han d b o o k o f b 1 r d s of the: western united states Florence Merrie^m Bailey ^v"?' K'-^ ■ ■vt^ ■*: FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY (Mrs. Florence Merriam Bailey.) BIRDS THROUGH AN OPERA-GLASS. In Riverside Library for Young People. Illus- trated. i6mo, 75 cents. MY SUMMER IN A MORMON VILLAGE. With an Illustration. i6mo, $i.oo. A-BIRDING ON A BRONCO. Illustrated. i6mo, 51.25. BIRDS OF VILLAGE AND FIELD. A Bird Book for Beginners. Fully illustrated. i2mo, J.2.00. HANDBOOK OF BIRDS OF THE WESTERN UNITED STATES. With many illustrations. i2nio, $3.50, nei. Postpaid, $3.69. HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN & CO. Boston and New York. RING-BILLED GULL (Page 23) HANDBOOK OF BIRDS OF THE :^i,c^^C^^Uj ) WESTERN UNITED STATES INCLUDING THE GREAT PLAINS, GREAT BASIN, PACIFIC SLOPE, AND LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY FLORENCE MERRIAM BAILEY WITH THIRTY-THREE FULL-PAGE PLATES BY LOUIS AGASSIZ FUERTES, AND OVER SIX HUNDRED CUTS IN THE TEXT SECOND EDITION, REVISED BOSTON AND NEW YORK HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY (Cbc l^itjcrsitic press, ^ambciDoc 1904 ^. Cjtfof. Hii^ 3f. COPYRIGHT, 1902, BY FLORENCE A. BAILEY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Published November^ igoa PREFATORY NOTE. The preparation of this book has been facilitated by the good offices of many ornithologists. To Mr. Robert Ridgway and Dr. C. Hart Merriam I am indebted for use of the National Museum and Biological Survey collections, and to Mr. Ridgway for generous help in the study of the museum skins. I am also indebted to Mr. Ridgway for use of the proof of his forthcoming Part II. of Birds of North and Middle America, and to Dr. Merriam for use of the Biological Survey records. Dr. A. K. Fisher has given me kindly advice at all points and important help by a critical reading of the entire manuscript, with especial examination of distributions. From my husband, Mr. Vernon Bailey, I have had untiring advice and assistance, in addition to the preparation of the water bird descrip- tions and keys, and a large number of biographies of both water and land birds. Mr. E, W. Nelson has generously corrected and extended the ranges of the birds in Mexico, and Mr. H. C. Ober- holser has rendered much valuable critical aid, while Dr. T. S. Palmer has contributed an important chapter on bird protection. Local lists of much value to students have kindly been furnished by Mr. A. W. Anthony, Mr. Joseph Grinnell, Mr. Walter K. Fisher, Mr. William H. Kobb^, and Mr. Frank Bond, to whom, as to all those who have helped in the preparation of the book, I would ex- press my sincere gratitude and appreciation. FLORENCE IVIERRIAJVI BAILEY. Washington, D. C. October, 1902. NOTE TO SECOND EDITION Since the publication of this book the Nomenclature Committee of the American Ornithologists' Union has made a number of rulings in regard to western birds, recognizing some of the new subspecies, rejecting others, and raising some subgenera to the rank of genera. A list of these alterations will be found in the Appendix, pp. 486- 488. The revision of the Horned Larks {Otocoris) has been incorpo- rated in the book itself, as the genus was in a state of great confu- sion. So far as discovered, the errors and omissions of the first edition of the book have been corrected. F. M. B. August, 1903. r CONTENTS PAGF List of Illustrations ix Introduction . xxv Acknowledgments ......... xxv Collecting- and preparing Birds, Nests, and Eggs. By Vernon Bailey xxvi Collecting Birds ......... xxvi Measuring .......... xxvii Making Bird Skins ........ xxviii Skinning . . . xxix Stuffing ........... YVY Labeling xxx Sexing ........... xxx Collecting and preserving Eggs and Nests .... xxxi Note-Taking, Note-Books, and Journals xxxiii Life Zones ........... xxxiii Migration ........... xxxvi Economic Ornithology xxxvii Bird Protection. By Theodore S. Palmer .... xxxix Local Bird Lists ......... xliii Portland, Oregon. By A. W. Anthony ..... xliii San Francisco Bay. By William H. Kobb^ .... xlviii Santa Clara Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains. By Walter K. Fisher li Pa.sadena, California. By Joseph Grinnell . . . . Ivi Fort Sherman, Idaho. By J. C. MeiTill .... Ixiv Cheyenne, Wyoming. By Frank Bond .... Ixix Pinal, Pima, and Gila Counties, Arizona. By W. E, D. Scott Ixxiv Books of Reference ......... Ixxxiii Use of Handbook Keys Ixxxviii BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES WEST OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH MERIDIAN. Kky to Okdkks .... Key to Familiks of Watkr Birds CONTENTS Order Pygopodes : Diving Birds Family Podicipidse : Grebes Family Gaviidae : Loons .... Family Alcidse : Auks, Murres, and Puffins Order Longipennes : Long- winged Swimmers Family Stereorariidse : Jaegers, etc. Family Laridse : Gulls and Terns Order Tubinares : Tube-nosed Swimmers . Family Diomedeidae : Albatrosses Family Procellariidae : Fulmars and Shearwaters Order Steganopodes : Totipalmate Swi.mmers Family Anhingidae : Darters Family Phalacroeoracidae : Cormorants Family Pelecanidae : Pelicans Family Fregatidae : Man-o'-War Birds Order Ansebes : Lamellirostral Swimmers Family Anatidae : Ducks, Geese, and Swans Order Herodiones : Herons, Storks, Ibises, i Family Ibididae : Ibises .... Family Ciconiidae : Storks and Wood Ibises Family Ardeidae : Herons, Egrets, Bitterns Order Paludicol^ : Cranes, Rails, etc. Family GruidaB : Cranes .... Family Rallidae : Rails, Gallinules, and Coots Order Limicol^ : Shore Birds Family Phalaropodidae : Phalaropes . Family Recurvirostridae : Avocets and Stilts Family Scolopacidae : Snipe, Sandpipers, etc. Family Charadriidae : Plovers Family Aphrizidae : Surf Birds and Turnstones Family Haematopodidae : Oyster-catchers . Family Jacanidae : Jacanas .... Key to Families of Land Birds . Order Gallin-e : Gallinaceous Birds . Family Tetraonidae : Grouse, Partridg-es. Quail, etc Family Phasianidae : Pheasants and Turkeys Family Cracidae : Currassows and Guans Order Columb^ : Pigeons .... Family Columbidse : Pig-eons Order Raptores: Birds of Prey Family Cathartidae : Vultures Family Falconidae : Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, etc Family Strigidae : Barn Owls Family Bubonidae : Horned Owls, etc. Order Psittaci : Parrots, Macaws. Paroquets, etc. Family Psittacidae : Parrots and Paroquets . CONTENTS vu Order Coccyges : Cuckoos, etc 193 Family Cuculidae : Anis, Road-runners, and Cuckoos . . . 193 Family Trogonidse : Trogons 197 Family Alcedinidaj : Kingfishers 198 Order Pici : Woodpeckers, etc 200 Family Picidse : Woodpeckers » . 200 Order Macrochires : Goatsuckers. Swifts, and Hummingbirds 222 Family Caprimulgidai : Goatsuckers 222 Family Micropodidse : Swifts 229 Family Trochilidae : Humming'birds 232 Order Passeres : Perching Birds 245 Family Cotingidte : Cotingas ....... 245 Family Tyrannidae : Tyrant Flycatchers 245 Family Alaudidse : Larks , . . 265 Family Corvidse : Crows, Jays, Magpies, etc 269 Family Sturnidse : Starlings 285 Family Icteridae : Blackbirds, Orioles, etc 285 Family Fringillidae : Finches, Sparrows, etc 303 Family Tanagridfe : Tanagers 379 Family Hirundinidae : Swallows 382 Family Ampelidje : Waxwings and Phainopeplas . . . 387 Family Laniidce : Shrikes 391 Family Vireonidse : Vireos 394 Family Mniotiltidae : Wood Warblers 401 Family Motacillidfe : Wagtails 431 Family Cinclidae : Dippers ........ 432 Family Troglodytidse : Wrens, Thrashers, etc, .... 433 Family Certhiidae : Creepers ....... 451 Family Paridse : Nuthatches and Tits 452 Family Sylviidae : Kinglets, Gnatcatchers, etc 463 Family Turdidae: Thrushes, Solitaires, Bluebirds, etc. . 467 Appendix. Color Key to Genera of some of the Common Passerine Birds . 479 Index 487 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS FULL-PAGE PLATES. FACmO PAGE I. Ring-billed Gull Frontispiece. II. Zone Map xxxiv III. Topography of Bird 1 IV. Eared Grebe 7 V. Forster Tern 29 VI. Pelagic Cormorant 42 VII. Shoveller 54 VIII. Black-crowned Night Heron 77 IX. Wilson Phalarope 85 X. Black-necked Stilt 86 XI. Long-billed Curlew 101 XII. Snowy Plover 105 XIII. Scaled Partridge 118 XIV. Mearns Quail 122 XV. White-tailed Ptarmigan 129 XVI. Marsh Hawk 150 XVII. Audubon Caracara 171 XVIII. Poor-will 224 XIX. SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER 24(3 XX. Arkansas and Cassin Kingbirds 249 XXI. Ash-throated Flycatcher 253 XXII. Magpie 270 XXIII. Long-crested Jay 273 XXIV. WooDHousE Jay 274 XXV. Northern Raven 2v"^0 XXVI. Yellow-headed Blackbird 288 XXVII. Western Lark Sparrow 336 XXVIII. Texas Pyrrhuloxia 371 XXIX. Lark Bunting 377 XXX. Pileolated Warbler 428 XXXI. RwK Wren 44^3 XXXII. Canyon Wren 445 XXXIII. Long-billed Marsh Wren 450 X LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS XXXIV. Pygmy Nuthatch 454 XXXV. Mountain Chickadeb 458 XXXVI. Varied Thkush 474 DIAGRAMS, Measurement of Bill xxviii Measurement of Tarsus xxviii FIGURES IN THE TEXT, FIGURE PA&E 1. Western Grebe, foot 2 2. Loon, foot 2 3. Tufted Puffin, foot 2 4. Herring- Gull, foot 2 5. Parasitic Jaeger, bill 2 6. Short-billed Gull, bill 2 7. Black-footed Albatross, bill 3 8. Giant Fulmar, bill 3 9. Cormorant, foot . .3 10. Man-o'-War Bird, bill 3 11. White-crested Cormorant, bill 3 12. White Pelican, bill 3 13. Merg-anser, foot ........•• 3 14. White-faced Glossy Ibis, bill 4 15. Green Heron, head 4 16. Sandhill Crane, foot 4 17. Florida Gallinule, foot 4 18. White -rumped Sandpiper, foot 4 19. Killdeer, foot 4 20. Western Grebe, head 5 21. Homed Grebe, head 7 22. Least Grebe 8 23. Pied-billed Grebe 8 24. Loon, bill 9 25. Pacific Loon, head H 26. Tufted Puffin, biU H 27. California Murre, bill H 28. Rhinoceros Auklet, bill 12 29. Pigeon Guillemot, bill . . . 12 30. Paroquet Auklet, bill '12 31. Least Auklet, biU . 12 32. Tufted Puffin, head 12 33. Rhinoceros Auklet, bill 13 34. Paroquet Auklet, bill 14 35. Least Auklet, bill 14 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 36. Marbled Murrelet 37. Pigeon Guillemot, head 38. California Murre 39. Long-tailed Jaeger, head 40. Herring Gull, bill 41. Forster Tern, bill 42. Heermann Gull . 43. Franklin Gull, head . 44. Franklin Gull, wing tip 45. Bonaparte Gull, wing tip 46. Sabine Gull, bill . 47. Sabine GuU . 48. Caspian Tern, head 49. Least Tern . 50. Black Tern . 51. Sooty Albatross, bill . 52. Black-footed Albatross, bill 53. Sooty Albatross, bill . 54. Forked-tailed Petrel, bill 55. Slender-billed Fulmar, bill 56. Giant Fulmar, bill 57. Slender-billed Fulmar, bill 58. Kaeding Petrel . 59. White Pelican, bill 60. Man-o'-War Bird, biU 61. Merganser, bill . 62. Mallard, bill 63. Red-breasted Merganser, head 64. Hooded Merganser, head 65. Mallard, head . 66. Baldpate, head . 67. Green- winged Teal, head 68. Blue-winged Teal, head 69. Cinnamon Teal, head 70. Pintail, head 71. Wood Duck, head 72. Redhead, head . 73. Canvas-back, head 74. Scaup Duck, head 75. Golden-eye. head . 76. Buffle-head, head 77. Old-squaw, head . 78. Harlequin Duck, head 79. White-winded Scoter, head 80. Ruddy Duck, head . xU LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 81. White-fronted Goose, head , . . 66 82. Canada Goose, head 67 83. White-faced Glossy Ibis, head . 71 84. Bittern, head 73 85. Bittern, foot 73 86. Green Heron, head 76 87. Sandhill Crane, foot 79 88. California Clapper Rail 80 89. Virginia Rail, head 80 90. Virginia Rail, foot 80 91. Carolina Rail, head 81 92. Yellow Rail 82 93. Black Rail 82 94. Florida Gallinule 82 95. Florida Gallinule, foot . 83 96. Coot 83 97. Coot, foot 83 98. Red Phalarope, foot 84 99. Red Phalarope 84 100. Northern Phalarope 85 101. Avocet, head 86 102. Wilson Snipe, head 88 103. Long-billed Dowitcher 89 104. Stilt Sandpiper 90 105. Knot 91 106. Pectoral Sandpiper 91 107. White -rum ped Sandpiper 92 108. Baird Sandpiper 92 109. Least Sandpiper 92 110. Red-backed Sandpiper 93 111. Semipalmated Sandpiper 93 112. Western Sandpiper 94 113. Sanderling 94 114. Sanderling, foot 94 115. Marbled Godwit 95 116. Greater Yellow-legs 96 117. Lesser Yellow-legs 97 118. Solitary Sandpiper 97 119. Black-bellied Plover, head 102 120. Killdeer, head 104 121. Semipalmated Plover, head 104 122. Mountain Plover 105 123. Surf Bird 106 124. Black Turnstone, summer plumage 107 125. Black Turnstone, head, winter plumage 107 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 126. Black Oyster-catcher . 127. Black Oyster-catcher, foot 128. Bob-white, bill . 129. Dove, bill . 130. Turkey Vulture, bill . 131. Turkey Vulture, foot . 132. Sparrow Hawk, bill . 133. Fish Hawk, foot . 134. Owl, bill 135. Saw-whet Owl, head . 136. Western Horned Owl, head 137. Kingfisher, head . 138. Kingfisher, foot . 139. Cuckoo, foot 140. Cuckoo, bill. 141. Woodpecker (Sphyrapicus). bill 142. Woodpecker (Sphyrapicus), tail 143. Woodpecker (Dryobates). foot 144. Woodpecker (Picoides), foot 145. Humnnng-bird. bill 146. Swift, bill . 147. Nighthawk, foot . 148. Swift, foot . 149. Song Sparrow, foot 150. Skylark, bill 151. Horned Lark, foot 152. Flycatcher, bill . 153. Swallow, wing 154. Sprague Pipit, foot 155. Pipit, foot . 156. Warbler (Dendroica), bill 157. Black and White Warbler, foot 158. Song Sparrow, bill 159. Goldfinch, bill . . 160. Crossbill, bill 161. Longspur, bill 162. Evening Grosbeak, bill 16^]. Scarlet Tanager, bill . IM. Summer Tanager, bill. 165. Oriole, bill . 166. Cow bird, bill 167. Crow Blackbird, bill . 168. Shrike, wing feathers . 169. Loggerhead Shrike, head 170. Wren, bill . xiv LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 171. Jay, bill 112 172. Wren-Tit, bill 112 173. Robin, wing- feathers ......... 112 174. Kinglet, foot 112 175. Warbling Vireo, foot 11.3 176. Warbling Vireo, bill 118 177. Vireo, tail 113 178. Gnatcatcher, tail 113 179. Sage Thrasher, foot 113 180. Brown Creeper, bill 113 181. Brown Creeper, tail 113 182. Chickadee, bill 113 183. Nuthatch, bill . .113 184. Sag-e Grouse, tail 113 185. Sharp-tailed Grouse, tail 114 186. Ptarmigan, foot . . . 114 187. Dusky Grouse, foot . . • 114 188. Ruffed Grouse, foot 114 189. Mearns Quail, foot 114 190. Bob-white, foot 114 191. Bob-white 115 192. Texan Bob-white 116 193. Masked Bob-white 116 194. Plumed Partridge 117 195. Valley Partridge, female 120 196. Valley Partridge, male 121 197. Garabel Partridge, male 121 198. Gambel Partridge, female 121 199. Dusky Grouse . ' , . . .124 200. Richardson Grouse 126 201. Franklin Grouse 126 202. Gray Ruffed Grouse 128 203. Southern White-tailed Ptarmigan 129 204. Prairie Hen 130 205. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse . . . . . . . 132 206. Sage Grouse 133 207. Band-tailed Pigeon . 138 208. Mourning Dove 140 209. White-winged Dove 142 210. Mexican Ground Dove 143 211. Inca Dove 143 212. Turkey Vulture, head 145 213. Fish Hawk, foot 146 214. Prairie Falcon, feather 147 215. Sparrow Hawk, bill 147 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 216. Swallow-tailed Kite, tail 217. White-tailed Kite, foot 218. Audubon Caracara, bill 219. Mexican Goshawk, feather 220. Swallow-tailed Kite 221. Mississippi Kite . 222. Sharp-shinned Hawk 223. Cooper Hawk 224. Goshawk . 225. Sennett White-tailed Hawk, 226. Red-bellied Hawk, primary 227. Zone-tailed Hawk, tail 228. Red-tailed Hawk 229. Zone-tailed Hawk, tail 230. Swainson Hawk . 231. Rough-legged Hawk 232. Ferruginous Rough-leg 233. Golden Eagle 234. Bald Eagle . 235. Duck Hawk 236. Pigeon Hawk 237. Sparrow Hawk 238. Fish Hawk . 239. Barn Owl, foot 240. Barn Owl . 241. Saw-whet Owl 242. Western Horned Owl, head 243. Long-eared Owl . 244. Short-eared Owl . 245. Barred Owl . 240. Saw-whet Owl, head 247. Screech Owl 248. Dwarf Screech Owl 249. Western Horned Owl, head 250. Snowy Owl . 251. Hawk Owl . 252. Burrowing Owl 253. Pygmy Owl . 254. Elf Owl 255. Groove-billed Ani 256. Road-runner 2.57. Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2.58. Black-billed C^ickoo, tail 259. Coppery-tailed Trogon 260. Belted kingfisher pnmanes 147 147 147 147 148 149 151 152 153 155 155 155 155 158 159 162 163 164 165 167 168 170 173 173 174 175 175 176 177 178 180 182 ia5 186 187 188 189 190 191 193 194 195 196 197 198 xvi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 261. Texas Kingfisher 199 262. Woodpecker (Dry obates), foot 200 263. Woodpecker (Sphyrapicus) , bill 200 264. Woodpecker (Drj obates), bill 200 265. Woodpecker (Picoides), foot 200 266. Northern Pileated Woodpecker 200 267. Flicker 200 268. Northern Hairy Woodpecker 201 269. Harris Woodpecker 202 270. Gairdner Woodpecker 203 271. Texan Woodpecker 204 272. Nuttall Woodpecker 205 273. White-headed Woodpecker 207 274. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker 208 275. Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker 209 276. Yellow-be\lied Sapsucker 210 277. Red-naped Sapsucker 211 278. Red-breasted Sapsucker 211 279. Williamson Sapsucker 213 280. Northern Pileated Woodpecker 214 281. Red-headed Woodpecker 215 282. Ant-eating- Woodpecker, head ....... 216 283. Lewis Woodpecker 217 284. Red-bellied Woodpecker, head 218 285. Golden-fronted Woodpecker, head 219 286. Gila Woodpecker 219 287. Northern Flicker 220 288. Whip-poor-will, head 223 289. California Poor-will 224 290. Niffhthawk, foot 226 291. Nig-hthawk, head 226 292. Nighthawk, wing 226 293. Texas Nig-hthawk, wing 228 294. Swift, tail feather 229 295. Black Swift 229 296. Chimney Swift 230 297. Vaux Swift 231 298. White-throated Swift . . . 232 299. Lucifer Hummingbird, bill 232 300. Calliope Hummingbird, tail 233 301. Anna Hummingbird, female, tail ...... 233 302. Black-chinned Hummingbird, tail 233 303. Rivoli Hummingbird 233 304. Blue-throated Hummingbird 234 305. Ruby-throated Hummingbird, wing 234 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 306. 307. 308. 309. 310. 311. 312. 313. 314. 315. 316. 317. 318. 319. 320. 321. 322. 323. 324. 325. 326. Ruby-throated Hummingbird ....... 235 Black-chinned Humming^bird, female, tail .... 235 Anna Hummingbird, female, tail ...... 236 Anna Hummingbird, male, tail 236 Costa Hummingbird ......... 237 . 237 . 238 . 238 . 239 . 240 Anna Hummingbird ..... Broad-tailed Hummingbird, outer primaries Broad-tailed Hummingbird, male, tail Broad-tailed Hummingbird, female, tail Rufous Hummingbird, male, tail Rufous Hummingbird ......... 240 Allen Hummingbird, male, tail ....... 241 Allen Hummingbird, female, tail 241 Calliope Hummingbird, tail ...*... 241 Calliope Hummingbird 242 Lucifer Hummingbird . 242 Broad-billed Hummingbird ....... 244 Xantus Becard 245 Kingbird 248 Arkansas Kingbird, wing tip 248 327. Flycatchers 328. 329. 330. 331. 332. 333. 334. 335. 336. 337. 338. 339. 340. 341. 342. 343. 344. 345. 346. Cassin Kingbird, wing tip . Crested Flycatcher Wood Pewee Phcebe Kingbird Least Flycatcher Flycatcher (Myiarchus), foot Phoebe Western Black Phoebe, head Flycatcher (Contopus), foot Olive-sided Flycatcher Coues Flycatcher Western Wood Pewee . Flycatcher (Empidonax), foot Western Flycatcher, bill Hammond Flycatcher, bill . Wright Flycatcher, bill Western Flycatchfr, bill Hammond Flycatcher . Hammond Flycatcher, bill . Wright Flycatcher, bill Horned Lark, head Pallid Horned Lark Blue Jay .... Rocky Mountain Jay, head . 249 251 251 254 256 256 257 257 258 2.59 259 259 259 260 262 262 262 266 267 272 277 Kvui LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 347. Oreg-on Jay, head 278 348. Crow, bill 279 349. Clarke Nutcracker 282 350. Bobolink, tail . o 285 351. Bobolink, head 285 352. Cowbiid, bill 285 353. Meadowlark, head 285 354. Bronzed Grackle, bill 285 355. Oriole, biU 285 356. Yellow-headed Blackbird, foot 285 357. Red-wing-, head 286 358. Bobolink 286 359. Cowbird 287 360. Red-winged Blackbird 290 361. Meadowlark 292 362. Scott Oriole 294 363. Arizona Hooded Oriole 296 364. Baltimore Oriole 297 365. Bullock Oriole, head 298 366. Brewer Blackbird 300 367. Bronzed Grackle 301 368. Redpoll, wing 303 369. Crossbill, biU 303 370. Western Evening Grosbeak, bUl 303 371. Redpoll, head 304 372. Snowflake, head 304 373. McCown Longspur, tail 304 374. Pine Finch, head 304 375. Black-headed Grosbeak, head 304 376. Western Lark Sparrow 304 377. Longspur, foot .......... 304 378. Vesper Sparrow, tail 304 379. Dickcissel, head 305 380. English Sparrow, male 305 381. Pine Grosbeak, head 305 382. Pyrrhuloxia 305 383. Cardinal, head 305 384. Arctic Towhee 305 385. Slate-colored Junco, head 305 386. Sparrow (Aimophila), wing 306 387. White-crowned Sparrow 306 388. Green-tailed Towhee, head 306 389. Fox Sparrow, head 306 390. California Towhee 306 391. Bunting (Cyanospiza), bill 306 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xix 392. Song Sparrow, head 306 393. Western Evening- Grosbeak 307 394. Pine Grosbeak 308 395. CaUfornia Purple Finch, taD 310 396. Purple Finch 311 397. Cassin Purple Finch, head 312 398. House Finch, male 312 399. House Finch, female 312 400. Crossbill, biU 313 401. White-winged Crossbill 315 402. Gray-crowned Leucosticte, head 315 403. Hoary Redpoll 318 404. Redpoll, head 319 405. Goldfinch 321 406. Arkansas Goldfinch 322 407. Mexican Goldfinch 323 408. Lawrence Goldfinch 323 409. Pine Finch 323 410. Eng-lish Sparrow, male 324 411. English Sparrow, female 324 412. Snowflake 325 413. Lapland Longspur. summer male 326 414. Lapland Longspur, winter male 326 415. Smith Longspur, summer male ....... 327 416. Chestnut-collared Longspur, summer male 328 417. Chestnut-collared Longspur, winter male 328 418. McCown Longspur ......... 328 419. Western Vesper Sparrow, tail 329 420. Sandwich Sparrow . . . . . . . . .331 421. Large-billed Sparrow 333 422. Baird Sparrow .......... 333 423. Western Grasshopper Sparrow 334 424. Sharp-tailed Sparrow, tail ........ 335 425. Harris Sparrow ... 337 426. White-crowned Sparrow ........ 338 427. Gambel Sparrow, head ........ 339 428. Golden-crowned Sparrow ........ 340 429. White-throated Sparrow, head 340 430. Western Tree Sparrow 341 431. Western Chipping Sparrow, head ...... 342 4.32. Brewer Sparrow, head ........ 343 433. Worthen Sparrow, head ........ 344 434. Black-chinned Sparrow 345 4.35. Slate-colored Junco 346 436. Thurber Junoo 348 XX LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 437. Red-backed Junco 349 438. Black-throated Sparrow, head 350 439. Sage Sparrow, head 352 440. Cassin Sparrow 353 441. Rufous-winged Sparrow, head 354 442. Rufous-crowned Sparrow, head 354 443. Song Sparrow, head 356 444. Desert Song Sparrow 357 445. Mountain Song Sparrow 357 446. Samuels Song Sparrow 358 447. Rusty Song Sparrow . 358 448. Lincoln Sparrow 359 449. Fox Sparrow 361 450. Townsend Sparrow . • . 361 451. Thick-billed Sparrow, bill 362 452. Slate-colored Sparrow, bill 363 453. Stephens Sparrow, bill 363 454. California Towhee 363 455. Towhee, head 363 456. Towhee, head 364 457. Arctic Towhee .364 458. Spurred Towhee 365 459. Oregon Towhee 365 460. California Towhee, head 367 461. Green-tailed Towhee, head 368 462. Cardinal, head 369 463. Rose-breasted Grosbeak « . . 372 464. Black-headed Grosbeak, head 372 465. Bunting (Cyanospiza), bill 374 466. Dickcissel, head 377 467. Scarlet Tanager, head 379 468. Summer Tanager, bill 379 469. Scarlet Tanager, bill 380 470. Summer Tanager, bill 382 471. Barn Swallow, tail 382 472. Rough-winged Swallow, feather 382 473. Cliff Swallow, head 384 474. Barn Swallow, foot 385 475. Barn Swallow . 385 476. White-bellied Swallow 386 477. Bank Swallow 386 478. Rough-winged Swallow, feather 387 479. Rough- winged Swallow, head ....... 387 480. Cedar Waxwing 389 481. Phainopepla ,. . . 390 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xzi 482. Shrike, biU . 483= Northern Shrike . 484. White-rumped Shrike . 485. Black-capped Vireo, head 486. Cassin Vireo, head 487. Red-eyed Vireo, head . 488. Warbling- Vireo. head . 489. Red-eyed Vireo, head . 490. Warbling Vireo, head . 491. Cassin Vireo, head 492. Black-capped Vireo, head 493. Redstart, biU 494. Red-faced Warbler, bill 495. Black and White Warbler, head 496. Black and White Warbler, foot , 497. Warbler (Helminthophila), foot 498. Chat, head .... 499. Northern Parula Warbler, head 500. Warbler (Dendroica), bill . 501. Black and White Warbler, head 502. Calaveras Warbler, head 503. Calaveras Warbler, head 504. Northern Parula Warbler, head 505. Warbler (Dendroica), foot . 506. Blacklnirnian Warbler, head 507. Yellow Warbler, head 508. Magnolia Warbler, head 509. Olive Warbler . 510. Black-throated Blue Warbler, head 511. Black-throated Gray Warbler, head 512. Hermit Warbler, head 513. Black-throated Green Warbler, head 514. Golden-cheeked Warbler, head . 515. Townsend Warbler, head . 516. Black-poll Warbler, head . 517. Yellow-rumped Warbler, head . 518. Chestnut-sided Warbler, head 519. Olive Warbler .... 520. Yellow Warbler, head 521. Black-throated Blue Warbler, head 522. Yellow-rumped Warbler, head . 523. Audubon Warhler 524. Magnoli? Warbler, head 525. Chestnut-sided Warbler, head 526. Black-poll Warbler, head . xxii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 527. Blaekburnian Warbler, head . . • 417 528. Black-throated Gray Warbler, head 419 529. Golden-cheeked Warbler, head 419 530. Black-throated Green Wai-bler, head 420 531. Townsend Warbler, head 421 532. Hermit Warbler, head 421 538. Oven-bird, head 423 534. Grinnell Water-Thrush 423 535. Maegillivray Warbler, head 425 536. Western Yellow-throat, head 425 537. Long-tailed Chat 426 538. Wilson Warbler, head 428 539. Canadian Warbler, head 429 540. Redstart, head 429 541. Pipit 431 542. Pipit, foot 431 543. Sprague Pipit, foot 432 544 Water Ouzel 432 545. Sage Thrasher 433 546. Brown Thrasher, head 434 547. California Thrasher, bill .434 548. Mocking-bird, head 434 549. Catbird, head 434 550. Cactus Wren 434 551. Canyon Wren 434 552o Rock Wren 434 553. Western Winter Wren 434 554. House Wren, head 434 555. Long-billed Marsh Wren, head 434 556. Carolina Wren, head 435 557. Sage Thrasher 435 558. Eastern Mocker 436 559. Catbird 437 560. Brown Thrasher 438 561. Sennett Thrasher 438 562. Curve-billed Thrasher . 439 563. Palmer Thrasher . 439 564. Bendire Thrasher 440 565. Calif omian Thrasher 440 566. Leeonte Thrasher 441 567. Crissal Thrasher 442 568. Cactus Wren 442 569. Rock Wren 443 570. Canyon Wren 445 571. Carolina Wren, headt 446 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xxiii 572. Vigors Wren 447 573. Parkman Wren .448 574. Western Winter Wren 440 575. Brown Creeper, bill , . . . 451 576. Brown Creeper, tail 451 577. Californian Creeper 452 578. Slender-billed Nuthatch, feather 453 579. White-breasted Nuthatch, feather 453 580. White-breasted Nuthatch, head ........ 458 581= Red-breasted Nuthatch, head 454 582. Plain Titmouse 456 583. Bridled Titmouse, head 457 584. Chickadee, head o .457 585. Wren-Tit 460 586. Bush-Tit 461 587. Lloyd Bush=Tit . " 462 588. Kinglet, bill .463 589. Golden-crowned Kinglet, head . 463 590. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, head 464 591. Gnatcatcher, tail 465 592. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, head 465 593. Plumbeous Gnatcatcher, feather 465 594. Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, feather 465 595. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 465 596o Plumbeous Gnatcatcher 466 597. Townsend Solitaire . 467 598. Wood Thrush 469 599. Robin, bill 475; (iOO. Robir 472 601. Bluebird 475 INTRODUCTION. The classification, nomenclature, and numeration used in this book are those of the A. 0. U. Check-List of North American Birds, except that modern scientific usage has been followed in dropping the possessive form in the vernacular names of species, as Clarke nutcracker and Steller jay, instead of Clarke's nutcracker and Stel- ler's jay. The rulings of the nomenclature committee of the Amer- ican Ornithologists' Union have been followed, but new species upon which the committee has not yet ruled have been included in foot- notes under their proper places. In the matter of authorities, Ridgway's Manual of North Ameri- can Birds, his Hummingbird paper, and Birds of North and Middle America (Parts I. and II.) have been used at all points as standard authorities, and the substance of keys and descriptions frequently quoted. In the general treatment of species various authorities have been followed. General Characters. — These summaries of technical characters have been abridged from the generic descriptions in Parts I. and II. of Ridgway's Birds of North and Middle America, his monograph on the Hummingbirds, and Coues's Key to North American Birds. Measu7'ements. — The measurements have been taken from the second edition of Ridgway's Manval of North American Birds, from Parts I. and II. of North and Middle America, with the millimeters converted into inches, and, in the case of species not included in these books, from the original descriptions. Nest and Eggs. — Descriptions of nests and eggs are taken mainly from Bendire's Life Histories of North American Birds, Ridgway's Manual, second edition, IVie Auk, TJie Condor, The Osprey, Tlie Nidologist, The Ornithologist and Oologist, Ooss's Hi rds of Kansas, The Biological Survey llecords, and from specimens in the Bendire and Ralph collections of the United States National Museum. xxvi INTRODUCTION Food. — Food notes have been made up mainly from Bendire's Life Histories, Fisher's Hawks and Owls of the United States, Goss's Birds of Kansas, and the records of the Biological Survey. Distribution. — The distributions have been compiled from the manuscript maps and reports of the Biological Survey, and the North American Fauna, (3) San Francisco Mountain, Arizona ; (7) Death Valley, and (16) Mount Shasta, California; (23) Hudson Bay; (5) Idaho; (21) The Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia; and (14) The Tres Marias Islands, Mexico; The A. 0. U. Check-List of North American Birds; Belding's Land Birds of California; Bendire's Life Histories of North American Birds; Bruner's Birds of Nebraska ; Bryant's Birds and Eggs of the Farallon Islands; Cooke's Bird Mi gration in the Mississippi Valley, and Birds of Colorado; Fannin's Check-List of British Columbia Birds; Goss's Birds of Kansas; Grin- nell's Birds of the Pacific Slope of Los Angeles County; Loomis's Cali- fornia Water Birds; Macoun's Catalogue of Canadian Birds; Mc- Gregor's Pacific Coast Avifauna; and Sillo way's Summer Birds of Flathead Lake, Montana; together with local lists in The Auk, The Bulletin of the Cooper Ornithological Club, The Condor, and The Osprey. Illustrations. — The new heads and full figures of birds are by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, the outlines by Miss Frauceska Weiser, the old material from drawings of Louis Agassiz Fuertes, Ernest Thomp- son Seton, Robert Ridgway, John L. Ridgway, and Frank Bond, published previously by the Smithsonian Institution, the Biological Survey, The Auk, The Osprey, and Houghton, Mifiiiu & Company in Birds of Village and Field and A-Birding on a Bronco. COLLECTING AND PREPARING BIRDS, NESTS, AND EGGS. By Vernon Bailey. Collecting Birds. — Our present knowledge of birds and their classification has come from a study of specimens, of the dead bird in the flesh, of crops and stomachs, stuffed skins, and skeletons ; and without this foundation the study of birds would not have its deep interest and meaning nor its practical bearing on the economy of our lives. Even our enjoyment of the birds in life, their beauty, song, and friendship, would be far less than it is without the un- derlying knowledge of their life history, the place they fill, and their importance to us. INTRODUCTION xxvii Naturalist collectors are far from being the ruthless destroyers of life they are often supposed to be. It is, indeed, those who collect the birds, study them most deeply, and know them best, who are doing the most for their protection. Most ornithologists have begun their study of birds by making private collections, and have turned the knowledge thus gained to the best good of the birds, while their collections have finally gone to museums, where they could benefit the greatest number of students. In most museums, it is true, there are large collections of bird skins, often hundreds of specimens of a single species, showing every shade of variation due to age, sex, season, moult, and wear of plumage, aud endless geographic variation over a wide range of country ; but to many of those who have the best chance to study the birds in life these collections are inaccessible. There are still unknown, rare, and little known species of birds that must be obtained before our knowledge of our own species can be approximately complete and our system of classification firmly established. But the more immediate and pressing question before the young ornithologist is how to identify tlie obscure species and the females and young of better known birds. In many cases the bird must be shot to be identified, and not infrequently it must be sent to some large museum collection for comparison for satisfactory determination. Collecting, therefore, has not only a legitimate but fundamental place in ornithology as a scientific study. Memurements. — It should be borne in mind that measurements are not infallible, and even where the maximum and minimum of a series are given, still larger or smaller specimens may be found. In many cases measurements are useless in determining characters, but in others they are the all important differences between species and subspecies. The total length is the most variable measurement, and when taken from a skin instead of a bird in the flesh is only intended to give a general idea of the size of the bird. In quoting Mr. Ridgway's measurements throughout this book the word 'about' has been omitted from his lengths, as it applies to all length measurements. Lengths are taken from the birds in the flesh, if not specifically stated to be from skins. All measurements in the book arc in inclies. Wing, tail, bill, and tarsus measurements are the important ones in most species, especially so because they can be taken from the dry skin as well as from the fresh specimens. Mea- surements should be taken in the following manner: — IjengOi. — Yvom. tip of bill to tip of tail. To get this lay the xxviii INTRODUCTION bird on its back on a rule or tape-measure, with neck and body straight. Wing. — From the front of the bend of the wrist joint of the wing to the tip of the longest feather. This can be taken with either tape or dividers. Tail. — From the extreme base of the tail to its tip. To get this exactly place one point of the dividers at the base of the tail be- tween the two middle tail feathers, and the other point of the dividers at the tip of the tail. Bill. — From edge of feathers on top i)f bill to tip of bill. When it would be necessary to part the feathers to reach the base of the bill the expression ' exposed culmen ' is used for the mea- surement. Tarsus. — From heel joint to angle of toe with tarsus. If this is difficult to determine, put the dividers on the outside and bend the toes. Middle toe. — From angle of tarsus and toes to base of claw, the length of the claw not being taken unless specified. Such measurements as length of toes, depth of bill at base, at nostril, etc., and relative lengths of certain feathers and spots and markings can usually be taken most accurately and conveniently with dividers. Making bird skins. — For making bird skins a few simple tools and materials are needed, — two sizes of scalpels or slender-bladed knives for skinning, a pair of stout, sharp scissors, and a pair of forceps, some powdered arsenic and corn -meal, cotton (for large species tow), a round-pointed needle, thread, and labels. The English sparrow is a good bird to begin with and practice on until skins can be made that are worth keeping, an end not attained without patient and painstaking effort. Having shot a bird, examine it for bloody or soiled spots, and sprinkle any that are found with corn -meal or fine sand, and plug the throat with cotton to keep any blood or liquids from coming out and soiling the feathers. If an eye is broken remove it with the forceps, and fill the orifice with cotton and corn-meal, to prevent the fluids from soiling the feathers of the head. To keep the bird from injury until you can skin it, make a paper cornucopia, and after smoothing the feathers drop the bird in bill first ; then fold together the gaping edges of the cornucopia, and your bird will carry safely in your game-bag or hunting-coat pocket. INTRODUCTION xxix Skinning. — Place the bird on its back with its bill to your left, and part the feathers along the breast and belly. In most species a strip of naked skin will appear. Holding the feathers back with the thumb and finger of the left hand, cut with a down stroke of the scalpel just through the skin from about the middle of the sternum back to the vent. Catch the edge of the skin at one side, and with the end of the scalpel handle or your fingers work it back from the body until the knee-joint of the leg appears, sprinkling in plenty of corn-meal as you go to absorb blood and juices and keep your fingers dry and the feathers from sticking. Cut the bone at the knee-joint with scissors or knife, and draw it up out of the flesh, which can be cut off nearer the heel and left fast to the carcass. Loosen the skin farther back, then treat the other side in the same manner, fre- quently using corn-meal. Then turn the bird's bill from you, and cut across below the tail to the bone, and either unjoint or snip the bone with the scissors just in front of the base of the quills, keeping the forefinger of the left hand at a point opposite on the outside as a guide to prevent cut- ting the skin, and work the skin up over the rump. At this point a small hook, suspended in front and hooked into the bird's rump, will help the beginner, but he will soon learn to hold up the body between the tips of the first two fingers of the left hand, using the thumb and third or little finger of the same hand to draw down the skin as he cuts with the scalpel in the right. Work the skin from the edges, being careful not to stretch it. As the wings are reached draw them back out of the skin to near the second joint, break the first bone in the middle and remove the flesh. Keep the body well sprinkled with meal, and work the skin carefully down over the neck to the head \mtil the ears appear, picking them out rather than cutting them off ; then working the skin along mainly with the finger nails over the eyes (cutting the transparent membrane without injury to the lids), and carrying it down to the base of the bill. Next remove the eyes and cut off the base and lower part of the skull, which can be done so as to leave brains, tongue, and fleshy part of mouth atta(;he(l to the neck, and the skull and bill clean and free attached to the skin. If any bits of flesh or fat have been left on the skin, remove them, and then dust dry arsenic over the inside of the skin, fill the eye sockets with pellets of cotton, and reverse the skin by pushing the bill carefully back through the neck. With the beginner the skin will become dry before it is ready to be turned back, and will need moistening, but after some practice the XXX INTRODUCTION whole process of skinning should take only from two to four min- utes. As soon as the skin is turned back, the feathers should be smoothed and arranged, the eyelids adjusted, and the edges of the opening of the skin laid together before it is put down. Stuffing. — For the sparrow, take a short thick piece of cotton — tow for large birds — that will make a form the size of the body that has been removed from the skin, and press it firmly together with the fibers all one way. To fill the skull and make a firm neck, pinch one end of the cotton flat and double it over twice, holding it firmly after each time between the thumb and finger of the left hand. Then catch the hard compact point of cotton between the forceps in a position to hold it securely and push it into the bird skin, forcing the point up through the neck and base of the skull, catching it again with the left thumb and finger in the mouth of the bird. Loosen and draw out the forceps, but hold the cotton in the mouth until the skin is drawn back and adjusted over the stufiing, and superfluous bits of cotton removed or tucked in. Then draw together the edges of the skin and catch with a couple of stitches. When the wings have been put in place under the feathers at the sides, and the feathers properly arranged and smoothed, the skin is ready to be labeled and wrapped in a thin film of cotton. Then the bill can be tied shut with a thread and the bird laid away to dry. A beginner's skins are often greatly distorted, and only practice can teach the correct amount of cotton to use and its proper form and proportions. The best way is to keep in mind the size and form of the bird's body, and try to reproduce them. Be careful not to make bulging or weak necks. Leave each skin straight and symmetrical when put away to dry, and each feather back in its original place. Labeling. — Skins should be fully labeled with locality, date, sex, number, and collector's name, while such additional data as color of eyes, bill, feet, or any parts that fade, notes on breeding or locality where taken, stomach contents, etc., can be placed on the back of the label or kept in a catalogue under the number of each specimen. V)i Collection of Vernon Bailey. s^l Washingto'n, P. C.^ ^Vcx^ ^H- 190 2 V.B. 8exing. — To determine the sex, cut through the side of the ab- dominal wall, push away the intestines, and close against the small INTRODUCTION xxxi of the back, if the bird is a male, you will see the two oval, usually light colored testes, — in the breeding season large and conspicuous, at other seasons small, and, in immature specimens, often difficult to find. If the bird is a female, in place of the two oval bodies there will be the ovary, a mass of splierical ovules, large or small ac- cording to the season, and often obscure in immature specimens. The male sign is Mars' arrow ( $ ), the female, Venus' mirror ( $> ). Collecting and preserving eggs. — Egg collecting is justifiable only when the collector's earnestness of purpose warrants the sacrifice of happy bird homes, and no amount of pains and care should be spared to make each set a permanent and valuable illustration of the life history of the species. So far as possi])le only complete sets of fresh eggs should be taken. An incomplete set is of sec- ondary importance, and eggs in which incubation is advanced are not worth troubling with unless very rare. The first step is to identify the nest positively, which, in cases of rare species, can often be done only by collecting one or both of the birds. Eggs are worse than worthless if there is any question of their identity. The next step should be to photograph the nest from at least two points, one to show general setting and one at closer range to give detail of form and structure. Then notes should be made on the position, structure, and materials of the nest, the actions of the old ))ir(ls, and the manner of identification, etc. When possible the nest should also be collected. Each egg should be wrapped in cotton and each set packed snugly in a wooden box with plenty of cotton for carrying home. The tools necessary for blowing eggs are a slender blowpipe and two drills, large and small, which can be bought of any dealer in naturalist's supplies. For drilling, hold the Qgg lightly between the thumb and two fingers of the left hand, and placing the sharp point of tlie drill against the side twirl it evenly with a slight pressure until it sinks into the shell, grinding out a smooth round hole which points down- ward, from tlie size of a pin-head in a fresh sparrow's Qgg to an eighth of an inch in diameter in a larger or partly incubated Qgg. In much incubated eggs it is often necessary to make a mueh larger opening. A fine stream of air should be forced into the Qgg witliout touching the lilowpipe to the opening, and the contents gently forced out. AVlien the sliell is empty, with mouth full of water blow a stream into it and rinse out thoroughly, afterwanls blow iiui" all the water out and laying carefull}- away to dry. xxxii INTRODUCTION Incubated eggs, though almost at the point of hatching, are made by experts into nearly perfect specimens. Following their methods, drill the hole and then coat the shell with flexible collodion. After removing a small part of the fluid, if the egg is small, insert a solution of pepsin or of chlorinated soda, — Labarraque's solution, — and let the egg stand for a few hours, after which blow out the softened portion of the contents. Add more of the solution, and let the eggs stand again, keeping on until you have emptied the shell. Large eggs may be treated with a solution of caustic potash, care being necessary not to allow the alkali to touch the shell. To prevent accident it is well to have a basin of water near in which to immerse the egg if necessary. The collodion is removed after the completion of the work by the use of ether. Each set of eggs and each nest should be kept in a box, with a label something like the following, from the Bendire and Ralph collection in the National Museum : — A. 0. U. No. Scientific name,! Private No. Common name,_ Collector, Locality,. Date, No. of Egg-s in Set, Identification, Incubation, Nest : Diameter, Depth, Composed of Location, _ Of whom and when received,. Nests should be kept in boxes to fit their size. Great care should be taken to protect them from moths and other destructive INTRODUCTION xxxiii iusects, as not only wool but hair and all other animal substances will be eaten and the nests ruined if they are not well looked after. The best protection for a nest is a spray of a solution of corrosive sub- limate, which can be used in a common atomizer, — with a warning red label, bearing the word ' Poison.' NOTE-TAKING, NOTE-BOOKS, AND JOURNALS. The value of collections is increased many fold by the tield-notes which accompany the specimens, and the bird lover who docs not collect may add most valuable material to our meagre knowledge of tlie life histories of our birds. A compact, statistical journal may be made, as Mr. Chapman ^ and Mr. Felger^ suggest by means of a ' roll or time book,' or any sheets ruled in squares in pad form and punched along the sides to fasten into a cardboard cover. The squares should be used for daily records, the top or top and margin being used for headings, such as locality, zone, zonal plants and trees, slope exposure, temperature, condition of weather, direction and force of wind, amoimt of rainfall or snowfall, advance of vegetation, new insects abroad, indications of mating and of nest-building, number of nests found with eggs and with nestlings, number of young on the wing, condition of plumage, stage of moult, food, food habits, stomacli contents of specimens taken, time spent in field, number of birds seen in fiocks, number seen in migration flights. For more detailed life history notes, card catalogues, with family, generic, and specific divisions, are popular with many ornithologists. A convenient form of field journal is a pad punched at the sides to fit into a stilf cover, each sheet to be devoted to a species so that the sheets can be slipped out and arranged by species, alphabeti- cally. On the return from the field these can be dropped into box manuscript trays and arranged by the check-list. LIFE ZONES. The physical geographies have long taught the division of the earth into life zones, from the arctic to the tropical regions, with th Hamlbook of liirds of Kastn-n North America, pp. 'JO-'-"J. ''■ " Pluu for Recording Field Notea," JAc Auk, xix. 18"J-193. xxxiv INTRODUCTION along these lines in Europe and eastern North America. But it is only within recent years that the Biological Survey carried on by the government has studied the old familiar generalizations in the western states in detail and mapped the life zones of the United States as a whole. The generally accepted theory that the distribution of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and plants depends on temperature has been demonstrated by Dr. Merriam as a physical law that ' ' the northward distribution of terrestrial animals and plants is governed by the sum of the positive temperatures for the entire season of growth and reproduction, and that the southward distribution is governed by the mean temperature of a brief period during the hottest part of the year."i With this as the working basis he has divided the United States into three parts, having the northern (Boreal), south ern (Austral), and intermediate (Transition) climates and flora and fauna. By subdivision seven zones are made, known as Alpine, Hudsonian, Canadian, Transition, Upper Sonoran, Lower Sonoran, and Tropical. East of the hundredth meridian, which, broadly speaking, is the dividing line between the eastern or humid and western or arid sections, the Austral zone is known as Austral rather than Sonoran, and divided into Alleghanian, Carolinian, and Austroriparian Faunas. The Aljnne Zone lies above the limit of trees, and is characterized by dwarf shrubs and plants, the polar bear, arctic fox, reindeer, the snow bunting, snowy owl. ptarmigan, pipit, and leucosticte. The Hiidsonian Zone is marked by dwarfed timber along "the northern or higher parts of the great transcontinental coniferous forest,. . . stretching from Labrador to Alaska. It is inhabited by the wolverine, woodland caribou, moose, great northern shrike, pine bullfinch, and white-winged crossbill." ^ On Mt. Shasta its only trees are the black alpine hemlock and white -barked pine, its character- istic mammal is the cony {Ochotona), and its characteristic bird the Clarke crow. It is also frequented by the sooty grouse, western goshawk, "Williamson sapsucker, rufous hummingbird, Oregon jay, pine siskin, junco, Audubon and hermit warblers, creeper, red- breasted nuthatch, kinglets, and solitaire.^ 1 Merriam's " Laws of Temperature Control of the Geographic Distribution of Ter- restrial Animals and Plants," National Geographic Magazine, vi. 229-238. 2 Merriam, C. Hart, " Life Zones and Crop Zones of the United States," Bull. No. 10, Biological Survey ; " Geographic Distribution of Animals and Plants in North America," Yearbook of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, 1804. 3 Merriam, C. Hart, North American Fauna, No. IG, " Result of a Biological Survey 10.5 100 Se^, / f ^^^, . ^'^Qr, As Si O/v ^iB'c^r O/vr An. ^ ^ NORTflS The tluttcJ parts of the So of the (in at Plains indicate the V^ealeru of the humid divimuns or thtsf Zones. I 115 1,1 FK ZONKS BY C. HAKT MEKRIAM INTRODUCTION xxxv The Canadian Zone comprises " the southern or lower part of the great transcontinental coniferous forest." It is the zone of firs, spruces, and white pines, which on Mt. Shasta are represented by the Shasta fir and the silver pine. One of its characteristic animals is tlie mountain beaver, and it has also the porcupine, pine squirrel, bear, wild cat, wolf, and other mammals. It is the home of the crossbill, Lincoln sparrow, and Arctic three-toed woodpecker, and frequented by birds found in the Hudsonian zone, such as the sooty grouse, rufous hummingbird, siskin, juncos, warblers, kinglets, and solitaire, together with a number found also in the next lower zone (the Transition), such as the wiiite-headed, hairy, and pileated woodpeckers, nighthawk, olive-sided, Hammond, Wright, and west- ern flycatchers, Steller jay, Louisiana tanager, Macgillivray war- bler, and robin. TJie Tramition Zone, in wdiich northern and southern elements of flora and fauna often overlap, is characterized in the west by the yellow pine {Pinus ponderosa), several species of oaks and manza- nita. together with buck brush and sage brush. Some of the char- acteristic mammals are the big gray pine squirrel, the gray fox, and various species of chipmunks, spermophiles, and pocket go- phers. Among birds there are the western wood pewee, Gairdner woodpecker, Lewis woodpecker, California pygmy owl, green-tailed towhee, pygmy nuthatch, red-breasted sapsucker, and Brewer spar- row, mixed with many species from the Upper Sonoran, the zone below, such as the California jay, valley quail, California wood- pecker, and spurred towhee. The Upper Sonoran Zone of the west is characterized by junipers, pinon, and various oaks, jack rabbits, cottontails, five-toed kangaroo rats, and several species of wood rats, the canyon wren, western lark sparrow, California chewink, and California bush-tit, while many Transition zone species also occur. The Lower Sonoran Zone, coming next above the Tropical zone, is the zone of the hot valleys, where live-oaks, mcsquites, and creo- sote bushes abound, and the characteristic manunals and birds are the four-toed kangaroo rat, cotton rat, and spotted skunk, the mocking])ird, nonpareil, verdin. pyrrhuloxia, road-runner, caracara, white-necked raven, phainopephi, and scaled quail. of Mt. Shasta; " ynrth American Fmuta, No. 3, " Results of a Biological Survey of San Francisco Mountain Region and Desert of tlie Little Colorado; " " Tin' Geographic Dis- tribution of Life in North America, with Si»ecial Reference to the Mammalia," Proc. Biol. Sue. Wash. vii. April, Ib'J'J, 1-04. xxxvi INTRODUCTION Birds are naturally less restricted to zones than mammals and plants, and in the field the question of correlating them to zones is rendered difficult by the modifying conditions which complicate the zones themselves. Local conditions are constantly being met which produce a change of temperature within a zone, resulting in the intrusion of a tongue of a higher or lower zone. Forest fires make an artificial change in zones, a Canadian fir forest sometimes being replaced by Transition zone chaparral. Natural modifying conditions are many, and not always so patent. Slope exposure is the most important. If a ridge runs north and south, its southwest- ern slope, which receives the hot afternoon sun, will have, we may say, a Transition zone flora and fauna, while its cold northeast slope will have a Canadian zone flora and fauna. A cold mountain stream, on the other hand, will bring down the flora and fauna of one or two higher zones ; and Canadian and even Hudsonian plants and trees bordering such a stream may thrive on its banks in the Transition zone. So many other modifying conditions are found that the determi- nation of zones is a complex matter, and must be based largely on the study of trees and shrubs, as they are the most stable part of the life of a region. In relating the flora to the fauna the greatest care should be taken with the bird life, as a bird can at will change his zone by a few hours' travel. Zonal notes should always be accom- panied by dates, as breeding zones alone are of much significance, birds wandering widely after the breeding season. The Lewis woodpecker is a striking example of this, for, while breeding in Transition zone, after the breeding season it wanders up into Cana- dian and down even into Lower Souoran zone in its search for mast. Most mountain birds that do not migrate to the south change their zones in this way, Canadian zone birds being found in Upper and Lower Sonoran zones in fall and winter. MIGRATION. Many birds wander widely east and west after the breeding sea- son, and some even go north for a short distance. With many mountain birds the wandering movements after the breeding season amount to a vertical migration. Birds, like the grouse and quail and certain species of juucos, that make only a vertical migration merely come down from the snow-covered mountains into the warm valleys. A number of hummingbirds perform vertical migrations INTRODUCTION xxxvii between their first and second broods, following the seasons of flowers from the valleys where they raise their first broods, to the mountain parks, where they rear a second family, retreating rapidly down the mountain as soon as the frosts kill the flowers. Among land birds a north and south migration is not as vital in the west as the east, especially for the seed-eaters, for the lowland winters are so mild that the food supply is not as extensively de- stroyed as in the east, and accordingly a much larger number of birds winter in the valleys of the western states than in the eastern. But while the western north and south migratory movement is less striking, the absence of winter birds less felt than in the east, the vertical migrations, from the superior height of the mountains and the preponderance of the mountain ranges, assume great impor- tance; and accordingly, while the total winter population may be large, the species in a locality will be markedly different in summer and winter. Careful notes should be taken on all these phases of the migratory movements to ascertain the exact migratory habits of each species of bird, and the character of the bird population in every season. As the mildness of climate which lessens the impulse to south- ward migration in the western land birds does not affect the water birds breeding in the arctic regions, the southward migration is found in full force along the coast. At suitable points, like j\Ion- terey, vast multitudes of birds may be seen passing on their way from the arctic regions to the southern seas, and migration waves and other phenomena studied to the best advantage. IMr. Loomis's observations at IVIonterey have thrown a great deal of light on this most interesting subject, and demonstrated the richness of the field for future investigations. ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY. The question of the food of birds assumes peculiar importance in the west from the extent of the fruit industry, and the con.sequcnt magnitude of the depredations of insect and rodent pests. Birds if left to themselves keep down the insect life, and the (juestion is in each case if the harm a bird does in eating fruit in June equals the good he does the rest of the year in eating scale insects and other pests that take off the profits of fruit growing. As it is a matter of statistics, observers should make careful field notes on what birds are actuallv seen eating, and especially careful records of the stom- xxxviii INTRODUCTION ach contents of birds shot. When these cannot be determined with- out microscopes and collections of insects and seeds for comparison, the stomachs should be sent for examination to Professor F. E, L. Beal, of the Biological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Wash- ington, D. C.i In general it may be said that the thousands of stomachs which have already been examined have shown that birds are divided into three classes, — 1. Those that are injurious at all times, as the three accipitrine hawks, which live mainly on small birds, game, and poultry. 2. Those that are injurious part of the year and beneficial the rest of the time, such as blackbirds that come in hordes in the fall and destroy the crops, but which when scattered out over the coun- try at other times of the year do an immense amount of good by de- stroying in j virions insects. 3. Those that are beneficial at all times, as many hawks and owls and a large number of insectivorous and weed-seed-eating birds. As Professor Beal says: " If crows or blackbirds are seen in num- bers about cornfields, or if woodpeckers are noticed at work in an orchard, it is perhaps not surprising that they are accused of doing harm. Careful investigation, however, often shows that they are actually destroying noxious insects ; and also that even those which do harm at one season may compensate for it by eating noxious species at another. Insects are eaten at all times by the majority of land birds, and during the breeding season most kinds subsist largely and rear their young exclusively on this food. When insects are unusually plentiful, they are eaten by many birds which do not ordinarily touch them. Even birds of prey resort to this diet, and when insects are more easily obtained than other fare, the smaller hawks and owls live on them almost entirely. This wa§ well illus- trated during the recent plague of Rocky Mountain locusts in the western states, when it was found that locusts were eaten by nearly every bird in the region, and that they formed almost the entire food of a large majority of the species."^ 1 The Survey will furnish, on application, blank schedules for recording data, tags for numbering the stomachs, and franked envelopes for mailing. When collected, the stomachs (crops and gizzards) should be placed in alcohol or formalin for at least a week. Before forwarding to the department, they should be taken from the fluid, spread out on a newspaper, and dried for several hours, then placed in a baking powder can or cigar box, wrapped with a franked envelope on the outside, and mailed. The collector will be reimbursed for the outlay for alcohol, and will receive five cents apiece for a limited number of stomachs of certain species. 2 Beal, F. E. L., " Some Common Birds in their Relation to Agriculture," Farmer^s Bulletin, No. 54, U. S. Department of Agriculture. INTRODUCTION xxxix As birds are the check nature has put upon insect life, the pro- blem is a grave one. How shall we profit by the good offices of the birds, and prevent the injury they in turn are capable of doing to our crops ? In the east Professor Beal has found that birds as a rule prefer wild fruit to cultivated, and are drawn away from the orchard and garden by the cultivation of wild fruit-bearing bushes. In parts of the west the mulberry and elder and pepper are favorite bird foods, and might be useful for such purposes. The question is a large one, however, and can only be settled by patient study and investiga- tion on the part of earnest bird students. BIRD PROTECTION. By T. S. Palmer. Laws for the protection of birds are necessary even in sparsely settled regions. No place, however remote, is beyond the reach of the market hunter, provided a demand for game or feathers for millinery purposes exists, and prices are sufficient to warrant capture of the birds. Game birds have been shipped by thousands from the states beyond the Missouri River ; pelicans, terns, and gulls have been decimated along the gulf coast of Texas; and grebes have been slaughtered on their breeding grounds on distant lakes in the interior of Oregon, — all to supply eastern markets. To meet such conditions every western state and territory now has its game law ; but few of these laws protect all the birds within the state, and several of them are capal)le of being improved and made much more effective. From the legislative standpoint birds may be divided into three categories: (1) Game birds, such as quail and ducks, which are hunted at stated seasons for food or sport. (2) Non-game birds, such as thrushes and gulls, which are valuable as insect destroyers or scavengers, and hence are protected throughout the year. (3) Inju- rious species, such as the Engli.sh sparrow and the great horned owl, wliich are given no protection. Under the definition framed by the Committee on Protection of Birds of tlie American Orni- thologists'. Union, game birds are restricted to four or five well marked i^nrnps : the Anatid;e, comprising ducks, geese, and swans; the Kallidje, including rails, coots, and gallinules ; the Limicohe, or shore birds in general ; the Gallin;e, including (luails. pheasants, grouse, and wild turkeys; and (in s(mie states) the ('olumb;e. in- cluding wild pigeons and doves. All other birils are classed as xl INTRODUCTION non-game birds, and the few injurious species are mentioned by^ name. Such a division provides for all the birds, leaves no ambigu- ity as to which may be killed as game, and defines each group in the simplest and most satisfactory manner. A game law framed on this basis has been adopted with excellent results in some states, but in the west is still an ideal toward which to work rather than an accomplished fact. California, Colorado, and Nebraska have excellent laws for game birds, but they do not provide equally well for insectivorous species. Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming have comprehensive statutes for non-game birds, but do not afford complete protection to all their game birds. Game Birds. — Experience has shown that a modern game law must do much more than merely prohibit the killing of certain spe- cies at stated times. It must regulate methods of hunting, restrict shipment and sale, and also prescribe means for carrying its pro- visions into execution. It should contain the declaration that all wild birds and animals are the property of the state. This fact, based on the decisions of the highest courts, is now generally ac- cepted, but it is well to have it incorporated in the law, as is the case in the game laws of Colorado, Texas, and other states. Next in importance is a comprehensive definition of game birds like that given above. Another important point not fully appreciated is that a law which jy^'oMhits killing certain species is much less effective and permanent than one which simply permits, by declaring that it shall be unlawful to kill or have in possession ' any birds except as hereinafter provided.' This simple statement renders the law to a certain extent automatic, since all birds will be protected until pro- vided with an open season. Changes in season, the bane of game legislation, cannot be made so readily without attracting attention, and if, as often happens, a proposed change in season fails of enact- ment, the species is left with complete protection instead of being without protection as under the old method. Little need be said as to seasons except that they should conform as nearly as possible to those of adjoining states. With improved guns, smokeless powder, and other modern appliances for hunting, no state can afford to maintain an open season from the time the birds are mature until they begin to breed the following year, for no species can withstand such an ordeal and not be locally exterminated in a few years. Open seasons are constantly growing shorter, and as they undergo change should be shifted to correspond more and more closely with those of other states. Above all, spring shooting should be abolished, and INTRODUCTION xli the close season begin as near the first of January as possible. Big- guns are very properly made illegal, and an unsuccessful attempt was recently made in California to prevent the use of magazine or ' pump guns,' on the ground that they were too destructive. The same might be said of the air gun or parlor rifle, which in the hands of the reckless small boy is not only an effective but a dan- gerous weapon of destruction. Night hunting in all its forms, bait- ing, pursuing game with launches or even sailboats, are condemned by true sportsmen, and should all be prohibited. Trapjiing and netting should likewise be made illegal, but with some provision for taking a reasonable number of birds for propagation under the super- vision of competent state officers. Restrictions on the trade are becoming more general and more necessary every year. Prohibition of shipment out of the state is effective if it can be enforced, and it can be made easier to enforce if transportation of all game for market purposes is prohibited, as is done in Iowa and Texas, but with some provision for carrying a limited amount of game for private pur- poses. Sale is the keynote to the situation, and if it can be pro- hibited the question of protection will be greatly simplified. It is now prohibited in a number of states, and probably the day is not far distant when most if not all game birds will be withdrawn from sale. Non-game Birds. — Even more important than laws for the pro- tection of game birds (because applying to a much larger number of species) are the statutes for the preservation of birds which are not game, and which apply to ' song,' 'insectivorous,' and ' plume' birds. In order to accomplish their purpose they must be compre- hensive, and as already stated the}' should cover all birds except game birds and a few injurious species mentioned by name. If made applicable to certain species, or even to song, insectivorous, or plume birds, some species are sure to be omitted, and often these will be the very ones most in need of protection. Not only killing, but also nest robbing, trapping, possession, shipment, and sale should be prohibited. The traffic in cage birds, unless clieckcd by strict regulations, may sometimes decimate certain species, particu- larly those distinguished for their vocal powers or bright colors. A provision prohibiting possession of plumage or ' any part of a bird ' is necessary to prevent sale of birds for millinery purposes, and overcome the objection which is sonu'times raised that proliibitions against th(! killing and possession of a bird do not apply to its plumage or to one of its wings when used as a hat decoration. dii INTRODUCTION On the other hand, provision must be made for collecting birds for scientific purposes, both for educational institutions and for private collections, and also forkeeping birds in captivity for study or as pets. These requirements can readily be met by having per- mits issued under the supervision of some state ofiicer to properly accredited collectors and students. In case it is desirable to allow certain birds to be kept in captivity, sale and shipment out of the state should be prohibited in order to avoid abuse of the privilege and prevent wholesale bird-trapping for market, i Injurious Species. — In every state there are a few injurious spe- cies from which protection should be withdrawn. In general these species comprise the English sparrow, great horned owl, goshawk, duck hawk, sharp-shinned hawk. Cooper hawk, crow, linnet or house finch, and occasionally some of the blackbirds. Sweeping provisions excluding hawks and owls from protection should be carefully avoided, as most of the species are beneficial, and a clause covering birds of prey in general without naming the injurious species will result chiefly in the destruction of those which are bene- ficial. It is useless to attempt anything more by legislation than simple removal of protection. No means have yet been devised by which an injurious species can be legislated out of existence, and the various methods which have been advocated have almost uniformly resulted in failure. Bounties for birds and eggs have little effect except to drain the state or county treasury. The Colorado hawk bounty, which was in force from 1877 to 1885, seems to have re- sulted chiefly in the diminution of the sparrow hawk, one of the most useful birds in destroying grasshoppers. The Utah bounty on English sparrows, in force since 1888, has not exterminated the spar- row in the state, and the provision of 1896, offering five cents per dozen for eggs, must have resulted disastrously to the native birds, for a year or two after it went into effect reports showed that in Weber County alone payments had been made on 990 dozen (nearly 12,000) eggs, while during the same period only 640 sparrows had been presented for bounty. The sparrow bounties in Illinois and Michigan and the hawk and owl bounty in Pennsylvania all failed to accompbi^h their objects, although each cost the state from $50,000 to $100,000. The expense attending bounty legislation can be readily illustrated by the records of payments for coyotes and 1 The bill prepared by the Committee on Protection of Birds of the American Orni- thologists' Union covers all of these points. See " Legislation for the Protection of Birds other than Game Birds," Bulletin No. 12, Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. Agricul- ture, pp. 56-60, 1902. INTRODUCTION xliii wolves in Wyoming, Montana, and California. The coyote bounty law in California remained in force only four years, but actually cost the state $187,48."), while the claims tiled aggregated about §400,000.1 In the west bounties on birds are now paid only in Utah and Oregon, and in the latter state are restricted to cormorants and sheldrakes. Enforcement. — The enforcement of game laws depends largely on public sentiment. Although most of the western states have game wardens, the laws are not enforced as they should be. Better results are attained where local wardens are under the authority of a state officer or state board. Unfortunately the liberal appropriations neces- sar}^ to meet the expenses incident to warden service are not often available, but game protection might be made almost self-support- ing if the money derived from licenses, fines, sale of contraband game, and similar sources, were all turned into a state game pro- tection fund instead of going into several different funds, no one of which is available for work of this kind. A potent influence in bird protection is the federal law popularly known as the Lacey Act, which went into effect on ]\Iay 25. 1900. Under this act interstate commerce in birds killed in violation of local laws is prohibited, and through cooperation between federal and state authorities statutes which were formerly dead letters are now being enforced. The chief value of the law, however, lies in the interest in protection which it has aroused throughout the coun- try even among persons who formerly gave the subject no thought. Largely through its influence game protection is now being estab- lished on broader lines, rapid progress is being made in legislation, and the laws are better observed than ever before. LOCAL LISTS. LIST OF BIRDS IN THE VICINITY OF PORTLAND, OREGON. By a. W. Anthony. The country rnibniccd in this list is about ten S(iuare miles in extent. The region between the city of Portland and the Columbia River perhaps furnishes most of the species, and is farming land divcr.sitied by forest land, brush iiatchcs, and low wet nieadow.s. which in winter are ponds ujion which are found all of our species ' Sec Pahiier, " Rxteriuination of Noxious AniuiaU by Bounties," Yearbook I>fjit. Agr./or 18%, pp. 55-G8. xliv INTRODUCTION of waterfowl. The high hills west of the city are less prolific. The heavy forest is cleared in places, offering homes for such species as white-crowned sparrows, juncos, and wrens, while the woodpeckers and forest-loving species dwell in the undisturbed parts of the region, which is as wild as a hundred years ago. Here also is found the russet-backed thrush nesting in the thickets and deep ravines. Colymhus nigricoUis calif orniciis : Eared Grebe. — Rather common on the ponds along the Columbia. Podilymbus podiceps : Pied-billed Grebe. — Common with the eared grebe. Gavia imber : Loon. — Seen only as a migrant. Larus glaucescens : Glaucons-wiiiged Gull. — Five species of gull are seen along the river during the winter, but the glaucous-winged is the com- monest. Larus argentatus : Herring Gull. Larus californicus : California Gull. Larus delaivarensis : Ring-billed Gull. Larus brachyrhynchus : Short-billed Gull (?). Phalacrocorax dilophus cincinatus : White-crested Cormorant. — In the winter a species is found on the river about Portland, which is probably the white-crested, but as no specimens have been taken I am in doubt about it. Merganser serrator : Red-breasted Merganser. — A common winter visitor. Lophodytes cucullatus : Hooded Merganser. — A winter visitant, less com- mon than the red-breasted. Anas boschas : Mallard. — Very common. Chaulelasmus streperus : Gadwall. — The gadwall and the baldpate are about equally common, but less so than most of the ducks found. Mareca americana : Baldpate. Spatula clypeata : Shoveller. — Common during fall and wintero Dajila acuta : Pintail. — Common during fall and winter. Aix si:>onsa : Wood Duck. — Common summer resident. A few winter about Portland. Aythya americana : Redhead. — Common in fall and winter. . Aythya vallisneria : Canvas-back. — Common in fall and winter. Chen hyperborea : Lesser Snow Goose. — One or more species of snow geese are common. During mild winters all the ducks and geese are apt to winter about Portland, but a hard season drives them south. Anser albifrons gavibeli : White-fronted Goose. — Common migrant. Branta canadensis minima : Cackling Goose. — Two or more races of canadensis are common, but the only species I have taken is the cack- ling goose. Olor columbiamis : Whistling Swan. — Not uncommon migrant and winter resident. Ardea herodias : Great Blue Heron. — Common in summer ; a few winter. Ardea virescens : Green Heron. — A few herons seen, probably of this species. Grus canadensis : Little Brown Crane. — Common fall migrant, but very rare in spring. Ballus virginianus : Virginia Rail. — Like the sora, more or less common, nesting in wet bottoms. Porzana Carolina : Sora. Fulica americaria : Coot. — Not very abundant ; nests. INTRODUCTION xlv Tringa minutilla : Least Sandpiper. — Abundant for a few days during migration. Tringa alpina pacijica : Red-backed Sandpiper. — Migrant ; less common tban the least or western sandpipere. Ereunetes occidentalis : Western Sandpiper. — Abundant during migration for a few days. Totanus melanoleucus : Greater Yellow-legs. — Migrant ; not uncommon. Symphemia semipalmata inornata : Western Willet. — Kather rare mi- grant. ^gialitis vocifera : Killdeer. — Common summer resident. Oreortyx pictus : Mountain Partridge. — Common resident. Dendragapus obscuriis fuliginosus : Sooty Grouse. — Common resident. Columha fasciata : Band-tailed Pigeon. — Not uncommon in suitable local- ities, but rare near Portland. Zenaidura macroura : Mourning Dove. — Common summer resident, Cathartes aura : Turkey Vulture. — Common summer resident. Circus hudsonius : Marsh Hawk.. — Rare. Accipiter velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Common, especially during mi- grations. Accipiter cooperii : Cooper Hawk. — Not common. Buteo borealis ralurus : Western Red-tail. — Common. Halifeetus leucocephalus : Bald Eagle. — Seen at times along the river. Falco peregrinus anatum : Duck Hawk. — Seen only once or twice. Falco columbarius : Pigeon Hawk. Falco columbarius suchleyi: Black Merlin. — The pigeon hawk and the black merlin are, perhaps, equally common ; more common during fall and winter. Megascops asio kennicottii : Kennicott Screech Owl. — Quite common among the oaks along the river. Bubo virginianus saturatus : Dusky Horned Owl. — Not unconmion in heavy timber. Nyctea nyctea : Snowy Owl. — A few have been taken near Portland in winter. Glaucidium gnoma californicum : California Pygmy Owl. — Rather com- mon ; often seen in the daytime. Coccyzus americanus occidentalis : California Cuckoo. — Rare ; a few seen in low marshy places along the Columbia. Ceryle alcyon : Belted Kingfisher. — Quite conmion along all water- courses. Dryobates villosus harrisii : Harris Woodpecker. — Common in all tim- ber. Dryobates pubescens gairdnerii : Oairdner Woodpecker. — Common in all timber. Sphyrapicus ruber notkensis : Northern Kcd-breasted Sapsucker. — Com- mon ; more often .seen in alder or dogwood than in fir growtli. Ceophbvus pileatns abieticola : Northern Piloated Woodpecker. — Less com- mon than fonnerly, but still found in heavy fir growth. Melanerpes torquatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Common summer resident. (Jolaptf'S cafer saturatior : Northwestern F'lieker. — Abundant resident. The flickers of this region ;ire not constant to any race. Vhahrnoptilus nuttallii calif ornicus : Dusky Poor-will. — A poor-will has been described to me. ('hordeiles virginianus : Nighthawk. — (^ommon summer resident. Clurtura rauxii: Vaux Swift. — Kather common summer resident. Selasj)horus rufns : Kiifous Hummingbird. — \ ery eonmion summer resi- dent. xlvi INTRODUCTION Tyrannus verticalis : Arkansas King-bird. — A kingbird is found at Port- land, but is rare, and the species not determined. Contopns borealis : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Common in tall firs. Contopus richardsonii : Western Wood Pewee. — Very common every- where ; often seen in shade trees about the city. Empidonax difficilis : Western Flycatcher. — Probably taken in migra- tion. Empidonax traillii : Traill Flycatcher. — Very common in alder and vine maple thickets. Alauda arvensis : Skylark. — Introduced. Common in open fields on the east side of the river ; not seen elsewhere. Otocoris alpestris strigata : Streaked Horned Lark. — Not uncommon in suitable localities. Pica pica hudsonica : American Magpie. — Not common ; a few are found along the Columbia. Cyanocitta stelleri : Steller Jay. — Common everywhere in the region of Portland. Aphelocoma californica : California Jay. — Rare ; more common during migrations. Perisoreus obscurus : Oregon Jay. — Rare. Corvus caurinus : Northwest Crow (?). — Crows are abundant, but species not determined. Sturnus vulgaris : Starling. — Introduced ; still rare. Agelaius phoiniceus caurinus : Northwestern Redwing. — More or less com- mon. Sturnella magna neglecta : Western Meadowlark. — Abundant resident. Icterus bullocki : Bullock Oriole. — Rather common in cottonwoods and oaks along the river. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus : Brewer Blackbird. — Abundant resident ; more common in open fields. Coccothraustes vespertinus montamis : Western Evening Grosbeak. — Abun- dant winter resident, flocking about the maples in the streets ; remark- ably tame. Carpodacus purpureus californicus : California Purple Finch. — Common in fields about the city. Loxia curvirostra minor : Crossbill. — Rare. Astragalinus tristis salicamans : Willow Goldfinch. — Abundant. Astragalinus psaltria : Arkansas Goldfinch. — Not uncommon. Spinus jnnus : Pine Siskin. — Not uncommon ; nests about the city in large firs (?). Passer domesticus : English sparrow. — Abundant in the city. Pocecetes gramineus affinis : Oregon Vesper Sparrow. — Common in open fields. Ammodramus sandwichensis : Sandwich Sparrow. — Specimens taken dur- ing migrations were nearer this form than any other, but not typical. Ammodramus sandu-ichensis alaudinus : Western Savanna Sparrow. — Com- mon in cultivated fields. Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii : Gambel Sparrow. — Common during mi- grations. Zonotrichia leucophrys nuitalli : Nuttall Sparrow. — Abundant summer resident ; nests in thickets and low brush. Zonotrichia coronata : Golden-crowned Sparrow. — Common during migra- tion for a few days. Spizella socialis arizonce : Western Chipping Sparrow. — Abundant sum- mer resident. Junco hyemalis oreganus : Oregon Junco. — Abundant resident. INTRODUCTION xlvii Melosjnza melodia morphna : Rusty Song- Sparrow. — Abundant resident. Melospiza liricoinii striata : Forbush Sparrow. — A sparrow probably of this species seen a few times during- niigrations. Passerella iliaca annectens : Yakutat Fox Sparrow. — Common winter resi- dent ; usually seen with rusty sparrows. Pipilo maculatus oregonus : Oregon Towhee. — Common resident ; found in thickets all about the city. Cardinalis cardinalis : Cardinal. — Several birds were relea.sed by a dealer a few years ag-o and are i^t\\\ seen in the residence part of the city. Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-headed Grosbeak. — Not uncommon. Cyanospiza avucna : Lazuli Bunting-. — Common along- the bottom lands of the Columbia. Piranya ludoviciana : Louisiana Tanager. — Common in the firs and alders, nesting- in the firs. Progne suhis hexperia : Western Martin. — Not common. PetrocheUdon Junifrons: Cliff Swallow. — Common. Hiruvdo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow. — Not common. Tachycineta bico/or : Tree Swallow. — Not common. Tachycineta thalassina lepida : Northern Violet-g-reen Swallow. — Very abundant ; nesting- in barns and outhouses, entering- through knot- holes. Eiparia riparia : Bank Swallow (?). Stelgidopteryx serripennis : Rough-wing-ed Swallow. — Of the bank and rough-wing- one or both have been seen, but neither is common. Ampelis cedrorum : Cedar Waxwing-. — Common summer resident. Lanius horealis : Northern Shrike. — Rare winter visitant. Vireo gilvus : AVarbling- Vireo. — Common ; ne.sts in the alder and dog-- wood thickets. Vireo solitarius cassinii : Cassin Vireo. — Common with the warbling-. Vireo huttoni obsciirus : Anthony Vireo. — Rare ; seen only about oaks. Dendroica cestiva : Yellow Warbler. — Very common everywhere about the city. Dendroica coronata : ^lyrtle Warbler. — Rare mig-rant. Dendroica audid>oni : Audubon Warbler. — Common ; nests in tlie small firs. Dendroica nigrescens : Black-throated Gray Warbler. — Common summer resident. Dendroica toicnxendi : Townsend Warbler. — Not rare. Dendroica occidentnlis : Hermit Warbler. — Not rare. (jfotldypia trichas arizela : Pacific Coast Yellow-throat. — Common in open fields about the water. Icteria virens longicandn : Long--tailed Chat. IJare ; seen only a few times. Wilsonia pusilla pileolata : Plleolated Warbler. Common summer resi- dent. Anffins pensilvanicus : Pipit. Common winter resident. Saljtinctes obsoletus : Bock Wren. Bare. T/iryonianes bevickii ccdophoniis : Vigoi-s Wren. — Common resident. Troglodytes a'edon ixirkmanii : Parknian Wren. — Common summer resi- di'ut.' Olbiorc/iilus hieiimlis jKicifirus : Western Winter Wren. Besident ; ('(Uii- mon in deep shaded thickets. Cistotfiorns p(dustris /laludiro/a : Tiile Wren. Not nncomuKiii in tlio marshes along tlie C()lunil)ia. Certhia familiaris occidenttdis : Californi.-jn Creeper. Resident in the fir forests ; not rare. xlviii INTRODUCTION Sitta carolinensis aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Common. Sitta canadensis : Red-breasted Nuthatch. — Common fall migrant ; does not seem to be so abundant in spring-. Parus atricapillus occidentalis : Oregon Chickadee. — "Very common resi- dent. Parus rufescens : Chestnut-backed Chickadee. — Common resident. Psaltriparus minimus : Bush-Tit. — Abundant resident. .-^ Regulus satrapa olivaceus : Western Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Abundant winter resident. Eegulus calendida : Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Common migrant. Myadestes townsendii : Townsend Solitaire. — Seen once or twice in the residence part of the city. Hylocichla ustulata : Russet-backed Thrush. — Common in the city and wooded thickets along the river. Hylocichla guttata : Alaska Hermit Thrush. — A few seen during migra- tions. Merula migratoria propinqiia : Western Robin. — Abundant ; a few win- ter. Ixoreus ncevius : Varied Thrush. — Abundant winter resident. Sialia mexicana occidentalis : Western Bluebird. — Common. LIST OF WATER BIRDS OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY. By William H. Kobbb. JEchmophorus occidentalis: Western Grebe. — Abundant throughout the winter and spring. Colymbus holbrdlii : Holboell Grebe. — Rare ; two winter visitants taken. Colymbus auritus : Horned Grebe. — Common winter visitant. Colymbus nigricollis californicus : American Eared Grebe. — Winter vis- itant, most commonly at Oakland and Alameda. Podilymbus podiceps : Pied-billed Grebe. — Common in the fall; probably resident in favorable situations. Gavia imber : Loon. — Spring migrant. Gavia jjacifica : Pacific Loon. — Common winter visitant. Gavia lumme : Red-throated Loon. — Winter visitant ; abundant about Oakland. Cyclorrhynchns psittaadus : Paroquet Auklet. — Winter visitant. Synthliboramphus antiquus : Ancient Murrelet. — Winter visitant. Brachyramphus marmoratus : Marbled Murrelet. — Taken off Goat Island by Bryant. Uria troile calif ornica : California Murre. — Visitant ; mainly fall, winter, and spring ; probably occurs in summer. Stercorarius parasiticus : Parasitic Jaeger. — Fall migrant. Rissa tridactyla poUicaris : Pacific Kittiwake. — Winter visitant. Larus delawarensis : Ring-billed Gull. — Common about Oakland from the last of autumn until summer. Larus glaucus : Glaucous Gull. — One noted by Cooper {Proc. Cal. Acad- emy of Sciences, iv. 9-10) and one seen by Kobb^. Larus glaucescens : Glaucous-winged Gull. — Abundant winter visitant. Larus occidentalis : Western Gull. — Abundant resident. Larus argentatus : Herring Gull. — Abundant winter visitant. Larus vegcie : Vega Gull. — Abundant winter visitant. Larus californicus : California Gull. — Abundant resident. Larus brachyrhynchus : Short-billed Gull. — Abundant from November to February. INTRODUCTION xlix Larus canus : Mew Gull. — Very abundant from November into February. Larus heermanni : Heerniaun Gull. — Abundant on bay in summer, rare in winter. Larus Philadelphia : Bonaparte Gull. — Common winter visitant. Xejua sabinii : Sabine Gull. — One taken by Lorquin. October (10 ?). Sterna caspia : Caspian Tern. — One taken by Bryant, December 2. Sterna viaxiina : Roval Tern. — One taken at Oakland bv Bryant, August 21. Sterna elegans : Elegant Tern. — One taken by Lansing, September IT. Sterna for steri : Forster Tern. — Winter visitant. Diomedea alhatrus : Short-tailed Albatross. — One taken near Goat Island by Bryant, March 10. Fubnarus glacialis glupischa : Pacific Fulmar. — Winter visitant. Phalacrocorax dilophus cincinatus : White-crested Cormorant. — Occurs in winter. Phalacrocorax dilophus albociliatus : Farrallone Cormorant. — Common resident. Phalacrocorax penicillatus : Brandt Cormorant. — Common resident. Phalacrocorax pelagicus : Pelagic Cormorant. — Common resident. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos : American White Pelican. — Rather rare win- ter visitant. Pelecanus calif amicus : California Brown Pelican. — Common winter visitant. Merganser americanus : Amei-ican Merganser. — Winter visitant. Merganser serrator : Red-breasted Merganser. — Spring and fall migrant. Anas hoschas : Mallard. — Winter visitant in all marshes bordering bay. Mareca ainericana : Baldj)ate. — Winter visitant at Vallejo and Oakland. Nettion carolinensis : Green-winged Teal. — Common in winter throughout the bay region. Querquedida discors : Blue-winged Teal. — Taken at Vallejo by Golcher. Querquednla cyanoptera : Cinnamon Teal. — Winter visitant at Vallejo. Spatula rlypeata : Shoveller. — Winter visitant. Dajila acuta : Pintail. — Fall and winter visitant at Miller, Marin County, and Vallejo. Aix sponsa : Wood Duck. — Taken by Slevin at Cordelia, November 8. Aythya vallisneria : Canvas-back. — Abundant winter visitant at ^^allejo. Aythi/a marila : Scaup Duck. — Winter visitant to all parts of bay. Aythya affinis : Lesser Scaup Duck. — Winter visitant at Vallejo and Oak- land. Aythya collaris : Ring-necked Duck. — Two taken by Hornung, February '>. Clangula clangula americana : American Golden-eye. — Fall and winter visitant. Clangula islandica : Barrow Golden-eye. — Two taken by Bryant, Novem- ber It) and December •">. Charitiinetta alheola : Buffle-head. — WinttM- visitant. Oideinia ]>erspicillata : Surf Scoter. — Cotnuion winter visitant. Oidemia deglandi : White-winged Scoter. — Coninion winter visitant. Erisiiiatnra jaiiiairensis : Ruddy Duck. — Found in lagoons from October until the middle of February. All California 'gee.se occur in greater or less abundance in the inner portions of the l)ay. Olor rolumbianus : Whistling Swan. — One taken by Kellogg at Cordelia, Deceml)er IS. Botaurus Untiginosus : American Bittern. — One taken by Bryant and one by Hornung. I have found it fairly common in the marshes. Ardea herodias: (Jreat Blue lleron. — Breeds at Alameda ; resident. 1 INTRODUCTION Nycticorax nycticorax ncevius : Black-crowned Niglit Heron. — Abundant at Alameda in winter ; also a colony at Tiberone ; resident. Rallus obsoletus : California Clapper Rail. — Abundant in marshes border- ing the bay in fall and early winter. Rallus virginianus : Virginia Rail. — Fall migrant. Porzana noveboracensis : Yellow Rail. — Two taken by Bryant in Decem- ber. Porzana jamaicensis : Black Rail. — Locally common in winter ; probably breeds. Fulica aviericana : American Coot. — Common everywhere ; resident. Crymophilus fulicarius : Red Phalarope. — Found commonly, esj)ecially in calmer waters on bay, from October to January. Phalaropus lobatus : Northern Phalorope. — Fall migrant. Recurvirostra americana : American Avocet. — Reported from Redwood City (Slevin). Himantopns mexicanus : Black-necked Stilt. — Fall and winter migrant at Miller. Marin Co. Gallinago delicata : Wilson Snipe. — Fall, winter, and spring visitant. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus : Long-billed Dowitcher. — Fall and early win- ter visitant. Tringa maculata : Pectoral Sandpiper. — One taken by Bryant, October 8. Tringa minutilla : Least Sandpiper. — Abundant in fall and winter. Tringa nlpina j^acijica : Red-backed Sandpiper. — Abundant from the middle of October till the middle of May. Ereunetes occidentalis : Western Sandpiper. — Abundant migrant. Calidris arenaria : Sanderling. — Common migrant at Oakland. Limosafedoa : Marbled Godwit. — Fall and winter visitant. Totanus melanoleucus : Greater Yellow-legs. — Winter visitant. Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus : Western Solitary Sandpiper. — Two taken by Bryant, April and September. Symphemia semipalmata inornata : Western Willet. — Common in sum- mer (Bryant). Heteractitis incanus : Wandering Tatler. — Two taken by Kobb^ in Sep- tember. Actitis macidaria : Spotted Sandpiper. — Taken at Tiberone and Angel Island in May and November. Numenius longirostris : Long-billed Curlew. — Common at Oakland in August (Bryant). Numenius hudsonicus : Hudsonian Curlew. — Taken at Oakland in August and September (Bryant). Squatarola squatarola : Black-bellied Plover. — Fall and winter visitant. Charadrius dominicus : American Golden Plover. — Taken at Vallejo and Menlo Park (Hornung). j^gialitis vocifera : Killdeer. — Common everywhere in fall, winter, and spring. jEgialitis nivosa : Snowy Plover. — Taken on Presidio beach (Slevin). Arenaria melanoce^hala : Black Turnstone. — Two records from Ang-el Island. INTRODUCTION LIST OF BIRDS OF SANTA CLARA VALLEY AND SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, EXCLUSIVE OF WATER BIRDS. By Walter K. Fisher. Resident = Permanent resident. Winter visitant = Winter resident. Summer visitant z=. Breeding bird not occurring in winter. The country covered by this list includes practically all of the Santa Clara Valley and the northern half of the Santa Cruz Moun- tains. The Santa Cruz Mountains send a long spur northward to form the backbone of the San Francisco peninsula. This ridge has numerous lateral spurs, particularly toward the sea. On the east the mountains slope down into low foothills rather abruptly, and these foothills gradually merge into the floor of the valley, which, north of San Jose, is largely occupied by the bay of San Francisco and its environing marsh. To the east of the bay is the Mount Hamilton range. To the Transition zone belong most of the Santa Cruz Moun- tains, and the country between them and the seacoast. In the mountains are magnificent stretches of redwood forest, mixed with Douglas spruce, tan-bark oak, and madrone, and underbrush of evergreen huckleberry, myrtle, azalea, rhododendron, wild lilac {Ceanothus thyrsiflorus), and several species of manzanita. The Upper Sonoran zone includes all the main foothill region and many of the outlying spurs of the Santa Cruz ^Mountains, mucli of the 3Iount Hamilton range, and the greater part of the floor of the valley. The valley contains an infusion of Lower Sonoran ele- ments, but the proximity of the sea, with its tempering breezes, many high fogs during summer, and a rather heavy rainfall (for a valley), so reduces the total quantity of heat for the year that the region is really a peculiar humid Upper Sonoran, or perhaps a mix- ture of the two Sonoran zones. Cliaracteristic valley types are the white ouk {Qncirnx lobata), blue oak (Q. doufilaxii), valley live-oak {Q. (ifjHfolid), bay tree, buckeye, Christmas berry {Hetcromdes arbu- tifolia), and sycamore. In the Mount Hamilton range is found the digger pine, and on many of the foothills of this range and of the Santa Cruz, cliamiso {.UknoHtouia fascial la turn), sage (.Artemisia califonura), highland oak {QnciruH icidizcni), scrub oak {Q. duviosa), ceanothus, and various manzanitas form large areas of dense chap- anal. lii INTRODUCTION The broad Salicornia marshes surrounding the bay support a rather numerous fauna that does not occur inland. Lophortyx californicus : California Partridge. — Abundant resident in hills and valleys. Columba fasciata : Band-tailed Pigeon. — Autumn and winter visitant. Zenaidura macroura : Mourning Dove. — Summer visitant; occasionally seen in winter ; open valleys. Gymnogyps californianus : California Vulture. — Occasional visitant in Santa Cruz Mountains. Cathartes aura : Turkey Buzzard. — Summer visitants of valley and moun- tain. Elanus leucurus : White-tailed Kite. — Resident among oak groves of the valley. Accipiter velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Common winter visitant. Accipiter cooper ii : Cooper Hawk. — Occasional ti'ansient visitant. Circus hudsonius : Marsh Hawk. — A resident of the marshes about San Francisco bay. Buteo horealis calurus : Western Red-tail. — Common resident of the val- ley and mountains. Buteo lineatus elegans : Red-bellied Hawk. — Rare resident of the valley. Buteo sivainso7ii : Swainson Hawk. — Rare transient visitant. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis : American Rough-legged Hawk. — Rare transient visitant. Archibuteo ferrugineus : Ferruginous Rough-leg. — Irregular winter vis- itant near San Jos^ (R. H. Beck). Aquila chrysaetos : Golden Eagle. — Common resident of vallev and foot- hills. Hali(eetus leucocephalus : Bald Eagle. — Occasional visitant. Falco sparverius deserticola : Desert Sparrow Hawk. — Common resident. Falco mexicanus : Prairie Falcon. — Occasional winter visitant in valley ; resident near Santa Cruz. Falco peregrinus anatuin : Duck Hawk. — Marshes. Falco columbarius : Pigeon Hawk. — Fairly common winter visitant. Strix pratincola : Barn Owl. — Common resident in valley. Asio ivilsonianus : Long-eared Owl. — Recorded from Santa Cruz Moun- tains. Asio accipitrinus : Short-eared Owl. — Common resident on the broad marshes about San Francisco bay. Megascops asio bendirei : California Screech Owl. — Common resident. Bubo virginianus pacijicus : Pacific Horned Owl. — Permanent resident of the valleys. Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea : Burrowing Owl. — Common resident of the low valleys. Glaucidium gnoma californicxun : California Pygmy Owl. — A fairly com- mon but inconspicuous resident of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Geococcyx californianus : Road-runner. — Uncommon resident in hot val- leys. Coccyzus americanus occidentalis : California Cuckoo. — Summer visitant in heavy thickets. Ceryle alcyon : Belted Kingfisher. — Resident along the larger streams. Dryobates villosus harrisii : Harris Woodpecker. — Resident in Santa Cruz Mountains. Dryobates pubescens gairdnerii : Gairdner Woodpecker. — Common resident in Santa Cruz Mountains, and breeds sparingly in valley. INTRODUCTION liii Dryohates nuttallii : Nuttall Woodpecker. — Recorded from Mount Ham- ilton. Sphyrapicus ruber : Red-bretisted Sapsucker. — Fairly conmion winter visitant, principally to Santa Cruz Mountains. Melanerpes forndcivorus hairdi : California Woodpecker. — Abundant resi- dent among" the oaks of the valleys. Melanerpes torquatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Winter visitant. Colaptes cafer coUaris : Red-shafted Flicker. — Abundant resident. Phahenoptilus nuttallii calif amicus : Dusky Poor-will. — Uncommon resi- dent. Chcetura vauxii : Vaux JSwift. — Summer visitant among- redwoods ; occa- sionally seen in valley. Aeronautes melanoleucus : White-throated Swift. — Occasionally seen in migration ; breeds near Santa Cruz. Calypte anna : Anna Hummingbird. — Abundant resident in valleys. Selasphtjrus rufus : Rufous Hummingbird. — Occurs plentif nlly in the spring as a migrant. Selasphorus alleni : Allen Hummingbird. — Abundant summer visitant in valley and hills. Tyrannus verticalis : Arkansas Kingbird. — Rather common summer vis- itant. Myiarchus cinerascens : Ash-throated Flycatcher. — Summer visitant. Sayortiis saya : Say Phcebe. — Rather common winter visitant. Sayor7iis nigricans semiatra : Western Black Pliuibe. — Common resident. Contopus borealis : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Summer visitant in Santa Cruz Mountains ; not common. Contopus richardsonii : Western Wood Pewee. — Common summer vis- itant. Empidonax difficilis : Western Flycatcher. — Common summer visitant. Empndonax traillii : Traill Flycatcher. — Summer visitant in willow patches along creeks. Otocoris alpestris chrysolcpma : Mexican Horned Ijark. — Common in the open valley. Pica nuttall i : Yellow-billed Magpie. — Resident in colonies south of San Jos^. Cyanocitta stelleri carhonacea : ^ Coast Jay. — Abundant permanent resi- dent in Santa Cruz Mountains. Aphelucoma californica : California Jay. — Abundant resident. Corvus americanus : American Crow. — Resident in southern part of Santa Clara valley. Ayelaius gubernator californicus : Bicolored Blackbird. — Breeds abun- dantly in meadows bthra\istes vespertinus inontanus: Western Evening (Jn)sb(ak. — Occa- sional winter visitants in flocks. Carj>ndacus jntrpureus califoniims: California Purple Fincli. — Coninion resident in valley and mountains. ' A form coimiiuuly calk'd frinitulis. ti\it rt-ully closer to typical slcllrri than to tlie Sienaii form. liv INTRODUCTION Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis : House Finch. — Abundant resident. Astragalinus tristis salicamans : Willow Goldfinch. — Resident in willows and mustard patches. Astragalinus psaltria : Arkansas Goldfinch. — Abundant resident. Astragalinus lawrencei : Lawrence Goldfinch. — A rare summer visitant, and erratic in its visits. Spinus pinus : Pine Siskin. — Resident in the Santa Cruz Mountains ; mi- grant in valley. Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus : Western Savanna Sparrow. — Abundant fall and winter visitant ir valley fields. Ammodramus sandwichensis hryanti : Bryant Marsh Sparrow. — Abundant resident in marshes about San Francisco bay. Ammodramus savannarum bimaculatus : Western Grasshopper Sparrow. — Recorded from near San Jos^ (R. H. Beck). Ammodramus nelsoni : Nelson Sparrow. — Two records from Milpitas marshes. Pocecetes gramineus conjinis : Western Vesper Sparrow. — Recorded from near San Jos^ (McGregor). Chondestes grammacus strigatus : Western Lark Sparrow. — Commoner on the east than on the west side of the bay. Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii: Gambel Sparrow. — Abundant winter vis- itant, leaving- in April. Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli : Nuttall Sparrow. — Resident in damp coast belt ; winter visitant in Santa Clara valley. Zonotrichia coronata : Golden-crowned Sparrow. — An abundant winter visitant. Spizella socialis arizonce : Western Chipping- Sparrow. — Not a very com- mon resident. Junco hyemalis thurberi : Sierra Junco. — Winter visitant ; not common. Junco hyemalis pinosus : Point Pinos Junco. — Resident in Santa Cruz Mountains, and south in humid coast belt ; commonest junco in valleys in winter. Amphisjxiza belli: Bell Sparrow. — Said to breed near Los Gatos (J. Van Denburg-h). Aimophila rujiceps : Rufous-crowned Sparrow. — Resident, locally, on east side of valley in sag-e-brush districts. Melospiza melodia heermanni : Heermann Song- Sparrow. — Resident in southernmost portions of Santa Clara valley uplands. Melospiza melodia santcecrucis : ^ Santa Cruz Song- Sparrow. — Common permanent resident along- streams flowing- into San Francisco bay and into Pacific Ocean from Santa Cruz Mountains. Melospiza melodia pusillula? — Resident in Salicornia marshes about San Francisco bay. Melospiza melodia morphia : Rusty Song Sparrow. — Winter visitant in Santa Cruz Mountains. Melospiza lineal nii : Lincoln Sparrow. — Winter visitant. Melospiza lincolnii striata : Forbush Sparrow. — Casual winter visitant ; marshes. Passerella iliaca unalaschcensis : Townsend Sparrow. — Common winter visitant in valley and Santa Cruz Mountains. Pipilo maculatus megalonyx : Spurred Towhee. — Abundant resident in valley and in Santa Cruz Mountains. Pipilo fuscus crissalis : California Towhee. — Abundant resident in valley and mountains. 1 A local race not yet acted upon by A. O. U. committee. INTRODUCTION Iv Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-headed Grosbeak. — Abundant spring- and summer visitant ; departs after nesting-. Cyanospiza a)iuena : Lazuli Bunting. — A common summer visitant during- nesting- season. Piranya ludoviciana: Louisiana Tanager. — Occurs in Santa Cruz Moun- tains during migrations. Progne subis hesperia : Western Martin. — Reported from Mount Hamilton range. Petrochelidon luni/rons : Cliff Swallow. — Common summer visitant. Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow. — Summer resident. Tachycineta bicolor : Tree Swallow. — Abundant in spring and summer ; rare in winter. Tachycineta thalassina lepida : Northern Violet-green Swallow. — Common summer visitant. Stelgidopteryx serripennis : Rough-winged Swallow. — Reported as breed- ing- at San Jos^ (J. Van Denburgh) ; migrant at Palo Alto. Ampelis cedroruin : Cedar Waxwing. — Irregular winter visitant. Phainopepla nitens : Phainopepla. — IJecorded from near Sau Jos^. Lanius ludovicianiis gambeli : California Shrike. — Abundant resident in valley. Vireo gilvus : Warbling Vireo. — Common summer visitant. Vireo huttoni : Hutton Vireo. — Abundant resident in Santa Cruz Moun- tains ; common summer visitant in valley. Vireo solitarius cassinii : Cassin Vireo. — Summer visitant in Santa Cruz Mountains. Helminthophila celata lutescens : Luteseent Warbler. — Summer visitant on chaparral slopes of Santa Cruz Mountains. Dendroica cestiva : Yellow Warbler. — Abundant sunmier resident. Detidroica auduboni : Audubon Warbler. — Abundant winter visitant. Dendroica coronata : Myrtle Warbler. — Rather common winter visitant. Dendroica nigrescens : Black-throated Gray Warbler. — Reported from Mount Hamilton Range. Dendroica toicnsendi : Townsend Warbler. — Common winter visitant in Santa Cruz Mountains and about Monterey Bay. Dendroica occidentalis : Hermit Warbler. — Occurs rarely during migra- tions. Geothlypis tolmiei : Tolmie Warbler. — Recorded from Los Gatos ; rare. Geothlypis trichas sinnosa : ^ Western Yellow-throat. — Breeds about edges of marshes of S;iu Francisco Bav. Icteria virens longirauda : Long-tailed Chat. — Summer visitant along water- courses. Wilsonia pusilla pileolata : Pileolated Warbler. — Common in copses and willow thickets. Anthus pensilvanicus : American Pipit. — Abundant during winter months. Cinrlus infjriranus : Water Ouzel. — Permanent resident on streams in Santa Cruz Mountains. Mimus j)(>lyglof(os leurojjdrits : Western Mockingbird. — Occasional visitant at Stanford University. Toxostoniaredirivnm : Californian Thrasher. — Common resident in thickets. Salpinctes ohsoletus : liock Wren. — Peruianent resident in c.-istern ;ind sontliern valley foothills, in dry. rocky j)laces. Cat/ierpes inejricanns jjiiiitlnlatiis : Dotted Canyon Wren. — Breeds in loot- hills east of San Jos^. ' Occidmtalui of authors. This form ha.s not been acted upon by the A. O. l^ coni- niittee. It is nearer ari.:iUi tliau ovcidtnlalis. Ivi INTRODUCTION Thryomanes hewickii spilurus : Vigors Wren, — Common resident. Troglodytes a'edon parkmanii : Parkman Wren. — Summer visitant among live-oaks. Olbiorchilus hiemalis pacijicus : Western Winter Wren. — Resident in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Cistothorus palustris paludicola : Tule Wren. — Resident on Salieornia marshes ; breeds in scirpus patches altogether. Certhia familiaris occidentalis : Calif oruiau Creeper. — Resident in Santa Cruz Mountains. Sitta carolinensis aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Resident in Santa Cruz Mountains ; oaks. Parus inornatus : Plain Titmouse. — Permanent resident among live, white, and blue oaks. Parus rufescens barlowi : ^ Barlow Chickadee. — Resident in Santa Cruz Mountains, migrating to the valleys in winter. Chamceafasciata intermedia : - Wren-Tit. — Common permanent resident of Santa Cruz Mountains and of valley. Found usually on chaparral hills. Psaltriparus minimus californicus : California Bush-Tit. — Common perma- nent resident. Regulus satrapa olivaceus : Western Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Winter visitant in Santa Cruz Mountains. Begrdus calendula : Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Abundant winter visitant in valley and Santa Cruz Mountains. Begulus calendula grinnelli : Sitkan Kinglet. — W^inter visitant to Santa Cruz Mountains and to Monterey. Polioptila cceridea obscura : Western Gnatcatcher. — Recorded from near Mount Hamilton. Myadestes townsendii : Townsend Solitaire. — Fairly common winter visitant to Santa Cruz Mountains. Hylocichla ustulata : Russet-backed Thrush. — Abundant summer visitant, arriving in April. Hylocichla guttata : Alaska Hermit Thrush. — Abundant winter visitant in valley and Santa Cruz Mountains. Hylocichla guttata slevini : ^ Monterey Hermit Thrush. — Summer visitant in Santa Cruz Mountains, south in humid belt, along coast. Merula migratoria propinqua : Western Robin. — A very abundant winter visitant. Ixoreus ncevius : Varied Thrush. — Abundant winter visitant : November till last of March. Sialia mexicana occidentalis : Western Bluebird. — Common resident. Sialia arctica : Mountain Bluebird. — Rare or casual winter visitant. LIST OF BIRDS TO BE LOOKED FOR IN THE VICINITY OF PASADENA. By Joseph Grinnell. This list includes only such species as are believed to be of more or less regular occurrence within a radius of ten miles of Pasadena. 1 A form occupying the Santa Cruz Mountain district and distinguished from neglectus by absence of brown on flanks. - Not yet acted on by A. O. U. committee. (F. M. B.) 3 This remarkable little thrush has been recently described by Joseph Grinuell, and can be at once distinguished by its very small size and pale coloring. ( The Auk, July, 1901, xviii. 258.) INTRODUCTION Ivii This area consists of 'mountains' (Sierra Madre), and 'valley' (San Gabriel). The mountains are divided into spruce-wooded 'higher mountains,' such as Wilson's Peak and Mt. Lowe, and brush-cov- ered 'foothills.' The valley is separated into a 'mesa,' the dry elevated plain sloping down from the foothills ; and the ' lowlands,* which include the 'willow bottoms,' such as the San Gabriel river bed in the neighborhood of El Monte. The ' oak regions ' occupy an intermediate area, in places running up on to the foothills. In general, as far as I know, it may be said that the ' lowlands,' the 'mesas,' and tongues extending up into the foothills are Lower Sonoran; that the 'oak regions,' and 'foothills,' and even the hot slopes of the highest peaks, are Upper Sonoran ; while the north slopes and deep canyons of the ' mountains ' to their svmimits, within the ten mile radius of the list, are mainly Transition, but with a trace of Canadian, and with such characteristic birds as the mountain chickadee, blue-fronted jay, plumed partridge, junco^ and slender- billed nuthatch. Pasadena itself is Lower Sonoran, having such birds as the phaiuopepla, mockingbird, road-runner, Texas night- hawk, and Costa hummingbird. ^chnophorus occidentalis : Western Grebe. — Occasional winter visitant on the larger ponds. Podilymbus podiceps : Pied-billed Grebe. — Fairly common resident on tiile-margined ponds. Gavin imher : Loon. — Frequent in winter on larg-e ponds and reservoirs. Lams californkus : California Gull. — Occasional in winter abont ponds and streams. Phalacrocorax dilophus albociliatus : Farallone Cormorant. — Frequent in winter on the larger ponds. Pelecanns eri/throrhi/nchos : American White Pelican. — Occurs in migra- tion ; also more rai-ely about ponds in winter. Merganser serrator : Red-breasted Merganer — Occasional midwinter visitant on the lowlands. Anas hnschas : Mallard. — Fairly common resident in the vicinitv of .streams and ])onds. Marera amerlrana : i3aldpate. — Common winter visitant. Nettlon rarolitierisis : Green-winged Teal. — Common winter visitant. Querf/iiedula ri/anoptera : Cinnamon T(\t1. — (^ommon spring and summer visitant on ponds and marslics. S/)atnla rli/pcata : Shoveller. — Common w infer visifant. Erismatura jamairensis : Ruddy Duck. — Ccnnmon rt'sidcnt on tlie larger ponds. Botanrus loifitfiwisns : American I)itt('rn. — T'ommon winter visitant on niaish lands. Ardea In rod las : Great Blue Heron. — Common resident in the I<»\ver country. Ardea riresrens anthonyi : Anthony Green Heron. — Common migrant about streams and ponds. Iviii INTRODUCTION Nycticorax nycticorax tkbvius : Black-crowned Nig-ht Heron. — Common migrant about streams and ponds. Grus mexicana : Sandhill Crane. — Common in migration and occasional during' winter. Eallus virginianus : Virg-inia Rail. — Fairly common mig-rant on marsh lands and along- streams. Porzana Carolina : Sora. — Fairly common resident of marsh lands. GalUnula galeata : Florida Gallinule. — Fairly common resident on the larg-er tule-bordered ponds. Fulica americana : American Coot. — Common resident on any body of water. Himantopus mexicanus : Black-necked Stilt. — Fairly common migrant in the lower country. Gallinago delicata : Wilson Snipe. — Fairly common winter visitant to lower g-rass lands. Tringa minutilla : Least Sandpiper. — Fairly common migrant and winter visitant about streams and ponds. Tringa alpina jmcijica : Red-backed Sandpiper. — Occasional migrant, occurring- at ponds. Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus : Western Solitary Sandpiper. — Fairly common migrant along- streams. Actitis macular ia : Spotted Sandpiper. — Common migrant, occurring- about any ponds or streams. u^Egialitis vocifera : Killdeer. — Abundant resident on any marsh lands. Oreortyx pictus plumiferus : Plumed Partridg-e. — Common resident of the mountains ; occasional along- their bases. Lophortyx californicus vallicola : Valley Partridg-e. — Abundant resident of brush lands. Columha fasciata : Band-tailed Pig-eon. — Common winter visitant to the oak regions. Zenaidura macroura : Mourning Dove. — Abundant resident everywhere-. Gymnogyps californianus : California Vulture. — Fairly common resident of the mountains. Cathartes aura : Turkey Vulture. — Abundant resident everywhere. Circus hudsonius : Marsh Hawk. — Common resident in the lower coun- try-. Accipiter velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Common winter visitant every- where. Accipiter cooperii : Cooper Hawk. — Fairly common resident along the foothills. Buteo borealis calurus : Western Red-tail. — Common resident every- where. Buteo lineatus elegans : Red-bellied Hawk. — Fairly common resident in the lower country. Buteo swainsoni : Swainson Hawk. — Common spring and summer vis- itant. Aqnila chrysaetos : Golden Eagle. — Fairly common resident of the moun- tains. Falco mexicanus : Prairie Falcon. — Rare visitant to the foothill regions. Falco coliwibarius : Pigeon Hawk. — Fairly common winter visitant. Falco sparverius deserticola : Desert Sparrow Hawk. — Abundant resident everywhere. Strix pratincola : American Barn Owl. — Common resident of the oak regions. Asio ^rilsonianus : American Long-eared Owl. — Fairly common resident of the lowlands. INTRODUCTION lix Asio accipitrinus : Short-eared Owl, — Rare ^v inter visitant to the low- lands. Syrnium occidentale : Spotted Owl. — Resident of the mountains ; perhaps fairly common, though not often met with. Megascops asio hendirei : California Screech Owl. — Common resident everywhere. Bubo virginianus pacijicus : Pacific Horned Owl. — Fairly common resident in the oak region. Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea : Burrowing- Owl. — Common resident of the mesas and lowlands. Glaucidium gnoma : Pyg-my Owl. — Resident of the mountains ; perhaps fairly common, thoug-h by nature of its habits not often seen. Geococcyx californianus : Road-runner. — Fairly common resident of the mesas and foothills ; rapidly becoming scarce. Coccyzus americanus occidentalis : California Cuckoo. — Rare summer vis- itant to the willow bottoms. Ceryle alcyon : Belted Kingfisher. — Common migrant, appearing at re- servoirs and along' streams. iJryobates villosus hyloscopus : Cabanis Woodpecker. — Fairly common in the mountains ; resident. Dryobates pubescens turati : Willow Woodpecker.^ — Fairly common in the w illow regions ; resident. Dryobates nuttallii : Nuttall Woodpecker. — Common resident in the oak and foothill regions ; visits the willow bottoms in fall and winter. Xenopicus albolarvatits : White-headed Woodpecker. — Fairly common re- sident in the liigher mountains. Sphyrapicus variiis mtchalis : Red-naped Sapsucker. — Rare midwinter vis- itant along the foothills. Sphyrapicus varius daggetti : - Sierra Sapsucker. — Common winter visitant, often about orchards and on pepper-trees along the city streets. Sphyrapicus thyroideus : Williamson Sapsucker. — Rare w'inter visitant on the mountains. Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi : Californian Woodpecker. — Common resi- dent of the oak regions. Melanerpes torquatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Fairly common winter vis- itant to the oak regions. Colaptes cafer coUaris : Red-shafted Flicker. — Common resident of both the mountains and lowlands. PhaUvnoptilus nuttallii californicns : Duskv Poor-will. — Common resident of the foothills. Chordeiles acutipennis texensis : Texas Nighthawk. — Common summer vis- itant, chiefly on the dry mesas. Chcptura vauxii : Vaux Swift. — Comnum migrant along the foothills. Aeronautes melanoleucus : White-throated Swift. — Fairly common, except in midwinter, along the foothills and in the mountains. Trorhiliis (dex(nidri : Black-cliinncd lluiumingbird. — Common sunnner visit.'int along the foothills and in the luoiintain canyons. Calypte cost(e : Cost.-i Hummingbird. — Common summer visitant to the dry mesas. C(dypte anna : Anna Hummingbird. — Common resident anywhere. Selas/>horns rufus: Rufous Hummingbird. — Common migrant every- where. Selasphorus idteni : Allen nuniniiugbiid. — Fairly common s])ring migrant along the fot)thills. ' Not yet acted on hy A. (). U. conimittcf. (K. Al. 1!) i S. nibrr of tl^e Clio.k-List. Ix INTRODUCTION Stellula calliope : Calliope Humming-bird. — Fairly common summer vis- itant on the mountains. Tyrannus verticalis : Arkansas King-bird. — Common summer visitant to the valley. Tyrannus vociferans : Cassin King-bird. — Fairly common winter visitant to the valley. Myiarchus cinerascens : Ash-throated Flycatcher. — Fairly common sum- mer visitant in the oak and foothill reg-ions. Sayornis saya : 'Say Phoebe. — Common winter visitant to the valley. Sayornis nigricans semiatra : Western Black Phoebe. — Common resident of the valley. Contopus borealis: Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Fairly common summer vis- itant on the mountains ; mig-rant through the valley. Contopus richardsonii : Western Wood Pewee. — Common summer visitant to the canyons and mountains. Empidonax difficilis : Western Flycatcher. — Common summer visitant to the mountain canyons. Empidonax traiUii : Traill Flycatcher. — Common summer visitant to the ■willow bottoms. Empidonax hammondi : Hammond Flycatcher. — Fairly common migrant along the foothills. Empidonax griseus : Gray Flycatcher. — Rare winter visitant to the val- ley. Otocoris alpestris actia : California Horned Lark.^ — Common resident of the lowland plains. Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis : Blue-fronted Jay. — Common resident of the mountains. Aphelocoma californica : California Jay. — Common resident of the foothill regions. Corvus corax sinuatus : American Raven. — Frequent but irregular tran- sient visitant to the valley. Corvus a mericanus hesperis : ^ California Crow. — Common resident of the lowlands. Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus : Pinon Jay. — Irreg-ular fall visitant to the mesas and mountains. X anthocephalus xanthocephalus : Yellow-headed Blackbird. — Rare and irregular winter visitant. Agelaius phceniceus neutralis : San Diego Redwing. — Common resident of the lowlands. Sturnelln magna neglecta : Western Meadowlark. — Common resident of the valley. Icterus cucullatus nelsoni : Arizona Hooded Oriole. — Common summer vis- itant to the mesas and canyons. Icterus bullocki : Bullock Oriole. — Common summer visitant to the valley. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus: Brewer Blackbird. — Abundant resident of the lowlands and cultivated mesas. Coccothraustes vespertinus montanus : Western Evening Grosbeak. — Rare and irregular winter visitant along the mountains. Carpodacus purpureus californicus : California Purple Finch. — Fairly common winter visitant to the valley. Carpodacus cassini : Cassin Purple Finch. — Fairly common resident on the higher mountains. Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis : House Finch. — Abundant resident of the valley everywhere. 1 Not yet acted on by A. O. U. committee. (F. M. B.) INTRODUCTION Ixi Loocia curvirostra bendirei : ^ Sierra Crossbill. — Rare and irregiJar winter visitant. Astragalinus tristis salicamans : Willow Goldfinch. — Common resident of the lowlands. Astragalinus psaltria : Arkansas Goldfinch. — Abundant resident of the valley. Astragalinus lanrencei : Lawrence Goldfinch. — Fairly common spring and summer visitant to the mountains and mesas. Spinus pinus : Pine Siskin. — Irregular winter visitant anywhere. Pooecetes yramineus conjinis : Western Vesper Sparrow. — Fairly common winter visitant on the mesas. Pooecetes gramineus affinis : Oregon Vesper Sparrow. — Fairly common winter visitant to the valley. Ammodramus sandicichensis alaudinus: Western Savanna Sparrow. — Abundant winter visitant to the lowland plains. Ammodramus savannaruui himacidatus : Western Grasshopper Sparrow. — Rare winter visitant to the valley. Chondestes grammacus strigatus : Western Lark Sparrow. — Common resi- dent of the valley. Zonotrichia leucophrys gamhelii : Intermediate Sparrow. — Abundant winter visitant to the valley. Zonotrichia coronata : Golden-crowned Sparrow. — Common winter visitant to the foothill regions. Spizella socialis arizome : Western Chipping Sparrow. — Common summer visitant everywhere ; less common dui*iug the winter on the mesas only. Spizella breweri : Brewer Sparrow. — Rare migrant along the foothills. Spizella atrogularis: Black-chinned Sparrow. — Rare summer visitant on the mountain slopes. Junco hi/emalis : Slate-colored Junco. — Rare winter visitant to the valley. Junco hyemalis thurberi : Sierra Junco. — Common midwinter visitant to the valley ; resident in the mountains. Amphispiza belli : Bell Sjjarrow. — Fairly common resident on the mesas. Aimophila rujiceps : Rufous-crowned Sparrow. — Rare resident of the foothills. Melospiza cinerea cooperi: ^ San Diego Song Sparrow. — Common resident of the lowlands. Melospiza lincolnii : Lincoln Sparrow. — Fairly common migrant and winter visitant in the valley. Passerella iliaca insularis : Kadiak Fox Sparrow. ^ — Common winter vis- itant on the mountains. Passerella iliaca megarhyncha : Thick-billed Fox Sparrow. — Fairly com- mon winter visitant on the mountains. Pipilo maculatus megalonyx : Spurred Towhee. — Common resident of brushlands everywhere. Pipilo fuscus senicula: Anthony Towhee. — Abundant resident of the val- ley. Oreospiza chlorura : Green-tailed Towhee. — Rare migrant along the foot- hills. Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-headed Grosbeak. — Common summer visitant to the valley. Gnirara rarnlca lazula : Western Blue Grosbeak. — Rare summer visitant on th»( mesas. Ci/(uwsj)iza aiiinna: Lazuli Bunting. — Common summer visitant to the foothills and mesas. ' Not yet acted on by A. O. U. committee. (F. M. B.) Ixii INTRODUCTION Piranga ludoviciana : Western Tanag-er. — Common summer visitant on the mountains ; common migrant on the mesas. Progne subis hesperia : Western Martin. — Fairly common summer visitant to the mountains. Petrochelidon lunifrons: Cliff Swallow. — Abundant migrant and summer visitant to the valley. Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow — Fairly common migrant through the valley. Tachycineta bicolor : Tree Swallow. — Common resident of the lowlands, a few wintering. Tachycineta thalassina lepida : Northern Violet-green Swallow. — Common summer visitant to the mountains ; abundant migrant through the valley. Stelgidopteryx serrijjenms : Rough-winged Swallow. — Fairly common sum- mer visitant to the mesas. Ampelis cedrorum: Cedar Waxwing. — Common winter visitant to the valley. Phainopepla nitens : Phainopepla. — Common summer visitant to the mesas. Lanius ludovicianus gamheli : California Shrike. — Common resident of the valley. Vireo gilvus swainsoni : '^ Western Warbling Vireo. — Abundant migrant through the valley ; fairly common summer visitant locally. Vireo solitarius cassinii : Cassin Vireo. — Common summer visitant in the mountain canyons. Vireo huttoni : Hutton Vireo. — Fairly common resident of the oak regions. Vireo 2)us{llus : Least Vireo. — Common summer visitant to the valley. Helminthophila ruhricapilla gutturalis : Calaveras Warbler. — Faii'ly com- mon migrant through the valley. Helminthophila celata lutescens : Lutescent Warbler. — Common migrant through the valley ; rare summer visitant to the foothills and canyons. Helminthophila celata sordida : Dusky Warbler. — Common fall visitant to the valley and foothills. Dendroica cestiva morcomi : ^ Western Yellow Warbler. — Common sum- mer visitant to the willow bottoms and mountain canyons. Dendroica coronata : Myrtle Warbler. — Rare midwinter visitant to the valley. Dendroica auduhoni : Audubon Warbler. — Abundant winter visitant everywhere. Dendroica nigrescens : Black-throated Gray Warbler. — Common summer visitant to the mountains ; migrant through the valley. Dendroica townsendi : Townsend Warbler. — Fairly common migrant over the mesas and foothills. Dendroica occidentalis : Hermit Warbler. — Fairly common migrant along the foothills and mesas. Geothlypis tolmiei : Tolmie Warbler. — Fairly common migrant along the foothills. Geothlypis trichas arizela: Pacific Yellow-throat. — Common resident of the lowlands and migrant along the foothills. Geothlyjns trichas scirpicola : ^ Tule Yellow-throat. — Common resident of the lowlands. Icteria virens longicauda: Long-tailed Chat. Fairly common summer visitant to the willow bottoms. 1 Vireo gilvus of Check-List. (F. M. B.) 2 B. sestiva of Check-List. (F. M. B.) 3 Not yet acted on by A. O. U. committee. (F. M. B.) INTRODUCTION Ixiii Wilsonia pusilla pileolata : Pileolated Warbler. — Abundant migrant through the valley ; common summer visitant to the willow bottoms. Anthus pensilvanicus : American Pipit. — Common winter visitant to the lowlands. Cinclus mexicanus : American Dipper. — Rare resident of the mountain canyons. Mimus polyglottos leucopterus : Western Mockingbird. — Abundant resident of the valley, especially on the mesas. Toxostoma redivivum pasadenense : Pasadena Thrasher. — Common resi- dent of brush lands anywhere. Heleodytes hrunneicapillus : Cactus Wren. — Rare resident locally on the mesas. Salpinctes obsoletus : Rock Wren. — Fairly common winter visitant to the valley. Catherpes mexicamts punctulatiis : Dotted Canyon Wren. — Fairly common resident of the mountain canyons, Thryomanes hewickii charienturus : San Diegan Wren. — Common resident of the mountains ; common winter visitant to the brush lands in the valley. Troglodytes acdon parhmanii : Parkman Wren. — Fairly common summer visitant everywhere. Olbiorchilus hiemalis pacijicus : Western Winter Wren. — Rare midwinter visitant to the mountains. Cistothorus palustris paludicola : Tule Wren. — Common resident of the lowland marshes. Certhia familiaris zelotes : Sierra Creeper. — Fairly common resident on the mountains. Sitta carolinensis aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. Fairly common resi- dent on the mountains. Sitta canadensis : Red-breasted Nuthatch. — Irregular winter visitant to the mountains. Sitta pygmcea : Pygmy Nuthatch. — Fairly common resident of the higher mountains, Parus inornatus : Plain Titmouse. — Common resident of the oak regions. Parus gamheli : Mountain Chickadee. — Common resident on the moun- tains. Chamcea fasciata : Wren-Tit. — Common resident of brush lands every- where. Psaltriparus minimus californirus : California Bush-Tit. — Abundant resi- dent of tlie oak regions of the valley and foothills. Regidus satrapa olivaceus : Western Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Rare mid- winter visitant to the mountains and mesas. Regulus calendula : Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Abundant winter visitant everywhere, Polioptila carulea ohscura: Western Gnatcatcher. — Common resident everywhere. PolioptUa ndifornica : Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, — Rare resident locally on brusliy mesas. Myadestes townsendii : Townsend Solitaire. — Fairly common winter visit- ant to the mountains. Ilylorichla ustulafa : Kusset-backod Thrush, — Common summer visitant to the willow bottoms ; migrant along the footliills, Ilylorichla guttata : Alaska Hermit Thrush. — Abundant winter visitant ev«'rv\vlu're. Ilylociclda guttata slevini : ^ Monterey Hermit Thrush, — Rare spring migrant over the mesas. * Not yet acted on by A. O. U. committee. (F. M. B.) Ixiv INTRODUCTION Merula migratoria propinqua : Western Robin. — Common winter visitant to the valley. Ixoreus ncevius meruloides : Northern Varied Thrush. — Common mid- winter visitant to the mountains and mesas. Sialia mexicana occidentalis : Western Bluebird. — Common summer visit- ant on the mountains ; common winter visitant to the valley. Sialia arctica : Mountain Bluebird. — Fairly common midwinter visitant to the valley. LIST OF THE BIRDS OF FORT SHERMAN, IDAHO. From Dr. J. C. Merrill's Notes in The Auk, vol. xiv. 347-357, 1897, and vol. XV. 14-22, 1898. Fort Sherman is in northern Idaho, on Coeur d'Alene Lake, which is encircled by hills clad with conifers, and near the Coeur d'AlSne Mountains. The mouths of streams flowing into the lake afford flats with tules, water grasses, willows, and a few cottonwoods, which are frequented by land birds and a few marsh birds and ducks. At the southern end of the lake the marshy valley of the St. Joseph River affords good nesting and autumnal feeding ground for water birds. When the lake is open a few birds remain on it, going from it to the Spokane River when driven out by ice. The local cli- matic conditions somewhat resemble those of the Northern Cascade Range, and while the avifauna is essentially that of the Rocky Mountains it has Cascade Mountain elements. yEchnophwus occidentalis : Western Grebe. — A single specimen taken. Colymbus holhcellii : Holbrell Grebe. — Resident, but most common during migrations. Podilymbus podiceps : Pied-billed Grebe. — Common on the lake in spring and fall. Gavia imber : Loon. — Resident and quite common except in winter. Larus argentatus : Herring Gull. — Several taken on the lake during fall and winter. Larus delaivarensis : Ring-billed Gull. — Fall and winter visitant. Larus Philadelphia : Bonaparte Gull. — One taken and several seen in No- vember. Sterna. — A small white tern breeds about the lake, but no specimens were taken. Phalacrocorax dilophus cincinatus : White-crested Cormorant. — Several cormorants, probably of this form, were seen in September. Merganser americanus : Merganser. — Common during fall and winter. Merganser serrator : Red-breasted Merganser. — A single specimen taken. Lophodi/tes cucidlatus : Hooded Merganser. — The most abundant of the mergansers, frequenting especially the rivers, and in the fall collecting in flocks of forty or fifty individuals. Anas boschas : Mallard. — The commonest duck of the vicinity, a few re- maining throughout the winter. Mareca americana : Baldpate. — Common fall visitant on marshes at southern end of lake. INTRODUCTION Ixv Nettion carolinensis : Green- winged Teal. — Quite common, especially dur- ing' migrations. Querquedula cyanoptera : Cinnamon Teal. — Rare ; a female with several young- two or three days old seen, June 11. Spatula clypeata : IShoveller. — Common ; breeds in St. Joseph marshes. Dajila acuta : Pintail. — Common migrant. Aix sponsa : Wood Duck. — Common summer visitor, especially abun- dant in early fall. Aythya collaris : Ring-necked Duck. — Seems to be more common than the other ' blue-bills,' one or both of which occur but were not certainly identified. Clangula islandica : Barrow Golden-eye. — Abundant throughout the win- ter ; all the golden-eyes seen were of this species, although the other doubtless occurs. Charitonetta albeola : Buffle-head. — Common during winter. Hisirionicus histrionivus : Harlequin Duck. — Rare, but occasionally taken on the St. Joseph and Coeur d'Alene rivers. Eris7natura jamaicensis : Huddy Duck. — Not uncommon in spring and fall. Chen sp. ? : Ross Snow Goose. — Reported by hunters, but decidedly rare. Anser alhifrons gamheli : White-fronted Goose. — Reported by hunters, but rare. Branta canadensis : Canada Goose. — Common in spring, rare in fall. Most abundant goose, especially on prairie at southern end of lake ; a few nest near the lake ; on the fall flight they and many of the ducks pass south over the open prairie fifty miles west of the lake. Olor sp. ? — In spring swans are sometimes quite common on lake and marshes. No specimens taken. Botaurus lentiginosus : Bittern. — Rather common in suitable localities about the lake. Grus mexicana : Sandhill Crane. — Not uncommon migrant; a few prob- ably breed. Porzana Carolina : Sora. — Not rare in marshes ; breeds. Fulica ainericana : Coot. — Common, especially in autumn. Pkalaropus lobatus : Northern Phalarope. — Common fall migrant. Hecurvirostra auiericana : Avocet. — A pair seen and one taken in Sep- tember. Gallinago delicata : Wilson Snipe. — Usually ratlier uncon)mon migrant. Macrorhainphus griseus : Dowitcher. — Five taken in September on St. Jo- sejjh marslies. Tringa maculata : Pectoral Sandpiper. — Common in ISIK) from last of August till early October. Tringa mi nut ill a : Lea.st Sandpiper. — Three taken in August. Ereunetes occidentalis : Western Sandpiper. — One taken with the least sandpipers. Totanns inelanoleucus : Greater Yellow-legs. — Rather common fall mi- grant ; one heard in June. Iltludromas solitarius : Solitary Sandpiper. — A young bird tiiken in August. Bartramia lungicauda : Bartramian Sandpiper. — Breeds not uncommonly on prairie north of fort. Actitis niaculuria : Spotted Sand])iper. — Common summer visitor. Numenius Inngirustris : Long-billi-d Curlew. — Not uncommon on {)rairie. Squatarula squatarola : Black-bellied Plover. — Four taken in St pttinber on St. Joseph mawhes. Ixvi INTRODUCTION Charadrius dominicus : Golden Plover. — Usually rare. ^gialitis vocifera : Killdeer. — A few pairs breed on the prairie near the Spokane River. Dendragapus obscurus richardsonii : Richardson Grouse. — Occasionally found about the fort ; breeds from lake level to top of mountains. Canachites franklinii : Franklin Grouse. — Common in surrounding- woods. Bonasa umhellus togata : Canadian Ruffed Grouse. — Exceeding-ly abun- dant. Pedioecetes phasianellus columbianus : Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse. — Quite common, particularly about ranches on prairie north of fort ; win- ters in pine woods. Zenaidiira macroura : Mourning Dove. — Not common, but generally dis- tributed. Cathartes aura : Turkey Vulture. — A few seen at intervals during the summer. Circus hudsonius : Marsh Hawk. — Not uncommon in autumn. Accipiter velox ; Sharp-shinned Hawk. — One taken in May. Accipiter atricapillus : Goshawk. — Rather common in migrations and winter, and probably breeds. Buteo swainsoni : Swainson Hawk. — A young bird taken in September. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis : Rough-legged Hawk. — Occasionally seen in spring and fall. Aquila chrysaetos : Golden Eagle. — Occurs sparingly throughout the year. Haliceetus leucocephalus : Bald Eagle. — A few pairs breed about the lake J an adult seen in February. Falco mexicanus : Prairie Falcon. — Rare ; taken in September. Falco richardsonii : Richardson Merlin. — Taken in August and October. Falco sjmrverius deserticola : Desert Sparrow Hawk. — Summer resi- dent. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis : Fish Hawk. — Frequently seen in summer. Asio wilsonianus : Long-eared Owl. — A single specimen examined. Asia accipitrinus : Short-eared Owl. — Often flushed on prairie and marshes. Nyctala tengmalmi richardsoni : Richardson Owl. — Three specimens seen. Nyctala acadica : Saw-whet Owl. — A specimen taken in January. Notes frequently heard in spring. Megascops asio subsp. ? — Screech owls occasionally heard, doubtless 7nac- farlanei. Apparently quite rare. Bubo virgiiiianus paUescens : Western Horned Owl. Bubo virginianus saturatus : Dusky Horned Owl. — Both forms of the great horned owl occur commonly. Ni/ctea nyctea : Snowy Owl. — Irregular winter visitor. Glaucidium gnoma : Pygmy Owl. — A not uncommon resident. Coccyzus americanus occidentalis : California Cuckoo. — One seen in July. Ceryle alcyon : Belted Kingfisher. — Common in summer ; a few winter. Dryobates villosus hyloscopus : Cabanis Woodpecker. — Abundant in win- ter ; breeds sparingly. Dryobates pubescens homorus : Batchelder Woodpecker. — Rather uncom- mon resident. Xenopicus albolarvatus : White-headed Woodpecker. — Rare resident. Picoides arcticus : Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. — Fairly common resi- dent. Sphyrapicus variiis nuchalis : Red-naped Sapsucker. — A few pairs breed among the cottonwoods. INTRODUCTION Irvii Sphyrapicus thyroideus : Williamson Sapsucker. — Seen near Coeur d'Alene. Ceophloeiis pileatus ahieticola : Pileated Woodpecker. — Rather common resident. Melanerpes torquatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Summer resident, breeding in cottonwoods and pines. ColajJtes cafer coUaris : Red-shafted Flicker. — Common summer resi- dent. Chordeiles virginianus : Nighthawk. — Common summer resident. Chcetura vauxii : Vaux Swift. — Seen in May and July ; some probably breed. Trochilus alexandri : Black-chinned Hummingbird. — Fairly common in spring ; a few remain to breed. Selasphorus rufus : Rufous Hummingbird. — Common spring migrant ; probably breeds. Stellula calliope : Calliope Hummingbird. — Common summer resident. Tyrannus tyrannus : Kiugbird. — - Fairly common summer resident. Tyrannus verticalis : Arkansas Kingbird. — Rare ; a pair or two breed near the fort. Sayornis saya : Say Flycatcher. — Common at Coeur d'Alene. Contojnis horealis : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Breeds sparingly on hill- sides. Contopus rickardsonii : Western Wood Pewee. — Very common in pines and cottonwoods. Empidonax hammondi: Hammond Flycatcher. — Common summer resi- dent among cottonwoods and willows along the river and near swamps. Empidonax ivrightii : Wright Flycatcher. — A single specimen taken in May. Otocoris alpestris arcticola : Pallid Horned Lark. — One specimen taken in September. Otocoris alpestris merrilli : Dusky Horned Lark. — Common in spring and summer. Pica pica hudsomca : Magpie. — Not uncommon in winter. Cyanocitta stelleri annectens : Black-headed Jay. — Fairly common in spring and fall, a few wintering. Perisoreus canadensis capitalis : Rocky Mountain Jay. — Rather common resident. Corvus corax sinuatus : Raven. — Probably resident. Corvus americanus : Crow. — Common during migrations, a few pairs breeding. Nucifraga columh'iana : Clarke Nutcracker. — Irregular visitant; abun- dant in good pine cone winters. Dolichonyx oryzivorus : Bobolink. — Breeds on St. Joseph River. Molothrus ater : Cowbird. — Rare. Agelaius phaniceus caurinus : Northwestern Red-wiug. — Breeds sparingly about the lake. Sturnella magna neglecta : Western Meadowlark. — Common in summer. Icterus bullocki : Bullock Oriole. — Breeds sparingly in cottonwoods along the river. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus : Brewer Blackbird. — A few breed along the river. Corcot/iraustes vespertinus montanus : Western Evening Grosbeak. — Proba- bly coninion, but irregular siinnucr visitor. Carj)odacus cassini : Cassia Finch. — Abundant summer resident. Loxia curvirostra minor : Crossbill. — Irregular visitor, breeding in hills. Ixviii INTRODUCTION Leucosticte tephrocotis littoralis : Hepburn Leucosticte. — Apparently an irregular fall and winter visitant. Acanthis linaria : Redpoll. — Winter visitant. Astragalinus tristis : Goldfinch. — A fairly common summer resident. Spinus pinus : Pine Siskin. — Resident. Passerina nivalis : Snowflake. — An irreg-ular winter visitor. Galcarius lapponicus : Lapland Longspur. — A single specimen taken in November. Pooecetes gramineus coiifinis : Western Vesper Sparrow. — Breeds spar- ingly. Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus : Western Savanna Sparrow. — Com- mon migrant, a few breeding. Ammodramus leconteii : Leeonte Sparrow. — A single specimen taken. Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii : Gambel Sparrow. — Fairly common mi- grant. Spizella monticola ochracea : Western Tree Sparrow. — Rare in Avinter. Spizella socialis arizome : Western Chipping Sparrow. — One of the com- monest summer residents. Junco hyemalis connectens : Intermediate Junco. — Migrant. Melospiza fasciata merrilli : Merrill Song Sparrow. — Common summer visitor. Passerella iliaca schistacea : Slate-colored Sparrow. — Rare migrant. Pipilo mactdatus megalonyx: Spurred Towhee. — Generally but sparingly distributed in summer. Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-headed Grosbeak. — Not uncommon. Cyanospiza amoena : Lazuli Bunting. — Not common. Piranga ludoviciana : Louisiana Tanager. — Common in migrations ; a few breed. Petrochelidon lunifrons : Cliff Swallow. — Common summer visitor. Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow. — Occasionally seen near prairie in summer. Tachycineta bicolor : White-bellied Swallow. — Breeds abundantly in cot- tonwoods. Biparia riparia : Bank Swallow. — Breeds on Coeur d' Alene River. Ampelis garrulus : Bohemian Waxwing. — Irregular winter visitant. Ampelis cedrorum : Cedar Waxwing. — Common summer resident. Lanius borealis : Northern Shrike. — Common in fall ; a few winter. Vireo olivaceus : Red-eyed Vireo. — Abundant summer visitor. Vireo gilvus : Warbling Vireo. — Breeds somewhat sparingly. Vireo solitarius cassinii : Cassin Vireo. — Breeds in moderate numbers. Helminthophila rubricapilla guUuralis : Calaveras Warbler. — Breeds. Helminthophila celata lutescens : Lutescent Warbler. — Several taken in May. Dendroica (estiva : Yellow W^arbler. — Abundant summer resident. Dendroica auduboni : Audubon Warbler. — Summer resident. Dendroica townsendi : Townsend Warbler. — Breeds. Geothlypis tohniei : Macgillivray Warbler. — Breeds rather commonly. Geothlyins trichas occidentalis: Western Yellow-throat. — Breeds sparingly. Icteria virens longicauda : Long-tailed Chat. — Common at Coeur d'Alene. Wilsonia pusilla pileolata : Pileolated Warbler. — Occasional migrant. Setophaga ruticilla : Redstart. — Abundant summer visitor. Anthus pensilvanicus : Pipit. — Rare in spring, abundant in fall. Cinclus mexicanus : Dipper. — Fairly common. Galeoscoptes carolinensis : Catbird. — Common summer visitor. Salpinctes obsoletus: Rock Wren. — A pair found, evidently nesting. INTRODUCTION Ixix Troylodi/tes aedon parkmanii : Parkman Wren. — Breeds rather commonly. Olbiorchilus hitmalispacijicus : Western Winter Wren. — Kather common resident. Cistothorus palustris paludicola : Tule Wren. — Rare in fall. Certhia familiaris montana : Rocky Mountain Creeper. — Abundant in winter. Sitta carolinensis aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Breeds rather sparingly. Sitta canadensis : Red-breasted Nuthatch. — Common winter resident, breeding- less plentifully near the fort. Sitta pygmaui : Pygmy Nuthatch. — Most abundant resident. Parus atricapillus : Chickadee. — A common resident. Parus ganibeli: Mountain Chickadee. — Abundant resident. Parus rufescens : Chestnut-backed Chickadee. — Resident. Begulus satrajm olivaceus : Western Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Resident. Regulus calendula : Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Summer resident. Myadestfs townsendii : Solitaire. — Not uncommon migrant, one pair found breeding. Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola : Willow Thrush. — Rather common sum- mer resident among cottonwoods. Hylocichla ustulata ahnce : Alma Thrush. — Breeds rather commonly about the lake and on mountain. Merula migratoria propinqua : Western Robin. — Abundant summer resident. Ixoreus mecius : Varied Thru.sh. — Migrant. Sialia mexicana bairdi : Chestnut-backed Bluebird. — Abundant summer resident. * Sialia arctica : Mountain Bluebird. — Summer resident. LIST OF BIRDS OF CHEYENNE AND VICINITY. By Frank Bond. ClieyeuiiG is located iu the midst of tlie Great Plains region, a little over 6000 feet above the ocean, with an annual rainfall of thirteen inches. The plains around Cheyenne are drained by streams fringed by cottonwoods and willows which attract the migrants. One of these streams flows through the city, which by persistent arboriculture has been made an immense grove of trees, an oasis in the desert. Five small lakes, from within the city limits to a mile and a half beyond, offer resting places to waterfowl of all descrip- tions. The mountain range twent}^ miles west of the city, acting as a barrier to flight, completes the coiulitions which give Cheyenne a i)eculiur and di versified avifauna. The list covers a radius of about thri'C nnlcs from the city limits yTjchmojj/iorus oii-id< nta/is : Western (irebe. — Rare >'isitant. Colymbus liolltnllii : IIollxi'U (Treb*'. — Hare visitant. Colymbus nigricollis californicHs : Eared Grebe. — Common during migra- tions. Garia imbf-r : Loon. — Not common but tolerably regular visitor during migrations. Ixx INTRODUCTION Lams argentatiis : Herring Gull. — Rare visitor. Larus delawarensis : Riug-billecl Gull, — Cominoii during migrations. Larus Philadelphia : Bonaparte Gull. — Regular but not very common visitor. Sterna forsteri : Forster Tern. — Rare visitor. Sterna hirxindo : Common Tern. — Occasional visitor. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamejisis : Black Tern. — Regular visitor. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos : White Pelican. — Occasional visitor. Pelecanus occidentalis : Brown Pelican. — One specimen taken in 1900. Merganser americanus : Merganser. — Not common ; sometimes "winters at springs in Laramie County. Lophodytes cucidlatus : Hooded Merganser. — Rare. Anas boschas : Mallard. — Common migrant. Chaulelasmus streperus : Gadwall. — Common. Mareca americana : Baldpate. — Common. Nettion carolinensis : Green-winged Teal. — Common. Querquedula discors : Blue-winged Teal. — Common. Qiierquedida cyanoptera : Cinnamon Teal. — Occasional on city reservoirs. Spatula clypeata : Shoveller. — Common. The blue and green winged teal and the shoveller breed commonly in suitable localities a few miles from town. Dajila acuta : Pintail. — Common. Aix sponsa : Wood Duck. — Very rare visitor. Aythya americana : Redhead. — Common migrant. Aythya vallisneria : Canvas-back. — Common migrant, but not so common as the redhead. Aythya marila : Scaup Duck. — Not common. Aythya ajfinis : Lesser Scaup Duck. — Rare. Aythya collaris : Ring-necked Duck. — Not common. Clangula clangula americana : American Golden-eye. — Rare. Clangula islandica : Barrow Golden-eye. — Rare. Charitonetta albeola : Buffle-head. — Tolerably common. Oidemia americana : Scoter. — Rare. Erismatura jamaicensis : Ruddy Duck. — Very common migrant. Chen hyperhorea : Lesser Snow Goose. — Rare visitor. Anser alhifrons gamheli : White-fronted Goose. — Rare visitor. Branta canadensis : Canada Goose. — Not common. Branta canadensis hatchinsii : Hutchins Goose. — Common for the species. Olor columhianus : Whistling Swan. — Rare. Ardea herodias : Great Blue Heron. — Common, for the species. Nycticorax nycticorax ncevius : Black-crowned Night Heron. — Not com- mon. Porzana Carolina : Sora. — Tolerably common. Fulica americana : Coot. — Very common. Phalaropus lobatus : Northern Phalarope. — Rare. Steganopus tricolor : Wilson Phalarope. — Tolerably common ; breeds abundantly on Laramie plains fifty miles west of Cheyenne. JRecurvirostra americana : Avocet. — Tolerably common for the species during migrations. Gallinago delicata : Wilson Snipe. — Not very common. Macrorhamjihus scolopaceus : Long-billed Dowitcher. — Rare. Micropalama him ant opus : Stilt Sandpiper. — Very rare. Tringa bairdii : Baird Sandpiper. — Very common. Tringa minutilla : Least Sandpiper. — Very common. Limosafedoa: Marbled Godwit. — Tolerably common. INTRODUCTION Ixxi Totanus melanoleucus : Greater Yellow-legs. — Rare. Totanus Jiavipes : Yellow-legs. — Tolerably common. Symphemia semipalmata inornata : Western Willet. — Common migrant. Bartramia longicauda : Bartramian Sandpiper. — Not common. Actitis macularia : Spotted Sandpiper. — Common ; breeds. Numenius longirostris : Long-billed Curlew. — Common migrant. Squatarola sqxiatarola : Black-bellied Plover. — Rare. Charadrius dominicus : Golden Plover. — Rare. ^gialitis vocifera : Killdeer. — Common ; breeds. JEgialitis semipalmata : Semipalmated Plover. — Rare. JEgialitis meloda circumcincta : Belted Piping' Plover. — Rare. ^gialitis nivosa : Snowy Plover. — Rare. j^gialitis montana : Mountain Plover. — Common. Zenaidura macroiira : Mourning- Dove. — Common ; breeds. Cathartes aura : Turkey Vulture. — Rare. Accipiter velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Tolerably common. Accipiter coojjerii : Cooper Hawk. — Not common. Buteo borealis calurus : Western Red-tail. — Not common. Buteo swainsoni : Swainson Hawk. — Tolerably common. Ardnhuteo ferrugineus : Ferruginous Rough-leg'. — Common. Halkeetus leucocephalus : Bald Eagle. — Rare. Falco mexicamts : Prairie Falcon. — Common. Falco peregrinus anatum : Duck Hawk. — Rare. Falco sparverius : Sparrow Hawk. — Common ; breeds. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis : Osprey. — Not common. Asio wilsonianus : Long-eared Owl. — Common. Asio accipitrinus : Short-eared Owl. — Rare. Nyctala acadica : Saw-whet Owl. — Not common. Nyctea nyctea : Snowy Owl. — Rare. Speotyto cunicularia hypogma : Burrowing- Owl. — Common ; breeds. Ceryie alcyon: Belted King-fisher. — Tolerably common. Sphyrapicus thyroideus : Williamson Sapsucker. — Rare. Melanerpes erythrocephalus : Red-headed Woodpecker. — Tolerably com- mon. Melanerpes torquatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Occasional visitor. Colaptes cafer collaris : Red-shafted Flicker. — The most common wood- pecker. rhaUmioptilus nuttallii : Poor-will. — Not common. Chordeiles virgimanuf; henryi : Western Nightliawk. — Common. Selaspharus platyrerrus : Broad-tailed Hummingbird. — Not very common. Selasphorus rufus: Rufous Hummingbird. — Not very common. Tyrannus tyrannus : Kingbird. — Common ; breeds. Ti/rannus verticalis : Arkansas Kingbird. — Most common kingbird: breeds. Tfirannns voriferans : Cassin Kingbird. — Not common. Myiarchua cinerascens : A.sh-throated Flycatcher. — Rare. ContopHs borealis : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Not conmion. Couti>{)Hsrirhards(mii : Wpst.Mii Wood Pewee. — Tolerably common. Kmpidonax traillii : Traill Flycatcher. — Rare. Fnipidomix minimus : Least Flycatcher. — Tolerably common. I'icn pica hndsonica : Magpie. — Rare in the city. (■yanocitta stclleri diademata : Long-crested Jay. — Rare in the city. Nucifraga Columbiana : Clarke Nutcracker. — Autumnal flocks of young tolerably common. Cyanoc'phiihts cyftnoctphalus : Pifion Jay. — Regular .intunin visitor, some- times wintering. Ixxii INTRODUCTION Dolichonyx*oryzivorus : Bobolink. — Occasional summer resident. Molothrus ater : Cowbird. — Common simmier resident. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus : Yellow-headed Blackbird. — Not com- mon. Agelaius phoeniceus : Red- winged Blackbird. — Common summer resident. Sturnella magna neglecta : Western Meadowlark. — Common summer resi- dent. Icterus huUocki : Bullock Oriole : Tolerably common summer resident. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus : Brewer Blackbird. — Common. Quiscalus quiscula (eneus : Bronzed Grackle. — Rare. Coccothraustes vespertinus montanus : Western Evening Grosbeak. — Visit- ant ; does not breed. Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis : House Finch. — Abundant summer resi- dent ; sometimes also winter resident. Leucosticte tejjhrocotis : Gray-crowned Leucostiete. — Frequent winter visitor. Acanthis linaria : Redpoll. — Occasional winter visitor. Astragalinus tristis : Goldfinch. — Common summer resident. Astragalinus psaliria : Arkansas Goldfinch. — One taken in Cheyenne. Spiniis pinus : Pine Siskin. — Regular autumn visitor. Passerina. nivalis : Snowflake. — Regular winter visitor, often in very large flocks. Calcarius ornatus : Chestnut-collared Longspur. — Summer resident ; not common. Rhynchophanes mccownii : McCown Longspur. — Abundant summer resi- dent. Pooecetes gramineus conjinis : Western Vesper Sparrow. — ; Common mi- grant ; probably breeds near. Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus : Western Savanna Sparrow. — Com- mon migrant. Chondestes grarnmacus strigatus : Western Lark Sparrow. — Common mi- grant. Zonotrichia lencophrys gambelii : Gambel Sparrow. — Common migrant. Spizella monticola ochracea : Western Tree Sparrow. — Common migrant. Spizella socialis arizonce : Western Chipping Sparrow. — Tolerably com- mon migrant. Spizella pallida : Clay-colored Sparrow. — Common ; probably breeds. Spizella hreweri : Brewer Sparrow\ — Tolerably common. Junco hyemalis : Slate-colored Junco. — Tolerably common. Junco hyemalis connectens : Intermediate Junco. — Tolerably common. Junco mearnsi : Pink-sided Junco. — Common migrant. Amphispiza belli nevadensis : Sage Sparrow. — Rare visitor. Melospiza melodia montana : Mountain Song Sparrow. — Tolerably com- mon migrant. Melospiza lincolnii : Lincoln Sparrow. — Common migrant. Oreospiza chlorura : Green-tailed Towhee. — Common migrant. Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-headed Grosbeak. — Occasional city vis- itor only. Cyanospiza amoena : Lazuli Bunting. — Summer resident ; not many nest. Calamospiza melanocorys : Lark Bunting. — Abundant; breeds. Piranga ludoviciana : Louisiana Tanager. — Common migrant. Piranga erythromelas : Scarlet Tanager. — Rare visitor. Progne subis : Purple Martin. — Rare visitor. Petrochelidon lunifrons : Cliff Swallow. — Common ; breeds. Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow. — Common ; breeds. INTRODUCTION Ixjdii Tachycineta bicolor : White-bellied Swallow. — Not very common. Hiparia riparia : Bank Swallow. — Tolerably common. Stelgidopteryx serripennis : Rough-winged Swallow. — Tolerably common. Ampelis garrulus : Bohemian Waxwing. — Rare. Ampelis cedrorum : Cedar Waxwing. — Rare. Lanius boreaiis : Northern Shrike. — Regular winter visitor. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides : White-rumped Shrike. — Common sum- mer resident. Vireo olivaceus : Red-eyed Vireo. — Not common. Vireo gilvus swainsoni : ^ Western Warbling Vireo. — Common. Helminthophila celata : Orange-crowned Warbler. — Common migrant. Helminthophila peregrina : Tennessee Warbler. — Rare. Compsothlypis americana usnece : Northern Parula Warbler. — Rare. Dendroica (estiva : Yellow Warbler. — Common summer resident. Dendroica coronata : Yellow-rumped Warbler. — Common migrant. Dendroica auduboni : Audubon Warbler. — Common migrant. Dendroica striata : Black-poll Warbler. — Tolera])ly common migrant. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis : Grinnell Water-Tlirush. — Rare visitor. Geothlypis tolmiei : Macgillivray Warbler. — Common migrant. Geothlypis trickas occidentalis. — Western Yellow-throat. — Common mi- grant. Setophaga ruticilla : Redstart. — Tolerably common migrant. Anthus spragueii : Sprague Pipit. — Common migrant. Cinclus mexicanns : Dipper. — Rare visitor. Oroscoptes viontanus : Sage Thrasher. — Common migrant. Mimus polyglottos leucopterus : Western Mockingbird. — Regular summer resident ; a few pairs breed. Galeoscoptes carolinensis : Catbird. — Tolerably common migrant. Toxostoma rufum : Brown Thrasher. — Common ; breeds. Salpinctes obsoletus : Rock ^^'^ren. — Common migrant. Troglodytes aedon aztecus : Western House Wren. — Tolerably common migrant. Certhia familiar is montana : Rocky Mountain Creepei'. — Casual visitor. Sitta carolinensis aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Rare visitor. Sitta canadensis : Red-breasted Nutliatch. — ()cca.sional visitor, Sitta jjygmfea : Pygmy Nuthatch. — Rare visitor. Parus gambeli : Mountain Chickadee. — A flock occasionally visits the city. Regvlus calendula : Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Tolerably regular spring migrant. Myadestes townsendii : Townsend Solitaire. — Regular migrant; toh'ral)ly common. Ilylocirhla ustulata swainsoni : 01ive-b:icked Thrush. — (\)nnnon migrant. Mernla uiigratorin : ]vo])in. — Tolerably common sunnner resich-nt. Mernla niigratoria jjropinqna : Western Robin. — Frecpiently wiiitiTs. Sialia sialis : Bluebird. — Occasionally seen both in winter and in midsum- mer ; may breed. Sialia arctica: Mountain Bluebird. — .\bundant breeder for species. ' V. 'jilvus of Check-List. (F. M. B.) Ixxiv INTRODUCTION BIRDS OF PINAL, PIMA, AND GILA COUNTIES, ARIZONA. From W. E. D. Scott, in The Auk, vol. iii. 383, 421, 1886 ; vol. iv. 16, 196, 1887 ; vol. V. 29, 159, 1888. The region covered by Mr. Scott's paper extends eighty miles north and forty miles south of Tucson. The Santa Catalina Moun- tains form its backbone, and the Gila, Santa Cruz, and San Pedro rivers flow through it. The region about Tucson is a plain of about 2300 feet altitude, arid and cactus-grown except where it is watered by springs and sporadic streams which support cottonwoods and other trees. The Florence region in the valley of the Gila is similar to that about Tucson. At Riverside the valley is much narrower. Mineral Creek rises at about 5000 feet altitude in the Pinal Moun- tains. The birds of the entire region may be divided into birds of the plains and valleys, birds of the oak belt, and birds of the pine re- gions, though of course the species shift back and forth, the vertical migration being here as important as the north and south migra- tions. Podilymbus podicqjs : Pied-billed Grebe. — Two taken by Mr. Herbert Brown near Tucson in February. Gavia lumme : Red-throated Loon. — One taken in December near Tucson. Merganser americanus : Merganser. — Seen at San Pedro River in Jan- uary. Lophodytes cucuUatus : Hooded Merganser. — One taken by Mr. Brown near Tucson in December. Anas boschas : Mallard. — One of the commonest ducks about Tucson in fall and winter. Chaulelasmus streperus : Gadwall. — One taken by Mr. Brown near Tuc- son. Mareca americana : Baldpate. — Found on San Pedro River in small flocks in January. Nettion carolinensis : Green-winged Teal. — Abundant about Tucson at times during the winter (Brown). Querquedula discors : Blue-winged Teal. — A few seen on San Pedro River ; uncommon about Tucson (Brown). Querquedula cyanoptera : Cinnamon Teal. — Common winter visitant about Txieson (Brown). Spatula clypeata : Shoveller. — Common about Tucson in winter (Brown). Dafila acuta : Pintail. — Not uncommon on San Pedro River in March. Aythya americana : Bedhead. — Common about Tucson in winter (Brown), and found in small flocks on San Pedro River in January. Aythya vallisneria : Canvas-back. — A small flock seen on San Pedro in January. Aythya marila : Scaup Duck. — Rather common on San Pedro River in winter. Aythya affinis : Lesser Scaup Duck. — A few seen on the San Pedro in January. INTRODUCTION Ixxv Charitonetta albeola : Buffle-head. — One taken in December near Tucson, and one on San Pedro in January. Erisrnatura jamaicensis : Ruddy Duck. — Not uncommon about Tucson at times. Branta canadensis (subsp. ?): Canada Goose. — Three seen on pond near the San Pedro in January. Plegadis autumnalis: Glossy Ibis. — Not infrequent about bottom lands near Tucson (Brown). Plegadis guarauna : White-faced Glossy Ibis. — Common in May near Tucson. Tantalus loculator : Wood Ibis. — Rather common on Gila and San Pedi-o rivers most of the. year. Botaurus Itntiyinosus : Bittern. — Rare about Tucson (Brown). Ardea herodias : Great Blue Heron. — Rather common resident. Ardea egretta : Egret. — Rather common about Tucson in May. Ardea candidissima : Snowy Heron. — Five seen near Tucson in May. Ardea virescens anthonyi : Anthony Green Heron. — Rather rare about Tucson (Brown). Nycticorax nycticorax iicevins : Black-crowned Night Heron. — Rather rare about Tucson (Brown) ; found on the Santa Cru/ in May. Ballus virginianus : Virginia Rail. — One seen on the San Pedro in Jan- uary. Porzana Carolina : Sora. — One taken at Tucson in Ajjril (Brown). Gallinula galeata : Florida Gallinule. — Not uncommon about Tucson (Brown) ; rare on San Pedro in late January. Fulica americana : Coot. — Common except in summer. Steganopus tricolor : Wilson Phalarope. — Common during migration about Tucson. Becurvirostra americana : Avocet. — Common at times in fall migration near Tucson (Brown). Gallinago de/icata : Wilson Snipe. — Common in migrations about Tucson, a few wintering there and in San Pedro River region. Tringa inimitilla : Least Sandpiper. — Commcm about Tucson in migra- tions (Brown). Tringa alpina pacijica: Red-backed Sandpiper. — Flocks seen hi April near Tucson. Ereunetes occidentalis : Western Sandpiper. — Common migrant about Tucson. Limosa fedoa : Marbled Godwit (?). — A godwit probably of this species seen in January on San Pedro River. Totanns inelanolencus : Greater Yellow-legs. — Two taken by Mr. Urown near Tucson in October. Helodromas solitarins cinnamomeus : Western Solitary Sandpiper. — Not uncommon about Tucson in migrations. Actifis mucularia : Spotted Sanll migrant in Pinal Mountains; common migrant and winter resident of Catalina fuotliills uj) to 3500 feet. Ixxxii INTRODUCTION Mimus polyglottos leucopterus : Western Mockingbird. — Common resident throughout the reg-ion up to 5000 feet. Toxostoma bendirei : Bendire Thrasher. — Resident on the plains from Tucson southward, and quite common about Florence in the warmer months. Breeds in Catalinas below 4000 feet. Toxostoma curvirostre palmeri: Palmer Thrasher. — Common resident in choUa cactus region. Toxostoma crissalis : Crissal Thrasher. — Apparently resident throughout the region. Heleodytes hrunneicapillus : Cactus Wren. — Common resident throughout the region below 4000 feet. Salpinctes obsoletus : Rock Wren. — More or less abundant in the counties considered. Catherpes mexicanus conspersus : Canyon Wren. — Resident in mountain canyons up to 5000 feet. Thryomanes hewickii leucogaster : Baird Wren. — Resident in the Catalinas and Pinal Mountains up to about 0000 feet. Troglodytes a'edon aztecus : Western House Wren. — Breeds in pine re- gions. Cistothorus palustris plesius : Western Marsh Wren. — One taken by Mr. Brown near Tucson. Certhia fa miliar is albescens: Mexican Creeper. — One taken in pine forests of Catalinas in April. Sitta carolinensis aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Common resident in pine woods and higher altitudes. Sitta canadensis : Red-breasted Nuthatch. — One taken at 4500 feet in the Catalinas. Sitta pygmcea : Pygmy Nuthatch. — Found in pine forests of Pinal and Catalina Mountains. Parus woUweberi : Bridled Titmouse. — Rather common resident of the oak region in the Pinal and Catalina Mountains. Psaltriparus plumbeus : Lead-colored Bush-Tit. — Resident in the Cata- linas up to about 7500 feet. Auriparus Jlaviceps : Verdin. — Resident throughovit the entire region up to 400) feet. Begulus calendula : Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Common migrant and winter resident in the oak belt. Polioptila ccerulea obscura : Western Gnatcatclier. — Breeds commonly in the Catalinas, but winters on the plains and mesas. Polioptila plumbea : Plumbeous Gnatcatcher. — Common resident about Tucson and in valley of San Pedro. Myadestes townsend i i : Townsend Solitaire. — Found in the mountains. Hylociclda fuscescens salicicola : Willow Thrush. — One taken by Mr. Brown at Tucson. Hylocichla guttata : Alaska Hermit Thrush. — Winter visitant. Hylociclda guttata auduboni : Audubon Hermit Thrush. — Three speci- mens taken. Merula migratoria propinqua : Western Robin. — Common winter resident, 8500 to 6000 feet. Sialia mexicana occidentalis : Western Bluebird. — Winter resident of the foothills ; also breeds in small numbers in the Catalinas. Sialia arctica : Mountain Bluebird. — Irregular fall and winter visitant of the foothills. INTRODUCTION Ixxxiii BOOKS OF REFERENCE. GENERAL WORKS. American Ornithologists' Union. Check-List of North American Birds. Second Edition (18U5). Audubon, John James. Birds of America. — Ornitholog-ical Biography. Baird, Spencer F. Review of American Birds. Smithsonian Mis. Col. 1804-186(5 ; U. S. and Mexican Boundary Survey, vol. ii. part ii. 1859. Baird, S. F., Cassin, J., and Lawrence, G. N. Pacific R. R. Reports, vol. ix., Birds, 1858. Baird, S. F., Brewer, T. M., and Ridgway, R. History of North American Birds. Little, Brown & Co., Boston, o vols.. Land Birds, 1874 ; 2 vols., Water Birds, 1884. Beddard, F. E. Study and Classification of Birds. Longmans, Green & Co., New York, 1898. Bendire, Charles E. Life Histories of North American Birds. Smith- sonian Institution, 2 vols. 1892, 1895. (Land birds through Icteridas.) Cassin, J. Illustrations of the Birds of Texas, California, etc., 1858, 1855, 1856. Cooper, J. G., and Suckley, G. Pacific R. R. Report, vol. xii. No. ii. 1860. CouES, Elliott. Bibliography of Ornithology, Part i., Faunal Papers, Appendix to Birds of Colorado Valley, 566-784, 1878; Parts ii. and iii., Systematic Papers, Bull. Geol. and Geog". Surv. Terr., Hayden, vol. v. Nos. 2 and 4, 1879 ; Part iv., Faunal Papers on British Birds, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. vol. ii. for 1879. —Birds of the Colorado Valley, U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr. 1878. — Birds of the Northwest, U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr. 1874. — Key to North American Birds, 2d ed. 1884. Evans, A. H. Cambridge Nat. Hist., vol. ix., Birds. Macmillan Co., New York, 1899. Fisher, A. K. Rept. Om. Death Valley Exped., N. A. Fauna No. 7, 1898. U. S. Dept. Ag-r. Heerman, a. L. Pacific R. R. Rept., vol. x. part iv. Nos. i. and ii.. Birds, 1859. Henshaw, H. W. Rept. Om. Spec, Wheeler's Surv. for the Years 1871, 1872, and 1873. — Exp. West Hundredth Meridian, vol. v. chap. iii. Zo- ology, 1875. Kennekly, C. B. R. Pacific R. R. Rept., vol. x. No. 3, Birds, 19, 1859. Merriam, C. H. Mammals and Birds. 6th Ann. Rept. U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr. 1872. Nelson, E. W. Rept. Nat. Hist. Coll. Alaska Arct. Ser., No. iii. part i.. Birds, 1877. Newton, Alfred. Dictionary of Birds. Macmillan Co., New York, 4 vols,, 1893-1896. Ridgway, Robert. Birds of North and Middle America. Bull. No. 50, U. S. Nat. Mus. 1901, 1902. — Hummingbirds, Ann. Rept. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1890, sec. iii. 253. — Nomenclature of Colors, Little. Brown ct Co., Boston, 189(;.— Manual of North American Birds, J. B. Lippin- cott Co., Philad.'lphi.i. 2(1 ed. 1896. — Ornitholofry of Survey of 40th Parallel, U. S. Geol. Kxpl.. part iii. 1877. Ste.ineoer, L., and OtluMs. Kiverside Natural History, vol. iv., Birds. (1885.) Houghton, MiiUiu & Co., Boston. Ixxxiv INTRODUCTION TowNSEND, C. H. Notes on Birds of Kowak River, and other portions of Alaska, Cruise of the Corwin, 1885. Turner, L. M. Contr. to Nat. Hist. Alaska, Arctic Ser. No. ii. 1886. WooDHOUSE, S. W. Rept. Sitgreaves Exped. Zuui and Colorado Rivers, 1853. PERIODICALS. American Field. American Field Publishing- Company, 801 Masonic Temple, Chicago. Auk, The. Cambridge, Mass. Bird-Lore. The Maemillan Company, Harrisburg. Pa. Bulletin of the Cooper Ornithological Club. (See Condor.) BuiiLETiN OF THE NuTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL Club. Cambridge, Mass., 1876-1883. Condor, The. Santa Clara, California (vol. i. published as Bull. Cooper Orn. Club). Forest and Stream. 346 Broadway, New York. NiDOLOGiST, The. Alameda, California, 1803-1896. Ornithologist and Oologist. Hyde Park, Mass., 1881-1892. OsPREY, The. The Osprey Company, Washington, D. C. Proceedings California Academy of Sciences. Cal. Acad. Sci., San Francisco, California. Recreation. 23 West 24th Street, New York. ZoE. San Diego, California, 1st ser. 1890-1894. STATE LISTS. Arizona. — Coues, Elliott. Birds of Fort Whipple, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. xviii. 1865, 1866; Birds of Colorado Valley, U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr. 1878. — Henshaw, H. W. Annotated List of Birds of Arizona, Expl. and Surv. West 100th Meridian, 1875. — Mearns, E. A. Avi- fauna of Portions of Arizona, Auk, vii. 45, 251, ISUO. — Merriam, C. H., San Francisco Mountain Region and Desert of Little Colorado, N. Am. Fauna, No. 3, Biol. Surv. U. S. Dept. Agr. — Scott, W. E. D. Notes from Mountains of Southern Arizona, Auk, ii. 348, 1885. Avi- fauna of Pinal County, with Remarks on Birds of Pima and Gila Coun- ties, Auk. iii. 249, 383, 421 ; iv. 16, 196; v. 29, 159. British Columbia. — Chapman, F. M. Collection of Birds of British Columbia, by C. P. Streator, Am. Miis. Nat. Hist. vol. 3, No. i. 1890.— Fannin, John. Cheek-List of British Columbia Birds, Provincial Mu- seum, 1898. — Osgood, W. H. Natural History of Queen Charlotte Islands, N. Am. Fauna, No. 21, Biol. Surv. U. S. bept. Agr. Canada. — Macoun, John. Catalogue of Canadian Birds, Geol. Surv. Canada, 1900. California. — General. Belding, Lyman. Land Birds of the Pacific District, Cal. Acad. Sci., San Francisco, 1890. — Cooper, J. G. Orni- thology of California, Geol. Surv. Calif. 1870. — Grinnell, Joseph. Check-List of California Birds, Pacific Coast Avifauna, No. iii. 1902. — LoOMis, L. M. California Water Birds, Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. Ser. 2 and 3, 1895, 1896, 1900. — Local. Barlow, C, and Price, W. W. List of Birds, Placerville to Lake Tahoe, Condor, iii. 150, 1901. — Blake, E. W. Summer Birds of Santa Cruz Island, Auk, iv. 328, 1887. — Bryant, Walter. Birds and Eggs from the Farallon Islands, Proc. Cal. Acad. 2d Ser. i. 1888. — Cooper, J. G. Additions to Birds of Ventura County, Auk, iv. 85, 1887 ; Calif ornian Garden Birds, Am. Nat. x. No. 2, 90, INTRODUCTION Ixxxv 1876. — EvERMANN, B. W. Birds of Ventura County. Auk, iii. 86, 179, 1886. — Grinnell, Joseph. Birds of Pacific Slope of Los Ang'eles County, Pasadena Acad. Sci. No. ii. 1898. — Keelek, Chas. A. Bird Notes Afield, Elder & IShepard. San Francisco, 1889- — McGregor. R. C. Land Birds of Santa Cruz County, Pac. Coast Avifauna, No. 2. 1901. — Merriam, C. H. Biological Survey of Mount Shasta, N. Am. Fauna, No. 16, Biol. Surv. U. S. Dept. Agr. — Oberholser, H. C. Birds from Santa Barbara Islands, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. vol. xxii. No. 1195, :20.'>, 19U0. — Taylor, H. R., and Barlow. C. Story of the Farallones, Alameda, Cal., 1897. — Townsend. C. H. Field Notes on Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles of Northern California, Birds, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. X. 190, 1887. — Van Denburgh, John. Birds Observed in ('en- tral California in 189:5, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pliila. 1898: Birds of Santa Clara County, Proc. Am. Philos. Soc. vol. xxxviii. 1-)!, 189'.>. Colorado. — Cooke, W. W. Birds of Colorado, State Agr. Coll. Bull. 37. 1897 : 44, 1898; 56, 1900. — Drew, F. M. Vertical Range of Birds in Colorado, Auk, ii. 11, 1885. Hudson Bay. — Preble, Edward A. Biological Investigations of Hudson Bay Region, N. Am. Fauna, No. 22, U. S. Dept. Agr. 1902. Idaho. — Merriam, C. H. Biological Recomioissanee of South Central Idaho, N. Am. Fauna, No. 5, U. S. Dept. Agr. — Merrill, J. C. Notes on Birds of Fort Sherman, Auk, xiv. o47, 1897; xv. 14, 1S98. Kansas. — Goss, N, S. Birds of Kansas, Crane & Co., Topeka, Kan.. 1891. Lower California. — Belding, Lyman. Catalogue Coll. Birds from Western Coast and Cape Regions of Lower California, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. vol. V. 527, 1882. — Brewster, William. Birds of Cape Region, Lower California, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. xli. 1, Sept. 1902. — Bryant, Walter. Catalogue of Birds of Lower California, Mexico, Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. 1889. Manitoba, — Thompson, E. E. Birds of Manitoba, Proc. U. S. Nat Mus. vol, xiii, 458, 1890. Montana. — Cooper, J. G. Fauna of Montana. Am. Nat. ii. and iii. 1869, — Richmond, Charles W., and Knowlton, F. H. Birds of South Central Montana. Auk, xi. 208. 1894. — Silloway, P. M. Sum- mer Birds of Flathead Lake. Universitv Montana. Bull. Xo. 3. Biol. Ser. i. 1901. — Thorne, P. M. Birds of Fort Keogh, Auk. xii. 211. 1895. Nebraska. — Bruner, Lawrence. Notes on Nebraska Birds, Neb. State Horticult. Soc. 1896. — Walcott, R. H. Corrections to Bruner. Pioc. Neb. Orn. Union, Nevada, — Fisher, A. K. Ornithology of Death Valley Exp., from N. Am. Fauna. No. 7, 1S98, U, S. Dept. Agr. — Hoffman, W. J. Birds of Nevada, Bull. Geol. and Geog. Surv. vol. vi. No. 2, Hayden Surv. ISSI. Ne-w Mexico. — Anthony, A. W. Birds of Southwestern New Mex- ico. Auk. ix. o57, 1892, — Henry, T, C. Catalogue of Birds ..f New Mexico. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci, Pliila, xi. 104, 18.V.» ; Notes on Birds of New Mexico, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pliila, vii. i'.OO. 1S55, — III nsmaw. H. W, Birds of Upp.^r Pecos Kivcr. Auk. ii, :'.2(i, 1SS5 ; iii. 7.i, issr., Mit(;hk.ll. W. 1. IJirds of S.-.n Migii.l Coui.tv. Auk. xv. ;50t',, ISOS. Oregon. — Anthony, A. W.. Binls of W'.ishington County, .Vuk.iii. 161, ISSIj, — Belding, Lyman. Birds of Pacific Coa.st. California Acid. Sci., San Francisco, ISOO. — Bkndikf. Chaklks E. Notes on Birds of Southea.stern Oregon. Proc. Bost. Soc. N;it. Hi.si. xix. 1S77, lO'.t. — Mkkkill. J. C. Birds of Fort Klamath, Auk. v. I.IO, 251. ;;.57. bS^S. — TOWNSEND, J. K. Catalogue Birds ..f ( >n"Moii. N.irrativ.. Jouni. across Ixxxvi INTRODUCTION Rocky Mts., Appendix. Perkins & Marvin, Boston, 1839. — Woodcock, A. R. Annotated List of Birds of Oregon, Ore. Agr. Exper. Station, Bull. No. 68, 1902, Corvallis, Ore. South Dakota. — Grinnell, G. B. Ludlow's Rept. Reconn. Black Hills, Zool. Rept. chap, ii., Birds, 1875. — McChesney, C. E. Birds of Coteau des Prairies of Eastern Dakota, Forest and Stream, vol. viii. 176, 192, 224, 214, 261. Texas. — Attwater, H. P. Birds of San Antonio, Auk, ix. 337, 1892. — Brown, N. C. Second Season in Texas, Auk, i. 120, 1884. — Chapman, F. M. Birds of Corpus Christi, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. iii. No. 2, art. xxii. 315. — Lloyd, W. Birds of Tom Green and Concho Counties, Auk, iv. 181, 289, 1887. — Merrill, J. C. Notes on Texan Birds, Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, i. No. iv. 88, 1876. — Sennett, G. B. Notes on Orni- thology of Lower Rio Grande, Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr. iv. No. i. 1, 1878; V. No. 3, 371, 1879. Utah. — Henshaw, H. W. Annotated List of Birds of Utah, Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y. xi. 1874, 1 ; Notes on the Bird Fauna of the Salt Lake Valley, BiiU. Essex Inst. v. No. ii. xi. 168. 1873. Washington. — Cooper, J. C, and Suckley, G. Birds of 47th and 49th Parallels, Pacific R. R. Rept. vol. xii. book ii. part iii. No. 3, 1860. — Dawson, W. L. Birds of Okonogan County, Auk. xiv. 168, 1897 ; Birds of Yakima County, Wilson, Bull. New Ser. vol. ix. No. 2, No. 39, 1902. — KoBBE, W. H. Birds of Cape Disappointment, Auk, xvii. 349, 1900. — Lawrence, R. H. Birds of Gray's Harbor, Auk, ix. 39, 352, 1892. — Rathbun, S. F. Birds of Seattle, Auk. xix. 131, 1902. — Rhoads, S. N. Notes on Washington and British Columbia Birds, Auk, X. 16, 1893. Wyoming. — Cary, Merritt. Birds of Black Hills, Auk, xviii. 231, 1901. — Knight, Wilbur C. Birds of Wyoming, University of Wyo- ming, Laramie. In press. SPECIAL SUBJECTS AND POPULAR WORKS. SPECIAL SUBJECTS. Bird Protection. A. 0. U. Committee on Bird Protection. Annual Repts., Auk, xiv. 21, 1897; XV. 81, 1898; xvi. 55, 1899; xvii. 51, 1900; xviii. 68, 1901 ; xix. 31, 1902. — Game Laws in Brief, Forest and Stream Publishing Co. (Quarterlv), New York. — Palmer, T. S., and Oldys, H. W. Digest of Game Laws, 1901, Bull. 16, Biol. Surv. U. S. Dept. Agr. Game Laws for 1902, Farmer's Bull. No. 160, U. S. Dept. Agr. — Palmer, T. S. Legislation for the Protection of Birds other than Game Birds, Bull. No. 12, Biol. Surv., revised ed. 1902. — Lange, D. Our Native Birds, How to Protect them and Attract them to our Homes, The Macmillan Company, New York, 1899. — Masefield, J. R. B. Wild Bird Pro- tection and Nesting Boxes, Taylor Bros., Leeds, Englaud, 1897. — Bird- Lore, Audubon Department, The Macmillan Company, Harrisburg, Ponn. — Babcock, C. a. Bird Day ; How to Prepare for It, Silver, Burdett & Co., New York and Boston, 1901. Food of Birds. Publications of Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture. — Beal, F. E. L. Food of Woodpeckers, Bull. No. 7, 1895. — Food of Bobo- link, Blackbirds, and Crackles, Bull. No. 13. 1900; Some Common INTRODUCTION Ixxxvii Birds in their Relation to Agriculture, Farmer's Bulletin, No. 54, 1897; Crow Blackbirds and their Food, Yearbook for 1894; The Meadowlark and Baltimore Oriole, Yearbook for 1895 ; Birds that Injure Grain, Year- book for 1897 ; How Birds Affect the Orchard, Yearbook for 1900 ; The Food of Cuckoos, Bull. No. 9, 1898 ; The Food of Nestling- Birds, Year- book for 1900. — Fisher, A. K. Hawks and Owls from the Standpoint of the Farmer, Yearbook for 1894 ; Two Vanishing- Game Birds, Wood- cock and Wood Duck, Yearbook for 1901. — Judd, 8. D. Four Common Birds of the Farm and Garden, Yearbook for 1895 ; The Blue Jay and its Food, Yearbook for 1896; The Food of Shrikes, Bull. No. 9, 1898; The Relation of Sparrows to Ag-riculture, Bull. No. 15, 1901. — Mer- RIAM, C. H., and Barrows, W. B. The English Sparrow in America, Bull. No. 1, 1889. — Palmer, T. S. A Review of Economic Ornithology in the United States, Yearbook for 1899. Migration. Baird, S. F. Distribution and Mig-iation N. Am. Birds, Am. Journ. Sci. Arts, vol. xli., Jan. 18d6. — Belding, Lyman. Land Birds of Pacific Coast District. Cal. Acad. Sci., San Francisco, 1890. — Brewster, Wil- liam. Bird Migration Memoirs Nutt. Orn. Club, Cambridge, Mass., 188(5. — Chapman, F. M. Remarks on Origin of Migration. Auk, xi. 12, 1894. — Cooke, W. W. Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley, Div. Econ. Orn. Bull. No. 2, U. S. Dept. Ag-r. — Gatke, H. Heligoland, David Doug- las. Edinburgh, 1895. — J^OOMIS, L. M. Water Birds of California, Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci., San Francisco. — Stone, Witmer. Bird Waves and their Graphic Representation, Auk, viii. 194. 1891 ; Graphic Representa- tion of Bird Migration, Auk, vi. lo9, 1889. See, also, sections on Mig-ra- tion in Chapman's Bird-Life and Newton's Dictionary of Birds. Moult and Protective Coloration. Chadbourne, a. P. Individual Dichromatism in Megoscops asio. Auk, xiii. ;521, 1896 ; xiv. o3, 1897. — Clarke, H. L. Pterylograph^ of the Ca- primulgidte, Auk, xviii. 167, 1901. — Dwight, Jonathan, Jr. Moult of Quails and Grouse, Auk, xvii. 14.'], 1900; Plumage Cycles and Relation between Plumages and Moults, Auk. xix. 248, 1902 ; Sequence of Moults and Plumages of Laridce. Auk. xviii. 49, 1901 ; Sequences of Plumages and Moulrs of Passerine Birds, Annals New York Acad. Sci. vol. xiii. 77, 1896. — Stone. Witmer. Moulting of Birds, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 18!)6, 108; Moult and Alleged Color diange in Birds, Ibis, Apr. 1901, 177 ; Summer Moulting of Plumage of Certain Ducks. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1899. 4(57. See, also, Newton's Dictionary. Moult, and Chapman's Bird-Life, chap, iii., Colors of Birds. Nests and Eggs. Bendire, Charles E. Life Ili.stories of Xortli American Birds, 2 vols. Smith. Inst. 1S02, 1805. — I )avik. ( )livku. NVsts and Eggs of Noi-tli American Birds, 5th ed. Landon Press, Columbus. Ohio. 1898. See. also. the Condor, Osprey, and Nidologist. Songs. BiCKNELL. E. p. A Studv of tlu* Singing of our Birds, Auk, i. 60, 12(5, 20'.», ;522. 1SS4; ii. 141,210, 18S5. — Chkney, S. P. Wood Notes Wild, Lee &. Shepard, Boston. 1892. — Oldys, H. W. Parallel Growth of Bird Ixxxviii INTRODUCTION and Human Music, Harper's Monthly, August, 1902, vol. cv. No. dcxxvii. 474. — WiTCHELL, Charles A. Evolution of Bird-Song, Adam & Charles Black, London, 1896. POPULAR BIRD BOOKS. Baskett, J. N. The Story of the Birds, D. Appleton & Co., New York, 1897. — BuKROUGHS. John. Wake-Robin ; Fresh Fields ; Birds and Poets ; Locusts and Wild Honey ; Pepacton ; Winter Sunshine ; Signs and Seasons ; Riverby, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. — Chapman, Frank M. Bird Life (popular colored ed.), 1902 ; Bird Studies with a Camera, 1900 ; Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America, 1902, D. Appleton & Co . New York. — Eckstorm, Fannie Hardy. The Bird Book, D. C. Heath & Co., Boston, 1901; The Woodpeckers, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, 1901. — Elliot, D. G. Shore Birds, 1895 ; Game Birds. 1897 ; Wild Fowl, 1898, Francis P. Harper, New York. — Herrick, Francis H. Home Life of Wild Birds, G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1901. — Job, Herbert K. Among the Water-Fowl, Doubleday, Page & Co., New York, 1902. — Keeler, Charles A. Bird Notes Afield, Elder & Shepard, San Francisco, 1889. — Keyser, Leandkr S. Birds of the Rockies, A. C. McClurg & Co., Chicago, 1902. — Lord, W. R. Birds of Oregon and Washington, J. K. Gill Company, Portland, Oregon, revised edition, 1902. — Merriam, F. a. A-Birding on a Bronco. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, 1896. — Miller. Olive Thorne. Bird- Ways; In Nesting Time ; Little Brothers of the Air ; A Bird-Lover in the West ; Upon the Tree-Tops ; First Book of Birds ; Second Book of Birds, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. — Torrey, Bradford. Birds in the Bush ; A Rambler's Lease ; The Foot-Path Way ; Everyday Birds, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. — Sandys and Van Dyke. Upland Game Birds, Macmillan Co.. New York, 1892. — Van Dyke, T. S. Game Birds at Home, Fords, Howard & Hulbert, New York. 1895. — Wright, Mabel Osgood. Birdcraft, 2d ed., Macmillan Co., New York, 1899. — Wright, Mabel Osgood, and Dr. Elliott Coues. Citizen Bird, 2d ed., Macmillan Co., New York, 1900. USE OF THE KEYS. If you are a beginner with a bird to identify, and do not know the orders into which birds are divided, go first to the Key to Orders, pp. 1,2. If your bird is a plover, you may not be sure whether it is classed with the water or land birds ; so begin with the Key to Water Birds. This key, as all others in the book, is dichotomous, that is to say, at every step the birds are divided into two classes, which have or have not a given character — birds are black or they are not black, they have crests or they have not crests, their feet are webbed or their feet are not webbed. At each step of the key a number and its prime are used to set apart the two classes. In the case of the Key to Orders of Water Birds the first two classes are birds which have 1. Feet fully webbed. INTRODUCTION Ixxxix 1'. Feet incompletely or not at all webbed. If the bird you want to name has fully webbed feet, read down the key from 1 ; if not, go to 1', and read down. The numbers fol- low consecutively from each heading. In this case the birds with fully webbed feet are divided again into several classes, and those without fully webbed feet also have subdivisions. 1. Feet fully webbed (except Grebes in Pygopodes, which have the toes lobed or margined). 2. Foot with three webs, all four toes connected. Steganopodes : Totipalmate Swimmers, p. 3. 2'. Foot with two webs, three front toes connected. 3. Nostrils tabular . Tubiiiares : Tube-nosed Swimmers, p. 3. 3'. Nostrils not tubular. 4. Edg'es of mandibles toothed or serrate. Anseres : Lamellirostral Swimmers, p. 3. 4'. Edg-es of mandibles not toothed or serrate. 5. Legs placed far back, wings short. Pygopodes : Diving Birds, p. 2. 5'. Legs placed near middle of body ; wings long and jjointed. Longipennes : Long-winged Sw^immers, p. 2. 1'. Feet incompletely or not at all webbed. 2. Lores and ring around eye naked. Herodioiies : Herons, Storks, and Ibises, p. 4. 2'. Lores and ring around eye feathered. 3. Hind toe long- and approximately on a level with front toes (except in Cranes which are over three feet long). Paludicolae : Cranes, Rails, Coots, Gallinules, etc., p. 4. 3'. Hind toe short and elevated or absent : bird never over twenty-six inches long Limicolce : Shore Birds, p. 4. Read down the key, passing the orders to which it does not belong till you come to the order to which it does belong. For in- stance, if your bird is a duck it has feet fully webbed (1), with two webs, three front toes connected (2'), nostrils not tubular (3'), and edges of mandibles toothed or serrate (4). It belongs to the Order Anseres: Lamellirostral Swimmers. If, on the other hand, the bird you want to name is a great blue heron, as it has not fully webbed feet, you throw out 1 and all its subdivisions, passing on to 1', — feet incompletely or not at all webbed. The rtrst subdivision here is 2. Lores and ring around eye naked. Herodiones : Herons. Storks, and Ibises. You know if there is a naked ring around tbe eye, and to fmd what lores means you turn to tlie diagram of a bird, p. 1. ^^'hen you find that your bird belongs to Onler Herodiones, turn to the page given (4), where you will find a key to the families in the order. xc INTRODUCTION Read down this as before, when, by throwing out the families to which it does not belong, you come to Ai'deid(f — 2'. Bill straight and sharp, neck a?id most of head feathered, to which it does belong. Go now to the page specified (72), and run down the Key to Genera, contained in Family Ardeidse, and you find that it belongs to the genus Ardea, to which you are referred (p. 74). Here you find the general characters of the genus and a key to its species. As you know the bird is bluish gray and its size large you find it to be Ardea herodias, of which a detailed description is given (p. 75). If you have been identifying a bird that you have shot, you will have your own fresh measurements to compare with those in the description (see page xxvii.). In some of the more obscure birds you will find on getting to the description of the species that you have made a mistake in running down the keys, but by patience and care in following them you will be able to identify all but the most difficult birds. After a little study you will grasp the general classification of birds so that it will not be necessary to go through the whole series of keys for each bird. You may^ not know what it is, but you know many things that it is not, and if you make a practice of eliminating you will narrow down the possibilities so that it will be much easier to find your bird. You may not know whether it is a crow or a raven, but you do know that it is not a water bird, a hawk, owl, or sparrow, and so you can go on throwing out what you know it is not until you have to look up only those about which you feel uncertain. The question as to which subspecies a bird belongs to, unless de- terminable by geographic range, can often be decided only by expert ornithologists with large series of skins for comparison, and, in such cases, found often among some of the flycatchers, the song spar- rows, and wrens, the only way to be sure of your bird is to send it to a nuiseum for identification. The National Museum in Washing- ton and the American Museum of Natural History in New York will both identify material sent them. ON Measurement of BUI Measureinent of Tarsus TOPOGRAPHY OF A BIRD BIRDS OF THE WESTERN UNITED STATES KEY TO ORDERS. WATER BIRDS. 1. Feet fully webbed (except grebes in Pygopodes, which have the toes lobed or margined). ' 2. Foot with three webs, all four toes connected. Steganopodes : Totipalmate Swimmers, p. 3. 2'. Foot with two webs, three front toes connected. 3. Nostrils tubular. Tubiiiares : Tube-nosed Swimmers, p. 3. 3'. Nostrils not tubular. 4. Edges of mandibles toothed or serrate. Anseres : Lamellirostral Swimmers, p. 3. 4'. Edges of mandibles not toothed or serrate. 5. Legs placed far back ; wings short. Pygopodes : Diving Birds, p. 2. 5'. Legs placed near middle of body ; wings long and pointed. Longipennes : Long-winged Swimmers, p. 2. r.Feet incompletely or not at all webbed. 2. Lores and ring around eye naked. Herodiones : Herons, Storks, and Ibises, p. 4. 2'. Lores and ring around eye feathered. 3. Hind toe long and approximately on a level with front toes (except in cranes, which are over three feet long) . . . Paludicolae : Cranes, Rails, Coots, Gallinules, etc., p. 4. 3'. Hind toe short and elevated or absent ; bird never over twenty-six inches long Limicolae : Shore Birds, p. 4. LAND BIRDS. 1. Bill strongly hooked. 2. Toes two in front and two behind, outer toe permanently reversed. Psittaci : Parrotsi etc., p. 109. 2'. Toes three in front, or outer toe reversil)U'. Raptores : Birds of Prey, p. KM). r. Bill not strongly hooked. 2. Hind toe small and elevated ubovr front ones. Gallinae : Gallinaceous Birds, p. 108. 2'. Hind toe not elevated above front ont-s. 3. Bill with soft swollen skin around nostiils. Columbae : Pigeons or Doves, p. 108. KEY TO FAMILIES OF WATER BIRDS 3'. Bill without soft swollen skin around nostrils. 4. Toes always three in front, middle and outer ones never connected for half their length ; feet strong. Passeres : Perching Birds, p. 110. 4'. Toes two or three in front ; if three, middle and outer connected for at least half their length, or feet small and weak. 5. Bill needle-like, or short, with wide gape . Macrochires : Goatsuckers, S-wifts, and Hummingbirds, p. 110. 5. Bill not needle-like nor with wide gape. 6. Tail feathers stiff and pointed. Pici : Woodpeckers, p. 110. 6'. Tail feathers soft, with normal tips .... Coccyges : Cuckoos, Trogons, and Kingfishers, p. 109. KEY TO FAMILIES OF WATER BIRDS. ORDER PYGOPODES: DIVING BIRDS. 1. Tail wanting; feet not fully webbed. Podioipidae : Grebes, p. 5. 1'. Tail present, but short ; feet webbed. 2. Hind toe present Gaviidae : Loons, p. 9. 2'. Hind toe absent Alcidae : Auks, Murres, and Puffins, p. 11, Fig. 3. ORDER LONGIPENNES: LONG- WINGED SWIMMERS. Fig. 4. Fpper mandible with distinct basal saddle. Stercorariidae : Jaegers, etc., p. 17. ^ C^ 1'. Upper mandible in one piece. Laridse : Gulls and Terns, p. 19. Fig. 6. KEY TO FAMILIES OF WATER BIRDS 3 ORDER TUBINARES: TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS. I. Nasal tubes separated and at sides of bill. Diomedeidae : Albatrosses, p. 82. 1 . Nasal tubes connected on top of bill. Procellariidae : Fulmars. Shearwaters, and Petrels, p. 33. Fig. 8. ORDER STEGANOPODES : TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS. 1. Bill straight and sharp, not hooked at tip. ^^^- ^•^■ Anhingidae : Darters, p. 39. 1'. Bill strong-ly hooked at tip. 2. Tail deeply forked ; space around eye feath- ered. Fregatidae : Man-o'-War Birds, p. 43. :*'. Tail not forked ; space around eye naked. 3. Bill narrow, with slight poiicli at base. Phalacrocoracidae : Ccrmorauts, p. 39. Bill wide and flat, witli larjje pouch. Pelecanidae . Pelicans, p. 42. Fig. 12. ORDER ANSERES: LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS. I Sliort-legged swinmifrs Anatidae : ^ Ducks, Geese, and Swans, p. 44. Fig. 13. 4 KEY TO FAMILIES OF WATER BIRDS ORDER HERODIONES: HERONS, STORKS, AND IBISES. 1. Bill grooved along- sides from nostril to tip. Ibididee : Ibises, p. 70. 1'. Bill not grooved along sides from nostril to tip. 2. Bill slightly decurved or else inclined upward toward end ; head and part of neck naked. Ciconiidce : Storks and Wood Ibises, p. 72. 2'. Bill straight and sharp ; neck and most of _ head feathered. Fig. l.j. Ardeidae : Fig. 15. ^ Herons, Bitterns, Egrets, p. 72. ORDER PALUDICOL^ : CRANES, RAILS, COOTS, AND GALLINULES. 1. Hind toe small and much elevated : size large, wing 17 or more. Fig-. 1(3 Gruidae : Cranes, p. 78. 1'. Hind toe long-, nearly on a level with front toes ; size small, wing 10 or less. Fig. 17. Rallidae : Rails, Coots, Gallinules, etc., p. 79. Fig. 17. Fig. 16. ORDER LIMICOL^: SHORE BIRDS. 1 . Hind claw, if any, not longer than its toe. 2. Front of tarsus covered with transverse scutellse. Fig-. 18. 3. Tarsus very thin, toes with lateral scallops or membranes. Phalaropodidse : Phalaropes, p. 84. 3'. Tarsus rounded, toes without lateral scallops or mem- j,j^ jg branes. 4. Bill slender, longer than middle toe without claw. Scolopacidae : Snipes, Sandpipers, etc. 4'. Bill stout, not longer than middle toe without claw. Aphrizidae : Surf Birds and Turnstones, p. 106. 2'. Front of tarsus covered with hexagonal or irregular scu- tellse. Fig. 19. 3. Tarsus more than twice as long- as middle toe and claw. Recurvirostridae : Avocets and Stilts, p. 86. 3'. Tarsus less than twice as long as middle toe and claw. 4. Bill longer than tarsus, laterally compressed and wedge- ^^' shaped . . Haematopodidae : Oyster-catcherS, p. 107. 4'. Bill shorter than tarsus, pointed, not laterally compressed. Charadriidae : Plovers, p. 102. 1'. Hind claw longer than its toe ; wing with spur. Jacanidae : Jacana, p. 108. GREBES 5 ORDER PYGOPODES: DIVING BIRDS. (Families Podicipid^, Gaviid.e, Alcid^.) FAMILY PODICIPIDiE: GREBES. KEY TO GENERA. 1. Bill long- and slender, tip not decurved. 2. Bill five or more times as long- as depth at base. -Sjchmophorus, p. 5. 2'. Bill less than four times as long as depth at base. Colymbus, p. (>. 1'. Bill short and stout, tip of upper mandible decurved. Podilymbus, p. s. GENUS ^EJCHMOPHORUS. 1. -SJchmophorus oceidentalis (L