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J » a r ~ . : “ é . ; r t bes ld + il i “1 < ‘ ad - o@, ‘ ~ ye . " k i ; t * ba . 7 “ i 7 4 é , 1 wd ; . oe Z . _t und iow t _ — . - . 7 - ~* - p ry { - at ” ac - $ nm neo -~ = ’ is ; . a x ' yo > - > _ - hal . . ‘ ‘ \ - «= ~ ’ y a ° ¢ o~. . ; - 4 . 2 : = ok ; : ; . = Sell a ee F i: se 7 r ¥ re ms L < me = = PY Pe OO ” + “J r & S ‘ eo rk or = HANDBOOK OF BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA WITH KEYS TO THE SPECIES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THEIR PLUMAGES, NESTS, AND EGGS THEIR DISTRIBUTION AND MIGRATIONS AND A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THEIR HAUNTS AND HABITS WITH INTRODUCTORY CHAPTERS ON THE STUDY OF ORNITHOLOGY, HOW TO IDENTIFY BIRDS AND HOW TO COLLECT AND PRESERVE BIRDS % THEIR NESTS, AND EGGS 4 BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN ASSISTANT CURATOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MAMMALOGY AND ORNITHOLOGY IN THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, NEW YORK CITY 5 MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION, ETC, WITH FULL-PAGE PLATES IN COLORS AND BLACK AND WHITE AND UPWARD OF ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY CUTS tN FRE. TEAL SIXTH EDITION. NEW YORK Mm APPLETON AND COMPANY 1903 wal CopYRicH' By D. APPLETON A a TO MY MOTHER WHO HAS EVER ENCOURAGED HER SON IN HIS NATURAL HISTORY STUDIES THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED Po f a x a 5 ; x ey ee y a s P 7 ; S = ¥ Pag * ' : ‘ ey 4 ~~ Aysy a Fm f Od ae tra } ‘ , a 4 i ri hy 3 ? : ( ; “ * : x J 5 * a Le * by ¢ { 1+ t % ‘ eu . m j WES : a ash » ‘ i? 4 i i? if Wight be oa. | ig st ' ' * i , ‘ PREFACE. Ir this book had been written in the last century it might have been entitled “Ornithology made Simple, or How to Identify Birds with Ease, Certainty, and Dispatch.” It may be unworthy so com- prehensive a title, nevertheless I have made an honest endeavor to write a book on birds so free from technicalities that it would be in- telligible without reference to a glossary, and I have tried to do this in a volume which could be taken afield in the pocket. -Lhave not addressed an imaginary audience, nor have [ given my prospective readers what, theoretically, I thought they ought to have, but what personal experience with students of birds has led me to believe would meet their wants. The preparation of this work has firmly convinced me that the poet would have been nearer the truth had he written “One touch of nature makes the whole world Aznd.” In the succeeding pages I have attempted to express my appreciation of the assistance which natural- ist friends and associates have generously given me, but here I desire to especially thank Miss Florence A. Merriam, Dr. J. A. Allen, and Mr. Ernest E. Thompson for much valuable criticism and advice. Frank M. Cuapman. AMERICAN MusEuM OF NATURAL HISTORY, New YorE City, January, 1895. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION . : : : : Z : ; : ‘ CHAPTER I.—THE STUDY OF ORNITHOLOGY. ; ’ a Systematic Ornithology. Philosophic Ornithology Economic Ornithology . Sentiment of Ornithology CuaptrerR I].—THE Stupy or Birps Out-or-Doors . How to Identify Birds . 3 : : How to Find Birds a : : : When to Find Birds Tables of Migration The Nesting Season Note-books and Journals Cuapter III.—Couiectine Birps, THEIR Nests, AND Eces Collecting Birds . : : : ‘ ; Making Birdskins. Sexing Birds . Cataloguing and Lchbitie Care of a Collection : Collecting and Preserving N ake i ove : PLAN OF THE WoRK. Nomenclature adopted . Definition of Terms The Key to Families The Keys to Species Measurements Range Biographies Illustrations Color Chart List OF ABBREVIATIONS . F , : ; Vii Vill CONTENTS. | | i PAGE THE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA EAST OF THE NINE- TIETH MERIDIAN ~. 00. 27> Cv Key To ORDERS AND FAMILIES . : Bek j . AR I. OnDER PyGopopEs: Diving Birds . . : aot ia ei 1. Family Podicipide: Grebes : : , : 2 a6 2. Family Urinatoride: Loons A P . 08 do. Family Alcide: Auks, Murres, and Puffins ; . 68 II. OnDER LONGIPENNES: LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS . . 69. 4, Family Stercorariide : Skuas and Jaegers . } . 609 d. Family Laride: Gulls and Terns ; ; ; ee 6. Rynchopide: Skimmers . : : ; . 8a III. OrpDER TUBINARES: TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS . ; . 86 7. Family Diomedeide: Albatrosses . 86 8. Procellariide: Petrels, Fulmars, and Shedewatae . &6 IV. ORDER STEGANOPODES: TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS ae 9. Family Phaéthontide: Tropic Birds. : : see 10. Family Sulide: Gannets . : : . : . 92 11. Family Anhingide: Darters . : : . . ae 12. Family Phalacrocoracide: Cormorants . : ee 13. Family Pelecanide: Pelicans . ; ; a! ee 14. Family Fregatide: Man-o’-War Bina : ‘ . V. ORDER ANSERES: LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS ; . 97 15. Family Anatide: Ducks, Geese, and Swans . : Be VI. OrRDER ODONTOGLOSSZ: LAMELLIROSTRAL GRALLATORES . 125 16. Family Pheenicopteride: Flamingoes . . . 125 VII. OrnpER HERopiIonEs: Herons, Storks, IBISES, ETC. . ~ 125 17. Family Plataleide: Spoonbills . : . : ae es 18. Family Ibidide: Ibises : » 126 19. Family Ciconiide: Storks and Wood Teta ; , Lay 20. Family Ardeide: Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns . 128 VIII. OrperR PaLupicoLa: CRANES, RAILS, ETC. 2 : . Lax 21. Family Gruide: Cranes . ; : : . . ise 22. Family Aramid: Courlans . - . 138 23. Family Rallide: Rails, Gallinules, sd Conte i . 139 1X. OrpeR LimicoLa: SHorRE Birps : y bette . 147 24. Family Phalaropodide : Phawendeet 2 - . ae 25. Family Recurvirostride: Stilts and Avocets . . 149 26, Family Scolopacide: Snipes, Sandpipers, ete. . . 150 CONTENTS. 27. Family Charadriide: Plovers 28. Family Aphrizide: Turnstones, ete. . 29. Family Hematopodide: Oyster-catchers . X. ORDER GALLINZ: GALLINACEOUS BIRDS 30. Family Tetraonide: Grouse, Bob-whites, etc. . 31. Family Phasianide : Pheasants, etc.. XI. ORDER CoLUMB: PIGEONS AND Doves 32. Family Columbide: Pigeons and Doves . XII. OrpeER Raptores: Birps or Prey . : 33. Family Cathartide: American Vultures . 34. Family Falconide: Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, ete. 35. Family Strigide : Barn Owls 56. Family Bubonide: Horned Owls, Hoot Ont XIII. OrvER Psitracr: Parrots, Macaws, PARoQueETs, ETC. 37. Family Psittacide: Parrots and Paroquets XIV. ORDER CoccyGEs: Cuckoos, KINGFISHERS, ETC. 08. Family Cuculide: Cuckoos 39. Family Alcedinide: Kingfishers XV. Orper Pict: WoopPEcKERS, WRYNECKS, ETC. 40. Family Picide: Woodpeckers . XVI. OrpER Macrocnires: Goatsuckers, HumMInGBIRDs, SwIFTSs, ETC. 41. Family Caprimalgide: Nighthawks, Whip- -poor- . 236 . 239 . 240 . 242 - 242 . 202 » 208 . 209 . 260 bl . 316 . 318 . 828 . 820 28 . 000 wills, ete. - 42, Family Bai podiias (swift 43. Family Trochilide: Hummingbirds. XVII. OrpER PAssERES: PERCHING BirDs . 44, Family Tyrannide: Flycatchers 45. Family Alaudide: Larks . 46. Family Corvide: Crows and Jays 47. Family Sturnide: Starlings ‘ 48. Family Icteride: Blackbirds, Orioles, are. 49. Family Fringillide: Finches, Sparrows, ete. 50. Family Tanagride: Tanagers . , 51. Family Hirundinide: Swallows 52. Family Ampelide: Waxwings . 53. Family Laniide: Shrikes . 54. Family Vireonide: Vireos . : 55. Family Mniotiltide: Wood Wascblers 1X PAGE ee 76 aa Me Se a. ~ EE . 185 187 noe . 191 . 191 . 193 . 213 . 213 . 222 . 202 » Rob a . 226 2 ood seek - 226 56. o7. 8. 59. 60. 61. AppenpDIx: A Field Key to our Commoner Eastern Land Birds . CONTENTS. Family Motacillide : Wagtails and Pipits Family Troglodytidze: Thrashers, Wrens, ete. . Family Certhiide: Creepers Family Paride: Nuthatches and Tishies Family Sylviide: Kinglets and Gnatcatchers . Family Turdide: Thrushes, Bluebirds, ete. List oF PRINCIPAL WORKS REFERRED TO INDEX LiST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. FULL-PAGE PLATES. TO FACE PAGE _ Bos- WHITE : : ; ; ; ; : . Frontispiece. vCoLoR CHART . a ta ee i ‘ , " ; . of * PIED-BILLED GREBE AND igcave ; 2 : : ‘ : ue - Heaps oF Ducks . : F ; A : ‘ : RSP 0 * LittLE BLuE HERons ‘ J : : ; . : . 1385 “CLAPPER RAIL . : : : : : ‘ : ‘ : . 140 * Woopcock AND YouNG . : : , ‘ ; ’ 3 . 153 -' SPOTTED SANDPIPER AND YOUNG . ; : : : : . 169 ' RuFFED GROUSE AND YOUNG . A : : : 2 Rea . 181 ‘Sparrow Hawk AnD YOUNG . ; : : : te 4 i | Hatry WoopPECKER; YELLOW-BELLIED S enckEe : : ~ 229 . WHIp-POCOR-WILL : ‘ ; : , : 2 : . 20 - Least FLYCATCHER ; Pies : : ! ‘ : ; , . 245 BOBOLINK-. © . 3 : ; é ‘ : : : : . 262 * MEADOWLARK . ? ; : ‘ : . 265 * WHITE-THROATED eer Gch -CROWNED SPARROW a . 800 Sone SPARROW; SWAMP SPARROW . : i ; ; . 3806 . YELLOW-THROATED VIREO; WARBLING Piece ; : : . 330 - LovuIsSIANA WATER- Paden : : : . ; i : . 868 “ Woop THrusH; WItson’s THRUSH. ; aeaiate : t . 399 FIGURES IN THE TEXT. FIGURE PAGE 1. A completed birdskin : é : : ‘ : : iiee 2. Topography of a bird arts . 33 3. (a) Spotted, (0) streaked, (c) barred, (a) sired fanthers . 34 4. Rule showing inches and tenths. , : : oe 5. Feet of (a) Pied-billed Grebe, (6) Loon, (ce) Puffin : ‘ 41 6. (a) Bill of Parasitic Jaeger; (0) bill and foot of Laughing Gull Al 7. Bill of Common Tern . P ; i : ; . A 8. Bill of Skimmer Pesta ee LOR REAM TY rlig: ) sie, ck a xl NS xii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. ip PAGE 9. (a) Bill and foot of Black-footed Albatross; ne bill and foot of Fulmar . ; ; ; : oe ee 10. Foot of Cormorant . ° : ‘ : : . 43 11. Bill of Yellow-billed TPropiie Bird : : ‘ ‘ ; . 4S 12. Billof Gannet . ; ‘ ‘ c : : : : . 48 13. Bill of Anhinga ‘ , . ‘ : : : : . 43 14. Bill of Cormorant. : : P : : Lod 64. Wing of Solitary Sandpiper . 166 65. Head of Semipalmated Plover. . 174 66. Head of Wilson’s Plover . . 176 67. Tail of Sharp-shinned Hawk . 198 68. Tail of Cooper’s Hawk i 69. Primaries of Red-shouldered tia . 202 70. Primaries of Broad-winged Hawk . 204 71. Foot of Golden Eagle . 206 72. Foot of Bald Eagle . : ; eur 79. Tail-feathers of élloe Bilt mares » 229 74. Tail-feathers of Black-billed Cuckoo » 226 7). Head of Crested Flycatcher . 245 76. Head of Prairie Horned Lark . . 253 77. Head of Cowbird . 262 X1V \ LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. FIGURE 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. . Tail of Grasshopper Sparrow . . Head of Seaside Sparrow . . Head of Lark Sparrow . Head of Chipping Sparrow . Head of Fox Sparrow . Head of Dickcissel ‘ : . Barn, Cliff, Tree, and Bank Swallows " . Section of primary of Rough-winged Swallow : ; . 823 . Head of Red-eyed Vireo . . Wing of Warbling Vireo . ‘ , . Head of Black and White Warbler . . Head of Worm-eating Warbler . Head of Blue-winged Warbler . 3. Head of Golden-winged Warbler . Head of Parula Warbler . . Head of Myrtle Warbler . . Head of Magnolia Warbler . Head of Chestnut-sided Warbler . Black-throated Blue Warbler . . Nead of Black-poll Warbler . Head of Prairie Warbler . : . Head of Oven-bird . : . . Head of Kentucky Warbler . Head of Maryland Yellow-throat . Head of Wilson’s Warbler . Head of Hooded Warbler. . Head of Canadian Warbler . Head of Yellow-breasted Chat . . Head of Short-billed Marsh Wren . Head of Long-billed Marsh Wren . Head of Red-breasted Nuthatch . Head of Tufted Titmouse. . Head of Golden-crowned Kinglet Head of Orchard Oriole . ° Head of Purple Finch Head of Redpoll ; Hind-toe of Lapland Longspur Tail-feathers of Vesper Sparrow ° , : . . 392 A HANDBOOK OF THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I THE STUDY OF ORNITHOLOGY. Birps, because of their beauty, the charm of their songs, and the ease with which they may be observed, are doubtless the forms of animal life which first attract the young naturalist’s attention. His interest in them gives evidence of an inborn love of Nature. Too often this priceless gift is lost simply through lack of encouragement and instruction. Properly developed it should prove a never-failing source of pleasure and inspiration, if indeed its influence does not become the most potent factor in our lives. Let us hope that the day is not distant when the importance of in- troducing natural-history studies into our schools will be generally recognized. The young student of Nature will then be helped over the repelling technicalities which render so difficult the first steps to a knowledge of his chosen subject. Without a guide he now either loses his way completely or travels under disadvantages which handi- cap him for the whole journey, The uninstructed beginner in ornithology usually expends his en- ergies in forming a collection, and he knows no better way of pursuing his study of birds than to kill and stuff them! Collecting specimens is a step in the scientific study of birds, but ornithology would have small claim to our consideration if its possibilities ended here. Prop- erly considered, it includes what may be termed the science of orni- thology and the sentiment of ornithology. As a science it treats of birds as the exponents of natural laws and seeks to determine their place in the scale of life. In the sentiment of ornithology Nature ap- peals to us through the most interesting and beautiful of her animate forms, 2 1 \ SYSTEMATIC ORNITHOLOGY. bo The Scrence of Ornithology.—The science of ornithology may be divided into three branches—systematic, philosophic, and economic. The systematist aims to classify birds according to what are appar- ently their true relationships. He is the ornithological storekeeper, and having taken an account of stock it is his duty to keep the books of the firm in order. The philosophic ornithologist accepts as a fact the statement of affairs given him by his fellow-worker the systemat- ist, and tries to explain the wherefore and why. He is a seeker of causes. The economist is of a more practical turn of mind. He is impressed by the incalculable influence which birds exert over our ‘agricultural interests, and the necessity for learning with exactness whether this influence is for good or evil. But let us describe these three departments of scientific ornithology more fully. _ Systematic Ornithology.—The first step in the scientific study of any group of animals is to name and classify them. Orders, families, geneta, species, and subspecies are to be described and arranged in what appears to be the most natural manner. Thus all the Perching Birds, for example, are placed in the order Passeres, and this order is divided into numerous families—for instance, the Thrushes or family Turdide. But how are we to know which are Perching Birds and which of the Perching Birds are Thrushes? The systematist answers, by studying a bird’s structure. Generally speaking, orders and fami- lies are based on skeletal, muscular, and visceral characters which may | be termed internal characters. Genera are based on the form of bill, feet, wings, and tail, or on external characters. while species and sub- species are based mainly on color and size. Thus all the members of a family or order agree more or less in their principal internal charac- ters: those of a genus agree in external characters, and the individ- uals of a species or subspecies resemble one another in color and size. The object of classification is to aid us in understanding not alone the relationships of one bird to another bird, or of one family or order of birds to another family or order, or even of living to extinet birds, but also to assist us in explaining the relationships of all the classes of the animal and vegetable kingdoms—mammals, birds, rep- tiles, fishes—and thus down the scale to the lowest forms of life. This systematic study of the relationships of birds has taught ns that they have been evolved from reptilian ancestors. There is much evidence in support of this fact. but the most conclusive is furnished by the discovery in the lithographic slate of Solenhofen, Bavaria, of several specimens of a remarkable fossil, a reptilelike bird, which has been named Archwopteryx lithographica. It is the earliest known direct progenitor of the great class Aves, PHILOSOPHIC ORNITHOLOGY. 3 The importance of systematic classification is also shown in the ne- cessity of naming objects before we can study them toadvantage. As the alphabet is the foundation of a written language, so this great series of scientific names, which appears so formidable to the student, is the groundwork for all ornithological research. Philosophie Ornithology.—Having learned the alphabet of orni- thology, we may pass from the systematic to the philosophic study of birds; from the study of dead birds to that of living ones. A study of specimens shows their relationships through structure, but a study of the living bird in its haunts may tell us the cause of structure. In classifying birds we have taken note of their form and coloration; our object now is to determine how these characters were acquired. As Prof. E. 8S. Morse has said, “There is no group of animals which exceeds birds in varied and suggestive material for the evolu- tionist.” Compare a Hummingbird with an Ostrich, a Swallow with a Penguin, and the enormous variation in the structure and habits of birds is brought very forcibly to our minds. When we remember that these widely divergent types descended from a reptilian ancestor, we are impressed anew with the truth of Prof. Morse’s remark. A brief review of the more important branches of philosophic ornithology will show how rich a field is open to the student of birds. They are: (1) The origin of birds and their place in Nature ; * (2) their distribution in time and space, and the influences which determine their present ranges; + (3) the migration of birds, its origin. object, ex- tent, and manner; { (4) the nesting of birds, including a study of the significance of sexual differences in form, color, and voice, the location and construction of the nest, the number and color of the eggs, together with the habits of birds during the entire nesting season ; (5) the effect * See Newton’s Dictionary of Birds (London : Adam and Charles Black, 1893) ; articles, ‘‘ Anatomy of Birds” and *“ Fossil Birds” ; Coues’s Key to N. & Birds. + Read The Geographical Distribution of North American Mammals, by J. A. Allen, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., iv, 1892, pp. 199-244; four maps. The Geo- graphical Origin and Distribution of North American Birds, considered in Rela- tion to Faunal Areas of North America, by J. A. Allen, The Auk, x, 1893, pp. 97-150 ; two maps. The Geographic Distribution of Life in North America with Special Reference to the Mammalia, by C. Hart Merriam, M.D., Proc. of the Biological Soc. of Washington, vii, 1892, pp. 1-64; one map. Laws of Tempera- ture Control, by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, Nat. Geog. Mag., vi, 1894, pp. 229-238 ; three maps. ¢ On this subject read articles by the following authors: J. A. Allen, Scrib- ner’s Magazine, xxii, 1881, pp. 932-938 : Bull. Nuttall Orn. Club, v, 1880, pp. 151- 154 ; Scott, ibid., vi, 1881. pp. 97-100 : Brewster, Memoirs Nuttall Orn. Club (Cam- bridge, Mass.), No. 1, pp. 22; Cooke and Merriam. Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley (Washington. 1888); Chapman. Auk, v, 1888, pp. 37-39 ; xi, 1894, pp. 12-17; Loomis, Auk, ix, 1892, pp. 28-39; xi, 1894, pp. 26-39, 94-117; Stone, Birds of E. Penn. and N. J., Bird Migration, pp. 15-28. 4 GEOGRAPHICAL RACKS. of climate upon the color and size of birds;* (6) the relation of a bird’s color to its haunts and habits.+ eee these general subjects which enter into our study of the life-history of every bird, we have the special instances of intelligent adaptation to changed conditions of life, and, most interesting of all, the relation between structure and habits, or the part played by a bird’s habits in determining the form of its bill, feet, wings, and tail. Thus the Crook-billed Plover of New Zealand turns over or probes under stones and shells in search of food, not because its crooked bill makes an excellent lever or probe, but it has acquired a crooked bill through this habit. Again, the Gallinules of ‘certain islands in southern seas are flightless, not because their wings are too small to support them, but because after having flown to these islands they had no further use for wings, which in time, through dis- use, became so small that the birds have lost the power of flight. In other words, it is not because their wings are small that they do not fly, but because they do not fly their wings are small. But to enlarge upon-these problems which confront the philo- sophie ornithologist would require a volume. It is important, how- ever, that the student should have in the beginning at least a general idea of the effect of climate on the size and color of birds and the migration of birds. The first is well illustrated by our Bob-white or Quail. In New England, at the northern limit of its range, it is a fine, large bird with a light-brown back and a white breast narrowly barred with black. As we proceed southward it becomes smaller, the brown is of a deeper shade, the black bars of greater extent. Finally, when we have reached the humid region of southern Florida, the minimum in size is attained, the back is dark, rich chestnut barred with black, and the breast is almost wholly black. No one who compared this small, dark Florida Quail with the large, pale Quail of New England would consider them the same species. But on examining a series of - Quails from all the Atlantic States one sees how gradually this change in color and decrease in size occurs, and that nowhere would it be possible to draw a line separating the two extremes. They are species in process of formation still connected by a chain of natural links. Ornithology presents many similar cases. They illustrate two laws in the evolution of animals—decrease in size southward and greater —— * Read Part II of Dr. J. A. Allen’s Mammals and Winter Birds of East Florida, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zo6l., vol. ii, No. 8. Cambridge, 1871. + Consult Poulton’s Colors of Animals (D. Appleton & Co., 1890); Bed- dard’s Animal Coloration (Macmillan & Co.) ; Keeler’s Evolution of the ColJors of North American Land-birds (Occasional Papers of California Academy of Sciences, iii, 1893) ; also reviews of last two works in The Auk, x, 1893, pp. 189- 199, 373-380. . MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 5 intensity of color in regions of greatest rainfall. They are thus evi- dences of an evolution so recent that we can assign its cause. In nomenclature these partly formed species are termed subspecies or races. Under the trinomial system they are distinguished by a third name: thus Colinus virginianus floridanus is a subspecies or race f Colinus virginianus. But if through any change in the earth’s sur- ‘ace the regions occupied by the large, light Quail and the small, dark one should be separated, the intermediates would disappear and in- stead of a race or subspecies we would have a full species—Colinus jfloridanus. The Migration of Birds.—Certain insects, fishes, and mammals migrate, but no animals compare with birds in the extent of their migrations. Some birds nest within the Arctic Circle and winter in the southern parts of the southern hemisphere, performing this jour- ney of thousands of miles year after year and returning to their sum- mer or winter haunts with marvelous certainty and regularity. Not only is the migration of birds an interesting subject in itself, but the almost constant changes it causes in the bird-life of the same region gives an interest to the study of ornithology which is ever re- newed with the changing seasons. Indeed, to the lover of Nature birds are a living calendar. “ What was that sound that came on the softened air? It was the warble of the Bluebird from the scraggy orchard yonder. When this is heard, then has spring arrived.” A discussion of the origin of bird ‘migration will be found in the books and papers on this subject to which reference has been given. Here it is possible only to outline its principal features as they exist to-day. Generally speaking, birds migrate at the approach of winter, in search of food. The reason why they leave a land of plenty in the tropics and follow the footsteps of retreating winter to nest in the comparatively barren north is as yet not satisfactorily explained. As a rule, the extent of a bird’s migration depends upon the nature of its food. Insect-eating birds are forced to extend their migrations much farther than the seed-eaters, many of which are permanent residents at their place of birth. The land-birds of the Western States winter in Mexico. A few cross the Isthmus of Tehuantepec into Central America, but practically no species cross the Isthmus of Panama. Our Eastern birds have a longer and more perilous journey to perform. They leave the mainland by way of Florida, and some species find congenial winter haunts in the West Indies or Central America, while others go as far south as the Argentine Republic. Birds of strong flight, like Swallows, can easily escape from bird- killing Hawks, and so migrate boldly by day. But the shy, retiring inhabitants of woods and thickets await the coming of darkness, and 6 ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY. then, mounting high in the air, pursue their journey under cover of the night. Birds direct their flight by coast lines and river valleys which are easily distinguishable in clear weather. On favorable nights these natural highways of migration are thronged by a continuous stream of aérial voyagers passing from dusk until dawn. | Looking through a telescope at the mocn, one may see numbers of birds cross its glowing surface. From such observations it is com- puted that migrating birds fly at a height of from one to three miles. The eyesight of birds is so far superior to ours that we do not realize its value to them while migrating. The height at which they fly gives them command of a wide range of country, and on clear nights they can undoubtedly distinguish its prominent features with ease. But when fogs or clouds obscure these landmarks, they lose their way. It is then that lighthouses prove beacons luring them to destruction. The Bartholdi Statue, at the mouth of the Hudson River, is directly in the path of the great streams of migrants which flow up and down this natural highway of migration. and for this reason is particularly destructive to birds which travel at night. On one occasion after a storm no less than fourteen hundred birds were picked up at its base, having been killed by striking the statue or pedestal upon which it rests. But while sight is of the first importance to the older and more experienced birds who know the way, young birds, who are making the journey for the first time, doubtless rely on their hearing to guide them. Birds’ ears are exceedingly acute. They readily detect sounds which to us would be inaudible. Almost invariably they respond to an imitation of their notes, and, when under way, frequently chirp and eall. When we consider their power of hearing and their abundance in routes of migration, it seems probable that at no time during the night is a bird beyond the hearing of his fellow-travelers. The line of flight once established, therefore, by the older birds, who leave first, it becomes a comparatively easy matter for the younger birds to join the throng. Economic Ornithology.—This branch of the study of ornithology treats of the relationships of bird to man from the standpoint of dollars and cents. Civilized man is Nature’s worst enemy. He isa disturbing element whose presence is a constant menace to the balance of life. It is of the utmost importance, therefore, that we should acquaint ourselves with the conditions which make a true equilibrium and endeavor to sustain them when it proves to our advantage to do so. The disastrous results which have followed man’s introduction of the English or House Sparrow in America, the mongoose in the West ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY. 7 Indies, and the rabbit in Australia, clearly show that our attempts to improve upon Nature must be directed, not by haphazard methods, but by knowledge gained through a careful study of Nature’s laws. Few persons realize the value of birds to man. They are the natural check upon the increase of insect life. Consider the incal- culable number of insects destroyed by the birds which pass the greater part of each day hunting through our lawns, orchards, fields, and woods for the pests that destroy vegetation. Of almost equal im- portance are the birds of prey whose food consists largely of the small rodents which are among the farmer’s worst enemies. Indeed, it is not too much to say that without birds the earth would not long be habitable. As yet we are on the threshold of an exact knowledge of the value of birds to man; but let us cite one easily demonstrable case where ignorance of birds’ habits resulted in direct pecuniary loss. Quoting from the report for 1886 of Dr. C. Hart Merriam, Ornithologist and Mammalogist of the United States Department of Agriculture: “On the 23d of June, 1885, the Legislature of Pennsylvania passed an act known as the ‘scalp act,’ ostensibly ‘for the benefit of agriculture,’ which provides a bounty of fifty cents each on hawks, owls, weasels, and minks killed within the limits of the State, and a fee of twenty cents to the notary or justice taking the affidavit. “ By virtue of this act about $90,000 has been paid in bounties during the year and a half that has elapsed since the law went into’ effect. This represents the destruction of at least 128,571 of the above-mentioned animals, most of which were hawks and owls. “Granting that 5,000 chickens are killed annually in Pennsylvania by hawks and owls, and that they are worth twenty-five cents each (a liberal estimate in view of the fact that a large proportion of them are killed when very young), the total loss would be 1,250, and the poultry kiiled in a year and a half would be worth $1,875. Hence it appears that daring the past eighteen months the State of Pennsylvania has *xpended $90,000 to save its farmers a loss of $1,875. But this esti- mate by no means represents the actual loss to the farmer and the tax- payer of the State. It is within bounds to say that in the course of a year every hawk and owl destroys at least a thousand mice or their equivalent in insects, and that each mouse or its equivalent so de- stroyed would cause the farmer a loss of two cents perannum. There- fore, omitting all reference to the enormous increase in the numbers of these noxious animals when Nature’s means of holding them in check has been removed, the lowest possible estimate of the value to ‘the farmer of each hawk, owl, and weasel would be $20 a year, or $30 in a year and a half. 8 SENTIMENT OF ORNITHOLOGY. “ Hence, in addition to the $90,000 actually expended by the State in destroying 128,571 of its benefactors, it has incurred a loss to its agricultural interests of at least $3,857,180, or a total loss of $3,947,130 in a year and a half, which is at the rate of 2,631,420 per annum. In other words, the State has thrown away $2,100 for every dollar saved! _ And even this does not represent fairly the full loss, for the slaughter of such a vast number of predaceous birds and mammals is almost certain to be followed by a correspondingly enormous increase in the numbers of mice and insects formerly held in check by them, and it will take many years to restore the balance thus blindly destroyed ‘through ignorance of the economic relations of our common birds and mammals.” To their credit be it said, the legislators of Pennsylvania were not slow to recognize the error which a lack of proper information had caused them to make. A State ornithologist was appointed, and through his efforts this ruinous and absurd law was repealed. In 1893 the Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy of the Department of Agriculture issued a report upon the food of the Hawks and Owls of the United States based upon the examination of the contents of 2,690 stomachs. It proves conclusively the value of most of these misjudged birds to the agriculturist. It is need- less to draw a comparison between legislation based upon information derived from such reports and that based solely on ignorant preju- dices. | Tke Sentiment of Ornithology.a-We may accept as true Prof. Morse’s estimate of the value of birds to the scientist; we need not question their importance in the economics of Nature, but we are still far from recognizing the possibilities of their influence upon our lives. An inherent love of birds is an undeniable psychological fact which finds its most frequent expression in the general fondness for cage- birds. If we can learn to regard the birds of the woods and fields with all the affection we lavish on our poor captives in their gilded homes, what an inexhaustible store of enjoyment is ours! It is not alone the beauty, power of song, or intelligence of birds which attract us, it is their human attributes. Man exhibits hardly a trait which he will not find reflected in the life of a bird. Love, hate; courage, fear; anger, pleasure; vanity, modesty; virtue, vice; constancy, fickleness ; generosity, selfishness; wit, curiosity, memory, reason—we may find them all exhibited in the lives of birds. Birds have thus become symbolic of certain human characteristics, and the more common species are so interwoven in our art and literature that by name at least they are known to all of us. Shakespeare makes over six hundred references to birds or bird-life. If we should rob SENTIMENT OF ORNITHOLOGY. 9 Wordsworth’s verses of their birds, how sadly mutilated what re- mained would be! But why leave a knowledge of birds to poets and naturalists? Go yourself to the field and learn that birds do not exist solely in books, but are concrete, sentient beings, whose acquaintance may bring you more unalloyed happiness than the wealth of the Indies. John Bur- roughs understands this when he writes of the study of birds: “ There is a fascination about it quite overpowering. It fits so well with other things—with fishing, hunting, farming, walking, camping out—with all that takes one to the fields and woods. One may go a blackberry-_ ing and make some rare discovery;.or while driving his cow to pas- ture, hear a new song, or make a new observation. Secrets lurk on all sides. There is news in every bush. What no man ever saw before may the next moment be revealed to you. What a new interest the woods have! How you long to explore every nook and corner of them!” Human friends may pass beyond our ken, but our list of acquaint- ances in the bird world increases to the end and shows no vacancies. The marsh the Blackbirds loved may become the site of a factory, but no event on the calendar is more certain than that in due time and place we shall hear the tinkling chorus of the epauleted minstrels rising and falling on the crisp morning air. “ .... Time may come when never more The wilderness shall hear the lion roar ; But, long as cock shall crow from household perch To rouse the dawn, soft gales shall speed thy wing, And thy erratic voice be faithful to the spring !” The woods of our youth may disappear, but the Thrushes will always sing for us, and their voices, endeared by cherished associa- tions, arouse echoes of a hundred songs and awaken memories before which the years will vanish. CHAPTER IL. THE STUDY OF BIRDS OUT-OF-DOORS. How to Identify Birds.—Whether your object be to study birds as a scientist or simply as a lover of Nature, the first step is the same— you must learn to know them. This problem of identification has been given up in despair by many would-be ornithologists. We can neither pick, press, net, nor impale birds; and here the botanist and the entomologist have a distinct advantage. Even if we have the desire to resort to a gun its use is not always possible. But with patience and practice the identification of birds is a comparatively easy matter, and in the end you will name them with surprising ease and certainty. There is generally more character in the flight of a bird than there is in the gait of a man. Both are frequently inde- scribable but perfectly diagnostic, and you learn to recognize bird friends as you do human ones—by experience. If vou confine your studies to one locality, probably not more than one third of the species described in this volume will come within the field of your observation. To aid you in learning which species should be included in this third, the paragraphs on Range are followed by a statement of the bird’s standing at Washington, D. C., Sing Sing, N. Y., and Cambridge, Mass., while the water-birds of Long Island are treated specially. Take the list of birds from the point nearest your home as an index of those you may expect to find. This may be abridged for a given season by considering the times of the year at which a bird is present.* * It is sometimes possible to secure a list of birds of your own vicinity. These ‘‘local lists’’ are generally published in scientific journals, but one may fre- quently secure a copy of the author’s edition. On this subject correspond with L. S. Foster, 35 Pine Street, New York city. Among the local lists of eastern birds which were issued as separate publications and are now for sale are— 1. A Catalogue of the Birds of the Virginias, by Wm. C. Rives, M. A., M. D. Proc. Newport [R. I.] Nat. Hist. Soc., Document VII, 1890, 8vo, pp. 100, one map, 305 species. 2. The Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with Introductory 10 HOW TO FIND BIRDS. Tt After this slight preparation you may take to the field with a much clearer understanding of the situation. ‘Two quite different ways of identifying birds are open to you. Either you may shoot them, or study them through a field- or opera-glass. A “bird in the hand” isa definite object whose structure and color can be studied to such ad- vantage that in most cases you will afterward recognize it at sight. Aitter learning the names of its parts, its identity is simply a question of keys and descriptions. If you would “name the birds without a gun,” by all means first visit a museum, and, with text-book in hand, study those species which you have previously found are to be looked for near your home. This preliminary introduction will serve to ripen your acquaintance in the field. A good field- or opera-glass is absolutely indispensable. A strong opera-glass with a large eye-piece is most useful in the woods, while a field-glass is more serviceable in observing water-birds. Study your bird as closely as circumstances will permit, and write on the spot a comparative description of its size, the shape of its bill, tail, etc., and a detailed description of its colors. In describing form take a Robin, Chipping Sparrow, or any bird you know, which best serves the pur- pose, as a basis for comparison. A bird’s bill is generally its most diagnostic external character. A sketch of it in your note-book will frequently give vou a good clew to its owner’s family. It is of the utmost importance that this description should be written in the field. Not only do our memories sometimes deceive us, but we really see nothing with exactness until we attempt to describe it. Haunts, ac- tions, and notes should also be carefully recorded. This account is your “bird in the hand,” and while you can not hope to identify it as easily as you could a specimen, you will rarely fail to learn its name, and experience will render each attempt less difficult than the pre- ceding. How to Find Birds.—The best times of the day in which to look for birds are early morning and late afternoon. After a night of fasting and resting, birds are active and hungry. When their appe- tites are satisfied they rest quietly until afternoon, hunger again send- ing them forth in search of food. Chapters on Geographical Distribution and Migration, prepared under the Direc- tion of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, by Witmer Stone, Conservator Ornithological Section Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 8vo, pp. 185, two diagrams, two maps, 352 species. Price, $1. 3. An Annotated List of the Birds known to occur within Fifty Miles of New York City, by Frank M. Chapman. Published by the American Museum of Natu- ral History, New York city, as a guide to its collection of local birds. 8vo, pp. 100, 36 cuts, 4 full-page plates, 348 species. For sale at the Museum. Price, 15 cents. 192 “WHEN TO FIND BIRDS. Experience will soon show you the places where birds are most abundant. The more varied the nature of the country the greater number of species you may expect to find inhabiting it. An ideal locality would be a bit of tree-dotted meadow with a reed-bordered pond or stream, surrounded by woods, rolling uplands, and orchards. Common sense will tell you how to act in the field. Birds are gen- erally shy creatures and must be approached with caution. You must not, therefore, go observing or collecting dressed in flaming red, but in some inconspicuous garb and as quietly as a cat. Furthermore, go alone and keep the sun at your back—two apparently unrelated but equally important bits of advice. The collector generally has the instincts of a hunter, and practice will develop them. ‘The “squeak” is one of his most valuable aids, It is made by placing the lips to the back of the hand or finger and kissing vigorously. The sound produced bears some resemblance to the cries of a wounded or young bird. In the nesting season its utter- ance frequently creates much excitement in the bird world, and at all times it is useful as a means of drawing bush- or reed-haunting species from their retreats. One may enter an apparently deserted thicket, and, after a few minutes’ squeaking, find himself surrounded by an anxious or curious group of its feathered inhabitants, The observer of birds will find that by far the best way to study their habits is to take a sheltered seat in some favored locality and become a part of the background. Your passage through the woods is generally attended by sufficient noise to warn birds of your coming long before you see them. They are then suspicious and ill at ease. But secrete yourself near some spot loved by birds, and it may be your privilege to learn the secrets of the forest. When to Find Birds.—During the year the bird-life of temperate and boreal regions fiuctuates with the changing seasons. Birds may thus be classed in the following groups according to the manner of their occurrence: Permanent residents are birds found in one locality throughout the year. Summer residents come from the south in the spring, rear their young, and leave in the fall. Winter visitants come from the north in the fall, pass the winter, and leave in the spring. Transient visitants pass through a given place in migrating to and from their summer homes north of it. Accidental visitants are birds which have lost their way. They are generally young and inexperi- enced, and are usually found in the fall. The best time of the year to begin studying birds is in the winter, when the bird population of temperate regions is at the minimum. The problem of identification is thus reduced to its simplest terms, and should be mastered before spring introduces new elements. THE ORNITHOLOGICAL YEAR. 13 The commoner permanent residents of the middle Eastern States are the following: Bob-white. Hairy Woodpecker, Ruffed Grouse, Flicker, Red-shouldered Hawk, Blue Jay, Red-tailed Hawk, Crow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Meadowlark, Barred Owl, American Goldfinch, Long-eared Owl, Purple Finch, Sereech Owl, Song Sparrow, Great Horned Owl, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, Chickadee, and occasionally the Waxwing, Bluebird, and Robin pass the winter. To these should be added the following more or less common winter visitant Jand-birds: Saw-whet Owl, Tree Sparrow, Horned Lark, Junco, Snowflake, Northern Shrike, Lapland Longspur, Winter Wren, Redpoll, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Crossbill, Brown Creeper. White-throated Sparrow, Let us now begin with the opening of the spring migration and briefly review the ornithological year. In the vicinity of New York city the first birds arrive from the south late in February or early in March. There is much variation in the coming of these early birds. Later, when the weather is more settled, migrants arrive within a few days of a given date. In April most of our winter visitants leave for the north. The current of migration grows steadily stronger until about May 12, when high-water mark is reached. Then it rapidly subsides and the spring migration is practically over by June1. The winter visitants have gone, the great army of transients has passed us, and our bird population is now composed of permanent residents with the addition of about ninety summer residents. Nesting-time has arrived, and birds which for nearly a year have been free to go and come as inclination directed, now have homes where, day after day, they may be found in tireless attendance upon the nest and its treasures. Courtship, the construction of a dwelling, the task of incubation, and care of the young, all tend to stimulate the characteristic traits of the bird, and at no other time can its habits ~ be studied to better advantage. But resident birds begin building long before the migration is con- v 14 THE ORNITHOLOGICAL YEAR, | cluded. The Great Horned Owl lays in February, other birds in March and April; still, the height of the breeding season is not reached until June 1. may et Another period in the avian year closely connected with the spring migration and nesting-time is the song season. Near New York city it is inaugurated late in February by the Song Sparrow. Voice after voice is added to the choir, and in June our woods and fields ring with the chorus so dear to lovers of Nature. By the middle of July it is on the wane, and early in August it is practically over. Some birds have a brief second song season in the fall, but as a rule it lasts only a few ‘days—it is a farewell to their summer homes.* August is a most discouraging month to the student of birds, Birds leave their accustomed haunts and retire to secluded places to renew their worn plumages. ‘They are silent and inactive, and there- fore difficult to find. Late in the month they reappear clad in travel- ing costumes and ready for their southern journey. One by one they leave us, and there are days late in August and early in September when the woods are almost deserted of birds. Later the fall migra- tion becomes continuous, and each night brings a host of new arrivals. The spring migration is scarcely concluded before the fall migra- tion begins. July 1, Tree Swallows, which rarely nest near New York city, appear in numbers from the north and gather in immense flocks in our marshes. Later in the month they are joined by Bobolinks. Early in August the careful observer will detect occasional small flights of Warblers passing southward, and by September 10 the great southern march of the birds is well under way; it reaches its height between the 20th and last of the month, when most of the win- ter residents arrive, and from this time our bird-life rapidly decreases, Some of the seed- and berry-eaters remain until driven southward by the cold weather in December. When they have gone our bird popu- lation is again reduced to the ever-present permanent residents and hardy winter visitants. The appended tables graphically illustrate the rise and fall of the migrations and of the nesting season. ‘The first is based on my own observations at Englewood, N. J., kindly revised and supplemented by Mr. Eugene P. Bicknell from extended observations at Riverdale, on the opposite side of the Hudson River. The second was compiled from data accompanying the collections of the American Museum of Natural History. * See a series of papers by Mr. E. P. Bicknell entitled ‘‘ A Study of the Sing- ing of our Birds.” The Auk, i, 1884, pp. 60-71, 126-140, 209-218, 322-332 ; ii, 1885, pp. 144-154, 249-262. ee Date of arrival. Feb. 15—Mar. 10. March 10-20. March 20-31. April 1-10. April 10-20. April 20-30. THE SPRING MIGRATION. 15 SPRING MIGRATION. Date of departure. Vg 0) fee Pc ee ..«. November 1-80. FLOSS, THRACE oo os few cle wpe witee bee April-May. Red-winged: Blackbird... 0.0.04 sens .c8 November 1-80. Pp eles te Be Auk nec Suu November 1-30. ee as YS a kw iseae eens November 1-30. ROR PI oat Lacs ANE picts ie tein wllllg' November 1-80. Brees aloe oil aka eee bhi ih October 20-30. FC a Oe an ee ee November 1-80. Mss pedi a's cule werden aay WO November 1-380. Nox Sparrow ........ pe ee ee isig'g TLL I-15, Eee EO 2) td ks. wae wins ei May 1-10. POOH ls. Be este. Sos) aa tok November 1-80. Dacstar rier DO es oS Tike dala aw abe November 1-30. STOPES IME OOW OF 0 ih s oa Sale a oe November 1-80. Pen rSPREDIWs 8. a ik rire ae November 1-30. Gesu ge Meron: 24 80a. on) cond 08 November 1-30. eee BP inclet oo oiws Ue bealig eet November 1-30. MRIS DOPROIN oho ini Lad wie re ald November 1-380. SEA DPALCOW 65 iii oka Meiecnnw tom vt May 1-15. CUPP SP ATTOW dss oie the Sa vexed ed November 1-30. Peery ES OI Swe oo Sc ch as wat ce tcpetora S0% May 15-31. ere EOE irs MLS! og oat May 10-20. CSM ETP i. 5 Lioreitiliae niece ..22 April 15-25. irene sa, a 1 ae bins be TR a April 25—May 10. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker........... April 20-30. Peet Was Lb aise Ye ke oe Li aut October 1-10. ~wellow: Palm Warbler os. ..i5.~......5 50a Warbling Vireo... sa 0.543... .5 sae Hooded -“Warblef . ooo. occa ks le ee Chimney Swiks, oo) 4s 35a sn oe Lowt Fiycatoher } <2 62. 50.0 2c Sa Botielinls shine ks san Viana ee ee Yellow-winged Sparrow .............. Indigo: Bunting’. i. 6 j¢.,.': sues Boarles “Laneyer. ss s .6 4.35 eee Barn Swallow... os. cis. cstes 5.4 eee Of Swallow... . cc te eee ee Bank Swallow ..cx a> - 4 ‘ - ey 5 a ao vo. ~ ee — he] eer pe eee ¢ ~ ae po. Cee q P ‘ J = JS 4 a - : M., => aS "ei ” ‘ =) 5 5 - | a6 : d Evy 2 ‘ Ye F a sae e : yas. ee a iy ae d aes 3 pie 1 re ‘<- ‘NMONG HSIAVYD AVYD HSINMOWS ‘SNOBIVNIA JING Wv3aYyd | ‘44NE SNO3S9VYHIO ‘YyzJEWwn LANLSIHO ‘NMOYS SNOINY ‘NMOYS NOWYNNID ‘NMOYE 3AITO “AAINTO ‘WPaLwid LYVHOD YOTOD “MNId “TWNIGuYO “LaTYWOS “JONWHO- ‘MO113A AWOUD MOTI3A YN 1S ‘MOTISA HSINIAY9 Saree "N33Y9 3AITO LHON 'N33N9 FANO MYVO 3n1a “3N18 HSIAWY9S ow hoe AVUS TeW3ad BIOGRAPHIES—ILLUSTRATIONS. 39 In preparing these biographical sketches I have aimed to secure the best material possible, using my own notes only when I felt they were based on adequate observations. Not only have I carefully ex- amined the literature relating to the habits of our birds, selecting what seemed to be the most trustworthy accounts of their appearance in life, but through the generous co-operation of fellow-students of living birds I am able to present character sketches of some of our birds, written by observers who are everywhere known for their sym- pathy with birds out-of-doors. Thus I have to thank Mrs. Miller, Miss Merriam, Mr. Bicknell, Mr. Brewster, Dr. Dwight, Mr. Thomp- son, and Mr. Torrey for pen pictures of birds with which they are especially familiar, each sketch being signed by its author. Illustrations.—The colored frontispiece is by Mr. Ernest E. Thomp- son, whom I have to thank for assistance in preparing the color chart and Key to Families. The scheme of this key, which is founded on natural arrangement and on drawings of anatomical details, is original with him, and that here presented is a slight modification of the one he completed and contributed at a time when he was expected to be a joint author of this work. The numerous pen-and-ink drawings, which add so largely to the value of the work, were made by Mr. Tappan Adney from specimens in the American Museum of Natural History. Some of the full-page half-tone plates are from photographs of groups in the American Museum of Natural History; the larger number, how- ever, were especially designed for this work, with the assistance of Mr. J. Rowley, Jr. - The Color Chart.—It must not be supposed for a moment that the colors on the Plate II. represent. the colors of all the birds of eastern North America. It does not do so any more than an artist’s palette shows all the colors of his picture—in fact, I have called this plate my mental palette, and have frequently used two and even three terms to describe a given shade or tint. It should be clearly understood, therefore, that when grayish brown, for example, is mentioned, it does not follow that the feathers to which the term is applied are of exactly the same color as the plate, but that they are nearer to this color than to any other in the plate. Used even - in this general way, the plate will prove a far more definite basis for description than if every one were left to form his own idea of the colors named. = * Small birds, length generally under = 6°00, but in four species 6°50-7:50, * [> ' with, as a rule, brightly colored Fia. 53. baa 4 -. B4 KEY TO FAMILIES. plumage, olive-green or yellow being the most frequent; bill various, never notched at the tip, usually slender and sharply pointed, without conspicuous bristles, but sometimes flattened and broader than high at the base, when the bristles are evident (thus resembling the bill of a true Flycatcher, but the back of the tarsus is always thin and narrow, and never rounded as in front); rarely the bill is heavier, more thrushlike or finchlike; second or third primary longest, the first little if any shorter; tail generally square, sometimes rounded, the outer feathers frequently blotched with white, p- 333. Family 13. Motacillide.—W aetaiis and Prpirs (Fig. 54). No bristles over the nostrils; bill slender, much as in the preceding ; hind toe-nail much lengthened, as long as or longer than the toe ; first three primaries of equal length, p. 875. Family 14. TZroglodytide. — THRASH- ERS, WRENS, etc. (Fig. 55). Subfamily J&mine. — THRasHERs, Mocxkinepirps, and CATBIRDS. Length 8:00-12°00; tarsus scaled ; tail rounded, the outer feathers at least half an inch shorter than the middle ones, third to fifth primary longest, the first about half as long, p- 376. Subfamily Troglodytinew.— WRENS. Length 4:00-6:00; bill moderate, the upper mandible slightly curved, no bristles at its base; third to fourth primary longest, first about half as long; tail short and round- ed ; brown or brownish birds with indistinctly barred wings and tail, p. 3876. SF; V1 ypwe OP aa Family 15. Certhiide.—CrrErers (Fig. 56). Bill slender and much curved; tail- feathers pointed and slightly stiffened, p. 385. KEY TO FAMILIES. 55 Family 16. Paridw.—Nvtuarcues and Tirmice (Fig. 57). 3 Subfamily Sittine@.—NutTHarcHeEs. ¢ Bill rather long and slender, the end of the lower mandible slanting slightly upward; wings long and pointed, the third or fourth primary aw the longest, the first very small, not an inch in length; tail short «und square, the outer feathers blctched with white, p. 386. Subfamily Parinw.—TirMice. Length 4°50-6°50; bill short, stout, and rounded, less than half an inch in length ; fourth or fifth primary longest, first very short, not more than one third as long; tail rather long, dull “ia “ hy a ashy gray without white blotches, Fic. 57. p. 389. Family 17. Sylviide.—Kinevets and GNATCATCHERS (Fig. 58). Length 3:50-5:00; bill slender, re- sembling that of some Warblers, but the first primary is very short, only about one third as long as the longest, p. 391. Fie. 58. Family 18. Turdide. — 4 TerusHEes, BLUvUEBIRDS, ete. (Fig. 59). ’ Length over 5°50; bill mod- < erate, the tip of the upper mandible notched; tarsus smooth, the scales, if any, fused and indistinct; tail square: wings long and pointed, 8°75 or over, third ‘ primary the longest, the Z first very short, less than Fia. 59. one inch in length, p. 394. 56 GREBES., ORDER PYGOPODES. DIVING BIRDS. FAMILY POoODICIPIDA. GREBES. The Grebes, or lobe-footed divers, number about thirty species, distributed throughout the world. Six species are found in North America. Grebes are eminently aquatic birds, and rarely if ever ven- ture upon land, where they are almost helpless. The marvelous rapid- ity with which Grebes dive, and the ease with which this power for- merly enabled them to escape the shot of the fowler, have won for them their various popular names of “ Hell-diver,” ‘‘ Water-witch,” ete. The cartridges of the modern breech-loader do not give the warning of the discarded flint-lock or percussion cap, and “to dive at the flash” is an expression which now has lost half its meaning. Grebes possess the power of swimming with only the tip of the bill above water, a habit which accounts for many mysterious disappearances. They feed largely on fish, which they pursue and catch under water, progressing by aid of the feet alone. KEY TO THE SPECIES. A, Depth of bill at nostril over °35. a. Wing over 6:00 .-. 6. we ee ee tw Re 6. Wing under CO aay ae . . . » 6, Prep-BILLED GREEH B. Depth of bill at nostril less me 35. os 8 ew « sO BORN ee 2. Colymbus holbeoellii (7einh.). Horts@ry’s Gress. Ad. in sum- mer.—Top of the head, small crest, and back of the neck, glossy black; back blackish ; throat and sides of the head silvery white; front and sides of the neck rufous, changing gradually over the breast into the silvery white belly; sides tinged with rufous. Ad. in winter——Upper parts blackish brown: throat and under parts whitish ; front and sides of the neck pale rufous. Jm. —Upper parts blackish; throat and under parts silvery white; neck and sides grayish. L., 19:00; W., 7°50; Tar., 2°20; B., 1:90. Hange.—Breeds in the interior of North America, from northern Minne- sota northward ; in winter migrates southward as far as South Carolina and Nebraska. Washington, uncommon W. V., Sept. 30 to Mch. or Apl. Long Island irregular W. V., Oct. to Apl. Sing Sing, rare T. V., Oct. to Dec. Cam- bridge, casual. Nest, amass of water-soaked, decaying vegetation floating among rushes in a slough, generally attached to its surroundings. Zyggs, two to five, dull white, more or less soiled, 2°25 x 1°35. ‘In common with others of the family, this Grebe is an expert diver. Often it will sink into the water without any apparent effort, though more generally it jumps forward, throwing the head into the PIED-BILLED GREBE AND YOUNG. md GREBES. 5 4 water and the body into the air. It is an expert and rapid swimmer also, and all its movements on the water are exceedingly graceful. When pursued, these birds invariably endeavor to escape by diving, though when on the wing they fly rapidly, their necks and feet stretched at full length ” (Chamberlain). 8. Colymbus auritus Zinn. Hornep Gress. Ad. in summer.— Top of the head, hind neck, and throat, glossy blackish ; lores pale chestnut; stripe, and plumes behind the eye, buffy ochraceous, deeper posteriorly ; back and wings blackish; secondaries white; foreneck, upper breast, and sides chestnut; lower breast and belly white. Ad. in winter and [m.—Upper parts grayish black; under parts silvery white, sometimes washed with grayish on the throat and breast. L., 18°50; W., 5-40; Tar., 1°75; B., 90. Range.—Breeds from northern United States (northern Llinois, St. Clair Flats) northward ; winters southward to the Gulf States. Washington, common W. \V., fall to Apl. 25. Long Island, abundant T. V., rare W. V., Oct. to Apl. Sing Sing, common T. V., Oct. to Dec.; Mch. Cambridge, casual. Vest, a mass of water-soaked, decaying vegetation, floating among rushes in a slough, generally attached to its surroundings. Zggs, two to seven, dull white, more or less soiled, 1°74 x 1:15. This species and the next are probably frequently mistaken for each other in life, and the same common names are in some instances applicable to both. Mr. Ernest EH. Thompson writes of a captive in- dividual: “ When ordinarily swimming, the feet strike out alternately, and the progression is steady ; but sometimes both feet struck together, and then the movement was by great bounds, and was evidently cal- culated to force the bird over an expanse of very weedy water, or ‘through any tangle of weeds or rushes in which it might have found itself. When lifted out of the water, the feet worked so fast as to be lost to the eye in a mere haze of many shadowy feet with one attach- ment. When placed on the ground, it was perfectly helpless ” (Birds of Manitoba, p. 466). 6. Podilymbus podiceps (Zinn.). Pirp-pittep GrEBE; DaxBcnick; Diepaprer; Hewi-piver; Warter-witcu. (See Fig.5,a.) Ad. in summer.— Upper parts glossy, brownish black; throat black; upper breast, front and sides of the neck, and sides of the body, washed with brownish and indis- tinctly mottled with blackish; lower breast and belly white; a black band across the bill. Ad. in winter and JIm.—Much like the above, but throat white and no black band on the bill. L. 13°50; W., 5°10; Tar., 1:45; B., 85. ftange.—Argentine Republic northward through Mexico and the West In- dies to Hudson Bay and Great Slave Lake, breeding locally throughout its range; winters from New Jersey southward. Washington, common W. V., Aug. 25 to Apl. or May. Long Island, un- common T. V., Sept. to Apl. Sing Sing, common T. V., Apl. 6 to Apl. 20; 58 LOONS. Sept. 3 to Oct. 28; a few summer. , Cambridge, T. V. in Apl.; very common Sept. to Nov. ; ates in one incur: Nest, a mass of water-soaked, decaying reastaran sometimes built up from the bottom in shallow water, sometimes floating among rushes in a slough, when it is generally attached to its surroundings. Zggs, four to eight, dull white, more or less soiled or stained, 1°74 x 1:19. . This is probably the best known of our Grebes, and is the one which most frequently tempts the shot of would-be sportsmen. Its common names may stand as an expression of its aquatic powers. It dives head foremost, or sinks slowly beneath the water. Like other Grebes, it can swim easily and for an indefinite period with only its bill above the water, and its sometimes mysterious and apparently complete dis- appearance is explained by this habit. FAMILY URINATORIDZ. LOONS. A family containing only five species, inhabiting the northern half of the northern hemisphere. The Loons are scarcely less aquatic than the Grebes, and are their equals as divers and swimmers. They visit the land only to nest, when their clumsy progress is assisted by the use of bill and wings. Their food consists of fish, which they procure by diving, progressing when under water by aid of the feet alone. KEY TO THE SPECIES. A. Throat black. : é:,Head-black 2h SaVee BREe + a hen eee 6. Head ashy <2 < ahhh os yeaa wig 9. ‘Biase Loon. B. Throat gray, foreneck Seiae Li sear ee Aas fe 11. Rep-THROATED Loon. C. Throat white or whitish; back fuscous, margined with grayish. a. Wing over 13-00; base of bill to anterior end of nostril -75 or over. 7. Loon (Im.). b. Wing under 13-00; base of bill to anterior end of nostril less than -75. 9. BLack-THROATED Loon (Im.). D. Throat white or whitish; back fuscous, spotted with white. 11. Rep-THROATED Loon (Im.). 4. Urinator imber (Gunn.). Loon. (See Fig. 5,0.) Ad. in summer. —Upper parts, wings, tail, and neck black with bluish or greenish reflections ; spaces on the throat and sides of the neck streaked with white; back and wings spotted and barred with white; breast and belly white; sides and a band at the base of the under tail-coverts black spotted with white. Ad. in winter and Im.—Upper parts, wings, and tail blackish margined with grayish not spotted with white; under parts white; throat sometimes washed with grayish. L., 82:00; W., 14.00; Tar., 3-40; B., 2°80. Range.—Breeds from northern Ilinois, Minnesota, and northern New Eng- land to the Arctic Circle; winters from the southern limit of its breeding range to the Gulf of Mexico. LOONS. D9 Washington, common W. V., Sept. to Apl. 25. Long Island, abundant T. V., common W. V., Sept. to June. Sing Sing, common T. V., Mch. and Oct. Cambridge, not common T. V., Apl. to early May ; Sept. to Nov. Nest, a slight depression in the ground within a few feet of the water. Eggs, two, grayish olive-brown, thinly spotted with blackish, 3°50 x 2°20. This wild inhabitant of our northern lakes and ponds possesses all the characteristic traits of the Divers, Its remarkable notes are thus described by Mr. J. H. Langille: “ Beginning on the fifth note of the scale, the voice slides through the eighth to the third of the scale above in loud, clear, sonorous tones, which on a dismal evening before a thunderstorm, the lightning already playing along the inky sky, are anything but musical. He has also another rather soft and pleasing utterance, sounding like who-who- who-who, the syllables being so rapidly pronounced as to sound almost like a shake of the voice—a sort of weird laughter.” Loons may be seen migrating by day singly or in small companies, generally at a considerable height. Their flight is strong, rapid, and direct. | 9. Urinator arcticus (Zinn.). Buacx-THroatep Loon. Ad. in summer.—Throat, foreneck, back, wings, and tail black, with purplish and bluish reflections; a band of white streaks on the throat; sides of the neck, back, and wings streaked, barred, or spotted with white; top of head and Nape gray; breast and belly white; a blackish band at the base of the under tail-coverts. Ad. in winter and Jm.—Similar in color to U. imber, not spotted above with white. L., 27:00; W., 11:00; Tar., 2°60; B., 2-00. Remarks—Immature and winter birds may be distinguished from the cor- responding stage of cmber by their small size; from 2wmme by grayish mar- gips instead of white spots, bars, or margins on the upper parts. ftange.—Breeds in the northern parts of the northern hemisphere; in North America migrates southward in winter to the northern United States, casually to Ohio and Long Island. Long Island, A. V., one record. Vest, a slight depression in the ground within a few feet of the water. £9gs, two, grayish olive-brown, spotted or scrawled with blackish, 3°20 x 2-10. This species is a very rare winter visitant to the northern border of the United States. The most southern record of its occurrence is Long Island (Dutcher, Auk, x, 1893, p. 265). 11. Urinator lumme (Gwzz.). Rep-tTHRoatTEep Loon. Ad. in sum- mer.—Back, wings, and tail fuscous, more or less spotted with white; head and neck ashy gray ; foreneck chestnut ; back of the neck black, streaked with white; breast and belly white; longer under tail-coverts and band at the base of shorter ones fuscous. Ad. in winter and Im.—Similar to U. imber, but back spotted with white. L., 25:00; W., 11-00; Tar., 2°60; B., 2:00. ftange.—Found throughout the northern parts of the northern hemisphere, 60 AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. breeding in North America from New Brunswick and Manitoba northward, and niigrating irregularly southward as far as South Carolina. Washington, rare W. V. Long Island, common T. V., rare W. V., Oct. to May. Sing Sing, casual T. V. Cambridge, one instance, Oct. Nest, a slight depression in the ground within a few feet of the water. Eggs, two, grayish olive-brown, sometimes tinged with green and spotted with blackish, 2°80 x 1°75. This is a more northern species than Urinator timber, which it doubt- less closely resembles in habits. FAMILY ALCIDZ. AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. This family contains about thirty species, confined entirely to the northern parts of the northern hemisphere. Nearly all of these are found in North America, most of them, however, on only our Pacific coast. Without exception they are maritime birds, passing the greater part of their lives on the open sea. They nest in colonies, sometimes in enormous numbers, generally upon rocky, precipitous shores. Their progress on land is slow and awkward; but they are, as a rule, strong fliers, and accomplished swimmers and divers. Unlike the Grebes and Loons they use their wings in diving. Their food consists of fish, crustacea, and other forms of sea life. KEY TO THE SPECIES. L.Bill-under *75. ok ae a eM ee oe I]. Bill over °75. 1. Depth of bill at nostril over °60. a. Bill yellowish, depth at nostril over 1:00. 138. Purrin. 18a. LARGE-BILLED PUFFIN. 6. Bill black, depth at nostril under 1:00 . . 32. Razor-BILLED AUK. 2. Depth of bill at nostril under °60. A. Wing-coverts white or tipped with white. a. Greater wing-coverts entirely white . 28. Manpt’s GUILLEMOT. 6. Basal half of greater wing-coverts black. 27. BLack GUILLEMOT. BL. No white on wing-coverts. Oh. VED CeO ey pi ea ek ee ha - » » «Ol Eons Be ill ener WG re aes te ae a ‘81. Brtwnicu’s Murre. 13. Fratercula arctica (Zinn.). Purri; Sra Parror (see Fig. 5, ¢). Ad.—Upper parts, wings, tail, and foreneck blackish, browner on the head and foreneck ; nape with a narrow grayish collar; sides of the head and throat white, sometimes washed with grayish; breast and belly white. (Breeding birds have the bill larger and brighter, and a horny spine over the eye.) L., 13:00; W., 6:10; Tar., 1:05; B., 1:85; depth of B. at base (in winter), 1°50. Range.— Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, breeding on the North American coast from the Bay of Fundy northward” (A. O. U.). Migrates southward in winter, rarely to Long Island. AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. 61 Long Island, A. V. in winter. Vest in a burrow in the ground or in crevices among rocks. gg, one, dull white, sometimes with obscure markings, 2°49 x 1°68. Mr. Brewster, in describing his experience with this species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, writes: “ ‘I'he first report of our guns brought dozens tumbling from their nests. Their manner of descending from the higher portions of the cliff was peculiar. Launching into the air with heads depressed and wings held stiffly at a sharp angle above their backs, they would shoot down like meteors, checking their speed by an upward turn just before reaching the water. In a few minutes scores had collected about us. They were perfectly silent and very tame, passing and repassing over and by us, often coming within ten or fif- teen yards. On such occasions their flight has a curious resemblance to that of a Woodcock, but when coming in from the fishing grounds they skim close to the waves, and the wings are moved more in the manner of a Duck” (Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., xxii, 1883, p. 407). 13a. F. a. glacialis (7emm.). Laree-sittep Purrin.—Similar to the preceding, but larger. W., 6:80-7:40; B., 2-00-2°30 (B., B., and R.). fange.—‘ Coast and islands of the Arctic Ocean from Spitzbergen to Baffin’s Bay” (A. O. U.). The Turtrep Purrin (12. Lunda cirrhata) inhabits the North Pacific from California to Alaska. The specimen figured by Audubon was said by him to have been procured at the mouth of the Kennebec River, Maine. There is no other record of its occurrence on the Atlantic coast. 27. Cepphus grylle (/inz.). Biack GuitiEMoT; Sea PicgEon. Ad. in summer.—Sooty black, lighter below and with slight greenish reflections above; lesser wing-coverts and terminal half of the greater wing-coverts white, the basal half of the greater coverts black ; linings of the wings white. Ad. in winter.—Upper parts gray or black, the feathers all more or less tipped with white; wings as in summer; under parts white /m.—Upper parts as in winter adults; under parts white, mottled with black; wing-coverts tipped with black. L., 13:00; W., 6°25; Tar., 1:25; B., 1°20. Range.—Breeds in North America from the Bay of Fundy (Grand Menan) northward, and migrates southward regularly to Cape Cod, and rarely to Con- necticut and Long Island; accidental in Pennsylvania. Long Island, A. V. in winter. West, in the crevices and fissures of cliffs and rocky places. Zggs, two to three, dull white, sometimes with a greenish tinge, more or less heavily spotted with clear and obscure dark chocolate markings, more numerous and sometimes confiuent at the larger end. 2°18 x 1°40. “They were wary and alert, but allowed me to paddle within easy shooting distance without displaying much alarm. When they finally concluded I was an unsafe neighbor, they lost no time in getting out of sight, diving with surprising suddenness. They usually swam a 62 AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. fel long distance under water with great rapidity, using their wings as well as their feet, and coming to the surface far beyond gunshot range. — . “The Sea Pigeons are met usually in small flocks of half a dozen or more, and generally feed in the open sea at the base of bold cliffs. When on the wing they proceed rapidly and in a straight line, and rarely more than a few feet from the surface of the water. On ap- proaching their nesting-site they rise rather abruptly, and fly directly to their nests” (Chamberlain). 23. Cepphus mandtii (Zicht.). Manpr’s Guittemor.—Resembles the preceding, but the bases of the greater wing-coverts are white instead of black. Range.—‘ Arctie regions of both continents” (A. O. U.); in America breeding from Labrador and: Hudson Bay northward, migrating southward as far as Massachusetts. Nest, in crevices and fissures of cliffs and rocky places. Zggs, two to three, not distinguishable from those of C. grylle, 2°34 x 1:15. A more northern species than the preceding, which it doubtless re- sembles in habits. 30. Uria troile (Zinn.). Murre. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts, wings, tail, and neck all around, dark sooty brown, blacker on the back, wings, and tail; tips of secondaries, breast, and belly white, the sides more or less streaked with blackish. Ad. in winter and Jm.—Upper parts, wings, and tail much as in summer; under parts white, the throat more or less washed with sooty brown, the flanks sometimes streaked with brownish, and tlle feathers of the belly more or less lightly margined with blackish. L., 16:00; W., 8-00; Tar., 1-40; B., 1°75; depth of B. at nostril, -50. Remarks.—Some specimens have a white ring around the eye and a white stripe behind it. They have been named UJ. ringvia (Briinn.), but it is un- certain as to whether the species is a distinct one or is based on a mere varia- tion of plumage. Range.—* Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic” (A. O. U.). In North America, breeding from Nova Scotia northward, and migrating southward as far as Massachusetts. Nests in communities, side by side on the bare ledges of rocky cliffs. Zgq, one, pyriform, varying from pale blue or greenish blue to whitish or buffy, singularly spotted, scrawled, or streaked with shades of chocolate, rarely un- marked, 3°25 x 2-00. “These birds begin to assemble on their customary cliffs in Eng- land early in May, and crowd together in such numbers that it is not uncommon to see hundreds sitting upon their eggs on the ledge of a rock, all in a line, and nearly touching each other” (Nuttall). “The bird usually sits facing the cliff, holding the egg between her legs, with its point outward; if robbed, she will lay at least one more, AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. 63 similar in character. . . . Considerable force is exercised in diving, and the wings are used for propulsion under water” (Saunders). 31. Uria lomvia (Linn.). Brinnicn’s Murre. Ad. in summer.— Upper parts, wings, and tail sooty black, foreneck somewhat browner; tips of secondaries, breast, and belly white; base of the upper mandible greenish, rounded outward beyond the edge of the lower mandible. L., 16°50; W., 640; Tar., 1°30; B., 1:25; depth of B. at nostril, -47. Remarks.— Adults are to be distinguished from adults of 7 troile by the darker color of the head, which in domvia is darker than the throat, by the size of the bill and thickening of its cutting edge at the base. Winter and immature birds can be distinguished from those of U. troile only by the size of the bill, which, as the measurements show, is longer in that species. Range.—* Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and eastern Arctic Oceans” (A. O. U.). Breeds from the Magdalen Islands northward; in win- ter migrates us far south as New Jersey. Long Island, irregular W. V. Sing Sing, A. V. Nests in communities, side by side on the bare ledges of rocky cliffs. Zyq, one, not distinguishable from that of U trodle. “During the winter it lives on the open sea, and in the breeding season assembles in large flocks on bold cliffs and rocky headlands. It is an expert diver, using wings and feet to get under water and to swim through it” (Chamberlain). $2. Alea torda Zinn. Razor-BILtEp Aux; Tinker. Ad. in sum- mer.—U pper parts, wings, and tail sooty black; foreneck somewhat browner ; tips of the secondaries, a line from the eye to the bill, breast, and belly white ; bill black, crossed by a white band. Ad. in winter.—Similar to ad. in the summier, but with the sides and front of the neck white. Jm.—Similar to ad. in winter, but with the bill smaller and without the white bar. L., 16°50; meer 90> Tar., 1°35; B.,-1-25. Range.—* Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic” (A. O. U.). Breeds from the Magdalen Islands northward; in winter migrates southward regu- larly to Long Island and rarely to Virginia and North Carolina. Long Island, irregular W. V. Vest, in the crevices and fissures of cliffs and rocky places. Zgqs, one to two, pale bluish white or buffy, thickly spotted and speckled with chocolate ‘markings most numerous and sometimes confluent at the larger end, 3°00 x 1:90. “When brooding, it crouches along, not across, the egg, its mate often standing near; and both sexes incubate, though the male may be seen bringing food to the sitting female. ... The young flutter from the rocks to the sea, or are taken by the neck and carried down by the parents. They are at first very loath to follow the old bird in diving, and remain crying plaintively on the surface of the water. ‘The food consists of small fish, which are carried diagonally in the bill —not at right angles, as by the Puffin—and crustaccans. The Razor- i _ a TP 64 AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. bill utters a peculiar grunting or groaning, especially when sitting, On the water it may be distinguished from the Guillemot, at a dis- tance, by its upturned tail” (Saunders). 33. Plautus impennis (/inn.). Great Aux.—Upper parts fuscous black, a large white spot before the eye; secondaries tipped with white; sides of the neck and throat seal-brown, rest of the under parts silvery white. L., 28-00-80°00 ; W., 5°75; B., 8:15-3°50; greatest depth of B., 1:50 (Ridgw.). Range.—“ Formerly the coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, from Massachusetts and Ireland northward nearly to the Arctic Circle” (A. O. U.). Now extinct. : Egg, pyviform-ovate, pale olive buffy, variously marked with brown and black, 4°67 x 2°91 (Ridgw.), The Great Auk was flightless. Like other birds of this family, it frequented certain localities in large numbers each year to breed. Early voyagers and fishermen visited its nesting grounds, killing the helpless birds in enormous numbers for their flesh, feathers, and oil. The result was extinction, and no living Great Auk has been observed since 1842. About seventy specimens are known to be preserved in collections. (See Lucas, Rep. Smith. Inst., 1891, pp. 638-641.) 34. Alle alle (Linn.). Dovexm; Sza Dove. Ad. in summer.—Unpper parts, wings, and tail sooty black; sides and front of the neck and upper breast somewhat browner; secondaries tipped and scapulars streaked with white; lower breast and belly white. Ad. in winter and /m.—Similar to the above, but throat whiter or washed with dusky, and sometimes a gray collar on the nape. L., 8:00; W., 4:50; Tar., ‘70; B., °50. Range.—“ Céaats ia ilahuie of the North Atlantie and duet Arcti¢e Oceans” (A. O.U.). Breeds from latitude 69° northward ; in winter migrates southward, rarely to Long Island and New Jersey ; accidental in Pennsylva- nia and Virginia. Long Island, irregular W. V. Sing Sing, A. V. Nest, on the ledges and in the crevices of rocky cliffs. gg, one, pale bluish white, 1°85 x 1:27. “ On the approach of a vessel this bird has a peculiar way of splash- ing along the surface of the water, as if unable to fly, and then diving through the crest of an advancing wave; it swims rather deep and very much ‘by the stern.’ . . .” (Saunders). | “Tts wings are small, Gi they are moved almost as rapidly as a Hummingbird’s, and propel the bird through the air with great rapid- | ity. This bird is an expert diver too, and, though awkward on land, swims with ease and grace. .. .” (Chamberlain). JAEGERS AND SKUAS. 65 ORDER LONGIPENNES. LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS. ~ WAMILY STERCORARIIDH. JAEGERS AND SKUAS. Two of the six known members of this family are found in the antarctic regions, while the remaining four inhabit the northern parts of the northern hemisphere. Except during the nesting season, the Jaegers are as a rule pelagic, though they sometimes visit large bodies of water inland. They generally obtain their food by robbing Gulls and Terns, and have been well named the Hawks of the sea. Their greater power of flight enables them to successfully pursue these birds and force them to disgorge their recently captured prey. KEY TO THE SPECIES. A. Bill over 1:35; tarsus over 1°70; middle tail-feathers never pointed. ERE 8 Pe net ee os es She es vs o! tine’ Ties 5 tees | RISB Seaunder 190, . °°. . Bae uae 36. POMARINE JAEGER. ZS. Bill under 1°35; tarsus ude 1 A 0; Lratidlle tail-feathers generally pointed. a. Scaly shield = the bill longer tian the distance from its end to the tip mime hel. | oie .. 8% Parasrric JAEGER, b. Scaly shield on the pill eg aes the distance from its end to the tip See we SS 88. LONG-TaiLep JArenn. 35. Megalestris skua (Briinn.). Sxua. Ad.—Upper parts, tail, and _ wings dark, dirty brown; shafts of the wing and tail-feathers white, except at the tip; outer wing- Fetheis with inner vanes white at the base; under parts somewhat lighter; neck more or less streaked with whitish. Ba —* Similar to adult, but more distinctly streaked with yellowish, especially on the head meemeck.” 1... 22:00; W., 15:91; Tar., 2 63; B., 2:06 (Ridgw.). Range.—* Boast aid islet of the North unt ee chiefly northward. South to Spain and Massachusetts. Apparently rare off the coast of North America” (A. O. U.). Long Island, A. V., one record. Vest, on rocky cliffs, £9gs, two, pale olive-brown or greenish gray spot- ted witk chocolate, 2°80 x 1-90. 36. Stercorarius pomarinus (Zemm.). Pomarine Jancer. Ad., light phase.—Very similar in color to corresponding phase of JS. eran, but with the upper parts darker, nearly black. _Ad., dark phase and Im.— Similar in color to corresponding stages of S. parasiticus. L., 22:00; W., 13°50; T., Ad., 8-00, Im., 5-40; Lar, 200: B.. 1455, Escer ks. _This species is to ie Aeeaetehed from the two following by its larger size and the rounded ends of its central tail-feathers. ftange.— Resident during the summer in high northern latitudes, chiefly within the Arctic Circle, and extending from Siberia in eastern Asia entirely around the zone” (B., B., and R.). Migrates southward along the Atlantic 6 sa JAEGERS AND SKUAS. coast, and more rarely through the Great Lakes, and winters from Long Island southward. Long Island, regular from June 15 to Oct. 80. Sing Sing, A. V. Nest, on the ground. ggs, two to three, deep olive-drab sparingly spot- ted with slate color, and light and dark raw-umber markings and black dots, chiefly at the larger end, where they become confluent, 2°25 x 1-70 (Brewer). 37. Stercorarius parasiticus (Zinn.). Parasitic JAEGER (see . Fig. 6,a). own; crown nearly black with white streaks; prima- ries dark slate-color . 203. YELLOW-cRowNED Nigut HERon (Im.). 190. Botaurus lentiginosus (JMontag.). American BitrTern; Marsu Hen. Ad.—A glossy black streak on either side of the upper neck; top of the head and back of the neck bluish slate, more or less washed with buffy ; back brown, bordered and irregularly mottled with buffy, and buffy vehraceous, wing-coverts similarly marked, but the ground color grayer; un- der parts creamy buff, the feathers all widely streaked with buffy brown, which is finely speckled with buffy aud narrowly margined by brownish gray. J/m.—Similar, but the buffy everywhere deeper and more ochraceous. L., 28:00; W., 10°50; Tar., 3°50; B., 3:00. fange.—Temperate North America; breeds but rarely south of Virginia; winters from Virginia southward. Washington, rather common W. V., Aug. to Ap]. Loug Island, common T. V., Apl. and Sept. to Nov. Sing Sing, rare 8. R., Apl. 11 to Oct. 5. Cam- bridge, not common §. R., Apl. 15 to Nov. Vest, of grasses, etc., on the ground in marshes. Zggs, three to five, pale olive-buff, 1:90 x 1°45. The Bittern makes its home in extensive grassy meadows with plenty of water, but in the season of migration may be found and 10 130 HERONS AND BITTERNS. heard “ booming” in smaller and more accessible swampy places, Like the other members of its family, it excels in standing still, and will hold its head erect and motionless amid the tall grass till the watcher tires of looking and pronounces the suspicious object nothing but a stick after all. The Bittern’s fame rests upon its vocal performance, or “boom.” This is sometimes exactly like the working of an old-fash- ioned wooden pump, and sometimes—even with the same bird—like the driving of a stake ina bog. It can be heard for a long distance. The performance is best witnessed in spring, while the grass is still low. That it is not so very difficult at that season to steal a march upon the bird may perhaps be considered as established on the testi- mony of a man who has never lived near a Bittern meadow, and yet has watched the performance at much length and at near range on several occasions. His first experience of this kind is described some- what fully in The Auk, vol. vi, page 1. The strange notes are deliv- ered with equally strange contortions, as if the bird were horribly nauseated, and are preceded by a succession of quick snapping or gulping sounds—‘hiccoughs,” one observer has called them. No water is employed in the operation, in spite of the circumstantial as- sertions of several persons who profess to have seen the bird swallow- ing and then ejecting it—BrADFoRD ToRREY. 191. Ardetta exilis (@meil.). Leasr Birrern. Ad. 6.—Top of the head, back, and tail shining black; back of the neck chestnut-rufous; most of the greater wing-coverts and outer vanes of the secondaries darker; lesser wing-coverts and part of the greater ones buffy ; under parts, 7zcluding under tail-coverts, washed with buffy ; a blackish patch at either side of the breast. Ad, ?.—Similar, but head browner and back light, glossy umber; under parts darker and more or less streaked with brownish. Jm. 6.—Similar to ad. 6, but the back washed and tipped with chestnut; under parts darker and lightly streaked with black. Jm. 9 .—similar toad. 9, but the back rufous, margined with buffy ochraceous. L., 13°00; W., 460; Tar., 1°60; B., 1-80. Range.—Temperate and tropical America; breeds in North America as far north as Maine, Ontario, and Manitoba; winters from southern Florida south ward. Washington, not very numerous 8. R., May 5 to Sept. 25. Long Island, common 8. R., May to Sept. Sing Sing, tolerably common &. R., to Aug. 10. Cambridge, rather common 8. R., May 15 to Aug. Nest, of grasses, plant stems, etc., in marshes among rushes, sometimes in asmall bush. ggs, three to six, pale bluish white, 1:20 x -92. Wet, grassy marshes such as Rail love, or reed-grown ponds that Gallinules frequent, are the resorts of these retiring, secretive little birds. With outstretched necks and lowered heads they make their way without difficulty through the jungle of roots and stalks. Some- times they climb up a slender reed, and, hanging on like Marsh Wrens, HERONS AND BITTERNS. tor survey their surroundings. They take wing almost from beneath one’s feet, and, with a low, frightened gua, fly slowly for a short distance and then drop back into the grass. During the breeding season one may hear what presumably is the voice of only the male—a soft, slowly repeated, dovelike coo, coo, coo, coo, coo. It floats over the marsh like the voice of a spirit bird. 191.1. Ardetta neoxena Cory. Cory’s Birrern. Ad. $.—*Top of the head, back, and tail dark greenish black, showing a green gloss when held in the light. Sides of the head and throat rufous-chestnut, the feathers on the _ back of the neck showing greenish-biack tips; breast and under parts nearly uniform rufous-chestnut, shading into dull black on the sides; wing-coverts dark rufous-chestnut, all the remiges entirely slaty plumbeous; under tail- coverts uniform dull black. W., 4-30; Tar., 1-40; B., 1:80” (Cory, orig. deser., Auk, iii, 1886, p. 262). This small Bittern was described from a specimen taken in the Everglades of Florida. Five additional specimens have since been secured in the same region, to which, until recently, the species was supposed to be confined. Within the past few years, however, seven specimens have been taken in the Toronto marshes, where A. ezilis is common, and one is recorded from Michigan. It seems to me not un- likely that, as Mr. W. E. D. Scott suggests, neoxena may prove to be a color phase of A. exilis. (Cf. Scott, Auk, viii, 1891, p. 309; ix, 1892, p. 141; and Chapman, 7d7d., xiii, 1896, p. 11.) 192. Ardea occidentalis 4u/. Great Wuite Heron. Ad—En- tirely white ; in breeding plumage, with long, narrow, stiffened feathers on the back and lower foreneck, and two narrow plumes on the back of the crown. “V.., 45°00-54:00; W., 17-00-21:00; B., 6-00-7-00; Tar, 8-00-8-75” (Ridgw.). Range.—Jamaica and Cuba north to the coasts of southern Florida, casu- ally to Anclote River and Micco. Vest, a platform of sticks in colonies in mangrove bushes. £ggs, three to four, pale, dull blue, 2°50 x 1°80. This is a common species on the coasts of southern Florida, par- ticularly in the vicinity of Cape Sable. Rarely it is found as far north as the Anclote River on the west coast and Micco on the east coast. This bird is as large as the Great Blue Heron, and must not be con- fused with Ardea egretta, to which the name Great White Heron is frequently applied. ; Ardea wuerdmanni Baird has been considered to be a color phase ‘of this species, but its true standing is unknown. It is described by Coues as follows: “ Head, with the crest, white, the forehead streaked with black edges of the feathers; under parts white, the sides streaked with black; lower plumes of neck white, mostly streaked with black edges of the feathers ; neck purplish 139 HERONS AND BITTERNS. — gray, darker than in A. herodias, with a similar throat line of white, biack, and rufous. Under wing-coverts streaked with white; rufous of edge of wing less extensive than in A. Aerodias, that of tibiz paler. Tibiee and soles of feet — yellow; tarsi and top of toes yellowish green. /m.—Like young A. herodias; top of head dusky, the feathers with whitish shaft lines and bases. Lesser wing-coverts speckled with rusty, the under ones pure white” (Coues). “L., 48-00-50:00; W., 20°00-21:00; B., 5°95-6°50; Tar., 7:95-8:25” (Ridgw.). 193. Ardea wardi 2idgw. Warv’s Heron.—This is the Florida rep- resentative of A. Aerodias. It is believed by some ornithologists to be a dis- tinct species, but in my opinion is a peninsular race. The average differences in color between it and A. herodias consist in its whiter lower parts, darker neck, and olive instead of black legs. These differences, however, can not always be relied upon, and size is the character by which the two birds can best be distinguished, wardi being the larger, as the following measurements show: L., 52°00; W., 19°75-20°50; B., 6°40-6°80; Tar., 8:00-8°50. Range.—F lorida, from Alachua County southward. Nest, a platform of sticks, in colonies, generally in cypress trees. gs, three to four, pale, dull blue, 2°65 x 1°85, This is the Florida form of the following, which it resembles in habits. It is more common than the Great Blue Heron, and is gener- ally distributed throughout the peninsula from Gainesville southward. 194. Ardea herodias Zinn. Great Biur Heron; Brive Crane; SanpuiLt CRANE. Ad. in breeding plumage.—Center of the crown and throat white, sides of the crown black, this color meeting on the back of the head, where the feathers are lengthened to form an occipital crest: neck pale gray- ish brown, a narrow black, white, and ochraceous line down the middle of the foreneck ; feathers of the lower foreneck narrow and much lengthened, whitish with sometimes black streaks; back, wing-coverts, and tail slaty gray, the scapulars paler, narrow, and much lengthened; bend of the wing chestnut-rufous; a patch of black and white feathers on the side of the breast; breast and belly streaked with black and white and sometimes pale rufous ; feathers on legs dull rufous, legs and feet black, upper mandible olive- yellow, the culmen blackish; lower mandible yellow; lores blue. Jm.— Similar, but entire crown black, throat white, neck brownish gray washed with buffy ochraceous ; no black at the sides of the breast or plumes on the lower neck ; under parts streaked with black, slaty, white, and ochraceous ; bend of wings and feathers on legs paler; back slaty grayish brown without lengthened plumes. “L., 42°00-50:00; W., 17°90-19°85; B., 480-625; Tar., 6:00-8:00 ” (Ridgw.). Range.—Northern South America northward to the arctic regions; breeds locally throughout most of its North American range and winters from the Middle States southward. Washington, rather common, absent only in midwinter. Long Island, common T. V., Apl. and May; Aug. to Dee. Sing Sing, common T. V., Apl. 4to Apl. 18; Aug. 16 to Oct. 6. Cambridge, common T, V., Apl. and May ; Sept, to Nov.; occasional in summer, HERONS AND BITTERNS. 132 Nest, a platform of sticks, generally in colonies, in trees. Zggs, three to four, pale, dull blue, 2°50 x 1°50. Is it due to the influence of the artists of the Orient that these long-legged, long-necked birds are so frequently miscalled “ Cranes ” ? With head drawn in and legs trailing on behind, they flap slowly over the water, resembling, no doubt, the “Cranes” of fans, screens, and bronzes; nevertheless, they are Herons. With all a Heron’s immovable alertness they watch patiently for passing fish, sometimes wading with extreme caution, placing one foot slowly after the other. They feed both by day and night. Fishes, frogs, reptiles, even small mice, all are welcome; and all are powerless to escape the lightning thrust of the spearlike bill. Their voice is harsh and rasping. When alarmed they utter a croak which is sometimes prolonged into a series of squawks, They nest and roost in colonies, but at other times are solitary birds. The Evrorean GREAT BivuE Heron (195. Ardea cinerea) is accidental in ‘southern Greenland. It may be distinguished from our species by the white instead of rufous feathers on the legs. 196. Ardea egretta (mel. American Ecrer. Ad. in breeding plumage.—Entire plumage pure white; about fifty straight “ aigrette” plumes grow from the interscapular region and reach beyond the tail; legs and feet black ; bill yellow; lores orange, bordered below by greenish. Ad. after the breeding season and Jm.—Without the interscapular plumes. L., 41:00; W., 15°00; Tar., 5-60; B., 4°50. _ Range.—Tropical and temperate America; breeds as far north as southern Illinois and Virginia; after the breeding season sometimes strays northward as far as Manitoba, Quebec, and New Brunswick. Washington, not common and irregular 8. R., May to August. “Long Island, rare from July to Sept. Sing Sing, A. V. Nest, a platform of sticks, in colonies, in bushes over water. LZgqs, three to five, dull blue, of a rather deeper shade than those of the preceding, 2:25 x 1-60. Tourists who went to Florida thirty years ago have told me of prairies white with Egrets, of bushy islands glistening in the sun like snow banks. Now you may look for miles along a lake shore and per- haps in the distance see a solitary Egret, which, as you approach, with a frightened sguawk takes wing a rifle-shot away. The rapid exter- mination of these plume-bearing birds is startling evidence of man’s power in the animal world. At his word a species is almost imme- diately wiped out of existence. I have heard a “ plume-hunter” boast of killing three hundred Herons in a “rookery” in one afternoon. Another proudly stated that he and his companions had killed one hundred and thirty thousand birds—Herons, Egrets, and Terns—dur- ing one winter. But the destruction of these birds is an unpleasant 134 HERONS AND BITTERNS. | subject. It isa blot on Florida’s history. The subject will be found fully treated by W. E. D. Scott in The Auk, iv, 1887, p. 135. 197. Ardea candidissima Gmel. Snowy Heron; Snowy Ecrer Ad. in breeding plumage.—Entire plumage pure white; about fifty recurved “aigrette” plumes grow from the interscapular region and reach to or just beyond the end of the tail; legs b/ack, feet yellow, bill black, yellow at the base; lores orange-yellow. Ad. after the breeding season and Jm.—Without the interscapular plumes. L., 24:00; W., 9°75; Tar., 3°80; B., 3°20. Range.—Tropical and temperate America; breeds as far north as southern Hlinois and Long Island; after the breeding season sometimes strays north- ward as far as Ontario and Maine. | Washington, casual; irregular in fall. Long Island, rare S. R., Apl. to Sept. Sing Sing, A. V. Nest, a platform of sticks, in colonies, in bushes over water. Zgqs, three to five, pale, dull blue, 1°80 x 1.20. The “curse of beauty” has numbered the days of this the most dainty and graceful of Herons. Twenty years ago it was abundant in the South, now it is the rarest of its family. The delicate “aigrettes”’ which it donned as a nuptial dress were its death warrant. Woman demanded from the bird its wedding plumes, and man has supplied the demand. The Florida Herons have gone, and now he is pursuing the helpless birds to the uttermost parts of the earth. Mercilessly.. they are shot down at their roosts or nesting grounds, the coveted feathers are stripped from their backs, the carcasses are left to rot, while the young in the nest above are starving. But then, you know, the little bunch of aigrettes in yonder jaunty bonnet is “so pretty,” “so becoming!” 198. Ardea rufescens @mel. Reppisn Ecrer. Ad., dark phase.— Head and neck rufous-chestnut, glossed with vinaceous; rest of the plumage dark bluish slate-color; about thirty “aigrette” plumes grow from the inter- scapular region and reach beyond the tail; legs and feet black. J/m.—Simi- lar, but without the “aigrette” plumes. White phase——Similar in size and form, but entire plumage white, except the tips of the primaries, which are sometimes very finely speckled with grayish. /m.—Sumilar, but without the “aicrette” plumes. L., 29°00; W., 12°50; Tar., 5°40; B., 3°60. Remarks.—The two color phases of this bird were supposed to represent two species, the white phase being called Ardea pealei Bonap. They have, however, been found mated together, and intermediates or party-colored specimens are known. Range.—West Indies and Central America north to coasts of the Gulf States; casually southern Illinois. Nest, a platform of sticks, in colonies, in bushes generally over water. Eggs, two to four, pale, dull blue, 1°95 x 1°48. This is, or was a few years ago, a not uncommon species on the coasts of southern Florida, but it is unknown in the interior, It is. | ‘AUOLVNNI GNV LINGV ‘NOMA AATG ALLY HERONS AND BITTERNS, 135 generally seen in flocks. With A. candidissima they lack the patience of the larger Herons and pursue their prey in shallow water. 199. Ardea tricolor ruficollis ((osse).. Lovistana Heron. Ad. —Upper parts dark bluish slate-color; back of the head and upper neck with elongated chestnut-rufous and white feathers; back with pale brownish gray “aigrette” plumes reaching to the tail; lower back, rump, and belly white; neck bluish slate-color; throat white, an indistinct rufous line down the mid- dle of the foreneck ; legs blackish; base of the bill and lores bluish. Jm.— Throat, and an indistinct line down the foreneck, white; rest of the head and neck brownish rufous; upper back and wings bluish slate-color, more or less washed with brownish rufous ; no plumes; lower back, rump, and belly white ; breast with more or less slaty streaks; legs yellow behind, blackish before ; lower mandible and lores orange; upper mandible black. L., 26:00; W., 10-00; Tar., 3°70; B., 3°90. Range.—Central America and West Indies northward to the Gulf States ; casually to Long Island. Long Island, A. V., one record. Nest, a platform of sticks, in colonies, in bushes over water. Zggs, four to five, pale, dull blue, 1°75 x 1°35. A common species in Florida, where it is found both singly and in flocks. It is sometimes a slow, stealthy feeder, and at others dashes for its prey. 200. Ardea ceerulea Zinn. Lirrte Brut Heron. Ad.—Head and neck maroon-chestnut; rest of the plumage dark bluish slate-color; inter- scapulars and lower neck feathers lengthened and narrowly pointed; lores blue; legs and feet black. J/m.—White, the plumage sometimes more or less washed with slaty ; the tips of the primaries always bluish slate-color ; legs, feet, and lores greenish yellow. L., 22:00; W., 10:25; Tar., 3°70; B., 3-00. Remarks.—Between the young and adult there is every stage of inter- gradation of color, some specimens being irregularly marked with blue and white in about equal proportions. Young birds are sometimes mistaken for Snowy: Herons, but can always be distinguished by the greenish yellow legs and slaty tips of the primaries. Range.—Tropical and temperate America, breeding as far north as south- ern I}linois and Virginia; after the breeding season wanders northward, some- times reaching Nova Scotia. Washington, casual in July and August; sometimes quite common. Long Island, rare from Apl. to Sept. Nest, a platform of sticks, in colonies, in bushes over water. Hggs, three to four, pale, dull blue, 1°70 x 1:30. Thanks to their lack of “aigrette” plumes Little Blue Herons are probably the most common Herons in Florida to-day. They are gen- erally found in flocks, sometimes composed entirely of blue adults, sometimes of white, immature birds, and at others both young and old are associated. The white birds resemble A. candidissima, but the 136 HERONS AND BITTERNS. color of their legs and feet serves as a distinguishing character at some distance. They are silent when feeding, but when undisturbed in their rookeries each bird seems to have something to say, and the result isa strange chorus of croaking voices. They feed by day, and generally wait for their prey to come within striking distance. 201. Ardea virescens Jinn. Lirtte Green Heron; Poxe (see Fig. 19). .4d—Crown and a short line below the eye glossy greenish black; throat buffy white, this color extending down the foreneck as a narrow line mixed with blackish, widening on the breast; rest of the head and neck rufous-chestnut glossed with vinaceous; back, with lengthened interscapulars, green, more or less washed with bluish gray; wing-coverts green, margined with white or buffy ; belly ashy gray, more or less washed with buffy. Jm.— Similar, but with the neck and under parts streaked with blackish; back without lengthened feathers or wash of blue-gray ; wing-coverts widely mar- gined with buffy ochraceous. L., 17-00; W., 7-25; Tar., 1:90; B., 2°50. Range.—Tropical and temperate America; breeds as far north as Mani-’ toba, Ontario, and the Bay of Fundy; winters from Florida southward. Washington, very common 8. k., Apl. 15 to Sept. Long Island, common S. R., Apl. to Oct. Sing Sing, common 8. R., Apl. 6 to Sept. 26. Cambridge, common 8. R., May 5 to Sept. Nest, a platform of sticks in a bush or low branch of a tree. Zggs, three to six, pale, dull blue, 1°50 x 1°14. The shores of wooded streams or ponds are frequented by this small Heron in preference to more exposed situations. It-is most active in the early morning or at nightfall, and during the day rests quietly in some sheltered situation. When startled, it springs into the air with a frightened squawk, and, alighting at a safe distance on a tree or on some elevated perch, with upstretched neck watches the intruder, be- traying its apprehension by nervous twitchings of the tail. It is a solitary bird, and, unlike most Herons, is never found in flocks. 202. Nycticorax nycticorax nevius (Zodd.). Buack-cRowNED Nicur Heron; Quawx. -Ad.—Forehead, lores, neck, and under parts white or whitish ; crown, upper back, and scapulars glossy, greenish black; lower back, wings, and tail ashy gray; legs and feet yellow; lores greenish ; two or three white rounded occipital plumes about 8:00 in length. J/m.—Upper parts grayish brown, the feathers streaked or with wedge-shaped spots of white or buffy ; outer web of primaries pale rufous; under parts white, streaked with blackish. L., 24:00; W., 12°00; Tar., 3°20; B., 3:00. Range.—Breeds from Manitoba and New Brunswick southward through South America; winters from the Gulf States southward. Washington, not uncommon §8. R., occasional in winter. Long Island, common 8. R., Apl. to Oct., a few winter. Sing Sing, common §. R., Apl. 6 to Oct. 20. Cambridge, P. R., most common in Aug. and Sept. lest, of sticks, in colonies, generally in the upper parts of tall trees, some- times in bushes or on the ground. £ggs, four to six, pale, dull blue, 2°00 x 1°40, CRANES. 137 These birds live in colonies composed sometimes of thousands of pairs. Their day begins after sunset, when they leave their roosts and start for their feeding grounds. Occasionally they utter a loud, hoarse quawk, the origin of their common. name; and looking up we may catch a glimpse of them hurrying through the gloom. During the nesting season the demands of the young force them to feed both -by day and night. 203. Nycticorax violaceus (Zinz.). YELLow-crownep Nicur Heron. Ad.—Crown white, generally washed with buffy ; ear-coverts white; rest of the head and throat black; neck, breast, and belly blue-gray; back the same; the lengthened interscapulars, scapulars, and wing-coverts streaked with black; two or three black and white rounded occipital plumes; lores greenish yellow; legs greenish. /m.—Crown black, the feathers streaked with white or buffy ; rest of the upper parts, including wing-coverts, fuscous-brown with wedge-shaped buffy or white spots; primaries dark bluish slate-color without rufous ; under parts white or buffy streaked with blackish. L., 23-00; W., 12°00; Tar., 3°75; B., 3°00. ftemarks.—Young birds bear a general resemblance to those of the pre~ ceeding species, but differ in being darker, in having the head darker than the back, and the primaries without rufous. Range.—Breeds from southern Illinois and South Carolina southward to South America, and occasionally strays north as far as Massachusetts. Long Island, A. V. Cambridge, A. V., one record, July. Nest, a platform of sticks, in pairs, generally in a low branch overhanging water. Lgqs, four to five, pale, dull blue, 1°95 x 1°45. Unlike the preceding, this is a rather solitary species, and is found singly or in pairs along the borders of wooded streams, and never in colonies. It is also, I think, more diurnal in habits. ORDER PALUDICOLZA. CRANES, RAILS, ETC. FAMILY GRUIDZ. CRANES. The Cranes number about eighteen species, of which three are North American, while the remaining fifteen inhabit the Old World. They frequent plains and marshes, and are omnivorous feeders, eating frogs, lizards, field-mice, snakes, etc., and various kinds of vegetable food. Our species migrate in flocks, but are solitary rather than gregarious at other times of the year. Their voice is loud and resonant. 204. Grus americana (Zinn.). Wuoortnc CRANE; Wuitr CRANE. Ad.—Top of the head, lores, and sides of the throat dull red, with a thin growth of black “ hairs”; primaries black, rest of the plumage white. /m.— Similar, but whole head feathered, and the plumage more or less washed with buffy ochraceous. L., 50°00; W., 25:00; Tar., 11°50; B., 5-00. 4 138 COURLANS. Range.—Interior of North America; breeds from Illinois northward ; win- ters in the Gulf States. eee Washington, A. V., one record. . Nest, of grasses and weed stalks, on the ground in marshy places. Z’gqs, two, olive-gray, spotted and blotched with distinct and obscure ¢cinnamon- brown markings, 400 x 2°50, A rather rare species east of the Mississippi. “In flight their long necks and stiltlike legs are stretched out in a line with the body to the full extent, moving strongly with slowly beating wings, but not swiftly, ... often circling spiral-like to a great height. They occa- sionally bunch up, and I have seen them in triangular form; but as a rule they travel in single file, following their leader in a wavy line, eroaking as they go, like hounds upon a cold trail” (Goss), The Lirrte Brown Crane (205. Grus canadensis) breeds from Hudson Bay to Alaska, and winters in Texas and Mexico. There are but two in- stances of its occurrence east of the Mississippi (Rhode Island and South Carolina). It resembles mexicana, but is smaller; W. 18°50; B., 4:10. 206. Grus mexicana (Jiill.). Sanpmitt Crane; Brown CRANE. Ad.—Whole top of the head to below the eyes covered with rough, minutely warty, dull reddish skin thinly grown with short, black “hairs”; plumage brownish gray, with more or less silvery gray and buffy ochraceous. Jm.— Similar, but whole head feathered, and with more buffy ochraceous in the plumage. “L., 40°00-48°00; W., 21°83; Tar., 10 25; B., 547” (Ridgw.). Range.—-Florida, Georgia, and northward through the Mississippi Valley to Manitoba; breeds locally throughout its range; winters in the Gulf States from Florida to Texas. Nest, of roots, rushes, weed stalks, ete.,on the ground in marshy places. Eggs, two, olive-gray, spotted and blotched with distinct and obscure cinna- mon-brown markings, 3°90 x 2°40. “These birds in their habits are similar to the Whooping [Crane], but much more numerous. Their loud, modulating. sonorous croak announces their presence, and is often heard during the night as well as the day. * During courtship and the early breeding season their actions and antics at times are ludicrous in the extreme, bowing and leaping high in the air, hopping, skipping, and circling about with drooping wings and croaking whoop, an almost indescribable dance and din, in which the females (an exeeption to the rule) join, all working themselves up into a fever of excitement only equaled by an Indian war dance, and, like the same, it only stops when the last one is exhausted ” (Goss). FAMILY ARAMIDZA. COURLANS. Courlans might be called large Rails with some of the habits of Herons. Two species are known, Aramus scolopaceus of South America, RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS, 139 and A. giganteus of Central America, Mexico, the West Indies, and Florida. They frequent the borders of wooded streams and swamps, and at times the uplands. Their flight is short, and when on the wing their legs dangle below them. Like the Herons, they perch in trees. Their prolonged, melancholy call has won for them the name “ Crying- bird.” Their usual note is a loud, rather high wah-ree-ow; the last syllable is drawn out into a wail, and the effect is most grewsome. Courlans feed to a large extent on land shells (Ampullarva), and, as Prof. W. B. Barrows has shown, the tip of the Courlan’s bill is some- times turned slightly to one side. an evident result of fercing it into the spiral opening of the shell to extract the animal. 207. Aramus giganteus (Donup.). Lourxiy; Cryinc-pirp ; Cour- LAN. (See Fig. 24.) Ad.—Glossy olive-brown, the feathers of the head and neck narrowly, those of the body broadly, striped with white; wings and tail more bronzy. /m.—Similar, but paler and duller. L., 28°00; W., 13:00; Tar., 4°50; B., 4°25. Range.—Central America and West Indies north to Rio Grande Valley and Florida. Nest, of leaves, twigs, etc.,in a bush or small tree. Zyqs, four to seven, paie butfy white, blotched, stained, and speckled with light cinnamon-brown, 2°30 x 1°70. - This is a locally distributed species in Florida. Its general habits are described in the remarks on the family Aramide. FAMILY RALLIDA. RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COoTS. The one hundred and eighty species contained in this family are distributed throughout the greater part of the world, fifteen species inhabiting North America. Rails and Gallinules are not strictly gre- garious, but are generally associated through a community of inter- ests; Coots, however, are usually found in flocks. Rails inhabit grassy marshes, in which they seek safety by running or hiding, taking to wing when pursued only as a last resort. Their flight is then short and labored, and with dangling legs they soon drop back into cover. Nevertheless, they perform extended migrations, traveling hundreds of miles without resting. Gallinules live near the marshy borders of bodies of water, while the more aquatic Coots resemble some Ducks in habits. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Bill over 1°75. A. Cheeks below the eye cinnamon-rufous, like the breast; flanks black barred with white; upper parts rich olive-brown streaked with black. 208. Kine Rar, _B. Cheek below the eye gray; flanks generally gray or brownish, barred with white; upper parts generally grayish, streaked with black. | 211. CLaprerR Ratt and races. 140 RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. II. Bill under 1°75. A. Wing over 6:00. a. General color blue, feet yellow . . . . . 218. PurpLe GALLINULE. 6. General color slaty, feet dark greenish. 41. Toes with large scalloped webs or flaps at the side. 221. Am. Coor. 3, 'Toes without flaps or webs . . . . . 219. Froripa GALLINULE. i. Wing under 6:00. a. Wing under 3°50. a. Back blackish, with small round, white spots . 216. Brack Rat. a2. Back blackish, barred with white and margined with buffy. ‘ 215. YELLow Ratt. b. Wing over 8°50. , Ot, Bill over 100) 5. wn + tb ew oe oe te) ee «1, Bill under 1:00. : c?, Wing over 4°50, lesser wing-coverts rufous . 217. Corn CRAKE. c, Wing under 4°50, lesser wing-coverts olive . . . . 214. Sora. 208. Rallus elegans Aud. Kine Rait; Marsu Hen. Ad.—Upper parts varying from olive-brown to black, the back and scapulars widely mar- gined with olive-gray; wings and tail olive-brown; wing-coverts rufous ; throat white; neck and breast cinnamon-rufous, belly and sides fuscous, sharply barred with white. Downy Young—Glossy black. L., 15-00; W., 6307 Tar. 220° B,, 240. . Range.—FEastern North America; breeds as far north as Missouri and southern Connecticut, and occasionally strays as far as Wisconsin, Ontario, and Maine; winters from Virginia southward. Washington, uncommon 8. R., almost a P. R. Long Island, rare S. R. Vest, of grasses, on the ground in fresh-water marshes. Zggs, seven to twelve, buffy white, more heavily spotted and speckled with rufous-brown than those of the next species, 1°68 x 1-20. The King Rail is the fresh-water representative of the Clapper Rail. It is, however, a much less common bird, and less is known of its habits. Like other Rails, it is a skulker, and never flies when it can escape by running or hiding in the dense grass of its home. On three _ occasions I have heard what I am quite sure was the King Rail’s call, a loud, startling bip, bip, bip, btip, bup, uttered with increasing ra- pidity until the syllables were barely distinguishable, then ending some- what as it began. The whole performance occupied about five seconds. 211. Rallus longirostris crepitans ((@mel.). Ciarprr Ratz; Marsu Hen. (See Fig. 22, a.) Ad—Upper parts very pale greenish olive, the feathers widely margined with gray; wings and tail grayish brown; wing-coverts pale cinnamon, much washed with gray; throat white; neck and breast pale, between ochraceous and cream-buff, more or less washed with grayish; belly and sides gray or brownish gray, barred with white. Downy Young—Glossy black. L., 1450; W., 5-00; Tar., 2°00; B., 2°50. Remarks.—The Clapper Rail may always be known from the King Rail CLAPPER RAIL. RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 141 by its generally grayish instead of brownish or blackish upper parts, by its much paler breast and flanks and paler wing-coverts. Range.—Breeds in salt-water marshes of eastern North America from Connecticut to the Gulf of Mexico; winters in small numbers from near the northern limit of its range southward. Washington, A. V., one record. Long Island, common 8. R., Apl. to Oct., afew winter. Sing Sing, A. V. Nest, of grasses, on the ground, in grass-grown, salt-water marshes. Zags, eight to twelve, buffy white, spotted and speckled with rufous-brown, 1°72 x 1:20. The Clapper Rail is an inhabitant of grassy, salt-water marshes, and, in the southern parts of its range, of mangrove swamps, It is almost impossible to flush these birds unless their haunts are invaded by an unusually high tide, when a boat may be pushed through the meadows and the birds forced to take wing. I have heard birds calling in the tall grass within a few feet of me, and have made a wild rush in their direction, only to be mocked a moment later by apparently the same bird calling from a point almost within reach. ‘hey dodge about over well-traveled pathways like children in a game of blindman’s buff. While not strictly gregarious, they live in colonies, and the long, rolling call of one bird is sometimes taken up.and repeated by others until there is a general outcry through the marsh. Z21lla. R. 1. saturatus Hensh. Lovistana CrLapper Raiz.—A local race of the Clapper Rail found in the marshes of Louisiana. Its characters appear not to be well understood. It is much darker than crepitans, but not so dark as scottii. “ W., 5°65; Tar., 1:97; B., 2°27” (Ridgw.). ftange.—Coast of Louisiana. 21ib. R. 1. scottii (Senn.). Froripa Crapper Raiz.—Differs from crepitans in being black, fuscous, or olive-brown above, with olive-gray mar- gins to the feathers; in having the neck and breast cinnamon-rufous washed with brownish, and in having the belly and flanks black instead of gray. In fact, the general color of scottzz suggests a King Rail, but the latter may always be known by its rufous wing-coverts and clear cinnamon-rufous neck and breast. W., 5°50; Tar., 1:90; B.,-2°40. Range.—Gulf coast of Florida. 212. Rallus virginianus Zinn. Virarnta Rar. Ad—Upper parts fuscous or black, the feathers bordered by pale grayish brown; wings and tail dark grayish brown; wing-coverts rufous, lores whitish, cheeks gray, throat white, rest of the under parts cinnamon-rufous; flanks and under tail- coverts barred or spotted with black and white. Downy Young.—Glossy biaeck. L., 950; W., 4°30; Tar., 1°30; B., 1-50. Range.—Breeds from northern Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Long Island to Manitoba and Labrador; winters from near the southern limit of its breeding range southward. Washington, probably P..R. Long Island, common 8S. R., Apl. to Oct.; a 4149 RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. few winter. Sing Sing, eis common 8. R. to Sept. 29. Coches common §. R., Apl. 20 to Oct. 15. Nest, of grasses, on the ground in marshes. Bains six to twelve, pale ee white, spotted and speckled with rufous-brown, 1°26 x -96. In almost any extensive fresh or brackish marsh, especially if it has beds of cat-tail flags or scattered thickets of low bushes and briers, one may hear in May and June, particularly in the early morning, late afternoon, or during cloudy weather, a succession of grunting sounds not unlike those of a hungry pig. Although by no means loud, they have a penetrating quality which makes them carry to a considerable distance; and they are apt to attract attention even when, as is usually the case, they mingle with the songs of innumerable Red-winged Blackbirds, Marsh Wrens, and other swamp-loving birds. It is no ~ easy matter to trace them to their author, but if you are persevering and at the same time fortunate, you may at length discover him skulk- ing under a bush or behind a tuft of grass. He is the Virginia Rail, an odd-looking bird about the size of a Snipe. If you remain motion- less, he may presently come out into fairer view and walk slowly around the edge of some pool, lifting and putting down his large feet with curious deliberation, cocking up his absurdly short tail at each step, and every now and then stopping to thrust his bill deep into the ooze in search of food. As he pauses to look at you, you are struck by his half-quizzical, half-sinister expression, due, no doubt, to the fact that his eyes are blood-red and deeply sunk in their long, narrow head. Startle him by some sudden movement, and he will do one of three things—dart back into cover as swiftly as a frightened mouse, skip across the pool over the floating leaves cf the water plants, using both wings and feet, or rise with feebly fluttering wings and hanging legs to fly only a few rods before dropping beyond some intervening screen of grass or bushes. In any case you are not likely to find him again on this occasion. Besides the grunting sound, the Virginia Rail utters during the breeding season, especially at night and in lowering weather, a gut- tural cut, cutta-cutta-cutta, often repeated at brief intervals for hours in succession. ‘This ery appears to be peculiar to the male, and is, no doubt, his love song. When heard at a distance of only a few yards it has a vibrating, almost unearthly quality, and seems to issue from the ground directly beneath one’s feet. The female, when anxious about her eggs or young, calls ki-ki-kv in low tones, and kiw much like a Flicker. The young of both sexes in autumn give, when startled, a short, explosive kep or ktk, closely similar to that of the Carolina Rail. WILLIAM BREWSTER. RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 143 214. Porzana carolina (Zinn.). Sora; Carorina Ra. (See Fig. 22, c.) Ad.—Region about the base of the bill, center of crown, and a line down the middle of the neck black; rest of the breast and throat, sides cf the head, and front part of the crown pale blue-gray ; rest of the upper parts olive-brown, most of the feathers with black centers, the scapulars and back streaked on either side with white; wings fuscous-brown, their coverts gray- ish cinnamon, outer edge of first primary white; lower belly white, flanks barred with black and white. /m.—Similar, but without black at the base of the bill or on the throat; breast washed with cinnamon and upper parts darker. L., 8°50; W., 4:30; Tar., 1°30; B., -80. Range.—Breeds from Kansas, Illinois, and Long Island northward to Hudson Bay; winters from South Carolina to northern South America. Washington, common T. V., Mch.; July to Nov. Long Island, com- mon T. V., Apl. and May; Aug. to Oct.; rare 8. R. Sing Sing, common T. V., May; Aug. 19 to Oct. 24. Cambridge, very common S. R., Apl. 20 to Oct. 20. West, of grasses, on the ground in marshes. £yqs, eight to fifteen, buffy white or ochraceous-buff, spotted and speckled with rufous-brown, 1:24 x °90. The Soras’ summer home is in fresh-water marshes, where, if it were not for their notes, the reeds and grasses would long keep the secret of their presence. But knowing their calls, you have only to pass a May or June evening near a marsh to learn whether they in- habit it. If there, they will greet you late in the afternoon with a clear whistled ker-wee, which soon comes from dozens of invisible birds about you, and long after night has fallen it continues like a springtime chorus of piping hylas. Now and again it is interrupted by a high-voiced, rolling whinny which, like a call of alarm, is taken up and repeated by different birds all over the marsh. They seem so absorbed by their musical devotions that even when calling continuously it requires endless patience and keen eyes to see the dull-colored, motionless forms in places where one would not sup- pose there was sufficient growth to conceai them. Floating silently near the shore on my back in a canoe, I have seen them venture out to feed. With tails erect they step gingerly along, evidently aware of their exposed position, for on the least alarm they dart back to cover. Sometimes they cross small streams by swim- ming, and they are expert divers. In the fall they gather in the wild-rice or wild-oat (Zizania aquat- aca) marshes, and a well-directed stone or unusual noise may biing a series of protesting interrogative kuks or peeps from the apparently deserted reeds. At this season “gunners” in small flat-bottomed boats are poled through the flooded meadows, and the Soras, waiting until the last moment, rise on feeble wing—a mark which few can miss. Numerous puffs of smoke float over the tall grasses, and the dull reports come booming across the marsh with fateful frequency. 144 RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. The Spotrep CRAKE (213. Porzana porzana)—an Old World represents- tive of our Sora—is recorded as “ occasional in Greenland.” 215. Porzana noveboracensis (@mel.). YELLow Rat. (See Fig. 22,6.) Ad.—Upper parts black, the feathers bordered with ochraceous-buff and with from one to three narrow white bars; breast ochraceous-buff; mid- dle of the belly white ; sides and lower belly black or brownish, barred with white. L., 7:00; W., 3°40; Tar., 95; B., 52. Range.— Eastern North America from Nova Scotia and Hudson Bay west to Utah and Nevada; no extralimital record except Cuba and the Ber- — mudas ” (A. O. U.). Washington, rare T. V., Mch. and Oct. Long Island, uncommon T. V. Cambridge, rare T. V., Apl. and May; Oct. and Nov. Nest, on the ground in grassy marshes. Zggs, six or more, creamy buff, densely sprinkled and speckled on larger end with rusty brown, 1° 12 x 83 (Ridgw.). This little Rail inhabits marshes with others of its family. With them it seems to know that it can escape its enemies much more easily by hiding in the tangled grasses of its home than by taking wing, and it flies only to avoid actual capture. It can be hunted successfully, therefore, only with dogs. Nuttall describes its notes as “an abrupt and cackling ery, ’krék, ’krek, ’krék, ’krek, ’kuk, ’k’kh,” and compares them to the croaking of the tree frog. 216. Porzana jamaicensis ((/mel.). Lirtte Biackx Rat. Ad.— Head, breast, and upper belly slate-color; lower belly, back, and wings brownish black, barred or spotted with white; nape dark reddish brown. Li, 5:00 5. W., 280. Tae. 80's Be. Range.—‘ Temperate North America, north to Massachusetts, northern Illinois, and Oregon; south to West Indies and in western South America to Chili” (A. O. U.). Probably breeds throughout its North America range. Washington, rare T. V., several in Sept. Long Island, rare T. V. Nest, of grasses, on the ground in marshes £ggs, ten, white, thinly sprin- kled with reddish brown dots, more numerous at the larger end, 1:00 x 80 (Nelson, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, i, 1876, p. 48). This bird is about as difficult to observe asa field mouse. It is said to prefer grassy meadows, where, like others of its family, it never flies when it can escape by running or hiding. It is apparently not common. The only description of its notes I know of is given by Mr. March, of Jamaica, who, as quoted by Dr. Brewer, writes its call as “ chi-chi-cro-croo-croo, several times repeated in sharp, high-toned notes, so as to be audible to a considerable distance.” The Corn Crakk (217. Crex crex), a bird of Europe and northern Asia, is casual in Greenland, Bermudas, and eastern North America. It is about the size of a Clapper Rail, but has a bill no larger than that of the Sora. The RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 145 general color of the upper parts is between ochraceous-buff and cream-buff, the feathers with black centers; the wing-coverts and most of the quills are _ pale rufous; the breast is pale ochraceous-buff ; the sides are the same, barred with white; the middle of the belly is white. 218. Ionornis martinica (Zinn.). PurpLe Gatuinute. Ad.—Front of the crown with a bare bluish plumbeous plate; rest of the head and under parts rich dark purplish blue: under tail-coverts white; back shining olive- green; wings light blue, tinged with greenish; bill carmine, tipped with pale greenish (in skins, reddish orange, tipped with yellowish); legs yellow. Jm. —Upper parts more or less washed with brownish; under parts more or less mottled with white; plate on the head smaller; bill without orange-red. Downy young.—Glossy black, head with numerous white, hairlike feathers; base of the bill yellowish, end black. L., 13-00; W., 7:10; Tar., 2°40; B. from posterior margin of nostril, “80. ftange.—Tropical America; breeds as far north as southern Illinois and South Carolina, and rarely strays northward to Wisconsin and Maine; win- ters from southern Florida southward. Long Island, A. V. Nest, a platform of reed stalks built in rushes over the water or in grassy marshes. Lggs, eight to ten, buffy white, finely speckled with rufous-brown, 1°60 x 1:15. This is a common bird in the Southern States. It winters from southern Florida southward and migrates northward in April. It is generally found associated with the Florida Gallinule, which it resem- bles in habits, but its much brighter color is apparent at a distance. 219. Gallinula galeata (Zicht.). Fiorma Gatiinute. (See Fig. 22,d.) Ad.—Dark bluish slate-color; back and scapulars washed with olive- brown; belly whitish; flanks with a few conspicuous white streaks ; under tail-coverts white; crown with a bare, bright-red plate; bill the same color tipped with yellowish ; legs greenish, reddish at the tibie. /m.—Similar, but under parts grayish white; crown plate much smaller and with the bill brownish; no red on the legs. Downy young.— Glossy black, the lower parts sooty along the median line: throat and cheeks interspersed with sil- very white hairs” (Ridgw.). L., 13:50; W., 7:00; Tar., 2:15; B. from poste- rior margin of nostril, -80. Range.—Temperate and tropical America; breeds locally as far north as Minnesota and southern Maine; winters from the Gulf States southward. Washington, rare T. V., Apl.; Aug. to Oct. Long Island, uncommon T. V., May; Sept. and Oct. Sing Sing, rare 8S. R., June 5 to Nov. 5. Cam- bridge, uncommon S. R., May 10 to Oct. 1. Nest, of rushes on a bed of rushes or similar slight elevation in marshes, lagoons, or swampy lake sides. Zyqs, eight to thirteen, buffy white or ochra- ceous-buff, spotted and speckled with rufous-brown, 1°80 x 1°25. There is something about the appearance and habits of Gallinules which always suggests to me the thought that they are chickens who 11 146 RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. for unknown reasons have been forced to adopt the ways of both Coots and Rails. Indeed, now I think of it, the names Water-hen and Moor- | hen are applied to near relatives of our bird. They frequent marshy, reed- or bush-grown shores of ponds and lakes, walking gracefully through the tangled vegetation. Their flight is short and, like a Rail, with dangling legs they drop awkwardly to the ground. They swim readily, and when on the water resemble a Coot, though they are by no means so aquatic. Their notes are loud and varied, and during the nesting season they are unusually noisy. Their common note is a loud, explosive chuck; other calls are suggestive of . the barnyard, and remind one of the protest of a disturbed brooding hen or even the squawking of a struggling fowl. In The Auk, vol. viii, pages 1-7, Mr. Brewster gives a detailed account of his study of a pair of Gallinules. 221. Fulica americana Gmel. American Coot; Mup-HEN; Crow Duck; Buiure Perer. (Nee Fig. 22,¢.) -4d.—Head and neck blackish ; rest of the plumage dark, bluish slate-color, paler below; edge of the wing, tips of the secondaries, and under tail-coverts white; bill whitish, two spots near its tip and crown plate brownish; legs and feet greenish ; toes with scalloped flaps. Jm.—Similar, but much whiter below, a slight brownish wash above; crown plate much smaller. Downy young.—Blackish, white below ; throat and upper parts with numerous bright orange hairlike feathers; lores red; bill red, tipped with black. L., 15:00; W., 7°50; Tar., 2:25; B. from posterior margin of nostril, ‘80. Remarks.—The Coot bears a general resemblance to the Florida Gallinule, but, aside from the differences in color, the scalloped webbed feet of the Coot will always serve to distinguish them. Range.—North America as far north as Alaska and New Brunswick, and casually Greenland; breeds locally throughout its range; rather rare on the Atlantic coast during the nesting season. Washington, common T. V., Mch. to May; Sept. to Oct. 15. Long Island, uncommon T. V., Apl.; not uncommon, Sept. to Nov. Sing Sing, common T. V., Apl. 28 to May 16; Sept. 22 to Nov. 13. Cambridge, T. V., rare in Apl.; common Sept. to Nov. Nest, of reeds, grasses, etc., among reeds in fresh-water marshes. LZgqs, eicht to fifteen, pale, buffy white, finely and uniformly speckled with choco- late or black, 1°85 x 125. As one might imagine after seeing their lobed feet, Coots are more aquatie than either of the Gallinules. In the Middle States they are found in ereeks and rivers with marshy and reed-grown shores, while in Florida they resort in enormous numbers to lakes covered with the yellow lilies locally known as “bonnets” (Vuphar); and in some of the large, shallow rivers, like Indian River, they may be found in myriads, associated with Lesser Scaup Ducks. In my experience they are as a rule quite shy; but near the long PHALAROPES. 147 railway pier at Titusville, Florida, where shooting is prohibited, they are as tame as domestic Ducks. They evidently know the boundary line between safety and danger, however, and when beyond the pro- tected limits show their usual caution. Coots swim easily, with a peculiar bobbing motion of the head and neck. When alarmed they patter over the water, using their feet as much as their wings. The sound produced is a characteristic one. They are noisy birds, and when alarmed break out into a great chorus of high, cackling notes which I have heard at a distance of half a mile. Their ivory-white bill is an excellent field mark, and readily serves to distinguish Coots from Gallinules. The European Coot (220. Fulica atra) inhabits the northern parts of the Old World, and sometimes occurs in Greenland. It closely resembles the American Coot, but lacks the white markings on the edge of the wing and under tail-coverts. ORDER LIMICOLZ. SHORE BIRDS. FAMILY PHALAROPODIDZ. PHALAROPES. “There ace three known members of this family: one is confined to the interior of North America, the other two may be called Sea Snipe, and are found in the northern parts of the northern hemisphere. The webbed feet of these pelagic species enable them to swim with ease, and during their migrations they may be found in flocks resting upon the sea far from land. Their presence on our shores is largely de- pendent upon the weather, and during severe storms many are some- times found upon our coasts. Contrary to the usual rule, the female in this family is the larger and more brightly colored—indeed, in the domestic economy of the Phalarope household the female is male, ex- cept in the prime essentials of sex. She does the wooing, takes the lead in selecting the nesting site, and, although she lays the eggs, the duties of incubation fall upon the male. KEY TO THE SPECIES. ee rerAUn POR AIO co ec wl oe we vl». 224. \Wiatson’s PHALAROPE. &. Bill under 1:10. a. Bill very slender; wing under 475. . . 223. NorrHern PHALAROPE. 6. Bill stout; wing over 4°75 . . .-. . . . | . 222. Rep PHALAROPE. 222. Crymophilus fulicarius (/inn.). Rep PHaLarope; Gray Puatarope. (See Fig. 26, a.) Ad. in summer.—Crown and chin fuscous ; cheeks white; back black, the feathers bordered with cream-butf; wings gray ; some of the secondaries and tips of greater coverts white; upper tail- 148 PHALAROPES. coverts rufous ; under parts dull, reddish brown. Ad. in winter.—Top of the head and under parts white; region about the eye and back of the neck fus- cous; back and scapulars dark pearl-gray ; wings grayish fuscous, the coverts and secondaries tipped with white; rump and tail fuscous. /m.—*'Top of the head, hind neck, back, and scapulars dull black, the feathers edged with ochra- ceous; Wing-coverts, rump, and upper tail-coverts plumbeous, the middle coverts bordered with pale buff, the tail-coverts with ochraceous; head and neck (except as described above) and lower parts white, the throat and chest tinged with brownish buff. L., 8:12; W., 5°37; B., -87; Tar., 82” (Ridgw.). Range.—* Northern parts of northern hemisphere, breeding in the arctic regions and migrating south in winter: in the United States, south to the Middle States, Ohio Valley, and Cape St. Lucas; chiefly maritime” (A. O. U.). Washington, casual, one record, Oct. Long Island, not uncommon T. V., May; Aug. to Nov. Nest, a slight hollow in the ground lined with a few bits of moss and grasses. qs, three to four, similar to those of the following species, 1°25 x -90. This pelagic species is found in numbers some distance off our coasts; it occurs on land rarely, and generally only after storms. 223. Phalaropus lobatus (Zinn.). Norruern Puanarope. Ad. 9 in summer.—Upper parts slaty gray ; back and scapulars edged with ochraceous- buff; sides and front of the neck rufous, more or less mixed with slaty gray ; rest of under parts white. Ad. 6 7m swmmer.—Similar, but upper parts black, and with more ochraceous; sides and front of the neck mixed with fuscous. Ads. in winter—Upper parts grayish, more or less mixed with white ; tips of greater wing-coverts and sometimes part of the secondaries white, occasion- ally with traces of rufous on the sides of the neck; under parts white, more or less mottled with grayish on the breast. Jm.—Upper parts black, edged with straw-color; forehead white ; under parts white, breast sometimes lightly washed with buffy. L., 7°75; W., 4°50; Tar., 80; B., °85. | Range.—* Northern portions of the northern hemisphere, breeding in arctic latitudes ; south in winter to the tropics” (A. O. U.). Washington, casual, one record, Sept. Long Island, common T. V., Aug. to Nov.; May. Nest, a slight hollow in the ground lined with grass and mosses. Zggs, three to four, pale olive-gray heavily blotched with deep chocolate, 1:18 x *83. During its presence off our coasts this species resembles the pre- ceding in habits. It is, however, more common, and under proper conditions sometimes occurs in larger flights. I have seen it in great numbers about one hundred miles off Barnegat, New Jersey, in May. For several hours the steamer passed through flocks of these Sea Snipe, which were swimming on the ocean. They arose in a body at our approach, and in close rank whirled away to the right or left in search of new feeding grounds. 224. Phalaropus tricolor (Vicill.). Wriison’s Puataropr. Ad. 9 in summer.—Top of the head and middle of the back pearl-gray, nape > AVOCETS AND STILTS. 149 white; a black streak passes through the eye to the side of the neck and, changing to rufous-chestnut, continues down the sides of the back and on the seapulars ; neck and upper breast washed with pale, brownish rufous ; rest of the under parts and upper tail-coverts white. Ad. ¢ in swmmer.—Upper parts fuscous-brown, bordered with grayish brown; upper tail-coverts, nape, and a line over the eye white or whitish; sides of the neck and breast washed with rufous; rest of the under parts white. Ads. in winter.—Upper parts gray, margined with white; upper tail-coverts white; wings fuscous, their coverts margined with butfy; under parts white. Jm—*'Top of head, back, and seapulars dusky blackish, the feathers distinctly bordered with buff; wing- coverts also bordered with pale buff or whitish ; upper tail-coverts, superciliary stripe, and lower parts white, the neck tinged with buff” (Ridgw.). ¢ L., meee soo io> Par 1°20~ B..1°20.' 9 LE. 950. W., 5:25; Tar., 130%) Be 1-30. fange.—* Temperate North America, chiefly in the interior, breeding from northern Illinois and Utah northward to the Saskatchewan region; south in winter to Brazil and Patagonia” (A. O. U.). Long Island, casual, Aug., Sept., and Oct. Nest, a shallow depression in soft earth lined with a thin layer of frag- ments of grass. Hggs, three to four, cream-buff or buffy white, heavily blotched with deep chocolate, 1:28 x -94. (See Nelson, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, ii, 1879, pp. 38-43.) “These birds are rare in the Eastern States, abundant in the Mis- sissippi Valley, and quite common westward within their range. They inhabit the marshes, swales, and edges of shallow ponds, feeding upon minute snails and other small forms of life that abound in their aquatic | haunts, procuring the same chiefly by running over the moist ground or wading in the short growths of water grasses. They swim buoy- antly, but seldom long at a time or far from the shore, and I never saw one dive or make an attempt to do so, but, when frightened, pre- fer to escape by flight, which is strong, but at such times in a zigzag and wavy manner, dropping back as soon as out of danger. Asa rule they are not timid, and are easily approached. Their motions, whether upon the land or water, are easy and pleasing, gracefully nodding the head or picking from side to side as they go” (Goss). FAMILY RECURVIROSTRIDZ. AVOCETS AND STILTS. The eleven species comprising this family are distributed through- out the warmer parts of the world. They are generally found in flocks, and may be called Wading Snipe. They feed in shallow water, wading to their heels, and when necessary swimming with ease. 225. Recurvirostra americana (mel. American Avocet. Ad. in summer.—Head and neck cinnamon-rutous, back and tail white, scapulars and primaries black ; middle coverts, tips of the greater ones, and part of sec- ondaries white; belly white, bill turned upward. Ad. in winter and Im.— 150 SNIPES, fi as nc, ETC. Generally similar, but head and neck white or este Ls, 16350: 2 55 9-00: Tar., 3°75; B., 3°75. : Range. een gaat North America; rare or accidental on the Atlantic coast; breeds from Illinois, and rarely Geta northward to the Saskatche- wan; dee. along the Gulf coast and southward. Long Island, A. V. Nest, a slight depression in the ground in marshy places. Zgqs, three to four, pale olive or buffy clay-color, thickly spotted with chocolate, 1:95 x 1:35. ~ Avocets are common birds in parts of the interior, but are rare on the Atlantic coast. They frequent shores and shallow pools, and in searching for shells, crustaceans, etc., their peculiar recurved bill is used in a most interesting manner. Dropping it beneath the surface of the water until its convexity touches the bottom, they move rap- idly forward, and with every step swing their bill from side to side, as a mower does his scythe. In this way they secure food which the: muddy water would prevent them from seeing. 226. Himantopus mexicanus (JMil/.). Buack-necxep STIL7. Ad. 6.—A white spot above and another below the eye; front of the head, front of the neck, lower back, rump, and under parts white; tail grayish ; rest of the plumage glossy, greenish black. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but with the back fuscous-brown. /m.—Similar to the preceding, but head and neck more or less marked with white; back and scapulars bordered with white or whitish. L., 15°00; W., 9°00; Tar., 4:15; B., 2-00. ftange.—Tropical America, breeding northward to the Gulf coast and “locally and rarely” up the Mississippi Valley as far as Minnesota; rare on the Atlantic coast north of Florida, but straying sometimes as far as Maine. Long Island, A. V. Nest, a slight depression in the ground lined with grasses. Hggs, three to fovr, olive or buffy clay-color, thickly spotted with chocolate, 1°70 x 1:25. Stilts are fond of wading in shallow ponds in salt marshes, and are graceful and alert in their movements. During the nesting season they become very noisy, and at nightfall I have heard them utter their froglike croak as they darted erratically about over the marshes. FAMILY SCOLOPACIDA. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. About one hundred species are considered as belonging to this family. They are distributed throughout the world, but during the breeding season are mostly confined to the northern parts of the north- ern hemisphere. Some forty-five species are found in North America. With the Plovers they constitute the great group known as Shore Birds or Bay Birds, and with few exceptions they are rarely found far from the vicinity of water. Generally speaking, they are more abun- dant on the coast than in the interior, but many species are quite as numerous inland as they are near the sea. As a rule, they migrate SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 151 and pass the winter in flocks, but they are not gregarious during the nesting season. Their long bills serve the purpose of both probes and forceps. Most of the species probe the soft mud for food, while some are known to have the power of moving the upper mandible independently of the lower one, curving it at the tip as one would a finger. Snipes are not supposed to be song birds, but during the breeding season many species are highly and peculiarly musical, and at pase times of the year they utter characteristic whistles. These are sus- ceptible of imitation, and the birds are quick to respond to an imita- tion of their notes. The sportsman concealed in his “ blind,” there- fore, calls to passing birds, and with the aid of wooden decoys easily draws them within gunshot. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Bill 2°00 or over. A. Axillars* barred with black. a. Bill eurved downward. a, Bill over 3:00, under 450. . . . . . 265. Hupson1an CurRLEw. mercer aider sc: 00 se eb ee) eed 4 266. Asxmo Curntew. a Billover#50 ..... . . . . 264. LONG-BILLED CURLEW. 6. Bill straight or curved sebily upward. 61. Tail-feathers with numerous black bars. 62, Wing over 7-00, primaries black or fuscous. . 254. GREATER YELLOW-LEGS. 68, Wing over 7:00, inner web of primaries buff or rufous. ; 249. MaRBLED GopwWIT. 64, Wing under 7:00, bill widened and pitted at the tip. 231. Dowi1TcHER. 232. LonG-BILLED DOowWITCHER. cl, Tail black with a broad rufous tip or marked with rufous. c*, Outer web of primary with rufous bars. 227. EuROPEAN Woopcock. =. t runaries not barred ...... s+ . 2» 280. Wizson’s: SNIPE. #. Axillars not barred. a. Axillars rufous or ochraceous-buff. am. Bill over 5:00, much curved downward. 264. LONG-BILLED CURLEW. a2, Bill nearly straight, between 3°50 and 5:00. 249. MARBLED GopwiIrT, a8, Bill straight, under 3°50 . . . . . 228. AmERIcAN Woopcock. 6. Axillars black. 61. Under ape chestnut-rufous, barred with black. 251. Hupsont1an GopwIT. 62. Under parts white, with or without blackish bars. 958. WILLET. 258a. WESTERN WILLET. * See Fig. 64. 152 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. II. Bill under 2-00. A. Tail with cross-bars. a. idle over 5°75. . Outer tail-feathers ess more or less barred; outer primary with- oat Dats .s0\ 6 ueey <-. « « 200, Yennoworecs, a?, Outer primary 4 numerous ieee bars. 261. BARTRAMIAN SANDPIPER. 6. Wing under 5°75. 61. Under parts white, with numerous round blackish spots; upper parts brownish gray, barred with blackish . . 263. SporrEp SANDPIPER. 62. Under parts white, breast streaked with blackish ; upper parts fus- cous, spotted with white . . . . . . 256. SoLirary SANDPIPER. 63, Under parts tinged with buffy, inner web of outer primary speckled with blackish. . . . . . . . 262. Bur¥-BREASTED SANDPIPER. 64. Under parts white, breast washed with grayish, inner primaries and secondaries with a concealed white patch. 263. SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Im.). 4S. Tail without cross-bars, toes 4. a. Bill over 1°10. al, ie” upper tail-coverts with cross-bars or streaks. > PArSUS OVEr 150-6 pe”. . 2. . 283. Sriur SANDPIPER. ve Tarsus under 1°50, wing butler 6:00. . 244. CURLEW SANDPIPER. a4, Tarsus under 1°50, wing over 6:00 . . . . . . . ©2834, Kwor. 61. Middle upper tail-coverts black or fuscous, without bars; bill straight. 62, 'l'arsus under 1°50; upper parts blackish, more or less margined with gray .. . «. » . 235. PURPLE SANDPIPER. 6s, Tarsus under 1° 50; sen a more or less margined with rufous. 239. PECTORAL SANDPIPER. bf. Tarsus. over i022. «eo! «SOO. Eanane: cl, Middle upper tail-coverts ee ee pill ceil slightly downward. 243a. RED-BACKED SANDPIPER. 6. Bill under 1:10. 61, Wing under 4:00. 62, Toes partly webbed. 946. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. 247. WESTERN SANDPIPER. b8. Toes not webbed . . . ... . . . ~~ 242. LeasT SANDPIPER. cl, Wing over 4:00, inner webs of primaries plain. c, Breast white or whitish, streaked or spotted with blackish ; mid- dle upper tail-coverts white . . 240. WuirE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. c3, Breast buffy, heavily spotted or streaked with blackish; middle upper tail-coverts black, slightly margined with rufous. 239. PECTORAL SANDPIPER. c4, Breast buffy lightly spotted or streaked with black ; middle upper tail-coverts fuscous, lightly margined with buffy. 241. Bartrp’s SANDPIPER. di, Wing over 4:00, inner webs of primaries speckled. 262. BurF-BREASTED SANDPIPER. @. Tail without cross-bars,toes3 . . . . . . . . 248, SANDERLING. - ye. ae “a ~ * “ ~ => - : * ws wi 2 ’ . £ AS. 7 rod ? * Am y ’ t ae 4 ip aaa te ’ .. \ j 7 Con Se ] . it - s rye r 4 : + . i . 4 : 4 se a 4 - : a hon ; i a \ j h fea j of or hte bolas = 2¢ tx r ’ » \ pi? j .- | aa +4 yi P “1 ‘; oo at . . dba SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 153 228. Philohela minor ((mel.). American Woopcock. Ad,—Front of the crown slaty, washed with buff, an indistinct blackish line in its center, and another from the eye to the bill; back of the head black, with two or three bars of ochraceous-buff; rest of the upper parts black, margined with slaty and barred and mottled with rufous or ochraceous-buff; tip of the tail ashy gray above, silvery beneath; under parts between ochraceous-butf and rufous; three outer primaries very narrow and much stiffened. L., 11:00; W., 5°40; Tar., 1:25; B., 2°90. Range.—Eastern North America north to Labrador and Manitoba, breed- ing nearly throughout its range, but not commonly in the southern part of it; winters from southern Illinois and Virginia southward. Washington, rather common from Feb. to Nov.; a few winter. Long Island, common §. R.; a few winter. Sing Sing, common 8, R., Feb. 19 to Dee. 2. Cambridge, 8. R., formerly common, fast becoming rare ; Mch. to Nov. West, of a few dry leaves, on the ground in the woods. gqs, four, buffy, distinctly and obscurely spotted with shades of rufous, 1°60. 1°23. During the spring and early summer this Owl among Snipe haunts low, wooded bottom-lands; in August, while molting, it resorts to corn- fields near woods, and in the fall migrating birds frequent wooded up- lands. But at all times it requires a soft, moist earth in which it may easily probe with its long bill for its fare of earthworms. The holes it makes are known as “borings.” They are generally found in little groups, and are, of course, certain evidence of the presence of Wood- cock. It has recently been discovered by Mr. Gurdon Trumbull that the Woodcock can move the tip of its upper mandible independently of the lower one, and this organ is made to act as a finger to assist the bird in drawing its food from the ground. The flight of the Woodcock is sometimes accompanied by a high, whistling sound produced by its narrow, stiffened primaries in beating the air. When flushed near its nest or young, the parent bird gen- erally feigns lameness or a broken wing, and leads the intruder some distance from its treasures before taking wing. The cloak of night always lends a certain mystery to the doings of nocturnal birds, and more often than not their habits justify our un- usual interest in them. How many evenings have I tempted the ma- laria germs of Jersey lowlands to watch the Woodcock perform his strange sky dance! He begins on the ground with a formal, periodic peent, peent, an incongruous preparation for the wild rush that follows. It is repeated several times before he springs from the ground and on whistling wings sweeps out on the first loop Of a spiral which may take him 300 feet from the ground. Faster and faster he goes, louder and shriller sounds his wing-song; then, after a moment’s pause, with darting, headlong flight, he pitches in zigzags to the earth, uttering as he falls a clear, twittering whistle. He generally returns to near the 154 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. _ place from which he arose, and the peent is at once resumed as a pre- liminary to another round in the sky, The European Woopcock (227. Scolopax rusticola) bears a general re- semblance to our Woodcock, but is much larger; the under parts are barred with black, the wings are barred with rufous, and the outer primaries are not emarginate. It is of accidental occurrence in eastern North America. | Z | 230. Gallinago delicata (0rd). Witson’s Snipe; Eneiisu SNIPE. Ad.—Upper parts black, barred, bordered, and mottled with different shades of cream-buif; wings fuscous; outer edge of outer primary and tips of greater coverts white; throat white; neck and breast ochraceous-buff, indistinctly streaked with blackish; belly white, sides barred with black; under tail- coverts buffy, barred with black ; outer tail-feathers barred with black and white, inner ones black, barred with rufous at their ends and tipped with whitish. ., 11:25; W., 5°00; Tar., 1:20; B., 2°50. Range.—North America, breeding from southern Minnesota, northern Illi- nois, northwestern Pennsylvania, and Connecticut northward to Hudson Bay and Labrador, and wintering from southern Illinois and South Carolina to northern South America. Washington, common T. V., Mch. to May 5; fall; occasional in winter. Long Island, common T. V., Mch. and Apl.; Aug. to Oct. Sing Sing, tol- erably common T. V., Mch. 20 to May 6; Oct. 6 to Nov. 20. Cambridge, com- mon T. V., Apl. 5 to May 5; Sept. and Oct. Eggs, three to four, olive, clay-color, or brownish ashy, heavily marked with chocolate, principally at the larger end, 1°60 x 1:17. Wilson’s Snipe frequents fresh-water meadows and swamps, and in spring is often found in low-lying swales in meadows or mowing fields, but, excepting in very dry seasons, it seldom alights on salt marshes. At times, especially in winter or early spring, when the meadows are covered with snow or ice, it resorts to springy runs wooded with alders, birches, and maples, but as a rule it prefers open places. Two things are essential to its requirements—ground so thoroughly water-soaked as to afford slight resistance to its long and highly sensitive bill when probing, and such concealment as tussocks, hillocks, or long grass afford, for, unlike the Sandpipers, the Snipe rarely ventures out on bare mud flats, save under cover of darkness. Although less strictly nocturnal than the Woodcock, it feeds and mi- grates chiefly by night or in “thick” weather. Its migratory move- ments are notoriously erratic, and meadows which one day are alive with birds may be quite deserted the next, or the reverse. Dear to our sportsmen is Wilson’s Snipe, partly because of the ex- cellence of its flesh, but chiefly from the fact that it furnishes a mark which taxes their skill to the utmost, and which no mere novice need hope to hit, unless by accident; for the bird’s flight is swift and tortu- ous, and it springs from the grass as if thrown by a catapult, uttering SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 155 a succession of hoarse, rasping scazpes which have a peculiarly start- ling effect on inexperienced nerves. In the springtime—and occasionally in autumn also—Wilson’s Snipe mounts to a considerable height above his favorite meadows and darts downward with great velocity, making at each descent a low yet penetrating, tremulous sound which suggests the winnowin g of a domes- tic Pigeon’s wings, or, if heard at a distance, the bleating of a goat, and which is thought to be produced by the rushing of the air through the wings of the Snipe. This performance may be sometimes witnessed in broad daylight when the weather is stormy, but ordinarily it is re- served for the morning and evening twilight and for moonlight nights, when it is often kept up for hours in suecession, Besides this “drumming” or “ bleating,” as it is called, the Snipe, while mating, sometimes makes another peculiar sound, a kik-kiik- kuk-kuk-kiip, evidently vocal and occasionally accompanying a slow, labored, and perfectly direct flight, at the end of which the bird alights on a tree or fence post for a few moments.— WILLIAM BREWSTER. The European Snipe (229. Gaillinago gallinago) inhabits the northern parts of the Old World, is of frequent occurrence in Greenland, and accidental in the Bermudas. 231. Macrorhamphus griseus (Gmel.). Dowitcuer. (See Figs, 25, a, 26,¢.) Ad. in summer.—Upper parts, tertials, and wing-coverts black, the feathers edged or barred with ochraceous-buff or rufous ; rump, upper tail- coverts, and tail barred with black and more or less ochraceous-buff ; prima- ries fuscous; under parts dull, pale rufous, whitish on the belly, more or less spotted and barred with black. Ad. in winter.— Upper parts brownish gray ; rump and tail barred with black and white; throat and breast washed with ashy, belly white, sides and under tail-coverts barred with black. Im.—Upper parts black, the feathers edged with rufous; rump and tail barred with black and white, and sometimes washed with rufous ; secondaries widely edged with white; under parts more or less washed with ochraceous-buff and obscurely spotted with blackish. L., 10-50; W., 5-75; Tar., 1°30; B., 2°05-2°50. emarks.—The barred tail and tail-coverts, with the peculiar flattened, pitted tip of the bill, are characteristic of this and the next species. _ #ange.—Eastern North America, breeding within the Arctic Circle, and wintering from Florida to South America. Washington, casual, one specimen, Sept. Long Island, common T. A’ ge May; July to Sept. 15. £ggs, four, light buffy olive, distinctly spotted and speckled, especially about the larger end, with deep brown, 1°65 x 1°13 (Ridgw.). The Dowitchers are among our best-known Bay Birds. They migrate in compact flocks which are easily attracted to decoys by an imitation of their call. Mud-flats and bars exposed by the falling tide are their chosen feeding grounds. On the Gulf coast of Florida I have 156 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. seen several hundred gathered in such close rank that they entirely concealed the sandbar on which they were resting. 232. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say). Lone-s1Ltep Dow- ITCHER; WESTERN DowiTcuER. Ad. in summer.—NSimilar to the preceding, but averaging larger; the bill especially is longer, the under parts are more uniformly rufous, and the sides are more heavily barred with black. Ad. in winter and Im,—To be distinguished from the corresponding stages of M. gri- seus only by their larger size. W., 6:00; Tar., 1:50; B., 2°10-2°90. Range.— Mississippi Valley and western province of North America from Mexico to Alaska; less common, but of regular occurrence along the Atlantic coast of the United States” (A. O. U.). Washington, casual, seven shot in Apl. Long Island, casual, July to Oct. Lgqs, four, not distinguishable from those of the preceding species. This is a bird of the interior and Western States, and occurs on our coasts as a rare but regular late fall migrant. It resembles the pre- ceding species in habits, but the baymen who “gun” for Snipe say they can recognize it by its somewhat different notes. Like the Wood- cock, Wilson’s Snipe, and its near ally, J. griseus, the male utters a flight song in the nesting season. It is well described by Mr. E. W. Nelson in his Report on Collections made in Alaska, p. 101. 233. Micropalama himantopus (Sonap.). Stitt SANDPIPER. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts black, bordered with grayish and buffy; ear- coverts and an indistinct line around the back of the head rufous ; second- aries grayish, edged with white; primaries fuscous; rump ashy; upper tail- coverts barred with black and white; outer tail-feathers with broken dusky bars, inner ones with central streaks or margins of brownish gray or white; under parts white, heavily barred with fuscous. Ad. in winter.—Upper parts brownish gray ; upper tail-coverts white ; tail white, margined with brownish gray ; under parts white; the throat, neck, and sides indistinctly streaked or washed with grayish. /m.—Similar to the preceding, but the upper parts black- ish, margined with ochraceous-buff. L., 8:25; W., 5:00; Tar., 1:60; B., 1°55. Remarks.—The distinguishing characters of this species are the flattened, pitted tip of the bill, in connection with the very long tarsi. Range.—Kastern North America, breeding within the Arctic Circle, and wintering as far south as South America. Washington, casual, one record. Long Island, not uncommon T. V., May; July to Oct. 10. Liyqs, three to four, pale grayish buff, or grayish buffy white, boldly spotted with rich vandyke-brown and purplish gray, 1:42 x 1:00 (Ridgw.). Colonel N.S. Goss, in his admirable Birds of Kansas, writes that he has observed this species along the edges of old channels of rivers or muddy pools of water, in which it wades while feeding; immersing the head and feeling with its sensitive bill in the thin mud for food. It moves about rather slowly as compared with the trne Sandpipers, and at times will try and avoid detection by squatting close to the SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 157 ground, flying only as a last resort, and then darting swiftly away with a sharp tweet, tweet. 234. Tringa canutus Linn. Kyor; Rosi Syivz; Gray Snipg. (See Figs. 25,6, 26,6.) Ad. in summer.—Upper parts barred and streaked with black and white and rufous; tail ashy gray, narrowly margined with whitish : under parts dull rufous; lower belly white or whitish, sides sometimes with black bars. (According to George H. Mackay, it requires about four years for birds to acquire this plumage. See Auk, x, 1893, p. 25.) 4m.—Upper parts plain brownish gray; upper tail-coverts barred with black and white, tail brownish gray ; breast and sides barred with black, belly white. Young.— Upper parts pale brownish gray; head streaked with blackish; back, wing- coverts, and scapulars with distinct black and white borders; upper tail-cov- erts barred with blackish; tail ashy gray, narrowly margined with white ; under parts white; breast finely streaked or spotted with blackish; flanks barred or streaked with blackish. L., 10°50; W., 6°75; ‘Tar., 1:20; B., 1°30. ftange.—Northern hemisphere, breeding within the Arctic Circle, and in America wintering from Florida to South America. Long Island, not uncommon T. V., May 15 to June 10; July 15 to Nov. £9gs, known from only one specimen collected in the vicinity of Fort Conger by General Greely, and described as “ light pea-green, closely spotted with brown in small specks about the size of a pinhead,” 1-10 x 1-00 (see Merriam, Auk, ii, 1885, p. 318). Knots feed along the beaches on the small crustaceans and mol- lusca brought in by the waves, and they also frequent muddy places, where, like the true Snipe, they probe the ground for food. They decoy with ease, “bunching” so closely as they wheel into the stools that the entire flock is sometimes killed by a single discharge. Mr. George H. Mackay, in one of his careful and detailed studies of our Shore Birds, describes their notes as a soft wah-quoit and a little honk. The first is particularly noticeable when flocks are coming to the de- coys (see Auk, x, 1893, pp. 25-35). 235. Tringa maritima Brinn. Purrite Sanpprper. Ad. in swm- mer.—Upper parts black, margined with ochraceous-buff and cream-buff; wings fuscous-gray, greater coverts margined with white and some seconda- ries entirely white; upper tail-coverts fuscows, outer tail-feathers ashy gray, inner ones fuscous; throat and breast brownish gray, streaked with black ; belly white, sides and under tail-coverts streaked with brownish gray. Win- ter plumage.—Head, neck. breast, and sides ashy. the two latter margined with white; back fuscous. margined with ashy; wings fuscous, the coverts, secondaries, and tertials distinctly bordered with white; upper tail-coverts and middle tail-feathers black or fuscous, outer tail-feathers ashy; belly and linings of the wings white. L., 9:00; W., 5:00; Tar., 9:00; B., 1°40. Remarks.—The brownish gray or ashy breast of this species is a good distinguishing character. Fange.—* Northern portions of the northern hemisphere ; in North Amer- 158 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. — ica chiefly in the northeastern portion, breeding in the high north,” south in’ winter to the Great Lakes and Long Island, and casually to Florida. Long Island, uncommon W. V., Nov. 1 to Mch. 1. Cambridge, casual, one instance, Oct. Eggs, three to four, olive clay-color or brownish ashy, heavily marked with rufous-brown, 1°45 x 1:08. _ This bird might be called Winter Snipe or Rock Snipe. Indeed, I find the latter name has been applied to it from its habit of frequent- ing rocky coasts, where it secures its food in the alge attached to rocks exposed by the falling tide. 239. Tringa maculata Vici]. Pecrorat SanppreeR; KRIEKER. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts black, the feathers all heavily bordered with pale ochraceous-buff; rump and upper tail-coverts black, lightly tipped with ochraceous-buif; middle tail-feathers longest, pointed and margined with buify ; outer tail-feathers brownish gray, narrowly margined with white ; throat white, neck and breast heavily streaked with black and buffy; rest of under parts white. Winter plumage.—Similar, but ochraceous-buff of upper parts replaced by rufous, and breast heavily washed with buffy. L., 9.00; W., 5°40; Tar., 1:10; B., 1°15. ftemarks.—This bird somewhat resembles both 7. fuscicollis and T. bairdii, but it differs from them in its larger size, black instead of white or fuscous upper tail-coverts, and longer, more pointed middle tail-feathers. Range.—North America; breeds in the aretic regions and winters in the West Indies and South America. Washington, common T. V., Apl.; Aug. to Nov. Long Island, T. V., rare in spring, common from July 15 to Nov. 1. Sing Sing, rare T. V., Sept, 10 to Oct. 16. Cambridge, irregular and uncommon in Sept. and Oct. Eggs, four, drab, sometimes with a greenish tinge, blotched with clear amber-brown markings, more numerous at the larger end, 1°50 x 1:09 (Mur- doch). The names Grass Snipe and Krieker describe with equal truth and conciseness the haunts and notes of this Snipe. It frequents wet, grassy meadows rather than beaches, and, although it flies in flocks, the birds scatter while feeding and take wing one or more at a time. They thus remind one of Wilson’s Snipe. Their note is a squeaky, erating whistle. They will respond to an imitation of it, but do not decoy so readily as the larger Bay Birds. Mr. E. W. Nelson writes * that during the breeding season the male inflates its breast and throat until they are double their normal size, and utters a deep, hollow, reso- nant note. 3 240. Tringa fuscicollis Veil]. Wuitr-rumpep Sanprirer. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts black, edged with rufous; rump grayish fuscous, margined with ashy ; longer upper tail-coverts white, with sometimes brownish- * Rep. on Nat. Hist. Colls. made in Alaska, p. 108. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 159 gray markings; central tail-feathers fuscous, outer ones brownish gray ; upper throat white; neck, breast, and sides distinctly streaked and spotted with black and more or less washed with ochraceous-butt. Winter plumage.— “Upper parts plain brownish gray, with indistinct, narrowed, mesial streaks of dusky; otherwise as in summer, but streaks on chest, etc., less distinct” (Ridgw.). Jm.—Similar to summer examples, but the feathers of the upper parts with rownded whitish or ochraceous-buff tips; breast less distinctly streaked. L., 7°50; W., 4:90; Tar., :90; B., -95. Remarks.—TYhe white upper tail-coverts distinguish this species. Range.—Eastern North America, breeding in the arctic regions and win- tering as far south as the Falkland Islands. Long Island, not uncommon T. V., July 20 to Oct 10. Sing Sing, casual T.V., Sept. Eqqs, three to four, light olive, or olive brownish, spotted (usually rather finely) with deep brown and dull, purplish gray, 1°37 x -94 (Ridgw.). “They frequent the sandy beach as well as the marshy shores upon the coast, but inland seem to prefer the edges of pools of water upon the uplands. They move in small flocks, are very social, often associating with other waders, are not as a rule shy or timid, and, when startled, usually fly but a short distance, drop back, and run about in an unconcerned and heedless manner, picking up the minute forms of life that usually abound in such places, occasionally uttering a rather sharp, piping weet, weet. Their flight is swift and well sustained ” (Goss). 241. Tringa bairdii (Cowes). Barrp’s Sanppirer. Ad.in summer.— Upper parts fuscous; feathers of the crown and nape margined laterally with pale buffy; back and scapulars tipped with pale buffy or brownish gray; middle upper tail-coverts fuscous, sometimes tipped with buffy; central tail- feathers fuscous, margined with whitish, outer ones pale brownish gray ; throat white; breast washed with buffy and lightly spotted or streaked with fuscous ; sides and belly white. /m.—Similar, but the back, scapulars, and wing-cov- erts with rounded white tips. (In the winter these tips are more or less worn off.) L., 7-40; W., 4:90; Tar., 90; B., °85. Remarks.—This bird most closely resembles 7. fuscicollis. In any plum- age it may be known from that species by the fuscous instead of white middle upper tail-coverts. In summer it differs also in the absence of rufous above, the less heavily spotted throat, and the white instead of spotted sides. In winter the chief distinguishing marks of the two species, aside from the dif- ferently colored upper tail-coverts, are the buffy breast and generally paler upper parts of bairdii. Range.—Interior of North America, breeding in the arctic regions and migrating southward to South America; rare on the Atlantic coast. . Washington, casual, one record. Long Island, casual, Aug. Eqs, three to four, light, creamy buff, sometimes tinged with rusty, thickly speckled and spotted with deep reddish brown or chestnut, 1°30 x ‘93 (Ridgw.). 160 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. “In habits they are similar to the White-rumped (which they so closely resemble), but are more inclined to wander from the water’s edge. I have flushed the birds on high prairie lands, at least a mile from the water” (Goss). . 242. Tringa minutilla Vieil/. Least Sanprieer; Meapow OxeyeE; Perr. Ad. in summer.-—Upper parts black or fuscous, edged and tipped ‘with buffy or rufous; rump and middle upper tail-coverts plain black or fus- cous ; central tail-feathers black or fuscous, outer ones ashy gray ; upper throat white; neck and breast white or buffy, streaked with fuscous; belly and sides white. /m.—Similar, but feathers of the back with rounded rufous or butty tips; breast not distinctly streaked. Winter plumage.—U pper parts brown- ish gray, sometimes with more or less black in the centers of the feathers; breast white or ashy, not distinctly streaked. L., 6°00; W., 3°50; Tar., 70": Ba. “fa. Fic. 62.—Least Sandpiper. Remarks.—This is the smallest of (Natural size.) i : our Sandpipers, and can be confused only with Hrewnetes pusillus, from which, however, it may always be distin- guished by the absence of webs between the bases of the toes. Range.—North America, breeding in the arctic regions and wintering from the Gulf States to South America. Washington, uncommon T. V., May; Aug. to Oct. Long Island, abun- dant T. V., Apl. 25 through Mav; July through Sept. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V., May 9 to May 22; Oct. 3. Cambridge, very common T. V., May 25 to May 31; July 20 to Aug. 31. Eqs, three to four, pale, grayish buffy, varying to pale brownish, thickly spotted, speckled, or sprinkled with deep chestnut and dull, purplisn gray, 1:15 x °83 (Ridgw.). This, the smallest of our Sandpipers, is frequently associated with its larger cousin the Semipalmated Sandpiper on the shores and beaches, but it also visits the grassy meadows, and for this reason is known by baymen as the “ Meadow Oxeye.” 243a. Tringa alpina pacifica (Cowes). Rep-Backep SANDPIPER}; Leapsack. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts broadly margined with rufous, the centers of the feathers black, wings brownish gray; breast whitish, lightly streaked with blackish; middle of the belly with a large black patch, lower belly white. Jm.—Upper parts blackish, the feathers with rounded tips of rufous or buffy; breast washed with buffy and indistinctly streaked with blackish ; belly spotted with black. Winter plumage.—Upper parts brown- ish gray; middle upper tail-coverts fuscous; wing-coverts brownish gray margined with buffy ; throat white; breast ashy, indistinctly streaked; belly SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 161 white, the sides sometimes spotted with black. L., 8:00; W., 4°75; Tar., 1:00; B., 1°50. Remarks.—There is, of course, every degree of intergradation between summer and winter plumage, but the species may always be known by its slightly curved bill. ftange.—North America, breeding in the arctic regions and wintering from Florida southward; rare in the interior. Washington, rare T. V., Apl.; Oct. Long Island, T. V., uncommon in Fic. 63.—Red-backed Sandpiper. (Natural size.) spring, Apl. 1 to May 15; common in fall, Aug. 31 through Oct. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V. in fall, QGct. 3 to Oct. 24. Cambridge, casual, one instance, Oct. Eggs, three to four, varying from pale, bluish white to ochraceous-buff, heavily marked with chocolate, chiefly at the larger end, 1:43 x 1-01. Generally speaking, this is a shore or beach bird, though it also visits grassy marshes. It flies and feeds in flocks, and is an unsus- picious, rather stupid little Snipe, less active than most members of this family. The gray-plumaged fall birds are known as “ Leadbacks,” while in the spring they go by the names “ Blackbreast ” or ‘“ Redback.” The Dunurn (248. Tringa alpina) is the Old- World representative of our Red-backed Sandpiper, from which it differs only in being less brightly colored and somewhat smaller. L., about 7-40; W., 4:12-4:50; Tar., ‘78-90 ; B., 1:05-1:25. It is of casual occurrence in North America. The Curtew Sanppieer (244. Tringa ferruginea) inhabits the eastern hemisphere, and occurs casually in eastern North America. It has been re- corded from Ontario, Nova Scotia, Maine, Massachusetts, and Long Island. 246. Ereunetes pusillus (Zinn.). Semrpatmarep Sanvriver ; Sanp OxryEe; Peer. Ad. in swmmer.—Upper parts black or fuscous, margined with brownish gray and a smal/ amount of rufous; rump grayish brown; upper tail-coverts blackish ; tail-feathers brownish gray, central ones darkest; breast streaked or spotted with blackish. /m.—Similar, but upper parts and wing- coverts blackish, with rounded rufous or buffy tips to the feathers ; breast un- 12 162 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. — streaked, tinted with buffy. Winter plumage.—Upper parts brownish gray, with darker shaft streaks ; upper tail-coverts darker; under parts white, some- times with faint streaks on the breast. L., 6°30; W., 3°75; Tar., °75; B., -65—80. Remarks.—The small size of this and the next species prevents their be- ing confused with any other except Tringa minutilla, from which they may always be known by their partially webbed toes. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds in the arctic regions, and winters from the Gulf States southward through Brazil. Washington, rare T. V., May; Aug. to Oct. Long Island, abundant T. V., May; July through Sept. Sing Sing, common T. V. in fali, Aug. 14 to Oct. 20. Cambridge, very common in Aug. and Sept. Eggs, three to four, pale, dull grayish buff, sprinkled, speckled, or spotted with dark brown and purplish gray, 1°21 x -85 (Ridgw.). The thought of these little Sandpipers always creates a mental pic- ture of a long stretch of dazzling beach with its ever-changing surf- line. I hear the oft-repeated booming of the rolling, tumbling break- ers, and in the distance see a group of tiny forms hurrying to and fro over the sand smoothed by the frothy waves. With what nimble grace- fulness they follow the receding waves, searching for treasures cast up by the sea! What contentment and good-fellowship are expressed by their cheery, conversational twitterings! Up and down the beach they ~ run, now advancing, now retreating, sometimes, in their eagerness, ven- turing too far, when the waters threaten to ingulf them, and in momen- tary confusion they take wing and hover back to a place of safety. Suddenly, as though at a signal, they are off; a compact flock moving as one bird, twisting and turning to right and left, now gleaming white as the sun strikes their snowy bodies, now dark again like a wisp of sunless cloud flying before the wind. 247. Ereunetes occidentalis Zawr. Western SremipaLMATED SanpprpER.—This bird closely resembles the preceding, from which, in sum- mer plumage, it differs in having the upper parts conspicuously margined with rufous and the breast more heavily streaked. In fall and winter plum- age the differences in coloration are not so apparent, but the birds are to be distinguished at any season by the size of the bill, which in the western spe- cies always averages longer. W., 3:80; Tar., 80; B., :85-1-20. Range.—Western North America; breeds in the arctic regions, and win- ters from the Gulf States to South America; occasional on the Atlantic coast. Long Island, uncommon T. V., occurring with Z. pusillus. fags, three to four, deep cinnamon buffy, sprinkled, speckled, or thickly spotted with bright rusty brown or chestnut, the general aspect decidedly rusty, 1:24 x -87 (Ridgw.). This western representative of the preceding species is sometimes found on our coasts associated with its eastern relative. In Florida, particularly on the Gulf coast, it occurs in numbers during the winter. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 163 248. Calidris arenaria (Zinn.). Sanper.ine; Surr Snire. Ad. én summer.—Feathers of the upper parts with generally black centers, bor- dered and sometimes barred with pale rufous and tipped with ashy white; wings fuscous, the basal half of the outer web of the inner primaries white ; wing-coverts grayish fuscous, the greater one broadly tipped with white; tail brownish gray, narrowly margined with white; throat and upper breast washed with pale rufous and spotted with blackish ; rest of the under parts pure white. Jm. in fall.—Similar, but upper parts without rufous, glossy black, the feathers sometimes bordered with white, but generally with two white spots at their tips separated by the black of the central part of the feather; nape grayish white, lightly streaked with blackish; under parts pure white, with occasionally a few spots on the breast. Winter plumage.— Upper parts pale brownish gray, wings as in the preceding ; under parts pure white. L., 800; W., 5:00; Tar., 1:00; B., 1:00. Remarks.—The Sanderling is the only one of our Snipes or Sandpipers having three toes, and it may always be known by this character in combi- nation with its booted or transversely scaled tarsi. fange.— Nearly cosmopolitan, breeding in arctic and subarctic regions; migrating, in America, south to Chili and Patagonia” (A. O. U.). Washington, casual T. V., two records. Long Island, common T’. V., Mch. 15 through May; Aug. 1 through Sept. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V., to June 5; Sept. 9 to Oct. 5. Cambridge, casual, one instance, Sept. Eggs, three to four, light olive-brown, finely spotted or speckled with darker, the markings larger and more blended on the larger end, 1°41 x -91 (Ridgw.). This is a true beach bird, and is usually found on shores washed by the sea. It frequently associates with the Semipalmated Sandpiper or Oxeye, which it resembles in habits, but its larger size and lighter colors distinguish it from that species. 249. Limosa fedoa (Zinn.). Marzsiep Gopwit; Brown Martin. Ad.—Upper parts black, the head and neck streaked with buffy, the back barred or the feathers spotted on the sides and sometimes tipped with buffy or ochraceous-buff; inner web of the outer primaries and both webs of the inner ones ochraceous-buff or pale buffy, speckled with black; tail ochraceous- buff barred with black ; throat white, rest of the under parts pale buffy, spotted or barred with black; bill curved slightly upward, yellowish at the base, black atthe end. Jm.—Similar, but the under parts with few or no bars except on the flanks and under tail-coverts. L., 18°00; W.,8°75; Tar., 2°75; B., 4:00. Fange.—North America, breeding chiefly in the interior, from western Minnesota, and rarely Iowa and Nebraska, northward, and migrating south- ward to Central America and Cuba; rare on the Atlantic coast. Long Island, rare T. V., Aug. and Sept. Fqs, three to four, clay-color or brownish ashy, blotched, spotted, and scrawled with grayish brown, 2°15 x 1°60. Colonel Goss writes that this species “inhabits the salt- and fresh- water shores, marshes, and moist ground upon the prairies. It feeds 164 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. — upon crustacea, insects, worms, larve, etc., moving about in a horizontal position, picking and probing as it goes. Its flight is easy and well sustained, though not very rapid; in alighting, raises the wings over the back as it touches the ground. These birds as a rule are shy, and keep well out of reach... .” 251. Limosa hzmastica (Linn.). Hupsontan Gopwir; Rine- TAILED Maruin. -Ad.—Upper parts black, the head and neck streaked and the back spotted or barred with ochraceous-buff ; primaries black or fuscous ; upper tail-coverts white, the lateral ones tipped or barred with black; tail black, with a broad base and a narrow tip of white; throat buffy, streaked with blackish ; under parts chestnut-rufous, barred with black and sometimes tipped with whitish ; axillars black. L., 15:00; W., 8:25; Tar., 2°25; B., 3°20. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds in the arctic regions and mi- grates southward, chiefly through the interior, as far as Patagonia. Long Island, rare T. V., Aug. and Sept. Eggs, three to four, deep olive, hair-brown, or broccoli-brown (sometimes paler), usually more or less spotted with darker brown, but sometimes nearly uniform, 2°20 x 1°42 (Ridgw.). This bird resembles the preceding in habits, and like it is rare on the Atlantic coast. The Buack-TaILED Gopwirt (252. Limosa limosa) inhabits the northern parts of the Old-World and is of accidental occurrence in Greenland. 254. Totanus melanoleucus (@mel.). GREATER YELLOW-LEGS. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts black, the head and neck streaked and the back spotted or barred with white or ashy; upper tail-coverts white, more or less barred with black ; tail white or ashy, barred with black; breast heavily spotted with black; sides barred with black; middle of the belly white. Winter plumage.—Similar, but upper parts brownish gray, edged with whit- ish; sides of the scapulars, tertials, and wing-coverts with blackish and whitish spots; breast only lightly streaked with blackish, and sides slightly barred. L., 14:00; W., 7-70; Tar., 2°40; B., 2°20. Range.—North America ; breeds from Minnesota and rarely northern I)li- nois and Anticosti northward ; winters from the Gulf States to Patagonia. Washington, rather common T. V., Apl. and May; July 25 to Nov. Long Island, common T. V., Apl. 10 through May; July 15 through Oct. Sing Sing, common T. V., to June 5 ;—to Oct. 28. Cambridge, common T. V., Apl. 15 to May 25; Sept. and Oct. Eggs, three to four, brownish buffy, distinctly but very irregularly spotted with rich vandyke- or madder-brown, 1°43 x 1°20 (Ridgw.). It needs only the musical notes of the Yellow-leg to recall memo- ries of many days passed along the shore and in the marshes. Half reclining in my blind, I see in fancy the staring decoys, pointing like weathercocks with the wind, and hear the dull booming of surf be- hind the brown sand dunes, SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 165 Few birds are flying; lulled by the lap, lap of the water, I have almost fallen asleep, when from far up in the gray sky comes a soft, flutelike whistle, whew, wheu-wheu-wheu-wheu, wheu, wheu-wheu. re- spond quickly, and, lying on my back, look eagerly upward. Not a bird can be seen, but the questioning call grows stronger and is re- peated more frequently. Finally I distinguish five or six black points sailing in narrow circles so high that I can scarcely believe they are the birds I hear. But no bar or shoal breaks the sound waves. The birds grown larger and on widening circles sweep earthward. Their soft whistle has a plaintive tone; their long bills turn inquiringly from side to side. The stolid decoys give no response, they repel rather than encourage, but the whistling continues, and with murmured notes of interrogation the deluded birds wheel over them, to find too late that they have blundered. 255. Totanus flavipes (@Gmel.). YreLtow-LEcs; SummER YELLow- LEGs. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts generally brownish gray, the head and neck streaked with black and white, the back, scapulars, and wing-coverts with sometimes black centers, spotted or tipped with whitish or brownish gray ; upper tail-coverts white, more or less barred with black, tail varying from white to brownish gray, with numerous black or blackish cross-bars; breast heavily spotted or streaked and sides barred with black; belly white, legs yellow. Winter plumage.—Similar, but upper parts brownish gray, the sides of the feathers with whitish spots; tail-bars grayish; breast lightly streaked with ashy. L., 10°75; W., 6°40; Tar., 2:05; B., 1-40. ftemarks.—This bird closely resembles the Greater Yellow-legs in color, but may always be distinguished by its smaller size. _ Range—North America, breeding chiefly in the interior from Minnesota, northern Illinois, Ontario County, N. Y., northward to the arctic regions; winters from the Gulf States to Patagonia. Washington, rather common T. V., Apl. to May 15; Aug. to Nov. Long Island, T. V., very rare in spring, abundant in fall; July 15 to Oct.1. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V. in fall; Aug. 25 to Oct. 5. Cambridge, rare in May ; sometimes common in Aug. and early Sept. Eggs, three to four, buffy (variable as to shade), distinctly (sometimes broadly) spotted or blotched with dark madder- or vandyke-brown and pur- plish gray, 1°69 x 1:15 (Ridgw.). This species closely resembles the preceding in notes, habits, and choice of haunts. It decoys, however, more easily, and, generally speaking, is more common. The GREEN-sHANK (253. Totanus nebularius) is an Old-World species, of which three specimens were taken by Audubon, May 28, 1832, near Cape Sable, Florida. It resembles our Greater Yellow-legs, but differs chiefly in having the lower back and rump white. The GREEN SANDPIPER (257. Totanus ochropus) is an Old-World species which has been recorded once from Nova Scotia. It resembles our Solitary 166 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. Sandpiper, but is larger (W., a and has the _ tail-coverts pure white. 256. Totanus solitarius (W7/s.). Sotirary Sanppiper. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts olive-fuscous, with a slight greenish tinge, the head and neck streaked and the back spotted with white; upper tail-coverts fus- cous, with fine whitish spots on their sides, the lateral ones sometimes barred ; central pair of tail-feathers fuscous, the others white, barred with black; 4 SS SN oe SX \ SS SS Wy ‘NN SS ————— SS <— SS = S aN SS \ Fic. 64.—Inner view of wing of Solitary Sandpiper, showing barred axillars. breast streaked, and sides sometimes barred with black ; belly white; axillars barred with black and white; legs greenish fuscous. Wéanter plumage.—Simi- lar, but upper parts grayish brown; head and neck generally unstreaked, and the back only lightly spotted with buffy white; breast streaked with brown- ish gray. L.,; 8°40; W., 5°25; Tar., 1°20; B.,.1715. Range.—Kastern North America; breeds locally and rarely from northern Illinois, western Pennsylvania, and Maine northward; winters in South America. Washington, common T. V., Apl. to May 25; July 25 to nae? Long Island, common T. V., May; rate 15 to Oct. 1. sing Sing, common T. V., May 3 to 30; Aug. 27 to Oct 2. Cambridge, common T. V., May 15 to 25; July 20 to Oct. Eggs, known from only one example taken by Jenness Richardson, near Lake Bombazine, Vermont, May 28, 1878, and described by Dr. Brewer as light drab, with small, rounded, brown markings, some quite dark, nowhere confluent, and at the larger end a few faint purplish shell-marks, 1°39 x °95. This is a wood Sandpiper. It is rarely found on the beaches or salt marshes near the sea, but frequents fresh-water ponds, or lakes and woodland streams, both in the lowlands and mountains. It is gener- erally observed during the migrations, and although it occasionally breeds in the Middle States its skill in concealing its nest has defied the search of odlogists. It is a quieter, more dignified bird than the Spotted Sandpiper, and as a rule only utters its “low, whistling notes” when flushed. , 258. Symphemia semipalmata ((mel.). Witter. Ad. in sum- mer.—Upper parts brownish gray, the head and neck streaked, and the back barred with black, and sometimes buffy, the centers of the feathers being oc- easionally wholly black; basal half of the primaries and greater part of sec- ondaries white; upper tail-coverts white with a few blackish bars; central tail-feathers ashy, indistinctly barred with blackish ; outer ones whitish, lightly SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 167 mottled with grayish; foreneck heavily streaked; breast and sides heavily barred with dark brownish gray and more or less washed with buffy; belly generally white, with sometimes a few bars. Winter plumage.—Upper parts brownish gray, unmarked ; tail without bars ; rump and wings as in the adult; breast washed with grayish ; belly white; awd/lars black. L.,15:00; W.. 8-00; Tar., 2°30; B., 2°15. Range.—Eastern North America, breeding from Florida to southern New Jersey, and locally and rarely to Maine. Washington, rare T. V., Aug. Long Island, T. V., rare in May; uncom- mon in Aug. and Sept. Sing Sing, A. V. Fygs, three to four, clay-color or buffy, thickly spotted with chocolate, chiefly at the larger end, 2°10 x 1°55. . Willets frequent both fresh- and salt-water marshes, shores, and beaches. If you visit their haunts during the nesting season, on fiut- tering wings they will hover above your head or fly low over the marsh to draw you away from their home, uttering, with scarce a mo- ment’s cessation, their loudly whistled call of pilly-will-willet, pilly- will-willet. All day long, and even at night, I have heard them repeat these notes until, wearied by their persistence, one is thankful to leave them in undisturbed possession of the ground. 258a. S. s. inornata Jrewst. Western Wi.uet.—Slightly larger than the preceding, and, in summer plumage, the upper parts are paler and less heavily marked with black; the breast is less heavily streaked and more suffused with buffy, and the middle tail-feathers are without black bars. In winter plumage the two forms can be distinguished only by the slight and inconstant character of size. W., 8:50; Tar., 2°50; B., 2°40. Range.— Western United States, breeding from Texas to Manitoba; win- ters on the Gulf coast from Florida to Texas. The Rurr (260. Pavoncella pugnax) is an Old-World species which occa- sionally wanders to eastern North America. It has been taken in Maine, Massachusetts, Ontario, Ohio, Long Island, and New Jersey. The adult male may be known by its enlarged ruff, which varies in color from black, chest- nut, and rufous to buffy and whitish. The female is without a ruff, and is otherwise very different from the male. The upper parts are grayish brown, the back, scapulars, and tertials are broadly barred with black, the outer tail-feathers are ashy, the inner ones are barred with buffy and black, the breast is ashy, with concealed black bars, the belly is white. In winter the upper parts are light grayish brown with few or no bars. 6 L., 12°50; W., 750; Tar., 1-90; B.,1°50. 9¢ L., 10:00; W., 6:00; Tar., 1-40; B., 1°15. 261. Bartramia longicauda (JZecist.). Barrramian SANDPIPER; Upianp PLover; Fretp Pirover. Ad.—Head and neck streaked with black and ochraceous-buff; back and wing-coverts ochraceous-buff, barred with black ; tertials olive, barred with black and margined with ochraceous-buff; primaries fuscous, the outer one barred with white ; inner tail-feathers brown- ish gray, outer ones varying from ochraceous-buff to white, all more or less 168 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. © barred with black ; breast and sides washed with buffy and streaked or barred with black; belly white or whitish. /m.—Similar, but the ochraceous-buft is deeper.. L., 11°50; W., 6°50; Tar.,.1°90; B., 1°15. Remarks.—The white bars on the outer primary will always serve to iden- tify this species. Range.—Kastern North America; breeds locally from Kansas and Vir- ginia to Alaska and Nova Scotia; winters over most of South America. Washington, common T. V., Apl.; Aug. to Sept. Long Island, uncommon S. R., Apl. to Sept. Cambridge, not common T. V., Apl. 25 to May 5; July 30 to Sept. 15. Eggs, four to five, creamy buff or white, spotted with reddish brown or chocolate, chiefly at the larger end, 1°80 x 1°30. The Upland “Plover” is at home on grassy plains and pastures. It is usually a shy bird, and can rarely be successfully approached on foot. It shows no fear, however, of a man who is riding or driving, and when on horseback I have passed within a few yards of birds which regarded me with some interest but no alarm. They so closely resemble dried grass in color that it is sometimes exceedingly diffi- cult to distinguish them from their surroundings. One may ride over a prairie upon which, at first glance, not a Plover is visible, and find, after careful scrutiny, that dozens of birds are scattered about him feeding. | In alighting they stretch their wings to the utmost, high over their backs, as if to get the wrinkles out before gently folding them. When flushed they utter a soft, bubbling whistle. During their migra- tions one may clearly hear these sweet notes from birds traveling be- yond the limits of human vision. Mr. Langille describes: their alarm note as a spirited and rapidly uttered quip-ip-ip-ip, quip-ip-ip-tp, and their song, given from the ground, a fence, or even a tree, as chr-r-r-r-r- ee-€-€-€-€-€-00-0-0-0-0-00. Heremarks: “ This prolonged, mournful, mel- low whistle, more like the whistling of wind than a bird’s voice, may be heard even in the night, and is one of the most weird and never-to- be-forgotten sounds in Nature.” 262. Tryngites subruficollis (Vicil/.). Burr-preastep Sanp- pipeR. Ad.—Upper parts pale grayish brown, the feathers with olive cen- ters ; primaries fuscous, the inner half of their inner webs speckled with black ; longer inner wing-coverts conspicuously marked and tipped with black, then white; central tail-feathers fuscous, outer ones becoming buffy, irregularly marked and tipped with black and buffy; under parts pale ochraceous-buff, tipped with whitish, and with generally concealed black markings. Jm.— Similar, but the upper parts and breast paler. L., 8°50; W., 5:25; B., °80. Remarks.—In any plumage this bird may be known by the peculiar speck- ling on the inner webs of add the primaries, and also the markings of the under wing-coverts. Range.—“ North America, especially in the interior; breeds in the Yukon ~ nO Am @ ane atrryrerce Cranaanam G2 iarnnrnes -* » EL WS SS F ; SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 169 district and interior of British America; northward to the arctic coast; South America in winter; of frequent occurrence in Europe” (A. O. U.). Long Island, rare T. V., Aug. and Sept. Eggs, three to four, buffy grayish white, varying to pale olive-buff, boldly spotted longitudinally (and somewhat spirally) with dark vandyke- or mad- der-brown and purplish gray, 1°53 x 1:04 (Ridgw.). This is a rare species on the Atlantic coast. Dr. Hatch writes of it as observed by him in Minnesota: ‘They are an extremely active species when on the wing, and essentially ploverine in ail respects, seeking sandy, barren prairies, where they live upon grasshoppers, crickets, and insects generally, and ants and their eggs specially. I have found them repasting upon minute mollusks on the sandy shores of small and shallow ponds, where they were apparently little more suspicious than the Solitary Sandpipers are notably. The flight is in rather compact form, dipping and rising alternately, and with a dis- position to return again to the neighborhood of their former feeding places.” 263. Actitis macularia (linn.). Srorren Sanpriver. Ad. in sum- mer.—Upper parts brownish gray with a faint greenish luster, the head and neck more or less streaked, and the back barred or spotted with black; inner tail-feathers like the back, outer ones with blackish bars; under parts white, everywhere spotted with black. Jm.—Upper parts brownish gray, with a greenish tinge, the back faintly and wing-coverts conspicuously barred with black and buffy ; under parts pure white, unspotted, but slightly washed with grayish on the breast. Winter plumage.—Similar, but back -zowner and without bars. L., 7°50; W., 4°20; Tar., ‘90; B., °95. Range.—North America north to Hudson Bay; breeds throughout its range; winters southward to Brazil. Washington, common T. V., not common §. R., Apl. 5 to Sept. 30. Long Island, abundant S. R., Apl. 25 to Oct. Sing Sing, common 8. R., Apl. 29 to Oct. 23. Cambridge, common 8. R., Apl. 26 to Sept. £qqs, four, creamy buff or white, thickly spotted and speckled with choco- late, chiefly at the larger end, 1-25 x -95. Few Shore Birds are more generally known than this widely dis- tributed little Sandpiper. It frequents the margins of bodies of both fresh and salt water, but is more common inland on the shores of our rivers, ponds, and lakes. During the summer it is practically our only fresh-water Sandpiper, and is familiar to most of us under its common names. It runs rapidly along the beach, then pausing bobs, bows, and “teters” in a most energetic manner. When flushed it takes wing with a sharp weet-weet weet-weet, and after a few wing-strokes scales over the water to the beach beyond. It apparently dislikes to go be- yond certain limits, and after several flights makes a wide circle and returns to the starting point. 170 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 264. Numenius longirostris Wils. Lone-xittep CurRLEw; Sickie-Bitt. Ad.—Head and neck streaked, and back barred with buffy and black; wing-coverts, inner webs of primaries, secondaries, and tail vary- — ing from buffy to pale rufous, barred or mottled with blackish; under parts ochraceous-buff, breast more or less streaked and sides sometimes barred with black; axillars rufous, generally unbarred. L., 24:00; W., 10°50; Tar., 3°10; B., 6°00. Range.—United States, breeding in the interior as far north as Manitoba and on the Atlantic coast to North Carolina; casual northward to New Eng- land; winters from Florida and Texas southward to the West Indies. Washington, rare and irregular T. V. Long Island, casual from July to Sept. Sing Sing, A. V. E£yqgs, three to four, olive clay-color or brownish ashy, spotted or blotched with chocolate, 2°58 x 1°85. “ These birds, as a rule, inhabit the muddy shores and moist grassy flats and plains, but often frequent and breed upon the uplands re- mote from water. Their food consists of worms, crickets, beetles, grasshoppers, small snails, crabs, and crawfish; the latter they reach for with their long bills and pull them out of their holes; and I have seen them probe for and unearth the larve of the beetles and other forms of life that in the spring come to or near the surface prepara- tory to transformation. While feeding they move about with an easy carriage. “Their flight is not rapid but well sustained, with regular strokes of the wings, and when going a distance usually high and in a trian- gular form, uttering now and then their loud, prolonged whistling note, so often heard during the breeding season; before alighting, sud- denly drop nearly to the ground, then gather, and with a rising sweep gracefully alight ” (Goss). 265. Numenius hudsonicus Juvth. Hvpsonian Curtew; Jack Curtew. Ad.—Upper parts grayish brown, the sides of the feathers with whitish spots; rump and tail barred with butfy and blackish; inner web of outer primaries and both webs of inner ones barred with buffy or whitish and black; under parts butfy or whitish, the neck and breast streaked and the sides and under wing-coverts barred with black. L., 17-00; W., 9°50; Tar., 2-20: B., 8°75. Range.—Breeds in the arctic regions and winters from the Gulf States to Patagonia. Long Island, T. V., rare from May 20 to 30; common from July to Oct. 1. Eggs, three to four, pale olive, spotted with dull brown, 2°27 x 1°57 (Ridgw.). This is a much commoner bird on our coasts than the preceding, which it resembles in habits but not in notes. 266. Numenius borealis (/orst.). Eskimo Curtew; FurTe; Doveu-zirp. Ad.—Upper parts black, margined and tipped with buffy or PLOVERS. 171 whitish ; upper tail-coverts barred with buffy and black ; tail brownish gray, edged with buffy and barred with black; primaries fuscous without bars ; under parts buffy or whitish, the breast streaked, the sides and under wing- coverts barred with black L., 13°50; W., 8-40; Tar., 1°75; B., 2°40. Range.—Breeds in the arctic regions and migrates southward, chiefly through the interior, to Patagonia. Long Island, rare T. V., Sept. Eggs, three to four, pale olive-greenish, olive, or olive-brownish, dis- tinctly spotted, chiefiy on the larger end, with deep or dark brown, 2°04 x 1-43 (Ridgw.). This Curlew is far more common in the interior than on the At- lantic coast. It is more of a field bird than either of the two pre- ceding species, and frequents the dry uplands to feed on seeds and insects.. Mr. G. H. Mackay, in his biography of this species,* writes: “Most of their habits closely resemble those of the Golden Plover. - In migration they fly in much the same manner, with extended and broadside and triangular lines and clusters similar to those of Ducks and Geese at such times. They usually fly low after landing, sweeping slowly over the ground, apparently looking it over, generally standing motionless for quite a while after alighting, which, owing to their general color approximating so closely to the withered grass, renders it difficult at times to perceive them. . . . The only note I ever heard them make is a kind of squeak, very much like one of the cries of Wilson’s Tern (Sterna hirundo), only finer in tone.” The Wumeret (267. Numenius pheopus), an Old-World species, is of accidental occurrence in Greenland. FAMILY CHARADRIDZ. PLOVERS. The one hundred species contained in this family are, as a whole, of less boreal distribution than the Snipes, and during the nesting season are distributed throughout the world. Only eight species are found in North America. Their habits in a general way resemble those of the true Snipes, but their much shorter, stouter bills are not fitted for probing, and they obtain their food from the surface. Probably for this reason several species are as frequently found on the uplands as near the shores. KEY TO THE SPECIES. L. Toes three. A. Back spotted or streaked with black and white, rufous, or golden yellow. 272. Am. GOLDEN PLovER. B. Back ashy, gray, brown, or brownish gray. a. Rumprufous .. . ; Ys a alas ek le, ee a 6. Rump not rufous. * The Auk, vol. ix, 1892, pp. 16-21. 172 PLOVERS. 61. Bill over °50. 62, A black or brownish band on the breast. 280. W1xson’s PLoveER. | 63. No band on the breast ; back grayish brown, margined with rufous. 281. Mountain PLover. c!, Bill under °50. c?, A black line from the eye to the bill. 274. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. c. No line from the eye to the bill. 277. Piping Plover. 277a. BELTED Piprmve PLoveEr. Il. Toes four... ke we ew 20, BLACK ee -The Lapwine (269. Vanellus vanellus) is an Old-World species of acci- dental occurrence in America. : The only record for eastern North America south of Greenland is based on a specimen shot at Merrick, L. L, in Decem- ber, 1883 (Dutcher, Auk, iii, 1886, p. 438). 270. Charadrius squatarola (linn.). Buack-BELLIED PLovER; BEETLE-HEAD. (See Fig. 25, c, 26, d.) Ad. in summer.—Upper parts black, bordered with white; tail white, barred with black; basal half of the inner web of the primaries white; sides of the head and neck and entire under parts, except the white lower belly and under tail-coverts, black. /m.—Upper parts black, the head and neck streaked, the back spotted with buffy yellow; tail and wings as in the adult; under. parts white, the breast and sides streaked with brownish gray. Winter plumage.—Similar to the preceding, but upper parts brownish gray, lightly margined with whitish. L., 11:00; W., 7:50; Tar, 1°90; B., 110: Remarks.—The rounded scales on the front of the tarsus and the presence of a fourth, although very small, toe distinguish this bird. Range.—Nearly cosmopolitan; breeds in the arctic regions, and in Amer- ica winters from Florida to Brazil. Long Island, common T. V., May 5 to June 5; Aug. 1 to Oct. 15. Sing Sing, A. V. Eggs, three to four, light buffy olive, spotted and speckled with dark brown and brownish black or deep black, 2°04 x 1:48 (Ridgw.). The following notes are abridged from Mr. Mackay’s extended ac- count of the habits of this species (Auk, ix, 1892, pp. 148-152). They are in a great degree tide birds, and seek a large part of their food on sand-flats left by the receding water. As the tide rises they resort to adjoining marshes or uplands, beaches, or the exposed crests of sand- bars. In migrating they fly in lines and also in ranks, like Ducks and Geese. When on the ground they usually run very fast for four or five yards, then stop, elevate the head, and look around. They strike at the object they are going to pick up and eat with a very quick motion. They have two calls: one of several notes, with the accent on the sec- ond one, is mellow, clear, and far reaching; the other is low, and is uttered when they are at ease and contented. PLOVERS. 173 272. Charadrius dominicus Mill. AmericAn GoLpEN PLover; GREENBACK. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts black, spotted and margined with golden yellow; tail brownish gray, indistinctly barred with whitish; sides of the breast white; rest of the under parts, including sides of the head, black; under wing-coverts ashy. Wanter pluwmage—uUpper parts and tail fuscous, spotted or barred with whitish or yellow; under parts whitish, more or less streaked or barred with brownish gray. L., 10°50; W., 7:00; Tar., 1:60; B., -90. | Remarks.—Immature birds are sometimes confused with those of the Black- bellied Plover, but, aside from differences of size and color, the absence of the fourth toe in the present species will always distinguish it. Range.—Breeds in the arctic regions; winters from Florida to Patagonia. Washington, rare and irregular T. V. Long Island, T. V., very rare in May; common from Aug. 15 to Nov. 10. Eggs, three to four, ochraceous-buff or buffy white, heavily marked with chocolate, 1°85 x 1:28. Golden Plovers frequent marshes, sandy hills, old fields, sand-flats exposed by the falling tide, plowed fields, and burned tracts which are free of trees and bushes. When on the ground they run rapidly and gracefully, and after alighting soon scatter. All their movements are quick, and after running a few yards they suddenly stop, hold their head erect, and look about them. In feeding they seem to strike at an object with a motion that reminds one of a Loon or Grebe begin- ning to dive. When a flock is approaching decoys, every bird seems to be whis- tling, uttering a note like coodle, coodle, coodle. Unlike the Black- bellied Plover, the young birds are wary and more difficult to decoy than the old ones. When driven from a favorite resting or feeding ground they generally return in a short time. (Abridged from Mr. George H. Mackay’s account of the habits of this species in The Auk, vili, 1891, pp. 17-24.) The Evropran GotpEN Puiover (271. Charadrius apricarius) occurs in eastern Greenland. It resembles our species, but has the under wing-coverts white instead of gray. 273. Agialitis vocifera (Zinn.). KriiprEer. Ad.—Forehead, a spot behind the eye, throat, and a ring around the neck, a band on the breast, lower breast, and belly white; front of the crown, lores, a ring around the neck, and a band on the breast black; crown and back grayish brown tipped with rufous; rump and upper tail-coverts rufous; inner tail-feathers grayish brown, outer ones becoming rufous and white, all tipped with black and white. mo i050: W.,6:50: Tar., 1°35; B.,, “75. Range.—North America north to Newfoundland and Manitoba, breeding throughout its range; winters from the lower Mississippi Valley and Vir- ginia to northern South America. 4 174 PLOVERS. Washington, P. R., most abundant in migrations. Long Island, not com mon T. V., recorded in every month but Jan. Sing Sing, rare T. V. in fall Sept. 28 to Oct. 25. Cambridge, A. V., two instances, Sept. Eggs, three to four, buffy white, spotted and scrawled with chocolate chiefly at the larger end, 1°50 x 1°10. In localities where this bird is common it is difficult to get beyond the reach of its notes. Lakesides, meadows, pastures, and cultivated fields all attract it, but it is more numerous in the vicinity of water. It is a noisy, restless bird, ranning rapidly when on the ground, and when on the wing flying swiftly and sometimes pursuing a most irregular course. As a rule it is found in flocks, which scatter when feeding but unite when taking wing. At the first sign of danger it utters its half-plaintive, half-petulant Ail/-dee, kill-dee, and when thor- oughly alarmed its outcry increases until, beside itself with fear, it reaches the limit of its vocal powers. Although by no means shy, the Killdeer never seems to gain confidence in man, and at his approach always gives voice to its fear. Even at night I have heard it cry out at some real or fancied danger. 2'74. gialitis semipalmata Lonap. Semrpatmatep PLover; Rine- NECK. (See Fig. 25, d, 26, ¢.) Ad. in summer.—Feathers at the base of the upper mandible, front of the crown, sides of the head be- low the eye, and a_ band on the breast, which gener- ally encircles the neck all around, black ; rest of under parts and a ring around the neck white; back of head and back brownish gray ; inner tail-feathers brownish gray, outer ones becoming gradually white; toes webbed at the base. Winter plum- age.—Similar, but the black replaced by brownish gray. df L., 6°75; W., £80; Tapes Fic. 65.—Semipalmated Plover. (Natural size.) B., °50. Range.—Breeds from Lab- rador to the shores of the Arctic Sea; winters from the Gulf States to Brazil. Washington, casual, three specimens, May; Aug. Long Island, common T. V., May; Aug. and Sept. Sing Sing, common T. V. in fall; Aug. 28 to Sept. 20. Cambridge, rare in spring; sometimes common in Aug. and Sept. Eggs, three to four, buffy white or creamy buff, spotted with chocolate, 130 x °90. PLOVERS. 175 This species frequents sandy beaches, mud-flats, and marshes. It is found generally in small flocks of five or ten individuals, which, unlike the Sand Oxeyes, do not feed in a compact body, but run rap- idly about, independently of one another. When they take wing, however, they close ranks at once and move as though governed by one desire. Their simple, sweet, plaintive call is one of the most characteristic notes heard on our shores. At noonday, when the heat waves are dancing over the marshes and even the twittering Oxeyes are silent, one may hear the cool, pure notes of this little Plover. Tuey may be written —-—+—. A third, shorter note is sometimes added. Even a whistled imitation of them takes me to the beaches. The Rine PLover (275. digialitis hiaticula), an Old-World species, is found in Greenland. It is similar to the preceding but slightly larger, the black band on the breast is wider, and there is no web between the inner and middle toes. 277. Zgialitis meloda (Ord). Pirtne Piover. Ad. in summer. —Upper parts pale whitish ashy; forehead, under parts, and a ring around the neck white; front of the crown and a band on either side of the breast black ; inner tail-feathers fuscous, outer ones becoming white. Winter plum- age.—Similar, but the black replaced by brownish gray. L., 7:00; W., 4°75; Par 85 5) B., «50. fange.—Eastern North America, breeding from Virginia to Newfound- land ; winters from Florida southward. Long Island, not uncommon 8. R., Mch. through Sept. Sing Sing, A. V. Eggs, three to four, creamy white, finely spotted or speckled with choco- late, 1°24 x -95. The Piping Plover resembles the Ring-neck in habits but not in notes. Mr. J. H. Langille writes that it **can not be called a ‘ whistler,’ nor even a ‘piper,’ in an ordinary sense. Its tone has a particularly striking and musical quality. Queep, queep, queep-o, or peep, peep, peep-lo, each syllable being uttered with a separate, distinct, and some- what long-drawn enunciation, may imitate its peculiar melody, the tone of which is round, full, and sweet, reminding one of a high key on an Italian hand organ or the hautboy in a church organ. It is always pleasing to the lover of Nature’s melodies, and in the still air of the evening it is very impressive.” 277a. 7. m. circumcincta Aidgw. Bettep Prerne PLover.— Closely resembles the preceding, from which it differs in having the bands yo either side of the breast joined, forming a continuous breastband. ftange.—Breeds from “ northern Illinois and Nebraska northward to Lake 176 PLOVERS. Winnepeg,” and eastward to the Magdalen and Sable Islands; winters from the Gulf southward. Casual on the Atlantic coast during the migrations. Long Island, A. V. in summer. 280. Zigialitis wilsonia (0rd). Wuson’s Piover. Ad. 6.— Lores, front of crown, and a band on the breast black; rest of under parts, forehead, and an indistinct ring on the nape white; sides of the head and nape sometimes with rufous markings ;. cheeks, erown, and back brownish gray ; inner tail-feathers fuscous, outer ones becoming white. Ad. 2 .—Similar, but black replaced by brownish gray. /m.—Similar to Q, but upper parts margined with grayish. L., 7°50; W., 450; Tar., 1:10; B., °80. Range.—America, breeding from Virginia to Central America; win- ters southward to Brazil; casual northward to Nova Scotia. Long Island, .A. V., in sum- Fic. 66.—Wilson’s Plover. (Natural size.) ™€T- Fqqs, three, creamy white, even- ly and rather finely spotted and speckled with chocolate, 1.42 x 1-08. This is a more strictly maritime species than the other representa- tives of this genus. Sandy beaches are its favorite resorts, but it is also found on mud-fiats exposed by the falling tide. Dr. Coues de- scribes its note as half a whistle, half a chirp, quite different from that of the preceding species. It is a gentle, unsuspicious bird, and when its nest is approached it runs about the intruder and begs as plainly as a bird can that he will not disturb its treasures. The Mountatn Prover (281. 4Zgialitis montana), a western species, is of accidental occurrence in Florida. The upper parts are grayish brown margined with rufous, the under parts are white tinged with buffy on the breast; in adults the front of the crown and lores are black. L., about 8°75; W., 5°75; Lars, 150th, “a, FAMILY APHRIZID2A. SURF BIRDS AND TURNSTONES. A small family of four species, three of which are found in North America, though but one of these visits our Eastern States. They are strictly maritime birds, frequenting only the seacoasts, where they prefer the outer beaches, TURNSTONES, OYSTER-CATCHERS. 177 283. Arenaria interpres (/inn.). Turnstrone; Brant Brirp; CaLico-BAck. Ad. in summer.—Upper parts, including wings, strikingly variegated with rufous, black, and white; tail white at the base, a black band near its end, and tipped with white; throat and breast black and white ; beliy white. Winter plumage.—Upper parts blackish, bordered with brownish gray or ashy ; lower back white ; longer upper tail-coverts white, shorter ones black; tail as in the adult; throat white, breast black margined with white, belly white. L., 9°50; W., 6:00; Tar., 95; B., 1:00. Range.—Nearly cosmopolitan ; breeds in the arctic regions, and in Amer- ica migrates southward to Patagonia. Washington, rare and irregular T. V. Long Island, common T. V. May ; Aug. and Sept. Sing Sing, A. V. Eggs, three to four, clay-color, blotched and scrawled with grayish brown, Poy eT. This strictly maritime species is found singly or in small flocks, generally on the outer beaches, where it obtains its food by turning over shells and pebbles in search of insects, crustaceans, etc. FAMILY HA2MATOPODIDA.. OYSTER-CATCHERS. The Oyster-catchers number ten species, represented in most of the warmer parts of the globe. But three species are found in North America, and only one of these occurs in the Hastern States. They are strictly maritime birds, and resort to the outer bars and beaches in search of clams, mussels, etc., exposed by the tide. Their strong bill is used as an oyster-knife to force open the shells of these bivalves. 286. Hzmatopus palliatus Zemm. AmerRIcAN OysTER-CATCHER. Ad.—Head, neck, and upper breast glossy black, back and wing-coverts olive- brown, secondaries white, primaries fuscous, upper tail-coverts white, base of the tail white, end fuscous, lower breast and belly white. Jm.—Similar, but head and neck blackish and upper parts more or less margined with buffy. L., 19°00; W., 10°50; Tar., 2°40; B., 3°40. Range.—Seacoasts of temperate and tropical America, from New Jersey and Lower California to Patagonia; occasional or accidental on the Atlantic coast north to Massachusetts and Grand Menan. Long Island, A. V. | Eqqs, three to four, buffy white or creamy buff, rather evenly spotted and blotched with chocolate, 2°20 x 1°55. A not uncommon species from southern New Jersey southward ; confined exclusively to the coast. It agrees in habits with other mem- bers of this small family. The Evropean OystEr-cATcHER (285. Hamatopus ostralegus) is of acci- dental occurrence in Greenland. 13 178 GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. ORDER GALLINZ. GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. FAMILY TETRAONIDA. (GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. Of the two hundred species contained in this family, one hundred belong in the subfamily Perdicune or Old-World Partridges and Quails, sixty in the subfamily Odontophorine or New-World Par- tridges and Bob-whites, and twenty-five in the subfamily Tetraonine or Grouse, inhabiting the northern parts of the northern hemisphere. Generally speaking, these birds are non-migratory, though there are some striking exceptions among the Perdicinw. After the nesting season they commonly gather in “coveys” or bevies, usually composed of the members of but one family. In some species these bevies unite or “pack,” forming large flocks. As a rule, they are terrestrial, but may take to trees when flushed, while some species habitually call and feed in trees. They are game birds par excellence, and, trusting to the concealment afforded by their dull colors, attempt to avoid detec- tion by hiding rather than by flying, or, in sportsman’s phraseology, “lie well toa dog.” Their flight is rapid and accompanied by a start- ling whirr, caused by the quick strokes of their small, concave, stiff- feathered wings. KEY TO THE SPECIES. A, Tarsibare . . . . . . 289. Bos-wnire. 289a. FLoripa Bos-wuitTE. £. Upper third or half of tarsi feathered. 300. RuFFED GRousE. 3800a. CANADA RUFFED GROUSE. C. Tarsi entirely feathered, toes bare. . a. With bunches of elongated, stiffened feathers springing from either side oftheneck: . . . .'. . . » 805, Pramm Hey. 506; ofeeeeeeeeee 6. Feathers of neck normal. 61. Outer web of primaries spotted with white. 3086. PRAIRIE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. 62, Primaries not spotted with white . . . . . 298. Canapa Grouse. D. Tarsi and toes entirely feathered . . . . . 301. Prarmiean and races. 289. Colinus virginianus (Zinzn.). Bos-warre; Quart; Parrripes. Ad. 4 in winter.—Upper parts varying from reddish brown to chestnut; in- terscapulars with broken and sometimes complete black bars; inner vane of tertials widely margined with cream-buff; rump grayish brown, finely mottled, and with a few streaks of blackish; tail ashy gray, the inner feath- ers finely mottled with buffy ; front of the crown, a band from the bill to be- neath the eye, and a band on the upper breast black; throat and a broad line from the bill over the eye white; sides rufous-chestnut, margined with black and white; lower breast and belly white barred with black. Ad. 9 in win- ter.—Similar, but the throat and line over the eye, forehead, and lores pale ochraccous-buff; little or no black on the upper breast. Szmmer examples GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. | 179 of both sexes have the crown blacker, the buffy markings generally paler. L., 10:00; W., 450; T., 2°50; B. from N., 35. Range.—Eastern North America, from southern Maine and Minnesota southward to the Gulf of Mexico; resident wherever found. Washington, common P. Rk. Sing Sing,common P. R. Cambridge, com- mon P. k. Nest, on the ground, in grassy fields. ygs, ten to eighteen, white, 1-20 x “95. Taking the Old-World species of the genera Coturniz and Caccabis as the types respectively of Quails and Partridges, neither of these lat- ter names can properly be applied to our Colinus, which should there- fore be known under the distinctive title Bob-white. During the nesting season Bob-whites are distributed in pairs through clearings and cultivated fields. The members of a brood constitute a bevy or covey, though occasionally two families or broods are found in one bevy. In the fall they frequent grain fields, but as winter approaches draw in toward thickets and wooded bottom-lands, sometimes passing the coldest weather in boggy alder swamps. They roost on the ground, tail to tail, with heads pointing outward ; a bunch of closely huddled forms—a living bomb whose explosion is scarcely less startling than that of dynamite manufacture. Like most grass-inhabiting birds whose colors harmonize with their surroundings, Bob-whites rely on this protective resemblance to escape detection, and take wing only asa last resort. Sometimes they take refuge in trees, but usually they head for wooded cover, where they remain if the growth is dense, but if it is open they generally run the moment they touch the ground. About May 1 they begin to pair, and rival males may then be seen battling for mates like diminutive gamecocks. The name “ Bob-white” originated in the spring call of the male. Mounting a fence or ascending to the lower branches of a tree, he whistles the two clear musical, ringing notes Bob-white ! Sometimes they are preceded by a lower one which can be heard only when one is near the singer. After the breeding season. when the birds are in bevies, their notes are changed to what sportsmen term “scatter calls.” Not long after a bevy has been flushed and perhaps widely scattered, the members of the disunited family may be heard signaling to one another in sweet minor calls of two and three notes. When excited they also utter low, twittering notes. 289a. C. v. floridanus (Cowes). Fiortpa Bos-wuiTE; Quart; Par- TRIDGE.—Similar to the preceding, but smaller, the plumage throughout darker, the black of the back more extensive, the ramp and upper tail-coverts grayer, 180 GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. the black throat-band wider and sometimes reaching down upon the breast, ’ the rufous-chestnut of the sides more extensive, the black bars of the breast and belly much wider. L., 8:50; W., 4:40; T., 2°50. Range.—F lorida, except the northern border of the State. A common bird throughout the pine-grown portions of the Florida peninsula. It is especially numerous on old plantations, where it fre- quents patches of “cow peas.” It resembles the northern Bob-white in habits, but is, I think, more inclined to take to the trees when flushed. I have seen a whole covey fly up into the lofty pine trees, where, squatting close to the limbs, they became almost invisible. They begin to pair early in March. The European or Migratory Quatt (Coturnix coturnix) has been intro-. duced into this country on several occasions, but does not appear to have sur- v-ved. 298. Dendragapus canadensis (Zinn.). Canapa Grouse; SPRUCE PartTRIpDGE. Ad. 6.—Upper parts barred with black, ashy, gray, and grayish brown; tertials and wing-coverts irregularly marked with fuscous and grayish brown; tail black, tipped with rufous; the black throat separated from the black breast by a broken circular band of black and white and a band of the same color as the back of the neck; sides mottled with black and grayish brown, the ends of the feathers with white shaft streaks; rest of the under parts black, broadly tipped with white, except on the middle of the lower breast; bare skin above the eye bright red in life. Ad. 9.—Upper parts barred with black and pale rufous and tipped with ashy gray; tail black, mottled and tipped with rufous; throat and upper breast barred with pale rufous and black; sides mottled with black and pale rufous, the ends of the feathers with white shaft streaks; rest of the under parts black, broadly tipped with white and more or less washed with pale rufous. L., 15°00; W., 6°50; T., 4:75; B. from N., -40. Range.—From northern New England, northern New York, and northern Minnesota northwestward to Alaska. Nest, on the ground. Zgqs, nine to sixteen, buffy or pale brownish, more or less speckled or spotted with deep brown, 1°71 x 1:22 (Ridgw.). This species is a common inhabitant of coniferous forests, and is generally resident wherever found. An excellent account of its habits is given in Captain Bendire’s Life Histories of North American Birds, p. ol. 300. Bonasa umbellus (Zinn.). Rurrep Grouse; PARTRIDGE; Preasant. Ad. 6.—Prevailing color of the upper parts rufous, much varie- gated with black, ochraceous, buffy, gray, and whitish ; sides of the neck with large tufts of broad, glossy black feathers; tail varying from gray to rufous, irregularly barred and mottled with black, a broad black or brownish band near the end; tip gray; throat and breast ochraceous-buff, a broken blackish band on the breast; rest of the under parts white, tinged with buffy and aoa aa we Ele, 2 RUFFED GROUSE AND YOUNG, GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. 181 ~ barred with blackish or dark grayish brown, the bars indistinct on the breast and belly, stronger on the sides. Ad. ?.—Similar, but with the neck tufts very small. L:, 17:00; W., 7:25; T., 6°25; B. from N., °52. Range.—Eastern United States, from Vermont to Virginia, and along the Alleghanies to northern Georgia. Washington, not common P. Rk. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, common P. R. Nest, on the ground, at the base of a stump or tree, or beneath brush. Eggs, eight to fourteen, pale ochraceous-buff, 1°52 x 1:13. Of all the characteristics of this superb game bird, its habit of drumming is perhaps the most remarkable. This loud tattoo begins with the measured thump of the big drum, then gradually changes and dies away in the rumble of the kettle-drum. It may be briefly rep- resented thus: Thump——thump thump—thump, thump ; thump, thump-rup rup rup rup r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r. The sound is produced by the male bird beating the air with his wings as he stands firmly braced on some favorite low perch; and it is now quite well known to be the call of the male to the female; an announcement that he is at the old rendezvous—a rendezvous that has perhaps served them for more than one season, and a place that in time becomes so fraught with delight- ful associations that even in autumn or winter the male, when he finds himself in the vicinity, can not resist the temptation to mount his wonted perch and vent his feelings in the rolling drum-beat that was in springtime his song of love. But now, alas! there is no lady Grouse to come, shy but responsive, at the sound of his reverberating sum- mons. There is good reason for supposing that the Ruffed Grouse is po- lygamous, and that the male, if he drums in vain at one place, will fly to another retreat and there seek the society of some more compli- ant female. The young Grouse can run about as soon as they are hatched, and ean fly well when about a week old. Their mother is celebrated for the variety of expedients she puts in practice to save her brood from threat- ened danger, and their father has frequently been known to divide the charge with her. The young usually continue with their parents till the following spring, though it is rare at this time to see more than three or four surviving out of the original twelve or fourteen. The food of this Grouse is largely insects and berries during the summer; in the autumn it adds seeds to the list, and when the ground is covered with snow the staples are catkins, leaves, and buds. Its toes are provided during the winter with a curious fringe of strong, horny points which act as snowshoes. In the northern part - of its range this bird commonly burrows into a snowdrift to pass the night during the season of intense cold; but in the summer and in 182 GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETO, the warmer region of its range it roosts epee: among the thickets of evergreen.—ERNEsT K, ‘THOMPSON. 300a. B. u. togata (Linn.). Canaptan Rurrep Grouse; Par- TRIpGk.—To be distinguished from the preceding by the prevailing color of the upper parts, which are gray instead of rufous, and the more distinctly barred under parts, the bars on the breast and belly being nearly as well de- tined as those on the side; the tail is generally gray. Range.—Nova Scotia, northern half of Maine, northern Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York northward and westward to Hudson Bay and Oregon. 301. Lagopus lagopus (Linn.). Wittow Prarmiean. Ad. 6 in summer.—Prevailing color above rufous, or black thickly barred or mottled with rufous and buffy or whitish; tail fuscous, tipped with white; middle tail-coverts like the back; throat, breast, and sides like the head and neck; belly white. Ad. 9 in swmmer.—Similar to the male, but the bars both above and below broader and more numerous. Winter plumage.—Tail-feathers fus- cous as in summer, rest of the plumage white. L, 1500; W., 7:50; T., 4:40; B. from N., °42; depth of B. at N., 44. Remarks.—Both this species and its subspecies allent may be distinguished from our other Ptarmigans by their more rufous color and larger bills. Range.—* Northern portions of the northern hemisphere, south in winter; in America to Sitka, Alaska, the British Provinces, and occasionally within the northern border of the United States” (Bendire). Nest, on the ground. ggs, seven to eleven, varying from cream-buff to rufous, heavily spotted and blotched with blackish, 1°75 x 1:20. ao This abundant and characteristic arctic bird does not nest south of — central Labrador, but migrates southward in winter to the St. Law- rence, and has once been taken in northern New York and once in New Brunswick. An extended account of its habits will be found in Nelson’s Report on Natural History Collections made in Alaska, p. 131. It is quoted by Captain Bendire in his Life Histories of American Birds (p. 70), where will be found practically all we know concerning | the habits of this and the following members of this genus. 301la. L. 1. alleni Stejn. ALLEN’s Prarmican.—Differs from the pre- ceeding in having the “shafts of secondaries black, and quills (sometimes a few of the wing-coverts also) more or less blotched or mottled with dusky. Summer plumages and young unknown” (Ridgw.). Range.—Newfoundland. “It frequents rocky barrens, feeding on seeds and berries of the stunted plants that thrive in these exposed situations” (Merriam, Orn. and OGL, viii, 1883, p. 438). 302. Lagopus rupestris ((mel.). Rook Prarmiean; Rocker. Ad. $ in summer.—General color above grayish, the feathers black basally ; head GROUSE, BOB-WHITis, ETC. 183 and neck barred, and back marked with numerous fine wavy lines of gray and white or buffy; central tail-feathers like the back, outer ones fuscous, generally tipped with white; breast and sides like the head and neck; belly white. Ad. 9 in summer.—Above black, barred with ochraceous-buff and margined with grayish; middle tail-feathers the same, outer ones as in the male; middle of the belly white, rest of the under parts like the back, but with more ochraceous-butf. Winter plumage.—Lores black, outer tail-feathers as in summer, rest of the plumage white. W., 7°25; B. from N.,°35; depth of B. at N., °32. Range.—* Arctic America in general, southeastward to the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Anticosti), except the northern extremity of the peninsula of Labrador, and region thence northward, Greenland and Aleutian Islands” (Bendire). est, usually placed among the dwarf brush or sedge-covered patches of the tundras. Zyqgs, six to ten, pale cream or yellowish buff, sometimes with a vinaceous-rufous suffusion, spotted and blotched with clove-brown or dark claret-red, 1°65 x 1:18 (Bendire). “Tn its general manners and mode of living it is said to resemble albus [ = L. lagopus}, but does not retire so far into the wooded coun- try in the winter” (B., B., and R.). 302a. L. r. reinhardti (Brehm). Greentanp Prarmican. “ Sum- mer male.—Similar to corresponding stage of ZL. rupestris, but less regu- larly and coarsely barred above. Summer female.—Above chiefly black, this varied irregularly with pale grayish buff, mostly in form of borders to the feathers and spots along their edges, or occasionally imperfect bars, these lat- ter most distinct on wings, where the two colors are in about equal propor- tion ; lower parts light grayish buff, everywhere coarsely barred with black” (Ridgw.). Range.—Northern parts of Labrador northward to Greenland. “They prefer more open ground, and rarely straggle even into the skirts of the wooded tracts. The hillteps and barrens (hence often called the Barren Ground Bird) are their favorite resorts” (Turner). 3038. Lagopus welchi Brewst. Wetcn’s Prarmican. Ad. 6 in summer.—Upper parts black, the head and neck barred with white and cchra- ceous-buff, the back and wing-coverts finely and irregularly marked with wavy lines of buffy and white; tail grayish fuscous, the middle feathers tipped with white; throat white, foreneck like the hind neck, breast and sides like the back: rest of the under parts white. ¢.—Upper parts black, finely and irregularly barred with ochraceous-buff, grayish, and white; cen- tral tail-feathers like the back, others fuscous; foreneck, breast, and sides like the hind neck; belly white. Winter plumage.—White, tail fuscous, the central feathers tipped with white; lores black. W., 7:25; B. from N., °35; depth of B. at N., °32. Reemarks.—This species with Z. rupestris is to be distinguished from Lagopus lagopus by the ochraceous-buff instead of rufous markings, the fine 184 GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. grayish wavy bars on the upper parts, and the smaller bill. For a comparison of welchi with rupestris see Auk, 11, 1885, p. 198. Range.—Newfoundland. Nest and eggs unknown. “ According to Mr. Welch, these Ptarmigan are numerous in New- foundland, where they are strictly confined to the bleak sides and sum- mits of rocky hills and mountains of the interior” (Brewster, J. ¢.). 305. Tympanuchus americanus (feich.). Prairm Hen. Ad. é.—Upper parts barred with rufous and black and spotted with rufous ; sides of the neck with tufts generally composed of ten or more narrow, stiffened black feathers marked with buffy and rufous, their ends rownded, the skin beneath these tufts bare; tail rownded, fuscous, the inner feathers somewhat mottled with ochraceous-buff, tip white; throat buffy; breast and belly white, evenly barred with black. Ad. ?.—Similar, but the neck tufts much smaller and the tail barred with ochraceous-butf or rufous. L., 18:00; W., ¥-00; ‘T., 4-00; B, trom N., +52. Range.—Prairies of Mississippi Valley, south to Louisiana, west to north- ern Indian Territory, middle Kansas, Nebraska, and eastern North and South Dakota; east to Kentucky, Indiana, northwestern Ohio, southwestern Michi- gan, and southwestern Ontario; north to southern Manitoba (Bendire). Nest,on the ground. ygs, eleven to fourteen, buffy olive, sometimes finely speckled with brownish, 1°70 x 1:25. “This familiar game bird inhabits our fertile prairies, seldom fre- quenting the timbered lands except during sleety storms or when the ground is covered with snow. Its flesh is dark, and it is not very highly esteemed as a table bird. “During the. early breeding season they feed largely upon grass- hoppers, crickets, and other forms of insect life, but afterward chiefly upon our cultivated grains, gleaned from the stubble in autumn and the cornfields in winter; they are also fond of tender buds, berries, and fruits. They run about much like our domestic fowls, but with a more stately carriage. When flushed they rise from the ground with a less whirring sound than the Ruffed Grouse or Bob-white, and their flight is not as swift, but more protracted and with less apparent effort, flap- ping and sailing along, often to the distance of a mile or more. In the fall the birds collect together and remain in flocks until the warmth of spring quickens their blood and awakes the passions of love; then, as with a view to fairness and the survival of the fittest, they select a smooth open courtship ground (usually called a ‘ scratching ground’), where the males assemble at the early dawn to vie with each other in courage and pompous display, uttering at the same time their love call, a loud booming noise; as soon as this is heard by the hen birds desirous of mating they quietly put in an appearance, squat upon the > GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. 185 ground, apparently indifferent observers, until claimed by victorious rivals, which they gladly accept, and receive their caresses ” (Goss). 306. Tympanuchus cupido (Zinn.).. Hearn Hen.—Similar to the preceding, but the scapulars broadly tipped with buffy ; the neck tufts of less than ten feathers; these feathers pointed, not rounded, at the ends. Range.—Island of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. Jest, “in oak woods, among sprouts at the base of a large stump” (Brew- ster). Zggs, six to thirteen, “creamy buif in color, with a slight greenish tinge,” 1°73 x 1-29. In the early part of this century the Heath Hen was found locally throughout the Middle States, where, unlike its western representative, the Prairie Hen, it lived in wooded districts. It is now restricted to the island of Martha's Vineyard, an excellent illustration of the pro- tection afforded by an insular habitat. Mr. William Brewster, writing in 1890 (Forest and Stream, p. 188; see also p. 207), estimated that there were from one hundred and twenty to two hundred Heath Hens then on the island, but he has recently informed me that since then, owing to insufficient protection, they have been nearly exterminated. 308b. Pediccztes phasianellus campestris Ridgw. Prarrie SHARP-TAILED GrovusE. Ad. 6.—FPrevailing color of the upper parts ochra- ceous-buff, barred and irregularly marked with black; no neck tufts ; outer web of the primaries spotted with white; middle tail-feathers projecting about an inch beyond the others, ochraceous-buff and black; throat buffy; breast with V-shaped marks of black ; sides irregularly barred or spotted with black or buffy; middle of the belly white. Ad. ¢.—Similar, but smaller; the middle tail-feathers shorter. L.,17:50; W., 8°50; T.. 4:50; B. from N., -50. fange.— Western United States from New Mexico northward to Manitoba. east to Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Nest, on the ground. £gqs, eleven to fourteen, creamy buff or pale olive- brown, generally slightly spotted with fine, reddish brown markings, 1:65 x 1:22 (Bendire). This partially migratory species lives on the prairies during the summer and in wooded regions in the winter.