turn Company. $3.75. By BROOKS ATKINSON -•-^ KING now within hailing dis- L> tance of his seventieth birth- 1 day. Dr. Chapman, curato J-' of birds at the American Museum of Natural History, has set down the testament of unate life. In a world crowded wUn people who wear their lives 1C over tasks that do not m- terest them, Dr. Chapman has had the privilege of working at what he loves best. He has made a ca- reer of birds. He has pursued his devotions over wild and beautiful parts of the world, into jungles, across mountain ranges and at sea. He has lived out of doors. Nor has it been a selfish life, for Dr Chapman is no museum pedant. By his writings, which he mentions only in passing in his autobiog- raphy he has brought exact knowl edge of birds within the range of thousands of people who love them rhapsodically. He has invigorated the usefulness of museums. He has had enormous influence in pro- tecting birds against indiscrimi nate slaughter. In 1928 the Roose velt Memorial Association awarded a medal to Dr. Chapman in recog nition of his achievements in mak ing ornithology a popular subject. That was a wise award; it cele- brated a humane contribution to the beauty of daily living. "Birds * * * are nature's most eloquent expressions," Dr. Chapman re- marks in this volume. During the course of his life he has seen gen- eral ignorance of bird-life yielding to a widespread knowledge of their habits and loveliness, and in large part he is personally responsible for this enrichment of human awareness. It must give him great satisfaction to realize that. If his life has been fortunate he has re- turned payment in full by helping to make the lives of other people "rtunate all through the tremen- dous area of North America. Somewhere in the course of volume Dr. Chapman has a word , or two of counsel for the young- My standing advice to young birds will grow with his growth should adopt ornithology find incalculable wealth in the opportunity to go far m his cnosen field. To the question of how he can be assured that his, interests in birds will endure I answer, "Through his inability to overcome it." That is advice borne out by Dr Chapman's own career. How he came to be a bird man is the warm- est part of his autobiography, for birds chose him as much as he chose them. He was born in Eng' wood, where bird students still go afoot, particularly in the migration season, and he had a boy's love of hunting. Among other things he hunted birds; one of the first he ahot was an orchard oriole, which is still uncommon enough in thi vicinity to delight any one who sees it. Although he had at that tim no enthusiasm especially for bird the friends he made and the book he happened upon began to concen trate his interest in that field. H discovered through natural boyhoo development that birds were tremendous subject. By thumbin the pages of "Johnson's Natural History" he became acquainted wit the enormous diversity of orn thological life. After graduating from Englewoo Academy at the age of 16 he went to work for the American Exchange Bank of New York City, leaving home at 7:30 in the morning and returning toward evening. But his heart was more and more in the fields. He continued to form friend- ships that stimulated his random ornithology. He spent an Autumn vacation at Shinnecock Bay in quest of shore birds. He read "Wake-Robin," which aroused in him an emotional recognition of the beauty of the wood thrush's song. He learned how to prepare bird skins. One day, while he was out on business for the bank, he saw in the window of a book store (I think that it was Dodd, Mead & Co.) on the west side of Broadway at Eighth Street, an opened volume showing a frontis- piece in color of the anatomy of a pigeon facing a title-page which read "Key to North American Birds," Revised Edition, by El- liott Coues. That was a memora- ble day. I acquired that book, and for the first time learned that there were living students of birds worthy successors of Wil- son and Audubon. In spite of the American Ex- change Bank of New York City and its interminable drafts he was get- ting on, and his enthusiasm was gradually absorbing him. What fin- ished him for banking was Dr. C. Hart Merriam's call in Forest and Stream of Jan. 24, 1884. for volun- teers to observe and report on the Spring migration of birds. Chap- man volunteered. Dr. A. K. Fisher, in charge of the Atlantic Division, accepted him, and gave him the required professional instruction. Although the bank kept him en- gaged in civil pursuits from 7:30 in the morning to 6 at night he found time to go afield nearly every day from early March to late May. That is an amazing story of young enthusiasm bursting the dam; long as it is, it must be quoted here al- most in full, for it is typical of a young ornithologist's devotion to one of the mendicant professions: Fortunately, my environment permitted me to serve both birds and Mammon. At this time the station of West Englewood, on the West Shore Railroad, dis- tant about a half a mile from home, was in the heart of as good collecting ground as there was in the New York City region. The woods surrounding it stretched for miles north and south, forming a highway for the diurnal journeys of migrating birds. The numerous roads and farm lanes of the Phelps estate made them as easily penetrable as a park. A novice could not have found a better place in which to record the migration. From March 10 to May 23 fol- lowing, with the exception of Sundays and one day off, I went through the motions of a bank clerk, but for the whole period I lived, thought and dreamed the life of a bird student. Each morning I arose at daybreak. A cup of coffee, made the night be- fore and heated over an alcohol lamp while I dressed, helped me to swallow two slices of bread. Then with my gun I was off for the woods. My route was planned to bring me to the railroad sta- tion at 7:30, when the dress of the hunter was hurriedly changed for that of the bank clerk and I boarded the 7:39 train to begin what seemed like another exis- tence. At night, on returning from the city, if time permitted, I again went to the woods for a brief outing before dinner. After din- ner there were specimens to skin and notes to write, when, with- out urging, I went to bed as part of the preparation for the next day. * * * My report on the 1Q3 species re- corded from the restricted West Shore area was made out on the blanks supplied by the Division of Economic Mammalogy and Ornithology (now Bureau of Bi- ological Survey) of the United States Department of Agriculture and forwarded to Dr. Fisher. In due time came his official ac- knowledgment. The verdict of my initial adventure in ornithol ogy was in my hands. Had I suc- ceeded or failed? I hesitated to learn, and it was not until I had reached the seclusion of the orchard that I ventured to open it. I recall the apple tree under which I stood, when with inex- pressible elation I read that my report was the best one that had been received from the Atlantic district. That finished him for finance. When his normal progress in the banking business increased his re- Frank M. Chapman on Barro Colorado Island. sponsibilities and threatened to take more of his time he formally resigned and gave himself up to birds completely. "Gave" is the proper word. Although he found professional ornithologists only too £lad to accept his services in sorting out bird skins at the museum, there are no computable profits in or- nithology to distribute among the shareholders. It was partly luck that brought Chapman a museum appointment as Dr. J. A. Allen's assistant in 1888. But he was the man for the job. Now the name Chapman is synonymous with birds to thousands of plodding bird lov- ;rs in this country. Possibly it is lacking in propor- tion to devote so much of a review to the early years of Dr. Chapman's career. In the forty years since then his experiences have been varied as one of the museum's bird emissaries. He has searched the West Indies, Central America and most of South America for birds and knowledge of birds. In the company of Louis Agassiz Fuertes, who was one of the great ones, he has crossed the Andes and camped in strange places. He has lectured before the world's elect and walked with the late Lord Grey. Once, while he was working at the Brit- ish Museum. W. H. Hudson, "tall, slender, reserved," came to pay his respects. It would be exhilarating to learn more about the greatest literary genius that bird watching has yielded, but Dr. Chapman has only a slight paragraph for him among the dinners and lectures of that busy time. The life of the world distracts a bird lover from the things he values as true. In the last chapter, describ- ing Fuertes House on Barro Colo- rado Island in the Canal Zone, Dr. Chapman gets back to experiences that lie close to an ornithologist's heart. For Fuertes House is a one room cottage in the jungle with openings cut to the water's edge, and there Dr. Chapman goes alont to watch and to listen and to glidt silently along the shore in a canoe. He has a deep affection for that re- treat; he is ripe for the peace it provides: Here, with no other human ele- ment intervening, one can come as close to nature as one's own nature will permit. Whatever there may be for me in the mel- low fluting of the tinamous and strange medley of the wood quails I am free to receive. It would indeed be a rare companion with whom one could share these pleasures. Nor can one enter into close communion when the Demon of Time is behind him. Here one may live wholly in the present without mortgaging the morrow. In the world, every hour is a hostage to the next. Here one may think of the future with some, assurance that it will be a lineal descendant of the present. MRS. FRANK CHAPMAN, FOUNDER OF CLUBS, 84 Mrs. Fannie M. Bates Chapman, wife of Dr. Frank M. Chapman, former curator of birds at the American Museum of Natural His- tory, died yesterday in a hospital at Asheville, N. C., after a long ill- ness, according to word received here. Her age was 84. Sharing her husband's interest in birds — he headed the museum's ornithology department from 1908 until his retirement several years ago — Mrs. Chapman accompanied him many times on explorations in South America. It was said she was a competent bird-skinner. She was a member of the Women's Ex- plorers Club. Because of her knowledge of Latin America Mrs. Chapman was named during the first World War to head the women's division of the American Red Cross in South America and toured the continent on behalf of the organization. She was born in Scarsdale, N. Y., the daughter of Alfred S. Bates and Lucy Whitney Bates, in the house occupied by Bates families since late in the seventeenth cen- tury. Mrs. Chapman was the founder and first president of the Garden Club of the Canal Zone, the Gar- den Club of Onteora, N. Y., and the Garden Club of Englewood. Be- fore the first World War she was president of the Women's Club of Englewood and a leader in the movement that formed the Fed- erated Women's Clubs of New Jer- sey and in the "Save the Pali- sades" movement conducted by the Federated Woman's Clubs. Mrs. Chapman was active also in prison reform in New Jersey and New York. Besides Dr. Chapman, to whom she was married in 1898, she leaves a son, Capt. Frank M. Chapman Jr. of the Marines, singer and hus- band of Gladys Swarthout, Metro- politan Opera singer, and two sons and two daughters by a former marriage to Aymar Embury, law- yer, now dead, Aymar Embury 2d, New York architect; Alfred Bates Embury, Mrs. Lucy Embury Hub- bell and Mrs. Suaar Embury Cleg- horn. FRANK M. CHAPMAN, Bird Lover — Nearly thirty years ago Mr. Frank M. Chapman took a bird census in the shopping district of New York. On the hats worn by women he was able to identify the remains of one hundred and sixty- three native birds, representing forty species. It is largely because of his subse- quent efforts, and of those of others like him, that a similar census to-day would be somewhat less distressing to the friends of native birds. Birds of many sorts abound in the neighborhood of Englewood, New Jersey, where Mr. Chapman was born and where he has always made his home : and he cannot remember the time when he was not a birdologist. Since 1887 he has been connected with the Ameri- can Museum of Natural History in New York, for the last eighteen years as curator of ornithology, and has made many expeditions in North and South America, study- ing birds and their geographical and topographical surroundings, always keeping in view the rela- tion of bird life to human life. In this connection he has written : "That science which is sufficient unto itself has no excuse for its existence. If our studies of birds have no bearing on the progress and welfare of mankind they art- futile. That they have such a bearing, and in an exceptional de- gree, we know to be undeniable ; it is obviously, therefore, the func- tion of the Museum to demonstrate this connection in such a manner as to render apparent the bird's place in nature and its relation to man." Mr. Chapman has written many works on his specialty, the most popular being, "Bird-Life, a Guide to the Study of Our Com- mon Birds," and is editor of that successful magazine, "Bird Lore," which he founded in 1899. Because he knows that birds are friends of man, Mr. | "rank M. Chapman is the fast friend of birds Dr. Frank M. Chapman Ornithologist Dead, 81 NEW YORK, Nov. 16 (AP>— Dr. Frank M. Chapm )S, 81, curator of birds at the American Museum of Natural History, died last night at St. Luke's Hospital. Known as the "dean of American ornithologists," Dr. Chapman did much to popularize the study of birds. His "Handbook of the Birds of Eastern North America," published in 1895 and reprinted many times, still is considered a standard work. Other books included "Bird Studies with a Camera," "Our Winter] Birds," "What Bird Is That?" "Au- tobiography of a Bird-Lover," "My Tropical Air Castle" and "The War- blers of North America," /^y i BOB-WHITE HANDBOOK OF BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA WITH KEYS TO THE SPECIES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THEIR PLUMAGES, NESTS, AND EGGS THEIR DISTRIBUTION AND MIGRATIONS AND A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THEIR HAUNTS AND HABITS WITH INTRODUCTORY CHAPTERS ON THE STUDY OF ORNITHOLOGY, HOW TO IDENTIFY BIRDS AND HOW TO COLLECT AND PRESERVE BIRDS THEIR NESTS, AND EGGS BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN ASSISTANT CURATOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MAMMALOGY AND ORNITHOLOGY IN THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, NEW YORK CITY; MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION, ETC. WITH FULL-PAGE PLATES IN COLORS AND BLACK AND WHITE AND UPWARD OF ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY CUTS IN THE TEXT SIXTH EDITION NEW YORK D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 1902 COPYRIGHT, 1895, BT D. APPLETON AND COMPANY. TO MY MOTHER WHO HAS EVER ENCOURAGED HER SON IN HIS NATURAL HISTORY STUDIES THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED 2050993 ae&&»e&e* A Giant Hummingbird Ha* Captured a Chilean Ruby-Crowned Hummingbird. J-'fitn a HmiviiiH liii Lavi* Af/ansi: h'ti»-rn \. PREFACE. IF 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 1 have tried to do this in a volume which could be taken afield in the pocket. I have not addressed an imaginary audience, nor have I given my prospective readers what, theoretically, I thought they ought to have, but what personal experience with students of birds has led me to believe would meet their wants. The preparation of this work has firmly convinced me that the poet would have been nearer the truth had he written " One touch of nature makes the whole world kind." In the succeeding pages I have attempted to express my appreciation of the assistance which natural- ist friends and associates have generously given me, but here I desire to especially thank Miss Florence A. Merriam, Dr. J. A. Allen, and Mr. Ernest E. Thompson for much valuable criticism and advice. FRANK M. CHAPMAN, AMERICAN MUSEUM OP NATURAL HISTORY, NEW YORK. CITY, January, 1395. CONTENTS. PAGE INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER I. — THE STUDY OK ORNITHOLOGY 1 Systematic Ornithology 2 Philosophic Ornithology 3 Economic Ornithology 6 Sentiment of Ornithology 8 CHAPTER II. — THE STUDY OF BIRDS OUT-OF-DOORS . . .10 How to Identify Birds 10 How to Find Birds 11 When to Find Birds 12 Tables of Migration 15 The Nesting Season 19 Note-books and Journals 20 CHAPTER III. — COLLECTING BIRDS, THEIR NESTS, AND EGGS . 23 Collecting Birds 23 Making Birdskins 24 Sexing Birds 27 Cataloguing and Labeling 28 Care of a Collection ». 29 Collecting and Preserving Nests and Eggs . . . .29 PLAN OF THE WORK 32 Nomenclature adopted 32 Definition of Terms 32 The Key to Families 32 The Keys to Species 34 Measurements 37 Range 37 Biographies 38 Illustrations 39 Color Chart 39 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 40 vii CONTENTS. PAGE THE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA EAST OF THE NINE- TIETH MERIDIAN ........ 41 KEY TO ORDERS AND FAMILIES ....... 41 I. ORDER PYGOPODES : Diving Birds ..... 56 1. Family Podicipidse : Grebes ..... 56 2. Family Urinatoridae : Loons ..... 58 3. Family Aleida): Auks, Murres, and Puffins . . 60 II. ORDER LONGIPENNES: LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS . . Go 4. Family Stercorariidje : Skuas and Jaegers . . .65 5. Family Laridae : Gulls and Terns . . . .67 6. Rynchopidae: Skimmers ...... 85 III. ORDER TUBINARES : TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS . . .86 7. Family Diomedeidx : Albatrosses . . . .86 8. Procellariidae : Petrels, Fulmars, and Shearwaters . 86 IV. ORDER STEGANOPODES : TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS . . 91 9. Family Phaethontidae : Tropic Birds. . . .91 10. Family Sulidse : Gannets ...... 92 11. Family Anhingidac : Darters ..... 93 12. Family Phalacrocoracidae : Cormorants . . .94 13. Family Pelecanidze: Pelicans ..... 95 14. Family Fregatidae : Man-o'-War Birds . .97 V. ORDER ANSERES : LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS . . 97 15. Family Anatidae : Ducks, Geese, and Swans . . 97 VI. ORDER ODONTOGLOSS^E : LAMELLIROSTRAL GRALLATORES 16. Family Phrenicopteridse : Flamingoes VII. ORDER HERODIONES : HERONS, STORKS, IBISES, ETC. . . 125 17. Family Plataleidre : Spoonbills ..... 125 18. Family Ibididae: Ibises ...... 126 19. Family Ciconiidae: Storks and Wood Ibises . . 127 20. Family Ardeidse : Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns . 128 VIII. ORDER PALUDICOL^E: CRANES, RAILS, ETC. . . . i:>7 21. Family Gruidae : Cranes ...... 137 22. Family Aramida; : Courlans ..... 138 23. Family RallidaD: Rails, Gallimiles, and Coots . . 139 IX. ORDER LIMICOL^: : SHORE BIRDS ..... 147 24. Family Phalaropodid;r : Phalaropes . . . . 147 25. Family Recurvirostridje : Stilts and Avocets . . 149 26. Family Scolopacidai : Snipes, Sandpipers, etc. . . 150 CONTENTS. jx PAOK 27. Family Charadriidse : Plovers 171 28. Family Aphrizidas : Turnstones, etc 176 29. Family Haematopodidas : Oyster-catchers . . . 177 X. ORDER GALLING: GALLINACEOUS BIRDS .... 178 30. Family Tetraonidae : Grouse, Bob-whites, etc. . . 178 31. Family Phasianidae : Pheasants, etc 185 XI. ORDER COLUMBJS: PIGEONS AND DOVES . . . .187 32. Family Columbidze : Pigeons and Doves . ... 187 XII. ORDER RAPTORES: BIRDS OF PREY 191 33. Family Cathartida?: American Vultures . . . 191 34. Family Falconidas: Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, etc. . 193 35. Family Strigidae : Barn Owls 213 36. Family Bubonidae: Horned Owls, Hoot Owls . . 213 XIII. ORDER PSITTACI : PARROTS, MACAWS, PAROQUETS, ETC. . 222 37. Family PsittacidaD : Parrots and Paroquets . . 222 XIV. ORDER COCCYGES : CUCKOOS, KINGFISHERS, ETC. . . 224 38. Family Cuculidae : Cuckoos 224 39. Family Alcedinidae : Kingfishers .... 226 XV. ORDER PICI : WOODPECKERS, WRYNECKS, ETC. . . . 227 40. Family Picidte : Woodpeckers 227 XVI. ORDER MACROCHIRES; GOATSUCKERS, HUMMINGBIRDS, SWIFTS, ETC 226 41. Family CaprimulgidaB : Nighthawks, Whip-poor- wills, etc 236 42. Family Micropodidae : Swifts 239 43. Family Trochilidae : Hummingbirds .... 240 XVII. ORDER PASSERES : PERCHING BIRDS 242 44. Family Tyrannidae : Flycatchers .... 242 45. Family Alaudidaa : Larks 252 46. Family Corvidae : Crows and Jays .... 253 47. Family Sturnidae : Starlings 259 48. Family Icteridae : Blackbirds, Orioles, etc. . . 260 49. Family Fringillidaes : Finches, Sparrows, etc. . . 271 50. Family Tanagridae : Tanagers 316 51. Family Hirundinidae : Swallows .... 318 52. Family Ampelidac : Waxwings 323 53. Family Laniidae : Shrikes 325 54. Family Vireonidae : Vireos 327 55. Family Mniotiltida? : Wood Warblers . . .333 x CONTEXTS. PAGE 56. Family Motacillidae : Wagtails and Pipits . . 875 57. Family Troglodytidae : Thrashers, Wrens, etc. . . 376 58. Family Certhiidae : Creepers 385 59. Family Paridas : Nuthatches and Titmice. . . 386 60. Family Sylviidae : Kinglets and Gnatcatchers . . 391 61. Family Turdidae : Thrushes, Bluebirds, etc. . . 394 APPENDIX : A Field Key to our Commoner Eastern Land Birds . 404 LIST OF PRINCIPAL WORKS REFERRED TO 411 INDEX 415 LIST OF ILLUSTKATIONS. FULL-PAGE PLATES. TO FACE PAOE BOB-WHITE ........ Frontispiece. COLOR CHART 39 PIED-BILLED GREBE AND YOUNG 57 HEADS OF DUCKS 97 LITTLE BLUE HERONS 135 CLAPPER RAIL 140 WOODCOCK AND YOUNG 153 SPOTTED SANDPIPER AND YOUNG 169 RUFFED GROUSE AND YOUNG 181 SPARROW HAWK AND YOUNG 211 HAIRY WOODPECKER; YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKEE . . . 229 WHIP-POOR-WILL 237 LEAST FLYCATCHER ; PHCEBE 245 BOBOLINK . 262 MEADOWLARK . . 265 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW; WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW . . 300 SONG SPARROW ; SWAMP SPARROW 306 YELLOW-THROATED VIREO; WARBLING VIREO .... 330 LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH 368 WOOD THRUSH ; WILSON'S THRUSH 395 FIGURES IN THE TEXT. FIGURE PAGE 1. A completed birdskin 28 2. Topography of a bird 33 3. (a) Spotted, (b) streaked, (c) barred, (d) margined feathers . 34 4. Rule showing inches and tenths 37 5. Feet of (a) Pied-billed Grebe, (b) Loon, (c) Puffin ... 41 6. (a) Bill of Parasitic Jaeger ; (b) bill and foot of Laughing Gull 41 7. Bill of Common Tern 42 8. Bill of Skimmer 42 xi xii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. FIGURE PAOK 9. (a) Bill and foot of Black-footed Albatross ; (b) bill and foot of Fulmar 42 10. Foot of Cormorant 43 11. Bill of Yellow-billed Tropic Bird . . . . . .43 12. Bill of Gannet 43 13. Bill of Anhinga 43 14. Bill of Cormorant 43 15. Bill of Man-o'-War Bird 43 16. Bill of Merganser 44 17. (a) Bill and foot of Mallard ; (b) foot of Canvasback . . 44 18. Bill of Flamingo 45 19. Bill and toe-nail of Little Green Heron 45 20. Bill of White Ibis 45 21. Bill of Roseate Spoonbill 45 22. (a) Bill and foot of Clapper Rail : bills of (b) Yellow Rail, (c) Sora, (d) Florida Gallinule ; (e) bill and foot of Coot . 46 23. Bill of Sandhill Crane 46 24. Bill of Limpkin 46 25. Bills of (a) Dowitcher, (b) Knot, (c) Black-bellied Plover, (d) Semipalmated Plover 47 26. Feet of (a) Red Phalarope, (b) Knot, (c) Dowitcher, (d) Black- bellied Plover, (e) Semipalmated Plover . . . .47 27. Bill of Ruffed Grouse .48 28. Bill of Wild Pigeon 48 29. Feet of (a) Barred Owl, (b) Red-shouldered Hawk ... 48 30. Head of Barn Owl . .48 81. Head of Barred Owl 48 32. Head of Turkey Vulture 49 33. Head of Red-shouldered Hawk 4!) 34. Bill and foot of Carolina Paroquet 40 35. Bill and foot of Belted Kingfisher 49 36. Bill and foot of Yellow-billed Cuckoo 49 37. (a) Bill and foot of Hairy Woodpecker, (6) foot of Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker 50 38. Bill and foot of Nighthawk 50 39. Bill and tail-feather of Chimney Swift 50 40. Bill of Hummingbird 50 41. Foot of Robin 51 42. Bill and wing of Phcebe 51 43. Bill and hind-toe of Horned Lark . . . . . .51 44. (a) Bill and wing of Blue Jay, (b) bill of Crow . . . 51 45. Bill and wing of Starling 52 LIST OP ILLUSTRATIONS. FIGURE PAGE 46. (a) Bill and wing of Baltimore Oriole ; bills of (b) Meadow- lark, (c) Purple Grackle 52 47. Bills of (a) Cardinal, (b) Pine Grosbeak, (c) Purple Finch, (d) Red Crossbill, (e) Seaside Finch, (/) Goldfinch . . 52 48. Bill of Scarlet Tanager .52 49. Bill and foot of Cliff Swallow 53 50. Head of Cedar Wax wing 53 51. Bill of Loggerhead Shrike ....... 53 52. Bill of Blue-headed Vireo 53 53. (a) Bill of Tennessee Warbler ; (b) bill, wing, and hind-toe of Pine Warbler; bills of (c) Redstart, (d) Water-Thrush; (e) Chat 53 54. Bill and hind-toe of American Pipit 54 55. (a) Bill of Brown Thrasher, (b) bill and wing of Catbird ; bills of (c) Carolina Wren, (d) House Wren . . . .54 56. Bill and tail of Brown Creeper 54 57. (a) Bill of White-breasted Nuthatch, (b) bill and wing of Chickadee 55 58. (a) Bill and wing of Golden-crowned Kinglet, (b) bill of Blue Gray Gnatcatcher 55 59. (a) Bill of Robin, (b) bill and wing of Bluebird ... 55 60. First primaries of (a) American Herring Gull, (b) Ring-billed Gull, (c) Laughing Gull, (d) Franklin's Gull, (e) Bona- parte's Gull 69 61. First primaries of (a) Caspian Tern, (b) Royal Tern, (c) Com- mon Tern, (d) Arctic Tern, (e) Royal Tern . . . .78 62. Head of Least Sandpiper 160 63. Head of Red-backed Sandpiper 161 64. Wing of Solitary Sandpiper 166 65. Head of Semipalmated Plover 174 66. Head of Wilson's Plover 176 67. Tail of Sharp-shinned Hawk 198 68. Tail of Cooper's Hawk 199 69. Primaries of Red-shouldered Hawk . . • . . . . 202 70. Primaries of Broad-winged Hawk 204 71. Foot of Golden Eagle 206 72. Foot of Bald Eagle 207 73. Tail-feathers of Yellow-billed Cuckoo 225 74. Tail-feathers of Black-billed Cuckoo 226 75. Head of Crested Flycatcher 245 76. Head of Prairie Horned Lark 253 77. Head of Cowbird . 263 xiv LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. FIGURE PACK 78. Head of Orchard Oriole 267 79. Head of Purple Finch 281 80. Head of Redpoll 285 81. Hind-toe of Lapland Longspur 289 82. Tail-feathers of Vesper Sparrow 290 83. Tail of Grasshopper Sparrow 293 84. Head of Seaside Sparrow 297 85. Head of Lark Sparrow 299 86. Head of Chipping Sparrow 302 87. Head of Fox Sparrow 309 88. Head of Dickcissel 315 89. Barn, Clirf, Tree, and Bank Swallows 318 90. Section of primary of Rough-winged Swallow . . . 323 91. Head of Red-eyed Vireo 328 92. Wing of Warbling Vireo 329 93. Head of Black and White Warbler 351 94. Head of Worm-eating Warbler 351 95. Head of Blue-winged Warbler . .- 351 96. Head of Golden-winged Warbler 351 97. Head of Parula Warbler 351 98. Head of Myrtle Warbler 351 99. Head of Magnolia Warbler 351 100. Head of Chestnut-sided Warbler 351 101. Black-throated Blue Warbler 354 102. Head of Black-poll Warbler 366 103. Head of Prairie Warbler 366 104. Head of Oven-bird 3G6 105. Head of Kentucky Warbler 366 106. Head of Maryland Yellow-throat 366 107. Head of Wilson's Warbler 366 108. Head of Hooded Warbler 366 109. Head of Canadian Warbler 366 110. Head of Yellow-breasted Chat . . . . • . . . 372 111. Head of Short-billed Marsh Wren 383 112. Head of Long-billed Marsh Wren 384 113. Head of Red-breasted Nuthatch 388 114. Head of Tufted Titmouse 389 115. Head of Golden-crowned Kinglet 392 A HANDBOOK OF THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. INTKODUCTION. CHAPTER I. THE STUDY OF ORNITHOLOGY. BIRDS, 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 2 SYSTEMATIC ORNITHOLOGY. The Science 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, genera, species, and subspecies are to be described and arranged in what appears to be the most natural manner. Thus all the Perching Birds, for example, are placed in the order Passeres, and tliis order is divided into numerous families — for instance, the Thrushes or family Turdidcf. But how are we to know which are Perching Birds and which of the Perching Birds are Thrushes ? The systematist answers, by studying a bird's structure. Generally speaking, orders and fami- lies are based on skeletal, muscular, and visceral characters which may be termed internal characters. Genera are based on the form of bill, feet, wings, and tail, or on external characters, while species and sub- species are based mainly on color and size. Thus all the members of a family or order agree more or less in their principal internal charac- ters: those of a genus agree in external characters, and the individ- uals of a species or subspecies resemble one another in color and size. The object of classification is to aid us in understanding not alone the relationships of one bird to another bird, or of one family or order of birds to another family or order, or even of living to extinct birds, but also to assist us in explaining the relationships of all the classes of the animal and vegetable kingdoms — mammals, birds, rep- tiles, fishes — and thus down the scale to the lowest forms of life. This systematic study of the relationships of birds has taught us that they have been evolved from reptilian ancestors. There is much evidence in support of this fact, but the most conclusive is furnished by the discovery in the lithographic slate of Solenhofen. Bavaria, of several specimens of a remarkable fossil, a reptilelike bird, which has been named Archceopteryx lith»hica. 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 to advantage. 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. Philosophic 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. S. Morse has said, " There is no group of animals which exceeds birds in varied and suggestive material for the evolu- tionist." Compare a Hummingbird with an Ostrich, a Swallow with a Penguin, and the enormous variation in the structure and habits of birds is brought very forcibly to our minds. When we remember that these widely divergent types descended from a reptilian ancestor, we are impressed anew with the truth of Prof. Morse's remark. A brief review of the more important branches of philosophic ornithology will show how rich a field is open to the student of birds. They are : (1) The oftgin of birds and their place in Nature ; * (2) their distribution in time and space, and the influences which determine their present ranges; f (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. A. Birds. t 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. t 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. 18881 : Chapman, Auk, v. 1888, pp. 87-39 ; xi, 1S94, pp. 12-17 : Loomis, Auk, ix, 1892, pp. 28-39 ; xi, 1P94, pp. 26-39, 94-117 ; Stone, Birds of E. Penn. and N. J., Bird Migration, pp. 15-28. 4. GEOGRAPHICAL RACES. of climate upon the color and size of birds;* (6) the relation of a bird's color to its haunts and habits, f Besides these general subjects which enter into our study of the life-history of every bird, we have the special instances of intelligent adaptation to changed conditions of life, and, most interesting of all. the relation between structure and habits, or the part played by a bird's habits in determining the form of its bill, feet, wings, and tail. Thus the Crook-billed Plover of New Zealand turns over or probes under stones and shells in search of food, not because its crooked bill makes an excellent lever or probe, but it has acquired a crooked bill through this habit. Again. thcGallinules 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- sophic 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 bweast narrowly barred with black. As we proceed southward it becomes smaller, the brown is of a deeper shade, the black bars of greater extent. Finally, when we have reached the humid region of southern Florida, the minimum in size is attained, the back is dark, rich chestnut barred with black, and the breast is almost wholly black. No one who compared this small, dark Florida Quail with the large, pale Quail of New England would consider them the same species. But on examining a series of Quails from all the Atlantic States one sees how gradually this change in color and decrease in size occurs, and that nowhere would it be possible to draw a line separating the two extremes. They are species in. process of formation still connected by a chain of natural links. Ornithology presents many similar cases. They illustrate two laws in the evolution of animals — decrease in size southward and greater * Read Part III of Dr. J. A. Allen's Mammals and Winter Birds of East Florida, Bull. Mus. Comp. ZoBl., vol. ii. No. 3. Cambridge. 1H71. t Consult Poulton's Colors of Animals (D. Appleton & Co., 1890) ; Bed- dard's Animal Coloration (Mncmillan & Co.) : Heeler's K volution of the Colors of North American Land-birds (Occasional Papers of California Academy of Sciences, Hi, 1893) ; also reviews of last two works in The Auk, x, 1893, pp. 189- 130, 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 of Colinus virginianus. But if through any change in the earth's sur- face the regions occupied by the large, light Quail and the small, dark one should be separated, the intermediates would disappear and in- stead of a race or subspecies we would have a full species — Colinus 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 vallevs which are easily distinguishable in clear weather. On favorable nights these natural highways of migration are thronged by a continuous stream of aerial voyagers passing from dusk until dawn. Looking through a telescope at the moon, one may see numbers of birds cross its glowing surface. From such observations it is com- puted that migrating birds fly at a height of from one to three miles. The eyesight of birds is so far superior to ours that we do not realize its value to them while migrating. The height at which they fly gives them command of a wide range of country, and on clear nights they can undoubtedly distinguish its prominent features with ease. But when fogs or clouds obscure these landmarks, they lose their way. It is then that lighthouses prove beacons luring them to destruction. The Bartholdi Statue, at the mouth of the Hudson River, is directly in the path of the great streams of migrants which flow up and down this natural highway of migration, and for this reason is particularly destructive to birds which travel at night. On one occasion after a storm no less than fourteen hundred birds were picked up at its base, having been killed by striking the statue or pedestal upon which it rests. But while sight is of the first importance to the older and more experienced birds who know the way, ygung 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 tis would be inaudible. Almost invariably they respond to an imitation of their notes, and, when under way, frequently chirp and call. When we consider their power of hearing and their abundance in routes of migration, it seems probable that at no time during the night is a bird beyond the hearing of his fellow-travelers. The line of flight once established, therefore, by the older birds, who leave first, it becomes a comparatively easy matter for the younger birds to join the throng. Economic Ornithology. — This branch of the study of ornithology troats of the relationships of bird to man from the standpoint of dollars and cents. Civilized man is Nature's worst enemy. lie is a 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 2'3d of June, 1885, the Legislature of Pennsylvania passed an act known as the ' scalp act,' ostensibly ' for the benefit of agriculture,' which provides a bounty of fifty cents each on hawks, owls, weasels, and minks killed within the limits of the State, and a fee of twenty cents to the notary or justice taking the affidavit. " By virtue of this act about $90,000 has been paid in bounties during the year and a half that has elapsed since the law went into effect. This represents the destruction of at least 128,571 of the above-mentioned animals, most of which were hawks and owls. " Granting that 5,000 chickens are killed annually in Pennsylvania by hawks and owls, and that they are worth twenty-five cents each (a liberal estimate in view of the fact that a large proportion of them are killed when very young), the total loss would be 1,250, and the poultry killed in a year and a half would be worth $1,875. Hence it appears that during the past eighteen months the State of Pennsylvania has expended $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 per annum. 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 vear and a half. 8 SENTIMENT OP 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 $3,857,130. 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 $2,105 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 l>etween legislation based upon information derived from such reports and that based solely on ignorant preju- dices. The, Sentiment of Ornithology. — We may accept as true Prof. Morse's estimate of the value of birds to the scientist ; we need not question their importance in the economics of Nature, but we are still far from recognizing the possibilities of their influence upon our lives. An inherent love of birds is an undeniable psychological fact which finds its most frequent expression in the general fondness for cage- birds. If we can learn to regard the birds of the woods and fields with all the affection we lavish on our poor captives in their gilded homes, what an inexhaustible store of enjoyment is ours ! It is not alone the beauty, power of song, or intelligence of birds which attract us, it is their human attributes. Man exhibits hardly a trait which he will not find reflected in the life 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 rnb SENTIMENT OF ORNITHOLOGY. 9 Wordsworth's verses of their birds, how sadly mutilated what re- mained would be 1 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 pas? beyond our ken, but our list of acquaint- ances in the bird world increases to the end and shows no vacancies. The marsh the Blackbirds loved may become the site of a factory, but no event on the calendar is more certain than that in due time and place we shall hear the tinkling chorus of the epauleted minstrels rising and falling on the crisp morning air. " . . . . Time may come when never more The wilderness shall hear the lion roar ; But, long as cock shall crow from household perch To rouse the dawn, soft gales shall speed thy wing, And thy erratic voice be faithful to the spring ! " The woods of our youth may disappear, but the Thrushes will always sing for us, and their voices, endeared by cherished associa- tions, arouse echoes of a hundred songs and awaken memories before which the years will vanish. CHAPTER II. THE STUDY OF BIRDS OUT-OF-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 boon 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. Kven if we have the desire to resort to a gun its use is not always possible. Hut with patience and practice the identification of birds is a comparatively easy matter, and in the end you will name them with surprising case and certainty. There is generally more character in the flight of a bird than there is in the gait of a man. Both arc frequently inde- scribable but perfectly diagnostic, and you learn to recognize bird friends as you do human one>— by experience. If you confine your studies to one locality, probably not more than one third of the species described in this volume will come within the field of your observation. To aid you in learning which species should be included in this third, the paragraphs on h'nni/c 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 In- 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. Thcso "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. 8. 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 V\"m. 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. 11 After this slight preparation you may take to the field with a much clearer understanding of the situation. Two quite different ways of identifying birds are open to you. Either you may shoot them, or study them through a field- or opera-glass. A " bird in the hand " is a definite object whose structure and color can be studied to such ad- vantage that in most cases you will afterward recognize it at sight. Alter learning the names of its parts, its identity is simply a question of keys and descriptions. If you would " name the birds without a gun," by all means first visit a museum, and, with text-book in hand, study those species which you have previously found are to be looked for near your home. This preliminary introduction will serve to ripen your acquaintance in the field. A good field- or opera-glass is absolutely indispensable. A strong opera-glass with a large eye-piece is most useful in the woods, while a field-glass is more serviceable in observing water-birds. Study your bird as closely as circumstances will permit, and write on the spot a comparative description of its size, the shape of its bill, tail, etc., and a detailed description of its colors. In describing form take a Robin, Chipping Sparrow, or any bird you know, which best serves the pur- pose, as a basis for comparison. A bird's bill is generally its most diagnostic external character. A sketch of it in your note-book will frequently give you a good clew to its owner's family. It is of the utmost importance that this description should be written in the field. Not only do our memories sometimes deceive us, but we really see nothing with exactness until we attempt to describe it. Haunts, ac- tions, and notes should also be carefully recorded. This account is your " bird in the hand," and while you can not hope to identify it as easily as you could a specimen, you will rarely fail to learn its name, and experience will render each attempt less difficult than the pre- ceding. How to Find Birds. — The best times of the day in which to look for birds are early morning and late afternoon. After a night of fasting and resting, birds are active and hungry. When their appe- tites are satisfied they rest quietly until afternoon, hunger again send- ing them forth in search of food. Chapters on Geographical Distribution and Migration, prepared under the Direc- tion of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, by Witmer Stone, Conservator Ornithological Section Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 8vo, pp. 185, two diagrams, two maps. 352 species. Price, $1. 3. An Annotated List of the Birds known to occur within Fifty Miles of New York City, by Frank M. Chapman. Published by the American Museum of Natu- ral History, New York city, as a guide to its collection of local birds. 8vo, pp. 100, 36 cuts, 4 full-page plates, 348 species. For sale at the Museum. Price, 15 cents. 12 WHEN TO FIXD 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 Minis.— During the year the bird-life of temperate and boreal regions fluctuates with the changing seasons. Birds may thus be classed in the following groups according to the manner of their occurrence : Permanent residents are birds found in one locality throughout the year. Summer resident- 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, ix-Ruffed Grouse, Flicker, Red-shouldered Hawk, v Blue Jay, Red-tailed Hawk, - Crow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Meadowlark, Barred Owl, American Goldfinch, Long-eared Owl, Purple Finch, Screech Owl, Song Sparrow, Great Horned Owl, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, '•- Chickadee, and occasionally the Waxwing, Bluebird, and Robin pass the winter. To these should be added the following more or less common winter visitant land-birds : Saw-whet Owl, Tree Sparrow, Horned Lark, Junco, Snowflake, Northern Shrike, Lapland Longspur, Winter Wren, Redpoll, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Crossbill, Brown Creeper. White-throated Sparrow, Let us now begin with the opening of the spring migration and briefly review the ornithological year. In the vicinity of New York city the first birds arrive from the south late in February or early in March. There is much variation in the coming of these early birds. Later, when the weather is more settled, migrants arrive within a few days of a given date. In April most of our winter visitants leave for the north. The current of migration grows steadily stronger until about May 12, when high-water mark is reached. Then it rapidly subsides and the spring migration is practically over by June 1. The winter visitants have gone, the great army of transients has passed us, and our bird population is now composed of permanent residents with the addition of about ninety summer residents. Nesting-time has arrived, and birds which for nearly a year have been free to go and come as inclination directed, now have homes where, day after day, they may be found in tireless attendance upon the nest and its treasures. Courtship, the construction of a dwelling, the task of incubation, and care of the young, all tend to stimulate the characteristic traits of the bird, and at no other time can its habits be studied to better advantage. But resident birds begin building long before the migration is con- 14 THE ORNITHOLOGICAL YEAR. eluded. The Great Horned Owl lays in February, other birds in March and April ; still, the height of the breeding season is not reached until June 1. Another period in the avian year closely connected with the spring migration and nesting-time is the song season. Near New York city it is inaugurated late in February by the Song Sparrow. Voice after voice is added to the choir, and in June our woods and fields ring with the chorus so dear to lovers of Nature. By the middle of July it is on the wane, and early in August it is practically over. Some birds have a brief second song season in the fall, but as a rule it lasts only a few days — it is a farewell to their summer homes.* August is a most discouraging month to the student of birds. Birds leave their accustomed haunts and retire to secluded places to renew their worn plumages. They are silent and inactive, and there- fore difficult to find. Late in the month they reappear clad in travel- ing costumes and ready fur their southern journey. One by one they lea\e us and then- 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 underway; it reaches its height between the 20th and last of the month, when most of the win- ter ]v>idonts arrive, and from this time our bird-life rapidly deer 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 Ring- ing of our Birds." The Auk, i, 1884, pp. 60-71, 126-140, 209-218, 322-332 ; ii, 1885, pp. 144-1W, 24S>-2G2. THE SPRING MIGRATION. 15 SPRING MIGRATION. Date of arrival. Date of departure. Feb. 15-Mar. 10. Purple Grackle November 1-30. Kusty Blackbird April-May. Keel-winged Blackbird November 1-30. i-^Robin .November 1-30. Bluebird November 1-30. March 10-20. Woodcock November 1-30. Phoebe October 20-30. Meadowlark November 1-30. Cowbird November 1-30. x/Fox Sparrow April 1-15. March20-31. Wilson's Snipe May 1-10. Kingfisher November 1-30. Mourning Dove November 1-30. Swamp Sparrow November 1-30. Field Sparrow November 1-30. April 1-10. Great Blue Heron November 1-30. Purple Finch November 1-30. Vesper Sparrow November 1-30. Savanna Sparrow May 1-15. ^Chipping Sparrow November 1-30. Tree Swallow May 15-31. Myrtle Warbler May 10-20. American Pipit April 15-25. Hermit Thrush April 25-May 10. April 10-20. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker April 20-30. Barn Swallow October 1-10. Yellow Palm Warbler April 25-May 10. Pine Warbler May 1-10. Louisiana Water Thrush September 20-30. Euby-crowned Kinglet May 1-15. April 20-30. Green Heron October 10-20. Spotted Sandpiper September 20-30. Whip-poor-will October 10-20. v^Chimney Swift October 1-10. Least Flycatcher October 1-10. Towhee October 20-30. Blue-headed Vireo May 10-20. Purple Martin September 20-30. Cliff Swallow October 1-10. Bank Swallow October 1-10. Kough-winged Swallow September 1-10. Black and White Warbler October 1-10. Black-throated Green Warbler May 15-25. Oven-bird October 1-10. House Wren October 10-20. Brown Thrasher . . . . October 10-20. 16 THE SPRING MIGRATION. Date of arrival. Date of departure. April iiO-30. Catbird October 10-20. Wood Thrush October 1-10. May 1-10. Solitary Sandpiper May 15-25. Yellow-billed Cuckoo October 1-10. Black-billed Cuckoo October 1-10. Nightbawk October 10-20. Ruby-throated Hummingbird September 20-30. Crested Flycatcher September 20-30. Kingbird September 20-30. Baltimore Oriole September 10-20. Orchard Oriole September 1-10. Bobolink October 1-10. Yellow-winged Sparrow October 1-10. Indigo hunting October 1-10. Rose-breasted Grosbeak September 20-30. Scarlet Tanager October 1-10. Red-eyed Vireo October 10-20. Warbling Vireo , September 20-30. Yellow-throated Vireo September 20-30. White-eyed Vireo October 1-10. Nashville Warbler May 20-80. Blue-winged Warbler September 1-10. Parula Warbler May 20-30. Yellow Warbler September 10-20. Black-throated Blue Warbler May 15-30. Magnolia Warbler May 15-30. Chestnut-sided Warbler May 20-30. Prairie Warbler May 20-30. Maryland Yellow-throat October 10-20. Small-billed Water Thrush May 15-30. Hooded Warbler September 20-30. Yellow-breasted Chat September 10-20. Redstart October 1-10. W ilson's Thrush September 20-30. May 10-20. Wood Pe wee September 20-30. Acadian Flycatcher September 1-10. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher May 20-80. White-crowned Sparrow , May 15-25. Golden-winged Warbler May 15-25. Tennessee Warbler May 15-25. Worm-eating Warbler September 1-10. Cape May Warbler May 15-25. Blackburnian Warbler , May 15-25. Bay-bn.-a.sted Warbler May 20-30. Blackpoll Warbler , May 25-June 5. Wilson's Warbler , , May 20-30. Canadian Warbler May 25-June 5. THE FALL MIGRATION. 17 Date of arrival. Date of departure. May 10-L'O. Long-billed Marsh Wren October 10-20. Short-billed Marsh Wren October 10-20. Olive-backed Thrush May 20-June 1. Gray -cheeked Thrush May 25-June 5. May 20-30. Traill's Flycatcher (?) Mourning Warbler May 30-J\me 5. Bicknell's Thrush (?) FALL MIGRATION. MIGRANTS ARRIVING FROM THE NORTH. Date of arrival. Date of departure. August 1-15. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher September 20-30. Golden-winged Warbler September 1-10. Chestnut-sided Warbler Sept. 30-Oct. 10. Canadian Warbler September 20-30. Small-billed Water Thrush Sept. 25-Oct. 5. August 15-31. Olive-sided Flycatcher September 10-20. Tennessee Warbler Sept. 25-Oct. 5. Nashville Warbler Sept. 25-Oct. 5. Parula Warbler October 15-25. Cape May Warbler Sept. 25-Oct. 5. Black-throated Green Warbler October 15-25. Black-throated Blue Warbler October 15-25. Magnolia Warbler October 10-20. Blackburnian Warbler September 20-30. Wilson's Warbler September 20-30. Canadian Nuthatch November 1-30. September 1-10. Ked-headed Woodpecker November 1-30. Blackpoll Warbler October 15-25. Connecticut Warbler September 20-30. September 10-20. Blue-headed Vireo October 15-25. Philadelphia Vireo September 20-30. Olive-backed Thrush October 1-10. Bicknell's Thrush October 1-10. September 20-30. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker October 20-30. •Junco April 10-May 10. White-throated Sparrow May 1-25. Myrtle Warbler May 5-20. Yellow Palm Warbler October 15-30. Brown Creeper April 1-30. Golden-crowned Kinglet April 1-20. Euby-crovvned Kinglet October 20-30. Winter Wren April 1-30. Qray-cheeked Thrush October 15-25. October 1-10. Bronzed Grackle December 1-30. Kusty Blackbird December 1-30. American Pipit Oct. 25-Nov. 5. 18 THE FALL MIGRATION. Date of arrival. Date of departure. Oct 1-10. Hermit Thrush November 1-30. October 10-20. v/Fox Sparrow Nov. 25-Dec. 5. October 20-31. Pine Finch May 1-31. V Tree Sparrow April 1-30. Northern Shrike March 1-31. M'MJlhi: RESIDENTS LEAVING FOR THE SOUTH. Date of departure. September 1-10. Acadian Flycatcher Orchard Oriole Rough- winged Swallow Worm-eating Warbler Blue-winged Warbler September 10-20. Baltimore Oriole Purple Martin Yellow \V arbler Yi-llow-l.reasted Chat September 20-30. Hummingbird Kingbird ( irrut-crestcd Flycatcher Wood Pewee Kose-brcasted Grosbeak Yellow-throated Vireo Warbling Vireo Hooded Warbler Louisiana Water Thrush Wilson's Thrush October 1-10. Yellow-billed Cuckoo Black-billed Cuckoo Chimney Swift. Least Flycatcher Bobolink Yellow-winged Sparrow Indigo Bunting Scarlet Tanager Barn Swallow Cliff Swallow Bank Swallow White-eyed Vireo Black and White Warbler Redstart Oven-bird Wood Thrush October 10-20. Whip-poor-will Nighthawk Red-eyed Vireo Maryland Yellow-throat THE NESTING SEASON. 19 Date of departure. Oct. 10-20. Long-billed Marsh Wren. Short-billed Marsh Wren. House Wren Brown Thrasher Catbird October 20-31. Phoebe Towhee Tree Swallow November 1-30.* Woodcock Mourning Dove Kingfisher Red-winged Blackbird Purple Grackle Cowbird Vesper Sparrow Field Sparrow V Chipping Sparrow S w amp Sparrow DATES AT WHICH BIRDS BEGIN TO NEST IN THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK CITY.t Feb. 28. Great Horned Owl. Mar. 12. Barred Owl. 28. Carolina Wren. 30. Duck Hawk. April 1. Woodcock. 3. Bed-shouldered Hawk. 3. Screech Owl. 6. Bed-tailed Hawk. V 9. American Crow. 9. Long-eared Owl. 10. Bluebird. "' 17. White-breasted Nuthatch. 18. Broad-winged Hawk. / 20. Robin. 25. Mourning Dove. 25. Purple Grackle. 28. Phoebe. 29. Song Sparrow. May 1. Black-crowned Night Heron. 1. Cooper's Hawk. 1. Kingfisher. May 2. Osprey. 3. Cardinal. 5. Cowbird. [In Song Spar- row's nest.] 6. Wood Duck. 6. Green Heron. 7. Flicker. 8. Barn Swallow. 10. Clapper Rail. 10. Killdeer. ^10. Ruifed Grouse. 10. Sparrow Hawk. 10. Savanna Sparrow. 10. Vesper Sparrow. 11. Louisiana Water-Thrush. 12. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. 13. Red-headed Woodpecker. 14. Acadian Flycatcher. ^14. Blue Jay. v/14. Chipping Sparrow. 14. Towhee. * Should the season be an exceptionally mild one, many of these birds may remain until late in December. t Based on data accompanying the oological collections of the American Museum, and on the observations of Prof. Marston T. Bogert, Dr. J. Dwight, Jr., Dr. Evan M. Evans, Mr. W. P. Lemmon, and the author. The dates given are those on which, with some exceptions, full sets of eggs have been taken. 20 THE NESTING SEASON. May 15. King Rail. May 25. Maryland Yellow-throat. 15. Virginia Kail. 26. Bob-white. 15. Meadowlark. 26. Mursh Hawk. 15. Field Sparrow. 28. Grasshopper Sparrow. 15. Swamp Sparrow. 28. Ked-eyed Vireo. i:>. Hooded Warbler. 28. Yellow-throated Vireo. 16. Blue-winged Warbler. 29. Black-billed Cuckoo. 16. Brown Thrasher. 29. Kingbird. 17. Fish Crow. 29. Bobolink. 17. Redstart 29. Indigo Bunting. 17. Catbird. 29. Chestnut-sided Warbler. 17. Wood Thrush. 30. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 18. Red-winged Blackbird. 30. Orchard Oriole. 18. Black und White Warbler. 80. Seaside Sparrow. 18. House Wrrn. 80. Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 19. Tree Swallow. 80. Rough-winged Swallow. 19. Bank Swallow. 80. Clitt1 Swallow. V19. Chickadee. 80. Warbling Vireo. 20. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 80. Prairie Warbler. 20. Worm-eating Warbler. 81. Long-billed Marsh Wren. 20. Oven-bird. 31. Least Bittern. 20. Veery. June 1. Bartrainian Sandpiper. 21. Sharp-shinned Hawk. 1. Pipinir Plover. " 2h Downy Woodpecker. 1. Nighthawk. 21. Least Flycatcher. 1. Kentucky Warbler. 22. Parula Warbler. 8. Whip-poor-will. v 23. Hairy Woodpecker. 8. Great-crested Flycatcher. 23. Chat. 8. Scarlet Tanagt-r. 24. Purple Finch. 5. Wood Pcwee. 24. Spotted Sandpiper. 7. Short-billed Marsh Wren. v 25. Chimney Swilt. 8. Laughing Gull. 25. Baltimore Oriole. 12. Common Tern. 25. Purple Martin. 19. Cedar Waxwing. 25. White-eyed Vireo. 20. American Goldfinch. Hints on keeping Note-Books and Journals. — The necessity of a well-kept journal can not be too strongly urged. Specimens may be duplicated, but no one can ever see with your eyes. Do not attempt to trust to your memory — a willing servant of the mind too frequently imposed upon. It may receive and retain one impression clearly, but as others are added the earlier ones lose their distinctness or become entirely effaced. The system adopted for recording notes should be simple to keep and easy of reference. The one here recommended has stood the test of ten years' experience. After returning from the field I enter in my "roll-book," at once., a record of the weather, temperature, direction and force of the wind, locality visited, time of starting and returning, NOTE-BOOKS AND JOURNALS. 21 and incidental observations on the blooming of flowers, appearance of certain insects, calling of frogs, etc. Then follows a statement of the numbers of every species of birds seen, with various remarks concern- ing them. One might suppose that much time would be required to make a detailed record of this kind, but, on the contrary, it seldom takes five minutes. Almost any stationer can supply you with a " roll-" or " time-book " having a space at the left side of the left-hand page for the entry of names, and the rest of both pages ruled in squares. The best plan is to have sheets of paper ruled in this way. These sheets should have holes punched in their margins for binding in covers, when new sheets can be inserted as desired. Some idea of their appearance may be gathered from the appended part of a left-hand page : Date Weather Temperature Wind Start. Return ... Remarks . Bluebird Robin. .. 22 NOTE-BOOKS AND JOURNALS. After filling in the preliminary data I write after the name of each bird either the exact or approximate number of individuals seen, or else the letters " A.," " C.," or " T. C.," meaning abundant, common, or tol- erably common. This is accompanied by an " s " if the bird is in song, or "calls " if it is simply heard calling. The possibilities of abbrevia- tion are unlimited, but use no abbreviation which is not fully explained. If you wish to make a record of some length concerning a certain species, place a cross or asterisk in its square. This refers to your journal of the same date. Read from left to right, the roll-book gives in a graphic, condensed form the standing of a species during the period of observation. Iu ad from the top to the bottom of the page, it gives in an easily comparable way the complete record of each day, and at the same time it becomes an index to the bird-notes in your journal. To prevent needlessly multiplying your roll-books the series of birds' names should be made to last at least during an entire season. To this end do not completely fill the right-hand page, but when you have used all of it but a space equal in width to the space occupied by the column of birds' names, cut this part of the page— the ex- treme right — off; the part remaining will, when turned over l<> the left, just meet the column of names, and the lines of this column and the new page will thus run continuously. As before remarked, the roll-book should be attended to immediately on returning from the field, while your impressions are fresh. The journal may wait, when a reference to the roll-book will aid in recalling the day's experiences. In addition to these two books, both of which should be quarto size, you need a small, leather-covered, pocket note-book for use in jotting memoranda in the field. CHAPTER III. COLLECTING BIRDS, THEIR NESTS, AND EGGS. Collecting Birds. — With few exceptions, the plumages of the birds of the eastern United States are well known to science. You will col- lect them, therefore, purely for the purpose of self-education. To this end it is not necessary that you should acquire the large series of speci- mens found in museums. From two to five specimens of each kind are enough, and when through their medium you have become famil- iar with the appearance of the species they represent, use the gun only to add to your list of acquaintances. If you wish to make a detailed, critical study of changes in the plumage of species due to age, sex, or season, or to compare some apparently abnormal specimen, visit the nearest museum, the collections of which should be accessible to every earnest student. Our eastern birds have been measured and described, their varia- tions noted and recorded, and there is little left to learn in study- ing their skins from a local standpoint. What we want now is knowl- edge of the living, not the dead, bird. A thoroughly exhaustive account of the habits of any one of our commonest birds is still to be written. Remember, then, that collections are a means, not the end, of ornithological research. When armed and ready for the field, you should have a canvas hunting-coat, a pair of field- or opera-glasses, a fisherman's basket or "creel," a discarded octavo pamphlet or catalogue of rather heavy paper, cotton, a small bottle of corn-meal, and a 16-bore shot-gun with a 0-32 auxiliary barrel, and the necessary complement of shells. The auxiliary barrel can be purchased of dealers in natural history supplies; it should not exceed ten inches in length. The shells for it should be of brass, center-fire, and strong enough to stand reloading many times. Load them with a fine-grained powder and No. 12 shot — about three fifths powder and two fifths shot. For killing birds from the size of a Blue Jay downward they will be effective at a dis- tance of twenty to twenty-five yards. In other words, fully three fourths of your shooting will be done with them. Of 16-bore shells 23 24 MAKING BIRDSKINS. carry some loaded with two and a half drachms of powder and throe fourths of an ounce of No. 10 shot, and a few others loaded with the same charge of powder and an ounce of No. 6 shot. On killing a bird, pick it up by the bill or feet, and at once sprinkle meal or dry earth on any blood which may be visible. When this is saturated, scrape it off with a knife-blade and repeat the operation until all the blood is absorbed. Sprinkle some meal at the base of the feathers about the shot-holes from which the blood appears, or, if necessary, plug these holes with bits of cotton. Place a large plug of cotton in the mouth and force it well down the throat to prevent bleeding at the mouth from an internal wound. In some cases it is necessary to also plug the nostrils. Now make a cornucopia from a leaf of the pamphlet, drop the bird in it head foremost, taking care that the bill is not turned forward on to the throat, and, if the bird is not too large, fold in the edges of the cornucopia and place the specimen in your basket. In the case of very large specimens — Hawks, Owls, etc. — it is advisable to skin out the body in the field, when they can be packed in much smaller space. Making Birdskiiis. — If you have fully decided to make a collection of birds, the very best and cheapest way to begin it is to get some one to give you two or three lessons in the art of preparing birdskins. With proper instruction it is not difficult to learn to skin birds. I have known beginners who had closely watched experts at work, make fair skins at their first attempt — better skins, indeed, than the person who learns only from written directions may ever make. I am speak- ing from experience. Only too clearly do I remember my own first attempts at skinning birds and their hopelessly wretched results. In despair I at last sought the assistance of u distant ornithological friend. In one lesson he made the process so clear to me that I was at once enabled to make skins twice as quickly and twice as well. However, we unfortunately are not all blessed with ornithological friends to whom we can turn for advice, and I therefore append the following directions for making birdskins : First procure a scalpel with a well-rounded end, a pair of sharp- pointed scissors with rather long handles, a pair of blunt-ended, rather strong scissors, and a pair of flat-ended forceps. These may be pur- chased of any dealer in naturalists' supplies or at a surgical instrument maker's. Procure also a quart or so of fine corn-meal to use as an ab- sorbent, a pound or two of powdered arsenic and alum mixed in equal parts, and an abundance of the best cotton batting money will buy. Now we are ready to begin with a bird. say. the size of a Robin: 1. Plug the bird's throat and nostrils tightly with fresh cotton. If the eyeball is ruptured, pull it out with the forceps and fill the cavity MAKING BIRDSKINS. 25 with meal. 2. Lay the bird before you on its back, its bill pointing to the left ; place your open left hand lengthwise on it, so that the base of your first and second fingers rests on the middle of the breast- bone ; use these fingers and the handle of the scalpel to separate the feathers from near the end of the breastbone to the vent, and when the parting is made use the same fingers to hold the feathers aside. 3. With the scalpel make an incision in the skin from just in front of the end of the breastbone, or at the base of the V formed by the spread fingers, to the vent, being careful not to cut through into the abdomen. 4. Sprinkle a pinch of meal along the cut. 5. Lift the skin at the front end of the cut and insert the end of the scalpel handle between it and the breastbone. If you try to do this lower down on Hhe cut, over the belly, you will find it difficult to separate the skin on which the feathers grow from the immediately underlying skin which covers the abdomen. Separate the skin from the body the whole length of the cut and as far down toward the backbone as possible, thus exposing the bare knee. 6. Take hold of the foot and push the knee farther up into view, then take the blunt-ended scissors and, on the inside of the skin, clip the leg entirely in two. 7. Repeat opera- tions 5 and 6 on the other side of the body. 8. Press away the skin as much as possible on either side of the rump, and place the thumb at the left side (left, seen from above) of the base of the tail or " pope's nose," with the first finger on the other side (both inside the skin) and the second finger behind (above) on the rump ; now with the blunt scissors cut through the flesh between the thumb and first finger toward the second finger, which serves the purpose of a guard to pre- vent you from cutting through the skin. 9. Stand the bird on its breastbone, the belly toward you, and with both thumbs press the tail and skin of the rump over and down off the stump from which you have just cut it. 10. When the stump is free from the skin, take hold of it with the right hand and with the fingers of the left gently press the skin from the body, keeping it constantly turned inside out and using an abundance of meal. 11. Soon the wing-bones (humerus) will appear. Clip them off at either side close to the body, and re- sume skinning as before. 12. The skin will slip easily over the neck, nnd you will then meet with an obstruction in the head. 13. Work the skin carefully over the head, using the tips of the first two fingers of either hand, placing the thumbs as a brace farther forward over the eyes.* 14. Pull the ears carefully from their sockets. 15. The eyes * In large-headed birds, like Ducks and Woodpeckers, this is impossible, and it is necessary to slit the skin down the back of the neck and push the skull through the opening. 20 MAKING A BIKDSKIX. will now appear ; carefully cut the membrane joining the skin and eyeball, making the incision as far back as possible, iu order to avoid cutting the skin, which should be pulled forward until it is entirely free of the eyeball. 16. Remove the eyes with the forceps. 17. With the sharp-pointed scissors make an incision directly across the roof of tae mouth, inside the branches of the lower mandible, just back of the skin, and below the eye-sockets. 18. With the sharp-pointed scissors make incisions from either end of this cut back along the branches of the lower mandible through the base of the skull on either side of the neck at its junction with the skull. 19. Connect these cuts by a fourth, which passes through the base of the skull just above the neck, and pull the body and neck from the skull. 20. Scoop out what brains remain with the handle of the scalpel. 21. Pull the end of the wing* bone (humerus) inward, skinning the feathers off the bones of the fore- arm (radius and ulna), and remove the flesh. 22. Do the same thing for the legs, but, after cleaning, do not in either case pull the bones back. 23. Remove as much flesh as possible from the base of the tail, including the oil-gland at the base of the tail above. 24. Hold the skin over the arsenic and alum box, and with a bit of fluffy cotton at the end of a stick, or held in the forceps, dust it thoroughly with the poison, giving an extra allowance to the base of the tail and bones of the skull, wings, and legs. 25. Pull the legs back into place. 26. Place a fluff of cotton on the end of a wire and roll it into a firm, smooth ball, placing one in each eye-socket. 27. Coax the skin back over the head, using the first two fingers of each hand and placing the thumbs at the base of the skull. When the tip of the bill appears through the feathers, use the fingers outside, on the feathers, pressing the skin back over the head, and keeping the thumbs in the same position. When the bill is free, take it with the right hand, and use the fingers of the left to urge the skin over the skull, being careful to get it in its former place so that the feathers of the head will lie smoothly. 28. Dress the feathers of the head, particularly those about the eye. 29. Take hold of the tip of the bill and shake the skin gently but vigorously to aid in settling the plumage. 30. Lay the skin on its back, the bill pointing from you, and turn back the feathers about the opening on the belly. 31. See that the wing-bones lie flat on the back of the skin, with their ends touching each other.* 32. * The most difficult part in making a birdskin is to induce the winjrs to as- sume anything like their natural position when closed. This is because the arti- ficial, cotton body is apt to force them outward on to the sides rather than on the back, where they belong. In the bird in the flesh the wings are held in place by being attached to the body ; in the skin they are loose and hanging. To remedy this, after drawing SEXING. 27 Take a bit of fluffy cotton, press it lightly together, and draw out one end to form a neck. When released from your grasp this cotton body should be but little larger than the body you have removed from the skin. 33. Take the end of the neck with the forceps and insert it gently into the neck of the skin, working the skin down on to it in order to avoid stretching the neck, until the points of the forceps ap- pear in the mouth, then hold the cotton there and withdraw the for- ceps. 34. Carefully fit the cotton body into the skin. 35. Put one or two stitches in the incision on the belly. 36. Ascertain the sex of the bird (see beyond). 37. Cross the legs, and at the point of intersection attach a label (see beyond). 38. Squeeze the wing-bones together until you feel the tips of your fingers meet over the bird's back. 39. Pre- pare a sheet of cotton about five inches square and as thin as you can make it ; lay the bird on this on its right side, the bill pointing to your right hand. 40. Put the left wing in place and dress the feathers about it. 41. Take hold of the sheet of cotton, and turn the bird over in it in order that you may dress the right wing. 42. Roll the bird on to its belly, holding the wings in position with the thumb and first finger of the left hand, and with the right hand bring the tips of the wing- feathers into their proper place over the back. 43. Roll the bird back on to its back, the bill pointing to your right hand ; take the end of the sheet of cotton farthest from you and draw it lightly over the bird to the side nearest you. 44. Draw the end nearest you in the opposite direction. 45. See that the feet, tail, and tips of the wings are in their proper position, and place your specimen out of harm's way to dry. It will doubtless take you from half an hour to an hour to make your first birdskin. It will probably be a sorry-looking object, per- haps minus a head or tail or half its feathers ; but do not let this dis- courage you. An expert can make ten birdskins an hour, and you need only practice to approach this. There are endless variations of the method here described. It is not possible to go into further details here, and if you have taxider- mic ambitions I would advise you to procure a copy of Mr. W. T. Hornaday's excellent Taxidermy and Zoological Collecting (Scribner, $2.50). Sexing. — A specimen without a sex mark on its label is of com- paratively little value. The sex in many birds can of course be dis- the wing-bones in to remove the flesh from them, they should be pushed back only far enough to enable one to see plainly the elbow or bend of the wing out- wde of the skin. This prevents the wings from hanging, and, to further keep them in place, it will be well at first to tie the ends of the bones (humeri) to- gether. 28 CATALOGUING AND LABELING. tinguished by their color, but the young mule frequently resembles the female, while in some instances the female lias been known to as- sume the plumage of the male. Dissection, therefore, is the only safe way to determine sex. Upon reaching stage 36, in the operation of making a birdskin, cut through the left side of the body from the vent to the neck, taking care not to disturb the internal organs. Force the edges of the opening apart, and, pressing the intestines gently to Fio. 1.— A completed birdskin. (Reduced). one side, look for the sexual organs, which will be found on the walls of the small of the back very near to the backbone. The male organs (testes), two in number, are usually dull-white, elongate bodies lying side by side. The female organs (ovaries) are composed of numerous round bodies lying in a mass or cluster. In the breeding season the sexual organs of birds become much enlarged, and at tins season the testes of a male Chipping Sparrow are about the sixe of a pea, while the ovaries of the female have been likened to a bunch of grapes, the largest being the sixe of the yolk of the egg of this species. After the breeding season the sexual organs decrease in sixe. and in adults in the winter and young birds are sometimes difficult to find. The testes of a male Chipping Sparrow at that season are about as large as a small pinhead, while a hand-lens is required to plainly distinguish the ova- ries of the female. The arrow of Mars ( $ ) is used to indicate the male sex ; the mirror of Venus ( $ ) the female sex. Cataloguing and Labeling. — Before skinning your birds you should catalogue them. The catalogue should have columns giving (1) the date, (2) your serial collection number, (3) name of the bird. (4) sex, (5) place of capture, (6) name of collector, and (7) remarks. In the last column enter any notes on the color of the eyes, or parts which will change color when drying, contents of the stomach, and other notes. In addition to this "day-book" or "blotter" some ornithologists open a ledger account with their collection, and devote a folio to each spe- cies where are posted the entries made in the collection register. Labels should be of strong bond paper, two inches and a half long and half an inch wide. They are attached to the crossed legs of the bird by linen thread strung through their left end. The face of the label bears the name and sex of the_bird, place and date of capture, CARE OP COLLECTIONS. 29 name of collector, and serial collection number. The label shown in Fig. 1 is small, but will illustrate the appearance and manner of at- tachment. The name of the owner of the collection is printed on the back of the label, preceded by the words " Collection of." Many collectors prefer to use as a field label a small jeweler's tag upon which the collection number, sex, and date are written. The large label is added after the specimen is dry. Care of a Collection. — The best cases in which to keep a collection of birdskins are known as " Cambridge cans." They are made of tin with covers which fit into grooves lined with rubber tubing, and are practically air-tight. The smaller sizes cost from five dollars to seven dollars and a half each, and can be obtained of Muller and Wood, 731 Seventh Avenue, New Yorlf city. A wooden cabinet with tight-fitting drawers and door is less ex- pensive, and with ordinary care will preserve specimens for a prac- tically indefinite period. The drawers should be thirty inches long by sixteen inches in width. For birds the size of a Robin a depth of one inch and three quarters is sufficient, while drawers four inches deep will take the largest Hawks or Owls. These drawers will hold about thirty birds the size of a Robin, eighty the size of a Chickadee, and eight to ten Hawks and Owls. Well cleaned and thoroughly poisoned specimens of small birds are not likely to be attacked by the moth (Tinea) or beetles (Dermestes and Anthrenus) which so often infest poorly prepared or nonpoisoned skins. Naphthaline crystals or camphor gum should be placed in each drawer of the cabinet, the door of which should not be left open needlessly. If a specimen falls a victim to insects, the better plan is to discard it at once. If, however, it is rare, it may be taken out-of- doors and placed in an air-tight box with a few tablespoonfuls of bisulphuret of carbon. Collecting and Preserving Nests and Eggs. — No one, I think, will venture to dispute the assertion that Captain Charles Bendire. Hon- orary Curator of the Department of Oology in the United States Na- tional Museum, is our leading authority on the study of birds' eggs. The following quotation, therefore, from Captain Bendire's Instruc- tions for Collecting, Preparing, and Preserving Birds' Eggs and Nests * may be taken as the opinion of one who knows whereof he speaks : " Unless the would-be collector intends to make an especial study of oology and has a higher aim than the mere desire to take and accu- mulate as large a number of eggs as possible regardless of their proper identification, he had better not begin at all, but leave the nests and * Part D. Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 39, 1891, pp. 3-10. 30 COLLECTING NESTS AND EGGS. eggs of our birds alone and undisturbed. They have too many ene- mies to contend with, without adding the average egg collector to the number. The mere accumulation of specimens is the least important object of the true oOlogist. His principal aim should be to make care- ful observations on the habits, call notes, song, t lie character of the food, mode and length of incubation, and the actions of the species generally, from the beginning of the mating season to the time the young are able to leave the nest. This period comprises the most in- teresting and instructive part of the life-history of our birds." Very heartily do I indorse every word of this, and to the concluding sen- tence I would add : and there can be no better way to avoid increasing our knowledge of a bird's domestic life than to rob it of its eggs, and destroy its home and our own opportunities at the same time. Studied from a local standpoint, I confess I can see only two points of interest in a bird's egg— one is what the egg is in, the other is what is in the egg-T Nevertheless, I can understand the pleasure attending the legiti- mate formation of what Captain Bendire calls " a small, thoroughly identified, well-prepared, and neatly cared for collection," which, as the same author adds, '• is worth far more scientifically and in every other way than a more extensive one gained by exchange or purchase." An egg-collector's outfit consists of several drills, an embryo-hook, a blowpipe, forceps, and scissors. A fresh egg should be blown through a hole slightly larger than the tip of the blowpipe. Drill the hole in the side of the egg, and. after inserting the blowpipe about one sixteenth of an inch, blow gently and steadily until the contents have been removed. Then rinse the egg thoroughly with water and lay it hole downward on corn-meal to drain. In eggs containing embryos it is necessary to make a hole large enough to permit of the use of the embryo-hook, scissors, or forceps, as the case may be. Each egg should be marked with the number of the species in the Check List of the American Ornithologists' Union, the number of the • set in your collection, and the number of eggs in the set. Thus, if I were going to label my second set of four eggs of the Bluebird, I should write with a lead pencil on each egg, near the hole, 7G6J. There are many ways of displaying collections of eggs. Some col- lectors place their eggs in little boxes or partitions filled with sawdust or cotton ; Captain Bendire uses small pasteboard trays lined, bottom and sides, with cotton wadding, and divided into partitions for each egg by strips of cotton wadding set on edge. It is, however, very largely a matter of taste, and collectors generally have their own ideas on these matters. COLLECTING NESTS AND EGGS. 31 A collection of birds' nests is a telling object lesson in the study of ornithology. Familiar as I am with them, I never see the nests of some birds without feeling the most intense admiration for the mar- velous skill which has aided them in forming a structure man would find it difficult, if not impossible, to duplicate. A bird's nest in its original site is a concrete expression of the intelligence of its maker; for the foresight displayed in the choice of a situation, and the inge- nuity shown in the construction of the nest, even if largely instinctive now, originated in the intelligence of a line of ancestors. Nests may be collected before they have been used, when the birds will generally build again ; or you may wait and take them after the birds have left them, labeling each nest with what you have learned of the history of its owners. For example : Time required for its con- struction ; whether made by one or both sexes ; notes on the laying of the eggs ; period of incubation ; whether both sexes assisted in incu- bation ; care of the young ; number of days they were in the nest. etc. Some nests, for example the pendent " baskets " of Vireos or such as are placed in crotches, should be taken with the crotch or branch to which they are attached. With others it is obviously impossible to do this. They should therefore be placed in a frame of wire and wrapped about with fine wire thread. To make this frame, twist two pieces of annealed wire, painted brown, into the shape of a letter X. About midway from the point of intersection and the end of the arm, bend the wires upward at right angles. Now take the fine hair or thread wire and wind it about the four horizontal arms of the frame until its bottom looks like a spider's web ; place the nest in this half-formed basket, bend the upright wires inward or outward as the case requires, and continue winding until the nest is bound firmly. The size of the frame and the wire used in its construction may be varied to suit the nest. PLAN OF THE WORK. Nomenclature. — The nomenclature of the American Ornithologists Union's * Check-List of North American Birds has been adopted. The number preceding the name of each species is its permanent number in the Union's " Check-List." Definition of Terms. — The accompanying figure with its named parts will explain the meaning of the terms used in the following de- scriptions of birds. The words, upper parts and under parts, men- tioned so frequently, refer respectively to the whole upper or under surfaces of the body of the bird from the base of the bill to the root of the tail, but are not applied to either wings or tail. There are infinite variations in the markings of feathers, and those figured present only the patterns most frequently met with. Tho shaft of the feather is the midrib, to either side of which the vanes or webs are attached. The Keys. — It is of the utmost importance to thoroughly under- stand the use of the keys. At first sight they will, no doubt, appear confusing, but in reality they are exceedingly simple. The system upon which they are arranged may be mastered in a few minutes, and you will then be surprised at the ease and rapidity with which, even in large families you can "run a bird down." The Key to Families. — Strictly speaking this is not one key but a series of keys, one under each order. The orders are placed in a natural sequence — that is, we begin with the oldest or lowest forms of birds. Loons, Grebes, etc., and end with * The American Ornithologists' Union is the leading society of its kind in this country. Its membership includes the foremost ornithologists of the world, and is divided into four classes : 1. Honorary members, limited to 25 in number. 2. Active members, limited to 60 in number, who must be residents of North America. 3. Corresponding members, limited to 100 in number : and 4. Asso- ciate members, who must be residents of North America, and are not limited as to number. The total membership of the Union in December, 1894, was 010. Annual meetings are held, usually in Washington, New York, or Cambridge. The Auk, the official organ of the Union, is a quarterly journal under the editor- ship of Dr. J. A. Allen, at the American Musi-tun of Natural History. USE OP THE KEYS. 33 the most highly developed ones, Thrushes, Bluebirds, etc. Two main divisions are given : first, Water Birds ; second, Land Birds. In no case will it be difficult to decide in which of these groups a bird be- longs. Now glance over the illustrations and select the one which you think most nearly resembles the bird you are identifying. At 34 USE OF THE KEYS. each step test your decision by reading the brief diagnoses of orders and families. In this way you may readily place your bird in its proper family. The Keys to Species. — If a bird always wore the same plumage it •would be a comparatively easy matter to place it in a certain section Q Fio. 3.— Spotted (a), streaked (6), barred (c), and margined (d) feathers. of a key and keep it there. But, unfortunately, not only are the males and females of the same species frequently quite unlike, and the young different from either, but their plumages may vary with the season. Tims, you see, a bird's color is a most uncertain quantity. An individ- ual of a given species may not only wear two very different costumes, but, in doffing one for another, he does it gradually, and in the mean- time appears in changing or transition plumage. For this reason it has been customary to base keys on only adult males. Such keys do very well in the nesting season, when birds are in song, and when males constitute probably nine tenths of the birds one sees. But at other times of the year young birds outnumber the old ones, and the adults themselves may lose their breeding plumage and wear quite a different one. I have, therefore, attempted to make keys which will identify a bird in any plumage. To do this it was necessary to use many more specimens than there were species. For example, the key to our some 40 species of Warblers is based on 110 specimens representing as many phases of pluma-rc. With identification as the sole end in view I have, in the keys, abandoned all attempts to follow the current system of classification, and. taking color as the most tangible character, have to a great extent arranged the species on this character alone. The result, from the sys- t-, ii;:i!ist's standpoint, is most unnatural. Species of different genera USE OF THE KEYS. 35 are brought into the same subsections, and the more variable species may be placed in several widely separated sections. The maker of keys, however, should not try to serve two masters. If the keys will identify, they will have accomplished their purpose. The classification of our birds is shown in the body of the book, where the species are arranged according to the system adopted by the Ameri- can Ornithologists' Union. In making these keys the birds are first assorted into several major sections or groups, according to the markings of some one part of the body. Each one of these sections is preceded by the same kind of number or letter. The heading of a group or section applies to all the species included in it. Thus, if I does not apply to the bird you are identifying, you must pass at once to II, or III, or IV, as the case may be. In like manner, if the bird does not fall into sections 1, A, or a, we go to 2, B, or b, respectively. Even should the first section describe your bird, it is well to read the sections which are contrasted with it. As a model to show how the keys are used, let us identify, first, a male adult Ked-winged Blackbird — a black bird with a red and buff shoulder-patch. Turning to the key to the family Icteridce, or Black- birds, Orioles, etc., we read : " I. With yellow or orange in the under parts. " II. Under parts black, with or without metallic reflections. " III. Under parts grayish, slate color, chestnut, or buffy. " IV. Under parts black and white, or black tipped and margined with rusty." Our bird has the under parts entirely black, so it evidently belongs in Section II. Under this section we read : " A. Outer tail-feather 0-75 or more shorter than middle ones; bill I'OO or more in length." Our bird has all the tail-feathers of nearly equal length, the bill less than an inch long. It can not therefore belong in A, so we go to B and read: "Outer tail-feather little if any shorter than middle ones; bill less than I'OO in length." There is no other section, and we con- clude that our bird belongs here. Now we find a, b, c, d, each one placed directly beneath the other, and each one leading to the name of a species. This means that the statement following these letters refers to some mark or character by which one of these species may be known from the other, and that we should read them all. First comes "a. Entire plumage bluish black." That will not do. Second, "i. A red and buff shoulder-patch." Evidently this refers to our bird, but we confirm our belief by glancing at c and d, neither of which can apply to our specimen ; we decide, therefore, that it is a Red-winged Blackbird, and turning to the extended description of Agelaius phos- niceus verify our identification. 36 USE OP THE KEYS. Now let us take a somewhat less simple case — a male English Spar- row. This bird, you will doubtless remember, has a black patch on the throat and breast, a slate-colored crown, chestnut marks on the sides of the head, and a streaked back. Turning to the key to the family Fringillidce, or Finches, Sparrows, etc., we read first the head- ings to the main divisions which, in the larger families, are placed at the beginning of the key in order that they may be more readily com- pared. " I. Under parts with red. " II. Under parts with no red, and without distinct streaks ; throat or breast sometimes with a patch or spot. " III. Under parts without red, and with numerous streaks." Our bird undoubtedly belongs in Section II. Under this section we read first : " 1. Tail with white spots, bars, or patches." Our bird has no white in the tail, so we go to "2 " and read : " Without large white spots or patches in the tail." There is no number 3, so we have no hesitation in placing our bird in Section '• 2." The first subsection here is " A. Back without distinct streaks." Our bird is unquestion- ably streaked, and we therefore go to " B. Back distinctly streaked." There is no Section (7, and it follows that our bird belongs in - 15." Under B we have "a. Bend of the wing yellow" and "b. Bend of the wing not yellow." Our bird has no yellow on the wing, and we therefore place it in subsection b. This subsection is subdivided into "ft1. Crown bright reddish brown.'' etc., " c1. Crown streaked or spotted," etc., and "d1. Crown mixed grayish brown and rufous, ashy, or slate-color, without black streaks." Evidently our bird belongs in the group headed rf1, which we find includes four species, c/J, d*, d*, and d6. After reading the characters assigned to each of these. \\.> have no hesitation in deciding that those under d* apply to our bird, and we prove our identification by turning to the description of Passer domesticus. I have purposely taken a comparatively complicated case. If I have made it clear, you will have no further difficulty in using the keys, so far as their construction goes. It might be supposed, from this somewhat lengthy description, that the process required much time; but as you become familiar with the use of the keys it should never take you more than five minutes to identify a bird with them. Descriptions of Plumage. — The descriptions, with quoted excep- tions, are from specimens in the American Museum of Natural His- tory, and my thanks are due the authorities of that institution for permission to use its valuable collections. I have tried to make them as concise and simple and, at the same time, as detailed as seemed necessary for the purpose of identification. ME ASUREMEN TS— RANGE. Measurements. — All the measurements given are in English inches and hundredths. Those of birds are average measurements, taken for the most part from specimens in the American Museum of Natural His- tory. I have also, with the author's permission, made use of the excellent series of measurements in Dr. E. A. Mearns's Birds of the Hudson Highlands. A variation of about ten per cent from the figures given may be expected. The total length (= L.) of a bird is found by gently stretching the specimen, laying it on its back, and measuring the distance from the end of its bill to the tip of its longest tail-feather. The length of the wing (=: W.) is the distance from the " bend of the wing " to the end of the longest primary. The length of the tail (= T.) is the distance from the base, or insertion of the middle feather, to the end of the longest feather. The length of the tarsus (= Tar.) is the distance from the base, or insertion of the toes, to the end of the tibia, or what in reality is the heel. The " tarsus " is therefore the true foot of the bird, while the part to which this name is generally applied consists only of the toes. The length of the bill (= B.), or " culmen," is the dis- tance from the anterior base of the feathers on the forehead to the tip of the upper mandible. With the exception of total length these measurements are gen- erally taken with a pair of dividers. Range. — The paragraphs under this heading have been prepared with special reference to the bird's dis- tribution in eastern North America. They are sup- plemented by a concise statement of the bird's manner of occurrence and the usual times of migration of the nonresident species at three or four localities. This information is the best it is possible to obtain, and has not been previously published. Each locality is treated by a recognized authority on its bird-life from notes based on observations extending over many years. The data from Washington, D. C., were supplied by Mr. 0. W. Richmond, of the Smithsonian Institution. Not only has Mr. Richmond given years to field work in the District of Columbia, but he has had access to the notes of the numerous ornithologists who have observed in the same region. 38 LOCAL BIRD-LISTS. The water-birds of Long Island are treated by Mr. William Dutcher, of New York city, who has for years made our coast birds a subject of especial investigation. Sportsmen, lighthouse-keepers, and ornitholo- gists have all aided him in acquiring an unrivaled series of observa- tions upon the movements of waterfowl and bay birds. Dr. A. K. Fisher, of the Division of Ornithology in the TJ. S. De- partment of Agriculture, has supplied the notes from Sing Sing, N. Y. This locality formed the field of his ornithological labors for fifteen years. Within the limits of the town of Ossining Dr. Fisher has ob- served no less than two hundred and thirty-six species of birds. Prob- ably no area of similar extent in the United States has been more carefully studied or yielded better results. Cambridge, Mass., is historic ground in the annals of ornithology. From the time of Nuttall it has never lacked for earnest students of its bird-life. Nevertheless, no list of Cambridge birds has ever ap- peared. It is with unusual pleasure, therefore, that I include annota- tions on the birds of this region by Mr. William Brewster, who has made a lifelong study of New England birds, and particularly of those found in the vicinity of his home at Cambridge.* The value of their contributions renders it evident that I am under deep obligations to these gentlemen, and I thank them most sincerely for their generous assistance. Nests and Eggs. — The brief descriptions of nests and eggs are cased on the collections of the American Museum of Natural Historv. sup- plemented by the use of Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway's History of North American Birds, Davie's Nests and Eggs of North American Birds, Ridgway's Manual, and Captain Bendire's Life Histories of North American Birds. In describing the eggs the color chart was used when possible ; but it was designed with particular reference to the plumages of our birds, and is of less assistance in describing tht-ir eggs. The measurements of eggs are mostly from series of meji-im- ments made by Mr. II. B. Bailey, accompanying the Bailey collection in the American Museum, supplemented by reference to the works men- tioned above. Biographies. — After devoting separate paragraphs to the bird's general range, its manner of occurrence, comparative numbers, times of migration at several specific points, and its nest and eggs, the space remaining is given to a brief sketch of its haunts, notes, and disposi- tion, with the particular object of aiding in its identification in the field. * Strictly maritime birds whose occurrence within five miles of Cambridge is casual or accidental are, as a rule, excluded. 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 1 carefully ex- amined the literature relating to the habits of our birds, selecting what seemed to be the most trustworthy accounts of their appearance in life, but through the generous co-operation of fellow-students of living birds 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. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. Ad. Adult ; a fully matured bird. A. V. Accidental visitant (see page 12). B. Bill. B. from N. Bill from nostril. $ The sign employed to designate female sex (see page 27). Im. Immature; the term is generally applied to birds less than a year old, or to those which have not acquired the plumage of the adult. L. Total length. & The sign employed to designate male sex (see page £7). P. R. Permanent resident (see page 12). S. R. Summer resident (see page 12). T. Tail. Tar. Tarsus. T. V. Transient visitant (see page 12). W. Wing. W. V. Winter visitant (see page 12). 40 THE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA EAST OF THE NINETIETH MERIDIAN. KEY TO ORDERS AND FAMILIES. THE WATER BIRDS. Fio. 5. Order I. Pygopodes. — GREBES, LOONS, and AUKS. Ducklike birds with generally sharply pointed bills ; feet webbed, placed far back near the tail ; tarsus much flattened ; hind toe, when present, with a lobe or flap ; bill without toothlike projections ; tail very short and sometimes apparently wanting. A. Toes four, tipped with a broad nail. a. Toes with lobate webs. . . . Family Podicipidce: GREBES (Fig. 5, a), p. 56. b. Toes webbed. . . . Family Urinatoridce : LOONS (Fig. 5, b), p. 58. £. Toes three, tipped with a sharp nail. . . Alcidce: AUKS, MURRES, and PUFFINS (Fig. 5, c), p. 60. Order II. Longipennes. — JAEGERS, GULLS, and TERNS. Birds with sharply pointed and frequently hooked or hawklike bills ; toes four (ex- cept in one genus — Rissa), the front ones webbed ; wings long and pointed. 41 FIG 6. 42 KEY TO FAMILIES. A. Tip of the upper mandible more or less swollen, rounded, and .sliaqJy pointed ; upper parts, including wings, and sometimes the entire plumage, dark sooty blackish, sometimes irregularly barred; tail always dark, the middle feathers longest. . . . Family ISterco- rariida : SKUAS and JAEGERS (Fig. 6, a), p. 65. B. Upper mandible curved but not swollen at the end ; tail generally white, sometimes tipped with black ; the tail-feathers usually of about equal length. . . . Subfamily Larina: GULLS (Fig. 6, 6), p. 67. Fio. 7. Fio. 8. C. Bill straight, not hooked and sharply pointed ; outer tail-feathers generally longer than the middle ones. Subfamily Sttrnina : TERNS (Fig. 7), p. 7', /'. Bill thin and bladelikc, the lower mandible much longer than the upper one. . . . Family Rynchopida: SKIMMERS (Fig. 8), p. 85. FIG. 9. Order HI. Tubinares. — ALBATROSSES, PETRELS, and FULMARS. Bill hawklike, the tip of the upper mandible generally much enlarged ; nostrils opening through tubes; hind toe reduced to a mere nail, and sometimes entirely wantim;. A. Si/A' very larire. nostrils separated and on either side of the bill. . . . Family Diomedeidce : ALBATROSSES (Fig. 9, a), p. 86. B. Size smaller, nostrils joined and placed on top of the bill. . . . Family Frocellariid AMERICAN VULTURES (Fig. 32), p. 191. b. Hind toe generally as long as or longer than the shortest front one ; toes armed with sharp, curved nails or talons ; bill with a sharp hook, head not bare. . . . Family falcon idas: FALCONS, KITES, HAWKS, EAGLES (Figs. 29, A, 33), etc., p. 193. Order XIII. Psittaci. PARROTS, PAROQUETS, etc. Toes four, two in front and two behind ; bill with a cere. . . . Family Psittaoidce : PAR- ROTS and PAROQUETS (Fig. 34), p. 222. Fio. 34. Order XIV. Coccyges.— CUCKOOS and KINGFISHERS. Toes four, the middle and outer ones joined for half their length (Kingfishers), or two in front and two behind (Cuckoos) ; bill without a cere; tail-feathers not stiff and pointed. 5 50 KEY TO FAMILIES. A. Middle and outer toes joined for half their length. . . . Family Al- '•/."> i, [i. L'-_'«;. S. Two toes in front and two behind. . . . Family Cuculidce; CUCKOOS (Fig. 36), p. 224. Fio. 37. Order XV. PicL— WOOBPECKI Toes four, two in front and two l.eliind, or toes throe, two in front nnd one behind; bill strong; tuil-fratht TS still' UIK! pointed; nostrils more or less conceaK-d by bristles. . . . Family l'is (Fig. 40), p. 240. KEY TO FAMILIES. 51 Order XVII. Passeres.— Perching Birds : FLYCATCH- ERS, BLACKBIRDS, JAYS, ORIOLES, SPARROWS, FINCHES, SWALLOWS, VIREOS, WARBLERS, WRENS, THRUSHES, etc. Toes four, without webs, all on the same level ; hind toe as large as the middle one, its nail generally longer than that of the middle one; tail of twelve feathers. [The following synoptical table of the characters of the eighteen families which we have in this order seems more satis- factory than an artificial FIG. 41. Family 1. Tyrannidce. — FLYCATCHERS (Fig. 42). Bill wider than high at the base, slightly hooked at the tip ; base with conspicuous bristles; wings longer than the tail, the second to fourth primaries longest, the first but little shorter and generally equal to the fifth or sixth ; back of tarsus rounded, like the front ; plumage generally olive-green or grayish ; tail, except in the King- bird, without white spots, p. 242. Family 2. Alaudidce. — LARKS (Fig. 43). Bill rather stout and rounded ; nos- trils with bristly tufts ; nail of hind toe much lengthened, as long as the middle toe without nail ; back of the tarsus rounded like the front, p. 252. FIG. 43. FIQ. 44. Family 3. Corvidce. — CROWS and JAYS (Fig. 44). Large birds, over lO'OO in length ; bill stout, the nostrils concealed by tufts of bristly feathers ; fourth to fifth primary the longest, the first about half . as long ; outer tail-leathers shortest ; feet and legs stout, p. 253. 52 KEY TO FAMILIES. Fio. 45. Family 4. Warni'iltr. — STAR- I.IN<;S (Fig. 45). Kill flattened, wider thnq high at the base ; tail short and square; win::* loin; and pointed, second j>ri- niary longest, the tirst very small, less than half an inch in length. \>. '_'.v.i. FIO. 46. Family 6. Itterida.— BLACKBIRDS, ORIOJ-ES, etc. (Fig. 46). Length 7'00-17'00; base of the bill, hrrween tin- nostrils, extendim; hack- ward and dividing tlie feathers of the forehead; nostril* not concealed hy bristles; first three primaries of about equal length; outer tail tVatlurs generally shortest, p. I Family fi. Vrnnj',n'i,l,i. SI-\K- KOWM, Kl.VCIIl.-. Q BE A I. '. 47). Length 4-7r>-;cCMi, generally uii'li-r s-oo; hill short, stout, and conical, admirably tit- led to crush 'seeds; third and fourth primaries gen- erally about the same length, the tirst never more than half an inch shorter than the longest, p. 271. Fio. 47. Family 7. Tanagrlli •.— TAXAOERS (Fig. 48). Length about 7'00; the males of our species mostly red; bill iinehlike, but less conical, somewhat swollen, the outline of the upper mandible curved, its sides with a. slight but generally evident, "tooth" near the middle; tail-feathers of equal length, p. 310. Fio. 48. KEY TO FAMILIES. 53 Family 8. Hirundinidce. — SWALLOWS (Fig. 49). Bill short and flattened, much wider than high at the base ; no bristles at the base of the bill ; wings long and pointed, tips, when closed, generally reaching beyond the end of the tail ; first primary the longest ; outer tail- feathers longest; feet small, tarsus short, round in front, narrower and sharper in the back, p. 318. FIG. 49. Family 9. Ampelidce,. — WAXWINGS (Fig. 50). Plumage generally soft, brownish gray or grayish brown; a black band across the forehead and through the eyes ; tail tipped with yellow; bill short, notched at the tip; head conspicuously crested, p. 323. FIG. 50. Family 10. Laniidae.— SHRIKES (Fig. 51). Grayish birds, 8-00-9-00 in length, most of the tail-fcnthers tipped with white ; bill hooked and hawklike, p. 325. Family 11. Vireonidce.— VIREOS (Fig. 52). Small birds, 5-00- 7-00 in length, with generally olive- green backs ; tail- feathers without white spots; bill rather stout, higher than broad at the base, the tip of the uppor mandible notched and hooked, bristles at the base of the bill barely evident ; tarsi scaled, round in front, narrower and sharper behind; toes united at the base, p. 327. Family 12. MrdotiltiiLai.— WOOD WAK- BLERS (Fig. 53). Small birds, length generally under 6-00, but in four species 6-50-7-50, with, as a rule, brightly colored Fio. 53. 54 KEY TO FAMILIES. plumage, olive-green or yellow being the most frequent ; bill various, never notched at the tip, usually sk-mlrr and sharply j>ointed, 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 l>ill is heavier, more thni*hlike <>r tinehlike; seconder 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. Motanllidtx. — WAGTAILS and PIPITS (Fig. 54). No bristles over the nostrils; bill Blender, much as in the preceding; hind toe-nail much lengthened, a« long as or longer than the toe ; lin-t three primaries of equal length, Fio. 54. Family 14. Tmylo'lytidat* — THRASH- ERS, WRENS, etc. (Fig. 65). Subfamily Miminiz, — THRASHERS, MOCKINGBIRDS, and <'.\ii:n:i>-. Length 8'00-12'00; tarsus scaled; tail rounded, the outer feathers at least half an inch shorter thnn the middle ones, third to fifth primary longest, the first about half as long, p. 876. Subfamily Trorjlndytitur. — WRF.N«. 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 ; hrown or brownish birds with indistinctly barred wings and tail, p. 376. '. I7& Family 15. Certkiida— CREEPERS (Fig. 56). Bill slender and much curved ; tail- feathers pointed and slightly atilfcnuU, p. 385. Fio. 06. KEY TO FAMILIES. 55 Family 16. Paridce. — NUTHATCHES and TITMICE (Fig. 57). Subfamily SittincE. — NUTHATCHES. Bill rather long and slender, the end of the lower mandible slightly upward; wings long and pointed, the third or fourth primary the longest, the first very small, not an inch in length ; tail short and square, the outer feathers blotched with white, p. 386. Subfamily Parince. — TITMICE. Length 4-50-6-50 ; bill short, stout, and rounded, less than half an inch in length ; fourth or fifth primary longest, first very short, not more than one third as long; tail rather long, dull ashy gray without white blotches, p. 389. slanting FIG. 57. Family 17. Sylviida. — KINGLETS and GNATCATCHEKS (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. Family 18. Turdidce. — THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, etc. (Fig. 59). Length over 5-50 ; bill mod- erate, the tip of the upper mandible notched ; tarsus smooth, the scales, if any, fused and indistinct; tail square : wings long and pointed, 3'75 or over, third primary the longest, the first very short, less than one inch in length, p. 394. FIG. 59. 56 GREBES. ORDER PYGOPODES. DIVING BIRDS. FAMILY PODICIPIDJE. GREBES. The Grebes, or lobe-footed divers, number about thirty species, distributed throughout the world. Six species are found in North America. Grebes are eminently aquatic birds, and rarely if ever ven- ture upon land, where they are almost helpless. The marvelous rapid- ity with which Grebes dive, and the ease with which this power for- merly enabled them to escape the shot of the fowler, have won for them their various popular names of " Hell-diver," " Water-witch," etc. The cartridges of the modern breech-loader do not give the warning of the discarded flint-lock or percussion cap, and " to dive at the flash " is an expression which now has lost half its meaning. Grebes possess the power of swimming with only the tip of the bill above water, a habit which accounts for many mysterious disappearances. They feed largely on fish, which they pursue and catch under water, progressing by aid of the feet alone. KEY TO THE SPECIES. A. Depth of bill at nostril over -35. a. Wing over 6-00 ............. 2. HOLBCELL'S GREBE. b. Wing under 6-00 ........... 6. PIED-BILLED GREBE. 2t. Depth of bill at nostril less than '35 ....... 8. HORNED GREBE. 2. Colymbus holbcellii f fitinh.). HOLBOJLL'S GREBE. Ad. i 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 tin- 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. Im. — Upper parts blackish; throat and under parts silvery white; neck and sides grayish. L., 19-00; W., 7-50; Tar., 2-20 ; B., 1-90. Range. — Breeds in the interior of North America, from northern Minne- sota northward ; in winter migrates southward as far as South Carolina and Nebraska. Washington, uncommon W. V., Sept. 30 to Mch. or Apl. Long Island irregular W. V., Oct. to Apl. Sing Sing, rare T. V., Oct. to Dec. Cam- uridge, casual. -V. -;. a mass of water-soaked, decaying vegetation floating nmong rushes in a slough, generally attached to its surroundings. Egg*, 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, ^honeh morp erenprnllv it jumps forward, throwing the head into tbr> GREBES. 57 water and the body into the air. It is an expert and rapid swimmer also, and all its movements on the water are exceedingly graceful. When pursued, these birds invariably endeavor to escape by diving, though when on the wing they fly rapidly, their necks and feet stretched at full length" (Chamberlain). 3. Colymbus auritus Linn. HORNED GEEBE. Ad. in summer. — Top of the head, hind neck, and throat, glossy blackish ; lores pale chestnut; stripe, and plumes behind the eye, bulfy ochraceous, deeper posteriorly ; back and wings blackish ; secondaries white ; foreneck, upper breast, and sides chestnut ; lower breast and belly white. Ad. in winter and Im.— Upper parts grayish black ; under parts silvery white, sometimes washed with grayish on the throat and breast. L., 13-50 ; W., 5-40 ; Tar., 1/75 ; B., 90. Range. — Breeds from northern United States (northern Illinois, St. Clair Flats) northward ; winters southward to the Gulf States. Washington, common W. V., fall to Apl. 25. Long Island, abundant T. V., rare \V. V., Oct. to Apl. Sing Sing, common T. V., Oct. to Dec. ; Mch. Cambridge, casual. Nest, a mass of water-soaked, decaying vegetation, floating among rushes in a slough, generally attached to its surroundings. Eggs, two to seven, dull white, more or less soiled, T74 x 1-15. This species and the next are probably frequently mistaken for each other in life, and the same common names are in some instances applicable to both. Mr. Ernest E. Thompson writes of a captive in- dividual : " When ordinarily swimming, the feet strike out alternately, and the progression is steady ; but sometimes both feet struck together, and then the movement was by great bounds, and was evidently cal- culated to force the bird over an expanse of very weedy water, or through any tangle of weeds or rushes in which it might have found itself. When lifted out of the water, the feet worked so fast as to be lost to the eye in a mere haze of many shadowy feet with one attach- ment. When placed on the ground, it was perfectly helpless " (Birds of Manitoba, p. 466). 6. Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.). PIED-BILLED GREBE ; DABCHICK; DIEDAPPER; HELL-DIVER; WATER-WITCH. (See Fig. 5, a.) Ad. in summer. — Dpper parts glossy, brownish black; throat black; upper breast, front and sides of the neck, and sides of the body, washed with brownish and indis- tinctly mottled with blackish ; lower breast and belly white ; a black band across the bill. Ad. in winter and Im. — Much like the above, but throat white and no black band on the bill. L. 13-50 ; W., 5-10 ; Tar.. 1-45 ; B., 85. Range. — Argentine Eepublic 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. Sinsr Sinsr. 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. t<> Nov. ; breeds in one locality. '. a mass of water-soaked, decaying vegetation, sometimes built up from the- bottom in shallow water, sometimes floating among rushes in a slough, when it is generally attached to its surroundings. Eggs, four to eight, dull white, more or less soiled or stained, 174 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 URINATORID^:. LOONS. A family containing only five species, inhabiting the northern half of the northern hemisphere. The Loons are scarcely loss 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 win^s. Their food ennM>ts f>f fish, which they procure by diving, progressing when under water by aid of the feet alone. KEY TCI THE SPECIES. A. Throat black. a. Head black 7. LOOK. ft. Head ashy 9. BLACK-THROATEK LOOK. .5. Throat gray, forcnerk chestnut 11. KED-THROATEU LOON. C. Throat white or whitish ; hack fuscous, margined with grayish. a. Wing over 13-00; base of bill to anterior end of nostril -75 or over. 7. LOON (Im.). ft. 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. RED-THROATED LOON (Im.). 7. Urinator imber ((!nnn.\ LOON. (See Fig. 6, ft.) Ad. in K>nn>».K. AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. This family contains alxmt thirty species, confined entirely to the northern parts of the northern hemisphere. Ne.-irly all of these are found in North America, most of them, however, on only our I'wilie, coast. Without exception they are maritime binK p.-is-iii.u' the greater part of their lives on the open sea. They nc>t in colonies, sometimes in enormous numbers, generally upon rocky, precipitous shores. Their progress on land is slow and awkward ; but they arc, as a rule, strong fliers, and accomplished .-wimmers mid divers. L'nlike the (frebes and Loons they use their wings in diving. Their food consists of fish, crustacea, and other forms of sea life. KEY TO THE BPECIE8. I. Bill under -75 ................. 34. DOVEKIE. II. Bill over '75. 1. Depth of bill at nostril over -00. a. Bill yellowish, depth at nostril over 1-00. I-".. Pl'KKIN. 13. IV); in America brerding from Labrador and Hudson Bay northward, migrating southward as far as Massachu Nett, in crevices and fissures of cliffs and rocky places. Eygs, two to three, not distinguishable from those of C. grylle, 2'34 x 1-1.">. A more northern species than the preceding, which it doubtless re- sembles in habits. 30. Urla troile (Linri.\ MI-UKE. An the. hack, wings, and tail; tips of secondaries, breast, and belly white, the sides more or less streaked with blackish. Ad. in wi>tt>r m,-l Int. Upper putt, wiaga, and tail much as in summer; under parts white, the throat more or less washed with sooty brown, the flanks sometimes streaked with brownish, and the feathers of the belly more or less lightly margined with blackish. L., 16-00; W., 8-00; Tar., 1-40; B., I-;:.; depth »f K. at nostril, -50. Remarks. — Some specimens have a white rin<_r around the eye and a white stripe behind it They have been named f. r'umrin (I'ri'mn. ». but it is un- certain as to whether the species is a distinct one or is based on a mere varia- tion of plumage. Rcmge.—" Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic " (A. 0. U.). In North America, breeding from Nova Scotia northward, and migrating southward as far as Massachusetts. Nestt in communities, side by side on the bare ledges of rocky cliffs. /.'//<•/, one, pyriform, varying from pale blue or greenish blue to whitish or butty 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.). BRDNNICH'S MURKE. Ad. in summer. — Upper parts, wings, and tail sooty black, foreneck somewhat browner ; tips ot secondaries, breast, and belly white ; base of the upper mandible greenish, rounded outward beyond the edge of the lower mandible. L., 16'50 ; W., 8-40 ; Tar., 1-30 ; B., 1-25 ; depth of B. at nostril, -47. Remarks. — Adults are to be distinguished from adults of J7. troile by the darker color of the head, which in lomvia is darker than the throat, by the size of the bill and thickening of its cutting edge at the base. Winter and immature birds can be distinguished from those of U. troile only by the size of the bill, which, as the measurements show, is longer in that species. Raruje. — " Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and eastern Arctic Oceans " (A. 0. U,). Breeds from the Magdalen Islands northwajd ; in win- ter migrates as 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. Egy, one, not distinguishable from that of U. troile. " During the winter it lives on the open sea, and in the breeding season assembles in large flocks on bold cliffs and rocky headlands. It is an expert diver, using wings and feet to get under water and to swim through it " (Chamberlain). 32. Alca torda Linn. KAZOR-BILLED AUK ; TINKER. Ad. in sum- mer.— Upper parts, wings, and tail sooty black ; foreneck somewhat browner ; tips of the secondaries, a line from the eye to the bill, breast, and belly white ; bill black, crossed by a white band. Ad. in winter. — Similar to ad. in the summer, but with the sides and front of the neck white. Im.— Similar to ad. in winter, but with the bill smaller and without the white bar. L., 16-50 ; W., 7-90 ; Tar., 1-35 ; B., 1-25. Range. — "Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic" (A. O. U.). Breeds from the Magdalen Islands northward ; in winter migrates southward regu- liirly to Long Island and rarely to Virginia and North Carolina. Long Island, irregular W. V. JVest, in the crevices and fissures of cliffs and rocky places. Eggs, 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 mnle 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 Pufflu — and crustaceans. The Razor- 6± AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. bill utters a peculiar grunting or groaning, especially when sitting. On the water it maybe distinguished from the Guillemot, at a dis- tance, by its upturned tail " (Saunders). 33. Plautus impennis i Linn.). GREAT AUK.— 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., 28-00-30-00 ; W., 575; B., 3-15-3-50; greatest depth of B., 1-50 (Kid-rw.). Range. — "Formerly the coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, from Massachusetts and Ireland northward nearly to the Arctic Circle" (A. 0. U.). Now extinct Egg, pyriform-ovate, pale olive buffy, variously marked with brown and black, 4-67 x 2-91 (Ridgw.). The Great Auk was flightless. Like other birds of this family, it frequented certain localities in large numbers each year to breed. Early voyagers and fishermen visited its nesting grounds, tilling 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 pr< served in collections. (See Lucas, Rep. Smith. Inst., 1891, pp. 638-641.) 34. Alle aJle / "< POVKKIK: SEA DOVE. Ad. in summer. — Upper parts, wind's, and tail sooty black ; sides and front of the neek and upper breast somewhat browner; secondaries tipped and seapulars streaked with white ; lower breast and belly white. Ad. in winter and Im. — 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. — "Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and eastern Arctic 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. Egg, one, pale bluish white, 1-85 x 1-27. " On the approach of a vessel this bird has a peculiar way of splash- ing along the surface of the water, as if unable to fly, and then diving through the crest of an advancing wave ; it swims rather deep and very much ' by the stern.' . . ." (Saunders). " Its wings are small, but they are moved almost as rapidly as a Hummingbird's, and propel the bird through the air with great rapid- ity. This bird is an expert diver too, and, though awkward on land, swims with ease and grace. . . ." (Chamberlain). JAEGERS AND SKUAS. (55 ORDER LONGIPENNES. LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS. FAMILY STERCORARIID^. JAEGERS AND SKUAS. Two of the six known members of this family are found in the antarctic regions, while the remaining four inhabit the northern parts of the northern hemisphere. Except during the nesting season, the Jaegers are as a rule pelagic, though they sometimes visit large bodies of water inland. They generally obtain their food by robbing Gulls and Terns, and have been well named the Hawks of the sea. Their greater power of flight enables them to successfully pursue these birds and force them to disgorge their recently captured prey. KEY TO THE SPECIES. A. Bill over 1-35; tarsus over 1-70 ; middle tail-feathers never pointed. a. Bill over 1-90 35. SKUA. b. Bill under 1-90 36. POMAEINE JAEGER. _Z?. Bill under 1-35; tarsus under 1-70 ; middle tail-feathers generally pointed. a. Scaly shield on the bill longer than the distance from its end to the tip of the bill 37. PARASITIC JAEGER. b. Scaly shield on the bill shorter than the distance from its end to the tip of the bill 38. LONG-TAILED JAEGER. 35. Megalestris skua (Erunn.}. SKUA. Ad.— Upper parts, tail, and wings dark, dirty brown ; shafts of the wing and tail-feathers white, except at the tip ; outer wing-feathers with inner vanes white at the base ; under parts somewhat lighter; neck more or less streaked with whitish. Im. "Similar to adult, but more distinctly streaked with yellowish, especially on the head and neck." L., 22-00 ; W., 15-91 ; Tar., 2-63 ; B., 2'06 (Kidgw.). Range.— " Coast and islands of the North Atlantic, chiefly northward. Sout*h to Spain and Massachusetts. Apparently rare off the coast of North America" (A. 0. U.). Long Island, A. V., one record. JV««', on rocky cliffs. Eggs, two, pale olive-brown or greenish gray spot- te<4 with chocolate, 2-80 x 1-90. 36. Stercorarius pomarinus ( Ternm.}. POMARINE JAEGER. Ad., light phase.— Vary similar in color to corresponding phase of 8. parasiticus, but with the upper parts darker, nearly black. Ad., dark phase and Im — Similar in color to corresponding stages of 8. parasiticus. L., 22-00 ; W., 13-50 ; T., Ad., 8-00, Im., 5-40 ; Tar., 2-00 ; B., 1-55. Remarks.— This species is to be distinguished from the two following bj its larger size and the rounded ends of its central tail-feathers. Range.—" Kcsiclent during the summer in high northern latitudes, chiefly within the Arctic Circle, and extending from Siberia in eastern Asia entirely around the zone " (B., B., and R.). Migrates southward along the Atlantic 6 66 JAEGERS AND SKUAS. coast, and more rarely through the Great Lakes, and winters from Long Island southward. Long Island, regular from June 15 to Oct. 30. Sing Sing, A. V. Rest, on the ground. £. 37. Stercorarius parasiticus (Linn.). PARASITIC JAEGER (see Fig. ti, a). A. Remarks. — This species closely resembles f both opecies, whether in the dark or light phase of plumage, may always be dis- tinguished fr»m euch other by the difference in the length of their central tail-feathers, in addition to the characters triveii in the key. Young birds can not be distinguished by color, but may be identified by the differences in relative proportions of the bill. Range. — " Northern parts of the northern hemisphere, southward in win- ter to South Africa and South America" (A. <). U.). In America breeds in the Barren Grounds and Greenland ; migrates southward throuirh the Great Lakes and along the Atlantic coasts, and winters from the Middle States southward. Long Island, regular from June 15 to Oct. 30. A'est, on the moors or tundras, a slight depression in the ground scantily lined with grasses, etc., or on rocks by the sea. Eggs, two to four, light olive- brown, with frequently a strong greenish tinge and chocolate markings, more numerous and sometimes confluent at the larger end, 2-25 x 1-65. 38. Stercorarius longicaudus Vieill. LONG-TAILED JAEGER. Ad., light phase. — Back, wings, and tail slaty fuscous ; top of head and lores nearly black; sides of the head, back and sides of the neck straw-yellow; GULLS. 67 throat sometimes washed with the same color; under parts white; sides, lower belly, and crissum slaty fuscous; central tail-feathers extending about 7'00 beyond the others, the projecting ends narrow and pointed. (No dark phase of this species has been described.) Im. — Similar in plumage to im. of S. parasiticus, but differing otherwise as pointed out under that species. L., 21-00; W., 12-50; T., Ad., 12-00, Im., 5-50; B., 1-08. llange. — Northern part of the northern hemisphere ; in America nests in Greenland and quite abundantly "along the Anderson, in the 'Barrens,' and also on the arctic coast " (Macfarlane) ; migrates southward along the coasts, and rarely through the Great Lakes, to the Gulf of Mexico and West Indies. Nest, a slight depression in the ground, sometimes scantily lined with grasses. Eggs, two to three, similar in color to those of the preceding, 2-10 x 1-50. FAMILY LARIDJE. GULLS AND TERNS. This family contains about one hundred species divided equally between the subfamily Larince (Gulls) and subfamily SternincK (Terns). They are distributed throughout the world. Some forty species in- habit North America. With few exceptions they agree in possessing the marked characters of their respective subfamilies, under which they may be more conveniently treated. Subfamily Larince. Gulls. Generally speaking, Gulls are maritime and pelagic, though some species are found inland. As compared with Terns, Gulls are less graceful and active on the wing. In flight the bill points forward in the plane of the body, not downward toward the earth, as in the Terns. They procure their food largely by picking it from the surface of the water or land with their strongly hooked bills, not by plunging or darting, as do the Terns. Some of the species are true birds of prey, and feed on small mammals and the eggs and young of other birds. Gulls are better swimmers than Terns, and pass much time resting on the water. They nest in colonies, generally on the ground, sometimes on rocky ledges, and rarely in trees. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Winff over 15-00. A. Back dark slaty black 47. BLACK-BACKED GULL. £. Back pearl-gray. a. Outer primaries marked with blnck. 51a. AM. HEKKING GULL. 51. HERRING GULL. b. No black on primaries. 6>. Bill under 2-00. I'. Primaries light pearl-gray, fading gradually into white at their tips 43. ICELAND GULL. 68 GULLS. ft*. Primaries pearl-gray, tipped with white, and with well-defined gray spaces on the outer webs of the two outer primaries and on both webs of the third and fourth primaries. 45. KUMLIEN'S GULL. c1. Bill over 2-00 42. GLAUCOUS GULL. C. Bock grayish, whitish, or brownish, or mottled or spotted with gray- ish or brownish. a. Tail black or blackish, with or without irregular white markings. a1. Wing over 17'50 ; depth of bill at nostril over -70. 47. BLACK-BACKED GULL (Im.). a*. Wing under 17-50; depth of bill at nostril under -70. 51a. AM. HEKKINU GULL (Im.). 51. HKKKIM; (iri.i. (Im.). b. Tail white or whitish or grayish brown, with or without black markings. ft>. Bill under 2-00 43. ICELAND GULL (Im.). ft». Bill over 2-00 42. GLAUCOUS GULL (Im.). II. Wing under 15-00. 1. Tail pure white. A. Head and throat slaty black. a. Outer primary block or mostly black. a1. Outer primary entirely black .... 58. LAUGHING GULL. a*. Inner hulfot'inncr wel>s of iirst primary white. <',1. S.\I;IM-:'S GULL, b. Outer primary mostly white. A1. Tip of first primary white 69. FHANKI.IN'S GULL, 41. Tip of first primary black CO. BONAPARTE'* Gi "LL, J5. Head white, sometimes washed with pearl-gray, a. Wings white ,89, IVORY Ut'LL. b. Primaries with more or less black. ft». Wing over 1100. 4». Hind toe very small, without a nail . . . 40. KITTJWAKE. b*. Hind toe normal, with a nail ... 64. RINO-I'.II.I.KD Gi I.L. <•>. Wing under 11-00 , , , 61. Ross's GULL. 2. Tail marked with black. A. Wing over 18-25. a. Primaries mostly white 89. IVOKY GULL (Tm.). b. Primaries black or mostly black . 54. RINGTBILLEI> GULL (Im.). B. Wing under 13-25. a. Hind toe very small, without a nail ... 40. KITTIWAKE (Im.). b. Hind toe normal, with a nail. A1. Tarsus 1-50 or over 58. LAUGHING GULL (Im.). c1. Tarsus under 1-50. <•'. Secondaries pearl color, tail square. 60. BONAPARTE'S GULL (Im.). c*. Secondaries mostly white, tail rounded. 61. Ross's GULL (Im.). 39. Gavia alba < Ounn.}. IVORY GULL. Ad. — Entire plumage puro white; bill yellow, feet black. Im. — Similar to ad., but the wing and tail GULLS. 69 L, feathers, and sometimes the wing-coverts, with a black spot at their tips. 11 -w ; W., 13-25 ; T., 5'50 ; B., 1'35. Range. — "Arctic seas, south in winter on the Atlantic coast jaf North America to Labrador and Newfoundland, casually to New Brunswick, and on the Pacific side to Bering Sea " (A. O. U.). Long Island, A. V., one record. ye*t, of grass, moss, and feathers on rocky cliffs. Egg*, light yellowish olive, marked with small blotches of brown and larger cloudings of lilac, 2-45 x 1-70 (Brewer). " The Ivory Gulls appear to spend most of the time amid the pack- ice, often at a long distance from land" (Chamberlain). FIG. 60.— First primaries of adult Gulls, seen from below : (a) Am. Herring Gull ; (6) Ring-billed Gull ; (c) Laughing Gull ; (d) Franklin's Gull ; (e) Bona- parte's Gull. 40. Rissa tridactyla (Linn.}. KITTIWAKE. Ad. in summer. — Head, neck, tail, and under parts pure white ; back and wings pearl-gray ; outer web of first primary and 3-00 of the ends of first and second primaries black ; ?0 GULLS. third to fifth primaries black at the ends and with white tips; hind toe. very small, a mere kn»l> irithmit a nail ; bill yellowish, feet black. Ail. in u-lnttr. — Similar to above, but the top of the head and back of the neck washed with pearl-gray, and a dark spot about the eye. /;«. — Similar to winter adults, but with the back of the neck, lesser wing-coverts, and part of the tertials black; tail, except outer pair of feathers, with a black band at its tip; four outer primaries black, except the inner half or more of their inner webs; fifth and sixth tipped with black and white; bill black, feet yellowish. L., 1G-00; W., 1-J-OO; T., 4-50; B., 1-30. Remarks. — This species can always be distinguished by the small size of the hind toe. Range. — Northern parts of the northern hemisphere; in America, breed- ing commonly from the Magdalen Islands northward, und wintering as far south as the Great Lakes in the interior, and, on the coast, commonly to Long Island, and rarely to Virginia. Long Island, common T. V., a few winter, Nov. to Mch. A'ttt, of grass, moss, and seaweed on the ledges of rocky cliffs. /-'•. AMERICAN II KIS- SING GfLL. Ail. in *•'//«//(•-;•. — Hack and wind's dei-p pearl-gray; first primary tipped with white, then crossed by a small black mark, then a much larger white one ; this is followed by a black space ; the black runs down the outer web of the feather to near its base and the shaft part of the inner web nearly as far, leaving the inner two thirds of the web below the black mark white (Fig. 60, a); the second primary is similar, but the second white mark is a round spot on the inner web and the black occupies a greater space near the tip, but does not continue so far down on the feather; the third to sixth primaries are tipped with white, which i.s succeeded by a gradually dimin- ishing black band which extends farther down on the outer web of the feather than on the inner; the rest of the plumage is pure white. Ad. in winter. — Similar to the above, but with the head and neck streaked or spotted with grayish. Im. — Upper parts ashy fuscous; head and nape more or less Streaked with pale buffy ; back and wind's margined or irregularly marked with the same color; primaries brownish black; tail the same, sometimes tipped or margined with buffy ; under parts ashy fuscous, sometimes lightly barred or streaked. L., 24-00; W., 17-50; T., 7 •.">"; H., 2-30. Range. — "North America generally, breeding on the Atlantic coast from Maine northward" (A. O. U.). In the interior breeds from Minnesota north- ward ; winters from Nova Scotia to Cuba, GULLS. 73 Washington, common W. V., Oct. to Mch. Long Island, abundant W. V., Sept. to May, a few in summer. Sing Sing, common T. V., Sept. 21 to May 9; common W. V. when river is open. Cambridge, abundant W. V., Nov. to Apl. Rest, of grasses, moss, seaweed, etc., on the ground, but, where the birds have been persistently robbed, it is more compactly built and placed in trees, sometimes fifty feet or more from the ground. Eggs, two to three, grayish olive-brown, rarely whitish, spotted, blotched, and scrawled with distinct and obscure chocolate markings, 2'85 x 1'90. This species is by far the most abundant winter Gull along the coasts of the Middle arid Southern States. Unlike the more pelagic species, it frequents our rivers and harbors, feeding about piers and wharves, and near the cities showing comparatively little fear of man. Sometimes one may see them " bedded " in flocks on the water, where they alight to rest. It is generally this species which follows in the wake of our coastwise vessels, sailing astern, when the wind is from ahead, without the slightest perceptible movement of the wings. (For an interesting life-history of the Herring Gull see Mackay, Auk, ix, 1892, pp. 221-228.) The EUROPEAN HEURINO GULL (51. Larus argentatus] differs from our species in being slightly smaller and in having the two white spaces at the tip of the first primary joined, the black spot, therefore, being broken or entirely absent. It is of rare occurrence on the Atlantic coast of North America. 54. Larus delawarensis Ord. RING-BILLED GULL. Ad. in sum- mer.— Back and wings pearl-gray ; first primary black, with a white spot near the tip, the base of the inner half of the inner web pearl-gray (Fig. 60, b) ; second primary black, the basal half of the inner web pearl-gray ; on the third to sixth primaries the black decreases rapidly, and each one is tipped with white ; rest of the plumage pure white ; bill greenish yellow with a black baud in front of the nostril. Ad. in winter. — Similar to the above, but the head and nape streaked with grayish. Im. — Upper parts varying from ashy fuscous, the feathers margined with whitish, to pearl-gray, the feathers more or less mottled, spotted, or, on the head and neck, streaked with ashy fus- cous ; outer primaries black, tail varying from pearl-gray, more or less mottled with blackish, to white, and crossed near the end by a wide band of black ; basal half of the bill yellowish, end black. L., 18-50 ; W., 14-00 ; T., 6-00 ; B., 1-60. Range. — North America, more common in the interior ; breeds from southern Minnesota and Newfoundland northward ; winters from Long Island to Cuba and Mexico. Washington, very common T. V., Feb. to Apl. 5 ; Oct. to Nov. ; rare in winter. Long Island, common W. V., Aug. to Apl. Sing Sing, casual T. V. Nest, of grasses, etc., on the ground. Eggs, two to three, clay-color, bufl'y, or whitish, rather evenly spotted with chocolate, 2'30 x 1-65. 74 GULLS. The coast-inhabiting individuals of this species resemble the Her- ring Gull in habits, and are not easily identifiable from that species unless the two be seen together, when the smaller size of the lling-bill is noticeable. In the interior, where the species is locally common, it feeds on insects, which it catches both on the ground and in the air. The MEW GULL (56. Lartu canut) — a European species — has been found once in Labrador. 68. Lama atricilla Linn. LAUGHING GULL ; BLACK-HEADED GULL. (See Fig. 6,6.) Ad. in summer. — Back and wings dark pearl-gray ; primaries black, the inner ones with small white tips (Fig. 60, c) ; whole head and throat deep slate-color; rest of the plumage, including the nape, pure white, the breast sometimes suffused by a delicate peach-blossom tint; bill dark red- dish, brighter at the tip. Ad. in winter. — Resembles the above, but has the head and throat white, the crown and sides of the head and sometimes the nape spotted or streaked with grayish. 1m. — Upper parts light ashy fuscous, the feathers margined with whitish; primaries black; forehead and under parta white, sometimes washed in places with dusky ; tail dark pearl-gray, broadly tipped with black. L., 16-50; W., 12-50; T., 4-90; B., 1-65. Jlange. — Breeds from Texas and Florida to Maine; rare in the interior; winters from South Carolina to northern South America. Washington, irregular in fall. Long Island, rare S. R., irregular T. V., Apl. to Sept A'ett, of grasses, seaweed, etc., on the ground in grassy marshes. Eyyf, three to five, varying from grayish olive-brown to greenish gray, spotted, blotched, and scrawled with chocolate, 2-15 x 1-55. " From the hoarse clatter of the Terns one could distinguish its long-drawn, clear note on a high key, sounding not unlike the more excited call-note of the Domestic Goose ; and every now and then it would give its prolonged, weird laughter, which has given rise to its common name. To one who has heard it. it might be imitated by the syllables hah-ha-ha-ha-ha, hah-huh-hnh, all of which are uttered on a high, clear tone, the last three or four syllables, and especially the last one, being drawn out with peculiar and prolonged effect, the whole sounding like the odd and excited laughter of an Indian squaw, and giving marked propriety to the name of the bird " (Langille). 59. Larus franklin! Sir. and nich.. FKAXKLIN'S C,\ i.i.. Ad. in sum- mer. — Whole head and throat sooty black, nape, sides of the neck, and under parts, except throat, white, generally suffused (in fresh specimens) with an exquisite peach-blossom tint; tail white; back and wings pearl-gray; first primary white, the outer web black, except at the tip, the shaft part of the inner web grayish on the basal half (Fig. 60, d) ; second primary white, with a black mark on the inner web and a black stripe on the outer wel> near the tip, the rest of the outer web and shaft part of the inner web pearl-gray ; third GULLS. 75 to sixth primaries tipped with white, then banded with gradually diminishing bars of black, which are succeeded by a whitish space, while the rest of the feather is pearl-gray ; bill dark coral-red. Ad. in winter. — " Similar, but head and neck white, the occiput, with orbital and auricular regions, grayish dnsky ; bill and feet dusky, the former tipped with orange reddish." Young, first plumage. — " Top and sides of the head (except forehead and lores), back and scapulars grayish brown, the longer scapulars bordered terminally with pale grayish buff; wing-coverts bluish gray tinged with grayish brown; seconda- ries dusky, edged with pale grayish blue and broadly tipped with white ; pri- maries dusky, the inner more plumbeous, all broadly tipped with white. Central portion of the rump uniform light bluish gray ; lateral and posterior portions of the rump, upper tail-coverts, entire lower parts, forehead, lores, and eyelids white. Bill brownish, dusky terminally ; feet brown (in skin)." W., 11-25; B., 1-30; depth through nostrils, -35 ; Tar., 1-60 (B., B., and K.). Range. — "Breeds from southern Minnesota and Dakota northward; win- ters in the Southern States, and migrates principally west of the Mississippi .River" (Cooke and Herri am). Not found on the Atlantic coast. Nest, of grasses, etc., in reedy or bush-grown marshes. Eggs, one to three, varying from dark chocolate to creamy brown and sooty white, irregularly marked with small spots or large blotches of umber, and with obsolete lilac shell markings, 2-12 x 1-40 (Preston). This inland species reaches our western limits. An excellent ac- count of its habits, by J. W. Preston, will be found in the Ornitholo- gist and OSlogist, xi, pp. 54, 55. 60. Larus Philadelphia, ( OrcT). BONAPARTE'S GITLL. Ad. in summer. — Whole head and throat dark, sooty slate-color; nape and sides of the neck, under parts, except throat, and tail white: back and wings pearl-grny ; first primary, seen from above, white, the outer web and tip black (Fig. 60, e) ; second and third primaries white, tipped with black ; third to sixth primaries with small whitish tips, then large black spaces, the rest of the feather white or pearl-gray ; bill black. Ad. in winter. — Similar to the preceding, but head and throat white, the back and sides of the head washed with grayish. Im. —Top of the head and nape and a spot on the auriculars more or less washed with grayish ; back varying from brownish gray to pearl-gray ; lesser wing- coverts grayish brown, secondaries mostly pearl-gray ; first primary with the outer web, tip, and most of the shaft part of the inner web black; inner mar- gin of the inner web at the end of the feather narrowly bordered with black ; second and third primaries much the same, but with slightly more black at the ends ; tail white, banded with black and narrowly tipped with white ; under parts white. L., 14-00 ; W., 10-30 ; T., 4-00 ; B., 1-15. Range. — Breeds from Manitoba northward ; apparently no record of its breeding on the Atlantic coast; winters southward to the Gulf of Mexico. Washington, common T. V., Mch. to May 5; Oct. and Nov. Long Island, common T. V., a few winter, Oct. to Apl. Sing Sing, rather rare T. V., Apl. and Oct. Ke&t, of sticks lined with grasses, etc., on stumps, in bushes or trees four 76 TERXS. to twenty feet from the ground. Eyy*, three to four, grayish olive with a greenish tint and small clove-brown spots, chiefly about the larger end, 1-'J7 x 1-40 (B., B., and R.). "The flight is easy and graceful, each stroke of the long, pointed wings throwing the body up a little, while the bird peers this way and that in quest of its small prey. If it fly toward one, the white front of its wings, added to its white breast and neck, gives it the appear- ance of a white bird with a black head. It often has a noticeable way of turning partly around or cutting backward as it drops in securing some object detected on or near the surface of the water, thus making it appear decidedly lithe and agile on the wing " (Langille). The LITTLE GULL (60- 1. Larus minutus), a European species. has been taken only once iu America — on Long Island, in September, 1887 (Butcher, Auk, v, 1888, p. 171). Boss's GULL (Cl. Jfhodottethia rogea), on arctic *pwies, is known from Point Barrow, Alaska; Melville Peninsula ; England. Faroes, and Heligoland ; but has been found in numbers only at the tirst-mentioned locality. (See Murdoch, Kep. of the Exp. to Point Barrow, p. 123.) 62. Xema sabinii (iS'oA.). S.M.INKV (in.i,. Ad. in rummer. — \Vholo head and throat slate-color, bordered posteriorly by black; back and sides of the neck, under part.-*, except throat, and tliyhthj forkid tail pure white; back and wings dark pearl-gray ; secondaries tipped with white ; first primary black, the inner half of the inner web, except at the end. white : second to fourth primaries similar, but tipped with white; bill black, the end yellow. Ad. in icihdr. — "Similar to the summer plumage, but the head and nick white, except occiput, nape, and auricular region, which are dull, dusky plumbeous" (B., B., and K.). Im. — Forehead and lores white, rest of the upper parts ashy brown, the feathers slightly tipped with whitish ; tail white, broadly tipped with blackish; under parts white. L., 14-00; W., 10-50; T., 4-50 ; B., 95. Jfange. — Arctic regions, in winter migrating only a short distance south- ward and rarely reaching the United States. Long Island, A. V., one record. Nest, of grasses, etc., on the ground. Egg*, two to five, deep olive (vary- ing in intensity, however), rather indistinctly spotted or blotched with brown, 1-78 x 1-26 (Ridgw.). This boreal species is of rare occurrence in the northern United States in the winter. Subfamily Sfernhifr. Trm*. Terns are littoral ; never. I believ. pelagic. They inhabit the shores of bodies of both fresh and salt water, but are more abundant on the seacoast than in the interior. Their principal characters, as compared with the Gulls, are mentioned under the subfamily LurituB. Their TERNS. 77 power of flight has deservedly won for them the name of Sea Swal- lows. They capture their prey of small fish by plunging into the water, frequently disappearing and swimming a few feet beneath the surface. They nest in colonies. The nest is usually on the ground. Generally it is simply a slight depression in the sand, shells, or pebbles of a beach, or in the near-by seaweed, moss, or grasses. Sometimes it is scantily lined with bits of grass, seaweed, moss, etc., but these are frequently wanting. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Wing under 13-00. 1. Entire top of the head jet-black. A. Bill blaek, or mostly black. a. Feet black or blackish. a1. Under parts black or blackish 77. BLACK TERN. a'. Under parts white ; bill black .... 63. GULL-BILLED TEKN. a». Under parts white; bill black, broadly tipped with yellow. 67. CABOT'S TERN. b, Feet yellowish or orange. Ji. Outer tail-feathers pure white ; outer web of flrst primary black. 72. ROSEATE TERN. i». Inner web of outer tail-feather gray ; outer web of first primary gray 69. FOKSTEK'S TEKN. ft. Bill mostly or entirely yellowish, reddish, brownish, or orange. a. Under parts tinged with grayish ; outer web of outer tail-feather gray ; inner web white. a1. Bill broadly tipped with blackish ; tarsus generally over -70. 70. COMMON TEKN. a?. Bill without a distinct black tip; tarsus generally under -70. 71. ARCTIC TERN. b. Under parts pure white ; inner web of outer tail-feather gray ; outer web white 69. FORSTER'S TERN. 2. Forehead white ; lores bl^ck ; crown jet-black. A. Wing under 8-00; back pearl-gray 74. LEAST TERN. £. Wing over 8'00 ; back grayish brown or blackish. a. Back grayish brown ; a white stripe from the forehead over the eye. 76. BRIDLED TERN. b. Back blackish ; white of forehead not reaching over the eye. 75. SOOTY TERN. 3. Forehead or crown white or grayish, sometimes speckled with black; lores not entirely black. A. Wing pearl-gray, over 9-00. a. Outer tail-feather entirely pure white. a1. Bill over 1-75, tipped with yellowish ... 67. CABOT'S TERN. a*. Bill under T75, without a yellow tip . 72. ROSEATE TERN (1m.). b. Outer tail-feather not pure white. b1. Inner web of outer tail-feather darker than outer web ; outer web 78 TKRNS. mostly or entirely white ; n black space generally on the side of the lii-ail inclosing the eye <'•'.>. FO-STKU'S TKBN (Im.). b*. Outer web of outer tail-feuther darker tlian inner wub; tarsus over '70 70. COMMON TERN ( 1m. i. 6*. Outer web of outer tail-t'euther darker than inner web; tarsus under -71' 71. ARCTIC TERN ( \\\\. j. £. Wing blaekish, over 9-00. a. Under parts blackish 75. SOOTY TERN (Im.). b. Under parts white 76. HKII>LEI> TKKN i Ira.). 4. Crown silvery gray ; lores black ; rest of plumage sooty . 79. NODDY. C. Wing under 9-00 77. BLACK TERN (1m.). IL Wing over 13-00. A. Wing 15-00 or over; outer primary mostly pray. 64. CASPIAN TERN. B. Wing under 15-00; inner half of inner web of first primary white. 65. KOYAL TERN. Fio. 81.— First primaries of adult TVrns. seen from below, (n) Caspian Tern ; (6) Royal Tern ; (c) Common Teru ; (d) Arctic Tern ; (e) Roseate Tern. 63. Gelochelidon nilotica Iln**flq. GULL-BILLED TERN; MARSH TERN. Ail. in summer.— Top of the head and nape black ; back and wings pale pearl -jrrny : outer \veh of outer primaries silvery; tip nnd shaft part of tlie inner web darker; inner purt of the inner web, except f»r n narrow mur- TERNS. 79 gin at the end of the feather, white ; tail white, slightly forked, the middle feathers grayish; under parts white; bill and feet black, the former rather short and stout. Ad. in winter. — Similar to the above, but top of the head white, auriculars grayish, and a space in front of the eye blackish. L., 14-50; W., 12-00 ; T., 5-50 ; B., 1-40 ; depth of B. at base, -50. Range. — Cosmopolitan ; in North- America breeds along the Gulf coast from Mexico to Florida, and on the Atlantic coast north to Virginia, straying northward rarely to Maine. Washington, casual. Long Island, A. V. in summer. Eggs, three to iive, rather uniform buify white, with numerous distinct and obscure chocolate markings, 1-80 x 1-30. This is a common species on the coast of our Southern States. It is said to prefer insects, which it catches on the wing, to fish. Its voice is harsh and easily distinguishable from that of other Terns, while its heavy black bill will also serve to identify it. 64. Sterna tschegrava Lepech. CASPIAN TERN. Ad. in spring. — Top and back of the head shining black, the feathers lengthened to form a crest ; back of the neck, under parts, and tail white ; back and wings pearl- gray ; primaries dark slaty, silvery on the outer web (Fig. 61, a) ; bill coral- red, darker near the tip ; feet black. Ad. after the breeding season and in winter. — Similar to the above, but top of the head streaked with black. Im. — Top of head streaked with black and white ; back of neck and under parts white; back, wing-coverts, and tertials pearl-gray, spotted or barred with brownish black ; primaries dark slaty, silvery on the outer web ; tail pearl- gray, more or less barred with brownish black ; bill orange-red ; feet black- ish brown. L., 21-00; W.. 16-20; T., 6'00; B., 2-80. Range. — A cosmopolitan species of irregular distribution ; in North Amer- ica, breeds locally from Texas to Great Slave Lake ; migrates through the in- terior and on the coast, and apparently does not winter within our limits. Long Island, uncommon T. V., Aug. and Sept. Eggs, two to three, grayish white or buffy white, with rather small, dis- tinct, and obscure chocolate markings, 2-70 x 1-83. This large Tern of local distribution is to be known by its size and red bill. Unless the two were seen together, however, I do not believe it could with certainty be distinguished in life from the Royal Tern. 65. Sterna maxima Bodd. KOYAL TERN. Ad. in spring. — Top and back of the head shining black, the feathers lengthened to form a crest ; back of the neck, under parts, and tail white ; back and wings pearl-gray ; inner web of primaries, except at the tip, white ; tip, outer web, and shaft part of inner web dark, silvery slate-color (Fig. 61, b). Ad. after the breeding season, and in winter. — Similar to the above, but top of the head streaked with black and white. Im. — Eesembling the young of S. tschegrava, but smaller and with the inner half of the inner web of the primaries white. L., 19-00 ; W., 14-00 ; T., 7-00 ; B., 2-50. Range. — Breeding in North America along the Gulf coast from Texas to gO TERNS. Florida, and on the Atlantic coast to Virginia ; occasionally wanders north- ward to the Great Lakes and Massachusetts. Long Island, A. V. in summer. A;/;/*, one to four, more pointed than those of the preceding, grayish white, with rather small, distinct, and obscure chocolate markings, 2-05 x 1-75. A common species on our southern coasts. During the winter it is about the only Tern one sees in Florida waters. It is a strong, active bird on the wing, and a reckless, dashing diver, frequently dis- appearing beneath the surface in catching its prey. The slow-living Pelicans are at its mercy, and it often deftly robs them of their well- earned gains. Both this species and the preceding, and indeed all the Terns, are to be known from the Gulls by the very different manner in which they hold their bills. A Tern, points its bill directly downward, and looks, as Coues says, like a big mosquito, while a Gull's bill points for- ward in the plane of its body. 67. Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida (Cabot). CABOT'S TKRN; SANDWICH TKKN. .!t,linij season, and in winter. — Similar to the above, but crown white, sometimes spotted with black; back of the head and crest more or less streaked with white. Jin. — Similar to the preceding, but back spotted with blackish ; tail slaty gray and much shorter: bill slightly if at all tipped with yellow. L., 16-00; W., 10-50; T., 5-50; B., 2-05. Range.— Tropical America, breeding on the Gulf coast from Texas to Florida,1 and on the Atlantic coast to South Carolina; accidental in Ma>.-a- chusetts. Eggt, two to three, hutFy white, spotted, speckled, and scrawled with dis- tinct and obscure chocolate markings, 2-05 x 1-40. This is an abundant summer resident on the coasts of southern Florida, and in winter is common as far north as Key West. It is said by Audubon to somewhat resemble the Marsh Tern on the wing, and to have a loud, sharp, grating voice, which can be heard half a mile or more. I have never seen it alive, but I believe its yellow-tipped, black bill would enable one to identify it at some dis- tance. TRUDEAU'S TERJT (68. Sterna trudeaui) is a South American species which has been taken once on Long Island and once on the New Jersey coast. 69. Sterna forsteri Xutt. FORSTER'S TERN. Ad. in summer. — Wh»le, top of the head black; back and wings pearl-gray; inner border of inner web of the outer primaries white, except at the tip; rump and < afire TERNS. 81 ynder parts white ; tail light pearl-gray, the outer feather darker toward the end, where the inner web is always darker than the outer ; bill dull orange, the end third blackish ; feet orange. Ad. in winter. — Similar to the above, but head white, more or less washed with grayish or spotted with black, a large black spot on the side of the head inclosing the eye ; bill mostly black ; feet brownish. Im. — Similar to the preceding, but the back and wings more or less mottled or washed with light brownish, and the tail much shorter. L., 15-00 ; W., 10-25 ; T., T'00 ; Tar., 90 ; B., 1-50. Range. — Of more or less general distribution throughout North America, breeding in the east locally from Texas northward through the Mississippi Valley to St. Clair Flats and Manitoba — recorded from Lake Mistassini — ap- parently not breeding on the Atlantic coast north of Virginia, but wandering irregularly to Massachusetts. Washington, rare and irregular T. V. Long Island, rare T. V. in fall. Nest, of seaweed, flags, or weeds on a slight elevation in grassy marshes. Egt/s, three, very variable, olive-gray, or olive brownish ashy, more rarely whitish or buff, heavily marked with chocolate, T80 x 1-30. Dr. Brewer, writing of Mr. Ridgway's experience with this species on Cobb's Island, Virginia, where it was found breeding in numbers, says: " It was only less abundant than the Anglica [= nilotica], and quite as numerous as the hirundo, frequenting especially grassy marshes, in which it nests. He found it pre-eminently a marsh Tern. It nested in company with, or in close proximity to, colonies of the Black-headed Gull. It could be readily distinguished from the Com- mon Tern, which it closely resembles when on the wing, by its grating monotonous note, which very closely resembles one frequently uttered by the Loggerhead Shrike" (B. B., and R.). 70. Sterna hirundo Linn. COMMON TERN; WILSON'S TERN; SEA SWALLOW (see Fig. 7). Ad. in summer. — Whole top of the head black; back and wings pearl-gray ; inner border of inner web of outer primaries white, except at the tip (Fig. 61, c) ; throat white ; breast and belly pale pearl-gray ; tail white, the outer webs of the outer feathers gray or pearl-gray ; bill red at the base, the end third black ; feet orange-red. Ad. in winter. — Similar to the above, but front part of the head and under parts white : bill mostly black. Im. — Similar to the preceding, but the back more or less washed or mottled with light brownish ; lesser wing-coverts slaty gray, and tail much shorter. L., 15-00 ; W., 10-25; T., 5-50; Tar., -75; B., 1-40. Remarks. — The Common Tern is closely related to Forster's Tern and also to the Arctic Tern. From the former it is to be distinguished by the color of the long outer tail-feathers. In the Common Tern the outer web of these feathers is always darker than the inner web; in Forster's Tern the inner web is always darker than the outer one. Adult Common Terns have the breast and belly washed with pearl-gray, while in Forster's Tern these parts are pure white. The Common Tern differs from the Arctic Tern in having the bill tipped 7 82 TEUNS. with black instead of being entirely red ; in having longer tarsi, and in the color of the primaries. Range. — " Greater part of the northern hemisphere and Africa; in North America chiefly confined to the eastern province " (A. O. U.). Breeds locally both on the coast and in the interior from the Gulf States to the Barren Grounds and Greenland. Washington, irregular T. V., sometimes common. Long Island, common S. I;.. May through Sept Sing Sing, casual in late summer. Cambridge, casual in Sept J"''joth Gull and Muskeget Islands now have a paid keeper whose duty it is to protect the Terns. 71. Sterna paradiseea ISrfmn. ARCTIC TERN.— Very similar in eolor to the Common Tern, from which it differs in having less gray on the shaft part of the inner web of the outer primaries (Fig. 61, rf) ; in having the tail somewhat longer, the tarsi and bill shorter, while the latter, in the adult, is generally without a black tip. L., 15-50; W., 10-25; T., 7-50; Tar., -65; B., 1-30. Ifange. — " Northern hemisphere ; in North America, breeding from Massa- TERNS. 83 chusetts to the arctic regions, and wintering southward to Virginia and Cali- fornia" (A. O. Ifr). Long Island, rare in summer. Egys, three to four, not distinguishable with certainty from those of the preceding, 1'62 x 1*15. Comparing the notes of this bird with those of the Common Tern, Mr. Brewster writes : " Their notes are similar, but several of them can be distinguished. The usual cry of S. macrura [= paradiscea] cor- responds to the tearr of S. hirundo, but is shriller, ending in a rising inflection, and sounding very like the squeal of a pig. The bird also has a short, harsh note similar to that of Forster's Tern. At any dis- tance within fair gun-range I could usually separate it from Wilson's [= Common] Tern by its longer tail, and by the uniform and deeper color of the bill. In flight and habits the two seemed to me identical " (Birds Observed on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., xxii, 1883, p. 402). 72. Sterna dougalli Montag. ROSEATE TERN. Ad. in summer. — Top of head black ; back and wings pearl-gray ; outer web of outer pri- maries and shaft part of the inner web slaty black (Fig. 61, e) ; under parts white, generally delicately tinted with pinkish; tail pure white ; bill black, the base reddish ; feet red. Ad. in winter. — Similar to the above, but front of the head white, more or less streaked or spotted with black ; under parts pure white. Im., first plumage. — " Pileum and nape pale buft'y grayish, finely mottled or sprinkled with darker, and streaked, especially on the crown, with dusky ; orbital and auricular regions dusky blackish ; remainder of the head, extreme lower part of the nape, and entire lower parts white, the nape, and sometimes the breast, finely mottled with butty gray ; back, scapulars, wing- coverts, rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail pale pearl-blue, the back and scapu- lars overlaid with pale buff irregularly mottled with dusky, each feather with a submarginal dusky V-shaped mark ; primary coverts and primaries dark bluish-gray edged with paler, the inner webs of the latter broadly edged with white; tail-feathers marked near their ends much like the longer scapulars, their outer webs rather dark grayish ; bill brownish dusky ; feet dusky." L., 15-50 ; W., 9-50 ; T., T50 ; B., 1-50 (B., B., and R.). Bange. — Temperate and tropical regions ; in America apparently confined to the Atlantic coast, breeding from Florida northward to Maine; compara- tively rare north of southern New Jersey ; winters south of the United States. Long Island, uncommon but regular S. R., May through Sept. Eggs, three, not distinguishable with certainty from those of S.forsteri or S. hirundo, but averaging paler and less heavily marked, 1-65 x 1-20. This species is found associated with colonies of Common Terns, apparently making its nest among theirs. It is a less excitable, wilder bird than hirundo, and its single harsh note, each, may be distinctly heard above the uproar of Common Terns, as it hovers somewhat in 84 TERNS. tlic background. Its white breast and long outer tail-feathers also aid in distinguishing it. % 74. Sterna antillarum ( Ltt*.). LEAST TERX. Ad. in tummer. — Forehead white, lores and crown black; back, tail, and wings pearl-gray ; outer web of outer primaries and shaft part of the inner web slaty black; under parts white; bill yellow, generally tipped with blink; feet orange. Ad. in winter. — Top of head white, more or less spotted with blaek ; buck <>f head black; bill blackish. Jin. — I'pper parts and tail at the end mottled with blackish and buffy. primaries us in the adult, under parts white, bill blackish. L., 9-00 ; W., 6-90 ; T., 3'50; B., 1-10. Range. — Northern South America northward to California, Dakota, nnd Massachusetts, rarely to Labrador; breeds locally throughout its range, and •winters south of the Unite. 1 >• Washington, casual T. V. Long Island, ran- in summer. Egg*, three to four, bufl'y white, suckled or sjM.tted with chocolate, 1-25 x -90. Tliis. the smallest of our Terns, resembles its congeners in habits, though it is said to add insects to its usual fare of fish. Its vi.iiv is described a« " a sharp squeak, much like the cry of a very young pig following its mother." 75. Sterna fuliginosa '/'. S..,,TY TKUV. Ad.— Forehead and a line reaching to the eye white, lores and n->t <>t' the head blaek: nape, back, and wings brownish block, nearly as dark as the head; outer tail-feathers white, brownish on the end half of the inner web; rest of tail-feathers of the. same color as the back; under parts white; bill ami feet blaek. ////., frxt •plumage. — Sooty slate-color; linings of the winirs and under tail-coverta whitish ; wing-coverts, scapulars, upper tail-coverts, and tail-feathers more or less tipped with white. L., 17-00: W., ll-f)0 ; T.. 7 •-'•"• : I'... 1'7">. li'ftnye. — Tropical and subtropical regions: in North A meriea breeds rarely as far north its North Carolina; occasionally wanders northward to Maine; winters south of the I'nited States. Long Island, A. V. in summer. /.;/.'/*, one to three, whitish or buff, speckled or spotted with chocolate, 2-00 x 1-45. A regular slimmer visitant to our southern coasts and occasionally wandering northward. It breeds in colonies in little-frequented islands in the West Indies, and may be seen fishing in flocks, which hover low over the water. The BRIDLED TEUN (76. Sterna antrthftuf,), a tropical species, has been taken once in Florida, but may prove to be a regular summer visitant to some of the Florida keys. 77. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (Gmfl.}. BI.ATK TKKV. A<1. in fti/iiinr. — Whole head nnd under parts, except under tail-coverts, black ; back, wings, and tail slate-color ; bill and feet black. Ad. in winter, SKIMMERS. 85 — Forehead, nape, and under parts white: back of the head bluck mixed with white; back, wings, and tail deep pearl-gray. Im. — Similar to the pre- ceding, but upper parts more or less washed and tipped with brownish ; sides washed with grayish. L., 1OOO; W., 8'30; T., 3'30; B., I'OO. Range. — Temperate and tropical America; breeds in the interior from Kansas and Illinois to Alaska; not known to breed on the Atlantic coast, where it is found from Prince Edward's Island southward as an irregular migrant, occurring at times in considerable numbers. 1 Washington, irregular T. V., Sept. Long Island, irregular T. V. in vary- ing numbers, Aug. and Sept. Sing Sing, A. V., Sept. Ne-st, of reeds, grasses, etc., rather closely woven, in grassy marshes or vegetation floating in a slough. .Eggs, two to three, grayish olive-brown, rarely whitish, heavily spotted and blotched with chocolate markings, fre- quently confluent about the larger end, T35 x -98. This is an abundant species at favorable localities in the interior. " It seems not to subsist on fish at all, but chiefly on dragon flies and various aquatic insects. It finds both its home and its food in the marshes usually, but its powers of flight are so great that it may also be seen far out on the dry open plains, scouring the country for food at a distance of miles from its nesting ground. . . . "The bird may frequently be seen dashing about in a zigzag man- ner so swiftly, the eye can offer no explanation of its motive until, on the resumption of its ordinary flight, a large dragon fly is seen hang- ing from its bill. . . ." (Thompson). The WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN (78. IlydrocTielidon leucoptera\ an Old World species, has been taken onee in Wisconsin, and is recorded as "seen" on a lake near Winnipeg. 79. Anous stolidus (Linn.). NODDY. Ad. — Top of the head silvery whitish, lores black ; rest of the plumage dark sooty brown ; tail rounded, the central tail-feathers longest. Im. — Similar, but the top of the head is like the rest of the plumage and the silvery whitish appears as a line from the bill to above the eye. L., 15-00 ; W., 10-25 ; T., 5-90 ; B., 1-70. Range. — " Tropical and subtropical regions ; in America, from Brazil and Chili north to the Gulf and South Atlantic States" (A. O. U.). JVest, of sticks, grasses, etc., on a mangrove bush, in a tree, sometimes on the beach or in crevices of rocks. Egg, pale butty white, sparingly marked with rufous, 2-05 x 1-35. This is a summer visitant to our South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and nests on some of the Florida keys. FAMILY RYNCHOPID^E. SKIMMERS. The three closely allied species constituting this small but distinct family are found in the warmer parts of the earth. Only one species 86 ALBATROSSES. inhabits the western hemisphere. Skimmers are unique both in tin. form of the bill and in their manner of feeding. Opening the mouth. the bladelike lower mandible is dropped just beneath the surface of the water; then, flying rapidly, they may be said to literally "plosv the main " in search of their food of small aquatic animals. 80. Rynchops nigra I. inn. BLACK SKIMMER; Snssou-nii.i. (see Fig. 8). ./'/. Forehead, .-ides of the head, under part>. and tips of the see- ondaries white; upper piirt.s and wings black ; outer tail -feathers white, inner ones more or less brownish. L., l*/<><'; NV., u-50; T., 475; B., u"i'.<>. linnijt. — Coasts of the wanner purls of Ameriea, breeding regularly as tar north as southern New Jersey, and. after the breeding seu.->on, occasionally wandering northward as far us the Buy of Fundy. Washington, A. V. I.omr Island, occasional in summer. A'ett, a slight depression in the sand or shells of a beach. Effflf, three to four, white or bully white, heavily blotched with chocolate, 1-80 x I-:1..".. A not uncommon species on our southern coasts, resembling other members of this family in habits. OBDEB TUBINARES. TUBE-NOSED SWIMMEBS. FAMILY DIOMEDEIDJE. ALBATROSSES. The Albatrosses, numbering eight or ten species, are confined chiefly to the seas of the southern hemisphere. They are eminently pelagic birds, possessed of untiring powers of flight. Four species visit Manual, 2d ed., ii, p. 277). FAMILY PROCELLARIID^E. SHEARWATERS AND PETRELS. The seventy known species of Petrels are distributed over the sons of the world. Some thirty species have been found in North America, of which seven occur regularly on our Atlantic coast. Like their large relatives, the Albatrosses, they are strictly pelagic, and visit the land only to nest. The strong, swift flight of Shearwaters, and the graceful movements of the smaller ''Mother Carey's Chickens," are familiar sights to those who go '• down to the sea in ships." SHEARWATERS AND PETRELS. 87 KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Wing over 10-50. A. Under parts dusky 94. SOOTY SHEARWATER. £. Under parts white. a. Bill under T50 98. BLACK-CAPPED PETREL. b. Bill over 1-50. b1. Under tail-coverts white 88. CORY'S SHEARWATER. b*. Under tail-coverts grayish brown . . 89. GREATER SHEARWATER. II. Wing under 10-50. A. Wing over 7'25. a. Depth of bill at base over -50. . 86. FULMAR. 86a. LESSER FULMAR. b. Depth of bill at base under -50. b1. Upper parts bluish gray 99. SCALED PETREL. ia. Upper parts sooty black 92. AUUUBON'S SHEARWATER. B. Wing under 7'25. a. Upper tail-coverts more or less white. a1. Tail forked 106. LEACH'S PETREL. b1. Tail square. b9. Webs of feet marked with yellow; upper tail-coverts not tipped with black 109. WILSON'S PETREL. b3. Webs of feet without yellow ; tail-coverts tipped with black. 104. STORMY PETEEL. b. Upper tail-coverts grayish or brownish. b1. Entire under parts brownish 101. BULWER'S PETREL. b9. Breast grayish 110. WHITE-BELLIED PETREL. i*. Entire under parts white 111. WHITE-FACED PETREL. 86. Fulmarus glacialis (Linn.). FULMAR; NODDY (see Fig. 9, b). Light phase. — Head, neck, and under parts white or whitish ; back, wings, and tail slaty gray. Dark phase. — Entire plumage nearly uniform dark, slaty gray. L., 19-00 ; W., 13-04 ; B., 1-50 ; dcptli of B. at base, -75 (Kidgw.). Mange. — North Atlantic; south in winter on the American coast to Massa- chusetts ; accidental in northern New Jersey. JVest, on the ledges of rocky cliff's. Egg, one, dull white, 2-85 x 2-01. " The Fulmar is a constant attendant on whalers, sealers, etc. — who know it as the ' Mollimoke ' — in order to obtain fatty substances and animal offal ; but I never saw it take any while on the wing, and it always settles on the water to feed, like an Albatross. The pinions are often flapped slowly in an owl-like manner, but in scudding they are held very straight — a peculiarity by which it may easily be distin- guished from a Gull at a distance" (Saunders). 86a. F. g. minor Kjaerb. LESSER FULMAR; NODDY. "Similar in color to F. glacialis, but much smaller. W., 11-80-12-00; B., 1-30-1-38; depth of B. at base, -60--70." Range. — " North Atlantic, south on American side to coast of New Eng- land" (Kidgw.). $8 SHEARWATERS AND 1T.TKKLS. 88. Pufflnus borealis <'<>ry. CORY'S SHKAKWATER. Ad.— Upper part* ashy fuscous, win^s and tail darker: sides of head aiul neck slightly lighter; under parts white, sometimes washed with grayish elly more or less ashy gray ; wider tail-covert* atky gray ; bill blackish. L., 20-00 ; W., 12-25 ; Tar., 2-20 ; B., 1-85. Range. — u Atlantic Ocean, south to Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope " (A. 0. U.) ; north to Greenland. Long Island, uncommon in summer. Nttt and eggs unknown. '•The long, narrow wings are set stiffly at right angles with the body, and the bird frequently glides half a mile at a time without moving them perceptibly. It usually follows a direct course, and in- variably skims close over the waves. I know of no other sea bird whose movements are as easy and graceful. Indeed, at times, espe- cially during a gale, its evolutions will compare in grace and spirit with those of the Mississippi or Swallow-tailed Kites" (IJrewster). MANX'S SHEARWATER (90. I'ntKmix /«//#//'/.«! resembles the next in color, but is lanrer. W.. s-.vi-ii^r, ; B., I-:;:. 1--1" ; depth of H. through base, ' Tar., 1-70-1-80 " (B., B., and B.). It is a European specie.-, of exceedingly rare or accidental occurrence on the North Atlantic coast. 92. Pufflnus auduboni Fiimi-h. At in HON'S SHEARWATER. Ail.— Upper parts, wings, and tail dark, sooty, brownish black ; under parts white; sides of the breast grayish ; a patch on the flanks and under tail-coverts sooty brownish black ; inner side of tarsi yellowish, outer brownish ; hill blackish. L., 12-00; W., 8-00; Tar., 1-60; B., 1-20. Range. — Warmer parts of the Atlantic, north rarely to Long Island ; breeds in the Antilles and Bahamas, but not, so far as known, on our coasts. Long Island, A. V., one record. .V. A/, of a few bits of sticks in a hole in the rocks. Effff, one, chalky white, 2-05 x 1-40. An abundant West Indian species which breeds in the Bahamas ind Antilles, and is doubtless not uncommon off our southern coasts. SHEARWATERS AND PETRELS. 89 Its flight, low over the water, is strong and swift, five or six rapid wing-beats being followed by a short sail. 94. Pufflnus Strickland! Ridgw. SOOTY SHEARWATER ; BLACK HAGDOX. Ad. — Upper parts, wings, and tail dark, sooty, brownish black ; under parts somewhat grayer ; bill blackish. L., IT'OO ; \V., 12-00 ; Tar., 2'10 ; B., 1-65. Range. — As far as known, North Atlantic ; south on the American coast to South Carolina. Long Island, uncommon in summer. Rest and egijs unknown. " Its flight and habits seem to be identical with those of major, but its uniform dark coloring gives it a very different appearance. At a distance it looks as black as a Crow " (Brewster). The BLACK-CAPPED PETREL (98. ^Estrelata hasitata) is a southern species, which has been found on Long Island, in Florida, West Virginia, and Ver- mont. It bears a general resemblance to Puffinus major, but is much smaller and has the upper and under tail-coverts white. The SCALED PETREL (99. sEstrelata scalaris) is known from one individual which had wandered to western New York. Its true home has not been dis- covered, but is doubtless in the Antarctic Ocean. BULWER'S PETREL (101. Bulweria bulweri) inhabits the eastern Atlantic Ocean, including the coasts of Europe and Africa, and is of accidental occur- rence in Greenland. 104. Procellaria pelagica Linn. STORMY PETREL. Ad. — Upper parts, wings, and tail sooty black ; under parts slightly browner; upper tail- coverts white, the longer ones broadly tipped with black ; under tail-coverts mixed with whitish ; bill and feet black. L., 5-50 ; W., 4-80 ; T., 2-50 : B,, -45. Range. — *' Atlantic Ocean, south on the American side to the Newfound- land Banks, west coast of Africa and coast of Europe " (A. O. U.). Nest, of a few bits of sticks and grasses in a burrow in the ground or be- neath a rock. Egg, one, dull white, sometimes with a wreath of minute or obscure markings at the larger end, I'lO x -80. This is the common Stormy Petrel of the east side of the Atlantic. It nests in numbers on the small islands along the coast of Great Britain, but is only a transient, visitant in our waters. It resembles the two following species in habits. 106. Oceanodroma leucorhoa ( Vieill.). LEACH'S PETREL. Ad. —Upper parts, wings, and tail sooty brown ; under parts slightly browner ; wing-coverts grayish brown ; longer upper tail-coverts white, shorter ones mixed with sooty brownish ; tail forked, outer feathers more than -50 longer than middle pair ; bill and feet black. L., 8'00 ; "W., 6-20 ; T., 3-50 ; B., -02. Range. — " North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans ; south on the coast of the United States to Virginia and California; breeds from Maine and the Hebrides northward on the coasts of the Atlantic" (A. O. U.). 90 BHEABWATEBS AND PETRELS. Washington, A. V., several records. Long Island, uncommon T. V., May and June. Cambridge, A. V., one instance, Oct. A'est, of a few bits of sticks ami grasses in a burrow in the ground, or l>e- neath a rock. Eyy, one, creamy white, sometimes with a wreath of minute or obscure markings at the larger end, T34 x 1*00. "This is a bird of the northern hemisphere, being as common on the Pacific Ocean as on the Atlantic. Its chief breeding .station on our shores is among the islands at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy ; but the open ocean is the bird's true home. " Leach's Petrels are seldom seen about their nesting site during the day, though in the evening they assemble there ; and when flut- tering through the twilight or under the moon's guidance they have the appearance of a foraging squad of bats, though the birds' wild, plaintive notes betray their race. The Petrels are not strictly noc- turnal, however, for while one of a pair sits close on the nest all day — and this one has been generally the mule, in my experience — the mate is out at sea. " When handled, these birds emit from mouth and nostrils a small quantity of oil-like fluid of a reddish color and pungent, musklikc odor. The air at the nesting site is strongly impregnated with this odor, and it guides a searcher to the nest " (Chamberlain). 1O9. Oceanites oceanlcus (Kuhl). WILSON'S PETREL. Ad.— Up- per parts, wings, and tail sooty black; under pnrts somewhat lighter; under tail-coverts mixed with whitish, longer upper tail-coverts white, shorter ones marked with sooty black ; wing-coverts grayish, margined with whitish ; bill and feet black, the webs of the latter mostly yellow. L., 7'00 ; W., 5-90 ; T., 2-80 ; B., -60. Ranfff. — Atlantic Ocean ; breeds in southern seas (Kerguelen Island) and migrates northward, spending the summer oil' our coasts. \V:i>h'm;_'ton, A. V., one record. Long Island, common from May to Sept. Jfat, in the crevices of rocks. Eyff, one, white. It is generally known that some birds which nest in the northern parts of our continent, in the winter migrate as far south as Patago- nia; but comparatively few are aware that during the summer wo receive several visitors from the southern parts of the southern hemi- sphere. They are all included in the family Procellariidte, and Wil- son's Petrel is doubtless the most common. It breeds in the islands of the South Atlantic in February, and after the cares of the breeding season are over migrates northward to pass its winter off our coasts. At this season its home is the sea, and its occurrence on land is gener- ally due to storms. For this reason, and because of its long migra- tion, it is the Petrel most frequently observed in western Atlantic waters during the summer. TROPIC BIRDS. 91 Under the name of " Stormy Petrel," or " Mother Carey's Chicken," they are familiar to most people who have made sea voyages. On tireless wing they follow in the track of a ship, coursing ceaselessly back and forth, now beneath the stern, now hovering over the foaiu- flecked wake, reminding one of white-rumped Martins in their easy, graceful flight. If food be thrown overboard, they are at once attracted to it, and soon are left far behind, a little group of black, fluttering forms on the surface of the ocean. The meal disposed of, a few rapid wing-beats bring them to us, and again they resume their patient beat- ing to and fro. The WHITE-BELLIED PETREL (110. Cymodroma grallaria) is a tropical Bpecies which has been taken once in North America — at St. Marks, Florida. The WHITE-FACED PETREL (111. Pelagodroma marina) inhabits the South Atlantic and southern seas. It is of casual occurrence off the coast of Massa- chusetts. It may be distinguished from any of our small Petrels by its white under parts. ORDER STEGANOPODES. TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS. FAMILY PHAETHONTIDJE. TROPIC BIRDS. The three species composing this small but distinct family are found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are littoral rather than pelagic, but make long journeys across the open sea. Their flight when migrating is strong, rapid, and direct. In feeding, they course over the water, beating back and forth at a height of about forty feet. Their long, willowy tail-feathers add greatly to the grace and beauty of their appearance when on the wing. 112. Pha/ethon flavirostris Brandt. YELLOW-BILLED TROPIC BIRD (see Fig. 11). Ad. — White; a mark before and through the eye; outei web of primaries, lesser wing-coverts, and tertials black ; flanks streaked with slate ; bill yellow; tail tinged with salmon, shafts of the feathers black. W., 10-75 ; T., 19-00 ; B., 2-00. Range. — Tropical coasts ; Atlantic coasts of tropical America, West Indies, Bahamas, Bermudas ; casual in Florida and accidental in western New York and Nova Scotia. This species breeds abundantly in the limestone cliffs of the Ber- mudas, but is of rare and probably accidental occurrence on our coasts. The KED-BILLED TROPIC BIRD (113. Phacthon athereus) resembles the preceding species, but has the bill red and the upper parts finely barred with black. Its range in the Atlantic is more southern than that of the Yellow- billed Tropic Bird, and in eastern North America it is accidental. The only record of its occurrence is oft' the Newfoundland Banks. 92 GANNETS. FAMILY SULIDJE. GANNETS. The Gannets number about eight species, of which one is northern while the remaining seven aiv distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical coasts of the world. They are strictly maritime, but, ex- cept when migrating, do not venture far from land. Their flight is strong and rapid, the vigorous strokes of the wing being interrupted at intervals by a short sail. They obtain their food of fish by plung- ing for it from the air. The northern species is migatory ; the others are roving, but all return with regularity to their nesting places, gen- erally on some inaccessible islet, where, during the breeding season, they may be found associated in large numbers. 115. Sula, sula (/./««.). BOOBY. (See Fig. lii.) .!. Range. — "Coasts of tropical and subtropical America, north to Georgia." Long Island, A. V., one record. A'egt, on the shore of a barren islet Eyy*, two, chalky white, 2-30 x 1-55. This inhabitant of barren shores and lonely islets is a summer visitant to the Florida keys. It is a strong flier, and when on the wing reminds one of both a Cormorant and a Gull. The BLUE-FACED BOOBY (///. >>''//,u.>. GAXNKT. ,(ln nnujt. - --Kcgion about the base of the lower man- dible white or whitish; head, upper neck, und throat glossy Mark, thickly sprinkled with white; rest nt the lu-.-k. under parts, and rump glossy black; a white patch on the flunks; upper book, tcapulan, tod wing-coverts light olive-brown, each feather bordered by glossy black ; tail black, composed of fourteen feat In r*. . (./. /'// irint.r. Similar, but without white on the heud. Im. — Top of the head and hind neck brownish Mack ; upper hack, scapulars, and wing-coverts grayish brown, the feathers bordered by blacki.ih ; rump glossy black ; throat and breast grayish brown, changing to white on the belly; sides and under tail-coverts glossy black. L., 36-00; W., 14-00; T., 7-00 ; B., 3-00. Range. — " Coasts of the North Atlantic, south in winter on the coast of the United States casually to the Carolinos" (A. O. U.). Breeds from the Bay of Fundy to northern (Ireeiiland. Long Island, regular T. V. in limited numbers. Rest, of sticks and seaweed, in colonies generally on the ledges of rocky cliffs. Effff*, four to six, pale bluish white, more or less overlaid with a chalky deposit, 2-50 x 1-50. This northern species is of uncommon occurrence on our coast south of its breeding range. 120. PhaJacrocorax dilophus (.SV. and Rich.). DOUBLE-CRESTED ('OII.MOKANT. Ad. in bretiliny />l iimaijt. -Head, neck, rump, and under parts glossy black ; upper back, scapulars, and wing-coverts light grayish brown, each feather margined with glossy black ; tail black, composed of twelve feath- er* ; a tuft of black feathers on either side of the head. Ad. in winter.— Similar, but without tufts on the head. Im. — Top of the head and back of the neck blackish brown ; upper back, scapulars, and wing-coverts brownish gray, each feather margined with black ; rump glossy black ; sides of the head and fore neck grayish white, whiter on the breast and changing gradu- ally to black on the lower belly. L., 30-00 ; W., 12-50 ; T., 6-20 ; B., 2-30. Range. — Eastern North America, breeding from Dakota, and the Bay of Fundy northward ; winters from southern Illinois and Virginia southward. Washington, casual, several records. Long Island, common T. V., Apl. 1. Baldpate. 2. Green-winged Trn 3. Blue winded Teal. 4. Shoveler. 5. Pintail. »',. \V(..M| Duck. 7. Bedhead. 8. Canvasliark. 11 Am. Scaup Duck. in. AMI. Uolden-eye. 11. Hulllt'liead. iv.'. old Squaw. 13. Qreenlaad Kid*-r. 14. White-winged Scoter. 15. Ruddy Duck. PELICANS. 95 and May ; Aug. to Nov. Sing Sing, A. V., June. Cambridge, casual, one instance, Sept. Nest, of sticks, seaweed, etc., on the ledges of cliffs, low bushes, bushy trees, or on the ground. Eggs, tv,:o to four, similar in color to those of the preceding, 2-40 x 1-40. This is the common Cormorant of the middle Eastern States. We see it chiefly as migrant when in flocks of varying size it passes far overhead, or pauses to rest on our shores. In migrating the flock is formed in a long line, comparatively few birds deep. Ou the wing they bear a general resemblance to large Ducks. 120a. P. d. fioridanus (Aud.). FLORIDA CORMORANT. Kesembles the preceding species in color, but is smaller. W., 12-00 ; T., 5-50 ; Bi, 2-10. This is an abundant bird on the Florida coast and westward along the shores of the Gulf. Almost every buoy in the harbors of Florida is capped by a Cormorant. They are shy birds, but may easily be se- cured by placing traps on the buoys or snags, to which they regularly return to roost. The MEXICAN CORMORANT (121. Phalacrocorax mexicanus) — a species found on the west Gulf coast and southward — sometimes wanders up the Mis- sissippi as far as Illinois. FAMILY PELECANID^E. PELICANS. The twelve known species of Pelicans are distributed throughout the warmer parts of the world. Three species are North American, of which two are exclusively maritime, while the third is found both on the coast and in the interior. Pelicans are gregarious and nest in large colonies. Their flight is strong but leisurely, six or seven wing- strokes being followed by a short sail, all the members of a flock flap- ping and sailing in unison. They feed on fish, for which some species plunge from the air, while others capture small fry with their scoop- like pouches while swimming. 125. Pelecanus erythrorhynchus Gmel. AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. Ad. in breeding plumage. — White, primaries black, whitish at the base ; an occipital crest and a horny prominence on the bill. Ad. in winter. — Similar, but without the crest or horny prominence. Im. — Similar, but top of the head brownish gray. L., 60-00; W., 22-00; Tar., 4-50; B., 14-00. Range. — North America, now rare or accidental on the Atlantic coast; breeds from southern Minnesota northward ; winters along the Gulf coast. Washington, casual, four records. Long Island, A. V. Nest, of small sticks, on the ground. Eggs, two to four, creamy or bluish white with a chalky deposit, more or less stained, 3'45 x 2-30. 96 PELICANS. The White Pelican winters in numbt-rs on the Gulf coast of Florida and westward, but rarely occurs on the Atlantic coast. Its snowy white plumage renders it conspicuous at a great distance, and a far- away Pelican on the water is sometimes mistaken for a distant sail. The Whit* Pelican catches his food while swimming. A flock of Pelicans will sometimes surround a school of small fry and with beat- ing wings drive them toward the shore, all the time eagerly scooping the unfortunate fish into their great pouches. At the conclusion of a successful "drive" they go ashore or rest quietly on the water and devour their prey at leisure. They migrate by day — and perhaps by night also — flying at a great height, and sometimes pausing to sail in wide circles far up in the sky. 126. Pelecanus ftiscus Linn. I'.COWN I'KI.K AN. .I./, in breed- ing plumage. — Top <»f tin- head and 11 >pot '>n the upper brea>t straw-yellow ; line down either side of the breast wliite ; liiinl head, neek, and u sjx>t on the fore neck seal-brown; sides and back silvery pray bordered by browif^li tilaek; seapulars, winir-eoverts, >,-,•., n, lories, and tail silvery gray ; primaries black; under parts dark blackish brnwn narrowly streaked with white. .(./. aft>r th>- hr,,,liii'i neatton. — Similar, but with the hind head and whole neck wliite, more or less tinned with straw-yellow. Im. — Similar to the preceding, but the head and neck grayish aud rest of the plumage duller. L., 50-00; W., 19-50; Tar.. •!•<;:> ; I',.. 11-00. Ramje.— Atlantic coast of tropical and subtropical America; breeds abun- dantly along the Gulf coast and northward to South Carolina; occasionally strays to Illinois and Massachusetts. Long Island, A. V. Nest) of sticks, in mangrove bushes or on the ground. Eggt, two to five, similar in color to those of the preceding species, 3-00 x 1-95. Brown Pelicans are abundant residents on the Florida and Gulf coast. They are generally seen in flocks of four to eight birds flying one after the other. The leader beats time, as it were, and they all flap in unison for a certain number of wing-beats, then sail for a short distance, and then flap again. The coast line is their favorite high- way to and from their roosts or nesting grounds. They fly low over the water just outside the breakers, following the trough of the sea — now disappearing behind the advancing wall of water, now reappear- ing as the wave breaks on the shore. Unlike the White Pelican, this species secures his prey by diving. Singly, in pairs, or in small flocks, they beat back and forth, generally about twenty feet above the water, and when opportunity offers plunge downward with such force that the spray dashes high about them, and the resulting .x/////.>7< may be heard a half a mile. They sometimes cutch fish twelve to fifteen inches in length, but as a rule feed on smaller ones. MAN-O'-WAR BIRDS. 97 FAMILY FREGATID.E. MAN-O'-WAR BIRDS. Man-o'-war Birds, or Frigate Birds, are found throughout inter- tropical seas. One of the two known species occurs in America. They are strictly maritime, and, while sometimes observed at great distances from the land, are met with in numbers only near the coasts. They have a greater expanse of wing in proportion to the weight of their body than any other bird, and in power of flight are unsurpassed. They rarely alight upon the water, but, facing the wind, pass hours resting motionless on outstretched wings, sometimes ascending to great heights and calmly soaring far above storms. It is when feed- ing that their marvelous aerial powers are displayed to the best advan- tage. By swift, indescribably graceful darts they secure fish which are near the surface or capture those which have leaped from the water to escape some enemy below. They also pursue Gulls and Terns, and, forcing them to disgorge their prey, catch it in midair. As a rule they are gregarious at all seasons, and nest and roost on bushes near the shore. 128. Fregata aquila (Linn.). MAN-O'-WAR BIRD; FRIGATE BIRD. (See Fig. 15.) Ad. $ . — Entire plumage black, more glossy above. 9 .—Simi- lar, but browner ; lesser wing-coverts grayish brown ; breast and upper belly white. Im. — Similar to the 9 , but whole head and neck white. L., 40-00 ; W., 25-00; T., 17'00; B., 4-50. Range. — Tropical and subtropical coasts generally ; in America north to Florida, Texas, and California, and casually to Kansas, Ohio, and Nova Scotia. Long Island, A. V., one record. Nest, of sticks, in colonies, on bushes or rocks. Egg, one, chalky white, 2-65 x 1-75. This species is not uncommon on the coasts of southern Florida, but does not, so far as I know, nest there. It resembles other mem- bers of the family in habits. ORDER ANSERES. LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS. FAMILY ANATIDJE. DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. The two hundred species included in this family are placed in the five subfamilies, Mergince or Mergansers, Anatince or River Ducks, FuligulincB or Sea Ducks, Anserinm or Geese, and Cygnincv or Swans. The characters given in the Key to Families should enable one to easily refer a specimen to its proper group. These subfamilies are so well defined that it seems advisable to treat of each one separately. 98 MERGANSERS. Aside from the general remarks at the head of each subfamily I can add little which will aid in the identification of the species in the field. Ducks are shy creatures, and familiarity with their habits is gained only by long experience. Subfamily Mvnjimt. Mvryawers. The Shelldrakes or Sawbills are fish-eating Ducks. They pursue and capture their prey under water, and their serrate bills seem opr- cially adapted to this mode of feeding. The flesh of adult Sheldrakes is rank and fishy; but the Hooded Merganser is an excellent table Duck. KEY TO SPECIES. A. Bill under 175, wing 8-00 or under .... 131. HOODED MERGANSER. B. Bill over 1-75, wing over 8*00. a. Head and throat black. a1. Breast and belly white, tinged with salmon. l:i'.i. AM. MKRGANSEB(. " This bird is fond of plunging beneath rushing currents for its food, and should it encounter a raft of floating rubbish or an ice-cake * A patch in the wing formed by the end half of the secondaries, which in Ducks are generally of a different color from the rest of the wing-feathers. MERGANSERS. 99 it will readily pass underneath it. It swims so deeply as to afford the gunner but a small mark, and dives so quickly at the snap or flash of his gun that he stands but a small chance of killing it. " On being surprised the Goosander may rise directly out of the water, but more commonly pats the surface with his feet for some yards and then rises to windward. A whole flock thus rising from some foaming current affords a spirited scene. Once on the wing, the flight is straight, strong, and rapid " (Langille). 130. Merganser serra/tor (Linn.). BED-BREASTED MERGANSER; SHELLDRAKE. Ad. 6 . — Whole head and throat black, more greenish above; a white ring around the neck; a broad cinnamon-rufous band with black streaks on the upper breast and sides of the lower neck ; lesser wing-coverts, tips of greater ones, secondaries, breast, and belly white; rump and sides finely barred with black and white. Ad. 9 and Im. — Top and back of head grayish brown washed with cinnamon-rufous; sides of the head and throat cinnamon-rufous, paler on the throat ; rest of under parts white ; back and tail ashy gray ; speculum white. L., 22-00 ; W., 9-00 ; Tar., 1-70 ; B. from N., 1-80. Remarks. — Adults of this and the preceding species may always be dis- tinguished by the color of the breast ; females and young, by the differently colored heads, while the position of the nostril is always diagnostic. Range. — Northern parts of the northern hemisphere; in America breeds from northern Illinois and New Brunswick northward to the arctic regions; winters from near the southern limits of its breeding range southward to Cuba. Washington, uncommon W. V. Long Island, abundant T. V., Mch. 1 to May 1 ; Oct. 15 to Dec. 1, a few winter. Sing Sing, common T. V., Dec. to Apl. 30. Cambridge, casual, one instance, Oct. A'est, of leaves, grasses, mosses, etc., lined with down, on the ground near water, among rocks or scrubby bushes. Eggs, six to twelve, creamy buff, 2-55 x 1-75. This is a more common species than the preceding, which it resem- bles in habits. Its note is described as a " croak." 131. IjOphodytescucullatus(Ziww.). HOODED MERGANSER. Ad. $. — Front part of large circular crest black ; remaining part white, bordered by black ; rest of head, the neck, and back black ; breast and belly white; sides cinnamon-rufous, finely barred with black. Ad. 9 . — Upper throat white ; head, neck, and upper breast grayish brown, more or less tinged with cinnamon, especially on the small crest ; lower breast and belly white ; sides grayish brown ; back fuscous. Im. — Similar, but with no crest. L., IT'50 ; W., 7'50 ; Tar., 1-10; B., 1-45. Range. — North America generally, south in winter to Cuba and Mexico ; breeds locally throughout its North American range. Washington, uncommon W. V. Long Island, uncommon T. V., rare W. V., Nov. to May. Sing Sing, rare T. V., Mch. Cambridge, formerly common T. V., Oct. to Dec. 100 I! IYER DUCKS. Nest, of grasses, leaves, moss, etc., lined with down, in a hollow tree or stump uear water. Egg«, eight to ten, bully white, u-lu x 17."). According to Ernest E. Thompson, both the preceding species fre- quent chiefly "living" or running water, while this bird prefers "(lend '' waters, or quiet ponds and lakes. In Florida it lives in small ponds in the hummocks, where one expects to find Wood Ducks, and feeds on roots, seeds, etc. It visits also the lakes frequented by Black Ducks, Mallards, and other Anatince. The mule is u striking bird in life, and can not be mistaken for any other s-p< Subfamily Anatince. River and Pond Ducks. The Ducks of this subfamily are distinguished by the absence of a lobe on the hind toe. They are, for the most part, northern breeding birds, and appear on our waters chiefly as migrants. At this time they differ but little in habits, and as a rule frequent sluggish streams, shallow ponds, arms of bays, and marshes. In comparison with the deep-water Fuliynliiut they might be called "dabblers" or "tip-ups," and any one who has seen them dabbling along the shore, or with up- turned tail and head immersed probing the bottom in shallow water, like a flock of animated tenpins, will recognize the appropriateness of these terms. They feed upon mollusks, crustaceans, insects and their larv.T, seeds and roots of aquatic plants. The "gutters" on the sides of the bill act as strainers, and, after probing the bottom, the mere act of closing the bill forces out the mud and water taken in with the food. As a rule, they feed more commonly by night than by day. They do not gather in such large flocks as the Sea Ducks, and in our waters are generally found in groups of less than fifty. They spring from the water at a bound, and on whistling wing are soon beyond the fowler's reach. Their speed is variously estimated for different species at a hundred to a hundred and sixty miles an hour. Doubtless the first-named distance is nearer the truth. Their nest is composed of twigs, rootlets, grasses, leaves, moss, feathers, etc., lined with down from the breast of the incubating bird. All our species, except the Wood Duck, place their nest on the ground generally in grassy sloughs or marshes, but sometimes in dry places some distance from the water. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Wing under 8'50. a. Lesser wing-coverts gray. 139. GREEN-WINGED TEAL. 138. EUROPEAN TEAL. b. Lesser winjr-coverts blue. 6». Chucks slate-color, a broad white mark near the front of the face. 140. BLUE-WINGED TEAL ( $ ad.). RIVER DUCKS. 101 {•'. Cheeks and under parts chestnut-rufous. 141. CINNAMON TEAL ( $ ad.). c1. Cheeks finely streaked with blackish. ca. Under parts whitish, sometimes washed with brownish, streaked or spotted with blackish 140. BLUE-WINGED TEAL 9 . c". Under parts heavily washed with chestnut-rufous and mottled with black 141. CINNAMON TEAL 9 . II Wing over 8-50. A. Belly white or grayish white, not conspicuously streaked or spotted. a. Whole head shining dark green 132. MALLARD ( $ ad.). b. Center of head white or whitish,- a large streak behind the eye. 137. BALDPATE ( $ ad.). c. Throat white, crown green or grayish green, tips of primaries greenish. 144. WOOD DUCK. d. Throat blackish, center of crown buffy, rest of head rufous. 130. WIDGEON ( $ ad.). e. Throat and sides of head olive-brown, darker on the crown. 143. PINTAIL ( 9 ad.). f. Throat, crown, and sides of head more or less finely streaked with blackish. f1. Wing-coverts with more or less chestnut .... 135. GADWALL. ffl. No chestnut in wing-coverts. g*. Axillars* and sides barred with black .... 143. PINTAIL 9. g3. Axillars white or speckled with black, sides plain brownish. 137. BALDPATE 9 . g*. Axillars white, sides thickly spotted or barred witli black. 135. GADWALL 9 . 2?. Under parts conspicuously mottled, spotted, or streaked, or feathers margined with chestnut-rufous. a. With white in wing-coverts. a1. Lesser wing-coverts ashy blue 142. SHOVELER 9 . bl. Lesser wing-coverts brownish gray, bordered with white or tipped with black. i2. Speculum \ purple 132. MALLARD 9 . b3. Speculum gray and white 135. GADWALL 9 . b. No white in wing-coverts. a. Throat fulvous or buffy without streaks . . . 134. FLORIDA DUCK. b. Throat finely streaked with black 133. BLACK DICK. 0. Belly chestnut 142. SHOVELER $ . 132. Anas boschas Linn. MALLARD (see Fig. 17, a). Ad. $ .— Whole head and throat glossy greenish or bluish black; a white ring around the neck ; breast rich chestnut; belly grayish white, finely marked with wavy black lines ; under tail-coverts black ; upper back dark grayisli brown ; rump and upper tail-coverts black ; longer upper tail-coverts recurved ; speculum rich purple, bordered at the base and tip by narrow bauds of black and white. Ad. 9 . — Top and sides of head streaked with fuscous and buffy ; back fuscous, * See Fig. 64. t A colored patch in the wing. 102 RIVER DUCKS. the feathers with internal rings or loops and sometimes borders of pale ochra- ceous buffy; speculum aw in tin- pn •>•( -iliiiir ; breast and holly ochraeeous bully, mottled with dusky grayish brown. L., '23-00; NV., 11-00; Tar., 1-75; B., 2-25. Ji'anye. — Northern parts of the northern hemisphere ; in America breeds in the interior from Indiana and Iowa, and on the Atlantic coast rarely south of Labrador, northward to tht arctic regions; winters from southern Kansas and Delaware southward to Central America and the island of Granada. Washington, common W. V. Long Island, uncommon T. V., Sept. to Apl. Sing Sing, rare T. V., Oct., Mch. L'ygs, six to ten, pale greenish or bluish white, 2-30 x 1-70. The Mallard is far more common in the interior than on the coasts. Its loud, sonorous quack is not distinguishable from that of its domes- ticated descendants. 133. Anas obscura Gmel. BLACK DUCK; DUSKY DUCK. Ad.— Top of the head rich fuscous, slightly streaked with pale buffy ; sides of the head and throat pale buffy, thickly streaked with blackish ; rest of under parts fuscous brown, the feathers all bordered by ochraceous-buff ; back slightly darker and narrowly margined with buffy; speculum rich purple, bordered by black. L., 22-00; W., 11-00; Tar., 1-75; B., -J-L'O. Remarks. — Always to be distinguished from the Mallard by the lack of white in the wing. Range. — North America; breeds from Illinois and New Jersey to Hudson Bay and Labrador; winters southward to the Greater Antilles. Washington, common W. V. Long Island, abundant W. V., Sept. to May ; a few breed. S'm._r Sim:, tolerably common S. H.. Mch. 6 to Nov. 13. Cam- bridge, very common T. V.. Meh. and Apl ; late Aui:. to Nov. ; a few breed. Eggt, eight to twelve, pale greenish or bluish white, or creamy buff, 2-43 x 'l-75. This species resembles the Mallard in general habits, and the voices of the two are indistinguishable. The Black Duck, however, is com- moner near the seacoasts, and when molested will sometimes pass the day at sea, returning at night to feed in the marshes and ponds near the shore. 134. Anas ftilvig-ula I!!\v. its nail black. L.. L>i>-00; W., 10-50; Tar.. l-r,5; B., 2-0.-,. Remarks— Easily distinguished from A. obscura by the absence of streaks on the throat. Hinge. — Florida and Gulf coast to Louisiana. Egg*, eight to ten, pale dull buff or pale grayish buff, 2-15 x 1-01 (Ridgw.V This is a common resident species in Florida. Its habits and voic* are practically the same as those of the Black Duck. RIVER DUCKS. 103 135. Anas strepera Linn. GADWALL; GRAY DUCK. Ad. 6 .— Top of the head streaked with rufous-brown and black ; sides of the head and neck pale butfy, thickly streaked or spotted with black ; breast and neck all around black, each feather with a border and an internal ring of white, giving the plumage a beautifully scaled appearance ; belly white or grayish ; rump, upper and under tail-coverts black ; lesser wing-coverts chestnut. Ad. V ."— Head and throat as in the male ; back fuscous margined with buffy ; breast and sides ochraceous buffy, thickly spotted with blackish ; belly and under tail-coverts white, more or less thickly spotted with blackish ; little or no chestnut on wing-coverts ; speculum ashy gray and white ; axillars and under wing-co verts pure white. L., 19-50; W., 10-40; Tar., 1-55; B., 1-70. Range. — Northern hemisphere ; in America, breeds in the interior locally from Kansas northward to the arctic regions ; known to breed on the Atlantic coast only at Anticosti ; winters from Virginia to Florida and Texas. Washington, common W. V., Sept. to Apl. Long Island, A. V. Eggs, eight to twelve, pale buff' or butty white, 2-09 x 1-57 (Kidgw.). This species is common in the interior and in Florida, but is rather rare in the other Atlantic States. Its call-note is said to resemble that of the Mallard, " but is rather more shrill, and frequently repeated." 136. Anas penelope Linn. EUROPEAN WIDGEON. Ad. $ . — Crown creamy butt'; throat blackish, rest of head and neck rufous-brown ; upper breast vinaceous, lower breast and belly white ; sides and back finely marked with wavy black and white lines. Ad. 9 . — Head and throat deep oehraceous- buff, finely streaked and barred with black, darker above ; upper breast and sides much the same color, but without black markings ; lower breast and belly white ; back grayish brown, the feathers with small ochraceous buffy bars; tertials fuscous, bordered by deep ochraceous buffy ; greater wing-cov- erts brownish gray, usually whiter on the outer webs and tipped with black. W., 10-50 ; B., 1-40. Remarks. — The females of the European and American Widgeons bear a general resemblance to one another. Their distinguishing characters are mainly in the color of the head and throat, which are brown in the European species, and in the color of the greater wing-coverts, which are whiter in the American bird. I have seen a caged male in the summer in a plumage closely resembling that of the female. Probably a similar change of plumage occurs in our A. americana. Range. — Northern parts of the Old World; in North America breeds in the Aleutian Islands, and occurs occasionally in the eastern United States. Washington, A. V., two records. Long Island, A. V. Eggs, five to eight, buffy white, 2-23 x 1-53. "The call-note of the male is a shrill, whistling ichee-you, whence the local names ' Whew Duck ' and ' Whewer ' ; but the female utters a low purr-ing growl. Both sexes, however, rise in silence " (Saunders). 137. Anas americana Gmel. BALDPATE; AMERICAN WIDGEON. Ad. iv;:-t :iiul */,/,* vinaccous, the latter more or leas finely barred with wavy black lines; lower breast and belly white; back grayish brown, more <-r less tinned with vinaceous and finely barred with black. Ad. 9. — Head and throat white or pale, creamy buff, finely streaked and barred with black, darker above; upper breast and »idea pale vinaceous washed witli grayish ; lower bre:ist and belly white ; back grayish brown, the feathers with small creamy buff bars ; tertials fuscous, bor- dered with irhitixh or creamy butf; greater wing-coverts brownish gray, their outer webs mostly or entirely white, their cuds black, sometimes tipped with •white. L., 19-00; W., 10-60; Tar., 1-50 ; B., 1-40. Range. — North America; breeds in the interior regularly from Mil northward, and casually as far south as Texas; n»t known to breed on the Atlantic coast; winters from open water south to Central America and north- ern South America. Washington, common W. K., Oct to A pi. Long Island, uncommon T. V., Oct to Apl. Sing Sing, common T. V., Mdi. 11 to Apl. 12; Oct. 4 to Oct. ^. Eggt, seven to twelve, bully white, 'J-05 x 1-50. Colonel N. S. Goss writes that, as a rule, Widgeons are " n<>t shy, and their note, a sort of irhi u\ u-hi-n; /'•/,,//•, uttered while feeding and swimming, enables the hunter to locate them in the thickest growth of water plants: and when in the air tin- whistling noise made liv their wings heralds their approach." They are fond of wild celery, which they procure by robbing the Canrasback and other diving Ducks, "snatching their catch from their bills the moment their heads appear above the water." 139. Anas carolinensis '////.,'. GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Ad. •>, . — Chin black, sides of the head from the eye to the nape shining green, rest of the head and neck rufous-chestnut ; breast washed with vinaceous and spotted with black; belly white; sides finely marked with wavy blaek and white lines ; middle under tail-coverts black, lateral ones creamy bun"; upper back like the sides, lower back grayish fuscous ; a u~hlt> fmr in 1'mnt of the bend of the wing; wing-coverts brownish gray, tipped with oehraceous butfy. Ad. 9 . — Top of the head brownish fuscous, margined with cinnamon ; throat and sides of the neck white, finely spotted with black ; breast and sides washed with cinnamon and spotted or barred with black ; belly and under tail-coverts white, sometimes spotted with black; back fuscous, the feathers with crescent-shaped marks of oehraceous buffy, and bordered with grayish ; wings as in the male. L., 14-50; W., T'OO ; Tar., 1-10 : B., 1 •"."•. H'unjf.— North America; breeds from Minnesota and New Brunswick northward ; winters from Kansas and Virginia southward to the West Indies ami Central America. Washington, common W. V., Sept. to Apl. Long Island, uncommon T. V. and W. V., Oct. to Apl. Sin^ S'm_r. common T. V., Apl.; Sept 11 to Oct 28. Cambridge, uncommon T. V., Apl.; Sept. to Nov. »i six to twelve, buffy white or creamy buff, 1'SO x 1-25. RIVER DUCKS. 105 "In autumn the males usually keep in separate flocks from the females and young. Their notes are faint and piping, and their wings make a loud whistling during flight. . . ." (B., B., and R.). The EUROPEAN TEAL (1S8. Anas crecca) is of casual occurrence in North America. The adult male resembles that of A. carolinensis, but the white bar in front of the wing is lacking, and the inner scapulars are creamy buff, with a sharply defined black mark on their outer webs. The female can not be distinguished from that of A. carol inens is. 140. Anas discors Linn. BLUE-WINGED TEAL. Ad. $ . — Crown fuscous, chin and sides of the base of the bill black ; a broad white band across the front of the head, its hinder margin bordered by black ; rest of the head and throat dark ashy with purplish reflections ; breast and belly cinna- mon-rufous, thickly spotted with black ; back fuscous, the feathers with cres- cents of ochraceous-butf ; lesser and median wing-coverts grayish blue, end half of the greater ones white ; speculum green. Ad. 9 and $ in summer. — Crown fuscous, lightly margined with grayish ; sides of the head and the neck whitish, finely spotted with blackish, except on the throat ; breast and belly with less cinnamon wash than in the preceding ; back arid wings quite similar to the preceding, but ochraccous bars sometimes wanting ; speculum darker and greater coverts with less white. L., IG'OO ; W., T25 ; Tar., 1-20 ; B., 1-fiO. Range. — Chiefly eastern North America; breeds from Kansas, northern Ohio, and New Brunswick northward ; winters from Virginia and the Lower Mississippi Valley to northern South America. Washington, common W. V., Sept. to Apl. Long Island, common T. V. in Sept., rare T. V. in spring. Sing Sing, common T. V. in fall, Sept. 24 to Oct. 17. Cambridge, rare in spring; very common (at least formerly) Aug. to Oct. Eggs, six to twelve, huffy white or creamy buff, 1-85 x 1-30. This generally silent species flies in densely massed, small flocks, which move as one bird. The white face-mark can be discerned at some distance, and, in connection with the bird's small size, is a good field-mark. The CINNAMON TEAL (141. Anas cyanoptera), a species of western North America, sometimes occurs east of the Mississippi. It has been recorded from Illinois and Florida. The male has the under parts deep cinnamon; the female closely resembles the same sex of our Anas discors. 142. Spatula/ clypeata (Linn.'). SHOVELEK. Ad. $ . — Head and neck fuscous, glossed with bluish green ; back and a broken line down the back of the lower neck fuscous ; rest of the lower neck and breast white ; lower breast and belly rufous-chestnut ; upper and under tail-coverts dark greenish ; lesser wing-coverts grayish blue, greater ones brownish gray tipped with white ; speculum green. Ad. 9 . — Throat buffy white ; head and reek streaked with bufl'y and black ; rest of under parts more or less washed with 106 RIVER DUCKS. buffy ochraceoufl, everywhere indistinctly spotted with fuscous except on the middle of the belly; back fuscous, the feathers with margins and internal crescents of whitish and burty ; wing-coverts and speculum much as in the male. Im. — The im. 6 is intermediate between the ad. $ and 9 ; the int. V resemble the ad. r streaked w ilh bully white; wing-coverts brownish gray, the greater ones tipped with rufous; speculum green ; central tail-feathers glossed with green and much elongated. Ad. 9 . — Throat white or whitish, crown and sides of the head streaked with blackish and buffy ochraceous, darker above; breast washed with buffy oehraeeous and spotted with blackish ; belly white; abdomen more or less indistinctly mottled with blackish ; sides with bars and lengthened black and white crescents; under wing-coverts fuscous, bordered with 'u-hltlxh ; nxillars barred or m»ttl-l with black ; back fuscous, the feathers with borders, bars, or crescents of white or buffy; speculum grayish brown bordered with white. 6 in breeding plumage.— ".Similar to ad. 9 , but wings as in spring or winter plumage" (Eidgw.). Im. — The im. S is variously intermediate In tuceu the ad. S and 9 ; the im. 9 resembles the ad. 9, but the under parts are more heavily streaked or spotted. L., 6 , 28-00, 9 , 22-00 ; W., 10-00 ; T., S , 7-50, 9 , 3-60 ; B., 2-00. Jtemarfa.— The female of this species is a rather obscure-looking bird, but may always be known by its broad, sharply pointed central tail-feathers and dusky under wing-covert**. /,'(J//^,-._ Northern hemisphere ; in America, breeds from Iowa and Illinois to the Arctic Ocean ; not known to breed on the Atlantic coast : winters from Virginia southward to the Greater Antilles and Central America. Washington. W. V.. Oct. to Apl. Long Wand, very common T. V., Sept 15 to Apl. ]"> : a lew winter. Sing Sing, common T. V.. Mch. 15 to Apl. 10; Sept. 26 to Dec. 4. Cambridge, casual T. V., Apl. : Sept. and Oct. Eggs, eight to twelve, bully white or pale bluish white, 2-20 x 1-50. SEA DUCKS. 107 The Pintail is frequently found associated with the Black Duck and Widgeon. As a rule it is voiceless, but is said to utter "a low- toned quack at night." The long neck and tail of the male make its identification easy even at a distance. 144. A JIT sponsa (Linn.). WOOD DUCK. Ad. & . — A line from the bill over the eye, a similar line at the base of the side of the crest, and some of the elongated crest-feathers white ; throat, a band from it up the side of the head, and a wider one to the nape, white ; rest of the cheeks and crown green with purplish reflections; a white band in front of the wings; breast and a spot at either side of the base of the tail purplish chestnut, the former spotted with white ; belly white ; sides bufl'y ochraceous, finely barred with black, the longer flank feathers tipped with wider bars of black and white ; back greenish brown; scapulars blacker; speculum steel-blue; primaries tipped with greenish blue. — Ad. 9 . — Throat and a stripe from the eye buck- ward white ; crown purplish brown ; sides of the head ashy brown ; breast and sides grayish brown streaked with burty ; belly white ; back olive-brown glossed with greenish ; inner primaries tipped with greenish blue. Im. — The im. $ resembles the ? . L., 18-50 ; W., 9-00 ; Tar., 1'35 ; B., T30. Range.— North America; breeds from Florida to Hudson Bay, and winters southward to southern Mexico, Cuba, and Jamaica. Washington, uncommon P. E. Long Island, uncommon T. V. and W. V., Sept. to Apl. ; rare S. E. Sing Sing, tolerably common S. E. Cambridge, common T. V., Mch. and Apl. ; Aug. to Nov. ; a few breed. Nest, of grasses, leaves, twigs, etc., in a hole in a tree or stump. Eggs, eight to fourteen, pale buffy white, 2'05 x 1-50. Woodland ponds and forest-bordered streams make a proper setting for the grace and beauty of these richly attired birds. Several times it has been my fortune to see them in the unconscious enjoyment of their secluded homes, and I know of no sight in the bird world which so fully satisfies the eye. Alarm them, and with a frightened, plaintive whistle, "oo-eek," they spring from the water and make off through the woods. At other times they will swim ahead of one's canoe, and, rounding a bend in the stream, go ashore and walk rapidly away. The young are brought from the nest to the ground in the bill of the parent. Subfamily Fuligulince. Bay and Sea Ducks. The members of this subfamily are to be distinguished from those of the preceding by the presence of a lobe or web on the hind toe. They are open-water Ducks, frequenting our large lakes, bays, and sea- coasts. Their food consists chiefly of mollusks, crustaceans, and the seeds and roots of aquatic plants. They obtain it principally by div- ing, sometimes descending one hundred and fifty feet or more. The 108 SEA DUCKS. bill, as in the Anafinw, acts as a sieve or strainer. As a rule they feed by day and pass the night at a distance from the shore or at sea. Some of the species occur in our waters in large flocks — indeed, our most abundant Ducks are members of this subfamily. \Viili one exception they are northern breeding birds, seldom nesting south of our north- ern tier of States. Their nest is composed of twigs, leaves, grasses, stems of aquatic plants, seaweed, etc., lined with down from the breast of the incubat- ing bird. KEY TO TI1K SPECIES. I. Feathers at the base of the bill not reaching -50 forward along ita side -s. A. Wing over T'O" ; uxillars and most if not all the linings of the wings white. a. lli'!i< 1 uii'l neck black, with greenish or purplish ivllivt'n'iis. a1. Buek black; bill with a bluish bund near it* tip. 150. KINO-NECKED DUCK S . b*. Back finely barred with black and white. I*. Back of head generally with purplish reflections; wing generally under >•_'."• ; nail of bill generally undi-r "jr. in width. 149. Li ssi i: s, ATP DUCK S . b*. Back of head gi-nrrally with greenish reflections; wing gnu-r- ally over 8'2.">; nail of bill over "l~> in width. 148. AM. SCAUP DUCK ,? . b. Head and neck rufous or rufous-brown, sharply defined from the black breast b1. Head and upper neck rich rufous; bill 2-00 or under; flanks finely barred, like the back 140. REDHEAD S . b*. Head and neck rufous-brown ; crown blackish ; bill over -J-Oo ; Hanks very slightly if at all barred 147. CANVASBACK 6 . c. Head and neck brownish or grayish. cl. A white patch in the win-,'. t*. Feathers at base of bill white; wing generally under S-25: nail of bill generally under --2't in width . . 149. LI>SKI: SI-ATI- DTCK 9. c*. Feathers at base of bill white; wing irenerally over VL'.">; nail of bill generally over ••_'.") in width . . . 14S. AM. SCAUP DUCK 9 • dl. No white in winir. d*. An indistinct bluish band near the tip of bill; bill under 2-00. d*. Wing under 8-00 150. RIXO-NK«-KKI> I>Tat<-h at base of bill 1-00 or more in height !;">-. BAXBOW'C Qou>rar-BYB i . a*. Head and throat steel-green; white patch at base of bill less than I'OO in height 151. AM. GOLUEN-EVE 6. SEA DUCKS. 109 b. Whole head and throat brown, sharply defined from the gray or white neck; a white patch (speculum) in the wing. b1. Nostril nearer the tip than the base of the bill. 151. AM. GOLDEN-EYE 9 . i2. Nostril in the middle of the bill . 152. BARROW'S GOLDEN-EYE 9 .^ c. Whole head and neck black 163. AM. SCOTER $ . d. A white patch on the top of ^:he head and another on the back of the neck 166. SURF SCOTER $ . e. Middle of crown black, bordered by chestnut ; front half of the face white 155. HARLEQUIN DUCK $ . f. Head and neck whitish, grayish, or brownish ; no white in the wing, /i. Bill over 1'25. f*. Feathers on cuhnen reaching much farther forward than those at the sides of the bill 166. SURF SCOTER 9 . f*. Feathers on culmcn reaching little if any beyond those at the sides of the bill 163. AM. SCOTER 9 . g*. Bill under 1-25. y*. Central tail-feathers longest, sharply pointed , under tail-coverts white 154. OLD SQUAW. ya. Central tail-feathers not sharply pointed ; under tail-coverts gray- ish brown 155. HARLEQUIN DUCK. C. Wing under TOO. a. Tail-feathers stiff and narrow ; upper tail-coverts very short. a1. Upper parts mostly rich chestnut-rufous. a*. Cheeks white 167. BUDDY DUCK S. a3. Cheeks black 168. MASKED DUCK 4. b1. Upper parts grayish or brownish, with sometimes rufous markings. £*. Lining of wing blackish ; under parts grayish. 108. MASKED DUCK 9 . b*. Lining of wing whitish ; under parts grayish. 167. BUDDY DUCK 9. b. Tail-feathers normal ; upper tail-coverts about half as long as tail. 153. BUFFLEHEAD. II. Feathers at sides or top of bill extending forward generally as far as nostril. A. Feathers on sides of bill not reaching nostril. a. Nostril narrow, elongate ; feathers on culmen extending forward in a narrow line, a V-shaped mark on throat .... 162. KING EIDER. b. Nostril large, rounded; feathers on culmen not extending forward in a narrow line 1*55. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. B. Feathers on sides of bill extending as far as nostril. a. Bare base of bill on top narrow, ending posteriorly in a sharp point. 159. GREENLAND EIDER. b. Bare base of bill on top broad, the posterior end rounded. 160. AM. EIDER. The KUFOUS-CRESTED DUCK (145. Netta rufina) is an Old- World species which has been taken once in America. The record is based on an immature male found in Fulton Market, New York city, which was supposed to have been shot on Long Island. HO SEA DUCKS. 146. Aythya americana CA//O. HEDHEAD. Ad. s .— Head and thronl bright rufous; lowi-r lu-rk. hrea>t. hack «f the neck, and upper hark black ; rc.-re «r less margined with butty or ashy ; sides of the head lighter ; upper throat white ; neck butty oehraceous; breast and sides grayish brown, more or leas washed or margined with bully or buffy oehraceous; belly white; lower belly and under tail-coverts tinned with ochraceous ; an indistinct bluish-gray band across the end of the bill. L., 19-00 ; W., 8-90 ; Tar., 1-55 ; B., 1-85. Remark*. — This species is frequently confused with the Canvasback, from which it may be distinguished by the characters tr'ivcn under that specie.-.. The female Redhead is much like the female Kin^-neck in coloration; the latter is generally browner, but they can be distinguished with certainty only by the difference in their size. it. — North America; breeds from California and Minnesota north- ward to the fur countries; rare on the North Atlantic ena>t. where it has been found breeding only once (Calais, Me.); winters from Virginia southward to Cuba and Jamaica. Washington, common W. V. Long Island, T. V. in irregular numbers, Oct 1 to Apl. 15, few W. V. Sin^' Simr. common T. V., Apl. 1 to Apl. 24; Oct. 12 to Oct. 28. Cambridge, casual ; one ii^tance, Oct. Sett, on the ground in grassy sloughs or marshy lake sides. E<]0; Tar., 1-25; B., 1-80. L'-tixtrk*. — The male King-neck may be known from any of its allies by its chestnut collar and other excellent characters; the female resembles the female Redhead, but is smaller and generally browner. K-tiKj'.- North America, breeding only in the interior from Iowa north- ward ; not common on the Atlantic coast north of Virginia. SEA DUCKS. 113 "Washington, not rare, W. V. Long Island, A. V. Sing Sing, A. V., Apl. Cambridge, casual ; one instance, Nov. Nest, on the ground, in grassy sloughs or marshy lake sides. Eggs, six to twelve, similar in color to those of the two preceding species, 2-28 x T63. This is more of a fresh-water bird than either of the preceding. It is not common in the Atlantic States north of Florida, where during the winter it is abundant on fresh-water lakes. 151. Glaucionetta, clangula americana (Bonap.). AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE; WHISTLER. Ad. $. — Head and throat dark, glossy green, a circular white patch at the base of the bill measuring, along the bill, less than half an inch in height ; neck all around, breast, belly, exposed part of wing-coverts, speculum, and most of the scapulars white ; rest of plumage black. Ad. g . — Head and throat cinnamon-brown, fore neck white ; upper breast, back, and sides ashy gray bordered with grayish ; wing-coverts tipped with white ; speculum, lower breast, and belly white. L., 20-00 ; W., 9'00 ; B. from anterior margin of white patch to anterior margin of nostril, 1-00; from anterior margin of nostril to tip, '75. Range. — North America, breeding from Manitoba and Maine northward, and wintering from the southern limit of its breeding range to Cuba. Washington, not rare, W. V. Long Island, common T. V. and W. V., Nov. 15 to Apl. 15. Sing Sing, common T. V. and W. V., Nov. to May. Cambridge, rather common, Oct. and Nov. Nest, in a stump or hollow tree. Eggs, six to ten, pale bluish, 2'35 x 1'75. The rapidly moving wings of most Ducks make a whistling sound, but this species excels in wing music. As a diver it can also claim high rank. 152. Glaucionetta islandica (Gmel.\ BARROW'S GOLDEN-EYE. Ad. $ .—Head and throat dark, glossy, purplish blue, an irregular, somewhat spread-winff-shaped white patch at the base of the bill measuring, along the bill, about one inch in height ; neck all around, breast, belly, speculum, lesser wing-coverts, ends of greater ones, and the shaft part of the scapulars white ; rest of the plumage black. Ad. 9 .—Resembles the 9 of the preceding species in color ; there is some difference in the size and proportions of the bill, but the two birds can not always be distinguished with certainty. W., 9-25 ; B. from anterior margin of white patch to anterior margin of nostril, -80 ; from anterior margin of nostril to tip, -66. Remarks— The males of this and the preceding species may always be distinguished by the difference in the color of the head and size and shape of the white spot at the base of the bill. Range.— Breeds in the far north— Greenland, Iceland, and Alaska— and southward in the Kocky Mountains ; winters as far south as Illinois and Vir- ginia. Washington, A. V., one record. Long Island, A. V. Nest, in a stump or hollow tree. Eggs, six to ten, pale bluish, 2-40 x 1-70 9 SKA A more northern species than the preceding, which it resembles in habits. 153. Charitonetta albeola Lin i.). Hi KFLEHEAD; BUTTER-BALL; SPIRIT DUCK. Ad. 6. — A broad white bund passes around the back of the head from eye to eye ; rest of the head, upper neck, and throat beautifully glossed with purple, greenish, and bluish ; lower neck all around, breast, belly, win:: coverts, speculum, and outer scapulars white; buck black; upper tail- • and tail ashy-grayish. -!. This small Duck has won deserved distinction through its powers as a diver. Like the Grebes, it "dives at the flash," though this well- worn expression has lost half its meaning since flintlocks and percus- sion caps have become things of the past. The Bufllohead feeds to some extent on small fish, which it pursues and catches under water. 154. Clangnla hyemalis < Linn.\ Oi.n SQI-AW; OLD WIFE: S..i TH SorriiERr.Y. Ail. 6 in winter. — Sides of the front of the head washed with grayish brown; sides of the back of the head and sides of the upper neck black, more or less margined with ochraceous; rest of the head, neck all around, upper back, scapulars, and lower belly white ; back, breast, and upper belly black; tail pointed, the middle feathers very long and narrow; band across the end of the bill yellowish ornnpe. Ad. i !n .*>t>m/»r. — Sides of the front of the head white ; crest of the head, neck, throat, breast, and upper belly black; back and scapulars black, the latter margined with "lark buffy ochrnceous; lower belly white; tail and bill ns in the preceding. 9 in irint'-r. — Upper parts black or fuscous; scapulars and upper back more or less margined with grayish or grayish brown ; sides of the head and neck and sometimes the back of the neck white or whitish ; breast grayish ; belly white; tail pointed, but without the Ion-.' feathers of the male; under wine- coverts dark. Ad. 9 in summer. — Generally similar to the above, but the sides of the head and throat mostly blackish, and the feathers of the upper ports more or less margined with ochraceous. L., $ , 21-00, 9 , 16-00 ; W., 8-60 ; T., 5,8-00, 9,2-50; B., 1-05. Remarks. — The male Old Squaw is too distinct to be confused with any other species, its long tail-feathers bein>.r its most striking character: the female bears some resemblance to the female of the Harlequin Duck, but has the belly pure white instead of grayish dusky. SEA DUCKS. 115 Range. — Northern hemisphere; breeds in the far north, and, in America, winters as far soutli as the upper Mississippi Valley and Virginia. Washington, rare VV. V., Nov. to A pi. Long Island, abundant W. V., Nov. 1 to Apl. 15. Sing Sing, tolerably common W. V., Dec. 4 to Apl. 6. Cambridge, rather common in Oct. and Nov. Nest, on the ground near water, under low bushes or tall grasses. Eggs, six to twelve, pale bluish tinged with olive, 2-05 x 1-49. In The Auk for 1892, pp. 330-337, Mr. George H. Mackay gives a capital account of the habits of this species in our waters. He speaks of them as the swiftest flying as well as the noisiest (in the spring) of all the sea fowl which tarry with us, and gives their curious scolding or talking notes as o-onc-o-onc-ough, egh-ough-egh. Their flight is gen- erally near the water, and when shot at while flying they sometimes dive from the wing. He also mentions their habit of towering, " usually in the afternoon, collecting in mild weather in large flocks if undis- turbed, and going up in circles so high as to be scarcely discernible, often corning down with a rush and great velocity, a portion of the flock scattering and coming down in a zigzag course similar to the Scoters when whistled down." 155. Histrionicushistrionicus A/'////.). HARLEQUIN DUCK. Ad.S. — Center of the crown black, margined by white and rufous : front of the sides of the head, a spot on the ear, a stripe back of it, and a collar around the back and sides of the neck white ; rest of the head and throat rich slaty blue ; a band in front of the wing white, margined with black ; inner scapulars white; back and breast bluish slate ; belly fuscous ; sides rufous-chestnut. Ad. 9 . — Front of the head whitish ; a white spot on the ears ; upper parts brownish fuscous ; throat, breast, and sides lighter ; belly grayish brown, margined with whitish. L., 17-00 ; W., 7-80 ; Tar., 1-50 ; B., 1-05. fianffe.—" Northern North America, breeding from Newfoundland, the northern Eocky Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada, northward; south in winter to the Middle States and California" (A. O. U.). Long Island, rare W. V. Nest, on the ground or in hollow stumps near water. Eggs, six to eight, yellowish buff or greenish yellow, 2'30 x 1-62 (Davie). Unlike other members of this subfamily, this species passes the breeding season on rapid dashing streams, but during the winter it occurs as a Sea Duck off our more northern coasts. 156. Camptolaimus labradorius (Gmel.). LABRADOR DUCK; PIED DUCK. Ad. & .—Center of crown black ; rest of head, throat, and upper neck white ; a black band around the lower neck connected behind with the black back ; primaries fuscous, rest of wing white ; front and sides of the upper breast white, lower breast and belly black. Ad. 9 .—Brownish gray, the speculum white. Im. $ .—Like the 9 , but with the throat and ends of the greater wing-coverts white. L., 20'00 ; W., 8-40 ; Tar., 1'50 ; B., 1-58. SEA DUCKS. f>,,n/f. — Formerly, North Atlantic coast, breed ing from Labrador north- ward, and in winter migrating southward to Long Island; doubtless now extinct. In a recent paper* on this species Mr. William Dutcher quotes the late Mr. George N. Lawrence, as follows: "I recollect that about forty or more years ago it was not unusual to see them in Fulton Market, and without doubt killed on Long Island; at one time I remember seeing six fine males, which hung in the market until spoiled for want of a purchaser; they were not considered de- sirable for the table, and collectors had a sufficient number, at that time a pair being considered enough to represent a species in a coi- let-tion." The cause of this Duck's extinction is unknown. The last speci- men, so far as known, was taken at Grand Menan in 1871. f Forty-two specimens have been recorded as existing in collections. STELLER'S DUCK (157. Eniconetta stellcn ' >, an aretie species, was observed by Kumlien in Greenland. 159. Somateria mollissima borealis />.///«). GREENLAND EIHKI:. Ail. 6 . — Top of the head black, a ;_'n i-nir-li white line on the crown; rest of the head, throat, neck, upper breast, back, scapulars, and lesser wing- coverts white, tingeil witli greenish on the sides and back of the head, and with vinaceous on the breast; middle of the rump, upper and under tail- covert), lower breast, and belly black. Ad. 9 . — Head, throat, and neek bully ochraceous, darker above and streaked with black; back black, the feathers all widely margined and sometimes partly barred with butty oehraceous ; breast buffy ochraceous, barred with black; belly grayish brown or olive- brown, indistinctly margined or barred with bully. ////.- Similar, but dis- tinctly marked with buffy. L., _':! -00 ; W., 11-00 ; Tar., 1-80 ; B., 2-10. It'tntje. — Breeds from Labrador northward ; winters southward to Maine. .V. .-{., on the ground, amid coarse herbage and rocks. Eggt, live to eight, pale bluish or greenish, tinged with olive, 2-95 x 2'00. This is the American representative of the Eider Duck of north- ern Europe, from which it differs only slightly. The highly prized Eider down is taken from the nest of this bird and its allies. As in- cubation progresses the sitting bird plueks the down from her breast to serve as a nest lining. In Iceland, according to Saunders. the aver- age yield from each nest is about one sixth of a pound. When the females begin to sit the males leave them and, gathering in small flocks, live at sea. 160. Somateria dresser! Xlnrpe. AMERICAN EIDER. Kesemblcs the preceding in color, but dillers in the feathering of the KJIM' <.'.' tin- cul- * The Auk, vol. viil, 1891, pp. 201-216. t Ibid., vol. xl, 1894, pp. 4-l£. SEA DUCKS. 117 men. In both species the culmen is divided by a wedge of feathers reaching forward from the forehead. Looked at from the tip of the bill, the base of the culmen is thus V-shaped. In dreeseri the arms of the V are very broad and rounded at the ends, while in borealis they are much narrower and gen- erally pointed at the ends. L., 23-00 ; W., 11-30 ; Tar., 1-70 ; B., 2'10. Range. — Breeds from the Bay of Fundy to Labrador; winters southward to Delaware ; occasional in winter on the Great Lakes. Long Island, rare W. V. Sing Sing, A. V., Dec. Nest, on the ground, generally sheltered by rocks. Eggs, five to eight, pale bluish or greenish, tinged with olive, 3-00 x 2-00. This species is of more southern distribution than the preceding, which it resembles in habits. During their visits to the coasts of the United States the Eiders are true Sea Ducks, living some distance off shore, generally over a bed of mussels, which they secure by diving, and which constitute their chief food. 162. Somateria spectabilis (Linn.). KINO EIDER. Ad. . WIIITK-WIM.KD Sc, the feathers on it reach- ing forward fur beyond the comers of the mouth. Jm. S. — Grayish or fus- cous-brown, lighter below ; njin-nhnn white, feathers at the base of the upper bill and a spot on the ears whitish. A. Jttnuirl-s.—The white speculum and feathering of the bill will always serve to distinguish this species from its allies. Range. — Northern North America, breeding in Labrador and the fur countries ; south in winter to Virginia, southern Illinois, and California. Washington, casual W. V.. Oct. to Apl. Long Island, abundant W. V., Sept 15 to May 15. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V. Cambridge, occa- sional in fall. .Y't. sides, and lower belly grayer, belly white. L., 20-00; W., 9-30; Tar.. I •<'•<>: P.. al-mv ci.lmen, I'-"'. ; 15. alom; side. •_'•::<'. /• */»>!*.— Th« forward extension of the feathers on the culmen will GEESE. 119 always distinguish this species from O. americana, while it may be known from deglandi by the absence of white in the wings. Range. — Breeds from the Gulf of St. Lawrence north ward; winters south- ward to the Great Lakes and Virginia, and casually to Florida. Washington, casual W. V. Long Island, common W. V., Oct. through Apl. Sing Sing, common T. V., Oct. 7 to Oct. 22. Cambridge, occasional in fall. Nest, in tall grasses near water. Eggs, "five to eight, pale buif or pale creamy buif, 2-47 x 170 " (Kidgw.). 167. Erismatura rubida ( Wils.~). BUDDY DUCK. Ad. <5. — Top 01 the head black, checks and chin white, throat and back rufous-chestnut, lower back blackish; breast and belly silvery white; upper tail-coverts very short, tail-feathers stiff and pointed. Ad. 9 and Im. — Upper parts dark gray- ish brown, the feathers marked with fine wavy bars of bufty ; sides of the head and upper throat whitish, lower throat grayish, rest of the under parts silvery white. L., 15-00 ; W., 5-90 ; Tar., 1-15; B., 1-55. Remarks. — -The short upper tail-coverts and stitf, pointed tail-feathers will always serve to identify this species. Range. — Of general distribution from northern South America to the fur countries, breeding largely northward, but locally throughout its range (Granada, Wells ; Guatemala, Salvin ; Cuba, Gundlach ; Cape Cod, Miller). Washington, common W. V., Sept. to Apl. Long Island, irregular T. V. Sing Sing, common T. V., Mch. 14 to Apl. 6; Oct. 5 to Oct. 28. Cambridge, very common in Oct. and Nov. Nest, in a slough or marshy place, generally on a mass of floating vegeta- tion. Eggs, six to ten, creamy or buil'y white, 2-50 x 1-80. " When rising from the water, it runs on the surface for some dis tance. and generally against the wind. If it can not command a fair open space for flight, it will dive, using its tail either as a rudder or as a paddle in a vertical motion, and will hide itself away among the grass and sedges. When on the wing, it flies low along the surface of the water, with a rapid beat of its broad wings, making a short, plump figure quite uncommon for a Duck ; and it generally flies quite a dis- tance before alighting " (Langille). In swimming, the tail is sometimes held erect at right angles to the body. The MASKED DUCK (168. Nomonyx domimcus) is a tropical species of rare occurrence in North America. Single specimens have been taken in Wisconsin, New York, and near Cambridge, Mass. Subfamily Anserincv. Geese. Geese are vegetarians. When on the water, they feed largely by tipping, as with head and neck immersed and tail pointing skyward they search for the roots or seeds of aquatic plants. They are far more terrestrial than Ducks, and visit the land to nip the herbage, 120 GEE;- K. young corn, or cereals. When wounded, they dive readily and, with their body just below the surface of the water ami only the bill ex- posed, head for the shore, where they attempt to hide in the vegetation. In migrating, the flock is formed in a V-shaped wedge, the lead, it is said, being taken by an old gander. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Whole head or forehead white. A. Bill yellowish. a. Forehead and feathers at the base of bill white. If la. AM. WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (Ad.). b. Head and neck white or grayish. Mum-times tinged with rusty. b1. Primaries black, rest ofpluninj.ru white. 169. LESSER SNOW GOOSE. 169a. GREATKK SNOW GOOSE. t*. Back grayish brown, rump and belly whitish, wing-coverts and tertials widely margined with white. . . . II SNOW GOOSE (Im.). 169a. GREATER SNOW GOOSE dm. . b*. Back grayish brown, rump, belly, and wing-coverts gray, the lat- ter not conspicuously margined with white. 169.1. BI.VE GOOSE (Ad.). B. Bill black, throat and sides of the head white, lores black. 175. BAKNACLE GOOSE. II. Head and neck brown, bill yellow or yellowish. A. Nail of bill black, rump fuscous. 171a. AM. WniTE-ruoNTKi) GOOSE dm.). B. Nail of bill yellow, rump gray 169.1. BLUE GOOSE (Im.;. III. Head black or brownish Mack. Kill black. A. Throat white . . . 17'2. CANADA GOOSE. 17'-'". IlrTmiNs's GOOSE. B. Throat black or brownish black, neck speckled with white. a. Belly white 173. BRANT. b. Belly brownish gray 174. BLACK BHANT. 169. Chen hyperborea (Pall.). LESSER SNOW GOOSE. Ad.— En- tire plumage, except llie primaries with their coverts, white; primaries blnck, their bases and coverts ashy. Im. — '• Head, neck, ;min>} resembles its American representative in color, l>ut uvi -raires smaller. It is American only as it occurs in Greenland, where gambeli is apparently unknown. •*"^- 172. Branta canadensis . Hnvinxs's (InosE.— Resem- bles the preceding in color, but averages smaller. L., 25-00-34-00: W., 14-7->- 17-75; Tar., 2-25-3-20; B., 1-20-1-00 (Ridgw.). Range. — "North America, breedin<_r in the arctic regions, and niiirratin.tr t south in winter chiefly through the western United States and Mississippi Valley; eastern Asia" (A. O. U.). Long Island, A. V. 172c. B. C. minima Inline. (".vicus-*; C..OSE.— To be distinguished from the two prcccdim: by its smaller size and the much darker brownish- gray color of the breast and upper belly. " W., 13-60-14-50; Tar., 2-40-275 ; B., '-95-1-15 "(Kidgw.). GEESE. 123 "Range. — Pacific coast of North America, breeding chiefly about the shores of Norton Sound and the lower Yukon ; south in winter to California, and, more rarely, to upper Mississippi Valley (Wisconsin, etc.) (Kidgw.). 173. Branta bernicla (Linn.). BP.ANT. Ad. — Head, neck, throat, and upper breast black ; sides of the neck speckled with white ; back brown- ish gray, margined with grayish brown; longer and lateral upper tail-coverts white ; lower breast ashy gray fading to white on the lower belly ; sides darker. /TO.— Similar, but with less white on the sides of the neck and wing-coverts, and secondaries tipped with white. L., 26'00 ; W., 13-20 ; Tar., 2-20 ; B., 1-35. Range. — Northern parts of the northern hemisphere ; breeds within the Arctic Circle ; in America, migrates southward along the Atlantic coast, reach- ing the Carolinas in winter; rare in the interior. Washington, rare W. V. Long Island, common T. V., Nov. 1 to May 15; a few winter. Sing Sing, A. V. Aestf, of grasses, moss, etc., lined with down, on the ground. Eggs, four, smooth and creamy white in color, 2-70 x 1-80 (Saunders). " Its manner of flying is different from that of the Canada Goose — moving in more compact bodies, less rapidly, and without seeming to have a chosen leader — that marked characteristic in the flight of the latter. " While in our bays it appears inactive, seldom taking to wing un- less disturbed by a passing boat or the near report of a gun. " The Brent rises slowly, and when on the wing moves sluggishly for a short distance, and, if not attracted by a distant flock, frequently returns to the place it had left. Its food consists of a marine plant (Zostera marina), commonly called 'eel grass.' At low water it is seen industriously at work tearing up its favorite plant. After the tide has risen to such a height as to compel it to relinquish its voca- tion, it is seen drifting with the current, feeding sumptuously on the fruits of its labor " (Giraud). 174. Branta nigrieans (Lawr.). BLACK BRANT.— Bears a general resemblance to the preceding species, but may be readily distinguished by its much darker lower breast and upper belly, which are nearly as dark as the back, and by having white markings on the front as well as on the sides of the neck. Mange. — " Arctic and western North America ; rare or casual on the At- lantic coast" (A. O. U.). "Breeds in abundance on the arctic coast of Liver- pool Bay " (Macfarlane). Long Island, A. V. Nest, of grasses, moss, etc., lined with down, on the ground. -Eggs, five to seven, dull ivory-white or grayish white, 2'85 x 1-82 (B., B., and R.). This is the western representative of the preceding species. It is of casual occurrence on the Atlantic coast. 124 SWAN'S. The BARNACLE GOOSE (!?•'>. /!ni/,t.«//> is an Old- World species which visits Greenland regularly in the lull, and is sometimes found mi our coast*. It differs from any of the preceding in having the forehead, sides of the head, throat, and chin white, the lores being black. Subfamily Cygninc?. Swnnx. Swans feed from the surface, either by "tipping" or by simply immersing tin- long neck and head. Their food consists largely of vegetable matter, but they eat also small inollnsks. They migrate in V-shaped ilorks. When on the wing, and also when feeding, they utter at times loud, trumpeting notes. When pursued they do not at once take flight, but swim rapidly away, and in tins manner easily distance a strong rower. KEY TO THE SPECIES. A. With yellow on the lores; distance from the eye to the nostril greater than the distance from the nostril t<> tin- tip of the bill . iso. WIIISTI.INI; SWAN. £. No yellow on the lores; distance from the eye to the nostril not greater than from the nostril to the end of the bill . . . 181. TmiirtTKu SWAN. 180. Olor columblanus \ <>r,l >. WHISTLING SWAN. Ad.— White; bill and feet black ; a small yellow spot on the lores. ////.- Head and neck brownish and rest of plumage ftiore or less washed with grayish ; bill and feet light L., 65-00; W., 22-00; Tar., 4-00. Eye to N., :Mo; N. to tip of B., 2-25. Range. — North America; breeds on the shores of the Arctic Oceim. and migrates south to the Gulf of Mexico; rare on the Atlantic coast north of Chesapeake Bay. Wa-.hini:tori. rare W. V., Oct. Long Island. A. V. '. of grasses, moss, etc., lined with down, on the ground near water. Eggs, two to five, soiled whitish, 4-25 x 2-70. This is a rare bird on the Atlantic coast north of Virginia. " When feeding, or dressing their plumage, this Swan is usually very noisy, and at night these clamors may be heard to the distance of several miles. Their notes are varied, some resembling the lower ones made by the common tin horn, others running through the various modula- tions of the notes of the clarionet. These differences are presumed to be dependent upon age " (B., B., and H.). 181. Olor buccinator i /,'/>/*. 1. TRI-MPETKR SWAN. Ad.— White, bill and feet black, no yellow on the lores. Int. — Head and neck brownish, rest of plumage more or less washed with grayish. L.. 65-00; W., 23-00 ; Tar., 4-25 ; Eye to N.. '2-70 ; N. to tip of B., 2'20. Range. — "Chiefly the interior of North America, from the Gulf const to the fur countries, breeding from Iowa and Dakota northward; west to the Pacific, but rare or easual <>n the Atlantic" (A. O. U.). . Nest* of grasses and down, on the ground. £-er \\ing-co v.Tts, upju-r and under tail-coverts ear- mine. Jm. — Similar, but head and throat feathered, oehraceous-butf and ear- mine of the adult re]. hired by jiink. I... 89DO; W., 14-.V; Tar., 4-o«; 1',.. 5-88. Range. — Tropical and subtropical America north to the (Julf States. A'ett, a platform of sticks in mangrove bushes or small tree>. /;;/;/*, three to five, white, spotted and speckled \vitli shades (if olive-brown, i!-.">7 x 1'73. This was formerly a common species in Florida, but continued persecution has so reduced its numbers that during four winters : in different parts of the State I did not observe it. It nests in January and February in the extreme southern part of the State, and after the nesting season wanders northward. On the Texas coast it is more numerous. FAMILY IBIDID^. IBISES. Ibises are distributed throughout the warmer parts of the globe; they number about thirty species, of which four occur in North Amer- ica. They are silent birds, and live in flocks during the entire year. They feed along the shores of lakes, bays, and salt-water lagoons, and on mud flats over which the tide rises and falls. Their food consists principally of crustaceans, frogs, and small fish. KEY TO THE SPECIES. A. Plumage deep chestnut 186. GLOSSY IBIS. Ji. Plumage scarlet 185. SCARLET IBIS (Ad.). C. Plumage white 184. WHITE IBIS (Ad.). D. Back brown, belly white. a. Kump white 184. WHITE IBIS (Im.). b. Kump like the back 185. SCARLET IBIS (Im.). 184. Guaraalba (Linn.). WHITE IBIS; SPANISH CURLEW (see Fig. 20). Ad. — White, the tips of the four outer primaries bhiek ; bare parts of the head orange-red. Im. — Head and neck white. streaked with trrayish brown; upper back and wings grayish brown; rump, breast, and bellv white. L., 25-00; W., 11-00; Tar., 3-40; B. from N., 4-60. Range. — Tropical America; breeds us far north as southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and South Carolina; winters from the Gulf southward. Long Island, A. V. STORKS. 127 Nest, of reeds and weed stalks, in trees, bushes, and reedy marshes. Eggs, three to five, pale greenish white, with chocolate markings generally most numerous at the larger end, 2-25 x 1-50. This locally abundant species is generally found in flocks of five or six to as many hundred birds which frequent mud flats, marshes, or the borders of lagoons. They fly in close rank, and when in large flocks, with their snowy plumage glistening in the sunlight and their wing-strokes accented by the black-tipped primaries, form a strikingly beautiful picture. The SCARLET IBIS (185. Guara rubrd), a South American species, has been recorded from Florida, Louisiana, and New Mexico. (See Brewster, Bull. Kutt. Orn. Club, viii, 1883, p. 185 ; also Scott, Auk, vi, 1889, p. 15.) 186. Plegadis autumnalis (Hasselq.). GLOSSY IBIS. Ad. — Rich chestnut, upper and under tail-coverts, back, wings, and front of the head with greenish and purplish reflections; lores (in skins) blackish. Im. — Head and neck fuscous-brown, the feathers laterally margined with white ; rest of under parts dull fuscous-brown; back with greenish reflections. L., 24-00: W., 11-50; Tar., 3-10; B., 5-00. Range. — Tropical and subtropical regions generally ; rare and of local dis- tribution in the southeastern United States and West Indies. Washington, A. V., two records. Long Island, A. V., two records. Cam- bridge, A. V., one record, May. Nest, of rushes, plant stems, etc., in reedy swamps or low bushes. Eggs, three, rather deep, dull blue, 2'01 x 1-47. This is a rare species in the eastern United States. Its haunts are of much the same nature as those of the preceding species. The WHITE-FACED GLOSSY IBIS (187. Plegadis guarauna), & locally com- mon species from Texas westward and southward, has been recorded but once from east of the Mississippi, viz., at or near Lake Washington, Florida, where a female was shot on a nest containing three eggs (Brewster, Auk, iii, 1886, p. 482). This species resembles the Glossy Ibis, but adults have the region about the base of the bill white. FAMILY CICONIID^:. STORKS. Only two of the twenty-five known species included in this family are found in North America. Storks are both gregarious and solitary. Our species, the so-called Wood Ibis, is as a rule found in flocks and nests in colonies. • It feeds in swamps and on the shores of bayous, where it is said to " rake " the bottom with its foot in searching for food. It is a strong flier, a certain number of wing-strokes being fol- lowed by a short sail. At times it mounts high in the air and sails about like a Vulture. Sometimes it perches upon trees. Its voice is described as a rough, guttural croak. TOS HERONS AND BITTERNS. 188. Tantalus loculator Linn. Wonn 1ms. Aceiiiiens. Long Island, A. V. . a platform of stieks in trcus. £ygs, two to three, dull white with a soft calcareous deposit, 2-"5 x 1'75. This is a locally common species in Florida. FAMILY ARDEID^. HERONS AND BITTERNS. This family contains about seventy-five species distributed in most parts of the globe, but more numerously in the intertropical regions. Generally speaking, Herons are gregarious, nesting and roosting in flocks. While feeding they are more solitary, but each night they regularly return to roost with their kind in a "rookery." Bitterns do not associate in flocks, and are generally found singly or in pairs. As a rule, they feed in grassy marshes, while Hemns more commonly resort to the shores of lakes, rivers, buys, or salt-water lagoons. Some species secure their food of frogs, fish, small reptiles, etc., by standing rigidly motionless and waiting for it to come within striking distance, or by wading for it with the utmost caution. Others run rapidly and noisily through the water, trusting to their agility and the rapidity of their spearlike thrusts to supply their wants. Herons, unlike our Ibises and Cranes, fly with their folded neck drawn in between their shoulders. Their voice is a hoarse squawk. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Wing over 13-00. A. Plumage pure white. a. Wing 17-00 or over; feathers on the lower neck long, narrow. 192. GREAT WHITE HKKON. b. Wing under IT'""; neck-feathers not lengthened . 1%. AM. K».I:KT. B. Upper parts generally slaty or grayish blue. 193. WAUD'S HERON. 194. GREAT BLUE HERON. II. Wing under 13-00. 1. Crown without streaks. A. Crown white or whitish. a. Wing over 11-00. a1. Plumage entirely or mostly white . . . 19S. UKDIH-II EGRET. «a. IMumago gray streaked with black; throat and sides of nuck black 203. YKI.I.OW-CIUIW.VKD IS'IOIIT HKIJOK. HERONS AND BITTERNS. 129 b. Wing under 11-00. b1. Plumage pure white ; legs and bill black ; feet yellow. 197. SNOWY HERON. ia. Tips of primaries slate-color; plumage white, sometimes irregu- larly marked with slaty blue . . 200. LITTLE BLUE HERON (Im.). B. Crown umber or reddish brown. a. Head and neck reddish brown ; body slate-color. 198. REDDISH EGRET. b. Neck conspicuously streaked ; body variegated . 190. AM. BITTERN. C. Crown slaty or slate-blue with sometimes a purplish cast. a. Wing-coverts more or less margined with rufous. 199. LOUISIANA HERON. b. Wing-coverts without rufous 200. LITTLE BLUE HERON. D. Crown greenish or bluish black. a. Wing over 10-00 ; entire under parts pure white. 202. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. b. Wing under 10-00. b1. Wing-coverts green 201. LITTLE GREEN HERON. c1. Wing-coverts rufous-chestnut and buff. ca. Under parts buffy, more or less streaked . 191. LEAST BITTERN. c3. Under parts rufous-chestnut . 191.1. CORY'S LEAST BITTERN. 2. Crown streaked. A. Wing under 10-00 ; upper parts greenish 201. LITTLE GREEN HERON. B. Wing over 10-00 ; upper parts brownish or blackish brown streaked with white. a. Upper parts light brown ; outer edge of primaries reddish. 202. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON (Im.). b. Back dark brown ; crown nearly black with white streaks ; prima- ries dark slate-color . 203. YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON (Im.). 190. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.). AMERICAN BITTERN; MARSH 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 ochraceous, 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. Im. — Similar, but the buffy everywhere deeper and more ochraceous. L., 28-00 ; W., 10-50 ; Tar., 3-50 ; B., 3-00. 7?cm<7«.— Temperate North America ; breeds but rarely south of Virginia ; Vvinters from Virginia southward. Washington, rather common W. V., Aug. to Apl. Long Island, common T. V., Apl. and Sept. to Nov. Sing Sing, rare S. R., Apl. 11 to Oct. 5. Cam- bridge, not common S. R., Apl. 15 to-Nov. JXest, of grasses, etc., on the ground in marshes. Eggs, 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. hoard " 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 pi-rfornwuce, or "boom." This is sometimes exactly like the working of an old-fash- ioned wooden pump, and sometimes — even with the same bird — like the driving of a stake in a bog. It can be heard for a long distance. The performance is best witnessed in spring, while the grass is si ill 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 rang« on several occasions. II is 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 strunge contortions, as if the bird were horribly nauseated, and are preceded by a succession of quick snappii.g 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. — BEADFORD TORREY. 191. Ardetta ezilis (Gmfl.). LEAPT BITTERN. 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. /'//r/W///// under tail-coverts, washed with buffy ; a blackish patch at either side of the breast. Ad. 9. — Similar, but head browner and back liirlit, glossy umber; under parts darker and more or less streaked with brownish. 1m. $. — Similar to ad. S , but the back washed and tipped with chestnut; under parts darker and lightly streaked with black. Jin. 9 . — similar to ad. 9 , but the back rufous, margined with buffy ochraceous. L., 13-00; W., 4-60; Tar., 1'60; B., 1-80. Range. — Temperate and tropical America; breeds in North America an far north as Maine, Ontario, and Manitoba; winters from southern Florida southward. Washington, not very numerous S. R., May 5 to Sept. 25. Long Island, common S. R., May to Sept. Sing Sing, tolerably common S. R., to Aug. 10. Cambridge, rather common S. R., May 15 to Aug. .\'*t, of grasses, plant stems, etc., in marshes among rushes, sometimes in a small bush. Eggs, three to six, pale bluish white, 1'20 x --92. Wet, grassy marshes such as Rail love, or reed-grown ponds th.it 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 March Wrens, HERONS AND BITTERNS. 131 survey their surroundings. They take wing almost from beneath one's feet, and, with a low, frightened qua, fly slowly for a short distance and then drop back into the grass. During the breeding season one may hear what presumably is the voice of only the male — a soft, slowly repeated, dovelike coo, coo, coo, coo, coo. It floats over the marsh like the voice of a spirit bird. 191.1. Ardetta neoxena Cory. CORY'S BITTERN. 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-black tips; breast and under parts nearly uniform rufous-chestnut, shading into dull black on the sides ; wing-coverts dark rufous-chestnut, all the remiges entirely slaty plumbeous ; under tail- coverts uniform dull black. W., 4-30 ; Tar., 1-40 ; B., 1-80 " (Cory, orig. descr., Auk, iii, 1886, p. 262). This small Bittern was described from a specimen taken in the Everglades of Florida. Five additional specimens have since been secured in the same region, to which, until recently, the species was supposed to be confined. Within the past few years, however, seven specimens have been taken in the Toronto marshes, where A. exilis is common, and one is recorded from Michigan. It seems to me not un- likely that, as Mr. W. E. D. Scott suggests, neoxena may prove to be a color phase of A. exilis. (Cf. Scott, Auk, viii, 1891, p. 309 ; ix, 1892, p. 141 ; and Chapman, ibid., xiii, 1896, p. 11.) 192. Ardea occidentalis And. GREAT WHITE HERON. Ad. — En- tirely white ; in breeding plumage, with long, narrow, stiffened feathers on the back and lower foreneck, and two narrow plumes on the back of the crown. "L., 45-00-54-00; W., 17-00-21-00; B., 6-00-7-00; Tar, 8-00-8-75" (Ridgw.). Range. — Jamaica and Cuba north to the coasts of southern Florida, casu- ally to Anclote River and Micco. Nest, a platform of sticks in colonies in mangrove bushes. Eggs, three to four, pale, dull blue, 2-50 x 1-80. This is a common species on the coasts of southern Florida, par- ticularly in the vicinity of Cape Sable. Rarely it is found as far north as the Anclote River on the west coast and Micco on the east coast. This bird is as large as the Great Blue Heron, and must not be con- fused with Ardea egretta, to which the name Great White Heron is frequently applied. Ardea wuerdmanni Baird has been considered to be a color phase of this species, but its true standing is unknown. It is described by Coues as follows : " Head, with the crest, white, the forehead streaked with black edges of the feathers; under parts white, the sides streaked with black; lower plumes of neck white, mostly streaked with black edges of the feathers ; neck purplish 132 HERONS AND BITTERNS. gray, darker than in A. At/W/./*, with a similar throat lino of white, black, and rufous. Under wing-coverts streaked with white ; rufous of edge of wing less extensive than in A. herodiat, that of til>i;i' paler. Tibia- and soles of feet yellow; tarsi and top of toes yellowish ^reeii. lin. — Like young A. lt- vj:>" (Ridgw.). 193. Ardea ward! Ridgw. WARD'S HKIJON. — This is the Florida rep- resentative of A. herodias. It is believed l>y some ornithologists to be a dis- tinct species, but in my opinion is a peninsular rare. The average differences in color between it and A. htrodias consist in its whiter lower parts, darker neck, and olive instead of black legs. These ditlerences, 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 •how: L., 52-00; W., 19'75-2r< uliinj phirnuye. — 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 ochraceou.s line down the middle of the foreneck ; feathers of the lower foreiicek 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. Im. — .Similar, but entire crown black, throat white, neck brownish gray washed with butty 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., 4-30-6-25; Tar., 6-00-8-00 "(Ridgw. ). Range. — Northern South America northward to the arctic regions; breeds locally throughout most of its North American range and winters from tho Middle States southward. Washington, rather common, absent only in midwinter. Long Island, common T. V., A pi. and May; Aug. t" !><•<•. Sln^ Sing, common T. V.. A pi. 4 to Apl. is; \\i-t. l»> to Oct. 0. Cambridge, common T. V., Apl. and May; Sept. to Nov. ; occasional in summer. HERONS AND BITTERNS. 133 Nest, a platform of sticks, generally in colonies, in trees. Eggs, 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 EUROPEAN GREAT BLUE HERON" (195. Ardea cinerea) is accidental in southern Greenland. It may be distinguished from our species by the white instead of rufous feathers on the legs. 196. Ardea egretta Gmel. AMERICAN EGRET. Ad. in br plumage. — Entire plumage pure white ; about fifty straight " aigrette " plumes grow from the interscapular region and reach beyond the tail ; legs and feet black ; bill yellow ; lores orange, bordered below by greenish. Ad. after the breeding season and Im. — Without the interscapular plumes. L., 41-00; W., 15-00 ; Tar., 5-60 ; B., 4-50. Range. — Tropical and temperate America ; breeds as far north as southern Illinois and Virginia; after the breeding season sometimes strays northward as far as Manitoba, Quebec, and New Brunswick. Washington, not common and irregular S. 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. Eggs, three to five, dull blue, of a rather deeper shade than those of the preceding, 2-25 x 1-60. Tourists who went to Florida thirty years ago have told me of prairies white with Egrets, of bushy islands glistening in the sun like snow banks. Now you may look for miles along a lake shore and per- haps in the distance see a solitary Egret, which, as you approach, with a frightened squawk takes wing a rifle-shot away. The rapid exter- mination of these plume-bearing birds is startling evidence of man's power in the animal world. At his word a species is almost imme- diately wiped out of existence. I have heard a "plume-hunter" boast of killing three hundred Herons in a "rookery" in one afternoon. Another proudly stated that he and his companions had killed one hundred and thirty thousand birds — Herons, Egrets, and Terns — dur- ing one winter. But the destruction of these birds is an unpleasant 134 HERONS AND BITTERNS. subject. It is a 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 (!n,,J. SN.,\\V lln:...\; SN,,\VY KCIUET Ad. in breeding plumage. — Entire plumage pun- white; about fifty recurced "aigrette" plumes grow from the intenscapular region and reach to or just beyond the end of the tail; legs bluet, feet y-enus; rest of the plumage dark bluish slate-color; about thirty •• aigrette" plumes grow from the intcr- Bcapular region and reach beyond the tail; legs and feet hlaek. ///(.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. ////.- -Similar, hut without the "aigrette" plumes. L., 29-00; W., 12-50; Tar., 5-40; B., 3-60. Remarks. — The two color phases of this bird were supposed to represent two species, the white phase being called Arilen 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 hushes generally over water. Egg*, two to four, pale, dull blue, l-'.to x 1-45. This .is, or was a few years ago, a not uncommon species on the coasts of southern Florida, but it is unknown in the interior. It is HERONS AND BITTERNS. 135 generally seen in flocks. With A. candidissima they lack the patience of the larger Herons and pursue their prey in shallow water. 199. Ardea tricolor ruficollis (Gosse). LOUISIANA 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. Im. — 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., 2G-00 ; W., lO'OO ; Tar., 3-70 ; B., 3-90. Mange. — 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 Eggs, four to five, pale, dull blue, l-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 coarulea Linn. LITTLE BLUE 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. Im. — 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.j 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 Illinois and Virginia; after the breeding season wanders northward, some- times reaching Nova Scotia. Washington, casual in July and August ; sometimes quite common. Long Island, rare from Apl. to Sept. Nest, a platform of sticks, in colonies, in bushes over water. Eggs, 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 is a strange chorus of croaking voices. They feed by day, and generally wait for their prey to come within striking distance. 201. Ardea virescens Linn. LITTI.K <;I:I.KN HKKON; POKE (see Fig. 19). Ad. — Crow 11 and a short line below the eye glossy greenish Muck ; throat buffy white, this color extending down the foreneck us a narrow line mixed with blackish, widening on the breast; rest of the head and iu<-k rufous-chestnut glossed with vinaccous; baek, with lengthened interscapulars, green, more or less washed with bluish gray ; wing-coverts green, margined with white or buffy; belly ashy gray, more or le.-s washed with bully. 1m. - Similar, but with the neck and under parts streaked with blackish; hack without lengthened feathers or wash of blue-gray : w'mir-coverts \\idcly mar- gined with bully ochraceous. L., 17'00; \V., 7"J.'-: Tar., l-'.'o; 15., 'j-.M>. Jt'anye. — Tropical and temperate America : breeds as far north as Mani- toba, Ontario, and the Bay of Fundy ; winters from Florida southward. Washington, very common S. K., Apl. 15 to Sept. l."iiLr Island, common S. K., Apl. to Uct Sing Sing, common S. K., Apl. G to Sept. *'<. ( 'ambridgc, common S. K., May 5 to Sept. 7V«*<, a platform of sticks in a bush or low branch of a tree. /:;/;/.-, 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 npstretched neck watches the intruder, be- traying its apprehension by nervous twitchiygs of the tail. It is a solitary bird, and, unlike most Herons, is never found in Hocks. 202. Nycticorax nycticorax naevius ( />'"ur to 81X' Pa^e' tlu^ °lue, 2'w x I'40- CRANES. 137 These birds live in colonies composed sometimes of thousands of pairs. Their day begins after sunset, when they leave their roosts and start for their feeding grounds. Occasionally they utter a loud, hoarse quawk, the origin of their common name; and looking up we may catch a glimpse of them hurrying through the gloom. During the nesting season the demands of the young force them to feed both by day and night. 203. Nycticorax violaceus (Linn.). YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT 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 iritcrscapulars, scapulars, and wing-coverts streaked with black; two or three black and white rounded occipital plumes; lores greenish yellow ; legs greenish. 1m. — Crown black, the feathers streaked with white or huffy ; rest of the upper parts, including wing-coverts, fuscous-brown with wedge-shaped butty 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. Remarks. — Young birds bear a general resemblance to those of the pre- ceding species, but differ in being darker, in having the head darker than the back, and the prirnarios 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. Eggs, 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 PALUDICOUE. CRANES, RAILS, ETC. FAMILY GRUIDJE. CRANES. The Cranes number about eighteen species, of which three are North American, while the remaining fifteen inhabit the Old World. They frequent plains and marshes, and are omnivorous feeders, eating frogs, lizards, field-mice, snakes, etc., and various kinds of vegetable food. Our species migrate in flocks, but are solitary rather than gregarious at other times of the year. Their voice is loud and resonant. 204. Grus americana (Linn.). WHOOPING CRANE ; WHITE 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. Im,— Similar, but whole head feathered, and the plumage more or less washed with buft'y ochraceous. L., 50-00 ; W., 25-00 ; Tar., 11-50 ; B., 5-00. 138 COURLANS. Range.— Interior of North America ; breeds from Illinois northward ; win- tew in the Gulf States. Washington, A. V., one record. JCest, of grasses and weed stalks, on the ground in marshy places. Eggs, two, olive-gray, spotted and blotched with distinct and obscure fimiaiin>n- brown markings, 4-00 x 2'50. A rather rare species east of the Mississippi. " In flight their long necks and stiltlike legs are stretched out in aline 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 -ecu them in triangular form; but as a rule they travel in single file, following their leader in a wavy line, croaking as they go, like hounds upon a cold trail " (Goss). The LITTLE BROWN CKAXE (SOS. Grus canadensis) breeds from Hudson Bay to Alaska, and winters in Texas and Mexico. There arc but t\v<> in- stances of its occurrence east of the Mississippi (Rhode Island and South Carolina i. It n-srmHrs tn>sicana, but is smaller; W. 18-50; B., 4-10. 206. Grus mexicana (Miill.). SANDHILL CRANE; BROWN- ("'RANK. 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. /TO. — 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., 5-47 " (Ridgw.). Range. — Florida, Georgia, and northward through the Mi.-sisstji]ii Valley to Manitoba; breeds locally throughout its range; winters in the Gulf States from Florida to Texas. Nest, of roots, rushes, weed stalks, etc., on the ground in marshy places. Egg*) two, olive-gray, spotted and blotched with distinct and obscure cinna- mon-brown markings, 8-90 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 win^s and croaking whoop, an almost indescribable dance and din, in which the females (an exception to the rule) join, all working themselves up into a fever of excitement only equaled by an Indian war dance, and, like the saine, it only stops when the last one is exhausted " (Goss). FAMILY ARAMIDJE. COURLANS. Courlans might be called largo Hails with some of the habits of Herons. Two species are known, Aramus scolopaceus of South America, RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 139 and %>4. 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 icah-ree-ow ; the last syllable is drawn out into a wail, and the effect is most grewsome. Courlans feed to a large extent on land shells (Ampullaria), and, as Prof. W. B. Barrows has shown, the tip of the Courlan's bill is some- times turned slightly to one side, an evident result of forcing it into the spiral opening of the shell to extract the animal. 207* Aromus giganteus (Bonap.). LIMPKIN ; CKYING-BIRD ; COCR- I.AN. (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. Jm. — Similar, but paler and duller. L., 28-09 ; W., 13-00 ; Tar., 4-50 ; B., 4-25. Range. — Central America and "West Indies north to Eio Grande Valley and Florida. Nfit, of leaves, twigs, etc., in a bush or small tree. -Efffff, four to seven, pale buff'y 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 Aramidce. FAMILY RALLJDJE. 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 ricli olive-brown streaked with black. 208. KING RAIL. £. Cheek below the eye gray ; flanks generally gray or brownish, barred •with white; upper parts generally grayish, streaked with black. 211. CLAPPER KAIL and races. 140 RAILS, GALL1XULES, AND COOTS. II. Bill nndcr 1-75. A. Wing over 6-00. a. General color blue, feet yellow 218. PURPLE GALLINL-LE. b. General color slaty, feet dark greenish. A». Toes with large scalloped webs or flaps at the side. 221. AM. COOT. b*. Toes without flaps or webs 21(J. FLORIDA GALLINULE. B. Wing under 6-00. a. Wing under 3'50. a1. Buck Mm-kish, with small round, white spots . 21C. BLACK KAIL. cfl. Back blackish, barred with white and margined with l>uff\. 215. YELLOW KAIL. b. Wing over 3-50. A>. Bill over 1-00 212. VIKOINIA RAIL. c». Bill under I'OO. e». Wing over 4-50, lesser wing-coverts rufous . 217. COKN CRAKK. c». Wing, under 4-50, lesser wing-coverts olive .... 214. S..UA. 208. Rallus elegans .('//. Ki\<; KAIL : MARSH HKN. ././. I'ppcr parts varying from olive-brown t" black, tin- back ;ui.l scapulars widely mar- gined with olive-!_'ray ; wind's and tail olive-brown; wing-coverts rufnux ; throat white; neck and In-east .•/////'»//'/«-/•'/;'„(/« ; belly and sides film-mix, Sharply barred \\ith white. /A///-/*// }'»n,,i/ (i lossy black. I.., l.Voo; V> ., 6-60 ; Tar., 2-20 ; B., 2-40. Humje. — Eastern North America: breeds as far north as Missouri and southern Connecticut, and occasionally strays as far as Wisconsin, Ontario, and Maine; winters from Virginia southward. Washington, uncominon S. K.. almost ;i I'. IJ. I.on, between ochraceoiis und cream-hull', more or less washed with grayish; belly and sides trray or brownish gray, barred with white. Downy Young— Glossy black. L., 14-50; W., 5-00; Tar., L'-IHI; B., 2-50. Remarks. — The Clapper Rail may always be known from the King Rail o RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. by its generally grayish instead of brownish or blackish upper parts, by ita 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 S. E., Apl. to Oct., a few winter. Sing Sing, A. V. Nest, of grasses, on the ground, in grass-grown, salt-water marshes. Eggs, eight to twelve, butfy white, spotted and speckled with rufous-brown, 1'72 x 1-20. The Clapper Rail is an inhabitant of grassy, salt-water marshes, and, in the southern parts of its range, of mangrove swamps. It is almost impossible to flush these birds unless their haunts are invaded by an unusually high tide, when a boat may be pushed through the meadows and the birds forced to take wing. I have heard birds calling in the tall grass within a few feet of me, and have made a wild rush in their direction, only to be mocked a moment later by apparently the same bird calling from a point almost within reach. They dodge about over well-traveled pathways like children in a game of blindman's buff. While not strictly gregarious, they live in colonies, and the long, rolling call of one bird is sometimes taken up and repeated by others until there is a general outcry through the marsh. 21 la. R. 1. saturatus Hensh. LOUISIANA CLAPPER RAIL.— 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., 5-05 ; Tar., 1-97 ; B., 2-27 " (Kidgw.). Range. — Coast of Louisiana. 2 lib. R. L scottii (&>««.). FLORIDA CLAPPER RAIL.— 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 Hanks black instead of gray. In fact, the general color of scottii suggests a King Kail, 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 Linn. VIRGINIA EAIL. Ad.— Upper parts fuscous or black, the feathers bordered by pale grayish brown ; wings and tail dark grayish brown; wing-coverts rufous, lores whitish, cheeks gray, throat white, rest of the under parts cinnamon-rufous; flanks and under tail- coverts barred or spotted with black and white. Downy Young. — Glossy black. L., 9-50 ; W., 4-30 ; Tar., 1-30 ; R, 1-50. Range. — Breeds from northern Illinois, I'cnnsylvauia, 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 S. R., Apl. to Oct.; a 142 RAILS, GALLINCLES, AND COOTS. few winter. Sing Sing, tolerably common S. R. to Sept. 29. Cambridge, common S. R., Apl. 20 to Oct. 1 ">. . Neet, of grasses, on the ground in marshes. Eggs, six to twelve, pale bulfy white, spotted and speckled with rutous-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 Ked-winged Blackbirds, Mar>h 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, lie 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. lioides the grunting sound, the Virginia Rail utters during the breeding season, especially at night and in lowering weather, a gut- tural cut, cidtu-cuttft-rutta, often repeated at brief intervals for hours in succession. This cry appears to be peculiar to the male, and is. no doubt, his love song. When heard at a distance of only a few yards it has a vibrating, almost unearthly quality, and seems to issue from the ground directly beneath one's feet. The female, when anxious about her eggs or young, calls ki-ki-ki in low tones, and k\u much like a Flicker. The young of both sexes in autumn give, when startled, a short, explosive kep or kik, closely similar to that of the Carolina Rail, WILLIAM BREWSTER. RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 143 214. Porzana Carolina (Linn.). SOKA ; CAROLINA EAIL. (See Fig. 22, c.) Ad.— Kegion about the base of the bill, center of crown, and a lino down the middle of the neck black ; rest of the breast and throat, sides of the head, and front part of the crown pule 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. Im. — 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 S. E. Sing Sing, common T. V., May ; Aug. 19 to Oct. 24. Cambridge, very common S. B., Apl. 20 to Oct. 20. Nest, of grasses, on the ground in marshes. Eggg, eight to fifteen, buffy white or ochraceous-buff, spotted and speckled with rufous-brown, 1-24 x -90. The Soras' summer home is in fresh-water marshes, where, if it were not for their notes, the reeds and grasses would long keep the secret of their presence. But knowing their calls, you have only to pass a May or June evening near a marsh to learn whether they in- habit it. If there, they will greet you late in the afternoon with a clear whistled ker-wee, which soon comes from dozens of invisible birds about you, and long after night has fallen it continues like a springtime chorus of piping hylas. Now and again it is interrupted by a high-voiced, rolling whinny which, like a call of alarm, is taken up and repeated by different birds all over the marsh. They seem so absorbed by their musical devotions that even when calling continuously it requires endless patience and keen eyes to see the dull-colored, motionless forms in places where one would not sup- pose there was sufficient growth to conceal them. Floating silently near the shore on my back in a canoe, I have seen them venture out to feed. With tails erect they step gingerly along, evidently aware of their exposed position, for on the least alarm they dart back to cover. Sometimes they cross small streams by swim- ming, and they are expert divers. In the fall they gather in the wild-rice or wild-oat (Zizania aquat- ica) marshes, and a well-directed stone or unusual noise may bring a series of protesting interrogative kuks or peeps from the apparently deserted reeds. At this season "gunners" in small flat-bottomed boats are poled through the flooded meadows, and the Soras, waiting until the last moment, rise on feeble wing — a mark which few can miss. Numerous puffs of smoke float over the tall grasses, and the dull reports come booming across the marsh with fateful frequency. RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. The SPOTTED CRAKE (S 13. Porzana porzana) — an Old World representa- tive of our Sora— is recorded as "occasional in Greenland." 215. Porzana noveboracensis i '//»•/. i. YELLOW RAIL. (Sec Fig. 22,6.) A<1. — t'ppcr parts black, the IJMtho* boidend with oehraccous-butf and with from one to three narrow wliiu- bars; breast ochraceous-bull'; mid- dle of the belly white ; s;de> and lower belly Mark or brownish, barred with white. L., 7-00; W., 3--1" ; Tar.. *9 ; H.. M. 'Range. — "Eastern North America from Nova Scotia and Hudson Bay west to Utah and Nevada; no extraliuiital record except Cuba and the Ber- mudas "(A. 0. U.). Washington, rare T. V., Mch. and Oct. Long Island, uncommon T. V. Cambridge, ran- T. V., Apl. and May ; ( >>•[. and Nov. '. on the ground in grassy mar>hes. /-;/:/*•, six or more, creamy buff, densely sprinkled and speckled on larger end with rusty brown, MrJ x. -83 (liidgw.). 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 cry, 'AvvVr, 'Ar^-, 'krtk, 'krck, 'kid; "k'kh" and compares them to the croaking of the tree frog. 216. Porzana jamaicensis (Gmel.). LITTLE BLACK RAIL. Ad. — Head, breast, and upper belly slate-color; lower belly, back, and wings brownish black, barred or spotted with white ; nape dark reddish brown. L., 5-00; W., 2-80; Tar., -SO; B., -00. 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 Eyys, ten, white, thinly sprin- kled with reddish brown dots, more numerous at the larger end, I'OO x -80 (Nelson, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, i, 1876, p. 43). This bird is about as difficult to observe as a 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' CRAKE (217. <'r<.r .;•. / i. a bird of Europe and northern Asia, is casual in Greenland. Bermudas, and eastern North America. It is about the size of a Clapper Kail, but lias a bill no larger than that of the Sora. The RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 145 general color of the upper parts is between ochraceous-buft* and cream-buff, the feathers with black centers; the wing-coverts and most of the quills are pale rufous ; the breast is pale ochraceous-buif ; the sides are the same, barred with white ; the middle of the belly is white. 218. Ionornismartinica(Zi/m.). PURPLE GALLINULE. 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. 1m. — 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. Range. — 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. J\rest, a platform of reed stalks built in rushes over the water or in grassy marshes. Eyys, eight to ten, bully 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 (Licht.). FLORIDA GALLINULE. (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 tibiae. Im. — Similar, but under parts grayish white; crown plate much smaller and with the bill brownish ; no red on the legs. Downy young. — " Glossy black, the lower parts sooty along the median line : throat and cheeks interspersed with sil- very white hairs" (Ridgw.). L., 13-50; W., 7'00; Tar.. 2-15; B. from poste- rior margin of nostril, -80. Range. — Temperate and tropical America ; breeds locally as far north as Minnesota and southern Maine ; winters from the Gulf States southward. Washington, rare T. V., Apl.; Aug. to Oct. Long Island, uncommon T. V., May; Sept. and Oct. Sing Sing, rare S. R., June 5 to Nov. 5. Cam- bridge, uncommon 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. Ef/gs. 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 146 RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. for unknown reasons have been forced to adopt the ways of both Coots and Kails. 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 Might 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. IJrewstcr gives a detailed account of his study of a pair of Gallinules. 221. Fulica americana Gmel. AMERICAN COOT; MTD-IIEN; CROW DUCK; BLUE I'KIKIC. > See !•;_'. -J_'. f.) Ad. — Head and neck blacki.-h ; r« >t of the plumage dark. Mulsh slute-color, paler below; edge of tin- wing, tiji* <>f the tecondaries, and under tail -coverts white ; hill whitish, two spots near its tip ami crown plate brownish ; legs and tret greenish ; toes with walloped flapt. Im. — Similar, but much whiter below, a slight brownish wash above; crown plate- much smaller. l>nwny ynnmj. — 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. Remark*. — 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. U'liujf. — North America as fur north an 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. A';/;/*, eight to fifteen, pale, buffy white, finely and uniformly speckled with choco- late or black, 1-85 x 1-25. As one might imagine after seeing their lobed feet, Coots are more aquatic than either of the Gallinules. In the Middle States they are found in creeks and rivers with marshy and reed-grown shores, while in Florida they resort in enormous numbers to lakes covered with the yellow lilies locally known as " bonnets " (Nuphar) ; and in some of the large, shallow rivers, like Indian River, they may be found in myriads, associated with Lesser Scaup Ducks. In my experience they are as a rule quite shy ; 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 LIMICOLJE. SHORE BIRDS. FAMILY PHALAROPODHXE. PHALAROPES. There are three known members of this family : one is confined to the interior of North America, the other two may be called Sea Snipe, and are found in the northern parts of the northern hemisphere. The webbed feet of these pelagic species enable them to swim with ease, and during their migrations they may be found in flocks resting upon the sea far from land. Their presence on our shores is largely de- pendent upon the weather, and during severe storms many are some- times found upon our coasts. Contrary to the usual rule, the female in this family is the larger and more brightly colored — indeed, in the domestic economy of the Phalarope household the female is male, ex- cept in the prime essentials of sex. She does the wooing, takes the lead in selecting the nesting site, and, although she lays the eggs, the duties of incubation fall upon the male. KEY TO THE SPECIES. A. Bill over I'lO 224. WILSON'S PHALAROPE. B. Bill under 1-10. a. Bill very slender ; wing under 4'75 . . . 223. NORTHERN PHALAROPE. 6. Bill stout ; wing over 4-75 222. EED PHALAROPE. 222. Crymophilus fulicarius (Linn.). RED PHALAROPE; GRAY PHALAROPE. (See Fig. 2ti, a.) Ad. in summer. — Crown and chin fuscous; cheeks white; back black, the feathers bordered with cream-buff; wings gray ; some of the secondaries and tips of greater coverts white ; upper tail- 148 PHALAROPES. coverts rufous ; under parts "lull, reddish brown. Ad. in winter. — Top of the head aud under part* white; region about the eye and back of the neck fus- cous; back and scapulars dark pearl-gray ; witiirs irrayish fuscous, the coverts and secondaries ti]>ped with white; rump and tail fuscous. ///!.— "Top of the head, hind neck, buck, and scapular* dull black, the feathers edged with oehra- ceous; wing-coverts, rump, and upper tail-coverts plumbeous, the middle eovertl bottkend Witfa pale butt', the tail-coverts with ochruccous; head and neck (except as described above* and lower part.s wliite. the throat and chest tinged with brownish butt. L.. s-l-J : Vv .. 5-37 ; B., -87 ; Tar., -82" i Kidgw. i. Rantje. — " Northern part.s of northern hemisphere, breeding in the arctic regions and migrating south in winter: in the L'nitcd States, south to the Middle States, Ohio Valley, and Cape St. Lucas; ehierty maritime "(A. O. U.). Washington, casual, one record, Oct. Long Island, not uncommon T. V., if ay ; Aug. to Nov. Nest, a slight hollow in the ground lined with a few bits of moss and grasses. £yy», three to four, similar to those of the following specie.*, 1 "Jo 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 < Linn.). NORTHERN I'HAI.AROVE. Ad. ? in summer. — Upper parts slaty gray ; buck and .scapulars edL'cd with oehraeeous- butf; sides and front of the neck rufous, more or less mixed with slaty gray; rest of under parts white. Ad. 6 in summer. — Similar, but upper parts black, and with more ochraceoua; sides and front of the neck mixed with fuscous. Adt. 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. 1m.— Upper parts black, cd^-d with straw-color; forehead white ; under parts wliite. breast sometimes lightly washed with bully. L., 7-7:.: W.. 4-:,": Tar., -80: B., -85. h'fin/ff.—" 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. Sett, a slight hollow in the ground lined with grass and mosses. Eggt, 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 ( Vieill.). WILSON'S PHAT.AIIOPE. Ad. 9 in summer.— Top of the head and middle of the back pearl-gray, napo AVOCETS AND STILTS. 149 •white; a black streak passes through the eye to the side of the neck and, changing to rufous-chestnut, continues down the sides of the back and on the scapulars ; neck and upper breast washed with pale, brownish rufous ; rest of the under parts and upper tail-coverts white. Ad. $ in summer. — Upper parts fuscous-brown, bordered with grayish brown ; upper tail-coverts, nape, and a line over the eye white or whitish ; sides of the neck and breast washed with rufous; rest of the under parts white. Ads. in winter. — Upper parts gray, margined with white; upper tail-coverts white; wings fuscous, their coverts margined with butty; under parts white. /TO. — "Top of head, back, and scapulars 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., 8-75; W., 4-75; Tar., 1-20; B., 1-20. 9 L., 9-50; W., 5-25; Tar., 1-30; B., 1-30. Range. — " 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. Eygs, three to four, cream-buff or bufty 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. As a 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 RECURVIROSTRIDJE. 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 Gmd. AMERICAN AVOCET. Ad. in summer. — Head and neck cinnamon-rufous, back and tail white, scapulars and primaries black ; middle coverts, tips of the greater ones, and part of sec- ondaries white ; belly white, bill turned upward. Ad. in winter and Im.— 150 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. Generally (similar, but head and neck white or pearl-gray. L., 16-50; W., 9-00 ; Tar., 3'75 ; B., 3-75. Range, — Temperate North America; rare or accidental on tlie Atlantic coast ; breeds from Illinois, and rarely Texas, northward to thu Saskatche- wan; winters along the (Julf coast and southward. Long Island. A. V. Nest, a sliglit depression in the ground in marshy places. Eggs, three to four, pale olive or butty clay-color, thickly spotted with chocolate, 1-U5 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 ni(»l interesting manner. Dropping it beneath the surface of the water until its convexity touches the bottom, they move nip- 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. Hlmantopus mexicanus ' Mull.). BLACK-NECKED STILT. Ad. $.— A white spot above and another below the e\ <• ; front of the head, front of the nc.-k, lower back, rump, and under part* white ; tail grayish ; rot of the plumage glossy, greenish black. .!<», wing under 6'00. . 244. Cnn.i.u SANDPIPER. a4. Tarsus under rr>'.», winir over 'VOO 234. KNOT. 6*. Middle upper tail-coverts black or fuscous, without liars; bill straight. b*. Tarsus under 1-50; upper parts blackish, more or less margined with gray 235. Pi RPI.K SANDPIPER. b*. Tarsus under 1-50; upper parts more or less margined with rufous. 239. PECTORAL SANDPIPER. b*. Tarsus over 1-50 260. Kt ve. cl. Middle upper tail-coverts grayish, bill curved slightly downward. 243a. RED-BACKED SANDPIPER. b. Bill under 1-10. b1. Wing under 4-00. 6*. Toes partly webbed. 246. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. 24V. WESTERN SANDPIPER. b*. Toes not webbed 242. LEAST SANDPIPER. c1. 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 . . '-'I". NVniTE-Ri -MI-ED SANDPIPER. A Breast buffy, heavily spotted or streaked with blackish; middle upper tail-coverts black, slightly margined with rufous. 239. PECTORAL SANDPIPER. c*. Breast buffy lightly spotted or streaked with black ; middle upper tail-coverts fuscous, lightly margined with buffy. 241. BAIRD'S SANDPIPER. d*. Wing over 4-00, inner webs of primaries speckled. L'l'.li- BrKK-DREASTED SANDPIPER. C. Tail without cross-bars, toes 3 248. SANDERLINO. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 153 228. Philohela minor (Gmel.). AMERICAN WOODCOCK. 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-buff 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 S. K. ; a few winter. Sing Sing, common S. K., Feb. 19 to Dec. 2. Cambridge, S. K., formerly common, fast becoming rare ; Meh. to Nov. Nest, of a few dry leaves, on the ground in the woods. Eygs, four, buffy, distinctly and obscurely spotted witli shades of rufous, 1-60 x 1-23. During the spring and early summer this Owl among Snipe haunts low, wooded bottom-lands ; in August, while molting, it resorts to corn- fields near woods, and in the fall migrating birds frequent wooded up- lands. But at all times it requires a soft, moist earth in which it may easily probe with its long bill for its fare of earthworms. The holes it makes are known as •' borings." They are generally found in little groups, and are, of course, certain evidence of the presence of Wood- cock. It has recently been discovered by Mr. Gurdon Trurnbull 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 WOODCOCK (KS7. Scolopax, rusticola) bears a general re- semblance to our Woodcock, but is much larger; the under parts are barred •with black, the wings are barred with rufous, and the outer primaries are not emarginate. It is of accidental occurrence in eastern North America. 230. GalHnago delicata ( Ord). WILSON'S SNIPE ; KM. USH SNIPE. Ad. — Upper parts black, barred, bordered, and mottled with different shades of cream-buff ; wings fuscous; outer edge of outer primary and tips of greater coverts white ; throat white ; neck and breast ochraceous-buff', indistinctly streaked with blackish; belly white, sides barred with black; under tail- coverts bufl'y, barred with black ; outer tail-feathers barred with black and white, inner ones black, barred with rufous at their ends and tipped with whitish. I... ll"J-»; 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 '•>; fall; occasional in winter. Long Island, common T. V., Mch. and Apl. ; Aug. to Oct. Sing Sing, tol- erably common T. V., Mch. -jo to May i); Oct. 6 to Nov. 20. Cambridge, com- mon T. V., Apl. 5 to May 5 ; Sept. and Oct. /:}/ /// >. LONG-BILLED Dow- ITVIIKH; WKSTKI:X PowiTrHKK. Ad. in mi/mmr. — Similar to tin- preceding, but averaging larger; the bill especially is longer, the under parts are more uniformly rufous, and the sides are inert- heavily l>arre«l with blaek. .1,1. in winter and Im. — To be distinguished from tin- corri->pondiinr stall's of J/. -jri- letu 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. Egg»i four, not distinguishable from those of the preceding specie -s. This is a bird of the interior and Western States, and occurs on our coasts as a rare but regular lute full 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 Snii>e. and its near ally, J/. ///•/. •«•//.•<. the male utters \\ 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. Mlcropalama himantopus < lionap.). STILT SANKI-II-KK. Ad. in tiiinin, r. — I'ppcr parts black, bordered with -rravish and bully; ear- coverts and an indistinct line around tlie back of the head rnf<>u* ; 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. Ail. in »•;/,(, r. - - 1' pper parts brownish gray; upper tail-coverts it-hit- ; tail white, margined with brownish gray; under parts white; the throat, neck, ami sides indistinctly streaked or washed with grayish. Int. — Similar to the preeedinir, but the upper parts black- ish, margined with ochraccous-buff. L., 8-25; W., 5-00; Tar., 1-60; B., 1 •.".">. Remarks. — The distinguishing characters of this species are the flattened, pitted tip of the bill, in connection with the very long tarsi. Range. — Eastern North America, breeding within the Arctic Circle, and wintering as far south as South America. Washington, casual, one record. Long Island, not uncommon T. V., May ; July to Get 10. /.';';/.«, three to four, pale grayish buff, or grayish buffy white, boldly spotted with rich vandyke-brown and purplish gray, 1-42 x 1-00 CRidgw.). Colonel N. S. Goss, in his admirable Uinls of Kansas, writes that he has observed this species along the edges of old channels of rivers or muddy pools of water, in which it wades while feeding; immersing the head and feeling with its sensitive bill in the thin mud for food. It moves about rather slowly as compared with the true Sandpipers. and at times will try and avoid detection by squatting close to the SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 157 ground, flying only as a last resort, and then darting swiftly away with a sharp tweet, tweet. 234. Tringa canutus Linn. KNOT; KOBIN SNIPE; GRAY SNIPE. (See Figs. 25, 6, 26, b.) 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 blaek bars. (According to George II. Mackay, it requires about four years for birds to acquire this plumage. See Auk, x, 1893, p. 25.) Im. — 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. Range. — 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. £;il. I'K<-T.,I,AI. SANI.PIPKU; KKIEKER. Ad. in. summer.— Upper parts black, the. feathers all heavily bordered with pale ochraceous-butt ; rump and upper tuil-eoverts !,!«,+, lightly tipped with ochraceous-butf; middle tail-feathers longest, pointed and margined with bufiy; outer tail-feathers brownish gray, narrowly margined with white; throat white, neck and breast heavily streaked with" black and butty ; rest of under parts white. \Vi,,t, r plumage.— Similar, but ochraceous-buff of upper parts replaced by rufous, and breast heavily washed with buttV L 0 00 • W 6-40; Tar., 1-10; B., 1-15. •Remark.— This bird somewhat resembles both T.fvsacoUit 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-leathers. Range. — North America; breeds in the arctic regions and winters in the West Indies and South America. Washington, common T. V., Apl. ; Aug. to Nov. Long Island, T. V., rare in spring, common from July 15 to Nov. 1. Sing S'mj. rare T. V., Sept 10 to Oct. 16. Cambridge, irregular and uncommon in Sept. and Oct. Effgt, four, drab, sometimes with a greenish tinge, blotched with clear amber-brown markings, more numerous at the larger end, 1-50 x 1-0'J (Mur- doch). The names Grass Snipe and Krieker describe with equal truth and conciseness the haunts and notes of this Snipe. It frequents wet. grassy meadows rather than beaches, and, although it flies in flocks, the birds scatter while feeding and take wing one or more at a time. They thus remind one of Wilson's Snipe. Their note is a squeaky, grating whistle. They will respond to an imitation of it, but do not decoy so readily as the larger Bay Birds. .Mr. E. W. Nelson writes* that during the breeding season the male inflates its breast and throat until they are double their normal size, and utters a deep, hollow, reso- nant note. 240. Tringa fuscicollis \"n>U. WHITE-IU-MPED SANDPIPER. Ad. in nnnmtr. — Upper parts black, odired 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 t>ides distinctly streaked and spotted with black and more or less washed with ochraoeous-bufl'. 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.). Im. — Similar to summer examples, but the feathers of the upper ]>:irts with rounded whitish or ochraceous-buff tips; breast less distinctly streaked. L., 7-50 ; W., 4-90 ; Tar., -90 ; B., -95. Remarks. — The white upper tail-coverts distinguish this species. Range. — Eastern North America, breeding in the arctic regions and win- tering as far south as the Falkland Islands. Long Island, not uncommon T. V., July 20 to Get 10. Sing Sing, casual T. V., Sept. Eggs, three to four, light olive, or olive brownish, spotted (usually rather finely) with deep brown and dull, purplish gray, T37 x '94 (Eidgw.). "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). 24 1 . Tringa bairdii ( Coues). B AIED'S SANDPIPER. 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 butty; central tail- feathers fuscous, margined with whitish, outer ones pale brownish gray ; throat white ; breast washed with buffy and lightly spotted or streaked with fuscous ; sides and belly white; Im. — 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 T.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. Eggs, 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.). ICO 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" (G< 242. Tringu minutilla I V. ///. LEAST SANDPII-KK : Mi:.u><>w ( >M:YK ; PEEP. A'l. in fini/,;: r. -t'|i|it-r parts black or fuscous, edged and tipped with butfy or rufous; rump und 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 bully, streaked with fuscous; belly and sides white. Im. — Similar, but feathers of the back with nn/ml, <1 nitons or bully tip-; l«rea>t not distinctly streaked. \\'i/t(< r /'In mai/t . — Upper parts brown- ish gray. Mimctimcs with ini-re or less black in tin- center* of the feathers; breast white or ashy, not distinctly streaked. L., 6-00; W., 3-50; Tar., •70 ; B., -75. Fio. 62 -Least Sandpiper. J{emarks.—'n\\» is the smallest of (Natural si/.- > our Sandpipers, ana can be contused only with Kreuntttf pusilfit*, from which, however, it may always be distin- guished by the absence of Webs between the bases of the toes. Ituniji-.— Nortli 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. •_'."> through May ; July through Sept. Sins: Sirnr. tolerably common T. V., May 9 to May \L-2 ; < ii-t. 3. Cambridge, very common T. V., May -jr. t.. May 31 ; July 2" to Am;. 31. Eggs, three to four, pale, L'rayi>h buffy. varyinar to pule brownisli, thickly spot ted. speckled, or sprinkled with deep chestnut and dull, purplisu gray, 1-15 x -83 (Kidgw.). 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 n><>;iarts broadly margined with rufous, the centers of the feathers black, wings brownish gray: breast whitish, liirhtly streaked with blackish: middle of the belly with a lary? black patch, lower belly white. Im. — Upper parts blackish, the feathers with rounded tips ,,t rufous or buffy; brt^ist 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 r.iar;i:iel with bulFy ; 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. Kemarks. — There is, of course, every degree of intergradation between summer and winter plumage, but the species may always be known by its slightly curved bill. Range. — North America, breeding in the arctic regions and wintering from Florida southward ; rare in the interior. Washington, rare T. V., Apl. ; Oct. Long Island, T. V., uncommon in FIG. 63.— Red-backed Sandpiper. (Natural size.) spring, Apl. 1 to May 15 ; common in fall, Aug. 31 through Oct. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V. in fall, Oct. 3 to Oct. 24. Cambridge, casual, one instance, Oct. Eggs, three to four, varying from pale, bluish white to ochraceous-bufl', heavily marked with chocolate, chieny 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 DUNLIN (££?. Tringa alpind) is the Old- World representative of our Eed-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 CURLEW SANDPIPER (244. Tringa ferrugined) 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(Zi»n.). SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER ; SAND OXEYE ; PEEP. Ad. in summer. — Upper parts black or fuscous, margined with brownish gray and a small amount of rufous ; rump grayish brown ; upper tail-coverts blackish ; tail-feathers brownish gray, central ones darkest; breast streaked or spotted with blackish. Im. — Similar, but upper parts and wing- coverts blackish, with rounded rufous or buffy tips to the feathers ; breast un- 12 1G2 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 Y'/-/ //;/<« /ni/tutilla, from which they may always be known by their partially webbed toes. Jfange. — 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 Sq.t. Sing Sing, common T. V. in fall, Aug. 14 to Oct. 20. Cambridge, very common in Aiiu'- uud Sept. /:;/ tour, pale, dull grayi>h bull', sprinkled, speckled, or spotted with dark brown and purplish gray, 1-21 x •«;"> i;i i_-\\. . The thought of these little Sandpipers always creates a mental pic- ture of a long stretch of dazzling beach witli 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 l>y 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 Lawr. WESTERN SEMIPALMATEI> SANDPII-EK. — This bird closely resembles the prccedim.'. fn>in 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, hut the birds are to bo 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 E. p>i*iHu*. Egys, 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. 1C3 248. Calidris arenaria (Linn.). SANDERLING ; SUHF SNIPE. Ad. •in summer. — Feathers of the upper parts with generally black centers, bor- dered and sometimes barred with pale rufous and tipped with ashy white ; wings fuscous, the basal half of the outer web of the inner primaries white ; wing-coverts grayish fuscous, the greater one broadly tipped with white; tail brownish gray, narrowly margined with white; throat and upper breast washed with pale rufous and spotted with blackish ; rest of the under parts pure white. Im. 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. Range. — " Nearly cosmopolitan, breeding in arctic and subarctic regions ; migrating, in America, south to Chili and Patagonia" (A. O. U.). Washington, casual T. V., two records. Long Island, common T. V., Mch. 15 through May ; Aug. 1 through Sept. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V., to June 5 ; Sept. 9 to Oct. 5. Cambridge, casual, one instance, Sept. Eggs, three to four, light olive-brown, finely spotted or speckled with darker, the markings larger and more blended on the larger end, 1-41 x -91 (Kidgw.). 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. Llmosa fedoa (Linn.}. MARBLED GODWIT; BROWN MARLIN. 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 at the end. Im. — 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. Rang?. — 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. Eggs, three to four, clay-color or brownish ashy, blotched, spotted, and scrawled with grayish brown, 2-15 x 1-60. Colonel GOPS writes that this species " inhabits tho salt- and fresh- water shores, marshes, and moist ground upon tho prairies. It feeds 1G4 SNII'KS. SANDPIPERS, ETC. upon Crustacea, iiisrcts, worms, larva', 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 htexnastica. (/./////A IIn>soM.\x GODWIT; Rixo- TAII.KD MAUI.IN. .[•!. I pper parts black, tlir head uiul neck streaked ainl thi' back spotted or barred with ochraccous-butl'; primaries Mark or fu.-cous ; upper tail-coverts irhiti. tin- lateral ones tipped or barred witli Mack; tail bl'ifk, with a broad base and a narrow tip of \\ bite ; throat bully, streaked with blockish; under parts chcstmit-rul'ou>, barred with black and sometimes tipped with whitish ; axillars Hack. L., 15'00; \V., s-jr, ; Tar., '_'•:;'•; \'>.. .",-_'i>. '•.-Eastern North America: breed.-, in the arctic rci/ions und mi- grates southward, chictly through the interior, as far a* Patagonia. Long Island, rare T. V., Au_r. and Sept. . three t<> four, deep olive, liair-brown. or broccoli-brown (sometimes paler '. usually more or lc.-s spotted with darker brown, but sometimes nearly uniform, li-.'u x l-.J-j (Ki-L'w. .. This bird resembles the preceding in hubits, and like it is rare on the Atlantic coast. The BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (55S. Limom litnosa) inhabits the northern parts of tlie Old-World and is of accidental occurrence in Greenland. 254. Tetanus melanoleucus ( Gmel.). GKEATKK YKLLOW-LEOS. A'l. in fniiiiin r. l"ppi-r ]-arts blai'k, the head and neck streaked and the back spitted or barred with white or ashy ; upper tail-covert-* 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. \\~lnt-r i>l>tnt'ttt?.— Similar, but upper parts brownish ^ray, edjred with whit- ish : sides of the scapulars, tertials. and winjr-covi-rts with blackish and whitish spot*: breast only lightly streaked with blackish, and sides slightly barred. I... 14-"": NV.. :•:•': Tar.. MO; I1... *20. N'orth America: breeds frf>m Minnesota and rarely northern Illi- nois and Anticosti northward; winters from the (iulf States to I'atajronia. \Va-hiiiirton. rather common T. V.. Apl. and May ; July •_'." to Nov. Long Island, common T. V.. Aj-1. 1*' through May; .Inly i:, tl.rouirh Oct. Sing Sin-, common T. V.. to .Tune 5 ;— to Oct. 28. Cambridge, common T. V., Apl. 16 to May IS; Sc-pt. and Oct. . three to four, brownish huffy, distinctly but very irregularly spotted with rich vandykc- or madder-brown, 1'43 x 1-20 (Ridgw.). It nocds only the musical notes of the Yellow-leg to recall memo- ries of many davs pa-sod alonu' the shore and in the marshes. Half reclining in my blind, I sec 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, when, wheu-wheu-u-heu-wheu, wheu, wheu-wheu. I 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.}. YELLOW-LEGS ; SUMMER YELLOW- LEOS. Ad. in summer. — Upper parts generally brownish gray, the head and neck streaked with black and white, the back, scapulars, and wing-coverts with sometimes black centers, spotted or tipped with whitish or brownish gray ; upper tail-coverts white, more or less barred with black, tail varying from white to brownish gray, with numerous black or blackish cross-bars ; breast heavily spotted or streaked and sides barred with black ; belly white, legs yellow. Winter plumage. — Similar, but upper parts brownish gray, the sides of the feathers with whitish spots ; tail-bars grayish ; breast lightly streaked with ashy. L., 10-75 ; W., 6-40 ; Tar., 2-05 ; B., 1-40. Remarks. — This bird closely resembles the Greater Yellow-legs in color, but may always be distinguished by its smaller size. R'liige. — 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. A<7<7*, 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. Totanux ochropus) is an Old-World species which has been recorded once from Nova Scotia. It resembles our Solitary 166 SNIPES, SANDIMPKUS, ETC. Sandpiper, but is larger (W., 6-75), and has the upper tail-coverts pure •white. 256. Tetanus solitariua < HV/*.). SOLITARY SAXI-I-H-I.K. Ad. in tummer. — Upper parts olivf-1'ust.-cms, with a di^ht greenish tinu'e, the head and neck streaked and the buck spotted with white; uppi-r tail-c<>verts fus- cous, with fine whitish spots on their sides, the lateral ones sometimes barred ; central pair of tail-ft-athera fuecous, the others white, burred with bluck ; Flo. M.— Inner view of wing of Solitary Sandpiper, showing barred axillars. breast streaked, and nidi* sometimes barred with black; belly white; axillara barred with black and wliite; legs greenish fuscous. \\'inthiina ; July •_'.") to Nov. T,on. This is n wood Sandpiper. It is rarely found on the beaches or salt marshes near tin- sea. but frequents fresh-water ponds, or lakes and woodland streams, both in the lowlands and mountains. It is pencr- t1 rally observed during the migrations, and although it occasional! v breeds in the Middle States its skill in concealing its nest has defied the search of oologists. It is a quieter, more dignified bird than thn Spotted Sandpiper, and as a rule only utters its "low, whistling notes" when flushed. 258. Symphemia .semipalmata (fJmeJ.}. WU.I.KT. Ad. in mm- mer.— Upper parts brownish irray. tlie head and neek streaked, and the back barred with black, and sometimes huffy, the centers of the feathers being oc- casionally wholly black: basal half of the primaries and greater part of sec- ondaries white ; upper tail-e<>verts white with a few blackish bars; central tail-feathers ashy, indistinctly barred with Mm-kith ; 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 ; axillars black. L., 15-00 ; W.. 8'00 ; Tar., 2-30 ; B., 2-15. .ffa/i^e.— 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. Eygs, 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 flut- tering wings they will hover above your head or fly low over the marsh to draw you away from their home, uttering, with scarce a mo- ment's cessation, their loudly whistled call of pilly-trill-willet, pilly- will-unllet. 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. B. inomata Brewst. WESTERN WILLET.— 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 ^uffused 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 RUFF (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 Tew or no bars. $ L., 12-50; W., 7-50; Tar., 1-90; B., 1-50. 9 L., 10-00 ; W., 6-00; Tar., 1-40; B., 1-15. 261. Bartramia longicauda (BecTist.). BARTRAMIAN SANDPIPER ; UPLAND PLOVER; FIELD PLOVER. Ad. — Head and neck streaked with black and ochraceous-buff; back and wing-coverts ochraccous-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-huff to white, all more or less 1G8 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. barred with block ; breast and sides washed with bully mul streaked or barred with black; belly white or whitish. //«. Similar, but the ochruceous-butf is deeper. L., 11-50 ; W., 6'50; Tar., 1 •'.«•; I',.. l-K>. Remark*. — The white bars on the outer primary will always serve to iden- tify this species. Range. — Eastern North America; breeds locally from Kansas and Vir- ginia to Alaska and Nova Scotia; winters over most of South America. Washington, common T. V., Apl. ; Aug. to Sept. Long Island, uncommon 8. K, Apl. to Sept Cambridge, not common T. V., Apl. 25 to May 5; July 80 to Sept 15. Eggs, four to live, 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 sueces.-t'ully 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 ink-rest but no alarm. They so closely resemble dried grass in color that it is sometimes exceedingly diili- 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 qttiii-i/t-if>-i/>, y ////;-//>- //;-?'/>, and their song, given from the ground, a fence, or even a tree, as rtir-r-r-r-r- ec-e-e-e-e-e-oo-o-o-o-o-oo. He remarks : " This prolonged, mournful, mel- low whistle, more like the whistling of wind than a bird's voice, may be heard even in the night, and is one of the most weird and never-to- be-forgotten sounds in Nature." 262. Tryngites subruficollis t fV, ;n.\ Brrr-niiEAsTKi. SAND- PIPER. Ad.— Upper parts pair «.'rayi>h brown, the feathers with olive mi- ters ; primaries fuscous, the inner half of their inner webs */" <'M< {l "''l}l fl> '"<'••' ,' longer inner winir-covcrts conspicuously marked mid tipped with black, tlien while; central tail-feathers fuscous, outer ones becoming burly, irregularly marked and tipped with black and buffy ; under parts pale oehraeeoiis bull', tipped with whitish, and with generally concealed black markings. Im. — Similar, but the upper parts and breast paler. L., 8-50 ; W., 5-25 : B., -80. Remarks. — In any pluma.irc this bird may be known by the peculiar speck- ling on the inner webs of all the primaries, and also the markings of the under wing-coverts. Range. — " North America, especially in the interior; breeds in the Yukon 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, T53 x T04 (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 all respects, seeking sandy, barren prairies, where they live upon grasshoppers, crickets, and insects generally, and ants and their eggs specially. I have found them repasting upon minute mollusks on the sandy shores of small and shallow ponds, where they were apparently little more suspicious than the Solitary Sandpipers are notably. The flight is in rather compact form, dipping and rising alternately, and with a dis- position to return again to the neighborhood of their former feeding places." 263. Actitis macularia(Z<'««.)- SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 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. Im. — Upper parts brownish gray, with a greenish tinge, the back faintly and wing-coverts conspicuously barred with black»and butty ; under parts pure white, unspotted, but slightly washed with grayish on the breast. Winter plumage. — Similar, but back browner and without bars. L., 7'50 ; "W., 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 S. R., Apl. 5 to Sept. 30. Long Island, abundant S. R., Apl. 25 to Oct. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 29 to Oct. 23. Cambridge, common S. R., Apl. 26 to Sept. Dili*, 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-weef, 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 return? to the starting point. 170 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 264. Numenius longirostris Wilt. LONG - BILLED CURLEW ; SICKI.K-IIII.L. A'l. — Head and IH- ok streaked, and baek barred with buft'y and black; wing-coverts, inner webs of primaries, secondaries, uiid tail vary- ing from bully to pale rufous, barred or mottled with blackish; under parts ochraceoim-buff, breast more or less streaked and sides sometimes barred with black; axillars rufous, generally unbarred. L., 24-00; W., 10-50; Tar., 8-10; B., 6-00. Range. — United States, breeding in the interior us 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. Eygt, 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, hectics, grasshoppers, small snails, ornl>s, and crawfish; the hitter they reach for with their long bills and pull them out of their holes; and I have seen them probe for and unearth the larva? 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 " ((! 265. Numenius hudsonicus Lntfi. HUDSONIAN CURLEW; JACK CURLEW. Ad. — Upper parts grayish brown, the sides of the feathers with •whitish spots; rump and tail barred with bully and blackish ; inner web of outer primaries and both webs of inner ones barred with butly or whitish and black; under parts bully or whitish, the neck and breast streaked and the Hides and under wing-coverts barred with black. L., 17'UO; W., 9-50; Tar., 2-20; B., 3-75. 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. /.'r brownish band on the breast . 280. WILSON'S PLOVER. b*. No band on the breast; bock grayish brown, margined with nitons. 'JJ>1. MOUNTAIN PI.UVKII. o». Bill under -50. A A black line from the eye to the bill. 274. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. c». No line from the eye to the bill. ^77. PiriNo PLOVKK. U77«. BELTKH I'IIMNO I'I.OVKK. II. Toes four ............. 270. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVKK. The LAPWING (i69. Vanellut vanellut) is an (Mil-World species of acci- di-ntal occurrence in America. The only record for eastern North America couth of Greenland is based on a specimen shot at Merrkk, L. I., in Dceem- ; ^Dutcher, Auk, iii, 1886, p. 438;. 270. Charadrius squatarola > I.hn,.\. BLACK-IH.I.LIKI. I'I.OVKH; BEETLE-HEAD. (Sec Fig. 25, . . I/. /'//. summer. — L 'pper parts l>luck, bordered with white; tail white, burred with black; banal half of the inner •web of the primaries white; Hides of tin- head and neck and entire under parts, except the white lower belly und under tail-coverts, black. 7m.— Upper i>arts block, the head und inc-k streaked, the hark >j">u..l with bully yellow; tail and wings as in the adult; under parts white, the breast and sides streaked •with bro-.vnish jjrny. W!iit?r plumage. — Similar to the preceding, but upper parts brownish fray, lightly margined with whitish. L., 11-00; W., 7'50; Tar., 1-90; B.. 1 1". Jfemartt. — The rounded scales on the front of the tarsus and the presence of a fourth, nlthoinrh very small, too distinguish this bird. Range. — Nearly oOHBOpolltUl ; breeds in the arctic region?, and in Amer- ica winters from Florida to Brax.il. Long Island, common T. V., May ." to June 5; Aug. 1 to Oct. IS. Ring Sing, A. V. /•";/.'/". three to four, IL'ht bntfy olivo. spotted and speckled with dark brown and brownish black or deep black. 2-04 x 1-4" rKidgw.). The following notes «ro nbridporl from Mr. Mackay's extoiulod no- count of the habits of this species (Auk. ix. 1892, pp. 143-1 52). They are in a preat degree fidi- 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 erests of sand- liars. 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 dominions Mull. AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER; GREENBACK. Ad. in sununer. — Upper parts black, spotted and margined with golden yellow ; tail brownish gray, indistinctly barred with whitish ; sides of the breast white ; rest of the under parts, including sides of the head, black ; under wing-coverts ashy. Winter plurtiage. — Upper parts and tail fuscous, spotted or barred with whitish or yellow; under parts whitish, more or less streaked or barred with brownish gray. L., 10-50 ; W., 7'00 ; Tar., 1-60 ; B., -90. . Remarks. — Immature birds are sometimes confused with those of the Black- bellied Plover, but, aside from differences of size and color, the absence of the fourth toe in the present species will always distinguish it. Range. — Breeds in the arctic regions ; winters from Florida to Patagonia. Washington, rare and irregular T. V. Long Island, T. V., very rare in May ; common from Aug. 15 to Nov. 10. E///«, tliree to four, butfy white, spotted and scrawled with chocolate chiefly at the larger end, 1-60 x 1-10. In localities where this bird is common it is difficult to get beyond the reach of its notes. Lakcsides, meadows, pastures, and cultivated fields all attract it, but it is more numerous in the, vicinity of water. It is a noisy, restless bird, running rapidly when on the ground, and when on the wing flying swiftly and sometimes pursuing a most irregular course. As a rule it is found in flocks, which scatter when feeding but unite when taking wing. At the first sign of danger it utters its half-plaintive, hulf-petuhint /.•/// ase of the, upper mandible, front of tho crown, sides of the head be- low the eye, and a band on tlio breast, which gener- ally encircles the neck all around, black ; rest of under parts and a ring around tho neck white; back of head and back l>n>wni*h gray ; inner tail-feathers brownish gray, outer ones becoming gradually white ; toe* it; lh< if at the b'w. Wi/itir plum- aye. — Similar, but the black replaced by brownish gray. L., G-75; W., 4'80; Tar., "JO; Fio. 65.— Semipalmated Plover. (Natural size.) jj .59^ Range. — Breeds from Lab- rador to tho shores of the Arctic Sea; winters from the diilf 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; Amr. ii" to Sept. 20. Cambridge, rare in spring ; sometimes common in A ug. and Sept. KIJ\I** three to four, buffy white or creamy buff', spotted with chocolate, V30 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. They may be written FA\— — . A third, shorter note is sometimes added. Even a whistled imitation of them takes me to the beaches. The KING PLOVER (275. ^Egialitis hiaticula), an Old- World species, is found in Greenland. It is similar to the preceding but slightly larger, the oluck band oil the breast is wider, and there is no web between the inner and middle toes. 277. 2Egialitis meloda (Ord). PIPING PLOVER. 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., T'OO ; W., 4'75 ; Tar., -85 ; B., -50. Range. — Eastern North America, breeding from Virginia to Newfound- land ; winters from Florida southward. Long Island, not uncommon S. 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. II. 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, qiteep-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. ^E. m. circumcincta Ridgw. BELTED PIPING PLOVER. — Closely resembles the preceding, from which it differs in having the bands •Yi either side of the breast joined, forming a continuous breastband. Mange. — Breeds from " northern Illinois and Nebraska northward to Lake 176 PLOVERS. Winnopcg," and eastward to th- Magdalen an.l Sable Islands; winters from the (iulf southward. Casual on the Atlantic coast during the migrations. Long Island, A. V. in summer. 280. JEgialitis wilsonia (Ord). WILSON'S PLOVKK. A<1. 6 .— Lores, front of crown, and a band on the breu.-t black; rest .of under parts, forehead, iiiiil an indistinct riii'_' on the' lia|>c white; sides of the head and nape sometimes with rufous markings; ehcrks, crown, iiinl back brownish gray ; inner tail-feathers fuscous, outer ones becoming white. Ad. 9 .—Similar, but black replaced by brownish gray. Im.— Similar to 9, but upper parts margined with grayish. I,., T'.Vi ; \V., -K,o ; Tar., 1-10; B., -80. Range. — America, breeding from Virginia to Central Am.-ri.-a; win- ters southward t<> Ilraxil ; ca.Mial ii' irtli ward to Nova Scotia. Long Island, A. V., in sum- mer. /.;/'/*'. three, creamy white, even- ly nnd rather finely spotted and speckled with chocolate, 1.42 x 1-03. This is a more strictly maritime species than the other representa- tives of this genus. Sandy heat-lies an- its favorite n-orts, but it is also found on mud-flats exposed by the falling tide. Dr. Coues de- scribes its note as half a whistle, half a chirp, quite different from that of the preceding species. It is a gentle, unsuspicious bird, and when its nest is approached it runs about the intruder and begs as plainly as a bird can that he will not disturb its treasures. Fio. CC.— Wilson's Plover. (Natural size.) The MOUNTAIN- PLOVER (SSL .firi'iHt!* w<;//v,,<0. a western species, is of accidental occurrence in Florida, The upper parts are grayish brown margined with rufous, the under parts arc white tinned with bully on the breast : in adults the front of the crown and lores are black. L., about 8'7"> ; NV., .",:."> : Tar., 1-50 ; B., -85. FAMILY APHRIZID^E. SURF BIRDS AND TURNSTONES. A small family of four species, three of which are found in Xorth 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 {Linn.). TURNSTONE; BRANT BIRD; 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 ; belly 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, 1-60 x 1-15. This strictly maritime species is found singly or in small flocks, generally on the outer beaches, where it obtains its food by turning over shells and pebbles in search of insects, crustaceans, etc. FAMILY HJEMATOPODIDJE. OYSTER-CATCHERS. The Oyster-catchers number ten species, represented in most of the warmer parts of the globe. But three species are found in North America, and only one of these occurs in the Eastern States. They are strictly maritime birds, and resort to the outer bars and beaches in search of clams, mussels, etc., exposed by the tide. Their strong bill is used as an oyster-knife to force open the shells of these bivalves. 286. Haematopus palliatus Temm. AMERICAN 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. Im. — 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. Eggs, 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 EUROPEAN OYSTER-CATCHER (285. Heematopus ostralegus) is of acci- dental occurrence in Greenland. 13 178 GROUSE, BOB- WHITES, ETC. ORDER GALLINJE. GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. FAMILY TETRAONIDJE. GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. Of the two hundred species contained in this family, one hundred belong in the subfamily !'• .--i/in'mr or Old-World Partridges and (Quails, sixty in the subfamily Odontitphorinw or New-World Par- tridges and Bob-whites, and twenty-five in the subfamily T<-t numuur. 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 Pcrdicince. 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, hut may take to trees when flushed, while some species habitually call and feed in trees. They are game birds par esn-/li->u-f, und, 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 to a 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. Tarsi bare 289. BOB-WHITE. 289a. FLORIDA BOB-WHITE. B. Upper third or half of tarsi feathered. 300. RUFFED GROUSE. 300a. CANADA RUFFED GROUSE. C. Tarsi entirely feathered, toes hare. a. With bunches of elongated, stiffened feathers springing from either *M« of the neck 305. PRAIRIE HEN. 306. HEATH HEX. b. Feathers of neck normal. bl. Outer web of primaries spotted with white. 308J. PRAIRIE SHARP-TAILED GR»I SE. 6*. Primaries not spotted with white 298. CANADA GROI SE. D. Tarsi and toes entirely feathered 301. PTARMIGAN and races. 289. Colinus virginianus /./".. BOB-WHITE; QUAIL: PARTRIDGE. Ad. $ in wintf-r. — Bppcr 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. Ail. ? intrh,- ter. — Similar, but the throat and line over the eye, forehead, and lores palo ochraceous-butf; little or no black on the upper breast Summer examples GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. 179 of both sexes have the crown blacker, the bufl'y markings generally paler. L., 10-00; W., 4-50; 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. E. Sing Sing, common P. E. Cambridge, com- mon P. E. Nest, on the ground, in grassy fields. Eggs, ten to eighteen, white, 1-20 x -95. Taking the Old- World species of the genera Coturnix and Caccabis as the types respectively of Quails and Partridges, neither of these lat- ter names can properly be applied to our Colinus, which should there- fore be known under the distinctive title Bob-white. During the nesting season Bob-whites are distributed in pairs through clearings and cultivated fields. The members of a brood constitute a bevy or covey, though occasionally two families or broods are found in one bevy. In the fall they frequent grain fields, but as winter approaches draw in toward thickets and wooded bottom-lands, sometimes passing the coldest weather in boggy alder swamps. They roost on the ground, tail to tail, with heads pointing outward ; a bunch of closely huddled forms — a living bomb whose explosion is scarcely less startling than that of dynamite manufacture. Like most grass-inhabiting birds whose colors harmonize with their surroundings, Bob-whites rely on this protective resemblance to escape detection, and take wing only as a 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 Sob-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 (Coues). FLORIDA BOB-WHITE; QUAIL ; PAR- TRIDGE.— Similar to the preceding, but smaller, the plumage throughout darker, the black of the back more extensive, the rump and upper tail-coverts grayer, ISO GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. the block throat-band wider and sometimes reaching down upon the breast, the rufous-chestnut of the sides more extensive, the black burs of the breast and belly much wider. L., 8-50 ; W., 4-40 ; T., 2-50. Range. — Florida, 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 \\hei; 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 QUAIL ( Coturnix coturnix) has been intro- duced into this country on several occasions, but does not appear to have sur- vived. 298. DendragapuscanadensisfZtnn.). CANADA GROUSE ; SPRUCE PAKTiiinoE. Atl. & . — Upper parts barred with bluek, ashy, gray, and gra\ \*h brown ; tertials and wing-covert* irregularly marked with fuscous and grayish brown; tail black, tipped with rufous; the black throat separated from the black breast by a br»ki-n eireular band of black and white arid a band of the same color as the back of the neck ; sides mottled with black and grayish lirown, 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 biirn-.l with black and pale rufous and tipprd 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. JVifi'r plumage. — Tail-feathers fus- cous as in summer, rest of the plumage white. L., 15-00; VV., 7'50; T., 4-40; B. from N., -42; depth of B. at N., -44. Remarks. — Both this species and its subspecies atteni 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 Sitku, Alaska, tin- Uritish Provinces, and occasionally within the northern border of the United States" (Bendin-i. Netty on the ground. Eggs, seven to eleven, varying from cream-butf to rufous, heavily spotted and blotched with blackish, T75 x T20. 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. 301a. I*. L alien! Ktejn. ALLEN'S PTARMIGAN. — Differs from the pre- ceding 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 051., viii, 1883, p. 43). 302. Lap^opus rupestris '/// ROCK PTARMIGAN; ROCKER. Ad. & in summer. — General color above grayish, the feathers black basally ; head GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. 183 and neck barred, and back marked with numerous fine wavy lines of gray and white or bufly ; 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-buif 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-buff. Winter plumage. — Lores black, outer tail-feathers as in summer, rest of the plumage white. W., 7'25 ; B. from N., -35 ; depth of B. at N., -32. Range. — " Arctic America in general, southeastward to the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Anticosti), except the northern extremity of the peninsula of Labrador, and region thence northward, Greenland and Aleutian Islands " (Bendire). Nest, usually placed among the dwarf brush or sedge-covered patches of the tundras. Eggs, 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 (Beudire). " In 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 E.). 302a. L. r. reinhardti (Brehm). GREENLAND PTARMIGAN. "Sum- mer male. — Similar to corresponding stage of L. rupestris, but less regu- larly and coarsely barred above. Summer female. — Above chiefly black, this varied irregularly with pale grayish buff, mostly in form of borders to the feathers and spots along their edges, or occasionally imperfect bars, these lat- ter most distinct on wings, where the two colors are in about equal propor- tion ; lower parts light grayish buff, everywhere coarsely barred with black " (Ridgw.). 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 hilltops and barrens (hence often called the Barren Ground Bird) are their favorite resorts'7 (Turner). 303. Lagopus welchi Er>--H-4. "\VKI.CII'.« PTAUMIOAN-. Ad. $ in summer. — Upper parts black, the head and neck barred with white and cchra- ceous-buff, the back and wing-coverts finely and irregularly marked with wavy lines of buffy and white ; tail grayish fuscous, the middle feathers tipped with white; throat white, foreneck like the hind neck, breast and sides like the back : rest of the under parts white. 9 . — Upper parts black, finely and irregularly barred with ochraceous-buff, grayish, and white ; cen- tral tail-feathers like the back, others fuscous ; foreneck, breast, and sides like the hind neck ; belly white. Winter plumage. — White, tail fuscous, the central feathers tipped with white ; lores Hack. W., T25 ; B. from N., -35 ; depth of B. at N., -32. Remarlct. — This species with L. rupextris is to be distinguished from Lagopus lagopus by the ochraceous-buff instead of rufous markings, the fine 184 GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. grayish wavy bare on the upper part*, and the smaller bill. For a comparison otwelchi with rupestris see Auk, ii, 1885, p. 193. Range.— Newfoundland. Nttt 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, L c.). 305. Tympanuchus americanus (Keich.). PRAIRIE HEN. Ad. 6 .—Upper parts barred with rufous and black and spotted with rufous ; sides of the neck with tufts generally composed of ten or more narrow, stitlrm -d black feathers marked with buffy and rufous, their ends rounded, the skin beneath these tufts bare; tail rounded, fuscous, the inner feathers somewhat mottled with ochraceoun-bun", tip white; throat butfy ; breast and belly white, evenly barred with black. Ad. 9 .—Similar, but the neck tufts much smaller and the tail barred with ochraceous-buff or rufous. L., 18-00; W., 9-00 ; T., 4-00; B. from N., -52. Range.— Prairies of Mississippi Valley, south to Louisiana, west to north- ern Indian Territory, mid. IK- 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). Nett, on the ground. Eggs, eleven to fourteen, buffy olive, sometimes finely speckled with brownish, 170 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 (lushed 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 (Linn.). HEATH HEN.— Similar to the preceding, but the scapulars broadly tipped with buffy ; thu neck tufts of less than ten feathers ; these feathers pointed, not rounded, at the ends. Range. — Island of Martha's Vineyard, Mass. Nest, " in oak woods, among sprouts at the base of a large stump " (Brew- ster). Eggs, six to thirteen, " creamy buif in color, with a slight greenish tinge," 173 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. Pediocaetes phasianellus campestris Ridgw. PRAIRIE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. Ad. 6 . — -Prevailing color of the upper parts ochra- ceous-butf, 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 buff'y; breast with V-shaped marks of black ; sides irregularly barred or spotted with black or buft'y ; middle of the belly white. Ad. 9. — Similar, but smaller; the middle tail-feathers shorter. L., 17'50 ; W., 8'50 ; T.. 4-50 ; B. from N., -50. Range. — Western United States from New Mexico northward to Manitoba, east to Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Nest, on the ground. Eggs, eleven to fourteen, creamy buff or pale olive- brown, generally slightly spotted with fine, reddish brown markings, 1-65 x 1-22 (Bendire). This partially migratory species lives on the prairies during the summer and in wooded regions in the winter. A capital account of its habits is given by Ernest E. Thompson in his Birds of Manitoba. FAMILY PHASIANIDJE. PHEASANTS, ETC. With the exception of the Yucatan Turkey and the four races of our Wild Turkey, the some ninety species included in this family are inhabitants of the Old World, and are most numerously represented in southern Asia, where are found the Peacock, many of the Pheasants, and the Jungle Fowl, from which the varieties of our domesticated fowls have descended. 186 WILD TURKEYS. 310. Meleagris gallopavo Linn. WILD TURKEY. — The Wild Turkey may be diMinirui.-hed from the common domestic race chiefly by the chestnut instead of white tips to the upper tail-coverts and tail. " <5 ad. L., about 48-00-50 ; W., 21-00; T., 18-50; Weight 16-40 Ibs." (Ridgw.). Range. — Eastern United States from Pennsylvania southward to Florida, west to Wisconsin, the Indian Territory, and Texas. Washington, rare P. K. Netit, on the ground, at the base of a bush or tree. Egg*, ten to fourteen, pale eream-bufl, finely and evenly speckled with grayish brown, 2-45 x ri»5. This noble game bird is rapidly decreasing in numbers, and in comparatively few years will doubtless be found only in the parts of its range which are unfit for the habitation of rnun. Except during the breeding season, Wild Turkeys are found in small flocks of six to twelve or fifteen individuals of both sexes. They roost preferably in the trees in wooded bottom-lands, returning each night to the same locality. At the opening of the breeding season in March the male begins to gobble. As a rule, he calls only early in the morning, before leaving his roost. Later he sails to the ground and at once begins his search for breakfast, or, attracted by the plaintive piping of some female, ho struts and displays his charms before her. It is at this time that bat- tles between the males occur. They are polygamists, and the victor becomes sultan of the harem. During the period of incubation, and while the young require their mother's care, the females do not associ- ate with the males, who then flock together. The calls of both sexes so closely resemble those of the domestic birds that it requires a practiced ear to distinguish them. In locali- ties where both birds might be expected to occur, 1 could never be sure whether I was listening to the challenge of some defiant gobbler perched in a cypress in the valley below, or to the vainglorious effort of the lord of the poultry yard. The Wild Turkey is divided by ornithologists into four closely re- lated races. Meleagris gallojxtvn is the bird of the Eastern States; M. g. osceola,as stated below, is found in southern Florida; M. g. fUiati inhabits southeastern Texas and northeastern Mexico; M. hed within tin- present century. The only thing which retards their complete ex- tinction is that it no longer pays to net these birds, they being too scarce for this now, at least in the more settled portions of the coun- try, and also, perhaps, that from constant and unremitting persecution on their breeding grounds they have changed their habits somewhat, the majority no longer breeding in colonies, but scattering over the country and breeding in isolated pairs" (Life Histories of North American Birds, p. 13:3). An article by William Brewster on The Present Status of the Wild Pigeon as a Bird of the United States, with some Notes on its Habits (Auk, vi, 1889, pp. 285-291), gives much information concerning the recent history of the bird in Michigan, one of its last strongholds. According to an informant of Mr. Brewster's. the last noting in Michi- gan of any importance was in 1881. " It was of only moderate si/e — perhaps eight miles long." The largest known Michigan nesting oc- curred in 1876 or 1877. It was twenty-eight miles long and averaged three or four miles in width. In the Atlantic States the Wild Pigeon is now so rare a bin! that during the pa-t sixteen years I have .-een only one pair. 316. Zcnaidura macroura < Linn. i. Moruxixo DOVE. Ad. 6 .— I'pp'-r part* olive grayish hrown ; forehead vinaecous: crown bluish slate- color; sides of the neck with metallic rellection-.. ,/ small lilni-k mark tutn/i- tin' ear; middle tail-feathers like the back, the others, seen from above, Maty gray for the basal half, then banded with black and broadly tipped with ashy und white; breast vinaccous; bully cream-bull'. Ad. 9. — Similar, but with less iridescence: breast and forehead washed with Grayish brown. 7m. — PIGEONS AND DOVES. 189 Much like the 9 , but the feathers tipped with whitish. L., 11-85; W., 5%I72; T., 5-50 ; B., -53. Remarks. — The Dove is sometimes mistaken for the Wild Pigeon, hut, aside from the differences in size, may always be distinguished by its olive grayish brown instead of bluish slate-color rump, the black mark below the ear, and other characters. Range. — North America, breeding from Cuba north to Ontario, Quebec, and southern Maine, and wintering from southern Illinois and New York to the Greater Antilles and Panama. Washington, P. E. ; common, except in winter. Sing Sing, common S. R., Mch. 3 to Nov. 27 ; a few winter. Cambridge, occasional during summer in the immediate vicinity of Cambridge. Nest, a flat structure of small twigs rather loosely put together, on the lower branches of a tree, generally within ten feet of the ground ; rarely on the ground in the Eastern States. Eggs, two, white, T07 x '83. Doves resemble Wild Pigeons, but are much smaller, and their rapid flight is accompanied by the whistling sound of wings, while the flight of the Wild Pigeon is said to be noiseless. During the nesting season they may be found in pairs, generally in open woodlands or tree-bordered fields. They also visit roads and lanes to dust themselves. The sweet, sad call of the male has won for this species its common name ; it consists of several soft coos, which may be written : Coo-o-o, ah-coo-o-o — coo-o-o — coo-o-o. Under favor- able circumstances these notes may be heard at a distance of at least two hundred and fifty yards: they are uttered slowly and tenderly, and with such apparent depth of feeling that one might easily imagine the bird was mourning the loss of his mate, instead of singing a love- song to her. At this season one or both birds may be seen performing a peculiar aerial evolution. Ascending to a height of about thirty feet, they fly for some distance in an unnatural manner, and then, after a short sail, return to their perch. When engaged in this performance they very closely resemble a Sharp-shinned Hawk. After the nesting season Doves gather in flocks of varying size and frequent grain and corn fields. During the day they visit the near- est supply of fine gravel, which they eat in large quantities as an aid to digestion. In some localities, soon after sunset, they regularly re- pair in numbers to some favorite place to drink, and then retire to their roosts. 317. Zenaida zenaida (Bonap.). ZENAIDA DOVE. Ad. — Bears a general resemblance to Zenaidura macroura. but the tail is square and tipped with ashy, and the under parts are deep, rich vinaceous. L., lO'OO; W., 6'10; T., 3-50 ; B.. -66. Range. — Florida Keys, West Indies, and coast of Yucatan. Nest, on or near the ground. Eggs, two, glossy white, 1'22 x -92. 190 PIGEONS AND DOVES. This is a common West Indian spooios. Audubon found it in numbers in the keys off southern Florida, where he records it as a summer resident, arriving in April and departing in October. The few naturalists who have visited these keys since Audubon's time have not been there in the summer, and we do not therefore know whether this species still occurs there at that season. It is more terrestrial in habits than the Mourning Dove, and its notes are deeper, louder, and more solemn than the notes of that species. The WHITE-WINOKD DOVE (S19. Meloptlia leucnptera) is a species of gen- eral distribution from the Mexican border of the United States smith to Costa Rica, and it has been recorded from Cuba, Jamaica, and San Domingo. It is of accidental occurrence at Key West, Florida. 320. Columbigallina passerina terrestris < '/,.,,,„!. GROUND DOVE; MnricMMi DUVK. Ail. f, .— F<>n-}n-:nl and un.li"- parts vinaceous, the centers of the breast-feathers blackish ; top and back of the head bluish slate- color; back brownish gray; tail blackish, the outer feathers with small white tips; base of the bill coral-red, tip black. Ad. 9 .—Similar, but the forehead and under parts pale brownish gray. Im. — Resembles the 9 , but the feathers are tipped with whitish. L., 675; W., 3-60; T., 2-50; B., -50. Range. — South Atlantic and Gulf States north to North Carolina, west to Texas ; more common near the coast than inland. Washington, accidental ; two records. Nett, on the ground or in low trees or bushes. Egg*, two, white, -85 x -67. This diminutive Pigeon frequents both pines and "hummocks," lake-shores and old fields, and in some southern towns is a familiar bird of the quieter streets. It is by no means shy, and runs before one with quick, short steps and a graceful movement of the head. Oc- casionally it holds its tail upright, giving it a peculiar bantamlike ap- pearance. Its flight is short, and when on the wing it bears an odd resemblance to a short-tailed Japanese kite. Its favorite roosting places are densely foliaged orange trees, and frequently when the bird is hidden in their depths one may hear its mellow, crooning coos uttered so softly that they float on the air as though born of murmuring winds. 322. Geotrygon martinica (Grrul.). QVAIL DOVE. — Upper parts rufous, with brilliant metallic reflections; wings rufous; a white line beneath the eye ; breast vinaceous ; belly white. L., 11-00 ; W., 6-20 ; T., 5-00 ; B., -50. Range. — Florida Keys and West Indies. Ifest, in trees. Effff*, two, ochraceous-whito, 1'22 x -94 (Bendire). A West Indian species which occurs during the summer regularly, but, so far as known, only in small numbers in the Florida Keys. The Quail Doves inhabit wooded districts, where they live on tho ground. Their flight is low and noiseless, and, according to my ex- VULTURES. 191 perience with them in Cuba, they are difficult birds to observe unless one can find some tree on the fallen fruits of which they are feeding. The BUDDY QUAIL DOVE (322.1. Geotrygon montana) is a West Indian and Central American species, which has been once recorded from Key West (Atkins, Auk, vi, 1889, p. 160). It bears a general resemblance to the pre- ceding, but the back is more rufous and the belly is deep cream-butf. The BLUE-HEADED QUAIL DOVE (323. Starnonnas cyanocephala), a Cuban species, io of accidental occurrence in the Florida Keys. The back is olive- brown, the cfowa and sides of the throat are deep grayish blue, throat black, line beneath the eye white. ORDER RAPTORES. BIRDS OF PREY. FAMILY CATHARTICS. AMERICAN VULTURES. A New World family of eight species, of which three are North American. Within their range Vultures are found wherever there is food. Far above the earth on firm wing they sail in broad circles, and from this outlook in the sky descend to feast upon the stricken deer in the forest or the cur lying in the gutters of a thoroughfare. Except during the nesting season, they are generally found in flocks, which each night return to a regularly frequented roost. When alarmed, they utter low, grunting sounds, but at other times are voiceless. 325. Cathartes aura (Linn.). TURKEY VULTURE. (See Fig. 32.) Ad. — Head and neck naked, the skin and base of the bill bright red ; plum- age glossy black, edged with grayish brown. Im. — Similar, but the head covered with grayish-brown furlike feathers. L., about 30-00; W., 22-00; T., 11-00 ; B., 2-30. Range. — Temperate North America, from New Jersey southward to Pata- gonia. Of more or less regular occurrence in New Jersey as far north as Princeton in the interior and Sandy Hook on the coast. Washington, abundant P. K. Sing Sing, A. V. Nest, in hollow stumps or logs, or on the ground beneath bushes or pal- mettos. Eggs, one to three, dull white, generally spotted and blotched with distinct and obscure chocolate marking, but sometimes plain or but slightly spotted, 2-80 x 2'00. Doubtless one of the first things that attract the attention of a stranger in our Southern States is the Turkey Buzzard. Indeed, there are few moments between sunrise and sunset when these birds are not in sight. On outstretched, immovable wings they soar overhead in graceful circles, perfect pictures of " repose in motion." Without once flapping their broad pinions, they sail in spirals up the sky until they are hidden by the storm-clouds they have purposely avoided. 192 VULTURES. Again, one sees them winging their way low over fields or through the streets of a town in search of food, which their powers of both sight and smell assist them in finding. Their services as scavengers are invaluable. The thought of bury- ing a dead horse or cow never occurs to the southern planter. He simply drags the animal to a more or less retired place and leaves it for the Buzzards, who never fail to do justice to the repast. In some southern towns they make a self-constituted street-clean- ing department, and if their efforts were seconded by a corps of goats, to dispose of the more indigestible materials, they would form an ad- mirable branch of the public service. After a rain it is a common sight to see Buzzards perching with wings held in spread-eagle fashion as they dry their water-si >akrd plumage. Frequently they stand on the top of a chimney to take ad- vantage of the heat arising with the smoke. Their only note is a low, hissing sound uttered when they are dis- turbed. Just after sunset Buzzards may be seen sailing to their roosting place, generally in the upper branches of a dead tree. 326. Catharista atrata (Bartr.). BLACK VULTURE. Ad.— Head and neck bare, the skin and bawe of the bill blackish ; plumage glossy black ; under surface of the wings silvery. L., about 24-00 ; W., 17-00 ; T., 8-00 ; B., 2-20. Range. — Breeds from North Carolina southward, through Mexico to South America, and occasionally strays as far north as Maine. Nest, on the ground, under logs, bushes, palmettos, etc. Eggs, one to three, pale bluish white, generally more or less spotted with distinct and obscure chocolate markings, 2-95 x 2-00. This species is more abundant near the seacoast and less common in the interior than the preceding. It is also more often found living in towns or cities. Any one who has visited the vicinity of the market in Charleston, S. C., will testify to its abundance and semi-domestica- tion there. Indeed, the birds have become so tame that when engaged in devouring some savory morsel they are in frequent danger of being trodden under foot. Black Vultures are heavier birds than Turkey Buzzards, and when- ever the ownership of food is in question the dispute is invariably settled in the Vulture's favor. Their stretch of wing, however, is not so great, and for this reason their flight is far less easy and graceful than that of the Buzzard. They flap their wings oftener, and this habit, in connection with their black heads, grayish primaries, and comparatively short tails, serves to identify them in the field. The only note I have ever heard from them is a low grunt uttered when they are disturbed. FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 193 FAMILY FALCONIDJE. FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. The three hundred and fifty species included in this family are distributed throughout the world. One tenth of the number are found in North America. Quring the migratory seasons they may some- times be seen traveling in scattered flocks, which may take hours to pass a given point. At other times of the year, with few exceptions, they are solitary birds, having no intercourse with their kind. During the breeding season many species have definitely bounded haunts, upon which intrusion by individuals of the same species is not permitted. With much regularity they return to the same locality and even the same nest year after year, and some species are known to mate for life. Their days are an unceasing vigil. At all times they are on the alert for food. This consists to a large extent of small mammals and in- sects, birds and poultry forming a comparatively insignificant part of the diet of most species. Hawks are thus of great value to the agri- culturist as the natural check upon the increase of the myriads of small rodents so destructive to crops. The cries of Hawks are generally loud, startling, and characteristic of their fierce natures. They strike their prey with their feet, and use the bill to tear it into fragments. Hawks' nests are generally bulky affairs, composed of coarse twigs and sticks. The presence of downy feathers gives evidence that they are or have been recently occupied. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. "Wing over 19-00. A. Upper half of tarsus feathered. a. Whole head and neck white 352. BALD EAGLE (Ad.). b. Head and neck brown or brownish. bl. Bill mostly yellow (Greenland) . . 351. GRAY SEA EAGLE (Ad.). J». Bill black or blackish 352. BALD EAGLE (Im.). B. Whole tarsus feathered 349. GOLDEN EAGLE. II. Wing under 19-00. 1. Feathers of under parts more or less streaked and spotted, without cross-bars. A. Outer primary with numerous black or blackish bars, a. Wing under 10-00. a1. Back bright rufous, with or without black bars. 360. AM. SPARROW HAWK. a*. Back bluish slate-color 357. PIGEON HAWK (Ad.). a8. Back fuscous, second primary longest. 357. PIGEON HAWK (Ira.). a*. Back fuscous, fourth primary longest, tail -feathers of nearly equal length ; wing under 9-00 332. SHABP-SHINNED HAWK. 14 194 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. a*. Back fuscous, fourth primary longest, outer tail-feathers half an inch or more shorter than the middle ones ; wing over 9-00. . 333. COOPER'S HA.WK. b. Wing over 10-00. 6». Second primary longest, tail generally over 9-00. 6». " Lower tail-coverts immaculate white." 353. WHITE GYRFALCON. b*. " Lower tail-coverts always more or less marked with dusky." 854. GRAY GYRFALCON and Kuces. o>. Second primary longest, tail under 9-00. c*. Tarsus shorter than middle toe without nail, upper parts blackish. 856. DUCK HAWK. <*. Tarsus longer than middle toe without nail, upper parts brownish 355. PRAIRIE FALCON. d1. Third or fourth primary longest. d*. Cpper tail-coverts white 331. MARSH HAWK. d*. Upper tail-coverts brownish . . .834. AM. GOSHAWK (Im.). £. Outer primary generally one color, base sometimes whitish or with a few imperfect bars. a. Tarsus entirely bare, scales on its front large, rounded. 862. AUDUBON'S CARACARA. b. Tarsus entirely feathered .... MS. Yn*oenrov» BoueB-LM, c. Tarsus partly feathered, scales on its front small, rounded. 3G4. AM. OM-RKY. d. Tarsus partly feathered, scales on its front transverse, more or less Bquarr. d1. Three outer primaries emarginate or " notched."* . Wing under 12-00 .... 343. BROAD-WINCIED HAWK (Im.). d*. Wing over 12-00 342. SWAIXSON'S HAWK (Im.). «'. Four outer primaries emarginate or u notched.'''' + «*. Upper tail-coverts pure white 331. MARSH HAWK. «*. Upper tail-coverts not pure white; wing under 13-50; Ic.sst-r wing-coverts conspicuously margined with rufous. 339. RED-BHOULDERED HAWK (Im.). e*. Upper tail-coverts not pure white; wing over 13-50; lesser wiii^- coverts not conspicuously margined with rufous. 337. RED-TAILED HAWK AND RACES. 2. Feathers of under parts with more or less numerous cross-bars. A, Scales on front of the tarsus numerous, rounded. a. Wing under 15-00 856. DUCK HAWK. b. Wing over 15-00 362. AUDUBON'S CARACARA. £. Scales on front of the tarsus sharply denned, transverse, more or less square. a. Four or five outer primaries cmarpinate or " notched." f a». Tail white at the base and tipped with whitish. 830. EVERGLADE KITE. * See Fig. 70. t See Fig. 09. FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 195 W-T.MI.KI> KITE. Ad. — Head, neck, linings <>t' tin.' wings, rump, part of tcrtials, and under parts •white; rest of the plumage glossy bluish black; tail deeply forked, the outer feathers about 8-00 longer than the middle ones. L., 24-00; W., 16-50; T., 18-60 ; B. from N., -80. Range. — Southern United States north to Pennsylvania and casually to Massachusetts: south to South America; breeding locally throughout its range, and wintering in Central and South America. Hat, in the upper branches of tall trees. /:';/•, two to four, white or huffy white, boldly spotted or blotched, chiefly round the larger end, with hazel- brown, ehestnut, or rieli maddi-r-lirown, 1-87 x 1'49 (Ridgw.). The Swallow-tailed Kite winters in Central and South America, and appears in the United States in March. Its Imine is the air, and it is far more frequently seen on the wing than at. rest. It captures its prey, devours it. and drinks while under way. Its flight JH all the marvelous case and grace of a Swallow's, made more evident, and consequently more impressive, by the bird's much greater si/c. 328. Elanus leucurua ( Vieill.). WIIITK-TAM.KI> KITK. Ad. — Upper parts ashy fray, whiter on the head : wing-coverts black ; tail and under parts white. L., 15-50; \V., I-J-.M.; T.. 7-<«>: 15. from N., -711. Range. — Breeds from South Carolina, southern Illinois, and Indian Terri- tory southward through Mexico to the Argentine Republic; rare east of the Mississippi. A«rf, in trees. Eggs, three to four, "handsomely marbled or clouded with various shades of rich madder-brown on a paler (sometimes whitish; ground, 1-71 x 1-31 "(Ridgw.). This species is not often found east of the Mississippi. It frequents open, marshy situations. A pair which I observed in Texas hunted by hovering over the reeds, sustaining a position facing the wind, and about forty feet from the ground, by a gentle movement of the wings. 329. Ictinia mississippiensis ( Wilt.}. MISSISSIPPI KITE. Ad.— Head, neck, exposed margins of the secondaries, and under parts gray ; back bluish slate-color; primaries streaked or spotted witli rufous-chestnut; tail black, without bars. 1m. — Head streaked with black and white; back black- ish, tipped with rufous or white, the concealed parts of the feathers white and with generally one blackish bar; primaries n-ithunt rufous; tail with three or four broken white bars: below bully, stn-aked with rufous and grayish brown. L., 14-00; W., 11-25: T., 6-50; B. from N., -60. Range. — Breeds from South Carolina, southern Illinois, and Kansas south- ward to Central America; winters in the tropics. Nest, in tall trees. £ygs, two, dull white, sometimes with a bluish tinge, 1-63 x 1-32. This bird, like the preceding, is only a summer resident in the United States, arriving from the south in April. It is not common FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 197 east of Louisiana. It migrates in flocks, sometimes flying within gun- shot, and at others so far above the earth as to be almost beyond the bounds of vision. 330. Rostrhamus sociabilis ( Vieill.). EVERGLADE KITE ; SNAIL- HAWK. Ad. &. — Dark slate-color; under, and longer upper tail-coverts, and base of the tail white, tip of the tail whitish ; upper mandible much length- ened and hooked. 9 and itn. — Upper parts black, tipped with rufous: under parts barred and mottled with rufous, black, and butty ; tail as in the Ad, 6 . L., 18-00 ; \V., 14-00 ; T., 7'75 ; B., 1'20. Range. — Breeds from middle Florida southward to the Argentine Republic. Nest, in bushes, among reeds or tall grasses. -EffffS, two to three, pale blu- ish white, heavily spotted, blotched, or washed with cinnamon or chocolate, 1-85 x 1-47. This species is a summer resident in southern Florida. It arrives from the south in February. Mr. W. E. D. Scott writes of it as ob- served at Lake Panasofkee, Florida : " Their food at this point appar- ently consists of a kind of large, fresh-water snail, which is very abun- dant, and the local name of ' Snail-Hawk ' is particularly applicable to this bird as 1 have met with it. They fish over the shallow water, reminding one of Gulls in their motions ; and having secured a snail by diving, they immediately carry it to the nearest available perch, where the animal is dexterously taken from the shell without injury to the latter" (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, vi, 1881, p. 16). 331. Circus hudsonius /... MARSH HAWK ; HARRIER. Ad. t <"f under parts barred with white and ochraceous-buff or pale rufous. /;«. — Upper parts fuscous, margined with rufous ; primaries and tail imieli as in the ad.; un- der parts white or huffy white, streaked or spotted with blackish or pale rufous-brown. 6 L,, 11-25; \V., 6-00; T., 5-50; B. from N., •40. 9 1... 1- ".•:."; W., 8-00; T., 7'00. Bemarl-f. — This species very closely re- sembles Cooper's Hawk. In adult plumule Fio. 6?.-Squan> tail of Sharp- the Mack eap characterizes that species, but shinned Hawk. immature birds may be distinguished only by size and the difference in the shape of the tail, which in relax is nearly square, and in cooperi decidedly rounded. Range. — Breeds throughout the United States, and winters from Massa- chusetts to Central America. Washington, common P. R. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, com- mon T. V., A pi. 15 to Apl. 30; Sept. and Oct. ; rare S. R., uncommon W. V. Rest, in trees, fifteen to forty feet from the ground. E-l>rown, more or less edged with rufous, orhraceous-buth and whitish ; four outer pri- maries " notched," the outer one not regularly barn-d ; wing-eoverts nut cil^rd with rufous; tail rich rn/tntf, with a narrow black band near its end and a white tip; upper breast heavily streaked with grayish brown and ochruceous- buff, lower breast lightly streaked and sometimes without streaks; uppi / belly streaked, spotted, or barred with -black or blackish, forming a kind of broken band across the belly; lower belly generally white without streaks. Im. — Similar, but the tail of about the same color as the back, crossed by numerous mo're or less distinct blackish bands; no rufous in the markings of the under parts. 6 L., 20-00; W., 15'50; T., 9-25; B. from N., '95. 9 L., 23-00; W., 16-50; T., 9-75. Range. — Eastern North America, breeding throughout most of its ran.ire. Washington, common W. V., rare S. R. Sing Sini:, common I'. U. : h >s common in winter. Cambridge, common W. V.. N»v. to Apl. : a iVw S. It. \,-uffy and rufous: three outer primaries "notched" and without odtlMMnM-bttfl markings; tail fus- cous, \vitli two burs und tlie tip grayish white ; under parts heavily burred with brownish nehraeeous- Fio. TO.-Three-notched primaries of Broad-winged butl- /;"' "" Upper Hawk. (Reduced.) parts like the pre- crdinir : tail grayish brown, with three to five indistinct black bare and a narrow whitish tip; under part* white or bully white, streaked nnd spotted with fuscous. & I,., 15-89; W., 1al characters of this Ilawk. Range. — Breeds throughout eastern North America, from New Brunswick southward. Washington, not common W. V., rare 8. R. Sing Sing, tolerably common 8. K., Mcli. 15 to Oct. 23. Cambridge, T. V., sometimes common in Sept.; rare in spring. Nett, in trees, twenty-five to fifty feet from the ground. Eggs^ two to four, dull white or bully white spotted, blotched, or washed with ochraccou*-hulF or cinnamon-brown, 2-10 x 1-CO. "Of all our Hawks, this >perir> s. cms to be the most unsuspicious. often allowing a person to approach within a few yards of it. and when startled flics but a short distance before it alights again. Dur- ing the early summer the Broad-winged Hawk often may be seen sit- ting for hours on the dead top of sonic high tree. At oilier times it is found on the smaller trees in the deep woods, along streams, or on the ground, where its food is more often procured. Although slug- gish and unusually heavy in its flight, it is capable of rapid motion, and sometimes soars high in the air. One of its notes resembles quite closely that of the Wood Pewee. . . . "Of 65 stomachs examined, 2 contained small birds; 1/5. mice: 13, other mammals: 11, reptiles; i:). batrachiiins : 80, insects; 2, earth- worms; 4, crawfish; and 7 were empty" (Fisher). 344. Buteo brachyurus Vi<-',ll. SHOUT - T.UT.KH HAWK. Ad.— 1'ppcr parts slaty gray or fuscous grayish brown: forehead whitish; tail barred with black and narrowly tipped with white, its under surface grayish; sides of the breast with some rufous-brown markings; rest of the under parts pure white. Im. — Similar, but upper parts browner and margined with cream-buff; under parts washed with cream-buff; no rufous-brown on the breast. Dark phate. — Fuseous-black. with a slight metallic luster : forehend FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 205 whitish ; tail lighter than back, barred with black, its under surface and the under surface of the primaries grayish. L., 17'00 ; W., 12-50 ; T., 7'00 ; Tar., 2-35 ; B. from N., -70. Range. — Florida and Mexico southward through South America. Nest, in trees. Eggs (?), dull white, spotted at the larger end with small spots and blotches of reddish brown over about one fourth the surface, 2'16 x 161 (Pennock). A rare resident in Florida. According to Mr. C. J. Pennock, who found its nest at St. Marks on April 3, its call somewhat resembles the scream of the Bed-shouldered Hawk, but is finer and more pro- longed (Auk, vii, 1890, p. 56 ; see also Scott, ibid., vi, 1889, p. 243). The MEXICAN GOSHAWK (346. Asturina plagiata) is a tropical species which reaches the southwestern border of the United States. An individual seen by Mr. Robert Kidgway in southern Illinois, August 19, 1871, is the only known instance of its occurrence east of the Mississippi. 34 7a. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis (Gm-el.). AM KIM- CAN KOUGH-LEGGED HAWK. Ad., light phase. — Upper parts fuscous-brown, margined with whitish and ochraceous-butf ; inner vanes of the primaries white at the base ; basal half of the tail white or bvffy, end with two or three grayish or whitish bars ; under parts varying from white to oehraceous-buft, streaked and spotted with black, these marks uniting to form a broken bund across the belly ; front of tarsi entirely feathered. //»., normal phase. — Simi- lar to the ad., but the end half of the tail without bars except for the white tip, the under parts more heavily marked with black, the belly baud being broad and continuous. Black phase. — Plumage more or less entirely black, the primaries and tail barred with whitish and grayish. L., 22'00 ; W., IG'OO ; T., 9-50. Remarks. — Its feathered tarsi and heavily marked under parts characterize this species. Range. — North America, breeding north of the United States and winter- ing as far south as Virginia. Washington, rare and irregular W. V. Sing Sing, A. V. Cambridge, not uncommon T. V., Nov. ; Mch. ; a few winter. Next, on rocky ledges or in trees. Eggs, two to five, dull white, sometimes unmarked, but generally more or less spotted, blotched, or scrawled with cin- namon-brown or chocolate, 2-20 x 1-75. " The Rough-leg is one of the most nocturnal of our Hawks, and may be seen in the fading twilight watching from some low perch or boating with measured, noiseless flight over its hunting ground. It follows two very different methods in securing its food — one by sitting on some stub or low tree and watching the ground for the appearance of its prey, as the Red-tail does; the other by beating back and forth just above the tops of the grass or bushes and dropping upon its vic- tim, after the manner of the Marsh Hawk. . . . " The flight of the Rough-leg is seldom rapid and often appears 206 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. labored, and when on the wing this Hawk resembles the Osprey more than any other bird of prey. . . . " Of 49 stomachs examined, 40 contained mice ; 5, other mammals ; 1, lizards; 1, insects; and 4 wciv empty" (Fisher). 348. Archibuteo ferrugineus l.icht.'). FERRUOIMU-S KOI-UII-LEO. A. tin- centers of the feathers fus- coua; tail grayish white, margined with rufous; legs rufous, barred witli black ; rest of under parts white, more or le.ss barred with rufous on the s\i[<< :.nd belly; tarsi fully feathered in front, /w.— Upper part* dark grayish brown, Mlightly vuried with ochraceous-butl'; tail silvery grayish brown, it it hunt liars, the base white; under parts white, lightly >[«>ttr«l and .--freaked with fuscous. Dark pha*e. — l>ark fuM-ous-brown, more or less varied with rufous; prima- ries and tail as in the ad. L., -ja-uo; \V., 17-00; T., 10-60. Kemarks. — This species IB to be distinguished from tlie preceding prin- eipally by its much larger bill and differently colored tail and under parts. •ie. — " Western t'nited States; east to and a»-n»s th,. great plains (oc- casionally to Illinois) ; north to the Saskatchewan ; south into Mexico " (Ben- dire). Nest, in trees or on the ground in rocky places. Egg», two to four," white, or buffy white, usually more or less spotted, blotched, or clouded with brown or grayish purple (or both), 2-42 x 1-88" (Uidgw.). This bird is rarely found east of the Mississippi. Dr. Fisher re- marks: "The Squirrel Hawk is pre-eminently a bird of the prairie, and. unlike the common Rough-leg, shows little partiality to the vicinity nf water, though in other respects it closely resembles the latter bird in habits.'' 349. Aquilachrysaetos(£rn».). (JOI.DKN K.uii.E. A<1.— Back of the head and nape pale, buffy ochraceous; basal two thirds of the tail white; tarsus white, * xt', rely feathered ; rest of the plumage fuscous -brown ; quills fuscous. Int.— Similar, but base of the tail with broken irravish bars ; tarsus and under tail- coverts ochraceous-buff. 6 L., 30-00- 85-00; Ex., 78-00-84-00; W., 23-00-24-70 ;T., 14-00-15-00; Tar., 3-65-3-80. 9 L., 35-00- Fio. 71.— Foot of Golden Eagle. 40-00; Ex., 84 oO- 00-00; W., 25-00- 27'00; T., 15-00-16-00; Tar.. 4-15-4-25 (Kidgw.). Kange. — North America; of rare occurrence east of the Mi*sissippi. Washington, rare W. V. Sin.; Sinir. A. V. .V- »t, on dill's or rocky ledges, foiii*, two to three, dull white, obscurely or distinctly blotched or speckled with shades of cinnamon-brown, 2-93 x 2-34. FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 207 " It seems to be nowhere a common species in the east, but it is much more numerous in the mountainous parts of the far west. It is confined chiefly to the mountains and more northern latitudes, where it breeds. It is able to endure intense cold, and sometimes remains far north in winter. In fact, its movements at that season are more in the form of wandering for food than regular migration to the south. " The food consists mainly of mammals and birds, of which sper- mophiles, rabbits, fawns, lambs, turkeys, grouse, waterfowl, and other large birds form the principal part, though offal and carrion are some- times taken. ... Of 6 stomachs examined, 1 contained feathers; 2, mammals ; 2, carrion ; and 1 was empty " (Fisher). 351. Haliaeetus albicilla (Linn.). GRAY SEA EAGLE. Ad.— Tail white, rest of plumage varying from grayish brown to fuscous. Im. — " With plumage largely light cinnamon-brown or isabella-color. $ L., 31-00-34-00 ; W., 23-00-26-00; T., 11-50-12-00" (Kidgw.). Range. — Northern parts of the Old World; Greenland. J\rest, on cliff's or in trees. Eggs, two to three, dull white, " occasionally with small, faint spots of light brown " (Davie), 3-00 x 2'35. This is a common species in Greenland. 352. Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Linn.). BALD EAGLE. Ad. — Head, neck, and tail white, rest of the plumage fuscous; bill yellow; tarsus not fully feathered. Im. — Fuscous, more or less varied with white ; tail fuscous, more or less mottled with white, particu- larly on the inner vanes of the feathers ; bill black. $ L., 32-85 ; Ex., 84-10 ; W., 22-00; T., 11-90; B., 2-48. 9 L., 35-50; Ex., 89-00 ; W., 24-00 ; T., 12-25 ; Weight, 12 Ibs. Range. — North America, breeding throughout its range. Washington, not common P. K. Sing Sing, common P. E. Cambridge, of ir- regular occurrence at all seasons. Nest, generally in tall trees. Eggs, two to three, dull white, 2-85 x 2-20. 'Bald Eagles are seldom found far from the water. Here they may be seen soaring overhead, winging their way to and from their feeding ground, or occupying some favorite perch, generally in an exposed posi- tion. They subsist principally upon fish. As a last resort they some- times capture these themselves, but dead fish cast up on the shore FIG. 72.— Foot of Bald Eagle. FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. are eagerly taken, and their habit of robbing the Fish Hawk of his well-earned booty is too well known to be commented upon. In some localities, particularly in the south during the winter, they live largely upon water-fowl which they capture themselves. The voice of the Bald Eagle has a weird, human quality. Dr. Fisher says: "At a distance the note of the Bald Eagle is not alto- gether unpleasant, resembling somewhat that of Sea Gulls, but near by it is grating and suggests a maniacal laugh." Dr. William L. Ilalph writes in Captain Bendire's Life Histories of North American Minis, p. '-'??: "The cry of tin- male is a loud and elear rnr-i-ar-cur, quite dif- ferent from that of the female — so much so that 1 could always recog- nize the sex of the bird by it; the call of the latter is more harsh and often broken." The conspicuous white head ami tail of adults of this species render it easy of identification even at a considerable distance. Young birds too closely resemble Golden Kagles m lie distinguished with certainty, but the rarity of that species in the east makes it probable that any Eagle observed is a Bald Eagle. 353. Falco islandus Hriinn. WHITK<;YUFALCOIT. Ad.— Head white, finely streaked with black ; scapulars interseapiilars, un.l win^-coverts brown- ish gray, widtly margined with white; tail white, the. central feathers with Rometimcs broken bars; under parts white, lightly streaked with grayish brown; under tail-coverts white. Im. — Similar, but upper parts with nar- rower white margins ; tail barred with brownish pray, under parts heavily streaked with the same color. L., 22-00 ; W., 16-00 ; T., 10-00 ; B. from N., -95. Range. Arctic regions ; casually south in winter to Maine. Ntvt, on rocky elill's. E. tin- head anil nape varied with white; tail with six to fight obscure bands, more distinct on the inner web; under parts white. l>rea.-t sometimes slightly sjxitted with grayish brown. Ad. 9 . — Similar, but the breast always spotted with grayish brown. L., -jv I n ; W., 18-25; T., 8-40. Range. — North America ; breeds from Florida to Labrador ; winters from South Carolina to northern Smith America. Washington, uncommon S. R., Men. 25 to Oct. Sing Sing, common T. V., rare S. K., Apl. 8 to May 26 ; Sept 29 to Oct 20. Cambridge, common T. V., Apl. ; Sept Nest, generally in a tree, thirty to fifty feet from the ground, rarely on the ground. Eggt, two to four, extremely variable, sometimes dull white, un- marked, sometimes almost solid chocolate, but generally buffy white, heavily marked with chocolate, chiefly at the larger end, 2-45 x 1-80. This species lives in colonies, and also in pairs, along our coasts, re- turning year after year to the same nesting ground. Its food consists solely of fish, which as a rule it captures alive. Winging its way slowly over the water, it keeps a keen watch for fish which may appear near the surface. When one is observed it pauses, hovers a moment, and then closing its wings descends with a speed and din-duos of aim that generally insure success. It strikes the water with great, force, making a loud splash, and frequently disappears for a moment before rising with its prey grasped in its powerful talons. As a rule, it carries its food to some favorite perch, there to devour it. It is said that Fish Hawks have been known to strike fish so large that, unable to release their hold, they were drawn under water and drowned. When protected, Pish Hawks, like many other birds, to a large de- gree lose their fear of man. In The Auk, for October, 1892, will be found a valuable article by Dr. C. S. Allen, on the habits of this species as observed by him on Plum Island. X. V.. where for forty years tho birds hud been protected by the owner of tho island. 213 The note of the Fish navv^s a high, rapidly repented, plaintive whistle. FAMILY STRIQID^E. BARN OWLS. The Barn Owls, numbering some eight or ten species, are found nearly throughout the temperate and tropical regions. They differ from other Owls in structure, but share with them the characteristic habits of the suborder Striges. 365. Strix pratincola Bonap. AMERICAN BARN OWL; MONKEY- FACED OWL. (See Fig. 30.) Ad. — Upper parts mixed gray and ochraeeous- buft', finely speckled with black and white; tail varying from white to ochra- ceous-buft', generally mottled with black, and sometimes with three or four narrow black bars ; under parts and facial disk varying from pure white to deep ochraceous-butf, the former generally with numerous small, black, round spots, the facial disk narrowly margined by ochraceous-buff or rufous ; eyes black. L., 18-00 ; W., 13-25 ; T., 5-50 ; B., 1'30. Range. — North America ; occasionally found as far north as Massachu- setts, and breeds from Long Island southward through Mexico. "Washington, not rare P. K. Sing Sing, A. V. Nest, in a tower or steeple, a hole in a tree or bank. Eggs, five to nine, 1-72 x 1-30. The Barn Owl conceals itself so well during the day that, in my experience, it is a difficult bird to observe, even in localities where it is common. For this reason the capture of one of these odd-visaged birds is frequently the cause of much excitement over the supposed discover^ of an animal entirely new to science, and which, by the local press, is generally considered half bird, half monkey ! The only notes I have ever heard from the Barn Owl are a sudden wild, startling scream, a high, rapidly repeated cr-r-ree, cr-r-ree, cr-r-ree, and. in captive birds, a hissing sound ; but Captain Bendire mentions " a feeble, querulous note like quaek-quaek, or dek-dek, sounding somewhat like the call of the Night Hawk (Chordeiles vir- ginianus), frequently repeated, only not so loud." " Of 29 stomachs examined, 1 contained poultry ; 3, other birds ; 17, mice; 17, other mammals; 4, insects; and 7 were empty" (Fisher). FAMILY BTJBONIDJE. HORNED OWLS, HOOT OWLS, ETC. Owls are found in all parts of the world. About two hundred spe- cies are known, of which some twenty inhabit North America. With few exceptions Owls are woodland birds, but some species live in grassy marshes or dry plains, while others make their home in towers, steeples, or outbuildings. Owls are nocturnal birds of prey, and for HAWKS, EAGLES, this reason feed more largely on small mammals — most of which are nocturnal — than the diurnal birds of prey. They are therefore of even greater value to the agriculturist than Hawks Their prey is captured with their talons, and, unless too larj,ri'. is swallowed entire. The bones and hair are afterward ejected at the mouth in matted pellets. Owls' eyes are so fixed in their sockets that they can not look from one point to another by simply " rolling" the eyeball, but are obliged to turn their head. The weird, almost human, voices of Owls add not a little to the superstitious fear with which they are frequently re- garded. The eggs of Owls are uniformly white, unmarked. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Wing over 10-00. A. Belly without bare, striped longitudinally. a. Upper part* with cross-bare. a>. Toes feathered 368. BARRED OWL. a*. Toes bare 368a. FLORIDA BARRED OWL. b. Upper parts striped longitudinally .... 3»i7. SIIORT-EAKKD OWL. £. Belly with cross-bare. a. With conspicuous horns or care. . Wing over 13-00 375. GREAT HORNKD OWL and races. «*. Wing under 13-00 866. AM. LONG-EARED OWL. b. Without horns or ears. 61. Plumage white, more or less barred with black. 376. SNOWY OWL. b*. Plumage fuscous, mottled and barred with whitish. 370. GREAT GRAY OWL. II. Wing under 10-00. A. Toes heavily feathered. a. Wing more thnn 6'00. a». Tail more than 6-00 377a. AM. HAWK OWL. a*. Tail less than 6-00 371. RICHARDSON'S OWL. b. Wing less than 6-00 372. SAW-WHET OWL. B. Toes thinly, if at all, feathered. a. Tarsi heavily feathered ; with conspicuous horns. 373. SCREECH OWL. 373a. FLORIDA SCREECH OWL. b. Tarsi partly bare ; no horns . . . 378a. FLORIDA BURROWING OWL. 366. Asio wilsonianus i Z"". i. AMERICAN LONG-EARED OWL. Ad. — Ear-tufts conspicuous, an inch or more in length, black bordered by white and buffy ; upper parts fuscous-brown mottled with white, the bases of the feathers ochraceous-buff ; tail with six to eight fuscous cross-bars: facial disk butfy bordered by black ; under parts mixed white and ochraceous-buff, the breast broadly streaked, the sides jmd belly irrrirulnrly barred with fuscous; eyes yellow. L., 14-80 ; W., 11-90 ; T.. <• < " > : I'.., 1-06. Range. — North America; breeds from Nova Scotia and Manitoba south- ward to the Gulf States. OWLS. 215 Washington, common P. E. Sing Sing, common P. E. Cambridge, not common P. R. Nest, generally in an old Crow's, Hawk's, or Squirrel's nest. Eggs, three to six, 1-65 x 1-30. " This species, like the Screech Owl, is nocturnal in its habits, and differs from the Short-eared Owl in never hunting during the day- time. It usually spends the day in some evergreen woods, thick wil- low copse, or alder swamp, although rarely it may be found in open places. . . . " The bird is not wild, and will allow itself to be closely approached. When conscious that its presence is recognized, it sits upright, draws the feathers close to the body, and erects the ear-tufts, resembling in appearance a piece of weather-beaten bark more than a bird. . . . " Like the other Owls, its flight is slow and wavering, but in com- mon with them it is buoyant and devoid of any appearance of heavi- ness. The note of this Owl is said by some to resemble the noise made by kittens, while others state it is like the barking of small dogs. " Of 107 stomachs examined, 1 contained a game bird ; 15, other birds ; 84, mice ; 5, other mammals ; 1, insects ; and 15 were empty " (Fisher). 367. Asio accipitrinus (Pall.). SHOKT-EA.BED OWL. Ad.— Ear-tufts very short, difficult to distinguish in a dried skin ; upper parts fuscous, the feathers margined with cream-buff or ochraceous-buff, not mottled with white ; tail with ochraceous-buff and fuscous bands of about equal width ; under parts varying from whitish to ochraceous-buff, the breast broadly and the belly more finely streaked, with fuscous ; eyes yellow. L., 15-50 ; W., 12-75 ; T., 6-05 ; B., 1-20. Range. — Nearly cosmopolitan, breeding in the United States locally from Virginia northward. Washington, common W. V. Sing Sing, casual. Cambridge, uncommon T. V., Apl. ; Oct. and Nov. Nest, on the ground, in grassy marshes. Eggs, four to seven, 1-60 x 1-25. This species might well be named Marsh Owl, for, unlike most of our Owls, it does not frequent the woods, but lives in grassy marshes. It is not shy and does not take wing until almost stepped, upon, when it arises noiselessly and flies low over the marsh. Sometimes it alights on a knoll or slight elevation and watches the intruder in the intent, half-human manner of Owls. During the migrations and in the winter this bird is occasionally found in flocks or colonies containing one or two hundred individuals. "Of 101 stomachs examined, 11 contained small birds; 77, mice; 7, other mammals ; 7, insects ; and 14 were empty " (Fisher). 368. Syrnium nebulosum (Forst.). BARKED OWL ; HOOT OWL. (See Fig. 31.) Ad. — No ear-tufts; upper parts grayish brown, each feather with 216 OWLS, two or three white or buffy white bars; tail with six to eight similar bare; facial disk gray, finely barred or mottled with fuscous; un.lrr parts white, more or less tinged with bufl'y, the breast barred, the sides and belly broadly itreaketi with fuscous; bill yellow; legs and feet feathered to or near the bases of the nails; eyes brownish black. L., 20-00; W., 13-50; T., 9-50; B., 1-50. Kange. — Eastern North America, northward to Nova Scotia and Manitoba : resident, except at the northern limit of its range. Washington, not common P. K. Sing Sing, rare P. R. Cambridge, rare P. K., sometimes common in Nov. and Deo. Nt*t, in a hollow tree ; sometimes in an old Crow's or Hawk's nest Eggs, two to four, 2-00 x 1-65. Tho deep-toned, questioning voice, the absence of " horns," and the dark-brown, nearly black eyes, combine to make Barred Owls appear among the most human of these strangely human birds. They inhabit large tracts of woodland, and are generally resident in certain localities. Their notes are uttered more or less throughout the year, but are more frequently heard during the nesting reason. As a rule they call only during the first part of the night and again before sunrise, but on moonlight nights they call throughout the' night, and occasionally they may be heard during the day. They readily respond to an imi- tation of their cries, and even at midday I have drawn them from their nesting place to meet a supposed intruder on their domain. Un- der favorable circumstances they may be heard at a distance of at least half a mile. Their usual call is a sonorous u'hw-ichfio-n'hiJo, wJid-whdd, to-whuo- dh. This is varied, both as to relative position -and length of the syllables, by the same individuals, and is apparently the cry of ques- tion and response. When two birds, perhaps rival males, come to- gether, there ensues a striking medley of wha-ichas mingled with roll- ing whoo-dhs, the whole reminding one of deep-voiced, mirthless laughter. Sometimes two birds give a concerted performance. One utters about ten rapid hoots, while the other, in a slightly higher tone, hoots half as fast, both performers ending together with a whoo-dh. At times they utter a single, prolonged whou-dh, and more rarely a weird, gasping shriek emphasized at its conclusion like a cry of dis- tress. "Of 109 stomachs examined, 5 contained poultry or game; 13, other birds; 46, mice; 18, other mammals; 4, frogs; 1, a lizard; 2, fi-h : 14, insects; 2, spiders; 9, crawfish; and 20 were empty" (Fisher). 368a. S. n. alien! /.'/r. FLORIDA BARRED OWL. — Similar to the preceding, but averaging somewhat darker, and with the toes nearly naked. W., 12-50 ; T., 8-50. f. — Florida, and region of the Gulf const to Texas. OWLS. 217 370. Scotiaptex cinereum ( Gmel.). GREAT GRAY OWL. Ad. — No ear-tufts, size very large ; upper parts fuscous, everywhere mottled with white, and with little or no buffy ; facial disk gray, barred with black ; under parts white, the breast broadly streaked, the belly and sides irregularly barred and streaked with fuscous; legs and feet heavily feathered; bill and eyes yellow. L., 27-00 ; W., 17-50 ; T., 12-00. Range. — Breeds from Hudson Bay northward, and wanders southward in winter to the northern border of the United States. Cambridge, very rare and irregular W. V. Nest, in coniferous trees. Eggs, two to four, 2-16 x 1-71. " Dr. Dall considers it a stupid bird, and states that sometimes it may be caught in the hands. Its great predilection for thick woods, in which it dwells doubtless to the very limit of trees, prevents it from being an inhabitant of the barren grounds or other open country in the north. . . . " The note of this Owl is said to be a tremulous, vibrating sound, somewhat resembling that of the Screech Owl. . . . " Of 9 stomachs examined, 1 contained a small bird ; 7, mice ; and 4 other mammals " (Fisher). 371. Nyctala tengmalmi richardsoni (Bo-nap.). KICHARDSON'S OWL. Ad. — Upper part* grayish brown and the head and back spotted with white ; tail with four or five imperfect white bars ; under parts white, heavily streaked with grayish brown ; legs and feet heavily feathered, whitish, barred with grayish brown ; eyes yellow. Im. — Upper parts dark cinnamon-brown, with a few more or less concealed white spots ; tail as in the ad. ; breast like the back ; belly ochraceous-buff. L., 10-00 ; W., 6-75 ; T., 4-40. Range. — Northern North America ; south in winter to the northern United States. Nest, in holes in trees or in old nests of other birds (?). Eggs, three to seven, 1-35 x 1-14. " Richardson's Owl is nocturnal in its habits, remaining quiet dur- ing the day in the thick foliage of the trees or bushes. In fact, its vision is apparently so affected by bright light that many specimens have been captured alive by persons walking up and taking them in their hands. On this account the Eskimo in Alaska have given it the name of ' blind one.' " The song of this Owl, according to Dr. Merriam (Bull. Nuttall Ornith. Club, vol. vii, 1882, p. 237), is a low, liquid note that resem- bles the sound produced by water slowly dropping from a height" (Fisher). 372. Nyctala acadica (Gmel.) SAW-WHET OWL; ACATHAN OWL. Ad.— Upper parts dark cinnamon-brown, the head finely streaked, the back spotted with white ; tail with three or four imperfect white bars ; under parts white, heavily streaked with cinnamon-brown or dark rufous; legs and feet 218 OWLS. feathered, buffy white, unbarred; eyes yellow. Im. — Upper parts as in the ad., but head and back with little or no white ; breast like the back ; belly ochraceoua-buff. L., 8-00 ; W., 5-40; T., 2-80; B., -60. Remarks. — Its small size and absence of cars at once distinguish this species from any Owl of eastern North America except N. t. richard#oni, from which it may be known by its lighter color, stn-aki-d inroad of spotted head, and unbarred legs and feet Range. — North America; breeds from northern New York northward, and migrates southward in winter as far as Virginia. Washington, rare W. V., Oct. to Mch. Sing Sing, rather rare W. V., Oct. 28 to Jan. 18. Cambridge, not uncommon W. V., Nov. to Mch. A'ttt, in a hole in a tree ; frequently a Woodpecker's, sometimes a Squir- rel's deserted nest Egg*, three to five, 1-19 x 1-00. " The species is not migratory, but is more or less of an irregular wanderer in its search for food during the fall and winter. It may be quite common in a locality and then not be seen again for several years. It is nocturnal, seldom moving about in the daytime, but pass- ing the time in sleeping in some dark retreat. So soundly does it sleep that oftentimes it may be captured alive. . . . - " During the day it frequents the thick evergreen woods, though sometimes it is found in comparatively open groves, but alwny< in dense trees. . . . " The note of this species is peculiar and has a rasping character, resembling the sound made when a large-toothed saw is being filed ; hence the name. It is more often heard during March and early April, though occasionally it is heard at other times of the year. " The flight resembles that of the Woodcock very closely — so much so, in fact, that the writer once killed a specimen as it was flying over the alders, and not until the dog pointed the dead bird was he aware of his mistake. . . . "Of 22 stomachs examined, 17 contained mice; 1, a bird; 1, an insect; and 3 were empty" (Fisher). 373. Megascops asio (Linn.). SCREECH OWL. Ad., ntfou* phi'>'i. The syllables are all on the same note, and bear some resemblance to a bass-voiced dog barking in the distance. A much rarer call is a loud, piercing scream, one of the most blood- curdling sounds I have ever heard in the woods. "Of 127 stomachs examined, «?1 contained poultry or game birds; 8, other birds: 13, mice; 65, other mammals; 1, a scorpion; 1, fish; 10, insects, and 17 were empty " (Fisher). 375a. B. v. subarcticus . WESTERN HOKNED OWL.— Similar to the preceding, but much lighter in color, the ochraccous-buff markings largely replaced by gray or white. Itatuje. — Western United States, cast casually to Wisconsin and Illinois. 375c. B. v. sa.tura.tus Ridyw. DUSKY HORNED OWL. — Similar to Ji. viryinianufi, but much darker, the prevailing color fuscous or dusky. liange. — " From Labrador and Hudson Buy ; west through the interior to Alaska, and south probably through all the higher regions of the Rocky and Sierra Nevada Mountains; south to Arizona (San Francisco Mountain)" (Bendire). 376. Nyctea nyctea (Linn.). SNOWY OWL. Ad. & .—Size large; no ear-tufts; white, more or less barred with dark grayish brown or tV legs and feet heavily feathered ; eyes yellow. Ad. 9 . — Similar, but more heavily barred. L., 25-00 ; W., 17-00 ; T., 9-50 ; B., 1-50. Range. — Breeds from Labrador northward and wanders southward in winter regularly to the northern Dnited States and occasionally to Texas. Washington, casual W. V. Sing Sing, A. V. Cambridge, rare und irregu- ;ar W. V. N?4tt on the ground. Egg», three to ten, 2-24 x 1-TG. " The Snowy Owl is diurnal in its habits, but like most birds is more active in search of prey during the early morning and again toward dusk. Like many of the Hawks, it occupies a commanding perch for hours, watching what is going on about it, occasionally varying the monotony by dropping on a mouse or launching out over the broad country, soon to return to its perch. During its southern wanderings it is very partial to localities in the vicinity of water, especially the barren sand wastes along the seashore or extensive marshy flats bordering the bays and rivers. . . . " The flight is firm, smooth, and noiseless, and may be long pro- OWLS. 221 tracted. It is capable of rapid flight, and, according to Audubon, is able to capture Ducks, Pigeons, and even Grouse on the wing, striking them down after the manner of the Duck Hawk. '• Of 38 stomachs examined, 2 contained game birds ; 9, other birds ; 18, mice ; 2, other mammals ; and 12 were empty " (Fisher). 377. Surnia ulula caparoch (Mull.). AMERICAN HAWK OWL. Ad. — Size medium ; no ear-tufts ; upper parts dark grayish brown or fuscous ; head and hind neck spotted with white ; back, and especially tertials, barred with white ; tail with broken whitish bars, long and rounded, the outer feathers more than an inch shorter than the middle ones; middle of the throat with a fuscous spot and below it a white one ; sides of the neck and upper breast streaked with fuscous, rest of the under parts barred with fuscous and white ; legs and feet fully feathered. L., 15-00 ; W., 8-75 ; T., 7-25. Range. — Breeds from Newfoundland northward, and occasionally wanders southward in winter as far as Pennsylvania. Nest, in coniferous trees or in the holes of dead trees or stubs. Eggs, three to seven, 1-50 x 1-23. "The Hawk Owl is strictly diurnal, as much so as any of the Hawks, and like some of them often selects a tall stub or dead-topped tree in a comparatively open place for a perch, where it sits in the bright sunlight watching for its prey. "Although the flight is swift and hawklike, it has nevertheless the soft, noiseless character common to the other Owls ; when starting from any high place, such as the top of a tree, it usually pitches down nearly to the ground, and flies off rapidly above the tops of the bushes or high grass, abruptly arising again as it seeks another perch. " The note is a shrill cry, which is uttered generally while the bird is on the wing " (Fisher). 378a. Speotyto cunicularia floridana Ridgw. FLORIDA BUR- ROWIXG OWL. Ad. — Size small; no ear-tufts; legs and feet nearly naked; upper parts grayish brown, spotted and barred with white ; throat white, rest of the under parts barred with grayish brown and white in about equal amounts. L., 9-00; W., 6-50 ; T., 3-00 ; Tar., 1-75. Range. — Southern Florida, chiefly in the Kissimmee " prairie " region of Osceola, Polk, and De Soto Counties, and also Manatee County. Nest, in a hole in the ground excavated by the bird. Eggs, five to seven, 1-23 x 1-03. This diurnal Owl is locally abundant in its restricted range. Ex- cellent accounts of its habits will be found under the following refer- ences : Rhoads. Auk, ix, 1892, pp. 1-8 ; Scott, ibid., 216-218 ; Bendire, Life Histories North American Birds, pp. 400-402. The BURROWING OWL (878. Speotyto cunicwlaria hypogcea), well known in our Western States, has been taken once in Massachusetts. 222 PAROQUETS. ORDER PSITTACI. PARROTS, MACAWS, PAROQUETS, ETC. FAMILY PSITTACIDJE. PARROTS AND PAROQUETS. The order Psittaei is divided into six families containing in all about five hundred species. The American species, some one hundred and fifty in number, are included in the present family. Only one species inhabits the United States, and it is not found south of our boundaries. Parrots and Paroquets — the dividing line between the two can not be sharply drawn — are forest-inhabiting, fruit- and seed- eating birds. They are poor walkers, good climbers, and strong fliers, making extended flights in search of food. Their voices in Nature are harsh and discordant ; nevertheless, almost all the species possess the power of speech. Some, however, rarely learn to talk, while others invariably do. The red-tailed, gray African Parrot (Psittacua erytha- cus) takes first rank for ability in this direction, while the Mexican Double Yellow-head (Amazona levaillanli) is usually accorded second place. 382. Conurus carolinensis (Linn.}. CAROLINA PAROQUET. (See Fig. 84.) Ad. — Head and neck all around yellow; forehead and cheeks deep orange ; bend of the wing and tibiic orange ; rest of the plumage bright gn-rii ; the inner vanes of the wing-feathers fuscous ; the under surface of the tail yel- lowish. Im. — Similar, but the heud and neck green like the back; forehead and region in front of the eye orange ; tibiae and bend of the wing without orange. L., 12-50; W., T-40; T., 6-50. Range. — Formerly eastern United States north to Maryland, the Great Lakes, and Iowa ; west to Colorado, the Indian Territory, and eastern Texas ; now restricted to a few localities in the wilder parts of Indian Territory and Florida. (On the extermination of the Paroquet, see Hasbrouck, Auk, viii, 1891, pp. 869-379, with map ; and Butler, ibid., Lx, 1892, pp. 49-56.) Nett, said to be in a hollow cypress or sycamore tree, but no exact, de- tailed account of the nidiflcation of this species has been published. Egg*, two, white, 1-44 x 1-12. The complete extermination of the Paroquet throughout the greater part of its range is due chiefly to four causes: first, it was destructive to fruit orchards, and for this reason was killed by agriculturists; second, it has been trapped and bagged in enormous numbers by pro- fessional bird-catchers ; third, it has been killed in myriads for its plumage ; and, fourth, it has been wantonly slaughtered by so-called sportsmen. In short, in the present century the Paroquet has always disappeared soon after its haunts were invaded by civilized man. I made three visits to Florida before learning of a locality where Paroquets could be found. Finally, in March, 1889, while collecting PAROQUETS. 223 in eastern Florida, information was received of their presence near the head waters of the Sebastian River, a small stream flowing into the Indian River near Micco, and I at once started for this locality. The following notes made on this trip are from the Abstract of the Pro- ceedings of the Linnsan Society of New York city, No. 2, 1890, pp. 5, 6. Since they were written the Paroquet has been found to be a locally common bird in the unsettled parts of Brevard, Osceola, Polk, De Soto, and Dade Counties. Late on the afternoon of our arrival we started a flock of seven Paroquets from a productive patch of the thistles (Cirsium lecontei) which proved to be their favorite food. Evidently their meal was finished and they were ready to retire, for they darted like startled Doves through the pines, twisting and turning in every direction, and flying with such rapidity they were soon lost to view, the ring of their sharp, rolling call alone furnishing proof it was not all a vision. Two days passed before I again met Conurus, and this time to better ad- vantage. It was a wet and drizzling morning when we found a flock of six birds feeding on thistles at the edge of a " prairie." Perched on the leafless branches of the tree before us, their brilliant green plum- age showed to the best advantage. Several were skillfully dissecting the thistles they held in their feet, biting out the milky seed while the released fluffy down floated away beneath them. There was a sound of suppressed conversation ; half-articulate calls. We were only par- tially concealed behind a neighboring tree, still they showed no great alarm at our presence ; curiosity was apparently the dominant feeling. One of the three birds which fell at our fire was but slightly wounded, a single shot passing through the elbow, and his loud outcries soon recalled his companions — a habit which has cost thousands of them their lives, and in part, at least, accounts for the rapidity of their ex- termination— and one alone of this flock escaped. There was evident regularity in the habits of the birds we after- ward observed— in all about fifty, in flocks of from six to twenty. At an early hour they left their roost in the " hummock " bordering the river and passed out into the pines to feed, always, so far as I ob- served, selecting thistle patches, and eating the seeds only when in the milky stage. At about ten o'clock they returned to the " hummock " and apparently to some favorite tree, here to pass the rest of the morn- ing and early afternoon, when they again started out to feed, return- ing to the roost just before sunset. A flock of these birds feeding among the thistles is a most beautiful and animated sight; one is almost persuaded not to disturb them. There is constant movement as they fly from plant to plant, or, when securing thistles, they fly with them in their bills to a neighboring tree, there to dissect them at their 22-4 CUCKOOS. leisure. The loud rolling call was apparently uttered only when on the wing, but when at rest, or feeding, there was a low conversational murmur of half-articulate, querulous notes and calls. Of their roosting habits I can say little or nothing. Late one morning (March 15th) we found a flock of eight birds resting on a tall, dead cypress near the center of the " hummock " on the river's bank. On a previous expedition my guide had observed them in this same tree, which was evidently a favorite midday haunt, and it is not impos- sible they may have roosted in the hole we discovered near its top. ORDER COCCYGES. CUCKOOS, KINGFISHERS, ETC. FAMILY CUCULJD^E. CUCKOOS, ANIS, ETC. Only thirty-five of the some one hundred and seventy-five known species of Cuckoos are found in the New World, and they are largely confined to the tropics. Cuckoos as a rule are rather solitary birds inhabiting wooded areas. The Anis, however, are always gregarious and live in open places. Their flight is weak, generally from tree to tree, and their feet are largely used as a means of progression. Some species hop, others walk, and one is celebrated for his speed as a runner. They are pos- sessed of peculiar vocal powers, and their strange calls are frequently the origin of their popular names. Many species are remarkable for the irregularity of their breeding habits. The Old-World Cuckoo (Cu- mins canorus), like our Cowbird, deposits its eggs in the nests of other birds, and leaves to them the duties of incubation and rearing of the young. The Anis are communistic, and build but one nest, in which several females lay and share the task of incubation. The smaller species are insectivorous, but the larger ones add small reptiles and batrachians to their fare. 386. Coccyzus minor (Gmtl.). MANGROVE CUCKOO. Ad. — Ppper parts brownish pray, prayer on the head, with glossy reflections ; wings and middle pair of tail-feathers like the back; outer tail-feathers black, brondly tipped with white; ear-covert.-* Hack, bill black, the lower mandible yellow except at the tip ; under parts ochraceous-buff. L., 12-50; W., 5-40 ; T., 6-50; B. from N., -80. Range. — Greater Antilles, west coast of Central America, northward to coast of Gulf States (?) ; west coast of Florida, Nest, a platform of sticks, in low trees and bushes. Eggt, three to four greenish blue. This bird is apparently a rare summer resident on the Gulf const of Florida, but its relationships in this region to the following race are not known. CUCKOOS. 225 386a. C. m. maynardi (Ridgw.}. MAYNARD'S CUCKOO. — Similar to the preceding, but with a slightly smaller bill and much paler under parts, the throat arid breast being grayish white, very faintly washed with ochra- ceous, which becomes stronger on the belly. B. from N., '75. Range. — Bahamas and Florida Keys. This bird is a regular summer resident in the Florida Keys and probably adjoining Atlantic mainland (see Scott, Auk, vi, 1889, p. 250). 387. Coccyzus americanus (Linn.). YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. (See Fig. 36.) Ad. — Upper parts brownish gray with slight greenish gloss; most of the wing-feathers rufous, except at the tip ; outer tail-feathers black, conspicuously tipped with white, which ex- tends down the outer vane of the outer feather; under parts dull whitish ; bill FIQ. 73._Tail-feathera of Yellow-billed Cuckoo. black, the lower man- dible yellow, except at the tip. L., 12-20 ; W., 5-70 ; T., 6-20 ; B. from N., -76. Remarks. — This species bears a general resemblance to the Black-billed Cuckoo, but may always be known from that species by its yellow lower mandible, rufous wing- feathers, and black, white-tipped tail-feathers. Range. — North America; breeds from Florida to New Brunswick, and winters in Central and South America. Washington, common S. E., May 2 to Oct. 15. Sing Sing, common S. R., May 4 to Oct. 31. Cambridge, common S. R., May 12 to Aug. Nest, a platform of small sticks, with a few grasses or catkins, generally in low trees or vine-covered bushes, four to ten feet from the ground. Eggt, three to five, pale greenish blue, 1 -22 x -92. A long, slim, dovelike bird slips noiselessly by and disappears in the depths of a neighboring tree. If you can mark his position you will find him perched motionless, and apparently slightly dazed. After a moment he recovers and begins to hop about the tree in an active search for his favorite fare of caterpillars. He is especially fond of the kind which make nests in trees, commonly known as " tent cater- pillars," and if you examine the conspicuous homes of these pests you will frequently find them punctured with many holes made by the Cuckoo's bill. A Cuckoo I shot, at six o'clock one September morning had the partially digested remains of forty-three of these caterpillars in his stomach. The notes of the Cuckoo are strikingly characteristic, and while subject to much variation may be fairly represented by the syllables tut-tut, tut-tut, tut-tut, tut-tut, d-uck-cl-uck-cl-uck, cl-uck-cl-uck, cl-uck, cow, cow, cow, cow, cow, cow. It is not usual, however, to hear the whole song given at once. 16 226 KINGFISHERS. 388. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus ( Wilt.). BLACK - BILLED CUCKOO. Ad. — Upper ports grayish browii with a slight green gloss; wings and tuil the sunn-, the ts-H^.^ latter narrowly tipped ^IX. ' with white ; under ,,, 4 parts dull white; bill ^sat^fff^^^^s^jr^ ^*^_ black. L., 11-83; W., Fio. 74.— Tall-feathers of Black-billed Cuckoo. 5'50 ; T., 6'26 ; B. from N., -74. Remark*. — This species is to be distinguished from the Yellow-billed Cuckoo chiefly by the absence of rufous in the wings, black in the tail, and yellow in the lower mandible. Kange. — Eastern North America; breeds as far north as Labrador, and winters in Central and S»uth America. Washington, rather run- S. K., May 2 to Oct. 15. Sing Sing, common S. K., May 3 to Oct. 7. Cambridge, common S. K., May 15 to Sept. 20. Nett, similar to that of the preceding, but more compactly built; location the same. Egg*, two to five, greenish blue, of a deeper shade than those of the preceding species, 1-14 x -85. This species resembles the preceding in habits. The two birds may be distinguished in life by the differences in the color of their bills and tails. Mr. William Brewster has called my attention to an easily rec- ognizable difference in their calls. The present species has a much softer voice, and the cow, cow notes are connected. The ANI (3SS. Crotophaga ani), a common species in the Bahamas and Greater Antilles, is of accidental occurrence in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Louisiana. Its plumage is black with bluish reflections, the tail is rounded, the bill high and thin, the depth at the nostril equaling or exceeding the distance from the nostril to the tip of the bill. FAMILY ALCEDINID.E. KINGFISHERS. Kingfishers are most numerous in the Malay Archipelago, and the majority of the one hundred and eighty known species are found there. Only eight are American, and seven of these are confined to the tropics. They are solitary birds of somewhat local habit. All the American species are, as their name implies, fish-raters, and are rarely found far from the water. Some of the Old-World species, however, are forest- inhabiting and feed on small insects, mollusks, etc. 390. Ceryle alcyon if.!>m.\ BELTED KINGFISHER. CSee Fig. 35.) Ad. S . — Upper parts Mulsh LTUV ; wings with small white spots, most of the feathers tipped with white, the inner web of the primaries white at tin tail-feathers with numerous spots and broken bands of white; a white spot before the eye ; throat white, this color passing on to the sides of the neck and nearly meeting on the back of the neck ; a band across the breast, and WOODPECKERS. 22? the sides bluish gray — in immature specimens tinged with rufous — lower breast and belly white. Ad. 9 . — Similar to the male, but the sides and a band on the belly rufous. L., 13-02 ; W., 6-17 ; T., 3-60 ; B., 2-00. Range. — North America; breeds from Florida to Labrador, and winters from Virginia to South America. Washington, common P. K. Sing Sing, common S. K., Apl. 1 to Nov. 23; casual in winter. Cambridge, common S. K., Apl. 10 to Oct. J¥etst, in a hole in a bank, about six feet from the entrance. Eggs, five to eight, white, 1'34 x T05. The shores of wooded streams or ponds are the chosen haunts of the Kingfisher. Silently he perches on some limb overhanging the water, ever on the alert for food or foe. Paddle toward him as quietly as you please, just as you reach his danger line he drops from his perch and with loud, rattling call flies on ahead. This may be re- peated several times, until finally the limits of his wanderings are reached, when he makes a wide detour and returns to the starting point. The Kingfisher hunts after the manner of the Fish Hawk. In passing over the water it needs only the glint of a shining fin or scale just beneath the surface to catch his watchful eye. On quickly mov- ing ~wings he hovers over the place, waiting only a fair chance to plunge on the unsuspecting fish below. Emerging from the water with his prey in his bill, he shakes the spray from his plumage, and, with an exultant rattle, flies away to some favorite perch. ORDER PICI. WOODPECKERS, WRYNECKS, ETC. FAMILY PICIDM. WOODPECKERS. Woodpeckers occur in all wooded parts of the world except in the Australian region and Madagascar. About three hundred and fifty species are known, of which nearly one half are confined to the New World. Some twenty-five of this number are found in North America. Woodpeckers are rather solitary birds, but are sometimes found associated in scattered companies during their migrations. Above all other birds they are especially adapted to creep or climb. The peculiar structure of the foot, with its two toes directed for- ward and two backward (except in one genus), assists them in cling- ing to an upright surface, while the pointed, stiffened tail-feathers serve as a prop when the bird is resting. The stout, chisel-like bill is used to cut away wood and expose the hiding places of grubs, etc., when the long, distensible tongue with its homy, spearlike tip is thrust in, the food impaled .and drawn out. The vocal powers of Woodpeckers are limited, and the bill is also used to beat the long, rolling call which is their love-song. The eggs of Woodpeckers are 228 WOODPECKERS. uniformly white, and arc placed in a hole, generally in a dead tree or limb, hollowed out by the bird. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. No red on the head or nope. A. Entire under parts black. a. Wing about 10-00, bill ivory-white. 892. IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER 9 . B. Under part* white, without black sjMjt* or streaks. a. Win;,' under 4'">U; outer tail- feathers burred with black. :5'.'4. !>.>W.NY WOODPECKER 9. b. Wing over 4-00; outer tail-feathers white, without black bars. 898. HAIUY WOODPECKER 9. 8985. SOUTHERN HAIRY WOODPECKER 9. C. Under parts with black spots, bare, or streaks. a. Back entirely black . . 400. ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. b. Back black uii-1 white. b1. Outer tail-feathers entirely white, crown yellow or spotted with white 401. AM. THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. b*. Outer tail-feathers barred with black, no black patch on the breast, ear-coverts white . 895. RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER 9 . b*. Outer tail-feathers black, with generally a narrow white margin ; rump white 4<>f,. KKD-HEADED WOODPECKER 9 . b*. Outer tail-feathers black and white, a large black patch on the breast 402. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER 9 . IL Whole top of the head red. A. Throat red. a. Primaries spotted with white, belly yellowish. 402. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER 6. b. Primaries black, rump and belly white. 406. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER *t, generally in n dead tree. Eygt, four to six, -7." x -60. Woodland, orchards, and the shade trees of lawns are alike fre- quented by this, the smallest and most familiar of our Woodpeckers. Sometimes he tells of his presence by an industrious tap. tap — tupping as he patiently digs out the grubs and larvic which form his bill of fare. Again he hails us with a businesslike peek, peck — a noto closely resembling the sound produced by a marble quarrier's chisel, and which WOODPECKERS. 231 sometimes is prolonged into a rattling call. Like other Woodpeckers, in the spring he beats a rolling tattoo on a resonant limb, sounding a reveille which is a credit to so small a drummer. The Downy is a sociable Woodpecker, and when the gay summer visitors have returned to their southern homes and the wind whistles drearily through the leafless trees, he joins the Chickadees and Nut- hatches, and during the winter they are inseparable companions. Per- haps they share with him the snug quarters in some old trunk which he has hollowed out for a winter home. 395. Dryobates borealis ( Vieill.). RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. Ad. $ . — Crown black, a small tvft of scarlet feathers on either side of the back of the head; back barred with black and white; wings spotted with black and white ; middle tail-feathers black, outer ones with broken black bars ; ear region white, separated from the white throat by a black stripe running from the bill to the shoulder ; sides and under tail-coverts spotted and streaked with black ; rest of the under parts white. Ad. $ . — Similar, but without scarlet on the head. L., 8-40 ; W., 4-65 ; T., 3-10 : B., -80. Mange. — Southern United States, westward to Indian Territory, and north- ward to Tennessee and Virginia. Nest, in the higher part of a pine tree. Eggs, four to six, -91 x -68. This species is a common inhabitant of the " piny woods." It pre- fers the higher branches of the trees, and frequently hangs head down- ward while feeding on a cone at the extremity of a branch. Its call- note suggests the yank, yank, of the White-bellied Nuthatch, but is louder, hoarser, and not so distinctly enunciated. 400. Picoides arcticus (Swains.). ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOOD- PECKER. (See Fig. 37, b.) Ad. & . — Toes three, two in front; middle of the crown with a bright orange-yellow patch ; rest of the upper parts shining black; wing-feathers spotted with white; middle tail-feathers black, outer ones white, except at the base ; a white line from the nostril passes below the eye; sides barred with black and white; rest of the under parts white. Ad. 9 . — Similar, but without orange-yellow on the crown. L., 9-50 ; W., 5-10 ; T., 3-40 ; B. from N., -98. Range. — Northern North America, south to the northern United States. Nest, within ten feet of the ground. Eggs, four to six, 1-05 x -78. "It is a restless, active bird, spending its time generally on the topmost branches of the tallest trees, without, however, confining itself to pines. Although it can not be called shy, its habitual restlessness renders it difficult of approach. Its movements resemble those of the lied-cockaded Woodpecker, but it is still more petulant than that bird. ... Its cries also somewhat resemble those of the species above mentioned, but are louder and more shrill, like those of some small quadruped suffering great pain. . . . " Its flight is rapid, gliding, and deeply undulating. ". . . Now and 232 WOODPECKERS. then it will fly from a detached tree of a field to a considerable dis- tance before it alights, emitting at every glide a loud, shrill note " (Audubon). 401. Picoides amerlcanus />.//;//. AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOOD- I-KCKKR. Ad. & . — Toes three, two in front ; head .-potted with white- und with an orange-yellow patch »i> the crown; back barred with black and white; wing-feathers spotted with black and white; middle tail-feathers black, outer ones black and white; region below the eye mixed black and white; hides more or less barred with black and white; rest of the under parts white. Ad. V . — Similar, but crown spotted with black and white, and with- out yellow. L., 8-75 ; W., 4-55 ; T., 3-10 ; B. from N., -95. Rangt. — Northern North America, south to the northern United States. Xest, in the lower part of a tree. £ir, repeated five or six times in succession"; while young and old utter "a low, snarling cry that bears no very dis- WOODPECKERS. 233 tant resemblance to the mew of the Catbird " (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, i, 1876, p. 69). The Sapsucker feeds largely on the juices of trees, which it obtains by perforating the bark. (See Bolles, Auk, viii, 1891, p. 256 ; ix, 1892, p. 110.) 405. Ceophlceus pileatus (Linn.). PILEATED WOODPECKER. Ad. $ . — Upper parts blackish fuscous; whole top of the head scarlet, the feathers lengthened to form a crest ; a narrow white stripe bordering this crest sepa- rates it from the fuscous ear-coverts ; a stripe beginning at the nostril and passing down the sides of the neck to the shoulders is tinged with yellow before the eye and is white back of the eye ; it is separated from the white throat by a scarlet stripe at the base of the lower mandible ; basal half of the wing-feathers white; under parts fuscous, the feathers sometimes lightly margined with white ; bill horn-color. Ad. 9 . — Similar, but without red on the fore part of the crown or at the base of the lower mandible. L., 17'00 ; W., 8-90 ; T., 6-20 ; B., 1-85. Range. — " Formerly whole wooded region of North America ; now rare or extirpated in the more thickly settled parts of the Eastern States." Washington, rare P. K. Nest, twenty-five to eighty feet from the ground. Eggs, four to six, 1-30 x -94. This species is common only in the wilder parts of its range. In the hummocks and cypress swamps of Florida it occurs in numbers. There, contrary to the experience of Audubon, I found it by no means a wild bird. Indeed, Flickers were more difficult to approach. On the Suwanee River, in March, I have called these birds to me by sim- ply clapping my slightly closed palms, making a sound in imitation of their tapping on a resonant limb. The flight of this species is rather slow, but usually direct, not undulating, as in most Woodpeckers. When under way the white markings of the wings show conspicuously. Their usual call-note is a sonorous cow-cow-cow, repeated rather slowly many times, suggesting a somewhat similar call of the Flicker's. Like the Flicker, they have also a wlchew note uttered when two birds come together. 406. Melanerpeserythrocephalus(Zzwn..). RED-HEADED WOOD- PECKER. Ad. — Head, neck, throat, and upper breast deep red ; upper back, primaries, bases of the secondaries, and wing-coverts bluish black; end half of the secondaries, rump, and upper tail-coverts white ; tail black, the feath- ers more or less tipped or margined with white ; lower breast and belly white, the middle of the latter generally tinged with reddish. Im. — Red head and neck of the adult replaced by mixed grayish brown and fuscous ; upper back bluish black, barred with ashy ; primaries and wing-coverts black ; end half of the secondaries irregularly barred with black ; tail black, generally tipped with white ; lower breast and belly white, more or less streaked or spotted with fuscous. L., 9-75; W., 5-52; T., 3-30; B., 1-17. 234 WOODPECKERS. Rangt.— Eastern North America; breeds from Florida to northern New York and Manitoba ; winters from Virginia, and occasionally from northern New York southward. Washington, rather common S. K., rare W. V. Sing Sing, rare P. K., common in fall, Aug. 27 to Oct. 12. Cambridge, irregular at all seasons; sometimes common in fall. Nest, generally in a dead tree. Eggt, four to six, 1-00 x -75. Give a bird an abundance of its favorite food, and its movements no longer seem to be governed by the calendar. Red-headed \\' Ad. S. — Whole top of the head and back of the neck bright scarlet; back regularly barred with black and white; primaries black at the end, white, irregularly barred with black, at the base; secondaries black, regularly spotted and barred with white; upper tail-coverts white, with streaks <>r arrowheads of black; outer tail-feathers and inner vanes of the middle ones irregularly marked with broken black and white bars; cheeks and under parts dull ashy white, the region about the base of the bill, the middle of the belly, and some- times the breast more or less tinged with red. Ad. 9 .—Similar, but with the crown grayish ashy, the scarlet confined to the nape and nostrils. Im. — Simi- lar, but with the belly sometimes tinged with butty instead of red. L., 9-50; W., 5-00; T., 3-40; B., 1-10. Humje. — Eastern United States, breeding from Florida to Maryland, and in the interior to Ontario and southern Dakota; occasionally strays to Massa- chiiM-tts; winters from Virginia and southern Ohio southward. Washington, locally common P. K. Cambridge, A. V., one record. Ntft, in trees, about twenty feet from the ground. /;'oor-will', whip-poor-will he calls, rapidly and with unexpected snap and vigor. If one is quite near the singer, a preliminary chnrk may be heard before each call. These notes are given for about two hours after sunset and for a short time before sunrise. It is a singular fact that, in spite of the marked difference in their habits and notes, the Nighthawk and Whip-poor-will are frequently considered to be the same species. It is not the only case, however, where the notes of some species difficult of observation have been attributed to a species whose habits render it conspicuous. 420. Chordeiles virginianus <,/>,,'.,. XIOHTHAWK; BULL-BAT. (See Fig. 38.) Ad. a.— I'ppur parts black, irregularly marked with whitish, cream-butt, or ochraceous-bul! ; primaries fuscous, crossed in the middle by a conspicuous white bar which rarely reaches the outer vane of the first pri- mary; tail fuscous or block, with broken bars of cream-buff and a white band near the end on all but the middle feathers; throat with a broad white band; chin and upper breast black, the feathers tipped with ochraceous-buft, cn-atn- buff, or white ; the rest of the under parts barred with blaek and white, some- times tinged with butl'. Ad. 9. — Similar, but with no white on the tail, throat-patch ochraceous-burf. under parts more or less washed with ochra- ceous-butf. L., 10-00 ; W., 7'85 ; T., 4-60 ; B., -25. /••.— Eastern .North America; breeds from the Gulf States to Labra- dor; winters in South America. Washington, not common S. K. ; abundant T. V., Apl. 20 to Oct. Sing Sing, common S. R., May 9 to Oct 11. Cambridge, not uncommon S. R., May 15 to Sept 25. £gy»i two, laid on the bare ground or a Hat rock in open fields, rarely on the roof of a house, dull white, evenly marked with small, irregularly shaped blotches or fine specklings of grayish brown or brownish gray, 1-20 x -86. In wooded regions the Xighthawk passes the day perched length- wise on a limb, but on the plains he roosts upon the ground, where his colors harmonize with his surroundings. Soon after sunset he mounts high in the air to course for insects. Batlike he flies erratically about, and at more or less regular intervals utters a loud nasal pffiil, this r-all being followed by two or three un- usually quick, flitting wing-beats. Long after the light has faded from the western horizon we may hear this voice from the starlit heavens, for the Nighthawk is one of our few truly nocturnal birds. Occasionally the peents are given more rapidly, and after calling several times in close succession the bird on half-closed wings dives earthward with such speed that one fears for his safety; but just SWIFTS. 239 before the ground is reached he checks his rapid descent by an abrupt turn, and on leisurely wing again mounts upward to repeat this game of sky-coasting. At the moment the turn is made one may hear a rushing, booming sound, which, as writers have remarked, can be imi- tated in tone by blowing across the bung-hole of any empty barrel. It is made by the passage of the air through the bird's primaries. In late summer Nighthawks gather in large flocks and begin their southward migrations. When flying the white mark on their primaries is a conspicuous character, and has the appearance of being a hole in the bird's wing. 420b. C. v. chapman! (Coues). FLORIDA NIGHTHAWK; BULL-BAT. — Similar to the preceding, but smaller, and with the white and cream-buff markings of the upper parts more numerous. L., 8-60 ; W., 7'10 ; T., 4-10. Range. — Breeds in Florida and westward on the Gulf coast; south in win- ter to South America. The WESTERN NIGHTHAWK (420a. C. v. henryi), a near relative of our spe- cies, has been recorded from Waukegan, 111. FAMILY MICROPODID^E. SWIFTS. The seventy-five known species of Swifts are distributed through- out the greater part of the world. About one half this number are American, but only four are found in North America. Swifts are generally found associated in scattered companies, and when roosting or nesting are eminently gregarious. Hollow trees and caves are their natural retreats, but in some parts of the world chimneys are now \ised exclusively. They feed entirely while flying, and with their unusually long •wings and small, compactly feathered bodies possess unrivaled powers of flight. Swifts are popularly confused with Swallows, but the re- semblance is only superficial and exists chiefly in the similarity of their feeding habits, while the structural differences between the two are numerous and important. 423. Chastura pelagica (Linn.). CHIMNEY SWIFT; CHIMNEY "SWALLOW." (See Fig. 39.) Ad. — Entire plumage fuscous, more grayish on the throat; a sooty black spot before the eye; shafts of the tail-feathers ex- tending beyond the vanes. L., 5-43 ; W., 4'94; T., 1-90; B. from N., -15. Range. — Eastern North America ; breeds from Florida to Labrador ; win- ters in Central America. Washington, abundant S. E., Apl. 15 to Oct. 10. Sing Sing, common S. E., Apl. 19 to Oct. 23. Cambridge, abundant S. E., Apl. 25 to Sept. 20. Nest, a bracketlike basket of dead twigs glued together with saliva; at- tached to the wall of a chimney, generally about ten feet from the top, by 240 HUMMINGBIRDS. the gummy secretion of the bird's salivary glands. Eggt, four to six, white, •80 x -50. It is unnecessary to give any aids to the identification of a bird as well known as the Chimney Swift, or, as it is more frequently called, "Chimney Swallow." It is not, however, a Swallow, but a Swift, and its structural relations are with the Hummingbirds and not with the Passerine Swallows. Few sights in the bird-world are more familiar than the bow-and- arrow-like forms of these rapidly flying birds silhoueted against the sky. They are most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when one may hear their rolling twitter as they course about overhead. Sometimes they sail with wings held aloft over their backs, and some- times, it is said, they use their wings alternately. It is a common thing to see a trio of birds flying together, but it has never been ascer- tained that the Chimney Swift is polygamous. In some localities Chimney Swifts congregate in large flocks, mak- ing their headquarters in a disused chimney which morning and even- ing they leave and return to in a body. In perching they cling to the side of the chimney, using the spine-pointed tails, as Woodpeckers do, for a support. The habit of frequenting chimneys is, of course, a recent one, and the substitution of this modern, artificial home for hollow trees, illustrates the readiness with which a bird may take ad- vantage of a favoring change in its environment. FAMILY TROCHILIDJE. HUMMINGBIRDS. Hummingbirds are found only in the New World. About five hundred species are known. They range from Alaska to Patagonia, but are most numerous in the Andean regions of Colombia and Ecua- dor. Seventeen species are found in the United States; only eight of these advance beyond our Mexican border States, and but one species occurs east of the Mississippi. Several species inhabit the depths of dark tropical forests, but as a rule they are found with the flowers which bloom in the clearings, or far overhead in the sunlight. They are not gregarious, but an abundance of food sometimes brings large numbers of them together, when the air becomes animated with their rapidly moving forms. The smaller species fly so swiftly that their wings are lost in hazy cir- cles, and it is difficult for the human eye to follow their course. The flight of the larger species is less insectlike, and each wing-beat can be detected. As a rule their voice is a weak squeak or excited chip- pering, but some of the tropical species have songs of decideil charac- ter which they sing with much energy. Hummingbirds feed largely on insects, which they generally cap- HUMMINGBIRDS. 241 ture in flowers, but many species catch insects on the wing or pick them from beneath leaves. They also feed on the juices of flowers. All the species whose nesting habits are known lay two white eggs. Strangely enough, these beautiful little creatures are possessed of a most unfortunate disposition which frequently leads them to attack any bird they fancy is trespassing on their domain. They know no fear, and with equal courage rush at one of their kind or a passing Hawk. 428. Trochilus colubris (Linn.). EUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. (See Fig. 40.) Ad. $. — Upper parts bright, shining green; wings and tail fuscous, with purplish reflections ; throat beautiful metallic ruby-red, bor- dered on the breast by whitish ; rest of the under parts dusky, washed with greenish on the sides. Ad. 9 . — Similar, but without ruby-red on the throat. Im. — Similar to the female, but with tho upper parts more bronzy. L., 3'74 ; W., 1-54 ; T., 1-15 ; B., 67. Range. — Eastern North America ; breeds from Florida to Labrador ; win- ters from southern Florida to Central America. Washington, common S. K., Apl. 28 to Sept. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 30 to Oct. 3. Cambridge, uncommon S. K., May 12 to Sept. Ifest, of plant down, covered externally with lichens and firmly wound with almost invisible plant fibers ; generally fifteen to twenty -five feet from the ground, saddled on a limb. Eggs, two, white, -50 x -35. The Ruby-thi'oat needs no song. Its beauty gives it distinction, and its wings make music. Its only note, so far as I know, is a squeak, expressive of distrust or excitement. It has no rival in eastern North America, and is to be confounded with nothing but sphinx (hum- mingbird) moths. One hears of " Hummingbirds " seen in the evening about flower beds. The mistake is not unnatural, and a correction is sometimes received with incredulity. The birds spend but a com- paratively small part of the time upon the wing. Whoever watches a female busy about her nest will see her constantly perching here and there in certain branches of the tree, preening her plumage and look- ing about her. The male, at the same season, forgetful, to all appear- ance, of his conjugal and parental duties, may be found at home day after day on a dead twig in some tall tree, where he sits so constantly as to make the observer wonder what he can be about, and when, if ever, he takes his food. Further investigation, however, will show that he makes frequent and regular rounds of favorite feeding places. A tall blueberry bush, for example, will be visited at short intervals as long as the observer has patience to stand beside it. The Hum- mingbird is curiously fearless. Sometimes one will probe a flower held in the hand, and when they fly into houses, as they pretty often do, they manifest but tho smallest degree of suspicion, and \vili feed almost at once upou. sugar held between the lips. The old bird feeds 17 242 FLYCATCIIKKS. the young by regurgitation — a frightful-looking act— the food consist- ing largely of minute insects. The young remain in the nest for some three weeks, and on leaving it are at once at home on the wing. BRADFORD TURKEY. ORDER PASSERES. PERCHING BIRDS. FAMILY TYRANNID^E. FLYCATCHERS. From the systematist's standpoint Flycatchers are songless Perch- ing Birds. It does not follow that they are voiceless, or even truly songless, but that, having the voice-organ or syrinx less highly devel- oped than other Passeres, they are possessed of comparatively limited vocal powers. This family is peculiar to America. The Old-World Flycatchers belong to the family Mux<-i<'npidn and are true Owim-*. Some three hundred and fifty species are known. They are most abun- dant in the tropics, where their services as insect-catchers are in great- est demand. About thirty-five species reach the l/niied Stat. i, Flycatchers are found wherever there are trees. As a rule they are of sedentary and solitary disposition. Their manner of feeding is characteristic. From a favorable perch, hawklike, they await passing insects, and with an aim that rarely misses launch forth into the air; there is a sharp, suggestive click of the broad bill, and, completing their aerial circle, they return to their perch and are again en. yarde. KEY TO THE SPECIES. L Wing over 8-00. A. Tail black or blackish, sometimes tipped with white, a concealed orange- red crown patch. a. Under wing-coverts yellowish, no white tip on the tail. 445. GRAY Kixonmn. b. Under wing-coverts blackish, tail tipped with white . 444. KIN<;I:IUI>. 2f. Inner vane of tail-feathers pale rufous; throat and breast grayish ; belly sulphur-yellow 452. (.'KEPTED FI.YCAT' nm. C. Tail fuscous, not tipped with white ; no crown patch. a. Entire lull black ; tail rarely more than -50 longer than winir: tarsus decidedly longer than bill; under tail-coverts always pale, yellowish white 4")<;. 1'iKi-isE. b. Under mandible generally in whole or part pale hrownish ; winsr always more than -50 longer than tail : tarsus about equal to bill ; some of under tail-coverts frequently with darker centers. b1. Wing over 3-50; sides and breast, except a narrow whitish line through its center, of the same color as the back. 459. OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCIIKU. 6*. Wing under 8-50 ; breast and sides washed with olive-gray. 461. WOOD I'EWEK. FLYCATCHERS. 243 II. Wing under 3-00. A. Upper parts between olive-brown and dark olive-green, but with an evident brownish tinge, or lower mandible brownish, a. Wing over 2'tiO; lower mandible flesh-color or whitish ; under parts with only a very slight tinge of yellow . 466a. TRAILL'S FLYCATCHER. 5. Wing under 2-60 ; lower mandible rarely clear flesh-color ; generally strongly tinged with brownish 467. LEAST FLYCATCHER. £. Upper parts olive-green without a brownish tinge; lower mandible straw-color. a. First primary about equal to fifth ; under parts white, slightly washed with yellowish on the breast and belly ; throat white. 465. ACADIAN FLYCATCHER. 6. First primary shorter than fifth; under parts sulphur-yellow ; the throat and breast more or less washed with olive-green. 463. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. The FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (44%- Milvulus tyrann-fts), a South Amer- ican species rarely found north of southern Mexico and the southern Lesser Antilles, has been recorded from Mississippi, Kentucky, and New Jersey. The SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (448- Milvulus forficatus) is found in the summer as fur north as southern Kansas and western Louisiana. It has occurred accidentally near Hudson Bay, in Manitoba, Ontario, Connecticut, New Jersey, Virginia, and Florida. It may be known by its long, deeply forked tail and scarlet sides. 444. Tyramms tyrannus (Linn.}. KINGBIRD. Ad.— Upper parts Hfoj-D. >/. grayish slate-color, darker on the head and upper tail-coverts; head with a lOoj-^Yti concealed orange-red crest; tail black, tipped with white; under parts white, washed with grayish on the breast. Im. — Similar, but without the crown patch, and with the plumage more or less tinged with ochraceous-buff. L., 8-51 ; W., 4-64 ; T., 3-55 ; B. from N., -55. Range. — North America north to New Brunswick and Manitoba ; rare west of the Rocky Mountains ; winters in Central and South America. Washington, common S. K., Apl. 20 to Sept. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 29 to Sept. 10. Cambridge, abundant S. R., May 5 to Sept. 1. Nest, compact and symmetrical, of weed-stalks, grasses, and moss lined with plant-down, fine grasses, and rootlets, generally at the extremity of a branch fifteen to twenty-five feet up. Eggs, three to five, white, spotted with umber, 1-00 x -?3. The Kingbird is most frequently seen on a fence or a dead twig on a tree, where leaves do not come in the way of his sight. He stands very upright, like a Hawk or an Owl, and, though as quiet as if he had nothing to do, he is keenly awake to every movement about him, and every few minutes he dashes into the air, seizes a passing insect, and returns to the spot from which he started. While his mate is sitting he usually establishes himself near the nesting tree, and spends hour after hour in this apparently monotonous way, varying it only to 244 FLYCATCHERS. relieve her by watching the nest, and thus give her an opportunity to seek food for herself. I never saw a Kingbird either assist in brooding or carry food to his mate, but his manners to her are most affection- ate, and he is untiring in his labors in the feeding of the young. This bird is accused of being quarrelsome and aggressive to other birds, and his scientific name means Tyrant Flycatcher, but in my study of his ways I have found him less aggressive than arc most birds in the neighborhood of their nest. With the exception of the Crow, against whom he seems to have a special grudge, I have never seen a Kingbird take notice of any bird unless he alighted near his m-t, and the meekest creature that wears feathers will try to drive away stran- gers who approach that sacred spot. The calls and cries of the Kingbird are generally loud and attract- ive, if not particularly musical, but while his mate is sitting— and pos- sibly at other times — he indulges in a soft and very pleasing song, which I have heard only in the very early morning. OLIVE THOKXK MILLER. 445. Tyrannus dominicensis ittintl.). GRAY KINOIIIRD. .I-/. Upper purt.s ashy i;r:iv : a c..nccale.i ..nm^e-red crown patch ; wings and tail fuscous; under win^r <•<> verts pale sulphur-yellow; under parts white, tinned with grayish on the breast. • L., to Sept. Sing Sing, common S. K., May 7 to Sept. 12. Cambridge, uncommon S. K., May 15 to Aug. Li: \ST FLVCATCIIKR. PlKKHK. FLYCATCHERS. 245 Nest, of grasses, twigs, and rootlets, with generally a piece of a cast snake skin, in a hole in a tree, generally less than twenty feet up. -Eggs, three to six, creamy white, streaked Longitudinally with chocolate, -'JO x -08. During the spring migration each day brings its own surprise and pleasure. The bare, silent woods where I walked alone before are now astir with flitting wings and ringing with glad music. Each morning I hurry out, full of eager anticipation, to be thrilled by the greeting of some old friend come home again. There are red-letter days, however, even in this calen- dar. Hark ! from the woods a loud whistle pierces far ,, „,, through the clearing. Ihe Great-crest has come ! FIG. 75.— Crested Flycatcher. (Natural size.) I break away from the confusing chorus of small voices and hurry off to the woods for the first sight of the distinguished bird. Full of life and vigor, he flies about in the green tree tops, chattering to himself or calling loudly as he goes. Not many days pass, however, before he is so taken up with do- mestic matters that his voice is rarely heard outside the woods. Is he engaged in his famous pursuit — hunting snake skins to line his nest I Absorbed in my daily round of nest calls, I cherish the memory of each passing glimpse of him. Now I see him launch from a bass- wood top, with wings and tail spread, to sail down through the air, his tail glowing red against the light. Again, when looking for a rare Warbler, his calls arrest me. In the dead top of the highest tree in sight I find him with his mate. With crests raised, the handsome birds chase each other about the bare branches. Tired of that, they explore the old Woodpecker's holes in the trunk, and one of them walks out of sight down a hollow limb. A Blackbird lights in the tree, and the Great-crest above becomes so agitated that I am con- vinced his mate has gone to her nest, when lo ! both Flycatchers are off and away to another of the great trees that overtop the forest. FLORENCE A. MERRIAM. 456. Sayornis phoebe (Lath.). PHCEBE. (See Fig. 42.) Ad.— Up- per parts grayish brown with an olive-green cast ; crown distinctly darker, fuscous; wings and tail fuscous, wing-bars not conspicuous; outer vane of outer tail-feather white or yellowish white, except at the tip; under parts white, more or less washed with yellowish, and tinged with brownish gray 246 FLYCATCHERS. on the breast and sides; bill black. Im. — Similar, hut upper parts more olive, under parts more yellow, and wing-bare more distinct. L., 6-yy; W., 3-38; T., 2-95 ; B. from N., -41. Remark*. — The Phoebe's principal distinguishing characters are its fus- cous crown-cap, white outer vatic of the outer tail-feather, and blackish lower mandible. Ranye. — Eastern North America; breeds from South Carolina to New- foundland and Manitoba, and winters from North Carolina to Cuba and Mexico. Washington, common S. R., Mch. 6 to Oct. ; occasionally winters. Sing Sing, common S. R., Mch. 14 to Oct. 29. Cambridge, common S. R., Mch. 25 to Oct. 10. Nest, bulky, largely moss and mud lined with grasses and long hairs, on a beam or rafter, under a bridge or bank. Eygs, four to six, white, rarely with a few cinnumon-brown spots, *78 x -59. There is something familiar, trustful, and homelike in the Phoebe's ways which has won him an undisputed place in our affections. With an assurance born of many welcomes he returns each year to his perch on the bridge-rail, barnyard gate, or piazza, and contentedly sings his humble, monotonous pewit phmln , /,»>/••//>/*. i. Ours-ftDSoFLTOATOHZR. Ad. — Upper parts between fuscous and dark olive ; wings and tail fuscous ; throat, middle of the belly, and generally a narrow line on the center of the breast white or yellowish white ; rest of the under parts of nearly the same color as the back; under tail-coverts marked with dusky; a tuft "f tf ".!>';/. >/• U«tr'i?li- white feathers on either flank; upper mandible black, lower mandible yel- lowish or pale grayish brown, the tip darker. ///<. — Similar, but with rather FLYCATCHERS. 247 more olive above, more yellow below, and with the wing-coverts edged with ochraceoua-butf. L., 7'39 ; W., 4-05 ; T., 2-70; B. from N., -54. Remarks. — This species may always be known from our other Flycatchers by the comparatively little white on the under parts, and by the tuft of yel- lo wish -white feathers on the flanks. Like the Wood Powee, it has the wing •50 or more longer than the tail. Range.— Breeds from Massachusetts and Minnesota northward, and south- ward in Allcghanies to North Carolina; winters in tropics. Washington, casual T. V., one instance, Sept. Sing Sing, tolerably com- mon T. V., May 20; Aug. 15 to Sept. 10. Cambridge, T. V., May 20 to May 30 ; Aug. ; formerly not uncommon S. R. Rest, of twigs and moss, in coniferous trees, about twenty -five feet up, near the extremity of a limb. Eggs, three to five, vinaceous-white, spotted, chiefly about the larger end, with distinct and obscure rufous markings, '85 x -62. I have seen the Olive-sided Flycatcher only during the migrations, when I look for it on the topmost limb of some high, dead, woodland tree — a commanding position from which it may view its surround- ings. Even at a distance it impresses one as being a stout, stocky bird, with a head too large for its body. During the summer they live among pines or cedars, and are de- scribed by Colonel Goss as " bold, quarrelsome, and tyrannical, zeal- ously guarding any chosen locality, where they will be found perched upon the tops of the tallest trees, from which they swoop down upon the passing insects, and often repeat their plaintive pu-pu or pu-pip, the males occasionally uttering a loud, whistling call-note." 461. Contopus virens (Linn.). WOOD PEWEE. Ad. — Upper parta very dark, between olive and fuscous, with sometimes a tinge of dark olive- green ; wings and tail fuscous ; wing-coverts tipped with whitish, forming two more or less distinct wing-bars ; under parts white or yellowish white, washed with olis-e-gray on the sides of the throat and breast, and, to a less extent, on the center of breast; upper mandible black; lower mandible yel- lowish or brownish, the tip frequently darker. Im. — Similar, but yellower below, the wing-coverts edged with cream-buff. L., 6'53 ; W., 3'34; T., 2-62; B. from N., -42. Remarks. — The Wood Pcwee and the Olive-sided Flycatcher differ from our other Flycatchers in having the wings decidedly longer than the tail, and in their short tarsi. From the species of the genus Empidonax they may be known by these characters and their darker, more fuscous coloration. Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from Florida to Newfoundland; winters in Central America. Washington, common S. R., Apl. 28 to Oct. 15. Sing Sing, common S. R., May 10 to Oct. 2. Cambridge, common S. R., May 18 ^o Sept. 10. Nest, compact and symmetrical, of fine grasses, rootlets, moss, etc., thickly covered with lichens, saddled on a limb, twenty to forty feet up. Eggs, three to four, white, with a wreath of distinct and obscure umber markings about the larger end, -68 x -54. . 248 FLYCATCHERS. To thoroughly appreciate how well the Pewee's disposition is suited to his haunts and notes, we have only to imagine him taking the Phoebe's place and singing the Phoebe's song. lie was not in- tended to adorn a bridge or barn, but in the darkened woods, high up in the trees, he finds a congenial home. His pensive, gentle ways are voiced by his sad, sweet call : fy The notes are as musical and restful, as much a part of Nature's hymn, as the soft humming of a brook. \ >^«£^~~r All day long the Pewce sings ; even when the heat L Z^ of summer silences more vigorous birds and the Pee-a - wee midday sun sends light-shafts to the ferns, the clear, sympathetic notes of the retiring songster come from the green canopy overhead, in perfect harmony with the peace and stillness of the hour. 463. Empidonax flaviventris Baird, YELLOW-BELLIED Fi.y- CATCIIKR. Ad. — t"i'i>rr parts rather dark olive-green; wings and tail fus- cous; greater and leaser wing-coverts tipped with white or yellowish white; under parts sulphur-yellow, the belly pure, the throat, breast, and sides more or less washed with olive-green; upper mandible black, lower mandible whitish or flesh-color; second to fourth primaries of equal length, the first shorter than the fifth. Im, — Yellow of the under parts brighter, wing-bars more yellow, and sometimes tinged with pale ochroceous-buff. L., 5-63 ; W. 2-65; T., 2-16; B. from N., -33. Remarks. — Thus is the most yellow of our small Flycatchers. In any plum- age the entire under parts, including the throat, are sulphur-yellow or dusky yellowish. In the other eastern species of this genus the throat is white. Range. — Eastern North Amerk-u: breeds from Berkshire County, .M.i--., to Labrador ; winters in Central America. Washington, rather common T. V., May 1 to May 31 ; Aug. 1 to Oct 1. Sing Sing, common T. V., May 17 to June 4; Aug. 8 to Sept. 20. Cambridge, T. V., sometimes rather roiiimoii. May -J4 to June 5; Am:. '!•• to Sept. 10. '. of moss, lined with trrasses, on the ground, beneath the roots of a tree or imbedded in moss. ffffr sapling near the irroimd. /.W«. three to four, creamy white, with cinnamon-brown markings about the larger end, •73 x -54. While the Yollow-bollicd Flycatcher is distinctively a bird c* the deep woods, this inure abundant Flycatcher in its summer home re- sorts to the alder patches of the open country and is seldom found far from their protecting shade. It flits restlessly about, keeping well out of sight below the waving tops of the bushes, and its presence is be- trayed only by a single ptp of alarm that in no way resembles the mournful wail of the species just mentioned. It, too. is silent when migrating, and on its breeding grounds sings but little, so that if it did not take pains to call out to every one who passes it would not be noticed among the rustling alders. The song most resembles that of the Acadian Flycatcher, an i"- :>'<'• -I'-fi/t. with stress on the rasping z<~'~. the latter part more music-al. The performer jerks out the notes rapidly, doubling himself up and fairly vibrating with the explosive effort. J. DWIOIIT, Ju. NOTE. -In The Auk for April. is. Raruje. — Breeds in u northern Europe, Greenland, Newfoundland, Labra- dor, and Hudson Bay region ; southward in winter into eastern United States to about lat 35° " (D wight). Washington, common W. V., Nov. to Mch. or Apl. Sing Sing, casual W. V. Cambridge, common T. V., ."> to Apl. 5. A'ett, of grasses, on the ground. /,lue; under parts dusky whitish, whiter on the throat and belly ; forehead, and a band passing across the back of the head down the sides of the neck and across the breast, Murk ; head (.rested ; ex- posed surface of wings blue, the greaU-r wing-coverts and secondaries barred •with black and tipped with white ; tail blue, all but the outer leathers barred with black, and all but the middle pair broadly tipped with white, this white tip rarely less than 1-00 in width on the outer feather. L., 11-74; W., 5-14; T., 5-19; B., 1-04. Range. — Eastern North America ; breeds from Florida to Newfoundland ; generally resident throughout its range. Washington, rather rare 1'. K., common T. V., Apl. 28 to May 15; Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Sing Sing, tolerably common P. K. Cambridge, common P. K., abundant T. V., Apl. and May ; Sept. and Oct. liest, of rootlets, compactly interwoven, generally in a tree crotch fifteen to twenty feet up. Eyg», four to six. pale olive ^reeii or brownish ashy, rather thickly marked with distinct or obscure spots of varying shades of cinnamon- brown, 1-10 x -85. The Blue Jay, I fear, is a reprobate, but, notwithstanding his fond- ness for eggs and nestlings, and his evident joy in worrying other birds, there is a dashing, reckless air about him which makes us par- don his faults and like him in spite of ourselves. Like many men, he needs the inspiration of congenial company to bring out the social side of his disposition. Household duties mny perhaps absorb him, but certain it is that when at home he is very dif- ferent from the noisy fellow who, with equally noisy comrades, roams the woods in the fall. How his jay, jay rings out on the frosty morning air ! It is a sig- CROWS, JAYS, ETC. 255 nal to his companions, breakfasting in a near-by oak or chestnut, "Here, here, here's some fun!" and the poor, blinking Owl he has discovered looks helplessly at the blue-coated mob, whose uproar alone is terrifying. Suddenly there is absolute silence ; every Jay has dis- appeared. Some one of them has seen you, and not until your silence reassures the band will they return to the sport of teasing their victim. The Blue Jay is both a mimic and a ventriloquist. Besides an in- exhaustible stock of whistles and calls of his own, he imitates the notes of other species, notably those of the Red-shouldered, Red-tail, and Sparrow Hawks. 477a. C. c. florincola Coues. FLORIDA BLUE JAY. — Similar to the preceding species, but smaller, the upper parts somewhat grayer, the white tips to the feathers narrower, those on the outer pair of tail-feathers generally Less than I'OO in width. L., 10-75 ; W., 5-15 ; T., 4-80 ; B., -96. Range, — Florida and Gulf coast region to Texas. Blue Jays in Florida are much more familiar than our Jays at the north. They are common inhabitants of towns with live-oaks, and hop about the fences and gardens with all the domesticity of the Robins on our lawns. It has always seemed to me that the Florida birds were possessed of greater vocabularies than their northern brethren. The MAGPIE (475. Pica pica hudsonica) inhabits western North America; stragglers have been recorded from as far east as Montreal and Illinois. 479. Aphelocoma floridana (Bartr.). FLORIDA JAY. Ad.— Top and sides of the head and neck, wings and tail, grayish blue ; back pale brownish gray ; under parts dirty white, obscurely streaked on the throat and breast ; sides of the breast aud faint breast-band grayish blue. L., 11-50 ; W., 4-45 ; T., 5-40 ; B., -98. Mange. — Florida ; of local distribution, chiefly along the coasts, between lat. 27° and 30'. Nest, of sticks and roots lined with weeds and rootlets, in bushes. Eggs, four, olive-green spotted and blotched with black, 1-17 x -75 (Maynard). " The Florida Jays are noisy birds at all times, and the first inti- mation which one receives of their presence is a harsh scream which is given as a note of alarm. As they usually move in flocks, this cry is taken up by others, and soon the scrub for many rods around will be resounding with these peculiar sounds. When undisturbed they feed on the ground or in bushes, but, upon the approach of an intruder, they will mount the highest point available, where they remain until driven away. They are not usually shy, and will allow one to ap- proach them quite closely, but when one or two are shot the survivors usually disappear. . . . They will glide through the bushes with re- markable rapidity, never once showing themselves, or, if they have an. 256 CROWS, JAYS, ETC. open space to cross, dart over it, not in flocks, but singly, and, plung- ing into the next thicket, they will at once be lost to view" (Maynard). 484. Perisoreus canadensis (Linn.). CANADA JAY; WHISK v JACK; MOOSE-HIKD. Ad. — Fore part of the head white, back of the heud and nape sooty black, back gray ; wings and tail gray, most of thu leathers nar- rowly tipped with white; throat and sides of the neck white, rest of the un- der parts ashy gray. L., 12-00; W., 5-85; T., 5-80; B., 82. Range. — Nova Scotia, northern New England, and northern New York; west to northern Minnesota; north, in the interior, to the arctic regions. Cambridge, A. V., one record, Get Nest, of coarse twigs and strips of bark, in coniferous trees. Eggs, four to five, white, distinctly and obscurely spotted with light olive-brown, 1-12 x -81. While studying the habits of birds in the great coniferous forest of the north, I soon found that I was very safe in attributing any new strange shrieks or wails, whose origin I was otherwise unable to trace, to the Canada Jay. Many of the notes resemble those of the Blue Jay, but it has a number that are distinctly its own. Some of these are musical, but most of them are harsh and discordant. In its habits it is much like its blue cousin, but it is less shy, and becomes almost tamo if allowed to come unmolested about the camp for a few days in succession. In form it is like a magnified Chickadee, clad in singularly furlike, thick, puffy gray feathers; on its forehead is a white spot, the size of a dime, and its wings and tail are of a much darker gray than the other parts. This description, remem- bered in conjunction with the habits, will at once identify the species. It nests early in March — that is, while deep snow still covers the ground and hard frost reigns supreme ; and no satisfactory explana- tion of this strange habit has yet been brought forward. No doubt one or other of the parents always remains with the eggs, but still it is difficult to see how they can keep them from freezing when the sur- rounding air is chilled to 30" below zero. It is a non-migratory species, and it is said that in autumn it pro- vides against the annual famine of winter by laying up a store of nuts and other food. ERNEST E. THOMPSON. 484c. P. c. nigricapillus li'ulgw. LABRADOR JAY. — Similar to the preceding, but darker, the black of the head and neck extending forward and surrounding the eyo. Range. — Coast region of Labrador. 486a. Corvus corax principalis Rldgw. NORTHERN RAVEN ; AMERICAN HAVKX. Ad. — Kntire plumage black with steel-blue reflections; feathers on the throat narrow, lengthened, and pointed. " L., about 22-00- 26-50; W., 16-99; T., 9-86; B., 3-03; depth of B. at N., 1'04" (Kidgw.). Remarks.— The Kaven ditters from the Crow in its much greater tsize and CROWS, JAYS, ETC. 257 in having long, pointed, instead of the usual short, rounded feathers on the throat. Range. — Northern North America from Greenland to Alaska, south on the Pacific coast to British Columbia, and on the Atlantic coast to North Carolina ; of local distribution in the eastern United States. Nest, compact and symmetrical, of sticks lined with grasses, wool, etc., add- ed from year to year, in trees or on cliffs. " Eggs, two to seven, pale bluish green, pale olive, or olive spotted or dashed (or both) with olive-brown (some- times nearly uniform olive from density of markings), 2'02 x 1-38 " (Kidgw.). " The usual note of the Raven is a hoarse, rolling cr-r-r-cruck, but he has other cries. . . . " Despite their difference in size and habits, I must confess that I often had difficulty in distinguishing Ravens from Crows. Every one must have noticed how the apparent size of a Crow will vary under different conditions of the atmosphere ; it is the same with the Raven. At times he looks as big as an Eagle ; at others scarcely larger than a Fish Crow. But when actually in company with Crows he can not be possibly mistaken, for he then appears, as he is, nearly double the size of any of them. His flight did not seem to me as characteristic as it has been described. True, he sails more than does the Crow, and there is something peculiar in his wing strokes, but the difference is not always appreciable unless there is an opportunity for direct com- parison " (Brewster, Birds Observed on Gulf of St. Lawrence. Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., xxii, 1883, p. 378). 488. Corvus americanus And. AMERICAN CROW. (See Fig. 44, 6.) Ad. — Entire plumage black, with steel-blue or deep purplish reflections ; the under parts duller than the upper parts ; feathers on the neck normal, short, and rounded. L., 19-30 ; W., 1218 ; T., 7'52 ; B., 2-00. Range. — " North America from the fur countries to Mexico " ; winters from the northern United States southward. Washington, abundant P. E. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, abundant P. E. Nest, bulky, of sticks lined with strips of grapevine bark, grasses, moss, etc., in trees, generally about thirty feet up. Eggs, four to six, generally blu- ish green, thickly marked with shades of brown, but sometimes light blue or even white with almost no markings, 1'65 x 1-19. Throughout his wide range the size, color, voice, habits, and abun- dance of the Crow combine to make him the most conspicuous and consequently the best known of our birds. But in spite of his great circle of acquaintances he has few friends. An unfortunate fondness for corn has placed him under the ban of the agriculturist ; there is a price on his head ; every man's hand is against him. Apparently he does not mind this in the least ; in fact, he seems to rejoice in being an outlaw. As for fear, I doubt if he knows what 18 258 CROWS, JAYS, ETC. it means; he has far too much confidence in his undoubted ability to escape his human persecutors. He laughs at their attempts to entrap him ; his insolent assurance is admirable. For several centuries man has been his sworn enemy, nevertheless he appears to have held his own, accepting and adjusting himself to every new condition. Afraid of no one. he migrates boldly by day, and in March and October we may see him with his comrades high in the air, returning to or leaving their summer homes. In winter the Crows are exceed- ingly abundant along our seacoasts, where they congregate to feed on mollusks, fish, and other sea food. At this season they roost in colonies. It has been estimated that some roosts contain upward of three hundred thousand birds.* Early in the morning, with regularly executed manoeuvres, they start on the day's foraging, flying low, on the lookout for food. Late in the after- noon they return at a much greater height — " as the Crow flies " — and, alighting at some point near the roost, wait the coming of the last stragglers. Then, at a given signal, they all rise and retire for the night. No one who has listened to Crows will doubt that they have a lan- guage. But who can translate it f 488a. C. a. floridanus Baird. FLORIDA CROW.— Similar to the pre- ceding, but wings and tail somewhat shorter, and hill und feet slightly larger. L., 20-00; W., 11-50-12-30; T., 7'00-7'70; B., 2-00-2-20; depth of B. at base, •T5--85; Tar., 2-40-2-50 (Ridgw.). Range. — Florida; confined largely to the pine-woods. 490. Corvus ossifragus Wilt. FISH CROW. Ad.— Entire plumage black, with steel-blue or deep purplish reflections, generally more greenish on the under parts. L., 16-00 ; W., 11-00 ; T., 6-40 ; B., 1-50. Jtemarks. — The Fish Crow may be distinguished from the common Crow (1) by its much smaller size. (2) By the uniform and somewhat richer color of the back. In americanut the feathers of the back have dull tips; when the freshly-plumaged bird is held between the observer and the light these tips give the back a ringed or slightly scaled appearance. In otftifraym these tips are wanting, and the back is uniformly colored. (3) By the brighter color of the under parts. In americanus the under parts are generally much duller than the upper parts; in otfifragut they are nearly as bright Ran-ge. — Gulf and Atlantic coast, as far north as southern Connecticut; resilient except at the extreme northern part of its ranses, etc., generally in pines or cedars, twenty to fifty feet up. £gg*, four to six, simi- lar in color to those of C. americanut, 1-52 x 1-06. * Rhoads, Crow Roosta and Roosting Crows, Am. Nat.. 1886, pp. 601-700, 777-787. STARLINGS. 259 The Fish Crow can be distinguished from the common Crow in life only by its call. Its voice is cracked and reedy, and its notes re- semble those of a young common Crow. Instead of the loud, clear, open caw of adults of that species, it utters a hoarser car, as if it talked through its nose ! The difference is perhaps not appreciable upon paper, but one who is familiar with their calls need never con- fuse these two birds in the field. The Fish Crow, while not confined to the coast or even the vicinity of water, is not found far inland. FAMILY STURNID^E. STARLINGS. An Old- World family containing some two hundred species. It is represented in America only by the Starling, which has been recently introduced. 493. Sturnus vulgaris Linn. STARLING. (See Fig. 45.) Ad.,summer plumage. — Metallic purplish or greenish ; feathers of the upper parts all tipped with cream-buff spots, feathers of the under parts marked only on the sides ; lower belly and under tail-coverts, wings, and tail dark brownish gray, edged with cream-buff; bill yellow. Ad., winter plumage. — Similar, but the upper parts heavily spotted with brownish cream-buff; the entire under parts heavily spotted with white ; bill blackish brown. L., 8-50 ; W., 5-10 ; T., 2-50. Range. — Europe and northern Asia ; accidental in Greenland ; introduced in New York city. Nest, of grasses, twigs, etc., in a crevice in a building or hollow tree. Eggs, four to six, pale bluish, T20 x -86. This Old-World species has been introduced in eastern North Amer- ica on several occasions, but only the last importation appears to have been successful. The birds included in this lot, about sixty in number, were released in Central Park, New York city, in 1890, under the direc- tion of Mr. Eugene Schieffelin. They seem to have left the park and have established themselves in various favorable places in the upper part of the city. They have bred for three successive years in the roof of the Museum of Natural History and at other points in the vicinity. In the suburbs about the northern end of the city they are frequently observed in flocks containing as many as fifty individuals. These birds are resident throughout the year, and, as they have already endured our most severe winters, we may doubtless regard the species as thoroughly naturalized. Starlings are walkers, not hoppers, and this fact, in connection with the spotted plumage and yellow bill of the adults, makes their identification an easy matter. 260 BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. FAMILY ICTERID^:. BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. This distinctively American family is most abundantly represented in the tropics, where the majority of the one hundred and fifty known species are found. With the exception of the Orioles, they are gre- garious after the nesting season, while some of the species nest in col- onies and are found in flocks throughout the year. They differ markedly in habits, and are found living in ground of every nature, from dry plains and wet marshes to the densest forest growth. Some species possess marked vocal ability, while the voices of others are harsh and unmusical. They feed on fruit, seeds, and insects. KEY TO THE 8PKCIK.-. I. With yellow or orange in the under parts. A. Throat black. a. Back block 507. BALTIMORE ORIOLE. b. Back greenish 506. ORCHARD ORIOLE ( 6 im.). B. A black or blackish crescent on the breast ; outer tail-feuthers white. 501. MKADOWLAKK. 501o. WESTERN MEADOWLAKK. C. Entire under parts yellow, yellowish, or orange. a. Rump and tail orange. . . 507. BALTIMORE ORIOLE ( 9 and im.). b. Upper parts yellowish green . 506. ORCHARD ORIOLE ( 9 ami im.). e. Upper parts brownish, streaked and spotted with black ; tail-feath- ers pointed 494. BOBOLINK (9 and im.). D. Throat and breast yellow or yellowish; belly black or dark grayish brown 497. YELLOW IIKAPKH KI.ACKIURD. II. Under parts black, with or without metallic reflec- tions. A. Outer tail-feathers -75 or more shorter than middle ones; bill TOO or more in length. a. Tail over 6'00 513. BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE 6 . b. Tail under 6-00. 61. Back bronzy purple or shining, brassy bluish green, the feathers with iridescent bars 511. PURPLE GRACKLE ( & ). b*. Back bronze, without iridescent bars. 5116. BRONZED GRACKLE 6 . b'. Back bottle-green, the feathers more purple at their base, and with a narrow iridescent bar near the middle. 511a. FLORIDA GRACKLE 6 . b*. Back bluish black, with or without iridescent bars. 511. PURPLE GRACKLE ( 9 ). 511a. FLORIDA GRACKLE 9. B. Outer tail-feathers little if any shorter than middle ones ; bill less than 1-00 in length. a. Entire plumage bluish black, the feathers sometimes tipped with buffy or rufous 509. HUSTV BLACKBIRD. b. A red and hulFshoulder-patch. . 49«. KED-WINOED BLACKBIRD ( <5 ). BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 261 c. Head and neck all around seal-brown .... 495. COWBIRD $ . d. Nape buffy, rump whitish 494. BOBOLINK & . HI. Under parts grayish, slate-color, chestnut, or buffy. A. Under parts grayish or slate-color. a. Under parts grayish ; bill tinchlike ; wing under 4-00. 495. COWBIRD 9 . b. Under parts and upper parts slate-color, the feathers sometimea tipped with brownish 509. RUSTY BLACKBIRD 9 . B. Under parts buffy or chestnut. a. Under parts buify, generally with a few black streaks. 494. BOBOLINK 9. b. Under parts buffy, without black streaks ; tail about 5-00. 513. BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE 9 . c. Under parts chestnut; throat black. 506. ORCHARD ORIOLE ( $ ad.). IV. Under parts black and white, or black tipped or mar- gined with rusty. a. Under parts streaked black and white, or black tipped with white; shoulder generally red or reddish. 498. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD ( 9 and im.). 4986. FLORIDA REDWING ( 9 and im.). b. Upper parts and under parts tipped with rusty. 509. RUSTY BLACKBIRD (im.). c. Nape buffy, rump whitish 494. BOBOLINK $ . 494. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.). BOBOLINK ; REEDBIRD ; RICEBIRD. Ad. $ , breeding plumage. — Top and sides of the head and under parts black, the feathers more or less tipped with a narrow whitish or crcam- butf fringe, which wears off as the season advances ; back of the neck with a large yellowish cream-buff patch ; middle of back generally streaked with cream-buff; scapulars, lower back, and upper tail-coverts soiled grayish white ; wings and tail black ; tail-feathers with pointed tips ; bill blue-black. Ad. 9 . — Upper parts olive-buff, streaked with black ; crown blackish, with a central stripe of olive-buff; nape finely spotted and back broadly streaked with black; wings and tail brownish fuscous; tail-feathers with pointed tips; under parts yellowish or buffy white. Ad. in fall and Im. — Similar to female, but burner and more olivaceous throughout. L., 7-25 ; W., 3-76 ; T., 2-73 ; B., -55. Remarks. — The young and adults in fall plumage are known as Reed- birds. Adults acquire this plumage by a complete molt after the breeding season. The breeding plumage is regained by a complete molt in the spring, and not, as has been supposed, by a change in the color of the feathers with- out molting. Freshly plumaged males have the black veiled by yellow tips to the feathers ; these gradually wear off, and by June have almost entirely disappeared (cf. Chapman, Auk, x, 1893, p. 309). Range. — Breeds from southern New Jersey northward to Nova Scotia, westward to Utah and northern Montana ; leaves the United States by way of Florida, and winters in South America. 202 BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. Washington, T. V., common in spring, abundant in fall ; May 1 to May 27 ; Aug. 5 to Oct. 1. Sing Sing, tolerably common S. K., May 1 to Oct. 5. Cam- bridge, very common S. R., May 8 to Sept 10. Nest) of grasses, on the ground. -Eyys, four to seven, grayish white, fre- quently tinged with the color of the numerous irregular spota and blotches of olive-brown or umber, -85 x -62. In June our fields and meadows echo with the Bobolink's " mad music " as, on quivering wing, he sings in ecstasy to his mate on her nest in the grasses below. What a wonderful song it is ! An irre- pressible outburst ; a flood of melody from a heart overflowing with the joy of early summer. But this glad season is soon over. Even before the tide of the year is full, the Bobolink begins to prepare for the long journey to his win- ter resorts. Doffing his jaunty costume of black, white, and buff, he dons the less conspicuous dress of his mate, and travels in disguise under the assumed name of Reedbird or Ricebird. His voice is hushed, save for a single call-note — a metallic rhink. He travels both by day and night, and from the sky we hear his watchword as he signals his companions. The wild-rice marshes of our coasts and rivers are the rendezvous of the countless flocks of Bobolinks, which later will invade South America, stopping en route to visit the rice fields of South Carolina and Georgia. They pass the winter south of the Amazon, and in Marrh or April l>egin their northward journey. The males, in flocks of two or three hundred, precede the females by several days. They reach Florida about April 25, and are then in full song. Only one who has heard the Bobolink sing can form an ide.-i of the effect pro- duced by a flock of three hundred singing in chorus. . 495. Molothrusater /;-//,. Cownmn. Ad. & .— Head, neck, and breast coffee-brown; rest of the plumage glossy black, with metallic bluish and greenish reflections. Ai 'mini/, . Similar to the female, but whiter below, all tho feathers ejlired with bully. This plumage is worn but a short time, and is then changed for that of the adult. S L., FK, T7.-Cowbird. (Natural size.) ^; W" 4^ ; *• J" : £ * N Breedl from 1 exas to IScw Brunswick and Manitoba; winters from southern Illinois loath ward. Washington, rather rare I'. It., common T. V. Sing Sing, common S. It., Mch. 22 to Nov. 11. Cambridge, very common S. It., Mch. 25 to Oct 15; oc- casional in winter. BOBOLINK, MALE AND FEMALE. BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 263 Nest, none, the eggs being laid in the nests of other species. Eggs, white, evenly and distinctly speckled with cinnamon-brown or umber, '86 x '65. The Cowbird is an acknowledged villain, and has no standing in the bird world. English Sparrows, either because they are not aware of the customs of New-World bird life, or because of a possible and not unlikely affinity, associate with him ; but no self-respecting Ameri- can bird will be found in his company. As an outcast he makes the best of things, and gathers about him a band of kindred spirits who know no law. There is an air about the group which at once tells the critical observer that their deeds are evil. No joyous song swells the throat of the male. His chief con- tribution to the chorus of springtime is a guttural bubbling produced with apparently nauseous effort. In small flocks they visit both pasture and woodland, and are given to following cattle, clustering about the feet of the herd, presumably to feed on the insects found there. They build no nest, and the females, lacking every moral and maternal instinct, leave their companions only long enough to deposit their eggs in the nests of other and smaller birds. I can imagine no sight more strongly suggestive of a thoroughly despicable nature than a female Cowbird sneaking through the trees or bushes in search of a victim upon whom to shift the duties of motherhood. The ill-gotten offspring are born with the Cowbird character fully developed. They demand by far the greater share of the food, and through gluttony or mere size alone starve or crowd out the rightful occupants of the nest. They accept the attention of their foster-par- ents long after they could care for themselves; and when nothing more is to be gained desert them and join the growing flocks of their kind in the grainfields. 497. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (Bonap.). YELLOW- HEADED BLACKBIRD. Ad. $ .—Head, neck, throat, and breast orange-yellow; region before the eye and chin black ; outer wing-coverts white, rest of the plumage black. Ad. ? . — Forehead, line over the eye, sides of the head, throat, and upper breast pale, dirty yellow, more or less mixed with white ; lower breast generally more or less marked with white ; rest of the plumage grayish brown. L., 10-00 ; W., 5-50 ; T., 4-05 ; B., -85. Range. — Western North America, north to Manitoba, east to Illinois; win- ters from the Southern States southward ; accidental in Massachusetts, Dis- trict of Columbia, South Carolina, and Florida. Washington, A. V., one instance, Aug. Cambridge, A. V., one record, Oct. Xi:.*t, bulky, of coarse reeds, grasses, etc., in marshes. Eggs, four to five, grayish white, evenly and rather obscurely speckled with pale cinnamon- brown, 1-00 x -72. " These birds are largely terrestrial in their habits, and during the fall and winter months are generally distributed over the prairies and 26-1: BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. plains, often following and running about with the cattle, in company with Cowbirds ; but their natural home is on or about the marshy, weedy grounds, and during the breeding season [they are] seldom to be met with far away. . . . " Their notes are harsh, and their attempt at song a laborious, whistling, squeaky, chuckling sound " (Goss). Of. v: 498.' Agelaius phceniceus (Linn.). RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. A+4.. Gtj>-i$Ad. in summer. — Prevailing color of the upper parts black, the crown with a buffy ~*. Range. — " Western North America, north to British Columbia and Mani- toba; east regularly to Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas, sparingly to Illinois and Wisconsin; south through western Mexico" (Ridgw.). The Western Mcadowlark resembles the eastern bird in habits but differs from it so decidedly in song that some ornithologists consider it a distinct species and not a geographical race. In his charming biography of the Prairie Lark, Ernest E. Thompson writes: "In rich- f voice and modulation it equals or excels both Wood Thrush and Nightingale, and in the power and beauty of its articulation it has no superior in the whole world of feathered choristers with which I am acquainted " (Birds of Manitoba). The TROUPIAL (509. Icterus icterus), a South American species, was re- corded by Audubon as accidental at Charleston, South Carolina. 506. Icterus spurius (Linn.*. OI{I-H.U:I> /"•''. i. RUSTY BLACKBIRD. Ad. 6, breeding plumage. — Entire plumage uniform glossy bluish Mack; tail- fcathere of nearly equal length. Ad. iif plumage. — Slate-color, glossy above, duller In-low; wings and tail darker and more glossy. Ad. 9 in fall and irind r. -—Similar, but somewhat lighter, the upper parts widely tipped with rufous or rusty, the under parts similarly tipped with ochraceous- or cream-buff. L., 9-55 ; W., 4-61; T., 3-52; B., -80. Range. — Breeds from New Brunswick and Manitoba northward to Labra- dor and Alaska; winters from Virginia southward. Washington, common W. V., Oct. 25 to Apl. 25. Sing Sing, common T. V., Mch. 26 to May 8 ; Sept. 28 to Nov. 27. Cambridge, very common T. V., Mch. to May 5 ; Sept. and Oct. Jiiut, of twigs and coarse grasses lined with finer grasses, in coniferous trees or on the. ground. /-;/w, four to seven, grayish green to pale green, thickly blotched with light uud dark brown and purple, TOO x -76 (Cham- berlain). BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 269 This bird is found during the migrations in small flocks OB fresh- water meadows or about open, bushy swamps, feeding on the ground in alder thickets or along the edges of swampy woods. It resembles, more or less, the Red-winged Blackbird in size, flight, and notes, but unlike this species, with which it sometimes associates, it is compara- tively quiet and retiring. Only at times, in the spring, do we find the flocks musical centers, whence issues a confused medley of whistles, sweeter and higher-pitched than the best efforts of the Redwings. Little is known of this Blackbird in its northern home. It gathers into flocks early in the summer, and the most frequently heard note is a " cluck" not in the least characteristic. Its quiet demeanor, pale- yellow eye, and uniform color are its chief distinguishing characters in the field, where it may be mistaken for the Bronzed or Purple Grackle. The gray female is unlike the streaked female Redwing. J. DWIGHT, JR. BREWER'S BLACKBIRD (510. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus) inhabits west- ern North America, and is of casual occurrence as far east as Illinois and Louisiana, and has been once recorded from South Carolina. It may be dis- tinguished from »S. carolinus by its deep violet-purple head and the compara- tive absence of rusty tips to the feathers. 511. Quiscalus quiscula. (Linn.). PURPLE GRACKLE ; CROW BLACK- BIRD. (See Fig. 46, c.) Ad. $ . — Head, neck, throat, and upper breast all around varying from brilliant metallic purple to bluish green or steel-blue ; back and rump varying from bottle-green to metallic purple or shining brassy green, the feathers with iridescent bars ; wings and tail externally metallic purple or bluish black ; lower breast and belly resembling the back but duller. Ad. 9 . — Much duller than the male, but the feathers of the back generally show- ing at least traces of iridescence. 6 L., 12-00-13-50 ; W., 5-66 ; T., 5-18 ; B., 1-18. Remarks. — Intermediates between this and the Bronzed Grackle are found where their ranges adjoin, but typical quiscula always has iridescent bars on the feathers of the back, rump, and belly, while in ccneus these bars are want- ing. (On the relationships of this group see Chapman, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., iv, 1892, pp. 1-20.) Range. — Breeds in the lower Mississippi Valley and east of the Allegha- nies from Georgia to Massachusetts ; winters in the Southern States. Washington, common T. V. and S. B., Feb. 20; a few winter. Sing Sing, tolerably common S. E.. Feb. 15 to Nov. 8. Nest, bulky and compact, of mud and coarse grasses lined with finer grasses, in colonies, generally in coniferous trees about thirty feet up, some- times in bushes or holes in trees. Eggs, three to six, very variable, generally pale bluish or bluish green, singularly spotted, blotched, or scrawled with cinnamon-brown, umber, or black, but sometimes evenly speckled with brown- ish, and rarely almost solid cinnamon- or rufous-brown, 1-15 x -82. When winter gives signs of retreating there comes from the south in sable array the tried advance guard of the feathered army which is 270 BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. impatiently awaiting the order to advance. In close rank they come, phalanx after phalanx, to retake the land which winter — once conquer- ing, now defeated — yields to them. The air resounds to marshal music ; their harsh voices, united, rise in an inspiring chorus. The campaign over, they settle in colonies on their recently acquired possessions, and these careless rovers become so attached to their homes and families that they are rarely seen far from their vicinity. Some- times we may see them walking sedately over the lawns near their home, their glossy plumage gleaming in the light, and their yellow eyes giving them a peculiar, unbirdlike expression. But when their young are old enough to care for themselves the old habits return, and, leading their offspring into the world, they teach them the ways of wanderers. Meeting others of their kind, they join forces, and in the fall we find them in hordes ravaging the country. The Grackle's disposition is as gloomy as his plumage is dark. Life with him is a serious affair. He seems to utterly lack the Blue Jay's sense of humor. As a parent he is beyond reproach, and every moment is devoted to the care of his young, but it is all done in a joy- less way. Eggs and nestlings form part of his fare, and I can imagine bird-mothers frightening their young into obedience by theatened visits from that ogre, the Grackle. 51 la. Q. q. aglseus i'i-r l>n-:ist all around metallic violet-purple; back and rump rich bottle green, the frntlnTs with more or less concealed iridescent hart; wings and tail externally metallic purple or bluish black; the wing- coverte generally with iridescent tips ; lower breast and Wily similar to the back but duller. Ail. 9 .--Not distinguishable in color from the 9 of Q. quis- cula, but differing in size. W., 5-38 ; T., 4-90 ; B., 1-ii.'.. Range. — Coast of South Carolina westward through central Georgia to the Mississippi ; south through Florida to Key West. This is a locally abundant bird, and is found in flocks throughout the year. In Florida it sometimes lives in the towns in which live- oaks grow, and it also makes its headquarters in cypress "bays," but its favorite resort is among the cabbage palmettos, upon the berries of which it feeds. 61 Ib. Q. q. seneus ( /•'/.). BRONZED GRACKLE; CROW BLACK- BIRD. Ad. 6 . — Head, neck, throat, and upper breast all around varying from brilliant metallic purple to bluish green or steel-blue; back metallic seal- bronze, the feathers without iridescent bars ; wings and tail metallic pur- plish or bluish black ; lower breast and belly similar to the back but duller. Ad. 9 . — Much duller, the back and belly brownish, sometimes without me- tallic reflections and never with iridescent bars. W., 5'62; T., 5-04; B., 1-21. Range. — Breeds from Texas to Great Slave Lake, east to the Alledi FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 271 as far north as Pennsylvania, and north of this eastward to Connecticut and northward to Labrador ; winters in the lower Mississippi Valley. Washington, rare T. V., between Feb. 20 and Apl. 15. Sing Sing, tolera- bly common T. V., Apl.; Nov. Cambridge, abundant S. K., Mch. to Oct.; occasional in winter. " The general habits of the Bronzed Grackle are in all respects identical with those of the Purple Grackle. . . . " From an almost equal familiarity with the two birds we are able to say that their notes differ decidedly, especially those of the male during the breeding season, the ' song ' of the western birds being very much louder and more musical or metallic than those of its eastern relative " (Ridgway). 513. Quiscalus major V-ieill. BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE. Ad. 6. — Glossy bluish black ; head, throat, and breast more purplish, wings and tail more blackish. Ad. 9 . — Much smaller, upper parts blackish brown, under parts soiled ochraceous-butf. 3 L., 16-00; W., 7'50; T., 7'00; B., 1-55. Range. — Florida ; north along the Atlantic coast to Virginia ; west along the Gulf coast to Texas. Nest, bulky and compact, of grasses, seaweed, etc., with a median layer of mud or partially decayed vegetation, in colonies in bushes. -Eggs, three to five, pale bluish white, frequently tinged with vinaceous-brown, singularly spotted, blotched, and scrawled with purplish or blackish, 1-32 x -90. Boat-tail Grackles are rarely if ever found far from water. Shal- low lakes or marshy lagoons grown with aquatic plants are their fa- vorite resorts. Here they may be seen in small groups, which usually contain more males than females, walking or jumping from plant to plant, sometimes springing into the air to catch a passing insect, or wading along the shore in search of food. Their usual notes are hoarse, rather forced whistles ; more rarely they utter a singular rolling call, which bears a close resemblance to the sound produced by a Coot in pattering over the water. FAMILY FRINGILLILXE. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. This, the largest family of birds, contains some five hundred and fifty species, which are represented in all parts of the world except the Australian region. Its members present wide diversity of form and habit, but generally agree in possessing stout, conical bills, which are admirably adapted to crush seeds. They are thus chief among seed-eaters, and for this reason are not so migratory as insect-eating species. The brown, streaked Sparrows are, to a large extent, field- or plain- inhabiting, and their neutral colors are therefore a means of protec- tion in the exposed situations thoy inhabit. The brighter Grosbeaks 272 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. and Finches are more arboreal. Many species take high rank as song- sters, and some of our favorite cage-birds belong to this family. KEY TO THE SPECIES. I. Under parts with red. II. Under parts with no red and without distinct streaks; throat or breast sometimes with a patch or spot. III. Under parts without red and with numerous streaks. I. Under parts with red. A. Wing-coverts plainly tipped with white or whitish, or with a white or yellow band in the wing. a. No red in the upper parts. a1. Back black, rump whitish, throat black, breast and under wing- coverts rosy red . . . 595. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK ( 6 ad.). (P. Back and under parts streaked with black ; under wing-coverts rosy red 595. ROSE-BKEASTKD GROSBEAK ( $ im.). b. Red on upper parts confined to crown or forehead, and sometimes a tinge on the rump : wing under 3-25. i». Rump and flanks generally without blackish streaks; feathers of back generally with whitish borders. 527. GREENLAND REDPOLL. 527a. HOARY REDPOLL. b*. Rump and flanks always streaked ; feathers of back with little if any white and generally with brownish borders. 528. REDPOLL and races. b*. Back cinnamon-brown, unstreaked ; crown, nape, and sides of the neck black; a yellow band in the wing. EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH. e. Red or pink spread more or less over entire upper parto; wing over 8-25. c1. Tips of mandibles crossed. 522. WHITB-WINOED CROSSBILL ( 6 ad.). d». Bill stout ; mandibles not crossed . 515. PINE GROSBEAK ( $ ad.). £. Wing-coverts not tipped with white. a. Throat black or blackish ; wings and tail red ; body red or olive. 593. CARDINAL. b. Throat and more or less of under parts red or greenish red. bl. Plumage blood-red, brownish red, or greenish red ; tips of the mandibles crossed 521. AM. CROSSBILL 6 . b*. Plumage dull reddish ; belly whitish ; back indistinctly streaked, with bristly feathers over the nostrils. 517. PURPLE FINCH ( 6 ad.). b*. Head blue ; back green ; rump red. 601. PAINTED BUNTING ( $ ad.). II. Under parts with no red and without distinct streaks ; throat or breast sometimes with a patch or spot. 1. Tail with white spots, bare, or patches. A. Hack plain, without streaks. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 273 a. Throat and breast black, brown, or slate-color, sharply denned from the white belly. a1. Breast black or brown ; sides rufous .... 587. TOWHEE. aa. Breast slate-color; sides the same, or brownish. 567. JUNCO. 567«. CAROLINA JUNCO. b. Throat and belly more or less yellow or ashy. b1. Wing over 4-00 ; bill stout, greenish yellow. 514. EVENING GROSBEAK. J*. Bill small and sharp: back brown ; throat yellowish. 529. GOLDFINCH ( 9 and im.). b3. Body bright yellow, cap-black . . 529. GOLDFINCH ( $ ad.). c. Under parts pure white, middle of back black. 534. SNOWFLAKE. B. Back streaked with black, brown, or white. a. Bend of the wing yellow ; tail under 2-20. 546. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. b. Breast black or blackish ; lesser wing-coverts reddish brown. 539. McCowN's LONOSPUR 6 . . c. Breast buffy ; belly whitish ; outer tail-feathers white, next three or four more or less white with a black band at the end ; seconda- ries not entirely white 539. McCowN's LONGSPUR 9 . d. Under parts entirely light brown or buffy, only two outer tail- feathers white ; no yellow on the bend of the wing. 537. SMITH'S LONGSPUR. e. Under parts pure white, with a blackish spot on the center of the breast, a black stripe on the sides of the throat; sides of the crown and ear-coverts chestnut .... 552. LARK SPARROW. f. Wing slightly over 4-00; under parts pure white or washed with rusty ; head and rump white or rusty ; most of secondaries white. 534. SNOWFLAKE. 2. Tail without large white spots or patches. A. Back plain, without distinct streaks. a. Back blue, bluish, or brownish blue. a1. Wing over 3-00 : lesser wing-coverts chestnut or with broad chestnut tips 597. BLUE GROSBEAK. a*. Wing under 3-00 ; lesser wing-coverts blue or bluish, tipped with light brown 598. INDIGO BUNTING. b. Back green or greenish, or rump yellow or greenish yellow. b1. Mandibles not crossed. b9. Back greenish 601. PAINTED BUNTING 9 . £». Back and under parts slaty gray ; bill black. 515. PINE GROSBEAK ( 9 and im.). b*. Forehead, rump, under parts, and scapulars yellow or brown- ish yellow; secondaries white; bill yellow. 514. EVENING GROSBEAK & . c1. Mandibles crossed. c*. Wing-bars white .... 522. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. c*. Without white wing-bars 521. Au. CROSSBILL. 19 274 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. e. Back brown or brownish, ashy, or slate-color. e>. Head and rump yellowish or reddish ; wing-bars white ; wing over 4'00 515. PINE GROSBEAK ( 9 and im.). <*. Under parts brownish cream-buff ; wing-coverts with broad chestnut tips ; wing over 3-00 . . . 597. BLUE GROSBEAK 9. c*. Under parts whitish ; wing without yellow and under 3-00. 598. INDIGO BINTINO 9. c*. Back ashy ; spot before the eye and on bend of wing yellow. 550. SEASIDE SPARROW. £. Back distinctly streaked, o. Bend of the wing yellow. o>. Tail over 2-20. a*. A white throat-patch ; breast gray ; a yellowish line over the eye 558. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. a». A black spot on the throat ; breast yellow, or both. 604. DICKCISSEL. a4. No yellow over the eye ; breast ashy or buffy ; outer tail- feathers much the shortest. 575. I'lXE-wixms SPARROW. 575a. BACHMAN'S SPARROW. b1. Tail under 2-20, the leathers narrow and sharply pointed. 6*. Crown olive-brown, a blue-gray line through its center; cheeks and breast ochraeeous-buff. 549•••'!. LINCOLN'S SPARROW. d*. No cream-buff band on the breast; streaks on the breast tending to form a spot in its middle 581. SONO SPAKUOW. 8. Tail with white patches or base of tail yellow. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 277 A. Base of the tail yellow 533. PINE SISKIN. £. Outer tail-feathers with white patches. a. Hind toe-nail shorter than the bill from the nostril. a1. Lesser wing-coverts rufous ; breast streaked with black. 540. VESPEK SPABHOW. a1. Sides of crown and ear-coverts chestnut ; a black spot on the cen- ter of the breast 552. LARK SPARROW. b. Hind toe-nail longer than bill from nostril. bl. Under parts cream-buff; two outer tail-feathers mostly white. 537. SMITH'S LONGSPUR. i*. Under parts whitish ; breast streaked or spotted with black or entirely black ; second outer tail-feather with but little white. 536. LAPLAND LONGSPUR. A FIELD KEY TO THE ADULT MALE FINCHES AND SPARROWS OF THE MIDDLE STATES (VIRGINIA TO MASSACHUSETTS) IN BREEDING PLUMAGE. I. Breast with more or less yellow. II. Breast blue. III. Breast or throat red. IV. Breast without either yellow, blue, or red. I. Breast with more or less yellow. A. Chin white, throat black; haunts grassy fields; song an unmusical effort of six or seven notes delivered with great earnestness from a low perch (rare east of the Alleghanies) 604. DICKCISSEL. B. Under parts and breast pure yellow, crown and wings black ; song a sweet canarylike warble; flight undulating, frequently accompanied by the notes ckic-o-ree, per-chic-o-ree 529. GOLDFINCH. II. Breast blue. A. Length over 6-00 ; plumage deep blue, a chestnut bar across the wings (not found north of Virginia) 597. BLUE GROSBEAK. B. Length under 6-00 ; plumage indigo-blue ; haunts woody fields, scrub or second growth ; song clear and musical, generally delivered from a tree-top 598. INDIGO BUNTING. III. Breast or throat red. A. Length S'OO ; throat and region about the base of the bill black, rest of the plumage bright vermilion-red; head with a conspicuous crest; song a rich, musical whistle ; call-note an insignificant cheep ; haunts thickets and bushy woodland (rare north of New York city). 593. CARDINAL. £. Length 7-50; breast rose-red; belly, tip of the tail, rump, and a band in the wings white ; rest of the plumage black ; haunts wooded growths ; song loud, clear, and highly musical; call-note a metallic peek. 595. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. C. Length under 6-50 ; plumage more or less heavily washed with dull 278 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. reddish ; haunts orchards and wooded growths ; song a liquid warble ; call-note a metallic chink, frequently uttered while on the wing. 617. PURPLE FINCH. D. Length about C-00; plumage dull blood-red; mandibles crossed at the tips; generally found in small flocks in coniferous woods ; utters a clicking or whistled note when on the wing (rarely found south of New England utter May 1) . . 621. RED CROSSHILL. £. Breast white, tinged with brown; region about the bill red, a yellow baud iu the wings (rare except in the vicinity of New York city). Kn:oi'KAN GOLDFINCH. IV. Breast without either yellow, red, or blue. 1. L'nder parts diMinctly streaked or spotted. A. Outer tail-feathers white, showing conspicuously when the bird Hies; haunts dry fields and roadsides; song loud and musical. 640. VESPER SPARROW. B. Outer tail-feathers not white. a. Song loud and musical; an abundant and familiar bird of gen- eral distribution ; spots on the breast tending to form one larger spot in the center; crown umber, a whitish line over the eye. 681. SONG SPARROW. b. Song not loud and musical ; short and generally unattractive ; haunts wet meadows or marshes; pusses most of the time on the ground, rarely perching far from it, and when flushed generally returning to it 6*. A buffy line over the eye and at the side of the throat, breast generally washed with luitly ; haunts only salt marshes (rarely found far from the vicinity of the seashore.) "•iy. Sll A UP-TAILED SPAHROW. ft*. No buff on the sides of the head or breast; upper part* black- ish; song Mp-tx'if' txij'fi • •-' -n'r-r-r : rarely breeds south of New York city ; haunts both suit- and fresh- water marshes. 642a. SAVANNA SPARROW. i». Back reddish, head and neck buffy olive; haunts generally wet pastures; son^r ;lii inconspicuous gee-wick (rather rure, liv- ing in small colonies of local distribution). 647. HENSLOW'S SPARROW. 2. Dnder parts not distinctly streaked or spotted. A. Throat pure white, sharply defined from the grayish breast, a yellow spot over the eye; crown Mack, with a central stripe of white; haunts thickets or bushy woodlands; song a high, clear, musical whistle ; call-note a sharp chink. 658. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. £. Throat and breast black. a. Sides of the throat and belly white, crown ash, sides of the head chestnut P. 282. HOUSE SPARROW. b. Length 8-00; sides of the body light rufous, outer tail-feathers tipped with white; haunts thickets and bushy woodlands; call- note a vigorous towhee or chfe-wink 687. TOWIIEE. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 2T9 C. Throat and breast slate-color, like the back ; belly and outer tail- feathers white ; bill flesh-color (ne.sts in the Middle States only on the higher parts of the Alleghanies; 567. JUNCO. £>. Under parts white or whitish, practically all one color. a. Haunts wet marshes. a1. Haunts always salt marshes, generally near the sea ; back grayish 550. SEASIDE SPARROW. a'. Haunts both salt- and fresh-water marshes ; back brown, streaked with black ; cap and wings chestnut ; song a loud, sharp, rapidly repeated weet-weet-weet, etc. 584. SWAMP SPARROW. b. Haunts dry fields, pastures, roadsides, lawns, thickets, etc. b1. Outer tail-feathers white, middle of the breast with a small black spot (not found east of the Alleghanies). 552. LARK FINCH. c1. Outer tail-feathers not white. C3. Upper parts reddish-brown, bill pinkish flesh -color; haunts bushy fields and pastures ; song a musical, plaintive cher- wee, cher-wee, cker-wee, cheeo-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee. 563. FIELD SPARROW. c». Bill dark brown, a buffy line through the center of the tsuwvj jp"e»»d; song an insect-like pit-till;, zee-zee-zee-zee-zee. 546. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. c*. Back streaked with black, cap chestnut, a white line over the eye, bill black ; song a monotonous chippy-chippy- chippy, etc 560. CHIPPING SPARROW. c6. Larger, length about 7'00 ; crown black, with a white central stripe ; throat not noticeably different from the breast ; no yellow over the eye (rare ; nests north of New England) 554. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. 514. Cocothraustes vespertinus (Coop.). EVENING GROSBEAK. Ad. $ .—Forehead yellow, crown black ; sides of head olive-brown, becoming dull yellow on. rump ; belly and scapulars yellow, wings and tail black; end half of the secondaries and their coverts white. Ad. 9 . — Brownish gray, lighter on the under parts, more or less tinged with yellow, especially on the nape ; wings black, inner primaries white at the base, secondaries edged with white ; tail black, the feathers tipped with white on the inner web ; upper tail-coverts black tipped with white. L., 8-00 ; W., 4-50 ; T., 3*50 ; B., 72. Range. — Interior of North America, from Manitoba northward ; southeast- ward in winter to the upper Mississippi Valley and casually to the northern Atlantic States. Cambridge, known to have occurred only in winter of 1889-'90. JV. .tt, known but from few specimens, composed of small twigs lined with bark, hair, or rootlets, placed within twenty feet of the ground. Eggs, three to four, greenish, blotched with pale brown (see Davie). This distinguished inhabitant of the far northwest is a common winter visitant in Manitoba and the contiguous parts of the bordering 280 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. States. At irregular intervals it invades the northern Mississippi Valley in numbers, while still more rarely it extends its wanderings to the north Atlantic States. It travels in flocks of from six or eight to sixty individuals which by their lameness show their ignorance of man and his ways. They feed largely on the buds or seeds of trees — 4naple, elder, and box elder. Their notes are described by different observers as a shrill " cheepy-teet," and a " frog-like peep," while one writer remarks that "the males have a single metallic cry like the note of a trumpet, and the females a loud chattering like the largo Cherry Birds (Amjxilis garrulus)" Their song is given as a wander- ing, jerky warble, beginning low, suddenly increasing in power, and us suddenly ceasing, as though the singer were out of breath. During the winter and early spring of 1890 there was a phenom- enal incursion of Evening Grosbeaks into the Northern States, ac- counts of which, by Amos W. Butler, will be found in The Auk, ix, 1892, pp. 238-247 ; x, 1893, pp. 155-157. 615. Pinicola enucleator (Linn.). PINE GROSBEAK. Ad.&.— Slaty gray, more "r Irs* M!"nL'|y washed with rose-red, strongest on the crown, rump, upper tail-coverts, and breast; wings fuscous, their coverts edged with white; tail fuscous. Ad. 9. — Sluty gray, crown, upper tail-cov- erts, and breast more or less strongly washed with olive-yellow; wings and tail as in the 6 . 1m,— Resembles the 9 . L., 9-08 ; W., 4-36 ; T., 3-67 ; B., -54. Range. — " Northern portions of the northern hemisphere, breeding far north; in winter south, in North America, irregularly to the northern I'nited States." Washington, casual in winter. Sinir S'mir, irregular W. V., Dec. 18 to Apl. 12. Cambridge, irregular W. V., frequently common, sometimes abun- dant, Nov. to Mch. A"<*/, of twigs and rootlet* lined with liner materials, in coniferous trees a few feet up. Jty<7«,"pale greenish blue, spotted and blotched with dark brown surface markings and lilac shell -spots, 1-05 x -74." The Pine Grosbeak, like the Spruce Partridge and Canada Jay, may be said to find its true home in the coniferous forest or Canadian belt, which crosses the continent diagonally from Maine to Alaska. Like many of its congeners in this inhospitable region, it nests so early in the springtime that the winter's frost and snow are still dominant among the evergreens when the eggs come to claim the at- tention of the pair. Its habits at this season are but little known, as very few natural- ists have had the opportunity of seeing it in its native pine wood. But in midwinter, when it comes southward in search of food, it is a well-known frequenter, in flocks, of plantations of mountain-ash trees, or groups of sumach bushes, whose unfallen berries provide it with a bountiful supply of nourishing diet. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 281 It is said to make an admirable cage-bird, as it readily takes to confinement, and during the springtime has a prolonged and melo- dious song. Its form has a general resemblance to that of the common Robin, but its very short, thick beak and its forked tail are striking differ- ences. It is rather slow and inactive when in a tree, and when on the wing it has a loud whistle which is very characteristic ; at all times its colors, as above described, should distinguish the bird at a very considerable distance. ERNEST E. THOMPSON. 517. Carpodacus purpureus (Gmel.). PURPLE FINCH. Ad. 6. /<7//-^L Q — Entire body suft'used with rose-red, strongest on the head, rump, and breast, J £ '/*7 ' more brownish on the back ; whiter, gen- ^_ - g/-* crally white, on the belly ; wings and tail • ™ brownish fuscous, the outer webs of the feathers finely edged with rose-red; a small tuft of bristly feathers over the nostrils ; outer tail - feathers longest. ^Psl BBHPSss^SlipSaSr Ad. 9 . — Very different, sparrowlike in appearance ; upper parts dark grayish brown, finely streaked with black ; wings and tail dark grayish brown ; under parts white, streaked, or with wedge- shaped spots of fuscous. L., 6-22 ; W., 3'24 • T 2-29 ' B '45 , . , , FIG. 79.— Purple Finch. (Natural Remarks. — Females bear a decided size.) resemblance to some Sparrows, but the rounded bill, tufts of feathers over the nostrils, and forked tail are distin- guishing characters. Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from northern Minnesota and Long Island northward ; winters from the northern States to the Gulf. Washington, common W. V., Sept. 15 to May 15, largely a migrant. Sing Sing, rare P. E., common T. V. Cambridge, P. K., very common from Mch. to Oct. ; irregular, but sometimes abundant, in winter. Nest, of twigs, grasses, and rootlets, thickly lined with long hairs, in conif- erous trees, five to thirty feet up. Eygs, four to six, blue, spotted about the larger end with fuscous, '79 x -56. During the nesting season the Purple Finch frequently takes up its abode in private grounds, even becoming a familiar garden bird, while others of its race find a congenial home in wild mountain forests, far away from the society of man. The rosy plumage of the males makes it attractively noticeable as a garden bird ; but a serious offense must be charged against it — it has far too ready a taste for the blos- soms of fruit trees, and is perhaps the most confirmed bud-eater of all our birds. It has naturally a roving disposition, and, in the autumn especially, seems ever to be impelled by some restless impulse. At this 282 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. season it may often be seen descending with airy, sweeping flight into some leafless treetop, as if from a far aorial journey, its identity made known by its very characteristic utterance, a short, rather dull-sound- ing note, scarcely metallic — the metal pressed the instant the bell is struck. Although the Purple Finch often essays to sing in the autumn and earliest spring, its full powers of voice belong alone to the nuptial season. Then it easily takes its place among our noteworthy snug birds. Its full song is a sweet-toned, carelessly flowing warble — not too brief to miss definite character as a song, and positive enough in modulation and delivery to find ready place in the memory. At times, indeed, its singing is of a character not to be easily forgotten. The song bursts forth as if from some uncontrollable stress of gladness, and is repeated uninterruptedly over and over again, while the ecstatic bird rises high into the air, and, still singing, descends into the trees. EUGENE P. BICKNELL. Passer domesticus i /. >-. . Mursv: Sr.\i:i;ow; ENGLISH SPARUOW. Ad. 6. — Crown gray, l>i>rn the nape by chestnut; lesser wing-coverts chestnut, middle coverts tipped with white; back streaked with black and chestnut ; rump ashy: middle <-f the throat and breast black; sides of the throat whit'-; belly whitish. Ad. 9. — Head and rump grayish brown; buck streaked with black and deep OOhnMMOttt-boffj under parts dirty whitish, the breast and sides washed with pale grayish brown. L., 6-33 ; W., 3-01 ; T., 2-30 ; B., -48. R.imi,.- -" Nearly the whole of Europe, but replaced in Italy by P. it almost uniform olive-brown, generally white, finely and evenly marked with olive, l'^ We learn from Bulletin No. 1 of the Division of Economic Orni- thology and Mammalogy of the United States Department of Agri- culture* that this pest was first introduced into the United States at Brooklyn, New York, in 1851 and 1852. As late as 1870 it was largely confined to the cities of the Atlantic States, but since that date, partly through man's agency and partly through the bird's rapid increase in numbers and adaptability, it has spread over most of the United States and Canada east of the great plains, and isolated colonies are estab- lished throughout the west. * The English Sparrow (Passer domesticus) in North America, especially in its Relations to Agriculture. Prepared under the Direction of Dr. C. Hart Mer- riam, Ornithologist, by Walter B. Barrows, Assistant Ornithologist, Washington, 1889. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 283 This report shows that in ten years the progeny of a single pair of Sparrows might amount to 275,716,983,698 ! It also states that during the year 1886 the Sparrow added approximately 516,500 square miles to the territory occupied by it. The day is evidently near at hand, therefore, when the English Sparrow will be in complete possession of the country. The EUROPEAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus) has become naturalized in and about St. Louis, Missouri. 521. Loxia curvirostra minor (Brehm). AMERICAN CROSSBILL; RED CROSSBILL. Ad. $. — Tips of the mandibles crossed; body dull red, brighter on the rump, browner on the back ; wings and tail fuscous. Ad. 9 . Dull olive-grecu, yellower on the rump, indistinctly mottled with blackish on the head and back, mixed with whitish on the under parts. Im. $ . — Similar to the ? , or mixed red and green. L., 6-19 ; W., 3-40 ; T., 2-13 ; B., -66. Range. — Breeds from the Northern States northward, and, in the Allegha- nies, southward to the Carolinas ; in winter wanders irregularly southward, sometimes reaching the Gulf States. Washington, irregular W. V., sometimes abundant. Sing Sing, irregu- lar ; noted in almost every month. Cambridge, of irregular occurrence at all seasons. Jfest, of twigs and grasses, lined with bits of moss and rootlets, in conifer- ous trees, iifteen to thirty feet up. Eggs, three to four, " pale greenish, spotted and dotted about the larger end with various shades of brown and lavender shell-markings, T75 x -57." These parrotlike Finches are famous for their erratic wanderings. They seem to have no regard for the laws of migration which regu- late the journeys of most birds, and, having no home ties, may linger in regions which offer them abundant fare without much regard to season. They nest early in the spring, sometimes when they are far south of their breeding range, but they seem quite unconcerned by their unusual surroundings, and their young are born and raised in a foreign land. Coniferous forests form their natural surroundings, and their bills are especially adapted to aid them in forcing off the scales from the cones of these trees to obtain the seed within. They live in flocks, and when in the trees climb about like Parrots, sometimes exhibiting as little fear of man as Polly on her pedestal. When feeding, they have a short, whistled call-note ; they take wing in a body, and their undulating flight is accompanied by a sharp click- ing or whistled note. Their song is described as " varied and pleas- ing, but not powerful or in any respect remarkable." 522. Loxia leucoptera Gmel. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. Ad. 6 . — Tips of the mandibles crossed ; body dull pink, brighter on the rump, more 284 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. or less marked with black on the back ; belly whitish ; wings and tail black, the greater and middle wing-coverts, and sometimes tertials, tipped with white. Ad. 9. — Dull olive-green, yellow on the rump, grayer on the under parts, mottled with blackish on the head and buck ; wings and tail as in the i . Jm. REDPOLL.— Simi- lar to the next, but "larger ( length about .V50-6-50), with proportionally thicker and less acute bill. $ W., 8'37; T., 275; exposed culmen, -36; depth of B. at base, -31." Range. — " Northern Greenland (breeding from fiit'-TS* N. latitude) and eastern arctic America, south to Labrador in winter" (Kidgw.). 527a. A. h. exilipes < '>,./,*). HOARY REDPOLL. Ad. & .—Bill very sharply pointed, a small tuft of bristly feathers over the nostrils; crown-cap bright red ; back dark grayish brown, the feathers more or less margined with white; rump white, generally unstreaked, and tinged with pink; wings and tail brownish fuscous, the feathers all more or les> cd^cd with white; middle of the thp-at blackish, breast tinned with pink, belly white, a few streaks on the side. Ad. 9. — Similar, but with no pink on the rump or breast. Im. — Similar to the 9, but without the red crown-cap. 1,., &-00; W., 3'00; T., 2-30 ; B., -30. Remarks. — This species is to be distinguished from Aca'it/ti* linnria and its races by the greater amount of white in its plumage, its unstreaked rump, and comparatively unstreaked under parts. Range.— Arctic regions; south in winter rarely to the northern United States. Cambridge, casual W. V. .VoY, of grass and twigs lined with feathers, in a low tree or on the ground. Effyi, three to five, white, tinged with blue or green, spotted with reddish brown, -65 x -50 f Chamberlain '. 528. Acanthis linaria (Linn.). REDPOLL. Ad. 6.— Bill very sharply pointed, a small tuft of bristly feathers over the nostrils ; crown-cap FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 285 bright red ; back fuscous grayish brown, the feathers margined with ochra- ceous-buft"; rump tinged with pink ; wings and tail fuscous, the feathers more or less edged with whitish ; middle of the throat blackish, breast suffused with pink, belly white, sides streaked with fuscous. Ad. 9 .—Similar, but without pink on the rump or breast, the sides more heavily streaked. Im. — Similar to the 9 , but without a red crown- cap. L., 5-32 ; W., 2-80 ; T., 2'32 ; B., -36 ; depth of B. at base, -22. ^ Range.— Breeds in the northern parts of the northern hemisphere ; in winter migrates irregularly southward, in America, to Illinois and Virginia. Washington, very rare and irregular W. V. Fl°- 80'~R|fzP°)11- a town. In general habits it resembles a Goldfinch, and while with us it finds its wants supplied chiefly by the various grasses and herbs which project through the snow and still retain their seed in spite of wind and weather. It is noted for its affectionate and confiding disposition, and although it is not known to breed in captivity it has always proved an easily tamed and inter- esting pet. ERNEST E. THOMPSON. 528a. A. 1. holbcallii (Brehm). HOLBW- BIHII; TIIIM I.K i-.iitu. Ad. 6. — Crown-cap black; hack and under parts bright yellow; wings black, the covorta and secondaries tipped with \\hiu-; tail black, the feathers with white on their inner welis. A<1. 9 .— l"]>j>er parts grayish brown with an olive tinge; wings and tail as in the <; , but somewhat more dusky and the white markings less distinct; under parts whitish, washed with buflfy brown and more or less tinged with yellow, espe- cially on the throat Ad. 6 in winter. — Similar to the ad. 9 , but witli the wings and tail as in summer. L., 5-10; W., 2*82; T., 1-95; B., -40. Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from South Carolina to southern Labrador; winters from the northern United States to the Gulf. Washington, common P. R. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, very common P. R. Nett, externally of flno grasses, strips of bark, and moss, thickly lined with thistle down, in trees or bushes, flve to thirty feet up. Egg», three to six, pale bluish white, -65 x -48. Except when nesting, Goldfinches are generally found in small flocks. Few birds seem to enjoy life more than these merry rovers. Every month brings them a change of fare, and in pursuit of fresh dainties the nesting-time is delayed almost until summer begins to wane. Seed-bearing plants, whether in field or garden, form their larder; the old sunflowers rattle before their vigorous attack ; the thistles spring into sudden blossom of black and gold as they swing from the nodding heads. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 287 Their flight is expressive of their joyous nature, and as they bound through the air they hutn a gay Their love song is delivered with an ecstasy and abandon which car- ries them off their feet, and they cir.de over the fields sowing the air with music. The song has a canarylike character, and while it is less varied it possesses a wild, ringing quality wanting in the cage-bound bird's best efforts. The BLACK-HEADED GOLDFINCH (532. Spinus notatus), a Mexican species, is recorded by Audubon from Kentucky, where its occurrence is, of course, purely accidental. 533. Spinus pinus (Wils.). PINE SISKIN; PINE FINCH. Ad.— Bill sharply pointed, a small tuft of bristly feathers over the nostrils ; upper parts streaked with black, the feathers margined with buft'y ; wings fuscous, most of the feathers margined with yellow, and yellow at the base ; tail' fuscous, all but the middle feathers yellow at the base ; under parts white, tinged with buffy and heavily streaked with black. L., 5'00; W., 2-76; T., 1-90; B., -40. Remarlcs. — The yellow markings in the wings and tail of this species will always serve to distinguish it. Uumje. — North America generally; breeds mostly north of the United States ; winters as far south as the Gulf. Washington, irregularly abundant W. V., Oct. to Apl. Sing Sing, irregu- lar P. E. Cambridge, irregular W. V., Sept. to May ; sometimes very abun- dant. Nest, of twigs and rootlets, lined with plant down and long hairs, in conif- erous trees. Eggs, four, pale bluish white, thinly spotted with reddish brown, •67 x -46. Like the American Crossbill, this bird is rather erratic in its move- ments, and its presence or absence at any season can never be predicted with certainty. It resembles the American Goldfinch in habits, but is more often found about coniferous trees, and its notes and song are less musical. It has been found nesting in May at Sing Sing, N. Y. (Fisher), and at Cornwall-on-Hudson (Allen). Carduelis carduelis (Linn.}. EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH. Ad. — Region about the base of the bill bright red ; crown, and a stripe extending from it on to the sides of the neck, black; back cinnamon-brown; wings black, crossed by a broad yellow band ; tail black, the inner webs of the feathers tipped with white ; under parts white, the sides tinged with the color of the back. L., 5-50 ; W., 3'00 ; T., 2'95 ; B., -50. 288 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. Range. — "Europe generally, except extreme northern part" (Sharpe). In- troduced near New York city and li<>st«n. Nest, externally, of grasses and plant down, lined with plant down, in coniferous trees. £yfft, four to five, white, with purplish spots, '72 x -50. This European species was introduced into this country at Ho- boken, N. J., in 1878. The following year it appeared in Central Park, New York city. It has since spread over the northern parts of the city, and in favorable places is a not uncommon permanent resident. It has also been introduced in the vicinity of Boston, Mass., where it is to be found in small numbers. In general habits it resem- bles its American cousin, with which it sometimes associates. 534. Plcctrophenax nivalis (Linn.). SNOWFLAKE; SNOW BCNT- INO. Ad. 6 in ft//tnun• IPSWICH SPARROW. Ad. — Generally with a spot of sulphur-yellow before the eye and on the bend of the wing; upper parts pale brownish ashy, streaked on the head, back, and upper tail-coverts with black and cinnamon-brown ; the nape and rump with few or no streaks; a white line over the eye; wings grayish brown, outer webs of greater coverts and tertials margined with pale ochraceous-buff; tail grayish brown, the outer webs of the feathers margined with brownish ashy; under parts white; breast and sides lightly streaked with blackish and ochraceous-buff. L., 6-25 ; W., 3-00 ; T., 2-25 ; B., -40. Range. — Breeds on Sable Island ; winters southward along the coast regu- larly to Virginia and rarely to Georgia. Cambridge, casual, one instance, Oct. Those who care to visit in winter the bleak, wjnd-swept sand hillocks of our Atlantic coast will find this bird much less rare than it was once supposed to be. It never strays far from the waving tufts of coarse beach-grass that scantily cover the sand drifts, and single in- dividuals may be found skulking among such surroundings. They seldom allow a near approach, but fly wildly away to considerable dis- tances, and on alighting run off so rapidly that they are difficult to find a second time. The flight is rapid and irregular, and the birds may easily be mistaken for Savanna Sparrows, with which, during the migrations, they are sometimes associated. On rare occasions a sharp chirp is heard, but as a rule they are silent. 292 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. It is an interesting species, discovered in 1868, and at first mistaken for Baird's Sparrow of the far west, a species, by the way, that it re- sembles very little. For many years nothing was known of its breed- ing range. In 1884 some large eggs from Sable Island, Nova Scotia, supposed to be of the Savanna Sparrow, were unearthed at the National Museum, Washington, and later a summer specimen of the Ipswich Sparrow was obtained from this island. Ten years later I had the pleasure of visiting Sable Island and solving all the conjectures that had become current regarding the Ipswich Sparrow's summer home. The bird proved to much resemble the Savanna Sparrow in breeding habits, song, nest, and eggs. J. DWIGHT, JR. 542a. Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna. ( HV/.o. SA- VANNA SPARROW. Ad. — A pule yellow murk over or In/fore the eye and on the bend of the wing; general tone of tin- upper {Mffta btownkh black, the ccatersof the leathers black, margined first by rufous orochraceous-butl', then by ashy ; wings fuscous, the outer webs of the feathers margined with oclira- ceous-butf; tail fuscous, the outer web of the feathers margined with whit- ish; under parts white, heavily streaked witli black Wi and rufous, the breast feathers tipped with wedge-shaped marks. L., 5-08; \V., L"t'.:i; T.,2'09; B., -40. Remarks. — Fall specimens are more or less suffused with ochraccous. Range. — Eastern North America ; breeds from Missouri and northern New Jersey north to Labrador and Hudson Bay ; and winters from southern Illinois and Virginia southward to Cuba and Mexico. Washington, abundant T. V., Mch. lin to May 5; Oct. 14 to Nov. 15; a few winter. Sing Sing, common T. V., Apl. 3 to May 13 ; Aug. 28 to Oct 28. Cambridge, abundant T. V., Apl. ; Oct ; breeds sparingly. Nest, of grasses and sometimes moss, lined with finer irrnsses or hair, on the ground. Egg*, four to five, bluish white, thickly marked, sometimes heavily washed, with reddish brown or cinnamon, '78 x -56. This is essentially a bird of the fields and one of the most abun- dant species of the Maritime Provinces of Canada — in fact, character- istic of them. The roadsides abound with the birds bobbing up and down on the fence posts and chipping vigorously at every passer- by. Their boldness is tempered with a certain timidity that becomes apparent when they are followed, for, dropping into the grass, they will slip away with surprising rapidity. They have a startling way. some- times, of springing up with a whirr of wings almost from under your very feet as you cross the fields where they have been feeding. At the southern limits of their breeding range they gather into irregularly distributed, isolated colonies frequenting wet, boggy meadows, and ex- hibit a shyness that is not shared by their northern brethren. In the fall, young and old gather into bands and, joining with other species, form an important part of the large flocks of migrating Sparrows that fill the fields mid hedgerows. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 293 The song is insignificant — a weak, musical little trill following a grasshopperlike introduction is of such small volume that it can be heard but a few rods. It usually resembles tslp-tslp-tslp1 see-e-s'r-r-r. More singing is heard toward sunset, when of a quiet evening the trills are audible at greater distances. Each male seems to have a number of favorite perches, weeds or fence posts, which are visited as inclination dictates, but he is of too restless a disposition to remain long on any of them. The most familiar note is a sharp tstp of alarm or expostulation heard during migration, but so constantly employed by both sexes in the breeding season, even on slight provocation, that one gets to think of them as veritable scolds. They are more likely to be mistaken for the Vesper Sparrow, which they resemble even in flight, than for any other except perhaps the Ipswich and Sharp-tailed Sparrows. J. DWIGHT, JR. 546. Ammodramus sa.vanna.rum passerinus ( Wils.). GRASS- HOPPER SPARROW ; YELLOW-WINGED SPARROW. Ad. — Upper parts mixed black, rufous-brown, ashy, and cream-buff ; crown blackish, a cream-buff line through its center ; nape rufous-brown, each feather with a small black central spot and bordered by ashy ; back black, the feathers bordered by cream-buff and with a small central tip of rufous-brown ; rump rufous-brown and ashy; an orange mark before the eye ; bend of the wing yellow, lesser wing-coverts yellowish olive- Fl°' 83-~' green ; greater coverts tipped with whit- ish ; tail-feathers pointed, of about equal length, dark grayish brown, the centers of the feathers darker, the end half of the outer feather generally dusky whitish ; under parts generally not streaked ; breast and sides buffy ; belly white. Young in first plumage have the breast spotted with blackish. L., 5-38 ; W., 2-38 ; T., 1*79 ; B., -43. Remarks. — The yellow on the wing, unstreaked under parts, even, pointed tail, and grayish mark on the outer tail-feather are the principal characters of \ this species. Range. — Eastern North America ; breeds from the Gulf States northward to Massachusetts and Minnesota; winters from North Carolina to Cuba. Washington, very common S. R., Apl. 15 to Oct. 25. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 27 to Oct. 23. Cambridge, rare S. R., May 15 to (?). Nest, of grasses, sometimes lined with hairs, on the ground. Eggs, four to five, white, distinctly spotted and speckled with rufous, '73 x -54. Few common birds maybe more easily overlooked than the Yellow- winged Sparrow. Its terrestrial habits and weak notes place it among the birds that you are not likely to find unless you know how and where to look for them. I remember once introducing this bird and its song to a visiting ornithological friend. On returning to his home, 294 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. greatly to his surprise, he found it a common resident of the fields about his house, where, owing to his unfamiliarity with its notes and habits, its presence had been before unsuspected. In the north you will generally find it in old, dry daisy or sorrel fields; in the south it inhabits the broom sedge. It will not take wing until almost stepped upon; then, if bushes are near, it takes refuge in or under them, but out in the open field it ilies rapidly some distance and drops to the ground. Its usual perch, when singing, is a fence rail ; and it does not often seek a more elevated position. Its fine, insectlike notes give it the name of Grasshopper Sparrow. They may be written pit-tuck, zee-e-e-e-6-e-e-e-e.y Under favorable circumstances they can be heard 'Ey an attentive listener at a distance of two hundred and fifty feet, but the casual observer would pass within ten feet of a singing bird and be none the wi>< r. 547. Ammodramus henslowii (Aud.). HENSLOW'S SPARROW. Ad. — Top and sides of the head and the nupe dull, pale olive-green, more buffy in the full ; side of the crown Muck ; nape finely streaked with black ; back rufous-brown, the feathers with narrow, central, wed^'e-sliaped Mack streaks, and narrow ashy margins; bend of the wing pale yellow; wing-coverte much like the back; tail-feathers very narrow and sharply pointed; middle feath- ers rufous-brown: the outer ones much the shortest ; under parts white, more or less washed with bully and streaked with black on the breast and sides. Young in first plumage have no spots on the breast L., 5-00 ; W., 2-20 ; T., 2-00; B., -4-J. Remarks. — The peculiar olivaceous color of the head and nape, and the bright rufous-brown color of the back, wing-coverts, and middle tail-feathers are the best distinguishing marks of this species. Range. — Eastern North America; breeds locally from Missouri and Vir- ginia northward to New Hampshire and southern Ontario ; winters from about the southern limit of its breeding range to the Gulf. \Vnshinjiton, common S. R., Apl. 12 to Oct. Sing Sing, rare T. V., Oct. 5 to Oct. 10. Cambridge, very rare S. R. Nett, of grasses, sometimes lined with hairs, on the ground. Eggt, four to five, grayish white, thickly and evenly speckled with pale rufous-brown, •75 x -57. During the summer this species seems to prefer wet meadows, but in the winter it inhabits the dry "old fields" grown with broom sedge, which are so common in the south. It has the secretive habits of the Grasshopper and Leconte's Sparrows, and takes wing only when forced to. Mr. P. L. Jouy writes of its song : " Besides the characteristic notes of tee-wick, they have quite a song which may be fairly represented by the syllables tsis-r-r-rit-srit-srif, with the accent on the first and last FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 295 parts. This song is often uttered while the bird takes a short flight upward ; it then drops down again into the tangled weeds and grasses, where it is almost impossible to follow it " (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, vi, 1881, p. 57). 548. Ammodraimis lecontei (Aud.). LECONTE'S SPARROW. Ad. — No yellow before the eye or on the bend of the wing ; a broad ochraceous-buff line over the eye, and a crearn-buft line through the center of the blackish crown ; nape rufous-brown, each feather with a small black central spot and an ashy border ; back black, the feathers margined first by rufous, then cream- buff and whitish ; tail grayish brown, with a slight rufous tinge, darker along the shaft : the feathers narrow and sharply pointed, the outer ones much the shortest ; breast and sides tinged with buffy, and more or less streaked with black ; belly white. L., 5-00 ; W., 2-00 ; T., 2-05 ; B., -35. Range. — " Great Plains and more western prairies, breeding from Dakota, Minnesota, etc., to Manitoba, migrating southward and eastward, in winter, through Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, etc., to South Carolina, and Gulf States from Florida to Texas " (Kidgw.). Nest, of fine grasses, on the ground. Eggs, three, delicate pink, lightly spotted with brownish and black near the larger end, '75 x -50 (Thompson). My experience on the coast of Texas with this elusive little Spar- row conforms with that of most observers, and the few specimens I found were in wet marshes. Mr. L. M. Loomis, however, tells us that at Chester, South Carolina, where Leconte's Sparrow is a locally com- mon winter visitant, it shows a marked preference for dry " old fields " of broom sedge (Auk, ii, 1885, p. 190). Pew birds are more difficult to flush. It exhibits a rail-like disin- clination to take wing, and, flying low and feebly, makes for the nearest cover. Ernest E. Thompson records it as an abundant summer resi- dent in the willow sloughs and grassy flats of Manitoba, and describes its call-notes as a thin, sharp, ventriloquial tiveet, and a single, long- drawn bizz ; while its song, which is delivered from some low perch a little above the grass, is a tiny, husky, double-noted reese reese, " so thin a sound and so creaky, that I believe it is usually attributed to a grasshopper." 549. Ammodramus caudacutus (Gmel.). SHARP-TAILED SPAR- ROW. Ad. — General color of the upper parts a brownish olive-green ; crown olive-brown, with a blue-gray line through its center; gray ear-coverts, in- closed by ochraceous-buff lines, one of which passes over the eye and one down the side of the throat ; feathers of the back margined with grayish and sometimes whitish ; bend of the wing yellow ; tail-feathers narrow and sharply pointed, the outer feathers much the shortest; breast and sides washed with buffy, paler in summer, and distinctly streaked with black ; middle of the throat and belly white or whitish. " L., 5-85 ; W., 2-30 ; T., 1-90 ; B., -50" (D wight). 296 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. Remarks. — The chief points of difference between this and the two fol- lowing birds are found in the markings of the l>reust and sides. In the pres- ent species these parts are pale ochraceous-butf, distinctly streaked with blackish ; in nehoni they are deep ochraceous-buff, lightly if at all streaked ; in subvirgatus they are cream-buff, indistinctly streaked with grayish. Range. — Atlantic coast; breeds from South Carolina to New Hampshire, and winters from North Carolina to Florida, Cambridge, common S. R, May to Sept Nat, of grasses Und seaweed, lined with fine grasses, on the ground. Eggs, three to four, white or grayish white, finely speckled with cinnamon-brown, especially at the larger end, 78 x -57. This species is confined exclusively to the salt-water marshes of our coast, where it may be found in large numbers. It runs about among the reeds and grasses with the celerity of a mouse, and is not apt to take wing unless closely pressed. Mixed flocks of the several varieties of the Sharp-tail, together with the Seaside Sparrow, gather in the fall among the sedges, and may be observed hiding in the grass or cling- ing to the tall stalks of the cat-tails. In the breeding season it is usually associated with the Seaside Sparrow on the same marsh, but it prefers the drier parts, and builds its nest in the tussocks on the bank of a ditch or in the drift left by the tide, rather than in the grassier sites chosen by its neighbor. From some bit of driftwood or a convenient stake its infrequent song may be heard morning and evening. It is short and gasping, and only less husky than the somewhat similar performance of the Seaside Sparrow. J. D WIGHT, JR. 549a. A. c. nelson! Allen. NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW. — Sim- ilar to A. caudacutut, but smaller, the upper parts darker, the feathers of the back more olive-brown and more broadly margined with whitish ; the throat, breast, and sides deeper ochraceous-buff, very slightly if at all streaked with blackish. " L., 5-50 ; W., 2-25 ; T., 1-90 ; B., -43 " (Dwhfht >. Range. — Breeds in the marshes of the interior from northern Illinois northward to Dakota and Manitoba ; occurs as a migrant on the Atlantic coast, and winters from South Carolina to Texas. Washington, rare T. V., two instances, Sept. Sing Sing, tolerably com- mon T. V., Sept 28 to Oct. 17. This interior representative of the Sharp-tailed Sparrow occurs on our coasts only as a migrant and winter visitant. It associates with the Sharp-tailed and Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 549b. A. c. subvirgatus Inr!,iht. ACADIAN SHARP-TAILED SPAR- ROW.— Similar to A. cnndncutw, but with the throat, breast, and sides washed with cream-buff and indistinctly streaked with ashy. "L., 5-55; W., 2-30 ; T., 2-00; B., -46" (Dwight). Range. — " Marshes of southern New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 207 and probably Nova Scotia, and southward in migration along the Atlantic coast" (D wight). Sing Sing, rare T. V., Sept. 29 to Oct. 16. Cambridge, very common T. V., May ; Sept. and Oct. Since this race was separated by me in 1887 few new facts have been developed regarding it, except that, as I anticipated, it has been found in other parts of the Maritime Provinces, and never far from salt water. While frequenting brackish or fresh-water marshes, where the grasses grow more luxuriantly than in the haunts of its southern relative, it prefers the more open spots or those where damp ditches make high- ways of escape for it afoot. It is locally abundant, particularly in the great marshes that border the Bay of Fundy, but so retiring that, save for its little song, its presence might be easily overlooked. Swaying on a tall stalk of meadow rue or squatting on a convenient fence, the males may be found at all hours of the day repeating their song a few times and then flying to some new perch or burying themselves in the grass. Occasionally toward nightfall one will mount into the air and with set wings float down, fairly gushing with song, a habit shared by the ordinary Sharp-tail and by the Seaside Sparrow as well. With these birds they associate in autumn, and may be flushed one or two at a time from the strips of grass or reeds that are left on the salt marshes along the ditches after the hay has been cut. The song is a husky, gasping effort, not very loud, and executed with a nod of the head. It is sung in less than a second, and resem- bles ksh-sh-sh-oolp, the last syllable occupying one fifth of the time and rather musical compared with the harsh lisp that precedes it. They also have a tchep of alarm, but it is the exception for them to show much anxiety about their nests or young. The nest has never been taken. J. DWIGHT, JR. 550. Ammodramus maritimus ( 1 1 '/,'.-•. i. SEASIDE SPARROW. Ad. — A yellow line before the eye and on the bend of the wing ; upper parts grayish olive-green; tail grayish brown, the outer webs of the feathers mar- gined with olive-greenish ; a dusky line from the base of the lower mandi- ble passes down the sides of the throat; breast more or less suffused with buffy (wanting in summer specimens), and indistinctly streaked with grayish ; throat and middle of the belly white ; sides grayish. L., 6-00 ; W., 2-50 ; T., Fl°- 84.— Seaside Sparrow. (Natural 2-20; B.,-60. Range. — Atlantic coast ; breeds from Georgia to Massachusetts, and win- ters from Virginia to Georgia. Sing Sing, A. V. 298 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. Nest, of coarse grasses and rccd stalks, lined with grasses, on the ground. Eggs, three to four, white or bluish white, clouded or finely speckled with ciimauion-brown, especially at the larger end, -80 x -63. Like most marsh-loving birds, Seaside Sparrows are so consistent in their choice of a home that it would be quite useless to look for them anywhere but in a marsh, and that a salt one, generally within sound or at least sight of the sea. The baymen call them " Meadow Chippies," and often when Snipe and Plover shooting 1 have drawn numbers to me by simply squeaking. They tipped all the reeds about my blind, chirping excitedly at the peculiar sound which aroused their curiosity. They pass much of their time on the ground among the reeds and grasses, but mount a stalk to sing their short, unattract- ive song of four or five notes. Sometimes they flutter into the air a few feet above the reeds and deliver their song while on the wing. The absence of •distinct streaks on the breast and lack of rufous in their olivaceous or grayish plumage will distinguish them from the Sharp-tailed, Swamp, Savanna, or Song Sparrows, the only ones which are likely to be found in their haunts. 550a. A. m. peninsulas Allen. SCOTT'S SEASIDE SPARROW. — Similar to the preceding, but much darker ; prevailing color of the upper parts brown- ish black, the feathers margined with grayish olive-irreen ; under parts more heavily ntn-akt-d, the breast and sides streaked with black or blackish. W., 2-30 ; T., 2-00 ; B., -52. Range. — Atlantic coast from northern Florida to South Carolina; Gulf coast from Florida to Texas. A common southern representative of the Seaside Sparrow. 551. Ammodrajnus nigrrescens /.'///»/•. DUSKY SEASIDE SPARROW. Ad. — Upper parts black, narrowly margined with grayish and grayish olive- green ; under parts sharply streaked with black and white in about equal proportions. "L., 5-95; W., 2-25-2-40; T., 2-10-2-50: B., -50--60" (Kidgw.). Remark*. — This species is very distinct, and can be at once distinguished from A. m. peninsula, its nearest known ally, by ite much darker upper parts and conspicuously streaked under parts. Range. — Marshes at the northern end of Indian River, Florida. Nest and egg» unknown. Mr. C. J. Maynard, the only collector who has ever met with this species, found a single individual, March 17, 1872, at Salt Lake, near Titusville, while in April it was "quite common on the marshes of Indian River just below Dummett's Grove," and " very abundant on the upper end of Merritt's Island." I have searched for it most care- fully, but without success, during February and March in the marshes of the east peninsula of Indian River opposite Micco, and for a species which is not rare, the Dusky Seaside Sparrow apparently has a more FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 299 restricted range than any other North American bird. Mr. Maynard considers it migratory, and states that it is not found in Florida during the winter. In flight as well as in habits, he says, it resembles the Sharp-tailed rather than the Seaside Sparrow (A. maritimus). Its song of low, sputtering notes is given while the bird hovers in the air, after which it drops quickly into the grass. 552. Chondestes grammacus (Say). LARK SPARROW; LARK FINCH. Ad. — Sides of the crown and ear-coverts chestnut, a whitish line over the eye and through the center of the crown ; a black streak on the sides of the throat ; upper parts brownish ash ; back streaked with blackish ; tail fuscous or black, the outer feathers tipped with white; under parts white, a small black Kpot in the middle of the breast. L., 6-25 ; W., 3'50 ; T., M5 ; B., -45. Range. — Interior of North America, eastward to Illinois ; breeds from Texas to Manitoba ; accidental on the Atlantic coast (Massachusetts, Long Island, New Jersey, District of Columbia, Florida). Washington, A. V., July, Aug., two captures. Fm. 85.-Lark Jparrow. (Natural Nest, of grasses, lined with rootlets, fine grasses, and long hairs, on the ground or in low trees or bushes. Eggs, three to five, white or pinkish white, spotted, blotched, or scrawled with pur- plish or black, chiefly at the larger end, -78 x -GO. This is an exceedingly common bird in the west. It frequents localities of much the same nature as those selected by the Grass Finch, and in its general habits and song reminds one of that species. 554. Zonotrichla leucophrys (Forst.). WHITE-CROWNED SPAR- ROW. Ad. — No yellow before the eye or on the bend of the wing; center of the crown with a white stripe bordered on either side by black stripes, all of about equal width ; no white before the eye ; a white line from over the eye passes backward along the side of the head; nape gray; back dark grayish brown, margined with gray ; rump dark brownish ash ; greater and middle wing-coverts tipped with white ; tail fuscous ; under parts grayish white on the belly, flanks and under tail-coverts cream-buff. Im. — Generally similar, but sides of the crown rufous-brown, center of the crown pale grayish brown ; nape brownish ash; back margined with the same color. L., 6'88; W., 3-03; T., 2-88 ; B., -43. Range. — " Breeding from higher mountain ranges of western United States, Sierra Nevada, Rocky Mountains, and eastward, north of the Great Lakes, to Labrador; in winter, over whole of United States, and south into Mexico" (Ridgw.). Washington, irregularly common W. V. and T. V., Apl. 15 to May 15; Oct. 15 to Nov. 30. Sing Sing, rare T. V., May 9 to 26 ; Oct. 3 to 30. Cam- bridge, uncommon T. V., May 12 to 22; Oct. 1 to 20. 300 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. Nest, of grasses, on the ground or in bushes. Egg*, four to five, pale green- ish blue, speckled and spotted with bay, especially at the larger end, -90 x '62 (Davie). This is one of the aristocrats of the family. Its size and its hand- some markings at once distinguish it from its congeners, and are sure to attract attention. Though its season of love and music; is spent in the far north, it often favors us with selections of its melodies as it rests in thickets and hedgerows while slowly passing through our country on its northward pilgrimage. Its usual song is like the latter half of the White-throat's familiar refrain, repeated a number of times with a peculiar sad cadence and in a clear, soft whistle that is charac- teristic of the group. It resembles its relatives also in singing its sweetest songs in the woods, sometimes during the darkest hours of the night. ERNEST E. THOMPSON. - A*if. %*** 658. Zonotrichla, albicollia (Gmel.). WHITE-THROATED SPARROW; ' PEAIIOPY-IIIKP. Ail.— \ yellow line before the eye; bend of the wing yellow; center of the crown with a whiti: stripe hounded on either side by much wider black stripes; a white stripe from the eye passes backward along the side of the head; back rufous or rufous-brown, streaked with black and slightly margined with whitish ; rump grayish brown; greater and middle wing-cov- erts tipped with white; tail grayish brown; under parts grayish, more so on the breast; throat with a square white patch; belly whitish; flanks and under tail-coverts tinged with grayish brown. Im. — Yellow before the eye, and on the bend of the wing duller; crown streaks brownish ashy and mixed chestnut and black, instead of white and black ; throat patch less sharply defined. L., 6-74; W., 2-89; T., 2'86; B., -44. Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from northern Michigan, and occasionally Massachusetts, northward to Labrador; winters from Massachu- setts to Florida. Washington, very common W. V., Sept 28 to May 20. Sing Sing, com- mon T. V., Apl. 10 to May 21 ; Sept. 20 to Oct. 30 ; a few winter. Cambridge, very common T. V., Apl. 25 to May 15; Oct 1 to Nov. 10; a few winter. Nest, of coarse grasses, rootlets, moss, strips of bark. etc.. lined with finer grasses, on the ground or in bushes. KliA separating the rufous °'" thC baek; bnok stri'aked with lll:u'k- a little rufous, and more pale burly ochraceous; rump '^y ffray > W»ng-bar8 not conspicuous ; under parts grayish white, whiter on the throat and belly; bill Fio. 86.— Chipping Spar- entircl.v black. 1m.— Similar, but no rufous crown- row. (Natural size.) cap or black on the forehead; top of the head Mreaked like tho hack ; hill brownish. Yonmj in first plumage have the breast streaked with black. L., 5-37 ; W., 2-74; T., •J-iil*; B., -86. Remarks. — In adults the rufous crown, black forehead, gray rump, and black bill are characteristic ; in the young the gray rump is a good distin- guishing mark. \ Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from the Gulf States to New- foundland and Great Slave Luke; winters in the Gulf States ami Mexico. Washington, common S. R., abundant T. V., Mch. 15 to Nov. 1, oecasion- ally winters. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 9 to Nov. 7. Cambridge, abun- dant S. R., Apl. 15 to Oct. 25. Ned, of grasses, fine twigs, or rootlets, thickly lined with long hairs, in trees or bushes, five to twenty feet up. E'jg*, four to five, blue or greenish blue, with cinnamon-brown or blackish markings, chiefly at the larger end, •72 x -51. The Chippy is among Sparrows what the Phoebe is among Fly- catchers— the humblest, most unassuming member of its family. Both show trustfulness, which, in spite of their unattractive appearance and far from pleasing voices, wins our affection. Chippy makes his nest in the vines on our piazza, and feeds on the crumbs at our doorstep, quite as though he were a member of the family; and he needs only a little encouragement to give evidence of his entire confidence in our good will by feeding from our hands. His song is a monotonous rhip]>y-rfii/>/ii/-rlii/>/iy-cliippy, rather high and wiry and frequently running into an insectlike trill — by no means a musical performance. In the f;ill Chippy changes his dress, dons a streaked cap for the, one of bright bay, and. with others of his kind, goes to the fields to feast on the year's harvest of seeds. lie is generally found near trees and hedgerows, into which, when alarmed, he flies with his com- panions. FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 303 561. Spizella pallida (Swains.). CLAT-COLORED SPARROW. Ad. — With a general resemblance to immature S. socialis, but less rufous above, whiter below, the line over the eye white, and the rump pale grayish brown instead of slaty gray. W., 2-40 ; T., 2-35 ; B., -34. •Range. — Interior of North America; breeds from northern Nebraska, cen- tral Iowa, and northern Illinois northward; winters from southern Texas southward; accidental in North Carolina. Nest, of grasses, lined with hairs, on the ground or in bushes. Eggs, three to live, similar to those of S. socialis. " This pale Sparrow of the plains is very similar in actions to the Chipping Sparrow, but less familiar and confiding in habits " (Goss). BREWER'S SPARROW (562. Spizella breweri), a western species, has been recorded once from Massachusetts. 563. Spizella pusilla ( Wils.). FIELD SPARROW. Ad. — Bill reddish /ft], brown ; top of the head rufous, a gray line over the eye ; nape slightly gray ; /( back like the crown, but finely streaked with black and narrowly edged with brownish ashy ; rump brownish ashy ; middle and greater wing-coverts tipped with white; under parts white, tinged with ochraceous - butf on the breast and sides. Im. — Similar, but the colors duller, the crown edged with grayish and sometimes a faint grayish line through its center. Young in first plumage have the breast streaked with black. L., 5-68 ; W., 2'50 ; T., 2'55 ; B., -36. Remarks. — This bird may be known by its brightly colored back, buff'y breast, and especially by its reddish bill. Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from southern Illinois and South Carolina to Quebec and Manitoba ; winters from Illinois and Virginia south- ward. Washington, very common P. R. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 2 to Nov. 7. Cambridge, common S. R., Apl. 15 to Nov. 1. Nest, of rather coarse grasses, weed stalks, rootlets, etc., lined with fine grasses and long hairs, on the ground or in low bushes. Eggs, three to five, white or bluish white, .with numerous rufous markings, chiefiy about the larger end, '70 x -52. Its bright rufous color, the absence of spots on its breast, and espe- cially its flesh-colored bill, are the best field-marks of this misnamed Sparrow. He is not a true Field Sparrow, but prefers old pastures dotted with clumps of bushes or young cedars. There is something winning in his appearance ; he seems such a gentle, innocent, dove- like little bird. His song is in keeping with his character, being an unusually clear, plaintive whistle, sweeter to the lover of birds' songs than the voice of the most gifted songstress. It is subject to much variation. Not only do the same individuals sing several different songs, but two individuals in the same locality rarely sing alike. There is also much variation in the songs of birds from different regions. For this reason it is quite impossible to give a description 304 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. of the song which will apply throughout the bird's range. However, an average song consists of the syllables chtr-irfe, cher-icee, chfr-wte, cMr-wte, chee-o, de-de-de-de-de, the last notes joined in a trill. This gives, of course, no idea of the quality of the Field Sparrow's song, but to be convinced of its rare beauty one need only hear it as the sun goes down and the hush of early evening is quieting the earth. The WESTERN FIELD SI-ARROW (563a. Spizella putilla arenacea) has been recorded from the vicinity of New Orleans. .rl e«u/. 7ZX. 667. Junco hyemalis (Linn.). JUNCO; SNOWBIRD. Ad. *. — Upper