. A few cross the Isthmus of Tehuantepec into Central America, but practically no species cross the Isthmus of Panama. Our Eastern birds have a longer and more perilous journey . to perform. They leave the mainland by way of Florida, and some : species find congenial winter haunts in the West Indies or Central America, while others go as far south as the Argentine Republic. Birds of strong flight, like Swallows, can easily escape from bird- killing Hawks, and so migrate boldly by day. But the shy, retiring inhabitants of woods and thickets await the coming of darkness, and 6 ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY. then, mounting high in the air, pursue their journey under cover of the night. Birds direct their flight by coast lines and river valleys which are easily distinguishable in clear weather. On favorable nights these natural highways of migration are thronged by a continuous stream of aérial voyagers passing from dusk until dawn. ; Looking through a telescope at the moon, one may see numbers of birds cross its glowing surface. From such observations it is com- puted that migrating birds fly at a height of from one to three miles. The eyesight of birds is so far superior to ours that we do not realize its value to them while migrating. The height at which they fly gives them command of a wide range of country, and on clear nights they can undoubtedly distinguish its prominent features with ease. But when fogs or clouds obscure these landmarks, they lose their way. It is then that lighthouses prove beacons luring them to destruction. The Bartholdi Statue, at the mouth of the Hudson River, is directly in the path of the great streams of migrants which flow up and down this natural highway of migration, and for this reason is particularly destructive to birds which travel at night. On one occasion after a storm no less than fourteen hundred birds were picked up at its base, having been killed by striking the statue or pedestal upon which it rests, But while sight is of the first importance to the older and more experienced birds who know the way, young birds, who are making the journey for the first time, doubtless rely on their hearing to guide them. Birds’ ears are exceedingly acute. They readily detect sounds which to us would be inaudible. Almost invariably they respond to an imitation of their notes, and, when under way, frequently chirp and call. When we consider their power of hearing and their abundance in routes of migration, it seems probable that at no time during the night is a bird beyond the hearing of his fellow-travelers. The line of flight once established, therefore, by the older birds, who leave first, it becomes a comparatively easy matter for the younger birds to join the throng. Economie Ornithology.—This branch of the study of ornithology treats of the relationships of bird to man from the standpoint of dollars and cents. Civilized man is Nature’s worst enemy. Heisa disturbing element whose presence is a constant menace to the balance of life. It is of the utmost importance, therefore, that we should acquaint ourselves with the conditions which make a true equilibrium and endeavor to sustain them when it proves to our advantage to do so. The disastrous results which have followed man’s introduction of the English or House Sparrow in America, the mongoose in the West ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY. q Indies, and the rabbit in Australia, clearly show that our attempts to improve upon Nature must be directed, not by haphazard methods, but by knowledge gained through a careful study of’ Nature’s laws. Few persons realize the value of birds to man. They are the natural check upon the increase of insect life. Consider the incal- culable number of insects destroyed by the birds which pass the greater part of each day hunting through our lawns, orchards, fields, and woods for the pests that destroy vegetation. Of almost equal im- portance are the birds of prey whose food consists largely of the small rodents which are among the farmer’s worst enemies. Indeed, it is not too much to say that without birds the earth would not long be habitable. As yet we are on the threshold of an exact knowledge of the value of birds to man; but let us cite one easily demonstrable case where ignorance of birds’ habits resulted in direct pecuniary loss. Quoting from the report for 1886 of Dr. C. Hart Merriam, Ornithologist and Mammalogist of the United States Department of Agriculture: “On the 23d of June, 1885, the Legislature of Pennsylvania passed an act known as the ‘scalp act,’ ostensibly ‘for the benefit of agriculture,’ which provides a bounty of fifty cents each on hawks, owls, weasels, and minks killed within the limits of the State, and a fee of twenty cents to the notary or justice taking the affidavit. “By virtue of this act about $90,000 has been paid in bounties during the year and a half that has elapsed since the law went into effect. This represents the destruction of at least 128,571 of the above-mentioned animals, most of which were hawks and owls. “Granting that 5,000 chickens are killed annually in Pennsylvania by hawks and owls, and that they are worth twenty-five cents each (a liberal estimate in view of the fact that a large proportion of them are killed when very young), the total loss would be 1,250, and the poultry killed in a year and « half would be worth $1,875. Hence it,appears that during the past eighteen months the State of Pennsylvania has «xpended $90,000 to save its farmers a loss of $1,875. But this esti- mate by no means represents the actual loss to the farmer and the tax- payer of the State. It is within: bounds to say that in the course of a year every hawk and owl destroys at least a thousand mice or their equivalent in insects, and that each mouse or its equivalent so de- stroyed would cause the farmer a loss of two cents perannum. There- fore, omitting all reference to the enormous increase in the numbers of these noxious animals when Nature’s means of holding them in check hasbeen removed, the lowest possible estimate of the value to the farmer of each hawk, owl, and weasel would be $20 a year, or $80 in a year and a half. 8 SENTIMENT OF ORNITHOLOGY. “ “Hence, in addition to the $90,000 actually expended by the State in destroying 128, 571 of its benefactors, it has incurred a loss to its agricultural interests of at least $3,857,180, or a total loss of $3,947,180 in a year and a half, which is at the rate of 2,631,420 per annum. In other words, the State has thrown away $2,105 for every dollar saved ! Arid even this does not represent fairly the full loss, for the slaughter of such a vast number of predaceous birds and mammals is almost certain to be followed by a correspondingly enormous increase in the numbers of mice and insects formerly held in check by them, and it will take many years to restore the balance thus blindly destroyed through ignorance of the economic relations of our common birds and mammals.” To their credit be it said, the legislators of Pennsylvania were not slow to recognize the error which a lack of proper information had caused them to make. A State ornithologist was appointed, and through his efforts this ruinous and absurd law was repealed. In 1898 the Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy of the Department of Agriculture issued a report upon the food of the Hawks and Owls of the United States based upon the examination of the contents of 2,690 stomachs. It proves conclusively the value of most of these misjudged birds to the agriculturist. It is need- less to draw a comparison between legislation based upon information derived from such reports and that based solely on ignorant preju- dices. The Sentiment of Ornithology.—_We may accept as true Prof. Morse’s estimate of the value of birds to the scientist; we need not - question their importance in the economics of Nature, but we are still far from recognizing the possibilities of their influence upon our lives. An inherent love of birds is an undeniable psychological fact which finds its most frequent expression in the general fondness for cage- birds. If we can learn to regard the birds of the woods and fields with all the affection we lavish on our poor captives in their gilded homes, what an inexhaustible store of enjoyment is ours! It is not alone the beauty, power of song, or intelligence of birds which attract us, it is their human attributes. Man exhibits hardly a trait which he will not find reflected in the life ofa bird. Love, hate; courage, fear; anger, pleasure; vanity, modesty; virtue, vice; constancy, fickleness ; generosity, selfishness; wit, curiosity, memory, reason—we may find them all exhibited in the lives of birds. Birds have thus become symbolic of certain human characteristics. and the more common spccies are so interwoven in our art and literature that by name at least they are known to all of us. Shakespeare makes over six hundred references to birds or bird-life. If we should rob SENTIMENT OF ORNITHOLOGY. 9 Wordsworth’s verses of their birds, how sadly mutilated what re- mained would be! But why leave a knowledge of birds to poets and naturalists? Go yourself to the field and learn that birds do not exist solely in books, but are concrete, sentient beings, whose acquaintance may bring you more unalloyed happiness than the wealth of the Indies. John Bur- roughs understands this when he writes of the study of birds: ‘ There is a fascination about it quite overpowering. It fits so well with other things—with fishing, hunting, farming, walking, camping out—with all that takes one to the fields and woods. One may go a blackberry- ing and make some rare discovery; or while driving his cow to pas- ture, hear a new song, or make a new observation. Secrets lurk on all sides. There is news in every bush. What no man ever saw before may the next moment be revealed to you. What a new interest the woods have! How you long to explore every nook and corner of them!” Human friends may pass beyond our ken, but our list of acquaint- ances in the bird world increases to the end and shows no vacancies. The marsh the Blackbirds loved may become the site of a factory, but no event on the calendar is more certain than that in due time and place we shall hear the tinkling chorus of the epauleted minstrels rising and falling on the crisp morning air. « |... Time may come when never more The wilderness shall hear the lion roar ; But, long as cock shall crow from household perch To rouse the dawn, soft gales shall speed thy wing, And thy erratic voice be faithful to the spring |” The woods of our youth may disappear, but the Thrushes will always sing for us, and their voices, endeared by cherished associa- tions, arouse echoes of a hundred songs and awaken memories before which the years will vanish, CHAPTER II. THE STUDY OF BIRDS OUT-OF-DOOBS. How to Identify Birds—Whether your object be to study birds as a scientist or simply as a lover of Nature, the first step is the same— you must learn to know them. This problem of identification has been given up in despair by many would-be ornithologists. We can neither pick, press, net, nor impale birds; and here the botanist and the entomologist have a distinct advantage. Even if we have the desire to resort to a gun its use is not always possible. But with patience and practice the identification of birds is a comparatively easy matter, and in the end you will name them with surprising ease and certainty. There is generally more character in the flight of a bird than’ there is in the gait of a man. Both are frequently inde- scribable but perfectly diagnostic, and you learn to recognize bird friends as you do human ones—by experience. If you confine your studies to one locality, probably not more than one third of the species described in this volume will come within the field of your observation. To aid you in learning which species should be included in this third, the paragraphs on Range are followed by a statement of the bird’s standing at Washington, D. C., Sing Sing, N. Y., and Cambridge, Mass., while the water-birds of Long Island are treated specially. Take the list of birds from the point nearest your home as an index of those you may expect to find. This may be abridged for a given season by considering the times of the year at which a bird is present.* * It is sometimes possible to secure a list of birds of your own vicinity. These “local lists” are generally published in scientific journals, but one may fre- quently secure a copy of the author's edition. On this subject correspond with L. S. Foster, 35 Pine Street, New York city. Among the local lists of eastern birds which were issued as separate publications and are now for sale are— 1, A Catalogue of the Birds of the Virginias, by Wm. C. Rives, M. A., M.D. Proc. Newport [R. I.] Nat. Hist. Sov., Document VII, 1890, 8vo, pp. 100, one map, 805 species. 2, The Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with Introductory 10 HOW TO FIND BIRDS. 11. After this slight preparation you may take to the field with a much clearer understanding of the situation. Two quite different ways of identifying birds are open to you. Hither you may shoot them, or study them through a field- or opera-glass, A “bird in the hand” isa definite object whose structure and color can be studied to such ad- vantage that in most cases you will afterward recognize it at sight. After learning the names of its parts, its identity is simply a question of keys and descriptions. If you would “name the birds without a gun,” by all means first visit a museum, and, with text-book in hand, study those species which you have previously found are to be looked for near your home. This preliminary introduction will serve to ripen your acquaintance in the field. A good field- or opera-glass is absolutely indispensable. A strong opera-glass with a large eye-piece is most useful in the woods, while a field-glass is more serviceable in observing water-birds. Study your bird as closely as circumstances will permit, and write on the spot a comparative description of its size, the shape of its bill, tail, etc., and a detailed description of its colors. In describing form take a Robin, Chipping Sparrow, or any bird you know, which best serves the pur- pose, as a basis for comparison. A bird’s bill is generally its most diagnostic external character. A sketch of it in your note-book will frequently give you a good clew to its owner’s family. It is of the utmost importance that this description should be written in the field. Not only do our memories sometimes deceive us, but we really see nothing with exactness until we attempt to describe it. Haunts, ac- tions, and notes should also be carefully recorded. This account is your “bird in the hand,” and while you can not hope to identify it as easily as you could a specimen, you will rarely fail to learn its name, and experience will render each attempt less difficult than the pre- ceding. How to Find Birds.—The best times of the day in which to look for birds are early morning and late afternoon. After a night of fasting and resting, birds are active and hungry. When their appe- tites are satisfied they rest quietly until afternoon, hunger again send- ing them forth in search of food. Chapters on Geographical Distribution and Migration, prepared under the Direc- tion of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, by Witmer Stone, Conservator Ornithological Section Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 8vo, pp. 185, two diagrams, two maps, 352 species. Price, $1. 3. An Annotated List of the Birds known to occur within Fifty Miles of New York City, by Frank M. Chapman. Published by the American Museum of Natu- ral History, New York city. as a guide to its collection of local birds. 8vo, pp. 100, 36 cuts, 4 full-page plates, 348 species. For sale at the Museum. Price, 15 cents. 12 WHEN TO FIND BIRDS. Experience will soon show you the places where birds are most abundant. The more varied the nature of the country the greater number of species you may expect to find inhabiting it. An ideal locality would be a bit of tree-dotted meadow with a reed-bordered pond or stream, surrounded by woods, rolling uplands, and orchards. Common sense will tell you how to act in the field. Birds are gen- erally shy creatures and must be approached with caution. You must not, therefore, go observing or collecting dressed in flaming red, but in some inconspicuous garb and as quietly as a cat. Furthermore, go alone and keep the sun at your back—two apparently unrelated but equally important bits of advice. The collector generally has the instincts of a hunter, and practice will develop them. The “squeak” is one of his most valuable aids. It is made by placing the lips to the back of the hand or finger and kissing vigorously. The sound produced bears some resemblance to the cries of a wounded or young bird. In the nesting season its utter- ance frequently creates much excitement in the bird world, and at all times it is useful as a means of drawing bush- or reed-haunting species from their retreats. One may enter an apparently deserted thicket, and, after a few minutes’ squeaking, find himself surrounded by an anxious or curious group of its feathered inhabitants. The observer of birds will find that by far the best way to study their habits is to take a sheltered seat in some favored locality and become a part of the background. Your passage through the woods is generally attended by sufficient noise to warn birds of your coming long before you sce them. They are then suspicious and ill at ease. But secrete yourself near some spot loved by birds, and it may be your privilege to learn the secrets of the forest. When to Find Birds.—During the year the bird-life of temperate and boreal regions fluctuates with the changing seasons. Birds may thus be classed in the following groups according to the manner of their occurrence: Permanent residents are birds found in one locality throughout the year. Summer residents come from the south in the spring, rear their young, and leave in the fall. Winter visitants come from the north in the fall, pass the winter, and leave in the spring. Transient visitants pass through a given place in migrating to and from their summer homes north of it. Accidental visitants are birds which have lost their way. They are generally young and inexperi- enced, and are usually found in the fall. The best time of the year to begin studying birds is in the winter, when the bird population of temperate regions is at the minimum. The problem of identification is thus reduced to its simplest terms, and should be mastered before spring introduces new elements. THE ORNITHOLOGICAL YEAR. 13 The commoner permanent residents of the middle Eastern States are the following: Bob-white, Hairy Woodpecker, Ruffed Grouse, Flicker, Red-shouldered Hawk, Blue Jay, Red-tailed Hawk, Crow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Meadowlark, Barred Owl, American Goldfinch, Long-eared Owl, Purple Finch, Screech Owl, Song Sparrow, Great Horned Owl, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, Chickadee, and occasionally the Waxwing, Bluebird, and Robin pass the winter. To these should be added the following more or less common winter visitant land-birds: Saw-whet Owl, Tree Sparrow, Horned Lark, Junco, Snowflake, Northern Shrike, Lapland Longspur, Winter Wren, Redpoll, ; Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Crossbill, Brown Creeper. White-throated Sparrow, Let us now begin with the opening of the spring migration and briefly review the ornithological year. In the vicinity of New York city the first birds arrive from the south late in February or early in March. There is much variation in the coming of these early birds. Later, when the weather is more settled, migrants arrive within a few days of a given date. In April most of our winter visitants leave for the north. The current of migration grows steadily stronger until about May 12, when high-water mark is reached. Then it rapidly subsides and the spring migration is practically over by June 1. The winter visitants have gone, the great army of transients has passed us, and our bird population is now composed of permanent residents with the addition of about ninety summer residents. Nesting-time has arrived, and birds which for nearly a year have been free to go and come as inclination directed, now have homes where, day after day, they may be found in-tireless attendance upon the nest and its treasures. Courtship, the construction of a dwelling, the task of incubation, and care of the young, all tend to stimulate the characteristic traits of the bird, and at no other time can its habits be studied to better advantage. But resident birds begin building long before the migration is con- 14 THE ORNITHOLOGICAL YEAR. cluded. ‘The Great Horned Owl lays in February, other birds in March and April; still, the height of the breeding season is not reached until June 1. Another period in the avian year closely connected with the spring migration and nesting-time is the song season, Near New York city it is inaugurated late in February by the Song Sparrow. Voice after voice is added to the choir, and in June our woods and fields ring with the chorus so dear to lovers of Nature. By the middle of July it is on the wane, and early in August it is practically over. Some birds have a brief second song season in the fall, but as a rule it lasts only a few days—it is a farewell to their summer homes.* : August is a most discouraging month to the student of birds. Birds leave their accustomed haunts and retire to secluded places to renew their worn plumages. They are silent and inactive, and there- fore difficult to find. Late in the month they reappear clad in travel- ing costumes and ready for their southern journey. One by one they leave us, and there are days late in August and early in September when the woods are almost deserted of birds. Later the fall migra- tion becomes continuous, and each night brings a host of new arrivals. The spring migration is scarcely concluded before the fall’ migra- tion begins. July 1, ‘ree Swallows, which rarely nest near New York city, appear in numbers from the north and gather in immense flocks in our marshes. Later in the month they are joined by Bobolinks. Early in August the careful observer will detect occasional small flights of Warblers passing southward, and by September 10 the great southern march of the birds is well under way; it reaches its height between the 20th and last of the month, when most of the win- ter residents arrive, and from this time our bird-life rapidly decreases. Some of the seed- and berry-eaters remain until driven southward by the cold weather in December. When they have gone our bird popu- lation is again reduced to the ever-present permanent residents and hardy winter visitants. The appended tables graphically illustrate the rise and fall of the migrations and of the nesting season. The first is based on my own observations at Englewood, N. J., kindly revised and supplemented by Mr. Eugene P. Bicknell from extended observations at Riverdale, on the opposite side of the Hudson River. The second was compiled from data accompanying the collections of the American Museum of Natural History. * See a series of papers by Mr. E. P. Bicknell entitled ‘“* A Study of the Sing- ing of our Birds.” The Auk, i, 1884, pp. 60-71, 126-140, 209-218, 322-882 ; ii, 1885, pp, 144-154, 249-262, Date of arrival. Feb. 15-Mar. 10. March 10-20, March 20-31. April 1-10. April 10-20. April 20-380. THE SPRING MIGRATION, 15 SPRING MIGRATION. Date of departure. Purple Grackle..... 0.2... .... cece ees November 1-80. Rusty Blackbird ......... 0... .00.0c008 April-May. Red-winged Blackbird. November 1-80. Robin November 1-30. Bluebird November 1-80. Woodcock November 1-30, Phebe October 20-80, Meadowlark . November 1-30. ICO WDA cot 2 sss saieis sid azaes ged ates etd November 1-30, Pox Sparrows sjeccase ae ans eens 2 Maye neers April 1-15, Wilson’s Snipe............ May 1-10. Kingtisher................. : November 1-80. Mourning Dove..........--..cce0eeee November 1-30. Swamp Sparrow...........-20ceeeeeee November 1-80. Field Sparrow... cc4sisascseo: cae veas November 1-380. Great Blue Heron ,........... 020.0065 November 1-30. Purple Finch ........... b balerecs patceaiag November 1-80. Vesper Sparrow..........c.ceee eee eee November 1-30. Savanna Sparrow. May 1-15. Chipping Sparrow..............-..0-+ November 1-30. Treo: Swallow esceis cece overs cmau's one May 15-31. Myrtle: Warbler... cece ecseeeeeee nes May 10-20. American Pipit...................... April 15-25. Hermit Thrush ...............000eeee April 25-May 10. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker........... April 20-30. Barn Swallow's ois cies ceswiws cess vans October 1-10. Yellow Palm Warbler................ April 25-May 10. Pine Warbler yess iosis sccsseig's eaters sialais ¢ tess May 1-10. Louisiana Water Thrush.............. September 20-30. Ruby-crowned Kinglet............... May 1-15. Green Heron t..066 0 cea nceeancciven es October 10-20. Spotted Sandpiper............... ata September 20-30. Whip-poor-will October 10-20, Chimney Swift................ese eee October 1-10. Least Flycatcher October 1-10. Towhee. vic sidai veawie cine es October 20-80. Blue-headed Vireo..............0 2005 May 10-20. Purple Martin .............0 0 eee e eee September 20-80. Cliff Swallow...........606- October 1-10. Bank Swallow............++ October 1-10. Rough-winged Swallow. September 1-10. Black and White Warbler............ October 1-10. Black-throated Green Warbler........ May 15-25. Ovenzdir 2 isis ces dens cece deen ee ees October 1-10. Howse Wrettsccsis can senses e seaw soes October 10-20. Brown Thrasher? 0.0 ccc. c ssee cwsae vas October 10-20. 16 Date of arrival. April 20-30. May 1-10. May 10-20. THE SPRING MIGRATION. Date of departure. CAtbifdlic.c ieict2e nat siaee Skim Pees sea October 10-20. Wood Thrush oc ccc. ce esas osaee ves October 1-10. Solitary Sandpiper May 15-25. Yellow-billed Cuckoo............-006 October 1-10. Black-billed Cuckoo..............205+ October 1-10. Nighthawk..............0eeee ... October 10-20. Ruby-throated Hummingbird......... September 20-80. Crested Flycatcher.. ......... .... September 20-30. King bird ics s sstecscia erate visieie sins .... September 20-80. Baltimore Oriole.............. .... September 10-20. Orchard Oriole............0655 .... September 1-10. Bobolink is ass sisiers os vee oeeien ... October 1-10. Yellow-winged Sparrow..... ... October 1-10. Indigo Bunting ............. .... October 1-10. Rose-breasted Grosbeak ...........++- September 20-30. Scarlet Tanager October 1-10. Red-eyed Vireo October 10-20, Warbling Vireo September 20-30. Yellow-throated Vireo..............-+ September 20-80. White-eyed Vireo October 1-10. Nashville Warbler May 20-30. Blue-winged Warbler .............5+- September 1-10. Parula Warbler May 20-80. September 10-20. Black-throated Blue Warbler......... May 15-30. Magnolia Warbler..............00000+ May 15-30. Chestnut-sided Warbler.............. May 20-380. Prairie Warbler.... .......eseeesenee May 20-30. Maryland Yellow-throat.............+ October 10-20. Small-billed Water Thrush........... May 15-80. Hooded Warbler..............e00e005 September 20-30. Yellow-breasted Chat. September 10-20. Redstart iis csascvstes wean scat 3 vases October 1-10. Wilson’s Thrush.................0005 September 20-30. WO0d PCWEOs. 2 ave! gasin eeeaa edie September 20-30, Acadian Flycatcher ...............006 September 1-10. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher ............ May 20-30. White-crowned Sparrow.............. May 15-25. Golden-winged Warbler.............. May 15-25. Tennessee Warbler May 15-25. Worm-eating Warbler..............06 September 1-10. Cape May Warbler.................-- May 15-25. Blackburnian Warbler... Bay-breasted Warbler................ May 20-30. Blackpoll Warbler ................... May 25-June 5. Wilson’s Warbler May 20-30. May 25-June 5. Date of arrival. May 10-20. May 20-30. Date of arrival. August 1-15. August 15-31. September 1-10. September 10-20. September 20-30. October 1-10. THE FALL MIGRATION. 17 Date of departure. Long-billed Marsh Wren............. October 10-20. Short-billed Marsh Wren............. October 10-20. Olive-backed Thrush...............4+ May 20-June 1. Gray-cheeked Thrush...............- May 25-June 5. Traill’s Flycatcher ...............0006 (2) Mourning Warbler.................-. May 30-June 5. Bicknell’s Thrush (2) FALL MIGRATION. MIGRANTS ARRIVING FROM THE NORTH. Date of departure. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher............ September 20-30. Golden-winged Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbier September 1-10. Sept. 30-Oct. 10. Canadian Warbler..................5- September 20-30. Small-billed Water Thrush........... Sept. 25-Oct. 5. Olive-sided Flycatcher ............... September 10-20. Tennessee Warbler................... Sept. 25-Oct. 5. Nashville Warbler..................- Sept. 25-Oct. 5. Parula Warblers: aicnsavessqaeents xen October 15-25. Cape May Warbler.................4- Sept. 25-Oct. 5. Black-throated Green Warbler........ October 15-25. Black-throated Blue Warbler......... October 15-25, Magnolia Warbler......... October 10-20. Blackburnian Warbler. September 20-30. September 20-30. November 1-30. November 1-80. Red-headed Woodpecker .. Blackpoll Warbler ...............-.05 October 15-25. Connecticut Warbler September 20-30. Blue-headed Vireo.......... October 15-25. Philadelphia Vireo..........:2e.eeeee September 20-30. Olive-backed Thrush October 1-10. Bicknell’s Thrush October 1-10. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker October 20-30. Junco April 10-May 10. White-throated Sparrow.............+ May 1-25. Myrtle Warblers 0% ccccs ewe. sacs eee May 5-20. Yellow Palm Warbler................ October 15-380. Brown Creeper sis ¢ seve scans e sves cine April 1-80. Golden-crowned Kinglet.............. April 1-20. Ruby-crowned Kinglet............... October 20-380. Winter Wrelis saaocieieseieis oears es April 1-30. Gray-cheeked Thrush...............- October 15-25. Bronzed Grackle.........2...00-0000s December 1-30. Rusty Blackbird .............0.0. 0006 December 1-80. American Pipit.............. essen eee Oct. 25-Nov. 5. 18 Date of arrival. Oct. 1-10. October 10-20. October 20-81. THE FALL MIGRATION. Hermit Thrush,........... Sareiarineen ere : Fox Sparrow...... Bn ne er er Pine Finch Tree Sparrow: avec vesee sens soenes eres Northern Shrike..............00.-0 0 Date of departure. November 1-30. Noy. 25-Dec. 5, May 1-31. April 1-30. March 1-81. SUMMER RESIDENTS LEAVING FOR THE SOUTH. Date of departure. September 1-10. September 10-20. September 20-80. October 1-10. October 10-20. Acadian Flycatcher................-+ Orchard Oriole...... 2... 0200 e seen e ee 7 Rough-winged Swallow............... Worm-eating Warbler................ Blue-winged Warbler..............-. Baltimore Oriole................2.0-- Purple: Martinis 4 ccc. scares ne daness Yellow’ Warbler. issce vane onexesene as Hummingbird ................6. Kingbird, o22 sete Soca tenn aeaten Great-crested Flycatcher. Wood Pewee......sceeseresceces ns Rose-breasted Grosbeak.............-- Yellow-throated Vireo..............25 "Wearbling: Vare@s.. siocc ments eeeceeisied aie Hooded Warbler Black-billed Cuckoo, Chimney Swift.....................05 Least Flycatcher............2...00005 Bobolinkis, cc. 0- seas comecewees sees ee Yellow-winged Sparrow.............. Indigo Bunting................ foie tts Scarlet Tanager.. Barn Swallow White-eyed Vireo............... aie oe Black and White Warbler Redstattes:cisesur sc teca iawn vaca y x Oven-bird..... Wood Thrush.. Whip-poor-will.. Nighthawks codiede ge cdenaiscne esas Red-eyed Vireo Maryland Yellow-throat.............. T2545 Date of departure. Oct. 10-20, October 20-31, November 1-30.* THE NESTING SEASON, 19 Long-billed Marsh Wren..........++- Short-billed Marsh Wren..... iaavtea gists Ouse Wren. o4.csie sieves sie eae canes oe Brown Thrasher .............6- soon Wee CAtDING sacs aii nea eaxeaani sede Mourning Dove............... pases WRUNG SHOT? oss scs2.2is ee arid aalacuitiarnd at eidisie Red-winged Blackbird ..............5 Plirple Gracklei.is ccc iauansaraesewe Cowbird were. sisia casi see taie dissents Vesper Sparrow.............. Field Sparrow ............... Chipping Sparrow............ Swamp Sparrow.............--.e-ee0- DATES AT WHICH BIRDS BEGIN TO NEST IN THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK CITY.t+ Feb. 28, Great Horned Owl. May 2. Osprey. Mar. 12. Barred Owl. 8. Cardinal. 28, Carolina Wren. 5. Cowbird, [In Song Spar- 30. Duck Hawk. row’s nest.] April 1, Woodcock. 6. Wood Duck. 8. Red-shouldered Hawk. 6. Green Heron. 8. Screech Owl. 7. Flicker. 6. Red-tailed Hawk. 8. Barn Swallow. 9, American Crow. 10, Clapper Rail. 9. Long-eared Owl. 10. Killdeer. 10. Bluebird. 10. Ruffed Grouse. 17. White-breasted Nuthatch. 10. Sparrow Hawk. 18. Broad-winged Hawk. 10, Savanna Sparrow. 20. Robin. 10. Vesper Sparrow. 25. Mourning Dove. 11. Louisiana Water-Thrush. 25. Purple Grackle. 12. Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 28. Phebe. 18. Red-headed Woodpecker. 29. Song Sparrow. 14. Acadian Flycatcher. May 1. Black-crowned Night Heron. 14. Blue Jay. 1. Cooper’s Hawk. 14. Chipping Sparrow. 1. Kingfisher. 14, Towhee. * Should the season be an exceptionally mild one, many of these birds may remain until late in December. ° + Based on data accompanying the odlogical collections of the American Museum, and on the observations of Prof. Marston T. Bogert, Dr. J. Dwight, Jr., Dr. Evan M. Evans, Mr. W. P. Lemmon, and the author. The dates given are those on which, with some exceptions, full sets of eggs have been taken. 90 THE NESTING SEASON. May 15. King Rail. May 25. Maryland Yellow-throat. 15. Virginia Rail. 26. Bob-white. 15. Meadowlark. 26. Marsh Hawk. 15. Field Sparrow. 28. Grasshopper Sparrow. 15. Swamp Sparrow. 28. Red-eyed Vireo. 15. Hooded Warbler. 28, Yellow-throated Vireo. 16. Blue-winged Warbler. 29, Black-billed Cuckoo. 16. Brown Thrasher. 29. Kingbird. 17. Fish Crow. 29. Bobolink. 17. Redstart. 29. Indigo Bunting. 17. Catbird. 29. Chestnut-sided Warbler. 17. Wood Thrush. 80. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 18. Red-winged Blackbird. 80. Orchard Oriole. 18. Black and White Warbler. 30. Seaside Sparrow. 18. House Wren. 80. Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 19. Tree Swallow. 30. Rough-winged Swallow. 19. Bank Swallow. 30. Cliff Swallow. 19. Chickadee. 80. Warbling Vireo. 20. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 80. Prairie Warbler. 20. Worm-eating Warbler. * 81. Long-billed Marsh Wren. 20. Oven-bird. 81. Least Bittern. 20. Veery. June 1. Bartramian Sandpiper. 21. Sharp-shinned Hawk. 1. Piping Plover. 21. Downy Woodpecker. 1. Nighthawk. 21. Least Flycatcher. 1. Kentucky Warbler. 22, Parula Warbler. 8. Whip-poor-will. 23, Hairy Woodpecker. 8. Great-crested Flycatcher. 23. Chat. 8. Scarlet Tanager. 24, Purple Finch. 5. Wood Pewee. 24. Spotted Sandpiper. 7. Short-billed Marsh Wren. 25. Chimney Swift. 8. Laughing Gull. 25. Baltimore Oriole. 12. Common Tern. 25. Purple Martin. 19. Cedar Waxwing. 25. White-eyed Vireo. 20. American Goldfinch. Hints on keeping Note-Books and Journals.—The necessity of a well-kept journal can not be too strongly urged. Specimens may be duplicated, but no one can ever see with your eyes. Do not attempt to trust to your memory—a willing servant of the mind too frequently imposed upon. It may receive and retain one impression clearly, but as others are added the earlier ones lose their distinctness or become entirely effaced. The system adopted for recording notes should be simple to keep and easy of reference. The one here recommended has stood the test of ten years’ experience. After returning from the field I enter in my “roll-book,” at once, a record of the weather, temperature, direction and force of the wind, locality visited, time of starting and returning, NOTE-BOOKS AND JOURNALS, a1 and incidental observations on the blooming of flowers, appearance of certain insects, calling of frogs, etc. Then follows a statement of the numbers of every species of birds seen, with various remarks concern- ing them. One might suppose that much time would be required to make a detailed record of this kind, but, on the contrary, it seldom takes five minutes. Almost any stationer can supply you with a “roll-” or “ time-book ” having a space at the left side of the left-hand page for the entry of names, and the rest of both pages ruled in squares, The best plan is to have sheets of paper ruled in this way. These sheets should have holes punched in their margins for binding in covers, when new sheets can be inserted as desired. Some idea of their appearance may be gathered from the appended part of a left-hand page: 92 NOTE-BOOKS AND JOURNALS. ‘ After filling in the preliminary data I write after the name of each bird either the exact or approximate number of individuals seen, or else the letters “ A.,” “C.,” or “ T.C.,” meaning abundant, common, or tol- erably common. This is accompanied by an “s” if the bird is in song, or “calls” if it is simply heard calling. The possibilities of abbrevia- tion are unlimited, but use no abbreviation which is not fully explained. If you wish to make a record of some length concerning a certain species, place a cross or asterisk in its square. This refers to your journal of the same date. Read from left to right, the roll-book gives in a graphic, condensed form the standing of a species during the period of observation. Read from the top to the bottom of the page, it gives in an easily comparable way the complete record of each day, and at the same time it becomes an index to the bird-notes in your journal. To prevent needlessly multiplying your roll-books the series of birds’ names should be made to last at least during an entire season. To this end do not completely fill the right-hand page, but when you have used all of it but a space equal in width to the space occupied by the column of birds’ names, cut this part of the page—the ex- treme right—off; the part remaining will, when turned over to the left, just meét the column of names, and the lines of this column and the new page will thus run continuously. As before remarked, the roll-book should be attended to immediately on returning from the field, while your impressions are fresh. The journal may wait, when a reference to the roll-book will aid in recalling the day’s experiences. In addition to these two books, both of which should be quarto size, you need a small, leather-covered, pocket note-book for use in jotting memoranda in the field. CHAPTER III. COLLECTING BIRDS, THEIR NESTS, AND EGGS. Collecting Birds.—With few exceptions, the plumages of the birds of the eastern United States are well known to science. You will col- lect them, therefore, purely for the purpose of self-education. To this end it is not necessary that you should acquire the large series of speci- mens found in museums. From two to five specimens of each kind are enough, and when through their medium you have become famil- iar with the appearance of the species they represent, use the gun only to add to your list of acquaintances. If you wish to make a detailed, critical study of changes in the plumage of species due to age, sex, or season, or to compare some apparently abnormal specimen, visit the nearest museum, the collections of which should be accessible to every earnest student. Our eastern birds have been measured and described, their varia- tions noted and recorded, and there is little left to learn in study- ing their skins from a local standpoint. What we want now is knowl- edge of the living, not the dead, bird. A thoroughly exhaustive account of the habits of any one of our commonest birds is still to be written. Remember, then, that collections are a means, not the end, of ornithological research. : When armed and ready for the field, you should have a canvas hunting-coat, a pair of field- or opera-glasses, a fisherman’s basket or “creel,” a discarded octavo pamphlet or catalogue of rather heavy paper, cotton, a small bottle of corn-meal, and a 16-bore shot-gun with a 0°82 auxiliary barrel, and the necessary complement of shells. The auxiliary barrel can be purchased of dealers in natural history supplies; it should not exceed ten inches in length. The shells for it should be of brass, center-fire, and strong enough to stand reloading many times. Juoad them with a fine-grained powder and No. 12 shot —about three fifths powder and two fifths shot. For killing birds from the size of a Blue Jay downward they will be effective at a dis- tance of twenty to twenty-five yards. In other words, fully three fourths of your shooting will be done with them. Of 16-bore shells 23 94 MAKING BIRDSKINS. carry some loaded with two and a half drachms of powder and three fourths of an ounce of No. 10 shot, and a few others loaded with the same charge of powder and an ounce of No. 6 shot. On killing a bird, pick it up by the bill or feet, and at once sprinkle meal or dry earth on any blood which may be visible. When this is saturated, scrape it off with a knife-blade and repeat the operation until all the blood is absorbed. Sprinkle some meal at the base of the feathers about the shot-holes from which the blood appears, or, if necessary, plug these holes with bits of cotton. Place a large plug of cotton in the mouth and force it well down the throat to prevent bleeding at the mouth from an internal wound. In some cases it is necessary to also plug the nostrils. Now make a cornucopia from a leaf of the pamphlet, drop the bird in it head foremost, taking care that the bill is not turned forward on to the throat, and, if the bird is not too large, fold in the edges of the cornucopia and place the specimen in your basket. In the case of very large specimens— Hawks, Owls, ete.—it is advisable to skin out the body in the field, when they can be packed in much smaller space. Making Birdskins.—If you have fully decided to make a collection of birds, the very best and cheapest way to begin it is to get some one to give you two or three lessons in the art of preparing birdskins. With proper instruction it is not difficult to learn to skin birds. I have known beginners who had closely watched experts at work, make fair skins at their first attempt—better skins, indeed, than the person who learns only from written directions may ever make. I am speak- ing from experience. Only too clearly do I remember my own first attempts at skinning birds and their hopelessly wretched results. In despair I at last sought the assistance of a distant ornithological friend. In one lesson he made the process so clear to me that I was at once -enabled to make skins twice as quickly and twice as well. However, we unfortunately are not all blessed with ornithological friends to whom we can turn for advice, and I therefore append the following directions for making birdskins: First procure a scalpel with a well-rounded end, a pair of sharp- pointed scissors with rather long handles, a pair of blunt-ended, rather strong scissors, and a pair of flat-ended forceps. These may be pur- chased of any dealer in naturalists’ supplies or at a surgical instrument maker’s. Procure also a quart or so of fine corn-meal to use as an ab- sorbent, a pound or two of powdered arsenic and alum mixed in equal ... . parts, and an abundance of the dest cotton batting money will buy. Now we are ready to begin with a bird, say, the size of a Robin: 1. Plug the bird’s throat and nostrils tightly with fresh cotton. If the eyeball is ruptured, pull it out with the forceps and fill the cavity MAKING BIRDSKINS. 25 with meal. 2. Lay the bird before you on its back, its bill pointing to the left; place your open left hand lengthwise on it, so that the base of your first and second fingers rests on the middle of the breast- bone; use these fingers and the handle of the scalpel to separate the feathers from near the end of the breastbone to the vent, and when the parting is made use the same fingers to hold the feathers aside. 8. With the scalpel make an incision in the skin from just in front of the end of the breastbone, or at the base of the V formed by the spread fingers, to the vent, being careful not to cut through into the abdomen. 4. Sprinkle a pinch of meal along the cut. 5. Lift the skin at the front end of the cut and insert the end of the scalpel handle between it and the breastbone. If you try to do this lower down on the cut, over the belly, you will find it difficult to separate the skin on which the feathers grow from the immediately underlying skin which covers the abdomen. Separate the skin from the body the whole length of the cut and as far down toward the backbone as possible, thus exposing the bare knee. 6. Take hold of the foot and push the knee farther up into view, then take the blunt-ended scissors and, on the inside of the skin, clip the leg entirely in two. 7. Repeat opera- tions 5 and 6 on the other side of the body. 8. Press away the skin as much as possible on either side of the rump, and place the thumb at the left side (left, seen from above) of the base of the tail or “ pope’s nose,” with the first finger on the other side (both inside the skin) and the second finger behind (above) on the rump; now with the blunt scissors cut through the flesh between the thumb and first finger toward the second finger, which serves the purpose of a guard to pre- vent you from cutting through the skin. 9. Stand the bird on its breastbone, the belly toward you, and with both thumbs press the tail and skin of the rump over and down off the stump from which you have just cut it. 10. When the stump is free from the skin, take hold of it with the right hand and with the fingers of the left gently press the skin from the body, keeping it constantly turned inside out and using an abundance of meal. 11. Soon the wing-bones (humerus) will appear. Clip them off at either side close to the body, and re- sume skinning as before. 12. The skin will slip easily over the neck, and you will then meet with an obstruction in the head. 13. Work the skin carefully over the head, using the tips of the first two fingers of either hand, placing the thumbs as a brace farther forward over the eyes.* 14, Pull the ears carefully from their sockets. 15. The eyes * In large-headed birds, like Ducks and Woodpeckers, this is impossible, and it is necessary to slit the skin down the back of the neck and push the skull through the opening. 26 MAKING A BIRDSKIN. will now appear; carefully cut the membrane joining the skin and eyeball, making the incision as far back as possible, in order to avoid cutting the skin, which should be pulled forward until it is entirely free of the eyeball. 16, Remove the eyes with the forceps. 17. With the sharp-pointed scissors make an incision directly across the roof of the mouth, inside the branches of the lower mandible, just back of the skin, and below the eye-sockets. 18. With the sharp-pointed se¢issors make incisions from either end of this cut back along the branches of the lower mandible through the base of the skull on either side of the neck at its junction with the skull. 19. Connect these cuts by a fourth, which passes through the base of the skull just above the neck, and pull the body and neck from the skull. 20. Scoop out what brains remain with the handle of the scalpel. 21. Pull the end of the wing- bone (humerus) inward, skinning the feathers off the bones of the fore- arm (radius and ulna), and remove the flesh. 22. Do thé same thing for the legs, but, after cleaning, do not in either case pull the bones back. 23. Remove as much flesh as possible from the base of the tail, including the oil-gland at the base of the tail above. 24. Hold the skin over the arsenic and alum box, and with a bit of fluffy cotton at the end of a stick, or held in the forceps, dust it thoroughly with the poison, giving an extra allowance to the base of the tail and bones of the skull, wings, and legs. 25. Pull the legs back into place. 26. Place a fluff of cotton on the end of a wire and roll it into a firm, smooth ball, placing one in each eye-socket. 27. Coax the skin back over the head, using the first two fingers of each hand and placing the thumbs at the base of the skull. When the tip of the bill appears through the feathers, use the fingers outside, on the feathers, pressing the skin back over the head, and keeping the thumbs in the same position. When the bill is free, take it with the right hand, and use the fingers of the left to urge the skin over the skull, being careful to get it-in its former place so that the feathers of the head will lie smoothly. 28. Dress the feathers of the head, particularly those about the eye. 29. Take hold of the tip of the bill and shake the skin gently but vigorously to aid in settling the plumage. 30. Lay the skin on its back, the bill pointing from you, and turn back the feathers about the opening on the belly. 31. See that the wing-bones lie flat on the back of the skin, with their ends touching each other.* 32. * The most difficult part in making a birdskin is to induce the wings to as’ sume anything like their natural position when closed. This is because the arti- ficial, cotton body is apt to force them outward on to the sides rather than on the back, where they belong. In the bird in the flesh the wings are held in place by being attached to the body ; in the skin they are loose and hanging. To remedy this, after drawing SEXING. 27 Take a bit of fluffy cotton, press it léghtly together, and draw out one end to form a neck. When released from your grasp this cotton body should be but little larger than the body you have removed from the skin. 33. Take the end of the neck with the forceps and insert it gently into the neck of the skin, working the skin down on to it in order to avoid stretching the neck, until the points of the forceps ap- pear in the mouth, then hold the cotton there and withdraw the for- ceps. 384. Carefully fit the cotton body into the skin. 85. Put one or two stitches in the incision on the belly. 36. Ascertain the sex of the bird (see beyond). 37. Cross the legs, and at the point of intersection attach a label (see beyond). 38. Squeeze the wing-bones together until you feel the tips of your fingers meet over the bird’s back. 39. Pre- pare a sheet of cotton about five inches square and as thin as you can make it; lay the bird on this on its right side, the bill pointing to your right hand. 40. Put the left wing in place and dress the feathers about it. 41. Take hold of the sheet of cotton, and turn the bird over in it in order that you may dress the right wing. 42. Roll the bird on to its belly, holding the wings in position with the thumb and first finger of the left hand, and with the right hand bring the tips of the wing- feathers into their proper place over the back. 48. Roll the bird back on to its back, the bill pointing to your right hand; take the end of the sheet of cotton farthest from you and draw it lightly over the bird to the side nearest you. 44, Draw the end nearest you in the opposite direction. 45. See that the feet, tail, and tips of the wings are in their proper position, and place your specimen out of harm’s way to dry. It will doubtless take you from half an hour to an hour to make your first birdskin. It will probably be a sorry-looking object, per- haps minus a head or tail or half its feathers; but do not let this dis- courage you. An expert can make ten birdskins an hour, and you need only practice to approach this. There are endless variations of the method here described. It is not possible to go into further details here, and if you have taxider- mic ambitions I would advise you to procure a copy of Mr. W. T. Hornaday’s excellent Taxidermy and Zodlogical Collecting (Scribner, $2.50), , Sexing.—A specimen without a sex mark on its label is of com- paratively little value. The sex in many birds can of course be dis- the wing-bones in to remove the flesh from them, they should be pushed back only far enough to enable one to see plainly the elbow or bend of the wing out- side of the skin. This prevents the wings from hanging, and, to further keep them in place, it will be well at first to tie the ends of the bones (humeri) to- gether. 28 CATALOGUING AND LABELING. tinguished by their color, but the young male frequently resembles the female, while in some instances the female has been known to as- sume the plumage of the male. Dissection, therefore, is the only safe way to determine sex. Upon reaching stage 36, in the operation of making a birdskin, cut through the left side‘of the body from the vent to the neck, taking care not to disturb the internal organs. Force the edges of the opening apart, and, pressing the intestines gently to Fie. 1.—A completed birdskin. (Reduced). one side, look for the sexual organs, which will be found on the walls of the small of the back very near to the backbone. The male organs (testes), two in number, are usually dull-white, elongate bodies lying side by side. The female organs (ovaries) are composed of numerous round bodies lying in a mass or cluster. In the breeding season the sexual organs of birds become much enlarged, and at this season the testes of a male Chipping Sparrow are about the size of a pea, while the ovaries of the female have been likened to a bunch of grapes, the largest being the size of the yolk of the egg of this species. After the breeding season the sexual organs decrease in size, and in adults in the winter and young birds are sometimes difficult to find. The testes of a male Chipping Sparrow at that season are about as large as a small pinhead, while a hand-lens is required to plainly distinguish the ova- ries of the female. ‘The arrow of Mars (4) is used to indicate the male sex; the mirror of Venus (¢) the female sex. Cataloguing and Labeling.—Before skinning your birds you should catalogue them. The catalogue should have columns giving (1) the date, (2) your serial collection number, (8) name of the bird, (4) sex, (5) place of capture, (6) name of collector, and (7) remarks. In the last column enter any notes on the color of the eyes, or parts which will change color when drying, contents of the stomach, and other notes. ° In addition to this “day-book” or “blotter ” some ornithologists open a ledger account with their collection, and devote a folio to each spe- cies where are posted the entries made in the collection register. Labels should be of strong bond paper, two inches and a half long and half an inch wide. They are attached to the crossed legs of the bird by linen thread strung through their left end. The face of the label bears the name and sex of the;bird, place and date of capture, CARE OF COLLECTIONS. 29 name of collector, and serial collection number. The label shown in Fig. 1 is small, but will illustrate the appearance and manner of at- tachment. The name of the owner of the collection is printed on the back of the label, preceded by the words “Collection of.” Many collectors prefer to use as a field label a small jeweler’s tag upon which the collection number, sex, and date are written. The large label is added after the specimen is dry. Care of a Collection.—The best cases in which to keep a collection of birdskins are known as “ Cambridge cans.” They are made of tin with covers which fit into grooves lined with rubber tubing, and are practically air-tight. The smaller sizes cost from five dollars to seven dollars and a half each, and can be obtained of Muller and Wood, 731 Seventh Avenue, New York city. A wooden cabinet with tight-fitting drawers and door is less ex- pensive, and“ with ordinary care will preserve specimens for a prac- tically indefinite period. The drawers should be thirty inches long by sixteen inches in width. For birds the size of a Robin a depth of one inch and three quarters is sufficient, while drawers four inches deep will take the largest Hawks or Owls. These drawers will hold about thirty birds the size of a Robin, eighty the size of a Chickadee, and eight to ten Hawks and Owls. Well cleaned and thoroughly poisoned specimens of small birds are not likely to be attacked by the moth (Zinea) or beetles (Dermestes and Anthrenus) which so often infest poorly prepared or nonpoisoned skins. Naphthaline crystals or camphor gum should be placed in each drawer of the cabinet, the door of which should not be left open needlessly. If a specimen falls a victim to insects, the better plan is to discard it at once. If, however, it is rare, it may be taken out-of- doors and placed in an air-tight box with a few tablespoonfuls of bisulphuret of carbon. Collecting and Preserving Nests and Eggs—No one, I think, will venture to dispute the assertion that Captain Charles Bendire, Hon- orary Curator of the Department of Odlogy in the United States Na- tional Museum, is our leading authority on the study of birds’ eggs. The following quotation, therefore, from Captain Bendire’s Instruc- tions for Collecting, Preparing, and Preserving Birds’ Eggs and Nests * may be taken as the opinion of one who knows whereof he speaks: “Unless the would-be collector intends to make an especial study of odlogy and has a higher aim than the mere desire to take and accu- mulate as large a number of eggs as possible regardless of their proper identification, he had better not begin at all, but leave the nests and * Part D. Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 39, 1891, pp. 3-10. 80 COLLECTING NESTS AND EGGS. eggs of our birds alone and undisturbed, They have too many ene- mies to contend with, without adding the average egg collector to the number. The mere accumulation of specimens is the least important object of the true odlogist. His principal aim should be to make care- ful observations on the habits, call notes, song, the character of the food, mode and length of incubation, and the actions of the species generally, from the beginning of the mating season to the time the young are able to leave the nest. This period comprises the most in- teresting and instructive part of the life-history of our birds.” Very heartily do I indorse every word of this, and to the concluding sen- tence I would add: and there can be no better way to avoid increasing our knowledge of a bird’s domestic life than to rob it of its eggs, and destroy its home and our own opportunities at the same time. Studied from a local standpoint, I confess I can see only two points of interest in a bird’s egg—one is what the egg is in, the other is what is in the egg. Nevertheless, I can understand the pleasure attending the legiti- mate formation of what Captain Bendire calls “a small, thoroughly identified, well-prepared, and neatly cared for collection,” which, as the same author adds, “is worth far more scientifically and in every other way than a more extensive one gained by exchange or purchase.” An egg-collector’s outfit consists of several drills, an embryo-hook, a blowpipe, forceps, and scissors. A fresh egg should be blown through a hole slightly larger than the tip of the blowpipe. Drill the hole in the side of the egg, and, after inserting the blowpipe about one sixteenth of an inch, blow gently and steadily until the contents have been removed. Then rinse the egg thoroughly with water and lay it hole downward on corn-meal to drain. In eggs containing embryos it is necessary to make a hole large enough to permit of the use of the embryo-hook, scissors, or forceps, as the case may be. Each egg should be marked with the number of the species in the Check List of the American Ornithologists’ Union, the number of the set in your collection, and the number of eggs in the set. Thus, if I were going to label my second set of four eggs of the Bluebird, I should write with a lead pencil on each egg, near the hole, 766%. There are many ways of displaying collections of eggs. Some col- lectors place their eggs in little boxes or partitions filled with sawdust or cotton; Captain Bendire uses small pasteboard trays lined, bottom and sides, with cotton wadding. and divided into partitions for each egg by strips of cotton wadding set on edge. It is, however, very largely a matter of taste, and collectors generally have their own ideas on these matters, COLLECTING NESTS AND EGGS. 31 A collection of birds’ nests is a telling object lesson in the study of ornithology. Familiar as I am with them, I never see the nests of some birds without feeling the most intense admiration for the mar- velous skill which has aided them in forming a structure man would find it difficult, if not impossible, to duplicate. A bird’s nest in its original site is a concrete expression of the intelligence of its maker; for the foresight displayed in the choice of a situation, and the inge- nuity shown in the construction of the nest, even if largely instinctive now, originated in the intelligence of a line of ancestors. Nests may be collected before they have been used, when the birds will generally build again; or you may wait and take them after the birds have left them, labeling each nest with what you have learned of the history of its owners. For example: Time required for its con- struction; whether made by one or both sexes; notes on the laying of the eggs; period of incubation; whether both sexes assisted in incu- bation; care of the young; number of days they were in the nest, ete. Some nests, for example the pendent “baskets” of Vireos or such as are placed in crotches, should be taken with the crotch or branch to which they are attached. With others it is obviously impossible to do this. They should therefore be placed in a frame of wire and wrapped about with fine wire thread. To make this frame, twist two pieces of annealed wire, painted brown, into the shape of a letter X. About midway from the point’ of intersection and the end of the arm, bend the wires upward at right angles. Now take the fine hair or thread wire and wind it about the four horizontal arms of the frame until its bottom looks like a spider’s web; place the nest in this half-formed basket, bend the upright wires inward or outward as the case requires, and continue winding until the nest is bound firmly. The size of the frame and the wire used in its construction may be varied to suit the nest. PLAN OF THE WORK. Nomenclature.—The nomenclature of the American Ornithologists Union’s* Check-List of North American Birds has been adopted. The number preceding the name of each species is its permanent number in the Union’s “ Check-List.” Definition of Terms.—The accompanying figure with its named parts will explain the meaning of the terms used in the following de- scriptions of birds. The words, upper parts and under parts, men- tioned so frequently, refer respectively to the whole upper or under surfaces of the body of the bird from the base of the bill to the root of the tail, but are not applied to either wings or tail. There are infinite variations in the markings of feathers, and those figured present only the patterns most frequently met with. The shaft of the feather is the midrib, to either side of which the vanes or webs are attached. The Keys.—It is of the utmost importance to thoroughly under- stand the use of the keys. At first sight they will, no doubt, appear confusing, but in reality they are exceedingly simple. The system upon which they are arranged may be mastered in a few minutes, and you will then be surprised at the ease and rapidity with which, even in large families, you can “run a bird down.” The Key to Families.—Strictly speaking this is not one key but a series of keys, one under each order. The orders are placed in a natural sequence—that is, we begin with the oldest or lowest forms of birds, Loons, Grebes, etc., and end with *The American Ornithologists’ Union is the leading society of its kind in this country. Its membership includes the foremost ornithologists of the world, and is divided into four classes: 1. Honorary members, limited to 25 in number. 2. Active members, limited to 50 in number, who must be residents of North America. 3. Corresponding members, limited to 100 in number; and 4. Asso- ciate members, who must be residents of North America, and are not limited as to number. The total membership of the Union in December, 1894, was 616. Annual meetings are held, usually in Washington, New York, or Cambridge. The Auk, the official organ of the Union, is a quarterly journal under the editor- ship of Dr. J. A. Allen, at the American Museum of Natural History. 32 USE OF THE KEYS. 33 the most highly developed ones, Thrushes, Bluebirds, ete. Two main divisions are given: first, Water Birds; second, Land Birds. In no (Bluebird, slightly reduced). Fie. 2.—Topography of a bird. case Will it be difficult to decide in which of these groups a bird be- longs. Now glance over the illustrations and select the one which you think most nearly resembles the bird you are identifying. At 4 34 USE OF THE KEYS. each step test your decision by reading the brief diagnoses of orders and families. In this way you may readily place your bird in its proper family. ; The Keys to Species.—lf a bird always wore the same plumage it would be a comparatively easy matter to place it ina certain section of a key and keep it there. But, unfortunately, not only are the males and females of the same species frequently quite unlike, and the young different from either, but their plumages may vary with the season. Thus, you see, a bird’s color is a most uncertain quantity. An individ- ual of a given species may not only wear two very different costumes, but, in doffing one for another, he does it gradually, and in the mean- time appears in changing or transition plumage. For this reason it has been customary to base keys on only adult males. Such keys do very well in the nesting season, when birds are in song, and when males constitute probably nine tenths of the birds one sees. But at other times of the year young birds outnumber the old ones, and the adults themselves may lose their breeding plumage and wear quite a different one. I have, therefore, attempted to make keys which will identify a bird in any plumage. To do this it was necessary to use many more specimens than there were species. For example, the key to our some 40 species of Warblers is based on 110 specimens representing as many phases of plumage. With identification as the sole end in view I have, in the keys, abandoned all attempts to follow the current system of classification, and, taking color as the most tangible character, have toa great extent arranged the species on this character alone. The result, from the sys- tematist’s standpoint, is most unnatural. Species of different genera USE OF THE KEYS. 35 are brought into the same subsections, and the more variable species may be placed in several widely separated sections, The maker of keys, however, should not try to serve two masters. If the keys will identify, they will have accomplished their purpose. The classification of our birds is shown in the body of the book, where the species are arranged according to the system adopted by the Ameri- can Ornithologists’ Union. In making these keys the birds are first assorted into several major sections or groups, according to the markings of some one part of the body. Hach one of these sections is preceded by the same kind of number or letter. The heading of a group or section applies to all the species included in it. Thus, if I does not apply to the bird you are identifying, you must pass at once to IJ, or III, or IV, as the case may be. In like manner, if the bird does not fall into sections 1, A, or a, we go to 2, B, or 8, respectively. Even should the first section describe your bird, it is well to read the sections which are contrasted with it. As a model to show how the keys are used, let us identify, first, a male adult Red-winged Blackbird—a black bird with a red and buff shoulder-patch. Turning to the key to the family Icteride, or Black- birds, Orioles, etc., we read : “T. With yellow or orange in the under parts. “II. Under parts black, with or without metallic reflections. “TII.: Under parts grayish, slate color, chestnut, or buffy. “TV. Under parts black and white, or black tipped and margined with rusty.” Our bird has the under parts entirely black, so it evidently belongs in Section IJ. Under this section we read: “A. Outer tail-feather 0°75 or more shorter than middle ones; bill 1:00 or. more in length.” Our bird has all the tail-feathers of nearly equal length, the bill less than an inch long. It can not therefore belong in A, so we go to B and read: “Outer tail-feather little if any shorter than middle ones; bill less than 1:00 in length.” There is no other section, and we con- clude that our bird belongs here. Now we find a, 0, c, d, each one placed directly beneath the other, and each one leading to the name of a species. This means that the statement following these letters ’ refers to some mark or character by which one of these species may be known from the other, and that we should read them all. First comes “qa, Entire plumage bluish black.” That will not do. Second, “d. A red and buff shoulder-patch.” Evidently this refers to our bird, but we confirm our belief by glancing at ¢ and d, neither of which can apply to our specimen; we decide, therefore, that it is a Red-winged Blackbird, and turning to the extended description of Agelaius pha- niceus verify our identification. 36 USE OF THE KEYS. Now let us take a somewhat less simple case—a male English Spar- row. This bird, you will doubtless remember, has a black patch on the throat and breast, a slate-colored crown, chestnut marks on the sides of the head, and a streaked back. Turning to the key to the family Fringillide, or Finches, Sparrows, ete., we read first the head- ings to the main divisions which, in the larger families, are placed at the beginning of the key in order that they may be more readily com- pared. “T. Under parts with red. “TI. Under parts with no red, and without distinct streaks; throat or breast sometimes with a patch or spot. “II. Under parts without red, and with numerous streaks,” Our bird undoubtedly belongs in Section II. Under this section we read first: “1. Tail with white spots, bars, or patches.” Our bird has no white in the tail, so we go to “2” and read: “ Without large: white spots or patches in the tail.” There is no number 3, so we have no hesitation in placing our bird in Section “2.” The first: subsection here is “.A. Back without distinct streaks.” Our bird is unquestion- ably streaked, and we therefore go to “ B. Back distinctly streaked.” There is no Section CO, and it follows that our bird belongs in “ B.” Under B we have “a. Bend of the wing yellow” and “db. Bend of the wing not yellow.” Our bird has no yellow on the wing, and we therefore place it in subsection 6. This subsection is subdivided into “d!, Crown bright reddish brown,” etc., “c!. Crown streaked or spotted,” etc., and “d', Crown mixed grayish brown and rufous, ashy, or slate-color, without black streaks.” Evidently our bird belongs -in the group headed d', which we find includes four species, d®, d°, d4, and d5, After reading the characters assigned to each of these, we have no hesitation in deciding that those under d‘ apply to our bird, and we prove our identification by turning to the description of Passer domesticus. I have purposely taken a comparatively complicated case. If I have made it clear, you will have no further difficulty in using the keys, so far as their construction goes. It might be supposed, from this somewhat lengthy description, that the process required much time; but as you become familiar with the use of the keys it should never take you more than five minutes to identify a bird with them. Descriptions of Plumage—The descriptions, with quoted excep- tions, are from specimens in the American Museum of Natural His- tory, and my thanks are due the authorities of that institution for permission to use its valuable collections. I have tried to make them as concise and simple and, at the same time, as detailed as seemed necessary for the purpose of identification. MEASUREMENTS—RANGE. Measurements.—All the measurements given are in English inches and hundredths. Those of birds are average measurements, taken for the most part from specimens in the American Museum of Natural His- tory. Ihave also, with the author’s permission, made use of the excellent series of measurements in Dr. E. A. Mearns’s Birds of the Hudson Highlands. A variation of about ten per cent from the figures given may be expected. The total length (= L.) of a bird is found by gently stretching the specimen, laying it on its back, and measuring the distance from the end of its bill to the tip of its longest tail-feather. The length of the wing (= W,) is the distance from the “bend of the wing” to the end of the longest primary. The length of the tail (= T.) is the distance from the base, or insertion of the middle feather, to the end of the longest feather. The length of the tarsus (= Tar.) is the distance from the base, or insertion of the toes, to the end of the tibia, or what in reality is the heel. The “tarsus” is therefore the true foot of the bird, while the part to which this name is generally applied consists only of the toes. The length of the bill (= B.), or “culmen,” is the dis- tance from the anterior base of the feathers on the forehead to the tip of the upper mandible. With the exception of total length these measurements are gen- erally taken with a pair of dividers. Range.—The paragraphs under this heading have been prepared with special reference to the bird’s dis- tribution in eastern North America. They are sup- plemented by a concise statement of the bird’s manner of occurrence and the wsual times of migration of the nonresident species at three or four localities. This information is the best it is possible to obtain, and has not been previously published. Each locality is treated by a recognized authority on its bird-life from notes based on observations extending over many years. The data from Washington, D. C., were supplied by Mr. C. W. Richmond, of the Smithsonian Institution. Not only has Mr. Richmond given years to field work in the District of Columbia, but he has had access to the notes of the numerous ornithologists who have observed in the same region. Bi Ey (STE gam as [11] PEO 37 Fis. 4.—Inches and tenths. 38 LOCAL BIRD-LISTS. The water-birds of Long Island are treated by Mr. William Dutcher, of New York city, who has for years made our coast birds a subject of especial investigation. Sportsmen, lighthouse-keepers, and ornitholo- gists have all aided him in acquiring an unrivaled series of observa- tions upon the movements of waterfowl and bay birds. Dr. A. K. Fisher, of the Division of Ornithology in the U. S. De- partment of Agriculture, has supplied the notes from Sing Sing, N. Y. This locality formed the field of his ornithological labors for fifteen years. Within the limits of the town of Ossining Dr. Fisher has ob- served no less than two hundred and thirty-six species of birds. Prob- ably no area of similar extent in the United States has been more carefully studied or yielded better results. Cambridge, Mass., is historic ground in the annals of ornithology. From the time of Nuttall it has never lacked for earnest students off! its bird-life. Nevertheless, no list of Cambridge birds has ever ap- peared. It is with unusual pleasure, therefore, that 1 include annota- tions on the birds of this region by Mr. William Brewster, who has made a lifelong study of New England birds, and particularly of those found in the vicinity of his home at Cambridge.* The value of their contributions renders it evident that I am under deep obligations to these gentlemen, and I thank them most sincerely for their generous assistance. Nests and Eggs.—The brief descriptions of nests and eggs are based on the collections of the American Museum of Natural History, sup- plemented by the use of Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway’s History of North American Birds, Davie’s Nests and Eggs of North American Birds, Ridgway’s Manual, and Captain Bendire’s Life Histories of North American Birds. In describing the eggs the color chart was -used when possible; but it was designed with particular reference to the plumages of our birds, and is of less assistance in describing their eggs. The measurements of eggs are mostly from series of measure- ments made by Mr. H. B. Bailey, accompanying the Bailey collection in the American Museum, supplemented by reference to the works men- tioned above. Biographies.—After devoting separate paragraphs to the bird’s general range, its manner of occurrence, comparative numbers, times of migration at several specific points, and its nest and eggs, the space remaining is given to a brief sketch of its haunts, notes, and disposi- ae with the particular object of aiding in its identification in the eld. *Strictly maritime birds whose occurrence within five miles of Cambridge is casual or accidental are, as a rule, excluded. “YOTOD 3.LW1S ‘AHSW HSINMONS . “snoosng Ayu HSINMOYE “SNOSDVNIA 34N@ Wyayd “44N€ SNOIDVYHIO “a38wn “LANLSSHS “snosing “NMOS SNOINY “NMOS NOWWNNID “NMOUG 3AIN0 “3AI10 |) aiW1d “LYVHD YOT105 NId “TWNIGHYS ‘LaTyeyos “DONVYHO *MO113A 3WOYD *MO113A HNHd INS *MO1I3A HSINS3Y9 “N33Y9 3AI10 LH9N "N3349 3ANO Muvd “3018 HSIAWa9 AWYS Ang AVYS Tedd AVUYS BIOGRAPHIES—ILLUSTRATIONS. 89 In preparing these biographical sketches I have aimed to secure the best material possible, using my own notes only when I felt they were based on adequate observations. Not only have 1 carefully ex- amined the literature relating to the habits of our birds, selecting what seemed to be the most trustworthy accounts of their appearance in life, but through the generous co-operation of fellow-students of living birds Iam able to present character sketches of some of our birds, written by observers who are everywhere known for their sym- pathy with birds out-of-doors. Thus I have to thank Mrs. Miller, Miss Merriam, Mr. Bicknell, Mr. Brewster, Dr. Dwight, Mr. Thomp- son, and Mr. Torrey for pen pictures of birds with which they are especially familiar, each sketch being signed by its author. Itlustrations—The colored frontispiece is by Mr. Ernest E. Thomp- son, whom I have to thank for assistance in preparing the color chart and Key to Families. The scheme of this key, which is founded on natural arrangement and on drawings of anatomical details, is original with him, and that here presented is a slight modification of the one he completed and contributed at a time when he was expected to be a joint author of this work. The numerous pen-and-ink drawings, which add so largely to the value of the work, were made by Mr. Tappan Adney from specimens in the American Museum of Natural History. Some of the full-page half-tone plates are from photographs of groups in the American Museum of Natural History; the larger number, how- ever, were especially designed for this work, with the assistance of Mr. J. Rowley, Jr. The Color Chart.—It must not be supposed for a moment that the colors on the Plate II. represent the colors of all the birds of eastern North America. It does not do so any more than an artist’s palette shows all the colors of his picture—in fact, I have called this plate my mental palette, and have frequently used two and even three terms to describe a given shade or tint. It should be clearly understood, therefore, that when grayish brown, for example, is mentioned, it does not follow that the feathers to which the term is applied are of exactly the same color as the plate, but that they are nearer to this color than to any other in the plate. Used even in this general way, the plate will prove a far more definite basis for description than if every one were left to form his own idea of the, colors named. Ad. A.V. B. B. from N, g Im. wry il “3983 Herod 25 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. Adult; a fully matured bird. Accidental visitant (see page 12). Bill. Bill from nostril. The sign employed to designate female sex (see page 27). Immature; the term is generally applied to birds less than a year old, or to those which have not acquired the plumage of the adult. Total length. The sign employed to designate male sex (see page 27). Permanent resident (see page 12). Summer resident (see page 12). Tail. Tarsus. Transient visitant (see page 12). Wing. Winter visitant (see page 12). 40 THE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA EAST OF THE NINETIETH MERIDIAN. KEY TO ORDERS AND FAMILIES. THE WATER BIRDS. Fig. 5. Order I. Pygopodes.—Grezzs, Loows, and Auxrs. Ducklike birds with generally sharply pointed bills ; feet webbed, placed far back near the tail; tarsus much flattened; hind toe, when present, with a lobe or fiap; bill without toothlike projections; tail very short and sometimes apparently wanting. A, Toes four, tipped with a broad nail. a. Toes with lobate webs.... Family Podicipide: Greses (Fig. 5, a), p. 56. b. Toes webbed. . . . Family Urinatoridw: Loons (Fig. 5, 0), p. 58. B. Toes three, tipped with a sharp nail... . Family Alcide: Avxs, Murres, and Purrins (Fig. 5, ¢), p. 60. LiT) aes a Te Satorear arts 22S TT LL7 Nemauasarernys os — oie ih ah aN L, KEK Order II. Longipennes. — Jarcrrs, Gutus, and TErns. Birds with sharply pointed and frequently hooked or hawklike bills; toes four (ex- cept in one genus—Sissa), the front ones Fie 6. webbed; wings long and pointed. 41 42 KEY TO FAMILIES. A. Tip of the upper mandible more or less swollen, rounded, and sharply pointed; upper parts, including wings, and sometimes the entire plumage, dark sooty blackish, sometimes irregularly barred ; tail always dark, the middle feathers longest. ... Family Sterco- rariide: Sxuas and Jareers (Fig. 6, a), p. 65. B. Upper mandible curved but not swollen at the end; tail generally white, sometimes tipped with black ; the tail-feathers usually of about equal length... . Subfamily Larinw: Guuts (Fig. 6, d), p. 67. Fig. 7. Fic. 8 C. Bill straight, not hooked and sharply pointed; outer tail-feathers generally longer than the middle ones. Subfamily Sternine: TERNS (Fig. 7), p. 76. D. Bill thin and bladelike, the lower mandible much longer than the upper one... . Family Rynchopidw: Sxummers (Fig. 8), p. 85. Fig. 9. Order III. Tubinares.—A.zarrossrs, Perrers, and Futmars. Bill hawklike, the tip of the upper mandible generally much enlarged ; nostrils opening through tubes; hind toe reduced to a mere nail, and sometimes entirely wanting. A. Size very large, nostrils separated and on either side of the bill. . . . Family Diomedeidw: Atpatrosses (Fig. 9, a), p. 86. B. Size smaller, nostrils joined and placed on top of the bill... . Family Procellariide: Perrers, Furmars, and SHEaRWATERS (Fig. 9, b), p. 86. KEY TO FAMILIES. 43 Fig. 12. Fig. 18. Fie. 10. Fia. 15. Order IV. Steganopodes.—Gannets, Cormorants, Peticans (Fig. 10), ete. All the toes, including the hind one, connected by webs. A. Bill generally sharply pointed, without a hawklike hook at its tip. a. Chin, or space between the forks of the lower mandible, feath- ered. ,.. Family Phaéthontidw: Troprrc Birps (Fig. 11), p. 91. 6. Chin bare. 1, Billstout and slightly curved at the tip; middle tail-feathers without “flutings”.... Family. Sudidw: Ganners (Fig. 12), p. 92. 03, Bill straight and slender; middle tail-feathers fluted... . Family Anhingide: Darrers (Fig. 18), p. 98. ZB. Bill with a hawklike hook at the tip. u. Lores bare. a}. Bill over 12°00, with a large pouch. ... Family Pelecanide: PELICANS, p. 95. a3, Bill under 12:00, no large pouch. ... Family Phalacrocora- cide: Cormorants (Fig. 14), p. 94. 4. Lores feathered. . . . Family Fregatide: Man-o’-war Birps (Fig. 15), p. 97. 44 KEY TO FAMILIES, Order V. Anseres.—Dvcxs, Grxss, and Swans. Toes four, the front ones fully webbed; tarsus not strikingly fiattened as in the Grebes; tail always well developed; bill with toothlike projec- tions, fluted ridges, or gutters along its sides. 1. Bill very long, narrow, and rounded, with numerous toothlike pro- jections along its sides... . Subfamily Merginw: Mrxcaneers (Fig. 16), p. 98. Fia. 16. 2. Bill more or less flattened and ducklike. A. Lores feathered. a. Tarsus shorter than the middle toe, without nail; scales on its front transverse, more or less square. a, Hind toe without a flap or lobe..,. Subfamily Anatine; River Dvoxs (Fig. 17, @), p. 100. a}. Hind toe with a flap or lobe... . Subfamily Fuliguline; Sra and Bay Ducks (Fig. 17, b), p. 107. Fie. 17. b. Tarsus generally longer than the middle toe, without nail; scales . on its front rounded. . . . Subfamily Anserinw: Gruss, p. 119 B. Lores bare... . Subfamily Cygnine: Swans, p. 124. " KEY TO FAMILIES. 45 Order VI. Odontoglossz.—FrLamncors. Large red or reddish birds; bill with toothlike ridges as in some Ducks, the end half bent down- ward ; tarsus 12:00 or more in length... . Family Phenicopteride; Fua- MINGOES, p. 125, Order VII. Herodiones.—Hzxons, Storxs, Isrszs, etc. Toes four, all on the same level, slightly or not at all webbed; lores bare; legs and neck generally much lengthened. Fie. 19. Fia. 21. A, Bill straight and sharply pointed; inner border of the middle toe- nail with a comblike edge. ... Family Ardetdw: Hurons, Ecrers, and Birrerns (Fig. 19), p. 128. _ B. Bill rounded, more or less curved downward ; no comb on the mid- dle toe-nail. u. Size large, tarsus over 5:00... . Family Ciconiide: Srorgs and Woop Inisgs, p. 127. 6. Size smaller, tarsus under 5:00.... Family Zbidide: Iniszs (Fig. 20), p. 126. C. Bill flattened and much broadened at the end... . Family Plata- detde : Spoonsitus (Fig. 21), p. 125. 46 KEY TO FAMILIES. a Or cS ~ see Ski Fig, 22. Order VIII. Paludicolz#.—Cranes, Rats, etc. Toes four; middle toe without a comb, generally not webbed; hind toe generally small, higher than the front ones, or, if on the same level (Gal- linules and Coots only), the bill is then comparatively short and stout and the forehead has a bare shield; lores feathered, or (Cranes) with hairlike bristles. + Fra. 24, A, Smaller, bill under 8°00... . Family Rallédde: Ratts, GactinuLEs, and Coots (Fig. 22), p. 139. &. Larger, bill over 3-00. a. Tarsus over 6:00... . Family Grudde: Cranes (Fig. 23), p. 187. b. Tarsus under 6:00.... Family Araméde: Courtans (Fig. 24), p. 188. : KEY TO FAMILIES, 4 Fig. 25. Order IX. Limicolze.—Pxatarorss, Sxirzs, PLovers, ete. Toes four, or (Plovers) three; the hind toe, when present, less than half the length of the inner one, and always elevated above the others; legs generally long and slender, the lower half of the tibiee bare; bill, except in the Plovers, generally long, slender, and soft, the nostrils opening through slits or grooves; wings long and pointed, the first primary gen- erally the longest. SDAIN) VAY — yo) Fie. 26. I. Tarsus over 8°50. ... Family Recurvirostride: Strtts and Avocets, p. 149. II. Tarsus under 3°50. A. Sides of the toes with lobes or webs. . . . Family Phalaropodide: Puaaropgs (Fig. 26, a), p. 147. B. Sides of the toes without lobed webs. a. Toes four (except in the Sanderling); front of the tarsus with transverse, more or less square, scales. . . . Family Scolopacide: Swipes, Sanppipers, etc. (Fig. 25, a, b; Fig. 26, , c), p. 150. 6. Whole lower back white, a black band across the rump.... Family Aphrizide: Turnstonzs, etc., p. 176. v. Toes three (except in the Black-bellied Plover); front of the tarsus with small, rounded scales. cl, Bill under 2:00... . Family Charadriide: Piovexs (Fig. 25, e, d; Fig. 26, d, e), p. 171. o. Bill over 2:00.... Family Hematopodide: OrsTER-caTcHERS, p. 177. 48 KEY TO FAMILIES. THE LAND BIRDS. Order X. Gallinze.—Turxeys, Grousr, Bos-wuirEs, etc. Toes four, the hind one small and elevated above the front ones; bill generally short, stout, So ; F hard, and horny ; wings rather short, the outer 1 primaries curved and much stiffened. A. Size very large. ... Subfamily Meleag- ring: TURKEYS, p. 186. B. Size smalier. . . . Family TZetraonide: — Grouse, Bos-wuirsgs, etc. (Fig. 27), p. 178. Order XI. Columbz.—Piczons and Doves. Toes four, all on the same level, the hind one about as long as the shortest front one; bill rather slender. deeply grooved, the nostrils open- ing in a soft, fleshy membrane or skin... . Family Columbide: Piezons and Doves (Fig. 28), p. 187. Fie. 29. Order XII. Raptores.—Vvtrures, Hawrs, and Owus. Toes four, three in front, the hind one, except in the Vultures, generally as long as or longer than the shortest front one; all the toes armed with strong, sharp, curved nails or talons; bill with a cere, or covering of skin, at its base, through which the nostrils open, very stout and strong, the tip of the upper mandible with a sharply pointed hook. <- EET ay, fog ve ah Fie. 30. Fie. 81. A, Eyes set in a striking facial disk; tarsus generally feathered ; plum age soft and fluffy. KEY TO FAMILIES. 49 a. Middle toe-nail with a comblike edge... . Family Strigidw: Barn Owns (Fig. 30), p. 218. 6. Middle toe-nail without a comblike edge... . Family Bubonide: Hornep Ow xs, Hoor Owzs (Fig. 29, a), p. 218. B. Eyes not set in a striking facial disk; tarsus mostly bare, plumage firm and close. a. Plumage, in our species, black; hind toe small, claws blunt; bill not sharply hooked; head generally bare... . Family Cathartide: American Vutrturss (Fig. 82), p. 191. 6. Hind toe generally as long as or longer than the shortest front one; toes armed with sharp, curved nails or talons; bill with a sharp hook, head not bare... Family Falconide: Faucons, Kirss, Hawss, Eacuss (Figs. 29, 0, 38), etc., p. 198. Order XIII. Psittaci. — ; eas Parrots, Paroquets, etc. Toes four, two in front and 7 two behind; bill with a cere. Z ... Family Psittacide: Par~ ‘ 4, rots and Paroquets (Fig. 34), z p. 222. Fie. 35. Order XIV. Coceyges.—Cucxoos and KineFIsHERS. Toes four, the middle and outer ones joined for half their length (Kingfishers), or two in front and two behind (Cuckoos) ; bill without a cere; tail-feathers not stiff and pointed. Mah 50 KEY TO FAMILIES. A, Middle and outer toes joined for half their length. . . . Family A/- cedinide: KinerisuErs (Fig. 35), p. 226. B. Two toes in front and two behind. ,. . Family Cuculide: Cuckoos (Fig. 36), p. 224, Fra. 37. Order XV. Pici.— WooprrckeErs. Toes four, two in front and two behind, or toes three, two in front and one behind; bill strong; tail-feathers stiff and pointed; nostrils more or less concealed by bristles. ... Family Picide: Wooprecxers (Fig. 37), p. 227. Order XVI. Macrochires.—Goatsucxers, Swirts, and HuMMINGBIRDS. Feet very small and weak; bill short and small and mouth large, or bill long and exceedingly slender and mouth small; wings generally long and pointed. A. Size comparatively large; plumage variegated, black and brown; middle toe-nail with a comblike edge. .. . Family Caprimulgide: NicutHawks, WuIP-Poor-WILLs, etc. (Fig. 38), p. 236. B. Size medium; plumage sooty black; no comb on the middle toe- nail; tips of the tail-feathers with spines. . . . Family Micropodide: Swirts (Fig. 39), p. 239. @. Size very small; upper parts shining green; bill long and slender. ...» Family Trochilide: Hummin epirps (Fig. 40), p. 240, KEY TO FAMILIES. 51 Order XVII. Passeres.—Perching Birds: Frycarcu- ERS, Biacksirps, Jays, Oriotes, Sparrows, FINcHEs, Swa.tows, VirEos, WarBieRs, Wrens, THRUSHES, etc. Toes four, without webs, all on the same level; hind toe as large as the middle one, its nail generally longer than that of the middle one; tail of twelve feathers. {The following synoptical table of the characters of the eighteen families which we have in this order seems more satis- factory than an artificial key.] Family 1. Tyrannide.—Fyoatourrs (Fig. 42). Bill wider than high at the base, slightly hooked at the tip; base with conspicuous bristles; wings longer than the tail, the second to fourth primaries longest, the first but little shorter and generally Fie. 41. q 7 equal to the fifth or sixth; back of ae tarsus rounded, like the front ; ie & plumage generally olive-green or grayish ; tail, except in the King- bird, without white spots, p. 242. Fic. 42, Family 2. Alaudide.—Larxs (Fig. 43). Bill rather stout and rounded ; nos- trils with bristly tufts; nail of hind toe much lengthened, as long as the middle toe without nail; back of the tarsus rounded like the front, p. 252, Fie. 44. Family 3. Corvide.—Crows and Jays (Fig. 44). Large birds, over 10-00 in length; bill stout, the nostrils concealed by tufts of bristly feathers; fourth to fifth primary the longest, the first about half as long; outer tail-feathers shortest ; feet and legs stout, p, 253. 52 KEY TO FAMILIES. Family 4. Sturnide.—Star- tines (Fig. 45). Bill flattened, wider than high at the base ; tail short and square; wings long and pointed, second pri- mary longest, the first very small, less than half an inch in length, p. 259. Fie. 46. Family 5. Ieteride—Buacxsrrps, Or107-8s, etc. (Fig. 46). Length 7:00-17:00 ; base of the bill, between the nostrils, extending back- ward and dividing the feathers of the forehead ; nostrils not concealed by bristles; first three primaries of about equal length: outer tail-feathers generally shortest, p. 260. Family 6. Fringillide.—Spar- Cc rows, Frivcues, Gros- BEAKS, etc. (Fig. 47). Length 4:75-9:00, generally under 8:00; bill short, stout, and conical, admirably fit- ted to crush seeds; third f and fourth primaries gen- erally about the same length, es the first never more than half an inch shorter than Fia. 47. the longest, p. 271. Family 7. Tanagride.—Tawnacers (Fig. 48). Length about 7:00; the males of our species mostly red ; pill finchlike, but less conical, somewhat swollen, the outline of the upper mandible curved, its sides with a‘ ”? slight but generally evident “tooth” near the middle; tail-feathers of equal length, p. 316. Fia. 48. eee KEY TO FAMILIES. 53 Family 8. Hirundinide.—Swarows (Fig. 49). Bill short and flattened, much wider than high at the base; no bristles at the base of the bill; wings long and pointed, tips, when closed, generally reaching beyond the end of the tail; wr first primary the longest; outer tail- i feathers longest; feet small, tarsus f short, round in front, narrower and sharper in the back, p. 318. Fia. 49. Family 9. Ampelide.—Waxwines (Fig. 50). Plumage generally soft, brownish gray or grayish brown; a black band across the forehead and through the eyes; tail tipped with yellow; bill short, notched at the tip; head conspicuously crested, p. 323. Family 10. Laniide.—Surixes (Fig. 51). Grayish birds, 8-00-9:00 in length, most of the tail-feathers tipped with white; bill hooked and hawklike, p. 325. Family 11. Vireonide.—Vireos (Fig. 52). Small birds, 5:00- ‘my, 7-00 in length, with Nes generally _olive- a green backs; tail- Ps feathers without i 7 white spots; bill Fig. 52. rather stout, higher than broad at the base, the tip of the upper mandible notched and hooked, bristles at the base of the bill barely evident; tarsi scaled, round in front, narrower and sharper behind; toes united at the base, p. 327. Family 12. Mniotiltide.—Woov War- BLERS (Fig. 53). Small birds, length generally under 6:00, but in four species 6:50-7:50, with, as a rule, brightly colored 54 KEY TO FAMILIES. plumage, olive-green or yellow being the most frequent; bill various, never notched at the tip, usually slender and sharply pointed, without conspicuous bristles, but sometimes flattened and broader than high at the base, when the bristles are evident (thus resembling the bill of a true Flycatcher, but the back of the tarsus is always thin and narrow, and never rounded as in front); rarely the bill is heavier, more thrushlike or finchlike; second or third primary longest, the first little if any shorter; tail generally square, sometimes rounded, the outer feathers frequently blotched with white, p. 333, Family 13. Motacillida—Wactaiis and Pirirs (Fig. 54). No bristles over the nostrils; bill slender, much as in the preceding ; hind toe-nail much lengthened, as long as or longer than the toe ; first three primaries of equal length, p. 875. Family 14. Troglodytide. — Turasu- ERS, WRENS, etc. (Fig. 55). Subfamily Mimine. — TurasHeErs, Mocxinexirps, and CaTgirps. Length 8-00-1200; tarsus scaled ; tail rounded, the outer feathers at least half an inch shorter than the middle ones, third to fifth primary longest, the first about half as long, p. 376. Subfamily Zroglodytine.—Wrens. Length 4:00-6:00; bill moderate, the upper mandible slightly curved, no bristles at its base; third to fourth primary longest, first about half as long; tail short and round- ed; brown or brownish birds with indistinctly barred wings and tail, p. 376, Family 15. Certhtidw.—Crenrers (Fig. 56). > Bill slender and much curved; tail- feathers pointed and slightly stiifened, p. 885. KEY TO FAMILIES. Family 16. Paride—Nvtuarcuss and Tirmice (Fig. 57). Subfamily Sitténe.—NuruarcuEs. 55 Bill rather long and slender, the end of the lower mandible slanting slightly upward; wings long and pointed, the third or fourth primary the longest, the first very small, not an inch in length; tail short and square, the outer feathers blotched with white, p. 386. Subfamily Parinw.—Titmicez. Length 4:50-6:50; bill short, stout, and rounded, less than half an inch in length ; fourth or fifth primary longest, first very short, not more than one third as long; tail rather long, dull ashy gray without white blotches, p. 389 Fie. 58, Family 18. Turdida. — TurusHes, BLvEBIRDS, ete. (Fig. 59). Length over 5°50; bill mod- erate, the tip of the upper mandible notched; tarsus smooth, the scales, if any, fused and indistinct; tail square: wings long and pointed, 3°75 or over, third primary the longest, the first very short, less than one inch in length, p. 394. Family 17. Syloiida.—Kinerets and GnatcaTcuERs (Fig. 58). Length 3°50-5-00; bill slender, re- sembling that of some Warblers, but the first primary is very short, only about one third as long as the longest, p- 391. 56 GREBES, ORDER PYGOPODES. DIVING BIRDS. Wamity PopiciPip#. GREBES. The Grebes, or lobe-footed divers, number about thirty species, distributed throughout the world. Six species are found in North America. Grebes are eminently aquatic birds, and rarely if ever ven- ture upon land, where they are almost helpless. The marvelous rapid- ‘ity with which Grebes dive, and the ease with which this power for- merly enabled them to escape the shot of the fowler, have won for them their various popular names of “ Hell-diver,” “ Water-witch,” etc. The cartridges of the modern breech-loader do not give the warning of the discarded flint-lock or percussion cap, and “to dive at the flash” is an expression which now has lost half its meaning. Grebes possess the power of swimming with only the tip of the bill above water, a habit which accounts for many mysterious disappearances. They feed largely on fish, which they pursue and catch under water, progressing by aid of the feet alone. KEY TO THE SPEOIES. A. Depth of bill at nostril over °35. a. Wing over 600. . 2... 1... ss ~ | 2% Horsant’s Gress. b. Wing under 600 . . . 2. 1... +) 6, Prep-BinLep GREBE. B. Depth of bill at nostril less than 35. . . . . . . 8, Horwep Gress. 2. Colymbus holboollii (Reink.). Horse rt’s Gres. Ad. in sum- mer.—Top of the head, small crest, and back of the neck, glossy black; back blackish ; throat and sides of the head silvery white; front and sides of the neck rufous, changing gradually over the breast into the silvery white belly ; sides tinged with rufous. Ad. in winter.—Upper parts blackish brown; throat and under parts whitish ; front and sides of the neck pale rufous. Jm. —Upper parts blackish; throat and under parts silvery white; neck and sides grayish. L., 19°00; W., 7°50; Tar., 2:20; B., 1:90. Range.—Breeds in the interior of North America, from northern Minne- sota northward ; in winter migrates southward as far as South Carolina and Nebraska. Washington, uncommon W. V., Sept. 80 to Mch. or Apl., Long Island irregular W. V., Oct. to Apl Sing Sing, rare T. V., Oct. to Dec. Cam- bridge, casual. Nest, a mass of water-soaked, decaying vegetation floating among rushes in a slough, generally attached to its surroundings. Eggs, two to five, dull white, more or less soiled, 2°25 x 1°35. “In common with others of the family, this Grebe is an expert diver. Often it will sink into the water without any apparent effort, though more generally it jumps forward, throwing the head into the GREBE AND youna, PIED-BILLED GREBES. BT water and the body into the air. It is an expert and rapid swimmer also, and all its movements on the water are exceedingly graceful. When pursued, these birds invariably endeavor to escape by diving, though when on the wing they fly rapidly, their necks and feet stretched at full length ” (Chamberlain). 3 3. Colymbus auritus Zinn. Hornep Gresr. Ad. im summer.— Top of the head, hind neck, and throat, glossy blackish ; lores pale chestnut; stripe, and plumes behind the eye, butfy ochraceous, deeper posteriorly ; back and wings blackish ; secondaries white; foreneck, upper breast, and sides chestnut; lower breast and belly white. Ad. in winter and Im.—Upper parts grayish black ; under parts silvery white, sometimes washed with grayish on the throat and breast. L., 18°50; W., 5-40; Tar., 1°75; B., 90. Kange.—Breeds from northern United States (northern Illinois, St. Clair Flats) northward ; winters southward to the Gulf States. Washington, common W. V., fall to Apl. 25. Long Island, abundant T. V., rare W. V., Oct. to Apl. Sing Sing, common T. V., Oct. to Dec.; Mch. Cambridge, casual. West, amass of water-soaked, decaying vegetation, floating among rushes in a slough, generally attached to its surroundings. Zyggs, two to seven, dull white, more or less soiled, 1°74 x 1°15. This species and the next are probably frequently mistaken for each other in life, and the same common names are in some instances applicable to both. Mr. Ernest E. Thompson writes of a captive in- dividual: “ When ordinarily swimming, the feet strike out alternately, and the progression is steady ; but sometimes both feet: struck together, and then the movement was by great bounds, and was evidently cal- culated to force the bird over an expanse of very weedy water, or through any tangle of weeds or rushes in which it might have found itself. When lifted out of the water, the feet worked so fast as to be lost to the eye in a mere haze of many shadowy feet with one attach- ment, When placed on the ground, it was perfectly helpless” (Birds of Manitoba, p. 466). 6. Podilymbus podiceps (Zinn.). Prrp-pittep Grese; Dazcutcr; Diepaprer; Hevt-piver; Warer-witcn. (See Fig.5,a.) Ad. in summer.— Upper parts glossy, brownish black; throat black; upper breast, front and sides of the neck, and sides of the body, washed with brownish and indis- tinctly mottled with blackish; lower breast and belly white; a black band across the bill. Ad. in winter and Im.—Much like the above, but throat white and no black band on the bill. L. 13°50; W., 510; Tar., 1:45; B., 85. Range.—Argentine Republic northward through Mexico and the West In- dies to Hudson Bay and Great Slave Lake, breeding locally throughout its range; winters from New Jersey southward. Washington, common W. V., Aug. 25 to Apl. or May. Long Island, un- common T. V., Sept. to Apl. Sing Sing, common T. V., Apl. 6 to Apl. 20; 58 LOONS. Sept. 3 to Oct. 28; a few summer. Cambridge, T. V. in Apl.; very common Sept. to Nov.; breeds in one locality. : West, a mass of water-soaked, decaying vegetation, sometimes built up from the bottom in shallow water, sometimes floating among rushes in a slough, when it is generally attached to its surroundings. Zggs, four to eight, dull white, more or legs soiled or stained, 1°74 x 1:19. This is probably the best known of our Grebes, and is the one which most frequently tempts the shot of would-be sportsmen. Its common names may stand as an expression of its aquatic powers. It dives head foremost, or sinks slowly beneath the water. Like other Grebes, it can swim easily and for an indefinite period with only its bill above the water, and its sometimes mysterious and apparently complete dis- appearance is explained by this habit. FamILy UrinaTorsp. Loons. A family containing only five species, inhabiting the northern half of the northern hemisphere. The Loons are scarcely less aquatic than the Grebes, and are their equals as divers and swimmers. They visit the land only to nest, when their clumsy progress is assisted by the use of bill and wings. Their food consists of fish, which they procure by diving, progressing when under water by aid of the feet alone. KEY TO THE SPECIES, A. Throat black. @: Head. blacks 0 nce gy ee ow i @ a 2 at a “Leon 6. Headashy ... is « « « « « « §& Braex-raroaren Loos, B. Throat gray, foreneck chestnut . . . . . 11. Rep-raroatep Loon. C. Throat white or whitish; back fuscous, margined with grayish. a. Wing over 13-00; base of bill to anterior end of nostril -75 or over. 7. Loon (Im). &, Wing under 18:00; base of bill to anterior end of nostril less than *75. 9. Biack-THRoateD Loon (Im.). D. Throat white or whitish; back fuscous, spotted with white. 11. Rep-raRoatep Loon (Im.). 9. Urinator imber (Gunn.). Loon. (See Fig. 5,.) Ad. in summer. —Upper parts, wings, tail, and neck black with bluish or greenish reflections: spaces on the throat and sides of the neck streaked with white; back and wings spotted and barred with white; breast and belly white; sides and a band at the base of the under tail-coverts black spotted with white. Ad. in winter and Im.—Upper parts, wings, and tail blackish margined with grayish not spotted with white; under parts white; throat sometimes washed with grayish. L.. 82:00; W., 14.00; Tar., 3-40; B., 2°80. Range.—Breeds from northern Hlinois, Minnesota, and northern New Eng- land to the Arctic Circle; winters from the southern limit of its breeding range to the Gulf of Mexico, : LOONS. 59 Washington, common W. V., Sept. to Apl. 25. Long Island, abundant T. V., common W. V., Sept. to June. Sing Sing, common T’. V., Mch. and Oct. Cambridge, not common T. V., Apl. to early May ; Sept. to Nov. Nest, a slight depression in the ground within a few feet of the water. Eggs, two, grayish olive-brown, thinly spotted with blackish, 3°50 x 2°20. This wild inhabitant of our northern lakes and ponds possesses all the characteristic traits of the Divers. Its remarkable notes are thus described by Mr. J. H. Langille: “ Beginning on the fifth note of the scale, the voice slides through the eighth to the third of the scale above in loud, clear, sonorous tones, which on a dismal evening before a thunderstorm, the lightning already playing along the inky sky, are anything but musical. He has also another rather soft and pleasing utterance, sounding like who-who- who-who, the syllables being so rapidly pronounced as to sound almost like a shake of the voice—a sort of weird laughter.” Loons may be seen migrating by day singly or in small companies, generally at a considerable height. Their flight is strong, rapid, and direct. 9. Urinator arcticus (Zinn.). Buack-turoatEp Loon. Ad. in summer.—Throat, foreneck, back, wings, and tail black, with purplish and bluish reflections; a band of white streaks on the throat; sides of the neck, back, and wings streaked, barred, or spotted with white; top of head and nape gray; breast and belly white; a blackish band at the base of the under tail-coverts. Ad. in winter and Jm.—Similar in color to U. imber, not spotted above with white. L., 27:00; W., 11:00: Tar., 2°60; B., 2:00. Remarks—Immature and winter birds may be distinguished from the cor- responding stage of dmber by their small size; from lumme by grayish mar- gips instead of white spots, bars, or margins on the upper parts. Range—Breeds in the northern parts of the northern hemisphere; in North America migrates southward in winter to the northern United States, casually to Ohio and Long Island. Long Island, A. V., one record. Nest, a slight depression in the ground within a few feet of the water. £9qs, two, grayish olive-brown, spotted or scrawled with blackish, 3°20 x 2°10. This species is a very rare winter visitant to the northern border of the United States. The most southern record of its occurrence is Long Island (Dutcher, Auk, x, 1893, p. 265). 11. Urinator lumme (Gunn). Rep-ruroatTep Loon. Ad. in sum- mer.—Back, wings, and tail fuscous, more or less spotted with white; head and neck ashy gray ; foreneck chestnut ; back of’ the neck black, streaked with white; breast and belly white; longer under tail-coverts and band at the base of shorter ones fuscous. Ad. in winter and Im.—Similar to 7 imber, but back spotted with white. L., 25:00; W., 11:00; Tar., 2°60; B., 2:00. fange.—Found throughout the northern parts of the northern hemisphere, 60 AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. breeding in North America from New Brunswick and Manitoba northward, and migrating irregularly southward as far as South Carolina. Washington, rare W. V. Long Island, common T. V., rare W. V., Oct. to May. Sing Sing, casual T. V. Cambridge, one instance, Uct. Vest, a slight depression in the ground within a few feet of the water. Eggs, two, grayish olive-brown, sometimes tinged with green and spotted with blackish, 2°80 x 1°75. This is a more northern species than Urinator imber, which it doubt- less closely resembles in habits. Famity ALcipz. AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. This family contains about thirty species, confined entirely to the northern parts of the northern hemisphere. Nearly all of these are found in North America, most of them, however, on only our Pacific coast. Without exception they are maritime birds, passing the greater part of their lives on the open sea, They nest in colonies, sometimes in enormous numbers, generally upon rocky, precipitous shores. Their progress on land is slow and awkward; but they are, as a rule, strong fliers, and accomplished swimmers and divers. Unlike the Grebes and Loons they use their wings in diving. Their food consists of fish, crustacea, and other forms of sea life. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Billunder-75 2... 2... 1 ee ee ee. 84 Doverie, IJ. Bill over 75. 1. Depth of bill at nostril over 60. a, Bill yellowish, depth at nostril over 1-00. 18. Purrin. 18a. Larer-stntep Porrin. 2. Bill black, depth at nostril under 1:00 . . 82. Razor-BILLED AUK. 2. Depth of bill at nostril under -60. A, Wing-coverts white or tipped with white. a. Greater wing-coverts entirely white . 28. Manpr’s GuILLEmot. d. Basal half of greater wing-coverts black. 27. Brack Gurtiemor. B. No white on wing-coverts. a Billoverl60 . . 2... 2.0.4... 4... .°80. Murr. &. Billunder160 . . . . . . . . . 81. Brtwnicu’s Murre. 13. Fratercula arctica (Zinn.). Purvi ; Sua Parrot (see Fig. 5, c). Ad.—Upper parts, wings, tail, and foreneck blackish, browner on the head and foreneck ; nape with a narrow grayish collar; sides of the head and throat white, sometimes washed with grayish; breast and belly white. (Breeding birds have the bill larger and brighter, and a horny spine over the eye.) L., 13:00; W., 610; Tar., 1:05; B., 1:85; depth of B. at base (in winter), 1°50. ange.—* Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, breeding on the North American coast from the Bay of Fundy northward” (A. 0. U.). Migrates southward in winter, rarely to Long Island. AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. 61 Long Island, A. V. in winter. Nest in a burrow in the ground or in crevices among rocks. gg, one, dull white, sometimes with obscure markings, 2°49 x 1°68. Mr. Brewster, in describing his experience with this species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, writes: “The first report of our guns brought dozens tumbling from their nests. Their manner of descending from the higher portions of the cliff was peculiar. Launching into the air with heads depressed and wings held stiffly at a sharp angle above their backs, they would shoot down like meteors, checking their speed by an upward turn just before reaching the water. In a few minutes scores had collected about us. They were perfectly silent and very tame, passing and repassing over and by us, often coming within ten or fif- teen yards. On such occasions their flight has a curious resemblance to that of a Woodcock, but when coming in from the fishing grounds they skim close to the waves, and the wings are moved more in the manner of a Duck” (Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., xxii, 1883, p. 407). 18a. F. a. glacialis (Zemm.). Larcr-zittep Purrin.—Similar to the preceding, but larger. W., 6:80-7:40; B., 2:00-2°30 (B., B., and R.). Range.—* Coast and islands of the Arctic Ocean from Spitzbergen to Battin’s Bay” (A. O. U.). The Turrep Purrin (12. Lunda cirrhata) inhabits the North Pacific from California to Alaska. The specimen figured by Audubon was said by him to have been procured at the mouth of the Kennebec River, Maine. There is no other record of its occurrence on the Atlantic coast. 27. Cepphus grylle (Linn.). Buack Guitiemor; Sua Prezon. Ad. in summer.—Sooty black, lighter below and with slight greenish reflections above; lesser wing-coverts and terminal half of the greater wing-coverts white, the basal half of the greater coverts black ; linings of the wings white. Ad. in winter.—Upper parts gray or black, the feathers all more or less tipped with white; wings as in summer; under parts white /m.—Upper parts as in winter adults; under parts white, mottled with black ; wing-coverts tipped with black. L., 13:00; W., 6-25; Tar., 1:25; B., 1-20. Range.—Breeds in North America from the Bay of Fundy (Grand Menan) northward, arfl migrates southward regularly to Cape Cod, and rarely to Con- necticut and Long Island; accidental in Pennsylvania. Long Island, A. V. in winter. Nest, in the crevices and fissures of cliffs and rocky places. Eggs, two to three, dull white, sometimes with « greenish tinge, more or less heavily spotted with clear and obscure dark chocolate markings, more numerous and sometimes confluent at the larger end. 2:18 x 1:40. “They were wary and alert, but allowed me to paddle within easy shooting distance without displaying much alarm. When they finally concluded I was an unsafe neighbor, they lost no time in getting out of sight, diving with surprising suddenness, They usually swam a 62 AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. long distance under water with great rapidity, using their wings as well as their feet, and coming to the surface far beyond gunshot range. “The Sea Pigeons are met usually in small flocks of half a dozen or more, and generally feed in the open sea at the base of bold cliffs. When on the wing they proceed rapidly and in a straight line, and rarely more than a few feet from the surface of the water. On ap- proaching their nesting-site they rise rather abruptly, and fly directly to their nests” (Chamberlain). 28. Cepphus mandatii (Zicht.). Manors Guirtemor—Resembles the preceding, but the bases of the greater wing-coverts are white instead of black. * Range—* Arctie regions of both continents” (A. O. U.); in America breeding from Labrador aud Hudson Bay northward, migrating southward as far as Massachusetts. Nest, in crevices and fissures of cliffs and rocky places. Zggs, two to three, not distinguishable trom those of C. grylle, 2°84 x 1:15. A more northern species than the preceding, which it doubtless re- sembles in habits. 30. Uria troile (Zinn.). Murre. Ad. in swmmer.—Upper parts, wings, tail, and neck all around, dark sooty brown, blacker on the back, wings, and tail; tips of secondaries, breast, and belly white, the sides more or lesg streaked with blackish. Ad. in winter and Jm.—Upper parts, wings, and tail much as in summer; under parts white, the throat more or less washed with sooty brown, the flanks sometimes streaked with brownish, and the feathers of the belly more or less lightly margined with blackish. L., 16:00; W., 8-00; Tar., 1-40; B., 1:75; depth of B. at nostril, -50. Remarks—Some specimens have a white ring around the eye and a white stripe behind it, They have been named J. ringvia (Briinn.), but it is un- certain as to whether the species is a distinct one or is based on a mere varia- tion of plumage, Range.—* Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic” (A. O.U.). In North America, breeding from Nova Scotia northward, and migrating southward as far as Massachusetts. Nests in communities, side by side on the bare ledges of soaky cliffs. Zgq, one, pyriform, varying from pale blue or greenish blue to whitish or buffy, singularly spotted, scrawled, or streaked with shades of chocolate, rarely un- marked, 3°25 x 2°00. “These birds begin to assemble on their customary cliffs in Eng- land early in May, and crowd together in such numbers that it is not uncommon to see hundreds sitting upon their eggs on the ledge of a rock, all in a line, and nearly touching each other” (Nuttall). “The bird usually sits facing the cliff, holding the egg between her legs, with its point outward; if robbed, she will lay at least one more, AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS, 63 similar in character. . .. Considerable force is exercised in diving, and the wings are used for propulsion under water ” (Saunders). 31. Uria lomvia (Linn.). Brtnnicn’s Murer. Ad. in summer.— Upper parts, wings, and tail sooty black, foreneck somewhat browner; tips of secondaries, breast, and belly white; base of the upper mandible greenish, rounded outward beyond the edge of the lower mandible. L., 16:50; W., 8:40; Tar., 1:30; B., 1:25; depth of B. at nostril, -47. ftemarks.— Adults are to be distinguished from adults of U. troile by the darker color of the head, which in lomvia is darker than the throat, by the size of the bill and thickening of its cutting edge at the base. Winter and immature birds can be distinguished from those of U. ¢rotle only by the size of the bill, which, as the measurements show, is longer in that species. Range—* Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and eastern Arctic Oceans” (A. O. U.). Breeds from the Magdalen Islands northward; in win- ter migrates us far south as New Jersey. Long Island, irregular W. V. Sing Sing, A. V. Nests in communities, side by side on the bare ledges of rocky clitts. Zyg, one, not distinguishable from that of UJ. troile. “During the winter it lives on the open sea, and in the breeding season assembles in large flocks on bold cliffs and rocky headlands. It is an expert diver, using wings and feet to get under water and to swim through it” (Chamberlain). 32. Alea torda Zinn. Razor-zittep Auk; Tinxer. Ad. in sum- mer.—Upper parts, wings, and tail sooty black; foreneck somewhat browner; tips of the secondaries, a line from the eye to the bill, breast, and belly white; bill black, crossed by a white band. Ad. in winter.—Similar to ad. in the summer, but with the sides and front of the neck white. /m.—Similar to ad. in winter, but with the bill smaller and without the white bar. L., 16°50; W., 7:90; Tar., 1:35; B., 1:25. Range.— Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic” (A. 0. U.). Breeds from the Magdalen Islands northward ; in winter migrates southward regu- larly to Long Island and rarely to Virginia and North Carolina. Long Island, irregular W. V. Vest, in the crevices and fissures of cliffs and rocky places. Zgqs, one to two, pale bluish white or buffy, thickly spotted and speckled with chocolate markings most numerous and sometimes confluent at the larger end, 3-00 x 1-90. “When brooding, it crouches along, not across, the egg, its mate often standing near; and both sexes incubate, though the male may be seen bringing food to the sitting female. ... The young flutter from the rocks to the sea, or are taken by the neck and carried down by the parents. They are at first very loath to follow the old bird in diving, and remain crying plaintively on the surface of the water. The food consists of small fish, which are carried diagonally in the bill —not at right angles, as by the Puffin—and crustaceans. The Razor- 64 AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. bill utters a peculiar grunting or groaning, especially when sitting. On the water it may be distinguished from the Guillemot, at a dis- tance, by its upturned tail” (Saunders). 33. Plautus impennis (Zinn.). Great Aux.—Upper parts fuscous black, a large white spot before the eye; secondaries tipped with white; sides of the neck and throat seal-brown, rest of the under parts silvery white. L., 28-00-80:00 ; W., 5°75; B., 8°15-3'50; greatest depth of B., 1:50 (Ridgw.). Range.—* Formerly the coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, from Massachusetts and Ireland northward nearly to the Arctic Circle” (A. O. U.). Now extinct. Egg, pyriform-ovate, pale olive buffy, variously marked with brown and black, 4:67 x 2°91 (Ridgw.). The Great Auk was flightless. Like other birds of this family, it frequented certain localities in large numbers each year to breed. Early voyagers and fishermen visited its nesting grounds, killing the helpless birds in enormous numbers for their flesh, feathers, and oil. The result was extinction, and no living Great, Auk has been observed since 1842. About seventy specimens are known to be preserved in collections. (See Lucas, Rep. Smith. Inst., 1891, pp. 688-641.) 34. Alle alle (Zinn.). Dovexir; Sra Dove. Ad. in summer—tvUpper parts, wings, and tail sooty black; sides and front of the neck and upper breast somewhat browner; secondaries tipped and scapulars streaked with white; lower breast and belly white. Ad. in winter and /m.—Similar to the above, but throat whiter or washed with dusky, and sometimes a gray collar on the nape. L., 8:00; W., 450; Tar., 70; B., -50. Range.— Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and eastern Arctic Oceans” (A. 0.U.). Breeds from latitude 69° northward ; in winter migrates southward, rarely to Long Island and New Jersey ; accidental in Pennsylva- nia and Virginia. Long Island, irregular W. V. Sing Sing, A. V. Nest, on the ledges and in the crevices of rocky cliffs. yg, one, pale bluish white, 1°85 x 1:27. “ On the approach of a vessel this bird has a peculiar way of splash- ing along the surface of the water, as if unable to fly, and then diving through the crest of an advancing wave; it swims rather deep and very much ‘by the stern.’ . . .” (Saunders). “Its wings are small, but they are moved almost as rapidly as a Hummingbird’s, and propel the bird through the air with great rapid- ity. This bird is an expert diver too, and, though awkward on land, swims with ease and grace. . . .” (Chamberlain). JAEGERS AND SKUAS. 65 YRDER LONGIPENNES. LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS. FAMILY STERCORARIIDA,. JAEGERS AND SKUAS. Two of the six known members of this family are found in the antarctic regions, while the remaining four inhabit the northern parts of the northern hemisphere. Except during the nesting season, the Jaegers are as a rule pelagic, though they sometimes visit large bodies of water inland. They generally obtain their food by robbing Gulls and Terns, and have been well named the Hawks of the sea. Their greater power of flight enables them to successfully pursue these birds and force them to disgorge their recently captured prey. KEY TO THE SPECIES, A. Bill over 1:35; tarsus over 1°70; middle tail-feathers never pointed. a. Bill over 1:90 ieee Gap tna hep ote SiG MS toe . . . . 85. Skva. b. Billunder190. . . . aie 36. PomaninE JAEGER. BZ. Bill under 1:35; tarsus under 1° 70; ‘middle tail-feathers generally pointed. a. Sealy shield on the bill longer than the distance from its end to the tip ofthe bill. . . . . » 8% Parasitic JAEGER. 6, Scaly shield on the pill her be than ine distance from its end to the tip ofthe bill . . 1... - ee es . . 688, Lone-TaILeD JAEGER. 35. Megalestris skua (Briinn.). Sxua. Ad.—Upper parts, tail, and wings dark, dirty brown; shafts of the wing and tail-feathers white, except at the tip; outer wing-feathers with inner vanes white at the base ; under parts somewhat lighter; neck more or less streaked with whitish. Jm.— Similar to adult, but more distinctly streaked with yellowish, especially on the head and neck.” L., 22°00; W., 15-91; Tar., 2°63; B., 2°06 (Ridgw.). Range. Coast and islands of the North Atlantic, chiefly northward. South to Spain and Massachusetts. Apparently rare off the coast of North America” (A. O. U.). Long Island, A. V., one record. Nest, on rocky cliffs. Eggs, two, pale olive-brown or greenish gray spot- ted with chocolate, 2°80 x 1:90. 36. Stercorarius pomarinus (Zemm.). Pomarine Jarcer. Ad., light phase.—Very similar in color to corresponding phase of 9. parasiticus, but with the upper parts darker, nearly black. Ad., dark phase and Im— Similar in color to corresponding stages of S. parasiticus. L., 22:00; W., 13°50; T., Ad., 8:00, Im., 5-40; Tar., 2:00; B., 1-55. Remarks.—This species is to be distinguished from the two following by its larger size and the rounded ends of its central tail-feathers. Range. Resident during the summer in high northern latitudes, chiefly within the Arctic Circle, and extending from Siberia in eastern Asia entirely around the zone” (B., B., and R.). Migrates southward along the Atlantic 6 66 JAEGERS AND SKUAS. coast, and more rarely through the Great Lakes, and winters from Long Island southward. Long Island, regular from June 15 to Oct. 80. Sing Sing, A. V. Nest, on the ground. Zggs, two to three, deep olive-drab sparingly spot- ted with slate color, and light and dark raw-umber markings and black dots, chiefly at the larger end, where they become confluent, 2°25 x 1-70 (Brewer). 87. Stercorarius parasiticus (Zinn.). Parasitic JAEGER (see vig. 6,4). Ad., ight phase—Back, wings, and tail slaty fuscous; top of the head and lores nearly black; sides of the head and back of the neck straw- yellow, this color sometimes spreading down the sides of the neck and on the throat; breast and belly white; sides of the breast, flanks, lower belly, and crissum slaty fuscous; tarsi and feet (in dried specimens) black; middle tail-feathers pointed and extending about 3:00 beyond the others. Ad., dark phase.—Entire plumage dark, slaty brown, darker on the top of the head; _under parts slightly lighter; sometimes a trace of straw-yellow on the sides and back of the neck; tarsi, feet, and tail as in the preceding. Jm., light phase.—Upper parts, wings, and tail fuscous; the feathers of the back, neck, and head more or less bordered, tipped, or barred with buffy; hind-neck and head sometimes buffy, streaked or barred with fuscous, and varying from this color to plain fuscous; longer, lateral upper tail-coverts barred with buffy ; tail butty, whitish at the base; under wing-coverts barred with buffy ; under parts white, washed with buffy, and irregularly barred with sooty fuscous; these bars sometimes very numerous when the under parts looked as if washed with sooty fuscous; again, they may be less numerous and con- fined to the breast and sides, leaving the belly white; central tail-feathers pointed, projecting more or less beyond the rest. Jm., dark phase-—Sooty fus- cous, the feathers, particularly on the under parts, more or less marked with ochraceous-buff. L., 17:00; W., 18-00: T., Ad., 8:60, Im., 6-40; B., 1:15. Remarks.—This species closely resembles 8. ongicaudus. Adults of’ both species, whether in the dark or light phase of plumage, may always be dis- tinguished from each other by the difference in the length of their central tail-feathers, in addition to the characters given in the key. Young birds can not be distinguished by color, but may be identificd by the differences in relative proportions of the bill. Range.— Northern parts of the northern hemisphere, southward in win- ter to South Africa and South America” (A. O. U.). In America breeds in the Barren Grounds and Greenland ; migrates southward through the Great Lakes and along the Atlantic coasts,and winters from the Middle States southward. Long Island, regular from June 15 to Oct. 80. Vest, on the moors or tundras, a slight depression in the ground scantily lined with grasses, etc., or on rocks by the sea. Eggs, two to four, light olive- brown, with frequently a strong greenish tinge and chocolate markings, more numerous and sometimes confluent at the larger end, 2:25 x 1:65. 88. Stercorarius longicaudus Vicill. Lone-ramep Jarcer. Ad., light phase.—Back, wings, and tail slaty fuscous; top of head and lores nearly black; sides of the head, back and sides of the neck straw-yellow; GULLS. 67 throat sometimes washed with the same color; under parts white; sides, lower belly, and crissum slaty fuscous; central tail-feathers extending about 7-00 beyond the others, the projecting ends narrow and pointed. (No dark phase of this species has been described.) Jm.—Similar in plumage to im. of S. parasiticus, but differing otherwise as pointed out under that species. L., 21:00; W., 12°50; T., Ad., 12°00, Im., 5°50; B., 1-08. Range—Northern part of the northern hemisphere; in America nests in Greenland and quite abundantly “along the Anderson, in the ‘ Barrens, and also on the arctic coast” (Macfarlane); migrates southward along the coasts, and rarely through the Great Lakes, to the Gulf of Mexico and West Indies. Nest, a slight depression in the ground, sometimes scantily lined with grasses. Eggs, two to three, similar in color to those of the preceding, 2°10 x 1:50. Famity Larip&. GULLS AND TERNS. This family contains about one hundred species divided equally between the subfamily Larine (Gulls) and subfamily Sternine (Terns). They are distributed throughout the world. Some forty species in- habit North America. With few exceptions they agree in possessing the marked characters of their respective subfamilies, under which they may be more conveniently treated. Subfamily Larine. Gulls. Generally speaking, Gulls are maritime and pelagic, though some species are found inland. As compared with Terns, Gulls are less graceful and active on the wing. In flight the bill points forward in the plane of the body, not downward toward the earth, as in the Terns. They procure their food largely by picking it from the surface of the water or land with their strongly hooked bills, not by plunging or darting, as do the Terns. Some of the speciés are true birds of prey, and feed on small mammals and the eggs and young of other birds. Gulls are better swimmers than Terns, and pass much time resting on the water. They nest in colonies, generally on the ground, sometimes on rocky ledges, and rarely in trees. KEY TO THE SPECIES, I, Wing over 15:00. A, Back dark slaty black. . . . « . . 4%. Buack-BACKED GULL. B. Back pearl-gray. a. Outer primaries marked with black. ' 51a. Am. Herrine Guuy. 51. Herrine Gott. b. No black on primaries. 61, Bill under 2°00. 62, Primaries mae weaibe saps gradually into white at their tips - ... . . « 48. IcELAND GULL. 68 GULLS. 3, Primaries pearl-gray, tipped with white, and with well-defined gray spaces on the outer webs of the two outer primaries and on both webs of the third and fourth primaries. 45. Kumuren’s Guu. oa, Billover200 ... + . « 42 Giaucous GuLL, ¢. Back grayish, whitish, or besidh, or naegttledl or spotted with gray- ish or brownish. uw. Tail black or blackish, with or without irregular white markings. a, Wing over 17°50; depth of bill at nostril over 70. 47. Buack-BackEeD GuLt (Im.). a, Wing under 17°50; depth of bill at nostril under -70. 5la. Am. Herrine Guit (Im.). 51. Herrine Gort (Im.). 6. Tail white or whitish or grayish brown, with or without black markings. 61. Billunder 2:00 . . iy ay . . 48. IcELanp Gut (Im.). o2, Billover 200... . . . . . . .42 Guavcous Guu (Im). Il. Wing under 15-00. 1. Tail pure white. A, Head and throat slaty black. a. Outer primary black or mostly black. a}, Outer primary entirely black . . .-. 58, Lavenine Gotz. a, Inner half of inner webs of first primary white. Poy 62. Sasrnez’s Gut. 6. Outer primary mostly white. 1, Tip of first primary white . . . . . 59. FRANKLIN’s Gott. 02. Tip of first primary black . . . 60. Bonararte’s Guuu, B. Head white, sometimes washed with anes a. Wings white .... - + . . 89. Ivory GuLL. 6. Primaries with more or oe black, 61, Wing over 11:00. 02, Hind toe very small, without a nail . . . 40. Kirrwaxe. 68. Hind toe normal, with anail. . . 54, Rine-Bittep Guut. e. Wing under 1100... . . . . 2... 61. Ross's Guu. 2. Tail marked with black. A. Wing over 13-25. a, Primaries mostly white . . . , . . 89. Ivory Gort (Im.). 6. Primaries black or mostly black . Bd, Rirademen Gut (Im.). B. Wing under 18°25. a. Hind toe very small, without a nail . . . 40. Kirrrwaxe (Im.). ‘6. Hind toe normal, with a nail. 1. Tarsus 1:50 orover . . . . . . 58, Lavanine Gui (Im.). él, Tarsus under 1:50. <2, Secondaries pearl color, tail square. 60. Bonaparre’s Guz (Im.). . Secondaries mostly white, tail rounded. 61. Ross’s Guz (Im.). 39. Gavia alba (Gunn.). Ivory Guit. Ad.—Entire plumage pure white; bill yellow, feet black. Jm.—Similar to ad., but the wing and tail GULLS, 69 feathers, and sometimes the wing-coverts, with a black spot at their tips. L., 17-00; W., 18°25; T., 5:50; B., 1:35. Range— Arctic seas, south in winter on the Atlantic coast of North America to Labrador and Newfoundland, casually to New Brunswick, and on the Pacific side to Bering Sea” (A. O. U.). Long Island, A. V., one record. Nest, of grass, moss, and feathers on rocky cliffs. Zygs, light yellowish olive, marked with small blotches of brown and larger cloudings of lilac, 2°45 x 1:70 (Brewer). “The Ivory Gulls appear to spend most of the time amid the pack- ice, often at a long distance from land” (Chamberlain). Fig. 60.—First primaries of adult Gulls, seen from below: (a) Am. Herring Gull; (b) Ring-billed Gull ; (c) Laughing Gull ; (d) Franklin’s Gull; (e) Bona- parte’s Gull. v 40. Rissa tridactyla (Linn.). Kirrrwaxs. Ad. in summer—Head, neck, tail, and under parts pure white; back and wings pearl-gray ; outer web of first primary and 38°00 of the ends of first and second primaries black ; 40 GULLS. third to fifth primaries black at the ends and with white tips; hind toe very small, a mere knob without a nail ; bill yellowish, feet black. Ad. in winter. —Similar to above, but the top of the head and back of the neck washed with pearl-gray, and a dark spot about the eye. J/m.—Similar to winter adults, but with the back of the neck, lesser wing-coverts, and part of the tertials black ; tail, except outer pair of feathers, with a black band at its tip; four outer primaries black, except the inner half or more of their inner webs; fifth and sixth tipped with black and white; bill black, feet yellowish. L., 16-00; W., 12:00; T., 4:50; B., 1:30. HKemarks.—This species can always be distinguished by the small size of the hind toe. Range.—Northern parts of the northern hemisphere; in America, breed- ing commonly from the Magdalen Islands northward, and wintering as far south as the Great Lakes in the interior, and, on the coast, commonly to Long Island, and rarely to Virginia. Long Island, common T. V., a few winter, Nov. to Mch. West, of grass, moss, and seaweed on the ledges of rocky cliffs. Zygs, three to four, varying from shades of buffy to grayish brown, distinctly and obscurely marked with chocolate, 2°25 x 1°60. “Our bird differs but little in its habits from other oceanic Gulls, Feeding chiefly on fish, but accepting any diet that drifts within range of its keen sight; drinking salt water in preference to fresh; breasting a gale with ease and grace—soaring in midair, skimming close above the crested waves, or swooping into the trough for a coveted morsel; resting upon the rolling billows, and sleeping serenely as they roll, with head tucked snugly under a wing; wandering in loose flocks, and making comrades of other wanderers; devoted to mate and young, and attached to all its kin—wherever seen or however employed, the Kittiwake is revealed as a typical gleaner of the sea. “The name is derived from the bird’s singular cry, which resembles the syllables Aitti-aa, kitti-aa” (Chamberlain). 42. Larus glaucus Brinn. Guiavcous Guti; Burcomasrer. Ad. in summer.—Back and wings pale pearl-gray ; primaries lightly tinted with pearl, inner half of their inner webs and tips fading gradually into white; rest of the plumage pure white. Ad. in winter.—Similar to the above, but with the head and neck lightly streaked with grayish. Jm.—Upper parts varying from ashy gray to white, the feathers widely barred, mottled, or streaked with buffy or ashy gray; primaries varying from pale smoky gray to pure white; tail ashy or brownish gray; under parts varying from dirty whitish to ashy gray, generally darker on the belly, sometimes mottled with buffy or grayish. (Birds of the second year are said to be pure white.) L., 28:00; W., 17°10; B., 285; depth of B. at projection on the lower mandible, “75 to 1:00; Tar., 2°60. Range.—Northern parts of the northern hemisphere; in North America breeding commonly from southern Labrador northward and migrating south- ward to the Great Lakes and Long Island. GULLS. val Long Island, irregular W. V. Vest, of grasses, moss, etc.,on the ground. Zygs, two to three, varying from pale olive-brown to grayish white, spotted or speckled with shades of chocolate, 3°10 x 2°20. Mr. Chamberlain remarks that this species combines “ with some gull-like traits many of the coarse characteristics of both Falcon and Vulture.” “Some observers have reported that flocks are at times very noisy, particularly when settling for the night; but those I have met with in winter have been rather silent. Their cry is harsh and at times very loud; it sounds something like the syllables kuk-lak. Ihave seen it written cut-leek,” 43. Larus leucopterus Futer. Icrranp Guiz. Resembles the preceding species in color, but generally is much smaller; specimens occur, however, which appear to be intermediate. W., 15°-40-16°50; B., 165-1-90; depth of B. at projection on the lower mandible, ‘60-70; Tar., 2:05-2-20 (B., B., aud B.). : Range.—Arctic regions; in North America migrates south in winter, rarely to Long Island. Long Island, A. V. in winter. Nest, of grasses, moss, etc.,on the ground. £ygs, clay-color with numerous chocolate markings, 2°79 x 1:89. “The flight of the Iceland Gull, its feeding habits. and its manners generally, suggest a close affinity to the Herring Gull rather than to the Burgomaster” (Chamberlain). 45. Larus kumlieni Zrewst. Kumurmn’s Guz. Very similar in gen- eral color to the two preceding species, but differs from them in the color of the primaries. These, instead of being uniformly pure white or but lightly tinted with gray, are marked with sharply defined spaces of ashy gray. The first primary is tipped with white and marked with ashy gray on the outer web and shaft part of the inner web; the second primary is ashy gray on only part of the outer web; the third and fourth primaries have smaller white tips aud are marked with ashy gray near their ends on both webs. W., 15°50- 17:00; B., 1:65-1:88; depth of B. at projection on the lower mandible, ‘60-66 ; Tar., 2:10-2:35 (Brewster). Range.—North Atlantic coast of North America; south in winter to Massachusetts. West, on “ the shélving rocks of high cliffs.” “Mr. Kumlien found this bird breeding in considerable numbers near the head of Cumberland Gulf,” but, owing to the difficulty of distinguishing immature specimens from those of ZL. lewcopterus, its status on our coast in winter is not clearly determined. 4%. Larus marinus Zinn. Great Buack-BackeD GULL; SADDLE- Back. Ad. in summer.—Back and wings slaty black; wing-feathers tipped "9 GULLS. with white; rest of plumage white; tail sometimes mottled with dusky. Ad. in winter.—Similar to the above, but with the head and neck streaked with grayish. /m—Head and nape whitish, streaked with grayish; back and wings, except primaries, brownish, the feathers margined and irregularly marked with pale buffy ; primaries dark brownish black, the inner ones with small white tips; tail mottled with black and white; under parts whitish, more or less streaked or barred with grayish. L., sch W., 18°50; T., 8:00; B., 2°50. Range.—North Atlantic; breeds in North America from the Bay of Fundy northward; migrates southward in winter regularly to the Great Lakes and Virginia, and less frequently to South Carolina. Long Island, common W. V., Sept. to Apl. West, of grasses, seaweed, etc., on the ground. gs, two to three, clay- color, brownish ashy or buffy, rather evenly spotted with chocolate, 3:00 x 2°15. A more northern species than the Herring Gull. Mr. Brewster, who observed it in numbers in the island of Anticosti in July, writes: “ The Black-backs are exceedingly noisy birds, especially when their young are in danger, as well as toward evening. . . . I identified four distinct cries: a braying ha-ha-ha, a deep keow, keow, a short barking note, and a long-drawn groan, very loud and decidedly impressive... . At all times of the year, during the breeding season as well as in win- ter, it is by far the wariest bird that I have ever met.” The Srpzrian Guii (60. Larus afinis)—a large Gull inhabiting north- ern Asia—is sometimes found in Greenland. 5la. Larus argentatus smithsonianus Coues. American Her- RING GuLL. Ad. in summer.—Back and wings deep pearl-gray ; first primary tipped with white, then crossed by a small black mark, then a much larger white one; this is followed by a black space; the black runs down the outer web of the feather to near its base and the shaft part of the inner web nearly as far, leaving the inner two thirds of the web below the black mark white (Fig. 60, a); the second primary is similar, but the second white mark is a round spot on the inner web and the black occupies a greater space near the tip, but does not continue so far down on the feather; the third to sixth primaries are tipped with white, which is succeeded by a gradually dimin- ishing black band which extends farther down on the outer web of the feather than on the inner; the rest of the plumage is pure white. Ad. in winter.— Similar to the above, but with the head and neck streaked or spotted with grayish. Jm.—Upper parts ashy fuscous; head and nape more or less streaked with pale buffy; back and wings margined or irregularly marked with the sume color; primaries brownish black; tail the same, sometimes tipped or margined with buffy; under parts ashy fuscous, sometimes lightly barred or streaked. L., 24:00; W., 17:50; T., 7°50; B., 2°30. Range. North America generally, breeding on the Atlantic coast from Maine northward” (A. 0. U.). In the interior breeds from Minnesota north- ward ; winters from Nova Scotia to Cuba. GULLS, "3 Washington, common W. V., Uct.to Mch. Long Island, abundant W. V., Sept. to May, a few in summer. Sing Sing, common T. V., Sept. 21 to May 9; common W. V. when river is open. Cambridge, abundant W. V., Nov. to Apl. Nest, of grusses, moss, seaweed, etc., on the ground, but, where the birds have been persistently robbed, it is more compactly built and placed in trees, sometimes fifty feet or more from the ground. Zygs, two to three, grayish olive-brown, rarely Witish, spotted, blotched, and scrawled with distinct and obscure chocolate markings, 2°85 x 1-90. This species is by far the most abundant winter Gull along the coasts of the Middle and Southern States. Unlike the more pelagic species, it frequents our rivers and harbors, feeding about piers and wharves, and near the cities showing comparatively little fear of man. Sometimes one may see them “bedded” in flocks on the water, where they alight to rest. It is generally this species which follows in the wake of our coastwise vessels, sailing astern, when the wind is from ahead, without the slightest perceptible movement of the wings. (For an interesting life-history of the Herring Gull see Mackay, Auk, ix, 1892, pp. 221-228.) , The Evrorean Herrine Guz (51. Larus argentatus) differs from our species in being slightly smaller and in having the two white spaces at the tip of the first primary joined, the black spot, therefore, being broken or entirely absent. It is of rare occurrence on the Atlantic coast of North America. 54. Larus delawarensis Ord. Rine-sirtep Gui. Ad. in sum- mer.—Back and wings pearl-gray ; first primary black, with a white spot near the tip, the base of the inner half of the inner web pearl-gray (Fig. 60, 5); second primary black, the basal half of the inner web pearl-gray; on the third to sixth primaries the black decreases rapidly, and each one is tipped with white; rest of the plumage pure white; bill greenish yellow with a black band in front of the nostril. Ad. in winter—Similar to the above, but the head and nape streaked with grayish. Jm.—Upper parts varying from ashy fuscous, the feathers margined with whitish, to pearl-gray, the feathers more or less mottled, spotted, or, on the head and neck, streaked with ashy fus- cous; outer primaries black, tail varying from pearl-gray, more or less mottled with blackish, to white, and crossed near the end by a wide band of black ; basal half of the bill yellowish, end black. L., 18:50; W., 14:00; T., 6:00; B., 1°60. Range.—North America, more common in the interior; breeds from southern Minnesota and Newfoundland northward ; winters from Long Island to Cuba and Mexico. ? Washington, very common T. V., Feb. to Apl. 5; Oct. to Nov.; rare in winter. Long Island, common W. V., Aug. to Apl. Sing Sing, casual T. V. West, of grasses, etc., on the ground. Zyqe, two to three, clay-color, buffy, or whitish, rather evenly spotted with chocolate, 2'30 x 1:65. n4 GULLS. The coast-inhabiting individuals of this species resemble the Her- ring Gull in habits, and are not easily identifiable from that species unless the two be seen together, when the smaller size of the Ring-bill is noticeable. In the interior, where the species is locally common, it feeds on insects, which it catches both on the ground and in the air, The Mew Gutu (56. Larus canus)—a European spéties—has been found once in Labrador. 58. Larus atricilla Zinn. Lavenine Guit; Bracn-yEApED GuL1. (See Fig. 6,3.) Ad. in summer.—Back and wings dark pearl-gray ; primaries black, the inner ones with small white tips (Fig. 60, ¢); whole head and throat deep slate-color; rest of the plumage, including the nape, pure white, the breast sometimes suffused by a delicate peach-blossom tint; bill dark red- dish, brighter at the tip. Ad. in winter—Resembles the above, but has the head and throat white, the crown and sides of the head and sometimes the nape spotted or streaked with grayish. /m.—Upper parts light ashy fuscous, the feathers margined with whitish ; primaries black; forehead and under parts white, sometimes washed in places with dusky; tail dark pearl-gray, broadly tipped with black. L., 16°50; W., 12:50; T., 4:90; B., 1°65. Range.—Breeds from Texas and Florida to Maine; rare in the interior; winters from South Carolina to northern South America. Washington, irregular in fall. Long Island, rare 8. R., irregular T. V., Apl. to Sept. Nest, of grasses, seaweed, etc., on the ground in grassy marshes. Lge, three to five, varying from grayish olive-brown to greenish gray, spotted, blotched, and scrawled with chocolate, 215 x 1-55. “From the hoarse clatter of the Terns one could distinguish its long-drawn, clear note on a high key, sounding not unlike the more excited call-note of the Domestic Goose; and every now and then it would give its prolonged, weird laughter, which has given rise to its common name. To one who has heard it, it might be imitated by the syllables hah-ha-ha-ha-ha, hah-hah-hah, all of which are uttered on a high, clear tone, the last three or four syllables, and especially the last one, being drawn out with peculiar and prolonged effect, the whole sounding like the odd and excited laughter of an Indian squaw, and giving marked propriety to the name of the bird” (Langille). 59. Larus franklini Sw. and Rich. Franxiin’s Gui. Ad. in sum- mer.— Whole head and throat sooty black, nape, sides of the neck, and under parts, except throat, white, generally suffused (in fresh specimens) with an exquisite peach-blossom tint; tail white; back and wings pearl-gray ; tirst primary white, the outer web black, except at the tip, the shaft part of the inner web grayish on the basal half (Fig. 60, @); second primary white, with a black mark on the inner web and a black stripe on the outer web near the tip, the rest of the outer web and shaft part of the inner web pearl-gray ; third GULLS. %5 to sixth primaries tipped with white, then banded with gradually diminishing bars of black, which are succeeded by a whitish space, while the rest of the feather is pearl-gray ; bill dark coral-red. Ad. in winter.‘ Similar, but head and neck white, the occiput, with orbital and auricular regions, grayish dusky ; bill and feet dusky, the former tipped with orange reddish.” Young, jirst plumage.—* Top and sides of the head (except forehead and lores), back and scapulars grayish brown, the longer scapulars bordered terminally with pale grayish buff; wing%overts bluish gray tinged with grayish brown; seconda- ries dusky, edged with pale grayish blue and broadly tipped with white; pri- maries dusky, the inner more plumbeous, all broadly tipped with white. Central portion of the rump uniform light bluish gray ; lateral and posterior portions of the rump, upper tail-coverts, entire lower parts, forehead, lores, and eyelids white. Bill brownish, dusky terminally ; feet brown (in skin).” W., 11:25; B., 1:30; depth through nostrils, -35; Tar., 1-60 (B., B., and R.). ange. Breeds from southern Minnesota and Dakota northward ; win- ters in the Southern States, and migrates principally west of the Mississippi River” (Cooke and Merriam). Not found on the Atlantic coast. Nest, of grasses, etc., in reedy or bush-grown marshes. gs, one to three, varying. from dark chocolate to creamy brown and sooty white, irregularly marked with smal] spots or large blotches of umber, and with obsolete lilac shell markings, 2°12 x 1:40 (Preston). This inland species reaches our western limits. An excellent ac- count of its habits, by J. W. Preston, will be found in the Ornitholo- gist and Odlogist, xi, pp. 54, 55. 60. Larus philadelphia (Ord). Bonararts’s Guu. Ad. in summer. —Whole head and throat dark, sooty slate-color; nape and sides of the neck, under parts, except throat, and tail white; back and wings pearl-gray ; first primary, seen from above, white, the outer web and tip black (Fig. 60, ¢); second and third primaries white, tipped with black; third to sixth primaries with small whitish tips, then large black spaces, the rest of the feather white or pearl-gray ; bill black. Ad. in winter._Similar to the preceding, but head and throat white, the back and sides of the head washed with grayish. Jm. —Top of the head and nape and a spot on the auriculars more or less washed with grayish ; back varying from brownish gray to pearl-gray ; lesser wing- coverts grayish brown, secondaries mostly pearl-gray ; first primary with the outer web, tip, and most of the shaft part of the inner web black; inner mar- gin of the inner web at the end of the feather narrowly bordered with black ; second and third primaries much the same, but with slightly more black at the ends; tail white, banded with black and narrowly tipped with white; : under parts white. L., 14-00; W., 10°80; T., 4°00; B., 1°15. fange.—Breeds from Manitoba northward; apparently no record of its breeding on the Atlantic coast; winters southward to the Gulf of Mexico. Washington, common T. V., Mch. to May 5; Oct.and Nov. Long Island, common T. V., a few winter, Oct. to Apl. Sing Sing, rather rare T. V., Apl. and Oct. Nest, of sticks lined with grasses, ete., on stumps, in bushes or trees four "6 TERNS. to twenty feet from the ground. Zggs, three to four, grayish olive with a greenish tint and small clove-brown spots, chiefly about the larger end, 1-97 x 1-40 (B., B., and R.). “The flight is easy and graceful, each stroke of the long, pointed wings throwing the body up a little, while the bird peers this way and that in quest of its small prey. If it fly toward one, the white front of its wings, added to its white breast and neck, gives it the appear- ance of a white bird with a black head. It often has a noticeable way of turning partly around or cutting backward as it drops in securing some object detected on or near the surface of the water, thus making it appear decidedly lithe and agile on the wing” (Langille). The Lirrte Guit (60-1. Larus minutus), a European species, has been taken only once in America—on Long Island, in September, 1887 (Dutcher, Auk, v, 1888, p. 171). Ross’s GuLu (61. Rhodostethia rosea), an arctic species, is known from Point Barrow, Alaska; Melville Peninsula; England, Faroes, and Heligoland ; but has been found in numbers only at the first-mentioned locality. (See Murdoch, Rep. of the Exp. to Point Barrow, p. 123.) 62. Xema sabinii (Sad.). Sazine’s Guit. Ad. in summer.—Whole head and throat slate-color, bordered posteriorly by black; back and sides of the neck, under parts, except throat, and slightly forked tail pure white; back and wings dark pearl-gray ; secondaries tipped with white ; first primary black, the inner half of the inner web, except at the end, white; second to fourth primaries similar, but tipped with white; bill black, the end yellow. Ad. in winter— Similar to the summer plumage, but the head and neck white, except occiput, nape, and auricular region, which are dull, dusky plumbeous” (B., B., and R.). /m.—Forehead and lores white, rest of the upper parts ashy brown, the feathers slightly tipped with whitish ; tail white, broadly tipped with blackish; under parts white. L., 1400; W., 10:50; T., 4:50; B., 95. Range.—Arctic regions, in winter migrating only a short distance south- ward and rarely reaching the United States, Long Island, A. V., one record. Nest, of grasses, etc.,on the ground. Eggs, two to five, deep olive (vary- ing in intensity, however), rather indistinctly spotted or blotched with brown, 1:78 x 1:26 (Ridgw.). This boreal species is of rare occurrence in the northern United States in the winter. Subfamily Sternine. Terns, Terns are littoral ; never, I believe, pelagic. They inhabit the shores of bodies of both fresh and salt water, but are more abundant on the seacoast than in the interior. Their principal characters, as compared with the Gulls, are mentioned under the subfamily Zaring. Their ss TERNS. "7 power of flight has deservedly won for them the name of Sea Swal- lows. They capture their prey of small fish by plunging into the water, frequently disappearing and swimming a few feet beneath the surface. They nest in colonies. The nest is usually on the ground. Generally it is simply a slight depression in the sand, shells, or pebbles of a beach, or in the near-by seaweed, moss, or grasses. Sometimes it is scantily lined with bits of grass, seaweed, moss, etc., but these are frequently wanting. * KEY TO THE SPECIES, I. Wing under 13:00. 1. Entire top of the head jet-black. A. Bill black, or mostly black. u. Feet black or blackish. a1, Under parts black or blackish . . . . . . 77, Buacx Tern. a?, Under parts white; bill black . . . . 63. GuLL-BILLep TERN. a8. Under parts white; bill black, broadly tipped with yellow. 67. Cagpor’s TERN. 6, Feet yellowish or orange. bt. Outer tail-feathers pure white; outer web of first primary black. 72, Roseate TERN. 22, Inner web of outer tail-feather gray; outer web of first primary gray 2. we eee ee ee ee es 669, Forster's Tern. B. Bill mostly or entirely yellowish, reddish, brownish, or orange. a. Under parts tinged with grayish; outer web of outer tail-feather gray; inner web white. a1. Bill broadly tipped with blackish ; tarsus generally over -70. 70. Common TERN. a?. Bill without a distinct black tip; tarsus generally under °70. 71. Arctic TERN. b. Under parts pure white; inner web of outer tail-feather gray ; outer web white. . . .. soe. ee . . . 69. ForsTer’s TERN. 2. Forehead white; lores black; crown jet-black. A. Wing under 8:00; back pearl-gray. . . . . . . 74, Least TERN. B. Wing over 8:00; back grayish brown or blackish. a. Back grayish brown; a white stripe from the forehead over the eye. 76. BripLep TERN. 6. Back blackish ; white of forehead not reaching over the eye. 75. Soory TERN. 8. Forehead or crown white or grayish, sometimes speckled with black; lores not entirely black. A, Wing pearl-gray, over 9:00. uw. Outer tail-feather entirely pure white. a, Bill over 1°75, tipped with yellowish . . . 67. Capor’s Tern. a? Bill under 1-75, without a yellow tip -. 72. Roszare Tern (Im.). b. Outer tail-feather not pure white. ®t, Inner web of outer tail-feather darker than outer web; outer web 18 TERNS. mostly or entirely white; a black space generally on the side of the head inclosing the eye . 69. Forsrer’s TERN (Im.). 22. Outer web of outer tail-feather darker than inner web; tarsus over‘70 . . 70. Common ‘ent (Im.). b8, Outer web of outer ail: eather darker than inner web; tarsus under ‘70 . . Pod os & aS 71. ARcTIO Tenw (Im.). B. Wing blackish, over 1 9: 00. a. Under parts blackish. . . . b. Under parts white... . . 76. Briptep Tzrn (Im.). 4. Crown silvery gray ; lores black ; rest of plumage sooty . 79. Noppy. Cc. Wing under 9:00 . a 77. Buack TERN (Im.), II. Wing over 13-00. A. Wing 15-00 or over; outer primary mostly gray. 64. Caspian TERN. B. Wing under 15:00; inner half of inner web of first primary white. 65. Royau TERN. 75. Soory TERN (Im.). cuentas eee Fic. 61.—First primaries of adult Terns, seen from below. (a) Caspian Tern ; (b) Royal Tern ; (c) Common Tern ; (d) Arctic Tern; (e) Roseate Tern. 638. Gelochelidon nilotica Zassclg. Guit-s1n1zup Tern; Marsu Tern. Ad. in summer.—Top of the head and nape black; back and wings pale pearl-gray ; outer web of outer primaries silvery; tip and shaft part of the inner web darker; inner part of the inner web, except for a narrow mare TERNS. ve!) gin at the end of the feather, white; tail white, slightly forked, the middle feathers grayish; under parts white; bill and feet black, the former rather short and stout. dd. in winter—Similar to the above, but top of the head white, auriculars grayish, and a space in front of the eye blackish. L., 14°50; W., 12:00; T., 5°50; B., 1:40; depth of B. at base, -50. Range.—Cosmopolitan ; in North America breeds along the Gulf coast from Mexico to Florida, and on the Atlantic coast north to Virginia, straying northward rarely to Maine. Washington, casual. Long Island, A. V. in summer. ggs, three to tive, rather uniform buffy white, with numerous distinct and obscure chocolate markings, 1:80 x 1:30. This is a common species on the coast of our Southern States. It is said to prefer insects, which it catches on the wing, to fish. Its voice is harsh and easily distinguishable from that of other Terns, while its heavy black bill will also serve to identify it. 64. Sterna tschegrava Lepech. Caspian Turn. Ad. in spring. —Top and back of the head shining black, the feathers lengthened to form a crest; back of the neck, under parts, and tail white; back and wings pearl- gray; primaries dark slaty, silvery on the outer web (Fig. 61, a); bill coral- red, darker near the tip; feet black. Ad. after the breeding season and in winter—Similar to the above, but top of the head streaked with black. Jm. —Top of head streaked with black and white; back of neck and under parts white; back, wing-coverts, and tertials pearl-gray, spotted or barred with brownish black; primaries dark slaty, silvery on the outer web; tail pearl- gray, more or less barred with brownish black; bill orange-red; feet black- ish brown. L., 21:00; W., 16°20; T., 6-00; B., 2°80. Range.—A cosmopolitan species of irregular distribution ; in North Amer- ica, breeds locally from Texas to Great Slave Lake; migrates through the in- terior and on the coast, and apparently does not winter within our limits. Long Island, uncommon T.. V., Aug. and Sept. Eggs, two to three, grayish white or buffy white, with rather small, dis- tinct, and obscure chocolate markings, 2°70 x 1:83. This large Tern of local distribution is to be known by its size and red bill. Unless the two were seen together, however, I do not believe it could with certainty be distinguished in life from the Royal Tern. 65. Sterna maxima Bodd. Royat Tern. Ad. in spring—Top and back of the head shining black, the feathers lengthened to form a crest; back of the neck, under parts, and tail white; back and wings pearl-gray ; inner web of primaries, except at the tip, white; tip, outer web, and shaft part of inner web dark, silvery slate-color (Fig. 61, 6). Ad. after the breeding season and in winter.—Similar to the above, but top of the head streaked with black and white. Jm.—Resembling the young of S. tschegrava, but smaller and with the inner half of the inner web of the primaries white. L., 19:00; W., 14:00; T., 7-00; B., 2°50. Range.—Breeding in North America along the Gulf coast from Texas to 80 TERNS. Florida, and on the Atlantic coast to Virginia; occasionally wanders north- ward to the Great Lakes and Massachusetts. Long Island, A. V. in summer. Eggs, one to four, more pointed than those of the preceding, grayish white, with rather small, distinct, and obscure chocolate markings, 2°65 x 1°75. A common species on our southern coasts. During the winter it is about the only Tern one sees in Florida waters. It is a strong, active bird on the wing, and a reckless, dashing diver, frequently dis- appearing beneath the surface in catching its prey. The slow-flying Pelicans are at its mercy, and it often deftly robs them of their well- earned gains. Both this species and the preceding, and indeed all the Terns, are to be known from the Gulls by the very different manner in which they hold their bills. A Tern points its bill directly downward, and looks, as Coues says, like a big mosquito, while a Gull’s bill points for- ward in the plane of its body. 67. Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida (Cabot). Cazsor’s Trrn; Sanpwicu Tern. Ad. in spring—Whole top of the head and crest black: back and wings light pearl-gray; primaries silvery gray; the shaft part of the inner web white except at the tip; rest of the plumage white; feet and bill black, the latter with a conspicuous yellowish tip. Ad. after the breeding season and in winter—Similar to the above, but crown white, sometimes spotted with black; back of the head and crest more or less streaked with white. Jm.—Similar to the preceding, but back spotted with blackish; tail slaty gray and much shorter; bill slightly if at all tipped with yellow. L., 16:00; W., 10°50; T., 5°50; B., 2:05. fange.—Tropical America, breeding on the Gulf coast from Texas to Florida, and on the Atlantic coast to South Carolina; accidental in Massa- chusetts. Fags, two to three, buffy white, spotted, speckled, and scrawled with dis- tinct and obscure chocolate markings, 2°05 x 1:40, This is an abundant summer resident on the coasts of southern Florida, and in winter is common as far north as Key West. It is said by Audubon to somewhat resemble the Marsh Tern on the wing, and to have a loud, sharp, grating voice, which can be heard half a mile or more. I have never seen it alive, but I believe its yellow-tipped, black bill would enable one to identify it at some dis- tance. Trupeav’s Tern (68. Sterna trudeaut) is a South American species which has been taken once on Long Island and once on the New Jersey coast. 69. Sterna forsteri Vutt. Forster's Tern. Ad. in summer— Whole top of the head black; back and wings pear!-gray ; inner border of inner web of the outer primaries white, except at the tip; rump and entire TERNS, 81 under parts white ; tail light pearl-gray, the outer feather darker toward the end, where the inner web is always darker than the outer ; bill dull orange, the end third blackish; feet orange. Ad. in winter. —Bimilar to the above, but head white, more or less washed with grayish or spotted with black, a large black spot on the side of the head inclosing the eye; bill mostly black ; feet brownish. m.—Similar to the preceding, but the back and wings more or less mottled or washed with light brownish, and the tail much shorter. L., 15°00; W., 10°25; T., 7-00; Tar., 90; B., 1°50. ange.—Of more or less general distribution throughout North America, breeding in the east locally from Texas northward through the Mississippi Valley to St. Clair Flats and Manitoba—recorded trom Lake Mistassini—ap- parently not breeding on the Atlantic coast north of Virginia, but wandering irregularly to Massachusetts. Washington, rare and irregular I. V. Long Island, rare T. V. in fall. Nest, of seaweed, flags, or weeds on a slight elevation in grassy marshes. 4ggs, three, very variable, olive-gray, or olive brownish ashy, more rarely whitish or butf, heavily marked with chocolate, 1:80 x 1:30. Dr. Brewer, writing of Mr. Ridgway’s experience with this species on Cobb's Island, Virginia, where it was found breeding in numbers, says: “It was only less abundant than the Anglica [= nilotica], and quite as numerous as the Adrundo, frequenting especially grassy marshes, in which it nests. He found it pre-eminently a marsh Tern. It nested in company with, or in close proximity to, colonies of the Black-headed Gull. It could be readily distinguished from the Com- mon Tern, which it closely resembles when on the wing, by its grating monotonous note, which very closely resembles one frequently uttered by the Loggerhead Shrike” (B. B., and R.). 70. Sterna hirundo Linn. Common Tern; Wizson’s Tern; Sza Swa.tow (see Fig. 7). Ad. in summer—W hole top of the head black; back and wings pearl-gray; inner border of inner web of outer primaries white, except at the tip (Fig. 61, c); throat white; breast and belly pale pearl-gray ; tail white, the outer webs of the outer feathers gray or pearl-gray ; bill red at the base, the end third black ; feet orange-red. Ad. in winter—Similar to the above, but front part of the head and under parts white: bill mostly black. Jm.—Similar to the preceding, but the back more or less washed or mottled with light brownish; lesser wing-coverts slaty gray, and tail much shorter. L., 15:00; W., 10°25; T., 5°50; Tar., ‘75; B., 1°40. Lemarks.—The Common Tern is closely related to Forster’s Tern and also to the Arctic Tern. From the former it is to be distinguished by the color of the long outer tail-feathers. In the Common Tern the outer web of these feathers is always darker than the inner web; in Forster’s Tern the inner web is always darker than the outer one. Adult Common Terns have the breast and belly washed with pearl-gray, while in Forster’s Tern these parts are pure white. The Common Tern differs from the Arctic Tern in having the bill tipped q 82 TERNS. with black instead of being entirely red; in having longer tarsi, and in the color of the primaries. Range.—* Greater part of the northern hemisphere and Africa; in North America chiefly confined to the eastern province” (A. Q. U.). Breeds locally both on the coast and in the interior from the Gulf States to the Barren Grounds and Greenland. Washington, irregular T. V., sometimes common. Long Island, common 8. R., May through Sept. Sing Sing, casual in late summer. Cambridge, casual in Sept. ; Fags, three to four, not distinguishable with certainty from those ot the preceding, but averaging paler and greener, and less heavily marked, 1:60 x 1°20. It is five years since I visited the breeding grounds of the colony of Common Terns on Gull Island, L. I., but I can close my eyes and still feel the air vibrate with the harsh, half-threatening, half-pleading chorus of nearly two thousand excited voices. There is a dull, heavy, hopeless monotone, broken only by the scream of some half-maddened bird who fearlessly darts downward to protect its nest at my feet. A shot is fired; there is a moment of awe-struck silence, then, with re- newed violence, the screaming is resumed. Pandemonium reigns: tearr, terrrr, swish / the air is full of darting, diving, crying Terns. It was useless to attempt to secrete myself. At no time during my stay ‘did the outcry cease or hovering flock disperse. This little, barren, uninhabited, sandy island—only a few acres in extent—and Muskeget Island, off the Massachusetts coast, are the only localities, from New Jersey to Maine, where the once abundant Common Tern, or Sea Swallow, can be found in any numbers, What an illus- tration of the results of man’s greed and woman’s thoughtlessness ! The fickle fashion which indorsed the poor Tern’s spotless plumage has long since found new favorites, and the sadly mangled pearl-gray feathers have gone to graves in the ash-heap. Now it is the Egret’s turn, Even the protection afforded by an insular home was not sufficient. Feather hunters, egg robbers, and self-styled odlogists came in boats to drive the Sea Swallows from their last resort; but the law inter- fered, and both Gull and Muskeget Islands now have a paid keeper whose duty it is to protect the Terns, 71. Sterna paradisma Briinn. Arctic Tern.—Very similar in color to the Common Tern, from which it differs in having less gray on the shaft part of the inner web of the outer primaries (Fig. 61,d@) ; in having the tail somewhat longer, the tarsi and bill shorter, while the latter, in the adult, is generally without a black tip. L., 15°50; W., 10°25; T., 7:50; Tar, 65; B., 1:30. Range.— Northern hemisphere ; in North America, breeding from Massa- TERNS. 83 chusetts to the arctic regions, and wintering southward to Virginia and Cali- fornia” (A. O. U.). Long Island, rare in summer. £9qs, three to four, not distinguishable with certainty from those of the preceding, 1°62 x 1°15. Comparing the notes of this bird with those of the Common Tern, Mr. Brewster writes: “Their notes are similar, but several of them can be distinguished. The usual cry of S. macrura [= paradisea] cor- responds to the tearr of S. hirundo, but is shriller, ending in a rising inflection, and sounding very like the squeal of a pig. The bird also has a short, harsh note similar to that of Forster’s Tern. At any dis- tance within fair gun-range I could usually separate it from Wilson’s [= Common] Tern by its longer tail, and by the uniform and deeper color of the bill. In flight and habits the two seemed to me identical ” (Birds Observed on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., xxii, 1883, p. 402). 72. Sterna dougalli Montag. Rosrarz Tern. Ad. in summer— Top of head black; back and wings pearl-gray; outer web of outer pri- maries and shaft part of the inner web slaty black (Fig. 61, e); under parts white, generally delicately tinted with pinkish; tail pure white; bill black, the base reddish; feet red. Ad. in winter.—Similar to the above, but front of the head white, more or less streaked or spotted with black; under parts pure white. Jm., first plumage. Pileum and nape pale buffy grayish, tinely mottled or sprinkled with darker, and streaked, especially on the crown, with dusky ; orbital and auricular regions dusky blackish ; remainder of the head, extreme lower part of the nape, and entire lower parts white, the nape, and sometimes the breast, finely mottled with butty gray; back, scapulars, wing- coverts, rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail pale pearl-blue, the back and seapu- lars overlaid with pale buff irregularly mottled with dusky, each feather with a submarginal dusky V-shaped mark; primary coverts and primaries dark bluish-gray edged with paler, the inner webs of the latter broadly edged with white; tail-feathers marked near their ends much like the longer scapulars, their outer webs rather dark grayish; bill brownish dusky ; feet dusky.” L., 15°50; W., 9°50; T., 7:50; B., 1:50 (B., B., and R.). Range.—Temperate and tropical regions ; in America apparently confined to the Atlantic coast, breeding from Florida northward to Maine; compara- tively rare north of southern New Jersey ; winters south of the United States, Long Island, uncommon but regular 8S. R., May through Sept. £@qs, three, not distinguishable with certainty from those of S. forstert or S. hirundo, but averaging paler and less heavily marked, 1°65 x 1-20. This species is found associated with colonies of Common Terns, apparently making its nest among theirs. It is a less excitable. wilder bird than Airundo, and. its single harsh note, cack, may be distinctly heard above the uproar of Common Terns, as it hovers somewhat in 84 TERNS, the background. Its white breast and long outer tail-feathers also aid in distinguishing it. 74. Sterna antillarum (Zess.). Least Tern. Ad. in summer.— Forehead white, Jores and crown black; back, tail, and wings pearl-gray ; outer web of outer primaries and shaft part of the inner web slaty black; under parts white; bill yellow, generally tipped with black; feet orange. Ad. in winter.—Top of head white, more or less spotted with black ; back of head black; bill blackish. Jm.—Upper parts and tail at the end mottled with blackish and buffy, primaries as in the adult, under parts white, bill blackish. L., 9:00; W., 6°90; T., 850; B., 1-10. Range.—Northern South America northward to California, Dakota, and Massachusetts, rarely to Labrador; breeds locally throughout its range, and winters south of the United States. Washington, casual T. V. Long Island, rare in summer. Eggs, three to four, buffy white, speckled or spotted with chocolate, 1:25 x °90. This, the smallest of our Terns, resembles its congeners in habits, though it is said to add insects to its usual fare of fish. Its voice is described as “a sharp squeak, much like the cry of a very young pig following its mother.” 75. Sterna fuliginosa @mel. Soorr Trrn. dAd.—Forchead and a line reaching to the eye white, lores and rest of the head black; nape, back, and wings brownish black, nearly as dark as the head; outer tail-feathers white, brownish on the end half of the inner web; rest of tail-feathers of the same color as the back; under parts white; bill and feet black. Jm., first plumage.—Sooty slate-color; linings of the wings and under tail-coverts whitish ; wing-éoverts, scapulars, upper tail-coverts, and tail-feathers more or less tipped with white. L., 17:00: W., 11°50; T., 7°25; B., 1°75. eange.—Tropical and subtropical regions; in North America breeds rarely as far north as North Carolina; occasionally wanders northward to Maine; winters south of the United States. Long Island, A. V. in summer. £ggs, one to three, whitish or buff, speckled or spotted with chocolate, 2°00 x 1:45. A regular summer visitant to our southern coasts and occasionally wandering northward. It breeds in colonies in little-frequented islands in the West Indies, and may be seen fishing in flocks, which hover low over the water. The Brivtep Tern (76. Sterna anethetus), a tropical species, has been taken once in Florida, but may prove to be a regular summer visitant to some of the Florida ‘keys. 77. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (@mel.). Buack Trrn. Ad. in summer.—Whole head and under parts, except under tail-coverts, black; back, wings, and tail slate-color; bill and feet black. Ad. in winter. SKIMMERS, 85 —Forehead, nape, and under parts white: back of the head black mixed with white; back, wings, and tail deep pearl-gray. Jm.—Similar to the pre- ceding, but upper parts more or less washed and tipped with brownish ; sides washed with grayish. L., 10-00; W., 8:30; T., 3:30; B., 1:00. ange.—Temperate and tropical America; breeds in the interior from Kansas and Illinois to Alaska; not known to breed on the Atlantic coast, where it is found from Prince Edward’s Island southward as an irregular migrant, occurring at times in considerable numbers. Washington, irregular T. V., Sept. Long Island, irregular T. V. in vary- ing numbers, Aug. and Sept. Sing Sing, A. V., Sept. West, of reeds, grasses, ete., rather closely woven, in grassy marshes or vegetation floating in a slough. Zygs, two to three, grayish olive-brown, rarely whitish, heavily spottéd and blotched with chocolate markings, fre- quently confluent about the larger end, 1:35 x -98. This is an abundant species at favorable localities in the interior. “Tt seems not to subsist on fish at all, but chiefly on dragon flies and various aquatic insects. It finds both its home and its food in the marshes usually, but its powers of flight are so great that it may also be seen far out on the dry open plains, scouring the country for food at a distance of miles from its nesting ground... . “The bird may frequently be seen dashing about in a zigzag man- ner so swiftly, the eye can offer no-explanation of its motive until, on the resumption of its ordinary flight, a large dragon fly is seen hang- ing from its bill. . . .” (Thompson). The Warre-wincep Brack Tern (78. Hydrochelidon leucoptera), an Old World species, has been taken once in Wisconsin, and is recorded as “seen” on a lake near Winnipeg. "9. Anous stolidus (Zinn.). Nopvpy. Ad.—Top of the head silvery whitish, lores black; rest of the plumage dark sooty brown; tail rounded, the central tail-feathers longest. Jm—Similar, but the top of the head is like the rest of the plumage and the silvery whitish appears as a line from the bill to above the eye. L., 15:00; W., 10-25; T., 5:90; B., 1-70. Range.— Tropical and subtropical regions; in America, from Brazil and Chili north to the Gulf and South Atlantic States” (A. O. U.). Nest, of sticks, grasses, etc., on a mangrove bush, in a tree, sometimes on the beach or in crevices of rocks. Zgg, pale butfy white, sparingly marked with rufous, 2°05 x 1:35. This is a summer visitant to our South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and nests on some of the Florida keys. FamMILy RyNCHOPID. SKIMMERS. The three closely allied species constituting this small but distinct family are found in the warmer parts of the earth. Only one species 86 ALBATROSSES, : inhabits the western hemisphere. Skimmers are unique both in the form of the bill and in their manner of feeding. Opening the mouth, the bladelike lower mandible is dropped just beneath the surface of the water; then, flying rapidly, they may be said to literally “ plow the main” in search of their food of small aquatic animals. 80. Rynchops nigra Linn. Brack Sximer; Scissor-Bitu (see Fig. 8). .4d.—Forehead, sides of the head, under parts, and tips of the sec- ondaries white; upper parts and wings black ; outer tail-feathers white, inner ones more or less brownish. L., 18:00; W., 14°50; T., 4°75; B., 2°60. Range.—Coasts of the warmer parts of America, breeding regularly as far north as southern New Jersey, and, after the breeding season, occasionally wandering northward as far as the Bay of Fundy. Washington, A. V. Long Island, occasional in summer. Nest, a slight depression in the sand or shells of a beach. gs, three to four, white or buffy white, heavily blotched with chocolate, 1:80 x 1°35. A not uncommon species on our southern coasts, resembling other members of this family in habits. ORDER TUBINARES. TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS. Famity DIOMEDEIDA. ALBATROSSES. The Albatrosses, numbering eight or ten species, are confined chiefly to the seas of the southern hemisphere. They are eminently pelagic birds, possessed of untiring powers of flight. Four species visit our Pacific coast, but on the Atlantic coast of North America Albatrosses are almost unknown, and there are but few records of their occurrence. The Wanperine ALBATROss (80'1. Diomedea exulans), the largest of all sea birds, with an expanse of wing which measures from twelve to fourteen feet, inhabits antarctic seas, but sometimes wanders northward, and is said to have been seen in Tampa Bay, Florida. The YELLow-NnosED ALBaTRoss (83. Thalassogeron culminatus) is also a southern species which is said to have been taken once in Quebec (Chamber- lain, Nuttall’s Manual, 2d ed., ii, p. 277). FAMILY PROCELLARIID@. SHEARWATERS AND PETRELS. The seventy known species of Petrels are distributed over the seas of the world. Some thirty species have been found in North America, of which seven occur regularly on our Atlantic coast. Like their large relatives, the Albatrosses, they are strictly pelagic, and visit the land only to nest. The strong, swift flight of Shearwaters, and the graceful movements of the smaller ‘“ Mother Carey’s Chickens,” are familiar sights to those who go “down to the sea in ships.” SHEARWATERS AND PETRELS, 87 , KEY TO THE SPECIES, I. Wing over 10°50. A. Under parts dusky . . soe ee. ws 94 Soory SHEARWATER, B. Under parts white. a. Bill under 1:50 soe ee ew 4.) . 6 98, Buack-cappep Petre. 6. Bill over 1:50. 1, Under tail-coverts white. . . . . . 88. Cory’s SuzARWATER. 62, Under tail-coverts grayish brown . . 89, GREATER SHEARWATER, II. Wing under 10-50. A. Wing over 7-25, a. Depth of bill at base over ‘50. . 86, Furman. 86a, Lesser Futmar. 6. Depth of bill at base under -50. 61. Upper parts bluish gray. ink - « . 99 Scarep Perret, ba, Upper parts sooty black . » 92 AuDUBoN’s SUEARWATER. B. Wing under 7:25. a. Upper tail-coverts more or less white. a, Tail forked foe ee ee ee we). 106, Leacu’s Perret. 6, Tail square. 62, Webs of fect marked with ae upper tail-coverts not tipped with black... - .« 109, Witson’s PETREL, 63, Webs of feet without Sella: tale meee tipped with black. 104. Srormy Perren, 6. Upper tail-coverts grayish or brownish. &1, Entire under parts brownish. . . « 101. BuLwer’s Perrer. 62, Breast grayish. . . . ’ 110. Wairs-BELLIED PETREL. 8. Entire under parts white. . . . . . 111. Winrn-racEp Perret. 86. Fulmarus glacialis (Zinn.). Furmar; Novpy (see Fig. 9, 5). Light phase—Head, neck, and under parts white or whitish ; back, wings, and tail slaty gray. Dark phase.—Entire plumage nearly uniform dark, slaty gray. L., 19:00; W., 18:04; B., 1:50; depth of B. at base, -75 (Ridgw.). Range.—North Atlantic ; south in winter on the American coast to Massa- chusetts ; accidental in northern New Jersey. Nest, on the ledges of rocky clifis. Zgg, one, dull white, 2°85 x 2-01. “The Fulmar is a constant attendant on whalers, sealers, ete.—who. know it as the ‘ Mollimoke ’—in order to obtain fatty substances and animal offal; but I never saw it take any while on the wing, and it always settles on the water to feed, like an Albatross. The pinions are often flapped slowly in an owl-like manner, but in scndding they are held very straight—a peculiarity by which it may easily be distin- guished from a Gull at a distance” (Saunders). 86a. F. g. minor Ajaerb. Lesser Furmar; Noppy. “Similar in color to F. glacialis, but much smaller. W., 1180-1200; B., 1:30-1:38; depth of B. at base, *60-"70.” Range.— North Atlantic, south on American side to coast of New Eng- land” (Ridgw.). 88 SHEARWATERS AND PETRELS. 88. Puffinus borealis Cory. Cory’s Snearwarer. .Ad.—Upper parts ashy fuscous, wings and tail darker; sides of head and neck slightly lighter; under parts white, sometimes washed with grayish on the breast; under wing-coverts and under tadl-coverts white, the latter more or less mot- tled with grayish ; bill yellowish. L., 21:00; W., 14-00; Tar., 2:20; B., 2°10. Range.—Known as yet only off the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Long Island. Long Island, uncommon from Aug. to Oct. Nest and eygs unknown. Cory’s Shearwater has been found as a not uncommon summer visitant off the coast of Massachusetts, but its range is unknown, 89. Puffinus major Faber. Greater SuEaRwaTeR; Hacpon. -Ad. —Upper parts fuscous, wings and tail slightly darker; longer upper tail- coverts tipped with whitish ; under parts white; belly more or less ashy gray ; under tail-coverts ashy gray ; bill blackish. L., 20:00; W., 12°25; Tar., 2:20; B., 1:85. Range.— Atlantic Ocean, south to Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope” (A. O. U.); north to Greenland. Long Island, uncommon in summer. Vest and eggs unknown. “The long, narrow wings are set stiffly at right angles with the body, and the bird frequently glides half a mile at a time without moving them perceptibly. It usually follows a direct course, and in- variably skims close over the waves. I know of no other sea bird whose movements are as easy and graceful. Indeed, at times, espe- cially during a gale, its evolutions will compare in grace and spirit with those of the Mississippi or Swallow-tailed Kites” (Brewster). Mayx’s Surarwater (90. Pufinus oufinus) resembles the next in color, but is larger. W., 8:50-9:25 ; B., 1:35-1:40 ; depth of B. through base, -40--45 ; Tar., 1:70-1:80” (B., B., and R.). 1t is a European species of exceedingly rare or accidental occurrence on the North Atlantic coast. 92. Puffinus auduboni /insch. Avupvuson’s Suearwater. Ad.—- Upper parts, wings, and tail dark, sooty, brownish black ; under parts white ; sides of the breast grayish ; a patch on the flanks and under tail-coverts sooty brownish black ; inner side of tarsi yellowish, outer brownish ; bill blackish. L., 12:00; W., 8:00; Tar., 1:60; B., 1:20. Range.—W armer parts of the Atlantic, north rarely to Long Island ; breeds in the Antilles and Bahamas, but not, so far as known, on our coasts. Long Island, A. V., one record. West, of a few bits of sticks in u hole in the rocks. Zyg, one, chalky white, 2°05 x 1:40. An. abundant West Indian species which breeds in the Bahamas ind Antilles, and is doubtless not uncommon off our southern coasts. SHEARWATERS AND PETRELS. 89 Its flight, low over the water, is strong and swift, five or six rapid wing-beats being followed by a short sail. 94. Puffinus stricklandi Midgw. Sooty SnuearwaTer; Brack Hacvon. Ad.—Upper purts, wings, and tail dark, sooty, brownish black ; under parts somewhat grayer; bill blackish. L., 17-00; W., 12:00; Tar., 210: B., 1°65. dtange.—As far as known, North Atlantic; south on the American coast to South Carolina. Long Island, uncommon in summer. Vest and eggs unknown, “Tts flight and habits seem to be identical with those of major, but its uniform dark coloring gives it a very different appearance. At a distance it looks as black as a Crow” (Brewster). The Biack-capreD PETREL (98. .dstrelata hasitata) is a southern species, which has been found on Long Island, in Florida, West Virginia, and Ver- mont. It bears a general resemblance to Puginus major, but is much smaller and has the upper and under tail-coverts white. The Soatep Perret (99. distrelata scalaris) is known from one individual which had wandered to western New York. Its true home Has not been dis- covered, but is doubtless in the Antarctic Ocean. Boiwer’s Perret (101. Bulweria bulweri) inhabits the eastern Atlantic Ocean, including the coasts of Europe and Africa, and is of accidental occur- rence in Greenland. 104. Procellaria pelagica Linn. Srormy Pzrrer. Ad.—Upper parts, wings, and tail sooty black ; under parts slightly browner; upper tail- coverts white, the longer ones broadly tipped with black ; under tail-coverts mixed with whitish; bill and feet black. L., 550; W., 4°80; T., 2°50; B., -45. Range.— Atlantic Ocean, south on the American side to the Newfound- land Banks, west coast of Africa and coast of Europe” (A. O. U.). Nest, of a few bits of sticks and grasses in a burrow in the ground or be- neath a rock. Zyg, one, dull white, sometimes with » wreath of minute or obscure markings at the larger end, 1:10 x °80. This is the common Stormy Petrel of the east side of the Atlantic. It nests in numbers on the small islands along the coast of Great Britain, but is only a transient visitant in our waters. It resembles the two following species in habits. 106. Oceanodroma leucorhoa ( Viei/l.). Leacn’s Prtrer. Ad. —Upper parts, wings, and tail sooty brown; under parts slightly browner; wing-coverts grayish brown; longer upper tail-coverts white, shorter ones mixed with sooty brownish ; tai forked, outer feathers more than ‘50 longer than middle pair; bill and feet black. L., 8:00; W., 6:20; T., 3:50; B., -62. Range.— North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans; south on the coast of the United States to Virginia and California; breeds from Maine and the Hebrides northward on the coasts of the Atlantic” (A. O. U.). 90 SHEARWATERS AND PETRELS. Washington, A. V., several records. Long Island, uncommon T. V., May and June. Cambridge, A. V., one instance, Oct. Nest, of a few bits of sticks and grasses in a burrow in the ground, or be- neath arock. Zygg, one, creamy white, sometimes with a wreath of minute or obscure markings at the larger end, 1°34 x 100. “This is a bird of the northern hemisphere, being as common on the Pacific Ocean as on the Atlantic. Its chief breeding station on our shores is among the islands at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy; but the open ocean is the bird’s true home. “Leach’s Petrels are seldom seen about their nesting site during the,day, though in the evening they assemble there; and when flut- tering through the twilight or under the moon’s guidance they have the appearance of a foraging squad of bats, though the birds’ wild, plaintive notes betray their race. ‘The Petrels are not strictly noc- *turnal, however, for while one of a pair sits close on the nest all day— and this one has been generally the male, in my experience—the mate is out at sea, “When handled, these birds emit from mouth and nostrils a small quantity of oil-like fluid of a reddish color and pungent, musklike odor. The air at the nesting site is strongly impregnated with this odor, and it guides a searcher to the nest ” (Chamberlain). 109. Oceanites oceanicus (Auhl). Witson’s Perret, .4d.—Up- per parts, wings, and tail sooty black; under parts somewhat lighter; under tail-coverts mixed with whitish, longer upper tail-coverts white, shorter ones marked with sooty black; wing-coverts grayish, margined with whitish ; bill and feet black, the webs of the latter mostly yellow. L.,7:00; W., 590; T., 280; B., ‘50. Range.—Atlantic Ocean ; breeds in southern seas (Kerguelen Island) and migrates northward, spending the summer off our coasts. Washington, A. V., one record. Jong Island, common from May to Sept. Nest, in the crevices of rocks. Egg, one, white. It is generally known that some birds which nest in the northern parts of our continent, in the winter migrate as far south as Patago- nia; but comparatively few are aware that during the summer we receive several visitors from the southern parts of the southern hemi- sphere. They are all included in the family Procellariide, and Wil- son’s Petrel is doubtless the most common. It breeds in the islands of the South Atlantic in February, and after the cares of the breeding season are over migrates northward to pass its winter off our coasts. At this season its home is the sea, and its occurrence on land is gener- ally due to storms. For this reason, and because of its long migra- tion, it is the Petrel most frequently observed in western Atlantic waters during the summer. TROPIC BIRDS, 91 Under the name of “Stormy Petrel,” or “ Mother Carey’s Chicken,” they are familiar to most people who have made sea voyages. On tireless wing they follow in the track of a ship, coursing ceaselessly back and forth, now beneath the stern, now hovering over the foam- flecked wake, reminding one of white-rumped Martins in their easy, graceful flight. If food be thrown overboard, they are at once attracted to it, and soon are left far behind, a little group of black, fluttering forms on the surface of the ocean. The meal disposed of, a few rapid wing-beats bring them to us, and again they resume their patient beat- ing to and fro. The Wuire-sELuiep Perren (110. Cymodroma grallaria) is a tropical species which has been taken once in North America—at St. Marks, Florida. The Wurrs-racep Prrret (111. Pelagodroma marina) inhabits the South Atlantic and southern seas. It is of casual occurrence off the coast of Massa- chusetts. It may be distinguished from any of our small Petrels by its white under parts. ORDER STEGANOPODES. TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS. Famity PHAETHONTIDZ. TROPIC BIRDs. The three species composing this small but distinct family are found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are littoral rather than pelagic, but make long journeys across the open sea. Their flight when migrating is strong, rapid, and direct. In feeding, they course over the water, beating back and forth at a height of about forty feet. Their long, willowy tail-feathers add greatly to the grace and beauty of their appearance when on the wing. 112. Phaéthon flavirostris Brandt. Yx.tow-sittep Tropic Brrp (see Fig. 11). Ad—White; a mark before and through the eye; outer web of primaries, lesser wing-coverts, and tertials black ; flanks streaked with slate ; bill yellow; tail tinged with salmon, shafts of the feathers black. W., 10°75; T., 19°00; B., 2:00. Range.—Tropical coasts; Atlantic coasts of tropical America, West Indies, Bahamas, Bermudas ; casual in Florida and accidental in western New York and Nova Scotia. This species breeds abundantly in the limestone cliffs of the Ber- mudas, but is of rare and probably accidental occurrence on our coasts. The Rep-pintEp Tropio Birp (118. Phaéthon wethereus) resembles the preceding species, but has the bill red and the upper parts finely barred with black. Its range inthe Atlantic is more southern than that of the Yellow- billed Tropic Bird, and in eastern North America it.is accidental. The only record of its occurrence is off the Newfoundland Banks, 92 GANNETS. FaMILy SULID&. GANNETS. The Gannets number about eight species, of which one is northern while the remaiuing seven are distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical coasts of the world. They are strictly maritime, but, ex- cept when migrating, do not venture far from land. Their flight is strong and rapid, the vigorous strokes of the wing being interrupted at intervals by a short sail. They obtain their food of fish by plung- ing for it from the air. The northern species is migatory; the others are roving, but all return with regularity to their nesting places, gen- erally on some inaccessible islet, where, during the breeding season, they may be found associated in large numbers, 115. Sula sula (Linn). Boosy. (See Fig. 12.) 4d.—Breast and belly white, sometimes washed with grayish; rest of the plumage brownish fuscous ; head and neck sometimes streaked with grayish brown and white; bill and feet yellowish. Jm.—Entire plumage brownish fuscous, lighter be- low; bill blackish, feet yellow. L., 30:00; W., 15°50: T., 8:00; B., 3°80. Range.— Coasts of tropical and subtropical America, north to Georgia.” Long Island, A. V., one record. Vest, on the shore of a barren islet. Zggs, two, chalky white, 2°30 x 1°55. This inhabitant of barren shores and lonely islets is 1 summer visitant to the Florida keys. It is a strong flier, and when on the wing reminds one of both a Cormorant and a Gull. The Bivr-racep Boopy (114. Sula cyanops) is found in the “ South Pa- cific, West Indies, and northward to Florida,” but there are no recent records of its occurrence in the last-named locality. The Rep-rootep Boosy (116. Sula piscator) inhabits the coasts and islands of tropical and subtropical seas, north to western Mexico, and is said to occur in Florida, but, like S. cyanops, it is of accidental occurrence within our limits. 117. Sula bassana (Linn.). Ganner. Ad.— White, head and neck tinged with pale straw-yellow; primaries fuscous. Jm.—Throat and upper parts, including wing-coverts, dark grayish brown, each feather with a small white wedge-shaped spot; breast and belly white, margined with grayish brown. L., 35:00; W., 19:00; T., 9°50; B., 4-00. Range.— Coasts of the North Atlantic, south in winter to the Gulf of Mexico and Africa; breeds from Nova Scotia and the British Islands north- ward.” Long Island, T. V., May; Oct. and Nov.; a few winter. West, on rocky cliffs. yg, one, pale bluish white, overlaid by a chalky deposit, more or less soiled and stained, 3°20 x 1:90. “The birds are usually associated in small, straggling flocks, and with outstretched necks, and eyes ever on the lookout for fish, they fly at a height of from seventy-five to a hundred feet above the water, or DARTERS. 93 occasionally somewhat more, The height at which the Gannet flies above the water is proportioned to the depth at which the fish are swimming beneath, and Captain Collins tells me that when fish are swimming near the surface the Gannet flies very low and darts ob- liquely instead of vertically upon his prey. Should any finny game be seen within range, down goes the Gannet headlong, the nearly closed wings being used to guide the living arrow in its downward flight. Just above the surface the wings are firmly closed, and a small splash of spray shows where the winged fisher cleaves the water to transfix his prey. Disappearing for a few seconds, the bird reappears, rests for a moment on the water, long enough to swallow his catch, and then rises in pursuit of other game” (Lucas, Rep. U.S. Nat. Mus, 1891, p. 712). Famity ANHINGIDA. DARTERS. There are four species of Darters or Snakebirds, one each in Africa, southern Asia, Australia, and tropical and subtropical America. They are silent birds, generally living in pairs on bodies of fresh water with wooded shores. They select a perch over the water, and when alarmed sometimes drop into the element below and disappear beneath its sur- face, or fly upward to a considerable height and circle about like sail- ing Hawks. They swim well, and when approached too closely quietly sink backward, frequently leaving the long, thin neck and narrow, pointed head above the surface, when one at once observes the origin of the name “Snakebird.” They obtain their food by pursuing it under water, and their finely serrated bill assists them in retaining their hold upon it. 118. Anhinga anhinga (Linn.). Anninca; Svaxrstrp; WarTER Tursey. (See Fig. 18.) Ad. 6 in summer.—General plumage glossy black with greenish reflections; back of the head and neck with scattered grayish plumes; upper back with numerous elongated silvery white spots, which on the scapulars become streaks; lesser wing-coverts spotted like the back: ex- posed portion of median and greater coverts silvery gray; tail tipped with whitish, the outer webs of the middle pair of feathers with transverse flutings. Ad. & in winter—Similar, but without the grayish plumes on the head and neck. Ad. ¢.—Similar to 6, but with the whole head, neck, and breast brownish, darker above. /m.—Similar to 9, but with the black parts of the plumage brownish. L., 34:00; W., 13°50; T., 10-50; B., 3°25. Ranye.—tTropical and subtropical America; breeds as far north as south- ern Illinois and South Carolina; winters from the Gulf States southward. Nest, of sticks lined with moss, rootlets, etc., over the watcr in a bush or tree. Zygs, two to four, bluish white with a chalky deposit, 2°15 x 1:35. This singular bird is common in the Gulf States. It has the habits of other members of this small family. 94 CORMORANTS. FamMiILy PHALACROCORACID. CORMORANTS. Cormorants are found in all parts of the world. ‘en of the thirty known species inhabit North America. As a rule they are maritime, but they also frequent bodies of fresh water far from the seacoast. They are gregarious at all times of the year and breed in large colo- nies. Their flight is strong and ducklike, but, except when migrat- ing, is generally not far above the surface of the water. They secure their food of fish by pursuing it under water, their hooked bill assist- ing them in its capture. Unlike the Gannets, they do not dive from the air, but from the water or a low perch. 119. Phalacrocorax carbo (Linn.). Cormorant; Suac. (See Fig. 10.) Ad. in breeding plumage.—Region about the base of the lower man- dible white or whitish; head, upper neck, and throat glossy black, thickly sprinkled with white; rest of the neck, under parts, and rump glossy black ; a white patch on the flanks; upper back, scapulars, and wing-coverts light olive-brown, each feather bordered by glossy black; tail black, composed of fourteen. feathers. Ad. in winter.—Similar, but without white on the head. JIm.—Top of the head and hind neck brownish black ; upper back, scapulars, and wing-coverts grayish brown, the feathers bordered by blackish; rump glossy black; throat and breast grayish brown, changing to white on the belly ; sides and under tail-coverts glossy black. L., 86:00; W., 14:00; T., 7-00; B., 3-00. Range.— Coasts of the North Atlantic, south in winter on the coast of the United States casually to the Carolinas” (A. VU. U.). Breeds from the Bay of Fundy to northern Greenland. Long Island, regular T. V. in limited numbers. Nest, of sticks and seaweed, in colonies generally on the ledges of rocky cliffs. gs, four to six, pale bluish white, more or less overlaid with a chalky deposit, 2°50 x 1°50. This northern species is of uncommon occurrence on our coast south of its breeding range. 120. Phalacrocorax dilophus (Sw. and Rich.). Dovusin-crestep Cormorant. Ad. in breeding plumage.—Head, neck, rump, and under parts glossy black; upper back, scapulars, and wing-coverts light grayish brown, each feather margined with glossy black ; tail black, composed of twelve feath- ers ; a tuft of black feathers on either side of the head. Ad. in winter.— Similar, but without tufts on the head. Jm.—Top of the head and back of the neck blackish brown ; upper back, scapulars, and wing-coverts brownish gray, each feather margined with black; rump glossy black; sides of the head and fore neck grayish white, whiter on the breast and changing gradu- ally to black on the lower belly. L., 30:00; W., 12:50; 'T., 6:20; B., 2°30. ftange.—Eastern North America, breeding from Dakota, and the Bay of Fundy northward ; winters from southern Illinois and Virginia southward. Washington, casual, several records. Long Island, common T. Y., Apl. opeN . Baldpate. . Green-winged Teal. ’ Blue-winged Teal. Shoveler. Pintail. Soanra . Wood Duck. . Redhead. , Canvasback. Am. Scaup Duck. Am. Golden-eye. 11, Bufilehead. 12. Old Squaw. 13, Greenland Eider. 14, White-winged Scoter. 15, Ruddy Duck. PELICANS, 95 and May; Aug. to Nov. Sing Sing, A. V., June. Cambridge, casual, one instance, Sept. Nest, of sticks, seaweed, etc., on the ledges of clitts, low bushes, bushy treee, or on the ground. Zygs, two to four, similar in color to those of the preceding, 2°40 x 1:40. This is the common Cormorant of the middle Eastern States. We see it chiefly as migrant when in flocks of varying size it passes far overhead, or pauses to rest on our shores. In migrating the flock is formed in a long line, comparatively few birds deep. On the wing they bear a general resemblance to large Ducks. 120a. P. d. floridanus (4wd.). Frortpa Cormorant. Resembles the preceding species in color, but is smaller. W., 12°00; T., 5°50; B.,210:—— This is an abundant bird on the Florida coast and westward along the shores of the Gulf. Almost every buoy in the harbors of Florida is capped by a Cormorant. They are shy birds, but may easily be se- cured by placing traps on the buoys or snags, to which they regularly return to roost. The Mexican Cormorant (121. Phalacrocorax mexicanus)—a species found on the west Gulf coast and south ward—sometimes wanders up the Mis- sissippi as far as Illinois. Famity PELECANID&. PELICANS. The twelve known species of Pelicans are distributed throughout the warmer parts of the world. Three species are North American, of which two are exclusively maritime, while the third is found both on the coast and in the interior. Pelicans are gregarious and nest in large colonies. Their flight is strong but leisurely, six or seven wing- strokes being followed by a short sail, all the members of a flock flap- ping and sailing in unison. They feed on fish, for which some species plunge from the air, while others capture small fry with their scoop- like pouches while swimming. 125. Pelecanus erythrorhynchus Gmel. American WuirE Petican. Ad. in breeding plumage.—White, primaries black, whitish .at the base; an occipital crest and a horny prominence on the bill. Ad. in winter.—Similar, but without the crest or horny prominence. Jm.—Similar, but top of the head brownish gray. L., 60:00; W., 22°00; Tar., 4°50; B., 14:00. Range.—North America, now rare or accidental on the Atlantic coast ; breeds from southern Minnesota northward ; winters along the Gulf coast. Washington, casual, four records. Long Island, A. V. Nest, of small sticks, on the ground. Zggs, two to four, creamy or bluish white with a chalixy deposit, more or less stained, 3°45 x 2°50. 96 PELICANS. The White Pelican winters in numbers on the Gulf coast of Florida and westward, but rarely occurs on the Atlantic coast. Its snowy white plumage renders it conspicuous at a great distance, and a far- away Pelican on the water is sometimes mistaken for a distant sail. The White Pelican catches his food while swimming. A flock of Pelicans will sometimes surround a school of small fry and with beat- ing wings drive them toward the shore, all the time eagerly scooping the unfortunate fish into their great pouches. At the conclusion of a successful “drive” they go ashore or rest quietly on the water and devour their prey at leisure. They migrate by day—and perhaps by night also—flying at a great height, and sometimes pausing to sail in wide circles far up in the sky. 126. Pelecanus fuscus Zinn. Brown Peruican. Ad. in breed~ ing plumage.—Top of the head and a spot on the upper breast straw-yellow ; line down either side of the breast white ; hind head, neck, and a spot on the fore neck seal-brown; sides and back silvery gray bordered by brownish black ; scapulars, wing-coverts, secondaries, and tail silvery gray; primaries black ; under parts dark blackish brown narrowly streaked with white. Ad. after the breeding season.—Similar, but with the hind head and whole neck white, more or less tinged with straw-yellow. Jm.—Similar to the preceding, but the head and neck grayish and rest of the plumage duller. L., 50:00; W., 19°50; Tar., 2°65; B., 11:00. Range.—Atlantic coast of tropical and subtropical America; breeds abun- dantly along the Gulf coast and northward to South Carolina; occasionally strays to Illinois and Massachusetts. Long Island, A. V. Nest, of sticks, in mangrove bushes or on the ground. Zggs, two to five, similar in color to those of the preceding species, 3-00 x 1:95. Brown Pelicans are abundant residents on the Florida and Gulf coast. They are generally seen in flocks of four to eight birds flying one after the other. The leader beats time, as it were, and they all flap in unison for a certain number of wing-beats, then sail for a short distance, and then flap again. The coast line is their favorite high- way to and from their roosts or nesting grounds. They fly low over the water just outside the breakers, following the trough of the sea— now disappearing behind the advancing wall of water, now reappear- ing as the wave breaks on the shore. Unlike the White Pelican, this species secures his prey by diving. Singly, in pairs, or in small flocks, they beat back and forth, generally about twenty feet above the water, and when opportunity offers plunge downward with such force that the spray dashes high about them, and the resulting splash may be heard a half a mile. They sometimes catch fish twelve to fifteen inches in length, but as a rule feed on smaller ones, MAN-O'-WAR BIRDS. 97 Famity FREGATIDAZ, Man-o'-waR BIRDS. Man-o’-war Birds, or Frigate Birds, are found throughout inter- tropical seas. One of the two known species occurs in America. They are strictly maritime, and, while sometimes observed at great distances from the land, are met with in numbers only near the coasts. They have a greater expanse of wing in proportion to the weight of their body than any other bird, and in power of flight are unsurpassed. They rarely alight upon the water, but, facing the wind, pass hours resting motionless on outstretched wings, sometimes ascending to great heights and calmly soaring far above storms. It is when feed- ing that their marvelous aérial powers are displayed to the best advan- tage. By swift, indescribably graceful darts they secure fish which are near the surface or capture those which have leaped from the water to escape some enemy below. They also pursue Gulls and Terns, and, forcing them to disgorge their prey, catch itin midair. As a rule they are gregarious at all seasons, and nest and roost on bushes near the shore. 128. Fregata aquila (Zinn.). Man-o’-war Birp; Fricatz Brrp. (See Fig. 15.) Ad. 6.—Entire plumage black, more glossy above. 9 .—Simi- lar, but browner; lesser wing-coverts grayish brown; breast and upper belly white. Jm.—Similar to the ¢, but whole head and neck white. L., 40:00; W., 25:00; T., 17-00; B., 4°50. : Range.—Tropical and subtropical coasts generally ; in America north to Florida, Texas, and California, and casually to Kansas, Ohio, and Nova Scotia. Long Island, .A. V., one record. Nest, of sticks, in colonies, on bushes or rocks. gg, one, chalky white, 2°65 x 1°75. This species is not uncommon on the coasts of southern Florida, but does not, so far as I know, nest there. It resembles other mem- bers of the family in habits. ORDER ANSERES. LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS. Famity ANATIDZ. Ducks, GEESE, AND SWANS. The two hundred species included in this family are placed in the five subfamilies, Merginw or Mergansers, Anatine or River Ducks, Fuliguline or Sea Ducks, Anserine or Geese, and Cygnine or Swans. The characters given in the Key to Families should enable one to easily refer a specimen to its proper group. These subfamilies are so well defined that it seems advisable to treat of each one separately. 8 98 MERGANSERS, Aside from the general remarks at the head of each subfamily I can add little which will aid in the identification of the species in the field. Ducks are shy creatures, and familiarity with their habits is gained only by long experience. Subfamily Mergine. Mergansers. The Shelldrakes or Sawhbills are fish-eating Ducks. They pursue and capture their prey under water, and their serrate bills seem espe- cially adapted to this mode of feeding. The flesh of adult Sheldrakes is rank and fishy; but the Hooded Merganser is an excellent table Duck. KEY TO SPECIES. A, Bill under 1:75, wing 8-00 or under . . . 181. Hoopep MERGANSER. B. Bill over 1°75, wing over 8:00. a. Head and throat black. a, Breast and belly white, tinged with salmon. 129. Am. MerGanseER (6 ad.) a2, Breast brownish, thickly streaked and spotted with bla¢k. 180. Rep-preasteD MrERGANSER (6 ad.) b. Head and sides of the neck rich rufous-brown; distance from nostril to end of bill less than 150. . . . 129. Am. Mercanser (¢@ and im.) ec. Crown grayish brown, more or Jess washed with cinnamon-rufous; sides of the neck cinnamon-rufous; distance from nostril to end of bill over oO 4 x & 4% ‘ . 180, Rep-preastep MerGAnsEr (¢ and im.). 129. Merganser americanus (Cass.). AMERICAN MERGANSER ; GoosanvDER; SHELLDRAKE. (See Fig. 16.) Ad. 6.—Whole head and upper neck glossy greenish black; hind neck, secondaries, lesser wing-coverts, and ends of greater ones white; back black, rump and tail ashy gray; breast and belly white, delicately tinged with salmon. Ad. ¢ and Jm.—Chin and upper throat white; lower throat and entire top of the head rufous-brown; rest of upper parts and tail ashy gray; speculum* white; breast and belly white. L., 25°00; W., 10°50; Tar., 1:85; B. from N., 1:50." Range.—North America generally ; breeds from Minnesota and southern New Brunswick northward; winters from Kansas, Illinois, and Maine south- ward to South Carolina. Washington, rare W. V. Long Island, uncommon W. V., Nov. to Mcb. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V., Jan. 1 to Mch. 8. Cambridge, formerly common T. V., Oct. to Dec. Nest, of leaves, grasses, and moss, lined with down, in a hole in a tree or cliff. Ziggs, six to ten, creamy buff, 2°65 x 1-75. “This bird is fond of plunging beneath rushing currents for its food, and should it encounter a raft of floating rubbish or an ice-cake * A patch in the wing formed by the end half of the secondaries, which in Ducks are generally of a different color from the rest of the wing-feathers. MERGANSERS, 99 it will readily pass underneath it. It swims so deeply as to afford the gunner but a small mark, and dives so quickly at the snap or flash of his gun that he stands but a small chance of killing it. “On being surprised the Goosander may rise directly out of the water, but more commonly pats the surface with his feet for some yards and then rises to windward. A whole flock thus rising from some foaming current affords a spirited scene. Once on the wing, the flight is straight, strong, and rapid” (Langille). 130. Merganser serrator (Linn.). Rep-sreasteD MERGANSER; SuEeLtpRake. Ad. 6.—Whole head and throat black, more greenish above; a white ring around the neck; a broad cinnamon-rufous band with black streaks on the upper breast and sides of the lower neck; lesser wing-coverts, tips of greater ones, secondaries, breast, and belly white; rump and sides finely barred with black and white. Ad. 9 and Jm.—Top and back of head grayish brown washed with cinnamon-rufous; sides of the head and throat cinnamon-rufous, paler on the throat; rest of under parts white; back and tail ashy ely; speculum white. L., 22:00; W., 9:00; Tar., 1°70; B. from N,, 1:80. Remarks.—Adults of this and the preceding species may always be dis- tinguished by the color of the breast; females and young, by the differently colored heads, while the position of the nostril is always diagnostic. Range.—Northern parts of the northern hemisphere; in America breeds from northern Illinois and New Brunswick northward to the arctic regions; winters from near the southern limits of its breeding range southward to Cuba. Washington, uncommon W. V. Long Island, abundant T. V., Mch. 1 to May 1; Oct. 15 to Dec. 1, a few winter. Sing Sing, common T. V., Dee. to Apl. 30. Cambridge, casual, one instance, Oct. Nest, of leaves, grasses, mosses, etc., lined with down, on the ground near water, among rocks or scrubby bushes. Zggs, six to twelve, creamy buff, 2:55 x 1°75. This is a more common species than the preceding, which it resem- bles in habits. Its note is described as a “ croak.” 131. Lophodytes cucullatus (Zinn.). Hoopzp Mrrcanszr. Ad. 3. —Front part of large circular crest black ; remaining part white, bordered by black; rest of head, the neck, and back black; breast and belly white; sides cinnamon-rufous, finely barred with black. Ad. ¢.—Upper throat white ; head, neck, and upper breast grayish brown, more or less tinged with cinnamon, especially on the small crest; lower breast and belly white; sides grayish brown; back fuscous. Jm.—Similar, but with no crest. L., 17°50; W., 7°50; Tar., 1:10; B., 1:45. Range—North America generally, south in winter to Cuba and Mexico; breeds locally throughout its North American range. Washington, uncommon W.V. Long Island, uncommon T. V., rare W. V., Nov. to May. Sing Sing, rare T. V.,Mch. Cambridge, formerly common T, V., Oct. to Dec. 100 RIVER DUCKS. est, of grasses, leaves, moss, etc., lined with down, in a hollow tree or stump near water. Zggs, eight to ten, butfy white, 2:10 x 1°75. According to Ernest E. Thompson, both the preceding species fre- quent chiefly “living ” or running water, while this bird prefers “ dead” waters, or quiet ponds and lakes. In Florida it lives in small ponds in the hummocks, where one expects to find Wood Ducks, and feeds on roots, seeds, etc, It visits also the lakes frequented by Black:Ducks, Mallards, and other Anating. The male is a striking bird in life, and can not be mistaken for any other species. Subfamily Anatine. River and Pond Ducks, The Ducks of this subfamily are distinguished by the absence of a lobe on the hind toe. They are, for the most part, northern breeding birds, and appear on our waters chiefly as migrants. At this time they differ but little in habits, and as a rule frequent sluggish streams, shallow ponds, arms of bays, and marshes. In comparison with the deep-water Fudiguline they might be called “dabblers ” or tip-ups,” and any one who has seen them dabbling along the shore, or with up- turned tail and head immersed probing the bottom in shallow water, like a flock of animated tenpins, will recognize the appropriateness of these terms. They feed upon mollusks, crustaceans, insects and their larve, seeds and roots of aquatic plants. The “gutters” on the sides of the bill act as strainers, and, after probing the bottom, the mere act of closing the bill forces out the mud and water taken in with the food. As a rule, they feed more commonly by night than by day. They do not gather in such large flocks as the Sea Ducks, and in _our waters are generally found in groups of less than fifty. They spring from the water at a bound, and on whistling wing are soon beyond the fowler’s reach. Their speed is variously estimated for different species at a hundred to a hundred and sixty miles an hour. Doubtless the first-named distance is nearer the truth. Their nest is composed of twigs, rootlets, grasses, leaves, moss, feathers, etc., lined with down from the breast of the incubating bird. All our species, except the Wood Duck, place their nest on the ground, generally in grassy sloughs or marshes, but sometimes in dry places some distance from the water. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Wing under 8°50. a. Lesser wing-coverts gray. 189. GREEN-wiNGED TEAL, 188. Evrorean TEAL. 6, Lesser wing-coverts blue. 6, Cheeks slate-color, a broad white mark near the front of the face. 140. Bivg-wineEp Tra (¢ ad.) RIVER DUCKS, 101 $2, Cheeks and under parts chestnut-rufous. 141. Crvwamon Trax (é ad.). el, Cheeks finely streaked with blackish. c4, Under parts whitish, sometimes washed with brownish, streaked or spotted with blackish. . 2... . 140, BLuE-wineep Trax @. e*, Under parts heavily washed with chestnut-rufous and mottled with blak . 2... ee 1 ew ee «141. Crmnamon Tear ¢. 1 Wing over 8:50. A. Belly white or grayish white, not conspicuously streaked or spotted. a. Whole head shining dark green . - + « 182, Matuarp (6 ad.) 6, Center of head white or whitish, a large streak behind the eye. 137. Batppate (4 ad.). ce. Throat white, crown green or grayish green, tips of primaries greenish. 144, Woop Duox. d. Throat blackish, center of crown buffy, rest of head rufous. 136. WipGEon (6 ad.). e. Throat and sides of head olive-brown, darker on the crown. 143. Pinar (¢ ad.). J. Throat, crown, and sides of head more or less finely streaked with blackish. J‘. Wing-coverts with more or less chestnut . . . . 185. GapWaLt. g'. No chestnut in wing-coverts. g?. Axillars* and sides barred with black . . . . 143. Prvram 9. g®. Axillars white or speckled with black, sides plain brownish. 187. BauppateE @. g*. Axillars white, sides thickly spotted or barred with black. 135. GADWALL @. B. Under parts conspicuously mottled, spotted, or streaked, or feathers margined with chestnut-rufous. a. With white in wing-coverts. ai, Lesser wing-coverts ashy blue. . . . . . . 142, SHOVELER 9. 1, Lesser wing-coverts brownish gray, bordered with white or tipped with black. 02, Speculumt purple. . . . . . . . 2. . 18% Mattarp 9. 68, Speculum gray and white. . . . . . . . 185. Gapwatt 9. b, No white in wing-coverts. a. Throat fulvous or buffy without streaks. . . 134. Frormpa Duck. b. Throat finely streaked with black . . . . . 183. Buacx Dueck. C. Belly chestnut... 1 1. 1. we). 142, Suovenzr 6. 132. Anas boschas Linn. Mattarp (see Fig. 17, a). Ad. §.— Whole head and throat glossy greenish or bluish black; a white ring around the neck; breast rich chestnut; belly grayish white, finely marked with wavy black lines; uncler tail-coverts black ; upper back dark grayish brown ; rump and upper tail-coverts black; longer upper tail-coverts recurved ; speculum rich purple, bordered at the base and tip by narrow bands of black and white. Ad. ¢.—Top and sides of head streaked with fuscous and butfy ; back fuscous, * See Fig. 64. + A colored patch in the wing. 102 RIVER DUCKS. the feathers with internal rings or loops and sometimes borders of pale ochra- ceous butfy ; speculum as in the preceding ; breast and belly ochraceous butty, mottled with dusky grayish brown. L., 23°00; W., 11-00; Tar., 175; B., 2-25. Range.—Northern parts of the northern hemisphere; in America breeds in the interior from Indiana and Iowa, and on the Atlantic coast rarely south of Labrador, northward to the aretie regions; winters from southern Kansas and Delaware southward to Central America and the island of Granada. Washington, common W.V. Long Island, uncommon T. V., Sept. to ApL Sing Sing, rare T. V., Oct., Meh. £9gs, six to ten, pale greenish or bluish white, 2°30 x 1-70. The Mallard is far more common in the interior than on the coasts, Its loud, sonorous quack is not distinguishable from that of its domes- ticated descendants. 1338. Anas obscura Gel. Brack Drex; Drsxy Dres. Ad.— Top of the head rich fuscous, slightly streaked with pale buffy; sides of the head and throat pale buify, thickly streaked with blackish ; rest of under parts fuscous brown, the feathers all bordered by ochraceous-buit; back slightly darker and narrowly margined with butfy; speculum rich purple, bordered by black. L., 22:00; W., 11-00; Tar. 175; B., 2-20. Remarks.—Always to be distinguished from the Mallard by the lack of white in the wing. Range.—North America; breeds from Illinois and New Jersey to Hudson Bay and Labrador; winters southward to the Greater Antilles. Washington, common W. V. Long Island, abundant W. V., Sept. to May; afew breed. Sing Sing, tolerably common S. R., Mch. 6 to Nov. 18. Cam- bridge, very common T. V., Mch. and Apl; late Aug. to Nov.; a few breed. Eggs, eight to twelve, pale greenish or bluish white, or creamy buff, 2°43 x 1:75. This species resembles the Mallard in general habits, and the voices of the two are indistinguishable. The Black Duck, however, is com- moner near the seacoasts, and when molested will sometimes pass the day at sea, returning at night to feed in the marshes and ponds near the shore. 1384. Anas fulvigula Pidgw. Frorma Drer. .4d.—Top of head streaked with black and buffy; sides of the head and entire throat butty, without streaks » rest of under parts rich butfy ochraceous, widely streaked with black; back black, the feathers broadly margined and sometimes inter- nally striped with ochraceous-buff; speculum rich purple bordered by black ; bill olive-yellow, its nail black. L., 20:00; W., 10°50; Tar, 1°65; B., 2:05, Remarks.—Easily distinguished from 4. obscura by the absence of streaks on the throat. Range.—Florida and Gulf coast to Louisiana. £@gs, eight to ten, pale dull buff or pale grayish buff, 2-15 x 1-61 (Ridgw.). This is a common resident species in Florida. Its habits and voice are practically the same as those of the Black Duck. RIVER DUCKS, 103 135. Anas strepera Linn. GapwaLtL; Gray Duck. Ad. 8.— Top of the head streaked with rufous-brown and black ; sides of the head and neck pale butfy, thickly streaked or spotted with black; breast and neck all around black, each feather with a border and an internal ring of white, giving the plumage a beautifully scaled appearance; beMy white or grayish; rump, upper and under tail-coverts black; lesser wing-coverts chestnut. Ad. ¢.— Head and throat as in the male; back fuscous margined with buffy; breast and sides ochraceous butty, thickly spotted with blackish ; belly and under tail-coverts white, more or less thickly spotted with blackish ; little or no chestnut on wing-coverts ; speculum ashy gray ahd white; axillars and under wing-coverts pure white. L., 19°50; W., 10°40; Tar., 1:55; B., 1-70. Range—Northern hemisphere; in America, breeds in the interior locally from Kansas northward to the aretic regions ; known to breed on the Atlantic coast only at Anticosti; winters from Virginia to Florida and Texas, Washington, common W. V., Sept. to Apl. Long Island, A. V. qs, eight to twelve, pale buff or butty white, 2:09 x 1:57 (Ridgw.). This species is common in the interior and in Florida, but is rather rare in the other Atlantic States. Its call-note is said to resemble that . of the Mallard, “but is rather more shrill, and frequently repeated.” 136. Anas penelope Zinn. Evropran Wineron. Ad. 4.—Crown creamy buff; throat blackish, rest of head and neck rufous-brown ; upper breast vinaceous, lower breast and belly white; sédes and back finely marked with wavy black and white lines. 4d. 9.—Head and throat deep ochraceous- buff, finely streaked and barred with black, darker above; upper breast and sides much the same color, but without black markings; lower breast and belly white; back grayish brown, the feathers with small ochraceous buffy bars; tertials fuscous, bordered by deep ochraceous buffy ; greater wing-cov- | erts brownish gray, usually whiter on the outer webs and tipped with black. W., 10°50; B., 1:40. Feemarks.—The females of the European and American Widgeons bear a general resemblance to one another. Their distinguishing characters are mainly in the color of the head and throat, which are brown in the European species, and in the color of the greater wing-coverts, which are whiter in the American bird. I have seen a caged male in the summer in a plumage closely resembling that of the female. Probably a similar change of plumage occurs in our A. americana. Range.—Northern parts of the Old World; in North America breeds in the Aleutian Islands, and occurs occasionally in the eastern United States. Washington, A. V., two records. Long Island, A. V. £yqs, five to eight, buffy white, 2°28 x 1:53. “The call-note of the male is a shrill, whistling whéé-you, whence the local names ‘Whew Duck’ and ‘ Whewer’; but the female utters a low purr-ing growl. Both sexes, however, rise in silence” (Saunders), 137. Anas americana Gmel. Ba.ppaTe; AMERICAN WIDGEON. Ad. §.—Middle of the crown white or bufty ; sides of the crown, from the eye 104 RIVER DUCKS, to the nape, glossy green, more or less sprinkled with black; lores, cheeks, and throat buffy, finely barred with black; upper breast and sédes vinaceous, the latter more or less finely barred with wavy black lines; lower breast and belly white; back grayish brown, more or less tinged with vinaceous and finely barred with black. e#fd. 9.—Head and throat white or pale, creamy buff, finely streaked and barred with black, darker above; upper breast and sides pale vinaceous washed with grayish ; lower breast and belly white; back grayish brown, the feathers with small creamy buff bars; tertials fuscous, bor- dered with whitish or creamy butf; greater wing-coverts brownish gray, their outer webs mostly or entirely eite, their ends black, sometimes tipped with white. L., 19:00; W., 10°50; Tar., 1°50; B., 1°40. Range.—North America; breeds in the interior regularly from Minnesota northward, and casually as far south as Texas; not known to breed on the Atlantic coast; winters from open water south to Central America and north- ern South America. Washington, common W. R., Oct. to Apl. Long Island, uncommon T, V., Oct. to Apl. Sing Sing, common T. V., Mch. 11 to Ap]. 12; Oct. 4 to Oct. 28. Eggs, seven to twelve, butty white, 2°05 x 1:50. Colonel N. 8. Goss writes that, as a rule, Widgeons are “not shy, and their note, a sort of whew, whew, whew, uttered while feeding and swimming, enables the hunter to locate them in the thickest growth of water plants: and when in the air the whistling noise made by their wings heralds their approach.” They are fond of wild celery, which they procure by robbing the Canvasback and other diving Ducks, “snatching their catch from their bills the moment their heads appear above the water.” 139. Anas carolinensis Gmel. Grren-winezp Trat. Ad. 6. —Chin black, sides of the head from the eye to the nape shining green, rest of the head and neck rufous-chestnut; breast washed with vinaceous and spotted with black ; belly white; sides finely marked with wavy black and white lines ; middle under tail-coverts black, lateral ones creamy buff; upper back like the sides, lower back grayish fuscous; a white bar in front of the bend of the wing ; wing-coverts brownish gray, tipped with ochraceous buffy. Ad. ¢.—Top of the head brownish fuscous, margined with cinnamon ; throat and sides of the neck white, finely spotted with black; breast and sides washed with cinnamon and spotted or barred with black; belly and under tail-coverts white, sometimes spotted with black; back fuscous, the feathers with crescent-shaped marks of ochraceous buffy, and bordered with grayish; wings asin the male. L., 14:50; W., 7:00; Tar. 110: B., 1:35. Ftange.—North America; breecls from Minnesota and New Brunswick northward ; winters from Kansas and Virginia southward to the West Indies and Central America. Washington, common W. V., Sept. to Apl. Long Island, uncommon T. V. and W. V., Oct. to Apl. Sing Sing, common T. V., Apl.; Sept. 11 to Oct. 28. Cambridge, uncommon T. V., Apl.; Sept. to Nov. £99s, six to twelve, buffy white or creamy buff, 1:80 x 1:25, RIVER DUCKS. 105 “In autumn the males usually keep in separate flocks from the females and young. Their notes are faint and piping, and their wings make a loud whistling during flight. . . .” (B., B., and R.). The Evrorzan Tzax (188. Anas crecca) is of casual occurrence in North America. The adult male resembles that of 4. carolinensis, but the white bar in front of the wing is lacking, and the inner scapulars are creamy buff, with a sharply defined black mark on their outer webs. The female can not be distinguished from that of 4. carolinensis. 140. Anas discors Zinn. Buvz-winerp Tzat. Ad. §.—Crown fuscous, chin and sides of the base of the bill black; a broad white band across the front of the head, its hinder margin bordered by black ; rest of the head and throat dark ashy with purplish reflections; breast and belly cinna- mon-rufous, thickly spotted with black ; back fuscous, the feathers with cres- cents of ochraceous-butf; lesser and median wing-coverts grayish blue, end half of the greater ones white; speculum green. Ad. 9 and 8 in summer.— Crown fuscous, lightly margined with grayish; sides of the head and the neck whitish, finely spotted with blackish, except on the throat; breast and belly with less cinnamon wash than in the preceding ; back and wings quite similar to the preceding. but ochraceous bars sometimes wanting; speculum darker and greater coverts with less white. L., 16:00; W., 7:25; Tar., 1-20; B., 1:60. Range.—Chiefly eastern North America; breeds from Kansas, northern Ohio, and New Brunswick northward ; winters from Virginia and the Lower Mississippi Valley to northern South America. Washington, common W. V., Sept. to Apl. Long Island, common T. V. in Sept., rare T. V.in spring. Sing Sing, common 'T. V. in fall, Sept. 24 to Oct. 17. Cambridge, rare in spring; very common (at least formerly) Aug. to Oct. £998, six to twelve, buffy white or creamy buff, 1:85 x 1:30. This generally silent species flies in densely massed, small flocks, which move as one bird. The white face-mark can be discerned at some distance, and, in connection with the bird’s small size, is a good field-mark. The Cinnamon Trax (141. dnas cyanoptera), a species of western North America, sometimes occurs east of the Mississippi. It has been recorded from Illinois and Florida. The male has the under parts deep cinnamon; the female closely resembles the same sex of our Anas discors. 142. Spatula clypeata (Linn.). Saoverzr. Ad. é6.—Head and neck fuscous, glossed with bluish green; back and a broken line down the back of the lower neck fuscous; rest of the lower neck and breast white ; lower breast and belly rufous-chestnut; upper and under tail-coverts dark greenish ; lesser wing-coverts grayish blue, greater ones brownish gray tipped with white; speculum green. Ad. ¢.—Throat buffy white; head and neck streaked with buffy and black; rest of under parts more or less washed with 106 RIVER DUCKS. buffy ochraceous, every where indistinctly spotted with fuscous except on the middle of the belly; back fuscous, the feathers with margins and internal crescents of whitish and butty ; wing-coverts and speculum much as in the male. /m.—The im. é is intermediate between the ad. 4 and 9; theim. 9 resemble the ad, 6, but the wing-coverts are slaty gray, the speculum with little or no green. L., 20:00; W., 9°50; B., 2°50; greatest width of B., 1-20. Range.—Northern hemisphere ; in America, more common in the interior ; breeds regularly from Minnesota northward and locally as far south as Texas; not known to breed in the Atlantic States; winters from southern Mlinois and Virginia southward to northern South America. Washington, not uncommon W. V. Long Island, rare T. V. Sing Sing, A. V., Oct. £ggs, six to ten, pale buffy white or bluish white, 210 x 1:50. The Shoveler, like most of the members of this subfamily, is more common in the Mississippi Valley than on the coast. It is generally a silent, bird, but its note in the breeding season is said to be “took, took.” It feeds largely by ¢¢pping in shallow water. 143. Dafila acuta (Linn.). Pintait; Sprierair. Ad. 6.—Head and throat olive-brown ; back of the neck blackish, bordered by white stripes, which pass to the breast; breast and belly white; the abdomen faintly and the sides strongly marked with wavy lines of black and white; back some- what darker than the sides; scapulars black, bordered or streaked with buffy white; wing-coverts brownish gray, the greater ones tipped with rufous; speculum green ; central tail-feathers glossed with green and much elongated. Ad. ¢.—Throat white or whitish, crown and sides of the head streaked with blackish and buffy ochraceous, darker above; breast washed with buffy ochraceous and spotted with blackish; belly white; abdomen more or less indistinctly mottled with blackish; sides with bars and lengthened black and white crescents; under wing-coverts fuscous, bordered with whitish ; axillars barred or mottled with black ; back fuscous, the feathers with borders, bars, or crescents of white or buffy; speculum grayish brown bordered with white. 6 in breeding plumage.—“ Similar to ad. ¢, but wings as in spring or winter plumage” (Ridgw.). Jm.—The im. 6 is variously intermediate between the ad. 6 and ¢; the im. ¢ resembles the ad. 9, but the under parts are more heavily streaked or spotted. Li, 6, 28°00, 2, 22:00; W., 10:00; T., 8, 7°50, 2, 3°60; B., 2:00. Remarks.—The female of this species is a rather obscure-looking bird, but may always be known by its broad, sharply pointed central tail-feathers and dusky under wing-coverts. Range.—Northern hemisphere ; in America, breeds from Iowa and Illinois to the Arctic Ocean ; not known to breed on the Atlantic coast ; winters from Virginia southward to the Greater Antilles and Central America. Washington, W. V., Oct. to Apl. Long Island, very common T. V., Sept. 15 to Apl. 15; a few winter. Sing Sing, common T. V., Mch. 15 to Apl. 10; Sept. 26 to Dec. 4. Cambridge, casual T. V., Apl.; Sept. and Oct. £qqgs, eight to twelve, butfy white or pale bluish white, 2°20 x 1-50. SEA DUCKS. 107 The Pintail is frequently found associated with the Black Duck and Widgeon. Asarule it is voiceless, but is said to utter “a low- toned quack at night.” The long neck and tail of the male make its identification easy even at a distance. 144. Aix sponsa (Linn.). Woop Ducx. Ad. 6.—A line from the bill over the eye, a similar line at the base of the side of the crest, and ‘some of the elongated crest-feathers white; throat, a band from it up the side of the head, and a wider one to the nape, white; rest of the cheeks and crown green with purplish reflections; a white band in front of the wings; breast and a spot at either side of the base of the tail purplish chestnut, the former spotted with white ; belly white; sides buffy ochraceous, finely barred with black, the longer flank feathers tipped with wider bars of black and white; back greenish brown; scapulars blacker; speculum steel-blue; primaries tipped with greenish blue.—d. ¢.—Throat and a stripe from the eye back- ward white; crown purplish brown; sides of the head ashy brown; breast and sides grayish brown streaked with butty ; belly white; back olive-brown glossed with greenish ; inner primaries tipped with greenish blue. Jm.—The im. 6 resembles the ?. L., 1850; W., 9:00; Tar., 1:35; B., 1:30. Range.—North America; breeds from Florida to Hudson Bay, and winters southward to southern Mexico, Cuba, and Jamaica. Washington, uncommon P. R. Long Island, uncommon T. V. and W. V., Sept. to Apl.; rare 8. R. Sing Sing, tolerably common 8. R. Cambridge, common T. V., Mch. and Apl.; Aug. to Nov.; a few breed. West, of grasses, leaves, twigs, etc.,in a hole in a tree or stump. Zggs, eight to fourteen, pale buffy white, 2°05 x 1:50. Woodland ponds and forest-bordered streams make a proper setting for the grace and beauty of these richly attired birds. Several times it has been my fortune to see them in the unconscious enjoyment of their secluded homes, and I know of no sight in the bird world which so fully satisfies the eye. Alarm them, and with a frightened, plaintive whistle, “00-eek,” they spring from the water and make off through the woods. At other times they will swim ahead of one’s canoe, and, rounding a bend in the stream, go ashore and walk rapidly away. The young are brought from the nest to the ground in the bill of the parent. Subfamily Fuliguline. Bay and Sea Ducks. The members of this subfamily are to be distinguished from those of the preceding by the presence of a lobe or web on the hind toe. They are open-water Ducks, frequenting our large lakes, bays, and sea- coasts. Their food consists chiefly of mollusks, crustaceans, and the seeds and roots of aquatic plants. They obtain-it principally by div- ing, sometimes descending one hundred and fifty feet or more. The 108 SEA DUCKS. bill, as in the Anatina, acts as a sieve or strainer. As a rule they feed by day and pass the night at a distance from the shore or at sea. Some of the species occur in our waters in large flocks—indeed, our most abundant Ducks are members of this subfamily. With one exception they are northern breeding birds, seldom nesting south of our north- ern tigr of States. Their nest is composed of twigs, leaves, grasses, stems of aquatic plants, seaweed, etc., lined with down from the breast of the incubat- ing bird. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Feathers at the base of the bill not reaching ‘50 forward along its sides. A, Wing over 7:00; axillars and most if not all the linings of the wings white. w. Head and neck black, with greenish or purplish reflections. @. Back black; bill with a bluish band near its tip. 150. Rine-necnep Duck 6. 61, Back finely barred with black and white. 2, Back of head generally with purplish reflections; wing generally under 8°25; nail of bill generally under °25 in width. 149. Lesser Scavr Ducx 6. 28. Back of head generally with greenish reflections; wing gener- ally over 825; nail of bill over -25 in width. 148. Am. Scaur Duox 6. 6, Head and neck rufous or rufous-brown, sharply defined from the black breast. 61. Head and upper neck rich rufous; bill 2-00 or under; flanks finely barred, like the back. . ae . . . 146. Repaeap ¢. 82, Head and neck rufous-brown ; crown Blackivh bill over 2°00; flanks very slightly ifatall barred . . . . . . . 147. Cunvaeniex é. ce. Head and neck brownish or grayish. ce, A white patch in the wing. ©, Feathers at base of bill white; wing generally under 8:25: nail of bill generally under -25 in width . 149, Lessrr Scatp Duor 9. ¢8. Feathers at base of bill white; wing generally over 825; nail of bill generally over -25in width . . . 148. Am. Scaup Duck ¢. d\, No white in wing. a2, An indistinct bluish band near the tip of bill; bill under 2-00. ds, Wing under 800. . . . . . . 150. Rine-neckep Ducr @. d4, Wing over 800 . . . - + 2 « « . 146. RepueEap ¢. é, No band on bill; bill over 2: 00 eds . « 147, CanvasBaok 92. B. Wing over 7:00; axillars and most if not all the under wing-coverts blackish. a. Head and throat dark steel-blue or steel-green. a, Head and throat steel-blue; white patch at base of bill 1:00 or more inheight . . . - . . . 152 Barrow’s GoLpEN-EYE 4. a, Head and throat steels rien white patch at base of bill less than 100inheight. . . ..... . . . 151, Am. GoLpEn-ryE 4. SEA DUCKS, 109 6, Whole head and throat brown, sharply defined from the gray or white neck ; a white patch (speculum) in the wing. 1, Nostril nearer the tip than the base of the bill. 151. Am. GoLDEN-EYE ?. 63, Nostril in the middle of the bill . 152. Barrow’s GoLpEN-EYE 9. ce. Whole head and neck black. . . ‘ - 163. Am. Scorer 6. d. A white apes on the top of the hondl and another on the back of the neck F . 166. Surr Scorer 8. e. Middle of crown ‘blak, board. by chests: front half of the face white ... a os 155. Harzequin Deck 6. J. Head and neck whitish, mrayisl, or brownish ; no white in the wing. J}. Bill over 1:25. J?. Feathers on culmen reaching much farther forward than those at the sides of the bill eae ‘ . 166. SurF Scorer 2. J%. Feathers on culmen reaching little if any beyond those at the sides of the bill . . . . . . 163. Am. Scorer ?. gy. Bill under 1°25. g?. Central tail-feathers longest, sharply pointed, under tail-coverts white... a . 154. OLp Squaw. g®. Central tail- feathers not chanply rponied under tail-coverts gray- ish brown. ... . » . . . 155, Harteevin Duce. ¢C. Wing under 7-00. a. Tail-feathers stiff and narrow ; upper tail-coverts very short. a, Upper parts mostly rich chestnut-rufous. a2, Cheeks white . soe 2 ee we | . 167. Ruppy Duck ¢. a8. Cheeks black . . - aod 168. Maskep Duck ¢. 61. Upper parts grayish or Bivannicls, with sometimes rufous markings. 23, Lining of wing blackish ; under parts grayish. 168. Masxep Deck @. 2s. Lining of wing whitish ; under parts grayish. 167. Rrppy Duck @. b. Tail-feathers normal ; upper tail-coverts about half as long as tail. 153. BuFFLEHEAD. II. Feathers at sides or top of bill extending forward generally as far as nostril. _A, Feathers on sides of bill not reaching nostril. a. Nostril narrow, elongate; feathers on culmen extending forward in a narrow line, a V-shaped mark on throat. 162. Kine Exper. b. Nostril large, rounded ; feathers on culmen not extending forward in a narrow line . . . . . . 165, WHITE-WINGED Scorer. B. Feathers on sides a bill extending as far as nostril. w. Bare base of bill on top narrow, ending posteriorly in a sharp point. 159. GREENLAND Exper. d. Bare base of hill on top broad, the posterior end rounded. 160. Am. Emer. The Rurovs-cresteD Duck (145. Netta rufina) is an Old-World species which has been taken once in America. The record is based on an immature male found in Fulton Market, New York city, which was supposed to have been shot on Long Island. 110 SEA DUCKS. 146. Aythya americana (fyt.). Repuzav. Ad. 6.—Head and throat bright rufous; lower neck, breast, back of the neck, and upper back black ; rest of the back and scapulars finely barred with wavy black and white lines of egual width ; wing-coverts brownish gray ; upper tail-coverts black ; belly white, the lower belly more or less finely barred with black; under tail- coverts black; sides ike the buck. Ad. ¢.—Upper parts dark grayish brown, darker on the rump, the feathers more or less margined with buffy or ashy; sides of the head lighter; upper throat white; neck buffy ochraceous; breast and sides grayish brown, more or less washed or margined with buffy or buffy ochraceous; belly white; lower belly and under tail-coverts tinged with ochraceous; an indistinct bluish-gray band across the end of the bill. L., 19-00; W., 8°90; Tar., 1:55; B., 1°85. Remarks.—This species is frequently confused with the Canvasback, from which it may be distinguished by the characters given under that species. The female Redhead is much like the female Ring-neck in coloration ; the latter is generally browner, but they can be distinguished with certainty only by the difference in their size. Rangé.—North America; breeds from California and Minnesota north- ward to the fur countries; rare on the North Atlantic coast, where it has been found breeding only once (Calais, Me.) ; winters from Virginia southward to Cuba and Jamaica. Washington, common W. V. Long Island, T. V. in irregular numbers, Oct. 1 to Apl. 15, few W. V. Sing Sing, common T. V., Apl. 1 to Apl. 24; Oct. 12 to Oct. 28. Cambridge, casual; one instance, Oct. West, on the ground in grassy sloughs or marshy lake sides. Zggs, six to twelve, buffy white, 240 x 1-70. The Ducks of the genus Aythya possess to some extent the habits of both the River Ducks and true Sea Ducks. They are divers in deep water, but along the shores or in shallow water they are also “dab- blers.” On our coasts the Redhead is a Bay Duck, and feeds in salt and brackish water. 147. Aythya vallisneria (Wils.). Canvaszack. Ad. 6.—Head and neck rufous-brown, the chin and crown generally blackish ; breast and upper back black; rest of the back and generally wing-coverts finely barred with wavy lines of black and white, the white lines the wider; belly white; lower belly more or less finely barred with black; upper and under tail-cov- erts black; sides white, much less lightly barred with wavy black lines than the back, or even entirely without bars. Ad. 9.—Head, neck, upper breast, and upper back cinnamon, the throat lighter, and, with the front parts of the head, more or less washed with rufous; back grayish brown, the feathers more or less barred with wavy white lines; belly white or grayish white; sides the same or grayish brown, generally marked like the back. L., 21:00; W., 9°00; Tar., 1:60; B., 2°40. ‘ Remarks.—This species is sometimes mistaken for the Redhead, to which it bears a general resemblance. The males of the two species may be distin- guished (1) by the color of the head and neck, which is rufous in the Red- SEA DUCKS. 111 head and rufous-brown in the Canvasback ; (2) by the generally blackish chin and crown of the Canvasback, these parts in the Redhead being colored like the rest of the head; (3) by the difference in the markings of the back, wing-coverts, and sides; and (4) by the difference in the size and shape of the bill, as shown by the accompanying measurements. ‘The females of the two species may be at once distinguished by the color of the back, which in the Canvasback is finely barred with wavy white lines, markings which do not appear on the back of the female Redhead. Fange.—North America; breeds only in the interior, fron Minnesota to the Arctic Circle ; rare on the Atlantic coast north of Delaware; winters from the Chesapeake Bay to the Greater Antilles. Washington, rare W. V. Long Island, rare T. V. Sing Sing, rare T. V., Oct. West, on the ground, in grassy sloughs or marshy lake sides. £ygs, six to ten, buffy white with a bluish tinge, 2°40 x 1-70. There’s much in aname. The reputation of the Canvasback, among gourmands, is too firmly established to be questioned ; but, given the same chef, and half a dozen of our Ducks can be made to do duty for this favorite of epicures. In some parts of the west, where folks have a way of thinking for themselves, the Canvasback is frankly placed second to his cousin the Redhead. The Canvasback is at its best when the bird has been for some time feeding on wild celery—a diet which equally improves the flesh of other species. 148. Aythya marila nearctica Stejn. Am. Scaup Duox: GREATER Scave Duo; Broapnitt; Biursitt; Buackuzap. Ad. 6.—Head, neck, breast, and upper back black, the top and sides of the head with generally greenish reflections; back and scapulars with wavy black and white bars; speculum white; upper and under tail-coverts black; belly white; lower belly strongly and sides faintly marked with wavy black bars. Ad. ¢.— Region around the base of the bill whzte ; head, neck, breast, and upper back umber, margined with ochraceous on the breast; back and seapulars fuscous- brown; sides dark grayish brown, both generally marked with fine, wavy bars of white; specudwm and belly white. 6 L., 18:50; W., 875; Tar., 1:40; B., 1:65; greatest width of B., 1:00. ¢ L., 17°50; W., 825; Tar. 1:36; B., 1:65; greatest width of B., 1:00. Range—North America; breeds in the interior rarely from Minnesota and regularly from Manitoba northward to Alaska; reported on the Atlan- tic from as far north as Greenland, but not known to breed and not common north of Massachusetts ; winters from Long Island to northern South America. Washington, rather common W. V. Long Island, abundant T. V., Sept. 25 to May 1, some winter. Sing Sing, common T. V., Mch. 22 to Apl. 13; Oct. 4 to Dee. 3.* * The presence or absence of Ducks in the winter depends upon whether the river is frozen or open. 112 SEA DUCKS. Nest, on the ground, in grassy sloughs or marshy lake sides. Zggs, six to ten, pale olive-butt, 254 x 1-71. This is one of our most common Bay Ducks. While with us it seems to prefer salt and brackish water. It feeds largely on mollusks, which it obtains by diving. Its note is said to be a discordant scaup. 149. Aythya affinis (Zyt.). Lusser Scavr Duox; Lirrte Braok- HEAD; Litre Buuesitt; CREEK Broapity. Ad. 6.—Similar to the pre- ceding species but smaller, the head, as a rule, glossed with purplish instead of greenish, and the flanks strongly instead of faintly marked with wavy black bars. Ad. ¢.—Similar to the 9 of the preceding species, but smaller. é L,, 1650; W., 8:00; Tar. 1:35; B., 160; greatest width of B., -95. ¢ L., 16°50; W., 7°60; Tar., 1:30; B., 1:55; greatest width of B., -90. Remarks.—The Scaup Ducks resemble each other so closely that it is sometimes impossible to tell them apart, but they may generally be distin- guished by the characters given above. Range.—North America; breeds only in the interior, rarely from Iowa and commonly from Manitoba northward ; not common on the Atlantic coast north of Massachusetts; winters from Virginia to the Greater Antilles. Washington, not uncommon W. R., Oct.to Apl. Long Island, common T. V. Sing Sing, common T. V., Jan. 28 to Apl. 12; Aug. 31 to Nov. Cam- bridge, common in Oct. and Nov.; rare in spring. Nest, on the ground, in grassy sloughs and marshy lake sides. Eggs, six to ten, similar in color to those of the preceding, 2°25 x 1:58. This species has much the same habits as the preceding, but is more often found in fresh water, and I think is more southern in its distri- bution during the winter. It is by far the most abundant Duck in Florida waters at that season, where it occurs in enormous flocks in the rivers and bays along the coasts. 150. Aythya collaris (Donov.). Rine-neckep Duos. Ad. §.— Chin white ; head, neck, breast, and upper back black, the head with bluish reflections, the neck with u not sharply defined chestnut collar; back and scapulars black, speculum gray; upper and under tail-coverts black, belly white, lower belly and sides finely barred with wavy black lines; bill black, the base and a band across the end blwish gray. Ad. ¢.—Upper parts fus- cous brown, more or less margined with ochraceous; speculum gray ; sides of the head and neck mixed grayish brown and white; breast, sides, and lower belly grayish brown, more or less margined with ochraceous; upper belly white or whitish ; bill blackish, an indistinct band of bluish gray across its end. L., 16:50; W., 7-50; ‘Tar., 1:25; B., 1:80. Remarks—The male Ring-neck may be known from any of its allies by its chestnut collar and other excellent characters; the female resembles the female Redhead, but is smaller and generally browner. Range.—North America, breeding only in the interior from Iowa north- ward; not common on the Atlantic coast north of Virginia. SEA DUCKS. 113 Washington, not rare, W. V. Long Island, A. V. Sing Sing, A. V., Apl. Cambridge, casual ; one instance, Nov. West, on the ground, in grassy sloughs or marshy lake sides. Zygs, six to twelve, similar in color to those of the two preceding species, 2°28 x 1°63. This is more of a fresh-water bird than either of the preceding. It is not common in the Atlantic States north of Florida, where during the winter it is abundant on fresh-water lakes. 151. Glaucionetta clangula americana (Bonap.). American Goipren-nyeE; Wuistiter. Ad. 6.—Head and throat dark, glossy green, a circular white patch at the base of the bill measuring, along the bill, less than half an inch in height; neck all around, breast, belly, exposed part of wing-coverts, speculum, and most of the scapulars white; rest of plumage black. Ad. ¢.—Head and throat cinnamon-brown, fore neck white; upper breast, back, and sides ashy gray bordered with grayish ; wing-coverts tipped with white; speculum, lower breast, and belly white. L., 20-00; W., 9:00; B. from anterior margin of white patch to anterior margin of nostril, 1:00; from anterior margin of nostril to tip, “75. Range.—North America, breeding from Manitoba and Maine northward, and wintering from the southern limit of its breeding range to Cuba. Washington, not rare, W. V. Long Island, common T. V. and W. V., Nov. 15 to Apl. 15. Sing Sing, common T. V. and W. V., Nov. to May. Cambridge, rather common, Oct. and Nov. Nest, in a stump or hollow tree. Zygs, six to ten, pale bluish, 2°35 x 1°75. The rapidly moving wings of most Ducks make a whistling sound, but this species excels in wing music. As a diver it can also claim high rank. ; 152. Glaucionetta islandica (@mel.). Barrow’s GoLpEN-EYE. Ad. &.—Head and throat dark, glossy, purplish blue, an irregular, somewhat spread-wing-shaped white patch at the base of the bill measuring, along the bill, about one ineh in height; neck all around, breast, belly, speculum, lesser wing-coverts, ends of greater ones, and the shaft part of the scapulars white; rest of the plumage black. Ad. 9.—Resembles the ¢ of the preceding species in color; there is some difference in the size and proportions of the bill, but the two birds can not always be distinguished with certainty. W., 9:25; B. from anterior margin of white patch to anterior margin of nostril, 80; from anterior margin of nostril to tip, -66. emarks.—The males of this and the preceding species may always be distinguished by the difference in the color of the head and size and shape of the white spot at the base of the bill. Range—Breeds in the far north—Greenland, Iceland, and Alaska—and southward in the Rocky Mountains; winters as far south as Illinois and Vir- ginia, Washington, A. V., one record. Long Island, A. V.- West, in a stump or hollow tree, Zygs, six to ten, pale bluish, 2-40 x 1-70. 9 114 SEA DUCKS. A more northern species than the preceding, which it resembles in habits. 153. Charitonetta albeola (Zinn.). BurrrenEap; BuTreR-BaLz; Spirit Duox. Ad. ¢.—A broad white band passes around the back of the head from eye to eye; rest of the head, upper neck, and throat beautifully glossed with purple, greenish, and bluish ; lower neck all around, breast, belly, wing-coverts, speculum, and outer scapulars white; back black; upper tail- coverts and tail ashy-grayish. Ad. ¢.—A white patch on either side of the head, throat, and entire upper parts fuscous-brown; speculum, breast, and belly white. L., 14°75; W., 650; Tar., 1:25; B., 1:05. Range.—North America; breeds from lowa and Maine northward; win- ters from near the southern limit of its breeding range to the West Indies and Mexico. : Washington, common W. V., Sept. to Apl. Long Island, common T. V. and W. V., Oct.1 to Apl. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V. Cambridge, common in Oct. and Nov. Nest, in a stump or hollow tree. Z£ygs, six to twelve, dull light butt, 1:98 x 1:46 (Ridgw.). This small Duck has won deserved distinction through its powers asadiver. Like the Grebes, it “dives at the flash,” though this well- worn expression has lost half its meaning since flintlocks and percus- sion caps have become things of the past. The Bufflehead feeds to some extent on small fish, which it pursues and catches under water. 154. Clangula hyemalis (Zinz.). Ovp Squaw; OLp Wire; Sourn Sovrnerty. Ad. 6 in winter.—Sides of the front of the head washed with grayish brown; sides of the back of the head and sides of the upper neck black, more or less margined with ochraceous; rest of the head, neck all around, upper’ back, scapulars, and lower belly white; back, breast, and upper belly black; tail pointed, the middle feathers very long and narrow; band across the end of the bill yellowish orange. Ad. 6 in summer.—Sides of the front of the head white; crest of the head, neck, throat, breast, and upper belly black; back and scapulars black, the latter margined with dark buffy ochraceous ; lower. belly white; tail and bill as in the preceding. ¢ in winter.—Upper parts black or fuscous; scapulars and upper back more or less margined with grayish or grayish brown; sides of the head and neck and sometimes the back of the neck white or whitish; breast grayish; belly white; tail pointed, but without the long feathers of the male; under wing- coverts dark. Ad. ? in summer.—Generally similar to the above, but the sides of the head and throat mostly blackish, and the feathers of the upper parts more or less margined with ochraceous. L., 6, 21:00, ¢, 16°00; W., 8°60; T., 8, 8:00, 9, 2°50; B., 1-08. Femarks.—The male Old Squaw is too distinct to be confused with any other species, its long tail-feathers being its most striking character; the female bears some resemblance to the female of the Harlequin Duck, but has the belly pure white instead of grayish dusky. SEA DUCKS. 115 ange.—Northern hemisphere; breeds in the far north, and, in America, winters as far south as the upper Mississippi Valley and Virginia. Washington, rare W. V., Nov. to Apl. Long Island, abundant W. V., Nov. 1 to Apl. 15. Sing Sing, tolerably common W. V., Dec. 4 to Apl. 6. Cambridge, rather common in Oct. and Nov. Nest, on the ground near water, under low bushes or tall grasses. Zygs, six to twelve, pale bluish tinged with olive, 2-05 x 1:49, In The Auk for 1892, pp. 330-337, Mr. George H. Mackay gives a capital account of the habits of this species in our waters. He speaks of them as the swiftest flying as well as the noisiest (in the spring) of all the sea fowl which tarry with us, and gives their curious scolding or talking notes as 0-onc-o-onc-ough, egh-ough-egh. Their flight is gen- erally near the water, and when shot at while flying they sometimes dive from the wing. He also mentions their habit of towering, “ usually in the afternoon, collecting in mild weather in large flocks if undis- turbed, and going up in circles so high as to be scarcely discernible, often coming down with a rush and great velocity, a portion of the flock scattering and coming down in a zigzag course similar to the Scoters when whistled down.” 155. Histrionicus histrionicus (Zinn.). Hartequin Duck. Ad. 4. —Center of the crown black, margined by white and rufous; front of the sides of the head, a spot on the ear, a stripe back of it, and a collar around the back and sides of the neck white; rest of the head and throat rich slaty blue; a band in front of the wing white, margined with black ; inner scapulars white; back and breast bluish slate ; belly fuscous; sides rufous-chestnut. Ad. ¢.— Front of the head whitish; a white spot on the ears; upper parts brownish fuscous ; throat, breast, and sides lighter ; belly grayish brown, margined with whitish. L., 17-00; W., 7°80; Tar., 1:50; B., 1:05. Range.—“ Northern N orth America, breeding from Newfoundland, the northern Rocky Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada, northward; south in winter to the Middle States and California” (A. O. U.). Long Island, rare W. V. ; Nest, on the ground or in hollow stumps near water. Zggs, six to eight, yellowish buff or greenish yellow, 2°30 x 162 (Davie). Unlike other members of this subfamily, this species passes the breeding season on rapid dashing streams, but during the winter it occurs as a Sea Duck off our more northern coasts. 156. Camptolaimus labradorius ((mel.). Lazrapor Ducn; Prep Ducs. Ad. 6.—Center of crown black; rest of head, throat, and upper neck white; a black band around the lower neck connected behind with the black back; primaries fuscous, rest of wing white; front and sides of the upper breast white, lower breast and belly black. Ad. ¢.—Brownish gray, the speculum white. Jm. é.—Like the ¢, but with the throat and ends of the greater wing-coverts white. L., 20:00; W., 840; Tar., 1:50; B., 158. 116 SHA DUCKS. Range.—Formerly, North Atlantic coast, breeding from Labrador north~ ward, and in winter migrating southward to Long Island; doubtless now extinct. In a recent paper* on this species Mr. William Dutcher quotes the late Mr. George N. Lawrence, as follows: “I recollect that about forty or more years ago it was not unusual to see them in Fulton Market, and without doubt ‘killed on Long Island; at one time I remember seeing six fine males, which hung in the market until spoiled for want of a purchaser; they were not considered de- sirable for the table, and collectors had a sufficient number, at that time a pair being considered enough to represent a species in a col- lection.” The cause of this Duck’s extinction is unknown. The last speci- men, so far as known, was taken at Grand Menan in 1871. Forty-two specimens have been recorded as existing in collections. Sre.ter’s Duck (157. Eniconetta stelleri), an arctic species, was observed by Kumlien in Greenland. 159. Somateria mollissima borealis (Brehm). GREENLAND Ewer. .Ad. §.—Top of the head black, a greenish white line on the crown; rest of the head, throat, neck, upper breast, back, scapulars, and lesser wing- coverts white, tinged with greenish on the sides and back of the head, and with vinaceous on the breast; middle of the rump, upper and under tail- coverts, lower breast, and belly black. .Ad. 9 —Mead, throat, and neck buffy ochraceous, darker above and streaked with black; back black, the feathers all widely margined and sometimes partly barred with buffy ochraceous ; breast buffy ochraceous, barred with black; belly grayish brown or olive- brown, indistinctly margined or barred with bufty. Jm.—Similar, but dis- tiactly marked with buffy. L., 23:00; W., 11:00; Tar., 1:80; B., 2:10. Range.—Breeds from Labrador northward ; winters southward to Maine. Nest, on the ground, amid coarse herbage and rocks. Eggs, five to eight, pale bluish or greenish, tinged with olive, 2°95 x 2-00. This is the American representative of the Hider Duck of north- ern Europe, from which it differs only slightly. The highly prized Eider down is taken from the nest of this bird and its allies. As in- cubation progresses the sitting bird plucks the down from her breast to serve as a nest lining. In Iceland, according to Saunders, the aver- age yield from each nest is about one sixth of a pound. When the females begin to sit the males leave them and, gathering in small flocks, live at sea. 160. Somateria dresseri Sharpe. American Erper. Resembles the preceding in color, but differs in the feathering of the base of the cul- * The Auk, vol. viii, 1891, pp. 201-216. + Ibid., vol. xi, 1894, pp. 4-12. SEA DUCKS. 117 men. In both species the culmen is divided by a wedge of feathers reaching forward from the forehead. Looked at from the tip of the bill, the base of the culmen is thus V-shaped. In dresseri the arms of the V are very broad and rownded at the ends, while in borealis they are much narrower and gen- erally pointed at the ends. L., 23:00; W., 11:30; Tar., 1°70; B., 2°10. Range.—Breeds from the Bay of Fundy to Labrador ; winters southward to Delaware; occasional in winter on the Great Lakes. Long Island, rare W. V. Sing Sing, A. V., Dec. West, on the ground, generally sheltered by rocks. Zgga, five to eight, pale bluish or greenish, tinged with olive, 3:00 x 2-00. This species is of more southern distribution than the preceding, which it resembles in habits. During their visits to the coasts of the United States the Eiders are true Sea Ducks, living some distance off shore, generally over a bed of mussels, which they secure by diving, and which constitute their chief food. 162. Somateria spectabilis (Linn.). Kine E:ver. Ad. 6.— Region about the base of the upper mandible and a large V-shaped mark on the throat black; top of the head bluish gray; cheeks greenish ; neck all around white; front and sides of the breast creamy buff; upper back, sides of the rump, and wing-coverts white; rest of the plumage black. Ad. ¢.— Head and throat buffy ochraceous, the former streaked with black; back black, the feathers widely margined with ochraceous or rufous; under parts varying from brownish gray to fuscous, more or less washed, especially on the breast, with ochraceous or rufous. Jm.—Paler and with less ochraceous. L., 23°00; W., 10°80; Tar., 1:80; B., 1:30. Remarks.—The adult male of this species may at once be known by its bluish-gray head and the V-shaped mark on its throat. Females and young birds resemble those of the two preceding species, but are to be distinguished by the generally unstreaked throat and the feathering of the side of the base of the bill, which in this species does not, as in the two preceding, reach to the nostril. Range.—Breeds from Gulf of St. Lawrence northward, and winters south- ward more or less regularly to Long Island and the Great Lakes ; casually as far as Virginia, and on one occasion Georgia. Long Island, regular W. V. Nest, on the ground, among rocks or herbage. Zggs, six to ten, light olive- gray to grayish green, 8:12 x 1:92 (Davie). : While in our waters this species does not differ from the preceding in habits. 163. Oidemia americana Sw. and Rich. American Scorer; Brack Coor. Ad. §.—Entire plumage black, feathers on the side of the bill extending little if any forward beyond the corner of the mouth; bill black; upper mandible orange or yellowish at the base. L., 19°00; W., 900; Tar., 1-70; B. along culmen, 1°75; B. along side, 1°85. Range.—Coasts and larger lakes of northern North America; breeds in 118 SEA DUCKS. Labrador and the northern interior; south in winter to Virginia, the Great Lakes, and California. Washington, casual W.V. Long Island, common W. V., Oct. through Apl. Sing Sing, rare T. V., Oct. Cambridge, occasional in fall. West, on the ground, near water. Z'ggs, “six to ten, pale dull buff or pale brownish buff, 2°55 x 1:80” (Ridgw.). All three species of Surf Scoters, or “ Coots,” are abundant winter Yesidents off the coasts of the New England and northern Middle States. At this time their habits are practically alike—indeed, they are often found associated. As a rule, they frequent only the sea and its estuaries, where they live over beds of mussels, clams, or scallops, which they obtain by diving; but they are sometimes found in ponds near the coast, where food of this nature is abundant. In The Auk for 1891, pp. 279-290, Mr. George H. Mackay gives the results of a long-continued study of Scoters on the Massachusetts coast. The Vutver Scorer (164. Oidemia fusca) is an Old- World species which ° has been recorded trom Greenland. ; 165. Oidemia deglandi Bonap. Wrrrz-wincep Scorer; Warre- winceD Coor. Ad. 6.—A spot below the eye and the speculum white, rest _ of the plumage black; bill orange-black at the base, the feathers on it reach-'. ing forward far beyond the corners of the mouth. Jm. 6.—Grayish or fus- cous-brown, lighter below ; speculum white, feathers at the base of the upper bill and a spot on the ears whitish. Ad. in winter and Im. ¢.—Similar to the preceding, but generally without whitish spots on the head. L., 22°00; W., 11:00; Tar., 2:00; B. along culmen, 1:50; B. along side, 1-55. Remarks.—The white speculum and feathering of the bill will always — serve to distinguish this species from its allies. Range.—Northern North America, breeding in Labrador and the fur countries ; south in winter to Virginia, southern I}linois, and California. Washington, casual W. V., Oct. to Apl. Long Island, abundant W. V., Sept. 15 to May 15. Sing Sing, tolerably common '[. V. Cambridge, occa- sional in fall. ‘ Nest, on the ground, beneath bushes, frequently some distance from water. Eggs, six to ten, pale dull butf, varying to cream-color, 2°68 x 1:83” (Ridgw.). 166. Oidemia perspicillata (Linn.). Surr Scorrr; Sea Coor. Ad. 6.—A square mark on the crown and a triangular one on the nape white, rest of the plumage black; bill orange-yellow, a large circular black spot on its side at the base; feathers on the culmen extending nearly to a level with the nostril, feathers on the side of the bill not extending forward. Ad. @- and Im.—A whitish spot at the base of the bill and on the ears; upper parts fuscous brown ; throat, breast, sides, and lower belly grayer, belly white. L., 20:00; W., 9:30; Tar., 1°60; B. along culmen, 1:55; B. along side, 2°30. Remarks-The forward extension of the feathers on the culmen will GEESE. 119 always distinguish this species from 0. americana, while it may be known from deglandi by the absence of white in the wings. Kange.—Breeds from the Gulf of St. Lawrence northward; winters south- ward to the Great Lakes and Virginia, and casually to Florida. Washington, casual W. V. Long Island, common W. V., Oct. through Apl. Sing Sing, common T. V., Uct. 7 to Oct. 22, Cambridge, occasional in fall. Nest, in tall grasses near water. Lygs,“‘five to eight, pale buff or pale creamy buff, 2°47 x 170” (Ridgw.). 167. Erismatura rubida (Wils.). Ruppy Ducr. Ad. 6.—Top ot the head black, cheeks and chin white, throat and back rufous-chestnut, lower back blackish; breast and belly silvery white; upper tail-coverts very short, tail-feathers stiff and pointed. Ad.? and [m—Upper parts dark gray- ish brown, the feathers marked with fine wavy bars of buffy; sides of the head and upper throat whitish, lower throat grayish, rest of the under parts silvery white. L., 15:00; W., 5°90; Tar., 115; B., 1°55. Remarks.—The short upper tail-coverts and stitf, pointed tail-feathers will always serve to identify this species. Range.—Of general distribution from northern South America to the fur countries, breeding largely northward, but locally throughout its range (Granada, Wells ; Guatemala, Salvin; Cuba, Gundlach ; Cape Cod, Miller). Washington, common W. V., Sept. to Apl. Long Island, irregular T. V. Sing Sing, common T. V., Mch. 14 to Apl. 6; Oct. 5 to Oct. 28. Cambridge, very common in Oct. and Nov. Nest, in a slough or marshy place, generally on a mass of floating vegeta- tion. Zygs, six to ten, creamy or buify white, 2°50 x 1:80. “ When rising from the water, it runs on the surface for some dis tance. and generally against the wind. If it can not command a fair open space for flight, it will dive, using its tail either as a rudder or as a paddle in a vertical motion, and will hide itself away among the grass and sedges. When on the wing, it flies low along the surface of the water, with a rapid beat of its broad wings, making a short, plump figure quite uncommon for a Duck; and it generally flies quite a dis- tance before alighting” (Langille). In swimming, the tail is sometimes held erect at right angles to the body. The Masxep Duox (168. Nomonyx dominicus) is a tropical species of rare occurrence in North America. Single specimens have been taken in Wisconsin, New York, and near Cambridge, Mass. Subfamily Anserine. Geese. Geese are vegetarians. When on the water, they feed largely by tipping, as with head and neck immersed and tail pointing skyward they search for ‘the roots or seeds of aquatic plants. They are far. more terrestrial than Ducks, and visit the land to nip the herbage, 120 GEESE, ) young corn, or cereals. When wounded, they dive readily and, with their body just below the surface of the water and only the bill ex- posed, head for the shore, where they attempt to hide in the vegetation. In migrating, the flock is formed in a V-shaped wedge, the lead, it is said, being taken by an old gander. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Whole head or forehead white. A, Bill yellowish. a. Forehead and feathers at the base of bill white. 17la, Am. Waits-rronTep Goose (Ad.). 6. Head and neck white or grayish, sometimes tinged with rusty. 01. Primaries black, rest of plumage white. 169. Lesser Snow Goose. 169a. Greater Snow Goose. 28, Back grayish brown, rump and belly whitish, wing-coverts and tertials widely margined with white. . . . 169. Lussrr Snow Goose (Im.). 169a. Greater Snow Goose (Im.). o8, Back grayish brown, rump, belly, and wing-coverts gray, the lat- ter not conspicuously margined with white. 169.1. Brus Goose (Ad.). B. Bill black, throat and sides of the head white, lores black. 175. BaRNACLE Goose. II. Head and neck brown, bill yellow or yellowish. A, Nail of bill black, rump fuscous. 17la. Am.’WuirE-FronteD Goose (Im.). B. Nail of bill yellow, rump gray. . . . 169.1. Buu Goose (Im.). III. Head black or brownish black, bill black. A, Throat white . . . 172. Canapa Goose. 172a. Hurcutins’s Goose. B. Throat black or brownish black, neck speckled with white. a. Belly white . . ap ghd ee ee ea . 173. Brant. b. Belly brownish gray . . . . » . . » 174 Brack Brant. 169. Chen hyperborea (fail.). Lzssrr Snow Goosr. Ad.—En- tire plumage, except the primaries with their coverts, white; primaries black, their bases and coverts ashy. J/m.— Head, neck, and upper parts pale gray- ish, the feathers of the latter with whitish edges and (especially wing-coverts and tertials) striped medially with darker; rump, upper tail-coverts, tail, and lower parts plain white. L., 23:00-28°00; W., 1450-17-00; B., 1:95-2:30; Tar., 9'80-3°25 ” (Ridgw.). Range.— Western North America, breeding in Alaska and migrating south- ward to the Gulf; rarely found east of the Mississippi. £ggs, uniform dirty, chalky white, 3-40 x 2:20 (B., B., and R.). 169a. C. h. nivalis (Forst.). Greater Snow Goosr.—Resembles the preceding in color, but is larger. L., 80-:00-38-00; W., 17°35-17°50; B., 2°55- 270; Tar., 315-350 (Ridgw.). ’ Range.—Eastern North America, breeding in the far north (exact breed- ing range unknown); winters from Chesapeake Bay to Cuba; rare on the Atlantic coast north of Virginia. GEESE. 121 , Long Island, irregular from Oct. to Apl. Sing Sing, A. V., Apl. Nest and eggs unknown. The Snow Goose does not appear to be a common bird on any part ef the Atlantic coast. It migrates both by night and day, and when on the wing its white plumage and black-tipped primaries render it easily identifiable. It is a noisier bird than the Canada Goose, and its voice is higher and more cackling. 169.1. Chen czrulescens (Zinn.). Biuz Goosr. Ad—Head and upper neck white ; middle of the hind neck sometimes blackish, lower neck all around fuscous, rest of under parts brownish gray edged with buffy ; the lower belly generally paler, sometimes white; upper back and scapulars like the breast; lower back, rump, and upper tail-coverts gray ; tail fuscous gray edged with whitish; wing-coverts like the rump or slightly darker, with little or no whitish margins; wing-quills and tertials fuscous, the latter more or less margined with whitish. Jm.— Similar to adult, but head and neck uniform deep grayish brown, only the chin being white. L., 2650-30-00; W., 15:00- 17-00; B., 2°10-2°30; Tar., 3:00-3:30” (Ridgw.). fange.—North America; breeds in the Hudson Bay region and migrates southward, chiefly through the interior, to Texas. Long Island, A. V. West and eggs unknown. The Blue Goose is apparently nowhere a common bird, and on the Atlantic coast it is even less common than in the interior. It was at one time supposed to be the young of the Snow Goose, which it doubt- less resembles in habits. 1¥7la. Anser albifrons gambeli (Hart/.). Ammrican Wurre- FRONTED GoosE. -Ad.—Forehead and region bordering the base of the bill white; upper parts and foreneck grayish brown, more or less margined on the back with lighter; longer and lateral upper tail-coverts white; breast somewhat lighter than the throat, more or less irregularly marked with black, and fading gradually into pure white on the lower belly; sides like the back. Jm—Similar, but no white at the base of the bill or black marks on the breast; nail of the bill black. “L., 27:00-30°00; W., 14-25-1750}; B., 1:80-2°35 ; depth of mandible at base, ‘90-1:20; width, °85-1:05 ; Tar., 2°60-3°20” (Ridgw.). Range. North America, breeding far northward; in winter south to Mexico and Cuba” (A. O. U.); rare on the Atlantic coast. Long Island, A. V. Nest, on the ground, of grasses lined with down. Zggs, six to seven, dull greenish yellow with obscure darker tints, 3°10 x 2:07 (Davie). “These birds are rarely met with on the Atlantic coast, but are quite common in the Mississippi Vallcy and abundant on the Pacific slope. They prefer low, wet grounds in the vicinity of timber, or where the prairie is dotted here and there with bushes; and, while they occasionally forage off the wheat fields and other grains on the 122 GEESE. bottom lands, they seldom visit the high, dry prairies like the Snow and Canada Geese” (Goss). The European Wuirz-Frrontep Goose (171. Anser albifrons) resembles its American representative in color, but averages smaller. It is American only as it occurs in Greenland, where gambeli is apparently unknown. 172. Branta canadensis (Zinn.). Canapa Goosz. Ad.—Throat and a large patch on the side of the head behind the eye white or whitish ; chin and rest of the head and neck black ; back and wings grayish brown, more or less edged with lighter; tail and shorter upper tail-coverts black, longer and lateral ones white; breast and belly grayish, fading to white on the lower belly; sides like the back. Jm.—Similar, but throat and cheeks sometimes mixed with blackish. “L., 3500-48-00; W., 15-60-21:00; Tar., 2'45-3-70; B., 1:55-2'70” (Ridgw.). Range.—Temperate North America; breeds in the northern United States and British provinces; south in winter to Mexico. Washington, W. V. and rather common T. V., Oct. to Apl. Long Island, common T. V., Mch. and Apl.; Oct., some W. V. Sing Sing, tolerably com- mon T. V., Mch. 11 to May 21; Oct. Cambridge, common T. V., Mch. and Apl.; Oct. to Dec. iVest, of sticks lined with down, on the ground in the open prairie, on the shores of streams, on tree stumps and sometimes in trees, when a de- serted nest of the Osprey is generally used. Zgs, four to five, butfy white, 3°50 x 2°35. Probably the migration of no bird attracts more universal interest than that of thé Wild Goose. Ornithologists talk of “waves” and “flights” of migrants passing in the night, but the biannual pilgrim- age of the Canada Goose appeals to us all with the directness of a per- sonal experience. We see the living wedge of long-necked birds pass- ing high overhead; the unbroken sound-waves bring the sonorous “honks” with unexpected distinctness to our ears; and we receive an impressive lesson in the migration of birds. They are embarked on a journey of several thousand miles, but they come and go as surely as though they carried chart and compass. 172a. B. ec. hutchinsii (Sw. ¢@ Rich.). Hurcuiys’s Goosr.—Resem- bles the preceding in color, but averages smaller, L., 25-00-3400; W., 14°75- 17°75; Tar., 225-820; B., 1:20-1:90 (Ridgw.). Range.— North America, breeding in the arctic regions, and migrating south in winter chiefly through the western United States and Mississippi Valley ; eastern Asia” (A. O. U.). Long Island, A. V. 172c. B.c. minima Ridgw. Cacriive Gooser.—To be distinguished from the two preceding by its smaller size and the much darker brownish- gray color of the breast and upper belly, ‘ W., 18°60-14'50; Tar., 2°40-2°753 B,, 95-116” (Ridgw.). GEESE. 123 Range.—Pacific coast of North America, breeding chiefly about the shores of Norton Sound and the lower Yukon; south in winter to California, and, more rarely, to upper Mississippi Valley (Wisconsin, etc.) (Ridgw.). 173. Branta bernicla (Zinn.). Brant. Ad—Head, neck, throat, and upper breast black ; sides of the neck speckled with white; back brown- ish gray, margined with grayish brown; longer and lateral upper tail-coverts white; lower breast ashy gray fading to white on the lower belly; sides darker. Jm—Similar, but with less white on the sides of the neck and wing-coverts, and secondaries tipped with white. L., 26:00; W., 1320; Tar., 2°20; B., 1°35. Range.—Northern parts of the northern hemisphere; breeds within the Arctic Circle; in America, migrates southward along the Atlantic coast, reach- ing the Carolinas in winter; rare in the interior. Washington, rare W. V. Long Island, common T. V., Nov. 1 to May 15; a few winter. Sing Sing, A. V. Nest, of grasses, moss, etc., lined with down, on the ground. £gge, four, smooth and creamy white in color, 2°70 x 1-80 (Saunders). “Tts manner of flying is different from that of the Canada Goose— moving in more compact bodies, less rapidly, and without seeming te have a chosen leader—that marked characteristic in the flight of the latter. “ While in our bays it appears inactive, seldom taking to wing un- less disturbed by a passing boat or the near report of a gun. “The Brent rises slowly, and when on the wing moves sluggishly for a short distance, and, if not attracted by a distant flock, frequently returns to the place it had left. Its food consists of a marine plant (Zostera marina), commonly called ‘eel grass.’ At low water it is seen industriously at work tearing up its favorite plant. After the tide has risen to such a height as to compel it to relinquish its voca- tion, it is seen drifting with the current, feeding sumptuously on the fruits of its labor” (Giraud). 174. Branta nigricans (Zaw7.). Buack Branr—Bears a general resemblance to the preceding species, but may he readily distinguished by its much darker lower breast and upper belly, which are nearly as dark as the back, and by having white markings on the front as well as on the sides of the neck. Range.—* Arctic and western North America; rare or casual on the At- Jantic coast” (A. O. U.). “ Breeds in abundance on the arctic coast of Liver- pool Bay” (Macfarlane). Long Island, A. V. West, of grasses, moss, etc., lined with down, on the ground. gga, tive to seven, dull ivory-white or grayish white, 2°85 x 1°82 (B., B., and R.). This is the western representative of the preceding species. It is of casual occurrence on the Atlantic coust, 194 SWANS. The Barnacte Goose (175. Branta leucopsis) is an Old-World species which visits Greenland regularly in the fall, and is sometimes found on our coasts. It differs from any of the preceding in having the forehead, sides of the head, throat, and chin white, the lores being black. Subfamily Cygnine. Swans. Swans feed from the surface, either by “tipping” or by simply immersing the long neck and head. Their food consists largely of vegetable matter, but they eat also small mollusks. They migrate in V-shaped flocks. When on the wing, and also when feeding, they utter at times loud, trumpeting notes. When pursued they do not at once take flight, but swim rapidly away, and in this manner easily distance a strong rower. KEY TO THE SPECIES. A, With yellow on the lores; distance from the eye to the nostril greater than the distance from the nostril to the tip of the bill. 180. Wuisttinc Swan. B. No yellow on the lores; distance from the eye to the nostril not greater than from the nostril to the end of the bill . . . 181. TrumPETER Swan. 180. Olor columbianus (Ord). Wuisttine Swan. Ad.—White; bill and feet black; a small yellow spot on the lores. Jm.—Head and neck brownish and rest of plumage more or Jess washed with grayish; bill and feet light. L., 55°00; W., 22:00; Tar. 4:00. Eye to N., 2:40; N. to tip of B., 2°25. Range.—North America; breeds on the shores of the Arctic Ocean, and migrates south to the Gulf of Mexico; rare on the Atlantic coast north of Chesapeake Bay. Washington, rare W. V., Oct. Long Island, A. V. West, of grasses, moss, etc., lined with down, on the ground near water. Eggs, two to five, soiled whitish, 4:25 x 2°70. This is a rare bird on the Atlantic coast north of Virginia. “When feeding, or dressing their plumage, this Swan is usually very noisy, and at night these clamors may be heard to the distance of several miles. Their notes are varied, some resembling the lower ones made by the common tin horn, others running through the various modula- tions of the notes of the clarionet. These differences are presumed to be dependent upon age” (B., B., and R.). 181. Olor buccinator (Rich.). Trumprrer Swan. .4d.—White, bill and feet black, no yellow on the lores. Jm.—Head and neck brownish, rest of plumage more or less washed with grayish. L., 65:00; W., 23:00; Tar., 425; Eye to N., 270; N. to tip of B., 2°20. Fange—* Chiefly the interior of North America, from the Gulf coast to the fur countries, breeding from Iowa and Dakotu northward; west to the Pacific, but rare or casual on the Atlantic” (A. O. U.). Nest, of grasses and down, on the ground. Lys, two to six, soiled whitish, 440 x 2°80. SPOONBILLS. 195 This species rarely occurs east of the Mississippi Valley. Its habits are said to resemble those of the preceding species, “but its cry is very different, resembling the notes of a French horn and being very sonorous.” The Wuoorine Swan (179. Olor cygnus) is an Old World species which sometimes is found in Greenland. It differs from either of our Swans in having the “ basal portion of the bill and entire lores yellow in the adult.” ORDER ODONTOGLOSSZ. LAMELLIROSTRAL GRALLATORES. FaMILy PHCENICOPTERIDA. FLAMINGOES. The seven species included in this family are distributed through- out the tropics. Five species are American, of which one reaches our southern border in Florida. Flamingoes are gregarious at all seasons. They are rarely found far from the seacoasts, and their favorite re- sorts are shallow bays or vast mud flats which are flooded at high water. In feeding, the bill is pressed downward into the mud, its pe- culiar shape making the point then turn upward. The ridges along its sides, as in the bills of Ducks, serve as strainers through which are forced the sand and mud taken in with the food. 182. Phenicopterus ruber (Zinn.). Framineo. (See Fig. 18.) Ad.—Beautiful rosy vermilion, scapulars and under parts somewhat paler, flanks carmine, primaries and secondaries black ; bill yellowish black at the tip. Jm.—Grayish’ white, the wings varied with grayish and dusky” (Ridgw.). L., 45:00; W., 1625; Tar., 12°50; B., 5°50. Range.— Atlantic coasts of tropical and subtropical America; resident in southwestern Florida (Monroe County); casual along the Gulf coust to Texas ; accidental in South Carolina. — Nest, in mud flats, a truncate cone of mud ten to twenty inches in height, hollowed on top. £ygs, two, soiled whitish with a chalky deposit, 3:55 x 2-20. The Flamingo is resident in the United States only in the vicinity of Cape Sable, Fla., where in 1890 Mr. W. E. D. Scott observed a flock of about a thousand birds (The Auk, vii, 1890, pp. 221-226). ORDER HERODIONES. HERONS, STORKS, IBISES, ETC. FAMILY PLATALEIDZ. SPOONBILLS. The Spoonbills inhabit the warmer parts of the world. Only one of the five or six species is found in America. They frequent the 126 IBISES. shores both on the seacoast and in the interior, They are generally found in flocks and they nest in colonies. Spoonbills have the gen- eral habits of Herons, but feed by immersing the bill and swinging it from side to side in their search for food. 188. Ajaja ajaja (Linn.). Rosrare Sroownit.; Pink Curtew. (See Fig. 21.) .Ad.—Head and throat bare, neck and upper back white, some- times tinged with pink; sides of the breast in front of the wings and end half of tail ochraceous-butf; rest of plumage pink ; lengthened feathers at the base of the neck darker; lesser wing-coverts, upper and under tail-coverts car- mine, Jm,—Similar, but head and throat feathered, ochraccous-buff and car- mine of the adult replaced by pink. L., 82:00; W., 14°50; Tar., 4°00; B., 6-25. Range.—Tropical and subtropical America north to the Gulf States. Nest, a platform of sticks in mangrove bushes or small trees. Zyya, three to five, white, spotted and speckled with shades of olive-brown, 2°57 x 1:73, This was formerly a common species in Florida, but continued persecution has so reduced its numbers that during four winters passed in different parts of the State I did not observe it. It nests in January and February in the extreme southern part of the State, and after the nesting season wanders northward. On the Texas coast it is more numerous. FamiLy Ipipipa®. Inisks. Ibises are distributed throughout the warmer parts of the globe; they number about thirty species, of which four occur in North Amer- ica, They are silent birds, and live in flocks during the entire year. They feed along the shores of lakes, bays, and salt-water lagoons, and on mud flats over which the tide rises and falls. Their food consists principally of crustaceans, frogs, and small fish. KEY TO THE SPECIES, A, Plumage deep chestnut . . . . . . 4%. . . . . 186. Grossy Isis, B. Plumage scarlet. . 6 6 ew ee. 185, Scarzer Ipis (Ad). C. Plumage white . . . soe oe ee ee. . 184. Ware Inis (Ad.). D. Back brown, belly white, a. Rump white. . 2 2. 1... ee ee. 184, Wine Its (Im.), 6. Rump like the back. . 2. . ©. . . . 185, Scarzer Inis (Im.). 184. Guara alba (Linn.). Wire Ints; Spanisn Curtew (see Fig. 20). Ad.— White, the tips of the four outer primaries black ; bare parts of the head orange-red, /m.—Head and neck white, streaked with grayish brown; upper baek and wings grayish brown; rump, breast, and belly white, L., 25-00; W., 11:00; Tar., 3-40; B. from N., 4°60. Range—Tropical America; breeds as far north as southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and South Carolina; winters from the Gulf southward, Long Island, A. V. STORKS, 127 Nest, of reeds and weed stalks, in trees, bushes, and reedy marshes. Eggs, three to five, pale greenish white, with chocolate markings generally most numerous at the larger end, 2:25 x 1°50. This locally abundant species is generally found in flocks of five or six to as many hundred birds which frequent mud flats, marshes, or the borders of lagoons. They fiy in close rank, and when in large flocks, with their snowy plumage glistening in the sunlight and their wing-strokes accented by the black-tipped primaries, form a strikingly beautiful picture. The Scartet Ints (185. Guara rubra), a South American species, has been recorded from Florida, Louisiana, and New Mexico. (See Brewster, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, viii, 1883, p. 185; also Scott, Auk, vi, 1889, p. 15.) 186. Plegadis autumnalis (/asselg.). Guossy Isis. Ad.—Rich chestnut, upper and under tail-coverts, back, wings, and front of the head with greenish and purplish reflections; lores (in skins) blackish. Jm—Head and neck fuscous-brown, the feathers laterally margined with white; rest of under parts dull fuscous-brown; back with greenish reflections. L., 24-00; W., 11°50; Tar., 3:10; B., 5:00. Range.—Tropical and subtropical regions generally ; rare and of local dis- tribution in the southeastern United States and West Indies. Washington, A. V., two records. Long Island, A. V., two records. Cam- bridge, A. V., one record, May. Vest, of rushea, plant stems, ete., in reedy Smaps or low bushes. £ggs, three, rather deep, dull blue, 2°01 x 1°47. This is a rare species in the eastern United States. Its haunts are of much the same nature as those of the preceding species. The Wuite-Facep Guossy Isrts (187. Plegadis guarauna), a locally com- mon species from Texas westward and southward, has been recorded but once from east of the Mississippi, viz., at or near Lake Washington, Florida, where a female was shot on a nest containing three eggs (Brewster, Auk, iii, 1886, p. 482). This species resembles the Glossy Ibis, but adults have the region about the base of the bill white. FamILy Ciconnpa&. STORKS. Only two of the twenty-five known species included in this family are found in North America. Storks are both gregarious and solitary. Our species, the so-called Wood Ibis, is as a rule found in flocks and nests in colonies. It feeds in swamps and on the shores of bayous, where it is said to “rake” the bottom with its foot in searching for food. It isa strong flier, a certain number of wing-strokes being fol- lowed by ashort sail. At times it mounts high in the air and sails about like a Vulture. Sometimes it perches upon trees. Its voice is described as a rough, guttural croak. 128 HERONS AND BITTERNS. 188. Tantalus loculator Linn. Woop lz1s. Ad.—Head and neck bare; primaries, secondaries, and tail glossy greenish black, rest of plumage white. Jm.—Head more or less feathered; head and neck grayish brown, blacker on the nape; rest of plumage as in the adult, but more or less marked with grayish ; wings and tail less greenish. L., 40:00; W., 18:00; Tar., 7-60; B. from N., 8:00. Range.—Tropical and subtropical America ; breeds in the Gulf States, and, after the breeding season, wanders irregularly northward, sometimes reaching Kansas, Wisconsin, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and New York. Washington, A. V., two specimens. Long Island, A. V. Nest, a platform of sticks in trees. Zggs, two to three, dull white with a soft calcareous deposit, 2°75 x 1:75. This is a locally common species in Florida. Famity ARDEIDZ. HERONS AND BITTERNS. This family contains about seventy-five species distributed in most parts of the globe, but more numerously in the intertropical regions. Generally speaking, Herons are gregarious, nesting and roosting in flocks. While feeding they are more solitary, but each night they regularly return to roost with their kind in a “rookery.” Bitterns do not associate in flocks, and are generally found singly or in pairs. As a rule, they feed in grassy marshes, while Herons more commonly resort to the shores of lakes, rivers, bays, or salt-water lagoons. Some species secure their food of frogs, fish, small reptiles, etc., by standing rigidly motionless and waiting for it to come within striking distance, or by wading for it with the utmost caution. Others run rapidly and noisily through the water, trusting to their agility and the rapidity of their spearlike thrusts to supply their wants. Herons, unlike our Ibises and Cranes, fly with their folded neck drawn in between their shoulders. Their voice is a hoarse squawk. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Wing over 13:00. A. Plumage pure white. a. Wing 17:00 or over; feathers on the lower neck long, narrow. 192. Great Waite Heron. 2’. Wing under 17:00; neck-feathers not lengthened. 196. Am. Eerer. B. Upper parts generally slaty or grayish blue. 193. Warp’s Heron. 194. Grear Biuz Heron. II. Wing under 13:00. 1. Crown without streaks. A. Crown white or whitish. a. Wing over 11:00. at. Plumage entirely or mostly white . . . 198. Reppisu Eorer. a?, Plumage gray streaked with black; throat and sides of neck black . . . . . . . . 208. YELLOW-crownED Nicut Heron. HERONS AND BITTERNS. 129 6. Wing under 11:00. 61. Plumage pure white; legs and bill black; feet yellow. 197. Snowy Heron. 03, Tips of primaries slate-color; plumage white, sometimes irregu- larly marked with slaty blue. . 200. LirrLe Biur Heron (Im.). B. Crown umber or reddish brown. uw. Head and neck reddish brown; body slate-color. 198. Reppisu Eerer. 6. Neck conspicuously streaked; body variegated. 190. Am. Birrrrn. ¢C. Crown slaty or slate-blue with sometimes a purplish cast. «. Wing-coverts more or less margined with rufous. 199. Lovistana Heron. d. Wing-coverts without rufous. . . . . 200, Lirrte Biuz Heron. D. Crown greenish or bluish black. a. Wing over 10:00; entire under parts pure white. 202. Buack-crownEpD Nicut Heron. 6. Wing under 10-00. bt, Wing-coverts green . . . . . . 201. Lirrie Green Heron. ot, Wing-coverts rufous-chestnut and buff. c, Under parts buffy, more or less streaked. 191. Least Birrrrn. 3, Under parts rufous-chestnut 191.1. Cory’s Least Birrern. 2. Crown streaked. A, Wing under 10:00; upper parts greenish 201. LitrLe Green Heron. B. Wing over 10:00; upper parts brownish or blackish brown streaked ' with white. a. Upper parts light brown; outer edge of’ primaries reddish. 202. Brack-crowNnep Nieut Heron (Im.). 6. Back dark brown; crown nearly black with white streaks ; prima~ ries dark slate-color 203. YELLow-crowneED Nigur Heron (Im.). 190. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.). American Bitrern; Marsu Hen. Ad.—A glossy black streak on either side of the upper neck; top of the head and back of the neck bluish slate, more or less washed with butfy ; back brown, bordered and irregularly mottled with buffy, and buffy ochraceous, wing-coverts similarly marked, but the ground color grayer; un- der parts creamy buif, the feathers all widely streaked with buffy brown, which is finely speckled with buffy aud narrowly margined by brownish gray. Jm.—Similar, but the buffy everywhere deeper and more ochraceous. L., 28:00; W., 10°50; Tar., 350; B., 3-00. Range.—Temperate North America; breeds but rarely south of Virginia ; winters from Virginia southward. Washington, rather common W, V., Aug. to Apl. Loug Island, common T. V., Apl. and Sept. to Nov. Sing Sing, rare 8. R., Apl. 11 to Oct. 5. Cam- bridge, not common 8. R., Apl. 15 to Nov. Nest, of grasses, ete., on the ground in marshes. £ygs, three to five, pale olive-buff, 1°90 x 1°45. The Bittern makes its home in extensive grassy meadows with plenty of water, but in the season of migration may be found and 10 130 HERONS AND BITTERNS. heard “ booming” in smaller and more accessible swampy places. Like. the other members of its family, it excels in standing still, and will hold its head erect and motionless amid the tall grass till the watcher tires of looking and pronounces the suspicious object nothing but a stick after all. The Bittern’s fame rests upon its vocal performance, or “boom.” This is sometimes exactly like the working of an old-fash- ioned wooden pump, and sometimes—even with the same bird—like the driving of a stake in a bog. It can be heard for a long distance, The performance is best witnessed in spring, while the grass is still low. That it is not so very difficult at that season to steal a march upon the bird may perhaps be considered as established on the testi- mony of a man who has never lived near a Bittern meadow, and yet has watched the performance at much length and at near range on several occasions. His first experience of this kind is described some- what fully in The Auk, vol. vi, page 1. The strange notes are deliv- ered with equally strange contortions, as if the bird were horribly nauseated, and are preceded by a succession of quick snapping or gulping sounds—“hiccoughs,” one observer has called them. No water is employed in the operation, in spite of the circumstantial as- sertions of several persons who profess to have seen the bird swallow- ing and then ejecting it—Braprorp Torrey. 191. Ardetta exilis (Gmel.). Least Bitrern. Ad. 6.—Top of the head, back, and tail shining black; back of the neck chestnut-rufous; most of the greater wing-coverts and outer vanes of the secondaries darker; lesser wing-coverts and part of the greater ones buffy ; under parts, including under tail-coverts, washed with bufty; a blackish patch at either side of the breast. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but head browner and back light, glossy umber; under parts darker and more or less streaked with brownish. Jm. 6.—Similar to ad. 6, but the back washed and tipped with chestnut; under parts darker and lightly streaked with black. Jm. 9 .—similar toad. @ , but the back rufous, margined with buffy ochraceous. L., 18:00; W., 4°60; Tar., 1:60; B., 1:80. Range.—Temperate and tropical America; breeds in North America as far north as Maine, Ontario, and Manitoba; winters from southern Florida southward. Washington, not very numerous S. R., May 5 to Sept. 25. Long Island, common S. R., May to Sept. Sing Sing, tolerably common S. R., to Aug. 10. Cambridge, rather common 8. R., May 15 to Aug. Nest, of grasses, plant stems, etc., in marshes among rushes, sometimes in asmall bush, £ygs, three to six, pale bluish white, 1:20 x -92. Wet, grassy marshes such as Rail love, or reed-grown ponds that Gallinules frequent, are the resorts of these retiring, secretive little birds. With outstretched necks and lowered heads they make their way without difficulty through the jungle of roots and stalks. Some- times they climb up a slender reed, and, hanging on like Marsh Wrens, HERONS AND BITTERNS, 131 survey their surroundings. They take wing almost from beneath one’s feet, and, with a low, frightened qua, fly slowly for a short distance and then drop back into the grass. During the breeding season one may hear what presumably is the voice of only the male—a soft, slowly repeated, dovelike coo, coo, coo, coo, coo. It floats over the marsh like the voice of a spirit bird. 191.1. Ardetta neoxena Cory. Cory’s Birrern. Ad. é—Top of the head, back, and tail dark greenish black, showing a green gloss when held in the light. Sides of the head and throat rufous-chestnut, the feathers on the back of the neck showing greenish-black tips; breast and under parts nearly uniform rufous-chestnut, shading into dull black on the sides; wing-coverts dark rufous-chestnut, all the remiges entirely slaty plumbeous; under tail- coverts uniform dull black. W., 4°30; Tar., 1:40; B., 1:80” (Cory, orig. deser., Auk, iii, 1886, p. 262). This small Bittern was described from a specimen taken in the Everglades of Florida. Five additional specimens have since been secured in the same region, to which, until recently, the species was supposed to be confined. Within the past few years, however, seven specimens have been taken in the Toronto marshes, where A. exilis is common, and one is recorded from Michigan. It seems to me not un- likely that, as Mr. W. E, D. Scott suggests, neoxena may prove to be a color phase of A. eatlis. (Cf. Scott, Auk, viii, 1891, p. 309; ix, 1892, p. 141; and Chapman, zdid., xiii, 1896, p. 11.) 192. Ardea occidentalis 4ud. Great Wurtz Heron, Ad.—En- tirely white ; in breeding plumage, with long, narrow, stiffened feathers on the back and lower foreneck, and two narrow plumes on the back of the crown. “L,, 45°00-54-00; W., 17-00-21-:00; B., 6:00-7-00; Tar, 800-875" (Ridgw.). Lange.—Jamaica and Cuba north to the coasts of southern Florida, casu- ally to Anclote River and Micco. Nest, a platform of sticks in colonies in mangrove bushes. Zggs, three to four, pale, dull blue, 2°50 x 1-80. This is a common species on the coasts of southern Florida. par- ticularly in the vicinity of Cape Sable. Rarely it is found as far north as the Anclote River on the west coast and Micco on the east coast. This bird is as large as the Great, Blue Heron, and must not be con- fused with Ardea egretta, to which the name Great White Heron is frequently applied. Ardea wuerdmanni Baird has been considered to be a color phase of this species, but its true standing is unknown. It is described by Coues as follows: “ Head, with the crest, white, the forehead streaked with black edges of the feathers; under parts white, the sides streaked with black; lower plumes of neck white, mostly streaked with black edges of the feathers ; neck purplish 132 IIERONS AND BITTERNS. gray, darker than in A. herodias, with a similar throat line of white, black, and rufous. Under wing-coverts streaked with white; rufous of edge of wing less extensive than in A. herodiéas, that of tibie paler. Tibiee and soles of feet yellow; tarsi and top of toes yellowish green. Jm.—Like young A. herodias,; top of head dusky, the feathers with whitish shaft lines and bases. Lesser wing-coverts speckled with rusty, the under ones pure white” (Coues), “L., 48-00-50-00; W., 2000-21-00; B., 5°95-6'50; Tar., 7°95-8-25" (Ridgw.). 193. Ardea wardi Ridgw. Wanv’s Hreron.—This is the Florida rep- resentative of A. herodias. It is believed by some ornithologists to be a dis- tinct species, but in my opinion is a peninsular race. The average differences in color between it and A. herodias consist in its whiter lower parts, darker neck, and olive instead of black legs. These differences, however, can not always be relied upon, and size is the character by which the two birds can best be distinguished, ward being the larger, as the following measurements show: L., 52°00; W., 19°75-20°50; B., 640-680; Tar., 8:00-8:50. Range.—Florida, from Alachua County southward. Vest, a platform of sticks, in colonies, generally in cypress trees. Zggs, three to four, pale, dull blue, 2°65 x 1:85. This is the Florida form of the following, which it resembles in habits. It is more common than the Great Blue Heron, and is gener- ally distributed throughout the peninsula from Gainesville southward. 194. Ardea herodias Zinn. Great Biur Heron; Bive Crane; Sanpuity Crane. Ad. in breeding plumage.—Center of the crown and throat white, sides of the crown black, this color meeting on the back of the head, where the feathers are lengthened to form an occipital crest: neck pale gray- ish brown, a narrow black, white, and ochraceous line down the middle of the foreneck ; feathers of the lower foreneck narrow and much lengthened, whitish with sometimes black streaks; back, wing-coverts, and tail slaty gray, the scapulars paler, narrow, and much lengthened ; bend of the wing chestnut-rufous; a patch of black and white feathers on the side of the breast; breast and belly streaked with black and white and sometimes pale rufous ; feathers on legs dull rufous, legs and feet black, upper mandible olive- yellow, the culmen blackish; lower mandible yellow; lores blue. Jm— Similar, but entire crown black, throat white, neck brownish gray washed with buffy ochraceous ; no black at the sides of the breast or plumes on the lower neck; under parts streaked with black, slaty, white, and ochraceous; bend of wings and feathers on legs puler; back slaty grayish brown without lengthened plumes. “L., 42:00-50:00; W., 17-90-1985; B., 4:30-6:25; Tar., 6:00-8:00” (Ridgw.). Range.—Northern South America northward to the arctic regions; breeds locally throughout most of its North American range and winters from the Middle States southward. Washington, rather common, absent only in midwinter. Long Island, common T, V., Apl. and May; Aug. to Dec. Sing Sing, common T. V., Apl. 4to Apl. 18; Aug. 16 to Oct. 6, Cambridge, common T, V., Apl. and May; Sept. to Nov.; occasional in summer, HERONS AND BITTERNS. 188 Nest, a platform of sticks, generally in colonies, in trees. Zggs, three to four, pale, dull blue, 2°50 x 1:50. Is it due to the influence of the artists of the Orient that these long-legged, long-necked birds are so frequently miscalled “ Cranes” ? With head drawn in and legs trailing on behind, they flap slowly over the water, resembling, no doubt, the “Cranes” of fans, screens, and bronzes; nevertheless, they are Herons. With all a Heron’s immovable alertness they watch patiently for passing fish, sometimes wading with extreme caution, placing one foot slowly after the other. They feed both by day and night. Fishes, frogs, reptiles, even small mice, all are welcome; and all are powerless to escape the lightning thrust of the spearlike bill. Their voice is harsh and rasping. When alarmed they utter a croak which is sometimes prolonged into a series of sywawks, They nest and roost in colonies, but at other times are solitary birds. The Evrorran Great Buvr Heron (195. Ardea cinerea) is accidental in southern Greenland. It may be distinguished from our species by the white instead of rufous feathers on the legs. 196. Ardea egretta Gmel. American Eorer. Ad. in breeding plumage.—Entire plumage pure white; about fifty straight “ aigrette” plumes grow from the interscapular region and reach beyond the tail; legs and feet black ; bill yellow; lores orange, bordered below by greenish. Ad. after the breeding season and Im.— Without the interscapular plumes. L., 41:00; W., 15:00; Tar., 5°60; B., 4°50. Range.—Tropical and temperate America; breeds as far north as southern Illinois and Virginia; after the breeding season sometimes strays northward as far as Manitoba, Quebec, and New Brunswick. Washington, not common and irregular 8. R., May to August. Long Island, rare from July to Sept. Sing Sing, A. V. Nest, a platform of sticks, in colonies, in bushes over water. Zggs, three to five, dull blue, of a rather deeper shade than those of the preceding, 2°25 x 1°60. Tourists who went to Florida thirty years ago have told me of prairies white with Egrets, of bushy islands glistening in the sun like snow banks. Now you may look for miles along a lake shore and per- haps in the distance see a solitary Egret, which, as you approach, with a frightened squawk takes wing a rifle-shot away. The rapid exter- mination of these plume-bearing birds is startling evidence of man’s power in the animal world. At his word a species is almost imme- diately wiped out of existence. I have heard a “ plume-hunter” boast of killing three hundred Herons in a “rookery” in one afternoon. Another proudly stated that he and his companions had killed one hundred and thirty thousand birds—Herons, Egrets, and Terns—dur- ing one winter. _ But the destruction of these birds is an unpleasant 134 HERONS AND BITTERNS. ‘ subject. It isa blot on Florida’s history. The subject will be found fully treated by W. E. D. Scott in The Auk, iv, 1887, p. 185. 19%. Ardea candidissima Gime. Snowy Hrron; Snowy Ecrer Ad. in breeding plumage.—Entire plumage pure white; about fifty recurved “aigrette” plumes grow from the interscapular region and reach to or just beyond the end of the tail; legs black, feet yellow, bill black, yellow at the base; lores orange-yellow. Ad. after the breeding season and Im.—Without the interscapular plumes. L., 24:00; W., 9°75; Tar., 3°80; B., 3°20. Range.—Tropical and temperate America; breeds as far north as southern Illinois and Long Island; after the breeding season sometimes strays north- ward as far as Ontario and Maine. Washington, casual; irregular in fall. Long Island, rare 8. R., Apl. to Sept. Sing Sing, A. V. Nest, a platform of sticks, in colonies, in bushes over water. gs, three to five, pale, dull blue, 1°80 x 1.20. The “curse of beauty” has numbered the days of this the most dainty and graceful of Herons. Twenty years ago it was abundant in the South, now it is the rarest of its family. The delicate “aigrettes ” which it donned as a nuptial dress were its death warrant. Woman demanded from the bird its wedding plumes, and man has supplied the demand. The Florida Herons have gone, and now he is pursuing the helpless birds to the uttermost parts of the earth. Mercilessly they are shot down at their roosts or nesting grounds, the coveted feathers are stripped from their backs, the carcasses are left to rot, while the young in the nest above are starving. But then, you know, the little bunch of aigrettes in yonder jaunty bonnet is “so pretty,” “so becoming!” 198. Ardea rufescens Gmel. Reppisn Ecru. Ad., dark phase— Head and neck rufous-chestnut, glossed with vinaceous; rest of the plumage dark bluish slate-color; about thirty “aigrette” plumes grow from the inter- scapular region and reach beyond the tail; legs and feet black. Jm.—Simi- lar, but without the “aigrette” plumes. White phase—Similar in size and form, but entire plumage white, except the tips of the primaries, which are sometimes very finely speckled with grayish. Jm.—Sumilar, but without the “aigrette” plumes. L., 29:00; W., 12°50; Tar., 5°40; B., 3°60. Remarks.—The two color phases of this bird were supposed to represent two species, the white phase being called Ardea pealet Bonap. They have, however, been found mated together, and intermediates or party-colored specimens are known. Range.—West Indies and Central America north to coasts of the Gulf States; casually southern Illinois. Kei, a platform of sticks, in colonies, in bushes generally over water. Eyqs, two to four, pale, dull blue, 1:95 x 1:45. This is, or was a few years ago, a not uncommon species on the coasts of southern Florida, but it is unknown in the interior. It is “AUOLVNKI GNV LINGV ‘NOU ET gntg WWLLITy HERONS AND BITTERNS. 135 generally seen in flocks. With A. candidissima they lack the patience of the larger Herons and pursue their prey in shallow water. 199. Ardea tricolor ruficollis (Gosse). Loutstana Heron. Ad. —Upper parts dark bluish slate-color; back of the head and upper neck with elongated chestnut-rufous and white feathers; back with pale brownish gray “aiorette” plumes reaching to the tail; lower back, rump, and belly white; neck bluish slate-color ; throat white, an indistinct rufous line down the mid- dle of the foreneck ; legs blackish; base of the bill and lores bluish. Jm.— Throat, and an indistinct line down the foreneck, white ; rest of the head and neck brownish rufous; upper back and wings bluish slate-color, more or less washed with brownish rufous ; no plumes ; lower back, rump, and belly white; breast with more or less slaty streaks; legs yellow behind, blackish before; lower mandible and lores orunge; upper mandible black. L., 26-00; W., 10°00; Tar., 3°70; B., 3°90. Range.—Central America and West Indies northward to the Gulf States; casually to Long Island. Long Island, A. V., one record. Nest, a platform of sticks, in colonies, in bushes over water Zygs, four to five, pale, dull blue, 1°75 x 1°35. A common species in Florida, where it is found both singly and in flocks. It is sometimes a slow, stealthy feeder, and at others dashes for its prey. 200. Ardea ceerulea Zinn. Lirrtz Bruzr Heron, dAd.—Head and neck maroon-chestnut; rest of the plumage dark bluish slate-color; inter- scapulars and lower neck feathers lengthened and narrowly pointed; lores blue; legs and feet black. Jm.—White, the plumage sometimes more or less washed with slaty ; the tips of the primaries always bluish slate-color ; legs, feet, and lores greenieh yellow. L., 22:00; W., 10°25; Tar., 3°70; B., 3-00. Remarks.—Between the young and adult there is every stage of inter- gradation of color, some specimens being irregularly marked with blue and white in about equal proportions. Young birds are sometimes mistaken for Snowy Herons, bug can always be distinguished by the greenish yellow legs and slaty tips of the primaries. * Range.—Tropical and temperate America, breeding as far north as south- ern Illinois and Virginia; after the breeding season wanders northward, some- times reaching Nova Scotia. Washington, casual in July and August; sometimes quite common. Long Island, rare from Apl. to Sept. Nest, a platform of sticks, in colonies, in bushes over water. Zggs, three to four, pale, dull blue, 1°70 x 1:30. Thanks to their lack of “aigrette” plumes Little Blue Herons are probably the most common Herons in Florida to-day. They are gen- erally found in, flocks, sometimes composed entirely of blue adults, sometimes of white, immature birds, and at others both young and old are associated. The white birds resemble A. candidessima, but the 136 HERONS AND BITTERNS. color of their legs and feet serves as a distinguishing character at some distance. They are silent when feeding, but when undisturbed in their rookeries each bird seems to have something to say, and the result is a strange chorus.of croaking voices. They feed by day, and generally wait for their prey to come within striking distance. 201. Ardea virescens Linn. Lirrte Green Heron; Poxe (see Fig. 19). .Ad.—Crown and a short line below the eye glossy greenish black ; throat buffy white, this color extending down the foreneck as a narrow line mixed with blackish, widening on the breast; rest of the head and neck rufous-chestnut glossed with vinaceous ; back, with lengthened interscapulars, green, more or less washed with bluish gray; wing-coverts green, margined with white or buffy ; belly ashy gray, more or less washed with buffy. Jm.— Similar, but with the neck and under parts streaked with blackish; back without lengthened feathers or wash of blue-gray ; wing-coverts widely mar- gined with buffy ochraceous. L., 17-00; W., 7-25; Tar., 1-90; B., 2°50. ; Range.—Tropical and temperate America; breeds as far north as Mani- toba, Ontario, and the Bay of Fundy ; winters from Florida southward. Washington, very common 8. K., Apl. 15 to Sept. Long Island, common S. R., Apl. to Oct. Sing Sing, common 8. R., Apl. 6 to Sept. 26. Cambridge, common 8. R., May 5 to Sept. Nest, a platform of sticks in a bush or low branch of a tree. £gs, three to six, pale, dull blue, 1°50 x 114. The shores of wooded streams or ponds are frequented by this small Heron in preference to more exposed situations. It is‘most active in the early morning or at nightfall, and during the day rests quietly in some sheltered situation. When startled, it springs into the air with a frightened squawk, and, alighting at a safe distance on a tree or on some elevated perch, with upstretched neck watches the intruder, be- traying its apprehension by nervous twitchings of the tail. It is a solitary bird, and, unlike most Herons, is never found in flocks. 202. Nycticorax nycticorax nzvius (Bodd.).. Buack-cRowNED Nient Heron; Quawx. Ad.—Forchead, lores, neck, and under parts white or whitish ; crown, upper back, and scapulars glossy, greenish black; lowér back, wings, and tail ashy gray; legs and feet yellow ; lores greenish; two or three white rounded occipital plumes about 6-00 in length. Jm.—Upper parts grayish brown, the feathers streaked or with wedge-shaped spots of white or buffy ; outer web of primaries pale rufous; under parts white, streaked with blackish. L., 24:00; W., 12:00; Tar., 3:20; B., 3:00. Range.—Breeds from Manitoba and New Brunswick southward through South America; winters from the Gulf States southward. Washington, not uncommon 8. R., occasional in winter. Long Island, common 8. R., Apl. to Oct., a few winter. Sing Sing, common 8. R,, Apl. 6 to Oct. 20. Cambridge, P. R., most common in Aug. and Sept. Nest, of sticks, in colonies, generally in the upper parts of tall trees, some- times in bushes or on the ground. Zyqs, four to six, pale, dull blue, 2:00 x 1:40. CRANES. 137 These birds live in colonies composed sometimes of thousands of pairs. Their day begins after sunset, when they leave their roosts and start for their feeding grounds. Occasionally they utter a loud, hoarse quawk, the origin of their common name; and looking up we may catch a glimpse of them hurrying through the gloom. During the nesting season the demands of the young force them to feed both by day and night. 203. Nycticorax violaceus (Linn.). Yr.LLow-crownep Nicut Heron. Ad.—Crown white, generally washed with buffy ; ear-coverts white ; rest of the head and throat black; neck, breast, and belly blue-gray ; back the same; the lengthened interscapulars, scapulars, and wing-coverts streaked with black; two or three black and white rounded occipital plumes; lores greenish yellow; legs greenish. Jm.—Crown dlack, the feathers streaked with white or buffy ; rest of the upper parts, including wing-coverts, fuscous-brown with wedge-shaped buffy or white spots; primaries dark bluish slate-color without rufous ; under parts white or buffy streaked with blackish. L., 23-00; W., 12:00; Tar., 3°75; B., 300. Remarks.—Young birds bear a general resemblance to those of the pre- ceding species, but differ in being darker, in having the head darker than the back, and the primaries without rufous. Range.—Breeds from southern Ilinois and South Carolina southward to South America, and occasionally strays north as far as Massachusetts. Long Island, A. V. Cambridge, A. V., one record, July. Nest, a platform of sticks, in pairs, generally in a low branch overhanging water. Zggs, four to five, pale, dull blue, 1:95 x 1:45. Unlike the preceding, this is a rather solitary species, and is found singly or in pairs along the borders of wooded streams, and never in colonies. It is also, I think, more diurnal in habits. ORDER PALUDICOLZE. CRANES, RAILS, ETC. FaMILy GRUIDH. CRANES. The Cranes number about eighteen species, of which three are North American, while the remaining fifteen inhabit the Old World. They frequent plains and marshes, and are omnivorous feeders, eating frogs, lizards, field-mice, snakes, etc., and various kinds of vegetable food. Our species migrate in flocks, but are solitary rather than gregarious at other times of the year. Their voice is loud and resonant. 204. Grus americana (Linn.). Wuoorine Crane; Waite CRANE. 4d.—Top of the head, lores, and sides of the throat.dull red, with uw thin growth of black “hairs”; primaries black, rest of the plumage white. Jm.— Similar, but whole head feathered, and the plumage more or less washed with buffy ochraceous. L., 50°00; W., 25:00; ‘Tar., 11-50; B., 5-00. 138 COURLANS. Range.—Interior of North America; breeds from [linois northward ; win~ ters in the Gulf States. Washington, A. V., one record. West, of grasses and weed stalks, on the ground in marshy places. Zygs, two, olive-gray, spotted and blotched with distinct and obscure cinnamon- brown markings, 4°00 x 2°50. A rather rare species east of the Mississippi. “In flight their long necks and stiltlike legs are stretched out in a line with the body to the full extent, moving strongly with slowly beating wings, but not swiftly, .. . often circling spiral-like to a great height. They occa- sionally bunch up, and I have seen them in triangular form; but as a rule they travel in single file, following their leader in a wavy line, croaking as they go, like hounds upon a cold trail” (Goss). The Lirrte Brown Crane (205. “Grus canadensis) breeds from Hudson Bay to Alaska, and winters in Texas and Mexico. There are but two in- stances of its occurrence east of the Mississippi (Rhode Island and South Carolina). It resembles mexicana, but is smaller; W. 18°50; B., 4°10. 206. Grus mexicana (Mill.). Sannin Crans; Brown Crake. Ad.—Whole top of the head to below the eyes covered with rough, minutely warty, dull reddish skin thinly grown with short, black “hairs”; plumage brownish gray, with more or less silvery gray and buffy ochraceous. Jm.— Similar, but whole head feathered, and with more buffy ochraccous in the plumage. “L., 40-00-4800; W., 21:83; Tar., 10 25; B., 547" (Ridgw.). Range.—Florida, Georgia, and northward through the Mississippi Valley to Manitoba; breeds locally throughout its range; winters in the Gulf States from Florida to Texas. Nest, of roots, rushes, weed stulks, etc.,on the ground in marshy places. Eggs, two, olive-gray, spotted and blotched with distinct and obscure cinna- mon-brown markings, 3°90 x 2°40. “These birds in their habits are similar to the Whooping [Crane], but much more numerous. Their loud, modulating. sonorous croak announces their presence, and is often heard during the night as well as the day. @ “During courtship and the early breeding season their actions and anties at times are ludicrous in the extreme, bowing and leaping high in the air, hopping, skipping, and circling about with drooping wings and eroaking whoop, an almost indescribable dance and din, in which the females (an exception to the rule) join, all working themselves up into a fever of excitement only equaled by an Indian war dance, and, like the same, it only stops when the last one is exhausted ” (Goss). Famity ARAMIDA. COURLANS. Courlans might. be called large Rails with some of the habits of Herons. Two species are known, Aramus scolopaceus of South America, RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 139 and A. giganteus of Central America, Mexico, the West Indies, and Florida. They frequent the borders of wooded streams and swamps, and at times the uplands. Their flight is short, and when on the wing their legs dangle below them. Like the Herons, they perch in trees. Their prolonged, melancholy call has won for them the name “ Crying- bird.” Their usual note is a loud, rather high wah-ree-ow; the last syllable is drawn out into a wail, and the effect is most grewsome. Courlans feed to a large extent on land shells (Ampullaria), and, as Prof. W. B. Barrows has shown, the tip of the Courlan’s bill is some- times turned slightly to one side, an evident result of forcing it into the spiral opening of the shell to extract the animal. 207. Aramus giganteus (Bonap.). Liuiexin; Cryine-pirp ; Cour- tan. (See Fig. 24.) .Ad.—Glossy olive-brown, the feathers of the head and neck narrowly, those of the body broadly, striped with white; wings and tail more bronzy. /m.—Similar, but paler and duller. L., 28-00; W., 18-00; Tar., 4°50; B., 425. Fange.—Central America and West Indies north to Rio Grande Valley and Florida. Nest, of leaves, twigs, etc.,in a bush or small tree. Zygs, four to seven, pale buffy white, blotched, stained, and speckled with light cinnamon-brown, 2°30 x 1°70. This is a locally distributed species in Florida. Its general habits are described in the remarks on the family Aramide. Famity RALuipa&. Rais, GALLINULES, AND Coors. The one hundred and eighty species contained in this family are distributed throughout the greater part of the world, fifteen species inhabiting North America. Rails and Gallinules are not strictly gre- garious, but are generally associated through a community of inter- ests ; Coots, however, are usually found in flocks. Rails inhabit grassy marshes, in which they seek safety by running or hiding, taking to wing when pursued only as a last resort. Their flight is then short and labored, and with dangling legs they soon drop back into cover. Nevertheless, they perform extended migrations, traveling hundreds of miles without resting. Gallinules live near the marshy borders of bodies of water, while the more aquatic Coots resemble some Ducks in habits, KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Bill over 1°75. A, Cheeks below the eye cinnamon-rufous, like the breast; flanks black barred with white; upper parts rich olive-brown streaked with black. 208. Kine Rar. B. Cheek below the eye gray; flanks generally gray or brownish, barred with white; upper parts gencrally grayish, streaked with black. 211, CLapper Ratt and races, 140 RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. If. Bill under 1-75. A, Wing over 6:00. a. General color blue, feet yellow . . . . . 218, PurpLe GaLLinvuLe, 6. General color slaty, feet dark greenish. 01. Toes with large scalloped webs or flaps at the side. 221. Am. Coor. 22, Toes without flaps or webs . . . . . 219. Froripa GaLuinuce. £2. Wing under 6:00. a, Wing under 3°50. a. Back blackish, with small round, white spots . 216. Brack Raz. a, Back blackish, barred with white and margined with buffy. 215. Yettow Raz. b. Wing over 8°50. &. Billoverl00 2... . 2... 2. | 6212, Virervia Ram, cl, Bill under 1:00. c, Wing over 4°50, lesser wing-coverts rufous . 217. Corn Craxe. 3, Wing under 4°50, lesser wing-coverts olive . . . . 214, Sora. 208. Rallus elegans Awd. Kine Ratt; Marsu Hen. -Ad.—Upper parts varying from olive-brown to black, the back and scapulars widely mar- gined with olive-gray; wings and tail olive-brown; wing-coverts rufous ; throat white; neck and breast cinnamon-rufous ; belly and sides fuscous, sharply barred with white. Downy Young—Glossy black. L., 15-00; W., 650; Tar., 2°20; B., 2°40. Fange.—Eastern North America; breeds as far north as Missouri and southern Connecticut, and occasionally strays as far as Wisconsin, Ontario, and Maine; winters from Virginia southward. Washington, uncommon S$. R., almost a P. R. Long Island. rare 8. R. West, of grasses, on the ground in fresh-water marshes. Zygs, seven to twelve, buffy white, more heavily spotted and speckled with rufous-brown than those of the next species, 1°68 x 1-20. The King Rail is the fresh-water representative of the Clapper Rail. It is, however, a much less common bird, and less is known of its habits. Like other Rails, it is a skulker, and never flies when it can escape by running or hiding in the dense grass of its home. On three occasions I have heard what I am quite sure was the King Rail’s call, a loud, startling bip, bip, biip, buip, biip, uttered with increasing ra- pidity until the syllables were barely distinguishable, then ending some- what as it began. The whole performance occupied about five seconds. 211. Rallus longirostris crepitans (Gmel.). Crapper Rai; Marsu Hen. (Sec Fig. 22,a.) Ad—Upper parts very pale greenish olive, the feathers widely margined with gray; wings and tail grayish brown; wing-coverts pale cinnamon, much washed with gray; throat white; neck and breast pale, between ochraceous and cream-buff, more or less washed with grayish; belly and sides gray or brownish gray, barred with white. Downy Young—Glossy black. L., 1450; W., 5°00; Tar., 2:00; B., 2°50. Remarks.—The Clapper Rail may always be known from the King Rail “TIVY Atdd VIO RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. . 141 by its generally grayish instead of brownish or blackish upper parts, by its much paler breast and flanks and paler wing-coverts. ange—Breeds in salt-water marshes of eastern North America from Connecticut to the Gulf of Mexico; winters in small numbers from near the northern limit of its range southward. Washington, A. V., one record. Long Island, common §. R., Apl. to Oct., afew winter. Sing Sing, A. V. West, of grasses, on the ground, in grass-grown, salt-water marshes. Eggs, eight to twelve, buffy white, spotted and speckled with rufous-brown, 1°72 x 1-20. The Clapper Rail is an inhabitant of grassy, salt-water marshes, and, in the southern parts of its range, of mangrove swamps. It is almost impossible to flush these birds unless their haunts are invaded by an unusually high tide, when a boat may be pushed through the meadows and the birds forced to take wing. I have heard birds calling in the tall grass within a few feet of me, and have made a wild rush in their direction, only to be mocked a moment later by apparently the same bird calling from a point almost within reach. They dodge about over well-traveled pathways like children in a game of blindman’s buff. While not strictly gregarious, they live in colonies, and the long, rolling call of one bird is sometimes taken up and repeated by others until there is a general outcry through the marsh. 211a. R. 1. saturatus Hensh. Lovistana Crapper Rait.—A local race of the Clapper Rail found in the marshes of Louisiana. Its characters appear not to be well understood. It is much darker than crepitans, but not so dark as scottii. “ W., 5°65; Tar., 1:97; B., 2:27” (Ridgw.). ange.—Coast of Louisiana. 211b. R. 1. scottii (Senn.). Frortpa Crapper Rati.—Differs from crepitans in being black, fuscous, or olive-brown above, with olive-gray mar- gins to the feathers; in having the neck and breast cinnamon-rufous washed with brownish, and in having the belly and flanks black instead of gray. In fact, the general color of scot¢ii suggests a King Rail, but the latter may always be known by its rufous wing-coverts and clear cinnamon-rufous neck and breast. W., 5°50; Tar., 1:90; B., 2°40. Range.—Gulf coast of Florida. 212. Rallus virginianus Jinn. Virermia Ratt. Ad.—Upper parts fuscous or black, the feathers bordered by pale grayish brown; wings and tail dark grayish brown; wing-coverts rufous, lores whitish, cheeks gray, throat white, rest of the under parts cinnamon-rufous; flanks and under tail- coverts barred or spotted with black and white. Downy Young.—Glossy black. L., 9°50; W., 4°30; Tar., 1:30; B., 1-50. Range.—Breeds from northern Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Long Island to Manitoba and Labrador; winters from near the southern limit of its breeding range southward. 7 Washington, probably P. R. Long Island, common 8. R., Apl. to Oct.; » 149 RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. few winter. Sing Sing, tolerably common 8. R. to Sept. 29. Cambridge, common §, R., Apl. 20 to Oct. 15. Nest, of grasses, on the ground in marshes. qs, six to twelve, pale buffy white, spotted and speckled with rufous-brown, 1:26 x °96. In almost any extensive fresh or brackish marsh, especially if it has beds of cat-tail flags or scattered thickets of low bushes and briers, one may hear in May and June, particularly in the early morning, late afternoon, or during cloudy weather, a succession of grunting sounds not unlike those of a hungry pig. Although by no means loud, they have a penetrating quality which makes them carry to a considerable distance ; and they are apt to attract attention even when, as is usually the case, they mingle with the songs of innumerable Red-winged Blackbirds, Marsh Wrens, and other swamp-loving birds. It is no easy matter to trace them to their author, but if you are persevering and at the same time fortunate, you may at length discover him skulk- ing under a bush or behind a tuft of grass. He is the Virginia Rail, an odd-looking bird about the size of a Snipe. If you remain motion- less, he may presently come out into fairer view and walk slowly around the edge of some pool, lifting and putting down his large feet with curious deliberation, cocking up his absurdly short tail at each step, and every now and then stopping to thrust his bill deep into the ooze in search of food. As he pauses to look at you, you are struck by his half-quizzical, half-sinister expression, due, no doubt, to the fact that his eyes are blood-red and deeply sunk in their long, narrow head. Startle him by some sudden movement, and he will do one of three things—dart back into cover as swiftly as a frightened mouse, skip across the pool over the floating leaves of the water plants, using both wings and feet, or rise with feebly fluttering wings and hanging legs to fly only a few rods before dropping beyond some intervening screen of grass or bushes. In any case you are not likely to find him again on this occasion. Besides the grunting sound, the Virginia Rail utters during the breeding season, especially at night and in lowering weather, « gut- tural cut, cuitta-citta-citta, often repeated at brief intervals for hours in succession. This cry appears to be peculiar to the male, and is, no doubt, his love song. When heard at a distance of only a few yards it has a vibrating, almost unearthly quality, and seems to issue from the ground directly beneath one’s feet. The female, when anxious about her eggs or young, calls &i-ki-ki in low tones, and kiu much like a Flicker. The young of both sexes in autumn give, when startled, a short, explosive kep or kik, closely similar to that of the Carolina Rail, WILLIAM BREWSTER. RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 143 214. Porzana carolina (Zinn.). Sora; Carorina Raiz. (Sce Fig. 22, ¢.) Ad.—Region about the base of the bill, center of crown, and a line down the middle of the neck black; rest of the breast and throat, sides of the head, and front part of the crown pale blue-gray ; rest of the upper parts olive-brown, most of the feathers with black centers, the scapulars and back streaked on cither side with white; wings fuscous-brown, their coverts gray- ish cinnamon, outer edge of first primary white; lower belly white, flanks barred with black and white. Jm.—Similar, but without black at the base of the bill or on the throat; breast washed with cinnamon and upper parts darker. L., 8:50; W., 4:30; Tar., 1:30; B., -80. Range—Breeds from Kansas, Illinois, and Long Island northward to Hudson Bay ; winters from South Carolina to northern South America. Washington, common T. V., Mch.; July to Nov. Long Island, com- mon T. V., Apl and May; Aug. to Oct.; rare 8. R. Sing Sing, common T. V., May; Aug. 19 to Oct. 24. Cambridge, very common §. R., Apl. 20 to Oct. 20. Nest, of grasses, on the ground in marshes. £ggs, eight to fifteen, buffy white or ochraceous-buff, spotted and speckled with rufous-brown, 1:24 x 90. The Soras’ summer home is in fresh-water marshes, where, if it were not for their notes, the reeds and grasses would long keep the secret of their presence. But knowing their calls, you have only to pass a May or June evening near a marsh to learn whether they in- habit it. If there, they will greet you late in the afternoon with a clear whistled ker-wee, which soon comes from dozens of invisible. birds about you, and long after night has fallen it continues like a springtime chorus of piping hylas. Now and again it is interrupted by a high-voiced, rolling whinny which, like a call of alarm, is taken up and repeated by different birds all over the marsh. They seem so absorbed by their musical devotions that even when calling continuously it requires endless patience and keen eyes to see the dull-colored, motionless forms in places where one would not sup- pose there was sufficient growth to conceal them. Floating silently near the shore on my back in a canoe, I have seen them venture out to feed. With tails erect they step gingerly along, evidently aware of their exposed position, for on the least alarm they dart back to cover. Sometimes they cross small streams by swim- ming, and they are expert divers. In the fall they gather in the wild-rice or wild-oat (Zizania aquat- ica) marshes, and a well-directed stone or unusual noise may bring a series of protesting interrogative kuks or peeps from the apparently deserted reeds. At this season “gunners” in small flat-bottomed boats are poled through the flooded meadows, and the Soras, waiting until the last moment, rise on feeble wing—a mark which few can miss, Numerous puffs of smoke float over the tall grasses, and the dull reports come booming across the marsh with fateful frequency. 144 RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. The Sporren Crake (218. Porzana porzana)—an Old World representa- tive of our Sora—is recorded as “ occasional in Greenland.” 215. Porzana noveboracensis (@mel.). YELLow Ratt. (See Fig. 22,6.) -A4d.—Upper parts black, the feathers bordered with ochraceous-bulf and with from one to three narrow white bars; breast ochraceous-buff; mid- dle of the belly white ; sides and lower belly black or brownish, barred with white. L., 7:00; W., 3°40; Tar, 95; B., 52. Range.— Eastern North America from Nova Scotia and Hudson Bay west to Utah and Nevada; no extralimital record except Cuba and the Ber- mudas” (A. O. U.). Washington, rare T. V., Mch. and Oct. Long Island, uncommon T. V. Cambridge, rare T. V., Apl. and May; Oct. and Nov. Nest, on the ground in grassy marshes. £ygs, six or more, creamy buff, densely sprinkled and speckled on larger end with rusty brown, 1:12 x -83 (Ridgw.). This little Rail inhabits marshes with others of its family. With them it seems to know that it can escape its enemies much more easily by hiding in the tangled grasses of its home than by taking wing, and it flies only to avoid actual capture. It can be hunted successfully, therefore, only with dogs. Nuttall describes its notes as “an abrupt and cackling ery, ’krék, *krek, ’krék, ’krek, *kuk, ’i’kh,” and compares them to the croaking of the tree frog. 216. Porzana jamaicensis (Gmel.). Lirrte Buacx Ratt. Ad.— Hlead, breast, and upper belly slate-color; lower belly, back, and wings brownish black. barred or spotted with white; nape dark reddish brown. L., 5:00; W., 2°80; Tar., ‘80; B., -60. Runge Temperate North America, north to Massachusetts, northern: Illinois, and Oregon; south to West Indies and in western South America to Chili” (A. O..U.). Probably breeds throughout its North America range. Washington, rare T. V., several in Sept. Long Island, rare T. V. Nest, of grasses, on the ground in marshes gqs, ten, white, thinly sprin- kled with reddish brown dots, more numerous at the larger end, 1:00 x -80 (Nelson, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, i, 1876, p. 48). This bird is about as difficult to observe asa field mouse. It is said to prefer grassy meadows, where, like others of its family, it never flies when it can escape by running or hiding. It is apparently not common. The only description of its notes I know of is given by Mr. March, of Jamaica, who, as quoted by Dr. Brewer, writes its call as * chi-cht-cro-croo-croo, several times repeated in sharp, high-toned notes, so as to be audible to a considerable distance.” The Corn Craxe (217. Crex crvex), a bird of Europe and northern Asia, is casual in Greenland, Bermudas, and eastern North America. It is about the size of a Clapper Rail, but has a bill no larger than that of the Sora. The RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 145 general color of the upper parts is between ochraceous-buff and cream-buff, the feathers with black centers; the wing-coverts and most of the quills are pale rufous; the breast is pale ochraceous-buff ; the sides are the same, barred with white; the middle of the belly is white. 218. Ionornis martinica (Zinn.). Purpre Gauiinuts. Ad.—Front of the crown with a bare bluish plumbeous plate; rest of the head and under parts rich dark purplish blue; under tail-coverts white; back shining olive- green; wings light blue, tinged with greenish; bill carmine, tipped with pale greenish (in skins, reddish orange, tipped with yellowish); legs yellow. Jm. —Upper parts more or less washed with brownish ; under parts more or less mottled with white; plate on the head smaller; bill without orange-red. Downy young.—Glossy black, head with numerous white, hairlike feathers; base of the bill yellowish, end black. L., 18°00; W., 7:10; Tar., 240; B. from posterior margin of nostril, -80. fange.—Tropical America; breeds as far north as southern Illinois and South Carolina, and rarely strays northward to Wisconsin and Maine; win- ters from southern Florida southward. Long Island, A. V. Nest, a platform of" reed stalks built in rushes over the water or in grassy marshes. gs, eight to ten, buffy white, finely speckled with rufous-brown, 160 x 1:15, This is a common bird in the Southern States. It winters from southern Florida southward and migrates northward in April. It is generally found associated with the Florida Gallinule, which it resem- bles in habits, but its much brighter color is apparent at a distance. 219. Gallinula galeata (Licht.). Frortpa Gatiinute. (See Fig. 22,d.) Ad.—Dark bluish slate-color; back and scapulars washed with olive- brown; belly whitish; flanks with a few conspicuous white streaks ; under tail-coverts white ; crown with a bare, bright-red plate; bill the same color tipped with yellowish; legs greenish, reddish at the tibie. Jm.—Similar, but under parts grayish white; crown plate much smaller and with the bill brownish; no red on the legs. Downy young.—* Glossy black, the lower parts sooty along the median line: throat and cheeks interspersed with sil- very white hairs” (Ridgw.). L., 13°50; W., 7:00; Tar., 2°15; B. from poste- rior margin of nostril, -80. Range.—Temperate and tropical America; breeds locally as far north as Minnesota and southern Maine; winters from the Gulf States southward. Washington, rare T. V., Apl.; Aug. to Oct. Long Island, uncommon T. V., May; Sept. and Oct. Sing Sing, rare S. R., June 5 to Nov. 5. Cam- bridge, uncommon §. R., May 10 to Oct. 1. Nest, of rushes on a bed of rushes or similar slight elevation in marshes, lagoons, or swampy lake sides. qs, eight to thirteen, buffy white or ochra- ceous-buff, spotted and speckled with rufous-brown, 1:80 x 1°25. There is something about the appearance and habits of Gallinules _which always suggests to me the thought that they are chickens who 11 146 RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. for unknown reasons have been forced to adopt the ways of both Coots and Rails. Indeed, now I think of it, the names Water-hen and Moor- hen are applied to near relatives of.our bird. They frequent marshy, reed- or bush-grown shores of ponds and lakes, walking gracefully through the tangled vegetation. Their flight is short and, like a Rail, with dangling legs they drop awkwardly to the ground. They swim readily, and when on the water resemble a Coot, though they are by no means so aquatic. Their notes are loud and varied, and during the nesting season they are unusually noisy. Their common note is a loud, explosive chuck; other calls are suggestive of the barnyard, and remind one of the protest of a disturbed brooding hen or even the squawking of a struggling fowl. In The Auk, vol. viii, pages 1-7, Mr. Brewster gives a detailed account of his study of a pair of Gallinules. 221. Fulica americana Gmel. American Coor; Mup-HEN; Crow Duck; Buus Peter. (Nee Fig. 22,¢.) .4d—Head and neck blackish ; rest of the plumage dark, bluish slate-color, paler below; edge of the wing, tips of the secondaries, and under tail-coverts white; bill whitish, two spots near its tip and crown plate brownish; legs and feet greenish ; toes with scalloped Jjlaps. Jm.—Similar, but much whiter below, a slight brownish wash above; crown plate much smaller. Downy young.—Blackish, white below ; throat and upper parts with numerous bright orange hairlike feathers; lores red ; bill red, tipped with black. L., 15°00; W., 7°50; Tar., 2°25; B. from posterior margin of nostril, -80. Remarks.—The Coot bears a general resemblance to the Florida Gallinule, but, aside trom the differences in color, the scalloped webbed feet of the Coot will always serve to distinguish them. Range.—North America as far north as Alaska and New Brunswick, and casually Greenland; breeds locally throughout its range; rather rare on the Atlantic coast during the nesting season. Washington, common T. V., Mch. to May; Sept. to Oct. 15. Long Island, uncommon T. V., Apl.; not uncommon, Sept. to Nov. Sing Sing, common T. V., Apl. 28 to May 16; Sept. 22 to Nov. 18, Cambridge, T. V., rare in Apl.; common Sept. to Nov. Nest, of reeds, grasses, etc., among reeds in fresh-water marshes. Eggs, eight to fifteen, pale, buffy white, finely and uniformly speckled with choco- late or black, 1°85 x 1:25. As one might imagine after seeing their lobed feet, Coots are more aquatic than either of the Gallinules. In the Middle States they are found in creeks and rivers with marshy and reed-grown shores, while in Florida they resort in enormous numbers to lakes covered with the yellow lilies locally known as “bonnets” (Nuphar); and in some of the large, shallow rivers, like Indian River, they may be found in myriads, associated with Lesser Scaup Ducks. “In my experience they are as a rule quite shy; hut near the long PHALAROPES, 147 railway pier at Titusville, Florida, where shooting is prohibited, they are as tame as domestic Ducks. They evidently know the boundary line between safety and danger, however, and when beyond the pro- tected limits show their usual caution. Coots swim easily, with a peculiar bobbing motion of the head and neck, When alarmed they patter over the water, using their feet as much as their wings. The sound produced is a characteristic one. They are noisy birds, and when alarmed break out into a great chorus of high, cackling notes which I have heard at a distance of half a mile, Their ivory-white bill is an excellent field mark, and readily serves to distinguish Coots from Gallinules. The Evroprgan Coot (220. Fulica atra) inhabits the northern parts of the Old World, and sometimes occurs in Greenland. It closely resembles the American Coot, but lacks the white markings on the edge of the wing and under tail-coverts. ORDER LIMICOLA. SHORE BIRDS. FamiIty PHALAROPODIDA. PHALAROPES. There are three known members of this family: one is confined to the interior of North America, the other two may be called Sea Snipe, and are found in the northern parts of the northern hemisphere. The webbed feet of these pelagic species enable them to swim with ease, and during their migrations they may be found in flocks resting upon the sea far from land. Their presence on our shores is largely de- pendent upon the weather, and during severe storms many are some- times found upon our coasts. Contrary to the usual rule, the female in this family is the larger and more brightly colored—indeed, in the domestic economy of the Phalarope household the female is male, ex- cept in the prime essentials of sex. She does the wooing, takes the lead in selecting the nesting site, and, although she lays the eggs, the duties of incubation fall upon the male. KEY TO THE SPECIES. A, Billover110 . 2... we - +. . 224, Witson’s PHALAROPE, ZB. Bill under 1:10. a. Bill very slender; wing under 475. . . 228. NorTHERN PHALAROPE. d. Bill stout; wing over475 . . . . . . . . 222, Rep PHALAROPE. 222. Crymophilus fulicarius (Zinn.). Rep Puatarore; Gray Puararops. (See Fig. 26, a.) Ad. in summer.—Crown and chin fuscous; cheeks white; back black, the feathers bordered with crearft-buff; wings gray ; some of the secondaries and tips of greater coverts white; upper tail- 148 PHALAROPES. coverts rufous ; under parts dull, reddish brown. Ad. in winter.—Top of the head and under parts white; region about the eye and back of the neck fus- cous; back and scapulars dark pearl-gray ; wings grayish fuscous, the coverts and secondaries tipped with white; rump and tail fuscous. Jm.—‘ ‘Top of the head, hind neck, back, and scapulars dull black, the feathers edged with ochra- ceous; wing-coverts, rump, and upper tail-coverts plumbeous, the middle coverts bordered with pale buff, the tail-coverts with ochraceous; head and. neck (except as described wbove) and lower parts white, the throat and chest tinged with brownish buff. L., 812; W., 5°37; B., °87; Tar., 82” (Ridgw.). fange.—* Northern parts of northern hemisphere, breeding in the arctic regions and migrating south in winter; in the United States, south to the Middle States, Ohio Valley, and Cape St. Lucas; chiefly maritime” (A. O. U.). Washington, casual, one record, Oct. Long Island, not uncommon T. V,, May; Aug. to Nov. Vest, a slight hollow in the ground lined with a few bits of moss and grasses. £ggs, three to four, similar to those of the following species, 1-25 x -90. This pelagic species is found in numbers some distance off our coasts; it occurs on land rarely, and generally only after storms. 223. Phalaropus lobatus (Zinn.). Nortuzrn Puatarope. Ad. 9 in summer.—Upper parts slaty gray; back and scapulars edged with ochraceous- butt; sides and front of the neck rufous, more or less mixed with slaty gray ; rest of under parts white. Ad. 6 im summer.—Similar, but upper parts black, and with more ochraceous; sides and front of the neck mixed with fuscous. Ads. in winter—Upper parts grayish, more or less mixed with white ; tips of greater wing-coverts and sometimes part of the secondaries white, occasion- ally with traces of rufous on the sides of the neck; under parts white, more or less mottled with grayish on the breast. Jm.—Upper parts black, edged with straw-color; forehead white; under parts white, breast sometimes lightly washed with buffy. L., 7-75; W., 450; Tar., 80; B., ‘85. fange.— Northern portions of the northern hemisphere, breeding in arctic latitudes; south in winter to the tropics” (A. O. U.). Washington, casual, one record, Sept. Long Island, common T. V., Aug. to Nov.; May. Nest, a slight hollow in the ground lined with grass and mosses. Eggs, three to four, pale olive-gray heavily blotched with deep chocolate, 1:18 x °83. During its presence off our coasts this species resembles the pre- ceding in habits. It is, however, more common, and under proper conditions sometimes occurs in larger flights. I have seen it in great numbers about one hundred miles off Barnegat, New Jersey, in May. For several hours the steamer passed through flocks of these Sea Snipe, which were swimming on the ocean. They arose in a body at our approach, and in close rank whirled away to the right or left in search of new feeding grounds. 224. Phalaropus tricolor (J7cill.). Witson’s Puatarops. Ad. 9 in summer.—Top of the head and middle of the back pearl-gray, nape AVOCETS AND STILTS. 149 white; a black streak passes through the eye to the side of the neck and, changing to rufous-chestnut, continues down the sides of the back and on the scapulars; neck and upper breast washed with pale, brownish rufous ; rest of the under parts and upper tail-coverts white. Ad. 6 in summer.—Upper parts fuscous-brown, bordered with grayish brown; upper tail-coverts, nape, and a line over the eye white or whitish; sides of the neck and breast washed with rufous; rest of the under parts white. Ads. in winter.—Upper parts gray, margined with white; upper tail-coverts white; wings fuscous, their coverts margined with butfy; under parts white. 4m.—'lop of head, back, and seapulars dusky blackish, the feathers distinctly bordered with buff; wing- coverts also bordered with pale buff or whitish ; upper tail-coverts, superciliary stripe, and lower parts white, the neck tinged with butf” (Ridgw.). 6 L., 875; W., 475; Tar., 1:20; B., 1:20. ¢ L., 9:50; W., 5°25; Tar., 1:30; B., 1:30. Feange.—* Temperate North America, chiefly in the interior, breeding from northern Illinois and Utah northward to the Saskatchewan region; south in winter to Brazil and Patagonia” (A. O. U.). Long Island, casual, Aug., Sept., and Oct. Nest, a shallow depression in soft earth lined with a thin layer of frag- ments of grass. Zygs, three to four, eream-buff or buffy white, heavily blotched with deep chocolate, 1:28 x -94. (See Nelson, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, ii, 1879, pp. 38-48.) “These birds are rare in the Eastern States, abundant in the Mis- sissippi Valley, and quite common westward within their range. They inhabit the marshes, swales, and edges of shallow ponds, feeding upon minute snails and other small forms of life that abound in their aquatic haunts, procuring the same chiefly by running over the moist ground or wading in the short growths of water grasses. They swim buoy- antly, but seldom long at a time or far from the shore, and I never saw one dive or make an attempt to do so, but, when frightened, pre- fer to escape by flight, which is strong, but at such times in a zigzag and wavy manner, dropping back as soon as out of danger. Asa rule they are not timid, and are easily approached. Their motions, whether upon the land or water, are easy and pleasing. gracefully nodding the head or picking from side to side as they go” (Goss). Famity RECURVIROSTRIDA, AVOCETS AND STILTS. The eleven species comprising this family are distributed through- out the warmer parts of the world. They are generally found in flocks, and may be called Wading Snipe. They feed in shallow water, wading to their heels, and when necessary swimming with ease. ; 225. Recurvirostra americana Gmel. American Avocet. Ad. in summer.—Head and neck cinnamon-rufous, back and tail white, scapulars and primaries black; middle coverts, tips of the greater ones, and part of sec- ondaries white; belly white, bill turned upward. Ad. in winter and Im— 150 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. Generally similar, but head and neck white or pearl-gray. L., 16:50; W., 9:00; Tar., 3°75; B., 3°75. eange.—Temperate North America; rare or accidental on the Atlantic coast; breeds from Illinois, and rarely Texas, northward to the Saskatche- wan; winters along the Gulf coast and southward. Long Island, A. V. Nest, a slight depression in the ground in marshy places. Zggs, three to four, pale olive or buffy clay-color, thickly spotted with chocolate, 1-95 x 1:35. Avocets are common birds in parts of the interior, but are rare on the Atlantic coast. They frequent shores and shallow pools, and in searching for shells, crustaceans, etc., their peculiar recurved bill is used in a most interesting manner. Dropping it beneath the surface of the water until its convexity touches the bottom, they move rap- idly forward, and with every step swing their bill from side to side, as a mower does his scythe. In this way they secure food which the muddy water would prevent them from seeing. 226. Himantopus mexicanus (Miill.). Buiack-neckep Srixr. Ad. .—A white spot above and another below the eye; front of the head, front of the neck, lower back, rump, and under parts white; tail grayish ; rest of the plumage glossy, greenish black. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but with the back fuscous-brown. J/m.—Similar to the preceding, but head and neck more or Jess marked with white; back and scapulars bordered with white or whitish. L., 15°00; W., 9:00; Tar., 415; B., 2:00. Hange.—Tropical America, breeding northward to the Gulf coast and “locally and rarely” up the Mississippi Valley as far as Minnesota; rare on the Atlantic coast north of Florida, but straying sometimes as far as Maine. Long Island, A. V. West, a slight depression in the ground lined with grasses. Eggs, three to four, olive or buffy clay-color, thickly spotted with chocolate, 1°70 x 1-25. Stilts are fond of wading in shallow ponds in salt marshes, and are graceful and alert in their movements. During the nesting season they become very noisy, and at nightfall I have heard them utter their froglike croak as they darted erratically about over the marshes, FamILy ScoLOPACIDA. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. About one hundred species are considered as belonging to this family. They are distributed throughout the world, but during the breeding season are mostly confined to the northern parts of the north- ern hemisphere. Some forty-five species are found in North America. With the Plovers they constitute the great group known as Shore Birds or Bay Birds, and with few exceptions they are rarely found far from the vicinity of water. Generally speaking, they are more abun- dant on the coast than in the interior, but many species are quite as numerous inland as they are near the sea, As a rule, they migrate SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 151 and pass the winter in flocks, but they are not gregarious during the nesting season. Their long bills serve the purpose of both probes and forceps. Most of the species probe the soft mud for food, while some are known to have the power of moving the upper mandible independently of the lower one, curving it at the tip as one would a finger. Snipes are not supposed to be song birds, but during the breeding season many species are highly and peculiarly musical, and at other times of the year they utter characteristic whistles. These are sus- ceptible of imitation, and the birds are quick to respond to an imita- tion of their notes. The sportsman concealed in his “blind,” there- fore, calls to passing birds, and with the aid of wooden decoys easily draws them within gunshot. KEY TO THE SPECIES, I. Bill 2-00 or over. A, Axillars * barred with black. a. Bill curved downward. @. Bill over 8:00, under 450. . . . . . 265. Hupsontan Curtew, a*, Bill under 3:00. ea . . + . 266. Eskimo CurLew. as, Billover450 . . . . . . 264. Lone-BILLED CURLEW. 6. Bill straight or curved slightly upward. 0}. Tail-feathers with numerous black bars. 62, Wing over 7:00, primaries black or fuscous. 254, GREATER YELLOW-LEGS. 68. Wing over 7-00, inner web of primaries buff or rufous. 249, MarBLED GopWiIT. b4, Wing under 7-00, bill widened and pitted at the tip. 231. DowircHer. 232. Lone-BILLED DowrrcHER. o, Tail black with a broad rufous tip or marked with rufous. ©, Outer web of primary with rufous bars. 227, European Woopcock, c8, Primaries not barred . . . . . . . . 280. Witson’s SNIPE. B. Axillars not barred. a. Axillars rufous or ochraceous-buff. @, Bill over 5:00, much curved downward. 264. Lone-BILLED CURLEW. a, Bill nearly straight, between 3°50 and 5:00. 249. MarBLED GopwiIrT, a8, Bill straight, under 8:50 . . . . . 228. American Woopcock. 6. Axillars black. 1, Under parts chestnut-rufous, barred with black. 251. Hupson1an Gopwir. 62. Under parts white, with or without blackish bars. 258. WILLET. 258¢. WESTERN WILLET. * See Fig. 64. 159 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. II. Bill under 2-00. A. Tail with cross-bars. a. Wing over 5°75. a}, Outer tail-feathers white, more or less barred; outer primary with- out bars . , 255. YELLOW-LEGs, a’, Outer primary wills numerous lad bars. 261. BarTRaMIAN SANDPIPER. 6, Wing under 5°75. 61, Under parts white, with numerous round blackish spots; upper parts brownish gray, barred with blackish . . 263, Sporrep SANDPIPER. 22, Under parts white, breast streaked with blackish ; upper parts fus- cous, spotted with white . . . . . . 256. Sourrary Sanppiper. 68, Under parts tinged with buffy, inner web of outer primary speckled with blackish . ; . . 262. Burr-BreasTED SANDPIPER. 64, Under parts white, breast washed with grayish, inner primaries and secondaries with a concealed white patch. 263. Sporrep SanpPirer (Im.). B. Tail without cross-bars, toes 4. a. Bill over 1:10. al, ia upper tail-coverts with cross-bars or streaks. . Tarsusoverl50 . . . . es . 233. Stitt SanpPiPer. a Tarsus under 1°50, wing nee 6:00. . 244. CuRLEW SanppipERr. a‘, Tarsus under 1°50, wing over 600. - . 234, Kwor. 61, Middle upper tail-coverts black or fuscous, without bars; bill straight. 32, Tarsus under 1:50; upper parts blackish, more or less margined with gray. . : . . 285. PurpLte Sanpriper. 3, Tarsus under 1° 50; shipper parts more or less margined with rufous. 239, PEcToRAL SANDPIPER. 64. Tarsus over 1:50 . - » 260. Rurr. ce}. Middle upper tail-coverts ‘grayish, bill caaee slightly downward. 243a, RED-BACKED SANDPIPER. 6. Bill under 1:10. 61, Wing under 4:00. 62, Toes partly webbed. 246, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. 247. WESTERN SANDPIPER. Pee Toes not webbed. . . . +. . « 242, Least SANDPIPER. 21, Wing over 4:00, inner webs of ees plain. — Breast white or whitish, streaked or spotted with blackish; mid- dle upper tail-coverts white . . 240. WuirE-RuMPED SANDPIPER. ce. Breast buffy, heavily spotted or streaked with blackish; middle upper tail-coverts black, slightly margined with rufous. 239. PECTORAL SANDPIPER. ¢, Breast buffy lightly spotted or streaked with black ; middle upper tail-coverts fuscous, lightly margined with buffy. 241, Barrp’s SANDPIPER. ad}, Wing over 4:00, inner webs of primaries speckled. - 262, Burr-BREASTED SANDPIPER. C. Tail without cross-bars,toes3 . . . 1... . . 248. SANDERLING. “ONNOA UNV WOO0GOO M SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 153 228. Philohela minor (G@mel.). American Woopcocr. Ad.—Front of the crown slaty, washed with buff, an indistinct blackish line in its center, and another from the eye to the bill; back of the head black, with two or three bars of ochraceous-butf; rest of the upper parts black, margined with slaty and barred and mottled with rufous or ochraceous-buff; tip of the tail ashy gray above, silvery beneath; under parts between ochraceous-butf and rufous; three outer primaries very narrow and much stiffened. L., 11:00; W., 540; Tar., 1:25; B., 2°90. Range.—Kastern North America north to Labrador and Manitoba, breed- ing nearly throughout its range, but not commonly in the southern part of it; winters from southern Illinois and Virginia southward. Washington, rather common from Feb. to Noy.; a few winter. Long Island, common S. R.; a few winter. Sing Sing, common 8, R., Feb. 19 to Dec. 2. Cambridge, 8. R., formerly common, fast becoming rare ; Mch. to Nov. Nest, of a few dry leaves, on the ground in the woods. gs, four, bulty, distinctly and obscurely spotted with shades of rufous, 1°60 x 1-23. During the spring and early summer this Owl among Snipe haunts low, wooded bottom-lands; in August, while molting, it resorts to corn- fields near woods, and in the fall migrating birds frequent wooded up- lands. But at all times it requires a soft, moist earth in which it may easily probe with its long bill for its fare of earthworms. The holes it makes are known as “borings.” They are generally found in little groups, and are, of course, certain evidence of the presence of Wood- cock. It has recently been discovered by Mr. Gurdon Trumbull that the Woodcock can move the tip of its upper mandible independently of the lower one, and this organ is made to act as a finger to assist the bird in drawing its food from the ground. The flight of the Woodcock is sometimes accompanied by a high, whistling sound produced by its narrow, stiffened primaries in beating the air. When flushed near its nest or young, the parent bird gen- erally feigns lameness or a broken wing, and leads the intruder some distance from its treasures before taking wing. The cloak of night always lends a certain mystery to the doings of nocturnal birds, and more often than not their habits justify our un- usual interest in them. How many evenings have I tempted the ma- laria germs of Jersey lowlands to watch the Woodcock perform his strange sky dance! He begins on the ground with a formal, periodic peent, peent, an incongruous preparation for the wild rush that follows. It is repeated several times before he springs from the ground and on whistling wings sweeps out on the first loop of a spiral which may take him 300 feet from the ground. Faster and faster he goes, louder and shriller sounds his wing-song; then, after a moment’s pause, with darting, headlong flight, he pitches in zigzags to the earth, uttering as he falls a clear, twittering whistle. He generally returns to near the 154 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. place from which he arose, and the peent is at once resumed as a pre- liminary to another round in the sky. The EvrorEan Woopcoor (227. Scolopax rusticola) bears a general re- semblance to our Woodcock, but is much larger; the under parts are barred with black, the wings are barred with rufous, and the outer primaries are not emarginate. It is of accidental occurrence in eastern North America. 230. Gallinago delicata (Ord). Wuison’s Syrrz; Enexisu Snir. Ad.—Upper parts black, barred, bordered, and mottled with different shades of cream-buff; wings fuscous; outer edge of outer primary and tips of greater coverts white; throat white; neck and breast ochraceous-buff, indistinctly streaked with blackish; belly white, sides barred with black; under tail- coverts buffy, barred with black ; outer tail-feathers barred with black and white, inner ones black, barred with rufous at their ends and tipped with whitish. L., 11:25; W., 5°00; Tar., 1:20; B., 2°50. Range.—North America, breeding from southern Minnesota, northern IIli- nois, northwestern Pennsylvania, and Connecticut northward to Hudson Bay and Labrador, and wintering from southern Illinois and South Carolina to northern South America. Washington, common T. V., Mch. to May 5; fall; occasional in winter. Long Island, common T. V., Mch. and Apl.; Aug. to Oct. Sing Sing, tol- erably common T. V., Mch. 20 to May 6; Oct. 6 to Nov. 20. Cambridge, com- mon T. V., Apl. 5 to May 5; Sept. and Oct. £gqgs, three to four, olive, clay-color, or brownish ashy, heavily marked with chocolate, principally at the larger end, 1°60 x 1:17. Wilson’s Snipe frequents fresh-water meadows and swamps, and in spring is often found in low-lying swales in meadows or mowing fields, but, excepting in very dry seasons, it seldom alights on salt marshes. At times, especially in winter or early spring, when the meadows are covered with snow or ice, it resorts to springy runs wooded with alders, birches, and maples, but as a rule it prefers open places. Two things are essential to its requirements—ground so thoroughly water-soaked as to afford slight resistance to its long and highly sensitive bill when probing, and such concealment as tussocks, hillocks, or long grass afford, for, unlike the Sandpipers, the Snipe rarely ventures out on bare mud flats, save under cover of darkness. Although less strictly nocturnal than the Woodcock, it feeds and mi- grates chiefly by night or in “thick” weather. Its migratory move- ments are notoriously erratic, and meadows which one day are alive with birds may be quite deserted the next, or the reverse. Dear to our sportsmen is Wilson’s Snipe, partly because of the ex- cellence of its flesh, but chiefly from the fact that it furnishes a mark which taxes their skill to the utmost, and which no mere novice need hope to hit, unless by accident; for the bird's flight is swift and tortu- ous, and it springs from the grass as if thrown by a catapult, uttering SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 155 a succession of hoarse, rasping scatipes which have a peculiarly start- ling effect on inexperienced nerves. In the springtime—and occasionally in autumn also—Wilson’s Snipe mounts to a considerable height above his favorite meadows and darts downward with great velocity, making at each descent a low yet penetrating, tremulous sound which suggests the winnowing of a domes- tic Pigeon’s wings, or, if heard at a distance, the bleating of a goat, and which is thought to be produced by the rushing of the air through the wings of the Snipe. This performance may be sometimes witnessed in broad daylight when the weather is stormy, but ordinarily it is re- served for the morning and evening twilight and for moonlight nights, when it is often kept up for hours in succession. Besides this “drumming” or “bleating,” as it is called, the Snipe, while mating, sometimes makes another peculiar sound, a kith-kitk- kitk-kitk-kiip, evidently vocal and occasionally accompanying a slow, labored. and perfectly direct flight, at the end of which the bird alights on a tree or fence post for a few moments.— WILLIAM BREWSTER, The European Snipe (229. Gallinago gallinago) inhabits the northern parts of the Old World, is of frequent occurrence in Greenland, and accidental in the Bermudas. 231. Macrorhamphus griseus (Gmel.). Dowircner. (See Figs. 25,a,26,¢c.) Ad. in summer.—Upper parts, tertials, and wing-coverts black, the feathers edged or barred with ochraceous-buff or rufous; rump, upper tail- coverts, and tail barred with black and more or less ochraceous-buff; prima- ries fuscous; under parts dull, pale rufous, whitish on the belly, more or less spotted and barred with black. Ad. in winter.—Upper parts brownish gray ; rump and tail barred with black and white; throat and breast washed with ashy, belly white, sides and under tail-coverts barred with black. n.—Upper parts black, the feathers edged with rufous; rump and tail barred with black and white, and sometimes washed with rufous ; secondaries widely edged with white; under parts more or less washed with ochraceous-butf and obscurely spotted with blackish. L., 1050; W., 5-75; Tar., 1:30; B., 2:05-2:50. Remarks.—The barred tail and tail-coverts, with the peculiar flattened, pitted tip of the bill, are characteristic of this and the next species. Range.—Eastern North. America, breeding within the Arctic Circle, and wintering from Florida to South America. Washington, casual, one specimen, Sept. Long Island, common T. V., May ; July to Sept. 15. Eggs, four, light buffy olive, distinctly spotted and speckled, especially about the larger end, with deep brown, 1:65 x 113 (Ridgw.). The Dowitchers are among our best-known Bay Birds. They migrate in compact flocks which are easily attracted to decoys by an imitation of their call. Mud-flats and bars exposed by the falling tide are their chosen feeding grounds. On the Gulf coast of Florida I have 156 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. seen several hundred gathered in such close rank that they entirely concealed the sandbar on which they were resting. 232. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say). Lone-s1ttep Dow- ItcuER; WesTERN Dowrrcner. Ad. in summer.—Similar to the preceding, but averaging larger; the bill especially is longer, the under parts are more uniformly rufous, and the sides are more heavily barred with black. Ad. in winter and Im.—To be distinguished from the corresponding stages of IL gri- seus only by their larger size. W., 6°00; Tar., 1:50; B., 2°10-2-90. Range.—* Mississippi Valley and western province of North America fram Mexico to Alaska; less common, but of regular occurrence along the Atlantic coast of the United States” (A. O. U.). Washington, casual, seven shot in Apl. Long Island, casual, July to Oct. £9gs, four, not distinguishable from those of the preceding species. This is a bird of the interior and Western States, and occurs on our coasts as a rare but regular late fall migrant. It resembles the pre- ceding species in habits, but the baymen who “gun” for Snipe say they can recognize it by its somewhat different notes. Like the Wood- cock, Wilson’s Snipe, and its near ally, Jf. griseus, the male utters a flight song in the nesting season. It is well described by Mr. E. W. Nelson in his Report on Collections made in Alaska, p. 101. 233. Micropalama himantopus (Zonap.). Sriur Sanpprrer. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts black, bordered with grayish and buffy; ear- coverts and an indistinct line around the back of the head rufous ; second- aries grayish, edged with white; primaries fuscous; rump ashy: upper tail- coverts barred with black and white; outer tail-feathers with broken dusky bars, inner ones with central streaks or margins of brownish gray or white; under parts white, heavily barred with fuscous. Ad. in winter.—Upper parts brownish gray ; upper tail-coverts white ; tail white, margined with brownish gray; under parts white; the throat, neck, and sides indistinctly streaked or washed with grayish. /m.—Similar to the preceding, but the upper parts black- ish, margined with ochraceous-buff. L., 8:25; W., 5:00; Tar., 1:60; B., 1°55. Remarks.—The distinguishing characters of this species are the flattened, pitted tip of the bill, in connection with the very long tarsi. Range.—Eastern North America, breeding within the Arctic Circle, and wintering as far south as South America. Washington, casual, one record. Long Island, not uncommon T. V., May; July to Oct. 10. £yqs, three to four, pale grayish buff, or grayish buffy white, boldly spotted with rich vandyke-brown and purplish gray, 1-42 x 1-00 (Ridgw.). Colonel N. 8. Goss, in his admirable Birds of Kansas, writes that he has observed this species along the edges of old channels of rivers or muddy pools of water, in which it wades while feeding; immersing the head and feeling with its sensitive bill in the thin mud for food, It moves about rather slowly as compared with the true Sandpipers, and at times will try and avoid detection by squatting close to the SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 157 ground, flying only as a last resort, and then darting swiftly away with a sharp tweet, tweet. 234. Tringa canutus Linn. Knot; Rosin Snipe; Gray Swips, (See Figs. 25,6, 26,0.) Ad. in swmmer.—Upper parts barred and streaked with black and white and rufous; tail ashy gray, narrowly margined with whitish ; under parts dull rufous; lower belly white or whitish, sides sometimes with black bars. (According to George H. Mackay, it requires about four years for birds to acquire this plumage. See Auk, x, 1893, p. 25.) m.—Upper parts plain brownish gray; upper tail-coverts barred with black and white, tail brownish gray ; breast and sides barred with black, belly white. Young.— Upper parts pale brownish gray; head streaked with blackish; back, wing- coverts, and scapulars with distinct black and white borders; upper tail-cov- erts barred with blackish; tail ashy gray, narrowly margined with white ; under parts white; breast finely streaked or spotted with blackish; flanks barred or streaked with blackish. L., 10°50; W., 675; Tar., 1:20; B., 1:30. Ztange.—Northern hemisphere, breeding within the Arctic Circle, and in America wintering from Florida to South America. Long Island, not uncommon T. V., May 15 to June 10; July 15 to Nov. gys, known from only one specimen collected in the vicinity of Fort Conger by General Greely, and described as “ light pea-green, closely spotted with brown in small specks about the size of a pinhead,” 1:10 x 1-00 (see Merriam, Auk, ii, 1885, p. 313). Knots feed along the beaches on the small crustaceans and mol- lusea brought in by the waves, and they also frequent muddy places, where, like the true Snipe, they probe the ground for food. They decoy with ease, “bunching” so closely as they wheel into the stools that the entire flock is sometimes killed by a single discharge. Mr. George H. Mackay, in one of his careful and detailed studies of our Shore Birds, describes their notes as a soft wah-quott and a little honk. The first is particularly noticeable when flocks are coming to the de- coys (see Auk, x, 1893, pp. 25-35). 235. Tringa maritima Brinn. Purrre Sanppirer. Ad. in sum- mer.—Upper parts black, margined with ochraceous-buff and cream-buff; wings fuscous-gray, greater coverts margined with white and some seconda- ries entirely white; upper tail-coverts fuscous, outer tail-feathers ashy gray, inner ones fuscous; throat and breast brownish gray, streaked with black ; belly white, sides and under tail-coverts streaked with brownish gray. Win- ter plumage.—Head, neck, breast, and sides ashy, the two latter margined with white; back fuscous. margined with ashy; wings fuscous, the coverts, secondaries, and tertials distinetly bordered with white; upper tail-coverts and middle tail-feathers black or fuscous, outer tail-feathers ashy; belly and linings of the wings white. L.. 9:00; W., 5-00; Tar., 9:00; B., 1°40. Remarks.—The brownish gray or ashy breast of this species is a good distinguishing character. Range.—* Northern portions of the northern hemisphere; in North Amer- 158 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. ica chiefly in the northeastern portion, breeding in the high north,” south in winter to the Great Lakes and Long Island, and casually to Florida. Long Island, uncommon W. V., Nov. 1 to Mch. 1. Cambridge, casual, one instance, Oct. Eggs, three to four, olive clay-color or brownish ashy, heavily marked with rufous-brown, 1:45 x 1:08, This bird might be called Winter Snipe or Rock Snipe. Indeed, I find the latter name has been applied to it from its habit of frequent- ing rocky coasts, where it secures its food in the alge attached to rocks exposed by the falling tide. 239. Tringa maculata Vieill. Pecrorar Sanppirer; KRIexer. Ad, in swmmer.—Upper parts black, the feathers all heavily bordered with pale ochraceous-buff; rump and upper tail-coverts black, lightly tipped with ochraceous-buif; middle tail-feathers longest, pointed and margined with butfy; outer tail-feathers brownish gray, narrowly margined with white ; throat white, neck and breast heavily streaked with black and buffy; rest of under parts white. Winter plumage.—Similar, but ochraceous-buff of upper parts replaced by rufous, and breast heavily washed with buffy. L., 9.00; W., 5°40; Tar., 1:10; B., 1:15. femarks,—This bird somewhat resembles both 7. fuscicollis and T. bairdii, but it differs from them in its larger size, black instead of white or fuscous upper tail-coverts, and longer, more pointed middle tail-feathers. Range.—North America; breeds in the arctic regions and winters in the West Indies and South America. Washington, common T. V., Apl.; Aug. to Nov. Long Island, T. V., rare in spring, common from July 15 to Nov. 1. Sing Sing, rare T. V., Sept, 10 to Oct. 16. Cambridge, irregular and uncommon in Sept. and Oct. Eggs, four, drab, sometimes with u greenish tinge, blotched with clear amber-brown markings, more numerous at the larger end, 1°50 x 1:09 (Mur- doch). The names Grass Snipe and Krieker describe with equal truth and conciseness the haunts and notes of this Snipe. It frequents wet, grassy meadows rather than beaches, and, although it flies in flocks, the birds scatter while feeding and take wing one or more at a time. They thus remind one of Wilson’s Snipe. Their note is a squeaky, grating whistle. They will respond to an imitation of it, but do not decoy so readily as the larger Bay Birds. Mr. E. W. Nelson writes * that during the breeding season the male inflates its breast and throat until they are double their normal size, and utters a deep, hollow, reso- nant note. 240. Tringa fuscicollis (ieil2. Warrs-rvmpep Sanprirer. Ad. in summer—Upper parts black, edged with rufous; rump grayish fuscous, margined with ashy ; longer upper tail-coverts whéte, with sometimes brownish- * Rep. on Nat. Hist. Colls. made in Alaska, p. 108. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 159 gray markings; central tail-feathers fuscous, outer ones brownish gray ; upper throat white; neck, breast, and sides distinctly streaked and spotted with black and more or less washed with ochraceous-buft. Winter plumage. “Upper parts plain brownish gray, with indistinct, narrowed, mesial streaks of dusky ; otherwise as in summer, but streaks on chest, etc., less distinct” (Ridgw.). Jm.—Similar to summer examples, but the feathers of the upper parts with rounded whitish or ochraceous-buff ¢ips,; breast less distinctly streaked. L., 7°50; W., 4:90; Tar., 90; B., -95. Remarks.—The white upper tail-coverts distinguish this species. Range.—Eastern North America, breeding in the arctic regions and win- tering as far south as the Falkland Islands. ; Long Island, not uncommon T: V., July 20 to Oct 10. Sing Sing, casual T. V., Sept. Eqs, three to four, light olive, or olive brownish, spotted (usually rather finely) with deep brown and duil, purplish gray, 1°37 x ‘94 (Ridgw.). “They frequent the sandy beach as well as the marshy shores upon the coast, but inland seem to prefer the edges of pools of water upon the uplands. They move in small flocks, are very social, often associating with other waders, are not as a rule shy or timid, and, when startled, usually fly but a short distance, drop back, and run about in an unconcerned and heedless manner, picking up the minute forms of life that usually abound in such places, occasionally uttering a rather sharp, piping weet, weet. Their flight is swift and wel] sustained ” (Goss), 241. Tringa bairdii (Cowes). Barrp’s Sanppirer. Ad. in summer.— Upper parts fuscous; feathers of the crown and nape margined laterally with pale buffy; back and scapulars tipped with pale butfy or brownish gray; middle upper tail-coverts fuscous, sometimes tipped with butty ; central tail- feathers fuscous, margined with whitish, outer ones pale brownish gray ; throat white; breast washed with buffy and lightly spotted or streaked with fuscous ; sides and belly white. Jm.—Similar, but the back, scapulars, and wing-cov- erts with rounded white tips. (In the winter these tips are more or less worn off.) L., 7-40; W., 490; Tar., 90; B., °85. Remarks.—This bird most closely resembles 7. fuscicollis. In any plum- age it may be known from that species by the fuscous instead of white middle upper tail-coverts. In summer it differs also in the absence of rufous above, the less heavily spotted throat, and the white instead of spotted sides. In winter the chief distinguishing marks of the two species, aside from the dif- ferently colored upper tail-coverts, are the buffy breast and generally paler upper parts of bairdiz. Range.—Interior of North America, breeding in the arctic regions and migrating southward to South America; rare on the Atlantic coast. Washington, casual, one record. Long Island, casual, Aug. gs, three to four, light, creamy buff, sometimes tinged with rusty, thickly speckled and spotted with deep reddish brown or chestnut, 1:30 x ‘93 (Ridgw.). 160 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. “In habits they are similar to the White-rumped (which they so closely resemble), but are more inclined to wander-from the water’s edge. I have flushed the birds on high prairie lands, at least a mile from the water” (Goss). 242. Tringa minutilla Vicil/. Lussr Sanprirer; MEapow Ox£YE; Prep. Ad. in summer.-—Upper parts black or fuscous, edged and tipped with buffy or rufous; rump and middle upper tail-coverts plain black or fus- cous ; central tail-feathers black or fuscous, outer ones ashy gray ; upper throat white; neck and breast white or buffy, streaked with fuscous; belly and sides white. /m.—Similar, but feathers of the back with rownded rufous or butty tips; breast not distinctly streaked. Winter plumage.—Upper parts brown- ish gray, sometimes with more or less black in the centers of the feathers; breast white or ashy, not distinctly streaked. L., 6:00; W., 3:50; Tar. 70; B., “75. Fie. 62—Least Sandpiper. Remarks.—This is the smallest of (Natural size.) H our Sandpipers, and can be confused only with Hreunetes pusillus, from which, however, it may always be distin- guished by the absence of webs between the bases of the toes. Range.—North America, breeding in the arctic regions and wintering from the Gulf States to South America. Washington, uncommon T. V., May; Aug. to Oct. Long Island, abun- dant T. V., Apl. 25 through May; July through Sept. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V., May 9 to May 22; Oct. 8. Cambridge, very common T. V., May 25 to May 31; July 20 to Aug. 381. £gqs, three to four, pale, grayish buffy, varying to pale brownish, thickly spotted, speckled, or sprinkled with deep chestnut and dull, purplish gray, 115 x ‘88 (Ridgw.). This, the smallest of our Sandpipers, is frequently associated with its larger cousin the Semipalmated Sandpiper on the shores and beaches, but it also visits the grassy meadows, and for this reason is known by baymen as the “ Meadow Oxeye.” 243a. Tringa alpina pacifica (Cowes), Rep-backep SanpPiPER; Leappack. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts broadly margined with rufous, the centers of the feathers black, wings brownish gray; breast whitish, lightly streaked with blackish; middle of the belly with a large black patch, lower belly white. Jm.—Upper parts blackish, the feathers with rounded tips of rufous or buffy; breast washed with buffy and indistinctly streaked with blackish; belly spotted with black. Wénter plumage.—Upper parts brown- ish gray; middle upper tail-coverts fuscous; wing-coverts brownish gray margined with buffy ; throat white; breast ashy, indistinctly streaked; belly SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 161 white, the sides sometimes spotted with black. L., 8:00; W., 4°75; Tar., 1:00; B., 150. ; Lemarks.—There is, of course, every degree of intergradation between summer and winter plumage, but the species may always be known by its slightly curved bill. Range.—North America, breeding in the arctic regions and wintering from Florida southward ; rare in the interior. Washington, rare T. V., Apl.; Oct. Long Island, T. V., uncommon in Fic. 63.—Red-backed Sandpiper. (Natural size.) spring, Apl. 1 to May 15; common in fall, Aug. 31 through Oct. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V. in fall, Oct. 3 to Oct. 24. Cambridge, casual, one instance, Oct. £gqs, three to four, varying from pale, bluish white to ochraceous-buff, heavily marked with chocolate, chietly at the larger end, 1:48 x 1-01. Generally speaking, this is a shore or beach bird, though it also visits grassy marshes. It flies and feeds in flocks, and is an unsus- picious, rather stupid little Snipe, less active than most members of this family. The gray-plumaged fall birds are known as “ Leadbacks,” while in the spring they go by the names “ Blackbreast ” or “‘ Redback.” The Dunun (243. Tringa alpina) is the Old-World representative of our Red-backed Sandpiper, trom which it differs only in being less brightly colored and somewhat smaller. L., about 7:40; W., 412-450; Tar., 78-90; B., 1:05-1'25. It is of casual occurrence in North America. The CurLew Sanppirer (244. Tringa ferruginea) inhabits the eastern hemisphere, and occurs casually in eastern North America. It has been re- corded from Ontario, Nova Scotia, Maine, Massachusetts, and Long Island. 246. Ereunetes pusillus (Zinn.). Semratmatep Sanppirer; Sanp Oxeyve; Perr. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts black or fuscous, margined with brownish gray and a smali amount of rufous; rump grayish brown; upper tail-coverts blackish ; tail-feathers brownish gray, central ones darkest; breast streaked or spotted with blackish. /m.—Similar, but upper parts and wing- coverts blackish, with rounded rufous or buffy tips to the feathers ; breast un- 12 162 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. streaked, tinted with buffy. Winter plumage.—Upper parts brownish gray, with darker shaft streaks ; upper tail-coverts darker; under parts white, some- times with faint streaks on the breast. L., 6°30; W., 3°75; Tar., ‘75; B., *65-"80, Remarks.—The small size of this and the next species prevents their be- ing confused with any other except 7ringa minutilla, from which they may always be known by their partially webbed toes. Lange.—Eastern North America; breeds in the arctic regions, and winters from the Gulf States southward through Brazil. Washington, rare T. V.. May; Aug. to Oct. Long Island, abundant T. V., May; July through Sept. Sing Sing, common T. V. in fall, Aug. 14 to Oct. 20. Cambridge, very common in Aug. and Sept. £ggs, three to four, pale, dull grayish buff, sprinkled, speckled, or spotted with dark brown and purplish gray, 1:21 x ‘85 (Ridgw.). The thought of these little Sandpipers always creates a mental pic- ture of a long stretch of dazzling beach with its ever-changing surf- line. I hear the oft-repeated booming of the rolling, tumbling break- ers, and in the distance see a group of tiny forms hurrying to and fro over the sand smoothed by the frothy waves. With what nimble grace- fulness they follow the receding waves, searching for treasures cast up by the sea! What contentment and good-fellowship are expressed by their cheery, conversational twitterings! Up and down the beach they run, now advancing, now retreating, sometimes, in their eagerness, ven- turing too far, when the waters threaten to ingulf them, and in momen- tary confusion they take wing and hover back to a place of safety. Suddenly, as though at a signal, they are off; a compact flock moving as one bird, twisting and turning to right and left, now gleaming white as the sun strikes their snowy bodies, now dark again like a wisp of sunless cloud flying before the wind. 247. Ereunetes occidentalis Zawr. Wrsrern SEMIPALMATED Sanvpirer.—This bird closely resembles the preceding, from which, in sum- mer plumage, it differs in having the upper parts conspicuously margined with rufous and the breast more heavily streaked. In fall and winter plum- age the differences in coloration are not so apparent, but the birds are to be distinguished at any season by the size of the bill, which in the western spe- cies always averages longer. W., 3°80; Tar., 80; B., ‘85-120. Range.—Western North America; breeds in the arctic regions, and win- ters from the Gulf States to South America; occasional on the Atlantic coast. Long Island, uncommon T. V., occurring with Z. pusédlus. Zags, three to four, deep cinnamon buffy, sprinkled, speckled, or thickly spotted with bright rusty brown or chestnut, the general aspect decidedly rusty, 1:24 x +87 (Ridgw.). This western representative of the preceding species is sometimes found on our coasts associated with its eastern relative. In Florida, particularly on the Gulf coast, it occurs in numbers during the winter. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 163 248. Calidris arenaria (Linn.). Sanpreriine; Surr Syire. Ad. in summer.—Feathers of the upper parts with generally black centers, bor- dered and sometimes barred with pale rufous and tipped with ashy white ; wings fuscous, the basal half of the outer web of the inner primaries white ; wing-coverts grayish fuscous, the greater one broadly tipped with white; tail brownish gray, narrowly margined with white; throat and upper breast washed with pale rufous and spotted with blackish ; rest of the under parts pure white. Jm. in fall—Similar, but upper parts without rufous, glossy black, the feathers sometimes bordered with white, but generally with two white spots at their tips separated by the black of the central part of the feather; nape grayish white, lightly streaked with blackish; under parts pure white, with oveasionally a few spots on the breast. Winter plumage.— Upper parts pale brownish gray, wings as in the preceding ; under parts pure white. L., 8:00; W., 5:00; Tar., 1:00; B., 1:00. Remarks—The Sanderling is the only one of our Snipes or Sandpipers having three toes, and it may always be known by this character in combi- nation with its booted or transversely scaled tarsi. Range. Nearly cosmopolitan, breeding in arctic and subarctic regions; migrating, in America, south to Chili and Patagonia” (A. O. U.). Washington, casual T. V., two records. Long Island, common T. V., Mch. 15 through May; Aug. 1 through Sept. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V., to June 5; Sept. 9 to Oct. 5. Cambridge, casual, one instance, Sept. Eggs, three to four, light olive-brown, finely spotted or speckled with darker, the markings larger and more blended on the larger end, 1:41 x ‘91 (Ridgw.). This is a true beach bird, and is usually found on shores washed by the sea. It frequently associates with the Semipalmated Sandpiper or Oxeye, which it resembles in habits, but its larger size and lighter colors distinguish it from that species. 249. Limosa fedoa (Zinz.). Marsiep Gopwit; Brown Marui. Ad.—Upper parts black, the head and neck streaked with buffy, the back barred or the feathers spotted on the sides and sometimes tipped with buffy or ochraceous-buff; inner web of the outer primaries and both webs of the inner ones ochraceous-buff' or pale buffy, speckled with black ; tail ochraceous- buff barred with black ; throat white, rest of the under parts pale buffy, spotted. or barred with black; bill curved slightly upward, yellowish at the base, black atthe end. Jm.—Similar, but the under parts with few or no bars except on the flanks and under tail-coverts. L., 18:00; W.,875; Tar., 2°75; B., 4:00. Range.—North America, breeding chiefly in the interior, from western Minnesota, and rarely Iowa and Nebraska, northward, and migrating south- ward to Central America and Cuba; rare on the Atlantic coast. Long Island, rare T. V., Aug. and Sept. Faqs, three to four, clay-color or brownish ashy, blotched, spotted, and scrawled with grayish brown, 2°15 x 1:60. Colonel Goss writes that this species “inhabits the salt- and fresh- water shores, marshes, and moist ground upon the prairies. It feeds 164 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. upon crustacea, insects, worms, larve, etc., moving about in a horizontal position, picking and probing as it goes. Its flight is easy and well sustained, though not very rapid; in alighting, raises the wings over the back as it touches the ground. These birds as a rule are shy, and keep well out of reach... .” 251. Limosa hzemastica (Zinn.). Huvupsoyntan Gopwir; Rine- TAILED Marin. Ad.—Upper parts black, the head and neck streaked and the back spotted or barred with ochraceous-butf ; primaries black or fuscous ; upper tail-coverts white, the lateral ones tipped or barred with black; tail black, with a broad base and a narrow tip of white; throat buffy, streaked with blackish ; under parts chestnut-rufous, barred with black and sometimes tipped with whitish ; axillars black. L., 15-00; W., 8:25; Tar., 2°25; B., 3-20. Range.—Kastern North America; breeds in the arctic regions and mi- grates southward, chiefly through the interior, as far as Patagonia. Long Island, rare T. V., Aug. and Sept. £ggs, three to four, deep olive, hair-brown, or broccoli-brown (sometimes paler), usually more or less spotted with darker brown, but sometimes nearly uniform, 2°20 x 1:42 (Ridgw.). This bird resembles the preceding in habits, and like it is rare on the Atlantic coast. The Bracx-Ta1Lep Gopwit (252. Limosa limosa) inhabits the northern parts of the Old-World and is of accidental occurrence in Greenland. 254. Totanus melanoleucus (@mel.). GreaTzR YELLOW-LEGS. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts black, the head and neck streaked and the back spotted or barred with white or ashy; upper tail-coverts white, more or less barred with black ; tail white or ashy, barred with black ; breast heavily spotted with black; sides barred with black; middle of the belly white. Winter plumage. —Siniilar: But upper parts broarnieh gray, edged with whit-. ish; sides of the scapulars, tertials, and wing-coverts with blackish and whitish spots; breast only lightly streaked with blackish, and sides slightly barred. L., 14:00; W., 7°70; Tar., 2°40; B., 2:20. Range.—North America ; breeds from Minnesota and rarely northern Illi- nois and Anticosti northward ; winters from the Gulf States to Patagonia. Washington, rather common T. V., Apl. and May; July 25 to Nov. Long Island, common T. V., Apl. 10 chaoueh May; July 15 through Oct. Sing Sing, common T.V., to June 5 ;—to Oct. 28. Cambridge, common T. V., Apl. 15 to May 25; Sept. ate Oct. Eggs, three to four, brownish buffy, distinctly but very irregularly spotted with rich vandyke- or madder-brown, 1:48 x 1:20 (Ridgw.). It needs only the musical notes of the Yellow-leg to recall memo- ries of many days passed along the shore and in the marshes. Half reclining in my blind, I see in fancy the staring decoys, pointing like weathercocks with the wind, and hear the dull booming of surf be- hind the brown sand dunes. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 165 Few birds are flying; lulled by the dap, lap of the water, I have almost fallen asleep, when from far up in the gray sky comes a soft, fiutelike whistle, wheu, wheu-wheu-wheu-wheu, wheu, wheu-wheu. Ire- spond quickly, and, lying on my back, look eagerly upward. Not a bird can be seen, but the questioning call grows stronger and is re- peated more frequently. Finally I distinguish five or six black points sailing in narrow circles so high that I can scarcely believe they are the birds I hear. But no bar or shoal breaks the sound waves. The birds grown larger and on widening circles sweep earthward. Their soft whistle has a plaintive tone; their long bills turn inquiringly from side to side. The stolid decoys give no response, they repel rather than encourage, but the whistling continues, and with murmured notes of interrogation the deluded birds wheel over them, to find too late that they have blundered. . 255. Totanus flavipes (Gme.). YrLtow-tecs; Summer YELLow- LEGs. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts generally brownish gray, the head and neck streaked with black and white, the back, scapulars, and wing-coverts with sometimes black centers, spotted or tipped with whitish or brownish gray ; upper tail-coverts white, more or less barred with black, tail varying from white to brownish gray, with numerous black or blackish cross-bars; breast heavily spotted or streaked and sides barred with black; belly white, legs yellow. Winter plumage.—Similar, but upper parts brownish gray, the sides of the feathers with whitish spots; tail-bars grayish ; breast lightly streaked with ashy. L., 10°75; W., 6:40; Tar., 2:05; B., 1-40. Remarks.—This bird closely resembles the Greater Yellow-legs in color, but may always be distinguished by its smaller size. Range.—North America, breeding chiefly in the interior from Minnesota, northern Illinois, Ontario County, N. Y., northward to the arctic regions; winters from the Gulf States to Patagonia. Washington, rather common T. V., Apl. to May 15; Aug. to Nov. Long Island, T. V., very rare in spring, abundant in fall; July 15 to Oct.1. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V. in fall; Aug. 25 to Oct. 5. Cambridge, rare in May ; sometimes common in Aug. and early Sept. Eggs, three to four, buffy (variable as to shade), distinctly (sometimes broadly) spotted or blotched with dark madder- or vandyke-brown and pur- plish gray, 1°69 x 1:15 (Ridgw.). This species closely resembles the preceding in notes, habits, and choice of haunts. It decoys, however, more easily, and, generally speaking, is more common. The GreEen-sHawx (258. Totanus nebularius) is an Old-World species, of which three specimens were taken by Audubon, May 28, 1832, near Cape Sable, Florida. It resembles our Greater Yellow-legs, but ditfers chiefly in having the lower back and rump white. The Green Sanpprper (257. Totanus ochropus) is an Old-World species which has been recorded once from Nova Scotia. It resembles our Solitary 166 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC, Sandpiper, but is larger (W., 5°75), and has the upper tail-coverts pure white. 256. Totanus solitarius (Wéis.). Souitary Sanppirer. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts olive-fuscous, with a slight greenish tinge, the head and neck streaked and the back spotted with white; upper tail-coverts fus- cous, with fine whitish spots on their sides, the lateral ones sometimes barred ; sentral pair of tail-feathers fuscous, the others white, barred with black ; Fig. 64.—Inner view of wing of Solitary Sandpiper, showing barred axillars. breast streaked, and sides sometimes barred with black; belly white; axillars barred with black and white; legs greenish fuscous. Winter plumage.—Simi- lar, but upper parts grayish brown; head and neck generally unstreaked, and the back only lightly spotted with buffy white; breast streaked with brown- ish gray. L., 8:40; W., 5:26; Tar., 1:20; B., 1°15. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds locally and rarely from northern Illinois, western Pennsylvania, and Maine northward; winters in South America, Washington, common T. V., Apl. to May 25; July 25 to Nov. Long Island, common T. V., May: July 15 to Oct. 1. Sing Sing, common T. V., May 8 to 80; Aug. 27 to Oct 2. Cambridge, common T. V., May 15 to 25; July 20 to Oct. Eqqs, known from only one example taken by Jenness Richardson, near Lake Bombazine, Vermont, May 28, 1878, and described by Dr. Brewer as light drab, with small, rounded, brown markings, some quite dark, nowhere confluent, and at the larger end a few faint purplish shell-marks, 1:39 x +95. This is a wood Sandpiper. It is rarely found on the beaches or salt marshes near the sea, but frequents fresh-water ponds, or lakes and woodland streams, both in the lowlands and mountains. It is gener- erally observed during the migrations, and although it occasionally breeds in the Middle States its skill in concealing its nest has defied the search of ovlogists. It is a quieter, more dignified bird than the Spotted Sandpiper, and as a rule only utters its “low, whistling notes” when flushed. 258. Symphemia semipalmata (@mel.). Witter. Ad. in aum- mer.—Upper parts brownish gray, the head and neck streaked, and the back barred with black, and sometimes buffy, the centers of the feathers being oc- easionally wholly black; basal half of the primaries and greater part of sec- ondaries white; upper tail-coverts white with a few blackish bars; central tail-feathers ashy, indistinctly barred with blackish » outer ones whitish, lightly SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 167 mottled with grayish; foreneck heavily streaked; breast and sides heavily barred with dark brownish gray and more or less washed with buffy; belly generally white, with sometimes a few bars. Winter plumage.—Upper parts brownish gray, unmarked ; tail without bars ; rump and wings as in the adult; breast washed with grayish ; belly white; azdldars black. L., 15-00; W., 8-00; Tar., 2°30; B., 2°15. Range.—Eastern North America, breeding from Florida to southern New Jersey, and locally and rarely to Maine. Washington, rare T. V., Aug. Long Island, T. V., rare in May; uncom- mon in Aug. and Sept. Sing Sing, A. V. £ygs, three to four, clay-color or buffy, thickly spotted with chocolate, chiefly at the Jarger end, 2°10 x 1-55. Willets frequent both fresh- and salt-water marshes, shores, and beaches. If you visit their haunts during the nesting season, on flut- tering wings they will hover above your head or fly low over the marsh to draw you away from their home, uttering, with scarce a mo- ment’s cessation, their loudly whistled call of pilly-will-willet, pilly- will-willet. All day long, and even at night, I have heard them repeat these notes until, wearied by their persistence, one is thankful to leave them in undisturbed possession of the ground. 258a. S. s. inornata Brewst. Wxstern Witier.—Slightly larger than the preceding, and, in summer plumage, the upper parts are paler and less heavily marked ‘with black; the breast is less heavily streaked and more suffused with buffy, and the middle tail-feathers are without black bars. In winter plumage the two forms can be distinguished only by the slight and inconstant character of size. W., 850; Tar., 2°50; B., 2-40. Range.— Western United States, breeding from Texas to Manitoba; win- ters on the Gulf coast from Florida to Texas. The Rurr (260. Pavoncella pugnaz) is an Old-World species which occa- sionally wanders to eastern North America. It has been taken in Maine, Massachusetts, Ontario, Ohio, Long Island, and New Jerscy. The adult male may be known by its enlarged ruff, which varies in color from black, chest- nut, and rufous to buffy and whitish. The female is without a ruff, and is otherwise very different from the male. The upper parts are grayish brown, the back, scapulars, and tertials are broadly barred with black, the outer tail-feathers are ashy, the inner ones are barred with buffy and black, the breast is ashy, with concealed black bars, the belly is white. In winter the upper parts are light grayish brown with few or no bars. 6 L., 12°50; W., 7-50; Tar., 1:90; B., 1:50. @ L., 10°00; W., 6:00; Tar., 1-40; B., 1-15. 261. Bartramia longicauda ( Bechst.). Bartramtan SANDPIPER; Upranp Prover; Fretp Plover. Ad.—Head and neck streaked with black and ochraceous-buff; back and wing-coverts ochraceous-buff, barred with black ; tertials olive, barred with black and margined with ochraceous-buff; primaries fuscous, the outer one barred with white ; inner tail-feathers brown- ish gray, outer ones varying from ochraceous-butf to white, all more or less 168 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETO. barred with black ; breast and sides washed with buffy and streaked or barred with black; belly white or whitish. Jm.,—Similar, but the ochraceous-buff is deeper. L., 11:50; W., 650; Tar., 1:90; B., 1°15. Remarks.—The white bars on the outer primary will always serve to iden- tify this species. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds locally from Kansas and Vir- ginia to Alaska and Nova Scotia; winters over most of South America. Washington, common T. V., Apl.; Aug. to Sept. Long Island, uncommon S.R., Apl. to Sept. Cambridge, not common 'T. V., Apl. 25 to May 5; July 80 to Sept. 15. £qgs, four to tive, creamy buff or white, spotted with reddish brown or chocolate, chiefly at the larger end, 1-80 x 1:30. The Upland “ Plover” is at home on grassy plains and pastures. It is usually a shy bird, and can rarely be successfully approached on foot. It shows no fear, however, of a man who is riding or driving, and when on horseback I have passed within a few yards of birds which regarded me with some interest but no alarm. They so closely resemble dried grass in color that it is sometimes exceedingly diffi- cult to distinguish them from their surroundings. One may ride over a prairie upon which, at first glance, not a Plover is visible, and find, after careful scrutiny, that dozens of birds are scattered about him teeding. In alighting they stretch their wings to the utmost, high over their backs, as if to get the wrinkles out before gently folding them. When flushed they utter a soft, bubbling whistle. During their migra- tions one may clearly hear these sweet notes from birds traveling be- yond the limits of human vision. Mr. Langille describes their alarm note as a spirited and rapidly uttered guip-ip-ip-ip, quip-ip-tp-ip, and their song, given from the ground, a fence, or even a tree, as chr-r-r-7-7- e€-e-e-€-e-e-00-0-0-0-0-00. He remarks: “ This prolonged, mournful, mel- low whistle, more like the‘whistling of wind than a bird’s voice, may be heard even in the night, and is one of the most weird and never-to- be-forgotten sounds in Nature.” 262. Tryngites subruficollis (Vicil/.). Burr-sreastep SAnp- piper. Ad.—Upper parts pale grayish brown, the feathers with olive cen- ters ; primaries fuscous, the inner half of their inner webs speckled with black ; longer inner wing-coverts conspicuously marked and tipped with black, then white; central tail-feathers fuscous, outer ones becoming buffy, irregularly marked and tipped with black and bufty; under parts pale ochraceous-buff, tipped with whitish, and with generally concealed black markings. Jm.— Similar, but the upper parts and breast paler. L., 8°50; W., 5-25; B., 80. Remarks.—In any plumage this bird may be known by the peculiar speck- ding on the inner webs of adz the primaries, and also the markings of the under wing-coverts. Range.—* North America, especially in the interior; breeds in the Yukon “ONNOA GNV UddIdAGNVG GALLOdG SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 169 district and interior of British America; northward to the arctic coast; South America in winter; of frequent occurrence in Europe” (A. O. U.). Long Island, rare T. V., Aug. and Sept. Eggs, three to four, buffy grayish white, varying to pale olive-buff, boldly spotted longitudinally (and somewhat spirally) with dark vandyke- or mad- der-brown and purplish gray, 1°53 x 1:04 (Ridgw.). This isa rare species on the Atlantic coast. Dr. Hatch writes of it as observed by him in Minnesota: “They are an extremely active species when on the wing, and essentially ploverine in all respects, seeking sandy, barren prairies, where they live upon grasshoppers, crickets, and insects generally, and ants and their eggs specially. I have found them repasting upon minute mollusks on the sandy shores of small and shallow ponds, where they were apparently little more suspicious than the Solitary Sandpipers are notably. The flight is in rather compact form, dipping and rising alternately, and with a dis- position to return again to the neighborhood of their former feeding places.” 263. Actitis macularia (Zinn.). Srorrep Sanppirer. Ad.insum- . mer.—Upper parts brownish gray with a faint greenish luster, the head and ° neck more or less streaked, and the back barred or spotted with black; inner tail-feathers like the back, outer ones with blackish bars; under parts white, everywhere spotted with black. Jm.—Upper parts brownish gray, with a greenish tinge, the back faintly and wing-coverts conspicuously barred with black and butfy ; under parts pure white, unspotted, but slightly washed with grayish on the breast. Winter plumage—Similar, but back browner and without bars. L., 7°50; W., 420; Tar., 90; B., 95. Range.—North America north to Hudson Bay; breeds throughout its range ; winters southward to Brazil. Washington, common T. V., not common §. R., Apl. 5 to Sept. 30. Long Island, abundant 8. R., Apl. 25 to Oct. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 29 to Oct. 23. Cambridge, common 8. R., Apl. 26 to Sept. £998, four, creamy buff or white, thickly spotted and speckled with choco- late, chiefly at the larger end, 1°25 x -95. Few Shore Birds are more generally known than this widely dis- tributed little Sandpiper. It frequents the margins of bodies of both fresh and salt water, but is more common inland on the shores of our rivers, ponds, and lakes. During the summer it is practically our only fresh-water Sandpiper, and is familiar to most of us under its common names. It runs rapidly along the beach, then pausing bobs, bows, and “teters” in a most energetic manner. When flushed it takes wing with a sharp weet-weet weet-weet, and after a few wing-strokes scales over the water to the beach beyond. It apparently dislikes to go be- yond certain limits, and after several flights makes a wide circle and returns to the starting point. 170 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 264. Numenius longirostris Wils. Lone-sittep CuRLEW; Sickie-sitt. Ad.—Head and neck streaked, and back barred with buffy and black ; wing-coverts, inner webs of primaries, secondaries, and tail vary- ing from buffy to pale rufous, barred or mottled with blackish; under parts ochraceous-buff, breast more or less streaked and sides sometimes barred with black; axillars rufous, generally unbarred. L., 24:00; W., 10°50; Tar. 310; B., 6:00. Range.—United States, breeding in the interior as far north as Manitoba and on the Atlantic coast to North Carolina; casual northward to New Eng- land; winters from Florida and Texas southward to the West Indies. Washington, rare and irregular T. V. Long Island, casual from July to Sept. Sing Sing, A. V. Eggs, three to four, olive clay-color or brow nati ashy, spotted or blotched with chocolate, 2°58 x 1°85. “ These birds, as a rule, inhabit the muddy shores and moist grassy flats and plains, but often frequent and breed upon the uplands re- mote from water. Their food consists of worms, crickets, beetles, grasshoppers, small snails, crabs, and crawfish; the latter they reach for with their long bills and pull them out of their holes; and I have seen them probe for and unearth the larve of the beetles and other forms of life that in the spring come to or near the surface prepara- tory to transformation. While feeding they move about with an easy carriage. “Their flight is not rapid but well sustained, with regular strokes .of the wings, and when going a distance usually high and i in a trian- gular form, uttering now and then their loud, prolonged whistling note, so often heard during the breeding season; before alighting, sud- denly drop nearly to the ground, then gather, and with a rising sweep gracefully alight ” (Goss). 265. Numenius hudsonicus Lath. Hvupsontan Curtew; Jack Curtew. Ad.—Upper parts grayish brown, the sides of the feathers with whitish spots; rump and tail barred with butty and blackish ; inner web of outer primaries and both webs of inner ones barred with buffy or whitish and black; under parts butfy or whitish, the neck and breast streaked and the sides and under wing-coverts barred with black. L., 17:00; W., 9°50; Tar., 220; B., 3°75. Range.—Breeds in the arctic regions and winters from the Gulf States to Patagonia. Long Island, T. V., rare trom May 20 to 830; common from July to Oct. 1. Zggs, three to four, pale olive, spotted with dull brown, 2°27 x 1:57 (Ridgw.). This is a much commoner bird on our coasts than the preceding, which it resembles in habits but not in notes. 266. Numenius borealis (/orst.). Esximo Curtew; Furs; Doveu-sirp. Ad.—Upper parts black, margined and tipped with buffy or PLOVERS. 171 whitish ; upper tail-coverts barred with buffy and black ; tail brownish gray, edged with butfy and barred with black; primaries fuscous without bars ; under parts buffy or whitish, the breast streaked, the sides and under wing- coverts barred with black L., 13:50; W., 8:40; Tar., 1°75; B., 2°40. Range.—Breeds in the arctic regions and migrates southward, chietly through the interior, to Patagonia. Long Island, rare T. V., Sept. Eggs, three to four, pale olive-greenish, olive, or olive-brownish, dis- tinetly spotted, chiefly on the larger end, with deep or dark brown, 2°04 x 1-43 (Ridgw.). This Curlew is far more common in the interior than on the At- lantic coast. It is more of a field bird than either of the two pre- ceding species, and frequents the dry uplands to feed on seeds and insects. Mr. G. H. Mackay, in his biography of this species,* writes: “Most of their habits closely resemble those of the Golden Plover. In migration they fly in much the same manner, with extended and broadside and triangular lines and clusters similar to those of Ducks and Geese at such times. They usually fly low after landing, sweeping slowly over the ground, apparently looking it over, generally standing motionless for quite a while after alighting, which, owing to their general color approximating so closely to the withered grass, renders it difficult at times to perceive them. . . . The only note I ever heard them make is a kind of squeak, very much like one of the cries of Wilson’s Tern (Sterna hirundo), only finer in tone.” The Wuimpret (267. Numenius pheopus), an Old-World species, is of accidental occurrence in Greenland. FaMILy CHARADRUDA. PLOVERS. The one hundred species contained in this family are, as a whole, of less boreal distribution than the Snipes, and during the nesting season are distributed throughout the world. Only eight species are found in North America. Their habits in a general way resemble those of the true Snipes, but their much shorter, stouter bills are not fitted for probing, and they obtain their food from the surface. Probably for this reason several species are as frequently found on the uplands as near the shores, KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Toes three. A. Back spotted or streaked with black and white, rufous, or golden yellow. 272, Am. GoLpEN PLovER. B. Back ashy, gray, brown, or brownish gray. a Rumprufous . 6 6 6 ee eee ee ee es 298, Kitten, 6. Rump not rufous. * The Auk, vol. ix, 1892, pp. 16-21, 172 PLOVERS. 6, Bill over *50. 63, A black or brownish band on the breast. 280. Wizson’s PLover. 68, No band on the breast ; back grayish brown, margined with rufous. 281. Mountain PLoveEr. oc}, Bill under :50. c?. A black line from the eye to the bill. 274, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. c8, No line from the eye to the bill. 277. Pipina Plover. 277a. Be.rep Pirrne Plover. Il. Toesfour. . . 2... 4... 6... | 270. Buack-BELLIED PLovEr. The Larwine (269. Vanellus vanellus) is an Old-World species of acci- dental occurrence in America. The only record for eastern North America south of Greenland is based on a specimen shot at Merrick, L. I, in Decem- ber, 1883 (Dutcher, Auk, iii, 1886, p. 438). 270. Charadrius squatarola (Linn.). Buiacx-BEeLiiep PLover; Brerie-neap. (See Fig. 25, ¢, 26, d.) Ad. in summer.—Upper parts black, bordered with white; tail white, barred with black; basal half of the inner web of the primaries white; sides of the head and neck and entire under parts, except the white lower belly and under tail-coverts, black. Jm.—Upper parts black, the head and neck streaked, the back spotted with buffy yellow; tail and wings as in the adult; under parts white, the breast and sides streaked with brownish gray. Winter plumage—Similar to the preceding, but upper parts brownish gray, lightly margined with whitish. L., 11:00; W., 7°50; Tar., 1:90; B., 1:10. Remarks.—The rounded scales on the front of the tarsus and the presence of a fourth, although very small, toe distinguish this bird. Range.——Nearly cosmopolitan; breeds in the arctic regions, and in Amer- ica winters from Florida to Brazil. Long Island, common T. V., May 5 to June 5; Aug. 1 to Oct. 15. Sing Sing, A. V. £qgs, three to four, light buffy olive, spotted and speckled with dark brown and brownish black or deep black, 2°04 x 1:48 (Ridgw.). The following notes are abridged from Mr. Mackay’s extended ac- count of the habits of this species (Auk, ix, 1892, pp. 143-152). They are in a great degree tide birds, and seek a large part of their food on sand-flats left by the receding water. As the tide rises they resort to adjoining marshes or uplands, beaches, or the exposed crests of sand- bars. In migrating they fly in lines and also in ranks, like Ducks and Geese. When on the ground they usually run very fast for four or five yards, then stop, elevate the head, and look around. They strike at the object they are going to pick up and eat with a very quick motion. They have two calls: one of several notes, with the accent on the sec- ond one, is mellow, clear, and far reaching; the other is low, and is uttered when they are at ease and contented. ‘PLOVERS. 173 272. Charadrius dominicus Mill. American GotpEN PLover; Greenpack. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts black, spotted and margined with golden yellow; tail brownish gray, indistinctly barred with whitish ; sides of the breast white ; rest of the under parts, including sides of the head, black; under wing-coverts ashy. Winter plumage.—Upper parts and tail fuscous, spotted or barred with whitish or yellow; under parts whitish, more or less streaked or barred with brownish gray. L., 10°50; W., 7:00; Tar., 1:60; B., -90. Remarks —Immature birds are sometimes confused with those of the Black- bellied Plover, but, aside from differences of size and color, the absence of the fourth toe in the present species will always distinguish it. Range—Breeds in the arctic regions; winters from Florida to Patagonia. Washington, rare and irregular T. V. Long Island, T. V., very rare in May; common from Aug. 15 to Nov. 10. £ggs, three to four, ochraceous-buft or buify white, heavily marked with chocolate, 1:85 x 1:28. Golden Plovers frequent marshes, sandy hills, old fields, sand-flats exposed by the falling tide, plowed fields, and burned tracts which are free of trees and bushes. When on the ground they run rapidly and gracefully, and after alighting soon scatter. All their movements are quick, and after running a few yards they suddenly stop, hold their head erect, and look about them. In feeding they seem to strike at an object with a motion that reminds one of a Loon or Grebe begin- ning to dive. When a flock is approaching decoys, every bird seems to be whis- tling, uttering a note like coodle, coodle, coodle. Unlike the Black- bellied Plover, the young birds are wary and more difficult to decoy than the old ones. When driven from a favorite resting or feeding ground they generally return in a short time. (Abridged from Mr. George H. Mackay’s account of the habits of this species in The Auk, viii, 1891, pp. 17-24.) The Evrorzan Gotpen Prover (271. Charadrius apricarius) occurs in eastern Greenland. It resembles our species, but has the under wing-coverts white instead of gray. 278. Zegialitis vocifera (Linn.). Krriprrr. Ad.—Forehead, a spot behind the eye, throat, and a ring around the neck, a band on the breast, lower breast, and belly white; front of the crown, lores, a ring around the neck, and a band on the breast black; crown and back grayish brown tipped with rufous; rump and upper tail-coverts rufous; inner tail-feathers grayish brown, outer ones becoming rufous and white, all tipped with black and white. L., 10°50; W., 6°50; Tar., 135; B., °75. Range.—North America north to Newfoundland and Manitoba, breeding throughout its range; winters from the lower Mississippi Valley and Vir- ginia to northern South America. 174 PLOVERS. Washington, P. R., most abundant in migrations. Long Island, not com mon T. V., recorded in every month but Jan. Sing Sing, rare T. V. in fall Sept. 28 to Oct. 25. Cambridge, A. V., two instances, Sept. Eggs, three to four, butty white, spotted and scrawled with chocolats chiefly at the larger end, 1°50 x 1:10. In localities where this bird is common it is difficult to get beyond the reach of its notes. Lakesides, meadows, pastures, and cultivated fields all attract it, but it is more numerous in the vicinity of water. It is a noisy, restless bird, running rapidly when on the ground, and when on the wing flying swiftly and sometimes pursuing a most irregular course. As a rule it is found in flocks, which scatter when feeding but unite when taking wing. At the first sign of danger it utters its half-plaintive, half-petulant kili-dee, kill-dee, and when thor- oughly alarmed its outcry increases until, beside itself with fear, it reaches the limit of its vocal powers, Although by no means shy, the Killdeer never seems to gain confidence in man, and at his approach always gives voice to its fear. Even at night I have heard it cry out at some real or fancied danger. 2'74. Hgialitis semipalmata Bonap. Semipatmatep Proven; Rinc- neck. (See Fig. 25, d, 26, ¢.) Ad. in summer—Feathers at the base of the upper mandible, front of the crown, sides of the head be- low the eye, and a band on the breast, which gener- ally encircles the neck all around, black ; rest of under parts and a ring around the neck white; back of head and back brownish gray ; inner tail-feathers brownish gray, outer ones becoming gradually white; toes webbed at the base. Winter plum- age,—Similar, but the black replaced by brownish gray. F L., 675; W., 4:80; Tar., :90; Fie. 65.—Semipalmated Plover. (Natural size.) B., °50. Range.—Breeds from Lab- rador to the shores of the Arctic Sea; winters from the Gulf States to Brazil. Washington, casual, three specimens, May; Aug. Long Island, common T. V., May; Aug. and Sept. Sing Sing, common T. V. in fall; Aug. 28 to Sept. 20. Cambridge, rare in spring; sometimes common in Aug. and Sept. £9gs, three to four, buffy white or creamy buff, spotted with chocolate, 1:30 x +90. PLOVERS. 175 This species frequents sandy beaches, mud-flats, and marshes. It is found generally in small flocks of five or ten individuals, which, unlike the Sand Oxeyes, do not feed in a compact body, but run rap- idly about, independently of one another. When they take wing, however, they close ranks at once and move as though governed by one desire. Their simple, sweet, plaintive call is one of the most characteristic notes heard on our shores. At noonday, when the heat waves are dancing over the marshes and even the twittering Oxeyes are silent, one may hear the cool, pure notes of this little Plover. Tuey may be written A third, shorter note is sometimes added. Even a whistled imitation of them takes me to the beaches, The Rina Prover (275. Aigialitis hiaticula), an Old-World species, is found in Greenland. It is similar to the preceding but slightly larger, the black band on the breast is wider, and there is no web between the inner and middle toes. 27%. Higialitis meloda (Ord). Pipinc Prover. Ad. in summer. —Upper parts pale whitish ashy; forehead, under parts, and a ring around the neck white; front of the crown and a band on either side of the breast black ; inner tail-feathers fuscous, outer ones becoming white. Winter plum- age.—Similar, but the black replaced by brownish gray. L., 7:00; W., 4°75; Tar., °85; B., °50. Range.—Kastern North America, breeding from Virginia to Newfound- land; winters from Florida southward. Long Island, not uncommon 8. R., Mch. through Sept. Sing Sing, A. V. Eggs, three to four, creamy white, finely spotted or speckled with choco- late, 1°24 x *95. The Piping Plover resembles the Ring-neck in habits but not in notes. Mr. J. H. Langille writes that it “can not be called a ‘ whistler,’ nor even a ‘piper,’ in an ordinary sense. Its tone has a particularly striking and musical quality. Queep, queep, queep-o, or peep, peep, peep-lo, each syllable being uttered with a separate, distinct, and some- what long-drawn enunciation, may imitate its peculiar melody, the tone of which is round, full, and sweet, reminding one of a high key on an Italian hand organ or the Aautboy in a church organ. It is always pleasing to the lover of Nature’s melodies, and in the still air of the evening it is very impressive.” 277a. Z. m. circumcincta Ridgw. Be.rep Pirine Piover.— Closely resembles the preceding, from which it differs in having the bands on either side of the breast joined, forming a continuous breastband. Range.—Breeds from “ northern Ilinois and Nebraska northward to Lake 176 PLOVERS, Winnepeg,” and eastward to the Magdalen and Sable Islands; winters from the Gulf southward. Casual on the Atlantic coast during the migrations. Long Island, A. V. in summer. 280. Zgialitis wilsonia (Ord). Wuitson’s PiLover. dd. §.— Lores, front of crown, and a band on the breast black; rest of under parts, forehead, and an indistinct ring on the nape white; sides of the head and nape sometimes with rufous markings; cheeks, crown, and back brownish gray ; inner tail-feathers fuscous, outer ones becoming white. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but black replaced by brownish gray. Jm.—Similar to ¢, but upper parts margined with grayish. L., 7°50; W., 450; Tar. 1-10; B., :80. Range.—America, breeding from Virginia to Central America; win- ters southward to Brazil; casual northward to Nova Scotia. Long Island, A. V., in sum- Fie. 66.—Wilson’s Plover. (Natural size.) ™€T- Lgqs, three, creamy white, even- ly and rather finely spotted and speckled with chocolate, 1.42 x 1-03. uae Sie A s Z, 7 This is a more strictly maritime species than the other representa- tives of this genus. Sandy beaches are its favorite resorts, but it is also found on mud-flats exposed by the falling tide. Dr. Coues de- scribes its note as half a whistle, half a chirp, quite different from that of the preceding species. It is a gentle, unsuspicious bird, and when its nest is approached it runs about the intruder and begs as plainly as a bird can that he will not disturb its treasures. The Mountain Prover (281. digialitis montana), a western specics, is of accidental occurrence in Florida, The upper parts are grayish brown margined with rufous, the under parts are white tinged with buffy on the breast; in adults the front of the crown and lores are black. L., about 8°75; W., 5°75; Tar., 150; B., °85. Famity APHRIZID@™. SURF BIRDS AND TURNSTONES. A small family of four species, three of which are found in North America, though but one of these visits our Eastern States. They are strictly maritime birds, frequenting only the seacoasts, where they prefer the outer beaches. TURNSTONES, OYSTER-CATCHERS. 177 2838. Arenaria interpres (Jinn.). Turnstonz; Branr Birp; Cauico-Back. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts, including wings, strikingly variegated with rufous, black, and white; tail white at the base, a black band near its end, and tipped with white; throat and breast black and white; belly white. Wénter plumage.—Upper parts blackish, bordered with brownish gray or ashy; lower back white ; longer upper tail-coverts white, shorter ones black; tail as in the adult; throat white, breast black margined with white, belly white. L., 9°50; W., 6:00; Tar, 95; B., 1-00. Range.—Nearly cosmopolitan ; breeds in the arctic regions, and in Amer- ica migrates southward to Patagonia. Washington, rare and irregular T. V. Long Island, common T. V. May ; Aug. and Sept. Sing Sing, A. V. Eggs, three to four, clay-color, blotched and scrawled with grayish brown, 1:60 x 1:15. This strictly maritime species is found singly or in small flocks, generally on the outer beaches, where it obtains its food by turning over shells and pebbles in search of insects, crustaceans, etc. FamMiILy H&MATOPODIDA. OYSTER-CATCHERS. The Oyster-catchers number ten species, represented in most of the warmer parts of the globe. But three species are found in North America, and only one of these occurs in the Eastern States. They are strictly maritime birds, and resort to the outer bars and beaches in search of clams, mussels, etc., exposed by the tide. Their strong bill is used as an oyster-knife to force open the shells of these bivalves. 286. Hematopus palliatus Zemm. American OrsTER-cATCHER. Ad.—Head, neck, and upper breast glossy black, back and wing-coverts olive- brown, secondaries white, primaries fuscous, upper tail-coverts white, base of the tail white, end fuscous, lower breast and belly white. Jm.—Similar, but head and neck blackish and upper parts more or less margined with buffy. L., 19°00; W., 10°50; Tar., 240; B., 3°40. Range.—Seacoasts of temperate and tropical America, from New Jersey and Lower California to Patagonia; occasional or accidental on the Atlantic coast north to Massachusetts and Grand Menan. Long Island, A. V. £qqs, three to four, buffy white or creamy buff, rather evenly spotted and blotched with chocolate, 2°20 x 1:55. A not uncommon species from southern New Jersey southward ; confined exclusively to the coast. It agrees in habits with other mem- bers of this small family. The Evrorzan OystEer-caTcuEr (285. Haematopus ostralegus) is of acei- dental occurrence in Greenland. 13 178 GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. ORDER GALLINZ. GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. FamiILy TETRAONID&. GROUSE, BoB-WHITES, ETC. i- Of the two hundred species contained in this family, one hundred belong in the subfamily Perdicine or Old-World Partridges and Quails, sixty in the subfamily Odontophorine or New-World Par- tridges and Bob-whites, and twenty-five in the subfamily Tetraonine or Grouse, inhabiting the northern parts of the northern hemisphere. Generally speaking, these birds are non-migratory, though there are some striking exceptions among the Perdicinew. After the nesting season they commonly gather in “ coveys” or bevies, usually composed of the members of but one family. In some species these bevies unite or “pack,” forming large flocks. As a rule, they are terrestrial, but may take to trees when flushed, while some species habitually call and feed in trees. They are game birds par excellence, and, trusting to the concealment afforded by their dull colors, attempt to avoid detec- tion by hiding rather than by fiying, or, in sportsman’s phraseology, “lie well toa dog.” Their flight is rapid and accompanied by a start- ling whirr, caused by the quick strokes of their small, concave, stiff- feathered wings. KEY TO THE SPECIES. A. Tarsibare . . . . . . 289. Bos-wnits. 289a. Froripa Bos-warre. &, Upper third or half of tarsi feathered. 300. RurFEp Grouse. 800a. Canapa RurFrep Grouse. C. Tarsi entirely feathered, toes bare. «. With bunches of elongated, stiffened feathers springing from either side oftheneck . . - . . . 805. Prairie Hen. 3806. Heats Hen. 6. Feathers of neck normal. 61, Outer web of primaries spotted with white. 308). PRrarrie SHarp-TaILep GROUSE. 2a, Primaries not spotted with white ; - 298. Cawapa GROUSE. D, Tarsi and toes entirely feathered . . . - 801. Prarmigan and races. 289. Colinus virginianus (Zinn.). Bos-wnire; Quatt; Partriper. Ad, 6 in winter.—Upper parts varying from reddish brown to chestnut: in- terscapulars with broken and sometimes complete black bars; inner vane of tertials widely margined with cream-buff; rump grayish brown, finely mottled, and with a few streaks of blackish ; tail ashy gray, the inner feath- ers finely mottled with buffy ; front of the crown, a band from the bill to be- neath the eye, and a band on the upper breast black; throat and a broad line from the bill over the eye white; sides rufous-chestnut, margined with black and white; lower breast and belly white barred with black. Ad. 9 in win- ter,—Similar, but the throat and line over the eye, forehead, and lores pale ochraceous-buff; little or no black on the upper breast. Summer examples GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. 179 of both sexes have the crown blacker, the buffy markings generally paler. L., 10-00; W., 4:50; T., 2:50; B. from N., °35. Range—Kastern North America, from southern Maine and Minnesota southward to the Gulf of Mexico; resident wherever found. Washington, common P. R, Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, com- mon P, R. West, on the ground, in grassy fields. Zggs, ten to eighteen, white, 1:20 x *95. Taking the Old-World species of the genera Coturnix and Caccabis as the types respectively of Quails and Partridges, neither of these lat- ter names can properly be applied to our Colinus, which should there- fore be known under the distinctive title Bob-white. During the nesting season Bob-whites are distributed in pairs through clearings and cultivated fields. The members of a brood constitute a bevy or covey, though occasionally two families or broods are found in one bevy. In the fall they frequent grain fields, but as winter approaches draw in toward thickets and wooded bottom-lands, sometimes passing the coldest weather in boggy alder swamps. They roost on the ground, tail to tail, with heads pointing outward; a bunch of closely huddled forms—a living bomb whose explosion is scarcely less startling than that of dynamite manufacture. Like most grass-inhabiting birds whose colors harmonize with their surroundings, Bob-whites rely on this protective resemblance to escape detection, and take wing only asa last resort. Sometimes they take refuge in trees, but usually they head for wooded cover, where they remain if the growth is dense, but if it is open they generally run the moment they touch the ground. About May 1 they begin to pair, and rival males may then be seen battling for mates like diminutive gamecocks. The name “ Bob-white” originated in the spring call of the male. Mounting a fence or ascending to the lower branches of a tree, he whistles the two clear musical, ringing notes Bob-white / Sometimes they are preceded by a lower one which can be heard only when one is near the singer. After the breeding season, when the birds are in bevies, their notes are changed to what sportsmen term “scatter calls.” Not long after a bevy has been flushed and perhaps widely scattered, the members of the disunited family may be heard signaling to one another in sweet minor calls of two and three notes. When excited they also utter low, twittering notes. 289a. C. v. floridanus (Cowes). Fiormpa Bos-waiTe; Quait; Par- TRIDGE.—Similar to the preceding, but smaller, the plumage throughout darker, the black of the back more extensive, the rump and upper tail-coverts grayer, 180 GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. the black throat-band wider and sometimes reaching down upon the breast, the rufous-chestnut of the sides more extensive, the black bars of the breast and belly much wider. L., 850; W., 4°40; T., 2°50. Range.—F lorida, except the northern border of the State. A common bird throughout the pine-grown portions of the Florida peninsula. It is especially numerous on old plantations, where it fre- quents patches of “cow peas.” It resembles the northern Bob-white in habits, but is, I think, more inclined to take to the trees when flushed. I have seen a whole covey fly up into the lofty pine trees, where, squatting close to the limbs, they became almost invisible. They begin to pair early in March. The Evrorgean or Micrarory Quatt (Coturnix coturnix) has been intro- duced into this country on several occasions, but does not appear to have sur- vived. 298. Dendragapus canadensis (Zinn.). Canapa GrovsE; Spruce Parrripce. Ad. 6.—Upper parts barred with black, ashy, gray, and grayish brown ; tertials and wing-coverts irregularly marked with fuscous and grayish brown; tail black, tipped with rufous; the black throat separated from the black breast by a broken circular band of black and white and a band of the same color as the back of the neck; sides mottled with black and grayish brown, the ends of the feathers with white shaft streaks; rest of the under parts black, brvadly tipped with white, except on the middle of the lower breast; bare skin above the eye bright red in life. .4d. 9.—Upper parts barred with black and pale rufous and tipped with ashy gray; tail black, mottled and tipped with rufous; throat and upper breast barred with pale rufous and black; sides mottled with black and pale rufous, the ends of the feathers with white shaft streaks; rest of the under parts black, broadly tipped with white and more or less washed with pale rufous. L., 15:00; W., 650; T., 4°75; B. from N., -40. Range.—From northern New England, northern New York, and northern Minnesota northwestward to Alaska. Nest, on the ground. £yqs, nine to sixteen, buffy or pale brownish, more or less speckled or spotted with deep brown, 1°71 x 1:22 (Ridgw.). This species is « common inhabitant of coniferous forests, and is generally resident wherever found. An excellent account of its habits is given in Captain Bendire’s Life Histories of North American Birds, p. 51. 800. Bonasa umbellus (Zinn.). Rurrep Grouse; ParrrivcE; Preasant. Ad. 6.—Prevailing color of the upper parts rufous, much varie- gated with black, ochraceous, buffy, gray, and whitish; sides of the neck with large tufts of broad, glossy black feathers; tail varying from gray to rufous, irregularly barred and mottled with black, a broad black or brownish band near the end; tip gray; throat and breast ochraceous-buff, a broken blackish band on the breast; rest of the under parts white, tinged with buffy and ‘ONNOA GNV Asnout) dassny GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. 181 barred with blackish or dark grayish brown, the bars indistinct on the breast and belly, stronger on the sides. Ad. ?.—Similar, but with the neck tufts very small. L., 17:00; W., 7:25; 'T., 6-25; B. from N., ‘52. Range.—Eastern United States, from Vermont to Virginia, and along the Alleghanies to northern Georgia. Washington, not common P. R. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, common P, R. Vest, on the ground, at the base of a stump or tree, or beneath brush. Lygs, vight to fourteen, pale ochraceous-buff, 1°52 x 1:13. Of all the characteristics of this superb game bird, its habit of drumming is perhaps the most remarkable. This loud tattoo begins with the measured thump of the big drum, then gradually changes and dies away in the rumble of the kettle-drum. It may be briefly rep- resented thus: Thump——thump—thump—thump, thump ; thump, thump-rup rup rup rup r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r. The sound is produced by the male bird beating the air with his wings as he stands firmly braced on some favorite low perch; and it is now quite well known to be the eall of the male to the female; an announcement that he is at the old rendezvous—a rendezvous that has perhaps served them for more than one season, and a place that in time becomes so fraught with delight- ful associations that even in autumn or winter the male, when he finds himself in the vicinity, can not resist the temptation to mount his wonted perch and vent his feelings in the rolling drum-beat that was in springtime his song of love. But now, alas! there is no lady Grouse to come, shy but responsive, at the sound of his reverberating sum- mons. There is good reason for supposing that the Ruffed Grouse is po- lygamous, and that the male, if he drums in vain at one place, will fly to another retreat and there seek the society of some more compli- ant female. The young Grouse can run about as soon as they are hatched, and ean fly well when about a week old. Their mother is celebrated for the variety of expedients she puts in practice to save her brood from threat- ened danger, and their father has frequently been known to divide the charge with her. The young usually continue with their parents till the following spring, though it is rare at this time to see more than three or four surviving out of the original twelve or fourteen. The food of this Grouse is largely insects and berries during the summer; in the autumn it adds seeds to the list, and when the ground is covered with snow the staples are catkins, leaves, and buds. Its toes are provided during the winter with a curious fringe of strong, horny points which act as snowshoes. In the northern part of its range this bird commonly burrows into a snowdrift to pass the night during the season of intense cold; but in the summer and in 182 GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. the warmer region of its range it roosts habitually among the thickets of evergreen.—ERNEST E, THompson. 300a. B. u. togata (Linn). Canavian Rurvep Grousr; Par- rripgr.—To be distinguished from the preceding by the prevailing color of the upper parts, which are gray instead of rufous, and the more distinctly barred under parts, the bars on the breast and belly being nearly as well de- fined as those on the side; the tail is generally gray. Range.—Nova Scotia, northern half of Maine, northern Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York northward and westward to Hudson Bay and Oregon. 301. Lagopus lagopus (Linn.). Wittow Prarmican. Ad. 6 in summer—Prevailing color above rufous, or black thickly barred or mottled with rufous and buffy or whitish; tail fuscous, tipped with white; middle tail-feathers like the back; throat, breast, and sides like the head and neck; belly white. dd. @ in summer.—Similar to the male, but the bars both above and below broader and more numerous. Winter plumage.—Outer tail-feathers as in summer, rest of the plumage white. L., 15:00; W., 7°50; T., 440; B. from N., 42; depth of B. at N., -44. Remarks.—Both this species and its subspecies aldenz may be distinguished from our other Ptarmigans by their more rufous color and larger bills. Range.—* Northern portions of the northern hemisphere, south in winter; in America to Sitka, Alaska, the British Provinces, and_occasionally within the northern border of the United States” (Bendire). Nest, on the ground. Zygs,seven to eleven, varying from cream-buff to rufous, heavily spotted and blotched with blackish, 1-75 x 1-20. This abundant and characteristic arctic bird does not nest south of central Labrador, but migrates southward in winter to the St. Law- rence, and has once been taken in northern New York and once in New Brunswick. An extended account of its habits will be found in Nelson’s Report on Natural History Collections made in Alaska, p. 181. It is quoted by Captain Bendire in his Life Histories of American Birds (p. 70), where will be found practically all we know concerning the habits of this and the following members of this genus. 301a. L. 1. alleni Séejn. Atten’s Prarmican.—Differs from the pre- ceding in having the “shafts of secondaries black, and quills (sometimes s few of the wing-coverts also) more or less blotched or mottled with dusky. Summer plumages and young unknown” (Ridgw.). Range. Newfoundland. “It frequents rocky barrens, feeding on seeds and berries of the stunted plants that thrive in these exposed situations” (Merriam, Orn. and OGL, viii, 1883, p. 48). 302. Lagopus rupestris (@mel.). Rock Prarmican; Rocrer. Ad. $ in summer.—General color above grayish, the feathers black basally ; head GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. 183 and neck barred, and back marked with numerous fine wavy lines of gray and white or buffy; central tail-feathers like the back, outer ones fuscous, generally tipped with white; breast and sides like the head and neck; belly white. Ad. @ in summer.—Above black, barred with ochraceous-buff and margined with grayish; middle tail-feathers the same, outer ones as in the male; middle of the belly white, rest of the under parts like the back, but with more ochraceous-batl. Winter plumage.—Lores black, outer tail-feathers as in summer, rest of the plumage white. W., 7:25; B. from N., 35; depth of B. at N., °32. Range. Arctic America in general, southeastward to the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Anticosti), except the northern extremity of the peninsula of Labrador, and region thence northward, Greenland and Aleutian Islands” (Bendire). Nest, usually placed among the dwarf brush or sedge-covered patches of the tundras. £ygs, six to ten, pale cream or yellowish buff, sometimes with a vinaceous-rufous suffusion, spotted and blotched with clove-brown or dark claret-red, 1°65 x 1:18 (Bendire). “Tn its general manners and mode of living it is said to resemble albus [= L. lagopus], but does not retire so far into the wooded coun- try in the winter” (B., B., and R.). 302a. L.r. reinhardti (Brehm). Greentanp Prarwican. “ Sum- mer male.—Similar to corresponding stage of L. rupestris, but less regu- larly and coarsely barred above. Summer female.—Above chiefly black, this varied irregularly with pale grayish buff, mostly in form of borders to the feathers and spots along their edges, or occasionally imperfect bars, these lat- ter most distinct on wings, where the two colors are in about equal propor- tion; lower parts light grayish buff, everywhere coarsely barred with black” (Ridgw.). Fange.—Northern parts of Labrador northward to Greenland. “They prefer more open ground, and rarely straggle even into the skirts of the wooded tracts. The hilltops and barrens (hence often called the Barren Ground Bird) are their favorite resorts” (Turner). 303. Lagopus welechi Brewst. Wxtcu’s Prarmiean. Ad. 6 in summer.—Upper parts black, the head and neck barred with white and cchra- ceous-buff, the back and wing-coverts finely and irregularly marked with wavy lines of buffy and white; tail grayish fuscous, the middle feathers tipped with white; throat white, foreneck like the hind neck, breast and sides like the back: rest of the under parts white. 9.—Upper parts black, finely and irregularly barred with ochraceous-buff, grayish, and white; cen+ tral tail-feathers like the back, others fuscous; foreneck, breast, and sides like the hind neck; belly white. Winter plumage.—White, tail fuscous, the central feathers tipped with white; lores black. W., 7:25; B. from N., °353 depth of B. at N., :32. Remarks.—This species with Z. rupestris is to be distinguished from Lagopus lagopus by the ochraceous-buff instead of rufous markings, the fine 184 GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. grayish wavy bars on the upper parts, and the smaller bill. For a comparison of welchi with rupestris see Auk, ii, 1885, p. 198. Range.—Newfoundland. Nest and eggs unknown. “ According to Mr. Welch, these Ptarmigan are numerous in New- foundland, where they are strictly confined to the bleak sides and sum- mits of rocky hills and mountains of the interior” (Brewster, /. c.). 305. Tympanuchus americanus (feich.). Pram Hen. Ad. $.—Upper parts barred with rufous and black and spotted with rufous; sides of the neck with tufts generally composed of ten or more narrow, stiffened black feathers marked with buffy and rufous, their ends rounded, the skin beneath these tufts bare; tail rownded, fuscous, the iuner feathers somewhat mottled with ochraceous-buff, tip white; throat buffy; breast and belly white, evenly barred with black. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but the neck tufts much smaller and the tail barred with ochraceous-butf or rufous. L., 18:00; W., 9:00; T., 4:00; B. from N., -52. Range.—Prairies of Mississippi Valley, south to Louisiana, west to north- ern Indian Territory, middle Kansas, Nebraska, and eastern North and South Dakota; east to Kentucky, Indiana, northwestern Ohio, southwestern Michi- gan, and southwestern Ontario; north to southern Manitoba (Bendire), West, on the ground. Zygs, eleven to fourteen, butty olive, sometimes finely speckled with brownish, 1-70 x 1:25. “This familiar game bird inhabits our fertile prairies, seldom fre- quenting the timbered lands except during sleety storms or when the ground is covered with snow. Its flesh is dark, and it is not very highly esteemed as @ table bird. : “During the early breeding season they feed largely upon grass- hoppers, crickets, and other forms of insect life, but afterward chiefly upon our cultivated grains, gleaned from the stubble in autumn and the cornfields in winter; they are also fond of tender buds. berries, and fruits. They run about much like our domestic fowls, but with a more stately carriage. When flushed they rise from the ground with a less whirring sound than the Ruffed Grouse or Bob-white, and their flight is not as swift, but more protracted and with less apparent effort, flap- ping and sailing along, often to the distance of a mile or more, In the fall the birds collect together and remain in flocks until the warmth of spring quickens their blood and awakes the passions of love; then, as with a view to fairness and the survival of the fittest, they select a smooth open courtship ground (usually called a ‘scratching ground’), where the males assemble at the early dawn to vie with each other in courage and pompous display, uttering at the same time their love call, a loud booming noise; as soon as this is heard by the hen birds desirous of mating they quictly put in an appearance, squat upon the GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. 185 ground, apparently indifferent observers, until claimed by victorious rivals, which they gladly accept, and receive their caresses” (Goss). 806. Tympanuchus cupido (Linn.). Harn Hey.—Similar to the preceding, but the scapulars broadly tipped with buffy ; the neck tufts of less than ten feathers; these feathers pointed, not rounded, at the ends. Range.—Island of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. Nest, “in oak woods, among sprouts at the base of a large stump” (Brew- ster). Zggs, six to thirteen, “creamy buff in color, with a slight greenish tinge,” 1°73 x 1:29. In the early part of this century the Heath Hen was found locally throughout the Middle States, where, unlike its western representative, the Prairie Hen, it lived in wooded districts. It is now restricted to the island of Martha's Vineyard, an excellent illustration of the pro- tection afforded by an insular habitat. Mr. William Brewster, writing in 1890 (Forest and Stream, p. 188; see also p. 207), estimated that there were from one hundred and twenty to two hundred Heath Hens then on the island, but he has, recently informed me that since then, owing to insufficient protection, they have been nearly exterminated. 308b. Pediocztes phasianellus campestris Ridgw. PrRarriz Suarr-TalLeD Grouse. Ad. 6.—Prevailing color of the upper parts ochra- ceous-buff, barred and irregularly marked with black; no neck tufts; outer web of the primaries spotted with white; middle tail-feathers projecting about an inch beyond the others, ochraceous-buff and black; throat buffy; breast with V-shaped marks of black; sides irregularly barred or spotted with black or buffy; middle of the belly white. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but smaller; the middle tail-feathers shorter. L.,17°50; W., 8°50; T..4:50; B. from N., -50. Range.— Western United States from New Mexico northward to Manitoba, east to Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Nest, on the ground. £ggs, eleven to fourteen, creamy buff or pale olive- brown, generally slightly spotted with fine, reddish brown markings, 1°65 x 1/22 (Bendire). This partially migratory species lives on the prairies during the summer and in wooded regions in the winter. A capital account of its habits is given by Ernest E. Thompson in his Birds of Manitoba. FAMILY PHAsIANIDA, PHEASANTS, ETC. With the exception of the Yucatun Turkey and the four races of our Wild Turkey, the some ninety species included in this family are inhabitants of the Old World, and are most numerously represented in southern Asia, where are found the Peacock, many of the Pheasants, and the Jungle Fowl, from which the varieties of our domesticated fowls have descended. 186 WILD TURKEYS. 310. Meleagris gallopavo Linn. Wi.p Turxey.—The Wild Turkey may be distinguished from the common domestic race chiefly by the chestnut instead of white tips to the upper tail-coverts and tail. “6 ad. I, about 48-00-50; W., 21:00; T., 18°50; Weight 16-40 lbs.” (Ridgw.). Range.—Eastern United States from Pennsylvania southward to Florida, west to Wisconsin, the Indian Territory, and Texas. Washington, rare P. R. West, on the ground, at the base of a bush or tree. Zggs, ten to fourteen, pale cream-bufl, finely and evenly speckled with grayish brown, 2°45 x 1-95. This noble game bird is rapidly decreasing in numbers, and in comparatively few years will doubtless be found only in the parts of its range which are unfit for the habitation of man. Except during the breeding season, Wild Turkeys are found in small flocks of six to twelve or fifteen individuals of both sexes. They roost preferably in the trees in wooded bottom-lands, returning each night to the same locality. _At the opening of the breeding season in March the male begins to gobble. As a rule, he calls only early in the morning, before leaving his roost. Later he sails to the ground and at once begins his search for breakfast, or, attracted by the plaintive piping of some female, he struts and displays his charms before her. It is at this time that bat- tles between the males occur. They are polygamists, and the victor becomes sultan of the harem. During the period of incubation, and while the young require their mother’s care, the females do not associ- ate with the males, who then flock together. The calls of both sexes so closely resemble those of the domestic birds that it requires a practiced ear to distinguish them. In locali- ties where both birds might be expected to occur, I could never be sure whether I was listening to the challenge of some defiant gobbler perched in a cypress in the valley below, or to the vainglorious effort of the lord of the poultry yard. The Wild Turkey is divided by ornithologists into four closely re- lated races. Meleagris gallopavo is the bird of the Eastern States: MM. g. osceola, as stated below, is found in southern Florida; Jf. g. elliott inhabits southeastern Texas and northeastern Mexico; JV. g. mextcana ranges from western Texas to Arizona, and south over the table lands of Mexico to Vera Cruz. It is this race, with white-tipped upper tail-coverts, which was first introduced into Europe, where it had become established as early as 1580, 310b. M. g. osceola Scott. Froripa Witp Turrey.—Resembles . gallopavo, but is smaller, and the primaries, instead of being regularly and widely barred with white, as in that bird, have much smaller, broken whito markings. Weight, 6 12-22 lbs.; 9 475-9 lbs, (Scott, Auk, ix, 1892, p, 115). Range.—Southern Florida, PIGEONS AND DOVES. 187 ORDER COLUMB2Z:. PIGEONS AND DOVES. FamILy COLUMBIDa. PIGEONS AND Doves. About one third of the three hundred known species of Pigeons and Doves are found in the New World, but of this number only twelve species occur in North America. The birds of this family differ widely in their choice of haunts. Some are strictly arboreal, others as strictly terrestrial, Some seek the forests and others prefer fields and clear- ings. Some nest in colonies, others in isolated pairs, but most species are found in flocks of greater or Jess size after the breeding season. When drinking, they do not raise the head as other birds do to swal- low, but keep the bill immersed until the draught is finished. The young are born naked and are fed by regurgitation. KEY TO THE SPECIES. A, Tail widely tipped with white or grayish white. uw. Tail pointed. a, Back or rump bluish slate-color. . . . . 815. Passenarr Picron. a, Back olive grayish brown. . . . . . . . 816. Mourwine Dove. b. Tail square 2 4s c . 817. Zenatwa Dove. B. Tail not tipped with white. a. Upper parts dark slate-color . . . . . 314, Wurre-crownep Picron. 6. Upper parts rufous with purplish reflections. b1. Line below the eye and belly white or whitish . 822. Quam Dove. 63, Line under the eye and belly buffy ochraceous. 822.1. Ruopy Quart Dove. c. Upper parts grayish olive-brown. cl. Crown blue, a white line below the eye. 823. BLUE-HEADED QuaiL Dove. e?, Crown pinkish or like the back . . . . . . 820. Grounp Dove. 314. Columba leucocephala Linn. Wuuirz-crownrep Picxon. Ad. 6.—Rich slate-color; crown white; back of the head purplish chestnut ; back of the neck with greenish reflections, each feather with a black border. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but paler; crown ashy, less purplish chestnut: back and sides of the neck brownish ash with metallic reflections and black margins. L., 18:50; W., 7°50; T., 510; B., °70. Range.—Florida Keys, West Indies, and coast of Central America. West, in low bushes. Lys, two, glossy white, 1-41 x 1:02. This Pigeon is locally common in some of the keys off southern Florida, and has been known to occur on the mainland. According to Mr. J. W. Atkins (Auk, vi, 1889, p. 246), it arrives at Key West early in May and remains until November. 315. Ectopistes migratorius (Zinn.). Passencrr Picron. (See Fig. 28.) Ad. 6.—Upper parts rich bluish slate-color; back and sides of the 188 PIGEONS AND DOVES. neck with metallic reflections; middle of the back and scapulars more or less washed with olive-brown; middle tail-feathers fuscous, outer ones black at the base, then slaty blue, fading into a broad, white tip; under parts deep, rich vinaceous; lower belly white; throat bluish slate-color. Ad. ¢.—Simi- lar, but upper parts with less iridescence and more olive-brown; breast pale grayish brown; belly whitish. Jm.—Generally similar to the ¢, but the feathers of the upper parts and breast tipped with whitish, the primaries edged and tipped with rufous. L., 16-29; W., 7°82; T., 7°53; B., 7°10. Hange.—Eastern North America, northward in the interior to Hudson Bay, breeding locally throughout the more northern part of its range. Washington, rare and irregular '[. V. or W. V. Sing Sing, formerly rare 8. R. and common T. V., Apl. 15 to May 17; Aug. 21 to Oct. 11; last seen Oct. 11, 1888. Cambridge, rare and irregular T. V. Nest, a platform of sticks, in a tree. Zygs, one to two, white, 1-45 x 1:09. Wilson, writing about 1808, estimated that a flock of Wild Pigeons observed by him near Frankfort, Kentucky, contained at least 2,230,- 272,000 individuals. Captain Bendire, writing in 1892, says:* .. . It looks now as if their total extermination might be accomplished within the present century. The only thing which retards their complete ex- tinction is that it no longer pays to net these birds, they being too scarce for this now, at least in the more settled portions of the coun- try, and also, perhaps, that from constant and unremitting persecution on their breeding grounds they have changed their habits somewhat, the majority no longer breeding in colonies, but scattering over the country and breeding in isolated pairs” (Life Histories of North American Birds, p. 138). . An article by William Brewster on The Present Status of the Wild Pigeon as a Bird of the United States, with some Notes on its Habits (Auk, vi, 1889, pp. 285-291), gives much information concerning the recent history of the bird in Michigan, one of its last strongholds. According to an informant of Mr. Brewster’s, the last nesting in Michi- gan of any importance was in 1881. “It was of only moderate size— perhaps eight miles long.” The largest known Michigan nesting oc- curred in 1876 or 1877. It was twenty-eight miles long and averaged three or four miles in width. In the Atlantic States the Wild Pigeon is now so rare a bird that during the past sixteen years I have seen only one pair. 316. Zenaidura macroura (Zinn.). Movuryine Dovn, Ad. §.— Upper parts olive grayish brown; forehead vinaceous; crown bluish slate- color; sides of the neck with metallic reflections, a small black mark below the ears middle tail-feathers like the back, the others, seen from above, slaty gray for the basal half, then banded with black and broadly tipped with ashy end white; breast vinaceous; belly cream-buff. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but with less iridescence; breast and forehead washed with grayish brown. Jm.— PIGEONS AND DOVES. 189 Much like the ¢, but the feathers tipped with whitish. L., 11:85; W., 5°72; T., 5°50; B., °53. femarks.—The Dove is sometimes mistaken for the Wild Pigeon, but, aside trom the ditterences in size, may always be distinguished by its olive grayish brown instead of bluish slate-color rump, the black mark below the ear, and other characters. Range.—North America, breeding from Cuba north to Ontario, Quebec, and southern Maine, and wintering from southern Illinois and New York to the Greater Antilles and Panama. Washington, P. R.; common, except in winter. Sing Sing, common §. R., Mch. 3 to Nov. 27; a few winter. Cambridge, occasional during summer in the immediate vicinity of Cambridge. Nest, a flat structure of small twigs rather loosely put together, on the lower branches of a tree, generally within ten feet of the ground; rarely on the ground in the Eastern States. Zggs, two, white, 1:07 x ‘83. Doves resemble Wild Pigeons, but are much smaller, and their rapid flight is accompanied by the whistling sound of wings, while the flight of the Wild Pigeon is said to be noiseless. During the nesting season they may be found in pairs, generally in open woodlands or tree-bordered fields. ‘They also visit roads and lanes to dust themselves. The sweet, sad call of the male has won for this species its common name; it consists of several soft coos, which may be written: Coo-0-0, ah-coo-0-0 — coo-0-0— coo-o-0. Under favor- able cireumstances these notes may be heard at a distance of at least two hundred and fifty yards: they are uttered slowly and tenderly, and with such apparent depth of feeling that one might easily imagine the bird was mourning the loss of his mate, instead of singing a love- song to her. At this season one or both birds may be seen performing a peculiar aérial evolution. Ascending to a height of about thirty feet, they fly for some distance in an unnatural manner, and then, after a short sail, return to their perch. When engaged in this performance they very closely resemble a Sharp-shinned Hawk. After the nesting season Doves gather in flocks of varying size and frequent grain and corn fields. During the day they visit the near- est supply of fine gravel, which they eat in large quantities as an aid to digestion. In some localities, soon after sunset, they regularly re- pair in numbers to some favorite place to drink, and then retire to their roosts. 317. Zenaida zenaida (Bonap.). Zenarva Dove. Ad—Bears a general resemblance to Zenaidura macroura. but the tail is square and tipped with ashy, and the under parts are deep, rich vinaceous. L., 10:00; W., 6°10; 'T., 3:50; B., 66. Range.—Florida Keys, West Indies, and coast of Yucatan. Vest, on or near the ground. L£ggs, two, glossy white, 1:22 x *92. ’ 190 PIGEONS AND DOVES, This is a common West Indian species. Audubon found it in numbers in the keys off southern Florida, where he records it as a summer resident, arriving in April and departing in October. The few naturalists who have visited these keys since Audubon’s time have not been there in the summer, and we do not therefore know whether this species still occurs there at that season. It is more terrestrial in habits than the Mourning Dove, and its notes are deeper, louder, and more solemn than the notes of that species. The WuirE-wincED Dove (319. Melopelia leucoptera) is a species of gen- eral distribution from the Mexican border of the United States south to Costa Rica, and it has been recorded from Cuba, Jamaica, and San Domingo. It is of accidental occurrence at Key West, Florida. 320. Columbigallina passerina terrestris Chapm. Grounp Dove; Mournine Dove. Ad. 6.—Forehead and under parts vinaceous, the centers of the breast-feathers blackish ; top and back of the head bluish slate- color; back brownish gray ; tail blackish, the outer feathers with small white tips; base of the bill coral-red, tip black. Ad. 9 —Similar, but the forehead and under parts pale brownish gray. Jm.—Resembles the 9, but the feathers are tipped with whitish. L., 6°75; W., 3°60; T., 2°50; B., 50. Range.—South Atlantic and Gulf States north to North Carolina, west to Texas; more common near the coast than inland. Washington, accidental ; two records. Nest, on the ground or in low trees or bushes. Zygs, two, white, °85 x -67. This diminutive Pigeon frequents both pines and “hummocks,” lake-shores and old fields, and in some southern towns is a familiar bird of the quieter streets. It is by no means shy, and runs before one with quick, short steps and a graceful movement of the head. Oc- easionally it holds its tail upright, giving it a peculiar bantamlike ap- pearance. Its flight is short, and when on the wing it bears:an odd resemblance to a short-tailed Japanese kite. Its favorite roosting places are densely foliaged orange trees, and frequently when the bird is hidden in their depths one may hear its mellow, crooning coos uttered so softly that they float on the air as though born of murmuring winds. 322. Geotrygon martinica (Gmel.). Quart. Dove.—Upper parts rufous, with brilliant metallic reflections ; wings rufous; a white line beneath the eye; breast vinaceous; belly white. L.,11:00; W., 6-20; T., 5°00; B., 50. Range.—Florida Keys and West Indies. Nest, in trees. Zgs, two, ochraceous-white, 1:22 x -94 (Bendire). A West Indian species which occurs during the summer regularly, but, so far as known, only in small numbers in the Florida Keys. The Quail Doves inhabit wooded districts, Where they live on the ground. Their flight is low and noiseless, and, according to my ex- VULTURES, 191 perience with them in Cuba, they are difficult birds to observe unless one can find some tree on the fallen fruits of which they are feeding. The Ruppy Quait Dove (822.1. Geotrygon montana) is a West Indian and Central American species, which has been once recorded from Key West (Atkins, Auk, vi, 1889, p. 160). It bears a general resemblance to the pre- ceding, but the back is more rufous and the belly is deep cream-butf. The Biug-HEADED Quait Dove (828. Starnenas cyanocephala), a Cuban species, is of accidental occurrence in the Florida Keys. The back is olive- brown, the crowu and sides of the throat are deep grayish blue, throat black, line beneath the eye white. ORDER RAPTORES. BIRDS OF PREY. FamiLty CATHARTIDZ. AMERICAN VULTURES. A New World family of eight species, of which three are North American. Within their range Vultures are found wherever there is food. Far above the earth on firm wing they sail in broad circles, and from this outlook in the sky descend to feast upon the stricken deer in the forest or the cur lying in the gutters of a thoroughfare. Except during the nesting season, they are generally found in flocks, which each night return to a regularly frequented roost. When alarmed, they utter low, grunting sounds, but at other times are voiceless. 325. Cathartes aura (Zinn.). Turxey Vutrure. (See Fig. 32.) Ad.—Head and neck naked, the skin and base of the bill bright red ; plum- age glossy black, edged with grayish brown. Jm.—Similar, but the head covered with grayish-brown furlike feathers. L., about 30:00; W., 22:00; T., 11:00; B., 2°30. Range.~Temperate North America, from New Jersey southward to Pata- gonia. Of more or less regular occurrence in New Jersey as far north as Princeton in the interior and Sandy Hook on the coast. Washington, abundant P. R. Sing Sing, A. V. Nest, in hollow stumps or logs, or on the ground beneath bushes or pal- mettos. Zggs, one to three, dull white, generally spotted and blotched with distinct and obscure chocolate marking, but sometimes plain or but slightly spotted, 2°80 x 2°00. Doubtless one of the first things that attract the attention of a stranger in our Southern States isthe Turkey Buzzard. Indeed, there are few moments between sunrise and sunset when these birds are not in sight. On outstretched, immovable wings they soar overhead in graceful circles, perfect pictures of “repose in motion.” Without once flapping their broad pinions, they sail in spirals up the sky until they are hidden by the storm-clouds they have purposely avoided. 199 VULTURES. Again, one sees them winging their way low over fields or through the streets of a town in search of food, which their powers of both sight and smell assist them in finding. Their services as scavengers are invaluable. The thought of bury- ing a dead horse or cow never occurs to the southern planter. He simply drags the animal to a more or less retired place and leaves it for the Buzzards, who never fail to do justice to the repast. In some southern towns they make a sel{-constituted street-clean- ing department, and if their efforts were seconded by a corps of goats, to dispose of the more indigestible materials, they would form an ad- mirable branch of the public service. After a rain it is a common sight to see Buzzards perching with wings held in spread-eagle fashion as they dry their water-soaked plumage. Frequently they stand on the top of a chimney to take ad- vantage of the heat arising with the smoke. Their only note is a low, hissing sound uttered when they are dis- turbed. Just after sunset Buzzards may be seen sailing to their roosting place, generally in the upper branches of a dead tree. 326. Catharista atrata (Bartr.). Buacx Vutrure. Ad—Head and neck bare, the skin and base of the bill blackish » plumage glossy black ; under surface of the wings silvery. L., about 2400; W., 17-00; T., 8:00; B., 2°20. Range.—Breeds from North Carolina southward, through Mexico to South America, and occasionally strays as far north as Maine. Nest, on the ground, under logs, bushes, palmettos, etc. Zygs, one to three, pale bluish white, generally more or less spotted with distinct and obscure chocolate markings, 2°95 x 2:00. This species is more abundant near the seacoast and less common in the interior than the preceding. It is also more often found living in towns or cities. Any one who has visited the vicinity of the market in Charleston, 8. C., will testify to its abundance and semi-domestica- tion there. Indeed, the birds have become so tame that when engaged in devouring some savory morsel they are in frequent danger of being trodden under foot. Black Vultures are heavier birds than Turkey Buzzards, and wher- ever the ownership of food is in question the dispute is invariably settled in the Vulture’s favor. Their stretch of wing, however, is not so great, and for this reason their flight is far less easy and graceful than that of the Buzzard. They flap their wings oftener, aud this habit, in connection with their black heads, grayish primaries, and comparatively short tails, serves to identify them in the field. The only note I have ever heard from them is a low grunt uttered when they are disturbed, FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC, 193 Famity Fauconipa. Fatcons, Hawks, EAGLES, ETC. The three hundred and fifty species included in this family are distributed throughout the world. One tenth of the number are found in North America. During the migratory seasons they may some- times be seen traveling in scattered flocks, which may take hours to pass a given point. At other times of the year, with few exceptions, they are solitary birds, having no intercourse with their kind. During the breeding season many species have definitely bounded haunts, upon which intrusion by individuals of the same species is not permitted. With much regularity they return to the same locality and even the same nest year after year, and some species are known to mate for life. Their days are an unceasing vigil. At all times they are on the alert for food. This consists to a large extent of small mammals and in- sects, birds and poultry forming a comparatively insignificant part of the diet of most species. Hawks are thus of great value to the agri- culturist as the natural check upon the increase of the myriads of small rodents so destructive to crops. The cries of Hawks are generally loud, startling, and characteristic of their fierce natures. They strike their prey with their feet, and use the bill to tear it into fragments. Hawks’ nests are generally bulky affairs, composed of coarse twigs and sticks. The presence of downy feathers gives evidence that they are or have been recently occupied. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Wing over 19°00. A. Upper half of tarsus feathered. a. Whole head and neck white 5 . . 852, Barp Eaors (Ad.), d. Head and neck brown or brownish. bt. Bill mostly yellow (Greenland) . . 351. Gray Sa Eacte (Ad.). 72, Bill black or blackish . ie Caer . 852. Bap Eaazz (Im.). B. Whole tarsus feathered . . . - . . . 849, Gotpen Eacie. II. Wing under 19-00. 1. Feathers of under parts more or less streaked and spotted, without cross-bars. A. Outer primary with numerous black or blackish bars. w. Wing under 10:00. . ai, Back bright rufous, with or without black bars. 360. Am. Sparrow Hawk. a2. Back bluish slate-color. . . . 357. Piezon Haws (Ad.). a’. Back fuscous, second primary longest. 857. Piczon Hawg (Im.). a4. Back fuscous, fourth primary longest, tail-feathers of nearly equal length; wing under 900. . . . . 882, Suarp-suinnep Hawk, 14 194 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. a’. Back fuscous, fourth ‘primary longest, outer tail-feathers half an inch or more shorter than the middle ones; wing over 9-00. 838. CoopER’s Hawk. 6. Wing over 10-00. 1, Second primary longest, tail generally over 9:00. 62. “ Lower tail-coverts immaculate white.” 853. WurTE GYRFALCON. 3. “ Lower tail-coverts always more or less marked with dusky.” 854. Gray Gyrratcon and Races. cl. Second primary longest, tail under 9-00. ce, Tarsus shorter than middle toe without nail, upper parts blackish. 356. Duck Hawk. es, Tarsus longer than middle toe without nail, upper parts brownish . . Sees 355. Prarrie .Fatcon. d@), Third or fourth sonia 'Y lengaxt d?. Upper tail-coverts white. . . . . . . 831. Marsn Hawk. ds, Upper tail-coverts brownish . , . 384, Am. Gosnawx (Im.). B. Outer primary generally one color, base sometimes whitish or with a few imperfect bars. a. Tarsus entirely bare, scales on its front large, rounded. 362. AupuBON’s CARACARA. 6. Tarsus entirely feathered ' . 9848. Ferrucinous Rovcu-Lea. ce. Tarsus partly feathered, scales on its front small, rounded. 364. Am. OSPREY. d. Tarsus partly feathered, scales on its front transverse, more or less square. ad, Three outer primaries emarginate or “ notched.” * d3, Wing under 12:00 . . . . 848. Broap-wincep Hawx (Im.). ds, Wing over 12:00. . . . . . 842. Swaryson’s Haws (Im.). el. Four outer primaries emarginate or “ notched.” + e2, Upper tail-coverts pure white . . . 881. Marsh Hawk. e§, Upper tail-coverts not pure white; wing under 13°50; lesser wing-coverts conspicuously margined with rufous. 339. RED-sHOULDERED Hawk (Im.). e4, Upper tail-coverts not pure white; wing over 13°50; lesser wing- coverts not conspicuously margined with rufous. 337. Rep-TAILED Hawk anp Races. 2. Feathers of under parts with more or less numerous cross-bars. A, Scales on front of the tarsus numerous, rounded. a, Wing under 15°00. . . . : » . . . . 856. Duck Haws. 3. Wing over 1500 . . ... + . . .862, AupuBon’s CaRacaRa, B, Scales on front of the tarsus shierply defined, transverse, more or less square. «a. Four or five outer primaries emarginate or “ notched.” + ai, Tail white at the base and tipped with whitish. 830. Everaiape Kir. * See Fig, 70. + See Fig. 69. FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 195 01, Tail rufous, with sometimes a black band near the end. 337. Rep-raitep Hawx (Ad.) and Races. a’. Tail black or blackish, with four to six white or grayish cross- bars . 339. Rep-snoutperep Hawk (Ad.). 339a. FLorma Rep-snoutprrep Hawx (Ad.). a4, Tail 10:00 long, gray, with several indistinct blackish bands. 334. Am. GosHAWK. b. Three outer primaries emarginate or “ notched.” * o1. Tail with two or three broad whitish bars. 8438. Broap-winerp Hawx (Ad.). 2, Tail with numerous narrow, indistinct blackish bars. 842. Swainson’s Hawk (Ad.). C. Front of the tarsus smooth, or with the scales not sharply defined; outer primary barred. a. Wing under 9-00, tail-feathers of nearly equal length. 332. SHARP-sHINNED Hawk (Ad.). b. Wing over 9-00, outer tail-feathers half an inch shorter than the mid- dle ones; upper tail-coverts not white. 883. Cooprr’s Hawx (Ad.). c. Wing over 9:00; upper tail-coverts white. 331. Marsu Hawk (Ad.). D. Tarsus entirely fevered, a. Legs rich rufous, heavily barred . 848. Ferrueinovs Roven-iee. b. Legs ochraceous-buff, more or less barred. 347a. Am. Rovcu-LEccED Hawk. 3. Under parts without streaks or bars. A. Under parts white. a. Scales on front of tarsus transverse, more or less square. 334, SHoRT-TAILED Haws. b. Scales on front of tarsus numerous, rounded. 61. Tail barred. b3, Upper parts not barred . . . . . . . . 864, Am. Osprey, o3, Upper parts barred. . . . . . . 853. Wuire Gyrratcon. a. Tail not barred. . Tail square, white. . . . . « 828. Wurre-TaILep Kite. e’, Tail forked, bluish black . . . 827. SwaLLow-Ta1Lep Kits. B. Under parts dark brown, slate, gray, or black. a. Tarsus entirely feathered . . . 847a. Am. RovcH-LecceD Hawn. 6. Tarsus partly feathered, scales transverse, more or less square. 61, Wing over 13-00. 62, Upper tail-coverts, base and tip of the tail white; two outer primaries slightly “notched” . . . 830, EvereLapE Kite. 63. Three outer primaries “notched”* . 342. Swarnson’s Hawk. 64. Four outer primaries “notched” . . 338. Hartan’s Hawn. et, Wing under 13-00. ce, Primaries more or less distinctly barred; general plumage sooty black . 1... Ke ES Bad. SHoRT-TAILED Hawk. ¢8. Primaries not eer wenarl plumage slaty blue. 829. Mississipr1 Kirs. * See Fig. 70. 196 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 32'7. Elanoides forficatus (Linn.). Swattow-raitep Kirz. Ad. —Head, neck, linings of the wings, rump, part of tertials, and under parts white; rest of the plumage glossy bluish black; tail deeply forked, the outer feathers about 8-00 longer than the middle ones. L., 24:00; W., 1650; T., 13:50; B. from N., -80. Range.—Southern United States north to Pennsylvania and casually to Massachusetts; south to South America; breeding locally throughout its range, and wintering in Central and South America. West, in the upper branches of tall trees. Zggs, two to four, white or buffy white, boldly spotted or blotched, chiefly round the larger end, with hazel- brown, chestnut, or rich madder-brown, 1:87 x 1:49 (Ridgw.). The Swallow-tailed Kite winters in Central and South America, and appears in the United States in March. Its home is the air, and it is far more frequently seen on the wing than at rest. It captures its prey, devours it, and drinks while under way. Its flight possesses all the marvelous ease and grace of a Swallow’s, made more evident, and consequently more impressive, by the bird’s much greater size. 328. Elanus leucurus (Vicill.). Wairs-raitep Kir. 4d.—Upper parts ashy gray, whiter on the head ; wing-coverts black ; tail and under parts white. L., 15°50; W., 12°50; T., 7-00; B. from N., -70. Range.—Breeds from South Carolina, southern Illinois, and Indian Terri- tory southward through Mexico to the Argentine Republic; rare east of the Mississippi. Nest, in trees. Zggs, three to four, “ handsomely marbled or clouded with various shades of rich madder-brown on a paler (sometimes whitish) ground, 171 x 1:31” (Ridgw.). This species is not often found east of the Mississippi. It frequents open, marshy situations. A pair which I observed in Texas hunted by hovering over the reeds, sustaining a position facing the wind, and about forty feet from the ground, by a gentle movement of the wings. 329. Ictinia mississippiensis (Wi¢/s.). Mississipp1 Kitz. .Ad.— Head, neck, exposed margins of the secondaries, and under parts gray; back bluish slate-color; primaries streaked or spotted with rufous-chestnut; tail black, without bars. Jm.—Head streaked with black and white; back black- ish, tipped with rufous or white, the concealed parts of the feathers white and with generally one blackish bar; primaries without rufous; tail with three or four broken white bars; below buffy, streaked with rufous and grayish brown. L., 14:00; W., 11:25: T., 6°50; B. from N., -60. Range.—Breeds from South Carolina, southern Iinois, and Kansas south- ward to Central America; winters in the tropics. Nest, in tall trees. Zggs, two, dull white, sometimes with a bluish tinge, 1:63 x 1:32, This bird, like the preceding, is only a summer resident in the United States, arriving from the south in April. It is not common FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 197 east of Louisiana. It migrates in flocks, sometimes flying within gun- shot, and at others so far above the earth as to be almost beyond the bounds of vision. 330. Rostrhamus sociabilis (Viciil.). Evsreraps Kir; Swatt- Hawk. Ad. 6.—Dark slate-color; under, and longer upper tail-coverts, and base of the tail white, tip of the tail whitish; upper mandible much length- ened and hooked. ¢ and ém.-—Upper parts black, tipped with rufous: under parts barred and mottled with rufous, black, and butty; tail as in the Ad. 6. L., 18:00; W., 1400; T., 7°75; B., 1:20. Range.—Breeds from middle Florida southward to the Argentine Republic. Nest, in bushes, among reeds or tall grasses. Lg, two to three, pale blu- ish white, heavily spotted, blotched, or washed with cinnamon or chocolate, 1:85 x 1:47. This species is a summer resident in southern Florida. It arrives from the south in February. Mr. W. E. D. Scott writes of it as ob- served at Lake Panasofkee, Florida: “ Their food at this point appar- ently consists of a kind of large, fresh-water snail, which is very abun- dant, and the local name of ‘Snail-Hawk’ is particularly applicable to this bird as 1 have met with it. They fish over the shallow water, reminding one of Gulls in their motions; and having secured a snail by diving, they immediately carry it to the nearest available perch, where the animal is dexterously taken from the shell without injury to the latter” (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, vi, 1881, p. 16). 331. Circus hudsonius (Zinn.). Marsu Hawk; Harrier. Ad. §.— Upper parts gray or ashy ; upper tail-coverts white ; tail silvery gray, irregu- larly barred or marked with blackish; upper breast pearl-gray; the lower breast and belly white, spotted or barred with rufous. Ad. 9.—Upper parts fuscous, the head and neck streaked, and the wing-coverts spotted or margined with rufous; longer upper tail-coverts white ; middle tail-feathers barred with ashy and black, others barred with ochraceous-buff and black; under parts ochraceous-buff, widely streaked on the breast and narrowly streaked on the belly with fuscous or light umber. Jm.—Similar to the ¢, but somewhat darker above; the under parts darker, almost rufous; the belly without streaks. 6 L., 19:00; W., 13°75; T., 9:00; B. from N.,-60. 9 L., 22:00; W., 15:00; T., 10-00. Range.—North America in general, south to Panama. Washington, common W. V., July to Apl. Sing Sing, tolerably common S. R., Mch. 6 to Oct. 30; a few winter. Cambridge, common T. V., Mch. 15 to Apl. 15; Sept. and Oct.; a few breed. Nest, on the ground, in marshes. Zygs, four to six, dull white or pale bluish white, 1°75 x 1:40. This Hawk is essentially a bird of the unwooded country, and we might as well look for a Grouse in the open marsh as for a Harrier in the thick woods. It flies low, and may be easily identified by the large 198 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. white patch on itsrump. Quartering the country with slow, vacillating flight, it usually captures its living prey by surprising it away from its retreats. The Harrier is a low-perching Hawk, and most frequently will be seen alighting on a slight elevation or in the grass. During the nesting season the male may be seen endeavoring to win the admira- tion of the principal spectator by performing a number of extraor- dinary aérial evolutions. Sometimes he soars to a great height, then falls straight downward nearly to the ground, turning several somersaults during the descent, and uttering at the same time a re- iterated screeching. At other times he flies across the marsh in a course which would outline a gigantic saw, each of the descending parts being done ina somersault and accompanied by the screeching notes, which form the only love song within the range of his limited vocal powers.—Ernest E, THompson, “Of 124 stomachs examined, 7 contained poultry, or game birds; 34, other birds; 57, mice; 22, other mammals; 7, reptiles; 2, frogs; 14, insects; 1, indeterminate matter, and 8 were empty” (Fisher). 332. Accipiter velox ( Wéis.). Saarp-suinnep Hawk. .Ad.—Upper parts slaty gray; primaries barred with blackish ; tail nearly square, ashy gray, with blackish cross-bars and a whit- ish tip; throat white, streaked with black- ish: rest of under parts barred with white and ochraceous-buff or pale rufous. Jm— Upper parts fuscous, margined with rufous; primaries and tail much as in the ad.; un- der parts white or buffy white, streaked or spotted with blackish or pale rufous-brown. 6 L., 11:25; W., 660; T., 550; B. from N., 40. 9 1, 1850; W., 8:00; T., 7-00. Remarks.—This species very closely re- sembles Cooper’s Hawk. In adult plumage Fie. 67—Square tail of Sharp- the black cap characterizes that species, but shinned Hawk. immature birds may be distinguished only by size and the difference in the shape of the tail, which in velox is nearly square, and in cooperé decidedly rounded. Range.—Breeds throughout the United States, and winters from Massa- chusetts to Central America. Washington, common P. R. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, com- mon T. V., Apl. 15 to Apl. 80; Sept. and Oct.; rare 8. R., uncommon W. V. Nest, in trees, fifteen to forty feet from the ground. Zgqs, three to six, varying from bluish white to pale cream-buff, distinctly spotted, heavily blotched, or even washed with chocolate or cinnamon-rufous, 1°55 x 1:20. The generally misapplied names “Hen Hawk” and “Chicken Hawk” should be restricted to the birds of this genus, for they de- FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 199 serve the reputation commonly attributed to the large Hawks of the genus Buteo. The Sharp-shinned Hawk differs decidedly in habits from the. mouse- or insect-eating species, which watch for their prey from a lookout and capture it on the ground. It is a fearless, daring, ag- gressive bird, and flying swiftly, rather low, either in the open or. through woods, it makes sudden dashes at the frightened birds, which hurry to cover to escape its talons. One hears a commotion among the birds; calls of alarm, and a dark form darts through the foliage in close pursuit, or, missing its aim, alights in the center of some thickly leaved tree, there to await in silence a fresh opportunity. Sometimes it may be seen soaring in narrow circles, when its dispro- portionately long tail forms a good field character. It is usually a voiceless bird except during the nesting season, when a too close approach to its nest causes it to utter its peculiar notes. “Of 159 stomachs examined, 6 contained poultry or game birds; 99, other birds; 6, mice; 5, insects; and 52 were empty ” (Fisher). 833. Accipiter cooperi (Zonap.). Coorzr’s Haws. Ad.—Similar to adults of the preceding, but larger and with the crown blackish. Jm.— Similar in color to young of 4. velox, but larger. 6 L., 15:50; W., 9°50; T., 7°75; B. from N., -55. ¢ L., 19:00; W., 10°50; T., 9:00. Range.—Breeds from the Gulf of Mexico to Newfoundland, and winters from Massachusetts to Mexico. Washington, common P. R. Sing Sing, tolerably common P. R. Cambridge, common T. V., Apl.; Sept. and Oct.; not uncommon S. R.; rare W. V. Nest, in trees, twenty-five to fifty feet from the ground. £ggs, three to six, pale bluish white, sometimes lightly spotted with brownish, 1:90 x 1°55. This species resembles the preceding in habits, but because of its larger size is more destructive to poultry. “ Of 133 stomachs examined, 34 contained poultry or game birds; 52, other birds; 11, mammals; 1, frog; 3, lizards; 2, insects; and 39 were empty ” (Fisher). Fig. 68.—Rounded tail of Cooper’s Hawk. 334. Accipiter atricapillus ( Wils.). Awzrican Gosnawk. Ad.— Upper parts bluish slate-color; head blackish, a white line over and behind 200 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES. ETC. the eye; inner tail-feathers like the back, outer ones more fuscous, and slightly marked with blackish; tip whitish; entire under parts evenly marked with irregular, wavy bars of gray and white, the feathers of the throat and breast with darker shaft streaks. Jm.—Upper parts fuscous, margined with rufous; primaries barred with black; tail brownish gray, barred with black; under parts white or bufty, streaked with black. 6 L., 22:00; W., 13-00; T., 10-00; B. from N.,°65. 9 L., 2400; W., 13°40; T., 11°50. tange.—Breeds from the northern United States northward, and winters as far south as Virginia. Washington, casual, in winter. Sing Sing, rare W. V., Oct. 10 to Jan. 14. Cambridge, irregular and uncommon W. V. West, in trees. Lygs, two to five, “white, or glaucous-white, sometimes very faintly marked with pale brownish, 2°31 x 1:74” (Ridgw.). With the general habits of the two preceding species this larger bird is much bolder than either. Dr. Fisher remarks: ‘This species is one of the most daring of all the Hawks, and while in pursuit of its prey is apparently less concerned by the presence of man than any other. It will dart down unexpectedly at the very feet of the farmer and carry off a fowl.” * “Of 28 stomachs examined, 9 contained poultry or game birds; 2, other birds; 10, mammals; 3, insects; 1, centiped; and 8 were empty” (Fisher). 337. Buteo borealis (Gmel.). Rep-rairep Hawk; Hen Hawx; Cuicken Haws. Ad.—Upper parts dark grayish brown or fuscous-brown, more or less edged with rufous, ochraceous-buft, and whitish ; four outer pri- marics “notched,” the outer one not regularly barred; wing-coverts not edged with rufous; tail rich rufous, with a narrow black band near its end and a white tip; upper breast heavily streaked with grayish brown and ochraceous- buff, lower breast lightly streaked and sometimes without streaks; upper belly streaked, spotted, or barred with black or blackish, forming a kind of broken band across the belly; lower belly generally white without streaks. Jm.—Similar, but the tail of about the same color as the back, crossed by numerous more or less distinct blackish bands; no rufous in the markings of the under parts. é L., 20-00; W., 15°50; T., 9°25; B. from N.,-95. 9 L., 23:00; W., 16:50; T., 9°75. Range.—Eastern North America, breeding throughout most of its range. Washington, common W. V., rare 8. R. Sing Sing, common P. R.; less common in winter. Cambridge, common W. V., Nov. to Apl.; a few 8. RB. Nest, in trees, thirty to seventy feet from the ground. Zggs, two to four, dull white, generally scantily and irregularly marked with shades of cinna- mion-brown, 2°40 x 1°85. The Red-tailed Hawk resembles its near relative, the Red-shoul- dered Hawk, in the selection of its haunts, and, to a large extent, in habits. It is to be distinguished in life from that species by its larger size, which, even in the field, is noticeable, and by its call. The usual FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 201 note of the Red-tail is a long-drawn “squealing” whistle, which to my ear suggests the sound produced by escaping steam. “Of 562 stomachs examined, 54 contained poultry or game birds; 51, other birds; 278, mice; 131, other mammals; 87, batrachians or reptiles; 47, insects; 8, crawfish; 1, centiped ; 13, offal; and 89 were empty ” (Fisher). 33%a. B. b. kriderii Hoopes. Kriver’s Hawx.—Similar to Buteo borealis, but with much more white in the plumage; the head sometimes almost entirely white; the under parts only lightly streaked, and with the band on the belly sometimes obsolete; the tail in the ad. pale rufous, gen- erally without a terminal black band; in the im., pale rufous, or white washed with rufous, and with numerous blackish bars. 8 W., 15:00; T., 9°50. Range Great plains of the United States, from Minnesota to Texas; east irregularly or casually to lowa and northern Illinois” (Bendire). 337d. B. b. harlani (4ud.). Hartan’s Hawg. .4d.—Upper parts dark sooty fuscous, the bases of the feathers more or less barred with gray- ish ; tail closely mottled with black, fuscous, rufous, and whitish ; under parts varying from white more or less spotted across the belly to sooty fuscous. Jm.—Similar, but the tail barred with blackish, grayish, rufous, or whitish, tipped with white. 6 L., about 19:00; W., 15°50; T., 825. ¢ L., about 21.00; W., 17:00; T., 9°25. Range.—* Gulf States and lower Mississippi Valley; north (casually) to Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, and Pennsylvania; east to Georgia and Florida” (Ben- dire). Dr. William L. Ralph, in Captain Bendire’s Life Histories of North American Birds (p. 218), reports this species as not uncommon during the winter in St. John’s and Putnam Counties, Florida. He writes: “They are exactly like the Red-tailed Hawks except in color, and their call-note is the same, only being longer drawn out. The call of the latter bird, as already stated, sounds like the squealing of a pig, or ‘ kee-ee-e,’ and that of Harlan’s Hawk like ‘ kee-ee-ce-e-e-ee.’’ The Western Reprait (8876. B. b. calurus) has been recorded trom IIli- nois, and one specimen of the Evropran Buzzarp (886. Buteo buteo) is said to have been taken in Michigan. 339. Buteo lineatus (@mel.). Rep-sHoutprrep Hawk; Hen Hawk; Cuicken Hawx. Ad.—Upper parts dark grayish fuscous-brown, more or less edged with. rufous, ochraceous - buff, and whitish; four outer primaries “notched,” all barred with black and white; lesser wing-coverts rufous, forming a conspicuous “shoulder” patch; tail black or fuscous, with four or five white cross-bars and a white tip; throat streaked with blackish; rest of under parts rufous or ochraceous-butf, everywhere barred with white or whitish. 4m.—Upper parts much as in the adult; basal part of the primaries mostly ochraceous-buff, fading to whitish on the inner web, with broken bars of fuscous; lesser wing-coverts conspicuously margined with rufous or rufous- chestnut: tail dark grayish brown, indistinctly barred with fuscous, and on 202 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. the basal half with more or less rufous, the inner webs of the feathers with sometimes white bars; under parts white or whitish, streaked or spotted with black or blackish, the legs sometimes barred with rufous. 6 L., 1830; W., 12°50; T., 8:00; B. from N.,°75. @ L., 20°35: W., 18°50; T., 9:00. Fic. 69.—Four-notched primaries of Red-shouldered Hawk. (Reduced.) Remarks.—A dults of this species may always be known by the rich rufous lesser wing-coverts. Immature birds are sometimes confused with the young of the Red-tailed or Broad-winged Hawks. From the former they may be distinguished by their small size, rufous margins of the lesser wing-coverts ochraceous-buff markings on the primaries, and the continuously streaked under parts; from the latter they differ in having four instead of three outer primaries “ notched,” in being larger, and in having ochraceous-buif on the primaries. Range.—Eastern North America, north to Nova Scotia and Manitoba; resi- dent nearly throughout its range. Washington, common P. R. Sing Sing,common P. R. Cambridge, com- mon P. R., less common in winter. West, in trees, thirty to sixty feet from the ground. Zggs, three to six, dull white, generally more or less sprinkled, spotted, or blotched with cinna- mon-brown or chocolate, 2°15 x 1°65. The present species and the Red-tailed Hawk are the birds to which the names Chicken Hawk and Hen Hawk are most frequently misap- plied. Being both common species whose habits render them easily observed, they are often unjustly made to suffer for the sins of their bird-killing relatives of the genus Accipiter. The farmer sees a Hawk sailing in wide circles above him, uttering its fierce, screaming ery of keé-you, keé-you. While he is watching it a sly, low-flying Accipiter slips by him and makes a sudden dash into the poultry yard. The farmer does not discriminate; a Hawk is a Hawk, and, shaking his fist at the bird in the air, he vows vengeance at the first opportunity. The Red-shouldered Hawk is at most times of the year a bird of the woods. Particularly does it like low woods watered with small streams from which it can obtain its favorite food of frogs. Its note is one of the common sounds of summer, and can’ be heard when the. bird is almost lost to sight far up in the sky, It is frequently imi- tated by the Blue Jay. FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 203 “Of 220 stomachs examined, 8 contained poultry; 12, other birds; 102, mice; 40, other mammals; 20, reptiles; 39, batrachians; 92, in- sects; 16, spiders; 7, crawfish; 1, earthworms; 2, offal; 3, fish; and 14 were empty ” (Fisher), 339a. B.1. alleni Ridgw. Fiorwa Rep-sHovtpERED Hawx.—Adults of this species may easily be distinguished from those of B. lineatus by their smaller size, grayish white head, with black shaft streaks and no rufous, the smaller fuscous tips on the scapulars and interscapulars, which do not con- ceal the ashy gray bases of the feathers, by the whitish or grayish cheeks and throat, and the ochraceous-buff, indistinctly barred under parts. Im- mature birds are very similar to those of B. lineatus, and can be distin- guished only by their smaller size and darker color. 4 W., 11:00; T., 7:50; B., 1:20. Range.—Florida, north along the Atlantic coast to South Carolina, west along the Gulf coast to eastern Texas. 342. Buteo swainsoni Bonap. Swatnson’s Hawx. Ad. 6.—Upper parts fuscous-brown, more or less margined with rufous or buffy ; primaries unbarred, three outer ones “notched”; tail slightly grayer than the back, with numerous indistinct, blackish bars showing more plainly on the under surface; breast covered by a large, cinnamon-rufous patch ; belly white or ochraceous-buff, streaked, spotted, or barred with blackish, rufous, or buff. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but larger, the breast patch of the same color as the back. 6 and 2 in dark or melanistic plumage.—Entire plumage fuscous, the under tail- and under wing-coverts and the tail sometimes spotted or barred. Jm.— Upper parts fuscous-brown, widely margined with buffy and rufous; ‘base of the primaries grayish, and sometimes with a few broken bars; tail much as in the ad. ; under parts ochraceous-buff, spotted and streaked with blackish. ¢L., 20:00; W., 15°00; T., 8°50; B. from N., -75. Remarks.—Between the light and dark phases of coloration there is every degree of intergradation, but in any plumage this Hawk may be distinguished from our other species by having only three outer primaries notched. In this respect it agrees with B. latisstmus, from which, however, it differs decidedly both in size and color. Range——Western North America, eastward to the Mississippi; breeds from Texas to the arctic regions, and occasionally strays eastward to the At- lantic States. ; West, in trees, thirty to eighty feet from the ground. Zygs, two to three, varying from dull bluish white to creamy white, sometimes unmarked, but generally more or less spotted or blotched with shades of cinnamon-brown, 2°30 x 1°72. Swainson’s Hawk is of rare occurrence east of the Mississippi. Dr. Fisher writes: “ By preference it frequents the timber in the vicinity of streams, though often it is found far out on the prairie, where its only perch is the earth mound of some mammal, or some other slightly elevated knoll.” 204 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 343. Buteo latissimus (Wils.). Broap-winerp Hawx. Ad.— Upper parts dark grayish brown or fuscous, more or less margined with buffy and rufous; thee outer primaries “ notched” and without ochraceous-butf markings; tail fus- cous, with two bars and the tip grayish white ; under parts heqvily barred with brownish ochraceous- Fic. 70.—Three-notched primaries of Broad-wingead buf im. — Upper awk, (Reduced.) parts like the pre- ceding; tail grayish brown, with three to five indistinct black bars and a narrow whitish tip; under parts white or butfy white, streaked and spotted with fuscous. ¢ L., 15:89; W., 10°68: T., 6°75; B. from N., 70. ¢ L., 1676; W., 11-41; T., 7-09. Remarks.—Compared with the other members of this genus, the three “notched” primaries and small size are the principal characters of this Hawk. Range.—Breeds throughout eastern North America, from New Brunswick southward. Washington, not common W. V., rare 8. R. Sing Sing, tolerably common S. R., Mch. 15 to Oct. 23.© Cambridge, T. V., sometimes common in Sept.; rare in spring. Nest, in trees, twenty-tive to fifty feet from the ground. Zygs, two to four, dull white or buffy white spotted, blotched, or washed with ochraceous-buff or cinnamon-brown, 2°10 x 1°60. “Of all our Hawks, this species seems to be the most unsuspicious. often allowing a person to approach within a few yards of it, and when startled flies but a short distance before it alights again. Dur- ing the early summer the Broad-winged Hawk often may be seen sit- ting for hours on the dead top of some high tree. At other times it is found on the smaller trees in the deep woods, along streams, or on the ground, where its food is more often procured. Although slug- gish and unusually heavy in its flight, it is capable of rapid motion, and sometimes soars high in the air. One of its notes resembles quite closely that of the Wood Pewee. ... “Of 65 stomachs examined, 2 contained small birds; 15, mice; 13, other mammals; 11, reptiles; 18, batrachians; 80, insects; 2, earth- worms; 4, crawfish; and 7 were empty ” (Fisher). 344. Buteo brachyurus Fieil/. Snorr-ratrrep Hawk. Ad— Upper parts slaty gray or fuscous grayish brown; forehead whitish; tail barred with black and narrowly tipped with white, its under surface grayish ; sides of the breast with some rufous-brown markings; rest of the under parts pure white. Im—Similar, but upper parts browner and margined with eream-buff; under parts washed with cream-buff; no rufous-brown on the breast. Dark phase.—Fuscous-black, with oa slight metallic luster; forehead t t FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 905 whitish ; tail lighter than back, barred with black, its under surface and the under surface of the primaries grayish. L., 17-00; W., 1250; T., 7:00; Tar., 2°35; B. from N., -70. tange.—Florida and Mexico southward through South America. Nest, in trees. Eggs (?}, dull white, spotted at the larger end with small spots and blotches of reddish brown over about one fourth the surface, 2°16 x 161 (Pennock). A rare resident in Florida. According to Mr. C. J. Pennock, who found its nest at St. Marks on April 3, its call somewhat resembles the scream of the Red-shouldered Hawk, but is finer and more pro- longed (Auk, vii, 1890, p. 56; see also Scott, ibid., vi, 1889, p. 243). The Mexican Gosnawk (346. Asturina plagiata) is uw tropical species which reaches the southwestern border of the United States. An individual seen by Mr. Robert Ridgway in southern Illinois, August 19, 1871, is the only known instance of its occurrence east of the Mississippi. 34%a. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis (Gmei.). Amzri- can Roves-teccep Hawk. Ad., light phase-—Upper parts fuscous-brown, margined with whitish and ochraceous-buif; inner vanes of the primaries white at the base; basal half of the tail white or buffy, end with two or three grayish or whitish bars; under parts varying from white to ochraceous-buft, streaked and spotted with black, these marks uniting to form a broken band across the belly ; front of tarsé entirely feathered. Im., normal phase.—Simi- lar to the ad., but the end half of the tail without bars except for the white tip, the under parts more heavily marked with black, the belly band being broad and continuous. Black phase—Plumage more or less entirely black, the primaries and tail barred with whitish and grayish. L., 22:00; W., 16-00; T., 9°50. Remarks.—Its feathered tarsi and heavily marked under parts characterize this species. : Range.—North America, breeding north of the United States and winter- ing as far south as Virginia. Washington, rare and irregular W. V. Sing Sing, A.V. Cambridge, not uncommon T. V., Nov.; Mch.; a few wintcr. Nest, on rocky ledges or in trees. L£ggs, two to five, dull white, sometimes unmarked, but generally more or less spotted, blotched, or scrawled with cin- namon-brown or chocolate, 2°20 x 1-75. “The Rough-leg is one of the most nocturnal of our Hawks, and may be seen in the fading twilight watching from some low perch or beating with measured, noiseless flight over its hunting ground. It follows two very different methods in securing its food—one by sitting on some stub or low tree and watching the ground for the appearance of its prey, as the Red-tail does; the other by beating back and forth just above the tops of the grass or bushes and dropping upon its vic- tim, after the manner of the Marsh Hawk. ... “The flight of the Rough-leg is seldom rapid and often appears 206 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. labored, and when on the wing this Hawk resembles the Osprey more than any other bird of prey. ... “Of 49 stomachs examined, 40 contained mice; 5, other mammals; 1, lizards; 1, insects; and 4 were empty” (Fisher). 348. Archibuteo ferrugineus (Licht.). Frerruernous Roven-.ee. Ad., light phase-—Upper parts mostly rufous, the centers of the feathers fus- cous ; tail grayish white, margined with rufous; legs rufous, barred with black; rest of under parts white, more or less barred with rufous on the sides and belly ; tarsi fully feathered in front. Jm—Upper parts dark grayish brown, slightly varied with ochraceous-buif; tuil silvery grayish brown, without bars, the base white; under parts white, lightly spotted and streaked with fuscous, Dark phase-—Dark fuscous-brown, more or less varied with rufous ; prima- ries and tail as in the ad. L., 23:00; W., 17-00; T., 10°50. Lemarks.—This species is to be distinguished from the preceding prin- cipally by its much larger bill and differently colored tail and under parts. Range.—* Western United States; east to and across the great plains (oc- casionally to Illinois) ; north to the Saskatchewan; south into Mexico” (Ben- dire). Nest, in trees or on the ground in rocky places. Zggs, two to four, “ white, or buffy white, usually more or less spotted, blotched, or clouded with brown or grayish purple (or both), 2°42 x 1°88” (Ridgw.). This bird is rarely found east of the Mississippi. Dr. Fisher re- marks: “The Squirrel Hawk is pre-eminently a bird of the prairie, and, unlike the common Rough-leg, shows little partiality to the vicinity of water, though in other respects it closely resembles the latter bird in habits.” 349. Aquila chrysaétos (Linz.). Gotpen Eaciz. Ad.—Back of the head and nape pale, buffy ochraceous; basal two thirds of the tail white; tarsus white, entirely feathered ; rest of the plumage fuscous- brown ; quills fuscous. Jm.— Similar, but base of the tail with broken grayish bars; tarsus and under tail- coverts ochraceous-buff. ¢ L., 30-00- 35-00; Ex.,78-00-84-00; W., 23°00-24-70; T., 1400-15-00 ; Tar., 365-380. 9 L., 35°00- Fic. 71.—Foot of Golden Eagle. 40-00; Ex., 84:00-90:00; W., 25-00-27-00; T., 1500-16-00; Tar., 4:15-4:25 (Ridgw.). Range.—North America; of rare occurrence east of the Mississippi. Washington, rare W. V. Sing Sing, A. V. Nest, on cliffs or rocky ledges. Zygs, two to three, dull white, obscurely or distinctly blotched or speckled with shades of cinnamon-brown, 2°93 x 2°34. FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 207 “It seems to be nowhere a common species in the east, but it is much more numerous in the mountainous parts of the far west. It is confined chiefly to the mountains and more northern latitudes, where it breeds. It is able to endure intense cold, and sometimes remains far north in winter. In fact, its movements at that season are more in the form of wandering for food than regular migration to the south. “The food consists mainly of mammals and birds, of which sper- mophiles, rabbits, fawns, lambs, turkeys, grouse, waterfowl, and other large birds form the principal part, though offal and carrion are some- times taken. . . . Of 6 stomachs examined, 1 contained feathers; 2, mammals; 2, carrion; and 1 was empty ” (Fisher). 351. Haliwetus albicilla (Zinn.). Gray Sra Eactzr. Ad.—Tail white, rest of plumage varying from grayish brown to fuscous. Ji.— With plumage largely light cinnamon-brown or isabella-color. 4 L., 31-00-34:00 ; W., 23-00-2600; T., 1150-12-00” (Ridgw.). Range.—Northern parts of the Old World; Greenland. Nest, on clitts or in trees. Z£ggs, two to three, dull white, “ occasionally with small, faint spots of light brown” (Davie), 3°00 x 2°35. This is a common species in Greenland. 352. Halizetys leucocephalus (Linz.). Baro Eacrz. Ad.— Head, neck, and tail white, rest of the plumage fuscous; bill yellow; tarsus not fully feathered. /m.—Fuscous, more or less varied with white; tail fuscous, more or less mottled with white, particu- larly on the inner vanes of the feathers ; pill black. 6 L., 32:85; Ex., 8410; W., 22°00: T., 11:90; B., 2:48. ¢ L., 35°50; Ex., 89:00; W., 24:00; T., 12:25; Weight, 12 lbs. Range—North America, breeding throughout its range. Washington, not common P.R. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, of ir- regular occurrence at all seasons. Nest, generally in tall trees. Fygs, two to three, dull white, 2°85 x 2°20. Bald Eagles are seldom found far from the water. Here they may be seen soaring overhead, winging their way to and from their feeding , ground, or occupying some favorite Fic. 72.Foot of Bald Eagle. perch, generally in an exposed posi- tion. They subsist principally upon fish. As a last resort they some- times capture these themselves, but dead fish cast up on the shore 208 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. are eagerly taken, and their habit of robbing the Fish Hawk of his well-earned booty is too well known to be commented upon. In some localities, particularly in the south during the winter, they live largely upon water-fowl which they capture themselves. The voice of the Bald Eagle has a weird, human quality. Dr. Fisher says: “ At a distance the note of the Bald Eagle is not alto- gether unpleasant, resembling somewhat that of Sea Gulls, but near by it is grating and suggests a maniacal laugh.” Dr. William L. Ralph writes in Captain Bendire’s Life Histories of North American Birds, p. 277: “ The ery of the male is a loud and clear cac-cac-cac, quite dif- ferent from that of the female—so much so that I could always recog- nize the sex of the bird by it; the call of the latter is more harsh and often broken.” The conspicuous white head and tail of adults of this species render it easy of identification even at a considerable distance. Young, birds too closely resemble Golden Eagles to be distinguished with certainty, but the rarity of that species in the east makes it probable that any Eagle observed is a Bald Eagle. 353. Falco islandus Briinn. Wuitt Gyrratcon. .4d.—Head white, finely streaked with black ; scapulars, interscapulars, and wing-coverts brown- ish gray, widely margined with white; tail white, the%central feathers with sometimes broken bars; under parts white, lightly streaked with grayish brown; under tail-coverts white. Jm.—Similar, but upper parts with nar- rower white margins; tail barred with brownish gray, under parts heavily streaked with the same color. L., 22:00; W., 16:00; T., 10:00; B. from N., -95. Range. Arctic regions; casually south in winter to Maine. West, on rocky cliffs. Zygs, three to four, varying from creamy white, spotted or blotched with cinnamon-brown, to uniform pale reddish brown, spotted or blotched with shades of the same color, 2°30 ~ 1:85. “The food consists of water-fowl and other birds—largely of vari- ous arctic species of Grouse which are captured on the wing. All these northern Falcons were formerly esteemed for hawking, as they still are by the Mongol races; their style of flight is magnificent—much swifter than that of the Peregrine—and both are deadly ‘footers’ (i. e., tenacious of grip), but they lack spirit and dash ” (Saunders). 354. Falco rusticolus Linn. Gray Gyrraitcon. Ad—Upper parts grayish fuscous, barred and margined with buffy white; tail with numerous bars of the same colors; under parts white, streaked and spotted with black- ish; legs and under tad-coverts barred with brownish gray. L., 20-00; W., 15°50; T., 9°50; B. from N., 90. Range.—Aretic regions; in America, south in winter to the northern United States. Nest, on cliffs or in trees. Zggs, three to four, not distinguishable from those of the preceding, 2°37 x 1:72. FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 209 3654a. F. r. gyrfaleo (Linn.). Gyrratcon.—Head streaked with buffy white and fuscous or black; back varying from brownish gray to slaty fuscous, without complete bars and sometimes entirely unbarred; tail of the same color as the back, with indistinct or incomplete lighter bars; under parts heavily streaked with whitish and fuscous. eange.—* Northern Europe and arctic America, from northern Labrador and coasts of Hudson Bay to Alaska”; casually south in winter to R. I. 354b. F. r. obsoletus (Gmei.). Buack Gyrratcon.—Upper parts uniform slaty fuscous, without bars; tail the same, without or with only broken bars; under parts of the same color as the back; the feathers with partly concealed butty spots. Range.—Labrador ; southward in winter, casually to Long Island. kemarks.—Gyrfalcons are so rare in collections that the descriptions here given car not be considered as applying to the species as a whole, but rather to the individuals from which the descriptions were taken. F. islandus is the lightest colored, and /. r. obsoletus is the darkest of our supposed four forms, while the others are intermediate between these two. 355. Falco mexicanus Schleg. Pratrtm Faucon. Ad.—Above, grayish brown; primaries and inner webs of all but the middle tail-feathers with numerous buffy bars or spots; below, white, streaked and spotted with dark grayish brown. Jm.—Similar, but with the upper parts margined with ochraceous-buff or buffy. 6 L., 17:00; W., 12-20; T., 7-00. fange.— Western United States, eastward casually to Illinois. Nest, on cliffs, sometimes in hollow trees. Zggs, two to five, “creamy white, vinaceous-white, or pale vinaceous-buffy, sprinkled, speckled, or irregularly spotted with madder-brown, 2°06 x 1-60” (Ridgw.). “The Prairie Falcon, as the name implies, is a typical plains bird, and inhabits the dry interior. .. . “The flight of this Hawk is swift and graceful, though in most cases it is carried on at no great distance from the ground. It is not a shy bird, except in sections where it has been persecuted and has learned that man is its worst enemy” (Fisher). 356. Falco peregrinus anatum (Bonap.). Duck Hawk. Ad.— Upper parts dark bluish slate-color; primaries barred with ochraceous; tail indistinctly barred with blackish and tipped with white; under parts cream- buif, barred and spotted with black, except on the breast. Jm.—Upper parts fuscous, more or less margined with ochraceous or rufous; region below the eye black ; ear-coverts buffy ; wings as in the ad.; upper surface of the tail barred with grayish, under surface barred with ochraceous-buff; under parts cream-buff or ochraceous-buff, streaked, spotted, or barred with black. 6 L., 16-00; W., 12:25; ‘T., 6°50; B. from N., 68. 9 L., 19:00; W., 14:00; 'T., 7°50. Range.—North America and the greater part of South America, breeding locally from our Southern States northward. Washington, rare and irregular W. V. Sing Sing, casual. Cambridge, rare 'T. V., casual in winter. 15 210 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. Nest, on rocky cliffs and in the hollow limbs of tall trees. Zggs, three to four, varying from creamy white, heavily marked with cinnamon-brown, to pale reddish brown, more or less marked with shades of the same color, 2:05 x 1:68, This species is the “ Noble Peregrine” of falconry. It would be difficult to imagine a bird more highly endowed with qualities which make the ideal bird of prey. Its strength of wing and talon is equaled by its courage. No bird flies more swiftly than the Duck Hawk. Even Teal—those winged bullets—can not escape it. No bird is more daring. I have had Duck Hawks dart down to rob me of wounded Snipe lying almost at my feet, nor did my ineffective shots prevent them from returning. Duck Hawks are generally found near water, where they prey largely on water birds. “Of 20 stomachs examined, 7 contained poultry or game birds; 9, other birds; 1, mice; 2, insects; and 4 were empty ” (Fisher). 357. Falco columbarius Zinn. Piczon Hawx. .Ad.—Upper parts slaty blue, a broken butty or rusty collar on the neck ; primaries barred with white; tail with three or four distinct grayish white bars and a white tip; under parts varying from cream-buff to deep ochraceous, streaked with black- ish, except on the throat. Jm.—Upper parts fuscous or brownish fuscous, a broken buffy collar on the nape; primaries barred with ochraceous; tail with three or four incomplete buffy bars and a whitish tip; under parts much as in the ad. L., 1000-13-00; W., 8:00; T., 5°50; B. from N,, -45. Remarks.—This little Falcon bears some resemblance to a Duck Hawk, but is much smaller. Range.—Breeds from the northern United States northward ; winters from the Southern States southward to South America. Washington, not uncommon T. V. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V., Apl. 1 to May 11; Aug. 10 to Oct. 15. Cambridge, common ‘T. V., Apl. 10 to May 5; Sept. and Oct.; occasional in winter. : Nest, in trees, in hollow limbs, or on cliffs. ygs, four to five, varying from creamy white, more or less heavily marked with reddish brown or choco- late, to reddish brown marked with shades of the same color, 1:65 x 1-20. “This Falcon, with the exception possibly of the Broad-winged Hawk, is the least shy of all our diurnal birds of prey, and often may be approached within a few rods, It frequents the more open country and edges of woods, and is common along the shores of large bodies of water... . “The flight is very rapid and resembles that of the Wild Pigeon quite closely; nor does the similarity end here, for while sitting on a tree the general poise is that of a Pigeon in repose, and specimens have been mistaken and shot for the latter bird... . Sparrow Hawk AND YOUNG. FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC, O11 “Of 56 stomachs examined, 2 contained poultry; 41, small birds; 2, mice; 16, insects; and 5 were empty” (Fisher), The Meriin (858.1. Falco regulus) and the Krstret (859.1. Falco tinnun- culus), both Old- World species, have each been recorded once from this side of the Atlantic, the Merlin from Greenland, the Kestrel from Massachusetts (Cory, Auk, v, 1888, pp. 110, 205). 360. Falco sparverius Linn. American Sparrow Hawk. Ad. é. —Back rufous, more or less barred with black ; tail rufous, a black band near its end, the tip white; head slaty blue, with generally a rufous spot on the crown ; wing-coverts slaty blue, primaries barred with white; a black mark before and behind the white ear-coverts; under parts varying from cream- butf to ochraceous-buit; belly and sides spotted with black. dd. ¢.—Back, tail, and wing-coverts rufous, barred with black; head as in the male; under parts more or less heavily streaked with dark ochraceous-buff. /n.—Closely resemble the adults. L., 10:00; W., 7°30; T., 4°80; B. from N., -45. Range—Breeds from Florida to Hudson Bay, and winters from New Jer- sey southward. Washington, common W. V., rare 8. R. Sing Sing, rather rare P. R. Cambridge, rather common 8. R., Feb. to Nov. West, in a hole in a tree, frequently in a Woodpecker’s deserted nest. £9qs, three to seven, varying from creamy white to rufous, generally finely and evenly marked with shades of the ground color, 1-40 x 1:12. An old stub or branchless trunk of a dead tree standing well out in a field is the kind of perch the Sparrow Hawk most frequently chooses. From this lookout, like a Loggerhead Shrike, he awaits the appearance of game below. Generally it is a grasshopper which falls his victim. When he detects one, he flies directly over it and poises on hovering wings until the right opportunity offers, when he drops lightly downward, clutches his prey in his talons, and then returns to his perch to devour it at leisure. The Sparrow Hawk’s call isa rather high, quickly repeated killy- killy-killy-killy, which in some sections gives it the name of “ Killy Hawk.” “Of 320 stomachs examined, 1 contained a game bird; 53, other birds; 89, mice: 12, other mammals; 12, reptiles or batrachians; 215, insects ; 29, spiders; and 29 were empty ” (Fisher). The Cuspan Sparrow Hawx (361. Falco sparverioides) is of accidental oc- currence in the Florida Keys. It has two color phases; in one, the under parts, including the under wing-coverts, are white; in the other, these parts are rufous. : 362. Polyborus cheriway (Jacg.). Avupupon’s Caracara. Ad.— Face bare; crown, lower back, wings, and belly black; throat buffy; nape, interseapulars, and breast barred with black and buffy; tail white, barred 919 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. and tipped with black. Jm.—Similar, but browner, and with few or no bars on the interscapulars and breast. L., 22:00; W., 16-00; B. from N., 1:25. Range.—Southern Florida and Mexican border of the United States south to the Amazon. Nest, in a cabbage palmetto or on the tops of dense bushes. Zggs, two to three, varying from cream-buff to rufous, heavily marked with shades of red- dish brown and chocolate, 2°35 x 1:85. Caracaras frequently associate with Vultures and feed on carrion, but they also capture their own food. This consists largely of frogs, lizards, and small snakes, which the birds find while walking about on the ground in search of them. Their flight is strong, rapid, and direct, and bears no resemblance to that of a Vulture’s. 364. Pandion haliaétus carolinensis (Gmei/.). American Os- prey; Fish Hawx. Ad. 6.—Upper parts fuscous, the head and nape varied with white; tail with six to eight obscure bands, more distinct on the inner web ; under parts white, breast sometimes slightly spotted with grayish brown. id. @.—Similar, but the breast always spotted with grayish brown. L., 23°10; W., 18:25; T., 8°40. : Range.—North America; breeds from Florida to Labrador; winters from South Carolina to northern South America. Washington, uncommon 8. R., Mch. 25 to Oct. Sing Sing, common T. V., rare 8. R., Apl. 3 to May 26; Sept. 29 to Oct. 20. Cambridge, common T. V., Apl.; Sept. Nest, generally in a tree, thirty to fifty feet from the ground, rarely on the ground. ggs, two to four, extremely variable, sometimes dull white, un- marked, sometimes almost solid chocolate, but generally buffy white, heavily marked with chocolate, chiefly at the larger end, 2°45 x 1°80. This species lives in colonies, and also in pairs, along our coasts, re- turning year after year to the same nesting ground. Its food consists solely of fish, which as a rule it captures alive. Winging its way slowly over the water, it keeps a keen watch for fish which may appear near the surface. When one is observed it pauses, hovers a moment, and then closing its wings descends with a speed and directness of aim that generally insure success. It strikes the water with great force, making a loud splash, and frequently disappears for a moment before rising with its prey grasped in its powerful talons. Asa rule, it carries its food to some favorite perch, there to devour it. It is said that Fish Hawks have been known to strike fish so large that. unable to release their hold, they were drawn under water and drowned. When protected, Fish Hawks, like many other birds, to a large de- gree lose their fear of man. In The Auk, for October, 1892, will be found a valuable article by Dr. C.S. Allen. on the habits of this species as observed by him on Plum Island, N. Y., where for forty years the birds had been protected by the owner of the island, OWLS, 913 The note of the Fish Hawk is a high, rapidly repeated, plaintive whistle. FamiLy STRIGIDZ. Barn OWLs. The Barn Owls, numbering some eight or ten species, are found nearly throughout the temperate and tropical regions. They differ from other Owls in structure, but share with them the characteristic habits of the suborder Striges. 365. Strix pratincola Bonap. Amertcan Barn OwL; Monney- Facep Ow1. (See Fig. 30.) .4d.—Upper parts mixed gray and ochraceous- buff, finely speckled with black and white; tail varying from white to ochra- ceous-butt, generally mottled with black, and sometimes with three or four narrow black bars; under parts and facial disk varying from pure white to deep ochraceous-buff, the former generally with numerous small, black, round spots, the facial disk narrowly margined by ochraceous-buff or rufous; eyes black. L., 18:00; W., 1825; T., 5°50; B., 1:30. fange.—North America; occasionally found as far north as Massachu- setts, and breeds from Long Island southward through Mexico. Washington, not rare P.R. Sing Sing, A. V. West, in a tower or steeple, « hole in « tree or bank. Zgqs, five to nine, 1-72 x 1:80. The Barn Ow] conceals itself so well during the day that, in my experience, it is a difficult bird to observe, even in localities where it is common. For this reason the capture of one of these odd-visaged birds is frequently the cause of much excitement over the supposed discovery of an animal entirely new to science, and which, by the local press, is generally considered half bird, half monkey! The only notes I have ever heard from the Barn Owl are a sudden wild, startling scream, a high, rapidly repeated er-r-ree, er-r-ree, er-r-ree, and, in captive birds, a hissing sound; but Captain Bendire mentions “a feeble, querulous note like’ gudek-gudek, or dek-dek, sounding somewhat like the call of the Night Hawk (Chordeiles vir- ginianus), frequently repeated, only not so loud.” “Of 29 stomachs examined, 1 contained poultry; 3, other birds; 17, mice; 17, other mammals; 4, insects; and 7 were empty” (Fisher). Famity BUBONIDZ. HornED OwLs, Hoot OwWLs, ETC. Owls are found in all parts of the world. About two hundred spe- cies are known, of which some twenty inhabit North America. With few exceptions Owls are woodland birds, but some species live in grassy marshes or dry plains, while others make their home in towers, steeples, or outbuildings. Owls are nocturnal birds of prey, and for 214 OWLS. this reason feed more largely on small mammals—most of which are nocturnal—than the diurnal birds of prey. They are therefore of even greater value to the agriculturist than Hawks. Their prey is captured with their talons, and, unless too large, is swallowed entire. The bones and hair are afterward ejected at the mouth in matted pellets. Owls’ eyes are so fixed in their sockets that they can not look from one point to another by simply “ rolling” the eyeball, but are obliged to turn their head. The weird, almost human, voices of Owls add not a little to the superstitious fear with which they are frequently re- garded. The eggs of Owls are uniformly white, unmarked. KEY TO THE SPECIES, I. Wing over 10:00. A. Belly without bars, striped longitudinally. a. Upper parts with cross-bars. a, Toes feathered . . . ...... . . . 868 Barren Own. a. Toes bare. . . . . . . . . . 868a. Froripa Barrep Owt. 6. Upper parts striped longitudinally . . . . 367. SHorT-EARED OwL, B. Belly with cross-bars. a. With conspicuous horns or ears. a. Wing over 13:00. . . . . 875. Great Hornep Own and races. a, Wing under 1300. . . . . . . . 866. Am. Lone-EArED OwL. 6. Without horns or ears. d1. Plumage white, more or less barred with black. 876. Snowy Own. 62, Plumage fuscous, mottled and barred with whitish. 870. Great Gray Ow1. Ql. Wing under 10-00, A. Toes heavily feathered. a. Wing more than 6:00. @, Tail more than600. . . . . . . . . «8%7a. Aw. Hawk Own. a, Taillessthan 600... . 2... . . 871. Ricuarpson’s Owt. 6. Wing lessthan600. . . . . . . . ). . 872. Saw-wner Own, B. Toes thinly, if at all, feathered. u. Tarsi heavily feathered; with conspicuous horns. 378. ScrercH Ow. 8784. Frortpa Scrrecu Own, b. Tarsi partly bare; no horns . . . 878a. Frorma Burrowine Ow1. 366. Asio wilsonianus (JZess.). Amertcan Lonc-arep Own, Ad. —Far-tufts conspicuous, an inch or more in length, black bordered by white and buffy ; upper parts fuscous-brown mottled with white, the bases of the feathers ochraceous-buff; tail with six to eight fuscous cross-bars: facial disk butfy bordered by black; under parts mixed white and ochraceous-buff, the breast broadly streaked, the sides and belly irregularly barred with fuscous ; eyes yellow. L., 14°80; W., 11-90; T., 6-00; B., 1:06. Range.—North America; breeds from Nova Scotia and Manitoba south- ward to the Gulf States. OWLS. 215 Washington, common P.R. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, not common P, R. Nest, generally in an old Crow’s, Hawk’s, or Squirrel’s nest. Zygs, three to six, 1°65 x 1:30. “This species, like the Screech Owl, is nocturnal in its habits, and differs from the Short-eared Owl in never hunting during the day- time. It usually spends the day in some evergreen woods, thick wil- low copse, or alder swamp, although rarely it may be found in open places. ... “The bird is not wild, and will allow itself to be closely approached. When conscious that its presence is recognized, it sits upright, draws the feathers close to the body, and erects the ear-tufts, resembling in appearance a piece of weather-beaten bark more than a bird... . “Like the other Owls, its flight is slow and wavering, but in com- mon with them it is buoyant and devoid of any appearance of heavi- ness. The note of this Owl is said by some to resemble the noise made by kittens, while others state it is like the barking of small dogs. “Of 107 stomachs examined, 1 contained a game bird; 15, other birds; 84, mice; 5, other mammals; 1, insects; and 15 were empty” (Fisher). 367. Asio accipitrinus (Pal/.). Snort-Earep Owt. 1d.—Ear-tufts very short, difficult to distinguish in a dried skin; upper parts fuscous, the feathers margined with cream-buff or ochraceous-buft, not mottled with white ; tail with ochraceous-buff and fuscous bands of about equal width; under parts varying from whitish to ochraceous-butt, the breast broadly and the belly more finely streaked with fuscous; eyes yellow. L., 15°50; W., 12°75; T., 6-05; B., 1-20. Range.—Nearly cosmopolitan, breeding in the United States locally from Virginia northward. Washington, common W. V. Sing Sing, casual. Cambridge, uncommon T. V., Apl.; Oct. and Nov, Nest, on the ground, in grassy marshes. gqs, four to seven, 1°60 x 1:25. This species might well be named Marsh Owl, for, unlike most of our Owls, it does not frequent the woods, but lives in grassy marshes. It is not shy and does not take wing until almost stepped upon, when it arises noiselessly and flies low over the marsh. Sometimes it alights on a knoll or slight elevation and watches the intruder in the intent, half-human manner of Owls. During the migrations and in the winter this bird is occasionally found in flocks or colonies containing one or two hundred individuals. “Of 101 stomachs examined, 11 contained small birds; 77, mice; 7, other mammals; 7, insects; and 14 were empty ” (Fisher). 368. Syrnium nebulosum (forst.). Barren OwL; Hoor Own. (Sea Fig. 31.) .1d.—No car-tufts; upper parts grayish brown, each feather with 216 OWLS. two or three white or buffy white bars; tail with six to eight similar bars; facial disk gray, finely barred or mottled with fuscous; under parts white, more or less tinged with bufty, the breast barred, the sides and belly broadly streaked with fuscous; bill yellow; legs and feet feathered to or near the bases of the nails; eyes brownish black. L., 20:00; W., 13°50; T., 9°50; B., 1:50. Range—Eastern North America, northward to Nova Scotia and Manitoba; resident, except at the northern limit of its range. Washington, not common P. R. Sing Sing, rare P. R. Cambridge, rare P. R., sometimes common in Nov. and Dee. West, in a hollow tree; sometimes in an old Crow’s or Hawk’s nest. Zygs, two to four, 2°00 x 1:65. The deep-toned, questioning voice, the absence of “horns,” and the dark-brown, nearly black eyes, combine to make Barred Owls appear among the most human of these strangely human birds. They inhabit large tracts of woodland, and are generally resident in certain localities. Their notes are uttered more or less throughout the year, but are more frequently heard during the nesting reason. Asa rule they call only during the first part of the night and again before sunrise, but on moonlight nights they call throughout the night, and occasionally they may be heard during the day. They readily respond to an imi- tation of their cries, and even at midday I have drawn them from their nesting place to meet a supposed intruder on their domain. Un- der favorable circumstances they may be heard at a distance of at least half a mile. Their usual call is a sonorous wh6d-whdd-whd6, whé-whd06, t6-whbd- Gh. This is varied, both as to relative position and length of the syllables, by the same individuals, and is apparently the ery of ques- tion and response. When two birds, perhaps rival males, come to- gether, there ensues a striking medley of whd-whds mingled with roll- ing whdd-dhs, the whole reminding one of deep-voiced, mirthless laughter. Sometimes two birds give a concerted performance. One utters about ten rapid hoots, while the other, in a slightly higher tone, hoots half as fast, both performers ending together with «a wh00-ah. At times they utter a single, prolonged whéd-déh, and more rarely a weird, gasping shriek emphasized at its conclusion like a cry of dis- tress. “Of 109 stomachs examined, 5 contained poultry or game; 138, other birds: 46, mice; 18, other mammals; 4, frogs; 1, a lizard; 2, fish; 14, insects; 2, spiders; 9, crawfish; and 20 were empty” (Fisher). 368a. S. n. alleni Aidgw. Froria Barrey Owr.—Similar to the preceding, but averaging somewhat darker, and with the toes nearly naked. W., 12:50; T., 8°50. Range.—Florida, and region of the Gulf coast to Texas. OWLS, 217 370. Scotiaptex cinereum (Gmel.). Great Gray Own. Ad.—No ear-tufts, size very large; upper parts fuscous, everywhere mottled with white, and with little or no buffy; facial disk gray, barred with black; under parts white, the breast broadly streaked, the belly and sides irregularly barred and streaked with fuscous; legs and feet heavily feathered; bill and eyes yellow. L., 27:00; W., 17:50; T., 12°00. Range.—Breeds from Hudson Bay northward, and wanders southward in winter to the northern border of the United States. Cambridge, very rare and irregular W. V. Nest, in coniferous trees. Zggs, two to four, 2°16 x 1-71. “Dr. Dall considers it a stupid bird, and states that sometimes it may be caught in the hands. Its great predilection for thick woods, in which it dwells doubtless to the very limit of trees, prevents it from being an inhabitant of the barren grounds or other open country in the north. ... “The note of this Owl is said to be a tremulous, vibrating sound, somewhat resembling that of the Screech Owl... . -“ Of 9 stomachs examined, 1 contained a small bird; 7, mice; and 4 other mammals” (Fisher). 371. Nyctala tengmalmi richardsoni (Bonap.). Ricnarpson’s Ow. .Ad.—Upper parts grayish brown and the head and back spotted with white; tail with four or five imperfect white bars; under parts white, heavily streaked with grayish brown; legs and feet heavily feathered, whitish, barred with grayish brown; eyes yellow. Jm.—Upper parts dark cinnamon-brown, with a few more or less concealed white spots; tail as in the ad.; breast like the back ; belly ochraceous-buff. L., 10°00; W., 6°75; T., 4°40. fange.—Northern North America; south in winter to the northern United States. Nest, in holes in trees or in old nests of other birds (2). Zggs, three to seven, 1°35 x 114. “ Richardson’s Owl is nocturnal in its habits, remaining quiet dur- ing the day in the thick foliage of the trees or bushes. In fact, its vision is apparently so affected by bright light that many specimens have been captured alive by persons walking up and taking them in their hands. On this account the Eskimo in Alaska have given it the name of ‘blind one.’ “The song of this Owl, according to Dr. Merriam (Bull. Nuttall Ornith. Club, vol. vii, 1882, p. 287), is a low, liquid note that resem- bles the sound produced by water slowly dropping from a height” (Fisher). 372. Nyctala acadica (@mel.) Saw-wust Ow; Acapian Owt. Ad.—Upper parts dark cinnamon-brown, the head finely streaked, the back spotted with white ; tail with three or four imperfect white bars; under parts white, heavily streaked with cinnamon-brown or dark rufous; legs and feet 218 OWLS. feathered, buffy white, unbarred; eyes yellow. Jm.—Upper parts as in the ad., but head and back with little or no white; breast like the back ; belly ochraceous-butf. L., 8:00; W., 5°40; T., 2°80; B., *60. Remarks.—Its small size and absence of ears at once distinguish this species from any Owl of eastern North America except J. ¢. richardsoni, from which it may be known by its lighter color, streaked instead of spotted head, and unbarred legs and feet. Range.—North America; breeds from northern New York northward, and migrates southward in winter as far as Virginia. Washington, rare W. V., Oct. to Mch. Sing Sing, rather rare W. V., Oct. 28 to Jan. 13. Cambridge, not uncommon W. V., Nov. to Mch. Nest, in a hole in a tree; frequently a Woodpecker’s, sometimes a Squir- rel’s deserted nest. Zyggs, three to five, 119 x 1:00. “The species is not migratory, but is more or less of an irregular wanderer in its search for food during the fall and winter. It may be quite common in a locality and then not be seen again for several years. It is nocturnal, seldom moving about in the daytime, but pass- ing the time in sleeping in some dark retreat. So soundly does it sleep that oftentimes it may be captured alive... . “During the day it frequents the thick evergreen woods, though sometimes it is found in comparatively open groves, but always in dense trees. . . . “The note of this species is peculiar and has a rasping character, resembling the sound made when a large-toothed saw is being filed ; hence the name. It is more often heard during March and early April, though occasionally it is heard at other times of the year. “The flight resembles that of the Woodcock very closely—so much so, in fact, that the writer once killed a specimen as it was flying over the alders. and not until the dog pointed the dead bird was he aware of his mistake... . “Of 22 stomachs examined, 17 contained mice; 1, a bird; 1, an insect; and 3 were empty ” (Fisher). 373. Megascops asio (Zinn.). Screncu Ow1. Ad., rufous phase.— Size small; ear-tufts conspicuous, about an inch in length; upper parts bright rufous, finely streaked with black; under parts white, the feathers centrally streaked with black and irregularly barred with rufous; toes rather scantily feathered; eyes yellow. Gray phase—Upper parts generally brownish gray, streaked with black and finely mottled with ochraccous-buff; under parts white, finely streaked and more finely and irregularly barred with black, more or less bordered by rufous. Young.—Entire plumage regularly barred with grayish or rufous and white. L., 9:40: W., 6-40; T., 3:09; B., 63. Remarks.—This bird may be known by its small size and ecar-tufts. Its color phases are not dependent upon age, sex, or season, and both phases are sometimes represented in the same brood. Between the two there is a com- plete intergradation. ak OWLS. 219 Range.—Eastern North America, northward to New Brunswick and Min- nesota; generally resident throughout its range. Washington, common P. R. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, com- mon P. R. Nest, generally in a hollow tree. Zggs, four to six, 1°55 x 1:22. The Screech Owl frequently makes its home near our dwellings, and sometimes selects a convenient nook in them in which to lay its eggs. But its favorite retreat is an old apple orchard, where the hollow limbs offer it a secure refuge from the mobs of small birds which are ever ready to attack it. A search in the trees of an orchard of this kind rarely fails to result in the discovery of one or more of these feathered inhabitants who may have resided there for years. They attempt to escape Capture by a show of resistance and w castanetlike cracking of the bill, but when brought from their hiding place sit quietly, dazzled for a moment by the sudden light. They then elongate themselves and almost close their eyes, thus rendering themselves as inconspicuous as possible. How differently they appear when the western sky fades and their day begins! Is any bird more thoroughly awake than a hungry Sereech Owl? With ear-tufts erected and his great, round eyes opened to the utmost, he is the picture of alertness. When night comes one may hear the Screech Owl’s tremulous, wailing whistle. It is a weird, melancholy call, welcomed only by those who love Nature’s voice whatever be the medium through which she speaks. “ Of 255 stomachs examined, 1 contained poultry; 38, other birds ; 91, mice; 11, other mammals; 2, lizards; 4, batrachians; 1, fish; 100, insects; 5, spiders; 9, crawfish; 7, miscellaneous; 2, scorpions; 2, earthworms; and 48 were empty ” (Fisher). 373a. M. a. floridanus (Ridgw.). Forma Screecn Owz.—Much like the preceding, but smaller, with the colors deeper and markings of the under parts heavier. W., 5:95; T., 2°80. Range.—Florida and Gulf coast region to Louisiana. 375. Bubo virginianus (Gmel.). Great Horvep Ow1. Ad.—Size large ; ear-tufts conspicuous, nearly two inches in length ; upper parts mottled with varying shades of ochraceous-buft and black; facial disk ochraceous- buff; ear-tufts black and ochraceous-buff; a white ‘patah on the throat, rest of the under parts ochraceous-buft, barred with black; legs and feet feath- ered; eyes yellow. 4 L., 22°00; W., 15:00; T., 8°50; B., 1°60. Range.—Eastern North Ruentoas nor’ thward to Labrador and southward to Costa Rica; resident throughout its range. Washington, rare P.R. Sing Sing, tolerably common P. R. Cambridge, occasional at all seasons. West, generally in an old Crow’s, Hawk’s, or Squirrel’s nest. Zygs, two to three, 2°20 x 1:80. 920 OWLS. This “tiger among birds” is an inhabitant of heavily forested re- gions, and is common therefore only in the wilder, less settled portions of our country. It is the only one of our resident Owls which destroys poultry and birds in any numbers, but, in spite of its frequent visits to the farmyard, Dr. Fisher considers that in many localities it isa “beneficial species” because of its great fondness for rabbits. Its usual call is a loud, deep-toned wh6d, hoo-hoo-hoo, whi06, whodd. The syllables are all on the same note, and bear some resemblance to a bass-voiced dog barking in the distance. A much rarer call is a loud, piercing scream, one of the most blood- curdling sounds I have ever heard in the woods. “Of 127 stomachs examined, 31 contained poultry or game birds; 8, other birds; 18, mice; 65, other mammals; 1, a scorpion; 1, fish; 10, insects, and 17 were empty ” (Fisher). 375a. B. v. subarcticus (Hoy). Western Horyep Owr.—Similar to the preceding, but much lighter in color, the ochraceous-buff markings largely replaced by gray or white. Range.—Western United States, east casually to Wisconsin and Illinois. 875c. B. v. saturatus Pidgw. Duszsy Hornep Ow1.—Similar to B. virginianus, but much darker, the prevailing color fuscous or dusky. Range.—* From Labrador and Hudson Bay; west through the interior to Alaska, and south probably through all the higher regions of the Rocky and Sierra Nevada Mountains; south to Arizona (San Francisco Mountain)” (Bendire). 376. Nyctea nyctea (Linn.). Snowy Ow. Ad. §-—Size large; no ear-tufts; white, more or less barred with dark grayish brown or fuscous ; legs and feet heavily feathered; eyes yellow. dd. 9.—Similar, but more heavily barred. L., 25°00; W., 17-00; T., 9°50; B., 1°50. Range.—Breeds from Labrador northward and wanders southward in winter regularly to the northern United States and occasionally to Texas. _ Washington, casual W.V. Sing Sing,A.V. Cambridge, rare and irregu- Jar W. V. Nest on the ground. ggs, three to ten, 2°24 x 1°76. “The Snowy Owl is diurnal in its habits, but like most birds is more active in search of prey during the early morning and again toward dusk. Like many of the Hawks, it occupies a commanding perch for hours, watching what is going on about it, occasionally varying the monotony by dropping on a mouse or launching out over the broad country, soon to return to its perch. During its southern wanderings it is very partial to localities in the vicinity of water, especially the barren sand wastes along the seashore or extensive marshy fiats bordering the bays and rivers... . “The flight is firm, smooth, and noiseless, and may be long pro- OWLS. 221 tracted. It is capable of rapid flight, and, according to Audubon, is able to capture Ducks, Pigeons, and even Grouse on the wing, striking them down after the manner of the Duck Hawk. “Of 38 stomachs examined, 2 contained game birds; 9, other birds; 18, mice; 2, other mammals; and 12 were empty” (Fisher). 377. Surnia ulula caparoch (J/ill.). Asertcan Hawk Owt. Ad.—Size medium, no ear-tufts ; upper parts dark grayish brown or fuscous ; -head and hind neck spotted with white; back, and especially tertials, barred with white; tail with broken whitish bars, long and rounded, the outer feathers more than an inch shorter than the middle ones; middle of the throat with a fuscous spot and below it a white one; sides of the neck and upper breast streaked with fuscous, rest of the under parts barred with fuscous and white; legs and feet fully feathered. L., 15-00; W., 8°75; T., 7°25. Range.—Breeds from Newfoundland northward, and occasionally wanders southward in winter as far as Pennsylvania. Jest, in coniferous trees or in the holes of dead trees or stubs. Zggs, three to seven, 1°50 x 1°23. “The Hawk Owl is strictly diurnal, as much so as any of the Hawks, and like some of them often selects a tall stub or dead-topped tree in a comparatively open place for a perch, where it sits in the bright sunlight watching for its prey. “ Although the flight is swift and hawklike. it has nevertheless the soft, noiseless character common to the other Owls; when starting from any high place, such as the top of a tree, it usually pitches down nearly to the ground, and flies off rapidly above the tops of the bushes or high grass, abruptly arising again as it seeks another perch. “The note is a shrill cry, which is uttered generally while the bird is on the wing ” (Fisher). 378a. Speotyto cunicularia floridana Ridgw. Froriwa Brr- rowine Ow. Ad.—Size small; no ear-tufts; legs and feet nearly naked ; upper parts grayish brown, spotted and barred with white; throat white, rest of the under parts barred with grayish brown and white in about equal amounts. L., 9:00; W., 6:50; T., 3°00; Tar., 1°75. Range.—Southern Florida, chiefly in the Kissimmee “ prairie” region of Osceola, Polk, and De Soto Counties, and also Manatee County. Vest, in a hole in the ground excavated by the bird. £yqs, five to seven, 1:23 x 1:08. This diurnal Owl is locally abundant in its restricted range. Ex- cellent accounts of its habits will be found under the following refer- ences: Rhoads, Auk, ix, 1892, pp. 1-8; Scott, ibid., 216-218; Bendire, Life Histories North American Birds, pp. 400-402. The Burrowine Own (878. Speotyto cunicularia hypogewa), well known in our Western States, has been taken once in Massachusetts. 229 PAROQUETS. ORDER PSITTACI. PARROTS, MACAWS, PAROQUETS, ETC. FWamity PsiIrracip&. PARROTS AND PAROQUETS. The order Psittact is divided into six families containing in all about five hundred species. The American species, some one hundred and fifty in number, are included in the present family. Only one species inhabits the United States, and it is not found south of our boundaries, Parrots and Paroquets—the dividing line between the two can not be sharply drawn—are forest-inhabiting, fruit- and seed- eating birds. They are poor walkers, good climbers, and strong fliers, making extended flights in search of food. Their voices in Nature are harsh and discordant; nevertheless, almost all the species possess the power of speech. Some, however, rarely learn to talk, while others invariably do. The red-tailed, gray African Parrot (Psittacus erytha- cus) takes first rank for ability in this direction, while the Mexican Double Yellow-head (Amazona levailianti) is usually accorded second place. 382. Conurus carolinensis (Zinn.). Carorina Paroguer. (See Fig. 34.) -4d.—Head and neck all around yellow; forehead and cheeks deep orange ; bend of the wing and tibie orange; rest of the plumage bright green ; the inner vanes of the wing-feathers fuscous ; the under surface of the tail yel- lowish. Jm.—Similar, but the head and neck green like the back; forehead and region in front of the eye orange; tibie and bend of the wing without orange. L., 12°50; W., 7°40; T., 6°50. Range.—Formerly eastern United States north to Maryland, the Great Lakes, and Iowa; west to Colorado, the Indian Territory, and eastern Texas; now restricted to a few localities in the wilder parts of Indian Territory and Florida. (On the extermination of the Paroquet, see Hasbrouck, Auk, viii, 1891, pp. 369-379, with map; and Butler, ibid., ix, 1892, pp. 49-56.) Nest, said to be in a hollow cypress or sycamore tree, but no exact, de- tailed account of the nidification of this species has been published. Zqs, two, white, 1:44 x 1:12. The complete extermination of the Paroquet throughout the greater part of its range is due chiefly to four causes: first, it was destructive to fruit orchards, and for this reason was killed by agriculturists; second, it has been trapped and bagged in enormous numbers by pro- fessional bird-catchers; third, it has been killed in myriads for its plumage; and, fourth, it has been wantonly slaughtered by so-called sportsmen. In short, in the present century the Paroquet has always disappeared soon after its haunts were invaded by civilized man. I made three visits to Florida before learning of a locality where Paroquets could be found. Finally, in March, 1889, while collecting PAROQUETS. 223 in eastern Florida, information was received of their presence near the head waters of the Sebastian River, a small stream flowing into the Indian River near Micco, and I at once started for this locality. The following notes made on this trip are from the Abstract of the Pro- ceedings of the Linnzan Society of New York city, No. 2, 1890, pp. 5, 6. Since they were written the Paroquet has been found to be a locally common bird in the unsettled parts of Brevard, Osceola, Polk, De Soto, and Dade Counties. Late on the afternoon of our arrival we started a flock of seven Paroquets from a productive patch of the thistles (Cirsium lecontet) which proved to be their favorite food. Evidently their meal was finished and they were ready to retire, for they darted like startled Doves through the pines, twisting and turning in every direction, and flying with such rapidity they were soon lost to view, the ring of their sharp, rolling call alone furnishing proof it was not all a vision. Two days passed before I again met Conurus, and this time to better ad- vantage. It was a wet and drizzling morning when we found a flock of six birds feeding on thistles at the edge of a “prairie.” Perched on the leafless branches of the tree before us, their brilliant green plum- age showed to the best advantage. Several were skillfully dissecting the thistles they held in their feet, biting out the milky seed while the released fluffy down floated away beneath them. There was a sound of suppressed conversation ; half-articulate calls. We were only par- tially concealed behind a neighboring tree, still they showed no great alarm at our presence; curiosity was apparently the dominant feeling. One of the three birds which fell at our fire was but slightly wounded, a single shot passing through the elbow, and his loud outcries soon recalled his companions—a habit which has cost thousands of them their lives, and in part, at least, accounts for the rapidity of their ex- termination—and one alone of this flock escaped. There was evident regularity in the habits of the birds we after- ward observed—in all about fifty, in flocks of from six to twenty. At an early hour they left their roost in the “hummock” bordering the river and passed out into the pines to feed, always, so far as I ob- served, selecting thistle patches, and eating the seeds only when in the ‘milky stage. At about ten o’clock they returned to the “hummock” and apparently to some favorite tree, here to pass the rest of the morn- ing and early afternoon, when they again started out to feed, return- ing to the roost just before sunset. A flock of these birds feeding among the thistles is a most beautiful and animated sight; one is almost persuaded not to disturb them. There is constant movement as they fly from plant to plant, or, when securing thistles, they fly with them in their bills to a neighboring tree, there to dissect them at their 904 CUCKOOS. leisure. The loud rolling call was apparently uttered only when on the wing, but when at rest, or feeding, there was a low conversational murmur of half-articulate, querulous notes and calls. Of their roosting habits I can say little or nothing. Late one morning (March 15th) we found a flock of eight birds resting on a tall, dead cypress near the center of the “hummock” on the river’s bank. On a previous expedition my guide had observed them in this same tree, which was evidently a favorite midday haunt, and it is not impos- sible they may have roosted in the hole we discovered near its top. ORDER COCCYGES. CUCKOOS, KINGFISHERS, ETC. Famity CucuLip#. CucKkoos, ANIs, Etc. Only thirty-five of the some one hundred and seventy-five known species of Cuckoos are found in the New World, and they are largely confined to the tropics. Cuckoos as a rule are rather solitary birds inhabiting wooded areas. The Anis, however, are always gregarious and live in open places. Their flight is weak, generally from tree to tree, and their feet are largely used as a means of progression. Some species hop, others walk, and one is celebrated for his speed asa runner. They are pos- sessed of peculiar vocal powers, and their strange calls are frequently the origin of their popular names. Many species are remarkable for the irregularity of their breeding habits. The Old-World Cuckoo (Cu- culus canorus), like our Cowbird, deposits its eggs in the nests of other birds, and leaves to them the duties of incubation and rearing of the young. The Anis are communistic, and build but one nest, in which several females lay and share the task of incubation. The smaller species are insectivorous, but the larger ones add small reptiles and batrachians to their fare. 386. Coccyzus minor (@mel.). Manerovr Cuckoo. Ad.—Upper parts brownish gray, grayer on the head, with glossy reflections ; wings and middle pair of tail-feathers like the back; outer tail-feathers black, broadly tipped with white; ear-coverts black, bill black, the lower mandible yellow except at the tip; under parts ochraceous-buff. L., 12:50; W., 5-40; T., 6°50; B. from N., 80. Range.—Greater Antilles, west coast of Central America, northward to coast of Gulf States (?); west coast of Florida. Nest, a platform of sticks, in low trees and bushes. Zggs, three to four greenish blue. This bird is apparently a rare summer resident on the Gulf coast of Florida, but its relationships in this region to the following race are not known. CUCKOOS. 225 386a. C. m. maynardi (Fidgw.). Maynarp’s Cuckoo.—NSimilar to the preceding, but with a slightly sinaller bill and much paler under parts, the throat and breast being grayish white, very faintly washed with ochra~ ceous, which becomes stronger on the belly. B. from N., ‘75. dtange.—Bahamas and Florida Keys. This bird is a regular summer resident in the Florida Keys and probably adjoining Atlantic mainland (see Scott, Auk, vi, 1889, p. 250). 387. Coccyzus americanus (Linn.). YeLiow-nittep CucKoo. (See Fig. 36.) dd.—Upper parts brownish gray with slight greenish gloss; most of the wing-feathers rufous, except at the tip; outer tail-feathers black, conspicuously tipped with white, which ex- tends down the outer vane of the outer feather; under parts dull whitish; dill Fra. 73.—-Tail-feathers of Yellow-billed Cuckoo. black, the lower man- ; dible yellow, except at the tip. L., 12:20; W., 5°70; T., 6:20; B. from N., -76, Remarks—This species bears a general resemblance to the Black-billed Cuckoo, but may always be known from that species by its yellow lower mandible, rufous wing-feathers, and black, white-tipped tail-feathers. Range.—North America; breeds from Florida to New Brunswick, and winters in Central and South America. Washington, common 8. R., May 2 to Oct. 15. Sing Sing, common §. R., May 4 to Oct. 31. Cambridge, common §. R., May 12 to Aug. Nest, a platform of small sticks, with a few grasses or catkins, generally in low trees or vine-covered bushes, four to ten feet from the ground. Zgge, three to five, pale greenish blue, 1:22 x -92. A long. slim, dovelike bird slips noiselessly by and disappears in the depths of a neighboring tree. If you can mark his position you will find him perched motionless, and apparently slightly dazed. After a moment he recovers and begins to hop about the tree in an active search for his favorite fare of caterpillars. He is especially fond of the kind which make nests in trees, commonly known as “tent cater- pillars,” and if you examine the conspicuous homes of these pests you will frequently find them punctured with many holes made by the Cuckoo’s bill. A Cuckoo I shot at six o’clock one September morning had the partially digested remains of forty-three of these caterpillars in his stomach. The notes of the Cuckoo are strikingly characteristic, and while subject to much variation may be fairly represented by the syllables tut-tut, tut-tut, tut-tut, tut-tut, cl-uck-cl-uck-cl-uck, cl-uck-cl-uck, el-uck, cow, cow, cow, cow, cow, cow. It is not usual, however, to hear the whole song given at once. 16 926 KINGFISHERS. 388. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus (Wils.). Biack-BILLep Ccexoo. .dd.—Upper parts grayish brown with a slight green gloss; wings and tail the same, the latter narrowly tipped with white; under S = SS S \ a $ parts dull white; bill OE ==. black. L., 11°83; W., Fic, 74.—Tail-feathers of Black-billed Cuckoo. 550; T., 6°26; B. from N,, Th Remarks,—This species is to be distinguished from the Yellow-billed Cuckoo chiefly by the absence of rufous in the wings, black in the tail, and yellow in the lower mandible. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds as far north as Labrador, and winters in Central and South America. Washington, rather rare 8. R., May 2 to Oct. 15. Sing Sing, common 8. R., May 8 to Oct. 7. Cambridge, common 8. R., May 15 to Sept. 20. Nest, similar to that of the preceding, but more compactly built; location the same. £yys, two to five, greenish blue, of a deeper shade than those of the preceding species, 1-14 x °85. This species resembles the preceding in habits. The two birds may be distinguished in life by the differences in the color of their bills and tails. Mr, William Brewster has called my attention to an easily rec- ognizable difference in their calls. The present species has a much softer voice, and the cow, cow notes are connected. The Ant (883. Crotophega ani), a common species in the Bahamas and Greater Antilles, is of accidental occurrence in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Louisiana. Its plumage is black with bluish reflections, the tail is rounded, the bill high and thin, the depth at the nostril equaling or exceeding the distance from the nostril to the tip of the bill. FaMILy ALCEDINIDA. KINGFISHERS. Kingfishers are most numerous in the Malay Archipelago, and the majority of the one hundred and eighty known species are found there. Only eight are American, and seven of these are confined to the tropics. They are solitary birds of somewhat local habit. All the American species are, as their name implies, fish-eaters, and are rarely found far from the water. Some of the Old-World species, however, are forest- inhabiting and feed on small insects, mollusks, ete. 390. Ceryle aleyon (Zinn.). Betrep Krxerisuer. (See Fig. 35.) ald. 6 —Upper parts bluish gray ; wings with small white spots, most of the feathers tipped with white, the inner web of the primaries white at the base; tail-feathers with numerous spots and broken bands of white; a white spot before the eye; throat white, this color passing on to the sides of the neck and nearly meeting on the back of the neck; a band across the breast, and WOODPECKERS. 927% the sides bluish gray—in immature specimens tinged with rufous—lower breast and belly white. Ad. ¢.—Similar to the male, but the sides and a band on the belly rufous. L., 13:02; W., 6°17; T., 8°60; B., 2:00. Range.—North America; breeds from Florida to Labrador, and winters from Virginia to South America. Washington, common P. R. Sing Sing, common 8. R., Apl. 1 to Nov. 23; casual in winter. Cambridge, common 8. R., Apl. 10 to Oct. Nest, in a hole in a bank, about six feet from the entrance. Zgqs, five to eight, white, 134 x 1:05. The shores of wooded streams or ponds are the chosen haunts of the Kingfisher. Silently he perches on some limb overhanging the water, ever on the alert for food or foe. Paddle toward him as quietly as you please, just as you reach his danger line he drops from his perch and with loud, rattling call flies on ahead. This may be re- peated several times, until finally the limits of his wanderings are reached, when he makes a wide detour and returns to the starting point. The Kingfisher hunts after the manner of the Fish Hawk. In passing over the water it needs only the glint of a shining fin or scale just beneath the surface to catch his watchful eye. On quickly mov- ing wings he hovers over the place, waiting only a fair chance to plunge on the unsuspecting fish below. Emerging from the water with his prey in his bill, he shakes the spray from his plumage, and, with an exultant rattle, flies away to some favorite perch. ORDER PICI. WOODPECKERS, WRYNECKS, ETC. Famity Pictib&. "WoOoDPECKERS. Woodpeckers occur in all wooded parts of the world except in the Australian region and Madagascar. About three hundred and fifty species are known, of which nearly one half are confined to the New World. Some twenty-five of this number are found in North America. Woodpeckers are_rather soli irds are sometimes found associated in scattered companies during their migrations, Above all other birds they are especially adapted to creep or climb. The peculiar structure of the foot, with its two toes directed for- ward and two backward (except in one genus), assists them in cling- ing to an upright surface, while the pointed, stiffened tail-feathers serve as a prop when the bird is resting. The stout, chisel-like bill is used to cut away wood and expose the hiding places of grubs, etc., when the long, distensible tongue with its horny, spearlike tip is thrust in, the food impaled and drawn out. The vocal powers of Woodpeckers are limited, and the bill is also used to beat the long, rolling call which is their love-song. The eggs of Woodpeckers are 228 WOODPECKERS. uniformly white, and are placed in a hole, generally in a dead tree or limb, hollowed out by the bird. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. No red on the head or nape. A. Entire under parts black. a. Wing about 10:00, bill ivory-white. 392. IvoRY-BILLED WooDPECKER °. B. Under parts white, without black spots or streaks. u. Wing under 4°00; outer tail-feathers barred with black. 394. Downy WoopreEckER 9. b. Wing over 4:00; outer tail-feathers white, without black bars. 393. Harry Wooprecker ¢. 893. SourHERN Harry WoopPEckER 9. C. Under parts with black spots, bars, or streaks. a. Back entirely black . . 400. Arctic Turez-rorp WoopprEckeEr. 6. Back black and white. 61, Outer tail-feathers entirely white, crown yellow or spotted with white... - . . . 401. Am. THREE-TOED WoopreckeER. 62. Outer tail- feathers barred with black, no black patch on the breast, ear-coverts white . 895. Rep-cockapED WooprrckER ¢. 68. Outer tail-feathers black, with generally a narrow white margin ; rump white. . . . . 406. ReEp-HEADED WooppeckeER 9. b4, Outer tail- feathers black and white, a large black patch on the breast . . . . . 402, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER 2. II. Whole top of the heed Hed A. Throat red. u. Primaries spotted with white, belly yellowish. 402, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER 6. 6. Primaries black, rump and belly white. 406. Rep-HEADED WooprEcxkER 3. B. Throat white. a. Breast and belly black . . . . 405. Pirgatep Woopprcker ¢. b. Breast black or blackish, sides streaked, belly yellowish white. 402, YELLOW-BELLIED SapPsucKER 9. c Under parts tinged with red, without streaks or spots. 409. Rep-BELLIED WoopPECKER 6. jII. Crown black, brown, or gray, a red band across the nape, a red crest on the back of the head, or small patches of red on either side of tho nape. A, Under parts black, wing over 8-00. a, Billivory-white . . . . . 892. Ivory-BILLED WooprEckER. é. d. Billblackish . . . . . . . . 405. Prrgarep Wooprecker 9. B. Under parts more or less spotted or streaked with black. a. A black patch on the breast, throat brown, rump white. ; 412. FLIcKER, b. Head black, ear-coverts white, » few red feathers on either side of the nape. . . . . . . . 895. ReEp-cockADED WooppPECKER é. Hairy WoopreEcker. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. WOODPECKERS. 229 C. Under parts white, or whitish without black streaks or spots. a, Crown gray, a reddish tinge on the belly. 409. Rep-BELLIED WoODPECKER 9°. 6. Crown black. 61, Outer tail-feathers barred with black. 894.. Downy Wooprecker 6. 02, Outer tail-feathers white. . . . 893. Ilamy Woopprcker 6. 8936. SournerN Hairy Wooprecker 6. 392. Campephilus principalis (Linn.). Ivory-z11Lep Woov- pecker. Ad. 6.—Upper parts shining black, a large scarlet crest; a white stripe begins below the eye and, passing down the side of the neck, meets its fellow in the middle of the back; ends of the inner primaries and the end half or two thirds of the secondaries white; outer tail-feathers very short, the central ones elongated and much stiffened; bristles over the nostrils white; bill ivory-white; under parts shining black. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but with the crest black. L., 20:00; W., 10:00; T., 6°50; B., 2°75. Range. Formerly South Atlantic and Gulf States, from North Carolina to Texas; north in the Mississippi Valley to Missoun, southern Ilinois, and southern Indiana. Now restricted to the Gulf States and the lower Mississippi Valley, where only locally distributed” (A. O. U.). (See Hasbrouck, Auk, viii, 1891, pp. 174-186, with map.) Nest, in the higher part of a tree. ygs, ‘1:31 x 86” (Ridgw.). (Sec also Maurice Thompson’s A Red-headed Family.) The home of this magnificent Woodpecker is in the almost limit- less cypress forests of our southern coasts and river valleys. Hven there it is common in but few localities. In Florida it is found chiefly in the western part of the peninsula, and doubtless occurs in greatest numbers in the region between the Suwanee River and the Gulf. The Ivory-bill is a wild, shy bird. It does not remain long in one place, and during the day ranges over an extended territory. Its call is a high, rather nasal, yap, yap-yap, sounding in the distance like the note of a penny trumpet. 393. Dryobates villosus (Zinn.). Harry Wooprrcxer. (See Fig. 37, a.) Ad. 6.—Upper parts black; a scarlet band on the nape; middle of the back white; wing-feathers and their coverts spotted with white; middle tail-feathers black, the outer ones white; a white stripe above and another below the eye; under parts white. dd. ¢.—Similar, but without scarlet on the back of the neck. L., 940; W., 478; T., 3:30; B., 1:22. Range.—Eastern United States, from the northern border south to North Carolina. Washington, rare P. R. Sing Sing, rare P. R. Cambridge, uncommon Ww. V. Nest, generally in a dead tree. Zyge, four to six, 95 x “75. This species resembles the Downy Woodpecker in habits, but is less frequently observed out of the woods. Its notes are noticeably louder 230 WOODPECKERS, than the Downy’s, and when one is familiar with both there is no diffi- culty in distinguishing the two by their voices. In speaking of the difference which exists between the rolling tattoo of some Woodpeckers Mr. Brewster says: “Thus, P. pubescens has a long, unbroken roll, P. vidlosus a shorter and louder one with a greater interval between each stroke; while S. varius, commencing with a short roll, ends very emphatically with five or six distinct disconnected taps. In this latter species I am convinced it is literally a call of recognition, as I have repeatedly seen the bird, after producing it, listen a moment when it would be answered from a distance, and its mate would shortly appear and join it” (Ann. Lye. Nat, Hist., xi, 1875, p. 144). 393b. D. v. audubonii (Swains.). Sovruern Harry WoopprcreEr. —Siilar to the preceding, but smaller, and with somewhat less white in the plumage. L., 810; W., 4°50; T., 2°80; B., 1:15. Range.South Atlantic and Gulf States north to South Carolina. This is simply a small southern race of the preceding species. It resembles the northern form in habits, but is much more common, be- ing nearly as numerous as the Downy Woodpecker. In the northwestern United States and adjoining British provinces the Hairy Woodpecker reaches its maximum size, and is known as the Northern Hairy Woodpecker (D. v. leucomelas), « form which may occur within our limits. 394. Dryobates pubescens (Zinz.). Downy Wooprrcxer. Ad. $.—Upper parts black, a scarlet band on the nape; middle of the back white; wing-feathers and their coverts spotted with white; middle tail- feathers black, the outer ones white, barred with black ; a white stripe above and another below the eye; under parts white. 4d. 9.—Similar, but with- out scarlet on the nape. L., 6:83; W., 8-70; T., 2°53; B., 68. Remarks.—The Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers differ in coloration only in the markings of the outer tail-feathers, which are white, barred with black in the former, and white without bars in the latter; the difference in size be- tween the two, however, is always diagnostic. Range.—Eastern North America, from Labrador to Florida; resident throughout its range. Washington, common P.R. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, com- mon P. R. Nest, generally in a dead tree. Zgqs, four to six, “75 x °60. Woodland, orchards, and the shade trees of lawns are alike fre- quented by this, the smallest and most familiar of our Woodpeckers. Sometimes he tells of his presence by an industrious tap, tap—tapping as he patiently digs out the grubs and larve which form his bill of fare. Again he hails us with a businesslike peck, peek—a note closely resembling the sound produced by a marble quarrier’s chisel, and which WOODPECKERS. 231 sometimes is prolonged into a rattling call. Like other Woodpeckers, in the spring he beats a rolling tattoo on a resonant limb, sounding a reveille which is a credit to so small a drummer. The Downy is a sociable Woodpecker, and when the gay summer visitors have returned to their southern homes and the wind whistles drearily through the leafless trees, he joins the Chickadees and Nut- hatches, and during the winter they are inseparable companions. Per- haps they share with him the snug quarters in some old trunk which he has hollowed out for a winter home. 395. Dryobates borealis (Jiecill.). Rep-cocxaprp WooppEckER. Ad. 6.—Crown black, a small tuft of searlet feathers on either side of the back of the head; back barred with black and white; wings spotted with black and white; middle tail-feathers black, outer ones with broken black bars; ear region white, separated from the white throat by a black stripe running from the bill to the shoulder; sides and under tail-coverts spotted and streaked with black; rest of the under parts white. 4d. ¢.—Similar, but without scarlet on the head. L., 8°40; W., 4°65; T., 3:10: B., -80. Range.—Southern United States, westward to Indian Territory, and north- ward to Tennessee and Virginia. Nest, in the higher part of a pine tree. Zgqs, four to six, ‘91 x *68. This species is a common inhabitant cf the “piny woods.” It pre- fers the higher branches of the trees, and frequently hangs head down- ward while feeding on a cone at the extremity of a branch. Its call- note suggests the yank, yank, of the White-bellied Nuthatch, but is louder, hoarser, and not so distinctly enunciated. 400. Picoides arcticus (Swains.). Arcric THREE-rorp Woop- pecker. (See Fig. 87,b.) Ad. 6.—Toes three, two in front; middle of the crown with a bright orange-yellow patch; rest of the upper parts shining black » wing-feathers spotted with white; middle tail-feathers black, outer ones white, except at the base; a white line from the nostril passes below the ° eye; sides barred with black and white; rest of the under parts,white. Ad. 9.—Similar, but without orange-yellow on the crown. L., 9°50; W., 5:10; T., 3-40; B. from N., -98. Range.—Northern North America, south to the northern United States. Nest, within ten feet of the ground. £gqs, four to six, 1:05 x “78. “Tt is a restless, active bird, spending its time generally on the topmost branches of the tallest trees, without, however, confining itself to pines. Although it can not be called shy, its habitual restlessness renders it difficult of approach. Its movements resemble those of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, but it is still more petulant than that bird. . . . Its cries also somewhat resemble those of the species above mentioned, but are louder and more shrill, like those of some small quadruped suffering great pain... “Its flight is rapid, gliding, and deeply undulating. . . . Now and 232 WOODPECKERS. then it will fly from a detached tree of a field to a considerable dis- tance before it alights, emitting at every glide a loud, shrill note” (Audubon). 401. Picoides americanus Breim. American TurEE-ToED Woop- PECKER. Ad. 6.—'oes three, two in front; head spotted with white and with an orange-yellow patch on the crown; back barred with black and white ; wing-feathers spotted with black and white; middle tail-feathers black, outer ones black and white; region below the eye mixed black and white; sides more or less barred with black and white; rest of the under parts white. Ad.¢.—Similar, but crown spotted with black and white, and with- out yellow. L., 875; W., 455; T.,3:10; B. from N,, -95. Range.—Northern North America, south to the northern United States. Nest, in the lower part of a tree. Zygs, white, ‘92 x ‘70 (Merriam, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club., iii, 1878, p. 200). “Tt is said to greatly resemble P. villosus in habits, except that it seeks its food principally upon decaying trees of the pine tribe, in which it frequently makes holes large enough to bury itself. It is not migratory ” (B., B., and R.). 402. Sphyrapicus varius (Zinn.). YELLow-BELLIED SaPsucKER. Ad, 6 —Crown deep scarlet, back irregularly barred with black and yellow- ish white; wing-feathers spotted with white, their coverts mostly white ; tail black, the middle feathers with broken black bars, the outer ones with white margins ; a white line from the bill passes below the eye; throat car- dinal; breast black; sides streaked with black; belly pale yellow. Ad. ¢.— ‘Similar, but throat white; crown sometimes black; outer tail-feathers with broken white bars. Jm.—Similar to ads., but with the crown dull blackish, the breast brownish gray barred with black, the throat whitish. L., 8:56; W., 4:87; T., 3°20; B., 92. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from Massachusetts northward, _and winters from Virginia to Central America, Washington, common T. V.,Mch. and Apl.; Oct., occasional in winter. Sing Sing, common T. V., Apl. 5 to May 18; Sept. 18 to Oct. 23; casual in winter. Cambridge, not uncommon T. V., Apl. and Oct. Nest, about forty feet from the ground. Zs, five to seven, ‘87 x ‘67. As migrants, Sapsuckers are rather inconspicuous. They frequent living trees, where they are concealed by the foliage and their weak call-note is not likely to attract attention. On reaching their summer homes in the spring their character changes, and Dr. Merriam speaks of them as “noisy, rollicking fel- lows; they are always chasing one another among the trees, screaming meanwhile at the tops of their voices” (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, iv, 1879, p. 2). Mr. Brewster describes the note of the adults at this season as “a clear, ringing clewr, repeated five or six times in succession”; while young and old utter “a low, snarling cry that bears no very dis- WOODPECKERS. 233 tant resemblance to the mew of the Catbird” (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, i, 1876, p. 69). The Sapsucker feeds largely on the juices of trees, which it obtains by perforating the bark. (See Bolles, Auk, viii, 1891, p. 256; ix, 1892, p. 110.) 405. Ceophloeus pileatus (Zinn.). Puzarep Wooprecnsrr. Ad. 8. —Upper parts blackish fuscous; whole top of the head scarlet, the feathers lengthened to form a crest; a narrow white stripe bordering this crest sepa- rates it from the fuscous ear-coverts; a stripe beginning at the nostril and passing down the sides of the neck to the shoulders is tinged with yellow before the eye and is white back of the eye; it is separated from the white throat by a scarlet stripe at the base of the lower mandible; basal half of the wing-feathers white; under parts fuscous, the feathers sometimes lightly margined with white; bill horn-color. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but without red on the fore part of the crown or at the base of the lower mandible. L., 17:00; W., 8:90; T., 6°20; B., 1:85. Range.— Formerly whole wooded region of North America; now rare or extirpated in the more thickly settled parts of the Eastern States.” Washington, rare P. R. Nest, twenty-five to eighty feet from the ground. Zggs, four to six, 1°30 x 94, This species is common only in the wilder parts of its range. In the hummocks and cypress swamps of Florida it occurs in numbers. There, contrary to the experience of Audubon, I found it by no means a wild bird. Indeed, Flickers were more difficult to approach. On the Suwanee River, in March, I have called these birds to me by sim- ply clapping my slightly closed palms, making a sound in imitation of their tapping on a resonant limb. The flight of this species is rather slow, but usually direct, not undulating, as in most Woodpeckers. When under way the white markings of the wings show conspicuously. ‘Their usual call-note is a sonorous cow-cow-cow, repeated rather slowly many times, suggesting a somewhat similar call of the Flicker’s. Like the Flicker, they have also a wichew note uttered when two birds come together. 406. Melanerpes erythrocephalus (Linn.). Rep-nEavEp Woop- peckER, Ad.—Head, neck, throat, and upper breast deep red; upper back, primaries, bases of the secondaries, and wing-coverts bluish black; end half of the secondaries, rump, and upper tail-coverts white; tail black, the feath- ers more or less tipped or margined with white; lower breast and belly white, the middle of the latter generally tinged with reddish. /m.—Red head and neck of the adult replaced by mixed grayish brown and fuscous; upper back bluish black, barred with ashy; primaries and wing-coverts black; end half of the secondaries irregularly barred with black ; tail black, generally tipped with white; lower breast and belly white, more or less streaked or spotted with fuscous. L., 9°75; W., 5°52; T., 3:30; B., 117. 234 WOODPECKERS. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from Florida to northem New York and Manitoba; winters from Virginia, and occasionally from northern New York southward. Washington, rather common S. R., rare W. V, Sing Sing, rare P. R., common in fall, Aug. 27 to Uct. 12. Cambridge, irregular at all seasons; sometimes common in fall. West, generally in a dead tree. Eggs, four to six, 1:00 x °75. Give a bird an abundance of its favorite food, and its movements no longer seem to be governed by the calendar. Red-headed Wood- peckers were supposed to migrate southward in the fall and pass the winter south of Maryland until Dr. Merriam, in his interesting ac- count* of the habits of this species, told us that in Lewis County, northern New York, their abundance in winter was in no way affected by the severity of the weather, ut was entirely dependent upon the success of the crop of beechnuts which constitute their food. Indeed, few birds seem better able to adapt themselves to their surroundings. They change their fare and habits with the season, and to the accomplishments of Woodpeckers add those of Flycatchers and fruit-eaters. We should expect, therefore, to find them very gen- erally distributed, but in the Northern States they show an evident choice for certain localities, and may be wanting over wide stretches of intervening territory. They are noisy, active birds, and their loud, rolling, tree-toadlike call, ker-r-ruck, ker-r-ruck, and bright colors combine to render them conspicuous. When on the wing the white secondaries of both adult and immature birds make a striking field mark. 409. Melanerpes carolinus (Linn.). Rev-settrep WoopreckeEr. Ad. §.—Whole top of the head and back of the neck bright scarlet; back regularly barred with black and white; primaries black at the end, white, irregularly barred with black, at the base ; secondaries black, regularly spotted and barred with white; upper tail-coverts white, with streaks or arrowheads of black ; outer tail-feathers and inner vanes of the middle ones irregulerly marked with broken black and white bars; cheeks and under parts dull ashy white, the region about the base of' the bill, the middle of the belly, and some- times the breast more or less tinged with red. Ad. ¢ —Similar, but with the crown grayish ashy, the scarlet confined to the nape and nostrils. Jm.—Simi- lar, but with the belly sometimes tinged with butfy instead of red. L., 9°50; W., 5:00; T., 340; B., 110. Range.—Kastern United States, breeding from Florida to Maryland, and in the interior to Ontario and southern Dakota; occasionally strays to Massa- chusetts; winters from Virginia and southern Ohio southward. Washington, locally common P, R. Cambridge, A. V., one record. Nest, in trees, about twenty feet from the ground. Zyggs, four to six, 1:05 x “75. * Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, iii, 1878, pp. 123-128. WOODPECKERS. 235 This is a common bird in our Southern States. It inhabits alike coniferous and deciduous growths, but prefers the latter. It ascends a tree in a curious, jerky fashion, accompanying each upward move by a hoarse chith-chith. 412. Colaptes auratus (Linn.). Fricker; Hicu-woLre; Cuape: YELLOW-HAMMER; GOLDEN-WINGED WooprreckER. Ad. 6.—Top of the head ' ashy gray, a bright scarlet band across the back of the neck; back, wing- coverts, and exposed part of secondaries brownish gray, barred with black ; rump white; primaries black externally, the inner surface of the wing and the shafts of the feathers yellow; upper tail-coverts barred or streaked with black and white; tail black above, yellow tipped with black below, the outer edges of the feathers slightly margined or barred with white; sides of the head, throat, and upper breast vinaceous; a broad black stripe on either side of the throat from the base of the bill, and a broad black crescent across the breast; rest of the under parts white, more or less tinged with vinaceous, and thickly spotted with black. dd. ¢.—Similar, but without the black streaks on the side of the throat. L., 12:00; W., 6:00; T., 4:00; B., 1:40. Lemarks Exceptional specimens have a few red feathers in the throat stripes. A male from Louisiana has this mark entirely red and the head gray- ish brown, while another specimen from Toronto has half the tail orange-red. These unusual markings are supposed to be due to hybridization of our Flicker with the western or Red-shafted Flicker, which resembles the eastern species in pattern of coloration, but has the crown brownish gray or grayish brown, the throat stripes scarlet, the throat and breast gray, the under surface of wings and tail dull red, and lacks the red nuchal band. (See an important paper on the relationships of these birds by Dr. J. A. Allen, in the Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., iv, 1892, pp. 21-44). Range—North America, west to the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains and Alaska; breeds throughout its range, and winters from Illinois and Massa- chusetts southward. Washingtoa, common 8. R., rare W. V. Sing Sing, common S. R., Mch. 25 to Oct. 80; a few winter. Cambridge, very common 8. R., common W. V. Nest, in trees, about ten feet from the ground, frequently in orchards. £998, five to nine, 1:10 x -86. The habits, notes, and colors of this well-known bird are reflected in the popular names which have been applied to it throughout its wide range. No less than thirty-six of these aliases have been re- corded, and many have doubtless escaped the compiler. The Flicker is a bird of character. Although a Woodpecker, he is too original to follow in the footsteps of others of his tribe. They do not frequent the ground, but that is no reason why he should not humor his own terrestrial propensities, and we may therefore fre- quently flush him from the earth, when, with a low chuckle, he goes bounding off through the air, his white rump showing conspicuously us he flies. 936 NIGHTHAWKS, WHIP-POOR-WILLS, ETC. The Flicker, like other Woodpeckers, beats a rolling tattoo in the spring, but his vocal song proper is a rapidly-repeated, mellow ctth- ctth-cith-ctth-cith, etc., as springlike a sound as the peeping of frogs. His usual note is a vigorous, nasal kée-yer. It recalls frosty fall morn- ings when the High-holes are gathering to feed on the woodbine and pepperidge berries. Approaching their feeding grounds, one may hear the “Flicker” note. It can be closely imitated by the swishing of a willow wand: weéchew, weéchew, weéchew. I never remember hearing a bird utter this note when alone. It is accompanied by the oddest gestures, as with tails stiffly spread the birds bob and bow to each other, ORDER MACROCHIRES. GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, HUMMINGBIRDS, ETC. FAMILY CAPRIMULGIDA. NIGHTHAWKS, WHIP-POOR-WILLS, ETC. Goatsuckers are found in most parts of the world, but are more numerously represented in the tropics. Some eighty-five species are known, of which about one half are American, though only seven reach North America. Most of the American species are forest-inhab- iting, passing the day upon the leaves or perched lengthwise upon the branches of trees, where their dull, blended colors harmonize with their surroundings. The Nighthawks, however, are equally at home in treeless countries. Nighthawks feed high in the air, like Swifts, while other species frequent the borders of forests or clearings, where they feed nearer the ground. All the species capture their food of insects on the wing, their enormous mouths and the long, stiffened bristles, which in some species beset its base, especially adapting them to this mode of feeding. Many of the species are possessed of remark- able vocal powers, and their cries are among the most striking of bird notes, KEY TO THE SPECIES. A. A white spot in the wing. 420. NicuTHawk. 420c. Fioripa NigHTHAWE. B. No white spot in the wing; primaries spotted with rufous. a. Wing under7'50.. 2. 6. 2. 1. ee ee. 6417. Waip-Poor-wiLL. &. Wing over750. . 1... . . . 416. CHUCK-WILL’s-wIDOW. 416. Antrostomus carolinensis (@mel.). CuvcK-wiLi’s-wipow. Ad. .—Upper parts streaked with black and finely mottled with ochraceous- buff and black; primaries black, with broken rufous bars; tail mottled with black and ochraceous-buff, the end half of all but the two middle feathers white, more or less washed with butty on the zaner vane; under parts mot- j Aare PN es ii AM 4 Bs ON, Mla WHIP-POOR- WILL. NIGHTHAWKS, WHIP-POOR-WILLS, ETC, 937 tled with black, ochraceous, and cream-buff; an imperfect whitish band across the upper breast; base of the bill beset with long, stiffened bristles, the basal half of these bristles grown with hairlike branches. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but with no white patches in the tail, the upper breast with an ochraceous- buff instead of white band. L., 12:00; W., 8:50; T., 6:00; B., -40. Range.—Eastern United States; bré&ds from North Carolina and Illinois southward; winters from our southern borders southward; accidental in Massachusetts. Cambridge, A. V., one record, Dec. £qs, two, laid on the ground or leaves, in woods or thickets, dull white, with delicate, obscure pale lilac markings, and a few distinct brownish-gray spots, 1°40 x -98. Generally speaking, this species resembles the Whip-poor-will in habits. Its notes are quite similar to those of that species, but are louder, less rapidly uttered, and each call has an additional syllable. Its gape is enormous. the wide-open mouth of an adult measuring about two inches from corner to corner. For this reason it can swal- low large objects with ease, and both Hummingbirds and Sparrows have been found in Chuck-will’s-widow’s stomach. Perhaps they were mistaken for large moths. 419. Antrostomus vociferus (Wils.). Wutp-poor-witt. Ad. 6. ‘—Upper parts streaked with black, the head finely mottled with black and white, the back mottled with ochraceous-buff and black; primaries black, with broken rufous bars; tail irregularly barred with black and mottled with whitish or cream-butf; end half of three outer feathers white ; black on the outer vane of the outer feather extending farther down than on the others; throat and breast blackish, fincly. mottled with cream-buff or ochraceous-butt; a narrow white band across the upper breast; belly cream-buff, irregularly barred with blackish; base of the bill beset with long, stiffened bristles, which are without hairlike branches. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but three outer tail- feathers narrowly tipped with ochraceous-butf; band on the throat cream- buff instead of white. L., 9°75; W., 6:08; T., 465; B., °37. Range.—Kastern North America, north to New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters from Florida southward. Washington, common §. R., Apl. 15 to Oct. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 19 to Oct. 17. Cambridge, common &. R., Apl. 28 to Sept. 20. Eqs, two, laid on the ground or leaves, in woods or thickets ; dull white, with delicate, obscure lilac markings and a few distinct brownish gray spots, 118 x *84. : In walking through rather densely grown woods I have sometimes been surprised by having a Whip-poor-will fly up from beneath my feet and disappear in the surrounding growth. I say surprised, be- cause the bird’s flight is as noiseless as a moth’s, and this unusual, ghostly silence is almost as startling as the whir of a Grouse. The Whip-poor-will’s day begins when the sun goes down. Then 938 NIGHTHAWKS, WHIP-POOR-WILLS, ETC. he passes out into bushy fields near his home, and, flying low, catches his supper on the wing. Between courses he rests on some low perch, and gives utterance to the notes familiar to many who have never seen their author. Wahztp'-poor-will', whip'-poor-will' he calls, rapidly and with unexpected snap and vigor. If one is quite near the singer, a preliminary chuck may be heard before each call. These notes are given for about two hours after sunset and for a short time before sunrise. It is a singular fact that, in spite of the marked difference in their habits and notes, the Nighthawk and Whip-poor-will are frequently considered to be the same species. It is not the only case, however, where the notes of some species difficult of observation have been attributed to a species whose habits render it conspicuous, 420. Chordeiles virginianus (Gmel.). Nicursawx; Buri-sat. (See Fig. 38.) Ad. 6.—Upper parts black, irregularly marked with whitish, cream-butf, or ochraceous-buff; primaries fuscous, crossed in the middle by a conspicuous white bar which rarely reaches the outer vane of the first pri- mary ; tail fuscous or black, with broken bars of cream-buft and a white band near the end on all but the middle feathers; throat with a broad white band; chin and upper breast black,*the feathers tipped with ochraceous-buft, cream- buff, or white; the rest of the under parts barred with black and white, some- . times tinged with buff. 4d. ¢.—Similar, but with no white on the tail, throat-patch ochraceous-buft, under parts more or less washed with ochra- ceous-buff. L., 10-00; W., 7°85; 'I., 4:60; B., +25. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from the Gulf States to Labra- dor; winters in South America. ; Washington, not common 8. R.; abundant T. V., Apl. 20 to Oct. Sing Sing, common 8. R., May 9 to Oct.11. Cambridge, not uncommon 8. R., May 15 to Sept. 25. Lggs, two, laid on the bare ground or a flat rock in open fields, rarely on the roof of a house, dull white, evenly marked with small, irregularly shaped blotches or fine specklings of grayish brown or brownish gray, 1:20 x ‘86. In wooded regions the Nighthawk passes the day perched length- wise on a limb, but on the plains he roosts upon the ground, where his colors harmonize with his surroundings, Soon after sunset he mounts high in the air to course for insects. Batlike he flies erratically about, and at more or less regular intervals utters a loud nasal peent, this call being followed by two or three un- usually quick, flitting wing-beats. Long after the light has faded from the western horizon we may hear this voice from the starlit heavens, for the Nighthawk is one of our few truly nocturnal birds. Occasionally the peents are given more rapidly, and after calling several times in close succession the bird on half-closed wings dives earthward with such speed that one fears for his safety; but just SWIFTS. 239 before the ground is reached he checks his rapid descent by an abrupt turn, and on leisurely wing again mounts upward to repeat this game of sky-coasting. At the moment the turn is made one may hear a rushing, booming sound, which, as writers have remarked, can be imi- tated in tone by blowing across the bung-hole of any empty barrel. 1t is made by the passage of the air through the bird’s primaries, In late summer Nighthawks gather in large flocks and begin their southward migrations. When flying the white mark on their primaries is a conspicuous character, and has the appearance of being a hole in the bird’s wing. 420b. C. v. chapmani (Cowes). Fiorma NicataawK; BuLi-Bat. —Similar to the preceding, but smaller, and with the white and cream-buff markings of the upper parts more numerous. L., 8°60; W.,7:10; T., 4°10. Range.—Breeds in Florida and westward on the Gulf coast; south in win- ter to South America. The Western NiguTuawk (420a. C. v. henryi), a near relative of our spe- cies, has been recorded from Waukegan, Ill. FamILy MICROPODID. * SWIFTs. The seventy-five known species of Swifts are distributed through- out the greater part of the world. About one half this number are American, but only four are found in North America. Swifts are generally found associated in scattered companies, and when roosting or nesting are eminently gregarious. Hollow trees and caves are their natural retreats, but in some parts of the world chimneys are now used exclusively. They feed entirely while flying, and with their unusually long wings and small, compactly feathered bodies possess unrivaled powers of flight. Swifts are popularly confused with Swallows, but the re- semblance is only superficial and exists chiefly in the similarity of their feeding habits, while the structural differences between the two are numerous and important. 423. Chetura pelagica (Linn.). Cuimyey Swirt; CHIMNEY “Swattow.” (See Fig. 39.) Ad.—Entire plumage fuscous, more grayish on the throat; a sooty black spot before the eye; shafts of the tail-feathers ex- tending beyond the vanes. L., 5-43; W., 494; T., 1:90; B. from N., -15. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from Florida to Labrador; win- ters in Central America. : Washington, abundant 8. R., Apl. 15 to Oct. 10. Sing Sing, common 8. R., Apl. 19 to Oct. 28. Cambridge, abundant 8. R., Apl. 25 to Sept. 20. Nest, a bracketlike basket of dead twigs glued together with saliva; at- tached to the wall of a chimney, generally about ten teet from the top, by 240 HUMMINGBIRDS. the gummy secretion of the bird’s salivary glands. Zygs, four to six, white, 80 x °50. It is unnecessary to give any aids to the identification of a bird as well known as the Chimney Swift, or, as it is more frequently called, “Chimney Swallow.” It is not, however, a Swallow, but a Swift, and its structural relations are with the Hummingbirds and not with the Passerine Swallows. Few sights in the bird-world are more familiar than the bow-and- arrow-like forms of these rapidly flying birds silhoueted against the sky. They are most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when one may hear their rolling twitter as they course about overhead. Sometimes they sail with wings held aloft over their backs, and some- times, it is said, they use their wings alternately. It is a common thing to see a trio of birds flying together, but it has never been ascer- tained that the Chimney Swift is polygamous. In some localities Chimney Swifts congregate in large flocks, mak- ing their headquarters in a disused chimney which morning and even- ing they leave and return to in a body. In perching they cling to the side of the chimney, using the spine-pointed tails, as Woodpeckers do, for a support. The habit of frequenting chimneys is, of course, a recent one, and the substitution of this modern, artificial home for hollow trees, illustrates the readiness with which a bird may take ad- vantage of a favoring change in its environment. FamMILy TROCHILIDA. HUMMINGBIRDS. Hummingbirds are found only in the New World. About five hundred species are known. They range from Alaska to Patagonia, but are most numerous in the Andean regions of Colombia and Ecua- ~ dor. Seventeen species are found in the United States; only eight of these advance beyond our Mexican border States, and but one species occurs east of the Mississippi. Several species inhabit the depths of dark tropical forests, but as arule they are found with the flowers which bloom in the clearings, or far overhead in the sunlight. They are not gregarious, but an abundance of food sometimes brings large numbers of them together, when the air becomes animated with their rapidly moving forms. The smaller species fly so swiftly that their wings are lost in hazy cir- cles, and it is difficult for the human eye to follow their course. The flight of the larger species is less insectlike, and each wing-beat can be detected. Asa rule their voice is a weak squeak or excited chip- pering, but some of the tropical species have songs of decided charac- ter which they sing with much energy. Hummingbirds feed largely on insects, which they generally cap- HUMMINGBIRDS. 241 ture in flowers, but many species catch insects on the wing or pick them from beneath leaves. They also feed on the juices of flowers. All the species whose nesting habits are known lay two white eggs. Strangely enough, these beautiful little creatures are possessed of a most unfortunate disposition which frequently leads them to attack any bird they fancy is trespassing on their domain. ‘hey know no fear, and with equal courage rush at one of their kind or a passing Hawk. 428. Trochilus colubris (Zinn.). Rusy-raroatep Hummincsirp. (See Fig. 40.) Ad. 6.—Upper parts bright, shining green; wings and tail fuscous, with purplish reflections; throat beautiful metallic ruby-red, bor- dered on the breast by whitish; rest of the under parts dusky, washed with greenish on the sides. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but without ruby-red on the throat. Jm.—Similar to the female, but with the upper parts more bronzy. L., 3°74; W., 1:54; T., 115; B., 67. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from Florida to Labrador ; win- ters from southern Florida to Central America. ’ Washington, common 8. R., Apl. 28 to Sept. Sing Sing, common 8. R., Apl. 80 to Oct. 8. Cambridge, uncommon 8. R., May 12 to Sept. est, of plant down, covered externally with lichens and firmly wound with almost invisible plant fibers; generally fifteen to twenty-tive feet from the ground, saddled on a limb. Eggs, two, white, ‘50 x 35. The Ruby-throat needs no song. Its beauty gives it distinction, and its wings make music. Its only note, so far as I know, is a squeak, expressive of distrust or excitement. It has no rival in eastern North America, and is to be confounded with nothing but sphinx (hum- mingbird) moths. One hears of “Hummingbirds ” seen in the evening about flower beds. The mistake is not unnatural, and a correction is sometimes received with incredulity. The birds spend but a com- paratively small part of the time upon the wing. Whoever watches a female busy about her nest will see her constantly perching here and there in certain branches of the tree, preening her plumage and look- ing about her. The male, at the same season, forgetful, to all appear- ance, of his conjugal and parental duties, may be found at home day after day on a dead twig in some tall tree, where he sits so constantly as to make the observer wonder what he can be about, and when, if ever, he takes his food. Further investigation, however, will show that he makes frequent and regular rounds of favorite feeding places, A tall blueberry bush, for example, will be visited at short intervals as long as the observer has patience to stand beside it. The Hum- mingbird is curiously fearless. Sometimes one will probe a flower held in the hand, and when they fly into houses, as they pretty often do, they manifest but the smallest degree of suspicion, and will feed almost at once upon sugar held between the lips. The old bird feeds 17 949 FLYCATCHERS. the young by regurgitation—a frightful-looking act—the food consist- ing largely of minute insects. The young remain in the nest for some three weeks, and on leaving it are at once at home on the wing. BraDrorD ‘ToRREY, ORDER PASSERES. PERCHING BIRDS. Famity TYRANNIDZ, FLYCATCHERS. From the systematist’s standpoint Flycatchers are songless Perch- ing Birds. It does not follow that they are voiceless, or even truly songless, but that, having the voice-organ or syrinx less highly devel- oped than other Passeres, they are possessed of comparatively limited vocal powers. This family is peculiar to America. The Old-World Flycatchers belong to the family Muscicapide and are true Oscines, Some three hundred and fifty species are known. They are most abun- dant in the tropics, where their services as insect-catchers are in great- est demand. About thirty-five species reach the United States. Flycatchers are found wherever there are trees. As a rule they are of sedentary and solitary disposition. Their manner of feeding is characteristic. From a favorable perch, hawklike, they await passing insects, and with an aim that rarely misses launch forth into the air; there is a sharp, suggestive click of the broad bill, and, completing their aérial circle, they return to their perch and are again en garde. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I, Wing over 3:00. A, Tail black or blackish, sometimes tipped with white, a concealed orange- red crown patch, a, Under wing-coverts yellowish, no white tip on the tail. 445. Gray Kinesirp. 8, Under wing-coverts blackish, tail tipped with white . 444. Kixenrrp. B. Inner vane of tail-feathers pale rufous; throat and breast grayish; belly sulphur-yellow. . . ss 452. Crestep FLYCATCHER. C. Tail fuscous, not tipped with wililea ¢ no crown patch. a. Entire bill black ; tail rarely more than -50 longer than wing; tarsus decidedly longer then bill; under tail-coverts always Bele, yellowish white. . . , . .' 456. Poess. 6. Under rimdible, panerally in hae or spat pale brusenidles wing always more than ‘50 longer than tail; tarsus about equal 6 bill; some of under tail-coverts frequently with darker centers. 61. Wing over 3:50; sides and breast, except a narrow whitish line through its center, of the same color as the back. 459. OLIVE-sIDED FiyoatTcuER. ba, Wing under 3:50; breast and sides washed with olive-gray. 461, Woop PEwes. FLYCATCHERS, 248 Il, Wing under 3-00. A. Upper parts between olive-brown and dark olive-green, but with an evident brownish tinge, or lower mandible brownish. a, Wing over 2°60; lower mandible flesh-color or whitish; under parts with only a very slight tinge of yellow . 466a. ‘'RaiLL’s FiycarcueEr. b. Wing under 2°60; lower mundible rarely clear flesh-color; generally strongly tinged with brownish . . . . . 467. Leasr Frycarcner. B. Upper parts olive-grven without a brownish tinge; iower mandible straw-color. w, First primary about equal to fifth ; under parts white, slightly washed with yellowish on the breast and belly ; throat white. 465. Acapian Fiycarcuer. d. First primary shorter than fifth; under parts sulphur-yellow; the throat and breast more or less washed with olive-green. 463. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYcaTcuER. The Forx-ra1rep Fiycatcuur (442. Miloulus tyrannus), a South Amer- ican species rarely found north of southern Mexico and the southern Lesser Antilles, has been recorded from Mississippi, Kentucky, and New Jersey. The Scissor-taitep Frycarcurr (443. Miloulus forficatus) is found in the summer as fur north as southern Kansas and western Louisiana. It has occurred accidentally near Hudson Bay, in Manitoba, Ontario, Connecticut, New Jersey, Virginia, and Florida. 1t may be known by its long, deeply forked tail and scarlet sides. 444. Tyrannus tyrannus (Zinn.). Kivezrrp. Ad.—Upper parts grayish slate-color, darker on the head and upper tail-coverts; head with a concealed orange-red crest; tail black, tipped with white; under parts white, — washed with grayish on the breast. /m.—Similar, but without the crown,, patch, and with the plumage more or less tinged with ochraceous-buff. L., 8:51; W., 464; T., 8°55; B. from N., *55. ange.—North America north to New Brunswick and Manitoba; rare west of the Rocky Mountains; winters in Central and South America. Washington, common 8. R., Apl. 20 to Sept. Sing Sing, common §. R., Apl. 29 to Sept. 10. Cambridge, abundant 8. R., May 5 to Sept. 1. Nest, compact and symmetrical, of weed-stalks, grasses, and moss lined with plant-down, fine grasses, and rootlets, generally at the extremity of a branch fifteen to twenty-five feet up. £ygs, three to five, white, spotted with umber, 1:00 x 73. The Kingbird is most frequently seen on a fence or a dead twig on a tree, where leaves do not come in the way of his sight. He stands very upright, like a Hawk or an Owl, and, though as quiet as if he had nothing to do, he is keenly awake to every movement about him, and every few minutes he dashes into the air, seizes a passing insect, and returns to the spot from which he started. While his mate is sitting he usually establishes himself near the nesting tree, and spends hour after hour in this apparently monotonous way, varying it only to 244 FLYCATCHERS, relieve her by watching the nest, and thus give her an opportunity to seek food for herself. I never saw a Kingbird either assist in brooding or carry food to his mate, but his manners to her are most affection- ate, and he is untiring in his labors in the feeding of the young. This bird is accused of being quarrelsome and aggressive to other birds, and his scientific name means Tyrant Flycatcher, but in my study of his ways I have found him less aggressive than are most birds in the neighborhood of their nest. With the exception of the Crow, against whom he seems to have a special grudge, I have never seen a Kingbird take notice of any bird unless he alighted near his nest, and the meekest. creature that wears feathers will try to drive away stran- gers who approach that sacred spot. The calls and cries of the Kingbird are generally loud and attract- ive, if not particularly musical, but while his mate is sitting—and pos- sibly at other times—he indulges in a soft and very pleasing song, which I have heard only in the very early morning. Ouive THorNE MILLER. 445. Tyrannus dominicensis (@mel.). Gray Kinepirp. Ad.— Upper parts ashy gray; a concealed orange-red crown patch; wings and tail fuscous ; under wing-coverts pale sulphur-yellow; under parts white, tinged with grayish on the breast. L., 9:00; W., 4°60; T., 8°50; B. from N., :80. Range—Breeds from the coast of South Carolina southward through Florida and the Greater Antilles; winters in the Lesser Antilles, Mexico, and Central America; accidental in Massachusetts. Nest, of grass and weeds, lined with fine grass and rootlets, in bushes. Eggs, four, deep salmon, irregularly spotted and blotched with umber and lilac, 1:00 x ‘75 (Maynard). The Gray Kingbird is a common summer resident of parts of our South Atlantic States, arriving early in May. It resembles the King- bird in appearance, but lacks the white band at the end of the tail, and has quite different notes. Its usual call is a vigorous pifirr?, pitirrt, which in Cuba gives it its common name. The Arkansas Kinesirp (447. Tyrannus verticalis), a western species, has been taken in Iowa, District of Columbia, Maine, New Jersey, and New York. 452. Myiarchus crinitus (Zinn.). Crestep Fiycarcner; Great Crestep Fiycatcuer. .1d.—Upper parts grayish brown, washed with olive- green ; outer vane of primaries margined with pale rufous; énner vane of all but the middle tail-feathers pale rufous » throat and breast pearl-gray ; belly sulphur-yellow. L., 901; W., 414; T., 375; B. from N., -62. Fange.—Breeds from Florida to New Brunswick; winters from southern Florida to Central America. Washington, very common §. R., Apl. 25 to Sept. Sing Sing, common 8. R., May 7 to Sept. 12. Cambridge, uncommon S. R., May 15 to Aug. van Ke Least Fiycatcuer. PHBE. . FLYCATCHERS. 245 Nest, of grasses, twigs, and rootlets, with generally a piece of a cast snake skin, in a hole in a tree, generally less than twenty feet up. £ggs, three to six, creamy white, streaked longitudinally with chocolate, -90 x ‘68. During the spring migration each day brings its own surprise and pleasure. The bare, silent woods where I walked alone before are now astir with flitting wings and ringing with glad music. Each morning I hurry out, full of eager anticipation, to be thrilled by the greeting of some old friend come home again. There are red-letter days, however, even in this calen- dar. Hark! from the woods a loud whistle pierces far through the clearing. The Great-crest has come! Fie. 75.—Crested Flycatcher. (Natural size.) I break away from the confusing chorus of small voices and hurry off to the woods for the first sight of the distinguished bird. Full of life and vigor, he flies about in the green tree tops, chattering to himself or calling loudly as he goes. Not many days pass, however, before he is so taken up with do- mestic matters that his voice is rarely heard outside the woods, Is he engaged in his famous pursuit—hunting snake skins to line his nest? Absorbed in my daily round of nest calls, I cherish the memory of each passing glimpse of him. Now I see him launch from a bass- wood top, with wings and tail spread, to sail down through the air, his tail glowing red against the light. Again, when looking for a rare Warbler, his calls arrest me. In the dead top of the highest tree in sight I find him with his mate. With crests raised, the handsome birds chase each other about the bare branches. Tired of that, they explore the old Woodpecker’s holes in the trunk, and one of them walks out of sight down a hollow limb. A Blackbird lights in the tree, and the Great-crest above becomes so agitated that I am con- vinced his mate has gone to her nest, when lo! both Flycatchers are off and away to another ot the great trees that overtop the forest. Fiorence A. MErRiam. \ 456. Sayornis phoebe (Zath.). Puan. (See Fig. 42.) Ad—Up- per parts grayish brown with an olive-green cast; crown distinctly darker, fuscous ; wings and tail fuscous, wing-bars not conspicuous; outer vane of outer tail-feather white or yellowish white, except at the tip; under parts white, more or less washed with yellowish, and tinged with brownish gray 246 FLYCATCHERS. ‘ on the breast and sides; bill 62ack. /m.—Similar, but upper parts more olive, under parts more yellow, and wing-bars more distinct. L., 6°99; W., 3°38; T., 2°95; B. from N., -41. Remarks.—The Pheebe’s principal distinguishing characters are its fus- cous crown-cap, white outer vane of the outer tail-feather, and blackish lower mandible. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from South Carolina to New- foundland and Manitoba, and winters from North Carolina to Cuba and Mexico. Washington, common 8. R., Mch. 5 to Oct.; occasionally winters. Sing Sing, common 8. R., Mch. 14 to Oct. 29. Cambridge, common 8. R., Mch. 25 to Oct. 10. Nest, bulky, largely moss and mud lined with grasses and long hairs, on a beam or rafter, under a bridge or bank. ygs, four to six, white, rarely with a few cinnamon-brown spots, "78 x °59. There is something familiar, trustful, and homelike in the Phcebe’s ways which has won him an undisputed place in our affections. With an assurance born of many welcomes he returns each year to his perch on the bridge-rail, barnyard gate, or piazza, and contentedly sings his humble, monotonous pewtt phabe, pewit phabe—a hopelessly tune- less performance, but who that has heard it in early spring when the “pussy willow” seems almost to purr with soft blossoms, will not affirm that Phoebe touches chords dumb to more ambitious songsters! Sometimes Phoebe is inspired to greater effort, and, springing into the air on fluttering wings, he utters more phebes in a few seconds than he would sing ordinarily in an hour. Phoebe is a devoted parent, and is rarely found far from home. His nest seems to be the favorite abode of an innumerable swarm of parasites which sometimes cause the death of his offspring, and when rearing a second family he changes his quarters. No other Flycatcher winters in numbers in our Southern States, and Pheebes’ notes heard in January in the heart of a Florida “ hum- mock” seem strangely out of place. Say’s Pua@sr (457. Sayornis saya), » western species, is of accidental occurrence east of the Mississippi. It has been found in northern Mlinoi-, Wisconsin, Iowa, and, more recently, on Cape Cod, Massachusetts (Miller, Auk, vii, 1890, p. 228). 459. Contopus borealis (Swains.). Oxtve-sipep Fiycatconer. Ad. —Upper parts between fuscous and dark olive ; wings and tail fuscous ; throat, middle of ‘the belly, and generally a narrow line on the center of the breast white or yellowish white; rest of the under parts of nearly the same color as the back; under tail-coverts marked with dusky ;.a tuft of fluffy, yellowish- white feathers on either flank; upper mandible black, lower mandible yel- lowish or pale grayish brown, the tip darker, Zm.—Similar, but with rather FLYCATCHERS. 247 more olive above, more yellow below, and with the wing-coverts edged with ochraceous-buif. L., 7°39; W., 4:05; T., 2°70; B. from N., °54. Remarks.—This species may always be known from our other Flycatchers by the comparatively little white on the under parts, and by the tuft of yel- lowish-white feathers on the flanks. Like the Wood Pewee, it has the wing ‘50 or more longer than the tail. Range.—Breeds from Massachusetts and Minnesota northward, and south- ward in Alleghanies to North Carolina; winters in tropics. Washington, casual T. V., one instance, Sept. Sing Sing, tolerably com- mon T. V., May 20; Aug. 15 to Sept. 16. Cumbridge, T. V., May 20 to May 80; Aug.; formerly not uncommon §. R. Nest, of twigs and moss, in coniferous trees, about twenty-five feet up, near the extremity of a limb. Zygs, three to five, vinaceous-white, spotted, chiefly about the larger end, with distinct and obscure rufous markings, °85 x -62. I have seen the Olive-sided Flycatcher only during the migrations, when I look for it on the topmost limb of some high, dead, woodland tree—a commanding position from which it may view its surround- ings. Even at a distance it impresses one as being a stout, stocky bird, with a head too large for its body. During the summer they live among pines or cedars, and are de- scribed by Colonel Goss as “bold, quarrelsome, and tyrannical, zeal- ously guarding any chosen locality, where they will be found perched upon the tops of the tallest trees, from which they swoop down upon the passing insects, and often repeat their plaintive pu-pu or pu-pip, the males occasionally uttering a loud, whistling call-note.” 461. Contopus virens (Linn.). Woop Pewrz. Ad.—Uppor parts very dark, between olive and fuscous, with sometimes a tinge of dark olive- green; wings and tail fuscous; wing-coverts tipped with whitish, forming two more or less distinct wing-bars ; under parts white or yellowish white, washed with olive-gray on the sides of the throat and breast, and, to a less extent, on the center of breast; upper mandible black ; lower mandible yel- lowish or brownish, the tip frequently darker. /m.—Similar. but yellower below, the wing-coverts edged with cream-buff. L., 653; W., 3:34; T., 2°62; B. from N., °42. Remarks.—The Wood Pewee and the Olive-sided Flycatcher differ from our other Flycatchers in having the wings decidedly longer than the tail, and in their short tarsi. From the species of the genus Empidonaz they may be known by these characters and their darker, more fuscous coloration. Range—Eastern North America; breeds from Florida to Newfoundland ; winters in Central America. -Washington, common §. R., Apl. 28 to Oct. 15. Sing Sing, common S. R., May 10 to Oct. 2. Cambridge, common S. R., May 18 to Sept. 10. Nest, compact and symmetrical, of fine grasses, rootlets, moss, etc., thickly covered with lichens, saddled on a limb, twenty to forty feet up. Zygs, three to four, white, with a wreath of distinct and obscure umber markings about the larger end, ‘68 x ‘d4. 248 FLYCATCHERS. To thoroughly appreciate how well the Pewee’s disposition is suited to his haunts and notes, we have only to imagine him taking the Pheebe’s place and singing the Phoebe’s song. He was not in- tended to adorn a bridge or barn, but in the darkened woods, high up in the trees, he finds a congenial home. His pensive, gentle ways are voiced by his sad, sweet call: The notes are as musical and restful, as much a part a of Nature’s hymn, as the soft humming of a brook. = All day long the Pewee sings; even when the heat = == of summer silences more vigorous birds and the Pee-a - wee midday sun sends light-shafts to the ferns, the clear, sympathetic notes of the retiring songster come from the green canopy overhead, in perfect harmony with the peace and stillness of the hour. 463. Empidonax flaviventris Zaird. Yettow-settmp Fry- oatcHeR. Ad.—Upper parts rather dark olive-green; wings and tail fus- cous; greater and lesser wing-coverts tipped with white or yellowish white ; under parts sulphur-yellow, the belly pure, the throat, breast, and sides more or less washed with olive-green; upper mandible black, lower mandible whitish or flesh-color; second to fourth primaries of equal length, the tirst shorter than the fifth. /m.—yYellow of the under parts brighter, wing-bars more yellow, and sometimes tinged with pale ochraceous-buff. L., 5°63; W. 265; T., 2°16; B. from N., -33. Remarks.—'This is the most yellow of our small Flycatchers. In any plum- age the entire under parts, including the throat, are sulphur-yellow or dusky yellowish. In the other eastern species of this genus the throat is white. Raunge.—Eastern North America; breeds from Berkshire County, Mass., to Labrador ; winters in Central America. Washington, rather common T. V., May 1 to May 81; Aug. 1 to Oct. 1. Sing Sing, common T. V., May 17 to June 4; Aug. 8 to Sept. 20. Cambridge, T. V., sometimes rather common, May 24 to June 5; Aug. 25 to Sept. 10. _ Nest, of moss, lined with grasses, on the ground, beneath the roots of a tree or imbedded in moss. Zyga, four, creamy white, with numerous pale cin- namon-brown markings, chiefly about the larger end, ‘68 x ‘54. To see this little Flycatcher at his best, one must seek the northern evergreen forest, where, far from human habitation, its mournful notes blend with the murmur of some icy brook tumbling over mossy stones or gushing beneath the still mossier decayed logs that threaten to bar its way. Where all is green and dark and cool, in some glen overarched by crowding spruces and firs, birches and maples, there it is we find him, and in the beds of damp moss he skillfully conceals his nest. He sits erect on some low twig, and, like other Flycatchers, the snap of his bill tells of a sally after his winged prey. He glides quietly away when approached, and his occasional note of complaint FLYCATCHERS. 249 may be heard as long as one remains in his vicinity. During the mi- gration this species is silent and its several distinctive notes are not available for its identification, and the same thing may be said of our other small Flycatchers. Great similarity in plumage exists between them all, and without the bird in hand identifications are at best questionable. The song is more suggestive of a sneeze on the bird’s part than of any other sound with which it may be compared. It is an abrupt psé-ék', almost in one explosive syllable, harsh like the deeper tones of a House Wren, and less musical than the sifnilar but longer songs of Traill’s or the Acadian Flycatcher. It is hardly surprising that the birds sing very little when we see with what a convulsive jerk of the head the notes are produced, Its plaintive call is far more melodious —a soft, mournful whistle consisting of two notes, the second higher pitched and prolonged, with rising inflection, resembling in a measure chi-é-é'-p, J. Dwiaat, JR. 465. Empidonax virescens (Vicil/.).* Acapian Fiycarcner. Ad.—Upper parts between olive-green and dark olive-green; wings and tail fuscous; greater and lesser wing-coverts yellowish white, forming two con- spicuous wing-bars; under parts white, washed with pale yellowish and_ slightly tinged with greenish on the breast; the throat, and frequently the middle of the belly, pure white; upper mandible black, lower mandible whit- ish or fiesh-color; second to fourth primaries of about equal length, the first and fifth shorter and also of equal length. /m.—Upper parts greener; under parts more tinged with yellow; wing-bars and outer edges of the tips of the secondaries ochraceous-buff. L., 5°75; W., 2°35; T., 2°35; B. from N., °36. Remarks.—This species has the upper parts fully as olive-green as the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, but the under parts are never entirely yellow, and the throat is always white. Range.—Eastern United States ; breeds from Florida to southern Connect- icut and Manitoba; winters in Central America. Washington, common §. R., May 5 to Sept. 15. Sing Sing, common S. R., May 10 to Aug. 27. Nest, shallow, of plant stems, grasses, and blossoms, generally on a fork of a beech about eight feet up. Zyga, two to three, creamy white, with a few cinnamon-brown spots about the larger end, “74 x ‘56. Look for the Acadian Flycatcher in woodlands watered by small streams. It selects a low rather than a high perch, and is rarely seen more than twenty feet from the ground. The frequently uttered calis of this bird are characteristic and will enable you to identify it with more ease in the field than in the study. The most common is a sin- gle spee or peet, repeated at short intervals and accompanied by a * Equivalent to Empidonax acadicus of authors; see Brewster, Auk, xii, April, 1895. 250 FLYCATCHERS. rapid twitching of the tail. A more peculiar note is a louder pee-e- yuk, The bird seems to articulate this note with difficulty, with bill pointed upward and wings trembling like a fledgling begging for food. Sometimes you may hear only the first call, sometimes only the second, while on other occasions the two may be uttered alternately. A rarer note may be heard when the bird makes a short, fluttering flight. It resembles the soft murmuring of whistling wings. 466a. Empidonax traillii (Avd.). Trat’s Fiycarcner. 4d.— Upper parts between olive-green and olive or olive-brown , wings and tail fuscous; greater and lesser wing-coverts tipped with brownish ashy; under parts whitish, washed with dusky grayish on the breast and sides and pale yellowish on the belly; throat pure white; upper mandible black, lower mandible whitish or flesh-color. Jm.—Similar, but wing-bars ochraceous- buff and under parts slightly yellower. L., 6°09; W., 2°87; T., 2°33; B. from N., °35. kemarks.—This is the brownest of our small Flycatchers. The upper parts have an evident tinge of brown or olive-brown, a color entirely want- ing in the Acadian and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers. In this respect it resem- bles the much smaller Least Flycatcher. Range.—North America; breeds from Arizona, Missouri, southern Illinois, northern New England, and casually Connecticut, north to New Brunswick and Alaska; winters in Central America. Washington, irregularly common T. V., May 10 to May 28; Aug. 15 to Sept. 25. Sing Sing, rare T. V., May 19 to May 31; Aug. 29. Cambridge, rare T. V., May 25 to May 31; Aug. Nest, of coarse grasses, plant down, and plant fibers, lined with fine grasses, in the crotch of a small bush or sapling near the ground. Zggs, three to four, creamy white, with cinnamon-brown markings about the larger end, "73 x 54, While the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is distinctively a bird cf the deep woods, this more abundant Flycatcher in its summer home re- sorts to the alder patches of the open country and is seldom found far from their protecting shade. It flits restlessly about, keeping well out of sight below the waving tops of the bushes, and its presence is he- trayed only by a single pép of alarm that in no way resembles the mournful wail of the species just mentioned. It, too, is silent when migrating, and on its breeding grounds sings but little, so that if it did not take pains to call out to every one who passes it would not be noticed among the rustling alders. The song most resembles that of the Acadian Flycatcher, an éé-2éé'-é-tip, with stress on the rasping 2é@, the latter part more musical. The performer jerks out the notes rapidly, doubling himself up and fairly vibrating with the explosive effort. J. Dwieat, JR. Norr.—In The Auk for April, 1895, Mr. William Brewster shows that the spe- cific name pusillus (Swains.), hitherto applied to the western form of this Fly: FLYCATCHERS. 251 catcher, is not identifiable. Muscicapa traillii was described by Audubon from Arkansas, and Mr. Brewster considers specimens from Arkansas and the Mis- sissippi Valley south of latitude 42° as inseparable from those inhabiting the region westward to the Pacific, to which he would therefore apply the name Empidonaz traillii. In brief, the form previously known as E. pusillus becomes E. traillii, and the Mississippi Valley birds south of latitude 42°, which formerly were considered the same as those from the Atlantic States, are placed with the western rather than the eastern bird. This course leaves the eastern bird with- out a name, and Mr. Brewster proposes to call it Empidonax traillii alnorum ; Alder Flycatcher. Western specimens average somewhat browner than eastern ones, and have slightly larger bills, but, in my opinion, the differences are too slight to warrant their continued separation, and I would apply the name traillii to both. 467. Empidonax minimus Baird. Least Frycatcner; CHEsec. Ad.—Upper parts between olive-green and olive or olive-brown; wings and “ tail fuscous ; greater and lesser wing-coverts tinged with ashy white; under parts whitish, washed with dusky grayish on the breast and sides and gen- erally with a slight tinge of yellowish on the belly ; lower mandible generally horn-color. Jm.—Under parts slightly more yellow. L., 5-41; W., 251; T., 2:21; B. from N., °31. Remarks.—This is the smallest of our Flycatchers. Its size, the compara- tive absence of yellow on the under parts, and the generally horn-colored or brown lower mandible are its chief distinguishing characters. Range.—Eastern United States; breeds from Pennsylvania to Quebec, and southward in Alleghanies to North Carolina; winters in tropics. Washington, common T. V., Apl. 25 to May 25; Aug. 28 to Sept. 25. Sing Sing, tolerably common 8. R., Apl. 25 to Aug. 26. Cambridge, abundant 8. R., May 1 to Aug. 25. Nest, of plant down, plant fibers, rootlets, fine strips of bark, and long hairs, generally in a crotch five to fifteen feet up. Hygs, three to five, white, unmarked, ‘63 x 51. When music was distributed, I believe most of our Flycatchers had back seats. It was an unfortunate circumstance, for their sedentary habits and apparently thoughtful, serious. even poetic dispositions make one believe that with proper training they might have taken high rank as musicians. Instead of the simple melody we might expect to hear from the modest Least Flycatcher, he salutes us with a singularly inappropriate, business-like chebéc, chebéc, varying the performance by murderous sallies after passing insects. In crescendo passages he literally rises to the occasion, and on trembling wings sings an absurd “ chebéc, tooral- coral, chebéc, tooral-ooral,” with an earnestness deserving better results. The Chebec, however, possesses originality; we can not confuse his voice with that of any other bird, and young ornithologists should give him a vote of thanks for his clear enunciation. He prefers fruit and shade trees to those of forest growth, and is therefore an inhabitant of our lawns and orchards. 252 LARKS, Famity ALAUDIDA. LaRKs. The Horned Larks are the only representatives of this family found in America. About one hundred species, of which the Skylark is the best known, are found in the Old-World. They are terrestrial birds, generally colored in harmony with their haunts, and, except during the nesting season, are usually found in flocks. 474. Otocoris alpestris* (Zinn.). Hornep Lark; Sxors Lars. Ad. 6.—Forchead, line over the eye, ear region, and throat sulphur-yellow , fore part of the crown, a tuft of elongated feathers on either side of the head, amark from the bill below the eye and then downward to the side of the throat, and a patch on the breast black ; back of the head and neck and rump vinaceous, more or less washed with grayish brown ; back grayish brown, edged with brownish ash and tinged with vinaceous; wing-coverts deep vinaceous; tail black, the outer vanes of the outer feathers margined with white, the middle feathers broadly margined with brownish and vinaceous; lower breast and belly white, the former more or less soiled with dusky spots ; sides vinaceous. Ad.?. —Similar, but the markings, especially those of the head, less sharply defined, neck less vinaceous, etc. Full and winter specimens.—Similar, but with the black markings veiled by yellowish or whitish tips to the feathers. L., 7°75; “W,, 427; T., 2°84; B. from N., 40” (Dwight). Range.—Breeds in “northern Europe, Greenland, Newfoundland, Labra- dor, and Hudson Bay region ; southward in winter into eastern United States to about lat. 85°” (Dwight). Washington, common W. V., Nov. to Mch. or Apl. Sing Sing, casual W.V. Cambridge, common T. V., Oct. 25 to Nov. 25; Mch. 25 to Apl. 5. Nest, of grasses, on the ground. £¢gs, three to four, pale bluish or greenish white, minutely and evenly speckled with pale grayish brown, ‘84 x ‘60. These hardy birds visit us in flocks in the winter. They frequent the vicinity of the seacoast or large, flat, open tracts in the interior, and are rarely found in well-wooded regions. They are terrestrial, and may be seen running over the snow or barren ground in scattered companies. They take wing with a sharp, whistled note, and seek fresh fields or, hesitating, finally swing about and return to near the spot from which they were flushed. They are sometimes found asso- ciated with Snowflakes, and flocks may contain numbers of our resi- dent Shore Lark, 0. a. praticola. 474b. O. a. praticola Hensh. Prairm Horney Larx.—Similar to the preceding species, but smaller and somewhat paler, with the forehead and line over the eye white instead of yellow, the throat but slightly tinged * See an important paper on the relationships and distribution of the Ameri- can representatives of this genus, by Dr. J. Dwight, Jr., in The Auk, vii, 1890, pp. 138-158. CROWS, JAYS, ETC. 253 with yellow, and sometimes entirely white. L., 7:25; “W., 4:08; T., 2°86; B. from N., 37” (Dwight). Range.—Breeds in the upper Mississippi Valley eastward through New York to western Massachusetts and Long Island. Washington, common W. V., Oct. 25 to Apl. This is one of the birds that has changed its range since the settle- ment of America. It is properly a species of the prairies and open barrens, but since the once-continuous forest of the older States and provinces has been broken up, it has made its appearance in the east, wherever the country is suited to its requirements. It is strictly a ground bird, never perching on trees, though it com- monly alights on the top of a fence post or other low, level surface. When encountered on a pathway it often runs before the pedestrian, after the manner of the Vesper Sparrow, from which bird, however, it may be distinguished by the black feathers in its tail, by iis chocolate back, and by the black marks on its face; also by the fact that it rwns, but does not hop, and when it flies it usually utters a whistle, whereas the Vesper Sparrow invari- ably flies off in silence. Its chief song is poured forth in the air as it soars aloft, like a Sky- lark ; but it often utters this same song while perched on some clod or stone, especially just before dawn and after sunset, as well as in the springtime, while the snow is yet on the ground.—Ernest E. Tuomrson. Fic. 76.—Prairie Horned Lark. (Nat- ural size.) Evropean Sxyarks (478. Alauda arvensis) have been introduced several times in this country. In 1887 a small colony had become establisiied near Flatbush, Long Island, where a nest with young was found. (See Dutcher, Auk, v, 1888, p. 180.) After a supposed extinction a singing bird and nest were observed in July, 1895. (See Proctor, Auk, xii, Oct., 1895.) FamILy Corvip&. Crows, Jays, ETC. The Corvide are represented in all parts of the world except New Zealand. They number about two hundred species, of which twenty- five are found in North America. Our Crows and Jays inhabit wooded regions, and, although migra- tory to a limited extent, are resident throughout the year, except at. the northern limits of their range. They are omnivorous feeders, taking fruits, seeds, insects, eggs, nestlings, ete. 254 CROWS, JAYS, ETC. Crows and Jays exhibit marked traits of character and are possessed. of unusual intelligence. Some systematists place them at the top of the Avian tree, and, if their mental development be taken into con- sideration, they have undoubted claims to this high rank. KEY TO THE SPECIES, A. Plumage black. a, Wing about 15-00; billover250. . . ... . . . . 486, Raven. b. Wing about 18:00; bill about 2-00. 488. Am. Crow. 488a. Fioripa Crow. c. Wing about 11:00; bill about 150. . . . . . . . . 490. Fis Crow. B. Plumage bluish or grayish. : uw. Back blue; tail tipped with white ; a black breast-patch. 477. BiuE Jay. 477a. Froripa Buvz Jar. 6. Back bluish gray; tail not tipped with white; throat and breast indis- tinctly streaked with whitish. . . . . + 479, Froripa Jay. c. Back gray ; back of head and nape ladkeleh forehead whitish. 484. Canada ase, 484c, LaBRapor JAY. 477. Cyanocitta cristata (Linn.). Bivur Jay. (See Fig. 44, a.) Ad.—Upper parts grayish blue; under parts dusky whitish, whiter on the throat and belly ; forehead, and a band passing across the back of the head down the sides of the neck and across the breast, black; head crested; ex- posed surface of wings blue, the greater wing-coverts and secondaries barred with black and tipped with white; tail blue, all but the outer feathers barred with black, and all but the middle pair broadly tipped with white, this white tip rarely less than 1:00 in width on the outer feather. L., 11-74; W., 514; T., 5°19; B., 1:04. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from Florida to Newfoundland ; generally resident throughout its range. Washington, rather rare P. R., common T. V., Apl. 28 to May 15; Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Sing Sing, tolerably common P.R. Cambridge, common P. R,, abundant T. V., Apl. and May; Sept. and Oct. Nest, of rootlets, compactly interwoven, generally in a tree crotch fifteen to twenty feet up. Zygs, four to six, pale olive-green or brownish ashy, rather thickly marked with distinct or obscure spots of varying shades of cinnamon- brown, 1:10 x °85. _ The Blue Jay. I fear, is a reprobate, but, notwithstanding his fond- ‘mess for eggs and nestlings, and his evident joy in worrying other birds, there is a dashing, reckless air about him which makes us par- don his faults and like him in spite of ourselves. Like many men, he needs the inspiration of congenial company to bring out the social side of his disposition. Household duties may perhaps absorb him, but certain it is that when at home he is very dif- ferent from the noisy fellow who, with equally noisy comrades, roams the woods in the fall. How his jay, ay rings out on the frosty morning air! It is a sig- CROWS, JAYS, ETC. 255 nal to his companions, breakfasting in a near-by oak or chestnut, “ilere, here, here’s some fun!” and the poor, blinking Owl he has discovered looks helplessly at the blue-coated mob, whose uproar alone is terrifying. Suddenly there is absolute silence; every Jay has dis- appeared. Some one of them has seen you, and not until your silence reassures the band will they return to the sport of teasing their victim. The Blue Jay is both a mimic and a ventriloquist. Besides an in- exhaustible stock of whistles and calls of his own, he imitates the notes of other species, notably those of the Red-shouldered, Red-tail, and Sparrow Hawks. 47%a. C. c. florincola Coves. Fioriva Buur Jay.—Similar to the preceding species, but smaller, the upper parts soniewhat grayer, the white tips to the feathers narrower, those on the outer pair of tail-feathers generally dess than 1:00 in width. L., 10°75; W., 515; 'T., 4°80; B., -96. Range.—Florida and Gulf coast region to Texas. Blue Jays in Florida are much more familiar than our Jays at the north. They are common inhabitants of towns with live-oaks, and hop about the fences and gardens with all the domesticity of the Robins on our lawns. It has always seemed to me that the Florida birds were possessed of greater vocabularies than their northern brethren. The Maepie (475. Pica pica hudsonica) inhabits western North America; stragglers have becn recorded from as far east as Montreal and Illinois. 479. Aphelocoma floridana (Bartr.). Frorma Jay. Ad—Top and sides of the head and neck, wings and tail, grayish blue; back pale brownish gray ; under parts dirty white, obscurely streaked on the throat and breast; sides of the breast and faint breast-band grayish blue. L., 11-50; W., 445; T., 5°40; B., 98. Range.—Florida: of local distribution, chiefly along the coasts, between lat. 27° and 30°. Nest, of sticks and roots lined with weeds and rootlets, in bushes. Zggs, four, olive-green spotted and blotched with black, 1:17 x ‘75 (Maynard). “The Florida Jays are noisy birds at all times, and the first inti- - mation which one receives of their presence is a harsh scream which is given as a note of alarm. As they usually move in flocks, this cry is taken up by others, and soon the scrub for many rods around will be resounding with these peculiar sounds. When undisturbed they feed on the ground or in bushes, but, upon the approach of an intruder, they will mount the highest point available, where they remain until driven away. They are not usually shy, and will allow one to ap- proach them quite closely, but when one or two are shot the survivors usually disappear... . They will glide through the bushes with re- markable rapidity, never once showing themselves, or, if they have an 256 CROWS, JAYS, ETC. open space to cross, dart over it, not in flocks, but singly, and, plung- ing into the next thicket, they will at once be lost to view ” (Maynard). 484. Perisoreus canadensis (Zinn.). Canapa Jay; Wuisxy Jack; Mooss-zirp. Ad.—Fore part of the head white, back of the head and nape sooty black, back gray ; wings and tail gray, most of the feathers nar- rowly tipped with white; throat and sides of the neck white, rest of the un- der parts ashy gray. L., 12:00; W., 5°85; T., 5°80; B., 82. Range.—Nova, Scotia, northern New England, and northern New York; west to northern Minnesota; north, in the interior, to the arctic regions. Cambridge, A. V., one record, Oct. iNest, of coarse twigs and strips of’ bark, in coniferous trees. Zygs, four to five, white, distinctly and obscurely spotted with light olive-brown, 1:12 x ‘81. While studying the habits of birds in the great coniferous forest of the north, I soon found that I was very safe in attributing any new strange shrieks or wails, whose origin I was otherwise unable to trace, to the Canada Jay. Many of the notes resemble those of the Blue Jay, but it has a number that are distinctly its own. Some of these are musical, but most of them are harsh and discordant. In its habits it is much like its blue cousin, but it is less shy, and becomes almost tame if allowed to come unmolested about the camp for a few days in succession. In form it is like a magnified Chickadee, elad in singularly turlike, thick, puffy gray feathers; on its forehead is a white spot, the size of a dime, and its wings and tail are of a much darker gray than the other parts. This description, remem- bered in conjunction with the habits, will at once identify the species. It nests early in March—that is, while deep snow still covers the ground and hard frost reigns supreme; and no satisfactory explana- tion of this strange habit has yet been brought forward. No doubt one or other of the parents always remains with the eggs, but still it is difficult to see how they can keep them from freezing when the sur- rounding air is chilled to 30° below zero. It is a non-migratory species, and it is said that in autumn it pro- vides against the annual famine of winter by laying up a store of nuts and other food. Ernest E. THompson. 484c. P. c. nigricapillus Fidgw. Lasrapor Jay.—Similar to the preceding, but darker, the black of the head and neck extending forward and surrounding the eye. Range.—Coast region of Labrador. 486a. Corvus corax principalis Ridgw. Norrnern Raven; AmeERIcAN Raven. Ad.—Entire plumage black with steel-blue reflections ; feathers on the throat narrow, lengthened, and pointed. “L., about 22:00- 26°50; W., 16°99; T., 9°86; B., 8:03; depth of B. at N., 1:04” (Ridgw.). Remarks.—The Raven differs from the Crow in its much greater size and CROWS, JAYS, ETC. Q57 in having long, pointed, instead of the usual short, rounded feathers on the throat. Range.—Northern North America from Greenland to Alaska, south on the Pacific coast to British Columbia, and on the Atlantic coast to North Carolina; of local distribution in the eastern United States. Nest, compact and symmetrical, of sticks lined with grasses, wool, ete., add- ed from year’ to year, in trees or on cliffs. “ Zggs, two to seven, pale bluish green, pale olive, or olive spotted or dashed (or both) with olive-brown (some- times nearly, uniform olive from density of markings), 2°02 x 1:38” (Ridgw.). “The usual note of the Raven is a hoarse, rolling er-r-r-cruck, but he has other cries. . . . “ Despite their difference in size and habits, I must confess that I often had difficulty in distinguishing Ravens from Crows. Every one must have noticed how the apparent size of a Crow will vary under different conditions of the atmosphere; it is the same with the Raven. At times he looks as big as an Eagle; at others scarcely larger than a Fish Crow. But when actually in company with Crows he can not be possibly mistaken, for he then appears, as he is, nearly double the size of any of them. His flight did not seem to me as characteristic as it has been described. True, he sails more than does the Crow, and there is something peculiar in his wing strokes, but the difference is not always appreciable unless there is an opportunity for direct com- parison ” (Brewster, Birds Observed on Gulf of St. Lawrence. Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., xxii, 1888, p. 378). 488. Corvus americanus dud. American Crow. (See Fig. 44, 6.) Ad.—Entire plumage black, with steel-blue or deep purplish reflections; the under parts duller than the upper parts; feathers on the neck normal, short, and rounded. L., 19:80; W., 12°18; T., 7°52; B., 2:00. Range.—* North America from the fur countries to Mexico”; winters from the northern United States southward. Washington, abundant P. R. Sing Sing, common P. R, Cambridge, abundant P. R. Nest, bulky, of sticks lined with strips of grapevine bark, grasses, moss, etc., in trees, generally about thirty feet up. Zggs, four to six, generally blu- ish green, thickly marked with shades of brown, but sometimes light blue or even white with almost no markings, 1°65 x 1:19. Throughout his wide range the size, color, voice, habits, and abun- dance of the Crow combine to make him the most conspicuous and consequently the best known of our birds. But in spite of his great circle of acquaintances he has few friends. An unfortunate fondness for corn has placed him under the ban of the agriculturist ; there is a price on his head; every man’s hand is against him. Apparently he does not mind this in the least; in fact, he seems to rejoice in being an outlaw. As for fear, I doubt if he knows what 18 258 CROWS, JAYS, ETC. it means; he has far too much confidence in his undoubted ability to escape his human persecutors, He laughs at their attempts to entrap him; his insolent assurance is admirable. For several centuries man has been his sworn enemy, nevertheless he appears to have held his own, accepting and adjusting himself to every new condition. Afraid of no one, he migrates boldly by day, and in March and October we may see him with his comrades high in the air, returning to or leaving their summer homes. In winter the Crows are exceed- ingly abundant along our seacoasts, where they congregate to feed on mollusks, fish, and other sea food. At this season they roost in colonies. It has been estimated that some roosts contain upward of three hundred thousand birds.* Early in the morning, with regularly executed manceuvres, they start on the day’s foraging, flying low, on the lookout for food. Late in the after- noon they return at a much greater height—“as the Crow flies ”—and, alighting at some point near the roost, wait the coming of the last stragglers. Then, at a given signal, they all rise and retire for the night. No one who has listened to Crows will doubt that they have a lan- guage. But who can translate it? 488a. C. a. floridanus Baird. Fiorma Crow.—Similar to the pre- ceding, but wings and tail somewhat shorter, and bill and feet slightly larger. L., 20°00; W., 1150-1230; T., 7:00-7-70; B., 2:00-220; depth of B. at base, “75-85; Tar., 2°40-2°50 (Ridgw.). Range.—Florida; confined largely to the pine-woods. 490. Corvus ossifragus JTi/s. Fisn Crow. Ad.—Entire plumage black, with steel-blue or deep purplish reflections, generally more greenish on the under parts. L., 16:00; W., 11:00; T., 6-40; B., 1:50. Remarks.—The Fish Crow may be distinguished from the common Crow (1) by its much smaller size. (2) By the uniform and somewhat richer color of the back. In americanus the feathers of the back have dull tips; when the freshly-plumaged bird is held between the observer and the light these tips give the back a ringed or slightly scaled appearance. In ossifragus these tips are wanting, and the back is uniformly colored. (8) By the brighter color of the under parts. In americanus the under parts are generally much duller than the upper parts; in ossifragus they are nearly as bright. Fange—Gulf and Atlantic coast, as far north as southern Connecticut; resident except at the extreme northern part of its range. Washington, rather common P. R. Cambridge, A. V., one record, Mch. Nest, of sticks, lined with strips of grapevine bark, moss, grasses, etc., generally in ‘pines or cedars, twenty to fifty feet up. Zygs, four to six, simi- lar in color to those of C. americanus, 1:52 x 1:06. ¥ * Rhoads, Crow Roosts and Roosting Crows, Am. Nat., 1886. pp. 691-700, 777-787. STARLINGS. 259 The Fish Crow can be distinguished from the common Crow in life only by its call. Its voice is cracked and reedy, and its notes re- semble those of a young common Crow. Instead of the loud, clear, open caw of adults of that species, it utters a hoarser car, as if it talked through its nose! The difference is perhaps not appreciable upon paper, but one who is familiar with their calls need never con- fuse these two birds in the field. The Fish Crow, while not confined to the coast or even the vicinity of water, is not found far inland. FamILy STURNID&. . STARLINGS. An Old-World family containing some two hundred species. It is represented in America only by the Starling, which has been recently introduced. 493. Sturnus vulgaris Zinn. Startine. (See Fig. 45.) Ad.,summer plumage.—Metallic purplish or greenish ; feathers of the upper parts all tipped with cream-buff spots, feathers of the under parts marked only on the sides ; lower belly and under tail-coverts, wings, and tail dark brownish gray, edged with cream-buff; bill yellow. Ad., winter plumage.—Similar, but the upper parts heavily spotted with brownish cream-buff; the entire under parts heavily spotted with white; bill blackish brown. L., 8:50; W., 5-10; T., 2°50. Range.—Europe and northern Asia; accidental in Greenland ; introduced in New York city. Nest, of grasses, twigs, etc., in u crevice in a building or hollow tree. £9qs, four to six, pale bluish, 1:20 x -86. This Old-World species has been introduced in eastern North Amer- ica on several occasions, but only the last importation appears to have been successful. The birds included in this lot, about sixty in number, were released in Central Park, New York city, in 1890, under the direc- tion of Mr. Eugene Schieffelin. They. seem to have left the park and have established themselves in various favorable places in the upper part of the city. They have bred for three successive years in the roof of the Museum of Natural History and at other points in the vicinity. In the suburbs about the northern end of the city they are frequently observed in flocks containing as many as fifty individuals. ‘Chese birds are resident throughout the year, and, as they have already endured our most severe winters, we may doubtless regard the species as thoroughly naturalized. Starlings are walkers, not hoppers, and this fact, in connection with the spotted plumage and yellow bill of the adults, makes their identification an easy matter. 960 BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. Famity IcTERIDaZ. BLAOCKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETO. This distinctively American family is most abundantly represented in the tropics, where the majority of the one hundred and fifty known species are found. With the exception of the Orioles, they are gre- garious after the nesting season, while some of the species nest in col- onies and are found in flocks throughout the year. They differ markedly in habits, and are found living in ground of every nature, from dry plains and wet marshes to the densest forest growth. Some species possess marked vocal ability, while the voices of others are harsh and unmusical. They feed on fruit, seeds, and insects. KEY TO THE SPECIES, I. With yellow or orange in the under parts. A. Throat black. a. Back black . . . . ~~... . . . 50%. BaLtiworz ORIOLE. 6. Back greenish . . - + . 506. ORcHARD ORIOLE (é im.). B. A black or blackish arenceut on the breast ; outer tail-feathers white. 501. MEaADowLarRK. 50la. WzsreRN MEAapowLaRrk. C. Entire under parts yellow, yellowish, or orange. a. Rump and tail orange. . . 507. BaxtimorE ORIOLE (9? and im.). b. Upper parts yellowish green . 506. OrcHARD ORIOLE ( @ and im.). c. Upper parts brownish, streaked and spotted with black; tail-feath- ers pointed . . . . . 494, Boporinx (¢? and im.). D. Throat and breast yellow or ppelnwr icles belly black or dark grayish brown. . . . . . 497. YELLow-HEADED Biackgirp, II. Under parts black, with or without metallic refiec- tions. A, Outer tail-feathers ‘75 or more shorter than middle ones; bill 1:00 or more in length. a. Tailover600.... . . . . 518. Boat-rartep GrackLe ¢. 6. Tail under 6:00. 61, Back bronzy purple or shining, brassy bluish green, the feathers with iridescent bars . . . . . . 511, PurpLe Grackie(¢). 63. Back bronze, without iridescent bars. 5110. Bronzep GrackLe 6. 3, Back bottle-green, the feathers more purple at their base, and with a narrow iridescent bar near the middle. 5lla. FLoripa GRACKLE é. b¢, Back bluish black, with or without iridescent bars. 511. PurpLe GrackLe(¢?). 51la. FLorrpa GRAcELE 9. B. Outer tail-feathers little if any shorter than middle ones; bill less than 1:00 in length. a, Entire plumage bluish black, the feathers sometimes tipped with buffy or rufous. . . . . . 509, Rusty Biacxksirp. b. A red and buff shoulder-patch. | . 498, Rep-wincEp Biackzirp ( ). BLACKBIRDS, QRIOLES, ETC. 961 c. Head and neck all around seal-brown . . . . 495. Cowsirp é. d, Nape buffy, rump whitish. . . . . . « . 494. Bopotine 6. IM. Under parts grayish, sinteccolor, chestnut, or buffy. A, Under parts grayish or slate-color. a. Under parts grayish ; bill finchlike; wing under 4:00. 495. CowBIRD ?. 3. Under parts and upper parts slate-color, the feathers sometimes tipped with brownish . . . . . . . 509. Rusry Buacksirp ¢. B. Under parts buffy or chestnut. a. Under parts buffy, generally with a few black streaks. 494. BoBo.ink 9. 6. Under parts buffy, without black streaks; tail about 5-00. 513. Boat-TaILED GRACKLE 9. c. Under parts chestnut; throat black. 506. OrcuARD OrIoLE (¢ ad.). IV. Under parts black and white, or black tipped or mar- gined with rusty. a. Under parts streaked black and white, or black tipped with white ; shoulder generally red or reddish. 498. Rep-winerp Buaoxsirp (9 and im.). 4986, Froripa Repwine (¢ and im.). 6. Upper parts and under parts tipped with rusty. 509. Rusty Buiacxsirp (im.). c. Nape buffy, rump whitish . . . . ... . . 494 Bonouinx 6. 494. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Zinn.). Boxsotinx; Reepsrrp; Ricesirp. Ad. 6, breeding plumage.—Top and sides of the head and under | parts black, the feathers more or less tipped with a narrow whitish or cream- buff fringe, which wears off as the season advances; back of the neck with a large yellowish cream-butf patch; middle of back generally streaked with cream-buff; scapulars, lower back, and upper tail-coverts soiled grayish white; wings and tail black; tail-feathers with pointed tips , bill blue-black. Ad. 9.—Upper parts olive-buff, streaked with black; crown blackish, with a central stripe of olive buff; nape finely spotted and back broadly streaked with black ; wings and tail brownish fuscous; tail-feathers with pointed tips ; under parts yellowish or butfy white. 4d. in fall and Jm—Similar to female, but buffier and more olivaceous throughout. L., 7:25; W., 3°76; T., 2°73; B., °55. Remarks.—The young and adults in fall plumage are known as Reed- birds. Adults acquire this plumage by a complete molt after the breeding season. The breeding plumage is regained by a complete molt in the spring, and not, as has been supposed, by a change in the color of the feathers with- out molting. Freshly plumaged males have the black veiled by yellow tips to the feathers; these gradually wear off, and by June have almost entirely disappeared (cf. Chapman, Auk, x, 1893, p. 309). Range.—Breeds from southern New Jersey northward to Nova Scotia, westward to Utah and northern Montana; leaves the United States by way of Florida, and winters in South America. 262 BLACKBIRD$, ORIOLES, ETC. Washington, T. V., common in spring, abundant in fall; May 1 to May 27; Aug. 5 to Oct. 1. Sing Sing, tolerably common 8. R., May 1 to Oct. 5. Cam- bridge, very common 8. R., May 8 to Sept. 10. West, of grasses, on the ground. Zygs, four to seven, grayish white, fre- quently tinged with the color of the numerous irregular spots and blotches of olive-brown or umber, *85 x *62. In June our fields and meadows echo with the Bobolink’s “mad music” as, on quivering wing, he sings in ecstasy to his mate on her nest in the grasses below. What a wonderful song it is! An irre- pressible outburst; a flood of melody from a heart overflowing with the joy of early summer. But this glad season is soon over. Even before the tide of the year is full, the Bobolink begins to prepare for the long journey to his win- ter resorts. Doffing his jaunty costume of black, white, and buff, he dons the less conspicuous dress of his mate, and travels in disguise under the assumed name of Reedbird or Ricebird. His voice is hushed, save for a single call-note—a metallic chink, He travels both by day and night, and from the sky we hear his watchword as he signals his companions. The wild-rice marshes of our coasts and rivers are the rendezvous of the countless flocks of Bobolinks, which later will invade South America, stopping en route to visit the rice fields of South Carolina and Georgia. They pass the winter south of the Amazon, and in March or April begin their northward journey. The males, in flocks of two or three hundred, precede the females by several days. They reach Florida about April 25, and are then in full song. Only one who has heard the Bobolink sing can form an idea of the effect pro- duced by a flock of three hundred singing in chorus. 495. Molothrus ater (Bodd.). Cowzirp. Ad. §.—Flead, neck, and breast coffee-brown; rest of the plumage glossy black, with metallic bluish and greenish reflections. Ad. 9.— Dark brownish gray, lighter below, especially on the throat. Young in Jjirst plumage.—Similar to the female, but whiter below, all the feathers edged with buffy. This plumage is worn but a short time, and is then changed for that of the adult. 6 L., 7-92: W., 494; T., 3:08; B., °67. Range.—Breeds from 'Texas to New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters from southern Ilinois southward. Washington, rather rare P. R., common T, V. Sing Sing, common 6. R., Mch. 22 to Nov. 11. Cambridge, very common 8. R., Mch. 25 to Oct. 15; oc- casional in winter. Fie. 77.—Cowbird. (Natural size.) Bopo.inx, MALE AND FEMALE. BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 263 West, none, the eggs being laid in the nests of other species. Eggs, white, evenly and distinctly speckled with cinnamon-brown or umber, ‘86 x *65. The Cowbird is an acknowledyved villain, and has no standing in the bird world. English Sparrows, either because they are not aware of the customs of New-World bird lite, or because of a possible and not unlikely affinity, associate with him; but no self-respecting Ameri- can bird will be found in his company. As an outcast he makes the best of things, and gathers about him a band of kindred spirits who know no law. There is an air about the group which at once tells the critical observer that their deeds are evil. No joyous song swells the throat of the male. His chief con- tribution to the chorus of springtime is a guttural bubbling produced with apparently nauseous effort. In small flocks they visit both pasture and woodland, and are given to following cattle, clustering about the feet of the herd, presumably to feed on the insects found there. They build no nest, and the females, lacking every moral and maternal instinct, leave their companions only long enough to deposit their eggs in the nests of other and smaller birds. I can imagine no sight more strongly suggestive of a thoroughly despicable nature than a female Cowbird sneaking through the trees or bushes in search of a victim upon whom to shift the duties of motherhood. The ill-gotten offspring are born with the Cowbird character fully developed. They demand by far the greater share of the food, and through gluttony or mere size alone starve or crowd out the rightful occupants of the nest. They accept the attention of their foster-par- ents long after they could care for themselves; and when nothing more is to be gained desert them and join the growing flocks of their kind in the grainfields. 497. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (Zonap.). YEtLow- HEADED Biacxpirp. Ad. 6.—Head, neck, throat, and breast orange-yellow ; region before the eye and chin black; outer wing-coverts white, rest of the plumage black. Ad. ¢ Forehead, line over the eye, sides of the head, throat, and upper breast pale, dirty yellow, more or less mixed with white: lower breast generally more or less marked with white ; rest of the plumage grayish brown. L., 10°00; W., 5°50; T., 4:05; B., -85. Range.—Western North America, north to Manitoba, east to Ilinois; win- ters from the Southern States southward ; accidental in Massachusetts, Div- trict of Columbia, South Carolina, and Florida. Washington, A. V., one instance, Aug. Cambridge, A. V., one record, Oct. Nest, bulky, of coarse reeds, grasses, etc., in marshes. Zygs, four to five, grayish white, evenly and rather obscurely speckled with pale cinnamon- brown, 1:00 x °72. “These birds are largely terrestrial in their habits, and during the fall and winter months are generally distributed over the prairies and 964 BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. plains, often following and running about with the cattle, in company with Cowbirds; but their natural home is on or about the marshy, weedy grounds, and during the breeding season [they are] seldom to be met with far away... . “Their notes are harsh, and their attempt at song a laborious, whistling, squeaky, chuckling sound ” (Goss). 498. Agelaius phoeniceus (Linn.). Rep-winerp Buackeirp. Ad. 6.—Lesser wing-coverts—‘ shoulders "—bright scarlet; middle wing- coverts varying from ochraceous-buff to butty white; rest of the plumage black—in fall and winter specimens more or less tipped with rusty. im. 8 .— Upper parts margined with rusty and buffy ; under parts tipped with whitish ; lesser wing-coverts dull orange-red mixed with black. Ad, ?.—Head and back blackish, streaked with rusty and buffy ; rump and upper tail-coverts fuscous, more or less edged with ashy ; wings fuscous, edged with buffy, the lesser coverts sometimes tinged with reddish; under parts conspicuously streaked with black and white; the throat tinged with orange or yellow. 6 L., 951; W., 472; T., 3°77; B., 88. Range.—¥astern North America; breeds from the Gulf of Mexico to New Brunswick and Manitoba, and winters from Virginia southward. Washington, common P. R., abundant in migrations. Sing Sing, common S. R., Feb. 25 to Nov. 11. Cambridge, abundant 8. R., Mch. to Aug.; a few winter. West, of coarse grasses, weed stalks, ete., lined with finer grasses and root- lets, attached to low bushes or reeds. Zgys, three to five, pale blue, singularly streaked, spotted, or scrawled with dark purple or black, chiefly at the larger end, 1:04 x °72. Aswiftly moving, compact band of silent birds, passing low through the brown orchard, suddenly wheels and, alighting among the bare branches, with the precision of a trained choir breaks into a wild, tinkling glee. It is quite possible that in the summer this rude chorus might fail to awaken enthusiasm, but in the spring it is as weleome and inspiring a promise of the new year as the peeping of frogs or blooming of the first wild flower. Plain, streaked Mrs. Redwing, who has been spending the winter in flocks composed only of others of her sex, soon appears, but mating is delayed until late April or early May. Then we find the old homes in the wet meadows and marshes occupied by apparently the same birds which have dwelt there for years. Mounting the topmost branch of a tree not far from the nest, the male becomes an ever-vigilant sentinel. His rich “‘ kong-quér-réé,” which by association is so strongly suggestive of reedy marshes, is a signal that “all’s well.” He challenges all suspicious characters by an inquiring chit, chuck, and with a long, shrill alarm-note, chee-e-e-e-e, circles out on fluttering wings, his gorgeous crimson epaulets showing conspicuously, ‘MAVTIMOGVE BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 965 The nesting season is a short one, and in July young and old begin to gather in flocks in the marshes, where later they will be found, in countless numbers, feeding on the wild rice. 498b. A. p. bryanti Ridgw. Fuioria Repwine.—Similar to the preceding, but smaller, the bill much more slender; ¢ with the under parts less broadly streaked with black. W., 3°70; T., 3:50; B.,-90; depth of bill at nostril, °35. Range.—Florida and the Bahamas. 501. Sturnella magna (Linn.). Meavowvarx ; Frevp Lark. Ad. in summer.—Prevailing color of the upper parts black, the crown with a buffy line through the center, the back bordered and tipped with rufous and buffy ; outer tail-feathers mostly white, middle ones with imperfect, connected bars, not reaching the outer edge of the feather; line from the bill over the eye yellow; sides of the throat and ear-coverts whitish; throat, between the lower branch of the under mandible, breast, and middle of the upper belly bright yellow; a black crescent on the breast; sides and lower belly whitish, spotted or streaked with black. Winter plumage.—Feathers all much more widely margined, the prevailing color of the upper parts rufous-brown ; black breast crescent veiled with bufty; yellow of under parts duller. L., 10-75; W., 4°76; T., 3:16; B., 1:30. Remarks.—This bird is to be distinguished from the western species by its much darker upper parts, by the imperfect, confluent tail-bars, and more especially by the absence of yellow on the sédes of the throat. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from the Gulf to New Brunswick and Minnesota; winters from Massachusetts and Illinois southward. Washington, common P. R., less common in winter. Sing Sing, tolerably common S§. R., Feb. 20 to Nov. 27; a few winter. Cambridge, common S$. R., not common W. V. Nest, of grasses, frequently arched, on the ground. Zgqs, four to six, white, spotted or speckled with cinnamon or reddish brown, 1:15 x °80. In walking through grassy fields, meadows, or marshes, we some- times flush rather large, brownish birds, which, alternately flapping and sailing, scale away with a flight that suggests a Quail’s. Their white outer tail-feathers show conspicuously, and if, instead of return- ing to the ground, they alight on a fence or the outer branch of a tree, as they utter a nasal peent, they will nervously flit their tails, display- ing the same white feathers. When in an exposed position they are wary and difficult to ap- proach, but when walking about on the ground they trust to the long grasses for protection. and sometimes do not take wing until one is within a few feet of them. In Cuba I noticed that a Meadowlark, closely related to ours, was very careful to conceal its brightly colored breast,.with its distinctly marked crescent, and, although even perching birds were not shy, they 266 BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. would invariably turn their backs upon me as I drew near. Do our Meadowlarks practice the same impolite habit ? The Meadowlark’s song is a clear, plaintive whistle of unusual sweetness. It is subject to much variation, both individually and geographically. The birds near my home at Englewood, N. J., gen- erally sing: seca ee ee cet eee But the songs of Florida birds are so different, I hardly recognized them by their notes. In the fall, Meadowlarks at the north gather in flocks and resort to large marshes. 50la. S. m. neglecta (4ud.). WxsterN MeapowLark; PRatrie Larx.—Prevailing color of the upper parts grayish brown, crown with a cen- tral buffy stripe; back black, feathers widely margined with grayish brown ; rump and upper tail-coverts with narrow black bars; outer tail-feathers mostly white; middle ones brownish gray, barred with black, the bars gen- erally not connected, and as a rule reaching the margins of the feathers; line from the bill over the eye yellow; ear-coverts grayish white; throat yellow, this color reaching up on the sides of the throat and touching the ear- coverts; breast and upper belly yellow, a black crescent on the breast ; sides and lower belly whitish, spotted or streaked with black. Wénter plumage.— Upper parts more widely margined with grayish brown, these grayish brown tips with small, broken black bars; yellow of under parts duller, the black crescent veiled with whitish. W., 460; T., 3:00; B., 1:25. Range.— Western North America, north to British Columbia and Mani- toba; east regularly to Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas, sparingly to Dlinois and Wisconsin; south through western Mexico” (Ridgw.). The Western Meadowlark resembles the eastern bird in habits but differs from it so decidedly in song that some ornithologists consider it a distinct species and not a geographical race. In his charming biography of the Prairie Lark, Ernest E. Thompson writes: “In rich- ness of voice and modulation it equals or excels both Wood Thrush and Nightingale, and in the power and beauty of its articulation it has no superior in the whole world of feathered choristers with which I am acquainted ” (Birds of Manitoba). The Trovriay (502. Icterus icterus), 1 South American species, was re- corded by Audubon as accidental at Charleston, South Carolina. 506. Icterus spurius (Zinn.). Orcnarp Orrorz. Ad. 6.—Head, neck, throat, and upper back black; breast, belly, lower back, and lesser wing-coverts chestnut; wings and tail fuscous, more or less edged or tipped with whitish. Ad. ¢—Upper parts grayish olive-green, brighter on the head and rump; wings fuscous, middle and greater coverts tipped with whit- ish; tail bright olive-green; under parts dull yellow. Im. 6, jirst year—: BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 267 Similar to the ad. ¢, but with the back browner. Jm. 6, second year—Simi- lar to the ad. ¢, but with the throat black and occasionally patches of chest- nut on the under parts. L., 7°32; W., 3:18; T., 2°92; B., -65. Range.—Kastern North Amer- ica; breeds from the Gulf States to Massachusetts and Ontario, and winters in Central America. Washington, common §. R., Apl. 28 to Sept. Sing Sing, com- mon 8. R., May 2 to Aug. 6. Cam-. bridge, 8. R., sometimes rather common, May 15 to July. West, pensile, of grasses inter- woven, near the extremity of a limb, ten to fifteen feet up. Zqs, Fie. 78.—Orchard Oriole. (Im., é, second three to five, bluish white, dis- gen CNS tinctly and obscurely spotted, blotched, and scrawled with fuscous or black, “79 x +58, Although the Orchard Oriole generally frequents apple orchards, he is entirely at home among the shade trees of our lawns. There is an air of refinement about this bird which seems to per- vade his whole life history. He dresses quietly but with excellent taste, his nest is of the choicest materials, while his song suggests the finished effort of a perfectly trained performer. His voice is indeed unusually rich and flexible, and he uses it with rare skill and expres- sion. Words can not describe his song, but no lover of bird-music will be long in the vicinity of a singing Orchard Oriole without learn- ing the distinguished songster’s name. 50%. Icterus galbula (Linn.). Battimore OrtoLE; Firesirp; Go.tpEen Rosin; Hane-nest. Ad. 6.—Head, neck, throat, and upper back black ; breast, belly, lower back, and lesser wing-coverts deep, rich, reddish orange ; wings black, the outer margin of the greater coverts and quills edged - with white ; end half of middle tail-feathers black, base orange; all the others orange, crossed bya black band in the middle. Ad. ¢.—Upper parts brown- ish or grayish orange, brighter on the rump; head and back mottled with ~ black; wings fuscous, greater and middle coverts tipped with white; tail like the rump, the middle feathers stained with black; under parts dull - orange, throat sometimes spotted with black. L., 7°53; W., 3°52; T., 2°84; B., ‘70. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from the Gulf States to New Brunswick ; winters in Central America. Washington, rather common 8. R., Apl. 28 to Sept. Sing Sing, common S. R., May 2 to Sept. 1. Cambridge, very common 8. R., May 8 through Aug. Nest, pensile, of grasses, bark, plant fibers, hair, strings, ete., firmly inter- woven, in fruit or shade trees, near the extremity of a limb twenty to forty 268 BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 2et up. Lggs, four to six, white, singularly scrawled with fine, distinct or obscure black or fuscous lines, and with a few spots or blotches, 94 x -63. Sometimes Nature, as if to remind us of the richness of her stores, . sends from the tropics a gayly attired bird who seems quite out of place among the more soberly clad inhabitants of northern climes. The genus Jcterus contains nearly forty species, all more or less brightly dressed in orange, yellow, and black, but not one is more beautiful than our Baltimore Oriole. There is reason to believe that he is not unaware of his own charms; indeed, we may almost suspect him of intentionally display- ing them. His splendor is not to be lost in the forest, and, whistling loudly, he flashes through our fruit and shade trees, He generally leaves to the female the task of constructing their wonderfully made nest, but he seems quite as deeply interested in the performance as if he were a skilled weaver himself; indeed, he would probably assist if he were permitted. Young Orioles have been well named by Mrs. Olive Thorne Miller the ery-babies of the bird world. Their ceaseless call for food is almost as much a midsummer voice as the song of cicadas. Long after they have left the nest we may find them in the different trees about our lawn calling out monotonously and persistently dee-dee- dee-dee, until one of the parents arrives and momentarily stops their mouths. Butocr’s Or10 re (508. Icterus bullocki), a species of our Western States, has been taken at Bangor, Maine. 509. Scolecophagus carolinus (J/i/l.). Rusty Buacksirp. Ad. 8, breeding plumage.—Entire plumage uniform glossy bluish’ black ; tail- . feathers of nearly equal length. Ad. 8 in fall and winter plumage.—Simi- ; lar, but the upper parts widely tipped with rufous or rusty, the under parts ~similarly tipped with ochraccous- or cream-buff; a buffy line over the eye, , Ad. 9 in breeding plumage.—Slate-color, glossy above, duller below ; wings and tail darker and more glossy. Ad. 9 in fall and winter—Similar, but somewhat lighter, the upper parts widely tipped with rufous or rusty, the under parts similarly tipped with ochraceous- or cream-buff. L., 9:55; W., 461: T., 3:52; B., -80. Range.—Breeds from New Brunswick and Manitoba northward to Labra- dor and Alaska; winters from Virginia southward. Washington, common W. V., Oct. 25 to Apl. 25. Sing Sing, common T. V., Mch. 26 to May 8; Sept. 28 to Nov. 27. Cambridge, very common T. V., Mch. to May 5; Sept. and Oct. Nest, of twigs and coarse grasses lined with finer grasses, in coniferous trees or on the ground. Z£ygs, four to seven, grayish green to pale green, thickly blotched with light and dark brown and purple, 1:00 x -76 (Cham- berlain), BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 269 This bird is found during the migrations in small flocks on fresh- water meadows or about open, bushy swamps, feeding on the ground in alder thickets or along the edges of swampy woods, It resembles, more or less, the Red-winged Blackbird in size, flight, and notes, but unlike this species, with which it sometimes associates, it is compara- tively quiet and retiring. Only at times, in the spring, do we find the flocks musical centers, whence issues a confused medley of whistles, sweeter and ‘higher-pitched than the best efforts of the Redwings. Little is known of this Blackbird in its northern home. It gathers into flocks early in the summer, and the most frequently heard note is a “cluck,” not in the least characteristic. Its quiet demeanor, pale- yellow eye, and uniform color are its chief distinguishing characters in the field, where it may be mistaken for the Bronzed or Purple Grackle. The gray female is unlike the streaked female Redwing. J. Dwicut, Jr. Brewer’s Buacksirp (510. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus) inhabits west- ern North America, and is of casual occurrence as far east as Illinois and Louisiana, and has been once recorded from South Carolina. It may. be dis- tinguished from §. carolinus by its deep violet-purple head and the compara- tive absence of rusty tips to the feathers. 511. Quiscalus quiscula (Zinn.). Purrrz Gracxie; Crow Biacx- BIRD. (See Fig. 46, ¢) Ad. 6.—Head, neck, throat, and upper breast all around varying from brilliant metallic purple to bluish green or steel-blue; back and rump varying from bottle-green to metallic purple or shining brassy green, the feathers with iridescent bars ; wings and tail externally metallic purple or bluish black ; lower breast and belly resembling the back but duller. Ad. ? .—Much duller than the male, but the feathers of the back generally show- ing at least traces of iridescence. 4 L.,12°00-13'50; W., 5°66; T., 5-18; B., 1:18. Remarks.—Intermediates between this and the Bronzed Grackle are found where their ranges adjoin, but typical gudseula always has iridescent bars on the feathers of the back, rump, and belly, while in enews these bars are want- ing. (Omthe relationships of this group see Chapman, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., iv, 1892, pp. 1-20.) ftange.—Breeds in the lower Mississippi Valley and east of the Allegha- nies from Georgia to Massachusetts ; winters in the Southern States. Washington, common T. V. and 8. R., Feb. 20; a few winter. Sing Sing, tolerably common 8. R., Feb. 15 to Nov. 8. Nest, bulky and compact, of mud and coarse grasses lined with finer grasses, in colonies, gencrally in coniferous trees about thirty feet up, some- times in bushes or holes in trees. Hggs, three to six, very variable, generally pale bluish or bluish green, singularly spotted, blotched, or scrawled with einnamon-brown, umber, or black, but sometimes evenly speckled with brown- ish, and rarely almost solid cinnamon- or rufous-brown, 1°15 x -82. When winter gives signs of retreating there comes from the south in sable array the tried advance guard of the feathered army which is 270 BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. impatiently awaiting the order to advance. In close rank they come, phalanx after phalanx, to retake the land which winter—once conquer- ing, now defeated—yieldstothem. The air resounds to marshal music; their harsh voices, united, rise in an inspiring chorus. The campaign over, they settle in colonies on their recently acquired possessions, and these careless rovers become so attached to their homes and families that they are rarely seen far from their vicinity. Some- times we may see them walking sedately over the lawns near their home, their glossy plumage gleaming in the light, and their yellow eyes giving them a peculiar, unbirdlike expression. But when their young are old enough to care for themselves the old habits return, and, leading their offspring into the world, they teach them the ways of wanderers. Meeting others of their kind, they join forces, and in the fall we find them in hordes ravaging the country. The Grackle’s disposition is as gloomy as his plumage is dark, Life with him isa serious affair. He seems to utterly lack the Blue Jay’s sense of humor. Asa parent he is beyond reproach, and every moment is devoted to the care of his young, but it is all done ina joy- less way. Hggs and nestlings form part of his fare, and I can imagine bird-mothers frightening their young into obedience by theatened visits from that ogre, the Grackle. 5lila. Q. q. agleus (Baird). Fuorma Gracerz. Ad. .—Head, neck, throat and upper breast all around metallic violet-purple; back and- rump rich bottle green, the feathers with more or less concealed éridescent bars ; wings and tail externally metallic purple or bluish black; the wing- coverts generally with iridescent tips; lower breast and belly similar to the back but duller. 4d. ¢ —Not distinguishable in color from the ¢ of Y. quis- cwla, but differing in size. W., 538; T., 4°90; B., 1:25. Ftange.—Coast of South Carolina westward through central Georgia to the Mississippi; south through Florida to Key West. This is a locally abundant bird, and is found in flocks throughout the year. In Florida it sometimes lives in the towns in which live- oaks grow, and it also makes its headquarters in cypress “bays,” but its favorite resort is among the cabbage palmettos, upon the berries of which it feeds. 511b. Q. q. wneus (Ridgw.). Bronzep Gracktz; Crow Buack- Birp. Ad. 6.—Head, neck, throat, and upper breast all around varying from brilliant metallic purple to bluish green or steel-blue; back metallic seal- bronze, the feathers without iridescent bars ; wings and tail metallic pur- plish or bluish black; lower breast and belly similar to the back but duller. Ad, @.—Much duller, the back and belly brownish, sometimes without me- tallic reflections and never with iridescent bars. W., 5°62; T., 5°04; B., 1-21. Range.—Breeds from Texas to Great Slave Lake, east to the Alleghanies FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. O71 as far north as Pennsylvania, and north of this eastward to Connecticut and northward to Labrador ; winters in the lower Mississippi Valley. Washington, rare T. V., between Feb. 20 and Apl. 15. Sing Sing, tolera- bly common T. V., Apl.; Nov. Cambridge, abundant 8. R., Mch. to Oct.; occasional in winter. “The general habits of the Bronzed Grackle are in all respects identical with those of the Purple Grackle.... ~ “From an almost equal familiarity with the two birds we are able to say that their notes differ decidedly, especially those of the male during the breeding season, the ‘song’ of the western birds being very much louder and more musical or metallic than those of its eastern relative” (Ridgway). 518. Quiscalus major Vieill. Boat-rairep Graczie. Ad. §.— Glossy bluish black; head, throat, and breast more purplish, wings and tail more blackish. Ad. ¢.—Much smaller, upper parts blackish brown, under parts soiled ochraceous-butf. 6 L., 16-00; W., 7°50; T., 7-00; B., 1°55. Range.—Florida; north along the Atlantic coast to Virginia; west along the Gulf coast to Texas. Vest, bulky and compact, of grasses, seaweed, etc., with a median layer of mud or partially decayed vegetation, in colonies in bushes. ggs, three to tive, pale bluish white, frequently tinged with vinaceous-brown, singularly spotted, blotched, and scrawled with purplish or blackish, 1:32 x -90. Boat-tail Grackles are rarely if ever found far from water. Shal- low lakes or marshy lagoons grown with aquatic plants are their fa- vorite resorts. Here they may be seen in small groups, which usually contain more males than females, walking or jumping from plant to plant, sometimes springing into the air to catch a passing insect, or wading along the shore in search of food. Their usual notes are hoarse, rather forced whistles; more rarely they utter a singular rolling call, which bears a close resemblance to the sound produced by a Coot in pattering over the water. FamiLy FRINGILLIDZ. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. This, the largest family of birds, contains some five hundred and fifty species, which are represented in all parts of the world except the Australian region. Its members present wide diversity of form and habit, but generally agree in possessing stout, conical bills, which are admirably adapted to crush seeds. They are thus chief among seed-eaters, and for this reason are not so migratory as insect-eating species. The brown, streaked Sparrows are, to a large extent, field- or plain- inhabiting, and their neutral colors are therefore a means of protec- tion in the exposed situations they inhabit. The brighter Grosbeaks 272 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. and Finches are more arboreal. Many species take high rank as song- sters, and some of our favorite cage-birds belong to this family. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Under parts with red. II. Under parts with no red and without distinct streaks; throat or breast sometimes with a patch or spot. III. Under parts without red and with numerous streaks. I. Under parts with red. A, Wing-coverts plainly tipped with white or whitish, or with a white or yellow band in the wing. a. No red in the upper parts. a. Back black, rump whitish, throat black, breast and under wing- coverts rosy red . 595. RosE-BREASTED GRosBEAk (é ad.). a?, Back and under parts streaked with black ; under wing-coverts rosy red . . 595. RosE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (6 im.). 6. Red on upper parts confined to crown or forehead, and sometimes a tinge on the rump: wing under 3°25. 6&1, Rump and flanks generally without blackish streaks; feathers of back generally with whitish borders. 527. GREENLAND Reproty. 527a. Hoary REpPou.. 62, Rump and flanks always streaked; feathers of back with little if any white and generally with brownish borders. 528. Reppox. and races. 6, Back cinnamon-brown, unstreaked ; crown, nape, and sides of the neck black; a yellow band in the wing. European GoupFinca. ce. Red or pink spread more or less over entire upper parts; wing over 3°25. ol, Tips of mandibles crossed. 522. WHITE-WINGED CRossBILL (¢ ad.). ci, Bill stout ; mandibles not crossed. 515. Prine GrosBeax (¢é ad.). B. Wing-coverts not tipped with white. a. Throat black or blackish ; wings and tail red; body red or olive. 593. CARDINAL. 6. Throat and more or less of under parts red or greenish red. 61, Plumage blood-red, brownish red, or greenish red; tips of the mandibles crossed. . . . 521, Am. Cuasesrut é. 6%, Plumage dull reddish ; ‘Pelly whitish ; back indistinctly streaked, with bristly feathers over the nostrils. 517. Purere Frvca (¢ ad.). b3, Head blue; back green; rump red. 601. Parntep Bunrtine (@ ad.). I. Under parts with no red and without distinct streaks}; throat or breast sometimes with a patch or spot. 1. Tail with white spots, bars, or patches. A, Back plain, without streaks. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 273 a. Throat and breast black, brown, or slate-color, sharply defined from the white belly. at. Breast black or brown ;-sides rufous . . . . 587. TowHEE. a, Breast slate-color; sides the same, or brownish. 567. Junoo. 567¢. Carnoiina JUNCO. 6. Throat and belly more or less yellow or ashy. bt, Wing over 4°00; bill stout, greenish yellow. 514, Eventne GrosBEax. b2, Bill small and sharp: back brown; throat yellowish. 529. Gotprincu (¢ and im.). 28. Body bright yellow, cap black . . 529. Gonprinon (6 ad.). c. Under parts pure white, middle of back black. 534, SNOWFLAKE. B. Back streaked with black, brown, or white. w. Bend of the wing yellow; tail under 2°20. 546. GrassHorPER SPARROW. b. ‘roast black or blackish ; lesser wing-coverts reddish brown. 539. McCown’s Lonesrur ¢. c. Breast buffy; belly whitish; outer tail-feathers white, next three or four more or less white with a black band at the end; seconda- ries not entirely white. . . . . 539. McCown’s Lonaspur 9. d. Under parts entirely light brown or buffy, only two outer tail- feathers white; no yellow on the bend of the wing. 587. Smity’s Lonespur. e. Under parts pure white, with a blackish spot on the center of the breast, a black stripe on the sides of the throat; sides of the crown and ear-coverts chestnut . . . . 552. Lark Sparrow. J. Wing slightly over 4:00; under parts pure white or washed with rusty ; head and rump white or rusty ; most of secondaries white. 534. SNOWFLAKE. 2. Tail without large white spots or patches. A, Back plain, without distinct streaks. a. Back blue, bluish, or brownish blue. a, Wing over 3:00: lesser wing-coverts chestnut or with broad chestnut tips . . . . . . . 597. BLuz Grosprax. a?, Wing under 3:00; lesser eee -coverts blue or bluish, tipped with light brown. . r a . 598. Inpico Bunrtine. 6. Back green or greenish, or fines yellow or greenish yellow. d1, Mandibles not crossed. 62. Back greenish . +. + + » 601. Parnrep Buntine ?. 68, Back and under parts slaty gray; bill black. 515. Pine Grosseak (9 and im.). 64, Forehead, rump, under parts, and scapulars yellow or brown- ish yellow; secondaries white; bill yellow. 514. EvenING GROSBEAK 6. c!, Mandibles crossed. @, Wing-bars white. . . . 522. Wuire-winenp CrossBILL, ¢, Without white wing-bars ie 521. Am. CRossBILu, 19 O74 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. ce. Back brown or brownish, ashy, or slate-color. ci. Head and rump yellowish or reddish ; wing-bars white; wing over400 . .. . . . 515. Pine Grospeaxk (9 and im.), c4, Under parts brownish eream-buff; wing-coverts with broad . chestnut tips; wing over 3°00 . . . 597. Brus GrosBEak ?. 3, Under parts whitish ; wing without yellow and under 3-00. 598. Inpico Bunrine 9. ¢, Back ashy ; spot before the eye and on bend of wing yellow. 550, SEASIDE SPARROW. B. Back distinctly streaked. u. Bend of the wing yellow. a@, Tail over 2°20. a3, A white throat-patch; breast gray; a yellowish line over theeye .. s . 558. WuiTE-THROATED SPaRROW. a8. A black spot on the throat; breast yellow, or both. 604. DicxctssEL. a4, No yellow over the eye; breast ashy or buffy ; outer tail- feathers much the shortest. 575. Ping-woops Sparrow. 575a. Bacuman’s Sparrow. 61. Tail under 2°20, the feathers narrow and sharply pointed. 69, Crown olive-brown, a blue-gray line through its center; checks and breast ochraceous-butt. 549a. Netson’s Sparrow. 8, Crown blackish, a cream-buff line through its center. 546. GRasSsHOPPER SPARROW. 4. Bend of the wing not yellow. d1. Crown bright reddish brown, the feathers sometimes tipped with ashy or brownish, but without black streaks. 08. No white or whitish wing-bars; outer tail-feathers much shorter than middle ones; lesser wing-coverts, upper tail- coverts, and margins of most of the tail-feathers rufous; wing under250 .... . . . . 584 Swamp Sparrow: 68, Cheeks and throat ae a narrow reddish brown line from back of the eye to the nape, an indistinct black spot in the center of the breast . . . . . 559. Tree Sparrow. 04, Eye-ring whitish, entire bill Hrownieh flesh-color. 563. Firirp Sparrow. 68, Rump slaty gray; under parts generally all grayish white; forehead black, with a narrow grayish line in its middle, a narrow black line from back of the eye to the nape. 560. Curppine SpaRRow. et. Crown streaked or spotted with black or black and white. c. Crown with chestnut streaks, and sometimes a slight ashy line through its center; no white or whitish wing-bars ; outer tail-feathers much shorter than middle ones. 584. Swamp Sparrow (Im.). ¢’, Crown with reddish brown; rump ashy; wing-bars butfy ; middle tail-feathers shortest. 560. Cuippive Sparrow (Im.). FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. O75 ct, Center of crown white; the sides black; wing-bars white. 554. WHITE-cRowNED SPARROW. c5, Crown grayish; mandibles crossed . 521. Am. CrosssiL1. @, Crown mixed grayish brown and rufous, ashy, or slate-color, without black streaks. a3, Wing 2°50; bill brownish flesh-color; back rufous, streaked with black . ‘ » . . . 568. Fizetp Sparrow. d*, Wing 3:00; center of crown grayish brown, bordered by chestnut -rufous; back grayish brown, spotted with olive- brown. . . . . . . 554, Wuirz-crowNneD SPARROW. d4, Crown slate- colors a chestnut patch behind the eye; throat black . . . . . « P. 282. Enexisn Sparrow 6. a5, Crown eatery dull brown; lesser wing-coverts broadly tipped with buffy. . . . P. 282, Enerisa Sparrow ¢. III. Under parts without red and with numerous streaks. 1. Tail-feathers without white or yellow spots or patches, the outer ones little if any shorter than the middle pair. A. Head of about the same color as the back; no yellow over the eye, or on the bend of the wing, or under wing~-coverts. a. Rump yellowish or yellowish green; mandibles crossed. a, Wing-coverts tipped with white. 522. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL 9. a3, Wing-coverts not tipped with white . . 521. Am. CrossBiLt 9. 6. Mandibles not crossed; rump brown or brownish or sandy like the back; wing under 3°25. 61. Back pale brownish ashy, streaked with brownish; a whitish streak over the eye; legs flesh-color; first primary as long or longer than the second. . - . . 541. Ipswich SPpaRRow. 62, Back and most of re eats stronted. with black and reddish brown ; upper and under tail-coverts streaked; first primary shorter than second; outer tail-feathers shorter than middle ones. 581. Sone Sparrow. 68, Back distinctly streaked ; a cream-buff band across the breast. 583. Lincoxy’s Fincx. 04. Back grayish brown, the feathers with or without distinct streaks; first primaries nearly as long or longer than second; outer tail-feathers longer than middle pair; legs and feet black- ish ; with bristly feathers over the nostrils. 517. Purrte Fincn 9. 68. Back without streaks; no bristly feathers over the nostrils. 598. Inpico Buntine 9. c. Mandibles not crossed; upper tail-feathers and tail bright reddish brown, without black streaks; rump brighter; wing about 3°50. 585. Fox Sparrow. B. Head of about the same color as the back; a yellow mark before the eye, or on the bend of the wing, or under wing-coverts, a. Wing about 4:00; under wing-coverts deep yellow. 595, Rosz-BREASTED GROSBEAK ?. 276 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. d. Wing generally under 2-90; feathers of the crown black, bordered by chestnut- brown; a buffy line through the center of crown. 542a. SAVANNA SPARROW. ec. Wing generally over 2°90; feathers of crown with small black cen- ters bordered with cinnamon-brown and pale brownish gray. 541. Ipswicu SPARROW. d, Wing about 3:00; breast washed with yellow . . 604 DicxcissEL. e. Wing about 3:00; sides brownish ; throat white, quite different from the grayish breast . . . . . . 558. WuirE-THROATED SPaRRow. C. A bright red crown-cap; no yellow before the eye or on the bend of the wing. u. Rump and flanks always heavily streaked with blackish. 528. REDPOLL and races. 6. Rump white, generally without streaks; flanks lightly streaked; more or less white in the feathers of the back. 527. GREENLAND Repproti. 5274, Hoary Reppox. 2. Tail-feathers without white or yellow patches, narrow and generally sharply pointed, the outer feathers always much shorter than the middle pair. A, Crown of a different color from the back, or a buffy line over the eye. a. Center of crown with a more or less distinct brownish or buffy line. a', Nape dull, pale olive-green, of the same color as the line over the eye, but finely streaked with black; back rufous-brown, streaked with black. . . . . . 547. Henstow’s Sparrow. a’, Nape bright vefoas: Snowh, “the feathers bordered by gray; the feathers of the back black, bordered by buffy whitish. 548. Leconre’s SPARROW. b. Center of crown with a more or less distinct stripe of ashy blue. d1, Breast and sides distinctly streaked with black or blackish. 549. Suarp-TaILeD SPaRRow. 22, Breast and sides buffy or brownish, the former generally without distinct black streaks . 549a. Netson’s SHARP-TAILED SPARROW. 5496. Acaptan SHARP-TAILED Sparrow. B. Crown of the same color as the back ; no buffy line over the eye. u. A yellow spot before the eye and on the bend of wing. a}, Upper parts very dark brown or black; the feathers edged with olive-gray or ashy, breast generally with black streaks. (Florida.) 550a. Scotr’s SEasipE Sparrow. 551. Dusxy SrasipE SPARROW. a1, Back olive-gray ; breast with grayish brown streaks. 550. SEASIDE SPARROW. b. No yellow before the eye; bend of the wing yellow. 575. Prng-woops Sparrow. 575a. Bacuman’s SPARROW. c, No yellow before the eye or on the bend of the wing. c!, A broad cream-buff band across the breast. 583. Linconn’s SpaRRow. 2. No cream-buff band on the breast; streaks on the breast tending to form a spot in its middle. . . . . .°. 581, Sona Sparrow. 8. Tail with white patches or base of tail yellow. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. ONT A, Base of the tail yellow. . . . - » » . . 583. Prive Siszm, B, Outer tail-feathers with white wabebiens uw. Hind toe-nail shorter than the bill from the nostril. a, Lesser wing-coverts rufous; breast streaked with black. 540. Vesper SPARROW. a3, Sides of crown and ear-coverts chestnut; a black spot on the cen- ter of the breast . os - . . « 552 Lark Sparrow. d. Hind toe-nail longer than bill fron nostril. 61. Under parts cream-buff; two outer tail-feathers mostly white. 537. Smity’s Lonesrur. 3. Under parts whitish; breast streaked or spotted with black or entirely black; second outer tail-feather with but little white. 536. LarLanp Lonaspur. A FreLtp Kry TO THE ADULT MALE FINCHES AND SPARROWS OF THE MIDDLE STATES (VIRGINIA TO MASSACHUSETTS) IN BREEDING PLUMAGE. I. Breast with more or less yellow. Il. Breast blue. Ill. Breast or throat red. IV. Breast without either yellow, blue, or red. I. Breast with more or less yellow. A, Chin white, throat black; haunts grassy fields; song an unmusical effort of six or seven notes delivered with great earnestness from a low perch (rare east of the Alleghanies). . . . . 604, DroxorssEL. B. Under parts and breast pure yellow, crown and wings black; song a sweet canarylike warble; flight undulating, frequently accompanied by the notes chic-o-ree, per-chic-o-ree. . . . . « 529, GoLDFINCH. II. Breast blue. A. Length over 6:00; plumage deep blue, a chestnut bar across the wings (not found north of Virginia). . . . . . 597, BLuE GrosBeax. B. Length under 6:00; plumage ‘indigo tues haunts woody fields, scrub or second growth; song clear and musical, generally delivered from a tree-top. . . soe 6 « « ss 598, Levigo Buntine. II. Breast or throat red. A. Length 8:00; throat and region about the base of the bill black, rest of the plumage bright vermilion-red ; head with a conspicuous crest; song a rich, musical whistle; call-note an insignificant cheep ; haunts thickets and bushy woodland (rare north of New York city). 593. CARDINAL. B. Length 7°50; breast rose-red; belly, tip of the tail, rump, and a band in the wings white ; rest of the plumage black; haunts wooded growths ; song loud, clear, and highly musical; call-note a metallic peek. 595. Rosm-BREASTED GRosBEAK. C. Length under 6:50; plumage more or less heavily washed with dull 278 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. reddish ; haunts orchards and wooded growths; song a liquid warble; call-note a metallic chink, frequently uttered while on the wing. 517. Puree Finca. D. Length about 6:00; plumage dull blood-red ; mandibles crossed at the tips; generally found in small flocks in coniferous woods; utters a clicking or whistled note when on the wing (rarely found south of New England after May 1) . . . . . . . . 521. Rep CrosspiLu. E. Breast white, tinged with brown; region about the bill red, a yellow band in the wings (rare except in the vicinity of New York city). European GoLprFincn. IV. Breast without either yellow, red, or blue. 1. Under parts distinctly streaked or spotted. A, Outer tail-feathers white, showing conspicuously when the bird flies; haunts dry fields and roadsides; song loud and musical. 540. VESPER SpaRRow. B. Outer tail-feathers not white. a. Song loud and musical; an abundant and familiar bird of gen- eral distribution ; spots on the breast tending to form one larger spot in the center’; crown umber, a whitish line over the eye. 581. Sone Sparrow. b. Song not loud and musical; short and generally unattractive; haunts wet meadows or marshes; passes most of the time on the ground, rarely perching far from it, and when flushed generally returning to it. 61, A buffy line over the eye and at the side of the throat, breast generally washed with buffy ; haunts only salt marshes (rarely found far from the vicinity of the seashore.) 549. SHARP-TAILED SPaRRow. 8, No buff on the sides of the head or breast; upper parts black- ish; song tsip-tsip-tsip’st-é-é-s’r-r-r ; rarely breeds south of New York city; haunts both salt- and fresh-water marshes. 642a. Savanna Sparrow. 68. Back reddish, head and neck buffy olive; haunts generally wet pastures ; song an inconspicuous see-wick (rather rare, liv- ing in small colonies of local distribution). 547. Henstow’s Sparrow. 2. Under parts not distinctly streaked or spotted. A, Throat pure white, sharply defined from the grayish breast, a yellow spot over the eye; crown black, with a central stripe of white; haunts thickets or bushy woodlands; song a high, clear, musical whistle; call-note a sharp chink. 558, WuIrTE-THROATED SPARROW. B. Throat and breast black. uw. Sides of the throat and belly white, crown ash, sides of the head chestnut . . . - +» « P. 282. Housz Sparrow. 6. Length 8-00; sides of fhe ‘godly light rufous, outer tail-feathers tipped with whites haunts thickets and bushy woodlands; call- note a vigorous ipuilies or chee-wink . . . . . 58%. Towner. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. oN9 C. Throat and breast slate-color, like the back; belly and outer tail- feathers white ; bill flesh-color (nests in the Middle States only on the higher parts of the Alleghanies) . . . . . . . 567. Juno, D. Under parts white or whitish, practically all one colov. wu. Haunts wet marshes. @, Haunts always salt marshes, generally near the sea; back grayish... . . . . . 550. SEasipE Sparrow. a, Haunts both aie sinh ‘Geshe water marshes; back brown, streaked with black; cap and wings chestnut; song a loud, sharp, rapidly repented weet-weet-weet, ete. 584. Swamp SPaRRow. 6. Haunts dry fields, pastures, roadsides, lawns, thickets, ete. 61, Outer tail-feathers white, middle of the breast with a small black spot (not found east of the Alleghanies). 552. Lar« Fines. ec, Outer tail-feathers not white. o. Upper parts reddish-brown, bill pinkish flesh-color; haunts bushy fields and pastures; song a musical, plaintive cher- wee, cher-wee, cher-wee, cheeg- -dee-dee-dee-dee-dee. 563. Fretp Sparrow. ©, Bill dark brown, a buffy line through the center of the ground; song an insect-like pit-tick, 2ee-zce-zee-zee-zee. 546, GrassHorpreR SPARROW. c+, Back streaked with black, cap chestnut, a white line over the eye, bill black; song a monotonous chippy-chippy- chippy, ete. . . . . . . 560, Cupping Sparrow. oc, Larger, length aint i 00; crown black, with a white central stripe: throat not netiesdlily different from the breast; no yellow over the eye (rare; nests north of New England). . . . . . 554. WuirE-crownep Sparrow. 514. Cocothraustes vespertinus (Coop.). Evrenine GRrospEak. Ad. 6.—Forehead yellow, crown black ; sides of head olive-brown, becoming dull yellow on rump; belly and scapulars yellow, wings and tail black; end half of the secondaries and their coverts white. 4d. ¢.—Brownish gray, lighter on the under parts, more or less tinged with yellow, especially on the nape; wings black, inner primaries white at the base, secondaries edged with white; tail black, the feathers tipped with white on the inner web; upper tail-coverts black tipped with white. L., 8-00; W., 4:50; T., 3-50; B., 72. Range.—Interior of North America, from Manitoba northward ; southeast- ward in winter to the upper Mississippi Valley and casually to the northern Atlantic States. Cambridge, known to have occurred only in winter of 1889-90. Nest, known but from few,specimens, composed of small twigs lined with bark, hair, or rootlets, placed within twenty fect of the ground. Zygs, three to four, greenish, blotched with pale brown (see Davie). This distinguished inhabitant of the far northwest is a common ° winter visitant in Manitoba and the contiguous parts of the bordering ». 980 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. States. At irregular intervals it invades the northern Mississippi Valley in numbers, while still more rarely it extends its wanderings to the north Atlantic States. It travels in flocks of from six or éight to sixty individuals which by their tameness show their ignorance of man and his ways. They feed largely on the buds or seeds of trees— maple, elder, and box elder. Their notes are described by different observers as a shrill “ cheepy-teet,” and a “ frog-like peep,” while one writer remarks that “the males have a single metallic cry like the note of a trumpet, and the females a loud chattering like the large Cherry Birds (Ampelis garrulus).” Their song is given as a wander- ing, jerky warble, beginning low, suddenly increasing in power, and as suddenly ceasing, as though the singer were out of breath. During the winter and early spring of 1890 there was a phenom- enal incursion of Evening Grosbeaks into the Northern States, ac- counts of which, by Amos W. Butler, will be found in The Auk, ix, 1892, pp. 2388-247; x, 1893, pp. 155-157, 615. Pinicola enucleator (Zinn.). Pine Grospzax. Ad. 6.— Slaty gray, more or less strongly washed with rose-red, strongest on the crown, rump, upper tail-coverts, and breast; wings fuscous, their coverts edged with white; tail fuscous. Ad. 9.—Slaty gray, crown, upper tail-cov- erts, and breast more or less strongly washed with olive-yellow; wings and tailasin the 6. Jm.—Resembles the ¢. L., 9:08; W.,4:36; T., 3-67; B.,-54. Range.—* Northern portions of the northern hemisphere, breeding far north ; in winter south, in North America, irregularly to the northern United States.” j Washington, casual in winter. Sing Sing, irregular W. V., Dec. 18 to Apl. 12. Cambridge, irregular W. V., frequently common, sometimes abun- dant, Nov. to Mch. Nest, of twigs and rootlets lined with finer materials, in coniferous trees a few feet up. Zggs,“pale greenish blue, spotted and blotched with dark brown surface markings and lilac shell-spots, 1°05 x “74.” The Pine Grosbeak, like the Spruce Partridge and Canada Jay, may be said to find its true home in the coniferous forest or Canadian belt, which crosses the continent diagonally from Maine to Alaska. Like many of its congeners in this inhospitable region, it nests so early in the springtime that the winter’s frost and snow are still dominant among the evergreens when the eggs come to claim the at- tention of the pair. Its habits at this season are but little known, as very few natural- ists have had the opportunity of seeing J it in its native pine wood. But in midwinter, when it comes southward in search of food, it is a well-known frequenter, in flocks, of plantations of mountain-ash trees, or groups of sumach bushes, whose unfallen berries provide it with a bountiful supply of nourishing diet. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 281 It is said to make an admirable cage-bird, as it readily takes to confinement, and during the springtime has a prolonged and melo- dious song. Its form has a general resemblance to that of the common Robin, but its very short, thick beak and its forked tail are striking differ- ences. It is rather slow and inactive when in a tree, and when on the wing it has a loud whistle which is very characteristic; at all times its colors, as above described, should distinguish the bird at a very considerable distance. Ernest E, THompson. 517. Carpodacus purpureus (Gmel.). Purrre Fincn. Ad. 6. —Entire body suffused with rose-red, strongest on the head, rump, and breast, more brownish on the back ; whiter, gen- erally white,on the belly ; wings and tail brownish fuscous, the outer webs of the feathers finely edged with rose-red; a small tuft of bristly feathers over the nostrils; outer tail-feathers longest. Ad. @.—Very different, sparrowlike in appearance; upper parts dark grayish brown, finely streaked with black ; wings and tail dark grayish brown; under parts white, streaked, or with wedge- shaped spots of fuscous. L., 6:22; W., 3-24: T., 2-29; By -45. . 7 Remarks, —Temales bear a decided os am nels: ania! resemblance to some Sparrows, but the rounded bill, tufts of feathers over the nostrils, and forked tail are distin- guishing characters. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from northern Minnesota and Long Island northward; winters from the northern States to the Gulf. Washington, common W. V., Sept. 15 to May 15, largely a migrant. Sing Sing, rare P. R., common T. V. Cambridge, P. R., very common from Mch. to Oct.; irregular, but sometimes abundant, in winter. Nest, of twigs, grasses, and rootlets, thickly lined with long hairs, in conif- crous trees, five to thirty feet up. Zygs, four to six, blue, spotted about the larger end with fuscous, ‘79 x *56. During the nesting season the Purple Finch frequently takes up its abode in private grounds, even becoming a familiar garden bird, while others of its race find a congenial home in wild mountain forests, far away from the society of man. The rosy plumage of the males makes it attractively noticeable as a garden bird; but a serious offense must be charged against it—it has far too ready a taste for the blos- soms of fruit trees, and is perhaps the most confirmed bud-eater of all our birds. It has naturally a roving disposition, and, in the autumn especially, seems ever to be impelled by some restless impulse. At this 282 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. season it may often be seen descending with airy, sweeping flight into some leafless treetop, as if from a far atrial journey, its identity made known by its very characteristic utterance, a short, rather dull-sound- ing note, scarcely metallic—the metal pressed the instant the bell is struck. Although the Purple Finch often essays to sing in the autumn and earliest spring, its full powers of voice belong alone to the nuptial season. Then it easily takes its place among our noteworthy song birds. Its full song is a sweet-toned, carelessly flowing warble—not too brief to miss definite character as a song, and positive enough in modulation and delivery to find ready place in the memory. At times, indeed, its singing is of a character not to be easily forgotten. The song bursts forth as if from some uncontrollable stress of gladness, and is repeated uninterruptedly over and over again, while the ecstatic bird rises high into the air, and, still singing, descends into the trees. Eucene P. BicknELL. Passer domesticus (Zinn.). Houst Sparrow; Ene.iso Sparrow. Ad. 6.—Crown gray, bordered from the eye backward and on the nape by chestnut; lesser wing-coverts chestnut, middle coverts tipped with white; back streaked with black and chestnut; rump ashy; middle of the throat and breast black; sides of the throat white; belly whitish. 4d. ¢.—Head and rump grayish brown; back streaked with black and deep ochraceous-buff; under parts dirty whitish, the breast and sides washed with pale grayish brown. L., 6:33; W., 3°01; T., 2°80; B., -48. Range.—* Nearly the whole of Europe, but replaced in Italy by P. ctalie, extending eastward to Persia and Central Asia, India, and Ceylon” (Sharpe). Introduced and naturalized in America, Australia, New Zealand, etc. Nest, of any available material in any available place. ZHggs, varying from plain white to almost uniform olive-brown, generally white, tinely and evenly marked with olive, 1:86 x “62. We learn from Bulletin No. 1 of the Division of Economic Orni- thology and Mammalogy of the United States Department of Agri- culture * that this pest was first introduced into the United States at Brooklyn, New York, in 1851 and 1852. As late as 1870 it was largely confined to the cities of the Atlantic States, but since that date, partly through man’s agency and partly through the bird’s rapid increase in numbers and adaptability, it has spread over most of the United States and Canada east of the great plains, and isolated colonies are estab- lished throughout the west. *The English Sparrow (Passer domesticus) in North America, especially in its Relations to Agriculture. Prepared under the Direction of Dr. C. Hart Mer- riam, Ornithologist, by Walter B. Barrows, Assistant Ornithologist, Washington, 1889, ° . FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 283 This report shows that in ten years the progeny of a single pair of Sparrows might amount to 275,716,983,698! It also states that during the year 1886 the Sparrow added approximately 516,500 square miles to the territory occupied by it. The day is evidently near at hand, therefore, when the English Sparrow will be in complete possession of the country. The European Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) has become naturalized in and about St. Louis, Missouri. / 521. Loxia curvirostra minor (27chm), AmMERIcAN CRossBILL; Rep Crosssitu. Ad. 6.—Tips of the mandibles crossed ; body dull red, brighter on the rump, browner on the back; wings and tail fuscous. Ad. 9. Dull olive-green, yellower on the rump, indistinctly mottled with blackish on the head and back, mixed with whitish on the under parts. /m. 6.—Similar to the ¢, or mixed red and green. L., 6:19; W., 3°40; T., 2°13; B., -66. Range.—Breeds from the Northern States northward, and, in the Allegha- nies, southward to the Carolinas; in winter wanders irregularly southward, sometimes reaching the Gulf States. Washington, irregular W. V., sometimes abundant. Sing Sing, irregu- lar; noted in almost every month. Cambridge, of irregular occurrence at all seasons. Nest, of twigs and grasses, lined with bits of moss and rootlets, in conifer- ous trees, fifteen to thirty feet up. Zygs, three to four, “ pale greenish, spotted and dotted about the larger end with various shades of brown and lavender shell-markings, 1°75 x °57.” These parrotlike Finches are famous for their erratic wanderings. They seem to have no regard for the laws of migration which regu- late the journeys of most birds, and, having no home ties, may linger in regions which offer them abundant fare without much regard to season. They nest early in the spring. sometimes when they are far south of their breeding range, but they seem quite unconcerned by their unusual surroundings, and their young are born and raised in a foreign land. Coniferous forests form their natural surroundings, and their bills are especially adapted to aid them in forcing off the scales from the cones of these trees to obtain the seed within. They live in flocks, and when in the trees climb about like Parrots, sometimes exhibiting as little fear of man as Polly on her pedestal. When feeding, they have a short, whistled call-note; they take wing in a body, and their undulating flight is accompanied by a sharp click- ing or whistled note. Their song is described as “varied and pleas- ing, but not powerful or in any respect remarkable.” 522. Loxia leucoptera @mel. Wuitz-wincep Crosspitt. Ad. 8. —Tips of the mandibles crossed ;. body dull pink, brighter on the rump, more 984 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. ey less marked with black on the back; belly whitish; wings and tail black, the greater and middle wing-coverts, and sometimes tertials, tipped with white. Ad. ¢.—Dull olive-green, yellow on the rump, grayer on the under parts, mottled with blackish on the head and back; wings and tail as in the 6. Jm. é.—Similar to ¢, but passes through a party-colored plumage while becoming mature, and, as in the preceding species, is subject to much variation. L., 6:05; W., 3:27; T., 2°41; B., 62. Range—Breeds from the Northern States northward; in winter wanders irregularly southward, sometimes reaching Illinois and Virginia. Washington, casual. Sing Sing, rare T. V., Oct. 29 to Dec. 6. Cambridge, irregular W. V. Nest, of twigs and strips of birch bark, covered exteriorly with moss (Usnea), and lined with soft moss and hair, on the fork of an evergreen in deep forests. Zygs, three (?), pale blue, spotted and streaked near larger end with reddish brown and lilac, ‘80 x °55 (Chamberlain). Colonel Goss writes that in general habits these birds resemble the American Crossbill. Their flight is swift and undulating. While feeding and moving about they are quite noisy, almost constantly uttering a plaintive wheep or cheeping note. Their song is low, soft, and sweet, much like that of the American Goldfinch. 52'7. Acanthis hornemannii (//0/).).. GREENLAND Reppoti.—Simi- lar to the next, but “larger (length about 5:50-6:50), with proportionally thicker and less acute bill. 6 W., 3:37; T., 2°75; exposed culmen, 35; depth of B. at base, °31.” Range.—* Northern Greenland (breeding from 69°-73° N. latitude) and eastern arctic America, south to Labrador in winter” (Ridgw.). 52%a. A. h. exilipes (Cowes). Hoary Repport, Ad. é.—Bill very sharply pointed, a small tuft of bristly feathers over the nostrils; crown-cap bright red ; back dark grayish brown, the feathers more or less margined with white; rump white, generally unstreaked, and tinged with pink; wings and tail brownish fuscous, the feathers all more or less edged with white; middle of the throat blackish, breast tinged with pink, belly white, a few streaks on the side. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but with no pink on the rump or breast. Jm.— Similar to the ¢, but without the red crown-cap. L., 5-00; W., 3:00; T., 2:30: B., *30. Remarks.—This species is to be distinguished from Acanthis linaria and its races by the greater amount of white in its plumage, its unstreaked rump, and comparatively unstreaked under parts. Range. —Arctic regions; south in winter rarely to the northern United States, Cambridge, casual W. V. Nest, of grass and twigs lined with feathers, in a low tree or on the ground. Zggs, three to five, white, tinged with blue or green, spotted with reddish brown, °65 x ‘50 (Chamberlain). -\ 528. Acanthis linaria (Zinn), Reppout. Ad. 6.—Bill very sharply pointed, a small tuft of bristly feathers over the nostrils; crown-cap FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 285 bright red; back fuscous grayish brown, the feathers margined with ochra- ceous-buft; rump tinged with pink; wings and tail fuscous, the feathers more or less edged with whitish ; middle of the throat blackish, breast suffused with pink, belly white, sides streaked with fuscous. _{d. 9.—Similar, but without pink on the rump or breast, the sides more heavily streaked. Jm, —Similar to the @, but without'a red crown- cap. L., 532; W., 2°80; T., 2°52; B.,-36; depth of B. at base, *22. Range—Breeds in the northern parts of the northern hemisphere; in winter migrates irregularly southward, in America, to Illinois and Virginia. Washington, very rare and irregular W. V. Fis. a Sa (Natural Sing Sing, irregular W. V., Nov. 25 to Mech. : 26. Cambridge, irregular W. V., often very abundant, Oct. 25 to Apl. 10. Nest, of dry grass and moss lined with hair, feathers, or plant down, in a low tree or tuft of grass. Zyys, four to six, white, tinged with green or blue, spotted with reddish brown, °65 x ‘50 (Chamberlain). The little Redpoll is one of those birds that are best known as win- ter visitors. Sometimes it comes from the north in flocks when driven from home by the annual failure of the food supply, and speedily at- tracts attention by frequenting the gardens and orchards, even when these are within the limits of a town. In general habits it resembles a Goldfinch, and while with us it finds its wants supplied chiefly by the various grasses and herbs which project through the snow and still retain their seed in spite of wind and weather. It is noted for its affectionate and confiding disposition, and although it is not known to breed in captivity it has always proved an easily tamed and inter- esting pet. Ernest E. THompson. 528a. A. 1. holbellii (Brehm). Horse y's Reppoti.—Similar to A. linaria, but larger, the bill longer. W., 3-205 ‘I, 2:85; B., 388; depth of B. at base, °22. Range.— Northern coasts of Europe and Asia (Norway to Japan), and portions of Alaska”; casual in eastern North America. This is an intermediate between 4. 7/naria and A, 1. rostrata, most. closely approaching the former, from which it sometimes can with difficulty be distinguished. It is an exceedingly rare bird in eastern North America, where there are but two records of its occurrence: Quebec (Ridgway) and Massachusetts (Brewster). 528b. A. Ll. rostrata (Coves). Greater Reppoty.—Similar to 4. linaria, but larger, the margin to the feathers of the upper parts averaging darker, the bill shorter and stouter. L., 5:50; W., 3:20; T., 255; B., -35; depth of B. at base, -28. 286 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. Range.—* Southern Greenland in summer, migrating south, in winter, through Labrador to (sparingly) the northern border of the United States (New England, lower Hudson’ Valley, northern Illinois, ete.), and west to Manitoba” (Ridgw.). Sing Sing, A. V. Cambridge, irregular W. V., Nov. to Feb. “The Greater Redpoll is often rather common, and in February, 1883, it occurred along the seacoast near Boston in positive abundance. On the 19th of this month Mr. Spelman and I took thirteen specimens at Revere Beach in about two hours; and on the 22d, at Nantasket Beach, two young collectors, by a few random shots into an excep- tionally large, mixed flock of Redpolls, secured forty specimens, of which six proved to be A. linaria and thirty-four rostrata. “ As one sees them in winter in New England, the forms just men- tioned, with A. hornemannit exilipes, do not differ appreciably in notes, habits, or general appearance. It is true that A. 1. rostrata may be often recognized by its superior size, but the birds as a rule are so nervous and restless, and when in large flocks so constantly in motion and so likely to depart altogether at any moment, that a free use of the gun is ordinarily indispensable to positive identification ” (Brewster, Minot’s Land Birds and Game Birds, 2d ed., App., p. 472). 529. Spinus tristis (Zinn.). American GotprincH; YELLOW- BIRD; THISTLE-BIRD. Ad. 6.—Crown-cap black; back and under parts bright yellow ; wings black, the coverts and secondaries tipped with white; tail black, the feathers with white on their inner webs. Ad. 9.—Upper parts grayish brown with an olive tinge; wings and tail as in the 6, but somewhat more dusky and the white markings less distinct; under parts whitish, washed with buffy brown and more or less tinged with yellow, espe- cially on the throat. Ad. 6 in winter._Similar to the ad. ¢, but with the wings and tail asin summer. L., 510; W., 2°82; T., 1:95; B., -40. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from South Carolina to southern Labrador; winters from the northern United States to the Gulf. Washington, common P. R. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, very common P. R. Nest, externally of fine grasses, strips of bark, and moss, thickly lined with thistle down, in trees or bushes, tive to thirty feet up. Zggs, three to six, pale bluish white, -65 x “48. . Except when nesting, Goldfinches are generally found in small flocks. Few birds seem to enjoy life more than these merry rovers. Every month brings them a change of fare, and in pursuit of fresh dainties the nesting-time is delayed almost until summer begins to wane. Seed-bearing plants, whether in field or garden, form their larder; the old sunflowers rattle before their vigorous attack; the thistles spring into sudden blossom of black and gold as they swing from the nodding heads. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 287 Their flight is expressive of their joyous nature, and as they bound through the air they hum a gay Their love song is delivered with an ecstasy and abandon which car- ries them off their feet, and they circle over the fields sowing the air with music. The song has a canarylike character, and while it is less varied it possesses a wild, ringing quality wanting in the cage-bound bird’s best efforts. The BLack-HEADED Goxp¥incH (582. Spinus notatus), a Mexican species, is recorded by Audubon from Kentucky, where its occurrence is, of course, purely accidental. 533. Spinus pinus (Wils.). Pine Siskin; Pine Finon. Ad.—Bill sharply pointed, a small tuft of bristly feathers over the nostrils; upper parts streaked with black, the feathers margined with buffy; wings fuscous, most of the feathers margined with yellow, and yellow at the base ; tail fuscous, all but the middle feathers yellow at the base ; under parts white, tinged with butfy and heavily streaked with black. L., 5-00; W., 2°76; T., 1:90; B., -40. Lemarks.—The yellow markings in the wings and tail of this species will always serve to distinguish it. Range.—North America generally; breeds mostly north of the United States; winters as far south as the Gulf. Washington, irregularly abundant W. V., Oct. to Apl. Sing Sing, irregu- lar P.R. Cambridge, irregular W. V., Sept. to May; sometimes very abun- dant. Nest, of twigs and rootlets, lined with plant down and long hairs, in conif- erous trees. Zggs, four, pale bluish white, thinly spotted with reddish brown, BT x °46. Like the American Crossbill, this bird is rather erratic in its move- ments, and its presence or absence at any season can never be predicted with certainty. It resembles the American Goldfinch in habits, but is more often found about coniferous trees, and its notes and song are less musical. It has been found nesting in May at Sing Sing, N. Y. (Fisher), and at Cornwall-on-Hudson (Allen). Carduelis carduelis (Zinn.). Europzan Goitprincu. Ad—Region about the base of the bill bright red; crown, and a stripe extending from it on to the sides of the neck, black; back cinnamon-brown; wings black, crossed by a broad yellow band; tail black, the inner webs of the feathers tipped with white ; under parts white, the sides tinged with the color of the back. L., 5°50; W., 3:00; T., 2°95; B., 50. 288 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. Range.—* Europe generally, except extreme northern part” (Sharpe). In- troduced near New York city and Boston. Nest, externally, of grasses and plant down, lined with plant down, in coniferous trees. qs, four to five, white, with purplish spots, 72 x ‘50. This European species was introduced into this country at Ho- boken, N. J., in 1878. ‘The following year it appeared in Central Park, New York city. It has since spread over the northern parts of the city, and in favorable places is a not uncommon permanent resident. It has also been introduced in the vicinity of Boston, Mass., where it is to be found in small numbers. In general habits it resem- “bles its American cousin, with which it sometimes associates. 534. Plectrophenax nivalis (Linn.). SvowFrLaxs; Snow Bunr- inc. Ad. 8 in summer—Whole head and neck, rump, and under parts white ; back and scapulars black; wings white, the end half of the primaries and inner seconduries black; outer tail-feathers white, inner ones black. Ad. 2 in summer.—Similar, but entire upper parts streaked with black; primaries all fuscous; secondaries more or less tipped with fuscous. 6 in winter— Upper parts a kind of rusty brown, almost umber on the center of the crown; back streaked with black, caused by the black bases of the feathers showing through their rusty tips; wings and tail much as in summer, but more or less edged with rusty; under parts white, the breast and sides washed with rusty. 2 in winter.—Similar to 8, but the primaries all fuscous. L., 6°88; W., 4:07; T., 2°70; B., -42. Range.—* Northern parts of the northern hemisphere, breeding in the arctie regions; in North America, south in winter into the northern United States, irregularly to Georgia, southern Illinois, and Kansas.” Washington, W. V., casual, one instance. Sing Sing, irregular W. V., Oct. 25 to Mch. 22. Cambridge, common W. V., Oct. 25 to Mch. 25; abundant in migrations. Nest, of grasses, rootlets, and moss, lined with finer grasses and feathers, on the ground. Zggs, four to seven, pale bluish white, thinly marked with umber or heavily spotted or washed with rufous-brown, °85 x -64. The Snowflake may readily be known by the fact that it is the only one of our sparrowlike birds that has whzte predominating on its wings and tail, as well as on its body. It feeds exclusively on seeds, and is so much like the Shorelark in habits that the two species occa- sionally associate. The Snowflake is also strictly a ground bird, never perching on a tree, though it often does so on a house or fence. It always progresses by walking, not by hopping. Throughout Canada and the northern tier of States this is the familiar little white bird of winter. As soon as the chill season comes on in icy rigors, the merry Snowflakes appear in great flocks, and come foraging about the barnygrds when there is no bare ground left in the adjacent fields. Apparently they get but little to eat, but in reality they always find enough to keep them in health and spirits, and are as FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 989 fat as butter balls, In midwinter, in the far north, when the ther- mometer showed thirty degrees below zero, and ‘the chill blizzard was blowing on the plains, I have seen this brave little bird gleefully chasing his fellows, and pouring out as he flew his sweet, voluble song with as much spirit as ever Skylark has in the sunniest days of June, As long as the snow lasts the Snowflake stays, and as soon as the ground grows bare and there is promise of better days, this bird of winter betakes himself again to the north, as far as ever human foot has been, and there builds his nest. Ernest KE. Tuompson. 536. Calearius lapponicus (Zinn.). Lapianp Lonespur. Ad. 6 im summer.—tHind toe-nail as long as or longer than toe; head, neck, throat, and breast black; a buffy line behind the eye; nape rufous; back streaked with black and ochraceous- and cream-buff; tail fuscous, the two outer feathers with more or less white; belly white; sides streaked with black. Ad. % in summer—Upper parts streaked with black, rufous, ochraceous- and cream-bufi; nape ochraceous-buff, the color sometimes concealed by the tips of the feathers; tail fuscous, the outer one or two feathers marked with white; under parts white, the breast and sides streaked with Fic. Bethe toe 6f Dap: black and ochraceous-buff. 6 in winter—Simi- land Longspur. lar to @ in summer, but upper parts blacker, nape more rufous, breast more heavily marked with black, most of the feathers black at the base. @ 2m winter.—NSimilar to ¢ in summer, but upper parts duller, nape with little or no ochraceous. L., 6°95: W., 8°75; T., 2°55; B., :40. Remarks.—In some plumages this bird bears a general resemblance to cer- tain Sparrows, but differs from them in having the hind toe-nail as long as or longer than the toe. : Range. Northern portions of the northern hemisphere, breeding far north; in North America, south in winter to the northern United States, irregularly to the Middle States, accidentally to South Carolina.” Washington, W. V., casual, one instance, Dec. Sing Sing, W. V., casual. Nest, of grasses and moss lined with grasses, on the ground. Zyqs, four to six, bluish white, almost obscured by a uniform grayish brown, ‘82 x ‘60. In the east Lapland Longspurs are generally found among flocks of Shorelarks or Snowflakes, but on the western plains they occur in great numbers. “ High in the air they fly in long, straggling flocks, all singing together; a thousand voices, a tornado of whistling... . When in the fields they have a curious habit of squatting just behind some clod, and, as their colors are nearly matched to the soil, they are not easily observed, nor will they move until you are within a few feet ; they then run a few feet and squat again. . . .” (Thompson). 537. Calearius pictus (Swains.). Surru’s Lonespur. Ad. 6 in sum- mer.—Top and sides of the head black, a line over the eye and the ear-coverts 20 : 990 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. white; back and rump streaked with black and ochraceous-buff; lesser wing- coverts black, broadly tipped with white; tail fuscous, the two outer feathers mostly white; nape and under parts ochraceous-buff. Ad. @ in summer— Upper parts black, the feathers margined and tipped with pale cream-buff; two outer tail-feathers mostly white; under parts pale cream-buff; breast and. sides sometimes lightly streaked with blackish. 6 in winter.—Similar to 2 in summer, but with the lesser wing-coverts black, tipped with white. L., 660; W., 3°75; T., 250; B., 42. Fange.—Interior of arctic America (chiefly Mackenzie River Valley) in summer, breeding north to the arctic coast and upper Yukon Valley; south, in winter, over the Great Plains and prairies to Ilinois, Texas, ete. Nesting, similar to that of the preceding. “Their habits are quite similar to those of P. Japponicus while upon the ground. . . . When flushed they invariably uttered a sharp clicking note, rapidly repeated several times, When driven from their feeding place by my approach they would rise in a loose flock, and, after wheeling about a few times, start off in a direct line, gradually rising higher until they disappeared. After a short time their pecul- iar note would be heard, and, darting down from a considerable height, they would alight near the place from which they were driven” (Nelson). . The CuEstnuT-cotLareD Lonespur (588. Calcarius ornatus), a species of the Great Plains, has been recorded from Massachusetts and Long Island. McCown’s Lonespur (589. Rhynchovhanes mecownii), a species of the Great Plains of the interior, is of casual occurrence in I]linois. 540. Poocztes gramineus (@mci.). Vrsrer Sparrow; Bay- winceD Buntinc; Grass Frncu. Ad.—Upper parts brownish gray, streaked with black and a little ochraceous-buff; wings fuscous, greater and middle coverts tipped with white, lesser coverts bright rufous ; tail fuscous, the outer feather mostly white, the next one with much less white ; under parts white; the breast and sides streaked with black and ochraceous-buff. L., 612; W., 3-06: T., 2°38; B., 41. Fie, 82.—Tail-feathers of Vesper Sparrow. Kemarks.—The white tail- feathers and rufous lesser wing-coverts will always distinguish this species from any of our Sparrows. Range.—North America; breeds from southern Illinois and Virginia northward to New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters on tho Atlantic coast from Virginia southward. Washington, P. R., very common in migrations, less so in summer and FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 991 winter. Sing Sing, tolerably common 8. R., Apl. 2 to Nov. 4. Cambridge, very common 8. R., Apl. 5 to Oct. 15. Nest, of rather coarse grass, lined with finer grasses, rootlets, and long hairs, on the ground. Zggs, four to five, bluish white or pinkish white, speckled and spotted with rufous-brown or umber, 1°83 x ‘61. In walking through dry upland fields or along dusty roadsides a rather pale, streaked Sparrow will sometimes run rapidly ahead of you, wait for you to catch up, then run ahead again. It is best to be content with what measure of his confidence and society he voluntarily grants you, for, if you quicken your steps and try to overtake him, he will rise and bound on before you or swing off to one side, showing, as he flies, the white feathers on either side of his tail. Frequently he will alight on a fence rail or even the higher branch of a tree, for, although a field Sparrow, he is by no means a purely ter- restrial one. When singing, he generally selects an elevated perch and gives himself entirely to his musical devotions. Early morning and late afternoon are his favorite hours, but he can be heard at other times. His song, which is loud, clear, and ringing, may be heard at a distance of several hundred yards. It resembles that of the Song Sparrow, but is sweeter and more plaintive. When heard in the even- ing it is a truly inspired and inspiring melody. 641. Ammodramus princeps (Mayn.). Ipswich Sparrow. Ad.— Generally with a spot of sulphur-yellow before the eye and on the bend of the wing; upper parts pale brownish ashy, streaked on the head, back, and upper tail-coverts with black and cinnamon-brown; the nape and rump with few or no streaks; a white line over the eye; wings grayish brown, outer webs of greater coverts and tertials margined with pale ochraceous-buff; tail grayish brown, the outer webs of the feathers margined with brownish ashy ; under parts white; breast and sides lightly streaked with blackish and ochraceous-buff. L., 6:25; W., 3:00; T., 2:25; B., -40. fange.—Breeds on Sable Island; winters southward along the coast regu- larly to Virginia and rarely to Georgia. Cambridge, casual, one instance, Oct. Those who care to visit in winter the bleak, wind-swept sand hillocks of our Atlantic coast will find this bird much less rare than it was once supposed to be. It never strays far from the waving tufts of coarse beach-grass that scantily cover the sand drifts, and single in- dividuals may be found skulking among such surroundings. They seldom allow a near approach, but fly wildly away to considerable dis- tances, and on alighting run off so rapidly that they are difficult to find a second time. The flight is rapid and irregular, and the birds may easily be mistaken for Savanna Sparrows, with which, during the migrations, they are sometimes associated. On rare occasions a sharp chirp is heard, but as a rule they are silent. 292 FINCHES, SPARROWS, BTC. It is an interesting species, discovered in 1868, and at first mistaken for Baird’s Sparrow of the far west, a species, by the way, that it re- sembles very little. For many years nothing was known of its breed- ing range. In 1884 some large eggs from Sable Island, Nova Scotia, supposed to be of the Savanna Sparrow, were unearthed at the National Museum, Washington, and later a summer specimen of the Ipswich Sparrow was obtained from this island. Ten years later I had the pleasure of visiting Sable Island and solving all the conjectures that had become current regarding the Ipswich Sparrow’s summer home. The bird proved to much resemble the Savanna Sparrow in breeding habits, song, nest, and eggs. J. Dwieut, Jr. 542a. Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna (Wiis.). Sa- -vanna Sparrow. .4d.—A pale yellow mark over or before the eye and on the bend of the wing; general tone of the upper parts brownish black, the ceaters of the feathers black, margined first by rufous or ochraceous-buff, then by ashy; wings fuscous, the outer webs of the feathers margined with ochra- ceous-buif’; tail fuscous, the outer web of the feathers margined with whit- ish; under parts white, heavily streaked with blackish and rufous, the breast feathers tipped with wedge-shaped marks. L.,5'68; W., 2°62; T.,2°09; B.,-40. Remarks.—Fall specimens are more or less suffused with ochracéous. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from Missouri and northern New Jersey north to Labrador and Hudson Bay; and winters from southern Mlinois and Virginia southward to Cuba and Mexico. Washington, abundant T. V., Mch. 20 to May 5; Oct. 14 to Nov. 15; a few winter. Sing Sing, common T, V., Apl. 3 to May 138; Aug. 28 to Oct. 28. Cambridge, abundant T. V., Apl.; Oct.; breeds sparingly. West, of grasses and sometimes moss, lined with finer grasses or hair, on the ground. Zggs, four to five, bluish white, thickly marked, sometimes heavily washed, with reddish brown or cinnamon, ‘78 x ‘56. This is essentially a bird of the fields and one of the most abun- dant species of the Maritime Provinces of Canada—in fact, character- istic of them. The roadsides abound with the birds bobbing up and down on the fence posts and chipping vigorously at every passer- by. Their boldness is tempered with a certain timidity that becomes apparent when they are followed, for, dropping into the grass, they will slip away with surprising rapidity. They have a startling way. some- times, of springing up with a whirr of wings almost from under your very feet as you cross the fields where they have been feeding. At the southern limits of their breeding range they gather into irregularly distributed, isolated colonies frequenting wet, boggy meadows, and ex- hibit a shyness that is not shared by their northern brethren. In the fall, young and old gather into bands and, joining with other species, form an important part of the large flocks of migrating Sparrows that fill the fields and hedgerows. FINCHES, SPARROWS, LTC. 293 The song is insignificant—a weak, musical little trill following a grasshopperlike introduction is of such small volume that it can be heard but a few rods, It usually resembles tstp-tsip-tstp’ sé'é-é-s’r-r-r. More singing is heard toward sunset, when of a quiet evening the trills are audible at greater distances. Each male seems to have a number of favorite perches, weeds or fence posts, which are visited as inclination dictates, but he is of too restless a disposition to remain long on any of them. The most familiar note is a sharp ¢stp of alarm or expostulation heard during migration, but so constantly employed by both sexes in the breeding season, even on slight provocation, that one gets to think of them as veritable scolds. They are more likely to be mistaken for the Vesper Sparrow, which they resemble even in flight, than for any other except perhaps the Ipswich and Sharp-tailed Sparrows. J. Dwicut, JR. 546. Ammodramus savannarum passerinus ( Wils.). Grass- HOPPER SparRow; YELLOW-wiIncEeD Sparrow. Ad.—Upper parts mixed black, rufous-brown, ashy, and cream-buff; crown blackish, a cream-butf line through its center ; nape rufous-brown, each feather with a small black central spot and bordered by ashy; back black, the feathers bordered by cream-buff and with.a small central tip of rufous-brown; rump rufous-brown and ashy; an orange mark before the eye; bend of the wing yellow, lesser wing-coverts yellowish olive- green; greater coverts tipped with whit- ish; tail-feathers pointed, of about equal Jength, dark grayish brown, the centers of the feathers darker, the end half of the outer feather generally dusky: whitish ; under parts generally not streaked ; breast and sides butty ; belly white. Young in first plumage have the breast spotted with blackish. L., 5°38; W., 2°38; T., 1°79; B., -43. Remarks.—The yellow on the wing, unstreaked under parts, even, pointed tail, and grayish mark on the outer tail-feather are the principal characters of this species. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from the Gulf States northward to Massachusetts and Minnesota; winters from North Carolina to Cuba. Washington, very common 8. R., Apl. 15 to Oct. 25. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 27 to Oct. 28, Cambridge, rare 8. R., May 15 to (?). Nest, of grasses, sometimes lined with hairs, on the ground. Zggs, four to five, white, distinctly spotted and speckled with rufous, “73 x -54. Fic. 88.—Tail of Grasshopper Sparrow. Few common birds may be more easily overlooked than the Yellow- winged Sparrow. Its terrestrial habits and weak notes place it among the birds that you are not likely to find unless you know how and where to look for them. I remember once introducing this bird and its song to a visiting ornithological friend. On returning to his home, 294 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. greatly to his surprise, he found it a common resident of the fields about his house, where, owing to his unfamiliarity with its notes and habits, its presence had been before unsuspected. In the north you will generally find it in old, dry daisy or sorrel fields; in the south it inhabits the broom sedge. It will not take wing until almost stepped upon; then, if bushes are near, it takes refuge in or under them, but out in the open field it flies rapidly some distance and drops to the ground. Its usual perch, when singing, is a fence rail; and it does not often seek a more elevated position. Its fine, insectlike notes give it the name of Grasshopper Sparrow. They may be written pit-tick, zee-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e, Under favorable circumstances they can be heard by an attentive listener at a distance of two hundred and fifty feet, but the casual observer would pass within ten feet of a singing bird and be none the wiser. 547. Ammodramus henslowii (Aud.). Hrnstow’s Sparrow. Ad. —Top and sides of the head and the nape dull, pale olive-green, more buffy in the fall; side of the crown black; nape finely streaked with black; back rufous-orown, the feathers with narrow, central, wedge-shaped black streaks, and narrow ashy margins; bend of the wing pale yellow; wing-coverts much like the back; tail-feathers very narrow and sharply pointed; middle feath- ers rufous-brown: the outer ones much the shortest; under parts white, more or less washed with butty and streaked with black on the breast and sides. Young in first plumage have no spots on the breast. L., 5-00; W., 2:20; T., 2:00; B., -42. Remarks.—The peculiar olivaceous color of the head and nape, and the bright rufous-brown color of the back, wing-coverts, and middle tail-feathers are the best distinguishing marks of this species. : ange.—Eastern North America; breeds locally from Missouri and Vir- ginia northward to New Hampshire and southern Ontario; winters from about the southern limit of its breeding range to the Gulf. Washington, common 8. R., Apl. 12 to Oct. Sing Sing, rare T. V., Oct. 5 to Oct. 10. Cambridge, very rare S. R. West, of grasses, sometimes lined with hairs, on the ground. £@qs, four to five, grayish white, thickly and evenly speckled with pale rufous-brown, “15 x ‘87. During the summer this species seems to prefer wet meadows, but in the winter it inhabits the dry “old fields” grown with broom sedge. which are so common in the south. It has the secretive habits of the Grasshopper and Leconte's Sparrows, and takes wing only when forced to. Mr. P. L. Jouy writes of its song: “ Besides the characteristic notes of tee-wick, they have quite a song which may be fairly represented by the syllables sis-r-r-rit-srit-srit, with the accent on the first and last FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 295 parts. This song is often uttered while the bird takes a short flight upward; it then drops down again into the tangled weeds and grasses, where it is almost impossible to follow it” (Bull, Nutt. Orn. Club, vi, 1881, p. 57). 548. Ammodramus lecontei (Awd.). Lxeconrsz’s Sparrow. Ad.— No yellow before the eye or on the bend of the wing; a broad ochraceous-buif line over the eye, and a cream-buft line through the center of the blackish crown; nape rufous-brown, each feather with a small black central spot and an ashy border ; back black, the feathers margined first by rufous, then cream- buff and whitish; tail grayish brown, with a slight rufous tinge, darker along the shaft: the feathers narrow and sharply pointed, the outer ones much the shortest; breast and sides tinged with butly, and more or less streaked with black; belly white. L., 5-00; W., 2°00; T., 2°05; B., °35. Range.— Great Plains and more western prairies, breeding from Dakota, Minnesota, ete., to Manitoba, migrating southward and eastward, in winter, through Mlinois, lowa, Kansas, etc., to South Carolina, and Gulf States from Florida to Texas” (Ridgw.). West, of fine grasses, on the ground. Zggs, three, delicate pink, lightly spotted with brownish and black near the larger end, ‘75 x ‘50 (Thompson). My experience on the coast of Texas with this elusive little Spar- row conforms with that of most observers, and the few specimens I found were in wet marshes. Mr. L. M. Loomis, however, tells us that at Chester, South Carolina, where Leconte’s Sparrow is a locally com- mon winter visitant, it shows a marked preference for dry “old fields” of broom sedge (Auk, ii, 1885, p. 190). Few birds are more difficult to flush. It exhibits a rail-like disin- clination to take wing, and, flying low and feebly, makes for the nearest cover. Ernest E. Thompson records it as an abundant summer resi- dent in the willow sloughs and grassy flats of Manitoba, and describes its call-notes as a thin, sharp, ventriloquial ¢weef, and a single, long- drawn bizz ; while its song, which is delivered from some low perch a little above the grass, is a tiny, husky, double-noted reese reese, “so thin a sound and so creaky, that I believe it is usually attributed to a grasshopper.” 549. Ammodramus caudacutus ((@mel.). SuHarp-TAILED Spar- row. Ad.—General color of the upper parts a brownish olive-green; crown olive-brown, with a blue-gray line through its center; gray ear-coverts, in- closed by ochraceous-buff lines, one of which passes over the eye and one down the side of the throat; feathers of the back margined with grayish and sometimes whitish; bend of the wing yellow; tail-feathers narrow and sharply pointed, the outer feathers much the shortest; breast and sides washed with buffy, paler in summer, and distinctly streaked with black ; middle of the throat and belly white or whitish. “L., 5:85; W., 2°30; T., 1:90; B., 50” (Dwight). 296 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. Remarks.—The chief points of difference between this and the two fol- lowing birds are found in the markings of’ the breast and sides. In the pres- ent species these parts ure pale ochraceous-butf, distinctly streaked with blackish ; in nelsoni they are deep ochraccous-buff, lightly if at all streaked ; in subvirgatus they are cream-buff, indistinctly streaked with grayish. Range.—Atlantic coast; breeds from South Carolina to New Hampshire, and winters from North Carolina to Florida. Cambridge, common 8. R., May to Sept. Nest, of grasses and seaweed, lined with fine grasses, on the ground. £gqs, three to four, white or grayish white, finely speckled with cinnamon-brown, especially at the larger end, ‘78 x °57. ‘ This species is confined exclusively to the salt-water marshes of our coast, where it may be found in large numbers. It runs about among the reeds and grasses with the celerity of a mouse, and is not apt to take wing unless closely pressed. Mixed flocks of the several varieties of the Sharp-tail, together with the Seaside Sparrow, gather in the fall among the sedges, and may be observed hiding in the grass or cling- ing to the tall stalks of the cat-tails. In the breeding season it is usually associated with the Seaside Sparrow on the same marsh, but it prefers the drier parts, and builds its nest in the tussocks on the bank of a ditch or in the drift left by the tide, rather than in the grassier sites chosen by its neighbor. From some bit of driftwood or a convenient stake its infrequent song may be heard morning and evening. It is short and gasping, and only less husky than the somewhat similar performance of the Seaside Sparrow. J. Dwieut, Jr. 549a. A.c. nelsoni Allen. Nutson’s Suarp-Ta1Lep Sparrow.—Sim- ilar to A. caudacutus, but smaller, the upper parts darker, the feathers of the back more olive-brown and more broadly margined with whitish ; the throat, breast, and sides deeper ochraceous-buff, very slightly if at all streaked with blackish. “L., 5:50; W., 2°95; T., 1:90; B., 43” (Dwight). Range.—Breeds in the marshes of the interior from northern Illinois northward to Dakota and Manitoba; occurs as a migrant on the Atlantic coast, and winters from South Carolina to Texas. Washington, rare T. V., two instances, Sept. Sing Sing, tolerably com- mon T. V., Sept. 28 to Oct. 17. This interior representative of the Sharp-tailed Sparrow occurs on our coasts only as a migrant and winter visitant. It associates with the Sharp-tailed and Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 549b. A. ec. subvirgatus Dwight. Acavian Suarp-raitep Spar- Row.—Similar to A. caudacutus, but with the throat, breast, and sides washed with cream-buff and indistinctly streaked with ashy. “L., 5°55; W., 2:30; T., 2°00; B., 46” (Dwight). ; Range.— Marshes of southern New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 297 and probably Nova Scotia, and southward in migration along the Atlantic coast ” (Dwight). Sing Sing, rare T. V., Sept. 29 to Oct. 16. Cambridge, very common T. V., May; Sept. and Oct. Since this race was separated by me in 1887 few new facts have been developed regarding it, except that, as I anticipated, it has been found in other parts of the Maritime Provinces, and never far from salt water. While frequenting brackish or fresh-water marshes, where the grasses grow more luxuriantly than in the haunts of its southern relative, it prefers the more open spots or those where damp ditches make high- ways of escape for it afoot. It is locally abundant, particularly in the great marshes that border the Bay of Fundy, but so retiring that, save for its little song, its presence might be easily overlooked. Swaying on a tall stalk of meadow rue or squatting on a convenient fence, the males may be found at all hours of the day repeating their song a few times and then flying to some new perch or burying themselves in the grass. Occasionally toward nightfall one will mount into the air and with set wings float down, fairly gushing with song, a habit shared by the ordinary Sharp-tail and by the Seaside Sparrow as well. With these birds they associate in autumn, and may be flushed one or two at a time from the strips of grass or reeds that are left on the salt marshes along the ditches after the hay has been cut. The song is a husky, gasping effort, not very loud, and executed with a nod of the head. It is sung in less than a second, and resem- bles ksh-sh-sh-ddlp, the last syllable occupying one fifth of the time and rather musical compared with the harsh lisp that precedes it. They also have a ¢chép of alarm, but it is the exception for them to show much anxiety about their nests or young. The nest has never been taken, i J. Dwieut, Jr. 550. Ammodramus maritimus (JVils.). Srasine Sparrow. Ad. —A yellow line before the eye and on the bend of the wing; upper parts grayish olive-green; tail grayish brown, the outer webs of the feathers mar- gined with olive-greenish; a dusky line from the base of the lower mandi- ble passes down the sides of the throat; breast more or less suffused with butfy (wanting in summer specimens), and indistinctly streaked with grayish; throat and middle of the belly white; - se sides grayish. L., 6-00; W., 250; T., Fia. 84.—Seaside Sparrow. (Natural size.) 2:20; B., 60. Range.—Atlantic coast; breeds from Georgia to Massachusetts, and win- ters from Virginia to Georgia. Sing Sing, A. V. < ‘ 298 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. Nest, of coarse grasses and reed stalks, lined with grasses, on the ground. Foqs, three to four, white or bluish white, clouded or finely speckled with cinnamon-brown, especially at the larger end, ‘80 x °63. Like most marsh-loving birds, Seaside Sparrows are so consistent in their choice of a home that it would be quite useless to look for them anywhere but in a marsh, and that a salt one, generally within sound or at least sight of the sea. The baymen call them “ Meadow Chippies,” and often when Snipe and Plover shooting 1 have drawn numbers to me by simply squeaking. They tipped all the reeds about my blind, chirping excitedly at the peculiar sound which aroused their curiosity. They pass much of their time on the ground among the reeds and grasses, but mount a stalk to sing their short, unattract- ive song of four or five notes. Sometimes they flutter into the air a few feet above the reeds and deliver their song while on the wing. The absence of distinct streaks on the breast and lack of rufous in their olivaceous or grayish plumage will distinguish them from the Sharp-tailed, Swamp, Savanna, or Song Sparrows, the only ones which are likely to be found in their haunts. 550a. A. m, peninsulse Allen. Soort’s Szasipr Sparrow.—Similar to the preceding, but much darker ; prevailing color of the upper parts brown- ish black, the feathers margined with grayish olive-green; under parts more heavily streaked, the breast and sides streaked with black or blackish. W., 230; T., 2:00; B., °52. Range.—Atlantie coast from northern Florida to South Carolina; Gulf coast from Florida to Texas. A common southern representative of the Seaside Sparrow. 551. Ammodramus nigrescens Ridgw. Dtsxy Szasips Sparrow. Ad.—Upper parts black, narrowly margined with grayish and grayish olive- green; under parts sharply streaked with black and white in about equal proportions. “L., 5°95; W., 2°25-2:40; T., 2°10-2:50: B., 50-60” (Ridgw.). Remarks.—This species is very distinct, and can be at once distinguished from A. m. peninsula, its nearest known ally, by its much darker upper parts and conspicuously streaked under parts. Ltange.—Marshes at the northern end of Indian River, Florida. Nest and eggs unknown. Mr. C. J. Maynard, the only collector who has ever met with this species, found a single individual, March 17, 1872, at Salt Lake, near Titusville, while in April it was “quite common on the marshes of Indian River just below Dummett’s Grove,” and “ very abundant on the upper end of Merritt’s Island.” I have searched for it most care- fully, but without success, during February and Mareh in the marshes of the east peninsula of Indian River opposite Micco, and for a species which is not rare, the Dusky Seaside Sparrow apparently has a more FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 299 restricted range than any other North American bird. Mr. Maynard considers it migratory, and states that it is not found in Florida during the winter. In flight as well as in habits, he says, it resembles the Sharp-tailed rather than the Seaside Sparrow (A. maritimus). Its song of low, sputtering notes is given while the bird hovers in the air, after which it drops quickly into the grass. 552. Chondestes grammacus (Say). Larx Sparrow; Lark Fincu. Ad.—Sides of the crown and ear-coverts chestnut, a whitish line over the eye and through the center of the crown; a black streak on the sides of the throat; upper parts brownish ash; back streaked with blackish; tail fuscous or black, the outer feathers tipped with white; under parts white, a small black spot in the middle of the breast. L., 6°25; W., 8:50; T., 2°75; B., °45. Range.—Interior of North America, eastward to Illinois; breeds from Texas to Manitoba; accidental on the Atlantic coast (Massachusetts, Long Island, New Jersey, District of Columbia, Florida). Washington, A. V., July, Aug., two captures. Nest, of grasses, lined with rootlets, fine grasses, and long hairs, on the ground or in low trees or bushes. Lygs, three to five, white or pinkish white, spotted, blotched, or scrawled with pur- plish or black, chiefly at the larger end, ‘78 x -60. This is an exceedingly common bird in the west. It frequents localities of much the same nature as those selected by the Grass Finch, and in its general habits and song reminds one of that species. Fie. 85.—Lark Sparrow. (Natural size.) 554. Zonotrichia leucophrys (forst.). Wuirz-crownep Spar-’ row. .Ad.—No yellow before the eye or on the bend of the wing; center of the crown with a white stripe bordered on either side by black stripes, add of about equal width ; no white before the eye; a white line from over the eye passes backward along the side of the head; nape gray; back dark grayish brown, margined with gray; rump dark brownish ash; greater and middle wing-coverts tipped with white; tail fuscous; under parts grayish white on the belly, flanks and under tail-coverts cream-buff. /m.—Generally similar, but sides of the crown rufous-brown, center of the crown pale grayish brown, nape brownish ash; back margined with the same color. L., 6:88; W., 8-03; T., 2°88; B., °48. Range. Breeding from higher mountain ranges of western United States, Sierra Nevada, Rocky Mountains, and eastward. north of the Great Lakes, to Labrador; in winter, over whole of United States, and south into Mexico” (Ridgw.). Washington, irregularly common W. V. and T. V., Apl. 15 to May 15; Oct. 15 to Nov. 30. Sing Sing, rare T. V., May 9 to 23; Oct. 3 to 80. Cam- bridge, uncommon T. V., May 12 to 22; Oct. 1 to 20. 300 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. Nest, of grasses, on the ground or in bushes. Zggs, four to five, pale green- ish blue, speckled and spotted with bay, especially at the larger end, -90 x “62 (Davie). This is one of the aristocrats of the family. Its size and its hand- some markings at once distinguish it from its congeners, and are sure to attract attention. Though its season of love and music is spent in the far north, it often favors us with selections of its melodies as it rests in thickets and hedgerows while slowly passing through our country on its northward pilgrimage. Its usual song is like the latter half of the White-throat’s familiar refrain, repeated a number of times with a peculiar sad cadence and in a clear, soft whistle that is charac- teristic of the group. It resembles its relatives also in singing its sweetest songs in the woods, sometimes during the darkest hours of the night. Erxest E. THompson. 558. Zonotrichia albicollis (Gmel.). WHite-THRoATED Sparrow; Peazopy-BirD. .{d.—A yellow line before the eve; bend of the wing yellow; center of the crown with a white stripe bounded on either side by much wider black stripes; a white stripe from the eye passes backward along the side of the head; back rufous or rufous-brown, streaked with black and slightly margined with whitish ; rump grayish brown; greater and middle wing-cov- erts tipped with white; tail grayish brown; under parts grayish, more so on the breast; throat with a square white patch; belly whitish; flanks and under tail-coverts tinged with grayish brown. /m.—Yellow before the ere, and on the bend of the wing duller; crown streaks brownish ashy and mixed chestnut and black, instead of white and black; throat patch less sharply defined. L., 674; W.. 289; T., 2°86; By -44, Fange—Eastern North America: breeds from northern Michigan, and oceasionally Massachusetts, northward to Labrador; winters from Massachu- setts to Florida. Washington, very common W. V., Sept. 28 to May 20. Sing Sing, com- mon T. V., Apl. 10 to May 21; Sept. 20 to Oct. 30; a few winter. Cambridge, very common T. V., Api. 25 to May 15; Oct. 1 to Nov. 10; a few winter. West, of coarse grasses, rootlets, moss, strips ot’ bark, ete., lined with finer grasses, on the ground or in bushes. £ygs, four to five. bluish white, finely and evenly speckled or heavily and irregularly blotched with pale rufous- brown, ‘$2 x *60. In September, when the hedgerows and woodland undergrowths begin to rustle with Sparrows, Juncos, and Towhees, I watch eagerly for the arrival of these welcome fall songsters. There is little in their modest appearance to tell one, as they feed on the ground near their haunts, of their vocal powers. and one might be pardoned for believing that a feeble ¢seep was their only note. I whistle a bar or two of greeting in their own language. They are evi- dently puzzled, but make no reply, for it has apparently been agreed among themselves that singing shall not begin for at least a week after WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 301 their arrival. Then there are a few sweet, tremulous trials before the plaintive, sympathetic whistle brings cheer to the browning woods: w SoS EE or —?_—. ——0—_0-9-9—_9-0-9 9-9-9 —————————— Few birds are more sociable than the White-throats. At this season they are always in little companies, and they frequently roost together in large numbers in the depths of dense thickets or clumps of ever- greens. After they have retired one may hear the sharp chink of their “ quarrier ” chorus, and when darkness comes, with low, brooding notes of cozy companionship they are hushed for the night. 559. Spizella monticola (@mel.). Tree Sparrow; Winter Cuippy. Ad.—No black on the forehead; an indistinct black spot on the center of the breast s top of the head rufous-brown, sometimes edged with ashy; a grayish line over the eye and a rufous-brown line behind it; back streaked with rufous-brown, black, and pale ochraceous-buff; rump pale grayish brown; greater and middle wing-coverts tipped with white; outer web of the outer tail-feather whitish; breast grayish white; middle of the belly white; sides tinged with pale grayish brown; upper mandible black, lower, yellow at the base, the tip black. L., 6:36; W., 2°99; T., 2°82; B., 41. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds in Labrador and: the region about Hudson Bay; south in winter, through eastern United States; west to the edge of the Great Plains. Washington, abundant W. V., Nov. 1 to Apl. 5. Sing Sing, common W. V., Oct. 10 to Apl. 27. Cambridge, common W. V., abundant T. V., Oct. 25 to Nov. 25; Mch. 20 to Apl. 20. Nest, of grasses, rootlets, and hair, on or near the ground. “ Eggs, four to five. pale green or greenish blue, spotted with reddish brown, ‘75 x -60” (Chamberlain). Tree Sparrows wear a small black dot on the center of their other- wise unmarked breasts, a badge which will aid in their identification. They come in flocks when the fields are beginning to look brown and dreary, but seem contented with the surroundings from which other birds have fled. They feed on the seeds of weeds and grasses, and even when the snow is deepest always find an abundance of food. I like to see them feasting on the seed stalks above the crust, and to hear their chorus of merry, tinkling notes, like sparkling frost crystals turned to music. Winter Chippies they are sometimes called, but at this season there 302 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. is little of the Chippy’s nature about them. In February or March they begin to sing a song which has been compared to that of a Ca- nary, but is “finer, sweeter, and not so loud.” 560. Spizella socialis ( Wiis.). Cuippine Sparrow; Cuppy. Ad. . Forehead black, a short grayish line in its middle; top of the head rufous; ; the nape generally with a few black streaks; a grayish line over the eye and a black line behind it; back of the neck grayish, separating the rufous crown from the back; back streaked with black, a little rufous, and more pale buffy ochraceous ; rump slaty gray ; wing-bars not conspicuous; under parts grayish white, whiter on the throat and belly; bill Fie. 86.—Chipping Spar- entirely black. Jm.—Similar, but no rufous crown- row. (Natural size.) cap or black on the forehead; top of the head streaked like the back; bill brownish. Young in Jirst plumage have the breast streaked with black. L., 5°37; W., 2°74; T., 2-29; B., 36. Remarks.—In adults the rufous crown, black forehead, gray rump, and black bill are characteristic; in the young the gray rump is a good distin- guishing mark. deange.—Eastern North America; breeds from the Gulf States to New- foundland and Great Sluve Lake; winters in the Gulf States and Mexico. Washington, common 8. R., abundant T. V., Mch. 15 to Nov. 1, occasion- ally winters. Sing Sing, common 8. R., Apl. 9 to Nov. 7. Cambridge, abun- dant §. R., Apl. 15 to Oct. 25. Nest, of grasses. fine twigs, or rootlets, thickly lined with long hairs, in trees or bushes, five to twenty feet up.. £ggs, four to five, blue or greenish blue, with cinnamon-brown or blackish markings, chiefly at the larger end, 72 x 51. The Chippy is among Sparrows what the Phoebe is among Fly- catchers—the humblest, most unassuming member of its family. Both show trustfulness, which, in spite of their unattractive appearance and far from pleasing voices, wins our affection. ; Chippy makes his nest in the vines on our piazza, and feeds on the crumbs at our doorstep, quite as though he were a member of the family; and he needs only a little encouragement to give evidence of his entire confidence in our good will by feeding from our hands. His song is a monotonous chippy-chippy-chippy-chippy, rather high and wiry and frequently running into an insectlike trill—by no means a musical performance. In the fall Chippy changes his dress, dons a streaked cap for the one of bright bay, and, with others of his kind, goes to the fields to feast on the year’s harvest of seeds. He is generally found near trees and hedgerows, into which, when alarmed, he flies with his com- panions, FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 3038 561. Spizella pallida (Swains.). Ciay-cotorep Sparrow. Ad.— With a general resemblance to immature S. socialis, but less rufous above, whiter below, the line over the eye white, and the rump pale grayish brown instead of slaty gray. W., 2°40; T., 2°35; B., -34. Range.—Interior of North America; breeds from northern Nebraska, cen- tral Iowa, and northern Illinois northward; winters from southern Texas southward; accidental in North Carolina, Nest, of grasses, lined with hairs, on the ground or in bushes. Zygs, three to five, similar to those of S. socialis. “This pale Sparrow of the plains is very similag in actions to the Chipping Sparrow, but less familiar and confiding in habits” (Goss). Brewer’s Sparrow (562. Spizella brewert), a western species, has been recorded once from Massachusetts. 563. Spizella pusilla (Wils.). Fiery Sparrow. Ad.—Bill reddish brown ; top of the head rufous, a gray line over the eye; nape slightly gray ; back like the crown, but finely streaked with black and narrowly edged with brownish ashy; rump brownish ashy; middle and greater wing-coverts tipped with white; under parts white, tinged with ochraceous - butf on the breast and sides. Jm.—Similar, but the colors duller, the crown edged with grayish and sometimes a faint grayish line through its center. Young in first plumage have the breast streaked with black. L., 5-68; W., 2°50; T., 2°55; B., °36. Remarks.—This bird may be known by its brightly colored back, buffy breast, and especially by its reddish bill. Range.—Kastern North America; breeds from southern Illinois and South Jarolina to Quebec and Manitoba; winters from Illinois and Virginia south- ward. Washington, very common P.R. Sing Sing, common §.R., Apl. 2 to Nov. 7. Cambridge, common 8. R., Apl. 15 to Nov. 1. Nest, of rather coarse grasses, weed stalks, rootlets, etc., lined with fine grasses and long hairs, on the ground or in low bushes. Zggs, three to five, white or bluish white, with numerous rufous markings, chiefly about the larger end, “70 x ‘52. Its bright rufous color, the absence of spots on its breast, and espe- cially its flesh-colored bill, are the best field-marks of this misnamed Sparrow. He is not a true Field Sparrow, but prefers old pastures dotted with clumps of bushes or young cedars. There is something winning in his appearance; he seems such a gentle, innocent, dove- like little bird. His song is in keeping with his character, being an unusually clear, plaintive whistle, sweeter to the lover of birds’ songs than the voice of the most gifted songstress. It is subject to much variation. Not only do the same individuals sing several different songs, but two individuals in the same locality rarely sing alike. There is also much variation in the songs of birds from different regions. For this reason it is quite impossible to give a description 304 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. of the song which will apply throughout the bird’s range. However, an average song consists of the syllables chér-wéé, chér-wéé, chér-wee, chér-wée, chéé-o, de-de-de-de-de, the last notes joined in a trill. This gives, of course, no idea of the quality of the Field Sparrow’s song, but to be convinced of its rare beauty one need only hear it as the sun goes down and the hush of early evening is quieting the earth. The Western Fretp Sparrow (563a. Spizella pusilla arenacea) has been recorded from the vicinity of New Orleans. 567. Junco hyemalis (Linn.). Junco; Snowsirv. Ad. é.—Upper parts, throat, and breast grayish slate-color; upper parts more or less washed with grayish brown; belly white, sides grayish ; no wing-bars; tail fuscovs, the two outer feathers and part of the third white; bill flesh-color. Ad. 9 .— Similar, but the upper parts browner, throat and breast paler. Young in jirst plumage resemble the adults, but have the upper parts, throat, and breast streaked with black. L., 627; W., 8:03; T., 2°71; B., -41. Range.—North America; breeds from northern Minnesota and northern New York northward and southward along the summits of the Alleghanies to Virginia; winters southward to the Gulf States. Washington, abundant W. V., Oct. 5 to Apl. 25. Sing Sing, common W. V., Sept. 19 to May 4. Cambridge, rather common W. V., abundant T. V., Sept. 20 to Nov. 25; Mch. 20 to Apl. 20. Nest, of grasses, moss, and rootlets, lined with fine grasses and long hairs, on or near the ground. Zggs, four to five, white or bluish white, finely and evenly speckled or spotted, sometimes heavily blotched, at the larger end with rufous-brown, ‘76 x °58. When the snow begins to fly you will look out some gray morning to find a flock of small, plump, slate-colored birds hopping about the dooryard, picking up what they can find, or sitting in the bushes with an air of contentment that it is pleasant to see. Coming, as they do, when most of the home birds have left for the south, they bring their own welcome, and soon seem like old friends. But if you would really know your gentle winter visitors, you must go back into the woods when summer comes and find them in their own homes. Look for them in a tangle of fallen tree-tops, logs, and upturned roots, A pair I once surprised in such a place at first sat and chirped at me—with bills full of food—but soon they were flying freely back and forth to the upturned root where they had hidden their nest. I noticed with surprise that their gray plumage toned in so well with the dark earth that they were hard to see. The sharp horizontal line across the breast where the gray turns abruptly to white added to the disguise, the straight line breaking the round form of the bird. The ’ésip of the Junco is unmistakable and more often heard than FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 305 his song, but he has both a trill and a low, sweet song as unpreten- tious and cheery as the friendly bird himself. Friorence A. Mrrriam. 56%e. J. h. carolinensis Brewst. Carotina Junco.—Nimilar to the preceding species, but slightly larger, the upper parts, throat, and breast uni- form grayish slate-color without a brownish wash, bill horn-color. W., 3°26: T., 2:85; B., -48. : Range.—Mountains of Virginia, North and South Carolina. This is a common and apparently permanent resident species in the higher parts of the southern Alleghanies, Suuretpr’s Junco (567. Junco hyemalis shufeldti),a western species, has been recorded from Ilinois, District of Columbia, Maryland, and Massachu- setts. It resembles J. hyemalis, but has the back browner and the sides brownish vinaceous. 575. Peucwea sstivalis (Licht.). Pive-woops Sparrow. Ad.— Upper parts light chestnut, more or less streaked with black and margined with gray ; a grayish line over the eye; bend of the wing yellow; tail- feathers narrow, grayish fuscous, the outer ones much the shortest; breast and sides washed with pale brownish ash; breast sometimes with a few black spots; middle of the belly white. L., 5°80; W., 2:50; T., 2.50; B., -45. Range.—F lorida and southern Georgia. Nest, of fine grasses, on the ground, beneath scrub palmetto. Eygs, three to four, pure white, -72 x 61. This is a common bird in Florida. It winters in the southern part of the State and migrates northward in March. It is found only in pine woods having an undergrowth of scrub palmetto. Here it passes most of its time on the ground, and is difficult to flush. When singing, it seeks an elevated perch. In my opinion its song is more beautiful than that of any other of our Sparrows. It is very simple, but it possesses all the exquisite tenderness and pathos of the melody of the Hermit Thrush; indeed, in purity of tone and in execu- tion I should consider the Sparrow the superior songster. It sings most freely very early in the morning and late in ‘the afternoon, when the world is hushed and the pine trees breathe a soft accompaniment to its divine music. 5'75a. P. x. bachmanii (4vd.). Bacuman’s Sparrow.—Similar to the preceding species, but the upper parts rufous, black streaks generally confined to the back, or absent; line over the eye buffy; breast and sides brownish cream-buff without streaks. Range.—Lower Mississippi Valley north to southern Indiana and southern Illinois; west to northern Texas ; east to Georgia, South and North Carolina; south in winter, in the Atlantic States, to southern Florida. Nest, of grasses, domed and cylindrical, on the ground. gs, three to four, pure white, “74 x -60 (Bendire, Auk, v, 1888, p. 356). 21 3806 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. In Florida, where this bird is not uncommon during the winter, I have found it in pine woods undergrown with turkey oaks, and not in localities frequented by P. wstivalis. Mr. Ridgway writes that in Illinois this is “emphatically a bird of open oak woods, where large white and post oaks prevail, with grass land immediately adjoining, or where the intervals between the trees consist of sward rather than undergrowth; but neglected fields, grown up to weeds, and in which dead trees are left standing, are also its favorite haunts.” He speaks of its song as reminding one somewhat of the plaintive chant of the Field Sparrow, but as far sweeter and louder; ‘the modu- lation, as nearly as can be expressed in words, resembling the syllables thééééééé-thut, lut, tut, lut, the first being a rich silvery trill, pitched in a high musical key, the other syllables also metallic, but abrupt, and lower in tone.” 581. Melospiza fasciata (Gmel.). Sone Sparrow. -Ad.—Crown rufous-brown, with a grayish line through its center; a grayish line over the, eye; arufous-brown line from behind the eye to the nape; feathers of the back streaked with black and margined with rufous-brown and grayish; greater wing-coverts with black spots at their tips; no white wing-bars or yellow on the wing; tail rufous grayish brown, the middle feathers darker along their shafts; outer feathers shortest; sides of the throat with black or blackish streaks; breast with wedge-shaped streaks of black and rufous- brown which tend to form one larger blotch on the center; sides washed with brownish and streaked with black and rufous-brown; middle of the belly white. L., 6°30; W., 2°52; T., 2°62; B., -49. Range—Eastern North America; breeds from northern Illinois and Vir- ginia north to Quebec and Manitoba; winters from southern Illinois and Massachusetts to the Gulf States. Washington, common P.R., abundant T. V.,Mch. and Oct. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, very abundant S. R., Mch. 10 to Nov. 1; locally common W, V. West, of coarse grasses, rootlets, dead leaves, strips of bark, etc., lined with finer grasses and sometimes long hairs, on the ground, sometimes in bushes. £998, four to five, white or bluish white, with numerous rufous-brown mark- ings which sometimes nearly conceal the ground color, ‘76 x ‘60. The Song Sparrow’s vast range in a dozen varying climates, its readiness to adapt itself to the different conditions in each of the re- gions it inhabits, its numerical abundance and steady increase while some of its family are dying out, its freedom from disease and vermin, and its perennial good spirits evidenced by its never-failing music— all proclaim that it is indeed one of Nature’s successes. Its irrepressible vivacity and good spirits in spite of all cireum- stances are aptly illustrated by the fact that its song may be heard in every month of the year and in all weathers; also by night as well as by day—for nothing is more common in the darkest nights than to Sone SPARROW. Swamp Sparrow. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 807 hear its sweet chant in half-conscious answer to the hooting of the Owl or even the report of a gun. It is never seen far from water, and when it is alarmed it flies downward or along—never upward—into some low thicket, pumping its tail as it flies. Its alarm note is a simple metallic chip, which is very distinctive when once learned. But its merry chant—which has won for it the name of “Song Sparrow ”—is its best-known note. It is a voluble and uninterrupted but short refrain, and is perhaps the sweetest of the familiar voices of the meadow lands. The song that it occasion- ally utters whils on the wing is of quite a different character, being more prolonged and varied, Though so abundant, it can not be styled a sociable species. Even during the migrations it is never seen in compact flocks like the Red- poll or Snowflake ; at most it will be found forming a part of a long, scattered migrating train that usually includes a number of different but nearly related species. Eryest E, THompson. 583. Melospiza lincolni (4ud.). Lincotn’s Sparrow. Ad— Upper parts streaked with black, brownish gray, and grayish brown; tail- feathers narrow and rather pointed, the outer ones shortest; under parts white, rather finely streaked with black, a broad cream-buff' band across the breast, a cream-buff stripe on either side of the throat; sides tinged with cream-buff. L., 5°75; W., 2°50; T., 2-40; B., 41. Remarks—The cream - buff band on the breast is distinctive of this species. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from northern Illinois and north- ern New York northward; winters from southern Illinois to Mexico; rare east of the Alleghanies. Washington, rare T. V., several records, May and Oct. Sing Sing, rare T. V., Sept. 29 to Oct. 16. Cambridge, uncommon T. V., May 15 to Yay 25; Sept. 15 to Oct. 5. West, generally similar to that of M. fasciata, on the ground. “ Zags, four to five, pale green or buttish, sometimes almost white, thickly spotted and blotched with reddish brown and lilac, ‘80 x 60° (Chamberlain). The most striking characteristic about the Lincoln’s Sparrow is its shyness, whether migrating in the lavish abundance of the west, stray- ing casually through the States of the Atlantic seaboard, or settled for the summer in a chosen spot of the northern evergreen woods. Scampering like a mouse along some tumble-down stone wall half buried in poison ivy, sumach, and all the tangled growth that goes to make up an old hedgerow, or peering out from a clump of low- spreading bushes, this little bird may sometimes be detected; but as he hurries northward late in the migration, when all the woods and fields are ringing with bird music, our attention is seldom directed 308 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. toward the silent straggler, while in the autumn he is lost in the waves of Sparrows that flood the country. If we follow him northward, we find him irregularly distributed in small colonies or single pairs in damp clearings, perhaps along brooks or ponds, but avoiding almost entirely the wetter, more open localities, where the Swamp Sparrow is at home. Attracted by a sharp chirp which, at times reduplicated, resembles that of a young Chipping Sparrow, we may succeed in catching a glimpse of him as he lurks beneath a little spruce perhaps no bigger than an umbrella. Sometimes venturing timidly to the outer boughs of a spruce, he surprises the hearer with a most unsparrowlike song. It is not loud, and suggests the bubbling, guttural notes of the House Wren, com- bined with the sweet rippling music of the Purple Finch, and when you think the song is done there is an unexpected aftermath. The birds sing very little and at long intervals, and are seldom heard dur- ing the later hours of the day, ceasing at once if anybody approaches, J. Dwieut, Jr. 7u ue 584. Melospiza georgiana (Luth.). Swamp Sparrow. Ad. in summer.—Crown. chestnut-rufous; forehead black; a grayish line over the eye; a blackish line behind the eye; nape slaty gray with a few black streaks; feathers of the back broadly streaked with black and margined with rufous and cream-buff or ashy buff; wing-coverts rufous, the greater ones with black spots at their tips; rump rufous grayish brown, sometimes streaked with black, tail rufous grayish brown, the middle feathers darker along their shafts; throat and middle of the belly white, breast grayish, sides washed with pale grayish brown. Ad. in winter and Jm.—Similar, but the top of the head streaked with black, rufous-brown, and grayish; nape less gray; breast washed with brownish. L., 5°89; W,, 2°34; T., 2°32; B., -46. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from northern Illinois and Penn- sylvania northward to Labrador; winters from southern Illinois and Massa- chusetts to the Gulf. Washington, very common T. V., Apl. to May 15; Sept. 25 to Oct. 30; a few winter. Sing Sing, tolerably common §. R., Apl. 4 to Dec. 2; a few winter. Cambridge, abundant 8. R., Apl. 12 to Nov. 10; a few winter. Nest, generally similar to that of Jf fasctata, on the ground. gs, four to tive, similar in color to those of IZ. fasciata, but the markings are generally more confluent, 76 x 57. While wintering in the south, Swamp Sparrows frequently belie their name, and I have often found numbers of them in dry “old fields” of broom sedge; but at the north they are more consistent, and one rarely sees them beyond the confines of a wet meadow, or, more preferably, a large grassy marsh with reed-bordered streams. Swamp Sparrows may be distinguished from their cousins, the Song Sparrows, by their unstreaked breasts and totally different notes, Their FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 809 usual call-note is a sharp cheep, not unlike that of the White-throated Sparrow, and quite different from the rather nasal chimp of the Song Sparrow. Their song is a simple, sweet, but somewhat monotonous tweet-tweet-tweet, repeated many times, all on one note, and sometimes running into a trill. 585. Passerella iliaca (Merr.). Fox Sparrow. Ad.—Upper parts rutous-brown, the feathers margined by cinnamon-brown; upper tail-coverts and tail bright rufous ; wings mar- gined with rufous; under parts heavi- ly streaked and spotted with rufous- brown and blackish; middle of the belly white; lower mandible yellow- ish. L., 7:26; W., 3°39; T., 2°85; B., “50. Range.—Breeds from the Magda- len Islands and Manitoba to Alaska; winters from Virginia southward. Washington, very abundant T. V., Feb. to Apl. 5; Oct. 25 to Nov.; afew Fia. 87.—Fox Sparrow. (Natural size.) winter. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V., Mch. 4 to Apl. 20; Oct. 14 to Nov. 28. Cambridge, abundant T. V., Mch. 15 to Apl. 20; Oct. 20 to Nov. 15. West, of coarse grasses, lined with finer grasses, hair, moss, and feathers, on the ground, and in low trees and bushes. gs, four to five, pale bluish, evenly speckled or heavily blotched with umber or vinaceous-brown, ‘80 x ‘63 (see Bendire, Auk, vi, 1889, p. 108). In the early spring the Fox Sparrow is seen mostly about damp thickets and roadside shrubbery; later it takes more to woodsides, foraging on leaf-strewn slopes where there is little or no undergrowth, often associated with small parties of Juncos. On its return in the autumn it again becomes a common denizen of hedgerows and thickets, and also invades the weedy grainfields, rarely, however, straying far from some thickety cover. Sometimes large numbers congregate among withered growths of tall weeds, whence they emerge with a loud whirring of wings as their retreat is invaded, and hie away in tawny clouds, flock after flock. It is a great scratcher among dead leaves, and can make the wood rubbish fly in a way which, in propor- tion to its size, a barnyard fowl could scarcely excel. The usual note of the Fox Sparrow is a feeble ¢seep. A note of excitement is londer and sharper in tone. Its song is not surpassed by that of any of our Sparrows. It is a revelation to hear it at sun- down on some vernally softened evening of early springtime; little swarms of gnats hover in the balmy air; from the twilight meadows comes the welcome, half-doubtful piping of the first hylas—no other 310 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. sound. Then perhaps from some dusky thicket a bird’s.song! An emotional outburst rising full-toned and clear, and passing all too quickly to a closing cadence, which seems to linger in the silent air. It is the song of the Fox Sparrow with that fuller power and richness of tone which come into it, or seem to, at the sunset hour. It breaks forth as if inspired from pure joy in the awakened season, though with some vague undertone, scarcely of sadness, rather of some lower tone of joy. EveeneE P. BickNELL. 58%. Pipilo erythrophthalmus (linn.). TownEz; Curwinx; Jorer. Ad. 6.—Upper parts black, sometimes margined with rufous; throat and breast black, belly white, sides rufous; outer web of primaries mostly white; tail black, the three outer feathers tipped with white; outer web of the outer feather entirely white; i77s red. Ad. ¢ .—Upper parts, wings, throat, and breast bright grayish brown; tail fuscous, the three outer feathers tipped with white; sides rufous, middle of the belly white. Young in first plum- age have the back and under parts streaked with black. L., 8:35; W., 3:34; T., 8°68; B., °55. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from the lower Mississippi Val- ley and Georgia northward to Maine, Ontario, and Manitoba; winters from Virginia to Florida. Washington, common 8. R., very common T. V., Apl. 15 to May 15; Sept. to Oct. 15; a few winter. Sing Sing, common 8. R., Apl. 21 to Oct. 31. Cambridge, common 8. R., Apl. 25 to Oct. 15. Nest, externally of dead leaves and strips of bark, lined with fine grasses, on or near the ground. £ggs, four to five, white, finely and evenly speckled with shades of’ rufous, sometimes blotched at the larger end, ‘96 x ‘71. There is a vigorousness about the Towhee’s notes and actions which suggests both a bustling, energetic disposition and a good constitu- tion. He entirely dominates the thicket or bushy undergrowth in which he makes his home. The dead leaves fly before his attack; his white-tipped tail-feathers flash in the gloom of his haunts. He greets all passers with a brisk, inquiring chewink, towhee, and if you pause to reply, with a fluff-fluff of his short, rounded wings he flies to a near- by limb to better inspect you. It is only when singing that the Towhee is fully at rest. Thena change comes over him; he is in love, and, mounting a low branch, he gives voice to his passion in song. I have long tried to express the Towhee’s song in words, but never succeeded as well as Ernest Thompson when he wrote it chuck-burr, pill-a-will-a-will-a, 58%7a. P.e. alleni Cowes. Wuirn-rvep Townze ; JorEr.—Similar to the preceding, but with less white on the wings and tail; only ¢wo outer tail- feathers tipped with white; iris yellowish or white. L., 8:00; W., 3:20; T; 360; B., 52. Range.—Florida; northward along the coast to southern South Carolina. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 311 This southern race of the Towhee does not associate with the northern bird, which is abundant in the south in the winter. The latter selects haunts of much the same nature as those in which it passes the summer, while the southern bird lives in heavy growths of scrub palmetto. The notes of allent differ from those of erythrophthalmus ; its towhee is much higher, and its song, as Dr. Allen pointed out years ago, is shorter. It is also a shyer bird than its northern cousin, 593. Cardinalis cardinalis (Zinn.). Carpiwat. Ad. §.—Throat and region about the base of the bill black; rest of the plumage bright rosy red, the upper parts tipped with grayish; a conspicuous crest; bill red. _Ad. ?.—Throat and region about the base of bill grayish black; crest, wings, and tail dull red ; upper parts olive brownish ash; under parts buffy ochra- ceous, lighter on the belly, and sometimes tinged with red on the breast. L 8-25; W., 3°75; T., 400; B., -64. Range.—Eastern United States; breeds from Florida to Iowa and south- etn New York; resident throughout its range. Washington, common P. R.; less common than formerly. Sing Sing, A.V. Cambridge, casual, two instances. Nest, of twigs, rootlets, and strips of bark, lined with grasses and rootlets, in bushes. Zggs, three to four, white or bluish white, speckled or spotted with grayish brown, cinnamon-brown, or umber, 1:00 x -70, One’s first impression of the Cardinal Grosbeak will usually be that he is rather a clumsy fellow. His body appears to be stiff, as if it were made of wood, different in every way from the pliant, lithe body of the Catbird, for example. He hops about on the ground with tail held well up out of harm’s way, and comes heavily down upon his feet, as if his body were really very solid. In fact, he is not at alla graceful bird. He is a famous singer, his song being a loud, clear whistle, into which usually enters quite frequently the sound of g/ q/q/ and a peculiar long-drawn-out e-é/ sometimes syllabled as “three chéérs!” He is‘a favorite cage-bird. The female Cardinal is herself a charming singer, more pleasing to many than her mate, her music being softer in tone and otherwise different from his. The common call-note of both is a sharp, abrupt tsip/ easily recognized after being once heard. As the head of a family the Cardinal is admirable, not only in his _ attentions to his lovely dove-colored mate, but in singing to her by the hour, and in protecting her from intrusion or danger. To the young in the nest he is an untiring provider of worms and grubs, and thus most useful in a garden. Nothing can be more comical than his behavior when he first conducts his young family out into the world while his mate is engaged with her second sitting. He is as fussy as any young "9 319 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. mother, hopping about in great excitement, and appearing to think the whole world thirsting for the life of his pretty little ones. The Cardinal mother shows the restless manners and anxious spirit of her mate, taking one’s intrusion upon her domestic affairs. greatly to heart, and being so much disturbed that there is more pain than pleasure in making acquaintance with her nestlings. Outve THoRNE MILLER. \ 895. Habia ludoviciana (Zinn.). Rosz-sreasrep Grossyax. Ad. $.—Head, throat, and back black; breast and under wing-coverts bright rose-red, this color sometimes extending down the center of the white belly; rump white, tipped with black; wings black ; primaries white at the base; tail black, the outer feathers tipped with white on the inner web. Ad. 3.— Upper parts grayish brown, margined with cream-butf and pale grayish brown; a butly line through the center of the crown, and a conspicuous whitish line over the eye; wings and tail dark grayish brown; wing-coverts tipped with white; under wing-coverts orange ; under parts buffy, streaked with dark grayish brown. Jm. .—Resembles the ¢, but has the under wing-coverts rose-red. L., 812; W., 4:02; T., 2:99; B., 69. Range—Eastern North America; breeds from eastern Kansas and the higher altitudes of Virginia and North Carolina northward to Maine and Manitoba; winters in Central and South America. Washington, rather common T. V., May 1 to 20; Aug. 25 to Oct. 1. Sing Sing, tolerably common S. R., May 3 to Oct. 1. Cambridge, common &. R., May 10 to Sept. 10. Nest, of fine twigs, weed stalks, and rootlets, in bushes or trees, five to twenty feet up. Zygs, four to five, pale blue, with numerous olive-brown or rufous-brown markings, ‘90 x °69, Sometimes in passing through young second growths, and more rarely densely undergrown woodland, I hear a singular kind of ques- tioning call-note, not loud, but distinct—a steely peek, peek. It is a signal to me to pause and look for its author; even a glimpse of him is worth several minutes’ waiting and watching. There is no mistak- ing his black, white, and rose costume; but the identity of his more modestly attired mate may long remain an open question. So little does she resemble him that she might pass for an overgrown Sparrow with a rather conspicuous whitish stripe over her eye. The song of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak is generally compared to that of the Robin, and musical annotation would doubtless show that the comparison is not misleading. But the similarity is largely one of form; in expression there is no more resemblance in their voices than there is between the birds themselves. There is an exquisite purity in the joyous carol of the Grosbeak; his song tells of all the gladness of a May morning; I have heard few happier strains of bird music With those who are deaf to its message of good cheer I can only sym- FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 313 pathize, pitying the man whose heart does not leap with enthusiasm at the sight of rival males dashing through the woods like winged’ meteors, leaving in their wake a train of sparkling notes. The Brack-HEADED GRosBEaK (596. Habia melanocephala), a western species, has been recorded from Michigan. 597. Guiraca cerulea (Linn.). Bivz Grosseax. Ad. 6.—Deep blue; lores and chin black; back blackish; wings and tail black, slightly edged with blue; middle wing-covertg widely, and greater coverts narrowly tipped with chestnut-rufous. Ad. ¢.—Upper parts grayish brown; in some specimens more or less blue about the head and rump and lesser wing-cov- erts; rump inclined to ashy; wings fuscous, the greater and middle coverts tipped with ochraceous-buff; tail fuscous, slightly margined with bluish gray ; under parts brownish cream-butt, the feathers of the breast sometimes blue at the base. Jm. 6.—Resembles the 9. L., 7°00; W., 350; T., 2°75; B., -65. Range.—United States; breeds from about latitude 88° southward into Mexico; winters south of our limits. Washington, very uncommon 8. R., May 1 to Sept. 80. Cambridge, A. V., one instance, May. Nest, of grasses, in bushes or high weedy growths. Zygs, three to four, pale bluish white, 84 x -65. “Unless seen under the most favorable circumstances the adult male does not appear to be blue, but of an ill-defined, dusky color, and may easily be mistaken for a Cow Blackbird (Molothrus ater), unless most carefully watched; besides, they usually sit motionless, in a watchful attitude, for a considerable length of time, and thus easily escape observation. “The Blue Grosbeak frequents much the same localities as those selected by the Indigo Bird and Field Sparrow—viz., the thickets of shrubs, briers, and tall weeds lining a stream flowing across a meadow or bordering a field, or the similar growth which has sprung up in an old clearing. The usual note is a strong, harsh ptchick, and the song of the male is a very beautiful though rather feeble warble, somewhat like that of the Purple Finch, but bearing a slight resemblance also to that of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak” (Ridgway). 598. Passerina cyanea, (Linn.). Invico Buntine ; Inpico-z1rp. Ad. 6 .—Rich blue, deeper on the head, brighter on the back ; lores blackish ; wings and tail black, margined with blue. .4d. ¢.—Upper parts uniform grayish brown without streaks; wings and tail fuscous, sometimes lightly margined with bluish; wing-coverts margined with grayish brown; under parts whitish, washed with grayish brown and indistinctly streaked with darker; belly whiter. Jm.—Resembles the ?, but is darker. Ad. 6 in win- ter—Resembles the ¢, but has more or Jess blue in the plumage. L., 5°59; W., 2-58; T., 911; B,, *41. 314 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. Remarks.—The female of this species is rather a puzzling bird, and may be mistaken for a Sparrow. Its unstreaked back and the slight tinge of blue generally present on the outer web of the wing- and tail-feathers should serve to distinguish it. Range.—Eastern United States; breeds as far north as Minnesota and Nova Scotia; winters in Central America. Washington, common S$. R., Apl. 28 to Oct. 15. Sing Sing, common §. R., May 4 to Oct. 17. Cambridge, rather common 8. R., May 15 to Sept. 25. Nest, of grasses, bits of dead leaves, and strips of bark, lined with fine grasses, rootlets, and long hairs, generally in the crotch of a bush near the ground. Z9gs, three to four, pale bluish white, “73 x 57. In walking among clumps of bushes in clearings or old pastures. look sharp if a small brown bird flies before you, especially if she calls cheep and twitches her tail nervously from side to side. Though she be a sparrowy-looking bird, look well to her shoulders and tail. If you discover a glint of blue and her cries call her mate, you will ever after be a more trustworthy observer—for his brilliant coat is unmistakable. Having made sure of your birds, watch them to their nest—a com- pactly made cup—too cleverly hidden in the dense green thicket to be easily discovered. The color of the eggs will again test your accuracy of observation ; in varying lights they look green, blue, and white. The female Indigo is so suspicious that it is hard not to be vexed with her, but the primary virtues of an observer are conscientiousness and patience ; so take your hard cases as a means of grace. However distrustful the poor mother bird is, her mate's cheery song makes up for it all. After most birds have stopped singing for the year, his merry voice still gladdens the long August days. I well remember watching one Indigo-bird who, day after day, used to fly to the lowest limb of a high tree and sing his way up from branch to branch. bursting into jubilant song when he reached tho topmost bough. I watched him climb as high into the air as he could, when, against a background of blue sky and rolling white clouds, the blessed little songster broke out into the blithest round that ever bub- bled up from a glad heart. FLorence A. MERRIAM. The Variep Buntine (600. Passerina versicolor), a species of our Mexican border, has been once recorded from Michigan. 601. Passerina ciris (/inn.). Patnrep Bunrine; Nonparsit. Ad. é.—Head and sides of the neck indigo-blue; back golden green; rump dull red; under parts bright red; wings and tail tinged with dull red; greater wing-coverts green. Ad. 9.—Upper parts bright olive-green; under parts white, washed with greenish yellow; wings and tail fuscous, margined with olive-green. L., 5°25; W., 2°70; T., 2:15; B., :42. Kange.—Breeds from the Gulf States northward to Kansas, southern Illi- nois, and North Carolina; winters in the tropics. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 315 Nest, similar to that of P. cyanea, in bushes or low trees. gs, three to four, white or bluish white, with numerous chestnut or rufous-brown mark- ings, 78 x ‘56. Mr. Maynard found this species in southern Florida in January, but it does not migrate northward until about May 1. He writes that it “is always shy and retiring, seldom appearing in the open, but remain- ing in the dense, thorny undergrowth which covers all waste places in Florida, especially if the soil has been cultivated. Whenever the birds perceive an intruder they retire into the depths of these fastnesses, and it requires considerable beating to drive them out, when they at once dart into the nearest cover. The adult males are especially shy, and seldom show themselves. Even while singing they remained concealed, and, although we were thus furnished with a clew to their whereabouts, it was with the utmost difficulty that we caught sight of the authors of the harmonious strains which nearly always greeted our ears when we were in the vicinity of their homes” (Birds of Eastern North America.) “Their notes very much resemble those of the Indigo-bird, but lack their energy and are more feeble and concise” (B., B., and R.). The Grassquir (608. Euetheia bicolor) and the Mrtopiovs Grass@uit (603.1. E. canora), West Indian species, have each been recorded once from the Florida Keys. 604. Spiza americana (@Gmel.). Dicxcisse,; Buack-THRoATED Bunrine. Ad. §.—Head and sides of the neck ashy gray; forehead tinged with yellow; a yellow line over the eye and one on the side of the throat; a black patch on the throat; chin white; breast yellow, spread- ing down on to the white belly; back streaked with black and pale grayish brown; rump brownish ash; lesser wing-coverts rufous; wings and tail fuscous. Ad. 9.— Similar, but the head grayish brown, streaked with blackish, and yg, 88,—Dickcissel. (Natural size.) with no black patch on the throat : and less yellow on the breast, which is sometimes lightly streaked with black. Ad. in fadl—Much brighter, and with some rufous in the back. L., 6:00; W., 3:20; T., 2:35; B., °55. Range.—Eastern United States, mostly in the Mississippi Valley; breeds from ‘Texas to Minnesota; winters in Central and South America; breeds east of the Alleghanies now only rarely and locally. Washington, very rare S, R., a few seen each year; formerly “ very abun- dant.” Cambridge, casual, found nesting at Medford, June 9, 1877, where 316 TANAGERS. several birds were observed ; not uncommon in 1883~'84 (see Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, iii, 1878, pp. 45, 190). Nest, bulky, of coarse grasses and leaves, lined with finer grasses and sometimes long hairs, on the ground or in low trees or bushes. Zygs, four to five, pale blue, *80 x °60. Thirty to forty years ago these birds were more or less common in the middle Atlantic States, but they are now of rare occurrence east of the Alleghanies. In Texas I have seen them migrating in closely massed flocks of several hundred individuals, all silent, except for an occasional cack. They alight on the prairie to feed; birds in the rear are constantly arising and passing to the front; there is ceaseless mo- tion. In the summer Dickcissel makes his home in grassy fields and pastures, and from a weed stalk or bordering fence, with uplifted head, he announces his presence as though life itself depended on his vocal exertions. It isa poor song from a musical standpoint, but pleasing C gsxr] ecause of the singer’s stness : ( | i= b f the singer’s earnest: : (Somer 3 4— 4 The Lark Buntine (605. Calamospiza melanocorys), a western species, has been recorded from Massachusetts, Long Island, and South Carolina. FamILy TANAGRIDA. TANAGERS. The Tanagers form a distinctively American family, and are most abundant in the tropics. About three hundred and fifty species are known, of which only five reach the United States. They are re- markable, as a whole, for the brilliancy of their plumage, and our Scarlet Tanager is therefore no exception to the rule. They are arboreal and for the most part forest-inhabiting, feeding on flowers, fruit,and insects. The tropical species are of a roving dis- position, and wander through the forests in search of certain trees bearing ripe fruit, near which they may always be found in num- bers. As a rule they are not musical. A few species have more or less pleasing songs, but the voices of the majority are weak and squeaky. KEY TO THE SPECIES, A. With red in the plumage. a, Wings and tail black. . . . . . . . « 608, Scarter TANAGER 6. 6, Wings und taillike the body. . . . . . 610. SummMER Tanacer 6. &. Without red in the plumage. w, Under parts, including under wing-coverts, dull buffy yellow. 610. SumMER TANAGER 9. 6. Under parts greenish yellow, under wing-coverts white. 608. SoarLeT TANAGER 9. TANAGERS. 317 608. Piranga erythromelas Vicili. Scarier Tanaczr. (See/ Fig. 48.) Ad. 6.—Bright scarlet, wings and tail black, under wing-coverts white. Ad. ¢.—Upper parts light olive-green; wings and tail fuscous, lightly margined with olive-green; under parts greenish yellow. Jm. 6 and Ad. 8 in winter.—Similar to the 9, but wings and tail black. L., 7-25; W., 3°75; T., 2:09; B. from N., -46. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from southern Illinois and Vir- ginia to Manitoba and New Brunswick; winters in Central and northern South America. Washington, common T. V., rare 8. R., Apl. 28 to Oct.7. Sing Sing, com- mon 8. R., May 4 to Oct. 9. Cambridge, rather common 8. R., May 12 to Oct. 1. West, of tine twigs and weed stalks, lined with vine tendrils and blossom stems, generally near the end of a horizontal limb, seven to twenty feet up. £yqs, three to four, pale bluish white or greenish blue, with numerous rufous or rufous-brown markings, 88 x °68. In watching birds, there are certain sights and sounds that make a day memorable much as a beautiful sunset does. I say to myself, “TI have seen a Scarlet Tanager to-day!” or, “I have listened toa Hermit Thrush this evening.” High among the tree tops of the cool green woods the Tanager sings through the summer days. Hidden by the network of leaves above us, we often pass him by; but once discovered he seems to illuminate the forest. We marvel at his color. He is like a Bird of Paradise in our northern landscape. Weare first guided to him by his call and song. They are pecul- iar, and both have a rare woods flavor. The call is a distinctly uttered chip-chirr. The song is a loud, cheery, rhythmical carol, suggesting the song of the Robin. Inside the green woods the Tanager spends the summer, flying down to visit his nest in the fresh young undergrowth or to bathe in the still forest pools, and hunting and singing in the tree tops high overhead. Fiorencr A, MERRIAM. 610. Piranga rubra (Linn.). Summer Tanacer. Ad. 6 .—Rose- red, brighter below; wings fuscous, margined with rose-red. Ad. ¢ —Upper parts orange olive-green; under parts yellowish orange. Jm. 6.—Resembles the g. L., 7°50; W., 8°75; T., 2°90; B. from N., °55. Range.—Eastern United States; breeds from Florida to southern New Jersey, wandering casually to Nova Scotia; winters in Central and South America. Washington, uncommon §. R., Apl. 28 to Sept. 15. Nest, of leaves, strips of bark, etc., generally near the extremity of a limb, about twenty feet up. £gqs, three to four, bluish white or greenish blue, with numerous cinnamon- or olive-brown markings, ‘96 x °68. This is acommon summer resident of our Southern States, arriving in Florida early in April. It frequents open, rather than dense woods, 318 SWALLOWS. and is particularly numerous in pineries having an undergrowth of oaks. It may be easily identified, not alone by its color but by its unique call-note—a clearly enunciated chicky-tucky-tuck, Its song bears a general resemblance to that of the Scarlet Tanager, but to my ear is much sweeter and less forced. The Lovistana Tanacer (607. Piranga ludoviciana), a species of our Western States, has been recorded from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. FamILy HIrRvuNDINIDZ. SWALLOWS. About eighty species of Swallows are known. They are distributed throughout the world. In their long, powerful wings and small, weak feet Swallows present an excellent illustration of the effects of use and disuse. The greater part of their day is passed on the wing, and in alighting they select a perch which they can grasp with ease. Fig. 89.—Barn Swallow. Cliff Swallow. Tree Swallow. Bank Swallow. Swallows live almost exclusively upon insects, which they capture on the wing, their large mouths, as in the case of the Swifts and Goat- suckers, being especially adapted to this mode of feeding. They nest both in pairs and colonies, and during their migrations associate in countless numbers at regularly frequented roosting places or migration stations, which are sometimes in trees, but more often in marshes, and to which they regularly return each night. They mi- grate, as far as known, entirely by day, their wonderful power of flight enabling them to escape the dangers which beset less rapid fliers. SWALLOWS. 319 KEY TO THE SPECIES, A. Upper parts with metallic reflections. a. Under parts steel-blue. at, Feathers on the belly fuscous at the base . 611. Purpre MArtin ¢. a2, Feathers on the belly white at the basé. . 611.1. Cupan Martin 6. . Throat chestnut, rufous, or brownish. > 61. Upper tail-coverts the same as the back ; tail with white spots. 618. Barn SwaLLow. 62. Upper tail-coverts rufous or buffy ; no white in the tail. 612. Curr SwaLLow. a . Throat gray or white. cl, Entire under party white. . . . . . . . . 614, Trex SwaLtow. ©, Throat and breast brownish gray . . . . 611. Purprz Marin 9. c, Throat, breast, and sides sooty brownish gray. 611.1. Cupan Martin ¢. § B. Upper parts without metallic reflections. a, Under parts entirely white. . . . . . . . . 614. TrEE Swatiow. b. Throat and breast brownish gray . . 617. Roves-winerp SwaLLow. e, Throat and belly white; a brownish gray band across the breast. 616. Bank Swantow. | 611. Progne subis (Zinn.). Purprz Marrm. Ad. §.—Shining { blue-black ; wings and tail duller. Ad. 9.—Upper parts glossy bluish black, © duller than in the 6; wings and tail black ; throat, breast, and sides brownish gray, more or less tipped with white; belly white. m.—Resembles the ¢. L., 8:00; W., 5°80; T., 2°90; B. from N., -32. Range.—North America, north to Newfoundland and the Saskatchewan ; breeds throughout its range; winters in Central and South America. Washington, rather common 8. R., Ap]. 12 to Sept. 5. Sing Sing, tolerably common §. R., Apl. 27 to Sept. 11. Cambridge, locally common 8S. R., Ap]. 20 to Aug. 25. Nest, of straws, twigs, etc.,in houses or gourds erected for the purpose. £98, four to five, white, 1:00 x °78. The Purple Martin is very common throughout the south, and breeds wherever gourds or boxes are erected for its occupation. In the Northern States it is a comparatively rare bird of local distribu- tion, and is apparently decreasing in numbers each year. In Forest and Stream, vol. xxii, 1884, p. 484, Mr. Otto Widmann, of Old Orchard. Missouri, presents an interesting table showing how | often young Martins are fed. He watched a colony of sixteen pairs of birds from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., during which time the parents visited their offspring 3,277 times, or an average of 205 times for each pair. The males made 1,454, the females 1,828 visits. 611.1. Progne cryptoleuca Baird. Cusan Martin. Ad. 6.— “ Similar to P. subis, but feathers of ventral region marked beneath surface, with a broad spot or bar of white.” Ad. 9 and im. &.—Similar to those of 390 SWALLOWS. P. subis, but “‘ whole under portion and sides of head and neck, chest, sides, and flanks uniform sooty grayish brown, in marked contrast with pure white of belly, anal region, and under tail-coverts. L., 7°60; W., 550; T., 3:10” (Ridgw.). . Range.—Southern Florida south to Cuba and probably Central America. Nesting similar to that of P. subis. A common summer resident in Florida from Pasco County south- ward, arriving in March, It resembles P. subdis in habits. 612. Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say). Curr Swattow; Eaves Swattow. Ad.—Forehead whitish, crown steel-blue, throat and sides of the head chestnut; a brownish gray ring around the neck; breast brownish gray, tinged with rufous and with a steel-blue patch in its center; belly white; back steel-blue, lightly streaked with white; -shorter upper tail- coverts pale rufous ; tail fuscous, the feathers of nearly equal length. Jm.— Similar, but upper parts duller; throat black, sometimes mottled with white. L., 6-01; W., 4:34; T., 201; B. from N., °20. keemarks.—The Cliff Swallow may be known from our other Swallows by its rufous upper tail-coverts. Range.—North America, north to Labrador, and, in the interior, to the Arctic Ocean ; breeds throughout its range; winters in the tropics. Washington, rare 8. R., Apl. to Sept. Sing Sing, common S. R., May 1 to ‘Sept. 12. Cambridge, 8. R., much less common than formerly, Apl. 28 to Sept. 1. "Nest, of mud, generally retort- or pocket-shaped, beneath cliffs or the eaves of a barn or other building. £ggs, four to five, white, with numerous spots of cinnamon-, olive-, or rufous-brown, *81 x °55. During the nesting season these Swallows are of very local distri- bution. They will return year after year to their rows of mud tene- ments beneath the eaves of some barn or outbuilding, and, although familiar birds to residents of the immediate vicinity, they may be entire strangers to those who have never had a colony of these birds settled near them. Like Barn Swallows, they are masons, and they may be seen on muddy shores rolling the little pellets of clay which enter into the construction of their nest. In the fall they are found in flocks with other Swallows, but at all times they may be readily identified by their pale rufous upper tail- coverts, which make a conspicuous field-mark. The Cupan Curr Swatiow (612.1. Petrochelidon fulva) has been once recorded from the Dry Tortugas, Florida (Scott, Auk, vii, 1890, p. 265). 613. Chelidon erythrogaster (Bodd.). Barn Swattow. Ad— Forehead, throat, and upper breast shestnut-rufous; rest of the under parts washed with the same color; upper parts steel-blue; tail deeply forked, all ut the middle feathers with white spots on their inner webs. Jm.—Upper SWALLOWS. 321 parts mixed with dusky, forehead and throat paler; outer tail-feathers shorter. L., 6-95; W., 467; T., 3°30; B. from N,, 24. Range—North America, north to Greenland and Alaska; breeds through- out the greater part of its range; winters as far south as southern Brazil. Washington, common 8. R., more abundant T. V., Mch. 28 to Sept. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 15 to Sept. 22. Cambridge, common 8. R., but fast decreasing, Apl. 20 to Sept. 10. Nest, of mud and grasses, lined with grasses and feathers, generally on the rafter of a barn or other building. Zygs, four to six, white, with numerous spots of cinnamon-, olive-, or rufous-brown, generally smaller than those on the eggs of P. lunifrons, “17 x ‘54. Barn Swallows nest both in pairs and colonies, and during the breeding season are more generally distributed than any of our Swal- lows. Almost every old-fashioned barn with its great doors hospita- bly opened is cheered by their sweet call-notes and happy twittering song as they dart in and out on their errands of love. Barn Swallows take first rank among a family of birds famous for their power of flight. “While their relatives are circling about feeding on insects in the air above, they capture their prey nearer the ground, skimming low over the fields, turning quickly to right or left, up or down, and pursuing their erratic course with marvelous ease and grace. 614. Tachycineta bicolor (Victil.). Trex SwaLtow; WuirE- BELLIED SwaLLow. .Ad.—Upper parts steel-blue or steel-green; under parts pure white ; outer tail-feathers somewhat longer than the middle ones. Jim. —Upper parts brownish gray; under parts pure white. L., 5-90; W., 4°70; T., 2°35; B. from N., :22. Range.—North America, north to Labrador and Alaska; breeds locally throughout its range; winters from South Carolina southward. Washington, common T. V., Apl. 1 to May 25; July 10 to Sept. Sing Sing, common T. V., Apl. 4 to May 26; Aug. 4 to Oct. 16. Cambridge, 8. R., formerly common, now common only as a migrant, Apl. 5 to Oct. 12. Nest, of coarse grasses and feathers, in a hollow tree or bird-box. Zygs, four to seven, white, ‘74 x *55. While our eastern Barn and Have Swallows have abandoned their primitive methods of nesting in caves or beneath cliffs, and the Bank Swallows still adhere to the customs of their ancestors, Tree Swallows are passing through a transition period in their history. Some accept the houses or boxes erected by man as substitutes for the holes in trees or stumps which others still use. Near New York city they are the first birds to flock after the nest- ing season, and they begin to gather in our marshes as early as July 1, Their numbers rapidly increase, and the maximum of abundance is reached about August 15, when they outnumber all other Swallows together by at least three to one. They return to their roosts in the 22 322 SWALLOWS. reeds with great regularity every night, and early in the morning fly out over the country to feed. Their flight in the evening is com- paratively low, at an average height of thirty to forty feet. They sail about in circles more than other Swallows, and many pause to rest on telegraph wires, where their pure white breasts easily distinguish them from the Swallows which may be associated with them. In the morning their flight is much higher and more direct. They migrate by day, leaving their roosting ground in flocks, which sometimes con- tain myriads, and, after attaining a great height, pursue their journey to the south. When migrating along the coast they sometimes collect in large numbers in bayberry bushes (Myrica cerifera) and feed on their fruit. The Banama Swattow (615.1. Callichelidon cyaneoviridis) has been once recorded from the Dry ‘Tortugas, Florida, and may occur more or less regularly in the keys off southeastern Florida (Scott, Auk, vii, 1890, p. 265). 616. Clivicola riparia (Linn.). Bank Swatiow. Ad.—Upper parts brownish gray; throat white; a brownish gray band on the breast; outer vane of first primary without recurved hooklets; a small tuft of feathers above the hind toe. L., 5:20; W., 3:95; T., 2:00; B. from N., 18. eange.—North America, north to Labrador and Alaska; breeds locally throughout its range; winters as far south as Brazil. Washington, common 8. R., more common T. V., Apl. 15 to Sept. 25. Sing Sing, common 8. R., Apl. 18 to Oct. 1. Cambridge, common §. R., Apl. 28 to Sept. 1. Nest, of grasses and feathers, in a hole in a sand bank, two to three feet from the entrance. Zygs, four to six, white, ‘68 x 48, This is a locally distributed species breeding in colonies only where sand banks offer it a favorable nesting site. Probably for the reason that such banks are more frequently found bordering streams than inland, the birds are more numerous in the vicinity of water. Bank Swallows may be readily known from other Swallows, except- ing the Rough-winged, by their nesting habits, small size, and absence of metallic coloring. From the Rough-wing they differ in having the under parts white, with a conspicuous band across the breast, and in their somewhat , quicker movements. 617. Stelgidopteryx serripennis (4ud.). Roveu-wincrp Swat- Low. Ad.—Upper parts brownish gray; throat and breast pale brownish gray; belly white; outer web of first primary with a series of recurved hooklets ; no tuft of feathers above the hind toe. Jm.—Similar, but without recurved hooklets on the first primary; throat and breast more or less washed and wing-coverts edged with rufous. L., 5-75; W., 4:35; '[., 2°10: B. from N,, ‘19. WAXWINGS. 323 Range.—North America; breeds as far north as British Columbia, Minne- sota, and Connecticut ; winters in the tropics. Washington, common §. R., Ap]. 5 to Sept. Sing Sing, common 8. R., Apl. 17 to Aug. 12. Nest, of coarse grasses and feathers, under bridges, in stone walls, or a hole inabank. £ggs, four to eight, white, ‘72 x ‘51. Rough-winged Swallows resemble Bank Swallows both in habits and appearance. They do not, however, always nest in holes in banks, but are sometimes found nesting about bridges, railway trestles and their abut- ments. With the Bank Swallow this bird dif- fers from our other Swallows in the ab- Fic. 90.—Section of outer pri- zi mary of adult Rough-winged sence of metallic colors, while from the Swallow. (Enlarged.) Bank Swallow it is to be distinguished by its plain, pale brownish gray, uniformly colored throat and breast, and somewhat slower, less erratic flight. Famity AMPELIDA. WAXWINGS. This small family contains the two known species of Waxwings, with which some ornithologists class several peculiar American tropical species whose exact relationships are not thoroughly understood. 618. Ampelis garrulus (Linn.). Bouemtan Waxwine. Ad.— Forehead, chin, and line through the eye velvety black; a conspicuous crest ; front of crown chestnut-rufous; upper parts rich grayish brown; upper tail- coverts, wings, and tail grayish; primary coverts and secondaries tipped with white, the latter with small, red, seed-shaped scaling-wax-like tips; all but the outer primaries tipped with yellow or white on the outer web; end of tail with a yellow band; breast like the back, grayer on the belly; under tail- coverts chestnut-rufous. L., 8:00; W., 4°60; T., 2°60: B. from N., -29. Range.—Northern parts of the northern hemisphere; in North America south in winter, irregularly, to the northern United States; recorded from as far south as Kansas, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. West, of twigs, roots, moss, etc., in trees. Zggs, similar in color to those of A. cedrorum, ‘92 x ‘65. The distribution of this bird in the United States is not unlike that of the Evening Grosbeak. It is exceedinglyerare and irregular in the Atlantic States, but occurs with some frequency in the northern Mis- sissippi Valley. In notes and habits it is said to resemble its small cousin, the Cedar Waxwing. 619. Ampelis cedrorum ( Vieil/.). Cepar Waxwine; Cepar-nirp; Cuerry-Birp, (See Fig. 50.) Ad.—Forehead, chin, and a line through the eye velvety black ; a conspicuous crest ; upper parts rich grayish brown ; upper © 324 WAXWINGS. tail-coverts, wings, and tail gray ; secondaries, and sometimes tail, with small, red, seed-shaped, sealing-wax-like tips; tail with a yellow band at its end; breast like the back, changing gradually into yellowish on the belly; under tail-coverts white. L., 7:19; W., 8°70; T., 2°87; B. from N., -26. Range—North America; breeds from Virginia and the highlands of South Carolina north to Labrador; winters from the northern United States to Central America. Washington, very common P. R., less so in winter. Sing Sing, common P.R. Cambridge, not common P. R., common §. R., abundant T. V. in spring, Feb. 1 to Apl. 25. West, bulky, of strips of bark, leaves, grasses, twigs, rootlets, moss, and sometimes mud, lined with finer materials of the same nature, in fruit or shade trees, five to twenty feet up. Zygs, three to five, pale bluish gray or putty color, distinctly and obscurely spotted with black or umber, -88 x 62. When the spring migration is over and the home birds have gone to nest-building, small flocks of Goldfinches and Waxwings—two peculiarly gentle, attractive birds—may still be seen wandering about the country. The squads of Cedar-birds fly evenly, on a level with the tree tops, in close ranks, often of five, seven, or nine. Frequently, when under full headway, they suddenly wheel and dive down to an apple tree for a meal of canker worms. In following the beautiful Waxwings about one listens in vain for a song, but soon comes to relish their two peculiar calls—a hushed whistle and the subdued call Thoreau describes as their “‘ beady note,” a succession of short notes strung together—for they both seem to harmonize with the quiet reserve of the delicately tinted birds. In July, when the wandering flocks are no longer seen, a walk through the neighboring orchards may show where both tardy build- ers have at last gone to nesting, and few bird homes afford pictures of such human tenderness and devotion. If there is an evergreen in the vicinity, the Cedar-bird mounts guard upon its tip, but occasionally relieves the monotony of his watch by flying up in the air for light luncheons of passing insects. : The strong individuality of the Waxwings make them interesting birds to the field student. The use of their crests in expressing emo- tion, and the protective attitudes they assume when watched at their nests, throw much light upon bird psychology. To the bird-lover, however, the Cedar-birds have their own attrac- tion; their proverbially gentle, refined ways make them seem superior creatures of the air to whom he can but yield his affection. I shall never forget a pair that I once found by a clear mountain lake. They were perched upon two evergreen spires that guarded a silent bay, whose dark water was gilded by the lingering light of the setting sun. Fiorence A. MERRIAM. SHRIKES. 325 Famity LANIDa. SHRIKES. The Shrikes, numbering about two hundred species, are largely confined to the Old World. Only two species are found in America, both members of the subfamily Zantine or true Shrikes. Their char- acteristic habits are described under their respective names. 621. Lanius borealis Vicil/, Norrarrn Sure; BuronEr-sirp. Ad.— Upper parts gray; wings and tail black; primaries white at the base, secondaries tipped with white or grayish; outer, sometimes all, the tail- feathers tipped with white, the outer feather mostly white ; forehead whitish ; lores grayish black; ear-coverts black; under parts white, generally finely barred with black; bill hooked and hawklike. Jm.—Similar, but entire plumage more or less heavily barred or washed with grayish brown. L., 10°32; W., 455; T., 400; B. from N., *55. Range.—Breeds in the interior in the far north (Fort Anderson, MacFar- lane), and migrates southward in winter as far as Kansas and Virginia. Washington, rare and irregular W. V., Nov. to Feb. Sing Sing, tolerably common W. V., Oct. 26 to Apl. 17. Cambridge, common W. V., Nov. 1 to Apl. 1. ; West, of twigs, grasses, etc., in low trees or bushes. £ggs, similar in color to those of L. dudovicianus, 1:05 x ‘76. This bird may be known at once by his colors—gray, black, and white—by the consternation his appearance causes among the Spar- rows, and by his peculiar flight, which is steady and straightforward, with much flapping, and close to the ground till he nears his in- tended perch, which is reached at the last moment by a sudden up- ward turn. He is so well known as a bird of hawklike, sanguinary character that most students are astonished when they find out that toward springtime he develops into a vocalist of no mean powers. Often in the warm days of March he may be heard singing on the top of some tail tree, a song that would do credit to a Catbird—indeed, it recalls strongly that loquacious songster. He is, I think, a better singer than his southern cousin, but resembles him in habitually impaling his prey on a thorn, a fence barb, or a forked twig. His food consists chiefly of mice, noxious insects, and the equally noxious English Spar- row, so that the Shrike is a bird worthy of all protection. Ernest E, THompson. 622. Lanius ludovicianus Zinn. Loccrrneap Surixe. (See Fig. 51.) .4d—Upper parts gray, wings and tail black, primaries white at the base, secondaries tipped with white; onter, sometimes all, the tail- feathers tipped with white; the outer feather mostly white; lores black, connected by a narrow dlack line on the forehead at the base of the bill; ear-coverts black ; under parts white, sometimes tinged with gray. L., 9°00; 396 SHRIKES. W., 3:82; 'T., 3°87; B. from N., 48: depth of B. at N., ‘385 (average of nine Florida specimens). eemarks.—Specimens from the Mississippi Valley, western Pennsylvania, New York, and northern New England average lighter in color and have, as arule, smaller bills than speciniens from the south Atlantic States. They are thus intermediate between ludovicianus and excubitorides, but the differ- ences between them are too slight and inconstant to warrant me in including excubitorides on the basis of specimens which are quite as near ludovicianus as they are to typical examples of the western form. Range.—Kastern North America west to the edge of the plains; breeds, east of the Alleghanies, as far north as Virginia; west of the Alleghanies breeds northward to the Great Lakes and eastward through central New York to Vermont and Maine. Washington, rare W. V., Aug. 11 to Apl. 6. Sing Sing, A.V. Cam- bridge, rare in fall and winter. Nest, of strips of bark, small twigs, and vegetable fibers, lined with grasses, in thorny hedges or low trees, about seven feet up. Zygs, three to five, dull white or creamy white, thickly marked with cinnamon-brown and lavender, ‘98 x *78. Like some of the Hawks and Flycatchers, the Loggerhead does not search for his prey, but waits for it to come within striking dis- tance. It is of importance, therefore, that his perch should command an uninterrupted view of his surroundings. For this reason one rarely or never sees a Shrike in a tree, but always on its outermost or highest branches. He will fly directly toward its center, but just as he reaches it swing up and light on its top. He also selects telegraph wires, peaks of houses, and especially the apex of a lightning rod or weather vane. From his point of vantage he maintains a constant outlook for any unsuspecting grasshopper, small snake, or lizard which may appear below. ‘he distance at which he can detect these gives evidence of his power of sight. I have seen Shrikes fly fifty yards with the evi- dent object of capturing a grasshopper which they undoubtedly saw before starting. Like the Butcher-bird, the Loggerhead frequently impales its prey on a convenient thorn or spike. Doubtless this habit aids him in dis- secting his food, but I do not think that he does it for {his reason alone. The bird’s vigilance, like that of the waiting Hawk, is probably at- tended by varying results. One hour may yield excellent returns, the next may be fruitless. But under any circumstances he can not resist taking advantage of an opportunity to secure food. Sometimes the opportunities exceed the demands of his stomach, and then, after cap- turing his unfortunate victim, he simply impales and leaves it. If perseverance deserved success, the Loggerhead would take high rank as a songster. But his notes are harsh and unmusical. They VIREOS. 397 consist of aseries of guttural gurgles, squeaky whistles, and shrill pipes, some of which might be attributed to the creaking weather vanes he so often chooses as a perch. FAMILY VIREONIDA. VIREOS. The Virecs, numbering about fifty species, are peculiar to America, most of them being confined to Central and South America, Some fifteen species, all belonging to the genus Vireo, reach the United States. Vireos are for the most part arboreal, though several species haunt the lower, rather than the higher growth. For small, insect-eating birds they are rather slow in their movements. We do not see thein darting out after insects as do the Flycatchers, nor do they flit through the foliage after the manner of many Warblers, but patiently glean their food from the under surfaces of leaves, crevices in the bark, ete. They are more musical than the small Warblers; all our species have pleasing songs, and some of them are especially gifted. KEY TO THE SPECIES. A. With distinct white or yellowish white wing-bars. u. Eye-ring, or line from eye to bill, yellow. a, Throat and breast bright yellow ; rump gray. 628. YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, a2, Under parts white or whitish; sides and sometimes breast washed with greenish yellow; rump olive-green. 631. WuiITE-EYED VirEo. 63la. Key West Vireo. d. Eye-ring and line from eye to bill white. 61, Head lead-blue; wing over 2°50. 629. BLUE-HEADED VirEo. 629a. Mountain Vireo. 62, Head grayish, nearly like back; wing under 2°50. 633. BEL1’s Vireo (Illinois), B. Without white wing-bars. a. Under parts yellowish; first primary as long as fifth. 626, PHILADELPHIA VIREO. b. Under parts white; sides washed with yellowish; first primary ‘75 long. 627, WarBLine Vireo. ce. Under parts white. with little if any yellowish on sides; head with a lead-gray cap, bordered by narrow black lines over the eye. 624, Rep-EYED VirEo. 623. BLacK-WHISKERED VIREO. 623. Vireo calidris barbatulus (Ca).). Buacz-wnisxrrep Virzo. Ad.—Similar to the next species, but somewhat duller above and with a fuscous streak on either side of the throat. Range.—Cuba, Bahamas, and southern Florida; southward to Central America in winter. est, pensile, of dry grasses, shreds of bark, cotton, lichens, and spiders’ web, lined with soft, cottonlike fibers, suspended from a forked branch, five sr 328 VIREOS. to twenty feet up. Zggs, three to four, white, with a pinkish hue, speckled and spotted, chiefly at the larger end, with reddish brown, “78 x °55. This is a not uncommon summer resident in southern Florida, ar- riving from its winter home in Central America early in May. Its song resembles that of the Red-eyed Vireo, but is somewhat more hesi- tating and emphatic. 624. Vireo olivaceus (Zinn.). Rep-ryvep Vireo. Ad.— Crown slaty gray, bordered on either side by blackish ; a conspicuous white line over the eye; rest of the upper parts, wings, and tail light olive-green; no wing- bars; under parts pure white. L., 6°23; W., 3:20; T., 2:20; B. from N., -40. Remarks.—The well-defined slaty- gray cap, bordered by narrow black liues, are the best distinguishing marks of this species. Range.—Eastern North America; westward to British Columbia; breeds from the Gulf States to Labrador and Manitoba; winters in Central and South America. Washington, very common 8. R, Apl. 25 to Oct. 15. Sing Sing, common 8. R., Apl. 29 to Oct. 19. Cambridge, abundant S. R., May 10 to Sept. 10. Nest, pensile, of strips of bark, bits of dead wood, paper, and plant down, firmly and smoothly interwoven, lined with finer strips of bark and vine ten- drils, suspended from a forked branch, five to forty feet up. Zggs, three to four, white, with a few black or umber specks or spots about the larger end, *85 x °55. This, the most common and generally distributed of our Vireos, is found alike in the shade trees of our lawns, in orchards, or woodlands. The conspicuous white line over the eye, with its black border, and the bird’s red eye, are good characters by which to distinguish it from its relatives. Wilson Flagg’s description of the Red-eye to my mind exactly re- flects the character of the bird and its song: “The Preacher is more generally known by his note, because he is incessant in his song, and particularly vocal during the heat of our long summer days, when only a few birds are singing. His style of preaching is not declamation. Though constantly talking, he takes the part. of a deliberative orator, who explains his subject in a few words and then makes a pause for his hearers to reflect upon it. We might suppose him to be repeating Fie. 91.—Red-eyed Vireo. (Natural size.) moderately, with a pause between each sentence, ‘You see it—you know it—do you hear me?—do you believe it?’ All these strains are delivered with a rising inflection at the close, and with a pause, as if waiting for an answer.” VIREOS. 329 The Yerrow-orrEn Vireo (625. V. flavoviridis), a Mexican and Central American species, has been once recorded from Godbout, Province of Quebec. 626. Vireo philadelphicus (Cass.). Paitaperruta Vireo. Ad.— Upper parts light olive-green; the crown sometimes grayish; a whitish line over the eye; wings and tail edged with olive-green; no wing-bars; tirst primary nearly as long as second; entire under parts nearly uniform pale, greenish yellow. L., 4°75; W., 2°60; T., 1:95; B. from N., -26. Remarks.—The pale, greenish-yellow color spread almost uniformly over the entire under parts distinguishes this bird from our other Vireos. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds in Manitoba, Maine, and proba- bly north to Labrador; and winters in the tropics. Washington, very rare T. V., May 17. Sing Sing, rare T. V., Sept. 20 to Oct. 20. Cambridge, very rare T. V. in Sept. Nest, pensile, of fine grass and birch bark, suspended from a forked branch about eight feet from the ground. Zygs, four, similar in color to those of /. olwvaceus (Thompson). This species resembles the Red-eyed Vireo in habits, and Mr. Brew- ster writes that its song is so nearly identical with the song of that spe- cies “that the most critical ear will,-in many cases, find great difficulty in distinguishing between the two. The notes of philadelphicus are generally pitched a little higher in the scale, while many of the utter- ances are feebler and the whole strain is a trifle more disconnected. But these differences are of a very subtile character, and, like most comparative ones, they are not to be depended upon unless the two species can be heard together. The Philadelphia Vireo has, however, one note which seems to be peculiarly its own, a very abrupt, double- syllabled utterance with a rising inflection, which comes in with the general song at irregular but not infrequent intervals. I have also on one or two occasions heard the male when in pursuit of his mate utter a soft psewo, similar to that sometimes used by Vireo olivaceus, and both sexes when excited or angry have a harsh, petulant note exactly like that of V. gilvus” (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, v, 1881, p. 5). 62%. Vireo gilvus (Vieill.). Warsiine Vireo. Ad—Upper parts ashy olive-green; no wing-bars; wings and tail edged with the color of the back; first primary very short, not more than 1:00 in length; under parts white slightly washed with yellowish. L., 5°80; W., 2°85; T., 2°14; B. from N., ‘30. Fig. 92.—Wing of Wage Se to show short first Range.—North Amer- Renee ica; breeds as far north as the Hudson Bay region; winters in the tropics. Washington, rather common S. R., Apl. 28 to Sept. 10. Sing Sing, tolera- 330 VIREOS. bly common 8. R., May 3 to Sept. 18. Cambridge, common 6. R., May 10 to Sept. 25. Nest, pensile, of grasses and plant fibers, firmly and smoothly interwoven, lined with fine grasses, suspended from a forked branch eight to forty feet up. £ggs, three to tour, white, with u few specks or spots of black, umber, or rufous-brown, chiefly about the larger end, “76 x ‘55. Unlike its cousin, the Preacher, the Warbling Vireo is not gen- erally distributed, but shows a decided preference for rows of shade trees, particularly rows of elms. It passes the greater part of its time in the upper branches, and is more often heard than seen. Although resembling the Red-eye in general appearance, its song is so different that singing birds need never be mistaken for that spe- cies. Instead of the Red-eye’s broken, rambling recitative, the song of the Warbling Vireo is a firm, rich, continuous warble with a singu- lar alto undertone. . 628. Vireo flavifrons Veil]. Ye tiow-Turoatep VirEo. Ad.— ‘4Upper parts bright olive-green, changing to gray on the rump and upper tail- Scoverts; greater and middle wing-coverts tipped with white, forming two distinct wing-bars; outer web of inner secondaries white; eye-ring, throat, and breast bright yellow; belly white. L., 5°95; W., 3°05; T., 2°10; B. from N., °36. Range.—Kastern North America; breeds from Florida to Newfoundland and Manitoba; winters in the tropics. Washington, common 8. R., Apl. 20 to Sept. 15. Sing Sing, tolerably common 8. R., Ap]. 30 to Sept. 7. Cambridge, common 8. R., May 8 to Sept. 1. Nest, pensile, of strips of bark, plant fibers, ete., interwoven, lined with fine grasses and covered externally with lichens, suspended from a forked branch ten to thirty feet up. Zggs, three to four, white, with a few specks or spots of black, umber, or rufous-brown, chiefly about the larger ends, 80 x °60. The Yellow-throated Vireo is a dweller in tree tops, and whether in woodland, orchard, or lawn, he seldom comes below the upper story of hishome. But even at a distance his bright yellow breast is a con- spicuous mark, at once distinguishing him from other members of his family. If the Red-eyed Vireo is a soprano, the Yellow-throat is a con- tralto, He sings much the same tune, but his notes are deeper and richer, while they are uttered more deliberately and with greater ex- pression than those of his ‘somewhat too voluble cousin. “See me; Tm here; where are you?” he calls, and at intervals repeats his ques- tion in varying forms. Sometimes he astonishes us by an intricate liquid trill which suggests the wonderful song of the Ruby Kinglet, but which unfortunately is sometimes marred by the scolding notes that precede or follow it. ’ YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, WaRBLING VIREO. VIREOS. 331 629. Vireo solitarius ( Wils.). Buvr-auapep Vireo. (See Fig. 52.) Ad.—Top and sides of the head bluish gray ; eye-ring and lores white ; back olive-green; greater and middle wing-coverts tipped with white, forming two distinct wing-bars; outer web of inner secondaries white; under parts white; sides washed with greenish yellow. L., 5°61; W., 2°96; ‘T., 2:15; B. from N., :28. Remarks.—This species may be known by its white lores and eye-ring, and bluish-gray cheeks and crown. Range—Eastern North America; breeds from Connecticut (and south- ward along the crest of the Alleghanies) northward to New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters from Florida southward. Washington, common T. V., Apl.10 to May 10; Sept. to Oct. 26. Sing Sing, tolerably common 'T. V., Ap]. 23 to May 14; Sept. 8 to Oct. 20. Cam- bridge, common T. Y., rather rare 8. R., Apl. 25 to Oct. 5. Nest, pensile, of pine needles, plant down, etc., firmly interwoven, sus- pended from a forked branch five to ten feet up. Zygs, three to four, white, with a few specks or spots of black, umber, or rufous-brown, chiefly at the larger end, *80 x °53. This large and handsome Vireo—a bird of the woods—is the first of its family to reach the Northern States in the spring and the last to depart in the autumn. Like its congeners, but unlike birds in gen- eral, it sings at its work. In form its music resembles the Red-eye's, the Philadel phia’s, and the Yellow-throat’s; but to me it is more varied and beautiful than any of these, though some listeners may prefer the Yellow-throat for the richness and fullness of its “organ tone.” The Solitary’s song is matchless for the tenderness of its cadence, while in peculiarly happy moments the bird indulges in a continuous warble that is really enchanting. It has, too, in ¢ommon with the Yellow- throat, a musical chatter—suggestive of the Baltimore Oriole’s—and a pretty trilled whistle. Its most winning trait is its tameness. Wood bird as it is, it will sometimes permit the greatest familiarities. Two birds I have seen which allowed themselves to be stroked in the freest manner while sitting on the eggs, and which ate from my hand as readily as any pet canary; but I have seen others that complained Ioudly whenever I approached their tree. Perhaps they had had sad ' experiences. BraDFoRD TORREY. A single specimen of the PLumBrous Vireo (629). V. s. plumbeus), a west- ern species, has been taken at Peterboro, N. Y. (Miller, Auk, xi, 1894, p. 79). 629c. V. s. alticola Brewst. Movuntaw Sorrrary Vrreo.—Similar to the preceding, but with a much larger bill, and the back generally with more or less slaty blue. W., 3:15; T., 2°25; B. from N., :35; depth of B. at N., ‘20. Range.—Nigher portions of the Alleghanies in North and South Carolina; southward in winter to Florida. 332 VIREOS. This race of the Blue-headed Vireo is a common summer resident in the southern Alleghanies (see Loomis, Auk, viii, 1891, p. 329). 631. Vireo noveboracensis (Gmel.). Wuirz-EvEp Virro. Ad.— Upper parts, including upper tad/-coverts, bright olive-green, more or less washed with grayish ; greater and middle wing-coverts tipped with yellowish white, forming two distinct wing-bars ; outer web of inner secondaries whitish ; lores and eye-ring yellow; throat white or whitish ; belly white; breast and sides washed with greenish yellow; iris white, hazel in the young. L., 5°27; W., 2°37; 'T., 1:95; B. from N., :29, Range.—Eastern United States; breeds from Florida to New Hampshire and Minnesota; winters from Florida southward. Washington, common 8. R., Apl. 20 to Oct. 7. Sing Sing, common S&S. R., Apl. 29 to Oct. 8. Cambridge, rather rare 8. R., May 8 to Sept. 20; formerly common. West, generally similar to that of V. olévaceus, suspended from a forked branch in thickets. Zggs, three to four, white, with a few specks of black, umber, or rufous-brown at the larger end, *75 x ‘55. If birds are ever impertinent, I believe this term might with truth be applied to that most original, independent dweller in thickety un- dergrowths, the White-eyed Vireo. Both his voice and manner say that he doesn’t in the least care what you think of him; and, if attracted by his peculiar notes or actions, you pause near his haunts, he jerks out an abrupt “ Who are you, eh?” in a way which plainly indicates that your presence can be dispensed with. If this hint is insufficient, he follows it by a harsh scolding, and one can fancy that in his singular white eye there is an unmistakable gleam of disap- proval. I have always regretted that the manners of this Vireo have been a bar to our better acquaintance, for he is a bird of marked character and with unusual vocal talents. He is a capital mimic, and in the retirement of his home sometimes amuses himself by combining the songs of other birds in an intricate potpourri. 63la. V. n. maynardi Brewst. Key West VirEo.—Scarcely dis- tinguishable in color from the preceding, but averaging somewhat paler and less yellow below, and with a larger bill. L., 512; W., 2-40; T., 212; B. from N., +35. Range.—Southern Florida. This closely related race of the White-eyed Vireo is a common per- manent resident in southern Florida. 633. Vireo belli Aud. Bewi’s Virzo. Ad.— Crown ashy gray, changing to olive-green on the rump; greater and middle wing-coverts nar- rowly tipped with white; lores and eye-ring whitish; under parts white, breast and sides washed with greenish yellow. L., 4°75; W., 2:20; T., 1:80; B. from N., °28. WOOD WARBLERS. 333 Range.—Interior of North America, from Texas north to Minnesota, east to Illinois. Nest, pensile, of strips of bark and plant fibers firmly and smoothly inter- woven, lined with finer grasses, etc., in bushes or low trees. Zygs, four to six, white, with a few specks of black, umber, or rufous-brown at the larger end, *66 x °50. This is a common bird in its range, and is locally not uncommon as far east as Illinois. “In their food, habits, and actions they are very similar to the White-eyed. Their call- and alarm-notes are not quite so harsh, and their song is delivered in a less emphatic manner ; an indescribable sputtering, that does not rank it high in the musical scale” (Goss). The Banama Honry Creeper (685. Cereba bahamensis) was found by Dr. Wirdemann in January, 1858, on Indian Key, southeastern Florida, but has not, to my knowledge, been taken by subsequent observers. The upper parts are sooty black, the rump and middle of the under parts yellow, and a line over the eye, the throat, and the lower belly are white or whitish; length about 4°50. FAMILY MNIOTILTIDA. Wood WARBLERS. The Wood Warblers are found only in America, and are most numer- ously represented in eastern North America, About one hundred spe- cies are known, of which seventy visit the United States, while the remaining thirty are tropical. With three or four exceptions they are inhabitants of woodland, but during their migrations may be found in the trees of lawns or orchards. They feed almost exclusively upon insects, and are thus highly migratory, thousands of miles frequently separating their sum- mer and winter homes. The majority are among the last of the spring arrivals; their com- ing caps the climax of the migration, and the first severe frost leaves but few with us. They migrate by night, and are chief among the victims of lighthouses and electric-light towers. When migrating, they are generally found in straggling companies composed of a num- ber of species, which during the day travel slowly through the woods from tree to tree. They capture their insect food in a variety of ways. Some species flit actively from branch to branch, taking their prey from the more exposed parts of the twigs and leaves; others are gleaners, and care- fully explore the under surfaces of leaves or crevices in the bark; while several, like Flycatchers, capture a large part of their food on the wing. As a rule, they are arboreal, but many ere thicket-haunt- ing, and some are terrestrial. 334 WOOD WARBLERS, Several species have remarkable vocal ability, but, generally speak- ing, they have rather weak voices, and take low rank as songsters. Warblers are at once the delight and the despair of field students, To the uninitiated their existence is unknown, and when search reveals the before unsuspected fact that our woods are thronged with birds as exquisitely colored as the daintiest tropical forms, we feel as though a new world were opened to us. Absent to-day, present to-morrow, the Warblers come and go under cover of the night, and we may give a lifetime to their study, and then know we have not mastered the laws which govern their movements. Entering an apparently deserted bit of woods, we hear faint voices, lisping tseeps, and soon discover that the tree tops are animated with flitting forms. What limitless possibilities there are in a flock of Warblers! Who can say what rare species may be among them ?—per- haps the bird we have long vainly looked for; perhaps a stranger from another clime! KEY TO THE SPECIES, First Group.—Throat yellow, yellowish, or orange. I, Under parts without streaks or spots. Il. W%ts black or brown streaks on the breast or sides, or (in one species) a blackish brown band across the throat, or (in one species) a black patch on the breast. Second Group.—Throat black, gray, ashy, white, whitish, brown, or buffy. I. Throat and upper breast one color, black, gray, ashy, or brown, very dif- ferent from the white or yellow belly. II. Throat white or whitish, with or without streaks or spots; rest of under parts streaked or spotted with black, bluish, chestnut, or yellow. IIL. Under parts white, whitish, or buffy, withoud streaks, spots, or patches. First Group. I. Under parts without streaks or spots. 1. Tail with conspicuous white spots or patches. A. Wings with white wing-bars. u. Under parts entirely pure yellow. a. Forehead yellow; a black line through the eye; rump same as back. 2 on a z - . 641, BuuE-wincep WaRBLER. , a, Crown ashy ; rump salou - 657. Magnoztra Warscer (Im.). 6. Throat bright yellow; belly white or whitish. 6. Back olive-greenish . . . - oe es 671. Prve Warscer. 02, Back bluish, with a yellowish patch in the middle. 648. Paruta Wara.er (Im.). e. Under parts pale yellowish white or buffy ; throat not brighter than belly. cl, Back olive-green, slightly streaked with black, c*, Under parts pale cream-buff, stronger on the flanks. 660, Bay-preastep WARBLER (Im.). WOOD WARBLERS. 335 ce. Under parts pale yellowish white. 661. BLack-poLt WARBLER (Im.). a1, Back olive-green, without streaks. . 671. Pins WarBLer ¢. e'. Back with a bluish tinge and without streaks. 658. CeruLEAN WaRBLER (Im.). B. Without white wing-bars. a. Under parts bright orange or orange-yellow; wings, tail-coverts, and tail bluish gray. . . . . . 687. Protuonorary WarBLer. b. Under parts pure yellow; wings, rump, and tail greenish ; head sometimes blackish ; inner web of outer tail-feathers white. 684. Hoopep WarBLER ( @ and im.). ce. Under parts pale yellowish; head ashy: rump olive-green; small white tail-spots, not reaching to ends of feathers. 640. Bacuman’s WarBier (9 and im.). d. Under parts pale yellowish; entire upper parts olive-green; a - white spot at the base of the primaries. 654. BLack-THROATED BLur WARBLER ?. 2. Tail without white spots or patches; wings without white wing-bars. A, Cap, or forehead, or cheeks black or blackish. a. Cap black ; forehead and cheeks yellow. 685. Witson’s WARBLER. b, Band on the forehead and cheeks black or blackish ; no yellow line over the eye. . . . . 681. Maryzanp YELLOW-THROAT 6. 6816. FLoripa YELLOW-THROAT 6. e. Forehead or crown and cheeks black or blackish; a clear yellow line over the eye . woe ee ee) . O77. Kentucky WaRsBLer. B. No black on forehead; crown ashy, of a very different color from the olive-green back, or with the bases of the crown feathers rufous- brown or chocolate. u. Crown plain ashy; under tail-coverts white. 640. Bacuman’s WARBLER. 6, Crown ashy; bases of feathers chestnut ; eye-ring distinctly white ; most of under parts and under tail-coverts bright yellow. 645. NasHviLLE WARBLER. ce. Crown of nearly the same color as the back; the feathers with rufous-brown bases; under parts dull greenish yellow. 646. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER. C. Crown of the same color as the back ; forehead the same, or yellow- ish, or brownish. a. Under parts bright yellow. a. Upper parts bright olive-green; forehead yellowish; short bristles at base of bill; tail greenish brown. 685. Witson’s WARBLER (Im.), a3, Upper parts bright greenish yellow; inner web of' tail-feathers yellow « . « 2 a nw ¥ 652, YeLLow WARBLER 9. a8. Upper parts ashy greenish ; eye-ring white. 645. NasHvILLE WARBLER (Im.), b. Throat and breast yellow; belly white or whitish. ‘ 336 WOOD WARBLERS. 1, A black spot before the eye and a white line over it; wing 3-00, 683, YELLOW-BREASTED CHat, 63, Legs flesh-color; outer tail-feathers shortest; forehead some- times brownish . . . . 681. MaryLtanp YELLOW-THROAT 9. 6816. Froripa YELLOW-THROAT 9. os, Legs blackish ; tail-feathers even; wing under 3-00. 645. Nasuvitte Wars.er (Im.), c. Under parts uniform yellow or yellowish. o, Under parts dull greenish yellow, obscurely streaked with dusky; back ashy greenish. 646. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (Im.), c?, Under parts yellowish or buffy yellowish; outer tail-feathers decidedly shortest ; legs flesh-color. 681. MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT 9. 6815. FLortipa YELLOW-THROAT 9; c, Breast somewhat yellower than rest of under parts; flanks brownish ; legs blackish ; tail-feathers of same length. 645, NasHviLLE WARBLER (1m.). c+, Inner margins of tail-feathers yellow. 652. YELLow WaRBLER ?. ce. Back bright olive-green; under tail-coverts white. 647. TENNESSEE WARBLER (Im.), ce. A small white spot at the base of the primaries. 654. BLacK-THROATED BLuz WARBLER 9. Il. With black or brown streaks on the breast or sides, or (in one species) a blackish brown band across the throat, or (in one species) a black patch on the breast. 1. Under parts streaked with rufous-brown. A, Crown chestnut. a. Entire under parts rich yellow . 672a. Yettow Patm WARBLER. b. Throat and breast bright yellow; belly yellowish white. 672. Patm WarBLER. B. No chestnut crown-cap. ‘a. Under parts yellowish white ; eye-ring yellowish. 672. Pata Warerer (Im.). b. Under parts yellow, washed with brownish; eye-ring yellowish. 672a, YELLow Patm Wars.er (Im.). ce. Under parts bright yellow; forehead yellow; inner webs of tail- feathers yellow. . . . . . 652, YeLLow Warsier (Ad.). 2. Under parts streaked or spotted with black. A. Back unspotted, the same as the head, olive-green or olive-brown. a. Under parts pale sulphur-yellow, streaked with black; no wing- bars; wing 3:00 or over. 675. WaTer Tarvusn. 675a. GRinneii’s WATER THRUSH. 6. Under parts bright sai no black streaks on the flanks; wing nearly 8:00. . . . . . 671. Pine Wiese c. Under parts bright yellows raids streaked with black; wing about 200. . . . « « « © . . 678, PRainiz WARBLER ( @ and im.). WOOD WARBLEBRS. 337 d. Throat pale yellow, indistinctly spotted or streaked; belly whitish ; cheeks bright yellow; outer web of outer tail-feather white at the base. 667, BLAcK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (In.). e. Throat and breast yellow, distinctly spotted ; median wing-coverts white... . . . . . 650. Carpz May Warsier (¢@ and im.). B. Back black or streaked with black, or center of crown orange. a. Under parts pale yellow; black spots confined to sides; no white wing-bars .. . - . . 670. Kirrtanp’s Waseuie. db. Under parts pale yellone indistineély streaked with blackish; two white or whitish wing-bars. 661. BLack-poLL WARBLER (Im.). ¢. Throat orange or yellow, without streaks; ear-coverts gray or black ; center of crown yellowish or orange. 662, BLacKBURNIAN WARBLER. d. Under parts streaked with black; ear-coverts rufous; cap black. 650. Cape May WaRBLER. e. Head bluish gray or ashy; rump bright yellow; eye-ring white; white tail-spots not reaching to ends of feathers. 657. Macnotia WARBLER. C. Back ashy gray. u. Throat yellow; belly white; wing-bars and tail-spots white. @, A yellow line from the bill to the eye. 663. YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER. a2, A white line from the bill to and over the eye. 663a. SycaMoRE WARBLER. 6. Entire under parts yellow; breast with a necklace of black spots ; no wing-bars or tail-spots . . . . 686. Canapian WARBLER. D. Center of back brick-red ; under parts yellow ; sides streaked with black. . . . . . . . 678, PRatrig WARBLER. 3. Throat yellow ; ‘bron ithe a pand of copper or blackish chestnut; upper parts blue; center of back greenish yellow. 648. Parva WARBLER. 4, Throat and forehead yellow; breast and crown-cap black. 640. Bacuman’s WARBLER. Second Group. I. Throat and upper breast one color, black, gray, ashy, or brown, very different from the white or yellow belly. A. Belly white or whitish. u. Back gray or greenish gray, crown yellow, cheeks black or gray, wing-bars yellow . . . . . . 642. GoLDEN-wINGED WARBLER. 6. Back and crown bright olive-green, cheeks yellow, wing-bars white. . . .. . . . 667, BLAoK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. e. Back and crown dark blue, a white spot at the base of the primaries. 654. BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER 6, 23 . 338 WOOD WARBLERS. d. Back streaked with gray and black ; cap, throat, and sides chestnut, 660. Bay-preasteD WARBLER 6, e. Back streaked with black and white, a white line through the cen- terofthe crown. . . . . 636. Brack anp WuiTe WaRBLER ¢, J. Back black; sides, center of wings, and base of tail salmon-red, 687. Repstart ¢. B. Belly yellow. a. Throat black. a. Cheeks bright yellow, black crown-cap connected with black throat by a black line, end half of inner web of outer tail-feathers white . : - . . . 684, Hoopep Warsrer, a2. Cheeks dull preeritals wallow, black crown-cap not connected with black throat, white tail-spots not reaching to the ends of feathers . . . F . . 640. Bacuman’s Wars.er. a3, A black streak dinoagls the eye, wing-bars white. 641 + 642. LawRencr’s WARBLER. 6, Throat bluish gray, ashy, or brownish. b. A white eye-ring . . . . . . 678 ConnecticvT WARBLER. o2. No white eye-ring. . . - + 679. Mournine Warsier. Il. Throat white or whitish, ‘with or without streaks or spots; rest of the under parts spotted or streaked with black, bluish, chestnut, or yellow. A, Back streaked with black. a. With chestnut streaks on the sides, under tail-coverts white. ai, Wing over 2:50, head with vhestnut or black streaks or spots, wing-bars white . . - . 660. Bay-sreastep WARBLER 9. a8, Wing under 2°50, head and wing-bars yellow or yellowish. 659. CHESTNUT-sIDED WARBLER. b. With black or bluish streaks on the sides or entire under parts. 61. Cap solid black . . . ' 661. Buack-pott WaRBLER 6. 2, Crown, rump, and sides of the breast with a yellow patch or spot. 655. Myrrte Warscer. bs. Cap black, with a white streak through the center. 636. Black anp WHITE WaRBLER ?. 64, Crown olive-green, with small black streaks. 661. BLAcK-PoLL WaRBLER 9. 65, Crown blue, a bluish-black band across the breast. 658. CERULEAN WaRBLER 6. 68, Crown brownish, under tail-coverts yellow. 672..Parm Wars.er (Im.). B. Back without streaks or spots. a. With white or yellow spots in the tail. a}, Wing-bars white, cheeks yellow, back greenish. 667. BLack-rHRoaTED GREEN WaxBLER (Im.). a, Wing-bars, cheeks, and back grayish, under tail-coverts white. 650. Care May Wars er (¢@ and im.). a8, Back brownish, under tail-coverts yellow. 672. Patm Warsier (Im.), WOOD WARBLERS. 339 a4, Sides of breast, band in wings, and base of tail yellow. 687, Repsrart(¢ and im.). b. Without white or yellow spots in the tail. 01, A pale rufous streak bordered by black through the center of the crown . . . . + . + 674, OVEN-BIRD. 03. A white line over fhe ayes guro generally without spots, wing over 8-00, bill over 50. . . . 676. Lovisrana Water-TurRusu. b3. A buity line over the eye, throat with small black spots, wing . under 8:00, bill under 50. . . . . . . 675, Warer-Turusu. 675a. GRINNELL’s WarTeR-THRUSH. Ill. Under parts white, whitish, or buffy, without streaks, spots, or patches. A, Tail with white or yellow spots or patches. a. Wing-bars white or grayish. a, Under parts pure white, back greenish yellow, cheeks gray, wing under 250. . . . 659. CuEsrnuT-siIDED WARBLER (Im.). a2, Under parts tinged with buffy, back and cheeks olive-green, with generally distinct black streaks, wing over 2°50. 660. Bay-Breastep WaRBLER (Im.). a3, Under parts soiled whitish, back brownish or grayish green, eye- ring white, wing-bars grayish, wing over 2°50. 671. Prinz WarsLer (9 and im.). a4, Under parts white, back streaked with pure black and white. 636. Brack anpD WuirE WARBLER 9. b. Wing-bars yellowish, greenish, or absent. 61, Back and head bright greenish yellow, cheeks gray, under parts pure white. . . . 659. CuEsTNUT-sIDED Wars Ler (Im.). 02, Back, head, and cheeks yellowish green, under parts yellowish, inner margins of tail-feathers yellow. 652, YELLow Warscer (Im.). 03. Back gray or grayish, a black line through the eye. ; 641 + 642. Brewsrer’s WarsLer. 64. Back and head brownish, wings and base of tail with a yellow band. . . - . . . 687. Kepsrart (9 and im.). 65. Back bright peeeti, tied and cheeks grayish, a small black spot in front oftheeye . . . . . . 647. TeNNESSEE WARBLER 6. B. Tail without white or yellow spots or patches. u. Under tail-coverts yellow. a. Back olive-green, outer tail-feathers shortest, legs flesh-color. 681. Marytanp YELLOw-THROAT (9 and im.). 681. Froripa YELLOW-THROAT. a?, Back grayish olive-green, tail-feathers of equal length, legs blackish . . . . . . . . 646. ORANGE-cROwNED WARBLER. 6. Under tail-coverts white or whitish. 6}. Head plain brown, a whitish line from the bill over the eye. 638. Swarnson’s WARBLER. 62, Center of crown and line from the bill over the eye buffy, bor- dered by black stripes . . . . 689. Worm-EaTiIne WARBLER. 340 WOOD WARBLERS. b8. Crown greenish, a small white spot at the base of the primaries almost concealed by wing-coverts. 654. Brack-THRoaTED Brug WarsLer (? and im.), 4, Crown grayish, bend of the wing yellow. 640. Bacuman’s WARBLER 9. A Firvp K&ry To THE ADULT MaLE WaARBLERS OF EasTERN NorTH AMERICA IN SPRING AND SUMMER PLUMAGE. I. Throat yellow, white, or whitish ; under parts without streaks or patches, II. Throat black, brown, or slate-color. Ill. Throat yellow or orange, under parts with streaks. (In one species a blackish-brown band across the breast.) IV. Throat white or whitish, w7¢h streaks or spots on the under parts. (In two species a yellow patch on the sides of the breast.) I. Throat yellow, white, or whitish; under parts without streaks or patches. 1. Throat yellow. A, Length over 6:00, the largest of the Warblers; haunts dense thick- ets in second growth; song, a peculiar mixture of whistles, chucks, and crow-calls, delivered from the undergrowth, from the trees above, or on the a when the bird resembles a bunch of falling leaves 2. . . + . « 688, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. B. Length under 6 00. a. Head and neck bright palit. yellow like the breast; tail-feath- ers white, except at the tip; haunts near the salen especially low bushes and willows hanging over streams and ponds; call, a sharp peek ; range, from Virginia southward. 637. PRoTHONOTARY WARBLER. . Forehead and cheeks black, a yellow line over the eye; song, a ‘low whistled call of five to seven notes; haunts near the ground; range from lower Hudson Valley sauthivardl 677. Kentucky Warster. Forehead and cheeks black, bordered by grayish; no line over the eye; haunts peel lati call, a frequently repeated chack ; song, a loud, rapid Jb h you, Ib h you, Lb h-you, or witch-e-wee-o, witch-e-wee-o, witch-e-wer-o y Movements restless; abundant. . . .. . . . 681. Marytawp YELLow-tTHROAT. 681). Froripa YELLow-turoat (Fla.). d. Head and back olive-green; wings with two white bars; outer tail-feathers white; haunts pine woods; song, a musical trill. 671. Prinz Warsier. e. Crown bluish ash, eye-ring white; call-note sometimes like the sound produced by striking two pebbles together. 645, NasHvitteE WARBLER. ag S WOOD WARBLERS. 341 J. Forehead yellow, a small black mark in front of the eye; wings with two white bars; outer tail-feathers white; song, swéé-chee, the first note higher, and also wé, chi-chi-chi-chi, chitr, chee-chitr. 641. BLuE-wincep WARBLER. g. Forehead yellow; crown-cap black; cheeks yellow; wings and tail unmarked; rather rare . . . . 685. Wizson’s WaRBLER. 2, Throat white or whitish. A. Length 5:00; crown brown or with blackish and buffy stripes. a. A conspicuous whitish line through the center of the crown, bor- dered by black lines; not common. 639. WoRM-EATING WARBLER. db. Crown plain brown; range, North Carolina and southward. 638. Swarnson’s WARBLER. B. Length 450; crown ashy or forehead yellow. a, Forehead yellow. a1, Breast white, with a barely perceptible tinge of yellow; wing- bars white or yellow, a black mark in front of the eye; rare. 641 + 642, BrewsTER’s WARBLER. db. Forehead not yellow. 61. Breast white, crown plain bluish ashy, clearly defined from the bright olive-green back. . . 647, TENNESSFE WARBLER. 62. Breast whitish, tinged with yellow and indistinctly streaked with dusky ; crown dull ashy, not clearly defined from the back and with a partly concealed patch of rufous-brown; very rare in the Atlantic States north of South Carolina. 646. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER. II. Throat black, brown, or slate-color. 1. Belly white. u. Back blue, a white spot near the outer edge of the wing; common. 654. BLack-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. d. Back green, cheeks yellow; song, a buzzlike zee repeated five or six times, the next to last note the highest; common. 667. BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. «. Back grayish, forehead yellow, a black mark through the eye and a white line below it; a large patch of yellow on the wings; song, zee-zee-zee-zee, all on the same note; not common. 642. GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER. d. Back black; sides of the breast, middle of the wing, and base of the tail-feathers reddish orange ; movements active, tail frequently spread, the reddish color showing conspicuously ; abundant. 687. RepstTarr. e. Back streaked with black and white; song fine and wiry; move- ments like those of a Creeper; common. 686. Brack AND WHITE WARBLER. J. Back streaked with buffy and black; forehead and cheeks black; crown-cap, throat, upper part of the breast, and sides chestnut; ratherrare . .. .. . . » + 660. Bay-BREASTED WARBLER. 3842 WOOD WARBLERS. 2. Belly yellow. A, Throat slate-color ; haunts near the ground. au. Breast sale traces of black, no white eye-ring; rare in most places. . . - + . . 679. Mournine Warster. b. Breast with no es of black, a white eye-ring; call a sharp peek y very rare in the spring . 678. Connecticut Warsuer, B. Throat black. u. Forehead and crown yellow, wings with white bars, a black line through the eye; very rare. 641 + 642. Lawrence’s WARBLER. 6. Forehead and cheeks yellow, rest of the head and sides of the neck black ; outer tail-feathers almost entirely white; haunts near the ground, generally in wet woods; movements active, the white tail-feathers showing conspicuously in flight; lower Hudson Val- ley southward; common. . . . . . 684, HoopEp Warsier, c. Forehead yellow, a small black patch on the crown, white patches on the tail not reaching to the ends of the feathers; range, South Carolina southward . . . 640. BacumMan’s WaRBLER. WIL. Throat yellow or orange, under parts with streaks. (In one species a blackish brown band across the breast.) 1. Belly white, with or without black streaks. u. Throat rich orange; back, black streaked with white; tolerably common. . - « + 662. BLackBURNIAN ‘Wasormn. 6. Throat bright yellow, baek grayish; range, Virginia southward; abundant . . . » . . 663. YELLOW-THROATED Wianorm, 663a. SycaMoRE WaRBLER. ce. Throat yellow, with a blackish band crossing the upper part of the breast; abundant . . . . - . . . 648. ParuLa WaRBLER. 2. Belly elles; with streaks or —_ on the breast or sides. _ A, With black streaks or spots on the under parts. a. Back grayish, unstreaked ; a necklace of black spots on the breast; no streaks on the sides or white on the wings or tail; common. 686. CanapIAN WARBLER. b. Back black, crown grayish, a black stripe through the eye; breast and sides streaked with black; end of tail black, a white band across its middle; common . . . . 657. Maenozta WARBLER. e. Back streaked with white, center of the crown and line over the eye orange ... - « . 662. BrackBurnian WARBLER. d. Back greenish, s' streaked with black : crown black, a rufous ear- patch, a white patch on the wings, rump yellow; rare. 650. Cape May WARBLER. e. Back greenish, with « patch of rufous-brown; haunts second growths and old bush-grown pastures ; common in some places. 678. PRarrin WARBLER. J. Back grayish, streaked with black ; crown bluish ; no conspicuous white marking on the wings; very rare in the United States. 670. KrrTuanp’s WARBLER. WOOD WARBLERS. 3438 B. Under parts with rufous-brown streaks. a. Crown yellow, back greenish, inner border of tail-feathers yel- low; general appearance that of a yellow bird; haunts lawns, orchards, and second growths; rarely seen in deep woods; abun- dant. awe s - + . . 652. Yettow WarBLeER. 6. Crown chestnut, ‘busts ibrosvaifely outer tail-feathers tipped with white; haunts near the ground, frequently seen along roadsides and im old fields; movements leisurely, constantly wags its tail; common . 672. Parm WarBier. 672¢. YELLow Patm Wanrsienr. IV. Throat white or whitish, with streaks or spots on the under parts. (In two species a yellow patch on the sides of the breast.) 1. A patch of yellow on the sides of the breast. uw. Back grayish, streaked with black; rump and a partly concealed crown-patch yellow; note, a loud ¢ehip, generally uttered during flight; abundant ... . » . + . 655. MyrtLte Ware er. 6. Back brown, breast more or lesa spotted with black; a yellow band across the middle of wings and tail; movements active, tail fre- quently spread, the yellow band showiie conspicuously ; abundant. 687. Repsrart (Im.). 2. No yellow patch on the sides of the breast. A, With wing-bars; back streaked with black; haunts in trees. u. Back bright blue; very rare near the Atlantic coast. 658. CERULEAN WARBLER. 6. Back grayish, crown black; movements slow; abundant. 661. Brack-poLt WARBLER. e. Back greenish yellow, crown bright yellow, sides chestnut; com- mon .. . . . . 659, CHESTNUT-SIDED Webiiince, B. Without wing bares back not streaked; haunts on or near the ground; walkers, not hoppers. a. Crown pale rufous, bordered by black streaks ; song, a loud teacher, repeated eight or nine times and increasing in volume ; common. 674. OVENBIRD. 6. Crown like the back, breast with a tinge of sulphur-yellow, an inconspicuous buffy line over the eye; bill less than ‘50 in length; common... » . . . 675. Water Turusu. ce. Crown like the hank, ana anid particularly flanks tinged with buffy, a conspicuous white line over the eye; bill nearly -75 in length ; a far shyer bird than the preceding; song loud and ring- ing; notcommon . . . . . 676. Lovistana Water ‘TuRusu. 636. Mniotilta varia (Linn.). Biack anp WHITE WARBLER; BLack AND WuiTE CREEPER. (Fig. 93.) .Ad. 6.—No yellow anywhere; upper pared” streaked with black and white; ear-coverts black; inner webs of outer tail- feathers with white patches; wing-coverts black, tipped with white; throat and upper breast black or black and white; sides streaked with black and white; middle of the belly white. Ad. 9.—Similar, but the under parts with fewer black streaks; sides washed with brownish. Jm. 6.—Similar to 344 WOOD WARBLERS. the ¢, but with more streaks on the under parts. L., 5:80; W., 2°73; T., 2:02; B. from N., ‘37. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from the Southern States north to Fort Simpson; winters from Florida southward. Washington, abundant T. V., less common S. R., Apl. 12 to Oct. 15. Sing Sing, common 8. R., Apl. 18 to Oct. 1. Cambridge, very common §. R., Apl. 25 to Sept. 5. Nest, of strips of bark, grasses, etc., lined with rootlets or long hairs, on the ground at the base of a stump, log, or rock. Ziggs, four to five, white, spotted and speckled with cinnamon-brown to umber, chiefly in a wreath at the larger end, °68 x ‘54. None of our Warblers can be more readily identified than this con- spicuously marked creeper. It is generally distributed throughout woodland, and climbs with even more agility than a true Creeper, hanging from the under surface of branches and twigs, and flitting actively from tree to tree after apparently the most superficial exami- nation. It is a generally silent bird, intent on food-getting, and its thin, wiry notes, seé-see-see-see, are not frequently uttered. 637. Protonotaria citrea (Sodd.). ProrHonotary WaRBLER. Ad. 6.—Whole head, neck, and under parts rich orange, lighter on the belly ; back greenish yellow, changing to bluish gray on the rump; wings and tail ashy ; inner webs of all but the middle tail-feathers white, except at the tip; no wing-bars. Ad. 9.—Similar, but the yellow is paler, the belly with more white. T.., 5°50; W., 2°90; T., 1:85; B. from N., -42. Range.— Eastern United States; breeds from the Gulf States to southern Illinois and Virginia; wanders casually to Maine; winters in the tropics. Washington, of irregular occurrence in summer. Nest, of rootlets, fine twigs, and moss, plant down or feathers, in a hole in a stub or stump, generally of a willow tree. ggs, four to six, white, thickly and rather coarsely marked distinctly and obscurely with cinnamon-brown, chestnut, or rufous-brown, *69 x °d6. This exquisite Warbler frequents bushes and low trees—particu- larly willow trees—hanging over the water.’ Its call-note so closely resembles that of a Water Thrush (Sécwrus), I have sometimes mis- taken it for that species. Its usual song, as Mr. Brewster remarks in his admirable biography * of this species, “sounds at a distance like the call of the Solitary Sandpiper, with a syllable or two added—a simple peet, tweet, tweet, tweet, given on the same key throughout. .. . Nearer at hand, however, the resemblance is lost, and a ringing, pene- trating quality becomes apparent in the Warbler’s song.” To thoroughly appreciate the Prothonotary’s radiant beauty, one * Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, iii, 1878, pp. 158-162, WOOD WARBLERS. 845 should float quietly in a canoe past its haunts. Its color shows to best advantage against the dark background of its home, and its every movement is a delight to the eye. 638. Helinaia swainsonii Aud. Swartnson’s Warsier. Ad— Crown cinnamon-brown ; a whitish line over the eye; back, rump, wings, and tail olive grayish brown without white; under parts soiled yellowish white, grayer on the sides. L., 5:00; W., 2°75; T., 1:90; B. from N., -46. Range—Southern United States, north to North Carolina and Missouri ; south in winter to the tropics. West, externally of leaves, lined with pine needles and rootlets, in bushes, canes, palmettos, and clumps of vines, from three to ten feet above the ground or surface of the water. Zygs, three to four, white, with a faint bluish tinge, ‘TS x ‘54 (Davie). The history of Swainson’s Warbler is very similar to that of Bach- man’s Warbler. It was discovered by Dr. Bachman near Charleston, South Carolina, in 1832, and for somewhat over fifty years was prac- tically a lost species, but proves now to be a common bird in some parts of its range. Its rediscovery near Charleston by Mr. A. T. Wayne and Mr. Brewster is recounted by the latter in an article * which ade- quately portrays the bird, its habits and haunts. It lives on and near the ground, and, according to Mr. Brewster’s experience, four things seem indispensable to its existence—“ water, tangled thickets, patches of cane, and a rank growth of semi-aquatic plants.” Its song, which is highly ventriloquial, is described by the same author as “a series of clear, ringing whistles, the first four uttered rather slowly and in the same key, the remaining five or six given more rapidly, and in an evenly descending scale. . . . In general effect it recalls the song of the Water Thrush (Securus noveboracensis). It is very loud, very rich, very beautiful, while it has an indescribable tender quality that thrills the senses after the sound has ceased.” 639. Helmitherus vermivorus (@mel.). Worm-zatine WARBLER. (Fig. 94.) .4d.—A black line from the eye to the nape, and two on the crown from either nostril; an olive-buffy line over either eye, and a third through the center of the crown; back, wings, and tail olive-green without white; under parts whitish cream-buff, whiter on the throat and belly. L., 551; W., 278; T., 2:05; B. from N., °39. Range.—Eastern United States; breeds from the Gulf States north to southern Illinois and southern Connecticut; winters in the tropics. Washington, quite common §, R., Apl. 28 to Sept. Sing Sing, common S. R., May 7 to Aug. 23. Cambridge, A. V., one instance, Sept. West, of rootlets, leaves, and bark, on the ground. ge, four to six, white, speckled, spotted, or blotched with cinnamon- or rufous-brown, “68 x -54, * The Auk, ii, 1885, pp. 65-80; see also ibid., pp. 346-348, and also Perry, Orn. and O6l., xi, 1886, p, 188 ; xii, 1887, p. 141. 346 WOOD WARBLERS. This comparatively rare, retiring Warbler may be found on dry wooded slopes, hillsides, and ravines, generally where there is a rather dense undergrowth, but occasionally where the ground is quite clear and open. It lives on or near the ground, and in its slow, deliberate actions resembles a Vireo more than the usually active Warblers. Its call-note is a sharp chip, while its song, as all observers agree, closely resembles that of the Chipping Sparrow, but is somewhat weaker. 640. Helminthophila bachmani (4ud.). Bacuman’s Warsier. Ad. &.—Forehead yellow, bordered by a black patch on the crown; back of the head bluish gray ; back and rump bright olive-green ; lesser wing-coverts yellow; tail grayish, all but the middle feathers with white patches on their inner web near the tips; throat and belly yellow, a large black patch on the breast. 4d. ¢.—Crown grayish; forehead yellowish ; back, wings, and tail as in the 6; under parts whitish, washed with yellow on the throat and breast ; bend of the wing yellow. L., 4:25; W., 2°40; ‘T., 180; B. from N., -32. Range.—Southeastern United States, west to New Orleans, north to South Carolina; south in winter to Cuba, and probably Central America; accidental in Virginia. “ West, in low trees. Z£ggs, four,” dull grayish white, heavily blotched with umber in the form of a broken band about the larger end, a few spots and specks of the same color, and numerous irregular, obscure lavender mark- ings are distributed over the remaining surface, “74 x ‘60. (Described from only known specimen, collected by Dr. 8. W. Wilson on St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, April 80, 1854; see Bailey, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, viii, 1883, p. 38.) Bachman’s Warbler was described by Audubon from a pair of birds taken by Dr. Bachman at Charleston, South Carolina, in July, 1883. Several specimens were subsequently taken in the West Indies during the winter, but over fifty years passed before the species was again found in the United States. It proves now to be a common bird in parts of its range, and has been found in large numbers near New Orleans, and on the Suwanee River in Florida in March and April, and at Key West in late July and August. At each of these places, however, it has been observed only as a migrant, and its breeding home is still unknown. Mr. Brewster and myself had excellent opportunities to study its habits on the Suwanee River, and in The Auk for 1891, pp. 149-157, will be found a detailed account of our observations written by Mr. Brewster. It was migrating with other Warblers, and kept to the tops of the highest trees. It is not improbable, however, that when in its breeding haunts it may prove to be a low-ranging bird like most of the members of this genus. Its movements were rather leisurely, and resembled those of H. pinus or H. celata. Its song, which only Mr. Brewster was fortunate enough to hear, is described by him as resembling the song of the Parula Warbler, WOOD WARBLERS. 847 641. Helminthophila pinus (Zinn.). Buve-winerp Wars.er. (Fig. 95.) dd. 6.—Crown and entire under parts bright yellow, a black line through the eye; back and rump bright olive-green; wings and tail bluish gray; greater and middle wing-coverts tipped with white or yellowish white ; outer three tail-feathers with large white patches on their inner webs, fourth feather with a much smaller patch. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but yellow on the head confined to the forehead; under parts duller. L., 4°80; W., 2°40; T., 1:80; B. from N., °33. Remarks.—The only variation of note in the plumage of otherwise typical specimens of this species occurs in the color of the wing-bars, which in some specimens are tinged with yellow. A specimen in Mr. Brewster’s collection (No. 25,511, Seymour, Conn., June 11, 1889, E. A. Eames) shows this variation carried to an extreme, and has the wing-bars as broadly yellow as in H. chrys- optera, though in every other respect it is typical pinus. Between this spe- cies and H. chrysoptera there exists a complete set of intergrades, which are variously called H. leucobronchialis and H. lawrencei. They are generally considered to be hybrids, and it has also been suggested that dichromatism may aid in producing their coloration. Their relationships will be found dis- cussed under the following references: Brewster, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, vi, 1881, p. 218; Ridgway, Auk, ii, 1885, p. 8359; Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 486. Range.—Eastern United States; breeds as far north as southern Minnesota and Connecticut; winters in the tropics. Washington, rather uncommon T. V., Apl. 28 to May 25; Aug. 5 to Sept.; afew breed. Sing Sing, common S. R., May 4 to Sept. 7. Nest, of bark and leaves, lined with fine strips of bark and tendrils, and firmly wrapped with numerous leaves, whose stems point upward, on the ground, generally in or at the border of second growth. £ggqs, four to six, white, thinly speckled with rufous, cinnamon-brown, or rufous-brown, "62 x °50. This species may be found in scrubby second growths, woodland borders, or even the lower trees of dense woods. Its movements are rather slow and leisurely, and, like a Chickadee, it may sometimes be seen hanging head downward while searching for food. It is at times a rather persistent songster, and its peculiar song is not likely to be mistaken for that of any other Warbler. As a rule, it consists of the two drawled, wheezy notes swéé-chee ; the first inhaled, the second exhaled. A less common song, uttered later in the season, is wéé, cht-chi-cht-chi, chur, chéé-chiir, and is sometimes accompanied by peculiar &¢k notes. Helminthophila leucobronchialis (Brewst.). Brewsrer’s War- BLER. Ad. 6.—Forehead and fore part of the crown yellow, a black line from the bill through the eye: rest of the upper parts bluish gray; wing- bars broadly yellow; tail like the back, three to four outer feathers marked with white; under parts pure white, faintly washed with yellow on the breast. Fall specimens are more heavily washed with yellow, and the upper 348 WOOD WARBLERS. parts are margined with olive-green. Ad. 9.—Similar, but wing-bars white, and crown not so bright. Remarks.—The descriptions are from typical specimens of the puzzling bird known as Helminthophila leucobronchialis. Between it and H. pinus there are specimens showing every degree of intergradation. Typical exam- ples are comparatively rare, and the most common form has the breast heavily washed with yellow, the back tinged with olive-green, and the white wing- bars washed with yellow; in other words, about intermediate between typ- ical leucobronchialis and typical pinus. This hybrid, color phase, or species—I do not presume to say what it is, for I think some day we may understand its relationships more fully—has been found in Louisiana, from Virginia northward to Con- necticut, and as far west as Michigan. Its breeding range appar- ently coincides with that of H. pinus. Upward of one hundred speci- mens, representing typical leucobronchialis and various phases of its intergradation with pimus are known, and in the Connecticut River Valley the bird is stated to be more frequent than 4. chrysoptera. In general habits it resembles both pinus and chrysoptera. Some in- dividuals sing like the former, some like the latter, while others have notes of their own. (See Fisher, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, iv, 1879, p. 234; vi, 1881, p. 245; Auk, ii, 1885, p. 878; Chapman, ibid., iv, 1887, p. 348; ix, 1892, p. 302; Eames, ibid., v, 1888, p. 427; vi, 1889, p. 305; Bishop, ibid., vi, 1889, p. 192: Sage, ibid., vi, 1889, p. 279; x, 1893, p. 208.) Helminthophila lawrencei (Herrick). Lawrencr’s WarpsLer.— Ad. §.—Forehead and fore part of the crown yellow, rest of the upper parts bright olive-green ; wing-bars white; tail bluish gray, the three to four outer feathers marked with white; a black patch on the cheek divided by a yellow line from the black patch on the throat and upper breast; lower breast and belly yellow, under tail-coverts white. Ad. ¢.—Forehead dingy yellow, rest of the upper parts bright olive-green ; wing-bars white, tanged with yel- low; tail as in the 6, black patches of the é replaced by dusky olive-green. ftemarks.—This bird combines the characters of pinus and chrysoptera ; it has the black cheek-patches and breast-patch of the latter, but in other respects resembles the former, and is doubtless a hybrid between the two. Its history and a discussion of its relationships will be found under the refer- ences given above. It is a much rarer bird than Brewster's Warbler, and less than a dozen specimens have been recorded. 642. Helminthophila chrysoptera (Linn.). Gotpry-wincED Waxsrer. (Fig. 96.) Ad. ¢.—Crown bright yellow; rest of the upper parts bluish gray, sometimes washed with greenish; a large black patch about the eye, separated from another on the throat by a white stripe; a white line over the eye; wings and tail bluish gray ; tips of middle wing-coverts and outer webs of greater ones bright yellow, forming a large yellow patch on the wing: outer three tail-feathers with large white patches on their inner webs at the WOOD WARBLERS. 349 tip, fourth feather with a smaller patch; lower breast and belly white; sides grayish. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but the crown duller, the patch on the sides of the head and throat grayish instead of black. L., 5-10; W., 246; T.,1:94; B. from N., -34. Range.—Eastern United States; breeds from Indiana and northern New Jersey north to Michigan, southern Ontario, and Vermont; south along the Alleghanies to South Carolina; winters in Central America. Washington, uncommon T. V., May 1 to 28; Aug. Sing Sing, rare §. R., May 8 to Aug. 25. Cambridge, not uncommon 8. R., May 12 to Aug. 25. West, much like that of H. pinus, on or near the ground, in second growths or bushy fields. Zyggs, four to six, white, speckled and spotted, chiefly about the larger end, with cinnamon-brown, chestnut, or umber, “62 x *60. In their actions and choice of haunts the Golden-winged resemble the Blue-winged Warblers. Their song is of much the same quality, but the notes are all of the same kind and length, and the bird utters arather lazy zee-zee-zee-zee, at once distinguishable from the song of pinus, 645. Helminthophila ruficapilla (Wils.). Nasavirte War- BLER. .Ad.—Top and sides of the head bluish gray, a partially concealed chestnut patch in the center of the crown; back and rump bright olive-green ; wings and tail edged with the same and without white; under parts bright yellow, whiter on the belly. Jm.—Upper parts dull olive-green, more or less washed with brownish; rump brighter; wings and tail as in the ad.; sides of the head brownish ashy, eye-ring white; under parts yellowish, brighter on the breast; sides brownish. L., 477; W., 2°83; T., 1:81; B. from N,, -28. Range——Kastern North America; breeds from northern Illinois and Connecticut northward to Labrador and the fur countries; winters in the tropics. Washington, uncommon T. V., May 5 to 20; Sept. 5 to 20. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V., May 7 to 27; Aug. 11 to Oct.4; may breed. Cam- bridge, rather common 8. R., May 5 to Oct. 1, more conmon T. V. Nest, of grasses and moss, lined with finer grasses and fine, hairlike root- lets, on the ground, in partial clearings or tree-grown pastures. Zygs, four to five, white, thickly speckled, chietly at the larger end, with rufous or cin- namon-brown, ‘61 x °48. This Warbler is an inhabitant of rather open woodland, young second growth, or tree-bordered fields. In addition to the usual chip, it has a sharp, characteristic call-note, while its song is about as likely to attract attention as that of the Chestnut-sided Warbler. Minot writes it “ weé'-see-weé'-see, wit'-a-wit'-a-wit',” while Langille gives it as “ ke-tsee-ke-tsee-ke-tsee-chip-ee-chip-ee-chip-ee-chip,” and compares the first half to the penetrating notes of the Black and White Warbler, } and the last half to the twitter of the Chipping Sparrow. 350 WOOD WARBLERS. 646. Helminthophila celata (Say). OrancE-crowNED WARBLER. Ad.—Upper parts rather ashy olive-green; feathers of the crown orange- rufous at the base; wings and tail edged with olive-green and without white ; eye-ring yellow; under parts greenish yellow, obscurely streaked with dusky on the breast. Jm.—Similar, but without orange-rufous in the crown; upper parts more ashy; under parts duller; eye-ring white. L., 5-00; W., 2°50; T., 1:95; B. from N., 81. Range.—Breeds in the interior of British Columbia, and as far north as the “Yukon and Mackenzie River districts, and southward through the Rocky Mountains; winters in the South Atlantic and Gulf States and Mexico.” Washington, casual T. V., one instance, Oct. Sing Sing, A. V. Cam- bridge, rare ‘I’. V.,in fall, Sept. 30; Oct. 2. Vest, of leaves and fine grasses, on or near the ground. gg, four to five, white, with specks or spots of cinnamon-brown or rufous, more numerous at the larger end, °63 x °49. Orange-crowned Warblers are rare in the North Atlantic States. In Florida, where they are common in the winter, they evidently pre- fer the densely foliaged live and water oaks. Their sharp cAzp is suffi- ciently characteristic to be recognized after one has become thoroughly familiar with it. Their song, which I have never heard, is described by Colonel Goss as consisting of “a few sweet trills uttered in a spir- ited manner, and abruptly ending on a rising scale.” 647. Helminthophila peregrina ( Wils.). TennesseE WARBLER. (See Fig. 53, a.) Ad. 6.—Top and sides of the head bluish gray, sharply de- tined from the bright olive-green back and rump; wings and tail edged with olive-green ; no white wing-bars; inner margin of inner vane of outer tail- feathers generally white at the tip; under parts white, sometimes tinged with yellow. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but crown tinged with greenish and under parts washed with yellowish. /m.—Upper parts uniform olive-green ; under parts washed with yellowish ; under tail-coverts white. L., 5°00; W., 2°63; T., 1°69; B. from N., 32. Remarks.—The adults of this and the two preceding species may be dis- tinguished with ease; immature birds, however, are frequently confused. The Nashville is distinctly yedzow on the breast and under tail-coverts; the Orange-crowned is pale greenish yellow, with dusky streaks and yellow under tail-coverts; the Tennessee is pale greenish yellow, without streaks, and with the under tail-coverts white. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from Minnesota, northern New York, and New Brunswick northward; winters in Central America. Washington, T. V., not observed in spring; occasionally common in fall, Aug. 25 to Oct. 15. Sing Sing, rare I. V., May 22 to 27; Aug. 22 to Oct. 2. Cambridge, rare T. V., May 15 to 28; Sept. West, of fine hempen fibers, grasses, and moss, lined with hair, in low bushes near the ground. gga, pearly white, with a circle of brown and pur. plish spots about the larger end, 60 x ‘50 (B., B., and R,). WOOD WARBLERS. 3851 fic. 93.—Black and White Warbler. Fic. 97.—Parula Warbler. Fic. 94.—Worm-eating Warbler. Fig. 98.—Myrtle Warbler. fia. 95.—Blue-winged Warbler. Fic. 96.—Golden-winged Warbler. Fic. 100.—Chestnut-sided Warbler, Fias. 93-100.—Heads of Warblers. (Natural size.) 352 WOOD WARBLERS. This bird has the general habits of the Orange-crowned or Nashville Warblers. Ernest Thompson describes its song as beginning with a note like chiprtt, chiprtt, repeated a dozen or more times, with increas- ing rapidity, then suddenly changed into a mere twitter. Bradford Torrey says the Tennessee’s song “is more suggestive of the Nash- ville’s than of any other, but so decidedly different as never for a mo- ment to be confounded with it,” and adds a detailed description (The Footpath Way, p. 8). 648. Compsothlypis americana (Linn.). Parva WareLer; Biue YELLOW-BACKED WaRBLER. (Fig. 97.) Ad. 6.—Upper parts grayish blue; a greenish-yellow patch in the middle of the back; greater and lesser wing-coverts tipped with white; outer tail-feathers with a white patch near the end; throat and breast yellow, more or less marked with pale rufous, a black, or bluish black, or rufous band across the breast ; belly white; sides sometimes marked with rufous. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but the rufous color and band on the breast sometimes absent. Jm.—Like the 9. L., 4738; W., 2°40; T., 1:76; B. from N., +82. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from the Gulf States northward to Anticosti; winters from Florida southward. Washington, abundant T. V., Apl. 20 to May 20; Aug. 20 to Oct. 15; a few breed. Sing Sing, common T. V., May 2 to 28; Sept. 21 to Oct. 7. Cam- bridge, common T. V., May 1 to 28; Sept. 10 to 30. Nest, generally in bunches of Usnea “moss.” Eggs, four to tive, white, with rufous markings, chiefly in a wreath about the larger end, -66 x -47. During its migrations the Parula is very generally distributed, but when nesting it selects localities in which there is an abundance of Spanish or Usnea “ moss.” In Florida the Parula’s notes mark the beginning of a new ornitho- logical year, and its song is so associated in my mind with the beauties of a southern spring that in describing it as a short, insectlike buzz I realize how largely its charm is borrowed from its surroundings. When the cypresses are enveloped in a haze of lacelike blossoms, and the woods are fragrant with the delicious odor of yellow jasmine, the dreamy softness of the air is voiced by the Parula’s drowsy song. 650. Dendroica tigrina (Gmel.). Care May Warsier. (See Fig. 1.) Ad. 6.—Crown black, slightly tipped with greenish; ear-coverts rufous, bounded behind by a large yellow patch on the side of the neck; back olive-green, broadly streaked with black; rump yellow or greenish yellow; a large white patch on the wing-coverts ; outer tail-feathers with a large white patch on their inner webs, near the tip ; under parts yellow, heavily streaked with black; lower belly and under tail-coverts whitish. Ad. ¢.— Upper parts grayish olive-green; rump yellowish ; a yellow line over the eye; middle wing-coverts with narrow white tips; outer tail-feathers with a white patch on their inner webs near the tip; under parts yellow, streaked with WOOD WARBLERS. 353 “black; belly and under tail-coverts whiter. Jm. 6.—Resembles the ¢, but the wing-coverts have more white. Jm. ?.—Similar to ad. ¢, but with little or no yellow on the under parts. L., 5:00; W., 2°61; T., 1:88; B. from N., 30. Range—Eastern North America; breeds from northern New England north to Hudson Bay; winters in the tropics. Washington, softetimes very common, usually uncommon T. V., May 5 to 20; Aug. 25 to Oct.7. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V., Aug. 20 to Oct. 1. Cambridge, rare T. V., May 15 to 25; Aug. 25 to Sept. 15. Nest, partially pensile, of twigs and grass fastened with spiders’ webbing, lined with horsehair, on 2 low branch of a sinall tree in pasture or open woodland. Eggs, three to four, dull white or buffy, slightly specked, and wreathed around the larger end with spots of brown and lilac, -70 x 50 (Chamberlain). During its migrations this generally rare Warbler may be found associated with its wood-inhabiting congeners. In the summer it haunts the higher branches of coniferous trees. Mr. Chamberlain describes its song as somewhat resembling “the simple lay of the Nashville, though its voice is neither so full nor so sweet, recalling the thin, wiry tones of the Black and White Creeper.” 652. Dendroica ewstiva (Gmel.). Yerrow Warsier. Ad. §.— Upper.parts bright greenish ycllow, brighter on the crown; wings edged with ! yellow ; tail fuscous, the énner vanes of the feathers yellow ; under parts bright . yellow, streaked with rufous. Ad. ¢.—Upper parts uniform yellowish olive- green ; tail as in the 8; wings fuscous, edged with yellow; under parts bright yellow, slightly, if at all, streaked with rufous on the breast and sides. Jm. 6. —Similar to the ¢. Jm. 9.—Upper parts light olive-green ; tail fuscous, the inner margins of the inner vanes of the tail-feathers yellow ; under parts uni- form dusky yellowish. L., 510; W., 2°40; T., 1:89; B. from N., -33. Remarks.—In any plumage this bird may be known by the yellow on the inner vanes of the tail-feathers. Range.—North America, except Southwestern States; breeds northward to the arctic regions; winters as far south as northern South America. Washington, common 8. R., abundant T. V., Ap]. 18 to Sept. 30. Sing Sing, common §. R., Apl. 80 to Sept. 27. Cambridge, abundant 8. R., May 1 to Sept 30. Nest, of fine grasses and hempen fibers, with a conspicuous amount of plant down, lined with plant down, fine grasses, and sometimes long hairs, in the shrubs or trees of lawns or orchards. Zggs, four to five, bluish white, thickly marked with cinnamon- and olive-brown, with frequently a wreath about the larger end, “70 x °50. When any one tells me he has seen a “ Wild Canary,” I feel rea- sonably sure he refers to the Yellow Warbler, for the casual observer at once betrays his inexperience by entirely overlooking the bird's streaked breast and slender bill. It has, it is true, the general appearance of a yellow bird, and its 24 354 WOOD WARBLERS. bright colors and preference for gardens, orchards, the shrubbery of our lawns or bushy brooksides, instead of the woods, frequently brings it to the attention of those to whom most birds are strangers. It is an active bird, and its song—wee-chee, chee, chee, cher-wee— though simple, has a pleasing, happy ring. , 654. Dendroica cerulescens (@mel.). Buack-TaroaTeD Bix Warsier. Ad. 6.—Upper parts grayish blue, back sometimes blackish ; wings and tail edged with blue ; base of the primaries white, forming a white spot on the wing at the end of the primary coverts; inner vanes of outer tail- Fig. 101.—Black-throated Blue Warbler. (Reduced.) feathers with a white patch near their tips ; sides of the head and throat black ; sides mixed black and white; breast and belly white. 4d. ¢.—Upper parts uniform olive-green ; tail generally with a faint bluish tinge, the white patch - on the outer feathers scarcely distinguishable; white at the base of the prima- ries much reduced and sometimes concealed by the primary coverts; ear-cov- erts dusky gray; under parts soiled butty yellowish. Jm. §.—Similar to ad. é, but the upper parts washed with greenish, the throat tipped with white, and less black on the sides. Jm. ¢.—Similar to ad. 9 , but somewhat yellower. L., 5:28; W., 2°52; T., 2:06; B. from N., -29. Kemarks—The white spot at the base of the primaries is the distinguish- ing mark of this species. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from northern Minnesota (prob- WOOD WARBLERS, 355 ably) and Connecticut (rarely) northward to Labrador, and south along the crest of the Alleghanies to Georgia; winters in the tropics. Washington, very common T. V., Apl. 25 to May 25; Aug. 27 to Oct. 18. Sing Sing, common 'T. V., Apl. 25 to May 28; Aug. 26 to Oct.10. Cambridge, rather common T. V., May 10 to 25; Sept. 20 to Oct. 10. Nest, of strips of bark, fine grasses, and pine needles, lined with hairlike black rootlets, in the heavier undergrowth of dense woods, usually within two feet of the ground. Zygs, three to five, grayish white, with distinct and obscure olive-brown markings, chiefly about the larger ends, ‘68 x *50. The male Black-throated Blue Warbler can be identified at sight, but his obscurely colored mate has been the cause of many a field student’s neckache. When flitting about with other Warblers it is difficult to observe any positive character by which to distinguish her; but the white spot at the base of the primaries is an unmistakable inark, if one can see it clearly. When nesting, the birds seem to require woods with rather heavy undergrowth. Their call-note is a sharp, recognizable chip. The song of the male is generally written zwee-zwee-zwee, but meee call- notes and song are subject to variation. 655. Dendroica coronata (Linn.). Myrriz Warsier; YELLow- RUMPED WaRBLER. (Fig. 98.) Ad. 6.—A yellow patch on the crown, rump, and either side of the breast ; upper parts bluish gray, streaked with black ; two white wing-bars; outer tail-feathers with white spots on their inner. vanes near the tip; throat white; breast and upper belly heavily marked ~ with black ; lower belly white. Ad ¢.—Similar, but with less black below; breast dimple streaked with black; upper parts browner. Jm. and ads. in winter.—Yellow crown patch more or less concealed by brownish tips to the feathers; rump bright yellow; yellow on the sides of the breast much re- duced; upper parts grayish brown, streaked with black; wing-bars grayish ; tail with white patches; under parts soiled white, streaked with black. L., 5°65; W., 2°85; T., 2:25; B. from N., -29. Remarks.—The yellow patches on the crown, rump, and sides of the breast are characteristic of this species. fange.—Kastern North America; breeds from northern Minnesota and northern New England northward; winters from the Middle States south- ward. Washington, abundant W. V., Sept. 28 to May 20. Sing Sing, common T. V., Apl. 13 to May 28; Aug. 16 to Nov. 11; a few winter. Cambridge, abundant T. V., Apl. 18 to May 20; Sept. 20 to Nov. 3; a few winter. Nest, of vegetable fibers lined with grasses, in coniferous trees five to ten fect up. ggs, four or five, white or grayish white, distinctly and obscurely spotted and speckled or blotched with olive-brown or rufous-brown, 1:70 x 52. These strong, hardy Warblers leave their cousins of the woods and in loose companies forage in old fields and scrubby growths among the bayberry or myrtle (Myrica cerifera) bushes, which bear 356 WOOD WARBLERS. their favorite food. So fond are they of these berries that their move- ments are largely governed by the success or failure of the bayberry crop. Near my home at Englewood, N. J., Myrtle Warblers are always common during the winter if there is an abundance of bayberries and always absent when the berries are wanting. No Warbler is more easily identified than this bird with its four distinct patches of yellow. The yellow rump is conspicuous in life, and, in connection with the bird’s characteristic tehtp, forms an excel- | lent field-mark. Avupuson'’s WarBLER (656. Dendroica audubont), a species of the Western States, has been once recorded from Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. 657. Dendroica maculosa (Gmel.). Macnoiia Warsier; Buack AND YELLOW WarsLeR. (Fig. 99.) Ad. 6.—Crown bluish gray, cheeks and forehead black, a white line behind the eye; back black, bordered with olive- green, a large white patch on the wing-coverts; rump yellow, tail black, in- ner vanes of all but the central feathers with white patches on their middle, the end third of the feather being entirely black ; throat yellow, breast and sides heavily streaked with black. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but with the colors duller and less sharply defined; back greener. Jm.—Top and sides of the head ashy; back olive-green, with nearly concealed black spots; two narrow wing-bars; rump yellow; tadd as in the adults ; under parts yellow; whiter on the belly; sides with a few black streaks. L., 5-12; W., 2°30; T., 2:00; B. from N., °30. Remarks,—In any plumage this bird may be known by the white patches on the tail being near the middle instead of at the tip of the feathers. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from northern Michigan and northern New England to Hudson Bay and southward along the crests of the Alleghanies to Pennsylvania; winters in Central America. Washington, common T. V., Apl. 28 to May 30; Aug. 15 to Oct. 10. Sing Sing, common T. V., May 9 to 28; Aug. 13 to Oct. 11. Cambridge, common T. V., May 12 to 25; Sept. 20 to Oct. 5. Nest, of tine twigs, leaf ‘stems, etc., lined with hairlike rootlets, in conif- erous trees, usually three to six feet up. Zygs, three to five, white, marked with cinnamon- and olive-brown, chiefly in a wreath about the larger end, 66 x °48, Adult Magnolia Warblers are so distinctly marked that ordinarily they may be identified at sight. Immature birds are less strikingly colored, but in any plumage the species may be known by having the white tail-spots nearer the middle than the ends of the feathers. Seen from below, the birds thus appear to have a white tail broadly banded with black. The Magnolia’s summer home is among the spruces and hemlocks. Its song, which is of somewhat. the same character as that of the Yel- low Warbler, is described by Mr. Langille as “a loud, clear whistle, WOOD WARBLERS. 357 which may be imitated by the syllables chee-to, chee-to, chee-tee-ee, uttered rapidly and ending in the falling inflection. 658. Dendroica cerulea (Wils.). Cerutean Warsier. Ad. é. —Upper parts bright blue, the sides of head and back streaked with black; wings and tail edged with blue; two white wing-bars; inner vanes of all but the central tail-feathers with white patches at their tips; under parts white, a bluish black band across the breast; sides streaked with bluish black. Ad. ¢.—Upper parts bluish olive-green: wings and tail as in the 6; under parts white, generally more or less tinged with pale yellow. Jm.—Similar to ad. ¢, but yellower. L., 4:50; W., 2°65; B. from N., 81. Ltange.—Breeds in the Mississippi Valley as far north as Minnesota, and eastward as far as Lockport, N. Y. (Davison); winters in the tropics. Washington, very rare T. V., two instances, May. Nest, of fine grasses bound with spiders’ silk, lined with strips of bark and fine grasses and with a few lichens attached to its outer surface, in a tree, twenty-tive to fifty feet from the ground. Zggs, four, creamy white, thickly covered with rather heavy blotches of reddish brown, ‘60 x 47 (Allen, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, iv, 1879, p. 26). In writing of this species as observed by him in Ritchie County, West Virginia, Mr. Brewster says: “Decidedly the most abundant of the genus here. The first speci- men taken May 5. They inhabit exclusively the tops of the highest forest trees, in this respect showing an affinity with D. blackburnice. In actions they most resemble D. pensylvanica, carrying the tail rather high and having the same ‘smart bantamlike appearance.’ Were it not for these prominent characteristics they would be very difficult to distinguish in the tree tops from Parula [= Compsothlypis] americana, the songs are so precisely alike. That of the latter bird has, however, at least two regular variations: in one, beginning low down, he rolls his guttural little trill quickly and evenly up the scale, ending apparently only when he can get no higher: in the other the commencement of this trill is broken or divided into syllables, like zee, zee, zee, Ze-ee-ce-eep. This latter variation is the one used by D. cerulea, and I could detect little or no difference in the songs of dozens of in- dividuals, At best it is a modest little strain and far from deserving, the encomium bestowed upon it by Audubon, who describes it as ‘ ex- tremely sweet and mellow’; decidedly it is neither of these, and he must have confounded with it some other species. In addition to the song they utter the almost universal Dendroicine lisp and also the characteristic ¢ehep of D. coronata, which I had previously supposed entirely peculiar to that bird.” 659. Dendroica pensylvanica (Linn.). Curstnur-sipep War- BLER. (Fig. 100.) Ad. 6.—Crown bright yellow, a black line behind the ; eye; front part of the cheeks black; ear-coverts white; back streaked with 358 WOOD WARBLERS. black and margined with bright olive-green; wing-bars yellowish white; tail black, the outer feathers with white patches on their inner vanes at the tip; under parts white, the sides chestnut. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but somewhat duller in color. Jm.—Very ditferent; upper parts bright yellowish olive- green, back sometimes streaked with black; wing-bars yellowish white; under parts pure, silky white, the sides sometimes with spots or patches of chestnut. L., 5:14; W., 2°45; T., 2°00; B. from N., 29. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from central Illinois and north- ern New Jersey north to Manitoba and Newfoundland, and southward along the Alleghanies to South Carolina; winters in the tropics. Washington, abundant T. V., Apl. 28 to May 30; Aug. 10 to Sept. 30. Sing Sing, tolerably common 8. R., May 2 to Sept. 24. Cambridge, common 8. R., May 5 to Sept. 10. Nest, of strips of bark, leaf stems, etc., lined with tendrils and rootlets, in bushes, about three feet up. Zygs, tour to five, white, with numerous distinct and obscure cinnamon- and olive-brown FRI? chiefly in a wreath about the larger end, °69 x ‘50. When settled for the summer, Chestnut- aided Warblers may be found in second growths, scrubby clearings, or the bushy borders of woodlands. There is a suggestion in their movements of the restless activity of the Redstart, as with drooped wings and slightly raised tail they flit among the lower growth. They have two songs, both of which closely resemble that of the Yellow Warbler, though a practiced ear can at once recognize the song of either. Adults of this species are too conspicuously marked to be mistaken for any other Warbler, but in the fall have a care in identifying the very differently colored young. 660. Dendroica castanea (Wils.). Bay-BreasteD WaRBLER. Ad. §.—Forehead and cheeks black, a cream-buff patch on the sides of the neck; crown chestnut ; throat, wpper breast, and sides chestnut-rufous ; back brownish ashy, streaked with black; two white wing-bars; inner vanes of outer tail-feathers with white patches at their tips; lower breast and belly buffy white. Ad. ¢.—Crown olive-green, streaked with black and with gen- erally some chestnut; rest of upper parts as in the 4; under parts buffy white; breast and sides more or less stained with rufous. Jm.—Upper parts bright olive-green, indistinctly streaked with black; wings and tail much as in the ads.: under parts white, tinged with cream-buff, especially on the flanks. L., 5°68; W., 2°95; T., 912; B. from N., -30. : Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from northern Michigan and northern New England northward to Hudson Bay and Labrador; winters in Central, America. Washington, sometimes abundant, usually uncommon T. V., May 10 to 20; Aug. 28 to Oct. 20. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V., May 14 to 28; Aug. 5 to Sept. 26. Cambridge, rather rare T. V., May 15 to 25; Sept. 12 to 28. Nest. of grasses and plant fibers. lined with plant down and long hairs, in coniferous trees, five to twenty fect up. Zygs, four to five, white, finely WOOD WARBLERS. 359 marked, chiefly ‘at the larger end, distinctly and obscurely with cinnamon-, olive-, or rufous-brown, ‘72 x *52. During its migrations this tastefully marked Warbler is generally uncommon enough to be considered somewhat of a prize, though at irregular intervals it becomes comparatively common. It is said to be much rarer in fall than in spring, but the immature Bay-breasts so closely resemble the usually abundant young Black-polls that it is sometimes difficult to determine specimens, while living birds could not possibly be distinguished. In the summer the Bay-breasts inhabit the northern coniferous for- ests, living, it is said, in the tree tops. Mr. Langille writes: “ Their song, said to begin like that of the Black-poll and end like that of the Redstart, bears to my ear no resemblance whatever to either, but is a very soft warble, somewhat resembling the syllables tse-chee, tse-chee, tse-chee, tse-chee, tse-chee, but far too liquid to admit of exact spelling.” 661. Dendroica striata (Jorst.). Buack-rott Warner. (Fig. 102.) Ad. §.—Crown black: ear-coverts white; nape streaked, black and white; back and rump ashy, streaked with black; two white wing-bars; inner vanes of outer tail-feathers with white patches at their tips: under parts white, streaked with black, the streaks most numerous on the sides, and wanting on the middle of the breast and belly. Ad. ¢.—Upper parts olive-green, distinct] y streaked with black ; wings and tail as in the 6; under parts white, tinged with yellow, the breast and sides distinctly streaked with ‘ black. Jm.—Similar to ¢, but the upper parts brighter and not distinctly streaked, the under parts yellower and not distinctly streaked. L., 556; W., 2:92; T., 2:05; B. from N., -30. Remarks.—No two of our Warblers more closely resemble each other than do immature examples of this and the preceding species. There is no differ- ence in the color of the upper parts, but castanea has the under parts tinged with delicate cream-buff, strongest on the flanks, while striata is distinctly yellowish below. Range.—* Eastern North America to the Rocky Mountains, north to Green- land, the Barren Grounds, and Alaska, breeding from northern New England northward; south in winter to northern South America” (A. O. U.). Washington, abundant T. V., May 1 to June 5; Sept. 5 to Oct. 20. Sing Sing, common T. V., May 7 to June 6; Aug. 30 to Oct. 16. Cambridge, abun- dant T. V., May 12 to June 5; Sept. 8 to Oct. 15. Nest, of twigs, moss, rootlets, etc., lined with fine grasses and tendrils, gen- erally in spruce trees, about six feet up. ygs, four to tive, white, more o7 less speckled and spotted, and generally heavily blotched at the larger end with cinnamon-, olive-, or rufous-brown, ‘70 x ‘54. Black-polls are rather more leisurely in their movements than most of their congeners. Adults should be identified without difficulty, but the immature birds, which are generally abundant in the fall, may oc-~ casion some trouble. Mr. Langille describes their song as one of the 360 WOOD WARBLERS. most slender and wiry in all our forests, and as distinguishable as the - hum of the cicada or the shrilling of the katydid. “ 7'ree-tree-tree-tree- tree-tree-tree-tree, rapidly uttered, the monotonous notes of equal length, beginning very softly, gradually increasing to the middle of the strain, and then as gradually diminishing, thus forming a fine musical swell, may convey a fair idea of the song. There is a peculiar soft and tinkling sweetness in this melody, suggestive of the quiet mysteries of the forest, and sedative as an anodyne to the nerves.” i 662. Dendroica blackburnizw (Gmel.). Buacksurnian War- BLER. Ad. 6.—Center of the black crown, a line over the eye, patch behind the black ear-coverts, throat, and breast beautiful rich orange ; back black, streaked with whitish; wing-coverts white, forming a large white patch on the wing; inner vane of most of the tail-feathers almost entirely white, ex- cept at the tip; the outer vane of the outer feather white at the base; belly tinged with orange, sides streaked with black. Ad. 9.—Resembles the 6, but the orange markings are duller, the upper parts are ashy olive-green streaked with black and whitish; the white on the wings and tail is less ex- tensive. Jm. 6.—Resembles the @, but has the orange markings dull yellow, the crown-patch nearly absent. Jm. ?.—Similar to the im. 6, but the yel- low markings much paler, nearly buffy, the back browner. L., 5°25; W., 271; T., 1:96; B. from N., °31. Femarks.—In connection with other markings the large amount of white in the tail, appearing on even the owter vane of the outer feather, is charac- teristic of this species. Fange.—Kastern North America: breeds from northern Minnesota and southern Maine northward to Labrador and southward along the Alleghanies to South Carolina; winters in the tropics. Washington, common T. V., May 5 to 20; Aug. 20 to Oct. 5. Sing Sing, common T. V., May 10 to 29; Aug. 15 to Oct. 15. Cambridge, uncommon T. V., May 12 to 22; Sept. 15 to 30. " Nest, of fine twigs and grasses, lined with grasses and tendrils, in conifer- ous trees, ten to forty feet up. Zgs, four, grayish white or bluish white, dis- tinctly and obscurely spotted, speckled, and blotched with cinnamon-brown or olive-brown, °68 x °50. The Blackburnian is uncommon enough to make us appreciate his unusual beauty. Coming in May, before the woods ,are fully clad, he seems like some bright-plumaged tropical bird who has lost his way und wandered to northern climes, The summer is passed among the higher branches in coniferous forests, and in the early fall the bird returns to surroundings which seem more in keeping with its attire. Mr. Minot describes its summer song as resembling the syllables wee-seé-wee-seé-wee-seé (wee-seé-tck), while in the spring its’ notes may be likened to wee-see-wee-see, tsee-tsee, tsee, tsee, tsee-tsee, tsee, tsee, the latter syllables being on ascending scale, the very last shrill and fine, WOOD WARBLERS. 861 663. Dendroica dominica (Linn.). Yuttow-TuRoaTeD WaRBLER. Ad.—A yellow line in front of the eye and a white line over it; upper parts gray, forehead blackish ; wings and tail edged with grayish, two white wing- bars ; outer tail-feathers with white patches near their tips ; cheeks and sides of the throat black ;’a white patch on, the side of the neck ; throat and breast yellow, belly white, sides streaked with black. L., 5-25; W., 2°60; 'T., 2°01; B., °49. Fange.—Southern United States; breeds as far north as Virginia; winters from Florida southward; accidental in New York and Massachusetts. Washington, rare 8. R., rather common in late July ; may breed. Nest, of twigs, strips of bark, and Zillandsia “moss,” lined with vege- table down, thirty to forty feet from the ground, in pines or live-oaks, some- times in a bunch of Tillandsia “moss.” Eggs, four to five, white or grayish white, with numerous distinct and obscure cinnamon- or olive-brown mark- ings, sometimes evenly distributed, sometimes in a wreath at the larger end, 74 x 52, Some birds are so characteristic of certain places that wherever heard or seen they recall their accustomed haunts. I have only to re- member the song of the Yellow-throated Warbler to give form to a _ mental picture of some tree-bordered stream or bayou in the south. The song bears some resembiance to that of the Indigo Bunting, but has a wilder, more ringing quality. It is to some extent ventriloquial, and this in connection with the rather deliberate movements of the birds, and the fact that they resort to the upper branches, makes it some- times difficult to locate the singer. 668a. D. d. albilora Ridgw. Sycamore Warster.—Similar to the preceding, but with a smaller bill and the line in front of the eye white in- stead of yellow. W., 2°60; T., 2°00; B., -45. Range.—Breeds in the Mississippi Valley north to Kansas, southern In- diana, and southern Illinois; east to western South Carolina; migrates south- ward, chiefly along the west Gulf coast, to Mexico and Central America. “The Sycamore Warbler is a common summer resident in the bot- tom-lands [of Illinois], where, according to the writer’s experience, it lives chiefly in the large sycamore trees along or near the water courses. On this account it is a difficult bird to obtain during the breeding season, the male usually keeping in the topmost branches of the tallest trees, out of gunshot and often, practically, out of sight, although its presence is betrayed by its loud, very unwarblerlike song” (Ridgway). 667. Dendroica virens (Gmel.). Biack-THRoATED GREEN War- BLER. Ad. 6.—Upper parts bright olive-green. back sometimes spotted with black; line over the eye and cheeks bright yellow, ear-coverts dusky ; two white wing-bars; inner vanes of outer tail-feathers entirely white, outer web white at the base; throat and breast black; belly white, sometimes tinged with yellow; sides streaked with black. 4d. 9.—Similar, but the black of + 362 WOOD WARBLERS, throat and breast more or less mixed with yellowish. Jm.—Similar to the ¢, but with more yellow on the throat, the black sometimes being almost entirely hidden or wanting. L., 510; W., 2-46; T., 1:99; B. from N., -25. Remarks—The bright yellow cheeks of this species, in connection with the large amount of white in the tail, will serve to distinguish it in any plumage. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from northern Illinois and Con- necticut northward to Hudson Bay and southward along the Alleghanies to South Carolina; winters in the tropics. Washington, very common T. V., Apl. 25 to May 28; Aug. 28 to Oct. 21. Sing Sing, common T. V., Apl. 30 to June 3; Sept. 1 to Oct. 26; a few breed. Cambridge, very common 8. R., May 1 to Oct. 15. West, of small twigs and moss, lined with rootlets, fine grasses, and ten- drils, in coniferous trees, fifteen to fifty feet from the ground. Zoggs, four, white, distinctly and obscurely spotted and speckled with olive-brown or umber, chiefly at the larger end, °65 x -46. When migrating this species joins the ranks of the Warbler army and visits wooded land of almost any kind. When nesting it prefers coniferous forests, where it is a dweller among the tree tops. While resembling its congeners in general habits, the song of the Black-throated Green is so unlike their generally humble ditties that the bird seems possessed of more character than they impress us with having. Mr. Burroughs graphically represents its notes by straight lines: —— —— V——; a novel method of musical annotation, but which nevertheless will aid one in recognizing the bird’s song. There is a quality about it like the droning of bees; it seems to voice the restfulness of a midsummer day. TownsENnD’s WARBLER (668. Dendroica townsendi), a species of western North America, has been once recorded from Pennsylvania. 6'70. Dendroica kirtlandi Baird. Kirtianp’s WarsiEr. Ad.— Head bluish gray, sometimes spotted with black ; lores and sides of the throat black; back brownish ashy, spotted with black; no white wing-bars; outer tail-feathers with white patches on their inner webs at the tips; under parts pale yellow; sides streaked and spotted with black. L., 5-75; W., 275; T., 2:30; B. from N., *32. Range.—Migrates through southeastern United States and Mississippi Valley (South Carolina, Virginia, Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, IIli- nois, Minnesota) ; summer home unknown; winters in the Bahamas. Washington, casual T. V., one record, Sept. 25, 1887. The dozen or more specimens of this rare Warbler which have been taken in the United States were captured in late April and May and late September and October. Six specimens have been recorded from Michigan, all taken in May, and it is possible these birds were en route to a nesting ground in the Hudson Bay region. It is not uncommon in winter in the Bahamas. WOOD WARBLERS, 363 671. Dendroica vigorsii (4ud.). Prvz Warpier. (See Fig. 53, 6). Ad. §.—Upper parts bright olive-green, sometimes washed with ashy; two whitish wing-bars; outer tail-feathers with white patches on their inner vanes near the tip; under parts bright yellow, more or less washed with ashy, turning to white on the lower belly and under tail-coverts; sides sometimes with a few black streaks. Ad. 9.—Similar, but upper parts brownish olive- green ; under parts soiled whitish ; breast tinged with yellow. L., 552; W., 2°81; T., 2°25; B. from N,, 33. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from Hayti (?), the Bahamas, and Florida north to Manitoba and Maine ; winters from southern Illinois and North Carolina southward. Washington, quite uncommon S. R., Mch. 25 to Oct. 25; abundant in fall. Sing Sing, casual. Cambridge, common 8. R., Apl. 10 to Oct. 20. Nest, of strips of bark, leaves, plant fibers, etc., in pines or cedars, thirty to fifty feet up. Zygs, four to five, white or grayish white, with numerous distinct and obscure cinnamon-brown to umber markings, chiefly in a wreath or band at the larger end, ‘70 x ‘52. True to its name, the Pine Warbler is rarely found outside of pine woods. In the south, where pineries may extend over half a State, it is an abundant and generally distributed bird; in the more northern part of its range it is, from force of circumstances, a local species, occurring only with the pines. In the winter it is found in small flocks, which may contain a few Myrtle or Palm Warblers, and at this season it lives on or near the ground. In the summer it is more arboreal. Its habit of clinging to the trunk of a tree, or hopping along a limb while searching for insects in crevices in the bark, has given it the misnomer of Pine Creeping Warbler. Its song is a clear, sweet trill. Southern birds, in my experience, have more musical voices, and their notes suggest those of the Field Sparrow, while the song of northern birds has more the quality of the Chipping Sparrow’s. 672. Dendroica palmarum (@mel.). Parma Warsier; RED-POLL Warsier.