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NATURAL HISTORY

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HISTORY

4

OF THE

BIEDS OF KANSAS

By N. S. GOSS.

ILLUSTRATING 6S9 BIRDS.

With the author 's kindest regards.

Copyright, 1891, by N. S. Go83.

o'

TO MY BROTHER,

CAPT. B. F. GOSS, Oolofjist,

WITH WHOM I HAVE SPENT SO JIAKY, MANY, PLEASANT
HOURS IN THE FIELD,

THIS WORK IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED.

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EXPLANATIONS.

The title of this work is explanatory of its object, and there-
fore does away with the usual preface or introductory remarks,
further than to say, that the author's aim has been to present
to the general reader, as well as to the student interested in bird
life, a book containing the latest knowledge in regard to the
habits, etc., of our birds. It embraces 343 species and sub-
species. Several other species and subspecies are, without
doubt, entitled to recognition in this work, but they have not as
yet been observed in the State. The photogravure illustrations
represent 529 mounted birds (my own work) in "The Goss Or-
nithological Collection."

The characteristic descriptions of the different orders, fami-
lies, genera, species and races are chiefly from "North Ameri-
can Land and Water Birds," by Baird, Brewer and Kidgway,
with the necessary changes in nomenclature and classification to
conform with that of the American Ornithologists' Union. I
have also quoted freely from Mr. Ridgway's "Manual" and
"Birds of Illinois," and occasionally from Dr. Elliott Coues'
' " Key to North American Birds. ' ' In all cases where credit is
not given, the characteristic descriptions are referable to the
first-named works. I follow these works because they are more
complete than I could possibly make them from the small num-
ber of specimens at hand, or to which I have ready access.

The descriptions of the nests and eggs (where credit is not
given) are from notes of my own observations in the field, and

6 EXPLANATIONS.

upon the valuable collection made by my brother, Capt. B. F.
Goss, and now on display in the Milwaukee Public Museum.

The five letters, B., R, C, G. and U., each followed by a
number, stand respectively for Prof. Spencer F. Baird's Cata-
logue of 1858, Mr. Robert Ridgway's Catalogue of 1881, Dr.
Elliott Coues' Check List of 1882, ray Catalogues of 1883 and
1886, and the American Ornithologists' Union Check List of
1886. The dash after any of these letters shows that the bird
is not contained in that list.

The species are distinguished by consisting of two terms, the
subspecies of three terms; for example:

Merula migratoria.

AMERICAN ROBIN.

Merula migratoria propinqua.

WESTERN ROBIN.

The dimensions of the birds and eggs, as given, represent
their approximate average measurements in inches and hun-
dredths.

Directions. — "Length:" Distance from tip of bill to end of longest tail
feather. "Stretch of wing:" Distance from tip to tip of outspread wings.
"Wing:" Distance from the bend or carpal angle of the wing to the end of the
longest primary. "Tail:" Distance from the root of the longest tail feather or
"pope's nose" to its tip. "Tarsus:" Distance between the joint of the tarsus
with the leg above and the lower edge of the lowermost tai'sal scutella In front.
"Bill:" Distance from the tip of the bill in a straight line to extreme base of
culmen. In the description of colors, the "leg" embraces the tarsus.

In the Glossary, I have mainly followed tke definitions of or-
nithological terms in Mr. Ridgway' s "Nomenclature of Colors. ' '

I am indebted to Dr. J. A. Allen, Mr. Robert Ridgway and
Capt. Chas. Bendire for valuable information kindly furnished.

N. S. Goss.
The Goss ORNixHOLOGicAr, Department.

ROOMS :
EAST WING, CAPITOL BUILDING.

Topelca, Kansas, February 1st, 1S91,

HISTORY

BIRDS OF KANSAS

Order PYGOPODES.
diving birds.

"Legs inserted far backward, the tarsi extremely compressed. Anterior toes
fullywebbed or else strongly lobed and with broad flat nails (Podicipidce) . Bill
extremely variable. Habits prsecoeial in Podicipidce and Urinatoridw, altricial
in Alcidm; youug dasypsedic. Palate schizognatbous. Carotids double, except
in PodicipidcB and some Alcidm {e. g., genus Alle)."

Suborder PODICIPEDES. Grebes.

Tail feathers wanting. Anterior toes lobed, the nails very broad, flat, and
with rounded tips. {Bidgicay.)

Family PODICIPIDJE. Grebes.
"Swimmers resembling the Loons in the posterior insertion of the legs, but
the toes lobate and semipalmate, instead of completely webbed, the claws broad,
flat, and nail-like, instead of normally narrow and curved. Bill variable in
shape; nostrils variable, but without an overhanging lobe; wings very short and
concave, the primaries covered by the secondaries in the closed wing; tail rudi-
mentary, consisting of a mere tuft of downy, loose-webbed feathers, without
perfectly-formed rectrices; plumage of the lower surface remarkably silky and
lustrous, usually white."

Genus .ffiCHMOPHORUS Cotjes.
"Neck extremely long (almost as long as the body), the bill longer than the
head, very slender and acute ( the length of the culmen live to six times greater
than the depth through the base), straight, or even slightly recurved; tarsus.

3 HISTORY OF THE

■equal to the middle toe and claw. Plumage plain plumbeous dusky or blackish
•above, pure white beneath, including the whole under side of head and neck;
anuch the same at all seasons and stages."

^chmophorus occidentalis (Lawr.).

WESTERN GREBE.
PLATE I.

Accidental visitant. For this addition to our State list, we
are indebted to Prof. F. H. Snow, who reports the capture of a
voung male jSTovember 3d, 1887, on the Kansas River, at Law-
rence.

B. 704. R. 731. C. 845. G. , . U. 1.

Habitat. Western North America, from Lower California
and Mexico to Manitoba, breeding nearly throughout its range.

Sp. Char. '■'■Adult, full breeding plumage: Pileum and nape slaty black;
remaining upper parts brownish slate, the remiges paler and more grayish, with
the inner webs chiefly white; concealed bases of primaries and outer webs of
secondaries next the shaft also white. Entire lower parts satiny white, abruptly
defined against the black of the pileum and nape; sides, beneath the wings
clouded with grayish; lores usually brownish gray, sometimes white. Bill
•olivaceous, becoming clear yellowish terminally and along the commissure; iris
bright clear rose red; legs and feet greenish olive in the dried skin. Adult
{and young), in winter: Similar, but pileum and nape brownish slate, like the
back. Bill dull, rather light yellow, the lower mandible deepening into or-
ange terminally; culmen and broad longitudinal space on the side of the basal
two-thirds of the lower mandible dark olive green, the former nearly black; iris
pure carmine (having much the appearance of a red currant), growing nar-
rowly whitish around the pupil; tarsi and toes dull olivaceous yellow, the outer
side of the tarsus and joints of the toes nearly black. Downy young: Above,
imiform brownish gray, the nape and pileum lighter; lower parts uniform white;
bill blackish. No streaks or other markings whatever about the plumage."

Length .

Stretch of
wing.

]Ving.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 26.00

37.00

8.25

2.00

2.90

2.80

Female . .

. 24.00

3.5.00

7.. 50

1.60

2.85

2.60

The birds are quite common west of the Rocky Mountains;
breeding in reedy ponds and lakes, east to Manitoba; wintering
south into Lower California; but its capture at Lawrence is the
first mention that I can find of its occurrence upon the east side
of the mountains south of the breeding grounds. I have noticed
this large species at San Diego several times, and in the winter

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 9

and early spring of 1882, I had a good opportunity to observe
them on the waters of Paget Sound. The birds ride the water
lightly, and their silky plumage, slender bill, long, waving neck
and graceful carriage can but attract the attention of the most
indifferent of observers. It ranks high among the water birds,
and is by right the queen of the family. Like all of the race,
they are expert swimmers and divers, and can quietly sink out of
sight in the water without any apparent motion; but their natural
manner of diving is to spring with a stroke of their feet, almost
clearing the water and disappearing about three feet from the
starting point. They are at home on the waves, and it is almost
impossible to force the birds to take wing; but when in the air
fly with great rapidity, with neck and feet stretched out to their
full extent, and in alighting often do not attempt to slacken
their speed, but strike the water with partially closed wings,
with a force that carries them on the surface from twenty to
forty feet.

Their nests are usually built on broken down reeds or rushes
growing in the water from two to three feet deep, and made of
decayed vegetation brought up from the bottom. Eggs two to
five; dull bluish white. A set of four eggs collected at Devil's
Lake, Dakota, June 1st, 1884:, measure: 2.20x1.47, 2.26x1.47,
2.30x1.49, 2.32x1.50; in form, vary from elliptical ovate to
enlongate ovate.

Two sets of eggs, one of four, the other of five, taken by
Capt. Chas. Bendire, May 28th, 1883, on a marsh in Klamath
county, Oregon, average 2.31x1.52. He writes that they often
lay seven eggs, and possibly more.

Genus COLYMBUS Linn.eus.

"Neck much shorter than the hody; bill about equal to the head, stout (length
of the culmen about three and a half times the depth through the base), the tiji
bluut, and the outlines more or less convex; tarsus shorter than middle toe witli
claw. Breeding plumage ornamented by colored tufts or patches about the
head, the winter plumage and the young very different."

Subgenus DYTES Kaup.

"Size small; bill much shorter than head, compressed deeper than wide at
base; tarsus about as long as the middle toe witliout the claw."

IQ HISTORY OF THE

Colymbus auritus Linn.

HORNED GREBE.
PLATE I.

Migratory; rare. Arrive the middle to last of April; begin
to return in September.

B. 706. R. 732. C. 848. G. 317, 1. U. 3.

Habitat. iS'ortliern hemisphere; breeding chiefly north of

the United States; wintering in the southern States and on the

Pacific coast south into Lower California.

Sp. Char. ''Adult, breeding plumage: Head generally (including the fluffy
tufts on each side of the upper neck) slightly glossy dull greenish black, becom-
ing gradually dull sooty slate on the forehead; lores dull ochraceous rufous,
connnunicating with a broad superciliary stripe of bright ochraceous, which
continues, gradually widening, to the sides of the occiput; fore neck rich rufous.
Upper parts dusky, the feathers sometimes with indistinctly paler margins; sec-
ondaries chiefly or entirely white. Lower parts white, the sides mixed chestnut
rufous and grayish dusky. Bill bluish black, its tip yellow; short loral space
bright carmine, as is the iris, its inner margin white; edges of eyelids grayish
blue; feet dusky externally, internally and on anterier and posterior ridges of
the tarsus dull yellow; claws dusky. Winter plumage: Pileum, nape and sides
of the jiigulum smoky slate; under part and sides of the head, lores, and lower
parts generally, white; jugulum faintly shaded with pale grayish, and sides
clouded with dark grayish. Upper parts as in the summer plumage, but more
slaty. Bill bluish gray, as in the bare loral space; the eye bright carmine, with
an inner white edge; the feet bluish gray. Downy young {half grmcn): Pileum
and nape dusky; sides of the head with two dusky stripes and several irregular
spots of the same color; throat with a dusky streak on each side. Otherwise
similar in color to the winter plumage."

Length.

Stretch of
iving.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . .

.. 14. .50

25.2.^

5.05

1.00

1.80

1.00

Female .

.. 13.25

23.50

5.40

1.40

1.80

.85

I have had a good opportunity to observe the birds in south-
ern California and on the northwest and the northeast coasts,
and found them in each locality quite common. July 19th,
1880, I found several pairs of the birds nesting in a small, nar-
row pond of fresh water, on Grosse Isle, one of the Magdalen
group, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It was covered with a
dense growth of rushes, with the exception of a strip of deep,
open water in the center. I shall never forget that day: I was
extremely anxious to procure their eggs, and wanted a pair of

BIRDS OF KANSAS. n

the birds in breeding plumage. The birds were very shy, and
the rushes too thick to see them from the sliore; the water was
cold, and, in order to find their nests, I had to wade in water
from two to three feet in depth. While in motion, I did not
suffer much with cold, but in order to get the birds was forced
to stand for a long time motionless in the water (barring the
shivering and chattering of teeth), while my man was beating
the water along the shore with a pole. The frightened birds
would not rise, but crossed the open space from side to side
under the water; one passed, with closed wings, close beside
me, but its lobate feet, that are placed so far behind, sculled it
with surprising velocity.

It is said by some writers that the birds do not use their wings
under the water. This may be so, but I am inclined to think,
when out of the reeds or rushes and with nothing to catch or
tangle, that they do use them to accelerate their speed. In the
examination of their stomachs, however, I find their food con-
sists largely of Crustacea (crawfish the favorite), water newts,
insects, and all forms of low animalcula,with traces of vegeta-
tion and, of course, minnows; but fish are not so essential to
sustain life, as is the case with many of the expert divers, and
they may not have occasion to use their wings often.

Away from their breeding grounds the birds do not, as a rule,
skulk or hide when hunted, but dive, coming to the surface at a
safe distance, and at once take wing, flying swiftly and low, re-
peating as often as approached, making the chase, whether in a
boat or otherwise, tiresome and almost hopeless.

Before leaving the pond I succeeded in finding two nests,
without eggs, that had the appearance of having been lately set
upon (the downy little chicks leave their nests as soon as
hatched). I killed one about two weeks old; (I have the same
in the Goss Ornithological Collection.) I also shot a few of the
birds, and took from the ovary of a female a fully-formed e^g^
1.71x1.20, pure bluish white; but, as the loose, puffy feathers
about the head were beginning to drop off, I think the breeding
season was nearly over.

The two nests that I found were built in water about two feet

12 HISTORY OF THE

deep, and on the old, broken-down rushes; they were made of
old, decayed rushes, leaves, and debris gathered from the bot-
tom; were quite bulky, and piled up until they floated several
inches above the water — at least two inches in the center of the
nest — and were firmly held in place and hid by the standing,
growing rushes, and were about ten rods apart; from this I am
led to think that they do not build in comnmnities like their
cousins, the Eared Grebes.

Eggs four to seven, 1.76x1.21, bluish white, but generally
more or less stained. A set of six eggs, collected at Ogden,
Utah, measure: 1.70x1.21, 1.70x1.22, 1.76x1.22, 1.78x1.22,
1.80x1.20, 1.80x1.21; inform, elliptical ovate.

Colymbus nigricollis californicus (Heekm.).

AMERICAN EARED GREBE.
PLATE I.

Migratory; rare in eastern Kansas; common, and may occa-
sionally breed in western Kansas. Arrive the last of April to
middle of May. Return early in September, a few remaining
into November.

,B. 707. R. 733. C. 850. G. 318, 2. U. 4.

Habitat. Western North America, east to the Mississippi
river, north to Great Slave Lake, south into Central America.
Abundant from the plains westward; breeding nearly through-
out its range.

Sp. Char. ^'■Adult, breeding plumage: Head, neck and upper parts dull
black; on each side of the head, behind the eyes, and occupying the whole of
the postocular and auricular regions, a flattened tuft of elongated, narrow, and
pointed feathers of an ochraceous color, those of the lower part of the tuft in-
clining to rufous or ferruginous, those along the upper edge straw yellow or
buff, sometimes, but rarely, forming a rather well-defined streak; fore part of
head sometimes inclining to grayish or smoky dusky. Upper parts blackish
dusky, the secondaries — sometimes also the inner primaries — mostly or en-
tirely white. Lower parts satiny white, the sides mixed chestnut rufous and
tlusky. Bill deep black; iris bright carmine, with an inner whitish ring; legs
and feet dusky gray externally, greenish gray on the inner side. Winter
plumage: Pileum, nape and up])er parts fuliginous slate or plumbeous dusky;
malar region, chin and throat white; auricular region white, sometimes tinged
with pale grayish buff or light grayish; fore part and sides of neck pale dull
grayish; lower parts satiny white, the sides plumbeous dusky. Upper mandi-
ble greenish black, growing pale ashy olive green on basal third of the commis-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 13

sure (broadly) aud on the culuieu; lower mandible ashy olive green, paler
below, and more yellowish basally; iris bright orange red, more scarlet out-
wardly, aud with a fine thread-like white ring around the pupil; tarsi and toes
dull blackish on the outer side, passing on the edges into olive green; inner side
dull light yellowish green; inner toe apple green. Young, first plumage: Simi-
lar to winter adults, but colors more brownish. Doiony young: Top of the
head, as far down as the auriculars, dusky, the forehead divided medially by a
white line, which soon separates into two, each of which again bifurcates on the
side of the crown (over the eye), one branch running obliquely downward and
backward to the sides of the nape, the other continued straight back to the
occiput; middle of the crown with a small oblong or elliptical spot of bare-
reddish skin. Suborbital, auricular and malar regions, chin and throat, im-
maculate white; fore neck pale grayish; lower parts white, becoming grayish
laterally and posteriorly; upper parts dusky grayish."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. 12.75

21.50

5.20

1.60

1.50

1.00

Female . .

. 12.00

20.25

5.00

1.50

1.45

.90

June 4th, 1877, I had the pleasure of finding about one hun-
dred pairs of these birds nesting in a little cove of Conio Lake,
a small alkali lake without outlet, in the Territory of Wyoming,
on the line of the Union Pacific Kailway; altitude 6,680 feet.
The nests were in a narrow strip of rushes, growing in water
eighteen inches deep, and about one hundred and thirty feet
from the shore. Between the rushes and the shore was a heavy
growth of coarse marsh grass, the whole covering not over from
one to one and one-half acres in area. The bank being a little
higher than the ground back of it, the approach could be made
unobserved, and my appearance, so unexpected and near, gave
the birds no time to cover their eggs, as is their wont, giving
me a fine opportunity, on wading out, to see the eggs in their
nests. I collected the eggs from two nests, five in each, and
counted from where I stood over twenty nests, with from one
to five eggs in each. Quite a number of others were com-
pleted, but without eggs, and still others were building. The
floating nests were made of old broken rushes, weeds, and de-
bris from the bottom, and were partially filled in and around
the standing, growing rushes. There were no feathers or other
kind of lining. They were from five to ten inches in diameter;
the outer edge or rim was from two to three inches above the

14 HISTORY OF THE

water. The eggs in several touched the water, and were more
or less stained in their wet beds. The color of the eggs when
fresh was white, with a slight bluish shade. The average meas-
urement of the ten eggs was 1.81 by 1.20 inches. I watched
the birds closely during the three days I remained there. Those
out upon the lake were noisy and active, keeping near the cen-
ter and closely together. It was their courtship and mating
ground, but the birds in going to and from their nesting places
were silent and watchful. In leaving their nests, they would
dive and come up quite a distance away and swim rapidly for
the flock in the lake. I noticed at all times, not far from the
breeding grounds, from five to eight birds, evidently sentinels,
sitting upon the water with their heads high, ever upon the look-
out and ready to give the alarm, but slow to leave their station,
in fact, never leaving the little bay, but taking good care to
#keep out of reach. As soon as I passed by, the birds fright-
ened from their nests would cautiously but quickly return and
join the sentinels, from which point they would dive and come
up within the rushes. In no instance did I see them swim to
or from their nests; they may, however, do so when not dis-
turbed.

In general habits and actions the birds do not appear to dif-
fer from others of the family.

Genus PODILYMBUS Lessok.
•' Size medium; bill very stout, the length of the culmeu less than twice the
basal depth; bill much shorter than the head, the culmeu much carved termi-
nally; tarsus shorter than the middle toe without claw. No tufts in summer
plumage but bill particolored, and throat ornamented by a black patch."

Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.).

PIED-BILLED GREBE.
PLATE I.

Summer resident; not uncommon; in migration abundant.
Arrive the last of April to first of May. Begin laying early in
May. Remain until late in the fall.

B. 709. R. 735. C. 853. G. 319, 3. U. 6.

Habitat. British Provinces southward into northern South
America, breeding nearly throughout its range.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 15

Sp. CnAR. '■'■Adult, breeding 2')lum(tge: Chin, throat, and a spot at the base
of the inaudible, black; rest of the head and neck brownish gray, darker on the
pileiim and nape, lighter on the sides of the head, the malar region light ashy,
streaked with dusky. Upper parts uniform dusky grayish brown, the remiges
paler, the inner webs of the secondaries tipped with white; lower parts grayish
white, everywhere spotted with dusky grayish. Bill milk white, crossed past
the middle by a black band, the terminal portion more bluish; eyelids white;
naked lores bluish; iris rich dark brown, with a narrow outer ring of ochra-
ceoiis white, and an inner thread-like ring of pure white; tarsi and toes green-
ish slate black on the outer, and plumbeous on the inner side. Winter phimage:
Head and neck dull brownish, darker on the pileum and nape, and becoming
white on the chin and throat (sometimes also on the malar region); lower parts
silvery white, brownish laterally ajid posteriorly; upper parts as in the summer
plumage. Bill horn color, becoming blackish basally and on the culmen; lower
mandible more lilaceous, with a dusky lateral stripe; iris of three distinct colors,
disposed in concentric rings, the first (around the pupil ) clear milk white, the
next dark olive brown, the outer pale ochraceous brown, the dark ring reticula-
ted Into the lighter; tarsi and toes greenish slate, the joints darker. Young,
■first plumage: Similar to the winter dress, but side and under part of the head
white, indefinitely striped with brown, the throat sometimes Immaculate.
Downy young: Head and neck distinctly striped with white and black; a spot
of rufous on the middle of the crown, one on each side of the occiput, and one
on the upper part of the nape; the latter confluent with two white stripes run-
ning down the nape, the others entirely surrounded with black; upper parts
blackish dusky, marked with four longitudinal stripes or lines of grayish ^^■hite
running the whole length of the body; lower parts immaculate white medially,
dusky grayish anteriorly, laterally and posteriorly."

Stretch of
Length . •wing.

Male 14.00 23.50

Female... 13.00 22.. 50

These birds, so active and at home on the water, (like all of
the family,) are awkward and almost helpless upon the land,
and unless forced by tired wings to drop, are never seen far
from the water's edge. They are very shy, and about their
breeding grounds secretive, waiting and feeding far away, going
to and returning beneath the water, and when upon their nests,
if approached, will cover their eggs and slip unobserved under
the water, without making a ripple upon its surface. For these
reasons some writers are led to think that the birds do not
occupy their nests during the day; but this is not so; they are
close sitters. To see the birds upon their nests one must hide
a long distance away and await their return. Their nest is
placed in thick weeds or rushes, in water from two to three feet

IV/>!g.

Tail.

Tarsns.

Bill.

5.00

1..50

1.50

.80

4.80

1.40

1.45

.80

IQ HISTORY OF THE

deep; composed of old decaying weeds or rushes, brought np
from the bottom and piled upon each other in and around the
standing stalks, until the fabric reaches the top and floats upon
the water, quite a bulky structure. Upon this a small nest is
built of debris and bits of slimy moss. Eggs, 1.69x1.17;
bluish white at first, but soon become stained in their wet beds;
usually five ; ten have been found in a nest. They are often
more or less coated with a chalky calcareous matter; in form,
elliptical.

SuBOEDER CEPPHI. Loons and Auks.

Tail feathers present, but short. {Ridgway.)

Family URINAT0RID-3E. Loons.

"Swimming birds, with the feet situated far back, a well developed hallux,
the anterior toes completely webbed and normally clawed; the bill straight,
acute, compressed, the nostrils linear, overhung by a membraneous lobe; tail
normal, but short. Nature prsecocial; eggs two or three, dark colored, and
more or less spotted.

"The family includes a single genus, Urinator, usually, but wrongly, called
Colymbus."

Genus URINATOR Cuvier.

"Characters the same as those of the family."

Urinator imber (Gunn.).

LOON.

PLATE I.

Migratory; rare. Arrive the last of March, to last of April.
Return late in the fall.

B. 698. R. 736. C. 840. G. 320, 4. U. 7.

Habitat. Northern part of northern hemisphere. Breeds
from about latitude 41° to within the Arctic circle. South in
winter to the Gulf of Mexico and Lower California.

Sp. Char. ^^AduU: Head and neck dull black, with a greenish reflection,
this brightest on the lower part of the neck; fore neck crossed by a narrow bar
of white longitudinal oblong dots or short streaks; sides of the neck some dis-
tance below this crossed by a broad bar of longitudinal white streaks; upper
parts black beautifully variegated with white dots, these largest, and nearly
quadrate in form, on the scapulars, minute and dot-like on the rump. Lower
parts immaculate white, the sides of the jugulum narrowly streaked with black,
the sides and flanks black, dotted with white. Bill black, paler at the tip; iris

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 17

carmine; legs and feet livid grayish blue, tlieir inner sides tinged with pale
yellowish flesh color; claws black, lighter at the base; webs brownish black-
lighter ill the middle. Young: Upper parts dusky, the scapulars, interscapu,
lars and upper tail coverts bordered terminally with plumbeous gray; lower
parts, including malar region, cliin, throat and fore neck, white, the sides and
flanks dusky brown, squamaled with grayish. Bill pale yellowish green, the
ridge and tip of upper mandible dusky; iris brown; feet dusky externally, pale
yellowish flesh color internally, webs dusky, but yellow in the middle. Downy
young: Uniformly dark fuliginous, lighter and more slaty on the throat, fore
neck, jugulum and sides, the entire abdomen velvety yellowish white, shaded
with pale ash gray exteriorly. The down short and very dense, very similar
to the fur of an otter or other fur-bearing mammal."

Length.

Sirefc/i of
witig.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus,

Bill.

Male

. 32.00

56.50

14.50

3.50

3.15

3.00

Female . .

. 30.00

54.00

13.50

3.25

3.15

2.90

During the summer months the birds are to be found in the
northern ponds and lakes, sporting and fishing in the open clear
waters; and their plaintive call can often be heard far beyond
the range of our sight: a weird sound, more supernatural than
real; one that the imaginative mind could well be led to think
a wail from Nereus, who was doomed by Poseidon, the god of
the sea, to dwell in the waters.

The birds reluctantly leave their northern home, and as a
rule linger until the ice closes their watery resorts, wintering
largely upon the sea coast. I found them very common during
the winter months in the harbor of San Diego; and have often
laid upon the railroad track at its crossing of a narrow outlet to
a small pond, a little south of the city, and watched the birds
pass and repass, invariably coming and going with the tide.
As they approached the outlet from either side, they would dive
at a safe distance and with the aid of their wings fly bene;ith its
surface with the speed of an arrow: making tlie water fairly
boil around them, and leaving in their wake a silvery streak of
bubbles. And once, when upon their breeding grounds in com-
pany with my brother, in trying to catch two little chicks not
over a week old, the mother passed under our boat several
times, in like manner.

It is a difficult matter to force the birds to take wing, and,
without a fair breeze to aid them, I never saw one make the

18 HISTORY OF THE

atteiri]it. (All birds naturally rise and alight facing the wind,
and the short-winged ones cannot well rise otherwise.) In
rising they spring with their feet, striking the air at the same
time vigorously with their wings, patting the water for some
distance; but once in the air can sustain themselves for a long
time, flying very swiftly and direct. When upon the ground
the birds cannot rise, and are almost helpless, shuffling and
lioundcring along, using both their wings and feet in a most awk-
ward manner; and for this reason the name they bear (which
signifies lame) was given them by the Laplanders.

Their nests are built at or near the edge of the water, on
marshy or boggy grounds; they are quite bulky, and made of
water grasses, or plants at hand, with a mixture of slimy moss
and mud, with a place hollowed out in the center to fit the body.
Eggs usually two, but, according to Audubon and Nuttall, some-
times three; vary in size from 3.27x2.10 to 3.90x2.38. A
set collected May 10th, 1878, on Pewaukee Lake, Wisconsin,
measured 3.45x2.20 to 3.27x2.21, Ground color olive brown
to olivaceous drab, more or less spotted and occasionally blotched
with blackish brown; in form, vary from narrow oval to ellip-
tical ovate.

Order LONGIPENNES.

long-winged swimmers.

"liiud toe small or rudimeutary, and elevated, sometimes almost obsolete;
anterior toes fully webbed. Bill more or less compressed (nearly cylindrical
only in some Stercorariidm), the nostrils linear, never tubular. Habits altricial;
young dasypjedic. Palate scbizognathous. Carotids double."

Family LARID./E. Gulls and Terns.

"Bill moderately compressed, or sometimes nearly cylindrical, its covering
entire; the tips of the maxilla overhanging, or at least meeting, that of the
mandible; the culmen more or less curved, but never arched terminally — some-
times nearly straight throughout; symphysis of the mandible usually forming
more or less of an angle, this, in most cases, prominent in proportion to the

BlltlJ^ OF KANSAS. 19

relative depth of the bill; nostrils syb-basal, perforate; legs and feet of propor-
tionate sise. Tail extremely variable in form and length.

"Although including among its very numerous members great extremes of
size and form, the family Laridcn as here restricted is not divisible into more
than two subfamilies, and these are so nearly united through certain forms as
to be really more artificial than natural."

Subfamily LAEINJ]]. Gulls.

"Depth of bill through the angle decidedly greater than through the middle
of the nostrils; terminal portion of the culmen decidedly curved; mandibular
angle frequently prominent, always distinct. Tail even, except in Xema (forked )
and Ehodostethia (wedge shaped). Size extremely variable, but usually medium
or large; sometimes very large."

Genus LARUS Linn.eus.
"Size exceedingly variable, ranging from that of the smaller Albatrosses
down to that of the medium-sized Terns; tail even; tarsus always longer than
the middle toe with its claw (except in L. minutus), and smoothish behind; col-
ors extremely variable, but young always widely different from the adult."

Larus argentatus smithsonianus Coues.

AMERICAN HERRING GULL.
PLATE II.

Migratory; rare. I have met with the birds in March and
November, and, as they occasionally winter as far north as Lake
Michigan, it would not be strange if met with in winter along
our larger rivers, when not frozen; but in any event they can
only be treated as migrants and visitants, as they are only at
home about large bodies of water.

B. 661. K. 666a. C. 773. G. 307, 5. U. 51a.

Habitat. North Auaerica in general; breeding from Maine

northward, and westward throughout the interior, on the large

inland waters, and occasionally on the Pacific coast; south, in

winter, to Cuba and Lower California.

Sp. Char. ^^ Adult, in summer: Mantle pale pearl blue (a shade darker than
in L. glaucescens), the secondaries and tertials passing terminally into white.
Outer primary black, more slaty basally, the tip white, and a large white spot
across the inner and sometimes the outer web; next quill black, tipped with
white, and usually without any «iliite except the apical spot; third, fourth and
fifth quills similar, but the basal half, or more, light pearl gray ( this extending
farther on the inner web), the line of demarcation sharply defined; sixth quill
light pearl gray, broadly tipped with white, this preceded by a broad subtermi-
nal space of black, widest on the outer web; seventh quill similar, but the black
much more restricted, and confined to the outer web; remaining primaries pale

20 HISTORY OF THE

pearl gray, passing gradually into white at ends. Remainder of the plumage
snow white. Bill deep chrome or wax yellow, with a large spot of bright red
near the end of the mandible; eyelids bright yellow; iris silvery white or pale
yellow; legs and feet flesh color, claws brownish black. Adult, in winter: Sim-
ilar, but head and neck, except underneath, streaked with dusky grayish. Bill
pale grayish yellow; deepest on anterior half of maxilla, and inclining to flesh
color on basal portion of mandible, except along upper edge; angle of mandible
with a large spot of dull orange red, becoming dusky toward gonys; iris dull
light yellow; eyelids dusky yellowish; legs and feet very pale grayish flesh color.
(Fresh colors of a specimen killed at Washington, D. C, November 11th, 1880.)
Young, first plumage: Prevailing color brownish ash, nearly uniform below, the
head and neck streaked with white; upper parts variegated by borders to the
feathers and irregular spots of pale grayish buft'; primary coverts, reniiges and
rectrices blackish dusky. Bill dusky black, more brownish basally; iris brown;
legs and feet purplish flesh color in life, brownish in the dried skin. Downy
young: Grayish white, the lower parts (except throat) immaculate; head marked
with irregular spots of black, indefinitely distributed; back, wings and rump
clouded with dusky grayish. Bill black, the ends yellowish; feet brownish."

stretch of
Length. "wing. IVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 25.50 .59.00 17.25 7..50 2.55 2.50

Female... 23.00 57.00 16.00 6.50 2.40 2.10

The birds ride the water buoyantly, but do not dive, only im-
mersing the head and neck. In their food habits omnivorous,
greedy eaters; scavengers of the beach, and in the harbors to
be seen boldly alighting upon the masts, and flying about the
vessels; picking up the refuse matter as it is cast overboard,
and often following the steamers from thirty to forty miles from
the land, and occasionally much farther. They are ever upon
the alert, with a quick eye that notices every falling object, or
disturbance of the water; and as they herald with screams the
appearance of the herring, or other small fishes that often swim
in schools at the surface of the water, they prove an unerring
pilot to the fishermen, who hastily follow with their lines and
nets; for they know that beneath, and following the valuable
catch in sight, are the larger fishes that are so intent upon tak-
ing the little ones in out of the wet as largely to forget their
cunning, and thus make their capture an easy one.

The birds are abundant on the Atlantic coast, decreasing in
numbers west, and I think rare on the Pacific coast. I have
collected three winters along that coast, and during the time did
not meet with a single bird.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 21

In the month of June, 1880, I foniid tlie birds breeding in
large communities on the little islands adjacent to Grand Manan;
many were nesting in the spruce tree tops, from twenty to forty
feet from the ground. It was an odd sight to see them on their
nests, or perched upon a limb chattering and scolding as ap-
proached. The greater number, however, were nesting on the
rocks. In the trees I had no difficulty in finding full sets of
their eggs, as the egg collectors rarely take the trouble to climb;
but on the rocks I was unable to find an egg within reach; the
eggers going daily over the rocks. I was told by several that
they yearly robbed the birds, taking however but nine eggs from
a nest, as they found whenever they took a greater number, the
birds so robbed would forsake their nests, or, as they expressed
it, cease to lay; and that, in order to prevent an over collection,
they invariably dropped near the nest a little stone or pebble
for every egg taken.

The young birds grow rapidly. July 2Gth, I saw at Percy
Kock, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, young birds upon the water
fully grown. They do not leave their nesting grounds until
able to fly; though half grown birds are occasionally seen on
the water, that by fright or accident have fallen. Their nests
are composed of grass, (often moss and lichens, especially in
the trees,) sea weeds, and a mixture of dirt. In the trees they
are quite bulky and well woven together, but loosely and slov-
enly made upon the rocks, and varying greatly in their size;
some with only a slight lining.

Eggs, usually three, 2.75x1.90. The ground color vaiies
from a pale olive drab to a greenish and bluish white, irregu-
larly spotted and blotched with lilac and pale yellowish to dark
sepia brown, the markings occasionally the thickest and running
togeriier about the larger end; in form, ovate.

Larus californicus Lawt..

CALIFORNIA GULL.
PLATE II.

A rare visitant. One specimen taken by me on the Arkansas
River, in Eeno county, October 20th, 1880.

B. 663. R. 6GS. C. 777. G. 308, 6. U. 53.

22 HISTORY OF THE

Habitat. Western North America, from Mexico to Alaska,
breeding northward from about latitude 38°.

Sp. Char. "Slightly smaller than L. occideiitalis, with much weaker bill
and lighter mantle. Adult, in summer: Mantle deep bluish cinereous, inter-
mediate in shade between the plumbeous of occideiitalis and the pearl blue ol
argentutus, the secondaries and tertials broadly (for about one inch) tipped with
white. Outer primary black, its terminal portion white for about two inches,
with or without a black subterminal spot; second quill also black, the tip white
and usually (though not always) marked by a white spot (sometimes one inch
long) near the end; third quill black, tipped with white, the base plumbeous:
fourth with the basal half plumbeous blue, the terminal half black, tipped with
white; fifth, similar but the black more restricted, and the line of demarcation
between the black and blue still more sharply defined; sixth, lighter plumbeous
blue, passing on to white toward the end, and crossed by a wide subterminal
baud of black; remaining quills cinereous blue, broadly tipped with white.
Remainder of the plumage snow white. Bill yellow, varying from greenish
lemon to chrome, the terminal third of the mandible bright red (varying from
orange red to carmine), the tip again yellow; a more or less distinct dusky spot
in or immediately in front of the red, and one directly above it on the maxilla,
the tip of which is sometimes grayish white; rictus and eyelids vermilion red;
iris dark hazel or Vandyke brown; legs aud feet pale pea green, sometime?
tipped with grayish. Adult, in winter: Similar, but head and neck (except im-
derneath) broadly streaked with grayish brown. Young, first plumage: Above,
coarsely spotted, in nearly equal quantities, with brownish slate and grayish
buffy white, the latter bordering the feathers, and forming broad irregular bars,
mostly beneath the surface; primary coverts, remiges and rectrices dusky
black, the inner primaries more grayish, the primary coverts narrowly tipped
with white, aiid the outer tail feathers with irregular broken bars of the same.
Head, neck and lower parts mottled or clouded with grayish white and brown-
ish gray, the latter prevailing on the head and neck — nearly uniform on the
nape. Bill dusky, black at the tip and brownish basally; iris brown; legs and
feet brownish ( in the dried skin). Downy young: Grayish white, purer white
centrally beneath, where immaculate; head marked by irregular dusky black
spots, of indefinite arrangement, but most numerous above; upper parts clotided
with dusky grayish. Bill black, tipped with pale yellowish brown."

Length.

Stretch of
•wing.

lVh!g.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . . .

. 22.50

55.50

16.00

6.75

2.33

2.00

Femalu. .

. 21.50

54.00

15.25

6.25

2.30

1.85

In the winter and spring of 1881 and 1881r, I noticed the birds
quite often at San Diego, and found them quite common on the
northwest coast, in fact abundant, during the early spring,
about Vancouver and the San Juan Islands.

They fly rather slowly and gracefully over the water; pick-
ing up here and there floating matter and the little fishes at the

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 23

surface, often dropping upon a fish with a force that carries
them nearly under. They do not tarry k)ng in the harbors for
the offal, and are, in their food habits, I think, less parasitic
than many others of the same family.

The birds winter on the coast but breed inhand, and in com-
munities, upon the islands in the larger ponds and lakes. Cap-
tain Chas. Bendire found them breeding abundantly on Lake
Malheur, Oregon, and Mr. Robert Ridgvvay, at Great Salt Lake
and Pyramid Lake, in the month of May, 1868. ,

Their nests are usually placed upon rocks and bare spots of
dry ground, but occasionally on the tops of low standing bushes;
and are made of grasses, sticks, feathers, or any loose material
at hand, and are slightly hollowed in the center. Eggs, usually
three or four. One set of three eggs, taken May 31st, 1883,
by Mr. W. C. Flint, on the Farallones Isles, measure: 2.84x1.96,
2.80x1.96, 2.88x1.92. Ground color bluish white to brownish
gray, rather thickly spotted, sometimes more or less blotched,
with occasional zigzag markings of various shades of brown,
and shell stains of lilac; in form, oval to ovate.

Larus delawarensis Okd.

RING-BILLED GULL.
PLATE II.

Migratory; quite common. Arrive the last of April, to first
of May; returning in September.

B. 604. II. 639. C. 778. G. 300, 7. U. 54.

Habitat. North America at large; south in winter to Cuba
and Mexico. Breeding in high northern latitudes.

Si'K-CiiAR. "Smaller than L. calif ornicvs, the bill more slender, and without
red spots, the mantle much paler, the Iris yellow, and feet greenish yellow in
the adult. Adult, in summer: Mantle pale pearl blue ( much as in L. argen-
tatus, much paler than in L. hradiyrhyachus or L. canus ), the secondaries and
tertials passing terminally into pure white. Outer primary black, with a white
space 1.25 to 1.50 inches long near the end, involving both webs, the shaft,
however, black; second quill similar, but with the white space smaller, and the
extreme tip also white; third, with basal half pale pearl gray, and the apical
white spot larger; next similar, but the subterminal black more restricted, the
line of demarcation between it and the pale pearl gray still more sharply de-
fined; fifth pale pearl gray, passing terminally into white, but crossed near the

24 HISTORY OF THE

end by a wide band of black, about .75 of an inch wide; sixth quill pale pearl
gray, passiug into white terminally, and marked near the end by a more or less
imperfect black spot; remaining quills pale jiearl blue, passiug terminally into
white, and without a trace of black. Bill greenish yellow, crossed near the end
by a blackish band, the tip sometimes tinged with orange; rictus and eyelids
vermilion red; interior of mouth rich orange red, more intense posteriorly;
iris clear pale yellow; feet pale yellow, sometimes tinged with greenish; claws
black. Adult, in winter: Similar, but the head and neck, except beneath,
streaked with brownish gray. Young, first plumage: Above, brownish dusky,
the feathers bordered with pale grayish buff; primaries blackish dusky, the in-
ner quills bluish gray basally, and tipped with white; secondaries bluisli gray
on basal half, dusky black terminally, where edged with white; basal two-thirds
of the tail pale gray, more whitish basally, mottled with deeper grayish; ter-
minal third dusky black, narrowly tipped with white. Lower parts white,
spotted laterally with grayish brown. Bill black, base of lower mandible and
edges of the upper toward the base livid flesh color; edges of eyelids livid blue;
iris hazel; feet purplish gray; claws brownish black."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 20.00

49.00

15.00

6.50

2.20

1.65

Female . .

. 18.75

45.00

14.00

5.50

2.10

1.55

This species is at liome on the wing, as well as upon the
water, and in the fall of the year, during the early part of the
afternoon, can often be seen about the streams or bodies of wa-
ter sailing and circling in the air.

An examination of their stomachs at such times will show
that it is grasshoppers they are after, not pleasure alone. To
satisfy myself upon this point, I shot, on the Arkansas Eiver,
several of the birds while thus flying, and found grasshoppers
in all, also a few beetles. Two of the birds that fell had grass-
hoppers in their mouths. In otlier respects tlieir food habits
are much like the Herring Gull, often following the steamers a
long distance from the shore.

During the winter months I have seen them on the south
coast of Florida, and on the Pacific side, south to Altata,
Mexico. In migration, they are common throughout the United
States. They breed west of the Rocky Mountains from about
latitude 40°, and east of tJie same from about latitude 50°,
north into the Arctic region. Audubon says: "On an island
within a few miles of Eastport, Maine, I found these birds
breeding in great numbers, in the beginning of May. Their

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 25

nests were placed amid the scanty tufts of grass." But of late
years I think they hav& not been found breeding on the Atlan-
tic coast south of Labrador.

Their nests are placed on the rocks or ground, and made
chiefly of sea weed. Eggs usually three. One set, taken June
23d, 1884, on the south coast of Labrador, measure: 2.40x
1.64, 2.44x1.68, 2.40x1.68. Ground color varies from a pale
bluish white or greenish tint to olive drab, with pale markings
of lilac, and irregular spots and blotches of varying shades of
brown, thickest about larger end; in form, oval to ovate.

Larus franklinii Sw. & Ricn.

FRANKLIN'S GULL.
PLATE II.

Migratory; common. My notes show their capture from the
last of March to first of May, beginning to return the last of
September, and are often to be seen as late as November.

B. 668, 669. R. 674. C. 787. G. 310, 8. U. 59.

Habitat. Interior of North America, breeding chiefly north

of the United States; south in winter to Peru, South America.

Sp. Char. ^' Adult, i?i summei': Head aud uiiper part of the neck phimbe-
ous black (more plumbeous anteriorly); an enlongated white spot on each
eyelid; lower part of the neck (all round), entire lower parts, lower part of the
rump and upper tail coverts snow white, the neck and lower parts with a deep
tinge of delicate rose pink in fresh specimens. Mantle deep bluish plumbeous,
a little lighter than in L. atricilla, the secondaries and tertials broadly tipped
with white. Tail white, the four to six central feathers tinged with pale gray-
ish blue, deepest on the intermedise. Primaries bluish gray, the shafts white,
the five outer quills marked with a subterniiual space of black varying in extent
from nearly 2.00 inches long on the second quill to about .50 on the fifth, each
quill broadly tipped with white, this occupying on the outer about 1.50 inches
of the terminal portion, on the rest less than .50 of an inch; the bluish gray of
the basal portion of the quills becoming nearly or quite white where joining the
black, and the shafts of the black portion also black; remaining quills light
grayish blue, broadly, but not abruptly, tipped with white, the sixth sometimes
marked with a subterminal black spot or bar. Bill deep red, with a more or
less distinct darker subterminal band; eyelids red; feet deep red. Adult, in
winter: Similar, but head and neck white, the occiput, with orbital and auricular
regions, grayish dusky. Bill aud feet brownish, the former tipped with orange
reddish. Toung, first plumage: Top and sides of head (except forehead and
lores), back and scapulars grayish brown, the longer scapulars bordered termi-
nally with pale grayish buff; wing coverts bluish gray, tinged with grayish

26 JUS TORY OF THE

brown; secondaries dusky, edged with pale grayish blue, and broadly tipped
with white; primaries dusky, the inner more plumbeous, all rather 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)."

Stretch of
Length. mitie. Wi'tig. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male

. 14. T5

37.00

11.2.5

4.20

1.0.5

1.12

Female. .

. 14.00

36.00

11.00

4.00

l.GO

1.10

This beautiful bird, called by the farmers the Prairie Dove,
feeds largely upon the land, often great distances from the
water. In the spring it hovers over the newly-plowed lands,
and often follows the plow, picking up the insect life, larva and
worms exposed in the furrow; and in the fall catches the grass-
hoppers in the air, often flying high and circling.

The birds are easily tamed and make interesting pets; one
that I kept for some time became greatly attached to me; would
follow me about the room, and the moment I stopped, whether
standing or sitting, would perch upon one of my feet and com-
mence dressing up his feathers; climbing back as often as I
would toss him off. Most birds dislike to be handled, but this
one seemed to enjoy it, rubbing his head and bill against my
hand and cheek, as if coaxing me to caress him.

During the winter I have met with the birds in Central
America, and on the southwest coast of Mexico; and they have
been found breeding as far south as northern Iowa, and in
abundance in the vicinity of Manitoba, and north at least to
the 65th parallel. They breed in communities, on low, wet,
marshy grounds, in shallow water, upon the tops of broken
down rushes. Their nests are made largely of grasses and
rushes. Eggs usually three, 2.12x1.45; one set of three eggs,
taken May 20th, 1885, by J. D. Preston, on Marsh Lake, Min-
nesota, measure: 2.00x1.40, 2.12x1.40, 2.08x1.44. Ground
color pale grayish green to light olive drab, splashed with
rounded and zigzag markings of varying shapes and sizes, of
olive brown to dark sepia; thickest and generally forming a
wreath around the larger end; in form, rather oval.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 27.

Larus Philadelphia (Okd.).

BONAPARTE'S GULL.
PLATE II.

Migratory; rare. Arrive the last of March to last of April;
begin to return as early as August.

B. 670. R. 6T5. C. 788. G. 311, 9. U. 00.

Habitat. The whole of North America; breeding far north-
ward; south, in winter, to Mexico and Central America.

Sp. Char. "Adult, in summer: Head aud upper part of the neck dark plnm-
bous, the eyelids marked by an elongated white spot. Lower part of the neck,
entire lower parts, tail, upper tail coverts, lower and lateral portions of the
lump, border of the wing, alulse, primary coverts, and greater portion of the
primaries, snow white; the neck and lower parts with a delicate rose-pink
blush in fresh specimens. Mantle, inckiding upper and middle portions of rump,
delicate light pearl blue. Three outer primaries chiefly white; the outer web
of the exterior quill, aud the terminal portion of all, deep black; fourth quill
similar to the third, but the iuuer web pale grayish blue; fifth and sixth quills
pale grayish blue, with a large subtermiual black space, and tipped with white
(third and fourth quills also marked with a small white apical spot); remaining
quills pale grayish blue, without white tips, but marked near the end, usually
on inner web only, with a black spot. Bill deep black; iris dark brown; interior
of mouth, with legs and feet, rich, clear orange red; claws black. Adult, in
winter: Similar, but head and neck white, the occiput tinged with grayish, aud
the auricular region marked by a spot of dusky gray. Legs and feet flesh color.
Yoicng, first plumage: Sides and under parts of head and neck, entire lower
parts, upper tail coverts, and basal three-fourths of the tail, pure white; crown,
occiput, and upper part of the back, brownish gray; a dusky grayish spot on
the . auricular region; scapulars and posterior interscapulars grayish umber,
tipped with pale butt'; central area of lesser wing-covert region dusky brownish
gray; rest of wing coverts, edges of secondaries, greater portion of inner pri-
maries, with upper and central portions of rump, light grayish blue; band across
end of tail black or dusky, the tip narrowly whitish. Outer primary with the
entire outer web, aud a stripe along the inner next the shaft, with the end,
black, the remaining portion white; second aud third quills similar, but the
white successively more restricted; fourth bluish white ou both webs (inner web
more bluish), the subtermiual portion black for more than an inch, the tip with
a small white spot; remaining quills similar, but deeper bluish gray. Bill dusky;
feet pale brownish ( in skin). Young, second year: Similar to the adult in win-
ter plumage, but central lesser wing coverts dusky, tail crossed by a subtermiual
band of dusky brown, and primaries marked as in the first plumage."

stretch of
Length. luing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 14.00 33.00 10.50 4.25 1.37 1.10

Female... 13.50 32.00 10.20 4.05 1.35 1.12

28 HISTORY OF THE

The birds are said to be common throughout the continent,
but I have never been so fortunate as to meet with them often,
or in numbers.

In their food habits, are much like the Franklin's GulL In
their northward flights arrive early, and do not tarry long. At
Pewaukee, Wisconsin, where I lived during the early settlement
of the State, I noticed nearly every spring a few flocks flying
about the lake and alighting upon the melting ice, but I cannot
recall seeing them on the lake after the ice was wholly gone.

The birds are quite noisy, fly gracefully, and float on the sur-
face of the water as lightly as an e^g shell, and when at rest
dx'ift as readily in the breeze. They breed in high latitudes,
and in communities; their nests are placed on bushes and trees,
usually on the branching limbs of the spruce trees, and are
made of sticks and lined with grasses, leaves, often moss and
lichens, with an occasional mixture of down. Eggs usually
three, rarely ever four. One set of two eggs, taken July 5th,
1864, by Mr. Farlane, on Anderson river, Arctic America, meas-
ure: 2.08x1.40, 1.96x1.40. Ground color olive gray, with small
spots of varying shades of brown, chiefly clove brown, thickest
about larger end; in form, oval to ovate.

Genus XEMA Leach.

"Size small or medium; tail forked; tarsus equal to or rather shorter than
the middle toe with claw; adult with a dark hood, the plumage otherwise pearl
gray above and white beneath."

Xema sabinii (Sab.).

SABINE'S GULL.
PLATE n.

A rare visitant.

B. 680. R. 677. C. 700. G.S12, 10. U. 62.

Habitat. Arctic regions in North America; south in winter
to New York, Kansas and Great Salt Lake.

Sp. Char. '^AduU, in summer: Head and upper part of the neck plumbeous,
bounded below by a well-defined collar of black, widest behind; lower part of
neck, entire lower parts, tail, upper tail coverts, and lower part of rump, snow
white, the lower parts faintly tinged with delicate rose pink in some freshly-
killed specimens. Mantle deep bluish gray (nearly the same shade as in Larus

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 29

franklinii), the secondaries pure white, becoming gradually pale grayish blue
toward bases; most of the exposed portions of the greater coverts also white,
forming, together with the secondaries, a couspicuous longitudinal white stripe
on the closed wing. Four outer primaries black, broadly tipped with white,
the inner webs broadly margined with the same; fifth quill, with the greater
part of the inner web, and about 1.75 inches of the terminal portion of the
outer, white, the remainder black; remaining quills white; outer border of
wing, from the carpal back to the primary coverts, including the latter and the
aluliE, uniform black. Bill black, tipped with yellow; eyelids red; iris brown;
feet dull lead color; claws black. Adult, in winter: Similar to the summer
plumage, but head and neck white, except occiput, nape and auricular region,
which are dull dusky plumbeous. Young, first plumage: Crown, nape, back,
scapulars, wing coverts and rump brownish gray, each feather bordered termi-
nally with light fulvous or pale grayish buff, this fulvous border preceded on
the tertials, longer scapulars, etc., by a dusky internal sub-border; greater wing
coverts and secondaries white, as in the adult; primaries much as in the adult.
Tail white, with a broad subterminal band of black, the tip narrowly white or
pale fulvous; upper tail coverts and entire lower parts white. Bill dusky,
brownish toward the base; feet light brownish (in the skin)."

stretch of
Length. whig. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Sill.

Male 14.00 34.00 10.50 .':;.00 1.30 1.05

Female... 13.25 32.50 lo.OO 4.50 1.25 1.00

This elegant bird was first discovered as a new species by Sir
Edward Sabine, on the coast of Greenland, while accompanying
Ross and Parry in their first Arctic expedition. It has since
been found to be quite common during the breeding season in
the extreme northern portion of the continent; also in Asia, oc-
curring occasionally in Europe. It winters chiefly within the
Arctic circle, but occasionally visits the United States, One, in
its migratory or wandering flight, has been captured on the
coast of Peru, and its occasional occurrence through the conti-
nent may be looked for.

A young male, on the 19th of September, 1876, flew into a
billiard saloon in Humboldt, Kansas, at midnight, no doubt at-
tracted there by the light of the burning lamps that brightly
reflected out into the darkness, I have the specimen in the
Goss Ornithological Collection; also a pair that I shot May
22d, 1882, about thirty miles off the coast from Cape Flattery.
There were twelve of the birds in the flock, flying slowly north-
ward, and near the surface of the water.

In habits, appear to be similar to Bonaparte's Gull. They

30 HISTORY OF THE

have been found breeding in numbers on the ishmds in the
Arctic Sea; their nests are upon dry ground, near the water's
edge; a slight depression worked out to fit the body, with usu-
ally a few blades of grass arranged in a circular manner around
the edge. Eggs usually three; Ridgway says: ''Eggs two to
five, 1.78x1.20; ovate or short ovate, deep olive (varying in in-
tensity, however), rather indistinctly spotted or blotched with
brown."

Subfamily STERNINJE. Tekns.

"Depth of the bill through the angle (symphysis of the lower jaw) less
than through the middle of the uostrils; terminal portion of the culmen slightly
curved, or nearly straight; mandibular angle seldom prominent. Tail forked,
except In Anous (graduated). Size extremely variable, but usually small;
never very large."

Genus STERNA Lixxjius.

"Size exceedingly variable, the form and colors less so; tail always decidedly
forked, and toes almost fully webbed, but the webs concave, or ' scalloped out '
anteriorly."

Subgenus STERNA.

Wing less than 12.00; occipital feathers short and blended. Mantle bluish
gray; the tail chiefly white; inner webs of quills largely white. (Ridgicay.)

Sterna forsteri Nutt.

FORSTBR'S TBRN.
PLATE II.

Summer resident; rare; in migration, common. Arrive from
the middle of April to first of May. Begin to return the last
of August.

B. 686, 690. R. 685. C. 798. G. 313, 11. U. 69.

Habitat. North America generally, breeding from Manitoba
southward to Virginia, Texas and California; in winter, south-
ward to Brazil.

Sp. Char. ^' Adult, in summer: Pileum and nape deep black; upper parts,
including rump and tail, light pearl gray, the primaries and tail paler and more
silvery, the inner webs of the outer pair of rectrices usually darker (sometimes
quite dusky) for that portion beyond tiie tip of the next feather. Inner webs
of primaries without any well-defined white space, except on two outer quills,
but the edge usually more or less dusky. Tips of secondaries, anterior upper
tail coverts, sides and upper part of head and neck, and entire lower parts, pure
-white. Bill dull waxy orange, the terminal third or more blackish, with the

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 31

tiji usually paler; mouth orange; edges of eyelids black; iris dark brown; legs
and feet very fine orange red, the claws black. Adult, in winter: Similar, but
the head and neck white, tlie occiput and nape more or less tinged with grayish,
the sides of the head marked by a broad space of black surrounding the eyes
and extending back over the auriculars. Tail less deeply forked than in sum-
mer, the outer rectrices broader and less elongated. Young, first plumage:
Similar to the winter plumage, but the pileum, nape, back scapulars, tertials
and wing coverts overlaid by a wash of raw-umber brown, chiefly on the ends
of the feathers, but appearing nearly uniform on the back and crown; sides of
the breast tinged with the same. Eectrices all disthictly dusky terminally,
especially on inner webs ( the outer web of the lateral feather hoary white to
the tip), the middle feathers tipped with raw umber. Bill dusky, more brown-
ish on basal portion of the numdible; legs and feet light brown in the dried
skin. Downy young: Prevailing color light brownish buff, the breast and abdo-
men white;' lower surface entirely immaculate, but upper parts coarsely and
irregularly marbled with Itlack, the sides of the head with a few scattered
irregular minute markings of the same. Length about 3.50 inches, the culmen

.35 of an inch."

Stret.h of

Length.

IV. ng.

Whig.

Tail. ■

' Ta >sus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 17.. 50

31.50

10.25

8.00

.UO

1.60

Female. .

. 15.25

30.00

9.75

6.50

.00

1..50

This species, with their slender bodies and long, pointed
wings (like all of the family), sail through the air as lightly as
a kite, and rest as buoyantly as a feather upon the water.
Delicate, attractive birds in any position, and especially so while
feeding upon the wing, coursing with easy, varied motions over
the water, with their bills pointed downward at a right angle
with the body; scanning closely every object beneath, and pick-
ing up here and there a tiny fish, a floating insect, or any choice
morsel at or near the surface; never plunging beneath the sur-
face, but dropping swiftly upon the water, or lightly swooping
down and picking up as they go; sometimes patting the water
with their feet.

They breed in communities and are largely gregarious
throughout the year, collecting in numbers at eve and resting
during the night on the sandy beach of an island or point of
land extending well out into the water.

The birds are quite common upon both coasts, as well as in
the interior, but are not usually so reported, as they are gener-
ally taken by the casual observer for Sterna Idrundo.^ which
they so closely resemble.

32 HISTORY OF THE

I found them during the winter months very abundant on
the southwest coast of Mexico and at La Paz; and breeding in
numbers on the small islands in Nueces Bay, Texas, as early as
the first of April, The birds at such times are very noisy, and,
as their nesting places are approached, their hoarse notes as
they circle close overhead are almost deafening. Nest, a hol-
low, worked out in the sand, and broken shells, and lined with
grasses. Eggs, three; said to average 1.78x1,33; but two sets
collected April 12th, 1883, at Nueces Bay, only average l,61x
1.20. Ground color from pale bluish green to olive buff, with
faint shell markings of lilac, and rather evenly and coarsely
spotted with different shades of brown; in form, ovate to short
ovate.

Sterna hirundo Linn.

COMMON TERN,
PLATE II.

Migratory; very rare. Arrive from the middle of April to
first of May; returning as early as the first of September.

B. 689, R. 686, C. 797, G. 314, 12. U. 70.

Habitat. Chiefly eastern temperate North America, and

various parts of the eastern hemisphere; breeding irregularly

throughout its range.

Sp. Char, '■^Adult, in summer: Pileimi and nape, including upper half of
the lores, uniform deep black. Upper parts deep pearl gray (much the same
shade as in paradiscea), the border of the wings, tips of secondaries, lower part
of rump, upper tail coverts and greater portion of the tail pure white. Lower
parts pale pearl gray or grayish white (much ligliter than the upper parts), be-
coming gradually white on the under part and sides of the head, and pure white
on the crissum. Outer web of lateral tail feather ash gray, darker terminally,
in abrupt contrast with the pure white of the inner web; outer webs of remaining
rectrices, except the intermedise, paler grayish. Outer web of outer primary
blackish slate; outer surface of other primaries light silver gray, slightly paler
than the back; inner webs chiefly white, with a stripe of grayish next the shaft,
this stripe abruptly defined on the first five (luills, but growing gradually broader
and paler toward tlie fifth, and extending, near the end of the feathers, a greater
or less distance toward the base, but the edge itself narrowly white; five inner
(juills pale silvery gray, the inner webs edged with white. Bill bright vermil-
ion, blackish terminally, except on the tomia; inside of the mouth orange ver-
milion; edges of eyelids black; iris very dark brown; legs and feet orange
vermilion, lighter than the bill; claws black. Adult, in winter: Similar, but
forehead, crown and anterior parts of lores white, the vertex mixed with black,

Stretch of
■witig.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

31.50

10.75

6.20

.75

1.40

30.00

9.75

4.50

.75

1.30

BIRDS OF KA]!^SA8. 33

entire lower parts pure white. Young, first plumage: Orbital region, occiput
and nape dull black; crown mixed black and grayish white; forehead and lores,
with entire lower parts, upper tall coverts, Inner webs of rectrices, and tips of
secondaries, white. Upper parts pale bluish gray, the scapulars. Interscapulars
and tertlals tipped with pale buff, and marked with an indistinct subtenninal
lunule of dusky brown; anterior lesser wing coverts dusky, forming a broad
bar across the wing; primaries much as In the adult, but darker; wing coverts
paler than the back, and bordered indistinctly with white. Outer webs of rec-
trices grayish, deepening on outer feathers into slate. Bill dusky brownish,
the base of the mandible paler and more reddish; feet pale yellowish (in the
dried skin)."

Length.

Male 15.00

Female... 12.75

The birds are abundant on the Atlantic coast, decreasing in
numbers west, and, I think, rare and exceptional on the Pacific
coast; at least Dr. Oooper has never met with them there, and
I failed, during the three winters that I collected along the
coast and inland, to find a single specimen; and I am inclined
to think writers that report them common there have taken S.
forsteri for this species.

The birds have been found breeding from the south coast of
Florida to the Arctic circle. I have found them breeding in
small flocks on the lakes in Wisconsin, and in large numbers on
several of the Magdalen Isles, Gulf of St. Lawrence. Their
nests are said bj some writers to be made of seaweeds and
grasses, but all that I have examined were without material of
any kind, the eggs lying upon the bare ground in a slight de-
pression in the sand. Eggs three or four. One set of three
eggs, collected May 27th, 1881, on Pewaukee Lake, Wisconsin,
measure: 1.56x1.19, 1.60x1.20, 1.60x1.20; and a set of four,
taken July 8th, 1880, at Byron Isle, one of the Magdalen group:
1.60x1.20, 1.60x1.22, 1.62x1.20, 1.66x1.18. Color pale
bluish to greenish drab, thickly and rather evenly spotted and
blotched with varying shades of light to dark brown, with shell
markings of pale lilac; in form, ovate.

Subgenus STERNULA Bote.

Wings less than 7.00. Tali about half as long as wing, forked for about half
its length. (Bidgway.)

34 HIS TOUT OF THE

Sterna antillarum (Less.).

LEAST TERN.
PLATE II.

Snnimer resident; rare. Arrive the last of April to first of
May; return in August.

B. 694. R. 690. C. 801. G. 315. 13. U. 74.

Habitat. North America, northward to California and New

England, and casually to Labrador; breeding nearly throughout

its range; south in winter, on both coasts, into northern South

America.

Sp. Chak. "Smallest of the Terns (wing less than seven inches). Adult, in
summer: Pileum and nape deep black, the forehead covered by a broad lunule
of white extending back laterally to the eyes, the lores being crossed by a black
line or narrow stripe extending from the eye to the lateral base of the maxilla,
immediately behind the nostril. Entire upper parts, including lower part of
the nape, upper tail coverts, and tail, pale pearl gray, deepest on the dorsal re-
gion and wings. Two to three outer primaries dusky slate, the inner webs
broadly edged with white; remaining quills pearl gray, like the coverts, the edge
of the inner webs white. Entire lower parts pure white. Bill bright yellow,
usually (but not always) tipped with black; iris dark brown; legs and feet
bright orange yellow. Adult, in tointer: Similar, but lores, forehead and crown
grayish white (purer white anteriorly), an occipital crescent, and a stripe for-
ward from this to and surrounding the eye blackish. Bill dusky; legs and feet
dull yellowish. Young, first plumage: Somewiiat similar to the winter plumage,
but humeral region marked by a wide space of dusky slate, the scapulars and
interscapulars with submarginal V or U-shaped marks of dusky, the crown
streaked and the occiput mottled with dusky, and the primaries darker than in
the adult. Bill dusky, brownish toward the base; feet brownish. Doiony
young: Above, grayish white, finely mottled with dusky grayish, the head dis-
tinctly marked with irregular dots of dusky black; lower parts entirely immae.
lilate white. Bill dull yellovv', tipped with dusky; legs and feet clear pale
yellow. "

stretch of

Length.

uu'ng.

lV/»g.

Tail.

Ta t'siis.

Bin.

Male

. 9.00

19.7.5

6.70

3.40

.60

1.08

Female . .

. S.75

19.2.5

6.60

3.2.5

.60

1.08

These little beauties, the smallest of the family, flit through
the air like swallows, darting here and there for an insect, or
suddenly stopping to hover, like Hawks or Kingfishers, over a
school of minnows or shrimp, ready to drop upon the first that
comes to the surface.

The birds, as a rule, are not timid, and take little or no heed
of the approach of an intruder.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 35

Audubon found them breeding in Labrador, but I think they
are rarely to be met with north of latitude 45°. On my north-
ern cruise I failed to find the birds north of Brier Island, Nova
Scotia, and only noticed a single pair there. Tliey are abund-
ant south, along tlie coast of Florida, and I have often met with
them on the coast of Lower California, and at San Diego; and
have found them breeding on the Gulf coast, the salt plains of
the Indian Territory, and a few on the Cimarron Kiver, in Kan-
sas. Their nest is a mere depression or place worked out to fit
.the body in the sand, on the islands and banks of the streams.
Eggs two to four — rarely ever more than three — 1.15x,90;
buff to cream white, speckled and spotted, in some cases blotched
about the larger end with brown umber and lilac; in form, rather
oval to ovate.

Genus HYDKOCHELIDON Boie.

"Similar to the smaller species of Sterna, but tail only very slightly forked
or emarginate, the rectrices Dot attenuated at euds, and the webs of the toes fill-
ing less than half the interdigital spaces. Adults gray or blackish beneath, as
dark as or darker than the color of the upper surface."

Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (Gmel.).

BLACK TERN.
PLATE II.

Summer resident; rare; in migration, common. Arrive the
last of April to first of May; beginning to lay about the middle
of May.

B. 695. R. 693. C. 806. G. 316, 14. U. 77.

Habitat. Temperate North America, south in winter to mid-
dle South America; breeding from the middle United States
northward.

Sp. Chab. ^^ Adult, in summer: Head, neck and lower parts sooty black,
the head and neck, especially above, nearly pure black; anal region and crissum
pure white. Entire upper parts uniform plumbeous, the border of the wing,
from the shoulders to the carpo-metacarpal joint, white. Lining of the wing
light plumbeous gray. Bill deep black, the rictus lake red, the interior of the
mouth pinkish; iris dark brown; legs and feet purplish dusky. Adult, in win-
ter: Head, neck and lower parts pure white; orbital and auricular regions
dusky; crown and occiput dark grayish, the feathers bordered with paler. Up-
per parts as in the summer plumage, but rather paler plumbeous. Young, first
plumage: Very similar to the winter plumage, but scapulars, interscapulars, and

36 HISTORY OF THE

tertials tipped with raw-umber brown, the anterior lesser wing coverts dusky,
the crown, occiput and upper part of the nape dusky, and the entire sides
washed with phnnbeous. Dincny young: Above, deep soft-umber brown, with
a few coarse irregular niarblings of black; forehead, crown, throat and jugu-
lum more sooty brown, without markings; side of the head, (including lores]
dull whitish; abdomen white centrally, pale sooty grayish exteriorly."

Stretch of
Lengik. wiJig. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 10.00 38.70 8.10 3.40 .63 1.10

Female... 9.80 33.3.5 8.00 3.30 .63 1.00

This species in its manner of flight is much like the Least
Tern, but more easy and graceful in its motions, often skim-
ming for hours over the surface of the water, upon which it
rarely alights.

In the stomachs of those examined, I found chiefly dragon
flies, beetles and grasshoppers, with now and then the remains
of little fishes.

I have met with the birds upon both coasts, but their natural
home is inland, along the streams and about the marshes and
reedy ponds. Nest on low, wet or marshy ground, bordering
ponds and sloughs; made of bits of stems of reeds and grasses,
and lined with the leaves and finer stems, . In some cases the
eggs are laid upon the bare ground. Eggs usually three, occa-
sionally four, 1.30 X. 96; greenish drab to olive brown, spotted
and blotched with brownish black, often thickest and running
together around larger end; in form, rather ovate to pyriform.

Order STEGANOPODES.

totipalmate swimmers.

"Hind toe lengthened and incumbered, and united to the inner toe by a
complete web (small only in Fregatidce). Bill extremely variable, but usually
with a more or less extensible naked gular sac between the mandibular rami.
Nostrils obsolete. Habits altricial; young dasypsedic in Tacluj'peiida', Phalar-
rocoracidcB, AnhingidcB and PhaetJioatidce, gymuopaedic In Pelecanidce and Su-
lidcB. Palate saurognathous. Carotids double."

Family ANHINGIDiE. Darters.

"Bill slender, pointed, compressed, and very Heron-like in shape, the culmen
and commissure almost straight, the gouys slightly ascending; terminal half of
the tomia serrated, the serrations directed backward and forming a series of

4|gSb^Ev£»jF9ti^imRi«K|iik.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 37

close-set, sharp-pointed, fine bristly teeth; nostrils obliterated. Head small,
neck slender and greatly elongated (nearly as long as the wing); outer toe
about as long as the middle, or slightly shorter. Tail very long, fan shaped,
rounded, the feathers widened toward the ends, the outer webs of the inter-
medin, in fully adult birds, transversely corrugated or 'fluted.'

" This singular family consists of but one genus, AiMnga, which has a rep-
resentative in the warmer parts of each of the great divisions of the earth."

Genus ANHINGA Brisson.
"Characters the same as those of the family."

Anhinga anhinga (Lixx.).

ANHINGA.
PLATE m.

A rare summer visitant.

B. 628. R. 649. C. 760. G. 306, 15. U. 1, 18.

Habitat. Tropical and subtropical America, north to South

Carolina, southern Kansas and western Mexico.

Sp. Char. ^^ Adult male, in full breeding plumage: Plumage of the neck
and body deep glossy black, with a faint greenish gloss; scapular and lesser
wing coverts marked centrally (longitudinally) with light hoary ash, these
markings elliptical on the upper part of the scapular region, linear or nearly
acicular on the longer scapulars, and broadly ovate on the wing coverts; exi)osed
surface of the middle and greater wing coverts light hoary ash; remainder of
the wings, with the tail, deep black, the latter less glossy, and broadly tijiped
with pale brown, passing into dirty whitish terminally. Sides of the occiput
and neck ornamented by lengthened, loose-webbed, hair-like feathers of dirty
white or pale grayish lilac; nuchal feathers elongated, hair-like, forming a sort
of loose mane, Upper mandible dusky olive, the edges yellow; lower mandible
bright yellow, the edges and tip greenish; bare space about the eye bluish
green; gular sac bright orange; iris bright carmine; tarsi and toes antei-iorly
<Uisky olive, the hind parts and webs yellow; claws brownish black. Adult
male, in winter: Similar to the above, but destitute of the whitish feathers of
the head and neck. Adult female, in full breeding plumage: Head, neck and
breast grayish buff, becoming grayish brown (sometimes quite dusky) on the
pileum and nape, the breast lighter, and bounded below by a narrow band of
dark chestnut, bordering the upper edge of the back of the abdomen; sides of
the upper part of the neck adorned with an inconspicuous longitudinal stripe of
short white, loose-webbed feathers. Rest of the plumage as in the male. Bill,
«tc., colored much as in the male, but Iris paler red (pinkish). Young, in first
winter: Similar to the adult female, but lower parts duller black ( the feathers
usually indistinctly tipped with grayish brown), the chestnut pectoral band en-
tirely absent; upper parts much duller black (the back decidedly brownish),
the light markings much smaller and more indistinct. Young, first plumage:
Similar to the above, but entire lower parts light grayish buff, darker poster!-

38 HISTORY OF THE

orly. Transverse corrugations of the middle rectrices quite obsolete. JVestlvig:
Covered with butt-colored down."

Strrtch of
Letigth. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 36.00 40.25 14.00 11.00 1.40 3.2.5

Female... 35.00 44.30 13.25 10.05 1.40 3.00

This species was captured witliin the State, in the Solomon
valley, in August, 1881, by Mr. C. W. Smith, of Stockton; and
May 1st, 1888, Mr. Daniel Lambert, of Wilburn, Ford county,
shot, in the northern part of Meade county, on Crooked Creek,
five of the birds, out of a small flock that arrived a few days
before and together. There is quite a thick grove of trees along
the creek in that vicinity, and if they had not been disturbed it
is possible they might have nested there, and it may have been
their occasional breeding ground before the settlement of the
county.

The first time that I met with the birds was at the mouth of
the San Jacinto River and on Buffalo Bayou, Texas, during the
last of March and the first of April. I was too early for their
eggs, but before I left they had commenced building their nests
in the trees.

The birds are more or less gregarious, roosting in small flocks
at night in the tree tops, and during the day when at rest are
to be seen perched upon an old stub or the lower branches of
trees over the water. I found them very shy, and ever upon the
alert, darting from their perch at the sight of an intruder, and
disappearing beneath the water without scarcely leaving a ripple
upon its surface, coming up hundreds of yards away, and, if
badly frightened, only thrusting the bill out far enough to take
in a supply of air; and if the water is not perfectly smooth it is
useless to look for them.

Its food is chiefly fish, which it catches beneath the water,
where it flies with the aid of its feet as swiftly as in the air;
rarely ever at such times coming above the surface with more
than the head and neck, which is so long, slim and wavy in
motions, that it is oftener taken for a snake than a bird. When
not fishing or apprehensive of danger, they ride up lightly upon
the water. I haVe since met with the birds all along the Gulf

STUBS OB' KANSAS.

39

coast, and on the lagoons and np tlie rivers that I visited in
Central America.

The nests of the birds are placed on bushes and branches of
trees overhanging the water, varying in height from four to
thirty feet; they are quite bulky and made of sticks, and lined
with leaves, -rootlets, moss, etc. Eggs two to four, 2.12x1.34;
pale bluish green, with more or less of a white calcareous cov-
ering; in form, ovate. A set of two eggs, taken April 28th,
1882, at the mouth of the Gaudaloupe River, Texas, from a nest
made of sticks and green twigs in leaf, in a willow tree, eleven
feet from the ground, are, in dimensions, 2.20x1.66, 2.10x1.34.

Family PHALACKOCORACIDJE. CoKMORANTS.
"Bill small (shorter than the middle toe), variable in outline, but the maxil-
lary unguis always prominent and strongly hooked; nostrils obliterated; lores,
orbital region, lower jaw, chin and upper part of throat naked; middle toe
longer than, or about equal to, the tarsus, the outer toe mucii longer, and the
inner about as much shorter. Wings rather short, concave, reaching but little
beyoml the base of the tail; tail variable as to length, usually rounded or gradu-
ated, the feathers stiff, with very rigid shafts, wliich are exposed almost to the
base of the tail, on account of the much abbreviated coverts. Plumage very
compact; usually dark colored and glossy."

Genus PHALACROCORAX Brisson.

'•Characters the same as those of the family."

StTBGENUS PHALACROCORAX.
Bill stout, with decidedly curved upper outline, the middle portion of the
culmen being appreciably concave, the terminal nail, or unguis, more or less
arched, strongly hooked, and occupying one-third or more of the entire length
of the upper mandible, measured to the base of the culmen. {Ridgway.)

Phalacrocorax dilophus (Sw. & Rich.).

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT.
PLATE III.

Migratory; not uncommon. Arrive the last of March to
first of April. To be looked for in the old, deep channels of
the rivers in the low timbered lands. Return in October.

B. 623. R. 643. C. 751. G. 304, 16. U. 130.

Habitat. Northern North America; south in winter to the
Gulf coast; breeding from the Bay of Fundy northward, and
westward to Manitoba.

40 HISTORY OF THE

Sp. Char. "Basal oiitliue of the giilar pouch exteudiug straight across the
throat or projectiug slightly back along the median line. Adult, in full breed-
ing plumage: Head, neck, rump and entire lower parts glossy black, with a faint
luster of dull bluish green; back, scapulars and wings dull grayish brown, each
feather conspicuously and broadly bordered with black; tail uniform dull black.
A tuft of narrow, lengthened, curved feathers on each side the crown, springing
from behind and above the eye; these feathers are wholly black. Maxilla black,
mottled with grayish or dull yellowish along the sides; mandible yellowish or
pale bluish, mottled with dusky; loral region and gular sac deep orange; eyelids
and whole interior of the mouth bright cobalt blue, the former sometimes dotted
with white; iris bright grass green; legs and feet deep black. Adult, in winter:
Similar to the above, but tufts of the head wanting, and the bare skin of the
lores, gular pouch, etc., deep yellow instead of orange, and the blue of the mouth
and eyelids absent. Young, first plumage: Head and neck grayish brown,
lighter next to the gular sac, darker on the crown and nape; back, scapulars and
wings dull, brownish gray, the feathers bordered with dusky brown; rump dusky
brown; primaries and tail dull grayish black; lower parts light fawn color,
darker on tlie sides, anal region and crissum. Bill dull brownish yellow, nearly
black on the culmen; gular sac deep chrome yellow; iris greenish gray; legs and
feet deep black. Young, in winter: Similar to the above, but throat, jugulum
and breast paler, sometimes quite white."

Length.

Stretch of
■wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 33.00

52.00

13.00

7.00

2.20

2.30

Female . .

. 31.00

50.50

12.25

6.25

2.20

2.20

The birds are abundant on the northeast coast, decreasing in
numbers westward to the Kocky Mountains. They have been
reported west of the Eockies, and breeding there, but the speci-
mens taken on the Pacific side prove to be an intermediate race
between this species and albociliatus.

Tlie birds subsist chiefly upon fish, which they capture by div-
ing and pursuing beneath the water, with a speed the swiftest of
the finny tribe seldom escape, coming to the surface with their
capture, tossing the same in the air and catching it head first as
it falls, so that the fins will not prevent its passing into the stom-
ach. The throat readily expands and enables them to swallow
fish larger than the neck in its normal condition. I have often
noticed the birds when resting upon a log, or perched upon a
limb over the water, suddenly drop and disappear beneath its
surface at the sight of a fish, catching it, however, in a fair chase,
and not, like the Gannet or Kingfisher, by a plunge upon their
prey.

BIBBS OF KANSAS. 41

All the birds of this family are voracious eaters, and the craving
for food makes them active hunters, and they are successfully
used in many places by the fishermen, who tie a string around
their neck to prevent their swallowing the fish they catch. The
Chinese especially rear and train the birds upon their boats for
fishing, with great success. Le Comte says: "To this end they
are educated as men rear up spaniels or hawks, and one man
can easily manage a hundred. The fisher carries them out into
the lake, perched on the gunnel of the boat, where they con-
tinue tranquil, and expecting his order with patience. When
arrived at the proper place, at the first signal given each flies
a different way to fulfill the task assigned it. It is very pleas-
ant on this occasion to behold with what sagacity they portion
out the lake or the canal where they are upon duty. They hunt
about, they plunge, they rise an hundred times to the surface,
until they have at last found their prey. They then seize it
with their beak by the middle, and cari-y it without fail to their
master. When the fish is too large they then give each other
mutual assistance — one seizes it by the head, the other by the
tail, and in this manner carry it to the boat together. There the
boatman stretches out one of his long oars, on which they perch,
and being delivered of their burden, they fly off to pursue their
sport. When they are wearied he lets them rest for a while;
but they are never fed till their work is over. In this manner
they supply a very plentiful table; but still their natural glut-
tony cannot be reclaimed even by education. They have always,
while they fish, the same string fastened around their throats
to prevent them from devouring their prey, as otherwise they
would at once satiate themselves and discontinue the pursuit the
moment they had filled their bellies."

The birds breed in communities, and where the ground or
rocks will admit, their nests ai-e placed close together. On tlie
last of July, 18S0, I found the birds breeding in the Gulf of St.
Lawrence, on the sides of the cliffs on Bonaventure Isle, and
on the top of Perce Eock. The latter cannot be climbed, and
nearly all the nests upon tlie isle were beyond reach; those ex-
amined, however, had young birds from half to nearly full

42 HISTORY OF THE

o-rowi), and hundreds of little fellows could be seen either upon
their nests or standing near by upon the rock.

The birds are very filthy, and the stench about their breed-
ing grounds sickening. Their nests are made of sticks, moss
from the rocks, and seaweed. Eggs three or four, 2.50x1.56;
pale bluish green, coated with a white chalky substance, but more
or less stained in their dirty nests; in form, elongate ovate.

Phalacrocorax mexicanus (Brandt).

MEXICAN CORMORANT.
PLATE HI.

A rare visitant; a single specimen taken four miles south of
Lawrence, April 2d, 1872, by Mr. George D. Allen, and re-
ported by Prof. F. H. Snow.

B. 635. K. G44. C. 754. G. 305, 17. U. 121.

Habitat. Central America to southern United States; nortli
in the interior to Kansas and southern Illinois.

Sp. Guar. "Smallest American species of the genus. Tail feathers, .12.
Bill moderately robust, the unguis arched and strongly hooked, the culmeu
slightly concave in the middle portion, and gently ascending basally. Bare
skin of the face extending fartherest back on the side of the head, forming
quite an angle behind the rictus; feathers of the throat advancing forward to a
little anterior to the rictus, the middle portion sometimes slightly indented by
an obtuse angle of the naked skin of the gular sac. Scapulars and wing cov-
erts rather narrow and tapering, and nearly or quite pointed. Adult, {in full
breeding plumage?): Gular sac bordered posteriorly by a line of white reaching
upward nearly or quite to the eye. Head, neck, rump and entire lower parts
deep silky brownish black, with a very faint purplish-brown gloss in some
lights; back, scapulars and wings dark brownish slaty, each feather narrowly
bordered with black; primaries slate black; tail uniform deep dull black, the
shafts black. Superciliary regions, sides of the neck and anal regions orna-
mented by a few short and narrow white filamentous feathers. Bill light col-
ored (in skin), mottled with darker, the culmen dusky; gular sac brownish
(orange red in life?); iris green; legs and feet deep black. Adult, in icinter:
Similar to the above, but without the white filaments. Toting, first plujnage:
Head, neck and lower parts grayish umber brown, becoming gradually darker-,
or nearly black, on the nape, sides, flanks, anal region and crissum, and whitish
on upper part of throat, next the gular pouch. Upper parts as in the adult.
Iris green; bill dark fleshy, culmen and upper part of lower mandible dusky;
gular sac brownish; feet deep black. Young, in winter: Similar to the above,

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 43

but throat, forcneck, jiigulmn ami breast umch lighter colored, sornetiiues al-
most white.''

stretch 0/
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 28.50 42.50 10.40 7.25 l.SO 1.90

Female... o8.50 41.00 10.00 0.50 1.75 1.80

I have three of the birds in the Goss Ornithological Collec-
tion, taken in the early spring of 1881, at the mouth of the
Nueces Kiver, Texas. They appeared to be quite common, were
mating, and, from actions, without doubt upon their breeding
grounds. I also noticed a few of the birds in the winter of
1886, on the Chocon River, Guatemala, but cannot recall (with
certainty) meeting with them elsewhere in Central America.
In habits the birds are similar to the Double-crested.

Their nests are rudely constructed of sticks, leaves, etc., and
placed on bushes or trees, over or near the water. A set of
two eggs, taken the latter part of May, 1883, from a tree on the
banks of the Colorado River (near its mouth), Texas, are, in di-
mensions, 1.72x1.24, 1.74x1.28; bluish white, with a slight
chalky deposit; in form, elongate ovate.

Family PELECANIDJE. Pelicans.

"Bill greatlj^ elongated and excessively depressed, the terminal iuigiu.s very
prominent and strongly hooked: gular pouch exceedingly large and greatly dis-
tensible; lores and orbital region — sometimes other parts of the head also —
naked. Toes fully webbed, the outer almost as long as the middle, the inner
much shorter. Tail very short, nearly even or slightly rounded. Size usually
very large."

Genus PELECANUS Linnaeus.

"Characters same as those of the family."

Subgenus CYETOPELICAlsrUS Reichenbach.

Tail feathers, 24; lower jaw densely feathered; color white, with blackish
remiges. {Ridgway. )

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmel.

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN.
PLATE III.

Migratory; quite common. Arrive the first of April to first
of May; return early in September.

B. (515. R. 640. C. 748. (J. 30.3. 18. U. 125.

44 HISTORY OF THE

Habitat. Temperate North America; north in the interior to
about hititnde 61°, south in winter as far as Guatemala; rare
along the Atlantic coast; common in the middle provinces, the
Gulf coast, western Mexico and California.

Sp. Char. "Tail feathers, 24. Malar region completely feathered; color
chiefly white; bill, pouch and feet light yellowish or reddish. Adult, in full
breeding plumage: Oulmen with a narrow median horny excresence, situated a
little anterior to the middle of the culuien, the upper outlines more or less con-
vex, the fibers vertical, the size and exact shape variable. Plumage white;
sometimes tinged with pale pinkish, the narrow lesser wing coverts and jugular
plumes straw yellow or (rarely) purplish buff; primaries dull black, their shafts
white toward the base; secondaries dusky, edged both externally and internally
with ashy white. Upper part of the nape with a pendent crest of long, narrow,
silky, pure-white or pale straw-colored feathers. Bill chiefly orange, paler on
the culmen, the nails and edges of the maxilla and mandible more reddish,
mandible deeper red than the maxilla, growing almost brick red basally; pouch
dirty whitish anteriorly, where suffused with blackish, passing successively
through yellow and orange into intense dragon's blood or brick red at the base;
lower edges of the mandible sometimes blackish, and side of the mandible
sometimes marked, nearly opposite the nifixillary crest, with a somewhat quad-
rate black spot; bare skin of the lores and orbital region rich orange yellow;
eyelids dark reddish; iris pearl white; legs and feet intense orange red. Adult,
during the latter part of the breeding season: Similar to the above, but maxil-
lary excrescence wanting (having been cast), and the nuchal crest replaced by
a patch of brownish gray. Adult, in fall and winter: Similar to the last, but
no grayish patch on the occiput (crest also absent); the bill and feet clear yel-
low. Young: Similar to the winter adult, but lesser wing coverts brownish
gray centrally, the pileum similarly marked; jugular feathers short and broad,
and pure white, like the other feathers of the lower surface; bill, pouch and
feet pale yellow.

"Individual variation, both in size and in the details of coloration, is very
considerable in this species. Most descriptions of the perfect adult bird say
that the plumage is tinged with peach-blossom pink; but in only a single ex-
ample among the very large number examined by us (including both skins and
freshly-killed birds) was the faintest trace of this color visible, and that confined
to a few feathers of the back. The straw-yellow color of the narrow jugular
feathers and lesser wing coverts, however, seems to be always a characteristic
of the adult birds, both in winter and summer, though much paler in the former
season. The black along the lower edge of the mandible and the squarish spot
on its side are not infrequently entirely absent. The maxillary excrescence
varies greatly, both in size and shape; frequently it consists of a single piece,
nearly as high as long, its vertical outlines almost parallel and the upper outline
quite regularly convex, the largest specimen seen being about three inches high
by as many in length; more frequently, however, it is very irregular in shape,
usually less elevated, and not infrequently with ragged anterior, or even posterior,
continuations. This excrescence, which is assumed gradually in the spring,
reaches its perfect development in the pairing season, and is dropjicd before or

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 45

soon after the young are hatched; simultaneously with the shedding of this ap-
pendage the nuchal crest falls off, and in its place a patch of short, brownish-
gray feathers appears; this disappears with the fall moult, when the occiput is
entirely unadorned, there being neither crest nor colored patch."

stretch of
Length. zuing-. IVing. Ta.il. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 65.00 104.00 24.00 7.25 5.00 14.75

Female... 59.50 95.00 22.00 6.25 4.80 11.50

The birds are social in their habits, rarely quarrel, and are
seldom to be seen alone, are very strong upon the wing, soaring
for hours, often at an immense height. From their large size, re-
markably long bill, and expansive pouch, they readily attract the
attention of the most indifferent of observers; and it is an in-
teresting sight to watch the birds upon their feeding grounds,
as they unite to drive the fishes into shallow water, where they
can catch them, which they cannot well do in deep water, as
their skins are honeycombed with air cells that buoy them up
like a cork and prevent their diving,* and they do not plunge
for their food v.'hen upon the wing, like their cousins, the Brown
Pelicans, and therefore have to adopt fishing habits suited to
shallow water. I have often noticed the birds in flocks, in
pairs, or alone, swimming on the water with partially opened
wings, and head drawn down and back, the bill just clearing
the water, ready to strike and gobble up the prey within their
reach; when so fishing, if they ran into a shoal of minnows,
they would stretch out their necks, drop their heads upon the
water, and with open mouths and extended pouches scoop up
the tiny fry. Their favorite time for fishing on the seashore is
during the incoming tide, as with it come the small fishes to
feed upon the insects caught in the rise and upon the low forms
of life in the drift, as it washes shoreward, the larger fishes fol-
lowing in their wake — each, from the smallest to the largest,
eagerly engaged in taking life in order to sustain life. All sea
birds know this and the time of its coming well, and the White
Pelicans that have been patiently waiting in line along the
beach quietly move into the water, and glide smoothly out, so
as not to frighten the life beneath, and, at a suitable distance

* The statement In North American Birds — Water Birds, Vol. II, page 137, that this spe-
cies "dives with great celerity" is in error.

46 HISTORY OF THE

from the shore, form into line in accordance with the sinuosities
of the beach, each facing shoreward and waiting their leader's
signal to start. When this is given, all is commotion; the birds,
rapidly striking the water with their wings, throw it high
above them, and plunge their heads in and out, fairly making
the water foam, as they move in an almost unbroken line, fill-
iiio- their pouches as they go. When satisfied with their catch,
they wade and waddle into line again upon the beach, where
they remain to rest, standing or sitting as suits them best, until
they have leisurely swallowed the fishes in their nets; then, if
undisturbed, they generally rise in a flock, and circle for a long
time high in air.

Off the south coast of Florida (a coral formation) the shoal
water often extends out for miles, and the tide is scarcely per-
ceptible. There the birds have no occasion to dive, but gather
their food by coursing, and in such places the Brown Pelicans,
so expert in dropping upon their prey in deep water, are forced,
in order to save their necks unbroken, to feed in like manner;
this is especially noticeable in the shallow ponds in the Ever-
glades. Several years ago, in the month of September, I had
the pleasure of observing a small flock of the birds fishing in
the Neosho River, Kansas. When, late at evening, they were
forced by tired wings to stop in their southward flight, the place
selected was in still, deep water at the head of a fall or rapids
in the stream, where the water for some fifteen rods, and with a
depth of about six inches, was rippling and dashing over the
rocks, a natural feeding ground for the fishes. The birds after
first bathing and dressing their feathers, giving particular atten-
tion to their primaries, without any unity of action, as hunger
moved them, floated down over the rapids, picking up the fishes
here and there, until the still water below was reached, when
they would rise and fly back, to float down again, leisurely re-
peating this mode of fishing until it was quite dark.

The birds winter upon the seaboard in large numbers, seldom
going south of the Gulf coast or the Gulf of California; breed-
ing chiefly upon the islands in the large inland lakes, from Min-
nesota and California northward. They commence nesting on

BIRB^S OF KANSAS. 47

the west side of the Rocky Mountains as early as the middle of
April; upon this side about a month later. They breed in com-
munities; their nests are a mere depression worked out in the
sand; Eggs usually two; a set collected April 2Ttli, 1875, up-
on an island in Malhuer Lake, Oregon, and presented to me bv
Capt. Chas. Bendire, measure: 3.40x2.28, 3.58x2.29; in color
pure white (when not stained), with a rough, chalky shell; in
form, oval to ovate.

Family FREGATIDiE. Man-o'-wae Birds.

iiBlU longer than the head, thick, but broader than deep, the eulmen gently
concave, and the terminal ungiii strongly deciirved; nostrils obliterated; gular
pouch naked, but rest of head scantily feathered except on top, where densely
clothed; wings and tail excessively elongated, the latter deeply forked; tarsi
excessively abreviated, wholly concealed by feathers; toes weak and slender,
the middle much longer than the outer, which again greatly exceeds the inner;
middle claw with its inner edge flattened aud pectinated; webs occupying less
than half the space between the toes, A single genus only is known, which
includes two closely allied species, or perhaps, more properly, geographical races.
They inhabit the seacoasts of intertropical countries."

Genus FREGATA Cuviee.
"Characters same as those of the family."

Fregata aquila (Linx.),

MAN-O'-WAR BIRD.
PLATE III.

A stragler, Mr, Frank Lewis, of Downs, Kansas, reports to
me the capture of the bird, on the North Fork of the Solomon
River, in Osborne county, August 16th, 1880. It was killed
with a stone, while sitting on a tree. The specimen lias passed
out of his hands; but he sends me a photograph of the bird,
taken after it was mounted,

B. 619. R. 6:39. C. 761. G.— , 19. U. 128.

Habitat, Tropical and subtropical seas, chiefly north of the
equator; north regularly to Florida, Texas and California, acci-
dental to Nova Scotia, Ohio and Kansas,

Sp, Chae, "■Adult male: Entirely black, the lanceolate feathers of the back
and scapulars glossed with dull bottle green and reddish purple; bill liglit
purplish blue, white in the middle, the curved tips dusky; inside of mouth
carmine; gular sac orange; bare space above the eye purplish blue; iris deep

Tail.

Ta rsus.

Bill.

18.50

.80

4.7.5

IS.OO

.80

4.25

48 HISTORY OF THE

brown; feet light carmlue above, orange beneath. Adult female: Dull black,
the central area of the lesser wing covert region light grayish brown; back and
scapulars only faintly glossed, the feathers not lanceolate; breast with a large
white patch, extending downward along each side nearly or quite to the flanks,
and upward on the sides of the jugulum (sometimes extending around the hind
neck); iris dark brown; orbits and gular skin dark plumbeous, with a tinge of
violaceus; feet carmine. Young, {second year ?): Upper parts as in the adult
female; head, neck, breast and abdomen white; iris dull dark blue; bill horn
color, darker at base; legs and feet pale pinkish blue. Nestling: Covered with
a very fluffy white cottony down. The bare gular space, gular sac, legs and
feet differ largely in color with age and season."

stretch of
Length. wing. IVing.

Male 40.50 88.00 26.00

Female... 39.00 86.00 24.00

The birds are strictly maritime, and never wander far inland,
unless bewildered or lost. Their power of flight is developed
to the highest degree, enabling them to face the most violent
of storms; and when the waves are rolling mountains high, and
breaking upon the shoals and the beach with wild furj, and
most of the water birds have fled to sheltered retreats, this
species can be seen beating the wind and circling through it
with the ease of the swallow when it is calm.

The birds are parasitical in their habits, and depend largely
for their food upon the catch of the Boobies, Gulls and Terns,
which they swoop down upon and harrass until they disgorge
or drop their fish, catching the same without an apparent effort
before it reaches the water; and I have seen them catch the
flying fish, as they spring into the air to escape from the larger
fishes that prey upon them within their own element. The
birds course during tlie day in small flocks and alone, but at eve
gather together in larger numbers at their roosts, in the mangrove
bushes growing in or overhanging the water. They also nest
in communities, and in similar situations, on the bushes and
trees. Their nests are poorly constructed platforms of sticks
loosely interwoven. The female lays one egg, 2.75x1.86; in
color, white or pale greenish white, with a thick, smooth shell;
in form, ovate to elongate ovate.

7

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 49

Order ANSERES.
lamellirostral swimmers.

" Lamelllrostral swimming birds, witli straiglit bills, short legs (always
shorter than the wing), the tibiae usually completely feathered, and scarcely
free from the body; hallux well developed, though usually small, never absent.
Reproduction prsecocial, and young ptilopsedic; eggs numerous and unmarked,
with a hard, usually very smooth, shell.

"Like the Ondontoglossce, the order Anseres is composed of a single family,
which, however, includes a very numerous genera and species. The order is
represented in every portion of the globe, but most numerously In the northern
hemispheres. "

Family ANATIDJE. Ducks, Geese and Swans.
"Characters the same as those of the order."

Subfamily MERGINJE. Mergansers.

Neck shorter than the body. Tarsus shorter than middle toe with claw.
Lower mandible without trace of lamellse along the side, but with a series of
distinct, tooth-like serrations along the upper edge. {Ridgway.)

Genus MERGANSER Brissox.

"Bill longer than the head, the breadth uniformly about equal to the depth,
the serrations conical, acute, and pointed backward; crest occipital pointed, or
scarcely developed and depressed. Tarsus nearly three-fourths the middle toe
with claw. Tail about half the length of the wings. Bill mostly reddish."

Merganser americanus (Cass.).

AMERICAN MERGANSER.
PLATE IV.

Winter sojourner; quite common. Leave the last of Feb-
ruary to middle of March. Return late in the fall.

B. 611, R. 636. C. 743. G. 300, 20. U. 129.

Habitat. The whole of North America; breeding chiefly

north of the United States, but occasionally in the mountain

regions south to Arizona.

Sp. Chak. ^^ Adult male: Head and upper half (or more) of the neck deep
black, the elongated feathers of the pileum and nape distinctly, other portions
faintly, glossed with greenish; whole back and inner scapulars deep black;

50 HISTORY OF THE

rump, upper tail coverts and tail plain cinereous; sides of the crissuui (anteri-
orly) and femoral region whitish, narrowly barred with slate color; primary
coverts, primaries and outer secondaries plain blackish dusky. Remainder of
the plumage fine salmon buff in life, fading to butty white in dried skins; inner
secondaries narrowly skirted with black; base of the greater coverts deep black,
forming a distinct bar about half way across the wing; anterior border of the
wing dusky grayish or blackish. Bill deep vermilion red, the culmen and nail
black; feet deep red; iris carmine. Adult female: Head and upper half of the
neck reddisli cinnamon, the pileum and occipital crest (the latter much longer
than in the male) more brown, the lores grayish; chin, throat and malar region
white; upper parts, sides and flanks bluish gray, the inner secondaries white,
the exposed portion of the lower greater coverts white, tipped with dusky; outer
secondaries, primary coverts and primaries uniform slate color. Lower parts,
except laterally, pale creamy salmon color, fading to nearly white in dried
specimens, the feathers of the jugulum ash gray beneath the surface. Bill,
eyes and feet as in the male, but less brilliant in color. Doxcny young: Upper
half of the head, with nape, reddish brown, more reddish on the nape where
encroaching on the sides of the neck; remaining upper parts hair brown or
grayish umber, relieved by four white spots, one on the posterior border of each
wing and on each side of the rump; lower parts white; a stripe on the lower
half of the lores, running back beneath the eye, white; below this a narrow
stripe of deep brown, from the rictus back to the auricular region; a wide
stripe, occupying the upper half of the lores, from the bill to the eye, blackish
brown, this separated from the umber of the forehead by a very indistinct streak
of brownish white or pale brown."

Length.

Stretch of
luing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

^ale . . .

.. 2r5.oo

37. .50

10.80

4.7.5.

1.75

2.10

emale .

. . 24.00

34.50

9.60

4.25

1.65

2.00

These birds are common in the northern and middle portions
of the continent; breeding on the inhmd lakes and streams
usually north from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and west to Alaska;
in winter, south to the Gulf coast, southern California, and occa-
sionally Mexico and Central America.

Early in the month of May, 1832, Nuttall found a mother
bird, with a brood of eight little ones, on the Susquehanna river,
near the gorge of the Alleghanies. Dr. C. Hart Merriam says:
"In the Adirondack region, northeastern New York, the birds
are a common summer resident, breeding on numerous lakes,
very abundant in the fall." And I saw, on and near the head
of the Pecos River, New Mexico, (latitude 35° 45', elevation
6,800 feet,) a female with four little chicks not over ten days
old; and I am inclined to think the birds will prove to be quite

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 51

a common summer resident in the mountains within the United
States. The birds seem to prefer for their feeding grounds the
pools in the swift, shallow, rocky streams. They are expert
divers, and subsist cliiefly upon fish, and their flesh, like that of
all this family, tastes rather rank and fishy.

The nests are placed in hollow trees and stubs; composed of
leaves, moss and grasses, and lined with down from the birds.*
Eggs usually eight to ten — as high as fourteen are said to have
been found, 2.65x1.78; pale buif or bufify white; in form, oval
to ovate.

Merganser serrato (Linn.).

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.
PLATE IV.

Winter visitant; rare.

B. 612. Ft. 637. C. 744. G. 301, 21. U. 130.

Habitat. Northern portion of northern hemisphere; breeding

from the northern United States to Greenland; south in winter

throughout the United States.

Sp. Char. ''Adult male: Head dull greenish black, duller and more brown-
ish on the forehead and throat, the crest faintly glossed with purplish; neck and
sides of the jugulum pale fawu color or dull buff, indistinctly streaked with black,
the streaks being on the edges of the feathers; a white collar around upper part
of neck, just below the black. Lower parts pure creamy white, the sides and
flanks undulated with narrow zigzag bars of black. Back and scapulars uni-
form black; shoulders overhung by a tuft of broad feathers, broadly margined
with black, the ceutral space being white. Anterior and outer lesser wing cov-
erts dark slate gray, darker centrally; posterior lesser coverts and middle coverts
wholly white; greater coverts with the terminal half white, the basal half black,
partly exposed, thus forming a narrow band or bar across the wing; two inner
tertials wholly black, the rest white, edged with black; inner secondaries en-
tirely white; outer secondaries, primary coverts and primaries black. Rump
and upper tail coverts dark ash gray, with black shafts centrally, finely mottled
laterally with white and black zigzags. Tail slate gray, with black shafts.
Bill deep carmine, the culmen black, the nail yellowish; iris carmine; feet bright
red. Adult female: Head and neck cinnamon brown, duller and more grayish
on the pileum and nape, the crest shorter than in the male; throat and lower
parts white; the sides and flanks ash gray. Upper parts dark ash gray, the
feathers with darker shafts; exposed portion of greater coverts and secondaries
white, the base of the latter black, but seldom showing as a narrow bar; prima-
ries black. Bill, eyes and feet as in the male, but less intense in color. Young:
Similar to the adult female, but chin and throat pale reddish instead of pure

* All of the Duck family that line their nests with down pluck the same from their breasts,
chiefly after ihey begin to sit.

52 HISTORY OF THE

white, the lower part of the neck and jugnhini brownish white, with the feathers
mouse gray beneath the surface; black at base of secondaries exposed, forming
a narrow bar between two white areas. Downy young: . Above, hair brown; the
posterior border of eacli w'iug and a large spot on each side of the rump yellow-
ish white; lower parts, including the malar region, yellowish white; side of head
and neck reddish cinnamon, paler on the lores, which are bordered above by a
dusky stripe running back to the anterior angle of the eye, and below by a dark
brown, rather indistinct, rictal stripe; lower eyelid white."

Stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 23.50 83.50 9.25 4.00 l.So 2.40

Female... 21.50 31.50 8.75 3.50 1.80 2.20

The birds are found throiigliout the interior, but not as com-
mon as upon or near the seacoast. During the winter months
I have seen a few of the birds at San Diego, and found them
abundant in Puget Sound, also in the Bay of Fundy, and breed-
ing on Grosse Isle, one of the Magdalen group, in the Gulf of
St. Lawrence.

In their food habits similar to the Buff-breasted. Their nests
are placed upon the ground, near the water, and usually in a
thick growth of grass, composed of leaves, moss and grass, and
lined with down and feathers. Eggs usually eight to ten, 2.56
xl.77; cream drab, with an olive tinge; in form, ovate to ellip-
tical ovate.

Genus LOPHODYTES Reichenbach.

"Bill shorter than the head, black; serrations compressed, low, short, in-
serted obliquely on the edge of the bill. Tail more than half as long as the
wings. Tarsus about two-thirds as long as the longest toe with claw. Head
with a full, semicircular, compressed crest of hair-like feathers."

Lophodytes cucullatus (Linn.).

HOODED MERGANSER.
PLATE IV.

Resident; rare; common in winter. Begin laying the last of
April.

B. 613. E. 638. C. 745. G. 302, 22. U. 131.

Habitat. North America in general, south to Mexico and
Cuba, north to Alaska, accidental in Greenland, casual in Eu-
rope; breeding nearly throughout its range.

Sp. Chak. ^* Adult male: Head, neck, back and scapulars black; crest
chiefly pure white, but bordered by a distinct ' rim ' of black; forehead and feath-
ers round the base of bill dark fuliginous, but this blending insensibly into the

BinnS OF KANSAS. 53

deep black. Wing coverts dark gray, lighter and more ashy posteriorly; greater
coverts broadly tipped with white, the base black, this exposed sufficiently to
show a distinct band; inner secondaries with their exposed surface (inclosed
wing) white, the basal portion black, showing narrowly beyond the end of the
greater coverts; tertials with a central stripe of white. Primaries, primary
coverts, rump, upper tail coverts and tail brownish dusky. Sides of the breast
crossed by two black crescents, projecting from the black of the back, these
iuterdigitating with two white ones, the last crescent being black. Sides and
flanks rusty cinnamon (more grayish anteriorly), narrowly undulated with black;
remaining lower parts white, the posterior part of the crissum mottled with
grayish brown. Bill deep black; iris bright yellow; legs and feet yellowish
brown, the claws dusky. Adult female: Head, neck, jugulum, and upper parts
generally, grayish brown, darker above, the crest reddish hair brown or dull
cinnamon, smaller and of looser texture than in the male; chin, upper part of
the throat and lower parts, except sides and posterior part of the crissum,
white; middle feathers of the greater wing coverts tipped with white; inner
secondaries with their exposed surface white, except at the base. Maxilla black,
edged with orange; mandible orange; iris hazel; feet dusky. Young: Similar
to the adult female, but crest rudimentary or wanting, the sides and posterior
part of the crissum more distinctly brown. Doicny young: Above, deep hair
brown, darkest on the back and rump; posterior border of the arm wing, a small
spot on each side of the back (nearly concealed by the closed wing), and a larger
one on each side of the rump, grayish white. Lower half of the head ( from
about on a line Vith the eye) brownish buff, paler on the chin and throat; jug-
ulum light dingy brownish; remaining lower parts dingy white, the sides browu,
like the upper parts."

St7ctrh of

Wing.

7.75
7 25

This handsome species is common inland upon the sti-eams
and ponds, but I have seklom met with it upon the salt water.
The birds are swift in flight, graceful upon the water, and active
divers. Their food consists of small fishes, crawfish, frogs, and
all forms of insect life.

Their nests are placed in shallow holes and trough-like cavi-
ties in trees near the streams, and are lined with grasses, leaves,
feathers and down. Soon after the young are hatched, the
mother carries them by the neck or wing to a secluded retreat
at the water's edge. Eggs six to ten, 2.10x1.72; pure ivory
white, with a few neutral tints; in form, ovate to rounded ovate.

Subfamily ANATIN^. Kiver Ducks.

Lower mandible with a very distinct series of iamellse along the side, in
addition to the series along upper edge. ( Ridgicay.)

Length.

St7cirk of
wing.

Male

. 18.50

26. .50

Female . .

. 17.50

25.. 50

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

4.00

1.20

1.60

3.50

1.15

1..50

54 IIIHTORY OF THE

Gexus anas Linn^us.

"Usually rather large-sized ducks, with the bill a little longer than the head
or foot, rather broad, depressed, the edges parallel, the end rouuded; speculum
metallic green, blue, or violet, in both sexes, usually broader posteriorly by a
black band; this generally succeeded by a white one."

Anas boschas Linn.

MALLARD.
PLATE IV.

Resident; rare; in migration, abundant; begin laying the last
of April to first of May.

B. .576. K. 601. C. 707. G. 283. 23. U. 132.

Habitat. Whole of northern hemisphere.

Sp. Char. "■Adult male: Head and neck continuous soft, brilliant metallic
green, showing purple and golden bronze reflections in ditferent lights; a ring
of pure white round the lower part of the neck, interrupted on the nape; jugu-
lum and upper part of the breast rich dark chestnut; interscapulars brownish
gray, finely waved with grayish white; scapulars and lower parts grayish white,
delicately waved with dark ash; outer webs of tertials dark umber brown, this
also tinging the adjoining scapulars; wing coverts uniform deep brownish gray,
the last row tipped with opaque velvety black, and with a subtermiual bar of
pure white; speculum rich metallic violet, with a subterminal velvety black,
and terminal pure white bar; primaries plain brownish gray. Rump, upper
tail coverts and crissum intense velvety black, showing faint reflections of blu-
ish green. Tail white, the feathers grayish centrally. Two middle feathers
black, slightly recurved; the two longer upper tail coverts greatly recurved. Bill
olive yellow or ochraceous olive (in life), the nail black; iris hazel; tarsi and
toes fine rich orange red (changing to yellowish in dried skin). Adult female :
Wing as in the male. Above, brownish dusky, much variegated by broad, pale
ochraceous edges to the feathers; beneath, pale ochraceous, the feathers dusky
centrally, producing a thickly spotted or striped appearance. On the top of the
head the dusky predominates, as it also does in a loral and auricular line, form-
ing a lighter superciliary stripe between this and the crown. Downy young:
Above, deep olivaceous, relieved by two pairs of yellowish buff spots, the first
pair on the back, just behind the wings, the second at the base of the tail, the
first not confluent with the butt' of the lower parts; wings deep olivaceous, va-
ried on both edges with dull greenish yellow; pileum and nape olivaceous,
darker on the occiput, lighter on the forehead; a broad superciliary stripe, in-
cluding the sides of the forehead, sides of the head and neck and entire lower
parts, yellowish buff, deepest on the head, paler on the anal region and crissum;
sides more grayish, and crossed, between the wings and thighs, by two wide
patches of dark olive, projecting from that of the back. Side of the head
marked by a narrow but very distinct stripe of dark brown from the upper basal
ano-le of the maxilla to the eye, thence back to the confluent with the olivaceous

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 65

of the occiput; beiicaili llu' latter, alinost diirctly over the ear, au isolated spot
of the same."'

stretch of
Length. iviiig. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 23.75 38.25 11.40 4.25 1.70 2.20

Female... 21.50 36.00 10.60 3.75 1.60 2.10

The birds are widely distributed over the continent, breeding
from the southern United States to Greenland, but chiefly north-
ward. They are strictly fresh water birds, and abundant inland,
preferring for their homes the grassy ponds and marshes, sel-
dom frequenting the open waters of the larger lakes. In a wild
state, occasionally cross with other species, but as a rule are
monogamous, pairing each season. They are easily tamed, and
in a domestic state become polygamous. In flight, they are
swift and strong. Their food consists of snails, frogs, tadpoles,
insects, aquatic plants, seeds, and grains of all kinds; they are
also very fond of acorns, and upon our prairies during the fall
and winter feed largely upon corn, entering the corn fields at
eve and leaving at daylight.

Their nests are placed on the ground in the grass, at or near
the edge of ponds or sloughs, constructed of grass, weeds and
leaves loosely scraped or placed together, and lined with feath-
ers and down. Eggs six to ten, 2.30x1.60; dull greenish
white, or pale buffy green; in form, oval or ovate.

Anas obscura Omel.

BLACK DUCK.
PLATE IV.

Entered in first catalogue as "Migratory; rare;" but the
supposed specimens captured in the State, that I have seen,
prove to be the Mottled Duck. Other writers have reported
them in Texas, and as far west as Utah. I therefore have re-
tained the birds in the Revised Catalogue. Farther examination
tends to convince me that the writers were mistaken in the
birds, and that they do not come this far west. I have called
the attention of ornithologists to the matter, in Tlie Auk. Vol.
5, p. 44:4, and, until we have more light, will let the bird stand
as first entered.

B. 577. R. 602. C. 708. G. 283. 24. U. 133.

56 HISTORY OF THE

Habitat. Eastern North America; breeding from the more
northern United States to Hudson's Bay and Labrador. (West-
ern and southern limits imperfectly determined.)

Sp. Char. '■'Adult: Prevailing color browuish black or dusky, the feathers
edged more or less distinctly with pale grayish fulvous. Head and neck about
equally streaked with grayish white (more ochraceous near the bill) and dusky,
pileum nearly uniform dusky, and a dusky stripe back from the eye. Speculum
violet, changing to green in some lights, narrowly tipped with white, and with
a broad subterminal bar of velvety black; last row of coverts dusky brownish,
broadly tipped with black. Sexes alike. Bill yellowish green, the unguis dusky;
iris dark brown; feet orange red, the webs dusky. Downy young: Above oli-
vaceous brown, faintly relieved by six inconspicuous markings of light brownish
buff, situated as follows: One on the posterior border of each arm wing; one
(small and sometimes obsolete) on each side of the back, behind the wings, and
one, more distinct, on each side of the rump, near the base of the tail. Pileum
and nape (longitudinally) brown, like the back; rest of the head and neck with
lower parts light dingy brownish buff, paler on the abdomen; side of the head
marked with a narrow dusky stripe, running from the upper basal angle of the
maxilla to the eye, thence back toward the occiput, but scarcely confluent witii
the brown on the latter; an indistinct spot on the auricular region, with a still

less distinct dusky mark extending back from this to the nape."

»

stretch of
Length. iving. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 24.00 37.50 11.25 4.25 1.75 2.20

Female... 22.00 36.00 10.50 4.10 1.75 2.05

The birds are very common on the Atlantic coast, decreasing
in numbers westward. They appear to be as much at home on
the salt water bays, marshes and inlets as upon the fresh waters.

Their food consists of shell fish, Crustacea, frogs, and all forms
of insect life, also aquatic plants and grains, but are not as much
of a vegetable eater as the Mallard. Their flight is very rapid
and usually direct.

They breed throughout their range, but chiefly northward.
I found them breeding in Nova Scotia, on the islands in the Bay
of Fundy, and upon the Magdalen Islands; at the latter, espe-
cially on Grosse Island, they were very abundant. Their nests
are placed on the ground in grass or rushes, usually near the
water. It is a large, compactly-arranged structure of weeds and
grasses, slightly hollowed, and lined with feathers and down
plucked from the breast of the bird. Eggs six to twelve, usually
seven or eight, 2.33x1.75; ground color creamy white, to pale
greenish butf; in form, nearly elliptical.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 57

Anas fulvigula maculosa (Sexx.).

MOTTLED DUCK.
PLATE IV.

Kare. Arrive about the middle of March.

B. . R. . C. . G, , . U. 1.34a.

Habitat. Texas (probably New Mexico), north to Kansas.

Sp. Char. Top of head blackish brown, margined with very pale buff; chin
and throat Isabella color; cheeks buffy white with narrow streaks of dark brown.
Featiiers of breast, wings, npper parts and flanks blackish brown margined with
pale bnff. Under parts bnfty white, each feather with a broad, blackish-brown
spot near the tip, giving a decided mottled appearance. Under tail coverts
blackish, with outer margin of inner web reddish buff, that of outer web buffy
white. The four median feathers of tail blackish brown; the others fuscous,
margined with pale buff, having a V-shaped mark as in A. fulvigula, but of a
buffy white. Under surface of all tail feathers light gray, excepting the four
median, which are blackish brown. Lining of wing white. Speculum metallic
purple, feathers tipjjed with white. Bill has small black spot on base of lower
edge of upper mandible, as in A. fulvigula; feet reddish orange. Wing 10.05;
culmen 2.2.5; tarsus l.T.j; middle toe and claw, 1..50 inches. (Sennett.)

Female similar to the male, except that the black spot at the
base of the upper mandible is much paler. (A specimen de-
scribed by Mr. Sennett is wholly without marking.) Iris dark
brown; webs pale dusky; claws blackish.

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 22.. 50

35. .50

10.. 50

4.15

1.70

2.15

Female. .

. 21.00

34.00

10.00

4.00

1.65

2.10

In my Revised Catalogue I entered this bird 2^^ Anan fulvigula. '
In The Auk,Yol. 6, p. 263, Mr. Sennett described a new Duck
from Texas as a species, viz. . Anas maculosa^ which I found up-
on examination to be the Kansas bird, instead of the Florida,
as given. In the examination, however, I reached the conclu-
sion that the difference existing between the two birds was not
sufficient to warrant a specific separation, but rather a sub-spe-
cific one. I therefore, at the annual meeting of the A. O. U. ,
in 1889, called the attention of the council to the same, and
they by a unanimous vote sustained the conclusions reached,
and named the bird Anas fulvigula maculosa., as now entered.

In habits the birds are more like the Mallard than the Black
Duck, inasmuch as they are seldom found upon the open salt

58 HIST our OF the

waters, preferring the lagoons, sliallow ponds and niarsliy pools
of fresh water.

This bird is, without doubt, a summer resident within the
State. Their nests are usually placed on marshy grounds, in the
old, dead grass, and are lined with a few feathers and down.
Eggs eight to ten. One set of eight, collected near Corpus
Christi, Texas, May 27th. 1882, are in dimensions as follows:
2.08x1.62, 2.12x1.62, 2.10x1.58, 2.12x1.60, 2.12x1.59, 2.08
xl.62, 2.10x1.60, 2.08x1.69; in color, cream or pale buff white;
in form, oval to ovate.

Subgenus CHAULELASMUS Bonaparte.
Culmen shorter than middle toe without claw. Distance from anterior
border of nostril to tip of upper mandible more than three times the distance
from same point to nearest loral feathers; lamellae numerous, fine, more than
thirty being visible from outside; tail feathers sixteen. (Ridgtcay.)

Anas strepera Linn.

GAD WELL.

PLATE V.

Summer resident; rare; in migration, common. Arrive the
middle of March to first of April. Begin laying the last of
May. Leave late in the fall.

B. 584. R. (304. C. 711. G. 284, 26. U. 135.

Habitat. Northern hemisphere in general; south in winter
to Central America; breeding in temperate rfegions.

Sp. Char. ^^ Adult male, in fall, winter and, spring: Ground color of the
head and neck pale brown, or brownish white, thickly speckled with black; on
the pileum the brown deeper and more uniform, and the specks obsolete; on
the occiput, when present, they incline to the form of transverse bars. Jugulum
marked with greatly curved bars, or crescents, of white and black, the bars of
the latter wider. Lateral portions of the body beneath, back and scapulars
finely undulated, in curved transverse lines, with slate color and white. Many
of the longer scapulars plain brownish gray, broadly edged with a lighter, more
fulvous tint. Rump plain dull slate. Tail coverts, above and below, intense
opaque velvety black. Tail cinereous, faintly edged with white. Middle rows
of wing coverts bright chestnut, the anterior coverts brownish gray, and the
posterior ones deep black; last row deep velvety black. Speculum immaculate
pure white, the lower feathers cinereous (some with black on outer webs), nar-
rowly tipped with white; tertials plain pale ash, the primaries a darker shade
of the same. Bill bluish black; iris reddish ha/.el; feet dull orange yellow;
claws browuish blark; webs dusky. Adult mule, in summer: Crown brownish

"V

W •- -r
Hod

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 59

black, with a greenish tinge; an indistinct streak through the eye dark brown;
rest of head and neck dull brownish white, marked with blackish brown, as in
the previously-described bird (adult male, in spring); back, rump and upper tail
coverts dark blackish brown, each feather margined with rusty red; wings and
tail as in the bird above described; breast dull rusty red, each feather with a
central black spot; flanks flark brown, broadly markefl and margined with dull
rufous; the rest of the under parts dull white, each feather having a central
blackish brown drop-shaped mark. Adult female: Colors chiefly brownish
dusky and brownish white, in longitudinal streaks on the head and neck, and
in irregular transverse spots and bars on other portions. On the upper surface
the dusky prevails, and on the lower parts the whitish predominates. Wing
nearly as in the male, but the chestnut usually absent, the black less extended,
and the gray of the coverts generally more or less barred and tipped with white.
Abdomen and lower part of the breast pure white; throat finely streaked with
dusky. Doicny young: Covered with soft short down; head, nape, back and
rump dark dull brown; on each side of the rump and back of each wing joint a
sulphur yellow spot, the wing joints being marked with that color; forehead,
space around the eye, throat and chest pale sulphur yellow; abdomen white,
shaded with sulphur yellow, on the lower part sooty gray."

Length.

Stretch of

// 'ing:

Tail.

Ta rsus.

Bill.

Male . . .

.. 20.00

35.50

10.50

3.75

1.60

1.75

Female .

. . 18.50

34.00

10.05

3.70

1.55

1.75

This species is not uncommon in the interior, especially
throughout the Mississippi valley and westward. I have never
met with the birds upon salt water, except in estuaries and along
the edges of lagoons, nor far out upon the open fresh water;
their natural resorts are along the banks of reedy streams or
ponds, and upon marshy grounds.

The birds are rather solitary in their habits and are usually
found in pairs or small flocks. When approached from the
shore they do not attempt to hide, but boldly swim out into the
open water and at once take wing, fljdng swiftly, making with
their wings as they cleave the air a whistling sound like that of
the Baldpate, but not so loud. The birds unless winged rarely
attempt to escape by diving.

Their food is procured largely in shallow water, with head,
neck, and anterior parts of the body immersed; it consists
chiefly of insect life, snails, tadpoles, crawfish, bulbous roots,
water cresses, tender blades of grass, and also cereals. I have
occasionally started them from corn fields, but never far from
the water' 8 edge. They are easily domesticated, and their flesh

60 HIS TOBY OF THE

excellent. In the sn turner of 1885, I found young birds in a
pond, in Meade county, Kansas.

Their nesting habits are the same as those of the Mallard;
their eggs a little smaller and paler, usually eight to twelve.
A set of four, taken May 27th, 1868, at Horicon Lake, Wiscon-
sin, are, in dimensions, 2.20x1.50, 2.19x1.49, 2.21x1.50, 2.19x
1.52; pale buff white; in form, oval to ovate.

Subgenus MARECA Stephens.
"Bill small, shorter than the head, rather uarrow, the edges parallel to near
the end, where they gradually converge to a rounded tip; culmen gently con-
cave; laniellse of the niaxillte almost concealed; feet small, the tarsus about as
long as the bill; sexes very different in winter, much like in summer. Adult
male, in wiuter, with the scapulars and tertials (in the North American species
the tail coverts and rectrices also) lanceolate."

Anas americana Gmel.

BALDPATB.
PLATE V.

Summer resident; very rare; in migration, common. Arrive
the middle of March to first of April; return in October.

B. 585. E. 607. C. 713. G. 286, 27. U. 137.

Habitat. North America in general; breeding chiefly north

of the United States; south in winter to Guatemala and Cuba.

Sp. Char. '■' Adidt male, in winter: Forehead and middle of crown (longi-
tudinally) white, generally immaculate; ground color of head and neck white,
sometimes more or less soiled with grayish or brown, and thickly speckled with
black; a broad space of metallic blackish green on the side of the occiput, run-
ning forward to the eye, and sometimes down the nape, where the two spaces
are confluent; jugulum plain pinkish viuaceous; sides aud flanks the same,
delicately undulated with black; lower tail coverts velvety black; rest of lower
parts pure white; back and scapulars grayish white, more or less tinged with
the color of the sides, and similarly undulated with black; wing coverts immacu-
late pure white, the anterior portion of the lesser covert region cinereous, aud
the last row tipped with velvety black; speculum soft metallic green anteriorly,
velvety black posteriorly; tertials velvety black, sharply edged with white, the
lower one with its lower edge entirely pure white; primaries plain dark cinereous;
rump cinereous, minutely undulated on the edges of the feathers; upper tail
coverts velvety black, the iuuer webs mostly grayish; tail hoary cinereous; bill
light grayish blue, the end black; iris brown; legs and feet light bluish. Adult
female: Above, dusky grayish brown, with transverse, rather distinct, bars of
dull white or light ochraceous; wing coverts dark dull cinereous, broadly tipped
aud bordered with white; speculum dull black; head aud neck streaked with

BIRDS OF KANSAS. gj

blackish upon a dull whitish ground, the former color prevailing on the nape
and behiiul the eye; juguknn pale grayish vinaceous, the feathers darker beneath
the surface; sides and flanks deeper vinaceous; lower tail coverts transversely
spotted with brown; rest of lower parts pure white. Young male: Similar to
the adult female, but the colors more pronounced and the pattern better defined,
especially on the wing. Downy young: Above, dark olive, with a sepia tinge;
a spot of pale greenish fulvous on the posterior half of the wing, one on each
side of the back, and one on each side of the rump; lower parts, including head
and neck, pale fulvous; a distinct blackish olive stripe from bill to and back
from the eye, with a wide and continuous superciliary stripe of fulvous above it.
The chief variation in the plumage of adult males of this species consists in the
extent of the green patch and the amount of black spotting on the head, the
pureness of the white on the forehead, and the extent of the white patch on
the wing coverts. The green patch on the side of the occiput is usually poorly
defined, and broken up by lighter spotting."

Stretch of
Length. wing. JF/ng. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 21.00 34.2.5 10.00 .5..50 1.55 1.50

Female... 19.00 32.50 9.75 4.50 1.50 1.40

In the winter of 1883 I saw a small flock of this species upon
Amatithm Lake, Guatemala, and since met with a few on the
Culiacan River, Mexico; but the birds winter largely upon the
southern borders of the United States. I have often met with
them in quite large flocks along the Gulf coast and in southern
California.

This species, like most of the shoal-water Ducks, are to be
looked for along the edges of lagoons, grassy lakes and pools
of water. The birds as a rule are not shy, and their note, a sort
of whew, whew, whew, uttered while feeding and swimming,
enables the hunter to locate them in the thickest growth of water
plants; and when in the air the whistling noise made by their
wings heralds their approach; and as they are good eating, will
soon become very rare, if not wholly exterminated.

Their food and feeding habits, when thrown upon their own
resources, are the same as the Gad well; but in the fall often
subsist largely upon aquatic plants growing deep in both salt and
fresh water (the Vallisneria grass the favorite); but as they do
not dive in order to procure the same, they closely follow and
watch the Canvas-back and other deep-water Ducks that feed
upon these roots and grasses, snatching their catch from their

62 HISTORY OF THE

bills the moment their heads appear above the water, and hurry-
ing away to swallow at their leisure the food so cleverly stolen.

I have several times noticed the birds' in Kansas during the
summer months, and from the actious of a female that I saw
June 26, 1881, at a pond near Wallace, I knew that she had
young birds hidden in the thick, tall rushes growing in the cen-
ter of the pond; and they may occasionally breed within their
range, but their natural breeding grounds are in the northern
portion of the United States, and northward to the Arctic Ocean,

Their nests are placed in a bunch of grass or under a bush,
on dry ground, often quite a distance from the water; a mere
depression lined with grasses, leaves and down. A set of six
eggs, taken June, 1887, at Manitoba, measure: 2.01:xl.45, 2.05x
1.47, 2.02x1.45, 2.07x1.44, 2.02x1.43, 2.06x1.45; cream or
buff white; in form, oval to ovate.

Subgenus NETTION Kaup.

"Bill shorter than the head, narrow, depressed (except at base), the edges
parallel; tarsus shorter than the bill or middle toe; nape with a small mane-like
tuft; rectrices more or less acuminated, the middle pair longest."

Anas carolinensis GMELm.

GREEN- WINGED TEAL.
PLATE V.

Winter sojourner; rare; in migration, abundant. Leave m
April; return in September.

B. 579. R. 612. C. 715. G. 290, 28. U. 139.

Habitat. North America in general, breeding chiefly north
of the United States; south in winter to Central America and

Cuba.

Sp. Chae. '■'■Adult male: Head and neck rich chestnut rufous, inclosing a
broad patch of soft, dark metallic green on each side of the occiput, from the eye
(which it surrounds) down the sides of the nape, where the two areas of the
opposite sides touch a short nuchal crest of bluish black. The green patch
bordered anteriorly and beneath by a yellowish white line, and a less distinct
line of the same bordering the base of the upper mandible, extending thence
back to, and indistinctly following for a short distance, the upper anterior por-
tion of the green patch. Chin and upper part of the throat dull black. Front
of the jugulum deep pinkish cream color, with roundish and transversely ovate
spots of black. Collar around the lower neck, sides of the jugulum, sides and
flanks very delicately and beautifully undulated with black upon a white ground;

BTIWS OF KANiyAS. (33

outer scapulars similarly waved. Sides of the breast with a large transverse
bar of plain white. Crissum rich deep cream color, bounded anteriorly, and di-
vided medially, witli velvety black; post-femoral region waved like the flanks;
rest of lower parts plain white, sometimes tinged with cream color. Back,
scapulars, rump, wing coverts, primaries and tail plain cinereous. Outer row
of scapulars, with their outer webs, about half velvety black, bordered interiorly
with a white line. Last row of coverts broadly tijiped with deep ochraceous;
speculum opaque black narrowly tipped with white, the four or five upper
feathers with their outer webs richly brilliant soft metallic green, varying from
golden to violaceous, according to the light. Bill black; Iris brown; feet light
fleshy (horn color when dried). Adult female: Wing as in the male, but
duller. Above, cinereous dusky, variegated with edgings and transverse bars
of ochraceous white. Ground color of the head, neck and lower parts dingy
whitish, more or less tinged with ochraceous; head and neck speckled with
dusky, the spots enlarged and aggregated on the pileum, so as to form the pre-
vailing color, and also along the upper border of the ear coverts, producing a
stripe from the eye back. Jugulum, sides and flanks more heavily spotted with
dusky. Abdomen sometimes plain, but usually speckled. Bill brownish; iris
brown; feet pale brown (fleshy in life). Young male: Similar to the adult fe-
male, but entire abdomen and sides immaculate white. Downy young: Above,
grayish brown with a light grayish buff spot on each side of the back, and a
similar pair on the rump; wings crossed near the ends by a light grayish butf
bar. Head, neck and lower parts light dull buff; crown and occiput covered by
an elongated patch of grayish brown (darker than the back), this scarcely
reaching the forehead, but continued down the nape to the brown of the back;
a dusky streak behind the eye, not reaching to the occiput; below the posterior
end of this, an oblong spot of grayish brown."

Length.

Stretch of
-wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 14.50

24.50

7.30

3.10

1.20

1.50

Female. .

. 13.50

22.25

6.50

3.00

1.12

1.40

This handsome little Duck is usually found in small flocks
along the edges of shallow, grassy waters, feeding largely upon
seeds, aquatic plants and insect life; they fatten very fast in
the rice fields, and are very fond of acorns; and, in their search
for the same, I have started them quite a distance from the water.
The birds walk with ease, and carry themselves as gracefully
upon the land as upon the water. In exposed situations they
feed largely in the night, resting during the day upon bogs or
small bare spots, closely surrounded and hidden by reeds and
grasses.

On the 23d of March, 1887, I met with a small flock near
Orange Walk, on the Belize river, British Honduras, but they
winter chiefly along the southern borders of the United States.

64 HISTORY OF THE

I have found them in numbers along the Gulf coast and in
California. Thej breed from the nortliern United States to the
Arctic circle; their nests are usually placed upon dry grounds,
generally in tufts of grass, and often quite a distance from the
water. They are made of grass, weeds, etc. , and lined with down.
Eggs usually eight to twelve, 1.78x1.28; pale buff; in form, oval.
According to Mr. Dall, the birds frequently lay sixteen to
eighteen eggs; and Mr. Hearn says that this species is far more
prolific than any of the Ducks resorting to Hudson's Bay, and
he has seen the old ones swimming at the head of seventeen
young, when the latter were not much larger than walnuts;*
in July, 1880, I saw, at Grosse Isle, one of the Magdalen group,
a female with ten little chicks.

Subgenus QUERQUEDULA Stephens.

"Bill slightly longer than the head, the edges nearly parallel, the maxillary
tomium sinuated, so as to distinctly expose the lamellae for the basal half, and
the terminal half of the culmen slightly but distinctly arched. Otherwise much
like Nettion."

Anas discors Linn.

BLUE- WINGED TEAL.
PLATE V.

Summer resident; not uncommon; in migration, abundant.
Arrive the last of March to middle of April; begin laying the
last of May; leave late in the fall.

B. 581. E. 609. C. 716. G. 288, 29. U. 140.

Habitat. North America in general, but chiefly east of the
Kocky Mountains; south in winter to the West Indies and north-
ern South America; north to about latitude 60°.

Sp. Char. '■^Adult male: Head and neck dull plumbeous, slightly glossed
with lavender purple on the side of the occiput and nape, and marked in front
of the eyes by a large, somewhat cresceutic, patch of white, extending entirely
across the anterior portion of the head; pileum, chin, and feathers bordering
the white patches, blackish; lower parts pale reddish, thickly spotted with black,
the crissum uniformly black. Back aud anterior scapulars dusky, marked with
concentric or U-shaped bars of pale reddish buff; lesser wing coverts and outer
webs of some of the longer scapulars pale blue; middle coverts white for the
exposed portion, forming a bar across the wing; speculum bronzy green, dusky
terminally, with a very narrow white tip; tertials black, with a central stripe

♦ North American Water Birds, Vol. II, page 5.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. ,65

of buff; a white patcli at tlie base of the tail on each side; axillars immaculate
pure white. Bill uiiiforinly black; iris brown; feet yellowish. Adult female:
Wings, only, as in the male; upper parts dusky, the feathers bordered with dull
buff, the pileum and nape finely streaked; rest of head and neck, and lower
parts generally, brownish white, the head and neck streaked with dusky, except
on the chin and upper part of the throat, the streaks more dense immediately
before and behind the eye, thus forming an indistinct stripe on the side of the
head; feathers of the lower parts generally with dusky grayish brown centers,
forming spots when exposed, less distinct on the abdomen, where sometimes
obsolete."

Stretch of
Length. wing. IVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 10.00 2.5.2.5 7.50 3.20 1..30 1.65

Female... 15.00 23.25 7.20 3.00 1.25 1.60

I have only met with this little fresh-water Duck once in Cal-
ifornia, but have found it quite comnion in other parts of the
continent that I have visited; and during the summer months
it is abundant throughout the Mississippi valley. The birds
are very susceptible to cold, and leave for the south on the ap-
proach of frost.

They inhabit the sloughs, shallow pools, and the reedy edges
of ponds and streams. Their food consists largely of insect
life, roots and tender blades of water plants, and seeds; the
wild rice a favorite. Their flesh is tender and esteemed very
highly.

The birds are very swift in flight, and when under full head-
way it requires a quick eye and a snap shot to drop the one
aimed at. In alighting, they circle well over the ground, to
satisfy themselves that no enemy is near, but once down are not
watchful; and as they crowd closely together while feeding, as
w^ell as at rest, they are easily trapped or slaughtered by the mur-
derous shot gun in the hands of the pot hunter.

The birds occasionally breed throughout their range, but
chiefly in the northern United States and southern British pos-
sessions. Their nests are placed on the ground in coarse grass,
reeds or rushes bordering the prairie slough, and are conq^osed
of the same material and lined with down. Eggs eight to
twelve, 1.86xl.3i; cream or pale buff; in form, oval to ovate.

A set of eight eggs, taken in southern Dakota, June 13th,
1883, measure: 1.88x1.32, 1.88x1.37, 1.80x1.35, 1.79x1.35,
1.82x1.34, 1.86x1.37, 1.87x1.37, 1.82x1.35.

(56 HISTORY OF THE

Anas cyanoptera Yieilt-.

CINNAMON TEAL.
PLATE V.

Rare in eastern, but not uncommon in middle and western
Kansas; occasionally breed there.

B. 582. R. 610. C. 717. G. 289, 30. U. 141.

Habitat. Western America, from Washington Territory south

to Chili and Falkland Islands; in North America, east to the

plains and casual to Florida and Manitoba.

Sp. Char. ^^ Adult male: Head, neck aud lower parts rich purple chestnut,
(juUer — sometimes quite dusky — on the abdomen; pileum and crissum black;
scapulars and part of the back chestnut, marked with U-shaped bars' of black,
the middle of the back more dusky; tertials black, with a central stripe of buff;
longer scapulars similar, the outermost feathers with the outer webs light blue;
lesser wing coverts plain light blue; middle coverts dusky, tipped with white;
speculum uniform green, varying from metallic grass green to bronze; primaries
and primary coverts dusky; upper tail coverts dusky, edged with pale fulvous;
rectrices dusky, edged with brownish white or pale brownish gray; axillars im-
maculate pure white. Bill deep black; iris orange; feet orange, joints and webs
blackish. Adult female: Similar to that of Q. discors, but larger and deeper
colored, only the upper part of the throat (sometimes only the chin) unstreaked,
the abdomen usually distinctly spotted; jugulum deeply tinged with light
brown. Young male: Similar to the adult female, but markings on the lower
parts all distinctly longitudinal or streak-like. Downy young: Above, dark
olivaceous, relieved by a longitudinal, oblong oblique spot of deep greenish buff
on each side of the back ( behind the wings), and a similar spot of clearer yel-
lowish on each side of the base of the tail; the anterior spots confluent with
the yellow of the sides, the posterior ones isolated by the extension beneath
them of the olivaceous of the tail. Pileum and nape similar to the back, but
darker; forehead, broad superciliary stripe, and rest of the head and neck, ex-
cept as described, with the entire lower parts, deep yellowish buff, the sides of
the head marked with a distinct narrow stripe of dark brown, extending from
the upper base of the maxilla to the eye, thence back to the occiput."

stretch of
Leiigth.

Male 16.50

Female... 14.50

This western species is quite common east of the plains,
rare beyond, and but a straggler east of the Mississippi River.
Their habits, so far as they have come under my observation,
are similar to the Blue-wing.

The birds no doubt occasionally breed throughout their
range, but chiefly between latitudes 40° and 46° north. June

7ving;.

. Wing.

Tail.

Tarstcs.

Bill.

25.50

7.75

3.50

1.25

1.75

23.50

7.30

3.10

1.20

1.65

BIEDS OF KANSAS. 67

3d, 1885, I shot a female at a grassy pond, in Meade county,
with well-developed eggs in the ovary. I have since noticed
the birds in western Kansas, during the summer months. On
the first of June, 1877, I found the birds quite common at
Como Lake, Wyoming Territory; they were breeding in the
large, boggy marsh adjoining.

Their nests are made of grasses and lined with feathers and
down. Eggs eight to twelve, 1.87x1.38; creamy white or
pale buff; in form, oval.

A set of ^en eggs, taken in Kevada, June 1st, 1887, measure:
1,87x1.39, 1.90x1.36, 1.88x1.40, 1.88x1.41, 1.83x1.40, 1.80
xl.39, 1.92x1.40, 1.81x1.39, 1.92x1.32, 1.88x1.35.

Gexus spatula Boie.

"Bill longer than the head, much expanded, or almost spatulate, terminally,
where about twice as wide as the compressed base; maxillary lamellae very thin,
lengthened, almost completely exposed posteriorly, where resemble the teeth of
a fine comb. Tail short, the feathers acute.

"Of this very curious and well-marked genus, in which, however, there is
little that is peculiar except in the form of the bill, about five species are
known, one occurring throughout the northern hemisphere, the others peculiar
to South America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand."

Spatula clypeata (Lixx.).

SHOVELLER.
PLATE V.

Summer resident, rare; in migration, common. Arrive the
middle of March to first of April; begin laying the last of May;
leave late in the fall.

B. 583. R. 608. C. 718. G. 287, 31. U. 142.

Habitat. Northern hemisphere in geiieral. In North Amer-
ica, breeding from Texas to Alaska.

Sp. Ghak. '■'Adult male, in winter: Head and neck dark metallic bluish
green, much duller than in Anas boschas; breast and outer scapulars white, the
former sometimes spotted with dusky; entire abdomen and sides uniform chest-
nut; crissum dark metallic bluish green, bounded anteriorly by a band of finely
undulated grayish white. Back aud inner scapulars dusky, the feathers some-
times bordered with white; longer lauceolate scapulars marked with a mesial
lanceolate stripe of white; wing coverts light grayish blue, the last row tipped
with white, forming a narrow band across the wing; speculum bright metallic
green, very narrowly tipped with white; tertials dusky black, with faint green

68 HISTORY OF THE

reflections, and marked toward the end with an indistinct mesial stripe of gray-
ish white; primaries and tlieir coverts dull slate gray; rump and upper tail
coverts black, the former with faint (the latter with bright) green reflections;
rectrices chiefly grayish white, the middle ones dark gray edged with white.
Bill deep black; iris bright yellow; legs and feet beautiful orange red. Adult
female: Wings as in the male, but colors rather duller. Other parts grayish
brown above, varied with brownish white; brownish white below, the head and
neck streaked, the breast, abdomen, etc., spotted, with grayish brown. Bill
brown, maudible orange; iris yellow and feet orange red, as in the male.
Young male: Similar to the adult female, but lower parts ( always ? ) tinged with
chestnut. Young female: Similar to the adult, but wing coverts dull slate, with
little, if any, blue tinge, the speculum dusky, with a very faint green reflection,
and rather broadly tipped with brownish white. Doicny young: Above, grayish
brown, with a brownish white spot on each side of the back, and a correspond-
ing pair on the rump; pileum darker than the back and nape; head (except
pileum) and entire lower parts pale grayish fulvous, or dirty, grayish buffy
white, shaded with brownish gray across the jugidum; a narrow stripe of dark
brown from the upper angle of the base of the bill to the eye, and continued
posteriorly about half way to the occiput; another similar stripe beneath the
last, beginning a little behind the posterior border of the eye, and extending
farther back than the oue above it."

Length.

Stretch of
zutfig-.

Wing:

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . .

.. 20.00

32.50

9.75

3.75

1.50

3.60

Female .

. . 19.3.5

31.50

9.25

3.60

1.45

2.50

The birds are rare upon the Atlantic coast, but ratlier com-
mon throughout their range elsewhere; they are generally found
in small flocks. I have occasionally noticed them on salt water,
and often resting upon the open waters of our ponds and lakes,
but their favorite resorts are in shallow waters, among the
aquatic plants, where they largely feed, often with head and
neek immersed, dabbling at the muddy botton (like the Roseate
Spoonbill), and straining the mud from their catch through
their fine, sieve-like teeth. Their food consists of grain, tender
shoots and seeds of water plants, insects, snails — in fact all low
forms of life. When fat, are very good eating.

They are at home upon the land as well as upon the water.
In flight steady and strong, but not swift. Their voice is feeble
and seldom heard.

Their nests are usually placed near the water, upon dry
ground; if on marshy lands, upon a hummock; they are lined
with grass and down. Eggs eight to ten. A set of ten, col-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 69

lected May 27tli, 1868, at Horieon Lake, Wisconsin, average
2.14x1.50; greenish to buti" white; in form, ovate.

GeXITS DAFILA STEPIIE>fS.

"Bill longer than the head, narrow, the edges parallel, deep throngh the
base, bnt otherwise mnch depressed, the basal portion of the culmeu much as-
cending. In the male, the scapulars, tertials and middle rectrices lanceolate,
the latter elongated considerably beyond the other tail feathers. The adult
male in winter plumage very different from the adult female, but the sexes
much alike in summer."

Dafila acuta (Linn.).

PINTAIL.
PLATE V.

Migratory; common. Arrive tlie last of February to first of
March; return in September; often remain into winter.

B. 578. K. 00.5. C. 710. G. 385, 32. U. 143.

Habitat. Northern hemisphere in general; in North Amer-
ica, breeding from the northern United States northward to
Iceland, and south in winter to Cuba and Panama.

Sp. Char. ^^ Adult male, in tcinter: Head and upper half of the neck hair
brown or grayish umber, the upper surface darker, often inclining to deep burnt
umber; all the feathers (usually) appreciably darker centrally, producing an in-
distinctly and minutely-speckled appearance; on each side of the occiput the
brown has a metallic gloss of dull green, showing a faint purple reflection in
some lights. Upper half of the nape opaque intense black, separated from the
brown by au upward extension of the white of the lower neck nearly to the
occiput. Stripe on each side of the nape (as described above); lower half of the
Jieck frontally and laterally, jugulum, breast and abdomen immaculate white.
Lower half of the nape, with entire dorsal region and lateral lower parts, finely
waved with transverse, rather zigzag, lines of white and black, of nearly equal
width. Longer scapulars opaque velvety black centrally, edged broadly with
grayish white; outer scapulars, with exposed ends of the outer webs, entirely
velvety black. Tertials silvery ash, with a medial stripe of intense velvety
black. Speculum dull green, varying to dull bronzy i)urple, with a subterminal
bar of velvety black and a tip of white. Wing coverts very uniform brownish
gray, the last row broadly tipped with cinnamon rufous. Primaries dull slaty.
Upper tail coverts with outer webs black, the inner ones grayish white; lower
coverts deep opaque velvety black, the exterior row with their outer webs white;
post-femoral space delicate cream color. Tail feathers dark cinereous edged
with white, the elongated middle pair uniform deep black. Bill plumbeous
blue, the nngui, base and strip along the cidmeu black; iris brown; feet dusky.
Adult male, in summer: Head, neck and upper parts generally as in the adult
female, except that the abdomen is duller in co]or and less marked; back dull

YO HISTORY OF THE

dark brown, each feather having one or two irregular dirty-wliite bars, and
some being irregiilarlj' vermiculated with that cok)r; rump waslied with gray;
tall similar in color to that of the bird last described {i. e., adult male, in winter),
but the two central feathers are but slightly elongated; wings also as in the
last-described stage of plumage, but the elongated secondaries and scapulars are
shorter and blunter and in color dark gray, black along the center, some of the
latter being marked like the back; flanks grayish brown, every featlier having
broad yellowish-white bars; under tail coverts as in the female. Adult fe-
male: Above plumbeous dusky, variegated transversely with yellowish white or
pale ochraceous; these markings sometimes irregularly bar-like, but often of
U-shaped form, one on the edge and one in the middle portion of each feather.
Wing much as in the male, but metallic color of the speculum duller, the ochra-
ceous bar anterior to it paler, and the white terminal bar tinged with buff; wing
coverts narrowly tipped with whitish. Upper tail coverts broadly edged with
whitish, and more or less marked with irregular (usually V-shaped ) lines of the
same. Tail feathers dusky, edged with whitish, and with more or less distinct
Indications of distant bars of the same. Head and neck dingy whitish, tinged
■with brown on the superior surface, which is heavily streaked with blackish;
the other portions more finely and thinly streaked, the throat being nearly im-
maculate. Eest of the lower parts dingy white, the feathers more grayish
beneath the surface; crissum and flanks streaked with dusky, but abdomen, etc.,
usually Innnaculate. Young inale: Similar to the female, but markings on up-
per part more bar-like, and lower parts sometimes nearly wholly streaked.
Young female: Speculum dilute raw umber, marbled toward base of feathers
with dusky. All the feathers of the upper parts conspicuously and broadly
bordered with huffy white; lower parts elsewhere densely streaked with dusky.
Downy young: Above, grayish raw umber, with a white stripe along each side
of the back, a white space on the wing and a white superciliary stripe. Be-
neath, grayish white, with a faint yellowish tinge; an vmiber-brown stripe be-
hind the eye, and an indistinct space of the same over the ears."

Le«sth.

Stretch of
wing.

Whig.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 28.00

3(3.00

11.00

8.75

1.65

2.00

Female . .

. 22.00

33.00

9.75

4.50

1.60

1.90

This widely-distributed fresh-water Duck is one of the first
arrivals. It haunts the wet prairies, muddy flats and the edges
of reedy, grassy waters, feeding largely upon bulbous roots,
tender shoots, insects and their larvse, worms, snails, etc., and
on their return in the fall, upon the various seeds of water
plants and grain. I have frequently taken acorns from their
crops.

The birds seldom dive, and I never saw one do so while feed-
ing, but in searching for their food in the water immerse not only
the head but a large share of the body, and it is an odd sight to

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BIRDS OF KANSAS. 71

see a flock tluis tipjK'd up, and working their feet in the air, as
if trying to stand npon their heads. They move about with a
graceful motion of the head, and with tail partially erect, and
upon the land step off with a dignity of carriage, as if impressed
with the thought that they are no common Duck; in flight they
are veiy swift.

Their nests are placed on low, but dry, grassy land, and not
far from the water, usually under the shelter of a bush; a mere
depression in the ground, lined with grass and down. Eggs
usually seven to ten. A set of seven, collected May 1, 1879,
in Hancock county, Iowa, (extreme southern breeding limits
known,) measure: 2.10x150, 2.09x1.49, 2.09x1.50, 2.10x1.49,
2.13x1.50, 2.09x1.48, 2.08x1.46; pale grayish green to olive
buff; in form, oval to ovate.

Genus AIX Boie.

"Bill small, much shorter than the head, all the lateral outliues gradually
converging toward the end, the nail very large, broad and prominent, forming
the tip of the bill; lamellae completely hidden. Adult male, with the head
crested, the colors rich and varied, and the markings elegant; tertials exceedingly
broad, truncate."

Aix sponsa (Ltnx.).

WOOD DUCK.
PLATE VI.

Summer resident; common. Arrive the last of March to
first of April; begin laying the last of April.

B. 587. E. CIS. C. 719. G. 291, 33. U. 144.

Habitat. The whole of temperate North America; breeding

throughout its range. (Cuba; accidental in Europe.)

Sp. Char. ^'' Adult male: Chin, throat and foreneck pure white, sending off
laterally two branches, the first across the cheeks, back of, and nearly to, the
posterior angle of the eye, the second across the lower part of the neck, almost
to the nape; both bars tapering toward the end, and somewhat curved oi- fal-
cate in shape; a narrow white line begins at the point of the maxillary angle,
and is continued back on each side of the crown, widening considerably on the
side of the crest; a second white line commences about half an inch behind the
eye, and nearly the same distance above the end of the white cheek bar, and
follows the lower edge of the crest, where considerably wider than anteriorly;
remainder of the head silky metallic green, violet and purple, as follows: Cheeks
and space behind the white cheek bar soft violaceous black, in the latter region

72 HISTORY OF THE

extcndiug up to the lowi-r while stiijie. but in the anterior area Ixnuided above
and anteriorly by dark metallic greeji; the orbital region and auterioi' half of
the crest between the white lines metallic reddish purple; forehead, crown and
posterior portion of the crest metallic green; terminal portion of the crest, above
laterally, and beneath, dark metallic violet; jugulum rich purplish chestnut,
with a metallic purple gloss laterally, the front and lower part marked with
deltoid spots of white growing larger toward the breast; breast and abdomen
immaculate white; sides of the breast with a broad white transverse bar, and a
wide black one immediately behind it; sides and flanks pale fulvous bufl', deli-
cately undulated with black, the broad feathers forming the upper border each
beautifully marked with two black cresceutic bars, inclosing a white one; cris-
sum dull black, fading gradually into dull rusty fulvous on the anal region.
Back, lesser wing coverts and rump dark slaty brownish, very faintly glossed
with bronze, the wing coverts more slaty, the rump much darker, and gradually
deepening into black toward the upper tail coverts, which, with the tail, are
deep black, the latter with bronze green reflections in certain lights; a some-
what ovate patch ( pointed posteriorly) of rich dark metallic marijon purple on
each side of the rump, immediately behind the flanks; just behind this, the two
or three elongated lateral upper tail coverts are marked with a central stripe of
deep fulvous, falling gracefully over the sides of the crissum; tertials and ])os-
terior scapulars intense black, with rich velvety reflections of blue, green and
purple (chiefly the flrst), in certain lights; the longest tertials tipped with a
wide bar of white, the next black to the end, the third much shorter, much
narrower than the rest, pointed, and of a dull greenish bronze ccjlor; middle
and greater wing coverts steel blue, narrowly tipped with black; secondaries
('speculum') purplish steel blue, narrowly tipped with white, and with a narrow
subtermiual black bar; primary coverts slate color; primaries, with the exposed
ends of the inner webs, steel blue, the ends of the outer webs grayish oi- glau-
cous white, becoming slate color basally; lining of the wing spotted with slate
color and white. Sagittate longitudinal space on the culmeu and terminal
'nail' of the bill deep polished black; an oblong space of milk white from the
nostril to the 'uail;' a line or border of gamboge yellow following the basal
outline of the bill; rest of bill dark purplish red, deepening into scarlet just
behind the nostril; iris bright orange red; eyelids deep vermilion; legs and feet
dull chrome yellow, the webs autl joints dusky. Adud female: Feathers border-
ing the base of the bill all around, a space on side of the head surrounding the
eyes. and extending back in a point toward the occuput, chin and whole throat
white; remainder of the head plumbeous gray, the crown and slight occipital
crest glossed with nictailic green; jugulum brownish, the feathers marked cen-
trally with fulvous buff, those toward the breast tipped with white; remaining
lower parts white, the crissiun freckled with dusky grayish, the sides and flanks
raw umber brown, spotted with brownish white; back, rump and upjier tail
coverts hair brown, glossed in certain lights with bronze and reddish purple;
tail brightly glossed with greenish bronze; scapulars and tertials olivaceous
umber, richly glossed with reddish jiurple and bronze; wings as in the adult
male, but secondaries more widely tipped with white, and the four upper greater
coverts rich metallic reddish purple, more bluish in the center, bronzy toward
the edge and base, and narrowly ti|)pt'd with velvety black: hill dark i)lum-

BlJiUS OB' KANSAS. 73

beous. lli(> nail and loiiLntiidiiial space 011 tlie culnieu black: eyelids clnonie
yellow; iris raw sleinia; legs and feet yellowish brown. JDoirny young: Above,
deep hair brown, darker (or clove brown) on the pileum and tail; a dingy
whitish bar along the posterior border of the arm wing, and a roundish spot of
the same on each side of the rump. Lores, superciliary stripe extending back
nearly to the occiput, with lateral and inider parts of the head generally, bright
suliihury buff, crossed by a wide stripe of blackish brown extending from the
occiput forward to the eye; remaining lower parts dingy white, the sides brown-
ish, this crossed on the flanks by an indistinct whitish bar."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

JViiig.

Tail.

Tcirsiis.

Bill.

ale 19.50

30.00

9.25

4.75

1.45

1.35

emale... 18.00

28. .50

8.60

4.50

1.45

1.35

This elegant Duck, with its full flowing crest and rich, varied
attire, is unsurpassed in beauty by any of the water birds. It
is very common throughout the United States, along the slug-
gish streams, ponds and marshy grounds skirted with trees, or
near the wooded lands.

In flight the birds are very swift, and, without slacking their
speed, wind with ease through the thick groves and lieavily
timbered forests.

Their food consists chiefly of insect life, tlie tender shoots
and seeds of aquatic plants, grains, wild grapes and acorns,
which they gather as well from the vines and tree tops as upon
the ground; upon the latter they fatten fast, and at such times
their flesh is tender, juicy, and most delicious to the taste when
roasted — the proper, and in ray opinion the only, way a duck
should be cooked.

Audubon says: '•'Few birds are more interesting to observe
during the love season than Wood Ducks. The great neatness
and beauty of their apparel, and the grace of their motions, al-
ways afford pleasure to the observer; and, as I have had abund-
ant opportunities of studying their habits at that period, I am
enabled to present you with a full account of their proceedings.
When March has again returned and the dogwood expands its
pure blossoms to the sun, the Cranes soar away on their broad
wings, bidding our country adieu for a season, flocks of water
fowl are pursuing their early migrations, the frogs issue from
their muddy beds to pipe a few notes of languid joy, the Swallow
has just arrived and the Bluebird has returned to his box. The

74 HISTORY OF THE

Wood Duck almost alone remains on the pool, as if to afford us
an opportunity to study the habits of his tribe. Here they are,
a whole flock of beautiful birds; the males chasing their rivals,
the females coquetting with their chosen beaux. Observe that
fine drake ! how gracefully he raises his head and curves his
neck. As he bows before the object of his love he raises, for
a moment, his silken crest. His throat is swelled and from it
there issues a guttural sound, which to his beloved is as sweet
as the song of the Wood Thrush to its gentle mate. The fe-
male, as if not unwilling to manifest the desire to please which
she feels, swims close by his side and now and then caresses
him by touching his feathers with her bill, and shows displeas-
ure towards any other of her sex that may come near. Soon
the happy pair separate from the rest, repeat every now and
then their caresses, and at length, having sealed the conjugal
compact, fly off to the woods to search for a large Woodpeck-
er's hole. Occasionally the males fight with each other, but
their combats are not of long duration nor is the field ever
stained with blood, the loss of a few feathers or a sharp tug of
the head being generally enough to decide the contest. Al-
though the Wood Ducks always form their nests in the hollow
of a tree their caresses are performed exclusively on the water,
to which they resort for that purpose, even when their loves
have been first proved far above tlie ground on a branch of
some tall sycamore. While the female is depositing her eggs
the male is seen to fly swiftly past the hole in which she is hid-
den, erecting his crest and sending forth his love notes, to
which she never fails to respond. On the ground the Wood
Duck runs nimbly and with more grace than most other birds
of its tribe. On reaching the shore of a pond or stream, it im-
mediately shakes its tail sidewise, looks around, and proceeds
in search of food. It moves on the larger branches of trees
with the same apparent ease; and, while looking at thirty or
forty of these birds perched on a single sycamore on the bank
of a secluded bayou, I have conceived the sight as beautiful
as any that I ever enjoyed. They always remind me of the
Muscovy Duck, of which they look as if a higldy finished and

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 75

flattering iiiiiiiatnre. Thej frequently prefer walking on an in-
clined log or the fallen trunk of a tree, one end of which lies in
the w^ater while the other rests on the steep bank, to betaking
themselves to flight at the sight of an approaching enemy. In
this manner I have seen a whole flock walk from the water into
the woods, as a steamer was approaching them in the eddies of
the Ohio or Mississippi. They swim and dive well, when
wounded and closely pursued, often stopping at the edge of the
water with nothing above it but the bill, but at other times run-
ning a considerable distance into the woods or hiding in a cane-
brake beside a log. In such places I have often found them,
having been led to their place of concealment by my dog.
When frightened they rise by a single spring from the water,
and are as apt to make directly for the woods as to follow the
stream. When they discover an enemy while under the cover
of shrubs or other plants, on a pond, instead of taking to wing
they swim off in silence among the thickest weeds, so as gener-
erally to elude your search by landing and running over a nar-
row piece of ground to another pond. In autumn a whole
covey may often be seen standing or sitting on a floating log
pluming and cleaning themselves for hours. On such occasions
the knowing sportsman commits great havoc among them, kill-
ing half a dozen or more at a shot."

The birds nest in holes in trees on or near the banks of
streams, usually in a trough-like cavity of a large, broken limb,
lined sparingly with grass, weeds or leaves, and a few feathers
with down. Eggs six to fifteen, 2.00x1.50; cream to buflf
white, smoothly polished; in form, oval to ovate. A set of
seven eggs, taken June 4th, 1887, in Blackhawk county, Iowa,
out of a hole in a stub, seven feet from the ground, are, in di.
mensions: 2.02x1.50, 1.99x1.50, 2.02x1.54, 2.00x1.51, 1.98x
1.52, 1.93x1.49, 1.99x1.50. I have found them nesting in the
Neosho valley, Kansas, in large elm and sycamore trees, at least
seventy feet from the ground. When the nests are too high
for the little ones to drop in safety, the mother carries them,
one at a time, in her bill to the water's edge.

76 HI ti TORY OF THE

Genus AYTHYA Boie.
Culmen louger than iuuer toe with claw; bill not wider uear end than at
base; head and neck reddish in adult males. Bill ihuch shorter than middle
toe without claw, its greatest width nearlj- half the length of the culmen, the
end moderately depressed, and the nail decidedly hooked. {Ridgway.)

Aytliya^ americana (Eyt.).

REDHEAD.
PLATE VI.

Migratory; common. Arrive the first of March to middle of
April; return in September.

B. 591. E. 618. C. 723. G. 296, 34. U. 146.

Habitat. North America in general; breeding from Califor-
nia, Wisconsin and Maine northward.

Sp. Char. "Bill much shorter than the middle toe without claw, broad, the
end moderately depressed, and with the nail decidedly decurved, the culmen
about two and a half times the greatest width of the maxilla, and decidedly
concave. Adult male: Head and npper half, or more, of the neck rich reddish
chestnut, the latter glossed with reddish purple; lower part of the neck, jugu-
lum, anterior part of the back, lower part of the rump, upper tail coverts and
crissum black; back, scapulars, sides and flanks densely vermiculated with white
and dusky in about equal proportion; anal region similarly (but more faintly)
marked; entire abdomen innnaculate white; wing coverts deep plumbeous gray,
faintly and minutely sprinkled with white; secondaries ('speculum") pale bluish
gray, the upper feathers edged with black, the others narrowly tipped with white;
primaries dusky, the inner quills slate gray, except at ends; tail dusky. Bill
pale blue, the end black; iris red; feet bluish gray. Adult female: Head and
neck grayish brown, darkest above; the anterior part of the head lighter, almost
white on the chin and upper part of the throat; jugulum, sides and flanks dull
grayish brown, the feathers tipped with fulvous; wings as in the male, but the
coverts plain slate color; back and scapular grayish brown, the feathers with
paler tips; rump, upper tail coverts and tail dusky grayish brown; anal region
paler; longer lower tail coverts whitish. Bill plumbeous, the end black; iris yel-
low; leet plumbeous. Downy young: Above, ochraceous olive brown, indistinctly
relieved by an olive-yellow spot back of each wing, one on the hind border of
each arm wing, and one on each side of the rump; entire head and neck (except
the pileum and nape), with whole lower parts, deep buft' yellow, paler and less
yellow on abdomen and anal region. No dark markings whatever on side of
head. Bill and feet light colored (brownish in dried skin).'"

sty etch of

Length.

wing.

Jl'ing.

Tail.

Tars7ts.

Bill.

Male . . . .

. 21.00

33.50

9.25

2.75

1.60

1.90

Female . .

. 18.50

32.00

8.70

2.80

1.60

1.80

This deep-water Duck, though widely distributed, is not so
common on the Pacific slope as east of the Rocky Mountains.

BIEDS OF KANSAS. 77

It is usually found in flocks upon the open waters, associating
with the Canvas-back, and diving with them for its food, which
chiefly consists of small moUusks, Crustacea, fishes, frogs, water
newts, and various kinds of submarine and fresh-water grasses
and plants. I have occasionally noticed the birds in shallow
water dabbling in the mud.

They are much sought after by the gunner, for they are a
good table Duck, and in the market are often sold for the highly-
prized Canvas-back, which they rather closely resemble. They
are therefore very wary, and oflE at the sight of an intruder.
Various methods are resorted to in order to bag them, tolling,
netting, etc., but they are mostly shot on the wing over decoys,
from blinds, punts, and points of land extending out into the
water. When suddenly started they spring from the water in
a wild, confused manner, often with a quacking note, but once
fairly in the air fly swiftly and straight as an arrow.

Their nests are usually placed on low, grassy grounds and
near the water. Eight nests, containing from one to five eggs,
were found by my brother. May 2-l:th, 1868, on a small island
in Horicon Lake, Wisconsin. They were all near together,
(Mallards and other Ducks were nesting beside them,) in a thick
growth of grass and weeds, and not over twenty feet from the
water's edge; they were rather loosely made of the grasses and
material at hand, and lined with down. It was too early in the
season for a full set, which is usually seven to ten. A set of
eight, taken in northern Dakota, June 2d, 1880, from a nest in
rushes at the edge of the water, are, in dimensions: 2.64x1.73,
2.50x1.79, 2.42x1.76, 2.42x1.80, 2.52x1.80, 2.47x1.70, 2.54
xl. 76, 2.64x1.79; grayish white to pale greenish buff; inform,
oval to ovate.

Aythya vallisneria (Wils.).

CANVAS-BACK.
PLATE VI.

Migratory; irregular; not uncommon. Arrive early in
March — my notes show the capture of one February 22d; re-
turn in October.

B. .592. R. 617. C. 724. G. 295, 35. U. 147.

78 HISTORY OF THE

Habitat: North America in general; breeding far northward.

Sp. Char. "Bill loug and narrow, the eud much depressed, with the nail
scarcely deciirved, the base high, with the culmen gradually sloping and scarcely
concave; culmen nearly as long as middle toe without claw, and about three
times the greatest width of the maxilla. Adult male: Head and neck chestnut
rufous, the former brownish dusky (sometimes quite blackish) anteriorly and
on top; jugulinn and anterior part of back, lower part of rump, upper tail cov-
erts and posterior part of crissum black; back, scapulars, flanks, sides and anal
regions white, finely and delicately vermiculated with dusky; breast and abdo-
men Immaculate white. Wing coverts deep ash gray, finely sprinkled with
white; secondaries (speculum) lighter, more bluish gray, the upper feathers
edged with black; tertials like the longer scapulars; primaries slate color, the
inner quills more clnei-oiis, except at ends, where dusky; tall dusky. Bill en-
tirely greenish black; iris carmine red; feet bluish gray. Adult female: Head,
neck, jugulum and anterior part of back raw-umber bi'owu, a post-ocular space
and the foreneck whitish, the chin, throat and cheeks tinged with fulvous;
wings as in the male, but coverts almost or quite uniform gray; back, scapulars,
sides and flanks with only the exposed ends of the feathers vermiculated with
white and dusky, the remainder being grayish brown. Bill greenish black;
Iris brownish red; feet plumbeous."

Length.

^ Stretch of

wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . .

.. 22.00

34.00

9.25

2.75

1.70

2.40

Female.

. . 20.00

32.00

8.50

2.55

1.65

2.30

This highly-esteemed Duck is exclusively a North American
species; they have been found breeding on the inland waters
from Oregon and Manitoba to Fort Yukon, Alaska, and south
in winter to Guatemala, The birds are quite rare in the north-
eastern States, increasing in numbers westward to the Pacific
coast; some seasons very common. As they associate in large
flocks upon their feeding grounds, are generally thought to be
more abundant than they really are.

This species, so highly prized as a game bird, is entitled to
more than a passing notice; and I know that I cannot please
the reader better than to quote from Wilson's interesting de-
scription of its habits, wherein he says:

"The Canvas-back Duck arrives in the United States from
the north about the middle of October; a few descend to the
Hudson and Delaware, but the greater body of these birds re-
sort to the numerous rivers belonging to and in the neighbor-
hood of the Chesapeake Bay, particularly the Susquehanna, the
Patapsco, Potomac and James rivers, which appear to be their

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 79

general winter rendezvous. Beyond this to the south, I can find
no certain account of them. At the Susquehanna, they are called
Canvas-backs; on the Potomac, White-backs, and on the James
Kiver, Shelldrakes. They are seldom found a great distance up
any of these rivers, or even in the salt water bay; but in that
particular part of the tide water where a certain grass-like plant
grows, on the roots of which they feed. This plant, which is
said to be a species of Vallisneria, grows on fresh-water shoals
of from seven to nine feet (but never where these are occa-
sionally dry), in long, narrow grass-like blades of four or five
feet in length; the root is v/hite, and has some resemblance to
small celery. This grass is in many places so tliick that a boat
can with difiiculty be rowed through it, it so impedes the oars.
The shores are lined with large quantities of it, torn up by the
Ducks and drifted up by the winds, lying like hay in windrows.
Wherever this plant grows in abundance the Canvas-backs may
be expected either to pay occasional visits or to make it their
regular residence during the winter. It occurs in some parts
of the Hudson, in the Delaware, near Gloucester, a few miles
below Philadelphia, and in most of the rivers that fall into the
Chesapeake, to each of which particular places these Ducks re-
sort; while in waters unprovided with this nutritive plant they
are altogether unknown.

"On the arrival of these birds in the Susquehanna, near Ha-
vre de Grace, they are generally lean, but such is the abundance
of their favorite food, that towards the middle of November
they are in pretty good order. They are excellent divers, and
swim with great speed and agility. They sometimes assemble
in such multitudes as to cover several acres of the river, and
when they rise suddenly, produce a noise resembling thunder.
They float about the shoals, diving and tearing up the grass by
the roc^ts, which is the only part they eat. They are extremely
shy, and can rarely be approached, unless by strategem. When
wounded in the wing, they dive to such prodigious distances,
and with such rapidity, continuing it so perse veringly, and with
such cunning and active vigor, as almost always to render the
pursuit hopeless. From the great demand for these Ducks, and

80 HISTORY OF THE

the' high price they uniformly bring in market, various modes
are practiced to get within gunshot of them. The most suc-
cessful way is said to be decoying them to the shore by means
of a dog, while the gunner lies concealed in a proper situation.
The dog, if properly trained, plays back and forwards along the
margin of the water, and the Ducks, observing his manoeuvres,
enticed perhaps by curiosity, gradually approach the shore, un-
til they are sometimes within twenty or thirty yards of the spot
where the gunner lies concealed, and from which he rakes them,
first on the water, and then as they rise. This method is called
"tolling them in." If the ducks seem difficult to decoy, any
glaring object, such as a red handkerchief, is fixed around the
dog's middle or to his tail, and this rarely fails to attract them.
Sometimes, by moonlight, the sportsman directs his skiff to-
wards a flock whose position he has previously ascertained,
keeping within the projecting shadow of some wood, bank or
headland, and paddies along so silently and imperceptibly as
often to approach within fifteen or twenty yards of a flock of
many thousands, among whom he generally makes great slaugh-
ter.

"Many other stratagems are practised, and indeed every plan
that the ingenuity of the experienced sportsman can suggest, to
approach within gunshot of these birds; but of all the modes
pursued, none intimidate them so much as shooting them by
night; and they soon abandon the place where they have been
thus repeatedly shot at. During the day they are dispersed
about, but towards evening collect in large flocks, and come into
the mouths of creeks, wliei-e they often ride, as at anchor, with
their head under their wing asleep, there being always sentinels
awake, ready to raise an alarm on the least appearance of dan-
ger. Even when feeding and diving in small parties, the whole
never go down at one time, but some are still left above on the
lookout.

"When winter sets in severely, and the river is frozen, the
Canvas-back retreats to its confluence with the bay, occasionally
frequenting air holes in the ice, which are sometimes made for
the purpose, immediately above their favorite grass, to entice

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 81

them within gunshot of tlie hut or bush which is usually fixed
at a proper distance, and where the gunner lies concealed, ready
to take advantage of their distress. A Mr. Hill, who lives near
James River, at a place called Herring Creek, informs me that
one severe winter he and another person broke a hole in the ice
about twenty by forty feet, immediately over a shoal of grass,
and took their stand on the shore in a hut of brush, each havine-
three guns well loaded w^ith large shot. The Ducks, which
were flying up and down the river in great extremity, soon
crowded to tliis place, so that the whole open space was not
only covered with them, but vast numbers stood on the ice
around it. They had three rounds, firing both at once, and
picked up eighty-eight Canvas-backs, and might have collected
more had they been able to get to the extremity of the ice after
the wounded ones. In the severe winter of 1779-80, the grass
on the roots of which these birds feed was almost wholly de-
stroyed in James Kiver, In the month of January, the wind
continued to blow from west-northwest for twenty-one days,
which caused such low tides in the river that the grass froze to
the ice everywhere, and, a thaw coming on suddenly, the whole
was raised by the roots and carried off by the freshet. The next
winter a few of these Ducks were seen, but they soon went
away again; and, for many years after, they continued to be
scarce, and even to the present day, in the opinion of my in-
formant, have never been so plenty as before.
. "The Canvas-back, in the rich, juicy tenderness of its flesh
and its delicacy of flavor, stands unrivaled by the whole of its
tribe in this or perhaps any other quarter of the world. Those
killed in the waters of the Chesapeake are generally esteemed
superior to all others, doubtless from the great abundance of
their favorite food which these rivers produce. At our public
dinners, hotels and particular entertainments, the Canvas-backs
are universal favorites. They not only grace but dignify the
table, and their very name conveys to the imagination of the
eager epicure the most comfortable and exhilarating ideas.
Hence, on such occasions, it has not been uncommon to pay
from one to three dollars a pair for these Ducks; and, indeed,

82 HISTORY OF THE

at such times, if they can they must be had, whatever may be
the price.

"The Canvas-back will feed readily on grain, especially wheat,
and may be decoyed to particular places by baiting them witli
that grain for several successive days. Some few years since, a
vessel loaded with wheat was wrecked near the entrance to Great
Egg Harbor, in the autumn, and went to pieces. The wheat
lioated out in vast quantities, and the whole surface of the bay
was, in a few days, covered with Ducks of a kind altogether
unknown to the people of that quarter. The gunners of the
neighborhood collected in boats in every direction, shooting
them; and so successful were they, that, as Mr. Beasley informs
me, two hundred and forty were killed in one day, and sold
among the neighbors at twelve and a half cents apiece without
the feathers. The wounded ones were generally abandoned, as
being too difficult to come up with. They continued about for
three weeks, and during the greater part of the time a continual
cannonading was heard from every quarter. The gunners called
them Sea Ducks. They were all Canvas-backs, at that time on
their way from the north, when this floating feast attracted their
attention, and for a while arrested them in their course. A pair
of these very Ducks I myself bought in Philadelphia market
at the time, from an Egg Harbor gunner, and never met with
their superior either in weight or excellence of flesh. When it
was known among these people the loss they had sustained in
selling for twenty-five cents what would have brought them
from a dollar to a dollar and a half a pair, universal surprise
and regret were naturally enough excited."

The nests of this bird are usually found in thick growths of
grass, reeds and rushes growing in shallow water. They are
made of grasses and material at hand, are built from the ground
up, and often quite bulky, and are lined with down. Eggs
usually seven or eight, 2.50x1.76; pale grayish olive green; in
form, oval to ovate.

Subgenus FULIGULA Stephens.

Culmen as long as outer toe with claw; bill wider at end than at base; head
and neck black in adult males. {Bidgway.)

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 83

Aythya marila nearctica Stejn-.

AMERICAN SCAUP DUCK.
PLATE VI.

Migratory; rare. Arrive early in March to first of April;
begin to return in October.

B. 588. K. 614. C. 720. G. 292, 36. U, 148.

Habitat. North America in general; breeding far northward.

Sp. Chak. "Head, neck and jugulum black, the first with a greenish gloss;
back and scapulars white, irregularly undulated with zigzag lines of black; wing
coverts dusky, finely grizzled with grayish white; secondaries white, tipped, and
sometimes narrowly edged, with black; tertials black, with a faint bottle-green
reflection; primary coverts dusky black; primaries similar, but the inner quills
pale grayish on outer webs except at ends, the gray growing whiter on the
shorter feathers; rump, upper tail coverts, tail and crissum dull black. Lower
parts between the jugulum and crissum white, the posterior portion (and some-
times the sides and flanks) zigzagged with dusky. Bill pale blue (or bluish
white) in life, the nail black; Iris bright yellow; legs and feet pale slate. Adult
female: Head and neck sepia brown, the anterior portion of the former, all
around the base of the bill, white; jugulum, anal region and crissum pale gray-
ish brown, fading gradually into the white of the breast and abdomen; sides
and flanks deeper brown; above, brownish dusky, the back and scapulars but
faintly or not at all grizzled with white; wings much as in the male.''

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill,

Male 19.75 33.00 9.00 2.80 1.55 2.00

Female... 18.25 31.50 8.50 2.50 1.55 1.80

This northern species (also the Lesser Scaup) are generally
known as the "Blue-bill," "Broad-bill" and "Black-head."
They breed from Manitoba north into the Arctic Ocean; and
are reported south, in winter, to Guatemala. I never met with
tlie birds there, and think they seldom go much, if any, south of
the United States. (I did, however, meet with the Lesser Scaup,
which is often taken for this species, on the Amatitlan Lake,
Guatemala, also in Mexico.)

The birds breed largely inland, but during the fall and winter
frequent the estuaries and salt-water bays. Their food is largely
procured by diving; it consists of small fishes, mollusks, Crus-
tacea, etc., also aquatic plants and seeds. When fat, are a very
good table Duck.

In swimming the birds have a habit of occasionally raising
their crests and uttering a rather low, booming note, also of

84 HISTORY OF THE

huddling together; and when at such times they suddenly spring
into the air, the roaring noise made by their wings is astounding.
Their nests are usually placed on dry, grassy grounds, at or
near the water's edge; a mere excavation, with but little and
sometimes no material except down. Eggs usually six to nine,
2.54x1,71; pale buffy olive gray; in form, oval to ovate. A
set of eight eggs, taken June 14th, 1882, in Labrador, measure:
2.61x1.70, 2.51x1.70, 2.51x1.70, 2.58x1.70, 2.50x1.70, 2.57x
1.71, 2.58x1.70, 2.50x1.71.

Aythya affinis (Ett.).

LESSER SCAUP DUCK.
PLATE VI.

Migratory; quite common. Arrive early in March to first of
April; return late in the fall,

B. 589. E. 615, C. 721. G. 293, 37. U. 149,

Habitat, North America in general; breeding chiefly north
of the United States; south in winter to Guatemala and the
West Indies.

Sp. Char. "Entirely similar to A.marila nearctica, but smaller. Beyond
the decidedly smaller size, we cau perceive no difference between this bird and
A. marila nearctica which seems to be constant. In most of the specimens be-
fore US, however, the green gloss of the head is much less distinct — in fact,
wanting entirely — or in many replaced by faint purplish; while the lower part
of the neck is usually dull brownish and quite lusterless, in many examples
forming quite a distinct collar, as in specimens of A. collar-is, though the color
is never so rufesceut as in the latter species. The zigzag markings on the back
and scapular appear to be, as a rule, somewhat coarser than in A. marila nearc-
tica. As in the larger species, the sides and flanks may be either marked with
dusky or quite immaculate."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 16.50 29.00 8.00 2.70 1.45 1.65

Female... 15.50 28.00 7.75 2.50 1.40 1.60

I have found this widely-distributed species very common,
from the Atlantic to the Pacific; usually in flocks upon the
streams and ponds, also along the coast in brackish waters, but
seldom out upon the open bays, where nearctica loves to resort.
In other respects their habits are the same. Their eggs are
smaller. A set of six eggs, taken June 20th, 1886, in Alaska,

BIRDS OF KANSAS. §5

measure: 2.26x1.52, 2.25x1.52, 2.20x1.50, 2.17x1.52, 2.25x
1.51, 2.21x1.50.

Aythya collaris (Doxov.).

RING-NECKED DUCK.
PLATE VI.

Migratory; common. Arrive very early; my notes show
their capture from February to May 21:th: usually leave in April;
return late in the fall.

B. 590. R. 616. C. 7-22. G. 294, 38. U. 150.
Habitat, North America in general; breeding from latitude
42° north to 62°; south in winter to Guatemala and the West
Indies.

Sp. Char. ^'Adult male: Head, neck, jugulum, crissum, and upper parts
generally, black, the head and neck with a faint violet gloss, the wing coverts
inclining to slate; secondaries (speculnm) bluish gray, darker snbterniinally,
and very narrowly tipped with white; primaries slate gray, the outer quills and
ends of others dusky. A triangular spot of white on the chin, and a more or
less distinct collar of chestnut around the lower neck; breast and abdomen
white, abruptly defined anteriorly against the back of the jugulum, but chang-
ing insensibly into the black on the crissum, tlirough a graduated barring or
transverse mottling of white and dusky; sides white, delicately undulated with
grayish dusky; axillars and lining of the wing immaculate white; bill lead color,
with a narrow basal and broad subtermiual band of bluish white, the end biack;
iris bright yellow; legs and feet pale slaty. Adult female: Crown and nape dull
dark brown, becoming gradually lighter below; rest of the head paler and
grayer, the anterior half of the lores, the chin, throat and foreneck nearly or
quite white; jugulum, sides and flanks deep fulvous or raw umber brown; breast
and abdomen white; anal region brown; long featliers of the crissum whitish;
wings as in the male; remaining upper parts dull dark brown, the feathers of
the back narrowly tipped with fulvous. Bands on the bill narrower and less
distinct than in the male; iris yellow; feet slaty. Doiony young: Above, gi'ay-
ish umber brown, relieved by seven spots of light buff, as follows: A small and
inconspicuous spot in the middle of the back between, and a little anterior to,
the wings; a large patch on each side of the back; another on each side the
rump, at the base of the tail, and a bar across the posterior border of each wing.
Crown, occiput and nape crossed longitudinally by a wide stripe of deep grayish
umber; a rounded isolated spot of liglit grayish brown directly over the ears;
remainder of the head, including the forehead, and lower parts generally, light
dingy buff, tlie flanks crossed by a brown transverse stripe from the rump to
the tibia. Side of the head without any longitudinal stripes.

"The chief variation in the plumage of this species consists in the distinct^
ness of the chestnut collar in the male. In some examples this is scarcely more
conspicuous than in A. affinis, being dull brown instead of reddish; but usually
the color is a well-defined chestnut, jiarticularly in front."

g6 HISTORY OF THE

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . .

.. 17.75

28.50

8.00

2.70

1.30

1.90

Female .

. . 16.50

26.50

7.40

2.30

1.20

1.80

The birds are not very abundant anywhere, but more com-
mon in the interior than upon either coast. In habits, as well
as in distribution, they are similar to the Lesser Scaup.

May 24th, 1867, my brother found one of their nests, con-
taining ten eggs, at Pewaukee, Wisconsin; it was placed in a
thick growtli of grass near the water's edge, and rather neatly
made of old grasses and slightly lined with feathers and down.
In the early settlement of the State they were quite a common
summer resident there. He has since found several of their
nests in Minnesota; and the birds have also been found breed-
ing at Calais, Maine, in Manitoba, and on the McKenzie River,
at Fort Simpson.

Eggs usually seven to ten, 2.33x1.57; in color and form the
same as the Scaup species.

Genus GLAUCIONETTA Ste.jneger.

" Graduation of tail much more than length of bill from nostril; distance from
tip of bill to loral feathering less than graduation of tail; distance from anterior
end of nostril to loral feathers equal to or greater than width of bill at base;
distance from anterior end of nostril to tip of bill much less than from same
point to loral feathers; tail less than twice as long as tarsus."

Glaucionetta clangula americana (Boxap.).

AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE.
PLATE VII.

Migratory; rare. An occasional winter sojourner.

B. 593. R. 620. C. 725. G. 297, 39. U. 151.

Habitat. North America in general, north to the Arctic

coast; south in winter to Mexico and Cuba.

Sp. Char. '■'■Adult male: Head and upper half of neck black, glossed with
dark green, vai-ying to violet; a roundish white spot between the rictus and the
eye, but not reaching to the latter; back, inner scapulars, tertials, rump and
upper tail coverts deep black; lower half of the neck (all round), lower parts,
outer scapulars, posterior lesser, middle and greater wing coverts and seconda-
ries pure white; anterior lesser wing coverts, and outer edges of scapulars and
flank feathers, and concealed portion of greater coverts, deep black; primaries
blackish dusky; tail dull slate; sides of anal region behind the flanks clouded

BIRDS OF KANSAS.

87

with grayish; bill deep black; iris bright yellow; feet orange yellow, with
dusky webs. Adult female: Similar to that of C. islandica, but head and neck
hair brown or grayish brown, rather than purplish sepia or snuff brown, and
white on the wing usually not interrupted by a distinct black bar. Downy
young: Upper parts generally, including the whole upper half of the head,, to
the rictus, and considerably below the eyes, the jugulum, sides and thighs, deep
sooty brown, lighter and more grayish on the jugulum; the brown of the upper
parts relieved by about eight spots of grayish white, as follows: one on the pos-
terior border (secondary region) of each wing; One on each side the back, one
on each side the rump, at the base of the tail, and one on each flank just before
the brown of the thighs; chin, throat and cheeks pure white, in abrupt and
decided contrast to the brown, which entirely surrounds it; remaining lower
parts grayish white; bill brownish; nail yellowish."

stretch of

Length. whig. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill

Male 20.00 31.50 9.10 4.00 1.00 1.40

Female... 18.00 28..50 8.25 3.60 1..50 1.30

This species lias been found breeding at Lake Umbagog,
New Hampshire, Calais, Maine, Manitoba, and north to New-
foundland and the Yukon Eiver, Alaska. I have met with the
birds upon both coasts, and in the interior, but nowhere in
abundance, or very common. They are at home on the water,
and when approached usually escape by diving. In leaving
the water they run for some distance upon its surface, striking
vigorously with their wings and feet, making with their wings
a whistling noise, that in flight can be heard a long distance.
Their food is procured almost wholly by diving; it consists of
small bivalves, Crustacea, fishes, etc. I have never found any
grasses or seeds in their crops, but they undoubtedly do occa-
sionally feed on vegetable matter.

Their nests are placed in holes and hollow cavities in stumps
and trees, and lined with feathers and down; sometimes a foun-
dation is made of leaves and grass. Eggs usually nine or ten.
A set taken May 15th, 1882, from a hole in a tree, at Umbagog
Lake, New Hampshire, are in dimensions: 2.45x1.75 2.45x
1.78, 2.48x1.79, 2.38x1.74, 2.45x1.77; and of a uniform light
grayish pea green ; inform, ovate.

Gexl-s CHARITONETTA Stejxegek.
Distance from anterior end of nostril to tip of bill much greater than from
same point to loral feathers; tail more tiian twice as long as tarsus. {Ridgicay.'

88 HISTORY OF THE

Charitonetta albeola (Lijsx.).

BUFFLE-HEAD.
PLATE VII.

Migratory; irregular; at times quite common. Arrive the
last of February to first of April; return late in the fall.
B. 595. E. 621. C. 727. G. 298. 40. U. 153.

Habitat. North America, north to the Arctic coast; south
in winter to Mexico and Cuba.

Sp. Chak. ''Adult male: Head and upper half of the neck rich, silky,
metallic green, violet purple and greenish bronze, the last prevailing on the lower
part of the neck, the green on the anterior part of the head, the purple on the
cheeks and crown; a large patch of pure vs^hite on the side of the head, extend-
ing from the eye back to and around the occiput; lower half of the neck, lower
parts generally, wing coverts, secondaries and outer scapulars pure white, the
latter narrowly, and the feathers of tiie flanks more widely, edged with black; pos-
terior parts of the body beneath tinged with pale ash gray; upper tail coverts
light hoary gray; tail slate gray, the shafts black. Bill bluish plumbeous, dusky
on the nail and at its base; iris very dark brown; legs and feet pinkish or lilaceous
white. Adult female: Head, neck, and upper parts generally, dusky grayish
brown; an oblong or somewhat ovate white longitudinal patch on the auricular
region, and the inner secondaries (sometimes also the greater wing coverts, ex-
cept the ends) white; lower parts white, tinged with brownish gray posteriorly,
anteriorly and laterally. Bill dusky, inclining to plumbeous at the end and
along the commissure; iris very dark brown; legs aud toes dilute lilac pink, the
webs and joints darker.

"There is very little variation among the males of this species. Tiie females
vary in the markings of the wing, some having the greater coverts white, tipped
with dusky, while in others only the inner secondaries are white."

stretch of
Length. wing. IVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 15.15 24.25 6.75 3.25 1.30 1.12

Female... 14.25 23.00 6.50 3.20 1.25 1.08

This little diving Duck has been found breeding at Pewaukee
Lake, Wisconsin, Calais, Maine, Manitoba, and north to Yukon
River, Alaska. I have found the birds rather more common
than the Golden-eye; their general distribution and habits are
the same.

Tiieir nests are phiced in holes and trougli-like cavities in
trees, and lined with feathers and down. Eggs usually nine or
ten, 1.98x1.40; pale grayish buff; in form, oval to ovate. Dr.
Cones, in his "Birds of the Northwest," gives a description of a
set of fourteen eggs, taken from a feathery nest in a dead pop-
lar, some distance from the ground.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 89

Ge^us OIDEMIA Flemixg.
"Featliers at the base of the maxilla formiug a nearly straight oblique line
from the forehead back to the rictus, advancing scarcely, if at all, on the fore-
head; bill very deep through the base, where sometimes elevated into a round-
ish knob, and much depressed toward the end. No white whatever on the
plumage."

Subgenus TELIONETTA Kaup.

"Featliers on the forehead extending in a broad strip nearly or quite as far
as the posterior end of the nostrils, but those of the lores not advancing for-
ward of the rictus; the lateral base of the maxilla in the adult male greatly
iswollen, and with the basal outline convex; nail very large and broad, but nar-
rowed terminally. No white on the wings, but the head with large white
patches (indistinct in the female and young)."

Oidemia perspicillata (Linn.).

SURF SCOTER.
PLATE VII.

A rare visitant; captured October 29th, 1887, on the Kansas

River, above the dam at Lawrence, by Mr. A. L. Bennett, of
Emporia.

B. 602, 603. R. 63.3. C. 739, 740. G. . — . U. 166.

Habitat. North America in general; south in winter to
Jamaica, Florida, Ohio Kiver, Kansas, and Lower California;
accidental in Europe.

Sp. Char. '■'■Adult male: General color deep black, very intense above,
more sooty on the lower surface; a white patch on the forehead, the anterior
outline semicircular or somewhat angular, and reaching forward a little in
advance of the lateral base of the bill, the posterior outline almost directly
transverse, and extending back to a little past the middle eye; nape with a
somewhat shield-shaped or cuneate longitudinal patch of pure white, having
the upper outline almost directly transverse; bill chiefly orange red, deeper
( intense red in some specimens) above the nostrils; swollen base of the maxilla
with a large, irregular roundish, somewhat quadrate, or trapezoidal, spot of
deep black, with a light colored space ( bluish white in life ) in front, as far as
the nostrils; nails duller orange, or dingy grayish; iris yellowish white; feet
orange red, the webs greenish dusky; claws black; upper mandible with a
nearly square black patch at the base, margined with orange, except in front,
where there is a patch of bluish white extending to near the nostrils, in-ominent
part over the nostrils deep reddish orange, becoming lighter towaid the unguis,
and shaded into rich yellow toward the margins; the unguis dingy grayish yel-
low; lower mandible flesh colored, unguis darker; iris bright yellowish white;
tarsi and toes orange red, the webs dusky, tinged with green; claws black.
Adult female: Pileum and nape brownish black; rest of head ashy brown, with
ail indistinct whitish patch (not always indicated ) on the lower anterior portion

90 HISTORY OF THE

o£ the lores, bordering the lateral base of the bill; upper parts brownish dusky,
the contour feathers sometimes showing paler tips; lower parts grayish brown,
becoming nearly white on the abdomen, the feathers of the breast and sides
tipped With the same, the anal region and.crissum uniform dusky; bill greenish
black, scarcely swollen at the base, where the black spot of the male is slightly,
if at all, indicated; iris yellowish white; feet yellowish orange, webs grayish
dusky, claws black. Young: Similar to the adult female, but head with two
quite distinct whitish patches, one against the lateral base of the bill, the other
over the auriculars, behind and below the eye; plumage above, more uniform
than in the adult female, and feathers everywhere of a softer texture.

"There is considerable variation among individuals of this species, but we
find no constant difference between specimens from the Atlantic coast and
those from the Pacific."

stretch of
Length, wing. IVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 19.50 33.50 9.25 3.40 l.«3 1.50

Female... 17.75 31.00 8.50 3.20 1.60 J. 50

This species of the Sea Duck is abundant upon both coasts,
and during the breeding season quite common upon the large
northern inland waters; breeding from Sitka, Alaska, and the
Gulf of St. Lawrence, north into the Arctic regions.

Their food consists largely of shellfish (the bivalve a favor-
ite, the shells of which seem to digest as easily as the mussels
within them); fishes and various forms of life also help to make
up the bill of fare. Their flesh is coarse and in flavor rather
rank.

The birds are at home as well in the surging surf as upon the
smooth waters, resting and sleeping at night out upon the open
w^aters; they rise from the same in a running, laborious manner,
but when fairly on the wing fly rapidly, and in stormy weather
hag closely to the water. While feeding are very active, con-
stantly and rapidly diving one after the other — a continual dis-
appearing and popping up.

From the following it appears that the birds nest upon both
marshy and dry grounds, and in the latter case with no ma-
terial except down. Audobon describes a nest found near
Little Macatina, Gulf of St. Lawrence, well out upon a marsh,
as snugly placed amid the tall leaves of a bunch of grass, and
raised fully four inches above the roots. It was composed of
withered and rotten weeds, the former being circularly arranged
over the latter, producing a well rounded cavity six inches in

BIRDS OF KA^'SAS. 91

diameter by two and a half in depth. The borders of this inner
cup were lined with the down of the bird, in the same manner as
the Eider Duck's nest, and in it lay five eggs, 2.31x1. 63; about
equally rounded at both ends, perfectly smooth, and of a pale
yellowish or cream color. ' ' The North American Water Birds ' '
reports that Mr. MacFarlane found the birds breeding in con-
siderable numbers in the neighborhood of Fort Anderson, and
describes a nest, containing eight eggs, found June 25th, as
placed on a ridge of ground at the foot of a dry, stunted pine,
made of dark colored down, being entirely concealed from view
by the lower branches of the pine tree. All of the nests found
appear to have been of the same style and pattern, and nothing
is said of any other material than down being used in building
them. The number of eggs varied from five to eight, but the
latter number was found in only a single instance.

Gexus ERISMATURA Boxaparte.

"Bill about as loug as the head (much longer than the tarsus), very broad,
widened toward the end, elevated at the base, the nostril very small, and situa-
ted very near the culmen; maxillary unguis very small, narrow and linear, the
terminal half bent abruptly downward and backward, so as to be invisible from
above; tail more than half as long as the wings, much graduated, consisting of
eighteen very stiff, narrow feathers, with the shafts strong and rigid, and
grooved underneath, toward the base; the tail coverts extremely short, scarcely
covering the base of the tail; wings very short, and very concave beneath, the
primaries scarcely or not at all extended beyond the tertials; tarsus very short,
much less than one-half as loug as the longest toe."

Erismatura rubida (Wils.).

RUDDY DUCK.
PLATE Vn.

Summer resident; rare; during migration quite common.
Arrive the last of March to last of April; return late in the fall.

B. 609. H. 634. C. 741. G. 299, 41. U. 167.

Habitat. North America in general; south to Cuba and
northern South America; breeding nearly throughout its range,
but chiefly northward.

Sp. Char. ''Adult male, full plumage: Pileum and upper half of the nape
uniform black: entire side of the head, below the eyes, including the malar and
chin, pure white; rest of neck, entire upper parts, sides and flanks rich chest-
nut rufous or purplish ferruginous: wing coverts and middle of the rump dusky

92 HISTORY OF THE

grayish brown, niiiiuti-ly mottled ^Yith paler; reiiiigos dull brownish dusky;
rectrices brownish black, the shafts deep black; lower parts white on the sur-
face, but the concealed portion of the feathers dark brownish gray, showing
when the feathers are disarranged, and in niidsunniier specimens completely
exposed by abrasion of the tips of the feathers; jugulum strongly washed with
fulvous buff, this sometimes iuvading the abdomen. Lower tail coverts entirely
white, to the roots of the feathers; bill and edges of the eyelids grayish blue;
iris hazel; feet dull grayish blue, webs inclining to dusky; claws grayish brown.
Adult female: Top of the head, down to below the eyes, and upper parts gener-
ally, dusky grayish brown, minutely freckled with pale grayish fulvous (more
reddish on the head); remainder of the head dirty grayish white, crossed longi-
tudinally by a stripe of speckled dusky, running from the rictus back across the
auriculars, parallel with the lower edge of the brown of the top of the head;
neck pale brownish gray, fading gradually into the white of the chin; lower
parts, except sides and flanks (which are similar to the abdomen, but darker),
as on the adult male. Young: Similar to the adult female. Dimmy young:
Above, dark smoky brown, darker on the head; a whitish spot on each side the
back; a brownish white stripe beneath the eye, from the bill to near the occiput;
beneath this, a narrower dusky brown one, confluent with the brown of the
nape, reaching almost or quite to tlie rictus; lower parts grayish white, strongly
shaded with sooty brown across the jugulum."

Although the collection of the National Museum contains lumierous examples
of this species, only a small portion of them have the sex indicated, while on a
still smaller number is the date noted. It is therefore difficult to determine
satisfactorily, from the material at hand, the seasonal and sexual differences of
plumage. Certain it is, however, that specimens in the plumage described
above as that of the adult male in full plumage occur both in summer and winter.
Audubon says that the "adult female in summer presents the same characters
as the male"; but although this may very likely be true, the series under exami-
nation affords no indication of it. He describes the "male one year old" as
having "a similar white patch on the side of the head; upper part of head and
hind neck dull blackish brown; throat and sides of neck grayish brow'n, lower
part of neck dull reddish brown, waved with dusky; upper parts as in the adult,
but of a duller tint; lower parts grayish white."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tatsas.

Bill.

Male ....

. 1.5.25

23.00

5.80

3.60

1.26

1.60

Female . .

. 14.50

21.50

5.50

3.50

1.26

1.55

This chubby little Duck lias been found breeding in Gua-
temala, southern California, Pewaukee Lake, AVisconsin, and
northward, chiefly north of the United States. During migra-
tion the birds are rather common throughout the States, arriv-
ing in small flocks.

Thej swim lightly, with their stiff, spine-like tails erect, or,
at their pleasure, like the Grebes, can sink deep beneath the

BIBBS OF KANSAS. 93

surface. As they are not wary they are easily approached,
preferring to escape by diving rather than flight. They are
expert divers, and under the water at the flash of a gun, but
when they do take wing, rise slowly; an easy mark for the
poorest of wing shots.

They feed upon roots, seeds, and the tender stems that shoot
up from the bottom, also shellfish and the various forms of life
found in both shallow and deep waters, and when fat are a
good table Duck.

Their nests are placed in rushes, grasses or reeds, at the
margin of the water, and are made from the leaves of the
plants at hand and lined with down, A set of six eggs, taken
May 28th, 1886, at Santa Cruz, California, are in dimensions:
2.44x1.81, 2.50x1.80, 2.48x1.85, 2.48x1.80, 2.50x1.81, 2.44x
1.82; pale cream to bujff white, with a slightly granulated sur-
face; in form, oval or rounded elliptical.

Subfamily ANSERINvE. Geese.

"The chief characters of the Anserinm, as distinguished from the CygnincB
and Anatince, consists in the more elevated body, with the lengthened legs —
fitting the species for a more terrestial life, although equally able to swim.
Their necks are very much shorter than in the Swans, and usually longer than
those of the Ducks. From the latter all the Geese are distinguished by the char-
acter of the covering of the anterior part of the tarsus, which consists of small
hexagonal scales, but in the Ducks of narrow transverse scutellse. Including
the genus Dendrocycna, which, notwithstanding its close superficial resemblance
to the Ducks, seems to belong rather to this subfamily."

Genus CHEN Boie.

"Bill very robust; the culmen slightly, the lower outline of the mandible
decidedly, convex; very slightly depressed immediately behind the thickened
nails; commissure widely gaping (except in O. rossi). Head and neck of adult
white; some species entirely white in adult dress, except primaries. Bill and
feet reddish in the adult."

Chen caerulescens (Linn.).

BLUE GOOSE.
PLATE VIL

Migratory; rare.

B. 564. K. 590. C. 694. G. 276, — . U. — .

Habitat. Interior of ISTorth America, east of the Rocky

94 HISTORY OF THE

Mountains; south in M^inter through the Mississippi valley to
the Gulf coast; occasional on the Atlantic coast.

Sp. Char. '■^ Adult: Head aud upper half of the neck white, or mostly white,
the former frequently washed with orange rufous anteriorly; lower neck and
body grayish brown, the feathers bordered terminally with paler; these pale edg-
ings, however, nearly obsolete on the neck, where the tint is darker, incliuiug to
plumbeous umber, which joins irregularly against the white above it. Kump
aud wings plain pearl gray or bluish cinereous, (the former sometimes white,) in
striking contrast to the deep grayish brown of the scapulars, sides, etc.; that of
the rump fading into while on the upper tail coverts, and that of the greater
coverts edged externally with the same. Primaries black, fading basally into
hoary gray; secondaries deep black, narrowly skirted with white; tail deep cine-
reous, the feathers distinctly bordered with white. Bill reddish, the commis-
sural space black; feet reddish. Young: Very similar, but the chin only white,
the rest of the head and neck being uniform plumbeous umber or brownish
plumbeous, like the breast, only darker in shade; body more cinereous than in
the adult, the pale tips to the nearly truncated contour feathers being obsolete.
Rump, wings aud tail as in the adult. Bill aud feet blackish. Downy young:

Not seen."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . . .

. 39.00

56.00

16.50

6.00

3.00

2.30

Female . .

. 27.50

53.50

15.35

5.50

2.90

2.10

In my Kevised Catalogue of the Birds of Kansas, I did not in-
clude this species in the list, but said: "This bird has been
dropped from the body of the A. O. U. list, and included in the
hypothetical list, on account of the possibility, if not probability,
that it is a colored phase of Chen hyperborea. The plumage of
the specimens that have come under my observation in both the
adult and young stages is certainly very distinct from C. hyper-
horea^ and in my opinion the bird will eventually be declared a
valid species, and restored to the list." I am pleased to note
that Mr. Robert Kidgway, one of the members of the A. O. U.
committee that prepared the list, has since, in his "Manual of
North American Birds," entered it as a species; and I heartily
restore it to my list* As the birds have generally been consid-
ered the young or colored phase of the Snow Goose, which it
resembles in actions and habits, but little is known with a cer-
tainty in regard to its nesting places. Mr. Ridgway says that
it breeds on the eastern shores of Hudson's Bay.

* Since writing the above, the bird has been restored as a valid species, by the Council of
the A. O. IJ., and numbered 1(59.1.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 95

Chen hyperborea (Pall.).

LESSER SNOW GOOSE.
PLATE VII.

Abundant in migration. A few occasionally linger into win-
ter. Arrive early in March.

B. . R. 591a. C. G96. G. 277, 42. U. 169.

Habitat. AVestern North America, east to the Mississippi
valley, south in winter to the Gulf coast, Lower California and
northeastern Asia; breeding in high northern latitudes.

Sp. Char. '■'■Adult: Entire plumage, except the piMmaries, snow white;
the head sometimes stained with orange rufous anteriorly; primaries deep
black, fadiug basally into grayish, the primary coverts and alula being hoary
ash. Bill purplish red, the nail whitish, and the intertomial space black; iris
dark brown; eyelids whitish; feet purple or orange red, the soles dingy yellow-
ish. Young: Above, including the head and neck, pale cinereous, the feathers
of the dorsal region more whitish on the edges; wing coverts and tertials dark
cinereous centrally, the edges broadly pure white; secondaries mottled cinere-
ous, skirted with white; primaries as in the adult. Rump, upper tail coverts,
tail and lower parts immaculate snowy white, the tail and breast tinged with
pale ash. Head usually more or less tinged with orange rufous, this deepest
anteriorly. Bill and feet dusky."

Length.

Stretch of

IVing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 29.00

56.00

16.25

6.25

3.00

2.40

Female . .

. 27.00

54.00

15.50

5.25

3.00

2.25

These birds are abundant from the Pacific to central Kansas;
from there eastward decrease rapidly in numbers. They win-
ter, in large flocks, upon the prairies of southern California and
along the Gulf coast in Texas. In the fall and early spring I
have seen thousands upon thousands in the Arkansas valley, in
Kansas, feeding upon the growing winter wheat, doing great
damage to the same, plucking the tender blades with a sudden
jerk (the same as our tame Geese nip the grasses) that pulls it
up when not firmly rooted. Its flesh is dark, and I do not con-
sider it a very good table bird. In flight they are noisy, and
when going any distance have a leader and fly in the form of
aV.

Their nesting habits are but little known. All the descrip-
tions that I can find were written before the more eastern bird,
the Greater Snow Goose, was separated and treated as a vari-
ety, and I am, therefore, unable to give its eastern breeding

96 HISTORY OF THE

limits, or to point out any diffei-ence, if any, in its nesting
habits. Mr. Riclgway says: ''Eggs 3.13x2.12; breeding in
Alaska." Mr. MacFarlane found the Snow Goose breeding on
a small island in a lake near Liverpool Bay, Arctic coast.
Their nests were placed in holes or depressions in the sand,
and lined with down; they are also said to nest in marshy
places. Eggs usually five to eight; cream color; in form,
ovate.

Genus ANSER Beisson.

•'Bill more slender, the culmen gently concave, the lower outline of the man-
dible slightly concave anteriorly; decidedly depressed immediately behind the
rather thin nails; commissure nearly, or quite, closed by the close approximation
of the tomia. Head and neck never white, and no species entirely white (nor-
mally). Bill and feet light colored, in the adult."

Anser albifrons gambeli (Hartl.).

AMERICAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE.
PLATE VII.

Migratory; common. Arrive in March; return in October.

B. 565. 566. K. 593a. C. 693. G. 278, 43. U. 171a.

Habitat. North America, breeding far northward; in win-
ter, south to Mexico and Cuba.

Sp. Char. ^^Adult: Prevailing color brownish gray, this uniform on the
head and neck, and becoming much darker on the flanks; feathers of the mantle,
wings, sides and flanks distinctly bordered terminally with pale brownish ash
(sometimes approaching grayish white); upper edges of the upper layer of flank
feathers pure white, producing a conspicuous white stripe when the feathers are
properly adjusted. Breast and abdomen grayish white, mixed more or less with
irregular spots and patches of black, sometimes scattered and isolated, but
oftener more or less confluent. Anal region, crissum and upper tail coverts im-
maculate pm-e white; rump brownish slate; greater wing coverts glaucous gray,
tipped with white; secondaries black, their edges narrowly white; primaries
slaty black, growing ashy basally; primary coverts glaucous gray. Tail brown-
ish slate, broadly tipped with white, the feathers narrowly skirted with the same.
Front of the head, from the base of the bill to about half way across the lores
and forehead, Including the anterior border of the chin, white, bordered behind
by brownish black, which gradually fades into the grayish brown of the head
and neck. Bill reddish (wax yellow, vide Nelson), the nail white; feet reddish.
Young: Nearly the same as the adult, but the anterior portion of the head dark
brown instead of white; wing coverts less glaucous; black blotches of the under
surface absent. Nail of the bill black. Downy young: Above, olive green;

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 97

beneath, dingy greenish yellow, deepest yellow on the abdomen. (Hardly dis-
tinguishable from young of Bernida canadensis, but apparently more deeply
colored, and with greater contrast between color of upper and lower surfaces.)
"The principle variation among individuals of this species is the amount of
the black blotching on the lower parts."

Stretch of
Length. -wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 28.50 57.50 16.75 6.00 2. 85 2.15

Female... 27.00 56.00 16.00 5.75 2.85 1.90

These birds are rarely met with on the Atlantic coast, but are
quite common in the Mississippi valley and abundant on the
Pacific slope. They prefer low, wet grounds in the vicinity of
timber, or where the prairie is dotted here and there with
bushes; and, while they occasionally forage off the wheat fields
and other grains on the bottom lands, they seldom visit the
high, dry prairies, like the Snow and Canada Geese. Their
food consists chiefly of vegetable matter, tender aquatic plants
the favorite, but insects, snails, frogs, etc., help to make up their
diet. Their flesh is highly esteemed. The birds are shy and
ever upon the lookout, and therefore not easily approached.
Their manner of flight, when going a long distance, is in the
form of a Y, like others of the family.

They have been found breeding abundantly on the Yukon
River, the Arctic coast, and on the islands in the Arctic seas.
Their nest is a mere depression in the sand, worked out to fit
the body, and lined with grasses, feathers and down; but little
material, especially of down, used until the birds begin to set.
Eggs usually five to seven. A set of three eggs, taken in north-
ern Alaska, measure: 3.25x2.18, 3.22x2.20, 3.30x2.16; dull
cream white; in form, ovate.

Mr. E. W. Nelson, in his report on the "Birds of Behring
Sea and the Arctic Ocean," says: "This is the most widely-
distributed and abundant Goose throughout northern Alaska,
extending its habitat across to the Siberian coast of Behring Sea;
and nesting, as well, upon Saint Lawrence Island. We found
it in considerable numbers at the head of Kotzebue Sound, the
middle of July, 1881; and found many of the adults with their

wing feathers moulted, and unable to fly, and the young still in

—7

98 HISTORY OF THE

downy plumage at that time. It is extremely common from the
mouth of the Kuskoquine Eiver to the head of Kotzebue Sound,
nesting everywhere; thence north to the extreme Arctic coast
of the Territory. Wherever one goes, in suitable places, this
bird is certain to be found."

Genus BRANTA Scopoli.

"With much the same form throughout as the species of Anser, those beloug-
ing to the geuus Branta are distinguished by the darker plumage, with the head
and neck chiefly black, and the bill and feet entirely deep black, at all ages."

Branta canadensis (Linn.).

CANADA GOOSE.
PLATE VIII.

Common migrants. A few remain during the winter, retir-
ing only when the extreme cold weather closes their watery re-
sorts; leave in March.

B. 567. R. 594. C. 702. G. 279, 44. U. 172.

Habitat. Temperate North America, breeding in the north-
ern United States and British provinces; south in winter to
Mexico.

Sp. Char. ^^ Adult: Head and neck deep black, the former with a white
patch covering the throat and extending up over the cheeks to behind the eyes,
growing gradually narrower above, the upper outline usually more or less trun-
cated; tliis white patch, however, sometimes interrupted on the throat by a nar-
row black stripe or isthmus. Very rarely, a broad white baud more or less
distinctly indicated, crosses the forehead between the eyes. Upper surface
grayish brown, varying from almost cinereous to umber, each feature bordered
terminally by a paler shade; lower parts witli the exposed surface of about the
same shade as the tips of the feathers of the upper parts, the concealed por-
tion of the feathers of the shade of the prevailing color above — this much ex-
])Osed along the sides and on the flanks. Primaries and their coverts plain
dusky, the former growing nearly black terminally. Anal region, crissum and
lower tail coverts immaculate pure white. Tail plain deep black; rump plain
blackish slate. Bill and feet deep black. Young: Similar to the adult, but the
colors duller, the markings less sharply defined; black of the neck passing
gradually below into the grayish of the jugulum; white cheek patches usually
finely speckled with dusky; light colored tips to the contour feathers, broader.
Downy young: Above, including an occipital patch, golden olive green; beneath,
pale, greenish ochre, the head rather deeper."

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 99

stretch of
Length. wing: Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 39.50 65.50 19.50 7.40 3.60 2.40

Female... 36..50 63.50 18.50 7.00 3.40 1.90

These birds are more common in the Mississippi valley than
elsewhere, though more evenly distributed throughout their
range than others of the family; breeding from Newfoundland
west to Alaska, and from about latitude 40° north to the Arctic
coast; they have been found breeding in remote places farther
south, but such finds are rare, and not within their natural breed-
ing grounds.

Their flight is steady, strong and rapid, and when migrating
high in the air, following their leader in a triangular form, their
familiar "Honk, honk, awonk, honk," announces their arrival,
and at such times the shotguns are hastily put in order, and every
device possible resorted to in order to capture them for the table,
and for their feathers, as well as to keep them off the growing
wheat fields, where they do great injury, as they nip the blades
off with a jerk that largely pulls the plants up by the roots.

The birds mate early in the season, and are true and ardent
lovers, the males chivalrous and brave. During incubation and
the rearing of the young, the males are as attentive as the fe-
males, sharing the duties, and proudly and courageously de-
fending their charges.

Their nests are usually placed in a rank growth of grass on
marshy grounds, and near the water; are composed of grass,
weeds, or any material at hand, and lined with down; they are
quite broad and bulky, but when placed on dry grounds, a mere
depression lined with down. In places where greatly annoyed
and robbed by predatory animals, they have been found breed-
ing in trees, on the nests of the larger hawks, and of the Great
Blue Heron, and from such places are said to carry their young
to the ground in their bills, in the same manner as the Wood
Duck. Eggs usually six or seven; as high as nine have been
found, and in a domestic state have been known to lay as high
as eleven. A set of four eggs, collected in northern Dakota,
May 6th, 1880, from a nest on a small island in a lake, are, in
dimensions: 3.70x2.43, 3.74x2.44, 3.80x2.45, 3.80x2.50; and
in color dull white, with a faint greenish tint; in form, ovate.

100 UISTORY OF THE

Branta canadensis hutchinsii (Sw. & Kich.).

HUTCHINS' GOOSE.
PLATE VIII.

Migratory; common. A few linger into winter; leave for the
north in March to middle of April; returning in October.

B. 569. R. 584a. C. 704. G. 280, 45. U. 172a.

Habitat. Arctic and sub- Arctic America; south in winter

chiefly through the Mississippi valley, and the western United

States; northern Asia.

Sp. Chab. "Exactly like canadensis iu plumage, but averaging slightly-
darker."

Stretch of
Length. iving. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 30.00 54.50 15.75 5.50 2.90 1.45

Female... 26.00 51.00 14.50 4.75 2.50 1.30

These birds occur irregularly on the Atlantic coast, and are
not common until the Mississippi valley is reached; from there
west to the Pr.cific, very common. In their habits are similar
to the Canada Goose, but breed farther north, chiefly within
the Arctic circle; eggs usually five or six. A set of five eggs,
taken in July, 1864, at Anderson River, on the Arctic coast,
measure: 3.11x2.12, 3.25x2.14, 3.19x2.25, 3.26x2.12, 3.12x
2.18; color dull white; in form, ovate.

Branta bernicla (Linn.).

BRANT.
PLATE Vin.

A rare, casual migrant.

B. 570. E. 595. C. 700. G. 281, 46. U. 173.

Habitat. Northern parts of the northern hemisphere; in
North America, chiefly on the Atlantic coast; very rare in the
interior, or away from salt water; breeding wholly within the
Arctic circle.

Sp. Char. '■'■Adxilt: Head, neck and jugulum continuous black, the anterior
portion of the head having a brownish cast; posterior outline of the black on
the jugulum very regular and sharply defined against the brownish gray of the
breast. Middle of the neck with a transverse crescentic patch of white on
each side, formed of white tips and sub-tips of the feathers, the black showing
through in places so as to form oblique lines. Above, smoky plumbeous, the

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 101

feathers distinctly bordered terminally with a much paler and more brownish
shade; wings like the back, but with a somewhat plumbeous cast, the paler
margins nearly obsolete. Secondaries blackish brown; primaries brownish
black; tail uniform black, but almost concealed by the snow white lengthened
coverts, the upper of which, however, are invaded by a medial stripe of black-
ish plumbeous, brown from tlie rump. Breast, abdomen, sides and flanks much
like the upper parts, but the light tips to the feathers whiter, broader, and more
conspicuous; anal region and crissum inmiaculale snow white. Young: Similar
to the adult, but the wing coverts and secondaries broadly tipped with pure
white, forming very conspicuous bars; lower parts paler and more uniform;
white ou middle of the neck reduced to small specks."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 25.00 45.50 13.25 4.(50 2.30 1.40

Female... 23.50 43.00 12.00 4.00 2.20 1.25

These birds are abundant on the Atlantic coast; south in
winter to Florida; (two specimens taken in Kansas;) they have
been found breeding from Parry's Islands, latitude 74° north, to
the highest latitudes reached. During winter tliej collect in
immense flocks, feeding at low tide upon marine plants, Crustacea,
etc., never diving for the same, (although they can do so when
winged and hard pressed,) but procure food in shallow water
by immersing the head and neck. During high water they rest
out in the open bays, often going upon remote sand bars to dust
their feathers; while feeding and flying are noisy, keeping up
an almost continual cackle. Their flight is rather slow and very
irregular, often bunching together and suddenly rising and fall-
ing as they go; even when migrating, their Y-shaped form is
frequently partially broken by an apparent effort to gain the
leadership. These birds are sought after so much by the sports-
man, as well as the gunners for the market, that they have
become very wild, and are ever upon the lookout, avoiding all
points of land, blinds, boats, etc., and it-requires great skill and
strategy to approach near enough to kill with an ordinary gun.
They commence nesting in June. Sir John Ross reports find-
ino; them breedino' in immense numbers on the beach of the
South Cape Islands. Their nests, which thickly covered the
ground, were placed on the beach, a perfect mass of down and
feathers, in which three or four eggs were buried. Morris, in
his "British Birds," savs: "The nest of the Brant Goose is

102 HISTORY OF THE

formed of vegetable materials collected together in swampy
places. The eggs are white, with a. faint tinge of brown or
grayish." Eggs 2.92x2.06; in form, elongate ovate.

In former days, when the ignorance, credulity and superstition
of the people led them to readily believe in miraculous and fabu-
lous stories, this species, as well as the Barnacle Goose, JBninta
leucopsis^ were supposed to be engendered from barnacles at-
tached to rotten, decaying timbers in the sea, from which they
derived their name; also, by some, to grow on trees by their
bills, like fruit, or mushrooms, instead of being hatched like
other birds from an Qgg^ until the exploration of the Arctic
Ocean revealed their nesting places. In order that the reader
may understand their reasons for so absurd and unnatural a pro-
duction, I quote from three of the most noted historians and
naturalists among the many writers upon the subject at the time.
First, Hector Boice, a Scotch historian, born about 1465, as
translated by Bellenden: "Rest now," says he, "to speak of
the Geese engendered of the sea named Claiks. Some men be-
lieves that thir [these] Claiks grows on trees by the nebbis
[bills]. But their opinion is vain. And because the nature
and procreation of these Claiks is strange, we have made no
little labour and dilligence to search the truth and verity thereof,
we have sailed through the seas where thir [these] Claiks are
bred, and finding by great experience that the nature of the seas
is more relevant cause of their procreation than any other thing.
And howbeit thir [these] Geese are bred many sundry ways, they
are bred ay allanerly [only] by nature of the seas. For all trees
that are cassin [cast] into the seas by process of time appears
first worm-eaten, and in the small bores and holes thereof grows
small worms. First they show their head and feet, and last of
all they show their plumes and wings. Finally when they are
coming to the just measure and quantity of Geese, they fly in
the air, as other fowls do, as was notabl}^ proven in the year of
our God one thousand iiii hundred Ixxx, in sight of many peo-
ple beside the castle of Pitslego, one great tree was brought by
alluvion and flux of the sea to land. This wonderful tree was
brought to the laird of the ground, quhilk [who] soon after gart

BIRDS OF KAJYSA8. 103

[caused] divide it bj one siiw. Appeared then one multitude
of worms throwing themselves out of sundry holes and bores of
this tree. Some of them were rude as they were but new shapen.
Some had both head, feet and wings, but they had no feathers.
Some of tliem were perfect-shapen fowls. At last the people
having ylk [each] day this tree in more admiration, brought it
to the kirk of Saint Andrews, beside the town of Tyre, where it
remains yet to our days. And within two years after happened
such one like tree to come into the Frith of Tay beside Dundee,
wormeaten and holed, full of young Geese in the same manner.
Such like into the port of Leith beside Edinburgh within few
years after happened such one like case. One ship named the
Christopher (after that she had lain iii years at one anchor in
one of thir [these] isles) was brought to Leith. And because
her timber (as appeared) failed, she was broken down. Incon-
tinent [immediately] appeared (as before) all the inward parts
of her wormeaten and all the holes thereof full of Geese, on
the same manner as we have shown. Attour [moreover] if any
man would allege by vain argument, that this Christopher was
made of such trees as grew allanerly [only] in the Isles, and
that all the roots and trees that grows in the said Isles, are of
that nature to be finally by nature of seas resolved into Geese;
we prove the contrary thereof by one notable example, showen
afore our ene [eyes]. Master Alezander Galloway, parson of
Kinkell, was with us in thir [these] Isles, giving his mind with
much earnest business to search the verity of thir [these] obscure
and misty doubts, and by adventure lifted up one sea tangle
{Laminaria saccharina Lamouroux), hanging full of mussel
shells from the root to the branches. Soon after he opened one
of thir [these] mussel shells, but then he was more astonished
than afore. For he saw no fish in it but one perfect shapen
fowl small and great ay efferyng [proportional] to the quantity
of the shell. This clerk knowing us right desireous of such vn-
couth [uncommon] things, came hastily with the said tangle,
and opened it to us with all circumstance afore rehearsed. By
thir [these] and many other reasons and examples we cannot be-
lieve that thir [these] Claiks are produced by any nature of trees

104 HISTORY OF THE

or roots thereof, but allanerlj [only] by the nature of the ocean
sea, quhilk [which] is the cause and production of many wonder-
ful things. And because the rude and ignorant people saw
oftimes the fruits that fell off the trees (quhilkis [which] stood
near the sea) converted within short time into Geese, they be-
lieved that thir [these] Geese grew upon the trees hanging by
their nebbis [bills], such like as apples and other fruits hangs by
their stalks, but their opinion is nought to be sustained. For
as soon as thir [tiiese] apples or fruits falls off the tree into the
sea flood, they grow first wormeatin. And by short process of
time are altered into Geese."

And Wm. Turner, a distinguished English naturalist, born
about 1515, in speaking of two species of Geese mentioned by
Aristotle, says: "The first Goose is now by us called Brant or
Bernicle. and is less than the Wild Goose, the breast being of
a black and the other parts of an ashy color. It flies in the
manner of Geese, is noisy, frequents marshes, and is destructive
to growing corn. Its flesh is not very savoury, and is little es-
teemed by the wealthy. Nobody has ever seen the nest or egg
of the Bernicle; nor is this marvelous, inasmuch as it is with-
out parients, and is spontaneously generated in the following
manner: When at a certain time an old ship, a plank or a pine
mast rots in the sea, something like fungus at first breaks out
thereupon, which at length puts on the manifest form of birds.
Afterwards these are clothed with feathers, and at last become
living and flying fowl Sliould this appear to anyone to be
fabulus, we might adduce the testimony not only of the whole
people who dwell on the coasts of England, Irehmd and Scot-
land, but also that of the illustrious histographer, Gyraldus,
who has written so eloquently the history of Ireland, that the
Bernicles are produced in no other way. But since it is not
very safe to trust to popular reports, and as I was, considering
the singularity of the thing, rather sceptical even with respect
to the testimony of Gyraldus — while I was thinking over the
subject — I consulted Octavian, an Irish clergyman whose strict
integrity gave me the utmost confidence in him, as to whether
he considered Gyraldus worthy to be trusted in what he had

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 105

written. This clergyman then professed himself ready to take
his oath upon the Gospels that what Gyraldns had recorded of
the generation of this bird was most true; for he himself had
seen with his eyes, and also handled those half-formed birds;
and he said further, that if I remained a couple of months
longer in London, he would have some of them sent to me."
And Dr. Jerome Cardani, a celebrated Italian scholar and
physician, born about 1551, after visiting Scotland to inv^esti-
gate the matter, reached the same conclusion, and in summing-
up, as if to remove all doubts, remarks that the circumstance
that the Hebridian Sea should engender Geese "is not a whit
more marvelous than that mice, on the authority of Aristotle,
are generated from the ground, or that the soil of Egypt should
grow hares and goats, inasmuch as nature always produces what
is most suitable to a place."

Subfamily CYGNIN^. Swans.

"Neck extremely loug (as long as, or longer, than the body); size very large;
bill longer than the head, the edges parallel, the nail small; tarsi shorter than
middle toe; lores naked; tail feathers 20 to 24; color chiefly, or entirely, white
(except iu Cheruqmatruta, the Black Swan of Anstralia)."

Genus OLOR Wagler.
"Neck very long (longer than the body), bill longer than tlie head (commis-
sure longer than the tarsus), widening slightly to the end, the edges straight;
basal portion of the bill covered by a soft skin, extending over the lores to the
eye, the upper line running nearly straight back from the forehead to the upper
eyelid, the lower running from the eye obliquely downward, In a nearly straight
line, to the rictus. Nostrils situated a little posterior to the middle of the max-
illa, and quite near the culmen; no trace of a knob or caruncle at base of the
bill. Lower portion of the tibia bare; tarsus much shorter tiian middle toe (but
little longer than the inner), much compressed, covered with hexagonal scales,
which become smaller on the sides and behind. Hind toe small, much elevated,
the lobe narrow. Tail very short, rounded or graduated, of twenty to twenty-
four feathers. Wings rounded, the second and third quills longest; primaries
scarcely reaching beyond the ends of the secondaries. Color entirely white, the
sexes alike. Young, pale grayish."

Olor columbianus (Okd.).

WHISTLING SWAN.
PLATE VIII.

Migratory; rare. Arrive the middle of March; begin to re-
turn in October.

B. 561r^ R. 588. C. fiSO. G. 274, 47. U. 180.

IQQ HISTORY OF THE

Habitat. North America in general; breeding far northward;
south in winter to California and the Gulf coast; casual west to
the Commander Islands, Kamtchatka; accidental in Scotland.

Sp. Chak. "Tail usually of twenty feathers; bill not longer than the head.
Adult: Entire plumage pure white; the head (sometimes the neck, or even en-
tire imder parts) tinged with rusty. Bill, tarsi and feet deep black, the bare
loral skin usually marked by an oblong spot of orange or yellow (dull pale red-
dish, yellowish or whitish in the skin); iris brown. Tomig: Light plumbeous,
paler beneath, the fore part and top of the head tinged with reddish brown.
Bill reddish flesh color, dusky at the tip; feet dull yellowish flesh color or grayish.

"The principal anatomical character of this species is the disposition of the
trachea in the sternum, it making but one horizontal turn upon itself at the
point fartherest from its entrance in the front of the enlarged carina."

Length.

Stretch of
■wing.

Whig.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. 55.00

80.00

22.00

8.75

4.30

4.20

Female . .

. 53.00

75.00

20.00

7.00

4.20

4.10

This species is rarely met with on the Atlantic coast north of
Chesapeake Bay, but it is not uncommon throughout the interior
and on the Pacific coast. I have one in the "Goss Ornitho-
logical Collection," shot March 12th, 1875, in the Neosho val-
ley, Kansas, out of a flock of six, and I have occasionally seen
these birds in the State during migration; and I once saw a few
in winter, on Galveston Bay, near the mouth of Trinity River;
they were in company with, or rather near, a flock of the Trump-
eters, and readily known by their smaller size.

Their food consists of grasses, leaves and roots of various
water plants; also snails, insects and other forms of life. They
cannot dive, but are able, with their long necks, to feed in quite
deep waters. While feeding, as well as in flight, they are quite
noisy, and their loud-toned notes are occasionally heard during
the night.

In olden times, when credulity largely prevailed among the
people, the most fabulous and absurd stories were readily be-
lieved. The Swans were supposed to sing sweetly, especially
when dying. This belief seems to have been based upon the
fable, that the soul of Orpheus was transmigrated into a Swan,
and for this reason these birds were held in great veneration.
The Greek and Latin poets praised its song, and the philoso-
phers and historians recorded it as a fact. I quote from three

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 107

of the most noted. Socrates says: "When Swans perceive ap-
proaching death, they sing more merrily than before, because
of the joy they have in going to the God they serve." Aris-
totle says: "Swans are wont to sing, particularly when about
to die." And Cicero says of Lucius Crassus, that "He spake
with the divine voice of a Swan about to die." Pliny, one of
the first to doubt, says: "Some aftirm that Swans sing lamenta-
bly a little before death, but untruly, I suppose, for experience
in many has shown the contrary."

Their flight is rapid and well sustained, and, when migrating,
very high in the air, in a triangular form. While not quite
as swift as the Trumpeter, it is estimated to fly in a calm, or
with a favorable wind, about one hundred miles an hour. On
the ground they are not very graceful, but on the water a pic-
ture of grace and ease; when on the lookout, carry their necks
erect, but when they think they are unobserved, as well as dur.
ing courtship, bend their necks in wavy, graceful curves, and,
with partially raised feathers, arched wings, and head drawn
down and back as if ready for a charge, swiftly and stately
glide before each other, and in various ways make the greatest
display possible, not only before their mates, but to gratify an
unbounded vanity; for they are very proud birds and are con-
scious of their good looks. During courtship the males have
many a hard fight for their lady love, but once mated, are true
and devoted to each other, the males sharing in the duties of
hatching, and in rearing the young; and in the defense of the
same display extraordinary courage, boldly attacking an enemy,
and, with furious strokes of their powerful wings, compel a hasty
retreat. These birds have been found breeding from the Yu-
kon and Anderson rivers, north along the coast, and upon the
islands in the Arctic sea. Their nests are placed on marshy
grounds near the water's edge, are very large, and built of reeds,
rushes, bog moss, or any material at hand, and lined with down,
with which the eggs are also covered. Eggs five to seven. A
set of two, taken by Mr. MacFarlane, July 5th, 1864, on an
island in Franklin Bay, are, in dimensions: 4.07x2.63, 4. 14x
2.67; dull white, with a buffy tint; in form, oval.

108 HISTORY OF THE

Olor buccinator (Rich.).

TRUMPETER SWAN.

Migratory; not uncommon. Arrive about tlie firct of March.

B. 562. R. 589. C. 688. G. 275, 48. U. 181.

Habitat. Chiefly the interior of IS^orth America, west to the
Pacific coast, but rare or casual on the Atlantic; south in winter
to California and the Gulf coast; breeding from Iowa and
Idaho north, to within the Arctic circle.

Sp. Char. "Tail of usually twenty-four feathers; bill longer thau the head.
Adult: Plumage entirely pure white, the head, sometimes the ueelc also or even
the entire lower parts, tinged with rusty. Bill, naked lores, legs and feet uniform
deep black; iris brown. Young: In winter the young has the bill black, with
the middle portion of the ridge to the length of an inch and a half liglit flesh
color, and a large elongated patch of light dull purple on each side; the edge of
the lower mandible and the tongue dull yellowish flesh color. The eye is dark
brown. The feet are dull yellowish brown, tinged with olive; the claws brown-
ish black; the webs blackish brown. The upper part of the head and the
cheeks are light reddish brown, each feather having toward its extremity a
small obloug whitish spot, narrowly margined with dusky; the throat nearly
white, as well as the edge of the lower eyelid. The general color of the other
parts is grayish white, slightly tinged with yellow; the upper part of the neck
marked with spots similar to those on the head.

"The arrangement of the traciiea in this species is very different from that
in 0. columhianus, in having, besides the horizontal bend, a vertical flexure, oc-
cupying a prominent protuberance on the anterior portion of the dorsal aspect
of the sternum.

"Total length, about 58.50 to 68.00 inches; extent, about 8.00 to nearly 10.00
feet; wing, 21.00 to 27.25 inches; culmen (from frontal feathers), 4.34 to 4.70;
tarsus, 4.54 to 4.92; middle toe, 6.00 to 6.50."

This large, graceful bird, whose loud clarion voice announces
its presence, is similar in habits to the Whistling Swan. It is
one of the first migrants to reach its breeding grounds. Lays
from five to seven eggs, of a dull white color with a buff discol-
oration. A set of two eggs, collected by Mr. MacFariane, at
Franklin Bay, Arctic coast, measure: 4.43x3.06, 4.51x2.88; in
form, oval.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 109

Order HERODIONES.

herons, storks, ibises, etc.

"Neck aucl legs much leugtheiied. Hind toe much lengthened, and inserted
at the same level as the anterior toes (shorter and slightly elevated in Ciconiida).
Habits altricial, and young dasyp^dic; palate desmognathous; carotids double."

Suborder IBIDES. Spoonbills and Ibises.

Sides of upper mandible with a deep narrow groove extending uninterrupt-
edly from the nostrils to the tip. {Ridgway.)

Family IBIDIDJE. Ibises.

"Wading birds of medium to rather large size, the bill much elongated,
attenuated, more or less, toward the end, and bent downward, more or less
decidedly, in sickle fashion, like that of the curlews {Nwnenius). Nostrils sub-
basal, latero-superior, with more or less of a membrane above and behind; nasal
fossae continued forward to the very extremity of the maxilla in the form of
a deep, narrow continuous groove. Hallux almost incumbent; claws slender,
projecting far beyond the ends of the toes."

Genus PLEQADIS Katjp.
"Bill shallow through the base, moderately tapering, and gently curved; the
base not truged, and the basal outlines of the maxilla deeply concave; bare
portion of the tibia equal to or longer than outer toe; middle toe about three-
fourths the tarsus; inner toe reaching past the subterminal articulation of the
middle toe; hallux about equal to the basal phalanx of the inner toe; forehead
aud orbital, malar and gular region completely feathered, the lores only being
naked, the feathering on the chin forming an acute angle which advances to as
far as the middle of the nostrils; feathers of the pileum elongated, lanceolate,
and distinct, forming, when erected, a sort of full, rounded crest; those of the
occiput and nape, and upper half of the neck all round, also distinct and lan-
ceolate; plumage chiefly metallic green above; the adults with head aud upper
part of neck chestnut, and lower parts chestnut or violet blackish; the young
with head and upper part of neck streaked grayish brown and white, the lower
parts grayish brown or violet dusky."

Plegadis guarauna (Linn.).

WHITE-FACED GLOSSY IBIS.
PLATE Vin.

A rare visitant. Shot at* a lake near Lawrence, by Mr. "W. L.
Bullene, in the fall of 1879, and reported- to me by Prof. F. H.
Snow, who has the specimen in the State University; and a
young female was captured October 17th, 1890, on the Arkan-

110 HISTORY OF THE

sas River, near Wichita, and kindly sent me for identification,
by Dr. R. Matthews, of that city,

B. 500a. R. 504. C. 650. G. 234. 49. U. 187.

Habitat. Western United States, from Texas to California,
north to Oregon; accidental to Kansas, south through tropical
America to Chili.

Sp. Char. '■'Adult: Feathers bordering the base of the bill all round
whitish, usually most distinct on the forehead. Pileum dull metallic violet
purple, changing to green, the feathers blackish beneath the surface; rest of
the head cinnamon brownish, paler on the throat, where lightest anteriorly;
neck cinnamon chestnut, the feathers blackish beneath the surface, this show-
ing where the feathers are disarranged, and quite conspicuous on the nape,
where the dusky has in certain lights a faint greenish luster; lower neck, entire
lower parts (except the crissum, anal region, axillars and flanks), back, anterior
scapulars and lesser wing coverts uniform rich chestnut, darker and more pur-
plish above, lighter and more ferruginous or clearer reddish beneath. Rest of
the plumage glossy metallic green, bronze purple and violet; the green purest
and clearest on the primaries; the secondaries and greater coverts more bronzy,
the middle coverts and posterior half of lesser covert region purplish, changing
to dull green; the crissum and rump mixed green and purple, the green being
of a richer (almost grass green) shade, especially on the rump; axillars and
under wing coverts bronze purple; under surface of remiges and rectrices very
highly burnished; bill dusky, sometimes tinged with reddish; lores, eyelids
and naked skin of chin lake red or pale carmine; Iris crimson; legs and feet
varying from grayish brown to deep lake red. Young, second year: Head,
neck and lower parts dull grayish brown, the head and upper parts of the neck
streaked with white; back grayish brown with green or purplish reflections.
Otherwise as in the adult, but metallic colors less brilliant. Young, first year:
Head, neck and lower parts as In the last, but upper parts and under side of
the wing uniform, continuous bronzy green, with little (if any) admixture of
purple or violet shades. No chestnut on the lesser wing coverts; bill pale green-
ish horn blue, blackish terminally and dusky basally; iris hazel; legs and feet
deep black. Downy young: Bill light yellowish, the base, end and band
around the middle deep black; lores blackish; legs and feet black; forehead
black, bounded posteriorly by a crescentic patch of dull silvery white, extend-
ing from eye to eye, across the posterior portion of the crown; the line of demar-
kation between the white and black being somewhat mixed or suffused with
light rufous; rest of head, neck and lower parts covered with soft downy feath-
ers of a uniform brownish gray shade, without any whitish streaks on head and
neck. Partially complete plumage of the upper surface entirely uniform con-
tinuous bronze green, or metallic bottle green, without the slightest admixture
anywhere of purple, blue or violet."

St fetch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarstts. Bill.

Male 24.50 37.50 10.50 4.50 4.00 5.75

Female... 22.00 35.50 9.50 4.00 3.50 4.75

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 1 1 1

The plumage of this elegant wader is glossed with a metallic
luster that richly shines with different hues in the varying shades
of light; a most beautiful sight to the close observer, but at a
distance its resplendent colors are not discernable and it appears
to be a plain, bhxckish bird, and is generally known as the Black
Curlew. In habits they are gregarious, frequenting low, moist
grounds and the edges of lakes and pools of water. Their food
consists largely of crawfish, snails, insects and various low forms
of life; minnows and frogs also help to make up their bill of
fare.

In flight their legs and necks are stretched out to their fullest
extent. They rise in confusion, but when going any distance
quickly form abreast, and fly in a wavy line, high, swift and
strong, occasionally sailing as they go, and in alighting, abruptly
break the line in as wild confusion as in forming the same.

The birds are quite common during the breeding season along
the Gulf coast of Texas, and westward to the Pacific coast, win-
tering chiefly in southern Mexico and northern Central America.
I found them wintering in large flocks on the marshy and over-
flowed grounds along the Rio de Santiago, long before it enters
and after it leaves Lake Chapala, Mexico; and June 30, 1878, I
had the pleasure of finding a flock breeding in company with
the White, Louisiana and Night Herons, on a small, boggy island
in Lake Surprise, on Smith's Point, Galveston Bay. I was too
late for their eggs, only finding here and there a rotten one;
the young birds were about two-thirds grown, blackish little fel-
lows, that when closely approached awkwardly scrambled from
their nests, which were made of stems bitten off from the rushes,
cane and flag leaves, loosely placed upon the tops of the dense
growth of tall rushes that were rather ingeniously bent and
woven together as a foundation. Eggs usually three, 2.10x
1.44; greenish blue; in form, pointed oval.

SUBOEDER CICONI^. StOEKS, ETC.

Sides of upper mandible witliout any groove. Hind toe inserted above the
level of the anterior toe; claws broad and flat, resting on a horny pad or shoe,
the middle one not pectinated. {Bidyway.)

112 HISTORY OF THE

Family CICONIID^. Storks and Wood Ibises.

"Large, Heron-like birds, with the bill much longer than the head, thick
through the base, and more or less elongate conical; the nostrils sub-basal, more
or less superior, and bored into the bony substance of the bill, without overhang-
ing or surrounding membrane; maxilla without any lateral groove. Legs
covered with small longitudinal hexagonal scales; claws short, depressed, their
ends broad and convex, resting upon horny, cresceutic 'shoes;' hallux with its
base elevated decidedly above the base of the anterior toes."

Subfamily TANTALIN^. Wood Ibises.

"Bill elongated, subconical, subcylindrical, the end attenuated and decurved^
with the tip rounded; nostrils decidedly superior; toes long, the middle one one-
half or more the length of the tarsus; lateral toes unequal, the outer decidedly
longer than the inner; claws moderately lengthened, rather narrow, claw-like."

Genus TANTALUS Linn^us.

'• Large, Stork-like birds, with long legs, neck and beak, the latter attenuated
and decurved terminally, much as in the true Ibises. Bill much thickened at
the base, both vertically and laterally, much attenuated terminally, where almost
abrupt, but not greatly decurved. Nostrils bored directly into the bony sub-
stance of the bill, the maxilla destitute of any trace of a nasal groove. Legs
covered with small longitudinal hexagonal scales. Toes long, very slender, the
middle one about or little more than half the length of the tarsus, the outer
one reaching to the middle of the subterminal phalanx of the middle toe, the
inner much shorter, not reaching the subterminal articulation of the middle toe;
hallux about equal to the Inner toe and claw; bare portion of the tibia longer
llian the middle toe, the upper third or more without scales, and smooth; web
between the inner and middle toes well developed, but smaller than the outer
web. Plumage compact above, loose below; the feathers of the neck small,
their webs somewhat decomposed. Kemiges well developed, the tertials reach-
ing to the end of the primaries, the latter hard, concave beneath, the outer four
with their inner webs deeply sinuated at or anterior to the middle portion; sec-
ond, third and fourth quills nearly equal, or longest. Tail short (shorter than
bill or tarsus), even, of twelve broad, stiff feathers. Adult with the whole head
and upper half of the nape bare, covered with hard, scurfy and more or less
corrugated skin. Young with the whole head and neck, except the chin and
forehead, feathered."

Tantalus loculator Linn.

WOOD IBIS.
plate VIII.

Irregular summer visitant; rare. Dr. George Lisle wrote me,
in the spring of 1883, that he had noticed the birds a few times
on the flats east of Chetopa, and that Albert Garrett killed a
very fine specimen there about six years ago; and Dr. Lewis

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 113

Watson, of Ellis, informs me that one put in an appearance
March 26th, 1885, and stayed about his premises on the creek
for several days.

" B. 497. R. 500. C. 648. G. 233, 50. U. 188.
Habitat. The whole of tropical and warm temperate Amer-
ica; casually northward to New York, Wisconsin, Utah and Ne-
vada.

Sp. Ciiae. '■^ Adult: Head and upper half of the neck naked, and covered
with hard, scurfy skin of a dusky color; the vortex covered by a somewhat
shield-shaped horuy plate of a lighter color; the neck with transverse, some-
wiiat ovate, bark-like, rugose scales. Plumage in general vmiform white, the
primary coverts, remiges and rectrices black, with metallic purple, bronze and
green reflections. Bill dusky yellowish brown, the edges yellow; sides of the
head dark bluish purple, upper part of the head horn color or dull grayish yel-
low, the rest of the bare skin of the same tint, many of the scales anteriorly
blue; iris deep brown, at a distance seeming black; tibia and tarsus indigo blue;
toes above black, on the lateral and hind toes, however, many of the scutellse
bluish gray; the webs pale yellowish flesh color; claws black. Young: Head
and neck covered with rather scant, somewhat woolly, feathers, excepting the
forehead, anterior part of the crown, lores, anterior portion of malar region,
chin and anterior part of throat, which are covered with a smooth skin. Head
and neck grayish brown, darkest on the occiput (where dark sooty), growing
gradually paler below. Eest of the plumage as in the adult, but the black
feathers of wings and tail less metallic. Immature: Head bare and corrugated,
as in the adult; neck feathered as in the young.

"Wing, 17.60 to 19.50; tail, 6.10 to 7.30; culmen, 7.55 to 9.30; depth of bill
through nostril, 1.55 to 1.90; tarsus, 7.00 to 8.50; middle toe, 3.85 to 4.30; bare
part of tibia, 5.00 to 6.25; weight, 11% tbs.; total length, 44X inches; extent
of wing, 63 inches."

A male in the "Goss Ornithological Collection" measures:

Length.

Stretch of
iving.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . .

. . 88.50

70.50

19.00

7.10

8.00

9.00

These birds are quite a common resident in all the Gulf
States, and on the Colorado and Gila Rivers, in the near vicin-
ity of Fort Yuma, and in suitable locations I have found them
abundant in Mexico and Central America. During the breed-
ing season they assemble in large flocks, but scatter more or
less after, when it is not uncommon to find a solitary bird upon
its feeding grounds or perched upon the dead limb of one of
the tallest trees in the vicinity.

Hi HISTORY OF THE

Their food consists of fishes, crabs, crawfishes, frogs, young
alligators, and the small forms of life that inliabit or hide in
mud at the bottom of the shallow lagoons, stagnant streams
and pools of water upon the overflowed lands, and which the
birds unearth by scratching with their feet as they slowly move
along; and when the flocks are large, or the pools small, the
water is soon roiled up thick and muddy, causing the fishes to
come to the surface for air, where they are rapidly killed with
a stroke of the bill. At such times the slaughter is often
greater than their appetites demand, and hundreds are left float-
ing— food for the gulls and other scavengers of the waters.

These birds rise from the ground in a heavy, awkward man-
ner, with head down and legs dangling, but once fairly in the
air, they are stretched out in line with the body; in flight they
are strong and easy, flapping and sailing as they go, often
circling to great heights, especially during the extreme heat of
the day; when, after satisfying their hunger, they love to leave
the hot, low lands and sail in a cooler strata of air, often a mere
speck in the sky and at times wholly lost to sight.

Their nests are placed on the trees growing in the swamps
and low lands; a platform of sticks and twigs, loosely arranged,
and lined with mosses or soft material at hand. Eggs usually
three, of a dull white color, but often more or less soiled. Ac-
cording to measurements as given by other writers, they vary
greatly in size. A set taken May 14th, 1876, in Brevard
county, Florida, measure: 2.66x1.85, 2.66x1.90, 2.70x1.88;
white, stained with specks of dull yellowish brown; in form,
oval. The nest was upon a limb thirty feet from the ground,
made of sticks and lined with leaves and moss.

SuBORDEE HERODII. Herons, Egrets, Bitteri^s, etc.

Hind toe inserted on the same level with the anterior toes; claws narrow,
arched, the under surface free, the middle one with its inner edges distinctly pec-
tinated. ( Bidgway.)

Family ARDEID.^. Herons, Bitterns, etc.

♦•Altricial waders, having the bill compressed, pointed, all the outlines
nearly straight; the lores and orbits naked; the rest of the head (except, some-
times, the malar region, or part of the throat) feathered, the occiput frequently

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 115

with ornameutal plumes. Lower part of the ueck, back or scapulars frequently
with ornauieutal plumes. Plumage generally handsome and variegated. Two
to three pairs of powder-down tracts. Other characters variable."

Subfamily BOTAUEINJE. Bitterns.

"Outer toe decidedly shorter than the inner. Claws long, slender, sh'ghtly
curved. Two pairs only of powder-down tracts. Eectrices very short, soft,
only ten in number."

Gemis BOTAURUS Hermaxn.

"Medium-sized or rather large Herons, with the plumage much mottled or
striped with different shades of brown aud ochraceous (the plumage essentially
the same in both sexes aud at all seasons); the plumage, particularly of the
lower neck in front, exceedingly soft and full, and destitute of any ornamental
plumes; the bill comparatively small and short (shorter than the middle toe);
the tibia almost completely feathered, and the claws very long and but slightly
curved. Tail of ten short, soft feathers, slightly rounded or nearly even.

"Bill gradually tapering from the base to the point, the upper outline more
convex than the lower, the gouys very slightly convex and gently ascending, the
lower edge of the maxillary rami perfectly straight; mental apex extending for-
ward about half way from the center of the eye to the point of the bill, and
slightly in advance of the anterior end of the nostril; malar apex falling far
short of that of the frontal feathers. Toes very long, the middle one consid-
erably exceeding the bill and almost equal to the tarsus; inner toe decidedly
longer than the outer; hallux about half the middle toe; claws very long ( that
of the hallux nearly equal to its digit), and but slightly curved; bare portion of
the tibia shorter than the hallux. Tarsi with large, regular scutellse in front.

"Only two American species are known, both very distinct."

Subgenus BOTAURUS.
Size large (wing more than 9.50); sexes alike in coloration, and young not
obviously different from adults. {Bidgway.)

Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.).

AMERICAN BITTERN.
PLATE VIII.

Summer resident; common. Arrive the last of April to first
of May; begin laying about the 20th of May; remaining occa-
sionally until late in the fall,

B. 492. R. 497. C. 666. G. 231, 51. U. 190.

Habitat. The whole of temperate and tropical North

America, south to Guatemala, West Indies and Bermudas.

Sp. Chae. ^'' Adult: Ground color of the plumage ochraceous buff; but this
densely mottled aud finely sprinkled above with reddish brown aud blackish,
the latter color prevailing on the dorsal and scapular regions, where the feath-
ers have lighter edges, the buff prevailing on the wing coverts, where the varie-

116 HISTORY OF THE

gation consists of a finer aud sparser sprinkling of the duslcy and brown; oil
the tertials aud ends of the secondaries, the reddish (a sort of cinnamon shade)
forms the ground color, and is thickly sprinkled with irregular dusky dottings
aud zigzags; pectoral tufts nearly uniform dark brown, the feathers with broad
lateral borders of clear yellowish ochraceous; pileum rusty brown, darker ante-
riorly, changing gradually backward into the greenish olive gray of the nape;
sides of the head aud neck yellowish ochraceous; a malar stripe of dark ferru-
ginous, changing posteriorly into a very conspicuous stripe of blue black (or in
some specimens dull grayish) down each side of the neck (the stripes are almost
obsolete on a female in the ' Goss Ornithological Collection ' shot at Neosho
Falls, Kansas, August 17th, 1875); chin and throat white, with a very narrow
medial dusky streak, suif used with ochraceous; foreneck pale buff, with sharply
defined stripes of cinnamon brown edged with a black line; lower parts pale
buff, with narrower brownish stripes; tibiae aud crissum plain light creamy buff,
primary coverts and primaries dark slate, tipped with pale reddish ochraceous,
finely, but not densely, sprinkled with dusky; upper mandible olivaceous black,
the tomium (broadly) lemon yellow; lower mandible pale lemon yellow, deeper
basally, with a stripe of dusky brownish along the posterior part of the tomium;
lores and eyelids lemon yellow, the former divided longitudinally by a medium
stripe of dusky olive, from the eye to the base of the upper mandible; iris clear
light sulphur yellow next the pupil, shading exteriorly into orange brownish,
this encircled narrowly with black; legs and feet bright yellowish green; claws
pale brown, dusky toward points. Young: Similar to the adult, but more red-
dish, the mottling coarser, and with a tendency to form ragged transverse
bars, especially on the posterior upper parts."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill,

Male 27.00 43.50 11.25 4.00 3.60 3.00

Female... 25.00 41.00 10.25 3.50 3.50 2.80

This widely-distributed species inhabit the moist lands, marshes
and bogs. A wild, solitary bird, nocturnal or rather crepuscu-
lar in habits, resting during the day hidden in the tall grasses,
reeds and rushes; and its presence is not generally known, save
to those familiar with its loud, booming note, "Pump-a-lunk,"
occasionally heard during the early breeding season, and to the
hunter or occasional visitant of its secluded and uninviting
haunts; and as the birds skulk and hide, only taking wing when
suddenly started, or forced to do so, they are usually thought
to be rare in localities where in fact they are quite common.
When frightened, these birds rise with a guttural "Kawk," and
at all times in a loose, awkward manner, with dangling legs and
outstretched neck, but when flying any distance the head is
drawn down close to the breast, and the legs stretched out in

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 117

line with the body; iu this way they flap slowly and easily along.
They leave their hiding places at the approach of night, and I
have occasionally found them searching for food during the da}^,
in cloudy, rainy weather. Their food consists of minnows,
field mice, frogs, tadpoles, crawfish, insects and other small
forms of life; and as evidence of their destructive habits I will
say, that I found in the craw and stomach of one, shot beside a
a small pool of water upon overflowed land, twenty-two sun
fish, averaging a little over an inch in length.

Their nests are placed on the ground, in low, marshy places,
built upon hummocks in the thick-growing water grasses or
upon the tops of of old, broken-down rushes, quite bulky, com-
posed of small sticks, weeds and grasses, or of rushes bitten oflf,
about fifteen inches in length, and loosely woven together. Eggs
said to be three to six (I have never found over four in a nest),
2.00x1.48; brownish drab; in form, oval.

Subgenus ARDETTA Gray.

"Extremely small; differing from the true Bittern chiefly iu their diminutive
size, and in the fact that the sexes differ in color."

Botaurus exilis (Gmel.).

LEAST BITTERN.
PLATE VIII.

Summer resident; common. Arrive the last of April to first
of May; begin laying the last of May; return early iu September.

B. 491. R. 498. C. 667. G. 232, 52. U. 191.

Habitat. The whole of temperate North America, and tropi-
cal America to Brazil.

Sp. Chak. *' Adult male: Pileiim, including slight occipital crest, with en-
tire back, scapulars, rump and tail, glossy greenish black, the outer webs of the
outer row of scapulars edged with pale buff, forming a narrow longitudinal
stripe. Sides of the head and neck bright ochraceous, deepening into reddish
chestnut at the nape; chin, throat and foreneck paler, the first sometimes whit^
ish, with a medial series of dusky and yellowish buff dashes; the foreneck and
jugulum faintly striped with white and pale orange buff, the latter predominat-
ing; on each side the breast a patch of maroon dusky, the feathers tipped with
paler and suffused with blackish, forming tufts of large, loose feathers, partly
concealed by the large feathers of the jugulum; lower parts whitish, washed
with pale creamy buff. Carpal region, greater wing coverts, lower webs of ter-

118 HISTORY OF THE

tials and tips of primary coverts, secondaries and Inner primaries rich cinnamon
rufous; large area covering middle wing covert region pale ochraceous or buff;
remiges and primary coverts blackish slate, except the tips; bill dark olive
brown above, edges of upper mandible and bare frontal space yellow, lower
mandible pale yellow, inclining to flesh color; iris yellow; feet dull greenish
yellow; claws brown. Adult female: Similar to the adult male, but the green-
ish black replaced by brown (varying from umber drab to cinnamon, the pi-
leum darker and usually opaque blackish dusky); the buff stripe along the
outer border of scapulars much broader and more conspicuous, and the stripes
ou the foreneck (usually, but not always) more distinct. Otherwise exactly
like the male. Toung: Similar to the adult female, but the feathers of the
back and scapular region tipped with buff; the stripes on the foreneck also
(usually) more distinct."

Stretch of

Length.

■U'/'/lg.

JV/;!g.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 14.00

18.00

4.80

1.85

1.75

1.80

Female . .

. 13.00

17.00

4.30

1.00

1.65

1.70

This miniature species has fully as wide and extended a dis-
tribution as the American Bittern; but being more strictly a
nocturnal bird, inhabiting the almost inaccessible swamps and
boggy lands that are covered with a dense growth of canes,
reeds and rushes, it is seldom met with. When startled it ut-
ters a low "Gua," and in daylight flies but a short distance, in
a weak, uncertain manner, but at dusk it flaps along direct,
easy and strong, with neck drawn in and legs extended. It
subsists upon the various forms of insect life, snails, small frogs,
tadpoles, minnows, etc.

Their nests are placed in rushes and coarse, tall, cane-like
water grass — a platform about eighteen inches from the ground,
or water, made of the stems and leaves woven in and around
the standing, growing stalks. Eggs usually four, 1.25 x. 98;
white, with a faint greenish-blue tinge; in form, rounded oval.

Subfamily AKDEINJE, Herons and Egrets.

"Outer toe equal to, or decidedly longer than, the inner. Claws usually
short, generally strongly curved. Three pairs of powder-dowu tracts. Rec-
trices lengthened, stiffish, twelve in number."

Genus AEDEA Linn.
"Herons of largest size (of Stork-like nature), the adults distinguished by
lengthened, narrowly lanceolate, acute jugular and scapular plumes (the former
rather rigid, the latter overhanging the wings and rump); a tuft of broad feath-
ers ou each side the breast (having a different color from adjacent parts), and,

BlliUS OF KANSAS. II9

in the breeding season, by the presence of two extremely lengthened, narrow,
pendent, occipital plumes; culmen almost straight; gouys ascending, more or
less convex, about equal in length to the mandibular rami: npper and lower out-
lines of the bill parallel for the basal half. Mental apex anterior to half way
between point of bill and anterior aug]#of the eye; frontal apex a little poste-
rior to the nostrils and slightly anterior to the malar apex;* middle toe more
than half the tarsus, and about e(l\ial to bare portion of the tibia; outer toe
reaching to about the middle of the penultimate phalanx of the middle toe; inner
toe decidedly shorter, reaching only to the second articulation of the middle toe;
hallux a little longer than the basal phalanx of the outer toe; claws rather short,
strongly curved; front of tarsus with broad, transverse scutellse, in single series,
for upper half; pileum crested, the middle feathers of the crown and occiput
being elongated, lanceolate, and decurved; primaries reaching decidedly beyond
the tertials; second, third and fourth quills nearly equal, and longest — first
longer than fifth; inner webs of outer three slightly sinuated near ends."

SuBGEXUS ARDEA.
Culmen decidedly shorter than tarsus, the latter more than one and a half
times as long as the middle toe without claw; wing more than 17.00. Adult
with sepular plumes narrowly lanceolate, with compact webs; head crested, the
occiput during pairing season with two or more long, slender, compactly-webbed
plumes; plumes of lower neck stiffened, narrowly lanceolate, or acicular.
{Bidgicay.)

Ardea herodias Lux.

GREAT BLUE HERON.
PLATE IX.

Summer resident; quite common along the streams. Arrive
early in March; begin laying the last of March.

B. 487. R. 487. C. 655. G. 224, 53. U. 194.

Habitat, North America, from the Arctic regions south-
ward into northern South America, Bermudas, West Indies and
Galapagos.

Sp. Char. ''Adult: Length about 42.00 to 50.00; extent 72.00; weight 5 to
8 pounds. Forehead and central feathers of the crown pure white; sides of
crown and whole of the occiput, including the long plumes, blue black. Chin,
throat and malar region pure white. Neck lavender gray, fading gradually above
into the white of cheeks and throat. Foreneck with a narrow medial series of
black and ferruginous dashes mixed with white; lower neck plumes pale laven-
der gray. Lateral jugular tufts uniform blue black; breast and abdomen black,
almost uniformly laterally, but the middle feathers with broad medial stripes of
white. Crissum white, the feathers sometimes edged with rufous. Tibial
feathers deep chestnut rufous, not growing conspicuously paler toward the body.
Upper parts fine slate blue, the dorsal and scapular plumes paler, more pearl

*Tbe terms "mental apex," "malar apex," and "frontal apex" are here employed to de-
note the apices, or points, of the feathering of the head at the base of the bill.

120 HISTORY OF THE

gray, the lightness of the tint proportionate to the length of the plume; remiges
black, the inner secondaries growing gradually more slaty, so that the inner-
most are scarcely darker than the tertials. Tail deep, slate blue, a shade darker
than the tertials. Entire border of the wing, from the armpit to the metacarpo-
phalangeal joint, rich purplish rufous, scarcely mixed anywhere with white, and
much the widest at the bend. Bill olive above, the culmeu blackish; lower
mandible wax yellow, brighter terminally (sometimes wholly yellow); iris bright
yellow; bare loral space cobalt blue in spring, olive green or yellowish after
breeding season. Legs and feet dusky black throughout. Young: Above slate
gray (less bluish than in the adult), destitute of any pencillate plumes; anterior
lesser wing coverts bordered terminally with light rufous; border of the wing
( broadly) white, more or less tinged with rufous, especially at and near the bend,
where this color prevails. Entire pileura, including all the occipital feathers,
blackish slate, with a narrow median crest of more elongated, dark-colored feath-
ers with pale fulvous shaft streaks. Cheeks dark grayish; malar region, chin
and throat only, pure white. Neck dull gray, sometimes tinged with rufous,
some of the feathers with indistinctly lighter shaft streaks; foreneck with a nar-
row longitudinal series of black, rufous and wliitish dashes, much as in the adult.
Breast and abdomen broadly striped with dark cinereous white, in nearly equal
amount (sometimes suffused with rufous). Tibife very pale rufous, sometimes
almost white; crissum white. Upper mandible black, paler or horn color along
the tomium, lower pale pea green, deepening into clear horn yellow on terminal
half; eyelids and horizontal space on lore light apple green; iris gamboge yel-
low; tibise and soles of toes apple green; rest of legs and feet black. Seasonal
variations: Although the plinnage of this species is essentially the same through-
out the year, there are certain differences depending on the season, whicli are
wortliy of note. In the spring, or at the commencement of the breeding season,
the bill, except on the culmen, is almost entirely yellow (generally a wax yellow
brighter on the lower mandible), and the bare orbital space cobalt blue, while
from the occiput grow two long, slender, pendent black plumes. After the
young are hatched, these plumes are dropped, ihe bare skin around the eye has
changed to a yellowish green hue, and the upper mandible become almost wholly
dusky blackish olive, with only the tomia and lower mandible yellowish."

Stretch of
Length. iving. Wivg. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 45.00 71.50 19.25 7.50 7.25 6.00

Female... 43.00 69.00 18.25 7.00 6.75 5.50

These birds are quite common in suitable localities, and breed
nearly throughout their range; a hardy species, that only
leave their northern resorts as the ice closes their natural feed-
ing grounds. They are solitary and silent except during the
breeding season, and even then are not social, though often
nesting in communities and with others of the family; they
seem to have no interest in common, only coming together be-
cause the location suits them, and at such times fight fiercely

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 121

for a favorite branch or place for a nest; while mated, however,
the pairs are true to each other, and share alike in the duties of
nest building, hatching and rearing the young. The latter is a
laborious work, and requires constant labor during the day and
way into the night, even where food is abundant, for their
growth is rapid and digestive organs great; but when they have
only their own appetites to satisfy they generally feed at morn
and eve, resting during the day in swampy lands and treetops
skirting the waters.

Their food consists chiefly of fishes, which they usually se-
cure by standing motionless in the water, with bill poised, pa-
tiently awaiting their near approach, when they are pierced with
a rapid stroke of the bill, and quickly swallowed, head fore"
most. They also feed on frogs, meadow mice — in fact upon all
small forms of digestible life.

These birds have great strength of wing, and their flight in
migration is high and protracted; at other times, unless going a
great distance, they flop leisurely along near the water or land.
In flight the head is drawn back upon the breast, with legs ex-
tended rudder-like, in line with the body.

Their nests are placed on the branches of high trees, growing
upon swampy lands and along the streams; in localities desti-
tute of trees, upon bushes, rocks and the ground; in all cases
a flat, bulky structure of sticks, lined sparingly with grasses.
Eggs three to six, usually four; pale greenish blue; varying
somewhat in size; in form, rather elliptical oval. A set of four,
taken April 12th, 1881, on an island in Nueces Bay, measure:
2.40x1.75, 2.60x1.86, 2.65x1.80, 2.65x1.86.

Subgenus HERODIAS Boie.
"White Herons of large size, and witliout plumes, except in the breeding
season, when ornamented simply (in most species) by a long train of straiglit
feathers, with thick shafts, and long, sparse, decomposed, slender barbs, which
grow from the dorsal region and overhang the tail. Bill moderately slender,
the upper and lower outlines almost parallel to near the end, where gently
curved, the culmen more abruptly so than the gonys, though the curve is quite
gradual. Mental apex reaching a point about midway between the tip of the
bill and the eye; malar apex decidedly anterior to the frontal apex, and extend-
ing to beneath the posterior end of the nostrils. Toes very long, the middle
one about two-thirds the tarsus, the hallux much less than one-half the former.

122 HISTORY OF THE

Tibiae bare for about iialf their length, or for about tlie leugth of the middle toe
Anterior scutellpe of tarsus large, distinct and nearly quadrate. Nuptial plumes,
confined to the anterior part of the back, whence spring numerous long, straight
and thick shafts, reaching, when fully developed, to considerably beyond the
end of the tail; each stem having along each side very long, slender and distant
fibrilhie. Tail even, of twelve broad feathers. Lower nape well feathered.
Plumage entirely pure white at all stages and seasons."

Ardea egretta Gmei..

AMERICAN EGRET.
PLATE IX.

Summer visitant; not uncommon. Arrive from the south
in July and August; return in September.

B. 486, 486a. K. 489. C. 658. G. 22.5, 54. U. 196.

Habitat. Nearly the whole of America; north casually to the
British Provinces, south to Chili and Patagonia; West Indies.

Sp. Char. "Color entirely pure white at all seasons and at all ages. Bill
and lores rich chrome yellow, the latter sometimes tinged with light green; the
culmen usually black near the tip, sometimes nearly the entire maxilla black;
iris Naples yellow; legs and feet entirely deep black."

stretch of
Length, wing. IVi'ng, Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 39.50 57.00 14.75 6.25 6..50 4..50

Female... 38.00 5.5.00 14.00 6.00 5.75 4.25

This delicate wader, though quite a summer wanderer, prefers
a warm climate and the seaboard for its home. They breed in
suitable localities throughout the Gulf States, and on the Pacific
slope north into Oregon. The stragglers north of their breed-
ing grounds are chietiy young birds, that soon realize their mis-
take and hasten south on the first approach of cold weather.

These birds, as far as my observation goes, appear to be
strictly diurnal, and appear to have their favorite resting places,
which they leave at early daylight for their feeding grounds,
where they feed and rest alternately during the day.

Their food, manner of flight, and habits generally, are similar
to the Great Blue Heron, though not as solitary and quarrelsome;
and, while I have found them nesting in tall trees and upon
broken-down reeds and rushes, they seem to prefer low bushes
and dry spots of ground, in retired and almost inaccessible
places.

BIEBS OF KAXSAS. 123

Their nests are usually made of sticks and slightly lined with

grasses. Eggs two to four; pale bluish green; in form, oval to

elliptical oval. The dimensions of two sets of eggs, of four

each, collected April 5th, 1881, on a small island in Nueces Bay,

Texas, are as follows: 2.30x1.60, 2.12x1.58, 2.20x1.68, 2.24x

1.70; and 2.29x1.61, 2.30x1.70, 2.34x1.70, 2.34x1.68. The

nests were upon the ground, and partially hidden by straggling

weeds and grass. Other Herons, also Terns, were nesting upon '

the island.

Subgenus GARZETTA Kaup.

"Adult with occipital, jugular and scapular plumes greatly developed, with
much decomposed webs, the scapular plumes extending to or beyond the tail and
recurved tips; color always entirely pure white."

Ardea candidissima Gmel.

SNOWY HERON.
PLATE IX.

Summer visitant; not uncommon. Arrive from the south in
July and August; return in September.

B. 485. R. 490. C. 659. G. 220, 55. TJ. 197.

Habitat. The whole of temperate and tropical America,
from the northern United States to Chili; West Indies. A
summer or autumnal visitant at the northern and southern ex-
tremes of its range.

Sp. Char. "Color entirely pure white at all ages and seasons. Bill black,
the basal portion of the lower mandible (sometimes one-half) yellow or light
colored; lores, iris and eyelids yellow; tibise and tarsi black, the lower posterior
portion of the latter, with the toes, yellow; claws blackish. Nuptial plumes
slender, shafted, and loose fibered, those of the back reaching to or slightly be-
yond the end of the tail, and, normally, recurved terminally; those of the occiput
sometimes exceeding the bill in length; those of the jugulum slightly less de-
veloped. In the young tliese are all absent, except on the occiput, where they
are but slightly developed; in the adults the occipital plumes appear to be per-
manent, the others assumed only during the breeding season."

Length.

Stretch of
%uing.

Whig.

Tail.

Tarsiis.

Bill.

Male ....

. 35.00

39.00

10.25

4.00

4.00

3.35

Female . .

. 22.50

37.00

9.50

3.50

3.80

3.20

This beautiful diurnal species is quite social, and can be seen
at all seasons of the year in flocks, that scatter more or less

124 HISTORY OF THE

during the day but assemble in large numbers at their roosting
places and breeding grounds. They are more restless than the
larger species, rise lighter, strike quicker on the wing, and are a
less patient watcher for their prey, preferring in shallow water
to give chase, partially raising their wings as they run, and a
flock so engaged, darting here and there after a school of small
fishes, is a lively and exciting sight. Eggs usually four; pale
greenish blue; in form, oval to elliptical oval. A set col-
lected April 27th, 1882, near Corpus Christi, Texas, from a nest
built of weeds and grass on the top of a low, flat cactus, are in
dimensions: 1.68x1.27, 1.70x1.26, 1.71x1.28, 1.73x1.30.

Subgenus FLORIDA Baird.

"Small Herons, dark plumbeous, with maroou-colored necks; bluish white,
with bluish tips to some of the primaries; or witii the plumage variously Inter-
mediate between these extremes. Bill slender, acute, appreciably curved toward
the tip, the culmen somewhat depressed just above the anterior end of the nos-
tril; lower edge of the mandibular rami slightly concave, the gonys nearly
straight, but ascending; anterior point of the malar feathers reaching just about
as far forward as that of the frontal feathers, and very far posterior to the pos-
terior end of the nostril; anterior point of chin feathers almost directly beneath
the anterior end of the nostril and a little over two-thirds the distance from the
middle of the eye to the point of the bill. Toes long, the middle one two-thirds
or more as long as the tarsus, the hallux a little less than half its length; bare
portion of the tibia considerably less than the middle toe. Tarsal scutellse as
in Garzetta and Herodias.

"Nuptial plumes (occipital, jugular and scapular) long, slenderly lanceolate,
the webs rather compact, especially those of the dorsal region; those of the back
reaching, when fully developed, far beyond the tail."

Ardea coerulea Linn.

LITTLE BLUE HERON.
PLATE IX.

Summer visitant; rare. Arrive from the soutli in July and
August; return in September.

B. 490. R. 493. C. 663. G. 227, 56. U. 200.

Habitat. The whole of tropical and warm temperate Korth
America, except western United States; casually north to Mas-
sachusetts, Illinois, Kansas, etc. ; south throughout the West In-
dies to Colombia and Guiana.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 125

White Pliase.
Sp. Char. ^^ Adult: Prevailing color white, with the ends of several outer
primaries plumbeous, the plumage tinged here and there (in quantity varying
with the individual) with delicate pale bluish pearl gray. Colors of the soft
parts as in the blue adult. Toung: Similar to the adult, but with the plumes
absent or but slightly developed. Bill pale lilaceous, becoming gradually black
on terminal third; legs and feet uniform pea green, lighter and brighter than in
the blue phase; iris Naples yellow."

Blue Phase.
'^Adult: Head and neck rich purplish maroon, with a glaucous cast, the
feathers more chestnut beneath the surface; rest of the plumage uniform dark
bluish plumbeous, the plumes with a glaucous cast, the maroon and plumbeous
gradually blended. In breeding season, bill ultramarine blue at the base, the
end black; lores and eyelids ultramarine blue; iris pale yellow; tibiae, tarsi and
toes black. In autumn, bill light plumbeous on the basal half, the terminal half
black; lores and eyelids very pale dull greenish; iris sulphur yellow; legs and
feet uniform pea green, darker at the joints. Young: Similar in color to the
adult, with less-developed plumes or with none at all; the head and neck more
plumbeous."

Pied (or Intermediate) Phase.

"The plumage mixed white and plumbeous, in proportion varying with the
individual, forming a series connecting unbrokenly the two extremes described
above."

(The above description of the adult "white" and "blue
phases" is the present accepted one, but from my observation
I have been led to think that the white phase, and those un-
dergoing the changes in color, are young birds that, when
fully matured, will be found invariably dressed in the blue at-
tire. I know that the birds occasionally breed in their various
stages of color, and so do quite a number of land and water
birds, before they assume their final dress. If a mere phase in
color, we ought to find young birds hlue as well as white, and
they may have been so found, but not among the hundreds that
I have met with, both in and out of their nests, and I do not
know of a naturalist that claims to have seen one in the blue
dress. It is therefore my opinion that the description under
the heads of "white phase" and "pied or intermediate phase,"
should only be accepted as descriptive of the young and imma-
ture, or not fully developed birds.)

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 23.00 40.00 10.20 4.25 3.75 3.00

Female... 21.50 87.00 9.50 4.10 3.50 2.80

126 HISTORY OF THE

These birds are quite numerous in Florida and the adjacent
isles, and not uncommon west along the Gulf coast and in Cen-
tral America, where I have occasionally met with them upon
both coasts, and far inland along the streams that I visited.
They are quite social and diurnal in their habits, collecting to-
gether in large flocks at their roosting and breeding places.
For feeding grounds they seem to prefer the margins of inland
streams and ponds of shallow water, where they patiently watch
for hours, or slowly move along with a dignified tread, striking
swiftly and with unerring aim at their prey, occasionally giving
chase, but in this respect they are not as much of a success as
the Snowy. These birds rise into the air with a bound, and
from the start flap swiftly and easily away.

Their nests are placed on trees, bushes and cactus; a flat,
loose structure built of small sticks, with a mixture of leaves,
moss and grass. Eggs usually three or four; dark bluish green;
in form, rather elongated oval. A set collected April 29th,
1874, on the south coast of Florida, from a nest on the branches
of a low tree, are in dimensions: 1.65x1.32, 1.68x1.32, 1.72x
1.30, 1.72x1.34.

Subgenus BUTORIDES Blyth.

Adult with scapular plumes aud feathers of top of head moderately length-
ened, lanceolate, soft, aud with compact webs; jugular plumes broad, soft and
blended; color never white. {Rklgicay.)

Ardea virescens Linn.

GREEN HERON.
PLATE IX.

Summer resident; abundant. Arrive about the middle of
April; begin laying about the first of May; remain until late
in the fall.

B. 493. E. 494. C. 663. G. 228, 57. TJ. 201.

Habitat. The whole of temperate North America, West In-
dies, Bermudas; north into Maine, Dakota and Oregon; south
into Venezuela and Colombia, South America.

Sp. Chak. '■'■Adult: Entire pileum, including occipital crest, glossy dark
metallic bottle green; rest of the head and neck, except throat and foreneck,
rich chestnut, varying from a cinnamon shade to a fine purplish maroon; bare

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 127

orbital space bordered posteriorly with greenish black, from the lower part of
which projects backward from the rictus a short stripe of the same; below this,
along the upper edge of the malar region, a narrow stripe of white, the lower
malar feathers being mixed black and rufous, forming another stripe; throat
and foreueck, from chin to jugulum, white, marked with broad longitudinal
dashes of dusky. Lower parts ash gray, the lining of the wing somewhat spot-
ted, and distinctly bordered, outwardly, with creamy white. Scapular plumes
glaucous plumbeous, with a green reflection in certain lights, the shafts white.
Wing coverts and rectrices brilliant metallic bottle green, the former distinctly
bordered narrowly with fulvous white; these borders on the lesser coverts more
rusty or fulvous; rectrices immaculate bottle green; remiges and primary cov-
erts plumbeous, with a green reflection, the inner primaries and adjoining sec-
ondaries with narrow crescentic tips of white, the coverts with terminal deltoid
spots of the same. Bill deep black, the lower mandible sometimes partly yel-
lowish or greenish; lores and orbits varying from olive green to bright yellow;
iris gamboge yellow; legs and feet olive green or olive yellow, the scutellse more
greenish; claws horn color. Young: Pileum, including crest, as in the adult,
but usually streaked with dark rusty anteriorly; sides of the head and neck
dull dark rusty, indistinctly streaked with light ochraceous or buff; lower parts
white, tinged with buff and striped with dusky. Back scapulars and rump uni-
form dull dusky green, some of the feathers indistinctly bordered with rusty;
wings and tail as in the adult, but light borders to larger wing coverts more
ochraceous, and the two or three middle rows marked with medial wedge-shaped
dashes of the same. Bill lighter colored than in the adult, dull greenish pre-
vailing, only the culmen dusky, the lower mandible mostly pale yellowish; legs
and feet dull greenish yellow or olivaceous.''

Stretch of
Length. wing. Wing.

Male 19.00 28.00 7. .50

Female... 18.00 26.00 7.00

This widely-distributed and common species is a summer resi-
dent, in suitable localities, throughout the northern portion of
the Union; wintering in the Southern States and southward,
where it also breeds. A graceful little beauty, but for some
unknown reason is in bad repute, hooted at and stoned by the
boys and called bad names; it may be because it destroys daily
many of the finny tribe, but in this respect does not differ from
the family of which it is one of the least, and not near as de-
structive at the artificial fish ponds as the Night Heron, tliat
during the night visits with noiseless wing the ponds and foun-
tains in the very heart of the city, where it feeds undisturbed,
and as silently wings itself away.

These birds are not shy, and, where not persecuted, very easily
approached. Their feeding habits are similar to those of the

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

3.00

2.10

2.55

2.80

1.85

2.40

128 HISTORY OF THE

Great Blue, but more strictly a nocturnal bird; seldom found in
large flocks, and, though found breeding in rookeries, the mated
pair as a rule prefer to nest alone.

Their nests are placed on the branches of trees and bushes
skirting the streams and ponds, and are loosely made of sticks,
and lined with twigs in leaf. Eggs four or five; average di-
mensions of three sets, two of four and one of five, 1.52x1.10;
light greenish blue; in form, oval to elliptical oval.

Genus NYCTICORAX Stephens.

" Mediiim-sized Herons, of very short, thick build, large, thick heads, and
short tarsi. The plumage exceeding different in the adult and young, but the
sexes similar. Adults with two or three exceedingly long, thread-like, white
occipital plumes.

"Bill very stout, the depth through the base being more than one-fourth the
culmen; the latter nearly straight for the basal two- thirds, then gently decurved
to the tip; lower edge of the mandibular rami nearly straight; gonys nearly
straight, very slightly ascending; maxillary tomium decidedly concave, with a
convex outline just forward of the rictus. Frontal apex reaching more than
half way from the center of the eye to the point of the bill and to beyond the
anterior end of the nostril; malar apex falling a little short of the frontal apex.
Tarsi a little longer than the middle toe, its scutellie hexagonal in front; lateral
toes nearly equal, but the outer the longer; hallux less than half the middle toe;
bare portion of tibia shorter than the hallux. Inner webs of two outer prima-
ries distinctly emarginated near the end. Tail of twelve broad, moderately-
hard feathers, as In the typical Herons."

Subgenus NYCTICORAX.

Culmen about as long as the tarsus; gonys nearly straight, and lateral out-
lines of bill slightly concave; tarsus but little longer than middle toe; scapulars
broad, blended. {Bidgway.)

Nycticorax nycticorax nsevius (Bodd.).

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON.
PLATE IX.

Summer resident; not uncommon. Arrive from the first to
the middle of April; begin laying about the middle of May;
return by the first of November.

B. 495. R. 495. C. 664. G. 229, 58. U. 202.

Habitat. Nearly the whole of America except the Arctic

regions.

Sp. Char. ^^Adult: Pileum, scapulars and interscapulars glossy blackish
bottle green; forehead, postocular, malar and gular regions and medial lower
parts white; lateral lower parts and neck, except in front, pale ash gray, with a

Wing:

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

12.25

5.25

3.20

3.00

11.50

4.75

3.00

2.90

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 121)

slight lilaccous tiuge; wiugs, rump, upper tail coverts aud tail deeper ash gray.
Occipital plumes pure white. Bill black; lores and orbit yellowish green; Iris
bright red; legs and feet yellow; claws brown. Young, second year: Similar to
the adult, but scapulars aud interscapulars cinereous like the wings, and the
white of the forehead obscured by the blackish of the crown; the colors gen-
erally more somber, with neck aad lower parts more decidedly ashy. Young,
first year: Above, grayish brown, with more or less of a cinnamon cast, esjie-
cially on the remiges, each feather marked with a medial tear-shaped or wedge-
shaped stripe of white, the remiges with small white terminal spots; rectrices
plain ash gray. Sides of the head and neck and entire lower parts striped
longitudinally with grayish brown and dull white; chin and throat plain white
medially. Bill light apple green, the upper half of the maxilla blackish, the
mandible with a tinge of the same near the end; lores light apple green; eyelids
similar, but brighter, more yellowish, their inner edge black; iris dark chrome
yellow or dull orange; legs and feet light yellowish apple green; claws grayish
horn color."

stretch of
Length. wing.

Male 26.00 46.50

Female... 25.00 45.00

This species has the most extended distribution of any of the
family; breeding south of the northern regions into southern
South America. These birds live together in societies, and as-
semble in large numbers at their breeding grounds and roosting
places, where they sleep and rest during the day, sallying forth
at dusk for their feeding grounds, uttering as they go an occa-
sional hollow, guttural "Qua," and, for this habit, are generally
known as the "Qua-bird." They seldom feed by daylight, ex-
cept while rearing their young, when the clamor for food de-
mands their almost constant attention.

Their food consists of fishes, frogs, Crustacea, and most small
forms of life in the shallow waters, swamps and marshy ground.
While feeding these birds move with a slow, stately tread, with
body bent and head drawn back, ready for a quick and unerring
stroke at their prey.

Their manner of flight is similar to that of the family, but flap
of wings is at all times noiseless.

Their nests are placed on trees, bushes, broken-down reeds
and rushes. I found, April 12th, 1881, a small flock nesting
on the dry, hard ground, under a few low bushes and weeds,
upon a small island in Nueces Bay, Texas; no nests, only a
slight lining of grasses. In trees and bushes, they build on the

130 HISTORY OF THE

branches a loose, flat structure of sticks. Eggs usually hmv\
2.00x1.50; pale greenish blue; in form, oval to elliptical oval.

Subgenus NYCTHERODIUS Eeicijenbacii.
Culmen much shorter thau tarsus (only a little longer than middle toe);
gonys convex, aud lateral outlines of bill straight, or sometimes perceptibly con-
vex; tarsus much longer than middle toe; scapulars lengthened, narrow ( but
not pointed), somewhat loosely webbed. (Bidgway.)

Nycticorax violaceous (Lixx.).

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON.
PLATE IX.

Summer resident; rare. Arrive the first to middle of April;
begin laying about the middle of May.

B. 496. R. 496. C. 665. G. 230, 59. U. 203,

Habitat. The whole of tropical and subtropical America,
including the West Indies; breeding regularly north into Kan-
sas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and North Carolina; and wander
casually to Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Colorado. (I can
find no mention of these birds in California, but as they are
found along the Pacific coast, as well as eastward in Central
America and Mexico, I am inclined to think they may have
been overlooked, or at least that they will be occasionally found
along the Colorado River, in the vicinity of Fort Yuma.)

Sp. Char. ^^Adult: Forehead, middle of crown and long occipital plumes,
with a large longitudinal patch from the rictus to the eai'S, pure white; rest of
the head deep black. Plumage in general, clear plumbeous blue, or cinereous,
lighter beneath ( the degree of blueness probably depending ou the age of the
bird); all the feathers of the upper surface marked with a medial stripe of
black; the secondaries and rectrices dark plumbeous, bordered with a lighter
shade of the same; primaries plain bluish plumbeous. Bill deep black, the
lower basal portion of the mandible, in some specimens, greenish yellow; lores
aud eyelids greenish yellow; iris pale orange; legs dull yellowish green; the
large scutellse and the claws dusky. Young: Above, dark sooty grayish brown,
sometimes of a slightly olive cast, the feathers of the pileum and wings (in
youngest individuals the entire upper surface?) marked with medial streaks of
white or pale buff, these streaks assuming on the wing coverts a narrow cuneate
form. Lower parts soiled whitish, striped with brownish gray. Bill greenish
black, the lower and basal part of the lower mandible greenish yellow, as are
the eyelids and bare space before the eye. Iris pale orange. Legs and feet
dull yellowish green, the scutellse and scales in front, as well as the claws,
dusky."

Sh-eich of
Length. "wing. Wing: Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 24.00 44.00 12.35 4.75 3.80 2.90

Female... 32.00 42.00 11.75 4.30 3.60 2.50

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 131

This southern form does not appear to be nearly as common
within its range as the Black-crowned, which it closely resem-
bles in habits, though more diurnal, slower in flight, and less
easy to approach.

Their nests are placed on trees and bushes, a loose flat struc-
ture of sticks. Eggs three to five, 1.95x1.42; pale yellowish
to greenish blue; in form, oval to elliptical oval. A set of three,
taken June 12th, 1884, near the mouth of the Colorado River,
Texas, from a nest composed of sticks and grasses, in a small
tree, about ten feet from the ground, are in dimensions, small,
viz.: 1.94x1.39, 1.94x1.38, 1.94x1.39.

Order PALUDICOL^E.
cranes, rails, etc.

"Hind toe small and elevated (but neck much lengthened and bill strong
and hard ) in Gh'uidcR; lengthened and incumbent in ArmidcB and Ballidm. Wings
comparatively short and rounded, and body compressed (except in Cfruidce).
Habits prsecocial, and young dasypsedic. Palate schizognathous. Carotids
double."

SuBORDEE GRUES. Cra]s:es.

•'Size large; head partly naked (except in young) or with ornamental plumes;
middle toe less than half the tarsus; hallux small, much elevated."

Family GRUIDiE. Cranes.
•'Characters same as those given for suborder."

Genus GRUS Pallas.

"Bill lengthened, straight, the upper mandible only slightly decurved at the
extreme tip; the commissure and other outlines straight. Nasal groove very
large and open, extending over the basal two-thirds of the bill. Nostrils broadly
open, pervious; the anterior extremity half way from the tip of the bill to eye.
The upper half of the head naked, warty, but with short hairs.

"Legs much lengthened; toes short, hardly more than one-third the tarsus.
Inner toe rather longer, its claw much larger than the outer. Hind toe elevated,
short. Toes connected at base by membrane. Tarsi broadly scutellate ante-
riorly. Tertials longer than primaries, decurved; first quill not much shorter
than second. Tail of twelve feathers."'

132 HISTORY OF THE

Grus americana (Linn.).

WHOOPING CRANE.

Migratory; rare. Arrive about the middle of March to first
of April; return in October, a few remaining until about the
middle of November.

B. 478. R. 583. C. 668. G. 372, 60. U. 204.

Habitat. Interior of North America, north into the British
possessions, south to Florida and Central Mexico.

Sp. Char. '■^ Adult: Whole crown and occiput covered with a warty or gran-
ulated skin, almost bare on the occiput, but covered anteriorly by black, hair-
like bristles; the color of this skin reddish, in life. Lores and malar region,
including a narrow angular strip extending from the latter down each side of
the throat, also naked and similarly bristled, the bristles denser anteriorly.
Color entirely pure white, excepting the primaries and their coverts, which are
uniform slate black, and a patch of plumbeous on the upper part of the nape,
adjoining the bare skin of the occiput aud extending downward for the distance
of about two inches. Bill wax yellow; iris gamboge yellow; bare skin of head
dull orange color; legs blue black. Young: Head completely feathered. Gen-
eral color white, with large patches here and there, especially above, of light
cinnamon, the head and neck almost continuously of this color. The primaries
and their coverts uniform dull black, as in the adiUt. Bill dull wax yellow, the
terminal portion blackish; legs and feet blackish. Immature: Bare portion of
the head indicated by feathers of a harsher texture and darker color than else-
where, occupying the areas which are naked in the fully adult. Plumage much
stained with pale cinnamon, as in tlie first plumage."

stretch of

Length.

•wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. 52.00

93.00

23.50

9.50

12.00

6.05

Female. .

. 49.00

89.00

22.00

8.50

1L25

5.50

These birds breed in suitable locations, from central Illinois,
north into the fur regions, chiefly along our northern borders,
in Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota, to Slave Lake. They do not
inhabit the Pacific coast, and I can find no mention of their
presence west of the Rocky Mountains.

These birds are very wary and ever upon the lookout, rising
over every suspicious spot when on the wing, and when on the
ground spring into the air at the first sight or appearance of
danger, with a warning note to others. In flight, their long
necks and stilt-like legs are stretched out in line with the body
to their full extent, moving strongly, with slowly-beating wings,
but not swiftly; I say strongly because they are able to face a
strong wind, and to sustain themselves for a long time in the
air, often circling spiral-like to a great height. They occasion-

BIBDS OF KANSAS. I33

ally bunch up, and I have seen them in a 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.

In their habits are very social, and I have often noticed them
playfully hopping about, but never had the pleasure of witness-
ing their mating or amorous dance, but presume it does not dif-
fer much, if any, from that of the Sandhill, which I have watched
with interest on several occasions. When asleep or at rest usu-
ally stand on one leg, with the other drawn up close to the body
and the head back upon the breast.

In their food habits omnivorous, feeding freely upon the vari-
ous kinds of grains, vegetables, plants, bulbous roots, worms,
reptiles, mice, grasshoppers, etc.

Eggs two, light brownish drab, sparsely marked, except about
the larger end, with irregular spots and blotches of pale choco-
late brown, and obscure shell stains of sepia; the shell is rough,
with numerous little wart-like elevations; in form, oval to ellip-
tical oval. A set taken May 2d, 1882, in Franklin county, Iowa,
from a nest placed in a swail, and made of flags and rushes, a
platform raised a little above the water, are, in dimensions: 4.01

X2.60, 4.08x2.66.

Grus canadensis (Linn.).

LITTLE BROWN CRANE.

Migratory; not uncommon. Arrive in March; return the
last of October. Omitted from catalogues by oversight.

B. 480. R. 584. C. 669. G. , . U. 205,

Habitat. Northern North America; breeding from Hudson's
Bay and Alaska north to the Arctic coast; migrating south
through western United States, east of the Rocky Mountains,
into Mexico.

Sp. Char. ^^ Adult: Entire pileum, iuclnding lores, covered with a bare granu-
lated skiu (reddish in life), interspersed with scattered, fine, blackish hairs; the
posterior margin of this bare skin divided medially on the occiput by an angular
projection of the feathers on the upper part of the nape. General color of the
plumage continuous and nearly uniform plumbeous gray, this frequently stained
or overlain in places by a rusty wash; the primaries slate colored, with whitish
shafts. Cheeks and throat sometimes distinctly whitish. Legs and feet black-
ish; bill blackish, paler at tip; iris crimson. Young: Head entirely feathered.
Plurriage much as in the adult, but of a lighter and more brownish gray, and al-
ways conspicuously stained, especially on upper parts, with tawny cinnamon or
ferruginous. "

134 HISTORY OF THE

stretch of
Length. iving. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 41.50 75.00 19.50 7.75 8.50 4.40

Female... 37.50 73.50 18.00 6.50 7.50 3.80

This small species has until of late been classed with G. mex-
icana, and supposed to be an immature bird; but its smaller size,
and the failure to find any indications of intergradations, to-
gether with its marked difference in distribution, entitle it to rank
as a valid species. In habits it is not noticeably different.

Mr. Nelson, in his report, "Natural Historical Collections in
Alaska," between the years 1877 and 1881, says the birds ar-
rive in the Territory, as a rule, from the 10th to the 15th of May;
mate and commence laying the last of the month. Eggs two;
and describes their nests and eggs as follows: "The site for
the nest is usually on the grassy flats, where the dryer portions,
or the slight knolls, afford them suitable places. The spot
usually has an unobstructed view on all sides, and it is common
to see the female's long neck raised suspiciously at the appear-
ance in the distance of anything unusual. . . . The nest
is frequently a mere hollow in the ground and is commonly
lined with more or less coarse grass stems and straws. In one
instance a nest was found on a bare flat, and was lined M^ith a
layer of straws an inch deep, all of which must have been
brought for some yards; this is unusual, however. The eggs
vary in ground color from pale greenish clay color to buflfy
brown or warm brownish, and the entire surface is irregularly
marked with spots and blotches of chocolate brown, rather
sparsely distributed at the small end, but numerous about the
large end of the Qg^^ chiefly at the very apex. The size varies
from 3.70 by 2.40, 3.72 by 2.40, 3.71 by 2.41, representing
the maximum, to 3.26 by 2.28, 3.40 by 2.35, 3.33 by 2.21,
representing the minimum, in a series of twenty-five specimens."

Grus mexicana (Mull.).

SANDHILL CRANE.

Migratory; common. Arrive about the middle of March to
first of April; return early in October; a few occasionally re-
main as late as November 20th.

B. 479. R. 583. C. 669. G. 273, 61. U. 206.

BI^BS OF KANSAS. 135

Habitat. North in the British possessions to Manitoba, but
chiefly within the United States, and west from the Mississippi
Aallev to the Pacific coast, south into central Mexico, and east-
ward along the Gulf coast to Florida and Georgia, breeding in
suitable localities nearly throughout its range.

Sp. Chah. "Exactly like O. canadensis in plumage, but much larger in
size."

Length, 40.00 to 48.00; wing, 31.00 to 22.50 (31.83); culmeu, .5.1.5 to 6.00
(5.47); depth of bill at base, .95 to 1.10 (1.01); tarsus, 9.90 to 10.65 (10.35);
middle toe, 3.40 to 3.60 (3.50); bare part of tarsus, 4.60 to 5.00 (4.78). {Ridgicay.)

^ These birds, in their habits, are similar to the Whooping, but
much more numerous. Their loud, modulating, sonorous croak
announces their presence, and is often heard during the night
as well as by day.

During courtship and the early breeding season, their actions
and antics at times are ludicrous in tlie extreme, bowing and
leaping high in the air, hopping, skipping and circling about
with drooping wings and croaking whoop, an almost indescrib-
able dance and din, in which the females (an exception to the
rule) join, all working themselves up into a fever of excitement,
only equaled by an Indian war dance, and, like the same, it only
stops when the last one is exhausted. -^

Eggs two. A set collected May 25th, 18S0, near Jamestown,
Dakota, from a nest on a marsh in a tall growth of rushes, a
level platform about three feet in diameter, made of flags, leaves
and rushes, are, in dimensions: 3.68x2.25, 3.82x2.40; ground
color pale olive buflf, spotted and splashed with sepia brown and
purple shell stains, thickest at larger end; in form, elliptical oval.

SuBOKDER RALLI. Rails, Gallinules, Coots, etc.

"Size small or medium; head normally feathered or with a frontal shield;
middle toe nearly as long as the tarsus; hallux well developed (nearly as long as
the first joint of the middle toe), nearly incumbent."

Family RALLIDiE. Rails, Gallinules and Coots.

"Small or medium sized wading or swimming l)irds, with compressed body,
very long toes, which are sometimes (in the Coots) lobed along the edges, short,
rounded, concave wings, and very muscular thighs.

•'The brief diagnosis given above is sufficient to distinguish the Rails, of
whatever subfamily, fram the Courlans and Cranes, their only near allies. The

136 BISTORT OF THE

typical Rails [RaUinm) are of very small to medium size, the typical genus f2?a7-
lus) being characterized particularly by a lengthened, slender bill, while other
genera, Porzana and Crex, have this member comparatively short and thick.
The Coots and Gallinules have the base of the culmeu continued upon the fore-
head, where it widens out into a more or less gibbous or expanded plate or
frontal shield. The Coots, however, are peculiar In having the toes fringed
with scalloped flaps or lateral lobes."

Subfamily RALLIN^. Bails.

"No frontal process; toes without lateral lobes; size variable; bill sometimes
much elongated."

Genus EALLUS Linnjeus.

"Bill longer than the head, rather slender, compressed; upper mandible
slightly curved; nostrils In a long groove, and with a large membrane; wings
short; tertiary quills long, frequently longer than primaries; tail very short,
legs moderate; tarsus shorter than middle toe, and covered on all sides w'ith
transverse scales; toes long and rather slender; inner toe rather shorter than
the outer; hind toe short and weak.

"This genus contains numerous species, inhabiting all the temperate coun-
'tries of the world, and very similar in their habits, and frequently in ap^iear-
ance. Their long toes enable them to run over and climb among aquatic plants
with great facility."

Rallus elegans Aud.

KING RAIL.
PLATE X.

Summer resident; common in suitable localities throughout
the State. Arrive the first to middle of April; begin laying
about the middle of May; return by the last of October.

B. 542. li. 569. C. 676. G. 267, 62. U. 208.

Habitat. Fresh water marshes of the eastern, southern and

middle United States, west into Colorado, north casuall}^ to

Maine, Canada West, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Dakota.

Sp. Char. '•'Adult: Above, yellowish olive or ochraceous drab, very con-
spicuously and sharply striped with black; crown dark brown; a supraloral
streak of brownish white continued to the occiput in a broader stripe of brown-
ish gray; lores and suborbital region brownish gray, or dull brownish; chin and
throat white; remainder of head aud neck, including jugulum and breast, light
cinnamon; flanks and sides dark brownish or blackish dusky barred with w^hite,
the white bars averaging about .10 to .15 of an inch in width, the interspaces
more than twice as wide; crissum mixed dusky and white, the lateral featliers
almost immaculate white; middle of the abdomen considerably lighter than the
breast, sometimes quite white; axillars and lining of the wing similar to the
flanks, but white bars narrower and less distinct. Wing coverts rusty brown-
ish, sometimes inclining to chestnut, and not infrequently more or less barred

BIEBS OF KANSAS. I37

with reddisli white; tertials widely striped, like the scapulars; remiges plaiu
umber brown; rectrices raw umber, with a dusky, medial stripe. Lower man-
dible and edges of npper brownish yellow, ridge of upper and tips of both
deep brown; iris bright red; feet yellowish brown, tinged with olive; claws of
the same color. Doicny young: Uniform glossy black; bill dusky, the end, and
incomplete wide baud near the base (enclosing nostril), pale yellowish or whit-
ish (in the skin); legs and feet brownish (in skin)."

stretch of
Length. ■wing: Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 17.00 23.25 6.75 3.00 2.35 2.35

Female... 15.00 21.25 6.00 2.75 2.10 2.25

This bright colored Rail breeds throughout its range, and is
abundant in the Mississippi valley. Its call note, ' ' Creek, creek,
creek, creek," and of flight, "Cark, cark, cark, " can often
be heard both night and day, and at times during the early
breeding season they are almost as noisy as the Guinea-hens.
If it were not for its voice its presence would seldom be
known, as it skulks and hides from its pursuers, and when hard
pressed runs into the deeper waters within the reeds and rushes,
preferring to swim (and can also dive) to taking wing, know-
ing well that it is safer within its watery, grassy cover, for which
it is so well adapted.

Its flights, when not suddenly started, are at dusk and during
the night. It springs into the air with dangling legs and rapid
strokes of its short wings; but if going any distance, its legs,
like its neck, are soon stretched out to their full extent, flying
rather slowly and near the ground.

Its food consists of insects, worms, tadpoles, small snails,
etc. ; seeds of the various kinds of water grasses also help to
make up the bill of fare. Its nest is placed on the ground, in
marshy places, at or near the edge of water, generally upon a
hummock, in a thick, heavy growth of grass, or under a bush,
and made of coarse grasses, weeds and rushes; is quite bulky,
and so woven together as to often form a partial cover over-
head. Eggs six to twelve, 1.63x1.25; pale bluish to cream
white, sparingly speckled and spotted with various shades of
reddish brown, and shell stains of purple and lilac, the spots
thickest and often running together around larger end; in form,
oval.

138 HISTORY OF THE

Rallus virginianus Linx.

VIRGINIA RAIL.
PLATE X.

Summer resident; rare; during migration, common. Arrive
the middle of April to first of May; begin laying about the
middle of May; return in September to October.

B. 554. K. 572. C. 677. G. 308, 63. U. 212.

Habitat. The whole of temperate North America, north to

British Columbia and Hudson's Bay, south to Guatemala and

Cuba.

Sp. Char. '^Adult: A miniature of B. elegans, but more deeply colored.
Above, olivaceous, heavily striped with black; wiug coverts chestnut rufous;
remiges plain dusky; crown and nape dusky, sometimes uniform, usually indis-
tinctly streaked with olive; a brownish white supraloral line; side of head
uniform plumbeous (sometimes obscured with a brownish wash); malar region,
foreneck, jugulum, breast, sides and abdomeu, s(mietimes throat also, cinnamon,
the middle of the belly lighter (sometimes whitish); flanks (not sides) and axillars
dusky, barred with white; lining of wiug dusky, the feathers tipped and bordered
with white. Downy young: Glossy black; bill scarlet or orange red in life (whit-
ish or pale yellowish in the skin), slightly marked with blackish in front of the
nostril and on base of mandible. Young, first plumage: Top and sides of head,
neck behind, back anteriorly, rump, breast and sides, dull dead black; inter-
scapular region black, with a few of the feathers margined with brownish olive;
wing coverts and wings nearly as in adult, a little duller and darker, perhaps;
superciliary line obscure ashy. Throat ashy white, finely spotted with black;
central region of lower breast and abdomen, with a few of the feathers on the
sides, tinged with white; anal region and crissum dull reddish chestnut."

stretch of
Length. luing. Wing. Tciil. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 10.00 14.25 4.20 2.00 1.35 1.50

Female... 9.25 13.70 3.90 1.80 1.30 1.40

During the breeding and warm season, this little red breast
is found throughout the United States; wintering chiefly in the
Southern States and Mexico; casually into Central America.
It is similar in habits to its larger cousin, the King Kail, which
it closely resembles in both structure and color, but it has a
much more extended range, and is at home in salt as well as
fresh water swails and marshes. Its nest is placed in thick
growths of grass, on low, boggy grounds, quite bulky, made
of grass, weeds, etc. Eggs six to ten; they are said to average
1.25X.95; measurement of a set collected May 21st, 1878, at
Pewaukee, Wisconsin: 1.26x.90, 1.27x.90, 1.27x.90. 1.32x.90,

BIEBS OF KANSAS. 139

1.28X.91, 1.30X.92, 1.32x.92, 1.35x.92, 1.30x.93, 1.29x.95;
cream white, thinly spotted with reddish brown, and faint mark-
ings of lilac; thickest around larger end; in form, oval to ovate.

Genus PORZANA Vieillot.
"Bill shorter than the head, compressed, straight; nostrils in a wide groove,
with a large membrane; wings moderate; primaries longer than tertials; tail
short; legs rather robust, the tarsus about the length of the middle toe; toes
long, the inner one slightly shorter than the outer. General form compressed
and slender."

Subgenus PORZANA.
Secondaries without white. Wings more than 4.00; above, olive brownish,
striped with black. {Ridgicay.)

Porzana Carolina (Linn.).

SORA.
PLATE X.

Summer resident; rare; in migration, abundant. Arrive the
middle of April to first of May; begin laying about the middle
of May; return in September to October.

B. 555. K. 574. C. 679. G. 269, 64. U. 214.

Habitat. The whole of temperate North America; breeding
chiefly northward; south to the West Indies and northern South
America.

Sp. Char. ''Adult: Above, bright olive brown, with longitudinal spots of
black, some of the feathers edged with white; top of head with a broad longi-
tudinal stripe of black; anterior portion of head, v/ith chin and throat, black;
sides of head and neck (except as described), jugulum and breast light plumbe-
ous; abdomen white; anal region and crissum creamy white or pale buff; flanks
sharply barred with white and slate color. Young: Similar, but lores and su-
perciliary stripe brownish, the chin and throat whitish; rest of neck, with
jugulum and breast, light brownish; bill greenish yellow (more orange, especi-
ally at base, in summer adults); iris brown; legs and feet greenish. Downy stage
— chick a few daps old: Bill short, exceedingly compressed, high at base, rap-
idly tapering, the tip deflected; the whole body densely covered with dull black
down, beyond which are produced abundant long, glossy black, hair-like fila-
ments. Upon the throat is a tuft of stiff, coarse, bristle-like feathers of a bright
orange color; these are directed forward, and give the bird a most singular
appearance."

stretch of
Length. iving. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 8.75 14.00 4.20 2.00 1.30 .85

Female... 8.25 13.00 4.00 1.90 1.30 .80

This species is more abundant throughout the United States
than any other of the family, and, as it occasionally visits the

140 HISTORY OF THE

cultivated bottom and meadow lands, its habits and actions are
more generally known; its natural haunts, however, are on
marshy, reedy, boggy grounds, bordering sluggish streams and
ponds of water. These birds are timid, and keep well out of
sight, and, if they think they are observed, run swiftly into the
thickest growths of reeds and rushes; but their curiosity is great,
and if the intruder will stand motionless, or hide, the birds as a
rule will cautiously come back, with head well forward on the
lookout, bowing gracefully at each step, but showing their intense
excitement by the quick, nervous jerk of their short, upright tails;
they, however, soon forget' their fright, and I have had them
feed within ten feet of me, but off like a flash at the first mo-
tion. Where the birds are often hunted, fear overcomes their
curiosity, but by thumping loudly with a paddle on the boat, or
making a sudden noise in their haunts (which is usually answered
by their startled "Kuk, kuk, kuk, kuk"), I have often been
able to catch a glimpse of one here and there peeking out of
their cover; but in this case it requires both time and patience.
Their long, slender toes enable them to run upon the surface
water plants and to climb to the tops of reeds and rushes for
snails, insects, etc., and in the same way to follow the stems be-
neath the water to their roots; and, while their feet are not
adapted to swimming, they readily cross short openings, can
dive, and have the faculty of slowly sinking out of sight in the
water.

Their flight when startled is tremulous and slow, with dang-
ling legs just clearing the growth beneath, into which they
quickly drop (an easy mark for the poorest of wing shots).
They are, however, capable of sustaining themselves for a long
time in the air, flying directly, with head and feet stretched out
in a line with the body.

Their nests are placed on marshy grounds, at the border of
ponds and old channels of streams, in elevated tussocks of grass,
a shallow or platform nest, made loosely of grass, weeds and
rushes. Eggs six to ten, 1.20x.90; grayish to olive drab,
specked and spotted with purple and reddish brown; in form,
oblong oval. A set of nine eggs, collected June 4th, 1876, at

BIRDS OF KANSAS. l j l

Horicon Lake, Wisconsin, are, in dimensions: 1.25x. 88, 1.19x
.90, 1.20X.89, l.lSx.92, 1.19x.90, 1.20x.92, 1.22x.90, 1.19x
.89, 1.19X.89.

Subgenus COTURNICOPS Bonaparte.

"Above, ochraceous, with broad black tips and narrow transverse white bars;
secondaries white, forming a conspicuous patch on the extended wing."

Porzana nove'boracensis (Gmel.).

YELLOW RAIL.

Slimmer resident; rare. Arrive the first to middle of April;
return in October.

B. 557. R. 575. C. 680. G. , 65. U. 215.

Habitat. North America, north to Nova Scotia, Hudson's
Bay, Manitoba and Minnesota; west to Nevada and California;
south to Cuba.

Sp. Chab. '■'Adult: Yellowish ochraceous, very glossy above, where broadly
striped with black, the black intersected by narrow bars of white; belly whit-
ish; flanks dusky, narrowly barred with white; crissum light cinnamon; axillars,
lining of wiog and exposed portions of secondaries white. Bill greenish black,
with the base dull yellowish orange; Iris hazel; feet and claws light flesh color."

There is a considerable range of individual variation, both in
size and markings, even among specimens from the same local-
ity.

Stretch of
Length. ■wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.75 12.50 3.55 1.30 .85 .55

Female... 6.50 11.75 3.45 1.00 .82 .54

The habits and distribution of this species are imperfectly
known. I am inclined to believe that it ranges north on the
Pacific slope into British Columbia, and south to central Mexico.

These birds are seldom met with, but this is not strange, as
they are crepuscular in habits, and rest hidden during the day
in their marshy haunts, where, at the least alarm, they run, skulk
and hide like mice, and it is next to impossible to force them to
take wing.

Their nests are placed on the ground in marshy places, and
are said to be loosely constructed of grasses, etc. Eggs six to
ten, creamy buff, finely speckled and spotted with rusty brown;
in form, oval. Their average measurement, as given by Mr.
Ridgway, is 1.12x. 83. A single ^^^., taken by Dr. Hoy from a

142 HIS TOUT OF THE

nest on a marsh in northern Illinois, is buff white, sparingly
marked with fine brownish dots and obscure shell stains; very
small, only .99x.76.

Subgenus CRECISCUS Cabanis.
"Above, blackish browu, speckled with white."

Porzana jamaicensis (Gmel.).

BLACK RAIL.
PLATE X.

Summer resident; rare. Arrive about the middle of March
to first of April; begin laying about the middle of May; return
in October.

B. 556. R. 576. C. 681. G. 270, 66. U. 216.

Habitat. Temperate North America, north to Massachusetts,
Nebraska and Oregon, south through the greater part of South
America to Chili; West Indies.

Sp. Chak. " Smaller than P. noveboracensis, and the smallest of North Ameri-
can Rallidoe. Adult: Head, neck and lower parts dark plumbeous or slate
color, darkest, and often nearly black, on the pileum; abdomen and crlssum
brownish black, marked with transverse bars of white; nape and back dark
chestnut or reddish sepia brown, the other upper parts brownish black, with
small dots and irregular transverse bars of white; primaries immaculate dusky,
or with small spots of white. YouJig: Similar, but lower parts dull ashy, the
throat incliuiug to white, and the crown tinged with reddish browu. Boicny
young: Entirely bluish black. Bill black; iris red; feet bright yellowish green."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.00 11.50 3.25 1.35 .90 .50

Female... 5.50 10.50 3.00 1.30 .85 .50

This little species does not appear to be common anywhere
within its wide and extended range. Its habits are similar to
those of the family, though it seems to prefer for its haunts the
swails and moist lands where the grasses are short.

Its nest is placed in a depression on marshy ground, and
composed of grass blades; in form, round and deep. Eggs six
to ten, 1.02x.80; creamy white, thickly sprinkled with small
dots of reddish brown; in form, oval. Two eggs — the remains
of a set of eight, collected near Manhattan, Kansas, and loaned
to me for examination by Dr. C. P. Blachly — measure: 1.08x
.75, 1.05X.78.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 143

Subfamily GALLINULIN^. Gallinules.
"A frontal process, as in Fididna; toes without lateral lobes; size large."

Genus GALLINULA Brissox.
"Bill shorter than head, compressed, its vertical outlines convex terminally,
straight or slightly concave opposite the nostrils; nostril elongated, longitudi-
nal, slit-like; forehead covered by an extension of the horny covering of the
bill (rudimentary in the young). Middle toe longer than the tarsus; toes with
a slight lateral membrane or margin."

Gallinula galeata (Light.).

FLORIDA GALLINULB.
PLATE X.

Summer resident; rare. Arrive the last of April to first of
May; begin laying about the middle of May; return in October.

B. 560. K. 579. C. 684. G. . 67. U. 219.

Habitat. The whole of tropical America and temperate
]^orth America, north to the British Provinces.

Sp. Chak. "Adult: Frontal plate large, obovate, truncated or slightly con-
vex posteriorly, flat and smooth, or tumid and corrugated; bill shorter than the
head, rather thick, compressed; head, neck and entire lower parts dark plumbe-
ous, with a bluish cinereous cast, frequently nearly black on the head and neck,
and generally lighter (in autumnal and winter specimens quite white) on the
abdomen; crissum white, the middle feathers black; feathers of the flanks
widely edged with white, producing broad stripes; edge of the wing and edge of
outer primary white; upper parts dark russet or sepia brown, darker on the rump:
bill and frontal shield bright scarlet in life, the end of the former greenish yel-
low or bright yellow; iris brown; legs and feet yellowish green, the joints ashy
blue; upper part of the naked tibise scarlet. Young: Similar, but frontal shield
rudimentary; the bill brownish, paler at the tip; the whole lower parts suffused
with whitish, and the head mixed with the same, particularly the throat, which
is sometimes wholly white; stripes on the flanks less distinct, or nearly obsolete.
Downy young: Glossy black, the medial lower parts fuliginous; throat and
cheeks interspersed with silvery white hairs; bill yellowish (red in life?)
crossed about the middle by a dusky bar."

Stretch of Frontal

Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. shield.

Male 14.00 22.25 6.80 3.00 2.20 1.10 .65

Female... 13.00 21.75 6.50 2.90 2.10 1.00 ,60

The Gallinules in general habits do not differ much from the
Eails. This species is a common resident from the Carolinas
to California, and south; a summer resident north, rare in the
Eastern States, increasing in numbers westward into the Missis-
sippi valley, where they breed chiefly north of 40°.

144 niSTORY OF THE

In the early settlement of Wisconsin, I had a good opportu-
nity to observe their habits on Pewaukee Lake (where they breed
in abundance), a famous resort for water fowls, and where my
.brother and I have spent many and many a pleasant day in our
loof canoe. The settlements and summer tourists have fright-
ened most of the birds away, but this species, also the Sora and
Virginia Rail, still breed there in considerable numbers. I have
also met with these birds in Mexico and Central America.

They inhabit the grassy, reedy edges of shallow ponds and
fresh water streams. I have met with them in brackish water
bayous, but never on the salt water marshes, but they no doubt
do occasionally visit or stop there to rest; their natural haunts
are inland. They occasionally wander quite a distance from the
water, but, as a rule, are to be looked for swimming, or running
through the rushes, over the lily pads and other surface water
plants. They ride the water lightly, with tails erect and heads
gracefully bobbing at every stroke of the feet. They also dive
readily, and can rise from the water in a running, flapping man-
ner, and, like the Rail, fly with dangling legs, and drop into the
first cover; but they are much more easily flushed again. In
migration, or when obliged to fly any distance, their legs as well
as necks are stretched out to their fullest extent. Their gut-
tural sonorous "Kra, kra, kra, kra," is often uttered at morn
and eve, and during the day, when startled.

The young leave the nest as soon as hatched, and run and
dive as readily as the parents; chasing insects here and there in
their watery haunts, for which they are so perfectly adapted;
hiding, quick as thought, at the least alarm; in fact, they seem to
have from the start a full knowledge of their surroundings, and
the many enemies they have to guard against, in as well as out
of the water.

Their food consists of snails, insects, worms, seeds of water
plants, etc.

Their nests are placed in rushes and reeds growing in shallow
water, or on swampy lands; built on the tops of old, broken-
down stalks, and are composed of the same material, weeds and
grasses — also the leaves of the cat-tail flag, when growing in the

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 145

vicinity; it is a circular structure, and, in some cases, quite deep
and bulky. Eggs usually eight to ten, 1.73x1.24; buff white,
thinly spotted and splashed with varying shades of reddish
brown; in form, oval. One set of thirteen, collected May 25th,
1878, on a bog in Pewaukee Lake, Wisconsin, measure as fol-
lows: 1.63xl.l8,'1.84xl.27, 1.67x1.18, 1.60x1.16, 1.67x1.18,
1.78x1.30, 1.81x1.29, 1.79x1.29, 1.88x1.27, 1.70x1.16, 1.80
xl.30, 1.75x1.18, 1.80x1.28.

Subfamily FULICIN^. Coots.

"A frontal process, as iu GallinuUncB; toes with a lateral lobed margiu; size
large."

Genus FULICA Linx.eus.

"Very similar to Gallinula, but the toes margined by a broad, deeply-scal-
loped, lateral membrane. Bill shorter than the head, straight, strong, compressed,
and advancing into the feathers of the forehead, where it frequently forms a
wide and somewhat projecting frontal plate; nostrils in a groove, with a large
membrane near the middle of the bill. Wings rather short, second and third
quills usually longest; tail very short; tarsus robust, shorter than the middle toe,
with very distinct transverse scales; toes long, each having semicircular lobes,
larger on the inner side; hind toe rather long, lobed."

Fulica americana Gmel.

AMERICAN COOT.
PLATE X.

Summer resident; not uncommon; during migration, abund-
ant. Arrive the middle of March to the middle of April;
begin laying the last of May; a few linger late into November.

B. 559. R. 580. C. 6S6. G. 271, 68. U. 221.

Habitat. The whole of North America, from Greenland and

Alaska southward to northern South America, Bermudas, West

Indies (and Trinidad?).

Sp. Char. '■'■Adult: General color uniform slate color or slaty plumbeous,
the head and necli and anterior central portion of the crissum black; lateral and
posterior portions of the crissum, edge of wing and tips, of secondaries white.
(In winter, the belly suffused with whitish.) Bill milk white, more bluish
terminally, each mandible with a spot of dark brown near the end, bordered an-
teriorly with a more or less distinct bar of I'eddish chestnut; frontal shield
dark chestnut or liver brown, the cidmen just in front of this tinged with green-
ish yellow; iris bright crimson; legs bright yellowish green. The tibiae tinged
behind and above with orange red; toes light bluish gray, tinged with yellowish
green on scutellse of basal phalanges. Young: Similar, but lower parts more
gray, and much suffused with whitish, especially on the throat and belly; bill
-10

146 HISTORY OF THE

dull flesh color, tinged with olive greenish, the frontal shield rudimentary; iris
browu. Downy young: Prevailing color blackish plumbeous; head, neck and
upper parts relieved by numerous crisp, elongated, somewhat filamentous bristles,
these sparse, light orange buff and white on the upper palls, but dense and deep
salmon orange on the liead and neck, where the dark plumbeous down is almost
or quite concealed; these colored filaments entirely absent from the whole pileum,
which is mostly bald toward the occiput, elsewhere covered with closely-appressed
black bristles; lores densely covered with short, stamen-like, orange red papillse.
Bill orange red, the tip of the maxilla black; feet dusky (in skin)."

Length,

Stretch of
■wing.

IVing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.*

Male ....

. 15.50

25.50

7.50

2.30

2.10

1.80

Female. .

. 14.00

24.50

7.10

2.25

2.00

1.30

This species is not very common on the Atlantic coast, north
of the more Southern States, but abundant westward. It breeds
occasionally throughout its range, but chiefly from latitude 43°
to 55°; wintering in large flocks in the Southern States and
Mexico, decreasing in numbers southward.

These birds are in many respects like their cousins, the Galli-
nules, which they so closely resemble; inhabiting the edges of
swampy, boggy ponds, where covered with a rank growth of
reeds and rushes. They differ, however, in being social, going
in flocks, and in preferring the open water in which to sport and
rest, or muskrat houses and bare places of land to rest and dress
their feathers upon; keeping, during the breeding season, near
their reedy cover, into which they quickly swim and hide, in
case of danger; but in the fall of the year, preparatory to migra-
tion, they often assemble out upon the open waters.

They swim and walk with a nodding motion of the head. I
have noticed them occasionally dive for food, but they are not
expert divers, and seldom do so except when closely pressed
and unable to fly.

Its flesh is dark and not good eating, and its feathers not soft
and downy, therefore not sought after by the pot hunter, nor
considered a game bird by the sportsman; and for these reasons
the birds are not shy, and are easily approached. They rise from
the water in a laborious, running, flapping manner, but, when
fairly in the air, fly quite steadily, with neck and feet well

* From frontal shield.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 147

Stretched out, the head usually inclining downward and the feet
a little upward. At times, before mating, thej are quite noisy.

Their food consists of aquatic insects, snails, tender water
plants, buds, blossoms and seeds of different plants, etc.

Their nests are placed in tall weeds and rushes growing in
shallow, muddy places, in ponds and sloughs; built on the tops
of the broken-down old growth that forms a platform just above
the water; quite a deep, hollow nest, composed of short, bitten-
off stems of the weeds and rushes. Eggs usually eight or nine
— I have seen eleven in a nest, 1.92x1.32; cream white, in
some cases pale olive drab, thickly and evenly speckled with
dark brown; in form, oval to ovate. A set of six eggs, taken
from a nest on a marsh, near Horicon, Wisconsin, are, in dimen-
sions: 1.90x1.29, 1.92x1.33, 1.92x1.32, 1.90x1.30, 1.92x1.29,
1.92x1.33.

Order LIMICOL^E.
shore birds.

"Neck and legs usually elongated (the latter sometimes excessively so), the
tibiae usually more or less naked below. Hind toe short or rudimentary, some-
times absent, and inserted above the level of the anterior toes. Habits prseco-
cial, and young dasypsedic. Palate schizoguathous. Carotids double."

Family PHALAROPODIDiE. Phalakopes.

"Small birds, with Sandpiper-like appearance, but with very full, compact
plumage, like that of the Coots, Gulls and Petrels; the tarsus greatly compressed,
and the toes partly webbed, as well as fringed, by a lateral (sometimes scalloped)
margin."

Genus PHALAROPUS Bkissokt.

Bill slender, nearly cylindrical, not perceptibly widened toward the end; nos-
trils separated from loral feathers by a space equal to much less than the depth
of the upper mandible at the base. {Ridgway.)

Subgenus PHALAROPUS.

Wing less than 4.50; tarsus less than 1.00; web between outer and middle
toes extending to or beyond second joint of the latter; lateral membrane of all
the toes broad and distinctly scalloped. {Ridgway.)

148 HISTORY OF THE

Phalaropus lobatus (Lixx.)-

NORTHERN PHALAROPE..
PLATE X.

Migratory; rare. Arrive about the middle to last of May.

B. 520. R. 564. C. 603. G. 264, 69. U. 223.

Habitat. Northern portion of the northern hemisphere;

south in winter to Guatemala; breeding from Labrador and

Alaska north to Iceland and Greenland, (Northern Asia and

Europe.)

Sp. Char. ^^ Adult female, in summer: Above, dark plumbeous, the back
striped with ochraceous or bufif; wings dusky, the greater coverts broadly tipped
with white; lower parts white; chest and sides of neck rufous. Adult male, in
summer: Similar to the female, but colors duller, the rufous almost confined to
sides of neck, and less distinct, the chest chiefly mixed white and grayish. Wiiv-
ter plumage: Forehead, superciliary stripe, sides of head and neck, with lower
parts generally, pure white; top of head grayish, the feathers with dusky shaft
streaks and whitish borders; a blackish spot in front of eye, and side of head,
from beneath eye across ear coverts, mixed dusky and grayish white; upper
parts chiefly grayish; sides of chest washed or clouded with grayish. Young:
Top of head dusky, with or without streaks; back and scapulars blackish, dis-
tinctly bordered with bufE or ochraceous; middle wing coverts bordered with
buff or whitish; forehead, supra-auricular stripe, lores and lower parts white,
the chest and sides of breast sometimes suffused with dull brownish; ear coverts
dusky. Downy young: Above, briglit tawny, the rump with three parallel stripes
of black, enclosing two of paler fulvous than the ground color; a triangular
patch of brown on crown, bounded irregularly with blackish; a black line over
ears; throat and rest of head pale tawny; rest of lower parts white, becoming
grayish posteriorly."

Stretch of
Length, tuing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 7.50 13.50 4.20 2.10 .80 .85

Female... 7.90 14.25 4.50 2.25 .82 .90

Iris dark brown; bill and claws black; legs, feet and webs
slate blue.

These birds are quite common, during migration, along both
coasts, but rare inland. Their flight is very strong and easy,
and while feeding often rise, flying circling and low, dropping
here and there upon the floating seaweeds and debris that col-
lect so abundantly in the "tide streaks." They ride the waters
lightly, drifting upon its surface like a feather, gracefully pick-
ing to the right and left as they go; in actions much like the
true Brant, Branta hernicla., and for this reason are known by
the sailors as "Sea Geese."

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 149

May 25th, 1883, I saw, at Fort Wallace, Kansas, on a pond
made bj damming the south fork of the Smoky Hill River, a pair
of little birds swimming near tlie center with a small flock of
American Eared Grebes. From their motions and position on
the water I knew they were Phalaropes, but saw they were too
small for Wilson's, which is a common migrant through Kansas;
I had never noticed the latter birds resting out upon the water,
or swimming, except short distances on their feeding grounds,
or when winged by a shot; but I could not make out with cer-
tainty whether they were the Northern or the Eed Phalarope.
So I laid down in a hollow at the edge of the bank and watched
them for a long time, hoping the wind, which was strong and
favorable, would drift them within shot, but they kept in the
center of the pond, and when they did rise circled spirally to a
height of about one hundred feet, then struck north. Gone., and
my disappointment was great! As I lay there estimating the
distance, and blaming myself for not venturing a shot, my hopes
were revived by the sight of a flock of. fifteen or sixteen wing-
ing their way down the pond and alighting with the Grebes at
the place where the others were seen. Instead of quietly rest-
ing, like the mated pair, they began chasing each other with
tremulous wings and bobbing of heads. The males (the plain-
est bird, an exception to the rule) were doing their best to
appear brave and attractive. Their actions during courtship
are peculiar and ludicrous, much like those of Wilson's Phala-
rope, which I have watched on their love (or mating) grounds.
The birds only remained a short time, arising in a body from
the water and circling like the first. I quickly slipped into my
gun a couple of shells loaded with ISTo. 6 shot, and dropped five
of the birds, which the wind soon brought to the shore; on
picking them up they proved to be the Northern Phalarope,
{LoMpes hyperboreui)., two males, and tln-ee females. I meas-
ured the birds, but only mounted one, as I have a pair in the
"Goss Ornithological Collection," shot in the Bay of Fundy
on the "ripplings," where the birds gather to feed upon the
minute snails and other forms of life on the drift — the shrimps
feeding upon the same, herrings feeding upon the shrimps, pol-

150 HISTORY OF THE

lock, like hungry liogs, often leaping out of the water in their
eager haste to catch the herrings, and the gulls screaming and
swooping down for their share, make up a wild and exciting
scene in the never-ending struggle for life, the strong preying
upon the weak. And late in May, 1882, while out in a sealing
schooner off Cape Flattery, I saw several small flocks, two of
which were over one hundred miles from the shore. Their nests
are placed in depressions in the ground (usually near the water),
and occasionally sparingly lined with grasses. Eggs l.lOx. 80;
usually four, varying in color from olive green to buffy olive
brown, rather thickly but irregularly spotted and blotched with
sepia to blackish brown; in shape, rather pyriform. A set of
three eggs, taken July 2d, 1884, by Mr. Robert MacFarlane, at
Anderson River, Arctic America, measure: 1.09x. 79, l.lOx. 78,
1.12X.80.

Subgenus STEGANOPUS Vieillot.
"Bill slender and subulate, with strictly basal nostrils, as m Lobipes; web
between outer and middle toes not reaching to second joint, the lateral mem-
brane of all the toes narrow and scarcely scalloped."

Phalaropus tricolor (Vieill.).

WILSON'S PHALAROPB.
PLATE X.

Summer resident; rare; in migration, common. Arrive the
last of April to first of May; begin laying the last of May to
first of June; return usually in September. June 8th, 1886, I
found three pairs of these birds breeding on marsliy grounds,
bordering a slough or pond of Crooked Creek, Meade county.

B. 519. R. 565. C. 602. G. 265. 70. U. 224.

Habitat. Temperate North America, but chiefly in the inte-
rior; north to Nova Scotia, Maine, Saskatchewan and Oregon;
south during migration to J3razil and Patagonia; breeding from
Kansas northward, cliiefly north of 40°.

Sp. Chak. *■*■ Adult female, in summer. Forehead and crown pale pearl gray,
the former with a blackish line on each side; occiput and nape white, changing
to plumbeous gray on the back and scapulars. Stripe on the side of the head
(chiefly back of the ej'e), and continued down the side of the neck, deep black,
changing on the lower part of the neck into rich dark chestnut — this extending
backward more interruptedly on each side of the interscapular region; outer
scapulars marked with a similar stripe. A short stripe above the lores and ej'es

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 151

(uot reaching the bill), cheeks, chin and throat pure white; foreneck and jugii-
lum soft butty cinnamon, deepest laterally and posteriorly, and fading gradually
into creamy buff on the breast; remaining lower parts white. Wings brownish
gray, the coverts and tertials bordered with paler; rump brownish gray, upper
tail coverts pure white. Adult male, in summer: Smaller and much duller than
the female, with the beautiful markings of the latter but faintly indicated.
Adult and yoimg, in winter: Above, continuous light ash gray; upper tail cov-
erts, superciliary stripe and lower parts white, the jugulum and sides of breast
tinged faintly with pale ashy. Young, first plumage: Crown, back and scapu-
lars blackish dusky, the feathers bordered conspicuously with buff. Upper tail
coverts, superciliary stripe and lower parts white, the neck tinged with buff.
Doiony young: Prevailing color bright tawny fulvous, paler beneath, the abdo-
men nearly white; occiput and nape with a distinct median streak of black, on
the former branching laterally into two narrower, somewhat zigzag lines; lower
back and rump with three broad black stripes; flanks with a black spot, and
caudal region crossed by a wide subterminal bar of the same. Iris dark brown;
bill, legs, feet, webs and claws black."

stretch of
Length. uiing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 8..50 15.50 4.80 3.00 1.20 1.20

Female... 9.50 1G.75 5.25 2.30 1.25 1.35

^ These birds are rare in the Eastern States, abundant in the
Mississippi valley and quite common westward within their
range. They inhabit the marshes, swails and edges of shallow
ponds, feeding upon minute snails and other small forms of life
that abound in tlieir aquatic haunts; procuring the same chiefly
by running over the moist ground or wading in the short growths
of water grasses. They swim buoyantly, 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, prefer 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, grace-
fully nodding the head, or picking from side to side as they go.
The actions of a pair of these birds while mating are not very
demonstrative, but a flock so engaged in their rivalries often as-
sume positions both amusing and ludicrous, as they bow, circle
around and chase each other. The female is larger and brighter
in color than the male, but from observations I am led to think
certain writers are mistaken in reporting that the females arrive
first and do all tlie courting, but leave the work of nestnuiking^

152 HIS TOBY OF THE

incubation and the rearing of the young to the males. I have
never been so fortunate as to find either of the birds upon the
nest; but certainly both appear equally watchful and solicitous,
circling around and croaking as one approaches their nests, or
near their young, (grayish little fellows, that leave the nest as
soon as hatched.) In the earliest arrival noticed, the sexes ap-
pear to be about equally divided, and I am inclined to think
further examination will prove the birds to be joint workers in
the hatching and rearing of their young.

Their nests are placed on the ground, usually on hummocks,
quite deeply excavated, and lined with a thin layer of grasses.
Eggs three or four, usually four; ground color cream to brown-
ish drab, rather thickly but irregularily blotched with varying
shades of brown, to black or deep blackish brown; in shape,
pyriform. A set of four eggs, taken June 1st, 1883, at Pewau-
kee, Wisconsin, from a nest on a marsh, are, in dimensions:
1.22X.90, 1.23X.88, 1.23x.88, 1.25x.90.

Family RECUHVIROSTRIDiE. Avocets and Stilts.

"Tarsi aucl bill very long; toes partiallj' webbed and without scalloped mar-
gin."

Genus RECURVIROSTRA I.ixnjeus.

"Hind toe rudimentary, but distinct; anterior toes united to the claws by a
much emargiuated menil)rane. Bill depressed, decidedly recurved, extending
into a fine point, which is slightly decurved. Tail covered by the wings."

Recurvirostra americana Gm.

AMERICAN AVOCET.
PLATE X.

Summer resident in the western part of the State; rare; dur-
ing migration, common throughout the State. Arrive the last
of April to first of May; begin laying early in June; occasion-
ally linger until late in the fall.

B. 517. R. 566. C. 600. G. 266, 71. U. 225.

Habitat. Temperate North America, north to Great Slave
Lake, south in winter to Guatemala, Cuba and Jamaica; rare in
the Eastern States, not common along the Pacific coast, but — in
suitable localities — abundant in the interior, west of the Missis-
sippi River; breeding from southwestern Texas northward with-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 153

in its range, chiefly from Colorado to Manitoba, Saskatchewan,
Utah and southeastern Oregon.

Sp. Chab. "Wiugs (except secondaries, terminal half of greater coverts
and inner secondaries), inner scapulars and adjoining feathers of the baclc
brownish blaclc; lower parts, rump, outer scapulars and middle of the back
white; tail ashy white or pale ashy. Adult, in summer: Head, neck and breast
light cinnamon, becoming white around the bill and fading gradually into the
white of the body; tertials brownish gray. Adult {and young), in winter:
Head, neck and breast white, more or less tinged with pale bluish gray, espe-
cially on crown and nape. Toimg: Primaries slightly tipped with whitish; scap-
ulars and feathers of back tipped or transversely mottled with pale fulvous or
buff; crown dull grayish; nape tinged with light rufous; bill deep black; iris
umber brown; legs and feet ashy blue.

"The Intensity of the cinnamon color on the head and neck varies with the
individual; sometimes there is a dusky gray suffusion around the eye, this be-
ing especially characteristic of younger birds."

stretch of
Length. iving. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 17.75 30.50 9.00 3.65 3.70 3.75

Female... 17.00 29.50 8.60 3.50 3.60 3.50

This species inhabit the swales and edges of ponds, prefer-
ring the alkali marshes and pools of water. They move about
with easy motions, bowing the head at nearly every movement;
are perfectly at home on the land and float as lightly upon the
water as a Gull.

Their usual feeding habits are peculiar, skimming the surface
of the water or land from side to side for minute forms of life,
and when so engaged upon the land sway the body at each step,
much like a person mowing or cradling. They also pick up the
larger forms, and are quite expert in chasing and catching insects.
They are social and usually found in small flocks; as a rule
rather shy, but at their nesting places, especially near the hatch-
ing time, often meet the intruder, circling around and scolding,
and when near try to scare him away by darting swift as an
arrow, sheering as they pass. On alighting, open their wings
high above their backs and close them, much like the Bartramian
Sandpiper (generally known as the Field or Upland Plover).
Their nests are placed on the ground, in the tall grass at or
near the edges of shallow ponds of water; made of the stems
of the. old grass and lined with the finer leaves of the upland
prairie grasses. Eggs three or four, 1.87x1.30; olivaceous

154 HISTORY OF THE

drab to buff, nitliei' unit'ormly spotted or blotched with varying^
shades of light to dark brown; in form, obovate, A set of four
eggs, taken July 5th, 1886, from a nest on an alkali marsh near
Fort Garland, Colorado, are: 2.00x1.40, 1.89x1.39, 1.94x1.37,
1.97x1.30.

Genus HIMANTOPUS Brissoij.

"Hind toe wanting; outer and middle toes connected at the base by a short
web; the inner toe completely separated from the middle; bill subulate, deeper
than broad, slightly upturned toward the end; legs excessively lengthened, the
bare part of the tibia about half as long as the tarsus, which greatly exceeds the
bill In length, the latter being nearly twice the length of the middle toe."

Himantopus mexicanus (Mult..).

BLACK-NECKED STILT.
PLATE X.

Summer resident in the western part of the State; rare. Arrive
about the middle of May; begin laying by the first of June.

B. 518. R. 567. C. 601. G. , 73. U. 226.

Habitat. Temperate North America, from New Brunswick,
Maine, Minnesota and Oregon, southward; south in winter to
Peru, Brazil and West Indies. Hare in the middle and eastern
provinces, except Florida, also along the Pacific coast; breed-
ing in suitable localities, and in abundance in western Texas,
southern Colorado, Utah, eastern California and southeastern
Oregon.

Sp. Char. '^Adult male: Forehead, a large postocular spot, lores, entire
lower parts, rump and upper tail coverts white; remainder of the head, whole
nape, back, scapulars and wings (both surfaces) glossy black, with a greenish
blue reflection; tail pale grayish; bill black; iris crimson; legs and feet lake
red or beautiful rose pink in life, yellowish in the dried skin. Adult female:
Similar to the male, but back and scapulars brownish slate and the black of
other portions dullei'. Young, first plumage: Similar to the adult female, but
the feathers of the back, the scapulars and tertials bordered with buff or dull
whitish, the black of the head and nape finely mottled with the same. Downy
young: Above, light fulvous gray, mottled with dusky, the back and rump re-
lieved by several large black blotches; head, neck and lower parts fulvous
whitish; the crown, occiput and nape grayish, the crown with a mesial black
streak, the occiput with coarse spots of the same; bill deep black; iris rasy car-
mine; legs and feet fine rose pink or delicate pale lake red (in life).

"Adult specimens in high breeding plumage sometimes have the white of
breast, etc., tinged with soft, creamy pink."

Length.

Stretch of
luing.

Wins

Male ....

. 14.75

28.50

9.25

Female . .

. 14.50

27.00

8.. 50

Tarsus.

Bill.

4.50

2.70

4.30

2.55

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 155

Tail.
3.00
3.00

This slender wader inhabits the shores of bays, ponds of wa-
ter, and swales where scantily covered with short grasses; alkali
pools are favorite resorts. It swims buoyantly and gracefully,
and moves on the land with easy, measured tread (not in a
"tremulous manner," as supposed by some writers, on account
of its extremely long and slender legs), runs swiftly, with par-
tially raised wings, readily tacking or stopping in its chase after
insect life. Its flight is not very swift, but strong and steady,
with sweeping strokes, legs fully extended and head partially
drawn back, after the manner of the Avocet, and, like the latter,
will meet one often a long distance from their nests, scolding
and threatening; at such times their necks are as fully extended
as their legs, the latter often dangling as they retreat.

Their food consists of insects, minute shell fish, larvae, and
the various small forms of life. They are social, usually living
and breeding in small flocks.

Their nests — when placed on dry, sandy land — are slight
depressions worked out to fit the body; on w^et lands, are upon
bunches or masses of vegetation. Eggs three or four; buff to
brownish olive, irregularly but rather thickly splashed and
spotted with blackish brown; in shape, pyriform. A set of
four eggs, taken May 17th, 1882, near Corpus Christi, Texas,
from a nest near the water's edge, are, in dimensions: l.T2x
1.23, 1.75x1.25, 1.78x1.24, 1.80x1.27.

Family SC0L0PACID.S1. Snipes, Sandpipers, etc.
(This family embraces a great variety of forms, from the smallest Sandpiper
to the largest Curlews.)

"Bill exceedingly variable — short or long, straight, slightly recurved, or de-
cidedly decurved, but usually more or less expanded laterally at the end, which
is more or less sensitive. Hind toe usually present, rarely absent.

"Tarsus rounded in front, where clothed with a single row of transverse
scutellse."

Gknus PHILOHELA Gray.
"Body very full, and head, bill and eyes very large. Tibia short, feathered
to the joint. Toes cleft to base. Wings short, rounded, the three outer prima-
ries very narrow and much attenuated; the fourth and fifth equal and longest.

15G HISTORY OF THE

Tarsi stout, shorter thau the micldle toe. Hind claw very short, conical, not
extending beyond the toe. Tail of twelve feathers."

Philohela minor (Gmet-.).

AMERICAN WOODCOCK.
PLATE X.

Occasional summer resident; quite common in migration. Ar-
rive the last of February to middle of March; begin laying the
first of April; a few linger until the ice closes their feeding

grounds.

B. .522. R. 525. C. 605. G, 240, 73. U. 228.

Habitat. Eastern United States, north to British Provinces,

west to the plains; accidental in the Bermudas; breeding

throughout its range.

Sp. Char. "Bill long, compressed, punctuated and (in dried skins) corra-
rugated near the end; upper mandible longer than the under, and fitted to it at
the tip; wings moderate, three outer quills very narrow; tail short; legs mod-
erate; eyes inserted unusually distant from the bill. Adult: Occiput with three
transverse bands of black, alternating with three much narrower ones of pale
yellowish rufous; upper parts of body variegated with pale ashy rufous, or yel-
lowish red of various shades, and black; large space on front and throat reddish
ashy; line from the eye to the bill, and another on the neck below the eye,
brownish black; entire under parts pale grayish rufous, brighter ou the sides
and under wing coverts; quills ashy brown; tail feathers brownish black, tipped
with ashy, darker on the upper surface, paler and frequently white on the un-
der; bill light brown, paler and yellowish at base; legs pale reddish. Downy
young: Generally, color light reddish buff or Isabella color, uniform ou the
lower surface; line from bill to eye, a large, somewhat elliptical patch covering
forehead and fore part of the crown, a patch ou the occiput (connected with
tliat of the crown by a narrow isthmus) and a narrow mark behind the eye, with
an oblique one below it, very dark chestnut; broad stripe down the rump also
chestnut; stripe down the nape, and various large blotches on the back, wings,
etc., rather light snuff brown."

Stretch of
Length, wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 10.50 17.50 5.25 2.25 1.25 2.50

Female . . . 11.50 18.75 5.50 2.50 1.30 2.75

The following interesting description of this popular game
bird is taken from "North American Water Birds," Vol. I,
p. 184:

"In its habits the "Woodcock is nocturnal. It never flies
voluntarily by day, but only when forced from its retreats, usu-
ally keeping in close and sheltered thickets, and resorting at
twilight to its favorite feeding places. It feeds almost exclu-

BIBBS OF KANSAS. 157

sivelj during the night, as its siglit is very imperfect by day.
Its eye is remarkably large and handsome, but unfit to bear the
glare of the sun, its full and almost amaurotic appearance plainly
suggesting the crepuscular habits of the bird. During the
greater portion of the day the Woodcock remains closely con-
cealed in marshy thickets or in rank grass; in the early morn^
ing or evening, and also on moonlight nights, it seeks its food
in open places, but during the daytime in dark and dense
coverts.

"The favorite places of resort of this species are low marshy
grounds, swamps, and meadows with soft bottoms. During very
wet seasons it seeks higher land — most generally corn fields —
and searches for food in the soft ploughed ground, where its
presence is indicated by the holes made by its bill. In seasons
of excessive drought, the Woodcock resorts in large numbers to
tide-water creeks and the banks of fresh water rivers; but so
averse is it to an excess of water, that after continued or very
heavy rains it has been known to suddenly disappear over widely
extended tracts of country.

"In October and November this bird forsakes its usual feeding
grounds, and resorts to tall, swampy woods, small streams over-
grown with bushes, and newly-cleared lands. Its favorite food
consists of larvae, insects and (more especially) worms. As the
approach of cold weather drives the latter deeper into the ground,
the Woodcock resorts to woods and brush lands, where it gleans
a subsistence on insects concealed under the leaves. That is
considered by sportsmen as the most favorable season in which
to shoot this bird, as it is then larger, fatter and more free from
vermin than at any other time. The best sportsmen contend
that the Woodcock should not be shot until the last of Septem-
ber or the first of October, and regard its destruction, when of
imperfect flight, as both barbarous in itself and certain to render
the race extinct, at least over portions of the country.

"The food of this species consists chiefly of worms, and also
of several kinds of larvae, which it finds under leaves and the
debris of swampy woods and open bogs. The extreme portion
of its bill is well supplied with nerves, and is so extremely sen-

158 HISTORY OF THE

sitive to the touch that bj it the presence of worms in the soft
earth at a depth of three inches is readily detected. This is a
very voracious bird, and when kept in confinement requires
constant attention and a large supply of food. It soon discov-
ers and draws out every worm in the ground; and such as are
provided for it are consumed in incredible quantities. It can
in time be induced to feed on bread and milk, of which it will
also consume an enormous quantity in twenty-four hours. The
voracity of this species is evidently one of the occasions of its
unsocial character. For the table the Woodcock is highly
esteemed by epicures, and always commands a high price in the
markets of our large cities. It is particularly sought for during
the early part of the season, although birds taken at that time
are much inferior in many respects to those procured later in
autumn.

"The flight of this species is very peculiar. When flushed in
its retreats, it rises to the height of the bushes or undergrowth,
and quickly drops behind them again, usually running a short
distance as soon as it touches the ground. Yery little force is
required to kill it, but, as it presents itself as a mark only for a
moment, no other than a practiced sportsman will be successful.
As it rises, the action of its wings causes a whistling sound.
When found in open meadow land, however, it is comparatively
easily shot, as it always gives warning by this whistling sound
of its wings and seldom rises higher than a man's head, skim-
ming over the ground with a slow and steady flight to a short
distance, when it settles again in the grass. But among bushes
and thickets its course is at first indirect and unsteady, and un-
like the flight of any other game; springing rapidly from the
ground, it rises perpendicularly until it clears the tops of the
trees or bushes; its flight then becomes more steady, but the
bird is by that time usually out of reach, or only to be hit by
sportsmen of experience and cool judgment.

"The call note of the Woodcock is a short 'Quack,' but this
is not often heard except in the spring, when during the love
season the male is said to have what may be considered its song.
Towards dusk it mounts in the air, uttering peculiar whistling

BIRDS OF KANSAS. I59

notes, which are continned until a late hour in the evening; and
the same are sometimes heard in the early morning. This pe-
culiarity is mentioned by several writers, but the song is spoken
of by some as a succession of cries, by others as a series of
whistling notes. Lewis mentions it as occurring in the morning,
and only occasionally at night. The Woodcock rises in the air
by a kind of spiral motion to a considerable height, uttering its
notes from time to time, until, having gained a certain elevation,
it circles around in a wild, irregular manner, at the same time
making confused and murmuring sounds; it then descends as
rapidly as it rose. When it attempts to utter these notes on the
ground, it seems to do so with difficulty, throwing its head
toward the earth and erecting its tail. These manoeuvres and
this song are only noticed in spring, and unquestionably are the
love song of the male to his mate.

"Its perioc^of incubation is three weeks. The young bird
when first hatched is not capable of active movement, and may
be very easily caught. This species is said to have frequently
two broods in a season. The female exhibits great ingenuity
in her endeavors to conceal her young and to draw away intrud-
ers, fluttering over the ground, dragging her body heavily along
as if wounded and incaj)able of flight, and then flying to a short
distance, repeating these manoeuvres until she has enticed her
pursuers sufficiently far, when she suddenly takes wing, and re-
turns to her offspring by a circuitous route. ' '

On the 25th of May, 1874, while slowly moving about in the
low bottom timber lands, near Neosho Falls, Kansas, I came
across an old bird with several young, at least one-fourth grown;
the moment I appeared in sight the mother uttered a sharp alarm
note (the little ones hiding like magic), fluttering about as de-
scribed above, rapidly uttering her warning note, until I was
within ten feet, when she suddenly grasped a little one with her
toes, and in a low and laborious manner flew about thirty yards
and dropped it in a thicket, then swiftly winged herself away.

These birds nest on the ground in the timbered lands, along
the streams and about the ponds, usually under an old log or at
the foot of a stump; a loosely-constructed nest of old leaves and

IGO HISTORY OF THE

grasses. Eggs three or four, 1.00x1.16; grayish to buff white,
irregularly spotted and blotched with various shades of reddish
brown and neutral tints; in shape, rather pyriform.

Genus GALLINAGO Leach.
"liOwer portion of the tibia bare of feathers, scutellate before and behind,
reticulated laterally like the tarsi. Nail of hind toe slender, extending beyond
the toe. Bill depressed at the tip. Middle toe longer than the tarsus. Tail
with twelve to twenty-six feathers. Plumage the same in winter and summer;
young like the adult in colors and markings. The more slender body, longer
legs, partly naked tibia, and other feathers, distinguish this genus from Scolopax
and Philohela, and the cleft toes from Macrorhaviphus."

Gallinago delicata (Ord.).

WILSON'S SNIPE.
PLATE X.

Migratory; common. Arrive in March to first of April; re-
turn as early as August; a few occasionally remain until their
feeding grounds are frozen.

B. 523. E. 526rt. C. 608. G. 241, 74. U. 230.

Habitat. The whole of North America; south in winter to
the West Indies and northern South America; breeding from
about latitude 42° north to within the Arctic circle.

Sp. CiiAK. "(Tail feathers usually sixteen.) Bill long, compressed, flattened
and slightly expanded toward the tip, punctulated in its terminal half; wings
rather long; legs moderate; tail short. Entire upper pai'ts brownish black;
every feather spotted and widely edged with light rufous, yellowish brown or
ashy white; back and rump transversely barred and spotted with the same; a
line from the base of the bill over the top of the head. Throat and neck before,
dull reddish ashy; wing feather marked with dull brownish black; other under
parts white, with transverse bars of brownish black on the sides, axillary feath-
ers, under wing coverts and under tail coverts; quills brownish bliick; outer
edge of first primary white; tail glossy brownish black, widely tipped with
bright rufous, paler at the tip, and with a subterminal narrow band of black;
outer feathers of tail paler, frequently nearly white, and barred with black
throughout their length. Bill brown (greenish gray in life), paler at base and
darker toward the end; legs dark brown (light greenish gray in life)."

Stretch of
Length. "wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 10.50 16.80 5.20 2.20 1.20 2.50

Female... 11.15 17.25 5.25 2.30 1.25 2.60

Iris dark brown; claws black.

This highly-prized game bird is quite common from the At-
lantic to the Pacific. It inhabits the open moist grounds, where
it can feed and probe with its long, soft, sensitive, pointed bill

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 161

in the tliiii mud jiiid soft earth for worms, larvte and the tender
roots of plants; it also readily picks up insects or anything eat-
able to its taste in sight. Its movements on the ground are
easy, and, while feeding, its tail is partially erect and head down-
ward, the bill just clearing the ground.

In courtship, the male struts with drooping wings and wide-
spread tail around his mate, in a most captivating manner, often
at such times rising spiral-like with quickly-beating wings high
in air, dropping back in a wavy, graceful circle, uttering at the
same time his jarring, cackling love note, which, with the vibrar
tion of the wings upon the air, makes a rather pleasing sound.

Their flight is swift and, on the start, in a zigzag and irregu-
lar manner. It is a most difficult bird to shoot; it requires a
quick eye and a snap shot to bag four out of Ave. I have al-
ways had the best success when the birds are suddenly flushed,
in shooting the instant its startled "Scaipe" reaches my ear, as
it is invariably heard the moment the bird is fairly in the air.
These birds are not social, and, although found at times in num-
bers, move about either alone or in pairs.

Their nests are usually placed on or under a tuft of grass; a
mere depression, scantily lined with bits of old grass leaves.
Eggs three or four, grayish olive, with more or less of a brown-
ish shade, spotted and blotched, chiefly about the larger end,
with varying shades of umber brown, and usually sharp, scratchy
lines of black; in shape, pyriform. A set of four eggs, taken
May 3d, 1878, at Pewaukee, Wisconsin, from a nest on a marsh,
are, in dimensions: 1.51x1.14, 1.52x1.12, 1.54x1.13, 1.56

xl.l3.

Genus MACRORHAMPHUS Leach.

"General appearance of GalUnayo. Tarsi longer than middle toe; a short
web between the base of outer and middle toe. Plumage very different in win-
ter and summer; young different from the adult. The membrane at the base of
the toes will at once distinguish this genus from OalUnago, though there are
other characters involved."

Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say).

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER.
PLATE X.

Migratory; common. Arrive in April; begin to return in

August, and I have noticed the birds late in October.
—11

1G2 HISTORY OF THE

B. 525. R. 52Ta. C. 610. G. 242, 75. U. 232.

Habitat. North Ameiica in general (except northeastern

portion), but chiefljin the western provinces; south in winter to

northern South America, West Indies; breeding in Alaska, etc.,

to the Arctic Ocean.

Sp. Chae. "Shaft of first primary strong, pure white; axillars, tail coverts
and lower part of rump white, barred or trausversely spotted with slate color;
upper part of rump white, usually immaculate; tail slate colored or dusky, barred
with white (or, in summer, adult with pale cinnamon on middle feathers).
Adult, in summer: Head, neck and lower parts light cinnamon; breast scantily
speckled, and sides barred with dusky; the head and neck streaked with the
same; upper parts mixed black, light cinnamon and white, the first prevailing.
Winter plumage: Belly and anal region white, usually unmarked; rest of plum-
age nearly uniform ash gray, somewhat mixed with white on breast and sides;
a whitish superciliary stripe, and wing coverts bordered with white. Toiing:
Back, scapulars and tertials varied with black and light clay brown, the latter
chiefly on edges of the feathers; lower parts dull whitish, soiled with dull buff
or clay color, especially across breast, the jugulum and sides usually indistinctly
speckled with dusky. Bill dark olive; iris reddish hazel; feet light yellowish
olive; claws black."

Stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarstis. Bill.

Male 11.00 18.50 5.70 2.25 1.55 2.65

Female... 11.50 18.75 5.75 2.35 1.60 2.90

The sand bars, edges of lagoons and mud flats upon the sea-
coast appear to be the natui-al haunts of this widely-distributed
and excellent table bird. It is largely replaced, along the At-
lanic coast, by its cousin, M. griseus,' increasing in numbers
westward, and, during migration to and from its breeding
grounds, very common inland, where it seems to prefer the al-
kali marshes and pools of water.

These birds are social and generally move in small flocks.
They are rather timid, and, as approached, bunch together like
sheep, affording an easy shot. The survivors rise with a startled
"Tweet, tweet, tweet," but instead of beating a retreat, as a
rule return, and hover over the dead and wounded, giving the
heartless "pot hunter" ano*ther opportunity to slaughter. When
much hunted they become wild, but at such times a passing
flock are easily drawn within range by putting out decoys, or,
from a blind, uttering their call note; curiosity, love of one an-
other, or stupidity, (call it what you may,) makes the birds an
easy capture. In flight they are swift and strong; their feeding

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 163

habits similar to Wilson's Snipe, but in more open grounds and
in deeper waters; and when too deep to wade, I have seen them
boldly swim across a narrow channel or strip of water. Mr.
Nelson, in his "Report upon Natural History Collections made
in Alaska, between the years 1877 and 1881," says:

"This is one of the most common waders on the shore of
Norton Sound in summer, and is also present in small numbers
all along the Yukon, where suitable locations occur. It is a
rather scarce summer resident about Point Barrow, according to
Murdock. In spring, the middle of May, as the snow disap-
pears, and the first pale leaves of grass begin to thrust their
spear points through the dead vegetable mat on the ground, or
as early as the tenth on some seasons, this peculiar Snipe returns
to its summer home. At the Yukon mouth I found them on
May 12th, when they were already engaged in love making,
though the ground was still to a great extent covered with
snow, and only here and there appeared a thawed place where
they could feed. Toward the end of this month they are plen-
tiful, and their curious habits and loud notes make them among
the most conspicuous denizens of the marshes. At the Yukon
mouth, on May 28th, I came across a female busily at work,
preparing a little hollow in a tussock for her eggs, and, as I drew
near, she moved a little to one side and uttered a sharp, queru-
lous note, as if protesting against the intrusion. We took the
hint and left her; but a second visit, some days later, showed
the spot deserted. These are very demonstrative birds in their
love making, and the last of May and first of June their loud
cries are heard everywhere about their haunts, especially in
morning and evening.

"Two or three males start in pursuit of a female, and away
they go, twisting and turning, here and there, over marsh and
stream, with marvelous swiftness and dexterity. At short inter-
vals, a male checks his flight for a moment to utter a strident
"Peet-u-weet; wee-too, wee-too;" then on he goes full tilt again.
After they have mated, or when a solitary male pays his devo-
tions, they rise fifteen or twenty 3'ards from the ground, where,
hovering upon quivering wings, the bird pours forth a lisping

2(34 HISTORY OF THE

but energetic and frequently musical song, which can be very
imperfectly expressed by the syllables ' ' Peet-peet, pee-ter-wee-
too, wee-too, pee-ter-wee-too, pee-ter-wee-too, wee-too, wee-too."
This is the complete song, but frequently only fragments are
sung, as when the bird is in pursuit of the female.

"June 16th, while crossing a tussock-covered hill top, over a
mile from any water, I was surprised to see a female of this
species flutter from her nest about six feet in front of me, and
skulk off through the grass with trailing wings and depressed
head for some ten or fifteen yards, then stand nearly concealed
by a tuft of grass, and watch me as I pillaged her home of its
treasures."

The eggs, four in number (set No. 299), rested in a shallow
depression formed by the bird's body in the soft moss, and with,
out a trace of lining. These eggs measure, respectively: 1.80x
1.21, 1.70x1.20, 1.69x1.20, 1.72x1.23. A second set of four
(No. 328), taken on lower ground, June 20th, the same season,
measure: 1.80x1.22, 1.72x1.23, 1.87x1.24, 1.83x1.25; and set
No. 222, from a boggy flat, but with no nest except the dead
grass naturally found on the place occupied, was__taken June
13th, the same season, and measure: 1.73x1.23, 1.72x1.23,
1.70x1.22, 1.72x1.22. The ground color varies from a greenish
clayey olive to a light grayish or clay color. The spots are
large, well defined, and scattered sparsely, except about the tip
of large end, where they are crowded. These spots are dark
umber brown, and present a striking contrast to the ground
color. All the eggs mentioned above were fresh, but the young
are full grown and on the wing with their parents the last of
July, and the first of August finds the adults rapidly changing
their breeding dress for that of winter, and gathering into flocks.
By the first of September they are in perfect winter dress, and
frequent muddy flats, the edges of tide creeks, and other places,
exactly as they do in their passage south or north, in middle
latitudes. They have the same unsuspicious ways here as there,
and may be shot at again and again, as they keep about their
wounded comrades.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 165

Genus MICROPALAMA Caihd.

"Form sleuder, the legs very long, the bill long and mnch compressed, the
anterior toes all webbed at the base. Tarsns nearly twice as long as the middle
toe. which is a little shorter than the bare portion of the tibise, this scutellate
before and behind, like the tarsus. Bill sleuder, straight, about equal to the
tarsus, greatly compressed, except at the end, which is decidedly expanded lat-
erally. Tail nearly even, but the central and exterior feathers usually percep-
tibly longer than the rest. Wings long and pointed.

"The present genus, with a basal membrane to all the anterior toes, as in
Ereunetes, has this a little more deeply emarginate; the bill and legs much
longer; the former more curved. The bare portion of the tibia is covered before
and behind by transverse scutellse, like the tarsus. The tail is nearly even,
with a double emargiuation. The middle toe is not two-thirds the length of
the tarsus, but about equal to the bare portion of the tibia. The bill is much
pitted at the end in the dry skin.

"In many respects this species approaches the Snipes, and its true place
is probably very near Macrorhamplms. The legs, however, are much longer,
and equal to the bill, instead of being much shorter."

Micropalama himantopus (Bonap.).

STILT SANDPIPER.
PLATE X.

Migratory, rare. Arrive in April; return the last of August
to middle of September.

B. 536. R. 528. C. 611. G. 243, 76. U. 233.

Habitat. Eastern North America, west to the Rocky Moun-
tains; south in winter to Brazil, Peru and West Indies; breed-
ing far northward.

Sp. Char. ^^ Adult, summer plumage: Above, variegated with black, whitish
gray and pale buff, the first prevailing on the back and scapulars; wings rather
dark gray, the feathers edged with paler; primaries dusky slate; rump grayish,
the feathers with darker centers; upper tail coverts white, the longer ones
barred, the anterior ones longitudinally marked with dusky; middle tail feath-
ers light gray, the others varied longitudinally with white and pale gray; pileum
dusky, streaked with whitish; a dark brown loral stripe from base of maxilla to
eyes; auriculars and patch on each side the occiput light cinnamon rufous;
lower parts dirty white, the throat and jugulum streaked (other portions trans-
versely barred) with dusky; lining of the wing and axillars white, the latter
marked with gray. Adult, in winter: Above, uniform ash gray, the upper tail
coverts, tail and wings only as in the summer plumage; superciliary stripe and
lower parts white, the jugulum, sides of the neck and crissum streaked with
gray. Young: Back and scapulars blackish, all the feathers widely bordered
with buffy white, the middle of the back tinged with rusty; wing coverts bor-
dered with pale buff and white; upper tail coverts nearly immaculate white;
pileum streaked with dusky, pale buff and grayish; nape nearly uniform ash
gray; lower parts soiled white, the breast and sides more or less strongly suf-

166 HISTORY OF THE

fused with buff, the jugnlum, sides of the neck and flanks indistinctly streaked
with grayish; bill black; iris brown; feet dull yellowish green; claws black."

Stretch of

Length.

xving.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . .

. . 8.25

15.50

5.00

2.00

1.60

1.50

Female .

. . 9.25

16.75

5.25

2.20

1.75

1.65

I have met with this rare species in the State on several occa-
sions, at all times in small flocks, and along the edges of old
channels of rivers or muddy pools of water, in wliicli it wades
while feeding; immersing the head and feeling with its sensi-
tive bill in the thin mnd for worms and minute forms of life.
It moves about rather slowly as compared with the true Sand-
piper, but in an easy, graceful manner. In resting, draws it&
head down between the shoulders and often stands upon one
leg; and once when approaching a pair of these birds thus rest-
ing, they both dropped to the ground, and hugged it closely, in
hopes that I would pass them unobserved, and so remained until
I was within at least ten feet, when, with a sudden spring, they
launched into the air, uttering a sharp "Tweet, tweet," and
winged themselves away with the speed of an arrow.

These birds are said to breed in the Arctic regions through-
out their range. The following, taken from "North American
Water Birds," is the only reliable description given that I can
find of their nests and eggs:

"Mr. McFarlane found this species breeding at Rendezvous
Lake, in the Arctic region, June 27th. In situation and com-
position they are said to be similar to others previously met
with. The nest contained four eggs, the female having been
shot on leaving it. The contents of the eggs were slightly de-
veloped. This bird was everywhere very rare, except on the
Arctic coast at Franklin Bay, where it was found tolerably abund-
ant. At Island Point, July 5th, he obtained two young birds
in the down, with the female parent. Both parents displayed
much courage and ingenuity in defense of their young, two of
which were thus enabled to escape. He afterwards, in the same
neighborhood, procured other young in the down, with both
parents. Another nest obtained at Langston Harbor, in July,
1865, contained four eggs quite fresh. The nest was a mere

■ BIRDS OF KANSAS. 1G7

depression in the <jr()iiiid, lined with a few withered leaves and
grasses.

"A set of eggs (S. I. No. 9389), obtained on the Arctic coast
by Mr. MacFarlane, June 22d, 1863, was in a nest composed
of decaj-ed leaves, and placed in a hollow partly concealed by
tufts of gi-ass. The eggs are three in number, of an oblong,
pyriform shape, and have a ground-color of a light and bright
drab or grayish white, with large, rounded and scattered mark-
ings of bistre; these markings are larger and more numerous
at the obtuse end. The eggs range from 1.47 to 1.50 inches in
length, and have a breadth of one inch. Another set (No.
11331), obtained in 1866, have spots that are larger and more
confluent about the greater end, and are more rounded in shape,
varying between 1,45 and 1.46 inches in length, and in breadth
between 1.05 and 1.10 inches.

Genus TRINGtA Linn.eus.
"Body robust; bill and legs short, the former straiglit, widened terminally,
and scarcely longer than the head; tarsus about equal to the bill, or a little
shorter; middle toe about two-thirds the tarsus; wings long and pointed, reach-
ing beyond the end of the tail."

SUBGEJJUS TEINGA.
Middle pair of tail feathers not longer than the rest. {Ridgicay.)

Tringa canutus Linn.

KNOT.
PLATE X.

Migratory; rare. Two specimens, shot in the spring of the
year, at Neosho Falls, by Col. W. L. Parsons, are the only ones
to my knowledge captured or seen in the State.

B. 526. R. 539. C. 626. G. 344, 77. U. 334.

Habitat. Northern hemisphere, chiefly upon the seacoasts;

south in winter nearly throughout the southern hemisphere;

breeds in high northern latitudes.

Sp. Char. Summer adult with lower parts uniform light cinnamon.
Above, light grayish, irregularly varied with black and tinged with pale rusty;
rump and upper tail coverts white, irregularly barred and spotted with dusky;
distinct superciliary stripe, and lower parts generally, uniform pale vinaceous
cinnamon, paler on belly; under wing coverts, axillars, flanks and lower tail
coverts white, usually more or less marked with dusky. Winter phnncuje: Above,

168 HISTORY OF THE '

plaiu ash gray, the feathers with iudistinct darker shaft streaks; rump and up-
per tail coverts white, barred with dusky; lower parts white, the throat, fore-
neck, chest aud sides streaked and otherwise marked with dusky. Young:
Above, ash gray, each feather bordered with whitish and with a subedgiug of
dusky; lower parts whitish, sometimes tinged with dull bufify on breast, etc.;
the neck and chest streaked and flecked with dusky, the sides indistinctly
barred and spotted with the same; otherwise like adult. Dotcny young: Fore-
head warm buff, with a central black line; over the eye a double black line;
crown, from center backwards, black, slightly varied with rufous and dotted
with buff; nape creamy buff slightly varied with blackish; upper parts black,
slightly varied with reddish brown and profusely dotted with creamy white;
under parts very slightly washed with warm buff. {Ridgway.)

stretch of
Length. wing. IVi'ng. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 10.25 20.50 6.25 2.40 1.20 1.40

Female... 10.50 20.75 6.35 2.50 1.20 1.40

Iris dark brown; bill and claws black; legs and feet dark
green.

This cosmopolitan species is quite common along the Atlantic
coast, and from Alaska nortliward, but is seldom met with in-
land, especially west of the Mississippi.

In the early part of September, 1884, I had a very good op-,
portunity to observe these birds near Chatham, Massachusetts,
as they were feeding along the sandy beach upon minute shell-
fish and other small forms of life that are loosened and brought
to the surface by the wash of the waters upon the shore; a very
pretty and lively sight, as they swiftly followed and retreated
from the waves that continually roll upon the beach. I also
noticed a small flock of these birds probing for food in a marshy
pool of water on Monomoy Isle; occasionally wading beyond
their depth, apparently floating and swimming with ease. They
usually move in flocks, and when startled all spring into the
air with a sharp "Tweep, tweep," and swiftly fly in a compact,
wavy manner.

These birds are reported as breeding along the Arctic coast
north to Greenland, and young birds have been captured.
Morris, in his ^'British Birds," Vol. IV, p. 293, says: "A tuft
of grass serves as a depository for the eggs. They are stated
to be four in number, of a light yellowish brown color, marked
at the larger end with gray and reddish spots, forming more or
less of a belt, and less spotted towards the smaller end." But

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BIRDS OF KANSAS. 169

the following is the only authentic description given of its eggs,
or rather egg, by Dr. Merriam, in "The Auk," Vol. 2, p. 313:
"Lieut. A. W. Greeley, U. S. A., commander of the late ex-
pedition to Lady Franklin Sound, succeeded in obtaining the
long-so ught-f or egg of this species, and has had the extreme
kindness to ask me to publish the first account of it. Lieut.
Greeley writes me: 'The specimen of bird and egg were ob-
tained in the vicinity of Fort Conger, latitude 81° 44' N. The
egg was 1.10 inch (28 mm.) in the longer axis, and 1.00 inch
(25.40 mm.) in the shorter. Color light pea green, closely
spotted with brown, in small specks about the size of a pin
head.'"

SuBGEi^US ACTODROMAS Kaup.

"Size medium to very small (smallest of the family); form graceful; legs
and bill slender, the latter straight aud little (if any) longer than the tarsus.
Tarsus decidedly longer than the middle toe with its claw; toes slender, com-
pletely cleft; wings long and pointed, their ends, when closed, reaching beyond
the tip of the tail.

"Although the species of this genus vary greatly in size, they all agree very
■closely in the details of structure."

Tringa maculata Vieill.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER.
PLATE XI.

Migratory; abundant. Arrrive the last of March to middle
of April; return early in September.

B. 531. K. 534. C. 616. G. 245, 78. U. 239.

Habitat. Nearly the whole of America, but in summer con-
fined to Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Occasionally in Europe.

Sp. Char. ^' Adult, in summer: Above, light clay color, the crown, back,
scapulars and tertials washed with light rufous or rusty ochraceous; the feath-
ers black centrally, producing conspicuous streaks, which widen into spots on
the scapulars and back; rump and middle upper tail coverts brownish black;
lateral upper tail coverts white, with dusky shaft streaks; middle tail feathers
dusky, edged with lighter; other rectrices pale brownish gray, bordered with
white; wing coverts light grayish brown, with paler borders and darker centers;
a light superciliary stripe, and a darker loral one. Cheeks, sides of neck, whole
jugulum and breast pale clay color or light grayish buff, streaked with dusky;
sides sparsely streaked; remaining lower parts immaculate white; basal half of
bill dull greenish yellow. Adult, in winter: Similar to summer plumage, but
the rusty tint above almost or wholly absent, aud the black markings less sharply
defined. Young, first j^lumage: Quite similar to the suunner adult, but the

270 HISTORY OF THE

scapulars and outer interscapulars coospiouously tipped externally with white,
the breast, etc., more distinctly buff, and ratlier more narrowly streaked."

stretch of
Length. ^uing: IVi'ng. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 9.00 16.75 5.40 2.40 1.00 1.10

Female... 8.50 16.00 5.10 2.30 1.00 1.05

Iris brown; bill brown, greenish at base; legs and feet green-
ish yellow; claws dark brown.

This species inhabits low, wet lands, muddy flats and the edges
of shallow pools of water, seldom frequenting sandy shores.
These birds move in flocks, but, while feeding, scatter as they
move about, picking and probing here and there for their food,
which consists of worms, insects, larvse, minute shellfish, and
occasionally tender rootlets and buds; but at the report of a gun,
or any sudden fright, spring into the air, utter a low whistling
note, quickly bunch together, flying swift and strong, usually in
a zigzag manner, and when not much hunted often circle and
drop back within shot; for they are not naturally a suspicious
or timid bird, and when quietly and slowly approached, occa-
sionally— like the Knot^ — try to hide by squatting close to the
ground. It is only of late that we have had any authentic
accounts of their breeding habits, and it therefore gives me great
pleasure to present Mr. Nelson's interesting description of the
same, as published in his report upon "Natural History Collec-
tions in Alaska," viz. :

"The last of May, 1879, I pitched my tent on a lonely island
in the Yukon delta, and passed several weeks in almost contin-
ual physical discomfort, owing to the cold rain and snow storms
which prevailed. However, I look back with pleasure upon
the time passed here among the various water fowl, when every
day contributed new and strange experiences.

"The night of May 24th, I lay wrapped in my blanket, and
from the raised flap of the tent looked out over as dreary a
cloud-covered landscape as can be imagined. The silence was
unbroken save by the tinkling and clinking of the disintegrat-
ing ice in the river, and at intervals by the wild notes of some
restless Loon, which arose in a hoarse, reverbrating cry and died
away in a strange, gurgling sound. As my eyelids began to
droop and the scene to become indistinct, suddenly a low, hoi-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 171

low, booming note struck my ear and sent my thoughts back
to a spring morning in northern Illinois, and to the loud vi-
brating tones of the Prairie Chickens. Again the sound arose,
nearer and more distinct, and with an effort I brought myself
back to the reality of my position, and, resting upon one elbow,
listened. A few seconds passed, and again arose the note; a
moment later, and, gun in hand, I stood outside the tent. The
open flat extended away on all sides, with apparently not a liv-
ing creature near. Once again the note was repeated close by,
and a glance revealed its author. Standing in the thin grass
ten or fifteen yards from me, with its throat inflated until it was
as large as the rest of the bird, was a male A. onaculata. The
succeeding days afforded opportunity to observe the bird as it
uttered its singular notes, under a variety of situations, and at
various hours of the day or during the light Arctic night. The
note is deep, hollow and resonant, but at the same time liquid
and musical, and may be represented by a repetition of the syl-
lables, "Tob-u, tob-u, tob-u, tbb-u, tob-u, tbb-u, tbb-u, tbb-u,"
Before the bird utters these notes it fills its esophagus with air
to such an extent that the breast and throat is inflated to twice,
or more, its natural size, and the great air sac thus formed gives
the peculiar resonant quality to the note.

''The skin of the throat and breast becomes very flabby and
loose at this season, and its inner surface is covered with small
globular masses of fat. When not inflated, the skin loaded
with this extra weight, and with a slight serous suffusion which
is present, hangs down in a pendulous flap or fold exactly like
a dewlap, about an inch and a half wide. The aesophagus is
very loose and becomes remarkably soft and distensible, but is
easily ruptured in tliis state, as I found by dissection. In the
plate accompanying this report, the extent and character of this
inflation, unique at least among American waders, is shown.
The bird may frequently be seen running along the ground
close to the female, its enormous sac inflated, and its head drawn
back and the bill pointing directly forward, or, filled with spring-
time vigor, the bird flits with slow but energetic wing strokes
close along the ground, its head raised high over the shoulders

172 HISTORY OF THE

and the tail banging almost directly down. As it thus flies it
utters a succession of the hollow, booming notes, which have a
strange ventriloquial quality. At times the male rises twenty
or thirty yards in the air, and, inflating its throat, glides down
to the ground with its sac hanging below, as is shown in the ac-
companying plate. Again he crosses back and forth in front
of the female, puffing his breast out and blowing from side to
side, running here and there, as if intoxicated with passion.
Whenever he pursues his love making, his rather low but per-
vadintr note swells and dies in musical cadences, which form a
striking part of the great bird chorus heard at this season in the
north."

Mr. Murdock, to whom we are indebted for the first account
of its nest and eggs, says the birds breed in abundance at Point
Barrow, Alaska, and that "The nest is always built in the grass,
with a decided preference for high and dry localities like the
banks of gullies and streams. It was sometimes placed at the
edge of a small pool, but always in grass and in a dry place,
never in the black clay and moss, like the Plover and Buff-
breasted Sandpipers, or in the marsh, like the Phalaropes. The
nest was like that of the other waders, a depression in the
ground lined with a little dry grass."

All the complete sets of eggs we found contained four. The
following is a description of the eggs, obtained from the exam-
ination of eighteen sets:

They are pointedly pyriform, like those of the other small
waders. The following measurements, in inches, indicate the
size, shape and limits of variation: 1.58x1.06, 1.44x1.11, 1.42
xl.08, 1.54x1.02. In color and markings they closely resemble
the eggs of the other small waders. The ground color is drab,
sometimes with a greenish tinge, though never so green as in
the eg^ of P. alpina americana^ and sometimes a pale bistre
brown. The markings are blotchings of clear umber brown,
varying in intensity, thickest and sometimes confluent around the
larger end, smaller and more scattered at the smaller end.
Some of the eggs with brown ground are thickly blotched all
over. A single eg^ in one set of four has the markings almost

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 173

as fine as in A. hairdi., but the egg is larger and has not the
characteristic ruddy hue. All the eggs have the usual shell
markings of pale purplish gray and light neutral tint. The
eggs may be distinguished from those of the Buff -breasted Sand-
piper, which they closely resemble, by their warmer color.

Tringa fuscicollia Viell.

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER.
PLATE XI.

Migratory; common. Arrive the last of April to first of May,
occasionally arriving as early as the last of March, and I have
in the "Goss Ornithological Collection" a pair shot the 17th
and 22d of May; return early in September.

B. 533. E. 536. C. 617. G. 246, 79. U. 240.

Habitat. Nearly the whole of America, north to Greenland,
south to Falkland Islands, occasionally in Europe; breeds from
Labrador and Alaska northward.

Sp. Char. ^^Adult, in summer: Above light brownish gray, much tinged,
particularly on the crown, back and inner scapulars, with light msty buff or
ochraceous, all ihe feathers black centrally, these markings largest and some-
what V-shaped, or sagittate, on the scapulars, streak-like elsewhere, the streaks
broadest on the crown and back; rump dusky blackish, the feathers bordered
with light gray; upper tail coverts pure white, in marked contrast, some of the
feathers having irregular, sagittate, mostly concealed, spots of dusky. Tail
brownish gray, the middle feathers blackish, and all slightly edged with whitish.
Wing coverts and tertials brownish gray, lighter on edges and dusky centrally,
the shafts nearly black. Superciliary stripe and entire lower parts pure white;
aiiriculars light buff, indistinctly streaked; sides of head and neck, foreneck,
jugulum and upper part of breast streaked or dashed with dusky; sides and
flanks with larger irregular markings of the same. Adult, in winter: Wings,
rump, upper tail coverts and tail as in summer plumage; rest of upper parts
continuous brownish gray, relieved by rather indistinct mesial streaks of black;
streaks on jugulum, etc., less shari)ly defined than in the summer plumage.
Young, first plumage: Back and scapulars black, the feathers bordered termin-
ally with pure white, and laterally with ferruginous, those of the middle of the
back also tipped with this color; feathers of the pileum and rump, as well as the
tertials, also bordered with rusty; wing coverts bordered with pale grayish buff.
Otherwise as in the winter plumage, but breast, jugulum, etc., suffused with pale
fulvous."

Stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarstis. Bill.

Male 7.25 15.00 4.75 2.25 .95 .95

Female... 7.20 14.75 4.70 2.10 .95 .95

Iris dark brown; bill black, with base of under reddish flesh

color. Legs and feet dark olive brown, claws black.

174 HISTORY OF THE

This species, during migration, is found from the Atlantic
coast to the Rocky Mountains. (I have met with the birds in
Texas and Eastern Colorado.) The only mention I can find of
the birds west of the Rocky Mountains, south of Alaska, is of a
single specimen reported from Oakland, California, by Walter
E. Bryant, in "The Auk," YoL 4, p. 78. If as stated, (''feet
and legs yellow,") it cannot be this species; but as the birds
breed in Northern Alaska, and have been found by Stejneger
west on Behring Islands, they will probably prove to be migrants
on the Pacific side, though not as common as eastward. " 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. il

The following description of their nest and eggs is from
"North American Water Birds," Vol. I, p. 229: "Mr. L. Kum-
lin states that this species breeds in Kinguah and Kinguite fords,
and in other suitable localities on both shores of Cumberland
Sound. Considerable numbers were observed along the beach
near Nuboyant, on the west shore, in July, where they were in
all probability breeding. Mr. MacFarlane was so fortunate as
to meet with several nests, with the eggs, of this species on or
near the Arctic coast. One of these, taken July 3d, on the
shore of the Arctic Sea, contained four eggs with very large
embryos. Another, found on the following day, contained three
eggs. A third, found June 29tli, on the Barren Grounds, was
a mere depression in the ground, lined with a few decayed
leaves, containing four eggs with very large embryos. A fourth,
obtained on the banks of a small river, was composed of a few
decayed leaves, and held four eggs.

"Eggs of this species found on the Barren Grounds, near the
Arctic coast, by Mr. MacFarlane (S. I. No. 11329), are pyri-

BIIUJ.S OF KAJVi^AS. 175

form in shape, and have a ground color of a rufous drab, marked
with bold patclies of dark sepia brown, interspersed with spots
in which this shade is deepened ahnost into blackness, and which
are collected in confluent groupings around the larger end.
These eggs measure 1.35 inches in length by .95 in breadth."

Tringa bairdii (Coues).

BAIRD'S SANDPIPER.
PLATE XI.

Migratory; quite common. Arrive the last of March to first
of May; remain often late into May; begin to return the last
of August, occasionally remain until November.

B. . E. 537. C. 615. G. 247, 80. U. 241.

Habitat. America in general, but chiefly the interior; breed-
ing along the Arctic coast, and migrating south in winter to
Chili and Argentine Republic.

Sp. Char. ''Adult, in summer: Above, variegated with black and grayish
buff, the former prevailing, in the form of irregular, somewhat diamond-shaped
spots on the back and scapulars, the buff occupying most of the border of the
feathers, and sending indentations toward the shaft; elsewhere, the black forms
distinct streaks, widest on the crown and anterior part of the back; rump and
upper tail coverts dusky brownish black, feathers bordered with dull clay color,
the exterior ones of the latter chiefly white, with irregular U-shaped markings
of dusky; tail light brywuish gray, the middle feather nearly black, all narrowly
edged with whitish; wing coverts and tertials grayish brown, with lighter edges
and darker centers; remiges dull slate; lower parts white, the sides of the head
and neck, the jugulum and anterior portions of the sides streaked with dusky.
Adult, in winter: Above, continuous grayish clay color, the feathers with darker
mesial streaks; rump and middle upper tail coverts dusky, the feathers bor-
dered termiuaJly with dull clay color; lateral upper tail coverts brownish white;
beneath, brownish white, the jugulum, breast, sides (anteriorly) and sides of
the neck deeply suffused with clay color or dull buff. You7iff, first plumage:
Above, grayish clay color, the scapulars and interscapulars blackish centrally,
and conspicuously bordered with whitish terminally; the feathers of the crown
^ud nape streaked with dusky; wing coverts, rump, etc., much as in the winter
plumage; sides of the head and neck, the jugulum and breast pale clay color,
rather indistinctly streaked with dusky; other lower parts white."'

stretch of
Length. -wing. IVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 7.00 14.70 4.80 1.85 .85 .85

Female... ^20 15.00 4.90 2.00 .85 .85

Iris dark brown; legs, feet and claws black.
These birds are rarely met with upon either coast, but are
■quite common inland, especially in the Missouri region and west

176 HISTORY OF THE

to Nevada. "^ In habits they are similar to tlie White-rumped
(which they so closely resemble), but are more inclined to wan-
der from the water's edge. I have flushed the birds on high
prairie lands, at least a mile from water.—

They are said to breed all along the Arctic coast, west of Hud-
son's Bay to Alaska. The following description of their nest and
eggs is taken from "North American Water Birds:"

"This species was found breeding on the Barren Grounds,
near the Arctic coast, June 24th, by Mr. MacFarlane. The nest
had been made upon the ground, in a swampy district between
two small lakes, and was composed of a few decayed leaves laid
loosely in a small hole or depression, shaded by a tuft of grass.
The female bird glided from the nest, on being approached,
passing closely to him, and then fluttering along, dropping her
wings as if wounded, endeavoring thus to lead him away from
the nest. This was a rare bird in that quarter. The eggs of
this species are usually four in number. One set (S. I. No.
14085) exhibited the following measurements: 1.40x. 99, 1.35
xl.02, 1.32X.98 and 1. Six. 98. Their ground color is a light
drab, generally and very uniformly sprinkled with dottings,
spots and a few larger confluent blotches of a bright sepia brown.
These are occasionally larger and a little morfe numerous at the
obtuse end, but generally are distributed with very little differ-
ence over the whole surface of the Q^^g.''^

Tringa minutilla ViEiLii.

LEAST SANDPIPER.
PLATE XI.

Migratory; abundant. Arrive the last of March to first of
May; begin to return early in August, a few occasionally re-
maining into November.

B. 533. R. 538. C. 614. G. 248, 81. U. 243.

Habitat. America in general; breeding throughout the Arc-
tic regions, also in sub-Arctic districts.

Sp. Char. '■'■ Adult, summer plumage. Back and scapiilars black, the feathers
bordered and somewhat barred (not continuously, and mostly beneath the sur-
face), with rusty ochraceous, the tips of some of the feathers often whitish; rump
and middle upper tail coverts brownish black; lateral upper tail coverts white,
with wedge-shaped markings of grayish; middle tail feathers dusky, with paler

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 177

edges: other rectrk-os light browuish gray, with wliite shafts. Crown light
grayish fulvous or ochraceous, heavily streaked with black; wing coverts brown-
ish gray, with dark centers and paler edges, the shafts blackish; tertials edged
with ochraceous; primaries dusky. A light superciliary stripe, and a darker
one on side of the head; neck and jugulum very pale grayish fulvous, or fulvous
ashy streaked with dusky; sides and crissum narrowly streaked; other lower
parts immaculate white. Adult, in winter: Above, rather dark brownish gray,
the feathers with indistinctly darker centers; rump, etc., as in summer plumage.
Superciliary stripe and lower parts white, the jugulum light ashy, indistinctly
streaked. Young, first plumage: Very similar to the summer plumage of the
adult, but many of the scapulars and interscapulars tipped with white, these
feathers without any bars; wing coverts bordered with ochraceous. Jugulum
suffused with pale fulvous, and obsoletely streaked.

"This abundant and extensively diffused species resembles very closely, both
in its small size and in its colors, at all seasons, the equally common and widely
distributed Semipalmated Sandpiper, Ercunetes pusillus. It may be immedi-
ately distinguished, however, by the complete cleft toes, the other species having
all the anterior toes webbed at the base."

stretch of

Length. tuing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5..50 11.00 3.40 1.60 .70 .65

Female... 5.70 11.50 3.50 1.60 .70 .70

Iris brown; bill, legs and feet slate green, the latter with yel-
lowish hue; claws black.

This lively, social little Sandpiper is quite common through-
out its range. It has been found breeding as far south as Sable
Island, Nova Scotia, but its usual breeding grounds are north
from Labrador and Alaska to Greenland; wintering from Cali-
fornia and the Gulf States southward. In habits it differs little
if any from its genus, but is more restless and active; running
nimbly about, often with the larger waders, feeding around and
beneath them, apparently heedless of danger; and many a time,
while watching for other birds, they have passed close to my
feet; but at the least motion the whole flock would spring into the
air like a flash, with a startled "Peep, peep," and in a compact
form swiftly sweep about in an uncertain manner, canting from
side to side, showing rapidly the white beneath and dark above,
a wavy, pretty sight, the white at times fairly glistening in the
sunlight. When migrating or going any distance, their flight
is quite steady and direct. Audubon, who found the birds
breeding in Labrador, says: "At all periods, excepting those at
which tliey have nests containing eggs, or young so small and

178 HISTORY OF THE

delicate as to require all the care of their parents, the flight of
the present species resembles that of the common Snipe, Scolo-
pax wilsonii; but when startled from the nest, or from any
place in the immediate vicinity, it rises on wing and moves ofll
low over the ground with deeply incurved wings, and with a
whirling motion of these organs, which, if as rapid as that of
a Partridge, would appear quite similar; but, on such occasions,
our bird moves slowly before you, and instead of uttering the
note of independence, as it were, which it emits at other times
while freely and fearlessly traveling, it gives out sounds weak-
ened by grief or anxiety, for the purpose of inducing you to
follow it. If on the ground it acts in a similar manner, moves
off slowly, and limping as if crippled, and this at times quite as
much as if you had really come upon it while on its nest, or
surprised it with its young."

Their nests are placed on the ground, a slight depression
scantily lined with leaves and grasses. Eggs three or four;
ground color cream buff to light drab, spotted and blotched
irregularly with varying shades of brown, thickest about the
larger end. A set of three eggs, collected July 2d, 18S2, by
Mr. MacFarlane, at Fort Anderson, near the Arctio coast, meas-
ure: l.lOx.85, 1.12x.85, 1.12X.86; in shape, pyriform.

Subgenus PELIDNA Cuvier.
"Bill slender, longer than the head, deep through the base, compressed,
scarcely or not at all expanded at the tip, and decidedly decurved terminally.
Tarsus shorter than the bill, longer than the middle toe. Wings reaching be-
yond end of tail."

Tringa alpina pacifica (Coues).

RED-BACKED SANDPIPER.
PLATE XL

Migratory; rare. Arrive in April; return in August.

B. 530. R. 539a. C. 634. G. 249, 82. U. 243«.

Habitat. North America in general; eastern Asia; breeding
in the Arctic regions, north to Greenland. Winter in Califor-
nia, the Gulf States and southward.

Sp. Char. ^^ Adult, in summer: Crown, back, scapulars, rump and upper
tail coverts light rufous, the crown strealced (other parts spotted ) with black;
wing coverts brownish gray, the greater broadly tipped with white. Head (ex-

BIEBS OF KANSAS. I79

cept crown), neck, jugulum and breast grayish white, streaked with dusky; ab-
domen black; sides, flanks, anal region, crissum and lining of the wing pure
white, the sides, flanks and crissum sparsely streaked. Adult and young, in
winter: Above, entirely plain ash gray, sometimes with very indistinct dusky
shaft streaks; indistinct superciliary stripe and lower parts white, the neck and
jugulum indistinctly streaked with grayish, the sides, flanks and crissum some-
times sparsely streaked. Young: Back and scapulars black, the feathers broadly
bordered with rusty ochraceous, this becoming paler or even white on the ends
of some of the feathers; lesser and middle wing coverts bordered with buff;
rump plain brownish slate; upper tail coverts darker, tipped with rusty; crown
light rusty, streaked with black. Head and neck (except crown and throat) dull
dingy buff, indistinctly streaked with dusky; remaining lower parts, including
throat, white, the breast and belly with numerous irregularly cordate spots of
black, the flanks, crissum and lining of the wing immaculate. Bill and feet
black; iris dark brown.

"There is a considerable amount of individual variation in this species, es-
pecially noticeable in the extent and continuity of the black abdominal area, the
distinctness of the black markings above, and the depth of the rufous tint; not
infrequently the latter is mixed with grayish. In the winter plumage, some ex-
amples have the sides and crissum narrowly streaked, while in others these parts
are immaculate."

Stretch of

Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 8.25 15.00 4.65 2.20 1.05 1.55

Female... 8.50 15.50 4.75 2.20 1.05 1.55

I have met with this species at Cape Cod, Florida, Texas,
Kansas, California, and at Neah Bay, Washington; at the latter
place the birds were in breeding plumage, May 10th to 15th,
1882. In all eases they were in small flocks, and not abundant.

In habits they are not noticeably different from others of the
family. The following interesting description of their breeding
habits, etc., is taken from JS^elson's "Eeport upon Natural His-
tory Collections made in Alaska," 1877 to 1881:

"In early seasons the first of these birds reach the Yukon
mouth and the shores of Norton Sound by the 10th of May. and
by the 25th of this month they are in full force. They arrive
in full breeding dress, and are generally in small flocks, which
soon break up, and the birds scatter in twos and threes over the
moss and grass grown 'tundra,' to pair and attend to their sum-
mer duties. They nest from the first of June to the first of July,
and I secured a set of four fresh eggs on the third of this month,
in 1877.

"The young are mostly on the wing toward the end of July,

180 HISTORY OF THE

and the birds begin to gather into flocks along the muddy edges
of the brackish pools and the banks of tide creeks. Very soon
after this they begin to lose their summer plumage, and the
moult continues until the last of September or first of October.
During the first of October they are very common in flocks, and
singly among the lakes and streams; a little later, and the bor-
ders of these situations are edged with ice, and most of the birds
leave for the south, but some of the hardier ones betake them-
selves to the sea shore, where they join with Coues' Sandpiper,
and remain as late as the 12th or 13th of the month.

"Soon after they arrive in the spring, they are engaged in
pamng, and the males may be seen upon quivering wings flying
after the female, and uttering a musical, trilling note, which falls
upon tlie ear like the mellow tinkle of large water drops falling
rapidly into a partly filled vessel. Imagine the sounds thus pro-
duced by the water run together into a steady and rapid trill,
some five to ten seconds in length, and the note of this Sand-
piper is represented. It is not loud, but has a rich, full tone,
difiicult to describe, but pleasing to hear among the discordant
notes of the various water fowl, whose hoarse cries arise on all
sides. As the lover's suit approaches its end, the handsome
suitor becomes exalted, and in his moments of excitement he
rises fifteen or twenty yards, and, hovering on tremulous wings
over the object of his passion, pours forth a perfect gush of
music, until he glides back to earth exhausted, but ready to re-
peat the effort a few minutes later. The female coyly retreats
before the advances of the male, but after various mishaps, each
bird finds its partner for the summer, and they start off house-
hunting in all the ardor of a rising honeymoon. They gener-
ally choose some dry knoll, or other slight elevation overlooking
the neighboring lakes and pools. Here, upon a bed of last
year's grasses, but without the trouble of arranging a formal
nest, the female deposits three or four large eggs, of a pale
o-reenish varying to pale brownish clay color with dull chocolate
and umber brown spots and blotches.

"In some specimens the markings are rather small, and numer-
ous over the entire shell, but in all cases the larger end has

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 181

the usual predominance of blotching. In other specimens the
markings form blotches or large spots, rather sparingly distribu-
ted at the small end, but nearly hiding the ground color at the
larger end. There is considerable variation in size as well as
color among these eggs, as the following measurements show:
1.50x1.10, 1.39X.98, 1.45x.95, 1.50x1.08. After the eggs
are laid the male evidently becomes a wiser and a sadder bird,
for his merry trill is heard no longer, and, should some wander-
ing naturalist happen along and start a sitting bird from the
eggs, the chances are equal that he finds the female is not '^at
home," but that it is the poor male who has fallen a victim to
his faithful care of the nest.

"On two occasions I started these birds from their eggs, and
in each instance the parent fluttered and stumbled along the
ground, trying to distract my attention, and in each case exam-
ination showed it to be a male, and the two large, bare patches
on the bi^east showed that they were accustomed to the task.
Females shot at the same season showed the same marks of in-
cubation, so it is evident that the work is shared by the two par-
ents. The earliest nest found by me was on June 6th, and the
latest on July 3d; in both the eggs were fresh."

Genus EREUNETES Illiger.

"Size small; anterior toes webbed at the base; a well-developecl hind toe.
Bill about as long as or a little longer than the head, straight, somewliat ex-
panded at the end, about as long as the tarsus; middle toe more than half as
long as the tarsus; bare portion of tibia nearly equal to the middle toe.

"The bill of Ereunetes is quite stout and considerably expanded, by which
it is readily distinguished from Actodromas minutilla independently of the
semipalmated feet. The tarsus and middle toe are about equal; the tibia de-
nuded anteriorly for about two-thirds the length of the tarsus. The basal mem-
brane of toes is more scalloped out interiorly than exteriorly; the notch
externally not quite as deep as the first joint, although the membrane extends
beyond the second. There is a tendency to hexagonal subdivision in the bare
portion of tibia anteriorly. The tail is doubly emarginate."

Ereunetes pusillus (Linx.).

SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.
PLATE XI.

Migratory; not uncommon. Arrive the last of April to middle
of May; return in August.

B. 535. K. 541. C. 612. G. 250, 83. U. 246.

182 HISTORY OF THE

Habitat. Northern and eastern North America, west during
migration to the Rocky Mountains; south in winter to the West
Indies and South America; breeding from Labrador and the
western shores of Hudson's Bay to nortliern Alaska.

Sp. ChaPw ''Adult, breeding plumage: Upper surface light grayish brown,
the sides of the pileiim and edges of some of the scapulars and interscapulars
tinged with pale buffy cinnamon, but this sometimes almost wholly absent;
pileum heavily streaked and dorsal region heavily spotted with black, the latter
color occupying the central portion of each feather. A streaked white super-
ciliary stripe and dusky loral space, the latter usually very distinctly defined
along its npper edge, the lower part broken into streaks, which extend backward
over the cheeks; auriculars streaked grayish brown. Lower parts pure white,
the jugulura and breast tinged with ashy and streaked with dusky. Winter
plumage: Above, briwuish gray or cinereous, relieved by dusky shaft streaks;
superciliary stripe and lower parts pure white, the jugulum faintly streaked.
Young: Similar to the summer adult, but jugulum tinged with pale grayish buff,
and without well-defined streaks or spots, the scapulars and interscapulars bor-
dered terminally with white, and the brown usually less rusty. Downy young:
Forehead dingy white, divided by a mesial line of black; crown light chest-
nut, marbled posteriorly with black and white; occiput mottled whitish. A
distinct loral line of black, forking just before the eye, the upper branch run-
ning toward the anterior corner of the eye, the other inclining downward.
Throat fulvous white; other lower parts whitish, nearly pure on the abdomen.
Upper parts pale fulvous brown laterally, black centrally, the whole surface
thickly bespangled with fine, downy tufts terminating the downy filaments."

Stretch of
Length. luing. Wing.

Male 6.00 11.75 3.80

Female... 6.40 12.80 4.00

Iris dark brown; bill, legs and feet greenish black; claws
black.

I have often met with this species upon the Atlantic and Gulf
coasts and inland. A rather restless bird, that upon its feeding
grounds is continually rising and flying in a rapid, wavy, cir-
cling manner, and dropping back and running about, picking
and probing for the minute forms of life found along the sandy
beach, as well as upon the muddy flats and edges of pools of
water. Tlie following full and complete description of its
nests, eggs, etc., is taken from "North American Water Birds:"

"Mr. MacFarlane found this species breeding very abund-
antly on the Arctic coast and on the islands in the bays and
along the shores of the Arctic Sea. Some were also found

Ta.il.

Tarsus.

Bill.

1.65

.85

.75

1.75

.85

.75

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 183

nesting in the Barren Grounds west of Franklin Bay. The
nests were in most instances mei-e depressions in the ground,
lined with a few grasses and leaves, dry and partially decayed,
and were almost always near small pools of salt or brackish
water, or inland near the edge of small ponds. Sometimes, the
female would glide from her nest, and, pretending to be disabled,
would seek to entice away the intruder. If suddenly startled,
she would frequently utter disturbed cries. The eggs were
usually four in number, and were found from the 20th of June
to the 10th of July. At times the nests were hidden in tufts of
grass, but not always. When driven from her nest, the female,
if unmolested, would almost immediately return. In reference
to one nest, procured June 30th, on the coast of Franklin Bay,
Mr. MacFarlane writes: 'The nest from which these eggs were
taken was situated between two small, brackish lakes near the
sea shore. One of our party saw the female get off; and when
the nest was approached by him she uttered a shrill note of
alarm. After searching about for a few minutes, he failed to
find the eggs; and he then determined to hide himself, and
from his concealment ascertain where the female would alight
on her return. In a short time she was seen to return, accom-
panied by three companions, all of whom looked and moved
about; but not discovering anything, seemed to hold a brief
consultation, after which they separated, the female to her nest.
Another search failed to discover the eggs; and the female
again returned with the same birds, who appeared to be in a
state of great excitement, judging from the clatter they kept up.
After awhile they again separated, when the nest was found
and the parent secured. The report of the gun brought the
others once more to the spot; but they beat a hasty retreat.
The nest was a mere depression in the midst of some hay, and
lined with the same and a few withered leaves.'

"The eggs of this species exhibit great variations in their ap-
pearance, in consequence of the difference in their size, the
manner of distribution and the number of the spots. The
ground is light drab, and the markings are of a pure bright se-
pia. In one set (S. I. No. 11272) of four eggs, the nest — a

184 HISTORY OF THE

mere depression in the ground on the border of a small lake
in the midst of marshy ground — was lined with withered grasses.
In this set the markings are large, pronounced and distinct,
sparsely distributed around the smaller end, and more numerous
and occasionally confluent about the obtuse end. They are
pyriform in sliape, and the smaller end is very sharply defined.
They average 1.25 inches in length, by .8G in breadth. An-
other set (No. 11271) of four eggs, in a nest found placed be-
tween two small lakes, and lined with withered grasses and
leaves, was obtained in the Barren Grounds, near Fort Ander-
son. In these eggs the spots are much finer, more numerous
about the smaller end, and there very fine, a little larger and
more confident about the larger extremity, and nearly conceal-
ing the grayish white or light drab-colored ground. These
measure 1.15 inches by .85. Four eggs (No. 11273) found
on an island in Franklin Bay, July ith, have markings still more
minute and numerous, universally diffused, and more or less
confluent over the entire egg, concealing the ground, and hav-
ing apparently very little resemblance to No. 11272. Four eggs
(No. 17041) were found by Mr. L. M. Turner. May 28th, 1871,
at St. Michael's. Their ground color is a light grayish buff,
thickly spotted with reddish sepia and darker sepia, chiefly on
the larger end. Their measurements are as follows: 1.20x. 80,
1.25X.85, 1.25X.90, 1.25x.85.

Genus CALIDRIS Cuvier.

"General characters of Tringa and Actodromas, but hind toe entirely ab-
sent. Bill straight, rather longer than the head, slightly expanded or spoon
shaped at end. Toes short, the middle one scarcely two-thirds the tarsus.

"The only known species of this genus is nearly cosmopolitan in its range."

Calidris arenaria (Linn.).

SANDERLING.
PLATE XI.

Reported by Prof. F. H. Snow, in his catalogue of the birds
of Kansas: "Migratory; rare. Taken at Lawrence, by W. E.
Stevens, October 7th, 1874.""

B. 534. R. 543. C. (527. G. 251, 84. U. 248.

Habitat. Nearly cosmopolitan, but breeding only in north-
ern portions of the northern hemisphere.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 185

Sp. Char. "No hiiul toe; front toes moderate or rather long, flattenert un-
derneath, distinctly margined with a meml)rane. Bill straight, rather thick:
ridge of upper mandil)le flattened; nasal groove deep and nearly as long as the
upper mandible, not so distinct as the lower; both mandibles widened and flat-
tened at the tip; aperture of the nostrils large and covered with a membrane.
Wing long; tail short, with the middle feathers longest; under coverts long as
the tail; legs moderate; lower third of the tibia naked. Lower parts white,
immaculate on the belly, sides, flanks, axillars, anal region and crissum; greater
wing coverts broadly tipped with white, and inner primaries wliite at base of
outer webs. Adult, in summer: Above, light rufous, broken by large sj^ots of
black, the feathers mostly tipped with whitish. Head, neck, throat and jugulum
pale cinnamon rufous, speckled below and streaked above with blackish. Adult,
inicinter: Above, very pale pearl gray (the lesser wing coverts darker anteri-
orly), relieved only by faint darker shaft streaks of the feathers. Throat and
jugulum immaculate pure white. Adult, in sj)ring: Above, light grayish, with
large black spots (streaks on the crown), here and there mixed with rufous; jug-
lum speckled with dusky on a white ground. Young: Above, pale gray, spotted
with black and whitish, the latter on tips of the feathers; jugulum immaculate
white, faintly tinged with dull buff. Bill and feet black; iris brown."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 7.75 1.5.2.5 4.80 2.20 1.00 1.00

Female... 8.00 15.75 5.00 2.10 1.00 1.00

The natural home of this wide spread and abundant species is
upon the sandy beach along the sea shores. During migration
a few pass inland, but do not tarry long, except at the lakes or
large bodies of water, where the wash of the waves lines the
shores with debris that teems with minute insect life, snails,
larvae, etc; while feeding run swiftly about, with head lowered
and well drawn back, often closely following the waves as they
roll in and out. At such times they scatter more or less, but
are very social, and quickly bunch together to rest or in flight,
which is swift and graceful, usually low and near the surface of
the water. In resting, often squat upon the ground; as a rule
are not shy, and will permit a near approach.

They have been found breeding from the Arctic coast to
Greenland. Their nest is a mere depression in the ground,
sparingly lined with old grasses and leaves. Eggs usually four.
1.43x. 92; brownish olive with faint blotches and spots of vary-
ing shades of brown, thickest and somewhat running together
about the larger end; in shape, pyriform.

186 UISTORT OF THE

Genus LIMOSA Bkissox.

"Bill lengthened, exceeding tlie tarsus, slender, and curving gently upwards,
grooved to near the tip, the tip not attenuated; tarsus with transverse seutellse
before and behind, reticulated laterally; a short basal membrane between the
middle and outer toes; tail short, even; bill much longer than head, nearly
equaling tarsi and toes together, curving gently upwards from the base, where
is is elevated and compressed, depressed, however, at the end. The grooves on
sides of bill and beneath extend nearly to the tip; the tip or upper mandible is
thickened and extends a little beyond the lower; the gap is slight, not extend-
ing beyond the base of the culmen; the feathers on the sides of the bill reach
forward to about the same point, those on the chin a little farther; tarsus more
than one and one-half times the toes, twice the bare part of the tibia; hind toe
rather lengthened; outer toe webbed as far as end of first joint, inner toe with
only a short basal web; tail short, even, two-fifths the wings.

"In some respects, the l)ill of this genus resembles that of Macrorhamphus,
the chief apparent difference being the upward curve of the one and its straigh-
ness in the other."

Limosa fedoa (Ltnx.).

MARBLE GODWIT.
PLATE XI.

Migratory; common. Arrive early in April, a few remain-
ing until the last of May; return early in August, and occasion-
ally linger until late in the fall.

B. 547. E. 543. C. 628. G. 252. 85. U. 249.

Habitat. North America in general, breeding from Iowa,

Dakota, etc., to Alaska; south in winter to Guatemala and Cuba.

Sp. Chae. "Bill long, curved upwards; both mandibles grooved; wings
long; tail shoi't; legs long; tibia with its lower half naked; toes rather short,
margined, and flattened underneath; the outer and middle toes united by a rather
large membrane. Entire upper parts variegated with brownish black and pale
reddish, the former disposed in irregular and confluent bands, and the latter in
spots and imperfect bands; in many specimens the black color predominating
on the back, and the pale red on the I'ump aud upper tail coverts. Under parts
pale rufous, with transverse lines of brownish black on the breast and sides;
under wing coverts and axillaries darker rufous; outer webs of primaries dark
brown, Inner webs light rufous; secondaries light rufous; tail light rufous, with
transverse bars of brownish black. Bill dull flesh color in its basal half, the
rest blackish brown; iris brown; feet bluish gray."

Length.

stretch of
■wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

B 17.50

31.50

9.00

3.30

2.90

4.00

lale... 18.50

33.00

9.50

3.55

3.00

4.50

This species associates in flocks, and inhabits the salt and
freshwater shores, marslies and moist grounds upon the prairies.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 187

It feeds upon Crustacea, insects, worms, larvae, 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, but
in case any are wounded, love overcomes fear, and with frantic
cries and tremulous wings their friends hover over and about
them, oflfering a tempting shot to the merciless hunter; for their
flesh is tender and juicy, and highly esteemed. They act in a
similar manner when their nests or young are approached; at
such times they often drop to the ground, feign lameness, and in
various ways try to divert your attention and lead you away.

Their nests are usually placed on grassy grounds; a slight de-
pression in the soil, worked out to fit the body, and sparingly
lined with the old grasses. Eggs usually four, olive drab, rather
sparingly spotted and blotched with varying shades of umber
brown and pale purplish shell stains, the markings occasionally
blending together, and thickest about the larger end; in form,
ovate. A set of four eggs, taken April 29th, 1878, from a nest
on a marsh, at Oakland Valley, Iowa, measure: 2.10x1.57, 2.20
xl.55, 2.26x1.57, 2.27x1.58.

Limosa hsemastica (Linn.).

HUDSONIAN GODWIT.
PLATE XI.

Migratory; rare. Arrive about the first of April to middle
of May; return in August and September.

B. 548. K. 545. C. 629. G. 253, 86. U. 251.

Habitat. Nearly the whole of America; only known to breed
in the Arctic regions.

Sp. Chae. '■'Summer adult: Above, blackish brown, Irregularly spotted and
barred with pale ochraeeous, the rump plain brownish black; upper tail coverts
immaculate white; wing coverts and shorter quills plain dark brownish gray;
primaries brownish black, their shafts white. Lower parts chestnut rufous,
narrowly barred with brownish black, the feathers of the belly, etc., often tipped
with white. Tail black, with the base and tip (narrowly) white. Lining of
wings and axillars plain smoky black. Winter plumage: Above, plain dull
brownish gray; beneath white, the breast shaded with brownish gray. Other
characters as in summer dress. Toumj: Somewiiat like the winter plumage, but
each feather of dorsal region markcil witli a siibterminal dusky crescent and a

IVing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

s.-to

3.20

2.30

3.00

8.55

3.40

2.30

3.30

188 HISTORY OF THE

uarrower terminal one of dull ochraceous; beneath, very pale drab or dull light
buff, the abdomen whitish, and the jugulum more grayish. Bill grayish yellow,
dark brown along the ridge of the upper mandible, and blackish toward the tips
of both; Iris brown; feet light grayish blue."

stretch of
Length. wing.

Male 15.00 2(5.50

Female... 15.50 27.00

Iris dark brown; bill black, with under mandible pale reddish
brown at base; legs, feet and claws slat}' black.

This species has a remarkable range, extending from Green-
land through both continents and to the Falkland Islands. It
has not been observed on the west side of the Rocky Mountains
south of northern Alaska, but is a regular migrant east of the
mountains to the Atlantic, It does not appear to differ in its
habits from the Marble. The following, from "North Ameri-
can Water Birds," YoL I, p". 263, is the only description that I
can find of their nests and eggs:

"Mr. MacFarlane found this species breeding in the vicinity
of Fort Anderson, on the 9tli of June. The nest was on the
ground; was composed of a few decayed leaves lying in a small
hole scooped in the earth, and contained four eggs. Other
nests were found and birds obtained on the lower Anderson
Kiver. They were mere depressions in the ground, lined with
withered leaves.

"Three of the eggs, collected by Mr. MacFarlane, are in the
Smithsonian collection. In two of these the ground is of a
deep raw umber color, or an olivaceous drab. Tiiere are no
well-defined spots, but the apex of the larger end is deeply
stained with a dark burnt umber color. A few very distinct
spots of a paler shade of this tint are visible over the general
surface of the eggs. The other egg has a ground color of a
paler umber drab, and the markings are quite distinct. These
are small irregular blotches, longitudinal in their direction, and
of a deep burnt umber tint. The apex of the larger end is
covered with a broad patch, in which all the markings, of a very
dark umber, almost black, run into each other. These eggs are
pyriform in shape, and measure: 2.15x1.41, 2.12x1.39 and
2.22x1.40,"

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 189

Genus TOTANUS Bechstei>t.

"Bill usually slender, and slightly upturned terminally, the lateral groove of
the maxilla extemling about half way to the tip. No web between the middle
and inner toes. Tarsus about twice as long as the middle toe."

Subgenus GLOTTIS Koch.
"Bill a little longer than middle toe with claw. Tarsus over one and one-
half times as long as the middle toe without claw."

Totanus melanoleucus (Gmel.).

GREATER YELLOW-LEGS.
PLATE XI.

Migratory; common. Arrive the last of March to first of
April; return early in August, a few remaining until late in the
fall.

B. 539. K. 548. C. 633. G. 254, 87. U. 254.

Habitat. Nearly the whole of America; breeding only in

the more northern portions of North America, occasionally as

far south as Illinois and Iowa; wintering from California and

the Gulf States southward.

Sp. Char. "Adult, summer plumage: Above, variegated with slate black,
pale gray and white, the former predominating, the latter in the form of spots
along the edge of the feathers, including the wing coverts and tertials; crown
and nape grayish white, widely streaked with dusky; upper tail coverts white,
irregularly barred with the same; primaries plain blackish slate; tail white, all
the feathers barred with dusky, the middle feathers grayish, barred with dusky,
the latter sometimes obsolete. Head, neck and lower parts white, only the
abdomen and throat immaculate; lores, cheeks, malar region, auriculars and
neck (all round) streaked with dusky; breast, sides and flanks barred or trans-
versely spotted with dusky, the bars more sagittate on the crissum. Winter
plumage: Above, rather light ash gray, without the black, but with the white
spotting of the summer dress; foreneck and jugulum more narrowly streaked;
breast nearly or quite immaculate; and sides and flanks faintly and irregularly
marked with grayish. Young, first plumage: Similar to the winter dress, but
darker and more brownish above, the white spotting tinged with light brownish
buff; lower parts similar; iris brown; legs and feet deep yellow ( tinged with
olive lu young)."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 14.75 25.25 7.75 3.30 2.60 2.30

Female... 14.25 25.00 7.70 3.25 2.60 2.30

Bill dark brown, with edge of base greenish yellow; claws
dark brown.

This common and well-known species frequent the marshes,
muddy flats and shores, where they wade about in the mud and

190 HISTORY OF THE

shallow waters in search of minnows, minute snails, worms, in-
sect life, etc. The J move about with a quick, easy step, but
the jerky, balancing motion of the body gives them an unsteady
and not a graceful carriage. They are usually met with in small
flocks or pairs, where they make their presence known by their
loud whistling "Cho-whee-cho-che-cho," and as the birds are
very wary and the first to give the alarm, they are much dis-
liked by the hunters, for their vociferous tell-tale note puts all
other birds in the vicinity upon the lookout.

These birds have been found breeding in various localities,
but I can find no well-authenticated description of its nest and
eggs. The following seems to be the most reliable, viz. : Mr.
Nelson (in ''Bulletin of the Essex Institute," Vol. 8, p. 128),
says:

"In June, 1875, I found several pairs of these birds about
the Calumet marshes, where, from their actions, I was certain
they were breeding, but was not fortunate enough to find their
nests. The 10th of June, 1876, Mr. Rice observed a pair about
a prairie slough near Evanston. A few days later a set of four
eggs were brought him from a similar situation a few miles
northwest of that place, and from the description of the parent
bird — driven from the nest — he decided they must belong to
this species. I perfectly agree with Mr. Rice' s decision, for the
prominent characteristics noticed by the collector are obviously
applicable to this bird.

"The nest was situated in a slight depression, at the base of
a small hillock, near the border of a prairie slough, and was
composed of grass stems and blades. The eggs measure, re-
spectively: 1.70x1.20, 1.72x1.31, 1.74x1.31, 1.80x1.38 inches.
The gi-ound color is a deep grayish white, marked on three eggs
with spots of dark brown, and on the other egg with spots and
well defined blotches of a considerably lighter shade of the same.
In addition there are shell markings and obscure spots of lilac.
The markings are disposed quite abundantly over the surface of
the egg, but are more numerous about the large end."

Capt. Chas. Bendire writes me that the only eggs of this spe-
cies in the United States National Museum, believed to be gen-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 191

uine, are three poor specimens from Manitoba, collected by Mr.
E. Dickinson; dimensions: 1.75x1.19, 1.85x1.22, 1.68x1.18;
ground color brownish buff, distinctlybut very irregularly spotted
with rich vandyke or madder brown; in form, elongate ovate.

Totanus flavipes (Gmp:l.).

YELLOW-LEGS.
PLATE XI.

Migratory; abundant. Arrive in March, a few remaining un-
til the last of May; return in August, and tarry until early frosts.

B. 540. E. 549. C. 634. G. 255, 88. U. 255.

Habitat. The whole of North America; breeding from north-
ern Illinois (seldom in the United States), north to within the
Arctic circle; south in winter into southern South America; ac-
cidental in Europe.

Sp. Chak. "Very similar to T. melanoleucus, but smaller and more slender.
Bill rather longer than the head, straight, slender, rather compressed; wing long,
pointed; tail short; legs long, lower half of the tibia naked; toes moderate,
slender, margined, the outer and middle united at base. Adult, summer plumage:
Above, ashy, mixed with ragged blotches of black, this having a tendency to
form regular transverse bars on the secondaries and scapulars. Crown and
nape with longitudinal streaks of black on a grayish-white ground; upper tail
coverts pure white, with transverse bars of dusky; tail white, the middle feath-
ers ashy, and all with transverse, rather narrow, bars of ash. Primaries and
their coverts plain dusky black. Lower parts white, the jugulum and breast
densely streaked with blackish, and the sides marked with more transverse
markings of the same color. Winter plumage: Above, ashy, sometimes nearly
unbroken, but generally slightly variegated (especially on the scapulars and wing
coverts) with transverse spots of dusky, and whitish edgings and dots along the
margin of the feathers. Streaks almost absent from the head, neck and jugu-
lum, which are nearly uniform light ashy; the chin, throat and supraloral stripe
white. In other respects like the summer plumage. Young: Like the winter
adult, but the light markings above more or less tinged with pale brown or dull
ochraceous.

" This species is exceedingly similar to T. melanoleucus in plumage, but differs
in the following particulars: In the summer adult the upper parts are more trans-
versely spotted with a less amount of black, while the lower parts are without
well-defined transverse spots or bars of black; in the winter plumage the head,
neck and jugulum are nearly uniform ashy, instead of distinctly streaked."

stretch of
Length. wing.

Male 10.50 19.50

Female... 11.00 20.00

Iris brown; bill black, with edge of base greenish yellow;
legs and feet bright yellow; claws dark brown.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

6.00

2.55

2.00

1.45

6.25

2.65

2.00

1.50

192 HISTORY OF THE

These birds are very common in the United States during
migration, east of the Rocky Mountains, especially during the
spring in the western portion; and, although considered rare on
the Pacific side, I am inclined to think that in suitable localities
it will prove to be a regular and not uncommon migrant. I
met with it at Whatcom, Washington (also at San Jose, Guate-
mala), Capt. Chas. Bendire reports it an abundant migrant in
Oregon, and it has been found breeding in Alaska.

In habits, this noisy bird does not appear to differ from the pre-
ceding species, though less watchful and more easily approached.

Their nests are mere depressions in the ground, occasionally
lined with a few leaves or grasses. Eggs usually four, 1. 69 x
1.15; cream to drab buff, spotted and blotched irregularly with
varying shades of dark brown and purple shell stains; in shape,
pyriform.

Subgenus HELODROMAS Kaup.

"Similar to Totanus, but smaller, and with middle toe nearly as long as tar-
sus."

Totanus solitarius (Wils.).

SOLITARY SANDPIPER.
PLATE XI.

Migratory; common. Arrive the first of March to middle of
April; a few remain during the season. Probably breed in the
State.

B. 541. E. 550. C. 637. G. 256, 89. U. 256.

Habitat. The whole of temperate North America; breeding

chiefly in the northern portion; winters in California, the Gulf

States and southward to Brazil and Peru.

Sp. Char. ''Adult, in summer: Above, olivaceous slate, rather sparsely
speckled with white, the crown and nape indistiuelly streaked with the same;
outer upper tail coverts barred with white; primaries and primary coverts plain
slate black. Tail white (the middle feathers dusky), all the feathers widely
barred with dusky, these bars most numerous on outer webs, where extending to
the base of the feathers. Eyelids, supraloral stripe and lower parts white; the
sides of the head, neck (all round) and jugulum streaked with brownish slate;
remaining lower parts immaculate. Lining of wings and axillars slate color,
regularly barred with white. Winter phimage: Similar to the summer dress, but
dark ashy above, less distinctly speckled, and foreneck very indistinctly streaked,
or simply washed, with ashy. Young: Above, grayish brown (lighter and more
olivaceous than the adult), thickly speckled with buff; crown and nape plain

BIBBS OF KANSAS. 193

brownish graj'; checks aud sides of neck nearly uniform gray; foreneck streaked
as in the adult.

"Bill greenish brown (in life), dusky terminally; iris brown; legs aud feet
olive green in adult, more grayish in young."

Sireick of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 8.50 16.00 5.30 2.25 1.35 1.25

Female... 8.75 16.75 5.50 2.30 1.45 1.80

I have met with this species in suitable localities throughout
the United States, Mexico and Central America, but nowhere in
abundance.

These birds inhabit the margins of sluggish streams and shal-
low ponds, preferring the wooded lands or shores skirted with
trees, where thev wade about in the mud and water, chasing
with open wings, or probing for, and feeding upon the minute
mollusks, worms and various forms of aquatic insect life that
abound in such places. They have a peculiar way of balanc-
ing the body, by bending the knees, jerking the tail and bow-
ing the head, much like the Spotted Sandpiper, but in a slower
and more dignified manner, as if proud of their motions; and,
notwithstanding they are tattlers by name, differ from the family
by being usually silent, seldom uttering their low, whistling notes
except when startled or about to take wing. As the tendency
of nature is to harmonize, is it not probable that their nature
has been changed by the stillness and solitude that surrounds
them in their secluded retreats? As a rule the birds are not
shy, and, when followed, run in an unconcerned manner along
the shore, or by short flights keep a little ahead, or return to
the starting point by circling back close to and over the water.
During the breeding season they are very secretive, and al-
though young birds have often been met with, their nests and
eggs have seldom been discovered, and in most cases their
identification is doubtful.

Their nest is a slight depression in the soil, lined with a few
leaves or grasses. Eggs said to be from two to four, 1.25x.88,
to 1.37x.95; ground color light drab, finely and rathei- evenly
spotted with dark brown, and a few faint purple shell stains;
in shape, pyriform.

13-'

194 HOST DRY OF THE

Gexus SYMPHEMIA Rafinesque.

"Bill compressed, very thick, the cuhnen rounded. The lower mandible
scarcely grooved, the upper grooved to about the middle. Culmen slightly con-
vex; gonys ascending. Bill cleft but little beyond base of culmen. Feathers
of sides of both mandiljles falling short of the nostrils, the lower rather farther
forward. Chin feathers reaching to middle of nostrils. Bill longer than head:
about equal to tarsus, which is more than one and one-half times the middle
toe; both toes webbed; the emargination of inner web as far forward as the
middle of basal joint of middle toe, the outer reaching nearly to the end. Bare
portion of tibia rather less than middle toe without claw. Tail nearly even, or
little rounded, not half the wings."

Symphemia semipalmata inornata Brewst.

WESTERN WILLBT.
PLATE XI.

Not nncommon. Arrive about the first of May; a few remain
during the summer months, in the western part of State, and
without doubt occasionally breed there.

B. . R, . C. . G. , ■ — -. U. 258a.

Habitat. Western North America, east to the Mississippi
valley. Gulf States, and sparingly along the coast of the south-
ern Atlantic States; south in winter to Mexico; north to about
latitude 56°, breeding from the Gulf coast northward, chiefly
within the United States.

This subspecies — recently added to the A. O. IT. list — proves
to be our Kansas bird, and not S. semipalmata^ as heretofore
given. The following descriptions point out the difl'erence ex-
isting, and upon which Mr. Brewster based the separation, viz. :

Sp. Char. Largest of American Scolopacidm, except genera Numenius and
Limosa. Primaries black, with nearly the basal half white, producing a very
conspicuous patch on the spread wing. Summer adult: Above, light brownish
gray, streaked on the head and neck, and spotted and barred on the back, etc.?
with blackish; beneath, white, tinged with ashy on foreneck and with buff along
sides, the former, with jugulum, spotted with dusky, and the latter barred with
the same; upper tail coverts white; tail ashy, more or less distinctly mottled
transversely with a deeper shade of the same; wing coverts plain ash gray; axil-
lars and lining of wing plain sooty black. Winter plumage: Above, plain ash
gray; beneath, immaculate dull white, the foreneck shaded with grayish. Young:
Above, brownish gray, the feathers margined with pale ochraceous; sides much
tinged with the same, and finely mottled transversely with grayish. Bill black;
legs and feet grayish. In life, bill light blue, dusky toward end; iris brown;
feet light blue, claws black.

SuBSP. CiiAH. Male and female, breeding plumage: Differing from 8. semi-
palmata in being larger, with a longer, slenderer bill; the dark markings above

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 195

fewer, finer and fainter, on a much paler ( grayish drab ) ground; those beneath
duller, more confused or broken, and bordered by pinkish salmon, which often
spreads over or sutfuses the entire under parts, excepting the abdomen; middle
tail feathers either quite immaculate or very faintly barred. {Brewster:)

Stretch of
Length. whig. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 15.00 28.50 8.25 3.45 2.50 2.50

Female... 14.50 28.00 8.15 8.25 2.50 2.00

The birds inhabit the salt and fresh water shores and marsh j
lands, where they move with an easy, graceful carriage; in flight
they are swift and strong. Their food consists of various small
forms of life that such places afford; and, in searching for the
same, I have seen them turn over shells and push aside pebbles.

I have met with this noisy, restless bird on the Pacific coast,
at Altata, Mexico, San Diego, California, and Whatcom, Wash-
ington. At the latter place I onlj'^ noticed a pair, but found
them breeding in abundance on the Gulf coast of Texas; also
a few at Lake Como^ Wyoming. At such times they mani-
fest great love and anxiety for their eggs and young, flying with
tremulous wings close about an intruder, continually uttering
their loud, sharp " Pill-will-willet, " often dropping to the ground
or alighting in trees, scolding vehemently all the time — no let
up. On one occasion I had to kill two pairs that were nesting
near a blind at the edge of the water where I was secreted, as
their notes of alarm kept the rare birds I desired away.

Their nests are placed in tussocks of grass, usually near the
water's edge; they are quite bulky, and made of grasses and
other growths at hand. Eggs four; the ground color varying
from buff to olive and grayish white, spotted and blotched —
thickest about the larger end, with various shades of brown, and
shell stains of purple gray; in shape, pyriform. A set of four
eggs, taken April 30th, 1882, near Corpus Christi, Texas, from
a nest in tall grass, measure: 2,02x1.52, 2.05x1.47, 2.13x1.56,
2.17x1.68.

Genus BARTRAMIA Lessox.
"Upper mandible grooved laterally to within the terminal fourth, the lower
not quite so far. Culmen concave to near the tip, where it is slightly decurved;
gouys straight. Mouth deeply cleft, almost as far back as the anterior cauthus.
The culmen only about two-thirds the commissure, shorter than the head or
tarsus, and about equal to middle toe with claw. Feathers extending much

196 HISTORY OF THE

farther forward on the upper jaw than on the lower, although those of chin reach
nearly to the end of nostrils. Tarsus one and one-half times middle toe and
claw; the bare part of the tibia not quite equal to the middle toe above; outer
toe united at base as far as first joint; web of inner toe very basal. Tail long,
graduated, more than half the wings."

Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.).

BARTRAMIAN SANDPIPER,
PLATE XI.

Summer resident; abundant. Arrive tlie last of March to
middle of April; begin laying early in May; a few remain until
the last of September.

B. 545. R. 555. C. 640. G. 258, 91. U. 261.

Habitat. Eastern and central North America, west to Utah
and Oregon, north to northern Alaska and northern provinces
of Quebec; south in winter to Brazil and Peru; breeds from
Pennsylvania, southern Kansas and Utah northward throughout
its range; occasionally wanders to Europe; accidental in Aus-
tralia.

Sp. Char. *' Bill about as long as the head, rather wide and flattened at base,
slightly curved at the tip; nostrils with a large membrane; nasal groove long;
wing long; tail long for this group; legs moderate or rather long; lower half of
the tibia naked; toes moderate, the outer and middle united by a membrane,
inner and middle free to the base; hind toe small. Adult: Above, grayish
brown, the feathers paler and more ochraceous toward their edges, spotted and
barred with black; head and neck (except throat) streaked with blackish; crown
blackish, divided with a mesial line of buff; throat, belly and crissum plain
buffy white; axillars pure white and clear dusky slate, in regular bars of nearly
equal width; tail feathers (except middle pair) creamy buff, broadly tipped with
white, crossed by a broad subtermiual black spot, and with a few irregular
narrow bars anterior to this; outer webs of primaries plain dusky slate, the
inner webs with wide transverse bars of white on the outer quill, on the others
broken into a confused mottling. Rump and upper tail coverts nearly uniform
blackish, the outer feathers of the latter with their exterior webs partly white.
Toung: Similar to the adult, but the buff on the head, jugulum, wings, etc.,
much deeper, the streaks on the foreneck and jugulum much less distinct, and
the back plain black, the feathers bordered with buff. Bill yellowish green,
the tip dusky, the edges toward the base yellow; iris dark hazel; legs and tarsi
light yellowish gray, toes rather darker, claws brownish black. Downy young:
Above, coarsely and irregularly mottled with black on a grayish white ground,
tinged with light rusty; lower parts buffy white, with about three blackish
spots on the flanks, one beneath the eye, a smaller one on the lores, about half
way between the bill and the eye, and a large, nearly vertical, one behind the
ears."

stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

21.50

6. .5.5

S.50

1.90

1.15

21.00

6.50

3.40

1.85

1.10

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 197

Lc7tgth.

Male 11.75

Female... 11.50

This species, so well adapted in structure for a wader, prefers
the upland prairies and fields for its home, seldom frequenting
the water's edge. Its diet is chiefly grasshoppers, beetles and
crickets, with occasionally small berries and the tender buds of
plants. ■ When fat the flesh is juicy and delicious, and they are
therefore much sought after by the pot hunters for the market.
These birds should be strictly protected, for they are beneficial
and in no way harmful. Their graceful carriage, hovering
flight and peculiar prolonged, loud and plaintive whistle attracts
attention and makes the well-known and familiar bird a favorite.
When hunted much they soon become wild, and when approached
run through the grass, with lowering head, in a skulking, dodg-
ing manner, and where the grass is short, or the field bare, often
drop close to the ground, but take wing the moment they think
they are observed, flying swift and high, with an easy stroke
of the wings, except during the early breeding season, when
they circle and hover about with tremulous wings, scolding in-
cessantly. Before alighting the birds usually sail for quite a
distance, and the moment they touch the ground raise their
wings high and then slowly fold them back; and though not
perchers proper, often alight upon a fence or post.

Their nests are placed on the prairies, in a depression at the
foot of a buncli of grass, and often in open, exposed situations;
in some cases the bottom of the nest is lined sparingly and
loosely with grasses. Eggs four, 1.75x1.27; grayish white to
pale buflp, spotted with varying shades of light to dai-k brown,
thickest about larger end; in shape, pyriform.

Genus TRYNGITES Cabanis.
"Upper mandible grooved to about the terminal fourth; the lower not quite
so far, Culmen and gonys about straight. Mouth deeply cleft more than half
way to the eye; the culmen about two-thirds the commissure. Culmen much
shorter than the head, and about equal to middle toe without claw. Tarsus
about one and one-sixth as long as middle toe and claw. Bare part of tibia de-
cidedly shorter than middle toe without claw. Toes cleft to the base, with only
a very rudimentary web. Upper jaw feathered to the nostrils; the side of the

198 HISTORY OF THE

lower and beneath feathered much farther, or to the end of the nostrils; the in-
terspace of the rami entirely filled. Tail somewhat graduated, not half the
wing."

Tryngites subruficollis (Vieill.).

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER.
PLATE Xn.

Migratory; rare. Arrive about the first of May; return early
in August.

B. 546. E. 556. C. 641. G. 259, 92. U. 262.

Habitat. North America in general, especially the interior;
breeding in tlie Arctic regions; south in winter to southern South
America; occasionally in Europe.

Sp. Chab. "Bin shorter than heatl, straight, compressed, narrow at the point;
nasal groove long; wings very long, the first quill longest; tertiaries rather
shorter; tail moderate or longer than usual in this group; legs rather long,
lower third of the tibia naked; toes free at base, flattened underneath, and
slightly margined; hind toe small. Upper parts pale and dull ochraceous, with
an ashy tinge; every feather with a large central, lanceolate, crescent^shaped,
or oblong spot of black, frequently with a glossy green tinge, especially on the
back and shorter tertials. Under parts light ochraceous or pale fawn color,
many feathers tipped with white, and paler on the flanks and abdomen, on the
breast with partially concealed small spots of black; axillary feathers white.
Quills with their outer webs light brown, inner webs ashy white, marbled with
black, and narrowly tipped with white; middle tail feathers brownish black;
outer feathers lighter, with transverse waved lines of black on the terminal half,
and tipped with white; under primary coverts beautifully marbled with black.
Bill greenish black; legs greeinsh yellow. Young: Generally similar, but the
upper parts with the black and fawn color less sharply contrasted, and each
feather with a conspicuous terminal border of white. Marbling on inner webs
of primaries and on under primary coverts much more minute and delicate than
in the adult. Bill dull olive green, dusky toward the point; iris hazel; feet dull
yellowish green; claws dusky."

stretch of

Bill.

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Male

. ., 8.50

17.00

5.25

2.50

1.25

Female .

. . 8.00

16.00

5.00

2.30

1.20

This widely-distributed species does not seem to be common
anywhere, except upon its breeding grounds. It is usually, like
the Bartramian, found upon tlie uplands, and is very similar in
its habits. Mr. Murdock gives the following interesting de-
scription of its breeding habits at Point Barrow, Alaska:

''This is an abundant summer resident, and was more plenty
in the season of 1883 than it was the year before.

''They arrived both seasons in a body at about the same date

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 199

(June 6th to 8th), and were first seen on the dry banks below
the villag'c, feeding greedily on the flies and beetles which were
out sunning themselves.

"By the middle of June they had spread pretty well over
the dryer parts of the tundra, both above and below the station.
They were never seen on the lower, marshy portions of the tun-
dra, but always confined themselves to the high and dry banks,
or what we call the black tundra.

"The eggs, as might be inferred from their colors, are laid
in the latter locality, as a rule, where they harmonize well with
the black and white of the ground and moss. We were unable
to find the nest in 1SS2, but the next spring we collected the
eggs in considerable abundance. Like the rest of the waders
they build no nest, but deposit the four eggs, small end down,
in a shallow depression in the ground, lined with a little moss.
Four is the usual number of eggs in a complete set, though we
collected one set of five.

"During the greater part of the breeding season, that is,
from the time they arrive till the end of June, the males indulge
in curious antics, which we had frequent opportunity of ob-
serving.

"A favorite trick is to walk along with one witig stretched
to its fullest extent and held high in air. I have frequently
seen solitary birds doing this apparently for their own amuse-
ment, when they had no spectators of their own kind. Two
will occasionally meet and 'spar' like fighting cocks for a few
minutes and then rise together like 'towering' birds, with legs
hanging loose, for about thirty feet, then drifting off to leeward.
A single bird will sometimes stretch himself up to his full height,
spread his wings forward, and puff out his throat, making a sort of
clucking noise, while one or two others stand by and apparently
admire him. They are very silent, even during the breeding-
season. When they first arrive they are to be found associating
with Actodromcm maculata for a few days. After the breeding
season they disappear gradually, never gathering into flocks,
but quietly slipping away, and none are to be seen after the
first week in August."

200 HISTORY OF THE

For a full description of their nests and eggs, I quote from
"North American Water Birds," Vol. I, p. 308:

"It breeds abundantly in the Anderson River region, where
a number of its nests and eggs were found by Mr. MacFarlane;
and from his memoranda in reference to the nests and eggs of
this species, in upward of twenty instances, we gather that the
nest is always on the ground, and hardly distinguishable from
that of the Golden Plover, being a mere depression in the soil,
scantily lined with a few withered leaves and dried grasses.
These nests were all obtained on the Barren Grounds, between
Horton's River and the coast, between the 26tli of June and the
9th of July. The eggs were in every instance four in number.
Even in July tlie embryos were not far advanced. When the
nest was approached, the female usually made a short, low flight,
to a distance of about twelve yards.

"The eggs of this species are conspicuously pyriform in shape,
and measure 1.51 inches in length by 1.10 in the greatest
breadth. So far as I have noticed them, however much they
may vary in certain minor respects, they all present a remarkable
uniformity in their general characteristics and appearance. Their
ground color is uniformly an ashy drab, over which are pro-
fusely spread rounded markings, splashes and confluent blotches
of deep sepia. The markings are smaller and more rounded in
shape around the smaller end, and larger and more confluent
about the other. The sepia tint is quite uniform, and the deeper
markings are mingled with washes of dilute purplish slate. These
markings vary in their shape, size and character, being in some
large splashes, and in others longitudinal, as if made by strokes
of a paint brush."

Genus ACTITIS Illiger.

"Upper mandible grooved to the termiual fourth; the bill tapering and rather
acute. Cleft of mouth only moderate; the culmen about five-sixths the commis-
sure. Feathers extending rather farther ou side of lower jaw than upper the
former reaching as far as the beginning of the nostrils; those of the chin to
about their middle. Bill shorter than the head, straight, equal to the tarsus,
which is of the length of middle toe and claw. Bare part of tibia half the tar-
sus, outer toe webbed to first joint; inner cleft nearly or quite to the base. Tail
much rounded, more than half the wing."

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 201

Actitis macularia (Lixn.)-

SPOTTED SANDPIPER.
PLATE XII.

Summer resident; common; in migration, abundant. Arrive
the middle of April to first of May; begin laying about the
middle of May; a few remain into November.

B. .543. R. 557. C. 638. G. 260, 93. U. 263.

Habitat. North America in general; breeding throughout
the temperate regions and north to the Arctic coast; south in
winter to Brazil and lower Uruguay, South America; occasion-
ally in Europe.

Sp. Char. "Small; bill rather longer than the head, straight, slender; long
groove in both mandibles; wing rather long, pointed; tail medium, rounded; legs
rather long, lower third of the tibia naked; toes long, margined, and flattened
underneath, outer connected with the middle toe by a large membrane, Inner
very slightly connected to the middle toe. Adult: Upper parts greenish ashy,
with a somewhat metallic or bronzed luster, and with numerous sagittate, lance-
olate and irregular (mostly transverse) spots of brownish black, having the same
luster. Line over the eye and entire under parts white, with numerous circular
and oval spots of brownish black over the whole lower surface, smaller on the
throat, largest on the abdomen. Primaries plain dusky; tail dark ashy, the outer
feathers with dusky and white transverse spots on their terminal portion; axil-
lars immaculate white. Toung: Above, greenish ashy, the wings with narrow
transverse bars of black and ochraceous, most numerous on the coverts. Be-
neath, white, without any spots and with an ashy suffusion across the jugulum.
Downy chick: Above yellowish gray, with a narrow black dorsal stripe from the
bill to the tail; a narrow black line through the eye. Beneath, dull white.

"Mandible and edge of the maxilla pale wax yellow (in life); rest of bill
black; iris dark brown; tarsi and toes pale grayish olive."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 7.60 13.40 4.15 2.10 .'Jo .90

Female... 8.00 13.75 4.25 2.20 .95 .95

This well-known species is quite common throughout its
range, and is at home everywhei-e along the salt and fresh
water shores, and not like most of the family restricted to a
northern clime for its breeding grounds. Its quick, peculiar,
balancing motions, caused by bending the knees and keeping
time with the head and tail, readily attract attention and has
given the soubriquet of ' ' Teeters " or " Tipups, ' ' which can never
be rubbed out. Its flight is also peculiar, usually in a low,
coursing manner along the shore, with alternate motions of the
wings; at first regular strokes, then with its long, pointed wings

202 HISTORY OF THE

curving downward and tremulously vibrating, it sails along, ut-
tering its usual "Peet-weet, " as it goes.

Their food consists of insects and small forms of life, found
at or near the water's edge.

The parents both assist in hatching and rearing of the young,
which leave the nest and follow, soon after they are hatched.
They run swiftly, and it is surprising how quick they will disap-
pear at the first note of warning, by hiding or squatting close
to the ground; and in case of real danger the old birds flutter
about in great distress, and in various ways try to divert atten-
tion and draw the intruder away.

Their nests are placed on the ground and lined sparingly
with grasses and leaves; usually on open, dry lands near water,
and in a tuft of grass or under a low bush; (I once found a
nest under an old drift log.) Eggs four, 1.30x.93; creamy
buff to olive drab, spotted and blotched with dark brown and
shell markings of lilac; thickest and running somewhat together
around large end; in shape, pyriform.

Ge^us NUMENIUS Brisson.

"Legs covered anteriorly with transverse scutellfe, laterally and beliind with
small hexagonal scales. Bill very long, exceeding the tibia, and curved down-
ward from the terminal half; the culmeu rounded. Tip of bill expanded later-
ally and club shaped. Grooves of bill not reaching beyond the middle. Tertials
as long as primaries.

"Bill variable in length, always longer than tarsus, sometimes exceeding tar-
sus and toes; It is nearly straight at the base, then decurving quite rapidly to the
tip, where the upper mandible is thickened downward beyond and over the
lower; lateral grooves occupying only the basal half or third of the bill; under
mandible not grooved beneath; cleft of mouth extending but little beyond the
base of culnien. Feathers of head extending about the same distance on both
mandibles; those of chin to opposite the anterior extremity of the nostrils.
Tarsi nearly twice as loug as middle toe, rather more than twice the bare part
of tibia, covered behind by hexagonal scales larger than the lateral ones. Outer
toe webbed for its basal joint; inner for half this distance. Tail short, nearly
even, not quite half the wings. Tertials as long as the primaries."

Numenius longirostris Wils.

LONG-BILLED CURLEW.
PLATE XII.

Summer resident; rare; in migration, common. Arrive about
April 1st; begin laying early in May; a few remain into October.

B. 549. R. 558. C. (543. G. 261, 94. U. 2(34.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 203

Habitat. The whole of temperate North America; breeding
from the Gulf coast and Arizona north within its range; south
in winter to the West Indies and Guatemala.

Sp. Chak. "The largest American species of this genus. Bill very long,
much curved, upper mandible longer than the under, somewhat knobbed at the
tip; wing rather long; legs moderate; toes united at base. Entire upper parts
pale rufous, tinged with ashy, every feather with transverse and confluent bands
of brownish black, most numerous and predominating on the back and scapulars;
secondary quills, under wing coverts and axillars bright rufous; primaries with
their outer webs brownish black and their inner webs rufous, with transverse
bands of black. Under parts pale rufous, with longitudinal lines of black on
the neck and sides; tail rufous, tinged with ashy, transversely barred with
brownish black. Specimens vary to some extent in the shade of the rufous
color of the plumage, and very much in the length of the bill. The rufous color
Is probably more distinct in the young. Downy young: Very pale ochraceous,
with a tinge of sulphur yellow, rather deeper below than above. Upper parts
marbled coarsely and rather irregularly with black. Bill straight, about 1.40
inches long."

Stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 22.50 37.50 10.25 3.75 3.20 7.00

Female... 25.00 40.00 11.25 4.00 3.40 7.75

This large species is rare upon the Atlantic coast north of the
Carolinas, but quite common elsewhere westward to the Pacific.
Its most northern record that I can find is Labrador and Yan-
couver's Island; but it seldom breeds north of Prince Edward's
Island, Manitoba and Oregon.

^These birds, as a rule, inhabit the muddy shores and moist
grassy flats and plains, but often frequent and breed upon the
uplands, remote from water. Their food consists of worms,
crickets, beetles, grasshoppers, small snails, crabs and crawfish —
the latter they reach for with their long bills, and pull them out
of their holes; and I have seen them probe for and unearth the
larvae of the beetles and other forms of life that' in the spring
come to or near the surface, preparatory 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 triangular form, uttering now and then their loud, pro-
longed whistling note, so often heard during the breeding sea-
son; before alighting, suddenly drop nearly to the ground, then
gather, and with a rising sweep gracefully alight."^ When at rest

204 HISTORY OF THE

usually stand on one leg, or sit upon the ground. They are
very attentive to and solicitous for their young, hovering over
and vociferously scolding an intruder, and in various ways try
to lead him away.

Their nests are placed on the ground in a slight depression,
sparingly lined with grasses, usually upon the high prairies, often
quite a distance from water. Eggs three or four, 2.85x1.85;
creamy white to olive drab, spotted and blotched with lilac and
varying shades of brown; in form, rather ovate, to pear shape.

Numenius hudsonicus Lath.

HUDSONIAN CURLEW.-
PLATE XII.

Migratory; rare. Arrive the last of April to first of May;
return in August, I have not met with them later, and think
they only stop to rest on their way south to the seacoast.

B. 550. R. 559. C. 645. G. 262, 95. U. 265.

Habitat. Nearly the whole of America; breeds from north-
ern Dakota to the Arctic coast, and winters chiefly south of the
United States.

Sp. Char. '■'■Adult: Crown dark sooty brown, divided longitudinally by a
mesial stripe of buff; a narrow duslcy stripe on side of head from bill to ante-
rior angle of the eye, continued back beneath the eye and along upper edge of
aurieulars, separated from the dusky of the crown by a wide, well-defined su-
perciliary stripe of light buff. Eest of head and neck and entire lower parts
light buff, the chin, throat and abdomen immaculate, other portions, including
cheeks, entire neck, jugulum and breast, marked with linear streaks of dark
brown; axillars pinkish buff or dilute cinnamon, barred with dark brown. Up-
per parts spotted with dark sooty brown and light buff, the latter prevailing on
the wing coverts, the former on the back; rump and upper tail coverts simi-
larly spotted; primaries dusky, the inner quills spotted with buff."

Lengih.

Stretch of
•wing. IVhtg.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 17.00

33.00 9.50

3. 75

2.25

3.50

Female. .

. 18.50

35.00 10.00

4.50

2.30

4.00

Iris brown; bill olive black, under mandible pale reddish at
base; legs and feet dark greenish lead color; claws black.

This widely distributed species does not appear to be very
abundant anywhere. I have occasionally met with small flocks
of these birds in nearly every locality where I have collected;
and I have in the "Goss Ornitholoo:ical Collection" a male shot

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 205

on Bi-iar Island, Nova Scotia, and a female shot at Neah Bay,
Washington,

In habits they are not noticeably different from either of the
other two species.

Their nests are placed on the ground, a mere depression lined
sparingly with old grasses or leaves. Eggs usually four; cream
to olive drab, irregularly spotted and blotched with varying
shades of umber to slate brown, thickest about larger end; in
shape, ovate, approaching pyriform. A set taken in June,
1885, in northwestern Dakota, measure: 2.28x1.59,2.30x1.63,
2.31x1.68, 2.31x1.69. Capt. Chas. Bendire gives the follow-
ing dimensions of eight specimens collected by Mr. MacFarlane,
near the Arctic coast, in the vicinity of Anderson River: 2.25
xl.57, 2.30x1.60, 2.40x1.60, 2.39x1.59, 2.08x1.54, 2.23x
1.55, 2.23x1.65, 2.22x1.67.

Numenius 'borealis (Fokst.).

ESKIMO CURLEW.
PLATE XII.

Migratory; abundant. Arrive the last of March to middle of
April; return early in August, but are not nearly so numerous
as in the spring, the larger portion returning by the sea shore.

B. 551. R. 560. C. 646. G. 263, 96. U. 266.

Habitat. Northern and eastern North America, breeding far
northward; south in winter to the southern extremity of South
America.

Sp. Char. *^AduU: Crown dusky, streaked with buff, but without distinct
mesial stripe; a dusky stripe of aggregated streaks on side of head, from bill to
and behind the eye; rest of head, neck and entire lower parts light buff, the
cheeks and neck streaked, the breast, sides, flanks and crissum with V-shaped
markings of dusky brown; axillars and lining of wing pale cinnamon, the
former narrowly barred with dusky. Upper parts spotted dusky and buff, the
wing coverts more grayish brown, with dusky shaft streaks; primaries, includ-
ing their inner.webs, plain brownish dusky. Rump and upper tail coverts spotted
dusky and light buff. Tail brownish gray, barred with dusky.

"In plumage this little Curlew closely resembles M Jmdsonicus, but has the
inner webs of the primaries finely and confusedly mottled, instead of being
marked with very distinct and regular ochraceous spots; the breast with trans-
verse V-shaped markings, instead of linear, longitudinal streaks, while there are
other differences, besides the important one of size, which readily distinguish
them."

206 HISTORY OF THE

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 13.50 27.50 8.50 3.25 1.75 2.10

Female... 13.00 27.00 8.30 3.25 1.65 2.10

Iris ^2ivk brown; bill brownish black, base of under inaudible
to forks pale reddish yellow; legs and feet dark greenish blue;
claws black.

The only mention I can find of this species on the Pacific
coast south of Alaska is of a single straggler, shot in September,
1883, at San Diego, California, reported in "The Auk," Yol. 1,
p. 393; but east of the Rocky Mountains it is by far the most
numerous of the family, and during the spring migration very
abundant west of the Mississippi, where it assembles in large
flocks upon the burnt grounds and bare spots on the prairies, to
probe for and feed upon the larvae and other forms of life that
the warmth from the sun brings early to the surface. Upon
their breeding grounds, are said to feed largely upon small ber-
ries. Tlieir soft, mellow, whistling note is continually heard as
they sweep about over their feeding grounds with regular strokes
of their wings, flying swift and low, only sailing when about to
alight; and the moment their feet touch the ground raise their
wings high and slowly fold them back, much like the Bartra-
mian Sandpiper. They move about with an easy step, ever
upon the lookout, and off at the first alarm; but, as they are
slow to leave tlieir feeding grounds, in circling about often come
within easy shot, and when the hunters are distributed the slaugh-
ter is often great. The birds are beneficial, and during the
spring migration the farmers should see that they are protected.

The following description of their nest and eggs is from the
"North American Water Birds:"

"Mr. MacFarlane met with this species breeding in great
abundance throughout the Barren Grounds up to the Arctic
coast, but it was not met with before entering these grounds.
The nests — which were found from about June 20th to July
10th — were in every instance mere holes in the ground, lined
with a few decayed leaves and having a thin sprinkling of hay
in the center. It was very difficult to detect the nest of this
species, as the parent bird glides off long before a near approach,

nmns of Kansas. 207

and the eggs closely resemble the grass in colors. This species
was very numerous in the barrens. The female, soon after
leaving her nest, usually ascends into the air in a straight line.
The young birds leave the nest as soon as hatched, and when
approached hide themselves in the grass, and can be found only
with great difficulty. Some were already hatched by July 12th.
"The eggs of this species exhibit very great variations in size,
colors and distribution of markings. In No. 9131 (S. I.) the
ground is a pale greenish ash, with large oblique blotches of
different shades of sepia, the lighter inclining to a purplish slaty
tint. In No. 14099 (S. I.) the ground is of a deep muddy or
clay colored drab. The markings are chiefly toward the larger
end, where they are confluent on the apex, are of an umber tint
varying in the depth of the shade. In No. 9432 (S. I.) the
ground is a deep olivaceous drab, and the markings, of a very
dark sepia color, are in the form of irregular small blotches,
more numerous toward the larger end. In No. 11101 the
ground is a light ash green color, and the markings are smaller,
more numerous, more longitudinal, and of a much lighter shade
of sepia. These eggs are of an oblong oval shape, slightly
pyriform, one end more rounded than the other, and have an
average length of about 2.10 inches, and a breadth at the larg-
est portion of 1.90 inches."

Family CHARADRIID^. Plovers.

•'Small or medium sized shore birds (scarcely waders), with rather short,
somewhat Pigeon-like bill, large round head, short neck, long and pointed
wings, and moderately lengthened legs, the hind toe usually absent.

" The above superficial characters are sufficient to define the family of Plovers
as distinguished from the allied groups."

Genus CHARADRIUS Linn^us.
"Size small or medium; head without crest; plumage much speckled or spot-
ted above and without metallic gloss; lower parts chiefly black in summer."

Subgenus SQUATAROLA Cuvier.
" A rudimentary hind toe; legs reticulated with elongated hexagons anteri-
orly, of which there are five or six in a transverse row; fewer behind; first
primary longest; tail slightly rounded. "

208 HISTORY OF THE

Cliaradrius squatarola (Linn.).

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.
PLATE XII.

Migratory; rare. Arrive early in April to late in May. I
have no record of their return; think they go south chiefly by
the sea shores.

B. 510. E. 513. C. 580. G. 235, 97. U. 270.

Habitat. Nearly cosmopolitan, but chiefly in the northern

hemisphere; breeding far north and migrating south in winter;

in America, to Brazil and New Granada.

Sp. Char. "Bill and legs strong; wings long; a very small rudimentary hind
toe. Summer: Around the base of the bill to the eyes, neck before and under
part of body black; upper parts white, nearly pure and unspotted on the fore-
head; sides of the neck and rump tinged with ashy, and having irregular trans-
verse spots of brownish black on the back, scapulars and wing coverts; the
brownish black frequently predominating on those parts, and the rump also fre-
quently with transverse bars of the same. Lower parts of the abdomen, tibia and
under tail coverts white, quills brownish black, lighter on the inner webs, with
a middle portion of their shafts white, and a narrow longitudinal stripe of white
frequently on the shorter primaries and secondaries. Tail white, with trans-
verse imperfect narrow bands of black. The black color of the upper parts
generally with a faint bronze or coppery luster, and presenting a scale-like ap-
pearance; the brownish black of the upper parts with a greenish luster. Bill
and legs black; iris brown. Younger and winter plumage: Entire upper parts
dark brown, with circular and irregular small spots of white, and frequently of
yellow, most numerous on the wing coverts; upper tail coverts white. Upper
parts white, with short longitudinal lines and spots of dark brownish cinereous
on the neck and breast; quills brownish black, with a large longitudinal space
of white on their inner webs and also on the outer webs of the shorter primaries.
Young: Upper parts lighter, and with the white spots more irregular or less
rounded; narrow lines on the neck and breast more numerous."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. 11.75

25.00

7.50

8.25

1.90

1.20

Female . .

. 11.50

24.50

7.40

3.25

1.90

1.20

Iris brown; bill and claws black; legs and feet dark blue.

I have found this species quite common upon both coasts,
but rare inland, where it seldom stops except to rest in its mi-
gratory flights to and from its breeding grounds; usually return-
ing leisurely along the seacoast. In its habits, it is similar to
the Golden Plover, which in winter plumage it somewhat resem-
bles, but readily known by its small hind toe, as it is the only
one of our Plovers that has the same.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 209

Wilson reports finding the birds breeding in Pennsjlvania,
and Audubon in the mountainous parts of Maryland, Pennsjl-
vania and Connecticut. From the descripti(Hi given of their
nests and eggs and their habits, they are thouglit by some writ-
ers to have been mistaken in ilie identification of the same, but
they certainly could not have been in the birds which they sup-
posed laid the eggs; and they have since, in a few cases, been
known to summer within the United States. Their natural
breeding grounds, however, are within the Arctic regions. In
the early settlement of the country, many birds were found
breeding south to the Gulf coast that are now only known to
breed far north.

Their nests are mere depressions in the ground, sparingly
lined with old grasses. Eggs usually four, 2.04x1.43; ground
color brownish drab to buffy olive, blotched and speckled with
dark brown to a deep black color; in shape, pyriform.

SuBGEXiJS CHARADRIUS LixN^rs.
"No hind toe; axillars white or grayish."

Charadrius dominicus Mull.

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER.
PLATE XII.

Migratory; abundant. Arrive the last of March to first of
May; return the last of July to first of October.

B. 503. E. 515. C. 581. G. 236, 98. U. 272.

Habitat. Nearly the whole of America; breeding in the
Arctic regions; south in winter to Patagonia.

Sp. Char. "Bill rather short, legs moderate, wings long, no hind toe, tarsus
covered before and behind with small circular or hexagonal scales. Summer
plumage: Upper parts brownish black, with numerous small circular and irreg-
ular spots of golden yellow, most numerous on the back and rump and on the
upper tall coverts, assuming the form of transverse bands generally; also with
some spots of ashy white. Entire under parts black, with a brownish or bronzed
luster: under tail coverts mixed or barred with white. Forehead, border of the
back of the neck, under tail coverts and tibia white; axillary feathers cinere-
ous; quills dark brown; middle portion of the shafts white, frequently extend-
ing slightly to the webs, and forming longitudinal stripes on the shorter quills;
tail dark brown, with numerous irregular bands of ashy white, and frequently
tinged with golden yellow; bill black; legs dark bluish brown. Winter plumage
{young and adult): Under parts dull ashy, spotted with brownish on the neck

210 HISTORY OF THE

and breast, frequently more or less mixed with black; many spots of the upper
parts dull ashy white; other spots, especially on the rump, golden yellow.

" Specimens vary in the relative amount of the black and golden on the upper
parts, in the width of the white on the forehead, and other details of coloration."

Length.

Stretch of
iviizg.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 10.25

22.50

7.20

3.00

1.65

.90

Female . .

9.75

21.75

7.00

2.60

1.65

.90

Iris dark brown; bill and claws black; legs and feet dark slate.

This well-known species is very abundant in the United States
during migration, from the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains,
but rare on the Pacific side south of Alaska. Their natui-al
home is upon the seacoast, frequenting occasionally marshy or
wet grounds, but as a rule prefer the sandy beach and adjacent
flats and uplands; they are seldom found far inland, except dur-
ing migration. At such times their flights, especially in the
spring, are hurried, direct, and in the night, only stopping to
rest and feed during the day; returning in a more leisurely man-
ner and largely along the sea shore. When upon the ground
these birds usually run about on straight or unbended legs, with
their bodies in a horizontal position and heads drawn down
close to the body; while sleeping or resting, usually sit down or
stand on one leg.

In flight they are swift and strong, sweeping over the prairies
in a compact, wavy form, at times skimming close to the ground,
then high in air, an ever-changing, circling course, whistling as
they go; and on alighting raise their wings until the tips nearly
touch, then slowly fold them back, a habit which is quite com-
mon with them as they move about on the ground.

Their food consists of grasshoppers, beetles and many forms
of insect life, snails, Crustacea, etc. ; small berries also help to
make up their diet.

The following full and interesting description of their nesting
habits, eggs, etc., is taken from Mr. Nelson's "Report upon
Natural History Collections in Alaska:"

"About the middle of May this beautiful Plover reaches the
vicinity of Saint Michael' s. The earliest record I have, for the
Territory, is May 13th, spechnens in my possession having been

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 211

secured at Fort Reliance, on the Upper Yukon, at this date. As
the breeding season approaches, it is found as one of the com-
monest breeding waders over the grass and moss-grown country
extending along the shore of Behring Sea. In some cases thej
have deposited tlieir eggs bj the first of June.

"They are in full breeding dress, and are a beautiful sight as
they glide about on easy wing, or feed over the marshy flats.
Their soft, clear call note gives evidence of the rich song to be
lieard later. They soon pair and disperse, so that within a
few days after the main arrival their nests may be looked for.
Their nests are generally in small depressions which may be
found among the moss and dried grass of a small knoll, and at
times a slight structure is made of dried grass. The grass, and,
perhaps, a few dead leaves of the dwarf willow are arranged in
a circular, saucer-shaped form, about four or five inches across,
and contain four eggs, which have a pale yellowish ground
color, with very dark, well-defined umber brown spots scattered
rather profusely over the shell, especially about the larger end.
One set of eggs measures: 1.98 by 1.35, 2.09 by 1.30, 2.00 by

1.30, 2.08 by 1.33.. This set of eggs was obtained at Stuart
Island, in June. Three odd specimens measure respectively:
1.90 by 1.25, 1.92 by 1.38, and 1.86 by 1.29. A second set,
obtained in June, 1880, near Saint Michael's, measures 2.00 by

1.31, 2.09 by 1.26, and 2.02 by 1.29. The ground color is
very uniform, the only variation being to a slight buffy shade,
in some instances, and a slight increase, or decrease, in the
abundance of dark markings." [In shape, pyriform.]

"The male at this season has a brighter plumage than the
female, and in places little frequented by man be becomes very
unsuspicious; near villages, however, he is always on the look-
out, and is diflicult to approach even when he is found by his
nest. Toward the end of May and during the first of June the
male utters a clear, rich song, which is frequently heard during
the twilight of the short Arctic nights.

' ' The courtship of this handsome bird is carried on very quietly,
and I have witnessed no demonstration of anger or quarreling
among the rivals. When two are satisfactorily mated they

212 HISTORY OF THE

quickly go about their nesting, after which each pair limits its
range to the immediate vicinity of its treasures."

Genus ^GIALITIS Boie.
"Size medium or small; liead without crest, and plumage without metallic
gloss above. Bill variable, but usually shorter than middle toe, or, if longer,
very slender; tarsus less than twice as long as middle toe."

Subgenus OXYECHUS Reichenbach.
Tail at least half as long as the wing, extending half its length, or more,
beyond tip of closed wings; graduated for more than length of inner toe with-
out claw; rump and upper tail coverts ochraceous; chest crossed by two black
bands. {Bidgway.)

.ffigialitis vocifera (Linn.).

KILLDEER.
PLATE XII.

Summer resident; abundant. Arrive the last of February to
first of April; begin laying about the middle of April; remain
until late in the fall.

B. 504. R. 516. C. 584. G. 237, 99. U. 273.

Habitat. The whole of temperate North America; breeding
throughout its range; wintering from the Gulf coast and
southern California, south into northern South America.

Sp. Char. "Adult: Pileum, and upper parts generally, grayish brown, in-
clining to umber; rump aud upper tail coverts ochraceous rufous, lighter on the
latter. Forehead and broad superciliary stripe, throat, nuchal collar and lower
parts white. Fore part of the crown, loral stripe continued toward the occiput,
collar round neck and band across breast black. Primaries dusky, the inner
quills marked on outer webs with white. Tail chiefly pale ochraceous rufous,
variegated with white, dusky and grayish chiefly toward the end. Bill black;
iris dark brown; eyelids (in life) orange red or scarlet; legs and feet pale pink-
ish grayish, or pale grayish yellow. Toung: Similar to the adult, but feathers
of the upper parts more or less conspicuously margined with pale rusty or ful-
vous. Downy young: Upper parts generally, including pileum, light grayish
brown, the two areas of this color bounded all round by black, a wide collar of
which crosses the jugulum and, extending across the nape beneath a broad,
white collar, completely encircles the neck; a broad bar of velvety black down
the middle of the humeral region, and a narrow, more interrupted stripe of the
same down the rump. Forehead, throat, lower parts generally, 'hand wing'
and posterior border of the humerus pure white; the flanks and crissum more
Isabella color; a narrow black line running from the rictus to the eye."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male....

. 10.50

20.50

6.60

4.00

1.45

.75

Female . .

. 10.00

20.00

6.50

4.00

1.45

.75

This noisy, familiar species frequents alike the high prairies,

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 213

the low hinds, margins of streams or pools of water; in fact,
appears to be at home wherever it may alight. As a rule it
is easily approached, not being either wise or timid. While
collecting in the winter of 1889, at Coatapec, Mexico, a pair
came daily to feed and dress up their feathers beside a little
run or gutter in the center of the narrow paved street opposite
my room in the hotel, regardless of the people on the side-
walks, only running or dodging to avoid a person crossing, or
to keep out of the way of the pack mules, etc., that are almost
continually passing; and it is not uncommon for the birds to
alight upon our streets and within our dooryards. Upon the
ground they run swiftly, but with too stiff legs to be graceful,
often squatting to rest or hide.

The parent birds both assist in hatching and raising the
young, and are very solicitous and demonstrative in their efforts
to protect them; and, in doing so, beautifully display, with quiv-
ering wings and fan-spread tail, their varied colors. Upon the
wing they are swift and easy, and at all times make known their
approach and presence in a vociferous manner. Their food
consists chiefly of insect life.

Their nests are placed on the dry ground, in a small depres-
sion, usually beneath a bunch of grass or weeds, in the vicinity
of streams and pools of water, lined sparingly with bits of old
grass or weeds, chiefly about the edges. Eggs usually four,
1.45x1.05; buff to drab white, spotted and blotched with um-
ber and blackish brown; thickest about larger end; pyriform in
shape, very obtuse at larger end and sharply pointed at the

other.

Subgenus ^GIALITIS Boie.
Tarsus less than twice as long as bill, measiirecl from anterior point of
loral feathering; chest with a black, grayish or rusty band, sometimes iutei-
rupted in the middle portion. {Bidgway.)

^gialitis semipalmata Bonap.

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER.
PLATE XII.

Migratory; not uncommon. Arrive in April to middle of
May; begin to return early in August, occasionally remaining
until late in the fall.

214 HISTORY OF THE

B. 507. K. 517. C. 586. G. 238, 100. U. 274.

Habitat. The whole of North America; breeding chiefly
within the Arctic regions; winters from California and the Gnlf
coast, south to Brazil and Peru.

Sp. Char. "Small; wlng.s long; toes connected at base, especially the outer
to the middle toe. Front, throat, ring around the neck and entire under parts
white; a band of deep black across the breast, extending around the back of the
neck below the white ring. Band from the base of the bill, and under the eye,
and wide frontal band above the white baud, black. Upper parts ashy brown;
quills brownish black, with their shafts white in a middle portion, and occasion-
ally a lanceolate white spot along the shafts of the shorter primaries; shorter
tertiaries edged with white; greater coverts tipped with white. Middle feathers
of the tail ashy brown, with a wide subterminal band of brownish black, and
narrowly tipped with white; two outer tail feathers white, others intermediate,
like the middle, but widely tipped with white. Bill orange yellow at base,
black terminally; legs pale flesh color. Female: Similar, but rather lighter col-
ored. Young: With the black replaced by ashy brown, the feathers of the upper
parts bordered with paler. Downy young: Above, pale grayish brown, mottled
with black; a frontal crescent, broad nuchal collar and entire lower parts white."

Length.

Stretch of
■iving.

Wing.

Male

. 7.10

15.20

4.75

Female . .

. 7.00

15.00

4.70

Tail.

Tarsus.

£ill.

2.30

.95

.52

2.20

.95

.50

This species is quite common in suitable localities throughout
the continent; breeding north into Greenland. They are often
met with upon low, marshy grounds, but seem to prefer the
sandy shores and barren lands, where they run about in a swift
but uncertain manner, suddenly stopping to pick up an insect or
any minute form of life that exists upon their feeding grounds;
and though gregarious, move about in a silent, unsocial manner,
regardless of each other; but the moment they are startled,
spring into the air with a whistling, warning note, quickly bunch
together, and sweep swiftly away, scattering, without stopping
to look, the moment they alight, as if forgetful of the scare, and
heedless of danger.

Their nests are mere cavities in the ground, lined occasionally
with a few withered leaves or grasses. Eggs usually four,
1.26x. 94; pale dull buff to olive buff, irregularly speckled and
spotted, chiefly about the larger end, with dark brown or black;
in shape, rather pyriform.

BIEBS OF KANSAS. 215

^gialitis meloda circumcincta Ridgw.

BELTED PIPING PLOVER.

In my first catalogue I entered this bird in the list to be
looked for in the State. I have met with them in Texas, and
they are known to breed north of ns, and it is strange they have
not been found, as this is about the center of their natural range.
I therefore think it safe to add them to our list as migratory
birds.

B. . E. .530. C. 588. G. , — . U. 277a.

Habitat. The Mississippi valle_y, and north to Lake Winni-
peg (occasionally east to the Atlantic coast); breeding from
northern Illinois and Nebraska northward; wintering on the
Gulf coast and southward.

Sp. Char. '■'Adult male: Forehead, lores, niiolial collar and lower parts
white. Ill Slimmer a band across fore part of crown, and one around the lower
neck (forming a continuous pectoral band), black or dusky. In winter these
markings replaced by light brownish gray; head above and upper parts of body
light brownish cinereous; rump and upper tail coverts lighter, and often nearly
white; quills dark brown, with a large portion of tlieir inner webs and shafts
white; shorter primaries with a large portion of their outer webs white; tail at
base white, and with the outer feathers white; middle feathers with a wide sub-
terminal band of brownish black, and tipped with white; bill orange at base,
tipped with black ( in winter almost wholly black ); legs orange yellow. Female:
Similar to the male, but with the dark colors lighter and less in extent. Young:
No black band in front; collar around the neck ashy brown."

I have no measurements of this bird. Mr. Ridgway, in ' 'Amer-
ican Naturalist," Yol. 8, p. 109, gives the following dimensions
of an adult male: "Wing, 4.60; tail, 2.30; culmen, .50; tarsus,
.85; middle toe, .55. Type, No. 9035, male ad., Nat. Mus.,
Loup Fork of the Platte, July 8; Dr. F. V. Hayden. Length, G^;
extent, 14 J."

As their name indicates, these birds have a soft, low, piping
note, which they utter not only upon the wing but occasionally
as they run about upon the ground, and, during the early breed-
ing season, a peculiar, loud, prolonged, musical call, that readily
attracts attention. I say in the breeding season, because, when
I met with them on the Gulf coast, I did not hear it until the
early spring. In other respects, their habits are not noticeably
different from the Semipalmated.

Their nests are without lining, a mere depression in the sand.

216 HISTORY OF THE

Eggs usually four, 1.27x.95; ground color light gray to creamy
buff, finely and rather sparsely speckled or dotted with blackish
brown and purplish gray; in shape, abruptly pyriform.

^gialitis nivosa Cass.

SNOWY PLOVER.
PLATE Xn.

Summer resident on the salt plains along the Cimarron River,
in the Indian Territory, the northern limits of which extend
across the State line into southern Com.anche county; quite com-
mon. Arrive about the first of May; begin laying the last of
May.

B. 509. R. 521. C. 591. G. , . U. 278.

Habitat. Western North America, north into northern Cali-
fornia, east to Kansas, Texas and Cuba; south in winter to Chili.

Sp. Char. "Bill slender, wholly deep black, as long as the middle toe.
Adult male: Foreliead, superciliary region, indistinct nuchal collar and entire
lower parts pure white; a baud across the fore part of the crown, auriculars and
transverse patch on each side of the breast black. Upper parts rather light
brownish gray, the crown and occiput usually tinged with light reddish buff.
Primaries dusky, with white shafts, the inner quills marked with white; inner
secondaries almost wholly white. Two outer tail feathers wholly white, the
rest growing gradually darker to the inner pair, which are wholly dusky. Adult
female: Similar to male, but the black markings less distinct (sometimes nearly
obsolete). Bill and eyelids deep black; iris deep brown; legs dull slate color;
toes black; interior of mouth fleshy white. Young: More ashy above, the black
markings replaced by ashy; feathers of the upper parts indistinctly bordered
with whitish. Downy young: Above, pale grayish buff, interrupted by a white
nuchal collar, the whole of the colored portion irregularly mottled with black.
Forehead, lower parts and 'hand wing' white. A distinct postocular streak of
dusky."

The Kansas birds, and specimens since collected by Mr. Sen-
nett, in Texas, are lighter in color, and present a more bleached
appearance than the California specimens examined; but, as the
birds vary somewhat in shadings, it is probable that with a larger
number before us the difference would be less apparent, and re-
move the thought at first entertained, that they were entitled to
sub-specific separation.

stretch of
Length. •wing. ll'/ng. Tnil. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.60 13.50 4.10 1.95 .95 .60

Female... 6.50 13.20 4.00 1.80 .95 .60

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 217

Iris dark brown; bill and claws black; legs and feet bluish
gray.

A strictly marine bird, one only found inland upon the salt.
sandy plains or along the shores of salt water; breeding within
their range as far south as Cuba.

Their food consists of Crustacea and various minute forms of
life. They are similar in actions to the Semipalmated, and fully
as silent; at least I never heard one utter a note except as the
young are approached — when they are very demonstrative — or
when suddenly flushed, which, in the breeding season, is very
difficult to do, as they prefer to escape by running, dodging, and
squatting the moment they think they are out of danger, in hopes
that you will pass them unobserved, as the sandy lands they in-
habit closely resemble their plumage in color, and you will cer-
tainly do so should you look away or fail to go directly to the
spot.

June 18th, 1886, (the first discovery of the birds east of Great
Salt Lake), I found them nesting and with young upon the salt
plains, as located above, and startled one from her nest; a mere
depression worked out in the sand to fit the body. It was with-
out lining, and nothing near to shelter or hide it from view. It
contained three eggs (a full set), nearly ready to hatch; dimen-
sions: 1.20X.90, 1.20X.89, 1.22x.89; ground color pale olive
drab (approaching a light clay color, with a greenish tint), rather
evenly and thickly marked with irregular-shaped, ragged-edged
splashes and dots of blackish brown; in shape, rather pyriform.

SuBGE]!^us PODASOCYS Coues.
"Bill rather small aud sleuder (much as iu Oxyechus), but longer than the
middle toe; tarsus considerably more than twice as long as the middle toe. Tail
short, even, scarcely reaching to the ends of the folded wings. Plumage ex-
ceedingly plain."

.Sgialitis montana (Towns.).

MOUNTAIN PLOVER.
PLATE XII.

Summer resident in western to middle Kansas; common. Ar-
rive about the first of April; begin laying early in May; return
late in the fall.

B. 505. R. 523. C. 592. G. 239. 101. U. 281.

218 HISTORY OF THE

Habitat. Western North America; east into Texas and Da-
kota; north to the British possessions; wintering in Southern
California, Texas and southward; accidental in Florida.

Sp. Char. '•^Adult, breeding plumage: Wide frontal cresceut, superciliary
stripe and entire lower parts white, purest on the forehead, of a more or less
soiled tint beneath, the jugulum shaded with light grayish brown, most distinct
laterally, where insensibly merging into the color of the upper parts. Fore part
of the crown and stripe from the rictus to the eye (across lores) black. Eest
of upper parts uniform light grayish brown, the remiges and tail dusky; shafts
of primaries white. Adult, in spring: Similar to the above, but upper parts'
and jugulum tinged with light buffy ochraceous. Adult and young, in winter:
More strongly tinged with buff, both above and below; the black markings of
the head wanting. Young, first plumage: All the feathers of the upper parts
distinctly bordered with light buff; whole side of head and neck and entire jug-
ulum deep light creamy buff. Downy young: Above, brownish buff mottled
with black, this forming a distinct marbling on the crown and occiput, where
the ground color is lighter and clearer buff. Lower parts pale buff, immaculate.

"There is considerable individual variation in the extent and distinctness of
black on the head in fully adult birds, some specimens having the whole crown
black, while in others this color is limited to a crescentic mark just behind the
white of the forehead; In some examples the black loral stripe Is barely indi-
cated."

Length.

Stretch of
%uing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 8.80

18.25

5.75

2.60

1.50

.90

Female . .

. 9.25

19.50

6.00

2.70

1.60

.90

Iris dark brown; bill and claws black; legs pale brown; feet
dark brown.

These birds inhabit high prairies and sterile plains, rather than
the mountains as their name indicates, and seldom frequent the
water's edge or low, wet grounds; in other respects their habits
do not materially differ from others of the family.

Their note is a rather low, pleasing whistle. Their food is
chiefly grasshoppers. I have found them breeding in Kansas,
Colorado and Wyoming, and they no doubt breed within the
United States throughout their range.

Their nest is a slight depression in the ground, lined sparingly
with the leaves of grasses. Eggs usually three or four, 1.47x
1.11; deep olive to brownish drab, sprinkled with fine dots of
blackish brown and neutral tints; pyriform in shape, but not so
sharply pointed as other species of this genus. A set of three
eggs, collected in Wyoming, June 6th, 1886, measure: 1.47x
1.06, 1.52x1.13, 1.53x1.10.

o ^

CD cr

O LLl

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 219

Order GALLING.

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS.

"Bill generally short, stout, convex, with an obtuse vaulted tip, corneous ex-
cept in the nasal fossa, and without restriction in its continuity. Nostrils scaled
or feathered. Tomiaof upper mandible overlapping. Frontal feathers forming
re-entrant outline at the base of upper mandible. Legs usually feathered to
the tarsus or beyond. Hallux elevated, with a few exceptions {e. g., Ci'ncidcB and
MegapodidoB) smaller than the anterior toes, occasionally wanting (as in the
Hemipods). Tarsus (when not feathered) generally broadly scutellate. Front
toes commonly webbed at base. Claws blunt, little curved. Wings strong,
short, and coucavo-couvex. Eectices commonly more than twelve. Head
small. Plumage usually after shafted. Carotids double, except TurnicidcB and
Megapodidce. No intrinsic syringeal muscles. Sternum very deeply, generally
doubly, notched. Palate schizognathous. Chiefly polygamous. Preecocial and
ptilopsedic."

Suborder PHASIAISTI. Pheasants, Grouse, Par-
tridges, Quails, etc.

Hind toe small, short (much less than half as long as lateral toes), and in-
serted above the level of the anterior toes. {Ridgicay.)

Family TETRAONIDiE. Grouse, Paktkidges, etc.

Tarsi without spurs; head entirely feathered (except sometimes over eyes),
and tail not vaulted. {Ridgicay.)

Subfamily PEKDICINtE. Paktridges.

Tarsi and nasal fossae entirely naked; sides of toes not pectinated; smaller
(wing less than 6.00). {Ridgicay.)

Genus COLINUS Lesson.
"Bill stout; head not conspicuously crested; tail short, scarcely more than
half the wing, composed of moderately soft feathers; wings normal; legs devel-
oped, the toes reaching cousiderably beyond the tip of the tail; the lateral toes
short, equal, their claws falling decidedly short of the base of the middle claw."

Colinus virginianus (Linn.).

BOB-WHITE.
PLATE XIIL

Resident; abundant from the eastern to the middle portion
of the State, moving westward and increasing with its settle-
ment. Begin laving the last of April.

220 HISTORY OF THE

B. 471. R. 480. C. 571. G. 223, 102. U. 289.

Habitat. Eastern United States; north into Lower Canada;
south to the Gulf States; west to Dakota, Kansas, Indian Ter-
ritory and eastern Texas.

Sp. Char. "Forehead, and line through the eje and along the side of the
neck, with chin and throat, white. A band of black across the vertex, and ex-
tending backwards on the sides, within the white, and another from the maxilla
beneath the eye, and crossing on the lower part of the throat; the under parts
are white, tinged with brown anteriorly; each feather with several narrow, ob-
tuse, V-shaped bands of black; the fore part of back, the side of the breast-, and
in front just below the black collar, of a dull pinkish red; the sides of body and
wing coverts brownish red; the latter almost uniform, without indication of
mottling; scapulars and upper tertials coarsely blotched with black, and edged
internally with brownish yellow; top of head reddish; the lower part of neck,
except anteriorly, streaked with white and black; primary quills unspotted
brown; tail ash. Female: With the white markings of the head replaced by
brownish yellow; the black ones with brownish. Young: Head ashy, with a
narrow postocular white stripe, and the ci'own spotted with black; throat whit-
ish; beneath pale dingy ashy, with whitish shaft streaks, and without black
bars or other markings; above reddish or olivaceous drab, the feathers with
whitish shaft streaks, and a large black spot, mostly on upper web. Chick:
Head dingy buff; an auricular dusky elongated spot, and. a vertical patch of
chestnut rufous, widening on the occiput."

stretch of
Length. ivntg. Pl^/ng: Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 10.00 15.00 4.45 2.70 1.25 .55

Female... 9.50 14.70 4.35 2.65 1.25 .50

Iris brown; bill dark brown, usually pale brown at base of
under mandible; legs and feet pale bluish to brownish gray;
claws black.

This familiar species is generally known in the New England
and Middle States as the Quail, and in the Southern States as
the Partridge. These names belong to other and quite dijfferent
— though closely allied — birds. At the suggestion of Profes-
sor Baird, "Bob-white," its cheerful call note, has become its
accepted and present name. The birds appear to thrive best in
the presence of man, and, were they protected and fed during
our cold winters, would soon become quite tame. They often
nest near our dwellings. In the spring of 1867, I was shown,
on Owl Creek, Woodson county, Kansas, a nest containing nine-
teen eggs. It was placed in the dooryard, and not over twenty-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 221

five yards from the liouse; several dogs were running about the
yard, and the liouse eat was purring in the doorway. Fearing
the eggs would be destroyed, I suggested the building of a higji,
tight fence around the nest. "•Oh ! " said the farmer, "that is
not necessary; our cats and dogs will not harm them, for they
know them well, as they have for a long time run about with
the chickens, and feed with them from food thrown from the
door step." I am con_^ident if man was as friendly to the birds
as they are to man, that they would soon become thoroughly
domesticated. Trapped and hunted as they are, with dog and
gun, it is not strange that, as a whole, they remain timid and
mistrustful, and, were they not naturall_y birds of civilization,
would rapidly disappear with the settlement of a country. As
it is, they seem to realize that man is only at times their enemy,
and that his cultivated fields afford them a safe resort from
their many other enemies, and insure a more certain and boun-
tiful supply of food than found elsewhere.

In the destruction of injurious insects, and the seeds of weeds,
upon which they largely feed, they more than doubly repay for
the few grains eaten prior to the harvest.

Their flesh is highly esteemed, and to the wing shot a most
attractive game bird. When startled, rise with a loud whirring
sound; in flight very swift, low, and direct; a rather laborious
effort, dropping back into the first inviting cover. They do not,
like our Prairie Hens, collect in large flocks, but move about
in small coveys or family groups; pairing during the breeding
season, and, although not strictly true to each other in their
marriage relations, are very attentive and share alike in the
duties of protecting and rearing the young.

Their nests are placed on the ground, in a depression, usually
in the grass upon the prairies, sometimes in a thicket, under a
low bush; composed of grasses, and usually arched over, with
entrance on the sides. Eggs fifteen to twenty, 1.20x. 97; pure
white; in shape, pyriform. Nests found with a larger number
of eggs, I think the product of two or more females.

222 HIS TOBY OF THE

Colinus virginianus texanus (Lawr.).

TEXAN BOB- WHITE.
PLATE Xni.

This southwestern race, as a bird of Western Kansas, rests on
two specimens — adult females — in the U. S. National Museum,
collected May 27th, 1864, by Dr. Elliott Coues, on the Kepub-
lican River, in the northwestern part of the State. I have
been informed by military men and hunters that Bob-whites
were occasionally seen on the Cimarron River, south of Fort
Dodge, from 1862 to 1866. This was long before our birds,
in follow^ing up the settlements, had reached the central portion
of the State, and it is safe to conclude that the birds found
there were of this variety; and that they reached that vicinity
by following the old military trail north through the Indian
Territory, for the grains scattered along the route and at feed-
ing and camping places. Of late years the trail has been little
used, and as the country was without a settlement their disap-
pearance can be accounted for on the grounds that they have
been destroyed by enemies, or, for want of food and shelter,
could not survive the cold winters.

B. 472. K. 4806. C. 573. G. , . U. 2896.

Habitat. Northeastern Mexico, western Texas, and occasion-
ally north to western Kansas.

Sp. Chae. "General appearance that of C. mrginianus. Chin, throat, fore-
head and strip over the eye white. Stripe behind the eye, continuous with a
collar across the lower part of the throat, black. Under parts white, with zig-
zag transverse bars of black. Above, pale brownish red, strongly tinged with
ash, the feathers all faintly though distinctly mottled with black; the lower
back, scapulars and tertials much blotched with black, the latter edged on both
sides and to some extent transversely barred with brownish white. Secondaries
with transverse bars of the same on the outer web. Wing coverts coarsely and
conspicuously barred with blackish. Lower part of neck (except before) streaked
with black and white.

"Female with the white of the head changed to brownish yellow; the black
of the head wanting."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 9.25

14.25

4.25

2.50

1.15

.55

Female . .

. 9.00

14.00

4.20

2.40

1.15

.50

Iris brown; bill and claws black; legs and feet olive gray.
This bleached and smaller form (one of several) does not in
its habits differ from the more eastern or typical Bob-white.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 223

A set of seven eggs, collected in the spring of 1882, at Corpus
Cbristi, Texas, measiiro: 1.15x.92, l.lSx.Oi, 1.04:X.98, 1.20x
.95, l.lOx.94, 1.07x89, 1.12x.95.

Subfamily TETRAONIN^. Grouse.

At least upper half of tarsus feathered (usually feathered to toes); nasal
fossse densely feathered; sides of toes pectinated iu winter (the points deciduous
in summer). {Bidgway.)

Genus BONASA Stephens.
Lower portion of tarsus completely naked; tail nearly as long as wing, fan
shaped; sides of neck with a broad tuft or ruff of soft, broad-webbed feathers.
{Ridgway.)

Bonasa umbellus (Linn.).

RUFFED GROUSE.
PLATE XIIL

A resident in the eastern portion of the State prior to its set-
tlement; but, being a bird of the woods, its range was confined
to the timber skirting the streams, and, upon the settlement of
the same, they quickly disappeared, as the tramping and brows-
ing of the cattle during the winters destroyed the undergrowth,
their favorite resorts, and left them no longer a hiding place or
natural home. Much of the wooded land is now under fence,
and where not pastured the growth is dense, and I feel confident
that, if introduced and protected, they would soon become a
permanent resident in every inviting grove.

B. 465. R. 473. C. 565. G. 218, 103. U. 300.

Habitat. Eastern United States, north to Massachusetts and

southern "Wisconsin (north of this range tlie Canadian Ruffed

Grouse); west to the edge of the Great Plains; south to Georgia,

Tennessee, Arkansas, etc.

Sp. Char. "Above, ochraceous brown finely mottled with grayish; the
scapulars and wing coverts with pale shaft streaks, the rump and upper tail
coverts with medial cordate spots of pale grayish. Tail ochraceous rufous, nar-
rowly bordered with black, crossed terminally with a narrow band of pale ash.
then a broader one of black, this preceded by another ashy one. Throat and
loreneck ochraceous. Lower parts mixed whitish and buff, the latter chiefly be-
neath the surface, with broad, transverse bars of dilute brown, these mostly
concealed on the abdomen. Lower tail coverts pale ochraceous, each with a
terminal deltoid spot of white bordered with dusky. Neck tufts brownish
black. Length, 18.00; wing, 7.20; tail, 7.00. Female: Smaller, and with the
lueck tufts less developed, but colors similar. Young: Brown above and dingy

224 HISTORY OF THE

white beneath; a rufous tinge on the scapulars. Feathers of the jugulum,
back, scapulars and wlug coverts with broad, medial streaks of light ochra-
ceous, and black spots on the webs; jugulum with a strong buff tinge. Sec-
ondaries and wing coverts strongly mottled transversely. Head dingy buff, the
upper part more rusty; a postocular or auricular dusky patch, and a tuft of
dusky feathers on the vertex. Chick: Above, light rufous, beneath, rusty
white; uniform above and below; a dusty postocular streak, inclining down-
wards across the auriculars. Bill, whitish."

stretch of
Length. wing. IVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 18.00 23.50 7.25 6.50 1.65 .70

Female... 16.50 22.50 6.75 5.50 1.60 .65

Iris brown; bill light brown, with base of under pale; feet
grayish brown; claws dark brown.

This beautiful game bird, erroneously (but generally) known
as Partridge in the Northern States, and as Pheasant in the
Southern States, inhabits the thickets and edges of the wooded
lands. Its food consists of insect life, seeds, berries, and ten-
der buds; the latter is its chief food during the winter and
early spring months. When on the ground it moves about with
outspread tail and a dignified step. When startled, it rises
with a whirring sound of the wings; at other times, in a noise-
less manner. Its flights are low and short, but swift as an ar-
row.

The birds begin to pair early in the spring, and commence
laying the last of April to first of May. During the fall and
winter months they are usually found alone or in family groups,
never in large flocks.

The peculiar drumming noise of the male, heard during the
early breeding season and occasionally until late in the fall, has
led to much controversy as to the cause producing the same, and
the conclusions reached are various, viz., "striking the wings
against a log, the body, the air, etc.," but by many it is believed
to be vocal, and for this reason it was given its generic name,
Bonasa., from honasus, a wild bull. From observation, I am
led to believe the sound comes chiefly if not wholly from the
quick, downward strokes of its short, concave wings upon the
air; a thrilling motion of joy, like the flapping of the rooster as
he crows.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 225

Their nests are placed on the ground, in groves and at the
edge of timber; a place worked out to fit the body, and rather
sparing!}' and loosely lined with grasses and leaves. Eggs seven
to twelve, 1.55x1.15; cream white, occasionally faintly blotched
with drab or buff; in form, oval approaching pyriform.

Genus TYMPANUCHUS Gloger.
"Tail of eighteen feathers, short, half the lengthened wings; the feathers
stiffened and more or less graduated. Bare, inflatable air sac of the neck con-
cealed by a tuft of long, stiff, lanceolate feathers; an inconspicuous crest on the
vertex. Tarsi feathered only to near the base, the lower joint scutellate. Cul-
men between the nasal fosste scarcely one-third the total length."

Tympanuchus americanus (Reich.).

PRAIRIE HEN.
PLATE XIII.

Common in the eastern to middle portion of the State, and
spreading westward with its settlement. Formerly abundant,
but rapidly decreasing in numbers, and, unless the law protect-
ing them is strictly enforced, especially so far as it relates to
trapping, they will soon become exterminated; for during the
extreme cold winters, when the ground is covered with snow,
hunger overcomes their fear, and the last one is easily entrapped.

B. 464. R. 477. C. 563. G. 219, 104. U. 305.

Habitat. Prairies of the Mississippi valley, east to Indiana
and Kentucky; north to Manitoba; west to eastern Dakota;
south to Texas and Louisiana. (The eastern bird, T. cup'ulo., un-
til of late supposed to be this species, is now apparently extinct,
except ou the island of Martha's Vineyard.)

Sp. Chae. '•'•Male: Ground color above, ochraceous brown, tinged with gray-
ish; beneath white, the feathers of the jugulum dark rusty chestnut beneath the
surface. Head mostly deep buff. Upper parts much broken by broad, trans-
verse spots or irregular bars of deep black, this color predominating largely
over the lighter tints. Primaries and tail plain dusky; the former with round-
ish spots of pale ochraceous on outer webs, the latter very narrowly tijijied with
white. Lower parts with irregular-, continuous, sharply-defined, broad bars or
narrow bands of clear dusky brown. A broad stripe of plain, brownish black
on side of head, beneath the eye, from rictus to end of auriculars; a blotch of
the same beneath the middle of the auriculars and the top of the head mostly
blackish, leaving a broad superciliary and maxillary stripe, and the whole throat
immaculate buff. Neck tufts 3.50 inches long, deep black; the longer ones uni-
form, the shorter with only the edge black, the whole middle portion pale buff.
—15

226 HIS TOBY OF THE

shading into deep reddish rusty next to the black. Female: Similar, but with
shorter and inconspicuous cervical tufts. Touncj: Above, including tail, yellow-
ish brown; feathers with conspicuous white shaft streaks and large blotches of
deep black. Outer webs of primaries with whitish spots. Top of head rusty
brown, with a black vertical and a dusky auricular patch. Lower parts yellow-
ish white, with irregularly-defined, transverse, grayish brown, broad bars; an-
teriorly more spotted, the jugulum tinged with brown. Ckick: Bright lemon
buff, tinged on sides and jugulum with reddish; upper parts much washed with
rusty. A narrow auricular streak, blotched on the vertex and occiput, a stripe
across the shoulder, and blotches down the middle of the back and rump, deep
black."

stretch of
Length. ming. IVing, Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 18.25 29.50 9.00 4.25 l.SO .05

Female... 17.25 28.00 8.50 3.90 1.75 .60

Iris brown; bill and claws dark brown; feet yellowish.
^ This familiar game bird inhabits our fertile prairies, seldom
frequenting 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
grasshoppers, crickets and other forms of insect life, but after-
ward chiefly upon our cultivated grains, gleaned from the stub-
ble in autumn and the corn fields in winter; they are also fond
of tender buds, berries and fruits. They run about much like
our domestic fowls, but with a more stately carriage. When
flushed, 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 eft'ort, flapping 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
warm.th 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 dis-
play, 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 ground, appar-
ently indifferent observers, until claimed by victorious rivals,
which they gladly accept, and receive their caresses. >. I have

BIIiBS OF KANSAS. 227

often lain and watched their amorous actions, described in so
life-like a manner by Audubon. His statement that the van-
quished and victors alike leave the grounds to search for the
females is true, but he omits to state that many are present, and
mate upon the ' ' scratching grounds. ' ' The birds are not strictly
true to each otlier during the love season, and this is true of
most birds when the assistance of the male is not required in
hatching and rearing of the young.

Their nests are placed on the ground in the thick prairie grass,
and at the foot of bushes on the barren ground; a hollow
scratched out in the soil, and sparingly lined with grasses and a
few feathers. Eggs eight to twelve, 1.68x1.25; tawny brown,
sometimes with an olive hue, and occasionally sprinkled with
brown; in form, rather oval. A set of nine eggs, collected at
Pewaukee, Wisconsin, May 27th, 1883, measure: 1.65x1.27,
1.64x1.24, 1.66x1.22, 1.69x1.23, 1.62x1.24, 1.69x1.28, 1.61x
1.27, 1.64x1.26, 1.64x1.25.

Tympanuchus pallidicinctus (Kidgw.).

LESSER PRAIRIE HEN.
PLATE XIII.

Eesident in the southern part of the State; rare.

B. . R. 477a. C. 564. G. 230, 105. U. 307.

Habitat. Not fully known. Eidg way says: "Eastern bor-
ders of the Great Plains, from Nebraska (?), southwestern
Kansas, southwestern Missouri (?), and western part of Indian
Territory to western Texas." I have only met with the birds
in the Indian Territory and southeastern Kansas.

Sp. Char. "Much smaller and lighter in color than T. americanns. Upper
parts rather evenly barred with narrow, pale brownish to dusky and pale gray-
ish, ochraceous. Beneath, whitish with narrow bars of pale brown; iris brown;
bill dark brown; feet yellow; claws brownish black."

stretch of

Len^h. wing. IVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill

Male 16.70 27.25 8.25 4.00 1.60 .60

Female... 15.60 26.50 8.10 3.65 1.60 .58

The above description and measurements are taken from a
pair of birds in the "Goss Ornithological Collection," captured
in Neosho county, Kansas.

228 HISTORY OB' THE

This small, bleached species does not differ in habits from
our common Prairie Hen, T. anierlcmius.

Genus PEDIOC^TES Baird.
"Tail short, graduated; exclusive of the much lengthened middle part,
where are two feathers ( perhaps tail coverts), with parallel edges and truncated
ends half the full rounded wing; tarsi densely feathered to tiie toes and between
the bases; neck without peculiar feathers; culmen between the nasal fossae not
half the total length."

Pediocsetes phasianellus campestris Eidgw.

PRAIRIE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE.
PLATE Xm.

A common resident in the western part of the State, For-
merly met with occasionally in the eastern portion, but, being a
bird of the wild prairies and the open woodlands, it is gradu-
ally retreating westward as the settlements advance, and will
soon be a rare bird, to be looked for only in the sand hills and
unsettled portions of the State.

B. . R. . C. . G. 221,* 106. U. 3086.

Habitat. Plains and prairies east of the Rocky Mountains;
east to Wisconsin; north to Manitoba; south to New Mexico.

Common Characters of the Species. Adult male: Above, varied with
irregular spotting and barring of black and brownish; wing coverts with large
roundish white spots, and scapulars streaked medially with same; outer webs of
quills spotted with white; beneath, white, varied with mostly V-shaped marks
of dusky, chiefly on anterior and lateral portions. Adult female: Similar to
male but somewhat smaller, and with middle tail feathers shorter. Tou7ig:
Above brownish, spotted and barred with black and conspicuously streaked
with white; outer webs of quills spotted with white; lower parts dull whitish,
the chest, breast, sides and flanks spotted with dusky. Doicny young: Bright
buflj yellow, the upper parts tinged with light rusty and coarsely marbled with
black; a small black spot on middle of crown, and several larger black mark-
ings on occiput and hind neck, but fore part of head, all round, immaculate.
{Rklgicay.)

Sp. Char. Lighter colored, the general color of upper parts buffy grayish
or light brownish of various shades, always predominating over black markings,
the white markings on scapulars and wings not conspicuously contrasted with
the general color; feathering of feet pale brownish gray. Ground color above
more rusty or ochraceous. [Ridgway.)

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 18.35

28.25

8.50

5.25

1.72

.87

Female . .

. 17.50

26.50

8.00

4.75

1.70

.80

* Entered in first catalogue as P. phasianus coluinbianus ( Ord. ).

BIBBS OF KANSAS. 229

Iris and feet brown; bill and claws dark brown to dusky.

This bird inhabits the open prairies during the summer
months, retiring in winter to the ravines and wooded lands;
and when the snow is deep and the weather severe, often hide
and roost beneath the snow. They feed chiefly on grasshop-
pers, seeds, buds, blossoms, berries, etc.

Their flesh is lighter in color and more highly esteemed than
that of the Prairie Hen. "When walking about on the ground
they stand high on their legs, with their sharp-pointed tail
slightly elevated, and, when flushed, rise with a whirring sound
of the wings, uttering as they go a guttural ' ' Kuk, kuk, kuk, ' ' and
swiftly wing themselves away in a direct course. The birds have
several cackling notes, and the males a peculiar crowing or low
call, that in tone sounds somewhat like the call of the Turkey.
In the early spring, as the love season approaches, they select a
mound or slight elevation on the open prairies for a courtship
ground, where they assemble at early dawn, the males dancing
and running about in a circle before the females, in a most ludi-
crous manner, facing each other with lowering head, raised
feathers and defiant looks, crossing and recrossing each other's
paths in a strutting, pompous way, seldom fighting, each acting
as if confident of making the greatest display, and thus to win the
admiration of and capture the hen of his choice. Tiiese meet-
ings and dances are kept up until the hens cease laying and be-
gin to sit. The hens attend' wholly to the hatching and rearing
of the young, and are attentive and watchful mothers.

Their nests are placed in a tuft of grass or under a low, stunted
bush; a hollow worked out in the ground to fit the body, usually
lined with a few blades of grass arranged in a circular form.
Eggs six to thirteen, 1.67x1.24; varying from light clay or drab
to olive brown, often plain, but generally speckled with fine dot-
tings of dark brown; in form, rather pointed oval.

Family PHASIANID^. Pheasants, etc.

Hind toe small, short (much less than half as long as lateral toes), and in
serted above the level of the anterior toes. Tarsi with spurs; head naked, or
else tail long and vaulted. {Ridgicay.)

230 HISTORY OF THE

Subfamily MELEAGRIN^. Turkeys.

"Bill moderate; the nasal fossae bare. Head and neck without feathers, but
with scattered hairs and more or less carunculated, an extensible, fleshy process
on the forehead, but no development of the bone. Tarsus armed with spurs in
the male. Hind toe elevated. Tail nearly as long as the wing, truncate, of more
than twelve feathers."

Genus MELEAGRIS Linn.eus.

"Legs with transverse scuteUse before and behind; reticulated laterally.

Tarsi with spurs. Tail rounded, rather long, usually of eighteen feathers.

Forehead with a depending, fleshy cone. Head and the upper half of the neck

without feathers. Breast of male in most species with a long tuft of bristles."

Meleagris gallopavo Linn.

WILD TURKEY.
PLATE XIV.

An abundant resident in the early settlement of the State,
but now nearly extinct. Begin laying early in April.

B. 457. R. 470. C. 554. G. 217, 108. U. 310.

Habitat. Eastern United States; north to southern Canada;

south to Florida and eastern Texas; west along the timbered

streams to the edge of the Great Plains. The Mexican Turkey,

M. gallopavo mexicana^ occurs southwest of the limits as given.

Sp. Char. "The naked skin of the head and neck is blue; the excrescences
purplish red; the legs red. The feathers of the neck and body generally are
very broad, abruptly truncate, and each one well defined and scale-like; the ex-
posed portion coppery bronze, with a bright coppery reflection in some lights — in
the specimens before us, chiefly on the under parts. Each feather is abruptly
margined with velvet black, the bronze assuming a greenish or purplish shade
near the line of junction, and the bronze itself sometimes with a greenish reflec-
tion in some lights. The black is opaque, except along the extreme tip, where
there is a metallic gloss. The feathers of the lower back and rump are black,
with little or no copper gloss. The feathers of the sides behind, and the coverts,
upper and under, are of a very dark purplish chestnut, with purplish metallic
reflections near the end, and a subterminal bar of black; the tips are of the
opaque purplish chestnut referred to. The concealed portion of the coverts is
dark chestnut, barred rather finely with black; the black wider than the inter-
spaces. The tail feathers are dark brownish chestnut, with numerous transver^e
bars of black, which, when most distinct, are about a quarter of an inch wide
and about double their interspaces; the extreme tip for about half an inch is
plain chestnut, lighter than the ground color; and there is a broad subterminal
bar of black about two inches wide on the outer feathers, and narrowing to about
three-quarters of an inch to the central ones. The innermost pair scarcely shows
this band, and the otliers are all much broken and confused. In addition to the
l)lack bars on each feather, the chestnut interspaces are sprinkled with black.

/

13

(1^ ^

? E

5 q:

.1tf^J^feavv.^

aJka-iLt^

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 231

The black bauds are all most distiuot ou the iuiier webs; the interspaces are
considerably lighter below than above.

•'There are no whitish tips whatever to the tail or its covei'ts. The feathers
on the middle of the belly are downy, opaque, and tipped obscurely with rusty
whitish.

"The wing coverts are like the back; the qnills, however, are blackish brown,
with numerous transverse bars of white half the width of the interspaces. The
exposed surface of the wings, however, and most of the inner secondaries, are
tinged with brownish rusty, the uppermost ones with a dull copper or greenish
gloss.

"The female differs in smaller size, less brilliant color, absence generally of
bristles on tiie breast and of spur, and a much smaller fleshy process above the
base of the bill."

Stretch of
Length. -wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 47.00 63..50 20.50 15.00 6.75 1.05

Female... 37.00 53.00 16.50 12.50 5.25 .90

Iris brown; bill from base to front of nostrils dusky, rest pale
horn color; legs purplish red; feet a shade darker, with bottoms
dusky; claws pale horn color.

This noble bird, the pride of the forest, was formerly abund-
ant throughout its range, but now extinct in the New England
States and fast disappearing westward, though still quite abund-
ant in portions of the Southern States and of the Indian Ter-
ritory. I am quite familiar with the habits of this beautiful
species, but feel that I cannot improve upon the minute and
interesting description as given by Audubon, and therefore
quote from the same.

"I shall describe the manners of this bird as observed in the
countries where it is most abundant, and having resided for
many years in Kentucky and Louisiana, may be understood as
referring chiefly to them.

''The Turkey is irregularly migratory as well as irregularly
gregarious. With reference to the first of these circumstances,
I have to state, that whenever the mast of one portion of the
country happens greatly to exceed that of another, the Turkeys
are insensibly led towards the spot by gradually meeting in
their haunts with more fruit the nearer they advance towards
the spot where it is most plentiful. In this manner flock follows
after flock, until one district is entirely deserted, while another
is, as it were, overflowed by them. But, as these migrations

232 HISTORY OF THE

are irreguliii-, and extend over a vast expanse of country, it is
necessary that I should describe the manner in whicli they take
place.

"•About the beginning of October, when scarcely any of the
seeds and fruits have yet fallen from the trees, these birds as-
semble in flocks, and gradually move towards the rich bottom
lands of the Ohio and Mississippi. The males, or, as they are
more commonly called, the gobblers, associate in parties of from
ten to a hundred, and search for food apart from the females;
while the latter are seen either advancing singly, each with its
brood of young, then about two-thirds grown, or in connection
witli other families, forming parties often amounting to seventy
or eighty individuals, all intent on shunning the old cocks,
which, even when the young birds have attained this size, will
fight with, and often destroy them by repeated blows on the
bead. Old and young, however, all move in the same course,
and on foot, unless their progress is interrupted by a river, or the
hunter's dog forces them to take wing. When they come upon
a river, they betake themselves to the highest eminences, and
there often remain a whole day, or sometimes two, as if for the
purpose of consultation. During this time the males are lieard
gobbling, calling and making much ado, and are seen strutting
about, as if to raise tlieir courage to a pitch befitting the emer-
gency. Even the females and young assume something of the
same pompous demeanor, spread out their tails, and run round
each other, purring loudly, and performing extravagant leaps.
At length, when the weather appears settled, and all around is
quiet, the whole party mount to the tops of the highest trees,
whence, at a signal, consisting of a single cluck, given by a
leader, the flock takes flight for the opposite shore. The old
and fat birds easily get over, even should the river be a mile in
breadth; but the younger and less robust frequently fall into
the water — not to be drowned, however, as might be imagined.
They bring their wings close to their body, spread out their tail
as a support, stretch forward their neck, and, striking out their
legs with great vigor, proceed rapidly towards the shore; on
approaching which, should they find it too steep for landing.

BIBBS OF KANSAS. 233

they cease their exertions for a few moments, float down the
stream until they come to an accessible part, and by a violent
effort generally extricate themselves from the water. It is re-
markable that immediately after thus crossing a large stream,
they ramble about for some time as if bewildered. In this state
they fall an easy prey to the hunter.

"When the Turkeys arrive in parts where the mast is abund-
ant, they separate into smaller flocks, composed of birds of all
ages and both sexes, promiscuously mingled, and devour all
before them. This happens about the middle of November.
So gentle do they sometimes become after these long journeys,
that they have been seen to approach the farm houses, associate
with the domestic fowls, and enter the stables and corn cribs in
quest of food. In this way, roaming about the forests, and
feeding chiefly on mast, they pass the autumn and part of the
winter." [During the summer months the birds usually leave
the timber lands in the morning, and wander far out upon the
prairies, in search of grasshoppers, etc., returning at eve to their
favorite roosting places in the branches of the tall trees, pre-
ferring those that overhang the streams.]

"As early as the middle of February, they begin to experi-
ence the impulses of propagation. The females separate and
fly from the males. The latter strenuously pursue, and begin
to gobble or to utter notes of exultation. The sexes roost apart,
but at no great distance from each other. When a female utters
a call note, all the gobblers within hearing return the sound,
rolling note after note, with as much rapidity as if they intended
to emit the last and the first together, not with spread tail, as
when fluttering round the females on the ground, or practicing
on the branches of the trees on which they have roosted for the
night, but much in the manner of the domestic Turkey, when
an unusual or unexpected noise elicits its singular hubbub. If
the call of the female comes from the ground, all the males im-
mediately fly towards the spot, and the moment they reach it,
whether the hen be in sight or not, spread out and erect their
tail, draw the head back on the shoulders, depress their wings
with a quivering motion, and strut pompously about, emitting

234 HISTORY OF THE

at the same time a succession of puffs from the lungs, and
stopping now and then to listen and to look. But whether
they spy the female or not, they continue to puff and strut,
moving with as much celerity as their ideas of ceremony seem
to admit. While thus occupied the males often encounter
each other, in which case desperate battles take place, ending
in bloodshed, and often in the loss of many lives, the weaker
falling under the repeated blows inflicted upon their heads by
the stronger.

"I have been much diverted, while watching two males in
fierce conflict, by seeing them move alternately backwards and
forwards, as either had obtained a better hold, their wings droop-
ing, their tails partly raised, their body feathers ruffled, and their
heads covered with blood. If, as they thus struggle and gasp
for breath, one of them should lose his hold, his chance is over,
for the other, still holding fast, hits him violently with spurs and
wings, and in a few minutes brings him to the ground. The
moment he is dead, the conqueror treads him under foot, but,
what is strange, not with hatred, but with all the motions he
employs in caressing the female.

"When the male has discovered and made up to the female
(whether such combat has previously taken place or not), if she
be more than one year old she also struts and gobbles, turns
round him as he continues strutting, suddenly opens her wings,
throws herself towards him, as if to put a stop to his idle delays,
lays herself down, and receives his dilatory caresses. If the
cock meets a young hen, he alters his mode of procedure. He
struts in a different manner, less pompously and more energet-
ically, moves with rapidity, sometimes rises from the ground,
taking a short flight around the hen, as in the manner of some
Pigeons, the Eed-breasted Thrush and many other birds, and on
alighting runs with all his might, at the same time rubbing his
tail and wings along the ground, for the space of perhaps ten
yards. He then draws near the timorous female, allays her
fears by purring, and, when she at length assents, caresses her.

" When a male and female have thus come together, I believe
the connection continues for that season, although the former

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 235

by no mejins confines his attention to one fenicale, as I have seen
a cock caress several hens, wlien he happened to fall in with
them in the same place, for the first time. After this the hens
follow their favorite cock, roosting in his immediate neighbor-
hood, if not on the same tree, until they begin to lay, when they
separate themselves in order to save their eggs from the male,
who would break them all for the purpose of protracting his
sexual enjoyments. The females then carefully avoid him, ex-
cept during a short period each day. After this the males be-
come clumsy and slovenly, if one may say so, cease to fight
with each other, give up gobbling or calling so frequently, and
assume so careless a habit that the hens are obliged to make all
the advances themselves. They yelp loudly and almost contin-
ually for the cocks, run up to them, caress them, and employ
various means to rekindle their expiring ardour.

"Turkey cocks when at roost sometimes strut and gobble,
but I have more generally seen them spread out and raise their
tail, and emit the pulmonic puff, lowering their tail and other
feathers immediately after. During clear nights, or when there
is moonshine, they perform this action at intervals of a few
minutes for hours together, without moving from the same spot,
and indeed sometimes without rising on their legs, especially
toward the end of the love season. The males now become
greatly emaciated, and cease to gobble, their breast sponge be-
coming flat. They then separate from the hens, and one might
suppose that they had entirely deserted their neighborhood.
At such seasons I have found them lying by the side of a loo-,
in some retired part of the dense woods and cane thickets, and
often permitting one to approach within a few feet. They are
then unable to fly, but run swiftly, and to a great distance. A
slow turkey hound has led me miles before I could flush the
same bird. Chases of this kind I did not undertake for the
purpose of killing the bird, it being then unfit for eating, and
covered with ticks, but with the view of rendering myself ac-
quainted with its habits. They thus retire to recover flesh and
strength, by purging with particular species of grasses, and
using less exercise. As soon as their condition is improved.

236 HISTORY OF THE

tlie cocks come together again and recommence their rambles.
Let us now return to the females.

"About the middle of April, when the S(3ason is dry, the hens
begin to look out for a place in which to deposit their eggs.
This place requires to be as much as possible concealed from
the eye of the crow, as that bird often watches the Turkey when
going to her nest, and, waiting in the neighborhood until she
has left it, removes and eats the eggs. The nest, which con-
sists of a few withered leaves, is placed on the ground, in a
hollow scooped out, b}'^ the side of a log, or in the fallen top of
a dry, leafy tree, under a thicket of sumach or briers, or a few
feet within the edge of a canebrake, but always in a dry place.
The eggs, which are of a dull cream color, sprinkled with red
dots, sometimes amount to twenty, although the more usual
number is from ten to fifteen. When depositing her eggs, the
female always approaches the nest with extreme caution,
scarcely ever taking the same course twice; and when about to
leave them, covers them carefully with leaves, so that it is very
difficult for a person who may have seen the bird to discover
the nest."

Their nests are placed on the ground, in dense thickets, often
under an old log or tree top, in a place scratched out to fit the
body, and lined loosely and sparingly with grasses, weeds and
leaves. Eggs ten to fifteen, 2.50x1.85; bufl' white, speckled
and spotted with rusty brown; in form, somewhat oval, but
rather pointed at small end, and obtuse at the other.

Order COLUMB^.

PIGEONS.

"Bill straight, compressed, horny at the vaulted tip, which is separated by a
coustrictiou from the soft membrauous basal portiou. Nostrils beueath a soft,
tutiiid valve. Tomia of the maudibles mutually apposed. Froutal feathers
sweeping in strongly convex outline across base of upper mandible. Legs feath-
ered to the tarsus or beyond. Hallux incumbent (with few exceptions), and

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 237

front toes rarely webbed at base. Tarsus with small scutella in front, or of tener
reticulate, the envelope rather membranous tliau corneous. Head very small.
Plumage without aftershafts. One pair of syriugeal muscles. Sternum doubly
notched or notched and fenestrate on each side. Carotids double. Palate schiz-
oguathous. Monogamous and highly altricial and ptiloptedic."

Family COLTJMBIDJE. Pigeons.

"The basal portion of the bill covered by a soft skin, in which are situated
the nostrils, overhimg by an incumbent fleshy valve, the apical portion hard and
convex. The hind toe on the same level with the rest; the anterior toes with-
out membrane at the base. Tarsi more or less naked; covered laterally and
behind with hexagonal scales."

Genus ECTOPISTES Swainson.
"Head very small. Bill short, black; culmen one-third the rest of the head;
feathers of the chin running very far forward; gonys very short. Tarsi very
short, half covered anteriorly by feathers. Inner lateral claw much larger than
outer, reaching to the base of the middle one. Tail very long and excessively
cuueate; above as long as the wings. First primaries longest. Black spots ou
scapulars; a black and a rufous spot on inner webs of tail feathers."

Ectopistes migratorius (Linn.).

PASSENGER PIGEON.
PLATE XIV.

Irregular summer resident; rare; a few to my knowledge
breed occasionally in the Neosho valley. Arrive early in March;
begin laying by the middle of April.

B. 448. R. 459. C. 543. G. 315, 109. U. 315.

Habitat. Eastern North America, from Hudson's Bay south-
ward, and west to the Great Plains; casually westward to Ne-
vada and Washington; Cuba.

Sp. Char. "Tail with twelve feathers. Upper parts generally, including
sides and body, head and neck, and the chin, blue. Beneath, purple brownish
red, fading behind into a violet tint. Anal region and under tail coverts bluish
white. Scapulars, inner tertials and middle of back with an olive brown tinge;
the wing coverts, scapulars and inner tertials with large, oval spots of blue
black on the inner webs, mostly concealed, except on the latter. Primaries
blackish, with a border of pale bluish, tinged internally with red. Middle tail
feathers brown; the rest pale blue ou the outer web, white internally; each with
a patch of reddish brown at the base of the inner web, followed by another of
black. Sides and back of neck richly glossed with metallic golden violet or
reddish purple. Tibia bluish violet. Bill black. Feet lake red. The female
is smaller, much duller in color, more olivaceous above; beneath, pale ash in-
stead of red, except a tinge on the neck; the jugulum tinged with olive, the
throat whitish."

238 HISTORY OF THE

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 17.00

24.00

8.40

8.2.5

1.05

.65

Female. .

. 16.00

23.00

8.00

8.00

1.05

.00

Iris red; bill and claws black; legs and feet lake red.

This species — commonly called the Wild Pigeon — so abund-
ant formerly, is fast disappearing, though still to be found in
numbers within the Indian Territory and portions of the South-
ern States. They are irregular wanderers, the gypsies among
birds; their natural home, however, is within the wooded lands,
and they are therefore seldom met with upon the broad prairies.

The following interesting description of these birds is from
"North American Land Birds," Vol. Ill, p. 370:

"The Wild Pigeon appears to be almost entirely influenced
in its migrations by the abundance of its food, excepting in those
parts of the country in which it has not been known to remain
during the winter. Even in these movements it is largely in-
fluenced by instinctive considerations of food. Evidently the
temperature has but little to do with their migrations, as they
not unfrequently move northward in large columns as early as
the 7th of March, with a thermometer twenty degrees below the
freezing point. In the spring of 1872 a large accumulation of
these" birds took place early in March, in the eastern portion of
New York. Tiiey were present in the forests about Albany, and
were taken in such immense numbers that the markets of New
York and Boston were largely supplied with them.

"As early as the 10th of March they were ascertained to have
in their ovaries full-grown eggs ready for exclusion. In Ken-
tucky they have been known, according to Audubon, to remain
summer and winter in the same district for several successive
years, in consequence of great abundance of food, while in other
parts of the State none were to be met with. They suddenly
disappeared as soon as the beechmast had become exhausted,
and did not return for a long period.

"The Wild Pigeons are capable of propelling themselves in
long-continued flights, and are known to move with an almost
incredible rapidity, passing over a great extent of country in a
very short time. It is quite a common and well-ascertained

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 239

fact that Pigeons are captured in tlie State of New York with
their crops still filled with the undigested grains of rice that
must have been taken in the distant fields of Georgia or South
Carolina, apparently proving that they must have passed over
the intervening space within a very few hours. Audubon esti-
mates the rapidity of their flight as at least a mile a minute.

"The Wild Pigeons are said to move, in their flight, by
quickly-repeated flaps of the wings, which are brought more or
less near to the body, according to the degree of velocity re-
quired. During the love season they often fly in a circling
manner, supporting themselves with both wings angularly ele-
vated. Before alighting they break the force of their flight by
repeated flappings.

"Their great powers of flight, and the ability thus given to
change at will their residence, and their means of renewing a
supply of food, are also thought to be seconded by a remarkable
power of vision, enabling them to discover their food with great
readiness. Mr. Audubon states that he has observed flocks of
these birds, in passing over a sterile part of the country, fly high
in the air, with an extended front, enabling them to survey hun-
dreds of acres at once. When the land is richly covered with
food, or the trees well supplied with mast, they fly low in order
to discover the part most plentifully supplied.

"In its movements on the ground, as also when alighted on
the branches of trees, the Wild Pigeon is remarkable for its ease
and grace. It walks on the ground and also on the limbs of
trees with an easy, graceful motion, frequently jerking its tail
and moving its neck backward and forward.

"Mr. Audubon states that in Kentucky he Has repeatedly
visited one of the remarkable roosting-places to which these
birds resort at night. This one was on the banks of Green
River, and to this place the birds came every night at sunset,
arriving from all directions, some of them from the distance of
several hundred miles, as was conjectured from certain observa-
tions. The roost was in a portion of the forest where the trees
were of great magnitude. It was more than forty miles in
length, and averaged three in breadth. It had been occupied

240 HISTORY OF THE

as a roost about a fortnight wlien he visited it. Their dung
was several inches deep on the ground. Many trees had been
broken down by their weight, as well as many branches of
the largest and tallest trees. The forest seemed as if it had
been swept by a tornado. Everything gave evidence that the
number of birds resorting to that part of the forest must be im-
mense. A large number of persons collected before sunset to
destroy them, provided with torches of pine knots, and armed
with long poles and guns. The Pigeons began to collect after
sunset, their approach preceded, even when they were at a dis-
tance, by a noise like that of a hard gale at sea sounding in the
rigging of a vessel. As the birds passed over him, they created
a strong current of air. The birds arrived by thousands, fires
were alighted, and the work of destruction commenced. Many
were knocked down by the pole men. In many cases they col-
lected in such solid masses on the brandies that several of their
perches gave way and fell to the ground, in this way destroying
hundreds of the birds beneath them. It was a scene of great
confusion and continued until past midnight, the Pigeons still
continuing to arrive. The sound made by the birds at the roost
could be heard at the distance of three miles. As day ap-
proached, the noise in some measure subsided; and long before
objects were distinguishable the Pigeons began to move off, and
before daylight all that were able to fly had disappeared. The
dead and wounded birds were then collected and piled into
heaps by those who had assembled for the purpose.

"Though for the most part living, moving and feeding to-
gether in large companies, the Wild Pigeon mates in pairs for
purposes of breeding. They have several broods in the season,
and commence nesting very early in the spring, the time being
considerably affected by the amount of food."

Their nests are placed on trees, and in communities; a slight
platform structure of twigs, without any material for lining what-
ever. Eggs two, 1.45x1.05; white; in form, varying from el-
liptical to oval.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 241

Genus ZENAIDURA Boxapakte.
"Bill weak, black; culmen from froutal feathers about one-third the head
above. Tarsus not quite as long as middle toe and claw, but considerably longer
than the lateral ones; covered anteriorly by a single series of scutella?. Inner
lateral claw considerably longer than outer and reaching to the base of middle.
Wings pointed; second quill longest; first and third nearly equal. Tail very
long, equal to tiie wiugs; excessively graduated and cuneate, of fourteen feath-
ers."

Zenaidura macroura (Lixx.).

MOURNING DOVE.
PLATE XIV.

Summer resident; abundant; an occasional winter sojourner
in the southern part of the State. Begin laying the last of April.

B. 451. R. 460. C. 544. G. 216, 110. U. 316.

Habitat. The whole of temperate North America, north to
the British possessions, south to the West Indies and Panama.

Sp. Char. " Tail feathers fourteen. Above, bluish, although this is overlaid
with brownish olive, leaving the blue pure only on top of the head, the exterior
of the wings and the upper surface of the tail, which is even slightly tinged
with this color. The entire head, except the vertex, the sides of the neck, and
the under parts generally, light brownish vinaceous, strongly tinged with purple
on the breast, becoming lighter behind and passing into brownish yellow or
creamy ochraceous on the anal region, tibia; and under tail coverts. Sides of
the neck with a patch of metallic purplish red. Sides of body and insides of
wings clear light blue. Wing coverts and scapulars spotted with black (mostly
concealed), and a small oblong patch of the same, with a steel-blue reflection,
below the ear. Tail feathers seen from below blackish, the outer web of outer-
most white, the others tipped with the same, the color becoming more and more
bluish to the innermost, which is brown. Seen from above, there is the same
gradation from white to light blue in the tips; the rest of the feather, however,
is blue, with a bar of black anterior to the light tip, which runs a little forward
along the margin and shaft of the feather. In the sixth feather the color is
uniform bluish, with this bar; the seventh is without a bar. Bill black, the
angle of the mouth carmine. Female: Smaller, and with less red beneath.
Bare orbits pale blue, with a green tint; iris dark brown; feet lake red. Young:
With the feathers of the upper parts and jugulum margined with paler; the
tints more brownish."

stretch of

Lengik. wing: H^/ng. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 12.50 18.00 5.90 5.75 .85 .60

Female... 11.00 17.50 5.75 4.25 .80 .55

Iris dark brown; bill black; legs and feet lake red; claws
horn blue.

This familiar bird is extensively distributed throughout the

United States, from southern New England and Washington
—16 °

242 HISTORY OF THE

southward; breeding throughout its range. It adapts itself read-
ily to its surroundings, and is as much at home on the dry plains
as in the clearings of the moist woodlands. Its plumage does
not appear to be affected by the climate. I have specimens in
the "Goss Ornithological Collection" shot at Neah Bay, Wash-
ington, San Pedro, Martir Isle, Gulf of California, and in Kansas,
and have shot the birds in New England, and in southern Cen-
tral America, and so far fail to find any difference in coloration
that will hold good.

Its food consists of insects, berries and grains, the latter
gleaned chiefly from the fields. It is a harmless bird, that by its
innocent ways readily wins the heart and protection of man.
Its flight is vigorous and strong, and the rapid strokes of its
wings cause a whistling sound. During the pairing season the
male often circles and sails above his mate, with tail expanded,
and upon the ground struts about with nodding head, and
feathers spread in a graceful manner. His mournful cooing
love note, so pleasing to the female, wafts to my ears one of
the saddest sounds in nature. The birds while mated are true
and devoted to each other. At the close of the breeding season
they collect together in small flocks, usually family groups.

Their nests are placed on the forks of low, horizontal
branches of trees, on grape vines, and upon the ground; when
built off the ground, a loose, slight platform, constructed of twigs,
a few stems of grass, and leaves. Eggs two, 1.12x.85; white;
in form, elliptical to oval.

Order RAPTORES.
birds of prey.

"Bill usually powerful, adapted for tearing flesh, strongly decurved and
hooked at the end, furnished with a cere in which the nostrils open. Feet
strongly flexible, with large, sharp and much-curved claws, gradually narrowed
from base to tip, convex on the sides, that of the second toe larger than that of
the fourth toe, and the hinder not smaller than the second one. Feet never
permanently zygodactyle, though fourth toe often versatile; anterior toes com-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 243

mouly with one basal web; hallux considerable and completely iucumbent (ex-
cept CatJiartidm). Legs feathered to the siiffrago or beyoud. Rectrices twelve
(with rare exceptions). Primaries sinuate or emarginate (with rare exceptions).
Sternum singly or doubly notched or fenestrate. Palate desmognathous,
Carotids double. Syrinx wanting, or developed with only one pair of muscles.
Altricial; the young being weak and heldless, yet ptilopajdic, being down at
birth."

Suborder SARCORHAMPHI. American Vultltres.

Head entirely naked, or else only partially covered with down (in young);
nostrils longitudinal; a distinct web between inner and middle toes, at base;
hind toe short, elevated, the feet wholly unfit for gras]5ing. (Bidgway.)

Family CATHARTIDiE. American Yultures.
"Whole head, and sometimes the neck, naked; eyes prominent, and not
shaded by a superciliary shield. Cere much elongated, much depressed anteri-
orly below the very arched culmen; nostrils longitudinal, horizontal, the two
confluent or perforated. Middle toe very long, and hind one much abbreviated.
A web between the base of the inner and middle toes."

Genus CATHARTES Illiger.
"Size medium, the wings and tail well developed, the remiges very long and
large. Head and upper portion of the neck naked; the skin smooth, or m^erely
wrinkled; a semicircular patch of antrorse bristles before the eye. Nostril very
large, with both ends broadly rounded, occupying the whole of the nasal orifice.
Cere contracted anteriorly, and as deep as broad; lower mandible not so deep
as the upper. Plumage beginning gradually on the neck, with broad, rounded,
normal feathers. Ends of primaries reaching beyond the end of the tail; third
or fourth quill longest; outer five with inner webs appreciably sinuated. Tail
much rounded; middle toe slightly longer than tarsus. Sexes alike."

Cathartes aura (Linn.).

TURKEY VULTURE.
PLATE XIV.

Slimmer resident; abundant; occasionally seen in winter.
Begin laying the last of April.

B. 1. R. 454. C. 537. G. 213, 111. U. 335.

Habitat. Nearly the whole of temperate and tropical Amer-
ica, from New England, Manitoba, British Columbia and Wash-
ington southward, including the West Indies, to Falkland Islands
and Patagonia,

Sp. Chak. Adult: Neck and lower parts uniform dull black; upper parts
blackish, with a greenish and violet gloss, the feathers of the back, the scapulars
and wing coverts with margins broadly (but not abruptly) light grayish brown;
edge of secondaries light grayish brown, varying to light ashy; shafts of quills

244 HISTORY OF THE

and tail feathers pale brown, varying to yellowish white; bill chalk white; iris
grayish brown; naked skin of head and upper neck (in life) dull livid crimson,
brightening to lake red on cere, the lores and top of head sometimes with whit-
ish, wart-like papillae. Young: Similar to adult, but bill blackish, and naked
skin of head and neck livid dusky, and the brownish margins to wing coverts,
etc.. less distinct. Downy young: Covered with pure-white cottony down, the
head, however, naked, and sallow dusky. (Uidgioay.)

Length.

Stretch of
iving.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 27.50

70.00

22.00

11.50

2.30

1.00

Female . ,

. 27.00

68.00

21.00

11.25

2.30

1.00

A young female, in the "Goss Ornithological Collection,"
reared in confinement and killed December 10th, measures:
26.25, 66.50, 20.00, 10.50, 2.25, .90.

This Vulture is one of the greatest scavengers of nature. A
very abundant bird, especially in the warmer climates, where its
presence is of incalculable value as a gormandizer of the gar-
bage, filth and carrion that taint the air and breed disease. Were
it not for their valuable services, it would be hard to tolerate
their disgusting, filthy habits and ungainly ways upon the ground
and perch. In the air, however, as it sails and circles high
above us, with scarcely an apparent effort, we are forced to ad-
mit that it is a magnificent sight, and to inwardly say, "Long
live the purifiers of the air. ' ' I have raised the young (downy
little fellows) from the nest, feeding them wholly upon fresh
meat, and find that the rank odor of the body is not produced
by the food it eats, but from natural causes, like the smell or
musk of many animals.

These birds are mute, their only noise a hiss, like the sound
from hot iron being dropped into water. Cowardly birds, that
make no defense at their capture, but will occasionally, when
approached, raise their feathers, stamp their feet like sheep, and
hiss.

Their nests are placed on rocky ledges and in hollow trees
and stumps. Eggs two, laid on the bare rocks or debris; no
lining; 2,70x1.90; grayish white, variously and unevenly
blotched and splashed with light to dark reddish brown and
purplish drab; in form, rounded oval.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 245

Genus CATHARISTA Vieillot.

"Size of CatlinrtcK, but more robust, with shorter wings and verj' different
flight. Wings with the remiges abbreviated, the primaries scarcely reaching to
the middle of the tail. Tail even, or faintly emarginated. Head and upper
portion of neck naked, the feathers extending farther up behind than in front;
naked skin of the side of the neck transversely corrugated; no bristles before
the eye. Nostrils narrow, occupying only about the posterior half of the nasal
orifice, its anterior end contracted and acute. Cere not contracted anteriorly,
but the upper and lower outline parallel; much depressed, or broader than deep.
Plumage beginning gradually on the neck with normal or broad and rounded
feathers. Fourth or fifth quill longest; outer five with inner webs sinuated.
Tarsus longer than middle toe."

Catharista atrata (Baetk.).

BLACK VULTURE.
PLATE XIV.

Slimmer resident; rare. Dr. George Lisle, of Chetopa, (a
close observer,) wrote me, in the spring of 1883, that the birds
were quite common and breeding there fifteen or twenty years
ago, but now quite scarce; that he saw three of the birds in the
fall of 1882 at a slaughter pen, with Turkey Buzzards; that in
1858 he found a nest with two eggs in an old, hollow, broken
stump. And Dr. Lewis Watson reports the capture of one at
Ellis, March 27th, 1885.

B. 3. R. 455. C. 538. G. 214, 112. U. 326.

Habitat. The whole of tropical, and warmer temperate,
America; north to North Carolina and the lower Mississippi
valley; casually to Maine, New York, Illinois, Dakota, etc. ;
south to Chili and the Argentine Republic. (Apparently want-
ing in California and western Mexico.)

Sp. Char. "Form heavy; the wings and tail short, the latter square; the
remiges and rectrices very hard and stiff. Bill strong, the mandibles broader
than deep, and of about equal depth, the terminal hook well developed; upper
and lower outlines of the cere parallel and nearly straight. Nostril narrow, its
anterior end contracted and pointed. Adult: Bill blackish, the point horny
white; naked skin of the head and upper part of the neck blackish. Entire
plumage continuous, perfectly uniform dull black; primaries becoming grayish
basally (more hoary whitish on their under surface), their shafts pure white for
their whole length."

Measurements of a pair of birds in the ' ' Goss Ornithological

Collection:"

HISTORY OF THE

Length.

Stn-tth of
ii'tng. IVing-. Tail.

Tn rsiis.

Bill.

Male . . . .

. 26.50

59.00 17.20 8.50

3.10

.95

Female . .

. 2G.00

58.50 17.00 8.00

3.10

.90

246

Iris light reddish brown; bill pale olive blue, tips whitish;
cere and claws black; legs and feet grayish blue.

This species has a much less extended distribution than the
Turkey Vultures, but it largely outnumbers them in the tropical
regions, its natural habitat; although quite a hardy bird, as
it occasionally winters in the southern part of the Indian Ter-
ritory. I have a pair in the "Goss Ornithological Collection,"''
shot in February, at Limestone Gap, Choctaw Nation, where
they have bred in the crevices of the rocks for years. These
birds are also much stouter built, and, if possible, more awk-
ward upon the ground, from which they heavily rise, in a run-
ning, leaping manner; and in flight more laborious, flapping
and sailing as they go. They are occasionally known to kill
young pigs and chickens, but their value as scavengers saves
them. About the cities they become as tame as our domestic
fowls, feeding with the same and perching and roosting upon
the housetops; and I have seen them following and riding upon
carts loaded with oft'al, and fearlessly feeding from the dump,
or a carcass, with mongrel curs that, strange to say, never harm
them.

Their nests are placed on the ground, and in old, hollow logs
and crevices of rocks. Begin laying about the middle of April.
Eggs two, laid on the bare ground and rotten wood, no mate-
rial of any kind used for lining; 3.00x2.00; dull yellowish to
bluish white, spotted and blotched irregularly, in some cases
sparingly, on others thickly, with umber to dark reddish brown;
in form, rounded oval.

SuBORDEK FALCONES. Vultures, Falcons, Hawks,
Buzzards, Eagles, Harriers, Kites, etc.

Head entirely feathered, or ouly partially naked; nostrils vertical or round-
ish; no web between inner and middle toes; hind toe Avell developed, with large,
sharp claws, inserted at the same level with anterior toes, the feet especially
adapted for grasping. [Bidgway.)

Eyes lateral, not surrounded by disks of radiating feathers; cere exposed;
outer toe not reversible (except in P<tiHU<i)i). {Bidgway.)

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 247

Family FALCONIDJE. Vultures, Falcons, Hawks,

Eagles, etc.

"Eyes directed laterally, and eyelids provided with lashes. Toes invariably

naked, and tarsus usually naked and scutellate (feathered only in Aquila and

Archibuteo). Outer toe not reversible (except in Pnndion). Head never with

ear tufts and never wholly naked (except in the Vulturum of the old world)."

Subfamily ACCIPITRIN^. Kites, Buzzards, Hawks, Gos-
hawks, Eagles, etc.

Outer toe not reversible; claws graduated in size from the largest (that of
hind toe) to the smallest (that of outer toe), broader and (except in Elanus)
grooved on under side. {Ridgicay.)

Nostril not circular, nor linear and oblicjue, with the upper end the posterior
one, nor with central bony tubercle. {Rkkjway.)

Genus ELANOIDES. Vieili.ot.
"Form swallow-like, the tail excessively lengthened and forked, and the
wings extremely long. Bill rather small and narrow; commissure faintly sinu-
ated; upper outline of the lower mandible very convex, the depth of the man-
dible at the base being about half that through the middle; gonys drooping
terminally, nearly straight. Side of the head densely feathered close up to the
eyelids. Nostril ovoid, obliqnely vertical. Feet small but robust; tarsus about
equal to middle toe, covered with large, very irregular scales; toes with trans-
verse scutellse to their base; claws short but strongly curved; grooved beneath,
their edges sharp. Second or third quill longest; first shorter than, equal to
or longer than the fourth; two outer primaries with inner webs siuuated. Tail
with the outer pair of feathers more than twice as long as the middle pair."

Elanoides forficatus (Linx.).

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE.
PLATE XV.

Irregular summer resident in the eastern part of the State;
some seasons common, others rare. Arrive the first of May;
begin laying the last of May. A few remain until late in the fall.

B. 34. R. 426. C. 493. G. 197, 113. U. 327.

Habitat. Tropical and warm temperate America; north to
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota. (Western Manitoba. Seton.) Cas-
ually to Pennsylvania and southern New England; accidental
in England,

Sp. Char. ''Adult, male and female: Whole head and neck, lining of wings,
broad band across the rump and entire lower parts pure white; interscapulars
and lesser wing coverts rich, dark, soft, bronzed purplish black; rest of upper
parts, including lower part of rump, upper tail coverts and tail more metallic

IVing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Cere.

15.25

13.00

1.25

.75

.32

16.50

13.75

1.25

,80

.32

248 HISTORY OF THE

slaty black; feathers somewhat greenish basally, more bluish terminally, with
a peculiar soft, milky appearance, and with very smooth, compact surface; ter-
tials almost entirely white, black only at tips; white on under side of wing
occupying all the coverts and the basal half of the secondaries. Younger:
Similar, but with the beautiful soft, purplish bronze black of shoulders and back
less conspicuously different from the more metallic tints of the upper parts.
Young: The black above less slaty, with a brownish east, and with a quite
decided gloss of bottle green; secondaries, primary coverts, primaries and tail
feathers finely margined terminally with white; feathers of the head and neck
with fine shaft lines of black."

stretch of
Length. wing.

Male 22.75 47.75

Female... 23.50 51.00

Iris black; bill bluish black, paler at base; cere and edges of
eyelids light blue; legs and feet pale blue, with a greenish
tinge; claws bluish flesh color.

I have met with this elegant bird in various localities with-
in its range, usually in small flocks, seldom in abundance — a
graceful picture of ease and motion in the air, but almost help-
less upon the ground, their legs being too short for locomotion;
their feet, however, are well adapted for grasping and perching.
Their food consists chiefly of grasshoppers, beetles, lizards and
snakes, which they catch with ease, with their claws, while on
the wing, and devour as they sail along. On the arrival of the
birds upon the breeding grounds, they devote several days to
courtship and mating, and in selecting a place for their nests.
The males assist in building the nest, alternate in sitting and in
feeding the young, and, in fact, appear as attentive as the fe-
males.*

April 27th, 1876 (the earliest arrival noticed), a pair put in
an appearance at Neosho Falls, and as they continued to circle
in their graceful flights over the same grounds — the edge of
the prairie and timber on the Neosho River — I became satisfied
that their nesting place would be selected within the circle, and
I devoted my leisure moments to watching their movements.
On the 5th of May they were joined by another pair, and later
in the day, to my great surprise and joy, two pairs of Missis-

* I once saw a pair of these birds hi the act of copulation. They were sitting on a small,
horizontal limb, close together and facing each other, when, quicli as a flash, ihe female turned
or backed under the limb, the male meeting her from the top.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 249

sippi Kites appeared and also joined in the circling flights. It
was a beautiful and, to me, exciting sight to watcli their various
motions and coquetting evolutions, sailing high in the air, swoop-
ing down with partially-closed wings, skimming along the prairie,
lost for a moment in the woods, ascending in spiral flights,
gliding from slow to swift and swift to slow, without a flit or
break, like Swallows. For grace and syrametrj of action I
would rank them first among the aerial birds, attaching the blue
ribbon to the Swallow-tailed. Unfortunately, I was called away
on the 8th, and did not return until the 18th. At first I tJiought
the birds had left, but I soon occasionally noticed one here and
there *flying low down and often disappearing in the tree tops.
I lost no time, but hastened, with glass and gun in hand, for the
timber embraced in their former flights, and in a short time had
the pleasure of finding a pair of the Swallow-tailed Xites build-
ing a nest in the top of a large hickory tree, the nest being
about two-thirds completed; by cautiously approaching and ly-
ing down behind a fallen tree, I was enabled to watch them
unobserved, and, with the aid of the glass, to plainly see them
at their work. When either came to the nest alone with a stick,
it would place it hurriedly upon the nest, but when both met at
the nest they would at once commence fussing about, pulling at
the sticks and trying to arrange the material, first one getting
upon the nest and then the other, turning around as if trying to
fit a place for the bodies. I think at one time they must have
worked at least ten minutes trying to weave in or place in a sat-
isfactory manner a stripping from the inner bark of the cotton-
wood. As builders they are not a success.

Their nests are placed in the small branches near the tops of
tall trees, composed of sticks loosely interwoven, and lined
sparingly with the soft, ribbon-like strippings from the inner
bark of decaying or dead cottonwood trees. Eggs usually two
(I have never found more; according to Audubon, four to six;
and Capt. Chas. Bendire reports the finding of four in a nest),
1.87x1.50; cream white, irregularly spotted and blotched with
dark reddish brown, running often largely together towards
small end; in form, rather oval.

250 HISTORY OF THE

Genus ICTINIA Vieillot.
"Form Falcon-like; the neck short, wings long and pointed, the primaries and
rectrices strong and stiff, and the organization robust. Bill short and deep, the
commissure irregularly toothed and notched; gonys very convex, ascending
terminally; cere narrovi^; nostril very small, nearly circular; feet small but
robust; tarsus about equal to middle toe, with a distinct frontal series of broad
transverse scutellse; claws rather short, but strongly curved, slightly grooved
beneath, their edges sharp. Third quill longest; fii'st of variable proportion
with the rest. Tail moderate, the feathers wide, broader terminally, and emar-
ginated."

Ictinia mississippiensis (Wils.).

MISSISSIPPI KITE.
PLATE XV.

Summer resident; quite common on the Medicine River and
its tributaries; rare in other portions of the State. Arrive by
the first of May; begin laying the last of May.

B. 36. R. 428. C. 491. G. 198, 114. U. 329.

Habitat, Southern United States, east of the Rocky Mount-
ains; north to South Carolina, southern Illinois, Kansas, etc. ;
casually to Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Iowa; south through
eastern Mexico to Guatemala.

Sp. Char. ''Adult 7nale: Head, neck, secondaries and entire lower parts
plumbeous ash, becoming, by a gradual transition, lighter on the head and sec-
ondaries, where the shade is pale cinereous, the head anteriorly, and the tips of
the secondaries, being silver white. Lores and eyelids black. Rest of the
plumage dark plumbeous, approaching plumbeous black on the lesser wing
coverts, primaries and upper tail coverts, the tail being nearly pure black. Pri-
maries with an indistinct narrow concealed stripe of chestnut rufous on the
outer webs, and larger spots of the same on the inner webs; feathers of the
head, neck and lower parts abruptly pure white beneath the surface, this show-
ing in partially exposed spots on the pectoral region and crissum. Scajjulars
also with large concealed white spots. Shafts of primaries and tail feathers
black on both sides. Adult female: Similar to the male, but head and seconda-
ries decidedly darker, hardly approaching light ash; scarcely any trace of
rufous on the primaries, none at all on outer webs; shafts of tail feathers white
on under side. Bill, cere, eyelids and interior of mouth deep black; iris deep
lake red; rictus orange red; tarsi and toes pinkish orange red; lower part of
tarsus and large scutellse of toes dusky. Immature male, transition plumage:
Similar to the adult female, but the white spots on basal portion of pectoral and
crissal feathers distinctly exposed; secondaries not lighter than the rest of the
wing. Tail feathers with angular white spots extending quite across the inner
webs, producing three distinct transverse bauds when viewed from below.
Inner web of outer primary mostly white anterior to the emargination. Color
of bill, etc., as in the adult, but interior of mouth whitish, and the iris less pure
carmine. Toung female, first plumage: Head, nf!ck and lower parts white,

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 251

with a yellowish tinse; this most perceptible ou the tibiie. Each feather with
a medial loiigimdinal ovate spot of blackish brown, more reddish on the lower
parts. The chin, throat, aud a broad superciliary stripe, are immaculate white.
Lower tail coverts each with a medial acumiuate spot of rusty, the shafts black.
Upper parts browuish black; wing coverts, scapulars and interscapulars, feath-
ers of the rump, and the upper tail coverts, narrowly bordered with ochra-
ceotis white, and with concealed quadrate spots of the same; primary coverts,
secondaries and primaries sharply bordered terminally with pure white. Tail
black (faintly whitish at the tip), with three (exposed) obscure bands of a moie
slaty tint; this changing to white ou the inner webs, in the form of angular
spots forming the bands. Lining of the wing pale ochraceous, transversely
spotted with rusty rufous; under primary coverts with transverse spots of
white."

stretch of

Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere.

Male 14.25 35.75 11.50 6.00 1.35 .05 .25

Female... 14.50 36.25 11.75 6.85 l.,35 .06 .25

Iris lake red; bill, cere and claws black; legs red; upper parts
of feet brownish red, bottoms yellowish. Young: Iris brown-
ish red; legs and feet brownish.

This species is common in portions of the lower Mississippi val-
ley, westward into Texas and the Indian Territory. The birds in-
habit the timber skirting the streams upon our prairies. Their
motions in the air are graceful and easy, sailing and circling for
hours, in search of grasshoppers and other insects, and I have
seen them swoop down, and, with their claws, snatch lizards from
the ground, rocks and old logs, sometimes stopping to eat them,
but, as a rule, feeding on the wing. I never saw them chase
or disturb other birds, and, upon dissection, have failed to find a
feather. The birds do not appear to fear them in the least,
many nesting upon their breeding grounds.

Their nests are placed in the forks from the main body of the
trees, or in the forks of the larger limbs. They range in height
from twenty-five to fifty feet from the ground, and are built of
sticks, and lined with leaves and green twigs in leaf. Without
the green twigs they would be taken for the nests of the com-
mon Crow. In the spring of 1887, I collected, on the Medicine
Kiver, in Barber county, Kansas, seven sets of eggs (two a full
set), that measure as follows: 1st, 1.55x1.33, 1.52x1.36; 2d,
1.76x1.48, 1.65x1.35; 3d, 1.70x1.39, 1.56x1.35; 4th, 1.70x
1.37, 1.68x1.30; 5th, 1.75x1.30; 6th, 1.54x1.31, 1.4.5x1.24;

252 niSTOEY OF THE

7th, 1.70x1.38, l.CSxl.43; in color white, or rather bhiish white,
without markings or shell stains; in form, roundish.

Genus CIRCUS Lacepede.
"Form very sleuder, the winss and tail very long, the head small, bill weak,
and feet slender. Face surrounded by a ruff of stiff, compact feathers, as In the
Owls (nearly obsolete in some species). Bill weak, much compressed; the upper
outline of the cere greatly ascending basally, and arched posteriorly, the com-
missure with a faint lobe; nostril oval, horizontal. Loral bristles fine and
elongated, curving upwards, their ends reaching above the top of the cere. Su-
perciliary shield small, but prominent. Tarsus more than twice the middle toe,
slender, and with perfect frontal and posterior continuous series of regular trans-
verse scutellse; toes slender, the outer longer than the inner, claws strongly
curved, very acute. Wings very long, the third or fourth quills longest; first
shorter than the sixth; outer three to five with inner webs siuuated. Tail very
long, about two-thirds the wing, rounded."

Circus hudsonius (Linn.).

MARSH HAWK.
PLATE XV.

Resident; abundant. Begin laying about the first of May.

B. 38. K. 430. C. 489. G. 199, 115. U. 331.

Habitat. The whole of North America; south in winter to

Panama, Bahamas and Cuba.

Sp. Char. Adult male: Head, neck, chest and upper parts uniform light
bluish gray, the occiput darker and streaked with whitish, tinged with rusty;
longer quills blackish toward the tips; upper tail coverts plain white; tail bluish
gray, mottled with white toward base, narrowly tipped with white, crossed near
end by a broad blackish band, and, anterior to this, by five to seven narrower
and less distinct dusky bands; the inner webs whitish, with the bands more
distinct, and sometimes tinged with rusty; under surface of wing (except termi-
nal third or more of quills), and lower parts from breast backward, white, the
larger under wing coverts and lower parts with more or less numerous trans-
verse (usually cordate) spots of rusty or brown. Adult female: Above, dusky
brown, the head and neck streaked, the lesser wing coverts spotted, and feath-
ers of rump edged, with rusty; upper tail coverts plain white; tail brown, paler
at tip, and crossed by six or seven very regular and distinct bands of blackish;
the brownish spaces becoming gradually paler and more rusty to outer feathers,
which are more ochraceous; sides of head ligiit dull butTy, with a dusky stripe
behind eye; feathers of 'facial disk' buff, each with a median streak of brown;
chin, throat, and lower parts generally, dull buffy whitish, varying to deeper
dull buffy, striped (except on chin and throat) with brown, the stripes becoming
gradually much narrower posteriorly. Young: Above, blackisli brown, the
head and neck streaked and lesser wing coverts spotted with deep rusty; upper
tail coverts white, tinged more or less with ochraceous; tail crossed by four
broad bauds of black, the interspaces being dark brown on middle feathers,

BIIiDS OF KANSAS. 253

changina: gradually to ocliraeeoiis on outer feathers; ear coverts uniform rich
dark brown; feathers of 'facial disk' dark brown, broadly edged with rufous;
lower parts rich rusty ochraceous, growing gradually paler posteriorly, the
breast and sides narrowly and (usually) indistinctly streaked with darker, but
elsewhere immaculate. Doiony young: Entirely pale cinnamon buflfy, tinged
with grayish on back, and becoming almost white on lower parts, {Bidgway.)

Stretch of
Length. -wing. IVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere.

Male 18.00 41.50 13.25 8.90 2.90 .65 .80

Female... 21.00 45.50 15.00 10.25 3.00 .70 .30

Iris brown; bill horn blue, light at base; cere greenish yellow;
legs and feet yellow; claws black.

This widely-distributed species (a sort of connecting link be-
tween the Hawks and Owls) has been found breeding as far
north as Hudson's Bay and Alaska, and they no doubt occa-
sionally breed northward within their range. I have found
them breeding in Lower California, but south of the United
States and northern Mexico they are not common, and as a rule
only winter sojourners. The birds frequent the low lands and
marshes, not from choice, I imagine, but because the food they
seek is the most abundant there; for they appear alike at home
upon the plains, in localities where the lizards and small rodents
abound.

. Its flight is low and not swift, but very light and buoyant,
flapping and sailing as it courses over the ground, often hover-
ing with vibrating wings as it catches sight of some unlucky
rodent, lizard, frog or bird in the grass beneath; never giving
chase, but dropping upon its prey, and eating it where caught,
unless in a very exposed situation, when it flies to a more se-
cluded place upon the ground. The birds often alight upon a
fence post, but seldom in trees, but I never saw one attempt to
feed upon its prey from a perch. In food habits they are not
particular; a sort of scavenger, that readily feeds upon the car-
cass of a bird or fish — in fact, nothing seems to come amiss.

These birds as a whole are very beneficial, though occasion-
ally killing a stray chicken, but seldom venturing within the
door yard; and they have not the courage to tackle a full grown
fowl — at least I have never known them to do so, and I have
often seen a hen drive them away from her chicks.

254 HISTORY OF THE

Their nests are placed on the ground, in the grass, sometimes
under low bushes, and usually on the bottom prairie lands; a
slight structure, made usually of grasses; sometimes, on boggy
grounds, with a foundation of sticks and weeds. Eggs four to
six, 1.86x1.42; bluish white, generally unspotted, but occasion-
ally with faint to distinct spots and blotches of purplish brown;
in form, broadly oval.

. Genus ACCIPITER Bkisson.
Face not encircled by a ruff. Tail decidedly more than two-thirds as long as
wing. Depth of bill at base not decidedly less than chord of culmen; middle
toe equal to or longer than naked portion of tarsus in front; lores denselj'
feathered. {Ride/way.)

Subgenus ACCIPITER.
Bare portion of tarsus in front longer than middle toe; wing less than 12.00.
{Ritlf/ira//.)

Accipiter velox (Wils.).

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK.
PLATE XV.

Winter sojourner; rare; in migration, common. Probably
occasionally breed in the State.

B. 17. E. 432. C. 494. G. 201, 116. U. 332.

Habitat. Nearly the whole of North America; south in win-
ter to Costa Rica, The birds have been found breeding as far
south as Florida and southern Texas, but they breed chiefly in
the northern United States and northward.

Sp. Chak. "■Adult male: Above, deep plumbeous, this covering head above,
nape, back, scapulars, wings, rump and upper tail coverts; uniform throughout,
scarcely perceptibly darker anteriorly. Primaries and tail somewhat lighter
and more brownish. The latter crossed by four sharply-defined bands of brown-
ish black, the last of which is subterminal, and broader than the rest, the first
concealed by the upper coverts; tip passing very narrowly (or scarcely percep-
tibly) into whitish terminally. Occipital feathers snowy white beneath the sur-
face; entirely concealed, however. Scapulars also with concealed, very large,
roundish spots of pure white. Under side of primaries pale slate, becoming
white toward bases, crossed by quadrate spots of blackish, of which there are
seven ( besides the terminal dark space) on the longest. Lores, cheeks, ear cov-
erts, chin, throat, and lower parts in general, pure white; chin, throat and
cheeks with fine, rather sparse, blackish shaft streaks; ear coverts with a pale
rufous wash. Jugulum, breast, abdomen, sides, flanks and tibiae with numerous
transverse broad bars of delicate vinaceous rufous, the bars medially somewhat
transversely cordate, and rather narrower than the white bars; laterally the
pinkish rufous prevails, the bars being connected broadly along the shafts; tlbife

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 255

with rufous bars uuich exceeding the white ones in width; the whole maculate
region with the shaft of each feather finely blackish. Anal region scarcely
varied: lower tail coverts immaculate pure white. Lining of the wing white,
witli rather sparse cordate, or cuneate, small blackish spots; axillars barred
about equally with pinkish rufous and white. Fifth quill longest; fourth but
little shorter; third equal to sixth; second slightly shorter than seventh. Tail
perfectly square. Adult female: Scarcely different from male. Above, rather
pale slaty; the darker shaft streaks rather more distinct than in the male, al-
though they are not conspicuous. Beneath with the rufous bars rather broader,
the dark shaft streaks less distinct; til>i?e al)out equally barred with pinkish ru-
fous and white. Fourth and fifth quills equal and longest; third equal to sixth;
second equal to seventh; first three inches shorter than longest. Touiuj male:
Above, umber brown; feathers of the head above edged laterally with dull light
ferruginous; those of the back, rump, the upper tail coverts, scapulars and wing
coverts bordered with the same; scapulars and rump showing large, partially
exposed, roundish spots of pure white. Tail as in adult. Sides of the head
and neck strongly streaked, a broad lighter supraloral stripe apparent. Beneath
white, with a slight ochraceous tinge; cheeks, throat and jugulum with fine
narrow streaks of dusky brown; breast, sides and abdomen with broader longi-
tudinal stripes of clear innber (less slaty than the back), each with a darker
shaft line; on the flanks the stripes are more oval; tibiae more dingy, markings
fainter and somewhat transverse; anal region and lower tail coverts immaculate
white. Young female: Similar in general appearance to the young male. Mark-
ings beneath broader, and slightly sagittate in form, becoming more transverse
on the flanks; paler and more reddish than in the young male; tibiae with brown-
ish rufous prevailing, this in form of broad transverse spots."

Length.

Male 11.00

Female. . . 1.3.. 50

Iris yellow; bill horn blue; cere greenish yellow; legs and
feet yellow; claws black.

This spirited little Hawk is one of the best known, and one
of the most destructive birds of the family. On the wino-, in
the chase, it is swift as an arrow, and strikes its prey readily in
the air, upon the ground, or the perch, often dashing into a
thicket and capturing little birds in their supposed safe retreats.
They are especially destructive to the sparrows that gather late
in the fall and winter in flocks about the thickets and hedo-es
apparently killing not only to satisfy hunger, but for pure ' ' cus-
sedness." The little fellows are as brave as they are dashing,
often striking and killing birds much larger than themselves.
They also feed upon mice and other small quadrupeds, lizards
and insects; but the killing of small birds appears to be their

Stretch of

%uing.

M-i,ig.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Cere

22.00

6.75

5.. 50

1.90

.40

.25

2.5.50

8.50

6. 75

2.00

.45

.25

256 HISTORY OF THE

chief delight. I admire their courage aud dash, but cannot find
it in my heart to say one word in their favor.

Their nests are occasionally placed on rocky cliffs, but usually
in trees, often in the tops of the tallest. At Digby, Nova
Scotia, I found a pair nesting in a hemlock at least eighty feet
from the ground. Their nests are composed of sticks and
twigs, and lined with a few dry leaves, strips of bark and grasses.
Eggs usually three or four. They vary in form and size. A
set of four eggs, collected at Kingston, Mass., June 3d, 1876,
from a nest in a cedar, thirty feet from the ground, measure:
1.39x1.13, 1.42x1.15, 1.38x1.14, 1.37x1.17. The ground
color varies from a pale greenish to a bluish white, beautifully
marked with spots and confluent blotches of varying shades of
umber to dark brown; in form, rather roundish.

Accipiter cooperi (Bonap.).

COOPER'S HAWK.
PLATE XV.

Resident; common in summer. Begin laying early in May.

B. 15, 16. K. 431. C. 495. G. 200, 117. U. 333.

Habitat. The whole of temperate North America; south
into southern Mexico. They breed in suitable localities through-
out the United S-tates.

Sp. Chab. ^'■Adtolt male: Forehead, crown and occiput blackish plumbeous,
the latter snowy white beneath the surface; rest of upper parts slaty plumbeous,
the nape abruptly lighter than the occiput; feathers of the nape, back, scapulars
and rump with darker shaft lines; scapulars with concealed cordate aud circular
spots of white; upper tail coverts sharply tipped with white. Tail more brown-
ish than the rump, sharply tipped with pure white and crossed with three broad,
sharply-defined bands of black, the first of which is concealed, the last much
broadest; that portion of the shaft between the two exposed black bands white.
Lores grayish; cheeks and throat white, with fine, hair-like shaft streaks of black-
ish; ear coverts and sides of neck more ashy and more faintly streaked. Ground
color beneath pure white, but with detached transverse bars of rich vinaceous
rufous crossing the breast, jugulum, sides, flanks, abdomen and tibise; the white
bars everywhere (except on sides of the breast ) rather exceeding the rufous in
width; all the feathers (except tibial plumes) with distinct black shaft lines;
lower tail coverts immaculate pure white. Lining of the wing white, with
numerous cordate spots of rufous; coverts with transverse blackish bars; under
side of primaries silvery white, purest basally (tips dusky), crossed with cordate
bars of dusky, of which there are six (the first only indicated) upon the longest

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 257

quill (fourth). Fourth quill longest; third shorter than the fifth; second inter-
mediate between sixth and seventh; first 2.80 shorter than the longest; gradua-
tion of tail 1.00. Adult female: Similar to the male. Forehead tinged with
brownish; upper plumage much less bluish. Neck and ear coverts uniformly
rufous, with black shaft streaks, there being no ashy wash as In the male. Tail
decidedly less bluish than in the male, crossed with four bands, three of which
are exposed. The rufous bars beneath less vinaceous than In the male, but of
about the same amount, rather predominating on the tibiae. Fourth and fifth
quills longest and equal; third longer than sixth; second intermediate between
sixth and seventh; first three inches shorter than longest. Young mule: Above,
grayish umber; feathers of forehead, crown and nape faintly edged laterally
with pale rusty; occiput unvaried blackish, feathers white beneath the surface.
Wing coverts, scapulars and interscapulars narrowly bordered with pale yellow-
ish umber; rump and upper tail coverts bordered with rusty. Tail paler umber
than the back, narrowly tipped with white, and crossed by four bands of brownish
black, the first of which is only partially concealed. Scapulars and upper tail
coverts showing much concealed white, in form of roundish spots, on both webs.
Beneath, clear white, without any yellowish tinge; throat with a medial and latr
eral series of clear dark brown streaks; jugulum, breast, sides, flanks and abdo-
men with numerous stripes of clear sepia, each showing a darker shaft streak;
tibite with longitudinal streaks of paler and more rusty brown; lower tail coverts
immaculate. Young female: Similar to young male; more varied, however.
The black middle streaks of feathers of head above narrower, causing more
conspicuous streaks; white spots of scapular region considerably exposed; longi-
tudinal stripe beneath narrower and more sparse."

Stretch of
Length. -wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere.

Male 17.50 31.25 9.00 8.50 2.65 .65 .30

Female... 20.00 34.50 10.50 9.50 2.75 .80 .30

Iris bright yellow; bill and claws bluish black, light at base;
cere greenish; legs and feet greenish yellow.

The birds are quite common in the Southern and Middle
States, but rather rare northward, where they are only summer
residents. They frequent the woodlands and groves skirting
our prairie streams. A dashing, courageous bird, with the gen-
eral make-up and actions of the Sharp-shinned, but they are not
as destructive, killing only to satisfy hunger. Their ordinary
flight is a quick flapping of the wings, relieved occasionally by
sailing. Their slender build and long, rudder-like tail enables
them to swiftly wind their way through the trees and to snatch
a squirrel or lizard from the branches with as much apparent
ease as they swoop down upon their prey in the open lands.
Rabbits, mice, small birds. Bob-whites and Ducks help to make

—17

258 HISTORY OF THE

up their bill of fare. Tliej often boldly enter the dooryard,
where I saw one of the birds strike a hen, while in defense of
her brood, with a force that killed her, and then grasp in its
claws a half-grown chicken and triumphantly carry it away.

Their nests are placed in the forks of medium-sized trees, from
twenty-five to fifty feet from the ground; made of sticks and
twigs, and lined sparingly with grass and leaves. Eggs usually
four, 1.94x1.54; pale bluish white; occasionally eggs will show
faint blotches of lilac to yellowish brown, especially about the
larger end; in form, rounded oval.

Subgenus ASTUR Lacepede.
"More than one-third (about one-half) of the upper portion of the tarsus
feathered in front, the feathering scarcely separated behind; frontal transverse
scutellse of the tarsus and toes interrupted in the region of the digito-tarsal
joint, where replaced by irregular small scales. Tarsal scutellse never fused."

Accipiter atricapillus (Wils.).

AMERICAN GOSHAWK.
PLATE XV.

A rare winter visitant.

B. 14. R. 433. C. 496. G. 203, 118. U. 334.

Habitat. Northern and eastern North America; west to and
including the Rocky Mountains; breeding chiefly north of the
United States.

Sp. Char. Adult: Above, including whole back, clear bluish gray, or plum-
beous, with blackish shaft streaks; top of head deep black, the feathers pure
white beneath the surface; tail bluish gray, crossed by about four dusky bands,
these sometimes nearly obsolete on upper surface; lower parts white, the breast,
belly, sides and flanks thickly zigzagged or irregularly barred with slaty gray-
ish, the feathers, especially on the breast, often with dusky mesial streaks.
Young: Above, dusky grayish brown, more or less spotted with pale buff or
whitish, the feathers margined with buff, those of head and neck edged or
streaked with same; tail light grayish brown, narrowly tipped with white, and
crossed by four distinct bands of dusky, with a fifth less strongly marked, con-
cealed by upper coverts; lower parts whitish or pale buff, with distinct narrow
stripes of blackish, these more tear shaped on belly, broader and more spot-like
on sides and flanks. {Bidgicay.)

Stretch of
Length. -wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere.

Male 21.00 42.00 12.75 9.40 2.85 .75 .45

Female... 22.50 44.50 14.00 11.50 2.95 .80 .45

!> .-

W <

<J CO

Ph lU

- F

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 259

Iris brownish to reddish orange; bill black, bluish at base;
cere slate color; legs and feet yellow; claws black, occasionally
a white claw.

These birds do not appear to be very abundant anywhere, but
are found in greater numbers in the northern and eastern portion
of their range. In the winter and spring of 1880, while col-
lecting in Nova Scotia, I met with them quite often. They
are generally known as the "Blue Hen Hawk." In actions
and habits they are very similar to Cooper's Hawk, but rather
more arboreal. A stout built bird, that readily kills the largest
Ducks and fowls, and strong enough on the wing to carry off a
bird of its own weight. Their appearance strikes terror among
the barnyard fowls and Doves.

Their nests are placed in tall trees. They are composed of
sticks, withered twigs and weeds, and lined with fibrous strip-
pings from bark and grasses. Eggs usually two or three, 2.30x
1.75; bluish white; sometimes with obscure markings of reddish
brown; in form, rounded oval.

Genus BUTEO Cuvtee.
"Form robust and heavy, the wiugs long, and rather pointed, the tail mod.
erate and rounded, the bill and feet strong. Bill intermediate between that of
Aatur and that of Parabuteo. Wing long and rather pointed, the third to fifth
quill longest, the first shorter than eighth; three to four with inner webs emar-
giuated; tail moderate, slightly rounded."

Buteo borealis (Gmel.).

RED- TAILED HAWK.
PLATE XVI.

Kesident; common. Begin laying the last of February.

B. 23. K. 436. C. 516. G. 203, 119. U. 337.

Habitat. Eastern North America; west to the Great Plains.

Sp. Char. "Four outermost quills with inner webs distinctly emarginate.
Adult: Upper parts rich blackish brown, approaching black on the back; scapu-
lars and middle wing coverts edged and barred beneath the surface with dull
wliite, and tinged along the edges with ochraceous. Wings generally of a paler
shade than the back; secondaries fading into nearly white at tips, and with
the greater coverts obscurely barred with darker; primaries nearly black, tips
edged with paler brown, this passing into whitish; rump uniform blackish
brown, feathers obscurely bordered with rusty. Upper tail coverts ochraceous
white, nearly pure terminally, and witli about two distinct transverse bars of

260 IIISTOllY OF THE

deep rufous; tail rich uniform lateritious rufous, passing narrowly into white
at the tip, and about an inch (or less) from the end crossed by a narrow band
of black. Head and neck with the feathers medially blackish brown, their
edges rusty rufous, causing a streaked appearance; the rufous prevailing on the
sides of the occiput, the ear coverts and neck. The blackish almost uniform
on the forehead and on the cheeks, over which It forms a broad 'mustache;
lores and sides of frontlet whitish; throat white, with broad stripes of pure
slaty brown; lower parts in general ochraceous white; tibiae and lower tail cov-
erts immaculate; across the abdomen and flanks ( immediately in front of the
tibite) is a broad interrupted belt of longitudinal black blotches, those on the
abdomen tear shaped; on the flanks larger and more irregular, throwing off
bars toward the edge of the feathers; whole pectoral area variegated only with
a few shaft streaks of black ( these growing broader laterally), and sometimes
washed with rusty. Lining of the wing ochraceous white, with sparse diamond-
shaped spots of pale rufous, and shaft streaks of darker; under surface of pri-
maries white anterior to their emargiuatiou, beyond which they gradually deepen
into black; the innermost ones are finely mottled with slaty, and with imper.
feet transverse bars of the same. Young: Above similar to the adult, but lack-
ing entirely any rufous tinge, the scapulars and wing coverts more variegated
with whitish. Tail light grayish brown (very much lighter than the rump),
tiuged, especially basally, with rufous, narrowly tipped with white, and crossed
with nine or ten narrow, curved bands of black; upper tail coverts white, with
broad bars of black. Head as in the adult, but the rufous wanting, leaving the
streaks black and white; forehead more broadly white; chin and throat wholly
white, the latter with a collar of dusky streaks across the lower part; whole
pectoral region entirely innnaculate pure white; abdominal baud as in the adult;
tibiae somewhat tinged with ochraceous, uuvariegated,"

Length.

StreU/i of

7vi>!g.

Wing.

Tail.

Ta rsus.

Bill.

Cere.

Male . . . ,

. 21,50

49,00

15.25

9.00

3.10

1.00

.50

Female . ,

. 23,50

53.00

17.00

9.75

3.20

1.10

.50

Iris of adult brown, of young yellowish; bill horn blue; cere
greenish yellow; legs and feet light yellow; claws bluish black.

This large, muscular Hawk is rather evenly distributed
throughout its range in the United States, and northward. In
habits it is rather sluggish, feeding chiefly upon rabbits, mice
and moles, which it occasionally swoops down upon from the
air, but generally from a perch, where it patiently watches for
its prey. It now and then drops upon a Duck, Bob-white, or
stray fowl from the yard, but is not quick enough to catch the
smaller birds, and never gives chase after a bird on the wing.
It has not the courage or dash to venture within the dooryard,
unless in a secluded place, I know the farmer generally looks
upon them as an enemy, but after a careful study of their habits,

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 261

and an examination of many of their stomachs, I have reached
the conchision tliat they are far more beneficial than injurious,
in fact, one of his best friends. In flight they are slow, but
steady and strong, with a regular beat of the wings; they also
delight to sail in the air, where they float lightly, and with
scarcely an apparent motion of the wings, often circling to a
great height; and during the insect season, while thus sailing,
often fill their craws with grasshoppers, that during the after
part of the day also enjoy a sail in the air.

Their nests are placed in the forks of the branches of the
tallest trees on the timbered bottom lands; a bulk}^ structure,
made of sticks, and lined sparingly with grass, leaves and a few
feathers. Eggs two to four, usually two or three, 2.30x1.84;
bluish white, thinly and irregularly spotted and blotched with
various shades of light to dark brown; in form, elliptical to
oval.

Buteo borealis kriderii Hoopes.

KRIDER'S HAWK.
PLATE XVI.

I have a female in the " Goss Ornithological Collection," that

I shot near Wallace, Kansas, and I have since met with the birds in

the western part of the State, where they no doubt occasionally

breed.

B. . R. 436a. C. 519. G. , 120. U. 337a.

Habitat. The Great Plains, from Minnesota to southern Texas;

east casually to Illinois and Iowa.

Sp. Char. '■''Adult: Similar to B. boi'ealis, but beneath continuous pure white,
witliout rufous tinge, and without distinct spots across the abdomen, or lacking
them entirely; above much lighter, the brown, light rufous and white being
about equal in amount. Upper tail coveits immaculate white; tail pale rufous,
the shafts pui'e white, and the webs mixed with white along their edges, its
amount increasing toward the base; no trace of a dusky terminal bar. or else
only indicated by badlj'-defined spots. Young: Differing from that of B. bore-
alis in the immaculate suowy white lower parts, nearly equal extent of the
white and dusky on the upper parts, and whitish cast of the tail."

stretch of
Length. wing. IFing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere.

Male 21.50 50.00 15.35 9.50 3.10 1.00 ..50

Female.... 23.50 53.25 16.75 10.00 .3.20 1.10 .55

202 HISTORY OF THE

My notes all show the iris to be yellowish white, to light red-
dish brown; bill and claws dark horn blue, pale at base; cere
greenish; legs and feet dull yellow; claws black.

This bleached variety of the Red-tailed Hawk does not appear
to differ from the same in actions or habits. Eggs, according
to Ridgway, 2.31x1.80.

Buteo borealis calurus (Cass.).

WESTERN RED-TAIL.
PLATE XVI.

Irregular winter sojourner; at times, quite common. I have
never noticed the birds in the State during the summer months.
They begin to arrive, generally, the last of October, and leave by
the last of March.

B. 20, 24. R. 4366. C. 517. G. 204, 121. U. 337&.

Habitat. Western North America: south into Mexico; east
to Kansas; casually to Illinois.

Sp. Char. Plumage ofteu chiefly blackish (sometimes entirely sooty), ex-
cept tail and its upper coverts. Adult: Varying, individually, fi'om a light extreme
which Is scarcely distinguishable from true B. borealis to a uniform dark sooty
brown, through every conceivable intermediate plumage; some melanistic speci-
mens have the whole chest and breast rusty or rufous (corresponding to the
white area of very light colored birds), but this is wholly obliterated in the com-
plete melanism. Young: Darker throughout and more heavily spotted beneath
than in true B. borealis, the plumage sometimes wholly dusky (except the tall ),
as in the adult. Tail of adult always with a black subterminal bar, and fre-
quently with several more or less complete additional bars. (Ridgway.)

Stretch of

Length.

tvi u^.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Cere.

Male ....

. iy..50

48.50

15.25

8.50

3.10

1.00

.50

Female . .

. 22.00

51.00

16.50

9.50

3.20

1.10

.55

Iris brown; bill horn blue; cere greenish yellow; legs and feet
yellow; claws black.

This dark Western race does not appear to differ in habits
from the Eastern bird. A set of four eggs, collected May 21st,
1878, in Santa Barbara county, California, from a nest in a pop-
lar tree, about thirty feet from the ground, measure: 2.23x1.86,
2.31x1.84, 2.36x1.84, 2.39x1.87; ground color dull bluish to
cream white, irregularly spotted and blotched with pale to dark
Vandyke brown, mixed with markings of light purple brown,
all rather oblong in shape, and running lengthwise on the Q^%\
in form, oval.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 263

Buteo borealis harlani Ridgw.

HARLAN'S HAWK.
PLATE XVI.

A rare visitant. Tlie first specimen collected in the State is
in the State University. In the "Goss Ornithological Collec-
tion" I have three of the birds, out of four killed at Neosho
Falls. I am inclined to think that I have seen others, but at a
distance they so closely resemble the dark phase of the Western
Red-tail, that I am not certain.

B, 22. R. 438. C. 515. G. 205, 122. U. 338.

Habitat. As given in the A. O. U. Check List, "Kansas,
Louisiana and Texas; south to Central America; casually in
southern Illinois and Pennsylvania." The birds taken in Kan-
sas were all captured during the winter and spring months,
which leads me to think their range extends much farther north
than given.

Sp. Char. Outer webs of quills grayish brown, marked with quadrate dusky
spots, producing bands; bare portion of tarsus in front less than 2.00. Middle
toe usually more than 1.60 (minimum 1.50, maximum 1.95); tail of adult usually
with much of rufous, with or without darker bands; youug with tail grayish
brown, crossed by nine or ten distinct narrow bands of dusky. Head and neck
uniform dark sooty brown or blackish, or else streaked with white (very rarely,
if ever, streaked with buffy or ochraceous.) Adult: Tail confusedly or irregu-
larly mottled with grayish, rusty white and dusky, either color predominating
(except the last) according to the individual, crossed near end by a more or less
distinct subterminal band, and tipped with whitish; upper parts chiefly (some-
times entirely) dark sooty brown or blackish (varying to deep black) ; lower
parts varying from entirely deep sooty brown or black to pure white, but, if the
latter, always more or less streaked and spotted, especially across belly and on
sides of breast, with dusky. Young: Tail banded with grayish brown and
dusky, the two colors of about equal extent; otherwise much like adult. {Ridg-
way. )

stretch of
Length. ■wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere.

Male 21.00 48.50 15.00 8.75 3.00 1.00 .45

Female... 22.00 52.00 16.25 9.50 3.20 1.10 .45

Iris brown; bill horn blue; cere greenish yellow; legs and
feet yellow; claws black.

This bird, formerly entered as a species (^B. harlani)^ is now
regarded as a geographical color phase of B. horealis^ and will
stand in the next suppleinent to the A. O. U. Check List as
above named.

264 HISTORY OF THE

Audubon was the first to discover this bird, and he speaks of
it as superior in flight and more daring than the Ked-tailed
Hawk; but from my limited observation it does not appear to
differ either in flight, actions or habits. In the craws and stom-
achs of the four killed at Neosho Falls, I did not find a feather.
They were chiefly filled with the remains of rabbits. Its nest
and eggs are unknown.

Buteo lineatus (Gmel.).

BED-SHOULDERED HAWK.
PLATE XVI.

Resident; common in the eastern part of the State. Begin
laying in March.

B. 25. R. 439. C. 520. G. 206, 123. U. 339.

Habfiat. Eastern North America; north to Nova Scotia

and Manitoba; west to the edge of the Great Plains; south to

the Gulf coast.

Sp. Char. Outer webs of primaries distinctly spotted with white, buffy or
ochraceous; tail narrowly banded with white, buffy or ochraceous, lesser wing
coverts more or less rusty. Adult: Head, neck and lower parts more or less
rusty, or cinnamon, the first two streaked with dusky, the posterior lower
parts more or less barred or transversely spotted with whitish; quills and tail
black, the former spotted on outer webs with white, the latter crossed by about
six nairow bauds of and tipped with the same. Young: Head, neck and lower
parts buffy or dull whitish, streaked and striped or longitudinally spotted with
dark brownish; quills and tail dusky, the former extensively spotted on basal
portion of outer webs with buffy or ochraceous, the latter crossed by numerous
narrow bands of dull buffy or pale grayish brown ( the more anterior ones more
ochraceous). Doicny young: Uniform dull grayish white. Adult with head
and neck distinctly rusty; rufous or rusty of anterior lower parts (chest and
breast) usually distinctly barred or transversely spotted with white. Young:
Lower parts usually with whitish predominating, and basal lialf of outer webs
of quills extensively ochraceous, butfy or whitish. {Bidgway.)

stretch of
Length. iving. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere.

Male 18.50 39.00 12.50 8.50 3.10 .80 .45

Female... 21.00 43.00 13.60 9.25 3.20 .90 ..50

Iris brown; bill and claws dark horn blue; light at base;
cere, legs and feet dark yellowish green.

This robust species inhabits the woodlands, where it feeds
chiefly upon squirrels, rabbits, mice, moles, lizards, etc. It
occasionally drops upon an unlucky Duck or Bob-white, but is

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 2 Go

not quick enough to catch the smaller birds. It is also quite
destructive to domestic fowls raised in or near the timber, but
does not appear to search for food far away from its natural
haunts. These birds are very noisy, and during the early breed-
ing season their loud, harsh "Kee-oo" is heard from the perch
and while in the air, often keeping up the cry for a long time
without intermission.

In flight their movements are similar "to the Ked-tailed. They
seem to be greatly attached to the grounds selected for a home,
and vigilantly guard the same, not allowing a bird of prey to
forage within their claimed limits; they also nest for years in
the same tree. I collected at Neosho Falls, Kansas, for several
successive years, a set of their eggs from a nest in the forks of
a medium-sized oak. In about nine days after each robbery,
the birds would commence laying again, and I allowed them to
hatch and rear their young. One winter during my absence
the tree was cut down; this did not discourage the birds or
cause them to forsake the place, for, on the approach of spring,
I found them building a nest not over ten rods from the old
one, but this time in a large sycamore, and beyond our reach.
The birds both assist in hatching and rearing the young, the
males being fully as attentive as their mates.

Their nests are placed in the forks of branches of medium
sized trees, twenty to fifty feet from the ground, composed of
sticks and twigs, and sparingly lined with soft strippings of bark,
leaves, and a few feathers. Eggs three or four, 2.20x1.70;
bluish white, irregularly spotted and blotched with varying
shades of light to dark reddish brown; varying in form from
subsperical to oval.

Buteo swainsoni Bonap.

SWAINSON'S HAWK.
PLATE XVII.

Resident; rare in eastern, common in the middle and western
portions of the State. Begin laying about the middle of May.

B. 18, 19, 21, 38. R. 442. C. 523. G. 207, 124. U. 342.

Habitat. Western North America; east to Arkansas, Illinois
and Wisconsin (casually to Massachusetts); north to the Arctic

266 HISTORY OF THE

regions; south through the greater part of South America to.

Argentine Kepublic.

Sp. Chak. Ouly three quills with inner webs distinctly emarginated. Tail
grayish brown, or brownish gray, sometimes with a hoary tinge, crossed by an
indefinite number (about nine or ten) of narrow dusky bands, which toward base
of tail become gradually indistinct and finally obsolete. Adult male, normal
plumage: Above, nearly xmiform grayish brown; forehead, chin and throat
white, usually aln'iiptly defined, and forming a distinct patch; chest and upper
part of breast usually plain rufous or cinnamon (rarely mixed or broken with
whitish); rest of lower parts buffy whitish, sometimes immaculate, but usually
more or less barred or spotted with brownish. Adult female, normal plumage:
Similar to the male, but chest patch grayish brown instead of rufous or cinna-
mon. 3felanistie phase, both sexes: Whole plumage uniform sooty brown, the
under tail coverts sometimes spotted or barred with rusty or whitish.* Young:
Tail as in the adult; above, blackish brown, varied with buffy or ochraceous; head,
neck and lower parts creamy buff (deeper on younger, paler in older individ-
uals), the lower parts usually more or less spotted with blackish, the head and
neck streaked with the same. {Ridgway.)

Length.

Stretch of
iving.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Cere.

Male . . . .

. 19.00

48. .50

15.00

8.00

2.55

.85

.50

Female. .

. 21.00

.52.00

16.00

9.00

2.75

.95

.52

Iris brown; bill and claws black; cere, legs and feet greenish
yellow.

This is one of the most common and harmless of the genus
Buteo upon our western prairies. They seldom venture near
the habitations of man, appearing to prefer the uncultivated
fields, and are at home upon the wild prairies and plains, where
they put in a large share of their time perched upon a slight
elevation patiently watching for rabbits, gophers, mice, lizards,
young birds, etc., or in the air coursing over the prairies, filling
up as they go with the grasshoppers that take their afternoon
airing. Occasionally a full-grown bird is taken by surprise, but
they are not swift enough to catch in the chase. I have on
several occasions seen them swoop down for a Meadowlark,
but each time the frightened bird escaped. Their manner of
flight is similar to the Red-tailed, and, although a more slender
bird, do not seem to be quicker in actions.

Their nests vary in height, from the shrubby bushes of the
plains to the high trees in the timber; a bulky nest, constructed

*Iii different individuals may be seen every possible intermediate condition of plumage be-
tween this complete melanism and the light colored normal plumage described above.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 2G7

of sticks and twigs, and scantily lined with a few weeds or
grasses. Eggs three to five, 2.25x1.75; dull bluish white; vary
greatly in markings, some thinly and rather evenly specked and
spotted, others with irregular blotches and splashes of faint to
dark reddish brown and a few stains of purple; in form, rounded
oval.

Buteo latissimus (Wils.).

BROAD- WINGED HAWK.
PLATE XVII.

A summer resident in the eastern part of the State; rare.
Arrive about the first of April; leave by the first of November
■(at least I have not seen them later).

B. 27. E. 443. C. 524. G. 208, 125. U. 343,

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to New Brunswick

and western Manitoba; west to the edge of the Great Plains;

south in winter to northern South America.

Sp. Chak. "Only three outer quills with iuner webs emargiuate. Adult:
Upper surface dark umber brown, the featliers gradually paler toward edges;
on the back the feathers are more uniform dusky, causing a prevalent blackisli
appearance; rump and upper tail coverts blackish vandyke brown; the latter
tipped with pure white, and with a concealed bar of same about the middle of
each feather; tail dull black, with an obscure terminal band of dull brown, this
fading terminally into whitish; across the middle of the tail a broad band of
dull light umber (in some individuals approaching dull white) about three-
fourths of an inch in width; about as far anterior to the main band as this is
from the tip is another much nari'ower and more obscure band of the same
color, crossing just beyond the ends of the coverts, or concealed by them. Pri-
maries uniform brownish black, fading on terminal edge into pale brown; head
above, and broad but inconspicuous 'mustache' ruuning from beneath the lore
downward across the check, dull black; the crown posteriorly, with the occiput
and nape, having the dull black much broken, caused by lateral streaks of dull
rufous on all the feathers; this dull rufous tint prevails on the rest of the head
and neck, as well as the breast, leaving the lores and chin and lateral portion
of frontlet alone whitish; throat streaked with blackish; beneath dull brownish
rufous, that of the breast almost unvaried; medially, however, are roundish
spots of white on opposite webs, but these are not confluent; posteriorly these
spots become gradually more numerous and more transverse, forming on the
flanks transverse bands, almost continuous; on the tibite the white prevails, the
rufous bars being more distant, and connected only by a brown shaft line; lower
tail coverts less numerous, transverse spots of dull rufuous; liniug of the wing
ochraceous white, with sparse, rather small, irregular deltoid spots of dull
rufous; under surface of the primaries unvaried white, as far as their emargina-
tion, beyond which they are black; fourth quill longest; third a little shorter;
second intermediate between fiftli and sixth; first about equal to the ninth.

268 HISTORY OF THE

Young male, second year: Upper parts similar to adult, but a reddish tint ap-
preciably washing the edges of the interscapulars and (less noticeably so) the
scapulars; bands on tail nearly as in adult; but very near the base in fourth,
very narrow and faintly defined pale band, while the bases of all the feathers are
much mottled with white; dull rufous of the breast not continuous, but in -the
form of large longitudinal broad spots, occupying the greater middle portion of
each feather; abdomen, sides and tibiae with smaller and more cordate spots of
dull rufous; the lower tail coverts immaculate; the decided ochraceous tinge
beneath deepest posteriorly. Young, first year: The blackish above Is much
variegated, being broken by the narrow rusty borders to interscapulars, rump,
and lesser wing coverts; the broader and more ochraceous borders to scapulars
and greater wing coverts, and partially concealed whitish spotting on the former.
Upper tail coverts white, with broad bars of blackish brown; secondaries and
primaries edged terminally with whitish; tail dull umber brown, growing darker
terminally; narrowly tipped with white, and crossed with six obscure narrow
bands of dusky, the (concealed) bases of all the feathers white; superciliary
region, cheeks, chin, throat, and entire lower parts, delicate pale ochraceous or
whitish cream color; a conspicuous 'mustache', a medial longitudinal series of
streaks on the throat, with large, longitudinal ovate spots on sides of breast,
cordate spots on sides and flanks, and sagittate spots on tibife, clear blackish
brown; the ochraceous deepest on the abdomen and crissum; wing beneath as
in adult."

stretch of
Length. wing. ]]'ifig. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere.

Male 15.00 34.00 10.00 6..50 3.35 .65 .45

Female... 16.00 35.00 10.50 7.25 2.40 .80 .45

Iris brown (juv., yellowish brown); bill horn blue, light at
base, dark at tips; cere greenish yellow; legs and feet yellow;
claws black.

This species inhabits the woodlands, where they are often to
be seen sailing over the tree tops, but seldom far away from
their natural haunts. I have occasionally met with the birds in
winter in eastern Guatemala, Spanish Honduras, and, during
the summer months, in the Neosho valley, Kansas, the Indian
Territory, and at Pewaukee, Wisconsin. At the latter place I
found them nesting and the most common. In their search for
food, they watch from a perch or noiselessly fly through the
tree tops and near the ground, often hovering for a moment be-
fore dropping upon their prey, which they usually devour on
the ground or where taken. I consider these birds to be, like all
the Buteo family, friends of the farmer rather than his enemy,
because they feed chiefly upon rabbits, squirrels, gophers, mice
and moles; they occasionally catch a young bird, but are not quick

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 269

enougli to capture a full grown one, unless it is taken by sur-
prise; and the good they do largely overbalances the harm.

Their nests are placed in trees. They vary in height from
fifteen to fifty feet, and are composed of sticks, and lined with
strippings from bark, fibrous rootlets and grasses. Eggs usu-
ally three or four, 1.96x1.57; ground color dull white, spotted
and blotched with varying shades of yellowish to dark brown;
in form, oval to rounded oval.

Genus ARCHIBUTEO Brehm.

"Similar to Biiteo, but bill and feet weaker, wings longer and tarsi feath-
ered in front to the toes. Bill small, compressed anteriorly, but very broad
through the gape; upper outline of the cere ascending basally; nostril broadly
oval, nearly horizontal. Tarsus densely feathered in front and on the sides
down to the base of the toes; naked behind, where covered with irregular
scales. Tarsus more than twice as long as the middle toe; basal half of the
toes covered with small scales; outer toe longer than inuer; claws long, strongly
curved, acute. Feathering of the head and neck normal. Wing very long; the
third to fourth quill longest; first shorter than seventh; outer four or five with
inner webs deeply emargiuated. Tail moderate, rounded. Plumage full and
soft."

Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis (Gmel.).

AMERICAN ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK.
PLATE XIX.

A winter sojourner; common. Arrive the last of November;
leave in March.

B. 30, 31. K. 447. C. 525. G. 209, 126. U. 347a.

Habitat. The whole of North America north of Mexico;

breeding chiefly north of the United States.

Sp. Chab. "Too variable in coloration of plumage to be concisely described.
Adult, normal plumage: Ground color of the upper parts dull umber cinereous,
this more rufous on the shoulders and dull white on the nape, scapulars, inner
secondaries and upper tail coverts; rump entirely black, feathers bordered with
whitish. All feathers above with central oblong or irregular spots of black,
this color predominating on top of head aud forming transverse bands across
the wing coverts and secondaries; upper tail coverts pure white, each marked
with an exceedingly irregular, transverse spot of black. . Tail white on basal
two-thirds, and narrowly but sharply tipped with the same; subterminal portion
pale mottled cinereous, with a very broad zone of black next the terminal white,
and anterior to this three narrower and more irregular bands of the same. Pri-
maries blackish cinereous, with obsolete darker bands. Ground color of head
and lower parts dull white; cheeks thickly streaked with black; ear coverts
and throat more sparsely streaked; forehead and suborbital region plain whitish.

270 HISTORY OF THE

Breast with large, longitudinal but very irregular oblong spots of dark brown,
these largest and somewhat confluent laterally; lower part of breast with much
less numerous and less longitudinal spots; tibiae strongly tinged with rusty, and
with tarsus, abdomen, crissum and flanks having irregular transverse spots of
blackish brown; lower tail coverts unvariegated. Lining of wing white, with
numerous spots of black, these becoming more rusty towards the axillars, a
large space of continuous clear black covering the under primary coverts and
the coverts immediately anterior; under surface of primaries and secondaries
pure white, the former becoming black at ends, the latter ashy; no bars (except
toward shafts) of the latter. Fourth quill longest; the third equal to fifth; sec-
ond intermediate between fifth and sixth; first equal to eighth. Young: Upper
surface generally light umber, becoming lighter on scapulars and middle wing
coverts, but showing nowhere any trace of spots or bands; wings, scapulars and
back with blackish shaft streaks; primaries approaching black toward ends,
becoming white basally; upper tail coverts white, with a hastate stripe of brown
along shaft; tail, basal half white, terminal half plain drab, becoming darker
tenninally, the tip narrowly white. Head, neck, and lower plumage in general,
white stained with ochraceous, this deepest on tibiae and tarsi; head and neck
streaked with dark brown, ear coverts almost immaculate; breast with oblong
spots of clear brown; flanks, abdomen and anal region continuous uniform rich
purplish vandylie brown, forming a conspicuous transverse belt; tibiae and tarsi
scarcely varied, the few markings longitudinal; lower tail coverts immaculate.
Under side of wing much as in adult (black area, however, moi'e extended),
lining much tinged with rufous, and with loiigitudinal streaks of dark brown.
Adult, melanistic condition: General plumage blackish brown, the head streaked
with whitish edges of the feathers; wing coverts, secondaries, primaries and
tibial plumes paler terminally; tarsi mottled with whitish; upper and lower tail
coverts tipped obscurely with white. Tall narrowly tipped dull white, and with
about five very obsolete pale ashy bands. Lining of wing black, spotted with
white near edges; whole under surface of the primaries pure white anterior to
their emargination, beyond which they are black. Third and fourth quills equal
and longest; second intermediate between fifth and sixth; first shorter than
seventh. Young: Similar, but the tail dusky, growing whitish toward the base,
and without any bars."

Stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill, Cere.

Male 21.00 52.00 16.25 8.75 2.70 .85 .40

Female... 23.00 53.00 17.00 9.25 2.80 .90 .40

Iris brown (of two birds captured, jellow); bill dark horn
blue, light at base; cere and feet yellow; claws black.

This large, powerfully built Hawk usually frequents the cul-
tivated fields and low bottom lands along the streams skirted
with timber. A rather sluggish bird (more active at twilight
than during the day), that does not appear to have the courage
to attack animals more formidable than rabbits, squirrels, go-
phers, mice, etc., for which they course over the ground, or

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 271

watch from a perch, often sitting motionless for hours, especially
where the corn is in shock, ready to pounce upon the mice that
venture from beneath the shocks. They are too slow to catch
the full-grown birds, and seldom make the attempt. They are
of great value to farmers and should be protected. Their nests
are generally placed in trees, occasionally upon cliffs; a rather
bulky structure, composed of dry sticks and twigs, and lined
with grasses or soft material at hand. In the Arctic regions
they are said to be warmly lined with feathers and down. Eggs
usually three or four, 2.21x1,75; ground color dull white to
buffy white, irregularly spotted and blotched with varying shades
of umber to sepia brown; intermingled with these are shell stains
of purple; in some cases the eggs are nearly unmarked, and
the clouding faint; in form, oval to ovate.

Archibuteo ferrugineus (Liciit.).

FERRUGINOUS ROUGH-LEG.
PLATE XVII.

Resident; rare in the middle, common in the western part of
the State.

B. 32. R. 448. C. 526. G. 210. 127. U. 348.

Habitat. Western North America; north to the Saskatche-
wan; south into Mexico; east into Texas and Iowa; casually to
Illinois.

Sp. Chak. Bill much larger and stronger, and broader at base, the width of
gape (measured from corner to corner of mouth), 1.70x1.90. Adult, normal
phase: Upper parts generally and thighs ferruginous, the former streaked, the
latter barred with dusky; secondaries and quills plumllleous, the latter with a
hoary cast; tail white, washed with pale ashy gray, more or less stained, usually
longitudinally, chiefly along edges of feathers, with light rusty, and sometimes
crossed near tip by an indistinct subterminal bar or narrow band of dusky; lower
parts (except thighs) pure white, sometimes streaked with dusky. Young:
Above, grayish brown, the feathers edged with rusty or oehraceous; thighs white,
more or less spotted with dusky brownish or dusky; tail with basal third (ap-
proximately) white (inner webs wholly white), the rest brownish gray, usually
with several, more or less distinct, darker narrow bauds. Melanistic phase
(adult): General color deep chocolate brown, more or less varied above by rusty
spotting and edgings; lower parts mixed rusty and chocolate, either tint pre-
vailing; tail as in normal phase. [Bidgway.)

Length.

Stretch of
■wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Cere.

Male . . . .

. 22.25

53.25

16.30

9.50

3.10

1.00

.45

Female . .

. 23.50

55.00

17.25

10.00

3.20

1.10

.50

272 BISTORT OF THE

Iris light yellowish brown; bill dark horn blue, with sides at
base, also cere, greenish yellow; feet bright yellow; claws black.

This large species inhabits the prairies and plains. In other
respects, its habits are not noticeably different from the Ameri-
can Rough-legged Hawk.

Their nests are usually placed in trees, occasionally upon high,
rocky cliffs. May 27th, 1883, I found a nest in a Cottonwood
tree, on the Smoky Hill Eiver, near Wallace, Kansas, contain-
ing four young birds, not over two weeks old (downy whitish
little fellows, with bluish black skins). The nest, a bulky one,
at least three feet in diameter at the base, was composed of
sticks and dead twigs from the tree, and sparingly lined with
weeds and grasses. And May 4th, 1884, my brother found a
nest, containing four eggs, in northern Dakota, upon the ground,
upon a precipitous hillside. It was made of sticks, interwoven
with buffalo ribs, stems of weeds and bits of turf, and lined with
grass. Eggs usually three or four; average measurement of
eight, 2.49x1.96; ground color dull cream white; irregularly
spotted and splashed with varying shades of brown (upon some
the markings are very faint); in form, rather rounded oval.

Genus AQUILA Bkissox.
"Form robust and structure powerful; the bearing and general aspect that
of Buteo and Archihuteo. Wing long, the primaries long and strong, with their
emargluations very deep. Tail rather short, slightly rounded or wedge shaped.
Bill stronger than in the preceding genera, its outlines nearly parallel, and the
tip somewhat inclined backward at the point; commissure with a more or less
prominent festoon; nostril narrow, oval, vertical; skin of the cei'e very hard and
firm; superciliary shield very prominent. Feet very strong, the membrane be-
tween the outer and middle toes very well developed; tarsus less than twice as
long as the middle toe; outer toe equal to, or longer than, the inner; claws very
long and strong, very much graduated in size; scutelhe of the toes small, except
on the terminal joint, where they form broad, transverse plates; tarsi densely
feathered all round down to the base of the toes; tibial plumes well developed,
loose webbed, tlieir ends reaching down to or beyond the base of the toes.
Feathers of the nape and occiput lanceolate, acute and distinct, forming a nuchal
"cape" of differently-formed feathers. Third to fifth quill longest; first shorter
than seventh; outer five or six with their inner webs deeply emargiuated."

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 273

Aquila chrysaetos (Linn.).

GOLDEN EAGLE.
PLATE XVII.

Kesident; rare. I am informed by Dr. G. K. Rumsey that
a pair nested for several years in the southeastern part of Coman-
che county, on a high gypsum ledge; and, as a proof that he was
not mistaken, he says that the legs of a young bird captured were
feathered to the toes. The late rapid settlement of the county
has put a stop to their breeding there. Begin laying about the
middle of March.

B. 39. H. 449. C. 532. G. 211, 128. U. 349.

Habitat. jS^orthern portion of northern hemisphere; south to
Mexico.

Sp. Char. ^^ Adult: General plumage fuliginous black, this deepest on the
head, throat, lower surface in general, under surface of the wings, back, scapu-
lars, shoulders, secondaries, primaries and rump; middle and secondary wing
coverts, upper and lower tail coverts, tarsi and inside of tibiae considerably
paler, inclining to light umber. Lanceolate feathers of occiput and nape with
the exposed portions light fulvous, the shafts black; dusky beneath the surface.
Tail black, somewhat paler on basal half, and with about three irregular, obso-
lete zigzag bands of pale brown (on two middle feathers ashy); no concealed
white on breast. Fifth quill longest; third and fourth intermediate between
fifth and sixth; second considerably shorter than sixth; first intermediate be-
tween eighth and ninth. Young: Continuous deep sepia black, with purplish
luster; breast and scapulars with large, concealed spots of pure white; lanceolate
feathers of the 'mane' dull brown, not conspicuously different from the throat;
under surface of the primaries showing much white basally, this most extended
on inner feathers. Upper and under tail coverts more brownish than the rump,
the basal portion white. Basal half or more of tail white (more ashy on outer
feathers), distinctly defined against the broad, pure black terminal zone; tarsi
dull white, clouded with dilute brownish; inside of tibiae with feathers tipped
with white."

stretch of

Length. whig. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere.

Male 32.50 80.00 23.00 12.75 4.00 1.62 .70

Female... 35.50 86.00 25..50 14.00 4.10 1.75 .75

Iris brown; bill and claws horn blue; cere and feet greenish
yellow.

The natural home of this king of birds is witliin the mountain
regions; it is rarely met with in the eastern portion of the
United States, and is not abundant anywhere, but the most
common in the western portion of its range. In flight this
bird is not swift, but very powerful, sailing for hours without an
apparent effort, and often at a great height — a mere speck in

-18

274 HISTORY OF THE

the skj. It is gifted with extraordinaiy sight, and swoops
down upon its prey with nnerring certainty. A ferocious mon-
arch; a tiger among birds. It preys upon Grouse, Ducks, Geese,
Swans, young fawns, lambs, prairie dogs, rabbits, ground squir-
rels, etc. Some writers state that when pressed with hunger
they feed upon carrion. While I know this to be the case with
the Bald Eagle, I think this proud bird would starve rather than
feed upon a putrid carcass.

I kept one of these birds (a female) over a year in confine-
ment, feeding her chiefly upon fresh beef; if the least bit tainted
she would not touch it, neither would she eat a fresh piece ac-
cidentally dropped upon the ground from her claws. A Bald
Eagle, in an adjoining pen, would readily eat meat in any stage,
and gladly take the pieces rejected by the more noble bird. I
tried hard to subdue her, or to be at least on friendly terms, but
failed. I know that the birds have been occasionally partially
tamed, but this one was untamable, and maintained, during her
confinement, the same wild, defiant, ferocious spirit exhibited at
her capture. She was especially furious when a dog entered
the yard. I saw her pounce upon, pick up and take to her
perch a large house cat that ventured within her prison for bits
of meat. The grasp was so powerful that life was instantly
crushed out — not a struggle, and only a slight quiver of the
muscles noticable. I have often heard them scream loudly in
their mountain home, but my bird was sullen and mute.

Their nests are enormous structures of sticks, etc., usually
placed on rocky shelves of inaccessible cliffs, occasionally in
trees. May 5th, 1884, I found, at Julian, California, a nest
placed in and near the top of a tall pine tree — a huge platform
structure composed of sticks and twigs, and lined sparingly with
grass, moss, and a few feathers. Eggs two or three, 2.90x2.25;
white, occasionally unmarked, but usually spotted and blotched
with various shades of drab to reddish brown, and a few faint
purple shell markings; in form, broadly subspherical.

Genus HALI^ETUS Savigny.
"Form robust, aud organizatiou powerful, as m Aquila; size large. Bill
very large, usually somewhat inflated, the chord of the arch of the culmen more

BIIiBS OF KANSAS. 275

than twice the length of the cere on top; commissure with a more or less dis-
tinct festoon and sinuation behind it. Nostril oval, obliquely A'ertical. Feet
robust and strong, the tarsus less than one and one-half times the middle
toe; tarsus feathered in front and on the sides for about one-half its length;
front of the tarsus and top of the toes with an imperfect continuous series of
transverse scutellse, entirely interrupted in the region of the digito-tarsal joint;
the other portions covered with roundish, somewhat granular scales, these larger
on the posterior face. Claws large, strongly curved, and more obtuse, and less
graduated in size, than in Aquila. No trace of a web between outer and middle
toes. Wing very large, the primaries well developed and strong; third to fifth
quill the longest; first longer than ninth; outer five to six with inner webs
deeply emarginated. Tail variable in length and shape, usually short and
rounded, cuneate, and with twelve feathers. Feathers of the neck, all round,
lanceolate."

Haliseetus leucocephalus (Lixn).

BALD EAGLE.
PLATE XVIII.

Resident; rare; not uncommon in winter. Begin laying
about the middle of March.

B. 41, 43. R. 451. C. 5.34. G. 212, 129. U. 352.

Habitat. The whole of North America; north to Greenland,

and west across the Aleutian chain to Commander Islands,

Kamtchatka.

Sp. Char. Adult: With head and neck pure white, in abrupt contrast with
color of the body; tail coverts also white. Young: With plumage blackish,
grayish brown and white, without cinnamon brown or Isabella color. Adult:
Head, neck, tail coverts and tail entirely white; rest of plumage dusky grayish
brown, varying to brownish black (the margins of the feathers usually paler).
Immature, second or third year: Head and neck blackish, the lanceolate feath-
ers of hind neck tipped with pale brownish, all the feathers pure white beneath
the surface; upper parts mixed grayish brown and blackish, usually with more
or less admixture of whitish; tail blackish, the inner webs of feathers more or
less blotched or "spattered" with whitish; lower parts mixed white and dusky,
either color predominating, according to the individual. Young, first year:
Whole plumage nearly uniform black, the feathers of lower parts, however, with
their bases white, this more or less concealed in places, producing a somewhat
spotted or blotched appearance. Downy young: Uniform sooty gray. {Ridg-
way.)

Stretch of
Length. wing-. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere.

Male 82.00 79.00 22.00 11.50 3.40 2.18 .80

Female... 35.25 84.50 24.00 12.75 8.50 2.22 .90

Iris grayish white, tinged with yellow; bill and cere light yel-
low; legs and feet brownish to lemon yellow.

This national bird is quite common along the seacoast and

276 HISTORY OF THE

rivers within the United States, and northward. In build and
habits it is closely allied to the Buteo family, and has none of
the daring dash of the Accipiter or Falcon tribes, and lacks the
courage of the Golden Eagle, If the founders of our nation
had known the habits of this scavenger and piratical bird, they
would never have selected it as a symbol, but, rather, the bold,
self-reliant Golden Eagle. In the air, it is indeed a graceful and
magnificent bird, and with its powerful build and proud appear-
ance, the}^ were naturally led to look upon it as the embodiment
of courage and perfection. Kespecting the habits of the Bald
Eagle, Dr. Brewer says:

"The Bald Eagle appears to be equally well adapted by
nature for the endurance of heat or cold, and is apparently in-
different to either. Its residence is influenced only by its abund-
ance of food, especially that of fish; and seems to matter very
little whether that plenty is procurable within the Arctic circle,
or on the coast and rivers of Florida and Texas. In places like
the falls of Niagara, where the stream is ever liable to contrib-
ute the remains of animals destroyed by the descent of the tor-
rent, this Eagle is especially abundant. Unscrupulous, greedy,
voracious, not select in its choice of food, and capable of pro-
viding for itself when necessity compels, we find this not alto-
gether unsuitable emblem of our country now enacting the tyrant
and robber, and plundering the Fish Hawk of the fruits of its
industry, now sharing with the Raven and the Yulture the dead
salmon of the Columbia, and in other places diving for and
catching its own fish. The impetuosity and skill with which it
pursues, overtakes and robs the Fish Hawk, bearing off a fish it
has just taken, must be witnessed to be appreciated; and the
swiftness with which the Eagle can dart down upon and seize
the booty, which the Hawk has been compelled to let fall, be-
fore it reaches the water, is not the least wonderful feature of
this striking performance. On the banks of the Columbia,
where there are no Fish Hawks to depend upon, this bird finds
an easy subsistence on the vast numbers of dead and dying sal-
mon which abound."

While these birds are rather indolent, and prefer to be rob-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 277

bers rather than self-sustaining, they do not lack -in courage nor
in ability to capture their prey. I have, on several occasions,
seen them plunge for and catch fish that were swimming near
the surface of the water; they also readily kill Ducks, Geese,
lambs, little pigs, etc. They are easily tamed. One that I had
in confinement for a long time, became not only familiar, but ap-
peared to be greatly attached to me, and would recognize me at a
long distance, calling loudly, and on my near approach, with quiv-
ering wings, and in various ways, expressed joy, keeping up a soft,
whistling note — that was at times quite musical — until I reached
her. She loved to be petted; would rub her head against my
face, and allow me to lift her from the perch; a rather rough
playmate, that often tore my clothes in attempting to alight upon
my shoulder, but not intentionally, and never appeared to be
angry with me, but would not allow strangers to toucli her.

Their nests are usually placed on high trees, along the banks
of streams, but occasionally, where trees are not convenient,
built on high, rocky cliffs; a huge platform structure, made of
large sticks, and lined with twigs, grasses, and a few feathers.
Eggs usually two, sometimes as high as four; average measure-
ments, as given by others, about 2.90x2.30; but two, that I col-
lected atNeahBay, Washington, only measure: 2.50x1.95, 2.60
x2.00; dull white, unmarked; inform, rounded oval.

Subfamily FALCONING. Falcons.
Nostril small, circular, with a conspicuous central bony tubercle, or else uar^
row, obliquely vertical, with the upper end the posterior one. {Bidgway.)

Genus FALCO Linnaeus.
"Bill strong, its breadth at the base equaling or exceeding its height; upper
outline of cere on a level with, or rather lower than, the base of the culmen;
gonys much arched, the chord of the arch equaling about half that of the cul-
men. Near the tip of the upper mandible is a prominent tooth on the commis-
sure, and near the end of the lower mandible, which is truncated, is a deep
notch corresponding; the eud of the upper mandible is compressed, giving the
situation of the tooth an inflated appearance when viewed from above. Nostrils
circular, with a conspicuous central tubercle. Orbital region bare; projecting
superciliary shield conspicuous, arched, but not very prominent. Tail shorter
than wing, the feathers hard and stiff. Primaries very strong, elongated, taper-
ing rapidly toward their points; only the first or first and second with their
inner webs emarginated, the cutting being angular, and near the end of the

278 HISTORY OF THE

quill. Tarsus never with a single series of transverse scutellse either in front
or behind; middle toe very long."

Subgenus HIEROFALCO Cuvier.
"One primary only with inner web emarginated; lirst to second longest;
first longer than fourth. Tarsus longer than middle toe, and feathered far be-
low the knee; first quill shorter than third. Coloration of the sexes alike; old
and young slightly difi'erent in pattern and tints. Size large."

Falco rusticolus Linn.

GRAY GYRFALCON.

An accidental winter visitant; captured near Manhattan, De-
cember 1st, 1880, by A. L. Riinyan, and reported to me by Dr.
C. P. Blachly, who has the bird (a fine specimen) in his collec-
tion.

B. 13. R. 412rt. C. 500. G. 190, 130. U. 3.54.

Habitat. Northern North America, including Iceland, and
southern Greenland; south in winter to the northern borders of
the United States, also extrenie northern portion of Europe (ex-
cept Scandinavia) and Asia.

Sp. Char. Lower tail coverts always more or less marked with dusky; up-
per parts with little, if any, white (except sometimes on top of head and hind-
neck). Adult with upper parts banded with dusky and bluish gray (sometimes
uniform dusky anteriorly), the flauks and thighs barred, banded or transversely
spotted with dusky. Young without transverse bars on upper parts (except
sometimes on tail), and lower parts with all the markings longitudinal. Lighter
colored: Top of head much streaked with white, often with white prevailing,
the lighter tail bands usually whitish and nearly as broad as the darker inter-
spaces. Adult: With anterior upper parts everywhere more or less distinctly
barred with very pale grayish, grayish white or buffy whitish, these lighter bars
sometimes nearly equal in width to the darker ones; darker and lighter bands
on tail usually very sharply contrasted, the former often slate gray, the latter
pale ash gray or dull whitish; flanks and thiglis never very heavily banded or
spotted with slaty, but always more or less marked with this color. Young:
Dark stripes of lower parts usually decidedly narrower than white interspaces;
upper parts in general usually much, spotted with whitish or light bufi'y, in ad-
dition to the lighter margins (often conspicuous) to the feathers; outer webs of
quills more or less distinctly spotted with whitish toward base. Male: Length,
about 20.00 to 21.00; wing, 13.40 to 15.00 (14;i0); tail, 8.00 to 9..30 (8.51); cul-
men, .88 to .98 (.90); tarsus, 2.10 to 2.65 (2.40); middle toe, 1.80 to 2.20 (1.96).
Female: Length, about 22.00 to 24.50; wing, 15.25 to 16.50 (15.76); tail, 9.10 to
10.50 (9.72); culmen, .95 to 1.10 (1.01); tarsus, 2.30 to 2.60 (2.46); middle toe,
1.98 to 2.15 (2.08). Eggs, 2.37x1.72. {Rklgicay.)

I have never had the pleasure of meeting with this large,
handsome species. In flight they are said to be even swifter

BIBDIS OF KANSAS. 279

than the Duck Hawk, and for courage and dash thej stand pre-
eminently at the head of the birds of prey. Thej are not un-
common throughout their northern range. Mr. E. W. Nelson
says:

"Throughout all Alaska, from the Aleutian Islands north,
both along the coast and through the interior, extending from
Behring Straits across the northern portion of British America,
the present Falcon is the commonest bird of prey. It was ob-
served by Murdock, at Point Barrow, though it was not com-
mon. It frequents the vicinity of cliffs and rocky points about
the seacoast, or the rocky ravines of the interior, during the
breeding season, and the remainder of the year, especially in
fall, it is found wandering over the country everywhere that
food can be obtained; it is especially numerous during the mi-
gration of the Ptarmigan along the seacoast.

"In Greenland, Holboll found the young moulting through-
out the winter; but none of my winter specimens show signs
of moulting, and the young specimens in ray collection, taken in
April and May, still in a striped condition, show no signs of
change. MacFarlane found numerous nests of this bird on the
Anderson River, nearly all of which were placed in trees, and
the eggs were laid in May, the earliest being upon the 10th.
Along the seacoast, in the vicinity of St. Michael's, it breeds
rarely, choosing rocky cliffs facing the sea. Along the Lower
Yukon and Kuskoquira Rivers, in winter, it is numerous, and
finds an abundance of Ptarmigan, upon which it preys. At this
season it is frequently seen perching on a stout branch of a tree
overhanging the river bank, and I have seen it, on several oc-
casions, allow a train of dog sledges to pass within forty to fifty
yards, only noticing their presence by slowly turning its head.
It was seen in the vicinity of Behring Straits and around the
shore of Norton Sound, during the cruise of the Corwin, in the
summer of 1881, as also upon the northeast shore of Siberia,
in the vicinity of East Cape and Plover Bay. Swinhoe records
specimens of this bird from Pekin, China, and it also occurs in
the Kurile Islands. At St. Michael's, on May 1st, 1881, a speci-
men of this bird was brought me by a native w'oman, w^ho had

280 HISTORY OF TUB

taken it from one of her Ptarmigan snares, wliere it was caught
just after having robbed another snare of a Ptarmigan. The
iris of a specimen, taken on October 6th, 1880, was dark hazel,
and the large scales on the upper surface of the feet and tarsus
were a greenish yellow, the rest of the feet and tarsus being
livid greenish; the bill was horn blue. Another specimen, ta-
ken October 12th, had the cere, like the tarsus, livid bluish
green; the bill was dark horn color at the tip and bluish green
at the base."

Their nests are placed upon rocky cliflfs, also in tall trees;
they are quite bulky, and composed of sticks and withered twigs,
and lined with mosses, grasses and other soft substances. Eggs
two to three; 2.27x1.76; ground color a dirty yellowish white,
sprinkled, spotted and blotched with varying shades of brown;
some sparingly marked, others thickly, so as to obscure the
ground color; in form, rounded oval.

Falco mexicanus Schleg.

PRAIRIE FALCON.
PLATE XVIII.

Resident; rare in the eastern, but not uncommon in the west-
ern parts of the State.

B. 10. R. 413. C. 502. G. 191, 131. U. 355.

Habitat. Western United States; east to the eastern borders

of the Great Plains (occasionally to Illinois); south into Mexico.

Sp. Chak. Top of head grayish brown, streaked with dusky, outer webs of
tail feathers without distinct lighter spots (usually quite plain), and outer webs
or quills without trace of spots; secondaries with lighter spots on outer webs
luider parts and uuciial collar white, the flanks heavily spotted or blotched with
dusky, the under tail coverts sparsely spotted with same. Adult male: Above,
l)ale grayish brown (usually tinged more or less with rusty), indistinctly but
broadly barred with pale clay color or dark grayish buffy anteriorly and pale
bluish gray posteriorly. Adult {?) female: Above grayish brown, without dis-
tinct or well-defined lighter bars, but feathers margined with pale rusty brown
or dull whitish, both the ground colors and these edgings paler on ])osterior por-
tions; tail tipped with butfy whitish, the feathers edged with a paler tint of the
ground color. Young (both sexes): Above grayish brown, the feathers distinctly
margined with light rusty; lower parts pale buffy or buffy wliitish, with broader
dusky streaks, the dusky flank patch larger and more uniform than in the adult,
and the axillars unbroken dusky. Young, in first summer: Similar to the pre-
ceding stage, but color above darker, with rusty margins to feathers more dis-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 281

tinct, the ground color of the lower parts light ochraceous or creamy buff;
{Ridgway.)

stretch of
Length. wing: Wing: Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere.

Male 17.00 39.50 12.00 7.25 2.00 ,70 .22

Female... 18.50 43.00 13.50 8.20 2.10 .85 ,22

Iris browii; bill horn blue, with base of lower yellow; legs,
feet and lores yellow; claws black.

This species inhabits the open prairies. A brave dashing
bird, that in spirit is unsurpassed, except it be by the Gyrfalcons.
It is rather wild and solitary. In flight it progresses swiftly, by
quick, powerful strokes of its wings; often stopping in itf flight
to hover as it sights its prey beneath, descending upon the same
with partially-closed wings, swift as an arrow; or gives chase,
turning and tacking easily and with a speed that the swiftest of
flyers cannot escape. The birds are often seen perched upon a
knoll, lone tree, or telegraph pole. In alighting upon any high
object, they swoop down nearly to the ground, and then grace-
fully ascend to the top or desired height. They often attack
game much larger than themselves, killing with ease jack rab-
bits. Ducks, Prairie Hens, etc. They are very destructive to
the smaller birds, especially those that go in flocks. I saw one
dart from a telegraph pole into a flock of chestnut-colored Long-
spurs, and knock down four of the birds at a single dash, killing
three and winging the other. (As he returned to pick up the
slain, I dropped him beside them.) They also feed largely
upon ground squirrels, mice, lizards, etc.

Their nests are usually placed on the sides of steep, rocky
cliffs, made rudely of sticks and lined with grasses. Eggs two
to five. In Capt. B. F, Goss's collection are two eggs taken
April 28th, 1880, at JVIarysville, Mo., from a nest in a tree, thirty-
five feet from the ground; notes fail to show whether the nest
was in the forks of the branches or in a hole in the tree, but
doubtless in the latter, as the habits of these birds are similar to
F. peregrinus anatum; dimensions of the eggs, 2.05x1.70, 2.12
xl.65; grayish white, spotted and blotched with various shades
of reddish brown, running together so as to obscure the ground
color of one of the eggs, and partially of the other; in form,
rounded oval.

282 HIS TOBY OF THE

Subgenus RHYNCHODON Nitzsch.

Tarsus not decidedly longer than middle toe without claw, often shorter;
first quill longer than third; first and second quills equal and longest; second
with inner web slightly sinuated near tip; adult and young very different in
color, the latter with stripes Instead of bars beneath, and without bars on upper
parts. (Bidgway.)

Falco peregrinus anatum (Bona p.).

DUCK HAWK.
PLATE XVIII.

Resident; not uncommon in the eastern part of the State.
Begi§ laying early in March.

B. 5, 6. R. 414. C. 503. G. 192, 132. U. 3.56.

Habitat. The whole of America, south as far at least as

Chili; eastern Asia.

Sp. CriAK. ^^Adult: Upper parts dark bluish plumbeous, approaching black
anteriorly, but on rump and upper tail coverts becoming fine bluish plumbeous
ash. On the head and neck the continuous plumbeous black covers all the for-
mer except the chin and throat, and the back portion of the latter; an invasion
or indentation of the white of the lower parts up behind the ear coverts separ-
ating that of the cheeks from the posterior black, throwing the former into a
prominent angular patch; forehead and lores grayish. All the feathers above
(posterior to the nape) with transverse bars of plumbeous black, these most
sharply defined posteriorly, where the plumbeous is lightest. Tail black, more
plumbeous basally, very faintly paler at the tip, and showing ten or eleven
transverse narrow bands of plumbeous, these most distinct anteriorly; the bars
are clearest on inner webs. Alula, primary and secondary coverts, secondaries
and primaries, uniform plumbeous black, narrowly whitish on terminal margin,
most observable on secondary and inner primaries. Lower parts white, tinged
with delicate cream color, the deepest on the abdomen; sides and tibia tinged
with bluish. Chin, throat and jugulum immaculate; the breast, however, with
faint longitudinal shaft streaks of black; sides, flanks and tibite distinctly barred
transversely with black, about four bars being on each feather; on the lower
tail coverts they are narrower and more distant; on the abdomen the markings
are in the form of circular spots; anal region barred transversely. Lining of
the wing (including all the under coverts) white tinged with blue, and barred
like the sides; under surface of primaries slaty, with elliptical spots or bars of
creamy white on inner webs, twelve on the longest. Young: Above plumbeous
black, tail more slaty. Every feather broadly bordered terminally with dull
cinnamon; these crescentic bars becoming gradually bordered posteriorly, nar-
rower and more obsolete on the head above. Tail distinctly tipped with pale
cinnamon, the inner webs of feathers with obsolete transverse spots of the same,
these touching neither the edge nor the shaft; scarcely apparent indications of
corresponding spots on outer webs. Region round the eye and broad 'mus-
tache' across the cheeks pure black, the latter more conspicuous than in the
older stages, being cut off posteriorly by the extension of the cream color of the

stretch of
zving.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Cere,

41.00

13.25

6.50

1.85

.90

.30

43.50

14.50

7.50

1.90

.95

.30

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 283

neck uearly to the eye. A broad stripe of pale ochraceous running from above
the ear coverts back to the occiput, where the two of opposite sides nearly meet.
Lower parts purplish cream color, or rosy ochraceous white, deepest posteriorly;
jugulum, breast, sides, flanks and tibiae with longitudinal stripes of plumbeous
black, these broadest on flanks and abdomen, and somewhat sagittate on the
tibise; lower tail coverts with distant transverse bars. Lining of the wing like
the sides, but the markings more transverse; inner web of longest primary with
nine transverse purplish ochre spots. Basal half of bill pale bluish white, cere
rather darker; terminal half (rather abruptly) slate color, the tip deepening into
black; iris very dark vivid vandyke brown; naked orbital space pale bluish
white, with a slight greenish tint; tarsi and toes lemon yellow, with a slight
green cast; claws jet black."

Length.

Male 17.50

Female... 19.73

Iris brown; bill horn blue, light green at base; cere and eye-
lids greenish yellow; legs and feet lemon yellow; claws black.

This widely-distributed species inhabits the timbered lands
along the streams and ponds of water. In actions and general
make-up, they are very similar to the Prairie Falcon, and are, I
think, fully as swift and fearless, but more easily tamed, and, for
this reason, a great favorite in the chivalrous days of falconry.
I have had a very good opportunity to observe the birds in the
Neosho valley, Kansas, where, for several years, I found them
breeding. I have often seen them strike down, with ease, the
swiftest of Ducks — the Wood Duck a favorite. Blackbirds
also fall an easy prey, sometimes two or three out of a flock being
killed at a single dash. They are very noisy while mating, but
silent during incubation, the pair sharing alike in the duties of
hatching and rearing their young. The males, as far as noticed,
sit upon the eggs in the fore part of the day, the females during
the latter part of each day, each, while off duty, occasionally
feeding the other, but putting in a good share of the time as
sentinels, perched upon a favorite dead limb near the nest,
ready to give the alarm in case of approaching danger. At
such times they scold rapidly, and manifest great anxiety and
fear, circling overhead, occasionally alighting, and taking good
care to keep out of reach. The fear of man is not without
cause, for onr hunters never loose an opportunity to shoot at

284 HISTORY OF THE

them, knowing how destructive they are to the water fowls found
in the sloughs along the river bottoms.

They nest in natural cavities in trees and on the sides of rocky
cliffs. Nest without lining. Eggs three or four, 2.25x1.70;
grayish ochre, spotted and blotched with reddish and dark choco-
late brown, running somewhat together, thickest about larger
end; in form, subspherical to rounded oval.

Subgenus ^SALON Kaup.

Two outer quills with inner webs emarginated near tips; first quill shorter
than fourtli. Tarsus not decidedly longer than middle toe; basal segment of
toes covered with small hexagonal or roundish scales. Adult males: Bluish
gray above, with blackish shaft streaks; hindneck spotted or mixed with whitish
and buffy or ochraceous; quills dusky; tail crossed by a greater or less number
of blackish bands, and tipped with whitish; lower parts whitish, buffy or light
rusty, striped with brownish or dusky. Adult females: Brownish above, the tail
usually with a greater or less number of lighter (usually narrow) bauds; top of
head streaked with blackish, and feathers of back and rump with shaft streaks
of the same; lower parts umeh as in the male, but without rusty tinge. Toung
{both sexes): Much like adult female, but darker, or else much tinged above with
ochraceous or rusty. {Ridgway.)

Falco columbarius Linn.

PIGEON HAWK.
PLATE XVni.

Migratory; rare. Arrive in October; leave, usually, by the
first of April. I have a male in the ' ' Goss Ornithological Col-
lection" that I shot at Neosho Falls, June 10th, 1878.

B. 7. K. 417. C. 505. G. 193, 133. U. 357.

Habitat. The whole of North America; breeding chiefly

north of the United States; south in winter to the West Indies

and northern South America.

Sp. Char. "■Adult male: Above, cinereous, varying in shade, but generally
of a slaty bluish cast; each feather with a distinct shaft streak of black, these
lines most conspicuous on the head above. Tail with a very broad subterminal
band of black, about an inch in width; there are indications of three other
bands, their continuity and distinction varying with the individual, but gener-
ally quite conspicuous, and each about half the width of the terminal one; the
subterminal black baud is succeeded by a terminal one of white, of about three-
sixteenths of an inch in width, sometimes broader; on the lateral feathers the
black bands are always conspicuous, being in form of transvei'se oblong spots,
crossing the shaft, but less extended on the outer web, which is often immacu-
late except at the eud, the broad termiual baud always extending to the edge of

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 285

the feathers. Primaries dusky black, mavKined termiually more or less dis-
tinctly with whitish (sometimes fading on the edge only); on the inner web is
a series of about eight transverse oval spots of white, and generally corre-
sponding to these are indications of bluish ashy spots on the outer web. Be-
neath white, this purest on the throat, which is immaculate; there is generally
a more or less strong tinge of fulvous beneath, this always prevalent on the
tibiae, and on a distinct collar extending round the nape, interrupting the blue
above; the tibire frequently incline to ochraceous rufous. Lateral portions of
the head with fine streaks of dusky, these thickest on upper edge of the ear
coverts, leaving a distinct whitish superciliary streak, those of opposite sides
meeting on the forehead. Breast, upper part of the abdomen, sides and flanks
with longitudinal stripes of umber, each with a shaft streak of black; on the
flanks their shape is modified, here taking the form of spots running in chain-
like series; tibice with narrower and darker streaks; lower tail coverts with nar-
row central streaks like those on the tibise. Frequently there is a strong bluish
shade on flanks and lower tail coverts, sometimes replacing the brown of the
spots on former, and clouding in similar form the latter. Adult female: Pat-
tern of coloration as in the male, but the colors difi^ereut. The blue above re-
placed by dark umber brown with a plumbeous cast, and showing more or
less distinct darker shaft lines; these on the head above very broad, giving a
streaked appearance; white spots on inner webs of primaries more ochraceous
than in the male. Tail dark plumbeous brown, shadijig into blackish toward
end, with five rather narrow ochraceous or soiled white bars, the first of which
is concealed by the upper coverts, the last terminal. White beneath, less tinged
with reddish than in the male, the tibiae not different from the other portions-
markings beneath as in the male. Toung: Above, plumbeous brown, tinged
with fulvous on head, and more or less washed with the same on the rump; fre-
quently the feathers of the back, rump, scapulars and wings pass into a reddish
tinge at the edge; this color is, however, always prevalent on the head, which
is conspicuously streaked with dusky. Tail plumbeous dusky, darker termin-
ally, with five regular light bars, those toward the base ashy; as they approach
the end becoming more ochraceous; these bars are more continuous and regular
thau in the adult female, and are even conspicuous on the middle feathers
Primaries dusky, passing on edge (terminally) into lighter; spots on the inner
webs broader than in the female, and pinkish ochre; outer webs with less con-
spicuous corresponding spots of the same. Beneath soft ochraceous; spots as
m adtilt female, but less sharply defined; tibiae not darker than abdomen."

Length.

Male 11.00

Female... 12.50

Iris dark brown; bill black, blue at base; cere and eyelids
greenish yellow; legs and feet yellow; claws black.

This spirited little Hawk is one of the most common birds of
prey within its northern range. It feeds chiefly upon small
birds, but often attacks birds much larger than itself (killing

stretch of

rving.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Cere.

23.50

7.60

4.70

1.35

.50

.15

26.00

8.50

5.75

1.40

.55

.20

286 HIS TOBY OF THE

readily the Passenger Pigeon, one of the swiftest of birds). It
seldom watches from a perch, or hovers in tlie air as it sights
its prey, but as a rule darts rapidly through the thickets, and
over the open grounds, giving chase to the birds startled in its
course. It also feeds on squirrels, mice, etc. In flight, like
others of the Falcon family, it strikes rapidly with its wings,
never sailing except for a short distance.

In tlie month of July, 1880, I found several of their nests on
the Magdalen Islands, containing from two to four young birds,
nearly full grown. The nests were placed in fir trees, upon
branches near the body of the tree, and about thirty feet from
the ground. They were made of sticks and twigs, and lined
with grasses and a few feathers; they were rather large for the
birds and had the appearance of being old, deserted nests of the
common Crow, The birds are also said to nest in holes in trees
and cavities in rocks. Eggs two to four, 1.56x1.23; ground
color creamy white, speckled, spotted and blotched with vary-
ing shades of raw umber to rusty brown, thickest around the
larger end; in form, rather oval. A set of two eggs, collected
May 26th, 1882, at Helena, Montana, measure only, 1.50x1.21,
1.52x1.20.

Falco richardsonii Ridgw.

RICHARDSON'S MERLIN.
PLATE XIX.

A rare visitant in the eastern, not common in the western,
part of the State.

B. . E. 418. C. 507. G. 194, 134. U. 358.

Habitat. Interior of North America, from the Mississippi
River to the Pacific coast, and from the Arctic regions to Texas
and Arizona, probably into Mexico.

Sp. Chak. Middle tail feathers crossed by (all together) five darker and six
lighter bands; outer webs of quills distinctly spotted with light grayish in adult
male, and buffy or ochraceous in adult female and young, and general plumage
paler. Adult male: Above, pale bluish gray (top of head usually more or less
tinged with light rusty or ochraceous) ; tail crossed on middle feathers by five
blackish and six light bluish gray (or five bluish gray and one white terminal)
bands, the lighter ones often clouded or mixed with white; outer webs of quills
distinctly spotted with light grayish. Adult female: Above, rather light earthy
brown, more or less distinctly barred or transversely spotted with a lighter shade;

2 9-

§ 5

O „^

?F/«i-

Tail.

Ta rsus.

Bill.

Cere.

7.50

5.00

1.30

.50

.18

8.75

6.00

1.40

..55

.20

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 287

tail crossed ou middle featliers by six very distinct and entirely continuous nar-
row bands of buffy whitish; secondaries distinctly banded with ochraceous, and
outer webs of quills distinctly spotted with a lighter tint of the same. Young
{both sexes): Similar to adult female, but more decidedly buffy below, and upper
parts more or less tinged with rusty. {Ridr/way.)

A pair in the "Goss Ornithological Collection" are, in dimen-
sions:

stretch of
Length. wing.

Male 11.20 23.50

Female... 13.00 26.00

Iris dark brown; bill horn blue, greenish at base; cere, legs
and feet greenish to light lemon yellow; claws black.

This species, in habits and actions, is not noticeably different
from the Pigeon Hawk, except that it prefers the more open
grounds and prairies for its home. It flies with great ease and
celerity, catching the bird it selects for its prey in a fair chase,
following it ia all its hopeless windings and turns. It also feeds
largely upon the grasshoppers and lizards of the plains.

I have met with this bird in the mountains of Colorado dur-
ing the breeding season, but failed to find them nesting, neither
can I find any description of their nesting habits (presumably
the same as the Pigeon Hawk). Mr. Kidgway, in his ' ' Manual, ' '
says: "Eggs (single specimen), 1.52x1.22; buffy white, hand-
somely marbled and irregularly spotted with madder brown. ' '

Subgenus TINNUNCULUS Vieillot.

"Two primaries with inner webs emarginated; first shorter than fourth.

"Coloration of the sexes very different in pattern and tints at all ages; old
and young alike. Scutellse of the toes and tarsus interrupted at the digito-tarsal
joint; tarsus much longer than middle toe. Bill small, the cere on top less than
one-fourth the culmeu."

Falco sparverius Lixn.

AMERICAN SPARROW HAWK.
PLATE XIX.

Kesident; abundant. Begin laying the first of April.

B. 13. R. 420, 420a. C. 508, 509. G. 195, 135. U. 360.

Habitat. The whole of temperate North America; south in
winter to northern South America.

Sp. Char. "■Adult male: Forehead, lateral and posterior regions of the ver-
tex, occiput and wings, bluish ash. Vertex, nape, scapulars, interscapulars,

288 HISTORY OF THE

rump, upper tail coverts and tail, fine cinnamon rufous; scapulars and back
barred with black, the bars broadest and most conspicuous posteriorly. Tail
tipped with white, and with a broad, sharply-defined subterminal zone of black,
about one inch in width; lateral feathers with outer web, and terminal half of
inner, ashy white, the latter with one or two distinct transverse spots anterior
to the subterminal one; wing coverts with more or less conspicuous cordate spots
of black, rather sparsely distributed; basal two-thirds of secondaries and whole
of primaries deep black; the latter whitish around the terminal margin, and
with nine transverse bands of white on inner web of longest (second), the white
rather exceeding the black, the points of which do not reach the edge of the
feather; lining of the wing white, with conspicuous cordate spots of black;
front and superciliary region more hoary than the forehead, almost approaching
white; whole lateral region of the head, with chin, throat and lower parts,
white; the neck, breast and sides, however, with a deep tinge of ochraceous,
the tint hardly approaching the depth of color seen on the nape; on the head
there are (considering both sides) seven black spots; the first originating in
front of the bare ante-orbital space (leaving the lores white), and extending in
a stripe downward aci'oss the maxillae, forming a conspicuous 'mustache;' the
second crosses the tips of the ear coverts, in form of an oblong transverse spot;
the third is smaller, situated as far behind the last as this, and is posterior to
the 'mustache,' crossing the sides of the neck; the last is an odd nuchal spot
separating the ash of the occiput from the rufous of the nape; breast and sides
with circular or cordate spots of pure black, these varying in size, but generally
larger on the sides; other lower parts immaculate. Adult female: Blue above
confined to the head, which shows the rufous patch as in the male; entire up-
per parts rufous, lighter and less purplish than the male, everywhere barred
with black; tail with twelve sharply-defined narrow bars of black; the sub-
terminal broadest, and about three-eighths of an inch in width; longest pri-
mary with eleven transverse spaces of pale rufous nearly twice as wide as the
dusky ones, which scarcely touch the edge; beneath yellowish white, paler than
in the male, breast and sides with rasty longitudinal spots; head as in the male.
Young male: Exactly like the adult male, but with the rufous darker, approach-
ing to chestnut; spots beneath inclining to a tear-shaped form, and, though
more numerous, are not so well defined as in the adult; also rufescent tinge be-
neath more general; blue of the wings with scarcely any spots; white terminal
band of tail tinged with rufous; sometimes the two or three outer feathers are
clouded with ash, and possess indication of bars, formed of irregular black spots.
Young female: Generally like the adult, but with rufous above darker, approach-
ing ferruginous; the bars everywhere broader, and purer black; rufous vertical
patch streaked centrally with black; spots beneath larger, darker, approaching
reddish umber."

Length.

Male 10.35

Female... 11.40

Iris brown; cere, edges of eyelids and lips orange; bill light
blue; legs and feet yellow; claws black.

stretch of
•wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Cere.

22.15

7.25

5.10

1.35

.40

.15

23.00

7.55

6.50

1.40

.45

.20

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 289

These little beauties are not as active or destructive as others
of the Falcon tribe. Their flights are usually short and irregu-
lar, darting here and there, often hovering in a suspended man-
ner for several moments at a time. During the summer months
they occasionally kill the little birds, but feed chiefly upon mice,
lizards, grasshoppers, crickets, etc., as they are so much easier
to capture than the full-grown birds, and to which tliey rarely
turn their attention, until the cold weather drives the other forms
of life, upon which they so largely feed, into their winter beds.
The bird that suffers most outside of the Horned Larks and
Longspurs, is the Tree Sparrow, as it prefers the hedges and
sniall thickets upon the prairies, instead of the wooded lands,
for its sheltered horne; its food in all such cases being upon the
open lands, and whenever there is any snow upon the ground,
it drifts against the hedges, and forces the little birds to seek
the bare spots, quite a distance away, for the seeds on or fallen
from the weeds. Here it is that the Hawks successfully get in
their work, by darting from a perch and striking the Sparrow,
either upon the ground or before it can reach its hiding place.

Their nests are placed in large Woodpecker holes, and natu-
ral cavities in trees, usually without lining; occasionally a few
leaves or mosses. Eggs four to six, 1.33x1.12; buffy white,
speckled, spotted and blotched with light and dark brown — the
markings vary greatly in size and number, often confluent, and
so thick around the larger end as to obscure the ground color;
in form, rounded oval.

Subfamily PANDIONIN^. Ospreys.
"Outer toe reversible, aud plumage -without aftershafts."

Genus PANDION Savigny.
"Bill inflated, the cere depressed below the arched culmen; end of bill much
developed, forming a strong, pendent hook. Anterior edge of nostril touching
edge of cere. Whole of tarsus and toes (except terminal joint) covered with
rough, somewhat imbricated, projecting scales. Outer toe versatile; all the
claws of equal length. In their shape also they are peculiar; they contract in
thickness to their lower side, where they are much narrower than on top, as
well as perfectly smooth aud rounded; the middle claw has the usual sharp lat-
eral ridge, but it is not very distinct. All the toes perfectly free. Tibiae not

plumed, but covei'ed compactly with short feathers, these reaching down the
—19

290 UISTORY OF THE

frout of the tarsus below the kuee, and terminating in an angle. Primary cov-
erts hard, stiff, and acuminate, almost so as the quills themselves; third quill
longest; first longer than fifth; second, third and fourth sinuated on outer webs;
outer three deeply emargiuated, the fourth sinuated, on inner webs."

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis (Gmel.),

AMERICAN OSPREY.
PLATE XIX.

Summer resident; not uncommon. Arrive the first of April;
begin laying the last of April; leave in October.

B. 44. R. 425. C. 530. G. 196, 136. U. 864.

Habitat. North America in general, from Hudson's Bay

and Alaska; south into South America.

Sp. Char. Adult male: Above, plain dusky grayish brown, the tail more
grayish, narrowly tipped with white, and crossed by about six or seven narrow
bands of dusky; head, neck and entire lower parts pure white, the chest some-
times slightly blotched or spotted with brown, but usually immaculate; sides of
head with a dusky stripe from lores across ear coverts, and top of head usually
more or less marked with dusky. Adult female: Similar to the male, but chest
much more heavily spotted or blotched with brown (never immaculate). Young:
Above, blackish brown, each feather distinctly bordered terminally with white
or buffy; otherwise like adult, the sexes differing in the same manner. Doiony
young: Dull sooty grayish or dusky above, more or less mixed or tinged with
rusty or fulvous, relieved by a broad whitish stripe down middle of back and
rump; a dusky stripe on sides of head, and three others on top of head, sepa-
rated by whitish stripes; hinder portion of wing whitish, anterior portion dusky;
lower parts dull whitish, the chest brownish or dusky. {Ridgicay.)

stretch of

Length.

7Vi>lg.

U'ing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

BUI.

Cere.

Male

. 22.25

63.00

18.50

S.25

2.10

1.25

,30

Female . .

. 24.00

66.50

20.00

9.50

2.20

1.35

.30

Iris yellow; bill, cere and claws bluish black; legs and feet
pale blue, sometimes with a greenish hue.

This widely-distributed species is quite common along the
seacoasts and shores of inland waters, but is never met with
far away, except during migration, as it wholly feeds upon fish,
which it swoops down upon and captures at or near the surface
of the water, never feeding upon the dead fish that wash up on
the shores, nor will it stoop to pick up one accidentally dropped
from its talons. A peaceably-disposed bird, that does not harm
or disturb other birds, and the little ones appear to look upon
it as a friend. As evidence of this, they are often to be seen

BIRDS OF KANSAS. Q91

perched beside tliem, and the Purple Grackle occasionally build
their nests in the interstices of the outer sticks that lay the foun-
dation of the Osprey's nest, and there hatch and rear their
young in safety.

The birds are quite social in habits, often assembling in
small flocks, and at such times I have seen them attack and drive
aveay from their fishing grounds the Bald Eagle, that occa-
sionally robs them of their prey. Wilson gives the following
interesting description of their flights and flshing habits:

"The flight of the Fish Hawk (American Osprey), his ma-
noeuvers while in search of fish, and his manner of seizing his
prey, are deserving of particular notice. In leaving the nest
he usually flies direct till he comes to the sea, then sails around
in easy, curving lines, turning sometimes in the air as on a pivot,
apparently without the least exertion, rarely moving his wings,
his legs extended in a straight line behind, and his remarkable
length and curvature, or bend of wing, distinguishing him from
all other Hawks. The height at which he thus elegantly glides
is various, from one hundred to one hundred and fifty and two
hundred feet, sometimes much higher, all the while calmlv
reconnoitering the face of the deep below. Suddenly he is
seen to check his course, as if struck by a particular object,
which he seems to survey for a few moments with such steadi-
ness that he appears fixed in the air, flapping his wings. This
object, however, he abandons, or rather the fish he had in his
eye has disappeared, and he is again seen sailing around as
before. Now his attention is again arrested, and he descends
with great rapidity, but ere he reaches the surface shoots off on
another course, as if ashamed that a second victim has escaped
him. He now sails at a short height above the surface, and by
a zigzag descent, and, without seeming to dip his feet in the
water, seizes a fish, which, after carrying a short distance, he
probably drops, or yields up to the Bald Eagle, and again
ascends by easy spiral circles to the higher regions of air, where
he glides about in all the ease and majesty of his species. At
once, from this sublime aerial height, he descends like a perpen-
dicular torrent, plunging into the sea with a loud, rushing sound,

292 HISTORY OF THE

and with the certainty of a rifle. In a few moments he emerges,
bearing in his chiws his struggling prey, which he always car-
ries head foremost, and, having risen a few feet above the sur-
face, shakes himself as a water spaniel would do, and directs
his heavy, laborious course directly for the land."

Then- nests are placed in the tops of trees along the banks
and old channels of the rivers; are huge structures, made of
large sticks interwoven with cornstalks and weeds, and lined
with grasses. Eggs two to four, 2.50x1.75; buff white, spotted
and blotched with umber and reddish brown running together,
thickest at larger end; also a few markings of lilac; in form,
elliptical.

SuBOEDER STRIGES. Owls.

Eyes directed forward, surrounded by disks of radiating feathers; cere con-
cealed by loral and frontal, bristle-like feathers; outer toe reversible. (Ridgway.)

Family STRIGID-31. Bakn Owls.

Inner toe as long as middle toe; inner edge of middle claw pectinated; feath-
ers on hinder part of tarsus recurved or pointed upward; first quill longer than
third, none of the quills with Inner webs sinuated or emarginated. {Bidgway.)

Genus STRIX Linn^cus.
" Size medium. No ear tufts; facial ruff entirely continuous, very conspicu-
ous. Wing very long, the first or second quills longest, and all without emar-
gination. Tail short, emarginated. Bill elongated, compressed, regularly curved;
top of the cere nearly equal to the culmen, straight and somewhat depressed.
Nostril open, oval, nearly horizontal. Eyes very small. Tarsus nearly twice as
long as the middle toe, densely clothed with soft, short feathers, those on the
posterior face inclined upwards; toes scantily bristled; claws extremely sharp
and long, the middle one with its inner edge pectinated. Ear conch nearly as
long as the height of the head, with an anterior operculum, which does not ex-
tend its full length."

Strix pratincola Bonap.

AMERICAN BARN OWL.
PLATE XIX.

Resident; quite common in the southern part of the State.
Begin laying in April.

B. 47. R. 304. C. 461, G. 181, 137. U. 365.

Habitat. The United States generally; rare in northern por-
tion; southward through Mexico.

BIRDS OF KANSAS.

293

Sp. Char. ^'Average plumage: Ground color of the upper parts bright or-
ange ochraceous; this overlaid in cloudings, on nearly the whole of the surface,
with a delicate mottling of blackish and white; the mottlings continuous on the
back and inner scapulars, and on the ends of the primaries more faint, while
along their edges it is more in the form of fine dusky dots, thickly sprinkled.
Each feather of the mottled surface (excepting the secondaries and primaries)
has a medial dash of black, enclosing a roundish or cordate spot of white near
the end of the feather; on the secondaries and primaries, the mottling is con-
densed into obsolete transverse bauds, which are about four in number on the
former and five on the latter; primary coverts deeper orange rufous than the
other portions, the mottling principally at their ends. Tail orange ochraceous,
finely mottled— most densely termijially — with dusky, fading into whitish at
the tip, and crossed by about five distinct bands of mottled dusky. Face white,
tinged with wine red; an ante-orbital spot of dark claret brown, this narrowly
surrounding the eye; facial circle, from forehead down to the ears (behind which
it is white for an inch or so), soft orange ochraceous, similar to the ground color
of the upper parts; the lower half (from ears across the throat) deeper ochra-
ceous, the tips of the feathers blackish, the latter sometimes predominating.
Lower parts snowy white, but this more or less overlaid with a tinge of fine or-
ange ochraceous, lighter than the tints of the upper parts, and (excepting on the
jugulum, anal region and crissum) with numerous minute but distinct specks of
black; under surface of wings delicate yellowish white, the lining sparsely
sprinkled with black dots; inner webs of primaries with transverse bars of mot-
tled dusky near their ends."

Length.

Male 15.50

Female... 16.25

stretch of

7ving. IVing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Cere.

44.50 12.75

5.50

3.00

.90

.50

4G.00 13.50

6.00

3.10

.90

.50

Iris dark brown to bluish black; bill dull pearl white; feet
light brownish yellow; claws brown.

These birds, from their peculiar facial disk, are known as the
' ' Baboon " or " Monkey-faced ' ' Owl. They are rarely met with
at or north of latitude 42°, but are not uncommon south, in-
creasing in numbers southward aud westward. In southern
California they are quite abundant. In habits they are noctur-
nal, but if flushed during tlie day fly without hesitation, and, as
their .eyes are rather small for night Owls, may see at all times
passably well; though I have never noticed one flying about of
its own accord, or hunting, until after twilight, when they leave
their secluded retreats, and with noiseless wings actively course
about over the ground in search of food, which consists chiefly
of mice, rats, moles, gophers, rabbits, bats and nocturnal in-
sects. They occasionally kill small birds, but in their stomachs,

294 HISTORY OF THE

or ejected '' pellets" of indigestible matter, a feather is seldom
found, and they are said to have been found in Dove cots with
Doves that flew in and out without manifesting any fear or alarm.
In such cases I think the Owls have been in the habit of enter-
ing the cots at dark, gorged with mice — their more natural
food — and as they remain quiet during the day, the Doves had
become accustomed to their presence. The birds are, as a rule,
rather silent. I think they never hoot, but occasionally utter
— especially while on the wing — a harsh, horrible scream; and
when disturbed in their retreats, they hiss, and make a loud
snoring noise.

Their nests are placed in cavities of trees, burrows in the
sides of banks, crevices in rocks, and nooks of buildings. Eggs
four to ten, laid upon the debris, pellets of hair, and other re-
mains of the birds' food; cream white; occasionally an egg will
show markings of pale drab; in form, ovate. A set of six eggs,
taken May 16th, 1882, from a hole about three feet deep, in the
bank of the Arkansas Kiver, in Texas, measure: 1.63x1.29,
1.68x1.28, 1.67x1.26, 1.68x1.30, 1.68x1.28, 1.72x1.29.

Family BUBONIDiE. Horned Owls, etc.
Inner toe decidedly shorter than middle toe; inner edge of inner claw not
pectinated; feathers on hinder part of tarsns (if present) pointed downward;
first quill shorter than third, and at least one (one to six) quill with inner web
sinuated or emarginated. {llidgicay.)

Genus ASIO Buissox.

" Size medium. Ear tufts well developed or rudimentary; head small; eyes
small. Cere umch arched, its length more than the chord of the culmen. Bill
weak, compressed. Only the first (or first and second) outer primary with its
inner web emarginated. Tail about half the wing, rounded. Ear conch very
large, gill-like, about as long as the height of the skull, with an anterior operculum,
which extends its full length, and bordered posteriorly by a raised membrane;
the two ears asymmetrical."

Asio wilsonianus (Less.).

AMERICAN LONG-EARED OWL.
PLATE XX.

Resident; quite common. Begin laying in April.

B. 51. R. 395. C. 472. G. 182, 138. U. 366.

Habitat. The whole of temperate North America; south
into Mexico.

5 05

IS ^

E O

<< O a

O .

5 o
o X

in

'iii>iri> III I'y rwVteiv' J»

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 295

. Sp. CiiAif. '■'■Adult: Upper surface transversely mottled with blackish brown
and grayish white, the former predominating, especially on the dorsal region;
feathers of the nape and wings (only) ochraceous beneath the surface, lower
scapulars with a few obsolete spots of white on inner webs. Primary coverts
dusky, with transverse series of dark mottled grayish spots, these becoming
somewhat ochraceous basally; ground color of the primaries grayish, this espe-
cially prevalent on the inner quills; the basal third (or less) of all are ochra-
ceous; this decreasing in extent on inner feathers; the grayish tint is everywhere
finely mottled transversely with dusky, but the ochraceous is plain; primaries
crossed by a series of about seven quadrate blackish brown spots, these anteri-
orly about as wide as the intervening yellowish or mottled grayish; the interval
between the primary coverts to the first of these spots is about .80 to 1.00 inch
on the fourth quill — the spots on the inner and outer feathers approaching the
coverts, or even underlying them; the inner primaries — or, in fact, the general
exposed grayish surface — has much narrower bars of dusky. Ground color of
the wings like the back, this growing paler on outer feathers, and becomiiig
ochraceous basally; the tip approaching whitish; secondaries crossed by nine or
ten narrow bands of dusky. Ear tufts, with the lateral portion of each web,
ochraceous; this becoming white, somewhat variegated with black, toward the
end of the inner webs, on which the ochraceous is broadest; medial portion clear,
unvariegated black. Forehead and postocular disk minutely speckled with
blackish and white; facial circle continuous browiiish black, becoming broken
into a variegated collar across the throat. 'Eyebrows' and lores grayish white;
eye surrounded with blackish, this broadest anteriorly above and below, the pos-
terior half being like the ear coverts. Face plain ochraceous; chin and upper
part of the throat immaculate white, ground color below pale ochraceous, the ex-
posed surface of the feathers, however, white; breast with broad longitudinal
blotches of clear dark brown, these medial on the feathers; sides and flanks,
each feather with a medial stripe, crossed by a broad or broader transverse bars
of blackish brown; abdomen, tibial plumes, and legs plain ochraceous, becoming
nearly white on lower part of tarsus and on the toes; tibial plumes with a few
sagittate marks of brownish; lower tail coverts each having a medial sagittate
mark of dusky, this continuing along the shaft, forking toward the base. Lin-
ing of the wing plain pale ochraceous; inner primary coverts blackish brown,
formiug a conspicuous spot."

Si retell of
Length. wing. Wing., Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere.

Male 14.00 86.2.5 11.50 6.00 1.2.5 .6.5 .35

Female... 15.00 o7.75 12.00 G.25 1.30 .75 .35

Iris yellow; bill and claws brownish to bluish black.

This species appears to be rather evenly distributed through-
out its range, and is one of the most common Owls in the
United States; but being strictly nocturnal, is seldom noticed. It
inhabits the scrubby thickets and underbrush skirting tlie streams,
and I have flushed the birds in tall, rank growth of reeds and
grasses.. Unless suddenly startled they seldom take wing, pre-

296 HISTORY OF THE

ferring to escape by hopping noiselessly away and hiding in the
thick growths surrounding them. They feed chiefly upon mice
and other small nocturnal rodents, also insects, and occasionally
birds, but the latter are not so easily found, and do not appear
to be their natural prey.

Their nests are placed in trees and bushes; a coarse, bulky
structure made of sticks, and sparingly lined with grasses oi
strips of bark and feathers; often in remodeled Hawks' and
Crows' nests. Eggs four to six, 1.63x1.30; white; inform, sub-
spherical.

Asio accipitrinus (Pall.)-

SHORT-EARED OWL.
PLATE XX.

Kesident; common. Begin laying the last of April to first
of May.

R 5-^. R. 396. C. 47.3. G. 183, 139. U. 367.

Habitat. Tlie entire continent of America, and nearly

throughout the eastern hemisphere.

Sp. Char. '■'Adult: Ground color of the head, neck, back, scapulars, rump
and lower parts pale ochraceous; each feather (except on the rump) with a
medial longitudinal stripe of blackish brown — these broadest on the scapulars;
on the back, nape, occiput and jugulum the two colors about equal; on the
lower parts the stripes grow narrower posteriorly, those on the abdomen and
sides being In the form of narrow lines. The flanks, legs and anal region and
lower tail coverts are always perfectly immaculate; the legs most deeply ochra-
ceous, the lower tail coverts nearly pure white. The rump has obsolete cres-
centric marks of brownish. The wings are variegated with the general dusky
and ochraceous tints, but the markings are more irregular; the yellowish, in
form of indentations or confluent spots, approaching the shafts from the edge
— broadest on the outer webs. Secondaries crossed by about five bands of
ochraceous, the last terminal; primary coverts plain blackish brown, with one
or two poorly defined transverse series of ochraceous spots on the basal portion.
Primaries ochraceous on the basal two-thirds, the terminal portion clear dark
brown, the tips (broadly) pale brownish yellowish — this obsolete on the long-
est; the dusky extends toward the bases, in three to five irregularly transverse
series of quadrate spots on the outer webs, leaving, however, a large basal area
of plain ochraceous — this somewhat more whitish anteriorly. The ground
color of the tail is ochraceous — this somewhat whitish exteriorly and terminally
— crossed by five broad ba.nds (about equaling the ochraceous, but becoming
narrower toward outer feathers) of blackish brown; on the middle feathers the
ochraceous spots enclose smaller, central transverse spots of blackish; the ter-
minal ochraceous band is broadest. Eyebrows, lores, chin and throat soiled
while, the loral bristles with black shafts; face dingy ochraceous white, feathers

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 297

with dai-ker shafts; eye broadly encircled with black. Post-orbital circle
minutely speckled with pale ochraceous and blackish, except immediately be-
hind the ear, where for al)out an inch it is uniform dusky. Lining of the wing
immaculate delicate yellowish white; terminal half of under primary coverts
clear blackish brown; under surface of primaries plain delicate ochraceous
white; ends and one or two very broad anterior bands dusky."

Stretch rf
Length. -wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere.

Male 14.25 89.00 12.25 5.75 1.70 .75 .40

Female... IG.OO 41.50 13.00 6.00 1.70 .80 .40

Iris yellow; bills and claws brownisli to bluish black.

This species inhabits the open flats, marshes and prairie lands.
I have never met with these birds in wooded lands or thickets.
As a rule, they are rather silent. Mr. Nelson says that he heard
one of the birds, in Alaska, utter rapidly a loud cry, which
sounded like the syllables, "Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo," in a higher
key than the note of the Horned Owl, and in a much less sono-
rous tone. And I have heard them, when alarmed for their
young, utter a shrill, hollow cry, and at the same time make
quite a noise by spitefully snapping their bills.

They are not strictly nocturnal, but, rather, crepuscular in their
habits. I have seen them occasionally coursing in dark days
and often at twilight. Their flight is steady and easy, and, when
hunting, usually hover for a moment over their prey before
dropping upon the same. Their food consists chiefly of mice,
ground squirrels, gophers, etc., and they are quite destructive to
small water birds that rest at night in flocks upon the sand bars
and shores. I have, upon dissection, found a few feathers from
Meadowlarks and Longspurs, but most of the land birds roost
in the thickets and groves, which are outside of their range.

These birds breed from the Gulf States north to within the
Arctic circle, but seldom south of the Middle States, and chiefly
in the more northern regions. Like most of the Owl family,
they commence sitting from the time they begin to lay, and it
is not unusual to find eggs and young birds in the same nest.
A nest found at Neosho Falls, May 8th, 1887, contained seven
young birds, from half grown to newly hatched. Their nests
are usually placed in thick grass on marshy or low prairie lands.
They are chiefly made of old grasses; some are quite bulky.

298 UISTORY OF THE

others a mere hollow worked out in the earth to fit the bod}',
and but scantily lined. Eggs four to eight; white; in form,
roundish oval.

Genus SYRNIUM Savigny.

"Size varying from medium to very large. No ear tufts. Head very large,
the eyes comparatively small. Four to six outer primaries with their iuner webs
sinuated. Tarsi and upper portion, or the whole of the toes, densely clothed
with hair-like feathers. Tail considerably more than half as long as the wing,
decidedly rounded. Ear orifice very higli, but not so high as the skull, and
furnished with an anterior operculum, which does not usually extend along the
full length; the two ears asymmetrical. Bill yellow."

Syrnium nebulosum (Forst.).

BARRED OWL,
PLATE XX.

Resident; common. Begin laying early in March.

B. 54. R. 397. C. 476. G. 184, 140. U. 368.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to New Brunswick

and Manitoba; south to Georgia and northern Texas; western

limits not determined. I have never met with them west of

Kansas. Dr. Woodhouse speaks of the birds as common in New

Mexico, and they may go that far west, but I think the birds

there will all prove to be the Spotted Owl, S. occidentale.

Sp. Chab. '■'■Adult: Head, neck, breast, back, scapulars and rump with broad
regular transverse bars of oehraceous white and deep umber brown, the latter color
always terminal; on the upper surface the brown somewhat exceeds the whitish
In width, but on the neck and breast the white rather predominates. The low(n-
third of the breast is somewhat differently marked from the upper portion, the
brown bars being connected along the shaft of the feather, throwing tlie white
into pairs of spots on opposite webs. Each featlier of the abdomen, sides, flanks
and lower tail coverts has a broad medial-longitudinal stripe of brown, somewhat
deeper In tint than the transverse bars on tiie upper parts; the anal region
is plain, more oehraceous white; the legs have numerous but rather faint trans-
verse spots of brown. Ground color of the wings and tail brown, like the bars
of the back; middle and secondary wing coverts with roundish transverse spots
of nearly pure white on lower webs; lesser coverts plain rich brown; seconda-
ries crossed by six bands of pale grayish brown, passing into paler on the
edge of each feather; the last is terminal, passing narrowly into whitish; pri-
mary coverts with four bands of darker oehraceous brown; primaries with trans-
verse series of quadrate pale brown spots on the outer webs (growing deeper in
tint on inner quills), the last terminal; on the longest are about eight. Tail (like
the wings) crossed with six or seven sharply-defined bands of pale brown, the
last terminal. Face grayish white, with concentric semicircular l)ars of brown;

BIEDH OF KANSAS. 299

"eyebrows" aud lores wiih black shafts; a narrow crescent of black against ante-
rior angle of the eye. Facial circle of blackish brown and creamy white bars,
the former prevailing along the anterior edge, the latter more distinct posteri-
orly, and prevailing across the neck in front, where the brown form disconnected
transverse spots."

stretch of
Length, wing. IF/tig. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere.

Male 19.20 45.00 13.;i5 9.00 2.20 1.05 ..50

Female... 20..50 46.00 13..50 9.50 2.20 1.10 .50

Iris bluish black; bill dull yellow; claws horn color.

This is one of our most common Owls. I have occasionally
met with it in the deep forest, but it is usually found in the
woodlands bordering the streams, marshes, and low prairie
lands. At the approach of twilight the solitude surrounding
them is occasionally broken by their loud laughing call note:
"Waugh, waugh, waugh, wah, har, a," or, "Who, who, who,
wall, who, a." During the early breeding season they are es-
pecially noisy, and in camp I have often, in the still hours of
night, been awakened by their guttural call. The birds are said
by some writers to occasionally hunt by day, and they may do
so when the young are clamorous for food, but I imagine with
poor success, for from my observation they do not appear to see
clearly enough in daylight to readily distinguish objects; but as
the shades of evening darken, they leave their retreats, and,
with noiseless wings* and easy, steady flight, course near the
ground, ready to snatch up or pounce upon the unlucky little
quadrupeds or birds in sight. Frogs also help to make up their
bill of fare. In their destruction of rabbits, mice, gophers, etc.,
they are of great value to the farmer. Of course, fowls that are
allowed to roost at night upon outbuildings, fences and trees
fall an easy prey; but, as the poorest farmer is able to erect a
suitable hen house, he is not entitled to sympathy for any such
outside loss.

Their nests are usually placed in natural cavities of trees, but
they occasionally breed in old Hawks' nests in the forks of the
branches; a few feathers and leaves generally constitute the
lining. Eggs two to four, 2.05x1.65; white; in form, nearly
spherical.

*The webs of the primaries, or wing quills, of all Owls that I have examined, are remark-
ably soft and pliant, yielding so readily to the pressure of the air as to enable them to swiftly
eteal unheard upon their prey.

3U0 HISTORY OF THE

Genus NYCTALA Bkeiim.
"Size small. Head very large, without ear tufts. Eyes moderate; Iris yel-
low. Two outer primaries only with their inner webs .distinctly emarginated.
Tarsi and toes densely, but closely, featliered. Ear conch very large, nearly as
high as the skull, with an anterior operculum; the two ears exceedingly asym-
metrical, not only externaH^% but in their osteological structure. Forcula not
auchylosed posteriorly, but joined by a membrane."

Nyctala acadica (Gmel.).

SAW-WHET OWL.
PLATE XX.

A winter sojourner; rather rare.

B. 56, 57. R. 401. C. 483. G. 185, 141. U. 372.

Habitat. The United States and southern British posses-
sions, from the Atlantic to the Pacific; seklom found in the
eastern portion south of Pennsylvania; in the western mountain
regions south into Mexico; breeding from the middle United
States northward.

Sp. Char. ''Adult: Upper surface, plain soft reddish olive, almost exactly
as in iV". richardsoni; forehead, anterior part of the crown and the facial circle
with each feather with a short medial line of white; feathers of the neck white
beneath the surface, forming a collar of blotches; lower webs of scapulars white
bordered with brown; wing coverts with a few rounded spots; alula with the
outer feathers broadly edged with white; primary coverts and secondaries per-
fectly plain; five outer primaries with semi-rounded white spots on the outer
webs, these decreasing toward the ends of the feathers, leaving but about four
series well defined; tail crossed with three widely separated narrow bands of
white, formed of spots not touching the shafts on either web; the last band is
terminal; 'eyebrow' and sides of the throat white; lores with a blackish suffu-
sion, this more concentrated around the eye; face dirty white, feathers indis-
tinctly edged with brownish, causing an obsoletely streaked appearance; the
facial circle in its extension across the throat is converted into reddish umber
spots; lower parts, generally, silky white, becoming fine ochraceous on the tibia
and tarsi; sides of the breast like the back, but of more reddish or burnt sienna
tint; sides and Hanks with longitudinal daubs of the same; jugulum, abdomen,
lower tail coverts, tarsi and tibia immaculate. Young: Upper surface continu-
ous plain dark sepia olive; face darker, approaching fuliginous vandyke, per-
fectly uniform; around edge of the forehead, a few shaft lines of white; scapu-
lars with a concealed spot of pale ochraceous on lower web; lower feathers of
wing coverts with a few white spots; outer feathers of the alula scalloped with
white; primary coverts perfectly plain; five outer primaries with white spots on
outer webs, these diminishing toward the end of the feathers, leaving only two
or three series well-defined; tall darker than the wings, with three narrow bands
composed of white spots, these not touching shaft on either web; 'eyebrows'
immaculate white; lores more dusky; face and eyelids dark vandyke brown;

BIRDS OF XAWSAS. 301

sides of the chin white; throat and whole breast like the back, but the latter
paler medially, becoming here more fulvous; rest of lower parts plain fulvous
ochraceous, growing gradually paler posteriorly — immaculate; lining of the wing
dull white; under surface of primaries with dusky prevailing, but this crossed
by bands of large whitish spots; the three outer feathers, however, present a
nearly uniform dusky aspect, being varied only basally."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Cere.

Male . . . .

. 7.35

18.75

5.25

2.80

.85

.50

.25

Female . .

. 7.75

19.50 •

5.45

3.15

.85

.50

.25

Iris yellow; bill and claws black; bottoms of feet yellowish
flesh color.

The natural home of this sprightly little Owl is within the
wild woodlands, though occasionally found about the habita-
tions of man. It is very shy and retiring in its habits, rarely
leaving its secluded retreats until late at eve, and for these
reasons is without doubt much more common throughout its
range than is generally supposed. Its food consists chiefly of
mice and insects, also small birds, but the latter are not so
easily caught. In searching for food it glides smoothly and
noiselessly through the air,

I enter this bird as a winter sojourner in Kansas because (to
my knowledge) they have only been seen or taken in the fall
and winter, and I have never heard their shrill love call in the
State.* Notwithstanding this, and the further fact that they
have only been found breeding northward, I am inclined to
think that they do occasionally breed throughout their range.

The birds nest in old, deserted Woodpecker's holes and
small hollows in trees. Their eggs are laid on the rotten
wood or decayed material at the bottom; usually four in num-
ber, 1.20x1.00; white; in form, nearly spherical.

Genus MEGASCOPS Kaup.
" Size small; the head provided with ear tufts. Bill light colored; fris yellow.
Three to four outer quills with inner webs sinuated. Wings long (more than
twice the length of the tail, which is short and slightly rounded); second to
fifth quills longest. Toes naked, or only scantily feathered. Ear conch small
and simple; plumage exceedingly variegated; the colors different shades of
brown, with rufous, black and white in fine mottlings and pencilings; feathers

*A noise somewhat resembling the filing of a mill saw, which accounts for the name
they bear.

302 HISTORY OF THE

above usually with blackish shaft streaks, those beueatli usually with five trans-
verse bars; primaries spotted with whitish, and outer webs of the lower row of
scapulars the same, edged terminally with black. Tail obscurely banded."

Megascops asio (Linn.).

SCREECH OWL.
PLATE XX.

Kesident; abundant. Begin laying early in March.

B. 49. R. 402. C. 46.5. G. 186, 142. U. 373.

Habitat. Temperate eastern North America; south to
Georgia and west to the Great Plains.

Sp. Char. "Dichromatic; the plumage presenting two distinct phases at all
ages and seasons; one grayish, the other rufous."

Grayish Plumage.

"■Adult: Ground color above brownish cinereous, palest on the head, purest
ashy on the wings, minutely mottled with fine zigzag transverse bars of black,
each feather with a medial ragged stripe of the same along the shaft. Inner
webs of ear tufts, outer webs of scapulars, and oval spots occupying most of
the outer webs of the two or three lower feathers of the middle and secondary
wing coverts, white, forming (except on the first) conspicuous spots, those of
the scapulars bordered with black; secondaries crossed with about seven regular
paler bands, each enclosing a more irregular dusky one; the ground color, how-
ever, is so mottled with grayish, and the paler bands with dusky, that they are
by no means sharply defined or conspicuous, though they are very regular;
alula and primary coverts more sharply barred with cream colored spots, those
on the former nearly white; primaries with broad quadrate spots of creamy
white on outer webs, these forming from seven (male) to eight (female) trans-
verse bands, the last of which is not terminal. Tail more irregularly mottled
than the wings and crossed by seven (male) to eight (female) narrow obsolete
( but continuous) pale bands. 'Eyebrows' white, the feathers bordered with dusky
(most broadly so in male); cheeks, ear coverts and lower throat dull white, with
transverse bars of blackish (most numerous in the male); chin immaculate;
upper eyelids dark brown; facial black; neck and jugulum like the cheeks, but
more strongly barred, and with blackish along the shaft. Ground color of the
lower parts white, each feather with a medial stripe of black, this throwing off
distinct bars to the edge of the feather; the medial black is largest on sides of
the breast, where it expands into very large conspicuous spots, having a slight
rusty exterior suffusion; the abdomen medially, the anal region and the lower
tail coverts are almost unvaried white. Tibia and tarsi in the male dull white,
much barred transversely with blackish; in the female pale ochraceous, more
sparsely barred with dark brownish. Lining of the wing creamy white, varied
only along the edge; light bars on under surface of primaries very obsolete."

Rufeseent Plumage.
^^ Adult: General pattern of the preceding, but the grayish tints replaced by
lateritious rufous, very fine and bright, with a slight vinaceous cast; this Is uni-
form, and shows no trace of the transverse black mottling; there are, however.

BIRDS OF KANSAS.

303

black shaft lines on the feathers ( these most conspicuous on the head above and
scapulars, and narrower and more sharply defined than in the gray plumage.)
The inner webs of the ear tufts, outer webs of scapulars aiid lower secondary
and middle wing coverts are white, as in the gray plumage; those of the scapu-
lars are also bordered with black. The secondaries, primaries and tail are less
bright rufous than other portions, the markings as in the grav plumage, only the
tints being different. The upper eyelid, and in fact all round the eye. fine light
rufous; cheeks and ear coverts paler, scarcely variegated; black facial circle
rather narrower than in the gray plumage. Lower parts without the transverse
bars of the gray plumage, but in their place an irregular clouding of fine light
red, like the back; the lower parts medially (very broadly) immaculate snowy
white; most of the feathers having the red spotting show black shaft stripes,
but the pectoral spots are not near so large or conspicuous as in the gray bird!
Tibia fiue pale ochraceous rufous; tarsi the same posteriorly, in front white
with cuneate specks of rufous; lower tail coverts each with a medial transversely
cordate spot of dilute rufous, the shaft black. Lining of the wing with numer-
ous rufous spots."

stretch of
Length. zving. IVtng. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere

Male 9.00 21.00 6.20 8.2.5 • 1.20 .50 3o'

Female... 9.50 22..50 6.55 3.50 1.30 .60 .30

Iris yellow; bill, cere and claws light greenish horn color.

This is one of our most abundant and well-known night Owls.
It inhabits alike the woods and the habitations of man. Its
food consists of mice, small birds, insects, etc.; in searching
for the same, it flies noiselessly but actively about, occasionally
capturing its prey upon the wing, but usually pouncing upon it.
These birds are rather easily tamed.

When a small boy, in my old New England home, I reared
one from the nest, that was quite attractive, and, as I was the
only one that fed or cared for it, it became strongly attached to
me, and, no matter how roughly handled, never showed the least
bit of anger; but, upon the approach of a stranger, it would
erect its feathers and sharply snap its bill. At the sight of the
house cat it was wild with fear and rage, and could not be paci-
fied until Thomas was removed. I gave it the liberty of the
dark garret beneath the roof of our house, and in the center of
the room placed corn, bread and toasted cheese to attract the
mice, and, from the ejected pellets of mouse hair, I know that it
captured many mice. At night or in a dark place, it would
come to me at call, and alight on my arm or hand, take and
readily eat insects and small bits of food, but, if the piece was

304 HISTORY OF THE

large, would fly with it to its perch before attempting to eat it.
In daytime it seldom came at call, but would always answer
with a low, guttural, rattling note. Boy-like, it was one of my
chief delights at eve to drop a mouse from a trap into a box.
At sight of the mouse it would raise its feathers, quiver with ex-
citement and eagerly pounce upon it, bite it through the back
until limp or dead, then, with a chuckling note of satisfaction,
carry it to its perch. The birds make quite a variety of low
sounds, but the only one heard at a distance is its screeching,
tremulous, wailing call note or song, so often heard at eve and
during the night, especially when the moon is shining.

Their nests are placed in holes in trees, occasionally in nooks
in buildings. They are sparingly lined with grasses, leaves and
feathers. Eggs four to six, 1.40x1.22; pure white; in form,

subspherical.

Genus BUBO Cuvier.
"Two to three outer quills with their inner webs emarginated. Ear tufts
•well developed; loral feathers not hiding the bill, and the claws and terminal
scutella of the toes exposed. Lower tail coverts not reaching the end of the
tail."

Bubo virginianus (Gmei..).

GREAT HORNED OWL.
PLATE XX.

Resident; common. Begin laying the last of February.

B. 48. R. 405. C. 462. G. 187, 143. U. 375.

Habitat. Eastern North America; west to the edge of the

"Great Plains; south through eastern Mexico, to Costa Rica.

Sp. Char. "Plumage varies more or less in depth of coloration. Adult:
Bases of the feathers yellowish rufous, this partially exposed on the head above
the nape, along the scapulars, on the rump, aud sides of the breast. On the
upper surface this is overlaid by a rather coarse transverse mottling of brownish
black upon a white ground, the former rather predominating, particularly on the
head and neck, where It forms broad, ragged, longitudinal stripes, (almost oblit-
erating the transverse bars,) becoming prevalent, or blended, anteriorly. The
lowsr feathers of the scapulars, and some of the lower feathers of the middle
and secondary wing coverts, with inconspicuous transverse spots of white. On
the secondaries the mottling is finer, giving a grayish aspect, and crossed with
eight sharply-defined but inconspicuous bands of mottled dusky; primary cov-
erts with the ground color very dark, and crossed with three or four bands of
plain blackish, the last terminal, though fainter than the rest; ground color of
the primaries more yellowish, the mottling more delicate; they are crossed by
nine transverse series of quadrate dusky spots. The ground color of the tail is

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 305

pale ofhraeeoiis (transversely mottled with dusky"), becoiniiie white at tlie tip,
crossed by seven bands of mottled blackisli, these about equalina; the light bands
ill width; on the middle feathers the bands are broken and confused, running
obliquely, or, in places, longitudinallj''. Outer webs of ear tufts pure black; inner
shafts almost wholly ochraceous; eyebrows and lores white, the feathers with
black shafts; face dingy rufi)us; eye very narrowly encircled with whitish; a
crescent of black bordering the upper eyelid, and confluent with the black of
the ear tufts. Facial circle continuous black, except across the foreueck; chin,
throat and jugulum pure immaculate white, to the roots of the feathers. Be-
neath, white prevails, but the yellowish rufous is prevalent ou the sides of the
breast, and shows as the base color wherever the feathers are disarranged. The
sides of the breast, sides and flanks have numerous sharply defined narrow
transverse bars of brownish black; anteriorly tliese are finer and more ragged,
becoming coalesced so as to form conspicuous, somewhat longitudinal, black
spots. On the lower tail coverts the bars are distant, though not less sharply
defined. The abdomen medially is scarcely maculate white. Young: Wings
and tail as in adult. Downy plumage of head and body ochraceous, with de-
tached, rather distant, transverse bars of dusky,"

stretch of

Lengik.

wing-.

Wing-.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Cere.

Male

. 21.50

52.00

14.50

8.50

2.20

1.05

.50

Female. .

. 23.00

55.00

15.50

9.00

2.25

1.10

.50

Iris yellow; bill, cere and claws black.

This bird inhabits not onlj the wooded lands, but our broad
prairies, resting during the day in thickets, hollow trees, clefts
in rocks, or most any secluded spot. I have occasionally
started them from a hummock, in a rank growth of tall grass.
They are not strictly a night bird, as I have often seen them
during the day, while rearing their young, in search of food;
but, unless pressed by hunger, seldom venture out until the little
day birds, that annoy them greatly, have retired to their roosts.
At twilight and on moonlight nights they are the most active,
flying noiselessly and with ease through the timber and over
the open ground in search of rabbits, mice, and other small
quadrupeds that feed and run about at night, doing great dam-
age to the farmer in his fields. It is, therefore, one of our most
beneficial birds, and not injurious, except to the owners of fowls
that are either too lazy, or not thoughtful enough, to house them
at night.

In olden times the Owls, on account of their rounded heads,
large bright eyes, and stately mien, were selected by the philos-
ophers as emblems of wisdom; but their gloomy habits and^

306 HISTORY OF THE

night wanderings impressed the superstitious with the thought
that they were the embodiment of evil spirits, and tlieir hoots
that broke the stillness of night struck terror to their hearts, as
well as to the awakened birds upon the perch, and their voice
was supposed to bode no good, and their silent visits the fore-
runner of death. But of late years, as we come to know their
ways and habits better, we more properly associate them with
the feline race — emblems of desolation; and this powerful bird
may well be called the tiger among birds. Its loud, guttural,
"Whaugh, ho, hoo, hoo," is not only a note of love, but one of
defiance. The birds are, however, very attentive parents, both
assisting in hatching and rearing their young. The female (as
is the case with nearly all birds of prey) is the larger bird, in
order to protect the family in case of a quarrel with her mate,
and from his too aggressive advances.

It nests in natural cavities of trees, deserted nests of Hawks,
and, on the plains or prairies, in fissures of rocks; nest scantily
lined with leaves and grasses. Eggs two to four, 2.25x1.90;
white; in form, subspherical.

Bubo virginianus subarcticus (Hoy).

MrESTERN HORNED OWL.
PLATE XX.

Resident in western Kansas; rare.

B. . K. 405a. C. 4(53. G. , 144. U. 375a.

Habitat. Western United States; north into Manitoba; south
over the table lands of Mexico; east across the Great Plains to
western Texas and western Manitoba; straggling occasionally
eastward.

Sp. Chab. "Pattern of coloration like that of B. virginianus, but the general
aspect much lighter and more grayish, caused by a greater prevalence of the
lighter tints, and contraction of dark peucilings; the ochraceous much lighter
and less rufous; face soiled white, instead of deep dingy rufous."

This western form does not appear to differ in size, actions
or habits from the Great Horned Owl.

Genus NYCTEA Stephens.
Ear tufts rudimentary; tail not reaching beyond tips of lower coverts; four
outer quills with inner webs emargiuated; toes covered with long, hair-like
feathers, partly or wholly concealing the claws; bill nearly concealed by the
loral feathers. {Bidgway.)

O CO

«N

Eh ^ ••

O tn

^'JSi

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 307

Nyctea nyctea (Lixx.).

SNOWY OWL.
PLATE XXI.

Winter resident; rather irregular; at times quite common.
Begin to arrive as early as the first of November, usually re-
turning by the first of February.

B. 61. R. 406. C. 479. G. 188, l45. U. 376.

Habitat. The northern portion of the northern hemisphere;

migrating south in winter; in North America, as far as Texas

and South Carolina; accidental to the Bermudas.

Sp. Chak. Adult male: Plumage pure white, sometimes almost immaculate,
but usually marked more or less with transverse spots or bars of clear slaty
browu ou top of head, back and scapulars, the quills and tail feathers with
dusky spots near ends; lower parts usually marked more or less on belly, sides
and flanks with narrow bars of clear slaty brown, but these markings sometimes
altogether wanting. Adult female: Much darker colored than male, only the
face, foreneck, middle of breast and feet being immacuJate, other portions being
heavily barred with dusky, the top of the head and hindneck spotted with the
same. Downy young: Uniform dusky brown, or deep sooty grayish, paler on
feet and legs. {Bidgway.)

Length.

Stretch of
whtg: IVzng;

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bi7t and
Cere.

Male ....

. 22.00

58.00 15.50

9.25

1.80

1.50

Female . .

. 24.00

61.50 17.30

10.00

1.85

1.60

Iris yellow; bill and claws horn blue, nearly black at tips.

This large, handsome Owl hunts for its prey by day, as well
as at dusk, and does not appear to avoid the bright sunshine,
as it is often to be seen at such times perched upon a snow-
crowned knoll, where the glare of the sun to us would be painful.

In flight they are very active, skimming along near the
ground, grasping in their claws the unlucky rabbit or Grouse in
their course. Their breeding habits are only known to those
who have been so fortunate as to meet with them in their north-
ern home. Mr. Nelson, in his "Eeport of Natural History Col-
lection in Alaska," gives the following interesting account of
these birds:

"From the Sitkan region north to the fartherest point of
that Territory the present bird keeps mainly to the more barren
portions of the coast and interior, and is always found less
numerous where trees are abundant. It occurs also upon the

308 HISTORY OF THE

islands of Beliring Sea, and more sparingly upon the Aleutian
chain, where it is rare. It is resident at Point Barrow, and
also on the Near Islands. On Behring Island it has become
abundant since the introduction of mice. On June 12, 1877,
we were on a vessel about seventy-five miles east of the Fur Sea
Islands, when one of these birds came on board and remained
most of the night in the rigging, but left early in the morning.

" The Eskimo are well acquainted with these birds and with
their habits, and one man told me he had seen these Owls catch
the large Arctic hare by planting one foot in the hare's back,
and stretching the other foot back and dragging its claws on
the snow and ground. At the same time the bird used his
wings to hold back, by reverse strokes, until the hare soon be-
came exhausted, when it was easily killed.

"On the lower Mackenzie, Richardson relates that one of the
Hudson's Bay Company's factors, Mr. McPherson, saw one of
these Owls fly over a cliff and carry off a full-fledged Duck
Hawk in its claws. It crossed the river to the other bank,
wdiere it lit on the shore to devour its prey. The parent Hawk
followed, uttering loud screams, and, darting down with great
rapidity, killed the Owl with a single stroke, but whether with
the wing or claw could not be determined. After this summary
act of vengence the Falcon returned to its nest.

"This Owl also preys upon Ducks, as Stejneger saw it pur-
sue Sea Ducks on the reefs of Behring Island.

<' North of Hudson Straits Kumlien found Snowy Owls rather
scarce during the winter, and saw them hunting during the day,
but notes their excessive shyness. This shyness seems to be
characteristic of the bird through its northern range, and even
upon the lonely and almost unknown Wrangel Island, where,
upon our landing, one of the birds was seen, it arose hastily
and left for the interior, although we were about two hundred
yards from it when it first caugiit sight of us. It lias been re-
ported as a resident of the Aleutian Islands, where Dall saw a
dead bird and fragments of skins of others at Unalsaka. It is
more common in the northern part of the Territory, where its
distribution, however, is irregular, it being abundant at one sea-

BIRDS OF KANSAS.

309

son and almost totally niiknown the next. • I was informed bv

Captain Smith — a well known whaling captain of that region

that he had seen as manv as fifty of these birds perched in view
at one time along the abrupt coast line of the Arctic, in the
vicinity of Cape Lisbnrne, and yet they were so shy that it was
impossible to secure a single bird. It breeds upon the ground,
as far south as the mouth of the Kuskoquira, especially during
the years when lemmings are abundant, when this Owl also
becomes proportionately numerous. The natives told me of
seasons, separated by long intervals, when the lemmings have
occurred in the greatest abundance, and the White Owl accom-
panying them in such numbers that they were seen dotting the
country here and there as they perched upon the scattered
knolls. During such seasons the Owls nest on the hillsides,
laying, according to the natives, from five to ten eggs, in a
grassy depression in a sheltered spot on the hillside. The last
time when they were so abundant about a dozen pairs were
found nesting upon an isolated hill near the coast, just east of
St. Michael's, as I was informed by several different persons.

"On one occasion, while traveling south of the Yukon, in
December, I secured a beautiful specimen of this bird, which
was nearly immaculate milky white, with a rich and extremely
beautiful shade of clear lemon yellow suffusing the entire bird,
exactly as the rosy blush clothes the entire plumage of some
gulls in the spring. The bird was kept until the next morning;
an examination then showed that beautiful tinge had vanished
and the feathers had become dead wdiite, with a bare trace of
the coloring seen the previous evening. The birds showing
the largest amount of white are usually males.

"The highest latitudes reached by Arctic explorers have not
exceeded the bounds of this hardy bird, which is represented bv
a similar or identical form around the northern shores of the
old world. In the 'History of North American Birds,' the
American bird is separated from the European by the greater
amount of white possessed by the latter. It is rather common to
find pure white specimens of this bird, from the northern part
of America, marked by a very few scattered spots upon the back.

310 HISTORY OF THE

A specimen sent to the National Museum from Sitka, taken dur-
ing the winter of 1881-82, has a larger amount of black mark-
ings than any bird I have seen. It may indicate a local dark
colored form in that region.

"The Snowy Owl is said to nest in Lapland, after a great
lemming season, and in northern Norway as well. When it
nests tliere, it always chooses a hilltop or hillside. The eggs,
which are from six to eight or more in number, measure from
2.05x1.02 to 2.25x1.77, and are of a roundish, oval form; the
color is white, and the sliell has a fine texture. Like numerous
other birds, this Owl figures largely in the mythologic tales of
the northwestern Eskimo, one of which, in particular, is an in-
teresting account of the way in which man learned the use of
various implements, by the experience of a metamorphosed Owl.
It does not appear to have been a very common bird near the
winter quarters of the Vega, although every explorer has found
it wherever he has penetrated the Arctic. .

" Wrangel accuses these birds of being carrion eaters in north-
ern Siberia. During the Nares Arctic expedition, these birds
were found nesting on Grinnell Land, in latitude 82° 33' north,
on Jane 2-lth, when a nest with seven eggs was found. The
eggs were placed in a mere hollow, scooped out of the earth, on
the top of a rise, in the center of a valley. They were found
nesting in abundance by the same party in latitude 81°."

Genus SPEOTYTO Gi.oger.

"Size small; head small, and without ear tufts. Bill moderately strong,
pale yellowish. Tarsi more than twice as long as the middle toe, feathered in
front, naked behind; toes scantily haired. Tail short, less than half the wing,
nearly even, or very slightly rounded. Three outer quills with their inner webs
emarginated; second to fourth longest. Ear couch very small, simple, roundish.
Diurnal and terrestial."

Speotyto cunicularia hypogsea (Bonap.).

BURROWING OWL.
PLATE XXI.

Resident; abundant in the middle and western part of the
State. Begin laying about the middle of April.

B. 58, 59. R. 408. C. 487. G. 189, 146. U. S7S.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 311

Habitat. Western JSTorth America; north to or a little be-
yond the northern boundary of the United States; south to
Guatemala; east to middle Texas and Nebraska; occasionally
straggle eastward. A specimen captured in New York city,
and one in Massachusetts, I think cage birds rather than strag-
glers, as reported. (The birds in Florida are yarietj Jioridana.)

Sp. Char. ^^ Adult: Above, earth browu, the wliole surface covered with
numerous spots of dull white, those on the scapulars roundish and in pairs (on
both webs); of similar form, but larger and more sparse, on the wiugs. Ante-
riorly they become more longitudinal (nearly linear) and medial; on the rump
and upper tail coverts they are nearly obsolete. Secondaries crossed by four
distinct bands of dull wliite. the last terminal; primaries with five to six trans-
verse series of semi-rounded spots of ochraceous white on their outer webs;
primary coverts with about three transverse series of whitish spots. Tail with
five to six bands of dull white or pale ochraceous (the last terminal), composed
of transverse oval spots, those on the middle pair of feathers not touching either
the shaft or the edge. Ear coverts uniform brown, becoming gradually paler
beneath the eye and on the cheeks; eyebrows, a transverse chin patch (covering
the whole chin and jaw and reacliiug back beneath the auriculars), and another
across the juguium, immaculate cottony white; shafts of the loral bristles black-
ish; a broad, well-defined collar across the throat, between the white malar and
jugular bands, deep brown, mixed with paler spots. Beneath, whitish with an
ochraceous tinge, deepest on the legs; the breast, abdomen and sides with trans-
verse spots of brown, this often predominating on the breast; legs, anal region
and crissum immaculate. Whole lining of the wing immaculate creamy white,
the primary coverts, however, with large terminal spots of dusky; under siu-face
of the primaries grayish browu (deeper terminally), and with large transversely-
ovate spots of ochraceous white (about five in number on the longest quill ), and
growing larger basally. Young: Upper surface earth brown, as in the adult, but
entirely uniform (except the wings and tail ); upper tail coverts and a large oval
patch on the wing (covering the middle coverts and the posterior half of the
lesser covert region) plain Isabella white; the anterior portion of the lesser cov-
ert region darker brown tiian the back. Gular region well-defined pure white;
jugular collar conspicuous and unsjiotted. Whole lower parts immaculate Isa-
bella white."

stretch of

Length. luing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere.

Male 9.50 34.00 7.00 3.40 1.80 .65 .20

Female... 9.25 23.50 6.80 3.30 1.80 .65 .20

Iris yellow; bill light greenish yellow; cere and claws black-
ish; feet dull brown. The above dimensions are from a pair
in "The Goss Ornithological Collection." From the measure-
ments I have taken of many others, I do not think the sexes dif-
fer in size. In all other birds of prey the female is decidedly
the larger bird.

312 HISTORY OF TUB

Dr. Coues, in his "Birds of the Northwest," gives the fol-
lowing fall and interesting description of its habits:

"The Burrowing Owl is the only bird of its family inhabit-
ing in any numbers the entirely treeless regions of the West,
and may be considered characteristic of the plains. Wherever
it can find shelter in the holes of such animals as wolves, foxes
and badgers, and especially of the various species of marmot
squirrels, there it is found in abundance; and in not a few in-
stances small colonies are observed living apart from their ordi-
nary associates, in holes apparently dug by themselves. They
constitute a notable exception to the general rule of arboricole
habits in this famil\% being especially fitted by their conforma-
tion for the subterranean mode of life for which they are de-
signed, and are furthermore exceptional in their gregarious
disposition, here carried to the extreme. The diffusion of the
species in the AYest is so general that there is little occasion to
mention particular localities.

"The Owls are by no means confined to the dog towns, nor
even to the similar communities of other gregarious sper-
mophiles. They sometimes occupy the underground dens of
wolves, foxes and badgers. In South America, the representa-
tive race lives among the bizcachas [Lagodomus tzicJiodactyliLs)
that inhabit the Pampas. On some occasions the birds have
been found alone, residing apparently in burrows excavated by
themselves, as already stated. They are by no means noctur-
nal; able to endure the sunlight without inconvenience, they
may be observed abroad at all hours. It has been stated that
in autumn, at the approach of cold weather, they retire into
their burrows to hibernate — a fable matching the one that as-
cribes to Swallows the habit of diving into the mud to pass the
winter in repose along with torpid frogs. In most localities the
birds are abroad the year round; their disappearance in inclem-
ent regions is accomplished, if at all, by ordinary migration.
In California I saw them, bright and lively as crickets, in No-
vember.

"I never undertook to unearth the nest of a Burrowing Owl,
but others have been more zealous in the pursuit of knowledge

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 313

under difficulties. Dr. Cooper says that he once dug two fresh
eggs out of a burrow, which he followed down for three feet,
and tlien traced for five feet horizontally, at the end of which
he fo«nd an enhxrged chamber, where the eggs were deposited
on a few feathers. In his interesting note in the American
Naturalist, Dr. C. S. Canfield gives a more explicit account of
the nesting: 'I once took pains to dig out a nest of the Athene
cunicularla. I found that the burrow was about four feet long,
and the nest was only about two feet from the surface of the
ground. The nest was made in a cavity of the ground of about a
foot in diameter, well filled with dry, soft horse dung, bits of old
blanket, and fur of a coyote {^Canis latrans) that I had killed a
few days before. One of the parent birds was on the nest, and
I captured it. It had no intention of leaving the nest, even
when entirely uncovered with the shovel and exposed to the
open air. It fought bravely with beak and claws. I found
seven young ones, perhaps eight or ten days old, well covered
with down, but without any feathers. The whole nest, as well
as the birds (old and young), swarmed with fleas. It was the
filthiest nest I ever saw. In the passage leading to it there were
small scraps of dead animals, such as pieces of the skin of the
antelope, half dried and half putrified, the skin of the coyote,
etc. ; and near the nest were the remains of a snake that I had
killed two days before, a large Coluber., two feet long. The
birds had begun at the snake's head and had picked off the
flesh clean from the vertebra and ribs for about one half its
length; the other half of the snake was entire. The material
on which the young birds rested was at least three inches deep.
There are very few birds that carry more rubbish into their
nests than the Atliene; and even the Vultures are not much
more filthy. I am satisfied that the A. cunieidaria lays a larger
number of eggs than is attributed to it in Dr. Brewer's book
(four). I have frequently seen, late in the season, six, seven
or eight young birds standing around the mouth of a burrow,
isolated from others in such a manner that I could not suppose
that they belonged to two or more families.'

"The notes of the Burrowing Owl are peculiar. The birds

314 HISTORY OF THE

do not 'hoot,' nor is there anything lugubrious or foreboding
in their cry. Sometimes they chuckle, chatter and squeal in an
odd way, as if they had caught a habit of barking from the
'dogs' they live with, and were trying to imitate the sound;
but their nocturnal cry is curiously similar to that of the Rain
Crow or Cuckoo of America — so much so, that more than one
observer has been deceived. They scream hoarsely when
wounded and caught, though this is but seldom, since, if any life
remains, they scramble quickly into a hole, and are not easy to
recover. The flight is perfectly noiseless, like that of other
Owls, owing to the peculiar downy texture of the plumage.
By day they seldom fly far from the entrance of their burrow,
and rarely, if ever, mount in the air. I never saw one on the
wing more than a few moments at a time, just long enough for
it to pass from one hillock to another, as it does by skimming
low over the surface of the ground, in a rapid, easy, and rather
graceful manner. They live chiefly upon insects, especially grass-
hoppers; they also feed upon lizards, as I once determined by
dissection, and there is no doubt that young prairie dogs furnish
them many a meal. Under ordinary circumstances, they are
not very shy or diflicult to procure; I once secured several spec-
imens in a few minutes, and, I fear, left some others to languish
and die in their holes. As commonly observed, perched on one
of the innumerable little eminences that mark a dog town, amid
their curious surroundings, they present a spectacle not easily
forgotten. Their figure is peculiar; with their long legs and
short tail, the element of the grotesque is never wanting. It is
hard to say whether they look most ludicrous as they stand
stiffly erect and motionless, or when they suddenly turn tail to
duck into the hole, or when engaged in their various antics.
Bolt upright, on what may be imagined their rostrum, they gaze
about with a bland and self-satisfled but earnest air, as if about
to address an audience upon a subject of great pith and moment.
They suddenly bow low, with profound gravity, and, rising ab-
ruptly, they begin to twitch their faces and roll their eyes about
in the most mysterious manner, gesticulating wildly, every now
and then bendina; forward till the breast almost touches the

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 31 5

gi-oimtl, to propound tlie argiiiiient with more telling effect;
then they face about to address the rear, that all may alike feel
the force of their logic; they draw themselves up to the fullest
height, outwardly calm and self-contained, pausing in the dis-
course to note its effect upon the audience and collect their wits
for the next rhetorical flourish. And no distant likeness between
these frothy orators and others is found in the celerity with
which they subside and seek their holes on the slightest intima-
tion of danger."

Eggs usually four to seven (as high as eleven have been taken),
1.22x1.04; pure white; in form, subspherical.

Order PSITTACI.
parrots, macaws, paroquets, etc.

"Bill enormously thick, short, high, much arched from the base; the upper
mandible strongly hooked at the end. cered at base and freely movable by com-
plete articulation with the forehead; the under mandible with short, broad,
truncate symphysis. Feet permanently zygodactyle by reversion of the fourth
toe, which articulates by a double facet. Tarsi reticulate. Syrnix peculiarly
constructed, of three pairs of intrinsic mucles. Tongue short, thick, fleshy.
Sternum entire or fenestrate. Clavicles weak, defective or wanting. Orbit more
or less completed by approach or union of postorbital process and lachrymal.
Altricial; psilopsedic."

Family PSITTACID^.

"Bill greatly hooked; the maxilla movable and with a cere at the base.
Nostrils in the base of the bill. Feet scausorial, covered with granulated
scales."

Genus CONURUS Kuhl.
"Tail long, conical and pointed; bill stout; cheeks feathered, but in some
species leaving a naked ring around the eye; cere feathered to the base of
the bill."

Conurus carolinensis (Linn.).

CAROLINA PAROQUET.
PLATE XXI.

Formerly quite a common resident in the eastern portion of
the State, but as the settlements increased along the timbered
streams — their natural home — they rapidly disappeared, and

316 HISTORY OF THE

for several years have ceased to be a resident, or even a vis-
itant.

B. 63. R. 392. C. 460. G. 180, 14T. U. 382.

Habitat. Southern States; north casually to New York,
Michigan and Wisconsin; regularly to Ohio, Illinois, and south-
ern Nebraska; west to eastern Colorado.

Sp. Char. "Head and neck, all round, gamboge j^ellow; the forehead, from
above the eyes, with the sides of the head, pale brick red; body generally, with
tail, green, with a yellowish tinge beneath. Outer webs of primaries bluish
green, yellow at base; secondary coverts edged with yellowish; edge of wing
yellow, tinged with red; tibia yellow; bill white; legs flesh color. Young:
With head and neck green. Female: With head and neck green; the forehead,
lores and sutfusiou round the eyes dark red, and without the yellow of tibia
and edge of wing; size considerably less."

Stretch of
Length. iving. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 13.50 22.75 7.70 7.00 .75 1.05

Female... 12.50 21.00 7.25 6.50 .70 1.00

Iris brown; bill white; legs and feet flesh color; claws bluish.

In the early settlement of the country, especially throughout
their southern range, the birds were very abundant, but the
demand has been so great for their gaudy feathers, with which
to decorate the hats of the fair sex, as to stimulate the merci-
less hunter to slaughter; and they are now only to be looked
for in diminished numbers within the unsettled timbered regions
of the Indian Territory, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida.

The birds are very social in their habits, moving about in
flocks, and keeping near each other while on the wing or feeding,
as well as when at rest. Their manner of flight is graceful and
swift. Their notes loud, harsh and grating upon the ear, and, as
they cannot be taught to talk, they are not desirable pets. They
have to be kept in close confinement, for if given the liberty of
the room, they will injure the furniture and fixtures, by biting
and marring the same with their thick, powerful bills.

They feed indiscriminately upon berries, fruits, seeds and
grains, with the exception of corn. I make this exception be-
cause I never saw the birds feeding upon corn, and those that
I have kept in confinement would not, even when pressed with
hunger, notice the same. Pecan nuts and cockle burs appear
to be their favorite food; and it is surprising with what ease

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 317

and rapidity they grasp the shells, crush and extract the kernels.
Their nests are usually placed in holes or hollow cavities in
trees. In the spring of 1858, a small flock reared their young
in a large hollow limb of a giant sycamore tree, on the banks of
the IS^eosho Eiver, near Neosho Falls, Kansas. I have never
been able to procure their eggs. Ridgway says: "Eggs, 1.39x
1.07; ovate, short ovate, or rounded ovate; pure white." From
the following paper of Mr. Brewster's, in ''The Auk," YoL 6,
p. 336, the birds also probably nest in the branches of trees:

"While in Florida, during February and March, 1889, I ques-
tioned everybody whom I met regarding the nesting of the Par-
oquet. Only three persons professed any knowledge on this
subject. The first two were both uneducated men — profes.
sional hunters of alligators and plume birds. Each of them
claimed to have seen Paroquets' nests, which they described as
flimsy structures, built of twigs, and placed on the branches of
cypress trees. One of them said he found a nest only the pre-
vious summer (1888), while fishing. By means of his pole he
tipped the nest over, and secured two young birds, which it con-
tained.

"This account was so widely at variance with what has been
previously recorded regarding the manner of nesting of this
species, that I considered it, at the time, as a mere fabrication;
but afterwards it was unexpectedly and most strongly corrobo-
rated by Judge R. L. Long, of Tallahassee. The latter gentle-
man, who, by the way, has a very good general knowledge of
the birds of our Northern States, assured me that he had exam-
ined many nests of the Paroquet, built precisely as above de-
scribed. Formerly, when tlie birds were abundant in the
surrounding region, he used to find them breeding in large colo-
nies in the cypress swamps. Several of these colonies con-
tained at least a thousand birds each. They nested invariably
in small cypress trees, the favorite position being on a fork, near
the end of a slender, horizontal branch. Every such fork would
be occupied, and he has seen as many as forty or fifty nests in
one small tree. Their nests closely resemble those of the Caro-
lina Dove, being similarly composed of cypress twigs, put to-

318 MIST our OF THE

getlier so loosely that the eggs were often visible from the ground
beneath. The twigs of the cypress seemed to be preferred to
those of any other kind of tree. The height at which the nests
were placed varied from five or six feet to twenty or thirty feet.
Mr. Long described the eggs as being of a greenish white color,
unspotted. He did not remember the maximum number wliich
he had found in one set, but thought it was at least four or five.
He has often taken young birds from the nest, to rear or give
to his friends. He knew of a small colony breeding in Wau-
kulla swamp, about twenty miles from Tallahassee, in the sum-
mer of 1885, and believes that they still occur there in moderate
numbers.

"It seems difficult to reconcile such testimony with the state-
ments of Audubon, Wilson and others, that the Carolina Par-
oquet lays its eggs in hollow trees. It may be, however, that,
like the Crow Blackbird and some of the Owls, this Parrot
nests both in holes and on branches, according to tlie circum-
stances; at all events, the above account has seemed to me to
rest on evidence sufficiently good to warrant its publication."

Order COCCYGES.

CUCKOOS, ETC.

Bill variable In form, but never chisel shaped at tip, the culmen usually more
or less curved; tongue not extensible nor barbed at tip; feet zygodactyle, or
else the middle or outer toes connected for at least half their length. {Bidgway.)

SuBOEDER CUCULI. Cuckoos, etc.

Toes, tvi-o before, two behind. Bill as long as head, compressed, vpith cut-
ting edges smooth; nostrils exposed; no distinct rictal bristles; tarsus nearly or
quite as long as longest anterior toe (sometimes longer), naked for greater part
of its length; anterior toes separated to extreme base; plumage without bright
or metallic colors. [Ridgway.)

Family CUCULID^. Cuckoos, Anis, etc.

" Bill compressed, usually more or less lengthened, and with decurved cul-
men. Eictal bristles few or none. Nostrils exposed; no nasal tufts. Tail long
and soft, of eight to twelve feathers; Toes in pairs, deeply cleft or not united,

BIRBS OF KANSAS. 3^9

the outer anterior toe usually versatile, but directed rather laterally than back-
ward."

Subfamily COCCYGIN^. American Cuckoos.

"Face covered with feathers; bill elongated, more or less cylindrical, straight
or curved. Tail of teu feathers."

Genus GEOCOCCYX Wagler.
"Bill long and strong, slightly compressed, and at least as long as the head;
head crested; loral feathers, and those at base of bill, stiffened and bristly.'
Nostrils elongated, linear. A naked colored skin around and behind the eye;
the eyelids ciliated. Tarsi longer than toes; very stout. Wings very short and
concave; the tertlals as long as the primaries. Tail longer than the head and
body; composed of ten narrow, nnieh graduated feathers."

Greococcyx californianus (Less.).

ROAD-RUNNER.
PLATE XXL

Entered as an occasional visitant in the western part of tlie
State, on the authority of Mr. Charles Djer, division superin-
tendent of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, at Las
Vegas, New Mexico, who writes me that in September, 1884,
lie saw two of the birds near the railroad, and about fifteen
miles east of the west line of Kansas, and that he had seen them
quite often in Colorado, near the State line. The birds are
known to breed in Colorado as far east as Las Animas, and I
am inclined to think that they may occasionally breed within
the southwestern limits of this State.

B. 68. R. 385. C. 427. G. 178, 148. U. 385.

Habitat. Northern Mexico; north to southern Colorado,
and California; east into Texas and southwestern Kansas.

Sp. Char. "Tail very long; the lateral feathers much shortest. An erectile
crest on the head. A bare skin around and behind the eyes. Legs very long
and stout. All the feathers of the upper parts and wings of a dull metallic
olivaceous green, broadly edged with white near the end. There is, however, a
tinge of black in the green along the white line, which itself is suffused with
brown. On the neck the black preponderates. The sides and under surface of
the neck have the white feathers streaked centrally with black, next to which
IS a brownish suffusion. The remaining under parts are whitish, immaculate
Primary quills tipped with white, and with a median band across the outer
webs. Central tail feathers olive brown; the others clear dark green, all edged
and (except the central two) broadly tipped with white. Top of the head dark
blackish blue, fciize generally very variable."

320 HISTORY OF THE

stretch of
Length. iving. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 22.50 20.50 6.75 11.50 2.25 1.75

Female... 21.50 19.60 6.50 11.00 2.15 1.70

Iris pale grayish brown, the pupil encircled by a narrow yel-
low ring; the naked space around eyes, extending back to hind-
neck, pale flesh color, sometimes with a yellowish hue; eyelids
bright blue; bill dusky, with under pale bluish at base; legs and
feet ashy blue; claws blackish.

These remarkable birds are terrestial in their habits, and at
home upon the sterile plains and lands dotted with mesquite
and chaparral brush. They are very fleet of foot, and although
they can fly with ease, and quite swiftly, prefer as a rule to es-
cape by running, dodging and skulking. A solitary and usually
a silent bird. I have occasionally heard them utter a few low,
whistling, chattering notes. In their movements, generally run
about in an apparently aimless manner, often stopping and jerk-
ing their tails (which are usually carried in an elevated manner)
and assuming many grotesque and ludicrous positions. Their
food consists chiefly of beetles, grasshoppers, snails, lizards and
small, harmless snakes. I put no faith in the general belief and
many stories told about their manner of killing the large rattle-
snake; for, if they had the courage, they have not the strength
of wing, bill or claws with which to successfully attack them.
Their nests are placed upon a platform of sticks, in low trees,
and upon bushes, and are built of twigs and weeds, with occa-
sionally a slight lining of grasses. Eggs usually five to nine;
as high as twelve have been found. They vary somewhat in
size. A set of five, collected April 18, 1882, near Corpus
Christi, Texas, measure: 1.62x1.19, 1.60x1.22, 1.60x1.21, 1.59
xl. 22, 1.58x1.23; in color, white to bufly white; in form, ovate.

Genus COCCYZUS Vieillot.

"Head without crest; feathers about base of bill soft; bill nearly as long as
the head, decurved, slender, and attenuated towards the end. Nostrils linear.
Wings lengthened, reaching the middle of the tail; the tertials short. Tail of
ten graduated feathers. Feet weak; tarsi shorter than middle toe."

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 32 ^

Coccyzus americanus (Linn.).

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO.
PLATE XXI.

A summer resident; common. Arrive early in May; begin
laying the last of May; return early in September; a few occa-
sionally linger until the first of October.

B. 69. R. 387. C. 429. G. 178, 149. U. 3S7.

Habitat. Eastern North America; south from New Bruns-
wick, Canada, etc., to the West Indies and Costa Eica; west to
eastern Mexico and the edge of the Great Plains. They are
known to breed within their range as far south as the West
Indies.

Sp. Chae. "Upper mandible and tip of lower black; rest of lower mandible
and cntting edges of the upper, yellow. Upper parts of a metallic greenish olive'
slightly tinged with ash towards the bill; beneath white. Tail feathers (except
the median, which are like the back) black, tipped with white for about an inch
on the outer feathers, the external one with the outer edge almost entirely wliite
Quills^ orange cinnamon; the terminal portion and a gloss on the outer webs

Stretch of
'■'"S^''- ■'"'"S- ^Vin^. Tail. Tarsus. Bill

^^^le 13-35 16.00 .5.75 6.00 1.00 100

Female... 11.60 16.00 5.55 5.50 1.00 .95

Iris brown; legs and feet bluish olive; claws horn blue.
This species is generally known as the "Kain Crow" or "Cow-
bird; " the latter on account of its call notes: "Kow, kow, kow,
kow, kow," uttered rapidly; the former because the birds are
more noisy when the atmosphere is moist and warm, and their oft-
repeated notes are therefore thought to be an indication of fall-
ing weather. Their notes are occasionally heard at night. They
inhabit alike the deep, solitary woods, the open groves and prai-
rie thickets. Their flight is noiseless, smooth and swift, gliding
with ease through the thick trees and branches. The birds feed
upon nearly all forms of insect life; even the ugly caterpillar is
devoured with a relish. When the breeding season is over thev
feed freely upon berries.

The males arrive about eight days in advance of the females-
their courtships are of short duration, and they soon commence
making preparations for housekeeping.

Thejr nests, a loose, frail, flat strul^ture made of sticks and

322 HISTORY OF THE

weeds, with at times a little grass, are placed in bushes, grape-
vines, and on the lower branches of trees, from five to fifteen
feet from the ground. The males assist in hatching and rear-
ing the young, and are fully as attentive as the females. They
are said to occasionally lay eggs in the nests of other birds, but
I think such cases exceptional, for they are too devoted parents
to leave — unless by accident — the rearing of their young to
others. In this respect they difi'er from their cousins the Euro-
pean Cuckoos, that are polygamous, and exhibit no paternal affec-
tion for their young.

The birds occasionally lay and sit at the same time, and it is
not an unusual occurrence to find eggs and young birds of dif-
ferent ages in the same nest; but as a rule they lay, and hatch
at one sitting, from three to five eggs, 1.25x.90; light bluish
green; in form, rather elliptical.

Coccyzus erythrophthalmus (Wils.).

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO.
PLATE XXI.

A summer resident; not uncommon; but being of a shy and
retiring nature, are not often noticed. Arrive the first of May,
returning in September; begin laying the last of May, In my
Revised Catalogue I entered this bird as rare, as I was only able
to report the finding of two nests, one at Paola, the other at
Manhattan. Several nests have since been found in the vicinity
of Lawrence, Beatrice, and other places in the eastern portion
of the State.

B. 70. R. 388. C. 428. G. 179, 150. U. 388.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to Labrador and
Manitoba; west to the Rocky Mountains; south in winter to
northern South America.

Sp. Char. "Bill entirelj^ black. Upper parts generally of a metallic green-
ish olive, ashy towards the base of the bill; beneath pure white, with a brownish
yellow tinge on the throat. Inner webs of the quills tinged with cinnamon.
Under surface of all the tail feathers hoary ash gray. All, except the central
on either side, suffused with darker to the short, bluish white, and not well de-
fined tip. A naked red skin round the eye."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male la.OO 16.25 5.40 6.40 .92 .95

Female... 11.50 15.80 5.20 6.00 .92 .92

BIIWS OB' KANSAS. 393

Iris bi-OM-n; legs, feet and claws darkish bine.

These birds are similar in actions and habits to the Yellow-
billed; but more inclined to nest in open groves, and bushes
upon the uplands; and their nests are a little more compactly
built, thougii at best a loose, flat structure. Eggs smaller, a
sliade darker, and more rounded in form.

Suborder ALCYONES. Kingfishers.

Toes, three before, one behiucl. {Ridgicay.)

The outer and middle toes with basal phalanges united.

Family ALCEDINIDJE. Kingfishers.
Bill longer than head, with straight outlines, the cutting edges smooth fin all
American species); tall much shorter than wing, with middle feathers { in Amer-
ican species) not longer than the rest; tarsus only about half as long as middle
toe. {Bidgwaij.)

Genus CERYLE Bote.
''Bill long, straight and strong, the culmen slightly advancing on the fore-
head and sloping to the acute tip; the sides much compressed; the lateral margins
rather dilated at the base and straight to the tip; the gonys long and ascending.
Tail rather long and broad. Tarsi short and stout."

Subgenus STREPTOCERYLE Bonaparte.
Wing 6.00, or more; tarsus about as long as hind toe, much shorter than Inner
anterior toe; plumage without metallic gloss. Upper parts plumbeous blue or
bluish plumbeous, more or less streaked with black (especially on top of head )
the tan feathers transversely spotted with white, these markings usually more
or less hidden in closed tail; chin, throat and collar round hindneck pure white
(Eidgway.)

Ceryle alcyon (Linn.).

BELTED KINGFISHER.
PLATE XXL

A common summer resident, and, when the winters are mild
an occasional resident. Begin laying about the last of April. '

B. 117. R. 382. C. 423. G. 177, 151. U. 390.

Habitat. The whole of North America; south to Panama
including the West Indies.

lu.t?; T""' .',!^''h '''"' ^ '""^ "'"''• '^''""^' ^'^^ '^^"«' ^'tho"* metallic
uster. Beneath, with a concealed band across the occiput, and a spot anterior

to the eye, Pure white. A band across the breast, and the sides of the body under

the wings, like the back. Primaries white on the basal half, the terminal spotted

Tail with transverse bands and spots of white. Female and young with sides

neol'r J, T t ""T *'' ''"' ^ '•^''" '''' "^"^^^^-^^ «"^) ''^"^^ chestnut; the

pectoral band more or less tinged with the same."

324 HISTORY OF THE

The birds vary somewhat in size; specimens examined, how-
ever, show the females fully as large as the males. The follow-
ing is an average measurement:

stretch of
Length. luing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

13.00 22.00 6.30 3.80 .40 2.00

Iris dark brown; bill black, or rather shite, with sides of
upper to nostrils, and forks of under, pale blue; legs dull purple
to greenish blue; feet dusky, bottoms pale, with a slight yellow-
ish hue; claws black.

This widely distributed and solitary species appears to be as
much at home in the Arctic regions as within the tropical, often
remaining there until the ice closes their natural fishing grounds,
and hunger forces them to seek for the finny tribe in similar
open waters. Their favorite resorts are along the margins of
ponds, and at the foot of shallow rapids, where they patiently
watch from an overhanging limb, or perch, ready to dive for
the unlucky minnow that apj) roaches to the surface of the water,
seldom failing to capture. They are equally successful on the
wing, hovering for a time before plunging; in all cases carrying
the catch to the nearest resting place, where they usually kill it
by beating it against the perch, and always swallow the same
head first.

In flight the motion of their wings is very rapid, and their
course direct, and usually near the surface of the water. Their
voice is shrill and harsh, much like the sound of a watchman's
rattle.

Their nests are placed at the end of burrows, which the birds
tunnel horizontally into the sides and near the tops of perpen-
dicular or steep banks of streams, and occasionally into the sides
of gravel banks, some distance from the water; are usually
about two feet in depth, but have been known to extend over
fifteen feet; in fact, not stopping work until a place is reached
where they can safely rear their young without fear from fall-
ing earth or pebbles. At the end it is scooped out oven shaped
for the nest, which is sometimes sparingly lined with grasses
and feathers. Eggs five or six, 1.32x1.05; pure white; inform,,
oval.

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BIRDS OF KANSAS. 325

Order PICI.
woodpeckers, wrynecks, etc.

Toes only two in frout, or, if three, the middle and outer toes connected for
at least half their length. Tail feathers stiff and more or less pointed, and bill
more or less chisel-like. (Eidc/way.)

Family PlCID-ffi. Woodpeckers.

'•Outer toe turned backwards permanently, not versatile laterally, the basal
portion of the tongue capable of great protrusion."

Genus DRYOBATES Boie.

Without crest, and size small (wing not more than 5.00). Nasal groove ex-
tending nearly to top of bill; terminal half of bill not distinctly compressed.
Tongue greatly extensile; plumage much varied with black (or brown) and white,
the latter prevailing on lower parts. {Bidgway.)

Dryobates villosus (Liistn.).

HAIRY WOODPECKER.
PLATE XXII.

Kesident; common. Begin laying the last of April.

B. 74. K. 360. C. 438. G. 167, 153. U. 393.

Habitat. Middle portion of the eastern United States, from

the Atlantic coast to near the base of the Rocky Mountains.

Sp. Chak. "Above, black, with a white band down the middle of the back.
All the middle and larger M'iug coverts and all the quills with conspicuous spots
of white. Two white stripes on each side of the head; the upper scarcely con-
fluent behind, the lower not at all so; two black stripes confluent with the black
of the nape. Beneath white. Three outer tail feathers with the exposed por-
tions white. Male with a nuchal scarlet crescent (wanting in the female) cov-
ering the white, generally continuous, but often interrupted in the middle.
Immature birds of either sex with more or less of the whole crown spotted with
red or yellow, or both, sometimes the red almost continuous."

stretch of

Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 9.10 15.00 4.80 3.40 .85 1.20

Female... 8.75 14.75 4.70 3.25 .85 1.15

Iris brown; bill pale horn bine, darkest terminally, tips whit-
ish; legs and feet bluish gray; claws black.

326 HISTORY OF THE

The natural home of this species is along the timbered streams
and edges of woodlands, often frequenting the • orchards and
trees about our dwellings, especially during the winter months,
though by no means as familiar a bird as the Downy. Their
loud, clear, "Cheep," which they often repeat, announces their
presence. They also have a strong, shrill, tremulous song or
call note, and the usual family habit of drumming upon a dead
limb or stub, and the same undulating manner of flight — an
alternate rising and sinking, caused by closing the wings for an
instant, after a few vigorous strokes to give them headway.

Their food consists chiefly of insects, their eggs and larvae,
which they extract from crevices in the bark, and by chipping
circular holes through the same for the grub feeding upon the
wood and destroying the life of the tree. Tliey occasionally
feed upon berries and the meat of nuts, but they are not a fav-
orite food, as is the case with the Red-headed.

Their nesting places are at the bottom of circular holes, which
they excavate in the decaying trunks, limbs or cavities in trees,
which, in either case, they chip out to suit. The nests are quite
a distance below the entrance. The males are dutiful husbands,
and share alike the labors of nest making, hatching and rearing
of the young. Eggs usually four, .96x. 73; pure crystal white;
in form, rather spherical.

Dryobates pubescens (Linx.).

DOWNY WOODPECKER.
PLATE XXII.

Resident; common. Begin laying the last of April.

B. 76. R. 361. C. 440. G. 168, 153. U. 394.

Habitat. ^Northern North America; south in the eastern
portion to the Gulf coast.

Sp. Char. '"A miuiature of D. villosus. Above, black, witb a wbite band
down the back. Two white stripes ou the side of the head, the lower of oppo-
site sides always separated behind, the upper sometimes confluent on the nape.
Two stripes of black on the side of the head, the lower not running into the
forehead. Beneath, white; all the middle and greater coverts and all the quills
with white spots (the larger coverts with two series each); tertiaries or inner
secondaries all banded with white. Two outer tail feathers white, with two
bauds of black at end; third white at tip (and externally); crlssum sometimes

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 327

spotted with black. Male with red temiiuatiug the white feathers on the nape.
Young with whole top of head red."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.60 11.75 3.65 2..55 .65 .69

Female... 6.50 11.60 3.55 2.40 .65 .67

Iris dark brown; bill slate blue; legs, feet and claws pale blue.

These restless, energetic little Woodpeckers are very similar
in their actions and habits to the Hairy, but more social and less
fearful of man. Wilson says:

"The principal characteristics of this little bird are diligence,
familiarity, perseverance, and strength and energy in the head
and muscles of the neck which are truly astonishing. Mounted
on the infected branch of an old apple tree, where insects have
lodged their corroding and destructive brood in crevices be-
tween the bark and wood, he labors sometimes for half an
hour incessantly at the same spot before he has succeeded in
dislodging and destroying them. At these times you may walk
up pretty close to the tree, and even stand immediately below
it, within five or six feet of the bird, without in the least em-
barrassing him. The strokes of his bill are distinctly heard
several hundred yards off, and I have known him to be at work
for two hours together on the same tree. Buffon calls this
'incessant toil and slavery,' their attitude 'a painful posture,'
and their life 'a dull and insipid existence' — expressions im-
proper because untrue, and absurd because contradictory. Tlie
posture is that for which the whole organization of his frame is
particularly adapted, and though to a Wren or a Hummingbird
the labor would be toil and slavery, yet to him it is, I am con-
vinced, as pleasant and amusing as the sports of the chase to
the hunter, or the sucking of flowers to the Hummingbird.
The eagerness with which he traverses the upper and lower
sides of the branches, the cheerfulness of his cry and the liveli-
ness of his motions while digging in the tree and dislodging the
vermin, justifies this belief. He has a single note, or 'Chink,'
which, like the former species, he frequently repeats; and when
he flies off or alights on another tree, he utters a rather shriller
cry, composed of nearly the same kind of a note, quickly reit-

328 HISTORY OF THE

erated. In tlie fall and winter he associates with the Titmouse,
Creeper, etc., both in their wood and orchard excursions, and
usually leads the van. Of all our Woodpeckers, none rid the
apple trees of so many vermin as this, digging off the moss
which the negligence of the proprietor has suffered to accumu-
late, and probing every crevice. In fact, the orchard is his
favorite resort in all seasons, and his industry is unequaled
and almost incessant, which is more than can be said of any
other species we have. In the fall he is particularly fond of
boring the apple trees for insects, digging a circular hole through
the bark just sufficient to admit his bill; after that a second,
third, etc., in pretty regular horizontal circles around the body
of the tree. These parallel circles of holes are often not more
than an inch or an inch and a half apart, and sometimes so
close together that I have covered eight or ten of them at once
with a dollar. From nearly the surface of the ground up to the
first fork, and sometimes far beyond it, the whole bark of many
apple trees is perforated in this manner, so as to appear as if
made by successive discharges of buckshot, and our little Wood-
pecker, the subject of the present account, is the principal per-
petrator of this supposed mischief — I say supposed; for so far
from these perforations of the bark being ruinous, they are not
only harmless, but, I have good reason to believe, really bene-
ficial to the health and fertility of the tree. I leave it to the
philosophical botanist to account for this, but the fact I am con-
fident of. In more than fifty orchards which I, myself, have
carefully examined, those trees which were marked by the
Woodpecker (for some trees they never touch, perhaps because
not penetrated by insects) were uniformly the most thriving,
and seemingly the most productive. Many of these were up-
wards of sixty years old, their trunks completely covered with
holes, while the branches were broad, luxuriant, and loaded with
fruit. Of decayed trees, more than three-fourths were un-
touched by the Woodpecker. Several intelligent farmers with
whom I have convei-sed candidly acknowledged the truth of
these observations, and with justice look upon these birds as
beneficial; but the most common opinion is that they bore the

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 329

trees to suck the sap. and so destroy its vegetation, thonoh pine
and other resinous trees, on the juice of which it is not pre-
tended that they feed, are often found equally perforated. Were
the sap of the ti-ee their object, the saccharine juice of the birch,
the sugar maple and several others would be much more invit-
ing, because more sweet and nourishing than that of either pear
or apple tree; but I have not observed one mark on the former
for ten thousand that may be seen on the latter; besides, the
early part of the spring is the season when the sap flows most
abundantly, whereas it is only during the months of September,
October and November that Woodpeckers are seen so indefati-
gably engaged in orchards, probing every crack and crevice,
boring through the bark, and, what is worth remarking, chiefly
on the south and southwest sides of the tree, for the eggs and
larvae deposited there by the countless swarms of summer in-
sects. These, if suffered to remain, would prey upon the very
vitals (if I may so express it) of the tree, and in the succeeding
summer give birth to myriads more of their race, equally de-
structive. ' '

For the above supposed reason, the birds so beneficial, and in
no sense injurious, are frequently misnamed "Sapsuckers," a
term not applicable to any of our Woodpeckers, except genus
Sphyrajncus.

The nests are excavated in decaying limbs, or bodies of small
trees, usually ten to fifteen feet from the ground (the apple tree
a favorite); the entrance round and just large enough to admit
the bird, then smoothly chipped downward for several inches,
and enlarged to fit the body. Eggs four or five, rarely six, .75
X.58; pure crystal white; in form, rather subspherical.

Genus SPHYRAPICUS Baird.
"Bill as in Pkus, but the lateral ridge, which is very prominent, running out
distinctly to the commissure at about its middle, beyond which tlie bill is
rounded, without any angles at all. The culmeu and gouys are very nearly
straight, but slightly convex, the bill tapering rapidly to a point; the lateral out-
line concave to very near the slightly beveled tip. Outer pair of toes longest;
the hinder exterior rather longest; the inner posterior too very short, less than
the inner anterior without its claw. Wings long and pointed; the third, ex-
cluding the spurious, longest. Tail feathers very broad, abruptly acuminate,
with a very long linear tip. Tongue scarcely extensible."

330 HISTORY OF THE

Sphyrapicus varius (Linn.).

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER.
PLATE XXII.

Mi2;ratory; rare. Arrive the last of March to middle of
April; return in October.

B. 85. li. 369. C. 446. G. 169, 154. U. 402.

Habitat. North America, north and east of the Rocky

Mountain slope; breeding from the northern United States

northward; south in winter throughout Mexico, to Guatemala;

West Indies.

Sp. Char. "Third quill longest; second a little shorter; first between fourth
and fifth, considerably shorter. General color above black, much variegated
with white. Feathers of the bacli and rump brownish white, spotted with black.
Crown crimson, bordered by black on the sides of the head and nape. A streak
from above the eye, a broad stripe from the bristles of the bill, passing below
the eye and into the yellowish of the belly, enclosing a black postocular one,
and a stripe along the edges of the wing covert, white. A triangular broad
patch of scarlet on the chin, bordered on each side by black stripes from the
lower mandible, which meet behind and extend into a large quadrate spot on
the breast. Kest of under parts yellowish white, or yellow, streaked and banded
on the sides with black. Inner web of inner tail feather white, spotted with
black. Outer feathers black, edged and spotted with white. Quills spotted
with white. Female with the red of the throat replaced by white. Innnature
bird without black on the breast, or I'ed on top of the head, as in every inter-
mediate stage to the perfect plumage."

Length .

Stretch of
wing.

Whig.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . . .

8. .50

15.75

5.00

3.20

.80

1.00

Female . .

8.00

15.25

4.90

3.10

.80

.90

Iris brown; bill and claws brownish black; legs and feet
olive green.

This is about the western limit of this attractive migrant;
eastward it is a common bird, breeding chiefly north of the
United States, seldom south of 42°. These birds are rather si-
lent as a rule, but at times noisy, uttering harsh, querulous notes,
and are great drummers. They are not shy or suspicious; vis-
iting the orchards and trees about dwellings. Their tongues
are only slightly extensile, not long enough to probe for and
successfully reach the wood-eating larva, as is the case with all
of our Woodpeckers not of this genus; and they therefore hunt
more like the Nuthatches and Creepers, for the various forms of

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 33 1

insect life. Tliej are also known to feed upon the live, soft
inner bark of trees, often injuring the tree by chipping out here
and there patches of the bark, and for this reason are called
" Sapsuckers. "

Their nests are excavated in dead or decaying trees, from fif-
teen to sixty feet from the ground. Eggs four to seven. A
set of four, taken at Pewaukee, Wisconsin, from a hole exca-
vated in an ash tree, measure: .88x. 69, .88x. 66, .86x. 66, .85
X. 65. This nest was about fifteen inches below the entrance,
and twenty feet from the ground. Another set of four eggs,
taken May 30th, 1886, near Bayfield, Wisconsin, from a nest
in a green poplar tree, thirty feet from the ground, measure:
.89X.68, .90X.69, .90x.70, .92x.68; pure glossy white; in
form, oblong to subspherical.

Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis Baikd.

RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER.
PLATE XXII.

In the western part of the State, migratory; rare. I have
met with the birds but twice in the State, each time on the south
fork of the Smoky Hill River, near Wallace.

B. 86. E. 3G9a. C. 447. G. , 1.5.5. U. 402a.

Habitat. Rocky Mountain regions of the United States;

south into the mountains of Mexico.

Sp. Chak. "Markings generally as in S. -Darius. A red nuchal crescent.
Belly yellowish white. The red of the throat extending over and obliterating
the black stripe from the lower mandible, except on the side of the jaw. Post-
ocular black patch tinged with red. Secondaries with little or no white on outer
webs. Tail feathers black (scarcely varied), the innermost with inner web (as
iavarius). Female similar, but witii the chin white; the throat red, bordered (as
in the male) by a black stripe from the bill to the black pectoral patch."

stretch of

Length.

wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 8.. 50

1.5.40

4.95

3.30

.80

.90

Female . .

. 8.30

15.00

4.75

3.20

.80

.90

Iris brown; bill and claws slate black; legs and feet pale
greenish olive.

This Western variety of the Yellow-bellied is very similar in
its habits and actions. They are to be looked for during the
summer montlis in the high, mountainous regions. The aspen

332 HISTORY OF THE

tree seems to be their favorite. As the cokl weather approaches,
they seek the valleys and work their way southward, wintering
among the cottonwoods and willows skirting the streams. I
have found them quite common in suitable localities that I have
visited within their range.

Their nests are excavated chiefly in live trees, usually the
aspen, the center of the tree showing signs of decay. The
cavities are gourd shaped and quite roomy; and I have found
them ranging all the way from five to forty feet from the ground.
Eggs usually four or five; average dimensions, as given by Ridg-
way, .87x. 65. A set of four, collected near Fort Garland,
Colorado, measure: .84x. 66, .84x.69, .85x.68, .86x.69; pure
lustrous white, with a pinkish hue before blowing; vary in form
from almost subspherical to ovate.

Genus CEOPHLCEUS Cabanis.
"Bill a little longer than the head; cousiderably depressed, or broader than
high at the base; shaped much as in Campephilus, except shorter, and without the
bristly feathers directed forwards at the base of the lower jaw. Gouys about
half the length of the commissure. Tarsus shorter than any toe, except the
inner posterior. Outer posterior toe shorter than the outer anterior, and a little
longer than the inuer anterior. Inner posterior very short, not half the outer
anterior, about half the inner anterior one. Tail long, graduated; the longer
feathers much incurved at the tip. Wing longer than the tail, reaching to the
middle of the exposed surface of tail; considerably graduated, though pointed;
the fourth and fifth quills longest. Color uniform black. Head with pointed
occipital crest. A stripe from the nasal tufts beneath the eye and down side
of neck, throat, lining of wing, and basal portion of under surface of quills,
white; some species with the abdomen and sides barred black and brownish
white; other with a white scapular stripe in addition. Male with whole crown
and crest and maxillary patch red; female with only the crest red."

Ceophloeus pileatus (Linn.).

PILEATED WOODPECKER.
PLATE XXII.

Not an uncommon resident along the streams, in heavily
wooded bottom lands. Begin laying about the first of April.

B. 90. E. 371. C. 432. G. 170, 156. U. 405.

Habitat. Said by other writers to be found in the heavily
wooded districts of North America at large. I have never met

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 333

with the birds south of the United States, and I fail to find any
record of their occurrence north of 62°.

Sp. Chae. "Fourth aud fifth quills equal and longest; third intermediate
between sixth and seventh. Bill blue black; more horn color beneath. Gen-
eral color of body, wings and tail, dull greenish black. A narrow white streak
from just above the eye to the occiput; a wider one from the nostril feathers
(inclusive), under the eye and along the side of the head and the neck; sides of
the breast (concealed by the wing), axillars, and under wing coverts, and con-
cealed bases of all the quills, with chin, and beneath the head, white, tinged with
sulphur yellow. Entire crown, from the base of the bill to a well-developed oc-
ciputal crest, as also a patch on the ramus of the lower jaw, scarlet red. A few
faint white crescents on the sides of the body and on the abdomen. Longer
primaries generally tipped with white.

"Female without the red on the cheek, and the anterior half of that on the
top of the head replaced by black."

Length.

Siirtch of
wing.

IVing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

BUI.

Male ....

. 18.50

29.00

9.60

7.25

1.35

2.20

Female . .

. 16.00

27.35

9.00

6.00

1.30

2.00

Iris yellow; bill, upper dark horn blue, under sky blue, with
tips slate black; tarsus, feet and claws black.

These birds were formerly quite common, but being of a shy
and solitary nature, they are fast disappearing wherever the set-
tlements invade their forest home. Their manner of flight is
undulating, like that of the family, but very strong and well sus-
tained. Their loud, cackling notes and vigorous strokes of the
bill break the stillness that surrounds them. Their large size,
energy and strength enable them to chip off large patches of
bark, and make the decaying wood fly, in their search for insect
life. Ants appear to be a favorite food, and when they lay dor-
mant during the winter months in hollows at the base and center
of live trees, I have known these birds to chisel in. solid hard
wood to the depth of four and five inches, or until the ants are
reached. They also occasionally feed upon berries, nuts, etc.

Their nesting places are usually excavated in the trunks of
tall trees, ranging from about twenty to eighty feet from the
ground. Eggs four to six; pure glossy, pearly white; in form,
elliptical to elongate ovate. A set of five eggs, taken April 18th,
1887, near Giddings, Texas, from the dead top of a pin oak,
twenty-five feet from the ground, measure: 1.26x. 96, 1.33x. 96,
1.37X.96, 1.38X.97, 1.41x.97.

334 HISTORY OF THE

Genus MELANERPES Swainson.

"Bill about equal to tlie head; broader thau high at the base, but becoming
compressed immediately anterior to the commencement, of the gonys. Culmen
and gonys with a moderately decided angular ridge; both decidedly curved from
the very base. A rather prominent acute ridge commences at the base of the
mandible, a little below the ridge of the culmen, and proceeds but a short dis-
tance anterior to the nostrils (about one-third of the way), when it sinks down
and the bill is then smooth. The lateral outlines are gently concave from the
basal two-thirds; then gently convex to the tip, which does not exhibit any ab-
rupt beveling. Nostrils open, broadly oval; not concealed by the feathers, nor
entirely basal. Fork of chin less than half lower jaw. The outer pair of toes
equal. Wings long, broad, lengthened. Tail feathers broad, with lengthened
points.

"The species all have the back black, without any spots or streaks any-
where."

Subgenus MELANERPES.

Back, scapulars and wing coverts plain glossy blackish (grayish, indistinctly
barred with dusky in the young of M. erythrocephalus). Lower parts, rump
and upper tail coverts white; plumage of neck and lower parts soft, blended;
wing less thau 6.00. {Bidgway.)

Melanerpes erythrocephalus (Linx.).

RED-HEADED WOODPECBZER.
PLATE XXn.

Summer resident; common. Occasionally linger into the win-
ter. Begin laying about the middle of May.

B. 94. R. 375. C. 453. G. 172, 157. U. 406.

Habitat. Eastern provinces of the United States, westward
to within the Kocky Mountains, and occasionally to California.

Sp. Char. "Head and neck all round crimson red, margined by a narrow
crescent of black on the upper part of breast. Back, primary quills and tail
bluish black. Under parts generally, a broad band across the middle of the
wings, and the rump, white. The female is not different. Bill bluish white,
darker terminally; iris chestnut; feet olive gray. Young: Without any red,
the head and neck being grayish streaked with dusky; breast with an ashy tinge,
and streaked sparsely with dusky; secondaries with two or three bands of black;
dorsal region clouded with grayish."

stretch of
length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 9.50 17.50 5.50 3.35 .85 1.00

Female... 9.25 17.00 5.40 3.30 .85 1.00

Iris dark brown; bill light blue, darkest along the ridge and
at tips; legs and feet olive blue; claws black.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 335

These familiar birds are at home in the woods, the groves,
and wliere there are solitary ti'ees or telegraph poles upon the
prairies and treeless plains. They are very social and playful
in tlieir habits, and are often to be seen, at all seasons of the
year, chasing each other in the air, and playing hide-and-seek
around the bodies of trees and among the branches. They
are also quite successful as flycatchers, and seem at times to en-
joy darting for the same, and returning to their perch. (This
is not an unusual habit with many of the family.) Their notes
are sharp and tremulous, and sound much like the voice of the
tree frog. Their food consists of the various forms of insect
life, grains, berries and fruits of all kinds, and for the latter
reason are in bad repute with the farmer; but I think the good
they do in the destruction of injurious worms, etc., more than
pays for the share they claim at the harvest. But they do have
a bad habit of marring the steeples of churches, and the cornices
of dwellings, by not only chipping holes in various places, in
their search for nesting places, but by drumming upon the
boards.

Their nests are deep, round holes, gourd shape at the bottom,
chipped out by the birds in dead or decaying limbs, trunks of
trees, etc. Eggs four to six; varying in size. A set of four
eggs, taken June 1st, 1877, at Pewaukee, Wisconsin, from a nest
in a stub about twenty feet from the ground, measure: l.OOx
.79, l.Olx.74, 1.02X.77, 1.02x.76; pure transparent white; in
form, rather elliptical to oblong ovate.

Subgenus ASYNDESMUS Coues.

Bill almost colaptiue in general aspect, but with short, distinct lateral ridges,
as in Melanerpes; as long as head, rather longer than tarsus, not broader than
high at base, compressed and somewhat curved toward end; pointed, with
scarcely any lateral beveling. Culmeu curved and scarcely ridged; gonys straight-
Wings of excessive length, folding nearly to end of tail, and peculiar in pro-
portion of primaries; fourth quill longest, third and fifth about equal and shorter
than second. Inner anterior claw reaching little beyond base of outer anterior.
Feathers of under parts and of a nuchal collar, with the fibrilla of their colored
portions, enlarged in caliber, bristly, of silicious hardness, loosened and discon-
nected, being devoid of barbicels and booklets. Dorsal plumage compact, of
intense metallic luster. Feathers of face soft and velvety. Sexes alike; young
different. {Coues.)

336 HISTORY OF THE

Melanerpes torcLuatus (Wils.).

LEWIS'S WOODPECKER.
PLATE XXII.

Taken at Ellis bj Dr. Watson, May 6th, 1878; one specimen
was obtained from a flock of six or eight.

B. 96. R. 376. C. 456. G. 173, 1.58. U. 408.

Habitat. Western United States; east to the Black Hills and

western Texas.

Sp. Char. "Feathers on the under parts bristle-like. Fourth quill longest;
then third and fifth. Above, dark glossy green. Breast, lower part of neck,
and a narrow collar all round, hoary grayish white. Around the base of the bill,
and sides of the head to behind the eyes, dark crimson. Belly blood red, streaked
finely with hoary whitish. Wings and tail entirely uniform dark glossy green.
Female similar. Young without the nuchal collar, and the red of head replaced
by black."

stretch of

Length.

•wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 11.00

21.50

6.75

4.20

.90

1.25

Female . .

. 10.75

20.75

6.50

4.00

.90

1.15

Iris brown; bill and claws black; legs and feet slate color.

This remarkable Woodpecker inhabits the pine and oak dis-
tricts of the Rocky Mountain region, often in the summer months
reaching an elevation of over 7,500 feet, moving on the ap-
proach of winter into the foothills and southward. It differs in
many respects from the usual habits and actions of the family.
When going any distance its flight is high and direct, and ac-
complished with regular strokes of the wings; but flights from
tree to tree are more or less undulating. It alights and hops
about in the branches much like our regular perchers, and would
hardly be taken for a Woodpecker, unless observed while climb-
ing about over the trunks of trees, pecking here and there in
search for insects and their larva. It is an expert flycatcher,
and seems to delight in chasing and catching the festive grass-
hoppers, that (in their season) take regular afternoon aerial
flights. It is also a shy, wary bird of the tree tops, seldom
visiting the ground; and as a rule rather silent, except during
the mating season, when they are quite noisy.

Their nests are usually excavated near the tops of tall, isolated,
dead or decaying pine trees. I have often found the birds nest-
ing in Colorado and New Mexico, but never low enough to be

nJItnS OF KANSAS. 337

able to collect their eggs, which are said to be four to six; from
tlie various ineasuretnents that I have examined, l.UTx.Sl is, I
think, about the average size; in form, rather subspherical.

Subgenus CENTURUS Swainson.

"Back and wings banded transversely with black and white. Crown more
or less red; rest of head, with under parts, grayish, and with led or yellow tinge
on the middle of the abdomen. Rump white."

Melanerpes carolinus (I.ixn.).

RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.
PLATE XXII.

Resident; abundant. Begin laying early in April.

B. 91. R. 372. C. 450. G. 171, 159. U. 409.

Habitat. Eastern United States; west to eastern base of the

Rocky Mountains; south to Florida and central Texas; rare or

accidental east of the Hudson River.

Sp. Chak. "Third, fourth and fifth quills nearly equal, and longest; Seconal
(or outermost) and seventh about equal. Top of head and nape crimson red.
Forehead whitish, strongly tinged with light red, a shade of which is also seen
on the cheek, still stronger on the middle of the belly. Under parts brownish
white, with a faint wash of yellowish on the belly. Back, rump aud wing cov-
erts banded black and white; upper tail coverts white, with occasional blotches.
Tail feathers black, first transversely banded with white; second less so; all
the rest with whitish tips. Inner feathers banded with white on the inner web;
the outer web with a stripe of white along the middle. Female with the ci'own
ashy; forehead pale red; nape bright red."

Ta rsus. Bill.

.83 1.15

.82 1.10

Iris bright red; bill and claws black; legs and feet greenish
blue.

This restless, noisy species prefers for its home the timbered
bottom lands bordering the streams; but it is by no means a
shy or wary bird, often visiting, and occasionally breeding in,
the groves and trees about our upland dwellings. And in its
search for food, regardless of our presence, it climbs in its usual
spiral or zigzag manner the trees and their branches, boldly ut-
tering now and then its familiar "Chaw-chaw"; darting off oc-
casionally to catch a passing insect upon the wing. Its flight

—22

Length,

Stretch of
luitig.

Wing.

Tail.

Male . . . .

. 10.00

17.00

5.;iQ

3.50

Female . .

9.60

16.50

5.20

3.30

338 IIIHTOEY OF THE

is undulating, and its habits in many respects like the Red-
headed, but it is not so much of an upland bird, or lover of
berries and fruits, and therefore more respected by the farmer.
Their nests are excavated in stubs and decaying trunks and
branches of trees, ranging from fifteen to forty feet from the
ground. Eggs four or five, occasionally six. A set of five
eggs, collected April 14th, 1878, at Neosho Falls, Kansas,
measure: l.OOx.70, l.OOx.71, 1.02x.71, 1.02x.74; pure trans-
parent white, the air sac or circular spot at larger end chalky
white; in form, rather elliptical to oblong oval. They were
taken from a nest in the trunk of a small, leaning walnut tree,
about thirty feet from the ground; entrance on the under side, a
round hole just large enough to admit the birds, enlarged below
from four to five inches, and twelve inches in depth; a very
roomy nest, no lining; eggs laid on the soft, rotten wood.

Genus COLAPTES Swainson.

"Bill slender, depressed at the base, then compressed. Culmen much curved
gonys straight; both with acute ridges, aud coming to quite a sharp point with
the commissure at the end; the bill consequently not truncate at the end. No
ridges on the bill. Nostrils basal, median, oval and exposed. Gonys very short,
about half the culmen. Feet large; the anterior outer toe considerably longer
than the posterior. Tail long, exceeding the secondaries; the feathers suddenly
acuminate, with elongated points."

Colaptes auratus (Linn.).

FLICKER.
PLATE XXn.

Resident; common. Begin laying the last of April.

B. 97. R. 378. 0. 457. G. 174, 160. U. 412.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to Hudson's Bay;
west to the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains; also reported
from Alaska, where we would only naturally look for the North-
western Flicker.

Sp. Char. "Shafts and under surfaces of wing and tail feathers gamboge
yellow. Male: With a black patch on each side of the cheek. A red crescent
on the nape. Throat aud stripe beneath the eye pale lilac brown. Back glossed
with olivaceous green. Female: Without the black cheek patch.

Additional Characteks. "A crescentic patch on the breast, and rounded
spots ou the belly, black. Back and wing coverts with interrupted transverse

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 339

bands of black. Neck above and on the sides ashy. Beneath, pale pinkish
brown, tinged with yellow on the abdomen, each feather with a heartrshaped
spot of black near the end. Rump white."

Stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 12.50 20.00 6.20 4..50 1.10 1.30

Female... 12.35 19.50 6.15 4.35 1.10 1.25

Iris dark brown; bill slate blue; legs and feet ashj or light
lead color; claws horn blue.

This well known, familiar bird is as much at home on our
prairies as within the wooded districts. Mr. Langille, in his in-
teresting work, "Our Birds in their Haunts," says:

"Next to the Eobin, Bluebird or Barn Swallow, few mem-
bers of the feathered tribes are better known than the 'Flicker,'
'High-hole,' 'Yellow-hammer,' etc., for the Golden-wing is
known bj all these names. His several notes are among the
most characteristic sounds of spring, at which time he is thor-
oughly noisy. Coming from the South in large numbers, late
in March or early in April, ascending some tall, dry tree top, at
early dawn, he announces himself, either by a sonorous rapping
on the dry wood, or by a loud squealing, but jovial call, "Chee-
ah, chee-ah," which, once noted, is not easily forgotten. But
even this latter is not half so awakening as a certain prolonged
strain, nearly two syllables in regular repetition, something like
"Whric'k-ah, whric'k-ah, whric'k-ah, whric'k-ah, whric'k-ah,
whric'k-ah." This vocal performance, meant for a song, no
doubt, is a mere rollicking racket, toned down, indeed, amidst
the many voices of spring, and even rendered pleasing by its
good-natured hilarity. How significant is that little love note,
"Yu-cah," half guttural, half whisper, which he repeats at in-
tervals, as he flits about the solitude of the forest in spring, or
plays bo-peep with his lover, around the broken-ofl top or Hmb
of some dead tree.

"His flight is swift, vigorous and dashing; is performed in
curves by a few flaps of the wings, curving upward several feet,
when alighting on the trunk of a tree, but ending horizontally
when ahghting crosswise on a limb, after the manner of perch-
ing birds. In manner, as in structure, he is not precisely like

340 HISTORY OF THE

the rest of his family. At home anywhere, from the tallest tree
top to the ground, and always in a harry when afoot, he will
capture his insect food after the manner of Robins and Spar-
rows. Ants of all sizes are especially in favor with him."

Berries, fruits, nuts and grains also help to make up their bill
of fare. They usually select for a nesting place an old stub or
decaying tree, and readily excavate a hole or dress up a cavity
in the same to suit, and where suitable trees are not convenient
to their chosen homes, they will chip through cornices and into
nooks in outbuildings — in fact, take possession of most any dark
suitable cavity. Eggs usually five to seven; a much larger
number have occasionally been found, but in such cases I am
inclined to think other females assisted, although, when robbed
of the Qgg as laid, the bird will often continue laying to the
number of twenty and upward. Tliey vary much in size. Ridg-
way says, l.lOx. 85; I make the average dimensions of a few
sets to be 1. OGx. 84; pure pearly white; in form, rather elliptical
to oblong ovate. A set collected May 11th, 1878, at Pewau-
kee, "Wisconsin, only measure: l.OOx. 81, 1.03x. 80, 1.03x. 82,
1.05X.82.

Colaptes cafer (Gmel.).

RED-SHAFTED FLICKER.
PLATE XXII.

Resident; rare in the eastern part of the State, common in
the western. Begin laying the last of April to first of May.

B. 98. E. 3786. C. 459. G. 176, 161. U. 413.

Habitat. Western United States, except the northwest coast
and Lower California; south into southern Mexico.

Sp. Char. "Shafts and under surface of wing and tail feathers orange red.
Male with a red patch on each side of the cheek; nape without red crescent;
sometimes very faint indications laterally. Throat and stripe beneath the eye
bluish ash. Back glossed with purplish brown. Female without the red cheek
patch."

Additional, Characters. "Spots on the belly, a crescent on the breast,
and interrupted transverse bands on the back, black."

stretch of
Length. iving. Wing.

Male 12.75 20.50 6.40

Female... 12.50 20.00 6.25

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

4.75

1.10

1.45

4.50

1.10

1.40

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 341

Iris dark brown; bill dark slate blue; legs and feet light or
ash J blue; claws horn blue.

The habits and actions of this western and somewhat larger
species appear to be identical with those of C. auratus. In
treeless, unsettled localities, thej are often found nesting in the
sides of steep banks, excavating their burrows like the King-
fisher.

A set of four eggs, collected May 6th, 1879, near Fort Gar-
land, Colorado, from a nest in a pine tree, about twelve feet
from the ground, are, in dimensions: 1.12x.89, 1.13x. 88, 1.13x
.88, 1.14x. 89; not distinguishable from the eggs of C. auratux.
except by their larger size.

Order MACROCHIRES.

goatsuckers, swifts, etc.

Bill without soft swollen cere. Wings very long, with ten quills, tail of ten
feathers, and gape very wide and deeply cleft; or else bill long and slender,
tongue extensile, and secondaries only six in number. [Ridgicay.)

SuBORDEK CAPRIMULGI. Goatsuckers, etc.

"Secondaries more than six; bill short, very broad at base, the gape deeply
cleft; plumage not metallic."

Middle toe much longer than lateral toes, its claws with inner edge pectina-
ted; gape more or less distinctly bristled; plumage much spotted, the feathers
soft, with downy or moth-like surface. {Ridgicay.)

Family CAPRIMULGIDiE. Goatsuckees, etc.

"Bill very short, the gape enormously long and wide, opening to beneath or
behind the eyes. Culmen variable. Toes coiniected by a movable skin; sec-
ondaries lengthened; plumage soft, sometimes very full aud loose, as in the
Owls."

Gexus ANTROSTOMUS Gould.
"Bill very small, with tubular nostrils, aud the gape with long, stiff, some-
times pectinated bristles projecting beyond the end of the bill; tarsi moderate,
partly featliered above; tail broad, rounded: wings broad and rounded; lirst quill
shorter than third: plumage soft and lax.""

342 HISTORY OF THE

Antrostomus vociferus (Wils.).

WHIP-POOR-WILL.
PLATE XXIII.

Summer resident; rare; quite common during migration in
the eastern portion of the State. Arrive the middle of May;
begin laying the latter part of May; return in September.

B. 112. R. 3.54. C. 397. G. 163, 162. U. 417.

Habitat. Eastern United States to the Plains; north to

Nova Scotia, Manitoba, etc. ; south in winter to Guatemala.

Sp. Char. "Bristles without lateral filaments; wings about 6.50 inches Ions;
top of head ashy brown, longitudinally streaked with black; terminal half of the
tail feathers (except the four central) dirty white on both outer and inner webs.
In this species the bristles at the base of the bill, though stiff and long, are
without the lateral filaments of the Chuck-will's-widow. The wings are rather
short; the second quill longest; the first intermediate between the third and
fourth; the tail is rounded; the outer feathers about half an inch shorter than
the middle ones. The colors of this species are very difficult to describe, although
there is quite a similarity to those of A. earolinensis, from which its greatly inte-
rior size will at once distinguish it. The top of the head is ashy gray, finely
mottled, with a broad median stripe of black; all the feathers with a narrow
stripe of the same along their centers; the back and rump are somewhat similar,
but of a different shade. There is a collar of white on the under side of the
neck, posterior to which the upper part of the breast is finely mottled, some-
what as on the top of the head; the belly is dirty white, with indistinct trans-
verse bands and mottlings of brown. The wings are brown; each quill with a
series of round iiifous spots on both webs, quite conspicuous on the outer side
of the primaries when the wings are folded. The terminal half of the outer
three tail feathers is of a dirty white. The female is smaller; the collar ou the
throat is tinged with fulvous. The conspicuous white patch of the tail is want-
ing, the tips only of the outer three feathers being of a pale brownish fulvous."

stretch of
Length. iving. M^'ing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill,

Male 10.30 18.75 6.40 5.15 .60 .44

Female... 10.00 18.25 6.20 5.00 .60 .44

Iris bluish black; bill and claws black; legs and feet grayish
brown.

This bird of the night secretes itself, during the day, in tlie
deep, shady thickets, and were it not for its oft-repeated and
familiar voice, (heard during the mating season, and occasion-
ally late in autumn,) its presence, even when quite common,
would seldom be known, as it does not leave its secluded re
treats until the shades^of evening darken, and the silvery bugle

m If)
1J3 >

0) (D

5k

ra O
e 00

h o

<j Q-
Pi tu

5 3

O q; Q

BIRDS OF KANSAS.

343

notes of the Wood Thrush — one of the latest of the day song-
sters— are hushed. Wilson says:

"This is a singular and very celebrated species, universally
noted, over the greater part of the United States, for the loud
reiterations of its favorite call in spring; and yet, personally,
is but little known, most people being unable to distinguish
this from the preceding species (Nighthawk), when both are
placed before them, and some insist that they are the same.
This being the case, it becomes the duty of his historian to give
a full and faithful delineation of his character, and peculiarity of
manners, that his existence as a distinct and independent species
may no longer be doubted, nor his story mingled confusedly
with that of another. I trust that those best acquainted with
him will bear witness to the fidelity of the portrait.

"On or about the 25th of April, if the season be not uncom-
monly cold, the Whip-poor-will is first heard in this part of
Pennsylvania, in tlie evening, as the dusk of twilight commences,
or in the morning, as soon as dawn has broke. In the State of
Kentucky, I first heard this bird on the 14th of April, near the
town of Danville. The notes of this solitary bird, from the
ideas which are naturally associated with them, seem like the
voice of an old fj-iend, and are listened to by almost all with
great interest. At first they issue from some retired part of tne
woods, the glen or mountain; in a few evenings, perhaps, we
hear them from the adjoining coppice, the garden fence, the
road before the door, and even from the roof of the dwellino-
house, long after the family have retired to rest. Some of the
more ignorant and superstitious consider this near approach as
foreboding no good to the family — nothing less than sickness,
misfortune or death to some of its members. These visits, how-
ever, so often occur without any bad consequences, that this
superstitious dread seems to be on the decline.

"He is now a regular acquaintance. Every mornino- and
evening his shrill and rapid repetitions are heard from the ad-
joining woods; and when two or more are calling out at the
same time, as is often the case in the pairing season, and at no
great distance from each other, the noise, mingling with the

344 HISTORY OF THE

echoes from the mountains, is really surprising. Strangers in
parts of the countrj^ where these birds are numerous find it
almost impossible for some time to sleep, while to those long
acquainted with them the sound often serves as a lullaby to
assist their repose.

"These notes seem pretty plainly to articulate the words
which have been generally applied to tliera, Whip-poor-will, the
first and last syllables being uttered with great emphasis, and
the whole is in about a second to each repetition; but, when two
or more males meet, their Whip-poor-will altercations become
much more rapid and incessant, as if each were straining to
overpower or silence the other. When near, you often hear an
introductory cluck between tlie notes. At these times, as well
as at almost all others, they fly low, not more than a few feet
from the surface, skinnning about the house and before the
door, alighting on the wood pile or settling on the roof. Towards
midnight they generally become silent, unless in clear moon-
light, when they are heard with little intermission till morning.
If there be a creek near, with high, precipitous, bushy banks,
they are sure to be found in such situations. During the day
they sit in the most retired, solitary and deep-shaded parts of
the woods, generally on high ground, where they repose in
silence. When disturbed, they rise within a few feet, sail low
and slowly through the w^oods for thirty or forty yards, and gen-
erally settle on a low branch or on the ground. Their sight
appears deficient during the day, as, like Owls, they seem then
to want that vivacity for which they are distinguished in the
morning and evening twilight. They are rarely shot or mo-
lested; and, from being thus transiently seen in the obscurity
of dusk or in the deep umbrage of the woods, no wonder their
particular markings of plumage should be so little known, or
that they should be confounded with the Nighthawk, whom in
general appearance they so much resemble."

The birds make no nest. Eggs two; laid in a depression on
the ground, among the leaves in thickets and heavily-wooded
lands. A set collected June 5th, 1871, at Pewaukee, Wisconsin,
in the woods, under a thick growth of bushes, measure: l.oOx

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 345

.80, 1.12x.78; cream white, irregularly spotted and mottled
with lavender and pale brown; in form, elliptical.

Genus PHAL^NOPTILUS Eidgavay.

Tarsus longer than middle toe; entirely uaked in front; first quill shorter
than fourth. Tail even, much shorter than wing; the latter less than 6.00;
quills without white patch. {Bidgway.)

Phalaenoptilus nuttalli (Aud.).

POOR-WILL.
PLATE XXIII.

Summer resident; common. Arrive the last of April to first
of May; begin laying the last of May; return in September.

B. 113. R. 355. C. 398. G. 164, 163. U. 418.

Habitat. Western United States; east into Iowa and Mis-
souri; south into Mexico.

S]'. Char. Adult viale: Top of head soft, velvety grayish, barred with
dusky; under tail coverts plain buff; upper parts in general, soft brownish
gray, with a very velvety, moth-like surface, relieved by irregular spottiugs
and zigzags of black, the outer webs of the quills spotted with deep buff or ochra-
ceous; throat with a large, transverse patch of white; other lower parts (ex-
cept tail coverts) barred with blackish and light buffy; tail feathers (except
middle pair) broadly tipped with white. Adult female: Similar to the male,
but usually with white tips to tail feathers narrower. Toung: Much like adult,
but colors above more silvery gray, mixed more or less with bright rusty or ochra-
ceous, the black markings smaller and less distinct, the white of throat and tail
reduced in extent, and tinged with ochraceous or rusty. {Ridgway.)

stretch of

Length. -wing. IVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 7.80 16.50 5.6.5 3.T0 .70 .40

Female 7.60 16.00 5.45 3.60 .70 .40

They vary in size.

Iris dark brown; bill and claws black; legs reddish purple;
feet dark brown; edges of scales whitish.

These nocturnal birds inhabit the upland prairies and plains.
Their favorite resorts are rocky, bluffy grounds, where at night
during the breeding season and at intervals afterward they an-
nounce their presence by their oft-repeated wailing song, "Poor-
will." On the wing they are quite swift, skimming over the
ground in an easy, circling course, usually uttering a clucking
note as they fly; but when flushed in the daylight they rise in

346 III F^ TORY OF THE

a bewildered manner, fly but a short distance and drop back
suddenly to the ground.

Their food consists of moths, beetles, and the various noctur-
nal insects caught upon the wing. I once saw, at eve, in Col-
orado, one of the birds repeatedly spring from the ground and
catch passing moths. The birds, when mated, seem to be strongly
attached to each other, the males sharing in the duties of hatch-
ing and rearing the young. The eggs, two in number, are laid
upon the bare ground, usually at the roots of a bunch of grass,
weeds or low bushes upon the prairies. A set collected by
Prof. D. E. Lantz, on the high prairie near Manhattan, Kansas,
May 25th, 1886, were sheltered by a tuft of grass; no material
or lining of any kind for a nest. Eggs, l.OOx.YS, 1.12x.78;
pure white; in form, oval to rounded elliptical.

Phalsenoptilus nuttalli nitidus Brewst.

FROSTED POOR- WILL.
PLATE XXIII.

This bleached race, lately added to our list of North Ameri-
can Birds, has been taken in the State at Neosho Falls and
Manhattan, and when better known, will, without doubt, prove
to be a common summer resident.

B. . R. . C. . G. , . IT. 418a.

Habitat. As far as known the same as that of the Poor-will.
Taken in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas and Texas.

Sp. Char. Similar to true P. nuttalli, but witla the clarlc markings of the
crown, back, etc., fewer and more sliarply defined, 6u a mucli lighter ground, the
transverse bars beneath finer, paler, and less conspicuous. This bird seems to
be another example of a bleached desert race. It is very much paler than true
nuttalli, with fewer fine dark markings, which, however, are more conspicuous
than In nuttalli, owing to the generally lighter ground color. This on the fore-
head, sides of crown, rump, upper tail coverts and scapulars is pearly or ashy
white, giving the parts a delicate, frosted appearance. The chin, sides of head,
and a broad band around tlie nape are light faded brown, whereas in nuttalli
they are many shades darker and (the chin and cheeks at least) often strongly
blackish. {Breicster.)

This bird does not appear to differ in habits, actions or size
from P. nuttalli^ and I am impressed with the thought that it
may possibly prove to be a dichromatic phase, like that of the

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 347

Screecli Owl [Megascops asio), rather than a sub-species as now
entered.

Eggs two, pure white; inform, oval to rounded elliptical. A
set of eggs collected in Riley county, Kansas, June 26th, 1889,
by Mr. Eben M. Blachly, and kindly loaned me, with the skin
of one of the parent birds, for identification, are, in dimensions:
l.Oox. 79, 1.03x.78. They were laid upon the bare ground,
under a bunch of grass upon the prairie, and near the edge of a
corn field.

Genus CHORDEILES Swainsoit.

"Bill small, the nostrils depressed; the gape with feeble, inconspicuous
bristles. Wings long, narrow, and pointed; the first quill nearly or quite equal
to the second. Tail rather narrow, slightly forked; plumage quite compact.
Habits diurnal or crepuscular."

Chordeiles virginianus (Gmel.).

NIGHT-HAWK.
PLATE XXIII.

Summer resident; common in the eastern to the. middle por-
tion of the State; rare in the western. Arrive the first of May;
begin laying the last of May; return in September; a few occa-
sionally remain into October.

B. 114. K. 357. C. 399. G. 165, 164. U. 420.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to Hudson's Bay;
west to edge of Great Plains; (to Pacific Coast along the north-
ern border of the United States; ) south in winter to Bahamas,
Cuba, Jamaica, (breeds?) middle America, and portions of east-
ern South America. {Ridgioay.)

Sp. Char. '■'■Male: Above greenish black, but with little mottling on the
head and back; wing coverts varied with grayish; scapulars with yellowish
rufous; a nuchal baud of fine gray mottling, behind which is another coarser one
of rufous spots. A white V-shaped mark on the throat; behind this a collar of
pale rufous blotches, and another on the breast of grayish mottling. Under
parts banded transversely with dull yellowish or reddish white and brown; wiug
quills quite uniformly brown; the five outer primaries with a white blotch (about
half an inch long) midway between the tip and carpal joint, not extending on
the outer web of the outer quills. Tail with a terminal white patch, which does
not reach the outer edge of the feathers. Female: Without the caudal white
patch, the white tail bands more mottled, the white of the throat mixed with
reddish."

348 HISTORY OF THE

Stretch of
Length. wing. IFing. Tail. Tajsiis. Hill.

Male 9.50 23.00 7.80 4.40 .55 .2(5

Female... 9.10 22.00 7.50 4.30 .55 .25

Iris, bill and claws blackish; legs and feet dark grayish brown.

This is one of our most common birds of the open lands and
prairies. Strictly speaking, it is a diurnal bird, but more or less
crepuscular in habits, retiring to rest regularly at the close of
twilight. In flight they are graceful and pleasing, gliding with
ease through their various evolutions and quick turns, skimming
with spread tail in a buoyant, effortless manner near the ground
or high in air, rising and dropping suddenly, and at times with
a quick upward turn that causes a hollow, whirring sound, pro-
duced, I think, by the quick vibration of the wings upon the
air. Their voice is an occasional squeak or a "Pe-up" note,
and, when wounded or in the protection of their young or eggs,
often startle the intruder by quickly raising their feathers and
emitting through their widely-opened mouth a sharp, hissing
sound; and during love making and caressing I have heard the
males utter low, cooing notes.

Their food consists of small winged insects that abound in
tiie air, especially at morn, late in the afternoon and at eve, which
accounts for their activity at such times.

Eggs two, 1.22x. 82; grayish white, thickly mottled all over
with various tints of lilac, purple and yellowish brown; they
are laid upon the bare ground, in open and exposed situations;
in form, rounded elliptical.

Chordeiles virginianus henryi (Cass.).

WESTERN NIGHTHAWK.

Summer resident; common in the western and middle por-
tions of the State. Arrive about the middle of May; begin
laying the last of May to first of June; return in September.

B. 115. R. 357a. C. 400. G. 1G6, 165. U. 420a.

Habitat. Western United States; occasionally straggling
east into Illinois (western Manitoba. Seton); south into Mexico.

Sp. Char. "Similar to C. virginimius, but the male considerably lighter,
with a greater predomiuanee of the light inottliugs, producing a more grayish

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 349

aspect; the female more rulous. Wiug patch of the male larger (at least an
inch long), and, like the tail patch, crossing the whole breadth of the feathers."

This pale variety does not appear to differ in the least in its
habits, actions or notes from the Eastern bird, C. virginianus.,
and, from the measurements that I have made, varies but little,
if any, in size. Their eggs, however, average a little larger,
and are paler in color.

Suborder CYPSELL Swifts.

Middle toe not distinctly longer than lateral toes, its claw with edge not pec-
tinated; gape without bristles; plumage plain and compact, the feathers with
smooth surface. (Bide/way.)

Family MICROPODIDiE. Swifts.

"Bill very small, without notch, triangular, much broader than high; the
culmen not one-sixth the gape. Anterior toes cleft to the base, each with three
joints (in the typical species), and covered with skin or feathers; the middle
claw without any serrations; the lateral toes nearly equal to the middle. Bill
without bristles, but with minute feathers extending along the under margin of
the nostrils. Tail feathers ten. Nostrils elongated, superior, and very close
together. Plumage compact. Primaries ten, elongated, falcate."

Subfamily CHJETURIN^. Spine-tailed Swifts.
Tarsi and toes naked; the hind toe directed backward. {Ridgtcay.)

Genus CHiETURA Stephens.
" Tail very short, scarcely more than two-fifths the wing; slightly rounded;
the shafts stitfened and extending some distance beyond the feathers in a rigid
spine. First primary longest. Legs covered by a naked skin, without scutella
or feathers. Tarsus longer than middle toe. Lateral toes equal, nearly as long
as the middle. Hind toe scarcely versatile, or quite posterior; including claw,
less than the middle anterior without it. Toes slender; claws moderate. Feath-
ers of the base of the bill not extending beyond the beginning of the nostrils.'

Chsetura pelagica (Linn.).

CHIMNEY SWIFT.
plate XXIII.
Summer resident; abundant in the eastern part of the State.
Arrive the last of April; begin laying the latter part of May;
return in September; a few occasionally remain into October,

B. 109. R. 351. C. 405. G. 162, 166. U. 423.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to Labrador, Man-
itoba, etc. ; west to the edge of the })lains; south of the United

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

1.90

.45

.21

1.75

.45

.21

350 UISTORT OF THE

States in winter to Cozumel Island, Jalapa, Mexico, and possibly

farther.

Sp. Char. "Tail slightly roimded. Sooty brown all over, except on the
throat, which becomes considerably lighter from the breast to the bill. Above
with a greenish tinge; the rump a little paler."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing.

Male .5.05 12.30 5.10

Female 4.85 12.10 5.00

Iris dark brown; bill and claws black; legs and feet brownish
black. The above are fresh measurements of a pair of adult
birds, shot in the month of June. From other measurements
as given, the bird should average a little larger.

These wild, restless birds are gregarious and social in their
habits. I have often found them in the Indian Territory and
early settlements of Kansas, occupying large hollow trees —
the sycamore the favorite — and they occasionally continue to
do so in settled localities, but as a rule prefer the habitations
of man, and they are most abundant about our city homes, se-
creting themselves during the day and night, chiefly within
unused chimneys, occasionally in other suitable dark retreats,
coming forth at eve like the bats, but a little earlier, retiring at
dark. They are occasionally to be seen flying about during the
middle of bright, sunshiny days, but as a rule are rather crepus-
cular in their habits.

Their food consists entirely of winged insects, in search of
which they never seem to flag or weary, crossing and recrossing
each other's course in their circling, chattering flights, gliding
along with rapid strokes of the wings or sailing with motionless
wings, as best suits their purpose. On account of their ex-
tremely long wings, they cannot readily rise from a level sur-
face, and therefore select, for a resting place, the perpendicular
sides or edges of an elevation, where they can at once launch
into the air. Their peculiarly-formed feet and spine-tipped tails
enable them to grasp and rest at ease in such positions.

Their nests are placed in hollow trees, chimneys, etc. ; a pe-
culiar saucer-shaped semicircular structure, composed of small
sticks of uniform length and size, which are strongly glued to-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 351

gether and fastened to the wall with an adhesive saliva from the
birds. Eggs usually four, .75x.50; pure white; not highly
polished; in form, rather elliptical ovate.

Suborder TRO CHILI. Hummingbirds.

Secondaries only six; bill long as head, or longer, slender, the gape not deeply
cleft; plumage more or less metallic. {Ridgway.)

Family TROCHILID-ffi. Hummingbirds.

"Least of all birds; sternum very deep; bill subulate and generally longer
than head, straight, arched or upcurved. Tongue composed of two lengthened
cylindrical united tubes, capable of great protrusion, and bifed at tip; nostrils
basal, linear, and covered by an operculum; wings lengthened, pointed; first
quill usually longest except in Aithuriis, where it is the second; primaries ten;
secondaries six; tail of ten feathers. Tarsi and feet very diminutive, claws very
sharp."

Genus TROCHILUS Linn^us.

"Metallic gorget of throat nearly even all round. Tail forked; the feathers
lanceolate, acute, becoming gradually narrower from the central to the exteiior.
Inner six primaries abruptly and considerably smaller than the outer four, with
the inner web notched at the end."

Subgenus TROCHILUS.

Exposed culmen less than half as long as wing, the bill straight. Middle
tail feathers narrower near end than at base. Exposed culmen .60 or more;
outer tail feathers without white tips in adult males; outer tail feathers not de-
cidedly shorter than middle pair, and not conspicuously narrower than the next;
adult males with six inneimost quills abruptly much smaller and narrower than
the rest, the top of head greenish like back, or dusky, the tail feathers (except
middle pair) pointed. {Ridgway.)

Trochilus colubris Lusrx.

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.
PLATE XXIII.

Summer resident; common in the eastern portion of the State.
Arrive the last of April to first of May; begin laying the last
of May; the bulk leave in September; a few remain into Octo-
ber,

B. 101. R. 335. C. 409. G. 161, 167. U. 428.

Habitat. Eastern North America; west to the high central
plains; north into the fur countries, and south in winter to
Cuba, and through eastern Mexico to Yeragua.

352 BISTORT OF THE

Sp. Char. "Tail in the male deeply forked; the feathers all narrow lanceo-
late-acute. In the female, slightly rounded and emarginate; the feathers
broader, though pointed. Male: Uniform metallic green above; a ruby red gor-
get (blackish near the bill), with no conspicuous ruff; a white collar on the
jugulum; sides of body greenish; tail feathers uniformly brownish violet. Fe-
male: Without the red on the throat; the tail rounded and emarginate, the in-
ner feathers shorter than the outer; the tail feathers banded with black, and
the outer tipped with white; no rufous or cinnamon on the tail in either sex.
Young: Males are like the females; the throat usually spotted, sometimes with
red; the tail is, in shape, more like that of the old male."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 3. .55

4.15

1.55

1.10

.15

.65

Female . .

. 3. .50

4.25

1.60

1.10

.15

.65

Iris dark brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

The above are fresh measurements of an adult pair. From
dimensions as given by others, they probably average a little
larger.

These hardy little beauties begin to arrive from the south as
soon as the cherry and apple trees are in blossom; the males
several days in advance; brave, pugnacious little fellovs^s, that,
during the mating season, will fight their rivals for their lady loves,
till death; and in defense of their homes boldly attack the larger
birds, and often dart at and try to frighten man away. They
breed from the Gulf coast north to at least the fifty-seventh par-
allel. The following beautiful description of their flights and
manner of feeding is taken from "Our Birds in their Haunts,"
by Mr. Langille:

"There are many birds the flight of which is so rapid that
the strokes of their wings cannot be counted, but here is a spe-
cies with such nerve of wing that its wing strokes cannot be
seen. 'A hazy semicircle of indistinctness on each side of the
bird is all that is perceptible.' Poised in the air, his body
nearly perpendicular, he seems to hang in front of the flowers
which he probes so hurriedly, one after the other, with his long,
slender bill. That long, tubular, fork-shaped tongue may be
sucking up the nectar from those rather small cylindrical blos-
soms, or it may be capturing tiny insects housed away there.
Much more like a large sphynx moth, hovering and humming
over the flowers in the dusky twilight, than like a bird, appears

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 353

this delicate fairy-like beauty. How the bright green of the
body gleams and glistens in the sunlight; while the ruby colored
tln'oat, changing with the angle of light as the bird moves, is
like a bit of black velvet above the white under parts, or it
glows and shimmers like a flame. Each imperceptible stroke
of those tiny wings conforms to the mechanical laws of flight in
all their subtile complications, with an ease and gracefulness
that seems spiritual. Who can fail to note that fine adjustment
of the organs of flight to aerial elasticity and gravitation, by
which that astonishing bit of nervous energy can rise and fall
almost on the perpendicular, dart from side to side, as if by
magic, or, assnmiug the horizontal position, pass out of sight
like a shooting star? Is it not impossible to conceive of all this
being done by that rational calculation which enables the rower
to row, or the sailor to sail his boat ? "

Their deep, cup-shaped nests are usually built on small, hori-
zontal limbs of trees, six to twelve feet from the ground; a deli-
cate, beautiful structure, composed of a cottony substance, and
soft, silky fibers from plants, the outside dotted over with lich-
ens. Eggs two (varying in size), .48x. 33; pure white; in form,
rather elliptical.

Order PASSERES.
perching birds.

"Hallux invariably present, completely incumbent, separately movable by
specialization of the flexor halhicis longus, with enlarged base and its claw larger
than that of the middle digit. Neither second nor fourth toe versatile; joints
of toes always 2, 3, 4, 5, from first to fourth. Wing coverts comparatively short
and few; with the exception of the least coverts from the plica alaris, arranged
in only two series, the greater of which does not reach beyond the middle of the
secondary remiges. Rectrices twelve (with rare anomalous exceptions). Mu-
sical apparatus present in greater or less develoi^ment and complexity. Palate
aegithognathous. Sternum of one particular mould, single notched. Carotid

single (sinistra). Nature highly altricial and ptilopsedic."
—23

354 niSTORY OF THE

Suborder CLAMATORES. Songless Perching Birds.

"Sides of the tarsus covered with divided plates or scales variously arranged,
its hinder edge blunt. Musical apparatus weak and imperfect, a few or incom-
pletely distinguished syringeal muscles (as far as known). Primaries ten (with
rare exceptions), the first usually equaling or exceeding the rest."

Family TYRANNID^. Tykant Flycatcheks.

"Primaries ten. Bill in typical forms broad, triangular, much depressed,
abruptly decurved and notched at tip, with long bristles along gape. Tarsi with
scutella extending round the outer face of tarsus from the front to back; some-
times divide on the outer side. Bill with culmen nearly as long as the head, or
shorter; straight to near the tip, then suddenly bent down into a conspicuous
hook, with a notch behind it; jtip of lower jaw also notched. Commissure
straight to near the notch; gonys slightly convex. Nostrils oval or rounded in
the anterior extremity of the nasal groove, and more or less concealed by lon;i-
bristles, which extend from the posterior angle of the jaws along the base of the
bill, becoming smaller, but reaching nearly to the median line of the forehead.
These bristles with lateral branches at the base. Similar bristles are mixed in
the loral feathers and margin the chin. Tarsi short, generally less than middle
toe, completely enveloped by a series of large scales, which meet near the pos-
terior edge of the inner side, and are separated either by naked skin or by a
row of small scales. Sometimes a second series of rather large plates is seen on
the posterior face of the tarsus, these, however, usually on the upper extremity
only. Basal joint of middle toe united almost throughout to that of the outer
toe, but more than half free on the inner side; outer lateral toe rather the longer.
Wings and tail variable; first quills always more than three-fourths the second.
The outer primaries sometimes attenuated near the tip."*

Genus MILVULUS Swainson.

"Bill shorter than the head, and nearly equal to the tarsus. Tail nearly twice
as long as the wing, excessively forked; the middle feathers scarcely half the
lateral. First primary abruptly attenuated at the end, where it is very narrow
and linear. Head with a concealed crest of red."

Milvulus forficatus (Gmei..).

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER.
PLATE XXIII.

Summer resident; quite common in the southern parts of the
State. Arrive the first to middle of May; begin laying the last
of May, leave in September.

B. 123. R. .301. C. 367. G. 149, 108. U. 443.

Habitat. Eastern Mexico and southwestern prairie districts
of United States; north to Indian Territory, southern Kansas

* Birds of this fly-catching family occasionally eat berries.

BIIIDS OF KANSAS. 355

and southwestern Missouri; accidental at Key West, Florida, at
IS^orfolk, Virginia, New Jersey, New England, Manitoba, and
even at York Factory, Hudson's Bay Territory; south to Costa
Rica. {Ridgway. )

Sp. Chak. "Wiug with the outer primary only abruptly attenuated and
narrowly linear (for about .85 of an inch); the second but slightly emarginate:
second quill longest; first and third equal. Tail very deeply forked, the lateral
feathers twice as long as the body, all narrow and linear or subspatulate. Top
and sides of head very pale ash; the back a little darker and faintly tinged with
light brick red; under parts nearly pure white, tinged toward the tail with light
vermilion, rather more rose on the under wing coverts; a patch on the side of
the breast and along the forearm dark vermilion red. Tail feathers rosy white,
tipped at the end for two or three inches with black. Rump dark brown, turn-
ing to black on the coverts. Wings very dark brown; the coverts and quills,
excepting the primaries (and including the outer of these), edged with whitish.
Crown with a concealed patch of white, having some orange red in the center."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 14.25 15.50 5.00 9.25 .70 .70

Female... 11.50 14.20 4.35 6.50 .68 .68

Iris, legs and feet dark brown; bill and claws black.

This very singular and beautiful species prefers for its home
prairie lands that are dotted with scattering or lone, shrubby
trees. They are quite common from latitude 38° southward
through the Indian Territory, Texas and eastern Mexico, and I
found them wintering in large numbers in the vicinity of Gran-
ada, Nicaragua, and along the west side of the lake south into
Costa Eica; and March 2d, 1885, I shot a straggling male at
Cape Sable, Florida. It is one of our most graceful and at-
tractive birds of the air, skimming over the prairies with inimi-
table grace, closing and expanding its long, forked tail, and
showing off in the changing lights to the best advantage its
vermilion markings in contrast with its ashy hue, perching often
in its course upon a bush or tall weed, and at times rising from
the same to quite a height, and then suddenly dropping in an
almost perpendicular manner. A courageous and rather quar-
relsome bird, that not only attacks the birds of prey but drives
all others away from its selected home, uttering in its chase a
sharp, harsh, scolding, "Tish, tish, tish" note. It is an expert
fly catcher, and feeds chiefly upon the various kinds of winged
insects.

356 HISTORY OF THE

Their nests are placed on the horizontal branches of scrubby
trees on and skirting the edges of the prairies, six to twelve feet
from the ground; a rather flat, loosely-constructed nest, com-
posed of sticks, flowering stems of weeds, and grasses. Eggs
three to five, .85x.68; white, spotted and blotched with dark
red or reddish brown, and a few purple stains, chiefly about
larger end; in form, rather rounded ovate.

Genus TYRANNUS Cuvier.

"Tail neai'ly even or moderately forked; rather shorter than the wings; the
feathers broad and widening somewhat at the ends. Wings long and pointed;
the outer primaries rather abruptly attenuated near the end, the attenuated por-
tion not linear, however. Head with a concealed patch of red on the crown."

Tyrannus tyrannus (Linn.).

KINGBIRD.
PLATE XXIII.

Summer resident; abundant. Arrive the last of April; begin
laying about the middle of May; return in September.

B. 124. R. 304. C. 368. G. 150, 169. U. 444.

Habitat. Temperate North America, chiefly east of the
Rocky Mountains; very rare on the Pacific coast; south in win-
ter into northern South America.

Sp. Char. "Two, sometimes three, outer primaries abruptly attenuated at
the end. Second quill longest; third little shorter; first rather longer than
fourth, or nearly equal. Tail slightly rounded. Above dark bluish ash. The
top and sides of the head to beneath the eye a bluish black. A concealed crest
on the crown, vermilion in the center, white behind, and before partly mixed
with orange. Lower parts pure white, tinged with pale bluish ash on the sides
of the throat and across the breast; sides of the breast and under the wings sim-
ilar to but rather lighter than the back. Axiliars pale grayish brown, tipped
with lighter. The wings dark brown, darkest toward the ends of the quills;
the greater coverts and quills edged with white, most on the tertials; the lesser
coverts edged with paler. Upper tail coverts and upper surface of the tail
glossy black, the latter very dark brown beneath; all the feathers tipped, and
the exterior margined externally, with white, forming a conspicuous terminal
band about .25 of an inch broad."

The birds vary somewhat in size; the females averaging,

from my measurements, fully as large as the males.

Len^h.

Stretch of
■whig.

IVmg:

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bm.

8.50

14.50

4.50

3.50

.70

.70

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 357

Iris dark brown; bill and claws black; legs and feet grayish
to brownish black.

This common and well known species are rightly entitled to
the name they bear, on account of their brave, audacious at-
tacks upon the birds of prey and others intruding upon their
breeding grounds. This combative spirit, however, closes with
the season, and their shrill, twittering notes are seldom heard
after the young are capable of providing for themselves. The
males arrive about a week in advance, and on the arrival of the
females, many a hard battle is fought for the choice. Their
courtships are short, and, when once mated, they are true and
devoted, and zealous guardians of their homes. The follow-
ing truthful description is from "Birds of New England," by
Samuels:

"During the mating and breeding season, the pugnacity and
courage of the Kingbird are proverbial. If any bird approach
the neighborhood of his nest, he immediately attacks it; and,
whether Crow (his particular dislike). Hawk or Eagle, the in-
truder is obliged to flee, so fierce an onslaught does this little
warrior make on him. As soon as the cry of a Crow is heard,
he is all activity; he flies from the tree where he is perching to
rcconnoiter, uttering his shrill twitter, and vibrating his wings
in short, quick, nervous strokes; as soon as the Crow appears,
the Kingbird pursues it, his flight being now very swift and
powerful. As soon as he nears his foe, he flies above him, and
darting down on his back and head, attacks him with such vigor,
that the Crow dives and dodges to avoid him. He repeats his
attacks, and follows his enemy, sometimes to the distance of a
mile or more; then, returning to his mate, he perches on the
tree by her nest, and twitters a volley of courageous songs."
[Song is not the word, for its notes are not musical, but rather
a harsh, exulting twitter.]

"The food of the Kingbird consists mostly of insects,* which
he captures usually while on the wing. It seems a provision
of nature, that all the flycatchers shall only take those insects
that have taken flight from the foliage of trees and shrubs, at the

♦Berries also help to make up their bill of fare, the pokeberry being the favorite.

358 HISTORY OF THE

same time making the warblers and other birds capture those
which remain concealed in such places. The Kingbird, in seiz-
ing a flying insect, flies in a sort of half flitting hover, and
seizes it with a sharp snap of the bill. Sometimes he descends
from his perch, and captures a grasshopper that has just taken
a short flight, and occasionally seizes one that is crawling up
some tall stalk of grass. Those farmere who keep bees dislike
this bird, because of his bad habit of eating as many of those in
sects as show themselves in the neighborhood of his nest; but
they should remember that the general interests of agriculture
are greater than those of a hive of bees."

Their nests are usually placed on branches of trees, in open
and exposed situations, six to twenty feet from the ground; in
treeless localities, in almost any available place; a rather bulky,
flat structure, composed of stems of weeds and grasses, and lined
with hair-like rootlets, and often, woven in with the same, bits of
rags and twine. Eggs three to six, usually four, .90x.68. They
vary greatly in size, and measurements as high as 1.05x.75
have been given. (Eidgway says . 95x. 69.) A set of four eggs,
taken at Neosho Falls, only measure: .78x.64, .79x.65, .80x. 66,
.82x.67; white to creamy white, thinly spotted with purple to
dark reddish brown; in form, ovate,

Tyrannus verticalis Say.

ARKANSAS KINGBIRD.
PLATE XXIII.

Summer resident; common in the middle and western parts
of the State. Arrive about the first of May; begin laying the
last of May; return in September.

B. 126. R. 306. C. 870. G. 151, 170. U. 447.

Habitat. Western United States; east to Missouri and west-
ern Minnesota; occasionally straggling far eastward; south in
winter to Guatemala.

Sp. Char. "The four exterior quills attenuated very gently at the end, the
first most so; third and fourth quills longest; second and fifth successively a
little shorter. Tail slightly forked; bill shorter than head. Crown, sides of
head above the eyes, nape and sides of neck pale lead color or ash gray; a con-
cealed crest on the crown, vermilion in the center and yellowish before and be-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 359

hind. Hindneck aud back ash gray, strongly tinged with hght olivaceous green,
the gray turning to brown on the rump; upper tail coverts nearly black, lower
dusky; chin and part of ear coverts dull white; throat and upper part of breast
similar to the head, but lighter, and but slightly contrasted with the chin; rest
of lower parts, with the under wing coverts and axillars, yellow, deepening to
gamboge on the belly, tinged with olivaceous on the breast. Wing brown,
the coverts with indistinct ashy margins; secondaries and tertials edged with
whitish; inner webs of primaries whitish towards the base. Tail nearly black
above, and glossy; duller brownish beneath; without olivaceous edgings. Exte-
rior feather, with the outer web and the shaft, yellowish white; inner edge of
latter brown. Tips of remaining feathers paler. Bill and feet dark brown.
Female: Kather smaller and colors less bright."

Stri'/ch of
Length. ivi„g. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 9.00 16.00 5.10 3.75 .70 .(35

Female... 8.75 15.20 4.70 3.60 .70 .65

Iris dark brown; bill, legs, feet and claws blackish.

These birds are almost a counterpart of the Kingbird, pos-
sessing a harsher voice, a stronger flight, and, if possible, a more
combative, pugnacious spirit. Their nesting places and eggs
are essentially the same. A set of four eggs, taken June 7th,
1880, at San Diego, California, from a nest in the top of a gate
post, measure: .S9x.71, .90x.72, .91x.72, .92x.71.

Genus MYIARCHUS Cabaxis.
"Tarsus equal to or not longer than middle toe, which is decidedly longer
than hinder one. Bill wider at base than half the culmen. Tail broad, long,
even or slightly rounded, about equal to the wings, which scarcely reach the
middle of the tail; the first primary shorter than the sixth. Head with elonga-
ted lanceolate distinct feathers. Above brownish olive, throat ashy, belly yel-
low. Tail and wing feathers varied with rufous."

Myiarchus crinitus (Lnv^.).

CRESTED PLYCATCHEB.
PLATE XXni.

Summer resident; abundant in the eastern part of the State.
Arrive the latter part of April to first of May; begin layino-
about the middle of May; return in September.

B. 130. R. 313. C. 373. G. 153, 171. U. 453.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to New Brunswick
and Manitoba; east to the edge of the Great Plains; south
through eastern Mexico to Costa Eica.

360 niSTORY OF THE

Sp. CiiAK. "Head with a depressed crest. Third quill longest; fourth and
second successively but little shorter; first a little longer than seventh, much
shorter than sixth. Tail decidedly rounded or even g;raduated; three lateral
featliers about .25 of an inch shorter. Upper parts dull greenish olive, with the
feathers of the crown and to some extent of the back showing their brown cen-
ters; upper tail coverts turning to pale rusty brown. Small feathers at the base
of the bill, ceres, side of the head as high as the upper eyelid, sides of the neck,
throat and fore part of the breast, bluish ashy; the rest of the lower parts, in-
cluding axillars and lower wing coverts, bright sulphur yellow. A pale ring
round the eye. Sides of the breast and body tinged with olivaceous; the wings
brown; the first and second rows of coverts, with the secondary and tertial
quills, margined externally with dull white, or on the latter slightly tinged with
olivaceous yellow. Primaries margined externally for more than half their
length from the base with ferruginous; great portion of the inner webs of the
quills very pale ferruginous. The two middle tail feathers light brown, shafts
paler; the rest have the outer web and a narrow line on the inner sides of the
shaft brown, pale olivaceous on the outer edge; the remainder ferruginous to
the very tip. Outer web of the exterior feather dull brownish yellow. Feet
black. Bill dark brown above and at the tip below; paler towards the base."

Length.

Stretch of

7V2ng.

IVing.

Tail.

Tar.<:ns.

Bill.

Male ....

. 9.00

13.50

4.00

4.10

,80

.75

Female . .

. 8.50

12.50

3.75

3.60

.80

.75

These birds seem to be as much at home amon^ the scatter,
ing trees of the upland prairies as within the heavily timbered
bottom lands. They are rather retiring in their habits, but bold
and courageous during the breeding season, charging upon an
intruder with raised crest, snapping bill and a rapid, scolding
"Twip." They have also a loud and rather queer whistling call
note, not — to ray ear — a harsh squeak note, as stated by some
writers. They light fiercely for a mate, and they have a habit
that I have not noticed in other birds, of plucking, if possible,
the tail feathers from a rival, in order to disfigure him so that
he will not be looked upon with favor by the opposite sex; and
when lucky enough to pull a feather, it is amusing to see them
fuss over it, picking, pulling, in fact fighting it, forgetting for
the time the owner, in their exultation over the capture.

In flight they are swift and strong, and sweep down from a
perch with unei-ring aim upon the unlucky insects that wing them-
selves in sight, and, if a large one, beat it lifeless before swal-
lowing. They also occasionally feed upon small berries.

Their nests are usually placed in natural cavities in trees.

BIBBS OF KANSAS. 361

occasionally in a Martin house, or other dark recess. In the
month of June, 1887, a pair built a nest in one of the cannons,
on the State-House grounds, at Topeka; one egg was laid, but
unfortunately at that time the cannon was brought into use for
drill, and the nest destroyed. Eggs four to six, rarely over
four; vary in size. A set of four eggs, taken June 7th, 1879,
at Shelter Island, New York, from a hole in an apple tree,
measure: . SOx. 66, . 82x. 65, . 83x. 66, . Sdx. 67 (Kidgway gives the
average to be .88x. 66); a beautiful egg; buff white, thickly
marked with wavy longitudinal lines, dots and splashes of lilac,
to dark reddish brown; in form, oval to ovate.

Gkntjs SAYORNIS Bonaparte.
"Head with a blended depressed moderate crest. Tarsus decidedly longer
than middle toe, which is scarcely longer than the hind toe. Bill rather narrow;
width at base about half the culmen. Tail broad, long, slightly forked; equal
10 the wings, which are moderately pointed, and reach to the middle of the tail.
First primary shorter than the sixth."

Sayornis phcebe (Lath.).

PHCEBE.
PLATE XXIII.

Summer resident; common in the eastern portion of the State.
Arrive in March; begin laying by the middle of April; return in
October.

B. 135. R. 315. C. 379. G. 153, 172. U. 456.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to New Brunswick
and Manitoba; west to eastern Colorado and western Texas;
south through eastern Mexico to Cuba; winters from the Gulf
coast southward.

Sp. Char. "Sides of breast and upper parts dull olive brown, fading slightly
toward the tail. Top and sides of head dark brown. A few dull white feathers
on the eyelids. Lower parts dull yellowish white, mixed with brown on the
chin, and in some individuals across the breast. Quills brown, the outer prima-
ries, secondaries and tertials edged with dull white. In some individuals the
greater coverts faintly edged with dull white. Tail brown; outer edge of lat-
eral feather dull white; outer edge of the rest like the back. Tibia brown. Bill
and feet black. Bill slender, edges nearly straight. Tail rather broad and
slightly forked. Third quill longest; second and fourth nearly equal; the first
shorter than sixth."

Stretch of
Length. iving Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.70 10.75 3.35 3.20 .66 .50

Female... 0.50 10.52 3.10 3.00 .66 .50

362 HISTORY OF THE

Iris brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

These familiar birds are among the first arrivals to assure ns
of the return of spring. Their inoffensive, cheerful habits in-
sure them a hearty welcome. Their attachment to a selected
locality is very strong, and, when not greatly disturbed, nest for
years in the same place. I have occasionally found them nest-
ing under porches, sheds, etc. , on high praiiie lands, but as a
rule they prefer to make their home near the water's edge, be-
side a bridge or steep, rocky cliff, as tliese afford natural nesting
places and a greater abundance of insect life, of which their
food almost wholly consists, and where, at all hours of the day,
they will be found perched upon a limb or stub, darting here
and there to capture wdth a click of their bills the insects of
their choice; and when at rest often utter, with a raised crest
and a jerk of the tail, their plaintive call note, "Phcebe," or at
times "Pe-weet." They also have, during the mating season,
a low, twittering song. Their flights are a succession of light
fluttering motions and frequent sailings.

Their nests are placed under bridges, overhanging rocks,
roots, and suitable places in dwellings and outhouses. They
are composed of layers of mud, moss, grasses or other miscel-
laneous material at hand, and warmly lined with fine grasses,
rootlets or hairs. Eggs four to six, .75x.56; pure white; oc-
casionally sets will be found with dots of reddish brown around
the larger end; in form, oval to ovate.

Sayornis saya (Boxap.).

SAY'S PHCEBE.
PLATE XXIII.

Summer resident in the western portion of the State; common;
occasionally east to the middle. Arrive the middle of March
to first of April; begin laying the middle to last of April; return
in October.

B. 136. R. 316. C. 377. G. 154, 173. U. 457.

Habitat. Western United States; north to the Saskatchewan;
east to Dakota (straggling occasionally eastward); south through
middle Kansas into Mexico to Jalapa.

Stretch of
iving.

Wing.

Tail.

Ta rsus.

Bill.

13.35

4.25

3.70

.90

.60

13.50

4.00

3.40

.90

.60

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 3(^3

Sp. Char. "Above and on the sides of the head, neck and breast, grayish
brown, darker on the crown; region above the eye dusky. The chin, throat and
npper part of the breast similar to the back, but rather lighter, and tinged with
the colors of the rest of the lower parts, which are pale cinnamon. Under wing
coverts pale rusty white. The wings of a rather deeper tint than the back, with
the exterior veins and tips of the quills darker. Edges of the greater and sec-
ondary coverts, of the outer vein of the outer primary, and of the secondaries
and tertials, dull white. The upper tail coverts and tail nearly black. Edge of
outer vein of exterior tail feather white. Second, third and fourth quills nearly
equal; fifth nearly equal to sixth; sixth much shorter than the first. Tail
broad, emarginate. Tarsi with a posterior row of scales."

Length.

Male 8.00

Female... 7.50

Iris dark brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

These hardj, bleached birds of the plains do not appear to
differ in actions from 8. phoehe; their notes are, however, some-
what different, with more of a tremulous, wailing sound; and
the layers of mud in their nests are thinner, often on the dry,
sterile plains, wholly without the same. They winter from
Texas, New Mexico and California southward. They are among
the first arrivals and last to leave their summer homes.

A set of five eggs, taken May 15th, 1882, at Santa Fe, New
Mexico, from a nest on the wall of an adobe house, measure:
.69X.50, .71X.55, .72x.55, .72x.56, .T4x.54; chalky white; in
form, ovate.

Genus CONTOPUS Cabanig.
"Tarsus very short, but stout; less than the middle toe and scarcely longer
than the hinder; considerably less than the culmen. Bill quite broad at the
base; wider than half the culmen. Tail moderately forked. Wings very long
and much pointed, reaching beyond the middle of the tail; the first primary
about equal to the fourth. All the primaries slender and rather acute, but not
attenuated. Head moderately crested. Color olive above, pale yellowish be-
neath, -with a darker patch on the sides of the breast. Under tall coverts
streaked in most species. A tuft of cottony white feathers on each side of the
rump (concealed iu most species)."

Subgenus NUTTALLORNIS Ridgw.
Tarsus shorter than middle toe with claw. Primaries exceeding seconda-
ries by two and half times the length of the tarsus; wing exceeding tail by about
half the length of the latter; first quill much longer than the fourth, often
longer than third; a very conspicuous white cottony patch on each side of rump;

364 HISTORY OF THE

median lower parts white, or very pale yellowish (scarcely interrupted on the
breast); the lateral portions deep grayish brown, or brownish gray, in strong
contrast. {Bidgicay.)

Contopus borealis (Swains.)-

OLIVE- SIDED FLYCATCHER.
PLATE XXni.

Summer resident; rare; not common during migration. Ar-
rive the last of April to middle of May; begin laying the last
of May; return in September.

B. 137. R. 318. C. 380. G. 15.5, 174. U. 459.

Habitat. The whole of northern North America; south in

winter through the mountain regions to Costa Rica and Yeragua.

Sp. Char. "Wings long, much pointed; the second quill longest; the first
longer than the third. Tail deeply forked. Tarsi short. The upper parts ashy
brown, showing darker brown centers of the feathers (this is eminently the
case on the top of the head); the sides of the head and neck, of the breast and
body, resembling the back, but with the edges of the feathers tinged with gray,
leaving a darker central streak. The chin, throat, narrow line down the middle
of the bicast and body, abdomen and lower tail coverts white, or sometimes
with a faint tinge of yellow. The lower tail coverts somewhat streaked with
blown in the center. On each side of the rump, generally concealed by the
wings, is an elongated bunch of white silky feathers. The wings and tail very
dark brown, the former with the edges of the secondaries and tertials edged with
dull white. The lower wing coverts and axillars grayish brown. The tips of
the primaries and tail feathers rather paler. The young of the year similar, but
the color duller; edges of wing feathers dull rusty instead of grayish white."

Length.

Stretch of
■wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 7.50

13.20

4.30

3.00

.65

.60

Female . .

. 7.25

12.25

4.00

2.85

.65

.60

Iris dark brown; bill black, with base of under mandible
brownish yellow; legs, feet and claws black.

These bii'ds appear to prefer for their homes the higli lands
or mountain regions, among the evergreen trees; the cedar is a
favorite. I have not found them abundant or very common
anywhere. May 27th, 1883, I found a pair nesting near the
top of a large, solitary cottonwood tree, on the south fork of
the Solomon River, near Wallace, Kansas.

They are rather bold, quarrelsome and tyrannical, zealously
guarding any chosen locality, where they will be found perched
upon the tops of the tallest trees, from which they swoop down

BIBBS OF KANSAS. 365

upon the passing insects, and often repeat their plaintive "Pu-pu"
or "Pii-pip," the males occasionally uttering a loud, whistling
call note.

Their nests are placed in the upper branches of trees; a flat,
loose structure, composed of twigs, strips of bark, rootlets, weeds,
etc., and lined with old grasses, fragments of moss and lichen.
Eggs three to five, (seldom five, usually three or four,) .82x.62;
deep cream or buff white, marked around the larger end with
purple gray and dull yellowish to reddish brown; in form, ovate.

Contopus virens (Linx.).

WOOD PEWEE.
PLATE XXIV.

Summer resident; common in the eastern part of the State,
rare in the western. Arrive the last of April to middle of May;
begin laying the last of May; return in September; occasion-
ally linger into October.

B. 139. R. 320. C. 382. G. 156, 175. U. 461.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to New Brunswick

and Manitoba; west to the edge of the Great Plains; south in

winter through eastern Mexico to Costa Kica.

Sp. Char. "The second quill longest; the third a little shorter; the first
shorter than the fourth; the latter nearly .40 longer than the fifth. The prima-
ries more than an inch longer than the secondaries. The upper parts, sides of
the head, neck and breast dark olivaceous brown, the latter rather paler, the
head darker. A narrow white ring round the eye. The lower parts pale yel-
lowish, deepest on the abdomen; across the breast tinged with ash. This pale
ash sometimes occupies the whole of the breast, and even occasionally extends
up to the chin. It is also sometimes glossed with olivaceous. The wings and
tail dark brown; generally deeper than in S. phoehe. Two narrow bands across
the wing; the outer edge of first primary, and of the secondaries and tertials,
dull white. The edges of the tail feathers like the back; the outer one scarcely
lighter."

. stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.40 10.20 3.35 2.80 .50 .50

Female... 6.00 9.75 3.15 2.55 .50 .50

Iris brown; bill, upper black, lower yellow, with tip brown;
legs, feet and claws black.

These rather solitary birds inhabit the thick woods and groves,
preferring the bottom lands along the streams. They closely

3C6 HISTORY OF THE

resemble the Phoebe, but differ much in habits, preferring the
gloomj forests to the habitations of man.

Their food consists chiefly of beetles and flies, which they are
very expert in catching; darting from their perch, they capture
here and there several insects before returning, and accompany
each capture with a snap of their bill. They are the most active
during the early part of the day and late at eve. A rather rest-
less bird, that, on its perch, often slightly raises its feathers with
a quivering motion of the wings and tail, uttering its oft-repeated,
fiad, though pleasing, "Pe-r-wee." They are quite common in
suitable localities throughout their range, breeding from near
the Gulf coast northward, and wintering almost wholly south of
the United States.

Their nests are saddled on the lower branches of trees, from
eight to twenty-five feet from the ground.

They are composed of fine stringlets, lint-like fibers, rootlets
and bits of cobwebs, the outside coated over with mosses and
lichens glued to the material with saliva — a beautiful cup-
shaped nest. Eggs three to five, .73x. 52; cream Mdiite, spotted
and blotched with lilac purple to dark reddish brown, chiefly at
and running together around the larger end; in form, ovate,

Contopus richardsonii (Swains.).

WESTERN WOOD PEWEE.
PLATE XXIV.

A summer resident in the western part of the State; rare.
Arrive about the middle of May; begin laying the last of May
to first of June; return in September.

B. 138. R. 321. C. 383. G. 157, 176. U. 463.

Habitat. Western North America; north to British Colum-
bia (Manitoba. 8eton)\ east to western Nebraska and Texas;
south in winter through Mexico to Costa Rica.

Sp. Chab. "Geueral appearance of C. mrena. Bill broad. Wings very long
and much pointed, considerably exceeding the tail; second quill longest; third
a little shorter; first shorter than fourth, and about midway between distance
from second to fifth (.60 of an inch). Primaries 1.30 inches longer than second-
aries. Tail moderately forked. Above, dark olive brown (the head darker);
the entire breast and sides of head, neck and body of a paler shade of the same,
tinging strongly also the dull whitish throat and chin. Abdomen and under

BIBBS OF KANSAS. 307

tail coverts dirty pale yellowish. Quills aud tail dark blackish brown: the sec-
ondaries narrowly, the tertials more broadly, edged with whitish. Two quite
distinct bands of brownish white across the wings."

Stretch of
Length. iving. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.S0 10.50 3.50 2.70 ..50 .50

Female... G.OO 10.00 3.25 2.50 .50 .50

Iris brown; bill, upper black, under brownish yellow, the tip
dark brown; legs, feet and claws black.

This Western form does not differ essentially in its actions or
habits from the Wood Pewee. Its note is, however, quite dif-
ferent, more emphatic, "Pe-ah," and its nest a little deeper,
and without the external lichens, but has the same style of
structure. It is composed chiefly of old, dead grasses, which
are closely woven in and together with fine lints, thread-like
fibers and fine, wiry stemlets from grass tops, and occasionally
upon the outside a few old, dead leaves. Their eggs have the
same form and markings, but average a little paler in color.
A set of three, taken June 26th, 1876, at Santa Cruz, California,
measure: .71x.55, .72x.54, .74x.54.

Genus EMPIDONAX Cabanis.
"Tarsus lengthened, considerably longer than bill and exceeding the middle
toe, which is decidedly longer than the hind toe. Bill variable. Tail very
slightly forked, even or rounded; a little shorter only than the wings, which are
considerably rounded; the first primary much shorter than the fourth. Head
moderately crested. Color, olivaceous above, yellowish beneath; throat generally
gray."

Empidonax acadicus (Gmel.).

ACADIAN FLYCATCHER.

Summer resident in the eastern to middle portion of the State;
not uncommon in the eastern part. Arrive the first to the
twentieth of May; begin laying early in June; return in Sep-
tember.

B. 143. E. 324. C. 384. G. 158, 177. U. 465.

Habitat. Eastern United States (western Manitoba. Seton)\

west into Nebraska and middle Texas; south in winter through

eastern Mexico into northern South America.

Sp. Char. "The second and third quills are longest, and about equal; the
fourth a little shorter; the first about equal to fifth, and about . 85 less than the
longest. Tail even; the upper parts, with sides of head and neck, olive green;

368 HISTORY OF THE

the crown very little if any darker. A yellowish white ring round the eye.
The sides of the body under the wings like the back, but fainter olive; a tinge
of the same across the breast; the chin, throat and middle of the belly white;
the abdomen, lower tail and wing coverts, and sides of the body not covered by
the wings, pale greenish yellow. Edges of the first primary, secondaries and
tertials margined with dull yellowish white, most broadly on the latter. Two
transverse bauds of pale yellowish (sometimes with an ochery tinge) across the
wings, formed by the tips of the secondary and primary coverts, succeeded by
a brown one. Tail light brown, margined externally like the back; upper man-
dible light brown above, pale yellow beneath; in autumn the lower parts are
more yellow. Length, 5.65; wing, 3.00; tail, 2.75. Young: Whole iipper sur-
face with indistinct transverse bars of pale ochraceous; wiug markings light
ochraceous."

I have mislaid my list of fresh measurements of this species.
Eidgwaysays: ''3fale: Wing, 2.75x3.10 (2.83); tail, 2.30x2.70
(2.49); culmen, .62x.69, (.66); bill from nostril, .32x.39 (.35);
width at base, .28x.30 (.30); tarsus, .59x.67 (.62). Female:
Wing, 2.55x2.70 (2.65); tail, 2.25x2.35 (2.32).

These birds of the woodlands are far from plenty in their ex-
treme eastern range, but very common westward, especially in
the Mississippi valley, breeding from the Gulf coast northward.
They frequent the deep, shady groves and forests, preferring the
low, moist lands. A rather shy bird, and their presence would
seldom be known were it not for their quick, sharp, emphatic,
"Whut-er-see," that breaks with startling effect the stillness of
their gloomy surroundings. They are to be looked for in the
low branches of trees, from which they dart in the pursuit of in-
sects, or to chase a rival or fly-catching bird — for they are zeal-
ous defenders of their foraging grounds, as well as their nesting
places. In autunm berries help to make up their bill of fare.

Their nests are placed in horizontal forks at the extremity of
small limbs; they are never saddled, or placed on the top of a
limb, but securely fastened to the branches, partially resting and
partially suspended between the forks; a rather thin, loose struct-
ure, composed of small, wiry stems of grasses, rootlets, fibrous
strippings from plants, intermingled with tree catkins. They
usually range from six to twelve feet from the ground. Eggs
two to four (usually three), . 75x. 54; cream white, very sparingly
speckled and spotted (chiefly about the larger end) with reddish
brown; in form, ovate.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 359

Empidonax pusillus traillii (Aud.).

TRAILL'S FLYCATCHER.
PLATE XXIV.

Summer resident; not uncommon. Arrive the last of April
to middle of May; begin laying early in June; return early in
September.

B. 140. R. 325a. C. 385. G. 159, 178. U. 466a.

Habitat. Eastern I^ortli America, to the plains; north to
Nova Scotia and Manitoba; south in winter to northern South
America.

Sp. Char. "Third quill longest; second scarcelj' shorter than the fourth;
first shorter than fifth, about .35 shorter than the longest. Primaries about .75
of an inch longer than secondaries. Tail even. Upper parts dark olive green;
lighter under the wings, and duller aud more tinged with ash on nape and sides
of the neck. Center of the crown feathers brown. A pale yellowish white
ring (in some specimens altogether white) round the eye. Loral feathers mixed
with white. Chin and throat white; the breast and sides of throat light ash
tinged with olive (its intensity varying in individuals), the former sometimes
faintly tinged with olive. Sides of the breast much like the back. Middle of
the belly nearly white; sides of the belly, abdomen and the lower tail coverts
sulphur yellow; the quills and tail feathers dark brown, as dark (if not more so)
as these parts in G. virens. Two olivaceous yellow white bauds on the wing,
formed by the tips of the first and second coverts, succeeded by a brown one;
the edge of the first primary and of secondaries and tertials a little lighter shade
of the same. The outer edge of the tail feathers like the back; that of the lat-
eral one rather lighter. Young: With the wing bands ochraceous instead of
grayish olive."

Stretch of

Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.75 9.00 2.75 2.50 .65 .45

Female... 5.G0 8.60 2.60 2.35 .65 .45

Iris brown; bill, upper black, under dull brownish yellow,
shading into darker brown at tip; legs, feet and claws black.

These birds are quite common and breed throughout their
summer range. They frequent the groves and woods skirting
streams and swampy lands. A rather noisy bird, that at short
intervals utters its loud call note, "Ke-wick." Its ordinary
note is a sharp "Pip," and, as it flits about from bush to bush,
often repeats the same in a twittering manner. Their food hab-
its and actions are essentially the same as those of the Acadian;
but their nests are constructed in a very different manner, the
same being placed in the upright forks of a bush or saplinf>-

370 ■ HISTORY OF THE

usually from four to ten feet from the ground, A rather com-
pact, deep, cup-shaped nest, closely resembling in form and
make-up, the nest of the Yellow Warbler. Composed chiefly
of small stems or twigs from plants, and flaxen, fuzzy, fibrous
strippings from the same, with a few scattering blades of grass,
and here and there an occasional feather; and lined thickly and
rather evenly with fine, hair-like stems from grasses. Eggs tliree
or four, .72x. 54; cream white, thinly speckled and spotted with
reddish brown, thickest about the larger end; in form, ovate.
A set of three eggs, taken June 17th, 1886, in a thick, second
growth of timber at Beattie, Kansas, by Mr. Geo. F. Brenniger,
measure: .69x.55, .7()x. 55, ,70x. 55; and a set of four, taken
June 17th, 1881, at Galesburg, Illinois: .70x.54, .72x.54, .72x
.55, .72X.55.

Empidonax minimus (Baird).

LEAST FLYCATCHER,
PLATE XXIV.

Migratory; common in the eastern portion of the State. Ar-
rive the last of April; return in September; a few occasionally
remain into October.

B. 143. R. 336. C. 387. G, 160, 179. U. 467.

Habitat. Temperate eastern North America; west to the

Yellowstone River and base of Eocky Mountains in Colorado;

south in winter to Panama.

Sp. Char. "Second quill longest; third and fourth but little shorter; fifth
a little less; first intermediate between fifth and sixth. Tail even. Above
olive brown, darker on the head, becoming paler on the rump and upper tail
coverts. The middle of the back most strongly olivaceous. The nape (in some
individuals) and sides of head tinged with ash. A ring round the eye and some
of the loral feathers white; the chin and throat white. The sides of the throat
and across the breast dull ash, the color on the latter sometimes nearly obsolete;
sides of the breast similar to the back, but of a lighter tint; middle of the belly
very pale yellowish white, turning to pale sulphur yellow on the sides of the
belly, abdomen and lower tail coverts. Wings brown; two narrow white bands
on the wings, formed by the tips of the first and second coverts, succeeded by
one of brown. The edge of the first primary and of the secondaries and tertials
white. Tail rather lighter brown, edged externally like the back. Feathers
narrow, not acuminate, with the ends rather blunt. In autumn the white parts
are strongly tinged with yellow. Young with ochraceous instead of grayish
white wing bands."

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 371

stretch of
Length. wing. lV/?i£: Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.20 8.00 2.40 2.20 .64 .40

Female... 5.00 7.70 2.30 2.10 .64 .40

Iris brown; bill, upper black, under pale brownish at base;
legs, feet and claws black.

This active, familiar species inhabits the edges of woodlands,
hedges, orchards and groves about the dwelling houses. They
are quite abundant in suitable localities throughout their range,
breeding from about 40° northward. During the breeding
season they are very watchful guardians of their homes; pug-
nacious, tyrannical little fellows, that dart with fury, rapidly
snapping their bills at any bird that ventures within their
grounds. This bold, combative spirit dies out with the breed-
ing season, and they then become inoffensive, peaceable birds,
that do not appear to be angered at the presence of others.
Like all of the family, they are expert fly catchers, and for a
dessert pluck the small berries in their season. Their common
note is an oft-repeated (at intervals emphatic), "Che-beck."
They also occasionally utter, with fluttering wings, a low, twit-
tering song, or rather an unmusical effort in that direction.

Their nests are usually placed in upright forks of small trees,
sometimes on a horizontal limb; a small, compact felted nest,
composed of rootlets, fine soft fibrous strippings from plants,
intermingled with vegetable down, and lined with fine grasses,
shreds of bark, and frequently insect cocoons and small downy
feathers. Eggs two to four, .64x. 50; pure to buff white; in
form, ovate. A set of four eggs, taken June 15th, 1882, at
Pewaukee, Wisconsin, in the upright forks of a small oak tree,
and about ten feet from the ground, measure: . 62x. 51, . 63x. 51,
.64X.50, .64X.50.

SuBOKDER OSCINES. So]^a Bieds.

"Sides of the tarsus covered iu most or all of their extent with two undi-
vided horny plates, meeting behind in a sharp ridge (except in Alaudida'; one of
the plates imperfectly divided in a few other forms). Musical apparatus highly
developed, consisting of several distinct pairs of syringeal muscles. Primaries
nine only, or ten with the first frequently spurious, rarely over two-thirds the
length of the longest, never equaling the longest."

372 HISTORY OF THE

Family ALAUDIDiE. Larks.

"First primary very short or wanting. Tarsi scutellate anteriorly and pos-
teriorly, with the plates nearly of corresponding position and number. Hind
claws very long and nearly straight. Bill short, conical, frontal feathers ex-
tending along side of the bill; the nostrils concealed by a tuft of bristly feath-
ers directed forward. Tertials greatly elongate beyond the secondaries."

Genus OTOCORIS Bonaparte.

No spurious primaries; tail even, or slightly rounded; crown without crest,
but on each side of the occiput an erectile, narrow, horn-lilve tuft of lengthened
black feathers; plumage of adult with plain browu or vinaceous tints prevailing
above, the lower parts mainly plain white, the head and chest with bold, black
markings (less conspicuous in female). Rldgway.

Otocoris alpestris praticola Hensh.

PRAIRIE HORNED LARK.
PLATE XXIV.

Resident in the eastern portion of the State, not observed in
the western; abundant during the winter months. Begin lay-
ing the last of March.

B. . K. . C. . G. , 181. U. 4746.

Habitat. The upper Mississippi Yalley and region of the
great lakes, west to central Dakota and Kansas; south in win-
ter to South Carolina and central Texas.

Sp. Chab. Adult male, in spring: Posterior portion of crown, occiput, nape,
sides of neck and breast, lesser wing coverts and shorter upper tail coverts light
vinaceous; back, scapulars and rump grayish brown, the feathers with darker
centers, becoming darker and much more distinct on the rump; middle wing cov-
erts light vinaceous terminally, brownish gray basally. Wings (except as de-
scribed ) grayish brown, the feathers with paler edges; outer primary with outer
web chiefly white. Middle pair of tail feathers light brown (paler at edges),
the central portion (longitudinally) much darker, approaching dusky; remain-
ing tail feathers uniform black, the outer pair with exterior web broadly edged
with white. Longer upper tail coverts light brown, edged with whitish, and
marked with a broad lanceolate streak of dusky. Forehead (for about .15 of an
inch) yellowish white, this continued back in a broad superciliary stripe of nearly
pure white; fore part of crown (for about .35 of an inch) deep black, contin-
ued laterally back to and including the ear-like tufts; lores, suborbital region,
and broad patch on cheeks (with convex posterior outline), deep black; jugular
crescent also deep black, this extending to the lower part of throat; chin and
throat pale straw yellow, gradually fading into white on sides of foreneck; ante-
rior half of ear coverts white, posterior half drab gray, each portion forming a
crescent-shaped patch. Lower parts posterior to the jugulum crescent pure
white, the sides of the breast light vinaceous, the sides similar, but brown, and

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 373

indistinctly streaked with darker. Upper mandible plumbeous black, lower
bluish plumbeous; iris deep brown; legs and feet brownish black. Adult male.
in winter: Similar to the spring plumage but darker, with the viuaceous some-
what obscured by grayish brown, the black by pale tips to the feathers, and yel-
low of throat slightly deeper. Adult female, in spring: Above, grayish brown,
the pileum narrowly and distinctly, the dorsal region broadly and less sharply.'
streaked with dusky; nape, lesser wing coverts and shorter upper tail coverts
dull light vinaceous, the first very distinctly streaked. A narrow frontlet and
broader superciliary stripe (the latter very sharply defined above) dull white;
lores, suborbital region and triangular patch on cheeks dull brownish black,'
without sharp definition posteriorly; auriculars drab, the anterior half lighter'
chin and throat white, the former faintly tinged with yellowish; jugular crossed
by a distinct band of black, narrower and less intense in color than in the male;
rest of lower parts white, tinged with pale brownish on breast, the sides (espe-
cially of breast) pale Isabella brownish, the flanks indistinctly streaked with
darker. Adult female, in icinter: Differing from the summer plumage in being
browner, and with the streaks of the pileum less distinct, the whitish frontlet
obsolete, and the superciliary stripe less sharply defined; the lores, suborbital
region and cheeks dull brownish, like the auriculars, the latter with an indis-
tinctly lighter central spot; chin and throat dull buffy white, with a tinge of
straw yellow, changing to clearer buffy white on sides of foreneck; juguhim
with an indistinct blackish patch, the feathers broadly bordered with dull whit-
ish. Whole breast and sides light Isabella color, indistinctly streaked with
darker; abdomen and crissum white. Young, first plumage: Above, brownish
black, the wings brownish; back dotted with sharply defined deltoid and rhom-
boid specks of white; pileum with similar but much more minute markings, and
rump also varied in the same manner, but spots rather more transverse than on
the back. Lesser and middle wing coverts brownish black, broadly tipped with
buffy white; greater coverts dusky, edged with Isabella brown, and narrowly
tipped with pale buff; prevailing color of closed remiges Isabella brown, the ter-
tials, however, darker brown, bordered with buff, this bordered internally with
a dusky submargin. Lower parts dull white, the jugulum, sides of breast, and
sides, dull Isabella buff, spotted or clouded with dusky. {Henshaw.)

stretch of

Length. whig. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 7.40 13.2.5 4.20 2.90 .83 .45

Female... 6.90 12.2.5 4.00 2.75 .80 .45

Iris brown; bill dark brown to blackish, with under pale or
bluish white at base; legs and feet blackish; claws black.

The races of this family so gradually shade into each other
that it is often perplexing to satisfactorily separate and deter-
mine the same.

The birds inhabit the old fields, roadsides, prairies and plains.
They are terrestial and gregarious in their habits, and often to
be seen during the winter months running about with the Snow-

374 HISTORY OF THE

flake and Longspur, in their search for fallen seeds from weeds
and grasses, of which their food chiefly consists, except during
the breeding season, when they prove to be expert insect catch-
ers, on the wing as well as in a running chase. During the
early part of the breeding season the males are quite gallant;
and move about with a proud step and graceful nod of the head,
and when they are ready to burst forth in song they are so in-
flated with joy that the earth will not hold them, and their low,
twittering notes (rather unmusical to us, but no doubt charming
to the female of their choice) are uttered on expanded wings as
they soar upward. They are not shy birds, and when approached
squat close to the ground and remain motionless until flushed,
when they rise, one after the other, with a sharp note, circle
around for a short time, and then drop back near the starting
point.

Their nests are placed in a depression in the ground, usually
under a tuft of grass and often in very exposed situations. They
are loosely made of bits of old grasses, and occasionally lined
with hairs. Eggs four or five, .S5x. 62; grayish to light green-
ish drab, thickly speckled and spotted with lavender to olive
brown; in form, ovate.

Otocoris alpestris arenicola Hensh.

DESERT HORNED LARK.
PLATE XXIV.

Resident in the western to middle portion of the State; com-
mon; abundant during the winter. Begin laying early in April.

B. . R. . C. . G. , 182. U. 474c.

Habitat. Region of the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and

the great basin; north into the British possessions; south to

about latitude 34°.

Sp. Chak. Male: Crown, nape, rump, lesser wing coverts and sides of body
pale vinaceous, feathei'S of middle back dark brown centrally, darker towards
the rump, not however, taking the form of distinct streaks. Exterior surface
of wing near shoulder very pale cinnamon. A broad crescent of black from
forehead to behind the eyes, bordered by white below. Malar and pectoral
patch black; below white; tail black, except the two middle feathers, which are
dark brown edged with pale cinnamon; outer tail feathers edged with white;
throat pale yellow. Female: General colors similar. Feathers of occiput dark
brown medially, like the back; throat showing lines only of yellow. {Henshaw.)

Strr/ch of

JVing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

13.25

4.20

2.90

.83

.48

13.30

4.05

2.70

.80

.45

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 375

Length.

Male 7.30

Female ... 6.90

Iris brown; bill dark brown to dnsky, with under bluish white
at base; legs and feet blackish; claws black.

This western form does not differ in habits or actions from
the Prairie Horned Lark. Nest and eggs similar.

Family CORVIDJE. Crows, Jays, Magpies, etc.

"Primaries ten; the first short, generally about half as long as the second
(or a little more); the outer four siuuated on the inner edge. The nasal fossa
and nostrils usually more or less concealed by narrow, stiffened bristles (or
l)ristly feathers), with short, appressed lateral branches extending to the very
tip, all directed forward (these bristles occasionally wanting). Tarsi scutel-
late anteriorly, the sides undivided (except sometimes below), and separated
from the anterior plates by a narrow, naked strip, sometimes filled up with small
scales. Basal joint of middle toe united about equally to the lateral, generally
for about half the length. Bill generally notched."

Subfamily GAERULIN^. Magpies and Jays.

"Wings short, rounded; not longer or much shorter than the tail, which is
graduated, sometimes excessively so. Wings reaching not much beyond the
lower tail coverts. Bristly feathers at base of bill variable. Bill nearly as long
as the head, or shorter. Tarsi longer than the bill or middle toe. Outer lateral
claws rather shorter than the inner."

Genus PICA Brisso:n-.
"Tail very long, forming much more than half the total length; the feathers
much graduated; the lateral scarcely more than half the middle. First primary
falcate, curved, and attenuated. Bill about as high as broad at base; the cul-
meu and gonys much curved, and about equal; the bristly feathers reaching
nearly to the middle of the bill. Nostrils nearly circular. Tarsi very long;
middle toe scarcely more than two-thirds the length. A patch of naked skin
beneath and behind the eye."

Pica pica hudsonica (Sab.).

AMERICAN MAGPIE.
PLATE XXIV.

Formerly a resident; rare; now an occasional fall and winter
visitant. Begin laying early in April.

B. 432. Pv. 286. C. 347. G. 145, 183. U. 475.

Habitat. Western North America (not found in California);
north to Alaska; east to the edge of the plains; casually farther;

376 HISTORY OF THE

known to straggle in winter to northern Illinois and Michigan;

south to Arizona.

Sp. Char. "Bill aud naked skin behind the eye black; general color black.
The belly, scapulars and inner webs of the primaries white; hind part of back
grayish; exposed portion of tail feathers glossy green, tinged with purple and
violet near the end; wings glossed with green; the secondaries and tertials with
blue; throat feathers spotted with white in yoiuiger specimens. Young: In
color and appearance similar, generally, to the adult."

stretch of

Length.

wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 20.. 50

24. .50

8.2.5

12.00

1.90

1.30

Female. .

. 19.00

23.00

7.75

10.75

1.80

1.20

Iris brownish black; legs, feet and claws black.

These birds inhabit the open woods and trees skirting the
streams. They are quite common in the central portion of their
range. I have found them quite abundant in Colorado, espe-
cially along the streams in the foot hills, or lower portion of moun-
tain regions. From all appearances they remain mated during
the year, but being of rather a social nature are often met with
in small flocks or family groups. They are shy, wary, crafty,
noisy birds, and where hunted much, rather difficult to capture,
not as a rule wildly flying aM'ay, but rather seem to delight for
a short time in tempting one -to follow, by scolding and fussing
about, just out of reach. In flight they are sustained by rapid
strokes of the wings, and while quite swift and direct, the eft'ort
is too great for an extended flight.

Its voice is capable of producing a variety of sounds, from a
harsh clatter to soft, whistling notes. When taken young they
are easily tamed, and soon learn to perform various tricks, and
to fairly imitate many words, but like all of the family are great
thieves, and cannot resist the temptation to carry away and hide,
especially any small, bright or shining article, and they are there-
fore not desirable pets. In their food habits omnivorous, feed-
ing freely upon offal, carrion, insects, fruits, nuts and grains.
The slaughter houses have great attractions for them. I secured
my first bird at one.

Their nests are placed in low, scrubby trees and bushes, along
the streams, usually from six to fifteen feet from the ground.
They are composed of sticks and twigs, tlie inside plastered with

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 377

mnd, and lined sparingly with grasses and a few feathers; upon
tliis a rough, dome-like structure of sticks, ingeniously woven,
completely covers the nest, leaving a small hole on the side for
entrance. Several of the nests that I found in Colorado had
two openings, and opposite to each other, doubtless to make
room for and protect the long tail of the bird, which must be
more or less injured where but one entrance is constructed.
Eggs six to nine, 1.30x.92; light green, thickly speckled and
spotted with drab to purplish brown; in form, oval to ovate.

Genus CYANOCITTA Strickland.

•'Head crested. Wings and tail blue, with transverse black bars; head and
back of the same color. Bill rather slender, somewhat broader than high at
the base; culmen about equal to the head. Nostrils large, nearly circular; con-
cealed by bristles. Tail about as long as the wings, lengthened, graduated.
Hind claw large, longer than its digit."

Cyanocitta cristata (Linn.).

BLUE JAY.
PLATE XXIV.

Resident; abundant in the eastern portion of the State; com-
mon along the streams, where skirted with trees, to a little beyond
the center; not observed in the extreme western part. Begin
laying the last of April.

B. 434. K. 289. C. 349. G. 146, 184. U. 477.

Habitat. Eastern United States, except Florida (where they

are replaced by C. cristata florincola),' north into the fur regions

of the British possessions; west to the Great Plains.

Sp. Char. "Crest about one-third longer than the bill. Tail much gradu-
ated. General color above light purplish blue; wings and tail feathers ultra-
marine blue; the secondaries and tertials, the greater wing coverts, and the
exposed surface of the tail, sharply banded with black and broadly tipped with
white, except on the central tail feathers. Beneath, white; tinged with purplish
blue on the throat, and with bluish brown on the sides. A black crescent on
the fore part of the breast, the horns passing forward and connecting with a half
collar on the back of the neck. A narrow frontal line and loral region black;
feathers on the base of the bill blue, like the crown. Female: Bather duller in
color, and a little smaller."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tamis.

Bill.

Male ....

. 12.00

17.50

5.60

5.60

1.35

1.00

Female . .

11.25

lfi.70

,5.35

5.35

1.30

1.00

378 HISTORY OF THE

Iris dark brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

I know that I cannot please the reader better than by giving
the following interesting description, by Nuttall, of this hand-
some, conspicuous bird, of questionable character, wherein he
says:

"The Blue Jay is a constant inhabitant both of the wooded
wilderness and the vicinity of the settled farm, though more fa-
miliar at the approach of winter and early in spring than at
any other season. These wanderings or limited migrations are
induced by necessity alone; his hoards of grain, nuts and acorns
either have failed or are forgotten; for, like other misers, he is
more assiduous to amass than to expend or enjoy his stores,
and the fruits of his labors very frequently devolve to the rats
or squirrels, or accidentally assist in the replanting of the forest.
His visits at this time are not unfrequent in the garden and or-
chard, and his usual petulant address of "Djay, jay, jay," and
other harsh and trumpeting articulations, soon make his retreat
known to all in the neighborhood. So habitual is this sentinel
cry of alarm, and so expressive, that all the birds within call,
as well as other wild animals, are instantly on the alert, so that
the fowler and hunter become generally disappointed of their
game by this his garrulous and noisy propensity; he is there-
fore, for his petulance, frequently killed without pity or profit,
for his flesh, though eaten, has little to recommend it. His
more complaisant notes, when undisturbed, though guttural and
echoing, are by no means unpleasant, and fall in harmoniously
with the cadence of the feathered choristers around him, so as
to form a finishing part to the general music of the grove. His
accents of blandishment, when influenced by the softer passions,
are low and musical, so as to be scarcely heard beyond the thick
branches where he sits concealed; but, as soon as discovered, he
bursts out into notes of rage and reproach, accompanying his

voice by jerks and actions of temerity and defiance

He also exhibits a great antipathy to the Owl, and by his loud
and savage vociferation soon brings together a noisy troop of
all the busy birds in the neighborhood. To this garrulous at-
tack the night wanderer has no reply but a threatening stare of

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 379

indifference; and, as soon as opportunity offers, he quietly slips
from his slandering company. Advantage, in some countries
is taken of this dislike for the purpose of catching birds; thus
the Owl being let out of a box, sometimes makes a hoot, which
mstantly assembles a motley group, who are then caught by
hmmg the neighboring twigs on which they perch. In this
gossip the Jay and Crow are always sure to take a part, if with-
in sight or hearing of the call, and are thus caught or destroyed
at will. The common Jay is even fond of imitating the harsh
Toice of the Owl and the noisy Kestril. I have also heard the
Blue Jay mock, with a taunting accent, the "Ke-oo, ke-00 " or
quailing of the Eed-shouldered Hawk. Wilson likewise heard
him take singular satisfaction in teasing and mocking the little
American Sparrow Hawk, and imposing upon him by the pre-
tended plaints of a wounded bird, in which frolic several would
appear to join, until their sport sometimes ended in sudden con-
sternation, by the Hawk, justly enough, pouncing on one of
them as his legitimate and devoted prey.

"His talent for mimicry, when domesticated, is likewise so far
capable of improvement as to enable him to imitate human
speech, articulating words with some distinctness; and on hear-
ing voices, like a parrot, he would endeavor to contribute liis
important share to the tumult. Bewick remarks of the common
Jay, that he heard one so exactly counterfeit the action of a saw,
that though on a Sunday, he could scarcely be persuaded but
that some carpenter was at work. Another, unfortunately, ren-
dered himself a serious nuisance by learning to hound a cur dog
upon the domestic cattle, whistling and calling him by name, so
that at length a serious accident occurring in consequence, 'the
poor Jay was proscribed. The Blue Jay becomes also, like tlie
Crow and Magpie, a very mischievous purloiner of everything
he is capable of conveying away and hiding.

"The favorite food of this species is chestnuts, acorns, and
Indian corn or maize, the latter of which he breaks before swal-
lowing. He also feeds occasionally on the larger insects and
caterpillars, as well as orchard fruits, particularly cherries, and
does not even refuse the humble fare of potatoes. In times of

380 HISTORY OF THE

scarcity he falls upon carrion, and has been known to venture
into the barn, through accidental openings; when, as if sensible
of the danger of purloining, he is active and silent, and if sur-
prised, postponing his garrulity, he retreats with noiseless pre-
cipitation, and with all the cowardice of a thief. The worst
trait of his appetite, however, is his relish for the eggs of other
birds, in quest of which he may frequently be seen prowling,
and with a savage cruelty he sometimes also devours the callow
young, spreading the plaint of sorrow and alarm wherever he
flits. The whole neighboring community of little birds assemble
at the cry of distress, sometimes, however, succeeding in driving
off the ruthless plunderer, who, not always content with the
young, has been seen to attack the old, though with dubious
success; but to the gallant and quarrelsome Kingbird he submits
like a coward, and driven to seek shelter, even on the ground,
from the repeated blows of his antagonist, sneaks off well con-
tented to save his life."

Their nests are placed on branches, near the trunks or bodies
of trees and bushes, in the forests, and in the vicinity of dwel-
lings, six to thirty feet from the ground. They are rudely com-
posed of small sticks, roots and various kinds of material at hand,
strongly interwoven, and lined with fine rootlets. Eggs four
or five, l.lOx. 82; olive, sparingly spotted with drab and olive
brown; in form, ovate.

Subfamily CORYlNiE. Crows.

" Wiugs loug and poiuted; longer than the tail, and. when closed, reaching
nearly to its tip, extending far beyond the under tail coverts; the third, fourth
and fifth quills forming the tip of the wing."

Genus CORVUS Linn^us.

"The nasal feathers lengthened, reaching to or beyond the middle of the bill.
Nostrils large, circular, overhung behind by membrane, the edges rounded else-
wliere. Eictus without bristles. Bill nearly as long as the tarsus, very stout;
much higher than broad at the base; culmen much arched. Wings reaching
nearly or quite to the tip of the tail, the outer four primaries sinuated internally.
Tarsi longer than the middle toe, with a series of small scales on the middle of
each side separating the anterior scutellate portion from the posterior continu-
ous plates. Sides of the head occasionally with nearly nalied patches. Tail
graduated or rounded."

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 381

Corvus corax sinuatus (Wagl.).

MEXICAN RAVEN.
PLATE XXIV.

Formerly a resident; never common; may still occasionally
breed in unsettled localities, but disappear as the settlements in-
crease, and probably at the present time only a visitant to the
State.

B. 423, 424. R. 280. C. 338. G. 141, 185. U. 486.

Habitat. Western United States; south to Guatemala. I
am unable to give its northern and eastern range to where it is
replaced by the northern form, C. corax principalis.

Sp. Char. Adult: Tail graduated; feathers of throat lanceolate; those of
neck, jugulimi and fore part of back gray at bases., Entire plumage glossy
black, the upper parts, especially wings and tail, with rich purplish reflections.
{Bidgicay.)

Stretch of

Length. whig. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 25.00 50.00 17.25 10.00 .60 2.75

Female... 22.50 46.00 15.75 9.00 .50 2.60

Iris dark brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

These magnificent stately birds are quite common in the Rocky
Mountain region and westward, especially in Lower California
and the adjacent isles, where I found them breeding in abund-
ance on the steep, rocky cliffs, subsisting and feeding their little
ones almost exclusively upon the eggs and young of the Gulls,
Boobies and the many water birds that nest in communities,
where they are to be seen silently perched upon a tree or rock,
ready the moment the parent birds leave a nest to dash down,
kill the young or pierce an egg with their bill and carry it safely
away. A bold, sagacious bird, and, when not shot at, will closely
follow the intruder in order to rob the nests of the birds frio-ht-
ened away. They are indiscriminate eaters, greedily devouring
offal, carrion, fruits, grain, etc. Young lambs and pigs often
help to make up their bill of fare.

They are not garrulous like the Jay, or as noisy as the Crow,
but they can and do croak vigorously at times, and with various
modulations. They also have a habit, when at rest, of utterino-
in a low voice a self-satisfied, chuckling, cawing attempt at song.
They are naturally solitary, unsocial birds, and when found in

382 HISTORY OF THE

flocks show no attachment outside of the mated pairs, except
when one is wounded or in trouble and calls for help.

Thej are very intelligent, easily tamed, and capable of learn-
ing many tricks, and would be entertaining pets were it not for
their thieving propensities. Pages of interesting anecdotes
could be given showing that the birds are capable of thinking,
yes, reasoning well.

Their nests are placed on the sides of high, precipitous cliffs
and in trees; a coarse, bulky structure of sticks, lined with
grasses, hairs, and sometimes bits of wool and moss. Eggs,
1.88x1.30; light greenish blue, thickly spotted and blotched
with purple and blackish brown, in some cases chiefly at larger
end; in form, oval to ovate. A set of five eggs, taken March
24th, 1884, from a nest on the side of a high, steep, rocky bank,
on the beach, in northwestern Lower California, measure: 1.88
xl.26, 1.88x1.30, 1.90x1.30, 1.91x1.30, 2.00x1.30.

Corvus cryptoleucus (Couch).

WHITE-NECKED RAVEN.
PLATE XXIV.

A resident in the western part of the State; rare; quite com-
mon during the fall and winter, but decreasing in numbers as
the settlements increase. Begin laying in May.

B. 435. R. 381. C. 339. G. 143, 186. U. 487.

Habitat. Southwestern United States and table lands of
Mexico; north to southern Wyoming — on the Pacific side I
can find no mention north of southern California; east to the
edge of the Plains; south to about latitude 20°.

Sp. Chab. "The fourth quill longest; the third and fifth equal; the second
longer than the sixth; the first about equal to the seventh. Glossy blaclf, with
violet reflections; feathers of neclv all round, back and breast, snow white at
the base; feathers of throat lanceolate; bristly feathers along the base of the
bill, covering it for nearly two-thirds its length."

stretch of
Length. luitig. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 31.00 43.00 14.35 8.50 3.35 3.30

Female... 19.50 41.50 13.50 8.00 3.30 3.30

Iris dark brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 383

These birds of the plains are essentially tlie same in habits
and actions as the Mexican Raven, differing, however, in their
manner of nesting, and are more gregarious. I first met with
them in New Mexico, in the fall of 1880, and captured my first
pair at San Marcial. I copy from my notes written at the time:

"I was surprised to find the birds so abundant in this vicin-
ity (San Marcial). They were in company with the common
Raven — C. corax simiatus — from which they were readily dis-
tinguished by their smaller size, slimmer build, and in flight, by
their wings, which appear less rounded. I first noticed a pair
at Galisteo, and now and then one or more on my way down
the Rio Grande; but nowhere abundant until I reached this
place (the present terminus and headquarters of the railroad
builders of the A. T. & S. F. R. R., which will soon be com-
pleted to El Paso), where they have assembled in numbers to
feed about the camps of the graders and workmen scattered
along the line. I am told that they follow the railroad builders,
rarely ever far to the front or rear. They are quite bold, flock-
ing about the camps as soon as the men roll out for work, to
pick up the scattering grains where the horses and mules have
been fed, and the offal about the tents. I counted one morning
at sunrise over a hundred, and with them at least thirty common
Ravens.

"Their voice differs in not being so loud and coarse; and I
now know from their notes that I saw, several years ago, a pair
at McAllister, Indian Territory."

I will add that I have since met with the birds in Arizona,
Mexico, Colorado, and several times in western Kansas. The
following interesting description of their nesting habits is given
by Capt. Chas. Bendire:

"This species is the most abundant of the Corvidm found in
Arizona, and is a resident throughout the year. It is not at all
shy. Lieutenant Benson writes me, that numbers of them are
seen almost daily about the oflBcers' and men' s quarters, at Fort
Huachuca, and that they are so tame that they will often let one
pass within twenty feet of them without flying off. I have per-
sonally shot numbers of them, in my camp on Rillito Creek, in

384 HISTORY OF THE

the winter of 1872, where I found them quite common, but they
did not breed in that vicinity to any great extent. After riding
many miles, and patiently searching, I succeeded in finding two
of their nests with eggs, one on May 6, the other on June 5,
1872. Both of tliese nests were placed in the tops of oak trees,
from fifteen to twenty feet from the ground, in the foot hills of
the Santa Catarina and Rincon Mountains, respectively.

"Lieutenant Benson was more fortunate in finding the nests
of this species, taking over fifty sets of their eggs between May
8th and June 18th of this present year. He states in one of
his letters to me that the White-necked Raven, in the vicinity
of Fort Huachuca, usually builds in mesquit bushes, from seven
to fifteen feet from the ground, placing the nests in the top.
Occasionally a pair will build on top of a yucca plant. The
nests are mostly found on the more open plains, not far from
the edge of the thicker chaparral, and usually within a mile of
this more bushy tract. The nests are constructed of sticks of
various sizes; the cavity is rather deep, and this is lined with
hair of cattle and rabbits, and frequently with pieces of the hide
of these animals.

"They are extremely filthy, and smell horribly. Old nests
are repaired from year to year, some of them being, as Lieuten-
ant Benson expresses it, 'seven or eight stories,' showing use
for many years. The series of eggs of this Raven is one of the
finest and most complete in the National Museum collection,
containing nearly three hundred specimens, almost all obtained
from Lieutenant Benson. Their ground color ranges from a
light green to a pale grayish green, and this is more or less cov-
ered with numerous streaks, blotches and spots of sepia brown
and French gray, as well as in some instances of dark moss
green and deep grayish olive markings. One peculiar and con-
stant feature of these eggs is their resemblance in the pattern of
the less pronounced markings (the lighter colored ones) to those
found in the eggs of the genus Myiarchus, in this: that these
markings run lengthways of the egg^ or from pole to pole, a
feature not found by me in the eggs of the common Crow,
Corvus americanus Aud., and only very rarely in those of the

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BIRDS OF KANSAS. 385

Raven, Corvus corax sinuatics Wagl., the eggs of both of these
species being also represented by excellent series in the Museum
collection. The general average of the eggs of the White-
necked Raven is much lighter colored than the eggs of above
mentioned species — one set, indeed, is almost unspotted; and
usually there is one egg in each set vehich is much lighter col-
ored generally than the balance. All the eggs of this species
can readily be distinguished from those of the balance of the
CorvidcB which breed within the limits of the United States.
The usual shape of these eggs is an elongated ovate, and there
is a great variation in their size.

"Three of the largest measure as follows: 1.92x1.33, 1.95x
1.25, 2.00x1.24 inches.

"Three of the smallest measure: 1.57x1.17, 1.62x1.08 and
1.52x1.09 inches. Their average size is about 1.78 inches in
length by 1.16 in width.

"From four to seven eggs are laid to a set, six being the
most common number found, and presumably but one brood is
raised a year."

Corvus americanus Aud.

AMERICAN CROW.

PLATE XXV. «

Resident; abundant in the eastern part of the State, not com-
mon in the western portion. Begin laying the last of March to
the first of April.

B. 426. R. 282. C. 340. G. 143, 187. U. 488.

Habitat. North America, from the fur countries to Mexico.

Sp. Char. "Tail slightly rounded. Feathers of throat short, blended;
those of the neck, etc., dusliy grayish at bases. Adult: Deep black, with vio-
let gloss, the latter fainter on lower parts."

Stretch of

Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 19.00 38.00 13.00 8.00 2.30 2.00

Female 18.50 37.00 12.50 7.90 2.30 2.00

Iris dark brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

As much as I love the birds, I cannot find it in my heart to
put in a plea for this well known nest robber and bird of ill re-
pute, for their thievish propensities are too great to attempt to

386 HISTORY OF THE

show that the good they do overbalances the harm. Various
are the ways resorted to by the farmer to not only scare them
away, but to destroy them. Notwithstanding- this, tlie cunning,
sagacious birds manage to live and thrive in their midst. Thej-
are rather gregarious and social in their habits, often assembling
together in large flocks, and they select and have common roost-
ing places, where they gather from miles and miles around, ar-
riving silently at eve, and stealing away at early dawn. Their
flights are direct and well sustained.

Their nests are placed in the forks of trees, in groves and on
the timbered bottom lands, thirty to seventy feet from the
ground. They are composed of sticks and lined with grasses,
fibrous strippings from plants, and hairs. Eggs four or five,
1.65x1.20; light to dark green, and irregularly spotted, splashed
or blotched with various shades of pale to dark brown and pur-
ple, usually the thickest around the larger end; in form, oval
to ovate.

Genus PICICORVUS Bonaparte.

"Leaden gray color, with black wings and tail; bill longer than the head,
■considerably longer than the tarsus, attenuated, slightly decurved; tip without
notch; culmen and commissure curved; gonys straight or slightly concave, as long
as the tarsi; nostrils circular, completely covered by a full tuft of incumbent
white bristly feathers; tail much shorter than the wings, nearly even, or slightly
rounded. Wings pointed, reaching to the tip of the tail; third, fourth and fifth
quills longest; tarsi short, scarcely longer than the middle toe, the hind toe and
claw very large, reaching nearly to the middle of the middle claw, the lateral
toe little shorter. A row of small scales on the middle of the sides of tarsus;
color of the single species leaden gray, with black wings and tail."

Picicorvus columbianus (Wils.).

CLARK'S NUTCRACKER.
PLATE XXV.

An accidental visitant. Mr. L. L. Jewell, of Irving, kindly
sent me for examination a portion of the skin saved from a
male bird, shot August 13th, 1888, by Mr. Chas. Netz, near the
south line of Marsliall county.

B. 430. R. 284. C. 344. G. , . U. 491.

Habitat. The high, coniferous forests of western North
America; north to Alaska; south to Arizona; east to the edge

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 387

of the plains. (Dr. Cooper met with a straggling pair at Ft.
Kearney, Neb. , and-Mr. G. S. Agersborg, a pair in southeastern
Dakota; but, like the Kansas visitant, they were accidental wan-
derers. They are seldom found below an altitude of 4,000 feet.)

Sp. Chak. "Tail roimded or moderately graduated, the closed wings reach-
ing nearly to its tip. Fourth quill longest; second considerably shorter than
the sixth. General color bluish ash, changing on the nasal feathers, the fore-
head, sides of head (especially around the eye), and chin, to white. The wings,
including their inner surface, greenish black; the secondaries and tertials, except
the innermost, broadly tipped with white; tail white; the inner web of the fifth
feather and the whole of the sixth, with upper tail coverts, greenish black. The
axillars plumbeous black. Bill and feet black. Young similar in color, with-
out additional markings of any kind. The gonys, however, convex, and the bill
generally more like that of the Jays."

Dimensions of a pair in "The Goss Ornithological Collec-
tion," shot March 5th, 1879, near Central City, Colorado:

stretch of
Length. luing. JVing: Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 13.25 23.25 7.75 5.00 1.30 1.60

Female 12.00 21.50 7.25 4.50 1.20 1.45

Iris dark brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

This bird has the actions and habits of several species. Like
the Jays, it is at times noisy, and in flocks, and when upon the
ground hops about in the same manner; it clings, like the
Woodpecker, to the side of a tree, while it hunts for and ex-
tracts from old excavations, interstices of the bark, etc., the
various forms of life found therein; and its flights are similar.
In clasping with its sharp claws the cones on the pines and other
coniferous trees, in order to pry with its bill for the seeds, it
often hangs with its head downward, swaying back and forth
with the ease and movements of the Titmouse. The birds are
very shy, and, at or near their nesting places, silent.

In May, 1879, my brother found the birds breeding near Fort
Garland, Colorado. It was too late in the season for their eggs.
but in one nest he found young birds; he says the old bird sat
very close, only leaving when touched by his hand. The nest
was built near the end of a horizontal limb of a pine tree, and
about ten feet from the ground, in an open, conspicuous situa-
tion. It was bulky, and coarsely constructed of sticks, twigs,
strips of bark, rootlets, grass, moss, etc., and very deeply hoi-

388 niSTORY OF THE

lowed, the bird when on the nest showing only part of her bill
and tail, pointing almost directly upward. At a distance it
would be taken for a squirrel's nest. Capt. Chas. Bendire writes
me that, during the month of April, 1876-8, he found, in the
vicinity of Camp Harney, Oregon, quite a number of their nests,
as described above, with eggs, and gives the following dimen-
sions of four eggs: 1.30x.92, 1.26x.95, 1.22 x. 95, 1.20x.90.
Usual number three; ground color light grayish green, irregu-
larly spotted and blotched with a deeper shade of gray, prin-
cipally about the larger end; elongated oval in shape, and
considerably pointed at the smaller end.

Genus CYANOCEPHALUS Bonaparte.
"Bill elongated, compressed, shorter than the tarsus, longer than the head,
■without notch, similar to that of sturnella in shape. Culmen nearly straight;
commissure curved; gonys ascending. Nostrils small, oval, entirely exposed,
the bristly feathers at the base of the bill being very minute. Tail short, nearly
even, much shorter than the pointed wings, which cover three-fourths of the
tail. Tarsi considerably longer than the middle toe. Color of the single specie*
blue, most Intense anteriorly; the throat streaked with white."

Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus (Wied.).

PINON JAY.
PLATE XXV.

A rare visitant. Three specimens shot, out of a flock of six
or seven, near Lawrence, October 23, 1875. (Eeported by Prof.
F. H. Snow.)

B, 431. R. 285. C. 345. G. 144, 188. U. 492.

Habitat. Eocky Mountain region, and coast range of the Pa-
cific slope; north into British America; south to Mexico.

Sp. Chak. "Wings considerably longer than tail, and reaching to within an
inch of its tip. Tail nearly even. General color dull blue, paler on the abdo-
men, the middle of which is tinged with ash; the head and neck of a much
deeper and more intense blue, darker on the crown. Chin and fore part of the:
throat whitish, streaked with blue. Young bird not differing in markings."

Lengih.

Stretch of

iviftg:

mn^.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bin.

Male ....

. 11.00

18.00

5.80

4.75

1.40

1.35

Female . .

. 10.60

17.60

5.65

4.50

1.40

1.80

The above are the average measurements of several pairs;
they vary somewhat in size, one of the females being fully as

large as the males.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 389

Iris dark brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

These noisy, characteristic birds are quite common within the
central portion of their range. They are gregarious, and very
social in their habits, and are usually to be found flying about in
flocks, among the scattering cedars and pinons of the open, hilly
lands, making their presence known upon all occasions, except
-about their nesting places, by keeping up their almost continu-
ous, loud, harsh, querulous notes; hurriedly alighting, and pass-
ing each other, in their search for food, each anxious to be in
the lead, in order to secure the choicest nuts and seeds upon the
ground, as well as in the trees. The pinon is the favorite, and
in extracting the nuts from cones they often hang feet upper-
most, and swing about like the Crossbills. During the breed-
ing season, they prove themselves quite expert and busy insect
•catchers, darting from a tree top and returning after the cap-
ture much like the true Flycatcher.

I have never found the birds very shy, but on account of their
restless flights they are not easy to capture by following the trail.
When going a distance, their flights are swift and compact, but
rather straggling in their search for food.

The following interesting description of the? ■ nesting habits,
by my brother, is taken from the bulletin of he Nuttall Orni-
thological Club:

"In May, 1879, I took nine sets of the eggs of the Pinon
Jay, in Colorado. Their nests were found all within from five
to nine miles east and southeast of Fort Garland. This region
lies along the western base of the Sangre de Christo Mountains,
is broken by hills and spurs from the main range, and has an
elevation of about 9,000 feet. The nests were all in high,
open situations, two of them well up the steep mountain sides.
and none in valleys or thick timber. All were in small piiion
pines, from five to ten feet up, out some distance from the body
of the tree, and not particularly well concealed. They are large,
coarse and deeply-hollowed structures, much alike, being made
mostly of grayish shreds of some fibrous plant or bark, which
breaks up into a mass of hair-like fibers, these forming the lining,
while some weeds and grass are worked into the general fabric.

390 HISTORY OF THE

I did not measure any of them before removal, and afterward
accurate measurement could not be made, as, being loosely con-
structed, they spread and flattened. They must have been about
as deep as wide — deep enough to receive the whole body of
the bird, only part of the head and tail showing above the edge.
The birds are close sitters, several not leaving the nest till it
was shaken, and I could have caught some of them in my hand.
On being driven from the nest, they would alight on an adjoin-
ing limb, and, with lowered head and half-extended wings, utter
their peculiar querulous cry. One nest contained five eggs, six
contained four each, and two, three each; both sets of three were
partly incubated. Two nests were taken May 5th, five on the
10th and two on the 11th, 1879. The eggs were quite pointed
at the smaller end. The ground color is bluish white, splashed
all over with small spots of dark brown, thickest at the larger
end. Nine eggs measure respectively: 1.19x.88, 1.21x.93,
1.22X.92, 1.25X.91, l.l7x.87, 1.18x.84, 1.17x.85, 1.20x.82,
1.17X.80; average, 1.19x.87."

The nest is easily seen, and I am surprised that so few have
been found. The bird is a restless wanderer, choosing the most
unfrequented places. It often changes its haunts, and may be
plenty one year where it is scarcely found in another. Prob-
ably the food supply has something to do with its movements.
It is gregarious, and partly so even in the breeding season.

Family ICTERID.^. Blackbirds, Orioles, etc.

"Primaries nine. Tarsi scutellate anteriorly; plated behind. Bill Ion?,
generally equal to the head or longer, straight or gently curved, conical, without
any notch, the commissure bending downwards at an obtuse angle at the base.
Gonys generally more than half the culmen, no bristles about the base of the
bill. Basal joint of the middle toe free on the inner side; united half way on
the outer. Tail rather long, rounded. Legs stout."

Genus DOLICHONYX Swainson.

"Bill short, stout, conical, little more than half the head; the commissure
slightly sinuated; the culmen nearly straight. Middle toe considerably longer
than the tarsus (which is about as long as the head); the inner lateral toe long-
est, but not reaching the base of the middle claw. Wings long, first quill long-
est. Tail feathers acumiuately pointed at the tip, with the shaft stiffened and
rigid, as in the Woodpeckers.

BIRD,S OF KANSAS. 391

•'The peculiar characteristic of this genus is found in the rigid scansorial
tail and the very long middle toe, by means of which it is enabled to grasp the
vertical stems of reeds or other slender plants. The color of the single species
is black, varied with whitish patches on the upper parts."

Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Lixn.).

BOBOLINK.
PLATE XXV.

Summer resident; very rare; during migration quite common.
Arrive the last of April to middle of May; begin laying the last
of May; return in September.

In the early part of June, 1867, I found a pair in Anderson
county, and from actions was positive the birds had a nest near
by, but was unable to find it, and I have in "The Goss Orni-
thological Collection" a male shot May 23d, 1877, near Neosho
Falls, out of a small flock, I have often met with them in the
State since, but cannot recall seeing them later than the middle
of May, and I think their remaining so late, or breeding so far
south, rare and exceptional, and that latitude 1:0° to 41° is their
southern breeding limit, and 54° their northern.

B. 399. R. 257. C. 312. G. 129, 189. U. 494.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north into the fur regions;

west to the high plains; south to South America; West Indies.

Sp. Chak. "General color of male in spring, black; the nape brownish
cream color; a patch on the side of the breast, the scapulars and rump white,
shading into light ash on the upper tail coverts and the back below the inter-
scapular region. The outer primaries sharply margined with yellowish white;
the tertials less abruptly; the tail feathers margined at the tips with pale brown-
ish ash. In autumn totally different, resembling the female. Female: Yellow-
ish beneath; two stripes on the top of the head, and the upper parts throughout,
except the back of the neck and rump, and including all the wing feathers,
generally dark brown, all edged with brownish yellow, which becomes whiter
near the tips of the quills. The sides sparsely streaked with dark brown, and
a similar stripe behind the eye. There is a superciliary and a median band of
yellow on the head."

Length.

Stretch of
-Mitig.

Wing.

Tail.

Ta >SHS.

Bill.

Male ....

. 7.30

12.2.5

3.90

3.00

1.03

..55

Female .

. 7.00

10.50

3. .55

2.80

1.00

.55

Iris brown; bill, upper blackish, under bluish, with the end
dusky; legs and feet brown; claws dark brown.

392 HISTORY OF THE

The following description of this familiar species is from
"North American Land Birds," Vol. II, p. 150:

"Of all our unimitative aud natural songsters, the Bobolink
is by far the most popular and attractive. Always original,
and peculiarly natural, its song is exquisitely musical. In the
variety of its notes, in the rapidity with which they are uttered,
and in the touching pathos, beauty and melody of their tone
and expression, its notes are not equaled by those of any other
North American bird. We know of none among our native
feathered songsters whose song resembles or can be compared
with it.

"In the earliest approaches of spring, in Louisiana, when
small flocks of male Bobolinks make their first appearance, they
are said by Mr. Audubon to sing in concert; and their song,
thus given, is at once exceedingly novel, interesting, and strik-
ing. Uttered with a volubility that even borders upon the bur-
lesque and the ludicrous, the whole effect is greatly heightened
by the singular and striking manner in which first one singer,
and then another, one following the other, until all have joined
their voices, take up the note and strike in, after the leader has
set the example and given the signal. In this manner, some-
times a party of thirty or forty Bobolinks will begin, one after
the other, until the whole unite in producing an extraordinary
medley, to which no pen can do justice, but which is described
as very pleasant to listen to. All at once the music ceases, with
a suddenness not less striking than extraordinary. These con-
certs are repeated from time to time, usually as often as the
flock alights. This performance may also be witnessed early in
April, in the vicinity of Washington, the Smithsonian grounds
being a favorite place of resort.

"By the time these birds have reached in their spring migra-
tions the fortieth parallel of latitude, they no longer move in
large flocks, but have begun to separate into small parties and,
finally, into pairs. In New England the Bobolink treats us to
no such concerts as those described by Audubon, where many
voices join in creating their peculiar, jingling melody. When
they first appear, usually after the middle of May. they are in

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 393

small parties, composed of either sex, absorbed in their court-
sliips and overflowing with song. When two or three male
Bobolinks, decked out in their gayest spring apparel, are paying
their attentions to the same drab-colored female, contrasting so
strikingly in her sober brown dress, their performances are quite
entertaining, each male endeavoring to outsing the others. The
female appears coy and retiring, keeping closely to the ground,
but always attended by the several aspirants for her affection.
After a contest, often quite exciting, the rivalries are adjusted,
the rejected suitors are driven off by their more fortunate com-
petitor, and the happy pair begin to put in order a new home.
It is in these love quarrels that their song appears to the greatest
advantage. They pour out incessantly their strains of quaint
but charming music, now on the ground, now on the wing, now
on the top of a fence, a low bush or a swaying stalk of a plant
that bends with their weight. The great length of their song,
the immense number of short, variable notes of which it is com-
posed, the volubility and confused rapidity with which they are
poured forth, the eccentric breaks, in the midst of which we
detect the words 'Bob-o-link' so distinctly enunciated, unite
to form a general result to which we can find no parallel in any
of the musical performances of our other song birds. It is at
once a unique and a charming production. Nuttall speaks of
their song as monotonous, which is neither true nor consistent
with his own description of it. To other ears they seem ever
wonderfully full of variety, pathos and beauty.

"When their contests are ended, and the mated pair take
possession of their selected meadow, and prepare to construct
their nest and rear their family, then we may find the male bird
hovering in the air over the spot where his homely partner is
brooding over her charge. All this while he is warbling forth
his incessant and happy love song; or else he is swinging on
some slender stalk or weed that bends under him, ever over-
flowing with song and eloquent with melody. As domestic
cares and paternal responsibilities increase, his song becomes
less and less frequent. After a while it has degenerated into a
few short notes, and at lengtli ceases altogether. The young in

394 HISTORY OF THE

due time assume the development of mature birds, and all wear
the sober plumage of the mother. And now there also appears
a surprising change in the appearance of our gaily attired musi-
cian. His showy plumage of contrasting white and black, so
conspicuous and striking, changes with almost instant rapidity
into brown and drab, until he is no longer distinguishable, either
by plumage or note, from his mate or young.

"At the north, where the Bobolink breeds, they are not
known to molest the crops, confining their food almost entirely
to insects, or the seeds of valueless weeds, in the consumption
of which they confer benefit rather than harm. At the south,
they are accused of injuring the young wheat as they pass north-
ward in their spring migrations, and of plundering the rice
plantations on their return. About the middle of August they
appear in almost innumerable flocks among the marshes of the
Delaware river. There they are known as the Reedbirds. Two
weeks later they begin to swarm among the rice plantations of
South Carolina. There they take the name of Ricebirds. In
October they again pass on southward, and make another halt
among the West India Islands. There they feed upon the seeds
of the Guinea grass, upon which they become exceedingly fat.
In Jamaica they receive a new appellation, and are called But-
terbirds. They are everywhere sought after by sportsmen, and
are shot in immense numbers for the table of the epicure. More
recently it has been ascertained that these birds feed greedily
upon the larva of the destructive cotton worm, and in so doing
render an immense service to the cultivators of Sea Island cot-
ton."

Their nests are placed in a depression on the ground, in the
grass, on the low bottom lands, composed of slender, wire-like
stems of grasses. Eggs four or five, .85x. 63; ashy white,
evenly specked with light drab to grayish and reddish brown,
and pale surface markings in the shell; in form, oval. A set
of four, taken June 2d, 1867, at Pewaukee, Wisconsin, from a
nest on marshy grounds, only measure: .78x. 63, .80x. 61, .80x
.63, .85X.63.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 395

Genus MOLOTHRUS Swainson.

"Bill short, stout, about two-tliirds the length of head; the commissure
straight, cuhneu aud gonys slightly curved, convex, the former broad, rounded,
convex, and running back on the head in a point. Lateral toes nearly equal,
reaching the base of the middle one, which is shorter than the tarsus; claws
rather small; tail nearly even; wings long, pointed, the first quill longest. As
far as known, the species make no nest, but deposit the eggs In the nests of
other (usually smaller) birds."

Molothrus ater (Bodd.).

COWBIRD.
PLATE XXV.

Summer resident; abundant. Arrive early in March to first
of April; begin laying about the last of May; return in October;
occasionally linger into November.

B. 400. R. 258. C. 313. G. 130, 190. U. 495.

Habitat. The United States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific;

north into the southern British possessions; south in winter to

southern Mexico.

Sp. Chak. "Second quill longest; first scarcely shorter; tail nearly even, or
very slightly rounded. Male: With head, neck and anterior half of the breast
light chocolate brown, rather lighter above; rest of body lustrous black, with a
violet purple gloss next to the brown, of steel blue on the back, aud of green
elsewhere. Female: Light olivaceous brown all over, lighter on the head and
beneath."

stretch of
Length. •Ming. Wing.

Male 8.00 13.75 4.40

Female... 7.35 12.25 3.90

Iris brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

This widely distributed species are strictly gregarious and
polygamous in their habits, and indiscriminate eaters of seeds,
grains, berries and insects. During the winter months, in com-
pany with the Bobolink and Red-winged Blackbird, do much
damage in the rice fields, and are to be looked for in summer
about the corrals and grazing grounds, following the cattle and
horses about over the range to catch the flies that bite and annoy
them; welcome friends, they are allowed to perch and rest upon
their backs at pleasure. In spring and early summer the males,
with raised feathers, spread tails and throats puffed out, utter a
guttural song, or rather attempt at one, which is no doubt pleas-

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

3.25

1.00

.65

2.70

1.00

.62

396 HISTORY OF THE

ing to the females, but in all of their amourous actions there
appears to be but little rivalry or jealousy — a happy family of
free-lovers.

These birds never build a nest, but drop their eggs into the
nests of smaller birds; in doing so, do not try to take possession
by force, but by stealth, during the absence of the owners, and,
as these birds are polygamous, exhibit no conjugal affection or
love for their offspring, leaving the labor and care of hatching
and rearing their young to their foster parents; and I find by
observation that the egg or eggs so dropped are the first to
hatch, and, being much the larger and stronger, receive the
greater share of food, the rightful little claimants being soon
trodden to death or crowded out of their home.

On account of their manner of laying, we have no way of de-
termining the number of eggs laid in a season. As a rule, but
one egg is found in a nest, and I think that, with a view to sur-
vival, the bird distributes her eggs, and that the extra ones oc-
casionally found are the eggs of different Cowbirds. They vary
greatly in size, averaging about .85x.63; bluish white, thickly
spotted and specked with ashy to reddish brown and occasional
splashes of purple; in form, ovaL

Genus XANTHOCEPHALUS Boi^aparte.

"Bill conical, the leugth about twice the height; the outliues nearly straight.
Claws all very long; much curved; the inner lateral the longest, reaching be-
yond the middle of the middle claw. Tail narrow, nearly even, the outer web
scarely widening to the end. Wings long, much longer than the tail; the first
quill longest."

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (Bonap.).

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.
PLATE XXV.

Summer resident; not uncommon; in migration common.
Arrive the middle to last of April; begin laying the last of May
to first of June; return in September.

On the first of June, 1885, I found quite a colony building in
the giant rushes of the genus Juncus^ growing in marshy ponds,
near Crooked Creek, in Meade county; and I have, on several

■wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

17.00

5.65

4.55

1.30

.85

14.50

4.50

3.35

1.25

.76

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 397

occasions, found them breeding in small flocks, in different parts
of the State,

B. 404. R. 260. C. 319. G, 131, 191. U. 497.

Habitat. Temperate western North America, from Wiscon-
sin, Illinois and Texas to the Pacific coast; accidental in the At-
lantic States; south into Mexico and Cuba.

Sp. Char. ^^ Adult male, in summer: Head, neck and jugnlum yellow, vary-
ing from a lemon to a rich orange shade — very rarely to a pinkish saffron hue;
primary coverts and lower greater wing coverts white; rest of plumage uniform
dull black, the lower portion of the tibia and the feathers immediately surround-
ing the anus yellow; lores, eyelids and feathers bordering the base of the bill
also black. Adult male, in winter: Similar, but top of the head and nape
washed with dusky. Adult female: Brownish dusky, the throat and jugulum
dull yellow, the middle of the breast mixed with whitish. Young male, in first
icinter: Similar to adult female, but larger and deeper colored. Young, first
plumage: General color light Isabella brown, or dull brownish buff, the wings
and tail dusky."

Stretch of
Length.

Male 10.30

Female... 8.70

Iris brown; bill bluish black; legs, feet and claws black.

The above measurements are of a pair in "The Goss Ornitho-
logical Collection;" as given bj other writers, thej average a
little larger.

These birds are largely terrestrial in their habits, and during
the fall and winter months are rather generally distributed over
the prairies and plains, often following and running about with
the cattle, in company with the Cowbirds; but their natural
home is on or about the marshy, reedy grounds, and, during tlie
breeding season, seldom to be met with far away.

I have met with them in central Mexico as far south as lati-
tude 26°, and found them breeding along the Rio Grande, in
southern New Mexico; and I am inclined to think they breed in
suitable localities throughout their range.

Their notes are harsh and their attempt at song a laborious,
whistling, squeaky, chuckling sound. They are rather omniv-
orous in their food habits; hardly anything eatable comes amiss;
in the insect line, grasshoppers and beetles are much sought
after.

398 HIS TORY OF THE

Their nests are built in reeds and rushes, and are composed
of flexible leaves of flags and grasses, lined with a finer material
of the same, and attached to and woven in and around the
standing, growing stalks. Eggs three to six, usually four; vary
greatly in size; according to Ridgway, 1.05x. 71. A set of four
eggs, taken May 30th, 1882, from a nest, as above, attached to
standing, growing rushes, about two feet above the water, on a
bog in Pewaukee Lake, Wisconsin, measure: .93x.70, .91:X.72,
.95x.75, .96x. 74; grayish to greenish white, profusely covered
with spots and blotches of drab and purplish brown; in form,
oval.

Genus AGELAIUS Vieillot.

"First quill shorter than second; claws short; the outer lateral scarcely
reaching the base of the middle. Culmeu depressed at base, parting the frontal
feathers ; length equal to that of the head, shorter than tarsus. Both man-
dibles of equal thickness, and acute at tip, the edges much curved; the culmen,
gonys and commissure nearly straight or slightly sinuated; the length of bill
about twice its height. Tail moderate, rounded, or very slightly graduated.
Wings pointed, reaching to end of lovper tail coverts Colors black with red
shoulders in North American species. One West Indian with orange buff. Fe-
males streaked except in two West Indian species.

"The nostrils are small, oblong, overhung by a membraneous scale. The
bill is higher than broad at the base. There is no division between the anterior
tarsal scutella and the single plate on the outside of the tarsus."

Agelaius phceniceus (Linn.).

RED- WINGED BLACKBIRD.
PLATE XXV.

A very rare resident; abundant in summer. Begin laying
early in May.

B. 401. R. 261. C. 316. G. 132, 193. U. 498.

Habitat. Temperate North America in general, except west-
ern Mexico and lower Colorado valley; north to Great Slave
Lake; south to Costa Rica.

Sp. Char. "Tail much rounded; the lateral feathers about half an inch
shorter. Fourth quill longest; first about as long as fifth. Bill large, stout;
half as high, or more than half as high as long. Male: General color uniform
lustrous velvet black with a greenish reflection. Shoulders and lesser wing
coverts of a bright crimson or vermilion red. Middle coverts brownish yellow,
or buff, and usually paler toward the tips. Female: Brown above, the feathers
edged or streaked with rufous brown and yellowish ; beneath white, streaked

BIRDS OF KANSAS.

39 y

Tvith brown. Fore part of throat, superciliary and median stripe strongly
tinged with brownish yellow. There is some variation in the shade of red on
the shoulders, which is sometimes the color of arterial blood, or bright crimson.
It never, however, has the hsematitic tint of the red in a A. tricolcn\ The middle
coverts are usually uniformly brownish yellow to the very tips; sometimes .
some of these middle coverts are tipped at the end with black, but these black
tips are usually of slight extent, and indicate immaturity, or else a transition of
hybridism or race to A. (juhernator:'

Stretch of
Leiisth. luins. irint^. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 9.25 1.5.00 4.90 3.75 1.12 .90

Female... 7.80 12.50 3.90 3.00 1.05 .75

Iris dark brown; bill dark brown to black; legs, feet and
claws black. •

This common species frequents the prairies, low meadows and
marshy grass lands, preferring grounds dotted over with low,
scattering bushes. During the fall and winter months they as-
semble in large flocks, and do much damage in the rice fields,
and are often more or less injurious to the grains within their
summer homes; but the damage they do in the latter case is
overbalanced by the destruction of injurious insects, upon which
they almost wholly feed during the breeding season; busy hunt-
ers of the field and followers of the plow. It is only within
their winter quarters that 1 am unable to find sufficient plea for
their protection.

The birds arrive from the south early in the spring, and scat-
ter about in small flocks; the males arrive about a week in
advance, and make their presence known from early morn till
late at eve, by their peculiar squeaky song, "Kauk-quer-ree."
Their courtships are short, the birds mating soon after the arri-
val of the females.

Their nests are placed in low bushes and occasionally in tus-
socks of grass, on wet, marshy grounds; a rather compact basket-
like nest, composed of coarse grasses, weeds, and in some cases
bits of rushes, fastened to and around the branches upon and
against which it rests, and lined with fine grasses. Eggs four
or five, .97x.70; light blue, with thick, zigzag markings of light
and dark purple and blackish brown around larger end, and a
few spots of the same colors scattered over the ^gg-^ in form,
oval.

400 HISTORY OF THE

Genus STURNELLA Vieiixot.
"Body thick, stout; legs large, toes reaching beyond the tail. Tail short,.
even, with narrow acuminate feathers. Bill slender, elongated; length about
three times the height; commissure straight from the basal angle. Culmen flat-
tened basally, extending backwards and parting the frontal feathers; longer
than the head, but shorter than tarsus. Nostrils linear, covered by an incum-
bent membranous scale. Inner lateral toe longer than the outer, but not reach-
ing to basal joint of middle; hind toe a little shorter than the middle, which is
equal to the tarsus. Hind claw nearly twice as long as the middle. Feathers
of head stiffened and bristly; the shafts of those above extended into a black
seta. Tertials nearly equal to the primaries. Feathers above all transversely
banded. Beneath yellow, with a black pectoral crescent."

Sturaella magna (Linn.).

MEADOWLARK.
PLATE XXV.

Resident; abundant in the eastern and middle portion of the
State; rare in the western. Begin laying early in May.

B. 406. R. 263. C. 320. G. 133. 193. U. 501.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to Nova Scotia and
Canada; west to the edge of the Great Plains. Breeds through-
out its range.

Sp. Char. "The feathers above dark brown, margined with brownish
white, and with a terminal blotch of pale reddish brown. Exposed portion of
the wings and tail with dark brown bars, which on the middle tail feathers are
confluent along the shaft. Beneath yellow, with a black, pectoral crescent, the
yellow not extending on the side of the maxilla; sides, crissum and tibia pale
reddish brown, streaked with blackish. A light median and superciliary stripe,
the latter yellow anterior to the eye; a black line behind. Female smaller and
duller. Young with pectoral crescent replaced by streaks; the yellow of under
surface replaced more or less by ochraceous or pale fulvous."

Stretch of

Length.

•wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

10.25

15.50

4.70

8.50

1.45

1.25

Female . . .

9.50

14.25

4.20

3.00

1.35

1.20

Iris brown; bill reddish to olive brown, with basal half of
under pale bluish; legs light bluish flesh color; feet, especially
the joints, darker; claws brown.

These well-known, plump, pretty birds inhabit the prairies
and open grass lands, where, during the summer months, they
feed almost exclusively upon beetles, grasshoppers, etc., and in
winter upon the fallen seeds and grains, often visiting the cattle
yards; harmless, beautiful birds, in no sense injurious, and there-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 401

fore general favorites. They are very hardy, wintering from
the Middle States southward, and the earliest of our spring
songsters. Mounted upon a fence post, bush or knoll, they
repeat at intervals their whistling notes, not varied but pleasing,
and expressive of tenderness and joy. Their flights are rather
laborious, an alternate changing from a rapid vibration of the
wings to sailing; terrestrial birds, that, during the breeding
season, remain in pairs, but are afterwards usually met with in
small flocks or family groups.

Their nests are placed on the ground, in a thick tuft of grass,
composed of grasses, which are often interwoven so as to form
a cover overhead. Eggs four to six, l.lOx.80; white, finely
spotted with lilac and reddish brown; in form, oval.

Sturnella magna neglecta (Aud.).

WESTERN MEADOWLARK,
PLATE XXV.

Resident; common in the western and middle portiojis of the
State; rare in the eastern. Begin laying about the middle of
May.

B. 407. K. 264. C. 332. G. 134, 194. U. 5015.

Habitat. Western North America, from Nebraska and Texas
(casually Wisconsin and Illinois) west to the Pacific coast; north
to British Columbia and Manitoba; south through western
Mexico.

Sp. Char. "Feathers above dark brown, margined with brownisli white,
with a terminal blotch of pale reddish brown; exposed portion of wings and
tail with transverse bands, which in the latter are completely Isolated from
each other, narrow and linear; beneath yellow, with a black pectoral crescent.
The yellow of the throat extending on the sides of the maxilla; sides, crissnm
and tibia very pale reddish brown, or nearly white, streaked with blackish;
head with a light median and superciliary stripe, the latter yellow in front of
the eye; a blackish line behind it; the transverse bars on the feathers above
(less so on the tail) with a tendency to become confluent near the exterior
margin."

Length.

Stretch of
■wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . .

. . 10.25

16.00

4.80

3.50

1.50

1.30

Female .

. . 9.50

14.50

4.30

3.00

1.40

1.20

Iris brown; bill dark olive brown, with edges of upper and
base of lower pale bluish; legs and feet bluish flesh color, joints
darker; claws brown.

402 HISTORY OF THE

This western form is similar in habits and actions to the east-
ern bird, and differs so slightly in markings and color that were
it not for its widely different song — rather bugle-like — it would
have a doubtful standing as a race. It is thought by some writ-
ers to be less suspicious and more at home about our dwellings;
this I account for on the ground that they are seldom disturbed
or shot at, as is too often the case in the Eastern States.

Nesting habits, color and form of the eggs the same. A set
of four eggs, collected April 26th, 1877, at Santa Cruz, Califor-
nia, measure: 1.08X.78, 1.08X.79, 1.08x.80, 1.09x.81.

Genus ICTERUS Bkissok.

"Bill slender, elongated, as long as the head, generally a little decurved and
very acute; tarsi not longer than the middle toe, nor than the head; claws short,
much curved; outer lateral toe a little longer than the inner, reaching a little
beyond base of middle toe; feet adapted for perching; tail rounded or graduated.
Prevailing colors yellow or orange and black."

Subgenus PENDULINUS Vieillot.

Not tenable, there being a gradual transition through intermediate forms be-
tween the type and the typical species of Icterus. (Bidgway.)

Icterus spurius (Linn.).

ORCHARD ORIOLE.
PLATE XXV.

Summer resident; abundant. Arrive the last of April to first
of May; begin laying the last of May; return the last of August
to middle of September.

B. 414. Pv. 270. C. 334. G. 135, 195. U. 506.

Habitat. Eastern United States; west to the base of the

Rocky Mountains; south in winter to Panama.

Sp. Chab. Adult male: Head, neck, middle of chest, back, scapulars, wings
(except middle and lesser coverts) and tail deep black, the greater wing coverts,
quills and secondaries edged more or less distinctly with pale chestnut or whit-
ish; rest of plumage uniform rich dark chestnut or bay, deepest on breast.
Adult female: Upper parts yellowish olive, much duller and grayer on back and
scapulars; wings grayish dusky, with two white bands, all the feathers with
paler brownish gray edgings, tail yellowish olive, like rump, etc.; lower parts
entirely light olive yellow. Young male, second year: Similar to adult male,
but lores, chin and throat black — (the chestnut and rest of the black appearing
iu patches, increasing in extent during successive seasons.) Young of year:

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BIRDS OF KANSAS. 403

Similar to adult female, but suffused with brownish, especially on upper parts.
(^Ridgway.)

stretch of
Length. wing: IVing. Tail, Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.50 9.50 3.00 3.00 .75 .60

Female... 6.30 9.15 2.80 2.80 .75 .60

Iris dark brown; bill, upper black, under pale blue; legs, feet
and claws bluish black.

This species is rarely met with in the northern United States,
but is very common in the middle and southern portions. Its
favorite resorts are along the prairie streams skirted with timber,
and the groves and orchards about our dwellings; an active,
restless bird, ever upon the move, flying and hopping about
among the branches of trees, often swinging head downward
in its search for insect life, upon which it almost wholly feeds
during the early breeding season, singing as it flies, or from
the perch uttering its hurried but pleasing song, which is occa-
sionally heard in autumn.

Their nests are suspended from twigs, at the end of branches
of small trees, along the banks of streams and in orchards and
gardens; a beautiful, hemispherical nest, made wholly of along,
slender, wire-like grass, and occasionally bits of a cottony sub-
stance, neatly and ingeniously woven together and around the
leaf -like twigs that support it. Eggs four or five, .85x. 60; pale
bluish white, thinly marked with specks and zigzag lines of
light to reddish brown and lilac, thickest about larger end; in
form, oval.

Subgenus YPHANTES Vieillot.

Depth of bill at base equal to half the length of the exposed culmen. {Ridg-
way.)

Icterus galbula (Linn.).

BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
PLATE XXVI.

Summer resident; common. Arrive the last of April to first
of May; begin laying the last of May; return the last of August
to middle of September.

B. 415. E. 271. C. 826. G. 136, 196. U. 507.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to New Brunswick
and Manitoba, west to the base of the Rocky Mountains; souths
in winter to Panama.

404 BISTORT OF THE

Sp. Char. Head, neck, midrtle line of chest, back, scapulars, wings (except
lesser and middle coverts) and greater part of tail black; broad tips to greater
wing coverts, and narrow edgings to some of the quills and secondaries (these
sometimes worn away), white; rest of plumage, including lesser and middle
wing coverts, base and tip of tail (except middle feathers, but ou outer feathers
occupying nearly half their total length), rich cadmium orange, sometimes vary-
ing 10 intense orange red, very rarely to lemon yellow. Adult female: Very
variable in color, but usually (?) with ujiper parts olive, indistinctly streaked or
spotted with black, the wings dusky, with two white bands, and light grayish
edges to most of the feathers; rump dull ochraceous orange; tail duller, more
olivaceous, orange; lower parts dull orange, paler on flanks, the throat usually
with more or less admixture of black.* Toting of pear: Similar to adult female,
as described above, but colors softer and more blended, and upper parts suffused
with brownish. {Ridgway.)

Length.

Stretch of
luing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus,

Bill.

7.75

12.00

3.75

3.20

.90

.70

,le . . . 7.50

11.50

3.55

3.00

.90

.70

Iris dark brown; bill, ridge black, rest light blue; legs, feet
and claws dark blue.

This familiar Oriole is very similar in habits to the Orchard,
but is less lively in actions, and ranges much farther north.
The males arrive in the spring at least a week ahead of tlie
females, and their brilliant plumage and varied mellow whist-
ling song insure them a welcome. The females also occasion-
ally warble a few low, pleasing notes. They are very beneficial
in their destruction of caterpillers and other injurious worms and
insects, upon which they almost wholly subsist, occasionally
plucking for a dessert a berry from a bush or a pea from the
pod; but never claim a hundredth part of the share to which
they are rightfully entitled.

Their nests are suspended from the extremities of branches
(the elm appears to be the favorite tree), fifteen to forty feet
from the ground; a compact, strongly-woven, deep, purse-like
structure, composed of and attached to the twigs from which it
hangs, with flax-like strippings from plants and vines, and lined
with hair-like stems of grasses; when in the vicinity of dwell-
ings, twine and thread are used largely in its make-up. Eggs

* The adult female often has the black pattern of head, neck and back as in male, but the
color much duller and less uniform. The young male also varies between the two extremes
(adult male and female) as described above, and cannot in any stage be with certainty distin-
guished from the adult female, except by dissection.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 405

four or five, .92x. 60; pale bluish white, with a rosy hue when
fresh, marked with long, waving lines' and spots of purple and
blackish brown, chiefly at larger end; in form, oval to ovate.

Icterus bullocki (Swaixs.).

BULLOCK'S ORIOLE.
PLATE XXVI.

Prof. W. W. Cook, in his "Report on Bird Migration in the
Mississippi Yalley," says: "It is common in westej-n Kansas,
passing eastward even to Manhattan, where in 1883 the first
was seen May 5." I have never met with the birds in the
State, and think their occurrence very rare.

B. 146. R. 272. C. 327. G. 137, 197. U. 508.

Habitat. Western United States; east to Dakota and Texas;
south in winter to central Mexico.

Sp. Char. "Tail very slightlj' graduated. Upper part of the head and
neck, back, wings, two central tail feathers, line from base of bill through the
eye to the back of the nape, and a line from the base of the bill running to a
point on the throat, black. Under parts generally, sides of head and neck,
forehead and line over the eye, rest of tail feathers, rump and upper tail coverts,
yellow orange. A broad band on the wings, involving the greater and mid-
dle coverts, and the outer edge of the quills, white. Young male with the black
replaced by greenish yellow, that on the throat persistent; female without this.
The first plumage of the young differs from that of Baltimore in being more
whitish beneath ; lighter olive above, and without dark spots on back ; white of
middle and greater coverts connected by white edges of the latter."

stretch of
Length. tuing. IVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill,

Male 7.90 12.2.5 4.10 3.55 .90 .70

Female... 7.50 11.50 3.80 8.10 ,85 .70

Iris dark brown; bill, upper black, with edges and under man-
dible light blue; legs, feet and claws plumbeous.

This beautiful western species is a counterpart in form, habits
and actions, of its eastern cousin the Baltimore. I have met
with it in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Washington, South-
ern California, and at Culiacan, Mexico, but nowhere in abund-
ance. The following extract is from a description of the birds
by our eminent naturalist. Dr. Elliott Coues:

"All the Orioles are wonderful architects, weaving pensile
nests of soft, pliable, fibrous substances, with a nicety and beauty

406 HISTORY OF THE

of finish that human art would vainly attempt to rival. These
elegant fabrics are hung at the end of slender twigs, out of
the reach of ordinary enemies, and, though they may swing with
every breath of wind, this is but a cradle rocking for the callow
young, and it is a rude blast indeed that endangers the safety
of their leafy home,

"Little time passes after their arrival before the modestly
attired females, rambling silently through the verdure, are singled
out and attended each by her impetuous consort, who sings his
choicest songs, and displays the prowess she admires most. His
song is an elegant paraphrase of the Baltimore's, with all its
richness and variety, though an ear well skilled in distinguish-
ing bird's notes can readily detect a difference. Their court-
ship happily settled, the pair may be seen fluttering through
the thicket they have chosen, in eager search for a building
place; and when a suitable one is found, no time is lost in be-
ginning to weave their future home. It is a great mistake to
suppose that birds of the same species always build in the same
way. Though their nests have a general resemblance in style
of architecture, they differ greatly according to their situation,
to the time the birds have before the nest must be used for the
reception of the eggs, and often, we are tempted to think, accord-
ing to the taste and skill of the builders. In their work of this
sort, birds show a remarkable power of selection, as well as
adapting themselves to circumstances; in proof of which we have
only to examine the three beautiful specimens now lying before
us. Each is differently constructed, and while all three evince
wonderful powers of weaving, one of them in particular, is
astonishingly ingenious, displaying the united accomplishments
of weaving and basket making. Before proceeding we may
premise that the idea of the nest is a sort of bag or purse, closely
woven, of slender, pliant substances, like strips of fibrous bark,
grasses, hair, twine, etc., open at the top and hung by its rim
in the fork of a twig, or at the very end of a floating spray.

"The first nest was built in a pine tree; and if the reader
will call to mind the stiff nature of the terminal branchlets,
each bearing a thick bunch of long, straight, needle-like leaves,

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 407

he will see that the birds must have been put to their wits' end,
though very likely he will not be able to guess how they made
shift with such unpromising materials. They made up their
minds to use the leaves themselves in the nest, and with this
idea they commenced by bending down a dozen or twenty of
the stiff, slender filaments, and tying their ends together at the
bottom. If you have ever seen a basket maker at work, with
his upright pieces already in place, but not yet fixed together
with the circular ones, you will understand exactly what the
birds had thus accomplished. They had a secure framework of
nearly parallel and upright leaves naturally attached to the
bough above, and tied together below by the bird's art. This
skeleton of a nest was about nine inches long, and four across
the top, running to a point below; and the subsequent weaving
of the nest upon this basis was an easy matter to the birds.
Though if one were to examine a piece of the fabric cut away
from the nest, he could hardly believe that the thin yet tough
and strong felting had not been made by some shoddy con-
tractor for the supply of army clothing. Yet it was all de-
signed in a bird' s little brain, and executed with skillful bill and
feet."

A set of four eggs, taken June 10th, 1875, at Camp Harney,
Oregon, from a nest suspended in a willow tree, measure: .86x
.67, .89x. 66, .89X.70, .90x.63; pale bluish, with long irregular
wavy lines, thickest around the larger end, and a few scattering
specks and marks over the Qg,^., of reddish to blackish brown;
in form, oval to ovate.

Genus SCOLECOPHAGUS Swainson.

"Bill shorter than the head, rather slender, the edges inflexed as in Qiiisca-
lus, which it otherwise greatly resembles; the commissure sinnated. Culmen
rounded, but not flattened. Tarsi longer than the middle toe. Tail even or
slightly rounded.

"The above characteristics will readily distinguish the genus from its allies.
The form is much like that of Agelaius. The bill, however, is more attenuated,
the culmen curved and slightly sinuated. The bend at the base of the commis-
sure is shorter. The culmen is angular at the base posterior to the nostrils, in-
stead of being much flattened, and does not extend so far behind."

408 UI8T0RT OF THE

Scolecophagus carolinus (Mull.)-

RUSTY BLACKBIRD.
PLATE XXVI.

Winter sojourner; quite common in the eastern part of the
State. Arrive the last of October; leave in March,

B. 417. K. 273. C. 331. G. 138, 198. U. 509.

Habitat. Eastern and nortliern North America; west to

Behring's Sea and the Great Plains; breeding from the northern

United States northward; south in winter to the Gulf coast.

Sp. Char. "Bill sleuder; shorter than the head; about equal to the hind
toe; its height not quite two-fifths the total length. Wing nearly an inch longer
than the tail; second quill longest; first a little shorter than the fourth. Tail
slightly graduated; the lateral feathers about a quarter of an inch shortest.
General color blaclj, with purple reflections; the wings, under tail coverts, and
hinder part of the belly, glossed with green. In autumn the feathers largely
edged with ferruginous or brownish, so as to change the appearance entirely.
Spring female: Dull opaque plumbeous or ashy black; the wings and tail some-
times with a green luster. Young: Like the autumnal birds."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

■ Bill.

Male ....

. 9.25

14.50

4.70

4.00

1.24

.80

Female. .

. 8.60

13.60

4.30

3.50

1.23

.75

Iris yellow; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

This hardy species inhabits the low lands and marshy thickets.
They mate early in the spring, and share alike in the duties of
hatching and rearing the young. At the close of the breeding
season they collect together in flocks. They are largely omniv-
orous in their food habits, preferring the various forms of insect
life, snails, etc., that abound in the aquatic grasses; but during
the winter months, when forced to feed largely upon grains and
seeds, they frequent the cattle yards and corn fields, and farther
south forage off the rice plantations. Their flights are rather
direct, and sustained by regular strokes of the wings. Their
call or alarm note sounds much like "Cheek-che-weeck. " Dur-
ing the love season and occasionally in autumn the males indulge
in a low and somewhat musical song.

Their nests are usually placed in bushes and low trees, occa-
sionally upon the ground, and are composed of twigs, vines,
weeds and grass, the latter mixed with mud, and usually lined
with leaves and fine grasses. Eggs usually three to five (as high

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 409

as seven have been taken), l.OOx.73; vary in ground color from
a grayish to a light bluish green, spotted with various shades of
brown, usually thickest around the larger end, but sometimes
clouding the entire surface, so as to nearly conceal the ground
color, over which are occasionally small, wavy lines of very
dark brown; in form, oval to ovate.

Scolecophagus cyanocephalus (Wagl.).

BREWER'S BLACKBIRD.
PLATE XXVI.

An occasional resident in the western part of the State; dur-
ing the fall and winter months quite common, visiting now and
then the eastern portion. Begin laying the middle to last of May.

B. 418. K. 274. C. 332. G. 189, 199. U. 510.

Habitat. Western North America; north to the Saskatche-
wan region; east to western Minnesota and Texas (occasionally
to Illinois), etc. ; south into Mexico.

Sp. Char. "Bill stout, quiscaline, the commissure scarcely sinuated; shorter
than the head and hind toe; the height nearly half length of culmen. Wing
nearly an inch longer than the tail; the second quill longest; the first about
equal to the third. Tail rounded and moderately graduated; the lateral feathers
about .35 of an inch shorter. General color of male black, with lustrous green
reflections everywhere except on the head and neck, which are glossed with pur-
plish violet. Female: Mitch duller, of a light brownish anteriorly; a very faint
superciliary stripe."

Length.

Stretch of
iviiig.

IVing-.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 9.75

16.00

5.00

4.25

1.22

.75

Female . .

. 9.20

15.30

4.70

4.00

1.22

.72

Iris of males light or creamy yellow, of females brown; bill,
legs, feet and claws black.

This is one of the most abundant species in the West. Social,
gregarious birds, breeding in small colonies, and foraging to-
gether over the cultivated fields, pastures and plains; indiscrim-
inate eaters of insect life, seeds, etc., and are regular visitants
of the slaughter houses, where, in company with the Ravens and
Magpies, they fatten upon the offal.

They are graceful walkers and swift runners, and when
startled rise with one accord, circle in a compact body and
alight upon one of the nearest trees, or perching place, dropping

410 HIS TORY OF THE

back ohe after the other, as soon as the fright is over, to con-
tinue their rambling search for food.

Their song is a mixture of guttural and whistling notes, not
very loud or musical; but when the males sing together, as they
usually do, the effect is rather pleasing. Their ordinary note is
a rather sharp chirp.

They breed on the low, wet lands, or along the borders of
streams, and build their nests as it suits them best, on the
ground or in the forks of trees and bushes; usually a rather
bulky structure, composed of sticks interlaid with grass, weeds
and tracings of mud, and lined with fine rootlets and hairs. In
Chama, New Mexico, I found a small flock nesting on the
ground, beside a mountain rivulet, in grassy lands, dotted here
and there with trees and bushes. The nests examined were all
without a trace of mud, and were composed almost wholly of
the grass about them. Eggs four to seven (usually four or five),
1.02x.74; they vary in size, density of color and shape; dull
greenish white to gray, and clouded with specks and blotches
(thickest about the larger end) of light to dark reddish brown,
and occasionally with streaks of the same; in form, oval to
ovate. A set of four eggs, taken May 28th, 1878, at Santa
Cruz, California, measure: .99x.72, l.OOx.71, l.Olx.73, 1.02
x.72.

Genus QUISCALUS Vieillot.

"Bill as long as the head, the culmeu slightly curved, the gonys almost
straight; the edges of the bill inflected and rounded; the commissure quite
strongly sinuated. Outlines of tarsal scutella well defined on the sides; tail
long, boat shaped, or capable of folding so that the two sides can almost be
brought together upward, the feathers conspicuously and decidedly graduated,
their inner webs longer than the outer."

Subgenus QUISCALUS.
"Tail not decidedly longer than wing (ususally decidedly shorter); adult
males with vai-ied, rich metallic tints (the head and neck rich, silky steel blue
violet or grassy green); adult females similar, but duller. (Ridgicay.)

Quiscalus quiscula seneus (PaDGw^).

BRONZE GRACKLB.
PLATE XXVI.

An occasional resident; abundant in summer. Begin laying
about the middle of April.

BIEDS OF KAJVSAS. 411

B. — . R. 27S6. C. 337. G. 140, 200. U. 5116.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north from the gulf coast

of Texas, Louisiana and northern Virginia to J^ova Scotia,

Hudson's Bay and the Saskatchawan region; west to the Kockj

mountains; occasionally east of the Alleghanies.

Sp. Char. "Third and fourth quills longest and equal; first shorter than
fifth; projections of primaries beyond secondaries, 1.28; graduation of tail, 1.48.
Metallic tints rich, deep and uniform. Head and neck all round rich, silky steel
blue; this strictly confined to these portions, and abruptly defined behind, vary-
ing in shade from an intense Prussian blue to brassy greenish, the latter tint
always, when present, most apparent on the neck, the head always more viola-
ceous; lores velvety black. Entire body, above and below, uniform continuous
metallic brassy olive, varying to burnished golden olivaceous bronze, becoming
gradually uniform metallic purplish or reddish violet on wings and tail, the last
more purplish; primaries violet black. The female is smaller and duller in
color than the male."

Length.

Stretch of
witig.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 12.50

17.50

5.70

5.75

1.40

1.24

Female . .

. 11.25

16.20

5.05

4.90

1.35

1.12

Iris yellow; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

This abundant species (generally known as the "Crow Black-
bird") breeds throughout its range, but chiefly north of their
southern winter quarters, arriving at their summer homes early
in the spring. They are very social and strictly gregarious, pre-
ferring, even while mated, to live in communities. In their food
habits omnivorous, but during the breeding season very benefi-
cial in the destruction of caterpillars, moths, beetles, grasshop-
pers, insect life unearthed by the plow, etc., but for this service
they claim too large a share at the harvest, especially of the
corn, to be looked upon by the farmers as friends, I am, how-
ever, led to believe that in this respect they are far more benefi-
cial than injurious, and were it not for their nest robbing habits,
destroying in this way so many of our little friends, I should
plead earnestly for their protection.

Their nests are saddled onto horizontal limbs, or in forks and
in excavations in trees, along the streams and in the orchards
and shade trees about our dwellings; a large and rather com-
pact structure, composed of coarse grasses, weeds, blades of
corn, or most any handy material, plastered together with mud

412 HISTORY OF THE

mid lined with fine grasses, sometimes rootlets and hairs. Eggs
four to six, 1.20x.83; light greenish white, irregularly spotted
and marked with zigzag lines of rusty blackish brown, chiefly
about larger end. They vary greatly in depth of color, marking,
size and form.

Family FRINGILLIDJE. Finches, Sparrows, etc.

"Primaries nine. Bill very short, abruptly conical, and robust. Commis-
sure strongly angulated at base of bill. Tarsi scutellate anteriorly, but the sides
with two undivided plates meeting behind along the median line, as a sharp
posterior ridge. Eyes hazel or brown, except in Pipilo, where they are reddish
or yellowish. Nest and eggs very vai-iable as to character and situation."

Genus COCCOTHRAUSTES Brisson.

Width of bill at base decidedly less than its length, and basal outline of lower
mandible uuderneath simply concave. Depth of bill at base greater than length
of hiud toe with claw, and more than three-fourths as long as tarsus. {Bidgway.)

Subgenus HESPERIPHONA Bonaparte.

"Bill largest and stoutest of all the United States fringilline birds. Upper
mandible much vaulted; culmen nearly straight, but arched towai'd the tip; com-
missure concave. Lower jaw very large, but not broader than the upper, nor
extending back, as in Ouiraca; considerably lower than the upper jaw. Gonys
unusually long. Feet short; tarsus less than middle toe; lateral toes nearly
equal, and reaching to the base of the middle claw. Claws much curved, stout,
and compressed. Wings very long and pointed, reaching beyond the midtlle of
the tail. Primaries much longer than the nearly equal secondaries and tertials;
outer two quills longest; the others rapidly graduated. Tail slightly forked;
scarcely more than two-thirds the length of the wings, its coverts covering
nearly three-fourths of its extent."

Coccothraustes vespertina (Coop.).

EVENING GROSBEAK.
PLATE XXVL

Winter visitant; rare.

B. 303. R. 165. C. 189. G. 83, 201. U. 514.

Habitat. Western North America; north to British Colum-
bia and the Saskatchewan; east to Manitoba, Michigan and Il-
linois; casually to Ontario, Ohio and Kentucky; south in Mexico
to the highlands of Yera Cruz.

Sp. Char. "Anterior half of the body dusky yellowish olive, shading into
yellow to the rump above and the under tail coverts below. Outer scapulars,
a broad frontal baud continued on each side over the eye, axillaries and middle

Male . . .

Length.
.. 7.70

Stretch of
tumg.

13.75

Wing.
4.55

Tail.
2.75

Female .

. . 7.50

13.00

4.30

2.60

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 413

of under wing coverts yellow. Feathers along the extreme base of the bill, the
crown, tibia, wings, upper tail coverts and tail black; inner greater wii^
coverts and tertiaries white. The female differs in having the head of a dull
olivaceous brown, which color also glosses the back. The yellow of the rump
and other parts is replaced by a yellowish ash. The upper tail coverts are
spotted with white. The white of the wing is much restricted. There Is an
obscure blackish line on each side of the chin."

Tarsus. Bill.
.78 .75

.78 .70

Iris brown; bill pale yellowish green, with an occasional rosy
hue; legs light brown to dull flesh color; feet a shade darker;
claws dark brown.

This handsome species of the wooded lands and openings can
hardly be classed with the regular migratory birds, as they are
found wintering in their northern homes, and, by Mr. Swinburn,
breeding in Arizona; but rather a hardy, roving bird, and where
known to be a resident, irregular in their habits, here in large
numbers to-day, and to-morrow perhaps in another locality, to
which food or the spirit moves them. Gregarious, social, un-
suspicious, noisy birds, that make their presence known by their
loud call note, uttered almost continually. The males have a
short, and not very pleasing, warbling song. Their food con-
sists chiefly of the pine, cedar, etc., berries, buds and tender
leaves. As familiar and noticeable as these birds are, the fol-
lowing from "Nests and Eggs of North American Birds," by
Davie, is the only knowledge we have of their nesting habits:

June 5th, 1884, Mr. John Swinburn found a nest of the
Evening Grosbeak in a thickly wooded canon, about fifteen
miles west of Springerville, Apache county, Arizona. The nest
was placed about fifteen feet from the ground, in the top of a
small willow bush, on the border of a stream. It was a com-
paratively slight structure, rather flat, and composed of small
sticks and roots, lined with finer portions of the latter. This
nest contained three fresh eggs, of a clear greenish ground
color, blotched with pale brown.

May 10th, 1886, Mr. E. H. Fiske — reported by Mr. Walter
E. Bryant — found a nest in Yolo county, California. It was

414: HISTORY OF THE

built in a small live oak tree, about ten feet from the ground,
^nd composed of small twigs supporting a thin layer of fibrous
bark, and a lining of horse hair. The eggs, four in number,
were too far advanced in incubation to be preserved. In gen-
eral shape, color and markings similar to the eggs of the Black-
headed Grosbeak, but he thinks a little larger in size. And Dr.
Merrill observed the birds in Washington Territory, carrying
material for a nest into a huge fir tree, but was unable to locate
the nest, as the tree was practicably inaccessible.

Genus PINICOLA Vieii.lot.

"Bill short, nearly as high as long; upper outline much curved from the
base; the margins of the mandibles rounded; the commissure gently concave,
and abruptly deflexed at the tip; base of the upper mandible much concealed
by the bristly feathers covering the basal third. Tarsus rather shorter than the
middle toe; lateral toes short, but their long claws reach the base of the middle
one, which is longer than the hind claw. Wings moderate; the first quill rather
shorter than the second, third and fourth. Tail rather shorter than the wings;
nearly even."

Pinicola enucleator (Linn.).

PINE GROSBEAK.
PLATE XXVL

A rare winter visitant.

B. 304. E. 166. C. 190. G. 84, 202. U. 515.

Habitat. Northern portion of the northern hemisphere; south
in North America to the northern United States, and in the
Bocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada regions to California and
Colorado; casually to Kansas, Kentucky, etc.

Professor Ridgway, in his "Manual of North American
Birds," enters this bird as yaxieiy canadensis^ and confines the
species to northern Europe and Asia. I have never had an
opportunity to compare specimens, but, from my knowledge of
the man, feel confident that the conclusions reached were based
on a large series of specimens, and that his action will be sus-
tained by the council of the A. O. U. In the meantime, how-
ever, it must stand as entered.

Sp. Chak. ^'Male: General color light carmine red or rose, not continuous
above, however, except on the head; the feathers showing brownish centers on
the back, where, too, the red is darker. Loral region, base of lower jaw all
round, sides (under the wings), abdomen and posterior part of the body, with

Loigih.

Male . . .

.. 9.00

Female .

.. S.T5

BIRDS OF KANSAS.' 415

under tail coverts, ashy, whitest behind. Wings with two white bands across the
tips of the greater and middle coverts; the outer edge of the quills also white,
broadest on the tertiaries, on secondaries tinged with red. Female: Ashy, brown-
ish above, tinged with greenish yellow beneath; top of head, rump and upper
tail coverts brownish gamboge yellow. Wings much as in the male. Young
like female, but more ashy."

Stretch of

wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

14.00 4.60 4.00 .88 .55

13.70 4.50 3.80 .88 .55

The birds vaiy in size; in some specimens examined the fe-
males were fully as large as the males.

Iris dark brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

This extremely northern species inhabits the wooded lands,
the pine tree — as its name indicates — being the favorite. The
birds feed during the late fall and winter months almost exclu-
sively upon coniferous seeds, in the spring upon the tender buds
and blossoms of deciduous trees, insects, etc., and for a dessert
berries in their season. I have met with the birds twice in the
mountains of Colorado, and in February and March of 1880, at
Digby, Nova Scotia, saw several small flocks several times.
They were quite tame, and mating; the males singing from the
topmost Hmbs, or, rather, repeating a loud, but soft, clear whist-
ling note, and occasionally a few low, pleasing, twittering notes.
Very little is known in regard to their nesting habits. Dr.
Coues found them breeding in Labrador; and Mr. G. A. Board-
man describes a nest with two eggs, taken near Calais, Maine,
which he thinks belongs to this bird, but he failed to see the
parent birds. In the Smithsonian Institute are young birds
taken in the Kocky Mountains of Colorado. From this it would
appear that Colorado, Labrador, and probably northern New
England, are the extreme southern limits of their breeding
grounds, south of which they are only occasional winter vis-
itants.

Kidgway says: "Their nest is a rather flat, thin structure of
fine rootlets, etc., in coniferous trees. Eggs, l.Olx.74; deep
greenish blue, or bluish green, rather sparingly spotted with
dark brown and black."

416 HISTORY OF TEE

Genus CARPODACUS Kaup.

"Bill short, stout, vaulted; the culmeu clecui'ved towards the end; the com-
missure nearly straight to the slightly decurved end. A slight development of
bristly feathers along the sides of the bill, concealing the nostrils. Tarsus
shorter than the middle toe; lateral claws reaching to the base of the middle
one. Claw of hind toe much curved, smaller than the middle one, and rather
less than the digital portion. Wings long and pointed, reaching to the middle
of the tail, which is considerably shorter than tlie wing, and moderately forked.
Colors red, or red and brown. Female with the red replaced by brown."

Carpodacus purpureus (Gmel.).

PURPLE FINCH.
PLATE XXVI.

A rare winter sojourner; during migration, not uncommon in
the eastern portion of the State. Leave in March; a few occa-
sionally linger until the first of April; begin to return in Sep-
tember.

B. 305. R. 168. C. 194. G. 85, 203. U. 517.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to Labrador and
the Saskatchewan; west to the high plains; wintering in the
Southern States; breeding from about latitude 40° northward.

Sp. Char. "Second quill longest; first shorter than third, considerably
longer than the fourth. Body crimson, palest on the rump and breast, darkest
across the middle of back and wing coverts, where the feathers have dusky cen-
ters. The red extends below continnously to the lower part of the breast, and
in spots to the tibia. The belly and under tail coverts white, streaked faintly
with brown, except in the very middle. Edges of wings and tail feathers brown-
ish red; lesser coverts like the back; two reddish bands across the wings (over
the ends of the middle and greater coverts). Lores dull grayish. Female: Oliva-
ceous brown above, brighter on the rump. Beneath white; all the feathers
everywhere streaked with brown, except on the middle of the belly and under
coverts. A superciliary light stripe."

Length.

Stretch of
■wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. 6.25

10.20

3.35

2.40

.65

.46

Female . .

. 6.00

9.70

3.10

2.20

.65

.46

Iris dark brown; bill dark brown above, a shade paler beneath,
with a faint bluish tint; legs and feet brown; claws blackish.

These birds are very social and unsuspicious in their habits,
frequenting the orchards and groves about the dwelling houses;
the evergreen trees seem to be their favorites. They feed upon
seeds, berries, insects, etc., and in the early spring largely upon

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 417

buds and blossoms, and for this injurious habit are much dreaded
by fruit growers. Were it not for this, their gentle ways and
rich musical, warbling song would insure them a hearty welcome.
As they are quite constant singers and easily tamed, they are
much sought after for cage birds.

They usually move about in small flocks, flying in a rather
compact form and with an undulating motion, as they go from
tree to tree in search of food, where at the ends of the slender
branches they sway about, often hanging head downward, like
the Titmice, as they pluck the buds and berries, or seeds from
the cones.

Their nests are usually placed in evergreen trees, sometimes
in orchard trees. They are composed of weeds, strippings from
plants, rootlets, grasses, etc. , and lined with hairs. Eggs usually
four or five; they vary greatly in size; dull greenish blue, irreg-
ularly specked and spotted — chiefly about the larger end — with
black, umber and lilac, the black markings occasionally in short
lines; in form, oval. A set of four eggs, taken May 30th, 1879, at
Eastport, Connecticut, from a Norway spruce, and about twelve
feet from the ground, are, in dimensions: .70x.53j .7ix.5J:,
.76X.54, .77x54.

Genus LOXIA Linn^us.

•'Mandibles much elongated, compressed and attenuated; greatly curved or
falcate, the points crossing or overlapping to a greater or less degree. Tarsi
very short; claws all very long, the lateral extending beyond the middle of the
central; hind claw longer than its digit. Wings very long and pointed, reach-
ing beyond the middle of the narrow, forked tail. Colors reddish in the male."

Lozia curvirostra minor (Brehm.).

AMERICAN CROSSBILL.
PLATE XXVL

Irregular winter visitant; rare.

B. 318. R. 173. C. 199. G. 86, 204. U. 52L

Habitat. North America in general, but chiefly far north-
ward and east of the Great Plains; breeding sporadically south
to Maryland and Yirginia, near the coast, and to northern
Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky, in mountains. (Ridgway.)

Sp. Char. '■'■Old male: Dull red (the shade differing in the specimens, some-
times brick red, sometimes vermilion, etc.); darkest across the back; wings

-27

418 HISTORY OF THE

and tail darkish brown. Young male yellowish. Female: Dull greenish olive
above, each feather with a dusky center; rump and crown bright greenish yellow.
Beneath grayish; tinged (especially on the sides of the body) with greenish yel-
low. Young: Olive above; whitish beneath, conspicuously streaked above and
below with blackish."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.10 10.25 3.40 2.35 .65 .62

Female... 5.90 10.00 3.30 2.17 .63 .60

Iris, bill, legs, feet and claws dark brown, the bill with a
bluish hue.

These social, gregarious birds inhabit the coniferous forests,
feeding chiefly upon the seeds extracted from the cones. When
far awaj from their natural haunts, seldom stop, even to rest,
except in the vicinity of scattering cedars to be met with on the
rocky bluffs and banks of our prairie streams, or where ever-
green trees have been planted to beautify and shade the dwell-
ing grounds, parks, etc. As soon as such trees mature and are
in numbers to furnish a sufficient supply of food, I am confident
the birds will become winter sojourners, but not common, as
will be the case with the Mexican variety, which I predict will
become an occasional resident.

They are noisy birds, that often utter their sharp call note,
and chatter in their undulating flights. The males have a varied
and somewhat pleasing song, that I have often heard in the
depth of winter in their northern homes. They are peculiar in
their structure, and in actions much like the Parrot family, using
their bills in climbing about among the branches, swinging at
the extremity of limbs, usually hanging head downward while
extracting seeds from the cones, and while eating often hold
their food in the claws of one foot. Wilson says:

"On first glancing at the bill of this extraordinary bird, one
is apt to pronounce it deformed and monstrous; but on atten-
tively observing the use to which it is applied by the owner,
and the dexterity with which he detaches the seeds of the pine
tree from the cone, and from the husks that enclose them, we
are obliged to confess on this, as on many other occasions,
where we have judged too hastily of the operations of nature:
that no other conformation could have been so excellently
adapted to the purpose."

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 419

The birds, as a rule, nest early; often before the snow is off
the ground. Mr. Eugene P. Bicknell, in "Bulletin of the JSTut-
tall Ornithological Club," gives the following minute descrip-
tion of a nest with three eggs, taken April 30th, 1875, atKiver-
dale, New York city:

"The nest was placed in a tapering cedar of rather scanty
foliage, about eighteen feet from the ground, and was without
any single main support, being built in a mass of small, tangled
twigs, from which it was with difficulty detached. The situa-
tion could scarcely have been more conspicuous, being close to
the intersection of several roads (all of them more or less bor-
dered with ornamental evergreens), in plain sight of as many
residences, and constantly exposed to the view of passers by.
The materials of its composition were of rather a miscellaneous
character, becoming finer and more select from without inwards.
An exterior of spruce twigs, loosely arranged, surrounded a
mass of matted shreds of cedar bark, which formed the princi-
pal body of the structure, a few strips of the same appearing
around the upper border, the whole succeeded on the inside by
a sort of felting of finer material, which received the scanty
lining of black horse hair, fine rootlets, grass stems, pieces of
string and two or three feathers. This shallow felting of the in-
ner nest can apparently be removed intact from the body of the
structure, which, besides the above-mentioned materials, con-
tained small pieces of moss, leaves, grass, string, cottony sub-
stances and the green foliage of cedar. The nest measured
internally two and one-half inches in diameter by over one and
a quarter in depth; being in diameter externally about four in-
ches, and rather shallow in appearance.

"The fresh eggs are in ground color of a decided greenish
tint, almost immaculate on the smaller end, but on the opposite
side with irregular spots and dottings of lavender brown of
slightly varying shades, interspersed with a few heavy surface
spots of dark purple brown. There is no approach in the ar-
rangement of these to a circle, but between the apex of the
larger end and the greatest diameter of the eg^ is a fine, hair-
like surface line; in two examples it forms a complete though

420 BISTORT OF THE

irregular circle, and encloses the principal spots. In the other
egg, which is tlie largest, this line is not quite complete and the
primary blotches are wanting, but the secondary markings are
correspondingly larger and more numerous. In another egg
there are two perfect figures of 3 formed on the sides by the
secondary marks, one of them large and singularly symmetrical.
The eggs measure respectively: .74x.56, .75x.58, .78x.59."

Loxia curvirostra stricklandi Ridgw.

MEXICAN CROSSBILL.
PLATE SXVI.

Winter sojourner; not uncommon in the parks, etc., where
the transplanted evergreen trees are growing. Prof. L. L.
Dyche, curator of birds and mammals at the State University,
was the first to report the discovery of the birds in the State
— at Lawrence, November 13th, 1885. They have since been
met with in the same vicinity, at Emporia, Baldwin and Man-
hattan, wintering on the Agricultural College grounds at the lat-
ter place. Prof. E. A. Popenoe reports seeing a male at Wallace
in the month of July.

B. 318a. R. 172a, C. 300. G. , 205. U. 521a.

Habitat. Southwestern United States, from eastern Kan-
sas, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona, south through the
highlands of Mexico.

Sp. Chat?. "Colors of L. mrvirostra minor, but red brighter, more scarlet.
Bill very large, the lower maudible nearly or quite equal to the upper in strength
and length."

Stretch of
■Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.75 11.75 3.75 2.55 .70 .78

Female... 6.50 10.25 8.50 2.40 .65 .76

Iris dark brown; bill dusky; legs and feet dark brown; claws
blackish.

The birds are similar in their habits and actions to the Ameri-
can. I have never seen their nests or eggs, nor a description
of the same, but feel safe in presuming that they are not notice-
ably different.

The last of June, 1885, while in the Glorieta Mountains, of
New Mexico, I met with several small flocks, composed of young

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 421

and old. The young birds were fully grown but were clamorous
for food.

Loxia leucoptera Gmel.

WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL.
PLATE XXVI.

Irregular winter visitant; very rare.

B. 319. E. 173. C. 198. G. 87, 206. U. 522.

Habitat. Northern North America; breeding from northern

New England and the Kocky Mountain regions of Colorado

northward; south in winter to about latitude 39°.

Sp. Char. Wing with two white bauds (on tips of middle and greater cov-
erts), the two confluent at upper portion. Adult male: General color purplish
red or dull rosy, occasionally tinged with yellow or orange; scapulars, wings and
tail deep black, the former varied with white, as described above; back clouded
with blackish. Adult female: Olive greenish or grayish above; paler (often
more yellowish) beneath; wings and tail as in male, but duller black. Young:
Pale olivaceous, more dingy whitish, tinged with yellowish, beneath, everywhere
streaked with dusky; wings and tail much as in adults. {Ridgioay.)

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. 6.25

10.50

3.50

2.45

.60

.61

Female . .

. 6.10

10.15

3.35

2.40

.60

.61

Iris brown; bill dusky; legs and feet dark brown; claws black.

The natural home of this handsome species is within the deep
evergreen woods, but outside of the breeding season they are
erratic wanderers, roving about in small flocks, in an irregular
and apparently aimless manner. In their general habits, are
similar to the American Crossbill, but rather more northerly in
their distribution. Their food consists largely of seeds extracted
from cones, the spruce the favorite; they also feed freely upon
various kinds of seeds, berries, buds, etc.

They are naturally unsuspicious, take kindly to confinement,
and make interesting cage birds; and climb about over the cage
Mdth the aid of their bills, much like Parrots. Their flights
are undulating and rather swift. While feeding and moving
about, are quite noisy, keeping up an almost constant, plaintive
"Wheep," or cheeping note.

Their song is low, soft and sweet, much like that of the Amer-
ican Goldfinch. In the early part of July, I found the birds

422 HISTORY OF THE

quite common on the Magdalen Islands, especially on Bryon
Isle. Young birds were fully grown, and capable of taking
care of themselves, I think they must have been hatched in
the early spring, not later than the first of May. Young birds
have often been met with; very little, however, is known in re-
gard to their nesting habits. They are said by some writers to
lay five eggs, but the only reliable description I can find is the
following by Doctor Brewer, in "North American Land Birds:"

"A nest of this species (S. I. 13,452), taken at Fredricton,
New Brunswick, by Dr. A. Adams, in 1868, is deeply saucer-
shaped, and composed of a rather thin wall of fibrous pale green
lichens, encased on the outside with spruce twigs, and thinly
lined with coarse hairs and fine shreds of inner bark. Its ex-
ternal diameter is a little less than four inches, the rim being
almost perfectly circular; the cavity is an inch and a half deep
by two and a half broad.

The one e^g is pale blue, the large end rather thickly spat-
tered with fine dots of black and ashy lilac; is regularly or
rather slightly elongated oval, the smaller end. rather obtuse.
It measures .80 of an inch in length by .56 in breadth.

Genus ACANTHIS Bechstein.

"Bill A'ery short, conical, acutely pointed, the outline sometimes concave;
the commissure straight; the base of the upper mandible and the nostrils con-
cealed by stiff, appressed, bristly feathers; middle of the mandible having sev-
eral ridges parallel with the culmen. Inner lateral toe rather the longer, its
claw reaching the middle of the middle claw; the hind toe rather longer, its claw
longer than the digital portion. Wings very long, reaching the middle of the
tail; second quill a little longer than the first and third. Tail deeply forked."

Acanthis linaria (Linn.).

REDPOLL.
PLATE XXVII.

A rare winter visitant.

In the early part of the winter, I think of 1861, I saw at
Neosho Falls, in my brother's yard, a flock of at least twenty,
feeding on a pile of manure from the horse stable. It was an
extremely cold day and the ground covered with snow. I ran
for the gun, but before I returned they were gone. In January,

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BIRDS OF KANSAS. ' 423

1881, at Manhattan, Dr. C. P. Blachly shot one of the birds out
of a small flock.

B. 320. E. 179. C. 307. G. 88, 207. U. 528.

Habitat. Nortliern portion of the northern hemisphere (not
observed in Greenland); in ISTorth America, south in winter
through the northern to middle United States, and Colorado;
casually to Washington, Kentucky, middle Missouri, and on the
Pacific side to southeastern Oregon.

Spring and Winter Plumage.
Sp. Char. ''Adult: Ground color of the occiput, nape, scapulars and inter-
scapulars brownish white, each feather with medial streak of dusky brown;
rump and upper tail coverts white, with the streaks in sharp contrast; wings
clear brownish dusky with two conspicuous white bands, formed by tips of mid-
dle and secondary coverts; tertials broadly and secondaries narrowly edged
with white; tail feathers narrowly edged with white, this broader on inner webs.
A narrow frontal band (tinged with brownish), an obscure superciliary stripe,
and the lower parts in general, white; sides streaked with dusky, and lower
tail coverts each with a medial streak of the same. On the forehead and vertex
a somewhat quadrate patch of intense carmine. Nasal plumuli, lores, and a
small (somewhat quadrate) gular spot, dark silky browi]. Male: Throat, jugu-
lum and breast rosaceous carmine (extending upward over the maxilla, and
backward over the sides almost to the flanks); rump tinged with the same.
Female: No red except on the crown, where its tint is less intense; dusky gular
spot larger, extending farther on the throat."

Summer or Breeding Plumage.
"The pattern the same as above, but the dark tint intensified and spread so
as to almost entirely obliterate any lighter markings, except the streaks on the
rump; the wing bands as well as the dorsal streaks obsolete; streaks on the
sides broader; frontal band dusky, like the occiput; red tints slightly intensified;
bill wholly dusky. Male: Throat, jugulum, breast and tinge on sides and rump
rosy carmine. Female: No red except on crown. Young, first plumage:
Streaks covering whole head, neck and breast; no red."

Length.

Stretch 0/
2ving.

Wing.

Tail.

Ta rsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 5.40

8.75

2.85

2.35

.55

.35

Female . .

. 5.00

8.55

2.75

2.30

.55

.83

Iris dark brown; bill straw yellow, with line of blackish along
ridge and down the center of under to forks; legs, feet and
claws dark brown to blackish.

The home of these hardy, social little birds is within the cold,
icy regions of the north, and it is only in the winter months
that we are favored with their visits, which are very irregular,

424 HISTORY OF THE

coming and going in flocks; winter sojourners in the northern
States, but only visitants soutliward. Their gentle, fearless
ways, rosy plumage and cheerful, twittering notes make them a
general favorite. They are very unsuspicious, easily tamed,
and make pretty cage birds. In my more northern home I
was on the lookout for their arrival, and never failed to welcome
them with a bountiful supply of food; and I have often had
them pick up crumbs and seeds at my feet, and when startled
by a sudden motion, would rise as of one accord, with clear,
twittering, chattering notes, in a liglit, buoyant, circling course
for a few moments, and then drop back at or near the starting
point, and without hesitation hop about in a heedless manner,
as if forgetful of the scare.

They feed upon the seeds of the various plants, small tender
buds, etc. A happy family that never quarrel, and it is a pretty
sight to watch them while feeding, especially as they sway about
in various positions from weeds and small, flexible twigs of trees,
that bend with their weight, showing off their rosy plumage to
great advantage. The following description of their nesting
habits is taken from Mr. E. W. Nelson's "Keport upon Natural
History Collections in Alaska:"

"This and the closely-allied species commence to nest in the
vicinity of Saint Michael's even as early as May 22d, and in
1878, before the ground was free from snow, and while the sea
and small streams were still covered with ice, we found a nest
of this bird cunningly placed in a cavity in a stout branch pro-
jecting from a log of drift wood, which a high tide, many years
before, had stranded on the bare tundra several miles from the
sea. In the bottom of the shallow cavity, to which the bird
gained access by a small knot hole, was placed a compact struct-
ure of fine straw and grass, lined with Ptarmigan feathers, and
containing three eggs. The log was twenty to twenty-five feet
in length, and while a native sat at the farther end the female
entered the nest, the male keeping close by, and continually
uttering his cheerful notes, as if to assure his partner of his
presence.

"A pair of these birds built their nest early the same season

BHWS OF KANSAS. ' 435

within the shelter afforded by my inverted kyak, as it lay upon
the staging close by the house, and nests were found all about
in bushes or tufts of grass, indifferently, according to the locality.
The material used by tliem is as varied as the sites chosen, and
appears to consist of such material as comes first to hand.
One, for instance, is composed entirely of an irregular mass of
fine, dry twigs, with a very few Ptarmigan feathers for lining;
another is a fine, compact, cup-shaped structure of dry, coarse
grass, warmly lined with a finer material of the same, united
with feathers and the cotton obtained from willows and other
plants."

Eggs three to six (usually four or five), .68x.48; pale bluish
green, spotted with orange brown chiefly about the larger end,
with occasionally a few streaks of a darker color — brown to
black; in form, oval.

Genus SPINUS Koch.
•'Bill rather acutely couic, the tip not very sharp; the eulmen slightly con-
vex at the tip; the commissure gently curved. Nostrils concealed. Obsolete
ridges on the upper maudible. Tarsi shorter than the middle toe; outer toe
rather the longer, reaching to the base of the middle one. Claw of the hind toe
shorter than the digital portion. Wings and tail as in Acanthis. The colors
are generally yellow, with black on tlie crown, throat, back, wings and tail varied
sometimes with white. The females want the bright markings of the male.
This genus differs from Acanthis in a less acute and more curved bill, a much
less development of the bristly feathers at the base of the bill, the claw of the
hind toe shorter than Its digital portion, the claws shorter and less curved and
attenuated, and the outer lateral toes not extending beyond the base of the mid-
dle claw."

Spinus tristis (Linn.).

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.
PLATE XXVII.

Eesident; abundant in winter; quite common in summer.
Begin laying late in June to middle of July. They nest late,
in order that the seeds upon which they chiefly raise their young
may form and begin to mature by the time the little ones are
hatched.

B.313. R. 181. C. 213. G. 89, 208. U. 529.

Habitat. Temperate North America generally.
Sp. Chab. ''Male: Bright gamboge yellow; crown, wings and tail black.
Lesser wing coverts, band across the end of greater ones, ends of secondaries

426 HISTORY OF THE

and tertiaries, inner margins of tail feathers, upper and under tail coverts, and
tibia, white. Female: Yellowish gray above; greenish yellow below. No black
on forehead. Wing and tail much as in the male. Young: Reddish olive above;
fulvous yellow below; two broad bands across coverts,, and broad edges to last
half of secondaries, pale rufous.

"In winter the yellow is replaced by yellowish brown; the black of the crown
wanting; that of wings and tail brown. The throat is generally yellowish; the
under parts ashy brown, passing behind into white."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.10 8.8.5 2.85 2.00 .50 .40

Female... 4.95 8.70 2.80 1.90 .50 .88

Iris dark brown; bill, terminal half of ridge dusky, rest straw
color; legs and feet light brown; claws a shade darker.'

These hardy, gregarious, social birds are largely residents
within their northern homes, moving southward as the deep
snow covers their main supply of food, rather than from choice
or habit, nesting from southern California, southern Kansas and
Kentucky, northward; south, I think only a winter sojourner,
except, perhaps, in mountainous districts.

Their gentle ways, bright colors, sweet song, and undulating,
chirruping flight readily attract attention, and assure them, as
a rule, a welcome, though they are not always in good standing
with the gardener, who objects to their taking at the harvest a
small share of the ripened seeds. For this, they more than
repay by the destruction of the seeds of the many weeds and
injurious plants, upon which they largely feed throughout the
winter months. The thistle is a favorite, and they are also very
fond of the seeds from the cones of the hemlock, etc., and of
the button balls of the sycamore trees. They are easily tamed,
and their low, warbling song, that at times swells up quite
loudly, much like the Canary, makes them a favorite cage bird.

Their nests are placed in the branches of trees and bushes,
generally on apple or small elm trees, from six to twelve feet
from the ground. They are constructed of and firmly attached
to the limbs on which they rest, with fine hemp-like strippings
from plants and bits of cottony substances, and lined with hairs,
and now and then a feather. Eggs four to six, .65x.50; pale
bluish white; when fresh and unblown, with a rosy hue; in
form, ovaL

BIEDS OF KAJVSAS. ' 427

Spinus pinus (Wils.).

PINE SISKIN.
PLATE XXVII.

Winter sojourner; not uncommon. Kemain until late in the
spring.

B. 317. R. 185. C. 212. G. 90, 209. U. .533.

Habitat. Temperate JSTorth America, south in winter to the
Gulf States and alpine regions of Yera Cruz.

Sp. Chak. "Tail deeply forked; above brownish olive; beneath whitish,
every feather streaked distinctly with dusky; concealed bases of tail feathers and
quills, together with their inner edges, sulphur yellow; outer edges of quills and
tail feathers yellowish green; two brownish white bands on the wings. Sexes
alike. Yottng: Similar, but the white below tinged with yellow, the upper parts
with reddish brown, and there are two pale ochraceous bands on the wings."

stretch of
Length. zuing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 4.90 8.75 2.80 1.90 .55 .40

Female... 4.75 8.50 2.75 1.80 .55 .40

Iris dark brown; bill dusky, with basal half of under bluish,
sometimes nearly black, with all of basal half bluish; legs, feet
and claws dark brown.

These birds are very similar in habits and actions to the
American Goldfinch, but rather more of a bird of the evergreen
forests, a little swifter in flight, and their notes and song less
loud, with a sharper, clearer ring.

I have met with the birds in various localities, usually in
flocks of from twenty to thirty. In the early part of July, 1880.
I had a good opportunity to observe their habits at the Mag-
dalen Islands, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. They were evi-
dently nesting, as the males were actively singing from the
bush and in their circling flights, but my limited time, and de-
sire to secure certain specimens, prevented my making a search
for their nests. On my return trip, I heard them singing at
Percy Rock and at Gaspe.

They breed from the northern United States (much farther
south in the Rocky Mountains) northward throughout the Brit-
ish possessions.

Nest in trees; usually a rather flat though compact structure
of fine twigs, rootlets, hair fibers, etc., lined with fine rootlets

428 HISTORY OF THE

and hair. Eggs usually three or four, about .62x. 50; pale
greenish blue, speckled (chiefly around the larger end) with red-
dish brown; a few small black markings and lilac gray stains;
in form, oval to rounded oval.

Genus PLECTROPHENAX Stejnegek.
Bill conical; the lower mandible higher than the upper; the sides of both
mandibles guarded by a closely-applied brush of stiffened, bristly feathers di-
rected forwards, and on the upper jaw concealing the nostrils; the outlines of
the bill nearly straight or slightly curved; the lower jaw considerably broader
at the base than the upper, and wider than the gonys is long. Tarsi consider-
ably longer than the middle toe; the lateral toes nearly equal (the inner claw
largest), and reaching to the base of the middle claw. The hinder claw very
long, moderately curved and acute, considerably longer than its toe; the toe and
claw together reaching to the middle of the middle claw or beyond its tip.
Wings very long and much pointed, reaching nearly to the end of the tail; the
first quill longest; the others rapidly graduated; the tertiaries a little longer than
the secondaries. Tail moderate, about two-thirds as long as the wings; nearly
even or slightly emarginated. {Bidgway.)

Plectrophenax nivalis (Linn.).

SNOWFLAKE.
PLATE XXVIL

Winter visitant; rare.

B. 325. K. 186. C. 219. G. 91, 210. U. 534.

Habitat. Northern parts of the northern hemisphere; breed-
ing in the Arctic regions; in North America, south in winter,
into the northern United States; casually to Georgia, southern
Illinois and Kansas.

Sp. Citar. ''Male: Colors, in spring plumage, entirely black and white.
Middle of back between scapulars, terminal half of primaries and tertiaries and
two innermost tail feathers black; elsewhere pure white. Legs black at all
seasons. In winter dress, white beneath; the head and rump yellowish brown,
as also some blotches on the sides of the breast; middle of back brown, streaked
with black; white on wings and tail much more restricted. First quill longest.
Female: In spring, continuous white beneath only; above, entirely streaked, the
feathers having blackish centers and whitish edges; the black streaks predomi-
nate on the back and crown. Young: Light gray above, with obsolete dusky
streaks on the back; throat and jugnlum paler gray, the latter with obsolete
streaks; rest of lower parts dull white. Wing coverts, secondaries and tail
feathers broadly edged with light ochraceous brown."

Lengik.

Stretch of
wing-.

IVin^.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 6.80

12.00 .

4.30

2.90

.90

.41

Female . .

. 6.50

12.00

4.00

2.70

.90

.40

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 429

Iris dark brown; bill straw color, end (and extending up ridge
of upper) black; legs, feet and claws black.

These birds are very common in the Arctic regions, as far
north as explorations have been made. Hardy birds, that move
southward as the snow covers their feeding grounds, evidently
not from choice; for where the ground is bare and seeds plenty,
they are lively and apparently happy with a temperature of
30° below zero. In their southern wanderings they assemble
together in flocks that often contain hundreds. A very pretty
sight, as their black and white markings flash in the air, as they
sweep and whirl in a rather compact, wavy form, near the
ground, high in air, alighting and rising almost in unison, utter-
ing as they go soft, chirruping notes.

The birds breed in suitable localities in abundance throughout
their northern homes. Mr. H. W. Elliott found them breeding
on the Seal Islands, in the Behring Sea, and says:

"The bird builds an elegant and elaborate nest of soft, dry
moss and grass, and lines it warmly with a thick bed of feath-
ers. It is placed on the ground, beneath some heavy lava shelf
or at the foot of an enormous boulder. Five eggs are usually
laid, about the last of June. They are an inch long and two-
thirds broad, of a grayish or greenish white, spotted sometimes
all over, sometimes at or around the larger end only, with vari-
ous shades of rich dark brown, purple brown, and paler neutral
tints. Sometimes the whole surface is quite closely clouded
with diffuse reddish brown markings. Upon the female the en-
tire labor of the three weeks' incubation required for the hatch-
ing of her brood devolves. During this period the male is
assiduous in bringing food; and at frequent intervals sings his
simple but sweet song, rising as he begins it high in the air, as
the Skylark does, and, at the end of the strain, drops suddenly
to the ground again. . . . The food of this species consists
of the various seeds and insects peculiar to the rough, higher
ground it frequents, being especially fond of the small coleop-
terous beetles found on the island."

And Mr, John Murdock, in his "Eeport of the Expedition
to Point Barrow, Alaska," says:

430 HISTORY OF THE

"Stragglers continue to arrive through April and May, but
they were not really plenty either season till about May 20th.
They began to sing about the middle of May, and by the 23d,
or 24th, were well established and in full song.

"Three or four pairs made their home near the station, and
several more in the village, while the rest were scattered along
the edge of the tundra, but few going any distance inland.
They especially affected the broken, muddy banks and gullies
below the village and along the shore of the lagoons, and the
cook's refuse heap was from the first a great attraction.

"The males spend a great deal of time singing, perched on
the highest point they can find. The ridge poles of our build-
ings and the wind vane were favorite resorts for these jolly little
singers. They continued singing until about the first week in
July.

"Early in June they begin to build, in holes and crevices in
the banks, where the nest is always completely concealed, rais-
ing, ocasionally at any rate, two broods in a season. The full
complement of eggs appears to be six, though I found one nest
containing seven eggs, in 1883."

A set of four eggs, collected June 15th, 1878, at Godthaab,
Greenland, from a nest on the ground, made of fine grass and
stems, measure: .81x. 64, .S2x. 65, .85x. 66, .87x. 62; in form,
oval.

Genus CALCARIUS Bechstein.

Bill small, the gonys very short, with its angle opposite the middle of the
culmen; maxilla equal to or exceeding the mandible in depth, the depth of the
bill not exceeding the length of the gonys. Middle toe with claw shorter than
tarsus, the middle claw falling short of that of the hallux. Tail longer than
the distance from the carpal joint to the tips of the tertials (except in C. ornatus.)
{Bidgway.)

Calcarius lapponicus (Linn.).

LAPLAND LONGSPUR.
PLATE XXVII.

Winter sojourner; abundant. Begin to arrive early in No-
vember; return in March.

B. 326. li. 187. C. 220. G. 92. 211. U. 536.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 43 1

Habitat. Circumpolar regions; in North America, southward
in winter to Kentucky, southern Illinois, Kansas, etc.; casual
to Washington, South Carolina and northern Texas.

Sp. Char. ''Male: Head (all round) and neck black, extending on the jngu-
linn in a crescentlc patch; a broad line from above and behind the eye, sides of
neck, a patch in the black of hind head, and whole under parts, white; tlie sides
of body streaked broadly with l)laek. A broad half collar of chestnut on back
of neck, separated from the hood narrowly, and from the auriculars and throat
broadly, by the white stripe from the eye. Above, brownish black, the feathers
sharply edged with brownish yellow. Outer tail feathers white, except the basal
portion of inner web and a shaft streak at end; next feather with a white streak
in end; rest black. Legs black; bill yellow, tipped with black. In winter plumage,
the black and other markings overlaid by rusty and fulvous; beneath, by whitish.
Female: With the black feathers of head edged with yellowish rusty; the throat
white, bordered on the sides and behind by blackish; feathers edged with gray-
ish white; the rufous of nape obscure and streaked with blackish. Autumnal
specimens of both sexes differ, in having the pattern of coloration obscured by
ochraceous borders to the feathers, and a general rusty cast to the plumage."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.40 11.2.5 3.70 2.75 .80 .44

Female... 6.10 10.75 3.50 2.60 .80 .44

Iris brown; bill, terminal half of ridge and ends black, rest
reddish brown; legs, feet and claws black.

This species, like the preceding one, inhabits the desolate
regions of the north in summer, and wanders south in winter,
in enormous flocks, over the prairies and treeless plains, sub-
sisting upon the seeds of the various plants and grasses; and,
in their search for the same, skim over the ground in a wavj,
zigzag form, and on alighting run swiftly and heedlessly about,
squatting close to the ground at the near approach of an in-
truder and remaining motionless, hoping to be passed unob-
served, but, when startled, rise in a quick, uncertain manner;
and it is at such times that the Prairie Falcon and other swift
members of the family get in their work, by dashing in and
often striking down many of the birds before the flock is well
under headway. The following interesting description of their
nesting habits, etc. , is extracted from Mr. E. W. Nelson' s ' 'Re-
port upon Natural History Collections in Alaska:"

"During my residence at Saint Michael's over thirty nests
were obtained, and the number might readily have been doubled.

432 UISTORY OF THE

Their nests were so abundant everywhere on the grassy flats
that one could scarcely walk over the tundra for half an hour
during the proper season without linding from one to half a
dozen of them. By the middle of May the males are numerous
and in full song along the coast of Norton Sound, having ar-
rived about this time or a little earlier in flocks, and spread
rapidly over their breeding grounds. Its range during the
nesting season is from Fort Kenai and Kadiak, on the southeast
coast of Alaska, north through the entire Territory to the Arctic
coast. In July and August Kumlien found the eggs and young
of this bird on Disco Island, Greenland, and notes that they
keep back from the coast, having a greater preference for the
interior than the Snow Bunting (Snowflake). I have noted this
peculiarity wherever I have had an opportunity of observing
their habits along the shores of Behring Sea and the adjoining
Arctic coasts. When they arrive, early in May, the ground is
still largely covered with snow, with the exception of grassy
spots along the southern exposures and the more favorably sit-
uated portions of the tundra, and here may be found these birds
in all the beauty of their elegant summer dress. The males, as
if conscious of their handsome plumage, choose the tops of the
only breaks in the monotonous level, which are small, rounded
knolls and tussocks. The male utters its song as it flies upward
from one of these knolls, and when it reaches the height of ten
or fifteen yards it extends the points of its wings upwards, form-
ing a large Y-shaped figure, and floats gently to the ground, ut-
tering as it sinks slowly its liquid tones, which fall in tinkling
succession upon the ear, and are perhaps the sweetest notes that
one hears during the entire spring time in these regions. It is
an exquisite jingling melody, having much less power than that
of the Bobolink, but with the same general character, and,
though shorter, it has even more melody than the song of that
well-known bird. There is such joyous exultation in the song
that the songster assumes a new place in one' s regard. By the
last of May or the first of June the birds are mated, and each
pair has its snug nest carefully placed in the midst of a shelter-
ing tussock or on a dry knoll, where are deposited from four to

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 433

seven eggs, which is a quota. Tlie young are out on the wing
sometimes as early as the first of July, but more generally by
tlie 10th of this month, from which time they unite in small
bands, frequenting the vicinity of the trading jDosts and native
villages, where they remain in great abundance until the last of
August or first of September, when they commence their strag-
gling departure for the south. While in tlie neighborhood of
houses they are extremely heedless of the presence of people,
and are nearly as familiar as are the English Sparrows in our
cities. By the last of September or first of October the last one
has passed away towards the south, and none are seen until
returning spring brings them north again. Some doubtless re-
main to winter along the southeast coast of the Territory, but
none are found in the north, nor do they occur at this season on
the islands of Behring Sea.

"The nest is generally placed on the drier portions of the
flats; a hummock or tuft of grass is chosen, or perhaps a pro-
jecting bunch of dwarf willow stems. . . . The walls are
thick, and strongly composed of an abundance of material, or
they may be a mere cup-shaped shell, barely sufficient to hold
the eggs. The majority of nests are composed of rather coarse
grass, sometimes with moss interwoven, forming a thick layer,
which was frequently as thoroughly water soaked as a wet
sponge, when the nest was collected. The amount of material
used depends greatly upon the locality; in damp places a much
greater amount is made use of, while in dry phices the nests are
much lighter. Though the outer part of the nest was frequently
formed of old and often grimy or partly decayed vegetable mat-
ter, the interior was invariably composed of fine, soft, dry, yel-
low blades of last year's grasses. These, in many instances,
are unmixed with other material, and in others are combined
with feathers of the Ptarmigan, or other wild fowl. In a few
cases, the lining of the nest is a warm cup of feathers, resting
upon fine grass, and one has a thick lining of feathers and dog' s
hair.

"The ground color of the eggs (when it can be seen), through-
out the entire series, is a light clay with an apple greenish tinge.

-28

434: HISTORY OF THE

The eggs of one set (386), numbering four, obtained at Saint
Michael's, on June 5, 1881, measure, respectively: .90x.65, .98
X. 64, .95x. 65, ,92x. 68. These eggs have a pale greenish clay-
colored ground, and are covered irregularly with a coarse blotch-
ing of reddish brown most plentiful at the large end. The
markings occupy over half the surface. Another set (210), ob-
tained also at Saint Michael's, in June, is marked somewhat in
the same manner, and the eggs measure, respectively: .80x. 57,
.83X.61, .79X.59, .80x.60, .Six. 61. In this set there are dark,
zigzag markings on every egg^ in addition to the other marks
or spots. The third set (No. 114), obtained on June 5, 1880,
at the same locality, has the ground color concealed by the close
light brown markings, which are so light that the ground color
shows through, and produces a decided olive brown over the
entire egg. . . . From the sets marked by spots, or by
spots and irregular blotches, sparsely enough distributed to allow
the ground color to be distinctly seen, there is a regular grada-
tion, the markings becoming heavier, darker colored, and more
abundant, until the ground color may be entirely concealed
under the rich, warm chocolate brown, which reveals only a
very faint mottling of olive brownish, where the ground color
is less thickly overlaid. Many of the sets are more or less plen-
tifully marked with irregular, zigzag markings of dark umber
brown, very much as in the eggs of the Orioles, but less decided
than in the latter. The pattern and style of coloration vary
greatly, but are pretty well defined by the variations described
in the preceding notes. It may be remarked that eggs of the
same set rarely show very much individual variation."

Calcarius pictus (Swains.).

SMITH'S LONGSPUR.
PLATE XXVII.

Winter sojourner; common. Arrive in November; return in
March.

B. 327. R. 188. C. 221. G. 93, 212. U. 537.

Habitat. Interior of North America, from the Arctic coast

south to Illinois and Texas.

Sp. Char. ''Male, in spring: Top aud sides of head black. A line from
bill over the eye, lores, lower and posterior border of the black cheeks, ears (en-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 435

circled by black), and a small patch in the nape, white. Entire under parts, and
extending round neck to nape (where it bounds abruptly the black of head), bufE
or light cinnamon yellow; the under tail coverts paler; the inside of wings
white. Feathers of upper surface black, edges with yellowish gray; shoulders
of lesser coverts and the greater black; middle white, forming a conspicuous
patch. Quills edged externally with white, this involving the whole outer web
of outermost primary. Whole of outer and most of second tail feather white.
Female: The markings of male faintly indicated, but the black and buff want-
ing. Head above brown, streaked centrally with paler. A narrow dark line
on each side of the throat, and brownish streaks across the jugulum and along
sides of body. Traces visible of the white marks of the head."

St7-etch of
Length. luing. Wing: Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.50 11.30 3.65 2.60 .82 .43

Female... 6.20 10.90 3.50 2.50 .80 .42

Iris dark brown; bill — upper and tip of lower dusky, rest pale
reddish yellow; legs yellowish brown to flesh color; feet darker;
claws blackish.

These birds inhabit the prairies and open, barren lands, breed-
ing through the northern central portion of British America to
the Arctic coast, migrating southward in winter, and often as-
sociating with other Longspurs and the Horned Larks. Their
favorite resorts are along old trails and abandoned wagon roads
upon the prairies, where the grass is short. In their search for
food they fly near the ground, in an easy, wavy, circling manner,
constantly chirruping as they go, dropping down here and there
and running swiftly about. Busy bodies, that have to labor hard
and long, in order to pick up enough of the tiny seeds upon
which they feed to satisfy their wants.

The following is from "North American Land Birds:"

"These birds were observed in large numbers at Fort Ander-
son, and on the Lower Anderson River, by Mr. MacFarlane,
and a large number of their nests obtained. These were all on
the ground, and usually in open spaces, but also in the vicinity
of trees. The usual number of eggs found in a nest appears to
have been four. The nests, for the most part, were constructed
of fine, dry grasses, carefully arranged, and lined with down,
feathers, or finer materials similar to those of the outer portions.
In a few there were no feathers, in others, feathers in different
proportions, and in a few the down and feathers composed the

436 HISTORY OF THE

chief portion of the nest, with only a few leaves as a base to the
nest. They were sometimes sunk in excavations made by the
birds, or placed in tussocks of grass, and, in one instance, placed
in the midst of a bed of Labrador tea. . . .

"When their nests are approached, the female quietly slips
off, while the male bird may be seen hopping or flying from
tree to tree in the neighborhood of the nest, and will at times
do all he can to induce intruders to withdraw from the neigh-
borhood.

"The eggs, five in number, have a light clay-colored ground,
are marked with obscure blotches of lavender, and darker lines,
dots and blotches of dark purplish brown. They measure, .80
x65."

Calcarius ornatus (Towns.).

CHESTNUT-COLORED LONGSPUR.
PLATE XXVII.

Quite a common resident in the middle and northern part of
the State; abundant throughout the State in winter. Begin
laying the last of May.

B. 328, 339. E. 189. C. 222. G. 94, 213. U. 538.

Habitat. A bird of the plains; from the Saskatchewan re-
gion, south in winter to the table lands of Mexico, and occasion-
ally straggling far eastward.

Sp. Chab. Adult male, in summer: Top of head, stripe behind eye, spot
ou lower part of ear coverts, chest, breast and belly, black, the lower parts
sometimes touched with rufous or chestnut; hind neck deep rufous; broad su-
perciliary stripe, chin and throat white; cheeks pale buff, this sometimes over-
Spreading lores, ear coverts, chin and upper throat; in full plumage, the lesser
wing coverts deep black, with posterior row pure white. Adult male, in icinter:
Black of head and lower parts more or less obscured or even concealed by light
brownish or dull buffy tips to the feathers; otherwise essentially as in summer.
Adtilt female: Above, light grayish buffy brown, streaked with dusky; beneath,
pale grayish buffy brown, or dull grayish buff, the breast and belly sometimes
streaked with darker; under tail coverts dull buffy whitish. (Plumage softer
and colors more blended in winter.) Young: Above dusky, the feathers edged
and margined with dull whitish and pale brownish buff; wing coverts tipped
with dull whitish; an indistinct streaked whitish superciliary stripe; ear coverts
streaked dusky and pale brownish; malar region, chin and throat white, flecked
more or less with grayish dusky; rest of lower parts dull grayish buff, streaked^
especially ou breast, with dusky. {Ridgway.)

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 437

Length .

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 5.80

10.40

3.35

2.30

.80

.40

Female. .

. 5.40

10.10

3.20

2.20

.80

.40

Iris brown; bill — ends, and occasionally ridge, brown to
dusky, rest dull yellow, sometimes bluish; legs brown; feet and
claws dark brown.

Prof. J. A. Allen, in his list of birds observed in the vicinity
of Fort Hays, Kansas, from May 26th, to July 3d, 1871, says:

"Common out on the plains almost everywhere, it being one
of the most interesting and characteristic species of the plains.
It has a short, shrill, but very sweet song, which is often uttered
while on the wing. It is very wary for so small a bird, and has
the habit of circling round the observer when disturbed for sev-
eral minutes together, approaching tantalizingly near, with feints
of nearer approach, but generally keeping well out of range.
The nest is a very neat, though slight structure, placed of course
upon the ground, and is composed of dry iBne grass and root-
lets. The eggs are generally five, blotched and streaked with
rusty, on a white ground. Full sets of freshly laid eggs were
first found about June 3d.

"The plumage varies greatly in color in different individuals
of even the same sex, the variation being generally in respect
to the purity and intensity of the colors. The most highly-
colored males have the breast and middle of the abdomen more
or less strongly tinged with very bright ferruginous; others have
these parts pure black; while in others still the black is obscured
by the feathers having brownish white margins. The lesser
coverts vary from gray to black. The red tinge on the abdo-
men seems merely indicative of a high state of plumage, those
thus marked also having the lesser coverts black; but they are
also black in some specimens that are tinged with red. The
highest colored female (the sex determined by dissection) was
nearly as brightly colored as the paler colored males, having
the same chestnut collar, and the black on the breast nearly as
distinct as some of the males. It was also nearly as large, and
until dissected was supposed to be an immature male. Thirty
specimens of the bird were obtained, and three full sets eggs."

438 HISTORY OF THE

A set of four eggs, collected June 13tb, 1871, near James-
town, Dakota, from a nest on the ground, made wholly of dried
grasses, measure: .70x.53, .70x.53, .71x.56, .72x.56; grayish
white, obscurely mottled with pale purple, and overlaid with
spots and splashes of dark reddish brown; in form, ovate.

Genus RHYNCHOPHANES Baibd.

Bill stout, conical, the gonys larger than the hiud toe, with its angle consid-
erably posterior to the middle of the bill; maxilla equal to the mandible in depth;
mandibular tomium forming a decided angle at the base. Middle toe with claw
shorter than tarsus, the claw reaching beyond that of the hallux. Tail decidedly
shorter than the distance from the carpal joint of the wing to the tips of the
tertials. {Bidgway.)

Rhynchophanes mccownii (Lawr.).

McCOWN'S LONGSPUR.
PLATE XXVII.

A winter sojourner; common in the western to middle of the
State; occasionally straggling into the eastern portion. Begin
to leave in March (a few occasionally linger until the first of
May); return in October.

B. 330. R. 190. C. 223. G. 95, 214. U. 539.

Habitat. The Great Plains; north to the Saskatchewan re-
gions; south in winter through Kansas, eastern Colorado, western
Texas, New Mexico and Arizona into Mexico; breed from Wy-
oming and Dakota northward. They have been reported as
breeding from northern Kansas northward, and probably do so,
but upon inquiry I fail to find any positive proof of the same.

Sp. Char. Tail feathers (except middle pair) white, broadly tipped with
black (outer feathers almost entirely white). Adult male, in summer: Middle
and posterior lesser wing coverts rufous; crown, rictal stripe and cresceutic
patch on chest black; sides of head grayish; back, etc., gray or brownish,
streaked with dusky; lower parts (except chest) white, tinged laterally with
grayish. Adult male, in winter: Crown and other upper parts dull brownish
buff, streaked with dusky; black rictal streak obsolete, and black patch on chest
hidden by light dull buffy tips to feathers. Adult female: Similar to winter
male, but without concealed black on chest or rufous on wing coverts; the colors
brownish above and dull buffy beneath in winter, grayer above and whiter be-
neath in summer. Young: Upper parts dusky, the feathers broadly bordered
with pale grayish buff; beneath white, distinctly washed with buff across chest,
where sometimes indistinctly streaked. {Ridgicuy.)

BIBDS OF KAJVSAS.- 439

Length.

Strclch of
witig.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . . .

. 6.00

11.15

3.(50

2.40

.80

.44

Female . .

. 5.80

10.50

3.30

2.20

.78

.42

Iris brown; bill — terminal half of ridge and tips dnsky, rest
dull flesh colored; legs and feet dark brown; claws black.

This species inhabits much the same region as the Chestnut-
collared, and they are very similar in their habits and actions,
frequenting in flocks the high, dry prairies, old trails and places
where the grass is short, where they ramble about and search
for food. When approached, usually squat close to the ground,
in the hope that they will be passed unobserved, but when
flushed rise in a quick, uncertain manner, but soon bunch to-
gether, and fly in a wavy, circling course for a short distance,
and then drop back and heedlessly resume their search for food.
During their flights, which are undulating, they utter a chip note
at each stroke of the wing.

Their song, heard in the early spring and in the breeding
season, is composed of soft, twittering, pleasing notes.

Their nests are placed on the ground, in rather open, exposed
situations, and are loosely constructed of dry grasses and lined
with the finer leaves of the same and (usually) hairs and feath-
ers. Eggs three to six, .80x. 60; dull greenish to olive white,
speckled and spotted with varying shades of reddish brown to
black; in form, oval.

Genus POOCSTES Baikd.

"Bill rather large; upper outline slightly decurved toward the end, lower
straight; commissure slightly concave. Tarsus about equal to the middle toe;
outer toe a little longer than the inner, its claw reaching to the concealed base
of the middle claw; hind toe reaching to the middle of the middle claw. Wings
usually long, reaching to the middle of the tail, as far as the coverts, and pointed;
the primaries considerably longer than the secondaries, which are not much
surpassed by the tertiaries; second and third quills longest; first little shorter,
about equal to the fourth, shorter than tail; the outer feathers scarcely shorter;
the feathers rather stiff; each one acuniinate and sharply pointed; the feathers
broad nearly to the end, when they are obliquely truncate. Streaked with
brown above everywhere; beneath, on the breast and sides. The lateral tail
feather is white. Slioulders chestnut brown. The essential character of the
genus consists in the long and pointed wings, longer than the tail and without
long tertials, and the rather stiff forked tail, with its acute feathers."

440 HISTORY OB' THE

Poocaetes gramineus (Gmei..).

VESPER SPARROW.
PLATE XXVII.

A summer resident; not common; during migration, very
common in the eastern part of the State. Arrive about the first
of April; begin laying early in May.

B. 337. R. 197. C. 232. G. 97, 215. U. 540.

Habitat. Eastern North America to the plains; from Nova

Scotia and the Saskatchewan southward; breed from Virginia,

Kentucky and Kansas northward.

Sp. Char. "Tall feathers rather acute. Above, light yellowish browu;
feathers everywhere streaked abruptly with dark brown, even on the sides of
the neck, which are paler. Beneath yellowish (sometimes reddish) white; on
the jugulum and sides of neck and body streaked with brown. A faint light
superciliary and maxillary stripe; the latter margined above and below with
dark browu; the upper stripe continued around the ear coverts, which are darker
than the brown color elsewhere. Wings with the shoulder light chestnut brown,
and with two dull whitish bands along the ends of the coverts; the outer edge
of the secondaries also is white. Exposed portion of outer tail feather, and
edge and tip of the second, white."

Length.

Stretch of
■wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. 6.20

10.25

8.15

2.60

.82

.42

Female . .

. 6.10

10.10

3.05

2.50

.82

.40

Iris brown; bill dusky, pale yellowish beneath; legs and feet
flesh color; claws brown.

This terrestial species inhabits the dry prairies, pastures and
roadsides, and, regardless of the presence of man, is alike at
home in the settled and unsettled portions of its range. They
are in every sense beneficial, feeding chiefly upon fallen seeds
and insect life.

Their flights are usually short, low and undulating. Their
song is pleasing — much like that of the Canary, but weakei-.
John Burroughs, tlie entertaining writer, and lover of the birds,
in "Wake Robin," thus describes its song:

"Have you heard the song of the Field Sparrow? If you
have lived in a pastoral country with broad, upland pastures,
you could hardly have missed him. Wilson, I believe, calls him
the Grass-finch, and was evidently unacquainted with his pow-
ers of song. Tlie two white lateral quills of his tail, and his

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 44I

habit of running and skulking a few yards in advance of you
as you walk tlirough the fields, are sufficient to identify him.
Not in meadows or orchards, but in high, breezy pasture
grounds will you look for him. His song is most noticable af-
ter sundown, when other birds are silent; for which reason he
has been aptly called the Yesper Sparrow. The farmer, follow-
ing his team from the field at dusk, catches his sweetest strain.
His song is not so brisk and varied as that of the Song Spar-
row, being softer and wilder, sweeter and more plaintive. Add
the best parts of the lay of the latter to the sweet vibrating
chant of the Wood Sparrow, and you have the evening hymn
of the Yesper Bird — the poet of the plain, unadorned pastures.
Go to those broad, smooth, uplying fields where the cattle and
sheep are grazing, and sit down in the twilight on one of those
warm, clean stones, and listen to this song. On every side, near
and remote, from out the short grass which the herds are crop-
ping, the strain rises. Two or three long, silver notes of peace
and rest, ending in some subdued trills and quavers, constitute
each separate song. Often you will catch only one or two of
the bars, the breeze having blown the minor part away. Such
unambitious, quite unconscious melody ! It is one of the most
characteristic sounds in nature. The grass, the stones, the stub-
ble, the furrow, the quiet herds, and the warm twilight among
the hills, are all subtilely expressed in this song; this is what
they are at least capable of."

Their nests are placed on the ground, in open and exposed
situations, usually in a cavity or place worked out deep enough
to bring the top of the nest on a level with the surface; they
are loosely made of grasses, and lined with horse hairs. Eggs
four or five, .75x.58; pale greenish white, specked, spotted and
blotched with various shades of reddish and purple brown; on
some the markings are small, chiefly aggregated around the
larger end; in form, oval.

Genus AMMODRAMUS Swainson.
"Bill very long, slender and attenuated, considerably curved toward the tip
above. The gonys straight. A decided lobe in middle of cutting edge of upper
bill. The legs and toes are very long and reach considerably beyond the tip of

44:2 HISTORY OF THE

the short tail. The tarsus is about equal to the elongated middle toe; the lat-
eral toe equal, their claws falling considerably short of the base of the middle
one; the hind claw equal to the lateral one. "Wings short, reaching only to the
base of the tail; much rounded; the secondaries and tertials equal, and not
much shorter than the primaries. The tail is rather shorter than the wings,
and graduated laterally; each feather stiffened, lanceolate and acute. Color:
Streaked above and across the breast; very faintly on the sides. The essential
characters consist in the slender and elongated bill; the long legs reaching con-
siderably beyond the tail, with the lateral claws falling considerably short of the
middle one; and the very short, rounded wings, rather longer than the cuneate
tail, with its stiffened and lanceolate feathers."

Subgenus PASSERCULUS Bonaparte.
Outer pair of tail feathers longer than middle pair; difference between length
of tail and wing much greater than length of bill from nostril (the wing much
the longer), and depth of bill at base much less than its length from nostril.
Tail three times as long as tarsus, slightly emarginate or double rounded, the
depth of the emargination much less than the distance from eye to nostril, the
feathers broader and less pointed at tip. {Ridgicay.)

Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna (Wils.).

SAVANNA SPARROW.
PLATE XXVII.

An occasional winter sojonrner in the southeastern part of
the State; abundant during migration. Leave in April; begin
to return the last of September.

Prof. W. W. Cooke, in his report on "Bird Migration in the
Mississippi Valley, ' ' says: "The Savanna Sparrow usually breeds
from latitude 40° northward, but Mr. Kidgway states that it
breeds throughout Illinois, and Mr. Nehrling has found it breed-
ing at Pierce City, Mo. Dr. Watson thinks that in former
years he found it nesting at Ellis, Kansas." The birds may
occasionally breed in the eastern part of the State, but their
natural breeding grounds are northward and eastward. It was
probably the western form, alaudinus^ that Dr. Watson thinks
he found nesting at Ellis.

B. 832. R. 193a. C. 227. G. 96, 216. U. 542a.

Habitat. Eastern North America; west to the plains; south
in winter to the Gulf States (Cuba?); breeding from the north-
ern United States to Labrador and Hudson's Bay Territory.

Sp. Char. "Feathers of the upper parts generally with a central streak of
blackish brown; the streaks of the back with a slight rufous suffusion laterally;

BIEBS OF KAJYSAS. ' 443

the feathers edged with gray, which is lightest on the scapulars, and forms there
two gray stripes. Crown with a broad median stripe of yellowish gray; super-
ciliary streak from the bill to the back of the head, eyelids and edge of the
elbow yellow, paler behind. A yellowish white mandibular stripe curving be-
hind the ear coverts, and margined above and below by brown. The lower
margin is a series of thickly crowded spots on tiie sides of the throat, which are
also found on the sides of the neck, across the upper part of the breast, and on
the sides of the body; a dusky line back of the eye, making three on the side of
head (including the two mandibular). A few faint spots on the throat and
chin. Rest of under parts white; outer tail feathers and primaries edged with
white. Yoit7ig: Ground color of the upper parts (except wing and tail) light
ochraceous, more brownish on top of head, upper part of back, and on upper
tail coverts; the streaks blacker and more conspicuous than in the adult. Be-
neath with an ochraceous tinge anteriorly, the streaks broader and deeper black
than in the adult, though less sharply defined. The infra-maxillary streak ex-
panded into a broad, blackish, elongated blotch. Specimens vary considerably
in size, color and shape of bill. Spring birds have the markings sharper and
clearer, the dark streaks with little or no suffusion of rufous."

stretch of

Length. wing. IVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.75 9.25 2.65 2.20 .SO .40

Female... 5.50 9.00 2..55 2.10 .80 .38

Iris dark brown; bill dusky, the under pale at base; legs and
feet flesh color; claws light brown.

The birds inhabit the prairies and open grounds, preferring
the low, moist lands and edges of marshy grounds.

They are strictly terrestial, run about with great ease, and in
their flights keep near the ground. Their food consists of
small insect life, and the fallen seeds from weeds and grasses.
Harmless, heedless birds, easily approached, but they seldom
frequent tlie dooryards or traveled roads.

Their song is a low sort of trill or twitter, with but little vari-
ation or musical tone.

Their nests are placed in depressions, or sunken places in the
ground, the brim only coming to the level of the surface; a loose
structure of grasses, occasionally lined with horse hairs. Eggs
usually four or five, .78x.56; vary somewhat in size, as well as
in coloration. A set of four eggs, taken June 31st, 1880, at
Newton ville, Mass., from a nest on the ground, are, in dimen-
sions: .74X.55, .74X.58, .80x.58, .81x.58; grayish to greenish
white, speckled and blotched with varying shades of reddish
brown and lilac, thickest about the larger end; in form, oval.

444 HISTORY OF THE

Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus (Boxap.).

WESTERN SAVANNA SPARROW.
PLATE XXVII.

Migratory (may possibly breed); not uncommon in western
Kansas; east to the middle portion of the State.

B. 33.5. R. 1936. C. 229. G. , 217. U. .542&.

Habitat. Western North America, in general, except where
replaced on the Pacific coast by varieties heldhigi and hryanti,'
found breeding from Dakota north to the Arctic coast, and east
to western Manitoba.

Mr. William Lloj^d, on "Birds of Western Texas," says:
"Resident; tolerably common; no nest identified with certainty;
found near cultivated fields, and in marshy or boggy lands."
South in winter to Mexico.

Sp. Char. "Similar to A. sandwichensis savanna, but smaller; the bills
slenderer and more elongated. Little of yellow in the superciliary stripe (most
distinct anteriorly); the rest of the head without a tinge of the same; general
color much paler and grayer than in A. sandwichensis savanna. Breast with
only a few spots.

"This western race of A. sandioichensis savanna is smaller, considerably
paler in general colors, the superciliary stripe with little yellow in It, and the
bill more slender and longer; in coloration, some Atlantic coast specimens often
exhibit an approximation, especially in the paler tint of the superciliary stripe;
but the bill is always decidedly more attenuated in alaudinus."

stretch of

Length.

wing.

Witig.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 5.25

8.90

2. BO

1.95

.78

.37

Female. .

. 5.20

8.65

2.50

1.90

.78

.37

Iris dark brown; bill — upper dusky, under pale at base; legs
and feet flesh color; claws pale brown.

This bleached race of the plains does not essentially differ
in any of its habits and actions from the Savanna Sparrow,
which it replaces in the West.

Its nest and eggs (.75x.55) are also similar.

Subgenus COTURNICULUS Bonaparte.

Outer pair of tail feathers shorter than middle pair; difference between
length of tail and wing not greater than length of bill from nostril, or dse tail
longer than wing and much graduated {"■Coturniculus'''' leconteii), or depth of
bill at base equal to its length from nostril {'■'■ Coturniculus^' savannarum). Crown
divided by a very distinct lighter median stripe between two lateral blackish
ones. {Bidgicay.)

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 445

Ammodramus savannarum passerinus (Wils.).

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.
PLATE XXVII.

Summer resident; abundant. Arrive usually about the middle
of April to first of May (occasionally earlier); begin laying the
last of May; leave the last of September to middle of October.
I have noticed a few of the birds in the southern part of the
State as late as the middle of November.

B. 338. R. 198. C. 234. G. 98, 218. U. 546.

Habitat, Eastern United States and southern Canada; west

to the plains; south in winter to the Gulf States, Cuba, Porto

Rico and the Gulf coast of Mexico.

Sp. Chak. "Feathers of the upper parts brownish rufous or chestnut brown,
margined abruptly and narrowly with ash color; reddest on the lower part of
the back and rump; the feathers all abruptly black in the central portion; this
color visible on the interscapular region, where the rufous is more restricted.
Crown blackish, with a central superciliary stripe of yellowish tinged with
brown, brightest in front of the eye. Bend of the wing bright yellow; lesser
coverts tinged with greenish yellow. Quills and tail feathers edged with whit-
ish; tertiaries much variegated. Lower parts brownish yellow or buff, nearly
white on the middle of the belly, darkest on the jugulum. The feathers of the
upper breast and sides of the body with obsolete darker centers, these some-
times wanting. Sides of breast against bend of wing with a few black streaks,
usually concealed. The young of this species have the jugulum and sides of the
breast streaked with black, much more distinct than in the adults, and exhibit-
ing a slight resemblance to A. hensloicii. The upper parts are less varied."

stretch of
Length. wing: Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.00 8.40 2.50 1.85 .75 .43

Female... 4.90 8.10 2.40 1.80 .75 .42

Iris brown; bill pale bluish, ridge dusky; legs and feet flesh
color; claws light brown.

This little bird inhabits the dry fields, upland prairies and
plains, seldom frequenting the low, moist lands. They are
strictly terrestial, running about in their search for seeds and
insects; and, upon the approach of an intruder, skulk and hide
in the grass like mice, rarely taking wing except when startled;
they* then rise quickly and dash off in a jerky flight, for a short
distance, and then abruptly drop back or dive into the grass.

Its song is only heard during the breeding season; a wheezy,
grasshopper trill, from which it derives its name. What it

446 HISTORY OF TUB

lacks in musical power it makes up in zeal (like that of its
neighbor, Dickcissel). The singer, perched upon a weed or
coarse stalk of grass, swells out its little throat, and no doubt
charms the lady bird with its simple lay. They generally rear
two broods in a season, the males assisting in hatching and
rearing the young.

Their nests are placed on the ground, usually in a depression,
and concealed in or under a tuft of grass. They are made of
old grasses and sometimes lined with hairs. Eggs four to six
(usually four), .73x. 58. They vary in size. A set of four eggs,
collected at Saybrook, Conn., only measure: .65x, 53, 68x. 53,
.69x. 56, .70x. 57; pure white, with purplish shell markings and
thinly spotted with various shades of reddish brown, aggregated
thickly around the larger end; in form, rounded oval.

Ammodramus henslowii (Aud.).

HENSLOW'S SPARROW.

Summer resident; rare. Arrive in April; begin laying about
the first of May; leave in October.

B. 339. K. 199. C. 236. G. 99, 219. U. 547.

Habitat. Eastern United States; north to Ontario and south-
ern New England; west to the plains; winters in the Gulf States,
and probably southward.

Sp. Char. Tail graduated; the lateral feathers much shorter thau the middle
pair, (difference between their tips much greater than length of bill from nostril,)
the middle pair longest; tail not longer than wing, its graduation decidedly less
than length of exposed culmen; bill stout; its depth at base nearly or quite equal
to length from nostril; a blackish rictal aud (usually) submalar streak. Adult:
Head and neck buffy olive, the crown heavily streaked, except along middle
line, with black, the hind neck much more narrowly streaked; back and scapu-
lars chestnut, feathers streaked with black and narrowly edged or bordered with
whitish; wings mainly chestnut; a blackish streak behind eye, another from
corner of mouth, and another along each side of chin and upper throat ( last
sometimes indistinct); chin and throat pale buff or buffy whitish; chest, sides
and flanks deeper buffy streaked with blackish; belly whitish. Young: Above,
dull brownish buffy, streaked and spotted with black; beneath light buff, the
sides (but not chest) streaked with black; a distinct black streak from corner
of mouth, but none on side of chin or throat. {Ridgway.)

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.25 7.12 2.18 2.10 .70 .46

Female... 5.00 6.95 2.12 1.95 .68 .45

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 447

Iris brown; bill dark brown, pale beneath; legs and feet light
brown; claws brown.

This species inhabits the grassy fields and prairies. It is
closely related to the Grasshopper Sparrow, and does not appear
to differ from it in habits or actions. I have had but little op-
portunity to observe these birds. Mr. Maynard, in his ' " Birds of
Eastern North America," says:

"Henslow's Bunting (Sparrow) is far from being common
anywhere in our section, as it is exceedingly local in distribu-
tion; and it is fond of grassy meadows, breeding in them. The
song is peculiar, consisting of two syllables, sounding like "See-
wick," the first being dwelt upon, and the second given quickly,
and both uttered in a shrill, grasshopper-like tone. This little
Sparrow is retiring in habits, and if startled from the tall grass
to which it retreats when alarmed, will rise quickly, fly with a
very eccentric movement a short distance, and again seek con-
cealment."

The following description of its nest and eggs is by Mr. Da-
vie, in his "Nests and Eggs of North American Birds:"

"Mr. L. Jones informs me that in Iowa the favorite resorts
of this Sparrow during the breeding season are neglected fields
and pasture lands. Its nest is placed on the ground, sometimes
in a slight depression beneath a tussock of grass; the composi-
tion is of fine and coarse grasses, with a few cow hairs. The
eggs, Mr. Jones says, are deposited about May 25th. The bird' s
habits, nests and eggs are described as being similar to those of
the Yellow-winged Sparrow (A. savannarwn passerinus), but the
eggs are not pure white in ground color, having a greenish or
grayish white tint, profusely dotted and blotched with several
shades of brown and lilac shell markings. They are four or
five in number, and average .75x. 67."

Ammodramus leconteii (Aud.).

LECONTE'S SPARROW.
PLATE XXVII.

Migratory; common. Arrive in April; return in October;
a few occasionally winter in the southern part of the State.

B. 340. R. 200. C. 237. G. 100, 220. U. 548.

448 HISTORY OF THE

Habitat. The Great Plains, north to Manitoba; south in
winter to Texas, and along the Gulf coast to Florida, South
Carolina and southern Illinois; breeding from Dakota and Min-
nesota northward.

Sp. Char. Tail decidedly longer than wiug, its graduation greater than
length of exposed culmeii; bill small and slender, its depth at base less than
length from nostril; no dusky rictal or submalar streaks. Adult: Median crown
stripe buff anteriorly, the rest pale buffy grayish or dull buffy whitish; lateral
stripes streaked blackish and brownish, the former usually predominating (nearly
uniform black in summer); hind neck streaked chestnut and pale buffy or buffy
grayish; sides of head, including broad superciliary stripe, buffy (deeper, almost
ochraceous, in winter, paler, sometimes nearly white in summer); the lores and
ear coverts light grayish or brownish, the latter bordered above by a blackish
streak, becoming larger posteriorly; anterior and lateral lower parts buffy, the
sides and flanks streaked with blackish; belly white; upper parts brownish,
spotted or striped with blackish and streaked with whitish or buffy. Young:
General color 15uff, deeper above, paler beneath, the belly whitish; upper parts
streaked and striped with blackish, the chest, sides and flanks more naiTowly
streaked with the same. {Bidgway.)

stretch of
Length. luing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.00 7.00 2.00 2.10 .68 .38

Female... 4.85 6.50 1.95 2.00 .68 .38

Iris dark brown; bill — ridge dusky, rest flesh color; legs
• and feet light flesh color; claws pale brown.

This little ground bird inhabits the prairies, preferring the
low, moist lands where the grass is rank. It is quite a common
bird west of the Mississippi, but so shy and retiring it is seldom
noticed, skulking and hiding in the grass so closely that it is
next to impossible to force it to take wing. A hardy little bird.
As proof of this, I have seen several in the depth of winter,
at Neosho Falls, Kansas; and December ITtli, 1878, one was
killed by a Shrike in the near vicinity. It was a very cold
day, and the ground deeply covered with snow.

Mr. Ernest Thompson (Seton), on Manitoba birds, says:

"This bird frequents the damp meadows which are a mixture
of red willows and sedgy grass. It is commonly found in the
willows at all seasons, uttering its peculiar ventriloquial "Tweete,
tweete," whence I knew it as the Willow-tweete, long before I
ever heard of Leconte or any name for this bird. But in spring
the male may be seen perched on some low twig in the meadow,

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 449

pouring out his little soul in a tiny, husky, double note, like
"Reese, reese." This is so thin and weak as to be inaudible
at thirty yards, yet in uttering it he seems to labor hard, his
beak being wide open and pointed straight up to the zenith; he
delivers it with such unction that afterwards he seems quite ex-
hausted and sits very still until at length the fit comes on again,
as it is sure to do in about ten seconds."

Yery little is known with certainty in regard to its nesting
habits and eggs. Ridgway, in his "Manual," states that they
nest in damp or marshy meadows. Eggs about .75x.50;
speckled or spotted sparsely on larger end with brown and black
(sometimes thickly speckled or sprinkled with brown).

Subgenus AMMODRAMUS Swainsox.
Crown without distinct median stripe. Nest on or near ground, in marshes,
supported between upright stalks of sedges or coarse grasses (sometimes in low
bushes), composed of dried grasses or sedges, the entrance occasionally through
one side. Eggs three to five; whitish, speckled or spotted with brown. {Bidg-
tcay.)

Ammodramus caudacutus nelsoni Allen.

NELSON'S SPARROW.
PLATE XXVII.

Summer resident; rare. Arrive the last of April to first of
May; probably commence laying about the last of May; latest
seen October lith; no doubt occasionally remain into No-
vember.

B. . E. 201a. C. 241. G. 101, 231. U. 549a.

Habitat. Eastern United States, chiefly in the Mississippi
valley; east during migration to the fresh water marshes of the
Atlantic coast.

Sp. Char. Adult: Pileum bluish gray or olive gray medially, umber brown
laterally, the lateral stripes more' or less streaked with black. A broad super-
ciliary stripe, deep ochraceous, connected behind the auriculars with a broad
maxillary stripe of the same color. Auriculars grayish, with a dusky line along
upper edge, connecting with a distinct black streak beneath hinder part of the
ochraceous superciliary stripe. Scapulars and interscapulars bright olive brown,
the outer webs broadly edged with grayish white, separated from the brown by
a blackish line. Tertials dusky, bordered with rusty whitish or pale rusty.
Rump uniform olive brown. Rectrices light raw umber brown, darker along
shafts. Chin, throat, breast, sides, flanks and crissum ochraceous, the jugulum,
breast, sides and flanks streaked with dusky, {liidyicmj.)

450 mis TORY OB' THE

Lensth.

Strt-tch of
luing. Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

.. 5.40

7.50 2.25

2.00

.82

.50

Female. . .

., 5.15

7.30 2.17

1.90

. .83

.50

Iris dark brown; bill — ridge dusky, rest pale, with a faint
bluish hue; legs flesh color; feet a shade darker; claws brown.

The birds inhabit the fresh water marshy grounds, edges of
reedy ponds and sloughs. They are very active, running about
and climbing with ease the stalks of grass or reeds, where they
sway about, often head downward, in their search for insect life
and seeds. When flushed they fly but a short distance, just
clearing the growth, into which they suddenly drop back. Their
call note, a sort of "Tweet," is often heard. Their song is a
short, weak, unmusical twittering warble, uttered at times as it
rises and hovers for a moment, but usually from a perch or as
it hops from stalk to stalk of the reeds, rushes and coarse
grasses. In the early fall I had a very good opportunity to
watch these birds at Inman Lake, McPherson county, Kansas.
They were not plenty, but I think two or three pairs must have
nested there. Once, while lying in the grass watching for water
fowls, I saw two young birds nearly grown. My attention was
called to them by their tremulous, clamorous notes, as the pa-
rent bird approached with food. I have not been so fortunate
as to find their nests and eggs, and fail to find a description of
the same farther than set forth in the subgenus. The birds are
an inland race of A. caudaoiitus^ the coast form that inhabits
the salt marshes, and their nesting habits and eggs are presum-
ably alike.

Genus CHONDESTES Swainson.

"Bill swollen; both outlines gently curved; the lower mandible as high
as the upper; the commissure angulated at the base, and slightly sinu-
ated. Lower mandible rather narrower at the base than the length of the
gouys; broader than the upper. Tarsi moderate, about equal to the middle toe;
lateral toe equal and very short, reaching but little beyond the middle of the
penultimate joint of the middle toe. and falling considerably short of the base
of middle claw. Wings long, pointed, reaching nearly to the middle of the tail;
the tertials not longer than the secondaries; the first quill shorter than the sec-
ond and third, which are equal. The tail is moderately long, considerably grad-
uated, the feathers rather narrow and elliptically rounded at the end. Streaked
on the back. Head with well defined large stripes. Beneath white, with pec-
toral spot. Only one species recognized."

LU

0)

^ O

Ci: - O

lU § lU

I- O H

z q: < -

- Q, _] 0)

r^ < '^ «

°- • E

CO 2: tu

<a llI

5

<i5 O

Q: di o a

I/) < o

-s I- e

t ^ Li.

_53 Q. CM
2 t5 »

^ U

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 45 1

Chondestes grammacus (Say).

LARK SPARROW.
PLATE XXVIII.

Summer resident; abundant. Arrive in April; begin laying
the middle to last of May; return in October.

B. 344. R. 204. C. 281. G, 102, 222. U. 5.52.

Habitat. Mississippi valley; north to Iowa, Wisconsin and
Michigan (western Manitoba. Seton)\ west to tlie plains; east
regularly to Indiana, western Kentucky, etc. ; casually eastward
to near the Atlantic coast; south in winter through eastern
Texas to the Gulf coast, and eastward to Florida; accidental to
Key West.

Sp. Char. "Hood chestinit, tinged with black toward the forehead, and
with a median stripe and superciliary stripe of dirty whitish. Rest of upper
parts grayish olive, the interscapular region alone streaked with dark brown.
Beneath white; a round spot on the upper part of the breast, a broad maxillary
stripe, cutting off a wliite stripe above, and a short line from the bill to the eye,
continued faintly behind it, black. A white crescent under the eye, bordered
below by black and behind by chestnut on the ear coverts. Tail feathers dark
brown, the outermost edged externally and with more than terminal third white,
with transverse outline; the white decreasing to the next to Innermost, tipped
broadly with white. The colors of the female are duller than in the male, the
chestnut less bright, the black not so intense; the pattern, however, is the same.
The young bird has the breast and throat with a good many spots of dark
brown, instead of the single large one on the breast. The other markings are
more obscure."

stretch of

Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.75 11.10 3.50 3.00 .78 .50

Female... 6.40 10.50 3.25 2.60 .78 .45

Iris brown; bill — upper dusky, under bluish white; legs flesh
color; feet a shade darker; claws brown.

This is one of the most abundant birds of our prairies, fre-
quenting alike the high, dry plains, the cultivated fields and open
groves; a beautiful, confiding bird, that seems to seek rather
than shun the presence of man, often nesting in the gardens and
door yards. Dr. Wheaton, in his ' ' Keport of the Birds of Ohio, ' '
says:

"Birds in trouble sometimes appeal to man for assistance.
In the summer of 1875, I was attracted by the singular move-
ments of one of these birds, which flew before me, frequently

452 HISTORY OF THE

alighting, as if endeavoring to draw me away from its nest.
Following it for a short distance, it circled several times around
a garter snake, which I killed, when the bird perched upon a
fence stake and filled the air with his grateful notes. I was
still more than ever convinced that the nest or young of the
bird was near, and commenced search. During my unsuccessful
search the bird disappeared. Returning to the spot where the
dead snake lay, I gave it a toss with my stick, which was imme-
diately followed by the reappearance of the bird, which exhibited
more anxiety than ever. It flew at the snake, which it seemed
to understand was now harmless, picked at and attempted to
drag it. Going to the spot, I found the nest, and the snake
partly coiled around it. Another toss, and I was again rewarded
with a song."

Their harmless ways and rich, clear, varied song, unsurpassed
in continuity and melody by any of the family, makes their
presence welcome. They are easily tamed, and make desirable
cage birds.

Their nests are usually placed in a depression in the ground,
but occasionally in low trees or bushes. They are composed of
branching stems of weeds and grasses, and lined with fine grass,
rootlets and horse hairs. Eggs four or five, .80x. 65 (they vary
much in size); grayish white, with a few fine spots and zigzag
lines of blackish brown, usually thickest around the larger end;
in form, rather rounded oval.

Genus ZONOTRICHIA Swaikson.

"Body rather stout. Bill conical, slightly notched, somewhat compressed,
excavated inside; the lower mandible rather paler than the upper; gonys
slightly convex; commissure nearly straight. Feet stout; tarsus rather longer
than middle toe; the lateral toes very nearly equal. Hind toe longer than the
lateral ones; their claws just reaching to base of middle one. Inner claw con-
tained twice in its toe proper; claws all slender and considerably curved. Wings
moderate, not reaching to the middle of the tail, but beyond the rump; seconda-
ries and tertials equal and considerably less than longest primaries; second and
third quills longest; first about equal to the fifth, much longer than tertials.
Tail rather long, moderately rounded; the feathers not very broad. Back
streaked. Eump and under parts immaculate, except in young. Head black,,
or with white streaks, entirely different from the back."

BIEDS OF KA]Sf8AS. 453

Zonotrichia querula (Xutt.)-

HARRIS'S SPARROW.
PLATE XXVIII.

Winter sojourner; abundant in the eastern part of the State;
rare in the western. Begin to leave in March; a few fre-
-quentlj linger into May; return in October.

B. 348. R. 205. C. 280. G. 103, 223. U. 553.

Habitat. From eastern Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota and Mani-
toba, west to eastern Montana and western Nebraska; soutli in
winter through the Indian Territory to Texas.

Sp. Char. Top of head black, without trace of median stripe, or of yellow:
sides and flanks light butfy brown, broadly streaked with dusky; adult with
whole chin and throat, lores and top of head uniform black. Adult: Sides of
liead dull brownish white, or light grayish brown; rest of head mainly uniform
black; breast (except centrally) and belly pure white. Immature: Top of head
black, but this nuich obscured by whitish or buffy borders to feathers; whole
side of head, including sides of forehead and superciliary region, buffy; chin
and throat white, bordered along each side by blackish streak (sometimes
blotched with black); middle of chest blotched or spotted with black or dark
brown; otherwise like adult. {Bidgioay.)

stretch of
Length . 7ving. IVi'ng.

Male 7.50 10.80 3.40

Female... 7.25 10.40 3.20

Iris brown; bill pale yellowish red to reddish brown; in the
breeding season nearly coral red; legs pale reddish flesh color;
feet a shade darker; claws dark brown.

The birds inliabit the thickets bordering streams and the
■edges of low woodlands. They are usually met with in small
flocks. A favorite resort is in and about the brush heaps,
where the land is being cleared. They seldom mount high in
the trees, but keep near the ground, upon which they hunt and
scratch among the leaves for seeds and insect life.

They commence singing early in the spring, and upon warm,
sunshiny days their song can be heard almost continually, as
one after the other pours forth its pleasing, plaintive, whistling
notes, in musical tone much like the White-throated Sparrow,
but delivered in a widely different song.

Yery little, if anything, is known with certainty in regard to
their nesting habits. They probably breed from northern Min-

Tail.

Tarstis.

BUI.

3.60

.95

.50

3.45

.95

.50

454 HISTORY OF THE

nesota and Montana northward, in suitable localities throughout
their range, which I feel confident will be found to extend much
farther north than Manitoba, its present northern limit as given.
Capt. Chas. Bendire describes in "The Auk," Yol. 6, p. 150, a
nest containing four eggs, found June 24, 1885, in a willow
thicket near Fort Custer, Montana, which he thinks will prove
to be the nest and eggs of this bird; and Eidgway says: "Eggs
(identification somewhat doubtful), .S7x.68; buffy whitish,
thickly speckled with burnt umber, slightly mixed with purplish
gray."

Zonotrichia leucophrys (Forst.).

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW.
PLATE XXVIII.

A rare winter sojourner in the southern part of the State;
during migration very common. The bulk move northward in
April, a few linger into May; return in October.

B. 345. R. 206. C. 276. G. 104, 224. U. 554.

Habitat. North America at large, breeding in the Sierra Ne-
vada and Kocky Mountain regions, and eastward north of the
Great Lakes to Labrador; wintering throughout the southern
portion of the United States and southward into Mexico.

Sp. Char. Top of head black or brown, divided by a distinct median stripe
of white, buff, yellow or gray; sides and flanks grayish brown, without distinct
streaks, or else with sides of forehead yellow and back rusty brown; adults with
chin and throat whitish or light grayish. Back gray, grayish brown or smoky
brown, streaked with brown or black; chin and throat not abruptly white; sides
of forehead not yellow; middle crown stripe entirely white, ashy or buffy; top
of head without yellow. Adults with lateral crown stripes deep black, median
stripe white or pale ashy; a broad white superciliary stripe, below which is a
narrower black stripe behind eye (sometimes continued in front of it). Imma-
ture, with lateral crown stripes and streak behind eye chestnut brown or burnt
umber brown; middle crown stripe dull buft'y; superciliary stripe dull light buffy
grayish. Edges of wing white; white or buffy median crown stripe, broad as,
or broader than, lateral black or brown stripes; adults with back ashy, streaked
with burnt umber or vandyke brown, and chest ashy. Lores black or dark
brownish, the white, grayish or dull buff superciliary stripe not reaching to bill.
{Rklgicay.)

Stretch of
Length. zuing. Wing. Tail. Tarstts. Bill.

Male 7.00 10.30 3.30 3.20 .90 .43

Female... 6.50 9.80 3.10 3.00 .88 .40

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 455

Iris brown; bill bright reddish brown, tips usually dusky;
legs and feet pale reddish brown; claws dark brown.

This handsome species inhabits the hedges and edges of
thickets. They are usually found in small flocks, and, while
they cannot be properly classed with the terrestial birds, spend
the greater portion of their time on the ground, in search of
small seeds, berries and insect life. When not so employed,
rest and hop about in the bushes and the lower branches of the
trees, seldom perching high. In the winter months they fre-
quent the low grounds where there is a dense growth of bushes,
rank grass and weeds. They are not, as a rule, timid or wild,
neither appearing to seek or shun the presence of man. The
following interesting description of their song and nesting habits,
by Mr. T. M. Trippe, is taken from Dr. Cones' "Birds of the
Northwest:"

"This Sparrow appears in the lower valleys ef Clear Creek
county, Colorado, in the first or second week of May, and soon
becomes very abundant, frequenting the shrubby banks of the
streams, and occasionally venturing some distance upon the hill-
sides, but, as a rule, keeping close to the brooks and creeks.
As the snow disappears, it ascends higher and higher, reaching
timber line by the middle of June, and going up to the extreme
limit of the willows and junipers, being nowhere more abund-
ant than in those dense thickets that shut the upper edge of the
timber. By far the greater number pass the breeding season
there, but a few nest lower down, as far as 8, 500 feet, below
which it does not occur during summer. In habits, during the
breeding season, it resembles the Song Sparrow, seeking its food
in the grass and among the dry leaves in the thickets. It sings
constantly during June and July, and occasionally in August,
mounting to the top of some high bush, the dead limb of a pine,
or any convenient perch, well elevated above the surrounding
shrubbery, and chanting its ditty, at short intervals, for half an
hour or more at a time — a lively, agreeable song, fine and clear,
and frequently heard from a score or more birds at once, with
a most pleasing efl:'ect. While his mate is sitting, the male
sings almost constantly throughout the day, and sometimes even

456 UISTORY OF THE

late in the evening, long after dark — I have heard it at mid-
night, and even as late as one or two o'clock. It is very tame;
a pair had their nest within a few feet of our camp at Chicago
Lake, and all the bustle and noise did not drive the female from
her nest, while her mate would pick up crumbs which we threM^
to him, almost at our feet. It commences building in July,
and the young are hatched about the 20th; the nest is placed
on the ground in a clump of bushes, composed of coarse grass
and weeds, and lined with fine grass. The eggs are usually
four, of a pale bluisli green, very thickly speckled and dotted
with reddish brown, the latter colors almost wholly obscuring
the former at the larger end."
Eggs, .86x. 61; in form, oval.

Zonotrichia leucophrys intermedia Kiugw.

INTERMEDIATE SPARROW.
PLATE XXVIII.

Migratory; quite common in the western to middle part of
the State; rare in the eastern portion. Arrive in April to first
of May; return in October, often remaining until late in No-
vember.

B. 346. R. 207«. C. 277. G. , 225. U. 554a.

Habitat. Western North America, from the eastern edge of
the Great Plains (casually farther) to the Pacific, and from
Mexico to Alaska; breeding in Alaska, and eastward through-
out the Mackenzie River basin. (In the mountainous regions,
probably much farther south.)

Sp. Char. "In color and markings exactly like Z. leucophrys, with the excep-
tion of the lores, which are entirely light ashy or buffy white, continuous with
the stripe of the same color over the eyes."

The dimensions given below, of a pair in "The Goss Orni-
thological Collection," show this bird to be somewhat smaller,
but this difference may not liold good in the measurements of

a large number.

Length.

Stretch of
'Ming.

Whig.

Tail.

Ta rsHS.

Bill.

Male

6.80

10.00

3.10

3.10

.88

.40

Female . . .

6.60

9.65

2.95

2.95

.87

.40

Iris brown; bill yellowish to reddish brown, tips usually
dusky; legs and feet dull reddish brown; claws dark brown.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 457

This western form does not noticeably differ in any of its
habits or actions from the more eastern bird, the White-crowned.
Eggs, .86x. 60.

Zonotrichia albicoUis (Gmel,).

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.
PLATE XXVIII.

Migratory; common in the eastern part of the State. The
bulk arrive and depart in April; return in October, often re-
maining until about the last of November, and may occasionally
winter.

B. 349. R. 209. C. 3T5. G. 105, 226. U. 558.

Habitat. Eastern temperate I^orth America, breeding from

the northern United States northward; west to the edge of the

Great Plains, casually Utah; wintering from about latitude 37°

southward.

Sp. Char. Back rusty brown, or chestnut, streaked with blackish; chin and
upper throat white, abruptly contrasted with ash gray of lower throat and chest;
sides of forehead yellow. Adult: Top of head with a narrow grayish white
median and two broad black lateral stripes; superciliary stripe bright yellow
(black to above eye), the rest whitish. Immature: Superciliary and median
crown stripes dull bufty or light brownish, the former more or less distinctly
yellowish anteriorly; lateral crown stripes dark brownish; ash gray of ear cov-
erts and chest obscured by brownish. Young: Broad lateral crown stripes dull
Vandyke brown; narrow median stripe dull whitish or pale brownish; supercil-
iary stripe dirty brownish white, scarcely, if at all, yellowish anteriorly; throat
not distinctly whitish, and chest dirty brownish white streaked with dusky.
{Bidgicay.)

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.60 9.65 3.10 3.10 .85 .45

Female... 6.35 9.20 2.90 2.90 .85 .45

Iris brown; bill brown, with base of under light blue; legs
and feet reddish brown; claws dark brown.

This well known species inhabits the woodlands, hedges and
thickets, usually associating together in small flocks, except dur-
ing the mated season. They feed largely upon fallen seeds,
which they pick up from the ground, often scratching among
the leaves. Their food consists also of small berries and insect
life. They are rather timid, and when startled dive into the
thickest growth within reach, but quickly fly back, as if forget-
ful of the scare. They seldom perch above the lower branches

458 HISTORY OF THE

of the trees, and their flights are low and short, except in mi-
gration.

Their song is composed of clear, sweet, plaintive notes, that
sound much like, "Pee, pea, pea, peabody, peabody, peabody,"
and for this reason are generally known as the "Peabody
Bird." During the early breeding season they sing almost con-
tinually, and as their song is unvarying in tone and make-up, it
soon becomes rather tiresome.

Their nests are usually placed upon the ground, under fallen
branches or at the roots of trees, occasionally on low bushes; a
rather large, compact structure, composed chiefly of coarse
grasses, interwoven with stems of the same, weeds and rootlets,
and lined with horse hairs, fine grasses, and sometimes with a
few feathers. Eggs four or five, varying in size from .80x. 61
to .87x. 65. They also vary in color, from being profusely
spotted and blotched to sparingly and finely dotted witli burnt
sienna, dark brown and lilac; in form, oval.

Genus SPIZELLA Bonaparte.
"Bill conical, the outlines slightly curved; the lower mandible decidedly-
larger than the upper; the commissure gently sinuated; the roof of the mouth
not knobbed. Feet slender; tarsus rather longer than middle toe; the hind toe
a little longer than the outer lateral, which slightly exceeds the inner; the outer
claw reaching the base of the middle one, and half as long as its toe. Claws
moderately curved. Tertiaries and secondaries nearly equal; wing somewhat
pointed, reaching not quite to the middle of the tail. Fii-st quill a little shorter
than the second and equal to the fifth; third longest. Tail rather long, moder-
ately forked, and devaricated at the tip; the feathers rather narrow. Back
streaked; rump and beneath immaculate. Young streaked beneath."

Spizella monticola (Gmel.).

TREE SPARROW.
PLATE XXVIII.

A winter sojourner; abundant in the eastern portion of the
State. Leave the last of March to first of April; begin to re-
turn in October.

B. 357. R. 210. C. 268. G. 106, 227. TJ. 559.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to the Arctic regions;
west to the edge of the Great Plains; south in winter to the
Southern States; breeding in Labrador and the region about
Hudson's Bay.

BIRDS OF KA:NSAS.

459

Sp. Chak. With heart more or less couspicuously marked, but without blaclc
on chin or throat; young, streaked beneath. Wing with two distinct white
bands; lower mandible yellow; adult with dusky spot in center of chest. Adult:
Top of head and streak behind eye deep rufous; rest of head and neck plain
ashy, the hindneck tinged with brown; back mixed with rufous and light tawny
or dull buffy, streaked with black; lower parts pale ashy anteriorly and later-
ally, the sides and flanks tinged with buffy (strongly so in winter). Young:
Top of head dull brownish, streaked with dusky; superciliary stripe and sides
of head and neck dull whitish, finely streaked with darker; chest pale dull
buffy, tinged laterally with rusty, and distinctly streaked dusky. Plumage
darker throughout, the ground color of back largely rusty or rufous, and the
black streaks broader; rufous of crown darker and never with more than a slight
indication of median ashy stripe; outer webs of greater wing coverts and tertials
bright rufous or rusty; whitish or light ashy edgings to tail feathers narrower,
wings and tail siiorter, bill rather stouter. {Ridgway.)

stretch of

Length. ■wing;. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.;i0 9.20 3.00 2.90 .78 .35

Female... 6.00 8.60 2.75 2.70 .78 .35

Iris brown; bill — upper and tip of lower blackish, rest yellow;
legs brown; feet a shade darker; claws blackish.

This hardy Sparrow frequents the hedges, edges of woods and
rank, weedy growths. Social, gregarious birds, that often assem-
ble together in large flocks. From the name they bear, the
reader would naturally be led to think they were at least more
arboreal than terrestial, but such is not the case; the name is
given them on account of their habit of flying into trees the
moment they are disturbed — a habit of many of the family.
They search upon the ground almost wholly for their food,
which consists chiefly of fallen seeds. When the ground is
mostly covered with snow, they are often forced by huno-er to
fly quite a distance into the prairies or open lands to bare spots
of ground, and in so doing, many are caught by the Pigeon.
Sparrow or Sharp-shinned Hawks, before they can reach their
cover, for these Hawks know their haunts well, and are ever
upon the watch, ready to pounce upon, or give chase to, the
venturesome birds. While feeding, the birds keep up a low,
musical twitter. The males begin to sing quite early in the
spring — a rather low, but exceedingly rich and sweet-toned
song.

Their nests are placed upon the ground and in low bushes.

460 niSTORT OF THE

They are composed of strippings of bai-k, grasses and weeds,
rather loosely woven together, and lined with feathers, and
sometimes with fine grasses and hairs. Eggs four or five, .76x
.58; light green, sprinkled minutely and regularly with spots of
reddish brown; in form, oval.

Spizella monticola ochracea Brewst.

WESTERN TREE SPARROW.
PLATE XXVin.

Winter sojourner in the western to middle portions of the
State; rare or casual in the eastern portion. Leave about the
first of April; return in October.

B. , R. . C. . G. , . IT. 550a.

Habitat. Western North America; north to the Arctic re-
gions; east to Dakota, middle Kansas and Texas; south in win-
ter to New Mexico and Arizona. Breeds in Alaska and probably
south, in the mountainous regions.

Sp. Char. Similar to 8. monticola, but plumage paler throughout, the ground
color of back with little, if auy, rusty or rufous, and the black streaks narrower;
rufous of crown paler, and frequently (especially in winter) with distinctly indi-
cated (sometimes broad and continuous) median ashy stripe; outer webs of greater
wing coverts and tertials paler, more buffy or ochraceous; whitish edgings to
tail feathers broader; wings and tail longer; bill rather more slender. {Ridgway.)

The few specimens that I have examined average about the
same in dimensions, etc., as the eastern bird, and, from my
limited observation and knowledge, their general habits and ac-
tions are the same. Eggs, according to Ridgway, .78x.55.

Spizella socialis (Wii.s.).

CHIPPING SPARROW.
PLATE XXVIIL

Summer resident; common in the eastern part of the State,
decreasing in numbers westward. Arrive the last of March to
first of April; the bulk leave by the last of October.

B. 359. R. 211. C. 269. G. 107, 228. U. 560.

Habitat. Eastern temperate North America; west to the

Rocky Mountains; south in winter to eastern Mexico; breeds

chiefly in the middle and northern United States.

Sp. Char. " Rump, back of neck, and sides of neck and head, ashy. Inter-
scapular region with black streaks, margined with pale rufous. Crown contiu-

Length.

Male . . . .

. 5.00

Female . .

. 5.25

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 461

uous and uuifonn chestuut. Forehead black, sejiarated in the middle by white.
A white streak over the eye to nape, and a black one from the base of the bill
through and behind the eye. Lores dusky. Under parts unspotted whitish,
tinged with ashy on the sides and across the upper breast. Tail feathers and
primaries edged with paler, not white. Two narrow white bands across the
wing coverts. Young: Immature birds and frequently the adult females with
the cap streaked with blackish lines, the chestnut nearly or sometimes quite
wanting. Birds of the year streaked beneath and on the rump."

stretch of
wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

8.70 2.75 2.50 .65 .37

8.25 2.55 2.20 .63 .35

Iris brown; the color of the bill varies, usually dusky, some-
times the under is pale at base; legs and feet flesh color; claws
brown.

These well known little Sparrows frequent the cultivated
fields, public ways, gardens and dooryards, and even make their
homes in cities, seeming to prefer, rather than shun, the pres-
ence of man, often raising their young in a bush by the door-
side, and fearlessly picking up the crumbs and seeds dropped
from the hand. When the breeding season is over, they usually
collect together in small flocks, or family groups, but they are
not, strictly speaking, gregarious birds. They derive their com-
mon name from their sharp, characteristic ' ' Chip. ' ' Their song
is simply a monotonous repetition of a single note, uttered in
rather an unmusical trill. It is often repeated during the mated
season, and is occasionally heard in the night.

Their nests are placed in low trees and bushes, and are loosely
constructed of grasses and rootlets, and lined thickly with hairs.
Eggs three to five, .70x.51; bluish green, thinly spotted around
the larger end with purple, light and blackish brown; in form,
oval.

Spizella pallida (Swaixs.).

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW.
PLATE SXVIII.

Migratory; quite common throughout the State. Arrive the
last of April to first of May; return in October, a few occasion-
ally remaining until about the middle of jSToveraber.

B. 360. K. 212. C. 272. G. 108, 229. U, 561.

462 HISTORY OF THE

Habitat. Interior of North America; east from the base of
the Kocky Mountains and Arizona to eastern Texas, Missouri
and Iowa; casual in Wisconsin; (Mr. Nelson records it as a rare
summer resident in Illinois, and I am inclined to think that the
bird occasionally breeds in Nebraska, but chiefly from Dakota
and Iowa northward;) south in winter from the Saskatchewan
Plains and Red River regions into Mexico and Lower California.

Sp. Char. "Smaller than 8. socialis. Back and sides of hindueck ashy.
Prevailing color above pale brownish yellow, with a tinge of grayish. The feath-
ers of back and crown streaked conspicuously with blackish. Crown with a
median pale ashy and a lateral or superciliary ashy white stripe. Beneath
whitish, tinged with brown on the breast and sides, and an indistinct narrow
brown streak on the edge of chin, cutting off a light stripe above it. Ear cov-
erts brownish yellow, margined above and below by dark brown, making three
dark stripes on the face.

"The ashy collar is quite conspicuous and streaked above with brown. The
rump is immaculate. The streaks on the feathers of the crown almost form
continuous lines, about six in number. The brown line above the ear coverts
is a postocular one. That on the sides of the chin forms the lower border of a
white maxillary stripe which widens and curves around behind the ear coverts,
fading into ashy of the neck. The wing coverts are all margined with paler,
and there is an indication of two light bands across the ends of the coverts.

"The young of this species is thickly streaked beneath, over the throat, breast
aud belly, with brown, giving it an entirely different appearance from the adult.
The streaks in the upper parts, too, are darker and more conspicuous. The
margins of the feathers are rather more rusty."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . . .

. 5.30

7.70

2.50

3.50

.67

.35

Female . .

. 5.00

7.50

2.40

2.30

.67

.33

Iris brown; bill — terminal portion of ridge and tips dusky,
rest pale reddish brown; legs and feet yellowish flesh color;
claws light brown.

This pale Sparrow of the plains is very similar in actions to
the Chipping Sparrow, but less familiar and confiding in its
habits.

The following interesting description of their nesting habits,
etc., is taken from "Birds of the Northwest," by Dr. Coues:

"The Clay-colored Sparrows nest abundantly in Dakota, and
especially along the Red river, in the open, low underbrush by
the river side, and among the innumerable scrub-willow copses
of the valley. They pair here the latter part of May, when the

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 463

males come into full song; the nests are built, and the comple-
ment of eggs laid, usually by the middle of June. During this
month, while the females are incubating, the males mount the
tops of the bushes and sing continually — indeed, I know of no
more assiduous and persistent songster than this little bird is,
although his vocal efforts are of an humble sort. His ditty is a
simple staff of three notes and a slight trill — nothing like the
continuous song of the Chip bird. In places where the birds
are plentiful, several males may be in sight at once, each on his
own bush clump, while his mate is nesting below. As soon as
incubation is over, the habit is entirely changed, and the males
become as inconspicuous as their consorts. The pairing season,
during which the males may be seen continually chasing the
females about in the bushes, is of short duration; and, prelim-
inaries adjusted, both birds set to work in earnest at their nest,
with such success that it is completed and the eggs laid in a
week or two. Most of my nests were taken during the first two
weeks in June. In one case, in which I visited a nest daily, I
found that an egg was laid each day, till the complement of four
eggs was filled. I have not found more than four eggs in a
nest, and sometimes only three. They are of a light green
color, rather scantily and sharply specked with sienna and other
rich shades of brown — sometimes very dark brown. Generally
the dotting is chiefly confined to the larger end, with only a
speck here and there over the general surface; the dots are
sometimes in an area at the butt, sometimes partially confluent
and wreathed around it. The eggs measure about .62x.50.
The nest is always placed low; I never found one so high as a
yard from the ground, and generally took nests within a few
inches, in the crotch of a willow or other shrub, or in a tuft of
weeds. The nest is inartistically built of fine dried grass stems
and the slender weed stalks, with perhaps a few rootlets; it is
sometimes lined quite thickly with horse hair, sometimes not,
then having instead some very fine grass tops. It varies a good
deal in size and shape, according to its situation, but may aver-
age about three inches across by two deep, with a cavity two
inches wide by one and a half deep. In those cases where I

464 HISTORY OF THE

approached the sitting bird, she left the nest when I was a few
steps awaj, and fluttered directly into concealment, without at-
tempting any artifice or venturing to protest against the spolia-
tion of her home."

Spizella pusilla (Wils.).

FIELD SPARROW.
PLATE XXVIII.

Summer resident; common in the eastern part of the State.
Arrive the last of March to first of May; begin laying about
the middle of May; return in October; a few linger until late
in November.

B. 358. R. 214. C. 271. G. 109, 230. U. 563.

Habitat. Eastern United States and southern Canada; west
to the edge of the Great Plains; south to the Gulf coast; breed-
ing nearly throughout its range, but chiefly from the southern
Middle States northward.

Sp. Chak. Wing not longer than tail (usually shorter). Upper parts with
more or less of rusty, and top of head and hindneck without dusky streaks.
Adult: Top of head with two rusty or sandy brownish lateral stripes and a dull
grayish median stripe, the latter often indistinct, sometimes nearly obsolete;
back streaked with black, on a uniform rusty, rusty and biiffy grayish, or chiefly
buffy grayish ground; both rows of wiug coverts tipped with whitish or light
buflfy; a rusty streak behind eye, enlarged to a spot posteriorly; sides of head
otherwise grayish, but tinged with brownish or butty in winter; sides of breast
with a rusty spot; lower parts whitish, tinged with grayish or buffy (or both)
anteriorly; bill reddish cinnamon. Young: Essentially like the adult, but colors
duller and more suffused; markings of head much less distinct, and lower parts
(especially breast) streaked with dusky. Color much more rusty above, with
median grayish crown stripe usually very narrow and indistinct (sometimes ob-
solete), and wings and tail shorter. {Ridgicay.)

Length.

Stretch of
■whig.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male....

5.60

8.40

2.70

2.75

.70

.35

Female . .

. 5.40

8.00

2.50

2.55

.67

.35

Iris dark brown; bill reddish; legs and feet flesh color; claws
brown.

This species frequents the edges of woodlands, borders of
fields and orchards, sometimes the gardens, but as a rule a rather
retiring bird, that seldom makes its home in the near vicinity of
dwellings. Their food (which is similar to that of the Sparrow

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 465

family) is procured chiefly from off the ground. They perch in
bushes and on the lower branches of trees, rarely mounting in-
to the tree tops. Their flights are low, short, and rather undu-
lating. Their song is not powerful, but varied, plaintive and
sweet; it is kept up until late in the autumn, and is often heard
during the middle of the day, when most of our songsters are
silent.

Their nests are placed on the ground, also in bushes and low
trees; usually on the ground on uplands, and in trees and bushes
on low, bottom lands; loosely constructed of weeds and grasses,
and lined with hairs and small thread-like stems of plants. Eggs
three to five, .09x.52; grayish to greenish white, and, as a rule,
finely and evenly spotted with reddish brown; in form, oval.

Genus JUNCO Wagler.

"Bill small, conical; culmeii curved at the tip; the lower jaw quite as high
as the upper. Tarsus longer than the middle toe; outer toe longer than the in-
ner-, barely reaching to the base of the middle claw; hind toe reaching as far as
the middle of the latter; extended toes reaching about to the middle of the tall.
Wings ratiier short; reaching over the basal fourth of the exposed surface of
the tail; primaries, however, considerably longer than the secondaries and ter-
tials, which are nearly equal. The second quill longest, the third to fifth suc-
cessively but little shorter; first longer than sixth, much exceeding secondaries.
Tail moderate, a little shorter than wings; slightly emarginated and rounded.
Feathers rather narrow; oval at the end. No streaks on the head or body; col-
ors above uniform on the head, back, or rump, separately or on all together.
Belly white; outer tail feathers white. Young birds streaked above and below.

"The essential characters of this genus are, the middle toe rather shorter
than the short tarsus; the lateral toes slightly unequal, the outer reaching the
base of the middle claw; the tail a little shorter than the winsjs, slightly emar-
ginate. In Jwico eiiiereus dorsalis the claws are longer; the lower mandible a
little lower than the upper."

Junco aikeni Eidgw.

WHITE- WINGED JUNCO.

A rare winter visitant in the western to middle portion of the
State.

B. . K. 216. C. 263. G. 110, 231. U. 566.

Habitat. Rocky Mountains in Colorado and Wyoming, strag-
gling east in winter to middle Kansas and the Indian Territory.

Sp. Char. "Generally similar to J. hyemaUs, but considerably larger, with
more robust bill; two white bands on the wing, and three, instead of two, outer
tail feathers entirely white.

—30

4,eQ HISTORY OF THE

"No. 61302, male; El Paso Co., Colorado, December 11, 1871, C. E. Aiken:
Head, neck, jusulum, and entire upper parts, clear ash; the back with a bluish
tinge; the lores, quills and tail feathers darker; middle and secondary wing
coverts rather broadly tipped with white, forming two conspicuous bands. Lower
part of breast, abdomen and crissum pure white; the anterior outline against
the ash of the jugulum convex; sides tinged with ash. Three lateral tall feath-
ers entirely white, the third, however, with a narrow streak of dusky on the
terminal third of the outer web; the next feather mostly plumbeous, with the
basal fourth of the outer web and the terminal half of the inner (along the
shaft) white. Wing, 3.40; tail, 3.30; culmeu, .50; depth of bill at base, .30;
tarsus, .80."

I have never met with this species, and therefore have no
personal knowledge in regard to its habits, etc.

Its nest and eggs have not been found. It probably does
not differ in its breeding habits from its congeners. Mr, T. M.
Trippe, in notes published by Dr. Coues, in "Birds of the North-
west," says, in regard to the different species and races of this
genus, at Idaho Springs, Colorado, that this bird is — -

"Abundant; does not breed. This race is evidently the most
northern of the five, as it arrives latest (in November) and de-
parts earliest (in March), ranging higher, also, than any of the
others, up to 10,000 feet, and probably still farther. In its
notes and habits the White-winged Snowbird (Junco) differs
somewhat from its congeners: its song is louder and sweeter;
it is less gregarious in its nature; and it frequents brushy hill
tops and mountain sides, high up above the valleys and rarely
visited by the other species during winter. It is the only Snow-
bird at all common during winter, choosing as its favorite haunts
the bushy ravines and hollows, as well as the valleys of the
larger streams, and wandering thence far up on the mountains,
associating in small parties only, more than six or eight being
rarely seen together. During the coldest weather only the well-
marked, typical birds are seen, among which are both males and
females, the former being most numerous; but toward the close
of winter the females become more abundant, and among a large
series of specimens obvious approaches to both liyeinalis and
oregonus may be distinguished, especially toward the former.
The intergradation, however, is by no means as perfect as that
between the two latter races, and a specimen that cannot be de-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 4(37

cidedly referred to either aikeni or or eg onus-liy emails is unusual.
The white wing bands vary very much; in the largest males
they are almost always broad and well defined; in the small
males and females they are narrower, sometimes almost obsolete,
occasionally wanting on one wing and present on the other, and
sometimes wholly wanting or indicated by the faintest trace. In
the latter case, the other characteristics of the bird are those of
hyemalis^ while the peculiar features of the latter bird or of
oregonus are never to be seen where the white bands are well
defined. Well-developed males frequently have white lores or
white spots on the head and neck."

Junco hy emails (Lixx.).

SLATE-COLORED JUNCO.

PLATE XXVIII. *

Winter sojourner; abundant. The bulk leave in March; be-
gin to return about the middle of October.

B. 354. R. 217. C. 261. G. Ill, 232. U. 567.

Habitat. Northern North America; south in winter through-
out the eastern United States, and straggling westward to the
Pacific coast. Breeds from Nova Scotia and Maine to Alaska.

Sp. Char. "Everywhere of a grayish dark ashy black, deepest anteriorly;
middle of the breast behind and of the belly, the under tail coverts, and first
and second external tail feathers, white; the third tail feather white, margined
with black. Female: Paler in winter, washed with brownish to pinkish brown.
Young: Streaked above and below.

"The wing is rounded; the second quill longest; the third, fourth and fifth
successively a little shorter; the first longer than the sixth. Tail slightly
rounded and a little emarginate. In full spring dress there is no trace of any
second color on the back, except an exceedingly faint and scarcely appreciable
wash of dull brownish over the whole upper parts. The markings of the third
tail feather vary somewhat in specimens. Sometimes the whole tii^ is margined
■with brown; sometimes the white extends to the end; sometimes both webs are
margined with brown; sometimes the outer is entirely white; sometimes the
brownish wash on the back is more distinct."

stretch of
Length. -wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.20 9.70 3.15 2.75 .80 .43

Female... 5.90 9.20 2.90 2.60 .80 .40

Iris blackish brown; bill white, with a pinkish, sometimes
bluish tinge, dark at tips; legs brown; feet dark brown; claws
black.

468 HISTORY OF THE

These hardy little birds are at home in the winter storms.
They frequent the edg'es of the woods and borders of fields and
open lowlands. A rather timid bird, that only seeks the abode
of man when the ground is covered with snow. Hunger then
overcomes fear, and they become a familiar bird about the yards
and stables, hopping nimbly about among the cattle and poultry,
and eagerly picking up the crumbs and seeds scattered in the
door yards; returning to their haunts as the snow melts away,
if not as wild, as timid as ever, darting into cover at the slight-
est disturbance, but quickly returning, as if forgetful of the
scare. They associate together in small flocks, except during
the mated season, but are of rather a quarrelsome nature, and
not a real social, happy group. When at rest, they perch in the
bushes and trees near the ground, rarely ever flying into the
tall tree tops. Their usual chip call note sounds much like that
of the Chipping Sparrow. In the early spring, as the warm
weather awakens the passions of love, the males begin to think
of mating, and rattle off a rather low, pleasing song. They are
not constant singers, their voice being seldom heard except in
the morning and during the early breeding season.

Their nests are placed in a depression in the ground, under
logs and in various sheltered situations. I found a nest in Nova
Scotia, under an upturned root of a tree. They are also said
to occasionally nest in low bushes. Their nests are made of
dry grasses, strippings from plants, and hairs, sometimes lined,
with fine grasses, bits of moss, etc. Eggs usually four or five,
.75x.58; whitish to bluish green, speckled and blotched chiefly
about the larger end with dark reddish brown and lilac; in form,
oval.

Junco liyemalis oregonus (Towns.).

OREGON JUNCO.
PLATE XXVin. *

Winter sojourner; rare in the eastern, quite common in the
middle and western part of the State. Leave in March; return
late in October.

B. 352. R. 218. C. 263. G. 112, 233. U. 567a.

Habitat. Pacific coast of North America; breeding from the
higher mountains of Southern California north to Sitka; in

BIRDS OF KANSAS.

469

winter straggling east to tlie Mississippi Kiver, and even to the
Atlantic States.

Sp. Char. "Head and neck all roiiud sooty black; this color exteuding to
the upper part of the breast, but not along the sides under the wings, and with
convex outline behind. Interscapular region of the back and exposed surface
of the wing coverts and secondaries dark rufous brown, forming a square patch.
A lighter, more pinkish tint of same on the sides of breast and belly. Kest of
under parts clear white. Rump brownish ash. Upper tail coverts dusky.
Outer two tail feathers white; the third with only an obscure streak of white."

Streich of

Length. whig. Whig. Tail. Tarsus. Bill

Male 0.20 9.50 3.00 2.85 .80 .45

Female... 5.90 9.00 2.75 2.70 .80 .43

Iris dark brown; bill pinkish white, tips dusky; legs flesh color
to dark brown; feet and claws dark brown to duskj.

This western form is in habits and actions a counterpart of the
eastern bird, J. hyemalls, and their nests and eggs as a whole
not noticeably different.

Genus PEUCffiA Axjdubox.
•'Dill moderate; upper outline and commissure decidedly curved. Legs and
feet with the claws small; the tarsus about equal to the middle toe; the lateral
toes equal, their claws falling considerably short of the middle one; the hind
toe reaching to about the middle of the latter. The outstretched feet reach
rather beyond the middle of the tail. The wing is very short, reaching only to
the base of the tail; the longest tertials do not exceed the secondaries, while
both are much short of the primaries; the outer three or four quills are gradu-
ated. The tail is considerably longer than the wings; it is much graduated lat-
erally; the feathers, though long, are peculiarly narrow, linear and elliptically
rounded at the ends. Color beneath plain whitish or brownish, with a more or
less distinct dusky line each side of the shin. Above, with broad obsolete brown
■streaks or blotches. Crown uniform, or the feathers edged with lighter."

Peucsea cassini (Woodh.).

CASSIN'S SPARROW.
PLATE XXVni.

Summer resident in the middle and western part of the State;
common. Arrive about the middle of May; begin laying early
in June; leave in September.

B.-371. E. 328. C. 254. G. 113, 234. U. 578.

Habitat. From central Kansas southward and westward,
through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, into northern Mexico!

470 HISTORY OF THE

Sp. Char. '■'■Adult: Ground color of upper parts grayish ash; the middle
portion of each feather dull brown (in the form of a blotch), aud with a black
shaft streak, the latter becoming modified on scapulars, rump and upper tail
coverts into transverse spots, those on the upper tail coverts being large and
conspicuous and in the form of crescentic spots, the terminal margin of the
feathers being lighter ashy, in sharp contrast. Middle tail feathers clear ashy,
■with a sharply-defined shaft streak of blackish, throwing otf obsolete, narrow,
transverse bars toward the edge; rest of tail clear dusky brown, the lateral
feathers (with whole outer web and margin of inner) dull white; all (except the
intermediate) with a large, abruptly-defined, terminal space of dilute brown (de-
creasing in size from the outer), the margin whitish. Upper secondaries broadly
aud sharply margined along both edges with didl ashy white, the enclosed por-
tion being clear dusky brown, intensified where adjoining the whitish. A very
obsolete superciliary stripe of ashy, becoming whitish over the lores; auriculars
more dingy, but without distinct stripe along upper edge. An uninterrupted but
indistinct 'bridle' along sides of throat. Lower parts dull white, without any
ochraceous, but with a very faint ashy tinge over the jugulum; flanks with broad,
somewhat blended streaks of mixed brownish and dusky. Bend of wing edged
with light yellow. Young: Very similar, but with a few tirop-shaped streaks
of dark brown on the jugulum and along sides. The feathers above have a more
appreciable terminal border of buff."

Length.

Stretch of
iving.

lVh,g.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 6.25

8.30

2.60

2.80

.78

.50

Female . .

. 6.00

8.05

2.50

2.65

.76

.48

Iris brown; bill — upper dusky, with edges and under man-
dible bluish white, paler at base; legs and feet flesh color; claws
pale brown.

This plain, bleached bird frequents the barren spots and sandy
lands, dotted here and there with low, stunted bushes, bunch
grass or cactus. It is very shy and retiring in its habits, and
when approached darts from bush to bush, or runs, skulks and
hides like mice, and it is no easy matter to flush it from its hid-
ing place. It is a restless, active bird, and one of the sweetest
songsters of the plains. It occasionally sings from a perch, but
usually in the air, rising on quivering wings some twenty feet or
more, hovering for a moment in mid air, then slowly dropping
back with outstretched legs and tail, timing it so as to alight as
the last note is uttered. I have heard them sing at night, and
in the middle of the day, when the rays of the sufi were scorch-
ing hot, and other birds had fled to shelter.

Their nests are placed on the ground or in shrubby bushes not

BlltUti OF KANSAS.' 471

over a foot from the ground. They are loosely constructed of
dry grasses, and lined with finer leaves of the same and hairs.
Eggs, usually three or four; pure white; in form, oval.

Genus MELOSPIZA Baikd.

" Body stout. Bill conical, very obsoletely notched, or smooth; somewhat
compressed. Lower mandible not so deep as the upper. Commissure nearly
straight. Gonys a little curved. Feet stout, not stretching beyond the tail;
tarsus a little longer than the middle toe; outer toe a little longer than the inner;
its claw not quite reaching to the base of the middle one. Hind toe appreciably
longer than the middle one. Wiiigs quite short and rounded, scarcely reach-
ing the base of the tail; the tertials considerably longer than the secondaries;
the quills considerably graduated; the fourth longest; the first not longer than
the tertials, and almost the shortest of the primaries. Tail moderately long,
rather longer from coccyx than the wings, and considerably graduated; the
leathers oval at the tips, and not stiffened. Crown and back similar in color,
and streaked; beneath thickly streaked, except in M. georgiana. Tail immacu-
late. Usually uest on the ground; nests strongly woven of grasses and fibrous
stems; eggs marked with rusty brown and purple, on a ground of clay color."

Melospiza fasciata (Gmel.).

SONG SPARROW.
PLATE XXVIII.

Winter sojourner; rare; common in the eastern part of the
State during migration, rare in the western portion. Leave in
March; begin to return in October.

In my "Catalogue of the Birds of Kansas," they are entered
as "Resident in eastern Kansas; rare in summer." I am now
led to think the evidence upon which I based the same is not re-
liable, and that they seldom nest in tiieir western range much
if any south of latitude 41°.

B. 363. R. 231. C. 244. G. 114, 235. U. 581.

Habitat. Eastern United States and British provinces; west

to the base of the Rocky Mountains; breeding from eastern

Dakota, northern Illinois, Virginia, etc., northward.

Sp. Ciiak. "General tint of upper parts rufous and distinctly streaked with
rufous brown, dark brown and ashy gray. The crown is rufous, with a super-
ciliary and median stripe of dull gray, the former lighter; nearly white anteri-
orly, where it sometimes has a faint shade of yellow, principally in autumn;
each feather of the crown with a narrow streak of black, forming about six
narrow lines. Interscapulars black in the center, then rufous, then pale grayish
on the margin, these three colors on each feather very sharply contrasted.

Tail.

Ta rsus.

Bill.

3.00

.87

.52

2.80

.85

.50

472 HISTORY OF THE

Rump grayer than upper tail coverts, both with obsolete dark streaks. There
is a whitish maxillary stripe, bordered above and below by one of dark rufous
brown, and with another frona behind the eye. The under parts are white; the
jugulum and sides of body streaked with clear dark brown, sometimes with a
rufous suffusion. On the middle of the breast these marks are rather aggre-
gated so as to form a spot. No distinct white on tail or wings.

"Specimens vary somewhat in having the streaks across the breast more or
less sparse, the spots more or less distinct. In autumn the colors are more
blended, the light maxillary stripe tinged with yellowish, the edges of the dusky
•streaks strongly suffused with brownish rufous.

"The young bird has the upper parts paler, the streaks more distinct; the
lines on the head scarcely appreciable. The under parts are yellowish; the
streaks narrower and more sharply-defined dark brown."

stretch of
Length . tving: Wing.

Male 6.70 8.80 2.70

Female... 6.35 8.45 2.55

Iris brown; bill dusky, pale bluish to yellowish at base be-
neath; legs and feet light brown; claws a shade darker.

These hardy birds, during the winter months, frequent in
small flocks the thickets and edges of low woodlands, where
bordered with rank growths of grasses and weeds; in the sum-
mer months, when mated, the more open grounds and marshes.
They procure their food almost wholly on the ground; it consists
of seeds, tender buds and blossoms of plants, insect life and
berries. Their flights are low, short, and rather undulating.
They are quite constant and varied songsters. I have often
heard them, on warm, sunsliiny days, pour forth their sweet
winter song of contentuient; but it does not compare in volume,
energy or melody with their love or breeding song: an inde-
scribable, characteristic one, that justly entitles them to the name
they bear.

Their nests are placed near the water, usually on the ground,
under a tuft of grass, but occasionally in a bush; a compact
nest, composed chiefly of grasses, and lined with the slender,
hair-like stems. Eggs four or five, . 78x. 59; dull greenish white,
spotted and blotched with reddish brown, and a few purplish
stains; the markings are pretty evenly distributed over the en-
tire egg, in some cases sparingly, in others so thick and confluent
as to conceal the ground color; in form, oval.

LLl -^

X o

1-1 CC

X ^
X! 2

W

H ><
<)

Oh

O ffl
« .9

O lD -5?

rt ce "^

^ m S

0- m •'

u) in (3

O z

CL q: ;-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 473

Melospiza lincolni (Aud.).

LINCOLN'S SPARROW.
PLATE XXIX.

Migratory; common. Arrive in April to first of May; return
in October.

B. 368. K. 234. C. 24-2. G. 116, 236. U. 583.

Habitat. North America at large; breeding from tlie north-
ern border of the United States, and high mountain ranges
south, to far north into the Arctic regions; in winter, south to
Panama.

Sp. Chak. "General aspect above that of M. fasciata, but paler and less
reddish. Crown dull chestnut, with a median and lateral or superciliary ash-
colored stripe; each feather above streaked centrally with black. Back with
narrow streaks of black. Beneath white, with a maxillary stripe curving round
behind the ear coverts; a well-defined band across the breast, extending down
the sides, and the under tail coverts, brownish yellow. The maxillary stripe
margined above aud below with lines of black spots, and a dusky line behind the
eye. The throat, upper part of breast and sides of the body with streaks of
black, smallest in the middle of the former. The pectoral bands are sometimes
paler."

stretch of
Length. wing. Whig. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.65 8.45 2.50 2.40 .78 .43

Female... 5.30 7.10 2.35 2.20 .78 .43

Iris brown; bill — upper dusky, under bluish, with base yel-
lowish; legs and feet light yellowish brown; claws pale brown.

This widely-distributed species frequents the low, bushy,
weedy lands and banks of streams. A rather silent, retiring
bird, that darts into cover at the first alarm; and, as it hunts for
seeds, insect life, etc., on or near the ground, it is seldom no-
ticed, and often reported rare in localities wliere it is quite com-
mon. Its feeble. Sparrow-like chirp is rarely ever heard, except
when startled. I had the pleasure of listening to its song,
uttered from the top of small aspen trees or bushes, near the
timber line, on Mount Baldy, Colorado; a low and rather pro-
longed song, but lively, musical and varied. It was late in the
month of June, and I am confident that tlie birds were breeding
there, but was unable to find a nest or their young. Mr. Oliver
Davie, in "ISTests and Eggs of North American Birds," says:

"Mr. Norris has two sets of the eggs of Lincoln's Sparrow,
taken in Boulder county, Colorado, on June 22d and July 18th,

474 HISTORY OF THE

respectively. One of the nests was placed in a mossy bank,
among small swamp bushes, and composed entirely of grasses;
the other was built at the base of an aspen tree. The eggs of ^
one set, three in number, are light greenish white, heavily
marked (principally at the larger end) witli chestnut and lav-
ender gray; sizes: .81x.58, .Six. 59, .82x.60. The nest taken*
June 22d is of four eggs; these are light pea green, thickly
marked with chestnut, and measure: .79x. 58, .TOx.ST, .81x. 58, :
.79X.57."

Melospiza georgiana (Lath.)-

SWAMP SPARROW.
PLATE XXIX.

A winter sojourner in the southeastern part of the State; rare;
common during migration; but rare in western Kansas. Begin
to leave in March, but many remain until late in April; return
in October.

B. 369. E. 233. C. 243. G. 115, 237. U. 584.

Habitat. Eastern North America; west to the Great Plains,
accidentally to Utah; north to Newfoundland, Labrador and
the Great Slave Lake region. Breeds from Massachusetts,
northern Illinois, etc., northward; and winters from the soutli-
ern portion of the Middle States southward.

Sp. Chak. •'Middle of the crown uniform chestnut; forehead black; super-
ciliary streak, sides of head, and back and sides of neck, ash. A brown stripe
behind the eye. Back with broad streaks of black, which are edged with rusty
yellow. Beneath whitish, tinged with ashy anteriorly, especially across the
breast, and washed with yellowish brown on the sides. A few obsolete streaks
across the breast, which become distinct on its sides. Wings and tail strongly
tinged with rufous; the tertials black, the rufous edgings changing abruptly to
white towards the end. Female: With the crown scarcely reddish, streaked
with black, and divided by a light line. Young: Conspicuously streaked be-
neath the head; above nearly uniform blackish.

"In autumn, the male of this species has the feathers of the crown each with
a black streak, and the center of the crown with an indistinct light stripe, mate-
rially changing its appearance.

" The forehead is usually more or less streaked with black."

Length.

stretch of
ming.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 5.80

7.75

2.40

2.(30

.85

.45

Feumle . .

.5.00

7.50

2.30

2.40

.82

.43

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 475

Iris brown; bill — upper dark brown, edges of same and lower
mandible pale brown; legs and feet flesh color; claws light
brown.

This species frequents the low, marshy grounds and borders
of streams, seldom visiting tlie high or cultivated lands, and they
are tlierefore only well known to the bird lovers who visit their
uninviting haunts. As a rule they are less timid than most birds
not familiar with man, and, when cautiously approached, con-
tinue their search for food, as if regardless of his presence;
hopping about among the reeds and grasses, or running nimbly
over the ground, stopping to scratch now and then, and, in their
eagerness to catch minute snails, insects and floating seeds,
often wade until their bodies touch the water. During the
mated season, like most of the family, they are devoted lovers,
and both assist in the duties of rearing the young. At intervals
the birds utter a rather soft chip, and at times a harsh, scolding
note. Dr. Brewer, in "North American Land Birds," thus
happily describes its song:

"Except in regard to their song, Wilson's account of their
habits, so far as it goes, is quite accurate, although this bird
really does have quite a respectable song, and one that improves
as the season advances. At first it is only a succession or repe-
tition of a few monotonous trilling notes, which might easily be
mistaken for the song of the Field Sparrow, or even confounded
with the feebler chant of the socialis, although not so varied as
the former, and is much more sprightly and pleasing than the
other. Still later its music improves, and more effort is made.
Like the Song Sparrow, it mounts some low twig, expands its
tail feathers, and gives forth a very sprightly trill, that echoes
through the swampy thicket with an effect which, once noted
and identified with the performer, is not likely to ever be mis-
taken. Nuttall calls this song loud, sweet and plaintive. It is
to my ear more sprightly than pathetic, and has a peculiar ven-
triloquistic effect, as if the performer were at a much greater
distance than he really is."

Their nests are placed on low, wet, gras.iy lands. They are
composed almost wholly of dead grasses and lined with the finer

476 HISTORY OF THE

leaves and stemlets of the same. Eggs four or five, .75x.55;
pale bluish to greenish white, specked, spotted and blotched
with lilac and various shades of yellowish to reddish brown,
thickest about the larger end. They vary greatly in size, and
in depth of coloration, some sparingly and others profusely
marked. Measurements as high as .80x. 57 are given. A set
of four eggs, collected June 11th, 1878, at Pewaukee, Wiscon-
sin, from a nest on a bog in Pewaukee Lake, are, in dimensions,
only: ,70x.54, .70x.55, .70x.55, .71x.54; in form, oval to
ovate.

Genus PASSERELLA Swainson.

•'Body stout. Bill couical, not notched, the outlines straight; the two jaws
of equal depth; roof of upper mandible deeply excavated, and vaulted; not
knobbed. Tarsus scarcely longer than the middle toe; outer toe little longer
than the inner, its claw reaching to the middle of the central one. Hind toe
about equal to the inner lateral; the claws all long, and moderately curved only;
the posterior rather longer than the middle, and equal to its toe. Wings long,
pointed, reaching to the middle of the tail; the tertials scarcely longer than the
secondaries; second and third quills longest; first equal to the fifth. Tail very
nearly even, scarcely longer than the wing. Inner claw contained scarcely one
and a half times in its toe proper. Color: Rufous or slaty; obsoletely streaked
or uniform above; thickly spotted with triangular blotches beneath."

Passerella iliaca (Mekr.).

FOX SPARROW.
PLATE XXrX.

Winter sojourner; abundant in the eastern part of the State,
rare in the western portion. Leave in March; return in Octo-
ber.

B. 374. R. 235. C. 282. G. 117, 238. U. 585.

Habitat. Eastern North America; west to the plains and

Alaska; north to or near the Arctic regions; winters from the

southern portion of the Middle States southward to the Gulf

coast; breeds from the Gulf of St, Lawrence and Labrador to

Alaska.

Sp. Chae. "General aspect of upper parts foxy red, the ground color and
the sides of neck being ashy; the interscapular feathers each with a large blotch
of fox red; this color glossing to the top of head and nape — sometimes faintly,
sometimes more distinctly; the rump unmarked; the upper coverts and surface
of the tail continuous fox red. Two narrow white bands on the wing. Beneath,
with under tail coverts and axillars, clear white, the sides of head and of throat,

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 477

the jugulum, breast and sides of body, conspicuously and sharply blotched with
fox red; more triangular across breast, more linear and darker on sides. Some-
times the entire head above is continuously reddish. First quill rather less than
fifth. Hind toe about equal to its claw.

"In summer, the ash is more predominant above; iu winter, it is overlaid
more or less by a wash of rufous*, as described above."

Length.

Stretch of
■wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 7.15

11.10

3.50

3.10

.98

.45

Female. .

. 6.80

10.75

3.35

3.90

.96

.43

Iris brown; bill — upper dusky, with edges of the same and
lower mandible straw color; legs and feet dark flesh color;
claws brown.

This large, plump, handsome Sparrow inhabits the tangled
thickets and sheltered ravines. It is largely terrestial in its
habits, and, like the Towhees, puts in most of its time scratch-
ing among the dead leaves for food, A rather timid bird, that
darts into the thickest growths at the least alarm, uttering, as it
starts, a sharp chup note. It also has a soft. Sparrow-like chip,
or call note, and occasionally utters a few low, soft, warbling
notes; but its charming love song is only heard during the
breeding season. It is rather short, but unsurpassed in melody
by any of the family.

In the month of July, 1879, I found them breeding on Byron
Isle, one of the Magdalen group, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
It was too late in the season for their eggs, as their young birds
were nearly full grown. From actions, I think the parent birds
were preparing to rear another brood, as the males were singing
almost constantly, from early morn till late at night; but their
song, so rich and silvery in its tone, was ever welcomed, and
never seemed tiresome, and I think they rank next to our
Thrushes and Wrens as songsters.

Their nests are usually placed on the ground, in concealed
places, occasionally in bushes. Mr. Nelson, in his "Keport
upon Natural Historical Collections in Alaska," gives the fol-
lowing minute description of a nest and its eggs:

"On June 5th, 1880, a pair was shot, in a thicket near St.
Michael's, and the nest secured. The nest obtained is a very
strong, compact structure, four and a half inches across by two and

478 HISTORY OF THE

three-fourths high, having a central cavity one and three-fourths
inches deep by two and three-fourths across. The outer part
of the nest is made of a thin, compact layer of green moss, with
a few dead leaves. Inside is a thin layer of dried grass, running
circularly up the inside of the nest; this again is lined with a
handsomely cross-woven layer of wiry black moss fibers and
chestnut club-moss stems; the wliole being a very well-made and
handsome structure, in which were three eggs with a clayey
greenisli ground color; two of them are thickly and uniformly
dotted with dull reddish brown; between the dots the ground
color shows plainly in many places; the third agg is so densely
dotted with reddish brown and chocolate that the ground color
can hardly be traced, in a few places. This egg measures .90x
.70; the other two, .89x.68 and .90x.68."
Eggs three to j&ve; in form, oval.

Passerella iliaca schistacea (Saikd).

SLATE-COLORED SPARROW.

A rare winter visitant in the western part of the State; to be
looked for in sheltered places, along the streams or ravines
fringed with a dense growth of bushes, weeds, etc.

B. 376. R. 235c. C. 284. G. 118, 239. U. 585<J.

Habitat. Rocky Mountain regions of the United States; west

from the Great Plains to the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada.

Sp. Chak. "Bill slender, the length being .34 from nostril, the depth .25; the
upper mandible much swollen at the base; the under yellow. Above, and on
the sides, uniform slate gray; the upper surface of wings, tail feathers and upper
coverts dark brownish rufous; ear coverts streaked with white. Beneath, pure
white, with broad, triangular, arrow-shaped and well-defined spots of slate gray
(like the back) everywhere, except along the middle of the belly; not numerous
on the throat. A hoary spot on the base of the bill above the loral region; ax-
illars nearly white."

Stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill,

Male 7.20 10.50 3.20 3.40 .92 .45

Female... 7.00 10.20 3.10 3.30 .92 .43

Iris brown; bill — upper dusky, with sides at base dull straw
color; tip of under mandible bluish, rest straw color; legs and
feet flesh color; claws pale brown.

From my limited observation, I think this bird does not dif-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 479

fer much, if any, in habits and actions from tlie Fox Span-ow.
The following description is taken from "Korth American Land
Birds:"

"Mr. Eidgway found the Slate-colored Sparrow at Carson
City, during its spring migrations northward, in the earlj^ part
of March. At this time it was seen only among the willows
along the Carson River, and was by no means common. It had
the habit of scratching among the dead leaves, on the ground
in the thickets, precisely after the manner of the eastern P. ili-
aca. In the following September, he again found it among tlie
thickets in the upper Humboldt Valley. In Parley's Park,
among the Wasatch Mountains, he found it a very plentiful spe-
cies in June, nesting among the willows and shrubbery along
the streams. There it was always found in company with
the 3L fallax, which in song it greatly resembles, though its
other notes are quite distinct, the ordinary one being a sharp
'Chuck.'* The nest of the two species, he adds, were also
so much alike in manner of construction and situation, and the
eggs so similar, that it required a careful observation to identify
a nest when one was found.

"The eggs from one nest of the Passerella iliaca schistacea
measure .90 X. 70 of an inch, have a ground of light mountain
green, and are profusely spotted with blotches of a rufous
brown, generally diffused over the entire agg.

"Another nest of this species, obtained in Parley's Park, in
the Wasatch Mountains, by Mr. Ridgway, June 23d, 1869, was
built in a clump of willows, about two feet from the ground.
The nest is two inches in height, two and a half in diameter,
cavity one and a half deep, with a diameter of two. It is com-
posed externally of coarse, decayed water grass, and is lined with
fine hair and finer material like the outside.- The eggs (four in
number) are .80x. 67 of an inch; of a very rounded oval shape;
the ground color of a pale green, blotched and marked (chiefly
at the larger end) with brown spots of a wine-colored hue."

♦ While the female is covering her eggs, the male may frequently be heard giving vent to
his nuptial sons;, in the early morning and just before sundown. His lay, however, is rather
weak and of small compass, very much resembling that of Melospiza fasciata montana. He
delivers it while perched on some small twig, overlooking the thicket in which the nest is
placed, and generally close to it. Their usual call note is a repeated " Tzip, tzip." (^Bendire. )

480 HISTORY OF THE

Genus PIPILO Vieilt.ot.

"Bill rather stout; the culmen gently ciirved; the gonys nearly straight;
the commissure gently concave, with a decided notch near the end; the lower
jaw not so deep as the upper; not as wide as the gonys is long, but wider than
the base of the upper mandible. Feet large, the tarsus as long or a little longer
than the middle toe; the outer lateral toe a little the longer, and reaching a little
beyond the base of the middle claw. The hind claw about equal to its toe; the
two together about equal to the outer toe. Claws all stout, compressed, and
moderately curved; in some western specimens the claws much larger. Wings
reaching about to the end of the upper tail coverts; short and rounded, though
the primaries are considerably longer than the nearly equal secondaries and
tertials; the outer four quills are graduated, the first considerably shorter than
the second, and about as long as the secondaries. Tail considerably longer than
the wings, moderately graduated externally; the feathers rather broad, most
rounded off on the inner webs at the end.

"The colors vary; the upper parts are generally uniform black or brown,
sometimes olive; the under, white or brown; no central streaks on the feathers.
The hood sometimes differently colored."

Pipilo erythrophthalmus (Linn.).

TOWHEE.
PLATE XXIX.

A resident in eastern Kansas; common in summer, and
throughout the year in the southern portion; in the western
part of the State, a rare migrant; begin laying early in May.

B. 391. R. 237. C. 301. G. 119, 240. U. 587,

Habitat. Eastern United States; west to eastern Dakota and
Texas; south to the Gulf coast. May occasionally breed through-
out its range, but chiefly from the northern portion of the
Southern States northward.

Sp. Char. "Upper parts generally, head and neck all round, and upper part
of the breast, glossy black, abruptly defined against the pure white which ex-
tends to the anus, but is bounded on the sides and under the wings by light
chestnut, which is sometimes streaked externally with black. Feathers of throat
white in the middle. Under coverts similar to sides, but paler. Edges of outer
six primaries with white at the base and on the middle of the outer web; inner
two tertiaries also edged externally with white. Tail feathers black; outer web
of the first, with the ends of the first to the third white, decreasing from the
exterior one. Outermost quill usually shorter than ninth, or even than seconda-
ries; fourth quill longest, fifth scarcely shorter. Iris red; said to be sometimes
paler, or even white in winter. Female: With the black replaced by a rather
rufous brown. The tail feathers are only moderately graduated on the sides;
the outer about .40 of an inch shorter than the middle. The outer tail feathers
have the terminal half white, the outline transverse; the white of the second is

m-ng.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

3.55

4.10

1.10

.55

3.40

3.80

1.10

..53

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 481

about half as long as that of the first; of the third half that of the second. The
chestnut of the sides reaches forward to the back of the neck, and is visible
when the wings are closed. A young bird has the prevailing color reddish olive
above, spotted with lighter; beneath brownish white, streaked thickly with
brown."

stretch of
Length. iving.

Male 8.50 11.00

Female . . . 8.20 10.60

Iris bright red; bill black; legs, feet and claws light brown
to flesh color.

These peculiarly marked, characteristic birds inhabit, during
the winter months, the low bottom timber lands along the
streams; in summer, the groves, higher lands, and tangled thick-
ets bordering the woodlands and streams. They are not as a rule
as shy and retiring as most birds that make their homes in retired,
secluded places. I have often watched them in their haunts, and
by sitting down or standing motionless had them come almost
to my feet, in their search for worms, insect life and seeds that
lie chiefly beneath the old, dead leaves, which they remove by
scratching with their feet, often making the leaves fly in every
direction. Busy bodies ! and as they move about on the
ground, or hop from bush to bush, often raise their crests,
spread and jerk their tails, not in a nervous manner, but rather
as if proud of their good looks and display. They occasionally
utter their call note, "Tow-hee, tow-reet," or "Chewink, "and
when startled, in a sharp and distinct manner.

Their song, heard from the top of a bush or low tree, con-
sists of a few monotonous notes, uttered in a clear, plaintive
tone, but not musical enough to rank with our sweet songsters.
They are usually met with in pairs or family groups, and I
think they remain mated during the year.

Their nests are usually placed in a depression on the ground,
under a log or at the foot of a tree, in a brush heap, or most
any concealed spot they may fancy, and occasionally in low
bushes. I found one at least ten feet from the ground. It
was hidden in the sprouts growing from a gnarl on the body of
a hackberry tree. They are bulky structures, composed of
leaves, twigs, and strippings from grapevines, and lined with

-31

482 HISTORY OF THE

small stems of grasses and rootlets. Eggs four or five, .94x.71;
grayish white, spotted with reddish brown, thickest and some-
what running together around the larger end; in form, oval.

Pipilo maculatus arcticus (Swains.).

ARCTIC TOWHEE.
PLATE XXIX.

Winter sojourner; rare in the eastern, common in the mid-
dle and western part of the State, The bulk leave in April. I
have occasionally met with the birds late in May, and they may
possibly occasionally breed in the northern portion of the State,
but their natural nesting places are much farther north. Begin
to return in October.

B. 393. R. 238. C. 304. G. 120, 241. U. 588.

Habitat. Great Plains, north to the Saskatchewan and Man-
itoba regions; south to Texas; east to Kansas, Nebraska, etc. ;
west to the base of the Rocky Mountains; south in winter to
Texas.

Sp. Chak. "Upper parts generally, with head and neck all round to the
upper part of the breast, black; the rump usually tinged with ashy. Middle of
breast and of belly white; sides chestnut; under tail coverts similar, but paler.
Entire outer webs of scapulars, and dorsal feathers immediately above them, and
of ends of primary and secondary coverts, to the shaft, with edges of outer webs
of three innermost tertials, and of the second to the fifth primaries, conspicu-
ously white. Whole outer web of the first, and ends of the first to the fourth,
tail feathers, white, the amount diminishing not very rapidly. Outermost quill
longer than ninth, sometimes than eighth, nearly always exceeding the second-
aries; third quill longest; fourth scarcely shorter. Female paler brown instead
of black; the rufous, seen in P. erythrophthalmus, tinged with ashy.

"P. areticus is similar in form to P. erythrophthalvms, which, however, is
readily distinguished by the entire absence of white on the scapulars and wing
coverts. The amount of white on the tail decreases much less rapidly."

stretch of
Length. iviiig. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 8.25 10.80 3.50 4.00 1.05 .52

Female... 8.10 10.30 3.30 3.90 1.03 .52

Iris bright red; bill — upper black, lower bluish black; legs
reddish brown; feet and claws dark brown.

I find occasionally in Kansas signs of intergradation with P.
erythrojphthalmus ; that is, specimens with a few white wing
spots, and others grading up to the fully speckled state.

BinDS OF KANSAS. 483

These birds are not noticeably different in their general habits,
actions or song, from the common eastern Towhee. Their call
note is, however, quite different, and sounds more like the mew
of the Catbird.

Eggs four or five, .94x. 69; white, tinged slightly with green-
ish, and speckled and spotted with reddish and purplish brown,
thickest about the larger end, some specimens thickly, others
sparingly marked; in form, oval.

Genus CARDINALIS Bonaparte.

"Bill enormously large; culnieu very slightly curved, commissure sinuated;
lower jaw broader than the length of the gonys, considerably wider than the
upper jaw, about as deep as the latter. Tarsi longer than the middle toe; outer
toe rather the longer, reaching a little beyond the base of the middle one; hind
toe not so long. Wings moderate, reaching over the basal third of the exposed
part of the tail. Four outer quills graduated; the fii-st equal to the secondaries.
Tail long, decidedly longer than the wings, considerably graduated; feathers
broad, truncated a little obliquely at the end, the corners rounded. Colors red.
Head crested.

"The essential characters of this genus are: The crested head; very large and
thick bill, extending far back on the forehead, and only moderately curved
above; tarsus longer than the middle toe; much graduated wiugs, the first pri-
mary equal to the secondary quills; the long tail exceeding the wing, broad and
much graduated at the end."

Cardinalis cardinalis (Linn.).

CARDINAL.
PLATE XXIX.

Resident; common in eastern Kansas; rare in western part
of the State. Begin laying about the middle of May.

B. 390. R. 243. C. 299. G. 121, 242. U. 593.

Habitat. Eastern United States; north regularly to about

latitude 41°, casually northward; west to the edge of the Great

Plains; south to the Gulf coast. Breeds throughout its range.

Sp. Char. ''Adult male: Uniform vermilion red, pure beneath, darker and
more brownish above. Lores, anterior portion of malar region, chin and throat
black, this color meeting across forehead at base of culmen. Bill bright ver-
milion; iris brown; feet horn color. Adult female: Bill, eyes and feet as in
the male. Red of head and body replaced by olive gray above, and grayish butf
or pale fulvous below, the crest, sometimes also the breast, tinged with red.
Black of throat, etc., replaced by grayish. Young: Bill dusky. Plumage much
as in the adult female, but browner."

HISTORY OF

THE

stretch of
Length. %uing. Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Male ....

. 9.15 13.00 3. SO

4.85

.95

Female. .

. 8.75 11.50 3.50

4.25

.93

484

73

Iris brown; bill red; legs and feet dark reddish brown; claws
brown.

This beautiful species, of rich, gaudy colors, proud bearing
and clear, melodious song, inhabits the groves and thickets,
usually in pairs. A shy, retiring bird, much sought after for
the cage, on account of its showy plumage and loud, energetic,
varied whistling song, which is almost continuous for at least
two-thirds of the year. They do not, however, take kindly to con-
finement, but flutter and struggle hard and long to escape. In
their habits are partially terrestrial, hopping about and scratching
upon the ground for their food, which consists of berries, seeds
and grains (the corn cribs are often visited in winter), and in-
sects, in their season, help to make up their bill of fare. They
also hunt for the same in the bushes, weeds and vines, seldom
mounting high in the treetops. Their flights are low and firm,
but not long sustained.

Their nests are placed in low trees, bushes and briers, loosely
constructed of leaves, grasses, vine-like stems and strippings
from grapevines, and lined with finer grasses, which are woven
into a rather compact and rounded form. Eggs three or four,
.99x.73; grayish white, irregularly spotted with purple, lilac
and reddish brown, tliickest about larger end; in form, oval.

Geitus HABIA Eeichenbach.
"Bill very large, much swollen; lower mandible scarcely deeper than the
upper; feet almost coccolhraiistiue, tarsi and toes very short, the claws strong
and much curved, though blunt. First four primaries longest, and nearly equal,
abruptly longer than the fifth. Tail broad, perfectly square. Colors: Black,
white and red, or black, cinnamon, yellow and white, on the male; the females
brownish, streaked, with the axillars and lining of the wing yellow."

Ha"bia ludoviciana (Linn.).

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.
PLATE XXIX.

A rare summer resident in eastern Kansas; quite common dur-
ing migration; in the western part of the State, a rare migrant.
(I have never met with the birds west of Junction City.) Ar-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 485

rive the last of April to first of May; begin laying the last of
May; leave for the south in September,

B. 880. R. 244. C. 289. G. 122, 243. U. 595.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to Nova Scotia and
the Saskatchewan region; west to the edge of the Great Plains;
south in winter to northern South America; breeding from about
latitude 40° northward.

Sp. Chak. "Upper parts generally, with head and neck all round, glossy
black. A broad crescent across the upper part of the breast, extending nar-
rowly down the belly; axillars and under wing coverts carmine. Eest of under
parts, rump and upper tail coverts, middle wing coverts, spots on the tertiaries
and greater wing coverts, basal half of primaries and secondaries, and a large
patch on the ends of inner webs of the outer three tail feathers, pure white.

"Female without the white of quills, tail and rump, and without any black
or red. Above, yellowish brown, streaked with darker; head with a central
stripe above, and a superciliary on each side, white. Beneath dirty white,
streaked with brown on the breast and sides. Upper wing coverts and axillars
saffron yellow.

"In the male the black feathers of the back and sides of the neck have a
subterminal white bar. There are a few black spots on the sides of the breast
just below the red.

"The young male of the year is like the female, except in having the axil-
laries, under wing coverts, and a trace of a patch on the breast, light rose red.

"The depth of the carmine tint on the under parts varies a good deal in dif-
ferent specimens, but is always of the same rosy hue."

Length.

stretch of
wing-.

Wing:

Tail.

Tarstcs.

Bill.

Male ....

. 8.10

12.70

4.10

8.35

.85

.70

Female . .

. 8.00

12.50

4.00

8.30

.85

.70

Iris brown; bill grayish white, with ridge dusky and tips
brown; legs and feet grayish blue; claws light brown.

These handsome birds are as much at home in the groves and
high, open woodlands as within the low, timbered lands skirting
the streams. They occasionally visit the orchards and gardens,
in search of the potato bugs and other injurious insects and
worms, and later in the season pick a few berries, etc., as part
payment for the good services rendered; but they are wary
birds and prefer the woodlands for their haunts, feeding chiefly
upon the wild seeds, berries, tender buds and insect life that
abound in such localities. They occasionally search for food
on the ground, but are more arboreal than terrestial, and are to
be looked for largely in the treetops.

486 HISTORY OF THE

Their ordinary call or alarm note is a sharp "Chink." The
males are fine songsters, next in rank to the Thrushes and
Wrens; a varied song, from a low warble to a loud, emphatic
strain as clear and musical as a bell. In the early breeding sea-
son, when bubbling over with love aind joy, they occasionally
sing at night. The birds are easily tamed or reared from the
nest, and make interesting pets and cage birds. Their flight is
quite rapid and strong, and when going any distance, often high
above the trees.

Their nests are placed in small trees, six to twelve feet from
the ground, usually towards the top and near the center of the
tree. A coarse, loosely constructed nest, made of twigs, stems
of weeds, bits of old leaves and rootlets, and lined with a finer
material from the same. Eggs three, occasionally four. Size
(they vary greatly), . 95 x . 69; grayish to greenish white, spotted
and blotched with various shades of reddish brown, and in some
cases with obscure shell-stains of lilac; in form, oval.

Habia melanocephala (Swains.).

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK.
PLATE XXIX.

Summer resident; quite common in the western to middle
part of the State; rare or accidental in the eastern portion. Ar-
rive the first of May; begin laying last of May; leave in Sep-
tember.

B. 381. R. 34.5. C. 390. G. 133, 344. U. 596.

Habitat, Western United States; east to middle Nebraska,

Kansas and Texas; south into Mexico; known to breed north

of Mexico, in suitable localities throughout their range.

Sp. Chab. Under wiug coverts clear gamboge yellow or lemon yellow.
Adult male: Head black, the throat, and sometimes a postocular stripe (occasion-
ally a stripe on middle of crown, also), light cinnamon ochraceous; wings and
tail black, varied with white, as in H. ludovidana; back, mixed black and light
cinnamon (sometimes uniform black); rump, collar round hindneck, and most
of lower parts, uniform buffy cinnamon; belly and under wiug coverts lemon
yellow; under tail coverts white. Adult female: Above, dusky grayish brown,
streaked, especially on back and middle line of crowu, with pale fulvous or buffy;
beneath pale fulvous or ochraceous, streaked on sides and flanks with dusky,
but usually without streaks on breast; belly pale yellowish, and under wing cov-
erts clear lemon yellow. Yuung: Much like adult female, but (especially the

BIRDS OF KAl^SAS. 487

male) more bulTj', the markings more suffused with tlie iirouiid color, and remiges
and tail feathers tinged with olive greenish. {Bidijicdij.)

Length.

Stretch of
ivmg.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. 8.20

12.7.5

4.10

3.75

.87

.70

Female . .

. 7.90

12.40

3.9.5

3.40

.87

.68

Iris browii; bill — upper dusky, under pale bluish; legs, feet
and claws dark bluish brown.

This bird is almost a counterpart in habits and actions of the
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, which they replace in the west. Their
song is also very similar. It is uttered in a little more rapid
and varied manner, but is fully as clear and melodious, and
always seemed sweeter and nearer to me; perhaps it is because
I have usually listened to it in the shrubby groves, far out upon
the plains, where almost any sound, animate or inanimate, that
breaks the surrounding stillness is welcomed, like the chirrup of
crickets in winter at our firesides; and whenever they greet me
from the treetops in such places, I feel like pitching my tent, for
I know they will sing my lullaby at eve, and refresh me with
an early morning song.

Eggs three or four. They vary greatly in size. A set of
four eggs, taken May 12, 1877, at Santa Cruz, California, from
a nest loosely composed of a few twigs, weeds, rootlets and
grasses, placed in a willow tree, about ten feet from the ground,
are, in dimensions: .91x.70, .92x,70, .95x.72, .97x.68; bluish
to greenish white, speckled and spotted with reddish and rusty
brown, thickest around larger end; some heavily, others spar-
ingly marked; in form, oval.

Genus GUIRACA Swainsox.

"Bill very large, nearly as high as long; the culmen slightly curved, with a
rather sharp ridge; the commissure conspicuously angulated just below the
nostril; the posterior leg of the angle nearly as long as the anterior, both nearly
straight. Lower jaw deeper than the upper, and extending much behind tlie
forehead; the width greater than the length of the gonys, considerably wider
than the upper jaw. A prominent knob in the roof of the mouth. Tarsi shorter
than the middle toe; the outer a little longer, reaching not quite to the base of
the middle claw; hind toe rather longer than to this base. Wings long, reach-
ing the middle of the tail; the secondaries and tertials nearly equal; the second
quills longest; the first less than the fourth. Tail very nearly even, shorter than
the wings."

488 HISTORY OF THE

Guiraca cserulea (Lixn.)-

BLUE GROSBEAK.
PLATE XXIX.

Summer resident; quite common in the western and middle
parts of the State; rare in the eastern portion. Arrive the first
of May; begin laying about the first of June; leave in Septem-
ber.

B. 382. E. 246. C. 291. G. 124, 24.5. U, .597.

Habitat. Southern half of eastern United States; north oc-
casionally to New England and southern Nebraska; west to
eastern Colorado and western Texas; south in winter to Cuba
and southeastern Mexico; breeding throughout their United
States range.

Sp. Char. "Brilliant blue; darker across the middle of the back. Space
around the base of the bill and lores, with tail feathers, black. Two bands on
the wing across the tips of the middle and secondary coverts, with outer edges
of tertiaries, reddish brown or perhaps chestnut. Feathers on posterior portion
of the under surface tipped narrowly with grayish white. Female yellowish
brown above, brownish yellow beneath; darkest across the breast. Wing cov-
erts and tertials broadly edged with brownish yellow. Sometimes a faint trace
of blue on the tail. The young resemble the female. Autumnal and winter
males have the feathers generally, especially on the back and breast, tipped
with liglit brown, obscuring somewhat the blue, though producing a beautiful
appearance."

stretch of
Length. ivhig. IVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 7.25 11.1.5 3..50 2.90 .78 .63

Female... 6.75 10..50 3.35 2.70 .75 .62

Iris brown; bill — -upper dusky, under liglit blue; legs, feet
and claws dark brown.

These birds prefer, for their homes, the banks of streams,
where thinly shirted with trees and bushes, and the grassy up-
lands in the vicinity of thickets. They are only common in cer-
tain localities and not abundant anywhere. They feed chiefly
upon the various kinds of seeds, crushing with their thick bills
the larger grains. Buds and berries are also occasionally
plucked, but in this respect they are not so destructive as their
■cousins, the Rose-breasted. Insect life is also much sought
after, especially while rearing their young, beetles being a favor-
ite food. As a rule the birds are rather silent, uttering now and
then their ordinary call note, a ringing "Chip" or "Chink."

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 439

In the early breeding season the males sing quite sweetly, but
they are not constant or hite singers, and therefore not liighly
rated as song birds.

.Their nests are placed in low trees and bushes and are com-
posed of coarse, fibrous strippings, grasses, old leaves, bits of
newspapers, and other fragmentary substances, and lined with
hairs and rootlets. One taken at Wallace, Kansas, June 16th,
1885, was built close to the body of a willow tree, on small,
twig-like branches, about seven feet from the ground; outside
made wholly of narrow strippings of the inner bark of dead
Cottonwood trees, resting on a foundation of a few old leaves
and bits of newspapers, and lined with fine bleached rootlets.
Eggs three or four, .85x. 66; bluish white; in form, oval.

Gexus PASSERINA Vieillot,

"Bill deep at base, compressed; the upper outline considerably curved; the
commissure rather concave, with an obtuse, shallow lobe in the middle. Gonys
slightly curved. Feet moderate; tarsus about equal to middle toe; the outer
lateral toe barely longer than the inner, its claw falling short of the base of the
middle; hind toe about equal to the middle without claw. Claws all much
curved, acute. Wings long and pointed, reaching nearly to the middle of the
tail; the second and third quills longest. Tail appreciably shorter than the
wings; rather narrow, very nearly even.

"The species of this genus are all very small in size and of showy plumage,
usually blue, red or green, in well defined areas. The females, plain olivaceous
or brownish; paler beneath."

Passerina cyanea (Linn.).

INDIGO BUNTING.
PLATE XXIX.

Summer resident; common in the eastern part of the State;
very rare in the western portion. Arrive the last of April to
first of May; begin laying the last of May; the bulk leave in
September.

B. 387. R. 248. C. 295. G. 125, 246. U. 598.

Habitat. Eastern United States; north into Canada; west
to the edge of the Great Plains; south in winter to Cuba, east-
ern Mexico and southern Central America; breeding chiefly
north of the Gulf States.

Sp. Char. ''Male: Blue, tinged with ultramarine on the head, throat and mid-
dle of breast; elsewhere with verdigris green. Lores and anterior angle of chin

490 HISTORY OF THE

velvet black. Wing feathers brown, edged externally with dull bluish browu.
Female: Browu above; whitish, obscurely streaked or blotched with brownish
yellow, beneath; tinged with blue on shoulders, edges of lai-ge feathers, and on
rump. Immature males similar, variously blotched with blue. Very young
birds streaked beneath.

"In this species, which may be considered the type of the genus, the tail is
slightly emarginate; the second quill is longest, the first shorter than the
fourth."

StreU/t of
Length. wing. IF/ng. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.40 8.90 2.80 2.40 .70 .41

Female... 5.25 8..55 2.60 2.20 .67 .40

Iris brown; bill — upper dusky, under blue, usually with a nar-
row line of black beneath from tip to forks; legs and feet yel-
lowish brown; claws dark brown.

These birds of deep blue, as their name indicates, are rather
common throughout their range. They frequent the open
woodlands, orchards, cultivated fields, and edges of prairies
where skirted with trees, or dotted with scattering groves or
thickets. Their food, like all of the FrlngUlidw family, consists
largely of seeds, which they gather from the plants and weeds.
Insect life is also much sought after, especially during the breed-
ing season. They are naturally rather shy and suspicious, but,
when they select a nesting place near our dwellings, soon be-
come quite unconcerned and fearless. The male, during the
early mating season and while the hen bird is sitting, puts in a
large share of his time chanting, from the upper branches of a
low or detached tree, his simple, pleasing song, but as soon as
the young are hatched, he proudly assists his mate in feeding
and caring for the little ones, and is so solicitous and watchful
that he finds but little time to express his joy in song, and in
the latter part of the season is a rather silent bird.

Their nests are placed in low, shrubby bushes. They are com-
posed of leaves, fibers and grasses, and lined with the fine stems
of grasses and horse hair. Eggs usually four, .75x.55; white,
with a faint bluish hue (eggs showing a few brown spots are
rare and exceptional); in form, oval.

BIRDS OF KAIfSAS. 49 X

Passerina amoena (Say).

LAZULI BUNTING.
PLATE XXIX.

Summer resident in the western part of the State; rare. Ar
rive early in May; begin laying about the first of June; leave
in September.

B. 386. R. 249. C. 296. G. 126, 247. U. .599.

Habitat. Western United States; east to the Great Plains;
south in winter into Mexico; breeding in suitable localities
throughout their United States range.

Sp. Chak. '-Male: Upper parts generally, with the liead and neck all round,
greenish blue; the interscapular region darker. Upper part of breast pale
brownish chestnut, extending along the sides, and separated from the blue of the
throat by a faint white crescent; rest of under parts and axiilars white. A
white patch on the middle wing coverts, and an obscurely indicated white band
across the ends of the greater coverts. Loral region black. Female: Brown
above, tinged with blue on rump and tail; whitish beneath, tinged with bulf on
the breast and throat; faint white bands on wings."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

IV/ng.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. .5.65

9.05

2.85

2.35

.70

.40

Female . .

. 5.45

8.60

2.65

2.20

.67

.40

Iris dark brown; bill — upper and tips of lower blackish, rest
blue; legs, feet and claws brownish black.

This prettily colored species is similar in habits and actions to
the Indigo Bunting, which it replaces in the west. Its song is
said by some writers to be very different, yet to my ear it is
similar, but uttered in a more feeble and less lively strain.

Their nests are also built in low bushes, and of the same mate-
rial and make-up. Eggs usually four; bluish white; in form,
oval A set of four eggs, taken May 26th, 1884, in a caiion, near
San Diego, California, was built near the ends of thick branches
of a bush, about four feet from the ground. It was composed
wholly of branching stems from flowering weeds, and lined with
the finer stems of the same. The eggs were, in dimensions:
.75X.59, .76X.59, .80x.50, .80x.59; in form, oval.

492 HISTORY OF THE

Passerina ciris (Linn.).

PAINTED BUNTING.
PLATE XXIX.

A summer resident in southern Kansas; quite common in the
Gypsum Hills, and along the timbered streams in Barber and
Comanche counties. Arrive the last of April to first of Maj;
begin laying the last of May; leave in September.

B. 384. R. 251. C. 293. G. , 248. U. 601.

Habitat. South Atlantic and Gulf States; north to North
Carolina and southern Kansas; south in winter through eastern
Mexico to Panama (in the winter of 1883 I found them very
common in western Guatemala); breeding from the Gulf coast
northward.

Sp. Char. *'Male: Head and neck all round ultramarine blue, excepting a
narrow stripe from the chin to the breast, which, with the under parts generally,
the eyelids and the rump (which is tinged with purplish), are vermilion red.
Edges of chin, loral region, greater wing coverts, inner tertiary and interscapu-
lar region green; the middle of the latter glossed with yellow. Tail feathers,
lesser wing coverts and outer webs of quills purplish blue. Female: Clear dark
green above, yellowish beneath. Young like female.

"Tail very slightly emarginated and rounded; second, third and fourth quills
equal; first rather shorter than fifth.

" The female is readily distinguishable from that of P. cyanea by the green
instead of dull brown of the back, and the yellow of the under parts."

stretch of
Length. iving. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.50 9.00 3.85 2.50 .70 .41

Female... 5.30 8.55 2.65 2.;35 .70 .40

Iris brown; eyelids red; bill — upper and tips of lower dusky,
rest blue; legs and feet dark lead color; claws brown.

These birds, of rich and almost unrivaled plumage, inhabit
the thickets and edges of woodlands, preferring the hedges, deep
ravines, and streams fringed with thick undergrowth. They are
very shy and retiring, but not restless or timid, and soon become
accustomed to confinement, and are much prized as cage birds,
more on account of their beautiful dress than their song, which
is a low, melodious warble, much inferior to that of the Cana-
ries. Complaint is often made that birds moulting in confine-
ment come out with a much duller plumage than in the wild
state; but this is not the case when given plenty of sunlight,

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BIRDS OF KANSAS. 493

room and food, and, when thus carefiillj treated, breed as freely
as within their natural haunts. Their chief food consists of the
various kinds of seeds and insect life. Their flights are not
swift, but strong and well sustained. The males, like most
highly-colored birds, do not assist in hatching the eggs, but share
in the duties of feeding and caring for their young.

Their nests are placed in forks of low trees and bushes; they
are composed of grasses, sometimes leaves, at the base, and
lined with the finer grasses and hairs. Eggs four or five, .78x
.57; creamy to bluish white, thinly speckled and spotted with
purple and reddish brown, thickest about the larger end; in
form, oval. •

Gentjs SPIZA Bonaparte.

"Bill large and strong, swollen, and without any ridges; the lower mandible
nearly as high as the upper, as broad at the base as the length of the gonys, and
considerably broader than the upper mandible; the edges much indexed, and
shutting much within the upper mandible; the commissure considerably angu-
lated at the base, then decidedly sinuated. The tarsus barely to the middle toe;
the lateral toes nearly equal, not reaching to the base of the middle claw; the
hind toe about equal to the middle one without claw. The wings long and acute,
•'eaching nearly to the middle of the tail; the tertials decidedly longer than the
secondaries, but much shorter than the primaries; first quill longest, the others
regularly graduated. Tail considerably shorter than the wings, though moder-
ately long; nearly even, though slightly emarginate; the outer feathers scarcely
shorter. Middle of back only striped; beneath without streaks,

"This genus comes nearer to Calamospiza, but has shorter tertials, more slen-
der bill, weaker and more curved claws, etc."

Spiza americana (Gmel.),

DICKCISSEL.
PLATE XXX,

Summer resident; abundant in the eastern to middle part of
the State; rare in the western portion. Arrive the last of April
to first of May; begin laying the last of May; leave in Septem-
ber.

B, 378, R, 254, C. 287, G, 127, 249. U. 604,

Habitat. Eastern United States; north to New England and
southern Dakota; west to the Rocky Mountains; south in win-
ter (casually southwest to Arizona and Lower California) ta
northern South America. Breeds chiefly north of the Southern
States.

494 HISTORY OF THE

Sp. Char. "■Male: Sides of the head, aud sides and back of the neck, ash:
crown tinged with j-ellowisli green, and faintly streaked with dusky. A super-
ciliary and short maxillary line, middle of the breast, axillars, and edge of the
wing, yellow. Chin, loral region, patch on side of throat, belly aud under tail
coverts white. A black patch on the throat, diminishing to the breast aiid end-
ing in a spot on the upper part of the belly. Wing coverts chestnut. Inter-
scapular region streaked with black; rest of back immaculate. Female: With
the markings less distinctly indicated; the black of the breast replaced by a
black maxillary line and a streaked collar in the yellow of the upper part of the
breast.

"Among adult males, scarcely two individuals exactly alike can be found. In
some, the black of the throat is continued in blotches down the middle of the
breast, while in others it is restricted to a spot immediately under the head.
These variations are not at all dependent upon any difference of habitat, for
specimens from remote regions from each other n)ay betfound as nearly alike as
any from the same locality. Some specimens from Central America are more
deeply colored than North American ones, owing, no doubt, to the freshness of
the plumage."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.2.5 10.00 3.20 2.3.5 .90 .56

Female... 6.00 9.55 3.00 2.20 .90 .54

Iris brown; bill — dusky on ridge, rest bluish; legs, feet and
claws brown.

These well-known birds are rare in the eastern portion of their
range, rather common in the middle, and abundant westward.
They prefer for their homes the open fields and prairies, where
they are to be met with in pairs and family groups. The males,
during the early breeding season, especially while the females
are sitting, make themselves very conspicuous, throughout the
day, by perching upon tall weeds, bushes or fence posts, and
zealously uttering at short intervals their monotonous attempt
at song, making up in quantity what it wholly lacks in melody.
In the latter part of the season they do not attempt to sing, and
even their call note is seldom heard.

Like most all of the seed eaters, their diet consists also of
berries and the various forms of insect life. Upon the wing
the birds are strong and easy, and in their migratory flights or
when going a distance fly quite rapidly and high, but, about
their haunts, low and in rather an undulating manner.

Their nests are built upon the ground and in low bushes; a
rather compact structure, usually made of grass, and lined with

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 495

its fine, wiry, stem-like branches, occasionally with stenilets of
weeds and horse hairs. Eggs four or five, .82x.63; uniform
light blue; in form, oval.

Genus CALAMOSPIZA Bonaparte.

"Bill rather large, much swollen at the base; the ciihnen broad, gently but
decidedly curved; the gonys nearly straight; the commissure much angulated
near the base, then slightly sinuatcd; lower mandible nearly as deep as the
upper, the margins much inflected, and shutting under the upper mandible.
Nostrils small, strictly basal. Rictus quite stiffly bristly. Legs large and stout.
Tarsi a little longer tiian the middle toe; outer toe rather longer than inner,
and reaching to the concealed base of the middle claw; hind toe reaching to the
base of the middle claw; hind claw about as long as its toe. Claws all strong,
compressed, and considerably curved. Wings long and pointed; the first four
nearly equal, and abruptly longest; the tertials much elongated, as long as the
primaries. Tail a little shorter than the wings, slightly graduated; the feathers
rather narrow and obliquely oval, rounded at the end."

Calamospiza melancorys Stejn.

LARK BUNTING.
PLATE XXX.

Summer resident in the middle and western portions of the
State; irregular; some seasons quite common, others rare.
Arrive about the first of May; begin laying about the first of
June; leave in October.

B. 377. R. 256. C. 286. G. 128, 250. U. 605.

Habitat. From western Minnesota and middle Texas, west
to the Rocky Mountains; south in winter to northern Mexico,
and occasionally southwesterly through western Arizona and
southern California into Lower California; breeding from mid-
dle Kansas north to a little beyond the United States bound-
ary.

Sp. Char. Adult male, in summer: Uniform black, with more or less of a
slaty cast, the middle and greater wing coverts white, forming a very conspicuous
patch on wing. Adult female: Above brownish gray, streaked with dusky, the
white wing patch smaller; lower parts white, streaked on breast and sides with
dusky. Adult male, in winter: Similar to adult female, but feathers of lower
parts (especially on belly) black beneath the surface, this showing when feath-
ers are disarranged. Young: Similar to adult female, but more buffy; the feath-
ers of the upper parts bordered with butfy white, and streaks on lower parts
narrower. (Bidgway. )

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 7.20 11.50 3.50 3.10 .95 .56

Female... 6.90 11.00 3.30 2.90 .95 .53

496 HISTORY OB' THE

Iris brown; bill — upper and tips of under dark horn blue,
rest skj blue; legs brown; feet and claws dark brown.

I have often met with these characteristic, birds in various
localities. December 14th, 1881, I had the pleasure of finding
a small flock in the Cohone valley, about twenty miles northeast
from San Diego, California — the extreme western and almost
southwestern limits of their winter range. They have somewhat
the habits of the Larks, and the seasonable changes in color of
the Bobolink, the same, ringing chink or call note, and, like
them, the males often warble from a bush or weed, and, in full
song, rise almost perpendicularly in the air and hover on tremu-
lous wings as they pour forth their sweet, lively, modulated
notes. They also gather together in flocks and rove about after
the breeding season in much the same manner, but more like the
Longspurs.

They are strictly terrestial, and run nimbly about over the
ground in search of seeds, insects, etc. Prof. J. A. Allen, in
Doctor Coues' "Birds of the Northwest," says:

"The Lark Bunting, though of rather local distribution and
limited range, must be regarded as one of the most characteristic
and interesting birds of the plains. Generally, in the breeding
season, a number of pairs are found in the same vicinity, while,
again, not an individual may be met with for many miles. At
other seasons it is eminently gregarious, roving about in consid-
erable flocks. In its song and the manner of its delivery it much
resembles the Yellow-breasted Chat [Icteria virens)^ like that bird
rising to a considerable distance in the air, and poising itself by
a peculiar flapping of the wings during its utterances, then ab-
ruptly descending to the ground, to soon repeat the manoeuver.
It is a very strong flyer, and seems to delight in the strongest
gales, singing more at such times than in comparatively quiet
weather. I met with several colonies not far from Fort Hays,
in June and July, and later at Cheyenne, Laramie, and in South
Park, and in the elevated, open table lands between South Park
and Colorado City. They were also frequent along the route
from Colorado City to Denver, sometimes considerable flocks
being met with. They were then moulting, and the parti-colored

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 497

flocks of young and old were quite unsuspicious and easily ap-
proached. During the breeding season we found them exceed-
ingly shy and difficult to procure, and were unsuccessful in our
efforts to discover their nests."

Their nests are placed in depressions, sunk in the ground so
that the top only comes to the surface. They are rudely con-
structed of grasses and weeds, and lined witli fine branching
stemlets, and, occasionally, hairs. Eggs four or five, .80x.C6;
light blue; in form, oval.

Genus PIRANGA Vieillot.
Bill subcouical and rather cylindrical, the culineu moderately curved, espe-
cially toward the tip; maxillary tomiiim distinctly notched near the tip, and often
with a more or less distinct tooth near the middle. Wings rather long (decidedly
longer than the tail); primaries nine, the four outer ones longest. Tail moder-
ate, distinctly emarginate; tarsus rather short (about equal to or but little longer
than the culmen), the middle toe shorter, or about equal to the length of the bill
from the nostril to the tip. Colors chiefly or partly bright red in the adult male,
olive-greenish above and yellowish below in the female. {Ridgway.)

Piranga erythromelas Vieill.

SCARLET TANAGER.
PLATE XXX.

Summer resident; common in the eastern part of the State;
rare in the middle. I have never met with them in the western
portion. Arrive the last of April; begin laying about the 20th
of May; leave in September.

B. 220. R. 161. C. 154. G. 81, 251. U. 608.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to southern Can-
ada and Manitoba; west to the Great Plains; south in winter to
West Indies, eastern Mexico, Central America and to middle
South America. Breeds throughout its United States range.
(May 14th, 1880, I saw a straggler on Brier Island, Nova
Scotia.)

Sp. Char. "Bill shorter than the head. Second quill longest; first and
third a little shorter. Tail moderately forked. Male: Whole head and body
continuous pure, intense scarlet, the feathers white beneath the surface, and
grayish at the roots. Wings and tail, with scapulars, uniform intense black;
the middle coverts sometimes partly red, forming an Interrupted band. Lining
of wing white. A blackish tinge along sides of the rump, concealed by wings.

498 HISTORY OF THE

Female: Olive greeu above, yellowish beneath. Wing and tail feathers brown,
edged with olivaceous.

"At least three years seem to be required for the assumption of the perfect
plumage of the male. In the first year the young male is like the female, but
has black wings and tail; in the fall red feathers begin to make their appear-
ance, and the following spring the red predominates in patches."

Length,

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. 7.35

11.80

3.90

3.00

.75

.62

Female . .

. 7.10

11.40

3.75

2.80

.75

.60

Iris brown; bill olive green, with a bronze hue; legs, feet
and claws dark blue.

These birds, dressed in brilliant scarlet relieved by jettj black,
are unsurpassed in beauty by any of our northern birds. They
occasionally frequent the orchards and gardens, but their natural
haunts are within the deep forests. The males arrive upon their
breeding grounds about a week in advance of the females, and
make their presence known by singing loudly from the topmost
branches of the trees, and by their oft-repeated call notes, "Chip,
chur-r," and harsh challenge, "Chup, charr," on the approach
of a rival. On the arrival of the females, they sing in a softer
manner from the lower branches. Their courtsliips are of short
duration, and, soon after, a nesting place is selected and prep-
arations for housekeeping commenced. As soon as the females
begin to lay, and while sitting, the males, as at first, mount the
higher branches and pour forth, with tremulous wings, their
song of love, in a less harsh but fully as loud a strain. After
the young are hatched, their song is seldom heard. They do not
rank high in the musical scale, but their notes are lively and
pleasing. In flight they are strong and steady, and they glide
with ease swiftly through the treetops; a pretty sight, as a flash-
ing glimpse is caught now and then of his fiery colors, that shine
as brightly as the glow of the lightning bug at eve. In tlie
early part of the season they feed chiefly upon insect life; in
the latter part, upon berries.

Their nests are placed on horizontal branches of trees, from
ten to thirty feet from the ground; a flat, loose structure, com-
posed of stems and strippings from plants, and lined with fine,
hair-like fibers and rootlets. Eggs three to five (usually four),

BIRDS OF KiiNSAS. ' 499

.90x.65; pale greenish blue, minutely spotted with reddish
brown, and occasional markings of obscure purple, often aggre-
gating into a wreath around the larger end; in form, oval.

Piranga rubra (Lixx.).

SUMMER TANAGEB.
PLATE XXX.

Summer resident; common in the eastern part of the State;
rare westward. Arrive the last of April; begin laying about
the 20th of May; leave in September.

B. 221. R. 164. C. 155. G. 82, 252. U. 610.

Habitat. Eastern United States; west to the edge of the

Great Plains; north to New Jersey, Illinois and Nebraska;

casually north to Iowa, Connecticut and Ontario; accidental to

Nova Scotia; south in winter to Cuba, eastern Mexico, Central

America and northern South America. Breeds throughout its

United States range.

Sp. Char. Adult male: Rich rose red or vermilion, including wings and
tail; the former dusky on unexposed portions of the feathers; bill pale; feet
darker. Adult female: Dull brownish olive above, below dull brownish yellow;
no wing bars. Young male: Like the female. Male changing plumage shows
red, greenish and yellowish in irregular patches, but no black. The female dis-
tinguished from erythromelas by the dull brownish, ochery or buffy shades of
the olive and yellowish, the greenish and yellowish of female erythromelas being
much clearer and paler; also by the paler bill and feet. The tint of mature
males varies greatly; from rosy to brick red. {Cones.)

Stretch of

- ■• ~ Bill.

.78

.75

Iris brown; bill olive, rather dusky on ridge; legs, feet and
claws grayish blue.

These handsome red birds inhabit the groves, and the streams
where skirted with trees and underbrush. They are seldom met
with in the deep woods. They are shy and retiring, and, not-
withstanding their attractive dress, would rarely be noticed were
it not for their oft repeated and peculiarly emphatic call note,
"Chicky-tucky-tuck," once heard, never forgotten. The song
of the males sounds much like the whistling notes of the Balti-

Length.

wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Male

. 7.50

11.50

3.75

3.00

.75

Female . .

. 7.35

11.25

3.65

2.90

.75

500 HISTORY OF THE

more Oriole, and rather more prolonged and musical than that
of the Scarlet Tanager.

Their food consists of insects and berries; the first are caught
largely upon the wing. Beetles are the favorite, and, as thej
are largely nocturnal, the birds are often seen actively darting
for them, here and there, until the shades of eve darken into
night. The berries are plucked from the bushes and vines, and
are also readily picked up from the gi-ound. In flight they are
strong, even and quite rapid.

Their nests are usually placed near the extremity of horizon-
tal or drooping branches, I have occasionally found them on
the river bottom lands, in the tops of a thick growth of bushes,
where hidden beneath the wild, overhanging grapevines; a
loose, frail structure, composed mostly of stems of weeds, leaves
and strippings from plants, and lined with fine grasses, and oc-
casionally rootlets, etc. Eggs three or four, .95 X, 68; light em-
erald green, speckled and spotted with various shades of purple
and dark brown, thickest and running together around the larger
end; in form, oval.

Family HIRUNDIND-ffi. Swallows.

"Bill short, triangular, very broad at base (nearly as wide as long) aud much
depressed, narrowing rapidly to a compressed, notched tip; mouth opening nearly
to the eyes. Primaries nine, graduating rapidly from the exterior one; tail
feathers twelve. Feet weak; tarsi scutellate, shorter than middle toe and claw.
Number of joints in toes normal; basal joint of middle toe partially or entirely
adherent to lateral toes. Wings long, falcate. Tail forked. Eyes small. Plum-
age compact, usually lustrous. All the American species with a white patch on
the sides under the wing, and with the iris hazel or brown."*

Genus PROGNE Boie.

"Body stout. Bill robust, lengthened; lower or commissural edge of maxilla
sinuated, decidedly convex for basal half, then as concave to the tip, the lower
mandible falling within its chord. Nostrils superior, broadly open, and nearly
circular, without any adjacent membrane, the edges rounded. Legs stout.
Tarsus equal to middle toe without claw; the joint feathered; lateral toes about
equal; the basal joint of the middle toe half free internally, rather less so extei-
ually. Claws strong, much curved."

♦Birds of this truly insectivoroua family have occasionally been known to eat small berries.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 50I

Progne subis (Linn.).

PURPLE MARTIN.
PLATE XXX.

Summer resident; common. Arrive the last of March to
first of April; begin laying about the last of April; leave the
last of August to middle of September,

B. 231. R. 153. C. 165. G. 75, 253. U. 611.

Habitat. The whole of temperate North America: south in
winter to southern Mexico. Breed throughout their United
States range.

Sp. Char. Adult male: Entirely uniform lustrous steel blue, with violet
blue reflections; the wings and tail black, slightly glossed with bluish. Adult
female: Above, glossy blue black, becoming hoary grayish on the forehead, and
sometimes on the nape also; throat and jugulum gray; rest of lower parts white,
relieved by dusky shaft streaks. Young: Similar to adult female, but above
less glossy blackish, and the nape crossed by a more distinct grayish collar.
Tiie young male is several years in attaining the uniform glossy violet black
plumage, the steel blue feathers appearing in gradually coalescing patches.
{Ridgway.')

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

8.15

16.35

5.75

3.15

.55

.50

The birds varv somewhat in size, but the females that I have
measured average fully as large as the males.

Iris brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

These large Swallows are among the first arrivals in the spring,
and they are greeted with a hearty welcome, as they return to
their summer homes. The bird houses, erected for their espe-
cial use, are put in order, or, for want of these inviting, church-
like dwellings, boxes and gourds are placed on poles, trees, or
outbuildings, to tempt them to remain. In unsettled regions,
or where preparations are not made to receive them, they nest
in Woodpeckers' holes and natural cavities in trees; but as they
have no fear of man, but rather seek his presence and protec-
tion, they gladly abandon the wild woods for a farmer's dwell-
ing or a city home. They are greatly attached to their selected
homes, and, when not disturbed, will nest for years in the same
places. They are faithful guardians, and with a keen eye notice
the approach of an enemy, when, with warning notes to others,
they so vigorously attack (in a manner similar to the Kingbirds),

502 HISTORY OF THE

as to cause a hasty retreat of even the largest birds of prey.
They are, therefore, of great vakie in the protection of poultry.
Like all of the family, they feed exclusively upon the wing,
swiftly gliding here and there in their search for insects — the
larger ones, especially beetles, are the favorites. A pretty sight,
as they dart and flit swiftly, or sail slowly, at times a mere speck
in the sky; at others, near the ground or surface of the water,
skimming so low as to often bathe their breasts and snap up
with their bills a cooling drink. They are noisy, chattering
birds; the first to awake us in the morning with twittering notes.

Their attempt at song, though not musical, is quite pleasing.
Preparatory to leaving in autumn, they assemble in large flocks,
and rest for several days upon the ridges of the highest build-
ings or dead trees, putting in a large share of their time in dress-
ing or oiling their feathers, and in chattering away in regard to
the contemplated movement; occasionally, as of one accord,
dash off together for a short distance, and then slowly return to
their resting places, as if practicing for the journey. When all
are ready, they wing themselves away, usually at night, in a com-
pact body, and almost with the speed of an arrow.

Their nests are composed of various materials, loosely thrown
together, such as dry grasses, straws, leaves, bits of rags, strings,
etc., and warmly lined with feathers. Eggs four to six, .97x. 70;
creamy white; in form, oval to ovate.

Gexus PETROCHELIDON Cabaxis.
"Bill stout and deep, somewhat as \n Progne. Nostrils entirely superior,
open, without overhanging membrane on the inner (or upper) side, but some-
what overhung by short bristles — seen also along base of inner mandible and
chin. Legs stout, the tarsi short, not exceeding the middle toe exclusive of its
claw; feathered all round for basal third or fourth, though no feathers are in-
serted on the posterior face. Tail falling short of the closed wings; nearly
square or slightly emarginate; the lateral feathers broad to near the ends, and
not attenuated."

Petrochelidon lunifrons (Sat).

CLIFF SWALLOW.
PLATE XXX.

Summer resident; locally abundant. Arrive the last of April;
begin laying about the middle of May; leave the last of August
to middle of September.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 5o3

B. 326. \\. 153. C. 1G3. G. 76, 3.54. U. 612.

Habitat. North America at large, and south to Brazil and
Paraguay; breeding (in suitable localities south to Mazatlan,
Mexico. Graijson) northward into the Arctic circle.

Sp. Char. " Top of head glossy black, with greenish Ulster; back and scapu-
lars similar, but rather duller, and sometimes streaked by the appearance of
white sides of the feathers — the bases of the feathers, however, being plumbe-
ous; chin, throat and sides of head chestnut brown, this extending round on
the nape as a distinct continuous collar, which Is bounded posteriorly by dull
grayish; the chestnut darkest on the chin, with a rich purplish tinge. Rump
above on sides pale chestnut (sometimes fading into whitish); upper tail coverts
grayish brown, edged with paler, lighter than the plain brown of the wings and
tail; forehead, for the length of the bill, creamy white, somewhat luuate, or ex-
tending, in an acute angle, a little over the eye; a very narrow blackish frontlet;
loral region dusky to the bill; a patch of glossy black in the lower part of the
breast, and a few black feathers in the extreme chin, the latter sometimes scarcely
appreciable; under parts dull white, tinged with reddish gray on the sides and
inside of the wings; feathers of crissum brownish gray, edged with whitish, with
a tinge of rufous anteriorly (sometimes almost inappreciable).

"There is no difference between the sexes, but the young bird is very differ-
ent from the adult in the following particulars: The steel blue above is replaced
by a lusterless dusky bi'own, the feathers (except on head) being margined with
a creamy tint; the neck merely tinged with rufous; the throat has only a dusky
suffusion, and the chin is much mixed with white; the frontal patch is obsolete."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

5.75

12.00

4.35

3.30

.48

.30

The females are fully as large as the males.

Iris dark brown; bill and claws black; legs dark reddish brown;
feet dark brown.

These birds, of such wide and extended range, are, during
the breeding season, only local in their distribution, forming
colonies here and there. They are quite common in the eastern
part of the continent, and abundant westward, especially on the
plateaus and in mountainous regions.

In the settled portions they select for their nesting places the
vertical banks and overhanging cliffs along the streams, or in
the near vicinity of water. Within the settlements they prefer
the habitations of man, and build their nests under the project-
ing eaves of buildings etc. ; the barn the favorite. A happy
community, apparently without family jars, or quarrels with their
neighbors. Like all the Swallow family, they are birds of the

504 HISTORY OF THE

air. Their feet are weak and legs too short to make any head-
way walking, and they seldom, if ever, attempt to use them, ex-
cept as perchers. In motions and actions on the wing they are
much like the Purple Martin, but quicker, and flit more in their
sudden turns and intricate evolutions, as they sport, or chase the
gnats and other small insects upon which they feed.

Their ordinary note is a twitter, and attempt at song a harsh,
unmusical squeak.

Their* nests are placed close together, and, when under the
eaves, form a continuous row. They are composed of mud,
tempered with saliva, as it is worked into little pellets with
their bills, and are lined with dry grasses, leaves and feathers.
When in exposed situations, are built in the shape of a gourd,
or retort, with entrance near the top, projecting and turning
downward; but under the eaves or in sheltered situations are
more globular, and without the long, rounded necks. Eggs four
to six (usually four), .77x.56; white, dotted and blotched with
dark reddish brown (the markings vary greatly in size, number,
and in distribution, usually thickest about the larger end); in
form, oval to ovate.

Genus CHELIDON Fokster,
"Nostrils lateral. Tarsi short, not exceeding middle toe without its claw; the
upper joint covered with feathers, which extend a short distance along the inner
face of the tarsus. Tail very deeply forked; the lateral feathers much attenu-
ated, twice as long as the middle. Basal joint of middle toe free for terminal
fourth on outside, for half on inside. Nest partly of mud, and lined with feath-
ers; eggs spotted. In type, and in American species, the forehead and throat
rufous; a black pectoral collar; tail feathers with large light spots on inner webs."

Chelidon erythrogaster (Bodd.).

BARN SWALLOW.
PLATE XXX.

Summer resident; common. Arrive from about the 10th to
last of April; begin laying about the middle of May; leave the
last of August to first of September.

B. 225. R. 154. C. 159. G. 77, 255. U. 613.

Habitat. North America in general; south in winter into
South America; found breeding as far south as the City of Mex-
ico, but breed chiefly north of the southern United States.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. ■ 505

Sp. Char. "Tail very deeply forked; outer feathers several inches longer
tlian the iuner, very narrow towards the end. Above, glossy blue, with concealed
white in the middle of the back. Throat chestnut; rest of lower parts reddish
white, not conspicuously different. A steel blue collar on the upper part of the
breast, interrupted in the middle. Tail feathers with a white spot near the
middle on the inner web. Female with the outer tail feathers not quite so long.
In the young birds, the frontal chestnut band is smaller and less distinct."

Length.

Stretch of

wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . . .

. 7.25

12.95

4.80

4.. 50

.45

.32

Female. .

. 6.25

12.50

4.60

3.50

.45

.32

Iris dark brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

These handsome Swallows excel in easy and graceful move-
ments, in the air, all others of the family, and thej are, I think,
the swiftest flyers among the birds. They are more evenly dis-
tributed during tlie breeding season than the Cliff Swallows, as
the mated pairs often nest alone, and never in very large com-
munities. They are social birds, and, while mated, strongly at-
tached to each other, the male often feeding his mate as she
patiently and lovingly sits upon her treasures, and he also as-
sists in rearing the young. Tlieir song is but a succession of
sharp, squeaky, warbling twitterings, at times quite animated and
pleasing; their call note a simple twit.

Their nests are attached to the sides of rafters in barns and
suitable places in outbuildings, under bridges etc., and, in the
unsettled portions of the country, under overhanging rocks and
in the fissures or cavern-like cavities. A semi-cup-sliaped struct-
ure, rather roughly constructed of layers of mud and grasses,
and lined with the finer grasses and feathers. Eggs three to
six (usually four), .T7x.55; pure translucent white, spotted and
blotched with purple and varying shades of dark reddish brown,
and, occasionally, lilac stains, usually aggregating thickest about
the larger end; in form, oval.

Genus TACHYCINETA Cabanis.
"Nostrils lateral, overhung or bordered internally by incumbent membrane.
Tarsi with the tibial joint covered by overhanging feathers, adherent a short
distance along inner face, about equal to middle toe without claw. Lateral toes
equal. Adhesion of basal joint of middle toe variable. Tail emarginate only,
or slightly forked; fork not exceeding half an inch in depth. Color blue or
green above, with or without metallic gloss; with or without white rump. En-
tirely white beneath."

506 HISTORY OF THE

Tachycineta bicolor (Vip:ili-.).

TREE SWALLOW.
PLATE XXX.

Slimmer resident; rare; in migration common. Begin to ar-
rive early in March, and commence laying the last of May to
first of June. The bulk leave in September, a few remaining
until the last of October.

B. 227. R. 155. C. 160. G. 78, 256. U. 614.

Habitat. The whole of North America, wintering from the

Gulf coast south to Cuba and Nicaragua. Breeds from about

latitude 37° north into the Arctic regions.

Sp. Char. " Glossy metallic bluish green above; entirely white beneath. Fe-
male duller in color. Young bird dull sooty gray al)ove, much like that of T^
thalassina, but may readily be distinguished by the feathers of the throat be-
ing pure white to their roots, instead of having the concealed bases grayish, as
in that species."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.05 13.00 4.75 2.40 .45 .30

Female... 5.85 12.45 4.50 2.30 .45 .30

Iris dark brown; bill and claws black; legs and feet grayish
brown.

These hardy birds arrive early in the spring, but usually do
not commence building their nests until about the first of June.
One of the earliest nests found was on Brier Island, Nova
Scotia. The pair arrived the 16th of May, 1880, and at once
took possession of a hollow in a fence rail, and on the 20tli, the
day I left, the nest was completed and warmly lined with
feathers.

They are very similar to others of the family in habits, ac-
tions and twittering notes, but are more quarrelsome, and rather
slower in flight than any others that I have described, though
strong and easy, flying high and low, and skimming for hours
and hours, largely over the water, in quest of insects that abound
there, apparently never tiring. In fact. Swallows are really only
at home in the air.

Their nests are placed in Woodpecker's holes, natural cavities
in trees, and about our dwellings in boxes, etc. They are very
loosely constructed of fine dry grasses and leaves, and thickly

BIRDS OF KANSAS. • 507

lined with downy feathers. Eggs usually four or five, . 76 x . 52;
pure transparent white; in form, ovate or pointed oval. A set
of four eggs, taken June 14th, 1883, at Pewaukee, Wisconsin,
from a cigar box nailed to the side of an outbuilding, are, in di-
mensions: .74X.54, .76x.51, .78x.52, .79x.50.

Genus CLIVICOLA Forster.

"Bill small; nostrils lateral, overhiiug by a straight-edged membrane. Tai-
sus about equal to middle toe without claw; feathered at upper end, especially
on inner face, and having also a small tuft of feathers attached to posterior
edge near the hind toe. Middle toe with basal joint adherent externally to
near the end, half way internally, the claws comparatively little curved, the
lateral reaching beyond the base of the middle. Tail slightly forked. Coloi-,
dull lustreless brown above; in riparia, white beneath, with gray pectoral
bands."

Clivicola riparia (Linn.).

BANK SWALLOW.
PLATE XXX.

Summer resident; abundant in suitable locations. Arrive in
April; begin laying the middle to last of May; the bulk leave
in August, not later than the first of September.

B. 229. R. 1.57. C. 163. G. 79, 257. U. 616.

Habitat. Northern hemisphere in general; in America, south
to Brazil, and throughout the West Indies; breeding chiefly in
the United States and northward into the Arctic regions; win-
ters from about the southern borders of the United States south-
ward.

Sp. Char. "Adult: Above, grayish brown, somewhat fuliginous, with a tend-
ency to paler margins of the feathers. Beneath, pure white, with a band across
the breast, and the sides of the body like the back. Young birds have less
emarginate tails, and the feathers of back, rump and wings eiiged with whitish."

Length.

Streich of
wing.

mng.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . . . ,

.. .5.25

10.(50

3.95

2.00

.45

.25

Female . .

.. 5.00

10.25

3.80

L90

.45

.25

Iris dark brown; bill and claws black; legs and and feet dark
brown.

The range of this species is almost unlimited, extending in
America as stated above, and from northern Asia and Europe,
south into Africa. They do not, like most of their congeners,

508 HISTORY OF THE

prefer to make their homes with man, but, from choice, more re-
mote from his habitations. In flight they are rapid, but rather
unsteady and fluttering. In their search for flies, etc., they
skim low over the Land and water, much like others of the tribe.
Their voice is a low, muttering twitter. They are social birds,
and breed together in communities, and are, therefore, local in
their distribution. They select for their breeding places the per-
pendicular sides of banks along the streams, or any steep em-
bankment where the soil is sufficiently soft to enable them to
excavate with their bills holes for their nests, which are usually
near the top, and about three feet in depth, but in gravelly soil
have been known to go great distances, or until a place free from
stones overhead has been reached (this is evidently to prevent
injury to their eggs or young from falling earth or pebbles),
the end worked out oven shaped, and lined with fine grasses and
feathers. In favorable situations the holes are near together,
and in large communities the banks are honeycombed. Eggs
four to six, .69X.49 (they vary in size); pure white; when un-
blown have a rosy hue; in form, oval.

Genus STELGIDOPTERYX Baird.

♦'Bill rather small; nostrils oval, superior, margined behind (but scarcely
laterally) by membrane, but not at all overhung; the axes of the outline converg-
ing. Frontal feathers soft and ( like chin) without bristles. Tarsi equal to middle
toe without claw; the upper end covered with feathers all round; none at lower
end. Basal joint of middle toe adherent externally nearly to end; internally,
scarcely half. Lateral toes about equal, their claws not reaching beyond base
of middle claw. Tail slightly emargluate; the feathers broad, and obliquely
rounded at end. Edge of the wing rough to the touch; the shafts of the fibrillse
of outer web of outer primary prolonged, and bent at right angles into a short,
stiff hook.

"The great peculiarity of this genus consists in the remarkable roughness of
the edge of the wing (said to occur also in Psalidoprocne, Cab.). The object is
uncertain, but is probably to enable the bird to secure a foothold on vertical or
inclined rocks, among or on which it makes its nest. A favorite breeding place
of S. serripennis is in the piers and abutments of bridges, and these hooks might
render essential aid in entering into their holes."

BIRDS OF KANSAS. ' 609

Stelgidopteryx serripennis (Aud.).

ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW.
PLATE XXX.

Summer resident; quite common. Arrive about the middle
of April; begin laying about the middle of May; leave in bulk
the last of August and first of September; a few occasionally
remain as late as the first of October.

B. 230, R. 158. C. 164. G. 80, 258. U. 617.

Habitat. United States at large (except the extreme north-
ern border, and in the New England States only found in Con-
necticut); south in winter to Guatemala; breeds throughout its
United States range.

"Sp. Chae. "Above, smoky browu; rather deeper on the head, perhaps a
little paler on the rump. Larger quills and tail feathers dusky brown; the sec-
ondaries and greater coverts sometimes lighter along their external edges. The
under parts (lor about half the total length), from bill to and including breast,
with the sides of body and lining of wings, mouse gray; rather lighter along the
throat; the rest of under parts, including crissum, white, the latter with the shafts
sometimes dusky, and very rarely with dusky blotches at the ends of the longer
feathers.

"Young birds differ in a tinge of reddish fulvous on the upper parts; the
wing coverts, secondaries and inner primaries margined more or less broadly
with a brighter shade of the same. The gray of the under parts is also washed
with this color, especially on the chin aud across the breast. The hooks of the
edge of the wing have not yet become developed."

Sexes alike. The following are measurements, etc., of a pair
in "The Goss Ornithological Collection:"

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. 5.50

12.25

4.40

2.10

.40

.30

Female. .

. 5.20

11.50

4.05

1.95

.40

.28

Iris dark brown; bill and claws black; legs and feet dark
brown.

These birds closely resemble the Bank S.wallow in habits and
actions, and their manner of flight and low, twittering notes are
very similar. They are not so local in their distribution during
the breeding season, as they nest together in smaller numbers
and often in pairs by themselves. They, however, soon after
assemble together in large flocks and remain a little later in the
season.

510 HISTORY OF THE

They also nest in holes in the sides of upright banks, invari-
ably along streams or over water, but they are not so deep or
uniform; and often nest in holes caused by decaying roots and
openings from various causes, and in crevices in abutments of
bridges, etc. The place at the end. rounded out for the nest,
is loosely lined with grasses and feathers. Eggs usually four
or five, .73x.52; pure white; in form, ovate or pointed oval.
A set of five eggs, taken May 30th, 1882, at Pewaukee, Wiscon-
sin,* are in dimensions only: .70x.50, .70x.50, .70x50, .71 x
50, .71x52.

Family AMPELID-Sl. Waxwings, etc.

Legs moderate. Nostrils elongated, linear, with the frontal feathers ex-
tending close to the edge and to anterior extremity, concealing them; these
feathers short, velvety and erect, with few bristles. Wings very long and
pointed; outer or first primary so much reduced as to be almost Inappreciable;
the second nearly the longest. Wing nearly twice the length of the short, nar-
row, even tail. Under coverts of tail reaching almost to its tip. Secondary
quills of fully adult birds with flat, horny appendages at end of shaft like red
sealing wax (except in A. japonica). Young birds streaked beneath. Adults
plain. This family as restricted contains but a single genus, Afnpelis. The
most obvious characters consist in short, broad, and rather depressed bill, with
short (decidedly convex) gonys and densely feathered nasal fossa, and the wax-
like appendages to the tips of the secondary quills in the adult. {Ridgway.)

Subfamily AMPELIN^. Waxwings.

Wings very long and much pointed, longer than the short, even tail. First
primary excessively rudimentary; the outermost about the longest. Gape with-
out bristles. Frontal feathers extending forward beyond the nostrils. Often
with horny appendages like red sealing wax at end of shafts of secondaries.
{Ridgway.)

Genus AMPELIS Linnaeus.

"Tail even. Tertials and secondaries with horny appendages like red seal-
ing wax. A well-developed soft crest."

Ampelis garrulus Linx.

BOHEMIAN WAXWING.
PLATE XXX.

Winter visitant; very rare.

B. 233. K. 150. C. 166. G. 73, 259. U. 618.

Habitat. Northern portion of the northern hemisphere; in
North America, south in winter more or less regularly (in the
Rocky Mountains to southern Colorado) to latitude 40°; occa-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. ■ 511

sionally winter in small flocks a little farther south. Breed far
northward.

Sp. Chae. "Crest lengthened. Body generally soft, silky brownish ashy,
with a purplish cast, the wing coverts and scapulars more brownish, becoming
more reddish anteriorly and ashy posteriorly; the rump and upper tail coverts,
as well as the secondaries, being nearly pure ash. Anteriorly the color passes
gradually into deep vinaceous chestnut on the forehead to behind the eye and
on the cheeks; abdomen yellowish white; lower tail coverts deep chestnut. A
stripe on side of the head, covering the lores and nasal feathers (scarcely meet-
ing across the forehead), involving the eye, and continued back toward the occi-
put and beneath the crest, with a large patch covering the chin and throat, deep
black; a narrow crescent on lower eyelid, and a short stripe between the black
of the throat and that of the chin at the base of the lower mandible, two very
broad bars on the wing, one across ends of primary coverts, and the other across
ends of secondaries (the first occupying both webs, and the latter the outer),
white. Primary coverts, primaries and tail slaty black, the latter growing
gradually ashy basally. A broad baud across the end of tail, and a longitudinal
space along end of outer web of primaries, gamboge yellow — the marks on
primaries, however, sometimes white, only stained with yellow. Each of the
secondaries with an expanded continuation of the shaft, in fonn of flattened,
very thin, somewhat elliptical appendages, of a bright vermilion red, resembling
red sealing-wax, with the white of outer web of primaries continued around end
of inner webs."

The following are measnrements, etc., of a pair in "The Goss
Ornithological Collection : ' '

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsiis. Bill.

Male 8.40 14.20 4.T0 2.80 .85 .45

Female... 8.25 13.90 4.60 2.70 .85 .45

Iris brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

These birds, of elegant plumage, are very social, and live and
wander about together in flocks, except during the breeding sea-
son. A very irregular winter sojourner or visitant, here to-day,
there to-morrow. From my observation (in winter), they are
rather silent when at rest; only real noisy on the wing, or as they
flutter in the trees and bushes in search of berries, etc. I say
flutter, for at such times the rear ones are continually rising and
passing over the others, and alighting a little ahead — like the
Pinon Jay — uttering, as they fly, a "Zee, zee-ze" note, that,
coming from the throats of many, sounds quite loud and chat-
tering. In their regular flights, they are steady and strong, but
only moderately swift.

512 HISTORY OF THE

Their food consists chiefly of fruits and berries (the juniper
and mountain ash berries the favorite). Insects, in their season,
help to make up their bill of fare, and they catch them readily
upon the wing.

They are not naturally wild or timid; tame easily, and make
handsome cage birds. I can find no mention of a song, by
writers that have met with them in their summer homes; but
they are so friendly and attentive to each other, at all times,
that I think they must, in the early mating season, express their
love and joy in song; probably, like their cousins, the Cedar
Waxwings, in so low and lisping a manner as not to be heard
over twenty yards away.

Their nests are said to be placed on the branches of trees,
from six to about twenty feet from the ground; a rather bulky,
compact structure, composed of twigs, strippings of bark, root-
lets, leaves, stems of grasses, and sometimes lichens and mosses,
and lined with fine rootlets, grasses and feathers. Eggs three
to five. They vary in dimensions, as given by American writ-
ers, from .90x. 65 to l.OOx.67; bluish white to purplish gray,
spotted with lilac and dark brown to black, thickly set about the
larger end; in form, oval. A set of four eggs, in my brother's
collection, taken in Labrador, June 18th, 1885, are: .98x.70,
.99x.70, 1.05X.69, 1.06x.70.* (Average of European eggs:
l.OOx.69 to .70.)

Ampelis cedrorum (Vieill.).

CEDAR WAXWING.
PLATE XXX.

Resident; irregular; some years common, others rare. Begin
laying about the last of June.

B. 233. R. 151. C. 1G7. G. 74, 260. U. 619.

Habitat. The whole of temperate North America; south in
winter to Guatemala and the West Indies. Breeds nearly
throughout its summer range.

Sp. Char. Crest moderate. General color soft viuaceous cinnamon, deep-
est anteriorly, more olivaceous on bacli, scapulars and wing coverts; passing

* The average differences as given are so great, that I am inclined to thinli there must be
some mistake in the identification, and that the smaller sets may prove to be the eggs of A.
cedrorum.

DTRDS OF KANSAS. 513

iuto pure light ash on the riiinp and upper tail coverts, and into dingy yellow
on flanks and abdoniim. Lower tail coverts white. Whole of the wing poste-
rior to the greater coverts slaty ash, almost black along enil of inner webs of
primaries, the outer webs of which are narrowly edged witli hoary whitish.
Tail slate, passing Into black terminally, tipped with a broad, sharply-defined
baud of gamboge yellow. A broad stripe of intense velvety black on side of
head starting from nostril, passing across lores, and involving the eye, contin-
ued from it beneath the crest to the occiput; chin dull black, blending gradu-
ally into the brownish of the throat. A narrow white line across the forehead
and along the sides of crown, between brown of crown and back lores, etc.; a
narrow crescent on lower eyelid, and a stripe between black of lores and that
of the throat, white. Fully adult male and female with each secondary quill
terminated by a bright red horny appendage to the shaft. Younger birds with
these very small and few in number, or entirely absent. Young: In general
appearance similar to the adult. Colors more grayish, with indistinct con-
cealed whitish streaks on nape and down back, these stripes becoming very
conspicuous on the sides and flanks and across breast. No black on chin.
Rump grayish brown; abdomen and flanks dingy whitish. No appendages to
secondaries, and the yellow band across end of tail narrower than in adult.
{Uidgway.)

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 7.10 11.75 3.80 2..50 .67 .44

Female... 7.00 11.50 3.70 2.45 .66 .42

Iris brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

These handsome roving birds frequent in flocks the woods,
orchards and groves. Thej were formerly abundant in suitable
localities throughout their range, but their love for berries and
fruits is causing their ranks to be thinned by the murderous shot-
guns. As thej feed together in large numbers, their presence
to fruit growers is alarming, and it is hard to convince them that,
in ridding their orchards of the various forms of injurious in-
sects, they are more beneficial than hurtful. Doctor Brewer, in
''North American Land Birds," says:

"It is unfortunate for the horticulturist that this bird has
done so much to merit his prejudices and reprobation, and that
he does not appreciate to the full the immense services it ren-
ders to him each spring in the destruction of injurious insects.
A flock of these birds will, in a short space of time, devour an
immense number of the larvae of the destructive canker worms
{PhalmncB) that infest the apples and elms of Massachusetts,
and, if permitted, would soon greatly reduce their numbers.

-33

514 HISTORY OF THE

But these prejudices cannot be softened by their good deeds,
and the Cherry Bird is still hunted and destroyed."

In flight they are strong and graceful, and glide with ease
through the woodlands as they sweep about in quest of food.
They are generally spoken of as birds without a song, and their
feeble attempt is hardly worthy to be called one; they do, how-
ever, at times, utter low, warbling notes, with tremulous wings,
in a manner expressive of love and joy; in sound very similar
to their lisping call notes, but much softer. It is evidently not
intended for outsiders, for its voice is scarcely audible twenty
paces away.

The birds at all times are social and friendly, and during the
breeding season the mated pairs are very attentive to each other;
and while they often select a nesting place in an exposed situa-
tion, they are, as a rule, so silent and secretive that their presence
is rarely known, except to the egg hunters. They nest late in
the season, in order that the berries may be ripening at the time
of hatching, for their young are reared upon fruits as well as
insects; the latter are often captured upon the wing.

Their nests are built in low trees (apple and cedar the favor-
ites), sometimes in bushes; a deep, bulky structure, composed of
twigs, stems of weeds, grasses, and coarse fibrous strippings from
vines and plants, and is lined sparingly with leaves and fine root-
lets. Eggs usually four, .85x. 60; pale clay white, with an olive
or bluish hue and purple shell stains, and thinly spotted with
varying shades of brown — chiefly blackish, usually aggregating
thickest about the larger end; in form, oval to ovate.

Family LANIID.^. Shrikes.

"Bill very powerful, strong, and much compressed; the tip abruptly hooked,
deeply notched, and with a prominent tooth behind the notch; both mandibles
<listinctly notched, the upper with a distinct tooth behind, the lower with the
point bent up. Tarsi longer than the middle toe; strongly scutellate. Primaries
ten; first primary half the second, or shorter (occasionally wanting). Wings
short, rounded; tail long, and much graduated. Sides of the tarsi with the plates
divided on the outside.

"Of this family, only a single genus is known In North America."

m O -

"-' Qj m

BIBBS OF KAMSAS. 515

Genus LANIUS Linn^tjs.

"Feathers of forehead stiffened; base of bill (iuckiding nostrils) covered by
bristly feathers, directed forward. Bill shorter than the head, much compressed,
and very powerful. Culmen decurved from base; the mandible abruptly bent
down in a powerful hook, with an acute lobe near the tip. Tip of lower man-
dible bent upwards in a hook; the gonys very convex. Rictus with long bristles.
Legs stout; the tarsi rather short, and longer than the middle toe; the lateral
equal; the claws all very sharp and much curved. Wings rounded; the first
primary about half the second, which is equal to sixth or seventh. Tail longer
than the wings, much graduated, the feathers broad."

Lanius borealis Vieill.

NORTHERN SHRIKE.
PLATE XXXI.

Winter sojourner; quite common. Arrive earlj in November;
leave in March.

B. 236. R. 148. C. 18(5. G. 70, 361. U. 621.

Habitat, Is'orthern North America; south in winter to about
latitude 35°; breeds north of the United States, and occasion-
ally in the higher mountain regions of the latter.

Sp. Char. Adult: Above, clear bluish ash, blanching on the rump and scap-
ulars; below white, always vermiculated transversely with fine wavy, blackish
lines; a broad black bar along side of head, not meeting its fellow across fore-
head; interrupted by a white crescent on under eyelid, and bordered above by
hoary white, that also occupies the extreme forehead; wings and tail black, the
former with a large white spot near base of the primaries, and white tips of most
of the quills, the latter with the outer web of the outer feathers edged, and all
the feathers except the middle pair broadly tipped, with white, and with con-
cealed white bases; bill and feet bluish black; eyes blackish. Young: The
colors much less pure and clear. Above, grayish brown, scarcely or not whiten-
ing on the scapulars, tail coverts and forehead. The younger the browner,
sometimes almost with a rusty tinge; grayer according to age. Below brownish
white (the younger the browner), the wavy dark markings stronger than in the
adult; the bar along the head poorly defined, merely dusky, or quite obsolete.
Wings and tail brownish black, with less white than in the adult. Bill plumbe-
ous brown, flesh colored at base below. At a very early age, the upper parts
are probably vermiculated somewhat like the lower, as in the same stage of L.
ludovicianus; but this state I have not observed. In old age the dusky ver-
miculation of the under parts is much diminished, but I have never seen it
absent altogether. This feature, coupled with the particular character of the
head markings and the large size and comparatively short tarsi, will always dis-
tinguish this species from L. ludovicianus or excubitorides. (Coues.)

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 10.00 14.60 4.60 4.60 1.05 .70

Female... 9.80 14.40 4.50 4.45 1.02 .70

51G HISTORY OF THE

Iris dark brown; bill horn color, dark at tips (of one specimen
blackish), with base of under mandible bluish white; legs, feet
and claws black.

These birds, noted for their cruelty and rapacity, frequent the
edges of woodlands, orchards and hedges, where they are a
terror to the smaller birds, occasionally giving chase, but as a
rule watch silently from a perch, and pounce with unerring cer-
tainty upon their unsuspecting prey. In the warmer months
they feed largely upon beetles and grasshoppers, but with us,
upon birds and mice. They not only kill to sustain life, but for
pure "cussedness;" for, after satisfying their hunger, they take
delight in impaling their victims on thorns, sharp-pointed twigs,
etc., and sometimes draw and push them under splinters on
fence rails. It also affords them the greatest pleasure to tease
and frighten the birds, and in order to draw them near, occa-
sionally mimic one in distress. They boldly enter the door-
yards, and have been known to attack cage birds, not only when
hanging upon the outside of houses, but within. In the cities
they are beginning to turn their attention to the English Spar-
row, as they are much easier to capture than our native birds.
In their flights they are not regular, but usually keep near the
ground, and sweep through the air in an undulating, but strong
and easy manner. Their ordinary notes are harsh and squeaky.
Mr. Nelson, in his "Report upon Natural History Collections
in Alaska," gives the following description of their song:

"While at the Yukon mouth the last of May, 1879, I had the
good fortune to observe this bird several times, and also to hear
its song. In May, 1879, while the ground was still largely
covered with snow, I was passing through a thicket where the
winter's drifts still lay deep enough to half bury the bushes,
when suddenly a low, soft, musical whistle, consisting of half a
dozen liquid trills, ending in two or three strange grating notes,
fell upon my ear. After a slight pause this was repeated, and
with some difficulty, a moment later, I made out the indistinct
form of a bird close to the ground in a dense bush, about twenty
yards in advance, where it had evidently concealed itself on my
approach. I hastily fired into the bush to secure, as I sup-

BfEDS OF KANSAS. 517

posed, some rarity, and hurrying forward to gain the prize, was
more surprised than pleased to find nothing but an ordinary
Shrike. On another occasion, I was led a long chase through
a piece of tangled wood, bordering on one of the Yukon chan-
nels in the delta, by some strange and musical notes unlike
anything I had ever heard before, which appeared to be uttered
close at hand, and a moment later to be far away. After con-
siderable time, as the wood became more open, the author of
these notes was found skulking from tree to tree, in advance,
and a long shot brought down another Shrike."

Their nests are usually placed in bushy or thorny trees; a
rude, bulky structure, composed of twigs, grasses and stems, and
warmly lined with mosses, lichens and downy feathers. Eggs
four to six, 1.07x.78; pale bluish green, spotted and blotched
with purple, brown and lilac; in form, oval or ovate.

Lanius ludovicianus Linn.

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE.

This species is entered on the authority of Prof. F. H. Snow,
who states in his catalogue of the birds of Kansas that "sev-
eral typical specimens of this southern form have been taken."
This bird has not come under my observation in the State.
Its natural home is in the south Atlantic and Gulf States, east
of the Mississippi River. It occasionally wanders northward,
and Kansas is without doubt its extreme western limits, where
it can only be safely entered as a straggler.

B. 237. R. 149. C. 187. G. 71, 2(52. U. 622.

Habitat. "Florida, the Carolinas and the Gulf States east

of Texas." {Check List of N. A. Birds.) "More southern

portions of eastern United States, but north irregularly to Ohio,

Vermont, etc.; regularly to Virginia and southern Illinois."

{Ridgway. )

Sp. Char. Adult: Above, slate colored, slightly whitish on upper tail cov-
erts and end of scapulars; below, white, sometimes a little ashy shaded, but uo
wavy black lines, or only a few slight ones; white on wings and tail less exten-
sive than in borealis or excubitorides; black bridle meeting its fellow across fore-
head, not interrupted by white on lower eyelid, scarcely or not bordered above
by hoary white. Young: Differing from the adult much as young borealis does,

518 HISTORY OF THE

and decidedly waved below, as in that species; but the size and other characters
are distinctive. {Coues.)

stretch of

Length.

luing.

IVing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 8.75

13.. 50

3.90

4.00

1.03

.65

Female . .

. 8.50

12.15

3.65

3.75

1.00

.62

Iris dark brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

I have occasionally met with these birds in Florida, usually
about the settlements and natural openings or clearings in the
woodlands, but, as my observation is confined to the winter
months, I take pleasure in quoting from "Birds of Illinois"
Mr. Ridgway's interesting description of their habits, etc.:

"It is partial to those more open localities where there are
hedgerows or plenty of low, tiiorny trees, preferable the honey
locust {GleditscMa triacanthos)^ wild crab apple, or trees of like
character. These seem indispensable to its presence, for the
reason that the slender, sharp-pointed thorns are required for
impaling its prey, and the matted, impenetrable covert for con-
cealment or protection of its nest.

"N6twitlistanding the fact that this species occasionally kills
and devours small birds, it is of great benefit to the farmer,
from the fact that it destroys large numbers of grasshoppers and
field mice. The habit of impaling its victims on thorns is one
common to the whole family of Shrikes, and also one that has
not been satisfactorily explained, for it seems that objects so
impaled are seldom touched by the birds afterward. It has
been suggested that the bird improves every opportunity to pro-
cure food, and when not needing it impales it to provide for an
emergency; and that, when fresh food is readily obtained, it is
preferred. This may be the true explanation, but we think a
more plausible one may be found.

"In the protection of its young, no bird displays greater cour-
age or more affectionate solicitude for its offspring. I have re-
peatedly, when I have climbed to a nest containing young, had
the parent birds alight within my reach, and retreat only when
I had attempted to grasp them, all the while they were greatly
excited with anger, and were there an opportunity to do so with-
out being seen, would actually bite my hand. During such oc-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 5 ID

casions they keep up a peculiar crackling sound, mingled with
a sonorous 'Qua a-a, qua a-a. '

"The notes of this species are exceedingly varied; so much
so, in fact, that it is confounded by many people with the Mock-
ingbird, although this is, perhaps, as much on account of the
general similarity of their plumage as for any other reason.
Some of the notes are soft and musical, but most of them are
harsh, that most frequently heard resembling the creaking of an
ungreased wheelbarrow or rusty gate hinge. It is supposed
that it imitates the notes of smaller birds, in order to entice them
within reach.

"When taken from the nest and reared in captivity, the Log-
gerhead Shrike makes a most atfectionate and interesting pet.
It becomes so perfectly tame as not to require the restraint of
a cage, but will follow its keeper about the fields, and seeks his
companionship with all the intelligence and devotion of a dog.

"While watching for its prey, the Shrike occupies a promi-
nent perch, the summit of a small tree in the midst of a field or
common, sitting 'bolt upright' and scanning carefully the sur-
roundings in every direction. Its flight is very peculiar; on
leaving the perch it sinks nearly to the ground, describing a
curve as it descends, and passing but a few feet above the sur-
face, ascending in the same manner to the object on which it
next alights. The flight is performed in an undulating manner,
the bird sustaining itself a short time by a rapid fluttering of
the wings, and sinking as this motion is temporarily suspended.
While flying, the white patch on the wing is very conspicuous.

''The very bulky nests of this species are usually placed in
thorny trees, or in those having a dense canopy of vines. At
Mount Carmel, however, I have frequently found them in apple
trees. They are composed largely of wool and feathers. When
built in young trees of the honey locust, where it is absolutely im-
possible to reach them by climbing, they are often poked from their
position out of spite by the ' small boy, ' with poles or fence rails. ' '

Their eggs, four to six in number, are similar in size, color
and form to the eggs of the White-rumped Shrike; in fact, can-
not be distinguished from them.

520 HISTORY OF THE

Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides (Swains.)-

WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE.
PLATE XXXI.

Summer resident; occasionally lingers into winter. Arrive
early in the spring; begin laying about the first of May.

B. 238. R. 149«. C. 188. G. 72, 263. U. 622a.

Habitat. The central regions of North America, north to the
Saskatchewan, southwesterly to Lower California, and over the
table lands of Mexico; occasionally stragglers in the States far
eastward.

Sp. Char. Adult: Leadea gray or light slate color, whiteuing ou the scapu-
lars and upper tail coverts. Beneath, white, slightly shaded with the French
gray on the sides, but without dusl^y vermiculation. A narrow stripe across the
forehead, continuous with abroad bar along the side of the head, embracing the
eye, black, slightly (if at all) bordered with wliitish. Lower eyelid not white.
Wings and tail black, with white markings, much as in the last species. Young:
Vermiculated below with dusky, upon a brownish ground, about to the same ex-
tent as is seen in very old examples of L. borealis. General tone of the uiiper
parts less pure than in the adult; scapulars and tail coverts not purely white;
black bar of head less firm, but, as far as it goes, maintaining the characters of
the species. At a very early age, the upper parts (including the wliitish of the
scapulars and tail coverts) are finely vermiculated with dusky waves. The ends
of tlie quills, wing coverts and tail feathers often have rusty or rufous markings.
Extreme examples of excubitorides look very different from ludovicianus proper,
but the two are observed to melt into each other when many specimens are com-
pared, so that no specific character can be assigned. {Coues.)

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

IVing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 9.00

12.75

3.90

4.00

1.0.5

.63

Female . .

. 8.70

12.2.5

8.70

3.70

1.02

.61

Iris brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

This pale race of the Loggerhead Shrike is similar to it in
habits and actions, and, like it, occasionally kills small birds and
mice, but feeds almost wholly upon grasshoppers, beetles and
crickets. It also has the habit of the family of impaling its vic-
tims on thorns, etc., but less frequently than the Northern Shrike.
Its ordinary voice is harsh and creaking. It has, however, con-
siderable talent in the way of mimicry, especially in uttering the
notes of birds in distress; and, during the early mating season,
I have occasionally heard it sing from a perch a rather pleasing,
musical song, interrupted at times with its harsh, grating notes.

BTEDS OF KANSAS.- 521

Its nest is placed iu tliorii trees, hedges, briers, etc. ; a rough,
bulky structure, composed of small sticks and stems, with bits
of leaves, wool, feathers and other soft, fragmentary substances
sparingly woven in, and lined with fine stemlets of weeds and
grass, and sometimes with hairs. Eggs four to six, 1.02 x.T3;
dull grayish to yellowish white, spotted with varying shades of
brown and obscure lilac, more or less confluent at the lartrer
end; in some cases thickly spotted and blotched over the entire
surface, so as to nearly conceal the ground color: in form, oval.
A set of five eggs, taken June 5th, 1878, at Pewaukee, Wis-
consin, from a nest in a small thorn tree, are, in dimensions:
l.OOx.72, l.Olx.75, 1.02X.75, 1.03x.73, 1.05x.73.

Family VIREONIDJE. Yireos.

"The essential features of this family seem to consist in the couibinatiou of
the dentirostral bill, notched iu both mandibles; the ten primaries (except Vireo-
syMa), of which the outer is usually from one- fourth to one-half the second, the
rather short, nearly even tail, with narrow feathers, and the great amount of ad-
hesion of the anterior toes — the whole basal joint of the middle being generally
united on both sides to the adjacent joints, aiid decidedly shorter than the basal
of inner or two basal of outer. The outer lateral toe is generally appreciably
longer than the inner, reaching considerably beyond the base of the middle claw.
The tarsi are always distinctly scutellate anteriorly. The young are never
spotted or streaked as in the Thrushes; nor, indeed, do the adults exhibit such
markings.

"The VireonidoB are peculiar to the new world, and are widely distributed,
although but one genus belongs to the United States."'

Genus VIREO Vieili^ot.

Wing equal to or longer than tail, less rounded, the third or fourth quill
longest, and second much longer than secondaries; tail nearly even, or if rounded,
the difference between longest and shortest feathers much less than length of bill
from nostril; bill stouter, and relatively narrower and higher at base. (Ridgicay. )

Subgenus VIKEOSYLVA Bonaparte.

"Wings long and pointed, one-third or one-fourth longer than the nearly
even or slightly rounded tail. First quill very small (less than one-third the
second), sometimes apparently wanting. Second quill longer than the seventh,
much longer than the secondaries. Tarsi short (scarcely exceeding ,70 of an
inch); toes rather long. Body slender and elongated. Bill slender, narrow,
straight; the culmen straight for its basal half, the commissure quite straight;
light horn color, paler beneath. Feet weak."

522 BISTORT OF THE

Vireo olivaceus (Linn.).

RED-EYED VIREO.
PLATE XXXI.

Summer resident; abundant in the eastern part of the State.
Arrive the last of April; begin laying about the 20th of May;
the bulk return early in September, a few remain until the first
of October.

B. 240. K. 135. C. 170. G. 64. 264. U. 624.

Habitat. Eastern temperate North America; west to the
Rocky Mountains; south in winter through eastern Mexico to
northern South America; occasionally winters as far north as
Florida. Breeds chiefly from the southern United States north-
ward.

Sp. Chab. "Upper parts olive green. Top of head, from bill to nape, ash
color. A white line from nostrils above and beyond the eye, bordered above by
a dusky line forming the edge of the ashy cap, and below by a similar, perhaps
paler, loral and postocular cheek stripe. Beneath, including tibia, white, with
perhaps a tinge of olivaceous ash across the breast; the sides of the neck like
the back; sides of the body with a faint wash of olive. Axillars and crissum
faintly tinged with sulphur yellow; lining of wings and its edges, the latter es-
pecially, nearly white. Quills blackish brown, edged externally, except at ends
of primaries, with olive, internally with white. Tail feathers lighter brown,
edged externally like the back; internally with pale olivaceous white."

Length.

Stretch of
wing. IVing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. (3.10

9.75 3.30

2.. 50

.70

.53

Female. .

. 5.60

9.20 3.00

2.20

.70

.50

Iris brick red; bill bluish black, under pale horn color at
base; legs, feet and claws plumbeous.

These birds occasionally frequent the groves and shade trees
about our dwellings, but their natural haunts are within the
woodlands, and they are the most abundant along the timbered
streams. They are very common throughout their range, and
make their presence known by their song, as it is often repeated
at all times of the day, from the time of their arrival until late
in autumn, but in the latter part of the season it is less animated
and not so often heard. They sing from the topmost branches
of the trees — an indescribable song, consisting of a few clear,
warbling notes, repeated in a loud, animated and almost continu-

BIRDS OF KAA'-SAS. 553

ous strain, and in so musical a manner as to be ever pleasing
and never tiresome.

Like all of the family, they feed upon insect life, for which
they industriously hunt among the branches and leaves, and they
are quite expert in catching upon the wing. Small berries in
their season are also relished as a dessert. In flight they glide
through the air rather swiftly, and in an easy, steady manner.

Their prehensile nests are suspended from the forks or twigs
of trees, and are made of and fastened at the rim to and around
the twigs with lint-like fibers, shreds from weeds, vines, bits of
old leaves, spider threads, and cocoons, woven in and fastened
together with saliva, and lined with hair-like stems and rootlets;
to be looked for anywhere from the lowest branches to near the
tops of the tallest trees. Eggs three to five (usually four),
.82X.56; pure white, thinly and irregularly specked with red-
dish brown, chiefly about the larger end; in form, oval.

Vireo gilvus (Vieill.).

WARBLING VIR30.
PLATE XXXr.

Summer resident; common in the eastern part of the State.
Arrive the last of April; begin laying about the 20th of May;
leave in September.

B. 245. K. 139, 139a. C. 174, 175. G. 65, 265. U. 627.

Habitat. JSTorth America in general, from the fur countries
to Mexico; breeding from the southern United States north-
ward throughout tlieir range. (The western form, V. gilvus
swainsoni, has not been recognized by the A. O. U. committee;
the difference upon which the variety was based not appearing
to them to be constant. Mr. Eidgway has since restored it in
his " Manual " I have not material enough at hand to venture
an opinion, and will only say to the reader, if finally reinstated
as a race, that it does not differ in its habits and actions in the
least from this species, and its nest and eggs are not distin-
guishable.)

Sp. Char. "Above, olive green, strongly glossed with ashy; the head and
nape above more distinctly ashy, but without decided line of demarcation be-
hind and without dusky ridge; rump pure olive. Stripe from nostril over eye

524 HISTORY OF THE

to nape, eyelids and space below eye creamy while. A rather dusky postoeiilar
and loral spot, the latter not extendius to the bill. Under parts white, with
tinge of greenish yellow (occasionally of creamy fulvous or buff), especially on
breast; sides more olivaceous. Crissum and axillars scarcely more yellowish.
Quills and rectrices wood brown, edged internally with whitish, externally with
olivaceous, except perliaps on longer primaries. Edge of wing white. Larger
wing coverts grayish brown, with paler edges, and no trace of olivaceous. First
quill very short or spurious; second about equal to, generally rather longer than,
sixth; third longest; fourth, then fifth a little shorter."

Length.

stretch of
wing.

IVing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

5.75

9.10

2.75

3.20

.70

.40

lie... 5.50

8.85

2.60

2.00

.68

.40

Iris brown; bill — upper dusky, under pple; legs and feet
plumbeous; claws brown.

These familiar birds inhabit the groves, orchards, parks and
shade trees about our dwellings. They are, I think, the sweet-
est songsters of the family, and nearly as constant singers as the
Eed-eyed, and their soft, warbling, musical notes much more
varied. They are great favorites, not only on account of their
musical talent, but for their valuable services in ridding the fruit
and shade trees of the many injurious insect pests, that are so
destructive to the foliage and fruit.

Their nests, like those of the Red-eyed, are suspended to the
slender forks of twigs, and are composed of about the same
material, but smoother and .more compact in their make-up.
They usually build from twent}'^ to even one hundred feet from
the ground. (I once found a nest only seven feet up, but, in the
vicinity of taller trees, such finds are rare.) Eggs four or five,
.75x.55; crystal white, sparingly spotted about the larger end
with reddish and dark brown, intermingled with lilac; in form,

oval.

Subgenus LANIVIREO Baird.
"Body stout; head broad. Bill short and stout, broad at base, the culmen
curved from the base, the commissure considerably arched."

Vireo flavifrons Vieill.

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.
PLATE XXXI.

Summer resident; quite common in the eastern part of the
State. Arrive the last of April to first of May; begin laying

BIUDti OF KANSAS. 525

about the 20th of May; the bulk leave early in September; a
few occasionally linger into October.

B. 252. R. 140. C. 176. G. 66. 266. U. 628.

Habitat. Eastern United States, occasionally crossing the
line into the British possessions; south in winter through east-
ern Mexico, to Costa Kica. I found them quite common in
Guatemala. Breed throughout their United States range.

Sp. Char. "Head and ueck above aud on sides, with iuterscapular region,
bright olive green. Lower back, rump, tail and wing coverts ashy. Wings
brown, with two white bands across the coverts, the outer edges of inner sec-
ondaries and inner edges of all the quills, with inside of wing, white. Outer
primaries edged with gray, the inner with olive. Tail feathers brown, entirely
encircled by a narrow edge of white. Under parts to middle of body, a line
from nostrils over eye, eyelids, and patch beneath the eye (bordered behind by
the olive of neck), bright gamboge yellow; rest of under parts white, the flanks
faintly glossed with ashy. Lores dusky. No spurious primary evident; second
quill longest; first shorter than third.

"Autumnal birds, perhaps more especially the young, are more glossed with
olivaceous, which invades the ashy portions and tinges the white,"

Stretch of
Length. wing. IVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.75 9.60 3.10 2.20 .75 .50

Female... 5.60 9.40 3.00 2.10 .75 .48

Iris brown; bill — end dusky, rest bluish; legs, feet and claws
lead color.

These handsome birds frequent the woods, and seem to prefer
the timbered lands along the streams; at least, this is the case
in their western range. In the Eastern States they are said to
be quite a familiar bird, and to inhabit alike the orchards and
shade trees; and, as they are not wild or timid, will no doubt
soon become accustomed to the presence of man, and readily
make their homes about our prairie dwellings, as soon as the
trees and shrubbery form inviting haunts; at any rate, they are
much more common here than in former years.

In flight they are less steady and not so swift as the Eed-eyed.
Their food habits are the same, but they look more for the
supply among the foliage in the treetops. Their song is not
so constant, and is delivered in a slower and more plaintive
strain, but in a very clear and musical manner. Among the
Yireos they rank next to the Warbling in song.

620 EI8T0RT OF TUB

In regard to their nesting habits I will say, that on the 9th
of Maj, 1877, I found, in the timber near I^eosho Falls, Kan-
sas, a nest of this bird (a pendent one, as all Yireos' nests are)
attached to branches of a very small horizontal limb of a large
hickory tree, about twenty feet from the ground, and ten feet
below the limbs that formed the top of the tree. In the forks
of the tree the Cooper's Hawks were nesting, and I discovered
the Yireo and its nest in watching the Hawks — or rather the
man I had hired to climb the tree to the Hawks' nest. The
little bird at first flew off, but on his near approach returned
and suffered him to bend the limb toward the tree and cover
her with his hand on the nest. The twig was quickly broken,
and the bird and nest lowered by a line in a small covered
basket, taken to collect the eggs of the Hawk. Such manifes-
tations of courage and love, so rare and exceptional, touched
me to the heart, and it was hard to make up my mind to rob
and kill the bird and her mate, scolding in the treetop. I can
only offer in extenuation that they were the first I had ever met
with in the State, and the strong desire to have them in my
collection. The nest was made of and fastened to the limb
with silk-like threads and bits of cotton from plants, fastened
together by saliva, and partly covered or dotted over with lichen,
and lined with small stems of weeds and grass. The beautiful
nest was in plain sight, there being nothing near to hide it from
view. It contained three eggs and also one of the Cowbird
{J\£olothus ater). One of the eggs was broken by the bird in
her struggle to escape from the collector's grasp while in the
nest. The color of the eggs was pure white, with a few scat-
tering small spots of reddish brown toward the larger end.
They each measure .79x.68. Four taken from another nest (a
full set) measure: .78x.57, .80x.58, .79x.58, .78x.57.

I have since noticed these birds in the woodlands on several
occasions, and on the 18th of May, 1883, while strolling along
the south bank of the Kansas River, near Topeka, in the timber
skirting the stream, I had the pleasure to find a pair of them
building a nest in a honey locust, about sixteen feet from the
ground, and eight feet from the body of the tree. The nest

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 527

was fastened to the forks of a small horizontal branch. The
frame of the nest appeared to be completed. The birds were
busj at work, the female lining the nest with small, hair-like
stems, the male covering the outside with soft, lint-like fibrous
strippings from plants (these closely resembling the limb and
its surroundings), and dotting it over with lichen. Happy in the
thought that he was not only beautifying the home of his lady
bird, but protecting her from view by his artistic skill (notwith-
standing the fact that she had selected an open and exposed sit-
uation, he could not refrain from expressing his joy, at intervals
during the work, in snatches of his sweetest notes. The female,
more watchful, sighted me, and gave notice of the intrusion.
Quick as thought, the birds were away. The male, alighting
near the top of an adjoining tree, at once poured forth his song
in loudest notes, no doubt thinking that by attracting my atten-
tion to him, I would lose sight of the nest. Knowing it was
now too late for concealment, and that any attempt to hide away
would only increase their suspicions, and stop or delay the work,
I carelessly walked nearer, in order to have a better view, and
lay down on my back in an open space. In a short time the
female returned, hopped about the tree, inspected me closely
from the lower limbs, and then flew away and returned several
times, before bringing material, or venturing to approach the
nest. But the moment she did so, the song of the male ceased,
and the work of building was actively resumed. As the female
stood upon the top of the nest, with head down and inside, I
could not see the manner of arranging the lining; but as she
kept walking around upon the rim, I could, in imagination, see
her plaiting and weaving in and out the hair-like stems. It was
very easy and interesting, however, to see and note the actions
of the male, as he deftly worked the material into the frame-
work, running the longer, fibrous, thread-like strips through, and
then quickly springing upon the top, and fastening them on the
inside. Then he would rearrange the outside, stopping a mo-
ment to inspect the work, and then off in search of more mate-
rial, occasionally warbling a few notes on the way; but he was
silent at the nest, while I remained so near. At the rate their

528 HISTORY OF THE

work was progressing, I think the nest would have been com-
pleted during the day. I do not know that it is the usual cus-
tom for the female to confine her labors to the plain and neces-
sary work, and the male to the decorative and ornamental parts,
but it was so in this case. It may be that the time of laying
was near at hand, and that the female felt the pressing necessity
for the completion of the interior; for, in such cases, I have seen
nests of birds enlarged and completed by the males, while the
females were sitting upon their treasures.

Eggs three to five, usually four; in form, oval.

Vireo solitarius (Wii-s.).

BLUE-HEADED VIREO.
PLATE XXXI.

Migratory; rare. Arrive the last of April to first of May;
leave on the way southward by the last of September.

B. 250. R. 141. C. 177. G. 67, 267. U. 629.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to Hudson's Bay
and Great Slave Lake; south in winter through eastern Mexico
to Guatemala; breeds chiefly north of the United States.

Sp. Char. "Above olive green, including upper tail coverts; the top and
sides of head and nape ashy plumbeous; sides of the neck plumbeous olive;
broad line from nostril to and around ej^e, involving the whole lower eyelid,
white; a loral line involving the edge of the eyelid, and a space beneath the eye,
dusky plumbeous; beneath white; the sides yellow, overlaid with olive, this color
not extending anterior to the breast; axillars and base of crissum pale sulphur
yellow, the long feathers of the latter much paler or nearly white; wings witli
two bands and outer edges of innermost secondaries olivaceous white; the quills
dark brown, edged externally with olive green, internally with white; tail feath-
ers similarly marked, except that the lateral feather is edged externally also
with white, the central without internal border. First quill spurious, rather
more than one-fifth the second, which is intermediate between the fifth and
sixth; third longest.

" Spring specimens show sometimes a gloss of plumbeous on the back, obscur-
ing the olive, the contrast of colors being greater in the autumnal and young
birds; sometimes the crissum appears nearly white. The length of the spuri-
ous primary varies considerably, from .45 to .75 of an inch.

"In autumn the colors are similar, but slightly duller and less sharply de-
fined, while the back is considerably tinged with ashy."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . . .

. 5.50

9.50

3.00

2.. 30

.70

.42

Female . .

. 5.40

9.25

2.90

2.25

.70

.40

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 529

Iris dark brown; bill black, with basal half of under blue;
legs, feet and claws slate blue.

These solitary birds inhabit the deep woods, and seldom fre-
quent the open grounds or habitations of man, and are therefore
but little known, except by the bird lover. In their food habits
and actions, they are very similar to the Ked-eyed. I have never
been so fortunate as to meet with them on their breediiip-
grounds, and therefore take pleasure in quoting from Mr. Gen-
try's interesting description of their nesting habits, etc., in his
"Life Histories of Birds of Pennsylvania." He says:

"Although affecting a partiality for retired situations, it can-
not be considered a shy and timid species. Like many others
have done, as time advances it will become more familiar with
man. It is but three years ago since we first met this species
in this part of the country in anything like great numbers.
Last spring it was nearly as abundant as Vlreo oUvacem. As
the forests disappear, and new conditions are imposed upon its
environment, a change of nidification will be the inevitable re-
sult.

"From observations extending over three years, we are sat-
isfied that the sexes arrive together. The females, being more
modest and retired than their mates and comparatively songless,
are less observed. In less than a fortnight after their arrival,
a site is chosen for a nest, which is a matter of some moment.
After a couple of days thus spent, a place is mutually agreed
upon, and nidification at once begun. This happens about the
20th of May, and sometimes as late as the 10th of June; about
the time, usually, when Quercus palustris has doffed its ripened
catkins, which are principally utilized in the construction of its
nest. Each nest is uniform in structure, and remarkably homo-
geneous in composition: where the tassels of the pin oak are
used, nothing else is to be found; where grass is the favorite ar-
ticle, as a species of Aira in exceptional cases, this alone is a
noticeable feature.

"The nest is gracefully disposed between the bifurcating
branches of a twig, and presents a neat and cozy appearance.
The interior is comparatively even, and strictly symmetrically

530 HISTORY OF THE

cup-shaped. The exterior, with its roughened aspect, produced
bj the projecting catkins, is a rather imposing sight.

"The female adjusts the materials while the. male is busy in
fetching them. On the completion of the structure, which is
the work of three days, the female, on the succeeding day, be-
gins to deposit, at the rate of one egg per day, her complement
of eggs, which requires from three to four days, according to the
number laid. On the ensuing day incubation takes place and
continues from ten to eleven days, and is the sole labor of the
female. While thus occupied, the male, like a dutiful husband,
supplies her with nourishment.

"Like its near congeners, the female of this species is very
unsuspicious, and lacks timidity. Persons may pass and repass
underneath the nest, which is mostly placed ten feet from the
ground, without exciting distrust or creating alarm. But when
an effort is made to violate this confidence by hostile intentions,
the female glides silently out of the nest and does not exert her-
self in the least to ward off an attack; but the male, when not
absent on foraging business, is close by the nest and ready by
his valor to resent an injury or deter an assault. With open bill
and vehement scolding, ho hazards his own life.

"Its song differs from that of any other Vireo. It is a pro-
tracted and peculiar ditty, which is heard at irregular intervals,
and begins with an animated warble, which gradually increases
in sound until a certain pitch is attained, when it breaks down
to a falsetto note, then rises again, and ultimately ceases.

"The eggs are five in number, oblong oval, and slightly
pointed at one end; the ground color is a transparent white,
llesh colored in unblown specimens, and chiefly marked with
reddish brown spots about the larger end. They measure .77
inch in length and .52 in breadth,"

Subgenus VIREO ViEiLiiOT.

"Wings short and rounded, a little longer than the tail, equal to it, or shorter.
First primary distinct and large, from two-fifths to a half or more the length of
the second, shorter or not longer than the eighth."

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 531

Vireo atricapillus Wooph.

BLACK-CAPPED VIREO.
PLATE XXXI.

Quite a common summer resident in tlie gjpsnm hills, at or
near the south line of the State; at least, I found them very
common in southeastern Comanche county. Arrive the last of
April; begin laying the last of May to first of June; leave in
September.

B. 247. R. 142. C. 185. G. , 268. U. 630

Habitat. Southern portion of the Great Plains; north into

southwestern Kansas; south in winter into Mexico.

Sp. Chak. Adult male: Top and sides of head deep black, the lores and
orbital ring pure white; lower parts pure white, the sides and flaults olive
greenish, tinged with yellow; upper parts olive greeu, the wings and tail black,
with pale olive yellow edgings. Adult female: Similar to male, but black of
head usually duller, more slate-colored. Young, in first autumn and winter:
Top and sides of head dull grayish brown; lores, orbital ring, and lower parts
dull buffy white, or pale dull buffy, the sides brown olive; upper parts more
brownish than in adult. {Bidgicay.)

stretch of
Length. wing: IVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 4.65 6.95 2.15 1.80 .73 .39

Female... 4.40 6.80 2.10 1.70 .73 .38

Iris light brick red; upper mandible black, lower mandible
blue, edges and tips of both whitish; legs, feet, claws deep blue.

These birds are very local in their distribution, and, until of
late, very little has been known in regard to their habits. They
inhabit the oak woods upon the uplands, and the bushes and
trees in the ravines on bluffy prairie lands. They have been
found breeding in Comal, Medina, Comanche and Cooke coun-
ties, in Texas- — invariably in trees and near the ground. They
search for their food, which consists of small forms of insect
life (and, no doubt, small berries in season), chiefly in the higher
branches, and dart from their perch and capture on the wing.

While collecting and observing birds in southeastern Coman-
che county, Kansas, from May 7 to 18, inclusive, 1885, I cap-
tured three pairs of Vireo atricapillus., and saw quite a number,
all in the deep ravines in the gypsum hills, on the Ked or Salt
Fork of the Arkansas Kiver. The birds were quite bold and
noisy, but this may be the case only during mating and the early

532 HISTORY OF THE

part of the breeding season. They are very pleasing singers,
their song being not like the "Wiio's-af raid," jerky notes of
the White-eyed Yireo, nor as loud as those of the Ked-eyed, but
a more warbling and varied song than that of any other of the
family which I have heard.

On the 11th I found a nest near the head of a deep canon,
suspended from the forks of the end of a horizontal branch of a
small elm tree, abont five feet from tlie ground. It was screened
from sight above by the thick foliage of the tree and the larger
surrounding trees, but beneath, for quite a distance, there was
nothing to hide it from view. The material, however, of which
it was made so closely resembled the gypsum that had crumbled
from the rocks above, and thickly covered the ground, that I
should have passed it by unnoticed had I not, on my near ap-
proach, been attracted to the spot by the scolding and the ex-
cited actions of the birds. On discovering the nest, I did not
stop to examine it, but kept leisurely on my course till out of
sight, then cautiously turned back, and, at a safe distance, liad
the pleasure of seeing both of the birds busily at work building
their nest, then about two-thirds completed. The nest is hemi-
spherical in shape, and composed of broken fragments of old,
bleached leaves, with here and there an occasional spider's
cocoon, interwoven together, and fastened to the twigs with
fibrous strippings and silk-like threads from plants and the webs
of spiders, and lined with fine stems from weeds and grasses.
On the 18th, my last day in the vicinity, I went to the nest, con-
fidently expecting to find a full set of eggs, but, on account of
the cold, wet weather, or for some other cause, the bird had not
laid, and I had to content myself with the nest.

Eggs usually four, .72x.61; plain white; in form, oval.

Vireo noveboracensis (Gmel.).

WHITE-EYED VIREO.
PLATE XXXI.

Summer resident; common in the eastern part of the State.
Arrive in April; begin laying about the middle of May; leave
the last of September to middle of October.

B. 248. fl. 143. C. 181. G. 68, 269. U. 631.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 533

Habitat. Eastern United States; west to the Rocky Mount-
ains; south in winter to Guatemala. Winters from the Gulf
States southward; breeds throughout its United States range;
resident in the Bermudas.

Sp. Char. "First primary about half the length of second, which is longer
than secondaries and about equal to the eighth; the fourth longest; third and
fifth little shorter. Above, quite olive green; sides of neck, and a gloss on its
upper surface, ashy. The middle concealed portions of feathers of lower back
and rump pale sulphur yellowish. Beneath, white; the chin and lower cheeks
with a grayish tinge; the sides of breast and body, with axillars and base of
crissum (more faintly), bright yellow; the inner wing coverts and rest of crissum
nuich paler, almost white. A broad yellow line from nostrils to and continuous
with a yellow riug round the eye, which is encircled exteriorly by olivaceous; a
dusky loral, but no postocular spot. Wings, with two covert bauds and inner-
most secondaries (exterually), broadly yellowish white; rest of quills edged ex-
ternally with olive, except the two outer and tips of other primaries, which are
grayish. Rectrices edged externally with olive, except outermost, which is bor-
dered by grayish. All the long quills bordered internally with whitish.

"Specimens vary slightly, in a gi'eater amount of ashy on the head, and less
brilliancy of the yellow of head and sides. Sometimes there is a decided ashy
shade in the white of the throat and jugulum, which again has a very taint tinge
of yellowish."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. • Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.25 8.00 2.45 2.15 .74 .45

Female... 4.90 T.55 2.30' 2.00 .74 .45

Iris white; bill blue black, pale on edges; legs and feet dark
lead colored; claws horn blue.

These sprightly little birds inhabit the thickets on the low
prairies, where entangled with briers and vines, and the edges
of woodlands bordering streams and swampy places. They
differ from others of the family that I have described, inas-
much as they not only make their homes near the ground, but
search for their food (which consists almost wholly of insects
and their larva) in the lower branches of the trees and thickest
growths of bushes, where they are so completely hidden that
their presence would seldom be known were it not for their
sharp, startling call or alarm notes and song. Even the latter
is uttered in so loud and emphatic a manner as to sound more
like a boastful challenge to a rival than an effort to please his
lady love. In the latter part of the season the voice is toned
down and at times quite musical. To the intruder or outside

534 HISTOllY OF THE

world, their notes and actions are expressive of an irritable,
petulant temperament. In this respect they differ from many of
the highest order of animals, for if they are not all smiles to
others, they are at all times a happy family at home, the mated
pairs being very attentive and loving to each other, and kindly
rear their young.

Their nests are deep, cup-shaped, and almost hemispherical in
form. They are suspended usually from grape or other wild,
running vines, in a small open space, surrounded by the thick-
est growths they can find, and are seldom over four feet from
the ground. They are made of hemp-like fibers, bits of old
leaves, mosses and lichen from decaying stumps and trees, and
are lined with fine stemlets of weeds and grasses. Eggs four
or five, .75x. 55; clear white, with a few scattering spots of pur-
ple and dark reddish brown about the larger end; in form, oval.

Vireo bellii Aud.

BELL'S VIREO.
PLATE XXXI.

Summer resident; abundant. Arrive the last of April; be-
gin laying the last of May; the bulk leave early in September.

B. 246. R. 145. C. 183. G. 69. 270. U. 633.

Habitat. Middle portions of the United States; from Illinois
and Minnesota west to the eastern base of the Rocky Mount-
ains; south in winter into southern Mexico; breeding from cen-
tral Texas (and probably farther south) northward throughout
its range.

Sp. Char. Wings dull dusky grayish, the middle and greater coverts nar-
rowly and not very sharply tipped with dull white. Top of head aud neck dull
brownish gray, gradually changing to grayish olive green on back, scapulars,
rump aud upper tail coverts; a rather indistinct loral streak, aud interrupted
orbital ring, dull white; cheeks and ear coverts light brownish gray, fading
gradually into dull white or buffy white of throat; median lower parts white,
the breast usually faintly tinged with sulphur yellow; sides and flanks sulphur
yellow, tinged with olive; under tail coverts and under wing coverts clear pale
sulphur yellow. {Bidgioay.)

Stretch of

Length.

wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

4.90

7.15

2. 15

1.90

.70

.40

Female . .

. 4.75

7.00

2.10

1.80

.70

.40

BJEBS OF KAWSAS.. 535

Iris brown; bill — upper dark brown, under pale; legs, feet
and claws plumbeous.

These active birds are quite common throughout their range.
They inhabit the dense patches of bushes and briers on the
prairies; hedge fences are also a favorite resort. In their food
habits and actions they are very similar to the White-eyed.
Their call and alarm notes are not quite so harsh, and their
song is delivered in a less emphatic manner; an indescribable
sputtering, that does not rank it high in the musical scale.

Their deep, cup-shaped nests are suspended from slender forks
of twigs or vines, and are composed of lint-like strippings from
plants, neatly interwoven w4th bits of old leaves and other frag-
mentary substances, and lined with fine, slender stemlets from
weeds and grasses; in some cases, lined with hairs. Eggs usu-
ally four, .69x.50; pure white, thinly speckled or dotted around
the larger end with dark reddish brown; in form, oval.

Family MNIOTILTIDJE. Wood Warblers.

Bill not conoid; angle of gonys not forward of the nostril; tertials not elon-
gated, but with their tips falling far short of the ends of the longest primaries;
iiind claw much shorter than its digit. {Ridgway.)

" This varied and pretty family embraces the great majority of warblers — syl-
van nymphs, that fairly swarm with us during their migratory flights; the larger
portion winging themselves northward to breed, and all, with one exception (the
Oven Bird— Z>e/w?/v«ca coronaia), wintering south of our limits, chiefly in south-
ern Mexico and Central America."

Genus MNIOTILTA Vietllot.
"General form sylvicoliue; bill rather long, compressed, shorter than the
head, with very short rictal bristles and a shallow notch. Wings considerably
longer than the tail, which is slightly rounded; first quill shorter than second
and third. Tarsi rather short; toes long, middle one equal to the tarsus; hind
toe nearly as long, the claw considerably shorter than its digit. Color white,
streaked with black. Nest on ground; eggs white, blotched with red."

Mniotilta varia (Lixn.).

BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER.
PLATE XXXI.

Summer resident; quite comuKju in the eastern part of the
State. Arrive the last of April; begin laying about the 20th of
.May; leave in September.

B. 107. R. T4, 74a. C. 91, 92. G. 32, 271. U. 636.

536 HISTORY OF THE

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to Hudson's Bay,
Great Slave Lake, etc. ; west to the Great Plains; south in
winter through Mexico to Central America; West Indies.
Breeds from the Gulf coast northward.

Sp. Char. Plumage black striped with white above; beneath, white with
black streaks; wing with two white bands, and two outer tail feathers with
white spot near end of inner web. Adult male: Throat thickly streaked with
black, the latter sometimes nearly uniform. Young male: Throat pure white,
without streaks; otherwise like adult. Adult female: Similar to young male,
but colors duller, the back less intense, aijd white of lower parts tinged with
brownish, especially along sides. Nestling: Similar to adult female, but colors
much duller and less sharply defined, the head stripes dull grayish instead of
black, and the white parts tinged with fulvous. {Ridgioay.)

Length.

Stretch of

wing.

ll-'ing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. 5.13

8.50

2.75

2.00

.65

.45

Female . .

. 5.00

8.20

2.65

1.90

.65

.45

Iris black; bill black, with under, m some cases, pale blue;
legs and feet bluish black; claws pale yellow.

These remarkable birds, with the habits largely of the Creep-
ers and build of the Warblers, inhabit alike the high and low
woodlands, and often frequent the orchards, but they are the
most abundant along the banks of streams, or in the near vicinity
of water, as insect life usually abounds in such places. They
are enabled, by reason of the elongation of their toes, especially
the hinder one, to creep (spiral-like) around, up and down the
bodies of trees and their branches, where they industriously
search in the cracks and natural interstices of the bark for the
eggs and larva that are so injurious to the trees. They are,
therefore, of great value in ridding the forests and orchards of
their deadly pests.

They are not timid, but rather bold birds, that neither seek
nor shun the habitations of man. As they move about they
often utter a weak call note, "Tsip," and during the early
breeding season their song is almost incessantly heard; a feeble
and not very musical effort. The birds arrive from the south
mated, or at least I have always met with them in the early
spring in pairs.

Their nests are usually placed in a depression in the ground,
at the roots of a tree, under the shelter of a log, bush or bunch

BIRDS OF KANSAS.- 537

of weeds, and are composed of strippings from plants, grasses,
moss, leaves, and the inner bark from decaying trees, and lined
with fine stemlets of grass and hairs. They are occasionally
partially roofed over. The materials selected so closely resemble
the ground and its surroundings, that their nests are oftener
found by accident than otherwise. Eggs four or five, .65x.52;
white, with a creamy tinge, irregularly specked and spotted with
umber and reddish brown, chiefly around the larger end; in
some cases a few purplisli spots; in form, oval. A set of five
eggs, collected May 23d, at West Newton, Mass., are, in dimen-
sions: .64X.50, .64X.52, .65x.51, .66x. 52, .66x. 52.

Genus PROTONOTARIA Baird,

"Characterized by its long, distinctly notched bill, and long wings, which
are an inch longer than the slightly graduated tail (the lateral feathers about
.12 of an inch shorter). The under tail coverts are very long, reaching within
half an inch of the tip of the tail. The tarsi and hind toe are proportionately
longer than in the true Warblers. The notch and great size of the bill distin-
guish it from the Swamp Warblers."

Protonotaria citrea (Bodd.)-

PROTHONOTABY WARBLER.
PLATE XXXI.

Summer resident in eastern to middle Kansas; common in
the eastern portion of the State. Arrive the last of April; be-
gin laying the last of May; the bulk leave in August; a few
linger into September.

B. 169. R. 75. C. 95. G. 33, 272. U. 637.

Habita-t. Eastern United States, chiefly in the Mississippi
Valley; north regularly to Georgia, Iowa and Nebraska; casu-
ally north to New Brunswick, Ontario and Minnesota; west into
eastern Nebraska and Texas; south in winter to Cuba, Central
America and northern South America. Breeds in suitable lo-
calities in the United States, throughout its regular range, and
probably occasionally as it straggles northward.

Sp. Chak. Head and lower parts, except lower tail coverts, yellow; lower
tail coverts, lining of wing, and inner webs of tail feathers, white; back, scapu-
lar, rump, sometimes top of head, olive green; wings plain bluish gray or plum-
beous. Adult male: Head, neck and lower parts (except tail coverts) intense
cadmium yellow, sometimes tinted with orange, the top of the head sometimes

538 HISTORY OF THE

olive greenish. Adult female: Similar to the duller colored males, but yellow
appreciably less pure, the top of the head always olive greenish, and gray of
wings and tail less bluish; size somewhat less. Nestling: Head, neck, chest,
fore part of sides, and back, olive, lighter on lower parts; no yellow beneath,
except after moult has commenced; otherv^'ise much like adult female. {Rklg-
way.)

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.50 9.00 2.90 2.15 .72 .55

Female 5.30 8.60 2.T5 1.95 .72 .55

Iris and bill black; legs, feet and claws dark blue.

This active species inhabits the willows bordering streams,
ponds and swampy, timbered lands. The males arrive about a
week in advance of the females, and, upon the arrival of the
latter, love making commences in earnest, each male showing
off to the best advantage, and bravely fighting for his choice.
The female, apparently indifferent to their rivalry, gladly accepts
the conqueror, and is his devotedly thereafter. They soon se-
lect a locality that suits, and commence hunting for a nesting
place; a Woodpecker hole or natural cavity in a willow over-
hanging or near the water.

Their call note, often heard, is a sharp "Chip," and their or-
dinary song loud but not musical; sounds much like the "Peet-
weet, tweet, weet" of the Solitary Sandpiper; but I have often
heard them sing near the nest, when the mate was sitting, in a
low, soft and rather sweet warbling manner. They search for
their food in low, wet thickets, and on drift wood and partly-
submerged logs. It consists chiefly of the small forms of
aquatic life; spiders and beetles are also favorites.

My brother was the first to discover and report that they nest
in holes in trees. Soon after, we found a pair nesting in a brace
hole in our saw mill, and it gave us an excellent opportunity to
observe their habits, as they soon learned that they had nothing to
fear from us (they are not naturally wild or timid birds). Sev-
eral years afterwai'd I found a -nest in the mill; it was built in
an old tin cup, sitting on a beam close beneath the roof. Their
natural nesting places are in holes in willow trees and stubs, and
never far from the ground.

Their nests are composed of moss, grasses, dry leaves, lichens,

BIRDS OF KANSAS. . 539

and even bits of soft, rotten wood, interwoven with fine rootlets,
and lined with hairs. Eggs usually five or six (as high as eight
have been taken), .68x. 56; creamy white, thickly spotted with
lilac, purple and dark reddish brown, thickest and often conflu-
ent at larger end; in form, rounded oval.

Genus HELMITHERUS Rafinesque.
"Bill large and stout, compressed, almost tanagrine; nearly or quite as long
as the head. Culmen very slightly curved; gouys straight; no notch in the bill;
rectal bristles vranting; tarsi short — but little longer, if any, than the middle
toe; tail considerably shorter than the wings, rather rounded; wings rather long,
the first quill a little shorter than the second and thiid."

Helmitherus vermivorus (Gmel.).

WORM-EATING WARBLER.
PLATE XXXI.

Summer resident in the eastern part of the State; rare. Arrive
the last of April; begin laying the last of May; leave the last
of August to middle of September.

B. 178. R. 77. C. 96. G. 34, 273. U. 639.

Habitat. Eastern United States; north to southern New Eng-
land, the great lakes and Iowa, chiefly south of latitude 40°;
west to eastern Nebraska and Texas; south in winter to Cuba,
Jamaica, and southern Central America. Breeds throughout
most of its United States range.

Sp. Char. Adult {sexes alike) : Head buff, with a broad black stripe on each
side of the crown (from nostrils to occiput), and a narrower black stripe behind
the eye, along upper edge of the aurlculars, continued more or less distinctly at
the anterior angle of the eye; upper parts plain olive green; lower parts buff,
paler on chin, throat, abdomen and crissum, where sometimes almost white.
Young, first plumage: Head, neck and lower parts deep buff, the black stripes
of the adult merely indicated by indistinct stripes of dull brown; back, scapu-
lars, rump and wing coverts dull light brown, tinged with cinnamon, the greater
coverts passing into deep buff terminally; remiges and rectrices olive green, as
in the adult. The buff of head stripes, etc., is deeper in autumnal specimens.
{Ridgway.)

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 5.50

8.55

2.90

2.10

.65

.55

Female . .

. 5.30

8.25

2.75

1.95

.65

.52

Iris dark brown; bill — upper blackish brown, under pale;
legs, feet and claws brownish flesh color.

540 HISTORY OF THE

This species inhabits the deep woods and thick growths in the
ravines. They are shj and retiring, and, as their call note is
weak, they are liable to be passed unnoticed. They search for
their food not only among the foliage but upon the ground,
where they scratch among the leaves, and move about much like
the Oven-bird, barring the teetering motion of. the body when
they halt. They feed largely upon the leaf-eating worms. In
the stomachs of two examined I found caterpillars and small
spiders.

Its song is feeble. Mr. Ridgway says it closely resembles that
of the Chipping Sparrow, and, to my ear, is not any more mu-
sical.

Their nests are embedded in dry leaves, in a slight depression
in the ground, and are usually hidden beneath small plants or
neatly concealed by the leaves around and partially covering
them. The interior is lined with small, ilexible, hair-like stem,
lets. Eggs usually four, .68x. 55; white to creamy white, finely
spotted with varying shades of reddish brown, thickest and run.
ning together about the larger end, intermingled with a few lilac
stains. Some are thickly and others are thinly marked. They
also vary greatly in size, and in form, from broadly oval to
pointed oval.

Genus HELMINTHOPHILA Ridgway.
Bill rather elongated (but shorter than the head), somewhat conical, very
acute, the outlines nearly straight but sometimes slightly decurved at the tip;
no trace of a notch at the tip nor of bristles at the base. Wings long and pointed
(decidedly longer than a moderately-developed tail); the first quill nearly, some-
times quite, the longest. Tail nearly even or slightly emarginate. Tarsi ap-
preciably longer than the middle toe and claw. {Ridgway. )

Helmintliophila pinus (Linx.).

BLUE- WINGED WARBLER.
PLATE XXXI.

Summer resident in the eastern part of the State; rare; in
migration quite common. Arrive the last of April; begin lay-
ing the last of May; leave early in September.

B. 180. E. 79. C. 98. G. 35, 274. U. 641.

Habitat. Eastern United States; north to southern New Eng-
land, the Great Lakes and Minnesota; west to Nebraska, middle

BIRDS OF KANSAS. . 54 1

Kansas and Texas; south in winter to eastern Mexico and Gua-
temala; breeding in its United States range.

Sp. Char. Adult male: Forehead, fore part of crown, cheeks and entire
lower parts (except crissum), pure gamboge yellow, most intense on forehead;
crissum and lining of wing white, usually more or less tinged with yellow. Oc-
ciput, cervix, back, scapulars and rump plain olive green, brightest on the rump
where more tinged with yellow; wings and tail bluish gray, the former crossed
by two white bands, formed by tips of middle and greater coverts; two outer
tail feathers with most of the inner web white, the third with about the termi-
nal half white. Lores and a narrow postocular streak deep black. Bill wholly
deep black; iris brown; legs and feet dull plumbeous, more or less tinged with
yellowish, especially on soles of toes. In autumn similar, but yellow of fore-
head more or less obscured by olive green; maxilla dark plumbeous to brownish
black, its edge (with mandible) dull flesh color, or purplish brown, the latter with
a blackish stripe along each side. Adult female: Similar to the male, but colors
appreciably duller. {Bidgway.)

Dimensions of a pair in "The Goss Ornithological Collec-
tion:"

stretch of

Length.

zving.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 5.00

7.20

2.40

2.10

.68

.42

Female. .

. 4.70

6.85

2.25

1.85

.68

.40

Iris dark brown; bill black, sometimes with base of under
pale; legs and feet dark blue; claws and bottoms of feet pale
greenish yellow.

This pretty warbler occasionally frequents the gardens and
orchards, but its natural haunts are within the low, open woods,
neglected fields, and the edges of timber fringing the streams
where the bushes and weeds grow rank. It is an industrious
hunter, hopping nimbly about among the slender branches of
flowering plants for the leaf-eating worms and other small forms
of life.

It is not a very musical bird, but during the early breeding
season (I have occasionally heard them sing in autumn) they
often mount on the top of a bush, and utter, with tremulous
wings, a sharp, wiry song, that sounds much like that of the
Grasshopper Sparrow.

Their nests are built on the ground, among the standing weeds
and grasses, or hidden beneath a bush, bunch of briers or vines.
They rest on a foundation of dry leaves, and are composed
chiefly of strippings from grapevines, plants, etc., intermingled

542 HISTORY OF THE

with leaves and grasses, and nsnally lined with finer grasses.
Eggs four or five, .60x.50; white, thinly speckled with varying
shades of reddish brown to black, chiefly at or near the larger
end; in form, oval. A set of five eggs, collected June 15th,
1882, at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, are, in dimensions: . 58x. 47,
.59X.49, .60X.46, .61x.48, .63x.48.

Helminthophila ruficapilla (Wils.)-

NASHVILLE "WARBLER.
PLATE XXXI.

Migratory; rather rare. Arrive the last of April to first of
May; the bulk return and leave in September; a few linger as
late as the middle of October.

B. 183. E. 85. C. 106. G. 36, 27.5. U. 645.

Habitat. Eastern temperate North America (accidental to
Greenland); west to the Great Plains; south in winter to east-
ern Mexico and Guatemala; breeding from the northern United
States northward.

"Sp. Chae. "Head and neck, above and on sides, ash gray; the crown with
a concealed dark brownish orange, hidden by ashy tips to the feathers. Upper
parts olive green, brightest on the rump. Under parts generally, with the edge
of the wing, deep yellow; the anal region paler; the sides tinged with olive. A
broad, yellowish-white ring round the eye; the lores yellowish; no superciliary
stripe. The inner edges of the tail feathers margined with dull white. Female:
Similar, but duller; the under parts paler and with more white; but little trace
of the red of the crown."

Length.

Stretch of
wiyig.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 4.60

7.60

2.40

1.85

.65

.40

Female . .

. 4.50

7.50

2.35

1.75

.65

.40

Iris dark brown; bill dusky, pale beneath; legs dark brown;
feet and claws dusky, with yellowish hue.

These sprightly Warblers frequent the timber skirting the
streams and clearings, especially where there is plenty of under-
growth. In the early part of June, 1880, I found them quite
common at Grand Manan, N. B. From their actions, I think
they were nesting, but I failed to find their nests. They seemed
to prefer for their breeding grounds the edges of the high, open
woodlands, where the growth is a mixture o'f evergreen and
deciduous trees. Prof. J. A. Allen gives the following interest-
ing description of their nesting habits, etc., at Springfield, Mass. :

BIRDS OF KANSAS. . 543

"Abundaut in May, and in the early part of autumn. Arrives
May 1st to 5tli, and for two or three weeks is a common inhabit-
ant of the orchards and gardens, actively gleaning insects among
the unfolding leaves and blossoms of the fruit trees; nearly all
go north, but a few retire to the woods and breed. During June,
1863, 1 frequently saw them in my excursions in the woods; often
three or four males in an hour's walk. Its song so much resem-
bles that of the Chestnut-sided Warbler that it might readily be
mistaken.* To this cause, and the difficulty of seeing such small
birds in the dense foliage, is doubtless owing the fact of its be-
ing so commonly overlooked by naturalists during the summer
months, rather than to its (supposed) extreme rarity in this lati-
tude at that season. I have found the nest of this species, for
two successive seasons, as follows: May 31st, 1862, containing
four freshly-laid eggs. The nest was placed on the ground, and
sunken so that the top of the nest was level with the surface of
the ground, and protected and completely concealed above by
the dead grass and weeds of the previous year. It was com-
posed of fine rootlets and dry grasses, lined with fine dried grass
and a few horse hairs, and covered exteriorly with a species of
fine green moss. The eggs were white, sprinkled with light
reddish-brown specks, most thickly near the larger end; longer
diameter .60, and the shorter .50. The following year, June
5th, 1863, I found another nest of this species, within three or
four feet of where tlie one was discovered the previous year,
containing three eggs of this species and one of the Cowbird, in
all of which the embryos were far advanced. The nest, in every
particular, was built and arranged like the one above described,
and the eggs must have been laid at just about the same time.
The locality of the nest was a mossy bank at the edge
of young woods, sloping southward, and covered with bushes
and coarse grass."

Eggs three to five, .61x49; white to creamy white, minutely
spotted over the surface, chiefly about the larger end, with red-
dish brown and lilac; in form, oval.

* The males sing qnite loudly from the trectops, but, to my ear, their song is less musical
than the Chestnut-sided Warbler, and much more like the trill of the Chipping Sparrow.

544 HIS TORY OF TUB

Helminthophila celata (Say).

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.
PLATE XXXI.

Migratory; common. Arrive the last of April to first of
May; begin to return the last of August; the bulk leave in
September, a few remain until the last of October.

B. 184. E. 86. C. 107. G. 37, 276. U. 646.

Habitat. Northern North America; breeding from the Rocky
Mountains north into the Arctic regions; rare in the northeast-
ern United States; quite common in the Middle States and
throughout the Mississippi valley; wintering in the South At-
lantic and Gulf States and eastern Mexico. (Replaced from the
Alaskan peninsula southward along the Pacific coast into Lower
California, by JI. celata lutescens.)

Sp. Chab. "Above, grayish olive greeu, rather brighter on the rump. Be-
neath, entirely greenish yellovpish white, except a little whitish abont the anus;
the sides tinged with grayish olivaceous. A concealed patch of pale orange
rufous on the crown, hidden by the grayish tips of the feathers. Eyelids and
ol*«cure superciliary line yellowish white; a dusky obscure streak through the
eye. Inner webs of tail feathers broadly edged with white. Female with
little or none of the orange on the crown, and the white edgings to inner webs
of tail feathers. Young lacking the orange entirely, and with two fulvous whit^
ish bands on the wing."

Dimensions of a pair in "The Goss Ornithological Collection:"

stretch of
Length. xving. Wing, Tail. Tarsus. Bill,

Male 4.70 7.50 2.35 2.00 .70 .41

Female... 4.60 7.40 2.30 1.90 .68 .40

Iris dark brown; bill dusky, with forks of under pale blue;
legs, feet and claws dark brown; bottoms of feet greenish yellow.

These lively little birds frequent the groves, edges of wood-
lands, the gardens and shrubbery about our dwellings. In the
winter season I have usually met with them along the coast, in
thickets and scattering bushes upon the bottom lands. They
are rather unsuspicious birds, that, regardless of the intruder,
continue their search among the foliage for the leaf worms, etc.,
and often dart from their perch and successfully capture the
passing insects. As they flit here and there, occasionally utter
a sharp "Chip," that sounds more like an alarm than a call
note.

^ Z lU

t- (-;

- c/) S

^ UJ O

5 U I

d:

H-
U

mi"—'
d: M CD

< E -

5,? 2

Moo . [if
f^ ^- ,0^ „,

a §

ce O 1^ _5>

E vi

aj "> <« Ki
z z 5 2

-5 m m
< q: K

5 5

BIRDS OF KANSAS.- 545

Their song, only heard during the mating and breeding sea-
son, is a simple lay — a few sweet trills nttered in a spirited
manner, and abruptly ending on a rising scale.

Their nests, according to Mr. Kennicott, who found them
breeding in the middle of June, in the vicinity of Great Slave
Lake, are uniformly placed on the ground, usually among the
leaves in a clump of low bushes, but sometimes hidden in the
side of a bank. They were large for the size of the bird, and
were composed almost entirely of long, coarse strips of bark,,
loosely interwoven with a few stems of plants and dry grasses,
and warmly lined with hair and fur of small animals, in some
cases wholly with fine grasses. Eggs four to six, .64x.48;
white, or creamy white, finely speckled (chiefly on the larger
end) with reddish brown; in form, oval.

Helminthophila peregrina (Wils.).

TENNESSEE WARBLER.
PLATE XXXII.

Migratory; common in the eastern part of the State. Arrive
the last of April to first of May; return in September, but do
not all leave for the south until about the middle of October.

B. 185. K. 87. C. 109. G. 38, 277. U. 647.

Habitat. Eastern temperate North America; west to the base
of the Rocky Mountains (rare east of the Alleghanies, common
westward); breeding from the northern United States north-
ward to Hudson's Bay and the Great Slave Lake region; south
in winter to northern South America; Cuba.

Sp. Char. "Top and side of the head and neck ash gray; rest of upper
parts olive green, brightest on the rump; beneath, dull white, faintly tinged in
places, especially on the sides, with yellowish olive. Eyelids and a stripe over
the eye whitish; a dusky line from the eye to the bill; outer tail feathers witii
a white spot along the inner edge near the tip. Female: With the ash of the
head less conspicuous; the under parts more tinged with olive yellow.

"Autumnal specimens and young birds are sometimes so strongly tinged with
greenish yellow as to be scarcely distinguishable from //. celata. The wing is,
however, always longer, and the obscure whitish patch on the inner edge of the
exterior tail feathers, near its tip, is almost always appreciable. In celata this
edge is very narrowly and uniformly margined with whitish."
—35

546 HISTORY OF THE

Dimensions of a pair in ' ' The Goss Ornithological Collection:"

Length.

Stretch of
iving.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . .

.. 4.75

7.75

2.. 50

1.85

.65

.41

Female .

.. 4.00

7.50

2.40

1.70

.65

.40

Iris dark brown; bill — upper black, under bluish; legs and
feet dark grayish blue; claws brown.

These little Warblers frequent the edges of woodlands and the
banks of streams, where fringed with trees, low bushes and tall
weeds, also the orchards and gardens. Thej are very lively
and easy in their motions, as they flit here and there in search
of caterpillars and other leaf-eating forms of life, often hanging
head downward at the end of slender branches and swaying
about much like the Titmice. They are also quite expert insect
catchers on the wing. They occasionally puncture the grapes
with their bills and eat the pulp or succulent part, but they are
not abundant enough to be considered injurious, even if fruit
were as natural a food as insect life; as it is, it can only be con.
sidered a freak, or for a dessert. In 1879 I called attention to
the fact in the Nuttall Ornithological Club Bulletin, Yol. 5, p. 48.
I can find no other mention of the same, and am inclined to
think the habit is not a general one.

Their call note, often repeated, is a low but sharp "Chip" or
"Tweet," and their song a feeble, varied warble, too squeaky to
be musical. I have never been so fortunate as to find their nests,
or see their eggs, and very little is definitely known in regard
to their nesting habits, farther than that, like all the species of
this genus, it usually nests on the ground. Doctor Brewer, in
"North American Land Birds," says:

"A nest of this Warbler (Smith. Coll., 3476), obtained on
the northern shore of Lake Superior by George Barnston, is
but little more than a nearly flat bed of dry, matted stems of
grass, and is less than an inch in thickness, with a diameter of
about three inches. It is not circular in shape, and its width
is not uniform. Its position must have been on some flat sur-
face, probably the ground. The eggs resemble those of all the
family in having a white ground, over which are profusely dis-
tributed numerous small dots and points of a reddish brown.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 547

and a few of purplish slate. They are of an oblong oval shape,
and measure .68x.50 of an inch.

"A nest near Springfield, Massachusetts, obtained by Prof.
Horsford, the parent bird having been secured, was built in a
low clump of bushes, just above the ground. It is well made,
woven of fine hempen fibers of vegetables, slender stems of
grass, delicate mosses, and other like materials, and very thor-
oughly lined with hair. It measures two and three-fourths
inches in diameter and two in height. The cavity is two inches
wide and one and three-fourths deep. The eggs measure .60x
.60 of an inch, are oblong oval in shape, their ground color a
pearly white, marked in a corona, about the larger end, with
brown and purplish-brown spots."

Genus COMPSOTHLYPIS Cabanis.

"In the species of this genus the bill is conical and acute; the cuhnen very
gently curved from the base, the commissure slightly concave. The notch, when
visible, is further from the tip than in Dendroica, but usually is either obsolete
or entirely wanting. Bristles vpeak. The tarsi are longer than the middle toe.
The tail is nearly even and considerably shorter than the wing. Color: Blue
above, with a triangular patch of green on the back; anterior lower parts yeL
low."

Compsothlypis americana (Linn.).

PARULA WARBLER.
PLATE XXXII.

Summer resident in the eastern part of the State; rare; during
migration very common; rare in the western portion. Begin
to arrive as early as the middle of April; begin laying the last
of May. The bulk leave for the south in September; a few oc-
casionally remain until the middle of October.

B. 168. K. 88. C. 93. G. 39, 278. U. 648.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to Canada; west
to the base of the Rocky Mountains; south in winter to south-
ern Florida, West Indies, eastern Mexico and Central America;
breeding from the Gulf coast northward throughout their range,
chiefly north of latitude 41°.

Sp. Char. Eyelids white; yellow of lower parts not extending farther back
than breast; the sides and flanks white, tinged with bluish gray and rusty brown.
Adult male: Above bluish gray (more blue on head), the back bright olive green;

548 HISTORY OF THE

wiug with two broad, white bauds; chin, throat and breast yellow; chest more
or less tinged with orange brown, this often bordered auteriorlj' by a blackish
band across the lower throat; rest of lower parts white; the sides tinged with
bluish gray and reddish brown. Adult female: Similar to the male but paler;
all colors less pronounced. Young, in first autumn: Upper parts in general
tinged with olive green; yellow of lower parts paler. Young: Yellow of lower
parts replaced by light grayish, the chin tinged with yellow; above, dull gray-
ish, more olive on back; the wings and tall much as in adult female, but duller
grayish. {Bidgicay.)

Stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 4.55 7.20 2.25 1.80 .65 .40

Female... 4.20 6.75 2.05 1.60 .65 .38

Iris dark brown; bill — upper black, under pale yellow; legs,
feet and claws pale brown; bottoms of feet yellowish.

The natural haunts of this graceful little Warbler are within the
timbered lands along the streams and borders of swamps, where
it delights to forage in the topmost branches of the trees, skip-
ping from branch to branch, darting off to catch a passing in-
sect, peeping into the crevices of the bark from the under side
of the limbs, or swaying from the ends of leafy twigs, with the
ease and freedom of the Chickadee. When the fruit trees are
in blossom, it visits the gardens and orchards, and rids the buds
and blossoms of many a pest. It is thought by some to also
feed upon the pollen and other soft parts of blossoms, but I
have so far failed, upon dissection, to find a trace of anything
but insect life.

Their call note sounds mucb like "Cheep," and when scold-
ing or alarmed it is uttered in a chattering manner. Their song
is a feeble effort, that can only be heard a short distance; a
rather sharp, lisping, twittering trill.

For their nesting places, they select low or swampy lands,
where the pendulous mosses grow. Dr. Brewer, in "North
American Land Birds," gives the following minute description
of their nests and eggs:

"The nests of this Warbler, so far as have fallen under my
observation, have always been made of long gray lichens, still
attached to the trees on which they grow. With great skill do
these tiny architects gather up, fasten together, and interweave,
one with the other, the hanging ends and long branches. By

BIRDS OF KANS4S. 549

an elaborate intertwining of these long fibers, they form the
principal part, sometimes the whole, of their nests. These
structures are at once simple, beautiful, ingenious, and skillfully
wrought. When first made they are somewhat rude and unfin-
ished, but as their family are gathered, the eggs deposited, in-
cubated and hatched, a change has been going on. Little by
little has the male bird busied himself, when not procuring food
for his mate, in improving, strengthening and enlarging the
nest. These same acts of improvement upon the original nests
are noticed with Hummingbirds, Yireos, and a few other birds.
"The nests are sometimes constructed on the sides of trunks
of trees, when covered with long gray lichens, but are more
frequently found hanging from branches, usually not more than
six or eight feet from the ground. Thus surrounded by long,
hanging mosses, in clumps not distinguishable from the nests
themselves, they would not be readily recognized were it not
that those familiar with the habits of the bird may be readily
guided to the spot by the artless movements of the unsuspecting

parents.

"These birds are confiding, easily approached, and rarely
exhibit signs of alarm. Even when their nest is disturbed they
make but little complaint, and do not manifest any very great
sio-ns of emotion. When built against a trunk these nests con-
sist only of an interweaving of the mosses above and below a
very small opening; within, a small, cup-shaped fiooring has
been made of the same material, and usually cannot be removed
without destroying all semblance of a nest. When pensile they
are perfectly circular in shape, with an entrance on one side,
and rarely with any lining. Occasionally they are models of
symmetry and beauty.

"The eggs, four or five in number, have a clear white ground,
and are sparingly spotted with markings of reddish brown, slate,
purple and lilac. In some the first predominate; in others the
last three shades are more abundant, and usually form a con-
fluent ring around the larger end. They measure from . 62 to
.05 of an inch in length, and from .49 to .50 in breadth."

Eggs three to five. A set of four eggs, collected at Shelter

550 HISTORY OF THE

Island, N. Y., are, in dimensions: .65x.4-J:, .66xA5, .67x.48,

.68x.47; in form, oval.

Genus DENDROICA Gray.

•• Bill conical, attenuated, depressed at the base, where it is, however, scarcely
broader than high, compressed from the middle. Culmen straight for the basal
half, then rather rapidly curving, the lower edge of upper mandible also con-
cave. Gonys slightly convex and ascending. A distinct notch near the end of
the bill. Bristles, though short, generally quite distinct at the base of the bill.
Tarsi long, decidedly longer than middle toe, which is longer than the hinder
one; the claws rather small and much curved, the hind claw nearly as long as
its digit. The wings long and pointed; the second quill usually very little
longer than the first. The tail slightly rounded and eniarginate. Colors: Tail
always with a white or yellow spot; its ground color nearly clear olive green.
In J). CBstiva, edged internally with yellow."

Subgenus DENDROICA Gray.

No white spot at base of quills, or else no other white markings on outer sur-
face of wings; wing less than half as long again as tail. (Ridgway.)

Dendroica sestiva (Gmel.).

YELLOW WARBLER.
PLATE XXXII.

Summer resident; abundant in the eastern part of the State;
not uncommon westward. Arrive the last of April; begin lay-
ing about the middle of May; leave the last of August to first
of September.

B. 203. R. 93. C. 111. G. 40, 279. U. 653.

Habitat. North America at large; breeding from northern
Mexico northward to the Arctic coast; wintering in Mexico,
Central America, and southward into South America.*

Sp. Char. ''Adult: Head, all round, and under parts generally, bright yel-
low; rest of upper parts yellow olivaceous, brightest on rump; back with obso-
lete streaks of dusky reddish brown; fore breast and sides of the body streaked
with brownish red; tail feathers bright yellow; the outer webs and tips, with the
whole upper surface of the innermost one, brown; extreme outer edges of wing
and tail feathers olivaceous like the back; the middle and greater coverts and
tertials edged with yellow, forming two bands on the wings. Female similar,
with the crown olivaceous like the back, and the streaks wanting on the back
and much restricted on the under parts; tail with more brown. Toung: Dull
brownish olive above; pale ochraceous yellow beneath, with the throat more

* Dendroica astiva morcomi (^OALE, an alleged western form, is not recognized by the
A. O. U. Committee, as the little differences that may exist are thought to be too inconstant
and uncertain to entitle it to a subspecific separation.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 551

whitish; the yellow of tail restricted to inner half of inner webs. The latter
feature will serve to distinguish it from any North American species."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.30 8.00 3.55 2.00 .70 .43

Female... 5.00 7.G5 2.40 1.80 .70 .40

Iris bluish black; bill dark blue, upper nearly black; legs^
feet and claws light yellowish brown.

These widely distributed and attractive birds are the most
common and familiar of all the Warblers, They seldom fre-
quent the deep woods, preferring the groves, orchards, gardens,
parks and shade trees for their haunts, and they are as much at
home in the large cities as in the country. (Or were until the
introduction and spread of the aggressive English Sparrow.)
They are great favorites, not only on account of their song and
pretty ways, but because they are very beneficial in ridding the
trees, vines, etc, of the various forms of injurious insects, for
which they diligently hunt among the foliage.

They sing sweetly, and late in the season — a lively, cheerful,
whistling song. Their call note is a rather loud "Chip."

Their nests are placed in small trees and bushes, giving prefer-
ence to orchards and shrubbery in gardens; a neatly-constructed
nest of fibrous strippings and cotton-like substances from plants,
and lined sparingly with fine grasses, hairs, and now and then a
feather. Eggs 'four or five, .6Gx. 50; bluish white, with specks
and blotches of brown, umber and lilac, irregularly scattered
over the egg, thickest around larger end; in form, oval.

Dendroica coronata (Linn.).

MYRTLE WARBLER.
PLATE XXXII.

Winter sojourner; not common; in migration abundant. Be-
gin to move northward the last of March, and by the middle of
April all but a few stragglers have left us; begin to return the
last of September, the bulk not arriving until the middle of
October.

B. 194. R. 95. C. 119. G. 41, 380. U. 655.
PIabitat. The whole of North America, but chiefly east of
the Rocky Mountains, breeding from the northern United States

552 HISTORY OF THE

northward into the Arctic regions; and what is strange for so

hardy a bird, have been found breeding in Jamaica; winter from

about latitude 40° south into southern Central America.

Sp. Char. Outer surface of wings with more or less distinct lighter mark-
ings, but without wliite spot at base of quills; rump yellow; crown with a yel-
low patch (partly concealed). Adult male: Lower parts, including chin and
throat, white; the chest and sides broadly streaked with black ( these streaks
sometimes more or less confluent, forming a broken patch), and the sides of
the breast with a yellow patch; upper parts bluish gray, becoming blackish on
sides of head, which ai'e marked by white supraloral and postocular sti-eaks; back
broadly streaked with black; wing with two white bands across tip of middle
and greater coverts. Adult female: Similar to male, but much duller lu color,
with markings less conspicuously contrasted. Winter plumage {sexes essen-
tially alike): Upper parts strongly washed with umber brown, and lower parts
more or less suffused with a paler wash of the same — the pattern of the sum-
mer plumage being thereby much obscured; streaks on chest, etc.; and yellow
patches indistinct. Young: No yellow anywhere, except sometimes on nnnp;
whole plumage thickly streaked above and below with dusky and grayish white;
tail much as in adult. (Eidgway).

Letigth.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 5.75

9.10

3.00

2.40

.73

.38

Female . .

. 5.50

8.70

2.80

2.20

.72

.38

Iris brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

These hardy Warblers frequent the open woods and borders
of streams. During the winter months, in their northern winter
homes, they feed chiefly upon spiders, eggs and, larva of insects,
and also upon the berries of the poison ivy, etc. ; in the early
spring, as they move northward, upon the insects that gather
about the unfolding leaves, buds and blossoms. In the spring
of 1880, I found the birds in large numbers on Brier Island and
other places in Nova Scotia, feeding along the beach, in com-
pany with the Savanna Sparrow and Horned Lark, upon the
small flies and other insects that swarm about the kelp and de-
bris washed upon the shore; uttering almost continually, as they
flit about, a "Tweet" note, the males often flying to the tops
of the small hemlocks to give vent to their happiness in song,
which is quite loud for Warblers — rather short, but soft and
pleasing, and it seemed to me especially so in contrast with the
feeble, reed-like notes of the Savanna Sparrow.

The birds usually build their nests in low trees and bushes.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 553

According to Mr. MacFarlane, who found them nesting at An-
derson River, they occasionally nest on the ground. Doctor
Brewer, in "North American Land Birds," gives the following
minute description of a nest:

"In the summer of 1855, early in July, I obtained a nest of
this species in Parsboro', Nova Scotia. It was built in a low
bush, in the midst of a small village, and contained six eggs.
The parents were very shy, and it was with great difficulty that
one of them was secured for identification. Though late in the
season, incubation had but just commenced.

"The nest was built on a horizontal branch, the smaller twigs
of which were so interlaced as to admit of being built upon
them, though their extremities were interwoven into its rim.
The nest was small for the bird, being only two inches in depth,
and four and a half in diameter. The cavity is one and one-
liaK inches deep and two and a half wide. Its base and exter-
nal portions consist of fine, light dry stalks of wild grasses, and
slender twigs and roots. Of the last, the firm, strong rim of
the nest is exclusively woven. Within, the nest is composed
of soft, fine grasses, downy feathers, and the fine hair of the
smaller mammals."

Eggs three to six, .70x. 53; white to greenish white, spotted
and blotched (thickest and usually forming a wreath around the
larger end) with varying shades of umber brown to blackish and
pale lilac (they vary greatly in the amount of markings and
shape); being in form rounded oval to ovate.

Dendroica auduboni (Towns.).

AUDUBON'S WARBLER.
PLATE XXXII.

Migratory in western Kansas; rather common. Arrive early
in the spring; return and leave for the south in October; a few
occasionally remaining late into November.

B. 195. R. 96. C. 120. G. 42. 281. U. 656.

Habitat. "Western North America; north to British Columbia;
east to the eastern border of the Great Plains (accidentally to
Massachusetts); wintering in southern Arizona and California,

554 HISTORY OF THE

southward through western Mexico to Guatemala; breeding in
the mountainous regions throughout their range in the United
States and northward.

Sp. Char. "Above, bluish ash, streaked with black, most marked on the
middle of the back; on the head and neck bluish ash. Middle of crown, rump,
chin and tlu'oat, and a patch on the side of the breast, gamboge yellow; space
beneath and anterior to the eyes, fore part of breast and sides, black; this color
extending behind on the sides in streaks. Middle of belly, under tail coverts, a
portion of upper and lower eyelids, and a broad baud on the wings, with a spot
on each of the four or five exterior tail feathers, white; rest of tail feathers
black. Female: Brown above; the other markings less conspicuous and less
black. Young, first plumage: Whole body, including head all round and rump,
conspicuously streaked with slaty black, upon an ashy ground above and white
below. No yellow ou crown, rump, breast or throat. Wings and tail as in
autumnal adult,

"This bird is very closely allied to D. coronata, but is distinguished by the
yellow (not white) throat; the absence of a superciliary white stripe (the eyelids
white, however); the restriction of the black of the face to the lores, and to a
suffusion round the eye; and the presence of one broad band on the wings in-
stead of two narrow ones."

stretch of
Length. 7uing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.7.5 9.20 3.00 2.45 ,73 ,40

Female.., 5..50 8.80 2.80 2.35 ,72 .40

Iris brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

This western representative of the Myrtle Warbler is fully as
common in suitable localities throughout its range, and its habits
and actions are precisely the same.

Their nests are usually placed in evergreen trees, and range
all the way from three to thirty feet from the ground. They
are composed of strips of fine bark, pine needles, stems of
plants, etc., and lined with fine rootlets, hairs, and a few downy
feathers. Eggs usually four, .68x.52; greenisli to pale olive
creamy white, rather thinly spotted and dotted with varying
shades of brown to black and pale lilac, thickest about the
larger end; in form, oval.

Dendroica maculosa (Gmel.).

MAGNOLIA WARBLER,
PLATE XXXII,

Migratory; rare. Arrive the first of May; begin to return
the last of August, and leave for the south during the month
of September,

B. 204. R. 97. C. 125. G. 43, 282. U. 657,

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 655

Habitat. Eastern North America; west to the base of the

Rocky Mountains; breeding from the northern United States to

Hudson's Bay and Great Slave Lake; soutli in winter to the

Bahamas, Cuba, eastern Mexico and southern Central America.

Sp. Char. Crown plaiu grayish, without yellow spot. Adult male: Top of
head plain bluish gray, lighter around border (the superciliary region whitish);
lores and ear coverts deep black; back black, sometimes mixed with yellowish
olive green; wings black, with a large white patch covering both rows of cov-
erts; lower parts rich gamboge yellow, the chest and sides boldly striped with
deep black. Adult female: Similar to male, but colors duller, the back mainly
(sometimes entirely) olive green; wing coverts with two separated white bands;
streaks on lower parts narrower, etc. Autumnal plumage: Above, olive, be-
coming grayish on head, and greenish on back; throat pale grayish; no streaks
across chest. Young: Above, dull brown, very indistinctly clouded with darker;
wings dusky, with two pale, dingy yellowish or yellowish-white bands across
tips of coverts; chest smoky brown, indistinctly streaked with lighter; chin and
throat lighter brownish; rest of lower parts pale sulphur yellow, broadly streaked
with dusky, except on belly and under tail coverts. {Ridgicay.)

Length.

Stretch of

wing. Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 4.85

7.50 2.40

3.00

.70

.38

Female . . ,

4.75

7.15 2.25

1.90

.70

.38

Iris dark brown; bill black, with under sometimes pale at
base; legs, feet and claws dusky; bottoms of feet dull greenish
yellow.

These handsome Warblers are decidedly the most showy of
the family, and they are evidently aware of the fact, and proud
of their rich, varied plumage, as they make the greatest display
possible of the same, moving nimbly and gracefully about, with
outspread tail and partially closed wings, not only in courtship,
but in their search among the foliage for insect life. During
migration, they stop to rest and feed in the groves, gardens and
orchards, seldom in the deep woods. At such times they move
silently along, only uttering their ordinary and ratlier ringing
"Chip," reserving their song for their breeding grounds; at least
I have never heard one sing far south of its summer home. I
do not think the birds are abundant anywhere. In the spring
and early summer of 1880, I found them quite common in Nova
Scotia and New Brunswick, where they seemed to prefer for
their haunts the thick growths of small spruce and hemlock.
They make their presence known by their song, which is shrill,

556 HISTORY OF THE

but clear and sweet, and, when perched upon the top of a tree,
quite prolonged; as a rule, however, thej are too restless to rel
main long in a place, and generally warble in broken notes, or
snatches, as they flit actively among the boughs.

On the 11th of June, I had the pleasure of finding, at Grand
Manan, N. B., a nest containing four eggs, in a little spruce, not
over three feet in height. The nest was built on the top of a
spreading branch, six inches from the body of the tree and two
feet from the ground. It was composed almost wholly of small,
slim stems of weeds, and thickly lined witli jet black, hair-like
rootlets, in marked contrast with the dull, faded nest. Eggs:
.60x.48, .63x. 50, .65x. 50, .G8x. 50; creamy white, rather spar-
ingly spotted with umber to reddish brown and lilac, thickest
and sometimes confluent around the larger end; in form, oval.

Dendroica cserulea (Wils.).

CERULEAN WARBLER.
PLATE XXXII.

Summer resident in the eastern part of the State; common;
rare westward. Arrive the last of April; begin laying the last
of May. The bulk leave early in September; a few occasionally
linger until the first of October.

B. 201. R. 98. C. 118. G. 44, 283. U. 658.

Habitat. Eastern United States and southern Canada; west

to the Great Plains; rare or casual east of central New York

and the Alleghanies; south in winter to western Cuba, Yucatan,

Honduras and Panama.

Sp. Chab. "3/afe; Above, bright blue, darkest on the crown, tinged with
ash on the rump; middle of back, scapulars, upper tail coverts and sides of the
crown streaked with black; beneath, white; a collar across the breast and
streak on the sides dusky bhie; lores, and a line through and behind the eye
(where it is bordered above by whitish), dusky blue; paler on the cheeks. Two
white bands on the wing; all the tail feathers except the innermost with a white
patch on the inner web near the end. Female: Greenish blue above, brightest
on the crown; beneath, white, tinged with greenish yellow, and obsoletely
streaked on the sides; eyelids and a superciliary line greenish white. The
autumnal adult plumage of both sexes is in every i-espect exactly like the spring
dress. Young males in late summer are very similar to adult females, but are
purer white below, and less uniform greenish blue above, the dark stripes on
sides of the crown and black centers to scapulars being quite conspicuous; the

BIRDS OF KANSAS. ■ 557

yoimg female, at the same season, is similar in pattern to the adult, but is dull
greeu above, without any llnse of blue, and light buffy yellow below.

"There is considerable variation in adult males, especially in the width of
the pectoral collar; one (No. 60877, Mt. Carmel, Wabash county, 111., Aug. 9th)
has this entirely interrupted. In this individual there is no trace of a vihitish
supra-auricular streak; while others from the same locality, and obtained at the
same date, have the bands across the jugulum continuous, and a quite distinct
white streak over the ear coverts."

Dimensions of a pair in "The Goss Ornithological Collec-
tion:"

stretch of
Length. 2uing. Whig. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 4.90 8.00 2.G5 1.80 .65 .40

Female... 4.75 7.85 2.60 1.70 .65 .40

Iris brownish black; bill black, with under pale at base; legs
and feet deep blue; claws brown.

These prettj azure birds inhabit the deep woods, preferring
the timbered bottom lands along the streams, where thej make
their homes in the treetops, seldom descending to the lower
branches, and to the ground only when in search of material for
a nest. Tlicj are lively and graceful in their movements, flit-
ting here and there through the foliage, and often, in their
search for insect life, swaying head downward from the ends of
slender twigs with the ease of a Titmouse. They are the most
abundant in the eastern portion of the Mississippi valley. Liv-
ing as they do in the upper branches, and largely in the wild
woods, their breeding range is but little known, and they are no
doubt much more common everywhere than they are generally
reported to be. I think it safe to say that they breed from the
Gulf coast northward throughout their range. During the
breeding season the birds are quite constant singers — a rather
feeble effort, but clear, soft and musical, ending in a creaking
manner.

Their nests are saddled on horizontal limbs, from fifteen to
sixty feet from the ground — rarely below thirty feet, especially
in heavily-timbered lands. They are composed of fine grasses,
moss, and bits of hornets' nests, interwoven with spider webs and
soft strippings from plants, the outside sparingly dotted with
lichen. Eggs usually three or four; creamy to greenish white, .
speckled with reddish brown and lilac, tliickest, and sometimes

558 HISTORY OF THE

forming a wreath, around the larger end; in form, oval. A set
of four eggs, taken June 16th, 1883, near Ontario, Canada, from
a nest in an ironwood tree, fifteen feet froni the ground, are, in
dimensions: .58x.45, .59x.45, .60x.46, .60x.47.

Dendroica pensylvanica (Linn.).

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER.
PLATE XXXII.

Migratory; rare. Taken at Leavenworth, in May, 1871, by
Prof. J. A. Allen; and near Topeka, May 2d, 1873, by Prof. E. A.
Popenoe. I have never been so fortunate as to meet with them
in the State.

B. 200. R. 99. C. 124. G. 45, 284. U. 659.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to Canada and Mani-
toba; west to the Great Plains; breeding from about latitude
40° (probably in high, mountainous regions south) northward;
south in winter to the Bahamas, eastern Mexico and southern
Central America.

Sp. Chak. '■'■Male: Upper parts streaked with black and pale bluish gray,
which becomes nearly white on the fore part of the back; the middle of the back
glossed with greenish yellow. The crown is continuous yellow, bordered by a
frontal and superciliary baud, and behind by a square spot of white. Loral re-
gion black, sending off a line over the eye, and another below it. Ear coverts
and lower eyelid, and entire under parts, pure white; a purplish chestnut stripe
starting on each side, in a line with the black 'mustache,' and extending back to
the thighs. Wing and tail feathers dark brown, edged with bluish gray, except
the secondaries and tertials, which are bordered with light yellowish green. The
shouldei's with two greenish white bands. Three outer tail feathers with white
patches near the end of the inner webs. Female: Like the male, except that
the upper parts are yellowish green, streaked with black; the black 'mustache'
scarcely appreciable. The young, in autumn, are very different from either male
or female in spring. The entire upper parts are of a continuous light olive
green; the under parts white; the sides of the head, neck and breast ash gray,
shading insensibly into and tinging the white of the chin and throat. No black
streaks are visible above or on the cheeks, and the eye is surrounded by a con-
tinuous ring of white, as seen in spring. In this plumage it has frequently been
considered as a distinct species. The male, in this spring plumage, may usually
be distinguished from the female by possessing a trace (or a distinct stripe) of
chestnut on the flanks, the young female, at least, lacking it."

stretch of
Length. -wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.00 7.70 2.45 2.00 .70 .37

Female... 4.80 7.40 2.30 1.90 .70 .36

BHiDS OF KANSAS. ■ 559

Ti'is dark brown; bill black, sometimes the under mandible is
bluish at base; legs, feet and claws slaty blue.

These charming little birds frequent the open woods, groves
and shrubby growths bordering the fields, prairies and streams,
seldom visiting the gardens and shade trees about our dwell-
ings. They are quite common east of the Mississippi River.
At Pewaukee, Wisconsin, (where brother and I have so often
rambled together,) they are a very common summer resident;
breeding in the second growths of shrubby oaks and bushes.
They are not naturally suspicious and wild, often allowing a
near approach. They search largely for their food among the
upper branches, and are expert in catching insects on the wing,
darting from tlieir perch and usually returning to the same,
much like the true Flycatchers.

Their ordinary call note is a rather feeble "Tsip," which,
when alarmed, is uttered in a harsh, chattering manner. Tlieir
song is rather short — a few varied, musical notes, resembling
that of the Yellow Warbler.

Their nests are placed in the forks of low bushes, and are
composed of small stems, grasses and flax-like strippings from
plants, rather loosely woven together, and lined with hairs.
Eggs usually four, ,68x.50; white, or creamy white, spotted
with reddish to dark brown and lilac, thickest and generally
tending to form a ring around the larger end; some are spar-
ingly, others profusely marked; in form, oval. A set of four
eggs, collected June 15th, 1879, at Pewaukee, Wisconsin, from a
nest in the forks of a low bush, in a thick growth, are. in dimen-
sions: .68x.4:8, .6yx.50, .70x.50, .70x.50.

^ Dendroica striata (Forst.).

BLACK-POLL WARBLER.

PLATE XXXn.

t

Migratory; common. Arrive the first to middle of May;
begin to return early in September. The bulk leave for the
south during the latter part of the month; a few occasionally
remain until the last of October.

B. 202. R. 101. C. 122. G. 46, 285. U. 661.

560 HISTORY OF THE

Habitat. Eastern and northei-n North America; north to
the Arctic coast, accidentally to Greenland; west to the Kocky
Mountains, and throughout Alaska, north to the peninsula;
breeding from northern New England northward throughout
their entire range; south in winter to the Bahamas, Cuba and
northern South America.

I have never met with the birds in Mexico or Central Amer-
ica (where I have found most all the other Warblers that I have
described), neither can I find any mention of their occurrence,
but I feel confident that they do winter in Central America
and in eastern Mexico.

Sp. Char. '■'Male: Crowu, nape, and upper half of the head, black; the
lower half, including the ear coverts, white, the separating line passing through
the middle of the eye. Eest of upper parts grayish ash, tinged with brown and
conspicuously streaked with black. Wing and tail feathers brown, edged exter-
nally (except the inner tail feathers) with dull olive green. Two conspicuous
bars of white on the wing coverts, the tertials edged with the same. Under
parts white, with a narrow line on each side of the throat from the chin to the
sides of the neck, where it runs into a close patch of black streaks, continued
along the breast and sides to the root of the tail. Outer two tail feathers with
an oblique patch on the inner web near the end; the others edged internally
with white. Female: Similar, except that the upper parts are olivaceous, and,
even on the crown, streaked with black; the white on the sides and across the
breast tinged with yellowish; a ring of the same round the eye, cut by a dusky
line through it. The autumnal dress of young birds is very different from that
of spriug. The upper parts are light olive green, obsoletely streaked with
brown; beneath, greenish yellow, obsoletely streaked on the breast and sides;
the under tail coverts pure white; a yellowish ring round the eye, and a super-
ciliary one of the same color. In this dress it is scarcely possible to distinguish
it from the immature D. castanea. The young bird in its first dress is also quite
different, again, from the autumnal plumaged birds. The upper parts are hoary
grayish, the lower white; each feather of the whole body, except lower tail cov-
erts, with a terminal bar or transverse spot of blackish, those on the upper parts
approaching the base of the feathers along the shaft. Wings and tail nmch as
iu the autumnal plumage."

Stretch of
Lettgth. wing. Wzttg. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.40 8.75 2.80 2.05 .74 .45

Female... 5.20 8.50 2.70 2.00 .73 .45

Iris brown; bill — upper and end of lower black, rest pale blue;
legs and claws light brown; feet yellowish brown.

These familiar birds are quite common and are pretty gener-
ally diffused throughout their range. They are among the last

BIRDS OF KANSAS: 551

arrivals in spring and often tarry late in the fall. They select
for their summer homes the low woodlands, bordering streams
and swamps; but during migration, visit alike the upland groves,
waste fields, orchards, gardens, etc., and in their search for food
are at home wherever insect life can be found; peeping into the
crevices of bark on logs, the bodies and lower branches of trees,
skipping about in the tops among the foliage, and often darting
here and there to catch, in the manner of the Flycatchers, the
passing insects. They are not naturally wild, and usually very
easily approached.

Their song, often heard in the early breeding season, con-
sists of a few low, varied notes, uttered in too lisping and wiry
a tone to be called musical.

The following is a description of a nest and eggs that I suc-
ceeded in finding in a dense undergrowth at Grand JVIanan, N.
B., June 19th, 1880. The nest was built not over two feet from
the ground, on a horizontal limb, and against the body of a small
spruce tree. It was quite bulky, and made from the tips of fir
and spruce twigs, fine rootlets, grasses and slender lichens, and
lined thickly with feathers. The eggs (four in number) are, in
dimensions (large as compared with measurements given by
others): .77x.55, .78x.56, .79x.56, .79x. 56; white to creamy
buff, speckled with various shades of reddish brown and lilac
and a few streak-like blotches of black, chiefly about the larger
end, where the markings are rather confluent, forming a wreath
upon one of the eggs; in form, ovah

Dendroica blackburnise (Gmel.).

BLACEZBURNIAN WARBLER.
PLATE XXXII.

Migratory; rare. Arrive the first of May; return early in
September; leave during the month.

B. 196. E. 103. C. 121. G. 47, 286. U. 662.

Habitat. Eastern temperate North America; accidental in
Greenland; west to the Great Plains, casually to Utah; breed-
ing from the northern United States (probably high, mountain-
ous regions south) northward; south in winter, through the

562 HISTORY OF THE

Bahamas, eastern Mexico and Central America, into South

America.

Sp. Chab. "Upper parts nearly uniform black, with a whitish scapular stripe
and a large white patch in the middle of the wing coverts. An oblong patch in
the middle of the crown, and the entire side of the head and neck (including a
superciliary stripe from the nostrils), the chin, throat, and fore part of the breast
bright orange red. A black stripe from the commissure, passing around the
lower half of the eye, and including the ear coverts, with, however, an orange
crescent in it, just below the eye, the extreme lid being black. Rest of under
parts white, strongly tinged with yellowish orange on the breast and belly, and
streaked with black on the sides. Outer three tail feathers white, the shafts
and tips dark brown; the fourth and fifth spotted much with white; the other
tail feathers and quills almost black. Female similar; the colors duller; the
feathers of the upper parts with olivaceous edges. Autumnal males resemble
the females. They have two white bands instead of one; the black stripes on the
sides are larger; under parts yellowish; the throat yellowish, passing into purer
yellow behind. Autumnal young birds have the same pattern of coloration, but
the dark portions are dull grayish umber, with the streaks very obsolete, and
the light parts dull buffy white, tinged with yellow on the jugulum; there is
neither clear black, bright yellow, nor pure white on the plumage, except the
latter on the wing bands and tail patches."

Length.

stretch of
wing:

IVhig.

Tail.

Ta rstis.

Bill.

Male ....

. 5.00

8.15

2.60

1.90

.70

.40

Female. . ,

. 4.75

7.90

2.50

1.80

.70

.40

Iris, legs, feet and claws dark brown; bill black, with base of
forks of under white.

This beautiful Warbler inhabits the deep woods, seldom fre-
quenting the open woodlands and orchards, and is usually more
common, especially in the middle and eastern portions of its
range, than generally supposed to be; a rather silent, solitary,
retiring bird, that feeds chiefly in the treetops, where it flits
among the leaves in its search for food, and chases the winged
insects much like the restless Redstart. For its summer home
it selects the coniferous forests, where its song, consisting of a
few pleasing, warbling notes, that ends in a squeaky manner, is
often heard. Its call note is a rather sharp "Tsip." Mr.
Brewster, on "Birds of Winchendon, Massachusetts," gives the
following interesting description of a nest, its eggs, etc. :

"On both high and low ground, wherever there were spruces
in any numbers, whether by themselves or mixed with other
trees, and also to some extent where the growth was entirely of

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 5(33

hemlocks, the Blackburnian Warbler was one of the most abund-
ant characteristic summer birds, in places even outnumberino-
the Black-throated Green Warbler, althougli it shunned strictly
the extensive tracts of white pines which I), virens seemed to
find quite as congenial as any of the other evergreens. A set
of four eggs was taken June 26, 1887. The nest, which was
found by watching the female, was built at a height of about
thirty feet above the ground,* on the horizontal branch of a
black spruce, some six feet out from the main stem. Its bottom
rested securely near the base of a short, stout twig. Above
and on every side masses of dark spruce foliage, rendered still
denser by a draping of Usnea (which covered the entire tree pro-
fusely), hid the nest so perfectly that not a vestige of it could
be seen from any direction. This nest is composed outwardly
of fine twigs, among which some of the surrounding Usnea is
entangled and interwoven. The lining is of horse hair, fine dry
grasses, and a few of the black rootlets used by D. maculosa.
The whole structure is light and airy in appearance, and re-
sembles rather closely the nest of the Chipping Sparrow. The
eggs measure, respectively: .68x.49, .66x. 50, .69x.49, .68x.61
inches. They are marked with pale lavender, vandyke brown,
mars brown and black. Over most of the shell the markings
are fine and sparsely distributed, but about the larger end they
become broad and more or less confluent, tending to form a
wreath pattern. Some of the black markings are linear, re-
sembling pen scratches. The ground color of these eggs, before
blowing, would have been passed for dull white, but, with the
removal of their contents, a delicate yet faint greenish tinge
appeared, and has since persisted. This greenish tinge was also
a characteristic feature of eight eggs (representing two sets)
taken by Mr. Bailey, atWinchendon, before my arrival, in 1887."
Eggs four or five, .68x.50; in form, oval.

*They usually build much nearer the ground.

564 HISTORY OF THE

Dendroica dominica albilora Baikd.

SYCAMORE WARBLER.

Summer resident in the eastern part of the State; rare. Ar-
rive the last of April to first of May; leave the last of September
to first of October.

B. . R. 103a. C. 130. G. 48, 287. U. 663a.

Habitat. Mississippi valley; north to southern Michigan and

northern Illinois; west to eastern Kansas and Texas; breeding

limits but little known; south in winter from the Gulf coast,

through Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.

Sp. Chab. Adult {sexes alike): Above, ash gray, without streaks, the forehead
or sides of crown, or both, black. Wings blackish, the middle and greater cov-
erts broadly tipped with white and edged with ash gray; remiges edged with ash
gray. Tail dusky, the feathers edged with ash gray, the inner webs of three
outer rectrices vpith a large white patch covering the terminal portion — on the
lateral feathers occupying nearly half of the web. A white superciliary stripe,
sometimes tinged with yellow anteriorly; a ci'escentic spot beneath eye, and
large space on side of neck, immediately behind auriculars, also white. Lores
and auriculars deep black, this continued down each side of the throat, but on
sides of breast broken into stripes, which extend along sides to flanks. Chin,
throat and jugulum bright gamboge yellow, the first white anteriorly. Rest of
lower parts, except as described, white. The plumage of the adult in fall and
early winter differs from the spring livery, as described above, only in having
the ash gray, and also the white of the abdomen, slightly tinged with brownish.
The young in first autumn are essentially similar to autumnal adults, but have
the brownish wash or discoloration more distinct, and the markings conse-
quently less sharply defined. {Ridgicay.)

Length.

Stretch of
■wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 5.20

8.35

2.70

2.20

.65

.45

Female . .

. 5.00

8.00

2.55

2.00

.65

.45

Iris brown; bill black; legs, feet and claws olive brown; bot-
toms of feet greenish yellow.

My knowledge of these birds, from observation, has been very
limited. I therefore quote from "Birds of Illinois" Mr. Ridg-
way' s description of their habits, etc. :

"The Sycamore Warbler is a common summer resident in the
bottom lands, where, according to the writer's experience, it lives
chiefly in the large sycamore trees, along or near water courses.
On this account, it is a difficult bird to obtain during the breed-
ing season, the male usually keeping in the topmost branches of

BIRDS OF KANSAS., 565

the tallest trees, out of gnnshot, and often, practically, out of
sight, although his presence is betrayed by his loud, very un-
Warbler-like song. The song of this species is so much like that
of the Indigo Bird, that it requires a practiced ear to distinguish
them; the tone is remarkably similar, but there is a difference
in the modulation, which, after one becomes thoroughly ac-
quainted with it, renders it distinguishable. In its motions, this
warbler partakes much of the character of a creeper, often
ascending or descending trunks of trees, or following their
branches, much in the manner of a Mniotilta. The first speci-
men which the writer ever saw was creeping about the eaves
and cornice of a frame dwelling house, in the center of the town
of Mt. Carmel. Very often, however, it could not be distin-
guished from other Warblers, so far as its actions were con-
cerned, ' '

In my "Revised Catalogue of the Birds of Kansas," I de-
scribed what I then supposed to be the nest and eggs of these
birds, I am now satisfied that the authority is not reliable, upon
which the entry was based, I have met with the birds at Neosho
Falls, Kansas, on several occasions, during the summer months,
and once as early as the last of April; always in or about the
large sycamore trees, along the banks of the Neosho Kiver; but
have never been so fortunate as to find them nesting anywhere,
neither can I find any authentic description of their nests and
eggs. They undoubtedly nest in the treetops, like the eastern
bird, D. dominica.

Dendroica virens (Gmel.).

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.
PLATE XXXII.

Migratory; not uncommon. Arrive the last of April to first
of May; begin to return the last of August; leave during the
month of September and early part of October.

B. 189. R. 107. C. 112. G. 49, 288. U. 607,

Habitat, Eastern temperate North America; casual to Green-
land; west to the edge of the Great Plains; breeds from the
northern United States northward; south in winter throuirh
eastern Mexico to southern Central America; West Indies,

56g HISTORY OF THE

Sp. Chae. ''Male: Upper parts, exclusive of wiug and tail, clear yellow
olive greeu; the feathers of the back with hidden streaks of black. Forehead
and sides of head and neck, including a superciliary stripe, bright yellow. A
dusky line from the bill through the eye, and another below it. Chin, throat
and fore part of the breast, extending some distance along on the sides, con-
tinuous black; rest of under parts white, tinged with yellow on the breast and
flanks. Wings and tail feathers dark brown, edged with bluish gray; two white
bands on the wing; the greater part of the three outer tail feathers white. Fer-
male: Similar, but duller; the throat yellow; the black of breast much concealed
by white edges; the sides streaked with black. The autumnal male has the
black of throat and breast obscured by whitish tips. Females are yellowish
white beneath, tinged with grayish towards tail."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . . .

. 5.00

7.75

2.50

2.20

.70

.40

Female . .

. 4.90

7.40

2.30

2.10

.70

.38

Iris dark brown; bill black; legs, feet and claws dusky; bot-
toms of feet greenish yellow.

During the breeding season these sylvan birds inhabit the
coniferous forests, from my observation preferring the hilly up-
lands; and, in migration, are more common in the groves and
trees skirting the streams than in the heavily wooded bottom
lands. They live almost wholly in the upper branches of the
trees, and seldom alight upon the ground, except in search of
material for a nest, or at the water' s edge to bathe. They feed
largely upon leaf worms, spiders, beetles and flies, and in their
search for the same are in actions much like tlie Yireos, hopping
about among the boughs and capturing occasionally in the air —
never in the creeping manner of some of the family.

In the early part of June, 1880, I found them nesting at
Digby, Nova Scotia, in the thick growths of hemlock, spruce
and pine. I discovered two nests that the birds were building.
They were at least thirty feet from the ground. The males
were singing in every direction. Tlieir song is quite loud; a
pleasing, reed-like chant, the higher notes too shrill to be
musicah Their ordinary call note is a common "Chip," or
"Tsip."

Their nests have occasionally been found near the ground,
but such finds are exceptional; as a rule, they range from about
fifteen to fifty feet from the ground. They are usually built on

BIRDS OF KANSAS, 507

horizontal forks of a limb and near the end of the boughs. A
rather small, compact structure, composed of fine strips of bark,
stems of plants, bits of leaves, slender twigs, interwoven with
tine grasses and feathers, and lined with hairs and fine, downy
shreds from plants. Eggs usually four, . 67x. 52; creamy white,
spotted with obscure lilac, yellowish to red and dark brown,
usually with confluent blotches about the larger end; m form,
oval to rounded oval.

Dendroica vigorsii (Atro.).

PINE WARBLER.

Mio-ratory; rare. Arrive in April; return the last of Sep-
tember to first of October. The birds have not as yet been
found nesting in the State, but I feel confident that they do oc-
casionally breed in the eastern portion. They often remam
until late in the fall.

B. 198. R. 111. C. 134. G. 50. 289. U. 671.

Habitat Eastern North America; north to New Brunswick
and Manitoba; west to the Plains; breeds nearly throughout its
range, wintering in the more southern States, the Bermudas and

Bahama Isles.

SP CHAR. -Spring male: Upper parts nearly uniform and clear olive green,
the feathers of the crown with rather darker shafts; nnder parts generally ex-
ept the middle of the body behind, and under tail coverts i-^^^^l^l^^^^
bright gamboge yellow, with obsolete streaks of dusky on the s.des of the breast
and body; sides of head and neck olive green like the back, with a broad super-
dlLy sti pe; the eyelids and spot beneath the eye very obscurely yellow; wmgs
and tai brown, the feathers edged with dirty white, and two bands ot the same
aero s the cov;rts; inner web of the first tail feather with nearly the ternnnal
half and of the second with nearly the terminal third, dull, inconsp.cuous whue^
Svrin, female: Similar, but more grayish above, and almost gray.sh white with
Sg of yellow beneath, instead of bright yellow. Young: Umber brown above
an 1X4 pale ashy beneath, with a slight yellowish tinge on the abdomen; wmg
Td t2n "ch as in the autumnal adult. Autumnal males are much hke spnng
•ndivTduris, but the yellow beneath is softer and somewhat richer, and the ohve
above overlaid with a reddish umber tmt."

Len,,. "'^S:^ ^V'-n.^. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.50 9.00 3.00 2.40 .73 .45

Female.... 5.20 8..50 2.75 2.20 .71 .42

Iris brown; bill dark brown, the under pale at base; legs
brown; feet and claws dark brown.

568 HISTORY OF THE

This species, as its name indicates, prefers the pine trees, and
usually makes its summer home in the coniferous growths. I
have, however, on several occasions met with them during the
early summer months in the heavily timbered bottom lands, far
away from evergreen trees, and during migration and the winter
months they seem to be as much at home in the deciduous trees
as among the pines, often visiting the orchards and lowland
thickets. I found a few wintering in the cypress swamps in
eastern Arkansas, also in Florida, where they are quite common,
and usually in small flocks. They are very active birds, and,
in their search for insect life, cling like the creepers to the bark
of the trees, swing like the Titmouse from the ends of the
boughs, and are also at home on the ground.

Their song is weak, a rather monotonous trill; their ordinary
call note a "Tsip," and they occasionally lisp a feeble "Che-
chee, che-chee, che-chee."

Their nests are usually placed on the boughs of evergreen
trees, all the way from eight to sixty feet from the ground.
They are composed of soft strippings from bark, stems of plants,
pine needles, leaves, caterpillars' silk and downy vegetable mat-
ter, and lined with hairs and feathers. Eggs usually four,
.70x.52; grayish to purplish white, speckled and spotted with
umber and madder brown and lilac gray, thickest and some-
times forming a ring around the larger end; in form, oval.

Dendroica palmarum (Gmel.).

PALM WARBLER.
PLATE XXXn.

Migratory in the eastern part of Kansas; rather rare (not met
with in the western part of the State). Arrive the last of April
to first of May; return in September, and leave in October.

B. 208. E. 113. C. 132. G. 51, 290. U. 672.

Habitat. Interior of North America; casually east of the
AUeghanies; north to Great Slave Lake; south to the Bahamas
and West Indies; migrating through the Mississippi Valley, and
wintering in the Gulf States, from Texas into western Florida
and southward.

BIBDS OF KANSAS. 509

Sp. Char. ' 'Adult, in sprinrj: Head (above) chestnut red: rest of upper parts
brownish olive gray; the leathers with daiker centers, the color brightening on
the rump, upper tail coverts, and outer margins of wing and tail feathers, to
greenish yellow. A streak from nostril over the eye, and under parts generally
(including the tail coverts), bright yellow; paler on the body. A maxillary line;
breast and sides finely but rather obsoletely streaked with reddish brown. Cheeks
brownish (in highest spring plumage chestnut, like the head); the eyelids and
spot under the eye olive brown; lores dusky. A white spot on the inner web of
the outer two tail feathers at the end. Sexes nearly alike. Autumnal males
are more reddish above; under parts tinged with brown; the axillars yellow.
This species varies considerably in different stages, but can generally be recog-
nized. Immature specimens resemble those of B. tigrina, but differ in the
chestnut crown, browner back, less bright rump, brighter yellow of under tail
coverts, smaller blotches on tail, no white bauds on the wings, etc., as well as in
the shape of the bill."

Stretch of
Length. wifig. Wing. Tail. Tar.ius. Bill.

Male 5.25 8.00 2.50 2.20 .78 .45

Female... 5.15 7.75 2.40 2.00 .75 .42

Iris dark brown; bill dusky, the under sometimes pale at
base; legs, feet and claws olive brown; bottoms of feet green-
ish yellow.

These Warblers are largely terrestrial, and in many respects
differ from most of the family; and they are the only birds of
this genus that nest upon the ground. They are social in their
habits, and outside of their breeding grounds assemble together
in small flocks, and in their search for food often associate with
the Sparrows and Myrtle Warblers. Like the Pipits, they keep
their tails vibrating up and down, especially as they run about
on the ground and hop from bush to bush; busy little bodies,
that are ever on the move.

During the early spring, when insect life is most abundant
among the unfolding leaves and buds, I have occasionally seen
them in the treetops, but their natural haunts are within the
straggling shrubby growths on grassy lands, in waste fields,
orchards, etc.

Their song is but a feeble effort, a grasshopper trill, and their
ordinary call note a low ' 'Chip, ' ' but when alarmed it is uttered
in a sharp, shrill manner.

I have never met with the birds in their summer homes.
They are supposed to nest wholly north of the United States,

570 HISTORY OF THE

but their breeding limits are but little known. Mr. Brewer, in
"North American Land Birds," gives the following descrip-
tion of their nest and eggs (this was before the separation of
the eastern representative, D. j^tthnarum hypochrysea^ but the
locality identifies the nest and eggs):

"The Palm Warbler usually selects for the site of its nest the
edge of a swampy thicket, more or less open, placing it invari-
ably upon the ground. This is usually not large, about three
and a half inches in diameter and two and a half in depth, the
diameter and depth of the cavity each averaging only half an
inch less. The walls are compact, and elaborately constructed
of an interweaving of various fine materials, chiefly fine dry
grass, slender strips of bark, stems of the smaller plants, hyp-
num, and other mosses. Within, the nest is warmly and softly
lined with down and feathers.

"Mr. Kennicott met with a nest of this bird at Fort Resolu-
tion, June 18th. It was on the ground, on a hummock at the foot
of a small spruce, in a swamp. When found, it contained five
young birds.

"Their eggs are of a rounded oval shape, and measure. 70 of
an inch in length by. 55 in breadth. Their ground color is a
yellowish or creamy white, and their blotches, chiefly about the
larger end, are a blending of purple, lilac and reddish brown."

Dendroica discolor (Vieill.).

PRAIRIE WARBL.ER.
PLATE XXXII.

Summer resident in eastern Kansas; rare. Arrive the last
of April to first of May; begin laying the last of May; leave
early in September.

B. 210. E. 114. C. 127. G. 52, 291. U. 673.

Habitat. Eastern United States; north to southern New Enof-

land and Michigan; west into Nebraska and Kansas; breeds in

suitable localities throughout its United States range; winters

in Florida and the West Indies.

Sp. Chab. ^^Spring 'male: Above, iiuiform olive green; the interscapular
region with chestnut red centers to feathers; under parts and sides of the head,
including a broad superciliary line from the nostrils to a little behind the eye.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 571

bright yellow, brightest anteriorly. A well defined narrow stripe from the
commissure of the mouth through the eye. and another from the same pomt
curving gently below it, also a series of streaks on each side of the body, exteud-
iug from the throat to the flanks, black. Quills and tail feathers brown, edged
with white; the terminal half Of the inner web of the first and second tall feath-
ers white; two yellowish bands on the wings. Female: Similar, but duller;
the dorsal streaks indistinct. Autumnal specimeiis have the plumage more
blended, but the markings not changed. A young male in autumnal dress is
wholly brownish olive green above, the whole wing uniform; the forehead ashy,
the markings about the head rather obsolete; the chestnut spots on the back
and the black ones on the sides nearly concealed."

stretch of ^ T,;j

Length. i^nng. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Mak> 4.80 7.00 2.20 2.00 .70 .43

FemaL. .. 4.70 6.80 2.15 1.90 .70 .40

Iris brown; bill, legs, feet and claws dark olive brown; bot-
toms of feet dull greenish yellow.

These small Warblers inhabit the shrubby oak growths upon
the prairies, waste fields, orchards, and bushy, weedy growths
bordering the woodlands, seldom entering the thick woods or
visiting the shrubbery about our dwellings. I have never found
them abundant anywhere, or in flocks beyond family groups;
usually alone or in pairs. A rather silent bird, uttering now
and then a "Chip" or '^ Chirr" note. They are very active,
ever on the move, making short, wavy flights, and hopping about
among the branches or bushes and weeds in search of food,
occasionally darting a short distance to capture a passing insect.
I have never seen one searching for food on the ground, as
some writers say they do, and I had a very good opportunity,
in the winter of' 1885, to observe the birds along the southwest
coast of Florida, where they seemed to be the most common in
the thick, moist growths, in marked contrast with their habits
in their northern summer homes.

Their song is a peculiar musical trill. It commences low,
ascends rapidly, and ends with a rising inflection.

Their nests are placed in upright forks of slender branches of
bushes and low trees, from two to eight feet from the ground;
a rather compact structure, composed of soft fibrous strippings
from plants, grasses, leaves, a few feathers, etc., and lined with
downy vegetable matter, fine grasses, rootlets and hairs. Eggs

572 HISTORY OF THE

tliree to five — seldom five, usually four; white, thickly spotted
with lilac, purple and umber to vandyke brown; in form; oval.
A set of four eggs, collected at Newtonville, Mass., June 22d,
1879, from a nest in upright forks of a hazel bush, are, in di-
mensions: .65X.48, .65X.50, . 66 x. 60, .70x.50.

Genus SEIURUS Swaixson.

" Bill rather sylvicoline, compressed, with a distinct notch; gonys ascending;
rictal bristles very short; wings moderate, about three-quarters of an inch longer
than the tail, first quill scarcely shorter than the second; tail slightly rounded,
feathers acuminate; tarsi about as long as the skull, considerably exceeding the
middle toe; under tail coverts reaching within about half an inch of the end of
the tail; color above olivaceous, beneath whitish, thickly streaked on the breast
and sides; wings aud tail immaculate. Nest on the ground, often arched or
sheltered by position or dry leaves. Eggs white, marked with red, brown and
purple.

"This genus is decidedly sylvicoline in general appearance, although the spots
ou the breast resemble somewhat those of the Thrushes."

Seiurus aurocapillus (Linn.).

OVEN-BIRD.
PLATE XXXIir.

Summer resident; very common in the eastern part of the
State. Arrive the middle to last of April; begin laying about
the middle of May; leave early in September.

B. 186. K. 115. C. 135. G. 53, 292. U. 674.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to Hudson's Bay
Territory and Alaska; west to the base of the Rocky Mountains;
breeding from southern Kansas and Virginia (probably a. little
south) north to within the Arctic circle; wintering in southern
Florida, the Bahamas, West Indies and Mexico to southern Cen-
tral America.

Sp. Chab. "Above, uniform olive green, with a tinge of yellow. Crown
with two narrow streaks of black from the bill, enclosing a median and much
broader one of brownish orange. Beneath, white; the breast, sides of the body
and a maxiliary line streaked with black. The female and young of the year
are not appreciably different."

Mr. Ridgway says: "■Young: Above, fulvous brown, the wing coverts tipped
with lighter fulvous or buify; lower parts pale fulvous or buffy, very narrowly
streaked on breast, etc.; with dusky stripes on top of head very indistinct or ob-
solete."

stretch of
Length. ■wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.00 9.50 3.00 2.30 .86 .45

Female... 5.80 9.00 2.80 2.25 .86 .45

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BIRDS OF KANSAS. ■ 673

Iris dark brown; bill — upper black, under pale flesh color,
witli end dusky; legs flesh color; feet and claws light brown.

The following interesting description of the habits of this
bird is taken from "Birds of Illinois," by Ridgway:

"The Golden-crowned Thrush, or Oven-bird, is one of the
most generally distributed and numerous birds of eastern North
America. It is almost certain to be found in any piece of wood-
land, if not too wet, and its frequently repeated song, which is
not musical, or otherwise particularly attractive, but very sharp,
clear, and emphatic, is often, particularly during noonday in
midsummer, the only bird note to be heard. It lives much upon
the ground, where it may be seen walking gracefully over the
dead leaves, or upon an old log, making occasional halts, during
which its body is tilted daintily up and down, much in the man-
ner of the Water-Thrushes (^S. moiacllla smd 7iovehoracensis)^ but
more like the Kentucky Warbler, often to be seen in the same
localities. Its ordinary note is a rather faint, but sharp 'Chip,'
prolonged into a chatter, when one is chased by another. The
usual song is very clear and penetrating, but not musical, and
is well expressed by John Burroughs, in 'Wake Robin,' as
sounding like the words, 'Teacher, teacher; teacher, teacher,,
teacher!' — the accent on the first syllable, and each word ut-
tered with increased force and shrillness. But, as Mr. Bur-
roughs truly says, 'He has far rarer song which he reserves for
some nymph whom he meets in the air. Mounting by easy
flights to the top of the tallest tree, he launches into the air with
a sort of suspended, hovering flight, and bursts into a perfect
ecstacy of song — clear, ringing, copious, rivaling the Goldfinch's
in vivacity, and the Linnet's in melody. This strain is one of
the rarest bits of bird melody to be heard. Over the woods,
hid from view, the ecstatic singer warbles his finest strains. In
the song, you instantly detect his relationship to the Water
Wagtail (^Seiu)'us novehoracensis) — erroneously called Water-
Thrush — whose song is likewise a sudden burst, full and ring-
ing, and with a tone of youthful joyousness in it, as if the bird
had just had some unexpected good fortune. For nearly two
years, this strain of the pretty warbler was little more than a

57J: HISTORY OF THE

disembodied voice to me, and I was puzzled by it as Thoreau
was by his mysterious Nig-ht Warbler, which, by the way, I sus-
pect was no new bird at all, but one he was otherwise familiar
with. The little bird himself seems disposed to keep the matter
secret, and improves every opportunity to repeat before you his
shrill, accelerating lay, as if it' were quite enough, and all he laid
claim to. Still, I trust I am betraying no confidence in making
the matter public here. I think this is preeminently his love
song, as I hear it oftenest about the mating season. I have
caught half-suppressed bursts of it from two males, chasing each
other with fearful speed through the forest.' "

Reader, if you wish to hear this love song in its fullest power,
visit the deep woods in the early summer, as the shades of night
deepen, and most of the diurnal birds have retired, for it is then
that its lively, resonant voice falls upon the ear unbroken, save by
the silvery, flute-like song of the Wood Thrush; and if your heart
does not thrill with pleasure, it is dead to harmonious sounds.

Their nests are placed on the ground, generally a depression
among the leaves, and hidden under a low bush, log, or over-
hanging roots; when in an open space, roofed over; a dome-like
structure, made of leaves, strippings from plants, and grasses,
with entrance on the side. Eggs three to six — rarely six, usu-
ally four, .80x. 60; white, or creamy white, quite glossy, spotted
as a rule rather sparingly over the entire surface, thickest and
confluent around the larger end, with pale reddish brown, lilac
and umber; in form, rounded oval.

Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis (Gkinn.).*

GRINNELL'S WATER-THRUSH.
PLATE XXXIII.

Migratory; rare. Arrive the last of April to first of May (I
have several times met with the birds late in May); return early
in September; occasionally remain until the last of October.
B. . R. 116a. C. 137. G. 54, 293. U. 675a.

Habitat. Western North America, chiefly in interior; east
into Mississippi valley, straggling to Illinois and Indiana, etc. ;
north into the Arctic regions. Found breeding in northern

• Entered in my "Catalogues of the Birds of Kansas" as S. noveboracensis.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. ■ 575

Alaska; soutliern breeding limits unknown; probably breed in
suitable localities from the northern United States northward
throughout its range; south in winter to Lower California,
Mexico and Central America. (I have a female in "The Goss
Ornithological Collection," which I shot February 11th, 1883,
at San Jose, Guatemala.)

Sp. Chak. Above, dark grayish brown, the feathers of the pileum with in-
distinctly darker centers. Beneath, yellowish white, the throat thickly spotted,
and the breast and sides heavily streaked, with blackish dusky; a superciliary
stripe of pale fulvous; a dusky stripe along upper edge of the auriculars.
Lores crossed by a distinct streak of black. Center of the abdomen immacu-
late; lower tail coverts with central streaks of grayish dusky; lining of the
wing smoky gray. The plumage of the typical specimen of this bird is in all
respects, so far as I can see, quite identical with that of ordinary darker plum-
aged specimens of S. noveboracensis, such as occur more commonly west of the
Alleghauies, except that the superciliary stripe does not extend so far back and
the streaks on the breast are broader; the former character may be merely ap-
parent, however, and owing to the "make-up" of the skin. {Bidgway.)

Stretch of
Length. iving. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.15 9.80 3.10 2.15 .82 .50

Female.... 5.90 9.40 2.90 2.00 .82 .50

Iris dark brown; bill brownish black, under pale at base;
legs, feet and claws pale brown.

These terrestial birds frequent the low woodlands bordering
streams and ponds. I have never met with them on high
grounds, nor far from water. They move about with a graceful
step, almost continually vibrating their tails, like the Pipits,
and for this reason are usually known as Wagtails. They feed
chiefly upon the small forms of aquatic life, and often wade
about in the water in search of the same.

Their call note is a Sparrow-like "Chip;" their song, quite
loud, clear and musical. I have never met with the birds on
their breeding grounds. The following description of their
nests, etc., is taken from Mr. Nelson's "Report upon Natural
History Collections in Alaska:"

"At Fort Yukon, Dall found a nest containing two eggs, in
a bushy spruce, on the first of June; but he saw none of the
birds at Nulato, and considered it uncommon. My own ex-
perience at the Yukon mouth proves the bird to be one of the

576 HISTORY OF THE

commonest species breeding at that place. Its favorite haunts,
in tlie midst of dense thickets, shelter it from the observation of
one not accustomed to its song, which, however, is one of the
most striking that reaches the ear of the traveler in that region;
but the songster, perched on some low branch, is quick to take
alarm, and skulks away beyond the sight of one penetrating its
haunts.

"At Fort Yukon, Lockhart shot a bird from its nest on June
21st. This nest was concealed under a small pile of drift close
to the river bank, under a large willow tree. Another nest ta-
ken near by was similarly placed, and made of moss, lined with
very fine grass. In the National Museum Collection is a nest
containing five eggs, from Peale's River, which is composed of
moss and grass, and lined with mouse and rabbit fur. There are
also other eggs in the same collection, which were obtained from
Fort Yukon daring the middle of June."

I am indebted to Capt. Chas. Bendire for the following di-
mensions of the set of eggs from Peale's River: .72x. 54, .72x
.54, .72X.54, .74x. 55, .78x. 56. He says that this set and other
eggs of this bird in the United States National Museum are not
distinguishable, in color or form, from the eggs of S. motacilla.

Seiurus motacilla (Vieill.).

LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH.
PLATE XXXIIL

Summer resident; common in the eastern part of the State.
Arrive about the middle of April; begin laying as early as the
8th of May; remain until late in the fall.

B. 188. R. 117. C. 138. G. 55, 294. U. 676.

Hajbitat. Eastern United States; north to southern New

England and southern Minnesota; west to the edge of the Great

Plains; breeds in suitable localities throughout its United States

range; winters in the Gulf States, West Indies, eastern Mexico,

into Central America.

Sp. Char. "Bill longer than skull. Upper parts olive brown, with a shade
of greenish. A conspicuous white superciliary line from the bill to the nape,
involving the upper lid, with a brown one from the bill through the eye, widen-
ing behind. Under parts white, with a very faint shade of pale buff behind,

BIHBS OF KA^'SAS. . 577

especially on the tail coverts. A dusky maxillary liue; the fore part of breast
and sides of body with arrow-shaped streaks of the same color. Chin, throat,
belly and under tail coverts entirely immaculate. Sexes similar. Young not
seen.

"Autumnal specimens have a more or less strong wash of ochraceous over
the flanks and crissum, and the brown above rather darker and less grayish than
in spring birds."

Stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.20 10.00 3.-25 2.30 .90* .5.5

Female... 6.00 9.75 3.15 2.15 .90 .53

Iris dark brown; bill brownish black to duskj; legs, feet and
claws flesh color.

This species, like Grinnell's Water Thrush, inhabits the low
bottom, timbered lands bordering the edges of water, preferring
running streams; a shy, retiring bird, that runs for cov^er the
moment it sights an intruder, but is so restless that, if you will
stand motionless, it will reappear in a short time and continue
its rambles in quest of food, chiefly insect life, minute snails,
etc, and in search for the same will often wade until its body
touches the water. Its motions are peculiar: a continued tilting
of the body and jerking of the tail. Its flights are easy and
direct, but low, and usually short. It is one of our earliest and
sweetest songsters; sings from the perch, with tremulous wings
and inflated throat, a rich and almost unrivaled song of power
and melody. Its ordinary note, a sharp "Chip," is often heard.

Their nests are placed on the ground, under projecting roots,
old logs and fissures in rocks, on the banks of streams and ponds,
and near the water's edge. They are composed of leaves and
mosses, and lined with fine grasses, fibers and hairs; the foun-
dation is wholly of leaves, with mud generally between the lay-
ers to hold them in place. Eggs three to six — usually four or
five, .76x. 59 (they vary in size); white to creamy white, spot-
ted with varying shades of reddish brown, and shell stains of
lilac gray, usually thickest about the larger end; in form, oval
to rounded oval.

Genus GEOTHLYPIS Cabanis,

"Bill sylvicoline, rather depressed, and distinctly notched; rictal bristles
very short or wanting. Wings short, rounded, scarcely longer than the tail;
the first quill shorter than the fourth. Tail long, much rounded or graduated;

578 UISTORY OF THE

legs stout; tarsi elougated, as loug as the head; olive green above, belly yellow;
tail feathers immaculate."

Subgenus OPORORNIS BAiiiD. .

♦'Bill sylvicoline, rather compressed; distinctly notched at tip; rictal bristles
very much reduced; wings elongated, pointed, much longer than tail; the first
quill nearly or quite the longest. Tail very slightly rounded; tail feathers acu-
minate, pointed; the under coverts reaching to within less than half an inch of
their tips. Tarsi elougated, longer than the head; claws large, the hinder one
as long as Its digit, and longer than the lateral toes. Above, olive green; be-
neath, yellow; tail and wings immaculate."

Geothlypis formosa (Wils.).

KENTUCKY WARBLER.
PLATE XXXIII.

Summer resident; common in eastern Kansas. Arrive the
last of April; begin laying about the 20th of May; leave the
last of August to first of September.

B. 175. R. 119. C. 140. G. 56, 295. U. 677.

Habitat. Eastern United States, chiefly west of the Allegha-

nies; north to southern New England and southern Wisconsin;

west to the edge of the Great Plains; south in winter to the

West Indies, eastern Mexico and southern Central America;

breeds throughout its United States range.

Sp. Chak. Entire lower parts pure gamboge yellow; forehead and sides of
head black, with a bright yellow superciliary stripe, involving hinder as well as
upper border of eye; feathers of crown tipped with slate gray. ( Sexes alike in
color.) Adult: Above, plain bright olive green (except as described above); be-
neath, continuous pure gamboge yellow; in wiuter similar, but gray tips to
feathers on top of head more tinged with brown, and black on side of head
somewhat obscured by grayish brown tips to the feathers. Toung: Above, olive
brown (including top and sides of head), the back and scapulars more de-
cidedly brown; wing coverts tipped with light tawny brown, wings otherwise,
and tail as in adult; beneath, plain light dull olive, paler and more yellowish
posteriorly; no black nor yellow on sides of head. (Eidgwat/.)

stretch of

Length.

wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . . .

. 5.50

8.60

2.70

2.15

.87

.45

Female. .

. 5.15

8.10

2.50

1.90

.85

.43

Iris dark brown; bill dark brown, with under pale at base;
legs, feet and claws pale flesh color.

This large Warbler inhabits the lowland thickets, usually near
the water, and prefers for its haunts the dense undergrowths

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 579

in the timber. A shy, retu-ing bird, that seldom visits the
open woodlands, and being preeminently terrestrial, rarely ever
mounts into the upper branches of the trees, and is only to
be looked for in the low bushes and on the ground; and were it
not for its sharp "Tsip," and oft-repeated loud song of three
notes, "Tweedle, tweedle, tweedle," (that sounds much like
the Maryland Yellow-throat, ) its presence would be largely over-
looked, even where very abundant, as it generally is through-
out its range in the Mississippi valley.

The birds are very active and restless, running about over
the ground, hopping among the bushes, climbing the weed
stalks, examining the old moss-covered logs and fallen trees, in
quest of insect life, occasionally eating pokeberries and other
small berries in their season. In habits they are much like the
Oven-bird and have the same tilting motions.

Their nests are placed on the ground and artfully concealed
in the thick growths. The outside or base is composed of a
loose structure of leaves, stems and wide blades of grass, upon
which a more compact inner nest is built of the finer grasses,
stems and rootlets, and lined with horse hair. Eggs, usually
four or five, occasionally six, .72x.o6; white, or creamy white,
finely dotted with umber, reddish brown and pale lilac, thickest
about the larger end; in form, oval.

Subgenus GEOTHLYPIS Cabanis.

Tail not decidedly shorter than wing (often longer), with less than basal half
concealed by the coverts; first quill shorter than fifth (often shorter than sixth);
outstretched feet falling far short of tip of tail. (Ridgway.)

Geothlypis Philadelphia (Wils.).

MOURNING WARBLER.
PLATE XXXIII.

Migratory; rare. Arrive about the middle of May; return
early in September, and leave the latter part of the month.

B. 172. R. 120. C. 142. G. 57, 296. U. 679.

Habitat. Eastern North America; accidental to Greenland;
west to the Great Plains; breeding in the higher Alleghanies
and from New England and eastern Dakota northward; south

580 HISTORY OF THE

in winter into southern Central America. (No record as yet of

its occurrence in the West Indies or Mexico.)

Sp. Char. No white on eyelids, (except sometimes a slight indication in fe-
males or immatnre birds.) Adult male: Head, neck and chest deep ash gray, the
throat and chest more or less mixed with black, this often forming a distinct
patch posteriorly; lores dusky or dusky grayish; rest of lower parts pure gam-
boge yellow. Adult female: Similar to male, but chin and throat dull whitish or
brownish white (sometimes tinged with yellow); the chest dull ash gray or gray-
ish brown (sometimes inclining to dull yellowish); rest of head and neck dull
gray, brownish gray or olive. Young, in first autumn: Similar to adult female,
but more tinged with brownish, the throat and chest more suffused with yellow-
ish. [Bidgioay.)

Stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.50 8.00 2.45 2.20 .82 .43

Female 5.25 7.75 2.35 1.95 .80 .42

Iris dark brown; bill dusky, with basal half of under whitish;
legs, feet and claws flesh color.

This species frequents the edges of low, prairie woodlands,
bushes and weeds bordering ponds and marsliy places, seldom
entering the woods or tall thickets. A rather unsuspicious bird,
that will usually allow a near approach; and, as a rule, rather
silent, occasionally uttering a low "Tsip." Its alarm note is,
however, a harsh Wren-like scold. I never heard it except upon
one occasion, when I was attracted to the bird by the peculiar
sound, and found it fluttering about with rufiled feathers, in a
growth of sunflowers at the edge of a slough, and soon discov-
ered the cause — a medium-sized water snake. The bird is in
' ' The Goss Ornithological Collection. ' ' Location, Neosho Falls,
Kansas; date, September 12, 1881.

I am not positive that I ever heard its song. Mr. Burroughs
likens it to that of the Kentucky Warbler, and Mr, Maynard
says: "Its song is much finer than that of the Maryland Yellow-
throat, being a low, clear warble, and is given early in the morn-
ing, while the bird is perched in some slightly-elevated situa-
tion." The birds are very similar in their food, habits and
actions to the Western Yellow-throat.

Yery little is known in regard to their nesting habits. Mr.
Burroughs, in "Wake Bobin," describes a nest found near the
headwaters of the Delaware River, in New York, in a low part

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 581

of the woods, where the hirger trees began to give place to a
thick second growth that covered an old "bark peeling" of
hemlock wood. He says: "It was placed but a few feet from
the maple tree, in a bunch of ferns, and about six inches from
the ground. It was quite a massive nest, composed entirely of
the stalks and leaves of dry grass, with an inner lining of fine,
dark-brown roots. The eggs, three in number, wei-e of light
flesh color, uniformly specked with fine brown specks. The
cavity of the nest was so deep that the back of the sitting bird
sank below the edge."

And Mr. Kidgway, in his "Manual," says: "Nest near the
s;round, in clumps of weeds, often in open places in mountains.
Eggs .71X.53; white, or buflfy white, speckled on larger end
with dark brown and lilac gray, often mixed with a few fine
black 'pen lines,' and sometimes touched with rusty stains.
(Much like the eggs of G. trichas.y^

Geothlypis trichas occidentalis Breavst.

WESTERN YELLOW-THROAT.
PLATE XXXIII.

Summer resident; abundant. Arrive from the middle to last
of April; begin laying about the 20th of May; leave during the
month of September.

B. . R. . C. . G. , 297. IT. 681a.

Habitat. Western United States; east to the Mississippi val-
ley; north to the British possessions; (Manitoba. Seton); south
in winter from the southern United States, through Central and
western Mexico, to Guatemala; breeding throughout its United
States range.

Sp. Char, of O. trichas. Adult male: With black mask, bordered behind by
ashy or white. Adult female: Without any black, ashy or white about head,
the whole top aud sides of head being grayish browu or olive, often tinged with
reddish browu on crown; yellow of lower parts paler, and usually more re-
stricted than in male; nearly the whole lower surface sometimes dull yellowish
white. Adult male, in winter: Same as in summer, but more or less washed
with brown above, especially on top of head, and the black of mask somewhat
obscured by slight brownish or light-colored tips to feathers, aud light grayish
or whitish border, more or less concealed by brown tips. Young male, in first
winter: Similar to adult, but mask much less distinct, often merely indicated.
Young: Plain olive above; pale olive yellowish beneath. Lower parts not eu-

582 HISTORY OF THE

tirely yellow; the anal region, at least, buffy whitish, and flanks either dull
buffy whitish or brownish, distinctly different from color of belly; wing less
than 2.40; smaller and duller in color; the whole belly and sides buffy whitish,
the bright yellow being confined to chin, throat, chest, breast and under tail cov-
erts; black mask bordered posteriorly by a band (usually narrow) of light ashy
gray. (Ridgway.)

This subspecies, O. trichas occidentalism differs from the above description in
being larger and brighter colored, the lower parts entirely bright yellow, except
anal region and flanks; black mask bordered posteriorly by a band (usually
broad) of white or grayish white; yellow of throat, etc., richer, and olive green
of posterior upper parts more yellowish. {Ridgicay.)

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing: Tail. Tarsris. Bill.

Male.. 5.30 7.10 2.30 2.30 .80 .45

Female 4.90 6.75 2.15 2.15 .78 .42

Iris brown; bill dusky, under usually pale at base; legs, feet
and claws pale brown to flesh color.

These pretty birds are quite common throughout their range.
They frequent the low, weedy thickets and brier patches, pre-
ferring the small growths fringing the shallow streams, or bor-
dering prairie sloughs. They are not naturally timid or shy,
but a restless, active bird, ever upon the move, hopping about
in the bushes, climbing the weed stalks, and searching among
the leaves and upon the ground for insect life (chiefly leaf eat-
ers), stopping now and then to take a peep at an intruder, at
such times often uttering a rather harsh, scolding note, vei-y
different from its ordinary "Chup. "

The males during the breeding season cheer their mates with
a pretty song, "Whichitee, whichitee, whichitee," and in the
early part of the time, when full of love and vigor, occasionally
pour forth their song in the air, rising a short distance above
the growths, and dropping back with dangling legs and a pecu-
liar jerky motion of the wings and tail.

Their nests are usually placed on the ground, but I have
found them in bushes, two or three feet from the ground. They
are composed outside loosely of leaves and grasses; inside, of
wire-like stems from plants and rootlets nicely interwoven to-
gether. Eggs four or five (occasionally six), . 6Sx. 50. They vary
greatly in size and distribution of the markings; the ground color
is clear white to creamy white, spotted and sometimes blotched

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 5^3

with umber, redclisli to very dark brown and obscure lilac, thick-
est around the larger end; in form, oval.

Gexus ICTERIA Vieii.lot.
"Bill broad at base, but contracting rapidly and becoming attenuated when
viewed from above; higli at the base (higher than broad opposite the nostrils);
the cuhnen and commissure much curved from the base; the gonys straight.
Upper jaw deeper than the lower; bill without notch or rictal bristles. Nostrils
circular, edged above with membrane, the feathers close to their borders. Wings
shorter than tail, considerably rounded; first quill rather shorter than the sixth.
Tail moderately graduated; feathers rounded but narrow. Middle toe, without
claw, about two-thirds the length of tarsus, which has the scutella fused exter-
nally in part into one plate."

Icteria virens (Linn.).

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.
PLATE XXXIII.

Summer resident; abundant in the eastern part of the State.
Arrive the last of April to first of May; begin laying about the
middle of May; leave the last of August to first of September.

B. 176. R. 123. C. 144. G. 59, 298. U. 683.

Habitat. Eastern United States; north to southern New Eng-
land, Ontario, Iowa (Minnesota?); west to the edge of the plains;
breeding throughout its United States range; south in winter
through eastern Mexico to Guatemala.

Sp. Char. Third and fourth quills longest; second and fifth little shorter;
first nearly equal to the sixth; tail graduated; upper parts uniform olive green;
under parts. Including the inside of wing, gamboge yellow as far as nearly half
way from the point of the bill to the tip of the tail; rest of under parts white,
tinged with brown on the sides; the outer side of the tibia plumbeous; a slight
tinge of orange across the breast. Forehead and sides of the head ash, the lores
and region below the eye blackish; a white stripe from the nostrils over the eyt;
and involving the upper eyelid; a patch on the lower lid, and a short stripe
from the side of the lower mandible, and running to a point opposite the hinder
border of the eye, white. Female like the male, but smaller; the markings in-
distinct; the lower mandible not pure black. Both sexes in winter apparently
have the base of lower mandible light colored, the olive more brown, the sides
and crissum with a strong ochraceous tinge. First plumage: Reniiges, rectrices,
etc., as in the adult. Head, superiorly and laterally, uniform grayish olive, with
a barely appreciable whitish supraloral line aud orbital ring and without black
markings. Whole throat pale ash gray (almost white to the chin), stained later-
ally and anteriorly with yellow; entire breast gamboge yellow, obscured with
olivaceous gray across the jugulum (probably entirely gray at first, the yellow
feathers being probably the beginning of the first moult); abdomen white; flanks
and crissum pale buff. {RkUjway.)

584 HISTORY OF THE

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

IVing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . .

.. 7.35

10.00

3.20

3.20

1.00

..53

Female .

.. 7.10

9.70

3.10

3.10

1.00

.53

Iris brown; bill black; sometimes the under is pale bluish at
base; legs and feet dark blue; claws horn blue.

These peculiar birds inhabit the tangled thickets along the
prairie streams, and dense low undergrowths in the open woods.
They subsist chiefly upon beetles and other forms of insects,
and berries in their season. During the fall and winter months
they are shy and silent, but, in the early part of the breeding
season, very noisy and eccentric in their actions. They are
happily described by Audubon, as follows:

"As in other migratory species, the males precede the females
several days. As soon as they have arrived, they give free vent
to their song at all hours of the day, renewing it at night when
the weather is calm and the moon shines brightly, seeming in-
tent on attracting the females b^- repeating in many-varied tones
the ardency of their passion. Sometimes the sounds are scarcely
louder than a whisper; now they acquire strength; deep guttural
notes roll in slow succession, as if produced by the emotion of
surprise; then others, clear and sprightly, glide after each other,
until suddenly, as if the bird had become confused, the voice
becomes a hollow bass. The performer all the while looks as
if he were in the humor of scolding, and moves from twig to
twig among the thickets with so much activity, and in so many
directions, that the notes reach the ear, as it were, from opposite
places at the same moment. Now the bird mounts in the air,
in various attitudes, with its legs and feet hanging, while it con-
tinues its song and jerks its body with great vehemence, per-
forming the strangest and most whimsical gesticulations; the
next moment it returns to the bush. If you imitate its song, it
follows your steps with caution, and responds to each of your
calls, now and then peeping at you for a moment, the next quite
out of sight. Should you have a dog which will enter its briery
retreat, it will skip about him, scold him, and frequently perch or
rise on wing above the thicket, so that you may easily shoot it.
"The arrival of the females is marked bv the redoubled exer-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 5^5

tions of the males, who now sing as if delirious with the pleasur-
able sensations they experience. Before ten days have elapsed,
the pair begin to construct their nest, which is placed in any
sort of bush or brier, seldom more than six feet from the ground,
and frequently not above two or three. It is large, and com-
posed externally of dry leaves, small sticks, strips of vine bark
and grasses, the interior being formed of fibrous roots and horse
hair."

Eggs three to five (normally four), .89x.67; glossy or pink-
ish white, minutely spotted and sometimes blotched with different
shades of reddish brown and lilac gray, thickest and often form-
ing a wreath around the larger end. They vary greatly in form,
size, and in the amount of markings.

Icteria virens longicauda (Lawr. ).

LONG-TAILED CHAT.

Summer resident in the western part of the State; not uncom-
mon. Arrive early in May; begin laying about the 20th of May;
leave in August.

B. 177. R. 123a. C. 145. G. , 299. U. 683a,

Habitat. Western United States; east to the eastern edge

of the Great Plains; south into Mexico; breeding throughout

its United States range.

Sp. Char. "Above, olive gray; the white malar stripe, wings and tail longer
than I. virens; in other respects similar."

Stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 7.50 10.10 3.25 3.50 1.00 .55

Female... 7.25 9.85 3.15 3..30 1.00 .55

Iris brown; bill and claws black; legs and feet dark olive
brown.

This western form of the Yellow-breasted Chat is precisely
similar in habits and actions. In my ' ' Revised Catalogue of the
Birds of Kansas," I stated that their notes and song were slightly
different. In this I think I was mistaken.

The voice of the Chat is varied and peculiar, and its tone
and accent depend largely upon the vigor of the bird.

Their nesting places, nests and eggs are also correspondingly
alike.

586 HISTORY OF THE

Genus SYLVANIA Nuttall.

"Bill broad, depressed; the lateral outlines a little concave; the bristles
reaching not quite half way from nostrils to tip. Culmen and commissure
nearly straight to near the tip. Nostrils oval, with membrane above. Wings
pointed, rather longer than the nearly even but slightly rounded tail; first quill
shorter than the fourth, much longer than the fifth; the second and third quills
longest. Tarsi rather lengthened, scutellar divisions rather indistinct; tlie
middle toe, without claw, about three-fifths the tarsus.

"This genus is distinguished from Setophaga mainly by stouter feet and
longer toes, shorter and more even tail, narrower bill, etc. The species are de-
cidedly muscicapine in general appearance, as shown by the compressed bill
with bristly rictus. The type (S. mitrata) is very similar in character of bill to
Dendroica castanea, but the wings ai"e much shorter; the tail longer and more
graduated; the legs and hind toe longer, and the first primary shorter than the
fourth (.15 of an inch less than the longest), not almost equal to the longest.
The species are plain olive plumbeous above, and yellow beneath."

Sylvania mitrata (Gmel.)-

HOODED WARBLER.
PLATE XXXIII.

Summer resident in eastern Kansas. I have never met with
the birds in the middle or western part of the State. Arrive
the last of April; begin laying the last of May; leave during
the month of September,

B. 211. R. 124. C. 146. G. 60, .300. U. 684.

Habitat. Eastern United States; north to Connecticut, New

York, Iowa, etc. ; west to eastern Nebraska and Texas; south in

winter to the West Indies, eastern Mexico and southern Central

America. Probably breeds throughout its United States range.

Sp. Char. Wing without any markings. Upper parts olive green. Inner
webs of outer tail feathers with white patches. Adult male: Forehead and ear
coverts gamboge yellow; rest of head and neck, including chest, uniform deep
black; rest of lower parts pure gamboge yellow. Adult female: Similar to the
male, but with black of head usually much less distinct, sometimes wholly ab-
sent, that of upper portions being replaced by olive green, that of the throat,
etc., by gamboge yellow. Young, in first autumn: Similar to adult female,
without black on head. {Ridgway.)

stretch of

Length.

wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Ta rsus.

Bill.

Male

. 5.25

8.25

2.65

2.35

.77

.40

Female. .

. 5.00

7.90

2.50

2.30

.76

.38

Iris brown; bill black; legs and feet pale flesh color; claws
light bluish white.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 587

These beautiful fljcatcliing Warblers frequent the thickets and
rank, weedy growths fringing the streams, the undergrowths in
open woods, and swampy grounds in the canebrakes and rushes.
They seldom visit the habitations of man, preferring the unfre-
quented and secluded places. They live almost wholly in the
bushes and lower branches of the trees, occasionally visiting the
upper branches, especially when the trees are budding and in
blossom. A lively, graceful bird, that has somewhat the habits
of the Redstart in spreading and closing the tail, but is less ner-
vous and flitty. Upon the wing, they glide swiftly and easily,
and are expert flycatchers — in fact, subsist chiefly upon insects
caught in the air; failing to catch at the first dash, instead of re-
turning to their perch, like most of the family, they follow the
insect in its windings until captured.

During the early breeding season, the males enliven the woods
with their familiar song. Mr. Langille, in "Our Birds in their
Haunts," says that the birds have two distinct songs, which he
thus describes: "'Cheree, cheree, cheree, chi-di-ee' — the first
three notes with a loud, bell-like ring, and the rest in vei-y mucii
accelerated time, and with the falling inflection." This one I
have often heard, the following never: "A strange, whistling
melody, 'Whee-ree, whee-ree-eeh,' with a marked emphasis on
the second syllable, and a still more marked one on the last.
Part of the time this utterance was somewhat varied, a few notes
being sometimes added, and again a few dropped." Their call,
or alarm note, "Tship, " is clear and sharp.

Their nests are built in low bushes, on bottom and marshy
lands. They are composed of leaves, strippings from plants
and vines, grasses, interwoven with a cotton-like substance, and
occasionally spider webs, and lined with fine, hair-like stems.
Eggs three to five (usually four), . 70 x . 52; white or pale yellow-
ish white, speckled or spotted chiefly around the larger end with
reddish brown and pale lilac, with occasionally blackish specks;
in form, oval to rounded oval. (They vary in size and in
amount of markings.)

588 inST(fRY OF THE

Sylvania pusilla (Wils.).

WILSON'S WARBLER.
PLATE XXXIII.

Migratory; common. Arrive the last of April to the first of
May; begin to return the last of August; leave in September.

B. 213. E. 125. C. 147. G. 61, 301. U. 685.

Habitat. Eastern and northern North America; north to
Hudson's Bay Territory and Alaska; west to and including the
Rocky Mountains (replaced on the Pacific coast north to south-
ern Alaska by 8. pusilla pileolata); breeding from the northern
United States, and in the higher Rocky Mountains south, north-
ward to the Arctic coast; south in winter, through eastern Mex-
ico, into southern Central America.

Sp. Char. "Forehead, line over and around the eye, and under parts gener-
ally, bright yellow. Upper parts olive green; a square patch on the crown lus-
trous black. Sides of body aud cheeks tinged with olive. No white on wings
or tall. Female similar, the black of the crown replaced by olive green."

Young: In first autumn, without the black on crown; other-
wise similar.

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 5.00

7.00

2.25

2.15

.70

.35

Female. .

. 4.80

6.75

2. 15

2.10

.70

.33

Iris dark brown; bill — upper dusky, under pale; legs, feet
and claws pale brown; bottoms of feet greenish yellow.

This little black-capped beauty frequents the thickets and
undergrowths in open woods, preferring for its haunts the wil-
lows and small cotton woods fringing the streams, where it hops
restlessly about among the branches, not in the prying, peeping
manner of the worm-eating Warblers, but rather upon the look-
out for winged insects, which it catches largely upon the wing.
darting off to snap a beetle from a leaf or to chase a fly; a
pretty, graceful bird, that in its movements hops and glides
about with scarcely any of the usual fussy, jerky motions of its
genus. In their northward flights, the males enliven the air with
their short, soft, pleasing song, which Nuttall says resembles
"'Tsh-'tsh-'tsh-'tshea;" to my ear it sounds more hke "Zee-
zee-zee-zee-e. " But it is impossible to convey in words or notes
the life-like, thrilling melody of song. I care not how low or

BIRDS OF KANSAS. . 559

humble it may be, it has a soothing, sonl-stiiTJDg, indescribable
chai-m. On their return thej are silent, barring their feeble call
note, "Tsip."

I have met with the birds, in the early summer months, in the
high mountains of Colorado, where they occasionally breed, but
failed to find their nests. Tliey are placed in a depression in
the ground, usually beneath a bush, and are composed almost
wholly of leaves and grasses, and lined with the finer grasses
and hairs. Eggs four or five, .60x.48; white, or creamy white,
speckled with reddish brown and pale lavender, thickest about
the larger end; in form, oval.

Sylvania canadensis (Lixn.).

CANADIAN WARBLER.
PLATE XXXlir.

Migratory in the eastern part of the State; rare. Arrive the
last of April to first of May; begin to return in August; leave
in September.

B. 214, 215. K. 127. C. 149. G. 62, 302. V. 686.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to Newfoundland,
southern Labrador and Lake Winnipeg; west to Minnesota,
eastern Nebraska and Texas; breeding from southern New Eng-
land, Wisconsin, etc., northward; south in winter, through east-
ern Mexico and Central America, into northern South America.

Sp. Char. "Upper parts bluish ash; a ring round the eye, with a line run-
ning to .the nostrils, and the whole under part (except the tail coverts, which are
white), bright yellow. Centers of the feathers in the anterior half of the crown,
the cheeks, continuous with a line on the side of the neck to the breast, and a
series of spots across the fore part of the breast, black. Tail feathers unspotted.
Female similar, with the black of the head and breast less distinct; in the young
obsolete."

stretch of
Length. xuing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.50 8.00 2.55 3.35 .75 .40

Female... 5.25 7.65 2.40 2.20 .73 .38

L'is dark brown; bill dusky, pale beneath; legs and feet
greenish flesh color; claws pale brown.

This species is quite common east of the Mississippi River.
Rather retiring, solitary birds, that frequent the undergrowths
in the deep, low woodlands, preferring for their haunts the

590 EISTOBT OF THE

tamai-ack swamps in the valleys, and the moist, springy lands
upon the hills and mountain sides. In other respects they do
not seem to differ in habits or actions from their flycatching
cousin, S. pusilla.

In the early breeding season the males pour forth their short,
peculiar, pleasing song, as they flit from bush to bush; and in
tlieir hurried northward flights we catch snatches of their sim-
ple chant; but they are silent on their return, save an occasional
"Tsip." Mr. Brewster, in "Notes from Observation on the
Birds of Winchendon, Massachusetts," gives the following mi-
nute description of their nest and its location:

"Throughout the spruce swamps, the Canadian Warbler was
everywhere abundant. A brood of young, barely able to fly,
were met with June 25th, 1887, and the next day Mr. Purdie
took a set of eggs rather far advanced in incubation. The nest
was in the face of a low, sphagnum-covered mound, about eigh-
teen inches above its base. In the soft mould behind the outer
covering of sphagnum, the birds had excavated a cavity about
the size of one's fist. In the bottom of this cavity was the
nest, a loosely formed, but nevertheless neat structure, com-
posed outwardly of dry leaves, and lined with pine needles,
black rootlets, and a little horse hair. The bird entered by a
small round hole, the bottom of which was about on a level
with the top of the nest. All the nests (a dozen or more) of
this species which I have examined were built like the one just
described, although the height above the ground has varied, one
which I took at Lake Umbagog, in 1879, being higher than my
head, in a patch of moss that covered the face of a perpendicu-
lar clifi'. I have yet to see a nest placed on the ground and
open at the top, as most of the book descriptions indicate."

Eggs three to five, .68x.51; white, or buffy white, speckled
or spotted, chiefly about the larger end, with reddish brown and
lilac gray; in form, oval.

Genus SETOPHAGtA Swainson.

"Bill much depressed, the lateral outlines straight towards tip. Bristles
reach half way from nostril to tip. Culmen almost straight to near the tip;
commissure very slightly curved, Nostrils oval, with membrane above them.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. ■ 501

Wings rather longer than tail, pointed; second, third and fourth quills nearly
equal; first intermediate between fourth and fifth. Tail rather long, rather
rounded; the feathers broad, and. widening at ends, the outer web narrow.
Tarsi with scuttellar divisions indistinct externally. Legs slender; toes short.
Inner cleft nearly to base of first joint, outer with first joint adherent; middle
toe without claw, not quite half the tarsus."

Setophaga ruticilla (Linx.).

AMERICAN REDSTART.
PLATE XXX III.

Summer resident; common in suitable localities; abundant in
migration. Arrive the last of April to first of May; begin lay-
ing the last of May; leave in September.

B. 217. R. 128. C. 152. G. 63, 303. U. 687.

Habitat. Eastern North America; north to Hudson's Bay
and Fort Simpson; west to and including the Rocky Mount-
ains; breeding from the Gulf States northward. Winters in the
West Indies and southern Mexico, southward to northern South
America.

Sp. Char. Belly white; basal portion of secondaries and quills, and basal
half (or more) of tail feathers (except middle), light salmon red or orange red
in adult male, yellow in female and young male; sexes very unlike in coloration.
Adult male: Uniform glossy black, I'elieved by light red basal portion of second-
aries, quills and tail feathers, and sides of breast with a patch of the same (vary-
ing from rich orange red to salmon pink and orange yellow); belly and lower
tail coverts white, the latter usually with blackish central spots. Adult female:
Pattern of coloration as in male, but black replaced above by grayish olive, and
on throat, etc., by grayish white; wing and tail markings, and patches on sides
of breast, yellow. Young male: Similar to adult female, but browner above, the
colored areas usually inclining more to orange or salmon color; after first winter,
the plumage interspersed with glossy black feathers. {Ridgicay.)

stretch of
Length. wins. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.25 7.70 2.45 2.45 .65 .40

Female... 5.10 7.50 2.35 2.30 .65 .40

Iris brown; bill and claws black; legs and feet dark brown.

This sprightly, handsome species, a sort of connecting link
between the Warblers and Flycatchers, frequents the parks,
groves and deep woods, preferring the latter for its summer
home. It lives largely in the treetops, and flits restlessly about
with outspread tail and open wings, making all the display pos-
sible of its jetty black and rich orange plumage; darting here

592 UltiTORY OF THE

and tliere to catch a passing fly or gnat, or pick an insect from
the bark or leaves, snapping its bill at every capture; busy, ner-
vous bodies, that cannot be content at rest.

They are not naturally shy or timid, and hop and fly about
regardless of an intruder, uttering occasionally a sharp "Chip."
Their song, heard at short intervals in the early breeding season,
and occasionally toward its close, is also uttered without a pause
in their movements, and often in hurried snatches. A varied
song, quite loud and shrill, or soft and pleasing, as the spirit
moves them. At times it sounds much like that of the Yellow
Warbler, but not so loud and musical.

Their nests are built in small trees, usually six to ten feet
from the ground, (but I have found their nests all the way from
three to thirty feet from the ground,) usually placed within and
woven around three or more small, upright branches; composed
of stems, rootlets, strippings from plants, and a soft, fibrous,
cottony substance, which is worked in and covers the outside;
the inside is lined with fine stems, hairs, and occasionally a few
feathers; a neat, compact structure. Eggs three to five (usually
four), .65x. 50; cream to greenish white, dotted with fine specks
of pale yellowish to reddish brown and lilac, thickest and run-
ning together around the larger end; in form, oval.

Family MOTACILLIDJE. Wagtails.

"Bill slender, conical, nearly as high as wide at base, with slight notch at
tip; the culmen slightly concave above the anterior extremity of the nostrils;
short bristles at gape, which, however, do not extend forward to nostrils. Loral
feathers soft and dense, but with bristly points; nasal groove filled with naked
membrane, with the elongated nostrils in lower edge; the frontal feathers com-
ing up to the aperture, but not directed forward nor overhanging it. Wings
lengthened and sharp pointed; the primaries nine (without spurious first), of
which the first three to five (considerably longer than the succeeding ) form the
tip; the exterior secondaries generally much emarginated at the ends; the inner
secondaries (so-called tertials) nearly equal to the longest primaries. The tail
rather narrow, emarginate. Tarsi lengthened, scutellate anteriorly only; the
hind claw usually very long, acute, and but slightly curved (except in Motacilla).
Inner toe cleft almost to the very base; quter adherent for basal joint only."

Genus ANTHUS Bechstein.
"Bill slender, much attenuated, and distinctly notched. A few short bristles
at the base. Culmen concave at the base. Tarsi quite distinctly scutellate;

BIRDS OF KANSAS. ■ 593

Jouger than the micklle toe; inner lateral toe the longer. Hind toe rather
shorter than the tarsus, bnt longer than the middle toe, owing to the long, at-
tenuated and moderately curved hind claw, which is considerably more than
half the total length of the toe. Tail rather long, emarginate. Wing very long;
considerably longer than the lengthened tail, reaching to its middle. The first
primary nearly equal to the longest. The tertials almost as long as the pri-
maries."

Subgenus ANTHUS.

Tarsus longer than hind toe with claw. Inner web of outer tail featlier
chiefly dusky. Eggs pale olive, olive whitish, or pale chocolate brown, thickly
freckled with brown (sometimes nearly uniform chocolate brown). {Ridgway.)

Anthus pensylvanicus (Lath.).

AMERICAN PIPIT.
PLATE XXXIII.

Migratory; common. Arrive early in April; a few remain
until the first of May; the bulk return and leave in October; a
few occasionally remain until late in November.

B. 165. R. 71. C. 89. G. 30, 304. U. 697.

Habitat. The whole of North America; breeding from Lab-
rador, and above timber line in the mountains of Colorado,
north to the Arctic coast; winters from the Gulf States south-
ward through Mexico to Guatemala.

Sp. Char. Back, scapulars and top of head plain brownish gray or brown-
ish, or with very indistinct darker streaks. Adult, in summer: Above, brown-
ish gray or grayish brown, the feathers of top of head and back showing more
or less distinct darker centers, most obvious on back; wings and tail dusky,
with light brownish gray edgings, the middle and greater coverts tipped with
the same; superciliary stripe and lower parts light cinnamon buff, paler on chin
and throat, the chest (sometimes sides also) more or less streaked with dusky.
Winter plumage: Above, decidedly more brown than in summer; beneath, much
duller buffy (without any cinnamon tint), the streaks on breast usually broader.
Young: Above, dull brownish gray; beneath, dull brownish white, the chest
spotted or broadly streaked with blackish. {Bidgioay.)

Stretch of

Length.

wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

ale 6.70

10.90

3.45

2.70

.87

.49

emale ... 6.50

10.70

3.35

2.60

.87

.48

Iris dark brown; bill — upper dark brown, end of under brown,
rest straw color; legs brown; feet dark brown, with bottoms-
greenish yellow; claws black.

-38

594 HISTORY OF THE

With the habits and actions of these terrestrial birds away
from their breeding grounds, I am very familiar, having met
with them often upon both coasts as well as inland; but I do
not think I can add anything of interest to the following from
Doctor Brewer's description in "North American Land Birds: "
"At different seasons of the year the American Pipit is found
throughout the continent, and abundant for the time in the sev-
eral parts of the country, chiefly frequenting the least cultivated
portions, and apparently preferring the sterile and least attract-
ive regions. It is one of the most extensively distributed of all
our North American birds, being found in immense numbers
over the whole length and breadth of North America. Gambel
met them in large numbers in New Mexico and California;
Richardson found them on the plains of the Saskatchewan; it is
abundant in the Arctic regions from May to October, and is
equally common on the coast of Labrador; Mr. Dall found it
universal from British Columbia north. It is also found in
Florida, Cape St. Lucas, Mexico, and Central America. Acci-
dental specimens have occurred in Europe.

"This Lark is a bird of easy and beautiful flight, passing and
repassing through the air with graceful evolutions, and when
moving to new localities, sweeping over the place several times
before alighting. It also moves rapidly on the ground and after
the manner of the true Larks, jerking the tail like our Water-
Thrushes and the European Wagtails.

"When feeding on the open ground in the interior, their
food is chiefly insects and small seeds. On the banks of rivers
and on the seashore they are fond of running along the edge of
the water, searching among the drift for insects, small shells and
crustaceans."

In regard to its breeding habits Mr. Audubon says:
"I found it breeding very abundantly on tlie coast of Labra-
dor, on the moss-covered rocks, as well as in the deep valleys, but
never at any very great distance from the sea. The nests were
usually placed at the foot of a wall of the rocks, buried in the
dark mould, and beautifully formed of fine bent grass, arranged
in a circular manner, without any hair or other lining. Both

BIRDS OF KAJiSAS. ■ 595

birds incubate, sitting so closely that on several occasions I
almost put my foot upon them before they flew. The first that
I found was on the 29th of June, when the thermometer ranged
from 51° to 54°. The eggs were six in number, five-eighths of
an inch long, six and a quarter twelfths in breadth, being rather
elongated, though rounded at both ends; their ground color, of a
deep reddish chestnut or reddish brown, considerably darkened
by numerous dots of a deeper reddish brown and lines of various
sizes, especially toward the large end. ...

"During the breeding time the male often rises on wing to
the height of eight or ten yards, and emits a few clear and mel-
low notes, but returns to its consort or alights on the rock with
a suddenness in keeping with the short duration of its song,
which is rarely heard after the eggs are hatched."

And Mr. Oliver Davie gives the following description of their
nests and eggs:

"From four to six dark, chocolate colored eggs are laid, the
surface of which is marked or overlaid with numerous specks
and streaks of grayish brown. A set of five eggs in Mr. Norris's
cabinet were taken July 3, 1888, on Mount Audubon, Snowy
Kange, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, at an elevation of 11,000
feet. The nest was well concealed, being at the side of, and
partly under, a large stone. It was composed wholly of grasses.
The eggs are grayish white, but so thickly are they covered with
specks of hair brown, that they appear to be almost of a uni-
form tint of brown. At the larger end these specks are heavier,
producing the appearance of darker color. The five eggs meas-
ure, .79X.58, .T8X.58, .81x.58, .81x.58, .80x.55, respect-
ively. The aveVage size is .78x.58."

Subgenus NEOCORYS Sclater.

••Bill half as long as head; the culmen concave at the base, slightly decurved
at the tip. Rictus without bristles. Legs stout; tarsi distinctly scutellate, longer
than the middle toe. Hind toe very long, equal to the tarsus, much longer than
the middle toe; its claws but slightly curved, and about half the total length.
Inner lateral toe rather longer than outer. Wings much longer than tarsi; first
quill longest. Tertials considerably longer than secondaries. Tail rather short;
emarginate."

596 HISTORY OF THE

Anthus spragueii (Aud.).

SPRAGUE'S PIPIT.
PLATE XXXIII.

Migratory; rather rare in the eastern part of the State; quite
common in the middle and western portions. I have a pair tn
"The Goss Ornithological Collection," which I shot October
20th, 1879, out of a small flock on the high prairie in Anderson
county, and I have occasionally seen the birds at Neosho Falls,
in both the spring and fall of the year, usually in small flocks,
in company with the Horned Larks. Arrive early in April, and
often remain in the western part of the State as late as the 20th
of May, and in their northward flights occasionally sing as early
as the 15th of the month. They begin to return early in Octo-
ber, a few remaining late into November. Doctor Watson thinks
it an occasional summer resident.

B. 166. E. 73. C. 90. G. 31, 305. U. 700.

Habitat. Interior plains of North America; east to western

Manitoba (Sefon), and eastern Kansas; breeding from central

Dakota, Minnesota (?), northward to the Saskatchewan district;

south in winter to southern Mexico.

Sp. Chae. Adult, in summer: Above, broadly streaked with pale grayish buff
aud dusky; wiugs dusky, with pale grayisli-buffy edgings; two outer tail feath-
ers chiefly white (the outermost sometimes eutirely white); beneath, dull buffy
white, more buffy across chest, where narrowly streaked with dusky; legs and
feet very light colored. Winter plumage: Much more decidedly buffy, both above
and below, with dark streaks on chest broader and less sharply defined. Young:
Above, brownish buff, broadly streaked with black, the feathers of back and
scapulars narrowly margined terminally with buffy or whitish; chin, throat and
sides of neck whitish, the last, and also lower throat, streaked with dusky; rest
of lower parts light buff, growing gradually paler posteriorly, the chest and sides
of breast streaked with black. {Ridgway.)

Len^h.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . . .

. 6.50

10.90

3.30

2.50

.88

.48

Female . .

. 6.20

10.50

3.15

2.30

.88

.48

Iris dark brown; bill brown, with basal two-thirds of under
straw color; legs, feet and claws flesh color.

These bleached birds of the plains are much more common
throughout their range (except upon their breeding grounds) than
they are generally reported to be. They usually associate to-

BIRDS OF KANSAS.. 597

getlier in small flocks, and often with the Horned Larks and
Longspurs, and occasiondly with the Savanna Sparrows. To
the casual observer, all small, plain birds are "chippies," but
as this species frequents the roadsides and bare spots upon the
prairies, it is strange that they are so often overlooked, and so
little known by the bird lovers. I can only account for it in
this manner: The birds are shy and timid, and have the habit
of squatting motionless at the sight of an intruder, and they so
closely resemble their surroundings it is no easy matter to find
them, even when "marked down." When in company with the
Horned Larks and Longspurs, they drop to the ground before
the latter (which attract attention by running about; become
alarmed; then, as the birds of this class all, as of one accord,
take wing together, and fly much alike, they escape notice.

They feed largely upon the seeds from weeds and grasses;
also, insects in their season. In their search for the same, they
run nimbly over the ground, and sweep over the same in circling,
undulating flights, often abruptly rising and falling in their
course, continually uttering, as they fly, a peculiar, lisping note.

I am unacquainted with their habits upon their breeding
grounds, and therefore take pleasure in quoting from Dr. Cones'
description, in "Birds of the Northwest:"

"But these common traits have nothing to do with the won-
derful soaring action, and the inimitable, matchless song of
the birds during the breedifig season; it is no wonder Audubon
grew enthusiastic in describing it. Kising from the nest or
from its grassy bed, this plain looking little bird, clad in the
simplest colors, and making but a speck in the boundless ex-
panse, mounts straight up, on tremulous wings, till lost to view
in the blue ether, and then sends back to earth a song of glad,
noss that seems to come from the sky itself, to cheer the weary,
give hope to the disheartened, and turn the most indifferent,
for the moment, at least, from sordid thoughts. No other bird
music in our land compares with the strains of this songster;
there is something not of earth in the melody, coming from above,
yet from no visible source. The notes are simply indescribable;
but once heard they can never be forgotten. Their volume

598 HISTORY OF THE

and penetration are truly wonderful; they are neither loud nor
strong, yet the whole air seems filled with the tender strains,
and delightful melody continues long unbroken. The song is
only heard for a brief period in the summer, ceasing when the
inspiration of the love season is over, and it is only uttered when
the birds are soaring.

"It is not a little singular that the Skylark (Sprague's Pipit)
should have so long continued to be rare in collections, since it
is very abundant in the extensive region which it inhabits. In
August, after all the broods are on wing, and through Septem.
ber, I have seen it in considerable flocks: and often, when riding
along the prairie road, numbers would fly up on my approach,
from the ruts ahead, where they were feeding, to settle again at
a little distance farther on. These wheel tracks, where the
grass was worn away, seemed to be their favorite resorts, where
they could run with the greatest ease, and perhaps gather food
less easily discovered in the thick grass. They tripped along
the tracks with swift and dainty steps, never hopping, and con-
tinually vibrated the tail, just like our common Titlark (Amer.
lean Pipit). They are usually associated at such times with
numbers of Chestnut-collared Longspurs, which seemed to fancy
the same places, and with a few of Baird's Sparrows. These
were the only circumstances under which the Larks could be
procured without the great quickness and dexterity required ta
take them on the wing, for the moment they alight in the grass
of the prairie, be it scanty or only a few inches high, they are
lost to view, their speckled gray colors blending completely with
the herbage.

"On making a camp at Turtle Mountain, a pair of Larks rose
from the spot where my tent was pitched, and circled about in.
such evident painful agitation, that I knew they had a nest
somewhere near by. I watched them for a long while, but they
would not re-alight to give me any clue to its whereabouts; and
though I made careful search for the nest at intervals for several
days, during which time I frequently saw the same pair, I was
unsuccessful. No nests are harder to find than those of prairie
birds, for there is nothing to guide one, and they are not often

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 59^)

discovered, except by accident, such as stumbling on one and
scaring off the parent. But at length, a few days afterwards,
in finally reviewing a particulary thorough search, a little bird
just able to flutter a few feet was seen and caught, and in a few
moments the rest of the family, sitting a few feet apart, were
also secured — four in ail. They had just left the nest, and yet
I could not find it, though a perfectly bare depression of the
ground, covered with droppings, just where the birds were, may
have been their temporary resting place. My friend, Mr. Allen,
was more fortunate on the Yellowstone expedition which he ac-
companied the same season, and he obligingly gives me the
following account:

" 'The only nest we found was placed on the ground, and
neatly formed of dry, fine grass. It was thinly arched over
with the same material, and being built in a tuft of rank grass,
was most thoroughly concealed. The bird would seem to be
a close sitter, as in this case the female remained on the nest
till I actually stepped over it, she brushing against my feet as
she went off. The eggs were five in number, rather long and
pointed, measuring about .90x.60 inches, of a grayish white
color, thickly and minutely flecked with darker, giving them a
decidedly purplish tint.' "

Family TROGLODTYIDJE. Wkens, Thrashers, etc.

Tarsus longer thau middle toe with claw, or else the bill elongated, not de-
pressed, narrower at base than length of gonys; bill not hooked at tip; tail feath-
ers normal; nasal feathers erect or inclined backward; bill linear, but often
curved, the culmen always more or less so; first primary well developed, extend-
ing beyond tips of coverts. (Ridgway.)

Subfamily MIMING. Thrashers.

Rictal bristles well developed; inner toe entirely free at base from middle
toe; wing 3.50, or more. (Ridgway.)

Genus MIMUS Boie.

"Bill not much more than half the length of the head; gently decurved from
the base, notched at tip; commissure curved. Gonys straight, or slightly con-
cave. Rictal bristles quite well developed. Wings rather shorter than tail.
First primary about equal to or rather more than half the second; third, fourth
and fifth quills nearly equal, sixth scarcely shorter. Tail considerably gradu-

600 HISTORY OF THE

ated; the feathers stiff, rather narrow, especially the outer webs; lateral feathers
about three-quarters of au inch the shorter In the type. Tarsi longer than
middle toe and claw by rather less than au additional claw; tarsi conspicuously
and strongly scutellate; broad plates seven."

Mimus polyglottos (Linn,).

MOCKINGBIRD.
PLATE XXXIV.

Summer resident; quite common. Arrive the middle of April
to first of May; begin laying about the 20tli of May. A hardy
bird, that often remains until late in the fall.

B. 253, 253a. K. 11, C. 15, G, 7, 306, U. 703.

Habitat. United States; north to Massachusetts, southern
Iowa, southern Wyoming, etc. ; rare north of latitude 40°; breeds
throughout its range; resident from about latitude 36° south-
ward into southern Mexico,

Sp. Char. "Third and fourth qnills longest; second about equal to eighth:
the first half, or more than half, the second. Tail considerably graduated.
Above, ashy brown, the feathers very obsoletely darker centrally and towards
the light plumbeous downy basal portion (scarcely appreciable, except when the
feathers are lifted). The under parts are white, with a faint brownish tinge
(except on the chin), and with a shade of ash across the breast. There is a pale
superciliary stripe, but the lores are dusky. The wings and tail are dark brown,
nearly black, except the lesser wing coverts, which are like the back; the middle
and greater tipped with white, forming two bands; the basal portion of the pri-
maries white; most extended on the inner primaries. The outer tail feather is
white, sometimes a little mottled; the second is mostly white, except on the
outer web and toward the base; the third with a white spot on the end; the rest,
except the middle, very slightly or not at all tipped with white. Young: Similar,
but distinctly spotted with dusky on the breast, and obsoletely on the back."

stretch of
Length. wing.

Male 10.50 14.40

Female... 9.50 14.00

Iris light brown; bill black, with forks of under yellowish;
legs, feet and claws black; the back of tarsi usually yellowish.

This unrivaled songster, so much praised as a cage bird, pre-
fers for its haunts the scattering, shrubby trees upon the prairies
or open lands, and shade trees about our dwellings; a familiar
bird, that seeks rather than avoids the habitations of man. A
great favorite, welcomed not only on account of*its song but for
its watchful care over its selected home, where it notes with a

Wing.

Tail.

7'aysns.

Bill.

4.65

5.20

1.25

.70

4.50

4.80

1.20

,68

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BIRDS OF KANSAS. 601

keen eje the Hawk when but a speck in the skj, the snake that
ventures to crawl from its hiding place, or any of its prowling
enemies, giving the alarm at their near approach (a warning
lieeded by the poultry as well as by its mate), and boldly attacks
and drives them away.

Tlie mated pairs are strongly attached to each other, and are
unremitting in their attentions and care for their young. They
subsist largely upon the- various kinds of earth worms and insect
life, and berries in their season. They are very fond of the
latter (grapes and raspberries the favorites), but the good they
do greatly overbalances the harm. Their flight is low, slightly
undulating, and not very well sustained.

Their song, rich in melody and power, has no equal, save in
that of the Nightingale; and it is said by good judges, that have
heard them both, that its native or natural song is far superior
in compass and thrilling bursts of melody, and, were it not for
its sudden breaks as an imitator, mimicking in the midst of his
song the garrulous notes of the Jay, the quack of a Duck, or the
soft notes of our little songsters, regardless of harmony, they
would stand unrivaled. Perched upon a tall dead limb, or the
housetop, he pours forth his song, not only throughout the day
but on bright moonlight nights, and at times is so inflated with
love and vigor that he rises as he sings, and drops back to his
perch, with tremulous wings and spreading tail, a proud bird!
a picture of happiness and content.

Their nests are placed in small trees, thickets, bushes, hedges,
and in various locations, but rarely over ten feet from the
ground. The outside is loosely constructed of small twigs,
•weeds, etc., and lined usually with fine rootlets, sometimes with
hairs or otlier suitable material at hand. Eggs four or five,
.98x.74; hglit greenish blue to a dull buffy color, spotted and
blotched with yellowish to very dark reddish brown and purple,
thickest about the larger end; in form, oval.

Genus GALEOSCOPTES Cabanis.

"Bill shorter than the head, rather broad at base. Rictal bristles moder-
ately developed, reaching to the nostrils. Wings a little shorter than the tail,
rounded, secondaries well developed; fourth and fifth quills longest; third and

602 HISTORY OF THE

sixth little shorter; first and ninth about equal, and about llie length of second-
aries; first quill more than half the second, and about half the third. Tail
graduated; lateral feather about .70 shorter than the middle. Tarsi longer than
middle toe and claw by about an additional half claw; scutellate anteriorly,
more or less distinctly in different specimens; scutella about seven. The con-
spicuous naked membraneous border round the eye of some Thrushes, with bare
space behind it, not appreciable."

Galeoscoptes carolinensis (Linx.).

CATBIRD.
PLATE XXXIV.

Summer resident; abundant in the eastern part of the State;
not uncommon in the western portion. Begin laying about the
middle of May; the bulk leave about the last of September;
a few remaining late in November.

B. 254. E. 13. C. 16. G. 8, 307. U. 704.

Habitat. Eastern I^orth America; north in the interior to
about latitude 54°; west to the western base of the Kocky
Mountains; breeding throughout its United States range and
northward; wintering from the Indian Territory and the Caro-
linas southward, through eastern Mexico, to southern Central
America,

Sp. Char. Adult: Uniform plumbeous slate, paler beneath; top of head and
tail black; lower tail coverts chestnut; bill and feet black; iris brown. Young:
Similar to the adult, but black cap fainter and less sharply defined; lower parts
very faintly mottled transversely with darkei', and lower tail coverts dull light
rusty. {Ridgtoay.)

Length.

Stretch of
■wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus,

Bill.

Male

.. 8.80

11.50

8.65

3.80

1.10

.70

Female . .

.. 8.25

11.00

3.45

3.50

1.05

.68

Iris dark brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black; legs and
feet sometimes brownish black.

Miss Florence A. Merriam, in "Birds through an Opera
Glass," describes the habits and actions of this eccentric and
well-known bird, in so life-like and happy a manner, that I take
pleasure in copying the same:

"High trees have an unsocial aspect, and so, as Lowell says,
'The Catbird croons in the lilac bush,' in the alders, in a prickly
ash copse, a barberry bush, or by the side of the garden. In
Northampton, one of his favorite haunts is an old orchard, that
slopes down to the edge of Mill River. Here, he is welcomed

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 603

every year by his college girl friends; and in the open seclusion
of an apple tree, proceeds to build his nest, and raise his little
family, singing through it all with keen enjoyment of the warm
sunshine and its own company.

"To the trio the Catbird is at once the most interesting and
most exasperating of birds. Like some people, he seems to
give up his time to the pleasure of hearing himself talk. A first
cousin of the Mockingbird — whom he resembles in person much
more than in voice — perhaps the relationship accounts for his
overweening confidence in his vocal powers. As a matter of
fact his jerky utterance is so harsh that it has been aptly termed
asthmatic.

"The Catbird is unmistakably a Bohemian. He is exquisitely
formed, and has a beautiful slate gray coat, set off by his black
head and tail. By nature he is peculiarly graceful, and, when
he chooses, can pass for the most polished of the Philistine aris-
tocracy. But he cares nothing for all this. With lazy self-
indulgence, he sits by the hour with relaxed muscles, and
listless, drooping wings and tail. If he were a man, you feel
confident that he would sit in shirt sleeves at home and go on
the street without a collar.

"And his occupation? His cousin is an artist, but he — is
he a wag as well as a caricaturist, or is he in sober earnest when
he tries to mimic the inimitable Wilson's Thrush? If a wag,
he is a success, for he deceives the unguarded into believing him
a Eobin, a cat, and 'a bird new to science.' How he must
chuckle over the enthusiasm which hails his various notes, and
the bewilderment and chagrin that come to the diligent ob-
server who finally catches a glimpse of the garrulous mimic !

"The Catbird builds his nest as he does everything else.
The loose mass of coarse twigs, patched up with leaves, pieces
of newspaper, or anything he happens to fancy, looks as if it
would hardly bear his weight. He lines it, however, with fine
bits of brown and black roots, and when the beautiful dark
bluish green eggs are laid in it, you feel sure that such an artist-
looking bird must enjoy the contrasting colors."

Eggs three to five, usually four, .94x.69; in form, oval.

604 HISTORY OF THE

Genus HARPORHYNCHUS Cabanis.

"Bill from forehead as long as, or much louger than, the head, becoming
more and more decurved in both jaws as lengthened. No indication of a notch.
Rictus with the bristles extending beyond the nostrils. Tarsus long and stout,
appreciably exceeding the middle toe and claw, strongly scutellate anteriorly.
Wings considerably shorter than tail, much rounded; the first quill more than
half the second; fourth or fifth longest. Tail large, much graduated; the feath-
ers firm."

Subgenus METHRIOPTERUS Reichrnbach.

Tarsus longer than exposed culmen; gouys much shorter than middle toe
without claw. Tail exceeding wing by not more than length of tarsus. Lower
parts more or less distinctly spotted or streaked (these markings sometimes ob-
solete in H. hendirei and H. palmeri). (Bidgway.)

Harporhynchus rufus (Linn.).

BROWN THRASHER.
PLATE XXXIV.

Summer resident; abundant in the eastern part of the State;
not uncommon in the western portion. Arrive the last of March
to middle of April; begin laying early in May. The bulk leave
in September and October, a few remaining until late in the fall.

B. 261, 261a. R. 13. C. 17. G. 9, 308. U. 705.

Habitat. Eastern United States; north to southern Maine,
Ontario and Manitoba; west to the Rocky Mountains; south
through the Gulf States (replaced in western Texas by IL longi-
rostris). Breeds throughout its range. Winters from the Gulf
coast north into the Indian Territory and eastward, to about
latitude 37°.

Sp. Char. "Exposed portion of the bill shorter than the head. Outline of
lower mandible straight. Above, light cinnamon red; beneath, pale rufous
white, with longitudinal streaks of dark brown, excepting on chin, throat, mid-
dle of the belly and under tail coverts. These spots anteriorly are reddish
brown in their terminal portion. The inner surface of the wing and the inner
edges of the primaries are cinnamon; the concealed portion of the quills other-
wise is dark brown. The median and greater wing coverts become blackish
brown towards the end, followed by white, producing two conspicuous bands.
The tail feathers are all rufous, the external ones obscurely tipped with whitish;
the shafts of the same color with the veins."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. . 11.50

13.75

4.25

5.40

1.35

1.05

Female . .

. . 10.70

13.35

4.10

4.65

1.30

1.00

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 605

Iris yellow; bill black, with under whitish at base; legs and
feet grayish brown; tarsi in front reddish brown; claws light
brown.

These large, handsome songsters prefer for their haunts the
underbrush bordering the woodlands, tangled thickets of bushes
and briers, and the hedges upon the prairies, and, while not shy
or timid birds, as a rule select their homes rather remote from
our dwellings. The male arrives in advance, and, as soon as
he has selected a breeding place, mounts the topmost branches
of the trees and pours forth his loudest song at short intervals,
fearing if he remains silent the hen bird may pass him by un-
noticed. Upon her arrival, he sings from the lower branches
and bushes beneath, and devotes a large share of his time to
love making, driving away intruders, and in assisting in nest
building. As soon as the nest is completed and his mate begins
to lay, he again sings from the treetops to cheer her, taking his
turn, however, in sitting upon the eggs; but as soon as the
little ones are hatched his song ceases almost entirely, and he
probably devotes his time to watching over and assisting in
caring for the wants of the young.

They feed and rear their young upon earth worms, spiders,
grasshoppers, beetles, wasps, etc., and berries in their season.
They are quite rasorial in their habits, and in their search for
food often hop over the ground and scratch among the leaves.
They have a peculiar habit of beating the insects upon the
ground or perch, knocking and thrashing them about until dead
(and in removing the wings and legs of the larger ones before
swallowing them). It is for this reason they are called Thrashers.
They flit and hop about in the bushes, with expanded tails, in a
graceful, easy manner, but, on account of the shortness of their
rounded wings, their flights are low and heavy. The old birds
do not take kindly to confinement, but the young when reared
from the nest become very tame, and when well cared for sing
with full power and melody their charming wild-wood song,
which, for length, compass, variety and musical flow, ranks next
to the song of the Mockingbird. Their call and alarm notes
vary: a "Chup," hissing sounds, at times harsh, scolding notes.

^06 HISTORY OF THE

Their nests are placed in low bushes, vines, hedges, and occa-
sionally upon the ground; a coarse, bulky structure, the outside
usually composed of sticks, rootlets and stems of weeds; within
this an inner nest of leaves and strippings from plants, lined
with line rootlets and horse hair. Eggs three to five (usually
four), 1.06x.80; creamy white to pale greenish, thickly dotted
with yellowish to reddish brown, confluent around the larger
end; in form, oval to rounded oval.

Subfamily TKOGLODYTIN^. Weens.

"Kictal bristles wanting; the loral feathers with bristly points; the frontal
feathers generally not reaching to nostrils. Nostrils varied, exposed or not cov-
ered by feathers, and generally overhung by a scale-like membrane. Bill usu-
ally without notch (except in some middle American genera). Wings much
rounded, about equal to tail, which is graduated. Primaries ten, the first gener-
ally about half the second. Basal joint of middle toe usually united to half the
basal joint of inner, and the whole of that of the outer, or more. Lateral toes
about equal, or the outer a little the longer. Tarsi scutellate."

Genus SALPINCTES Cabanis.

"Bill as long as head; all the outlines nearly straight to the tip, then de-
curved; nostrils oval. Feet weak; tarsi decidedly longer than the middle toe;
outer lateral toe much longer, reaching to the base of the middle claw, and
equal to the hinder. Wings about one-fifth longer than the tail; the exposed
portion of the first primary about half that of the second, and two-fifths that of
the fourth and fifth. Tail feathers very broad, plain, nearly even or slightly
rounded; the lateral moderately graduated."

Salpinctes obsoletus (Sat).

EOCK WREN.
PLATE XXXIV.

Summer resident in the middle and western part of the State;
common in suitable localities. Arrive early in April; begin
laying the first* of May; leave in the months of September and
October.

B. 264. E. 58. C. 65. G. 22, 309. U. 715.

Habitat. The arid regions of the western United States;
north occasionally into British Columbia; east into western
Iowa, middle Kansas and Texas; southward through Mexico to
Guatemala and the Gulf of Fonseca; breeds largely throughout
its range.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. . 607

Sp. Char. "Plumage very soft aud lax. Bill about as long as the head.
Upper parts brownish graj-, each feather with a central line and (except on the
head) transverse bars of dusky, and a small dark brownish spot at the end (seen
also on the tips of the secondaries). Kump, sides of the body, and posterior
part of the belly and under tail coverts, dull cinnamon, darker above. Rest
of under parts dirty white; feathers of throat aud breast with dusky central
streaks. Lower tail coverts banded broadly with black. Inner tail feathers
like the back, the others with a broad black bar near the end; the tips cinna-
mon; the outer on each side alternately banded with this color and black. A
dull white line above and behind the eye. Young not marked or banded be-
neath."

stretch of
Length. -wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 6.00 9.35 2.80 2.25 .80 .70

Female... 5.60 8.60 2.50 2.00 .78 .65

Iris brown; bill duskj, under pale at base; legs, feet and
claws blackish.

The natural home of this bleached species is within the canons
and on the rocky hillsides of the sterile plains, or bare spots
and rocky cliffs of the fertile regions. In their selection of a
home, they do not appear to seek or shun the presence of man,
for I have found them in wild, barren regions, and about the
adobe houses in the Mexican villages and the log cabins north-
ward. They are the most abundant in the desolate, rocky
places, because such localities are better adapted to their mode
of life, rather than for a love of seclusion, as is generally sup-
posed. During the breeding season they are very shy and ever
upon the alert, but at other times less regardless of an intruder.
Restless, active birds, hopping and fluttering from place to
place, creeping into the fissures in the rocks, chinks in the adobe
buildings, etc., in search of insects; scarcely still for a moment,
for when standing, they tilt their bodies and jerk and spread their
tails in a nervous, fidgety manner.

The male, perched upon a rock or elevated position, pours
forth, with head thrown back and inflated throat, his loud, rapid,
whirring, musical song, so pleasing to the ear — especially in
their wild, secluded retreats, as the sound breaks the silence and
rings and echoes in the canons. Their ordinary notes are rather
harsh and varied.

Their nests are placed in various situations — chinks in log
€abins, holes in adobe buildings, but usually on the ground,

eoS HISTORY OF TEE

under flat rocks, or in crevices in rocky ledges. Eggs four to
nine, .76x.60; crystal white, sparingly speckled with reddish
brown, chiefly aggregating at and forming a wreath around the
larger end; in form, oval.

Genus THRYOTHORUS Vieillot.
'•Bill compressed, rather slender; height about one-fourth the length above.
Culmen and commissure gently curved throughout; gonys straight, tip very ob-
soletely notched. Nostrils in the lower edge of anterior extremity of the nasal
groove, narrowly elliptical, overhung by a stiff, scale-lilve roof of the thickened
membrane of the upper part of the nasal groove, the crescentic edge rounded;
the septum of nostrils imperforate; the posterior part of the nasal cavity with a
short septum projecting into it parallel with the central, not perpendicular, as
ill Microcerculus. Wings and tail about equal, the latter moderately rounded;
the first primary more than half the second, about half the longest. Tarsi rather
short, scarcely exceeding middle toe; anterior scutella distinct, rest of each side
of tarsi in a continuous plate. Lateral toes equal."

Subgenus THRYOTHORUS.

Feathers of rump with very distinct, concealed white spots; tail feathers

rusty brownish, narrowly barred for entire length with dusky and lighter rusty.

{Bidgway.)

Thryothorus ludovicianus (Lath.).

CAROLINA WREN.
PLATE XXXrV.

Resident; abundant in the eastern part of the State; rare in
the western portion. Begin laying early in Aprih
B. 265. R. 60. C. 68. G. 23, 310. U. 718.

Habitat. Eastern United States, except southern Florida
(where it is replaced by T. ludovicianus miamensis)\ north to
southern New England and southern Nebraska; west to the
Great Plains; south into northeastern Mexico; breeds through-
out its range, and a resident, except in its extreme northern

limits.

Sp. Char. "Exposed portion of the bill shorter than the head. Above,
reddish brown, most vivid on the rump. A whitish streak over the eye, bor-
dered above with dark brown. Throat whitish; rest of under parts pale yel-
low rusty, darkest toward the under tail coverts, which are conspicuously
barred with black. Exposed surface of the wings and tail ( including the upper
coverts) barred throughout with brown, the outer edges of tail feathers and.
quills showing series of alternating whitish and dusky spots."

stretch of
Length. wing. IVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.70 7.80 2.40 2.20 .80 .65

Female... 5.30 7.40 2.25 2.00 .78 .60

BIRDS OF KANSAS. . 609

Iris hazel; bill — upper bluish black, under pale or dull whit-
ish; legs flesh color; feet light brown; claws brown.

These birds are quite common throughout their range. They
are occasionally found in the groves and shrubbery around our
prairie homes, and throughout the woodlands, but their favorite
resorts are within the deep woods bordering the streams, upon
the bottom lands, where the undergrowth is thick, or about old
logs, fallen trees and brush heaps. Active, wild, timid birds,
ever upon the lookout, and ready at the first alarm to dive into
a hiding place, but too restless to remain concealed; scarcely
ever at rest, hopping about the low branches, creeping over the
limbs, the sides of slightly leaning trees, decaying logs, and into
every hollow, nook or cavity, in search of the insect life upon
which they feed; uttering at short intervals a sort of self-satisfied
twitter, their usual call note, "Chirr-chirr," at times in a loud
scolding manner.

The males begin to sing early in February, and are occasion-
ally heard in autumn. The woods ring with their loud and often
prolonged whistling, musical, "Willu-way! willu-way! willn-
way! " They have other odd and varied notes, all uttered in
an expressive, energetic manner. Mr. Nuttall and several other
writers say that these birds mimic others; they may do so, but
I have known them for years, and never heard them utter any
sounds outside of their own varied notes.

Their fiights are short, direct, and near the ground, and are
sustained by rapid fluttering of their short, rounded wings. The
parents are very attentive to their young, guarding and rearing
them with the greatest care.

Their nests are placed in cavities in old logs, rocks and out-
buildings. They are loosely constructed of bits of twigs, grasses,
leaves, etc., and lined with hair and a few feathers. They are
quite bulky, usually filling the space, but, when it is too high to
fill, partially roof the nest over, entering a hole left at the side.
Eggs three to seven (usually four to five), .75x.58; white to
pale, creamy, pinkish white, spotted rather evenly over the sur-
face with reddish brown and lilac, but sometimes thickest and
forming confluent band around larger end; in form, rounded ovah

-39

<310 HISTORY OB' THE

Subgenus THRYOMANES Sclater.

Tail feathers (exceptiug middle pair) chiefly plaiu blackish, the outer feath-
ers spotted and barred at tip with light grajish and dull whitish; middle pair
of tail feathers grayish brown or brownish gray, barred or transversely spotted
with black or dusky. {Ridgway.)

Thryothorus bewickii (Aud.).

BEWICK'S WREN.

Summer resident; very rare. Arrive about the first of April;
begin laying early in May; leave about the last of October.

B. 267. R. 61. C. 71. G. 24, 311. U. 719.

Habitat. Eastern United States; north to New Jersey and

Minnesota; west to the edge of the Great Plains and eastern

Texas; breeding throughout its range; winters in the Southern

States.

Sp. Char. "Above, dark rufous brown; rump and middle tail feathers some-
times a little paler, and very slightly tinged with gray, and (together with the ex-
posed surface of secondaries) distinctly barred with dusky. Beneath, soiled
plumbeous whitish; flanks brown; crissum banded; ground color of quills aud
tail feathers brownish black."

stretch of

Length.

■wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarstts.

Bill.

Male ....

. 5.40

7.15

2.25

2.35

.70

.53

Female . .

. 5.10

6.90

2.10

2.15

.68

.52

Iris brown; bill black, with under pale bluish at base; legs,
feet and claws dark brown.

These familiar birds are of rare occurrence in their extreme
western range, but very common east of the Mississippi River
to the AUeghanies; rare and local eastward. They frequent the
thickets and clumps of bushes on the prairies, fields and hill-
sides, but in the settled portions of the country prefer for their
homes the shrubbery about the dwelling houses and outbuild-
ings. Mr. Ridgway, in "Birds of Illinois," happily says:

"No bird more deserves the protection of man than Bewick's
Wren. He does not need man's encouragement, for he comes
of his own accord and installs himself as a member of the com-
munity wherever it suits his taste. He is found about the cow
shed and barn along with the Pewee and Barn Swallow; he in-
vestigates the pig sty, then explores the garden fence, and finally
mounts to the roof and pours forth one of the sweetest songs

BIRDS OF KANSAS. . 611

that ever was heard. Not a voluble gabble, like the House
Wren's merrj roundelay, but a fine, clear, bold song, uttered as
the singer sits with head thrown back and long tail pendent —
a song which may be heard a quarter of a mile or more, and in
comparison with which the faint chant of the Song Sparrow
sinks into insignificance. The ordinary note is a low, soft
'Flit,' (occasionally a rather harsh, scolding note,) uttered as
the bird hops about, its long tail carried erect or even leaning
forward, and jerked to one side at short intervals. In its move-
ments it is altogether more deliberate than either T. ludovicianus
or T. aedon., but nothing can excel it in quickness when it is
pursued."

Their nests are built in deserted Woodpecker holes, hollow
logs, nooks in buildings, or any cavity they may fancy. They
are loosely constructed of sticks, rootlets, stems, spiders' webs,
grasses, etc. , and lined with fur, or most any soft substance, and
a few downy feathers; quite bulky, usually filling the space, but
I think in no case roofed over. Eggs usually seven to nine —
as high as eleven have been taken — . 66 x. 50; white, speckled
with light and dark shades of reddish brown and purple shell
stains, thickest around the larger end; in form, oval.

Thryothorus bewickii 'bairdi (Sal v. & Goum.).

BAIRD'S WREN,
PLATE XXXIV.

Kesident in southern Kansas; common in the middle and
southwestern portion. Begin laying early in May.

B. . K. 616. C. 72. G. , 312. U. 7196.

Habitat. From middle Kansas, Colorado and Utah south,
through western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, into Mexico.
Breeds throughout its range.

Sp. Char. "Above, ashy browu; rump and middle tail feathers brownish
ash, the former nearly pure ash; without appreciable bars; bars on secondaries
obsolete. Beneath, including inside of wing, pure white, with little or no brown-
ish on the sides. Crissum banded; ground color of the quills and tail feathers
grayish brown."

Stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill,

Male 5.60 7.50 2.30 2.50 .70 .55

Female.... 5.20 7.15 2.15 2.30 .68 .53

512 HISTORY OF THE

Iris brown; bill black, with under pale blue at base; legs,
feet and claws dark brown.

This bleached race of the plains is similar in habits and ac-
tions to Bewick's Wren, and its song, call notes, manner of
nesting and eggs are not noticeably different. A set of five eggs,
taken at Corpus Christi, Texas, May 9th, 18S2, are, in dimen-
sions: .62X.49, .63X.49, .63x.50, .63x.50, .63x.50.

Genus TROGLODYTES Vieii.i.ot.
"Bill ouly gently curved at the tip. Outstretched feet, reaching nearly to or
beyond the end of the tail. Back without streaks. No distinct superciliary
stripe."

Subgenus TROGLODYTES.

Tail more than three-fourths as long as wing. {Ridgicay.)
Troglodytes aedon aztecus Baird.

WESTERN HOUSE WREN.
PLATE XXXIV.

Summer resident; common. Arrive in April; begin laying
about the middle of May. Leave in September.

B. 271. R. 63a. C. 75. G. 26, 313. U. 721&.

Habitat. Western United States, except Pacific coast; east
to Illinois; south into Mexico to Vera Cruz; breeds throughout
its United States range, and probably southward.

This variety of T. aedon was entered in my "Catalogues of
the Birds of Kansas" as T. aedon ]?arhnani% as at that time its
habitat was supposed to embrace the western United States east
to or near the Mississippi River. Since then, the A. O. U. Com-
mittee, in reviewing the material before them, have decided that
the birds on the Pacific coast differ enough in color, etc., to form
another subspecies, and, as the name T. jxtrkmanii was given by
Audubon to a bird procured on the Columbia River, the new
form properly retains the name, and our bird becomes T. aedon
aztecus.

Sp. Char, of T. aedon. "Tail and. wings about equal. Bill shorter tliau
head. Above, reddish brown, darker towards the head, brighter on the rump.
The feathers everywhere, except on the head and neck, barred with dasky; ob-
scurely so on the back, and still less on the rump. All the tail feathers barred
from the base; the contrast more vivid on the exterior one. Beneath, pale ful-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 613

vous white, tinged with light hrowuish across the breast; the i^osterior parts
rather dark brown, obscurely banded. Under tail coverts whitish, with dusky
bars. An indistinct line over the eye, eyelids and loral region whitish. Cheeks
brown, streaked with whitish."

This subspecies differs from the above description, in being
somewhat paler and grayer, with less rufous on rump and tail,
more noticeable upon the plains (as would naturally be expected),
but it shades so gradually back into the color of the eastern
bird the dividing line cannot well be determined.

With all deference to the committee, it is my opinion that
the differences are too inconstant to warrant the separation of
either form, and that T. aedon should be the recognized bird
from coast to coast.

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.00 6.75 2.15 3.05 .67 .51

Female... 4.70 6.40 2.00 1.90 .65 .49

Iris brown; bill — upper dusky, under pale; legs and feet
brown; claws dark brown.

These interesting, familiar little birds are very common, or
rather locally so, throughout their range — abundant in some
localities, and, perhaps in the near vicinity, rare, or not to be
found. They frequent the open, shrubby hills and mountain
sides, and scanty growths bordering the streams upon the plains
and unsettled portions of the country; but, within the settle-
ments, prefer for their haunts the orchards, gardens or shrubbery
about the dwelling houses and outbuildings. Pugnacious little
fellows, that- boldly attack the larger birds, and, by scolding and
harassing, drive the house cat and other prowling enemies away;
and, regardless of property rights, take possession of the Blue-
bird and Martin houses, and are often able to retain possession.

They are industrious insect hunters, searching in the bushes,
vines, woodpile, etc., and creeping and peeping into every nook
and cranny for the same. They move about with tail erect, in
a quick, nervous manner.

Their song, heard almost incessantly during the early breed-
ing season, is poured forth from a perch, in a vigorous manner,
with swollen throat, head thrown back, depressed tail and trem-
ulous wings, a picture of happiness and content. A sprightly,

614: HISTORY OF THE

pleasing, warbling, flippant and voluble song, but, to my ear,
not remarkably musical. Outside from their song and interest-
ing ways, they are valuable in the destruction of injurious insect
life, and are in no way harmful; and, for these reasons, suitable
boxes are or should be placed in the porches, and nailed to the
outbuildings, for their reception.

Their nests are placed in holes in trees, logs and stumps, and
about dwelling houses, in boxes, etc., entering outhouses through
crevices and knotholes — in fact, most anywhere (I once found
a nest in the skull of a buffalo); loosely constructed of sticks,
weeds, etc., filling the cavities, leaving a small opening for en-
trance; within the rubbish they construct an inner nest, com-
posed of finer material, lining the same with feathers, fur, and
most any soft, warm substance. Eggs seven to nine, .64x.49;
ground color white to pinkish white, but so thickly dotted with
specks of reddish brown and a few purple markings that the
white is concealed; in form, oval.

Subgenus ANORTHUEA Rennie.
Tail less than three- fourths as long as wing. Nest of moss, etc., lined with
soft feathers, built in crevices of dead logs or stumps, in thick, coniferous woods.
Eggs five to seven; white or creamy white, finely but rather sparingly speckled
with reddish brown; sometimes nearly immaculate. {Ridgtoay.)

Troglodytes hiemalis Vieill.

WINTER WREN.
PLATE XXXIV.

Winter sojourner; rather rare. Leave in March; begin to
return in October.

B. 373. R. 65. C. 76. G. 27, 314. U. 722.

Habitat. Eastern North America; west to the Rocky Mount-
ains; breeding from the northern United States northward;
wintering from about its southern breeding limits southward to
or near the Gulf coast.

Sp. Char. Above, deep brown, duller anteriorly, brighter (a burnt umber
tint) on rump and upper tail coverts, the wings and tail (often rump aud back
also) narrowly barred with dusky; outer webs of quills spotted with dusky and
pale brownish or brownish white; superciliary stripe aud lower parts pale Isa-
bella brownish, varying to dull light tawny, the belly, flanks and under tail cov-
erts distinctly barred with blackish and whitish. Chin, throat, chest and breast

BIRBti OF KANSAS. 615

pale dull Isabella color, sometimes iuclining to dull brownish white anteriorly;
upper parts more rusty brown. (IUdgimy.)

Stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 3.90 6.0.5 1.80 1.25 .70 .43

Female... 3.75 5.80 1.70 1.15 .68 .40

Iris dark brown; bill dusky, with under pale at base; legs,
feet and claws light brown.

These chubby little birds are to be looked for in the deep
woods, among the upturned roots of fallen trees, old moss cov-
ered logs and decaying debris. Active, pert little fellows, that
with tails more than erect flit from place to place, and in their
search for insect life, peep into the crevices in the bark, and
under the fallen leaves, and (like mice) creep into cavities, hol-
low logs and every conceivable dark, secluded nook, uttering
now and then their "Chirr" note. They never mount into tlie
treetops, and seldom above the low bushes, keeping, as a rule,
on or near the ground.

In the summer of 1880, I found the birds quite common in
the thick growths of stunted spruce trees and tangled bushea
on Byron Isle, one of the Magdalen group, in the Gulf of St.
Lawrence; and there had the pleasure of listening to their rich,
voluble song, which far surpasses any of the family in power
and melody. It rang out so clear and resonant I could not be-
lieve it came from the throat of so small a bird, until I at last
caught sight of one singing from a fallen tree. I say at last, for
it was a long, long time before I could catch more than a passing
glimpse, as they slyly flitted around me in their almost impene-
trable, secluded retreats. I also searched for their nests but
failed to find one, but just before I left the island, saw several
young birds nearly full grown. Doctor Brewer, in "North
American Land Birds," gives the following description of their
nests and eggs:

'•Mr. Audubon met with its nest in a thick forest in Penn-
sylvania. He followed a pair of these birds until they disap-
peared in the hollow of a protuberance covered with moss and
lichens, resembling the excresences often seen on forest trees.
The aperture was perfectly rounded and quite smooth. He put

G16 HISTORY OB' THE

his finger in and felt the pecking of the bird's bill and heard its
querulous cry. He was obliged to remove the parent bird in
order to see the eggs, which were six in number. The parent
birds made a great clamor as he was examining them. The
nest was seven inches in length and four and a half in breadth.
Its walls were composed of mosses and lichens, and were nearly
two inches in thickness. The cavity was very warmly lined
with the fur of the American hare and a few soft feathers.
Another nest, found on the Mohawk, in New York, was similar,
but smaller, and. built against the side of a rock near its bottom.

"Mr. William F. Hall met with the nest and eggs of this bird
at Camp Sebois, in the central eastern portion of Maine. It was
built in an unoccupied log hut, among the fir leaves and mosses
in a crevice between the logs. It was large and bulky, com-
posed externally of mosses, and lined with the fur of the hedge
hogs and the feathers of the Spruce Partridge and other birds.
It was in the shape of a pouch, and the entrance was neatly
framed with fine pine sticks. The eggs were six in number,
and somewhat resembled those of the Parus atricctpillus. The
female was seen and fully identified.

"In this nest, which measured five and three-quarters inches
by five in breadth, the size, solidity and strength, in view of the
diminutive proportions of its tiny aj'chitect, are quite remarkable.
The walls are two inches in thickness and very strongly im-
pacted and woven. The cavity was an inch and a quarter wide
and four inches deep. Its hemlock framework had been made
of green materials, and their strong and agreeable odor per-
vaded the structure. The eggs measured .65x.48 of an inch,
and were spotted with a bright reddish brown and a few pale
markings of purplish slate, on a pure white ground. Compared
with the eggs of the European Wren, their eggs are larger, less
oval in shape, and the spots much more marked in their charac-
ter and distinctness."

Genxjs CISTOTHORUS Caijanis.

"Bill about as loug as the head, or much shorter, much compressed, not
notched, gently decurved from the middle; the gonys slightly concave or straight.
Toes reaching to the end of the tail; tarsus longer than middle toe; hind toe

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 617

longer thau the lateral, shorter thau the midtUe; lateral toes about equal; hind
toe longer than or equal to its digit. Wings rather longer than tail, all the
feathers of which are much graduated; the lateral only two-thirds the middle.
The feathers narrow. Back black, conspicuously streaked with white."

Subgenus CISTOTHORUS.

" Bill short, stout; its depth equal to one-half its length from the nostril;
gonys straight, or even convex, ascending. Crown streaked; no distinct super-
ciliary stripe."

Cistothorus stellaris (Light.).

SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN.
PLATE XXXIV.

Summer resident; rare. Arrive the last of April to first of
May; begin laying the last of May to first of June; leave for
the south the last of October to middle of November.

B. 209. R. 68. C. 81. G. 29, 315. U. 724.

Habitat. Eastern United States and more southern British
possessions; west to the Great Plains. Breeds occasionally
throughout its range, but chiefly north of latitude 41°. Win-
ters in Gulf States, and probably a little southward.

Sp. Chak. "Bill very short, scarcely half the length of the head. Wing
and tail about equal. Hinder part of the crown, and the scapular and interscap-
ular region of the back and rump, almost black, streaked with white. Tail
dusky, the feathers barred throughout with brown (the color grayish on the
under surface). Beneath, white; the sides, upper parts of breast and under
tail coverts reddish brown. Upper parts, with the exception mentioned, red-
dish brown. The flanks and under tail coverts are sometimes of a dull buffy
ochraceous hue."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill,

Male 4.50 5.80 1.85 1.70 .62 .40

Female... 4.25 5.50 1.70 1.60 .62 .38

Iris dark brown; bill — upper dusky, under pale at base; legs,
feet and claws brown; bottoms of feet dull yellowish.

I am very familar with the habits of this species, especially
upon their breeding grounds in Wisconsin; but feel that I can
not add anything of interest to the following pleasing and accu-
rate description, taken from Mr. Nehrling's interestingly written
work on "North American Birds," (now being published in
parts):

"The Short-billed Marsh Wren is found in great numbers in
some localities in Wisconsin and Illinois, and thence eastward to

618 HISTORY OF THE

the Atlantic coast. Westward, it ranges to the Great Plains,
and north to Manitoba, wintering in great numbers in the Gulf
States and southward. In the Koshkonong and Horicon
marshes, and on the swampj borders of the Menomenee and
Rock Rivers, in Wisconsin, this Wren is very common; but, as it
is a shy bird, and difficult to approach, comparatively few per-
sons are acquainted with it. It always loves to take up its
abode in the seclusion of the swamps and marshes, where it is
found usually in pairs, and not in colonies, like the long-billed
species. In marsh places, partly covered with a growth of
scrubby willows, in swamps, where the beautiful Red-winged
Blackbird and Gallinules are its neighbors, and in low, grassy
meadows, adorned with gorgeous Canada and meadow lilies,
where the tinkling, mellow strains of the Bobolink float down
from above, I have met with this nimble little Wren frequently.
Here, also, in the balmy month of June, its song — if song it can
be called — may be heard. The notes are very lively, and
quaint, consisting of a number of soft and melodious sounds,
blended frequently with harsh, wiry tones. Being very assidu-
ous, the little songster makes up in quantity of song wliat it
lacks in quality. But could we expect anything different from
a bird which inhabits localities where the bullfrog incessantly
sends forth its discordant croaks throughout the entire spring-
time; where the cricket's croon is the farewell of summer, as the
trill of the toad is the prelude to spring? The strain is very
similar to that of the Long-billed species, but not so loud, and
more varied. Both birds are very diligent songsters, delivering
their melodies usually from the top of a tuft of reeds, or bull-
rushes. When the bird is approached too near, the song closes
with a harsh and scolding utterance; then the singer glides
down in the tangled masses of reeds, where it disappears with
celerity, and considerable exertion is required to drive him from
the dense vegetation.

"Evidently our bird is far more numerous than is generally
supposed, but its living in secluded localities and its modest
color causes it to be overlooked by most people. Only the true
friend of nature, who is accustomed to ramble about through

BIRDS OF KANSAS. (J19

forest and meadow, through marshes and swamps, knows where
to find it. I observed tliis Wren during the entire year in
marshy places near the Gulf coast of Texas, and Mr. Maynard
found it all along the eastern side of Indian River, Fla., espe-
cially in savannas covered with short grass, which grows so
thickly that it becomes matted together.

"The nest is always placed in a tussock of reeds or coarse
grass, the tops of which are ' ingeniously interwoven into a coarse
and strong covering, spherical in shape and closed on every
side, except one small aperture left for ^n entrance. The strong,
wiry grass of the tussock is also interwoven with finer materials,
making the whole impervious to the weather.' This globe-like
structure is lined with finer grasses, and sometimes with soft
vegetable down, but no mud is used in the construction. Occa-
sionally we may find the nest in a grassy meadow, where it is
usually placed low down in a tussock of grass instead of hang-
ing in the tops of swaying sedges. The eggs are entirely dif-
ferent from those of the Long-billed species, being pure white,
unmarked. They number from six to eight; measure about .64
X.50 inch."

SuBCxENUS TELMATODYTES Cabanis.
Bill as long as head, the culmeu equal to or longer than the middle toe with-
out claw; hind claw longer than the toe; lower parts pure white medially. Eggs
pale chocolate brown or deeper chocolate, sometimes nearly uniform, but usually
finely sprinkled with a deeper shade of the ground color (the latter sometimes
light Isabella color). {Ridgicay.)

Cistithorus palustris (Wils.).

LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN.
PLATE XXXIV.

Summer resident; not common. Arrive the last of April to
first of May; begin laying the last of May; leave in October.

B. 268. R. 67, 67a. C. 79, SO. G. 28, 316. U. 725.

Habitat. Temperate eastern North America; accidental in
Greenland; west to the Rocky Mountains (replaced westward
hy C. palustris paludicola),' breeds throughout its range; win-
ters in the Gulf States, and probably south into eastern Mexico.

Sp. Char. " Bill about as long as head. Tail and wing nearly ecjual. Up-
per parts of a dull, reddish brown, except on the crown, interscapular region,

620 IIISTOIIY OF THE

outer surface of tertials, and tail feathers, which are almost black; the first with
a median patch like the ground color; the second with short streaks of white,
extending round on the sides of the neck; the third indented with brown; the
fourth barred with whitish, decreasing in amount from the outer feather, which
is marked from the base to the fifth, where it is confined to the tips; the two
middle feathers above like the back, and barred throughout with dusky. Be-
neath, rather pure white, the sides and under tail coverts of a lighter shade of
brown than the back; a white streak over the eye."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Ta rsus.

Bill.

Male . . .

.. 5.20

6.65

2.00

1.75

.77

.55

Female.

.. 5.00

6.50

1.95

1.70

.75

.52

Iris dark brown; bill dusky, under pale at base; legs pale
brown; feet and claws brown.

This species makes its home in the rank growths of wild rice,
reeds, cat tails and rushes bordering ponds and sloughs; differ-
ing in this respect from its cousin, the Short-billed, that prefers
the marshes and moist meadow lands. In the early settlement
of Wisconsin, I had a good opportunity to observe the habits of
these birds on the bogs and in the wild rice and rushes, etc.,
growing in the lower half of Pewaukee Lake, a favorite resort
and breeding place at that time for the water fowls and birds
that frequent such places. Brother and I knew their haunts
well, but few escaping our notice as we silently paddled our
light log canoe through the thick growths and openings, haul-
ing it over the bogs and where the water was too shallow to float
us. Happy days ! As we approached tiie breeding grounds of
these eccentric birds, they never failed to interest; singing,
scolding and chattering around us in their hidden retreats, and
when we stopped to listen or rest, the inquisitive, saucy little
fellows would often come close and peep at us, hanging side-
ways to the stalks and in every conceivable position, with tails
at times almost resting on their backs. If we remained motion-
less, they would soon, regardless of our presence, commence
climbing up and down the stems in search of the insects and
small forms of aquatic life that abound in such places, creeping
nimbly to the water's edge, swaying head downward in the
slender tops, or flitting about, too nervous and restless to be
still, hidden one moment, in sight the next, but disappearing

BIBD8 OF KANSAS. 621

like a flash at the first motion, and, as we moved on, would
skulk, hide, sing and chatter around us as at first.

Their song commences with a rather harsh, creaking note, and
ends in a rattling twitter. It is full of energy, but not musical.
Their flights are short and fluttering, but when crossing an
opening, quick and direct. On account of their haunts, they
are local in their distribution, and more abundant than they
are generally reported to be.

Their nests are sometimes built in a low, swampy bush, where
hidden in the grasses, but usually in the growing wild rice,
reeds and coarse grasses; they are rather compactly constructed
of leaves from the grasses, ingeniously woven in and around
the standing stalks; occasionally bits of moss or other soft sub-
stances are worked in; a globular nest, about five inches in di-
ameter, with a small round hole on the side for entrance, and
lined with feathers and soft, cotton-like substances from plants.
For some unaccountable reason the birds build many nests that
at the close of the season show no signs of having been occupied.
Eggs five to nine, .65x.46; ground color ashy brown, but so
thickly sprinkled with chocolate brown that some specimens ap-
pear uniform; in form, oval.

Family CERTHIID-ffi. Cbeepeks.

"Primaries ten; first very short; less than half the second. Tail long,
wedge shaped, the feathers stiffened and acute. Bill slender, much compressed,
and curved. Outer lateral toe much longest; hind toe exceeding both the mid-
dle toe and the tarsus, which is scutellate anteriorly, and very short. Entire
basal joint of middle toe united to the lateral."

Genus CERTHIA Linnjexjs.
" Plumage soft and loose. Bill as long as' head, not notched, compressed
all its lateral outlines decurved. Nostrils not overhung by feathers, linear,
with an incumbent thickened scale, as in Troglodytes. No rictal bristles, and
the loral and frontal feathers smooth, without bristly shafts. Tarsus .scutellate
anteriorly, shorter than middle toe, which again is shorter than hind toe. All
clavFS very long, much curved and compressed; outer lateral toe much the
longer; basal joint of middle toe entirely adherent to adjacent ones. Wings
rather pointed, about equal to the tail, the feathers of which are much pointed,
with stiffened shafts. Primaries ten; first less than half the second."

(522 HISTORY OF THE

Certhia familiaris americana (Bonap.)-

BROWN CREEPER.
PLATE XXXIV.

Winter sojourner; common in the eastern portion of the State;
rare westward. Leave the last of March to first of April; begin
to return in October.

B. 275. R. 55. C. 62. G. 21, 317. U. 726.

Habitat. Temperate eastern North America; west to the
Great Plains (represented westward in the Eocky Mountain re-
gion by O. familiaris montana^ and on the Pacific side by C.
familiaris occidentalis); breeds from the northern United States
northward; winters southward into the Gulf States.

Sp. Char. "Bill about the length of the head. Above, dark brown, with a
slightly rufous shade, each feather streaked centrally, but not abruptly, with
whitish; rump rusty. Beneath, almost silky white; the under tail coverts with
a faint rusty tinge. A white streak over the eye; the ear coverts streaked with
whitish. Tail feathers brown centrally, the edges paler yellowish brown.
Wings with a transverse bar of pale reddish white across both webs. Toung:
Resembling the adult, but streaks above indistinct, and the feathers there tipped
indistinctly with blackish; the rufous restricted to the upper tail coverts. Breast
and jugulum with very minute blackish wavings of indistinct bars."

stretch of

Length.

wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . . .

... 5.60

7.85

2.55

2.60

.58

.62

Female . .

... 5.25

7.50

2.40

2.35

.55

.60

Iris brown; bill dark brown, with base of under flesh color;
legs and feet reddish brown; claws a shade darker.

The natural haunts of these peculiar birds are within the deep
woods, but during migration are occasionally met with in our
shade trees, orchards, scattering trees upon the prairies and that
fringe the streams far out upon the plains. They are not soci-
able birds, so far as relates to their own kin, and lead a rather
isolated, solitary life, except during the mated season, and then
are only in pairs; but they are often found associating with the
Nuthatches and Titmice; not, I think, from choice, but because
the insect life is the most abundant. In their search for the
eggs and larva and small forms of life hidden in the interstices
of the bark, they climb the trees in a jerky manner, and usually
spiral-like; sometimes but a short distance, at others nearly to
the top, flying in either case and alighting at the foot of another

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 623

tree, and creep upwards as before, repeating the performance,
as thej cannot creep downward like the Nuthatches. Their
feet and sharp claws are admirably adapted to climbing, and
their stiff tails keep them erect as they ascend.

They are not wild, but rather shy, and manage to keep on the
opposite side of the trees from the intruder. Their presence
would seldom be noticed were it not for their oft-repeated, feeble,
but sharp, creaky ''Cree-cree-cree-cree, " and occasional soft, lisp-
ing "Chip."

I am unacquainted with their breeding habits, and therefore
take pleasure in quoting the following description of their song
and nests, from Mr. Wm. Brewster's observations during the
months of May and June, in the timbered regions of Lake Um-
bagog, in Western Maine:

"He is a frequent, but scarcely a persistent singer,
and his voice, though one of the sweetest that ever rises in the
depth of the northern forests, is never a very conspicuous sound
in the woodlands where he makes his home. This is due to the
fact that his song is short, and by no means powerful, but its
tones are so exquisitely pure and tender, that I have never heard
it without a desire to linger in the vicinity until it has been many
times repeated. It consists of a bar of four notes — the first of
moderate pitch, the second lower and less emphatic, the third
rising again, and the last abruptly falling, but dying away in an
indescribably plaintive cadence, like the soft sigh of the wind
among the pine boughs. I can compare it to no other bird voice
that I have ever heard. In the pitch and succession of the notes
it somewhat resembles the song of the Carolina Titmouse {Parus
caroUnensis), but the tone is infinitely purer and sweeter. Like
the wonderful melody of the Winter Wren, it is in perfect keep-
ing with the mysterious gloom of the woods; a wild, clear voice,
that one feels would lose its greatest charm if exposed to cheer-
ful light and commonplace surroundings.

"Among the other voices, I shortly detected the sweet, wild
song of the Brown Creeper, and, looking more carefully, spied
a pair of these industrious little gleaners winding their way up
the trunk of a neighboring tree. Although I watched them

624 HISTORY OF THE

closely, the female soon after, in some way, eluded my sight, and
mysteriously disappeared, but the male remained in the immedi-
ate vicinity, singing at frequent intervals. Being convinced that
they must have a nest somewhere near, I instituted a careful
search among the dead trees that stood around, and at length
detected a scale of loose bark, within which was crammed a
suspicious-looking mass of twigs and other rubbish. A vigor-
ous rapping upon the base of the trunk producing no effect, I
climbed to the spot, and was about to tear off the bark when
the frightened Creeper darted out within a few inches of my
face, and the next moment I looked in upon the eggs.

"The tree selected was a tall dead fir, that stood in the shal-
low water just outside the edge of the living forest, but sur-
rounded by numbers of its equally unfortunate companions.
Originally killed by inundation, its branches had long ago yielded
to the fury of the winter storms, and the various destroying
agents of time had stripped off the greater part of the bark, until
only a few persistent scales remained to chequer the otherwise
smooth, mast-like stem. One of these, in process of detachment,
had started away from the trunk below, while its upper edges
still retained a comparatively firm hold, and within the space
thus formed the cunning little architect had constructed her nest.
The whole width of the opening had first been filled with a mass
of tough but slender twigs (many of them at least six inches in
length), and upon this foundation the nest proper had been con-
structed. It was mainly composed of the fine inner bark of
various trees, with an admixture of a little Usnea moss and a
number of spider's cocoons. The whole mass was firmly but
ratlier loosely put together, the different particles retaining their
proper position more from the adhesion of their rough surfaces
than by reason of any special arrangement or interweaving.
The general shape of the structure necessarily conformed nearly
with tliat of the space within which it was placed, but a remark-
able feature was presented by the disposition of the lateral ex-
tremities. These were carried upward to a height of several
inches above the middle of the nest, ending in long, narrow
points or horns, which gave to the whole somewhat the shape

BmnS OF KANSAS. 625

of a well-filled crescent. In the center of lowest part of the
sag thus formed was the depression for the reception of the
eggs — an exceedingly neat, cup-shaped hollow, bordered by
stripes of soft, flesh-colored bark and lined with feathers from
Ducks and other wild birds. The whole was fastened to the
concave inner surface of the bark scale rather than to the tree
itself, so that when the former was detached it readily came off
with it. I afterwards found two old nests, which were perhaps
originally built by this same pair of birds, as they were placed
on a tree that stood close at hand. They were under a single,
enormous piece of bark, but at its opposite lateral extremities.
One of them, a nearly shapeless mass of rubbish, was scarcely
recognizable, but the other still retained its original shape and
finish, and contained an unhatched egg, the contents of which
had long since dried away. Probably they represented the
homes successively occupied during the two preceding seasons,
and it is hence likely that this species, like so many others, re-
turns year after year to breed in nearly the same spot."

Eggs five to nine, .60x.48; white to creamy white, speckled
and spotted with reddish brown, chiefly about the larger end;
in form, oval.

Family TARTDM. Nuthatches and Tits.

•'Bill generally short, coulcal, not notched or decnrved at tip. Ciilmen
broad and rounded, not sharply ridged at base. Nostrils rounded, basal, and
concealed by dense bristles or bristly feathers. Loral feathers rough and bristly,
directed forwards. Tarsi distinctly scutellate; basal joints of anterior toes ab-
breviated, that of middle toe united about equally for three-fourths its length to
the lateral; in Parince forming a kind of palm for grasping; outer lateral toe
decidedly longer than the inner. Primaries ten, the first much shorter than
the second. Tail feathers with soft tips. Nest in holes in trees; eggs white,
spotted with reddish."

Subfamily SITTING. Nuthatches.

"Body depressed. Bill about equal to or longer than the head. Wings
much pointed, much longer than nearly even tail; tarsus shorter than the mid-
dlle toe and claw, which are about equal to the hinder. Plumage more com-
pact."

Genus SITTA Linn.eus.

"Bill subulate, acutely pointed, compressed, about as long as the head; cnl_

men and commissure nearly straight; gonys convex and ascending; nostrils
—40

<526 niSTOBY OF THE

covered by a tuft of bristles directed forward. Tarsi stout, scutellate, about
equal to the middle toe, much shorter than the hinder, the claw of which is half
the total length. Outer lateral toe much longer than inner, and nearly equal
to the middle. Tail very short, broad, and nearly even ; the feathers soft and
truncate. "Wings reaching nearly to the end of the tail ; long and acute, the
first primary oue-third of (or less) the third, or longest."

Sitta carolinensis Lath.

WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH.
PLATE XXXIV.

Resident; very common in suitable localities in the eastern
part of the State; not micommon westward. Begin laying about
the last of April.

B. 277. R. 51. C. 57. G. 19, 318. U. 727.

Habitat. Eastern United States and southern British Prov-
inces; resident west to the Rocky Mountains. (Replaced west-
ward by S. carolinensis aculeata.)

Sp. Chak. "Above, ashy blue; top of head and neck black; under parts and
sides of head to a short distance above the eye white; under tail coverts and
tibial feathers brown; concealed primaries white; bill stout. Female with black
of head glossed with ashy."

stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5.90 10.80 3.60 2.00 .73 .78

Female 5.60 10.50 3.50 1.90 .71 .75

Iris dark brown; bill black, with basal two-thirds of under blu-
ish; legs and feet slaty, sometimes olive brown; claws blackish.

These singular birds are quite common in the woodlands
throughout their range. They often visit the orchards and
shade trees about our dwellings, especially during the winter
months, but prefer the deep woods for their summer home.
Outside of the breeding season, are occasionally to be met with
in small flocks and in company with the Chickadees, but as a
rule are rather solitary, and when found in company more of an
accident than from choice, differing in this respect from others
of the genus. They readily attract attention by their peculiar,
ringing, nasal " Chank-chank, " and odd habit of creeping about
on the bodies of trees, head downward as well as upward; this
they are enabled to do on account of the formation of their
feet and claws. The latter are curved and sharp, and the hind
toe long, reaching back on a level with the front ones far enough
to balance the body, and is formed to cling to the bark like an

BIRDS OF KANSAS. ■ 627

anchor, making their course up and clown the trees as safe and
easy as a horizontal one, and wholly does away with the use of the
tail, so essential to the Creepers and Woodpeckers in sustaining
an upright position. They are active, busy bodies, creeping up
and down the trees, peeping and prying into every crack and
crevice in the bark, in their search for insect life. In the winter
months, when the eggs, larva and other forms fail to supply
their wants, they feed upon the meat of thin-shelled nuts — •
I say thin shelled, for their bills are not formed to easily pene-
trate the thick-shelled ones. They have the habit of storing
the nuts away for future use, hiding them in the holes and in-
terstices in the bark, hammering and pressing them securely in
place; their bills not being chisel shaped, they cannot drill holes
for their reception, as many "Woodpeckers do. (All the Titmouse
family at times eat the meat of nuts, though naturally insectivo-
rous. I know this from keeping them in confinement; the pe-
can nut is their favorite.) They occasionally visit fallen trees,
and I have seen them upon the ground, but their home is on the
upper bodies and branches of trees.

During the breeding season the birds are very attentive lovers.
The male feeds his mate while she is sitting, and warbles his
feeble, twittering, "Twea" notes (hardly musical enough to be
called a song) to please her, and, when the little ones are hatched,
faithfully assists in caring for their wants.

Their nests are built in decaying places in trees, the entrance
usually a knot hole. The rotten wood is removed to suit, and
lined chiefly with rabbits' fur; in some cases a few fine grass
leaves and downy feathers. Eggs four to nine (rarely nine,
usually five or six), .76x.56; they varj- greatly in size; rosy
white, thickly speckled and spotted with reddish brown and
lilac, thickest about the larger end; in form, oval.

Sitta canadensis Lijin.

EED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.
PLATE XXXIV.

Winter sojourner; rare. Begin to arrive from the north in
October; return in April.

B. 279. R. 52. C. 59. G. 20, 319. U. 728.

628 HISTORY OF THE

Habitat. The whole of wooded temperate North America;
south in winter to the southern border of the United States;
breeding from the northern United States and southern Colo-
rado, in the Rocky Mountains, northward. (Largely a resideut
within its breeding limits.)

Sp. Char. Male adult: Upper parts leaden blue (brighter than in 8. car-
oUnensis), the central tail leathers the same; wings fuscous, with slight ashy
edgings, and concealed white bases of the primaries. Entire under parts rusty
brown; very variable in shade, from rich fulvous to brownish white, usually
palest on the throat, deepest on the sides and crissum; tail feathers, except the
middle pair, black, the lateral marked with white. "Whole top and sides of head
and neck glossy black, that of the side appearing as a broad bar through the
eye from bill to side of neck, cut off from that of the crown by a long, white
superciliary stripe, which meets its fellow across the forehead. Bill dark plumbe-
ous, paler below. Feet plumbeous brown. Female: Crown like the back; lat-
eral stripe on the head merely blackish. The under parts average paler than
those of the male, but there is no constancy about this. Young birds resemble
the female. (Coues.)

Length.

Stretch of
•wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 4.60

8.40

2.65

1.50

.60

.60

Female. .

. 4.30

8.20

2.55

1.35

.60

.55

Iris dark brown; bill slaty black, with base of under bluish;
legs, feet and claws brown. (My notes of a specimen shot in
May show legs and feet dull greenish yellow; claws light
brown. )

These birds, in their general habits and actions, are similar to
the White-breasted, but usually move about from tree to tree in
small, straggling flocks, uttering, and often repeating, a rather
sharp, wiry note. They are quite common within their north-
ern range, but rather rare southward. Mr. H. W. Henshaw
gives the following description of their nesting habits, nests and
eggs:

"In the pine woods near Fort Garland, southern Colorado,
I found it breeding in June, and, though less abundant than
either the Pigmy or Slender-billed varieties, it was still by no
means rare. Its habits, while differing in no notable degree
from those of its allies, are possessed of even more of the energy
and restless activity which belong to the whole tribe; and at
this, the nesting season, the males especially were busy from
morning till night, roving about among the pines and aspens,.

BIEJDS OF KANSAS. 629

engaged in hunting not only on their own account, but also for
their mates engaged in the cares of incubation. In these duties,
however, both sexes take part, and the females were occasion-
ally found abroad while their place on the nest was filled by
tlie males. The single nest examined was found in a small pine
stub, a few feet from the ground. The hole was excavated in
the rotten wood to the depth of five inches, no especial care
having been taken to render this smooth and symmetrical, and
was thoroughly lined at bottom with fine shreds of pine bark.
The eggs, five in number, were far advanced toward hatching;
color grayish white, thinly spotted with reddish dots, confluent
at the larger end."

Eggs four to eight (usually five or six), .60x. 50; in form,
oval to rounded oval.

Subfamily PAKIN^. Titmice.

"Body compressed. Bill shorter than head. Wings roundea, equal to or
shorter than the rounded tail. Second quill as short as the tenth. Tarsus
longer than the middle toe and claw, which are about equal to the hiuder; soles
of toes widened into a palm. Plumage rather soft and lax."

Genus PARUS Linnjsus.

Bill with either the culmen or gonys (sometimes both) decidedly convex;
nostrils wholly concealed; plumage very lax. Tail not conspicuously longer
than wing, rounded. {Bidgway.)

Subgenus LOPHOPHANES Kaup.

"Crown with a conspicuous crest. Bill conical; both upper and lower out-
lines convex. Wings graduated; first quill very short. Tail moderately long
and rounded. Nests in hollow trees; eggs white, witji fine red dottings."

Parus bicolor Link.

TUFTED TITMOUSE.
PLATE XXXV.

Resident; abundant in the eastern part of the State; rare in
the western portion. Begin laying about the middle of April.

B. 285. E. 36. C. 40. G. 16, 320. U. 731.

Habitat. Eastern United States; north to New Jersey and
southern Nebraska (straggling to southern New England, etc.);
south to the Gulf coast, including Florida (replaced in western
Texas by P. atncristatus) ; resident throughout its range.

630 HISTORY OF THE

Sp. Chab. "Above, ashy; a black froutal baud. Beueath, dull whitish;
sides brownish chestnut, of more or less intensity. Feathers of the crown
elongated into a flattened crest, which extends back as far as the occiput. Bill
conical; lower edge of upper mandible nearly straight at the base. Fourth and
fifth quills equal; third a little shorter than seventh; second rather shorter than
the secondaries. Tail nearly even, the outer about .20 of an inch shorter than
the longest. Upper parts ash color, with a tinge of olivaceous. Forehead dark
sooty brown. The feathers of the upper part of the head and crest obscurely
streaked with lighter brown. Under parts of head and body, sides of head,
including auriculars, and a narrow space above the eye, dirty, yellowish white,
tinged with brown; purest on the side of the head, the white very distinct in
the loral region, and including the tuft of bristly feathers over the nostrils, ex-
cepting the tips of those in contact with the bill, which are blackish. The side*
of the body and the under tail coverts are tinged with yellowish brown. The
quills and tail feathers are edged with the color of the back, without any whit-
ish."

stretch of

Length.

7uing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. 6.50

10.00

3.20

3.00

.80

.47

Female . .

. 6.25

9.75

3.10

2.85

.80

.45

Iris dark brown; bill black; legs, feet and claws lead color.

The natural haunts of these restless, noisj birds are within
the woodlands; but tliey often, especially during the fall and
winter months, frequent the orchard and shade trees about our
dwellings. A pert, bold bird, that never skulks and hides, but,
in a scolding, saucy manner, with crest proudly erected, hops
about among the branches of the trees, assuming various easy
and comic positions, often swaying from the tips of the slender
twigs, in its search for food. When an insect too large to-
swallow or a nut is found, they hammer away at the same until
in condition to eat, and then, Hawk-like, retain their position on
the perch with one foot, and grasp the food in the other, and
daintily pick off bits from between the toes.

The birds are easily tamed, and, unlike the Nuthatches and
Chickadees, soon become reconciled to confinement, unless cap-
tured at the time their hearts are set on mating. I have had
them take food and drops of water from my fingers the third
day after capture.

The males commence singing often early in February, and
sing loudly and defiantly duilng the early part of the breeding
season. Their song is but a repetition of syllables, that sound
much like "Clie'o, che'o, che'o," and at times, "Cho, clio, cho,.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 03 1

cho," uttered in a clear, whistling, musical tone. Their ordi-
nary notes are various. Their flights are short, irregular, and
rather undulating. They are often met with in small flocks, but
do not move in harmony together, each acting independently of
the others, as if they came together by accident, rather than from
choice.

The mated pairs are very attentive lovers and parents. The
males ever on the alert, fussing about, scolding, challenging and
driving rivals and intruders away; and while their mates are
building a nest, they do not aid, but proudly follow her back and
forth, singing their very best to cheer her, and in so doing be-
tray their nesting place, and make it an easy find.

Their nests are placed in deserted Woodpecker holes, and nat-
ural cavities in trees. They are loosely constructed of leaves
and moss, and lined with a fine, soft, fibrous, cotton-like sub-
stance, and hairs from cattle. Eggs five to eight, .75x.54;
white to creamy white, sprinkled with rusty red, thickest and
somewhat running together around larger end, with here and
there a few lilac stains; in form, oval.

Subgenus PAKUS Linnaeus.

'« Head not crested; body and head full; tail moderately long, and slightly
rounded; bill conical, not very stout; the upper and under outlines very gently
and slightly convex. Tarsus but little longer than middle toe; head and neck
generally black or brown, with sides white. Nest in holes; eggs white, sprinkled
with red."

Parus atricapillus Linn.

CHICKADEE.
PLATE XXXV.

Eesident; abundant in the eastern part of the State; common
to the middle portion; rare westward. Begin laying early in
April.

B. 290. E. 41. C. 44. G. 17, 321. U. 735.

Habitat. Eastern North America; west to the edge of the
Great Plains; south into the northern borders of the Indian
Territory and southern Missouri, but, east of the Mississippi
River, rarely south of latitude 40°. Eesident throughout their
ranee.

032 HISTORY OF THE

Sp. Char. Adult: Entire pileum aud cervix glossy black; chiu, throat and
malar region black, this broken posteriorly by whitish tips to the feathers; sides
of head aud neck white; upper parts ash gray, more or less tinged with yellow-
ish; wings blackish, the feathers edged with light ashy, the greater coverts and
tertials broadly edged with white; tail dusky, the feathers edged with ashy, in-
clining to white on lateral retrices. Median lower parts (from jugulum back)
white, lateral portions buff; bill black; feet bluish plumbeous; iris dark brown.
Young: Very similar to the adult, but black of pileum aud cervix without gloss,
that of the throat more sooty, buff of sides less distinct, aud plumage of looser
texture. {Rklgicay.)

stretch of
Loigt/i. wing. Whig. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 5..50 8.00 2.60 2.60 .67 .33

Female . . . 5.35 7.75 2.50 2.50 .65 .32

Iris dark brown; bill, feet and claws black; legs slate brown.

The natural home of these sprightly little birds is within the
woodlands, but they often frequent orchards and gardens, and in
severe winter weather, when the snow lies upon the branches of
the trees and fills the crevices in the bark, they visit the door-
yards to pick up the scattered crumbs, and if a piece of fresh
meat is hung up in a tree or upon the side of an outbuilding,
they will come daily to pick off frozen bits, until the weather
moderates and melts the snow and ice that covered the eggs,
larva, etc., upon which they are accustomed to feed. The
birds are very social and move about in small flocks, a happy
group, chatting away, and "merrily singing their Chick-a-dee-
dee."

In the early mating season they have a loud, clear, whistling
song, "Peto," uttered at short intervals, and various quaint,
chatty call notes. Graceful little fellows ! that fly from tree to
tree and actively search the branches, often swinging feet up-
permost from the ends of slender twigs, to pick out a seed, an
insect from a leaf, or larva hidden in a bud. Pretty birds !
that with their familiar, unsuspicious ways win our love; and in
addition to this should receive a warm welcome for the good
they do in ridding the forest and fruit trees of their many pests.
Mr. Samuels, in '^ Birds of New England." says:

"In some localities the Titmouse is regarded as injurious,
from the fact that it is often seen among the branches and leaves
of the fruit trees and shrubs, pecking off' and destroying the

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 633

buds. It does not do this to the bud for food, but really for
the grub contained in it. If these buds be examined after the
Chickadee has thrown them away, the burrow of a grub or cat-
erpilhir will be found in the very heart of them. The bird is
able to discover the presence of these vermin much more read-
ily than man could, and it is thus able to assail them at a period
of their existence when they are doing the most harm. But it
is not the insect and the larva alone that he destroys. His
microscopic eyes enable him to discover their eggs deposited on
and in the crevices of the bark and in the buds, and in an in-
stant he can destroy the whole future brood. The eggs of the
moth of the destructive leaf-rolling caterpillar, those of the
canker worm, the apple tree moth, and others of these well-
known plagues, are greedily eaten up by it; and this is in the
inclement winter, when most of our other birds have aban-
doned us for a more genial climate.

"In the summer time, the Chickadee's labors are more easily
noticed; and as he raises a large brood of young, the female
laying six or eight eggs at a litter, he is very busy through the
whole day in capturing vast quantities of caterpillars, flies and
grubs. It has been calculated that a single pair of these birds
destroy, on the average, not less than five hundred of these pests
daily; a labor which could hardly be surpassed by a man, even
if he gave his whole time to the task.

" 'Moreover, the man could not be successful at so small a
cost, for, setting aside the value of his time and the amount of
a laborer's daily wages, he could not reach the denser and loftier
twigs, on which the caterpillars revel and which the Titmouse
can traverse with perfect ease. No man can investigate a tree^
and clear it of the insect hosts that constantly beleaguer it,
without doing some damage to the buds and young leaves by
his rough handling; whereas the Chickadee trips along the
branches, peeps under every leaf, swings himself round upon
his perch, spies out every insect, and secures it with a peck so
rapid that it is hardly perceptible.'

"In some observations made on the habits of this and some
other birds in Paris, it was found that the Titmouse destroys, at

634 HISTORY OF THE

the lowest computation, over two hundred thousand eggs alone,,
of noxious insects, in the course of a year. That one small
bird is thus able to accomplish so much good, in destroying
these myriads of vermin, is an appeal to the good sense of the
farmer for the protection of the whole class that should not be
slighted."

Their nests are placed near the ground, in holes made by
themselves in decaying trees and stumps. They are composed
of bits of moss, interwoven with fur and fine hair, and occasion-
ally a few downy feathers. Eggs four to eight, .60x.4:7; white,
speckled with reddish brown and lilac stains, generally the
thickest around the larger end; in form, oval.

Parus atricapillus septentrionalis (Harris).

LONG-TAILED CHICKADEE.
PLATE XXXV.

Resident; quite common in the western part of the State,
along the streams fringed w^ith trees and bushes; rare in the
eastern portion, though not uncommon in winter. Begin laying
about the middle of April.

B. 289, 289a. K. 41a. C. 45. G. 18, 322. U. 73.5a.

Habitat. Rocky Mountain regions, from New Mexico ta
Alaska; west to the edge of the Great Basin; east to eastern Kan-
sas and Manitoba; a resident throughout their range. (From
observations, I am led to think they are partially migratory.)

.Sp. Char. "Head above aud below black, separated by white on the sides
of the head; back brownish ash. Beneath, white, tinged with pale brownish
white on the sides. Outer tail feathers, primaries and secondaries broadly edged
with white, involving nearly the whole outer web of outer tail feathers. Tail
much graduated; the outer feather about .50 of an inch shorter than the middle.
Second quill about as long as the secondaries.

"This race is very similar to the P. atricapillus, but differs from it somewhat
as atricapillus does from caroUnensis. Its size is much greater; the tail propor-
tionally longer, and much more graduated; the white of the wing and tail is
purer and more expanded. The bill appears to be stouter and more conical.
The back has perhaps a little more yellowish. The spurious or first primary is
larger."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 5.80

8.60

2.75

2.80

.69

.33

Female . .

. 5.50

8.25

2.60

2.65

.67

..33

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 635

Iris dark brown; bill aud claws black; legs and feet bluish
slate.

I am unable to detect any difference in the habits, actions or
notes of this large form from the eastern bird, our common
Chickadee, and they occasionally interbreed.

Eggs four to eight, . 62x.48; dull white, rather evenly speckled
with reddish brown, and a few shell stains of lilac; in form,
oval.

Family SYLVIIDiE. Warblers, Kinglets, Gnatcatchers.

"Bill much shorter than head, slender, broad, and depressed at the base, dis-
tinctly notched aud decurved at the tip. Cnlmen sharp-ridged at base. Frontal
feathers reaching to the nostrils, which are oval, with membrane above, and
overhung — not concealed — by a few bristles or by a feather. Rictal bristles
extending beyond nostrils. Tarsi booted or scutellate. Basal joint of middle
toe attached its whole length externally, half way internally. Primaries ten;
spurious primary about half the second, which is shorter than seventh. Lateral
toes equal."

Subfamily EEGULIN^. Kinglets.

"Wings longer than the emarginated tail. Tarsi booted, or without scuttel-
lar divisions. This subfamily embraces but a single well-defined North Ameri-
can genus."

Genus REGULUS Cuvier.
"Bill slender, much shorter than the head, depressed at base, but becoming
rapidly compressed; moderately notched at tip. Culmen straight to near the
tip, then gently curved. Commissure straight; gonys convex. Rictus well pro-
vided with bristles; nostril covered by a single bristly feather, directed forwards
(not distinct in Calendula). Tarsi elongated, exceeding considerably the mid-
dle toe, and with scutella. Lateral toes aboi»t equal; hind toe with claw longer
than middle one by about half the claw. Claws all much curved. First pri-
mary about one-third as long as the longest; second equal to fifth or sixth. Tail
shorter than wings, moderately forked, the feathers acuminate. Colors, olive
green above, whitish beneath. Size, very small."

Regulus satrapa Licnx.

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET.
plate XXXV.

"Winter sojourner; rare; in migration quite common. Leave
in March to first of April; begin to return about the middle of
October.

B. 163. E. 33. C. 34. G. 15, 323. U. 748.

Habitat. Eastern and northern North America; breeding
rom the extreme northern United States northward; wintering

636 HISTORY OF THE

nearly throue;hout the eastern United States, southward to

Guatemala. (Replaced on the Pacific coast from California to

Sitka hy R. satrapa olivaceus.)

Sp. Chab. "Above, olive green, brightest on the outer edges of the wing.
Tail feathers tinged with brownish gray towards head. Forehead, a line over
the eye, and space beneath it, white. Exterior of crown, before and laterally,
black, embracing a central patch of orange red, encircled by gamboge yellow.
A dusky space around the eye. Wing coverts with two yellowish white bands;
the posterior covering a similar band on the quills, succeeded by a broad dusky
one. Under parts dull whitish. Female without the orange red central patch.
Young birds without the colored crown, and black head markings obsolete or
only faintly indicated."

Length.

Stretch of
%ving.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. 4.20

6.8.5

2.25

1.90

.68

.30

Female. ..

3.90

6.60

2.15

1.72

.65

.28

Iris brown; bill blackish, the base of under sometimes pale;
legs and feet brown; soles of feet yellowish; claws black.

These diminutive little beauties frequent the orchards and
groves, especially during migration, and in the winter months,
but their favorite resorts are within the deep woods. They usu-
ally move about in small flocks, and often in company with the
Titmice, and like the latter live largely in the branches of the
trees, flitting here and there, and hopping about with half-spread
wings, in various graceful attitudes; uttering, in a cheerful, con-
tented manner, their soft call note, "Te-ze, te-ze," as they peep
into the fissures in the bark, and under the leaves, and flutter
before the buds and flowers, or dart from the perch to capture
the passing insect. A picture of restless, active existence, that
hardily braves the coldest storms.

In the early breeding season, the males sing softly and sweetly,
alow, lisping, whistling warble, that I have often stopped to lis-
ten to in the deep northern evergreen forests. It is not attract-
ive, and would hardly be noticed by the common observer, as
it rises but little above the murmur of the leaves; but, to the
lover of nature, it falls upon the ear in pleasing harmony with
its surroundings. The following is a description of a nest con-
taining ten eggs, collected in the spring of 1882, at Grand
Man an. New Brunswick:

The nest was built in thick twigs, at the end of a spruce

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 037

limb, about fifteen feet from the ground. It was partially sus-
pended, like the Vireos, but largely supported by the stiff branch-
ing twigs, within which it was well concealed, and was composed
almost wholly of green tree moss; roundish in shape, two and
a half inches deep inside, and one and a half inches in diameter
at the top. The outside was beautifully dotted with lichens and
feathers, and warmly lined with downy feathers. Eggs: .50x
.40, .50X.40, .50X.41, .50x.41,-.50x.41, .50x.41, .50x.42,
.50X.42, .50X.42, .50X.43; in form, oval

Regulus calendula (Linn.).

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET.
PLATE XXXV.

An occasional winter sojourner; in migration common, at
times abundant; the bulk leave in April; a few remain until the
first of May; begin to return early in September.

B. 161. R. 30. C. 33. G. 14, 324. U. 749.

Habitat. North America; north to the Arctic coast; south

to Guatemala; breeding in the higher mountains from Arizona

and northern borders of the United States northward; wintering

in the more southern States southward.

Sp. Char. "Above, dark greenish olive, passing Into bright olive green on
the rnmp and outer edges of the wings and tail. The under parts are grayish
j^'hite tinged with pale olive yellow, especially behind. A ring round the eye,
two bands on the wing coverts, and the exterior of the inner tertials, white.
Male: Crown with a large concealed patch of scarlet feathers, which are white
at the base. Female: Without the red ou the crown. This species of Regnlus
appears to lack the small feather which, in safrapa, overlies and conceals the
nostrils, which was probably the reason with Cabauis and Blyth for placing it
in a different genus. There is no other very apparent difference of form, how-
ever, although this furnishes a good character for distinguishing between young
specimens of the two species."

stretch of

Length. whig. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 4.50 7.30 2.30 1.80 .72 .33

Female... 4.20 7.05 2.20 1.65 .70 .30

Iris brown; bill blackish, with base of under usually paler;
legs, feet and claws dark brown; bottoms of feet yellowish.

These elegant little birds are similar in habits and actions to
the Golden-crowned Kinglets, and were it not for their surpris-

<538 HISTORY OF THE

ingly clear, tender, varied, resonant song (heard during the
mated and early breeding season), a detailed description would
be hardly necessary. As it is, I take pleasure in quoting from
Dr. Elliott Coues' happy description of the birds:

"To observe the manners of the Ruby-crowned, one need
only repair, at the right season, to the nearest thicket, coppice,
or piece of shrubbery, such as tlie Titmice, Yellow-rumps and
other Warblers love to haunt. These are its favorite resorts,
tispecially in the fall and winter; though sometimes, in the spring
more particularly, it seems to be more ambitious, and its slight
form may be almost lost among the branchlets of the taller trees,
where the equally diminutive Parula is most at home. We shall
most likely tind it not alone, but in straggling troops, which
keep up a sort of companionship with each other as well as with
different birds, though each individual seems to be absorbed in
its peculiar business. We hear the slender, wiry note, and see
the little creatures skipping nimbly about the smaller branches
in endlessly varied attitudes, peeping into the crevices of the
bark for their minute insect food, taking short, nervous flights
from one bough to another, twitching their wings as they alight,
and always too busy to pay attention to what may be going on
around them. They appear to be incessantly in motion — I
know of no birds more active than these — presenting the very
picture of restless, puny energy, making ' much ado about noth-
ing.' . . .

"One of the most remarkable things about the Ruby-crowned
is its extraordinary powers of song. It is really surprising that
such a tiny creature should be capable of the strong and sus-
tained notes it utters when in full song. The lower larynx, the
sound-producing organ, is not much bigger than a good-sized
pin' s head, and the muscles that move it are almost microscopic
shreds of flesh. If the strength of the human voice were in
the same proportion to the size of the larynx, we could converse
with ease at the distance of a mile or more. The Kinglet's ex-
quisite vocalization defies description; we can only speak in gen-
eral terms of the power, purity and volume of the notes, their
faultless modulation and long continuance. Many doubtless

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 039

have listened to this music without suspecting that the autlior was
the diminutive Kuby-crowned, with whose common-place utter-
ance, the slender, wiry 'Tisp,' they were already familiar. ..."
Their nests are usually built in clustering twigs at the end of
a branch in evergreen trees, the spruce the favorite. The few
that have been found range from near the ground to sixty feet
in height. They are partially suspended to the upper branching
twigs, and securely supported by others from beneath; a semi-
pensile, roundish, bulky structure, composed of shreds of soft
bark, fine moss, lichens, cobwebs, etc., and thickly lined with
feathers, that are ingeniously woven into the structure, the up-
per feathers usually placed so as to curve towards the center
and nearly conceal the entrance. Eggs five to nine, .55x.43;
dull white to pale buff, minutely but faintly spotted (chiefly about
the larger end) with light brown; sometimes they are nearly
plain; in form, oval to rounded oval.

Subfamily POLIOPTILIN^. Gnatcatchees.
Wing not longer than the gracUiated tail; anterior tarsal envelope distinctly
«cutellate; outer tail feathers with conspicuous white tips and edgings (some-
times almost entirely white). {Ridgway.)

Genus POLIOPTILA Sclater.
"Bill slender, attenuated, but depressed at the base; nearly as long as the
head, distinctly notched at the tip, and provided with moderate rictal bristles.
Nostrils rather elongated, not concealed, but anterior to the frontal feathers.
Tarsi longer than middle toe, distinctly scutellate; the toes small; the hinder
ones scarcely longer than the lateral; its claws scarcely longer than the middle.
Outer lateral toe longer than the inner. First primary about one-third the
longest; second equal to seventh. Tail a little longer than wings, moderately
graduated; the feathers rounded. Nest felted and covered with moss or lichens.
Eggs greenish white, spotted with purplish brown."

Polioptila caerulea (Linn.).

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.
PLATE XXXV.

Summer resident; common in the eastern part of the State;
rare westward; in migration, common throughout the State.
Arrive in April; begin laying the first to middle of May; the
bulk leave in September; a few occasionally remain into Octo-
ber.

B. 282. E. 27. C. 36. G. 13, 325. U. 751.

640 HISTORY OF THE

Habitat. United States, chiefly south of latitude 42°; win-
tering in the Gulf States, the Bahamas, Cuba, and eastern Mexico
to Guatemala; breeding from Cuba northward throughout their
range. (Replaced in Arizona, California and western Mexico
hj P. ccerulea oljscur'a.)

Sp. Char. "Above, grayish blue, gradually becoming bright blue on the
crown; a narrow frontal band of black extending backwards over the eye; under
parts and lores bluish white, tinged with lead color on the sides. First and sec-
ond tail feathers white except at the extreme base, which is black, the color ex-
tending obliquely forward on the inner web; third and fourth black, with white
tip, very slight on the latter; fifth and sixth entirely black. Upper tail coverts
blackish plumbeous; quills edged externally with pale bluish gray, which is
much broader and nearly white on the tertials. Female without any black on
the head."

Length.

Stretch of
wmg.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male

. 4.50

6.60

2.10

2.10

.68

.40

Female . .

. 4.30

6.30

1.95

1.95

.65

.38

Iris dark brown; bill black, the under sometimes pale at base;
legs, feet and claws blackish.

These delicate little birds are as much at home in the shrubby
bushes on the hillsides, or mesquite growths on the plains, as
within the treetops of the heavily-timbered bottom lands; a
nervous, restless species, that, in their quest of insect life, nim-
bly skip from branch to branch, with partially-spread wings, and
flirting tails, held more or less erect, now and then darting like
a flash into the air to catch the passing flies; a tireless picture
of bustling energy, that only ceases with the day.

They are not naturally social, and when met with in small
flocks straggle about regardless of the movements of others.
Even their wiry "Tsee-tsee-tsee" sounds more like an utterance
of content and self-satisfaction than a call note. They also oc-
casionally utter, much like the Catbird, the faint mew of a kitten.
Their soft, warbling love song is varied, tender, and full of
melody, but so low the hearer must stop to listen in order to
fully catch its silvery tones.

Their nests are usually saddled between and woven to up-
right twigs in the branches of treetops, ranging from ten to
fifty feet from the ground; beautiful nests, composed of stem-
like stemlets, bits of leaves and feathers, woven together with

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 641

spiders' webs, thickly dotted on the outside with lichens, and
lined with a soft, downy substance from plants. Eggs four or
five, .56x.44; pale greenish white, spotted and blotched with
reddish brown, lilac and slate, thickest and running together
around the larger end; in form, oval to rounded oval.

Family TURDID.^. Thrushes, Solitaires, Stonechats,

Bluebirds, etc.

"Nostrils oval; bristles or bristly points about the mouth; wings moderate,
not reaching, when folded, beyond the middle of the tail, and not over one and
a third times as long as the latter; tip formed by third to sixth quill; outer sec-
ondary reaching, in closed wing, three-fourths or more the length of the longest
primary; spurious quill longer, sometimes one-half the second; tarsi booted."

Subfamily MYADESTIN^E. Solitaires.

Gonys not more than one-third as long as commissure; the bill short and
rather depressed. {Ridgicay.)

Genus MYADESTES Swainson.
"Occipital feathers full and soft; plumage rather loose; bill weak, much de-
pressed; commissure nearly straight; hind toe longer than inner lateral; toes
deeply cleft; closed wing externally with an exposed light band across the base
of the quills, and another near the end, separated by a darker one; tail somewhat
graduated on the sides."

Myadestes townsendii (Axtd.).

TOWNSBND'S SOLITAIRE.
PLATE XXXV.

An occasional fall and winter visitant in the western part of
the State.

B. 2.35. R. 2.5. C. 169. G. 12, 326. U. 754.

Habitat. Western United States, chiefly in the mountainous

regions; north to British Columbia; (not reported south of the

United States;) east to Dakota and Texas. (A straggler was

killed December 16, 1875, at Waukegan, Illinois. Nelson.)

Sp. Char. "Tail deeply forked. Exposed portion of spurious quill less than
one-third that of the second; fourth quill longest; second a little longer tiiau
sixth. Head not crested. General color bluish ash, paler beneath; under wing
coverts white. Quills with a brownish yellow bar at the base of both webs
mostly concealed, but showing a little below the greater coverts and alula; this
succeeded by a bar of dusky, and next to it another brownish yellow across the
outer webs of the central quills only. Tertials tipped with white. Tail feath-
ers dark brown; the middle ones more like the back; the lateral with the outer
web and tip, the second with the tip only, white. A white ring round the eye.

^42 HISTORY OF THE

Young birds have a large, triangular, pale ochraceous light spot on the end of
each feather (rather paler below), bounded externally by a narrow border of
blackish; the quills and tail feathers as in the adult."

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

.. 8.50

13.75

4.60

4.25

.78

.50

Female . .

.. 8.25

13.50

4.50

4.15

.75

.48

Iris dark brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black.

These birds, notwithstanding the name they bear, are .quite
social during the fall and winter months, and often associate to-
gether in small flocks or family groups. They seldom visit the
habitations of man, preferring for their haunts the wild mountain
sides, deep, rocky ravines, and shrubby growths upon the plains.
They are not timid or shy, as might be expected from their re-
tiring habits, and as their favorite perching places are upon
dead limbs or the topmost branches of trees. They are usually
in sight, and if not, make their presence known by their loud,
ringing call note, and charming song, so varied and full of sil-
very melody, that echoes in the caiions and on the mountain
sides from the depth of winter until the close of the breeding
season, and occasionally in the fall and early winter, but not in
as full and energetic manner as during the mated time.

They are quite common throughout their range, making their
summer home in the higher mountain regions and wintering in
the foothills among the cedars and upon the plains. They are
expert flycatchers, but during the winter months feed largely
upon the cedar berries; they occasionally search for food upon
the ground, but not in a rasorial manner. In flight and actions
they are easy, and seem to partake of and share somewhat the
characteristics of the Flycatchers, and of our Bluebirds.

Their nests are placed in slight depressions in the ground,
liollows in logs, fissures in rocks and other similar places. They
are quite bulky, and loosely constructed of bits of twigs, stems,
pine needles, grasses, etc., and lined at times with soft vegetable
matter. Eggs three to six (usually four), .92x. 68; they vary
greatly in size and markings; ground color whitish, speckled
and spotted with reddish brown, usually thickest and somewhat
confluent around the larger end; in form, oval.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 643

Subfamily TURDIN^. Thrushes.

Gonys more thau one-third as loug as commissure, the bill more slender and
compressed. {Ridgway.)

Genus TURDUS Linx.eus.

"Bill conical, subulate, shorter than the head: the tip gently decurved and
(except in Hesperocichla) the rictus with moderate bristles; the wings rather long
and pointed, with small first primary (less than one-fourth the second); wings
considerably longer than the tail, which is firm, nearly even, with broad feathers.
Tarsi variable, seldom as long as the skull, the scutella fused into a continuous
plate, only in rare individual instances showing Indications of the lines of sep-
aration."

Subgenus HYLOCICHLA Baied.

"Smallest species. Bill short, broad at base; much depressed. Tarsi long
and slender, longer than middle toe and claw by the additional length of the
claw; outstretched legs reaching nearly to tip of tail. Body slender. Color:
Above, olivaceous or reddish; beneath, whitish; breast spotted; throat without
spots."

Tardus mustelinus Gmel. ,

WOOD THRUSH.
PLATE XXXV.

Summer resident; abundant in the eastern part of tlie State;
rare in the western portion. Arrive the middle of April to the
first of May; begin laying about the middle of May; the bulk
leave in September; a few linger late into October.

B. 148. K. 1. C. 6. G. 1, 327. U. 755.
Habitat. Eastern United States; north to Massachusetts, On-
tario, Wisconsin and eastern- Dakota; west to the Great Plains;
south in winter to Cuba and Guatemala.

Sp. Char. Above, bright tawny cinnamon brown, more rufescent anteriorly,
more grayish posteriorly; auriculars streaked white and dusky. Lower parts
white, the breast and sides with large blackish spots. Adult, in summer: Above,
cinnamon brown, becoming bright tawny rufous on the head, the color clearer
and somewhat lighter on the cervix; wings less reddish than the back; rump
still more olivaceous, and tail decidedly grayish brown. A pure white orbital
ring; lores grayish white, more gray immediately in front of the eye; auriculars
dusky, distinctly streaked with whitish. A white malar stripe, curving upward
beneath the auriculars, the anterior portion speckled with dusky. Entire lower
parts white, usually somewhat tinged with buff on the breast; sides of throat
bounded by a stripe of aggregated blackish cuneate streaks; jugulura marked
with distinct cuneate or deltoid; the breast and sides with larger, broader, in-
versely cordate spots of black; abdomen and crissum immaculate; throat with
very few minute spots, or entirely immaculate. Adult, in icinter: Similar, but

644 HISTORY OF THE

jugulum more decidedly tinged with biitf. Young, first plumage: Similar to the
adult, but feathers of the plleum aud back with paler (ochi'aceous) shaft streaks;
middle wing coverts with terminal triangular spots of ochraceous, the greater
coverts narrowly tipped with the same; spots on breast, etc., less sharply de-
fined. {Ilidgway.)

Stretch of

Length.

wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male . . . .

. 8.20

13.40

4.40

3.1.5

1.35

.64

Female . .

. 8.00

13.15

4.30

3.00

1.22

.62

Iris brown; bill — upper and end of lower, dark brown, rest
brownish yellow; legs and feet flesh color; claws light brown.

The natural haunts of this solitary species are within the deep
forests upon the bottom lands, bordering streams, and remote
from the habitations of man, although, where the locations are
favorable, I have occasionally found them nesting in orchards
and gardens. They make their home in the lower branches
of the trees, and, in their search for food, often hop over the
ground, like the Robins. They feed chiefly upon worms, beetles,
grasshoppers, etc., and berries in their season. They are wary
in their habits, but gentle in their deportment, and move about
without ostentation, in an easy, dignified, graceful manner, and,
when approached, do not skulk and hide, like the Towhees and
Chats, but hop openly about, uttering now and then their sharp
alarm or call note, "Tuck," which is often rapidly repeated,
taking good care to keep at a safe distance from the intruder
by gliding noiselessly from tree to tree.

During the breeding season, the short, silvery, flute-like song
of the males rings out in sweet, clear, indescribable notes, that
even the Mockingbirds do not attempt to imitate. Mr. Nuttall
happily says:

"At the dawn of morning he now announces his presence in
the woods from the top of some tall tree rising through the dark
and shady forest; he pours out his few clear and harmonious
notes in a pleasing reverie, as if inspired by the enthusiasm of
renovated nature. The prelude to this song resembles almost
the double tongueing of the flute, blended with a tinkling, shrill
and solemn warble, which reechoes from his solitary retreat like
the dirge of some sad recluse who shuns the busy haunts of life.
The whole air consists, usually, of four parts, or bars, which sue-

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 645

ceed in deliberate time, and finally blend together in impressive
and soothing harmony, becoming more mellow and sweet at
every repetition. Rival performers seem to challenge each
other from various parts of the wood, vieing for the favor of
their mates, with sympathetic responses and softer tones, and
some, waging a jealous strife, terminate the warm dispute by
an appeal to combat and violence. Like the Robin and the
Thrasher, in dark and gloomy weather, when other birds ai-e
sheltered and silent, the clear notes of the Wood Thrush are
heard through the dropping woods, from dawn to dusk, so that,
the sadder the day, the sweeter and more constant is his song.
His clear and interrupted whistle is likewise often nearly the
only voice of melody heard by the traveler to mid-day, in the
heat of summer, as he traverses the silent, dark and wooded
wilderness, remote from the haunts of men. It is nearly impos-
sible by words to convey any idea of the peculiar warble of this
vocal hermit; but amongst his phrases, the sound of 'Air-6-ee,'
peculiarly liquid, and followed by a trill, repeated in two inter-
rupted bars, is readily recognizable. At times their notes bear
a considerable resemblance to those of Wilson's Thrush, such as
'Eh rhehu, vrhehu,' then varied to 'Eh villia, villia, eh villia,
vrhehu,' then, 'Eh vein, villu,' high and shrill."

Their nests are usually saddled on to a horizontal limb of a
tree, six to ten feet from the ground. They are composed out-
side of loose stems of weeds and leaves, attached to a closely
compact body of pulverized leaves, fibers and lint-like substances
from plants, plastered together with saliva and tracings of mud,
and lined with small, fibrous roots. Eggs three to five, 1.02x
,74 (they vary greatly. in size); greenish blue; in form, oval.

Tardus fuscescens Steph.

WILSON'S THRUSH.

Migratory; rare. I have never met with the birds in the west-
ern part of the State. Arrive the last of April to first of Maj^;
begin to return early in September; none, to my knowledge,
remain later than the middle of October.

B. 151. R. 2. C. 7. G. 2, 328. U. 750.

646 HISTORY OF THE

Habitat. Eastern United States; north to Newfoundland,
the Magdalen Islands, Manitoba, etc. ; west to the plains; breed-
ing from about latitude 41° northward; wintering in the Soutli-
ern States and Cuba. (Keplaced in the Rocky Mountain regions
by T.fuscescens salicicolus. I think that I have seen this bird
in western Kansas, but am not certain.)

Sp. Char. Above, uniform rather light fulvous brovpn, varying in precise
shade; no trace of a lighter orbital ring, tiie sides of the head being nearly uni-
form grayish, as in T. aliciw. Jugulum and posterior portion of throat creamy
buff, with cuneate spots of brown, usually a little darker than the color of the
crown, these markings narrower and more distinct anteriorly; chin and upper
part of throat nearly white, immaculate, but bordered along each side by a Ion.
gitudinal series of brown streaks, sometimes blended into a single stripe, below
an ill-defined whitish or buffy malar stripe; lores pale grayish or grayish white;
auriculars darker and more brownish. Sides of breast, sides and flanks light
brownish gray, the sides of the breast sometimes faintly spotted with a deeper
shade, but frequently uniform; tibia grayish white in front, brown on posterior
side; rest of lower parts pure white. In summer the colors paler; in fall and
winter the brown above brighter, the buff of jugulum deeper, and spots darker.
{Ridgway.)

Length.

Stretch of
ivhig.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsals.

Bill.

Male . . ,

.. 7.40

12.60

4.00

3.25

1.15

.60

Female .

.. 7.15

13.00

3. SO

3.05

1.13

.57

Iris brown; bill — -upper and end of under dusky; rest pale
flesh color; legs flesh color; feet and claws brown.

These birds occasionally visit the upland groves and gardens,
but their true home is within the deep woods, on swampy
grounds and moist lands bordering the sloughs and streams.
Happy birds ! in their deep, gloomy, solitary surroundings, that
sing sweetly in the breeding season from early morn until late
at eve; and so softly do some of the notes fall, the hearer must
listen to catch its full, tender, soul-stirring melody, which, to
my ear, rings out louder and clearer as the shades of niglit
deepen. Their ordinary note is a sharp, liquid "Chirp," ut-
tered at times in a harsh, scolding manner.

The birds are rather shy, and on account of their retiring
habits and unfrequented haunts, much more common throughout
their range than they are generally supposed to be. Like the
Wood Thrush, they live in the lower branches of the trees, and

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 647

search largely for their food (wiiich is similar) upon the ground,
the upturned roots and moss-covered bodies of fallen trees.

They build their nests either on the ground in hillocks of
moss, under a clustering growth of plants, or in the forks of
shrubs, when well concealed by low, overhanging bushes. They
are composed of leaves, intermingled with soft strippiugs from
vines and plants, stems of weeds, grasses, etc., and often lined
with finev grasses, rootlets or horse hairs. Eggs four or five,
.87x. 65; ''greenish blue; they vary in size and somewhat in depth
of color; and in rare instances a few faint reddish spots appear
upon the larger end; in form, oval.

Turdus aliciae Baird.

GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH.

Migratory; not uncommon. Arrive the last of April to first
of May; return and leave for the south in September.

B. 154. R. 3. C. 13. G. 3, 329. U. 757.

Habitat. Eastern and northern North America; west to the

Kocky Mountains, Alaska and eastern Siberia; breeding from

Labrador westward to southern Alaska, and north to the Arctic

coast; wintering south of the United States to Costa Rica.

Sp. Chak. Above, uniform greenish olive brown; no trace of light orbital
ring. Beneath, white, usually more or less tinged with buff on the jugulum,
the sides uniform olive gray. Jugulum with lower parts and sides of throat
marlied with rather small triangular spots of dusky. Adult, in spring: Above,
uniform greenish olive brown, the tail and outer portion of wings sometimes
appreciably browner, or less greenish; sides of head nearly uniform dull grayish,
the auriculars faintly streaked with white. Malar region, and lower parts in
general, white, the entire sides uniform olive gray, and the jugulum usually
(but not always) more or less tinged with light buff; .iugulum, with lower part
and sides of throat, marked with rather small but very distinct deltoid spots of
dusky, these markings more cuneate anteriorly, and forming a nearly continuous
sub-malar stripe along each side of throat, the extreme posterior spots decidedly
transverse; breast marked with transverse spots of olive gray, like the color of
the sides. Adult, in fall and winter: iSimilar, but usually more greenish olive,
and the buff tinge on jugulum more distinct. Turdus alicicB is apparently a
very near ally of T. fuscescens, with which it agrees much more closely lu
measurements and in pattern of coloration than T. ustulatus swainsonii, with
which it has usually been compared, and, by many, confused, though needlessly
so. From the latter it may be invariably distinguished by the entire absence of a
light orbital ring, the whole side of the iiead being nearly uniform grayish, as-
\n fuscescens. The spots on the jugulum average decidedly smaller; the jugu-

648 HISTORY OF THE

luin and malar region are much less distinctly butt': the sides much graj-er, etc.
Some specimens of alicue and sioainsonii are identical in the color of the upper
parts, but a large majority of the former species are decidedly darker and less
brown, appearing on actual comparison almost gray in contrast. (Bidgway.)

stretch of
Length. zving. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 7.60 12.60 4.1.5 3.15 1.20 .55

Female... 7.30 12.30 4.00 3.00 1.18 .53

Iris brown; bill dusky, with basal half of under yellowish;
legs and feet flesh color, the feet a shade darker, with bottoms
pale; claws brown.

This species frequents alike the woods and scattering trees
and bushes fringing the streams. Shy, restless birds; and, as
they prefer for their feeding grounds open spaces or forests
free from underbrush, they are not easily approached. They are
largely terrestial in their habits, and spend much of their time
hopping over the ground in search of food, standing almost
erect when they stop to listen, or utter from the perch their
low, whistling "Whew." I am wholly unacquainted with their
breeding habits, and therefore take pleasure in quoting from
Mr. E. W. Nelson's "Keport upon Natural History Collections
made in Alaska:"

"This species is common throughout all the northern portion
of Alaska wherever willow and alder thickets afford it shelter.
Its western range extends to Behring Straits and beyond, and
it has been recorded from Kamtchatka, and probably occurs on
the Chukchi Peninsula. Along the entire Yukon, and other
streams bordered by trees and bushes in this region, it is present
in great abundance during the breeding season. On the first of
June, 1879, as I came down the Yukon by boat, large numbers
of their old nests were seen in the leafless bushes along the river
banks. A number of these nests were close to the ground —
within two or three feet — while others were from eight to twelve
feet high, at the division of two stout branches, where the com-
pact structure of fine grass and leaves was placed. This species
reaches the mouth of the Yukon and adjacent coast in large
numbers the last of May or first of June. The earliest arrival
which I have recorded is on May 24rth. They are soon found
in every thicket, whence their low, sweet song is frequently

BTEDS OF KANSAS. 649

heard; but they are very shy, and, at the first alarm, dive into
the dense buslies for shelter. As soon as the breeding season
is over they become less retiring, and frequent the vicinity of
villages and more open spots, where many are killed by the na-
tive boys, armed with their bows and arrows. Their skins are
removed and hung in rows or bunches to dry in the smoky huts,
and are preserved as trophies of the young hunters' prowess.
In the winter festivals, when the older hunters bring out the
trophies of their skill, the boys proudly display the skins of
these Thrushes and hang them alongside.

"On the seacoast every alder patch has a pair or more of
these birds, and its presence at Sitka and Kadiak is attested by
numerous specimens in the National Museum Collection. Dall
records a nest obtained from an elevation of about six feet in a
small alder. This nest was made of hair, lined with scraps of
deer hair, feathers, and a little moss. A nest, obtained by me
near St. Michael's, on the first of June, is an extremely small,
loose structure, formed by lining a small depression at the base
of a shrub in the midst of an alder thicket with fine, soft grass
leaves. The material of the nest is uniform throughout, and in
this particular partly bears out Dr. Brewer's statement in the
'History of North American Birds,' which is: 'The nests (of
alicice) are also quite different in their appearance and style of
structure. The Hypmwm mosses, so marked a feature in the
nests of T. swainsonii, as also in those of T. ustulatus, are
wholly wanting in those of T. alicice.'' This statement is not
confirmed, however, by the examination of other nests. A sec-
ond example, obtained at St. Michael's, on June 20th, was com-
posed mainly of these mosses mixed with a small amount of
coarse grass. This nest was placed upon the branching base of
a small alder, only a few inches from the ground. The nest
first mentioned measured three and a half inches across the top
by two inches deep, and the eggs which it contained measure
respectively: . 93 x . 62, . 90 x . 64 and . 93 x . 68. These eggs are
blue, with a varying amount of reddish brown specking, which
is most abundant at the larger end. In two specimens of this
set the spots are thinly scattered over the shell, while in the

(j50 HISTORY OF THE

other two it is so distributed that over half the surface is con-
cealed by it. Of the specimens in the National Museum Collec-
tion, some are scarcely marked at all, while in others the ground
color is nearly hidden. The single egg found in the second
nest measures .92x.69. This nest measures three inches in
depth by four inches in width, the central cavity being two inches

deep."

Turdus ustulatus swainsonii (Cab.).

OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH,
PLATE XXXV.

Migratory; common. Arrive about the first of May; begin
to return early in September; a few remaining late in October.
B. 153. R. 4a. C. 13. G. 4, 330. U. 758a.

Habitat. Eastei-n North America; north into the Arctic re-
gions; west to and including the Rocky Mountains, and from
the upper Columbia River northwest throughout the wooded
lands of Alaska; breeding chiefly north of the United States;
wintering from the Gulf States southward into northern South

America.

Sp. Chak. Adult: Above, uniform olive browu, more grayish in some ex-
amples; a very distinct orbital ring of buff; supraloral stripe, malar region,
chin, throat and jugulum light buft', usually deepest toward sides of head and
neck; jugulum thicicly marked with very broad triangular spots of dusky browu
(much darker than the color of the crown), these markings more cuneate ante-
riorly, and continued along sides of throat in a series of longitudinal dashes,
usually blended into a more or less continuous submalar stripe, narrower and
unbroken anteriorly; chin and upper parts of throat iiinnaculate; sides of breast,
sides and flanks olivaceous gray; rest of lower parts pure white; breast marked
with distinct transverse spots of deep brownish gray; tibia light brownish gray.
Axillars and lining of wing deep grayish fulvous, mixed with ochraceous. {Eidg-
way.) <:, ,, f

Stretch of
Le7igth. iviiig. iVing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 7.40 12.15 4.00 3.00 1.12 .53

Female... 7.15 11.65 3.80 2.80 1.10 .50

Iris brown; bill dusky, with under pale straw color at base;
legs pale brown; feet and claws a shade darker.

This species is more a bird of the woods than the Gray-
cheeked Thrush,* which it so closely resembles in build, color,

*From the observations and collections made on the upper Yukon, the Olive-backed
Thrush appears to be a common summer resident there, and thus ex ends its breeding range
within the Arctic circle. It appears to be influenced to a great extent in its ange by the pres-
ence or absence of woods, and its northern limit may be marked as coinciding with the tree
limit. Alicia;, on the contrary, extends beyond this, wherever a bunch of dwarf willows will
give it shelter, to the very shores of the Arctic and BehringSeas. {Nelson. )

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 651

habits and actions, that one familiar with both is often in doubt
as to the bird in the bush, and only feels certain when he has it
in hand, or hears its call note or song. Doctor Brewer, in
"North American Land Birds," says in regard to the latter:

"The Turdus alicice comes a few days the earlier, and is
often in full song when the T. swainsonii is silent. The song
of the former is not only totally different from that of the latter,
but also from that of all our other Wood Tlirushes. It most re-
sembles the song of T. pallasi., but differs in being its exact in-
verse, for whereas the latter begins with its lowest notes, and
proceeds on an ascending scale, the former begins with its high-
est, and concludes with its lowest note. The song of T. svmin-
sanii, on the other hand, exhibits much less variation in the
scale, all the notes being of nearly the same altitude."

In the spring and early summer of 1880, I found these birds
quite common, and breeding, in Nova Scotia and on Grand
Manan Isle, New Brunswick. They were very shy, and as they
made their homes largely in the thick growths of trees, I seldom
caught a glimpse of one, and were it not for their exquisite song,
and sharp call and alarm notes, "Whit, whit, whit," so often
repeated, I should have thought them extremely rare. In migra-
tion, they frequent the more open woods, and are less wary.

Their nests are built in bushes, or small trees, ranging from
two to eight feet from the ground. They are composed of leaves,
moss, twigs, strippings from plants, etc., and sometimes lined
with fine rootlets. Eggs usually four, . 92 x. 66; light greenish
blue, spotted and occasionally blotched with pale reddish to dark
brown and lilac, chiefly about the larger end; in form, oval, A
set of four eggs, collected June 15th, at Grand Manan, from a
nest in a small white birch, about six feet up, are, in dimensions:
.92X.67, .93x, 66, .94x.68, .95x.65.

Turdus aonalaschkse pallasii (Cab.).

HERMIT THRUSH,
PLATE XXXV.

Migratory; rare. I have never met with the birds in the
middle or western part of the State, Arrive in March and

052 UISTORT OF THE

April; begin to return in September; remain into November,
und may occasionally winter in southeastern part of the State.

B. 149. E. 55. C. 10. G. 5, 331. U. 7596.

Habitat. Eastern North America; west casually to the Great
Plains (replaced westward by the Rocky Mountain variety, T.
aonalaschkcB audubonii, which I feel confident will be found in
the early spring and fall in western Kansas and western Ne-
braska); breeds from the northern United States northward,
and winters in the Southern States.

Sp. Char. Second primary shorter than fifth. Tail much more reddish than
back. Adult, in sirring and early summer: Above, uuiform olive brown, chang-
ing to dull cinnamon rufous on the tail, the upper tail coverts of an intermediate
tint; outer portion of the wings more I'usty than back, but much less rufous than
the tail. A very distinct orbital ring of pale buff; auriculars and suborbital re-
gion dull grayish brown, indistinctly streaked with palei\ Lower parts dull
white, purer on the abdomen, the jugulum usually faintly tinged with buff; jugu-
lum marked with large deltoid spots of dark brown to blackish, the more poste-
rior of these spots broader and less pointed, the anterior ones more cuiieate; sides
• of the neck with cuneate streaks of dark brown or blackish, narrower and more
linear anteriorly, where they form a well-defined stripe or "bridle" along each
side of the throat; malar region dull white, indistinctly speckled or streaked
with brown; breast with distinct roundish or somewhat sagittate spots of deep
grayish brown; sides and flanks light grayish olive brown; axillars and lining
of wing pale dull ochraceous; tibia olive brown. Adult, in fall and wi^iter:
Similar, but above much browner (almost umber on the back), the tail deeiier
rufous, the jugulum more distinctly tinged with buff, and the sides browner olive.
(Bidgway.)

stretch of
Length. wing. IVing. 'fail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 7.20 11.50 3.70 3.00 1.30 .55

Female... 6.80 11.00 3.50 2.75 1.18 .52

Iris dark brown; bill — upper and ends of lower dusky; rest
straw color; legs, feet and claws light brownish flesli color.

These birds frequent the moist woodlands, timbered streams
and swampy growths, where I have often met with them in
their winter quarters and summer homes. They are not natu-
rally timid or suspicious birds, and in fall and winter they have
come about my camp and scratched among the leaves for food,
regardless of my presence; but during the breeding season they
are wary, and keep well hidden in the gloomy forests of spruce,
fir and hemlock, making their presence known, however, by
their loud "Chuck," note, and the woods ring with their clear,

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 653

liquid, silvery soiii^, that at times is uttered low and soft, but
always in a charming, musical flow. It sounds much like the
golden song of the Wood Thrush, but on a little higher key, and
with less compass of voice. Like all the Wood Thrushes, they
live largely in the lower branches of the trees and on the ground,
and their food habits and actions are similar.

Their nests are built in a depression in the ground, and well
concealed beneath bushes or hidden among the forest plants.
They are quite bulky, and composed of weeds, grasses and moss,
and lined with a liner material of the same, and often with
rootlets. Eggs usually four, .86x.65; greenish blue; in form,
elongate ovaL A set of four eggs, collected May 26, 1880,
near Digby, Nova Scotia, from a nest sunk in the ground among
ferns, the rim barely coming to the surface, are, in dimensions:
.85x. 66, .86X.65, .86x65, .87x.65.

Genus MERULA Leach.

Tail about four-fifths as long as the wing, aud more than three times as long
as the tarsus; slightly rounded. Tarsus a little longer than the commissure, ex-
ceeding middle toe aud claw by less than the length of the latter. Third, fourth
and fifth quills longest, the second about equal to the sixth, never much longer
or shorter; third to sixth quills with outer webs sinuated. Outstretched feet
not reaching beyond the middle of the tail, riumage variable, but never dis-
tinctly spotted beneath, except in young. Sexes sometimes very different in
plumage. {Ridgway.)

Merula migratoria (Linn.).

AMERICAN ROBIN.
PLATE XXXV.

Resident; abundant in the eastern part of the State in sum-
mer, and along the streams in winter, where the hackberries
are plenty; rare at other times; not common in the western
portion of the State. Begin laying the last of April

B. 155. R. 7. C. 1. G. 6, 332. U. 761.

Habitat. Northern and eastern North America (replaced in
the western United States, east to the edge of the Great Plains,
hj M. migratoria propinqua); south into eastern Mexico; breed-
ing from near the southern borders of the United States north-
ward to the Arctic coast.

654 HIS TORT OF THE

Sp. Char. Adult male, in summer: Head deep black, with the lower eyelid,
part of the upper eyelid, and a supraloral streak, pure white; chiu pure white,
the throat streaked with the same. Upper parts grayish slate color, the scapii.
lars and interscapulars showing darker centers, these usually most conspicuous
anteriorly; wing coverts also darker centrally, but this mostly concealed; pri-
maries, primary coverts and alula black, narrowly but distinctly edged with
ash gray. Tail uniform slate black, the two outer feathers with inner webs
distinctly tipped with white. Jugulum, breast, entire sides, upper part of ab_
domen, axillars and lining of the wing, uniform deep rufous or reddish ochra-
ceous (varying in shade in different individuals); posterior part of abdomen and
femoral region pure white; anal region and crissum white, mixed with plumbe-
ous, this mostly beneath the surface. Adult female, in summer: Usually a
little paler and duller in color than the male, but not always distinguishable.
Bill less purely yellow; dimensions about the same. Adult, in winter: Upper
parts decidedly tinged with olive; rufous feathers of the lower parts distinctly
bordered with white, producing a scaly appearance. Bill mostly blackish, the
yellow confined chiefly to the lower mandible. Toung,in first icinter: Differ-
ing from the autumnal or winter adult in much paler colors; head grayish, the
pileum scarcely or not at all darker than the back, the upper parts being uni-
form dull gray; breast, etc., reddish ochraceous, much mixed with white poste-
riorly; the jugulum tinged with ashy. A more or less distinct supra-auricular
streak of white. Toung, in first plumage: Pileum and side of head dull black-
ish, with an indistinct dull whitish superciliary streak between; the lower
eyelid also whitish. Upper parts dull brov/nish gray, the scapulars and inter-
scapulars variegated with blackish terminal bars and whitish shaft streaks;
lesser and middle wing coverts also marked with pale shaft streaks. A whitish
malar stripe, bordered below by a blackish stripe along each side of throat;
chin and throat white, immaculate, or with only very faint scattered specks.
Breast and sides of abdomen pale rufous or ochraceous, thickly spotted with
black; lining of wings uniform ochraceous or pale rufous; posterior lower parts
chiefly whitish. (Midgwai/.)

Stretch of
Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 10.50 16.20 5.25 4.30 1.35 .87

Female... 9.85 15.95 5.15 4.15 1.33 .85

In a few specimens the females were fully as large as the
males.

Iris brown; bill bright yellow, tipped with dusky (the bill of
the female somewhat paler; in young birds the upper mandible,
with the exception of the edges, dark brown); legs brown; feet
dark brown; claws blackish.

These familiar birds of the orchard and garden brave the
coldest weather, and their distribution in winter depends largely
upon the food supply. In the winter of 1880, I found a few
wintering on Brier Island, Novia Scotia. They sought shelter

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 655

at night and during severe storms in the thick growths of spruce
and other shrubby trees,* and subsist upon the snails and minute
forms of life that abound in the kelp and other debris washed
upon the shore. Their winter fare inland consists largely of
cedar berries, hackberries, M'ild grapes, etc'., and in the fall help
themselves to our cultivated berries; but they more than repay
the loss in the destruction of cut worms, canker worms and va-
rious forms of injurious insect life, which they diligently search
for in the gardens, plowed fields and bare spots, in the early
spring, ready to catch them as fast as they are warmed into life
in their winter beds by the hot rays of the sun and venture to
the surface. Then they are the first of the family to greet us
with their song: not as varied and musical as the silvery songs
of their cousins of the deep woods, but full of tender pathos,
and awaken us to the fact that winter is over and summer at
hand.

Their nests are built in the crotches of trees, saddled on to
horizontal branches or placed in hedges, outbuildings — in fact,
most anywhere off the ground. They are coarsely constructed
of leaves, stems, twigs and grasses, fastened together and plas-
tered inside with mud, and lined with fine stems and rootlets.
Eggs three to five (usually four), 1.16x.80; greenish blue: in
form, oval.

Merula migratoria propinqua Eidgw.

WESTERN ROBIN.
PLATE XSXV.

An occasional visitant in the western part of the State. (May

breed there.)

B. . K. la. C. 2. G. 7, 333. U. 761a.

Habitat. Western United States; north to British Columbia;
east to the eastern edge of the Great Plains; south over the
table lands of Mexico.

Sp. Char. Very similar to T. migratoria. Differ as follows: Outer tail feath-
ers without distinct white tip (often with no white at all); anterior portion of
back slaty gray, abruptly defined against black of hind neck. Average a little
larger. {Bidgway.)

* These birds usually have roostiDg places in the deep, moist or swampy woods, where
they assemble at night, like the Crows, in large flocks. For full description of this habit, see
" Brewster on Eobin Roosts," in " The Auk," Vol. 7, p. 360.

656 HISTORY OF THE

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 10.45

16.35

5.35

4.40

1.35

.90

Female . .

. 10.15

16.10

5.25

4.25

1.35

.87

Iris brown; bill yellow, with tips and often the ridge dusky;
young birds show les^ yellow, and the upper mandible is usually
all dusky, except the edges and a little on basal sides; legs
brown; feet and claws dark brown.

The general habits, actions, nesting and eggs of this western
form are like those of the eastern species. Eggs: l.lTx. 81.

Genus SIALIA Swainson.

"Bill short, stout, broader than high at base, then compressed; slightly
notched at tip. Rictus with short bristles. Tarsi not longer than middle toe;
claws considerably curved. Wings much longer than tail; the first primary
spurious, not one-fourth the longest. Tail moderate; slightly forked. Eggs
plain blue. Nest in holes. The species of this genus are all well marked, and
adult males are easily distinguishable. In all, blue forms a prominent feature.
Three well-marked species are known, with a fourth less distinct. The females
are duller in color than the males. The young are spotted and streaked with
white."

Sialia sialis (Linn.).

BLUEBIRD.
PLATE XXXV.

An abundant resident in the eastern part of the State; com-
mon to the middle; retiring in winter to the thickets in the deep
ravines and along the streams; a rare summer resident in the
western portion of the State. Begin laying the last of April.

B. 158. E. 22. C. 27. G. 10, 334. U. 766.

Habitat. Eastern United States; north to Nova Scotia, On-
tario and Manitoba; west to the base of the Kocky Mountains;
breeding throughout their range; wintering from the Middle
States southward to Cuba.

Sp. Char. Breast and sides cinnamon or chestnut. Throat cinnamon, like
breast; belly white. Breast, etc., deep cinnamon or cinnamon rufous; sides of
neck and malar region blue. Adult male: Above, rich cobalt blue (rarely vary-
ing to ultramarine, more rarely still to cerulean). In winter the blue is duller,
the cinnamon of breast, etc., deeper and more purplish, and feathers of back,
etc., bordered with rusty. Adult female: Above, dull grayish, the wings dull
blue, the rump, upper tail coverts and tail brighter blue; a whitish orbital ring;
breast, etc., light dull cinnamon, the throat paler, with a dusky streak along

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 657

each side; an indistinct whitish malar stripe. Young: Ahove, dark brownisli
or grayish, with conspicuous tear-shaped strea,ks of whitish over whole back,
scapulars, etc.; wings (except coverts) and tail as iu adult; beneath, white, the
feathers of breast, etc., very broadly bordered with dark grayish or brownish;
a whitish orbital ring. {Itulgway.)

Length.

Stretch of
wing.

Wing.

Tail.

Tarsus.

Bill.

Male ....

. 6.80

12.40

4.00

2.7.5

.78

.47

Female . .

. 6.00

12.00

.3.85

2.60

.76

.46

Iris brown; bill, legs, feet and claws blackish.

The habits of this well-known species are so familiar to all that
no description is needed. I cannot, however, refrain from pre-
senting the following, written by Wilson Flagg, in so happy
and pleasing a style:

"Not one of our songsters is so intimately associated with
the early spring as the Bluebird, Upon his arrival from his^
winter residence, he never fails to make known his presence by
a few melodious notes uttered from some roof or fence in the
field or garden. On the earliest morning in April, when we
first open our windows to welcome the soft vernal gales, they
bear on their wings the sweet strains of the Bluebird. These
few notes are associated with all the happy scenes and incidenta
that attend the opening of the year.

"The Bluebird is said to bear a strong resemblance to the
English Robin-Kedbreast, similar in form and style, having a.
red breast and short tail feathers, with only this manifest differ-
ence: that one is olive colored above where the other is blue.
But the Bluebird does not equal the Redbreast as a songster.
His notes are few and not greatly varied, though sweetly and
plaintively modulated, and never loud. On account of their
want of variety, they do not enchain the listener; but they con-
stitute an important part of they melody of morn,

"The value of the inferior singers in making up a general
chorus is not sufficiently appreciated. In musical composition,
as in an anthem or oratorio, though there is a leading part, which
is usually the air, that gives character to the whole, yet this
leading part would often be a very indifferent piece of melody if
performed without its accompaniments; and these alone would
seem still more trifling and unimportant. Yet, if the composi-

658 HiSTOItY OF THE

tion be the work of a master, these brief strains and snatches,
though apparently insignificant, are intimately connected with
the harmony of the piece, and could not be omitted without a
serious disparagement of the grand effect. The inferior singing-
birds, bearing a similar relation to the whole choir, are indis-
pensable as aids in giving additional effect to the note of the
chief singers.

"Though the Robin- is the principal musician in the general
iinthem of morn, his notes would become tiresome if heard with-
out accompaniments. Nature has so arranged the harmony of
this chorus, that one part shall assist another; and so exquisitely
lias she combined all the different voices, that the silence of any
one cannot fail to be immediately perceived. The low, mellow
warble of the Bluebird seems an echo to the louder voice of the
Hobin; and the incessant trilling or running accompaniment of
the Hairbird, the twittering of the Swallow, and the loud, melo-
-dious piping of the Oriole, frequent and short, are sounded like
the different parts in a band of instruments, and each performer
seems to time his part as if by some rule of harmony. Any
■discordant sound that may occur in the performance never fails
to disturb the equanimity of the singers, and some minutes will
elapse before they resume their song. It would be ditiicult to
draw a correct comparison between the birds and the various
instruments they represent. But if the Robin was described as
the clarionet, the Bluebird might be considered the flageolet,
frequently, but not incessantly, interspersing a few mellow strains.
The Hairbird would be the octave flute, constantly trilling on a
high key, and the Golden Robin the bugle, often repeating his
ioud and brief strain. The analogy, if carried farther, might
lose force and correctness.

"All the notes of the Bluebird — his call notes, his notes of
•complaint, his chirp, and his song — are equally plaintive and
closely resemble one another. I am not aware that this bird
utters a harsh note. His voice, which is one of the earliest to
be heard in the spring, is associated with the early flowers and
with all pleasant vernal influences. When he first arrives he
perches upon the roof of a barn or upon some leafless tree, and

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 659

delivers his few and frequent notes with evident fervor, as if
conscious of the pleasures that await him. These mellow notes
are all the sounds he nuikes for several weeks, seldom chirping
or scolding like other birds. His song is discontinued at mid-
summer, but his plaintive call, consisting of a single note pen-
sively modulated, continues every day until he leaves our fields.
This sound is one of the melodies of summer's decline, and re-
minds us, like the note of the green nocturnal tree-hopper, of
the ripened harvest, the fall of the leaf, and of all the joyous
festivals and melancholy reminiscences of autumn.

"The Bluebird builds his nest in hollow trees and posts, and
may be encouraged to breed around our dwellings by supplying
boxes for his accommodation. In whatever vicinity we reside,
whether in a recent clearing or in the heart of a village, if we
set up a bird house in May, it will certainly be occupied by a
Bluebird, unless previously taken by a Wren or a Martin. But
there is commonly so great a demand for such accommodations,
that it is not unusual to see two or three different species con-
tending for one box."

Their nests are loosely but rather smoothly constructed of
fine straws, grasses, and occasionally leaves, hair and feathers.
Eggs usually four or five, . 83x. 63; light greenish blue; in form,
■ovaL Pure white sets have occasionally been taken.

Sialia arctica (Swains.).

MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD.
PLATE XXXV.

A common winter sojourner in the western part of the State;
rare in the eastern portion. Begin to arrive the last of Septem-
ber; leave in March and April.

B. 160. R. 24. C. 29. G. 11, 335. U. 768.

Habitat. Western North America; north to Great Slave
Lake; east into Dakota and Texas; south into Mexico; breeds
in the Rocky Mountain region.

Sp. Char. Breast, etc., fine greenish blue (in adult male), or brownish gray
or grayish brown ( in female), the belly and under tail coverts pure white. Adult
male: Above, rich, glossy cerulean blue, the wings and tail more azure, or cobalt;
heneath.lighter cerulean blue, the belly aud uudur tail coverts white. (In win-

660 HISTORY OF THE

ter, the blue of the head, neck, back and breast obscured by grayish brown tips
to the feathers.) Adult female: Above, bi-ownish gray, the primaries dull light
blue, the rump, upper tail coverts and tail, bright or greenish blue; beneath,
light grayish brown, the belly and under tail coverts white; a whitish orbital
ring. ( In winter, colors deeper, especially on lower parts.) Young: Quills and
tail feathers as in adults; above, grayish brown, the back usually streaked with
white; beneath, grayish white, the breast and sides mottled with grayish brown.
(Ridgway.)

Stretch of

Length. Tving. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.

Male 7.15 13.50 4.50 3.00 .85 ..52

Female 6.90 13.00 4.30 2.80 .85 .50

Iris brown; bill, legs, feet and claws blackish.

These birds of the central regions are very similar in habits
to our common Bluebird, but more wary and silent. Even their
love song is less loud and musical. A rather feeble, plaintive,
monotonous warble, and their chirp and twittering notes are
weak. They subsist upon the cedar berries, seeds of plants,
grasshoppers, beetles, etc., which they pick up largely upon the
ground, and occasionally scratch for, among the leaves. Dur-
ing the fall and winter, they visit the plains and valleys, and are
usually met with in small flocks, until the mating season. They
are great lovers and attentive parents.

I have found them nesting in New Mexico and Colorado,
from the foothills to near timber line, usually in deserted Wood-
pecker holes, natural cavities in trees, fissures in the sides of
steep, rocky cliffs, and, in the settlements, in suitable locations
about and in the adobe buildings. Their nests are lined with
fine grasses, or most any suitable material at hand. In locali-
ties where sheep are raised, wool is freely used. Eggs usually
four or five, .85x.65; pale greenish blue; in form, oval.

BIRDS OF KANSAS. 661

ADDITIONS
To the list of birds since the publication of my "Eevised Cata-
logue of the Birds of Kansas:"

^chmophorus occidentalis (Lawk.). Western Grebe.

Oidemia perspicillata (Linn.). Surf Scoter.

Chen ccerulescens (Linn.). Blue Goose.

Griis canadensis (Linn.). Little Brown Crane.

jEgialitis meloda circumcincta Ridgw. Belted Piping Plover.

jEgialitis nivosa Cass. Snowy Plover.

CoUnus virginianus texamis (Lawe.). Texan Bob-white.

PhalcBnoptilus nuttaUi nitidus Bkewst. Frosted Poor-will.

Picicorvus columbianus (Wils.). Clark's JSTutcracker.

Spizella monticola ochracea Bkewst. Western Tree Sparrow.

ELIMINATIONS.

Centrocercus urophasianus (Bonap.). Sage Grouse,
Otocoris alpestris (Linn.). Horned Lark.

ENGLISH SPAEKOW.

European Sparrow — Passer domesticus (Liuu.). Leach.

These hardy, aggressive little foreigners (unfortunately intro-
duced) cannot properly be classed with our native birds, but as-
they are here to stay, are entitled to mention.*

Genus PASSER Brisson.

Form stout and stocky. Bill very stout, shaped somewhat as in Garpodaens,
but without nasal ruff. Culmen curved; commissure little angulated; gouys
convex, ascending; lateral outlines of bill bulging to near the end. Wings
pointed; first, second and third primaries nearly equal and longest; fourth little
shorter, rest graduated; inner secondaries not elongate. Tail shorter than
wings, nearly even; feet small; tarsus about equal to middle toe and claw; lat-
eral toes of equal lengths, their claws not reaching to base of middle claw.
Sexes alike. Male with black and chestnut on head. Middle of back only
streaked. Old World; two species naturalized In North America {domesticus
and montanus).

The Sparrow — Philip Sparrow — House Sparrow — parasite — tramp — hood-
lum— gamin. Male adult: Upper parts ashy gray; middle of back and scapu-
lars boldly streaked with black and bay. A dark chestnut or mahogony space
behind eye, spreading on side of neck. Lesser wing coverts deep chestnut;
median tipped with white, forming a conspicuous wing bar, bordering which is
a black line. Greater coverts and inner quills with central black field bordered
with bay. Tail dusky gray, unmarked. Lower parts ashy, gray or wl..:'sh;
chin and throat jet black, spreading on the breast and lores, bordered on side
of neck with white. Bill blue black; feet brown. Wing about 3.00; tail 2.25.
Female adult: Above, brownish gray; streaking of back light ochery brown
and black; wing edgings light ochery brown, the white bar impure. No black,
mahogony or white on head; a pale brown postocular stripe; bill blackish
brown, yellowish at base below. Varies endlessly in the purity or dinginess of
coloration. ZbMWg' mafe; At first like female. Europe, etc. {Coues.)

Their nests are placed in any available nook about houses,
cavities in shade trees, etc. They are rather bulky, and loosely
constructed of hay, straw, wool, or most any material at hand,
and lined with feathers. Eggs four to seven, .86x.62; dull
light gray or grayish white, speckled and dashed with dusky
brown and purplish gray. They vary somewhat in marking,
depth of color, form and size.

*For report of the committee appointed by tlie American Ornithologists' Union, to inves-
tigate the eligibility or ineligibility of the European House Sparrow, see my "Eevised Cata-
logue of the Birds of Kansas."

GLOSSARY.

A.

Abdomen, n. The belly.

Abdominal, a. Pertaining to the abdo-
men.

Aberrant, a. Deviating from the usual
or normal character.

Abortive, a. Imperfectly developed.

AccTPiTRES, n. Plural of acdpiter;
also the name of a more or less arti-
ficial group of birds, including the so-
called "Birds of Prey," or Eaptores
of some authors.

AcciPiTRiNE, a. Hawk-like.

AcicuLAR, a. Needle shaped.

Aculeate, a. Slender pointed.

Acuminate, a. Tapering gradually to
a point.

Acute, a. Sharp pointed.

Adolescence, n. Youth.

Adult, n. As applied to birds, an indi-
vidual which has attained the final
or mature plumage.

Adult, a. In ornithology, having
reached the fully-mature or final
plumage. (A bird may be adult as
regards organization without being
of adult plumage.)

^stival, a. Pertaining to summer.

Aggregated, a. Collected together;
accumulated. Thus, by aggregation,
a number of individual spots or other
maijkiugs may form, collectively, a
larger patch or stripe.

Aftershaft, n. Properly, the stem of
the supplementary plume springing
from near the base of some feathers;
ordinarily, however, applied to the
plume itself.

Alar. a. Pertaining to the wing.

Alaudine, a. Lark-like.

Albinism, n. An abnormal condition
of plumage, with white replacing the
ordinary colors to a greater or less
extent. Albinism results from a defi-
ciency or entire absence of pigment
in the skin which supplies the color-
ing of the feathers, and is complete
only when all colors are obliterated
from the plumage. (In birds, com-
plete albinism of the plumage is not
necessarily accompanied by change of
colors of the bill, feet and eyes.)

Albino, n. An animal affected with al-
binism.

Albinistic, [ a. Affected with albin-

Albinotic, \ ism.

Alectroid, a. Cock-like ; resembling
the domestic cock.

Alectorine, a. Pertaining to the do-
mestic cock.

Aliform, a. Wing-like.

Alpine, a. Pertaining to the Alps.
(Often used in relation to any high
mountain range for species inhabit-
ing high altitudes, which are termed
"Alpine" species.)

Altrices, rt. Birds whose young are
reared in the nest and fed by the par-
ents. With the exception of the Rap-
tores, some of the Steganopodes and
Pygopodes, the Longipennes and
Sphenisci, young of Altrices are psilo-
piedic, born naked or partially clad.

Altricial, a. Having the character of
or pertaining to the Altrices.

Alula, n. The "bastard wing," com-
posed of several stiff feathers growing
on the so-called thumb. They are di-
rectly below the secondary or greater
coverts, and collectively resemble a
miniature wing, whence the name.

064

GLOSSARY.

Alulak, a. rertaiuiiis to the alula. I
Ambulatoky, a. Gradient; walking or

runuiug. (Opposite of saltatory, hop-
ping or leaping.)
Anal, a. Pertaining to the anus.
Anal Region, n. Tlie feathers imme-

ately surrounding the anus.
Anatine, a. Duck-like.
Ancipital, a. Two edged; double

edged.
Angle of Chin, n. The anterior point

of the space between the rami of the

lower jaw.
Anisodactyl.?!:, ??. The name of a

group of birds having three toes in

front and one behind.
Anisodactylous, a. Having three toes

in front and one behind.
Anisopogonous, a. Said of a feather

when the two webs are of unequal

breadth.
Anotine, n. A bird one year or less

old, or which has moulted but once.

(Little used.)
Annular, a. Ringed.
Anomalous, a. Very unusual; strange;

abnormal.
Anserine, a. Goose-like.
Ante ( in composition ). Anterior to,

or before; as, anteorbital, anteocular,

etc.
Antiiine, a. Pipit-like.
Antrorse, a. Directed forward, as the

nasal tufts of most Jays and Crows,

and the rictal bristles of many birds.
Apex, n. The tip or point of anything.
Aquatic, a. Pertaining to the water.

Aquatic birds are those which derive

their subsistence chiefly from seas,

lakes or rivers, and include two arti-
ficial groups, known as "Waders"

and "Swimmers."
Aquiline, a. Eagle-like.
ARBOREAL, I ^_ ^^.gg inhabiting.
Arboricole, \ '^

Arcuate, a. Bow shaped: arclied.
Areol.e, n. The small naked spaces

between the scales of the feet, usually

called interspaces.
Arietiform, a. Having the form of the

zodiacal sign, Aries.
Armilla, n. A colored ring round the

lower end of the tibia; an anklet.
AirncuLATioN, n. A joint or hinge.

(Usually applied to the limbs.)
Asymmetrical, a. Without symmetry.

or without close resemblance between

corresponding parts, as opposite sides.

(The pattern of coloration in partial

albinos is often asymmetrical.)

AsYMMEiRY, n. Disproportion, or want
of close resemblance, between cor-
responding parts or organs. (Very
decided asymmetry of opposite sides
of skull is observable in some Owls.)

Atrophy, n. The wasting away, or
obliteration of an organ or part,
through deficient nutrition.

Attenuate, a. Tapering or growing
gradually narrower toward the ex-
tremity, but not necessarily pointed,
which would be acuminate.

Auricular, a. Pertaining to the ear.

AuRicuLARS, n. The (usually) well-
defined feathered area which con-
ceals the ears in birds.

Autoptical, a. Personally inspected.

Autumnal Plumagp:, n. The full

• dress of autumn. In most birds it
remains essentially unchanged till
the spring moult. In many species
the young possess a peculiar autumnal
plumage (assumed by their first moult)
which differs not only from their first
livery, but also from that of adults at
the same season. In such, the adult
or mature plumage may be completely
assumed at the next moult, or it may
be gradually acquired by successive
moults, as in the case of many Orioles,
Tanagers, and other bright-colored
Passerine groups.

-^ ( n. The bird life of a

Avian Fauna, 3 ti,^,,^, country

Avi-FAUNA, -j l^ j^^^,i^y_

Axilla, n. The armpit.

AxiLLAR, ) a. Pertaining to the arm-

AXILLARY, f pit.

' n. A more or less dis-
tinct tuft of gradu-
ated, usually soft and
elongated feathers,
growing from armpit.

AXILLARIES,
AXILLARS,

B.

Back, n. In descriptive ornithology,
usually includes the scapulars and
interscapulars, but should properly be
restricted to the latter alone.

Band, n. A broad transverse mark,
with regular and nearly parallel
edges; a broad bar of color. (A broad
band is usually called a zone.)

Banded, a. Marked with bands.

Bar, n. A narrow transverse mark of
color.

Barb, n. Any one of the fibrillse, or
laminse, composing the web of feath-
ers.

GLOSSARY.

6G5

Barbed, a. Furnished with barbs;

bearded.
BARBUI.E, n. A barb of a barb.
Bakhed, a. Marked wilii bars.
Base, n. Boot; origiu.
Basai., a. Pertaining to the base.
Bei.t-y, n. The central posterior por-
tion of the nnder surface of the body;
bounded laterally by the sides, pos-
teriorly by tlie vent or anal region,
and anteriorly by the breast.
BEi/r, n. A broad band of color across
the breast or belly. (Distinguished
from zone in that the latter may cross
the wings or tail.)
Belted, a. Marked with a Ijroad band
of color across the lower part of body.
Bend of the Wing, n. The angle or
prominence at the carpus or wrist
joint in the folded wing.
Bevy, n. A flock of Quails or Par-
tridges.
BiBLioGBAPHY, 71. Coudenscd history

of the literature of a subject.
Bifurcate, a. Doubly forked.

' a. Two-named, or, more
properly, named by
two terms. The bi-
nomial system of nom-
enclature, instituted in
1758 by Linnseus, and
adopted by zoologists
and botanists, promul-
gates the use of two
terms as the name of
each species — the first
generic, the second
specific.

Biology, n. The study of living beings
with relation to the laws and results
of their organization.
Biological, a. Pertaining to biology.
Biological science embraces the study
of all organic creations, and thus in-
cludes zoology and botany, both re-
cent and fossil.
Boat shaped, a. A hoat-sTiaped tail
has the opposite sides or halves meet-
infj beloio along the median line, the
outer edges being elevated. The tail
of Quiscalus is a familiar example,
while that of the domestic fowl ( Gal-
lus banlciva) exemplifies the opposite
form, with the edges below the middle
feathers forming the ridge instead of
the keel. A boat-sJiaped bill is one in
which the maxilla resembles an in-
verted boat, as in genus Cancroma.
Boot, 7i. In birds, the tarsal envelope,
when entire.

Binomial,

BlXOMINAL,

Booted, a. A booted tarsus has the
usual scales fused so as to form a con-
tinuous or uninterrupted covering.
The tarsus of the smaller Thrushes
and the American PkObin well illus-
trates this character.

Boss, n. A knob or short, rounded pro-
tuberance.

BiiACCATE, a. Having the feathers on
the outer side of the tibia elongated
or plume-like, as in most of the Fal-
conidce.

BiJACE SHAPED, n. Shaped like the
brace of printers.

Brachial, a. Pertaining to the wing.
(Little used.)

Braciiypterous, a. Short winged.

Brachyurous, a. Short tailed.

Breast, n. In birds, an artificial and
somewhat arbitrary subdivision of the
under surface, lying between the jug-
ulum and abdomen. Its position cor-
responds nearly with that of the
underlying pectoral muscles.

Brevipennes, 71. The systematic name
of a group of short-winged birds, in-
cluding the Ostriches and kindreil
forms.

Brevipennine, a. Short feathered;
short winged ( improperly so used ) ;
pertaining to the Brtvipennes.

Bridle, w. A strijjc of color extending
back from the bill, along the lower
sides of the head.

Bridled, a. Marked with a distinct
stripe of color from the bill back-
ward, beneath the eye, along the
lower jaw or sides of the throat.

Bristle, ?j. A small, hair-like feather,
consisting chiefly of the shaft; com-
monly developed near the angle of
the mouth or rictus, but sometimes on
other portions of the plumage also.

Buccal, a. Pertaining to the cheeks.

BuLLATE, a. Having a blistered ap-
pearance.

c.

Caducous, a. Falling off early.

Calcareous, a. Chalky.

Canaliculated, a. Channeled or fur-
rowed.

Cancellate, a. Latticed; marked
both longitudinally and transversely.

Candescent, )a. Whitish; hoary ;

Canescent, ) frost-like.

Capillary, a. Hair-like.

Capistrate, a. Hooded or cowled.

6QQ

GLOSS ART.

Capistrltm, n. A hood or cowl. In de-
scriptive oruitliology, tlie tore part of
the head all around, or tliat portion
immediately surrounding the base of
the bill.
Capital, a. Pertaining to the head.
Capitate, a. A capitate feather has

the end enlarged.
Caput, n. The head.
Carina, ?i. A keel or median ridge.
Cakinate, a. Keeled, or with a me-
dian ridge. Gannate birds {Aves car-
inatus) are those furnished with a
keeled sternum.
Carneous, a. Fleshy.
Carniverous, a. Flesh eating.
Carpal,, a. Pertaining to the wrist or
carpus.

'a. The prominence
formed by the
wrist joint, or car-
pus, when the
wing is closed.
The length of thp
Carpal Joint, J wing, in descrip-
Cabpal Angle, ' tions, is measured
from the carpal
angle of the tip of
the longest quill.
(Same as bend of
the wing, or flex-
ura.)

Carpo-metacarpal Joint, n. The
last wing joint, covered exteriorly by
the alula.
Carpus, n. The wrist. In a bird tlie
space between the bend (flexura) and
the hand joint of the wing.
Caruncle, n. A naked fleshy excres-
cence, usually about the head or
neck, and ordinarily brightly colored,
wrinkled or warty.
Carunculate, ) a. Having
Carunculatkd, ) caruncles.

Caudal, a. Pertaining to the tail.
Cauda, n. The tail.
Caudate, a. Tailed.
Cephalic, a. Pertaining to the head.
Ceraceous, a. Wax-like.
Cere, n. The naked skin or membrane
in which the nostrils are situated,
common to most birds of prey (Rap-
tores), and many of the Parrot tribe,
as well as to the Pigeons and some
other groups. It usually has a more
or less distinct line of demarkation
anteriorly, except in the Pigeons.
Cervical, a. Pertaining to the cervix
or hind neck.

Cervix, n. The hind neck, extending-
from the occiput to the commence-
ment of the back. It has two sub-
divisions, namely, the nape and scruff
(nucha and auchenium) , which oc-
cupy respectively the upper and lower
halves of the cervix.

Cheek, n. An arbitrary subdivision of
the side of the head, differently em-
ployed by various writers, but usually
corresponding to the malar region or
feathered portion of the lower jaw.

Chin, n. The extreme anterior point of
the gular region, or the space between
the lateral branches (rami) of the
lower jaw.

CicoNiNE, a. Stork-like.

CiLiUM, n. An eyelash.

CiKCUM (in composition). Around, en-
circling; as, circumorhital (around
the eye), circuviventral (sixovcad the
vent), etc.

CiRRHOUS. a. Tufted.

Claw, n. The horny, pointed and com-
pressed sheath of the terminal pha-
lanx of the toe.

Clutch, TO. A nest complement or
"set" of eggs.

Coccyges, n. The systematic name of
a natural group of zygodactyle birds,
including the Cuckoos, PI a i-n tain-
eaters, Turacous, Trogons, etc.

Collar, n. A ring of color encircling
the neck.

Collared, a. Marked with a neck ring
of ditfereut color from surrounding
parts.

CoLLUM, n. The neck.

Colored, a. In ornithology, different
from white. Thus, the colored phase
of dichromatic species is that in which
the plumage is other than white.

Comb, n. An erect, fleshy, longitudinal
caruncle on the top of the head, as in
tlie domestic fowl ( Galhisfemigin-eus
var.) and the adult male Condor.

Commissural, a. Pertaining to the
commissure.

Commissure, n. The outlines of the
closed mouth, or the opposed edges
of the mandible and maxilla.

Congener, n. A species belonging to
the same genus with another.

Congeneric, a. Belonging to the same
genus with another.

Conirostres, 11. An arbitrary group of
birds, in classifications, of which the
Sparrow tribe (Fringillidce) are typi-
cal.

GLOSSARY.

667

CoNiRosTRAT., «. Having a conical bill,
like that of a Finch or Spanow; v'fi-
taining to the so-called Conirostris.

Contour Featheks, n. The smface
feathers of the head, neck and body.

Cordate, ) Heart-shaped.

COKDIFORM, ) ^

Coriaceous, a. Of leathery texture.

Corneous, a. Horny.

CoRNicuLATE, a. Fiuuished with a

small horn.
COKNiPLUME, n. A horn-like tuft of

feathers on the head.
CoRoxATE, a. Crowned; having the top

of the head ornamented by lengthened

or otherwise distinguished feathers.

Corrugate, j, ^^ Wrinkled.

Corrugated, S

Covey, n. A family (or brood with or

without their parents) of Quails or

other game birds.

Crenate, ) ^_ Having round teeth.

Cremated, ) ^

Crenulate, a. Finely crenate.

Crepuscular, a. Pertaining to twi-
light. (Crepuscular birds are those
which become active after sunset.)

Crissum, n. A term usually applied to
the lower tail coverts collectively, but
properly belonging to the feathers sit-
uated between the lower tail coverts
and the anal region.

Crissal, a. Pertaining to the crissum.

Crown, n. Properly the vertex, or that
portion of the top of the head between
the forehead and the occiput.

Cruciate, ) _ Cross-like.

Cruciform, \

Crural, a. Pertaining to the crus or
tibia.

Crus, n. The "thigh" or tibia.

Cubital, a. Pertaining to the forearm.

Cucullate, a. Hooded, or having the
head colored differently from the rest
of the plumage.

CuLMEN, n. The ridge or upper outline
of the maxilla or upper mandible.

CuLMiNAL, a. Pertaining to the cul-
meu.

CuLTRATE, a. Knife-like.

CuLTRiROSTRES, 11. An artificial group
of wading birds, including the Plerons
and Storks, so named on account of the
knife-shaped bill, and in this sense
nearly equivalent to Ilerodiones.
Also applied to a group of Passerine
birds ( ?) which includes the Corvid(e,
Sturnidce, IcteridcE, etc.

CuLTRiROSTRAL, rt. Hiiviug a kulfe-
shaped bill, or the bill lengthened,
compressed, and pointed like a
Heron's; pertaining to the so-called
Cultrirostres.

{,'UPREOUS, a. Coppery; like copper.
CuRSORES, n. An artificial group of

birds in the older systems, including

the Bustards and other "coursers" or

"runners."'
Cursorial, a. Running; pertaining to

the Cursores.
Cuspidate, a. Stilf pointed.
Cutaneous, a. Pertaining to the skin.

(Same as dermal.)
Cylixdricovate, n. An elongate ovate

with parallel sides.
Cymhiform, a. Boat shaped.
Cypskline, a. Swift-like; pertaining to

the Gypselidm or Swifts.

D.

Dasyp^dic, a. Clothed with down at
b i ith . ( Same as P < ilopa'dic. )

Deciduous, a. Temporary or shed
periodically, as the horns of the deer,
and the "nuptial ornaments "of many
birils.

Declinate, ) Bent downward.

Declined, )

Decomposed, a. Said of a feather when
the barbs are separated, not forming
a continuous or compact web.

Decumbent, a. Hanging downward ;
drooping.

Decussate, a. Crossed; intersected.

Deltoid, a. Triangular, or shaped like
the Greek character "Delta" ( a)-

Dentate, a. Toothed.

Denticulate, a. With small teeth.

Dentigerous, a. Bearing teeth.

Dentirostres, 71. An artificial or arbi-
trary group in classifications, the
members of which have the maxilla
more or less notched near the tip

Dentirostral, a. Tooth billed ; per-
taining to the Dentirostres.

Denudation, a. Nakedness.

Deplumate, a. Bare of feathers.

Dermal, a. Pertaining to the skin.

Desmognathous, a. Having the palate
bones united.

Desquamation, n. Peeling or scaling
off.

Di ( in composition). Twice; double
(as dirhromatic, two colored. )

DiciioTOMous, a. Paired, or by twos.

€G8

GLOSSARY.

DicuitOMATic, a. In descriptive orni-
thology, a species is said to be dichro-
matic when it exists in two distinct
pinmages which are entirely inde-
pendent of sex, age or season. These
distinct plumages were formerly, in
the case of most dichromatic birds,
supposed to represent distinct species,
and the nature of their real relation-
ship is a comparatively recent discov-
ery. Familiar examples of dichro-
matism are the rufous and gray forms
of the little Screech Owl and the white
and bluish or dusky forms of some
Herons (as Ardea occidentalis and Di-
ckromanassa rufa).

DiCHROMATisM, n. The state of exist-
ing in two distinct pliases of colora-
tion, which are wholly independent of
the usual causes of color differences
(as sex, age and season). Dichromat-
ism among birds is somewhat analo-
gous to dtmorphism in insects.

DiDACTYLE, \a. Two toed, as the

DiDACTYLOUS, [ Ostrich.

DiGiTiGKADE, a. Walking on the toes.
(Applicable to most birds.)

DiMoKPHic, a. Existing in two forms,
as some species of insects.

Dimorphism, n. The state of existing
in two forms. ( The nearest approach
to dlmoriihism among birds is the
state of dichromatism, which see.)

-p. i n. Set of radiating feathers
ISC, ) surrounding the eye in some

■^^^^' ( birds, especially the Owls.

Distal, a. Toward or at the extrem-
ity. (Opposite of proximal, or toward
the base.)

j a. Two rowed, as the
'''''' \ webs of a feather.
' a. P r o d u c i n g l)ut two
eggs for each clutch, as
the Pigeons, Humming-
birds, and a few other

Distichous

DiTOKOUS, ■

DiVABXCATE,

groups.

j a. Spreading or curv-
' ( ing apart.
Dorsal, a. Pertaining to the back.
Dorsum, n. The back.

[ a, A doubly emargin-
ate tail has the

Double

emarginate,
Doubly

emarginate,

middle and lateral
feathers slightly
longer than the in-
tervening ones.
a. A doubly forked tail has
the middle and lateral
feathers decidedly long-
er than those between.

Double (a. Kdonbly rounded tail

ROUNDED, J has the middle and lat-

DouBLY' I eral feathers shorter

ROUNDED, [ than those between.

Down, /i. Small, soft, decomposed feath-
ers, which clothe ihe nestlings of many
birds, and which also grow between
and uuderneatli the true feathers in
the adults of many others, especially
the various kinds of water fowl.

Downy, a. Pertaining to or having the
nature of down, or clad witli down.

E.

Ear Coverts, n. The usually well-
defined tract of feathers overlying the
ears of most birds. The ear coverts
(or auriculars, as they are usually
termed in descriptions) are bounded
above by the backward extension of
the supercilum, or lateral portion of
the crown, posteriorly by the occiput
and nape, below by the malar region or
"cheeks," and anteriorly by tlie sub-
orbital region. ( Same as auriculars.)
Eared, a. Decorated with tufts of
feathers, distinguished by length or
color, which by their appearance sug-
gest the external ears of mannnals.
Ear Tufts, n. Erectile tufts of elong-
ated feathers springing from each side
of the crown or forehead, and present-
ing a close superficial resemblance to
the external ears of many mammalia.
They are especially characteristic of
certain Owls (Strigidce).
Economy, n. Physiological disposition.
Ecto (in composition). Outer; asecto-

zoon, an external parasite.
Edge of Wing, ?i. The anterior bor-
der of the wing, from the armpit to
the base of the outer primary.

' a. An emarginate
tail has the middle
feather shortest,
the rest succes-
sively a little
longer; hence, an
EiMARGiNATE, J emarginate tail is
Emarginated, 1 very slightly
forked. An emar-
ginate quill has
the web suddenly
narrowed by an
abrupt cutting
away of the edges.
Embry'O, 77. In birds, the young before

leaving the egg.
Ensate, Ensiform, a. Sword shaped.

GLOSSARY.

669

Ento (in coiiiposition). luuer; m^ento-
zoon, an internal parasite.

Epi (iu composition). Upon; &?. epider-
mis, upon tlie skiu; i. e., surface skin.

Epidermis, ?i. The cuticle, or scarf
skin.

Epidermic, «. Pertaining to the epi-
dermis.

Epignathous, a. Hook billed, as a
Hawlf or Parrot.

Epitiiema, n. A horny excrescence up-
on tlie bill.

Erytiirism, ??.. A particular state of
plumage caused by excess of red or
rufous pigment; it is one of the dichro-
matic states of many birds, as certain
species of Owls {Megascops asio, etc.)

Etiolated, a. Whitened; bleaciied.

Etypical, a. Tending away from nor-
mal or typical character.

EuRHiPiDURA, n. Tlie name of one of
the primary groups of birds compris-
ing all existing species.

EvEX, a. An e-pen or '•'•square'''' tail has,
when closed, all the feathers termi-
nating on the same transverse line;
in other words, it is truncated at the
tip. When spread, tips of feathers
describe a semicircle, while an emar-
giuate or slightly forked tail becomes
even or truncated when spread.

Excrescence, n. Any outgrowth,
whether cutaneous, corneous, or
fleshy.

Extensile, a. Susceptible of being ex-
tended or lengthened.

Eyebrow, n. The middle portion of
the superciliary region, or that part
immediately above the eye.

F.

Facial, a. Pertaining to the face.

Falcate, j a. Sliaped like a sickle

Falciform, ( or scythe.

Falconine, a. Falcon- like.

Family, n. A systematic group in
scientific classification, embracing a
greater or less number of genera which
agree in certain characters not shared
by other birds of the same order. In
rank, a Family stands between Order
and Germs, the former being composed
of a greater or less number of nearly
related families. In zoological no-
menclature, the name of a family is
taken from a typical genus, the name
of which is modified by the termina-
tion id(B, as Falconidce, Columhidce, etc.
[Subfamilies by the termination ina.)

Fascia, n. A band or broad bar of color.
Fasciated, a. Banded or broadly

barred.
Fascicle, n. A bundle.
Fascicled, / -^ ,, ,
Fasciculate, p" bundled.
Fastigiate, a. Bundled together like

a sheaf.

Femoral, a. Pertaining to the thigh
proper, or the inner segment of the
leg. (To be carefully distinguished
from tibial, which refers to the so-
called "thigh," or middle segment of
the leg.)

Femur, n. The thigh; the thigh bone.

Feral, a. Wild, or undomesticatetl.
The wild Jungle Fowl [Gallus ferru-
gineus) is the feral stock of the do-
mestic fowl.

FiBRiLLA. n. A small fiber.

Filament, n. A slender or thread-like
fiber.

Thread-like.

Filamentous, )

Filiform, f "•

Filoplumaceous, a. Having the struc-
ture of a filoplume.

FiLOPLUME, n. A thread-like feather.

Fimbriated, a. Fringed.

FissiPALMATE, a. With half-v/ebbed
feet, the free portion of the toes lobed,
as a Grebe's foot.

Fissiped, a. Having cleft toes. (Oppo-
site of palmiped.)

FissiRosTRAL, a. Having the mouth
cleft far back of the base of the bill,
as in the Goatsuckers, Swifts, etc.;
pertaining to the Fissirostres.

FissiROSTRES, n. An obsolete name of
an artificial group of birds with deeply-
cleft mouths, including the Goatsuck-
ers, Swifts, and other "fissirostral"
families.

Flanks, n. In descriptive ornithology,
the most posterior feathers of the
sides.

Flocculent, a. In descriptive orni-
thology, pertaining to the down of
newly-hatched or unfledged young
birds.

Floccus, n. The down peculiar to un-
fledged or newly-hatched young birds;
in ptilopmdic birds, it covers the gen-
eral surface and is unconnected with
the future plumage, while mpsilopa'dic
birds it sprouts only from the unde-
veloped feathers, to the tips of which
it is often seen clinging when the
latter are considerably grown.

Fluviatile, a. Pertaining to rivers.

670

GLOSSARY.

in. Fore part of the top of
the head, from the base
of the bill to the vertex
of the crowu.

FoKENECK, n. A rather indefinite and
arbitrary term, variously applied, but
usually referring to the lower throat
and jugulura, though not infrequently
to the whole of the space included by
the chin, throat and jugulum. In
long-necked birds only does the term
become a definite application.

FoRFicATE, a. Deeply forked, as the
tail of a Kite.

FoKM, n. In a special sense, a sort of
non-committal term, frequently used
by modern writers to designate what
is of doubtful rank. Tiie term
"form" is thus used for what may
prove to be a species, or may be only
a race, but as to the rank of which
the author is iu doubt.

Fossa, n. A ditch or groove. In de-
scriptive ornithology, used chiefly in
the plural, to denote the depressions
in which the nostrils are placed.

Fossorial, a. Digging into tlie earth
for a habitation. (The burrowing
Owl, Speotijto cunicularia, is a fos-
sorial bird.)

Foster Parent, n. A bird which has
reared the young of a parasitic spe-
cies.

Foster Touxg, n. The young of a
parasitic species which has been
reared in the nest of another bird.

Free, a. Said of a leg with the tibia
unconfined within the skin of the
body.

Frenum, n. A bridle or marking about
the head, resembling or recalling a
bridle.

Fringe, n. A lacerated marginal mem-
brane.

Frontal, a. Pertaining to the fore-
head.

FiiONTLET, n. The extreme anterior
portion of the forehead, usually dis-
tinguished by a difference of level
(usually more depressed) from the
forehead, as in the Woodpeckers.
When divided by the base of the cul-
men (as in the Woodpeckers), the
frontal points are called antim,

Frugivorous, a. Fruit eating.

Furcate, a. Forked.

PusiFORM, a. Spindle shaped, or taper-
ing at each end.

G.

Gai.eate, a. Helmeted, or armed, or
ornamented with a frontal shield, as
the Gallinules, Coots, Cassowaries,
etc.

Gallinacea, n. A name of the fowl
tribe, or order Oallineoe of some au-
thors.

Gallinaceous, a. Belonging to the
order Gullinaceaor Gallinece, or that
which embraces the domestic fowl
and kindred birds; having the char-
acteristics or nature of the GiUlinece.

Gape, «. The opening of the mouth.

Gastr^um, n. The lower parts, col-
lectively.

Gena, n. The cheek, or feathered por-
tion of the lower j aw.

Genesis, n. In biological science, the
derivation or origin of a form,
whether by evolution or direct crea-
tion.

Genetic, a. Pertaining to Genesis.

Genus, n. An assemblage of species
which agree iu the possession of cer-
tain characters distinguishing them
from otherwise allied forms. (In
taxonomic value a genus ranks next
below a subfamily.)

Genys, n. (Same as gonys, which see.)

Geographical Variation, n. Modi-
fication of form or coloration, accord-
ing to change of locality or country.
(The majority of widely-distributed
species are more or less affected by
geographical variation, from varying
influences of climate and other sur-
roundings. Many species have evi-
dently sprung from geographical
races through the extermination of
intermediate specimens, or, in the
case of remote islands, by long and
complete isolation from the parent
stock. )

Gibbose, )

Gibbous, ) '

Gibbosity, n. A swelling or rounded
protuberance.

Glabrous, a. Smooth.

Gnathxdium, n. The branch or ramus
of the lower jaw, as far as it is cov-
ered by the horny sheath. (Chiefly
used in the plural.)

Gonys, n. The keel or lower outline
of the maxilla or lower mandible,
from the tip to the point where the
rami begin to diverge.

Swollen.

GLOSSARY.

671

<loRGET, n. An onianientcd throat
patch, distinguishwl by color or text-
ure of feathers, as the gorget of a
Hummingbird.
Gradient, a. Walking or running bj-
steps. ( Same as ambulatory, h u t
preferable to that term.)

' a. A graduated tail has
the middle feathers
longest, the rest suc-
cessively shorter; the
difference in length
not so great, however,
as in a cuneate tail.
n. An arbitrary and
artificial group

■Graduated,
Graduate,

Geallatores,
■Grallatorle,

Granular,
Granulate,

•Greater
Coverts,

-Greater
Wing
Coverts,

Guttate,
guttiform,

of the older classi
fications. including
the wading birds.
Grallatorial, a. Wading; pertain-
ing to the wading birds, or Gralr
latores.
•Graminivorous, a. Grass eating.

(Geese are graminivorous.)
Granivorous, a. Seed eating, like cer-
tain Finches.

a. With a roughened
surface, like coarse
sand paper.

{ n. The most posterior
series of wing coverts,
or those which imme-
diately overlay the base
of the secondaries;
hence, often and very
appropriately called
secoadary coverts.
GuLA, n. The throat.
GuLAB, a. Pertaining to the throat.

Drop shaped or tear
shaped; having drop
or tear-shaped spots.
Gymnop^dic, a. Naked at birth.

(Synonymous with ptilopwdic.)
GTMORniNAL, a. Having naked or un-
feathered nostrils.

H.

Habitat, n. The region or locality in-
habited by a species.

Habitus, n. Mode of life.

Hackle, n. A long lanceolate or fal-
cate feather adorning the neck of the
domestic cock. ( Used chiefly in the
plural, or in combination with neck,
as neck hackles.)

Hallucal, a. Pertaining to the hallux
or hind toe.

Hallux, «. In birds possessing four
toes, the hinder one is the hallux, no
known birds having four toes directly
forwards. In some birds, as certain
Plovers.the Bustards, the Struthiones,
etc., the hallux or hind toe is wanting.
In three-toed birds having two in
front and one behind, the hallux is
usually the one wanting, the hind toe
being in reality the fourth (or outer)
toe reversed. When the toes are in
pairs (two before and two behind),
the hallux is usually the inner of the
hinder pair, the exception being in
the Trogons. The hallux reaches its
best development in the Panseres, the
Accipitres, Striges and liallidw, but
more especially in the first, in which
it is usually as strong, if not stronger,
than the largest of the anterior toes.

Hamulate, a. Furnished with a small
hook.

Hamulus, n, A small hook; sometimes
applied to the barbules or barbials of
a feather, when hook shaped.

Hand Quills, 7i. The primary quills
or primaries.

Hastate, a. Shaped like a spear head.

Heel, n. The upper posterior extrem-
ity of the tarsus.

Helmet, n. A naked shield or protub-
erance on the top or fore part of the
head.

Herodiones, n. A natural group of al-
tricial waders, embracing the Storks,
Wood Ibises, true Ibises, Spoonbills,
Boatbills and Herods.

Herodionixe, a. Pertaining to or par-
taking of the charaet,er of Herodiones.

Herring Bone (markings). 7i. A series
of transverse lines or bars connected
along the middle of a feather by a
longitudinal stripe or line of the same
color.

Heterodacttl^, n. The name of a
natural group of birds, including only
the Trogons.

Hexagon, n. A figure of six sides.

Hexagonal, a. Having six sides.

Hind Toe. n. The posterior toe or hal-
lux, which see.

Hirsute, a. Hairy or shaggy, as the
foot of a Grouse.

Histology, n. Minute anatomy.

HoLORuiNAL, a. Having the posterior
border of the osseous nares rounded.
(See schizorJdnal.)

672

GLOSSARY.

Homogeneity, n. Structural similar-
ity.

Homonym, n. A word which iu several
senses has different meanings; as Syl-
mcola, Swaiuson, a genus of birds (now
called Bendroica) is a homonym of
Sylvicola, Humphreys, previously ap-
plied to a genus of moUusks. (Oppo-
site of synonym.)

HoMOTY'PicAL, a. Of the same struc-
tural tyiie.

HoMOTOPY, n. A particular kind of
homology.

Hor.NOTiNE, a. or n. A young bird in
its first year.

Humeral, a. Pertaining to the hu-
merus; or, more generally, to the
upper arm.

Humerus, n. The upper arm bone; or,
the whole of the upper arm.

Hybrid, a. or n. The progeny resulting
from sexual intercourse of distinct
species.

Hybridization, n. Production of hy-
brids.

Hybridize, a. To cross and bear off-
spring which unite the characters of
two species.

Hy'emal, a. Pertaining to winter.

Hyoid, a. Properly pertaining to the
OS hyoides or tougue bone, but fre-
quently applied with reference to the
tongue itself.

Hyperchromatism, n. State of highly-
increased brightness or intensity of
coloration, or excess of pigment.

Hypertrophy, n. Unusual develop-
ment of a part or organ. (Opposite of
atrophy.)

Hypochondriis, j^'-nT^'l ?^'^^"-

Hypochondrium, i y/^f ^^'f ^ ^"
' ( the plural.)

Hypochondriac, a. Pertaining to the
flanks.

Hypognathous, a. Having the max-
illa, or lower mandible, longer than
the mandible, as in the Skimmers
{BhyncJiops).

Hy'poptilum, n. An accessory plume,
attached to the barrel or stem of or-
dinary feathers, excepting always the
remiges and rectrices. (Essentially
the same as after shaft.)

Hy'poradii, n. Barbs of the hypopti-
lum, or aftershaft.

Hyporrhachis, n. The aftershaft, or
stem of the accessory plume, or hy-
poptilum.

Ignoble, a. Said of certain Hawks
used iu falconry. Technically applied
to the short-winged Hawks (that is,
the Goshawk and Sparrowhawk) to
distinguish them from the nohle Fal-
cous (that is, true Falcons).

Iliac, a. Pertaining to the flanks.

Imbricate, j a. Overlapped, like

Imbricated, \ shingles upon a roof.

Imperforate, a. Not pierced through.

Incised, a. Cut out; cut away.

Incubation, n. The act of sitting on
eggs, in order to hatch them.

Incumbent, a. Laid at full length.
( Said of the hallux, or hind toe, when
inserted on a level with the anterior
toes.)

Indented, a. Notched along the mar-
gin with a different color.

Infra (in composition). Situated un-
der, or beneath. (Opposite of supra,
above.)

Infraorbital, a. Below the orbit.
(Same as suborbital, which is more
often used.)

Inflexed, a. Turned inward.

Infundibulifokm, a. Funnel shaped.

Inguinal, a. Pertaining to the groin.

Inner Toe, n. That situated on the
inner side of the foot, whether ante-
rior or posterior, but usually the
former. (The anterior inner toe is
usually the second, but iu some zygo-
dactyle forms, as the Trogons, it is
the third, the second toe being re-
versed, thus becoming the inner poste-
rior toe. In a very few, as certain
Kingfishers, the second toe is rudi-
meutary or wanting, while in others
the first, or hallux, is reversed, and
thus becomes the inner anterior toe. }

Insectivorous, a. Feeding on insects.

Insessores, n. An obsolete name
formerly applied to an artificial group
embracing the Passeres and other
"perching" birds.

Insessorial, a. Pertaining to or hav-
ing the character of perching birds.

Insistent, a. Said of the hind toe when
the greater part of its under surface
touches the ground. ( Same as incum-
bent.)

Integument, n. A covering or envel-
ope, usually membraneous, as the
skin of animals, covering of seeds, etc.

Intermaxillary, n or a. The princi-
pal bone of the upper jaw, or relating
to the same. ( Same as premaxillary.)

GLOSSARY.

673

iNTEKoiiBiTAL, u. Betwceu the eye
sockets.

Intekkamal, a. Between the forks or
rami of the lower jaw.

IxTEKMEDLE, ?!.. The middle pair of
tail feathers, or middle retrices.

IxTEKscAPULAK, «. Between the scap-
ulars.

Interscapulars, n. The feathers of
the interscapuliim, or back.

IxTERSCAPtJLUM, 71. The region be-
tween the scapular tracts, or the back
proper.

Intektropical, a. Between the trop-
ics; tropical.

Ixvaginate, a. Sheathed.

Iriax, / -r. . • • X ., . .

Iridian, \ ^' I^^'i't^'iiing to the ins.

Iris, n. The (usually) colored circle of
the eye surrouuding the pupil.

IsopoGONOus, a. Having the two webs
equal In breadth.

Isthmus, n. A narrow strip, or neck,
connecting two larger areas.

J.

Jugular, a. Pertaining to the juguluni.

JuGULUM, n. The lower throat, or fore-
neck, immediately above the breast.
It is a well-defined area in the Hawks,

■ Vultures, Pigeons, Ducks, and some
other groups.

K.

KiDXEY SHAPED, a. Somewhat heart
shaped, but without the point, and
broader than long.

KxEE, n. Properly the femoro-tibial
joint, concealed in most birds ; but
usually the tibio-metatarsal articula-
tion, or heel, is so called.

Lacerate,

Laciniate,

a. Jagged, or slashed at

the end or along the
edge.

Lachrymal {bone), n. A large bone
bounding the orbit anteriorly and
above ; it is especially well-developed
in certain Falconidce.

Lacustrine, a. Lake inhabiting.

Lagopus, n. A genus of birds having
the tarsi and toes covered with feath-
ers, giving the foot a resemblance to
that of the hare.

Lambdoid, a. L-shaped.

Lamellirostral, a. Having a lamel-
late bill.

Lamellirosti:es, n. A group of birds
embracing the AnaUihe and Flamin-
goes, in which the bill is lamellate
etlged.

Lamina, ) » .1 • , ^

Lamella \ ^^' "'" V^?iiQ or scale.

Laminate, ) -m x j

Lamellate, f ^- ^'^*«^ ^r scaled.

Lanceolate, a. Lance shaped; taper-
ing gradually to a point at one end,
and more abruptly at the other.

Lanuginous, a. Woolly.

Leg, n. As generally used, synonymous
with tarsus; as, "legs and feet" —
tarsi and toes.

Lesser Wing Coverts, n. The smaller
wing coverts, forming a nion? or less
well-defined tract immediately an-
terior to middle coverts, and thence
to anterior border of inner wing.

Limbate, a. Edged with a dilferent
color.

L1MICOL.E. n. The group of shore birds;
a more or less natural group, embrac-
ing the Plovers, Sandpipers, Snipe,
Curlew, etc.

LiMicoLiNE, a. Shore inhabiting; per-
taining to, or having the character of,
the Limicolm.

LiNEOLATE, a. Marked with little lines.

Lining op the Wing, n. The under
wing coverts collectively, especially
the lesser and midtlle.

Littoral, a. Pertaining to the sea
shore.

Lobate i *• F»™'^l'ed with mem-

LoBED ' ) ^laueous flaps, as the toes
' ( of a coot {Fulim).

Lobe, n. A membraneous flap.

Long exserted, a. Said of tail feath-
ers when abruptly much longer than
the rest.

Longipennes, n. A group of long-
wiuged swimming birds, formerly
embracing the Gulls and their allies,
and the Frocellariidce (Petrels, Alba-
trosses and Fulmars), but proj)erly re-
stricted to the LaridcR, Bhyndiopidce
and Stercorariidm.

Longipennine, a. Pertaining to the
Lonf/ipennes.

Longirostral, a. Having a long bill,
or pertaining to the artificial and ob-
solete group Longirostres.
Longirostres, n. An obsolete group
of birds, embracing certain long-billed
forms.
Loral, a. Pertaining to the lores.
Lore, n. The space between the eyes.
and bill in birds.

674

OLOBBABY.

Lower Parts, n. Entire under surface
of bird — chin to crissuui, inclusive.

Lower Tail Coverts, n. Tlie feath-
ers immediately underneath the tail.
(See crissum.)

Lumbar, a. Pertaining to" the loins.

LuNULATE, a. Narrowly crescent-
shaped.

LuNULE, n. A small oi; narrow crescent.

Lurid, a. "A color between purple,
yellow and gray; " livid.

LuTEOUS, a. Yellowish; more or less
like buff or clay color.

Lyrate, a. Shaped like a lyre, as the
tail of the male Blackcock, or that of
the Lyre-bird.

M.

Macula, n. A spot.

Maculate, a. Spotted-.

Mala, n. The side of lower jaw. behind
the horny covering of the mandible.

Malar, a. Pertaining to the mala.

Malar Apex, n. The extreme anterior
point of the malar region.

Malar Region, n. The side of the
lower jaw behind the horny covering
of the mandible, usually feathered.
In most birds it is a well-defined tract,
•extending backward from the base of
the maxilla, beneath the lores, orbits
and auriculars, and bounded beneath
by the chin and throat.

Mandible,??. The jaw; when not
otherwise indicated, the lower part of
the bill is understood.

Mandibular, a. Pertaining to the
mandible.

Mantle, TO. In certain LaridcB and
some other birds, the mantle is that
portion of the upper plumage distin-
guished from the other parts by a
peculiar and imiform color, suggest-
ing, by its position, a mantle thrown
over the body. It usually includes
simply the back, scapulars and wings,
and the term is perhaps appropriate
only when thus restricted.

Masked, a. Having the anterior por-
tion of the head colored differently,
iu a conspicuous manner, from the
rest of the plumage.

Maxilla, TO. The jaw; but best re-
stricted to the upper jaw, sometimes
called upper mandible.

Maxillary, )a. Pertaining to the

Maxillar, ) maxilla or upper bill.

MeSIl,' } "• "^^^"^ *^^ "^'^^^^ ^'"^•

Melanism, to. A peculiar state of col-
oration resulting from excess of black
or dark pigment. The normal colors
of the plumage are replaced by a more
or less continuous black or dusky
color. The opposite extreme of color
from albinism, and of frequent occur-
rence in the family Falcoiddm.

Melanistic, ) a. Affected with melan-

Melanotic, f ism.

Mental, a. Pertaining to the chin or
mentum.

Mental Apex, to. The extreme an-
terior point of the chin.

Mentum, to. The chin or anterior part
of the space between the rami of the
lower jaw.

Mesial, a. Along the middle line.
(Same as medial.)

Meso (iu composition). Middle; me-
dian.

Mesorhinal, a. Situated between the
nostrils.

Metacarpal, a. Pertaining to the
hand or 7netacarpus.

Metacarpus, to. The hand, exclusive
of the fingers; the segment of tlie
wing between the carpus and digits.

Metagnathous, a. Cross billed; with
the points of the maxilla and mandi-
ble crossing on the right and left.

Metatarsal, a. Pertaining to the
metatarsus.

Metatarsus, to. That portion of the
leg of birds which in descriptive or-
nithology is called the tarsus; or that
portion, usually unfeathered, which
extends from the toes to the so-called
"knee"; that is, the heel.

Middle Toe, to. The middle one of the
three anterior toes. It is usually four-
jointed, and longer than the lateral
toes. In numerical order it is the
third, the hind toe or hallux being
the first, and the inner toe the sec-
ond. In zygodactylous birds, it cor-
responds to the outer anterior toe, the
fourth toe being reversed.

' n. The series of coverts,
usually iu a single
transverse row, situ-
ated between the lesser
and greater or second-
ary coverts. They
usually overlap one
another in the reverse
manner from the other
coverts, the inner or
upper edge being the
|_ one exposed.

Middle

Covekts,
Middle
Wing

Coverts,
Median

Coverts,

GLOSSARY

675

Mimesis,
Mimicry,

Migration, n. Periodical change of
abode, influeuced cliietly by seasonal
changes in climate, in which case the
migration is regularly periodical, the
vernal or spring migration being, in
the northern hemisphere, northward,
the autumnal migration southward,
but vice versa in the southern hemi-
sphere. The migrations of many
birds, howevei-, ai-e irregular or er-
ratic, being prompted by the neces-
sity of finding the requisite food
supply. The Passenger Pigeon,
American Pvobin, Cedarbird, etc., are
migratory In this sense; while the
Tanagers, Orioles and others, wliich
pass the summer only in northern lati-
tudes and the winter entirely within
the tropics, are periodical migrants.
Mimetic, a. Imitative; pertaining to or
given to mimicry.

' 11. Mockery or imitation of
voice, shape, color, etc.
The term protective mim-
icry is applied to animals
which imitate in color or
shape objects by which
they are surrounded or
species with which they
are associated.
Mirror, n. A name occasionally given
to the speculum or metallic wing spots
of Ducks, etc.
MoLLipiT.osE, a. Softly downy.
Monogamous, a. Mating with a single
individual of the opposite sex. Ap-
plied to species which pair. Those
in which the male assists in incuba-
tion and rearing the young are doubly
monogamous.
Monogamy, n. The state of pairing, or

having a single companion.
MoNOMORPHic, a. Of essentially the
same or similar tyjje of structure.
(Opposite of polymorphic. )
MoNOTOKOUS, a. Laying a single egg,
as the Petrels, Auks, etc, ( Same as
uniparous.)

Morphological, a. Pertaining to
morphology.

Morphology, n. The science which
treats of the laws of form, or the prin-
ciples of structure. Morphology is
the basis of homology, while analogy
is based upon teleology.

Mustache, n. In descriptive ornithol-
ogy, any conspicuous stripe on the
side of the head beneatli tlie eye.

MucRoxATE, a. Siiiiie tipped, as the

rectrices of the ('liimney Swift (C7i<p-

tiij'a pelagica).
MucRONULATE, a. Tipped with small

points.
MuLTiPAHous, a. Producing many

eggs.

Mural, a. Pertaining to a wall.
MuRiCATE, (a. Clothed with sharp-
MuRicATED, 1 points, or prickles.
Myhmothehine, rt. Applied to birds
which feed upon aiils.

N.

Nape, n. The upper portion of the hind-
neck, or cervix.

Naris, n. The nostril. The external
nares open upon some part of the
maxilla or upper mandible. In some
birds (as the Pelicans, Cormorants,
and other Steganopodes, and the Tou-
cans), they are basal and more or
less obsolete; in others (as the Wood-
peckers and members of the Crow
family), they are concealed by the
antrorse frontal tufts of feathers.
The internal nares open as longitud-
inal slits in the posterior portion of
the palate.

Nasal Operculum, n. The scale or
hardened membrane overhanging the
nostril in some birds.

Nascent, a. Beginning to grow or exist,
or in process of development, A nas-
cent species is one which is yet con-
nected with the ancestral stock by
individuals of intermediate character.
Well-known examples may be cited,
in the Colaptes auratus and G. mexi-
canus, which possess very uniform
and pronounced characteristics of
color, etc., but are connected by speci-
mens of intermediate characters,
formerly supposed to be hybrids, but
which are now with good reason be-
lieved to be merely representatives of
the ancestral stock, and tending more
or less toward one or the other of the
extremes of ditferentiation repre-
sented by the above named nascent
species.

Natation, n. Act of swimming.

Natatores, 72.. Swimming birds, as
Geese, Ducks, Gulls, etc.

Natatorial, a. Capable of swimming;
pertaining to the act of swimming, or
to swimming birds.

Navicular, a. Boat shaped.

676

GLOSS AET.

Nebulatep, a. Clouded, or indistinctly
marked with faint, indefinite and ir-
regular colors.

Nemokal, a. Pertaining to a wood or
grove.

NE0GJ2AN, a. Pertaining to the western
hemisphere, or new world.

Neossology, n. The study of young
birds.

Neotropicai., n. Pertaining to the
tropical portions of America, or the
new world.

NiDiFiCATioN, n. Nest building or nest-
ing habits.

NoMENCLATUHE, TO. The nam 6 8 of
things, according to a recognized prin-
ciple of naming, or those peculiar to
any department of science. Various
systems of nomenclature have been
employed in the naming of animals
and plants. Previous to the institu-
tion of the binomial system of Lin-
naeus ( first promulgated in zoology in
1758), the polynoviial system, or the
use of several terms as the name of a
species, was much in vogue. That
now employed is the binomial system
of Linnseus, in which usually only
two terms are used, the one generic,
the other specific, but occasionally
modified, according to requirements of
modern science, by use of a third term
after the specific one, for the designa-
tion of nascent species or subspecies.

NoT.EUM, n. The Latin equivalent for
"upper parts."

Nucha, n. The nape or upper part of
the cervix. ( Often, but incorrectly,
used for the whole cervix.)

Nuchal, a. Pertaining to the nape.

Nuptial, Oknaments, n. As distin-
guished from nuptial plu7)ies, any
temporary growth from the unfeath-
ered portion of a bird, characteristic
of or peculiar to the breeding season.
The compressed maxillary process of
the American White Pelican, and the
accessory or supernumerary portions
of the bill in many Alcidce, are among
the best-known examples.

Nuptial Plumage, n. A particular
plumage, particular to the breeding
season, characteristic of some birds.

Nuptial Plumes, n. Ornamental
feathers, acquired at the approach of
the breeding season and cast at the
close of that period, as the lengthened
Illumes of many Herons, the crest and
filamentous feathers of some Cormo-
rants, etc.

o.

Oai!ed, a. An oared foot has the hind
toe, or hallux, united on one side with
the anterior toes by a web or connect-
ing membrane. Hence the name
Steganopodes, applied to the group
including the Pelicans, Cormorants,
etc., in which the feet are of this char-
acter.

Obcordate, a. Shaped like an inverted
heart.

Occipital, a. Pertaining to the hind
head, or occiput.

Occiput, n. The back part of the head,
bounded below by the nape, antei'i-
orly by the vertex.

OcELLATE, a. Marked with ocelli, or eye
spots.

Ocellus, n. A distinct, rounded, usu-
ally bright-colored spot, more or less
resembling the eyes, or ocelli, of a Pea-
cock's train.

Ocreate, a. Booted, or having the an-
terior covering of the tarsus undi-
vided for the greater part of its length.

Oligotokous, a. Producing few eggs.

Ojiegoid, a. Resembling in form the
Greek capital letter omega.

OoLOGicAL, a. Pertaining to oology.

Oology, n. The science of birds' eggs.

Operculum, n. A lid or cover, such as
the scale overhanging the nostrils
{operculum, narsi) of many birds.

Ophthalmic, a. Pertaining to the eye.

Oral, a. Pertaining to the mouth.

Orbicular, a. Circular.

Orbit, n. The region immediately
around the eye.

Orbital Ring, n. A ring or circle of
color Immediately surrounding the
eye.

Order, n. In natural history, a group
of families possessing in common pe-
culiar characteristics.

Ordinal, a. Pertaining to an order.

Ornithic, a. Pertaining to birds.

Ornithotomy, n. The anatomy of
birds.

OsciNiNE, a. Pertaining to the Oscines;
musical, or capable of singing.

Oscines, n. The name of a natural
group of singing, passerine birds,
comprising the singing birds par
excellence, characterized Iby a highly-
specialized vocal apparatus. (Same as
Polymyodce. )

Osseous, a. Bony.

Ossified, a. Become bony.

GLOSSARY.

677

OsTEOT.OGiCAL, a. Pertaining to oste-
ology.

Osteology, n. Tiie science of bones;
desori]>tions of the bones or the bony
structnreof animals; also, tlie osseous
system.

Outer Web, n. The outer web of a
feather is tliat fartherest from the
central line of the body; in wing
feathers, it is that fartherest from the
base of the wing, or toward the outer
edge of the wing.

OvAiauM, j ». The organ in which

Ovary, | eggs are developed.

Oviduct, 7i. The tube through which
the egg passes from the ovary.

Oviparous, a. Producing eggs in
which the young develop after exclu-
sion from the body.

Ovipositiox, n. Act of laying eggs.

Palsiate,
Palm AT ED,
Palmiped,

I

Palama, n. The web or membrane be-
tween the toes of certain birds.

Palatal, j a. Pertaining to the pal-

Palatine, l ate.

Palate, n. The roof of the mouth.

Palea, 7i. A dewlap, or fleshy, pendu-
lous skin on the throat or chin, as In
a Turkey or domestic fowl.

Pallium, n. A mantle.

'a. Having the three
anterior toes fully
webbed. (Compare
Seinipalmate and Toti-
palmate.)

Palpebra, n. The eyelids.

Palpebral, a. Pertaining to the eye-
lids.

Palpebrate, a. Having eyelids.

Paludicole, a. Marsh inhabiting

Paludine, j a. Pertaining to marsh

Palustrixe, ( or swamp

Pandurate

Pandurifokm,

Papilla, n. A small. nii)ple-like eleva-
tion.

R:SSrxc-,f''- Having pnplM..

Papula, 7i. A pimple or pimple-like
elevation.

Papulous, j a. Pertaining to or having

Papulose, ] pimples.

PARAGNATnous, /I. Having both man-
dibles of equal length, the tips meet-
ing.

E, ^

"' V a. Fiddle shaped.

Parasitk. n. In oology, a species
which constructs no nest and per-
forms none of the duties of incuba-
tion or rearing of the young, but
imposes on otiier birds for this pur-
pose. A parasitic bird is also a
s]iecies which obtains its food by
systematically robbing other species,
as the parasitic Jaeger and the Bald
Eagle.

Parasitic, a. Depositing the eggs in
the nests of other birds, to wliich are
left the duties of incubation ami care
of the young. The Euro])can Cuckoo
and the connnon Cow Blackbird are
well-known examiiles.

Parotic \ '^' I'^it'^'H'^S to the region

PvT iT^' ■ iunnediately beneath the

lARoriD, ^ ear.

Passeres, n. A group of birds includ-
ing the most highly-developed forms,
such as the Thrushes, Warblers, the
Sparrow tribe, Crow family, etc.. but
not the Swifts, Hunnningbirds, King-
fishers. \\'()()diu'ckc'is, etc.. which be-
long to entirely distinct orders.

Passeiune, a. Pert<aining to, or having
the character of, the Pasxeres.

Having tooth-like
projections, like the
teeth of a comb, as
the toes of the
(trouse.

Pectination, n. Comb-like toothing.

Pectoral, a. Pertaining to the breast.

Pectus, n. The breast.

Pedes, n. The feet, which in birds in-
cludes the leg below the tibia.

Pelagic, a. Frequenting the high seas.

Pelasoic, a. Wandering.

Pelma, n. The under surface of the
foot.

Pencillate, a. Brush tipped or pencil-
like.

Penna, a. A perfect feather.

Pennaceous, a. Peitaining to a perfect
feather, or having the character of the
same.

Petrous, a. Stony; hard, like a stone.

Phalanx,?!. In birds, a joint (not
hinge or articulation) or segment of
the toes.

Phase, n. Used more especially in the
case of dichromatic species, as the
melanistic j)ha.se, the rufescent pJiase,
etc.

Pici, n. The name of a natural group,
or order, of zygodactyle birds, com-
prising the Woodpeckers and Wry-
necks.

Pectinate,
Pectinated,

078

GLOSSARY.

PlI-EATE,
PiLEATED,

PiciNE, a. Pertaining to the Wood-
pecker tribe; Woodpecker-like.

Capped, or with the
whole pilenm crested.
Different from crested,
in that the latter is used
to designate an elonga-
tion of the feathers on
a particular part of the
pilenm, as vi frontal,
vertical or occipital
crest.

PiLEUM, n. The cap, or whole top of
head from bill to nape, and therefore
iuclnding the forehead, vertex (or
crown), and occipnt.
Pilose, a. Slightly hairy.

Having wing-like tnfts
of elongated feathers on
the side of the neck.
Fin-like, as a Penguin's

Pinnate,
Pinnated,

PiNNIFOKM, a

wing.

PiNTAiLED, a. Having the central tail
feathers elongated and narrowly
acuminate, as in the male Pintail
Duck.

Piscivorous, a. Feeding upon fish.

Plaga, n. A stripe.

Planta, n. The posterior face of the
tarsus.

Plantar, a. Pertaining to the planta.

Plantigrade, a. Walking on the back
of the tarsus.

Plastic, a. Capable of being moulded;
easily modified.

Pluma, n. A feather.

Plumiped, a. Having the feet feath-
ered.

Plumose, a. Feathered.

Plumula, 11. A down feather.

Plumulaceous, a. Downy; bearing
down.

Podium, n. The foot.

PoDOTHECA, n. The whole envelope of
the legs and feet.

PoGONiuM, n. The web of a feather.

PoLLEX, n. The thumb. In birds, the
joint (homologous with the index fin-
ger of a man ) which bears the alula,
or bastard wing.

PoLYMOKi'Hic, a. Many formed; con-
taining or consisting of many forms,
or different types. In ornithology, a
species is polymorphic when it pre-
sents several distinct phases of color-
ation in the same locality or within a
restricted geographical area. Thus,
some of the Hawks (e. g..Buteoswai>i-
soni) are polymorphic in this sense.

PoLYMOD.E, n. The name of a natural
group of passerine birds, character-
ized by highly specialized vocal or-
gans. (Synonymous with Oscines.)

Polynomial, a. or rt. Consisting of
several words, as the polynomial no-
menclature, by which a species was
designated by a descriptive phrase.
This system of nomenclature preceded
the establishment of the biiioynial sys-
tem, established by Linuseus, A name
consisting of several words.

PoLYTOKOus, a. Producing many eggs,
or young. (Synonymous with multi-
parous.)

Posterior Toe, n. In most birds, the
hallux, or hind toe. In some, how-
ever, one of the anterior toes is di-
rected backward, and also becomes a
posterior, or hind. toe.

(a. Back of, or poste-

PosTocuLAR, J rior to, the eye.

Postorbital, ] The former is most
I used.

PowDER-DOAVN Featiiers, n. Pecul-
iar, imperfect feathers, which grow
in matted patches, usually on the in-
terspaces between the true feather
tracts; characterized by a greasy
texture and scurfy exfoliation. They
are particularly characteristic of the
Heron tribe, but are found in other
groups.

Pr.ecoces, n. A more or less artificial
group of birds, whose young run about
and feed themselves immediately
after emerging from the egg. The
group is composed of the orders Oal-
lince, Limicoke, Alectorides, Anserex,
Pygnpodcs and Struthiones.

Pr^cocial, a. Having the nature of,
or pertaining to, the Prwcoces.

PRESsiiiosTRAL, a. Pertaining to the
Press irostres.

Pressirostres, n. The systematic
name of the Cuvierian artificial group
of grallatorial birds with hard, com-
pressed bills, comprising the Plovers,
Cranes, etc.

Primary, /i. Any one of the quill feath-
ers of the "hand wing," usually nine
to eleven in number. Used chiefly in
the plural, as distinguished from the
secondaries, or those of the remiges
which grow upon the forearm.

Primary' Covekts, n. The series of
stiff feathers, usually corresponding
with the primaries in their graduation,
which overlie the basal portion of the
latter.

GLOSSARY.

67J>

Procekes
Pkoceki

ES, j n.

Protkactii.e,
Pkotbusile,

A name given by Illiger
to tlie Struthiones.
'a. Capable of being
tlirust forwaril or
elongated, as the
tongue of the Wood-
pecker or a Hum-
uiingbird.

PsiLOP.EDES, n. A more or less artificial
group of birds, born weak and help-
less, and further distinguished by a
scant growth of down affixed to the
undeveloped pteryla', or future feath-
ers, to which it is teni])orarily at-
tached. The Passeres and most of the
Picarm belong to this group. (Syn-
onymous with (jLimnopades.)

PsiLOP^EDic, a. Pertaining to, or hav-
ing the nature of, the P.silopa'des.

PsiTTACi, n, A very natm-al group of
birds, comprising the Parrot tribe
only.

Pteryla, n. An area or tract of the
skin on which feathers grow. A
"feather tract."

Pterylograpiiy, n. A description of
the plumage, with reference to the
distribution of the feather tracts or
pterylce.

Pti:ry'losis, n. The plumage, consid-
ered with reference to its distribution
on the skin.

Ptii.op.edes, n. A more or less artificial
group of birds, instituted by Professor
Sundevall, including those which at
birth are covered with down. (Syn-
onymous with BiLsi/pa'des.)

Ptilop-EDIC, a. Pertaining to, or having
the character of Ptilopcedes. Clothed
at birth with down, like the chick of
the domestic fowl, a duckling, or a
gosling.

Ptii.osis, n. Plumage.

PuELtJS, n. A chick. Applied to the
downy young of Ptilapcvdic or praco-
cial birds.

Punctate, a. Dotted.

Pupil, ?i. The central black (or dark
blue) spot or disk of the eye, enclosed
within the iris.

Pygopodes, n. A group of swimming
birds, containing the families Podi-
cipididce, Colymhidm and Alcidce, dis-
tinguished by the extreme posterior
position of the legs.

Pygopodous, a. Pertaining to or hav-
ing the character of the Pygopodes.

Pykiform, a. Pear shaped.

Q.

Quill, n. As generally used, one of the
primary remiges; and perhaps best so
restricted.

Quinary, a. Consisting of or arranged
by lives. The quinary system of classi-
fication, formerly much in vogue, i)re-
sumed five types for each natural
group; that is, five species to a genus,
five genera to a family, etc.

Quincunx, n. A set of five, arranged
thus: X

E.

Race, n. A nascent species or " form,"
which on account Of the existence of
intermediate specimens cannot be
considered a species, no matter how
great a degree of differentiation may
have been reached. Races are distin-
guished as geographical and local,
according as to whether they occupy
extensive or limited areas of country.
Geographical races are usually cor-
relative with definite geographical
areas, being, in fact, the expression of
geographical variation.

Radial, a. Pertaining to the radius.

Radii, n. The barbs of a perfect
feather.

Radii Accessorii, n. The barbs of a
supplementary feather or af tershaft.

Radioli, n. The barbs of the radii or
barbules.

Radioli Accessorii, n. The barbules
of a supplementary plume or after-
shaft.

Radius, n. The outer bone of forearm.

Ramus, 7i. A branch or fork, as the
ramus of the lower mandible; that is,
mandibular ram us.

Raptohes, n. An artificial group of
birds, including the so-called "Birds,
of Prey."

Raptorial, a. Pertaining to the birds
of prey, or having the characteristics
of the Raptures.

Rasores, n. The name of the Qallin-
aeece in some of the older classifica-
tions.

Rasorial, a. Pertaining to the Rase/res
or scratching birds.

RATIT.E, n. A group of birds, more or
less artificial, including those with a
flat or uukeeled sternum, and com-
prising the orders Struthiones and
Apteryges, all other existing birds be-
ing included in the Carinato), which
have a keeled sternum.

680

GLOSSARY.

Haucous, a. Hoarse voiced.

Hectkix, n. Any one of tlie tail feath-
ers. (Used ehiefl.y in the phiral.)

1\EFKACTED, a. Abruptly bent, as if
broken.

Uemex, n. Any one of the longer wing
feathers. (Used chiefly in the plural. )
The reniiges are of two kinds, namely:
The pvimnri/ remiges or quills of the
hand wing, and the secondary remiges
or quills of the forearm.

Eenifokm, a. Kidney sliaped.

T- ( a. Folded over so as to

liEPLICATE,

Keplicated,

Reticulate,
Heticulated,

form a groove or
channel.

a. Marked with cross
lines like the meshes
of a net.

Eeticulatiox, n. Net work.

JiETKACTiLE, a. (Susceptible of being
drawn back and driven forward, as a
cat's claw.

Eetrose, a. Directed backward.

IIhacuis, n. The shaft of a feather, ex-
clusive of the hollow basal portion or
"barrel."

PiHiNAL, a. Pertaining to the nose.

Khomboid, a. Lozenge shaped.

RiCTAL, a. Pertaining to the rictus.

liiCTUS, 7^. The gape; sometimes re-
stricted to the corner of the mouth,
or angulus oris.

liosTKUM, n. The beak.

Hounded, a. A rounded tail has the
central pair of feathers longest, the re-
mainder successively a little shorter.
A rounded toing is one in which the
first primary is short, the longest quill
being the third, fourth or fifth, or one
nearly midway between first and last.

PuGA, 11. A ridge or wrinkle.

PuGosE, a. Wrinkled.

Pump, n. Tiiat portion of the upper
surface of the body lying between the
interscapulars and upper tail coverts.

RuPicoLiNE, n. Pock inhabiting,

s.

Sagittate, a. Shaped like an arrow-
head.

Salivary Glaxds, n. The organs
which secrete the saliva, or spittle.

Saltatory, a. Progressing by leaps;
hopping.

Saurgnathous, a. The want of fusion
of the parts of the palate at mid-line.

Sauropsida, n. A primary group of
vertebrate animals, comprising birds
and reptiles.

Saxicolixe, a. Stone inhabiting; per-
taining to or having the characteris-
tics of the Stone Chats.

Scabrous, a. Scabby; scurfy; scaly.

Scandent, a. Climbing.

ScANSORiAL, a. Capable of climbing,
as a Woodpecker. Pertaining to the
obsolete group Scansores.

Scapula, n. The shoulder blade.

Scapular, a. Pertain ing to the scapula.

Scapular Region, n. The usually
well-defined longitudinal area of
feathers overlying the slioulder blade.
They lie on each side of the back
(whence the feathers of the latter re-
gion are frequently called interscapu-
lars).

SciiizoGXATiious, a. Having the max-
illo-palatine bones separated.

SciiizoRiiiNAL. a. Having the posterior
margin of the osseous nares decidedly
slit-like or triangular.

ScissoB SHAPED, «. A scissoT-slutped
tail is one that is deeply forficate,
thus resembling the blades of a pair
of shears.

Scolopacine, a. Snipe-like; pertaining
to or having characteristics of the
Snipe family.

ScuTELLATE, «. Provided with scu-
tella, or transverse scales.

ScuTELLUM, n. One of the regular
transverse scales, or plates, of tlie
tarsus or toes of a bird.

ScuTiFORM, a. Shield shaped.

Secondary Coverts, n. Properly the
posterior row of wing coverts, which
overlie the basal portion of the sec-
ondaries. The greater wing coverts.
f n. The long feathers
I of the forearm.
J which in tlie spread
wing appear in a con-
tinuous row with
the primaries.
a. H alf-webbed:
having the meni-

Secondaries,
Secondary

Quills,
Secondary'

Remiges,

Semipalmate,
Semipalmated,

brane between the
anterior toes
reaching not more
than half way to
their ends.

Senile, a. Aged; pertaining to old age.

Septum, n. A partition.

Sericeous, a. Silky.

Serrate, ) „> n j ii

Serrated, p'- loo'l'^d, hke a saw.

Sessile, a. Resting directly upon an

object, without stem or peduncle.
Setaceous, a. Bristly; bristled.

GLOSSARY.

681

Skt.e, n. IJiislles or bristle-like feath-
ers.

Setifoiim, a. Bristle-like.

Shaft, n. The midrib of a feather.

Sibilant, a. Hissing.

Side of Nkck, n. The space iucluded
between the cervix and the jugiduni.

Sides, n. The lateral portions of the
inferior surface of a bird's body, ex-
tending from near the armpits to and
inoluding the flanks. The sides arc;
subdivisible into sides of breast, sides
proper, and flanks.

Sigmoid, a. Shaped like the letter S.

Sincipital, a. Pertaining to the sinci-
put, or anterior half of the pileum.

Sinciput, n. The anterior half of the
pileum. (Nearly synonomous with
forehead, but denoting a more exten-
sive area; that is, the frontlet, fore-
head, and anterior part of the crown,
together.

^iTTVTTT A TTT ( ** ^^^'^ ^^ ^ fcather when

Snu^Sd, I t^4^^S« >^ gradually cut

Spatulate, a. Spoon shaped; that is,
gradually narrowed toward the end,
when suddenly widely expanded.

Species, n. The aggregate of individu-
als related by generic descent, and
differing constantly in certain feat-
ures, whereby they are distinguished
from all other beings.

Speculum, n. A mirror-like or bright-
colored area, usually comprising the
secondaries, on the wing of certain
Ducks.

SPTTvnsp i ^- Having spines; some-

opiJNu.sii, 1 ^^jjj^^^ g^j^j ^j rimcronate,

spinous, ^ ^^ spine-tipped feathers.

Spurious, a. False; imperfect; bas-
tard ; rudimentary.

Spurious Primary, n. The first pri-
mary, when much reduced in size.

Spurious Wing, n. The alula or has-
tard wing.

Squamose, j a. Scaly; scale-like, or

Squamous, | bearing scales.

Steganopodes, n. A group of swim-
ming birds characterized by having
the hind toe united, on the inner side,
to the inner anterior one by a full web.
The group includes the Pelicans and
allied families. (Same as Totipalmi.

Steganopodous, a. Having the hallux
connected with the anterior toes, as in
the Steganopodes.

Stellate, a. Star shaped.

Stellulate, a. Resembling little stars.

Sterile, a. Unfruitful; barren.

a. Streaked.

)rm, I a.

,^^^ i a. Slightly arched.

Stipula, n. A newly-sprouted feather.

Stragulum, n. The mantle, or the back
and upper surface of the wings taken
together. ( Synonymous with pal-
lium.)

Stria, n. A streak.

Striate, )

Striated, f '

Strident, a. Shrill.

Striges, n. The name given to the Owl
tribeby those who consider these birds
as constituting a distinct order.

Strigine, a. Owl Ike; pertaining to,
or having characteristics of, the Owl
family.

Struthiones, n. The ordinal name of
the Ostrich tribe.

Strutiiionine, a. P e r t a i n i n g to, or
having the characteristics of, the Os-
trich tribe.

Struthious, a. Ostrich like.

Styliform, I a. Shaped like a peg or

Styloid, ] pen.

subarculate,'

Subarculated,

Sub-basal, a. Near the base.

SUBCAUDAL, a. Beneath the tail.

Subclass, n. A group often recog-
nized, having taxonomic rank inter-
mediate between a class and an order.

Subfamily, n. A subdivision of a fam-
ily, including one or more genera.

Subgenus, n. A subdivisicm of a genus
of indefinite value, and frequently not
recognized by name except in the
grouping of species.

Submalar, a. Beneath the malus, or
malar region, as a submalar streak.

Suborbital, a. Beneath the eye.

Suborder, n. A group intermediate in
taxonomic rank between an order and
a family.

Subspecies, n. A nascent species; a
variation, usually geographical, of a
species, but not accorded full specific
rank on account of the incomplete-
ness of its differentiation; hence,
usually a geograi)hical race or form.

Subtypical, a. Not quite typical;
somewhat aberrant.

Subulate, a. Awl shaped.

Sulcate, a. Grooved.

Sulcus, n. A groove.

Superciliary, a. Above the eye. A
superciliary streak, in its usual sense,
denotes a continuous marking of color
from the base of the upper mandible
over the eye, and extended back above
the auriculars to the sides of the occi-
put.

082

GLOSSARY.

SuPEKCiLiUM, n. The eyebrow.
SuPERFAMiLY, 11. A group Containing
several families, yet not of ordinary
rank. (Next in rank below a sub-
order. )
yuPERioR, a. Lying over; topmost, or

. uppermost.

SuPERORDER, u. A group Consisting of

one or more orders, but not ranking

as high as a class. (Next In rank

below a subclass.)

Supra-auricular, a. Situated above

the auriculars or ear coverts.
SupRALORAi., a. Situated above the

lores.
Supraorbital, a. Pertaining to the

region immediately above the eye.
Symphesis, n. A growing together, as
symp7iesis of the lower jaw.

a. Having two toes
coalescent for a
considerable por-
tion of their
length.
In natural history, a
specific or generic
name, which is sup-
pressed on account of
having been i)TOPOsed
subsequent to another
name for the same ob-
ject, or for reason of
its being otherwise un-
available. Thus, the
common Song Sparrow
having been first named
fasciuta, in 17 8 8, by
Gmelin, the name inelo-
dia, given by Wilson in
1810, becomes a syno-
nym by reason of its
later date. (The op-
posite of homonym,
which see.)

Syndactyle,
Syndactylous,

^yngnesious,

Synonym,
Synonyme,

T.

Tail Coverts, n. The most posterior
feathers of the body, or those which
immediately cover the basal portion
of the tail.

Tarsal, a. Pertaining to the tarsus, so-
called.

Tarsus, n. In descriptive ornithology,
the leg of a bird, or that portion from
the foot ( that is, the toes) to the heel
joint.

Tectrices, n. Coverts; especially those
of the wing.

Tectrices Al.e, ) ^_ ^^. ^^^,^^^^^

Tectrices Alares, \ "=

Tectrices Alares Inferiores, n.
The under wing coverts, or those of
the under surface of the wing.

Tectrices Caudle, n. Tail coverts.

rr. nr ( W- TllC mid"

Tectrices Medi.^, ) ^^j^ ^.^
Tectrices Pervers.e, ) (.^y^y.^^

Teleological, a. Pertaining to tele-
ology. A teleological character is a.
modification resulting from necessity
of adaptation to particular ends.
Thus, the naked head and other vul-
turine aspects of the Old World Vul-
tures and those of the New World are
teleological, inasmuch as tlieir mode
of living necessitates in both certain
modifications of external structure
fitting them to act the part of scav-
engers, their actual (morphological)
structure being very different.
Te:leology, n. The science or doctrine

of adaptation.
Tempotal, a. Pertaining to the tem-
ples.
Tenuirostral, a. Slender billed ; per-
taining to the obsolete group Tenui-
rostres.
Tenuirostres, n. An obsolete and ex-
ceedingly artificial group of birds,,
embracing various slender-billed
forms.
Terete, a. Cylindrical and tapering;

fusiform.
Terminological, a. Pertaining to

terminology (?).
Terminology, n. The science of call-
ing things by their right names,
according to fixed or scientific princi-
ples; hence, essentially synonymous.
. with nomeiirlnture.

( n. Properly, the inner
quills of the wing,
growing from tlie
elbow or humerus,
and usually more or
less concealed (in
the closed wing) by
the longer scapulars.
Frequently, howevei',
the graduated inner
secondaries are in-
correctly so called,
especially when dis-
tinguished, as they
very often are, by dif-
ferent color, size or
shape.
Tessellated, a. Checkered.

Tertials,
Tertiaries,

GLOSSARY.

683

Tetrad ACTYi.R, a. Four toed. (Most

birds are telnulactylo.)
TiiouAcic, a. Pertaiuiug to the thorax

or chest.

Thokax, n. The chest or breast.

Thkoat, n. Ill descriptive ornithology,
the space between tlie rami of the
lower jaw, including also a small por-
tion of the upper part of the foreueck.

TiiYKOiu, a. Shield shaped.

Tibia, n. In osteology, the principal
bone of the leg, between the knee
and heel; but in descriptive orni-
thology, the so-called "thigh" or
shin.

Tibial, a. Pertaining to the tibia.

ToMiUM, n. The cutting edge of the
mandibles, that of the upper being
the maxilkiry tomium, that of the
lower the mandibular tomium.

ToRQUATE, a. Collared.

ToTiPALMATE, a. Having the hind toe
united to the anterior toes by a web
on one side, as in the Pelicans and
other Steganopodes. (Same as Ste-
ganopodous.)

ToTiPALMi, n. ( Same as Steganopodes,
which see.)

TRACHEOPONji;, n. The name of a nat-
ural group of passerine birds, charac-
terized by having the syrinx placed
at the lower end of the trachea.

Transverse, a. Crosswise, or at right
angles with the longitudinal axis of
the body or feather.

Transversely, a. Crosswise.

Tridactyle, a. Three toed.

Trinomial, a. Composed of three
names. In biology, a name com-
posed of three terms — a generic, a
specific, and a subspecific.

Trivial, a. Sometimes said of a specific
name.

Trochili, n. The ordinal or subordinal
name of a natural group of Picaria;,
including only the Hummingbirds.
By most authors, however, the group
is accorded only family rank, and
associated with the families Gypselidm
and Gaprimulgidm, in a so-called or-
der MacrocJdres, or Cypseli.

Truncate, a. Cut squarely off.

Tylari, n. The pads on the under sur-
face of the toes.

Tympanum, n. Properly the ear drum;
but also the naked, inflated air sacs
on the neck of some species of
Grouse.

Type, n. Of various signification in
ornithology. The type of a genus is
that species from wliich the generic
characters have been taken, or which
is specified as the standard; the type
of a species is the particular specimen
from which the species was originally
described. The type, or typical form,
of a group is that which answers best
to the diagnosis of that group.

Typical, a. Agreeing closely with the
characters assigned to a group, genus,
or species.

u.

Ulna, n. The posterior bone of the
forearm.

Ulnar, a. Pertaining to the ulna.

Unarmed, a. Said of a toe wliich has
no claw; a tarsus, or wing, which has
no spur; etc.

Unciform, ) „ i i

Uncinate, r- ^^^^l^e'^- '

Under Parts, n. The entire lower
surface of a bird, from chin to crissum,
inclusive. (Same as lower parts.)

Under Primary Coverts, n. The pri-
mary coverts of the under surface of
the wing.

Under Tail Conerts, n. The feath-
ers immediately beneath the tail.
(Practically synonymous with cris-
sum.)

Under Wing Coverts, n. The coverts
of the under surface of the wing.
Taken collectively, the term lining of
the icing, or wing lining is generally
used.

Unguiculate, a. Clawed.

Unguis, n. A claw.

Uniparous, a. Producing but one egg,
as the Petrels and Auks.

Upper Parts, n. The entire upper sur-
face, from forehead to tail, inclusive.

Upper Tail Coverts, n. The feathers
overlying the base of the tail — some-
times produced beyond its tip and
simulating the true tail, as in tlie Pea-
cock and Paradise Trogon.

Uropygial, a. Pertaining to the rump.

Uropy'gium, n. The rump.

Yane, n. The whole of a feather, ex-
cepting the stem.

Varietal, a. Pertaining to, or having
the characteristics of, a variety.

684

OLOSSABY.

Variety, n. Properly, an iudi vicinal or
unusual and irregular variation from
tho normal type of form or coloration,
as the various breeds or "strains" of
domestic animals, but the term is
often, though Improperly, applied to
subspecies, or geographical races.

Vent, n. The anus.

Ventrat., a. Pertaining to the vent.

Ventkat, Regiox, 71. The feathers sur-
rounding, or immediately adjaceht to,
the vent.

(a. Marked vvith ir-

Vetjmiculate, j regular fine lines.

Vekmiculated, I like the tracks of
l^ small worms.

Vermiform, a. Worm shaped, as a
Woodpecker's tongue.

Vernai., a. Pertaining to spring.

Verrucose, ) ^

Verrucous, ) "^

Versatile, a. Susceptible of being
turned either vpay; reversible as to
position.

Vertex, n. The crown, or central por-
tion of the pileum.

Vertical, a. Pertaining to the vertex.

Vestitus, a or n. Clothed; feathered.
Clothing, or plumage; as nuptial or
breeding plumage.

Vexillum, n. The whole of a feather,
excepting the stem.

Vibrissa, n. A bristly or bristle-tipped
feather, such as those about the gape
of a bird.

Vitta, n. A band of color.

Wattle, n. A pendulous, somewhat
fleshy, cutaneous flap, usually bright
colored and often more or less
wrinkled, as the dewlap of a Turkey
and the gills of the domestic cock.

Web, 11. Either lateral half of the vein
of a feather, exclusive of the shaft.

Whiskered, a. Ornamented by length-
ened feathers on the malar region or
contiguous portions of the head.

Xiphoid, a. Sword shaped.

z.

ZoxE, n. A broad band of color, com-
pletely encircling the circumference
of a body.

ZYGODACTYL.E, n. A gioup of zj'godac-
tyle birds, comprising the families
Bhamphastidce, Capitonidce, Buccon-
idce and Galbulidce. In obsolete sys-
tems, the group was much more
extensive, embracing all yoke-footed
birds, which are now divided into
several distinct groups; e. g., the P^c^,
Anisodactylce, and Coccyges.

Zygodactyle, a. Yoke toed, or with
the toes in pairs, two before and two
behind, as in the Woodpeckers, Par-
rots, etc. Pertaining to the Zygodacn
tyUe.

Index to Scientific Names.

A

-^* PAGE.

Acanthis llnaria 423

Accipiter atiicapillii^. 258

coopeii 256

velox 354

Actitls macularia 201

^chmophoius •occideu talis 8

^gialitis melorla ciiriimciucta 315

montaiia 317

nivosa 216

semipaliiiata 213

vocifera 312

Agelaiiis phceuiceus 398

Aix sponsa 71

Ammodramus caudacutus nelsoni .. 449

heuslowii 446

leconteii 447

sandwichensls alaudinus 444

sandwichensis savanna 443

savaunaium passerinns 445

Ampelis cedronim 513

gaiTulns 510

Anas americana 60

boschas 54

carolinensis 63

cyanopteva 66

discors 64

fulvigula maculosa 57

obscuia 55

strepera 58

Anhinga anhiuga 37

Anser albifrons ganibeli 96

Anthus pensilvaniciis 593

spragueii 596

Antrostomiis vocifenis 343

Aquila chrysaetos 273

Archibuteo ferrugineus 271

lagopus saucti-johanuis 269

Ardea candissima 123

ccErulea 134

egretta 122

herodias 119

vlrescens 126

(G

PAGE.

Asio accipitrlnus 296

wilsoniauus 294

Aythya affinis 84

americana 76

coUaris 85

marila nearctica 83

vallisueiia 77

B.

Baitramia longicauda 196

Bonasa umbelhis 223

Botaurus exilis 117

len tiginosus 115

Branta bernicla 100

canadensis 98

canadensis hutchinsii 100

Bubo virginianus 304

virginianus subarcticus 306

Buteo borealis 259

borealis caluvus 363

borealis kriderii 261

borealis harlani 263

latissimiis 267

lineatus 264

swaiusoni 265

c.

Calamospiza melanocorys 495

Calcarins lapponicus 430

ornatus 436

pictus 434

Calidris arenaria 184

Cardinalis cardinalis 483

Carpodacus purpureus 416

Catharista atrata 245

Cathartes aura 343

Ceophlceus pileatus 333

Certhia familiaris americana 632

Ceryle alcyon 333

Chsetura pelagica 349

55)

686

INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES,

PAGE.

Charadrius domiuicus 209

squatarola 208

Charitonetta albeola 88

Chelidou erytluogaster 504

Chen caevulescens 93

hypei-borea 95

€hondestes grauimaciis 451

•Chordeiles virginiamis 347

virginianus heuiyi 348

■Circus hudsoiiius 253

Cistothorus palustiis 619

stell aris 617

Olivicola riparia 507

Coccothraiistes vesperliua 412

Coccyzus americaiius 321

erythroph thalmus 322

Colaptes auratus 338

cater 340

Colinus virgiuiaiuis 219

virginiauus texauus 222

Colymbus auritus 10

nigricoUis califoruicus... 12

Compsothlypis americana 547

■Coutopus borealis 364

richardsouii 366

virens .365

' Conunis caroliueiisis 315

Corvus americaiius 385

corax siuuatus 381

ciTptoleucus 382

Cyaiiocephalus cyanocepiialus 388

Cyauocitta cristata 377

D.

Dafila acuta 69

Dendroica sestiva 550

auduboui 553

blackburnise 561

cserulea > 556

coronata 551

discolor 570

dominica albilora 564

maculosa 554

palmarum 568

peiisylvaii ica 558

striata 559

vigorsii 567

virens 565

Dolichonyx oryzivorus 391

Dryobates pubesceiis 326

villosus 325

E.

Ectopistes migiatorius 237

Elanoides forficatus 247

Empidonax acadicus 367

miuimus 370

pusillus traillii 369

PAGE.

Ereunetes pusillus 181

Erismatura rubida 91

F.

Falco colunibarius..-. 284

mexicauus 280

peregriuus anatum 282

richardsoui i 286

r usticolus 278

sparverius 287

Fregata aquila 47

Fulica americana 145

G.

Galeoscoptes carolinensis 602

Gallinago delicata 160

Galliiiula galeata 143

Geococcyx californiauus 319

Geothlypis formosa 578

phi ladelphia 579

trichas occidentalis 581

Glaucionetta claugula americana... 86

Griis americana 132

canadensis 133

mexicana 134

Guiraca cserulea 488

H.

Habia ludoviciana 484

melanocephala 486

Halifieetus leucocephalus 275

Harporhynchus rufus 604

Helminthophila celata 544

peregrina 545

piuus 540

ruficapilla 542

Helmitherus vermivorus 539

Himantopus mexioanus 154

Hydrochelidou nigra surinamensis, 85

I.

Icteria virens 583

virens lougicauda 585

Icterus bullocki 405

galbiila 403

spurius 402

Ictinia mississippiensis 250

J.

Junco aikeni 465

hyemalis 467

hyemalis oregonus 468

INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES.

GS'

-^- PAGE.

Lianius borealis 515

liidoviciamis 517

ludoviciamis excubitoi-ides 520

Lams argentatns sinilhsoniaiuis 19

calif oiiiiciu? "2 1

delawarensis 2S

f r a n k 1 i n i i 25

philadel phia 27

Limosa fedoa 18G

lipemastica 187

liophody tes cucullatus 52

Loxia curvirostra minor - 417

curvirostra stricklaudi 420

leucoptera 421

M.

Macrorhaniplms scolopaceus 161

Megascops asio 302

Melaueipes carolinus 337

ery throcephalus 334

torquatus 336

Meleagris gallopavo 230

Melospiza fasciata 471

georgiana 474

lincolni 473

Merganser americanus 49

serrator 51

-Merula migratoria 653

migratoria propinqua 655

Micropalama hiuiautopus 165

Milvulns forficatus 354

Mimus polyglotlos 600

Muiotilta varia 535

Molothnxs ater 395

Myadestes townseudii 641

Myiarchus crinitus 359

Numenius borealis 205

hudsouicus 204

longirostris 302

Nyctala acadica 300

Nycteanyctea 307

Nycticorax uycticorax nsevius 128

violaceus 130

o.

Oidemia perspicillata 89

Olor buccinator 108

columbianus 105

'Otocorls alpestris arenicola 374

alpestris praticola 372

Pandion haliaetns carolinensis

Panis atricapi llus

atricapillus septentrionalis

bicolor

I Passer domesticus

Passerella iliaca

iliaoa schistacea

Passeriua anuEua

ciris

cy anea

PediocEetesphasianelluscanii)estris

Pelecanns erythrorhynchos

Petrochelidon lunifrons

Peuca?a cass i n i

Phalacrocorax dilophus

mexicaniis

Phalaenoptiliis niittalli

mittalli uitidiis

Phalaropus lobatus

tricolor

Philohela minor

Pica pica budsouica

Picicorvus columbianus

Piuicola enuoleaior

Pipilo erythrophthalnius

maculatus arcticus

Piranga ery tbromelas

rubra

Plectropheuax nivalis

Plegad la guarau ii a

Podilymbus podiccps

Polioptila cserulea

Poocsetes gram ineus

Porzana Carolina

jamaicensis

noveboracensis

Progne subis

Protonotaria cilrea

290
631
634
629
662
476
478
491
492
489
228

43
502
469

39

42
845
346
148
150
156
375
386
414
480
482
497
499
428
109

14
639
440
139
142
141
501
537

Quiscalus quiscula seneus 410

K.

Rallus elegans 136

virginianus 138

Recurvirostra anunican a 152

Regulus calendula 637

satrapa 635

Rhynchophaues mccownii 438

s.

Salpinctes obsoletus 606

Sayoruis phoebe 361

saya 362

G88

INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES.

PAGE.

Scolecophagus caroliims 408

cyauocephahis 409

Seiurus aurocapi 11 iis 573

motacilla 576

noveboracensis iiotabilis 574

Setophaga niticil 1 a 591

Sialia arctica 659

sialis 656

Sitta canadensis 627

carolinensis 626

Spatula clypeata 67

Speotyto cunicularia hypog?ea 310

Sphyrapicns variiis 330

varius nuchalis 331

Spinus pinus 427

tristis 425

Spiza americana 493

Splzella monticola 458

monticola ochracea 460

pallida 461

pusilla 464

soci alls 460

Stelgidopteryx serripennis 509

Sterna antillarum 34

forsteri 30

hirundo 32

Strix pratincola 292

Sturnella magna 400

magna neglecta 401

Sylvauia canadensis 509

mitrata 586

pusilla 588

Symphemia semipalmata inornata, 194

Syrnium uebulosuni 298

T.

Tachycineta bicolor 506

Tantalus loculator 112

Thryothorus bewickii 610

bewickii bairdi 611

ludovicianus 608

Totauus flavipes 191

melanoleucus 189

solltarius 192

PAGE.

Tringa alpina pacifica 178

baii-dii 175

canutus 167

fuscicollis 173

maculata 169

minutilla 176

Trochilus colubris 351

Troglodytes sedon aztecus 612

hiemalis 614

Tryngites subruficollis 198

Turdus alicise 647

aonalaschkse pallasi 651

f uscescens 645

musteliuus 643

ustulatus swaiusoni 650

Tympanuchus americanus 225

pallidieinctus 227

Tyranuus tyrannus 356

verticalis 358

u.

Urinator imber 16

V.

Vireo atricapillns 531

belli! 534

flavitions 524

gilvus 523

noveboracensis 532

olivaceus 522

solltarius 528

X.

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus... 396
Xema sabiuii 28

z.

Zenaidura macroura 241

Zonotrichia alblcolll.s 457

intermedia 456

leucophrys 454

querula 453

Index to Popular Names.

A

-'-^' PAGE.

Addition? 661

Anhinga 37

Avocel, American 152

B.

Baldpate 60

Bittern, American 115

Least 117

Blackbird, Brewer's 409

Red-winged 398

Eusty...r. 408

Yellow-headed 396

Bluebird 656

Mountain 659

Bobolink 391

Bob-white 319

Texan 222

Brant 100

Buffle-head 88

Banting, Indigo 489

Lark 495

Lazuli 491

Painted 492

c.

Canvas-back 77

Cardinal 483

Catbird 603

Chat, Long-tailed 585

Yellow-breasted 583

Chickadee 631

Long-tailed 634

Coot, American 145

Cormoraut, Double-crested 39

Mexican 43

Cowbird 395

Crane, Little Brown 133

Sandhill 134

Whooping 132

Creeper, Brown 622

-44 (689)

Crossbill, American 417

Mexican 430

White-winged 431

Crow, American 385

Cuckoo, Black-billed 323

Yel low-billed 321

Curlew, Eskimo 205

H udsonian 304

Long-billed 203

D.

Dickcissel 493

Dove, Mourning 341

Dowitcher, Long-billed 161

Duck, American Scaup 83

Black 55

Mottled 57

Lesser Scaup 84

Ring-necked 85

Ruddy 91

Wood 71

E.

Eagle, Bald 275

Golden 273

Egret, American 133

Eliminations 661

Explanations 5

F.

Falcon, Prairie 280

Finch, Purple 416

Flicker 338

Red-shafted 340

Flycatcher, Acadian 367

Crested 359

Least 370

Olive-sided 364

Scissor-tailed 354

Traill's 369

690

INDEX TO POPULAR NAMES.

^- PAGE.

Gadwall 58

Gallinule, Florida 143

Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray 639

Godwit, Hudsouian 187

Marbled 186

Goldeu-eye, Aniericau 86

Goldfinch, American 425

Goose, American White-fronted 96

Blue 93

Canada 98

Hutchins' 100

Lesser Snow 95

Goshawk, American 258

Grackle, Bronzed 410

Grebe, American Eared 12

Horned 10

Pied-billed 14

Western 8

Grosbeak, Black-headed 489

Blue 488

Evening 412

Pine 414

Eose-breasted 484

Grouse, Prairie Sharp-tailed 228

Rutfed 223

Gull, American Herring 19

Bonaparte's 27

California 21

Franklin's 25

Ring-billed 23

Sabine's 28

Gyrfalcon, Gray 278

H.

Hawk, American Rough-legged 269

American Sparrow 287

Broad-winged 267

Cooper's 256

Duck 282

Harlan's 263

Krider's 261

Marsh 252

Pigeon 284

Red-shouldered 264

Red-tai led 259

Sharp-shinned 254

Swainson's 265

Hen, Prai rie 225

Lesser Prairie 227

Heron, Black-crowned Night 128

Great Blue 119

Green 126

Little Blue 124

Snowy 123

Yellow-crowned Niglit 130

Hummingbird, Ruby-throated.... 351

PAGE.

Ibis, White-faced Glossy 109

Wood 113

J.

Jay, Blue 377

Pinou 388

Junco, Oregon 468

Slate-colored 467

White-winged 465

K.

Killdeer 312

Kingbird 356

Arkansas 353

Kingfisher, Belted 323

Kinglet, Golden-crowned 635

Ruby-crowned 637

Kite, Mississippi 250

Swallow-tailed 247

Knot 167

L.

Lark, Desert Horned 374

Prairie Horned 373

Longspur, Chestuut^collared 436

Lapland 430

McCowu's 438

Smith's 434

Loon 16

M.

Magpie, American 375

Mallard 54

Man-o'-War Bird 47

Martin, Purple 501

Meadowlark 400

Western 401

Merganser, American 49

Hooded 53

Red-breasted 51

Merlin, Richardson's 386

Mockingbird 600

N.

Nighthawk 847

Western 348

Nutcracker, Clark's 386

Nuthatch, Red-breasted 627

White-breasted 626

o.

Oriole, Baltimore 403

Bullock's 405

Orchard 403

INDEX TO POPULAR NAMES.

GDI

PAGE.

Ospiey, American 290

Oveu-bird 572

Owl, American Barn 292

A nieiiean Long-eared 294

liarred 298

Burrowing 310

Great Horned 304

Saw-whet 300

Screech 302

Short-eared 296

•Snowy 307

Western Horned 306

P.

Paroquet, Carolina 315

Pelican, American White 43

Pewee, Wood 3G5

Western Wood 3G6

Phalarope, Northern 148

Wilson's 150

Phcel)e 361

Say's 363

Pigeon, Passenger 237

Pintail 69

Pipit, American 593

Sprague's 596

Plover, American Golden 209

Belted Piping 215

Black-bellied 208

Mountain 217

Semi palmated 213

Snowy 216

Poor-will 345

Frosted 346

K.

Kail, Black 142

King 136

Virginia 138

Yellow 141

Eaven, Mexican 381

White-necked 382

Bedhead 76

Eedpoll 422

Redstart, American 591

Red-tail, Western 262

Road-runner 319

Robin, American 653

Western 655

Rough-leg, Ferruginous 271

S.

Sanderling..; 184

Sandpiper, Baird's 175

Bartramian 196

Buff-breasted 198

Least 176

PAGE.

Sandpiper, Pectoral i69

Red-I)acked 173

Semipalmated isi

Solitary 192

Spotted 201

Stilt 165

White-rnmped 173

Saiisucker, Bed-naped 331

Yellow-bellied 330

Scotei', Surf §9

Shoveller 07

Shrike, Loggerhead 517

Northern 515

Whi te-runi ped 520

Siskin, Pine 427

Snipe, Wilson's I60

Sii owllake 428

Solitaire, Townsend's 641

Sora 139

Sparrow, Cassiu's 469

Chipping 460

Clay-colored 46I

English 662

Field 464

Fox 476

Grasshopper 445

Harris's 453

Henslow's 446

Intermediate 456

Lark 451

Lecon t e's 447

Lincoln's.. 473

Nelson's 449

Savanna 442

Slate-colored 473

Song 471

Swamp 474

Tree 453

Vesper 440

Western Savanna 444

Western Tree 460

White-crowned 454

White-throated 457

Stilt, Black-necked 154

Swallow, Bank 507

Barn 504

Clilf 502

Rough-winged 509

Tree 506

Swan, Trumpeter 108

Whistling 105

Swift, Chimney 349

T.

Tanager, Scarlet 497

Sunnner 499

Teal, Blue-winged 64

Cinnamon 60

Green-winged 62

692

INDEX TO POPULAR NAMES.

PAGE.

Tern, Black 35

Common 32

Forstei"s 30

Least 34

Thrasher, Brown 604

Thrush, Gray-cheeked 647

Hermit 651

Olive-backed 650

Wilson's 645

Wood 643

Titnionse, Tutted 629

Topography of a Bird 4

Towhee 480

Arctic 482

Turkey, Wild 230

Y.

Vireo, Bell's 534

Black-capped 531

Blue-headed 528

Red-eyed 522

Warbling 523

White-eyed 532

Yellow-throated 524

Vulture, Black 245

Turkey 243

w.

Warbler, Audubon's 553

Black and White 535

Blackburnian 561

Black-poll 559

Black-throated G reen 565

Blue-winged 540

Canadian 589

Cerulean 556

Chestnut-sided 558

Hooded 586

Kentucky : 578

Magnolia 554

PAGE.

Warbler, Mourning 579

Myrtle 551

Nashville 542

Orange-crowned 544

Palm 568

Parula 547

Pine 567

Prairie 570

Prothonotary 537

Sycamore 564

. Tennessee 545

Wilson's 588

Worm-eating 539

Yellow 550

Water-Thrush, Grinnell's 574

Louisiana 576

Waxwing, Bohemian 510

Cedar 512

Whip-poor-will 342

Willet, Western 194

Woodcock, American 156

Woodpecker, Downy 326

Hairy 335

Lewis's 336

Pileated 333

Red-bellied 337

Red-headed 334

Wreu, Baird's 611

Bewick's 610

Carolina 608

Long-billed Marsh 619

Rock 606

Short-billed Marsh 617

Winter. 614

Western House 612

y.

Yellow-legs 191

Greater 189

Yellow-throat, Western 581

Index to Plates.

PAGE.

Plate I 7

Plate II 19

Plate III 37

Plate IV 49

Plate V 59

Plate VI 71

Plate VII 87

Plate VIII 99

Plate IX 119

Plate X 137

Plate XI 169

Plate XII 199

Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate

PAGE.

XIII 219

XIV 231

XV 247

XVI 259

XVII 265

XVIII 275

XIX 287

XX 295

XXI 307

XXII 325

XXIII 343

XXIV 365

Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate

PAGE.

XXV 385

XXVI 403

XXVII 423

XX VIII 451

XXIX 473

XXX 493

XXXI 515

XXXII 545

XXXIII 573

XXXIV 601

XXXV 629

Note.— I regret that some of the illustrations are not brought out as fully and distinctly
as they ought to have been, and that the shadows upon many shade so deeply. Had the plates
been received in time, the defective ones would have been corrected, but the book was ready
for binding long before their receipt, and the work could not be delayed longer.

N. S. G.

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