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A GUIDE TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF
THE BIRDS OF WOODLAND,
BEACH AND OCEAN.
WITH
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOUR LINE ILLUSTRATIONS
BY THE AUTHOR
a
REGINALD HEBER ee JR.
Member of the American Ornithologists’ Bd nton, Member of the Nuttall
Ornithological Club.
BOSTON :
BRADLEE WHIDDEN,
1896.
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BRADLEE WIIIDDEN.
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TO
MY YOUNG FRIEND
HENRY VOSE GREENOUGH
WHOSE BRIGHT EYES AND QUICK EARS
HAVE BROUGHT
MANY A BIRD TO MY NOTICE
THIS BOOK IS INSCRIBED
‘How I wonder that men can consent to swelter and fret
their lives away amid those hot bricks and pestilent vapors, when
the woods and fields are all so near? It would kill me soon, to be
confined in such a prison house; and when I am forced to make
an occasional visit there, it fills me with loathing and sadness.
Ah! how often when I have been abroad on the mountains, has
my heart risen in grateful praise to God that it was not my des-
tiny to waste and pine among those noisome congregations of the
city.”
AUDUBON.
lv
PREFACE.
Havine long felt that the identification of a bird would be
much less difficult to beginners in the Study of Ornithology, if they
could have a book in which every genus was illustrated by an ac-
curate outline drawing of the head and foot, with a description of
the general plumage void entirely of technical terms, I offer this
volume to the bird lover.
The systematic headings enable one to turn quickly to the
information desired, the species one wishes to identify being found
under the caption : — Woodland, Beach or Ocean, and their sub-
headings, according to which the bird belongs. The size of the
volume, also, makes it a convenient manual to carry with one
into the field.
I wish to express my thanks especially to Mr. Edward
Sturtevant and Mr. Ralph W. Gray for their kindness in letting
me use many of their specimens from which to draw the illus-
trations.
R. H. H., Jr.
Lonewoop,
Massachusetts.
EXPLANATORY NOTE.
If the directions given are followed carefully in identifying
birds — either those observed through the opera glass afield, or
collected specimens — this manual, it is hoped, will prove of value
to the bird lover and sportsman.
First. — Means of identifying living birds.
Having observed some bird that you are unable to name,
mark the following peculiarities, either in your mind or better, in
your note book : — haunts, general plumage, size, and especially
the appearance of head, bill and feet ; the head is generally the most
noticeable. Then glancing at the cuts you will soon be able to
find your bird or one of its Genus, and then by following down
the headings you will surely recognize your new acquaintance.
The time of year will also help to place your bird as of course a
summer resident would not as a rule be observed in winter.
Second. — Means of identifying collected specimens.
The method of identification of the living bird applies also to
ihe dead specimen, except that you can determine your bird more
rapidly, being able to compare with certainty the plumage and
the bill and feet with the cut.
The first four headings — Order, Family, Genus, and Species
form the classification. ‘The heading Distribution, covers the dis-
tribution of the bird only in New England. The Date of Arrival
and Departure are given for Massachusetts, therefore in Khode
Island and Connecticut the arrival may be a few days, or weeks,
earlier and those of departure a few days later, and in Vermont,
New Hampshire and Maine, vice versa. ‘The general plumage
vi
EXPLANATORY NOTE, Vil
SE ee ee ee ee
only of the bird is given, as the already existing manuals contain
very full descriptions, and the marked coloring and form are
italicized. The haunts named are the most characteristic of the
species; but birds are often found in strangely unexpected
places.
In this volume there are described in full one hundred and
seventy-three of the birds most often met with in New England,
and the Appendix contains nearly all other birds known to occur
within these states. If the voiume contained a full description
of all the New England birds, it would make such a cumbersome
book that it could not be readily taken into the field.
The one hundred and twenty-four cuts have been drawn with
the greatest care and accuracy, and represent every genus of
the species treated in the body of the book.
These cuts, it is hoped, will form a substantial means for the
identification of New England Birds.
The nomenclature adopted is that of the American Ornitho-
logists’ Union.
4
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No. 6. SHARP SHINNED HAWK.
Genus: Accipiter. Species: A. velox.
Distribution:
A very common migrant but less common in summer and
winter.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brown, old birds showing ashy, white marked on
back of head and wings, tail paler, dark barred and pale
tipped ; under parts white, throat and breast barred with
light reddish brown, the former yery finely. Bill dark
bluish, feet yellow. Length about 12.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Generally silent but have various sharp cries or notes.
Haunts:
Woods and farming lands.
8 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 7. COOPER’S HAWK.
Species: A. cooperii.
Distribution:
A very common summer resident, occuring rarely in winter
in southern New England.
General Plumage:
Similar to preceding species, old bird’s crown darker than
back, tail a little rounded. Bill bluish, feet yellow. Length
about 18.00.
Song and Other Notes;
A loud ery, often repeated in succession.
Haunts:
Woods and farming lands.
No. 8. RED TAILED HAWK.
Genus: Buteo. Species: B. borealis.
Distribution:
A common winter resident and migrant, but breeding uncom-
monly and locally.
General Plumage:
Upper parts deep brown, white marked, tail chestnut, tipped
with white barred with black, under side gray; under parts
white, marked with brown, especially across breast or belly.
Bill blue black, feet yellow. Length about 24.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Various cries.
Haunts:
Woods, woodland and farming lands.
WOODLAND BIRDS.
RED TAILED HAWK.
10 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 9. RED SHOULDERED HAWK.
Species: B. lineatus.
Distribution:
A very common summer resident of southern New England,
rare in winter and in the northern states.
General Plumage:
Similar to preceding species. Upper parts brown, marked
with white and reddish, tail black, white barred, shoulders
rusty red. Immature without or with less red and black, paler
white and ashy ; under parts white marked with tawny or
fulvous. Bill bluish black, feet yellow. Length about
20.00.
Song and Other Notes:
‘““ Kee-o, Kee-o, Kee-o.”’
Haunts:
Similar to preceding species.
No. 10. BALD EAGLE.
Genus; Halizétus. Species: H. leucocephalus.
Distribution;
A summer resident of northern and a resident of southern
New England.
General Plumage:
Deep brown, head and tail white. Immature with little or
white wanting. Bill pale, feet yellow. Length about 35.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A wild, weird cry. The male’s cry, writes Capt. Bendire,
sounds like ‘‘ cac-cac-cac.”’
Haunts: |
Generally about bodies of water in wild country.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 11
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BALD EAGLE,
12 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 11. PIGEON HAWK.
Genus: Falco. Species: F. columbarius.
Distribution:
A common migrant and rare winter resident of southern
New England.
Date of Arrival: May.
Date of Departure: September.
General Plumage:
Male, upper parts bluish ash, tail bands, fore crown and wing
markings whitish; under parts white or tinted with buff,
brown marked. Female and immature, upper parts ashen
brown. Bill blue, feet yellow. Length about 11.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Various cries.
Haunts:
Woodland and farming lands,
WOODLAND BIRDS. 13
No. 12. SPARROW HAWK.
Species: F. sparverius.
Distribution:
A common local summer resident of New England, wintering
rarely in the southern portions.
General Plumage:
Male, upper parts, crown ashen blue, generally marked with
chestnut, rest of head white, black marked, tail white
marked, black tipped, long wing feathers black, white barred.
Female upper parts brown, reddish on tail, black barred ;
under parts white, breast buff, streaked with black or brown;
larger than male. Bill pale blue, feet yellow. Length about
10.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Various netes and cries.
Haunts:
Woodland and farming lands.
No. 13. Fish Hawk. OSPREY.
Genus: Pandion. Species: P. halizetus carolinensis.
Distribution:
A common migrant, breeding along the Maine coast and
about the head waters of Narragansett Bay.
Date of Arrival: April first.
Date of Departure: Late October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts dark brown, head partially white; under parts
white, breast marked with brown. Bill black, feet bluish.
Length about 24.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Piercing and often musical cries, repeated when soaring as to
form a, ‘ so called song.’’
Haunts:
Inland bodies of water, but more commonly found near salt
water.
WOODLAND BIRDS.
FISH HAWK. OSPREY.
tegen.
WOODLAND BIRDS.
15
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No. 14. SHORT EARED OWL.
Family: Bubonide. Genus: Asio.
Species: A. accipitrinus.
Distribution:
A common migrant, and formerly breeding along the New
England coast, probably wintering in Rhode Island. Various
record of winter specimens.
Date of Arrival: March.
Date of Departure: December.
General Plumage:
Brown, yellowish and white, wings buff barred, black around
eye. Bill and claws black, legs buff, feathered. Length
about 15.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Generally silent.
Haunts:
Marshes, sand dunes along the coast, rare inland. ©
16 WOODLAND BIRDS,
No. 15. BARRED OWL.
Genus: Syrnium. Species: S. nebulosum.
Distribution:
A resident of all New England.
General Plumage:
Brown or dark gray and white, barred, except on belly which
is streaked. Eyes very dark or black. Bill pale, claws
dark, legs feathered. Length about 19.00.
Song and Other Notes;
Guttural, varied hoots.
Haunts:
Evergreens and often mixed growths.
einer
WOODLAND BIRDS. 1 7/
No. 16. Acadian Owl. SAW-WHET.
Genus: Nyctala. Species: N. acadica.
Distribution:
A common resident of New England, rarer in the southern
portions.
General Plumage:
Warm brown, white marked; under parts white streaked with
reddish brown, black about eyes. Bill black, claws dark,
legs buff, feathered. Length about 7.00.
Song and~ Other Notes:
Love call or notes sounding like the noise made by a saw,
and a soft cry.
Haunts ;
Woods, and often seeks holes in trees during the day.
18 WOODLAND BIRDS.
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No. 17. SCREECH OWL.
Genus: Megascops. Species: M. asio.
Distribution:
The most common owl resident of New England.
General Plumage:
Gray to brick red, breast paler, black marked, small ear
tufts. Bill pale, claws dark, legs buff, feathered. Length
about 9.00.
Song and Other Notes;
A tremulous, wavering, moaning hoot or ery.
Haunts:
Woods, ‘‘ scrub,’’ orchard, and often garden.
WOODLAND BIRDS.
GREAT HORNED OWL.
20 WOODLAND BIRDS,
No. 18. GREAT HORNED OWL.
Genus: Bubo. Species: B. virginianus.
Distribution:
An uncommon resident of New England in thickly wooded
regions.
General lumage:
Brown, rusty, whitish, long wing feathers and tail barred,
white marking on throat. large ear tufts. Bill and claws
blackish, legs feathered. Length about 25.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Wild unearthly screams and cries, loud hootings and often
soft low notes.
Haunts:
A bird of thickly wooded regions.
No. 19, YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO.
(See cut on opposite page.)
Order: Coccyges. Genus: Coccyzus.
Family: Cuculide. Species: C. americanus.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of southern New England.
Date of Arrival: Last of May.
Date of Departure: Early September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts bronze brown, wings marked with cinnamon ;
under parts white, outer tail feathers black and white. Bill,
upper mandible, black, wnder, almost yellow, feet black.
Length about 12.00.
Song and Other Notes:
An unmusical kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk, often varied.
Haunts:
Woodland, orchard and swamp growths.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 21
No. 20. BLACK BILLED CUCKOO,
Species: C. erythrophthalmus.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of all New England, but more
common in the inhabited regions of the southern portions.
Date of Arrival: Last of May.
Date of Departure: Early September.
General Plumage:
Similar to preceding species, red eye ring, outer tail feathers
tipped with white and showing a little black. ull, black, and
feet black. Length about 12.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Like those of the preceding species, but perhaps less harsh.
Haunts:
Similar to preceding species.
22 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No, 21. BELTED KINGFISHER.
Family: Alcedinide. Genus: Ceryle.
Species: C. aleyon.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of all New England, wintering
in the southern portions.
Date of Arrival: April first.
Date of Departure: Latter part of November.
General Plumage:
Upper parts, flanks and band across the breast grayish blue,
crest darker, wings and tail white marked, broken color,
lower breast white. Female, with a chestnut band often
broken, which color is also on the flanks. Bill black, feet
dark. Length about 12.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A loud rattle.
Haunts:
About rivers, ponds, lakes and brooks, and also bodies of
salt water.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 23
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No. 22. HAIRY WOODPECKER.
Order: Pici. Genus: Dryobates.
Family: Picide. Species: D. villosus.
Distribution:
A resident of New England, more common in the northern
portions.
General Plumage:
Black and white. Male with scarlet nape crescent. Bill
black, feet dark. Length about 9.50.
Song and Other Notes: A sharp cry and a ‘ chuck.”’
Haunts: Large woods and forests and secluded orchards.
No. 23, DOWNY WOODPECKER.
Species: D. pubescens.
Distribution: |
A common resident of all New England, most often met
with in winter.
General Plumage:
Black and white, outer tail feathers black barred. A small
edition of preceding species. Bill and feet black.
Length about 6.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A single sharp note, which is often rapidly repeated.
Haunts: Orchards and woodlands.
24 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No, 24. YELLOW BELLIED WOODPECKER.
Genus; Sphyrapicus. Species: S. varius.
Distribution:
A spring and fall migrant in southern, but breeding com-
monly in northern New England. One record of wintering
near Boston.
Date of Arrival: Middle of April, passing through.
Date of Departure: October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brownish yellow, black marked, wings and tail
black, white marked; under parts yellowish, flanks black
marked, crown scarlet, throat in male scarlet, in female white,
scarlet black bordered. Bill and feet black. Length about
8.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A mewing cry.
Haunts:
Woodland, especially apple and birch growth.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 25
mg
No, 25. Golden Winged Woodpecker. FLICKER.
Genus: Colaptes. Species: C. auratus,
Distribution:
An abundant summer resident of all New England, wintering
from Massachusetts southward.
Date of Arrwal: Latter part of March.
Date of Departure: November.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brownish olive, black barred, longest wing
feathers and tail nearly black, rump white, crown and nape
ashen, latter with a scarlet crescent; under parts lilac,
becoming white or yellowish on the belly, black breast crescent,
and in male black moustache, and all under parts but throat
black spotted, under side of wings and tail golden. Bill and
feet dark. Length about 12.50.
Song and Other Notes: A love call like flicker-flicker-flicker, a
loud cry and a merry laugh.
Haunts: Woodland and orchard, and often about old buildings,
in which it nests,
26 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 26. WHIPPOORWILL.
Order: Macrochires. Genus: Antrostomus.
Family: Caprimulgide. Species: A. vociferus.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of New England.
Date of Arrival: Late May.
Date of Departure: Middle of September.
General Plumage:
Mottled, general effect brown, throat and end of outer tail
feathers in male, white, in female pale brown. Bill black,
feet dark. Length about 9.50.
Song and Other Notes:
‘Whip-poor-will,”? which is often “preceded by a click,”
a chatter and soft whistling notes.
Haunts:
Nocturnal, seeking retired places during the day.
WOODLAND BIRDS. Pao
No. 27. NIGHT HAWK.
Genus; Chordeiles. Species: C. virginianus,
Distribution:
A local, common summer resident of New England.
Date of Arrival: May first.
Date of Departure: Late September.
General Plumage:
Mottled, general effect brown, white markings on wings and
tail. Male has a white and female a reddish patch on throat.
Bill black, feet dark. Length about 10.00.
Song and Other Notes;
A curious grating squeak and a ‘‘ booming ’”’ sound as they
fly upwards after a crazy, downward plunge.
Haunts :
Generally seen on the wing flying about over the roofs of our
cities and towns, or the farming lands.
28 WOODLAND BIRDS.
©
No. 28. CHIMNEY SWIFT.
Family: Micropodide. Genus: Cheetura.
Species: C. pelagica.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of all New England.
Date of Arrival:
First of May, or late April.
Date of Departure:
September.
General Plumage:
Sooty brown or blackish; upper parts slightly green tinted;
under parts paler, especially the throat, wings black. Bill
and feet black. Length about 5.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A sharp loud twitter or chatter.
Haunts:
Wanderers of the air, lighting only by their nests in chim-
neys and hollow trees.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 29
ae
No. 29. RUBY THROATED HUMMING BIRD.
Family: Trochilide. Genus: Trochilus.
Species: 'T. colubris.
Distribution :
A summer resident of all New England, breeding commonly
and locally in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Date of Arrival:
Middle of May.
Date of Departure:
Late September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts green, tinted with golden, wings purplish brown;
under parts white. Male, flanks green, metallic ruby-red
throat, white bordered. Female with ruby lacking. Bill and
feet black. Length about 3.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A simple insect-like chirp.
Haunts:
The garden, orchard and often wooded regions.
30 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 30. KING BIRD.
Order: Passeres. Genus: Tyrannus.
Family: Tyrannide. Species: T. tyrannus,
Distribution:
A common summer resident of New England.
Date of Arrival:
Early May.
Date of Departure:
September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts blackish gray, wings browner, pale edged,
crown black, centered with flame color, tail black, whiie
tipped. Bill and feet black. Length about 8.50.
Song and Other Notes:
Querulous twitters.
Haunts:
Woodland, orchards and gardens.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 31
©
No. 31. CRESTED FLYCATCHER.
Genus: Myiarchus. Species: M. crinitus.
Distribution:
A summer resident of northern and southern New England,
rare about Boston.
Date of Arrival: May 10.
Date of Departure: October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts greenish, middle of crown dark; under parts
yellowish, throat grayish, tail chestnut shaded, wings marked
with white and reddish. Bill dark above and lower tip, base
paler, feet black. Length about 9.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A curious whistle and other soft notes.
Haunts:
Orchards and deciduous woodland.
a2 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 32. PHBE.
Genus: Sayornis. Species: S. pheebe.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of New England, summering
more commonly in the southern portions.
Date of Arrival:
April first.
Date of Departure:
Middle of October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brownish olive, darker on head; under parts pale
yellow, flanks ashy. Bull and feet black. Length about
7.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A song, if so it may be called, uttered when poising on wing
in the air and a number of chits and lively twitters and
‘* pewit pheebe.”’
Haunts:
Farming lands, about bridges and buildings and woodland.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 33
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as
No. 33. WOOD PEWEE.
Genus: Contopus. Species: C. virens.
Distribution:
A summer resident of all New England.
Date of Arrival:
Last of May.
Date of Departure:
Middle of September.
General Plumage:
Similar to the preceding species, wings white barred. Bill,
upper mandible black, under pale, feet black. Length about
6.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A drawling ‘‘ pewee ’’ and other soft whistles and querulous
notes.
Haunts:
Woods, rarely to be met in thinly wooded tracts.
34 WOODLAND BIRDS,
© |
No. 34. LEAST FLYCATCHER.
Genus: Empidonax. Species: E. minimus.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of all New England.
Date of Arrival:
Early May.
Date of Departure:
Middle of September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts greenish olive, crown dark; under parts white or
yellowish, flanks greenish, breast ashy, wing bars whitish.
Bill dark, feet black. Length about 5.25.
Song and Other Notes:
‘‘ Chebec,”’ and a sharp ‘‘titt?? and other low guttural notes.
Haunts:
Woodland and orchards.
WOODLAND BIRDS. a0
No. 35. SHORE LARK.
Family: Alaudide. Genus: Otocoris.
Species; O. alpestris.
Distribution:
Abundant on migrations and wintering from Massachusetts
southward.
Date of Arrival: From the north, October.
Date of Departure: April.
General Plumage:
Upper parts salmon, streaked with brownish; wnder parts
yellow, black crescent on breast and about eye. Belly white,
outer tail feathers black, white marked. Bill dark, feet
black. Length about 7.50.
Song and Other Notes:
Said to have a sweet song on their breeding grounds, but
when with us a sharp whistling note.
Haunts:
Beaches and marshes along the coast.
36 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 36. BLUE JAY.
Family: Corvide. Genus: Cyanocitta.
Species: C. cristata.
Distribution:
A common resident of all New England.
General Plumage:
Upper parts blue, tinted with purple, wings and tail with black
bars and tipped with white: under parts white, ashy on breast,
with black collar and crescent. Bill and feet black. Length
about 11.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A clear whistle, harsh cries and the power of mimicking.
Haunts:
Oak, beech, spruce and thick ‘‘ scrub.’’
WOODLAND BIRDS. S376
No. 37. Moose Bird. CANADA JAY.
Genus: Perisoreus. Species: P. canadensis.
Distribution:
A resident of the great coniferous forests of northern New
England, wandering south very rarely to Massachusetts in
winter.
General Plumage:
Upper parts dark ash: under parts grayish, wings, tip of tail
and all but back of head whitish. Bill and feet black.
Length about 11.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A cry and a chatter.
Haunts:
Coniferous forests, about lumber camps and campers’ cabins,
38 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 38. AMERICAN CROW.
Genus: Corvus. Species: C. americanus.
Distribution:
An abundant resident of New England, wintering along the
coast and inland in southern portions.
General Plumage:
Black iridescent. Bill and feet black. Length about 20.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A caw or series of caws, and a curious gobble.
Haunts:
Pine, spruce and cedar growths, salt marshes, grain fields
and river bottoms.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 39
No. 39. BOBOLINK.
Family: Icteridz. Genus: Dolichonyx.
Species: D. oryzivorus.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of New England, rare on Cape
Cod.
Date of Arrival:
First of May.
Date of Departure:
Early September.
General Plumage:
In spring, male black, back of neck buff, upper back and
rump almost white. Female and male at other seasons
brownish yellow; upper parts and flanks dark streaked ;
under parts brownish yellow, wings and tail quite dark.
Bill and feet black. Length about 7.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A rollicking, merry song and a metallic characteristic note.
Haunts:
Meadows and fields.
40 WOODLAND BIRDS.
C)
No. 40. COW BIRD.
Genus: Molothrus. Species: M. ater.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of New England, excepting the
elevated portions. Wintering sparingly in southern New
England.
Date of Arrival: April first.
Date of Departure: Late October.
General Plumage:
Male, black iridescent, head shaded with brown. Female,
dirty brown, averaging smaller, under parts lighter, sometimes
streaked. Jill and feet black. Length 7.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A pretence at a song and a number of whistles, chucks and
a characteristic ‘‘chuck-see.’’
Haunts:
About pasturing cattle, and in general woodland.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 41
No. 41. . RED WINGED BLACKBIRD.
Genus: Agelaius. Species: A. pheeniceus.
Distribution:
An abundant summer resident of all New England; records
of wintering in the southern portions.
Date of Arrival: March.
Date of Departure: Early November.
General Plumage:
Male, black, scarlet patch on shoulders bordered by buff. In-
mature showing brownish. Female, brownish black, under
parts ashy, heavily streaked, throat excepted. _ Bill and feet
black. Length abont 9.50.
Song and Other Notes:
“‘Quonk-a-ree’’ and sweet whistle, and a loud chuck.
Haunts:
Along rivers, about ponds and marshes and often in dry
meadows near salt or fresh water.
42 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 42. MEADOW LARK.
Genus: Sturnella. Species: S. magna.
Distribution:
Rare summer resident of northern but common resident of
southern New England near the coast.
Date of Arrival: 15th of March.
Date of Departure: November.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brown and buff and streaked with blackish;
under parts yellow or golden with black breast crescent; outer
tail feathers almost white; edge of wing yellow. Bill and
feet dark. Length about 10.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A plaintive whistle, a merry laugh and two single whistles.
Haunts:
Fields, meadows and marshes.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 43
No. 43. BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
Genus: Icterus Species; I. galbula.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of southern but local in northern
New England.
Date of Arrwal: First week in May.
Date of Departure: September.
General Plumage:
Male, upper back, wings, a part of tail black, wings white
marked; other parts orange, breast often flame tinted.
Female, paler, the orange becoming yellow and the black
brownish yellow. Bill and feet black. Length about 7.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A whistling song somewhat like the robins, a chatter and a
curious ‘‘ ank,’?’
Haunts:
A bird of the elm trees along our town streets and also met
in orchard, garden, and woodland.
44 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 44. RUSTY GRACKLE.
Genus: Scolecophagus. Species: S. carolinus.
Distribution:
A common migrant, breeding sparingly in northern and
sometimes wintering in southern New England.
Date of Arrival: Latter part of March, passing north in late April.
Date of Departure: October and November.
General Plumage:
Male, blackish gray with iridescence, rusty. Female averag-
ing smaller and showing more rusty or brown, eye yellow.
Bill and feet black. Length about 9.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A few musical notes and a ‘‘ chuck.”’
Haunts:
Scrubby damp country, though often met on higher ground.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 45
No. 45. Crow Blackbird. BRONZED GRACKLE.
Genus: Quiscalus. Species: Q. quisculaeneus. The
majority are probably Bronzed,
not Purple Grackles.
Distribution:
Abundant summer resident of New England, more common
northward. Have wintered in southern New England.
Date of Arrival: Latter part of March.
Date of Departure: October.
General Plumage:
Male black, iridescent purple and bronze. Female averag-
ing smaller and duller. Bill and feet black. Length about
12.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A ‘ creaking ’’ sound and other chucks and whistles.
Haunts:
Spruces, pines, orchards, and when migrating meadows and
grain fields.
46 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 46. PINE GROSBEAK.
Family: Fringillide. Genus: Pinicola.
Species: P. enucleator.
Distribution:
Irregular, but common winter visitor to southern New Eng-
land, probably resident in northern portions.
Date of Arrival: November.
Date of Departure: March.
Geneial Plumage:
Male, slate washed with carmine, back dark. Female and
immature birds slate, crown and rump marked with chrome
yellow, wings white marked. Jill and feet black. Length
about 8.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A plaintive whistle of two or three notes, a call note and
low warble.
Haunts:
Pine, spruce, ash, and various berry bearing growths.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 47
©
No. 47. PURPLE FINCH.
Genus: Carpodacus. Species: C. purpureus.
Distribution:
Common summer resident of northern New England, often
wintering in the southern portions.
Date of Arrival: April first.
Date of Departure: November.
General Plumage:
Male, carmine, back darkly streaked, belly whitish. Female
and immature birds brownish olive streaked with dusky, belly
white. Bill and feet dark. Length about 6.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A warbling song and a number of call notes, rendered
‘‘ chink ’? and ‘‘ pewee.”’
Haunts:
Woodland country.
48 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 48. AMERICAN CROSSBILL.
Genus: Loxia. Species: Li. curvirostra minor.
Distribution:
A resident of northern New England, visiting the southern
portions in autumn and winter, rarely at other seasons.
General Plumage:
Male, upper and under parts red, wings and tail almost black.
Female brownish olive, tinted with yellowish, rump yellow,
below paler, streaked. Bill pale, feet dark. Length about
6.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A sweet odd song, a chatter, a whistling call note.
Haunts:
Coniferous growths.
WOODLAND BIRDS.
49
©
No. 49, REDPOLL.
Genus: Acanthis. Species: A. linaria.
Distribution:
A more or less irregular winter visitor.
Date of Arrival;
November.
Date of Departure:
April.
General Plumage:
Upper parts fuscous brown, darkly streaked, crown carmine,
rump rosy streaked with dusky; under parts whitish, dusky
marked, wings and tail darker, white bars on former. Adult
male, sides of breast rosy. Bill pale, feet dark. Length
about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
Much like those of the goldfinch, and a few different notes.
Haunts:
Especially birch growth.
50 WOODLAND BIRDS.
i
No. 50. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.
Genus: Spinus. Species: S. tristis.
Distribution: A common resident.
General Plumage:
Male and female in winter, olive brown, wings and tail almost
black, male in summer bright, yellow crown wings, and tail
black. Female, dusky olive above, yellowish below, wings
and tail dark. Bill and feet dark. Length about 5.00.
Song and Other Notes: A sweet song, a flight song like ‘‘ consider-
able’? and a call note.
Haunis: A bird of the woodland and fields.
No. 51. PINE SISKIN.
Species: 8. pinus.
Distribution:
A resident of northern and an irregular winter visitor to
southern New England.
Date of Arrival: Early autumn.
Date of Departure: Late spring, April to July.
General Plumage:
Olive streaked with darker, wings and tail fuscous tinged with
yellow. Bull and feet dark. Length about 5.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Very much like the preceding species, but less musical.
Haunts: Evergreen and birch growths.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 51
©
Zs
No. 52. SNOW BUNTING.
Genus: Plectrophenax. Species: P. nivalis.
Distribution:
A regular winter visitor to New England.
Date of Arrwal:
November.
Date of Departure:
March.
General Plumage:
Breeding plumage white marked with black, bill black. In
winter, brown and white, bill brown. Win gs and tail black
marked with white, feet black. Length about 7.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A plain song and a clear whistle, and a ‘‘ whirr ’”’ uttered
often on the wing.
Haunts:
Along the coast and about the sere fields.
be WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 53. VESPER SPARROW.
Genus: Poocetes. Species: P. gramineus.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of New England.
Date of Arrival:
First of April.
Date of Departure:
First of November.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brownish gray, much streaked; under parts
white, breast and flanks streaked with brown, wings chestnut
marked, outer tail feathers white. Bill dark, feet pale.
Length about 6.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A pretty song, generally sung at dusk, and a short chit.
Haunts:
Pastures, fields and meadows.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 53
No. 54. IPSWICH SPARROW.
Genus: Ammodramus. Species: A. princeps.
Distribution:
Breeds on Sable Island, a fall and spring migrant. A few
wintering on coast of Massachusetts and southward.
Date of Arrival:
Late March.
Date of Departure:
Late October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brownish ash streaked with darker ; under parts
white, breast and flanks faintly streaked with buff and dusky.
Bill dark, feet pale. Length about 6.25.
Song and Other Notes:
While with us a clear chirp.
Haunts:
Sand dunes and beaches of our coast.
54 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 55. SAVANNA SPARROW.
Species: A. sandwichensis savanna,
Distribution:
A summer resident of New England most common in north-
ern portions.
Date of Arrival: Middle of April.
Date of Departure: November.
General Plumage:
Upper parts ashy finch-like, bend of wing and eye line yellow ;
under parts white, streaked with brown and dusky. Bill
and feet pale. Length about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A ‘call note ’’ song, and a chirp and a chit.
Haunts:
Pasture lands, fields and salt marshes.
No. 56. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.
Species: A. savannarum passerinus.
Distribution: .
A common summer resident of southern New England.
Date of Arrival: First week in May.
Date of Departure: First week in October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brownish, crown darker, with buff centre line,
orange eye marks, bend of wing yellow ; under parts yellow-
ish buff, belly whitish. Bill and feet dark. Length about
5.25.
Song and Other Notes:
A peculiar song and two call notes.
Haunts:
Sere sandy fields.
WOODLAND BIRDS. By
No. 57. SHARP-TAILED FINCH.
Species A. candacutus.
Distribution:
A summer resident along the coast of southern New England.
Date of Arrival:
April.
Date of Departure:
October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brownish olive darkly streaked, sides of head
marked with buff; under parts white, breast yellowish
streaked with black. Bill and feet dark. Length about
iy Ae
Song and Other Notes:
A simple song.
Haunts:
The salt marshes along the coast.
56 WOODLAND BIRDS.
prr®
No. 58. WHITE THROATED SPARROW.
Genus: Zonotrichia. Species: Z. albicollis.
Distribution:
An abundant summer resident of northern, often wintering
in protected localities in southern New England.
Date of Arrival:
Last of April. Northward about three weeks later.
Date of Departure:
Early November.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brownish chestnut streaked with black and buff,
crown black, bordered and with a central line of white, which
does not meet at nape, eye line yellow ; under parts, throat
and belly white, breast and sides of head ash. Bill dark,
feet pale. Length about 6.75. 1s
Song and Other Notes:
An exquisite song like ‘* Pea-pea-peabody-peabody- peabody,” :
and a lisp.
Haunts:
Woodland, sere fields on migration, spruce growth in the
north.
WOODLAND BIRDS. aT
©
No. 59. TREE SPARROW.
Genus: Spizella. Species: S. monticola.
Distribution:
A very common migrant and winter resident.
Date of Arrival; Late October.
Date of Departure: First of May.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brownish ash, crown chestnut edged with white ;
under parts ashen. Bill and feet dark. Length about 6.25.
Song and Other Notes: A sweet spring song, a low fall song and
a twitter and lisp.
Haunts: Sere fields and meadows, marshes and along roadsides.
No. 60. CHIPPING SPARROW.
Species: S. socialis.
Distribution:
Abundant summer resident of all New England.
Date of Arrival: Last of April.
Date of Departure: Middle of October.
General Plumage:
Much like the preceding but with a centre breast patch of
brown. Bill and feet dark. Length about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes: A monotonous trill and a number of chits
and chirps.
Haunts: A bird of the garden and orchard.
58 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 61. FIELD SPARROW.
Species: S. pusilla.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of southern New England becom-
ing less so farther north. ‘Iwo records of wintering.
Date of Arrival:
Late April.
Date of Departure:
November.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brownish, darkly streaked, crown chestnut, winzs
white barred; under parts white, breast and flanks tinted
with brownish. Bill pink, feet dark. Length about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A trilling song and a sharp chirp.
Haunts:
Fields and meadows and low growths.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 59
No. 62. Snow Bird. JUNCO.
Genus: Junco. Species: J. hyemalis.
Distribution:
A winter resident of southern and breeding in northern New
England.
Date of Arrival:
Late September in southern New England.
Date of Departure:
Second week in May.
General Plumage:
Slate (rusty in winter), belly white. Bill and feet dark.
Length about 6.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A lively trilling song, a single and sometimes triple call note
like “‘ wait-a-bit ”’ and a chuck.
Haunts:
Evergreen woods, roadsides and ‘‘stumpy’’ fields.
60 WOODLAND BIRDS,
No. 63. SONG SPARROW.
Genus: Melospiza. Species: M. fasciata.
Distribution:
Abundant summer resident of all New England; often win-
tering.
Date of Arrival:
Early March.
Date of Departure:
Late October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brown, marked with black and ash; under parts
white, streaked brown and black, forming a patch on centre
of breast. Bill and feet dark. Length about 6.25.
Song and Other Notes:
A sweet varied and expressive song and a chuck and lisp.
Haunts:
A bird of the woodland, meadow and garden.
WOODLAND BIRDS. . 61
No. 64. SWAMP SPARROW.
Species: M. georgiana.
Distribution ;
A summer resident of New England; locally wintering.
Date of Arrival:
April first.
Date of Departure:
First of November.
General Plumage:
Upper parts reddish brown, marked with black and _ buff,
wings and crown shaded with chestnut; under parts whitish,
tinted with ash and yellowish, belly and flanks buff. Bill
and feet dark. Length about 6.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A trilling sweet song and an innumerable number of other
notes.
Haunts:
Swamps and fields, near fresh water.
62 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 65. FOX SPARROW.
Genus: Passerella. Species: P. iliaca.
Distribution:
A very common migrant through New England.
Date of Arrival:
15th of March to May, passing north,
Date of Departure:
Late October and November, passing south.
General Plumage:
Upper parts fox red streaked with ashy, wings white barred,
under parts white, marked with streaks of fox color except
on belly. Bill and feet dark. Length about 7.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A sweet powerful song, a lisp and chuck.
Haunts:
Woodland and ‘‘stumpy’’ meadows.
Atcs
WOODLAND BIRDS,
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ios)
No. 66, Chewink. TOWHEE.
Genus: Pipilo. Species: P. erythrophthalmus.
Distribution:
A summer resident of southern New England, rare farther
north. ‘Two records of wintering.
Date of Arrival:
First of May.
Date of Departure:
First of October.
General Plumage:
Male, black wings marked with chestnut and white; lower
breast and belly white, flanks and under tail coverts chestnut,
three outer tail feathers white marked ; female, black in male
replaced by brown. Bill and feet dark. Length about 8.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A plain song and chewink, ‘‘to-whee,’’ a broken whistle and a
chuck.
Haunts:
Underbrush, woodland and pine slopes.
64 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 67. ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK.
Genus: Habia. Species: H. ludoviciana.
Distribution:
A local but common summer resident of New England.
Date of Arrival:
First of May.
Date of Departure:
September,
General Plumage:
Male, black wings white barred and marked, breast band of
rose, belly white divided partly by rose, under wing coverts
rose, rump whiie. Female, upper parts brownish streaked
with brown, under wing coverts, orange. Immature male,
similar but under wing coverts, rose. Bill pale, feet dark.
Length about 8.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A beautiful warbling song, resembling the robin’s but fuller
and more finished, and a characteristic harsh call note.
r
Haunts:
Woodland, orchards and often gardens.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 65
No. 68. INDIGO BIRD.
Genus: Passerina. Species: P. cyanea.
Distribution:
A somewhat common summer resident of New England, Cape
Cod excepted.
Date of Arrival:
Karly May.
Date of Departure:
September.
General Plumage:
Male, indigo, wings and tail darker. Female, upper parts
brownish, under paler, streaky. Bill and feet dark. Length
about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A weak but pretty song and two call notes.
Haunts:
Woodland, barberry bushes and general ‘‘scrub’’ growths.
66 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 69. ENGLISH SPARROW.
Genus: Passer. Species: P. domesticus.
Distribution:
An abundant resident now of all the cities and towns of New
England.
General Plumage:
Male, upper parts chestnut brown streaked with black, crown
and rump ash, throat, upper breast lores black; under parts
dirty brownish. Female, lacking black, back grayer. Bull
and feet dark. Length about 6.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Incessant twitters, chirps and scolding notes.
Haunts:
Streets, buildings, public gardens, country farm yards, in
fact everywhere.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 67
©
No. 70. SCARLET TANAGER.
Family: Tanagride. Genus: Piranga.
Species: P. erythromelas.
Distribution:
Common summer resident of southern New England becom-
ing much less so in the northern portions.
Date of Arrival:
Middle of May.
Date of Departure:
September.
General Plumage:
Male, bright red, wings and tail black. Female, upper parts
greenish; under parts yellowish. Bill and feet dark.
Length about 7.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A pleasing whistling warble and a low ‘‘ chip-churr.”?
Haunts:
A bird of the woodland and orchard.
68 WOODLAND BIRDS.
© db
Ne, Zi. CLIFF SWALLOW.
Family: Hirundinide. Genus: Petrochelidon.
Species: P. lunifrons.
Distribution:
A local summer resident of New England.
Date of Arrival:
May first.
Date of Departure:
September first.
General Plumage:
Upper parts deep blue, forehead dusky. Rump chestnut. Under
parts, throat, sides of head and breast chestnut, lower breast
paler, belly white, tail hardly forked. Bill and feet dark.
Length about 6.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Twitterings.
Haunts:
About old barns and farms and in wilder localities about
cliffs,
WOODLAND BIRDS, 69
© \
No. 72. BARN SWALLOW.
Genus: Chelidon. Species; C. erythrogastra.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of all New England.
Date of Arrival: Last of April.
Date of Departure: First of September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts, deep blue with partial blue collar; under parts
reddish chestnut, forehead chestnut, lower parts paler; tail
white marked and much forked. Bill and feet dark. Length
about 7.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Lively twitters.
Haunts:
About the old barns through whose doors and windows they
can readily go out and in.
70 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 73. WHITE BREASTED SWALLOW.
Genus: Tachycineta. Species: T. bicolor.
Distribution:
Rather common summer resident of New England, abundant
on migrations.
Date of Arrival:
April first.
Date of Departure:
September 15th.
General Plumage:
Upper parts deep blue; under parts white. Female and
young, duller. Bill and feet dark. Length about 6.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Merry twitters.
Haunts:
The garden formerly, but now driven out by the English
Sparrow. Flying over the meadows and water on migrations,
and nesting in orchards and woodland.
av
WOODLAND BIRDS, tt
No. 74. BANK SWALLOW.
Genus. Clivicola. Species. C. riparia.
Distribution:
A local summer resident.
Date of Arrival:
First of May.
Date of Departure:
First of September.
General Pl umage.
Upper parts brownish ; under parts white, brownish breast
band. Bill and feet dark. Length about 5.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Twitter.
Haunts:
About sand banks.
hee WOODLAND BIRDS.
; aL >)
No. 75. CEDAR BIRD.
Family: Ampelide. Genus: Ampelis.
Species: A. cedrorum.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of New England more common
in the northern portions, often wintering in the southern.
Date of Arrival:
February.
Date of Departure:
November.
General Plumage:
Upper and under parts cinnamon brown, head marked with
black, belly yellowish, tail tipped with yellow, red waz often
wings and sometimes on tail. Bill and feet black. Length
about 7.00.
Song and Other Notes:
‘¢ Whining ”’ note.
Haunts:
Tops of bare trees and berry bearing trees, shrubs and
cedars,
WOODLAND BIRDS. Tek
wn
No. 76. Butcher Bird. NORTHERN SHRIKE.
Family: Laniide. Genus: Lanius.
Species: L. borealis.
Distribution:
A winter resident or visitor.
Geneial Piumage:
Upper parts bluish gray; under parts white, finely marked
with black. eye stripe, wings and tail black, two latter marked
with white. Bill and feet black. Length about 10.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A song which has been taken for the mocking-bird’s and a
curious call note.
Haunts:
Marshes, fields and farming lands.
Te! WOODLAND BIRDS.
©
No. 77. RED EYED VIREO.
Family: Vireonide. Genus: Vireo.
Species: V. olivaceus.
Distribution :
An abundant summer resident of New England.
Date of Arrival:
First week in May.
Date of Departure:
September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts olive green, grayish on the head’ edged with black,
and whitish eye-line; under parts white, flanks olive tinted,
eye red. Jill pale, feet dark. Length about 6.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A persistent monotonous song, a ‘‘querulous note’? and a
short note and chatter.
Haunts:
A bird of the garden, orchard and woodland.
WOODLAND BIRDS, 7)
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No. 78. WARBLING VIREO.
Species: V. gilvus.
Distribution:
A summer resident of southern New England.
Date of Arrival; Early May.
Date of Departure: Middle of September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts olive green or ashy, depth of shade varying:
under parts white, “tinted with ashy. Bill and feet dark.
Length about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A beautifully sweet warbling song and notes like preceding
species, but somewhat more refined.
Haunts:
Inhabited localities and woodland
No. 79. YELLOW THROATED VIREO.
Species: V. flavifrons.
Distribution:
Common summer resident of southern New England.
Date of Arrwal: First part of May.
Date of Departure: September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts olive green, paler on rump; under parts, throat
and upper breast yellow, belly white, wings white barred.
Bill and feet dark. Length about 6.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A pleasing warble and a harsh call note.
Haunts:
Woodland growths and orchards.
76 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 80. SOLITARY VIREO.
Species: V. solitarius.
Distribution:
A local summer resident of New England, more common in
the northern portions.
Date of Arrival: Late April.
Date of Departure: September.
General Plumage: |
Upper parts greenish olive, head bluish, sides yellowish;
under parts white, wings and tail white marked and barred.
Bill and feet dark. Length about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A sweet warble, a whistle or two, anda call note.
Haunts:
A bird of the woodland.
No. 81. WHITE EYED VIREO.
Species: V. noveboracensis.
Distribution:
A summer resident of southern New England.
Date of Arrival: Middle of May.
Date of Departure: October first.
General Plumage:
Upper parts, olive ashy green; under parts white, flanks,
wing bars and ring round eye yellowish, eye white. Bill pale
and feet dark. Length about 5.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A varied, loud and curious song and various call notes.
Haunts:
General woodland.
Mammen,
WOODLAND BIRDS. al
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No. 82. BLACK AND WHITE CREEPER.
Family: Mniotiltide. Genus: Mniotilta.
Species: M. varia.
Distribution:
An abundant summer resident of southern New England,
becoming rare farther north.
Date of Arrival:
May first.
Date of Departure:
Late September.
General Plumage:
Black and white streaked, lower belly white. Female duller.
Bill and feet dark. Length about 5.50,
Song and Other Notes:
Two simple songs, and a number of alarm and call notes.
Haunts:
The woodland, orchards and general growth.
Notr. —The songs of many Of our warblers seem to have a certain ‘‘ zee”
quality to them and are difficult for beginners to identify ; the characteristic quality of
each, after patience and study becomes however, apparent.
78 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 83. GOLDEN WINGED WARBLER.
Genus: Helminthophila. Species: H. chrysoptera.
Distribution:
A local summer resident of southern New England.
Date of Arrival:
May first to eighth.
Date of Departure:
Late September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts slate, crown yellow, wings barred with yellow ;
under parts white, throat and face marked with black.
Female paler, black grayish. Feet and bill pale. Length
about 5.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A curious song and three call notes.
Haunts:
A bird of the woodland.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 79
No. 84. NASHVILLE WARBLER.
Species: H. ruficapilla.
Distribution:
A common migrant breedingin all New England, but most
common in the northern portions.
Date of Arrival:
May 5.
Date of Departure:
September 15.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brownish olive, head slate, crown chestnut.
Female, crown ornaments dull or wanting. Bill and feet
pale. Length about 4.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A plain song and a chip and sharp ‘‘ crick.”?
Haunts:
A bird of woodland and sparse growths,
80 WOODLAND BIRDS.
©
No. 85. PARULA WARBLER.
Genus: Compsothlypis. Species: C. americana.
Distribution:
A local summer resident of New England, being ‘‘ coexten-
sive with that of the Usnea ‘‘ moss,’’ in or of which, it invari-
ably builds its nest.”?
Date of Arrival:
First of May.
Date of Departure:
Last of September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts slaty blue, back patch yellow ; under parts yellow
with brownish spot. Female paler. Bill and feet pale.
Length about 4.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A pretty warbling song and a number of ‘chips’? and
pa
Haunts: .
A bird of the woods and coniferous forests.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 81
No. 86. YELLOW WARBLER.
Genus: Dendroica. Species: D. estiva.
Distribution:
An abundant summer resident of southern New England.
Date of Arrival:
May first.
Date of Departure:
September first.
General Plumage:
Yellow marked on under parts with rusty streaks. Bill and
feet pale. Length about 5.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A pleasing song and a clear ‘‘ chirp.’?
Haunts:
A bird of the orchard, garden and roadside.
§2 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 87. BLACK THROATED BLUE WARBLER.
Species: D. cxrulescens.
Distribution:
Common on migrations, breeding in northern New England.
Date of Arrwal: First of May.
Date of Departure: September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts slate; under parts white, throat and sides of
head black, white patch on wings. Female dull greenish,
tinted with blue ; under parts whitish. Bill and feet dark.
Length about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A peculiar unmusical song and a clear ‘‘ chirp ”’ and chatter.
Haunts:
General growth.
No. 88. YELLOW RUMPED WARBLER.
Species: D. coronata.
Distribution:
An abundant migrant, wintering in southern and breeding
in northern New England.
Date of Arrival: Last of April.
Date of Departure: October.
General Plumage:
Male; Spring, upper parts ashy, streaked with black, crown,
rump and side patches yellow; under parts white. Autumn;
male and female and young, brownish, showing yellow
slightly. Bill and feet dark. Length about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A pretty, simple song and curious call notes, ‘‘chip.”’
Haunts:
In the woodlands and along the roadsides.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 83
No. 89. MAGNOLIA WARBLER.
Species: D. maculosa.
Distribution:
Breeds in northern and a common migrant through southern
New England.
Date of Arriwal: May.
Date of Departure: Late September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts dark, rump yellow, crown grayish, forehead
black ; under parts yellow streaked with black. Female
duller. Bill and feet dark. Length about 5.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Many different notes and a pleasing song.
Haunts:
Woodland growth.
No. 90. CHESTNUT SIDED WARBLER.
Species; D. pennsylvanica.
Distribution:
A general summer resident of all New England.
Date of Arrival: Middle of May.
Date of Departure: September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts yellowish, marked with black; under parts
white, crown yellow, two chestnut sie streaks, head with
black markings. Bill and feet pale. Length about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A pretty little warbling song and a series of “ tsips.”’
Haunts: .
A bird of the woodland.
84 , WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 91. BLACK POLL WARBLER.
Species: D. striata.
Distribution:
An abundant migrant breeding in northern New England.
Date of Arrival: May 15.
Date of Departure: Late September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts blackish olive, crown black; under parts white,
streaked with black. Female, brownish olive, dark streaked,
under parts whitish. Bill and feet dark, Length about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A thin monotonous song and a number of short notes.
Haunts:
A bird of the evergreens and also of deciduous growths.
No. 92. BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER.
Species: D. blackburniz.
Distribution:
A migrant through southern and a common summer resident
of northern New England.
Date of Arrival; First week of May.
Date of Departure: First of October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts dark, crown orange surrounded with black; under
parts white streaked with black, breast and throat orange.
Female dull, breast yellow, other marking similar to male.
Bill and feet dark. Length about 5,25.
Song and Other Notes:
A simply rendered song and a number of other notes ‘‘ chip ”’
‘* see-see-see.’?
Haunts:
Evergreen low lands.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 85
EE ET NEE ee
No, 93. BLACK THROATED GREEN WARBLER.
Species: D. virens.
. Distribution:
A common summer resident of New England.
Date of Arrival: First week in May.
Date of Departure: September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts greenish, wings white barred, sides of head yellow;
under parts whitish, throat and breast black. Female and
male in fall duller, black indistinct or absent. Bill and feet
dark. Length about 5.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A persistant singer of a simple monotonous song, numerous
call notes.
Haunts:
A bird of the evergreens but found in other growths.
No. 94. PINE WARBLER.
Species: D. vigorsii.
Distribution :
A common summer resident of New England, in country
covered by the pitch pine.
Date of Arrival: April first.
Date of Departure: Late September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts olive; under parts white, breast and throat yellow.
Female paler. Bill and feet pale. Length about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A drawling song and a few short ‘“chips.”’
Haunts:
The pitch pine forests.
86 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 95. YELLOW PALM WARBLER.
Species: D. palmarum hypochrysea.
Distribution:
A common migrant, breeding in Maine.
Date of Arrival: Late April.
Date of Departure: October first.
General Plumage:
Upper parts pale olive, crown chestnut; under parts yellowish,
streaked with rusty. Bill and feet dark. Length about 5.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A poor songster having a few sweet notes and chips.
Haunts:
A bird of low growths.
No. 96. PRAIRIE WARBLER.
Species: D. discolor.
Distribution:
A summer resident of southern New England, near the sea
coast,
Date of Arrival: Middle of May.
Date of Departure: Late August.
General Plumage:
Upper parts olive marked with reddish on the back ; under
parts yellow, black head markings. Bill and feet dark.
Length about 5.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A peculiar song and a seldom heard note.
Haunts:
A bird of the ‘ scrubby ”? growths.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 87
No. 97. Golden Crowned Thrush. OVEN BIRD.
Genus: Seiurus. Species: S. aurocapillus.
Distribution:
An abundant summer resident of all New England.
Date of Arrival:
First of May.
Date of Departure:
Last of September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts olive brown, crown orange, surrounded by black;
under parts white, breast and flanks marked with brown.
Bill and feet pale. Length about 6.25.
Song and Other Notes:
A strong song, expressed by ‘‘ Teacher-teacher-teacher,’’ two
call notes, “‘chuck’’ and ‘‘chit,’? and an aerial song at
twilight.
Haunts:
A bird of the woodland and pine woods.
§8 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 98. WATER THRUSH.
Species: S. noveboracensis.
Distribution:
A common summer resident in northern New England, mi-
grating through Massachusetts and southward.
Date of Arrival: First of May.
Date of Departure: Middle September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts olive brown; under parts buff, breast spotted with
dark brown. Bill and feet dark. Length about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A beautiful melody, beautifully rendered, and a clear ‘‘chip.’’
Haunts:
Along the streams and brooks; generally upon the ground.
No. 99. LOUISIANA WATER THRUSH.
Species: S. motacilla.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of the two southern New Eng-
land States.
Date of Arrival: Last of April.
Date of Departure: Late September.
General Plumage:
Similar to preceding species, less marked, dusky on the breast.
Length about 6.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A more lovely song than that of the preceding species, begin-
ning loudly and slowly dying away, and a single call note.
Haunts:
Same as preceding species.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 89
No. 100. CONNECTICUT WARBLER.
Genus: Geothlypis. Species: G. agilis.
Distribution:
A rare spring and somewhat common fall migrant.
Date of Arrival:
First two weeks in May.
Date of Departure:
September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brownish olive; under parts brownish gray,
lower breast and belly yellowish. Bill and feet pale. Length
about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
‘< Somewhat like the song of Oven bird,’’ rendered by the
syllables, ‘‘beecher-beecher-beecher- beecher-beecher-beecher,’’
and two characteristic warbler call notes.
Haunts:
A bird of the thicket and ground.
S0 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 101. MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT.
Species: G. trichas.
Distribution:
An abundant summer resident of all New England, winter-
ing rarely near Boston and southward.
Date of Arrwal:
May 10.
Date of Departure:
October first.
General Plumage:
Upper parts olive brown, face black edged with grayish; under
parts yellow, belly whitish. Female paler and with the black
and gray lacking. Bill and feet dark. Length about 5.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A clear ventriloquous song and two sharp call notes.
Haunts:
The low woodland among the underbrush.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 91
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No. 102. YELLOW BREASTED CHAT.
Genus: Icteria. Species: I. virens.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of southern New England.
Date of Arrival:
First of May.
Date of Departure:
September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts olive green; under parts yellow, belly white,
Bill and feet dark. Length about 7.00.
Song and Other Notes:
An indescribable, peculiar variety of notes and whistles.
Haunts:
A bird of the thicket and low growth.
92 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 103. CANADA WARBLER.
Genus: Sylvania. Species: S, canadensis.
Distribution:
Fairly common migrant breeding most commonly in northern
New England.
Date of Arrival:
Late May.
Date of Departure:
Late September,
General Plumage:
Upper parts grayish blue, crown black streaked ; under parts
yellow marked with black. Female with bluish and black,
duller, Bill and feet dark. Length about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A pleasing song and a clear chip and low “ chutt.’’
Haunts:
Low evergreen and swampy woodland.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 93
©
No. 104. REDSTART.
Genus: Setophaga. Species: S. ruticilla.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of all New England.
Date of Arrival:
First week in May. °
Date of Departure:
September 15.
General Plumage:
Male, upper parts black, spots on the wings and tail, sides of
breast orange; belly white. Female, brownish green, orange
in male yellow, under parts white. Bill and feet dark.
Length abont 5.25.
Song and Other Notes:
A varied pretty song and a number of call notes, a ‘‘ chit ’’
and ‘ chick.’’
Haunts:
A bird of the woodland and orchard.
94 WOODLAND BIRDS.
© =
No. 105. AMERICAN PIPIT.
Family: Motacillide. Genus: Anthus.
Species: A. pennsilvanicus.
Distribution:
A common migrant, breeding north of our boundaries.
Date of Arrival:
Last of May.
Date of Departure:
September 15.
General Plumage:
Upper parts olive brown; under parts dark buff, breast and
flanks marked with dusky, outer tail feathers marked with
white. Bill and feet pale. Length about 6.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A low ‘‘ chirp.’’
Haunts:
Along the sea coast, on the meadows and marshes.
ad
WOODLAND BIRDS. 95
No. 106. CATBIRD.
Family: Troglodytide. Genus: Galeoscoptes.
Species: G. carolinensis,
Distribution:
An abundant summer resident of New England.
Date of Arrival:
First week in May.
Date of Departure:
October 1 to 10.
General Plumage:
Upper and under parts slate, crown and tail black. Under
tail coverts chestnut. Bill black, feet dark. Length about
8.50.
Song and Other Notes:
An interesting and imitative song containing notes of all
qualities, a ‘‘ mew ”’ and soft ‘‘ chuck.’?
Haunts:
A bird of the thicket and swamp.
96 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 107. BROWN THRASHER.
Genus: Harporhynchus. Species: H. rufus.
Distribution:
Common summer resident of southern New England, rare
north of Massachusetts.
Date of Arrival: Last week in April.
Date of Departure: First week in October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts reddish brown; under parts whitish, streaked
with deep brown, throat white. Bill dark, feet pale.
Length about 11.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A much varied and entertaining song, and a loud, clear
*¢ chuck.’?
Haunts:
Like the Catbird, inhabiting thickets and swamps, but often
met with in the “ stumpy ” “meadows.
WOODLAND BIRDS. : 97
@
No 108. HOUSE WREN.
Genus: Troglodytes. Species: T. aédon.
Distribution:
A local summer resident of New England, more common in
the southern portions.
Date of Arrival:
First of May.
Date of Departure:
First two weeks of September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts dark brown; under parts paler, marked with
dark brownish, Bill and feet pale. Length about 5.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A pleasant song, consisting chiefly of a trill, a “‘ chirp’ and
a lively ‘‘ chatter.’’
Haunts:
A bird of the barn-yard, garden and orchard.
98 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 109. WINTER WREN.
Species: 'T. hiemalis.
Distribution:
Uncommon migrant, wintering rarely as far north as Mass- -
achusetts, breeding in northern New England.
Date of Arrival:
April.
Date of Departure:
October.
General Plumage:
Similar to the preceding. Length about 4.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A most beautiful lively song heard only during the summer,
and ‘‘a sharp tick.”’
Haunts:
In old forests and woods among the fallen logs and underbrush.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 99
©
No. 110. SHORT BILLED MARSH WREN.
Genus: Cistothorus. Species: C. stellaris.
Distribution:
A local summer resident of southern New England.
Date of Arrival: May 15.
Date of Departure: September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brown marked with white ; under parts white,
flanks tinged with pale brownish, wings and tail barred.
Bill and feet pale. Length about 4.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A wren chatter, a plain song having a little trili.
Haunts:
A bird of the marshes among the reeds and rushes.
100 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 111. LONG BILLED MARSH WREN.
Species: C. palustris.
Distribution:
More common summer resident of southern New England
than the preceding species.
Date of Arrival:
Second week in May.
Date of Departure:
September. A few have wintered in Massachusetts.
General Plumage:
Same as preceding species. Length about 5.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A ‘persistent singer,’’ and the song ‘‘ bears a resemblance
to that of the House Wren.’’? ‘‘ On the whole less musical
although by no means unpleasing.”’
Haunts:
Much the same as preceding species.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 10.
©
No. 112. BROWN CREEPER.
Family: Certhiide. Genus: Certhia.
Species: C. familiaris americana.
Distribution:
A winter resident of southern New England, breeding in the
northern portions.
Date of Arrival:
October.
Date of Departure:
Late March or April.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brown, marked with white and “rusty ”’ toward
the rump; under parts whitish. Bill and feet pale. Length
about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A pleasing “‘wiry’’ little song and a series of “lisps’’ resem-
bling those of the Golden Crowned Kinglet, but given in four
almost unnoticed syllables.
Haunts:
General growths, elm, oak and birch.
102 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 113. WHITE BREASTED NUTHATCH.
Family: Paride. Genus: Sitta.
Species: S. carolinensis.
Distribution:
A summer resident of New England, most common on fall
migration; a winter resident south of Vermont and New
Hampshire.
General Plumage:
Upper parts slaty blue, crown and nape blue black; under
parts whitish, tinted with ‘‘ rusty ’’? on under tail coverts and
lower belly, outer tail feathers black marked with white.
Female and young paler. Bill and feet dark. Length about
6.00.
Song and Other Notes:
“¢ Quank-quank-quank ’? and a low whit-whit-whit.
Haunts:
A bird of the woods.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 103
No. 114. RED BREASTED NUTHATCH.
Species: S. canadensis.
Distributin:
An irregular migrant, brecding in northern New England.
Date of Arrival:
Latter part of April.
Date of Departure:
September, October.
General Plumage:
Similar to the preceding species, under parts chestnut in
mature male, black line through the eyes. Female paler.
Length about 4.75.
Song and Other Notes:
‘¢ Ank-ank-ank ’’ repeated often for fully a minute.
Haunts:
Spruce and balsam woods.
104 : WOODLAND BIRDS.
dj
No. 115. CHICKADEE.
Genus: Parus. Species: P. atricapillus.
Distribution:
A very common permanent resident.
General Plumage:
Upper parts whitish, crown and nape black, under parts
white, tinged with buff, throat black. Bill and feet black.
Length about 5.50.
Song and Other Notes:
‘“‘Chick-a-dee-dee-dee,’’ a sweet “‘phoebe’’ and ‘‘day-day-day”’
and various other lively notes.
Haunts:
Evergreen, birch and orchards,
WOODLAND BIRDS. 105
No. 116. HUDSON BAY CHICKADEE.
Species: P. hudsonicus.
Distribution:
A resident of northern New England, straggling to Massa-
chusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
General Plumage:
Light greenish brown, crown darker brown, flanks chestnut,
throat almost black. Bull and feet dark. Length about 6.00.
Song and Other Notes:
‘‘'Their song-note is harsher and more quickly given than
that of our Chickadees.”’
Haunts:
Same as preceding species.
106 WOODLAND BIRDS.
©
No. 117. GOLDEN CROWNED KINGLET.
Family: Sylviide. Genus: Regulus.
Species: R. satrapa.
Distribution:
Very common migrant and winter resident in fair numbers,
breeding in northern New England.
Date of Arrival:
First of May.
Date of Departure:
Late October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts yellowish olive; under parts whitish, a yellow
patch on the crown, in the adult male centered with flame color.
Song and Other Notes:
A three syllable ‘‘ lisp,’’ rarely in spring a weak warble.
Haunts:
A bird of the evergreens,
WOODLAND BIRDS. 107
No. 118. RUBY CROWNED KINGLET.
Species: R. calendula.
Distribution:
A common migrant, probably breeding in northern New
England.
Date of Arrival:
April 15.
Date of Departure:
November 15.
General Plumage:
Resembling the former species except a scarlet crown patch
in the adult male, the female with it probably lacking. Bill
and feet dark. Length about 4.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A surprisingly loud and sweet song and a low “ lisp.”?
Haunts:
A bird of the woodland, orchard and spruce growth.
108 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 119. WOOD THRUSH.
Family: Turdide. Genus: Turdus.
Species: T. mustelinus.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of southern New England, rare
north of Massachusetts.
Date of Arrival:
Second week in May.
Date of Departure:
Latter part of September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts cinnamon brown, brightest on the head ; under
parts whitish, tinged with buff and spotted on the breast and
flanks with deep brown. Bill dark, feet pale. Length
about 8.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A superb melody, expressed by the words ‘‘ come-to-me,’’ a
metallic ‘‘ chirp,’’ a low ‘‘ chuck,’’ and ‘‘ whit-whit.’’
Haunts:
A bird of woodland and swampy growths.
WOODLAND BIRDS. 109
No. 120. ‘*Veery.’”’? WILSON’S THRUSH.
Species; T. fuscescens.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of New England.
Date of Arrival:
First week in May.
Date of Departure:
About September 10.
General Plumage:
Upper parts pale brown or “ tawny,’’ shaded evenly from
tail to head, under parts white, fused with fulvous and marked
indistinctly with dusky on the throat. Bill light, feet pale.
Length about 7.50.
General Plumage:
A beautiful song, but not so fine as that of the Wood Thrush,
and a variety of ‘‘ chirps,’’ ‘‘ chips,’’ and soft ‘ lisps.??
Haunts:
A bird of the swampy woods, but often met in dry and pine
woods.
110 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 121. BICKNELL’S THRUSH.
Species: T. alicize bicknelli.
Distribution:
Quite common migrant, breeding in the White Mountains.
Date of Arrival:
Last week in May.
Date of Departure:
Late September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts olive; under parts whitish spotted with blackish
marks, eye ring grayish white. Bill dark, feet pale. Length
about 6.50-7.00.
Song and Other Notes:
‘“'The song is exceedingly like that of the Veery, having the
same ringing, flute-like quality ; but it is more interrupted,
and ends differently,— the next to the last note dropping half
a tone, and the final one rising abruptly and having a sharp
emphasis.’? The call notes ‘‘ are a whistled pheu,’”’ ‘‘a low
chuck,’’ ‘‘ a pip or peenk,’’ and ‘‘a harsh note.’’
Haunts:
A bird of high altitudes, to the limits of ‘‘ tree growth,’’ but
breeding ‘‘ most abundantly among the dwarfed, densely
matted spruces and balsams.?’’
ied
WOODLAND BIRDS. >
No. 122. OLIVE BACKED THRUSH.
Species: T. ustulatus swainsonit.
Distribution:
Common summer resident of northern New England, south of
Vermont and New Hampshire a migrant.
Date of Arrival:
Last of May.
Date of Departure:
Late September.
Date of Departure:
Upper parts olive; under parts buff, breast spotted with
dusky, buff ring around eye. Bill dark, feet pale. Length
about 7.50.
Song and Other Notes:
Perhaps the most ordinary Thrush song and the following
notes peculiar to season, ‘‘ chuck,’’ ‘ chit, chit,’ and a low
(74 peep.
Haunts:
To be met in orchards, shady hillsides, swampy woodland
along the country roads.
12 WOODLAND BIRDS.
No. 123. HERMIT THRUSH.
Species: T. aonalaschke pallasii.
Distribution:
Abundant summer resident of northern New England and an
abundant migrant in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Mass-
achusetts, breeding sparingly.
Date of Arrival:
About April 15th.
Date of Departure:
November.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brownish olive, becoming reddish on the tail;
under parts white tinged with buff and spotted with dark
brown. Bill dark, feet pale. Length about 7.00.
Song and Other Notes:
The most beautiful bird song, having a sacred strain. A
sharp “‘ chuck ’’ and a ‘ chip.”
Haunts:
Frequents the fallen leaves and underbrush, and the low pine
woods,
WOODLAND BIRDS. Ls
No. 124. AMERICAN ROBIN.
Genus: Merula. Species: M. migratoria.
Distribution:
Abundant summer resident of all New England, wintering in
protected localities as far north as New Hampshire.
Date of Arrival:
March first.
Date of Departure:
November 15.
General Plumage:
Upper parts grayish black, darker on head and tail and
marked with white; under parts reddish brown; upper throat
and under tail coverts white, marked with black. Bill yellow,
black tipped, feet dark. Length about 9.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A familiar and pleasant song, a ‘‘ chirp,’’ and loud ‘‘ shout.”’
Haunts:
Found in all localities and growths. | Undoubtedly our most
common bird.
114 WOODLAND BIRDS.
©
No. 125. BLUEBIRD.
Genus: Sialia. Species: S. sialis.
Distribution:
An abundant summer resident of New England, breeding un-
commonly along its northern limits. Wintering in Con-
necticut.
Date of Arrival:
March first.
Date of Departure:
November.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brilliant blue; under parts chestnut. Females
and young birds showing much duller plumage. Bill and
feet dark. Length about 6.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A half mournful, half cheerful warble, a low call note.
Haunts:
A bird of the orchard, garden and woodland.
116 MARSH AND SWAMP BIRDS.
No. 126. AMERICAN BITTERN.
Order: Herodiones. Genus: Botaurus.
Family: Ardeide. Species: B. lentiginosus.
Distribution:
A summer resident of New England.
Date of Arrwal:
Middle of April.
Date of Departure:
November.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brown, buff and grayish, head slaty ; under
parts cream buff, streaked with brownish and grayish ; sides
of neck marked with a shining black streak. Immature
deeper buff. Bill yellowish, edge black, feet and legs yel-
lowish. Length about 28.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A loud weird ‘‘ booming ”’ sound.
Haunts:
Meadows, marshes and swampy land.
MARSH AND SWAMP BIRDS. 117
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AMERICAN BITTERN.
118 MARSH AND SWAMP BIRDS.
No. 127. GREAT BLUE HERON.
Genus: Ardea. Species: A. herodias.
Distribution:
A summer resident of New England, most commonly breed-
ing in the northern portions.
Date of Arrwwal:
April and May.
Date of Departure:
September through October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts slaty, crown black, divided by white, black
crest, neck brownish gray, in front a line of black, white and
yellowish, bend of wing chestnut; under parts black, white and
yellowish streaked, breast with a patch of black and white
feathers, leg feathers buff. Feet and legs black, upper man-
dible greenish yellow, under yellow. Immature similar,
crown black, throat white, black on sides and breast, plumes
lacking, paler. Length about 45.00
Song and Other Notes:
Harsh quawks and croaks,
Haunts:
Marshes, and about bodies of water.
19
MARSH AND SWAMP BIRDS.
GREAT BLUE HERON.
120 MARSH AND SWAMP BIRDS,
No. 128. GREEN HERON.
Species: A. virescens.
Distribution:
A summer resident of New England.
Date of Arrival:
First of May.
Date of Departure:
September.
General Plumage:
Upper parts green, grayish blue, white and buff, crown and
eye marking greenish black, other parts of head chestnut ;
under parts grayish or buff, throat whitish, front of neck
lined with white and blackish. Immature paler, blackish
streaked below, back lacking bluish gray. Bill black above,
yellow below, feet and legs yellow. Length about 17.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A squawk.
Haunts:
Marshes and ponds, a solitary bird.
MARSH AND SWAMP BIRDS. 121
BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON.
I MARSH AND SWAMP BIRDS.
No. 129. BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON.
Genus: Nycticorax. Species: N. nycticorax nevius.
Distribution:
A very common summer resident of New England, wintering
in the southern portions.
General Plumage:
Upper parts greenish black, becoming ashen behind, white
crown plumes, forehead, neck and under parts white. Im-
mature, upper parts grayish cinnamon, white streaked and
spotted: under parts white, black streaked. _ Bill black, feet
and legs yellow. Length about 24.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Quawk-quawk.
Haunts:
Marshes and swamps, breeding in colonies.
MARSH AND SWAMP BIRDS. 123
No. 130. VIRGINIA RAIL.
Order: Paludicole. Genus: Rallus.
Family: Rallidee. Species: R. virginianus.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of New England.
Date of Arrival:
Latter part of April.
Date of Departure:
Middle of October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts black or grayish black, wings and tail brownish,
coverts pale chestnut; under parts cinnamon brown, throat
and face markings grayish white, flanks black and white.
Bill and feet dark. Length about 9.50.
Song and Other Notes:
‘* Grunting sounds,’’ and the male has a love song like ‘‘ cut-
cuttu-cuttu-cuttu.’’? Female and young three other notes or
calls.
Haunts:
Marshes or swampy ‘‘ scrub,’?
124 MARSH AND SWAMP BIRDS.
No. 131. SORA.
Genus: Porzana. Species: P. carolina.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of New England.
Date of Arrival:
Late April.
Date of Departure:
Late October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts olive brown, black and white marked, face,
centre of crown and neck line black, forehead, cheeks grayish
blue, wings brownish cinnamon, flanks and belly white and
black. Immature, black throat and face lacking, breast
brownish. Bill and feet dark. Length about 8.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A whistle and ‘‘ whinny,’’ and two other call notes.
Haunts:
Marshes.
MARSH AND SWAMP BIRDS. Leo
AMERICAN COOT.
126 MARSH AND SWAMP BIRDS.
No. 132. Mud Hen. AMERICAN COOT.
Genus: Fulica. Species: F. americana.
Distribution:
A rare spring and common fall visitor, breeding northward.
Date of Arrival:
April, going north.
Date of Departure:
September, through October.
General Plumage:
Slaty blue, dark above, pale below, wings and under tail
coverts white marked. Immature, under parts paler, upper
brownish. [Bill white, marked with brown, feet and legs
greenish black. Length about 15.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A “ hoarse kruk.’’
Haunts:
Marshes, reed-covered creeks.
MARSH AND SWAMP BIRDS. Ae
No. 133. WILSON’S SNIPE.
Order: Limicole. Genus: Gallinago.
Family: Scolopacide. Species: G. delicata.
Distribution: A common spring and autumn transient visitor.
Date of Arrival: Going north April.
Date of Departure: Going south September and October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts black mottled with buff, wings dark, white
marked, outer tail feathers black and white, others black
tipped with white; under parts white, neck and breast buff,
streaked with blackish, flanks black marked, under tail
feathers black and buff. Bill brownish, feet and legs brown.
Length about 11.25.
Song and Other Notes:
‘* Scaipes-scaipes-scaipes,’’ a curious ‘‘ drumming,’’ probably
made by the wings when descending in the air, and a peculiar
sound ‘* Kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk-kup.
Haunts:
Swales, meadows, swamps, rarely salt marsh, but often damp
woodland.
128 MARSH AND SWAMP BIRDS.
No. 134. SOLITARY SANDPIPER.
Genus: Totanus. Species: T. solitarius.
Distribution:
A common spring and autumn transient visitor in New
England.
Date of Arrival:
Going north latter half of May.
Date of Departure:
Going south late July, through September.
ws
General Plumage:
In autumn, upper parts dark olive, white marked, outer tail
feathers white, black barred; under parts, white marked on
flanks and breast with blackish. In winter, upper parts
brownish, head regions unmarked, breast brownish marked.
Bull, feet and legs greenish black olive. Length about 8.25.
Song and Other Notes:
Soft, whistling call notes.
Haunts:
Woodland, rarely salt marshes or beaches,
BEACH BIRDS.
130 BEACH BIRDS.
No. 135. DOWITCHER.
Genus: Macrorhamphus. Speies: M. griseus.
Distribution:
A common transient visitor along the coast.
Date of Arrival: May, going north.
Date of Departure: Early July to middle of September, going south.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts black and rufous, rump and tail
barred with black and buff, long wing feathers dark ; under
parts dull rufous, belly white, marked with black. In winter,
upper parts brownish ash, rump and tail barred with black
and white, under parts ashen, belly white, flanks black barred.
Immature, upper parts black, under parts buff, marked faintly
with blackish. Bill and feet dark. Length about 10.50.
Song and Other Notes:
Low notes, and clear ‘‘ weet-weet.
Haunts:
Mud flats, marshy land.
BEACH BIRDS. 3534 |
No. 136. PECTORAL SANDPIPER.
Genus: Tringa Species: T. maculata.
Distribution:
A very rare spring but common autumn transient visitor
along the coast.
Date of Departure:
Late July through October, going south.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts black, marked with buff, outer tail
feathers brownish, white edged ; under parts white, neck and
breast marked with black and buff. In winter, upper parts
rufous; under parts showing more buff. Bill and feet
greenish black. Length about 9.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Thin whistle, ‘‘a note that is hollow and resonant,”’ like “‘too-u-
too-u-too-u,”’ and ‘‘ hollow booming notes ’’ when flying.
Haunts:
Damp, grassy fields, rarely beaches.
32 BEACH BIRDS.
No. 137. LEAST SANDPIPER.
Species: T. minutilla.
Distribution:
An abundant transient visitor along the coast.
Date of Arrival:
Late May, going north,
Date of Departure:
Late July to September, going south.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts almost black, marked with rufous,
outer tail feathers ashen; under parts white, breast buff
tinted marked with tawny. In winter, upper parts brownish,
marked with blackish; under parts paler. Bill and feet
greenish brown. Length about 6.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Whistle.
Haunts:
Beaches, and often grassy meadows.
BEACH BIRDS. 11338:
No. 138. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.
Genus: Ereunetes. Species: E. pusillus.
Distribution;
An abundant transient visitor along the coast.
Date of Arrival:
Going northward in May.
Date of Departure:
Going southward July to October.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts almost black, marked with ashen and
buff, ramp brownish, tail feathers brownish ash, darker cen-
trally; under parts whitish marked with blackish. In winter,
upper parts brownish; under parts nearly white. Immature,
feathers of upper parts tipped with buff, breast washed with
buff, unmarked. Bill and feet nearly black. Length about
6.25.
Song and Other Notes:
Pleasing twittering notes and whistle.
Haunts:
Beaches.
Pat: BEACH BIRDS.
No. 139. SANDERLING.
Genus: Calidris. Species: C. arenaria.
Distribution:
A common transient visitor along the coast.
Date of Arrival:
Going northward late March to June.
Date of Departure:
Going southward August to October.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts black, buff and ashen, wings dark,
white marked, tail brownish, white edged; under parts
white, throat and breast yellowish marked with blackish.
In autumn, under parts white, faintly marked ; upper parts
without buff. In winter, upper parts brownish; under
parts clear white. Bill and feet greenish black. Length
about 8.00.
Song and Other Notes:
‘¢ Plaintive whistle.’?
Haunts:
Ocean beaches.
BEACH BIRDS. 1535)
No. 140. GREATER YELLOW LEGS.
Genus: Totanus. Species: T. melanoleucus.
Distribution:
A common transient visitor along the coast.
Date of Arrival:
Going northward last of May.
Date of Departure:
Going southward September through October.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts black, marked with ashen, tail and
rump black and white; under parts white, breast black
spotted, flanks black barred. In winter, upper parts brown-
ish, marked with whitish; under parts slightly marked.
Bill blackish, feet and legs yellow. Length about 14.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Clear whistle.
Haunts:
Beaches, mudflats and marsh.
136 BEACH BIRDS.
No. 141. YELLOW LEGS.
Species: T. flavipes.
Distribution:
A rare spring but abundant fall transient visitor along the
coast.
Date of Arrival:
Going north in May.
Date of Departure:
Going southward August to middle September.
General Plumage:
Similar to preceding. Bill blackish. eet and legs yellow.
Length about 10.75.
Song and Other Notes:
Like preceding species.
Haunts:
Like preceding species.
BEACH BIRDS.
No. 142. SPOTTED SANDPIPER.
Genus: Actitis. Species: A. macularia.
Distribution:
A common summer resident of New England.
Date of Arrival:
Late April.
Date of Departure:
September.
General Plumage:
137
In summer, upper parts greenish brown marked with black,
head streaky, outer tail feathers barred with blackish ; under
parts white, black spotted. In winter, upper parts browner,
unmarked. Immature, upper parts, brownish marked with
buff and blackish ; under parts white tinted with gray. Bill
yellowish green, brown tipped, feet ‘‘ reddish yellow.”
Length about 7.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A clear whistle ‘‘ peet-weet.”’
Haunts:
About both fresh and salt water.
138 BEACH BIRDS.
@
all I
No. 143. BLACK BELLIED PLOVER.
Family: Charadriidz. Genus: Charadrius.
Species: C. squatarola.
Distribution:
A common transient visitor along the coast.
Date of Arrival: Going north early May to June.
Date of Departure: Going south August through September.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts black, white bordered, tail white,
black barred, wings white marked, cheeks, neck under parts
black, belly white. In winter, upper parts brownish, under
parts white, flanks and breast brownish, head and neck black
streaked. Immature, as in winter but upper parts black.
Bill, feet and legs black. Length about 11.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Two notes, a clear call and a soft low note.
Flaunts:
Sand bars, marshes and beaches.
BEACH BIRDS. 139
No. 144. AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER.
Species: C, dominicus.
Distribution:
A transient visitor along the coast, extremely rare in spring,
common in autumn.
Date of Arrival:
May going north.
Date of Departure:
Going south late August to November.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts black, marked with golden, tail
brownish, faintly white barred; under parts and cheeks
black, sides of breast white. In winter, upper parts dark,
marked with white or yellowish; under parts whitish,
brownish marked. Bill black, feet and legs bluish brown.
Length about 10.50.
Song and Other Notes:
Whistle like ‘‘ coodle-coodle-coodle‘’ and ‘‘ tee-lee-lee, tw-
lee-lee-wit, wit-wit, wee-u-wit, chee-lee-u-too-lee-e.”’
Haunts:
Marshes, upland and sand bars.
140 BEACH BIRDS.
No. 145. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER.
Genus: /Xgialitis. Species: A semipalmata.
Distribution:
A common spring and autumn transient visitor along the
coast.
Date of Arrival:
Going north in May.
Date of Departure:
Going south August to October.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts brownish, face, cheeks, an imperfect
collar black; under parts, face mark, eye ring, white, outer
tail feathers whitish. In winter, black changing to brownish
ash. Bill orange, black tipped, legs yellow. Length about
6.75.
Song and Other Notes:
A sharp plaintive call note.
Haunts:
Beaches, flats and marshes.
BEACH BIRDS. 141
No. 146. TURNSTONE.
Family: Aphrizide. Genus: Arenaria.
Species: A. interpres.
Distribution:
A common spring and autumn transient visitor along the
coast.
Date of Arrival: Going north in May.
Date of Departure: Going south August to October.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts mottled with black, white and rufous,
tail white at each end and with black band; under parts
white, throat and breast black and white. In winter, upper
parts blackish, brownish and ashen, back white, ramp black
and white, throat white, breast black edged. Bill black, feet
and legs yellow. Length about 9.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A clear whistle of one, two or three notes.
Haunts:
Beaches.
144 OCEAN BIRDS.
No. 147. HORNED GREBE.
Order: Pygopodes. Genus: Colymbus.
Family: Podicipide. Species: C. auritus.
Distribution:
A common transient visitor, rare in winter.
Date of Arrival: April.
Date of Departure: October.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts blackish, wings white marked, crown,
back of neck and throat jet black, lores chestnut, horns buff;
upper breast, front of neck and flanks chestnut, other under
parts white. In winter and immature, upper parts blackish
ash, under parts glossy white, ashen on breast and throat.
Bill black, yellow tip, feet black. Length about 15.50.
Song and Other Notes:
6 'Ta-ta-ta.?”
Haunts:
Lakes and ocean.
OCEAN BIRDS. 145
No. 148. Pied Billed Grebe. HELL DIVER.
Genus: Podilymbus. Species: P. podiceps.
Distribution:
A common transient visitor, breeding locally.
Date of Arrival: April, going north.
Date of Departure: September, October, going south.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts shiny brownish black; under parts
white, throat black, upper breast, neck and flanks, brown
and black mottled. In winter and immature, throat white.
Bill, in summer, with black band; in winter and imma-
ture, band lacking, feet dark. Length about 15.50.
Song and Other Notes:
I am unable to find any description of their notes.
Haunts:
Ponds and ocean.
146 OCEAN BIRDS.
No. 149. LOON.
Family: Urinatoride. Genus: Urinator.
Species: U. imber.
Distribution:
An abundant transient and common winter visitor, breeding
in northern New England.
Date of Arrival:
Late May.
Date of Departure:
September.
General ‘Plumage:
In summer, upper parts glossy black, including neck, back
and wings white spotted; under parts white, throat white
marked in places, flanks black, white spotted. In winter
and immature, upper parts blackish gray ; under parts white,
gray on throat. Bill black, feet blackish, under side yellow-
ish. Length about 32.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A wild unearthly cry and ‘‘ a sort of weird laughter,’’
Haunts:
Lakes, and along the coast.
OCEAN BIRDS. 147
LOON.
148 OCEAN BIRDS.
No. 150. RED THROATED LOON.
Species: W. lumme.
Distribution:
A common transient visitor, rarely wintering.
Date of Arrival:
April.
Date of Departure:
October.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts glossy blackish, wings white marked,
head ashy, front of neck chestnut; under parts white, back
of neck black, marked with white. In winter and immature,
like preceding species. Bill black, feet blackish, pale on
inside. Length about 25.00.
Song and Other Notes:
‘“‘ Harsh cackling notes.’’
Haunts:
Lakes and ocean.
OCEAN BIRDS. 149
BRUNNICH’S MURRE.
Family: Alcidz. Genus: Uria.
Species: U. lomvia.
Distribution:
An irregular but common winter visitor along the coast.
Date of Arrival: November.
Date of Departure: March.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts black, wings white marked; under
parts white. In winter and immature, browner. _ Bill black,
feet blackish yellow. Length about 16.50.
Song and Other Notes:
A “‘rasping sound not unlike the filing of a saw,’’ they are
said to utter.
Haunts:
A bird of the ocean, breeding on cliffs,
150 OCEAN BIRDS.
No. 152. DOVEKIE.
Genus: Alle. Species: A. alle.
Distribution:
An irregular winter visitor along the coast.
Date of Arrival:
November.
Date of Departure:
March.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts black, browner in front of neck,
wings white marked ; under parts white. In winter and
immature, throat paler. Bill black, feet reddish. Length
about 8.00.
Song and Other Notes:
I am unable to find any description of their notes.
Haunts:
Along the coast.
OCEAN BIRDS.
No. 153. GREAT BLACK BACKED GULL.
Order: Longipennes. Genus: Larus.
Family: Laride. Species: L. marinus.
Distribution:
A winter visitor along the coast.
Date of Arrival:
September.
Date of Departure:
April.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts grayish black, wings white tipped ;
under parts white. In winter, similar, head streaked.
Immature, upper parts brownish marked with buff, long
wing feathers dark, a few white tipped, head region grayish.
tail black and white; under parts white, ashy marked,
Bill black, base yellowish, feet yellow. Length about 29.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Various loud noisy cries.
Haunts:
A bird of the ocean while with us.
OCEAN BIRDS.
GREAT BLACK BACKED GULL.
OCEAN BIRDS. 153
No. 154. AMERICAN HERRING GULL.
Species: L. argentatus smithsonianus.
Distribution:
An abundant winter visitor along the coast, often driven far
inland by storm.
Date of Arrwal:
November.
Date of Departure:
Last of March.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts grayish white, wings black tipped,
other plumage white. In winter, head regions grayish; im-
mature, upper parts grayish black, buff marked, long wing
feathers dark brown; under parts ashen brown. Bill yellow,
dark band, feet flesh color. Length about 24.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Cries “like akak-kakak.’’
Haunts:
A bird of the ocean and large rivers.
154 OCEAN BIRDS.
| ah a
No. 155. COMMON TERN.
Genus: Sterna. Species: S. hirundo.
Distribution:
A common summer resident along the coast.
Date of Arrival; May.
Date of Departure: Late September.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts bluish gray, long wing feathers white,
crown black; under parts white, lower parts pearly, outer
tail feathers grayish, rest of tail white. In winter, forehead
and under parts white; immature, upper parts brownish.
Bill red, black tipped, feet orange in summer. Bill almost
black in winter. Length about 15,00.
Song and Other Notes:
Crying, harsh screams.
Haunts:
A bird of the ocean and bay, breeding on sandy islands.
OCEAN BIRDS.
No. 156. ROSEATE TERN.
Species: T. dougalli.
Distribution:
A summer resident along the coast.
Date of Arrival:
May.
Date of Departure:
Latter part of September.
General Plumage:
155
In summer, similar to preceding, under parts pink tinted
tail allwhite. In winter similar to preceding, forehead black
marked. Immature, upper parts bluish gray, head region
and upper back marked with buff, gray and blackish ; under
parts white marked with buff. Bill black, reddish toward
base, feet red in summer. “‘ Bill brownish dusky, feet
dusky ”’ in immature.
Song and Other Notes:
‘* A single harsh note,’’ ‘‘ cack.’?
Haunts:
Similar to preceding species.
156 OCEAN BIRDS,
No. 157. WILSON’S PETREL.
Order: Tubinares. Genus: Oceanites.
Family: Procellariide. Species: O. oceanicus.
Distribution:
A common summer visitor after the breeding season in the
south.
Date of Arrival:
May.
Date of Departure:
Latter part of August.
General Plumage:
Upper parts black, wings grayish ; under parts paler. Bill
black, feet black, yellow webs. Length about 7.00.
Song and Other Notes:
“* Kee-re-kee-kee.?’
Haunts:
A true bird of the ocean while with us.
OCEAN BIRDS. 157
DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANT.
158 OCEAN BIRDs.
No, 158. DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANT.
Order: Steganopocles. Genus: Phalacrocorax.
Family: Phalacrocoracide. Species: P. dilophus.
Distribution:
A common transient visitor along the coast.
Date of Arrival:
April and May, going north.
Date of Departure:
August through October, going south.
General Plumage:
In summer, upper parts brownish, marked with shiny black,
tail black, rump, head and neck black, crests black but often
lacking; under parts shiny black. In winter crests lacking.
Immature, upper parts brownish, upper breast and neck
grayish white, gular sack orange. Bill above blackish, below
yellow, feet black. Length about 30.00.
Song and Other Notes:
I am unable to find any description of their notes.
Haunts:
Outlying rocks and ocean.
159
OCEAN BIRDS.
aya Ne
Na
AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE.
160 OCEAN BIRDS.
No. 159. Whistler. AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE.
Order: Anseres. Genus: Glaucionetta.
Family: Anatide. Species: G. clangula americana.
Distribution:
A common winter visitor.
Date of Arrival:
Middle of November.
Date of Departure:
Middle of April.
General Plumage:
Male, upper parts black, white marked, head and _ throat
shiny black; under parts and spot at bill’s base white. Fe-
male, upper parts ashen, head and throat cinnamon; under
parts white, upper breast ashen, front of neck white. Bill
black, yellow tip, feet orange. Length about 20.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Whistle of wings when flying.
Haunts:
Ocean, bays, tide water rivers.
OCEAN BIRDS.
=
BUFFLE-HEAD.
162 OCEAN BIRDS.
Genus: Charitonetta. Species: C. albeola.
Distribution:
A common transient but rare winter visitor.
Date of Arrival:
Late March.
Date of Departure:
October.
General Plumage:
Male, upper parts black, head, neck and throat dark irides-
cent greenish, white band encircling back of head, tail
grayish; under parts white. Female, upper parts dark
brown, spot on side of head and under parts white, lower
neck grayish. Bill blackish, feet pale orange. Length
about 14.50.
Song and Other Notes:
*¢ Quack.”?
Haunts:
Rivers, lakes and ocean.
163
OCEAN BIRDS.
OLD-SQUAW.
164 OCEAN BIRDS.
No. 161. OLD-SQUAW.
Genus: Clangula. Species: C. hyemalis.
Distribution:
A common winter visitor along the coast.
Date of Arrival:
November.
Date of Departure:
Middle of April.
General Plumage:
Male in winter, upper parts white, blackish band on back,
wings and spot on side of head blackish, cheeks dusky, long
tail feathers blackish, belly white, breast blackish brown,
throat and neck ring white. Male, in summer, top of head,
neck and back black ; under parts white, black on upper
belly. Female, in winter, upper parts blackish, grayish
marked, sides of head and neck whitish, breast dusky, belly
white. Female, in summer head black marked. Bill black,
yellow band on tip, feet blackish. Length about 21.00.
Song and Other Notes:
‘“Scolding or talking notes, as o-onc-o-onc-ough, egh-ough-
)
ech.
Haunts:
A bird of the ocean.
165
OCEAN BIRDS.
PUSSI5se
AMERICAN EIDER.
166 OCEAN BIRDS.
No. 162. AMERICAN EIDER.
Genus: Somateria, Species: S. dresseri.
Distribution:
A winter visitor.
Date of Arrwal:
November.
Date of Departure:
March first.
General Plumage:
Male, upper parts white tinted with greenish, crown black
with greenish line, middle rump black; under parts white
creamy tinged, lower breast and belly black. Female, upper
parts black, marked with buff, head and neck buff, streaked
with blackish ; under parts, breast buff, black marked. belly
brownish lightly barred, large rounded culmen. Bull ant
feet black. Length about 23.00.
Song and Other Notes:
‘¢ Ffa-ho, ha-ho,’’? and quack.
Haunts:
Ocean and seas.
167
OCEAN BIRDS.
—
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER.
168 OCEAN BIRDS. |
No. 163. WHITE WINGED SCOTER. |
|
Genus: Oidemia. Species:.O. deglandi. |
Distribution: |
An abundant winter visitor along the coast.
Date of Arrival:
Middle of September.
Date of Departure: |
Middle of May.
General Plumage:
Male, black, white cheek spot and white wing markings.
Female, dark brown, paler below, white wing marking,
whitish cheek spot. In winter and immature, similar white
head marking lacking. ~*Bill orange and vermilion, base
black, feet bluish red. Length about 23.00.
Song and Other Notes:
‘ Ker-ker.”’
Haunts:
Ocean and seas.
OCEAN BIRDS. 169
No. 164. SURF SCOTER.
Species: O. perspicillata.
Distribution:
A common winter visitor along the coast.
Date of Arrival:
October.
Date of Departure:
Latter part of April.
General Plumage:
Male, black, crown and back of neck white marked. Fe-
male, dark brown, grayish marks on head; under parts paler,
belly white. Bill orange, base black marked, feet blackish
red. Length about 20.00.
Song and Other Notes:
*¢ Quack.’’
Haunts:
Ocean and seas.
170 OCEAN BIRDS.
No. 165. RUDDY DUCK.
Genus: Erismatura. Species: E. rubida.
Distribution:
An autumn transient visitor.
Date of Arrival:
March.
Date of Departure:
October and November.
General Plumage:
Male, upper parts blackish and chestnut, crown black,
cheeks and upper throat white, under parts white, throat
chestnut. Female and immature, upper parts brownish,
buff marked ; under parts white, cheeks and throat grayish.
Bill and feet dusky. Length about 15.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Various quacks and notes.
Haunts:
Along the coast.
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OCEAN BIRDS.
RUDDY DUCK.
172 OCEAN BIRDS.
No. 166. CANADA GOOSE.
Genus: Branta. Species: B. canadensis.
Distribution:
A common transient visitor.
Date of Arrwal:
March and April.
Date of Departure:
October through November.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brownish, tail black white marked, side of head
white, head and neck black; under parts whitish, flanks
brownish. Immature, sides of head and throat blackish.
Bill and feet black. Length about 38.00.
Song and Other Notes:
‘¢ Honk-honk-honk.’?
Haunts:
Generally observed flying overhead.
OCEAN BIRDS. 173
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CANADA GOOSE.
174 OCEAN BIRDS.
No. 167. BRANT.
Species: B. bernicla.
Distribution:
A transient visitor,
Date of Arrival:
May.
Date of Departure:
November.
General Plumage:
Upper parts brownish, tail white marked, head and neck
black, latter white marked; under parts whitish; upper
breast and throat black. Immature, lacking partial white
markings. Bill and feet black. Length about 26.00.
Song and Other Notes:
“Honk ”’ and ‘ hiss.??
Haunts:
Like preceding species,
OCEAN BIRDS,
©
No. 168. NORTHERN PHALAROPE.
Order: Limicole. Genus: Phalaropus.
Family: Phalaropodide. Species: P. lolatus.
Distribution:
A common transient visitor along the coast.
Date of Arrival:
August,
Date of Departure:
Late October.
General Plumage:
Male, in summer, upper parts black, buff marked, neck
marking blackish. Female, in summer upper parts grayish
slate, buff marked, chestnut on front and sides of neck,
marked with slaty ; under parts white. Male and female, in
winter, upper paris ashy, wings white marked, neck faint
chestnut; under parts white marked with grayish. Imma-
ture, forehead white. Bill and feet dark. Length about
Pad Je
Song and Other Notes:
‘* Shrill ery, crut-cree-teet,’’ and ‘‘ tweet ”’ or ‘‘ twick.’?
Haunts:
A true bird of ocean and seas.
178 RIVER DUCKS.
No. 169. RED BREASTED MERGANSER.
Order: Anseres. Genus: Merganser.
Family: Anatide. Species: M. serrator.
Distribution:
A common transient visitor, rarely wintering.
Date of Arrival:
March, April.
Date of Departure:
Middle of October, through November.
General Plumage:
Male, upper parts white and black, rump ashen marked, head
black crested, white eye ring; under parts white, throat black,
upper breast with wide rufous band, black streaked. Female
and immature, crown brownish, rest of head and throat rufous,
other parts white and ashen. Bill red, feet orange. Length
about 22.00.
Song and Other Notes:
A “croak. ”?
Haunts:
Rivers and ocean.
179
RIVER DUCKS.
RED BREASTED MERGANSER.
180 RIVER DUCKS.
No. 170. BLACK DUCK,
Genus: Anas. Species: A. obscura.
Distribution:
An abundant transient visitor, breeding sparingly.
Date of Arrival:
March and April
Date of Departure:
Latter part of August, through October.
General Plumage:
Upper parts dark brown, head darker, buff marked ; under
parts brownish, buff marked, wing purple black marked.
Bill greenish, feet red. Length about 22.00.
Song and Other Notes:
Loud ‘‘ Quack-Quack-Quack.’’
Haunts:
Marshes, ponds and often sea.
181
RIVER DUCKS.
BLACK DUCK.
182 RIVER DUCKS.
No. 171. BLUE WINGED TEAL.
Species: A. discors.
Distribution:
A rare spring but common fall transient visitor.
Date of Arrival:
Late April.
Date of Departure:
August, through September.
General Plumage:
Male, upper parts blackish, buff marked, wings marked with
slaty blue, head black, white marked, throat and other head
regions ashen; under parts cinnamon, black spotted. Female,
and male in summer, upper parts less buffy, head brownish
and grayish, dark spotted; under parts paler. Bill black,
feet dusky. Length about 16.00.
Song and Other Notes:
‘‘ Their notes are faint and piping.’’
Haunts:
Creeks.
RIVER DUCKS.
183
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PINTAIL.
184 RIVER DUCKS.
No. 172. PINTAIL.
Genus: Dafila. Species: D. acuta.
Distribution:
A common transient visitor.
Date of Arrival:
April.
Date of Departure:
September, October.
General Plumage:
Male, upper parts black, white and buff, head and throat
brown, wings green marked, back of neck black and white
striped; under parts white, flanks black marked, long
green tail feathers. Female, upper parts dark brown, buff
marked, head buff and blackish, throat white; under parts
buff, black marked, flanks black and white, under side of
wings tawny, whitish and black. Bill blackish, feet gray-
ish. Length of male about 28.00, of female 22.00.
Song and Other Notes:
“ Quack.??
Haunts:
Rivers and inland waters.
RIVER DUCKS. 185
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No. 173. WOOD DUCK.
Genus: Aix. Species: A. sponsa.
Distribution;
A common transient visitor, breeding sparingly.
Date of Arrival: March, April.
Date of Departure: August, through October.
General Plumage:
Male, upper parts brownish green, head marked with white
and green, throat white, white mark before wings, breast and
about tail chestnut, breast white spotted, belly white, flanks
buff, black and white marked. Female and immature, upper
parts and crown brownish, cheeks ashen, throat regions white,
flanks ashy brown, buff marked, belly whitish. Bill black,
red and white, feet yellow. Length about 18.50.
Song and Other Notes: A ‘plaintive whistle, oo-eek.”’
Haunts: Woodland and inland bodies of water, ponds, rivers and
streams.
APPENDIX.
The following of the Woodland and Marsh and Swamp Birds
have been placed in the Appendix as they are only accidental,
extremely rare, or local species in New England.
The Beach, Ocean and River Birds, such as the ordinary obsery-
er would meet but rarely, have also been placed in the Appendix.
Pw n =
10.
WOODLAND BIRDS.
CANADA GROUSE, Dendragapus canadensis. Local.
WILLOW PTARMIGAN, Lagopus lagopus. Two records.
HEATH HEN, Tympanuchus cupido. One locality.
PASSENGER PIGEON, Ectopistes migratorius. A few
stragglers.
TURKEY VULTURE, Cathartes aura. A number of
records.
BLACK VULTURE, Catharista atrata. A number of
records.
SWALLOW TAILED KITE, Elanoides forficatus. One
record.
AMERICAN GOSHAWK, Accipiter atricapillus. Not
often seen.
SWAINSON’S HAWK, Buteo swainsoni. A few records.
BROAD WINGED HAWK. Buteo latissimus. Uncom-
mon,
187
188
it,
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
|i
18.
19.
20.
a1.
22.
23.
24.
20;
26.
ai.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
APPENDIX.
ROUGH LEGGED HAWK, Archibuteo lagopus sancti-
johannis. Rare.
GOLDEN EAGLE, Aquila chrysetos. Very rare.
WHITE GYREALCON, Falco islandus. One record.
GRAY GYRFALCON, Falco rusticolus. One record.
GYRFALCON, Falco rusticolus gyrfalco. Rare, irregular.
BLACK GYRFALCON, Falco rusticolus obsoletus. are.
DUCK HAWK, Falco peregrinus anatum. Local.
BARN OWL, Striz pratincola. Accidental.
LONG EARED OWL, Asio wilsonianus. Not often seen.
GREAT GRAY OWL, Scotiaptex cinerea. Irregular.
RICHARDSON’S OWL, Nyctala tengmalmi richardsont.
Very rare and irregular.
SNOWY OWL, Nyctea nyctea. Not often seen.
AMERICAN HAWK OWL, Surnia ulula caparoch. Un-
common.
BURROWING OWL, Speotyto cunicularia hypogewa. One
record.
ARCTIC THREE TOED WOODPECKER, Picoides are-
ticus. Local.
AMERICAN THREE TOED WOODPECKER, Picoides
americanus. Rare, local.
PILEATED WOODPECKER, Ceophleus pileatus. Rare.
RED HEADED WOODPECKER, Melanerpes erythroce-
phalus. Very rare.
CHUCK WILL’S WIDOW, Antrostomus carolinensis.
One record, accidental.
SCISSOR TAILED FLYCATCHER, Milvulus forficatus.
Two records.
ARKANSAS KINGBIRD, Tyrannus verticalis. One record.
SAY’S PHBE, Sayornis saya. One record.
OLIVE SIDED FLYCATCHER, Contopus borealis. Not
often seen.
YELLOW BELLIED FLYCATCHER, Empidonaz flav-
awentris. Local.
36.
Sf ie
38.
Bhs
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48,
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
D4.
55.
APPENDIX. 189
GREEN CRESTED FLYCATCHER, Empidonaz vires-
cens. Very rare.
TRAILL’S FLYCATCHER, Empidonaz traillii. Local.
PRAIRIE HORNED LARK, Otocoris alpestris praticola.
Local and uncommon.
NORTHERN RAVEN, Corvus coraxprincipalis. Rare.
FISH CROW, Corvus ossifragus. Rare.
YELLOW HEADED BLACKBIRD, Xanthocephalus xan-
thocephalus. A few records.
ORCHARD ORIOLE, Icterus spurius. Southern state.
EVENING GROSBEAK, Coccothraustes vespertinus.
Very irregular.
WHITE WINGED CROSSBILL, Lozia leucoptera. Not
often seen.
HOLBOLI’S REDPOLL, Acanthis linaria holbellii.
Accidental.
GREATER REDPOLL, Acanthis linaria rostrata. Not
often seen.
EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH, Carduelis carduelis. Very
rare.
LAPLAND LONGSPUR, Calcarius lapponicus. Local and
uncommon,
CHESTNUT COLLARED LONGSPUR, Calcarius orna-
tus. One record.
HENSLOW’S SPARROW, Ammodramus _ henslowit.
Loeal.
NELSON’S SPARROW, Ammodramus caudacutus nelsoni.
Very rare.
ARCADIAN SHARPED TAILED SPARROW, Ammod-
dramus caudacutus subvirgatus. Not often seen
SEASIDE SPARROW, Ammodramus maritimus. South-
ern States.
LARK SPARROW, Chondestes grammacus. A few records.
WHITE CROWNED SPARROW, Zonotrichia leucophrys.
Not often seen.
BREWER’S SPARROW, Spizella brewert. One record,
190
56.
57.
58.
D8
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
cL;
72,
73.
74.
75.
703
0" ie
APPENDIX.
SHUFELDT’S JUNCO, Juncothyemalis shufeldti. One
record.
LINCOLN’S SPARROW, Melospiza lincolnu. Notoften seen.
CARDINAL GROSBEAK, Cardinalis cardinalis. Rare.
BLUE GROSBEAK, Guiraca cerule. Accidental.
DICKCISSEL, Spiza americana. Very rare.
LARK BUNTING, Calamospiza melanocorys. One record.
LOUISIANA TANAGER, Puiranga ludoviciana. Two
records.
SUMMER TANAGER, Piranga rubra. Uncommon.
PURPLE MARTIN, Progne subis. Now local.
ROUGH WINGED SWALLOW, Stelgidopteryx serripennis.
Local.
BOHEMIAN WAXWING, Ampelis garrulus. Very rare.
WHITE RUMPED SHRIKE, Lanius ludovicianus excubi-
torides. Uncommon.
PHILADELPHIA VIREO, Vireo philadelphicus. Ex-
tremely rare.
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, Protonotaria citrea. A
few records.
WORM EATING WARBLER, Helmitherus vermivorus.
Local southern state.
BLUE WINGED YELLOW WARBLER, Helmintho-
phila pinus. Southern state.
ORANGE CROWNED WARBLER, Helminthophila celata.
Rare.
TENNESSEE WARBLER, JHelminthophila peregrina.
Uncommon.
CAPE MAY WARBLER, Dendroica tigrina. Very rare.
AUDUBON’S WARBLER, Dendroica auduboni. One
record.
CAERULEAN WARBLER, Dendroica cerulea. Ac-
cidental.
BAY BREASTED WARBLER, Dendroica castanea. Un-
common and irregular.
APPENDIX. 191
ao,
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
9
88.
2
90.
91.
92.
93.
94,
95.
96.
a7.
98.
99.
100.
YELLOW THROATED WARBLER, Dendrioca domin-
ica.
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