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MANUAL

VEKTEBKATES

UNITED STATES,

INCLUDING

THE DISTRICT EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, AND NORTH OF

NORTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE, EXCLUSIVE

OF MARINE SPECIES.

DAVID STARR JORDAN, PH.D., M.D.

PROFESSOR OF NATURAL HISTORY IN INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

THIKD EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED .

J

CHICAGO:

JANSEN, McCLURG & COMPANY.
1880.

COPYRIGHT,

JANSEN, McCLURG & COMPANY.
A. D. 1876.

COPYRIGHT,

JANSEN, McCLURG <fc COMPANY.
A. D. 1878.

DONNELLEY, LOTD * CO., CHICAGO.

PEEFAOE.

This book has been written to give collectors and students
who are not specialists, a ready means of identifying the families,
genera and species of our Vertebrate Animals. In deference to
the uniform experience of botanists, and in view of the remarkable
success achieved by Dr. COUES, in the application of the method to
Ornithology, the author has adopted the system of artificial keys.

To keep the book of a size convenient for field use, class and
ordinal characters have been abbreviated, since they do not lie
directly within the purpose of the work ; generic characters have
been confined to the " key," under the head of each family,
while for specific characters, only such points have been gen-
erally retained, as are distinctive as well as descriptive. The
same necessity has led to the suppression of many of the doubt-
ful or nominal " species," which still encumber our systematic
works, and to the omission of synonymy and references to auth-
orities, excepting in cases of recent or original changes of
nomenclature.

Use has been freely made of every available source of infor-
mation, and it is believed that the present state of our knowl-
edge is fairly represented. A list of the principal papers which
have proved useful in the preparation of this work'may be found
on page 363.

The writer is under deep personal obligations for assistance,
criticism and advice, to many persons, among whom I may
especially mention Dr. ELLIOT COUES, Prof. E. D. COPE, Dr.
THEODORE GILL, Prof. H. E. COPELAND, Mr. E. W. NELSON, Mr.
B. H. VAN VLECK, Mr. C. H. GILBERT and Dr. A. W. BRAYTON.

The present edition is from the same stereotype plates as the
second. From the latter it differs in some changes of nomencla-
ture, in the correction of occasional errors, and in other minor
respects. A few additional species are included in the Addenda.

3

4 PREFACE.

In the preparation of the second edition, it was " found necessary
to entirely recast the account of the Fishes, in order to include
the results of recent investigations in that department. The
author has availed himself of this opportunity to substitute for
the artificial keys in the previous edition, a series of generic
diagnoses, which, while serving the purpose of a 'key,' also serve
to express the true relations of the species." The author regrets
that this change can not in the present edition be extended to all
the groups included in the work, as well as to the Fishes.

D. 8. J.
BLOOMENGTON, INC., Nov., 1879.

SIGNS, ABBREVIATIONS, ETC., EXPLAINED.

I. — MAMMALS.
i.= Incisor teeth.
c.= Canines.
pm. = Premolara.
m.— Molars.

Thus " i. fif " indicates two incisor teeth on each side in the
upper jaw, and one on each side in the lower.

"Toes 5-4 ""implies fore feet five-toed, hind feet four-toed.

Other signs are as used in Birds.

II. — BIRDS.

£.=Length in inches (along back from tip of bill to end of
longest tail feather) ; thus, "L. 7i " means, length 7J inches.

J£.=Extent (spread of wing) measured in inches.

W.= Length of wing (from bend of closed wing — carpal joint —

to tip of longest feather) in inches.
2T.=Length of tail in inches (i.e., actual length of the longest tail

feather.)

J9.=Length of bill in inches (measured along culmen from tip to

frontal feathers.)
.fftf.=Length of head in inches (measured with dividers from

base of bill to nape.)

Ts.= Length of tarsus in inches (measured in front.)
Td.= Length of middle toe with its claw.

The measurements given in the descriptions are understood to
represent a fair average adult male; a variation of one-sixth, or
more, in absolute length is nothing unusual ; relative lengths, as of
wings and tail, are much more constant. To save space I have
preferred to say " L. 6," to saying " L. 5| to 6i."
3— Male.

$= Female.

I

6 SIGNS, ABBREVIATIONS, ETC.

>'=More than, longer than, or more than equivalent to.
<=Less than, in its various senses.
= =Sign of equivalence.

The toes are numbered 1,2,3,4; 1 being the hind toe, or
hallux; 2 the inner anterior toe; 3 the middle toe; and 4 the
outer toe.

III.— REPTILES.

L.= Length in inches.

Sc. or Scales= Number of longitudinal rows of scales exclusive

of the ventral series.
<?.=Number of ventral plates, or gastrosteges, counted along the

belly, from the throat to the vent. The figures given in the

descriptions are intended to be average, the actual number

being quite variable.
CT.=Number of pairs of sub-caudal plates, or urosteges, counted

from the vent to the tip of the tail.

IV. — FISHES.
D.=Dorsal fin.
Zd D.— Second dorsal fin.
P. = Pectoral fins.
V.= Ventral fins.
A. = Anal fin.
C.- Caudal fin.
B. — Branchiostegals.

Roman numerals used with the above abbreviations indicate
the number of spines or inarticulate rays in a fin. Arabic numer-
als indicate the number of soft rays. In a fin containing both
spines and soft rays, a comma ( , ) separating the numerals indicates
that the two kinds of rays are continuous, or more or less
connected. A dash ( — ) indicates their separation. Thus, " D, X,
12," describes a single dorsal fin with 10 spines and 12 soft rays ;
"D, X — 12," indicates two dorsal fins — the first of 10 spines, the
second of 12 soft rays; "D, X — I, 12," would indicate the
presence of a single spine in the second dorsal.

The posterior soft ray of the dorsal and anal fins is usually
split to the base. It should be counted as one ray and not as two.

SIGNS, ABBEBVIATIONS, ETC. 7

Lot. Z.=Lateral line, i.e., the number of scales contained in its
course. When the lateral line is obsolete, " lat. 1." signifies
the number of scales in a row from the head to the base of
the caudal fin. Thus, " lat. 1. 36 " means that there are 36
scales in a row along the sides from the head to the caudal.
In all cases the number of rays or scales, as given in the
descriptions, is intended to represent a fair average, and a vari-
ation of one-sixth, or even more, in either direction need not
surprise the student. Generally the spines and scales are more
constant in their numbers than the soft rays, and the fewer of
either, the less variable.

Depth in length=The greatest depth of the body as contained in

the distance along the side from the snout to the base of the

caudal.
Head in length=The distance from the snout along the cheeks to

the extremity of the opercle, as contained in the distance

from the snout to the base of the caudal.
Eye in head=lis longitudinal diameter as contained in the length

of the side of the head.

As above stated, these measurements, as given in the descrip-
tions, are intended to be the average of living adults, and must be
applied to young specimens or preserved ones with caution.

Young fishes are always much more elongated than adults, and
the eye is proportionally much larger.

A fin is said to be " long" when it has a long base, or is many-
rayed. A "high" fin is one in which the individual rays are
elongated.

PRINCIPAL ABBREVIATIONS OF NAMES OF AUTHORS
CITED IN THIS VOLUME.

Ag.=A.gassiz.
Allen— J. A. Allen.
Auct.=AMctorum (of Authors.)
And.— Audubon.
Aud. & • Bach. = Audubon &
Bachman.

B. & G.— Baird & Girard.
Bartr. — Bartram.
Beauv.=Pn\iwt de Beauvais.
Bl. & Schn. =Bloch & Schneider.
Bodd. = Boddaert.
Bon., or Bp.=C. L. Bonaparte.
Brev. = Brevoort.
Brunn. = Briinnich.
Cab.— Cabanis.
Cass.=Cass'm.
(700p.= Cooper.
Cuv.—Cuvier.

G. & F.=Cuvier and Valen-
ciennes.

Z>e/fc.=Dekay.
Desm. = Desrnarest.

. =Erxleben.

Grd.=Girard.

Ghn., or Gmel.— Gmelin.

Gray (Bird*)=G. R. Gi-

Gray (Mam.&fiept.)=3.

Gthr.=Gunlher.

Hold. = Haldeman.

Holbr. — Holbrook.

I/ac.=Lacepede.
Lafr. -= Lafresnaye.

Latr. =Latreille.
Lawr. = Lawrence.

Less.= Lesson.

Licht. =Lichtenstein.
J[>.=Linna3us.

JVw«.-NuttaU.

Raf. = Raflnesque.
Reich. = Reichenbach.
Rich. = Ri ch ardson.
Ridg. = Ridgway.

Schl. = Schlegel .

H. Smith= Hamilton Smith.
Steph. — Stephens.
8tor.=Storer.
Strickl. = Strickland.
Sund.= Sundevall .
Sw. — Swainson.
Temm. — Temminck.
Towns. — Townsend.
Val.= Valenciennes.
Vieill., or F.=Vieillot.
Vtg.= Vigors.
Wagl.= Waller.

Wils.= Wilson.

*:)c* Names of Authors not in the above list are usually
written in full.

VERTEBRATE ANIMALS

OF THE

UNITED STATES.

VERTEBRATA.

(The Vertebrates.)

The Vertebrates are, in popular language, " animals
with a back-bone." They are distinguished from all
other animals, says Prof. Huxley, " by the circumstance
that a transverse and vertical section of the body
exhibits two cavities, completely separated from one
another by a partition. The dorsal cavity contains the
cerebro-spinal nervous system; the ventral, the alimen-
tary canal, the heart, and, usually, a double chain of
ganglia, which passes under the name of the 'sympa-
thetic.' A vertebrated animal may be devoid of
articulated limbs, and it never possesses more than two
pairs. These are always provided with an internal
skeleton, to which the muscles moving the limbs are
attached."

Without further discussion of this great group of
animals, we will proceed at once to the consideration of
the classes. Of existing vertebrates, we here recognize

/.££•

10 VERTEBRATE ANIMALS.

eight classes. These are: — 1. MAMMALIA, or Mammals;
2. AVES, or Birds; 3. REPTILIA, or Reptiles; 4. BATRACHIA,
or Batrachians; 5. PISCES, or True Fishes; 6. ELASMO-
BRANCHII, or Selachians; 7. MARSIPOBKANCHII, or Myzonts;
8. LEPTOCARDII, or Lancelets.

Of these classes, two, Elasmobranchii and Leptocardil,
are represented by marine forms only, and do not,
therefore, come within the scope of this treatise.

The relations of the classes of Vertebrates may be
recognized by the following analysis, taken, in part,
from Prof. Gill's "Arrangement of the Families of
Fishes." Only the most obvious characters are here
referred to, although others, less striking, are often of
greater taxonomic value.

CLASSES OF VERTEBRATES.

* Respiration never performed after birth by means of branchiae.

f Exoskeleton developed as hair (rarely obsolete) ; warm blood ;

heart with four cavities ; diaphragm complete ; two occipital

condyles ; viviparous ; young developed from a minute egg,

and nourished for a time by milk secreted in the mammary

glands of the mother. .... MAMMALIA.

ff Exoskeleton developed as feathers ; warm blood ; heart with

four cavities; diaphragm incomplete; a single occipital

condyle ; oviparous ; young hatched from a comparatively

large egg ; no mammary glands AVES.

fff Exoskeleton developed as scales, or bony plates ; cold blood ;

heart with three cavities (four in Crocodtlid); a single

occipital condyle ; oviparous (or rarely ovoviparous) ; young

hatched from a rather large egg. . . . REPTILIA.

** Respiration performed by gills for a part, or the whole, of life ;

cold blood.

$ Skull more or less developed, with the notochord not continued
forwards beyond the pituitary body; brain differentiated
and distinctly developed; heart developed and divided
into at least an auricle and ventricle.

VEBTEBBATA. 11

a. Skull well developed and with a lower jaw ; nostrils paired.
6. No median rayed fins; limbs not developed as rayed
fins, but, if present, having the same skeletal elements
as in the higher vertebrates; skin usually naked;
respiration in the adult chiefly, or entirely, accom-
plished by means of lungs, the branchiae rarely

persistent BATRACHIA.

lib. Rayed fins present on median line of the body ; limbs
developed as rayed fins ; at least one pair being always
present ; respiration by means of branchiae throughout
life ; lungs not developed.

c. Membrane bones (operculum, etc.) developed in con-
nection with the skull; gills free; the branchial
openings a single slit on each side; exoskeleton
usually of scales, or plates, never placoid; eggs

small and numerous PISCES.

cc. Skull without membrane bones ; gills not free ; the
branchial openings slit-like, usually several in
number; exoskeleton placoid, never of scales, but
usually composed of calcified papillae of various
styles ; eggs few and large. . ELASMOBRANCHII.
aa. Skull imperfectly developed and with no lower jaw;
a single median nostril ; paired fins undeveloped, with
no shoulder girdle nor pelvic elements; gills purse-
shaped ; skin naked. . . MARSIPOBRANCHII.
. Skull undeveloped, with the notochord persistent and extend-
ing to the anterior end of the head ; brain not distinctly
differentiated ; heart none, LEPTOCARDII.

12 MAMMALS.

$.— JEammalia.

(The Mammals?)

A Mammal is a warm-blooded, air-breathing vertebrate,
having the skin more or less covered with hair; vivipar-
ous; embryo developed from a minute egg, and provided
with an amnion and allantois; young nourished for a
time after birth by milk, secreted in the mammary
glands of the mother; respiration never by branchige,
but after birth by lungs, suspended freely in the thoracic
cavity, which is completely separated from the abdominal
cavity by a muscular septum (the diaphragm); heart
with four cavities; a complete double circulation. The
peculiarities of the skeleton are too numerous to be
noticed in this connection.

The following key to the Orders and Families of
Mammals which occur within our limits (omitting the
Seals and the Cetaceans, all our members of which
groups are marine), is mostly taken from Prof. Gill's
"Arrangement of the Families of Mammals." It has
been thought best not to give here any separate account
of the different orders, as, in the abundance of literature
on that subject, it seems unnecessary.

ORDERS OF MAMMALIA.

* Young not born until of considerable size and nearly perfect
development, deriving its nourishment, before birth, from
the mother through the intervention of a placenta; a well
developed corpus callosum. (MONODELPHIA.)

f Brain with a relatively large cerebrum, overlapping much, or
all, of the cerebellum and olfactory lobes. (EDUCABILIA.)

MAMMALS. 13

\ Anterior and posterior limbs and pelvis well developed ;
femur and humerus not exsertecl beyond the common
integuments of the body.

a. Feet with developed claws ; canines specialized ; molars,

one or more, sectorial, adapted for cutting ; incisors

-f ; chiefly carnivorous. . . CARNTVORA, A.

aa. Feet with hoofs ; molars mostly with grinding surfaces ;

incisors various; no tusks; developed toes, four or

fewer ; chiefly herbivorous. . . UNGTJLATA, B.

ft Brain with a relatively small cerebrum, leaving behind much

of the cerebellum exposed, and, in front, much of the

olfactory lobes. (!NEDUCABILIA.)

b. Canine teeth present, in some form ; incisors not •§- nor jj-.
c. Anterior limbs adapted for flight ; ulna and radius
united; bones of hand and fingers much elon-
gated, supporting a thin, leathery skin, extending
along sides of body to the posterior limbs;
mammae pectoral. . . CHIROPTERA, C.
cc. Limbs all adapted for walking ; ulna and radius not
united; hand normal; mammae usually abdomi-
nal INSECTTVORA, D.

Ib. No canine teeth ; incisors f , rarely •§-, chisel shaped ;
limbs adapted for walking. . RODENTIA, E.

** Young born when of very small size and incomplete develop-
ment, never connected by a placenta to the mother ; corpus
callosum rudimentary. (DIDELPHIA.) . MARSUPIALIA, F.

A. FAMILIES OF CARNIVORA.

* Intestinal canal provided with a coecum ; feet digitigrade ; toes

5-4.
f Teeth 28 to 30; head broad; snout short; claws sharp,

retractile FELECLE, 1.

ff Teeth 38 to 46 ; snout elongated ; claws bluntish, non-
retractile CANUXE, 2.

** Intestinal canal without a ccecum ; feet plantigrade, or, if not,
toes 5-5.

14 MAMMALS.

\ Teeth less than 40 ; body rather slender ; feet often more or
less perfectly digitigrade. . . . MUSTELHXE, 3.
\\ Teeth 40 or 42 ; body stout ; feet completely plantigrade,
a. Tail rudimentary; teeth 42; lower jaw with three true
molars ; body very large and heavy. . URSHXE, 4.
CM. Tail well developed; teeth 40; lower jaw slender, with
two true molars ; body moderately stout.

PROCYONUXE, 5.

B. FAMILIES OF UNGULATA.

* Toes paired (artiodactylous) ; horns solid, deciduous ; teeth 34

or 32. CERVIDJS, 6.

C. FAMILIES OF CHIROPTERA.

* Snout not appendaged ; tail inclosed in the membrane, or only

the last joint exserted. . . . VESPERTILIONID^, 7.

D. FAMILIES OF INSECTTVORA.

* No external ear; fore feet greatly enlarged — adapted for

digging ; limbs very 'short. . . . TALPIIXE, 8.
** An external ear ; feet normal ; hind feet usually longest.

SORICTDJE, 9.

E. FAMILIES OF RODENTIA.

* Incisors f ; tail well developed.

f Hair forming a fur, without spines.
a. Tail broad, flat and scaly; feet webbed; molars f'f ;

body stout and heavy. . . . CASTORIDJS, 11.
aa. Limbs very short, about equal ; fore claws much enlarged ;

large external cheek pouches; body thick-set and heavy;

molars £J. GEOMYHXE, 12.

aaa. Tail and hind legs excessively elongated, the latter
adapted for leaping ; molars $ /f • . ZAPODHXE, 13.
aaaa. With none of the preceding combinations.

PELIDJE. — I. 15

b. Molars f-lf or fif; no foramen (as in the next); tail

usually long and hairy ; (squirrels, etc.) ScruKiiXE, 10.

&6. Molars f if- to f/f- ; zygomatic process of upper jaw with

a foramen ; (rats and mice). . . MURIIXE, 14.

f f Fur with stiff spine-like bristles ; toes with long, curved

Claws SPALACOPODnX<E, 15.

** Incisors f ; the middle upper incisors large, grooved, the outer
ones small; teeth 28; tail very short; ears long.

LEPORIIXE, 16.

F. FAMILIES OF MARSUPIALIA.

* Tail long, prehensile, nearly naked ; feet plantigrade ; incisors
|vf ; teeth 50 DIDELPHEDID^, 17

OEDEE A.-CAEJSTIVOEA.

(The Flesh-Eaters or Ferce.)

FAMILY I.— FELID^E.

(The Cats.}

Digitigrade Garni vora with the toes 5-4; claws com-
pressed, very sharp, retractile; palms and soles hairy,
with naked pads under each toe and the b all of the foot.
Body compact; head short, broad and rounded. Dentition
i. f:|; c. \\\\ pm. f;| or f if ; m. |-|z=30 or 28; canine teeth
long and sharp ; teeth all strongly trenchant; tongue with
short, retrorse papillae. General aspect cat-like. A well-
known group comprising about fifty species, found in all
parts of the world excepting Australia and its islands.

* Premolars -f if , anterior upper one very small ; tail at least half
as long as the body (exclusive of head and neck) ; fur compact
and glossy; ears not tufted FELIS, 1.

** Premolars f'f, (anterior upper one wanting); tail less than
half length of body proper ; ears triangular, tufted. LYNX, 2.

16 MAMMALS.

I. FEL/S, Linnaeus. CATS.

1. F. concolor, L. AMERICAN PANTHER. COUGAR.
PUMA. Above tawny brownish yellow; a wash of dark-
er along dorsal line; dirty white below; large; body 4£
feet long. Whole continent of America, N. to lat. 50°
to 60°.

2. LYNX, Rafinesque. WILD CATS.

1. L. canadensis, (Desm.) Raf. CANADA LYNX. Feet
very large, densely furred beneath in winter, concealing
the small, naked patches; tail black at tip; no distinct
bars on inner side of legs; much larger than the next,,
with larger feet and longer fur. N. A.

2. L. rufus, ( Guldenstadt. ) Raf. AMERICAN WILD
CAT. Inner sides of legs with dark cross bands; tail
with a black patch at end above, preceded by half rings.
U. S. and northward.

FAMILY II.— CANID^E.

( The Dogs. )

Digitigrade Garni vora with blunt, non- re tractile claws;
toes 5-4. Muzzle more or less elongated. Dentition typi-
cally i. |:|; c. |:|; pm. £:£; m. f.f=42; canines large,
rather blunt. Both hemispheres.

* Tail comparatively short ; upper incisors distinctly lobed ; pupil

circular. . CANTS, 1

** Tail comparatively long and bushy; upper incisors scarcely

lobed ; pupil elliptical ; body more slender,
f Tail with soft fur and long hair ; muzzle long. . VULPES, 2.
ff Tail with a concealed mane of stiff hairs, and without soft
fur; muzzle shorter UBOCTON, 3.

MUSTELID^E. — HI. IT

/. CANIS, Linnaeus. WOLVES.

1. C. lupus, L. WOLF. Color exceedingly variable;
northward it is chiefly gray, southward more and more
blackish and reddish, till in Florida black wolves pre-
dominate, and in Texas red ones. N. A. and northern
parts of the Old World. (C. occidentalis, Auct.)

2. VULPES, Brisson. FOXES.

1. /. vulgaris, Fleming. RED Fox. CROSS Fox. SILVER
Fox. BLACK Fox. Chiefly red, with black feet and ears;
tip of tail white. A single species, widely variable in
color, as indicated by 'the common names. N. Am.
Europe (V.fulvuS) Auct.)

3. UROCYON, Baird. GRAY FOXES.

1. U. cinereo-argentafus, (Schreb.) Coues. GRAY
Fox. Chiefly gray; fur dusky or fulvous, hairs hoary at
tip; tip of tail usually dark. Penn. S., W. to the Pacific.

FAMILY III.— MUSTELID^B.

(The Weasels.)

Carnivora either plantigrade or digitigrade, with the
toes 5-5. Molars ^ ( rarely ^ ); the upper and the last
lower one tubercular; no ccecum. Most species provided
with glands near the anus which secrete a fetid liquid.
Some are strictly carnivorous while others are rather om-
nivorous. Size usually medium or small. They are found
in all parts of the earth excepting the Australian region.

* Last or true molar of upper jaw short, small, transversely elon-

gated ; toes short ; claws retractile. (MUSTELINE.)
f Teeth 38 ; body slender ; feet digitigrade ; tail rather long ; low-
er first molar with an internal tubercle. . MUSTELA, 1.

18 MAMMALS.

ff Teeth 34; body slender; feet digiti grade ; tail usually long;
sectorial tooth without internal tubercle. . POTORFUS, 2.
fff Teeth 38 ; body stout ; feet sub-plantigrade ; tail as long as
head, very full and bushy. .... GULO, 3.
** True molar of upper jaw very large, sub-triangular, tubercu-
lar ; fore claws much lengthened, for digging. (MELIN^E.)
a. Body short and stout ; tail very short ; teeth 32. TAXIDEA, 4.
*** True molar of upper jaw quadrangular, wide, veiy large, with
an outer cutting ridge; claws non-retractile, fore claws
lengthened, fossorial. ( MEPHITIN^E.)

6. Snout pointed ; colors black and white ; fetid glands highly

developed ; teeth 34. . . . . MEPHITIS, 5.

**** True molar large, quadrate ; teeth 36 ; body elongated ; toes

palmate, adapted for swimming. ( LUTRIN^E.) LUTRA, 6.

/. MUSTELA, Linnaeus. MARTENS.

1. HI. americana, Turton. SABLE. PINE MARTEN.
Chiefly reddish yellow, clouded with black; legs and
tail, blackish; length less than two feet. Maine to
Oregon, and northward.

2. M. pennant! i, Erxleben. FISHER. BLACK CAT. Color,
variable ; belly, legs, tail, and hind parts chiefly black;
length more than two feet. Northern N. A.

2. PUTORIUS, Cuvier. WEASELS.

1. P. vulgaris, Cuvier. LEAST WEASEL. Liver-brown,
white beneath ; usually white in winter ; tail never
really black at tip ; body 6 to 7 inches long. N. U. S.
and northward, also Old World.

2. P. ermineus, Cuvier. COMMON WEASEL. ERMINE.
Colors various ; tip of tail usually black ; white in
winter, northward. Length of body 8 to 11 inches.

UKSHXE. — rv. 19

N. Am. and Old World, abundant. (P. noveboracensis,
cicognann, etc., of authors.)

3. P. vison, Gapper. COMMON MINK. Brownish
chestnut ; tail black or nearly so ; length of body 15
to 20 inches. N. A.

3. GULO, Storr. WOLVERINES.

1. G. luscus, (L.) Sabine. WOLVERINE. Dark brown ;
legs and beneath black. N. U. S. and N.

4. TAXIDEA, Waterhouse. BADGERS.

1. T. americana, (Bodd.) Baird. AMERICAN BADGER.
Chiefly grayish. Wisconsin, N. and W.

5. MEPHITIS, Cuvier. SKUNKS.

1. HI. mephitica, (Shaw) Baird. COMMON SKUNK.
Usually black with tip of tail, dorsal stripes and nuchal
patch white; sometimes all black or even nearly all
white. Mexico to Arctic regions, an abundant and fa-
miliar species. ( M. chinga, Tiedemann.)

6. LUTRA, Linnaeus. OTTERS.

1. L. canadensis, Sabine. AMERICAN OTTER. Liver-
brown; length 4£ feet. U. S.

FAMILY IV.— URSID^E.

( The Bears. )

Plantigrade Garni vora having the body thick and
clumsy. Tail rudimentary. Teeth 42 ; molars broad and
tuberculated, according with the omnivorous diet. Species
few and widely distributed, — in North America, there are
probably but three, although many have been described,
the Polar Bear Thalarctos maritimus, the Grizzly Bear,
Ursiis horribilis, and the following.

20 MAMMALS.

/. URSUS, Linnaeus. BEARS.

1. U. americanus, Pallas. BROWN, BLACK OR CIN-
NAMON BEAR. Color, size, etc., exceedingly variable,
but the several forms or varieties intergrade perfectly.
N. Am.

FAMILY V.— PROCYONID^E.

(The Raccoons.)

Plantigrade Carnivora of moderate size, with the body
comparatively slender and the tail well developed. Teeth
40. Snout more or less elongated; no coecum. Genera
two, — JWasua, the Coatimundi of Mexico, and the follow-
ing, all American.

/. PROCYON, Storr. RACCOON.

1. P. lotor, (L.) Storr. COMMON RACCOON. " COON."
Grayish white; hairs black-tipped; tail with black rings.
U. S.; abundant.

OEDEE B.-U^TGULATA.

(The Hoofed Mammals).

FAMILY VI.— CERVID^E.

(The Deer).

Horns deciduous, solid, developed from the frontal
bone, more or less branched, covered at first by a soft,
hairy integument, known as "velvet"; when the horns
attain their full size, which they do in a very short time,
there arises at the base of each a ring of tubercles known
as the "burr; " this compresses and finally obliterates the

CERVID^E. — VI. 21

blood-vessels supplying the velvet, which dries up and is
stripped off, leaving the bone hard and insensible; the
horns or " antlers " are shed annually, the separation of
the "beam" from its "pedicel" taking place just below
the burr ; the antlers are wanting in the female (except-
ing in the Reindeer) but they are usually present in
the male. Herbivorous; stomach in four divisions, of
the ordinary ruminant pattern. Dental formula, i. •£;£;
c. (usually) ^; pm. |:|; m. -|;f. A widely distributed
family.

* Horns (in males only) very broadly palmated to the tip ; nose
very broad, entirely hairy except a small naked spot between

nostrils. . ALCE, 1.

** Horns (in both sexes) broadly palmated at tip ; nose entirely

hairy. RANGIFER, 2.

*** Horns (in males only) rounded more or less ; rarely sub-pal-
mated ; nose naked and moist.

f Horns large, curving backward, with the snags all directed
forward, one of them immediately above the burr; tail very
short ; hoofs broad and rounded ; size very large.

CERVUS, 3.

ff Horns smaller, curving forward, the first snag short, at some
distance above the base, and like the others curving
upward; tail rather long; hoofs rather elongate; size
smaller CARiACUS,4.

/. ALCE, Hamilton Smith. ELKS.
1. A. americanus, Jardine. MOOSE. AMERICAN ELK.
Largest of our Cervidce, reaching the size of a horse.
Maine and N. N. Y. to Oregon and N.

2. RANGIFER, Hamilton Smith. REINDEER.

1. R. caribou, Aud. & Bach. WOODLAND CARIBOU.
REINDEER. Maine to Hudson's Bay and Lake Superior;
perhaps the same as the Reindeer of Europe (R.
tarandus.)

22 MAMMALS.

3. CERVUS, Linnasus. DEER.

1. C. canadensis, Erxleben. "AMERICAN ELK."
WAPITI. Chestnut red, grayish in winter; size nearly
equal to that of the Moose. Alleghany region of Penn.
and Va., Wis. (near Green Bay, Van Vleckj) Yellow-
stone region and W.

4. CARIACUS, Gray. RED DEER.

1. C. virginianus, (Bodd.) Gray. VIRGINIA DEER. RED
DEER. General color chestnut red, grayish in winter.
Maine to Rocky Mountains and S., abundant in many re-
gions.

ORDER C.-CHIROPTERA.

(The Bats.)

FAMILY VII. — VESPERTILIONID^E.

(Tlie Ordinary Bats.)

Insectivorous Bats with the snout not appendaged, or
merely with two lateral excrescences. Wing membranes
ample. Tail completely enclosed in the interfemoral
membrane or only the last joint exserted.

* Cheeks without excrescences ; ears moderate.

t Incisors f :f. VESPERTILIO, 1.

ff Incisors \~.%- ATALAPHA, 2.

** Cheeks with two large excrescences ; ears excessively large,
an inch high ; teeth 36 ; i. f if . . . CORYNORHIXUS, 3.

/. VESPERTILIO, Linnreus. TYPICAL BATS.
> Scotophilus, Leach.

* Teeth 38 ; molars -$.|- ; species with thin wings and ears. ( Ves-

pertilio.)
1. /. subulatus, Say. LITTLE BROWN BAT. Face

VESPERTILIONTD^E. — VII. 23

small, fox-like, with high forehead and pointed snout;
ears large, oval, twice the height of the erect tragus;
wings naked; interfemoral membrane naked except at
base, face whiskered; color dull olive-brown. L. 3; E.
9; T. 1£. N. Am.; abundant every where. A small and
very variable species. ( V. lucifugus^ Le C.)
** Teeth 36; molars |:f. (Veaperides.)

2. /. noctivagans, LeC. SILVER BLACK BAT. Tragus
almost as broad as high, scarcely one-third height of ear;
femoral membrane entirely though scantily furred; fur
long and silky, black, usually with silvery tips to the
hairs. L. 3|; E. 12; T. 1£. U. S. generally.

*** Teeth 34; molars -f.'f ; stouter species, with thicker wings and
more leathery ears. ( Vesperugo.)

3. /. georgianus, F. Cuvier. GEORGIA BAT. Tragus
slender, erect, half the height of the auricle; upper in-
cisors about equal in size; femoral membrane one-third
furred; dark reddish brown, brighter forwards. L. 3;
E. 9; T. 1£. Maine to Texas; chiefly southward.

**** Teeth 32; molars £/§-; stout species. (Vesperus.)

4. /. fuscus, Beauv. CAROLINA BAT. DUSKY BAT.
Tragus never pointed, nearly half as high as auricle;

wings naked; interfemoral membrane furred at base;
ears more or less turned outward; upper lateral incisors
small, scarcely visible. L. 3 to 4; E. 12; T. 1£. U. S.;
a widely diffused species. (T7". carolinensis, Geoff. St.
Hilaire.)

2. ATALAPHA, Rafinesque. RED BATS.

* Teeth 30; molars |vf-; upper incisors small; wings naked and
interfemoral membranes nearly so. (Nycticejus.)

1. A. crepuscularis, (Le C.) Coues. TWILIGHT BAT.
Ears small, wide apart; a small wart above eye; fur

24 MAMMALS.

rather scanty; dark fawn color above, passing into
brownish below; L. 3£; E. 9; T. 1£. Perm, to Mo., and
S.W.

** Teeth 32 ; molars f if ; upper incisors stout ; interfemoral mem-
brane hairy above, and wings with furry patches (Lasiurus.)

2. A. noveboracensis, (Erxl.) Coues. RED BAT. Fur
long and silky, reddish brown, mostly white at tip; lips
and ears not edged with black; a whitish tuft at base
of thumb; L. 3f ; E. 12; T. If. U. S., every where.
An abundant species, readily known by its reddish color.

3. A. cinereus, (Beauv.) Coues. HOARY BAT. Rich
chocolate - brown, overlaid with white ; lips and ears
marked with black; L. 5; E. 14; T. 2£. U. S., rather
northward, rare. ( V. pruinosus, Say.)

3. CORYNORHINUS, Harrison Allen. BIG-EARED BATS.

1. C. macrotis, (Le C.) H. Allen. BIG-EARED BAT.
Blackish, fur soft and long; L. 3£; E. 11; T. If. Va. to
Missouri region and S.

OEDEE D.-nSTSECTIVOEA.

(The Insect Eaters.)

FAMILY VIIL— TALPID^E.

(The Moles.)

Body stout, thick, and clumsy, without visible neck.
Eyes rudimentary, sometimes concealed. No external
ears. Limbs very short; feet greatly expanded and
provided with strong claws, adapted for digging; anterior
limbs much larger than posterior. Scapula as long as
humerus and radius together. Canines usually present.

SORICLD^E. — IX. 25

Fur compact, soft and velvety. Found on both conti-
nents.
* Nose elongated, not fringed ; nostrils superior or lateral ; tail

short,
f Teeth 36 ; nostrils partly superior ; tail nearly naked.

SCALOPS, 1.

ft Teeth 44 ; nostrils lateral ; tail densely hairy. SCAPANUS, 2.

** Nose elongated, fringed at end with a circle of long fleshy

projections; nostrils terminal; tail nearly as long as body;

teeth 44 . CONDYLURA, 3.

/. SCALOPS, Cuvier. SHREW MOLES.

1. S. aquaticus, (L.) Fischer. COMMON MOLE. Dark
plumbeous, paler below; feet full webbed; eyes not
covered by skin. E. U. S.; an abundant and well known
species.

2. S. argentatus, Aud. & Bach. PRAIRIE MOLE.
Silvery plumbeous; said to be larger and more silvery
than the preceding. Ohio and W., chiefly in the prairie
region.

2. SCAPANUS, Pomel. HAIRY - TAILED MOLES.
1. S. brewer/', (Bach.) Pomel. HAIRY -TAILED MOLE.
Dark plumbeous, with brown gloss. E. U. S.

3. CONDYLURA, Illiger. STAR-NOSED MOLES.
1. C. cristata, (L.) Desmarest. STAR-NOSED MOLE.
Blackish. U. S., chiefly northerly, from the Atlantic to
the Pacific.

FAMILY IX.— SORICID.E.

(The Shrews.)

Mouse-like Insectivora, with the eyes and external
ears distinctly developed. Muzzle elongated. Feet
normal, not fossorial; the fore-feet mostly smaller than
the hind ones. Teeth J-2-0-, no canines. The most

26 MAMMALS.

abundant and widely distributed family of the Insecti-
'vora. The assumed specific distinctions in this family

are utterly worthless, and it is at present impossible to

characterize the species. The following are the best

known. (See Addenda.)

* Ears large ; auricle directed backwards ; tail about as long as
the body ; upper anterior incisors with a second basal hook,
and an angular process on the inner side near the point.

SOREX, 1.

** Ears small, concealed by the fur; tail not longer than head;
auricle directed forwards; upper anterior incisor without
above-mentioned hook and process. . . BLABINA, 2.

/. SOREX, Linnasus. SHKEWS.

1. S. platyrhinus, (Dek.) Wagner. COMMON SHREW.
A small, long-nosed, large-eared species, of a chestnut
color, having the tail much shorter than head and body;
said to be abundant in the Eastern and Middle States.

2. S. cooper/', Bach. WESTERN SHREW. Still smaller;
color light chestnut; tail nearly as long as head and
body. New England, N. and W.

2. BLARINA, Gray. SHORT-TAILED SHREWS.
1. B. brevicauda, (Say) Baird. MOLE SHREW. Tail
less than one-third length of head and body; color
brownish gray. E. U. S., the common species.

OEDEE E.-EODENTIA.

(TTie Rodents or Qlires.)

FAMILY X.— SCIURID^E.

(The Squirrels.)

Rodents with the molars £:£ (upper anterior often
deciduous), the last 4 of nearly equal size; a distinct
postorbital process of frontal bone; tibia and fibula

. — x. 27

distinct. Species of rather small size, widely distributed.
The variations in color, etc., are extremely great, and
the number of well-defined species is very much less
than was once supposed.

* A densely furred membrane extending along the sides between
the anterior and posterior limbs; tail depressed, flattened,
densely furred ; permanent molars 5-5 above.

SCIUROPTERUS, 1.

** Sides without membrane for " flying."

f No cheek pouches; tail bushy, at least as long as body; ears
long ; no black stripes along the back. . Scrtnaus, 2.
ff Cheek pouches present.

| Back with 3 to 5 distinct black stripes ; tail shorter than
body, not bushy ; cheek pouches well developed.

TAMIAS, 3.

\\ Not as above; body rather slender, squirrel-like; cheek
pouches well developed; claw of thumb rudimentary
or wanting. .... SPERMOPHILUS, 4.

\\\ Body large, thick-set, depressed ; cheek pouches shallow ;
thumb rudimentary, armed with a small flat nail, not a
claw; soles naked. . . . ABCTOMTS, 5.

/. SCIUROPTERUS, F. Cuvier. FLYING SQUIRRELS.
< Pteromys, Cuvier.

1. S. volucella, (Pall.) Geoff. COMMON FLYING
SQUIRREL. Yellowish brown, creamy white below. N.
Am., abundant. (P. volucella, etc., authors.)

2. SCIURUS, Linnaeus. SQUIRRELS.

1. S. niger, Linn. Fox SQUIRREL. Upper molars

permanently 4; tail very large and bushy; general color
rusty gray, varying from almost white, through various
shades of rusty red to jet black, the latter color rare
northward, reddish and orange shades predominating
westward; L. 26; T. 14. E. U. S., very abundant in the

28 MAMMALS.

Mississippi region. Leading varieties are: var. niger,
the Southern form, gray to black with the ears and nose
white; var. cinereus, the Eastern form, with short ears,
scarcely longer than the fur; and var. ludovicianus, the
Western form, with high ears and a prevailing tinge of
orange red.

2. S. carolinensis, Auct. GRAY SQUIRREL. BLACK
SQUIRREL. Upper molars 5; varies from grizzly yellow-
ish gray to pure jet black; L. 24; T. 13. N. Am., E. of
the plains, abundant.

3. S. hudsonius, Pallas. RED SQUIRREL. CHICKAREE.
Chiefly rusty red, back with a wash of brighter red;
L. 14; T. 6£. N. Am., rather northerly; abundant.

3. TAMIAS, Illiger. GROUND SQUIRRELS.

1. T. striatus, (L.) Baird. CHIPMUNK, GROUND SQUIR-
REL. Back and sides with five black stripes; L. 11; T.
4£. Maine to Va., and westward; abundant.

4. SPERMOPHILUS, Cuvier. GOPHERS.

1. S. fridecem/ineatus, ( Mitch. ) Aud. & Bach.
STRIPED GOPHER. Dark brown, with light stripes
alternating with lines of dots, about thirteen in all; L.
10; T. 4. Prairies; Ark. to the Saskatchawan.

2. S. franklini, (Sab.) Rich. GRAY GOPHER. Yellow-
ish gray, mottled with brown; L. 15; T. 5£. Prairies;
111. and northward.

5. ARCTOMYS, Schreber. MARMOTS.

1. A. monax, (L.) Gmel. WOODCHUCK. GROUND HOG.
Grizzly gray, varying to chestnut and blackish. Hud-
son's Bay to Va., and westward; common.

GEOMYID.E. — XH. 29

FAMILY XL — CASTORIDJS.

(The Beavers.)

Aquatic Rodents of large size, having the molars
rootless, ££, or f:|- ; fore feet with five distinct toes and
claws; tibia and fibula distinct; no postorbital process.
A small family, containing but two existing genera,
Haplodontla of our N.W. coast, and Castor.

* Molars 44 above ; hind feet webbed ; tail broad, flat, and scaly.

CASTOR, 1.
/. CASTOR, Linnaeus. BEAVERS.

1. C. fiber, L. BEAVER. Mexico to the Polar Sea;
now being rapidly exterminated. (C. canadensis, Kuhl.)

FAMILY XII. — GEOMYID^E.

(The Pouched Gophers.)

Cheek pouches large and distinct, opening outside of
the mouth. Molars £:£; incisors large and thick; skull
heavy; temporal bones enormously developed. Limbs
about equal, the fore claws, five irt number, very large;
tibia and fibula united. Body thick-set and clumsy.

Genera two, Geomys and Thomomys, all North Ameri-
can, and chiefly inhabiting the central plains; habits
nocturnal and subterranean.

* A large groove near the middle of each upper incisor; crown

of molars elliptical GEOMYS, 1.

/. GEOMYS, Rafinesque. POUCHED GOPHERS.
1. G. bursarius, (Shaw) Rich. POCKET GOPHER. Red-
dish brown, with plumbeous tinge. Prairies, Wis. and
Ills., westward.

FAMILY XIII. — ZAPODID^E.

(The Jumping Mice.)

Hind legs greatly elongated, adapted for taking long
leaps; fore legs short. Tail very long. Molars £•$•;

30 MAMMALS,

tibia and fibula united. Contains, probably, but a single
species, inhabiting the Northern U. S., related to the Old
World Jerboas.

/. ZAPUS, Coues JUMPING MICE.

= Jaculus, Wagler.

1. Z. hudsonius, ( Zimmermann ) Coues. Yellowish
brown. U. S., chiefly northward; variable.

FAMILY XIV. — MURID^E.

(The Mice.)

Incisors f ; molars usually f:f ; anteorbital foramen a
vertical slit, widening above and bounded externally by
a broad plate of the upper maxillary; coronoid and
condyloid processes of lower jaw well developed. A
large family, found in all parts of the globe, some of the
species (Mus} being cosmopolitan, having accompanied
man in his migrations through the ages; all are of small
size, the muskrat being one of the largest, and many are
smaller than any other quadrupeds, except the Shrews.
* Incisors laterally compressed ; molars rooted (MuniK^E.)
f Molars with three tubercles in transverse series ; soles naked ;
tail long, scaly ; (Old World species, introduced in America.)

Mus, 1.
ff Molars complicated, with two tubercles in transverse series ;

soles usually hairy; (New World species.)
a. Rat-like ; size large ; ears large, rarely naked. NEOTOMA, 2.
aa. Mouse-like ; size small.

6. Incisors not grooved ; ears very large ; feet and lower
parts usually white. . . . HESPEROMYS, 3.
lib. Size very small ; upper incisors grooved longitudinally
along their anterior surface. . OCHETODON, 4.
** Incisors very broad ; molars rootless (except in Evotomys).
\ Tail not specially compressed ; teeth not grooved.

MUKLD^E. — XIV. 31

c. Molars rooted ; coronoid process of lower jaw, not reaching

level of condyle ; ears overtopping the fur. EVOTOMYS, 5.

cc. Molars rootless ; coronoid process as high as condyle ; ears

more or less concealed. . . . AKVICOLA, 6.

It Upper incisors grooved ; root of lower incisor ending

abruptly opposite the last molar ; ears large.

SYNAPTOMYS, 7.

|H Tail scant -haired, vertically flattened; hind feet partly
webbed; size large FIBER, 8.

/. MUS, Linnaeus. OLD WORLD RATS AND MICE.

1. M. decumanus, Pallas. BROWN or NORWAY RAT.
Tail nearly an inch shorter than head and body, grayish
brown above; paler below; feet dusty white; fur mixed
with stiif hairs; cosmopolitan; introduced into America
about 1775, and now the commonest species.

2. M. rattus, L. BLACK RAT. Tail not shorter than
head and body; sooty black, plumbeous below; feet
brown; introduced about 1544, but now being supplanted
by the preceding.

3. M. alexandrinus, Geoff. ROOF RAT. WHITE -
BELLIED RAT. Introduced in the Southern States.

4. M. musculus, L. COMMON HOUSE MOUSE. Cosmo-
politan; every where too well known.

2. NEOTOMA, Say. & Ord. WOOD RATS.
1. N. floricfanar S. & O. WOOD RAT. Tail scantily
hairy, scarcely as long as body without head; feet
entirely white; L. 14; T. 6, or less. S. U. S., N. to
Mass, and Ills.

3. HESPEROMYS,W&teTlnous,e. WHITE - FOOTED MICE.
* Fur soft and glossy; lower parts white; soles naked, or slightly
hairy; tail closely hairy; ears large. (Vesperimus.)

1. H. leucopus, (Raf.) LeC. DEER MOUSE. WHITE-

32 MAMMALS.

FOOTED MOUSE. Yellowish brown; tail distinctly bicolor,
about as long as head and body; hind feet more than £
inch. N. Am.; abundant.

2. H. michiganensis, (Aud. & Bach.) Wagner. MICHI-
GAN MOUSE. Tail little longer than body without head,
bicolor; hind feet less than f inch; dark brown; a
darker dorsal band; L. 3, or less, to base of tail. Upper
Miss. Valley to Mich., etc.

3. H. aureolus, (Aud. & Bach.) Wagner. RED MOUSE.
Yellowish cinnamon, bright especially on ears; belly not
pure white. Pa. to Ills., and S.

** Soles naked ; tail scant-haired, about as long as head and body ;
ears small. (Oryzomys.}

4. H. pa/usfris, (Harlan) Baird. RICE -FIELD MOUSE.
Blackish and ashy above, becoming paler below; fur
harsh, but compact; a large rat -like species. S. States,
N. to N. J. and Kas.

4. OCHETODON, Coues. HARVEST MICE.

< Reithrodon, Baird.

1. 0. humilis, (Aud. & Bach.) Coues. HARVEST MOUSE.
Tail shorter than head and body; appearance decidedly
mouse - like. U. S., southerly, N. to Iowa.

5. EVOTOMYS, Coues. LONG -EARED MICE.

< Arvicola, Bd.

1. E. ruti/us (Pall.) var. gapperi, (Vigors) Coues. LONG-
EARED MOUSE. Color chestnut ; ears prominent ; a
brownish dorsal band; size of common mouse. North-
ern frontier, S. to Mass.

6. ARVICOLA, Lacepede. FIELD MICE.
* Back upper molar with two external triangles and a posterior
crescent; middle upper molar with two internal triangles;
front lower molar with three internal and two or three lateral
triangles ; size large. (Myonomes.)

SPALACOPODID^E. — XV. 33

1. A. riparius, Ord. MEADOW MOUSE. Fore claws
not longer than hind claws; tail one-third length of
head and body, or more. U. S.; generally abundant.

** Back upper molar with one exteripr triangle and a posterior
trefoil ; middle upper molar with one internal triangle ; front
lower molar with two internal and one external triangle;
fore claws not larger than hinder; fur ordinary; size
medium. ( Pedomys.)

2. A. austerus, LeC. Tail one-third length of head
and body, or less. Western States, E. to Michigan.

*** Teeth as in Pedomys; fore claws larger than hinder; fur
dense, silky, mole-like ; size small. ( Pitymys.)

3. A. pinetorum, LeC. PINE MOUSE. Tail about one-
fourth length of head and body. E. U. S.

7. SYNAPTOMYS, Baird. COOPER'S MOUSE.

1. S. cooper/, Baird. Head short and heavy; fur soft
and long. W. States, E. to Ind.

8. FIBER, Cuvier. MUSKRATS.

1. F. zibethicus, ( L.) Cuv. MUSKEAT. MUSQUASH. A
well - known aquatic animal, the largest of our Muridce.
N. Am.; every where.

FAMILY XV. — SPALACOPODID^E.

(The Porcupines.)

Body more or less armed with spines. Molars rooted,
££. Toes 4-5 in ours, sub -equal, with long, com-
pressed, curved claws; soles warty. Muzzle hairy;
upper lip without a groove; chiefly arboreal; nearly all
are South American. The above characters apply rather
to the sub -family Cercolabince, to which our genus
belongs, than to the whole family.

34 MAMMALS.

/. ERETHIZON, F. Cuvier. AMERICAN PORCUPINES.

1. E. dorsatus, (L.) F. Cuvier. WHITE-HAIRED PORCU-
PINE. Dark brown, spines chiefly white. N. Am., S. to
Mexico.

FAMILY XVI.— LEPORIMJ.

(The Hares.)

Incisors f, the extra pair in upper jaw small, and
placed behind the principal pair, which are grooved in
front; molars f:f. A single well-known genus, widely
distributed.

/. LEPUS, Linnaeus. HARES.
* Fur white in winter.

1. L. americanus, Erxleben. WHITE RABBIT. NORTH-
ERN HARE. Size large; hind feet longer than head;
ears about equal to length of head; fur, in summer,
cinnamon brown, in winter, becoming white at the
surface, plumbeous at base, with a broad median band
of reddish brown. Wooded districts, New England to
Minn., and S. to Va., along the Alleganies.

** Fur never white.

2. L. sylvaticus, Bachman. GRAY RABBIT. Size
small; hind feet not longer than head; ears two-thirds
length of head; gray above, varied with black, and more
or less tinged with yellowish brown; below white. U. S.
eastward; less northerly than the preceding. Two
Southern species, L. palitstris, Bach., the Marsh Rabbit,
and L. aquaticus, Bach., the Water Rabbit, abound in
S. Ills. (Nelson.)

DIDELPHIDID^E. — XVH. 36

OEDEE F.-MAESUPTATJA.

(The Marsupials.)

FAMILY XVIL — DIDELPHIDID^E.

(TTie Opossums.)

Marsupial mammals of small size, with the teeth i. £;£,
c. £-J-, pm. f:f, m. £|-. Feet five -toed, plantigrade*, claws
5-4. Tail usually very long, nearly naked, covered by a
scaly skin, with a few scattered hairs, prehensile. All
the species are American.

/. DIDELPHYS, Linnasus. OPOSSUMS.

1. D. virg iniana, Shaw. COMMON OPOSSUM. Dirty
white; legs dark; L. 35; T. 14. N. Y. to Rocky Moun-
tains, rather southerly; common.

36 BIRDS.

(The Birds.}

A Bird may be defined as an air - breathing vertebrate
with a covering of feathers; warm blood; a complete
double circulation; the two anterior limbs (wings)
adapted for flying or swimming, the two posterior limbs
(legs) adapted for walking or swimming; respiration
never effected by gills or branchiae, but, after leaving
the egg, by lungs which are connected with air cavities
in various parts of the body. Reproduction by eggs,
which are fertilized within the body and hatched
externally, either by incubation or exposure to the heat
of the sun; the shell calcareous, hard and brittle.

Much more might be added, but the obvious distinction
is this: — All Birds have feathers^ and no other animal
has feathers.

The classification of this group, as of most others, is
still in an unsettled condition. Strictly speaking, the
existing members of the class are so closely related that
they might, with propriety, be combined into one order,
which, by Prof. Gill, has been named EURHIPIDUEA. At
present, however, the term " order " may be applied to
the groups so designated below, without thereby implying
any such structural differences as exist between the
" orders " of Reptiles or Fishes.

We now proceed to an artificial key to the

ORDERS OF BIRDS.

* Toes 3 : two in front, one behind. . . . PICARLE, H.
** Toes 3 : all in front ; toes cleft or semipalmate. LIMICOL.E, M.

BIRDS. 37

*** Toes 4: two in front, two behind.

Bill cored and hooked. . . . PSITTACI, I.

Bill lengthened, not cered nor hooked. PICARLE, H.
**** Toes 4 : three in front, one behind.

I. Toes not webbed at all, cleft to the base, or with the basal

joints immovably coherent.
a. Hind toe inserted on a level with the rest and generally

longer than the shortest anterior toe.
6. Claw of hind toe at least as long as that of middle toe.
f Bill without cere, never very strongly hooked ; outer

toe not versatile PASSERES, G.

ff Bill with cere, strongly hooked; outer toe usually

versatile; claws very sharp and strong. RAPTORES, J.

66. Claw of hind toe shorter than that of middle toe.

\ Bill stoutish ; nostrils opening beneath a soft, swollen

membrane (shrunken in drying). COLUMB^E, K.

\\ Bill tenuirostral, very slender; secondaries 6, very

short. Humming-birds. . . PICARI^;, H.

aa. Hind toe elevated above the level of the rest, and usually

shorter than the others.

c. Bill fissirostral — culmen very short, but gape very wide
and deep, reaching to below eyes. . PICARLE, H.
cc. Bill lengthened, not fissirostral.

d. First primary emarginate, or else about as long as
second. ..... LIMICOL^E, M.

dd. First primary not emarginate, much shorter than
second AI.ECTORIDES, O.

II. Toes syndactyle — without webbing, but with the outer and

middle toes coherent half their length. . PICARLE, H.

III. Toes semipalmate ; two or three of them joined at base only

by evident movable webbing.
e. Hind toe inserted on a level with the rest.
f. Tibiae feathered below.
g. Bill cered and hooked ; claws sharp and strong.

RAPTORES, J.

gg. Bill not cered and hooked ; nostrils opening beneath
a soft, swollen membrane. . . COLUMB^E, K.

38 BIRDS.

ff. Tibiae naked below. . . . HERODIONES, N.
ee. Hind toe inserted above the level of the rest, and usually

shorter than any of the others.
7u Tibiae feathered below.
i. Nostrils perforate ; head more or less naked.

RAPTORES, J.
ii. Nostrils imperforate.

j. Bill fissirostral — gape wide, reaching to below eye.

PICARLE, H.
jj. Bill stout, not fissirostral ; nostrils scaled or feathered.

GALLUP, L.
TJi. Tibiae naked below.

k. Nostrils perforate. . . . ALECTORIDES, O.
Kk. Nostrils imperforate.

I. Head bald ; tarsus reticulate. . HERODIONES, N.

II. Head feathered ; tarsus usually scutellate.

LIMICOL^E, M.

IV. Toes lobate, webbed at base or not, but conspicuously
bordered on sides by plain or scalloped membranes.

m. Tail rudimentary; legs set far back. . PYGOPODES, S.
mm. Tail perfect; a horny frontal shield. ALECTORIDES, O.
mmm. Tail perfect; forehead feathered, without horny shield.

LIMICOI^B, M.

V. Toes palmate ; three front toes full-webbed.

n. Bill curved upwards ; legs elongated. . LiMicoLfi, M.

nn. Bill lamellate, mostly flattish and furnished at tip with a

decurved nail. . . . LAMELLIROSTRES, P.

nnn. Bill not recurved nor lamellate.

o. Hind toe not lobate ; wings long and pointed ; tail well

developed LONGIPENNES, R.

oo. Hind toe lobate ; wings and tail short. PTGOPODES, S.

VI. Toes totipalmate ; all four full-webbed. STEGANOPODES, Q.

G. FAMILIES OF PASSERES.

I. Oscines. Each side of tarsus covered with a plate, undivided
in most of its length and meeting its fellow in a sharp ridge

BIRDS. 39

behind ( in a few cases, back of tarsus without ridge, and formed
of a few scutellse distinct from those lapping over the front ) ; first
primary short, spurious or wanting, if present, not more than
two-thirds of the longest ; musical apparatus highly developed.
* Primaries 10 ; the first short or spurious.
f Tarsus booted ; rictus with bristles.
a. Middle toe quite free from inner ; birds ot moderate size,

length more than 6.

6. Wings moderate, not reaching when folded beyond the
middle of tail, and not more than one-third longer
than tail ; tip of wing formed by 3d to 6th quill ; no

blue TURDID^E, 18.

66. Wings very long, pointed, reaching beyond middle of

tail, and more than half longer; tip of wing formed

by 3d to 4th quills ; ours chiefly blue. SAXICOLID^S, 19.

aa. Middle and inner toes connected at base ; small, length

less than 5 SYLVIID^E, 20.

ff Tarsus scutellate in front.

c. Nostrils concealed by tufts of antrorse, bristly feathers.
<i First primary not more than half length of second ; bill

not notched ; length less than 8.
e. Bill as long as head ; wings pointed, much longer than

tail SirrnxE, 22.

ee. Bill much shorter than head ; wings about as long as

tail . PARID/E, 21.

dd. First primary more than half length of second ; bill
usually notched, the bristly nasal feathers branched to
their tips ; large, length more than 8. CORVID^E, 35.
cc. Nostrils exposed (rarely slightly overhung).
/. Bill distinctly notched near its tip, often hooked.

g. Tail longer than wings ; general color gray or ashy-
brown.

Ti. Bill very stout, compressed, strongly notched, toothed
and abruptly hooked at tip ; large, length 8 to 9.

LAXIID.E, 32.

M. Bill more slender, not deeply notched nor abruptly
hooked ; length 8 to 10. . . TOBDIIXE, 18.

40 BIRDS.

JMi. Bill very slender, not strongly notched nor hooked ;
small, length 4 to 5. . . SYLVIID/E, 20.
gg. Tail shorter than wings ; general color olivaceous ;
bill stout, notched and hooked ; length 4i to 6£.

VlREONID-iE, 31.

ff. Bill not at all notched.

i. Rictus with bristles ; quills not barred, the tail longer

than wings ; large, length 9 or more. TURDID^E, 18.

ii. No rictal bristles ; wings and tail barred or undulated,

usually about equal in length, the latter of rounded

feathers ; small, length 6 or less.

TROGLODYTIIXE, 24.

Hi. No rictal bristles ; tail about as long as wings, scan-

sorial, — its feathers rigid and acute, not barred; bill

long, decurved ; length 5 to 6. . CERTHIHXE, 23.

** Primaries 9 ; the first about as long as second.

\ Bill fissirostral, — triangular, depressed, about as wide at base

as long; its wide, deep gape twice as long as the culmen,

reaching to opposite the eyes; no rictal bristles; wings

very long and pointed. . . . HiRUNDiNrD/E, 29.

$ Bill tanagrine, — stout, conic, its outlines convex, the tomia

with one or more lobes or nicks near the middle; nostrils

very high ; plumage brilliant, chiefly red ($) or yellow ($).

TANAGRID/E, 28.

\\\ Bill conirostral, — stout at base, and more or less conic;

nostrils high up ; tomia more or less evidently angulated

near the base (i. e., " corners of mouth drawn downward." )

j. Bill truly conic, much shorter than the head, usually

notched at tip, or with bristles at the rictus.

FRrNGILLTD/E, 33.

jj. Bill conic, but lengthened more or less, about as long as
head (except in Doliclionyx and Molotfinw, the Bob-o-
link and Cowbird) ; no notch at the tip or bristles at the

rictus ICTERTIX*:, 34.

$$. Bill not as above, with the tomia straight, or very gently

curved.

k. Conspicuously crested ; bill triangular, depressed, notched,
and hooked; tail tipped with yellow; secondaries (in
full plumage) with red, horny tips. . AMPELIM:, 30.

BIRDS. 41

kk. Nostrils concealed by bristly feathers; tarsus scutellate

behind; hind claw long and nearly straight; inner

secondaries lengthened. . . . ALAUDID^E, 25.

kkk. No crest; nostrils exposed; tarsus strictly "oscine."

L Hind claw much elongated, twice as long as middle claw,

with its toe much longer than middle toe and claw ;

bill very slender; longest secondary nearly equal to

primaries in closed wing. . MOTACILLID^E, 26.

II. Hind claw not specially elongated, not twice as long as

middle claw ; inner secondaries not lengthened.

m. Bill stout, compressed, notched, and abruptly hooked

at tip; general color olivaceous, tail not blotched

with white or yellow. . . VIREONIDJE, 81.

mm. Bill various, notched or not, but little, if at all,

hooked ; colors often brilliant. SYLVICOLIDJE, 27.

II. Clamatores. Outside of tarsus covered with a series of plates

variously arranged, lapping entirely around in front and

behind to meet in a groove on the inner side ; primaries 10.

n. First primary lengthened, often longest, always more, than f

length of the longest; bill broad, depressed, tapering to a

point which is abruptly hooked ; rictal bristles numerous ;

nostrils overhung but not concealed ; tail not tipped with

yellow. .... TYKANNUXE, 36.

H, FAMILIES OF PICARLE.

I. Feet zygodactyle (two toes in front, two behind) by reversion

of outer toe ; ( hallux wanting in Picoides.)

a. Tail scansorial, of 12 rigid, acuminate feathers, of which the
outer pair are short and concealed ; bill stout and straight ;
nasal tufts usually developed. . . . PICHXE, 42.

CM. Tail not scansorial, of 8 to 10 long, soft feathers ; bill de-
curved ; no nasal tufts CDCULH>,E, 41.

II. Feet syndactyle, by cohesion of outer and middle toes ; tibiae

naked below ; bill stout and straight, longer than head.

ALCEDnraxE, 40.

III. Feet neither zygodactyle nor syndactyle; wings long and
pointed.

42 BIRDS.

6. Bill tenuirostral, very slender, much longer than head ; secon-
daries very short, 6 in number; plumage compact.

TKOCHILID^E, 39.
bb. Bill fissirostral, much shorter than head ; secondaries more

than 6.

c. Rictal bristles present; middle claw pectinate; plumage
lax, variegated ; length 8 or more. CAPKIMULGLD^S, 37.
cc. No rictal bristles ; plumage compact, of blended colors ;
tall feathers (in ours) spinous ; length 6 or less.

CYFSEUIXE, 38.

I. FAMILIES OF PSITTACI.

1. Cere feathered, concealing the nostrils; plumage coarse and
dry, chiefly green ARIIXE, 43.

J. FAMILIES OF RAPTORES.

I. Hind toe on a level with the rest, more than half length of

outer toe, and with a large claw; claws strong, sharp, much
curved; nostrils iinperforate ; head mostly feathered; bill
strongly hooked.

«. Eyes directed forwards in consequence of the great lateral

expansion of the cranium, and surrounded by a disk of

radiating bristly feathers, . . . STRIGIIXE, 44.

aa. Eyes lateral ; no complete facial disk. . FALCONFIXE, 45.

II. Hind toe elevated, not more than half length of outer toe;

claws weak and little curved; nostrils perforate; head mostly
naked ; bill little hooked. . . . CATHARTID^, 46.

K. FAMILIES OF COLUMB^).

I. Head small, feathered (except sometimes a circumorbital ring);
feathers loosely inserted . . . COLUMBID^E, 47.

L. FAMILIES OF GALLING.

I. Head unfeathered, with wattles and caruncles ; a tuft of bristly

feathers on breast ; tarsus spurred in,?; plumage iridescent;
large, 36 or more. .... MELEAGRID^E, 48.

II. Head feathered -, plumage not iridescent ; size much smaller.

BIEDS. 43

Tarsus partly or entirely feathered, as is also the nasal
groove ; sides of neck usually with bare skin or pecul-
iar feathers TETRAONID^E, 49.

Tarsus and nasal groove unfeathered ; no peculiar feathers
on neck PERDICID^E, 50.

M. FAMILIES OF LIMICOL^l.

I. Toes lobate ; tarsus notably compressed ; body depressed.

PHALAROPODIIXE, 54.

II. Toes not lobate ; tarsus not specially compressed.

* Legs exceedingly long ; tarsus as long as tail ; bill nmch
longer than head, slender, acute, and curved upwards ; feet
4-toed and palmate, or 3-toed and semipalmate.

RECURVIROSTRID/E, 53.

** Bill usually shorter than head, pigeon-like, the broad, soft
base separated by a constriction from the hard tip ; head
sub-globose, on a short neck; tarsus reticulate; toes 3
(except in Sqiiatarola). . . . CHAUADRIIIXE, 51.

*** Bill usually longer than head, mostly grooved, not con-
stricted, softish to its tip; tarsus scutellate; toes 4 (except
in Calidris). SCOLOPACIM:, 55.

**** Not as above; bill hard, either compressed and truncate,
or acute; feet 4-toed and cleft, or 3-toed and semipalmate.

H/EMATOPODIIXE, 52.

N. FAMILIES OF HERODIONES.

I. Bill long, straight, acute ; middle claw pectinate. ARDEIDJE, 56.

II. Bill curved downwards, or else flat and spoon-shaped.

TANTALIM:, 57.

0. FAMILIES OF ALECTORIDES.

I. Very large; length 36 or more, with excessively long neck and

legs; toes shorter than tarsus; bill contracted at the middle.

OROIDE, 58.

II. Smaller, length 18 or less, with comparatively short neck and

legs ; toes as long as tarsus ; bill not contracted.

RALLIOE, 59.

44 BIEDS.

P. FAMILIES OF LAMELLIROSTRES.
I. Neck and legs moderate; tibiae feathered; bill not decurvecl.

ANATFIXE, 60.
Q. FAMILIES OF STEGANOPODES.

I. Bill longer than tail, many times longer than head, with the
gular pouch enormous ; wings long. . PELECANID/E, 61.

IL Bill about as long as head, shorter than tail, which is fan-
shaped, of rigid feathers ; wings short.

PHALACROCORACID/E, 62.

R. FAMILIES OF LONGIPENNES.

I. Nostrils not tubular, perforate; bill with a continuous covering.

LAUID^E, 63.

S. FAMILIES OF PYGOPODES.

I. Feet palmate ; tail developed ; head closely leathered.

COF.YMBTD^E, 64.

II. Feet lobate ; tail undeveloped ; head usually with naked loral

strip and peculiar feathers. . . . PODICIPIIXE, 65.

OEDER G.-PASSERES.

( Passerine Birds.)

Toes always 4; feet fitted for perching; the hind toe
always on a level with the rest, its claw at least as long
as that of middle toe, and often much longer; joints of
toes respectively 2, 3, 4, 5, from first to fourth; toes
never versatile; wing coverts comparatively few, chiefly
in two series. Tail feathers 12, primaries 9 or 10.
Musical apparatus more or less developed. Sternum of
a certain uniform pattern. Nature altricial.

This group comprises the great majority of all Birds,
and they represent the " highest grade of development,
and the most complex organization of the class; their

TTJEDID^l. — XVIII. 45

high physical irritability is co-ordinate with the rapidity
of their respiration and circulation; they consume the
most oxygen and live the fastest of all birds." (Coues.)

FAMILY XVI1L— TURDIDJE.

(T7ie TJimslies.)

Primaries 10, the first short or spurious; bill generally
rather long, not conical, usually with a slight notch near
the tip ; nostrils oval, not concealed, but nearly or quite
reached by the bristly frontal feathers; rictus with
bristles, which are well developed in most of our species;
tarsus in typical species, "booted," i.e., enveloped in a
continuous plate, formed by the fusion of all the scutellae
except two or three of the lowest; in other species dis-
tinctly scutellate. Toes deeply cleft, the inner one free,
the outer united to the middle one, not more than half
the length of the first basal joint.

A large family of more than two hundred species,
found in most parts of the world, and embracing quite a
wide variety of forms. Nearly all of them are remark-
able for their vocal powers. Their food consists of
insects and soft fruits.

Our species fall into three strongly marked sub-families,
of which the Mimmce have been often associated with
the Wrens, and the Myiadestincz with the Wax Wings.

I. The TURDISLE, or Typical Thrushes, have the tarsus
booted, the first primary spurious, and the wings longer
than the tail. They build rather rude nests, sometimes
plastered with mud, and they lay four to six greenish or
bluish eggs, either plain or speckled. All sing well, and
some of them most exquisitely. Our species are usually
referred to the typical genus, Twdus, but we have here
separated the Wood Thrushes, as a group of full generic

46 BIRDS.

value (Hylocichla)^ as suggested by Prof. Baird. (Hist.
N. Am. Birds, page 4.)

II. The MIMING, or Mocking Thrushes, have the
tarsus scutellate (sometimes booted in Galeoscoptes), the
first primary scarcely spurious; the rictal bristles better
developed, and the tail relatively longer, in our species
longer than the wings. These birds have a brilliant and
varied song, but all of them are plainly clad. All are
American.

III. MYIADESTINJB, the Fly-Catching Thrushes, have
been usually associated with the Atnpelidce^ but their
affinities are rather with the thrushes, as Prof. Baird has
shown. All are American, — the single species within
our limits is a rare straggler from the West.

* Tarsus booted ; wings longer than tail. (TUKDEN.E.)
f Breast spotted; length 8£, or less. . . HYLOCICHLA, 1.
ff Breast unspotted ; ( in ours) reddish or banded with black ;
length 9£, or more TURDUS, 2.

** Tarsus scutellate in front (scutella rarely obsolete) ; wings (in

ours) shorter than tail. ( MIMING.)

$ Bill about as long as head, sometimes much longer, straight
or curved, riot notched. . . HARPORHYNCHTJS, 3.
tt Bill much shorter than head, notched at tip.
«. Tarsus distinctly scutellate ; ours ashy, with black and

white. MIMUS, 4.

act. Tarsus feebly scutellate ; plumage lead-colored ; crissum

chestnut-red GALEOSCOPTES, 5.

*** Tarsus booted ; wings about equal to tail ; bill short, much
depressed, notched and hooked ; color ashy. (MTIADESTIN^:.)

MYIADESTES, 6.

/. HYLOCICHLA, Baird. WOOD THRUSHES.

< Turdus, Linn.

1, H. mustelina, (Gm.) Bd. WOOD THRUSH. Cinnamon
brown, brightest on the head, shading into olive on the

TURDID^E. — XVIII. 47

rump; breast with large, very distinct dusky spots; L.
8; W. 4£; T. 3. E. U. S., in woodland; our largest and
handsomest thrush. An exquisite songster.

2. H. pallasi, (Cab.) Bd. HERMIT THRUSII. Olive
brown above, becoming rufous on rump and tail; breast
with numerous, rather distinct, dusky spots; a whitish
orbital ring; L. 7; W. 3£; T. 2£. N. Am., migrating
early.

3. H. swainsoni, (Cab.) Bd. OLIVE -BACKED THRUSH.
SWAINSON'S THRUSH. Uniform olive above; breast and
throat thickly marked with large, dusky olive spots;
breast and sides of head strongly buffy- tinted; a con-
spicuous buffy orbital ring; L. 7£; W. 4; T. 3. N. Am.

4. H. alicicB, Baird. GRAY CHEEKED THRUSH. ALICE
THRUSH. Similar to the preceding, of which it is
probably a variety, but without ring about eye, or any
buffy tint about head. E. N. Am., ranging more
northerly.

5. H. fuscescens, (Steph.) Bd. TAWNY THRUSH.
WILSON'S THRUSH. VEERY. Uniform tawny above;
breast and throat washed with brownish or pinkish
yellow, and marked with small indistinct brownish spots;
L. ?£; W. 4i; T. 3f E. N. Am., frequent, a fine
songster.

2. TURDUS, Linnaeus. THRUSHES.

* Sexes similar; breast not spotted nor banded; throat streaked;

bill notched. (Planesticm, Bon.)

1. T. migratorius, L. ROBIN. AMERICAN RED BREAST.
Olive gray above; head and tail blackish; throat white,
with black streaks; under parts chestnut brown; L. 9f ;
W. 5£; T. 4£. N. Am., abundant.
** Sexes unlike ; throat unstreaked; male with a black collar; bill

not notched. (Hesperocichla, Bd.)

48 BIRDS.

2. T. ncBvius, Gm. OREGON ROBIN. VARIED THRUSH.
Slate color, orange brown below; L. 9f; W. 5; T. 4.
Pacific slope, accidental in Mass., N. J., and L. I.

3. HARPORHYNCHUS, Cabanis. MOCKING THRUSHES.

1. H. rufus, (L.) Cab. BROWN THRUSH. SANDY
MOCKING BIRD. THRASHER. Cinnamon red above;
lower parts thickly spotted; bill nearly straight, shorter
and much less curved than in many other Uarporhynchi,
five species of which occur in the U. S. beyond the
Rocky Mountains; L. 11; W. 4; T. 5£. E. U. S.,
abundant. A brilliant songster.

4. MIMUS, Boie. MOCKING BIRDS.

1. M. polyglottus, (L.) Boie. MOCKING BIRD. Ashy
brown above; wings blackish, with white wing bars;
tail blackish, outer feathers white; L. 9£; W. 4£; T. 5.
U. S., chiefly southerly; N. to Mass., Iowa, etc. A
renowned songster.

5. GALEOSCOPTES, Cabanis. CAT BIRDS.
< MimuS) Boie.

1. G. carolinensis, (L.) Cab. CAT BIRD. Dark slate
color; crown and tail black; crissum brownish chestnut;
L. 8f; W. 3f; T. 4. U. S., every where.

6. MYIADESTES, Swainson. FLY - CATCHING THRUSHES.

1. H. townsendi, (Aud.) Cab. TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE.
Ashy gray, paler below; wing bands buffy; tail blackish;
whitish ring about eye; young with reddish spots; L. 8;
W. 4J; T. 4^. Rocky Mountains and westward, straying
E. to Chicago. (Nelson.) An exquisite songster.

SYLVIID.E. — XX. 49

FAMILY XIX.— SAXICOLIM).

(TTte Stone Chats.)

Characters similar to those of the Thrushes, but the
wings longer and very much pointed, reaching, when
folded, beyond the middle of the short tail. Tarsus
"booted;" first primary spurious. A family scarcely
distinct from Turdidw, of about twelve genera and one
hundred species. They are chiefly Old World birds, but
two genera occurring in America. Ours are rather small
(less than seven), with oval nostrils and bristles about
the rictus.

* Chiefly or partly blue; tarsus not longer than middle toe and
claw; bill stout SIALJA, 1.

/. SIALIA, Swainson. BLUE BIRDS.

1. S. sialis, (L.) Haldeman. COMMON BLUB BIRD.
Bright blue above, throat and breast reddish brown,
belly white; $ usually duller with a brownish tinge on
back; young, as in others, spotted; L. 6f ; W. 4; T. 3.
E. N. Am., abundant; breeds every where.

2. S. mexicana, Sw. WESTERN BLUE BIRD. Head,
neck all around and upper parts generally, blue; back
with more or less chestnut; breast and sides reddish
brown, otherwise bluish below; size of last. Pacific
Slope, E. to Iowa (accidental.)

3. S. arctica, Sw. ROCKY MOUNTAIN BLUE BIRD.
Rich greenish blue; belly white; $ with pale drab,
instead of blue, on breast, etc.; size of others, or smaller.
Central Table lands chiefly, E. to Missouri R.

FAMILY XX. — SYLVTID^E.

(The Sylvias.)

Primaries 10, the first short but scarcely spurious.
Bill slender, depressed at base, notched and decurved at

3

50 BIEDS.

tip. Rictal bristles conspicuous; nostrils oval, over-
hung by a few bristles or a feather. Tarsus booted or
scutellate. Basal joint of middle toe attached its whole
length externally, half way internally. A large family
of nearly six hundred species of small birds, chiefly of
the Old World, where they take the place filled in
America by the Sylvicoliclce. To this family belongs
the European nightingale. Our species fall into two
sub - families, JRegulincB and PolioptilincK^ each repre-
sented by its typical genus.

* Tarsus booted ; wings longer than tail. . . REGULUS, 1.
** Tarsus scutellale ; wings not longer than tail. POLIOPTILA, 2.

/. REGULUS, Cuvier. KINGLETS.

1. R. satrapa, Licht. GOLDEN - CROWNED KINGLET.
Olivaceous; crown with a yellow patch, bordered with
black, orange red in the center in $; extreme fore-
head and line over eye, whitish; vague dusky blotch at
base of secondaries; a tiny feather over each nostril; L.
4; W. 2£; T. If. N. Am.

2. R. calendula, (L.) Licht. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET.
Olivaceous; crown with a scarlet patch in both sexes,
wanting the first year; no black about head; no nasal
feather; L. 4£; W. 2£; T. If. N. Am.

2. POLIOPTILA, Sclater. GNAT CATCHERS.

1. P. ccerulea, (L.) Sclater. BLUE -GRAY GNAT
CATCHER. Clear ashy blue, brightest on head; whitish
below; $ with forehead and sides of crown black; outer
tail feathers chiefly white; L. 4$; W. 2; T. 2±. U. S.,
chiefly southerly; N. to Mass, and L. Mich. Noticeable
for its sprightly ways and squeaky voice, " like a mouse
with the toothache ; " but really a fine singer.

PAKID.&. — XXI. 51

FAMILY XXI. — PARID^E.

(The Titmice.)

Primaries 10, first short; wings rounded; not longer
than the rounded tail. Bill much shorter than head, not
notched nor decurved at the tip; loral feathers bristly,
and nostrils concealed by dense tufts. Tarsus scutellate,
longer than middle toe and claw. Toes much soldered
at base, widened beneath into a sort of palm. Plumage
lax, little variable.

Small birds, less than seven inches long, resembling
the Jays in several respects, restless, noisy, and scarcely
migratory. Species seventy-five or more, chiefly of the
Northern hemisphere, and abounding in both continents.

* Conspicuously crested ; chiefly lead gray, paler below.

LOPHOPHANES, 1.
** Not crested ; crown, chin and throat black or brown. PAKUS, 2.

/. LOPHOPHANES, Kaup. TOTTED TITMICE.

1. L. bicolor, (L.) Bon. TUFTED TITMOUSE. Fore-
head alone black; whitish below; sides washed with
reddish; L. 6£; W. 3^; T. 3£. E. U. S., southerly; N.
to L. I. and L. Mich.; abundant in woodland and
remarkable for its loud, ringing notes. Three other
species occur in the S. W.

2. PARUS, Linnaeus. CHICKADEES.

1. P. atr/capi//us, L. TITMOUSE. BLACK -CAPPED
CHICKADEE. Grayish ash; wings and tail plain with
whitish edging; crown, nape, chin and throat black;
no white superciliary line; L. 5; W. 2£; T. 2£. N. Am.;
abundant.

Var. carolinensis, (Aud.) Coues. SOUTHERN CHICKA-
DEE. Smaller; tail feathers not noticeably white-edged.
E. U. S.; southerly.

52 BIEDS.

2. P. hudsonicus, Forster. HUDSONIAN CHICKADEE.
Olive brown; crown browner; some pale chestnut below;
no white superciliary line ; L. 5; W. 2-J; T. 2f . British
America; S. to Mass.

FAMILY XXII.— SITTID^E.

(TTie NutJuitclies.)

Primaries 10^ the first spurious. Wings long and
pointed, much longer than the broad soft tail. Bill not
notched, rather slender, straight, nearly as long as head.
Loral feathers bristly; nostrils concealed by dense tufts.
Tarsus scutellate, shorter than middle toe and claw.
Tongue acute, barbed. Body depressed; plumage lax,
but less so than that of the Titmice. Active, nimble
little birds, running up and down trees, and hanging in
every conceivable attitude, the head down as often as
up. Species twenty-five or thirty, in most parts of the
world.

/. SITTA, Linnaeus. NUTHATCHES.

1. S. carolinensis, Gm. WHITE - BELLIED NUTHATCH.
" SAP SUCKER." Ashy blue above, white below; crissum,
etc., washed with rusty brown; crown and nape black,
unstriped; middle tail feathers like the back, others
black, blotched with white; ? with less or no black on
the head; L. 5£; W. 3£; T. 2. U. S.; abundant every
where.

2. S. canadensis, L. RED - BELLIED NUTHATCH. Ashy
blue, brighter than the preceding, rusty brown below;
crown glossy black (<$), or bluish (?), bordered by white
and black stripes; L. 4|; W. 2|; T. 1£. U. S., and
northward.

3. S. pusiffa, Lath. BROWN -HEADED NUTHATCH.
Ashy blue; crown clear brown, a whitish spot on nape;

TROGLODYTID^B. — XXIV. 53

pale rusty below. L. 4; W. 2£; T. 1£. South Atlantic
States.

FAMILY XXIII. — CERTHIID^E.

(Creepers.)

Primaries 10, first less than half second. Bill slender,
as long as head; without notch or bristles, dccurved.
Tarsus scutellate, shorter than middle toe. Claws all
very long, curved and compressed. Wings about as long
as tail; tail feathers pointed, with stiffened shafts, almost
wood - pecker like, and used for support in the same way.
A small family of a dozen species, widely distributed.
Habits similar to those of the Nuthatches, but the voice
different, being small and fine. (The above diagnosis
does not strictly apply to some foreign birds usually
placed in this family.)

/. CERTHIA, Linnaeus. BROWN CREEPERS.

1. C. familiaris, Linn. BROWN CREEPER. Plumage
dark brown, much barred and streaked; rump clear
tawny; L. 5$; W. 2f ; T. 2f. N. Am. and Europe. A
curious little bird, recognizable at once by the scansorial
tail.

FAMILY XXIV. — TROGLODYTID^E.
( TTie Wrens.)

Primaries 10, the first short but hardly spurious.
Wings rounded, usually about as long as the graduated
tail. Bill more or less slender, usually elongated, not
notched in any of our species. Nostrils oval, unbristled,
overhung by a scale - like membrane. No rictal bristles.
Loral feathers bristly. Tarsus scutellate. Lateral toes
nearly equal ; middle toe usually united to half the basal
joint of inner toe, and to the whole of the basal joint of
the outer, or more. Quills barred in most of our species.

54 BIRDS.

A large family of small birds, chiefly belonging~to
Tropical America. Genera about sixteen; species one
hundred or more. " Our species are sprightly, fearless
and impudent little creatures, apt to show bad temper
when they fancy themselves aggrieved by cats or people,
or any thing else that is big or unpleasant to them; they
quarrel a good deal, and are particularly spiteful towards
martins and swallows, whose homes they often invade
and occupy. Their song is bright and hearty, and they
are fond of their own music; when disturbed at it they
make a great ado with noisy scolding. Part of them
(Cistothorus) live in reedy swamps and marshes, where
they hang astonishingly big globular nests, with a little
hole on one side, on tufts of rushes, and lay six or eight
dark colored eggs; the others nest any where." (Dr.
Cones.} They are all plainly colored, being chiefly
brown. All are insectivorous, and most of them
migratory.

* Back nearly uniform in color, a conspicuous white superciliary

line; outstretched feet falling far short of end of tail.

THRYOTFIOKUS, 1.

** Back barred crosswise, sometimes obscurely so ; no conspicu-
ous superciliary line; bill shorter than head; hind claw
shorter than toe.

f Tail about as long as wings. . . . TROGLODYTES, 2.
ft Tail much shorter than wings. . . ANORTHURA, 3.

*** Back streaked lengthwise, at least on shoulders; hind claw
as long as the toe ; tail barred. . . CISTOTHORUS, 4.

/. THRYOTHORUS,Vie\\\ot. MOCKING WRENS.

* Tail not longer than wings, its feathers reddish brown with fine

black bars. ( T hryothorus.)

1. T. ludovicianus, (Gm.) Bon. CAROLINA WREN.
Qlear reddish brown, brightest on rump; tawny below;

TROGLODYTID^E. — XXIV. 55

L. 6; W. 2£; T. 2£. E. U. S., southerly; N. to Penn.;
not migratory. A remarkable singer.
** Tail longer than wings, its feathers mostly black. (Thryomanes.)
2. T. bewickii, (Aud.) Bon. BEWICK'S WREN. Grayish
brown; two middle tail feathers barred; L. 5£; W. 2^;
T. 2£. U. S., southerly ;«N. to Penn.

2. TROGLODrTES,Viei\\ot. WRENS.
1. T. aedon, Vieill. HOUSE WREN. Brown, brightest
behind; rusty below; every where more or less waved
with darker, distinctly so on wings, tail, etc.; L. 5; W.
2; T. 2. E. U. S.; abundant every where; very variable.
T. domesticus, (Bart.) Coues.

3. ANORTHURA, Rennie. WINTER WRENS.

1. A. troglodytes, (L.) Coues. WINTER WREN. Deep
brown, waved with dusky; belly, wings and tail strongly
barred; L. 4; W. If; T. 1±. N. Am., northerly; U. S.,
in winter, not common. (T. hyemalis, Vieill.)

4. CISTOTHORUS, Cabanis. MARSH WRENS.
* Bill about half as long as head ; no white superciliary line.
(Cistothorus.)

1. C. stellaris, (Licht.) Cab. SHORT -BILLED MARSH
WREN. Dark brown, head and back darker; entire
upper parts with white streaks; L. 4£; W. If; T. If.
E. U. S., in marshes; rather rare.

** Bill slender, about as long as head ; a conspicuous white super-
ciliary line. (Telmatodytes, Cab.)

2. C. palustris, (Wilson) Baird. LONG - BILLED MARSH
WREN. Clear brown; back with a black patch contain-
ing white streaks; otherwise unstreaked above; crown
blackish; rump brown; L. 5; W. 2; T. If. U. S.J
abundant in reedy swamps.

56 BIRDS.

FAMILY XXV.— ALAUDID^E.

(TJie Larks.)

First primary very short or entirely wanting. Tarsus
scutellate in front and behind (a character singular
among Oscines.) Bill short, of various forms in different
species; nostrils concealed by tufts of antrorse feathers.
Hind claw very long and nearly straight. Inner secon-
daries lengthened and flowing. A group of about one
hundred species, chiefly Old World birds, but a single
genus belonging to America; many of them are
renowned as vocalists.

* Primaries 9; a little tuft of lengthened black feathers over each
ear (sometimes obscure in $.)... EREMOPHILA, 1.

/. EREMOPHILA, Boie. HORXED LARKS.

= Otocorys, Bonap.

1. E. alpestris, (Forst.) Boie. SHORE LARK. Pinkish
brown, thickly streaked; a crescent on breast and strip
under eye black; white below; chin, throat, and line
over eye more or less yellow; $ with less black; winter
birds grayish, with the markings more obscure; L. 7£;
W. 4£; T. 3. N. Am. and Europe; common. A
pleasant singer. [JK. cornuta, (Wilson) Boie.]

FAMILY XXVI. — MOTACILLID^E.

(The Wagtails.)

Primaries 9, first about as long as second; inner
secondaries enlarged, the longest one about as long as
the primaries in the closed wing. Bill shorter than the
head, very slender, straight, acute, notched at tip. Feet
large, fitted for walking; hind claw long and nearly
straight, inner toe cleft; basal joint of outer toe united
with middle one. Rictal bristles not conspicuous;
nostrils exposed.

SYLVTCOLID^E. — XXVII. 57

A group of about one hundred species, mostly of the
Old World, connecting the Alaudidce with the Sylvi-
colidce. Most of them are terrestrial. They have a
habit (shared by various others) of moving the tail up
and down, as if "balancing themselves on unsteady
footing;" hence the name "Wagtail."
* Tarsus longer than, middle toe and claw ; outstretched feet
falling much short of end of tail. . . . ANTHUS, 1.

/. ANTHUS, Bechstein. TITLARKS.

1. A. ludovicianus, (Gm.) Licht. BROWN LARK. TIT-
LARK. PIPIT. Dark brown, slightly streaked; superciliary
line and under parts buffy; breast and sides streaked;
outer tail feathers more or less white; L. 6£; W. 3£; T.
3. N. Am.; generally abundant. (The Missouri Sky-
lark, Neocorys spraguei, is a near relative.)

FAMILY XXVII. — SYLVICOLID^E

(The Warblers.)

Primaries 9; inner secondaries not enlarged, nor the
hind toe long and straight, as in AlcvudidcB and Motacil-
lidce. Bill usually rather slender, notched or not; the
commissure not angulated at base, as in Fringillida}^
nor toothed in the middle, as in our Tanagridw; the
end not notched and abruptly hooked, as in Vireonidca
and Laniidce; the gape not broad and reaching to the
eyes, as in .Hirundinidce.

Our warblers are small birds; all (except Icteria which
may not belong here) are less than six and a half inches
in length, and very many are less than five. The rictus
is generally bristled, but in several of our genera it is
not. The colors are usually brilliant and variegated, but
the sexes are unlike, and the variations due to age and
season are great, so that the study of the species is

58 BIRDS.

often very difficult. Many of the Warblers are pleasing
songsters, but none exhibit any remarkable powers in
that line. All are insectivorous and migratory.

This family consists of more than a hundred species,
chiefly North American, and embraces quite a wide
variety, so that the group can perhaps be only distin-
guished negatively. The SylvicolidoB grade perfectly
into the Tanagridce and Ccerebidce, and probably the
three families, and perhaps the Fringillidce^ also, should
be merged into one. Our species are divisible into
three very distinct sub - families, indicated below.

I. Bill slender, not hooked, as high as wide at base, with short
bristles not reaching much beyond nostrils, or none ; wings
longer than tail (except Geothlypis) ; length 6i or less. True
Warblers. (SYLVICOLIN^E.)

* Tail feathers, some or all of them, blotched with white.
f Rictus with evident bristles.

± Tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw; entirely black
and white, streaked. . . . MNIOTILTA, 1.

\\ Tarsus not shorter than middle toe and claw.

a. Hind toe decidedly longer than its claw; bill acute,
scarcely notched ; bluish, throat and middle of back
with yellow. . . . . . CHLORIS, 2.

aa. Bill very acute, notched, perceptibly decurved, so

that the gonys is slightly concave ; rump and under

parts chiefly yellow. . . PERISSOGLOSSA, 6.

aaa. Warblers without above characters. DENDKCECA, 7.

ft Rictus without evident bristles.

b. Whole head and neck bright yellow; bill notched, half
inch or more long. . . . PROTONOTARIA, 3.

6&. Whole head and neck not yellow; bill acute, not
notched nor bristled, less than half inch long.

HELMINTHOPHAGA, 5.

**Tail feathers yellow on inner webs; outer webs dusky;
plumage chiefly yellow. , , . DENDKCECA, 7,

SYLVICOLID.E. — XXVII. 59

*** Tail feathers all unmarked ; same color on both webs.

e. Conspicuously streaked below; head plain or with two
black stripes ; legs long SIURUS, 8.

cc. Not streaked below.

d. Wings about as long as tail ; chiefly yellow below ;
crown (of ,?) black or ashy ; legs strong.

GEOTHLYPIS, 10.
dcL Wings decidedly longer than tail.

e. Bill not notched, half inch or more long; head plain
or with four black stripes. . HELMITHERUS, 4.

ee. Bill less than half an inch long.

/. Bill notched ; wings more than 2i ; crown plain or
with black OPORORNIS, 9.

ff. Bill not notched, nor bristled, very acute ; wings less
than 2i ; crown plain or with a bright spot.

HELMINTHOPHAGA, 5.

II. Bill rather stout, not notched, hooked nor bristled ; tail longer

than wings; length 7 to 8. Chats. (!CTERIN^E.)

ICTERIA, 11.

III. Bill depressed, broader at base than high, notched and some-
what hooked, with strong rictal bristles half the length of
bill ; wings longer than tail ; length 5| or less. Fly-catching
Warblers. (SETOPHAGHSLE.)

a. Bill fully twice as long as wide at base ; tail feathers un-
marked, or blotched with white. . WILSONIA, 12.

aa. Bill scarcely twice as long as wide at base ; tail marked
with orange or yellow. . . . SETOPHAGA, 13.

/. MNIOTILTA, Vieillot. CREEPING WARBLERS.

1. M. varia, (L.) Vieill. BLACK AND WHITE CREEPER.
Entirely black and white, streaked; crown with a broad
white stripe; white wing bars; 9 grayer; L. 5; W. 2f ;
T. 2£. E. U. S.; a neat bird, with some of the habits of
a Nuthatch,

60 B1BDS.

2. CHLORIS, Boie. BLUE YELLOW - BACKED
WAKBLEKS.

=JParula^ Bonaparte.

= Sylmcola, Sw. (Preoccupied in Mollusks.)
1. C. americana, (L.) Jor. BLUE YELLOW- BACKED
WARBLER. Clear ashy blue; back with a large golden-
green patch; yellow below, belly white; a brown band
across breast; white wing bars. ? obscurely marked; L.
4f ; W. 2£; T. 2. Miss. Valley and E. One of our most
elegant species, inhabiting tree-tops.

3. PROTONOTARIA, Baird. GOLDEN SWAMP WARBLERS.
1. P. citrcBa, (Bodd.) Bd. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER.
GOLDEN - HEADED WARBLER. Front and lower parts
brilliant yellow; back, wings, etc., olivaceous; bill long;
L. 5£; W. 3; T. 2£. U. S., southward; N. to Wabash
Valley, in bushy swamps, rather rare, one of the most
beautiful of our birds.

4. HELM1THERUS, Rafinesque. SWAMP WARBLERS.
1. H. vermivorus, (Gin.) Bon. WORM-EATING SWAMP

WARBLER. Olive gree head yellowish, with four black
stripes; buffy below; § similar; L. 5^; W. 3; T. 2£. E.
U. S.; N. to L. Erie.

5. HELMINTHOPHAGA, Cabanis. WORM -EATING

WARBLERS. (See Addenda.)
* Tail feathers conspicuously blotched with white.

1. H. chrysoptera, (L.) Bd. BLUE GOLDEN- WINGED
WARBLER. Ashy blue; forehead, crown and wing bars
bright yellow; throat and broad stripe through eye,
black, white below; $ duller; L. 5; W. 2|; T. 2±. S.E.
States, rather rare; N. to Green Bay; a beautiful species.

2. H. pinus, (L.) Bd. BLUE -WINGED YELLOW WARE •

SYLVICOLID^E. — XXVII. 61

LEE. Olive yellow; crown and all under parts bright
yellow; wing bars whitish; loral strip black; $ similar;
L. 41; W. 2£; T. 2. S. E. States, N. to N. Y. A hand-
some bird) like a miniature frotonotana.
** Tail feathers without white blotches.

3. H. ruficapilla, (Wils.) Bd. NASHVILLE WARBLER.
Olive green, ashy on head and neck; crown patch bright
chestnut, more or less concealed; bright yellow below;
lores and orbital ring pale; $ duller, crown patch obscure ;
L. 4f ; W. 2£; T. 2. E. U. S., frequent.

4. H. celaia, (Say.) Bd. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.
Olive green, never ashy on head; crown patch orange
brown, more or less concealed; greenish yellow below;
$ duller, sometimes without crown patch; L. 4f ; W. 2£;
T. 2. Miss. Valley, S. & W.; rare E.

5. H. peregrina, (Wils.) Cab. TENNESSEE WARBLER.
Olive green; no crown patch; white or slightly yellowish
below; L. 4£; W. 2f ; T. If. E. U. S., not common.

6. PERISSOGLOSSA, Baird. FRINGED TONGUE
WARBLERS.

1. P. iigrina, (Gm.) Bd. CAPE MAY WARBLER.
Olivaceous above with darker streaks; rump and sides
of neck bright yellow; yellow below, much streaked with
black; crown black or nearly so; ear coverts orange
brown, a white wing patch; $ duller, with no black or
reddish about head; L. 5J; W. 2f ; T. 2. E. U. S.,
rather rare. A fine species with a peculiar structure of
the tongue, which is somewhat as in Ccerebidce.

7. DENDRCECA, Gray. WOOD WARBLERS.
A large genus comprising about thirty species of
brightly colored little birds, all American, and very
abundant in the United States during the migrations.

62 BIBDS.

Our species, though well marked, are often difficult to
determine when not in full plumage. The tail feathers
are always marked with white or yellow, and the bill is
but moderately pointed, notched and with evident
bristles at the rictus.

The following artificial analysis, partially borrowed
from Coues' key to the genus, will generally enable the
student to distinguish specimens.

* Tail feathers edged with yellow ; plumage chiefly yellow.

(estiva, 1.
** Tail feathers blotched with white.

f A white blotch on the primaries near their bases ; no wing

bars ccenilescens, 2.

ft No white blotch on primaries ; wing bars, if present, not white.

White below; crown and wing patch more or less yellow.

Pennsylvania 6.
Yellow below ; sides reddish-streaked ; crown reddish.

palmarum, 15.
Yellow below, sides black-streaked.

Back olive with reddish spots. . . . discolor, 12.

Back ashy kirtlandi, 11.

fff No white blotch on primaries ; wing bars or wing patch

white.
J Rump yellow: —crown clear ash; yellow and streaked

below. maculosa, 4.

— Crown with yellow spot ; white and
streaked below. . coronata, 3.

fj: Rump not yellow.

Crown with orange or yellow spot; throat orange or yellow.

blackburnicB, 9.

Crown black ; no distinct yellow any where : much streaked.

striata, 8.

Crown blue or greenish, like the back ; no definite yellow.

ccerulea, 5.

Crown chestnut, like the throat; no definite yellow ; buflfy
below castanea, 7.

SYLVICOLID^E. — XXVII. 63

Crown bluish or yellowish, not as above — some yellow.
Throat black (sometimes obscured by yellow tips to
feathers) ; outer tail feather white-edged. wrens, 13.

Throat yellow; — back ashy blue; cheeks black.

dominica, 10.

—back yellowish olive; cheeks same.

pinus, 14.
We copy from Coues' key the following valuable

DIAGNOSTIC MARKS OF WARBLERS IN ANY PLUMAGE.
A white spot at base of primaries. . . . ccemlescens, 2.
Wings and tail dusky, edged with yellow. . . cestiva, 1.
Wing bars and belly yellow. . discolor, 12.

Wing bars yellow and belly pure white. . pennsylvanica, 6.
Wing bars white and tail spots oblique, at end of two outer

feathers only pinus, 14.

Wing bars brownish ; tail spots square at end of two outer feathers

only palmarum, 15.

Wing bars not evident ( ?) ; whole under parts yellow ; back with

no greenish kirtlandi, 11.

Tail spots at end of nearly all the feathers, and no definite yellow

any where. c&rulea, 5.

Tail spots at middle of nearly all the feathers ; rump and belly

yellow maculosa, 4.

Rump, sides of breast (usually) and crown with yellow ; throat

white. coronata, 3.

Throat definitely yellow; belly white; back with no greenish.

dominica, 10.

Throat yellow or orange ; crown with at least a trace of a central
yellow or orange spot, and outer tail feather white-edged
externally blackburnice, 9.

Throat, breast and sides black, or with black traces (seen on part-
ing the feathers); sides of head with diffuse yellow; outer
tail feather white-edged externally. . . . mrens, 13.

With none of the foregoing special marks.

striata 8 or castanea 7 .

64 BIRDS.

1. D. CBsfiva, (Gm.) Bd. SUMMER WARBLER. GOLDEN
WARBLER. Chiefly golden yellow; back olive yellow;
breast and sides with orange brown streaks; quills
dusky, edged with yellow; $ similar, scarcely streaked;
L. 5£; W. 2£; T. 2£. America; every where abundant.

2. D. c&rulescens, (L.) Bd. BLACK - THROATED BLUE
WARBLER. Rich gray blue, with a few dusky streaks
on back; throat, sides of head, neck and sides of body
black, otherwise pure white below; quills black, edged
with blue; $ dull olive greenish, obscurely marked, known
by the blotch on the primaries; L. 5£; W. 2f ; T. 2£.
E. U. S.; an elegant species, not uncommon in woodland.

3. D. coronata, (L.) Gray. YELLOW - RUMPED WARE -
LER. MYRTLE WARBLER. Bluish ash above, streaked
with black; white below with large blackish streaks;
crown patch, rump and sides of breast bright yellow,
there being four definite yellow places; $ and young
brownish, with less yellow on breast and head; L. 5|;
W. 3; T. 2£. U. S., very abundant. The earliest
migrant.

4. D. maculosa, (Gm.) Bd. BLACK AND YELLOW
WARBLER. MAGNOLIA WARBLER. Back black, with
olive skirtings; rump yellow; head clear ash; a white
stripe behind eye; sides of head black, under parts
(except the white crissum) rich yellow, with black streaks
which are confluent on breast; ? similar, more olivaceous,
with much less black; L. 5; W. 2J; T. 2±. E. U. S.
A brilliant little bird, common in woodlands.

5. D. ccerulea, (Wils.) Bd. CERULEAN WARBLER.
Bright blue with black streaks; white below; breast and
sides with bluish lines; $ not streaked, greenish above,
slightly yellowish below; L. 4£; W. 2|; T. 2. E. U. S.;
N. to Niagara Falls; rather rare. A dainty species.

SYLVICOLLD^:. — XXVII. 65

6. D. pennsylvanica, (L.) Bd. CHESTNUT - SIDED
WARBLER. Blackish above ; much streaked ; crown
clear yellow; black patch about eye; pure white below;
a line of bright chestnut streaks along sides; wing patch
yellowish (never clear white); $ similar but with less
chestnut and black; L. 5; W. 2£; T. 2£. E. U. S.;
abundant, especially northward. A pretty species.

7. D. castanea, (Wils.) Bd. BAY-BREASTED WARBLER.
AUTUMN WARBLER. Back black and olive; thickly
streaked; forehead and sides of head black enclosing a
deep chestnut crown patch; chin, throat and sides, dull
chestnut, otherwise pale buify below; $ more olivaceous
with less chestnut; young scarcely distinguishable from
striata; L. 5; W. 3; T. 2£. E. U. S. Not very common.

8. D. striata, (Forst.) Bd. BLACK-POLL WARBLER.
Black and olivaceous, almost every where streaked ; whole
crown pure black; ? more olivaceous, slightly yellowish
below; rather large; L. 6J; W. 3; T. 2±. E. U. S.; the
last to migrate. " When the Black - Polls appear in
force, the collecting season is about over " (Cones.)

9. /?. blackburnios, (Gm.) Bd. ORANGE - THROATED
WARBLER. BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. HEMLOCK
WARBLER. Black above with whitish streaks; crown
patch, superciliary line, sides of neck and the whole
throat brilliant orange or flame color, fading into yellow-
ish on the belly; $ similar, but olive and bright yellow
instead of black and orange; L. 5£; W. 2f ; T. 2£. E.
U. S.; abundant among the tree-tops. The most brilliant
species.

10. D. dominica, (L.) Bd. YELLOW-THROATED WARB-
LER. Ashy blue; throat bright yellow; belly white;
cheeks black ; superciliary line white or yellowish in
front; L. 5; W. 2|: T. 2£. Southern States; N. to

66 BIKDS.

Perm., Central Indiana and Kansas; rare northward.
A neat, plain species, with the habits of a creeper.

11. D. kirtlandi, Bd. KIRTLAND'S WARBLER. Ashy
blue above; yellow and streaked below; lores black; L.
5£; W. 2f; T. 2f. Ohio and the Bahamas. Two or
three specimens known.

12. D. discolor, (Vieill.) Bd. PRAIRIE WARBLER. Olive
yellow; back with a patch of red spots; forehead,
superciliary line, wing bars and under parts bright
yellow; streaked below; sides of head with black; ?
similar; L. 4f ; W. 2±; T. 2. E. U. S., N. to Mass, and
Ills.; chiefly in evergreen thickets. An elegant species.

13. D. virens, (Gm.) Bd. BLACK - THROATED GREEN
WARBLER. Clear yellow olive; sides of head rich
yellow; whole throat and breast jet black, the color
extending along the sides; otherwise whitish below; $
and winter birds with the black interrupted or veiled
with yellowish; L. 5; W. 2£; T. 2|. E. U. S.; abundant.

14. D. pinus, (Wils.) Bd. PINE-CREEPING WARBLER.
Yellow olive above; under parts and superciliary line
yellow; no sharp markings any where; ? more grayish;
L. of; W. 3; T. 2£. E. U. S., N. to Mass, and L.
Superior; abundant in evergreen forests.

15. D. palmarum, (Gm.) Bd. YELLOW RED- POLL
WARBLER. PALM WARBLER. Brownish olive above,
somewhat streaked, rump brighter; crown bright chest-
nut; superciliary line and under parts yellow with brown
streaks; no wing bars; $ similar; L. 5; W. 2f; T. 2£.
E. N. A.; abundant; terrestrial; less beautiful than
most of the group.

8. SIURUS, Swainson. WATER THRUSHES.

1. S. auricapillus, (L.) Sw. GOLDEN - CROWNED
THRUSH. OVEN - BIRD. Bright olive green, white

SYLVICOLID.E. — XXVII. 67

below, sharply spotted on breast and sides, after the
fashion of the Thrushes; crown orange brown, with two
black stripes; L. Ci; W. 3; T. 2%. U. S.; abundant in
woodland, spending most of its time on the ground, like
the other species of this genus, and the next two; re-
markable for its loud, ringing song, and its curious oven-
shaped nest; the largest of the true Warblers.

2. S. ncevius, (Bodd.) Coues. WATER WAGTAIL. WATER
THRUSH. Dark olive brown above, pale yellowish
beneath; thickly spotted every where with the color of
the back; a yellowish superciliary line; bill about a half
inch long; feet dark; L. 6; W. 3; T. 2£. N. Am.;
abundant in low thickets; moves its tail like a Wagtail.

3. S. motacilla, (Vieill.) Bon. LARGE - BILLED WATER
THRUSH. Same general color as last, but white or pale
buffy below, and less sharply spotted; bill much larger,
about f inch; feet pale; larger; L. 6£; W. 3£; T. 2£.
E. U. S., scarce; N. to Mass. (Allen) and N. Wis.
(Jordan.) (S. luclovicianus, authors.)

9. OPORORNIS, Baird. NIMBLE WARBLERS.

1. 0. agilis, (Wils.) Bd. CONNECTICUT WARBLER.
Olive green, ashy on head; throat and breast brownish
ash, otherwise yellow below; no sharp markings; in fall
more olivaceous; L. of; W. 3; T. 2£. E. U. S., rare; a
shy, quiet bird.

2. 0. formosus, (Wils.) Bd. KENTUCKY WARBLER.
Clear olive green, bright yellow below; crown and sides
of head and neck black, with a rich yellow superciliary
stripe, which bends around the eye behind; L. of; W. 3;
T. 2±. E. U. S., chiefly southerly, N. to Wis. and Conn.;
in low thickets, not generally common; a handsome and
active species.

68 BIRDS.

10. GEOTHLYPIS, Cabanis. GROUND WARBLERS.

1. G. trichas, (L.) Cab. MARYLAND YELLOW THROAT.
BLACK -MASKED GROUND WARBLER. Olive green; fore-
head and broad mask extending down sides of head and
neck jet black, bordered behind with clear ash; under
parts yellow, clear on throat and breast; $ obscurely
marked, without black mask and with less yellow; L. 4£;
W. 2^; T. 2£. U. S., abundant in thickets; a pretty
bird with a lively song.

2. G. Philadelphia, (Wils.) Bd. MOURNING WARBLER.
Bright olive, clear yellow below; head ashy; throat and
breast black, the feathers usually ashy - skirted (as
though the bird wore crape, hence " Mourning Warb-
ler"); ? and $ not in full plumage almost exactly like
O. ayiliS) but the tail as long as wings; L. 5^; W. 2%',
T. 2^. E. U. S., rather rare, in dense thickets.

//. ICTERIA, Vieillot. YELLOW - BREASTED CHATS.

1. /. virens, (L.) Bd. YELLOW - BREASTED CHAT.
Olive -green; throat and breast bright yellow; belly
abruptly white; lores black, a white superciliary line;
wings and tail plain; tarsus almost booted; L. 7^; W.
3i; T. 3£. U. S., southerly; N. to Mass, and Wis. (Cope-
land.} A loud, quaint songster, often placed with the
Vireos, but having little affinity with any of our groups.

12. WILSONIA, Nuttall. FLY -CATCHING WARBLERS.

=MyiocKocte*1 Audubon.

1. W. mitrata, (Gm.) Bon. HOODED FLY - CATCHING
WARBLER. YELLOW- MASKED WARBLER. Bright yellow-
olive, crown and neck all around jet black, enclosing a
broad golden mask; under parts from the breast bright
yellow ; tail with white blotches ; ? olive instead of

TANAGRIDJ3, — XXVIII. 69

black; L. 5; W. 2f ; T. 2£. E. U. S., southerly; N. to
L. Erie; a singular species.

2. W. pusilla, (Wils.) Bonap. GREEN BLACK-CAPPED
FLY-CATCHING WARBLER. Clear yellow-olive; crown
glossy black; forehead, lores, sides of head and entire
under parts bright yellow; wings and tail unblotched; <j>
with less black; L. 4f ; W. 2£; T. 2-^. U. S.; abundant.

3. W. canadensis, (L.) And. CANADA FLY -CATCHING
WARBLER. Bluish ash; crown speckled with black;
under parts (except white crissum) clear yellow; lores
black, continuous with black under the eye, and this
passing as a chain of black streaks down the side of the
neck and encircling the breast like a necklace; wings
and tail plain; $ similar, with less black; L. 5£; W. 2f ;
T. 2|. E. U. S., to the Missouri, frequent. One of the
handsomest Warblers.

13. SETOPHAGA, Swainson. AMERICAN REDSTARTS.

1. S. ruticilla, (L.) Sw. REDSTART. Black; sides of
breast and large blotches 011 wings and tail orange-red;
belly white, reddish tinged; ? olive, similarly marked
with reddish yellow; L. 5£; W. 2|; T. 2£. E. U. S.,
very abundant. A handsome and active Fly-Catcher.

FAMILY XXVIII. — TANAGRID.E.

(The Tanagers.)

Primaries 9; bill usually conical, sometimes depressed
or attenuated, the culmen curved; cutting edges not
much inflected, sometimes toothed, notched or serrated;
tarsus scutel late. Legs short; claws long; colors usually
brilliant. A large family of three hundred or more
species, confined to the warmer parts of America, and
embracing a wide diversity of forms. Some have slender
bills and are scarcely distinguishable from the Warblers.

70 BIRDS.

Others, like our Pyranga, have stout conical bills and are
very closely related to the Finches. The single North
American genus has a stout, sparrow - like bill, notched
at the tip, and more or less evidently toothed or lobed
near the middle of the upper mandible.

/. PYRANGA, Vieillot. FIRE TANAGERS.

1. P. rubra, (L.) Vieill. SCARLETT A NAGER. 3 brilliant
scarlet; wings and tail black, no wing bars; $ clear olive
green; clear greenish yellow below; L. 7^; W. 4; T. 3.
E. U. S.; abundant in woodland; a respectable songster.

2. P. asstiva, (L.) Vieill. SUMMER RED BIRD. $
bright rose red throughout; wings a little dusky; $ dull
brownish olive, dull yellowish below; no wing bars; bill
and feet paler than in P. rubra; size of last. E. U. S.,
chiefly southerly; N. to N. J. and Ills.; abundant.

FAMILY XXIX. — HIRUNDINIDJE.

(TJie Swallows.)

Primaries 9; bill " fissi rostral," i.e., short, broad, tri-
angular, depressed, the gape wide and about twice as
long as the culmen, reaching to about opposite the eyes.
Wings very long and pointed, the first primary usually
longest, and twice as long as the last; secondaries very
short. Tail more or less forked. Feet weak; tarsus
scutellate, shorter than middle toe and claw. Plumage
compact, and more or less lustrous.

A very natural family of about one hundred species,
found all over the world. All are strong on the wing,
insectivorous, and usually migratory.

* Plumage above more or less lustrous blue-black or green; no

tarsal tuft nor recurved hooks on outer primary,
f Tail deeply forked ; outer feathers attenuate and blotched with
white HIRUNDO, 1.

HIBUKDINID^E. — XXIX. 71

ff Tail scarcely forked; rump and forehead not colored like the

back PETROCHEI.IDON, 3.

fff Tail somewhat forked , unblotched ; rump and forehead

colored like the back.
a. Lustrous green or violaceous; pure white below; length

less than 6* TACHYCINETA, 2.

CM. Lustrous blue-black; $ paler and whitish below; length

more than 6| . PROGNE, 6.

** Plumage brownish-gray ; scarcely lustrous and without shades

of blue or green.
b. A little tuft of feathers on tarsus at base of hind toe; edge of

wing smooth. COTYLE, 4.

lb. Outer web of first primary more or less saw like, with a
series of minute recurved hooks; no tarsal tuft.

STELGIDOPTEUYX, 5.

/. HIRUNDO, Linnaeus. SWALLOWS.
1. H. erythroffastrcif Bodd. BARN SWALLOW. Lustrous
steel-blue, pale chestnut below ; forehead and throat
deep chestnut; an imperfect steel-blue collar; tail very
deeply forked; L. 7; W. 5; T. 4|. .N. Am., abundant;
breeding in colonies about barns, etc.

2. TACHYCINETA, Cabanis. WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOWS.
1. T. bicolor, (Vieill.) Cones. WHITE -BELLIED SWAL-
LOW. Lustrous green, pure white below; $ duller; L.
6"i; W. 5; T. 2f. N. Am., abundant about water,
nesting in trees, etc.; a handsome swallow.

3. PETROCHELIDON, Cabanis. CLIFF SWALLOWS.
1. P. lunifrons, (Say ) Cab. CLIFF SWALLOW. EAVE
SWALLOW. Lustrous steel blue; forehead, sides of head,
throat, rump, etc., of various shades of chestnut; a blue
spot on breast, belly whitish; L. 5£; W. 4£; T. 2^. N.
Am., abundant, formerly nesting in cliffs, but now under
the eaves of barns, etc.

72 BIRDS.

4. COTYLE, Boie. BANK SWALLOWS.
1. C. riparia, (L.) Boie. BANK SWALLOW. SAND
MARTIN. Dark gray, not iridescent, white below, a
brown shade across the breast; L. 4£; W. 4; T. 2. N.
Am., abundant, breeding in holes in sandbanks, etc.

5. STELGIDOPTERYX, Baird. ROUGH -WINGED

SWALLOWS.

1. S. serripenn/s, (Aud. ) Bd. ROUGH -WINGED
SWALLOW. Brownish gray; wing hooks weak in ?; L.
5£; W. 4J ; T. 2-p. U. S., not common, rare eastward,
breeding in banks, etc.

6. PROGNE, Boie. MARTINS.

1. P. subis, (L.) Bd. PURPLE MARTIN. Lustrous
blue -black throughout; $ duller, whitish and streaky
below; bill stout, almost hooked; L. 7£; W. 0; T. o£.
N. Am., abundant. (P. purpurea, Auct.)

FAMILY XXX. — AMPELIim

(The Chatterers.)

Primaries 10, or apparently 9, the first sometimes
rudimentary and displaced; bill stout, triangular, de-
pressed, decidedly notched and hooked, with the gape
very wide. Nostrils overhung by membrane covered
with bristly feathers. Tarsus short, with the lateral
plates more or less subdivided, and often scarcely oscine
in character; lateral toes nearly equal. As here con-
stituted, a small group of six or eight species, the
Myidestinve usually brought into this connection being
really Turdidce, as shown by Prof. Baird. There are
two sub - families, bearing but little resemblance to each
other, — PtUogonydiriCB, of the warmer parts of N.
America, and Ampelinfje^ of the northern parts of both
hemispheres.

VIREONIDJE. — XXXI. 73

The AmpelincK constitute a single genus of three
species. All are crested birds with a soft plumage of a
handsome cinnamon drab color; the ends of the secon-
daries, and sometimes of the tail feathers, also, are
tipped with horny appendages, looking like red sealing-
wax.

The tail is short and square, much shorter than the
long wings, and in our species it is tipped with yellow.
The Wax Wings are migratory and gregarious, feeding
on insects and soft fruits. Their voices are weak and
wheezy, and they can scarcely be considered as songsters.

/. AMPELIS, Linnaeus. WAX WINGS.

1. A. garrulus, L. BOHEMIAN WAX WING. NORTHERN
WAX WING. General color an indescribable silky, ashy
brown with a red tinge; front and sides of head shaded
with purplish cinnamon; a black band across forehead
around head; throat black; crissum chestnut red; two
broad white wing bars; L. 7^; W. 4£; T. 3. Northern
regions, S. in winter in large flocks to the Great Lakes;
an interesting and beautiful bird.

2. A. cedrorum, (Vieill.) Bd. CEDAR BIRD. CHERRY
BIRD. SOUTHERN WAX WING. Similar but smaller and
less cinnamon-tinged, chin black; strip across face black,
bordered above by whitish; belly yellowish; crissum
white; no wing bars; ? with the wax-like appendages
small or wanting; L. 6£; W. 3f ; T. 2£. E. U. S.,
abundant.

FAMILY XXXI.— VIREONID^E.

(The Vireos.)

Primaries 10, or apparently only 9, the first being
sometimes rudimentary and displaced. Bill shorter than
head, stout, compressed, decidedly notched and hooked.

74 BIRDS.

Rictus with bristles. Nostrils exposed, overhung by a
scale, reached by the bristly frontal feathers. Tarsus
scutellate; toes soldered at base for the whole length of
basal joint of middle one, which is united with the basal
joint of the inner and the two basal joints of the outer;
lateral toes usually unequal.

A rather small family, comprising sixty or seventy
species of small olivaceous birds, all American. The
coloration is usually blended and varies little with age
or sex. All are insectivorous, and many of them are
remarkable as songsters.

Concerning the " nine-primaried " species, Prof. Baird
remarks: " In V. flamfrons, in which the outer primary
is supposed to be wanting, its presence may be easily
appreciated. One of the peculiar characters of this
species consists in a narrow edging of white to all the
primary quills, while the primary coverts (the small
feathers covering their bases, as distinguished from what
are usually termed the wing coverts, which more properly
belong to the forearm or secondaries) are without them.
If these coverts are carefully pushed aside, two small
feathers considerably shorter than the others will be dis-
closed, one overlying the other, which (the under one)
springs from the base of the exposed portion of the
long outermost primary, and lies immediately against its
outer edge. This small feather is stiff, falcate, and
edged with white like the other quills, and can be
brought partly around on the inner edge of the large
primary, when it will look like any spurious quill. The
overlying feather is soft, and without light edge.

In the other Vireos, with appreciable spurious or short
outer primary, a similar examination will reveal only one
small feather at the outer side of the base of the exterior
large primary.

VIREONIDJE. — XXXI. 75

In all the families of Passeres, where the existence of
nine primaries is supposed to be characteristic, I have
invariably found, as far as my observations have extend-
ed, that there were two of the small feathers referred to,
while in those of ten primaries but one would be
detected."

* Wings long and pointed, i- or more longer than the tail ; first

primary very small or apparently wanting, less than i length

of second. VIKEOSYLVIA, 1.

** Wings relatively short and rounded, not one-fourth longer
than the tail ; first primary f or more length of second ; bill
stout VIREO, 2.

7. VIREOSYL VIA, Bonaparte. LONG -WINGED VIREOS.
< Vireo, Vieillot.

* Sleuder species, the bill slender, light horn color, pale below;

commissure straight and culmen relatively so; no wing bars
nor conspicuous orbital ring ; feet weak. (Vireosylma)
f Primaries apparently 9.

1. /. olivacea, (L.) Bon. RED - EYED VIREO. GREEN-
LET. Olive green, crown ashy, edged on each side with
blackish; a white superciliary line, and below this a
dusky streak; white below, somewhat olive shaded; eyes
red; L. 6; W. 3^; T. $>•£. E. U. S., very abundant in
woodland; an energetic songster.

2. /. philadelphica, Cassin. PHILADELPHIA GREENLET.
Dull olive green, becoming ashy on crown; no black
lines on head; a whitish superciliary line; below faintly
yellowish, fading to white on throat, etc.; L. 4f-; W. 2f ;
T. 2£. E. U.S., scarce.

ff Primaries evidently 10. »

3. /. gilva, (Vieill.) Cass. WARBLING VIREO. Colors
exactly as in the preceding, but the spurious quill
evident; L. 5^; W. 2f ; T. &k E. N. A., frequent; an
exquisite songster, nesting in tall trees in cities, etc.

76 BIRDS.

** Stout species; the bill short and stout, blue-black; both culmen
and commissure decidedly curved ; a pale stripe running from
bill to and around eye; white wing bars; quills blackish,
mostly edged with white ; feet stout. (Lantmreo, Bd.)
| Primaries apparently 9.

4. V. flavifrons, (Vieill.) Baird. YELLOW -THROATED
VIREO. Rich olive green above, becoming ashy on
rump; bright yellow below; belly white; superciliary
line and orbital ring yellow; L. 5£; W. 3; T. 2.
E. U. S., abundant; a brightly colored species.

\\ Primaries evidently 10.

5. V. solitaria, (Wils.) Baird. BLUE - HEADED VIREO.
SOLITARY GREENLET. Bright olive green: crown and
sides of head bluish ash; stripe to and around eye white,
a dusky line below it; white below, somewhat washed
with pale yellow; L. 5f; W. 3; T. 2£. U. S., in wood-
land, frequent; a stout, handsome species.

2. VIREO, Vieillot. SHORT -WINGED VIREOS.

1. V. noveboracensis, (Gm.) Bonap. WHITE -EYED
VIREO. Bright olive green, white below; sides and
crissum bright yellow; pale wing bars; stripe from bill
to and around eye, yellow; eyes white; L. 5; W. 2£;
T. 2^. E. U. S., in thickets; a sprightly bird, with a loud
and varied song.

2. V. belli, Aud. BELL'S VIREO. Olive-green, yellow
below, chin and superciliary line whitish; wing bars
whitish; L. 4£; W. 2£; T. 2. Western, E. to Ills, and
Neb. Resembles V. gilva.

FAMILY XXXIL — LANIID^E.

(The Shrikes.)

Primaries 10, the first short (rarely wanting); bill hawk-
like, very strong, the upper mandible toothed and ab-

FBINGILLID.E. — XXXIII. 7T

ruptly hooked at the tip ; both mandibles distinctly

notched. Wings short, rounded. Tail long. Tarsus

scutellate on the outside as well as in front. Sexes alike.

Species about 100, found in most parts of the world,

remarkable for their energy arid pugnacity.

* Rictus with bristles ; nostrils concealed by bristly tufts ; colors

black, white and gray LANIUS, 1.

/. LANIUS, Linnaeus. SHRIKES.
(CoHurio, Vigors.)

1. L boreaiis, Vieill. GREAT NORTHERN SHRIKE.
BUTCHERBIRB. Clear bluish ash above; black bars
on side of head not meeting in front, interrupted
by a white crescent on under eyelid; rump and shoulders
whitish; wings black; white below, waved with blackish;
L. 9£; W. 4£; T. 4£. Northern regions, S in winter to
Ohio R. and Potomac.

2. L. ludovicianus, (L.) var. excubitoroides, (Sw.)
Coues. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. Clear ashy blue ; a
whitish superciliary line; black bars on sides of head
meeting across forehead; no crescent on under eyelid;
white below scarcely or not dark-waved; L. 8£; W. 4;
T. 4£. Western, E. to L. Michigan and Ohio R. (See
Addenda.)

FAMILY XXXIIL — FRINGILLID^E.

(The Finches.)

Primaries 9. Tarsus strictly oscine. Bill mostly
shorter than head, robust, of a conical form, with the
commissure more or less abruptly angulated near its
base; in other words, the "corners of the mouth drawn
down." This feature is usually unmistakeable, and it is
almost the only character pertaining to all the members
of the family. Even this is also shared by the Icteridce,
•which, however, may generally be distinguished by the
greater length and slenderness of the bill.

78 BIRDS.

A very large family, the most extensive in Ornithology,
comprising about one hundred genera and five hundred
species, found in nearly every part of the world, except
Australia. They are especially abundant in North
America, where about one-eighth of all the birds are
Fringillidce. " Any one United States locality of aver-
age attractiveness to birds, has a bird-fauna of over two
hundred species, and if it be away from the sea-coast,
and consequently uninhabited by marine birds, about
one-fourth of the species are Sylvicolidce and Fringil-
lidce together, the latter somewhat in excess of the
former. It is not easy, therefore, to give undue promi-
nence to these two families." (Coues.)

All the Finches are granivorous, feeding chiefly on
seeds, but not rejecting either berries or insects; nearly
all sing, and some most delightfully; most of them are
plainly clad, a streaky brown being the prevailing tint,
but others are among the most brilliantly colored birds.
Among these latter only are the changes in plumage
strongly marked.

The following key to the genera is aoout as artificial
as it well could be, but a more natural one would be less
easy of application. The characters here assigned are
seldom truly generic.

* Species of large size ; length at least more than 7£.
f Tail longer than wings.

a. Conspicuously crested, chiefly red or rosy-tinted ; bill very
large, reddish. . CARDINALIS, 23.

aa. Not crested ; black or brown with chestnut on sides;
wings and tail with white ; bill moderate, black.

PIPILO, 24.
aaa. Not crested, head mostly black; no white on tail.

ZONOTRICHIA, 13,
ff Tail shorter than wings.

&. Bill very large and stout. (" Grosbeaks")

79

c. Black and white (<$) or brown, streaked (?) ; under wing

coverts rosy or yellow. . . . GONIAPHEA, 20.
ec. Rosy red ($) or gray with brownish yellow on head and

rump (?) ....... PINICOLA, 2.

ccc. Bill greenish yellow, as long as tarsus ; wings and tail

black; secondaries mostly white. HESPERIPHONA, 1.
66. Bill moderate or small.

d. White, with black on wings and tail, or washed with

clear brown ; hind toe elongated. PLECTROPHANES, 7.

dd. Streaked above ; head striped ; tail about as long as

wings. ..... ZONOTRICHIA, 13.

** Species of medium or small size; length 7£ or less.
% Mandibles long and much curved, their points crossed ; colors
chiefly red or olive ....... LOXIA, 4.

$ Hind claw straightish, twice as long as middle claw ; colors

black, white and brown. . . PLECTROPHANES, 7.

\\\ With neither of the preceding combinations.

e. No where decidedly spotted or streaked (sometimes appear-

ing mottled owing to the darker centers of the feathers).

/. Blackish, or ashy ; belly and one to three outer tail feath-

ers white ; bill pale, without ruff. . JUNOO, 17.

ff. Yellow, more or less ; base of bill with a small ruff; no

blue ; young brownish. . . CHRYSOMITRIS, 6.

fff. Chiefly or entirely blue ($), greenish or plain brown (?).

g. Length more than 6 ; wings with chestnut or whitish ;
bill stout. ..... GUIRACA, 21.

gg. Length 5 to 6 ; gonys usually with a dusky stripe.

CYANOSPIZA, 22.

ee. Some where or every where decidedly spotted or streaked.
h. One or more outer tail feathers partly or wholly white.
i. Hind claw very long and nearly straight; colors black
and white or brown. . . PLECTROPHANES, 7.
ii. Hind claw not specially elongated.
j. Bend of wing with chestnut ; crown and breast
streaked ; tail much shorter than wings.

POCECETES, 10.

80 BIRDS.

jj. No chestnut on wing ; breast unstreakcd ; head with
black, white and chestnut ; tail nearly as long as

wings CHONDESTES, 12.

M. Tail feathers rigid, acute, almost scansorial ; small
streaked marsh-sparrows with yellow-edged wings.

AMMODROMUS, 11.

Mh. Tail feathers more or less rounded and soft, none of
them white.

k. Wings decidedly longer than tail.

I. With crimson or clear (not rusty) red ; a ruff at base

of bill.

m. Crown crimson ; throat dusky. . JEGIOTHUS, 5.

mm. Crown, chin, throat and often whole plumage

washed with red. . . $ of CARPODACUS, 3.

II. With definite yellow some where.

n. Bases and edges of quills and tail feathers yellow;
bill acute. . . . CIIRYSOMITRIS, 6.
nn. Rump sulphur yellow; bill with a small ruff.

^GIOTHUS, 5.

nnn. Edge of wing and superciliary line or spot at
least, yellow or yellowish ; no ruff.

o. Breast yellow; throat patch or streaks black,
bill bluish EUSPIZA, 19.

oo. Breast buffy or streaky; wings less than 24;
tail feathers narrow. . AMMODROMUS, 11.

ooo. Breast streaked ; wings more than 2i ; inner
secondaries nearly as long as primaries.

PASSERCULUS, 9.

III. With no definite crimson nor yellow any where.

p. Introduced birds, not streaked below ; throat black

in $ PASSER, 8.

pp. Native birds, much streaked below.

q. Inner claw reaching at least half way to tip of
middle claw ; tail, wings, etc., with much
chestnut red; wings more than 3; no ruff.

PASSERELLA, 18.

FKINGILLID^. — XXXHI. 81

qg. Olivaceous ; no black nor chestnut ; wings more

than 3 ; secondaries not lengthened ; a ruff at

base of bill. . . $ of CARPODACUS, 3

qqq. Inner secondaries lengthened, about as long as

primaries ; wings less than 3 ; no ruff.

PASSERCULUS, 9,
We. Wings little if any longer than tail.

r. Tail feathers very slender, rather stiff and sharp

pointed AMMODROMUS, 11.

Tf. Tail feathers not rigid and sharp pointed.
s. Sharply streaked below. . . MELOSPIZA, 15.
ss. Not streaked below (when adult.)
t. Crown chestnut in adult (streaky in young) ; no

yellow.

u. Tail rounded ; length about 5f ; wings and tail
less than 2i ; sharply streaked above.

MELOSPIZA, 15.

uu* Tail forked ; length 5 to 6i ; wings and tail

2i to 3 ; tarsus £ to £ . . SPTZELLA, 14.

it. Crown not chestnut in adult, often partially so

in young.

v. Head striped ; length more than 6 ; tarsus

more than £ . . . ZONOTRICHIA, 13.

w. Length less than 6; bend of wing yellowish.

PEUOEA, 16.

/. HESPERIPHONA, Bonaparte. EVENING GROSBEAKS.
1. H. vespertina, (Coop.) Bon. EVENING GROSBEAK.
Olivaceous; crown, wings, tail and tibia black; forehead
and crissum yellow; bill very large, yellowish; L. 8; W.
4i; T. 2£. Western, E. to Ohio, etc.

2, PINICOLA, Vieillot. PINE GROSBEAKS.
1. P. enucleator, (L.) Vieill. PINE GROSBEAK. $
chiefly red; white wing bars; ? ashy gray with brownish
yellow on head and rump; L. 8£; W 4£; T. 4. North-
ward, S. in winter; in pine woods, etc.

82 BIRDS.

3. CARPODACUS, Kaup. PURPLE FINCHES.
1. C. purpureus, (Gmel.) Gray, PURPLE FINCH. Every
where streaky; $ flushed with red, most intense on the
crown, fading below and behind; ? olive brown with
no red; bill stout; L. 6; W. 3£; T. 2%. U. S., a fine
songster.

4. LQXIA, Linnaeus. CROSSBILLS.

1. L. leucoptera, (Gmel.) WHITE WINGED CROSSBILL.
$ rose red; white wing bars; $ brownish olive, speckled
with dusky; rump yellow; L. 6£; W. 3£; T. 2%. North-
ern, S. in winter.

2. L curvirostra, L. RED CROSSBILL. ^ brick -red;
wings unmarked; $ brownish olive; L. 6; W. 3£; T. 2£.
Northern regions and pine woods; S. in winter.

5. JEGIOTHUS, Cabanis. LINNETS

1. /E. linarius, (L.) Cab. RED POLL LINNET. Crown
crimson in both sexes; throat, breast and rump also rosy
in <$; much streaked above; chin blackish; L. 5f ; W. 3;
T. 2£. Northern, S. in winter, in flocks.

2. JE. //awrosfm, (L.)var.6reiy$fe/v^Ridgway. BREWS-
TER'S LINNET. No red on crown or breast; rump rosy in
3; yellow in ?; L. o£; W. 3; T. 2|. Mass., lately dis-
covered.

6. CHRYSOMITRIS, Boie. GOLDFINCHES.

* Sexes alike; plumage thickly streaked everywhere; no black
on head ; bill very sharp. (Chrysomitris.)

1. C. pinus, (Wils.) Bon. PINE LINNET. Plumage
streaky brown, suffused with yellow in the breeding
season; bases of quills and tail feathers yellow, much
as in the female Redstart; L. 4f; W. 2|; T. 2. N.
Am., rather northward, but liable to " turn up " any where.

*
FRINGILLID^E. — XXXTTT. 83

** Sexes unlike ; scarcely or riot streaked ; adult $ with black on
crowu, wiugs aud tail. (Astragalinus, Cab.)

2. C. tr/stis, (L.) Bon. YELLOW BIRD. THISTLE BIRD.
AM. GOLDFINCH. $ rich yellow; rump whitish; wing
bars white; white spot on each tail feather; $ more
olivaceous; fall plumage pale yellow brown; young
variously ochraceous, with yellow or not; L. 5; W. 3;
T. 2. N. Am.; every where.

7. PLECTROPHANES, Meyer. LONGSPURS.

* Bill small, with a ruff; hind claw long but curved. (Plectra-
phanes.)

1. P. nivalis, (L.) Meyer. SNOW BUNTING. SNOW
FLAKE. In breeding season, pure white, with black on
back, wings and tail; bill and feet black; in U. S. usually
bill pale, and white of body clouded with clear, warm
brown; L. 7; W. 4£; T. 3. Northern, S. in winter to
Ohio R.; a beautiful bird.

** Bill larger, without ruff; hiiid claw nearly straight. (Centro-
phanes, Kaup.)

2. P. lapponicus, (L.) Selby. LAPLAND LONGSPUR.
$ with head and throat mostly black; a chestnut collar;
back black and streaky, whitish below; outer tail feathers
with white; legs and feet black; $ and winter birds with
less black; L. 6£; W. 4; T. 2f. Northern, S. in winter
to N. Y. and Ills.

3. P. pictus, Sw. PAINTED LARK BUNTING. $ with
head and upper parts mostly black; collar and under
parts rich fawn color; legs pale; ? duller. Northern, S.
in the interior to Ills, and Kans.; rare. (See Addenda.)

8. PASSER, Brisson. HOUSE SPARROWS,

= Pyrglta, Cuvier.
J. P, domesticus, L. ENGLISH SPARROW. S chestnut

84 BIBDS.

brown above, thickly streaked ; ashy below; throat, lores
and chin black; ? duller, without black; feet small; L.
6; W. 2f ; T. 2£. Introduced from Europe; abundant
in the large cities.

2. P. montanus, Auct. EUROPEAN TREE SPARROW.
" Distinguished by the chestnut crown, and the similarity
of both sexes and the young." Introduced with preced-
ing, and abundant in St. Louis (Dr. J. C. Merrill)^ and
perhaps other places.

9. PASSERCULUS, Bonaparte. SAVANNA SPARROWS.

1. P. savanna, (Wils.) Bon. SAVANNA SPARROW.
Sharply streaked; streaks on back blackish; superciliary
line and edge of wing yellowish; L. 5£; W. 2£; T. 2.
N. Am., abundant on plains and shores.

2. P. princeps, Maynard. IPSWICH SPARROW. Streaks
on back sandy brown, not sharply denned; superciliary
line white in front; L. 6; W. 3£; T. 2|. Mass., lately
discovered.

10. POtECETES, Baird. GRASS SPARROWS.

1. P. gramineus, (Gm.) Baird. BAY -WINGED BUNT-
ING. GRASS SPARROW. GROUND BIRD. Thickly streaked
every where; slightly buffy below; L. 6; W. 3; T. 2£.
N. Am., abundant in fields, etc., and known at once by
the chestnut bend of wing and white outer tail feathers.

//. AMMODROMUS, Swainson. SHORE SPARROWS.

* Bill stout ; tail feathers acute but not rigid ; crown with a medium
light stripe ; inland species. (Coturniculus, Bon.)

1. A. passerinus, (Wils.) Baird. YELLOW -WINGED
SPARROW. Much streaked above; feathers edged with
bay; breast buffy, unstreaked; wings and tail short; edge

FRLNGILLIDJE. — xxxm. 85

and bend of wing and line over eye yellow; L. 5; W.
2f ; T. 2. U. S., in fields; notes sharp, grasshopper-like.

2. A. henslowi, (Aud.) Baird. HENSLOW'S SPARROW.
Smaller; more yellow above; breast, etc., with some
sharp black streaks; L. 5; W. 2£; T. 2f E. U. S.,
scarce; N. to Mass.

3. A. lecontei, (Aud.) Baird. LECONTE'S SPARROW.
Intermediate between the preceding and the next; bill
sma-ll, blue-black; back with rufous; tail feathers very
sharp and slender; breast unspotted, a broad buffy
superciliary stripe; L. 4f ; W. 2^; T. 2^. Chicago, Ills.
(E. W. Nelson] to Texas and N. W.; very rare.

** Bill long and slender; tail feathers sharp and rather stiff; sea-
shore Sparrows. (Ammodromus.)

4. A. maritimus, (Wils.) Sw. SEA-SIDE FINCH. Olive
gray; back obscurely streaked; a yellow spot over eye;
L. 6; W. 2£; T. 2. Salt marshes, Atlantic coast.

5. A. caudacutus, (Gm.) Sw. SHARP-TAILED FINCH.
Back sharply streaked; no yellow spot over eye, a
bright buff superciliary stripe; L. 5; W. 2^; T. If.
Atlantic coast.

Var. nelsoni, Allen. NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED FINCH.
Shores of Lake Michigan about Chicago ; common.
(E. W. Nelson.}

12. CHONDESTES, Swainson. LARK SPARROWS.

1. C. grammica, (Say.) Bon. LARK FINCH. Streaked
above, ashy below; crown and ear coverts chestnut,
blackening on forehead, with whitish median and super-
ciliary stripes; black lines through and below eye; and
a conspicuous black line on each side of the white
throat; a black pectoral spot; middle tail feathers like
back, the rest blackish, white tipped; L. 6£; W. 3^; T.

86 BIBDS.

3. Western, E. to Ohio; abundant on prairies and river
bluffs; a fine songster.

13. ZONOTRICHIA, Swainson. WHITE - CROWNED
SPARROWS.

1. Z. leucophrys, (Forst.) Sw. WHITE - CROWNED
SPARROW. Streaked above, with but little chestnut;
crown with a broad white median band, a narrow black
one and a white one on each side of it; no yellow any
where; throat like breast; young with the crown chiefly
rich brown; L. 7; W. 3£; T. 3^. N. Am.; less common
than the next.

2. Z. albicollis, (Gm.) Bon. WHITE-THROATED SPAR-
ROW. PEABODY BIRD. Much chestnut streaking above;
crown black, with white median and superciliary stripes;
spot over eye and edge of wing always yellow; ashy
below, whitening on throat; $ duller; L. 7; W. 3; T.
3-^. E. N. Am.; an abundant and handsome sparrow.

3. Z. querula, (Nutt. ) Gambel. BLACK -HOODED
SPARROW. Crown, face and throat jet black; no yellow;
$ with less black; L. 7|; W. 3£; T. 3|. Missouri
region, E. to Minn.

14. SPIZELLA, Bonaparte. CHIPPING SPARROWS.

1. 5. monticola, (Gm.) Baird. TREE SPARROW.
Streaked above ; crown chestnut ; bill black above,
yellow below; neck, line over eye and under parts ashy
gray; a dark pectoral blotch; white wing bars; L. 6^;
W. 3; T. 3. N. Am., chiefly northerly; U. S. in winter.

2. S. pusilla, (Wils.) Bon. FIELD SPARROW. General
color of preceding, but paler and duller; bill pale; wing
bands rather obscure; L. 5£; W. 2|; T. 2£. E. U. S.,
abundant. [S. agrestis, (Bart.) Coues.]

PRINGLLLID^J. — XXXIIL 87

3. S. socialis, (Wils.) Bon. CHIPPY. HAIR BIRD.
Streaked above, with much dull bay; crown chestnut;
bill, forehead and streak through eye black; ashy below;
L. 5i; W. 2f; T. 2f N. Am., every where. [S.
domestica, (Bart.) Coues.]

4. S. pallida, (Sw.) Bon. CLAY -COLORED SPARROW.
Still smaller; pale brownish yellow, streaked with black;
crown grayish, with median stripe. S. Ills, and W.

15. MELOSPIZA, Baird. SONG SPARROWS.

1. M. melodia, (Wils.) Baird. SONG SPARROW. Much
streaked above, and on breast and sides; crown with an
obscure pale median stripe; below white, pectoral streaks
often forming a blotch; L. 6£; W. 2$; T. 3. U. S.,
every where; a well-known songster. [ M. fasciafa,
(Gmel.) Scott.]

2. M. palustris, (Wils.) Baird. SWAMP SPARROW.
Crown chestnut; wings strongly tinged with chestnut;
breast and below with few streaks or none; tail shorter
than in the Song Sparrow; L. 5f ; W. 2£; T. 2£. E. U.
S., in low thickets.

3. M. lincolni, (Aud.) Baird. LINCOLN'S FINCH.
Every where thickly, narrowly and sharply streaked;
breast with a broad band of pale buffy or yellowish
brown; sides washed with the same; L. 5£; W. 2£; T.
2£. N. Am., rare eastwardj a shy species quite unlike
the others.

16. PEUCJEA, Audubon. SUMMER SPARROWS.

1. P. CBstivalis, (Licht.) Cab. BACHMAN'S FINCH.
Much streaked above, ashy below; yellow on bend of
wing but none on head; L. 6; W. 2£; T. 2^. Southern,
N. to Illinois.

88 BIRDS.

17. JUHCO, Wagler. SNOWBIRDS.
1. J. hyema/is, (L.) Scl. SNOW BIRD. $ more gray-
ish; L. 6i; W. 3; T. 3. E. N. Am., every where abund-
ant, mostly seen in winter. (See Addenda.)

18. PASSERELLA, Swainson. Fox SPARROWS.
1. P. iliaca, (Merrem) Sw. Fox SPARROW. Ashy
above, overlaid and much streaked with rusty red, which
becomes bright bay on rump, tail and wings; white
below with large arrow-shaped spots and streaks, numer-
ous on breast; feet stout, with long claws; L. 7; W. 3£;
T. 3. E. N. Am.; migrating early; one of the hand-
somest streaked sparrows.

19. EUSPIZA, Bonaparte. BLACK-THROATED BUNTINGS.

1. E. americana, (Gm.) Bon. BLACK -THROATED
BUNTING. Grayish and streaked above; wing coverts
chestnut; line over eye, maxillary stripe, edge of wing,
breast and part of belly yellow; throat patch black;
otherwise white below; $ with little chestnut, and the
black reduced to a few streaks; L. 6f ; W. 3^; T. 2f.
Meadows, etc., Conn, to Kansas, chiefly westward; a
handsome bird with sleek plumage, and a peculiar, but
scarcely musical song.

2. E. townsendi, (Aud.) Bon. TOWNSEND'S BUNTING.
Upper parts, head, neck, etc., slaty blue; no chestnut,
and little yellow or black. Smaller, a doubtful species.
Only one specimen known from E. Penn.

20. GONIAPHEA, Bowdich. BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS.

= Hedymeles, Cabanis.

1. G. ludoviciana, (L.) Bowdich. ROSE - BREASTED
GROSBEAK. $ with head, neck and upper parts mostly
black, with white on rump, wings and tail; belly white;

FR1NGILLIDJ3. — XXXIII. 89

breast and under wing coverts of an exquisite rose-red;
bill very stout, pale; $ olive brown, much streaked, with
the under wing coverts saffron yellow; head with whitish
bands; L. 8£; W. 4; T. 3|. E. U. S., abundant; perhaps
our handsomest bird, and one of our most brilliant
songsters.

21. GUIRACA, Swainson. BLUE GROSBEAKS.
\. G. ccerulea, (L.) Sw. BLUE GROSBEAK. $ rich
blue; feathers about bill, wings and tail, black; wing
bars chestnut ; ? yellowish brown, with whitish wing
bars; L. 7; W. 3£; T. 2f. Southern, N. to N. Y. and
Wis. ; a fine songster.

22. CYANOSPIZA, Baird. INDIGO BIRDS.

1. C. cyanea, (L.) Baird. INDIGO BIRD. $ Indigo
blue, clear on head, greenish behind ; $ plain warm
brown, obscurely streaky, known from other small spar-
rows by a dusky line along the gonys; L. 5f ; W. 3; T.
2f. E. U. S., abundant in summer; a tireless songster.

2. C. ciris, (L.) Baird. NONPAREIL. PAINTED BUNT-
ING. $ head and neck blue; under parts, etc., vermillion;
shoulders, etc., green; § green, yellowish below; L. 5£.
Southern, N. to S. Ills. (Nelson.)

23. CARDINALIS, Bonaparte. CARDINAL GROSBEAKS.

1. C. virgin/anus, (Brisson) Bon. CARDINAL GROSBEAK.
RED BIRD. Clear red, ashy on back; chin and forehead
black; crest conspicuous; $ ashy brown, more or less
washed with red; L. 8£; W. 4; T. 4|. E. U. S., south-
erly, N. to Mass, and N. Wis.; abundant. A brilliant
songster, much sought as a cage bird.

24. PIPILO, Vieillot. TOWHEE BUNTINGS.
1. P. erythrophthalmus, (L.) Vieill. CHEWINK. MAESH

90 BIRDS.

ROBIN. Black, belly white; sides chestnut; outer tail
feathers, primaries, arid inner secondaries with white; ?
clear brown instead of black; L. 8£; W. 3£; T. 4. E.
U. S., abundant every where.

FAMILY XXXIV. — ICTERID^.

( The Orioles.)

Primaries 9 ; bill with the commissure angulated, as in
Frinyillidce,, but usually lengthened, rarely shorter than
head, straight or gently curved, without notch or rictal
bristles; culrnen usually extending up on the forehead,
dividing the frontal feathers. Legs stout, tarsus strictly
oscine. Plumage usually brilliant or lustrous, predom-
inant color generally black, often with red or yellow;
females usually different, smaller in size, brown or streaky
in the lustrous species, and yellowish or dusky in the
brightly colored ones. Notes usually sharp, often richly
melodious, in other cases harsh.

Genera about twenty, species one hundred, all Ameri-
can, some of the short-billed forms scarcely distinct from
Frinyillidce; others are as closely related to Sturnidce
(Old World Starlings) and Corvidce. There are three
sub-families, of which Ayelceinfje includes most of our
species. Icterince includes Icterus, while Scolecophagus
and Quiscahis belong to Quiscalince.

I. Tail feathers rigid, acute; middle toe and claw longer than

tarsus; black and whitish ($) or brownish, streaked (?); bill
short, finch-like , DOLICITONYX, 1.

II. Feathers of crown bristle-tipped ; tail short, its feathers acute ;

yellow below, a black breast patch ; bill long. STDRNELLA, 5.

III. Lateral claws elongated ; black or brown, yellow on head and

neck ; length more than 8. . . XANTHOCEPHALUS, 4.

IV. With none of the above combinations of characters.
* Length at least more than 7.

ICTEEIDJE. — XXXIV. 91

f Bill horn-blue, very acute ; black or olivaceous, with orange

or yellow. ICTERUS, 6.

ff Bill blackish ; plumage every where streaked } usually a
rusty tinge on throat and bend of wing.

? of AGEL^EUS, 3.
fff Bill jet black; plumage in $ black, in $ duller, streaky, or

plain brown.
\ Glossy black ; bend of wing red, bordered by buffy and

whitish $ of AGEL^EUS, 3.

ft Black ; head and neck rich lustrous brown.

$ Of MOLOTHRUS, 2.

ffj Iridescent black throughout ; wings scarcely longer
than tail ; length more than 10. . QUISCALUS, 8.

\\\\ Black, often obscured by brownish or rusty; no red or
yellow ; wings longer than tail ; length 9 to 10.

SCOLECOPHAGUS, 7.

** Length less than 7.
a. Dusky gray brown ; bill blackish, shortened, finch-like.

? of MOLOTIIRUS, 2.

aa. Black with chestnut or orange (s), or else olive and yellow-
ish (?); bill acute, bluish or brown. . . ICTERUS, 6.

/. DOLICHONYX, Swainson. BOBOLINKS.

1. D. oryzivorus, (L.) Sw. BOBOLINK. REED BIRD.
RICE BIRD. $> in Spring black, neck buffy, shoulders and
rump ashy white, back streaky; $ and fall $ yellowish
brown, streaked above, — dull yellow birds, resembling
sparrows but known by the acute tail feathers; L. 7£;
W. 4; T. 3. E. U. S., abundant in meadows northward,
where, in the breeding season, it is our merriest and most
delightful songster. Retiring southward in the fall, it
fattens in the rice swamps and becomes a "game bird."

2. MOLOTHRUS, Swainson. Cow BIRDS.
1. M. ater, (Bodd.) Gray. Cow BIRD. $ iridescent
black, head and neck glossy brown: 2 much smaller,

92 BIBDS.

dusky brown; L. ($) 8; W. 4; T. 3. U. S., abundant;
noted for its parasitic habits. \M. pecoris (Gmel.), Sw.]

3. AGEL/EUS, Vieillot. RED-WING BLACK BIRDS.

1. A. phceniceus, (L.) V. RED -WINGED STARLING.
SWAMP BLACK BIRD. $ glossy (not iridescent) black,
lesser wing covers scarlet, with buffy and paler edgings;
$ dusky, streaked; L. 9; W. 5; T. 4. U. S., every
where abundant.

4. XAHTHOCEPHALUS, Bonaparte. YELLOW -HEADED
BLACK BIRDS.

1. X. icierocephalus, (Bon.) Baird. YELLOW - HEADED
BLACK BIRD. $ black with white wing patch; head and
neck rich yellow; $ smaller, browner, with less yellow;
L. 10; W. 5£; T. 4£. Southwestern, E. to L. Michigan.

5. STURNELLA, Vieillot. MEADOW LARKS.

1. S. magna, (L.) Sw. MEADOW LARK. Brownish
and much streaked above; chiefly yellow below, a black
crescent on breast. L. 10; W. 5; T. 3£. U. S.; very
abundant. (S. neglecta, Aud., is the Western variety,
Illinois S. and W., with "a much sweeter song," and
some slight differences of plumage.)

6. ICTERUS, Brisson. AMERICAN ORIOLES.

1. /. baHimore, (L.) Daudin. BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
GOLDEN ROBIN. FIRE BIRD. Black; bend of wing,
rump, most tail feathers, and under parts from the breast
orange of varying intensity; $ duller, olivaceous and
yellow; L. 7f; W. 3|; T. 3. E. U. S., abundant; noted
for its elaborate hanging nest.

2. I. spurius, (L.) Bon. ORCHARD ORIOLE. <$ black;
rump, bend of wing and lower parts deep chestnut; $

COBVID^E. — XXXV. 93

yellowish olive, quite small; young yellow, with various
black or chestnut traces; L. 7; W. 3£; T. 3. E. U. S.,
rather southerly.

7. SCOLECOPHAGUS, Swainson. RUSTY BLACK BIRDS.

1. S. ferrugineus, (Gm.) Sw. RUSTY GRACKLE. RUSTY
BLACK BIRD. $ glossy black and rusty in autumn; ?
dusky, lustreless; bill slender; L. 9£; W. 4f; T. 4.
E. U. S.

2. S. cyanocephalus, (Wagl.) Cab. BREWER'S BLACK
BIRD. $ black with green lustre, head glossed with
purple; ? dusky; L. 10; W. 5£; T. 4£. W., E. to Ills,
and Wis.

8. QUISCALUS, Vieillot. CROW BLACK BIRDS.

1. Q. purpureus, (Bartr.) Licht. CROW BLACK BIRD.
PURPLE GRACKLE. Iridescent black, lustre on head
purplish, on body bronzy; L. 13; W. 5£; T. 5£. E. U.
S., abundant.

FAMILY XXXV.— CORVIM3.

(The Crows and Jays.)

Primaries 10; first about half length of second; nostrils
usually concealed by tufts of bristly feathers, which are
branched to their tips. Bill long and strong, usually
notched, commissure not angulated. Tarsus oscine, its
sides undivided and separated from the scutella in front
by a groove which is either naked or filled in with small
scales. Voice usually harsh and unmusical.

Birds of large size, the largest of the Oscines, found
almost every where. Genera about forty; species one
hundred and seventy - five. Our two sub - families,
CwvincK) the Crows, and G-amilinCB the Jays, are usually
readily distinguishable.

94 BIEDS.

* Tail much shorter than the long, pointed wings. (Conines.)

f Plumage glossy black CORVUS, 1.

** Tail longer than the short, rounded wings. (Garrulince.)
\ Conspicuously crested ; chiefly blue ; quills black-barred.

CYANURUS, 3.
\\ Iridescent black and white ; tail much longer than wings.

PICA, 2.
\\\ Chiefly gray, no blue ; tail scarcely longer than wings.

PERISOREUS, 4.
/. CORVUS, Linnaeus. RAVENS.

1. C. corax, L. RAVEN. Feathers of throat stiffened,
elongated, narrow and lanceolate, their outlines very
distinct; L. 25; W. 17; T. 10. N. Am., chiefly north
and westward; rare E. of the Mississippi. Also European.
(C. carnivorus, Bartr.)

2. C. americanus, Aud. CROW. Feathers of throat
short, broad, obtuse, with their webs blended; gloss of
plumage purplish violet; head and neck scarcely lus-
trous; L. 20; W. 13; T. 8. E. N. Am., chiefly eastward;
abundant. (C. frugivorus, Bartr.)

3. C. ossifragus, Wilson. FISH CROW. Gloss of
plumage green and violet, evident on head and neck;
L. 16; W. 11; T. 7. New England to Florida, chiefly
southern, and found only along the coast. (C. maritimus,

Bartr.)

2. PICA, Cuvier. MAGPIES.

1. P. me/ano/euca (Vieill.) var. hudsonica, (Sab.) Coues.
MAGPIE. Lustrous black; belly, shoulders, and wing-
edgings white; L. 19; W. 8£; T. 13, much graduated.
Western, E. to L. Michigan.

3. CY AMUR US, Swainson. BLUE JAYS.
1. C. cristatus, (L.) Sw. BLUE JAY. Blue; collar
and frontlet black; grayish below; wings and tail clear

. — XXXVI. 95

blue, barred; outer tail feathers and secondaries tipped
with white; L. 12; W. 5|; T. 5f. N.E. Am., abundant.

4. PERISOREUS, Bonaparte. GRAY JAYS.

1. P. canadensis, (L.) Bon. CANADA JAY. WHISKEY
JACK. Ashy gray with blackish and whitish markings;
L. lOf ; W. 5f ; T. 6. Northern, S. to New England in
Winter.

FAMILY XXXVL— TYRANNIDJE.

(The Flycatchers.)

Primaries 10; first more than f length of second, and
one or more of them often attenuate ; bill broad, triangu-
lar, depressed, abruptly hooked and notched at tip, with
long rictal bristles; commissure nearly straight; nostrils
small, usually partly concealed. Tarsus " clamatorial,"
the scutella extending around its back. Feet small, for
perching. Mouth capacious; notes simple, often pleas-
ant; changes of plumage slight; ours mostly olivaceous.

A large family of eighty genera, and more than three
hundred species; all American and mostly tropical. All
are insectivorous, most of them pre-eminently so; they
are, therefore, in our latitude, migratory.

* First primaries evidently attenuate ; crown witli concealed bright

red or yellow crest (in adult),
f Tail widely forked, about twice as long as wings.

MILVULUS, 1.

ft Tail nearly even, shorter than wings. . . TYRANNUS, 2.
** First primaries not obviously attenuate ; crown plain, some-
times crested.
\ Wings edged with chestnut, not much longer than tail ; length

8 or more MYIARCHUS, 3.

\\ Wings not chestnut-edged, not much longer than tail ; tarsus
longer than middle toe and claw; bill black; length 6£
to 7i SAYORNIS, 4.

96 BIEDS.

\\\ Wings longer than tail ; tarsus shorter than middle toe and
claw; bill not all black; length 6 or more. CONTOPUS, 5.

%\\\ Wings not much longer than tail ; middle toe and claw not
longer than tarsus; bill mostly pale below; length 8i or
less EMPIDONAX, 6.

/. MILVULUS, Swainson. FORK -TAILED FLYCATCHERS.

1. Iff. forficatus, (Gm.) Sw. SCISSOR - TAIL. Ashy,
tail, shoulders, sides, etc., with much red; L. 13; W. 5;
T> 8. S. W., N. to Kansas, straying to New Jersey.

2. M. tyrannus, (L.) Bon. FORK - TAILED FLYCATCHER.
Larger, no red, tail still more elongate. Tropical, stray-
ing to N. J. and La.

2. TYRANNUS, Cuvier. KING BIRDS.

1. 7", carolinensis, (L.) Baird. KING BIRD. BEE
MARTIN. Blackish ash, white below; tail black, white -
tipped; L. 8£; W. 4f; T. 3£. U. S., chiefly eastward;
abundant. " Destroys a thousand noxious insects for
every bee it eats! " (Coues.)

2. T. verticalis, Say. ARKANSAS FLYCATCHER. Belly
yellow; tail white-edged. Western, straying to N. J.

3. MYIARCHUS, Cabanis. CRESTED FLYCATCHERS.

1. U. crinitus, (L.) Cab. GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER.
Scarcely crested; olivaceous,, yellow below, with bright
chestnut on wings and tail; L. 8f; W. 4; T. 4. E.U.
S.. chiefly southerly, N. to N. Wis. A handsome bird,
"noted for the habitual use of cast-off snake skins in
the structure of its nest."

4. SAYORNIS, Bonaparte. PEWEES.

1. S. fuscus, (Gm.) BairJ. PEWEE. PHCEBE. PEWIT.
Olive brown, head and tail darker; yellow below, more

. — XXXVI. 97

or less; L. 7; W. 3£; T. 3±. E. U. S., abundant; known
by its black bill.

5. CONTOPUS, Cabanis. WOOD PEWEES.

1. C. borealis, (Sw.) Baird. OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER.
Rictal bristles short, one-fourth length of bill; tuft of
white cottony feathers on sides very conspicuous; middle
line of belly distinctly and abruptly white; otherwise
olive brown, paler or yellowish below; L. 7£; W. 4^-;
T. 3. Northern, S. to N. Y.

2. C. virens, (L.) Cab. WOOD PEWEE. Rictal bristles
half length of bill; cottony tuft inconspicuous; wing
bands whitish or rusty; olive brown above; pale or
yellowish below; lower mandible usually pale; L. 6£;
W. 3£; T. 3. U. S., very abundant.

3. C. richardsoni, (Sw.) Bd. WESTERN WOOD PEWEE.
Darker; bill dusky below. N. W., E. toWis.; nearly
like the preceding, but the notes and nesting different.

6. EMPIDONAX, Cabajris. LEAST FLYCATCHERS.

1. E. acadicus, (Gm.) Baird. SMALL GREEN- CRESTED
FLYCATCHER. Clear olive green, wing bands bufFy;
whitish becoming yellowish below; yellowish ring about
eyes; bill pale below; primaries nearly an inch longer
than secondaries; 2d, 3d and 4th primaries nearly equal,
and much longer than 1st and 5th; 1st much longer than
6th; L. 6; W. 3; T. 2f ; Ts. f ; Tel. £. E. U. S., frequent.

2. £. iraillii, (Aud.) Baird. TRAILL'S FLYCATCHER.
Olive brown, duller than preceding; bill pale below;
5th primary about as long as 4th, 1st not much longer
than 6th; middle toe f length of tarsus; longest primary
f inch longer than secondaries; L. 5f ; W. 2f ; T. 2£;
Ts. f; Tel. f . U. S.

5

98 BIRDS.

3. E. minimus, Baird. LEAST FLYCATCHER. Olive
gray; bill blackish below; wings like preceding, but
longest primary but £ inch longer than secondaries;
middle toe half as long as tarsus; bill less than £ inch;
L. 5; W. 2£; T. 2^. E. N. Am., abundant.

4. £. flaviventris, Baird. YELLOW-BELLIED FLY-
CATCHER. Clear olive green; yellow below, becoming
bright yellow (not merely yellowish as in the others) on
the belly; first primary about equal to sixth; feet as in
acadicus; bill yellow below; L. 5£; W. 2f; T. 2£.
E. U. S.

OEDEE H.-PICAELE.

(Picarian Birds.)

Hind toe small, sometimes wanting, occasionally ele-
vated; its claw shorter than that of middle toe (with rare
exceptions); 3d and 4th toes often with less than the
normal number of joints; 2d and 4th toes sometimes
versatile. Wing coverts larger and in more numerous
series than in the Passeres. Primaries 10, first rarely
short; tail feathers 10 (8 to 12). Musical apparatus
imperfect. Sternum non -passerine. Tarsus never oscine.
Nature altricial. A highly diversified group, the mem-
bers of which have little in common except their want
of resemblance to other birds.

FAMILY XXXVII.— CAPRIMULGID^.

(The Goatsuckers.)

Bill very short, " fissirostral," the gape exceedingly
deep and wide, reaching to below the eyes, and usually
with prominent rictal bristles. Wings long and pointed;
secondaries lengthened. Plumage long and loose, owl-
like. Tail feathers 10. Feet very small; tarsus short,

CYPSELED.E. — XXXVIII. 99

partly feathered; toes slightly webbed at base, the hind
toe somewhat elevated. Genera fourteen; species one
hundred or more, widely diffused; chiefly insectivorous.
* Tail rounded ; rictal bristles very long. . ANTROSTOMTJS, 1.
** Tail forked ; rictal bristles inconspicuous. . CHORDEILES, 2.

/. ANTROSTOMUS, Gould. WHIPPOORWTLLS.

1. A. vociferus, (Wils.) Bon. WHIPPOORWILL. NIGHT
JAR. Grayish, much variegated; pectoral bar and ends
of outer tail feathers white ($) or tawny ($); rictal
bristles unbranched; L. 10; W. 6; T. 5. E. U. S.,
abundant, nocturnal; noted for its "solemn and pro-
phetic" cry.

2. A. carolinensis, (Gm.) Gould. CHUCKWILL'S WIDOW.
More reddish; rictal bristles with lateral filaments; L.
12; W. 9; T. 6£. Southern, N. to Ills. (Nelson.)

2. CHORDEILES, Swainson. NIGHT HAWKS.

1. C. virginianus, (Gm.) Bon. NIGHT HAWK. BULL
BAT. Blackish, variegated; a large wing spot, bar
across tail, and V-shaped blotch on throat — white in £,
tawny or obscure in ?; L. 9|; W. 8; T. 5. U. S.J
abundant. \C. popetue, (Vieill.) Bd.]

FAMILY XXXVIIL— CYPSELIMJ.

(The Swifts.)

Bill fissirostral, as in Caprimulgidce and Hirundinidaz.
Wings very long, thin and pointed; secondaries very
short. Feet small, weak; hind toe often elevated or
otherwise turned; toes completely cleft. No rictal
bristles. Tail feathers 10; plumage compact. In most
species the salivary glands are highly developed, and
their secretion is used as a glue in the construction of

100 BIRDS.

the nest; species of Collocalia thus form the edible
bird's nest. Small birds of the warmer parts of the
world, bearing a superficial resemblance to Swallows, but
structurally very different, being closely related to the
Humming Birds. Genera six or eight; species about
fifty.

* Tarsus bare, longer than middle toe; tail feathers with the

shafts spinous, projecting beyond the plumage.

CH^ETUBA, 1.

/. CHAETURA, Stephens. CHIMNEY SWALLOWS.

1. C. pelagica, (L.) Baird. CHIMNEY SWIFT. Sooty
brown; throat paler; L. 5£; W. 5; T. 2. E. U. S.,
abundant.

FAMILY XXXIX. — TROCHILID^E.

(The Humming Birds.)

Bill subulate, usually longer than the head, straight or
curved; tongue capable of great protrusion. Wings
long and pointed, the secondaries short, only six in
number; tail of ten feathers. Feet very small, with
sharp claws. Smallest of all birds and among the most
brilliantly colored. Genera seventy - five ; species three
hundred or more, thus forming one of the largest families
in Ornithology. All are American, and most of them
tropical, but our common species ranges far into British
America.

* First primary not attenuate, bowed or curved inwards.

s, 1.

/. TROCHILUS, Linnaeus. RUBY - THROATED HUMMING

BIRDS.

1. T. colubris, L. RUBY - THROATED HUMMING BIRD.
$ metallic green above; a ruby -red gorget; tail deeply
forked, uniform purplish; $ without red, the tail vari-

CUCULED^E. — XLI. 101

egated; L. 3i; W. If; T. 1£; B. f. E. N. Am.;
abundant in summer.

FAMILY XL. — ALCEDINID^E.

(j. .in KingfisTiers.)

Head large; bill long, straight and strong, usually
longer than head; gape deep, tomia not serrate. Wings
long; tail short. Legs quite small; feet syndactyle —
the outer and middle toes united to their middle, a con-
tinuous sole beneath; tibia naked below. Tail feathers
twelve. Species about one hundred, chiefly of the tropical
parts of the Old World and Australia. Many of them
feed upon fishes, and nearly ail are remarkable for their
brilliant coloration.

* Head crested. . . ' CERYLE, 1.

/. CERYLE, Boie. KINGFISHERS.

> Isplda, Swainson.

1. C. alcyon, (L.) Boie. BELTED KINGFISHER. Ashy
blue above, a bluish band across breast; white below;
? with sides and band across belly chestnut; tail barred
with white; L. 13; W. 6; T. 3£; B. 2, or more. N.
Am.; every where.

FAMILY XLI.— CUCULID^E.

(The Cuckoos.)

Bill compressed, lengthened, decurved; usually with-
out rictal bristles or nasal tufts. Tail long and soft, of
eight to twelve feathers. Tongue not extensible. Feet
zygodactyle, by reversion of fourth toe. Species about
two hundred, in various parts of the world.

* Plumage lustrous olive gray or drab ; arboreal. COCCYGDS, 1.

102 BIRDS.

/. COCCYGUS, Vieillot. AMERICAN CUCKOOS.

1. C. americanus, (L.) Bon. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO.
Bill yellow below; wings with much cinnamon red;
middle tail feathers like the back; outer ones black with
broad white tips; L. 12; W. 5£; T. 6. U. S.

2. C. erythrophthalmus, (Wils.) Baird. BLACK-BILLED
CUCKOO. Bill chiefly black; wings with little or no
reddish; tail feathers all brownish, obscurel" whitish at
tips; L. 11|; W, 5; T. 6J, E, U, S,

FAMILY XLII. - PICID^E.

(The Woodpeckers)

Bill stout, usually straight, with the tip truncate or
acute, fitted for hammering or boring into wood. Tongue
long, flattish, barbed, capable of-great protrusion, adapted
for securing insects (except in Sphyrapicus) ; hyoid appa-
ratus peculiar, its horns generally quite long, curving
around the skull behind. Feet zygodactyle, outer toe
permanently reversed; hind toe present (except in Pico-
ides); claws compressed, sharp and strong. Tail feathers
12, rigid and acuminate, outer part short, concealed; tail
never forked; nasal tufts usually present.

Chiefly arboreal; all (except Sphyrapicus, which is
truly a " Sap-Sucker,") are pre-eminently insectivorous
and hence they are of the greatest service to the farmer.
Voice loud and often harsh. Colors generally bright,
the male at least having almost always red on the head;
sexes usually slightly different. Species two hundred
and fifty, abundant almost every where.
*Conspicuously crested ; length 18 or more.

— Bill dark ..... . HYLOTOMUS, 1.

— Bifl and nasal feathers pale. . CAMPEPHILUS, 2.
** Not crested ; toes 3 only, hallux wanting. . PICOIDES, 4.
*** Not crested ; toes 4, length less than 14.

P1CIDJE. XT.TT. 103

f Tongue obtuse, brushy ; ridges on upper mandible running

into the tomia ; belly with some yellow. SPHYKAPICUS, 5.

ff Tongue acute, barbed ; ridges on sides of upper mandible

reaching the tip; no yellow; quills (in ours) with round

white spots Picus, 3.

ftf Tongue acute, barbed ; ridges on sides of upper mandible

wanting or indistinct.
J Back barred.

a. Belly with round black spots ; feathers of wings and tail

yellow or orange beneath. . . COLAPTES, 8.

aa. Belly unspotted, tinged with red or yellow ; no yellow

on quills CENTOKUS, 6.

\\ Back not barred ; body lustrous blue-black ; rump, second-
aries, and under parts white ; head and neck red in adults,
grayish in young. . . . MELANERPES, 7.

/. HYLOTOMUS, Baird. BLACK WOODCOCKS.

1. H. pileatus, (L.) Baird. PILEATED WOODPECKER.
LOGCOCK. Black; white streak down neck; crest and
check patch scarlet in $; cheeks and front of crest black
in ?, L. 18; W. 9£; T. 7. N. Am.; in heavy timber.

2. CAMPEPHILUS, Gray. IVORY -BILLED WOODPECKERS.

1. C. principalis, (L.) Gray. GREAT IVORY -BILLED
WOODPECKER. Black with white markings; crest scarlet
in <*, black in ?; L. 21; W. 11; T. 8. Southern, N. to
S. Ills.

3. PICUS, Linnseus. SPOTTED WOODPECKERS.

1. P. borealis, Vieill. RED - COCKADED WOODPECKER.
Black and white, spotted and crosswise banded, but not
streaked; a red line on each side of head in 3; L. 8-£;
W. 4|-; T. 3£. Southern States in swamps, N. to Penn.

2. P. villosus, L. HAIEY WOODPECKER. BIG SAP-
SUCKER. Spotted and lengthwise streaked, but not

104 BIBDS.

banded ; back black with a long white stripe ; outer tail
feathers wholly white; L. 9; W. 5; T. 3£; a scarlet
nuchal band in $ only. U. S. ; every where.

3. P. pubescens, L. DOWNY WOODPECKEK. LITTLE
SAP- SUCKER. Much smaller; outer tail feathers black
and white, barred, otherwise precisely like the other;
L. 6|; W. 3|; T. 2f. U. S.; every where.

4. PICOIDES, Lacepede. THREE - TOED WOODPECKERS.

1. P. arct/cus, (Sw.) Gray. BLACK - BACKED WOOD -
PECKER. Black and white; crown yellow in $, plain in
?; back uniform black; L. 9; W. 5; T. 3f, Northern,

5. to U. S. in winter.

2. P. americanus, Brehm. BANDED THREE - TOED
WOODPECKJER. Back with a white lengthwise stripe;
otherwise as above; L. 8; W. 4£; T. 3£. Ar«tic, S. in
winter to New England.

5. SPHYRAPICUS, Baird. SAP-SUCKING WOODPECKERS.
1. S. varius, (L.) Baird. YELLOW-BELLIED WOOD-
PECKER. Black and white above ; black on breast ;
chiefly yellowish below; white wing patch; crown red in
adult, chin scarlet in $; L. 8£; W. 4f ; T. 3£. U. S.,
abundant.

6. CENTURUS, Swainson. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS.
1. C. caro/inuSf (L.) Bon. RED -BELLIED WOOD-
PECKER. Grayish, much barred above with black and
white; crown and nape crimson in <$, crown ashy in ?,
belly reddish-tinged; L. 9f ; W. 5; T. 3£. E. U. S.,
rather southerly; N. to N. Wis.

7. HELANERPES, Swainson. RED -HEADED WOOD-

PECKERS.

1. HI. erythrocephalus, (L.) Sw. RED-HEADED WOOD-

ARID^E. — XLin. 105

PECKER. L. 9; W. 5|; T. 3£. U. S., E. of the Rocky
Mts.; abundant.

8. COLAPTES, Swainson. FLICKERS.

1. C. auratus, (L.) Sw. GOLDEN - WINGED WOOD-
PECKER. HIGH - HOLER. YARUP. Head ashy, with red
nuchal crescent; back olivaceous, barred with black; rump
white; below pinkish brown shading into yellowish, a
black crescent on breast and numerous round black spots;
shafts and under surfaces of quills golden yellow; $ with
a black maxillary patch; L. 12£; W. 6; T. 4£. E. U. S.,
abundant.

Var. mexicanus, (Sw.) Snow. RED- SHAFTED FLICKER.
Quills with orange red instead of golden; maxillary
patches in $ red instead of black; no nuchal crescent;
no yellowish on belly. Western, E. to Kas., etc. Runs
into the preceding, through C. hybridus, Baird.

OEDEE L-PSITTAOI.

(The Parrots.)

Bill enormously thick, cered at base and strongly
hooked. Feet zygodactyle by reversion of outer toe,
tarsus reticulate. Tongue short, fleshy; upper jaw un-
usually movable. Altricial. Plumage often brilliant. In
all warm regions; species three hundred and fifty-four,
nearly half of which are American.

FAMILY XLIIL— ARID^E.

(The Macaws.)

Parrots with the head not crested, and the tail long,
wedge-shaped or graduated. (Baird?)
* Culmen rounded ; face entirely feathered except a curve about
the eye ; tail shorter than wings. . . CONTJBUS, 1.

106 BIRDS.

/. CONURUS, Kuhl. PARROQUETS.
1. C. carolinensis, (L.) Kuhl. CAROLINA PARROQTTET.
Green; head and neck yellow; face red; wings with blue
and yellow; bill white; L. 13; W. 7$; T. 6. Southwest-
ern, formerly N. to the Great Lakes; now nearly exter-
minated.

OEDEE J.-EAPTOEES.

(TJie Birds of Prey.)

Bill powerful, cered at base, strongly hooked at the
end. Feet never zygodactyle ; fourth toe sometimes
versatile; claws long and sharp; hind toe well developed,
rarely elevated ; tibia, and often tarsus, feathered.
Primaries 10; tail feathers 12 (with rare exceptions).
Altricial, but young downy at birth. Carnivorous birds,
generally of large size and great strength, found in every
part of the world.

FAMILY XLIV.— STRIGIDJ3.

(The Owls.)

Head very large, shortened lengthwise and greatly
expanded laterally; the eyes directed forwards and
partly surrounded by a disk of radiating feathers of
peculiar texture; loral feathers antrorse, long and dense;
feathers on the sides of forehead often elongated into
ear - like tufts. Plumage very soft and lax, rendering the
flight almost noiseless; its colors blended and mottled so
as to render minute description difficult. External ear
very large, often provided with a movable flap. Outer
toe versatile ; claws very sharp, long and strong. Eggs
nearly spherical, pure white. Chiefly nocturnal. Sexes
colored alike, $ usually the larger. Owls are found in
every part of the globe, and most of the species have a

STBIGID^E. — XLIV. 107

wide range. Their habits are so well known that I need
not dwell upon them here. Genera about forty; species
one hundred and fifty.

* Tarsus naked or scant - feathered, facial disk perfect ; no ear-
tufts; middle claw pectinate; iris black. . STRIX, 1.
** Tarsus fully feathered,
f Head with evident " ear-tufts ;" iris yellow.
\ Tail about £ of wing; bill blackish; length more than 18.

BUBO, 6.

\\ Tail about half length of wing ; length less than 18.
a. Bill pale ; length less than 12. ... SCOPS, 5.
aa. Bill dark ; length more than 12. . . . Asio, 2.
ft Head without evident " ear-tufts."
b. Tail about i length of wing ; iris yellow ; length less than

12 NYCTALE, 4.

bb. Tail about f of wing ; length 18 or more.
c. Pure white, with dark markings ; toes concealed by long
feathers ; facial disk incomplete ; bill black ; iris yellow.

NYCTEA, 7.

cc. Grayish, much barred ; facial disk complete ; bill yellow;

iris black or yellow SYRNIUM, 3.

bbb. Tail about f of wing ; bill yellow ; iris yellow ; length

about 16 * SURNIA, 8.

*** Tarsus long, sparsely bristly ; facial disk imperfect ; middle
claw simple SPEOTYTO, 9.

/. STRIX, Linnaeus. BARN OWLS.

1. S. flammea, (L.) var. pratincola, (Bon.) Ridg. BARN
OWL. Face elongated; reddish or tawny, much vari-
egated; L. 17; W. 13; T. 5|. U. S., rather southerly.

2. ASIO, Brisson. EARED OWLS.

(Otus, Cuvier.)

1. A. otus, (L.) Less. LONG - EARED OWL. Ear
tufts well developed, of 8 to 12 feathers; outer primary

108 BIRDS.

only emargmate; much variegated; L. 15; W. 12; T. 6.

U.S.

2. A. brachyotus, (Gm.) Macgil. SUOKT - EARED OWL.
Ear tufts small and inconspicuous; two outer primaries
emarginate; L. 15; W. 12; T. 6. U. S. and Europe.
(Brachyotus palustris, Auct.)

3. SYRNIUM, Savigny. BARRED OWLS.
* Iris black ; 5 outer primaries emarginate. (Syrnium.)

1. S. nebu/osum, (Forst.) Boie. BARRED OWL. Toes
not concealed; olive brown, barred with white above;
breast barred; belly streaked; L. 18; W. 14; T. 9. E.
N. Am., common.

** Iris yellow ; 6 outer primaries emarginate. (Scotiaptex.)

2. S. cinereum, (Gmel.) Aud. GREAT GRAY OWL.
Toes concealed by long feathers; cinereous brown above,
waved with white; breast streaked, belly barred; largest
of all our owls; L. 30; W. 18; T. 12. Northern, S. in
winter to N. States.

4. NYCTALE, Brehm. SPARROW OWLS.

1. N. tengmalmii, Gm. var. richardsonii, (Bon.) Ridg.
TENGMALM'S OWL. Nostrils sunken, elongated, opening
laterally; tail more than half wing; general color choco-
late brown, variegated; L. 10; W. 7£; T. 4£. Northern,
S. to N. U. S.

2. N. acadica, (Gm.) Bon. SAW-WHET OWL. Nos-
trils prominent, nearly circular, opening anteriorly; L.
8; W. 5| ; T. 2f. U. S., rather northerly.

5. SCOPS, Savigny. SCREECH OWLS.
1. S. cts/o, (L.) Bon. SCREECH OWL. RED OWL.
Grayish, speckled and barred, or else with the grayish
replaced by bright reddish; these two different styles of

PALCONTD^. — XLV. 109

plumage bearing no relation to age, sex or season; L.
10; W. 7; T. 3£. U. S., abundant.

6. BUBO, Dumeril. GREAT HORNED OWLS.

1. B. virgin/anus, (Gm.) Bon. GREAT HORNED OWL.
Black, gray and buffy, variously mottled and barred;
usually a whitish half-collar; ear tufts large, their feathers
mostly black; L. 22; W. 16; T. 10. U. S., abundant;
one of the strongest and most untamable of the Owls.

7. NYCTEA, Stephens. GREAT SNOW OWLS.

1. N. scandiaca, (L.) Newt. SNOWY OWL. Pure
white, more or less barred with blackish; L. 23; W. 17;
T. 10. Northern, S. in Winter; one of the handsomest
of Owls. (N. nivea, Auct.)

8. SURNIA, Dumeril. HAWK OWLS.
1. S. ulula, (L.) Bon., var. hudsonica, (Gm.) Ridg.
HAWK OWL. DAY OWL. Brown, much speckled and
barred; L. 16; W. 9; T. 7. Northern, S. to Wis. and
Mass.

9. SPEOTYTO, Gloger. BURROWING OWLS.

1. S. cunicularia, (Mol.) var. hypogcea, (Bon.) Coues.
BURROWING OWL. Brownish, much spotted and varie-
gated. L. 10; W. 7$; T. 4. Fla. and Western Plains,
living in the holes of prairie dogs.

FAMILY XLV.— FALCONID^E.

(Tlie Falcons)

Eyes lateral, eyelids provided with lashes, usually a
projecting bony eyebrow; no complete facial disk. Toes
always naked, and usually tarsus also ; hind toe not
elevated. Head fully feathered (except in the Old World

110 BIRDS.

Vulturince), no ear tufts. Base of stout, strongly hooked
bill, not hidden by feathers. Claws very strong and sharp.
Plumage usually of blended colors, barred or streaked;
changes considerable; $ usually the larger. Genera fifty,
species three hundred, abounding every where. Their
habits are too well known to require description here.

I. Tarsus feathered to the toes.

a. Tarsus entirely feathered ; tail 12 or more. . AQUILA, 12.

aa. Tarsus with a narrow unfeathered strip behind ; tail less
than 12 ARCHIBUTEO, 11.

II. Tarsus reticulate all around.

b. Upper mandible toothed ; under notched ; nostrils circular.

FALCO, 1.
bb. Tail widely forked ; outer feather twice as long as middle

ones ; colors black and white. . . NAUCLERUS, 3.
bbb. Claws all of same length, rounded beneath ; tibial feathers

close ; plumage compact, without after shafts. PAKDION, 2.
bbbb. Tail emarginate, and outer feather not longer than middle ;

head and tail white in adult. . . . ELANUS, 5.

III. Tarsus scutellate in front only (occasionally "booted.")

c. Toes not webbed at all ; neck feathers lanceolate, white in

adult HALJAETCS, 13.

cc. Toes somewhat webbed at base.
d. Nostrils circular ; tail less than £ length of wing.

IcrrffiA, 4

dd. Nostrils oval ; tail more than f length of wing.

e. Tarsus feathered about half way down in front, the

feathers scarcely separated behind. . ASTUR, 7.

ee. Tarsus feathered less than one-third down in front, the

feathers widely separated behind. . ACCIPITER, 8.

IV. Tarsus scutellate in front and behind.

/. Face with a slight ruff; tarsus twice length of middle toe;

upper tail coverts white CIRCUS, 6.

ff. No ruff; 3 or 4 outer primaries emarginate ; rump not white.

BCTEQ, 10.

FALCONID^E. — XLV. Ill

fff. No ruff; 4 primaries emarginate; tail coverts white; tail
black. ASTUKINA, 9.

/. FALCO, Linnaeus. FALCONS.

* First primary only emarginate on inner web ; 3d longest, 1st

shorter than 4th ; tarsal plates small ; sexes colored alike.
f Tarsus not longer than middle toe, scarcely feathered below
joint. (Falco.)

1. F. communis, Gm. PEREGRINE FALCON. DUCK
HAWK. Blackish ash with paler waves; below whitish,
barred; black cheek patches; L. 16; W. 13; T. 7. U.
S., not common.

tf Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw, feathered for some
distance. (Hierofalco, Guv.)

2. F. sacer, Forst. GYRFALCON. Tarsus feathered
half way down, with only a bare strip behind; white or
ashy with dark markings; L. 24; W. 16; T. 10. Northern
regions of both continents; var. islanclicus, S. to U. S.
in winter. (F. gyrfalco, L.)

3. F. mexicanus, Licht. LANIER FALCON. Tarsus
feathered £ way down; general color brown; L. 18; W.
14; T. 8. S. W., E. to Ills.

** Two primaries emarginate t tarsal plates enlarged in front,

appearing like scutella.

\ Tarsus about equal to middle toe; basal joints of toes without
transverse scutella. (^Esalon, Kaup.)

4. F. columbarius, L. PIGEON HAWK. AMERICAN
MERLIN. Ashy blue or blackish above, variegated
below; L. 13; W. 8; T. 5. U. S.

\t Tarsus longer than middle toe; basal joints of toes with
transverse scutella. (Tmnunculus, Vieill.)

5. F. sparverius, L. SPARROW HAWK. RUSTY -
CROWNED FALCON. Back tawny; wings bluish and
black; seven black blotches about head; tail chestnut,

112 BIRDS.

with a broad black band in £, and a narrow terminal one
of white; below white or tawny; L. 11; W. 7; T. 5.
U. S., abundant.

2. PANDION, Savigny. OSPREYS.
1. P. haliaetus, (L.) Savigny. OSPREY. FISH HAWK.
Dark brown; head, neck and under parts mostly white;
feet very large; L. 24; W. 20; T. 10. U. S.; feeds on
fishes.

3. HA UCLERUS, Vigors. SWALLOW -TAILED KITES.

1. H. furcatus, (L.) Vig. SWALLOW - TAILED KITE.
Lustrous black; head, neck and lower parts white; W.
17; T. 14. Southern, N. to Penn. and Minn.

4. ICTINIA, Vieillot. BLUE KITES.
1. I. subcceru/ea, (Bart.) Coues. MISSISSIPPI KITE.
Chiefly lead blue, wings with chestnut; L. 15; W. 12;
T. 6£. Southern, N. to Penn. and Wis. (I. mississip-
piensiS) Auct.)

5. ELANUS, Savigny. WHITE-TAILED KITES.
1. £. glaucus, (Bartr.) Coues. BLACK - SHOULDERED
KITE. L. 17. Southern, N. to S. Ills. (E. leucurus,
Auct.)

6. CIRCUS, Lacepede. MARSH HARRIERS.
1. C. cyaneus (L.) var. Hudson/us, (L.) Coues. MARSH
HARRIER. Pale bluish or brown ; rump and under parts
whitish; L. 18; W. 15; T. 9. N. Am., abundant.

7. ASTUR, Lacepede. GOSHAWKS.
1. A. palumbarius, (L.) var. atricapillus, (Wils.) Coues.
GOSHAWK. Slate blue with white superciliary stripe;
tail with four dark bars; L. 24; W. 14; T. 11. Northern,
S. to U. S. in winter.

. — XLV. IIS

8. ACCIPITER, Brisson. HAWKS.

= Ni&us, Cuvier.

1. A. fuscus, vGm.) Bon. SHARP - SHINNED HAWK.
" PIGEON HAWK." Bare portion of tarsus in front,
longer than middle toe; tarsus " booted " in 3; general
color dark brown; L. 12; W. 7; T. 6. U. S., abundant.

2. A. cooperi, Bon. CHICKEN HAWK. Bare tarsus
shorter than middle toe; L. 18; W. 10; T. 8. N. Am.

9. ASTURINA, Vieillot. GRAY HAWKS.

1. A. nitida, (Lath.) var. plagiata, (Schl.) Coues. GRAY
HAWK. L. 18; W. 10; T. 7£. Mexican, straying to S.
Ills.

10. BUTEO, Cuvier. BUZZARDS.
* 4 outer primaries emarginate on inner web. (Buteo.)

1. B. borea/iSf (Gm.) Vieill. HEN HAWK. RED-TAILED
BUZZARD. Dark brown; much barred and streaked; tail
bright chestnut red above; L. 23; W. 15£; T. 8|. U. S.,
common.

2. B. lineatus, (Gm.) Jard. RED - SHOULDERED BUZ-
ZARD. Dark reddish brown, variegated; bend of wing
orange brown; L. 22; W. 14; T. 9. Smaller than the
preceding, although nearly as long. E. N. Am., abundant.
** 3 outer primaries emarginate on inner web. (Craxirex, Gould.)

3. B. swainsoni, Bon. SWAINSON'S BUZZARD. Gray,
variously streaked, usually a dark area on throat and
breast; tail with six or more narrow dark bars; variable;
L. 20; W. 16; T. 8£. Western; E. to Ind. and Mass.

4. B. pennsylvanicus, (Wils.) Bon. BROAD -WINGED
HAWK. Brown above, whitish or fulvous below, variously
streaked and barred; conspicuous dark cheek patches;
tail with broad dark bands alternating with narrower

114 BIEDS.

pale ones, white -tipped; L. 18; W. 11; T. 7. E. U. S.;
a stout, handsome, though small hawk.

//. ARCHIBUTEO, Brehm. SQUIRREL HAWKS.

1. A. lagopus, (Brunn.), var. sancti-johannis, (Gm.)
Bidg. ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. BLACK HAWK. Chiefly
whitish but sometimes entirely black; L. 24; W. 18; T.
10. N. Am.

12. AQUILA, Mohring. GOLDEN EAGLES.

1. A. chrysaetus, (L.) GOLDEN EAGLE. Glossy purplish
brown; head and neck golden brown; quills blackish;
L. 36; W. 25; T. 16. N. Am., chiefly northerly.

13. HALIAETUS, Savigny. BALD EAGLES.

1. H. leucocephalus, (L.) Savigny. BALD EAGLE. Dark
brown; head, neck and tail white (after the third year);
L. 36; W. 25; T. 14. N. Am., every where; feeds on
fishes. "A piratical parasite of the Osprey, otherwise
notorious as the emblem of the Republic." (Coues.)

FAMILY XLVL — CATHARTIDJ3.

( TJie New World Vultures.)

Head and part of neck bare. Eyes lateral, not over-
hung; ears small. Bill lengthened, weak and but little
hooked; nostrils perforate. Wings very long and strong,
giving a strength and grace of flight scarcely excelled.
Hind toe short, and elevated; front toes long, some-
what webbed, with rather weak and straightish claws.
Large turkey -like raptores, without the strength and
spirit of the hawks and owls; " voracious and indiscrimi-
nate gormandizers of carrion and animal refuse of all
sorts, hence efficient and almost indispensable scavengers
in the warm countries where they abound." (Coues.)

CATHABTID^E. — XLVI. 115

Two species, the Condor and the California Vulture, are
among the largest birds of flight in the world. All are
American, the Old World Vultures ( Vulturince) being
Vulture -like hawks. Genera five; species six or eight.

* Wings very long, primaries reaching to end of tail or farther;
skin of neck not corrugated; a tuft of bristles in front of
eye RHIXOGRYPHUS, 1.

** Wings short, scarcely reaching middle of tail ; skin of neck
corrugated ; no bristles in front of eye. . CATHARISTA, 2.

/. RHINOGRYPHUS, Ridgway. TURKEY BUZZARDS.
< Cathartes, Illiger.

1. R. aura, (L.) Ridg. TURKEY BUZZARD. Black,
lustrous above; skin of head and neck red; L. 30; W.
22; T. 12. N. Am., abundant, southward.

2. CATHARISTA,V\e\\\ot. CARRION CROWS.

1. C. atrata, (Bartr.) Gray. CARRION CROW. Uniform
dull black; L. 24; W. 17; T. 8. N. C. to Mexico;
rarely straying northward.

OEDEE K-OOLUMB^E.

(The Doves.)

Bill straight, compressed, the horny tip separated by
a constriction from the soft part. Nostrils opening
beneath a soft, tumid membrane. Frontal feathers
sweeping in a strongly convex outline across base of
upper mandible; tomije meeting. Hind toe on a level
with the rest (except in Starnoena^ etc.), the others
usually not webbed. Tarsus mostly scutellate in front,
elsewhere reticulate, the plates soft. Head small.

116 BIRDS.

Plumage soft, compact, the feathers very loosely inserted.
Altricial; monogamous.

FAMILY XLVIL— COLUMBINE.

( The Doves.)

Wings long, pointed. Tail never forked, of 12 or 14
feathers; male with the neck iridescent. Species about
three hundred, found in most regions, but most abundant
in the East Indies. Besides the following, quite a num-
ber of species occur in the Southern States. The com-
mon domesticated dove (Colutnba livid) is a fair type of
the family.

* Tarsus feathered at the suffrage, shorter than the lateral toes;
tail very long, wedge-shaped, of 12 feathers. ECTOPISTES, 1.
** Tarsus entirely bare, longer than the lateral toes,
f Tail long, pointed, of 14 feathers ; length more than 10.

ZEN^DUKA, 2.
f f Tail short, rounded, of 12 feathers ; length less than 8.

ClfA.M.KI'ELIA, 3.

/. ECTOPISTES, Swainson. PASSENGER PIGEONS.
1. E. migrator/us, (L.) Sw. WILD PIGEON. Bluish with
reddish and violet tinges, reddish below; L. 17; W. 7£;
T. 8. N. A., abundant; gregarious.

2. ZEN/EDURA, Bonaparte. MOURNING DOVES.

1. Z. carolinensis, (L.) Bon. MOURNING DOVE. TURTLE
DOVE. CAROLINA DOVE. Brownish olive, glossed with
blue and wine color; plumage with metallic lustre; L.
12; W. of; T. 6f . U. S., abundant.

3. CHAM/EPELIA, Swainson. GROUND DOVES.

1. .C passerina, (I,.) Sw. GROUND DOVE. Grayish
olive, with bluish gloss; L. 6£; W. 3£; T. 2f. Southern,
N. to Washington, D.C.

MELEAGRIDJE. — XLVTII. 117

OKDEB L-GALLHLE.

(The Gallinaceous Birds.)

Bill short, stout, convex, horny, not constricted; nostrils
scaled or feathered, cutting edge of upper mandible over-
lapping. Head often partly or wholly naked, sometimes
with fleshy processes. Legs moderate, stout; hind toe
elevated (excepting in Cracidai, etc.), smaller than the
other toes, sometimes wanting. Tarsus broadly scutellate
(sometimes feathered), occasionally spurred in the males;
claws blunt, not much curved. Wings short, strong, con-
cave; tail various, sometimes wanting, often immensely
developed. Precocial, often polygamous.

A large order comprising the various kinds of domesti-
cated fowl as well as the chief game birds of most
countries.

FAMILY XLVIII. — MELEAGRID^E.

(The Turkeys.)

Large birds, with the head and neck un feathered,
covered with scattered hairs, and more or less caruncu-
late. Bill moderate; nostrils bare; forehead with an
elongate fleshy process. Tarsus spurred in male; hind
toe elevated. Tail nearly as long as wing, truncate, of
more than twelve feathers. Breast of male mostly with
a tuft of long bristles. Genus one; species two. M.
ocellatus, of tropical America, and the common Turkey.

/. MELEAGRIS, Linnaeus. TURKEYS.

1. M. gallopavo, L. WILD TURKEY. Glossy, coppery
black; L. 48; W. 21; T. 18£. Canada to Rocky Moun-
tains, and south to Mexico, becoming extinct eastwards.
The domestic Turkey is descended from a Mexican
variety.

118 BIRDS.

FAMILY XLIX.— TETRAONID^E.

(TJie Grouse.)

Nostrils and tarsus densely feathered. Toes usually
naked. Tail various with sixteen to twenty feathers.
Usually a naked strip over eye; sides of neck often with
a bare patch or lengthened feathers, or both. Genera
seven; species fifteen; chiefly North American.
* Toes naked.

f Tarsus feathered to the toes.

\ Tail of 16 feathers; colors dark. . . . CANACE, 1.
\\ Tail of 18 feathers.

a. Neck without peculiar feathers; middle tail feathers pro-
jecting PEDKECETES, 2.

aa. Neck with peculiar, elongated, lanceolate feathers above

a large, bare, bright-colored patch. . CUPIDONIA, 3.

ff Tarsus feathered about half way; tail of 18 soft, broad

feathers BONASA, 4.

** Toes feathered ; winter plumage pure white. . LAGOPUS, 5.

/. CANACE, Reichenbach. AMERICAN GROUSE.
< Tetrao, L.

1. C. canadensis, (L.) Reich. SPRUCE PARTRIDGE.
CANADA GROUSE. Black above with plumbeous mark-
ings; mostly black below with white spots; tail with an
orange brown terminal band; $ smaller, black interrupted
or streaky; L. 16; W. 6f; T. 5£. Spruce swamps, N.
U. S. and Northward.

2. PEDKECETES, Baird. SHARP -TAILED GROUSE.

1. P. phasianellus, (L.) var. columbianus, (Ord.) Coues.
SHARP -TAILED GROUSE. Chiefly yellowish brown and
white; sexes alike; L. 18; W. 8f; T. 5. Illinois to
Colorado, N. and W.

PERDICID^E. — L. 119

3. CUPIDONIA, Reich. PINNATED GEOTJSE.
1. C. cup/do, (L.) Baird. PKAIRIE HEN. PRAIRIE
CHICKEN. Sides of neck with a tuft of long pointed
feathers, beneath which is a patch of bare, red skin,
capable of great inflation; black, tawny and white, barred
and streaked; L. 17; W. 9; T. 4£; ? smaller. Prairies,
etc., Martha's Vineyard to La. and N.; nearly extermin-
ated eastward.

4. BONASA, Stephens. RUFFED GROUSE.

1. B. umbellus, (L.) Stephens. PARTRIDGE (North.)
PHEASANT (South.) Crested; sides of neck with a ruff
of soft dark feathers; variegated, reddish or grayish
brown, with blackish and pale; L. 18; W. 7£; T. 7. E.
U. S., abundant in woodland.

5. LAG OPUS, Vieillot. PTARMIGANS.

1. L albus, (Gm.) Aud. WHITE PTARMIGAN. WILLOW
GROUSE. Fore parts cinnamon brown, variegated with
blackish; in winter pure white; bill stout; L. 16; W. 8;
T. 5. British America; N. U. S. (rarely, in winter.)

FAMILY L.— PERDICIDvE.

( The Partridges.)

Nostrils unfeathered, protected by a naked scale;
tarsus bare and scutellate, circumorbital space usually
not bare; in most respects similar to the Grouse, but
smaller. Our species are crested (excepting the com-
mon Quail) and Western or Southwestern.

/. ORTYX, Stephens. BOB -WHITES.

1. 0. virgin/anus, (L.) Bon. QUAIL (North.) PART-
RIDGE (South.) BOB -WHITE. Forehead, line through
eyes, chin and throat white, brownish yellow in $;

120 BIRDS.

crown dark ; plumage generally chestnut red, barred
and streaked; L. 9£; W. 5; T. 3. E. U. S., and West
Indies; W. to Plains.

OEDEE M.-LIMICOL^E.

(The Slwre Birds.)

Tibia more or less naked below (sometimes very
slightly); legs, and usually neck also, elongated; hind
toe free and elevated, often wanting. Head globose,
abruptly sloping to the base of the bill, completely
feathered (except in Philomachus $ ); gape short; bill
weak, flexible, more or less soft -skinned, and therefore
sensitive, blunt at tip, without hard cutting edges —
fitted for probing in the mud; nostrils slit-like, surround-
ed by soft skin, never feathered; body never strongly
compressed or depressed: nature precocial.

Birds of medium or small size, more or less aquatic;
found in most regions; very abundant in America.

FAMILY LI. — CHARADRIID^E.

(The Plovers.)

Head rather large, nearly globose; bill of moderate
length, shaped somewhat like a pigeon's bill, with a
constriction behind the horny terminal portion; nasal
fossae; lined with soft skin, through which the slit - like
nostrils open. Wings long and pointed, usually reaching
beyond the tip of the short tail, sometimes spurred.
Toes usually three, with basal web; tarsus reticulated;
tibia? naked below. Sexes similar, but seasonal changes
of plumage great. Species sixty or more, in most parts
of the world.
* Plumage speckled ; black below iu breeding season.

CHARIDRLTD.3E. — LI. 121

f Hind toe present , very short. . . . SQUATAROLA, 1.

ft Hind toe absent CHARADRIOS, 2.

** Plumage not speckled ; head and neck with dark bands in the
breeding season ; toes 3 JSeiALiTis, 3.

/. SQUATAROLA, Cuvier. WHISTLING PLOVEKS.

1. S. helvetica, (L.) Cuv. BLACK - BELLIED PLOVER.
OX-EYE. Grayish, speckled; black below in breeding
season, at other times white; L. 11£; W. 7; T. 3; B.
1^; Ts. 2. In most parts of the world.

2. CHARADRIUS, L. GOLDEN PLOVEBS.

1. C. fulvus (Gm.) var. virginicus, (Borck ) Coues.
GOLDEN PLOVER. FROST BIRD. Dark and grayish
above, profusely speckled, some of the spots bright
yellow; black below in breeding season, at other times
grayish; L. 10£; W. 7; T. 3; B. 1; Ts. If. N. Am., a
well known game bird.

3. fi-GIALITIS, Boie. RING- NECK PLOVERS.
* Bill black, rather long; L. 8 or more.

1. /E. vociferus, (L.) Cass. KILDEER PLOVER. Brown;
rump bright orange brown; tail with black, white, and
orange; two black bars across breast, and one above the
white forehead; L. 9£; W. 6£; T. 3£. N. Am., abund-
ant in the Miss. Valley.

** Bill black-tipped, short and stout; L. 7 or less.

2. JE. semipalmatus, (Bon.) Cab. RING - NECK PLOVER.
Dark ashy brown ; black bands broad; feet semipalmate;
L. 7. N. Am.

3. JE. melodus, (Ord) Cab. PIPING PLOVER. Very
pale ashy brown, clear white below; dark bands narrow
and faint; toes slightly webbed j L. 6f. E. N. Am.,
abundant along the coast.

6

122 BIRDS.

FAMILY LIL— ILEMATOPODID^E.

(The Turnstones.)

Bill hard, acute, or truncate; nasal fossae short, broad,
and shallow. Legs short, stout, brightly colored. Genera
two, not much alike; species six or eight; in most parts
of the world.

* Toes 3, webbed at base ; tarsus reticulate, shorter than the trun-

cate, compressed, almost woodpecker-like bill.

H^MATOPUS, 1.

** Toes 4, not webbed ; tarsus scutellate in front, as long as the
sharp, pointed bill. ..... STREPSILAS, 2.

/. H/EMA TO PUS, Linnasus. OYSTER CATCHERS.

1. H. palliatus, Temminck. OYSTER CATCHER. Ashy
brown and blackish, mostly white below; L. 18; W. 10;
T. 4|; B. 3. Coasts.

2. STREPS I LAS, Linnaeus. TURNSTONES.

1. S. interpres, (L.) Illiger. TURNSTONE. Variegated;
black, white, brown, and chestnut above; mostly white
below; no reddish in winter; L. 8£; W. 6; T. 2£.
Cosmopolitan; abundant.

FAMILY LIII. — RECURVIROSTRID^E.

(The Avocets.)

Legs excessively long. Bill very slender, long, acute,
often recurved. Genera three, species eight; in most
parts of the world, flimantopus is said to have the
longest legs relatively of any bird.

* Toes 4, full webbed ; bill recurved, flattened, tapering to a needle-

like point ; plumage beneath thickened as in ducks ; swim-
mers RECUIIVIROSTRA, 1.

** Toes 3, semipalmate ; bill nearly straight, not flattened.

HIMANTOPUS, 2.

PHALAROPODID^E. — LIV. 123

/. RECURS/ROSTRA, Linnaeus. AVOCETS.
1. R. americana, Gm. AVOCET. BLUE STOCKING.
White, marked with black and cinnamon; legs blue; L.
18; W. 8; T. 3£. U. S.

2. HIMANTOPUS, Brisson. STILTS.
1. H. nigricollis, Vieillot. STILT. LONG SHANKS.
LAWYER. Glossy black, white below, legs pink; L. 15;
W. 9; T. 3; Ts. 4. U. S.

FAMILY LIV.— PHALAROPODIMJ.

(The Phalaropes.)

Snipe-like birds with the toes lobed, as in the coots
and grebes, but the lobes narrower. Swimmers; body
depressed and the under plumage thick as in the Ducks.
Tarsus much compressed. Three species representing
as many genera; of northern regions of both hemis-
pheres, southward in winter.

* Bill flattened ; membranes scalloped. . . PHALAROPTJS, 1.
** Bill subulate ; membranes scalloped. . . LOBIPES, 2.
*** Bill subulate ; membranes plain. . . STEGANOPUS, 3.

/. PHALAROPUS, Brisson. RED PHALAROPES.
1. /*. fulicarius, (L.) Bon. RED PHALAROPE. Variega-
ted above, purplish chestnut below; young white below j
L. 8; W. 5; T. 2f ; B. 1. Northern Am.

2. LOBIPES, Cuvier. NORTHERN PHALAROPES.

1. L. hyperboreus, (L.) Cuv. NORTHERN PHALAROPE.
Grayish black, variegated; rump and under parts white;
sides of neck with chestnut stripe. Northern regions.

3. S TEG A NO PUS, Vieillot. PHALAROPES.
1. S. wilsoni, (Sab.) Coues. WILSON'S PHALAROPE.

124 BIRDS.

Ashy above, variegated; rump and under parts white;
sides of neck with a black stripe which changes to chest-
nut below. Northern regions.

FAMILY LV.— SCOLOPACID^E.

(The Snipe.)

Bill elongated, usually longer than the head; if short
not plover - like, being soft - skinned throughout (hard
when dry); nasal grooves narrow channels ranging
from half to nearly the whole length of the bill;
sides of lower mandible usually also grooved; nostrils
narrow exposed slits; head feathered. Wings usually
thin and pointed ; tail short and soft ; tibiae rarely
entirely feathered. Tarsus never entirely reticulate and
usually scutellate in front and behind; hind toe present
(except in Calidris)\ front toes cleft or slightly webbed;
size medium or small. Sexes alike or female slightly
larger ; seasonal changes in plumage often strongly
marked. Eggs usually four, placed with the small ends
together in a slight nest or depression in the ground;
notes various; mostly migratory or gregarious. Genera
fifteen or more, species about ninety; chiefly of northern
regions, but some species in most parts of the world.

* Toes 3 CALIDRIS, 8.

** Toes 4.

f Tarsus scutellate in front only; bill slender, decurved, very
much longer than the head. . . . NDMENIUS, 15.

ft Tarsus scutellate in front and behind.
t Feet semipalmate ; toes somewhat webbed at base,
a Tail barred crosswise, with light and dark colors.
6. Gape not reaching beyond base of culmen.
c. Culmen furrowed ; length less than 12.

MACROBHAMPHUS, 4

SCOLOPACID^E. — LV. 125

ec. Culmen unfurrowed ; length more than 12.

LlMOSA,9.

66. Gape reaching beyond base of culmen.
d. Length more than 9.

e. Bill longer than head. . . . TOTANUS, 10.
ee. Bill not longer than head.
/. Tail more than half the length of wing.

ACTITURUS, 13.

ff. Tail less than half the length of wing.

PHILOMACHUS, 12.

dd. Length less than 9 ; second toe unwebbed.

g. Bill grooved nearly to tip ; back not speckled with
white ; adult with black spots below.

TRINGOIDES, 11.

gg. Bill grooved about half way to tip ; back speckled
with white, not spotted below. . TOTANUS, 10.
aa. Tail not barred.
h. One minute web ; primaries mottled with black.

TRYNGITES, 14.
hh. Feet with two plain webs.

»'. Bill about as long as head. . . EREUNETES, 6.
ii. Bill much longer than head. . MICROPALAMA, 5.
fl: Toes not webbed at all.

j. First primary attenuate ; bill straight, longer than head ;
culmen grooved. .... SCOLOPAX, 2.

jj. First three primaries attenuate ; bill as in Scolopax.

PHILOHELA, I.
jjj. Primaries not attenuate.

k. Bill straight, about twice as long as head.

GALLINAGO, 3.

kk. Bill straight, much shorter than head ; primaries

mottled with black. . . . TRYNGITES, 14.

kkk. All other Sandpipers. . . . TRINGA, 7.

/. PHILOMELA, Gray. AMERICAN WOODCOCKS.
1. P. minor, (Gm.) Gray. AMERICAN WOODCOCK.

126 BIRDS.

Variegated, black, brown, gray, and russet; below warm
brown; eye high and far back; L. 11; W. 5;. B. 3; T.
1£. E. U. S., in swamps, etc.

2. SCOLOPAX, Linnaeus. EUROPEAN WOODCOCKS.

1. S. rusiicola, L. EUROPEAN WOODCOCK. General
appearance of Philohela, but a third larger. European;
accidental on our Atlantic coast.

3. GALLINAGO, Leach. SNIPE.

1. G. w/'/soni, (Temm.) Bon. AMERICAN SNIPE. WIL-
SON'S SNIPE. Back varied with black and bay; crown
black, with a pale median stripe; bill straight, very long;
L. 11; W. 5; B. 2£; leg naked, 3; T. 2f E. U. S.,
abundant.

4. UACRORHAMPHUS, Leach. RED -BREASTED SNIPE.

1. M. griseus, (Gm.) Leach. GRAY SNIPE. BROWN-
BACK. Blackish and grayish ; breast bay in summer;
bill long nearly as in Gallinago; L. 11; W. 5^; T. 2£.
North America; abundant coastwise.

5. MICROPALAMA, Baird. STILT SANDPIPERS.

1. M. himantopus, (Bon.) Baird. STILT SANDPIPER.
Blackish, marked with chestnut, etc.; ashy gray in win-
ter; bill nearly as in Gallinago; L. 9; W. 5; T. 2£. N.
Am., not abundant.

6. EREUNETES, Illiger. SAND -PEEPS.

1. E. pusillus, (L.) Cass. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.
PEEP. Plumage various, usually pale, white below ;
small; L. 6|; W. 3|; T. 2. N. Am.; abundant along
beaches.

SCOLOPACID^:. — LV. 127

7. TRINGA, Linnaeus. SANDPIPERS.

* Bill, tarsus, and middle toe with claw, of about equal length.

(Actodromas.)

\ Upper tail coverts (except the lateral series) black or dark
brown ; throat with an ashy or brownish suffusion and
dusky streaks.

1. T. minutilla, Vieill. LEAST SANDPIPER. PEEP.
Smallest of the Sandpipers, resembling JEreunetes, but
the feet different; L. 6; W. 3£; T. 2. N. Am., abundant.

2. T. bairdii, (Coues) Scl. BAIRD'S SANDPIPER. Colors
of preceding but larger; throat but little streaked; L. 7
to 7£; W. 4f ; T. 2£; B. £. America, rare E. of the
Mississippi R.

3. T. maculata, Vieill. PECTORAL SNIPE. JACK SNIPE.
GRASS SNIPE. Crown unlike neck; throat ashy-shaded
and sharply streaked; L. 9; W. 5£; B. 1^. N. Am.,
abundant.

ft Upper tail coverts white, with or without dusky marks ; throat
sharply streaked, with little if any ashy suffusion.

4. T. fusc/cof//Sf Vieill. WHITE -RUMPED SAND-
PIPER. L. 7£; W. 4f ; T. 2£. E. U. S., abundant along
the coast.

** Bill, tarsus, and middle toe, obviously not of equal length.
\ Tarsus shorter than middle toe ; tibiae feathered. (Arquatella.)

5. T. marHima, Brtinnich. PURPLE SANDPIPER. Ashy
black with purplish reflections; feathers with pale edg-
ings; lower parts, etc., mostly white; bill nearly straight;
L. 9; W. 5; T. 2f; B. !£. Atlantic Coast.

ft Tarsus not shorter than middle toe ; tibiae bare below.
a. Bill slightly decurved, much longer than tarsus. (Pelidna.)

6. T. alpina (L.) var. americana, Cass. AM. DUNLIN.
Ox- BIRD. BLACK -BELLI ED SANDPIPER. Chestnut
brown above; feathers black centrally; belly, in summer,

128 BIRDS.

with a broad black area; L. 9; W. 5; T. 2|; B. If.
N. Am.

aa. Bill perfectly straight. (Tringa.)

7. T. canutus, L. ROBIN SNIPE. RED -BREASTED
SANDPIPER. Brownish black, brownish red (robin - like)
below; L. 11; W. 6£; T. 2£. Atlantic Coast; abundant.

8. CALIDRIS, Cuvier. SANDERLINGS.
1. C. arenar/a, (L.) 111. SANDERLING. RUDDY PLOVER.
Variegated; form of T. canutus, but the hind toe want-
ing; L. 8; W. 5; T. 2|; B. 1. N. Am.; abundant
coastwise.

9. LI M OS A, Brisson. GOD WITS.

1. L fedoa, (L.) Ord. GREAT MARBLED GODWTT.
MARLIN. Cinnamon brown, variegated above, nearly
uniform below; tail barred; no pure white; L. 16 to 22;
W. 9; T. 31; B. 4f U. S., abundant along shores.

2. L. hudsonica, (Lath.) Sw. BLACK - TAILED GODWIT.
Brownish black and reddish, more or less variegated
above and below; some white; tail black, white at base;
L. 15; W. 8; Ts. 2£; B. 3f N. Am., rather northerly.

10. TOT AN US, Bechstein. TATTLERS.

* Toes with two sub-equal webs; legs dark or bluish. (Sym-
pliemia.)

1. T. semipa/matus, Gmelin. WILLET. SEMIPALMATED
TATTLER. Grayish, variegated; L. 12 to 16; W. 7|; T.
3; B. 2£. U. S., common coastwise.

** Toes with the inner web very small ; legs yellow. (Glottis,
Nilsson.)

2. T. melanoleucus, Gm. GREATER TELL-TALE. YEL-
LOW SHANKS. STONE SNIPE. Ashy brown, variegated;
bill very slender; legs long; L. 12£; W. 7£; T. 3±; B.
2%. N. Am., frequent.

SCOLOPACID^E. — LV. 129

3. T. flavipes, Gm. LESSER TELL-TALE. YELLOW
SHANKS. Colors as in preceding; smaller; legs longer;
L. 11; W. 6|; T. 2£; B. If. U. S., abundant.

*** Toes with inner web rudimentary ; legs blackish. (Khya-
eophilus, Kaup.)

4. T. solitarius, Wilson. SOLITARY TATTLER. Olive
brown, streaked and speckled with whitish above; below
white, breast with dusky suffusion; bill straight and
slender; L. 9; W. 5; T. 2£; B. 1£. U. S., abundant
about secluded ponds, etc.

//. TRINGOIDES, Bonaparte. SPOTTED SANDPIPERS.

1. T. macularius, (L.) Gray. TIP - UP. TEETER - TAIL.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER. Lustrous drab above, varied with
black; pure white below, with round black spots in
adult; L. 8; W. 4; T. 2; B. 1. U. S., everywhere.

12. PHILOMACHUS, Mohring. RUFFS.
1. P. pugnax, (L.) Gray. RUFF ($). REEVE (?). Male
in breeding season with a great ruff, and the face bare;
? without these characters; L. 10; W. 7; T. 2|; B. 1£.
European; accidental on our coasts.

13. ACTITURUS, Bonaparte. UPLAND SANDPIPERS.

1. A. bartramius, (Wilson) Bon. UPLAND PLOVER.
Dark grayish, variegated; L. 13; W. 7; T. 4; B. 1£.
U. S., abundant in fields, etc.

14. TRYNGITES, Cabanis. BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS.
1. T. rufescens, (Vieill.) Cab. Grayish, reddish below;
quills with white and finely mottled with black; L. 8;
W. 5£; T. 2£. U. S., with the last, but not common.

15. NUMENIUS, Linnaeus. CURLEWS.
1. H. longirostriSt Wils. LONG -BILLED CURLEW.
9

130 BIRDS.

SICKLE BILL. Reddish gray, variegated; L. 24; W. 12;
T. 4; B. 5 to 9. U. S., frequent.

2. H. hudsonicus, Lath. JACK CURLEW. Similar, but
paler; L. 18; W. 9; T. 3£; B. 3 or 4. U. S., and north-
ward.

3. N. borealis, (Forst.) Lath. ESQUIMAUX CUELEW.
DOUGH BIRD. More reddish; L. 15 or less; W. 8£; T.
3; B. 2£. U. S., northwards.

OEDEE R-HEEODIOKES.

(Tlw Herons and Storks.)

Birds usually of large stature, with compressed body,
long legs and a very long "S-bent" neck; tibia naked
below; toes long and slender, cleft or slightly webbed,
the hind toe comparatively long and (usually) not ele-
vated, provided with a large claw. Wings broad,
rounded. Tail short. Head narrow, gradually contracting
to the stout base of the bill, which is long and mostly
hard and acute, with sharp cutting edges; lores, orbital
space, and often whole head naked. Plumage with
powder-down tracts (explained below); altricial.

FAMILY LVL — ARDEID^.

(Tlie Herons)

Large birds with the bill straight, longer than the
head, compressed, acute, with sharp - cutting edges;
upper mandible grooved; nostrils linear; lores naked,
the bill appearing to run directly to the eyes; rest of
head feathered; parts of the body with "powder -down
tracts," — strips of short, dusty, or greasy down - like
feathers, usually three pairs of these strips, i. e., on the
back above the hips, on the belly under the hips, and

AKDELTXE. — LVI. 131

on the breast; usually long plumes from the back or
head in the breeding season. Wings broad. Tail very
short. Tibiae largely naked below; toes long and slen-
der, hind toe on a level with the rest, middle claw
pectinate. Sexes usually colored alike. Species nearly
one hundred; in most parts of the world, abundant in
the warmer regions.

* Tail of 12 feathers; usually a crest or train in the breeding

season ; lateral toes more than half length of tarsus.
f Tibia bare two inches or more.
\ Length 36 or more.

a. General color bluish or ashy brown. . ARDEA, 1.
aa. Color white at all times. . . . HERODIAS, 2.

\\ Length 24 or less.

b. Color white at all times ; legs black and yellow.

GARZETTA, 3.
66. General color bluish (young white), legs black or bluish.

FLORIDA, 4.
ff Tibia bare one inch or less. *

e. Tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw.

d. Bill more than thrice as long as high. . BTJTORIDES, 5.

dd. Bill not four times as long as high. NYCTIARDEA, 6.

ce. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw; bill more than

half an inch deep at base. . . NYCTHERODIUS, 7.

** Tail of 10 feathers ; no crest nor train ; lower neck bare behind ;

length less than 30.

e. Length more than 18 ; tawny, much streaked. BOTAURUS, 8.
ee. Length less than 18 ; glossy blackish or chestnut.

ARDETTA, 9.

/. ARDEA, Linngeus. HERONS.

1. A. herodias, L. GREAT BLUE HERON. Grayish
blue, marked with black and white ; back of head crested
in breeding season; tibia and edge of wing chestnut
brown; L. 48; W. 20; T. 7; B. 5£; Ts. 6|; <? much
smaller. U. S., common.

132 BIRDS.

2. HERODIAS, Gray. GREAT WHITE EGRETS.
1. H. egretta, (Gm.) Gray. GREAT WHITE EGRET.
WHITE HERON. Pure white; head without lengthened
feathers; back in breeding season with a long train; L.
40; W. 17; B. 5; Ts. 6. U. S., chiefly southerly.

3. GARZETTA, Bonaparte. LITTLE WHITE EGRETS.

/. G. candidissima, (Jacq.) Bon. SNOWY EGRET. Pure
white ; head and neck with long plumes in breeding
season; L. 24; W. 12; B. 3; T. 4. Southern and middle
States; abundant.

4. FLORIDA, Baird. LITTLE BLUE HERONS.

1. F. coBrulea, (L.) Baird. LITTLE BLUE HERON.
Slaty blue; young white; head with elongated feathers;
no dorsal plumes; L. 24; W. 12; B. 3; Ts. 4. U. S.;
abundant, southerly.

5. BUTORIDES, Bonaparte. GREEN HERONS.

1. B. virescens, (L.) Bon. GREEN HERON. Crown,
back and wings lustrous dark green; neck purplish cin-
namon; crested; back with lengthened feathers; L. 18;
W. 7; B. 2|. U. S., abundant.

6. NYCTIARDEA, Swainson. NIGHT HERONS.

1. N. gr/'sea (L.) Steph., var. ncevia, (Bodd.) Allen.
QUA BIRD. SQUAWK. NIGHT HERON. Bluish gray,
crown and shoulders glossy green; no peculiar feathers
save two or three long, white occipital plumes; young
speckled, very different; L. 24; W. 14; B. 3; Ts. 3.
U. S., frequent.

7. NYCTHERODIUS, Auctorum. YELLOW - CROWNED

NIGHT HERONS.
1. N. violaceus, (L.) . YELLOW - CROWNED NIGHT

TANTALUM. — LVH. 133

HERON. Grayish plumbeous; crested; back with long
plumes; crown, etc., tawny or white; young speckled;
size of last; B. 2£; Ts. 3f. U. S.

8. BOTAURUS, Stephens. BITTERNS.

1. B. minor, (Gmel.) Boie. INDIAN HEN. STAKE
DRIVER. BITTERN. Tawny brown of various shades,
excessively variegated everywhere; dark patch on each
side of neck; L. 23 to 28; W. 12; T. 4£; B. 3. U. S.,
abundant.

9. ARDETTA, Gray. LEAST BITTERN.

1. A. exilis, (Gm.) Gray. LEAST BITTERN. $ chiefly
glossy greenish black above, brownish yellow below,
neck and shoulders with chestnut; ? with purplish
chestnut instead of black; L. 14; W. 5; T. If; B. If.
U. S., rather rare.

FAMILY LVII.— TANTALISE.

(The Ibises.)

Stork - like birds, usually of large size, with the head
more or less bare of feathers when adult; neck and legs
long; body small. Wings large and rounded. Tail
very short. Tibia bare for some distance; toes 4; hind
toe lengthened and low down. Genera four; species
fifteen ; swamps and lakes of warm regions. Sexes alike.
Allied to the Storks (Ciconiidoe) of the Old World.

* Tarsus reticulate ; bill very stout, tapering, decurved.

TANTALUS, 1.
** Tarsus scutellate in front; bill grooved, curved (curlew-like.)

f Claws curved EUDOCIMUS, 2.

ft Claws nearly straight FALCINEUJUS, 3.

/. TANTALUS, Linnseus. WOOD IBISES.
1. T. loculator, L. WOOD IBIS. White; quills, tail
and primary coverts black; bare part of head and neck

134 BIRDS.

bluish; L. 48; W. 20; B. 9. Southern States, N. to
Ohio and Colorado.

2. EUDOC/MUS,W&gleT. IBISES.
1. E. a/bus, (L.) WHITE IBIS. Pure white, wings
with black; L. 24; W. 11; T. 4; B. 7. Southern States,
N. to L. I.

3. FALCINELLUS, Bechstein. GLOSSY IBISES.

1. F. igneus, Auct. GLOSSY IBIS. Rich dark chest-
nut, with greenish and purplish on head; L. 24; W. 11;
T. 4; B. 4|. S. States, N. to N. England.

OEDEE O.-ALEOTOEIDES.

(TTie Cranes and Hails.)

Tibia naked below; neck, legs and feet much as in
HerodioneS) except that the hind toe is small and ele-
vated, and provided with a small claw. Bill various,
usually lengthened; head fully feathered or else exten-
sively bald. Body more or less compressed. Wings
short, rounded, concave. Tail very short and small; size
various.

FAMILY LVIIL— GRUID^E.

(The Cranes.)

Very large birds with the head and neck extremely
long. Wings large. Tail short. Head more or less
naked, with scattered hair -like feathers. Plumage
mostly compact. Bill as long or longer than head,
straight and slender; tibiae extensively naked; tarsus
scutellate; toes rather short; hind toe highly elevated.
Genera three; species fourteen, of various parts of the
world.

RALLIDJ3. — LIX. 135

/. GRUS, Linnaeus. CRANES.

1. G. amerieanus, (L.) Ord. WHITE OK WHOOPING
CRANE.. Adult pure white with black on wings; bare
part of head very hairy; young grayish, the head
feathered; L. 50; W. 24; T. 9; Ts. 12; B. 6. U. S.,
rather southerly.

2. G. canadensis, (L.) Terara. BROWN OB SAND - HILL
CRANE. Plumbeous gray, never whitening; head
sparsely hairy; smaller. U. S., chiefly S. and W.

FAMILY LIX.— RALLID.E.

(The Rails.)

Birds of medium or small size, with compressed bodies
and muscular legs. Wings and tail short. Hind toe
short and elevated; front toes very long. Bill various,
rather short. Plumage blended. Sexes alike. Species
about one hundred and fifty, of most parts of the world.
* Forehead feathered ; no frontal plate. (RALLIJ^E.)
f Bill decurved, longer than head. . . . RALLUS, 1.
ff Bill straight, shorter than head. . . . PORZANA, 2.
** Forehead covered with a broad, horny, frontal plate.
\ Toes scarcely or not lobate. (GALLINULIN.E.)
a. Nostrils linear; tarsus less than 2. . GAUJNULA, 3.
CM. Nostrils nearly circular; tarsus about 2. PORPHYRIO, 2.
$ Toes lobate, edged with broad flaps. (FuLiciN^:.) FDLICA, 5.

/. RALLUS, Linnaeus. RAILS.

1. R. longirostris, Bodd. CLAPPER RAIL. SALT-
WATER MARSH HEN. Olive brown, variegated with
ashy; dull reddish brown below; L. 14 to 16; W. 6; T.
2^; B. 2-J; $ smaller. Salt marshes; rather southerly.

2. R. elegans, Aud. KING RAIL. FRESH -WATER
MARSH HEN. Brownish black, with chestnut below

136 BIRDS.

and on wing coverts; much brighter colored than the
last, and rather larger. U. S., fresh-water marshes.

3. R. virginianus, L. VIRGINIA RAIL. Colors exactly
as in M. elegans; much smaller; L. 10; W. 4; T. 1£; B.
1£. U. S., frequent.

2. PORZANA, Vieillot. LITTLE RAILS.

1. P. Carolina, (L.) V. CAROLINA RAIL. SOKA. "OR-
TOLAN." Olive -brown, variegated; face and middle
line of throat black; breast slaty gray; back streaked;
belly barred; L. 9; W. 4£; T. 2. U. S., not rare.

2. P. noveboracensis, (Gm.) Cass. YELLOW RAIL.
Variegated above; L. 6; W. 3±; T. 1£. E. U. S., not
common.

3. P. jamaicensis, (Gm.) Cass. BLACK RAIL. Blackish;
L. 5£. S. Am., etc., rarely in U. S.

3. GALLINULA, Brisson. GALLINULES.

1. G. galeata, (Licht.) Bon. FLORIDA GALLINULE.
Brownish olive above, grayish black on head and below;
bill, frontal plate and ring around tibia red; L. 15; W.
7^; T. 3J; Ts. 2. S. States, straying northward. (Mani-
towoc, Wis. Jordan.)

4. PORPHYRIO, Temminck. PURPLE GALLINULES.

1. P. martinica, (L.) Temm. PURPLE GALLINULES.
Olive green; head and below purplish blue; crissum
white; bill mostly red; L. 12; W. 7; T. 3. S. States,
N. to Maine.

5. FULICA, Linnaeus. COOTS.

1. F. americana, Gm. COOT. MUD HEN. Dark slate
color or sooty; bill brownish; L. 14; W. 8; T. 2. U. S.,
abundant in reedy swamps; swims well.

ANATID^B.— LX. 137

OEDEE P.-LAMELLIEOSTEES.

(TJie Anserine Birds.)

Bill lamellate, «. e., furnished along each cutting edge
with a regular series of tooth-like processes, which cor-
respond to certain laciniate processes of the fleshy tongue,
which ends in a horny tip; bill large, thick, high at base,
depressed towards the end, membranous except at the
obtuse tip which is occupied by a horny nail; no gular
pouch. Head high, compressed, with sloping forehead;
eyes small. Feet 4-toed (excepting some Flamingoes),
palmate ; hind toe small, elevated ; tibia feathered in
Anatidce, bare below in the Flamingoes. Wings strong,
short. Legs short (except in Phoenicopteridce, where
excessively elongated); precocial; swimming birds. An
important and familiar order, comprising nearly all the
" Water Fowl " which are valued in domestication or as
game birds. There are two families, Phcenicopteridce
the Flamingoes, and the following:

FAMILY LX. — ANATID^E.

(TJie Ducks.)

Characters of bill, etc., as given above. Body heavy,
flattened beneath. Head large; eyes small. Tail
various, usually short, of 14 to 16 feathers, the lower
coverts being long and full. Feet short, anterior toes
full -webbed. Sexes usually quite unlike (excepting
among the Swans and Geese.) Species one hundred and
seventy -five, of all parts of the world; migratory. The
sub - families are indicated below.
* Lores naked ; adult entirely white ; large birds ; Swans. (CYG-

NTN^E.) CTGNTJS, 1.

** Lores feathered ; tarsus entirely reticulate ; Geese. (ANSERINE.)
a. Bill and legs not black ; colors white, bluish, etc. ANSEB, 2.

138 BIRDS.

aa. Bill and legs black ; neck black. . . BKANTA, 3.
*** Lores feathered ; tarsus scutellate in front ; Ducks.
f Bill depressed ; the lamellae simple, bluntish.
\ Hind toe simple, not bordered by membrane. " River

Ducks." (ANATIN.E.)

&. Head crested ; tip of bill formed entirely by the nail ;
colors brilliant in $ ...... Are, 11.

&6. Bill very much widened towards the tip ; speculum
green ....... SPATULA, 10.

66&. Head not crested ; bill not much widened towards tip.

c. Tail wedge-shaped, at least £ length of wing.

$ of DAFILA, 5.
ec. Tail less than half length of wing.

d. Speculum white ; wing coverts chestnut.

CHAULELASMTJS, 6.
dd. Speculum violet, bordered with black and white.

ANAS, 4.

ddd. Speculum greenish purple, bordered by black, Avliite
and bufl; crown streaked; tail leathers acute.

? of DAFILA, 5.
dddd. Speculum green.

e. Wing coverts mostly while; crown whitish.

MA.RECA, 7.

ee. Wing coverts sky-blue; head of $ plumbeous or

purplish. . . . QUERQUEDCLA, 8.

eee. Wing coverts plain ashy ; head of male chestnut

with green band. . . . NETTION, 9.

\\ Hind toe lobed (bordered by membrane.) " Sea Ducks."

h. Cheeks bristly ; colors black and white (or gray.)

CAMPTOL^EMUS, 16.

Kh, Tail pointed, longer than wings (in adult) ; bill black
and orange ...... HARELDA, 15.

hhh. Tail rounded ; the feathers stiff, narrow, exposed nearly
to their bases, the upper coverts being" very short.

ERISMATUKA, 20.

ANATID^. — LX. 139

MM. Ducks with none of the above peculiarities.
i. Upper mandible gibbous at its uiifeathered base ; black

or brown. (EDEMIA, 19.

u. Upper mandible not gibbous where unfeathered.
j. Nail at tip of bill narrow and distinct.

A;. Head black or brown; nostrils sub -basal; bill
longer than tarsus. . . . FULIX, 12.
kk. Head reddish or brownish, without white ; nos-
trils nearly median ; bill longer than tarsus.

AYTHYA, 13.

kkk. Head black or gray, with white ; nostrils nearly
median ; bill about as long as tarsus.

BUCEPHALA, 14.

jj. Nail broad, scarcely distinct.

I. Feathers extending on culinen and partly on sides

of upper mandible. . . SOMATEKIA, 18.

II. Feathers not extending on culmen ; bill small,

much tapering. . . HISTRIONICUS, 17.

f f Bill narrow, nearly cylindrical ; the lamellae acute, recurved,

like saw-teeth ; usually crested. Fish Ducks. (MERGING.)

m. Bill not black ; tarsus more than half the length of middle

toe MERGUS, 21.

mm. Bill black ; tarsus half length of middle toe.

LOPHODYTES, 22.

7. CYGNUS, Linnasus. SWANS.
> Olor, Wagler.

1. C. buccinator, Rich. TRUMPETER SWAN. Tail
(normally) 24 feathered ; bill without yellow spot, longer
than head; nostrils sub -basal; L. about 50. Miss.
Valley, W. and N.

2. C. columbianus, (Ord.) Coues. WHISTLING SWAN.
Tail 20 feathered; bill with a yellow spot, not longer
than head; nostrils median; L. 50. N. Am. (C.ameri-
canus, Sharpless.)

140 BIEDS.

2. ANSER, Linnaeus. GEESE.

1. A. albifrons, Gm., var. gambeli, (Hartl.) Ooues.
WHITE - FRONTED GOOSE. SPECKLE - BILL. White or
gray, blotched with black; back dark; head and neck
grayish brown; forehead white in adult; claws pale;
lamellae usual; L. 27; W. 17; T. 6; Ts. 3. N. Am.

2. A. c&rulescens, L. BLUE GOOSE. Size and form of
next, but plumage ashy, varied with dark brown. N.
Am., rather rare.

3. A. hyperboreus, Pallas. SNOW GOOSE. Adult pure
white or washed with reddish; wings with black; claws
dark; young bluish; lamellae very prominent; L. 30; W.
19; T. 6|; B. 2|.

3. BRANTA, Scopoli. BRANT GEESE.
= Bernicla, most authors.

1. B. bernicla, (L.) BRANT GOOSE. Head, neck, front,
quills, and tail, black; white patch on neck; white on
rump, crissum, etc.; back brownish gray; L. 24; W.
13; T. 5; B. 1^. Northern States; in winter to Carolina.

2. B. canadensis, (L.) WILD GOOSE. CANADA GOOSE.
Grayish brown, paler below; head and neck black;
white throat patch, extending on sides of head; tail
black; upper coverts white; L. 36; W. 20; T. 7|; B. 2.
N. Am., abundant; U. S. in winter.

4. ANAS, Linnaeus. DUCKS.

1. A. boschas, L. MALLARD DUCK. TAME DUCK. $
head and upper neck rich glossy green, a white ring
below; breast purplish chestnut; speculum violet; wing
coverts tipped with black and white; ? duller, chiefly
dull ochraceous, streaked with dark brown; L. 24; W.
12. Am., abundant; commonest westward. Original

ANATID.E. — LX. 141

of the common Domestic Duck; various hybrids of this
species with others are described.

2. A. obscura, Gm. BLACK DUCK. Size of mallard
and resembling the ?, but darker; no decided white
except under the wings. E. U. S., common.

5. DAFILA, Leach. PINTAIL DUCKS.
1. D. acuta, (L.) Jenyns. PIN -TAIL. SPRIG -TAIL.
$ dark brown with purplish gloss; sides of neck with
long white stripes; tail cuneate when developed, central
feathers much projecting; ? speckled and streaked; tail
shorter; L. 24; W. 11; T. 9 or less. N. Am.

6. CHAULELASMUS, Gray. GADWALLS.

1. C. streperus, (L.) Gray. GAD WALL. $ barred, black
and white, wing coverts chestnut, greater coverts black,
speculum white; $ with similar markings; L. 22; W. 11.
N. Am.

7. MARECA, Stephens. WIDGEONS.

1. HI. penelope, (L.) Bon. EUROPEAN WIDGEON.
Head and neck reddish brown; top of head brownish
white; sides of head with green traces; L. 22; W. 11;
T. 5. Europe; accidental in America, Wis. (Kumlien)
and Atlantic Coast.

2. M. americana, (Gm.) Steph. AMERICAN WIDGEON.
BALDPATE. Head and neck grayish, speckled ; colors
more emphatic; sides of head with bright green patch.
N. Am., abundant.

8 QUERQUEDULA, Stephens. BLUE WINGED TEALS.

1. Q. discors, (L.) Steph. BLUE WINGED TEAL. $
head and neck blackish plumbeous, darkest on the
crown; a white crescent in front of eye; under parts

142 BIRDS.

thickly spotted; $ quite different, known by the wings;
L. 16; W. 7; T. 3. E. U. S., to Rocky Mts.

9. NETTION, Kaup. GREEN -WINGED TEALS.

1. H. carolinensis, (Gm.) Kaup. GREEN -WINGED
TEAL. A white crescent on sides in front of wings;
shoulders plain; L. 15; W. 7£; T. 3£. N. America,
common.

10. SPATULA, Boie. SHOVELLERS.

1. S. clypeata, (L.) Boie. SHOVELLER. SPOON-BILL
DUCK. $ head and neck green; wing coverts blue;
speculum green; $ with similar bill and wings; L. 20;
W. 9£; B. 2f. N. Am.

//. AIX, Swainson. WOOD DUCKS.-
1. A. sponsa, (L.) Boie. WOOD DUCK. SUMMER
DUCK. Crested ; $ head iridescent green and purple,
with white stripes and a forked white throat patch;
breast rich brownish; ? duller, head mostly gray; L. 20;
W. 9£; T. 5. U. S. frequent; nesting in trees.

12. FULIX, Sundevall. FLOCKING - FOWL.
< Fuligula, Authors.

1. F. marila, (L.) Baird. BIG SCAUP DUCK. BLUE
BILL. RAFT DUCK. Speculum white; no ring about
neck; back and sides whitish, finely waved with black; ?
face white; markings less distinct; L. 20; W. 9. N.
Am.

2. F. affinis, (Eyton) Baird. LESSER SCAUP DUCK.
Similar, but smaller; L. 16; W. 8. N. Am., rather
southerly.

3. F. collaris, (Donovan) Baird. RING-NECKED DUCK.
Speculum gray; an orange brown collar about neck; ?
without collar; L. 18; W. 8£. N. Am.

ANATLD2E. — LX. 143

13. AYTHYA, Boie. CANVAS-BACK DUCKS.

1. A. fer/na (L.) var. americana, (Eyton) Allen. RED
HEAD. POCHARD. $ head and neck chestnut with red
reflections; back mixed silvery and black; the dark
waved lines unbroken ; $ duller; bill shorter than head,
two or less, bluish, the nail dark; L. 20; W. 10. N. Am.,
abundant.

2. A. vallisneria, (Wilson) Boie. CANVAS - BACK DUCK.
Head more dusky; black wavy lines on back broken, the
whitish predominating; bill as long as head, 2^ or more,
dusky. N. Am.; especially coastwise in winter.

14. BUCEPHALA, Baird. GOLDEN -EYES.
Clangula, Authors.

1. B. c/angufa, (L.) Gray. GOLDEN -EYE. GAKROT.
£ head puffy, glossy green with some white; upper parts
black; white continuous on outer surface of wing; $
head duller, snuff- colored and scarcely puffy; L. 16 to
19; W. 8 to 9. N. Am. and Europe.

2. B. islandica, (Gm.) Baird. BARROW'S GOLDEN-EYE.
Similar; gloss of head purplish; white of wing divided
by dark bar; more white on head; larger. N. U. S. and
N.; rare.

3. B. albeola, (L.) Baird. DIPPER. BUFFLE-HEAD.
BUTTER-BALL. SPIRIT DUCK. $ with head very puffy
and iridescent; a large white ear patch; L. 16; W. 7; $
small, dark gray ; head scarcely puffy. N. Am.,
abundant.

15. HARELDA, Leach. LONG - TAILED DUCKS.

1. H. glacial is, (L.) Leach. SOUTH - SOUTHERLY. OLD
WIFE. LONG -TAILED DUCK. Reddish brown, nearly
white in winter; tail very long; $ quite different, no

144 BIRDS.

white on wing; L. 20; W. 9; T. 8, or less. N. Am.
and Europe; chiefly northern and coastwise.

16. CAMPTOLSEMUS, Gray. PIED DUCKS.
1. C. labradorius, (Gm.) Gray. LABRADOR DTJCK.
$ chiefly black and white; $ plumbeous; L. 24; W. 9.
Coast, chiefly northern; scarce.

17. HISTRIONICUS, Lesson. HARLEQUIN DUCKS.
1. H. torquatus, (L.) Bon. HARLEQUIN DUCK. $ leaden
bluish, much varied; speculum violet and purple; $ dark
brown, etc. Atlantic Coast, Am. and Europe.

18. SO MATER I A, Leach. EIDER DUCKS.

1. S. mollissima, (L.) Leach. EIDER DUCK. $ in
breeding dress, white; under parts, rump, quills, and
crown patch black; $ reddish brown, streaked; bill with
long, club-shaped, frontal processes extending in line
with culmen; L. 24; W. 12. Arctic regions; S. to New
England in winter. (/S. dresseri, Sharpe.)

2. S. spectabilis, (L.) Leach. KING EIDER. $ chiefly
black; front parts, etc., white; frontal processes broad,
squarish, out of line of culmen; slightly smaller. Nor-
thern regions; S. to N. Y.

19. (EDEMIA, Fleming. SURF DUCKS.

* Bill not encroached upon by frontal feathers ; tail 16-feathered ;
no white on wings. (CEdemia.)

1. (E. americana, Sw. AMERICAN BLACK SCOTER. $
entirely black; ? sooty brown, paler below and on throat;
L. 18 to 24; W. 10. N. Am., all coasts.

** Bill broadly encroached upon by frontal feathers; a large
white wing patch. (Melanetta.)

2. (E. fusca, (L.) Sw. VELVET SCOTER. WHITE

ANATID^E. — LX. 145

WINGED SURF DUCK. $ black; white spot under eye;
$ sooty brown, rather larger. Shores of Europe and N.
Am.

*** Bill narrowly encroached upon by frontal feathers ; no white
on wings ; tail 14-feathered. (Pelionetta.)

3. (E. perspicillata, (L.) Fleming. SURF DUCK. SEA
COOT. $ black, with white spot on forehead and nape;
$ sooty brown; white patch on lores and cheeks; size of
first. Coasts.

20. ERISMATURA, Bonaparte. STIFF TAILED DUCKS.

1. E. rubida, (Wils.) Bon. RUDDY DUCK. Chiefly
brownish or tawny (reddish in perfect plumage), con-
siderably waved and dotted; crissum white; L. 17; W. 6.
N. Am., frequent.

2. E. dominica, (L.) Eyton. SAN DOMINGO DUCK.
Smaller and redder; forehead and chin black; L. 13£;
W. 6£. S. America and W. Indies; accidental N. (Wis.,
Kumlien, L. Champlain, Cabot.')

21. MERGUS, Linnaeus. MEKGANSEKS.

1. HI. merganser, L. MERGANSER. GOOSANDER. FISH
DUCK. $ black and white above, salmon-colored below;
head glossy green, scarcely crested; $ smaller, ashy gray;
head brownish; nostrils median; L. 24; W. 11. N. Am.,
common.

2. HI. serrator, L. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. FISH
DUCK. Similar, but smaller and more crested; $ with
throat reddish brown, black-streaked; wing with two
black bars, instead of one as in- last; nostrils sub-basal;
L. 20; W. 9. N. Am., abundant.

22. LOPHO BYTES, Reichenbach. CRESTED DIVERS.
1. L. cucuf/atuSf (L.) Reich. HOODED MERGANSER.
7

146 BIRDS.

SHELDRAKE. Black and white; sides chestnut in £; $
duller and grayish; crest high and compressed; nostrils
sub-basal; L. 19; W. 8. N. Am., common.

OEDEE Q.-STEGANOPODES.

(TTie Totipalmate Birds.)

Feet totipalmate; hind toe lengthened, scarcely ele-
vated, united by a web to the other toes; tibiae feathered
Bill various, horny, never lamellate, cutting edges often
serrate; nostrils very small or abortive; a prominent,
naked, gular pouch; tarsus reticulate; altricial.

We here omit the families Sulidae, (Gannets) and
TachypetidcB (Frigate Birds) as they are exclusively
marine. One species of the Southern family Plotidce,
(the Darters) Plotus anhinga, L., the Snake Bird or
Water Turkey of the Southern swamps, sometimes comes
up the Miss. R. to S. Ills.

FAMILY LXL— PELECANID^.

(The Pelicans)

Large fish -eating birds, with very long bills which
end in a claw -like hook; the broad space between the
branches of the lower jaw occupied by a huge membran-
ous sack; nostrils abortive; wings very long; tail very
short; gregarious; sexes alike. Genus one; species six;
found in most warm regions.

/. PELECANUS, Linnaeus. PELICANS.

1. P. trachyrhynchus, Lath. WHITE PELICAN. Chiefly
white, some black and yellowish; L. 60; W. 24; B. 12.
N. Am., abundant S. and W., often inland.

PHALACROCORACID^E. — LXII. 147

FAMILY LXII. — PHALACROCORACID^E.

( The Cormorants.)

Bill about as long as head, nearly terete, strongly
hooked, the cutting edges uneven; gular pouch small.
Wings short. Tail very large, almost scansorial, of very
stiff feathers, often used with the aid of the legs, which
are set far back, as a support for the body; a nasal
groove but nostrils abortive. Colors in both sexes
lustrous, iridescent black; in the breeding season usually
with long, white, filamentous plumes; many species
crested. Genus one; species twenty -five; of most
regions.

/. GRACULUS, Linnaeus. CORMORANTS.
2. G. dilophus, (Sw.) Gray. DOUBLE - CRESTED COR-
MORANT. Glossy greenish black ; back and wing coverts
coppery gray; adult with two curly black lateral crests;
sac convex or straight - edged behind, orange; L. 33; W.
13; T. 7; tail of 12 feathers. N. Am.; our commonest
species.

2. G. mexicanus, (Brandt) Bon. MEXICAN CORMOR-
ANT. Gular sac orange, white-edged; L. 24. S. W., N.
to Ills.

3. G. carbo, (L.) Gray. NORTHERN CORMORANT. Tail
of 14 feathers; sac heart-shaped behind; L. 36. North-
ern and coastwise.

OEDEE E.

(TTie Long -Winged Swimmers.)

Feet palmate; tibife feathered; legs near center of
equilibrium; hind toe elevated, small, often wanting.
Bill usually long, horny, not serrate nor lamellate; nos-

148 BIEDS.

trils developed; no gular pouch. Wings very long and
pointed. Tail well developed; altricial; powers of flight
remarkable; food chiefly fishes. There are two families,
LaridcB) below described, and Procellaridce, the Petrels,
which we here omit, all our numerous representatives
being strictly maritime.

FAMILY LXIIL — LARID^E.

(The Gulls.)

Long -winged birds, with the nostrils not tubular;
bill various. Hind toe small and elevated, but less so
than in the Petrels. General color usually white, with
a darker mantle of a pearly bluish tint, and commonly
with some black markings. Sexes alike in color, but the
plumage varying much with age and season. Genera
about twelve (Coues), sixty (European authors); species
ninety; abounding about all large bodies of water. Of
the genera admitted below, Pagophila, Rissa, and
Chroecocephahis may properly be considered as sections
of Larus, while Gelochelidon and Thalassew are perhaps
sub -genera under Sterna.

* Bill hooked (epignathous) — rarely not hooked, and the tail even.

f Bill with a sort of cere ; middle tail feathers exserted ; Jaegers.

(LESTKIDIN.E.) .... STERCORARIUS, 1.

f f Bill not cered ; general color usually white with a darker

mantle. Gulls. (LARIN^E.)

a. Hind toe rudimentary, without a developed claw. RISSA, 3.
aa. Hind toe perfect, provided with a claw.
6. Tail even.
c. Tarsus black, rough ; webs incised ; plumage white.

PAGOPHILA, 4.

cc. Tarsus not black ; lower plumage white in adult.
d. Head white — if dark below, head not whitish (spe-
cies of large size ; never rosy-tinted below ; the
head never with a dark hood.) . LAKUS, 2.

. — LXIII. 149

dd. Head dark — if dark below, head whitish (small or

slender species, with a black hood in the breeding

season, and the white under parts then pinkish or

rosy-tinted.) . . . CHRCECOCEPHALUS, 5.

6&. Tail forked; bill black, yellow-tipped. . XEMA, 6.

** Bill paragnathous (mandibles even) ; tail forked (in our species) ;

Terns. (STERNIN.E.)

e. Toes full-webbed ; colors chiefly white, with a black cap at
most seasons and the quills silvery dusky, with a long
white stripe.
/. Feet black ; forehead without white crescent.

g. Not crested ; bill stout, scarcely longer than tarsus.

GELOCHELIDON, 7.
gg. Crested ; bill slender, much longer than tarsus.

THALASSEUS, 8.

ff. Feet not black ; back pale, no crest. . . STERNA, 9.
ee. Toes not full-webbed ; color quite dark.

HYDROCHELIDON, 10.

*** Bill hypognathous — the lower mandible much the longer,
compressed like a knife-blade. Skimmers. (RHYNCHOPIN^:.)

RHYNCHOPS, 11.

/. STERCORARIUS, Brisson. J.EGEBS.
= Lestris, Authors.

1. S. pomatorhinus, (Temm.) Lawr. POMAEINB
JJEGER. Chiefly blackish, colors varying with age;
middle tail feathers broad to the tip, projecting about
four inches; L. 20; W. 15. Northern, U. S. in winter.

2. S. parasiticus, (Briinn.) Gray. PARASITIC J^EGEE.
General color dark brown ; middle tail feathers acuminate,
projecting 4 inches; L. 18; W. 13. Northern, U. S. in
winter.

3. S. buffoni, (Boie) Coues. LONG TAILED JAEGER.
Similar, but still smaller; tail feathers filamentous, pro-
jecting 8 or 10 inches. Northern, U. S. in winter.

150 BIRDS.

2. LARUS, Linnaeus. GULLS.
* Primaries without any black.

1. L glaucus, Brttnn. GLAUCOUS GULL. ICE GULL.
BURGOMASTER. Bill yellow with red spot on lower
mandible; large; L. 30; W. 18. Arctic regions; S. in
winter.

2. L leucopterus, Faber. WHITE -WINGED GULL.
Similar but smaller; L. 23; W. 17. Same region.

** Primaries crossed with black (adult), or all black (young).

3. L. marinus, L. GREAT BLACK -BACKED GULL.
COFFIN-CARRIER. SADDLE-BACK. Mantle blackish slate
color; largest of our Gulls; L. 30 or more; W. 18; feet
flesh colored. N. Atlantic, S. in winter.

4. L. argentatus, Briinn. HERRING GULL. COMMON
GULL. Mantle grayish blue; large, 22 to 27 ; W. 18 or
less; feet flesh colored. N. Am., abundant.

5. L. de/awarensis, Ord. RING- BILLED GULL. Plum-
age like preceding; feet olivaceous; webs yellow; bill
yellowish, a black band at the tip; size moderate; L.
20; W. 15. N. Am., abundant.

3. RISSA, Leach. KITTIWAKES.

1. R. tridactyla, (L.) Bon. KITTIWAKE GULL. Mantle
dark grayish blue; hind claw a minute knob; L. 16 to
18; W. 12. Northern, U. S. in winter.

3. PAGOPHILA, Kaup. IVORY GULLS.
1. P. eburnea, (Gm.) Kaup. IVORY GULLS. Adults
pure white; young spotted; L. 16 to 20; W. 12. North-
ern, rarely to U. S. in winter.

5. CHRfECOCEPHALUS, Eyton. ROSY GULLS.
1. C. atricilla, (L.) Lawr. BLACK - HEADED OR LAUGH-
ING GULL. Tarsus £ longer than middle toe and claw;

LABID^E. — LXIH. 151

large; bill and feet dusky carmine; L. 16 to 19; W. 12
to 13. U. S., coastwise.

2. C. franklini, (Rich.) Bruch. FRANKLIN'S ROSY
GULL. Tarsus about as long as middle toe and claw;
bill and feet carmine; bill usually with a black mark;
medium; L. 14 to 16; W. 11. U. S., chiefly W. of the
Miss. R.

3. C. Philadelphia, (Ord ) Lawr. BONAPARTE'S GULL.
Tarsus about as long as middle toe and claw; bill dark
or black, slender, tern -like; small; L. 12 to 14; W. 10.
N. Am., abundant.

6. XEMA, Leach. FORK - TAILED GULLS.

1. X. sabinei, (Sab.) Leach. FORKED -TAIL GULL.
Chiefly white, a black hood and collar; L. 14; W. 11.
Northern, S. in winter to N. Y.

7. GELOCHELIDOH, Brehm. GULL -BILLED TERNS.

1. G. anglica, (Montagu) Bon. MARSH TERN. Bill
black, very short and stout; L. 15; W. 12. E. U. S.,
not abundant.

8. THALASSEUS, Boie. CRESTED TERNS.

1. T. caspius, (Pallas) Boie. CASPIAN TERN. Pri-
maries without white band; bill red; much the largest
of the Terns; L. 20 or more; W. 17; T. 6, not much
forked. Northern, S. in winter; scarce.

2. T. reg/'us, Gamb. ROYAL TERN. Bill orange; L.
18 or 20; W. 15; T. 8, deeply forked; much smaller than
the last but nearly as long. Atlantic Coast.

3. T. cantiacus, (Gm.) Boie. SANDWICH TERN. Bill
black, yellow at tip; L. 16; W. 12£; T. 6. Europe and
Am.; rare on our coast.

152 BIEDS.

9. STERNA, Linnreus. COMMON TERNS.

1. S. hirundo, Auct. COMMON TERN. SEA SWALLOW.
WILSON'S TERN. Bill red, blackening towards tip; tail
mostly white; outer web of outer feather darker than
inner; L. 14£ (13 to 16); W. 10 (9£ to llf); T. 6 (5 to
7.) Coasts of Europe and America; abundant. (/S.
wilsoni, Lawr.)

2. S. forsteri, Nuttall. FORSTER'S TERN. Larger;
tail longer and wings shorter; inner web of outer tail
feather darker; W. 9£ to 10£; T. 6| to 8. N. Am.,
common.

3. S. macrura, Naumann. ARCTIC TERN. Bill carmine
throughout; plumage as in hirundo, but darker below;
L. 14 to 17; W. 10 to 12; T. 5 to 8; smaller than
hirundo, but tail proportionally much longer. Northern
regions, S. to U. S.

4. S. paradisea, Auct. ROSEATE TERN. Bill black,
usually orange at base below; mantle very pale; some-
what rosy -tinted below; L. 12 to 16; W. 9 to 10; T. 5
to 8. Atlantic Coast, abundant. (S. dougalli, Mont.)

5. S. port/andica, Ridgway. PORTLAND TERN. Near
the preceding, but mantle as in hirundo; the rump
white instead of pearly; feet blackish; under parts pure
white; L. 12£; W. 9f ; T. 5 or more. Lately discovered
in Maine and Mass.; but two specimens known.

6. S. superciliaris, (Vieill.) var. antillarum, (Lesson)
Coues. LEAST TERN. Bill yellow, usually tipped with
black; a white frontal crescent between cap and bill;
shafts of two or more outer primaries black above; very
small; L. 8 or 9; W. 6£; T. 2 to 3£. U. S., chiefly
abundant coastwise. »

LABID^J. — LXm. 153

10. HYDROCHELIDON, Boie. BLACK TERNS.

1. H. lariformis, (L. ) Coues. BLACK TERN. Head,
neck and under parts black (in full plumage); wings
and tail above plumbeous like the back; crissum white;
small; L. 10; W. 8 to 9; T. 3£. N. Am., chiefly inland.
[JET. fissipes, (L.) Gray.]

2. H. nigra, (L.) Gray. WHITE -WINGED BLACK TERN.
Wings whitening along border of fore -arm; tail and
upper tail coverts white. Straggler from Europe, a
single specimen lately taken on Lake Koshkonong.
(JLudomc JCumlien.) [H. leucoptera, (Meisn.) Boie.]

//. RHYNCHOPS, Linnaeus. SKIMMERS.
1. R. nigra, L. BLACK SWIMMER. CUTWATER. Glossy
black; white below; lower mandible about an inch
longest, compressed like a knife - blade, obtuse at end;
L. 16 to 20; W. 15; T. 5, sharply forked. Coast,
abundant southward.

OEDEE S.-PYGOPODES.

(The Diving Birds.)

Feet palmate or lobate; tibiae feathered, buried in the
skin nearly to the heel joint, hence the legs are set very
far back, and the birds are scarcely able to walk at all
on land; hind toe small, elevated, often wanting. Nos-
trils developed; bill of various forms, horny, not lamellate
nor serrate; no gular pouch. Wings very short, scarcely
reaching the base of the very small or rudimentary tail.
Swimmers, many of them noted for their powers of div-
ing. We here omit the three - toed family of ALCID^E,
the Auks, they being strictly maritime and mostly
northern. The twenty -one known species all occur in
America.

154 BIRDS.

FAMILY LXIV.-COLYMBID^E.

(The Loons.)

Bill long, strong, tapering, acute, wholly hard; nostrils
linear. Head densely and evenly feathered, without rufis
or naked spaces; eye large. Feet 4-toed, palmate; tar-
sus reticulate, strongly compressed. Wings comparatively
long and strong. Tail short, but well developed. Back
of adult with small spots; precocial. Genus one; species
three. Birds of large size, with strong powers of flight,
and pre-eminent in swimming and diving, but scarcely
able to walk; they are migratory, breeding northward,
but coming S. in winter; the voice is singularly sharp
and wild.

/. COLYHBUS, Linnaeus. LOONS.

= Eudytes, Illiger.

1. C. torquafus, Briinn. GREAT NORTHERN LOON.
DIVER. Black; breast and below chiefly white; head
and neck iridescent, green and violet; a patch of white
streaks on each side of neck and on the throat; back
with many white spots; L. 36; W. 14; Ts. 3; B. 3,
Northern Hemisphere; whole U. S. in winter. (C.
glacialis, L.)

2. C. arcticus, L. BLACK - THROATED DIVER. Similar,
but head and neck behind bluish or hoary gray; fore-
neck purplish black, with a crescent of white streaks;
L. 28; W. 12; B. 2£. Northern hemisphere, not
common in U. S.

3. C. septentrionalis, L. RED -THROATED DIVER.
Blackish, chiefly white below; head and neck mostly
bluish gray; throat with a large chestnut patch; L. 27;
W. 11; B. 2. Northern hemisphere.

. — LXV.' 155

FAMILY LXV. — PODICIPID^E.

(The Grebes.)

Bill usually slender, rarely stoutish; lores naked;
head often with crests, ruffs or ear tufts in the breeding
season. Back not spotted; under plumage lustrous,
mostly white. Wings very short. Tail rudimentary.
Feet four -toed, lobate, the toes webbed at base; toes
flattened, provided with flat claws resembling human
nails ; tarsus scutellate, compressed. Genera two ;
species about twenty; in all parts of the world, chiefly
about fresh waters.

* Bill slender, straight, rather acute ; loral strip narrow ; head in
breeding season with conspicuous crests or ruff.

PODICEPS, 1.

** Bill stout, somewhat hooked ; loral strip broad ; no ruff nor
crest ........ PODILYMBUS, 2.

/. PODICEPS, Latham. CRESTED GREBES.
= Colymbus, Illiger.

1. P. or/status, (L.) Lath. CRESTED GREBE. Upper
parts generally dark brown; crest black; throat and
sides of head white, becoming reddish on the ruff ; pri-
maries brown; secondaries mostly white; silky white
below, not mottled; L. 24; W. 8^; B. 2. Northern
hemisphere; U. S. in winter.

2. P. holbolli, Reinhardt. RED-NECKED GREBE. Upper
parts brown; front and sides of neck rich brownish red;
throat and sides of head ashy; crests and ruffs not large;
below silvery ash, spotted or mottled; L. 18; W. 8; B.
If. N. Am., U. S. in winter.

3. P. cornutus, (Gm.) Lath. HORNED GREBE. Dark
brown; head glossy black; a brownish yellow band over
eye and behind; fore-neck and breast brownish red; bill

156 BIEDS.

compressed, black, tipped with yellow; crests and ruffs
very large; L. 14; W. 6; B. 3f . Northern hemisphere,
abundant.

4. P. auritus, (L.) var. californicus, (Heerm.) Coues.
EAKED GKEBE. Crest in the form of ear tufts; front of
neck black; bill depressed; L. 12. Western, E. to Ills.

2. POD/L YMBUS, Lesson. DAB - CHICK.
1. P. podiceps, (L.) Lawr. DIEDAPPER. HELL-DIVER.
WATER WITCH. PIED - BILLED GREBE. Chiefly brown -
ish gray; silvery ash below; bill bluish, with dark band;
young and winter plumage different, but the bird
resembles nothing else; L. 14; W. 5; B. 1. Whole of
America, abundant. (Podiceps carolinensis, Lath.)

REPTILES. 157

Class $55. -- iSeptttia.

(The Reptiles.)

A Reptile is a cold - blooded, air - breathing vertebrate,
having the exoskeleton developed as horny or bony
plates, never as feathers or hair. Limbs, when present,
usually adapted for walking, rarely for swimming,
scarcely ever for flying. An incomplete double circula-
tion, the ventricular septum being usually imperfect or
wanting; no metamorphosis; oviparous, rarely ovovi-
viparous, the eggs relatively large and usually with a
leathery skin. Various important anatomical distinc-
tions exist, but the Reptiles are obviously separated
from the Birds by the absence of feathers, and from the
Batrachians by the presence of scales, and by the absence
of gills after leaving the egg.

Besides the three following orders, a fourth (CROCO
DILIA), is represented by two species Alligator mississip-
piensis, Daudin, and Crocodilus americanus, Seba, in our
Southern States.

ORDEKS OF REPTILIA.

* Body covered with square imbedded shields ; vent roundish or

longitudinal, plaited ; bones of skull soldered together,
f Body short, depressed, enclosed between two bony shields,
from which the head, limbs and tail may be protruded ;
no teeth TESTUDINATA, T.

** Body covered with imbricated scales ; vent a cross-slit ; bones
of skull separate; jaws with teeth.

J Mouth not dilatable ; bones of mandible united by a bony
suture m front ; limbs 4 — rarely rudimentary.

LACEBTUJA, U.

158 EEPTILES.

# Mouth very dilatable ; bones of mandible united by liga-
ments ; limbs wanting or represented only by short spurs
on the sides of the vent OPHIDIA, V.

T. FAMILIES OF TESTUDINATA.

* Carapace firm, not flexible at the margins, not greatly depressed ;

both shields with well-developed horny plates.

f Toes short, bound together by the integument ; legs and feet
short, club-shaped ; carapace very convex ; plastron cover-
ing nearly all of under surface of body ; caudal shields
united ; claws blunt, 5-4 ; terrestrial. TESTUimraxE, 66.

f f Toes well developed, spreading, and in aquatic • species
webbed ; claws usually 5-4.

J Shell highest at about the middle, usually somewhat de-
pressed, the margin flaring outwards ; epidermal plates
of the large plastron 12 in number. . EMYDIIXE, 67.

\\ Shell highest behind the middle; margin of carapace
turned rather downward or inward ; plates of plastron
7, 9 or 11 — never 12 ; size small. . CINOSTERNUXE, 68.

\\\ Shell highest anteriorly; carapace flaring outward, its
margin toothed behind; plastron small, cross-shaped
with 12 plates and three accessory ones on each side ;
jaws powerful, strongly hooked; neck and tail long,
the latter with a crest of tubercles ; size large.

CHELYDKIIXE, 69.
** Much depressed ; carapace and plastron covered with a leathery

skin, and flexible at the margins; no horny plates; fleshy

lips ; snout prolonged ; toes 5-5, but claws 3-3.

TBIONTCHUXS:, 70.

U. FAMILIES OF LACERTILIA.

* Tongue thick, convex, attached at its base to the gullet ; scales

usually more or less spinous. . . . IGUANUXE, 71.
** Tongue flat, elongate, bifid at the end ; scales never spinous.
f Limbs rudimentary, concealed beneath the skin ; sides with

a longitudinal fold ANGUIIXE, 73.

ff Limbs four — well developed.

J Scales of the belly rounded, arranged in quincunx order.

Scnrcms:, 74.

EEPTILES. 159

ft Scales of the belly quadrate, arranged in cross-bands ;
throat with two cross-folds. . . . TEIIXE, 73.

V. FAMILIES OF OPHIDIA.

*Both jaws fully provided with small teeth; no poison fangs ;
no rattle; no anal appendages; no ante-orbital pit; not
venomous. ...... COLUBRID^E, 75.

** Upper jaw with enlarged, erectile poison fangs, otherwise tooth-
less ; a deep pit between eye and nostril ; venomous.

CROTALUXE, 76.

*** Upper jaw with small, permanently erect poison fangs; no
ante -orbital pit; color red, with black rings; somewhat
venomous ELAPIIXE, 75. (b.)

OEDEE T.-TESTUDIE-ATA.

(The Turtles.)

Reptiles with the body enclosed between two more or
less developed bony shields, which are usually covered
by horny epidermal plates, but sometimes (Trionychidce^
Sphargididce) by a leathery skin. The carapace (upper
shield) and plastron (lower shield) are more or less united
along the sides. The neck and the tail are the only
flexible parts of the spinal column, and these, together
with the legs, can usually be retracted within the box
made by the two shields. The bony part of the carapace
is formed by the dorsal and sacral vertebrae, and the ribs
co-ossified with a series of overlying bony plates, usually
accompanied by a marginal row. The dorsal vertebras
have their ends flattened and immovably united by car-
tilage, and all of them, except the first and last, have
their neural spines flattened horizontally so as to form
the median line of plates. On either side of this series
is a single row of ossified dermal plates overlying the
ribs and corresponding in number to the developed ribs
of which there are usually eight pairs.

160 REPTILES.

No traces of a true sternum have been discovered
(Huxley). The plastron consists of membrane bones, of
which there are usually nine pieces — four pairs and a
single symmetrical median piece. These correspond
neither in number nor position with the overlying
dermal plates.

The skull is more compact than that of the other Rep-
tiles. There are no teeth, but the jaws are encased in
horny sheaths, usually with sharp cutting edges; the eye
is furnished with two lids and a nictitating membrane as
in the Birds; the tympanic membrane is always present,
although sometimes hidden by the skin. Respiration is
effected by swallowing air.

The order Testudinata is divided by Prof. Agassiz into
two sub-orders: — AMYD^E, comprising the Land and
Fresh Water Turtles, with retractile feet that may be
used for walking; and CHELONII, the Sea Turtles, with
flipper -like feet used chiefly for swimming. Of the
latter, several species occur on our coast, but we here
omit them.

FAMILY LXVI.— TESTUDINID^.

(TJie Land Tortoises.)

Carapace strong, thick, ovate, generally very convex
and falling off abruptly at both ends; caudal shields
united into one; plastron very broad, covering the
whole under surface, the anterior part sometimes mov-
able on a transverse hinge. Legs and feet club-shaped;
toes firmly bound together by the integument, only the
blunt claws being exserted.

Herbivorous Turtles, entirely terrestrial, inhabiting the
warmer parts of both continents; about twenty species
are known.

EMYDEX&.— LXVEt. 161

/. TESTUDO, Linnaeus. LAND TORTOISES.
> Jferobates, Agassiz.

1. 7". Carolina, L. CAROLINA "GOPHER." L. 15. S.
States, N. to N. C.; burrows in the ground like a wood-
chuck.

FAMILY LXVIL — EMYDID^E.
(The Pond Turtles.)

Carapace ovate, broadest behind, the margin having a
tendency to flare outward, highest near the middle,
usually rather depressed, rarely strongly convex; plastron
covering the whole under surface, its plates twelve in
number; sometimes the anterior lobe (and rarely the
posterior also) movable on a transverse hinge, enabling
the animal to completely close the shell. Toes broadly
webbed in the aquatic species; scarcely webbed in the
others. Jaws never hooked and pointed, as in allied
families. They feed largely upon animals, but they
rarely catch active prey. They do not bite except under
much provocation. Species seventy or eighty, widely
distributed, inhabiting marshes, ponds, and the shores of
still streams; a few are strictly terrestrial.

* Carapace short, very high and strongly convex ; plastron united
to the carapace by a more or less cartilaginous suture and
divided by a transverse hinge into two or more movable
pieces ; the anterior one, the smaller ; toes scarcely webbed ;

terrestrial CISTUDO, 1.

** Carapace somewhat elongated, considerably arched ; plastron
immovable ; toes short, with a small web ; feet more nearly
equal, and habits less aquatic than in the succeeding groups ;
species of small size.

a. Shell more or less carinated, without round spots; upper jaw

deeply notched and arched downward. . CHKLOPUS, 2.

aa. Shell not carinated, black, usually with round, yellowish

spots ; upper jaw slightly notched, its edges nearly straight.

NANEMYS, 3.

162 REPTILES.

*** Carapace rather depressed ; plastron wide, flat, movable upon
the carapace and also upon a transverse hinge; anterior
lobe somewhat smaller than the posterior, which is emargi-

nate behind ; toes webbed EMYS, 4.

**** Carapace rather flat ; plastron wide and flat, as is also the
bridge connecting it to the carapace ; toes broadly webbed ;
hind-legs much stouter than fore-legs ; larger species, deci-
dedly aquatic.

f Upper jaw not notched in front ; carapace more or less strongly
keeled or tuberculated. . . . MALACOCLEMMYS, 6.
ff Upper jaw notched in front; shell not keeled in adult
| Horizontal alveolar surfaces of jaws not divided by a longi-
tudinal ridge; stripes on neck, tail, legs, etc., bright red
(in our species) ; head with yellow lines ; large plates of
carapace plain ; marginal plates with bright red mark-
ings; a small tooth on each side of notch in upper jaw;

shell never keeled CHRYSEMYS, 5.

ft Horizontal alveolar surfaces divided by a longitudinal
ridge, running parallel with the cutting edge ; stripes on
legs, etc., usually yellow, never bright red ; large plates
of carapace often variegated; traces of a keel usually
evident, at least in the young. . . PSEUDEMYS, 7.

/. CISTUDO, Fleming. Box TURTLES.

1. C. clausa, (Gm.) COMMON Box TURTLE. Colors
very variable, chiefly blackish variegated with yellowish;
N. Y. to Mo. and S. in dry woods.

Var. triunguis, (Ag.) Cope. THREE-TOED Box TURTLE.
Hind-feet mostly 3-toed, paler. Southern, N. to Perm.

2. C. ornata, Ag. NORTHERN Box TURTLE. " Shell
round, broad, flat, without keel, even when young."
Iowa and W.

2. CHELOPUS, Rafinesque. WOOD TURTLES.

* A deep notch in upper jaw, with a lengthened tooth on each
side of it; lower jaw strongly arched upwards. (Calemys, Ag.)

EMYDIDJE. — LXVn. 163

1. C. muhlenbergii, (Schweigger) Cope. MUHLENBERG'S
TORTOISE. Brown with yellowish markings ; plastron
black with yellowish central blotch; an orange spot on
each side of neck ; shell somewhat carinated; L. 4£.
E. Penn. and N. J.

** Upper jaw broad at end, arched downward, with a notch at
tip ; just behind the tip the horny sheath slants inward so
that the width of the jaw is less than that of the forehead;
edge of lower jaw straight, excepting the tip which is strongly
upcurved. (Glyptemys, Ag.)

2. C. insculptus, Le 0. WOOD TORTOISE. Shell car-
inated, its plates marked with concentric striae and radi-
ating lines; plastron with a black blotch on each plate;
L. 8. U. S., E. of Ohio, in woods and fields.

3. NANEMYS, Agassiz. SPECKLED TORTOISES.

1. N. guttatus, (Schn.) Ag. SPECKLED TORTOISE.
Black, dotted more or less with orange, these spots rarely
obsolete; plastron yellow, blotched with black; shell not
carinated; L. 4£. E. U. S., W. to N. Ind. (Zevette);
abundant.

4. EMYS, Brogniart. TORTOISES.

1. E. meleagris, (Shaw) Ag. BLANDING'S TORTOISE.
Jet black; usually with yellowish spots; plastron yellow-
ish with black blotches; head with yellow spots; L. 8.
Wisconsin to Alleghanies, in moist woods and fields.

5. CHRYSEMYS, Gray. PAINTED TURTLES.

1. C. picta, (Herm.) Ag. PAINTED TURTLE. MUD
TURTLE. Greenish black; plates margined with paler;
marginal plates marked with bright red; plastron yellow,
often blotched with brown; L. 8. E. U. S., one of the
most common turtles.

Var. marginaia, Ag. Plates of carapace alternating
or in quincunx, the lateral rows out of line with the

164 REPTILES.

middle One, instead of forming sets of three as in the
eastern form; lateral plates with strong concentric strife.
W. N. Y. and W., common. C. oregoneiisis, (Holb.) Ag.,
without red markings, occurs in Minn, and W.

6. MALACOCLEMMYS, Gray. MARSH TURTLES.

* Lower jaw spread out into a spoon-shaped dilatation ; head with

a horny skin ; inland turtles. (Graptemys, Ag.)

1. M. geographicus, (LeS.) Cope. MAP TURTLE. Dark
olive brown with greenish and yellow streaks and retic-
ulations, especially distinct on neck, legs and edges of
carapace; plastron yellowish; carapace strongly notched
behind and usually decidedly keeled. Miss. Valley, E.
toN.Y.

2. M. pseudogeographicus, (Holbr.) Cope. LESUEUE'S
MAP TURTLE. Much like the preceding but grayer, the
markings on the shell paler, less distinct and in larger
pattern; keel of carapace stronger, each plate of the
vertebral series with a blackish projection behind, which
is more or less imbricated over the succeeding plate;
plastron yellowish, marbled with blackish; head, neck
and legs with bright yellow stripes. Wis. to Ohio and
S. W.

** Sheath of jaws straight, the cutting edges smooth; salt-marsh
turtles. (Malacoclemmys.)

3. M. palustris, ( Gmel. ) SALT - MARSH TURTLE.
DIAMOND - BACK.. Greenish or dark olive; plates, both
of carapace and plastron, with concentric dark stripes.
N. Y. to Texas, along the coast.

7. PSEUDEMYS, Gray. TERRAPINS.

* Jaws serrated. (PtycJiemys, Ag.)

1. P. rugosa, (Shaw). RED- BELLIED TERRAPIN. Dusky,
with red markings above; marginal plates with much
red; plastron red or partly yellowish; neck, etc., with

CLNOSTERNID.E. — LXVIII. 165

yellow stripes; variable; N. J. to Va., an elegant turtle,

known by the serrated jaws.

** Jaws not serrated. (Trachemys, Ag.)

2. P. hieroglyphica, (Holbr.) HIEROGLYPHIC TURTLE.
Shell smooth, depressed; olive brown with broad reticu-
lated, yellowish lines; plastron dingy yellow; head very
small. E. U. S.

3. P. t roost/7, (Holbr.) YELLOW-BELLIED TERRAPIN.
Greenish - black, lateral plates with horn -colored lines
and spots; plastron dull yellow, with large, black blotches;
throat with greenish stripes; shell never keeled. Miss.
Valley, N. to Ills.

4. P. e/egans, (Wied.) ELEGANT TERRAPIN. Brown
with yellowish wavy lines and blotches; a blood-red band
on each side of neck; plastron yellow with a dusty
blotch on each plate. Ills, to Rocky Mountains.

5. P. scabra, (L.) Cope. ROUGH TERRAPIN. Dark
brown, with yellow stripes; plastron yellow with small
black blotches in front; carapace wrinkled. Va. to Fla.

FAMILY LXVIII. — CINOSTERNID^E.

(The Cinosternoid Turtles.)

Carapace rather long and narrow, the outline usually
rising gradually from the front to a point beyond the
center of the shell, then abruptly descending; the bulk
of the body therefore thrown backward; margin of the
carapace turning downward and inward rather than out-
ward; plastron proportionally large, covered with 7, 9 or
11 horny plates; the anterior pair coalescing into one;
anterior, and sometimes also posterior lobe of plastron,
often movable upon the fixed central portion; head
pointed; jaws usually strong.

Turtles of small size, chiefly American.

166 REPTILES.

* Anterior and posterior lobes ot" plastron nearly equal, both freely
movable and capable of closing the shell; posterior lobe
emarginate behind, its angles rounded; carapace without
traces of keel in adult CINOSTERNUM, 1.

** Posterior lobe of plastron narrower and longer, truncate behind,
its angles rather pointed; lobes of plastron little movable,
incapable of closing the shell ; carapace more or less carin-
ated, at least when young ; head very large, with strong jaws.

AROMOCHELYS, 2.

/. CINOSTERNUM, Wagler. SMALL Box TURTLES.
> Thrynosternum^ Ag.

1. C. pennsylvanicum, (Bosc.) Bell. SMALL MUD
TURTLE. Shell dusky brown; head and neck with light
stripes and yellow dots; anterior dorsal plate nearly as
broad in front as long; L. 4. N. Y. to Fla. and W.

2. AROMOCHELYS, Gray. MUSK TURTLES.

= Ozotheca, Agassiz.

1. A. odoratus, (Latreille) Gray. MUSK TURTLE.
STINK- POT. Shell dusky, clouded, sometimes spotted;
head very large with strong jaws; carapace with traces
of a keel, but the plates not imbricated in the adult;
anterior dorsal plate nearly twice as wide as long in
front; a yellow stripe from snout, above eye, down the
side of neck and another below eye; a strong musky odor;
L. 6. E. U. S., abundant. W. to Indiana. (Levette.)

2. A. carinatus, Gray. LITTLE MUSK TURTLE. Plates
of carapace overlapping more or less, each one edged
with black and marked with radiating stripes; neck
unstriped. Lower Mississippi region. (Goniochelys
minor, Ag.)

FAMILY LXIX. — CHELYDRIDJE.

(The Snapping Turtles.)
Shell high in front, low behind; bulk of body thrown

TBIONYCHID^E. — LXX. 167

forward; head and neck very large; jaws stronglr
hooked, and exceedingly powerful; tail long, strong,
with a crest of horny, compressed tubercles; plastron
small, cross-shaped, covered with twelve plates; bridge
very narrow.

Large turtles of great strength and voracity, chiefly
aquatic; two of the three species are American, the
third (Platysternum) is from China. Their fierceness is
well known; when angry they elevate the body, and, in
biting, throw themselves forcibly forward.

* Head rough, covered with soft skin; tail with two rows of
large scales beneath ; ridges of carapace disappearing with
age; jaws moderately hooked. . . . CHELYDKA, 1.

** Head very large, covered with smooth, symmetrical plates ;
tail with many small imbricate scales beneath ; carapace very
strongly three-keeled ; jaws very strongly hooked.

MACROCHELYS, 2.

/. CHELYDRA, Schweigger. SNAPPING TURTLES.
1. C. serpentina, (L.) Schw. COMMON SNAPPING
TURTLE. Canada to Equador, every where abundant.

2. MACROCHELYS, Gray. ALLIGATOR SNAPPERS.

= Gypochelys, Ag.

1. HI, lacertina, (Schw.) MISSISSIPPI SNAPPER. Gulf
States, N. to Illinois; "perhaps the most ferocious, and,
for their size, the strongest of reptiles."

FAMILY LXX. — TRION YCHID^E.

(T7ie Soft-S7telled Turtles.)

Body flat, nearly orbicular; carapace not completely
ossified, the ribs projecting freely towards the outer
extremities ; marginal ossicles rudimentary ; carapace
and plastron covered by a thick leathery skin which is
flexible at the margins. Head long and pointed with a

168 REPTILES.

long, flexible, tubular, pig-like snout; neck long. Feet
broadly webbed; toes long, 5-5, but the claws only 3-3.
Aquatic, carnivorous and voracious; species about 30,
in both hemispheres.

* Nostrils terminal, crescent -shaped; a prominent longitudinal
ridge projecting from each side of septum. ASPIDONECTES, 1.

** Nostrils rather under the tip of snout ; nasal septum with-
out an internal longitudinal ridge on each side. AMYDA, 2.

/. ASPIDONECTES, Wagler. SOFT -SHELLED TURTLES.

1. A. spinifer, (LeSueur) Ag. COMMON SOFT - SHELLED
TURTLE. Carapace olive brown with dark spots; plastron
nearly white; head and neck olive green with light
and dark stripes; legs and feet mottled every where
with dark; male with the tubercles on the front of the
carapace smaller than in the female, the body also longer
and the tail extending considerably beyond the margin
of the carapace. Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi,
abundant.

2. A. nuchalis, Ag. CUMBERLAND TURTLE. A marked
depression on either side of the keel, which is dilated
and triangular anteriorly; spines and tubercles on cara-
pace largely developed. Cumberland and Upper Tenn.
Rivers.

2. AMYDA, Agassiz. LEATHERY TURTLES.
1. A. muiica, (Les.) Ag. LEATHERY TURTLE. A
depression along median line of carapace; no spines nor
tubercles along anterior margin nor on back; feet not
mottled below. Upper Mississippi and Great Lakes.

OEDEE U.-LACEETILIA.

(T7ie Lizards.)
Reptiles not shielded, with the body usually covered

IGUANID^E.— LXXT. 169

with overlapping scales; mouth not dilatable; tongue
free; jaws always with teeth. Limbs four, distinct,
rarely rudimentary and hidden by the skin ; a pectoral
arch developed. Feet usually with five digits, the
phalanges normally 2, 3, 4, 5, 3 or 4. Tail usually long
and in many cases very brittle, readily broken by a
slight blow; this is owing to a thin, unossified, trans-
verse septum, which traverses each vertebra. " The
vertebra naturally breaks with great readiness through
the plane of the septum, and when such lizards are
seized by the tail, that appendage is pretty certain to
part at one of these weak points " (Huxley). Vent a
cross slit; urinary bladder present. The great majority
of the numerous species belong to tropical and sub-
tropical regions.

FAMILY LXXI. — IGUANID^E.

(The Iguanas.)

New World lizards of various habits; the tongue short
and thick and the eyes diurnal with round pupils; scales
imbricated, those on the belly small and rhombic. Feet
for walking; toes unequal. Tail with more or less dis-
tinct whorls of scales, which are commonly spinous.
Warmer parts of America. Genera about sixty; species
one hundred and fifty, or more. (Gray.)

* Body moderately depressed ; head broad, not spinous ; ventral

plates not keeled SCELOPORUS, 1.

** Body much depressed ; head armed with stout spines.

PHRYNOSOMA, 2.

/. SCELOPORUS, Wiegmann. TREE SWIFTS.
= Tropidolepis, Cuvier.

1. S. undulatus, (Harlan ) PINE TREE LIZARD.
SWIFT. Greenish, bluish, or bronzed, with black, wavy
cross bands above ; throat and sides of belly usually with
8

170 REPTILES.

brilliant blue or green; dorsal scales rather large, cari-
nated; tail slender; L. 7. U. S., in pine forests, etc.;
abundant southward; varies greatly in color.

2. /W?M0S0df4, Wiegmann. HORNED TOADS.
1. P. douglasi, Bell. HORNED TOAD. TEGUEXIN. No
row of large spines along sides of belly; ventral scales
smooth. Central and Western parts of U. S. south-
westward occurs P. cornutum (Harlan) Gray, with a row
of stout lateral spines, and carinated ventral plates.

FAMILY LXXIL— ANGUID^E.

(The Glass Snakes.)

Limbs rudimentary, hidden under the skin; body,
therefore, snake-like in form, but the general aspect
lizard-like. Through ignorance of the boundaries of
this family, I am unable to characterize it.

/. OPHEOSAURUS, Daudin. GLASS SNAKES.

1. 0. ventralis, (L.) Daud. GLASS SNAKE. Body
serpentiform; a conspicuous lateral fold; no external
limbs; tail very brittle, as in most lizards; dusky and yel-
low with narrow black streaks. Tenn. to Kansas and S.

FAMILY LXXIIL — TEIDJ3.

(The Teguexins.)

New World Lizards; head pyramidal, with regular
many-sided shields; scales of back granular or carinated;
throat scaly, usually with a double collar. Warmer
parts of America; genera 12; species about 40.

/. CNEMIDOPHORUS, Wiegmann. TARAGUIRAS.
1. C. sex/ineatus, (L.) D. & B. SIX-LINED LIZARD.
Olive, with 3 or 4 yellow streaks on each side; abdomen

SCINCID^. — LXXTV. 171

silvery; length 6 to 9 inches. S. E. Va. to Ills, and
Mexico.

FAMILY LXXIV.— SCINCID^E.

(TJie Skinks.)

Head subquadrangular; regularly shielded; body fusi-
form or subcylindrical, often with longitudinal stripes;
limbs 4, various. Genera 50; species 150; in most parts
of the world.

* Ear large; its front edge dentate; lower eye -lid scaly.

EUMECES, 1.

** Ear very large, circular, its front edge rounded; lower eye -lid
with a transparent disk OLIGOSOMA, 2.

/. EUMECES, Wiegmann. BLUE TAILS.

= Plestiodon, Auct.

1. E. fasciatus, (L.) BLUE-TAILED LIZARD. Blackish,
with fine yellowish streaks, middle one forked on the
head; tail mostly blue; old specimens sometimes red-
dish olive, obscurely striped; head reddish; L. 8 to 11.
U. S., E. of the Rocky Mts. ; abundant S. ; very variable.

2. £. sepfentriona/is, (Baird) Cope. NORTHERN SKINK.
Olive, with four dark stripes above; sides with two
narrow white lines margined on each side with black.
Minnesota to Nebraska.

3. E. anthracinus, (Baird) Cope. COAL SKINK.
Black (?). Alleganies, from Perm. S.

2. OLIGOSOMA, Girard. Mocos.

1. 0. laterafe, (Say ) Grd. GROUND LIZARD. Chest-
nut color; on each side a black lateral band, edged with
white; abdomen yellowish; tail blue below; head short;
small and slender; L. 5. Southern States, abundant; N.
to Illinois, (kelson.)

172 REPTILES.

ORDER Y.-OPHIDIA.

(The Sei'pents.)

Reptiles, not shielded, with an epidermal covering of
imbricated scales, which is shed as a whole and replaced
at regular intervals. Mouth very dilatable, the bones of
the lower jaw separate from each other, only united
by ligaments. Limbs wanting, or represented by small
spurs on the sides of the vent; vent a transverse slit.
Various anatomical characters distinguish the snakes,
but the elongated form and absence of limbs separate
them at once from all our other Vertebrates, excepting
the Lizard Opheosaurus^ and this is not in any other
respect, snake-like.

FAMILY LXXV. («) — COLUBRIDJS.

(TJie Colubrine Snakes.)

Both jaws fully provided with teeth, which are conical
and not grooved; head covered with shields; no poison
fangs; no spur -like appendages to vent; belly covered
with broad band -like plates (gastrosteges) ; tail conical,
tapering; sub -caudal plates (urosteges) arranged in
pairs.

A very large family comprising nearly one hundred
genera, and upwards of four hundred species, found
in nearly every part of the world, but most abundant in
warm regions. They differ from the Elapidce of the
Southern U. S. and southward, in the want of erect
poison fangs; from the Crotalidce, in having both jaws
fully provided with teeth, and the absence of erectile
poison fangs; and from the Boidce and their relatives in
the want of the spur -like rudimentary posterior limbs.

The following key is entirely artificial, and in the
consideration of the species, I have generally omitted

COLUBRID^E. — LXXV. 173

characters taken from the cephalic plates as not available
for my purpose.
* Dorsal scales carinated.
f Anal plate entire.

a. Rows of scales 19 to 21 ; ventral plates (gastrosteges) 140 to
170; general color 3 light stripes on a darker ground ;
sides usually with spots ; mostly viviparous.

EUT^ENIA, 5.

aa. Rows of scales 29 to 37 ; gastrosteges 200 to 240 ; general
color whitish with a triple series of dark blotches.

PlTYOPHIS, 7.

ft .oJial plate bifid.
6. Rows of scales 15 to 17.

c. Tail about one-third of total length ; gastrosteges 150 to
160 ; urosteges 100 or more ; color clear golden green.

CYCLOPHIS, 9.

ec. Tail much less than one-third of total length ; gastro-
steges 125 to 130 ; urosteges 60 or less ; color brown or
reddish.

d. With one or two faint grayish dorsal stripes and

usually a broken dusky band along sides; small

species: rows of scales 15 to 17; loral plate absent;

anteorbital present. . . . STORERIA, 4.

dd. No dorsal stripe; rows of scales 17; loral plate

present; anteorbital wanting. . HALDEA, 16.

66. Rows of scales 19 to 21.

e. Gastrosteges 130 to 170 ; general color usually 3 or more
dark bands on a lighter ground ; size large.

TROPIDONOTUS, 2.

ee. Gastrosteges 130 to 140 ; general color brown with many
obscure black cross-blotches, distinct on neck ; belly
salmon red with a row of black spots on each side ;

size small TROPIDOCLONIUM, 3.

666. Rows of scales 23 to 29.

/. Form short and stout ; snout prominent, acute, recurved
and keeled, forming a sharp ridge; head flattened
when angry ; gastrosteges 125 to 150. HETEKODON, 1.

174 BEPTILBS.

ff. Snout not recurved and keeled ; species of large size.
g. Gastrosteges 130 to 155 ; general color 3 series of dark
blotches on a lighter ground, sometimes simply
barred or uniformly dark or reddish ; aquatic.

TROPIDONOTUS, 2.

gg. Gastrosteges 200 to 235 ; general color brown or black,

sometimes with quadrate blotches ; abdomen usually

blotched ; terrestrial. . . . COLUBER, 8.

** Dorsal scales smooth.

\ Anal plate entire ; gastrosteges 175 to 200 • color black, brown

or red, more or less variegated.
h. Rows of scales 21 to 25 ; loral plate present.

OPHIBOLUS, 12.

M. Rows of scales 19 ; no loral plate. . . OSCEOLA, 13.
ft Anal plate bifid ; scales in 13 to 17 rows.
i. Gastrosteges 170 to 210; scales in 17 rows; snakes very
large or very long — ours lustrous pitch black in color

when adult BASCANIUM. 6.

ii. Gastrosteges less than 170 ; snakes of medium to small size.
.;. Scales in 13 rows ; gastrosteges 120 to 135 ; brown, salmon
color or yellowish beneath. . CARPHOPHIOPS, 18.
jj. Scales in 15 to 17 rows.

k. Color black, unstriped ; a distinct yellowish ring about

neck ; gastrosteges 140 to 160. . DIADOPHTS, 11.

kk. Color clear bright green ; no collar ; gastrosteges 130

to 140 LIOPELTIS, 10.

kick. Color brownish, with black dots; no collar; gastro-
steges 115 to 125 VIRGINIA, 17.

$t Anal plate bifid ; scales in 19 rows ; gastrosteges, 170 to 185.

I. Bluish black with squarish reel spots on the blanks ; abdomen

red with black spots FARANCIA, 14.

II. Blue-black, with three red lines ; abdomen yellowish with

a series of dark spots ABASTOR, 15.

/. HETERODON, Beauvais. SPREADING ADDERS.
1. H. platyrhinus, Latreille. BLOWING VIPER. HOG-

COLUBRID^B. — LXXV. 175

/

NOSE SNAKE. Brownish, with about 28 dark dorsal
blotches, besides lateral ones and half rings on the tail;
sometimes uniform black. Vertical plate longer than
broad, about equal to occipitals; L. 30; G. 125 to 150;
scales 25. E. U. S., abundant. A very variable species;
when angry it depresses and expands the head, hissing
furiously, thus exhibiting a very threatening appearance,
but it is perfectly harmless.

2. H. simus, (L.) Holbrook. HOG- NOSED SNAKE.
Dorsal blotches about 35; ground color usually paler or
yellowish brown ; vertical plate much longer than occip-
itals, broader than long; G. 130; scales 23 to 27, usually
25. Southern, N. to Ills, and Wis.

2. TROPIDONOTUS, Kuhl. WATER SNAKES.
* Scales in 23 to 29 rows. (Nerodia, B. & G.)

1. T. sipedon, (L.) Holbr. WATER SNAKE. WATER
ADDER. Brownish ; back and sides with each a series of
large, square, dark blotches alternating with each other;
rarely uniformly dusky; scales 23; G. 130 to 150; L. 30
to 50. E. U. S., abundant; aquatic.

Var. erythrog aster, (Shaw) Cope. RED -BELLIED
WATER SNAKE. Uniform red-black above; copper-color
below; head elongated. Michigan to Kansas and S.

Var. woodhousei, (B. & G.) Cope. Scales in 25 rows.
Mo. to Texas.

2. T. rhombifer, Hallowell. HOLBROOK'S WATER
SNAKE. Brown, with black quadrangular blotches;
scales in 27 rows. Mich., Ills, and S.

** Scales in 19 to 21 rows. (Regina, B. & G.)

3. T. rigidus, (Say) Holbr. STIFF SNAKE. Greenish
brown; two brown dorsal bands; abdomen yellowish,
spotted; outer row of scales smooth; scales 19; G. 130
to 170; L. 24. Penn. to Ga.

176 REPTILES.

4. T. leberis, (L.) Holbr. LEATHER SNAKE. Chestnut
brown; a yellow lateral band and three narrow black
dorsal stripes; scales all carinated; scales 19; G. 140 to
150; L. 24. U. S., chiefly eastward.

5. T. graham/, (B. & G.) Cope. GRAHAM'S SNAKE.
Brown; a broad yellowish lateral band; scales all strongly
carinated; head slender; abdomen unspotted; scales
19 (to 21?); G. 100; L. 20. Mississippi Valley, N. to
Michigan.

3. TROPIDOCLONIUM, Cope. LITTLE RED SNAKES.

1. T. kirtlandi, (Kenn.) Cope. KIRTLAND'S SNAKE.
Head shiny black; vertical plate broad; scales 19, all
carinated; G. 115 to 140; L. 8. Ohio to 111.; a hand-
some little snake.

4. STORERIA, Baird and Girard. RED - BELLIED SNAKES.
= Ischnognathus, Dum. & Bibron.

1. S. occipHomaculata, (Storer) B. & G. RED-BELLIED
SNAKE. Grayish or chestnut brown, usually showing a
paler vertebral band bordered by blackish dots; obscure
dots on side; occiput with three pale blotches (very
constant); belly salmon red; scales 15; G. 120 to 125;
L. 12. U. S., chiefly eastward; abundant.

2. S. dekayi, (Holbr.) B. & G. DEKAY'S BROWN
SNAKE. Grayish brown; a clay -colored dorsal band,
bordered by dotted lines; grayish below; body thickish,
tapering towards the small head; scales 17; G. 125 to
130; L. 12. E. U. S.

5. EUTSENIA, Baird and Girard. GARTER SNAKES.

* Body very slender, elongated; tail nearly one-third of total
length; scales in 19 rows.

1. E. saurita, (L.) B. & G. RIBAND SNAKE. SWIFT

COLTTBRID.E.— LXXV. 177

GARTER SNAKE. Brown with three yellow stripes;
light, clear brown, below the lateral stripes; tail usually
more than % of length; colors bright; G. 150 to 160; L.
36. U. S., chiefly E. of the Alleghanies.

2. £. faireyi, B. & G. FAIRIE'S GARTER SNAKE.
Blackish, with three greenish yellow stripes; body rela-
tively stout; tail less than £ length; space below bands
same color as above; G. 165 to 180; L. 30. Miss.
Valley, N. to Wis.

3. E. proxima, (Say) B. & G. SAY'S GARTER SNAKE.
Blackish, dorsal stripe brownish yellow; lateral stripes
greenish; tail -| of total length; sides colored like back;
G. 165 to 175; L. 35. Miss. Valley, N. to Wis.

** Body stouter ; tail shorter, about i of total length ; scales 19.

4. E. radix, Baird & Girard. HOY'S GARTER SNAKE.
Black with three narrow yellow lines; scales very rough,
the outer row broad; colors deep; head short; G. 150 to
160; L. 25. L. Michigan to Oregon.

5. E. sirtalis, (L.) B. & G. COMMON GARTER SNAKE.
STRIPED SNA.KE. Olivaceous, dorsal stripe narrow; lat-
eral stripes rather broad but not conspicuous ; colors
generally duller than in the other species, lateral rows
of spots more or less distinct; G. 130 to 160. N. Am.,
every where ; our commonest snake ; very variable.
Prominent varieties are:

Var. ordinata, (L.) Cope, has the stripes duller and
the spots more distinct, 85 in number. Chiefly north-
eastward.

Vai. dorsalis, (B. & G.) Cope, has the dorsal stripe
broad, and a row of distinct spots above the lateral stripe.
N. Am., every where.

Var. par/eta/is, (Say ) Cope, has the stripes dull

178 BEPTILES.

greenish and the spaces between the lateral spots vivid
brick red. Ind. (Jordan) and W.

6. BASCANIUHI, Baird and Girard. BLACK SNAKES.
> Coryphodon, Dumeril et Bibron.

1. B. constrictor, (L.) B. & G. BLACK SNAKE. Lus-
trous pitch black, greenish below, chin and throat white;
young olive with rhomboid blotches ; large, rather
slender; scales 17 (rarely 19); G. 170 to 200; L. 50 to
60. E. U. S., common E. and S.

7. PITYOPHIS, Holbrook. PINE SNAKES.

1. P. melanoleucus, (Baud.) Holb. PINE SNAKE.
BULL SNAKE. White, with chestnut brown blotches
which are margined with black, besides other markings;
scales 29; G. 220 to 230; L. 60. Pine woods; N. J. to
Ohio and southward.

2. P. sayi, (Schlegel) B. & G. WESTERN PINE SNAKE,
Whitish or reddish, with many dark blotches and spots;
scales usually 25; G. 220 to 230; L. 40 to 70. Western,
E. to Wis

8. COLUBER, Linnaeus. RACERS.
> ScotophiS) B. & G.

1. C. guttattiSf L. SPOTTED RACER. Red brown with
a dorsal series of large, red, dark -edged blotches; belly
checkered with black; scales 27; G. 210 to 230; L. 50.
Virginia and S.

2. C. obsoletus, Say. PILOT SNAKE. RACER. Lustrous
black, some scales white -edged; vertical plate longer
than broad; scales 27; G. 235; L. 50 to 75. Mass, to
Ills, and Texas; one of our largest snakes. (C. alle-
ghaniensis, Holbr.)

COLUBKID^E. — LXXV. 179

3. C. vulpinus, (B. & G.) Cope. Fox SNAKE. Light
brown, with quadrate, chocolate-colored blotches; verti-
cal plate broader than long; scales 25; G. 200 to 210;
L. 60. Mass, to Kansas and Northward.

4. C. emoryi, (B. & G.) Cope. EMORY'S RACER. Ashy
gray with transverse brown blotches; vertical plate
elongated; 6 or 8 median rows of scales only carinated;
scales 29; G. 210 to 220; L. 40 to 50. Ills, to Kansas
and Texas.

9. CYCLOPHIS, Glinther. SUMMER SNAKES.

Leptophis, B. & G.

1. C. CBstivus, (L.) Giinther. SUMMER GREEN SNAKE.
Head conical, neck very small; bright clear green, yel-
lowish below; scales 17; G. 150 to 160; L. 30. Southern,
N. to N. J. and Ills., abundant in the mountains; a most
exquisite little creature.

10. LIOPELTIS, Fitzinger. GREEN SNAKES.
1. L. vernalis, (DeKay) Jan. GREEN SNAKE. GRASS
SNAKE. SPRING SNAKE. Head elongate, neck slender;
eyes very large; uniform deep green (bluish in spirits),
yellowish below; scales 15; G. 130 to 140; L. 20. E.
U. S., chiefly northerly; a beautiful species.

//. DIADOPHIS, Baird and Girard. RING - NECKED

SNAKES.

< Ablabes, D. & B.

1. D. punctatus, (L.) B. & G. RING -NECKED SNAKE.
Head depressed; eye rather large; blue-black above,
bright pale orange below (yellowish in spirits); each
plate usually with a black spot; yellowish occipital ring
conspicuous; scales 15; G. 140 to 160; L. 15. Whole
U.S.

180 REPTILES.

Var. amabi/is, (B. & G.) Cope, is slender, with 180 or
more gastrosteges; below darker and more spotted.
Western, E. to Ohio.

2. D. arnyi, Kenn. ARNY'S RING -NECKED SNAKE.
Lead black; belly spotted and mottled with black;
occipital ring narrow, scales 17. Ills, to Kansas.

12. 0 PHI BOLUS, Baird and Girard. KING SNAKES.

< Coronella, Laurenti.

< Lampropeltis, Auct.

1. 0. getu/us, (L.) B. & G. CHAIN SNAKE. THUNDER
SNAKE. Black with narrow yellowish lines forking on
the flanks, each fork embracing a large black spot; belly
checkered; scales 21; G. 210 to 225; L. 50. Maryland
to La., E. of the mountains; variable; represented west-
ward by

Var. sayi, (Holbr.) Cope. KING SNAKE. Lustrous
black, many scales with a whitish spot in the center.
Alleghany to Rocky Mts., abundant, N. to Ills.; a hand-
some species.

2. 0. do/iatus, (L.) B. & G. RED SNAKE. CORN SNAKE,
etc. Red with twenty to twenty -five pairs of black
rings, each set enclosing a yellowish one; head red;
scales 21; G. 180 to 210; L. 30 to 50. Md. to Kansas
and S.; exceedingly variable, running by degrees into
the following variety, extremes of which bear little
resemblance to the typical doliatus.

Var. tr/angulus, (Boie ) Cope. MILK SNAKE. HOUSE
SNAKE. SPOTTED ADDER. Grayish, with three series of
brown, rounded blotches bordered with black, about fifty
of them in the dorsal row; an% arrow - shaped occipital

COLUBRTDJE. — LXXV. 181

spot; scales, etc., as in preceding. Va. to Iowa, and
northward; very common. [Coronella eximia, (DeKay)
Jan.]

3. 0. calligaster, (Say ) Cope. KENNICOTT'S CHAIN
SNAKE. Light olive gray, with about sixty quadrate,
chestnut colored, emarginate blotches on back and two
rows of smaller ones on each side; scales in 25 rows.
Ills, to Kansas. (0. evansi, Kenn.)

13. OSCEOLA, Baird and Girard. SCARLET SNAKES.

1. 0. elapsoidea, (Holbr.) B. & G. SCARLET SNAKE.
Brilliant red, with about fifteen pairs of jet black rings
on body and three on tail, each pair enclosing a white
ring; the black rings tapering towards the sides, the
white ones spreading; resembles closely 0. doliatus,
scales 19; G. 175 to 180; L. 20. Va. to Fla.

14. PARANOIA, Gray. HORN SNAKES.

< Calopisma, D. & B.

1. F. abacura, (Holb.) B. & G. RED-BELLIED HORN
SNAKE. Blue-black with red lateral spots; eyes small;
scales 19; G. 175; L. 36. Southern, N. to Ills. (Nel-
son.)

15. ABASTOR, Gray. RED-SIDED SNAKES.

1. A. erythrogrammus, (Daudin) Gray. RED- LINED
SNAKE. Blue-black; sides with three red lines; eyes
very large; nostrils in the middle of nasal plate; scales
19; G. 180; L. 25. Southern, N. to Ills. (Nelson.)

16. HALDEA, Baird & Girard. BROWN SNAKES.

= Conoceptialus, D. & B.
1. H. striatula, (L.) B. & G, BROWN SNAKE. Head

182 BEPTILES.

elongated, on a small neck; reddish gray, salmon red
beneath; scales 17; G. 125 to 130; L. 10. Va. to Texas.

17. VIRGINIA, Baird and Girard. BROWN SNAKES.

1. V. Valeria, B. & G. VALERIA BLANEY'S SNAKE.
Head elliptical; body slender; brownish with minute
black dots, often in two rows; yellowish beneath; scales
15; G. 120 to 130; L. 12. Md. to Ills, and S.

2. V. elegans, Kenn. KENNICOTT'S BROWN SNAKE.
Scales much narrower; uniform olivaceous above; yel-
lowish beneath ; scales 17. S. Ills, to Ark.

18. CARPHOPHIOPS, Gervais. WORM SNAKES.
= Celuta, B. & G.

1. C. amcBnus, (Say) Cope. GROUND SNAKE. Glossy
chestnut brown; belly salmon -red; head very small;
vertical plate broad; nasal plate large, pierced by the
nostril; scales 13; G. 120 to 130; L. 12. Mass, to Ills,
and S.

2. C. hefencB, (Kenn.) Cope. HELEN TENNISON'S
SNAKE. Lustrous chestnut -brown, flesh color beneath;
snout short and narrow; a single pair of frontal plates;
scales 13. S. Ills, to Miss.

3. C. vermis, (Kenn.) Cope. WORM SNAKE. Purplish-
black, two pairs of frontals, as in C. amcenus; belly
flesh color, color extending on sides; scales 13; larger
than the others. Missouri to Kansas.

FAMILY LXXV. (b.) — ELAPID^E.

(The Harlequin Snakes.)

Venomous snakes, provided with two or more perman-
ently erect, grooved fangs in the upper jaw, and usually
a series of smaller teeth behind them; scales not carin-
ated; head usually quadrangular, with flat crown and

CROTALIDJE. — LXXVI. 183

short muzzle; no loral plate. Genera 15; species about
50, chiefly East Indian, a few inhabiting the warmer
parts of America.

* Anal plate entire ; urosteges two-rowed ; scales in 15 rows.

ELAPS, 1.

/. ELAPS, Schneider. HARLEQUIN SNAKES.
1. E. fulvius, (L.) Cuv. BEAD SNAKE. Jet black,
with about 17 broad crimson rings, each bordered with
yellow, and spotted below with black; a yellow occipital
band; tail with yellow rings; L. 30; G. 200 to 215; U.
32. Va. to Ark. and S. A beautiful snake, mild in dis-
position and apparently harmless, although provided with
venom-fangs. Resembles Osceola and Ophibolus.

FAMILY LXXVI. — CROTALID.E.

(The Grotalid Snakes.)

Upper jaw destitute of solid teeth, but provided
with an erectile, grooved poison-fang on each side in
front; a deep pit between eye and nostril. Tail often
provided with a rattle, composed of horny rings of modi-
fied epidermis. Urosteges generally undivided, at least
anteriorly. Scales carinated in all our species. Species
50, more or less, all American, and renowned for the
deadliness of their venom.

* Tail with a rattle.

f Top of head covered with small, scale-like plates, larger ones
in front; size large; rattle large. . GROTALUS, 1.

f f Top of head with 9 large plates ; size small ; rattle small.

CAUDISOKA, 2.
** Tail without a rattle ; general color chestnut, variegated.

ANCISTRODON, 3.

/. CROTALUS, Linnaeus. RATTLESNAKES.
1. C. horridus, L. BANDED OR NORTHERN RATTLE-
SNAKE. Sulphur brown of various shades, with two rows

184 BEPTILESo

of confluent, brown, lozenge - shaped spots; tail black;
a light loral line with a dark patch beneath; scales 23 to
25; G. 165 to 170; L. 40 to 60. U. S., chiefly eastward
and southward, in rocky places; rapidly becoming ex-
tinct; several other species occur southwestward. (C.
durisstis, Auct.)

2. CAUDISONA, Laurenti. MASSASSAUGAS.

= (Jrotalophorus, Gray.

1. C. tergemina, (Say) Cope. MASSASSAUGA. PRAIRIE
RATTLESNAKE. Brown or blackish with about seven
series of deep chestnut blotches, sometimes entirely
black; scales 25; G. 140 to 150; L. 30. Prairie region,
E. to the Alleghanies; abundant in grassy fields where
not exterminated.

3. ANCISTRODON, Beauvais. COPPERHEADS.
> Toxicophis, Troost.
< Trigonocephalus^ Holbr., etc.

1. A. contortrix, (L.) B. & G. COPPERHEAD. Hazel
brown; top of head bright coppery, back with a series
of fifteen to twenty-five dark blotches having something
the form of an inverted Y ; yellowish below wit'h dark
blotches; scales 23; G. 150 to 160; L. 35 to 40. E. U. S.,
chiefly southerly.

2. A. atrofuscus, (Troost) B. & G. HIGHLAND MOC-
CASIN. COTTONMOUTH. Dusky above, with smoky gray
blotches; tail black; belly white, blotched with black
and minutely punctate; upper lip white; scales 25; G.
130 to 140; L. 25. Mts. of Tenn. and N. C. and South.

3. A piscivorus, (Holbr.) Cope. WATER MOCCASIN.
Greenish brown with dark vertical bars; scales 25; G.
140; L. 30. Aquatic; southern, probably not in our
limits.

BATRACHIANS. 185

13atrarf)ta.

(The Batrachians.)

Cold-blooded Vertebrates, allied to the fishes, but
differing in several respects, notably in the absence of
rayed fins, the limbg being usually developed and func-
tional, with the skeletal elements of the limbs of
Reptiles; toes usually without claws.

The Batrachians undergo a more or less complete
metamorphosis; the young ("tadpoles") being aquatic
and fish -like, breathing by means of external gills or
branchiae; later in life, lungs are developed and (except-
ing in Proteida) the gills disappear. Skin naked and
moist (rarely having imbedded scales) and used to some
extent as an organ of respiration. Heart with two
auricles and a single ventricle.

Reproduction by means of eggs which are of com-
paratively small size, without hard shell, developed in
water or in moist situations.

The Batrachians diifer more from the Fishes in
appearance than in reality, and they are sometimes
combined into one group (Ichthyopsida), the Birds and
Reptiles constituting another (Sauropsidd).

ORDERS OF BATRACHIA.

* Body short, depressed ; tail wanting in the adult; four dereloped

limbs, ihe posterior being much enlarged. . AMTTRA, W.

** Body lengthened, with a distinct tail ; hind limbs if present

not specially elongated.

f With no external gills or branchiae when adult; eyelids
present URODELA, X.

186 BATRACHIANS.

f f External branchiae and gill clefts persistent through life ; no
eyelids. PROTEIDA, Y.

W. FAMILIES OF ANURA.

* Fingers and toes tapering or cylindrical, not dilated into a disk

at their tips.

f Upper jaw with teeth ; toes completely webbed.
a. No spur at the heel ; fingers often webbed ; chiefly aquatic.

RANID/E, 77.

CM. One of the bones of the heel forming a sharp, flat-edged
spur; fingers scarcely webbed; chiefly terrestrial.

SCAPHIOPUXE, 78.
ff Jaws toothless ; toes webbed ; skin more or less warty ; ter-

restrial BUFONIIXE, 80.

** Fingers and toes dilated at their tips, forming a viscous disk ;
arboreal HYLIIXE, 79.

X. FAMILIES OF URODELA.

* No spiracles or openings in the sides of the neck in the adult.

* Sides (in our species) with a row of round red or yellowish spots
which are bordered with black (these veiy rarely obsolete) ;
belly dotted with black ; tarsus and carpus ossified ; verte-
bra opisthoccelian (not biconcave). PLEURODELUXE, 81.
ff Spots, if any, not as above.
\ Carpus and tarsus cartilaginous ; tongue much smaller and

more extensively free than in the next.
a. Vertebras concave behind only (opisthocoelian.)

DESMOGNATHIIXE, 82.
aa. Vertebrae biconcave (arnphiccelian.)

PLETHODONTID.E, 83.

\\ Carpus and tarsus ossified; vertebrae amphicoeliau; tongue
large, thick, papillose, attached by its base, with a narrow
free margin ; salamanders usually of large size and dark

colors AMBLYSTOMUXE, 84.

** With a spiracle or rounded opening in each side of the neck .•

size large.

b. Limbs well developed ; toes 4-5. . . MENOPOMHXE, 85.
bb. Limbs rudimentary ; toes 2-2 or 3-3. . AMPHiUMnxE, 86.

BANIDJE. — LXXVH. 187

Y. FAMILIES OP PROTEIDA.

* Hind legs present; both jaws with teeth; form salamander-like.

PROTEID.E, 87.
** Hind legs wanting; upper jaw toothless; form eel-like.

SIBENHXE, 88.

OEDEE W.-AKUEA.

(The Tailless BatracJiians.)

Body nearly or quite naked, short and broad; all four
limbs present; tail wanting in the adult; young (tadpole)
fish-like, with broad head, external branchiae, a long tail,
no limbs and no teeth; the intestinal canal very long,
adapted for a vegetable diet; from this form by degrees
it develops into the adult animal which is always more
or less Frog-like.

FAMILY LXXVIL — RANID^E.

(TTie Frogs)

Tailless Batrachians with the tongue adherent in front
and more or less free behind; fingers four, toes five,
both commonly webbed; ear well developed, jaw and
usually vomer, with teeth; chiefly aquatic. Genera
fourteen, species about fifty; very abundant in tropical
America.

* Vomerine teeth present ; no finger opposed to the others ; tongue

nicked behind ; toes full-webbed. . . RANA, 1.

/. RANA, Linnaeus. FROGS.

* Back with large distinct spots arranged in more or less regular

rows ; back with two conspicuous yellowish folds.

1. R. halecina, Kalm. LEOPARD FROG. COMMON
FROG. General color greenish, often bright, sometimes
brassy, with many pale-edged dark spots which lie in
two irregular rows on back; usually two large spots

188 BATRACHIANS.

between eyes; legs barred above; belly pearly or yel-
lowish, each side of back with a well-marked fold. N.
Am., the commonest species.

2. fi. pa/ustris, Le Conte. PICKEREL FROG. Brownish
with the spots square, in four rows; young golden green;
body with two glandular folds on each side; slender. E.
U.S.

** Back with small dark spots or none.

3. fi. clamitans, Merrem. GREEN FROG. SPRING
FROG. Bright green, darker on the flanks, every where
spotted with blackish; color sometimes rather brown
than green; white below; glandular folds conspicuous;
size moderate. U. S., E. of the mountains. (It. horico-
nensis, Holbr. M.fontinalis^ LeC.)

4. R. catesbiana, Shaw. BULL FROG. Greenish, of
varying shades, with numerous small, indistinct darker
spots, head usually of a very bright pale green ; glandu-
lar folds little marked; very large, a foot or more long
when adult. E. U. S., common; well noted for its rich
bass notes. (7?. pipiens, Auct., not of L.)

5. R. iemporaria, (L.) var. sylvafica, (Le C.) Gthr.
WOOD FROG. Color reddish brown; a dark band on each
side of the head through eye and ear; quite small. E. U. S.
common; scarcely aquatic. (R. cantabrigensis, Baird,
the Cambridge Frog, from E. Mass., N. and W. is another
variety of this European species.) (See Addenda.)

FAMILY LXXVIIL — SCAPHIOPID.E.

(The Spade Foots.}

Terrestrial frogs having the heel provided with a more

or less developed spur. Genera three ; species ten or

more. In Europe, America, and Australia.

* Toes completely webbed ; forehead and crown bony, rough ;

skin slightly tuberculate. •. . . SCAPHIOPUS, 1.

HTLID^E. — LXXIX. 189

/. SCAPHIOPUS, Holbrook. SPADE FOOTS.

1. S. holbrookii, (Harlan) Baird. SOLITARY SPADE

FOOT. Heel with a sharp -edged spur; olive brown, a

pale yellow streak on each side. E. U. S., not very

common; burrows in the ground. (/S. soUtarius^ Holbr.)

FAMILY LXXIX. — HYLID^E.

(TJie Tree Frogs.)

Arboreal frogs of small size, having the fingers and
toes more or less dilated into disks at their tips; ear well
developed. Genera ten; species sixty; found in most
parts of the world; noted for their shrill voices.

* Disks round, conspicuous ; fingers somewhat webbed ; skin

roughened HYLA, 1.

** Disks small ; fingers not webbed,
f Toes webbed only at base or not at all ; tympanum distinct.

CHOKOPHILUS, 2.
•ff Toes broadly webbed ; tympanum indistinct. . ACBIS, 3.

/. HYLA, Laurenti. TREE FROGS.

1. H. versicolor, LeConte. COMMON TREE TOAD.
Green, gray or brown, with irregular dark spots; below
yellow qr white; fingers one -third webbed; exceedingly
variable. E. U. S., very abundant.

2. H. pickeringii, Holbrook. PICKERING'S TREE TOAD.
Yellowish brown with dusky rhomboidal spots and lines
sometimes arranged in the form of a cross. E. U. S.

3. H. andersonii, Baird. ANDERSON'S TREE TOAD.
Deep pea-green; sides with, irregular yellow spots; a
purplish band on sides of head. N. J. to S. C., rare

2. CHOROPHILUS, Baird. LITTLE TREE FROGS.
1. C. triseriatus, (Wied.) Baird. TREE FROG. E. U. S.

190 BATEACHIANS.

3. ACRIS, Dumeril and Bibron. CRICKET FROGS.

1. A. gryllus, (Le C.) var. crepitans, (Baird) Cope.
CRICKET FROG. Brownish above; middle of back and
head bright green; a dark triangle between the eyes;
sides with three oblique blotches; a white line from eye
to ear. E. U. S. (the typical gryllus southward.)

FAMILY LXXX. — BUFONID^E.

( The Toads.)

Maxillaries toothless; toes webbed, not dilated at their
tips; ear well developed; skin usually warty. Genera
three, species thirty; in every part of the world except
Australia. Most of them belong to the familiar genus,
Bufo.

1. BUFO, Laurenti. TOADS.

1. B. lentiginosus, Shaw. AMERICAN TOAD. Brown-
ish olive with a .yellowish vertebral line and some
brownish spots; adults very warty; young nearly smooth.
U. S., very common, variable; the northern form is var.
americanus (Le C.) Cope.

OEDEE X.-TJEODELA.

(The Salamanders.)

Body naked, elongated, subcylindrical; four limbs
developed; tail persistent, usually much longer than
broad, terete or compressed; no external branchiae when
adult.

FAMILY LXXXI. — PLEURODELID^E.

(The Newts.)

Vertebras concave behind only (opisthoccelian) ; carpus
and tarsus ossified. I am unable to characterize this
family further.

. — LXXXII. 191

* Tongue small, thick, oval, attached by nearly its whole inferior
surface ; toes 4r-5, outer and interior on hind foot rudimentary;
our species spotted ..... DIEMYCTYLUS, 1.

/. DIEMYCTYLUS, Rafinesque. SPOTTED NEWTS.
> Notophthalmus, Raf.

1. D. viridescens, Raf. SPOTTED TRITON. NEWT.
EVET. EFT. Above olive green of varying shades;
lemon yellow below; each side with a row of several
rather large vermillion spots, each surrounded by a black
ring; back with a pale streak;" belly, etc., with small
black dots. E. U. S., abundant E. of the Alleganies; in
ponds and brooks.

2. D. miniatus, Raf. RED EFT. RED EVET. Color
vermillion red of varying shade, paler or yellowish below;
markings precisely as in the foregoing; same range, but
found away from water, under stones, etc.; comes out
after rain. Perhaps a variety or state of the preceding,
at least Prof. Cope so considers it.

FAMILY LXXXII.— DESMOGNATHID^E.

(The Desmognatlis.)

Vertebrae opisthoccelian ; carpus and tarsus cartilagin-
ous; no crests or other dermal appendages developed at
the breeding season. Genus one; species three; all of
the Eastern U. S. Tn external characters, this family is
scarcely distinguishable from the next, but the skeletal
distinctions are quite numerous. They are, however, too
technical for our present purpose. " The examination of
the skeleton of species of this genus utterly changes the
impressions produced by a consideration of the external
characters. It may be stated as characteristic of the
Batrachia in general, that their affinities can not be deter-
mined without study of the skeleton." Cope. Proc.
Phil. Ac. Nat. Sc. 1869, 113.

192 BATRACHIANS.

/. DESMOGNATHUS, Baird. DUSKY SALAMANDERS.

1. D. ochrophoaa, Cope. YELLOW DESMOGNATH.
Brownish yellow with a brown shade on each side; a
yellowish dorsal band; back with a few spots; belly
unspotted; tail rounded; $ with lower jaw toothless
behind; costal folds 14; size small; scarcely aquatic.
Allegany Mountains, N. Y., southward.

2. D. iusca, (Raf.) Baird. DUSKY SALAMANDER.
Brown above, with gray or purplish spots or shades,
becoming blackish with age; marbled below; eyes
prominent; tail compressed and keeled, as long as head
and body; costal folds 14; larger. Mass, to Ohio and
S.; one of the commonest species in springs and brooks;
remarkable for its activity and strength.

3. D. nigra, (Green) Baird. BLACK SALAMANDER.
Uniform black; tips of tail, jaws, etc., brown; tail com-
pressed and finned; costal folds 12. Penn., S. in the
mountain springs; the largest Eastern Salamander.

FAMILY LXXXIIL— PLETHODONTID^l.

(The American Salamanders.)

Vertebras amphiccelian ; carpus and tarsus cartilagin-
ous. Various other distinctive characters are given by
Prof. Cope, but we omit them here as not available for
our present purpose. Genera eleven; species thirty;
nearly all North American.

* The tongue attached by a hand running from its central or

posterior pedicel to the anterior margin ; premaxillariea 2 .
f Toes 4r4, small, ashy above, spotted below.

HEMTDACTYLrUM, 1.

ft Toes 4-5 ; colors dark ; spotted or banded. PLETHODON, 2.
** Tongue free all around, attached by its central pedicel only;
toes 4-5, all free.

PLETHODONTID.E. — LXXXHI. 193

\ Premaxillaries united ; color yellow or red, spotted or striped.

SPELEKPES, 3.

\\ Premaxillaries 2 ; color purplish gray or salmon color, un-
spotted GYRINOPHILUS, 4.

/. HEMIDACTYLIUM, Tschudi. FOUR- TOED SALA-
MANDERS.

1. H. scutatum, (Schl.) Tsch. FOUR- TOED SALAMAN-
DER. Ashy brown above; snout yellow; silvery below,
with dots like ink spots; tail slender, nearly twice the
length of the body; head blunt. R. I. to Ills., and S.
(S. melanosticta, Gibbes.)

2. PLETHODON, Tschudi. PLETHODONTS.

1. P. erythronotus, (Green) Baird. RED -BACKED
SALAMANDER. Plumbeous above, often with a broad
red dorsal band; belly marbled; body very slender; tail
cylindric; inner toes rudimentary; costal folds 16 to 19.
E. U. S., common. [P. cinereus, (Green) Cope, variety
without red dorsal band.]

2. P. glutinosus, (Green) Baird. VISCID SALAMAN-
DER. Black, usually with gray lateral blotches and
smaller dorsal spots; stout; tail rounded; inner toes well
developed. E. U. S., chiefly terrestrial, like the pre-
ceding.

3. SPELERPES, Rafinesque. CAVE SALAMANDERS.

1. S. bilineatus, (Green) Baird. Two - STRIPED SALA-
MANDER. Yellow with a dark line along each side of
the back; belly unspotted; tail not keeled; costal folds
14; small. Maine to Wis. and S.

2. S. longicaudus, (Green) Baird. CAVE SALAMANDER.
Lemon yellow; sides with many small black spots; a
median dorsal series; belly spotless; tail keeled, very

9

194 BATRACHTANS.

long, spotted or barred with black ; costal folds 13; large.
Maine to Minn, and S., abounding in the caves of Ky.
and Ind.

3. S. ruber, (Daudin) Gray. RED TRITON. Vermil-
ion red, with black or brown spots; head wide; costal
folds 15 or 16; large; variable. Maine to Nebraska and
S. (Pseudotriton, Baird.)

4. GYRINOPHILUS, Cope. PURPLE SALAMANDERS.

1. G. porphyriticus, (Green) Cope. PURPLE SALA-
MANDER. Uniform purplish gray above; head broad;
tail rounded at base, not finned; large; aquatic. Alle-
gany Mountains, N. E. and S. [Spelerpes salmonea (Stor.)
Gray.] " The only one of our Eastern Salamanders
which attempts self defense. It snaps fiercely but harm-
lessly and throws its body into contortions in terror."
(Cope.)

FAMILY LXXXIV.— AMBLYSTOMID^E.

(The Amblystomas.)

Vertebrae amphicoelian ; carpus and tarsus ossified;
digits 4—5, without webbing; tongue thick; size gener-
ally large and color dark. Genus one, species nineteen;
probably all American, and very abundant in the South-
ern and Western parts of the U. S. The larvae which
reach a large size, and even breed before the gills are
absorbed, have long been considered as forming a separ-
ate genus, Siredon, supposed to be allied to Necturus.

1. AMBLYSTOMA,TschudL BIG SALAMANDERS.

* Folds of tongue radiating from behind ; costal folds 10 to 12 ;

fourth toe with 4 phalanges.
f Costal grooves 10.
1. A. talpoideum, (Holbr.) Gray. MOLE SALAMANDER.

AMBLYSTOMIDJE. — LXXXIV. 195

Blackish brown, gray-speckled; tail short, compressed,
2£ in length; head very broad; body short and squat.
Southern, N. to S. Ills,
ff Costal grooves 11.
| Sole with one indistinct tubercle, or none.

2. A. opacum, (Gravenhorst) Baird. OPAQUE SALA-
MANDER. Black above, with bluish gray bars; belly dark
blue; no dorsal furrow, no enlarged pores on the head;
tail 2|- in total length; body stout. Penn. to Wis. and S.
A handsome species. (S. fasciata^ Green.)

3. A. punctatum, (L.) Baird. LARGE SPOTTED SALA-
MANDER. Black above with a series of round yellow
spots on each side of the back; body broad, depressed
and swollen; skin punctate with small pores, from which
exudes a milky fluid (Cope)\ two or three clusters of
enlarged pores on head; a strong dorsal groove; tail 2£
in length; large. U. S., E. of the Rocky Mountains.
(A. venenosa and subviolacea, Auct.)

4. A. conspersum, Cope. SMALLER SPOTTED SALA-
MANDER. Lead colored, with one or two series of small
yellow spots along sides; no dorsal groove; skin smooth;
tail 2£ in length; small. Penn. to Ga.

\\ Sole with two distinct, tubercles.

5. A. bicolor, Hallowell. TWO-COLORED SALAMANDER.
Olive brown, yellowish below, rising in blotches on the
sides; a few large yellowish spots above; limbs banded;
tail yellow with brown spots. New Jersey.

fff Costal grooves 12.
a. Large species ; sole with two distinct tubercles.

6. A. iigrinum, (Green) Baird. TIGER SALAMANDER.
Chiefly brown with many yellow spots, about as large as
the eye; body thick and strong; the head comparatively
long and narrow; tail shorter than head and body; color

196 BATRACHLANS.

varying from uniform brown to yellow, but usually
spotted. U. S., E. of the Rocky Mountains. (A.
ingens, Hallowell.)

7. A. xiphias, Cope. LONG -TAILED SALAMANDER.
Yellow-olive with brown reticulating bands; head small,
blunt; tail very long, much longer than the head and
body. Ohio.

act. Small species ; sole with one indistinct tubercle or none.

8. A. jeffersonianum, (Green) Baird. JEFFERSON'S
SALAMANDER. Olive brown or blackish, usually with
pale or bluish spots, but sometimes uniform plumbeous.
Va. to Ind. and N., variable; several varieties are recog-
nized by Prof. Cope.

** Folds on tongue radiating from the median longitudinal furrow ;
costal folds 12 ; size small.

9. A. microstomum, Cope. SMALL - MOUTHED SALA-
MANDER. Lead - colored, usually with gray shades and
specks; head small, short, broad; body slender; skin
very smooth and slippery; lower jaw projecting. Ohio
to Kansas and S.

FAMILY LXXXV.— MENOPOMID^E.

(The Menopomes.)

Salamanders of large size, having the form of Ambly-
stoma, but with an orifice on each side of neck persistent
during life; no external gills; legs well developed; toes
4—5; aquatic. Genus one; species two, Menopoma,
fuscum, Holbr., of the head waters of the Tennessee,
and the following:

/. MENOPOMA, Harlan. HELLBENDERS.
1. M. alleghaniense, Harlan. HELLBENDER. BIG
WATER LIZARD. Blackish; length 1£ to 2 feet. Mis-
sissippi Valley to N. C. and S

PKOTBID^E. — LXXXVH. 197

FAMILY LXXXVL — AMPHIUMID^E.

(The Congo Snakes.)

Salamanders of large size, having the body elongated
almost serpentiform ; limbs rudimentary with two or
three toes each ; a spiracle on each side of neck as in the
preceding family; aquatic. Genera two; the three-toed
Murcenopsis (M. tridactylus) and the two-toed Amphi-
uma. Species two, inhabiting the ditches and streams
of the warmer parts of the U. S.

/. A M PHI U HI A, Linnaeus. Two-ToED CONGO SNAKES.

1. A. means, L. CONGO SNAKE. Dusky; limbs very
small, each with two toes. Southern States, N. to N. C.

OEDEE Y.-PEOTEIDA.

(The Proteans.)

Tailed Batrachians, provided with bushy external gills
which are persistent during life; lungs more or less
developed and functional, hence these animals are truly
amphibious.

FAMILY LXXXVIL — PROTEID^E.

(The Mud Puppies.)

Salamanders of medium or large size, provided with
bushy external gills, and having the branchial clefts
remaining open through life; teeth well developed.
Genera two. Proteus inhabitating caves in S. W.
Austria (Carniola), and Necturus of the fresh waters of
the U. S. Proteus is blind and has the toes 3-2.
Necturus has the eyes well developed, though small, and
the toes 4-4.

198 BATKACHIANS.

/. NECTURUS, Rafinesque. MUD PUPPIES.
= MenobranchuS) Harlan.

1. N. lateralis, (Say ) Baird. MENOBRANCHUS. MUD
PUPPY (North). WATER DOG (South). DOG FISH.
Brown, more or less spotted; young with traces of a
lateral band; dusky below; gills large and bushy, bright
red, forming three tufts on each side; head broad, de-
pressed; tail much compressed. E. U. S., chiefly north-
ern and west of the Alleganies, especially abundant in
the Great Lake Region; reaches a length of eight inches
to two feet. (M. maculatus, hyemalis, etc., of authors.)
Another species. N. punctatus, (Gibbes) Cope, occurs in
S. C.

FAMILY LXXXVIII. — SIRENIDJE.
- (Tfie Sirens.)

Body elongated, eel-like; external branchiae persistent;
no posterior limbs, not even a vestige of pelvis; head
flattened; snout obtuse; mouth narrow, the lower jaw
with teeth all around, the upper toothless; eye very
small. (Cuvier.) Genera two, species two, — Pseudo-
branchus striatus, (LeC.) of Georgia, a small species
with small gills, and the following:

7. SIREN, Linnaaus. SIRENS.

1. S. lacertina, L. GREAT SIREN. Reaches a length
of three feet. Southern, N. to N. C. and S. Ills.

FISHES. 199

(The Fishes.)

A fish is a cold-blooded vertebrate, adapted for life in
water, having the limbs developed as fins, the fingers
and toes being represented by cartilaginous rays con-
nected by membrane (in rare cases limbs rudimentary or
wanting); exoskeleton usually developed as scales or
bony plates (skin rarely naked); one or more fins on the
median line of the body, composed of rays connected
by membrane. Skull developed, containing a brain of
several differentiated ganglia; a distinct lower jaw.
Heart with an auricle, ventricle, and arterial bulb;
respiration by means of branchiae, which consist (typi-
cally) "of bony arches attached to the hyoid bone, to
which the filaments of the gills are attached, generally
in a row upon each, and having their surface covered
by a tissue of innumerable blood vessels. The water
taken in at the mouth passes among the filaments of the
gills and escapes by the gill openings towards the rear;
in its progress through the filaments of the gills the
water imparts to these the oxygen of the air which it
contains. The blood is sent to the gills by the heart,
which thus answers to the right side of the heart of
warm-blooded animals, and from the gills it is sent to an
arterial trunk lying along the under side of the vertebral
column, which distributes the blood through the body of
the fish" (Guvier); branchiae free, gill openings a single
cleft on each side. In most fishes there is a membran-
ous air bladder immediately beneath the back -bone,
answering homologically to the lungs of the higher

200 FISHES.

vertebrates; in a few Ganoids the air bladder is cellular,
and more or less functional and connected by a glottis
with the oesophagus; in most of the so ft -rayed Teleo-
cephali there is a slender duct connecting the air bladder
with the alimentary canal ; in the Acanthopteri and others
this is wanting. Reproduction by eggs of small size,
which are fertilized generally after exclusion; a few are
ovoviviparous.

As here characterized, the class Pisces includes the
Teliosts and Ganoids, of authors, and excludes the
Sharks and Skates and their allies, as well as the Lam-
preys and Lancelots, which differ from the true Fishes
more than the latter do from the Batrachians.

The following key includes not only the families of
fresh water fishes described in this work, but also all of
the families of Fishes represented on the Atlantic Coast
of the U. S. The names of those families which are ex-
clusively marine are printed in italics, and no further
reference is made to them. A student, therefore, who
traces a fresh water fish to any of them will understand
that there is an error on his part or mine. The key is,
of course, purely artificial, and does not, in most cases,
give true family distinctions, for instance:

With 5 to 9 detached flnlets behind dorsal and anal ; dorsals 2 ;
scales small or none. . . Scombridw, the Mackerels.

does not imply that all Scombridce possess those charac-
ters, nor, indeed, that all possessing them are Scombridce;
but that all fishes in the region here covered, which show
those peculiarities, are to be referred to that family.

SUB-CLASS I. Tail homocercal (caudal fin rarely wanting) ; optic
nerves simply crossing, without chiasma ; arterial bulb simple,
with two opposite valves at its origin ; air bladder, if present,
not cellular; exoskeleton typically of scales, either ctenoid or
cycloid TELEOSTEI, page 201.

FISHES. 201

SUB-CLASS II. Tail heterocercal ; optic nerves forming a chiasma ;
arterial bulb with several rows of valves ; air bladder fre-
quently cellular and lung-like ; exoskeleton typically of bony
plates GANOIDEI, page 212.

ORDERS OF TELEOSTEI.
Gills pectinated — of the ordinary sort, not tuft-like.

I. Maxillaries normally developed and normally distinct from
each other; gills not in the axils; typical fishes (characters
too various to be here summarized). . TELEOCEPHALI, Z.

II. With 4 to 8 long barbels about the mouth, the longest of

which is a continuation of the incomplete maxillary;
subopercle wanting ; ventrals abdominal ; usually an adi-
pose fin and dorsal and pectoral spines; skin naked or
with bony plates ; chiefly in fresh water.

NEMATOGNATHI, AA.

III. Maxillaries rudimentary or wanting; scapular arch free
from skull; body elongated, serpentiform, with a long
dorsal and anal, which meet around the tail ; no ventral
fins; scales small or none; jaws with teeth; chiefly
marine ABODES, BB.

IV. Carpal bones elongated, forming a kind of arm which sup-

ports the pectorals, in the axils of which are the small gill
openings ; ventrals j ugular, with 4 or 5 soft rays ; body
scaleless or tuberculate ; head very large ; marine.

PEDICULATI, page 211.

V. Intermaxillaries immovably united with the maxillaries ;

skin rough, often covered with spines or ganoid plates ;

ventral fins wanting; marine. PLECTOGNATHI, page 212.

** Gills small, tuft-like, largest at their free tips ; body covered

with bony plates ; mouth small, toothless, at the end of the

long snout; no ventral fins; marine.

LOPHOBRANCHII, page 212.

Z. SUB -ORDERS OF TELEOCEPHALI.

I. Body flat, unsymmetrical ; both eyes on the upper or colored

side; ventrals jugular. . . HETEKOSOMATA, page 208.

II. Bones of snout prolonged into a long tube which bears the

short jaws at the end. . . HEMIBRANCHII, page 209.

202 FISHES.

III. With two or more free spines in place of first dorsal ; ventrals
sub-abdominal, of a stout spine and a small ray ; small fishes
scaleless or with bony plates. . HEMIBRANCHII, page 209.

IV. Dorsal fins two, distinct, small, the first of 4 to 7 spines ; ven-

trals abdominal; teeth feeble or wanting; scales cycloid,
silvery PERCESOCES, page 208.

V. With the first rays of the dorsal, or the whole first dorsal, of

simple — usually stiff spines; first ray of ventral usually
inarticulate (spinous dorsal forming a hump in Cydopterus ;
a lamellated sucking disk in Echeneis, etc., wanting altogether
in Aspidophoroides and Oobiesox). ACANTHOPTERI, page 203.

VI. Fin rays soft and articulated (excepting occasionally one or

two in dorsal or anal) ; no ventral spines ; scales when pres-
ent, usually cycloid.

* Ventrals jugular ; dorsal and anal long, often divided.

ANACANTHINI, page 208.

** Ventrals abdominal.

f Mouth entirely toothless ; abdomen not serrated ; lower
pharyngeals falciform, tooth-bearing; no adipose fin;
head naked ; fresh water. . EVENTOGNATHI, page 211.

ff Body elongated, scaly ; a series of keeled scales along sides
of abdomen; lower pharyngeals united (as in Labridce);
no air duct ; no adipose fin ; no ventral serratures ; one
or both jaws or else pectoral fins greatly elongated;
chiefly marine. . . SYNENTOGNATHI, page 209.

fff Head more or less scaly (naked in Ambit/apsis, the Cave
Blind Fish) ; both jaws fully provided with teeth ; lower
jaw usually longest; dorsal far back, nearly opposite
anal; no adipose fin, ventral serratures, nor peculiar
scales ; chiefly fresh water. . HAPLOMI, page 209.

ffff Soft -rayed fishes showing none of the above combina-
tions of characters ; head naked ; adipose fin or abdominal
serratures often present ; dentition and habitat various.

ISOSPONDYLI, page 210.
*** Ventrals entirely wanting.

| Jaws with teeth ; vent at the throat ; body oblong ; cave

fishes HAPLOMI, page 209.

# Jaws toothless ; vent normal ; body serpentiform.

ANACANTHINI, page 208.

FISHES. 203

FAMILIES OF ACANTHOPTERL

1. With 5 to 9 detached finlets behind dorsal and anal ; dorsals

two ; scales small or none. . Scombridce, the Mackerels.

2. Upper jaw prolonged into a " sword " ; teeth feeble or wanting ;

scaleless ; size large. . . Xiphiidce, the Sword-Fishes.

3. Tail ending in a sharp point; no caudal norventrals; teeth

strong Trichiuridce, the Hair-Tails.

4. First dorsal on the top of head, modified into a lamellated

sucking disk. . . . Echeneididce, the Rem&ras.

5. Ventral fins completely united, sometimes forming a sucking

disk.

— Dorsals two, distinct ; body scaly or not. . GOBITIXE, 96.

— Dorsal single ; spinous dorsal enveloped in skin, forming a

hump in the adult ; scaleless, tuberculate.

Cydopteridce, the Lump-Suckers.

— Dorsal single ; body elongated ; scaleless ; small fishes often

parasitic in shells of Mollusks. Liparididce, the Sea Snails.

6. Ventral fins wide apart, with a sucking disk between them ;

dorsal spineless, on the tail. Gobiesocidte, the Pike-Suckers.

7. With a stout, sharp spine on each side of tail ; body much com-

pressed. .... Acanthuridce, the Surgeons.

8. With several unconnected spines in place of the first dorsal.

— Tail with a keel on each side. Carangidce, the Pilot Fishes.

— Anal fin preceded by two free spines ; body compressed and

elevated. . . . Carangidcs, the Pilot Fishes.

— Tail not keeled; jaws toothless; body very long and slender.

Ammodytidce, the Sand Launces.

— Tail without a keel ; jaws with teeth.

Body long ; snout elongated. Elacatidce, the Crab-Eaters.
Body short, compressed ; snub-nosed.

Stromateidce, the Harvest Fishes.

9. With none of the preceding combinations.

* With two distinct dorsal fins — rarely slightly connected by

membrane at the base.
f Body with developed scales or bony plates, large or small.

204 FISHES.

1. Small fresh water fishes (1 to 6 inches long) ; elongated

or fusiform, often brightly colored; the fins — espe-
cially the pectorals— well developed ; anal spines one or
two ; branchiostegals 6. . ETHEOSTOMATHXE, 89

2. Pectoral fins very long, reaching at least to anal, with 3

detached appendages or else several connected, forming
an additional fin • cheeks mailed ; head bony.

Triglidce, the Gurnards.

3. With 7 or 8 filiform appendages on each side below the

pectorals ; cheeks not mailed.

Polynemidce, the Thread-Fishes.

4. Throat with two long barbels. Mullida, the Surmullets.

5. Dorsal spines only two ; scales minute, imbedded in the

skin. . . . Rhypticidce, the Soap Fishes.

6. Ventrals abdominal ; body elongated ; scales cycloid ;

teeth stout. . . Sphyrcenida, the Barracudas.

7. With none of the above combinations ; ventrals mostly

thoracic.

a. Some or all of opercular bones, more or less serrated
or spinous.

b. With teeth on the vomer.

c. First dorsal low and weak of 8 spines; scales small;

one or more minute spines in front of anal;

teeth strong. . Pomatoniidce, the Slue Fishes,
cc. Dorsal spines stout; scales ctenoid ; no free anal

spines.

d. Ventrals 1-5 ; branchiostegals usually 7.
e. Cleft of mouth horizontal or oblique ; scales
firm.

— Anal spines 2, sometimes obscure.

PERCIIXE, 90.

— Anal spines 3, distinct. . LABRACIIXE, 91.
ee. Cleft of mouth nearly vertical ; scales large,

deciduous. Chilodipteridce, the Apoyons.

dd. Ventrals 1-7 ; branchiostegals 8 ; anal spines 4.

Berycidce, the Berycoids.

FISHES. 205

bb. No teeth on the vomer ; anal spines 1 or 2 ; lateral
line usually running up on the caudal fin.

aa. Edges of opercular bones entire.
/. Scales well developed, not enlarged along lateral line ;
chin often with barbels ; no free spines.

Scicmidce, the Maigres.

ff. Scales minute ; no barbels.

g. Body more or less compressed and elevated ; scales

sometimes enlarged along lateral liJIe; usually

2 free anal spines. Carangidce, the Pilot Fishes.

gg. Body long and low; no free spines nor lateral

shields ..... Gobiidce, the Gobies.

ft Body entirely scaleless.

h. Body more or less depressed ; eyes high up on the broad

head ; caudal usually rounded.

i. Dorsal with 4 spines ; ventrals jugular I, 5 ; mouth
vertical. . . Urarwscopida, the Star Grazers.
u. Dorsal with 3 spines; ventrals jugular I, 2; mouth
broad, with conical teeth.

Satrachidce, the Toad Fishes.

Hi. Dorsal spines 6 or more ; ventrals thoracic ; cheeks
mailed (i. e., the sub -orbital bone extending back-
ward over the cheek, articulating with the pre-
opercle).

— Spinous dorsal shortest, its middle rays highest ;

head without barbels. . . COTTIIXE, 95.

— Spinous dorsal longest, notched, its first rays highest ;

head with many fleshy slips.

Hemitripteridce, the Sea Ravens.

hh. Body greatly compressed; the eyes lateral or anterior;
fins often filamentous ; tail usually slender, the caudal
fin widely forked.

j. A series of bony shields along base of second dorsal.

Zenidce, the John Dories.
jj. No bony shields ; usually two free anal spines.

Carangidce, the Pilot Fishes

206 FISHES.

** Dorsal fin single, not divided to its base.
k. Fresh water species.

1. Ventrals I, 5 ; dorsal spines 5 to 12 ; vent normal. B. 6.
m. Teeth on vomer ; anal spines 3 to 9. CENTRAKCHID^;, 92.
mm. No teeth on vomer; anal with 2 (or 1) spines, the
second very strong. . . . ' SCI/EXID^E, 94.
mmm. No teeth on vomer; no lateral line; dorsal with
five spines ; anal with three. , ELASSOMID^;, 92 (b).
II. Ventrals 7-rayed ; dorsal spines 3 ; vent jugular.

APHODODERHXae, 93.

kk. Marine species.

1. Cheeks mailed (as in Cottidce, etc.)

n. Body covered with bony, keeled plates; no dorsal
spines. . . . Agonidce, the Sea Poachers.

nn. Body with ordinary scales ; spinous dorsal many-
rayed. . . Scorpcenidce, the Sea Scorpions.

2. With broad, cutting, incisor -like front teeth, or with

crushing, molar-like lateral teeth or both ; scales rather
large ; usually a recumbent free spine in front of the
dorsal fin ; lower pharyngeals not united.
o. Opercular bones entire ; vertical fins not much scaly.

Sparidce, the Sea Breams.

oo. Preopercle denticulated ; soft parts of vertical fins
densely scaly. . Pimelepteridcn, the Fat-Fins.
2. Body much compressed and elevated; the soft rays of the
vertical fins covered high up with ctenoid scales ; teeth
villiform; body often dark-banded.
p. Dorsal with less than 10 spines, separated by a notch
from the soft part ; spinous dorsal scaleless.

Ephippida, the Moon Fishes.

pp. Dorsal undivided, with 10 or more spines, scaly
throughout; fins often filamentous.

Chcetodontida, the Chatodonts.

4. Ventrals wanting ; scales minute ; body high, much

compressed. . Stromateidce, the Harvest Fishes.

5. Ventrals jugular, few-rayed or wanting; body long and

low ; dorsal fin very long, occupying most of the back,
at least half of it and sometimes all composed of flexible
spines ; scales small or none : usually an anal papilla.

FISHES. 207

q. Ventrals present.
r. Dorsal with both spines and soft rays.

Blenniidce, the Slennies.
rr. Dorsal composed of spines only,
s. Lateral line usually present and sometimes dupli-
cated; head conic; compressed; pyloric cceca
present. . Stichceidce, the Snake Blennies.
ss. No lateral line ; ventrals I, 1 ; no pyloric cceca ;
teeth, small, acute. Xiphidiontidce, the Gunnels.
gq. No ventral fins.

t. Gill openings wide ; scales rudimentary ; cleft of
mouth not vertical ; teeth strong.

Anarrhichadidte, the WoVf Fislies.
ft. Gill openings moderate ; no scales ; cleft of mouth
nearly vertical ; dorsal of spines only ; body almost
eel-like. . Cryptacanthidce, the Gliost Fishes.
6. With none of the preceding combinations.
u. Ventrals jugular, 4-rayed ; dorsal very high and long.
Bramidce, the Winged Dolphins,
uu. Ventrals thoracic, I, 5.

<o. Dorsal of 50 or more rays running from head to tail ;
the spinous part not differentiated.

Coryphcenidce, the Dolphins.
w>. Dorsal shorter, the two sorts of rays different.
w. Lateral line interrupted.

x. Scales ctenoid ; dorsal spines 13 ; depth more
than half length.

Pomacentridce, the Demoiselles.

xx. Scales cycloid ; dorsal spines 9 ; depth less than
half length. . Labridce, the Wrasse Fishes.

ww. Lateral line continuous.
y. Opercle or preopercle or both distinctly serrated.
z. Spinous dorsal longer than the soft part, of 18
spines which are tipped with little mem-
branous appendages ; scales cycloid.

Labridce, the Wrasse Fishes.

208 FISHES.

sz. Dorsal spines 8, very low, nearly equal and
scarcely connected ; snout blunt.

Stromateidce, the Harvest Fishes,
sss. "With neither of the preceding combinations.
a. No teeth on vomer.

Pristipomatidce, the Red Mouths.
CM. Teeth on vomer.
6. Canines present; branch iostegals 7.

Serranidce, the Sea Bass.
66. No canines ; branchiostegals 6 ; eyes
large. . Priacanthidce, the Big Eyes,
yy. Opercular bones with entire edges.
c. Dorsal with nine to 20 spines ; anal III, 8 or
more ; lips large, fleshy.

Labridce, the Wrasse Fishes,
cc. Dorsal with 9 spines ; anal III, 7.

Gerridce, the Gerroids.

FAMILIES OF ANACANTHINI.

* Ventrals jugular, sometimes rudimentary.

f Caudal fin developed as a separate fin ; lateral li»e continoous.

GADID^E, 97.
ft Caudal fin not separate, dorsal and anal confluent around the

tail.

\ Ventral fins developed, 4-rayed. Lycodidce, the Eel Pouts,
ft. Ventral fins replaced by a pair of bifid filaments.

Ophidiidce, the Cusk Eels.
** Ventral fins entirely wanting.

a. Vent remote from the head. Ammodytida, the Sand Launces.
aa. Vent at the throat ; size small. Fierasferidce, the Fierasfers.

FAMILIES OF HETEROSOMATA.

* Pectoral fins well developed. . Pleuronectidce, the Flounders.
** Pectoral fins wanting or rudimentary. . Soleidce, the Soles.

FAMILIES OF PERCESOCES.

* First dorsal with 5 to 7 flexible spines; body elongated; sides

with a distinct silvery band. . . ATHERINIIXE, 99.

PISHES. 209

** First dorsal with 4 stiff spines ; body compressed ; no lateral
band Mugilidce, the Mullets.

FAMILIES OF HEMIBRANCHIL

* Bones of head moderately produced ; ventral fins of a stout

spine and a rudimentary ray ; dorsal preceded by free spines ;

scaleless, naked or with bony plates; an oblong, silvery,

naked area in front of pectorals. . GASTEKOSTEIIXE, 98.

** Bones of head much produced, forming a long tube which

bears the short jaws at the end ; ventral fins without spine,
f Body compressed ; no teeth ; scales small ; dorsal fins two ;
first with spines. . . Centriscidw, the Snipe Fishes.
ft Body greatly elongated ; teeth present ; no scales ; no dorsal
spines; middle rays of caudal produced into a long fila-
ment. . . . Fistulariidce, the Trumpet Fishes.

FAMILIES OF SYNENTOGNATHI.

* Jaws one or both elongated into a long beak,
f Both jaws elongated; no finlets; size large.

Belonidce, the Oa/r- Fishes.

ft Lower jaw only elongate, or else dorsal and anal with
detached finlets, as in the Mackerels.

Scomberesocida, the Sauries.

** Jaws moderate ; pectorals elongated, nearly as long as body,
used for " flying." . . Exocoetidce, the Flying Fishes.

FAMILIES OF HAPLOMI.

* Snout depressed and elongated, its length more than half the

greatest depth of body ; jaws, vomer, palate and tongue armed
with strong, hooked teeth ; body elongated, sub-terete ; size
large ; in fresh water. .... ESOCED^E, 102.

** Snout rounded and rather short, its length being less than half
the greatest depth of body; teeth moderate; size small.

f Vent jugular, in front of pectorals; eyes often undeveloped;
ventrals small or wanting ; cave fishes. AMBLYOPSID/E, 103.

ft Vent normal : eyes present ; ventrals well developed.
14

210 FISHES.

f Margin of upper jaw formed laterally by maxillaries ; lateral

line inconspicuous ; small dusky fishes of muddy brooks ;

usually a black bar at base of caudal. UMBRUXE, 101.
Jf Entire margin of upper jaw formed by interrnaxillaries ;

head depressed ; small fishes of brackish or fresh waters,

often barred or striped with black.

CYTRINODONTIDJE, 100.

FAMILIES OF ISOSPONDYLI.
* Body entirely scaleless ; deep sea fishes,
f No adipose fin ; throat with a long barbel ; pectorals rudi-
mentary Stomiatidce, the 8tomiatoids.

ft An adipose fin ; no barbel ; belly with phosphorescent spots.

Scopelidce, the Scopelids.
** Body scaly ; head naked ; scales sometimes small and imbedded,

sometimes large and deciduous.
\ An adipose dorsal fin ; belly rounded,
a. Margin of upper jaws formed by intermaxillaries alone.
6. Scales cycloid ; deep sea fishes.

Synodontidce, the Synodonts.
bb. Scales ctenoid ; fresh water fishes ; no teeth on vomer or

palate PERCOPSID^E, 104.

aa. Lateral margins of upper jaw formed by maxillaries;

scales cycloid ; in all waters. . SALMONID^E, 105.

ft No adipose dorsal; lateral margin of upper jaw formed by

maxillaries which are usually composed of three pieces;

scales rather large.

c. Abdomen compressed to an edge which is serrated ; lateral
line obsolete ; teeth very small or wanting ; in all waters.

CLUPEHXE, 107.

ce. Abdomen compressed but not serrated; jaws, vomer and
tongue with strong teeth; scales large, silvery; body
compressed ; lateral line well developed ; fresh water.

HYODONTIIXE, 106.

ccc. Abdomen rounded ; teeth various ; marine.
d. Upper jaw longest.

e. Lower jaw toothless; sides with bright silvery band.

e, the Anchovies.

FISHES. 211

ee. Both jaws with bands of villiform teeth ; roof and floor
of mouth with coarse patches.

Albulidce, the Lady Fishes,
dd. Lower jaw longest.

/. No gular plates ; no lateral line ; anal short.

Dussumieridce, the Mound Herrings.

ff. A narrow bony plate between branches of lower jaw

(much as in Amia). . Elopidce, the Jew Fishes.

FAMILIES OF EVENTOGNATHI.

* Pharyngeal teeth in small number (not more than 7) and com-

paratively large ; dorsal with 7 to 12 rays (in American spe-
cies) ; mouth moderately or not protractile ; lips scarcely or
not enlarged ; species mostly of small size (2 to 15 inches)

Dace and Minnows CYPRINID^;, 108.

** Pharyngeal teeth very numerous, small ; mouth very protrac-
tile, roundish when protruded, with enlarged, fleshy lips;
dorsal with 1 1 to 40 rays ; species often of large size. Suckers.

CATOSTOMID^E, 109.

AA. FAMILIES OF NEMATOGNATHI.

* Margin of upper jaw formed by intermaxillaries only; maxil-

lary rudimentary, forming the base of a long barbel.

SlLUKIIXE, 110.

BB. FAMILIES OF APODES.

* Gape moderate ; stomach ordinary ; gill openings narrow. <
f Scales rudimentary ; dorsal beginning at a considerable dis-
tance behind head ; fishes of shores or fresh waters.

ANGUILLID^!, 111.

ft Scaleless ; dorsal beginning close behind base of pectorals ;
deep sea fishes. . . Leptocephalidce, the Conger Eels.
** Gape of mouth enormously wide, leading to an excessively
distensible stomach; tail band -like, tapering to a fine fila-
ment Saccopharyngidce, the Gulpers.

FAMILIES OF PED1CULATI.

* Head very broad ; depressed.

f Skin smooth, slimy; teeth strong, card -like; dorsal VI — 8,
or more; the first three spines isolated, tentacle-like, on
the head. . . . Lophiidce, the Fishing Frogs.

212 FISHES.

ff Skin with conical tubercles; teeth villiform; dorsal I — 4;
the spine tentacle -like, retractile into a cavity beneath a
prominent protuberance on forehead.

Maltheida, the Sea Bats.
** Head high, compressed ; teeth card-like.

Antennariidce, the Diablos.

FAMILIES OF PLECTOGNATHI.

* Jaws modified into a sort of beak, without distinct teeth.

f Both jaws divided by a median suture (teeth fused into two
in each jaw); belly greatly inflatable.

Tetrodontidce, the Puffers.

ft Jaws without median suture ; belly scarcely or not inflatable.
\ Body scarcely compressed, spinous, with a distinct caudal

fin Dioekmtida, the Sox Fishes.

ft Body much compressed, very short, truncate; the vertical
fins more or less confluent.

Orthagoriscidai, the Globe Fishes.
** Jaws with distinct teeth.
a. Front teeth incisor-like ; 1 to 3 dorsal spines ; no carapace.

BalistidcR, the File Fishes.

aa. Teeth slender ; no dorsal spines ; body enveloped in a box-
like carapace, formed of hexagonal bony plates; snout,
bases of fins and tail free, covered with skin.

Ostraciontidce, the Trunk Fishes.

FAMILIES OF LOPHOBRANCHII.

* Tail prehensile, without caudal fin ; body abruptly contracted

at base of tail ; head crested, out of line of axis of body.

Hippocampidce, the Sea Horses.

** Tail not prehensile, with a developed caudal ; body gradually
tapering; direction of head in a line with axis of body.

Syngnathidw, the Pipe Fishes.

ORDERS OF GANOIDEI.

* Skeleton bony; body scaly; air bladder cellular, lunglike

(HTOGANOIDEI).
f Scales cycloid ; snout short, broad. . CYCLOGANOIDEI, CO.

FISHES. 213

f f Scales ganoid, diamond-shaped, enamelled plates ; snout

lengthened, depressed. . . RHOMBOGANOIDEI, DD.

** Skeleton chiefly cartilaginous ; body naked or with 3 to 5 rows

of bony bucklers ; vertical fins with fulcra. (CHONDROGAN-

OEDEI.)

\ Mouth terminal, broad ; lower jaw, maxillaries and palate

with many minute, deciduous teeth. SELACHOSTOMI, EE.

\\ Mouth narrow, inferior, toothless. . CHONDROSTEI, FF.

CC. FAMILIES OF CYCLOGANOIDEI.

* A broad bony plate between branches of lower jaw; vertical

fins without fulcra; dorsal fin very long of more than 40
rays; body stout AMIIDUE, 112.

DD. FAMILIES OF RHOMBOGANOIDEI.

* Vertical fins with fulcra ; dorsal short, far back, of less than 12

rays ; body elongated. . . . LEPIDOSTEHLE, 113.

EE. FAMILIES OF SELACHOSTOMI.

* Skin naked ; snout produced into a flat blade ; opercle with a

long flap POLYODONTID^:, 114.

FF. FAMILIES OF CHONDROSTEI.

* Body with 5 rows of bony shields (rarely deciduous) ; snout

produced ; four barbels in front of mouth.

ACEPENSERUXE, 115.

214 FISHES.

(The Bony Fishes.)

Skeleton more or less ossified; tail homocercal; optic
nerves simply crossing, without chiasma; arterial bulb
simple, with two opposite valves at its origin; air
bladder, if present, not lung - like ; body usually scaly,
sometimes covered with naked skin or bony plates;
membrane bones (opercles, etc.) developed in relation to
the skull. This group comprises the great majority of
recent fishes.

OBDEK Z.-TELEOQEPTTALI.

(The Typical Fishes.)

This order again comprises the vast majority of recent
fishes, and is characterized rather negatively, as wanting
the peculiarities of the other orders than as having any
positive distinctions of its own. The maxillaries are
normally developed and distinct from each other, never
forming the base of a long barbel. The gills are pecti-
nated and of the ordinary pattern, and the gill-openings
are in front of the pectorals and never very narrow; the
subopercle is present. The scales are (when present)
very rarely ossified, and are generally either ctenoid or
cycloid. This group includes the Acanthopterygians
and Malacopterygians of Cuvier, and the nearly cor-
responding Gtenoidei and Cycloidei, Physoclysti and

ETHEOSTOMATID^5. — LXXXIX. 215

Physostomi of later writers; but however different the
extremes of each (as Percoids and Cyprinoids) may be,
the intervening forms are too closely related to render
it possible to characterize them as distinct orders.

STJB-OKDEK.-ACAE'THOPTERL

(The Spiny-rayed Fishes.)

FAMILY LXXXIX.— ETHEOSTOMATID^E.

(The Darters)

Fresh water fishes of small size, closely related to the
Percidce, but so peculiar in many respects that it seems
preferable to consider them as forming a distinct family.
Dorsal fins two, generally connected by membrane at the
base, the second and often both dorsals high and large;
anal usually well developed, with one or two spines;
pectorals (except in one or two species) very large and
broad, often reaching beyond base of anal; caudal large,
rounded or slightly forked; scales ctenoid, sometimes
absent on neck or belly, or both; head usually more or
less scaly; teeth well developed on jaws and usually
on vomer; branchios. 6; air bladder rudimentary; "sub-
orbital arch incomplete." Colors often very bright;
species of Pcecilichthys and Diplesium being the most
brilliantly colored fresh water fishes known ; sexual diifer-
ences usually recognizable, the females being as a rule
duller in color and more speckled or barred. In most
species there is a dark streak from eye to snout, and
often a dark vertical bar below the eyes. Genera seven-
teen, or fewer; species about sixty, all belonging to the
U. S. and Mexico, east of the Rocky Mountains, being
most abundant in the Mississippi Valley, where almost
or nearly all the genera may be found in the same stream.

216 FISHES.

Most of them prefer clear running water, where they
lie on the bottom concealed under stones, darting when
frightened or hungry with great velocity for a short
distance by a powerful movement of the fan -shaped
pectorals, then stopping as suddenly. They rarely use
the caudal fin in swimming, and they are never seen
moving or floating freely in the water like most fishes.
When at rest they support themselves on their extended
ventrals and anal. Pleurolepis^ unlike the others, pre-
fers a sandy bottom, where, by an almost instantaneous
plunge, it buries itself in the sand and remains quiescent
for hours at a time, with only its eyes and snout visible.
All are carnivorous, and, in their way, voracious. All
are of small size, the largest (Percina) reaches a length
of about eight inches, while the smallest (Microperca\
which is the smallest spiny -rayed fish known, barely
attains a length of an inch and a half.

* Lateral line complete; body much elongate, subcylindrical,
pellucid, with at least the entire ventral region naked.

a. Body entirely naked, except the caudal peduncle and the
lateral line ; dorsal fins high, well separated, equal to the
anal fin and to each other ; a single anal spine ; head en-
tirely scaleless; mouth large, with vomerine teeth, the
upper jaw protractile. . . . AMMOCBYPTA, 1

aa. Body covered above with small, thin, imbedded scales, the
ventral region entirely naked, the dorsal scales obscure but
present; dorsal fins small, wide apart; one anal spine*;
cheeks and opercles scaly; mouth large, with vomerine
teeth, the upper jaw protractile. . PLEUROLEPIS, 2.

** Lateral line complete; body less elongate, entirely scaly, or

with definitely naked areas on throat, neck, or ventral line.
f Second dorsal little, if any, larger than anal; the dorsal fins
distinct, the first the longer and usually the larger; body
little compressed ; two distinct anal spines.
* In the genus IOA, two anal spines : see p. 404.

ETHEOSTOMATIDJE. — LXXXIX. 217

b. Upper jaw not protractile; vomerine teeth present.
c. Mouth narrow, inferior, overlapped by a tapering, trun-
cate, more or less "pig-like" snout; ventral plates pres-
ent, or, if fallen, a naked strip ; body elongated ; cheeks
and opercles scaly ; size largest of all the dartera

PERCINA, 3.
cc. Mouth wider, terminal, the upper jaw being but little

longer than the lower.
d. Ventral plates developed, or, if fallen, middle line of

belly with a naked strip.

e. Body and head elongate ; the vertebrae in increased
number, more than 20 in front of anus ; well-devel-
oped teeth on vomer and palatines ; dorsal spines 12
to 15 ; fins never tuberculate. . ALVOKDIUS, 4.
ee. Body and head shortened ; vertebrae fewer, less than
20 in front of anus ; a few minute teeth on vomer
and none on palatines; dorsal spines 10 to 12;
colors brilliant, the male in Spring with the lower

fins tuberculate EKICOSMA, 5.

dd. Ventral plates not developed; middle line of belly

scaled like the sides. . . HADKOPTERUS, 6.

lib. Upper jaw protractile, a distinct furrow separating it from

the skin of the forehead.

/. No ventral plates ; posterior ventral region scaled ; anterior
region largely naked; vomer well toothed; head and
body stout and heavy ; cheeks and opercles scaly ; anal
fin (in adult males ?) greatly elevated, rea«hing to base
of caudal fin IMOSTOMA, 7.

ff. Ventral plates well developed, or, if fallen, a naked strip ;
vomer with a few minute teeth ; palatines naked ; body
rather slender, with rather narrow head and small sub-
inferior mouth ; cheeks naked ; opercles scaly ; anal fin
not enlarged. . . • . . RHEOCRYPTA, 8.

f f Second dorsal considerably larger than anal fin ; no ventral
plates, the middle line of the belly always covered with
small scales like those of the sides.
g. Upper jaw protractile.

218 FISHES.

h. No teeth on vomer or palatines ; mouth small, contracted,
subinferior ; head short and thick, with swollen cheeks ;
spinous dorsal rather long; maxillary non-protractile;
anal spines strong; body elongated, little compressed.

DIPLESIUM, 9.

hh. Vomerine teeth present ; dorsals contiguous, but distinct ;
the spinous dorsal short ; max. protractile; the mouth
rather small, horizontal, subinferior.
i. Anal spines two, well developed ; the first the longer.

ULOCENTRA, 10.
ii. Anal spines obscure and undifferentiated from the soft

rays BOLEOSOMA, 11.

gg. Upper jaw not protractile.

j. Gill membranes broadly connected across breast ;
scales large ; cheeks and opercles scaly ; mouth small,
horizontal, subinferior (as in Boleosoma); caudal pe-
duncle rather slender. . . . NAHOSTOMA, 12.
j}. Gill membranes nearly free ; body rather short,
deep, strongly compressed ; scales small ; cheeks naked ;
mouth rather large, oblique (as in P&cilichthys) ; caudal

peduncle deep NOTHONOTUS, 13.

"** Lateral line incomplete or wanting ; no ventral plates ; upper
jaw not protractile; second dorsal larger than anal; vomer
with teeth.
k. Lateral line present on anterior part of body; anal spines

two.

I. Lateral line nearly straight

m. Spinous dorsal fin well developed, two-thirds or more
the height of the second ; the spines graduated, never
ending in little fleshy knobs ; lateral line extending
more than half the length of the body ; mouth moder.
ate, the upper jaw usually a little the longer; gill
membranes free. . . . PfEcrLiCHTHYS, 14.
man. Spinous dorsal low and small, the spines subequal,
scarcely half the height of the soft rays, in males end-
ing in little fleshy knobs ; gill membranes connected ;
body elongated, compressed. . ETHEOSTOMA, 15.

ETHEOSTOMATIDyE. — LXXXIX 219

II. Lateral line curved upward over the pectorals.
n. Jaws about equal ; body elongated. . BOLEICHTHYS, 16.

kk. Lateral line incomplete ; anal spine feeble. (See Addenda,
p. 405.) VAILLANTIA.

kkk. No lateral line ; dorsal fins small, subequal, well separated ;
mouth small, with nearly equal jaws; scales large; size
smallest of all spiny-rayed fishes. . MJCBOPEKCA, 17.

1. AMMOCRYPTA, Jordan. SAND-DIVERS.

1. A. beanii, Jordan. BEAN'S DARTER. Body very
slender; general form and appearance of Pleurolepis;
dorsal fins very high; color translucent, with a golden
lateral band; dorsal fin with large black spots; D. X —
10; A. I, 9; lat. 1. 65. Lower Mississippi; a remarkable
species.

2. PLEUROLEPIS, Agassiz. PELLUCID DARTERS.

1. P. pellucidus, (Baird.) Ag. SAND DARTER. Depth 6
to 8 in length; body nearly cylindrical; head elongated,
pointed; scales small, finely dotted, far apart, and deeply
imbedded; fins small; color pinkish white, pellucid in
life, with a series of small, squarish, olive (blue) blotches
along back, and another along sides, the spots connected
by a gilt line; D. X— 9; A. I, 6; length 2 to 3 inches.
Ohio Valley, in sandy streams ; one of the most interest-
ing of our fishes.

3. PERCINA, Haldeman. LOG PERCHES.

=Pileoma, DeKay.

1. P. caprodes, (Raf.) Girard. LOG PERCH. HOG FISH.
ROCK FISH. Salmon yellow or greenish, with about
fifteen transverse dark bands from back to belly, these
usually alternating with shorter and fainter ones reach-
ing about to lateral line ; a black spot at base of caudal ;
belly with a row of enlarged plates, shed at some

220 FISHES.

seasons; neck above scaly; D. XIII— 12; A. II, 10.
Great Lakes and Western Streams, abundant, E. to L.
Champlain; the largest of the Darters, reaching a length
of six or eight inches. (P. zebra, semifasciata^ nebulosa,
and bimaculata of authors.)

2. P. manitou, Jordan. MANTTOU DARTER. Head
notably shorter and broader than in P. caprodes; mouth
smaller and less inferior; fins larger; lateral bars shorter
and more blotch like, not meeting their fellows across
the back; space in front of dorsal fin entirely naked;
D. XV— 14; A. II, 10. Indiana (Lake Manitou) to
Wisconsin.

4. ALVORDIUS, Girard. BLACK -SIDED DARTERS.
(Etheostoma, Agassiz — not of Raf.)

1. A. as pro, Cope & Jor. BLACK - SIDED DARTER.
BLENNT DARTER. Head long, pointed, 4 in length; depth
5 to 5£; belly with a series of caducous plates along the
middle line (shed at some seasons.) Straw yellow, with
dark tesselations and about seven large blotches along the
sides, partly confluent, thus forming a moniliform band;
D. XIII, to XV -12; A. II, 9. Ohio Valley, Great Lakes
and eastward; one of the most curious and elegant of
all the Darters. (A. aspro, Cope & Jor. ? Alvordius
and Hadropterus maculatus, Grd. Etheostoma blen-
nioides, Ag.)

2. A. variatus, (Kirt.) Jor. SHIELDED DARTER.
Head shorter; sides with broad, brownish shades;
ventral shields much larger; D. XII — 13; A. II, 9; lat.
1. 53. Penn. (E. peltatum, Stauff.)

3. A. macrocepha/us, Cope. LONG-HEADED DARTER.
Head much elongated, 3£ in length, the snout much
longer than the eye; cheeks and opercles naked; colora-

ETHEOSTOMAT1DJE, — LXXXTX. 221

tion nearly that of A. aspro ; scales quite small.;
D. XV- 13; A. II, 11; lat. 1. 77. Headwaters of Ohio
River.

4. A . phoxocephalus, (Nelson) Cope & Jordan. SHARP-
NOSED DARTEK. Body slender, compressed; head 4 in
length, very long, narrow and tapering, the snout very
acuminate, scarcely longer than eye; mouth large, with
the jaws about equal; cheeks, opercles and neck with
small scales; coloration as in the other species except
that the spots on the sides are nearly square and rather
small; a small black spot at the end of the lateral line;
D. XII — 13; A. II, 9; lat. 1. 68. Indiana to Tennessee
and Kansas, a singular species known at once by the
coloration and the form of the head.

5. ERICQSMA, Jordan. GILDED DARTERS.
1. E. evides, Jordan & Copeland. Body rather short
and deep; head heavy, 4^ in length; mouth moderate,
the lower jaw the shorter; cheeks, neck above, and throat
naked; opercles with a few rather large scales; body with
about seven broad transverse bars, black in the female,
of a dark rich metallic blue-green in the male, the inter-
spaces between the bars creamy in the female, bronze
red in the male; belly chiefly yellow; cheeks orange red;
dorsal orange with a black spot; vertical fins chiefly
orange; anal somewhat dusky; ventrals blue -black;
males with the ventral and anal fins tuberculate in the
Spring; D. XI — 10; A. II, 9. A most beautiful species,
as yet known only from the rapids of White River, above
Indianapolis. (E. nigrofasciatum^ Ed. I., not of Agassiz.)

6. HADROPTERUS, Agassiz. CRAWL-A-BOTTOMS.

(Hypohomus, Cope.)
1. H. aurantiacus, (Cope) Jordan. ORANGE DARTER.

222 FISHES.

Bright yellow, with a black lateral band formed of con-
fluent spots in front; a few brown spots on back; fins
plain; D. XV— 15; A. II, 11; size large. Tennessee R.

2. H. tessef/atus, Jordan. Head broad and heavy;
mouth large; cheeks and opercles naked, or nearly so;
D. X-12; A. II, 8. Allegheny River.

7. IMOSTOMA, Jordan. BIG-HEADED DARTERS.
1. /. shumardii, (Grd.) Jor. Body stout and heavy
forward, compressed behind; head blunt, broad and thick,
3$ in length; mouth large, the jaws nearly equal; belly
naked anteriorly, scaly behind; cheeks, opercles and
neck scaly; breast naked; anal fin large, in males much
prolonged, reaching caudal; color dark, vaguely blotched
with darker; spinous dorsal with a large black spot be-
hind, a smaller one in front; a strong suborbital bar; D.
X — 15; A. II, 11; 'lat. 1. 56. Indiana to Illinois and
Arkansas.

8. RHEOCRYPTA, Jordan. RIPPLE DARTERS.
1. R. copelandi, Jordan. COPELAND'S DARTER. Body
rather slender; head rather long and narrow, 4£ in length;
mouth small, subinferior; cheeks naked; opercles with
a few scales; color yellowish, with oblong black spots
along the lateral line, smaller than in the species of
Alvordius. D. XI — 10; A. II, 9; lat. 1. 56. Rapids of
White River, with J^ricosma evictes, a small and rather
plain, but graceful species.

9. DIPLESIUM, Rafinesque. GREEN- SIDED DARTERS.

=Hyostoma, Agassiz.

1. D. blennioides, (Raf.) Jordan. GREEN- SIDED
DARTER. Olive green and tessellated above; sides with
a series of about seven double transverse bars, each pair

BTHEOSTOMATIDJE. — LXXXIX. 223

forming a Y - shaped figure ; these are joined above,
making a sort of wavy lateral band; in life, these mark-
ings are of a clear deep green; sides sprinkled with
orange dots; head with olive stripes and the usual dark
bars; first dorsal dark orange brown at base, blue above,
becoming pale at tip; second dorsal and anal of a rich
blue green with -some reddish; caudal greenish; young
specimens much duller, but the peculiar pattern is
unmistakable; body stout; head short and thick; D.
XII to XIII — 13; A. II, 8; length 3 inches. Penn. to
Kas. and S., abundant in Indiana, one of the handsomest
of fishes. [H. cymatogrammum,) (Abbott) Cope.] H.
blennioperca,) Cope.)

10. ULOCENTRA, Jordan. SPECKS.

1. U. atripinnis, Jordan. BLACK -FINNED DAETER.
Body rather stout; head extremely short and deep, 4£ in
length of body ; the snout very short and abruptly rounded
mouth small, with equal jaws; cheeks and opercles scaly;
fins large; head black above; about eleven indistinct,
bar-like blotches along the sides; fins chiefly black; D.
XII -10; A. II, 7. Cumberland River.

2. U. s/motera, (Cope) Jordan. SNUB - NOSED
DAKTERS. Body short and thick; head very short and
blunt; a series of square dark green blotches along sides
and another on the back; spotted above with red; belly
saffron ; soft dorsal chiefly blood - red; first dorsal orange-
margined; D. X— 11; A. II, 7; lat. 1. 52; length 3 inches.
Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers.

//. BOLEOSOMA, DeKay. TESSELLATED DARTERS.

> Arlina and Estrella^ Grd.
* Lat. 1. 40 or less ; cheeks naked.

1. B. effulgens, (Grd.) Cope. Caudal peduncle

224 FISHES.

thick, not contracted; cheeks naked; snout blackish; D.
IX— 13; A. II, 8; lat. 1. 40; caudal rounded. Maryland
to N. C.

2. B. vexillare, Jor. HIGH - FINNED DABTEE. Sim-
ilar to the preceding, but with the second dorsal very
short and high and scales very large; head black; D. IX
— 10; A. I, 8; lat. 1. 34. Rappahannock R., Va,

** Lat. 1. more than 40.

3. B. ofmstedi, (Storer) Ag. TESSELLATED DAKTER.
Fins stouter and higher than in the next; depth 5^ in
length; head 4£; olivaceous, fins barred; back tessel-
lated; a black streak forward, and another downward
from eye; cheeks and opercles scaly; neck and throat
bare; D. IX— 14; A. I, 8; lat. 1. 50. New England to
Wisconsin; abundant eastward. (S. tessellatum, DeK.)

4. B. atromaculata, (Grd.) Jor. Neck and throat scaly;
fins very high; spinous dorsal with a large black spot at
base. Eastern streams.

5. B. nig rum, (Raf.) Jor. JOHNNY DABTEK. Paler and
more distinctly tessellated; brownish yellow; upper
surface dotted with brown, the spots forming a few dark
bars on back; a dark line from eye to snout; and some-
times a bar below eye; smaller and slenderer than the
preceding, with smaller fins; eye as long as the narrow,
pointed snout; cheeks, neck and throat naked; opercles
scaly; D. IX-12; A. 1, 8 to I, 10; lat. 1. 45. E. U. S.,
abundant, west of the Alleganies. (_5. brevipinne. Cope.)

6. B. CBS opus, Cope. Caudal peduncle contracted;
dorsal outline curved; fins high; brownish, with spots on
back and sides; D. VII -14; A. 10; lat. 1. 47. Allegheny
River, Penn.

ETHEOSTOMATID^.— LXXXIX. 225

12. NANOSTOMA, Putnam. ZONED DARTERS.
1. N. zonalis, (Cope) Jor. ZONED DARTER. Oliv-
aceous, golden below; six dark brown quadrate spots
along the back, connected by alternating spots with a
brown lateral band from which eight narrow bands en-
circle the belly; lower fins yellow with brown spots;
spinous dorsal with a crimson band; a series of crimson
spots on base of soft dorsal ; black spot on opercle, occi-
put and base of pectorals; black bars downward from
eye and forward; D. XI— 12; A. II, 7; lat. 1. 52. Indiana
to Tenn.

13. NOTHONOTUS, Agassiz. BLUE-BREASTED DARTERS.

1. N. maculatus, (Kirt.) Ag. TROUT DARTER. Body
moderately elongate, deep and compressed, head 4 in
length; depth 4f ; head long and rather pointed; mouth
pretty large; jaws equal; dorsal fin elevated, the longest
rays reaching caudal ; olive, sides with rather large spots
of brilliant carmine; vertical fins more or less barred
with red and white; D. XII, 13; A. II, 8; lat. 1. 60.
Mahoning River, Ohio, a rare and handsome species.

2. N. camurus, (Cope) Jor. BLUE-BREASTED DARTER.
Body stout, head short, with the muzzle abruptly deeurved,
so that the upper jaw is the longer, and the mouth some-
what inferior; dark olive; head blackish above; breast
and throat deep blue; sides greenish, sprinkled with
carmine spots, much as in a trout; series of olivaceous
lines along the rows of scales; vertical fins chiefly crimson
at base, then yellow, with a bright blue or black edging,
in $ merely speckled; lateral line nearly complete; D.
XII— 13; A. II, 8; lat. 1. 52; length 2£ inches. Ohio
Valley, not common, one of the handsomest of our fishes;
the coloration is often quite dark.

226 FISHES.

3. N. sanguifluus, (Cope) Jor. Slender; muzzle not
decurved; black, with scattered crimson spots; breast
blue; fins crimson without dark margin; D. XII — 13;
A. II, 9; lat. 1. 58. Cumberland River.

4. N. vulneratus, (Cope) Jor. Stout; muzzle not
decurved; back not arched; pale, with dark olive cross-
bars and some crimson spots; first dorsal with red spots;
second dorsal and caudal dark-margined; D. XIV— 13,
A. II, 8; lat. 1. 53. French Broad R.

5. H. rufi/ineatus, (Cope) Jor. Stout; head, etc., as
in the preceding ; back arched ; coloration pale, with
narrow dark lines enclosing spaced, quadrate, red-brown
spots; belly orange; throat blue; fins largely orange,
with a broad vermillion border and a narrow black edge;
D. XI -13; A. II, 8; lat. 1. 45. French Broad River.

14. PfECILICHTHYS, Agassiz. RAINBOW DARTERS.
= AstatichthyS) Le Vaillant.

1. P. cceruleus, (Stor.) Ag. BLUE DARTER. RAIN-
BOW FISH. BLUE JOHNNY. Olivaceous, tessellated above,
the spots running together into blotches; back without
black lengthwise stripes; sides with about twelve indigo
blue bars running obliquely downward, most distinct
behind, separated by rich orange interspaces; caudal
deep orange, edged with bright blue; anal orange, with
deep blue in front and behind; soft dorsal chiefly orange,
blue at base and tip; spinous dorsal crimson at base,
then orange, with blue edgings; ventrals bluish, often
deep indigo blue ; cheeks blue ; throat and breast orange,
these two shades very constant; $ much duller, with but
little or no blue or orange, the vertical fins barred or
checked; colors fade in alcohol; body short and stout;
head large; D. X— 12; A. II, 7; lat.l. 45; length 2 to 3

ETHEOSTOMATlDuE. — T.XXXnc. 227

inches. Mississippi Valley, abundant; the most gaily
colored of all the Darters.

2. P. spectabilis, Ag. STRIPED BLUE DARTER. Like
the preceding and equally brilliant, but larger and more
compressed, and more elongate; back with distinct black-
ish stripes along the rows of scales, pattern of coloration
similar, but the colors having a clear or bleached appear-
ance; with the other, but less abundant; often found in
muddy water where P. variatus never ventures.

3. P. jessicB, Jordan and Brayton. SOUTHERN BLUE
DARTER. Cheeks scaly above — not entirely naked as in
the two preceding species; lateral line extending to end
of second dorsal — farther than in either of the preceding
species; chestnut colored above, with squarish blotches
of a dark, clear blue on the sides; fins mottled with chest-
nut or golden; D. XII — 12; A. 11,9. Tennessee River.

15. ETHEOSTOMA, Rafinesque. STRIPED DARTERS.

(Catonotus, Agassiz.)
* Head entirely scaleless; lateral line short; lower jaw longest.

1 . E. flabellaris, Raf. FAN - TAILED DARTER. Oliva-
ceous, dusky above; sides with obscure dusky bars; each
scale with a brownish spot, these sometimes forming
series of longitudinal lines but never very distinct ones;
head narrow; mouth oblique; body rather slender; fins
strongly barred; D. VIII — 12; A. II, 8; length 2-^ inches.
Great Lakes and streams from N. Y., S. and W., abund-
ant. (E. linsleyi, H. R. Storer. Oligocephalus humer-
alis and Catonotus fasciatus, Girard.)

2. £. lineolata, (Ag.) Jor. STRIPED DARTER. Oliva-
ceous, each scale with a black spot, hence the body with
a series of fine dotted longitudinal lines which are very
distinct above; some (??) further marked with dark cross

228 FISHES.

bars; D. VIII — 12; A. II, 8. Great Lakes and Missis-
sippi Valley, rather northward; body deeper and colors
much brighter than in the preceding, of which it is
probably a variety.
** Head scaly; lateral line nearly complete; jaws equal.

2. E. squamiceps, Jordan. Body elongate ; head large,
3-^ in length; jaws shorter than in E.flabelloLris; cheeks,
opercles, neck and throat densely scaly; lateral line
wanting only on about ten scales; colors dark; fins barred;
D. IX — 12; A. II, 7. Ohio Valley. A curious species,
in some respects intermediate between Etheostoma and
Nothonotus.

16. BOLEICHTHYS, Girard. RED -SIDED DAETEES.
> Hololepis, Agassiz.

1. B. fu si for mis, (Grd.) Jordan. FUSIFORM DAETER.
Lateral line on 12 scales, reaching middle of first dorsal ;
head 3£ in length; yellowish brown; spotted; D. VIII —
9; A. II, 7; lat.l. 52. Charles R., Mass.

2. B. erochrous, (Cope) Jordan. RED - SIDED DARTEE.
Lateral line extending to middle of first dorsal on 12 to
16 scales; head 4 in length; sides with dusky band,
interrupted by red dots; D. IX — 10; A. II, 7; lat. 1.44.
New Jersey.

3. B. eos, Jordan & Copeland. SITNEISE DAETEE.
Body slender, elongate, with long caudal peduncle;
mouth small; lateral line to end of first dorsal on 22 to
26 scales; head 4 in length; dark olive with about ten
dark dorsal blotches, and as many dark blue or blackish
bars along the sides; the belly and interspaces between
these bars are of a clear vermillion; first dorsal bright
blue, with a broad median band of crimson; other fins
mostly barred; D. IX— 11; A. II, 7; lat. 1. 58. North-

PEBCIDJE. — XC. 229

western States, Northern Ohio to Minnesota; abundant;
a most brilliant species.

17. MICROPERCA, Putnam. LEAST DAKTERS.
1. HI. punctulata, Putnam. LEAST DARTEK. Greenish
olive, sides with irregular dark bars and zigzag markings;
dusky lines along the rows of scales; a dark shoulder
blotch; a black streak forward from eye and a vertical
bar below it; D. VI to VII— 9 to 12; A. II, 5 or 6;
length 1£ inches. Western States.

FAMILY XC.— PERCID^E.

(The Perches.)

Body oblong, more or less compressed, covered with
rather small, strongly ctenoid scales; opercular bones
mostly serrated; teeth in villiform bands on jaws, vomer
and palatines; mouth slightly oblique; dorsals two, dis-
tinct, both well developed; ventrals thoracic I, 5; anal
with one or two spines; branchiostegals seven; air bladder
present, moderately developed; intestinal canal with a
few pyloric cceca. Carnivorous fishes of moderate or
rather large size, chiefly of the rivers of the Northern
Hemisphere. As here restricted, a small family of about
five genera and fifteen species.

* No canine teeth among the villiform ones ; body compressed.

PERCA, 1.
** With strong canine teeth ; body elongated. STIZOSTETHTOM, 2.

/. PERCA, Linnaeus. PERCHES.

1. P. americana, Schranck. COMMON YELLOW PERCH.
Olivaceous, sides yellowish, with broad dark bars; head
3£ in length; depth about the same; D. XIII — 14; A.
II, 7; lat. 1. 63. Fresh waters E. U. S., chiefly north-
ward and eastward, [P. flavescens (Mit.) Cuv.]

230 FISHES.

2. STIZOSTETHIUM, Rafinesque. PIKE PERCHES.

* Pyloric cceca three only, subequal, all long, about as long as the
stomach ; soft dorsal nearly as long as spinous dorsal ; body
more or less compressed. (Stizostethium.)

1. S. vrtreum, (Mitch.) Jordan & Copeland. WALL-
EYED PIKE. " SALMON." " DORY." GLASS - EYE. YELLOW
PIKE. Body slender, becoming compressed with age,
the back not especially depressed; dorsal spines high, more
than half length of head; eye 4£ to 5 in head. General
color a heavy olive, finely mottled with brassy; a large
black spot on last rays of spinous dorsal, the fin other-
wise nearly or quite unmarked; D. XIII — 1; 21; A. II,
12; lat. 1. 90. Size very large; this species reaches a
length of nearly three feet, and a weight of 20 to 30 Ibs.
Great Lake region and some Atlantic streams, north to the
Fur Countries; an abundant and valued food-fish. (Luci-
operca americana, Cuv.)

Var. sa/moneum, (Raf.) Jor. BLUE PIKE. "WHITE
SALMON." Body shorter, thicker and deeper, with slen-
derer caudal peduncle; mouth smaller; eye larger; dorsal
spines lower, 2£ in head; coloration bluer, with silvery
instead of brassy mottlings; fin coloration darker; young
pale, with traces of vertical bars; D. XIV — 1, 20; A.
II, 13; lat. 1. 95. This species or variety is very similar
to the preceding, but it is distinguished at sight by the
fishermen, and seems to rarely attain a length of more
than a foot. Lake Erie, Ohio River, and South.
** Pyloric co3ca 4 to 7, unequal, all small (shorter than the

stomach ;) soft dorsal much shorter than spinous dorsal ;

body thick, cylindric, depressed forwards, (Cynoperca, Gill

& Jordan.)

2. S. canadense, (Smith) Jor. SAUGER. SAND PIKE.
GRAY PIKE. Body little compressed, broad across the
back and rather depressed; cheeks, top of head, etc.,

LABBACID^J. — XCI. 231

usually thickly scaled; colors rather paler and more
translucent than in S. vitreum^ the shades less blended;
olive gray, sides pale orange with much black mottling,
the black gathered into several definite dark areas; spin-
ous dorsal with two or three rows of round black spots;
a large black blotch at base of pectorals; dorsal XII — 1,
17; A. II, 12; lat. 1. 95; size not large; length 12 to 15
inches. Ohio River and Great Lake region to Upper
Missouri; a strongly marked species. (L. grisea, DeK.,
L. borea, Grd.)

FAMILY XCL— LABRACID^E.

(The Bass.)

Percoid fishes with the general characters of the pre-
ceding family, but having three anal spines, the verte-
brae and the spines of the dorsal reduced in number,
generally nine or ten of the latter; teeth on the tongue
in our species. Genera fifteen ; species thirty-five. Mostly
of northern regions, the majority of them marine, often
entering rivers.

* Base of tongue with a patch of teeth; scales on head cycloid;

dorsal fins not connected. .... Roccus. 1.

** Base of tongue toothless ; scales on head ctenoid ; dorsal fins

united at base ; second anal spine enlarged. . MORONE, 2.

/. ROCCUS, Mitchill. STRIPED BASS.
< Labrax, Cuvier.

* Body little compressed; depth less than \ of length; teeth on

tongue in more than one patch ; chiefly marine. (Roccus.)

1. R. /ineatus, (Bl. & Schn.) Gill. STRIPED BASS.
ROCK FISH. Silvery or yellowish, with seven or eight
longitudinal bands; D. IX— 1, 12; A. Ill, 11; lat. 1. 62.
Atlantic Coast, entering rivers.

** Body much compressed ; depth more than i of length ; teeth
on tongue in a single patch ; fresh waters. (Lepibema, Raf.)

232 FISHES

2. R. chrysops, (Raf.) Gill. WHITE BASS. STRIPED
LAKE BASS. Silvery, with six or more dark stripes,
sometimes " so interrupted and transposed as to appear
like ancient church music." D. IX — 1, 12; A. Ill, 13;
lat. 1. 55. Great Lakes, Upper Mississippi Valley and
N. (Ldbrax multilineatus, notatus^ albidus and osculatii
of authors.)

2. MOROME, Mitchill. WHITE BASS.
< 2/abrax, Cuvier.

1. M. americana, (Gmel.) Gill. WHITE PERCH. Whit-
ish, usually faintly striped; depth 3 in length ; D. IX — I,
12; A. Ill, 9; lat. 1. 50. Atlantic Coast, abundant also
in fresh water ponds, etc., coastwise; variable. (L.mu-
cronatus, rufus and pallidus, of authors.)

2. HI. interrupta, Gill. SHORT - STRIPED OR YELLOW
BASS. Silvery, with interrupted black stripes; D.
IX — 1, 13; A. Ill, 9. Mississippi Valley, chiefly south-
ward. (L. chrysops^ Grd., not of Gill.)

FAMILY XCIL— CENTRARCHID^E.

(The Sun FisJies.)

Percoid fishes with a single Dorsal fin, either continu-
ous or deeply divided, with five to thirteen spines; anal
fin large, with three to nine spines; ventrals thoracic, I,
5; body oblong, more or less elevated, sometimes much
compressed; opercular bones feebly if at all serrated,
often with entire edges; scales scarcely ctenoid, some-
times cycloid; cleft of mouth more or less oblique;
branchiostegals 6 ; villiform teeth on jaws, vomer and
usually on palatines; many species with a small super-
numerary bone lying behind the maxillary and parallel
with it; others with a more or less prolonged flap extend-

CENTRARCHTD^E. — XCH. 233

ing backwards from the upper angle of the operclej
nearly all with a black spot at this point, which also
covers the flap if the latter is developed; colors usually
brilliant, chiefly olive green, with spots or shades of blue,
yellow, orange or violet. Fresh water fishesj many of
them build nests which they defend with much courage ,
all are carnivorous, voracious and "gamey." Genera
about sixteen; species sixty; all American, and most
abundant in the Mississippi Valley, every where forming
a characteristic feature of our fish-fauna. The genera
are quite well known, and most of them are firmly estab-
lished; but the species of some groups, particularly
Xenotis and Lepomis are in a state of almost inex-
tricable confusion.

* Dorsal fin much more developed than anal fin (the base of the
former H to 8 times that of the latter), the soft parts of the two
fins about equal, of 8 to 14 rays, and ending at the same verti-
cal behind.

f Body elongate, not greatly compressed ; spines little developed,
those of the anal fin, three in number, small and weak ;
those of the dorsal, ten, low, the eighth and ninth quite short
so that there is a deep notch between the spinous and soft
parts of the dorsal, almost breaking the continuity of the
fin; caudal emarginate; operculurn emarginate behind,
ending in two flat points; mouth very large, the lower jaw
longest ; palatine teeth well developed ; tongue and ptery-
goids toothless; gill-rakers long and stout, armed with
teeth; supplemental maxillary bone well developed (Mi-
cropterince). MICROPTERUS, 1.

ft Body comparatively short and deep, compressed ; anal spines
well developed ; dorsal with strong spines, which are con-
tinuous with the soft rays, or at least not deeply notched
(Lepomina).

a. Tongue and pterygoid bones conspicuously armed with
teeth; mouth large, lower jaw longest; maxillary bone
broad and flat, with a strong supplemental ossicle behind

234 FISHES.

it; palatine teeth well developed; gill-rakers long and
strong, provided with coarse teeth ; form stout and heavy.

&. Operculurn emarginate behind ; anal spines 5 to 7.
c. Caudal fin emarginate; scales ctenoid.
d. Tongue with a single median patch of teeth ; anal
spines normally 6; dorsal 10 or 1 1. AMBLOPLITES, 2.
cc. Caudal fin rounded behind ; scales cycloid ; anal spines

normally 5 ACANTHARCHUS, 3.

lib. Operculum ending behind in a convex "flap," black in
color , anal spines 3 ; dorsal 10 ; caudal emarginate.

CH^ENOBRYTTUS, 4.
aa. Tongue and pterygoid bones toothless ; mouth moderate or

small.

d. Operculum ending behind in an entire convex process or
flap, which is always more or less black ; dorsal fin
not notched; dorsal spines normally 10; anal spines
3, the soft rays in each fin about 10 in number ; caudal
fin emarginate.

e. Maxillary with a supplemental bone ; gill-rakers long,
stout, dentate ; mouth rather large, the lower jaw
protruding ; palatine teeth present ; spines low ; flap
small APOMOTIS, 5.

ee. Maxillary without supplemental bone ; mouth rather

small, with subequal jaws.

/. Lower pharyngeal bones comparatively narrow, with
the teeth all conic and sharp, the outer short and
small, the inner long and pointed.
g. Gill-rakers of anterior branchial arch more or less
elongate, ossified, beset with small teeth.

LEPOMIS, 6.

gg. Gill-rakers undiflferentiated, all short, thickish,

weak, unossified, provided with but few weak

teeth ; no palatine teeth ; opercular flap always

large, often greatly developed; coloration bril.

liant ; spines low. . . . XENOTIS, 7.

ff. Lower pharyngeal bones with the teeth or most of

them rounded or truncate above, i.e., teeth paved;

. — XCH. 235

palatine teeth little developed, or more usually
wanting.

h. Lower pharyngeals narrow, formed as in Lepiopo-
mus, the teeth rounded, not truncate above ; gill-
rakers rather long and slender; spines rather
high. , XYSTROPLITES, 8.

Jih. Lower pharyngeals broad, concave, with large
truncate teeth close together; gill-rakers short
and thick, more or less strongly dentate ; spines
high ...... EUPOMOTIS, 9.

dd. Operculum emarginate behind, ending in two flat points,
with a dermal border ; caudal fin rounded behind ; gill-
rakers in small number, long and strong, dentate;
species of small size and brilliant coloration.

h. Dorsal fin angulated, the middle spines longer than
some of the posterior ones ; supplemental maxillary
wanting ( ? or rudimentary) ; anal spines 3 ; dorsal
10 ...... MESOGONISTIUS, 10.

hJi. Dorsal fin continuous ; supplemental maxillary bone

well developed.

i. Dorsal spines 9 ; anal 3. . ENNEACANTHUS, 11.
ii. Dorsal spines 8 ; anal 4. . HEMIOPLITES, 12.
Hi. Dorsal spines 10 ; anal 4 ; anal fin with an elongate
basis, its anterior rays being advanced.

COPELANDIA, 13.

** Dorsal and anal fins about equal in extent, the soft portions
of the latter longest and most posterior, the two fins being
obliquely opposed ; lower jaw longest; supplemental max-
illary bone present; palatine teeth present; operculum
emarginate behind ; gill-rakers setiform, very long, finely
dentate, in large number (20 to 30 of the large ones on an-
terior branchial arch) ; fins large, the soft rays of the dorsal
and anal each with 14 to 18 rays ; caudal fin emarginate ;
scales not strongly ctenoid (Centrarchina).

j. Spinous dorsal longer than soft part, the spines about 12 in
number, not rapidly graduated ; anal spines normally 8 ;
body deep ; mouth moderate. . CENTBARCHTJS, 14.

236 FISHES.

jj. Spinous dorsal shorter than soft part, the spines 5 to 8 in
number, rapidly graduated ; anal spines normally 6 ; body
compressed and rather elongate ; mouth large.

POMOXYS, 15.

/. MICROPTERUS, Lacepede. BLACK BASS.

> Huro and Grystes, C. & V.

= Galliums, Raf. (not of Agassiz.)

1. H. pal I id us, (Raf.) Gill & Jor. LAKGE- MOUTHED
BLACK BASS. OSWEGO BASS. Dull olive green, more
or less spotted when young but not barred; usually with
an irregular dark lateral band, and three oblique stripes
on opercles; ends of caudal fin blackish, these markings
growing obscure with age; 3d dorsal spine twice as high
as first; notch between spines and soft-rays deep; eight
rows of scales between lateral line and dorsal; anal fin
somewhat scaly; mouth very wide; D. X, 12; A. Ill, 10;
lat. 1. 65 to 70. Great Lakes and rivers of the West and
South, abundant in most regions, and, like the next,
highly valued as a food fish. [Huro nigricans, C. & V.
G. nobilior and nigricans, Agass., M. floridanus (LeS.) ]

2. HI. salmoides, (Lac.) Gill. SMALL-MOUTHED BLACK
BASS. Moss BASS. Dark green; young brighter and
more or less barred and spotted, but without lateral
band; tail yellow at base, then black, and edged with
white; opercle with oblique olivaceous streaks; third
dorsal spine half larger than first; dorsal notch rather
shallow; scales smaller than in the preceding — eleven
rows between lateral line and dorsal; mouth smaller;
anal nearly scaleless; D. X. 13; A. Ill, 11; lat. 1. 70 to
80. Great Lakes and streams from L. Champlain S. and
W.; common in N. Y. and in most regions west of the
Alleganies; introduced eastward. \G. fasciatus, (Les.)

CENTRAKCHID^:. — XCLT. 237

Ag. G. obscurus, DeK. (young.) M. achigan, (Raf.) Gill,
etc., etc.]

2. AMBLOPLITES, Rafinesque. ROCK BASS.
< Centrarchus, Cuvier.

1. A. rupestris, (Raf.) Gill. ROCK BASS. GOGGLE
EYE. RED EYE. Depth about half length; head more
than one -third; eye nearly four in head, very large;
cheeks scaly; front convex; longest dorsal ray two-thirds
depth of head at front of orbit; brassy olive with golden
green and blackish markings; a dark spot at base of
each scale, which is conspicuous after death, giving a
striped appearance; D. XI, 11; A. VI, 10; lat. 1. 42; L.
8. Great Lakes and rivers west of the Alleganies; an
abundant species. \A.. ceneus, (C. & V.) Ag.^A. ichthe-
loides, (Raf.) Ag.]

2. A. cavifrons, Cope. Depth 2|- in length; mouth
larger, muzzle more projecting, the front therefore con-
cave, cheeks nearly naked; eyes still larger, 3 in head;
longest dorsal ray equal to depth of head at front of
orbit; silvery, dusted with dark points; scales with dark
shades; D. X, 12; A. VI, 11; lat. 1. 38. Roanoke R.

3. ACANTHARCHUS, Gill. BASS SUN FISHES.

< Centrarchus, Baird.

1. A. pomotis, (Baird) Gill. MUD SUN FISH. Ellip-
tical ; mouth large ; dark greenish olive, with dull yellow-
ish markings and longitudinal dusky streaks; opercles
with dusky radiating bars; D. XI, 12; A. V, 12; L. 5.
Muddy streams coastwise, N. Y. to S. C.

4. CHSENOBRYTTUS, Gill. WAR MOUTHS.

Galliums, Ag.

1. C. gulosus, (C. & V.) Gill. BLACK SUN FISH.
Dark olive green above; sides greenish and brassy with

238 FISHES.

blotches of pale blue and bright coppery red — the latter
shade predominating; belly bright brassy yellow, pro-
fusely mottled with bright red; lower jaw chiefly yellow;
iris bright red, as in most Sun Fishes; opercular spot as
large as eye, black, bordered with copper color; three or
four wide dark red bands radiating backwards from eye
across cheeks and opercles, separated by narrow pale
blue ones; upper fins barred with black, orange and blue,
the former color predominating, lower fins blackish;
a few small faint black spots on last rays of dorsal; dorsal
spines moderately high, very stout, the longest as long
as from snout to middle of eye; head 2f in length; depth
2£; eye as long as snout, 4 to 5 in head; mucous pores
about head very large ; body very robust, broad forwards,
compressed behind; nape rounded; a depression over
eye, the snout projecting, and forming an angle; fins
rather low, with stout spines; mouth very large, with
strong teeth, the maxillary bone very broad and flat,
reaching to posterior margin of eye; tongue with one or
more conspicuous patches of teeth; teeth on palatines;
scales large; D. X, 10; A. Ill, 9; lat. 1. 40. Great Lakes
South and West; a fine large species having the appear-
ance and dentition of Ambloplites, but with three anal
spines and a rounded operculum as in Apomotis. (Ch.
charybdiS) Cope, C. melanops, Grd.) In spirits, the
coloration is very dark.

2. C. viridis, (C. & V.) Jordan. RED-EYED BREAM.
WAR-MOUTH PERCH. Very similar to C. gulosus, but
differently colored — olive green, with blackish spots on
the scales, and more or less reticulated; form somewhat
more slender; fins, etc., the samej Virginia to Florida.
(C. gillii, Cope.)

CENTRARCHIB^E. — XCH. 239

5. APOHIOT1S, Rafinesque. RED EYES.
(Telipomis, Raf., Bryttus, Cuv. & Val.)

1. A. cyanellus, (Raf.) Jordan. BLUE -SPOTTED SUN
FISH. Dark clear olive-green, each scale with a blue
spot and more or less of gilt edging, the body thus
appearing more or less striped along the rows of scales;
colors variable, golden olive, green or even almost blue ;
cheeks with bright blue horizontal stripes; body more or
less sprinkled with irregular dark dots; vertical fins
marked with green and blue and more or less edged
with pale orange; usually a distinct black dorsal spot;
opercular spot small, with brassy edgings; depth 2f in
length, head 2£; dorsal spines low and stout; lat. 1. 48;
L. 4 to 6. Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and W., abundant.
(C. longulus and C.formosus, Grd., C. mineopas et mel-
anops, Cope.)

2. A. phenax, Cope & Jordan. Olive-green; body much
deeper and more compressed than in A. cyanellus / depth
2£ in length; spines higher; opercular flap rather long;
mouth smaller, the jaws nearly equal; lat. 1. 43, the
scales therefore larger. New Jersey. Resembles Lepo-
mis rather than Apomotis.

6. LEPOMIS. Rafinesque. SUN FISHES.
(Lepomis, Ichthelis and Pomotis, Raf.)

* Palatine teeth present ; usually no black blotches on last rays of
dorsal and anal.

1. L. macrochirus, Raf. CHAIN- SIDED SUN FISH.
Bright steel blue, with many bronze orange spots, which
cover nearly the whole surface, so arranged that the
ground color forms a series of vertical chain-like bars,
very conspicuous in life; vertical fins mottled with
bronze, and usually more or less edged with pale orange ;

240 FISHES.

no black dorsal spot; no distinct blue cheek stripes, but
sides of head shaded with purplish; body rather elon-
gate; head somewhat acute; opercular spot small; depth
2^ in length; head nearly 3; lat. 1. 42; L. 3 to 4. Ohio
Valley. A small species and one of the handsomest;
extremely hardy in aquaria, and perhaps the most vora-
cious of the Sun Fishes. (L. nephelus, Cope.)

2. L bombifrons, (Ag.) Jor. ROUND-FACED SUN FISH.
Light brown; fins pale, unspotted; belly and sides dotted
with golden orange; head much broader, deeper and
shorter than in any other species; the profile being ex-
ceedingly prominent, the forehead strongly arched, and
the greatest depth immediately over the opercle; flap
very short and small; soft rays of dorsal much higher
than spines; depth 2£ in length, head nearly 3. Ten-
nessee R.; rare. (May be a Xenotis.}

3. L anagallinus, Cope. RED -SPOTTED SUN FISH.
Dusky bluish, with greenish mottlings; sides with many
distinct, rather large, salmon -red spots; belly bright
salmon-red; opercular flap rather large, with a very wide
red margin, which entirely surrounds the black; some-
times a black dorsal spot; spines rather high; depth 2£
in length; scales large; lat. 1. 33 to 36. Arkansas to
Tenn. and Kas.; a small, highly colored species.

4. L. oculatus, Cope. Coloration reddish, unspotted;
body short and deep; head short; caudal peduncle and
fin one-third length (more than one-third in L, anagal-
linus,] opercular flap large, with a round black spot as
large as eye, surrounded by a broad white margin. Min-
nesota.

5. L. auritus, (L.) Raf. LONG - EAKED POND FISH.
RED-TAILED BREAM. SUN PERCH. Dusky olive; belly
and vertical fins largely red; sides of body largely blue,

CBNTRABCHID^}. — XCH. 241

with rusty red spots; blue stripes on head; spines rather
short; body rather elongate; opercular flap very long,
longer than any in other species except the southern
Xenotis fallax, and extremely narrow. Maine to Ala-
bama, east of the Alleghenies, abundant; the only long-
eared Sun-fish occurring in New England. A large
handsome species, known at once by the peculiar ear-flap.
L. 6 to 10. (I. rubricauda, appendix, etc., of authors.)

** No palatine teeth ; dorsal spines very high ; a more or less dis-
tinct black blotch on last rays of dorsal and anal. (Helioperca^
Jor.)

6. L pallidus, (Mit.) Gill & Jor. BLUE SUN FISH.
COPPER- NOSED BREAM. Olive green, adults dark ; young
more or less silvery, often uniformly so in spirits; a more
or less distinct purple lustre in life; sides with undulat-
ing, sometimes chain-like, transverse bars, most con-
spicuous in the young; a black spot on base of dorsal
and anal behind; no blue stripes on cheeks; no red
on fins; opercular flap moderately long and wide in
adults, without pale edge, very short in young; body
deep, compressed, caudal peduncle rather slender; head
3 in length; depth about 2; dorsal spines very long;
D. X, 11; A. Ill, 10; lat. 1. 40 to 45; L. 8. Great Lakes
to Delaware R. (Abbott) and S., abundant. A large and
very variable species, but almost always recognizable by
the characters above emphasized. (L. ardesiacus, L.
megalotis, and L. purpurascens, Cope, Ichthelis incisor,
Auct.) Adult specimens are often nearly orbicular and
have the belly coppery red.

7. L. ischyrus, Jordan & Nelson. A large, heavily-
built species, similar to the preceding but with larger
mouth, shorter spines and different coloration; top of
head flat and short; opercular flap large, with a wide

11

242 FISHES.

pale margin entirely surrounding the black ; cheeks with
wide blue bands; lower jaw, etc., dull leaden blue; belly
and lower fins chiefly orange. Illinois River.

8. L. obscurus, (Agassiz) Jor. BLUE-MOUTHED SUN
FISH. A heavily-built, dark-colored species, chiefly blue
and coppery red in life; no blue stripes on cheek; lower
jaw dark leaden blue; opercular spot large, without dis-
tinct pale margin. Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers.

7. XENO TIS, Jordan. LONG - EAKED Sin* FISHES.

1. X. megaloiis, (Raf.) Jor. BLUE AND ORANGE SUN
FISH. SUN PERCH. Brilliant, blue and orange, back
chiefly blue, belly entirely orange, the orange forming
irregular, longitudinal rows of spots, the blue in wavy
vertical lines along the edges of the scales; fins with the
rays blue and the membranes orange; ventral and anal
shaded with dusky blue, appearing blackish when folded;

flap very large, with a broad pale edge which is pink
behind, and bluish in front; lips blue; cheeks with bright
blue and orange stripes; top of head and neck blackish;
eyes bright red; spines very low, lower than in any other
species of this genus; the longest dorsal spine shorter than
from snout to middle of eye; occiput depressed ; profile
high and strongly curved; depth more than half length;
head with flap, a little less; eye 1£ in flap; pectorals not
reaching vent; lat. 1. 40. Great Lakes and Upper Mis-
sissippi River. A brilliantly colored species. (P. nitidus,
Kirt.)

2. X. sanguinolentus, (Ag.) Jor. BLOODY SUN FISH.
Similar, but rather more elongate; the spines notably
higher and the blue cross-bars much more distinct. Ten-
nessee and South, perhaps a variety.

CENTRARCHID^E. — XCII. 243

3. X. aureoluSf Jor. GILDED SUN FISH. Pale olive,
young almost translucent; sides and fins profusely
speckled with golden orange, forming bars or chains;
orange below; cheeks with narrow blue horizontal lines;
no dorsal spots; flap moderate, rather narrow, narrowly
bordered by light; forehead regularly convex, the bulk
of the body thrown forward; dorsal spines moderate;
pectorals nearly reaching anal; ventrals elongate; head
3 in length, depth 2^; eye = flap, 4 in head; lat. 1. 42.
Ohio Valley and W., abundant, frequenting small streams
in company with the next species and with Apomotis
cyanellus.

4. /. /ythrochloris, Jor. RED AND GREEN SUN FISH.
Form of Apomotis, the body more elongate than usual
in Xenotis; spines very low; green above with blue
spots; belly, cheeks and fins generally blood red; cheeks
with blue lines; opercular flap very long, entirely black,
without any pale margin. Ohio Valley, a peculiar species
frequenting small brooks; size small. (I. auritus, Raf.,
not of L.)

5. X. inscriptus, (Ag.) Jor. BLUE-GEEEN SUN FISH.
Dark olive green, with blue shades; many scales marked
each with a short horizontal black line, like a pencil mark,
these forming faint stripes along the sides of the back;
cheeks with blue lines; opercular flap moderate, rather
narrow, directed quite obliquely upwards, bordered above
and below by pinkish; spines long; depth 2£ in length.
A small handsome species, abundant in the Valley of the
Ohio and S.

6. X. peHastes, (Cope) Jor. A small deep-bodied
species, with large scales; caudal fin and peduncle more
than one -third the total length; golden brown; sides
somewhat spotted; belly and vertical fins largely orange;

244 FISHES.

flap rather long, with a wide red border; lat. 1. 35. Michv
igan to Illinois.

8. XYSTROPLITES, Jordan. SUN FISHES.
1. X. herosr (B. & G.) Jor. A species bearing much
resemblance to Lepomis pallidus, having the same
general coloration, the black dorsal spot, the high spines,
etc., but with the pharyngeal teeth more or less paved, and
with the opercular flap broadly tipped with pale scarlet.
Lower Mississippi Valley. Pomotis notatus, Ag., from
Tennessee is probably the same species.

9. EU POMOTIS, Gill & Jordan. POND FISHES.
(Pomotis, Auct. not of Raf.)

1. E. pallidus, (Ag.) Gill & Jor. PALE SUN FISH.
General color olivaceous, with faint darker bars; spines
high; general form, color and appearance of Lepiopomus
pallidus, but the mouth larger, the opercular flap broadly
tipped behind and below with scarlet, and the lower
pharyngeals very broad, concave, covered with large,
paved teeth. The gill-rakers are comparatively short
and weak. Illinois to Georgia and Louisiana.

2. E. aureus, (Walb.) Gill & Jordan. COMMON SUN
FISH. PUMPKIN SEED. BREAM. Depth more than half
length; greenish olive above, sides orange • spotted;
orange yellow below; cheeks orange with blue wavy
streaks; ear-flap rounded, broadly edged with scarlet
below and behind; lower fins orange, upper orange-
spotted; spines rather high; D. X, 10; A. Ill, 9; lat. 1.
37. Great Lakes and streams, chiefly northward and E.
of the Alleganies; our most familiar species. (P. ma-
culatus, auritus and vulgaris of authors.)

CENTKABCHID^E. — XCII. 245

10. MESOGONISTIUS, Gill. BLACK- BANDED SUN FISHES.
1. M. chcatodon, (Baird) Gill. BLACK -BANDED SUN
FISH. Suborbicular; depth about half length; spines
long, longest equal to distance from snout to preopercle ;
eyes large, three in head; dirty straw color, clouded with
olive; sides with four to six well-defined black vertical
bars running up on the fins; first through eye, last at
base of tail; D. X, 11; A. Ill, 12; lat. 1. 28; L. 3. New
Jersey to Maryland, in sluggish waters; a small, hand-
some species, known at once by its peculiar coloration.

//. HEMIOPLITES, Cope. FOUR - SPINED SUN FISHES.
1. H. simulans, Cope. FOUR -SPINED SUN FISH. Head
2f in length, depth 2^-; eye 3£ in head; bright olive, with
dusky stripes; sides and cheeks with purple reflections;
D. VIII, 11; A. IV, 10; lat. 1. 30. James R., Va. Re-
sembles E. obesus.

12. ENNEACANTHUS,Gi\\. NINE -SPINED SUN FISHES.

* Dorsal and anal moderately elevated in $.

1. E. obesus, (Baird) Gill. SPOTTED SUN FISH.
Depth about half length; dark, olive green, with eight
strong black cross bars and purplish spots; lateral line
usually incomplete; cheeks with lines and spots; oper-
cular flap velvet black, bordered with purple; a dark
bar below eye; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 10; L. 3. Streams
coastwise from Mass., southward; a handsome little fish.

2. E. margarotis, Gill & Jordan. BLUE-SPOTTED SUN
FISH. Body without definite blackish cross-bars, in
males covered with round bright sky-blue spots; a pearly-
blue spot on opercle; body more elongate than in the
others; lateral line complete; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; lat.
1. 30. New Jersey to N. C. abundant.

246 FISHES.

** Dorsal and anal fins greatly elevated, in $ reaching middle of
caudal.

3. E. pinniger, Gill & Jordan. LARGE - FINKED SUN
FISH. General color of preceding; body and fins in
males with brilliant blue spots; size larger; lateral line
complete; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 10; lat. 1. 33. Neuse
River, N. C.

13. COPELANDIA, Jordan. COPELANDIA.

1. C. eriarcha, Jordan. A species similar in appear-
ance to Enneacanthus margarotis, but with a different
number of spines, a rather more elongate body and a
more advanced anal, which is reached by the ventral
spines; D. X, 9; A. IV, 8. Menomonee River, near
Milwaukee, Wis., — the only specimens known collected
by Dr. P. R. Hoy; a singular and interesting species,
connecting Enneacanthus with Centrarchus.

14. CENTRARCHUS, Cuvier. MANY-SPINED BASS.

1. C. irideus, (Bosc) C. & V. SHINING BASS. Bright
green with dark spots; vertical fins mottled; dorsal with
black spot behind, which is sometimes ocellated with
orange; body deep, depth half length; fins comparatively
low; the ventral spine less than half length of head and
not reaching vent; D. XI, 12; A. VII, 14; lat. 1. 44.
Illinois to Va. and South, chiefly in lowland streams.

2. C. macropierus, (Lac.) Jordan. LONG-FINNED SUN
FISH. Similar, but more elongate, depth less than half
length; ventral spine more than half length of head and
reaching to about the fourth ray of anal ; mouth and eye
larger than in C. irideus ; fins much higher; D. XII, 12;
A. VIII, 14; lat. 1. 43. With the preceding but less
abundant.

ELASSOMLD^E. — XCH. 247

15. POMOXYS, Rafinesque. GRASS BASS.
* Dorsal spines normally 7; body much elevated; depth half
length. (Hyperistius, Gill.)

1. P. nigromacu/atus, (LeS.) Grd. GRASS BASS. CALICO
BASS. Depth 2 in length; head nearly 3; snout pro-
jecting, forming an angle with the descending profile;
mouth large, very oblique, hut smaller than in the next;
fins very large; anal larger than dorsal; bright olive
green and silvery; sides and fins much mottled; the
anal fin nearly as much variegated as the dorsal; D. VII,
15; A. VI, 18; lat. 1. 41; L. 8. Great Lakes to Delaware
R. (Abbott) and S. W.; a handsome fish. [P. hexacanthits,
(C. & V.) Ag.]

** Dorsal spines normally 6; body less elevated; depth about
one-third length. (Pomoxys.)

2. P. annularis, Raf. BACHELOR (Ohio R.) NEW
LIGHT (Ky.) CRAPPIE (St. Louis). Depth two-fifths to
one-third length, scarcely greater than length of head;
olivaceous, silvery below; sides with irregular clusters of
dark spots; the lower part of the sides, and the anal fin
usually plain; D. VII, (V to VII) 15; A. VI, 17; lat. 1.
43 (39 to 48), L. 10. Mississippi Valley, a food fish of
some value; abundant and exceedingly variable. (P.
storeritts, nitidus, intermedius, protacanthus and brevi-
cauda of authors.)

FAMILY XCII. (ft.)-ELASSOMID^E.

(The Elassomes.)

A provisional group framed for the reception of a
single species whose affinities are at present uncertain.
It includes small fishes similar in appearance to Gentrar-
chidce, but without lateral line, and the fins little devel-
oped; the scales cycloid, the upper jaw extremely
protractile and both jaws armed with strong teeth; no

248 FISHES.

vomerine teeth are apparent, and the number of branch-
iostegals appears to be but five. The vent is normal in
its position. Vertebrae 28. Pharyngeals as in Aphodo-
derus, separate, with sharp teeth.

Its nearest relationships appear to be with the Aphodo-
deridce. Two fossil genera, lately described by Prof.
Cope, Erismatopterus and Amphiplaga, are perhaps
allied to Elassoma.

* Mouth small, oblique, the lower jaw the longer; jaws apparently
with but one row of stout conical teeth ; dorsal spines five ;
anal spines three; branchiostegal membranes broadly con-
nected across the chest; body elongate, compressed; caudal
fin rounded; cheeks and opercles scaly; bones of head entire.

ELASSOMA, 1.

/. ELASSOMA, Jordan. ELASSOMES.
1. £. zonata, Jordan. Head 3 in length; depth 3£;
olive green, finely punctate, sides with eleven dark verti-
cal bands; a distinct round black spot behind the shoulder,
D. IV, 10; A. HI, 6; length of specimens known, one inch.
Lower Mississippi region and S. W.; specimens seen
from Arkansas and Texas.

FAMILY XCIII.-APHODODERIDJ3.

(The Pirate Perches.)

Vent anterior, usually in front of the ventral fins; dor-
sal fin single, high, with but three or four spines; ventrals
thoracic, without spines and with seven soft rays; pre-
orbital, preopercle and other bones of head strongly
serrated; teeth on jaws and palate; scales ctenoid;
branchiostegals six; coecal appendages about twelve;
air bladder simple.

APHODODERID^E. — XCin. 249

The two species known inhabit lowland waters, and
are remarkable for their voracity and for their nocturnal
habits. The unusual position of the vent (as in Ambly-
opsidcB) distinguishes them widely from the Percoid
fishes.

The relations of this group are obscure. It much re-
sembles the Haplomi, and is perhaps as near to Umbridce
as to Centrarchidce. Although the vent is normally
jugular, specimens occur with the vent variously poster-
ior. On specimens with the vent between the ventral
fins, the genus Asternotremia, Nelson was based. Others
have the vent even farther back. From the observations
of Prof. S. A. Forbes, it appears that in this group the
position of the vent is not a generic character — not even
specific, and that the four nominal species, Aphododerus
sayanus and A. cookianus, and Asternotremia isolepis and
A. mesotrema, are to be reduced to one species of one
genus.

/. APHODODERUS, LeSueur. PIRATE PERCHES.

1. A. sayanus, ( Gilliams ) DeK. PIRATE PERCH.
Head 3^ in length; depth 3f; greenish olive; a sub-
orbital bar, and dark bars at base of caudal; caudal
rounded; lower jaw longest; D. IV, 11; A. II, 7; lat. 1.
50 to 55; length 5 inches. N. Y. to La., in brooks near
the coast; also throughout Mississippi Valley in sloughs
and bayous.

NOTE. — The position of the vent in this family varies with age;
the young having the vent behind the ventrals, the adult in front
— the difference being due to the prolongation of the rectum.

250 FISHES.

FAMILY XCIV.-SCLENID^E.

(The Maigres.)

Body compressed, often elongate, covered with ctenoid
scales; lateral line continuous, often running up on the
caudal fin; teeth in villiform bands, sometimes with
canines; vomer and palate toothless; opercles weakly if
at all serrated; bones of skull moro or less cavernous,
with muciferous system highly developed; chin usually
with pores or barbels; lower pharyngeals distinct, except
in Haploidonotus and its relatives, where they are
firmly united (pharyngognathous) as in the Labridce;
dorsals two, distinct or slightly connected, the soft part
most developed; vertical fins usually scaly; ventrals
I, 5, thoracic; anal spines generally 1 or 2; air bladder
large and often complicated (rarely wanting); stomach
ccecal, with a few pyloric appendages.

Chiefly marine, in temperate and warm regions, the
following only in fresh water. Genera about twenty;
species one hundred and ten, numerous on our coasts:

* Lower jaw shorter, received within the upper; both jaws fully
provided with teeth ; no canines ; lower pharyngeals united.
(HAPLOIDONOTIN.!;.)

f Body moderately elevated; depth about one third length;
caudal double-truncate, slightly prolonged behind.

HAPLOIDONOTUS, 1.

ft Body greatly elevated at the shoulders; depth nearly half
length ; caudal truncate, . . EUTYCHELITHUS, 2.

/. HAPLOIDONOTUS, Rafinesque. BUBBLERS.

= Amblodon, Raf.

1. H. grunniens, Raf. SHEEPSHEAD (Lakes). WHITE
PERCH. GRUNTER. DRUM. Depth 3 in length; head 3^;
back elevated forwards, and much compressed; spines
strong; first anal spine short; the second very large,

COTTLD^E. — XCV. 251

attached to a stout bone; grayish silvery, dusky above;
scales rather large and irregularly placed, punctate with
black; D. IX— I, 30; A. II, 7; lat. 1. 54. Great Lakes,
Mississippi Valley, etc., abundant. (Corvina oscula and
C. grisea, of authors.) Three other species of this genus
have been described but their validity is extremely
doubtful. Southward this species is considerably valued
as food, but in the Great Lakes its flesh is ill-scented
and worthless. The large " ear-bones " of this species
are marked with a rude "_L," and are highly valued by
Wisconsin boys as "lucky stones."

2. EUTYCHELITHUS, Jordan. LAKE HURON DRUMS.

1. £. richardsonii, (C. & V.) Jordan. MALASHEGANAY.
LAKE DRUM. Head and shoulders much elevated; pro-
file very steep; eye moderate; mouth rather large; the
lower jaw rather projecting; head nearly one-third of
length; depth about one-half; anal spine stout (single?),
one-third shorter than the soft rays; pectorals pointed,
much longer than the ventrals; opercular bones all finely
serrated; greenish with dark bands on the back; D.
IX — I, 29; A. I, 7; lat. 1. 54. Lake Huron. (I retain
this genus with much doubt. No specimens except the
original type are known, and this may have been merely
a monstrosity of the ordinary Haploidonotus grunniens.)

FAMILY XCV.— COTTID^E.

(The Sculpins.)

Fishes with the cheeks mailed (i. e., the suborbital bone
extending backward over the cheeks, articulating with
the preopercle) ; head broad, usually not externally bony,
but always more or less spinous; eyes high up, near
together; body sometimes scaly, or with a series of bony
plates, naked in all our species; dorsals usually two,

252 FISHES.

soft dorsal largest; pectorals large, without detached
rays; ventrals thoracic, near together, usually imperfect,
but developed in all our species; air bladder usually
absent. Genera about twenty; species about 70. Mostly
of the shores of northern regions; several small species
abounding in the fresh waters of Europe, Asia and North
America. In habits these fresh water species bear a
strong resemblance to the Etheostomoids. All of them
are singular looking fishes, and many of the marine
species are hideous in appearance.

OBS. — In the measurements given below, the total length of the
body is understood inclusive of the caudal fin, not to base of caudal
as in other cases.

* Second dorsal moderately elevated, not remote from the first;

preopercle with 1 to 3 spines.

f No teeth on the palate (pharyngeal teeth present, as usual) ; ven-
trals 1, 3; size small (length 2 to 3 inches). UBANIDEA, 1.
ft Palate with teeth; ventrals 1,4; size usually larger (length

3 to 6 inches).

\ Skin smooth, excepting usually a small patch of minute

spines in the axils of the pectorals. POTAMOCOTTUS, 2.

\\ Skin beset, especially above the lateral line, with small

hooked prickles ; preopercle armed with a strong sharp

spine, curved like a cow's horn ; back sub-carinate ; caudal

peduncle slender TAURIDEA, 3.

*** Second dorsal very high, widely separated from the first ; pre-
opercle with 4 needle-like spines. . . TRIQLOPSIS, 4.

/. URANIDEA, DeKay. MILLER'S THUMBS.
< Cottus, Girard.

* Slender, fusiform species ; depth 6 to 64- in length.

1. U. gracilis, (Heckel) Putnam. MILLER'S THUMB.
LITTLE STAR GAZER. Tips of pectorals reaching fourth
ray of second D., and first of anal; head 4 in total
length; eye 4 in head; grayish, mottled. D. VIII — 16;

COTTID.E. — XCV. 253

A. 11 or 12. New England and New York; the common
Eastern species, found "quiescent" under stones, after
the manner of the Darters. (U. quiescens, DeK.) [U.
boleoides (Grd.), from Vermont, is said to be slenderer,
and with larger fins. U.formosa, (Grd.) from stomachs
of Lota, in deep water, L. Ontario, is more elongate, with
shorter fins ; it needs further examination. U. gobioides,
(Grd.) is larger, much stouter and with larger mouth. It
is from La Moille R., W. Vt.]

2. U. kumlieni, Hoy. KUMLIEN'S COTTUS. A slender
species, with the head 3^- in length (without caudal);
pectorals falling just short of anal; preopercular spine
large, directed upwards and backwards, not much hooked;
dorsals and anal high; D. VI — 17; A. 12. Lake Michi-
gan— in deep water.

** Stouter; depth about 51 in total length.

2. U. viscosa, (Haldeman) Cope. SLIPPERY MILLER'S
THUMB. Pectorals scarcely reaching second dorsal;
head 4^ in total length; eye 5 in head; body sub-
cylindrical, covered with a viscid skin; dusky, mottled;
D. VIII— 17; A. 12. Streams of Penn., Md., Va., etc.,
frequent, often found in caves. (C. copei, Abbott.)

3. U. franklini, (Ag.) Jordan. FRANKLIN'S COTTUS.
Pectorals scarcely reaching second dorsal; first dorsal
scarcely lower than second; head 3f- in total length; eye
4i in head; D. VIII— 17; A. 12. S. and E. shores of
L. Superior.

4. U. hoyi, Putnam. HOT'S BULL-HEAD. Body small,
short and thick; head 3^- in length, without caudal; pre-
opercle with a prominent, sharp, straight spine directed
backwards; below this a prominent spine directed down-
wards, and one or two minute spines still lower; mouth

254 FISHES.

contracted, with the lower jaw projecting; eyes very-
large 3f in head; ventral fins long, reaching about to
vent; D. VI— 15; A. 11; L. 2£. Lake Michigan — in
deep water.

2. POTAMOCOTTUS, Gill. BLOBS.

1. P. meridionalis, (Grd.) Gill. CAVE BULL-HEAD.
GOBLIN. BLOB. MUFFLE- JAWS. Head 3£ in length;
depth 5; width of head 3£; P. reaching beyond begin-
ning of soft dorsal, to anal; preopercle with a stout erect
spine and two smaller ones below; mouth wide; palatine
teeth unusually strong; lateral line very distinct, chain-
like, sometimes vanishing behind, and sometimes not.
Grayish, mottled, three cross blotches on back; D. VI to
VIII- 16; A. 12 or 13; V. 1, 4. N. C. to Ala., Tenn.,
and Ind., abounding in many of the streams issuing from
the caves in the limestone region; the largest species
of the genus, reaching a length of 6 inches. (C. merid-
ionalis, Grd. P. carolince, Gill., P. zopherus, Jor.)

2. P. richardsonii, (Ag.) Gill. LAKE SUPEKIOR MIL-
LER'S THUMB. Pectorals shorter than head, scarcely
reaching second dorsal; depth 6 in total length; head
4i; eye 5£ in head; vent near the middle of total length;
D. VIII— 18; A. 14. L. Superior; one of the largest
species.

3. P. bairdii, (Girard) Gill. BAIRD'S BULL -HEAD.
Pectorals long, reaching beyond beginning of anal;
depth 6 to 6^ in total length; spinous dorsal very low,
with a black bar; head 4^ in length; eye 4 in head;
D. VI to VII— 16 ; A. 13. Ohio, etc.

4. P. alvordii, (Grd.) Gill. Similar to the preceding but
stouter, with the pectorals rather shorter, and the dorsal
spines higher, 7 or S in number; color dark, variegated;

COTTID.E. — XCV. 255

spinous dorsal with two black spots; D. VII — 16} A. 13.
Rivers, Mich, to Ills, and Minn.

5. P. wilsoni, (Grd.) Gill. WILSON'S BULL -HEAD.
Rather larger than the last; spinous dorsal* higher; and
the upper rays of the pectoral fins branched; Pennsyl-
vania to Indiana.

3. TAURIDEA, Jordan & Rice. Cow - FACED

SCTJLPINS.

1. T. spilota, (Cope) Jordan & Rice. RICE'S SCULPIN.
Head and body elongate, depressed; head 3-| in length;
without caudal; body abruptly contracted opposite base
of anal, forming an extremely slender caudal peduncle;
head very broad and flat, as broad as long; the profile
rising rapidly from occiput to dorsal, which runs along a
sort of keel; eyes close together, entirely superior; pre-
opercular spine extremely large, hooked backwards, and
slightly spiral, giving to the physiognomy a wonderful
resemblance to that of a cow; three spines hooked down-
wards below the large one, the lower concealed; base
of opercle with a strong spine directed downwards; head
smooth; space above lateral line behind head covered
with small stiff prickles, visible as small black specks
when the skin is dry; no spines in the axillary region;
coloration quite unlike that of our other Cottoids; pale
brown, finely speckled and mottled with darker; belly
white; D. VIII — 17; anal 12; ventrals I, 4. Lake Michi-
gan and tributaries — in deep water. (Cottopsis ricei,
Nelson; Uranidea spilota, Cope.) This species has
been thus far referred to as a Cottopsis, but it has little
affinity with C. asper. Cottopsis has essentially the
character of Potamocottus, but the skin above is densely
villous, covered thickly with short velvety projections.

256 FISHES.

In Tauridea, the prickles are much less numerous,
but are longer and stiffer. The coloration and form of
the body are essentially the same in Cottopsis and Pota-
mocottus, in tTauridea, quite different. Perhaps these
three genera should all rather be considered as sub-
generic sections of Uranidea.

3. TRIGLOPSIS, Girard. LAKH SCTJLPINS.

= Ptyonotus, Gunther.

1. T. thorn psoni, Grd. DEEP WATER LAKE SCULPIN.
Body elongate; depth 7 in total length; head 3£; eyes
very large, 4 in head; D. VI — 18; A. 15. Great Lakes
(L. Ontario, L. Michigan) in deep water; till lately
known only from remains found in the stomachs of Lake
Trout and Ling, i

FAMILY XCVL— GOBIID^E.

(The Gobies.)

Body elongated, low, naked or scaly; dorsals two,
sometimes united, the spines flexible and less developed
than the soft rays; anal similar to soft dorsal ; ventrals
1, 5 (rarely 1, 4), sometimes united, forming a disk; gill
openings narrow; teeth generally small; a prominent
papilla near the vent, as in the Blennies; air bladder
usually wanting; no pyloric appendages. Genera thirty;
species three hundred and twenty-five. Of the seas of
temperate and tropical regions, found on the bottoms
near the shore. A few species inhabit both salt and
fresh water.
* Body naked; ventrals united. . . . GOBIOSOMA, 1.

i NOTE. — The number of species of fresh water Cottoids as here
given is much too great, as not more than seven of them are
certainly distinguishable. The current genera might with little
violence be all reunited to Coitus.

GADID.E.— XCVH. 257

7. GOBIOSOMA, Girard. NAKED GOBIES.
1. (?. molesta, Grd. Dusky brown; head 3£ in
length; D. VII — 12; A. 12. Coast of Texas, entering
rivers. A single specimen in the Museum of Comp.
ZoOlogy from the Ohio R., near Louisville (Putnam.)

SUB -

(The Jugular Fishes.)

FAMILY XCVII.-GADID^E.

(The God Fishes)

Body elongated, covered with small smooth scales;
dorsal fins 1, 2 or 3, occupying most of the back; rays
of posterior part well developed; vertical fins never
entirely united (as in some related families); ventrals
jugular, usually several-rayed; gill openings wide; air
bladder usually present; no pseudobranchise; pyloric
cceca usually in large numbers (30 or more in Lota].
Genera about twenty-five; species about seventy. An
important family, found chiefly in the northern seas; a
single genus inhabiting the lakes and larger streams of
the northern parts of Europe and America.

* Chin with a barbel ; dorsals 2 ; anal single ; teeth villiform.

LOTA, 1.

/. LOTA, Cuvier. LINGS.

1. L. maculosa, (LeS.) Cuv. LING. BURBOT. LAKE
LAWYER. EEL-POUT. LAKE CUSK. Dark olive, thickly
marbled with blackish; yellowish or dusky beneath; head
broad, depressed; body sub-cylindrical in front, com-
pressed behind; upper jaw (usxially) longest; D. 13 — 76;
A. 08; V. 7; length l} to 2£ feet. Great Lakes and
streams of New England, north to the Arctic Circle,
17

258 FISHES.

abundant; rather rare in the Miss. Valley. A curious fish,
rarely used for food, although the livers are said to be
delicious. [L. maculosa, (Les.) Cuv. L. compressa,
(Les.) and L. brosmiana, Storer. L. inornata, DeK.,
etc.] The common European species (L. vulgaris,
Cuv.) seems to be the same, but the American name,
maculosa, is the older.

SUB-OEDER-HEMIBEA^CHl.

(The Half-billed Fishes.)

FAMILY XCVIII.-GASTEROSTEID^E.

(The Sticklebacks)

Small fishes with the body elongated and compressed;
caudal peduncle very slender; mouth large, with the cleft
oblique; villiform teeth on jaws and pharyngeals; bran-
chiostegals three; opercles unarmed; sub-orbital bone
articulated with the preopercle (as in Cottidce, with
which these fishes were formerly associated) ; skin naked
or with bony plates; dorsal preceded by two or more
isolated spines; ventrals abdominal, of a stout spine,
accompanied by a rudimentary ray; air bladder simple;
a fewpyloric caeca. Genera about five; species twenty-
five or less, in fresh waters and arms of the sea in north-
ern Europe and America.
* Dorsal with 2 to 6 free spines.

f Sides mailed ; a serrated bony ventral cuirass and usually a
bony caudal keel ; dorsal spines not in a right line.

GASTEROSTEUS, 1.

ft Sides naked; no caudal keel; ventral cuirass reduced, not

serrated.

J J Dorsal spines not in a right line when erected, the anterior
ones highest; ventral plates 2 — not on median line;
caudal peduncle very slender. , . APELTES, 2.

GASTEBOSTEID.E. — XCVTLT. 259

\\ Dorsal spines in the same line, the lowest in front ; ventral
plate single, on the middle line of abdomen; caudal

peduncle stouter EUCALIA, 3.

** Dorsal spines 7 or more; sides mailed or not; dorsal spines

not in a right line PYGOSTEUS, 4.

/. GASTEROSTEUS, Linnaeus. MAILED STICKLEBACKS.
1. G. noveboracensis, C. & V. NEW YORK STICKLE-
BACK. Maine to Cape Hatteras, coastwise; sometimes
ascending streams.

2. APELTES, DeKay. NAKED STICKLEBACKS.

< Gasterosteus, L.

1. A. quadracus, (Mitch.) Brevoort. FOUR-SPINED
STICKLEBACK. Abundant, with the preceding.

2. EUCALIA, Jordan. NEST -BUILDING STICKLEBACKS.

1. E. inconstans, (Kirtland) Jordan. BROOK STICKLE-
BACK. OHIO STICKLEBACK. Head about 3£ in length;
depth nearly 4; spines rather low; ventral spine about
equal to eye; color olivaceous, marbled with darker;
males in spring jet black, finely punctate; D. Ill to
V— I, 10; A. I, 10; length 2$ inches. Ohio to Minne-
sota and Kansas, chiefly northward; abundant in sluggish
streams; an interesting species, remarkable for its pug-
nacity and for its nest-building habits.

Var. pygmcea, ( Agassi z ) Jordan. LAKE SUPERIOR
STICKLEBACK. Depth 3f in length; head 3£; caudal
peduncle short and stout; body shorter and deeper than
in the preceding; vent much nearer tip of caudal than
snout; color similar; D. Ill or IV — I, 6; A. I, 6. L.
Superior.

Var. cayuga, Jordan. CAYUGA LAKE STICKLEBACK.
Head 3£ in length; depth 4£; spines all high; caudal

260 FISHES.

peduncle slender; vent much nearer snout than tip of
caudal; D. IV— I, 10; A. I, 10. Cayuga L., N. Y.,
dredged in deep water ( Wilder). Probably this and the
preceding are varieties of the variable E. incoiistans.
Length 1£ inches.

4. PYGOSTEUS, Brevoort. MANY-SPINED STICKLEBACK.

1. P. occidentalis, (C. & V.) Brevoort. TEN - SPINED
STICKLEBACK. Coastwise, abundant; sometimes ascend-
ing streams.

Var. nebulosus, (Ag.) Jordan. MANY -SPINED LAKE
STICKLEBACK. Head 3£ in length; ventral spine long;
caudal keeled; sides not mailed; silvery, much clouded
with olive; D. IX — 10; A. I, 8. Great Lakes (not
distinct from preceding except in its fresh-water habits.)

2. P. mainensis, (Storer) Brev. MAINE STICKLEBACK.
Sides with a serrated plate; body banded; D. VII — I, 9;
A. 1, 8. Kennebec R., Maine.

SUB-ORDER-PEECESOCES.

(TTie Silversides.)

FAMILY XCIX.-ATHERINID^E.

(The Silversides.)

Body elongated, more or less compressed, covered
with rather small cycloid scales; sides with a bright
distinct silvery band in all known species; dorsal spines
flexible and feeble; teeth small, numerous. Small, car-
nivorous fishes of warm regions, usually swimming in
schools near the shore; a few species in permanently
fresh water. Genera about five; species forty -five.

I

CYPRINODONTIDJ3. — C. 261

Besides the following strictly inland species, the common

Dotted Silverside [Chirostoma notatum (Mitch.) Gill]

ascends rivers from the sea.

* Mouth very oblique; the upper jaw plane above, concave within ;
the lower jaw correspondingly convex, the protractile inter
maxillaries forming a peculiar roof-like beak.

LABIDESTHES, 1.

/. LABIDESTHES, Cope. RIVER SILVERSIDES.

1. L sicculus, Cope. SILVER SKIP -JACK. RIVER
SILVERSIDE. Depth 6 in length; head 4^-; eye 3^ in
head; anal long, nearly one-third of length of body;
scales small; pale olive, translucent, dotted with black,
the silver lateral band very distinct; D. IV — 11; A. I, 23;
lat. 1. 75; length 3 to 4 inches. Western streams and
ponds, Mich, to Ills, and Tenn.; abundant where found,
but not noticed till comparatively lately. A very slender
and elegant species of delicate organism. The peculiar
" duck-like muzzle " is said to resemble that of some
CyprinodontS) especially the Central American £elone-
sox.

SUB-ORDEB.-HAPLOML

(The Toothed Minnows)

FAMILY C.-CYPRINODONTID^E.

(The Cyprinodonts.)

Head and body scaly; no barbels; margin of upper
jaw formed by intermaxillaries only; teeth in both jaws
and on pharyngeals well developed; dorsal fin far back;
caudal usually rounded; no adipose fin; lateral line rudi-
mentary; air bladder simple; no pyloric cceca; head
more or less flattened above, the lower jaw usually
longer; sexes commonly unlike, the female larger; anal

•

262 FISHES.

of male often modified into a sword-shaped intromittent
organ ; chiefly viviparous.

Small fishes of fresh or brackish waters in both con-
tinents; most abundant in warm regions. Genera twenty-
five; species one hundred and twenty. A recently dis-
covered Cyprinodont (Protistius, Cope) from S. A. is
said to have a rudimentary spinous dorsal fin, indicating a
close relationship between this family and the Percesoces.

Our numerous species are not well known, and the
current genera are but indifferently characterized. One
species (Qirardinus formosus) from S. C. and Florida is
said to be the smallest known vertebrate. The species
here mentioned are carnivorous surface swimmers; many
southern species feed on mud and slime.

* Intestinal canal short, but little convoluted; bones of each
mandibilary firmly united ; carnivorous species ; anal fin not
modified into an intromittent organ ; ventrals present,
f Teeth in a single series, incisor-like, notched ; dorsal nearly
over ventrals ; body stout and deep. CYPIUNODON, 1.

ff Teeth all pointed, in bands.
a. Dorsal fin beginning in advance of anal.

b. Branchiostegals 6 HYDRAROTRA, 2.

bb. Branchiostegals 5 FUNDULUS, 3.

act. Dorsal beginning directly opposite anal ; both fins large ;

branchiostegals 4 ; coloration peculiar. XENISMA, 4.

aaa. Dorsal beginning behind origin of anal ; branchiostegals

5 ZYGONECTES, 5.

/. CYPRINODON, Lacepede. MUMMICHOGS.
1. C. variegatus, Lac. The common coastwise species,
entering streams.

2. HYDRARGYRA, Lacepede. MAY FISHES.
1. H. majalis, (Bloch & Schn.) C. & V. The common
coastwise species — largest of our Cyprinodontidce.

CYPRINODONTIDuE. — C. 263

3. FUNDULUS, Lacepede. KILLIFISHES.

1. F. diaphanus, (Les.) Ag. BAEEED KILLLFISH.
SPBING MUMMICHOG. Sides silvery olive, with twelve
to fifteen distinct, narrow, blackish, vertical bars; head
rather narrow; D. 13; A. 13; lat. 1. 42. Coastwise,
abundant, but ascending streams to their sources, hence
found in clear springs as far inland as Mich. (Cope),
"Wisconsin (Copeland), Illinois, Colorado (Yarrow),
etc. [F. multifasciatus, (Les.) Val.]

2. F. menona, Jordan & Copeland. Similar but larger,
and the vertical bars bluish white on a darker ground.
D. 12; A. 10; lat. 1. 48. Rock River, Wis.

3. F. heteroclitus, (L.) Gthr. A common species of
the coast, ascending streams; D. 11; A. 11; lat. 1. 35.

4. F. nigrofasciatus, (LeS.) C. & V. D. 10; A. 9; lat.
1. 33; males with numerous silvery cross bars; females
with black ones. With the preceding.

4. XENISMA, Jordan. STUD FISHES.
1. X. catenata, (Storer) Jordan. STUD FISH. MAY
FISH. Pale steel blue, sides with series of bright bronze
spots, forming very distinct longitudinal streaks ; head with
bright green stripes; $ dull; throat and bars on dorsal and
anal bright orange; D. 14; A. 15; lat. 1. 47; length 6
inches. Tenn. R.; one of the handsomest of the family.
(J5T. stellifera, Jor., from Alabama River, with the spots
not in rows, is a still more brilliantly colored species.)

5. ZYGONECTES, Agassiz. TOP MINNOWS.

< JETaplochilus, Giinther.
* Body elongate, rather slender. (Zygonectes.)

264 FISHES.

1. Z. notatus, (Raf.) Jor. BLACK- SIDED

TOP MINNOW. Depth 4£ in length; head 4; head broad,
depressed; clear pale olive with a few dots above; a
wide purplish-black band along sides from snout through
eye to caudal, its margin usually serrated; D. 9; A. 11;
lat. 1. 34; length 2£ inches. Miss. Valley; abundant
(Z. pulchellus and tenellits, Grd., F. aureus, Cope, Z.
olivaceus, Ag., etc.)

** Body short, deep, much compressed. (Hfzcristius, Gill.)

2. Z. nottii, Agassiz. STRIPED TOP MINNOW. A
broad band and several dotted lines along sides; the
darker continuous bands alternating with fainter inter-
rupted ones; males transversely banded; silvery below.
Mississippi Valley and Southern streams.

3. Z. melanops, (Cope) Jordan. Yellowish brown;
belly golden; a black spot below eye; fins dotted; D. 6;
A. 8; lat. 1. 31. Neuse R. to Illinois.

4. Z. dispar, Ag. STRIPED MINNOW. Depth 4£ in
length; head 3f; the width of interorbital space f- length
of head; the width between the eyes above nearly twice
as great as below; snout broadly rounded; fins small;
D. 7; A. 9; lat. 1. 34; color bluish, each scale with a
bronze spot forming very regular longitudinal lines,
which are very distinct; males with dark cross bars;
very small; L. 1£. Rivers and lakes of Indiana and
Illinois, a singular and handsome species.

FAMILY CL— UMBRIDJ3.

(The Mud Minnows.)

Small fishes like the Cyprinodonts in most respects,
but with the mouth different; margin of upper jaw
formed by the intermaxillaries mesially and by the max-
illaries laterally; head and body scaly; no lateral line;

UMBRID^E. CI. 265

scales moderate, cycloid; lower jaw longest; dorsal far
back; caudal fin rounded; gill openings wide; teeth
villiform, on jaws, vomer and palatines. Genus one (or
two) ; (Melanura has never been properly distinguished
from Umbra)\ species two, Umbra crameri of Austria
and the following. Both are found in sluggish brooks
in mud or among weeds. " A locality which, with the
water perfectly clear, will appear destitute of fish, wilt
perhaps yield a number of mud fish on stirring up the
mud act the bottom and drawing a seine through it.
Ditches in the prairies of Wisconsin, or mere bog-holes,
apparently affording lodgment to nothing beyond tad-
poles, may thus be found filled with Melanuras"
(Baird.)

1. HELANURA, Agassiz. MUD MINNOWS.
< Umbra, Giinther.

1. M. limi, (Kirtland) Agassiz. MUD MINNOW. MUD
DACE. DOG FISH. Depth about 4 in length; head 3£;
head rather large, flattish above; greenish or dark olive;
sides with narrow pale bars, often obscure; a distinct
black bar at base of caudal; D. 14; A. 9; V. 6; lat. 1.
35; length 2 to 4 inches. Lake Champlain to Minne-
sota, chiefly northward and westward; most abundant in
Wisconsin; rare in Ohio Valley; usually associated with
Eucalia inconstans.

2. M. pygmoBct, (DeK.) Baird. EASTERN MUD MIN-
NOW. Dark brown with whitish longitudinal streaks and
no trace of cross bars; body less compressed than in M.
limi; head broader, less depressed, with larger eye;
snout shorter; profile more gibbous; D. 13; A. 7; lat. 1.
35. New York to S. C., only in Atlantic streams.

13

266 FISHES.

FAMILY CIL-ESOCID^E.
(The Pikes.)

Body elongated, sub-cylindrical, with rather small
scales; margin of upper jaw formed by intermaxillaries
mesially and by the maxillaries laterally; mouth very
large; jaws elongate, depressed; teeth strong, hooked,
unequal, on intermaxillaries, vomer and palatines; dorsal
short, opposite anal; gill openings wide; air bladder
present. Voracious fishes of the fresh waters of north-
ern regions, two or three of the species reaching a large
size. With a single exception (E. lucius, L. the Pike
of Europe and Asia) all the species belong to the U. S.

Genus one; species six or seven; the following seem
to be well characterized; many others have been de-
scribed and some of them may be good, but that has yet
to be proven.

/. ESOX, Linnaeus. PIKES.

* Lower half of cheeks as well as opercles bare ; branchiostegals
17 to 19 ; species of very large size, da/rk-spotted on a lighter
ground. (Muskallunges)

1. E. nobilior, Thompson. MTJSKALLTJNGE. GREAT
PIKE. Cheeks as well as opercles half bare; grayish
with round black spots; a magnificent fish, reaching a
length of 6 feet; B. 18; D. 3, 17; A. 3, 15; lat. 1. 155.
Great Lakes, etc. (E. estor of some authors.)

** Lower half of cheeks scaly ; of opercles bare ; branchiostegals
15 or 16 ; species of large size, white-spotted on a darker
ground. (Pikes.)

2. E. lucius, L. GREAT LAKE PIKE. NORTHERN
PICKEREL. Cheeks entirely scaly; depth 7 in length;
head 3£; olive gray; sides with round yellowish spots as
large as peas; each scale with a shining V-shaped mark
opening downwards; B. 15; D. 20; A. 17; lat. 1. 122.

ESOCICME. — en. 267

Great Lakes and headwaters of the Mississippi. A fine

species reaching a length of 3 to 4 feet. (E. estor,

lucioides, boreus* etc., of authors.)

*** Cheeks and opercles scaly; branchiostegals 12 to 15; species
of moderate or small size, reticulated or barred with dark
green on a lighter ground — sometimes plain. (Pickerels.)

f Branchiostegals 14 to 16; snout prolonged; front of eye nearly
midway in head.

3. E. reticulatus, LeSueur. COMMON EASTERN PICK-
EREL. GREEN PIKE. Head 3£ in length; the snout
much prolonged; front of eye about midway in head;
eye more than three times in snout; green, sides with
a network of brown streaks; B. 14 to 16; D. 16 to 18;
A. 15 to 17; lat. 1. 120 to 130. Streams of Atlantic
States abundant, but not found far in the interior;
smaller than the preceding, but much larger than the
next.

ft Branchiostegals normally 12 ; front of eye nearer tip of snout.

4. £. cypho, Cope. HUMP-BACK PICKEREL. Resembles
E- salmoneits, but may probably always be known by
the elevated back and broad swollen ante-dorsal region.
Colors usually plain or somewhat reticulate. Western
States.

5. E, americanus, Gmelin. BANDED PICKEREL.
TROUT PICKEREL. Head 3| in length, the snout much
shorter than in the preceding; eye much nearer snout
than opercular margin, its diameter less than 3 in snout;
dark green; sides with about twenty distinct blackish
curved bars, scarcely reticulated; B. 12; D. 13; A. 13;
lat. 1. 100; length scarcely a foot. Atlantic streams, with
the preceding. (E. niger, scomberius, fasciatus and
ornatus of authors.) (Represented S. of Va. by E. ra-
venelii, Holbr.)

268 FISHES.

6. £. sa/moneus, Raf. LITTLE PICKEREL. WESTERN
TROUT PICKEREL. Size and general form of preceding
or slenderer; olivaceous green above; white below; sides
with many reticulations and curved streaks, instead of
bars; a black streak in front of eye as well as below;
B. 12; D. 13; A. 14; lat. 1. 112. Western streams, abund-
ant in the Ohio Valley. (E. umbrosus, Kirtland.)
Resembles reticulatus more than americanus.

FAMILY CIIL— AMBLYOPSID^E.

(TJie Gave FisJies.)

Fishes with the ventral fins rudimentary or wanting;
the vent jugular, in front of the pectorals, and the eyes
sometimes rudimentary and concealed under the skin;
margins of upper jaw formed by interraaxillaries alone;
head naked; body with small, cycloid scales, irregularly
arranged; no lateral line; villiform teeth on jaws and
palate; dorsal far back, opposite anal; stomach coecal,
with pyloric appendages; some (and probably all) vivi-
parous.

Fishes of small size living in subterranean streams and
ditches of the central and southern U. S. Three genera
and four species are " all of the family yet known, but
that others will be discovered and the range of the
present known species extended is very probable. The
ditches and small streams of the lowlands of our South-
ern Coast will undoubtedly be found to be the home of
numerous individuals, and perhaps of new species and
genera, while the subterranean streams of the central
portion of our country most likely contain other species."
{Putnam.')
* Eyes rudimentary, concealed under the skin ; body colorless.

Ventrals present, small. . . . AMBLYOPSIS, 1.

Ventrals entirely wanting. . . TYPHLICHTHYS, 2.

AMBLYOPSLD.E. — CIH. 269

** Eyes well developed ; body colored ; no ventrals.

CHOLOGASTEK, 3.

/. AMBLYOPSIS, DeKay. LARGER BLIND FISH.
1. A. spelcBus, DeKay. BLIND FISH OF THE MAM-
MOTH CAVE. Head 3 in length; D. and A. equal, well
developed; head and body with papillary ridges; scales
small; colorless; D. 10; A. 9; V. 4; P. 11; length 2 to
5 inches. Subterranean streams of Ky. and Ind., Mam-
moth Cave, Wyandot Cave, etc.

2. TYPHLICHTHYS, Girard. SMALL BLIND FISH.
1. T. subterraneus, Grd. General character of Am-
blyopsis, but the head rather blunter and broader for-
wards; D. 7 or 8; A. 7 or 8; P. 12; length 2 inches or
less. Subterranean streams in Ky,, Tenn., Ala,

3. CHOLOGASTER, Agassiz, DITCH FISHES

1. C. cornutus, Ag. Head 3 in length; eye moderate,
well developed; snout with two horn-like projections;
yellowish brown, dark above; sides with three dark lines,
becoming dots on the tail; middle rays of C. dark, fins
otherwise uncolored; D. 8 or 9; A. 8 or 9; P. 12; length
2 to 2£ inches. Ditches in a rice field, Waccamaw, S. C.
Three specimens known.

2. C. agassizii, Putnam. Head 4 in length; eyes
larger; uniform light brown, otherwise as above; length
1 to 2 inches. Subterranean streams in Tenn. and Ky.

270 FISHES.

/

SUB-OKDER-ISOSPOKDYLI.

(The Trout-like Fishes.)

FAMILY CIV.— PERCOPSID.E.

(The Trout Perches)

Body covered with moderate-sized ctenoid scales; head
naked; no barbels; opercles well developed; gill open-
ings wide; an adipose fin; jaws with villiform teeth; no
teeth on vomer or palate; margin of upper jaw formed
by intermaxillaries alone ; branchiostegals six. A single
genus and one or two species inhabiting the fresh waters
of the northern U. S. Interesting little fishes, with the
general characters of Salmonidce, but having the mouth
and scales decidedly Perch-like.

/. PERCOPSIS, Agassiz. TKOTTT PERCHES.
1. P. guttatus, Ag. Depth 4£ in length; head 3f ;
silvery, almost pellucid; upper parts with rounded dark
spots made up of minute dots; D. 11; A. 7; L. 10;
Great Lakes; Ohio R. (Jordan)', Potomac R. (Baird)\
Delaware R. (Abbott.)

FAMILY CV.-SALMONID^E.

(The Trout.)

Head naked, body scaly, no barbels; margin of upper
jaw formed by intermaxillaries mesially and by maxil-
laries laterally; adipose fin present; belly rounded; air
bladder large, simple; pseudobranchiae present; pyloric
appendages usually numerous; eggs falling into the
cavity of the abdomen before exclusion. Fresh waters
of northern regions, many species periodically descend-
ing to the sea; a few permanently marine.

Genera sixteen; species one hundred and sixty. The

SALMONID^E. — CV. 271

variations due to age, sex and food are very great, and
have led to the establishment of a great number of nomi-
nal species in all the leading genera, particularly in
Salmo.

* Jaws with evident teeth.

f Dorsal moderate, of less than 20 rays; teeth strong, on jaws,

vomer and tongue.
\ Scales small, often imbedded in the skin; lat. 1. 100 or

more SALMO, 1.

J| Scales moderate, deciduous, not imbedded; lat. 1. 60 to 70.

OSMERUS, 2.
ft Dorsal very high of 20 or more rays ; teeth small.

THTMALLUS, 3.

** Teeth wanting or reduced to slight roughnesses ; scales rather
large, loose. ....... COREGONUS, 4.

/. SALMO, Linnaeus. SALMONS.
J^~ For Revision of this group see Addenda, page 355.

* Anadromous species, running up from the sea into fresh water

to spawn; the young remaining there for a time, then return-
ing to the sea where they remain except during the season
of reproduction; upper jaw in males moderately if at all
hooked. (Salmo.)

1. S. salar, L. GREAT SEA SALMON. No red spots;
young (known as Parr, or Smolf) with dusky cross bars;
males in the spawning season with the lower jaw strongly
recurved and hooked; body covered with black and red
patches; others silvery, with small black dots; eleven or
twelve scales in a transverse series from behind the adi-
pose fin obliquely forward to the lateral line; D. 14; A.
11; lat. 1. 120. Northern Europe and America, S. to
Cape Cod.

2. S. quinnat, Rich. COLUMBIA RIVEE SALMON, known

272 FISHES.

by the large number of anal rays (16), has been lately
introduced into Eastern streams.

** Species not anadromous, living entirely in fresh water or only

occasionally passing down to the sea. (Trout.)
f In flowing fresh water, retiring to deeper places in winter;
red-spotted.

3. S. fontinal/'s, Mitchill. BROOK TROUT. SPECKLED
TROUT. Mouth wide; teeth moderate; body olivaceous,
variegated with blackish, with numerous red spots;
lower fins usually orange with black and white marginal
bands; dorsal with black spots; colors variable; young
barred; D. 12; A. 12; lat. 1. 200. A well known and
beautiful fish, in clear brooks from the French Broad R.
to the Arctic regions.

ft In deep rivers or lakes, ascending shallow streams to spawn.
a. Red-spotted.

4. S. oquassa, Grd. BLUE -BACK TROUT. OQUASSA.
Slender, "the most graceful of all the trouts;" blue or
bluish above; sides and below silvery in female, orange
in male; sides spotted with orange in both sexes; upper
fins bluish, bordered with orange ; lower fins fiery orange,
margined with white. Oquassa L. and other lakes in
Maine.

aa. Black-spotted.

5. S. sebago, Grd. SEBAGO LAKE TROUT. UNION
RIVER TROUT. Every where black-spotted; scales quite
large; D. 14; A. 10; V. 10; lat. 1. 115. Sebago L.,
Union R., and other waters in Maine. (S. gloveri, Grd.)

ftf Trout living in deep fresh water lakes, coming to the shores
to spawn in shallow water ; never entering running brooks
or passing to the sea.

6. S. namaycush, Bloch. MACKINAW TROUT. GREAT
LAKE TROUT. Stout; head very large, 3£ in length;

SALMONIDJE. — CV. 273

bones of head strong; posterior point of juncture of
opercle and sub-opercle much nearer the upper end of
the gill opening than to the lower anterior angle of the
sub-opercle; teeth strong; fins large, the caudal deeply
forked; color grayish, more or less spotted, varying much
with circumstances; D. 13 to 14; A. 12; V. 9; lat. 1.
220; length 2 to 6 feet. All the Great Lakes, north to
the Arctic Sea; a fish of much firmer flesh than the next.
(S. amethystus, Mitch.)

7. S. siscowet, Agassiz. SISCOWET. L. SUPERIOR
TROUT. Stout; head smaller, 4J in length; posterior
point of junction of opercle and sub-opercle nearer to
the lower anterior angle of sub-opercle than to the upper
end of gill opening; fins and teeth well developed but
weaker than in S- namaycush; ventrals farther back;
caudal less forked; flesh fat and not firm; grayish, with
round white spots and markings; D. 12 to 14; A. 12;
lat. 1. 200. L. Superior, L. Huron.

8. S. confinis, DeK. LAKE TROUT OP NEW YORK.
Blackish, with gray spots; body unusually short and
thick. Lakes of Central and Western N. Y. ; a doubtful
species.

9. S. symmeirica, Prescott. WIJTNIPISEOGEE TROUT,
Grayish and brown above, marbled with darker; white
below; body unusually slender and symmetrical. Lake
Winnipiseogee; also a doubtful species.

2. OSMERUS, Linnaeus. SMELTS.

1. 0. mordax, (Mitch.) Gill. COMMON SMELT. Head
4 in length; eye 4 to 4J in head; teeth stout, especially
large on the tongue ; transparent greenish, a silvery band
along sides; scales very loose; D. 11; A. 15; lat. 1. 66.

18J

274 FISHES.

Coast, Nova Scotia to Virginia; also " land-locked " in
fresh water ponds in Maine, etc. (0. viridescens, Mitch )
Var. spectrum, (Cope) Jordan. LAND-LOCKED SMELT
Head 4£ in length; eye large, 3 in head; depth 8^ in
length. Wilton Pond, Maine.

Var. abbotlii, (Cope) Jordan. ABBOTT'S SMELT. Head
4f in length; eye 4£ in head; depth 7 in length; colors
dark; lat. 1. 68. Cobessicoiitic L., Maine.

3. THYMALLUS, Cuvier. GRAYLINGS.
1. T. tricolor, Cope. MICHIGAN GRAYLING. Depth
4f- in length ; head about the same ; purplish gray, silvery
below; dorsal with rosy markings and rows of green or
blue spots; D. 27; A. 13; lat. 1. 97. Waters of the
north pare of the S. peninsula of Michigan; a beautiful
fish.

4. COREGONUS, Linmeus. WHITE FISHES.

§ Lower jaw longest; Ciscoes. (Argyrosomus, Agassiz.)
* Body sub-fusiform ; depth 4 to 5 in length.

1. C. artedi, LeS. LAKE HERRING. MICHIGAN
HERRING. Head 4f in length (4^ to 5$) ; depth 4 (3f to
4£); eye 4 in head; maxillary 3£ to 3f; mandible 2£;
scales rather large and loose; bluish above, silvery on
sides and below; D. 12; A. 13; lat. 1. 76; length 12
to 18 inches. Great Lakes, etc., very abundant; a
shallow water species. (Goregonus albus^ clupeiformis,
luciduS) harengus, etc., of authors.)

Var. sisco, Jordan. Cisco OF LAKE TIPPECANOE.
Head 4£; depth 4£; eye 3| in head; maxillary 3£; man-
dible 2£; longest dorsal ray three times length of shortest;
steel blue above, sides silvery but without the clear luster
of C. hoyi, finely punctate; D. 11; A. 13; lat. 1. 84.
Lakes of Indiana and Wisconsin, living in deep water

SALMONID^E. — CV. 275

except at the spawning season ; very close to the preced-
ing, of which it is probably a variety, but the habits are
more like those of the next.

2. C. nigripinnis, (Gill) Jor. BLACK FIN. Head 4£ in
length; depth the same; eye 4 in head; body compressed;
fins blackish, darker than in the others; D. 12; A. 12;
lat. 1. 80; length 16 to 18 inches; a much larger fish
than the preceding. Lake Michigan, in deep water.

** Body elevated ; depth about 3 in length.

3. C. tullibee, Rich. TULLIBEE. Head 4£ in length ;
D. 15; A. 15; lat. 1. 77. L. Superior and N.

§ Upper jaw projecting beyond the lower; " White Fish." (Gore-
gonus.)

4. C. hoyi, (Gill) Jor. Cisco OF LAKE MICHIGAN.
Head 4 in length; depth 4-J; eye large, 3f in head; max
illary 2f ; mandible 2; longest ray of dorsal four times the
length of the shortest; upper jaw somewhat projecting,
the mouth appearing much as in Goregonusj bluish
above, sides lustrous silvery, more brilliant than in any
other species; D. 11; A. 12; lat. 1. 74; length 8 inches.
Smallest and handsomest of the Ciscoes, in the deep
waters of the Upper Lakes.

5. C. clupeiformis, (Mitch.) LAKE WHITE FISH. Depth
3£ in length; head small, 5^; eye 4 in head, about as
long as snout; form varying much with age, sex and
food; the back generally elevated, and the sides com-
pressed; pale olive above; sides white; D. 13; A. 13;
lat. 1. 75 to 86. Great Lakes and bodies of water tribu-
tary to them, north to the Arctic Sea. (This species
seems to be Mitchill's Salmo clupeiformis, and the latter
specific name will perhaps have to supersede albus.)
(C. sapidissimus, latior, richardsonii^ etc., of authors.)

276 FISHES.

Var. otsego, (DeWitt Clinton.) OTSEGO LAKE WHITE
FISH. A form, said to have smaller scales, and dusky
lateral stripes, and to be peculiarly excellent for food,
found in Otsego Lake, N. Y. ( = (7. clupeiformis.)

Var.? novanglice, (Prescott.) SHAD - WAITER. A
slender, short - headed form, found in L. Winnipiseogee,
N. H. ( = (7. quadrilateral-is.)

Var.? neohantoniensis, (Prescott.) WHITING. A lit-
tle known species or variety found also in Lake Winni-
piseogee. ( = C. labradoricus, Rich.)

6. C. quadrilateralis, Rich. MENOMONEE WHITE
FISH. Body much more slender, its depth 5 in length;
snout compressed, projecting; maxillary very short and
small, less than one-fifth the length of head, not reaching
to eye; D. 14; A. 13; lat. 1. 88. Great Lakes and north-
ward, easily distinguished from the preceding.

7. C. couesii, Milner. CHIEF MOUNTAIN WHITE
FISH. Form of preceding, but mouth inferior and upper
jaw produced in a cutaneous appendage; D. Ill, 12; A.
IV, 10; lat. 1. 88. Upper Missouri region and perhaps
occurs in Minnesota. A curious species, more unlike the
typical Coregonus than the species of Argyrosomus are.
The genus Argyrosomus is not a good one and should
be reunited to Coregonus. Several other species of
Coregonus have been described from within our limits,
but I do not think them valid.

FAMILY CVL— HYODONTID^E.

(The Moon Eyes.)

Body much compressed, covered with large, silvery
cycloid scales; head naked; margin of upper jaw formed
by intermaxillaries mesially and by maxillaries laterally;

HYODONTID^J. — CVI. 277

no barbels; no adipose fin; lateral line distinct; abdo-
men not serrated, compressed; moderate sized teeth on
jaws, vomer, sphenoid, hyoid, pterygoid and palatine
bones; tongue with large teeth; head short, deep; eye
very large; gill openings wide; one pyloric appendage;
air bladder simple. Three species, inhabiting our West-
ern Streams and the Great Lakes,

/. HYODON, LeSueur. MOON EYES.
* Belly scarcely carinate ; dorsal rays 12. (Hyodon.)

1. H. tergisus, LeSueur. MOON EYE. SILVER BASS.
TOOTHED HERRING. Depth 3^ in length; head 4f;
snout rounded, shorter than the large eye, which is 3^ in
head; scales largest on the flanks; pale olivaceous above,
sides brilliantly silvery; D. 3, 12; A. 30; V. 7; lat. 1.
59; length 1 foot. Great Lakes and Mississippi Valley,
abundant; one of our most beautiful fresh water fishes;
variable; it has been described under many names.

2. H. selenops, Jordan & Bean. SOUTHERN MOON
EYE. Body elongate, not greatly compressed; depth 4
in length; belly in front of ventrals transversely rounded
(very slightly carinated in H. tergisus)', head 4^ in
length; eye very large, 2| in head; D. 3, 12; A. 27.
Cumberland River and South.

** Belly strongly carinated both before and behind ventrals ; dorsal
fin, very small, of nine rays; (Elattonistius, Gill & Jor.)

3. H. chrysopsis, Rich. GOLDEN MOON EYE. Body
deep, closely compressed; depth 3£ in length; head 4£;
eye moderate, 3^- in head; pectorals much shorter than
in the other species, nearly as long as head, about reach-
ing ventrals; length of longest dorsal ray half greater
than base of fin (about equal to it in the other species) ;
D. 3, 9; A. 31; lat. 1. 58. Minnesota and northward.

278 PISHES.

FAMILY CVII.— CTJJPEIMS.
(The Herrings.)

Body scaly; head naked; abdomen compressed to am
edge and sharply serrated; margin of upper jaw formed
by intermaxillaries mesially and maxillaries laterally;
maxillaries composed of three pieces which are some-
times movable; teeth usually minute or wanting; dorsal
moderate; anal often very long; scales usually large and
loose; no lateral line; gills well developed; posterior
part of tongue usually provided on each side with a row
of conspicuous "gill-rakers;" gill openings wide.

In most seas, many species entering fresh water to
spawn, a few remaining permanently. As here restricted,
there are about twelve genera, and one hundred and
twenty species. Many are highly valued as food fishes.
The mouth in Dorosoma is so peculiar, that it is prob-
ably best to regard that genus as forming a distinct
family (Dorosomatidce).

* Upper jaw not projecting beyond the lower. (CLTJPEIN^:.)
f Teeth wanting, or on tongue only (rarely a few weak teeth in
jaws) no dorsal filament; scales regularly arranged, not
ciliated; upper jaw emarginate.

\ Depth 3£ in length; cheeks higher than long; preopercle
with a very short horizontal process. . . ALOSA, 1.
\\ Depth 3£ to 3£ in length ; cheeks longer than high ; pre-
opercle with an oblong horizontal process.

POMOLOBUS, 2.

** Upper jaw projecting beyond the lover. (DoROSOMiN^;.)
a. Body compressed, deep; last ray of dorsal filamentous;
mouth toothless. , , , DOROSOMA, 3.

/. ALOSA, Cuvier. SHADS.

1. A. sapidissima, (Wilson) Storer. COMMON SHAD.
Head 4£ in length; eye 5 in head; bluish, sides silvery;

CLUPEID^E. — CVII. 279

scales large; D. 18; A. 21; V. 9; lat. 1. 68. Newfound-
land to Florida, entering rivers; also lately introduced
into Western streams; a valuable food fish. (A.prcesta-
bilis, DeK.)

2. POMOLOBUS, Rafinesque. GASPEREAUS.

1. P. pseudoharengus, (Wils.) Gill. ALEWIFE. GAS-
PEREAU. SPRING HERRING. Head 4 in length; eye 4
in head; bluish, sides iridescent; D. 18; A. 18; V, 9.
Newfoundland to Florida, entering rivers, sometimes
land-locked in ponds ; a common food fish. (A. tyrannus,
DeK. A. cyanonoton, Stor., etc., etc.)

Var. lacustris, Jordan. CAYUGA LAKE SHAD. Head
4 in length; body much heavier forward than in the
others; depth of head 4^- in length of body; eye large,
longer than snout, 3 in head; scales large, loose; caudal
peduncle in its narrowest place not half wider than eye;
steel blue, punctate; sides silvery; D. 15; A. 19; lat. 1.
45; 33 scutes in all, 13 behind ventrals. Cayuga L.,
N. Y., dredged in deep water. (Same as preceding.)

2. P. chrysochloris, Raf. OHIO GOLDEN SHAD. SKIP
JACK. Head 4 in length; eye 4^ in head; body ellipti-
cal, much compressed; scales large, high, rather firm;
depth of head 5£ in length of body; caudal peduncle
about twice width of eye; brilliant blue with green and
golden reflections, silvery below; D. 18; A. 18; lat. 1. 55;
17 scutes behind ventrals. Ohio R. and lower Mississippi;
a handsome species. Jaws with distinct teeth.

3. DOROSOMA, Rafinesque. GIZZAED SHADS.

= Chatoessus, Cuvier.

1. D. cepediana, (LeS.) Gill. HICKORY SHAD.
GIZZARD SHAD. Head 4 in length; depth 2-|; origin of

280 PISHES.

dorsal behind ventrals, nearer snout than caudal; uni-
form bluish gray; often with a dark shoulder blotch; D.
13; A. 32; lat. 1. 55. Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras,
chiefly marine, but often land-locked in ponds, where it
becomes D. insociabile, Abbott.

Var. heterura, (Raf.) Jor. OHIO GIZZARD SHAD.
THREAD SHAD. Head 3£ in length; depth 2f to 3 in
length; dorsal about midway, slightly behind ventrals;
dorsal filament nearly one-fourth length of body; bluish,
sides bright silvery. Ohio R. and lower Mississippi,
apparently not descending to the Sea; also escaped into
the Great Lakes. The difference between the curve of
the ventral and dorsal outlines is greater in heterura
than in the Eastern variety.

SUB-ORDER.-EVE^TOGKA-THL

(The Carp-like Fishes.)
FAMILY CVIIL— CYPRINID^E.

(The Minnows.)

Head naked, body scaly (except in Meda, etc.) ; mar-
gin of upper jaw formed by intermaxillaries alone;
mouth toothless; lips much less developed than in the
Catostomoids; barbels two to four (absent in most of our
genera and not large in any); lower pharyngeal bones
well developed, falciform, nearly parallel with the gill
arches, each provided with one to three series of teeth
in small number, rarely more than seven on each side;
belly usually rounded, rarely compressed, never serrated;
gill openings moderate, separated by a narrow isthmus;
no adipose fin; dorsal fin (in all our species) short, with
less than ten rays; air bladder usually large, commonly
divided into an anterior and a posterior lobe, rarely

OYPRINIDJS. — CVIH. 281

wanting; stoyiach without appendages, appearing as a
simple enlargement of the intestines.

Small fishes of the fresh waters of the Old World and
of North America. Genera about one hundred and fifty,
species seven hundred to one thousand; excessively
abundant where found, both in individuals and in species,
and from their great uniformity in size, form and color-
ation, constituting one of the most difficult groups in all
Natural History in which to distinguish species, Ours
are mostly of smaller size than those of the Old World,
several of the larger European types being represented
in America by Catostomoid forms. Our largest species,
/Semotilus bullaris, rarely attains a weight of three or
four pounds, and a length of nearly eighteen inches.
The smaller Hybopses and Hemitremice scarcely reach
a length of two inches.

The spring or breeding dress in many genera is
peculiar. Often the top of the head, and sometimes the
whole dorsal region* also, is covered in the males with
rows of spinous tubercles, outgrowths from the epider-
mis, and usually the skin of the muzzle is then swollen and
charged with pigment. In Semotilus and Oeratichthys
these tubercles are quite large and cover the front and
sides of the head; in Pimephales and ^Syborhynchus
they are placed entirely on the front of the obtuse snout;
in Campostoma the whole dorsal region, and sometimes
the whole body, is rough with large tubercles; in Luxi-
lits, Cliola, Lythrurus, Telestes^ and Minnilus, the
prickles are quite small and crowded on the upper sur-
face of the head and neck.

In some genera, the re-ales in spring are adorned with
bright tints of red, which give these little fishes a
temporary brilliancy scarcely surpassed even by Trouts
or Darters. In Luxilus^ Lythrurus, Campostoma and

282 FISHES.

) the red appears chiefly as pigment in the
membranes of some or all of the fins, the sides of the
body being usually more or less flushed; in Rhinichthys
and Gila, the black of a portion of thr lateral band
usually changes to red; in Chrosomus, and Phoxinus,
the pigment lies mostly in the skin of the belly, and
in Minnilus it is chiefly about the head and the bases
of the fins. In Pimephales and Hyborhynchus, black
pigment is deposited in the skin of the head, and in the
species of the sub-genus Photogenis, satin - white pig-
ment occurs in the fins. So far as is known to me,
species of Hemitremia, Hybognaihus, Coliscus, Phena-
cobius, Exoglossum, Ericymba and some species of
other genera show no special variations in the breeding
season.

NOTE. — Young Gyprinidce usually are more slender than adults
of the same species, and the eye is always much larger ; they also
frequently show a black lateral stripe and caudal spot which the
adults may not possess. Spots on the fins are generally charac-
teristic.

The student will find it necessary from the first to examine very
carefully the teeth of these fishes, as the genera, as now accepted,
are largely based on dental characters. The pharyngeal bones in
the smaller species can be removed by inserting a pin (or better, a
small hook) through the gill-opening, under the shoulder-girdle.
The teeth should be carefully cleaned with a tooth-brush, or better,
a jet of water, and when dry may be examined by any sort of hand
magnifying-glass. In most cases a principal row of four or five
larger teeth will be found, in front of which is a set of one or t^o
smaller ones. The two sides are usually but not always sym-
metrical. Thus, "teeth 2, 4 — 5, 1," indicate two rows of teeth on
each side, on the one side, four in the principal row and two in
the lesser, on the other side five in the main row and one in the
other. "Teeth 4 — 4" indicates a F ingle row of four on each
pharyngeal bone, and so on.

In most of our genera, these teetl? — or the principal ones, are
" raptatorial," that is, hooked inward at the tips. A '• grinding " or

CYPEJNID^E. — CVIII. 283

"masticatory" surface is an excavated space usually at the base
of the hook. Sometime when no masticatory surface is present a
lateral bevel of the edge of the tooth much resembles such a sur-
face, and should be carefully examined. In young individuals of
many species the 'edges of the teeth are more or less crenate or
serrate. This condition is permanent in the Southwestern genus
Cypnnella and in Notemigonus.
* Native species; fins without serrated spines; dorsal fin short,

of less than 10 rays,
f Dentary bones slender, arched and widely separated except at

their symphysis ; lower jaw not three-lobed.
\ Air-bladder suspended in the abdominal cavity and sur-
rounded by many convolutions of the long alimentary
canal, which is six to nine times the length of the body ;
(Campostomatince.)

Teeth in Ihe principal row 4 — 4, with oblique grinding
surface and no hook ; mouth inferior ; lips sheathed,
the upper pr6tractile ; sexual differences very great, the
males covered with large tubercles in spring.

CAMPOSTOMA, 1.
\\ Air-bladder above the alimentary canal and contiguous to

the roof of the abdominal cavity.

b. Rudimentary dorsal ray forming a sort of spine separated
from first developed ray by a membrane ; head short ;
mouth small, inferior; upper jaw protractile; teeth 4 —
4, with grinding surface, not strongly hooked ; aliment-
ary canal elongate, two or three times length of body ;
males with very large tubercles on the snout; (fins
short; a black spot on front of dorsal about halfway
up ; scales in front of dorsal small.)

c. Lateral line incomplete ; body short ; head round.

PIMEPHALES, 2.
cc. Lateral line complete ; body rather elongate.

HYBORHTNCHUS, 3.

66. Rudimentary ray at beginning of dorsal, not spine-like,
firmly attached to the first developed ray.

d. No barbel at the angle of the mouth.

e. Teeth 4 — 4, cultriform, without hook, and with oblique

284 FISHES.

grinding surface ; alimentary can^l elongate, four
times the length of body or more ; premaxillaries
projectile; lips attenuate, without sheath; scales
large.

/. Lateral line almost wanting ; mduth oblique; dor-
sal in front of ventrals. . . . COLISCUS, 4.
ff. Lateral line complete ; mouth horizontal ; dorsal
over ventrals. . . . HYBOGNATHUS, 5.
ee. Teeth raptatorial, more or less strongly hooked ; ali-
mentary canal usually short, about as long as body
(in Notemigonus and Chrosomus somewhat elongate.)

g. Lateral line complete (rarely obscure or wanting on

the last five or six scales.)
h. Teeth in the principal row 4 — 4.
i. Teeth with masticatory surface developed.
,;'. Dorsal fin beginning above some part of base
of ventrals ; anal basis short, its rays seven
to nine.
k. Teeth 4-4 ; scales normal. HUDSONIUS, 6.

kk. Teeth 2, 4-4, 2 ; scaies closely imbricated.

LUXILUS, 7.

y. Dorsal fin beginning entirely behind ventrals,
between ventrals and anal ; anal elongate, of
ten to twelve rays; (small, elongate species
with the mouth oblique, the teeth 2, 4 — 4, 2,
and a black soot at base of dorsal fin in front.)
LYTHRURUS, 8.

ii. Teeth without masticatory surface.

1. Lips thin, normal ; opercular and mandibul-
ary bones without externally visible muc-
ous chambers.
m. Dorsal fin beginning entirely behind

CYPBINID^E. — CV3H. 285

ventrals; body elongate, with the
mouth oblique, terminal and the head
more or less pointed; scales large;
anal basis somewhat elongate, the rays
usually 10 • teeth usually 2, 4 — 4, 2.

MINNILUS, 9.

mm. Dorsal fin beginning over ventrals ; body

rather shorter, but similar as to form,

form of head, mouth, scales, etc. ; anal

basis rather short; the rays usually 8.

EPISEMA, 10.

II. Suborbital, interopercle and base of mandible

much dilated, cavernous, crossed by muc-
ous, channels, (readily seen under any cir-
1 cumstances by looking at the head of the
fish from below) ; snout thick ; mouth
small, inferior; teeth 1, 4 — 4, 0; dorsal
over ventrals. . . ERICYMBA, 11.

III. Lips thick, fleshy, the lower enlarged be-
hind; mouth small, inferior; teeth 4 — 4;
dorsal fin beginning anterior to ventrals;
elongate species,resembling young Suckers.

PHENACOBIUS, 12.
Kh. Teeth in the principal row 5 — 5 or 4 — 5 ; dorsal

entirely behind ventrals.

n. Anal basis not elongate, of nine or fewer rays ;
teeth entirely without masticatory surface,
two-rowed.

o. Mouth normally large and oblique; scales
small ; (a very large group embracing a very
wide variety of forms ; the typical Western
species are very large, with somewhat the
aspect of J&sox, with large mouth, depressed
head, arched back and very slender caudal
peduncle; the Eastern species are small, but
typically have very large oblique mouths
and brilliant coloration in the spring; no
black spot at the base of the dorsal in front.)
TELESTES, 13.

286 FISHES.

(oo. Semotilus corporalts with a black spot at the
base of the dorsal in front, and 8. bullarts a
large species with large scales, have the bar-
bel so minute as to be easily overlooked;
they may therefore be looked for here.)

SEMOTILUS, 18.

(poo. Phoxinus margaritus, with small scales, a
small, horizontal mouth, and short, rounded
head, has the lateral line so nearly com-
plete that it may be looked for here.)

PHOXINOS, 16.

nn. Anal basis elongate, of 12 to 15 rays; teeth
5 — 5, with grinding surface and the edges cre-
nate-serrate ; belly sub-carinate ; body deep,
much compressed, with small head, small,
oblique mouth, and the lateral line greatly
decurved ; alimentary canal elongate.

NOTEMIGONUS, 14

gg. Lateral line incomplete or wanting.
p. Dorsal behind ventrals ; scales very small ; mouth

oblique.

q. Teeth 4 — 5 or 5 — 5, with grinding surface ; ali-
mentary canal elongate. CHBOSOMUS, 15.
qq. Teeth 1 or 2, 5 — 4, 1 or 2, without grinding sur-
face; alimentary canal short; body short and

thick PHOXINUS, 16.

pp. Dorsal over ventrals ; scales large ; teeth 4 — 5,

(rarely 4 — 4) with grinding surface; alimentary

canal short. . . . HEMITREMIA, 17.

dd. Maxillary provided with a small— often very minute

— barbel; alimentary canal short; teeth hooked.

r. Premaxillaries projectile, the skin of the lip separ-
ated by a groove from that of the forehead.

«. Teeth two-rowed, the principal row 4 — 5, without
grinding surface; barbels minute, just above
the angle of the mouth ; size large, dorsal fin in-
serted more or less backwards. SEMOTILUS, 18.

CYPRINID.E. — CVIII. 287

88. Teeth in the principal row 4 — 4 ; the barbel at the

extremity of the maxillary.

t. Teeth with developed grinding surface; dorsal
fin directly over ventrals ; scales large ; head
broad, much depressed, nearly flat above, re-
sembling the head of a Oyprinodont.

PLATYGOBIO, 19.

U. Teeth without grinding surface ; dorsal fin be-
ginning over, slightly before or slightly behind
ventrals; head not flattened. CERATICHTHYS,SO.
rr. Premaxillaries not projectile, the skin of the lip
continuous with that of the forehead ; teeth 2, 4 — 4,
2, without grinding surface ; dorsal behind ventrals ;
barbel terminal ; scales very small ; mouth more or
less inferior. . . . RHINICHTHYS, 21.
ff Dentary bones straight and flat, united throughout their
length; mandible much incurved, tongue-like, a lobe on.
each side of it at base ; air bladder normal ; bones of head
not cavernous; intermaxillaries not projectile. (Exoglos-
since.)

u. Teeth 1, 4 — 4, 1, hooked, without grinding surface ; dorsal

slightly behind ventrals ; no barbels. EXOGLOSSUM, 22.

** Species introduced from the Old World ; dorsal very long and

anal short, each preceded by a stout spine which is serrated

behind.

v. Mouth without barbels teeth compressed, 4 — 4. (Carassimce.)

CABASSIUS, 23.

vo. Mouth with four long barbels ; teeth molar 1, 3—3, 1, (Gy-
prinmce.) , CYPRINUS, 24.

/. CAMPOSTOMA, Agassiz. STONE LUGGERS.

1. C. anomala, (Raf.) Ag. STONE LUGGER. STONE
ROLLER. Brownish, with a brassy luster above, the
scales more or less mottled with dark; a black vertical
bar behind opercle; iris usually orange-red; dorsal and
anal each with a dusky cross-bar about half way up, the

288 FISHES.

rest of the fin olivaceous, or in spring males fiery orange ;
males in spring with many rounded tubercles on head,
and usually the whole upper surface — in no other genus
are these nuptial appendages so extensively developed—
scales deep, rather small and crowded anteriorly; intes-
tinal canal six to nine times the total length of the body,
its numerous convolutions passing above and around the
air-bladder, an arrangement found in Campostoma alone
among all the Vertebrates; D. I, 8; A. I, 7; lat. 1. 50 to
55; L. 4 to 8; herbivorous. Mississippi Valley, every
where abundant; one of the most curious and interesting
of American fishes. [C. dubium, (Kirt.) Cope. C. cal-
lipteryx, gobioninum^ etc., Cope.]

2. PIMEPHALES, Rafinesque. ROUND -HEADED

MINNOWS.

1. P. promelas, Raf. FAT-HEAD. BLACK HEAD.
Head almost globular, black in adult males; snout in $
with several large tubercles; body very short and deep;
scales crowded; eye small; mouth very small and short;
a large black dorsal blotch; males dusky; females oliva-
ceous; D. I, 7; A. I, 7; lat. 1. 46; L. 2|. Ohio Valley
to Upper Missouri. Known at sight, as it resembles
nothing else.

3. HYBORHYHCHUS, Agassiz. BLTJNT-NOSED MINNOWS.
1. H. notatus, (Raf.) Ag. BLUNT- NOSED MINNOW.
Brownish or bluish, a dusky shade along sides, sometimes
forming a caudal spot; a distinct black spot on middle
of front rays of dorsal; head short; snout in spring
males with disproportionately large tubercles, usually
fourteen in all; no distinct barbel at each angle of the
mouth; scales in front of dorsal small and crowded;
D. I, 8; A. I. 7; lat. 1. 45; L. 3 to 4. N. Y. to Tenn.,
Wis., and Mo.; very abundant in the Ohio Valley.

CYPRTNID^. — CVIII.

2. H. suparciliosus, Cope. Head broader; a distinct
barbel at each angle of the mouth; scales on sides high
and narrow. With the preceding, of which it is perhaps
a variety.

4. COLISCUS, Cope. COLISCTJS.

1. C. par/eta/is, Cope. Silvery; D. I, 7; A. I, 8; lat.
1. 42. Missouri.

5. HYBOGNATHUS, Agassiz. BLUNT- JAWED MINNOWS.

1. H. nuchal is, Ag. BLUNT -JAWED MINNOW. Sub-
orbital bones broad and short, not long and narrow as
in the next; head 4f in length; eye small, shorter than
snout, 4 to 44 in head; depth 4£ in length, about equal
to length of head; D. I, 8; A. I, 8; lat. 1. 38; L. 2£.
Ohio Valley and W. This and the next may be readily
known from the Hybopses, which they strongly resemble
externally, by the peculiarities of the intestines.

2. H. argyrJt/s, Grd. SILVERY MINNOW. Olivaceous
green above, sides clear silvery with bright reflections;
fins unspotted; eye large, longer than muzzle, 3 to 4 in
head; depth 4^ in length; scales in front of dorsal quite
large; lateral line decurved; head large, upper jaw
heavy; D. I, 8; A. I, 8; lat. 1. 38; L. 5. N. J. to S. C.
and W. to the Upper Missouri; abundant in the larger
streams; one of our handsomest dace. (II. osmerinus,
Cope, not in the least different.)

3. H. regius, Grd. ROYAL MINNOW. Head 5 in
length; mouth small; bright silvery; D. I, 9; A. I, 9;
L. 7; lat. 1. 38. Maryland and Virginia; a species
similar to the preceding but apparently much larger j
the two need further comparison.

290 FISHES.

6. HUDSONIUS* Girard. MINNOWS.

* Mouth inferior, horizontal, small (rarely oblique, and the teeth

4 — 4) ; dorsal over or in front of ventrals.
f Teeth two-rowed ; body elongate, silvery, the head contained
5i to 6 times in total length, including caudal fin; dorsal
fin beginning in front of ventrals; grinding surface of teeth
often more or less distorted or even obliterated. (Hudsonius,
Grd.)

1. H. storerianus, (Kirt.) Grd. STORER'S MINNOW.
Silvery, scales with black dots, forming a dark lateral
stripe; snout blunt, about as long as eye; depth 5 in
length; D. I, 8; A. I, 7; lat. 1. 41. Great Lake region,
etc.

2. H. fluviaiilis, Grd. SPAWN-EATER. Silvery, often
•with dark shades; snout much shorter than eye, bluntly
rounded; depth 4 in length; D. I, 8; A. I, 8; lat. 1. 38;
teeth usually 2, 4 — 4, 2. Lakes and rivers; abundant
eastward. (Huds. flumatilis, Grd.)

3. H. amarus, (Grd.) " SMELT." Very similar,
but paler and with the snout much less decurved, less
blunt than the two preceding species; D. I, 7; A. I, 8;
lat. 1. 38; teeth usually 1, 4 — 4, 1. Penn. to Ga. (H.
phaenna, Cope.)

ft Teeth 4 — 4 ; body shorter, small ; head larger, 4| to 5 in length,
with caudal fin ; dorsal fin beginning over ventrals ; small
species, usually without bright colors.
J Mouth inferior or horizontal, small.
a. Lateral line 43 to 45 ; a spot on dorsal fin in front.

4. H. tuditanus, Cope. Form, coloration and dentition
of Hyborhynchus notatus, but with the alimentary canal

• The name Hybopsis, usually applied to this genus, was apparently based
on a species of Ceratichthys. Alburnops , also sometimes used, on species of
Z/uzilu*.

CYPRINID.E. — CVIII. 291.

short, and the dorsal spine not distinct; olivaceous;
scales black edged; 27 scales in front of dorsal fin. In-
diana; a species unknown to me.

aa* Lateral line 36 to 37.

5. H. spectruncu/us, Cope. Eye large; head broad
and flat; a plumbeous lateral band and black caudal spot;
fins reddish; A. I, 9. Tennessee River.

6. H. stramineus, Cope. STRAW-COLORED MINNOW.
Mouth small; snout very obtuse; body rather stout;
coloration pale; 12 to 15 large scales in front of dorsal;
a small, pale, insignificant species. Common in our
Western streams.

aaa. Lateral line 31 to 33.

7. H. procne, Cope. Scales large; caudal peduncle
contracted and slender; dorsal region compressed and
elevated; muzzle very obtuse; a plumbeous lateral band
over black pigment; D. I, 8; A. I, 7. Pennsylvania
N. J., etc., common; one of the smallest species.

8. H. missuriensis, Cope. Form stout, with large head
and thick caudal peduncle; twelve scales before dorsal;
colors rather pale; D. I, 8. Missouri, etc.

9. H. microstomus, (Raf.) Jordan. LONG-HEADED
MINNOW. Head elongated ; a silvery band along sides
and a series of black dots along lateral line; depth 5 in
length; caudal peduncle not abruptly contracted; pec-
torals long, nearly reaching ventrals; D. I, 8; A. I, 7;
lat. 1. 33. Va. to Ky. (H. longiceps. Cope.)

10. H. volucellus, Cope. LONG -FINNED MINNOW.
Head flattened, elongate, 3f in length; pectoral fins
unusually long, reaching to ventrals; caudal peduncle
slender; olivaceous, a dusky lateral band. Michigan and
Wisconsin.

292 FISHES.

\\ Mouth larger, oblique; the jaws about equal.
6. Lateral line 35.

11. H. frefensis, Cope. Body compressed and elong-
ate, as in the genus Notropis / lateral line decurved;
seventeen rows of ^scales in front of the dorsal; a broad
plumbeous shade on sides. Mich, to 111.

Vb. Lateral line 44.

12. H. hmmaturus, Cope. RED -TAILED MINNOW.
Lateral line nearly straight; colors dull; sides not sil-
very; a dusky spot at base of caudal; caudal fin dull,
brick-red; anal short, I, 7. Tributaries of Lake Michigan.
** Teeth 1, 4 — 4, 1 ; dorsal fin inserted just behind ventrals; fins

and lower parts with milk-white pigment in spring, never
red ; dorsal with a large black spot on the last rays, about
hall-way up (an important feature). (Photogenis, Cope.)

13. H. galacturus, (Cope) Jor. MILKY-TAILED SHINER.

Bluish above, sides bright silvery, with bright reflections;
base of caudal fin largely yellowish, or cream-color;
teeth rarely serrate; head 4^- in length; depth 4f ; mouth
large, nearly horizontal; body slender, more elongated
and less compressed than in the next; scales smooth and
firm, usually with dusky edges; D. I, 8; A. I, 8; lat. 1.
40; L. 5. Cumberland River and S., abundant. Re-
sembles the next, but larger, and with a larger mouth.

14. H.ana/ostanus,(Gira,rd)Jor. SILVER FIN. Leaden
silvery; fins satin white in the breeding season; dorsal
with a conspicuous black spot, as in the preceding; head
4 in length, rather short and deep; mouth rather small,
very oblique, yet the lower jaw received within the upper
in the closed mouth; body much compressed; depth 3f
in length; D. I, 8; A. I, 8; lat. 1. 35 to 40; L. 3£. Teeth
usually more or less serrate. Cayuga L., N. Y. (S. J?.
Gage), to N. J., Va., and Ind., abundant. In full breed-
ing dress one of the most exquisite of all our fishes.
L. kentuckiensis, Kirt., not of Raf.

CYPRINLD^E. — cvni. 293

7. LUXILU5, Rafinesque. SHINERS.

( =-Hypsilepis, Baird.)
(=Plargyrus, Girard.)

*Teeth 2, 4 — 4, 2 ; fins with red pigment, but no white. (Luxilus.)
f Dorsal over ventrals ; body deep, with very high scales.

1. L. cornutus, (Mitch.) Jordan. COMMON SHINER.
RED-FINNED SHINER. ROUGH-HEAD. RED-FIN. Adult
deep steel blue or olivaceous above, with golden verte-
bral and lateral bands, very conspicuous in life; sides
silvery, rosy in males in spring; fins plain olivaceous or
somewhat dusky, becoming crimson in spring; young
olivaceous and silvery, not closely resembling the adult;
depth 3 to 5 in length, greater than length of head in
adults; head large; mouth moderately oblique, the
lower jaw not projecting; lateral line much decurved;
D. I, 8; A. I, 9; lat. 1. 40 to 45; L. 6. U. S. from Maine
to the Rocky Mountains, everywhere abundant, and
extremely variable. The adults may be known at once
by the high and narrow exposed surfaces of the scales;
the young often need close attention. (Plargyrus typi-
cus, Grd.; L. chrysocephalus, Raf.; L. diplemius and
plargyrus, Kirt. ; Leuciscus frontalis, Ag., a stout variety
from the Great Lakes.)

2. L. selene, Jor. SILVER SHINER. Smaller and
much more elongate, deptfi 4£ in length; head short and
stout, about the same ; eye 3 in head, very large ; lateral
line little decurved; scales large, much less narrowed
than in L. cornutus ; dorsal high; D. I, 8; A. I, 7; lat. 1.
40; bluish above; sides silvery. Lake Superior.

f Dorsal distinctly behind ventrals; body elongate; lower jaw
longest.

294 FISHES.

3. L coccogenis, (Cope) Jordan. RED-CHEEKED
SHINER. Steel blue, sides silvery; dorsal, caudal, and
pectorals red in the male; adults of both sexes with the
upper jaw, base of dorsal and a vertical streak down the
cheeks, bright orange red, the latter mark appearing
like a brand; dorsal and caudal with a broad dusky bar;
slimmer than cornutus ; depth 4£ in length, about equal
to length of head; mouth very oblique, the lower jaw
projecting (excepting in tuberculate males); D. I, 8; A.
I, 9; lat. 1. 42. Tributaries of the Tennessee R., abund-
ant; a beautiful and very distinct species.

fff Dorsal behind ventrals; mouth small; scales little
imbricated.

4. L. Jacertosus, Cope. A large dull-colored species
with broad, deep head, 4 in length, and large scales;
mouth wide; eye large; silvery, dusky above. Tennessee
River.

5. L. plumbeolus, Cope. Body compressed, elongate;
lower jaw projecting; color uniform silvery; A. I, 9; lat.
1. 39; teeth 2, 4. Great Lakes.

6. L chalybceus, Cope. PIGMY MINNOW. Muzzle
flat; head 4 in length; caudal peduncle abruptly slender,
lateral band very distinct, shining black; A. I, 8; lat. 1.
36. Penn., N. J.; one of the smallest of the Cyprinidce;
length 1£ inches; (resembles Hemitremia bifrenata.) The
males in the spring are brilliantly colored, the lower parts
being largely orange.

7. L rubricroceus, Cope. CKIMSON FALL FISH. A
small, rather deep-bodied species having somewhat the

CYPRINHXE. — CVHI. 295

form of a Minnilus; lower jaw rather longest; 19 rows
of scales in front of the dorsal; lat. 1. 38; coloration
most brilliant; clear greenish and silvery; males brown-
ish orange above; lateral band, chin and snout largely
vermilion; sides red or yellowish. Tennessee and
Savannah Rivers. Abundant in the clear mountain
streams and below waterfalls. Several other similar
brilliantly colored species occur farther south.

8. LYTHRURUS, Jordan. RED-FINS.

1. L. cyanocephalus, Copeland. ELITE-HEADED RED-
FIN. HOY'S RED FISH. Body short, stout and deep,
the depth 4 in length; the axis of the body being half
nearer the ventral than the dorsal outline; head very
short and deep, 4£ in length; mouth large, very oblique;
D. I, 8; A. I, 12; lat. 1. 46. Head bright glaucous blue
in males in spring; sides and fins chiefly crimson, the
black dorsal spot conspicuous; teeth 2, 4 — 4, 2. South-
ern Wisconsin; near the next but much more chubby,
with somewhat the aspect of Pimephales.

2. L. diplcamius, (Raf.) Jordan. RED-FIN. Bright
steel blue, with purplish shades, silvery below; a large
black spot on the anterior rays of dorsal in front; fins
otherwise unicolor, plain olivaceous in $, brilliant brick
red in spring males; scales with more or less dark edg-
ing; nuptial tubercles minute, very numerous, whitish,
chiefly on the upper surface of head; body much corn-
pressed; back elevated; head deep^ rather obtuse; depth
3f in length; D. I, 9; A. I, 10; lat. 1.44; L. 3. Western
streams, generally abundant; an exceedingly brilliant
fish in the breeding season ; known at all times by the
dorsal spot and compressed body, with large fins and

296 FISHES.

long caudal peduncle. (Rutilus ruber, Raf.) (Not Leu-
ciscus diplemiuS) Kirt.)

3. L. ardens, (Cope) Jordan. SOUTHERN RED- FIN.
Colors similar, but red on sides more conspicuous; head
rather pointed, with the mouth still more oblique; depth
5 in length; D. I, 9; A. I, 11; lat. 1. 50. Cumberland
and Roanoke Rivers. (Aspect more of Notropis.)

9. MINNILUS, Rafinesque. ROSY -FACED MINNOWS.
(=J/mm7w$, Raf.; AlbumeUus, Girard.)

1. HI. rubrifrons, (Cope) Jordan. ROSY - FACED MIN-
NOW. Olive above, with a clear green lustre; sides sil-
very; a dark vertebral line; forehead, opercular region,
base of dorsal, etc., flushed with red in spring; upper
surface of head minutely tuberculate in males at that
season; head rather pointed, about 3$ in length; depth
4£; eye about 4 in head; D. I, 8; A. I, 10; lat. 1. 38;
L. 3 or less. Ohio Valley, abundant; an elegant little
fish, well distinguished from -AT. rubellus by the smaller
size, deeper body and much longer head, as well as by
peculiarities of form.

2. U. dilectus, (Grd.) Jordan. DELECTABLE MINNOW.
Intermediate between the preceding and the next;
smaller than rubellus and more thick-set; head=depth,
about 5 in length; eye longer than snout, 3 in head;
coloration of the others; D. I, 8; A. I, 11; lat. 1. 42; L.
3£. Ohio R., (New Albany, Dr. Sloan) to Arkansas R.
and S. (Type of Alburnelltcs.)

3. H. rubellus, (Ag.) Jordan. ROSY MINNOW. Light
olive, with brilliant clear green lustre; a dark vertebral
line, and dark edges to the dorsal scales; sides brilliantly
silvery, the lustre overlying a plumbeous lateral shade;

CYPRLNID.E.— cvm. 297

forehead, etc., rosy in spring; sides sometimes rosy
tinted; golden dorsal and lateral stripes, conspicuous in
life as in most silvery species; head short, somewhat
pointed, 5 in length; depth 5£ to 5£; eye 4 in head;
D. I, 8; A. I, 10; lat. 1. 38; L. 4 to 5. Great Lakes and
Ohio Valley; abundant in the larger streams; even more
graceful in form and delicate in coloration than the pre-
ceding.

4. HI. dinemus, (Raf.) Jor. EMERALD MINNOW. Color-
ation exactly as in M. rubellus, but the body very
slender and less compressed, more elongated than in any
other of our Cyprinidce, the depth being only from one-
sixth to one-seventh of the length; head 4f in length;
eye 3£ in head; fins as in preceding; L. 4 to 5. L. Mich-
igan and Ohio Valley, in the larger streams, like the
others, "going in flocks." (A. jaculus and A. arge^
Cope.) (This is Rafinesque's "Emerald Minnow," the
type of his genus Minnilus. This species and the two
preceding are not very well separated.)

5. M. micropteryx, (Cope) Jordan. SMALL -FINNED
MINNOW. Resembles M. rubrifrons, but the fins all very
low, the ventrals scarcely reaching to the line of the
middle of dorsal; head 4^- in length; depth 5^- to 5f ;
lat. 1. 39; L. 3. Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers.

6. M. photogenis, (Cope) Jor. WHITE -EYED SHINER.
An extremely variable species, differing from all of the
preceding in the less posterior position of the dorsal,
and in the rather more compressed form; depth 4£ to 7
in length; head 4 to 4£ in length; eye 3£ in head, large
and white; olive green; no red pigment; sides silvery;
male minutely tuberculate about the head in spring;
dorsal fin beginning much nearer caudal than end of

298 FISHES.

muzzle; D. I, 8; A. I, 10; lat. 1. 40. Streams of the
Allegheny region from Penn. S. (Photogenis leucops,
Cope.)

7. M. telescopus, Cope. Similar, but more slender
(usually), and the mouth more oblique; dorsal still less
posterior, midway between snout and origin of caudal;
sea green; dorsal scales dark-edged; sides silvery; eye
larger, 2f in head; D. I, 8; A. I, 10; lat. 1. 38. Tennes-
see River; perhaps a variety of the preceding.

8. U. lirus, Jordan. STEEL - SIDED MINNOW.
Smaller than any of the preceding, and very slender ;
the depth 4f in length; the head small, 4J; scales very
small, and very thin, so that young specimens appear
naked; the scales in front of dorsal, 25 in number,
especially small; fins small; dorsal far back; head in
spring males strongly tuberculate, and the fins red;
color, very pale transparent green; sides with a very
distinct metallic steel-blue band; D. I, 8; A. I, 10; lat.
1. 45; L. 2£. Tennessee and Alabama Rivers; a strongly
marked species, related to the genus Lythrurus^ but the
teeth are sharp- edged.

10. EPISEMA, Cope & Jor. WHITE-CHEEKED SHINEKS.
(Photogenis^ Cope — in part; Episema, Cope & Jordan.)

1. E. ariomma, (Cope) Jor. BIG -EYED SHINEB.
General appearance of JV. rubellus, but larger, reaching
a length of nearly 5 inches; eye very large, 2£ in head,
relatively larger than in any other of our Minnows; head
large; bluish above, sides bright silvery; D. I, 8; A. I, 9;
lat. 1. 40. White R., Indiana, abundant, but not yet
recdgnized elsewhere.

2. E. scabriceps, (Cope) Jor. ROUGH-HEADED SHINER.
Head broad, prickly in spring; eye large, 3 in head;

CYPKINID^E. — cvm. 299

head flattish above; mouth little oblique; greenish, sides
leaden silvery; D. I, 8; A. I, 8; lat. 1. 38. Ohio Valley.

3. £. leucioda, (Cope) Jor. Head 4£ in length; eye
moderate, 3£ in head; olive, scales above dark-edged;
sides silvery with a purple band; muzzle and base of
dorsal red in males; a black spot at base of caudal fin;
D. I, 8; A. I, 8; lat. 1. 39. Tennessee River.

//. ER ICY MB A, Cope. EEICYMBAS.
1. £. buccafa, Cope. SILVER - MOUTHED DACE.
Elongate; depth nearly 5 in length; head 4; eye large,
3 in head; olivaceous above, sides brilliantly silvery, a
narrow vertebral line, and a lateral chain of brown dots;
upper jaw rather large, its profile angulated; mucous
channels in lower jaw very conspicuous; D. I, 8; A. I, 8;
lat. 1. 33; L. 5. Ohio Valley, Penn. to Kentucky,
and Illinois, abundant. A beautiful little fish singularly
distinguished from all our other species by the cavernous
bones of the head.

12. PHENACOBIUS, Cope. PHENACOBIES.
(=/Sarcidmm, Cope.)

1. P. uranops, Cope. Head 4f in length; body very
long and slender, nearly cylindric; isthmus very wide;
chest naked; eyes large, high up, 3£ in head; depth 6£;
lips very thick, tuberculate; pale, a darker lateral streak;
D. I, 8; A. I, 7; lat. 1. 60. Tennessee R.

2. P. teretu/us, Cope. Head=depth, 4f in length;
form stouter than in the preceding; chest scaled; lips
plicate; a dusky lateral band; D. I, 8; A. I, 7; lat. 1. 43.
Streams of W. Va.

3. P. scopiferus, (Cope) Jor. Form comparatively
stout j depth 4 in length; head not large, 4f in length;

300 FISHES.

lower lip developed only on the sides of the jaw as a
conspicuous lobe; thorax naked; D. I, 8; A. I, 7; lat. 1.
44. Missouri to Illinois. (P. teretulus, var. liosternus^
Nelson.)

13. TELESTES, Bonaparte. LONG- JAWED SHINERS.
* Scales very small; mouth large, very oblique, the lower jaw
projecting and considerably compressed ; form elongate ; size
small. (Clinostomus, Grd.)

1. T. elongata, (Kirt.) Jordan. RED-SIDED MINNOW.
Dark bluish, mottled by paler scales; sides with a broad
black band, the front half of which is bright crimson in
the spring; a dark dorsal stripe; mouth very large, the
lower jaw narrowed and projecting farther than in any
other of our Dace; a little knob at the tip which over-
laps the end of the upper jaw; body much elongated,
but little compressed; depth 5 in length; head 4£; eye
moderate, about 3£ in head; D. I, 8; A. I, 8; lat. 1. 70 to
75; L. 4. Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, etc.; a handsome
species.

2. T. proriger, Cope. LONG-JAWED SHINER. Rather
more compressed than the preceding; and paler in color
with larger scales; lat. 1. 60 to 65; otherwise very similar,
perhaps a variety; D. I, 8; A. I, 7. Ohio Valley.

3. T. esfor, Jordan & Brayton. PIKE SHINER. Body
quite deep and compressed; depth 4^ in length; head
very long and large, 3£ in length; mouth very large and
oblique, even larger than in T. elongata; lateral line
strongly decurved; scales moderate, much larger than in
the preceding; lat. 1. 50; D. I, 8; A. I, 8; teeth
2, 4 — 5, 2; color bluish olive; sides silvery, bright crim-
son in males; no dark lateral band. Cumberland and
Tennessee Rivers.

CYPRINLD^E. — CVin. 301

4. T. funduloides, (Grd.) Cope. ROSY DACE. A light
and a dark lateral band; snout pointed; mandible shorter
than in the preceding, less compressed; eye larger, 3 in
head; depth 5 in length; head 4^; D. I, 9; A. I, 8; lat. 1.
48. Streams about Chesapeake Bay and S.

5. T. vandoisula, (Val.) Jor. Body deeper, depth=
length of head, 3f in body; eye rather small, 3£ in head;
no dark lateral band; sides rosy, fins orange; D. I, 9;
A. I, 8; lat. 1. 53. Virginia to South Carolina. (G.
affinis, Grd. C. carolmus, Grd.)

14. NOTEMIGONUS, Rafinesque. GOLDEN SHINEBS.
= Stilbe, DeKay (preoccupied in Botany.)
= Stilbius, Gill (substitute for Stilbe.)
= Z/uxilus, Girard (not of Raf.)
= Leucosomus, Storer (not of Heckel.)
= Plargyrus, Putnam (not of Raf.)
< Abramis, Cuvier (a closely related European genus.)

1. H. chrysoleucus, (Mitch.) Jordan. SHINER. STILBE.
BREAM. Body much compressed; abdomen trenchant;
head small, about 4 in length; depth 3 (2£ to 4); lateral
line much decurved; scales small on the back, much
larger below; dark steel blue or green above, sides
silvery or golden, every where with brilliant reflections,
green, yellow, and red; young specimens paler, looking
like young Luxili, but the adults are among the largest
in the family and bear a strong resemblance to Shad, a
circumstance which has misled many observers, and
among them Rafinesque; D. I, 7; A. I, 14.; lat. 1. 45 to
50. New England to Minnesota and S.; abundant in
bayous, ponds, and weedy streams; this species is much
more tenacious of life than is any other of our Cypri-
noids. [N. auratus, Raf. S. chrysoleuca, ( Mitch. )
DeK. A. versicolor, DeK.]

302 FISHES.

2. N. americanus, (L.) Jor. SOUTHERN BREAM. Body
rather more elongate, still more strongly compressed;
head flattish above; eyes very large, 3 in head (instead
of 4); anal fin much larger than in JV. chrysoleucus;
D. 1, 8; A. I, 16; lat. 1. 43; coloration pale; males
with the lower fins scarlet. Virginia to Georgia. (N.
ischanus, Jor.)

15. CHROSOMUS, Rafinesque. RED-BELLIED MINNOWS.
1. C. erythrogaster, Raf. CHROSOMUS. RED -BEL-
LIED DACE. Brownish olive, with black spots on the
back, a black or brown band from above the eye, straight
to the tail ; another below, running through eye, decurved
along the lateral line; belly and space between bands
bright silvery, brilliant scarlet red in spring males, as
are the bases of the vertical fins; a dark vertebral line;
females obscurely marked; D. I, 8; A. I, 9; lat. 1. 80 to
90. Penn. to Wis. and Tenn., abundant in small streams;
one of the most beautiful of our fishes; in high coloration
the fins are bright yellow, and the body is minutely
tuberculate. There seems to be but one well-defined
species. It is the most desirable of all our minnows for
aquarium purposes, being hardy, graceful, and brilliantly
colored.

16. PHOXINUS, Rafinesque (1820 !). EUROPEAN MIN-

NOWS.

* Lateral line very short.

1. P. neog&us, Cope. NEW WORLD MINNOW. Black-
ish above, a broad black lateral band through eye,
becoming a spot on the tail; belly white; fins dusky;
head large, 3£ in length; depth rather less; mouth large,
oblique; eye large; D. I, 7; A. 1, 7; L. 3; lat. 1. 77.
Southern Mich. (Cope)', Baraboo R., Wis. (Bundy)\ a

. — cvm. 303

curious fish, related to the Minnow of Europe (.P. Icevis,

Ag.)

2. P. flammeus, Jordan & Gilbert. FLAMING MINNOW.
Black above, silvery below; a black lateral band; belly
flame color in spring males; body stout, depth 4 in
length; head about the same; mouth small, oblique, the
lower jaw projecting; scales much larger than in P.
neogoeusj lat. 1. 43; D. I, 8; A. L, 8; tubes of lateral
line developed only on 14 scales. Elk River, Tennessee.

** Lateral line almost complete.

3. P. margaritus, (Cope) Jor. PEAELY DACE. Head
=depth 4 in body; scales small, much crowded forwards;
lateral line hardly complete, the tubes wanting on the
last 3 to 8 scales; head blunt, short and rounded; mouth
quite small, oblique, the upper jaw the longer, the lower
jaw not compressed; color light olive; sides dusky;
belly in summer bright crimson; D. I, 8; A. I, 8; lat.
1. 58. Teeth 2 5 — 4, 2; a stout-bodied species.

17. HEMITREMIA, Cope. HEMITKEMES.
* Teeth 4—5.

1. H. vittaia, Cope. SOUTHERN HEMITREMIA. Dusky;
a black lateral band, and above this several paler and
smaller ones, the upper running into the dorsal line ; fins
small; depth 4 in length; head 4£; D. I, 8; A. I, 7;
lat. 1. 34; L. 2. Head waters of Tennessee and Cumber-
land Rivers. (Description from Kentucky specimens.)

** Teeth 4 — 4. (Genus Chriope, Jor.)

2. H. heterodon, Cope. NORTHERN HEMITREMIA.
Head = depth, about 4 in length; snout flat, rather
pointed; back compressed, elevated; olive, a dusky
lateral shade; D. I, 8; A. I, 8; lat. 1. 35. Mich., Wis.

3. H. bifrenata, Cope. EASTERN HEMITREMIA. Head

304 FISHES.

=depth, 4^ in length; snout blunt; olive, a burnished,
jet - black lateral band of a deeper color than in any
other small minnow; D. I, 8; A. I, 7; lat. 1. 36. Mass.
to Md., abundant.

18. SEMOTILUS, Rafinesque. CHUBS.

* Dorsal fin well behind ventrals, with a black spot at base; scales
small, crowded forwards, 45 to 70 in the lateral line. (Semo-

1. S. corpora/is, (Mitch.) Putnam. COMMON CHUB.
HORNED DACE. Body stout, depth 4£ in length; head
large, 3f ; dusky above, especially along edges of scales;
sides bluish, a black lateral band in young; silvery
below, sides and fins flushed with crimson in spring;
D. I, 8; A. I, 8; lat. 1. 55 to 65; L. 10 to 12. New Eng-
land (Housatonic R., Jordan) to the Missouri region and
S.; the most widely diffused of our Cyprinidce, except-
ing N~ocomis biguttatus. It may be known under all
circumstances by the large head and the peculiar dorsal
spot. (S. atromaculatus dorsalis, cephalus, speciosus,
etc., etc., of authors.)

** Dorsal very slightly behind ventrals, without black spot at
base in front ; scales large, about 50 in lateral line, not much
crowded forwards. (Leucosoimis, Heckel.)

2. S. bullaris, (Raf.) Jor. FALL FISH. DACE. ROACH.
Brownish above, with blue reflections; sides silvery,
rosy in spring; depth 4^ in length; head 4; D. I, 8;
A. I, 8; lat. 1. 46 to 50; largest of our Eastern Cyprinidce,
reaching a length of 18 inches. New England to Vir-
ginia, generally abundant in the rapids of the larger
streams. (Semotiliis rhotheus, argenteus and pulchellus,
Auct.; Leucosomus cataractus^ Baird.)

20. PLATYGOBIO, Gill. FLAT -HEADED CHUBS.
1. P. gracilis, (Rich.) Gill & Jordan. Body long and

CYPRINED^E. — cvm. 305

slender; mouth large, the upper jaw longest; barbel
well developed; fins large; head small and much flat-
tened above; scales large, olivaceous; sides silvery.
D. I, 7; A. I, 7; lat. 1. 50. Minnesota north and west,
abundant; a large species of a singular form. (Pogon-
ichthys communis, B. & G.)

20. CERATICHTHYS, Baird. HORNY HEADS.
(Nocomis, Girard.)

* Mouth terminal, large; teeth 4 — 4 (sometimes 1, 4 — 4, 1); size
large ; dorsal over ventrals.

1. C. biguttaius, ( Kirt. ) Girard. HORNED CHTJB.
JERKER. Bluish olive, sides with bright green and
coppery reflections; a curved blotch behind the opercle;
fins pale orange, unspotted; white below, rosy in spring;
adult males in the spring with the top of the head very
much swollen, elevated into a sort of crest, sometimes
nearly one-third of an inch higher than the level of the
neck, covered with large tubercles; a stout species, with
large scales which are not crowded anteriorly; young
with a dark caudal spot; head 4 in length; depth nearly
the same; D. I, 8; A. I, 7; lat. 1. 40 to 45; L. 6 to 9.
Penn. to Utah and S.; abundant almost every where; the
most widely diffused of all our fresh water fishes. \C.
biguttatus, (Kirt.) Bd., C. stigmaticus^ cyclotis, etc.,
Cope.] Breeding males sometimes have a red spot on
each side of head, hence the specific name.

2. C. micropogon, Cope. Head short, almost exactly
as in Luxilus cornutus; barbel small; caudal peduncle
slender; teeth 4 — 4; lat. 1. 40. Conestoga R.; but one
specimen known — perhaps a hybrid.

306 FISHES.

** Mouth sub-inferior, rather small, the upper jaw the longer;
size not large ; teeth 4 — 4, or 1, 4 — 4, 1.

f Dorsal fin in advance of ventrals.

a. Lateral line 36 to 40; head short; lips little developed;
teeth 1, 4—4, 1.

3. £. amblops, (Raf.) Cope & Jordan. BIG - EYED
CHUB. Head rather broad; eye large, 3 in head, greater
than the width of the broad interorbital space; snout
blunt; barbels well developed; mouth rather larger than
in the next; color olivaceous or bluish, sides silvery,
often with a dusky band; D. I, 8; A. I, 8; lat. 1. 38. Ohio
Valley; resembles somewhat Cliola ariomma^ but has a
very different mouth.

4. C. winchelli, (Grd.) Jor. CLEAR CHUB. Head nar-
rower; eye large, 3 in head, much wider than the narrow
interorbital space; snout moderately blunt; barbels short;
colors darker, a dark lateral stripe. Tennessee River
and South, perhaps a variety of the preceding. (C.
hyalinus. Cope.)

CM. Lateral line 45 to 50 ; long, slender species, with the head
elongate ; lips more developed ; teeth 4 — 4.

5. C. dissimilis, (Kirt.) Cope. SPOTTED SHINER.
Pale olivaceous, sides bright silvery, with a bluish
lateral band, widened at intervals into spots ; fins immac-
culate; depth 5 in length; head 4; eye large, 3£ in head;
D. I, 8; A. I, 7; lat. 1. 47 to 50; L. 6. Ohio Valley and
Lake region, not uncommon.

ft Dorsal fin inserted distinctly behind ventrals; lips greatly
developed ; a black blotch on last rays of dorsal.

6. C. monachus, Cope. SOLITARY CHUB. Form
elongate, as in Phenacobius / a dark caudal spot;
eye small, 4 in head; lat. 1. 56. Tennessee R. Several

CYPRINID.E. — cvni. 307

brightly colored species allied to this occur farther
South.

** Mouth terminal; teeth 2, 4—4, 2; size large; dorsal very
slightly behind ventrals. (Genus Couesius, Jor.)

7. C. prosthemius, Cope. LAKE CHUB. Depth 5
in length, equal to length of head; eye 4 in head;
snout blunt; mouth small; dusky above, sides plumbeous;
lat. 1. 63; L. 6 to 7. Great Lakes.

8. C. milneri, Jordan. MILNEK'S CHUB. Depth 4£
in length, equal to head; head flattish above, with a
broad snout which projects over the large oblique
mouth; barbel well developed; eye large, 3f in head;
D. I, 8; A. I, 8; lat. 1. 68; scales crowded forwards;
colors of Semotilus corporalis^ but the fins unspotted.
Lake Superior.

22. RHINICHTHYS, Agassiz. LONG - NOSED DACE.

= Argyreus, Heckel (preoccupied.)

* Snout projecting considerably beyond the mouth ; body slender,
depth usually 5 to 6 in length ; barbels evident.

1. R. cataracftB, (C. & V.) Jor. LONG - NOSED DACE.
Brownish, mottled, not banded; eye half the length of
the long snout; head 3£ in length; D. I, 8; A. I, 7;
lat. 1. 63; L. 5. New England to Va. and Wis., in clear
brooks. [72. nasutus, (Ayres) Ag.]

2. R. marmoratus, Ag. MAKBLED DACE. Brown,
marbled; eye 2£ in snout; head 4£ in length; lat. 1. 70.
Great Lakes. (Doubtfully distinct.)

** Snout scarcely projecting; body stout; depth 4 to 5 in length;

barbels scarcely visible.
f A distinct dark band from snout to caudal (red in spring.)

3. R. afronasus, (Mitch.) Ag. BLACK- NOSED DACE.
Dusky, belly silvery; lateral band bright crimson in

308 FISHES.

spring, becoming orange in summer, black at other
times; fins often rosy in spring; depth 4f in length;
head 3f ; D. I, 8; A. I, 7; lat. 1. 65. New England to
Ohio Valley, in clear brooks; abundant Eastward.

4. R. obtusus, Ag. BROWN- NOSED DACE. Similar;
sides with a brown band, edged above and below with
paler; head 4 or more in length; D. I, 8; A. I, 8; lat. 1.
63 to 70. Western streams. Usually paler than the
preceding and more robust in form; probably a variety
rather than a distinct species. (R. lunatus, Cope.)

*** Snout projecting; barbels quite evident; form stoutest; depth
4J- in length.

5. R. meleagris, Agassiz. Head 4 — 4£ in length;
barbels long and distinct; snout projecting, narrowed,
overlapping the lower jaw; eye small, 5 in head; D. I, 7;
A. I, 7. Illinois and Iowa.

23. EXOGLOSSUM, Rafinesque. STONE TOTEES.

1. E. maxillilingua, (LeS.) Haldeman. DAY CHUB.
CUT- LIPS. NIGGER CHUB. Body stout; depth 4£ in
length, head 4; eye small, nearly 5 in head; dorsal be-
hind midway between snout and caudal; dusky above,
a blackish shade along caudal peduncle; D. I, 8; A. I, 8;
lat. 1. 50 to 55; L. 4 to 6. W. N. Y. (Susquehanna basin)
to Virginia; a fish of remarkable appearance, singularly
distinguished from all our other Cyprinidce by the three-
lobed lower jaw.

24. CARASSIUS, Nilsson. CRUCIAN CARPS.
1. C. auratus, (L.) Bleeker. GOLD FISH. Orange or
blackish, rarely pale; D. I, 19; A. I, 8; lat. 1. 26; ex-
ceedingly variable in domestication. Asia; common every
where in aquaria, Lnd now naturalized in many of our
eastern streams.

CATOSTOMID^. — CIX. 309

25. CY PR IN US, Linnaeus. CARPS.
1. C. carpio, L. EUROPEAN CARP. Olivaceous;
D. Ill, 20; A. Ill, 5; lat. 1. 37. European, introduced
into some eastern rivers.

FAMILY CIX.-CATOSTOMIDJE.

(TTie Suckers.)

Cyprinoid fishes of medium or large size, with the
pharyngeal teeth in a single series, very numerous and
closely set; intermaxillaries forming but a small part of
the upper arch of th£ mouth, the maxillaries entering
into it extensively on each side; mouth toothless, with
fleshy lips, extremely protractile, roundish when fully
protruded; dorsal fin long; anal short and rather high;
no barbels; scales large; head naked; air bladder large,
divided into two or three parts by transverse constric-
tions. Genera twelve, Pantosteus, Cope, and the follow-
ing; species about fifty, abounding every where north
of Mexico; one genus (Myxocyprimis) occurs in China,
and a species of Gatostomus in Siberia; all the rest are
North American.

* Body oblong or elongate, with a short, sub-quadrate dorsal fin
of 10 to 17 developed rays ; anal rays uniformly 7. (Oatosto-
mince.)

f Mouth singular; the upper lip not protractile, greatly
enlarged; the lower lip developed as two separate lobes;
the lower jaw provided with a sheath,

o. Air bladder in three parts ; scales large, sub-equal ; pharyn-
geal bones and teeth ordinary ; fontanelle well developed ;

lateral line present QUASSILABIA, 1.

ff Mouth normal, the lower lip undivided or merely lobed —
either tuberculate or plicate.

6. Air bladder in three parts ; lateral line present ; fontanelle
present ; scales large, sub-equal ; ventral rays normally,
but not constantly, 9.

310 FISHES.

c. Pharyngeal bones very broad and strong ; the lower
7 to 10 teeth on each side, greatly enlarged and trun-
cate ; the teeth on the upper part of the bone small,
as usual in the family. . . PLACOPHARYNX, 2.

cc. Pharyngeal bones not especially enlarged; the teeth
strongly compressed, of the usual type.

MYXOSTOMA, 3.
bb. Air bladder in two parts.

d. No lateral line ERIMYZON, 5.

dd. Lateral line imperfect. . . MINYTREMA, 4.
ddd. Lateral line well developed; lips tuberculate.
e. Fontanelle distinct; no mandibulary sheath.
/. Scales moderate, not crowded forwards, about
equal over the body ; body long and little com-
pressed; head transversely concave between
orbits, long and flattened ; the physiognomy
being therefore peculiar ; ventral rays 9.

HYPENTELIUM, 6.

ff. Scales, small, smaller anteriorly and much
crowded; head transversely convex between
orbits ; ventral rays normally 10.

CATOSTOMTJS, 7.

* Body much elongated, sub-cylindrical forwards ; dorsal elongate,
falciform, of 30 or more rays; fontanelle obliterated by the
union of the parietal bones. (Cycleptince.)

g. Mouth small, subinferior, with papillose lips ; scales rather
small CYCLEPTUS, 8,

*** Body oblong oval, compressed ; dorsal elongate, elevated in
front, of 20 or more rays; fontanelle present. (Bubo-
lichthyincB.)
h. Dorsal rays about 30 in number (24 to 33) ; anal rays about

10 (9 to 12) ; scales large.
i. Pharyngeal bones narrow, with the teeth relatively thin and

weak.

j. Mouth small, inferior, protractile downwards ; dorsal fin
often greatly elevated. . . . CABPIODES, 9.

CATOSTOMID.E. — C1X. 311

jj. Mouth larger, sub-terminal, protractile forwards (species
of larger size, dusky colors, with lower dorsal).

ICHTHYOBTJS, 10«

u. Pharyngeal bones strong ; the teeth comparatively coarse
and large, increasing in size downwards; dorsal fin
moderately elevated ; mouth inferior. BUBALICHTHYS, 11.

/. QUASSILABIA, Jordan & Brayton. HAKE LIP SUCKERS.
(Lagochila, J. & B., preoccupied.)

1. Q. lacera, Jor. & Brayt. HARE LIP SUCKER. SPLIT
MOUTH SUCKER. Head short, 4f in body, with length-
ened, non -protractile fleshy snout; body elongate, its
depth about 5 in length; eye medium, set far back, the
opercle small; fins not large; scales, etc., as in Myxos-
toma; D. I, 12; A. I, 7; V. 9; lat. 1. 45. Tennessee
and Cumberland Rivers; a most remarkable species,
bearing the same relation to the other C atostomidce, that
Exoglossum does to the other Cyprinidos. It seems to
possess roal affinities with Exoglossum.

2. PLACOPHARYNX, Cope. PLACOPHARYNX.

1. P. carinatus, Cope. COPE'S SUCKER. Resembles
M. anisura, but the lips and pharyngeal bones quite
different; eye 4£ in head; head 4 in length; depth 3f ;
head strongly ridged above; pharyngeal bones very
heavy, the lower 7 to 12 teeth on each side very large,
scarcely compressed; truncate, irregularly placed; D. I,
14; A. I, 7; lat. 1. 41; head with a median ridge on top;
a large, coarse species similar in general characters to
Myxostoma, but with the physiognomy approaching
somewhat that of Ichthyobus. It is probably common
in the Western streams, although it was not noticed
until 1870. I have specimens from the Illinois, Wabash,
Detroit, Falls of the Ohio and the Scioto, and French
Broad.

312 FISHES.

3. MYXOSTOMA, Rafinesque. RED HORSE.
(Moxostoma et Teretulus^ Raf.)
(Ptychostomus, Agassiz.) '.

* Lower lip not infolded and " ^ shaped ; " lips distinctly pli.

cate.

f Lower lip full, its posterior edge truncate or slightly rounded.
a. Species with the body distinctly compressed, the depth 3i

to nearly 5 in length.
6. Dorsal fin largely developed, the rays 15 to 18 in number.

1. HI. carpio, (Cuv. & Val.) Jordan. WHITE MULLET
OF THE LAKES. Head rather large, 3f to 4£ in length,
broad above; mouth large, with full lips; eye rather
large; body deep, strongly compressed; the back some-
what elevated, the depth about 3£ in length; dorsal fin
high and largo, larger than in any of the others; scales
5 — 43 — 4,* quite large; coloration very pale and silvery,
the lower fins white. Great Lakes, and occasionally in
the Ohio River; a handsome and well defined species.
6&. Dorsal fin moderate, its ravs 12 to 14 in number.
c. Caudal fin normal, the two lobes about equal and similarly

colored.

d. Scales large, 41 to 50 in the course of the lateral line.
e. Head singular in form, much shortened, the muzzle very
abruptly decurved, descending almost perpendicularly
in front of the eye; the head wedge-shaped from be-
hind forwards, and less so from below upwards, its
sides subvertical and the lower cross-diameter of the
head greater than the upper.

2. HI. euryops, Jordan. SNUB - NOSED SUCKER. Eye
very large, more than one-third the length of the side
of the head (in an individual of six inches in length);

* That Is. 43 scales in tbe lateral line, 5 rows between the lateral line and the
dorsal fin, and 4 between It and the ventrals.

CATOSTOMLD^E. — CIX. 313

lips thin, very faintly plicate; width of head through the
opercles greater than the thickness of the body; head 4£
in length; depth about the same; dorsal rays 13; scales
6 — 43 — 5; body shortish, closely compressed, the back
somewhat elevated, and the caudal peduncle unusually
long in proportion; color smoky blue; lower fins white;
size probably small. Alabama River.
ee. Head normal in form, not as above.
/. Mouth moderate or large, not very small, nor very much

overpassed by the muzzle; lips thick, strongly plicate;

body stoutish, varying to moderately elongate; dorsal fin

medium, its developed rays 12 to 14, usually 13 in number ;

scales large, about 6 — 45 — 5 ; lower fins in the adult red or

orange.

3. HI. macrolepidota, (LeS.) Jordan. RED HORSE.
COMMON MULLET. Head comparatively elongate, 4 to
5 in length; mouth large; size very large, reaching a
length of two feet or more. U. S., east of the Great
Plains', every where common, except in New England.

Var. duquesnii, (LeS.) Jordan. COMMON RED HORSE.
WHITE SUCKER. Head quite elongate, 4 to 4| in length ;
back little elevated; body rather elongate, not greatly
compressed; scales pretty large, 6 — 42 to 49 — 5; back
bluish or olive; sides brilliantly silvery, with bright
reflections; dorsal fin dusky above; lower fins bright red.
Ohio River and Southward, very abundant, the common
" Red Horse " in most regions.

Var. lachrymalis, (Cope) Jordan. Southern R. Head
a little shorter, 4£ to 4f in length; form of the preceding;
scales distinctly smaller, 7 or 8 — 48 to 50 — 6; back with
much smoky shading. Virginia to Alabama.

Var. macrolepidota, (LeS.) Jor. LAKE MULLET.
EASTERN RED HORSE, Head still shorter and deeper, 4^

14

314 FISHES.

to 5 in length ; its upper profile concurrent with the curve
of the back, which is considerably elevated; the form
being thus somewhat elliptical; sides compressed; dorsal
rays usually 13; coloration little silvery, the sides reflect-
ing brownish and golden; back smoky, some of the
scales dusky at base; scales 6 — 42 to 50 — 5. Great
Lakes and streams Eastward, from Vermont to South
Carolina. (P. robustus, Cope, (7. oneida, DeKay.)

4. M. aureola, (LeS.) Jordan. GOLDEN RED HORSE.
LAKE MULLET. Head comparatively short, low and
small, 5 to 5£ in length; back elevated and compressed;
depth 3£ in length; mouth rather small, more or less
overpassed by the snout; coloration bright yellowish
brown, etc., not silvery; lower fins bright red; dorsal
rays 13; scales 6 — 42 to 48 — 5; size large. Great Lakes,
Ohio Valley and Northward.

ff. Mouth very small, much overpassed oy the conic muzzle ; head
small, about 5 in length. .

5. HI. crassilabris, (Cope ) Jordan.- THICK - LIPPED
MULLET. Body flattish, the back elevated and com-
pressed; depth 3f ; muzzle contracted; scales large, 5 —
44 — 5; dorsal rays usually 12; dorsal fin elevated in
front, its first soft ray longer than the base of the fin;
color silvery, with smoky shading above, some of the
scales blackish at their bases; lower fins white; top of
head, humeral bar and dorsal fin dusky. Neuse River.

6. M. conus, (Cope) Jordan. CONE-HEADED SUCKER.
Body flattish, the dorsal outline elevated, the form being .
like that of M. coregonus; head small and conic; mouth
exceedingly small, the snout far overpassing it, the muz-
zle being much longer than in M. crassilabris; dorsal
rays 14; eye large; coloration smoky above, some scales
dusky at their bases; sides pale; lower fins white. Yad-
kiu River.

CATOSTOMHXE. — CIX. 315

dd. Scales very small for the genus, about 9—56 — 8 in number ;
body moderately elongate, the depth about 4 in the length.

7. HI. albida, (Grd.) Jor. WHITE SUCKER. Head
shortish, conic, the snout not much projecting, about 4
in length; eye large; dorsal fin small, with about eleven
rays, the last rapidly shortened; (characters of mouth
unknown, but probably similar to macrolepidota and
poecilura; it is said to be "much larger than in P. con-
gestus"} Rivers of the Southwest.

cc. Upper lobe of the caudal falcate, much longer than the lower
(nearly an inch longer in specimens a foot long) ; the lobes
similarly colored ; dorsal fin falcate.

8. M. an/sura, (Raf.) Jor. LONG -TAILED SUCKEE.
Body compressed; back somewhat elevated; depth 3^-
in length; head conic, flattish, 5£ in length; mouth very
small, much as in aureola, which this species much
resembles; the short high dorsal and peculiar caudal,
however, distinguish it; D. 12 — 13, half higher than
long; scales 6 — 46 — 5. Lakes and Ohio Valley. (C.
anisurus, Raf., not of Kirt., nor of Agassiz. P. brevi-
ceps, Cope.)

ccc. Lower lobe of the caudal very much longer than the upper
and differently colored, the upper lobe in the adult being red,
the inferior jet-black, its two lowermost developed rays and
their membranes abruptly white ( ? in both sexes).

9. M. pcecilura, Jordan. VARIEGATED - TAILED MUL-
LET. Body elongate, moderately compressed, somewhat
elevated forwards; depth 4J in length; head about the
same; mouth medium, the lips full; dorsal rays 13;
scales large, 5 — 44 — 4, coloration usual except of the
caudal fin; other fins all red, with blackish shadings; size
small. Lower Mississippi River.

aa. Species with the body elongate, little compressed, broad ; the
depth, about 5 in length, not very much greater than the
thickness.

316 PISHES.

10. M. cervina, (Cope) Jordan. JUMP-ROCKS. JUMP-
ING MULLET. Head very short, roundish above, rather
pointed forwards, about 5 in length; cheeks sub- verti-
cal ; mouth rather large, with thick lips, which are
strongly plicate, the folds somewhat broken up; eye
small; fins very small, the dorsal rays 10 to 12; scales
rather large, 6 — 44 to 49 — 5; color greenish brown, a
pale blotch on each scale, these forming continuous
streaks along the rows of scales; back with more or less
distinct brownish cross - blotches ; fins brownish, not
much red; the dorsal blackish at tip; size smallest;
length less than a foot. Virginia to Georgia, very
abundant, a singular little species.

ft Lower lip thin, forming a narrow, crescent-shaped border
around the mandible.

11. M. alba, (Cope) Jordan. WHITE MULLET. Head
small, five times in length; muzzle prominent, but less
so than in M. velata; mouth moderate, back a little
elevated; depth about 3^ in length; dorsal rays 12 to
14, its free border incised; scales 6 — 45 — 5; coloration
very pale; lower fins white; size large; reaches a weight
of four pounds or more. Rivers of N. C.

12. M. tha/assina, (Cope) Jordan. GREEN MULLET.
Head stout, as in M. velata, rather long, 4 in length,
flattish above, muzzle truncate, not very prominent;
muzzle moderate; back elevated; dorsal fin long, of 14
or 15 rays; sea-green above; white below; lower fins
white. Yadkin River.

** Lower lips infolded, A - shaped, when viewed from below, with
a distinct median crease, in which the two halves of the lip
meet, forming an acute angle ; mouth small.

Lips plicate, the folds not broken up into papillae.
g. Dorsal rays (developed) 16 (15 to 17.)

CATOSTOMID^E. — CLX. 317

13. HI. velaia, (Cope) Jordan. SMALL- MOUTHED RED
HOUSE. WHITE NOSE. Body stout, deep, compressed,
the back elevated, the depth 3 to 4 in length; head
short, heavy, flattish and broad above, thick through the
cheeks, 3f to 4£ in length; eye rather large, midway in
head, 4 to 5 in its length; muzzle rather prominent,
bluntish, overhanging the very small mouth; fins very
large; dorsal long and high, its height five-sixths the
length of the head; pectorals nearly reaching ventrals;
color silvery, smoky above; lower fins red; size large.
Great Lakes to North Carolina and Alabama, -ather com-
mon. (P. collapsus and P. velatus, Cope.)

gg. Dorsal moderate, with 12 to 14 developed rays

7i. Head comparatively large, about 4 in length; dorsal rays
usually 12.

14. M. congesta, (Grd.) Jordan. THICK-HEADED MUL-
LET. Head short and very wide through the opercles,
flat above; body stout, the back somewhat elevated;
depth 4 in length; muzzle sub-truncate, slightly project-
ing; scales 6 — 40 — 5; olivaceous, silvery below; dorsal
fin dusky. Missouri River and S. (P. bucco, Cope.)

15. H. pidiensis, (Cope) Jordan. MULLET OF THE
GREAT PEDEE. Head rather long, 4£ in length, flattish
above; body elongate, more nearly cylindrical, little
compressed; muzzle truncate; olivaceous, sometimes
with rows of faint spots along the series of scales; dor-
sal and caudal fins black-edged; size quite small ; resem-
bles M. cervina^ but the mouth entirely different. Great
Pedee River.

Tih. Head very small, about 5 in length ; muzzle conic, much pro-
jecting beyond the very small mouth.

16. M. coregonus, (Cope) Jordan. WHITE-FISH MUL-
LET. Broadly fusiform, the body being much com-

318 FISHES,

v

pressed, the back elevated and arched; dorsal rays 14;
color silvery, with plumbeous shades above; lower fins
white; size small. Catawba and Yadkin Rivers.
$ Lips papillose, the plicae broken up by cross furrows.

17. HI. papillosa, (Cope) Jordan. PAPILLOSE MULLET.
Body comparatively stout, the dorsal region somewhat
elevated and rounded, the depth being about 4 in length,
the head about the same; eye rather large, high up and
well back, the preorbital space being longer than in the
other species; top of head flat; dorsal rays 12 to 14;
scales rather large, 6 — 42 — 5 ; lips well developed, deeply
incised, almost as in Catostomusj color silvery; back
with smoky shading; lower fins white; size large, reaches
a length of about two feet. North Carolina to Georgia.

4. MINYTREMA, Jordan. STRIPED SUCKERS.

* Each scale with a large, square blackish spot at its base, these
forming more or less conspicuous stripes al^" the sides;
body subterete, becoming deeper with age.

1. HI. melanops, (Raf.) Jordan. SPOTTED MULLET.
STRIPED SUCKER. Head 4f in length; depth about 4;
scales very large; blackish above; sides coppery, with
black stripes; D. I, 12; lat. 1. 47; size large; adult
males with the sides of the head profusely tuberculate
in Spring; young specimens *of this species have no
trace of lateral line, as in Erimyzon; older ones (6 — 8
inches) show a deepening of the furrows along the
median series of scales; adults of 12 to 18 inches show
a series of completely developed tubes, which, however,
are wanting on some of the scales, especially behind; as
Erimyzon never shows any traces of the tubes of the
lateral line, these peculiarities may be held to indicate
generic distinction, and the name Minytrema is here

CATOSTOMIDJ3, — CIX. 319

proposed for E. mdanops. Great Lakes, Ohio Valley
and South, abundant; one of our handsomest suckers,
strangely overlooked by recent writers. This and the
next, unlike most of our suckers, are very hardy in the
Aquarium.

5. ERIMYZON, Jordan. CHUB SUCKERS.

= Moxostoma, Agassiz (not of Raf.)
* No stripes along the rows of scales, body rather short and deep.

1. E. sucetia, (Lac.) Jordan. CREEK FISH. CHUB
SUCKER. Head 4 to 4£ in length; depth 2f, in adult;
eye 5 in head; scales crowded, deeper than long; no trace
of lateral line; dusky above, brassy on sides and below;
very variable; young much less compressed, with black
bands or bars, and pale lateral and vertebral streaks;
spring males with six tubercles on head; D. 1, 11; lat. 1. 40.
New England, S. and W., abundant. \E. oblongus, (Mit.)
Jor.]

6. HYPENTELIUM, Rafinesque. CRAWL - A - BOTTOMS.

= Hylomyzon, Ag.

1. H. nigr/cans, (LeS.) Jordan. STONE ROLLER. HOG
SUCKER. "MuD SUCKER." Depth 4f in length; head
4; depth of head f its length; eyes small, very high up
and far back ; lower fins very large ; pectoral nearly as
long as head; brownish, often beautifully marbled; D.
I, 11; A. 8; lat. 1. 52. Lakes and streams from N. Y.,
S. and W., abundant; one of our most singular fishes.
It frequents clear streams and rapids, and it is not at all
a "mud fish," as some writers seem to suppose.

7. CATOSTOMUS, LeSueur. FINE-SCALED SUCKEBS.

> Acomus and Minomus, Grd.

* Lateral line with 60 to 65 scales- snout comparatively short;
(Decadactylus, Raf.)

320 FISHES.

1. C. feres, (Mit.) LeS. COMMON SUCKER. WHITE
SUCKER. Depth about equal to length of head, 4 to 4£
in length; olivaceous, sides silvery, with bright reflec-
tions; males with the sides roseate in spring; D. I, 12;
lat. 1. 63. U. S., abundant every where east of the
Rocky Mountains. (C. communis, bostoniensis, teres,
sucklii, etc., of authors.)

** Lateral line with about 100 scales; snout much produced.
(Catostomus.)

2. C. /ongirostris, LeS. RED- SIDED SUCKER. LONG-
NOSED SUCKER. Slender, depth less than length of
head; sides with a bright red band, and upper part of
head with small tubercles in males in Spring; D. I, 10;
lat. 1. 110. Great Lakes, Upper Mississippi and North-
ward, abundant. [C. hudsonius, LeS., C. aurora, Ag.;
C. griseus and G. lactarius, Grd. ; C. forsterianus, (Rich.)
not (7. forsterianus, Ag., which is probably C. commer-
soniiJ]

8. CYCLEPTUS, Rafinesque. SUCKERELS.

= Hhytidostomits^ Heckel.

1. C. elongatus, (LeSueur) Ag. BLACK HORSE.
GOURD- SEED SUCKER. MISSOURI SUCKER. Body fusiform,
not greatly compressed; head and mouth very small;
depth four to five in length; head 6^; eye small, well back,
6 to 7 in head; lobes of dorsal and caudal much atten-
uated; longest dorsal rays a little longer than head;
pectorals falcate, as long as head; anal fin small; scales
with the exposed surfaces broad; $ jet black above, sides
black with a coppery luster; snout minutely tuberculate
in spring; ? olivaceous; D. 30; A. 7; lat. 1. 56; length 2 to
3 feet; weight 2 to 15 Jbs. Mississippi Valley, in large
streams. A singular species, quite unlike any other.

CATOSTOMID^E. — CIX. 321

9. CARP/ODES, Rafinesque. CAEP SUCKEES.

* First rays of dorsal very much elevated and attenuated, about

as long as the base of the fin.
f Muzzle conic, projecting.

1. C. velifer, (Raf.) Ag. SPEAR FISH. SAIL FISH.
QUILLBACK. SKIMBACK. Muzzle conic, much less obtuse
than in the next; depth 2^- in length; head 3f ; eye 4^
in head; color pale, scarcely silvery, as in all the species;
D. 22; lat. 1. 37. Ohio R.

%\ Muzzle very abruptly obtuse.
a. Anterior suborbital bone sub-triangular, longer than deep.

2. C. selene, Cope. MOON CAEP - SUCKER. Back
steeply elevated; intermaxillaries far in advance of
orbit; D. 26; V. 10; A. 8; lat. 1. 37; silvery. Great
Lakes, abundant.

aa. Anterior suborbital bone, much deeper than long.

3. C. cutisanserinus, Cope. LONG - FINNED CAEP
SUCKER. Mouth usual in position, the upper lip in
advance of the nostrils, etc.; dorsal fin beginning mid-
way of body more elevated than in any other species;
snout with small tubercles in spring males; head 4 in
length; depth 2|; D. 26; V. 10; A. 8. Ohio Valley,
abundant.

4. £. d/fform/s, Cope. DEFORMED CARP SUCKER.
Eye very large, and well anterior; the front edge of the
lower jaw in line with the anterior rim of the orbit, and
the end of the upper lip reaching the line of the anterior
rim of the orbit, the physiognomy being therefore
peculiar in the great obtuseness of the head; insertion
of dorsal anterior to middle of the head; D. 24; A. 8;
V. 9; lat. 1. 35. Ohio River.

** Anterior rays of dorsal scarcely filamentous, little more than

half the length of the base of the fin.
&. Head comparatively large, 3i to 4 in length.
21

822 . FISHES.

5. C. bison, Ag. BUFFALO CARP SUCKER. Muzzle
very long, conic; eye median, large, 4£ in head; body
elongate; depth 3 in length; dorsal fin elongate, nearly
as much so as in G. velifer; D. 28; lat. 1. 40. Missis-
sippi Valley.

6. C. cyprinus, (LeS.) Ag. SILVERY CARP SUCKER.
Muzzle prominent, but rather obtuse ; eye small, anterior,
5 in head; depth 2f in length; longest dorsal rays about
f the length of the base of the fin; D. 28, or 29; lat. 1.

40. N. Y. to Ala., East of the Alleghenies.
66. Head smaller, 4i to 5 in length.

7. C. thompsoni, Ag. LAKE CARP SUCKER. Short
and stout; dorsal region much arched; scales narrowly
exposed; longest dorsal ray reaching the 22d; eye small,
5£ in head; head 4£ in length; depth 2£; D. 28; lat. 1.

41. Great Lakes.

8. C. carpio, (Raf.) Jordan. RIVER CARP SUCKER.
Body more elongate, the depth 3 in length, the head
small, nearly 5; longest dorsal rays shortest, reaching to
the 16th ray; eye small, anterior; D. 30; lat. 1. 36, the
largest species, approaching Ichthyobus. Ohio Valley,
abundant. (C. nummifer, Cope.)

10. /£//7WK0£(/$, Rafinesque. BUFFALO FISH.
(Sclerognathus, Val.)

* Body robust, little compressed, the dorsal region not especially
elevated.

1. /. bubalus, (Raf.) Ag. BROWN [BUFFALO - FISH.
Depth 3£ in length; head the same; eye small, 6^ in
head; depth of head five-sixths its length; opercle very
wide, forming nearly half the length of head^ — convex
and furrowed; scales very large; dull brownish olive,
not silvery; D. 27; A. 10; lat. 1. 40; length (of specimen)

CATOSTOMID^E. — C1X. 323

27 inches; weightlSIbs. Mississippi Valley (described
from specimen from Wabash R.)

** Body shorter, considerably compressed; the dorsal region
elevated. (These three the young of the preceding !)

2. /. cyanellus, Nelson. BLUE BUFFALO. Head 3£
in length; depth 2£; eye 4£ in head; longest dorsal ray
reaching 18th; head very short, high and thick; mouth
quite small, oblique, somewhat overlapped by the obtuse
snout; insertion of dorsal rather anterior; steel blue,
paler below; D. I, 30; lat. 1. 38. Illinois River.

3. I. rauchii, Ag. " Dorsal much higher than in I.
bubalus; all other fins much larger and scales not higher
than long." (Ag.) Mississippi River, Burlington, Iowa.
An unrecognized species. Specimens in my collection
from near Burlington agree with I. cyanellus^ except
that the insertion of the dorsal is midway.

4. /. isehyrus, Nelson. HEAVY BUFFALO. " This is a
very stout and heavily built species; depth 2£ in length;
head extremely broad between the eyes and but slightly
convex; its length 3^ times in length of body; snout
short and rounded, opercular apparatus large; depth of
head 1^- in its length; width of head 1^; eye 6|- in head,
If in snout, 4 in interorbital space; caudal peduncle a
little deeper than long; scales 7 — 37 — 7, nearly uniform,
a little crowded anteriorly, finely punctate; fins all
small; dorsal I. 27; A. I, 8; bluish-olive above, yellow-
ish below; fins blackish." (Nelson.) Rivers of Illinois.

//. BUBALIGHTHYS, Agassiz. BUFFALO FISHES.

1. B. urus, Ag. BLACK BUFFALO. BIG -MOUTHED
BUFFALO. Body much less elevated and less com-
pressed than in B. bubalinus, the back not at all
carinated; axis of body over the ventrals about at the

324 FISHES.

lateral line, and but an eighth or tenth further from the
dorsal line than the ventral; greatest depth midway of
body over ventrals and just in advance of dorsal; depth
3£ in length; head strongly transversely convex, almost
rido-ed above, less narrowed downwards than in bubn-

O *

lus ; greatest depth of head 1^ in its length; interor-
bital space 2£; eye=snout 5£ in head, much smaller
than in bub<t1t«* : snout scarcely projecting; no depres-
sion at occiput; an almost even curve from snout to
dorsal; head bounded by curves, therefore not trian-
gular, thicker, larger, and less pointed than in bubal us ;
mouth large, with a large and pappillose lower lip; man-
dible longer than eye; scales 8 — 41 — 7; fin rays D. I,
30; A. I, 11; dorsal not so high nor so rapidly depressed
as in bubal us, the longest ray scarcely half the length
of the base of the fin, reaching to the 15th, the 9th ray,
half the height of the first; anal reaching caudal, its
middle rays more rounded, not so much shorter than the
first; pectorals as long as ventrals, both longer than anal
and less than head; colors very dark; fins all black.
Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.

2. B. altus, Nelson. DEEP-BODIED BUFFALO. Body
very deep and much compressed; the back is much
arched and the profile descends steeply in front to end
of snout, not forming an angle with it as in many
species of Ichthyobus; depth of body 2^ in length; head
4 in length; greatest thickness of body 1J in length of
head; depth of head 1^ in its length; width 1|- in
length; eye 5^- in head, 2o- in interorbital space, which is
but little rounded; lateral line perfectly straight from
upper edge of opercle to caudal; scales 8 — 35 — 5; dor-
sal I. 25; A. I, 9; color in spirits, dull yellowish-olive;
fins dusky. Illinois. (JV~<e&on. Same as the next!)

CATOSTOMID^E. — CIX. 325

3. B. bubalus, Agassiz. SMALL - MOUTHED BUFFALO.
Body considerably elevated and compressed above; the
dorsal region sub-carinate; belly thicker; depth 2f in
length; axis of the body above the ventrals, below the
lateral line and nearly twice as far from the back as the
belly; greatest depth of body at beginning of dorsal,
which is in advance of ventrals, and a trifle nearer the
snout than the caudal; head wide, rounded across the
top, wider above eyes than across cheeks; interorbital
space 2 in head; head 4 in length of body, its greatest
depth 1^ in its length; eye=snout 4 in head, much
larger than in J3. niger; mouth small, notably smaller
than in J3. niger, and with thinner lips, which are granu-
lated and feebly plicate; mandible about equal to eye;
pharyngeal bones very strong, with large teeth, which
grow larger downward; intestinal canal long, longer
than body; a decided occipital depression; head trian-
gular in outline, viewed from the side; ante-orbital
region strongly elevated and curved; length of top of
head 2f in distance from snout to occiput; nostrils large;
scales 8 — 40 — 6 in two specimens, 8 — 39 — 6 in one, 7 —
39 — 5 in the fourth; fin rays D. I, 28 in two, I. 29 in
rest; A. I, 10; V. 10; dorsal elevated in front and rap-
idly declined, the seventh ray half the length of the
third or longest; the latter reaches to the base of the
18th ray, or more than half the base of the fin; anal
reaching caudal, its rays rapidly shortened; pectorals
shorter than anal, anal than ventrals, all than head.
Mississippi Valley, abundant. (JS. lubalus, Ag., not
C. bubalus, Raf.)

326 FISHES.

ORDER AA.-KEMATOG^ATHL

(The Sheat Fishes.)

Skin naked or with bony plates; no true scales; bar-
bels always present, maxillary bone rudimentary and
forming the base of the longest barbel; margin of upper
jaw formed by intermaxillaries only; sub-opercle absent;
air bladder generally present; usually an adipose fin,
and in all our species a spine in the dorsal and pectorals;
ventrals abdominal. Chiefly fresh water fishes, inhabit-
ing most regions, especially abounding in South America.
The leading family is Siluridce.

FAMILY CX. -SILURIDCE.

(The Cat Fishes.)

General characters as above given; genera one hund-
red or more; species nearly seven hundred; a very large
family abounding in the fresh waters of America and
the warmer parts of the Old World; a few are marine.
Our species constitute a peculiar group termed by Dr.
Gill Ichthceluri. The characters of this group are as
follows : The body is more or less elongated, compressed
posteriorly, and terminating in a well-developed caudal
fin. The skin is naked and unprovided with sucking
cups; the head in profile presents the appearance of a
more or less elongated cone, and is covered with a skin
which is generally quite thick; it is more or less flat-
tened, and broad above, and gradually becomes narrowed
to the convex snout; there is never a casque, or helmet;
the supraoccipital terminates in a point; there are eight
barbels: the two maxillary, constant in the family; a
pair in front of the posterior nasal apertures; and two
pairs arranged in a curved line behind the lower jaw;
the nostrils form nearly a transverse parallelogram

SILURIDJB.— CX. 327

between the intermaxillaries and the eyes; the anterior
are suboval or subcircular, and the posterior linear, with
a raised margin, from the front of which the upper bar-
bels originate; the eyes are generally placed in the
anterior half of the head; the dorsal and pectoral fins
are each provided with a stout, pungent spine. The adi-
pose fin is developed, not rayed, and the rays of the
dorsal fin are few in number. The branchial apertures
are ample, continued from the supero-posterior angles
of the opercula to beneath the throat. The air-bladder
is well developed. The species commonly inhabit deep
or sluggish waters, and are very tenacious of life —
especially those of Amiurus.
* Adipose fin with its posterior margin free, not connected with

the caudal fin.

f Intermaxillary band of teeth convex in front, abruptly trun-
cate behind, without lateral backward processes ; branchi-
ostegals 8 or 9 (rarely 10 or 11) ; ventral fins normally with
8 rays.

\ Supraoccipital bone prolonged backward, its apex emar-

ginate, receiving the pointed anterior end of the second

interspinal, thus forming a continuous bony bridge from

the snout to the base of the dorsal ; branchiostegals 8 or

9; head elongate; mouth small, terminal, the upper jaw

the longer; anal fin elqngate, of 34 to 34 rays; caudal

fin furcate ; body elongate, more or less slender, silvery,

covered with thin skin. . . ICHTH^LURUS, 1.

\\ Supraoccipital bone free behind, not connected with

the interspinal ; branchiostegals normally 9 (varying

from 8 to 11) ; head broad ; mouth broad, terminal ;

anal fin moderate or rather long, with 15 to 27 rays ;

caudal fin usually truncate, but often more or less

deeply emarginate or even forked; body usually

more or less shortened, covered with a rather thick

skin AMiURtis, 2.

ff Intermaxillary band of teeth convex in front, with a lateral
backward extension on each side; branchiostegals nor-

328 FISHES.

mally 12 ; supraoccipital bone free behind ; head long, broad,
and flat; mouth large, the lower jaw always the longer;
anal fin short, of 12 to 14 rays ; ventrals with 9 rays ; cau-
dal fin truncate, its numerous rudimentary rays recurrent
above and below the caudal peduncle ; number of vertebrae
increased ; body elongate, covered with thick skin.

PELODICHTHYS, 3.

** Adipose fin long and low, keel-like, adnate to the back, more
or less perfectly continuous with the caudal fin ; supraocci-
pital bone free behind; branchiostegals 9; anal fin short,
with 11 to 20 rays ; caudal fin rounded, with numerous rudi-
mentary rays recurrent on the caudal peduncle ; ventral rays
usually 9; form various, but body usually more or less
elongate, depressed in front, compressed behind, covered
with a thickish but semi-transparent skin ; size small.

NOTURUS, 4.

/. ICHTH/ELURUS, Rannesque. CHANNEL CATS.

* Eye small, anterior, the middle of the head being behind its

posterior margin.

f Anal fin extremely elongate, its base one-third the length of
the body; its rays 32 to 34; body slender.

1. I. furcatus, (Cuv. & Val.) Gill. FOEK-TAILED CHAN-
NEL CAT. Head small, 4£ in length, the slope from dor-
sal to snout somewhat concave; spines long. Missis-
sippi Valley, and Southwest.

ft Anal fin shorter, 3i to 4 in length; its rays 27 to 30; body
robust, compressed.

2. I. robustus, Jordan. ROBUST CHANNEL CAT. A
stout, deep species, with shorter spines; dorsal region
elevated; the profile concave. Mississippi Valley.

** Eye large, median, the middle of the head falling before its
posterior margin ; anal short, not greatly elongate, its rays
25 to 29.

3. I. punctatus, (Raf.) Jor. COMMON CHANNEL CAT.
BLUE CAT. WHITE CAT, etc. Head moderate, about 4

SILUBID^B. — ex. 329

in length; dorsal region not especially elevated; spines
long; coloration of the others, bluish silvery, young
spotted with olive. New York to South Carolina, West
to the Rocky Mountains and Mexico, very abundant.
It has been described under some twenty-three different
specific names. \I. ccerulescens, (Raf.) Gill.]

2. ANIURUS, Rafinesque. CAT FISHES.

* Caudal fin forked, its lower lobe the larger; upper jaw longest;

colors more or less olivaceous or silvery.
f Anal fin elongate, of 23 to 28 rays.
a. Head rather broad ; anal rays 25 or 26.

1. A. nigricans, (LeS.) Gill. GREAT FORK -TAILED
CAT. CAT FISH OP THE LAKES. MISSISSIPPI CAT,
FLORIDA CAT. GREAT BLUE CAT. Head comparatively
small, 4£ in length, its width 5; barbels long; spines
short and stout, serrated; body rather low and moder-
ately stout; colors dark, mottled with paler; size very
large. Great Lakes, Mississippi Valley and South to
Florida, much the largest of our cat fishes, reaching a
weight of 100 to 200 fts.

aa. Head narrow, decidedly longer than broad
f Anal rays 23 or 24.

2. A. lupus, (Grd.) Gthr. Caudal fin deeply furcate;
head narrow, longer than broad; anal rays 23 or 24;
pectoral spines long and slender, dentate; barbels long;
depth about 5 in length; body rather slender; head nar-
rowed, its width 4f in length, being less than its length
above ; distance from snout to dorsal spine 1^- to 1 J in
distance from dorsal spine to adipose fin; base of anal
as long as head. The species strongly resembles the
species of Tchthcelurus, and is almost intermediate
between the two genera, the supraoccipital bone being

330 FISHES.

almost connected with the inter-spinal. Southwestern
States.

3. A. niveiveniris, Cope. Similar, but the head broader,
its width equal to its length above; distance to dorsal
spine \\ in distance from spine to adipose fin; base of
anal notably less than head. Neuse River, N. C.

ft Anal fin short, of 19 to 22 rays.

4. A. albidus, (LeS.) Gill. WHITE CAT. CHANNEL CAT
OP THE POTOMAC. Head narrowed, very wide in adults,
quite narrow in young, its width 4 to 5 in length of body;
upper jaw considerably the longer; dorsal spine nearer
adipose fin than snout; caudal deeply forked; base of
anal fin 4£ in length; A. 21. Pennsylvania to South
Carolina, abundant. \A. lynx, (Grd.) Gill.]

5. A. lophius, Cope. BIG -MOUTHED CAT. Head
extremely wide, its width 3f in length, as great as the
length of the head; upper jaw slightly the longer; cau-
dal shallow-forked; base of anal fin 6 in length; A. 21;
color silvery as in the preceding. Tributaries of Chesa-
peake Bay, rather common. Very old specimens of A.
albidus resemble A. lophius, but may be recognized by
the characters above noted. A. lophius has the largest
mouth of any North American Cat Fish.

** Caudal fin rounded or slightly emarginate, usually truncate

when spread open.

\ Anal fin very long, its base one-fourth or more the length of
the body ; of 24 to 27 rays.
b. Head and body elongate ; mouth narrow.

6. A. erebennus, Jordan. GOODE'S CAT. Head and
oody elongated; the dorsal region considerably elevated;
the head quite long and narrowed forwards; much longer
than broad; its width in front of eye only about half its
length; mouth rather narrow, with equal jaws; barbels

SLLTJKID.E. — CX. 331

long; adipose fin large; spines strong; dorsal fin very

high; anal fin long and deep; caudal fin short; color

dark; gih openings narrow. Southeastern streams;

resembling A. nigricans, but with the caudal fin of A.

natalis.

66. Head broad ; mouth wide ; form stout.

7. A. natalis, (LeS.) Gill. YELLOW CAT. CHUBBY
CAT. Body stout and heavy, with large head; dorsal
spine nearer snout than adipose fin; a widely diffused
species running into many varieties. The following are
some of the principal ones :

Var. natalis, (LeS.) Body very short and obese, with
short, deep, fleshy caudal peduncle, and short caudal fin,
on which the flesh encroaches. This may be simply a
peculiar state of individuals rather than a distinct variety.

Var. livid us, (Raf.) Jor. More elongate, dark colored;
the jaws equal. Western and Southern streams, com-
mon. (A. catus of authors.)

Var. cupreus, (Raf.) Jor. Similar, but yellowish
brown, and with the upper jaw decidedly the longer;
generally abundant.

Var. ccenosus, (Rich.) Jor. Like cupreus, but green-
ish or black in color. Great Lakes.

Var. ana/is, Jor. Anal fin very large, of 27 rays, its
base nearly $ length of body. S. W.
\\ Anal fin moderate, of 18 to 22 rays.

c. Lower jaw distinctly longer than upper.

8. A. vulgaris, (Thompson) Nelson. LONG -JAWED
CAT. Body rather elongate, the depth 4£ to 5 in length;
head 3£; barbels long; mouth wide; head longer than
broad; dorsal nearer snout than adipose fin; head broad
forwards; A. 20' dark reddish brown, varying to black-

332 FISHES.

ish. Great. Lakes and tributaries, generally abundant.
[A. dekayi, (Grd.) Gill.]

Var. ce/urus, (Grd.) Jor. Has the head somewhat
narrowed forwards, the dorsal region more elevated, and
its spine about midway of the body. Upper Mississippi
River.

cc. Jaws about equal, or the upper evidently the longer.
d. Eyes well developed.
e. Body not notably elongate.

/. Head moderately broad ; a nearly even slope from the tip
of the snout to the elevated base of the dorsal.

9. A. catus, (L.) Gill. BULL -HEAD. HOBN POUT.
SMALL CAT FISH. Body rather elongate, depth 4 to 4£
in length; head broader than in the next, the front less
steep, but its slope more uniform; body less rapidly nar-
rowed behind; anal fin longer, its base 4£ in body, the
rays 21 or 22 in number; upper jaw distinctly the
longer; color dark yellowish brown, varying to blackish,
sometimes marbled, the young often quite black. Great
Lakes to Maine and South Carolina, the common East-
ern species. (A. atrarius^ nebulosus, hoyi^ etc., of
authors.)

10. A. marmoratuSf (Holbr.) Jor. MAKBLED CAT.
Body sharply mottled with brown, greenish and whitish;
the coloration therefore singular among Cat Fishes; jaws
equal or nearly so; depth about 4 in length; slope of
profile very steep; dorsal fin high; the spine more than
half length of head; dorsal spine nearer adipose fin than
snout; barbels long; branchiostegals 10; head 3£ in
length. South Atlantic States to Illinois.

11. A. me/as, (Raf.) Jordan & Copeland. BLACK
CAT. Body very stout, short and deep, the depth 3£ to
4^ in length; head not very broad, rather contracted

SILURID^E. — CX. 333

forwards, the front steeply elevated, the body thick
across the "shoulders," rather rapidly narrowed behind;
anal fin short and deep, of 18 or 20 rays, its base nearly
five in length, the color of the rays forming a sharp con-
trast with that of the membranes; upper jaw scarcely
longest; size small; color almost black. Mississippi
Valley, abundant. (A. catulus, obesus, confinis, etc., of
authors.)

ff. Head very broad, the slope from snout to base of dorsal quite
uneven, there being a more or less decided angle at the
occiput.

12. A. xanthocephalus, (Raf.) Gill. YELLOW-HEADED
CAT. Head about as broad as long, its length 4 in that
of body; dorsal nearer adipose fin than snout; anal fin
short, its base less than one-fifth the length of the body,
its rays usually 19; body stout and short; mouth very
broad; colors pale, chiefly yellowish; size small. Ohio
Valley, abundant; resembles A. natalis cupreus, but has
a much smaller anal.

ee. Body very elongate, slender, the head flattish and broad above.

13. A. platycephalus, (Grd.) Gill. FLAT -HEADED
CAT. Form slender, elongate, approaching that of Pelo-
dichthyS) the depth being 4 to 6 times in length of body;
head broad and flat, nearly as wide as long; anal fin
with 20 to 22 rays; the base of the fin 4£ to 5 in body;
jaws equal; branchiostegals 11; mouth very wide; dor-
sal spine nearer snout than adipose fin; coloration some-
what marmorate; a blackish horizontal bar at base of
dorsal. Southern Rivers; approaches A. brunneus* but
less elongate, and with a different mouth.

dd. Eyes rudimentary, concealed under the skin; blind cave
species. (Gromas, Cope.)

14. A. nigrilabris, (Cope) Gill & Jor. CAVE CAT FISH.

334 FISHES.

Form, etc., nearly of Amiurus melas; but the eyes little
developed; anal short, of about 19 rays. Subterranean
stream, tributary of Conestoga River, E. Penn.
Jft Anal fin small, 15 to 17 rayed.
g. Body short and stout.

15. A. pullus, (DeKay) Gill. BLACK BULL -HEAD.
Depth 4 in length; the head flattened, nearly as broad as
long; mouth large; dorsal nearer adipose fin than snout;
A. 16 or 17; color black, white below; size small. W.
N. Y. to New England.

gg. Body comparatively slender and eel-like.

16. A. brunneus, Jordan. GREEN CAT. Body very
slender, elongate, the depth about 5£ in length; head
broad and flat, about 4 in length, the width 4£; the upper
jaw more projecting than in any other of the species
known; profile convex, not steep; dorsal fin very high,
f length of head, well forward, its spine nearer snout
than adipose fin; anal fin short and high, its base 5 in
length of body, its rays 16 to 18; pectoral spine serrated;
color pale olive-green; a blackish horizontal bar at base
of dorsal. The slenderest of the Amiuri^ abundant in
many Southern streams.

3. PELODICHTHYS, Rafinesque. MUD CATS.
(Hopladelus, Raf.)

1. P. olivaris, (Raf.) Gill & Jordan. MUD CAT. Body
very long and slender, much depressed forwards, closely
compressed behind; head very long and flat, tapering
downwards and forwards, broadly rounded in front;
head 3£ in length, depth 6 in length; dorsal spine some-
what enveloped in thick skin; pectoral spine very long,
flattened, serrated behind; adipose fin high and long;
jaws thin and flat the lower always the longer; colors

SILUBIIXE. — OX. 335

much mottled; anal fin quite short, of 15 rays. A sin-
gular species, reaching a very large size, abounding on
the bottoms of our larger Western and Southern rivers.

4. NOTURUS, Rafinesque. STONE CATS.

* Intermaxillary band of teeth with strong lateral backward pro-
cesses, as in Pelodichthys. (Noturus.)

1. N. flavus, Raf. YELLOW STONE CAT. Head much
depressed and flattened, little longer than broad; bar-
bels rather short; head 4£ in length; depth 5f ; distance
from snout to dorsal 3; middle of body cylindrical, some-
what carinate above; adipose fin notched; spine of pec-
torals roughish behind, slightly retrorse-serrate in front.
St. Lawrence to Kentucky and Upper Missouri, abund-
ant, the largest species, reaching a length of a foot.

** Intermaxillary band of teeth without lateral backward pro-
cess. (Schilbeodes, Bleeker.)

f Pectoral spines more or less serrate on the inner edge ; adi-
pose fin notched.

a. Pectoral spines* rather small, their internal serrse feeble, less
than half the diameter of the spine ; anal rather long, of
more than 14 rays.

2. N. insignis, (Rich.) Gill & Jor. MARGINED STONE
CAT. Upper jaw decidedly longest; pectoral spine about
half length of head, pretty strongly retrorse - serrate
externally, dorsal spine much nearer anal than snout, the
distance from snout to dorsal more than one-third the
length; anal fin with 16 to 19 rays; body elongate;
head flattened; dusky, a distinct black margin to dorsal
and caudal fins; size rather large; Pennsylvania to S.
Carolina, abundant. [N~. lemniscatus, (Val.) Grd. JV.
marginatw, Baird.]

3. N. exilis, Nelson. SLENDER STONE CAT. A sort
of "starved" representative of the preceding, smaller

336 FISHES.

and slenderer, with smaller fins; pectoral spine about
one-third the length of the head; jaws almost equal-
dorsal spine nearer snout than anal; distance from snout
to dorsal less than one-third of length; anal rays 15;
color brownish, with some darker mottlings ; tip of
dorsal black. Illinois to Kansas.
aa. Pectoral spines very strong, curved, their internal serrae very

strong, spine-like, more than half the diameter of the spine;

coloration variegated ; a series of definite black blotches on

the back ; anal rays less than 14.

4. N. miurus, Jordan. SAW - SPINED STONE CAT.
Body moderately but not greatly elongate, the dorsal
region more or less elevated; adipose fin continuous,
high, interrupted by a notch which does not break the
continuity of the fin, the rudimentary caudal rays begin-
ning in the notch; color grayish, with four definite
broad dorsal cross-bars; one before the dorsal, one
behind it; one on middle of adipose fin and one small
one behind it; top of head and tips of fins black; A. 13.
Ohio to Iowa and Louisiana, abundant,, readily known by
its coloration and its long, rough spines.

5. N. eleutherus, Jordan. FKEE - FINNED STONE CAT.
Similar but larger and rather stouter; the adipose fin
divided to its very base, so that a space greater than the
diameter of the eye intervenes between the adipose fin
and the rudimentary rays of the caudal; anal 11 to 13;
colors much as in N. miurus. French Broad River and
Tar River, N. C.

ft Pectoral spines grooved on the inner edge, not serrated ; adi-
pose fin high and continuous.

6. Pectoral spine very short and small, less than one-fourth the
length of the head ; head very small and narrow.

6. N. leptacanthus, Jor. SMALL- SPINED STONE CAT.
A small, slender species, with very feeble spines, found
in the Alabama and other Southern Rivers.

ANGUILLID^E. — CXI. 337

bb. Pectoral spines long and strong, entire without, grooved within,
about half the length of the head ; color pale yellowish
brown, with dark streaks along the sides.

7. N. gyrinus, (Mit.) Raf. TADPOLE STONE CAT. A
" starved " representative of the next, slimmer in every
way; head shorter and smaller; body more elongate, and
more compressed, almost ribbon-shaped behind; barbels
pale; anal 1 3. S. E. N. Y., and Eastern Penn. and N. J.

8. N. sia/is, Jordan. CHUBBY STONE CAT. The
shortest and stoutest of all the species; head short and
very broad, nearly 4 in length; its width about the same;
depth 4^ to 5£; barbels dark; yellowish, a black lateral
streak and usually three dorsal ones. Ohio to Kansas,
N. to British America, abundant.

OEDEE BB.-APODES.

(The Eels.)

Maxillary bones rudimentary; body serpentiform ; no
ventral fins; scapular arch free from skull; scales small
or wanting.

FAMILY CXI.— ANGUILLID^E.

(The Eels.)

Body much elongated, nearly cylindrical, covered with
small scales; vent posterior; pectorals present; vertical
fins confluent; sides of upper jaw formed by the maxil-
laries; intermaxillaries more or less coalescent with the
vomer; stomach ccecal. Genera two or three; "an
infinite number of species have been described "(Gfun-
ther), but the actual number can not exceed forty. In
seas and sluggish fresh waters of all regions.

15

338 FISHES.

/. ANGUILLA, Thunberg. EELS.

1. A. rostrata, (LeS.) DeK. COMMON AMERICAN EEL.
Distance between dorsal and anal shorter than head. U.
S., chiefly coastwise, but ascending all rivers and intro-
duced into the Great Lakes. (A. bostoniensis, etc., of
authors.) But one species is recognizable in the North-
ern Hemisphere, according to a recent French writer,
M. Dareste, who unites our species with the European
A. vulgaris.

AMHD^E. — CXH. 339

Sanottrei.

(The Ganoid Fishes.)

Skeleton bony or cartilaginous ; tail more or less
heterocercal ; optic nerves forming a chiasma; arterial
bulb rhythmically contractile, provided with several rows
of valves; air bladder frequently cellular and lung-like;
skin usually with bony plates; intestine usually with a
spiral valve; ventral fins, if present, abdominal. Of this
important sub-class but few species are now existing,
and these few vary widely from one another. Of the
earlier fossil fishes, a very large proportion are Ganoids.

OEDEE CO.-CYCLOGAirorDEI.

(The Cydoganoids.)

This order contains but a single species among recent
fishes.

FAMILY CXIL— AMIID^E.

(The Bow-Fins.)

Body oblong, rather stout, covered with thick cycloid
scales; tail heterocercal, the caudal peduncle curved
upwards behind, "like a sled-runner;" a large bony
buckler between branches of lower jaw; membrane
bones of head much developed, very hard; jaws broad,
with strong teeth in two sets, similar teeth on vomer,
palate and pterygoids; snout short, rounded; ventrals
large, abdominal j dorsal very long, the ravs of nearly

340 GANOID FISHES.

uniform height; anal short arid rather high; air bladder
large, cellular, lung -like, communicating by a glottis
with the oesophagus; stomach large.

A single species is found in the larger bodies of fresh
water in the U. S. from N. Y. to the plains. It is
exceedingly tenacious of life, even more so than the
species of Amiurus. The flesh is soft and pasty, and
not edible. In some regions its voracity has acquired
for it the name of " Lawyer," because, as has been said,
" it will bite at any thing, and is good for nothing when
caught."

/. AMIA, Linnaeus. GEINDLES.

1. A. calva, L. BOWFIN. DOG FISH. MUD FISH.
Depth 4 to 4£ in length; head nearly 4; eye 8 in head;
anterior nostrils each with a short barbel; dark olive or
blackish above, nearly white below; sides with traces
of greenish markings; lower jaw and gular plate with
round blackish spots; fins mostly dark; $ reaching a
length of 18 inches, with a roundish black spot on the
upper base of caudal, which is surrounded by an orange
or yellowish shade; $ larger, 2 feet or more in length,
without the black caudal spot; D. 42 to 53; A. 10 to 13;
lat. 1. 65 to 70. E. U. S. ; abundant in the Great Lakes.
(A. ornata^ reticulata, and viridis, LeS. A. marmorata,
canina, lentiginosa, cinerea, and subccerulea, Val. A.
ocellicauda,) Rich. A. occidental^, DeK. A. thompsoni
and piquotii, Dumeril.)

ORDER DD.-RHOMBOQA^OIDEL

(The Rhoniboganoide.)

This order includes, among recent fishes, only the
following family:

LEPIDOSTEIDJE. — CXIH. 341

FAMILY CXIIL— LEPIDOSTEID^E.

(The Gar Pikes)

Body elongated, sub - cylindrical, covered with hard,
enamelled, lozenge - shaped, ganoid plates; snout elon-
gated, spatulate, or beak -like; upper jaw of several
pieces, longer than the lower, which is formed of as
many parts as in Reptiles; both jaws and palate armed
with bands of rasp - like teeth, and series of larger,
conical ones; fins with fulcra (elongated modified scales)
in front; dorsal and anal short and placed far back,
moderately high; vertebrae concavo-convex, with ball
and socket joints as -in Reptiles; air bladder cellular,
like the lungs of Reptiles, connected with the pharynx;
stomach not coecal but with numerous pyloric append-
ages ; intestine with rudimentary spiral valve ; no spir-
acles; branchiostegals three; pseudobranchiae present.
Fresh waters of N. A., from New England to the Rocky
Mountains, S. to Central America and Cuba. Genera
two or three (Cylindrosteus seems to us to be rather a
sub-genus of Lepidosteus)\ species probably about five
although forty have been described; until some more
tangible distinctions are shown, we can admit but
three.*

* In a recent work on these fishes, Prof. August Dumerll very laboriously
distinguishes the following "species" among the specimens of Lepidosteus in
the Museum at Paris:

L. osseus, (Ij.) (=• L. gavlalis, Lac.); £• louisianensis, Dum. (= L. oxyurus,
Raf. = Sarchirus viltatus, Raf.); L. harlani, L. ayresl, L. smithii, L. copei, L.
lamarii, L. clintonii, L. troostii, L. piquotianus, L. lesueurii, L. elizabeth, L.
thompsoni. L. horatii, L. milberti, L. treculii, Dumeril ; and L. huronensis, Rich.
Of Cylindrosteus, he finds C. plabystomus (Raf.); C. productus (Cope); C. pla-
tyrhynchns (DeK.); C. agassizil, V. raflnesquei, C. bartoni, C. castelnaudii and
C. zadocki, Dum.

Most of these nominal species are based upon the most trifling individual
differences, and often the right side of a specimen indicates one "species," and
the left another. As matters stand, we have no alternative but to reject them
all, and to wait for the time when systematic writers shall be wiser or more
honest.

342 GANOID FISHES.

* Large teeth on the maxillaries in a single row; species of

moderate size, 2 to 5 feet long. . . LEPIDOSTEUS, 1.

** Large teeth on the maxillaries in two rows ; snout broad,

depressed, about equal to rest of head ; size large, length

5 to 10 feet LITHOLEPIS, 2.

/. LEPIDOSTEUS, Lac6pede. GAB PIKES.

Sarchirus, Raf. (Young with the pectoral fins fleshy.)

* Snout very slender, much longer than the rest of the head.

(Lepidosteus.)

1. L. osseus, (L.) Ag. GAR PIKE. BONY GAR. BILL
FISH. Head nearly 3 in length; depth nearly 12; snout
more than twice the length of rest of head; eye nearly
2£ in distance to margin of preopercle, more than 2 in
interorbital space; ventrals midway between pectorals
and anal; olivaceous, white below; sides with obscure
spots, more evident posteriorly; vertical fins with dis-
tinct round black spots; D. 7; A. 9; lat. line 64 to 66;
length 2 to 5 feet. N. Y. to the plains and South,
abundant in large bodies of water.

* Snout shortened, rather broad, about as long as the rest of the

head. (Cylindrosteus, Raf.)

2. L. p/atystomus, Raf. SHORT- NOSED GAR PIKE.
Depth 7 to 8 in length; head 3£; eye 10 in head, three
times nearer opercular margin than end of snout; ven-
trals much nearer P. than A.; length of head notably
shorter than from P. to V.; olivaceous, sides and fins
spotted with black; D. 7; A. 8; lat. 1. 60 to 65. Great
Lakes and streams S. and W. of N. Y. to Rocky Moun-
tains.

2. LITHOLEPIS, Rafinesque. ALLIGATOR GARS.

= Atractosteus, Raf.
1. L. spatula, (Lac.) Jor. GREAT GAR. ALLIGATOR GAR.

POLYODONTID.E. — CXIV. 343

DIAMOND FISH. Snout broad, depressed, the length of
the cleft of the mouth being about half the length of the
head; color olivaceous; head 3£ in length; D. 8; A. 8;
lat. 1. 60; very large, reaching a length of 8 feet or more.
Mississippi Valley, N. to Illinois and Ohio, abund-
ant southward. (A. ferox, Ra^ L. adamantinus
Raf.)

ORDER EE.-SELAOHOSTOMI.

(The Spoon -Sills.)
This order contains but the single family Polyodontidte

FAMILY CXIV.— POLYODONTID^E.

(The Spoon-Billed Cats.)

Body elongated; skin naked, with minute stellated
roughnesses, and some bony plates about head and tail;
mouth very wide, not inferior, but overhung by the long
snout; minute teeth on lower jaw, maxillaries and palate,
teeth sometimes deciduous with age; snout produced into
a very long and spatula-like process, thin and flexible at
its edges; no barbels; caudal with fulcra, as in Lepidos-
te^ts, heterocercal, the lower lobe well developed; opercle
with a long flap reaching to pectorals or beyond, and
sometimes to ventrals; spiracles present; no tongue; one
broad branchiostegal ; air bladder large, communicating
with the oesophagus; intestine with a well - developed
spiral valve ; stomach ccecal, with a broad divided pylorio
appendage. Fresh waters of U. S. and China. Species
two; P. folium from the Mississippi, and P. gladius
from the Yangtsekiang.

344 GANOID FISHES.

/. POLYODON, Lacepede. DUCK-BILLED CATS.

= /Spatularia, Shaw.
= Planirostra, LeSueur.

1. P. folium, Lacepede. DUCK-BILLED CAT. SPOON-
BILLED STURGEON. Snout nearly ^ of length; opercular
flap reaching much beyond pectorals; fins all more or
less falcate; color gray; D. 55 to 60; A. 56; length 5
feet or more. Mississippi and its larger tributaries,
abundant. A singular fish, bearing considerable resem-
blance to a Shark.

ORDER FF.-OHO1TDROSTEL

(The Cartilaginous Ganoids.)
This order is equivalent to the family AcipenseridcB.

FAMILY CXV.— ACIPENSERID.E.

(The Sturgeons.)

Body elongate, sub-cylindrical, with five longitudinal
rows of bony shields, the lower sometimes deciduous;
snout produced; mouth entirely inferior, transverse,
protractile, toothless; four barbels in a row under snout
in front of mouth; vertical fins with fulcra; caudal hete-
rocercal; dorsal and anal far back. No branchiostegals;
air bladder large, not cellular; stomach not ccecal, with
pyloric appendages; intestines with spiral valve. Dis-
tribution same as that of Salmo. Fresh waters of
northern regions, some species marine and entering rivers.
Genera two; species twenty ((runther), eighty or more
(August Dume'riV). Perhaps in no group has the making
of nominal species been carried to a greater extent than
in this.

. — CXV. 345

* Rows of bony bucklers distinct throughout ; spiracles present ;

snout rather narrow, sub-conical. . . ACIPENSER, 1.

** Rows of bony bucklers confluent behind, entirely surround-
ing the depressed tail ; no spiracles ; snout flattened, rather
broad, shovel-shaped. . . . SCAPHIBHYNCHOPS, 2.

/. ACIPENSER, Linnaeus. STURGEON**.

* Marine species ascending rivers ; lateral shields 22 to 32.

1. A. sturio, L. COMMON SEA STURGEON. SHARP-
NOSED STURGEON. Snout pointed, half the length of
head; dorsal shields 11 to 13; lateral shields 26 to 31;
D. 37 to 44 rays. Atlantic Ocean S. to Africa and West
Indies. (A. oxyrhynchus, Mit., the American form.)

2. A. brevirostris, LeSueur. BLUNT-NOSED STURGEON.
Snout blunt, one-quarter length of head; dorsal shields
8 to 10; lateral shields 22 to 28; abdominal 8 to 10; D.
30 rays; skin with minute scattered prickles and stellate
ossifications. Cape Cod to Fla.

** Species of fresh water ; lateral shields 38 to 38.

3. A. maculosus, LeSueur. ROCK STURGEON. BONY
STURGEON. Snout pointed, nearly as long as rest of
head; head 3£ in length of body; bony shields large,
close together, 13 to 16 in front of dorsal, 33 to 38 on
sides, 9 or 10 on abdomen, all of them rough and strongly
radiated, with more or less hooked or incurved tips; skin
rough; D. 37 to 45. Great Lakes (?), OhioR. and south-
ward.

4. A. rubicundus, LeSueur. RED STURGEON. LAKE
STURGEON. Head 4£ in length; eye 10 in head, nearly
midway; dorsal scutes 16 (to base of D), relatively small
and rather distant; lateral scutes 35; ventral scutes 9;
snout rather blunt, becoming more so with age, rather
shorter than rest of headj barbels nearer to end of snout

346 GANOID FISHES.

than to eye; scutes relatively smaller, smoother and less
crowded than in the preceding; blackish, sides paler or
reddish; length 2 to 6 feet; D. 37. Great Lakes and
Western Rivers.

2. SCAPHIRHYNCHOPS, Gill. SHOVBL- NOSED STUR-
GEONS.

= Scaphirhynchit£y Heckel (preoccupied in Birds).

1. S. platyrhynchus, (Raf.) Gill. SHOVEL-NOSED STUB-
GEON. Tail wider than deep, extending beyond caudal
rays and ending in a filament; snout nearly the form of
a spade; whole body rough with small prickles; dorsal
shields 15 or 16; lateral shields 40 to 46; abdominal 10
to 13; all the shields rough and strongly carinated, the
keel ending behind in a spine which points backward;
size large. Mississippi Valley.

LAMPREYS. 347

(The Lampreys?)

Skeleton cartilaginous, without ribs, limbs, shoulder
girdle nor pelvic elements; skull imperfectly developed,
without true jaws; a single median nostril; gills in the
form of fixed sacs, without branchial arches; gill sacs
typically seven on each side ; mouth nearly circular, suc-
torial; no scales ; body elongated, eel-shaped; alimentary
canal nearly straight and simple; no arterial bulb.

(Class VI. — ELASMOBEANCHII, the Selachians, repre-
sented on our Atlantic Coast by many species of Sharks
and Skates, is here omitted, as its members are exclusively
marine, and it does not therefore come within the scope
of this treatise. Class VIII. — LBPTOCAEDII, the Lan-
celots^ is also omitted for the same reason. The latter
class contains, as far as now known, but two genera,
Eplgonopterus and Amphioxus, with two or three species.
One of these, Amphioxus caribceus, Sundevall, occurs
along the coast of our South Atlantic States.)

ORDERS OF MARSIPOBRANCHII.

* Nasal duct a blind sac, not penetrating the palate.

HTPEKOAKTIA, GG.

** Nasal duct penetrating the palate. HYPEKOTRETA, page 347
GG. FAMILIES OF HYPEROARTIA.

* Branchial sacs seven on each side • intestine with spiral valve.

PETROMYZONTID^E, 116.

FAMILIES OF HYPEROTRETA.

* One external aperture on each side of body, leading by six ducts

to as many branchial sacs ; no spiral valve ; marine para-
sites, burrowing into the bodies of other fishes.

Myxinidw, the Hag FisJtes.

348 LAMPEEYS.

ORDER GG.-HYPEROARTTA.

(The Lampreys.)

FAMILY CXVL— PETROMYZONTID^E.

(The Lampreys.)

Body eel-shaped, naked; dorsal and anal fins long and
low, usually continuous with the caudal; mouth suctorial,
armed with horny teeth which rest on papillae. Eggs
small.

These animals undergo a metamorphosis; the young
are usually toothless, and have the eyes rudimentary.
Genera five or six, in temperate regions, found in all
waters. They attach themselves to fishes and other ani-
mals, and feed by scraping off the flesh, by means of
their rasp-like teeth.

The American species are still very imperfoctly known.
Until quite recently the larvae were considered as form-
ing distinct genera, which have been termed Ammocoetes,
iScolecosoma.) Chilopterus, etc.

* Maxillary teeth close together, not forming a crescentic plate.

f Dorsals well separated. . . . PETROMYZOX, 1.

ft Dorsals connected. *, ICHTHYOMYZON, 2.

** Maxillary tooth forming a crescentic plate, with a cusp at each

end; dorsal continuous AMMOCCETES, 3.

/. PETROMYZON, Linnaeus. LAMPREYS.

1. P. marinus, L. GREAT SEA LAMPREY. Resembles
the next, but larger, with a shorter head, which is but
little longer than the "chest" (space occupied by the
branchial openings); color olive brown, mottled with
black; L. 30 to 40. Marine, ascending rivers, eastward.
(P. americanus, LeS.)

PETROMYZONTID.E. — CXVI. 349

2. P. nigricans, L. LARGE BLACK LAMPREY. Head
very large, longer than the "chest," 6£ in length; depth
about 13; body little compressed; dorsal fins rather low,
distinctly separated; eyes and mouth very large ; a
depression between eyes and snout; a single bicuspid
tooth in front of oesophagus; mandibulary plate curved,
with about eight pointed teeth; rest of mouth covered
with rather large teeth disposed in oblique cross-rows,
five or more in each row; lips fringed; L. 12. Lakes
and streams, Cayuga L., N. Y. (Wilder), and E.; prop-
erly a marine species. Also in Europe. (JP. nigricans,
LeS., the American form.) (Several other Lampreys
have been described from our Eastern streams and coast,
but they are very doubtful.)

2. ICHTHYOMYZON, Girard. LAMPERNS.

1. I. argenteum, (Kirt.) Gir. SILVERY LAMPREY.
Head quite small, shorter than " chest," about 10 in
length; depth nearly the same, in adult; body stout,
compressed; dorsal fin very high, with a shallow depres-
sion; eyes distinct in adult, concealed in young; mouth
small, with inconspicuous teeth; color ashy silvery, with
numerous small black dots; larger ones above the gill
openings; L. 12. Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, E. to
N. Y., frequent. (Ammoccetes concolor, Kirt., A. cepyp-
tera, Abbott.)

3. AMMOC(ETES. DTTMERIL LAMPERNS.

1. A. niger, (Raf.) Jor. SMALL BLACK LAMPREY.
Head moderate, longer than " chest," 8£ in total length;
depth 14; body scarcely compressed except behind;
dorsal fins rather high, slightly connected; eyes large;
mouth rather small, one tooth with two cusps well apart

350 LAMPREYS.

in front of oesophagus; mandibulary plate nearly straight,
with about eight sub-equal teeth; a few scattering teeth
on sides of mouth; snout rounded; dark blue black, un-
spotted, silvery below; L. 8 to 11. Great Lakes, Upper
Miss, and Ohio Valley, abundant in many localities,
ascending small brooks in the spring.

ADDENDA.

To page 16, after Canis lupus:

2. C. lafrans, Say. COYOTE. PEAIEIE WOLF. This
common species of the Western plains is said still to
occur occasionally in Wisconsin. It is much smaller in
size than C. lupus.

To page 19, after MEPHITIS MEPHITICA:
Subgenus Spilogale, Gray.

2. HI. putor/us, (L.) Coues. LITTLE STRIPED SKUNK.
Black, with white patch on forehead ; four parallel dor-
sal stripes, broken behind; tail black, with white pencil
at tip. Size very small. L. 11; T. 7£. Southwestern,
said to have occurred in Wisconsin. (.Soy.)

On page 26, for the analysis of genera, substitute:

* Ears ordinary ; feet fimbriate ; tail at least as long as head and
body ; teeth 32-v-f| NEOSOREX, 1.

** Ears ordinary ; feet not fimbriate ; tail shorter than head and
body SOREX, 2.

*** Ears small, the parts directed forwards, so as to show no open
ing and no external ear whatever ; feet ordinary ; tail about
as long as head BLARINA.

/. NEOSOREX, Baird. WATER SHREWS.
1. H. palustris, (Rich.) Coues. Back hoary black;
belly ashy gray; largest of our shrews; L. 6; T. 2^-.
British America, S. to N. H. and Mass.

861

352 ADDENDA.

2. SOREX, Linnaeus. SHREWS.

* Teeth colored, 32— f|. (Sorex.)

1. S. forsteri, Rich. Ears small; tail f length of
head and body; snout slender; L. 4£; T. If. N. U. S.

2. S. richardsoni, Bach. Ears rather small; tail scant-
haired; L. 4; T. 1£. Wis. and N.

3. S. platyrhinus, (DeK.) Wagn. COMMON SHREW.
Ears very large for a Shrew; tail scant-haired; color
chestnutty; L. 3f ; T. 1$. N. U. S.

4. S. cooperi, Bach. Ears large; chestnut brown; L.
3|; T. 1|. N. U. S.

5. S. personafus, Geoff. St. Hilaire. Ears large;
chestnut brown; L. 2f; T. 1; smallest of our Shrews.
Penn. and S.

** Teeth 30— ff- (Microsorex, Baird.)

6. S. hoyi, Baird. HOT'S SHREW. Very small and
slender; ears large; olive brown; L. 3; T. 1£. North-
ern States. (S. thompsoni, Bd.)

3. BLARINA, Gray. SHORT-TAILED SHREWS.

* Teeth 32 — f-|. (Blarina.)

1. B. brevicauda, (Say) Baird. SHORT-TAILED SHREW.
Size large for a Shrew; fur short and coarse; color dark
ashy gray; L. 4£; T. 1. E. U. S., common. \B. tal-
poides (Gapper) Baird.]

2. B. carolinensis, (Bach.) Bd. Smaller; leaden gray;
L. 3i; T. f. U. S., chiefly southward.

3. B. angusticeps, Baird. Intermediate; skull usual-
ly narrow; uniform plumbeous. L. 3£; T. 1. New
England.

** Teeth 30— -J-|. (Soriciscus, Coues.)

ADDENDA. 353

4. B. parva, (Say). Body stout; iron gray, with
brown gloss; L. 3^; T. f. Southern States, N. to Penn.
[12. cinerea (Bach.) Bd.]

5. B. exilipes, Baird. Small, fur full; feet very small ;
hoary olive; L. 2£; T. f. Southern States, N. to Ills.
The number of species of Blarina and /Sorex is still
uncertain, and their geographical distribution has been
little studied.

To page 28, after Tamias striatus:

2. T. quadrivittatus, (Say) Wagner. MISSOURI CHIP-
MUNK. Smaller; inter-spaces between the stripes all
whitish (in T. striatits, the upper interspaces are colored
like the back); L. 8; T. 4. Wisconsin (Hoy) and North-
westward.

To page 61, after Helminthophaga pinus, add:

2. (b) H. lawrencii, Herrick. LAWRENCE'S WARBLER.
Olive green above; wings bluish gray, with two white
bands; crown and under parts orange; a broad black
patch from bill through and beyond eye; chin, throat
and fore part of breast black, these patches separated
from the loral patch by a yellow stripe; L. 4^; W. 2£;
T. 2. New Jersey, two specimens known.

2. (c) H. leucobronchialis, Brewster. WHITE- THROAT-
ED WARBLER. Crown bright yellow; wing coverts
chiefly yellow; superciliary line, cheeks and entire under
parts silky- white, the breast tinged with yellow; nape
ashy; upper surface otherwise olive; a narrow stripe of
black from base of bill through and behind eye; no
traces of black on cheeks or throat; L. 5£; W. 2£; T.
If. Massachusetts, one specimen known.

854 ADDENDA.

To page 77, after Lanius borealis :

2. L. ludovicianus, (L.) LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE.

Slate-colored above, the rump scarcely paler; black head
stripe not bordered above by hoary; L. 8£; W. 4; T. 4£.
Southern States, up to Illinois, etc.

To page 83, after Plectrophanes pictits:

*** Bill very large, turgid, without ruff; hind claw straight but
short. (Rhynchophanes, Kaup.)

4. P. maccownii, Lawr. MACCOWN'S BUNTING. Crown
and pectoral crescent black; bend of wing chestnut;
superciliary line and under parts white; back streaked;
outer tail feathers white, inner partly white, the white
areas being cut squarely off; L. 6£; "W. 3f ; T. 2£; B.
nearly £. Plains, chiefly northward, E. to Illinois.
(Nelson.)

To page 88, after Junco hyemalis:

2. J. oregonus, (Towns.) Scl. OREGON SNOW-BIRD.
Head, neck and breast black; back and wings with red-
dish brown, belly white, sides brownish tinged; $ duller;
L. 6£; W. 3; T. 3. Rocky Mts. to Pacific Coast, stray-
ing East to Illinois. (Nelson.)

On page 105, line 5, add to the common names of C.
auratus, the name " Yellow Hammer"

On page 108:

In Otus brachyotus, occasionally but one primary is
emarginate; the species however differs strikingly in
color from 0. vulgaris, the under parts especially being
less variegated. Mr. Ridgway informs me that the genus
AsiO) JSrisson, should probably stand instead of Otiis.
Our species would then be called Asio otus and Asio
brachyotus.

ADDENDA. 355

On page 188, after H. palustris, add:

2. (b) R. circulosa, Rice and Davis (sp. nov). Hoos-
IER FROG. Head broad; body, head and sides with the
ground color largely predominating, and with narrow
rings of a greenish slate color, which become larger and
more irregular posteriorly; hind legs black, crossed with
irregular lines of yellowish slate color; fore limbs simi-
larly marm orate; tympanum black with pale ring; below
chiefly yellowish white; toes very long; size medium:
L. 3£. Benton Co., Indiana, lately discovered by Mr.
E. F. Shipman. (Abridged from Mr. Rice's Notes.)

On page 271:

Genus SALMO.

Since the part of this work referring to the Salmonidce
has been stereotyped, Professor Gill and the writer have
been enabled to review the various species of that family
found in the United States. Under the genus " Salmo"
as defined in the text, at least four very distinct genera
are confounded, which may be briefly diagnosed as
follows:

* Anal fin elongate, of 14 to 17 rays, vomer narrow, long, flat,
with weak teeth, no hyoid teeth ; snout in adult males in the
spawning season in typical species greatly distorted, the
premaxillaries prolonged, hooking over the lower jaw,
which in turn is greatly prolonged upward and forward
and somewhat hooked at tip ; the teeth of the premaxillaries
and of the tip of the lower jaw being then greatly enlarged;
a fleshy hump also developed before the dorsal fin ; species,
black-spotted. ONCOBHYNCHUS, 1.

** Anal fin short, of 9 — 12 rays.

f Vomer flat, its toothed surface plane ; teeth on the shaft of
the vomer in two alternating rows or in one zigzag row,
placed directly on the surface of the bone, not on a free

356 ADDENDA.

keel -like crest; (posterior vomerine teeth sometimes
deciduous) ; species of various habit, black-spotted, the last
rays of the dorsal and anal somewhat elongate. SALMO, 2.

ft Vomer somewhat boat-shaped, the shaft depressed and the
teeth placed not directly on the shaft but on a raised crest,
which is posteriorly free; a band of stout recurved
teeth on the hyoid bone; scales small; caudal well
forked ; dorsal and anal not elevated behind ; species of
large size, gray-spotted, not anadromous, inhabiting
American lakes. .... CRISTIVOMER, 3.

ftf Vomer somewhat boat-shaped; the shaft depressed and
entirely toothless; scales very small, in 225 — 250 rows;
dorsal and anal not elevated behind ; species of rather
small size, crimson-spotted, the lower fins with marginal
bands of black and pale; not anadromous, but sonie-
,. times descending to the sea, in salt water losing all
markings and becoming nearly plain silvery.

SALVELINUS, 4.

In the following account, I include all the species thus
far known from the waters of the United States, as the
general interest felt in this group of fishes seems to
render this arrangement desirable.

/. ONCORHYNCHUS,&Mck\Qy. HOOKED -JAW SALMONS.

* Body not greatly compressed; upper jaw the longer; sexual
peculiarities excessively developed; size large. (Oncorhyn-
chus.)

. 0. gorbuscha, ("Walbaum) Gill & Jordan. HUMP-
BACK SALMON. Scales very small, in more than 200
transverse rows. N. W. Coast. (S. proteus^ Pallas.
S. gibber, Bloch.)

2. 0. keia, (Walb.) G. & J. EKEWAN. Scales
medium, in 170 (155—180) rows; B. 16. N. W. Coast.
(8. scouleri. Rich., S. lagocephalus, Pall., S. confluentus,
Suckl.)

ADDENDA. 357

3. 0. nerka, (Walb.) G. & J. DOG SALMON. Scales
large, in 133 (120—140) rows; B. 13; C. feebly forked;
form elongate, heavy forwards. N. W. Coast. (S.
lycaodon, Pall., 8. cam's, cooperi and richardi, Suckley.
S. paucidens. Rich.)

4. 0. quinnat, (Rich.) Gthr. QUINNAT. CALIFORNIA
SALMON. Scales large, in 120 — 140 rows; B. 15; C.
well forked; body deepest mesially, less elongate. W.
Coast, now largely introduced into Eastern waters. (S
argyreuS) Grd., $. warreni, Suckley.)

** Body oblong, very strongly compressed, back elevated, .the
dorsal fin posterior; mouth large, the lower jaw rather the
longer ; sexual peculiarities moderately developed ; size
small. (Hypsifario, Gill.)

5. 0. kennerlii, (Suckl.) Jor. RED SALMON OF THE
CHILOWEYUCK. Scales large, in 130 — 140 rows. W.
U.S.

2. SALMO, Linnaeus. SALMONS.
(Fario, Val., Salar, Val., Trutta, Siebold.)
* Anadromous salmon with the vomerine teeth little developed,
those on the shaft of the bone few, deciduous ; scales large
(in about 130 rows) ; caudal fin well forked, truncate in very
old individuals ; no hyoid teeth; lower jaws hooked upwards
in breeding males, the upper jaw being then emarginate
or perforate. (Salmo.)

1. S. salar, L. COMMON SALMON (see text). When
landlocked in inland lakes, it becomes var. sebago, (S.
gloveri, Grd., 8. omiscomaycus, Walb.)
** River salmon, with the vomerine teeth largely developed, those
on the shaft of the bone numerous, in one zigzag row, or in
two alternating rows, persistent; caudal little forked.
(Salar, Val.)
f Hyoid bone toothless.

a. Scales large, in 120 — 150 transverse rows; caudal fin
forked.

358 ADDENDA.

2. $. irideus, Gibbons. PACIFIC BkooK TROUT. Form
stout; head short, bluntish; mouth small, the maxillary
scarcely reaching beyond eye. Streams W. of Sierra
Nevada. (S. newberrii, Grd., S. masoni, Suckl.)

aa. Scales small, in 165 — 205 rows.

6. Caudal somewhat forked; head small, conical, rather
pointed.

3. S. tsuppitch, Rich. BLACK TEOUT OF LAKE TAHOE.
Rather slender; mouth moderate; opercle prolonged
backwards; scales in 180 rows. Streams W. of Sierra
Nevada.

bb. Caudal double-rounded ; head heavy, shortish, convex.

4. S. spilurus, Cope. BIG-MOUTHED TROUT. Mouth
very large, the maxillary reaching much beyond eye;
opercle not specially prolonged; black spots most numer-
ous posteriorly. Rocky Mountain region, Wyoming to
Arizona.

9

Var. pleuriticus, Cope. Scales small, in 200 rows;
head carinate. Generally distributed.

Var. spilurus, (Cope). Scales larger, in 170 rows;
he&d strongly convex. Utah to Colorado, etc.

f Hyoid bone with an elongate band of small teeth (easily

scraped off by careless observers).

c. Head large and long — acuminate ; hyoid teeth weak ; cau-
dal somewhat forked.

5. S. henshawi, G. & J. (sp.n.) SILVER TROUT OF LAKE
TAHOE. Head little carinate; body elongate, not much
compressed; scales in 160 — 184 rows. Streams of Cal.

cc. Head comparatively short and blunt ; hyoid teeth rather
strong ; caudal less forked.

6. S. sfom/as, Cope. Scales in 200 rows; head broad
and flat. Upper Missouri.

ADDENDA. 359

7. S. clarkii, Rich. MISSOURI TROUT. COLUMBIA
RIVER TROUT. Head somewhat carinate. All streams
from Rio Grande and Basin of Utah to Upper Missouri
and Northwestward to the Pacific.

Var. clarkii. Scales 155 — 165. Streams of Oregon
and Washington, chiefly W. of Cascade Range. (/$.
stellafus, Grd., S. bremcauda and S. gibbsii, Suckley.)

Var. aurora, (Grd.) Scales 165 — 175. Streams chiefly
E. of the Cascade Range. (S. lewisi & S. virginalis,
Grd., S. carinatus, Cope.)

3. CRISTIVOMER, Gill & Jordan. GREAT LAKE TROUTS.

1. C. namaycush, (Walb.) G. & J. MACKINAW TROUT.
GREAT LAKE TROUT. LONGE TOGUE. (See text). Scales in
170 — 215 rows. Lakes, from Rocky Mountains to Maine,
and northward. Individuals from Eastern Lakes vary
somewhat, but can hardly be specifically distinct. Their
scales average rather larger, the colors are often darker,
and the gray spots sometimes tinged with red. (S. con-
finis, DeKay, S. symmetrica, Prescott, S. toma, Hamlin,

S. adarondacus, Norris.)

2. C. siscowet, (Ag.) G. & J. SISCOWET. Differs
from the preceding in the great fatness of the flesh, and
in having all the bones of the head shortened and broad-
ened; scales in 175 — 180 rows. Lake Superior.

4. SALVELINUS, Richardson. CHARRS.
(Umbla, Rapp. Baione, DeKay. Salmo, Siebold.)

* Hyoid bone with a median band of teeth.

a. Body elongate, slender, compressed; head quite small,
with mouth smaller than in any other of our trouts, the
maxillary not reaching to posterior margin of eye ; cau-
dal well forked ; adipose fin small ; red spots small, con-
fined to the sides of the body.

360 ADDENDA.

1. S. oquassa, (Grd.) G. & J. RANGELEY LAKE TROUT.
(See text.)

aa. Body stout ; head large, broad above, with large mouth,
the maxillary reaching past eye; caudal little forked ;
adipose fin very large; red spots large, on back as well
as on sides.

2. S. spectabi/is, (Grd.) G. & J. PACIFIC RED-SPOTTED
TKOUT. Streams W. of Sierra Nevada. (/S. campbelli
and S. parkii, Suckley.)

** Hyoid bone toothless ; adipose fin small.
b. Head very large and pointed.

3. S. bairdii, (Suckl.) G. & J. "DOLLY VARDEN
TROUT." Streams W. of Sierra Nevada.

bb. Head large ; rather bluntish.

4. S. fontinalis, (Mitch.) G. & J. COMMON SPECKLED
TROUT. (See text.). U. 2, 11; A. 2, 9. Scales in 225
rows. Georgia (Little Tennessee River) to Lake Supe-
rior, Hudson's Bay, and Newfoundland; entering the sea,
where it becomes the Canadian " Salmon Trout." (/S'.
hudsonicus Suckley, S. immaculatus Storer, S. cana-
densis Smith, S. hearnii Rich.)

On page 274:

Genus COREGONUS.

I am indebted to Prof. James W. Milner of the U. S.
Fish Commission, for an opportunity to examine some of
the manuscript of his forthcoming review of the Core-
goni, and to study a very full series of the specimens on
which the review is based. For many of the conclusions
below given, 1 am indebted to Prof. Milner, but for the
generic and specific diagnoses and their arrangement
here, the present writer only is responsible. The species
referred in the text to Coregonus, fall into four well-
marked groups, three of which at least may at present

ADDENDA. 361

be regarded as genera, although they are much more
closely related than the genera of Salmons. These
genera or subgenera may be briefly denned as follows:

* Premaxillaries narrow, placed more or less nearly horizontally,

the mandible elongate, its tip about even with that of the
upper jaw ; the general outline of the muzzle therefore rather
pointed ; bones of head generally elongate. AKGYROSOMTJS, 1.
** Premaxillaries broad, placed vertically or turned inward, over-
lapping the tip of the lower jaw, the general outline of the
muzzle therefore rather bluntish or truncate ; mandible and
bones of the head generally shortened.

^ Supraorbital elongate; preorbital long and narrow; maxil-
lary comparatively long, reaching to pupil ; the small sup-
plemental bone ovate in form, rather broad; mouth not

very small COREGONTJS, 2.

# Supraorbital short, broadly ovate, cap-like ; preorbital com-
paratively short and broad ; maxillary short and rather
broad, not reaching to the line of the eye ; the small sup-
plementary bone narrow and sharply elliptical ; mouth
very small, the snout more or less produced.

PROSOPIUM, 3.

/. ARGYROSOMUS, Agassiz. CISCOES.

* Body short, deep, compressed, shad-like; the sides strongly

compressed ; curve of the back similar to that of the belly ;
scales large, notably larger forwards, rather closely imbri-
cated, the posterior margin little convex. (Allosomus, Jordan.)

1. A. tullibee, (Rich.) Ag. Depth 3 in length; at
posterior point of adipose fin equal to length of can-
dal peduncle, 8£ in length; head 4 in length, conic and
compressed; eye 4^- in head; maxillary reaching nearly
to middle of eye; jaws equal; tongue with a patch of
teeth; D. 2, 11; A. 2, 11; lat. 1. 74, 8 rows above it and
7 below; white, each scale with a bright silvery patch,
these forming very distinct silvery stripes along the rows
of scales. Upper Great Lakes and N. A species of
this type occurs also in the eastern part of Lake Erie.
16

362 ADDENDA.

** Body elongate, subfusiform, less compressed ; dorsal and ven-
tral outlines dissimilar ; scales smaller, loose and uniform,
posteriorly more convex. (Argyrosomus.)

2. A. nigripinnis, Gill. BLACK FIN. BLUE FIN. (See
text.)

3. A. artedi, (Le Sueur) Hoy. COMMON LAKE HEK-
EING. (See text.)

4. A . hoyi, Gill. Cisco of Lake Michigan. (See text.)

2. COREGONUS, Linnaeus. WHITE FISHES.

* Body elongate ; tongue with evident teeth.

1. C. labradoricus, Richardson. LAKE WHITING.
BLACK Cisco. Body elongate, compressed, the depth
4£ in length; head long and slender, somewhat pointed,
4f in length; mouth moderate, reaching front of pupil;
dorsal high in front, 2, 11; A. 2, 11; lat. 1, 80—84; about
eight rows above and seven below; fins all blackish;
color rather dark bluish, sides silvery. Lakes from
Northern N. Y. to New Hampshire and Labrador. (C.
neohantoniensis, Prescott.)

** Body stout, becoming deep and elevated with age ; no teeth.

2. C. clupeiformis, (Mitchill) Milner. COMMON WHITE
FISH. (See text, C. albus.) (C. otsego, Clinton.)

3. PROSOPIUM, Milner. ROUND WHITE FISH.

1. P. quadrilaterals, (Rich.) Milner. MENOMONEE
WHITE FISH. (See text.) The Shad- waiter (C. novan-
glice, Prescott) of the lakes of N. N. Y. and N. H.,
is apparently identical with this species.

2. P. couesii, Milner. CHIEF MOUNTAIN WHITE FISH.

(See text.) (For further Addenda, see page 403.)

LIST OF PAPERS

OF WHICH USE HAS BEEN MADE IN THE PREPARATION
OF THIS WORK.

The following list comprises many of the books and memoirs
which have been found useful to the author in the preparation of
this work. It is not designed to be exhaustive, and except in the
department of Fishes, it is not at all full. The recent elaborate
works on Mammals and Birds render references to earlier writ-
ings less necessary in the study of those animals than in the study
of the Fishes, all the literature pertaining to the latter being, as
yet, more or less scattering and incomplete.

The names of the authors have been arranged in alphabetical
order. Several of the longer or more irrelevant titles have been,
to save space, shortened or otherwise modified.

AGASSIZ (Louis). Nomenclator Zoologicus, 1842.

Lake Superior, 1850.
On a Collection of Fishes from the Southern bend of the

Tennessee River in Alabama, 1854.
On the Ichthyological Fauna (GyprinidcR) of the Pacific

Slope, in American Journal of Science and Arts, 1855.
Contributions to the Natural History of North America,

Part II, North American Testudinata, 1857.
ALLEN (Harrison), Monograph of Bats of North America, 1864.
ALLEN (Joel Asaph), Mammals of Iowa, 1869.

Mammals and Winter Birds of East Florida, 1870.

BAIUD (Spencer Fullerton) and GIRARD (Charles), Catalogue of

North American Reptiles, Part I, Serpents, 1853.
Mammals of N. A., Vol. VIII, Pacific R. R. Explorations

and Surveys, 1857.

Review of North American Birds in Smithsonian Miscel-
laneous Contributions, 1864 to 1872.
BAIKD (S. F.), BREWER (Thomas M.), and RIDGWAY (Robert),

History of North Am. Birds, Vols. I, II and III, 1874.

(363)

364 LIST OF PAPEES.

COPE (Edward Drinker), A partial Catalogue of the Cold-
Blooded Vertebrata of Michigan, 1864-1865.

Review of Plethodontidce and Desmognathidce, and Review

of Ainbly&iomida, in Proceedings of the Philadelphia
Academy, 1866.

Cyprinidae of Pennsylvania, 1866.

Synopsis of the genera Hypsilepis and Photogenis, 1867.

On Phenacobius, 1867.

On the Fishes of the Allegheny Region of Southwest Vir-
ginia, 1868.

On some Etheostomine Perch from Tennessee and North

Carolina, 1870.

A partial Synopsis of the Fishes of North Carolina, 1870.

Report on Reptiles and Fishes, in Hayden's Geological

Survey of Wyoming, for 1870. 1872.

Check List of North Am. Batrachia and Reptilia, 1875.

COPE (Edward Drinker) and YARROW (Henry C.), Report on
Fishes in Lieut. Wheeler's Explorations, 1876.

COUES (Elliott), Key to North American Birds, 1872.

Check List of Birds, 1873.

Birds of the Northwest, 1874.

Synopsis of the Muridae of North America, 1875.

Precursory Notes on N. Am. Insectivorous Mammals, 1877.

Monograph of Fur-bearing Animals (Mustelidce), 1877.

COUES (Elliott) and YARROW (Henry C.), Report on Mammals in
Lieut. Wheeler's Explorations and Surveys west of the
100th Meridian, 1876.

COUES (Elliott) and ALLEN (J. A.), Monographs of North Ameri-
can Rodentia, 1877.

CUVIER (George Christian Leopold Dagobert) and VALENCIENNES
(Achille), Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, 32 vols.,
1828 to 1849.

DEKAY (James E.), Natural History of New York— Fishes, 1842.

DUMERIL (August), Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, 2 vols., 1865
to 1870.

GILL (Theodore Nicholas), Numerous minor papers in the Pro-
ceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences and
elsewhere, 1858-1865.

LIST OF PAPEBS.

Arrangement of the Families of Fishes, 1872.

Arrangement of the Families of Mammals, 1872.

On the genus Micropterus (Lac.), or Grystes (Auct), 1873.

Catalogue of the Fishes of the East Coast of North

America in the Kept. U. S. Fish Commissioner for

1871-1872. 1873.
Ichthyology of Capt. Simpson's Explorations across the

Great Basin of Utah, 1876.
Scientific names of our Common Sun Fishes, in Field and

Forest, 1877, p. 188.
GIRARD (Charles), Monograph of the Fresh Water Cottoids of N.

A., in Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge, 1851.
Researches upon Cyprinoid Fishes in Proceedings of the

Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1856.
Explorations and Surveys for the Pacific R. R., Vol. X,

Fishes, 1858.

Ichthyology U. S. and Mexican Boundary Survey, 1859.

Ichthyological Notices, and other papers, in the Proceed-
ings of the Philadelphia Academy, 1859.
GRAY (John Edward), Catalogue of Lizards in the British

Museum, 1842.
GUNTHER (Albert), Catalogue of Colubrine Snakes, 1858.

— Catalogue of Batrachia Salientia, 1858.

Catalogue of the Fishes of the British Museum, 8 vols.,

1859 to 1870.

HOLBROOK (John Edwards), North American Herpetology.
Ichthyology of South Carolina, 1860.

JORDAN (David Starr) and COPELAND (Herbert Edson), Check List
of the Fresh Water Fishes of North America, 1876.

JORDAN (D. S.), On the Fishes of North. Indiana, in Proceedings
of the Academy of Nat. Sciences of Philadelphia, 1877.

A partial Synopsis of the Fishes of Upper Georgia, in

Annals of the Lyceum of Nat. Hist of New York, 1877.

Review of Rafinesque'c Memoirs on Am. Fresh Water

Fishes, and Monographs of Siluridce, Catostomidce, etc.,
in Bulletins IX, X and XII of the U. S. National
Museum, 1877-1878.

366 LIST or PAPERS.

JORDAN (D. S.) and BRAYTON (Alembert Winthrop), On the Dis-
tribution of the Fishes of the Alleghany region of the
Southern States, in Bulletin XII of the U. S. National
Museum, 1878.

JORDAN (D. S.) and BRAYTON (A. W.), On Lagochila — a new genus
of Catostomoid. Fishes, 1877.

KIRTLAND (Jared Potter), Fishes of the Ohio River and its Tribu-
taries, 1838-1845.

KLTPPART (John H.), First Annual Report Ohio State Fish Com-
mission (descriptions by D. S. Jordan and Chas. H.
Gilbert), 1877.

LESUEUR (Charges A.), Monograph of the genus Catostoinus and
numerous other papers in early numbers of the
Journal of the Phil. Academy, etc., 1817 to 1825.

MILKER (James N.), On species of Argyrosomus and Coregonus,
and on the Grayling, in the Rept.U. S. Fish Commis-
sioner for 1872-1873. 1874.

NELSON (Edward W.), A partial Synopsis of the Fishes of
Illinois, 1876.

PUTNAM (Frederick Ward), Bulletin of the Museum of Compara-
tive Zoology, I, 1863.

The Mammoth Cave and its Inhabitants.

RAFINESQUE (Constantino Samuel), Ichthyologia Ohiensis, 1820,
and numerous earlier papers, 1814 to 1820.

RICHARDSON (John), Fauna Boreali-Amer. Ill, Fishes, 1836.

STORER (David Humphreys), Synopsis of the Fishes of North
America in Memoirs of the American Academy, 1846.

History of the Fishes of Massachusetts, 1867.

BUCKLEY (George), Monograph of the genus Salmo, 1873.

VATLLANT (Leon), Recherches sur les Poissons de 1'eau douce de
Nord Amerique^Etheostomatidse), 1874.

GLOSSAEY

OF THE

PRINCIPAL TECHNICAL TERMS

USED IN THIS WORK.*

Abdomen — Belly.

Abdominal — Pertaining to the belly — said ol the ventral fins of
fishes when inserted considerably behind the pectorals, away
from the shoulder girdle.

Abortive — Remaining or becoming imperfect

Acuminate — Tapering gradually to a point.

Acute — Sharp-pointed.

Adipose fin — A peculiar, fleshy, fin-like projection on the backs
of Salmons, Cat Fishes, etc., behind the dorsal fin.

Air bladder — A sac filled with air, lying beneath the back-bone a?
fishes, corresponding to the lungs of the higher vertebrates

Allantois — An organ of the embryo.

Altrices — Birds reared in the nest and fed by the parents.

Altricial — Having the nature of Altrices.

Alula — The feathers attached to the " thumb " of a bird.

Alveolar surface— A. portion of the jaw of a turtle, where the
teeth-sockets (alveola) might be expected to be.

Amnion — An organ of the embryo.

Amphiccdian — Biconcave — said of vertebrae.

Anadromous— Said of marine fishes which run up rivers to spawn.

Anal — Pertaining to the anus or vent.

Anal fin — The fin on the median line, behind the vent, in fishes.

Anal plate — The plate, immediately in front of the vent, in ser-
pents.

* In the preparation of this Glossary, the author has largely drawn from
Dr. Coues' " Glossary of the Technical Terms used In Descriptive Ornithology,"
in Baird, Brewer and Ridgway's History of .North American Birds, Vol. III.
pp. 535—560.

(367)

368 GLOSSARY.

Anteorbital plate — The plate, in front of the eye, in serpents.

Antrorse — Turned forwards.

Anus — The external opening of tlie intestines.

Arterial bulb — The muscular swelling, at the base of the great

artery, in fishes, etc.
Articulated— Jointed.
Artiodactylous — Even-toed (toes 2 or 4.)
Attenuate — Long and slender, as if drawn out.
Auricle — The large lobe of the external ear; also, one of the

chambers of the heart.
Barbel — An elongated fleshy projection, usually about the head,

in fishes.

Basal — Pertaining to the base ; at or near the base.
Beak — The bill of birds, or (in other animals) any beak-like

structure.

Bend of Wing — Angle at the carpus when the wing is folded.
Bicolor — Two-colored.
Booted — Said of the tarsus, when its scales coalesce and form a

continuous envelope.

BrancfiicB — Gills ; respiratory organs of fishes, etc.
Branchial — Pertaining to the gills.
Branchiostegals — The bony rays supporting the branchiostegal

membranes, under the head of a fish, below the opercular

bones, and behind the lower jaw.
Bristle — A stiff hair, or hair-like feather.
Caducous — Falling off early.

Calcareous — Containing or composed of carbonate of lime.
Canines — The teeth behind the incisors — the " eye-teeth " ; in

fishes, teeth in the front part of the jaws, longer than the

others.

Carapace — The upper part of the shell of a turtle.
Carinate — Keeled, having a ridge along the middle line.
Carpus — The wrist.
Caudal — Pertaining to the tail.
Caudal fin — The fin on the tail of fishes.
Caudal peduncle — The region between the anal and caudal fins in

fishes.
Cavernous — Containing cavities, either empty or filled with a

mucous secretion.

GLOSSARY. 369

Cere — Fleshy, cutaneous or membranous covering of the base of
the bill in many birds, particularly the Owls, Hawks, and
Parrots.

Cervical — Pertaining to the neck.

Chiasma — Crossing of the fibres of the optic nerve.

Chin — The space between the forks of the lower jaw.

Ciliated — Fringed with eye-lash-like projections.

Cinereous — Ashy in color.

Clamatorial — Pertaining to or like the Clamatores.

Clavicle — The collar bone.

Ccecal — Of the form of a blind sac.

Caecum — An appendage of the form of a blind sac, connected with
the alimentary canal.

Commissure — The line on which the mandibles of a bird are closed.

Compressed — Flattened laterally.

Condyle — Articulating surface of a bone.

Conirostral — Said of a bill like that of a Sparrow; conical in
form and with the commissure angulatecl.

Costal folds — Folds of the skin (of a Salamander) showing the
position of the ribs.

Crest — In birds, any lengthened feathers about the head; else-
where, any elevated or cresUike projection.

Crissum — The under tail coverts, in birds.

Ctenoid — Rough-edged, said of scales when the posterior margin
is minutely spinous or pectinated.

Culmen — The middle line or ridge of the upper mandible in birds.

Cuneate — Wedge-shaped; said of a bird's tail when the middle
feathers are longest and the rest regularly shorter.

Cycloid — Smooth-edged ; said of scales not ctenoid, but concen-
trically striate.

Deciduous — Temporary, falling off.

Decurved — Curved downward.

Dentate — With tooth-like notches.

Dentirostral — Having the bill notched near its tip.

Depressed — Flattened vertically.

Depth — Vertical diameter (usually of the body of fishes.)

Dermal — Pertaining to the skin.

Diaphanous — Translucent.

Digitigrade — Walking on the toes, like a dog.

Dorsal — Pertaining to the back.
21

870 GLOSSABY.

Dorsal fin — The fin on the back of fishes.

Emarginate — Slightly forked or notched at the tip, or sometimes

abruptly narrowed (said of quills.)
Endoskeleton — The skeleton proper — the inner bony framework of

the body.

Epignathous — Having the bill hooked.
Erectile — Susceptible of being raised or erected.
Even — (Tail) having all the feathers of equal length.
Exoskeleton — Hard parts on the surface of the body.
Exserted — Projecting beyond the general level.
Facial — Pertaining to the face.
Falcate — Scythe-shaped ; long, narrow, and curved.
Falciform — Curved, like a scythe.
Fasciated — With broad colored bands.

Fauna — The animals inhabiting any region, taken collectively.
Ferrugineous — Rusty red.
Fibula — The small outer leg bone.
Filament — Any slender or thread-like structure.
Filiform — Thread-form.
Fissirostral — Having the bill very deeply cleft, beyond the base of

the horny part, as in the Swallows.
Forehead— Frontal curve of head.
Foramen — A hole or opening.
Forficate — Deeply forked.

Fosses — The grooves in which the nostrils of many birds open.
Fossorial — Adapted for digging.
Fulcra — Rudimentary spine-like scales extending up the fins of

some fishes.

Fuliginous — Sooty or smoky brown.
Furcate — Forked.
Fuscous — Dark brown.
Fusiform — Spindle-shaped ; tapering toward both ends but rather

more abruptly forward.
Gape — Opening of the mouth.
Ganoid — Scales or plates of bone covered by enamel.
Gastrosteges— Band-like plates along the belly of a serpent.
Gills — Organs for breathing the air contained in water.
Gill openings — Openings leading to or from the branchiae.
Gill rakers — A series of structures like comb-teeth in the mouth

of some fishes.

GLOSSABY. 371

Glabrous — Smooth.

Gonys — The middle line of the lower mandible.

Gorget — Throat patch of peculiar feathers.

Graduated — Said of a bird's tail when the outer feathers are

regularly shorter.

Granulate — Rough with small prominences.
Gular — Pertaining to the gula, or upper fore-neck.
Guttate — With rounded, drop-shaped spots.
Hallux — The great toe — in birds, the hind toe.
Height — Vertical diameter — practically the same as depth.
Heterocercal — Said of the tail of a fish, when unequal — the back-
bone evidently running into the upper lobe.
Hirsute — With shaggy hairs.
Homocercal — Said of the tail of a fish when not evidently unequal ;

the back-bone apparently stopping at the middle of the base

of the caudal fin.

Humerus — Bone of the upper arm.
Hyoid — Pertaining to the tongue.
Hypognathous — Having the lower mandible longer than the upper,

as in the Black Skimmer.

Imbricate — Overlapping, like shingles on a roof.
Imperforate — Not pierced through.
Inarticulate — Not jointed.
Incisors — The front or cutting teeth.
Interfemoral membrane — The membrane connecting the posterior

limbs of a bat.
Intermaxillaries — The bones between the superior maxillaries,

forming the middle of the front part of the upper jaw, in

fishes : the premaxillaries.
Jugular — Pertaining to the lower throat — said of the ventral fins,

when placed in advance of the attachment of the pectorals.
Keeled — See Carinate.

Labials — Plates forming the lip of a serpent.
Lamella — Plate-like processes inside of the bill of a duck.
Lamellate — Said of a bill provided with lamellae, as in a duck.
Lateral — To or towards the side.
Lateral line — A series of muciferous tubes forming a raised line

along the sides of a fish.
Laterally — Sidewise.
Lobate — Furnished with membranous flaps— said of the toes of birds.

372 GLOSSARY.

Longitudinal — Running lengthwise.

Loral plate — Plate between eye and mouth of a serpent.

Lore — Space between eye and bill.

Mailed cheeks — Having the suborbital bone extending over the

cheeks, articulating with the preopercle (cheeks not neces-
sarily hard or bony) ; said of some fishes.
Mandible — Under jaw (or in birds, either jaw.)
Maxilla — Upper jaw.
Maxillaries — Outermost or hindmost bones of the upper jaw, in

fishes.

Metacarpus — The hand proper, exclusive of the fingers.
Metatarsus — The foot proper. (See Tarsus.)
Molars — The grinding teeth; posterior teeth in the jaw.
Moniliform — Necklace-shaped — widened at regular intervals.
Monogamous — Pairing; said of birds.
Muciferous — Producing or containing mucus.
Nape — Upper part of neck, next to the occiput.
Nasal — Pertaining to the nostrils.
Neural — Pertaining to nerves.

Nictitating membrane — The third or inner eye-lid, of birds, etc.
Nuchal — Pertaining to the nape or nucha.
Obscure — Dark, scarcely visible.
Obsolete — Faintly marked ; little evident.
Obtuse — Blunt.

Occipital — Pertaining to the occiput.
Occipital plates — Plates on the head of a serpent, behind the

vertical plate.
Occiput — Back of the head.
Ocellate — With eye -like spots, generally roundish and with a

lighter border.
Ocherous — Brownish yellow.
Oid (suffix) — Like — as Percoid, perch-like.
Opercle, or operculum — Gill cover ; the posterior membrane bone

of the side of the head, in fishes.
Opercular bones — Membrane bones of the side of the head, in

fishes.
Opercular flap — Prolongation of the upper posterior angle of the

opercle, in Sun -Fishes, etc.

Opisthocwlian — Concave behind ; said of vertebrae.
Orbicular — Nearly circular.

GLOSSARY. 373

Orbit — Eye socket.

Oscine — Musical.

Oscine tarsus — By ellipsis, tarsus as in oscine birds ; i. e., its
envelope undivided behind and forming a sharp ridge.

Oviparous — Producing eggs which are developed after exclusion
from the body, as in all birds.

Ovovimparous — Producing eggs which are hatched before exclu-
sion, as in the Blind Fish and Garter Snake.

Palate — The roof of the mouth — in fishes, a part of the roof of the
mouth, lying behind the vomer and in front of the pharyngeals
(not to be confounded with either.)

Palatines — Bones of the palate.

Palmate — Web-footed, having the anterior toes full-webbed.

Papilla — A small, fleshy projection.

Papillose — Covered with papillae.

Paragnatnous — Having the two mandibles about equal in length.

Pectinate — Having teeth like a comb.

Pectoral — Pertaining to the breast.

Pectoral fins — The anterior or uppermost of the paired fins, in
fishes, corresponding to the anterior limbs of the higher
Vertebrates.

Pelage — The hair of a Mammal, taken collectively.

Pelagic — Living on or in the high seas.

Perforate — Pierced through; said of nostrils when without a
septum.

Perissodactylous — Odd-toed (toes 1, 3, or 5.)

Peritoneum — The membrane lining the abdominal cavity.

Phalanges — Bones of the fingers and toes.

Pharyngeal bones — Bones at the beginning of the oesophagus of
fishes, of various forms, almost always provided with teeth.

Pharyngognathous — Having the lower pharyngeal bones united.

Pigment — Coloring matter.

Plantigrade — "Walking on the sole of the foot, as do men and
bears.

Plastron — Lower shell of a turtle.

Plicate — Folded ; showing transverse folds or wrinkles.

Plumage— The feathers of a bird, taken collectively.

Plumbeous — Lead-colored — dull bluish gray.

Pollex — Thumb ; in birds, the digit which bears the alula — corre-
sponding to the index finger.

374 GLOSSARY.

Polygamous — Mating with more than one female.

Pracoces — Birds able to run about and feed themselves at birth.

PrcBcocial — Having the nature of Prcecoces.

Premaxillaries — Same as intermaxillaries.

Premolars — The small grinders ; the teeth between the canines

and the true molars.
Preopercle — The membrane bone lying in front of the opercle and

more or less nearly parallel with it; the "false gill covers."
Primary — Any one of the ten (often nine, rarely eleven) of the

large, stiff quills growing upon the pinion or hand-bone of a

bird, as distinguished from the secondaries, which grow upon

the fore arm.
Primary Wing Coverts — The coverts overlying the bases of the

primaries.

Projectile — Capable of being thrust forward.
Protractile — Capable of being thrust forward.
Pulmonary — Pertaining to the lungs.
Punctate — Dotted with points.
Pyloric caeca — Glandular appendages in the form of blind sacs

opening into the alimentary canal of many fishes at the

pylorus or passage from the stomach to the intestine.
Quadrate— Nearly square.

Quadrilocular — Four-chambered — said of the heart.
Quill — One of the stiff feathers of the wing or tail of a bird.

* *
Quincunx — Set of five arranged alternately, thus *

Radius — Outer bone of fore arm.

Bay — One of the cartilaginous rods which support the membrane

of the fin of a fish.

Rectrices — Quills of the tail of a bird.
Recurved — Curved upward.
Remiges — Quills of the wing of a bird.
Reticulate — Marked with a network of lines.
Retractile — Susceptible of being drawn inward, as a cat's claw.
Retrorse — Directed backward.
Rictal — Pertaining to the rictus, as rictal bristles.
Rictus — Gape of the mouth.
Rostral — Pertaining to the snout, as rostral plate.
Rudimentary — Undeveloped.

GLOSSARY. 375

Huff— A. series of modified feathers.

Scansorial— Capable of climbing.

Scansorial tail — Tail feathers sharp and stiff, as in the scansorial

birds (Woodpeckers).
Scapula — Shoulder blade.
Scutellate— Provided with scutella ; said of the tarsus when

covered with broad plates in a regular vertical series, and

separated by regular lines of impression.
Scutellum — One of the tarsal plates or scutella.
Secondaries — The quills growing on the fore arm.
Second dorsal — The posterior or soft part of the dorsal fin, when

the two parts are distinctly separated.
Sectorial tooth — One of the premolars of carnivora, adapted for

cutting.
Semipalmate — Half- webbed ; having the anterior toes more or less

connected at base by a webbing which does not extend to the

claws.

Septum — A thin partition.
Serrate — Notched, like a saw.
Sessile— "Without a stem or peduncle.
Setaceous — Bristly.
Shoulder girdle— The bony girdle posterior to the head, in fishes,

etc., to which the anterior limbs are attached.
Soft dorsal — The posterior part of the dorsal fin in fishes, when

composed of soft rays.

Soft rays — Fin -rays which are branching and articulate.
Spine — Any sharp projecting point; in fishes, those fin -rays

which are unbranched, inarticulate, and usually more or less

stiffened.

Spinous — Stiff, or composed of spines.
Spinous dorsal — The anterior part of the dorsal fin in fishes,

when composed of spinous rays.
Spiracles — Openings in the head or neck of some fishes and

Batrachians.

Spurious — Said of the first primary when less than about one-
third the length of the second. (The student will notice that

in Oscines the presence of a short or spurious quill indicates

ten primaries ; its absence, nine.)
Sternum — The breast bone.
Striate — Striped or streaked.

376 GLOSS ABY.

Sub (in composition) — Less than ; somewhat ; not quite ; under,
etc.

Suffrago — Heel joint; tibio — tarsal joint.

Sub-caudal — Under the tail.

Sub-opercle-^ The bone immediately below the opercle.

Sub-orbital — Below the eye.

Sub u late — Awl-shaped.

Superciliary — Pertaining to the region of the eyebrow.

Supra-orbital — Above the eye.

Syndactyle — Having two toes immovably united for some distance
— as in the Kingfisher.

Synonym — A different word having the same or a similar meaning.

Tail — In mammals, the vertebrae, etc., posterior to the sacrum ; in
birds, the tail-feathers or rectrices, taken collectively ; in ser-
pents, the part of the body posterior to the vent ; in fishes
(usually), the part of the body posterior to the anal fin.
(Everywhere used more or less vaguely.)

Tail Coverts — The small feathers overlapping the bases of the
rectrices.

Tarso-metatarsus — The correct name for the so-called tarsus of
birds ; the bone reaching from the tibia to the toes, composed
chiefly of the metatarsus, but having at its top one of the
small tarsal bones confluent with it.

Tarsus — The ankle-bones collectively ; in birds, commonly used
for the shank-bone, lying between the tibia and the toes, the
tarso-metatarsus.

Tectrices — The wing and tail coverts.

Temporal — Pertaining to the region of the temples.

Tenuirostral — Slender-billed.

Terete — Cylindrical and tapering.

Terminal — At the end.

Tertials — The quills attached to the humerus.

Tessellated — Marked with little checks or squares, like mosaic
work.

Thoracic — Pertaining to the chest ; ventral fins are thoracic when
attached immediately below the pectorals, as in the perch.

Tibia — Shin-bone ; inner bone of leg between knee and heel.

Tomium — Cutting edge of the bill.

Totipalmate — Having all four toes connected by webbing.

Tragus — The inner lobe of the ear ; the lobe opposite the auricle.

GLOSSARY. 877

Transverse — Crosswise.

Trenchant — Compressed to a sharp edge.

Truncate — Abrupt, as if cut squarely off.

Tubercle — A small excrescence, like a pimple.

Tympanum — Drum of the ear ; external in some Batrachia.

Typical — Of a structure the most usual in a given group.

Ulna — The inner or posterior bone of the fore-arm.

Ungulate — Provided with hoofs.

Unguiaulate — Provided with claws.

Unicolor — Of a single color.

Urosteges—The plates underneath the tail of a serpent.

Vent — The external opening ot the alimentary canal.

Ventral — Pertaining to the abdomen.

Ventral fins — The paired fins behind or below the pectoral fins

in fishes, corresponding to the posterior limbs in die higher

vertebrates.

Ventral plates — Gastrosteges in serpents.
Ventricle — One of the chambers of the heart.
Versatile — Capable of being turned either way.
Vertebra — One of the bones of the spine.
Vertical — Up and down.
Vertical fins — The fins on the median line of the body ; the dorsal,

anal and caudal fins.

Vertical plate— Central plate on the head of a serpent.
Villiform — Said of the teeth of fishes when slender and crowded

into velvety bands.
Viscous — Slimy; viscid.
Vitta — A band of color.
Viviparous — Bringing forth living young.
Vomer — In fishes, the front part of the roof of the mouth ; a bone

lying immediately behind the premaxillaries.
Web — The vane of a feather, on either side of the rhachis or

" stem " ; also, the membrane connecting the toes.
Zygodactyle— Yoke-toed ; having the toes in pairs — two in front,

two behind.
Zygoma — The malar or cheek bone.

GLOSSAET

SPECIFIC NAMES.

The following Glossary includes all the Specific Names men-
tioned in this work, with the exception of words formed from
names of persons, and of a few words whose meaning I have been
unable to ascertain. They are all of Latin origin unless other-
wise specified :

abacurus: Gr. checkered tall.

acadiacus: Acadian.

achigan: a Canadian French name
for the bass.

acutus: acute.

adamantlnus: like a diamond.

aedon: Gr. a nightingale.

selurus: Gr. a cat.

jeneus: brassy, or coppery.

sepypterus: Gr. high-finued.

sesopus: Gr. different-footed.

sestivalis: pertaining to summer.

sestivus: summer.

affinis: akin to.

agilis: agile.

agrestis: living In fields.

albeolus: whitish.

albicollls : white-throated.

albidus: whitish.

albifrons: white-fronted.

albus: white.

alcyon: halcyon— a sea-bird— during
whose nesting there is always a
calm.

alexaudrinus: Alexandrian (Egypt-
ian).

alleghaniensis: Alleghanlan.

alpestris: alpine.

alpinus: alpine.

altus: high or deep.

amabilis: amiable.

amarus: bitter (salt water).

americanus: American.

amoenus: pleasing.

auagallinus: color of Scarlet Pimper-
nel.

analostanus: Analostan Island.

anglicus: English.

anisurus: Gr. tail unequal.

annularis: ringed.

anomalus: anomalous.

anthraciuus: coal-black.

antillarum: living in the Antilles.

appendix: an appendage.

aquaticus: aquatic.

arcticus: arctic.

arctos : Gr. a bear.

ardens: burning.

ardesiacus : glittering.

arenarius: living in sand.

arge: Gr. sluggish.

argentatus: silvered.

argenteus: silvery.

argyritis: silvery.

ariommus: Gr. big-eyed.

artedi: to Peter Artedi, "the father
of Ichthyology."

asio: a horned owl.

asper: rough.

aspro: a genus of European Percoids.

ater: black.

atrarius: blackish.

atratus: blackened.

atricapillus: black-capped.

atricillus: blackish.

atripinnis: black-firmed.

(379)

380

GLOSS AEY OF SPECIFIC NAMES.

atrofuscus: blackish-brown.

atromaculatus: black-spotted.

atronasus: black-nosed.

aura: pertaining to air.

aurantiacus: orange.

auratus: golden.

aureolus: gilded.

aurevs: golden.

auricapillus: golden-crowned.

auritus: long-eared.

aurora: sunrise.

austerus: austere.

baltimore : to Lord Baltimore, In

sportive allusion to his black coat

and scarlet vest,
bernicla: a barnacle-goose,
bicolor; two-colored,
bifrenatus : two- bridled (stripe

through snout),
blguttatus: two-spotted,
bilineatus: two-lined,
bimaculatus: two-spotted
bison; a buffalo,
blennioides: blenny-like.
blennioperca; blenny-perch.
boleoides: darter-like,
borealis: northern,
boreus: northern,
boschas: a kind ot duck,
bostoniensis: Bostonian.
brachyotus: Gr. short-eared,
branta; brant,
brevicauda: short-tailed,
breviceps: short-headed,
brevirostris: short-billed,
brosmianus: like a cusk.
brunneus: brown,
bubaliiius: buffalo-like.
bubal us: buffalo,
buccatus: big- jawed,
buccinator: trumpeter,
bucco: big-cheeked,
bullaris: bubbling,
bursarius: purse-bearing,
caeruleus: blue.
csernlescens: bluish,
californicus: Californian.
calligaster: Gr. beautiful belly,
callipteryx: Gr. beautiful-flnned.
calendulus: a little lamp,
calvus: bald,
camurus: decurved.
canadensis: Canadian,
candidissimus: most White.

caninus: dog-like,
canis: a dog.

cantabrigensis: from Cambridge,
cantiacus: Kentish,
canutus : hoary,
caprodes: Gr. like a pig.
carbo: coal-black,
caribaaus: Caribbean,
caribou: French Canadian name,
carinatus: keeled,
carnlvorus: carnivorous,
carolinensis: Carolinian,
carolinus: Carolinian,
carpio: a carp,
caspius: Caspian,
castaneus: chestnut-colored,
cataractaj: from Niagara Falls,
cataractus: a cataract,
catenatus: with chain-like lines,
catulus a kitten,
catus: a cat

caudacutus : sharp-tailed,
caudafurcatus : fork -tailed,
caudatus: long-tailed,
cavifrons: having the front concave,
cayuga: Cayuga Lake,
cedrorum: living among cedars,
celatus: concealed,
cephalus: Gr. big-headed,
cervlnus: tawny, like a deer,
chaetodon: a marine genus,
chalybaeus: steel-colored,
charybdls: a somewhat noted whirl-
pool.

chrysaetus: Gr. golden eagle,
chrysocephalus: Gr. golden -headed,
chrysochloris: Gr. golden-green,
chrysoleucus: Gr. golden-white,
chrysops: Gr. golden-eyed,
chrysopsis: Gr. golden appearance,
chrysopterus: Gr. golden-winged,
cinereoargentatus: silver-gray,
citiereus: ashy-gray,
circulosus: with circles or rings,
ciris: a water-bird of some kind,
citraeus: citron-yellow,
clamitans: screaming,
clangula: a sharp bird's scream,
clausus: closed.

clupeif ormis : herring or shad-shaped,
clypeata: shielded,
coccogenis: Gr. scarlet-cheeked,
ccenosus: muddy,
collapsus: slab-sided.

GLOSSARY OF SPECIFIC NAMES.

381

collarls: collared.

colubrls: pertaining to a snake.

columbarius: pertaining to a dove.

columbianus: Columbian.

communist common.

compressus: compressed.

concinnus: handsome.

concolor: one-colored.

conflnis: confined (in its range).

conspersus: bespattered.

constrictor: one that hugs.

contortrix- contorted.

conus: a cone.

corax: a raven.

coregonus: a white-fish.

cornutus: horned.

coronatus: crowned.

corporalis: big-bodied.

crassilabris: thick-lipped.

crepitans: screaming.

crepuscularis: pertaining to twilight.

crlnitus: long-haired.

cristatus: crested.

cucullatus: hooded.

cunicularius : pertaining to a cony

(prairie dog),
cupido: Cupid,
cupreus: coppery,
curvirostra; curved-billed,
cutisanserlnus: goose-skinned,
cyanellus: Gr. bluish,
cyaneus: Gr. blue,
cyanocephalus: Gr. blue-headed,
cyanonoton: Gr. blue-backed,
cyclotis: Gr. rounded,
cymatogrammus: Gr. wavy-lined,
cypho: humpback,
cyprinella: a small carp,
cyprinus: a carp,
delawarensis: Delaware,
dlaphanus: transparent,
difformis: deformed,
dilectus: delightful,
dilophus: Gr. two-crested,
dinemus: Gr. two-threaded (a lateral

line and a lateral streak),
diplsemius: Gr. doubly-bloody,
discolor: two-colored,
discors: discordant,
dispar: dissimilar,
dissimilis: dissimilar,
dollatus: sorrowful,
domesticus: domestic,
domlnicus : from San Domingo.

dorsalls: dorsal.

dorsatus: pertaining to the back.

dubius: dubious.

duquesnii : from Fort DuQuesne

(Pittsburg).
durissus: hard,
eburneus: ivory,
effulgens: shining,
egretta: Italian— an Egret,
elapsoidea: like Elaps.
elegans: elegant,
eleutherus: Gr. free,
ellipticus: elliptical,
elongatus: elongate,
enucleator: one who takes the seed

from the husk,
eos: Gr. color of sunrise,
erebennus: Gr. jet-black,
eriarchus: Gr. with a large anal fin.
ermineus: ermine,
erythrocephalus: Gr. red- headed,
erythrogaster: Gr. red-bellied,
erythrogrammus: Gr. red- lined,
erythronotus: Gr. red-backed,
erythrophtnalmus: Gr. red-eyed,
erythrurus: Gr. red-tailed,
estor: devourer.
euryops: Gr. wide-faced,
evides: Gr. comely,
excubitoroides : like excubltor — a

sentinel.

exilipes: slender-footed,
exilis: slender,
eximius: excellent,
falcinellus: /ate— a scythe,
fallax: deceptive,
familiaris: familiar,
fasciatus: banded,
ferinus: wild,
ferox: ferocious,
ferrugineus: rust-colored,
fiber: a beaver.
Sissipes: cloven-footed,
flabellaris: fan-shaped,
flabellatus: fan-shaped,
flammeus: flame-colored,
flavescens: yellowish,
^avifrons: yellow-fronted,
flavlpes: yellow -footed,
flavirostris : yellow-billed,
flaviventris: yellow-bellied,
flavus: yellow,
floridanus: Florldian.
fluviatllis: living In rivers.

382

GLOSSARY OF SPECIFIC NAMES.

folium: a leaf.

fcmtinalis: living in fountains.

forficatus: deeply forked.

formosus: comely.

fretensis: inhabiting straits (Detroit

Kiver).

frontalis: forehead prominent,
frugivorus: eating fruits.
fulicarius : like a coot,
fulvus: reddish-yellow,
funduloides: like Fundulus.
furcatus: forked,
f uscescens : somewhat dusky or

tawny.

f uscicollis : dusky-throated,
fuscus: dusky,
fusiformis: fusiform,
galacturus: Gr. milky-tailed,
galeatus: helmeted.
gallopavo: Oallus: a cock; Pavo: a

peacock.

garrulus: garrulous,
gavialis: like a crocodile,
geographicus: map-like,
georgianus: Georgian,
gibber: gibbous,
gibbosus: with rounded outlines,
gilvus: pale yellow,
glacialis: icy.
gladius: a sword,
glaucus: glaucous,
glutinosus: viscid,
gobioides: goby-like,
gobioninus: gudgeon-like,
gorbuscha: a Kaintschatkan name,
gracilis: slender,
grammacus: Gr. striped,
gramineus: pertaining to grass,
griseus: gray,
grunniens: grunting,
gryllus: a cricket,
gulosus: big-mouthed,
guttatus: witli drop like spots,
gyrfalco: agyr-falcon.
gyrinus: Gr. a tadpole,
haematurus: Gr. bloody-tailed,
halecinus: halec— a shad (appears in

shad-run season),
haliaetus: Gr. a sea-eagle,
harengus: a herring,
helveticus: Swiss,
herodias: Gr. a heron,
heros: a genus of Cichlidae.
heteroclitus: Gr. different slope.

heterodon : Gr. teeth otherwise,
heterurus: Gr. tail uneven,
hexacautlius: Gr. six-spined.
hieroglyphicus : Gr. marked with

crbw-tracks.

himantopus: Gr. crook-shanks,
hirudo: aleech.
hirundo: a swallow,
horieonensis: from Lake George,
horreoruin: inhabiting barns,
horribilis: horrible,
horridus: horrid,
hudsonicus : from Hudson's Bay or

Eiver.

hudsonius: Hudsonian.
humeralis: a spot on the shoulder,
humilis: humble,
huronensis: Lake Huron,
hyalinus: transparent,
liybrklus: hybrid,
hyemalis: wintery.
hyperboreus: Gr. far-northern,
hypogasus: Gr. underground,
ichtheloides: like a sunfish.
ioterocephalus: Gr. oriole-headed,
iliacus: Trojan (why?),
immaculatus: unspotted,
incisor: one that cuts.
• nconstans: inconstant,
ingens: prodigious,
inornatus: not ornamented.

nscriptus: inscribed.

nsculptus: sculptured.

nsignis: insignificant. .

M social) ills: unsociable.

ntermedius: Intermediate.

nterpres: an interpreter.

nterruptus: interrupted,
irideus: rainbow-colored,
ischanus: Gr. thin,
ischyrus: Gr. stout,
islandicus: Iceland,
isolepis: Gr. equal-scaled,
jaculus: something thrown,
jamaicensis: Jamaican,
kentuckiensis: Kentuckian.
keta: a Kamtschatkan name,
labradorius: Labradorian.
labradoricus: Labradorian.
lacertinus: lizard-like,
lacertosus: lizard-like.
lacerus: torn.

lachrymalis: pertaining to tears,
lacustris: living in lakes.

GLOSSARY OP SPECIFIC NAMES.

383

laevls: smooth.

lagopus: tJr. rough-footed, like a rab-
bit.

lapponlcus: pertaining to Lapland.

lariformis: shape of a gull.

lateralis: pertaining to the side.

latior: broader.

latrans: barking.

leberis: thick-skinned.

lemniscatus: adorned with ribbons.

leptacanthus: Gr. slender-spined.

leuciodus: Gr. whitened.

leucobronchialis: Gr. white-throated.

leucocephalus: Gr. white-headed.

leucophrys: Gr. white-crowned.

leucops: Gr. white-eyed.

leucopsis: Gr. white-faced.

leucopterus: Gr. white-finned.

leucopus: Gr. white-footed.

leucurus; Gr. white- tailed.

limi : pertaining to mud.

limosus: muddy.

lineatus: lined (with narrow stripes).

lineolatus: finely-lined.

liosternus: Gr. smooth-breasted.

lirus:Gr. lily-white.

lividus: livid.

livius: dove-colored.

loculator: a big-talker.

longicaudus: long-tailed.

longiceps: long-headed.

longirostris: long-snouted.

longirostrum: long-snout.

lophius: the fishing frog.

lotor : one who washes (from the
raccoon's habit of washing his paws
and everything else in reach).

louisianensis: Louisianian.

lucidus: shining.

lucifugus: shunning the light.

lucioides: like a pike.

Jucius: a pike.

ludovlcianus: Louisianian.

lunatus: crescent-shaped.

lunifruns: crescent forehead.

lupus: a wolf.

luscus: one-eyed (from the condition
of Linnaeus' unfortunate specimen).

lycaodon : Gr. wolf-toothed.

lynx: a wild-cat.

lythrochloris: Gr. bloody-green.

macrocephalus: Gr. long-headed.

macrochirus: Gr. long-armed.

macrolepidotus: Gr. large-scaled.

macropterus: Gr. large-flnned.
macrotis: G. large-eared,
macrurus: Gr. long-tailed,
macularius: spotty,
maculaticeps: spotted- headed,
maculatus: spotted,
maculosus: spotted.
magi ins: large.
n£ineiisls: Maine,
majalis: pertaining to May.
maiutou: Lake Manitou.
margaritus: pearly,
margarotis: Gr. pearly-eared,
marginatus: margined,
marinus: marine,
marilimus: maritime,
marmoratus: marbled,
martes: a marten,
martinicus: from Martinique,
maxillilingua: jaw-tongue,
means: moving,
megalotis: Gr. big-eared,
melanoleucus: Gr. black and white,
melanops: Gr. black-eyed or faced,
melanostlctus: Gr. black spotted,
melas: Gr. black,
meleagris: <*fowl.
melodius: melodious,
melodus: melodious,
menona: Lake Menona.
mephiticus: ill-scented,
merganser: diving-goose.
meridional is: southern,
mesotrema: Gr. vent intermediate,
mexicanus: Mexican,
michiganensis: Michigan,
micropteryx: Gr. small -finned,
microstomus: Gr. small-mouthed,
migratorius: migratory.
mi niatus: vermilion color,
minimus: smallest,
mineopas: Lake Minneopa, Minn,
minor: smaller,
minutillus: minute,
mississippiensis: Mississippian.
missuriensis : Missourian.
mitratus: mitred,
miurus: Gr. curtailed; notched,
molestus: uneasy,
mollissimus: softest,
monachus: solitary.
monax: a hermit.

montanus: pertaining to mountains,
monticolus: living in the mountain?

384

GLOSSARY OE1 SPECIFIC NAMES.

mordax: biting; snapping.

motacllla: wag-tail.

mucronatus : abruptly and sharply

pointed.

mugitans: mooing, like a cow.
multifasciatus : many - banded or

striped.

Inultilineatus: many-lined,
tnusculus: a little mouse,
tnustelinus: color of a weasel (foxy

red).

muticus: unarmed,
nasvius: with small spots,
naruaycush: Indian name,
nasutus: long-nosed,
natalis: with a projecting rump,
nebulosus: cloudy,
neglectus: neglected,
neogseus: Gr. New World,
neohantoniensis: New Hampshire,
nephelus: Gr. clouded.
nerka: a Kamtschatkau name,
niger: black,
nigricans: blackish,
nigricollis: black-throated,
nigrilabrls: black-lipped,
nigripinnis: black-fiuued.
nigrofasciatus: black-barred,
nigromaculatus: black-spotted,
nitidus: shining,
nivalis: snowy,
niveiventris: white-bellied,
niveus: snow-white,
nobilis: noble,
nobllior: nobler,
noctlvagans: wandering at night
notatus: known (as by a spot, hence

spotted).

novaeangliae; New England,
noveboracensis: New York,
nuchalis: pertaining to the nape,
nummifer: money - bearing (nickel

color),
obesus: fat.
oblongus: oblong,
obscurus: dusky,
obsoletus: obsolete,
obtusus: obtuse,
occideutalis: western,
occipitomaculatus : back of head

spotted.

ocellicaudus: ocellate spots on tail,
ochrophaeus: Gr.dark orange-brown,
oculatus: with eye-like spot.

odoratus: odorous,
olivaceus: olivaceous,
olivaris: olivaceous,
oiuiscomaycus: an Indian name fora

Smolt.

opacus: opaque,
oquassa: Lake Oquassa.
ordiuatus: in rows (spots),
oregonensis: Oregonlan.
oregouus: Oregonian.
ornatus: ornamented,
oryzivorus: rice-eating,
osculus: small-mouthed,
osmerinus: like a smelt,
osseus: bony.

ossifragus: bone-breaking,
otsego: Lake Otsego.
oxyurus: Gr. sharp-tailed,
palmarum: living among palm trees,
palliatus: cloaked,
pallidus: pale.

paluinbarius: pertaining to pigeons,
palustris: living among swamps,
papillosus: papillose,
paradisea: of paradise,
parasiticus: parasitic,
parietalis: pertaining to the sides .
parvus: small,
passerinus: sparrow-like,
paucideus: few-toothed,
pecoris: pertaining to cattle,
pelagicus: oceanic.
pellucid us: pellucid,
peltastes: Gr. large-scaled,
peltatus: shielded,
penelope- a widgeon; also the wife of

Ulysses.

pennsylvanicus: Fennsylvanian.
peregriuus: wandering,
perspicillatus: transparent,
phaeuna: translucent,
phasiauellus: a little pheasant,
phenax: Gr. deceptive.
Philadelphia: Gr. brotherly love,
philadelphica: Philadelphia!!.
phoeniceus: crimson,
photogenis: Gr. born of light,
phoxocephalus: Gr. tapering-headed,
pictus: painted,
pidiensis: Great Pedee River,
pileatus: capped; crested,
pilosus: with thin hairs,
pinetorum: living among pines,
piuniger: large-finued.

GLOSSARY OF SPECIFIC NAMES.

385

pinus: pine tree.

pipiens: chirping ; piping.

piscivorus: fish-eating.

pisculentus: fishy.

plagiatus: thievish.

plargyrus: Gr. silver-sided.

platycephalus: Gr. fiat-headed.

platyrhinus: Gr. flat -nosed.

platyrhynchus: Gr. flat-nosed.

platystomus: Gr, flat-mouthed.

plumbeolus: lead-colored.

pcecilura: Gr. tail variegated.

polyglottus: many-voiced.

pomatorhinus: Gr. snout operculate.

podiceps: a grebe.

pomotis: a sunfish.

porosus: porous.

porphyriticus: purplish.

portlandicus: pertaining to Portland.

prsestabilis: standing first.

pratincola: living in meadows.

princeps: princely.

principalis: princely.

procne : Gr. a swallow.

productus: produced.

promelas: Gr. black forwards.

proriger: having a prow.

prosthemius: added.

protacanthus : Gr. anterior spine
large.

proteus: of many shapes.

proximus: near.

pruinosus : frosty.

pseudogeographicus : not quite geo-
graphicus.

pseudoharengus: not quite a herring.

pubescens: pubescent.

pugnax: quarrelsome.

pulchellus: pretty.

pullus: dusky.

punctatus: dotted.

punctulatus: finely dotted.

purpureus: purple.

pusillus: weak.

putorius: ill-scented.

pygmseus: pigmy.

quadracus: four-spined.

quadrilateralis: four-sided.

quadrivittatus: four-striped

querulus: querulous.

quiescens: quiescent.

quinnat: an Indian name for the sal-
mon, meaning glittering.

radix : Root criver in Wisconsin).

rattus: rat.
regius: royal,
reticulatus: reticulate,
rhombifer: bearing rhombs,
rhotheus: Gr. pertaining to falls,
rigidus: rigid.

riparius: pertaining to shores,
robustus: robust,
rostratus: large-billed or snouted,
rubellus: reddish,
ruber: red.
rubicundus: ruddy,
rubidus: ruddy,
rubricaudus: red-tailed,
rubricroceus: saffron-red,
rubrifrons: red-faced,
rufescens: rusty -red.
ruficapillus: rusty-crowned,
rufilineatus: rusty-lined,
rufus: rusty-red,
rugosus: rough,
rupestris: living among rocks,
rusticola: living in the country,
ruticilla: somewhat fiery red,
rutilus: fiery red.
sacer: sacred,
salar: a salmon,
salmoides: like a salmon,
salmoneus: like a trout,
sanguifluus: blood-flowing,
sanguinolentus: bloody,
sapidissimus: most delicious to eat.
satrapa: a prince (knight),
sauritus: like a lizard,
savanna: Savanna,
scaber: rough,
scabriceps: rough-headed,
scandiacus : ascending ( or Scandi-
navian?)

scomberius: mackerel-like,
scopiferus: bearing a mark.
scutatus: with scutes,
scylla: a rock near Charybdis
sebago: Lake Sebago.
seleue: Gr. the moon,
selenops: Gr. moon-eye,
semifasciatus: half-banded,
semipalmatus: semipalmate.
septentrionalis: northern,
serpentinus: serpent-like,
serrator: one that saws,
serripinnis: saw-finned.
sexlineatus: six-lined,
sialis: plump.

17

386

GLOSSARY OF SPECIFIC NAMES.

sicculns: dry, i. «., found in pools left

by drying of streams,
simoterus: Gr. snub-nosed,
simulans: resembling.
slums: Gr. snub-nosed,
sirtalis: like a garter,
slsco: vernacular, Cisco,
siscowet: Indian name,
socialis: sociable,
solitarius: solitary,
sparverius: pertaining to a sparrow,
spatula: a spatula,
speclosus: handsome,
spectabilis: notably handsome,
spectrum: a sight to see.
spectrunculus: a little image,
spelieus: living in caves,
spilopterus: Gr. spotted-tinned.
spilotus : Gr. spotted,
splnifer: spine-bearing,
spirlingulus : French eperlanule, a

little smelt or sprat,
sponsa: a bride,
spurius: spurious,
squamiceps: scaly-headed,
stellaris: starry,
stellatus: star-spotted,
stelliferus: star-bearing,
stigmaticus: Gr. spotted,
stramineus: straw-colored,
streperus: noisy,
striatulus: narrowly striped,
striatus: striated,
sturio: a sturgeon,
subcseruleus: somewhat blue,
subis: sudden,
subterraneus : underground,
subulatus: subulate,
subviolaceus: somewhat violet,
sucetta: French sucet, a sucker,
superciliaris: pertaining to the region

over the eye.

superciliosus: ridge above the eye.
sylvaticus: living in the woods,
symmetricus: symmetrical,
talpoideus: mole-like,
talpoides: mole-like.
t annul us: a reindeer,
telescopus: Gr. far-seeing
tenellus: slender,
teres : terete,
teretulus: terete.

tergemlnus: triple.

tergisus: polished.

tessellatus: checkered.

thalassinus: Gr. sea-green.

tigrinus: tiger-colored.

toma: name of an Indian.

torquatus: with a collar.

trachyrhynchus: Gr. rough-billed.

trichas: Gr. a kind of thrush.

tricolor: three-colored.

tridactylus: three -clawed.

tridecemlineatus: thirteen-strlped.

triseriatus: three-rowed.

triunguis: three-clawed.

tristis: sorrowful.

troglodytes: a wren.

truncatus: cut off squarely.

tuditanus: hammer-headed.

tulliliee: Indian name.

typicus: typical.

tyrannus: a king-bird.

u In la: a bird that hoots.

umbellus: ruffed.

umbrosus: shady-colored.

undulatus: wavy.

uranops: Gr. sky-gazing.

urus: a wild bull.

vallisneria: eel-grass(which food Im-
proves the flavor).

vandoisulus : French vandoise, a
dace.

variatus: variegated.

variegatus: variegated.

varius: various.

velatus: with a large sail.

velifer: sail-bearing.

venenosus: venemous.

ventralis: on the belly.

vermis: a worm.

vernalis: spring.

versicolor: various colored.

verticalis: vertical (on high).

vespertinus: evening.

villosus: hairy.

violaceus: violet.

virescens: greenish.

vlrens: green.

virginianus: Virginian.

viridescens: greenish.

viridis: green.

viscosus: viscid.

vison: a scout; spy.

GLOSSARY OF SPECIFIC NAMES.

887

vitreus: glassy,
vittatus: striped,
vitulus: a bull-calf,
vociferus: loud-voiced,
volucella: flying,
vulgaris: common,
vulneratus: wounded.

vulpinus: fox-like.

xanthocephalus: Gr. yellow-headed.

xiphias: Gr. a sword.

zebra: zebra.

zonalis: banded.

zonatus: banded.

zopherus : Gr. dusky

INDEX TO NAMES

GENERA AND HIGHER GROUPS,

WITH THEIR DERIVATIONS.

NOTE. — In this index, names of genera recognized in this work
are printed in ordinary type, as Dendro3ca ; families and higher
groups in small capitals, as EMYDIDJS ; synonyms and sub-genera
in italics, as Amblodon. In giving the etymology of terms, all
words not otherwise designated are understood to be Greek ; L.
indicates Latin. Greek words are here, for convenience, printed
in Roman characters.

PAGE.

Abastor: a coined name, . . 181
Ablabes: ablabes, harmless, . 179
Abramis: L., a bream, , . 301
Acantharchus: akantha — spine;

archos — anal (many anal

spines) 237

ACANTHOPTEBI: akantha— spine ;

pteron — fin, .... 215
Accipiter: L., a hawk, . . 113
Acipenser: L., a sturgeon (sharp

fins) 345

ACIPENSEKID^B, .... 344
Acomus: a coined ninne, . . 319
Acris: L., sharp— from the note, 190
Actiturus: actaino— to move

quickly; oura— tail (wagtail), 129
Actodromas: akte — sea beach;

dromos— a running, . . 127
JEgialitis: aigialites — pertaining

to the shore, .... 121
JSgiothus: aigiothos — a hedge

sparrow, .... 82

jlSsalon: aisalor^-a. merlin (kind

of hawk) Ill

Agelseus: agelaios— gregarious, 92
Aix: aix— goat (why?), . . 142
ALAUDID^E: L., alauda — a lark

(L., laudo to praise), . . 56

PAGK.

Albwrnellus: Dim. of Alburnus

the Bleak (from L. albus, white)296
Alburnops: Alburnus-like, . 290
Alee: an elk (Scandinavian), . 21
ALCEDINUX* : L., alcedo— a King-
fisher, 101

ALECTORIDES: alektoi — a cock:

eidos — likeness, . . . . 134
Alligator: L., one who binds, . 157
Allosomus: allos— otherwise; soma

body. 361

Alosa: German, alse— a shad, . 278
Alvorclius: to Major Alvord, . 220
Amblodon: amblus — blunt; odon

tooth 250

Ambloplites : amblus — blunt;

Jioplites — armed, . . . 237
AMBLYOPSID/B: .... 268
Amblyopsis: amblus— blunt; opsis

vision 269

Amblystoma: amblus — blunt;

stoma— mouth, . . . . 194
AMBLYSTOMID^B: . . . 194
Amia: amia— name of some sea-
fish, probably the bonito, . 340

AMIID^B, 339

Amiurus: a — not; meiouros — cur-
tailed or notched (the tail), . 329

389

390

INDEX.

PAGE.

Ammoccetes: ammofcoite*— lying In

the sand, 349

Atnmocrypta: ammos — sand;

kruptot — bidden, . . . 219
Ammodromus : ammos — sand;

dromos — running, ... 84
Ampelis: ampelis — a kind of sing-
ing bird 73

AMPELID^B, 72

Ampliioxus: amphi — everywhere;

(botb ends); oxus— sharp, . 248
Amphiplaga : amp hi — every-
where; plage— a wound, , 248
Ampbiuma: meaning unknown, 197
AMPHIUMID^H, . . . . 197
Amyda: L., a turtle (Emys) . 168
ANACANTHINI : a — without ;

akantha — spine, . . . 257
Anas: L.. a duck, . . . 140

ANATID.B, 137

Ancistrodon: agkistrortr— a book;

odon— tooth, . . . . 184
ANGUID.«: L., anguis— the "blind

worm," 170

Anguilla: L., an eel (from an,0wis)338
ANGCJILLID^B, .... 337
Anorthura: o — without; orthos—

regular; ottro— tail, . . 55
Anser: L., a goose, . . . 140
Anthus: anthos — a flower, or

something bright, . - . 57
Antrostomus : antron — cavern ;

stoma— mouth, .... 99
ANUKA: a — without; oura — tail, 187
Apeltes: a— without ;peite— shield,259
Aphododeridae, .... 248 ,
Aphododerus: aphodos — excre-
ment; dere— the neck or throat, 249
APODES: a — without; pous — foot

(ventral fins), .... 337
Apomotis: a — without; poma —

opercle; ous— ear, . . . 239
Aquila; L., an eagle, . . . 114
Arcbibuteo: L., chief of buzzards,114
Arctomys: arfctos — bear; mus—

mouse, 28

Ardea: L., a heron, . . . 131

ARDEID^E, 130

Ardetta: L., a little heron, . 133
Argyreus: argureos — silvery, . 307
Argyrosomus: arguros — silver;

somo— body, . . . 274-361
: from Ara, L., a macaw. 105

PAGE.

ArUna.'. a coined name, . . 223
Aromochelys: aroma — odor; ehe-

lus— turtle, 166

Arquatella: L., arcuatus — bent

like a bow, 127

Arvicola: L., living in fields, . 32
Asio: L., a horned owl, from the

asinine, ear tufts, . . . 354
Aspidonectes: aspis— shield ; nek-
tea— a swimmer, . . . 168
Astatichthys: as ta to s— never

standing still ; ichthus— fish, 226
Aster notremia: a — not; sternon —
breast (sternum); tremo— vent

(aperture) 249

AstragaUnus ; astragalos — the

ankle bone, .... 83
Astur: L., a goshawk, . . 112
Asturina: L., diminutive of

Astur, 113

Atalapha: (atalos— tender?) . 23
ATHEBINID^E: atherine — a small
bony fish (from other, an ar-
row) 260

Atractosteus , atrraktos — spindle;

osteon— bone 342

AVES: L., birds, ... 36

Aythya: ait/iuio— a kind of water

bird. 143

Bceone: baton^-A small fish, men-
tioned by classic writers— from
baios, small, .... 272
Bascanium: baskanos— malignant 178
BATEACHIA: batrachos— a frog, 185
Belonesox: L., Belone — a silver

gar; Esox-B, pike, . . . 261
Bernicla: Latin name (a barnacle) 140
Blarina: a meaningless name, 26-352
Boleichthys: bolis — dart; ichthus

-fish, 228

Boleosoma: bolts — dart; some-
body 223

Bonasa : L., a bull, from the

"drumming," .... 119
Botaurus: L., bos-taurus — bull

from the " booming, " . . 133
Bracliyotus : brachuotos — short-
eared, 108

Branta: English, brant, . . 140
Bryttus: brutto— to growl, . 239
Bubalichthys: boubolos — buffalo;

ichthus— fish 323

Bubo; L., a horned owl, . . 109

INDEX.

391

PAGE.

Bucephala: bous— bull ; kephale —

head, 143

Bufo: L., a toad, . . . 190

BUFONID.IE: 190

Buteo: L., a buzzard, . . 113
Butorides: L., bittern-like, . 138
Oalemys : kalos— beautiful; emus

—turtle, 162

Calldris: L., a sanderling, . 128
Oalliurus: kallos— beauty ; oura—

tall, 236

Oalopisma : kalos — beautiful ;

lopisma — skin, .... 181
Campephllus: fcampe— caterpillar,

pMleo— to love, . . . 103
Campostoma : fcampe — curve ;

stoma— mouth, . . . 287

Camptolaemus: fcampte — flexible ;

laimos— throat, . . . . 144
Canace: L., a daughter of ^Kolus, 118

CANID^B, 16

Canls: L., a dog, . . . 17-351
CAPRIMULQID^B: from L., Capri-

mulgus — goat-sucker, . . 98
Carassius: L., a crucian carp, 308
Cardinalis: L., cardinal, . . 89
Carlacus : from a vernacular name, 22
CARNIVORA: L,., flesh-eating, 15
Carphophiops : karphos — a dry
twig; aphis — snake; ops — ap-
pearance, 182

Carpiodes; L., carp-like, . 321
Carpodacus: fcarpos— fruit; dakno

-to bite 82

Castor: L., a beaver, ... 29

CASTORIDxfi, .... 29

Catharista: kathairo— to cleanse, 115
Cathartes : kathartes — one who

purifies, 115

CATHARTICS, .... 114
Catonotus : kato — low ; notos —

back 227

CATOSTOMID^B 309

Catostomus: fcato — low; stoma—

mouth 319

Caudisona: L., cauda — tail; tono

—to sound, 184

Celuta: L.,eeler— swift, . . 182
CKNTRARCHIDS, •• . . . 232
Centrarchus : kentron — spine ;

archos— anal (many anal spines) 246
Centrophanes : kentron — spine ;

phaneo— to show, ... 83

PAGE.

Centurus: kenteo— to prick; oura
-tail 104

Ceratichthys: keras— horn; ichthus
—fish 305

Certhia: L., a creeper wren, . 53

CERTHIUXB, .... 53

CERvrthE, 20

Cervus: L., a deer, ... 22

Ceryle: kerulos— a kingfisher, 101

Chsenobryttus: chaino— to yawn ;
bruttos— a sun fish (growler), 237

Chsetura : chaite — mane (bristle);
oitro— tail, 100

Chamsepelia : cUamai — on the
ground; peleia — ring-dove (pel-
eios— dusky), . . . . 116

CHARADRIID.H, .... 120

Charadrius : charadrios — a lap-
wing or some other water-bird
(from charadra, a torrent), . 121

Chatoessus: chateo—to yawn, . 279

Chaulelasmus: chaulos — loose, or
gaping ; elasmos — a plate, or
blade 141

Chelopus : chele — claw ; pous —
foot, 162

Chelydra: cheludros— a water tur-
tle 167

CHKLYDRID^B, . . . ~. 166

CHIROPTERA: cheir— hand; pteron
—wing, 22

Chirostoma : cheir — hand; stoma
mouth, 261

Chloris: chloros— green, . , 60

Chologaster : cholos — defective,
lame; gaster — belly, (ventral
fins) 269

Chondestes : ehondros — grain ;
esthio— to eat, .... 85

CHONDROSTEI : chondros — carti-
lage; osteon— bone, . . 344

Chordeiles: choreo — to wander;
deife— twilight, .... 99

Chorophllus : c nor os — dance
(chorus); phileo— to love, . 189

Chroecocephalus : chroia — color;
kephale— head 150

Chrosomus: chros— color; soma—
body, 302

Chrysemys : chrusos — golden ;
emus— water-turtle, . . 163

Chrysomitris : chrusos — golden;
mitra— cap 82

392

INDEX.

PAGE.

Circus: L., a sacred falcon which
flies In circles 112

CINO8TERNID-B, . . . 165

Clnosternum : kineo — to move;

tternon— sternum, . . . 166
Cistothorus : kistos — rock - rose ;

thereuo— to seek, ... 55
Clstudo: kiste— a box, . . 162
Clangula: Latin name, clangor—

a sharp bird's scream. . . 143
Clinostomus : klino — to Incline;

stoma— month, . . . 300

Cllola: an Indian name, . . 298
CLUPEID^B: from L., clupea — a

herring, 278

Cnemldophorus: knemidophoros —

wearing leg armor, . . 170
Coccygus: kokkux — a cuckoo, 102
Colaptes : kolapto — to strike with

the bill, 105

Collscus : fcolos— a deficiency, 289
Collurio: k o II ur ion— a shrike

(butcher), .... 77-354
Coluber: L., a harmless snake, 178
COLUBRID^S:, ... . . 172
Columba: L., a dove, . . 116
COLUMB^B: L., doves, . . 115
COLUMBINE, . . . . 116
COLYMBID^B, . . . . 154
Colymbus: kolumbus— a diver, 154
Condylura: kondulos— node; oura

— tail (from the beaded appear-
ance when dried), ... 25
Conocephalus: konos — cone; keph-

ale— head, 181

Contopus: fconto*-spear; potts-foot, 97
Conurus: konos — cone; oura— tall, 106
Copelandla: dedicated to Herbert

Edson Copeland, . . . 246
Coregonus: korre — the temples;

gonos— angle, . . . 274-360
Coronella: L., corona — a crown, 180

CORVID^B, 93

Corvlna: from corvus, . . 251
Corvus : L., a raven, ... 94
Corynorhlnus : korune — club;

rhin — snout, .... 24
Coryphodon: koruphe — vertex,

point; odon— tooth, . . . 178
COTTID^B: L., coitus — a sculpln

(kottoi— head) 251

Cottopsis: Cottus; opsis — appear-
ance 255

PAGE.
Cottus: kottoa— head (from the

great size of that part), . 252
Coturnlculus: diminutive of fco-

turnix— a kind of grouse. . 84
Cotyle: kotule— a cavity or hole, 72
Oraxirex: L , crax — a gallinace-
ous bird; rex— king, . . 113
Crlstlvomer : L., crista — crest ;

vomer— vomer, .... 359
CROCODILIA: krokodeilos— a cro-
codile, 157

Crocodilus 157

CROTALID^, .... 183
Crotalophorus: krotalon^—a, rattle;

phoreo— to bear, . . . 184
Crotalus : Ttrotalon—a, rattle. . 183
Cccui.iD.iB: L., cuculus — acuckoo.101
Cupidonla: L., cupido— the god of

love 119

Cyanosplza: kuaneos — blue; spiza

—sparrow 89

Cyanurus: kuaneos — blue; oura

—tall, 94

Cycleptus: kuklos — circle; leptos —
slender; (i. e. "small round

mouth"), 320

CYOLOGANOIDEI: cycloid-ganoid 339
Cyclophis: kuklos — circle; ophis

—snake 179

Cygnus: kuknos — a swan, . 139
Cylindrosteus: kulindros— a cylin-
der; osteon— bone, . . . 342
Cynoperca: kuon—a dog; per fee—

perch (from the canine teetli), 230
Cyprlnella: dim. of Cyprinus, 280

CTPRINID^B, 280

Cyprinodon: kuprinos — a carp;

odon.— a tooth 262

CYPRINODONTID^E, . . . 261
Cyprinus: kuprinos— a carp, . 309
CYPSKLID^E: L., cypselus— a swift

(kupsele— a cavern i ... 99
Dafila: Latin name, . . . 141
Decadacbylus: dekat— ten; daktu-

los— digit (ten ventral rays), 319
Dendroeca: dendron — tree; oikeo—

to inhabit 61

DESMOGNATHID^B, . . . 191
Desmognathus: desmos— a bond;

gnathos— jaw, .... 192
Diadophis: dia— to divide; ophis
—snake 179

DIDELPH1DID.3S, ... 35

INDEX.

393

PAGE.

Didelphys: d<« — two; delphus—

uterus, 35

Diemyctylus: meaning unknown, 191
Diple.siuiu: dis — two; pletion —

nearly (dorsal fin). . . 222

Dolichonyx: dolichos— long; onux

—claw 91

Dorysoma: doru — lance; soma —

body. 279

DORYSOMATID^E, . . . 278

Ectopistes : ektopisteos — disposed

to depart, • 116

Elanus: elanos— a kite, . . 112

ELAPID^E, 182

Elaps: elaps— a harmless snake, 183
ELASMOBRANCHII : elasmos — a

plate; bragchia— gill, . . 347
Elassoma: elassoma—a, being re-
duced, or diminished, . . 248

ELASSOMIDvB, .... 247

Elattonistius: elation — smaller;

histtos— banner (dorsal fin;, . 277
Empidonax: empis — a mosquito;
anax— a prince, ... 97

EMYDID^B 161

Emys: emus— a water tortoise, 163
Enneacanthus : ennea — nine ;

akont/io— spine, , . . 245
Episema: epi — above; sema — ban-
ner (dorsal fin above ventrals), 298
Eremophila : eremos — desert ;

phileo — to love, ... 56
Erethizon: erethizo— to irritate, 34
Ereunetes: ereunetes— an inquirer,

searcher, 126

Ericymba; eri— an intensive par-
ticle; kumba — hollow or cavity, 299
Ericosma: er — spring-time ; kos-

meo— to adorn, .... 221
Erimyzon: eri— an intensive par-

ticie ; muzao— to suck, . . 319
Erismatopterus : ereisma — a prop

or lever; pteron — fln, . . 248
Erismatura : ereisma — a support,
prop; owro— tail, . . . 145

EsociD-as, 266

Esox: L. a pike 266

Estrella: a word of euphony, 223
Etheostoma : said by Rafinesque
to mean "various mouths,"
from the variety In that respect
in the genus as at first consti-
tuted, 227

PAGB-

ETHBOSTOMATTD^B, . . . 215
Eucalia: eu — true; Italia— nest, 259
Eudytes: eu — well; (lutes — a diver, 154
Eumeces: eumekes— long, of good

stature 171

Eupomotis : eu — well or true;

Pomotis 244

EURHIPIDUBA : eu— true ; rhipit

fan; euro— tail, ... 37
Euspiza: eu— true; spiza— a spar-
row, 88

Eutaenia: eu — true; tainio— rib-
bon, 176

Eutychelithus : eutuches — lucky;

litUos— stone 251

EVENTOGNATHI : eu— true; entos

— within; gnathos — jaw, . 280
Evotomys : evotos — long - eared;

mws— mouse 32

Exoglossum: exo— outside ; gloss a

tonsrue, 308

Falcinellus: L., falx— a scythe, 134
Falco: L., a falcon, . . . Ill
FALCONID^B, . . . . 109
Farancia: a word of euphony, 181
Farlo: L., a brook trout, . . 271

FELID^B, 15

Felis: L-.acat, .... 16
KEK.-E: L., /era— wild, savage, 15
Fiber: L., a beaver, ... 33
Florida: Florida, one of the U. 8.

where Herons abound, . 132
FKINGILLID^E: from L., Fringitta

—a finch 77

Fulica: L., a coot (sooty), . 136
Fuligula: diminutive of Fulix, 142
Fulix: same as Fulica, . . 142
Fundulus: L., funaus— bottom, 263
GADID^B: L., gaaus—a, cod-fish, 257
Galeoscoptes : g alee — weasel ;

skoptes — mocker, . . • . 48
GALLIN^E: L., Qallus— a cock, 117
Gallinago: L., Gallina— a kind of

wader, 126

Gallinula: diminutive of Gallina, 136
GANOIDEI: ganos— splendor, . 339
Garzetta: a proper name, . 132
GASTEKOSTEID^B , . • . 258
Gasterosteus: gaster — belly ; ost-

eon— bone, 259

Gelochelidon : gelao — to laugh ;

cheliaon—a, swallow, . . 151
GEOHYIIXS, 29

394

INDEX.

PAGE.

Geomys: ge — the earth; «iu» —

mouse, 29

Geothlypls: ge — the earth; thlupis

a warbler (?) 68

Gila: Gila River, where the typical

species occurs, .... 300
Girardinus: to Dr. Chas. Girard, 262
GLIRES: L., glis — a dormouse, 26
Glottis: glottis— name of some bird,128
Glyptemys : gluptos — sculptured;

emus— tortoise, . . . . 163
GOBIID^B: L., gobius — a goby, 256
Gobiosoma: L., gobius — a goby ;

somti — body, .... 257
Goniaphea : gonos — cheeks (?);

phaios— black, .... 88
Goniochelys: gonia— angle; chelus

—turtle 166

Graculus: L., a jackdaw, from its

note— gra, gra 147

Qraptemys : graptos — engraved ;

emus — tortoise 164

Gronias: grone— a cavern, . 333

GRCID^B 134

Grus: L., a crane, . . . 135
Grystes: gruzo—to growl, . . 236
Guiraca: meaningless, . . 89
Gulo: L., gulo— a glutton, . 19

Gypochelys: guys—a, vulture; che-
lus—a turtle, .... 167
Gyrinophilus: gurinos— a tadpole;

phileo— to love 194

Hadropterus: hadros — stout; pte-

ron— fin 221

H^EMATOPODID-ffl, . . . 122

Hii'iiiiitopus : haima — blood ; pous
foot. 122

Ilaldea: meaningless ? . . 181

Haliaetus: hals— sea; aetos— eagle, 114

Haplochilus : haploos — single,
simple; cheilos— a lip, . . 263

Haplodontia : haploos — simple ;
odon — tooth 29

Haploidonotus: haploidos— cloak-
ed; notos— back, from scales on
dorsal fin 250

HAPLOMI: haploos — simple; omos
— humerus, .... 261

Harelda: L., a herald. . . 143

Harporhynchus : harpe — a sickle;
rhunchos— a bill, ... 48

Hedymeles: hedus — sweet; melos
—a song 88

PAGE.

Helioperca: TieHos— the sun; per fee
—perch 241

Helminthophaga: helmins — a
worm; phago— toeat, . 60-353

Helmitherus: heJmins— a worm;
thereuo— to seek, ... 60

HEMIHRANCHII: hemi — half;
bragchia— gills, . . , 258

Heraidactylium: he mi — half;
daktulos— claw, . . . 193

Hemioplites: hemi— half; Uoplites
—armed 245

Hemitremia: hemi — half; trema—
aperture ( lateral line half
way) 303

Herodias: herodios— a heron, . 132

HERODIONES, .... 130

Hesperiphona; Aesperos— evening;
phoneo— to sing, ... 81

Hesperocichla: hesperos — even-
ing; kichle — a thrush, . . 47

Hesperomys : hesperos — evening ;
mws— a mouse, .... 31

Hete rodon : heteros — different ;
odon — tooth, .... 174

Hierofalco: L.t hierax — a hawk;
falco—& falcon, .... Ill

Himantopus: himantopow? — a
kind of water-bird (crook-
shanks) 123

HlRUNDINID^B , . 70

Hirundo: L., a swallow, . . 71
Histrionicus: L., a harlequin, 144
Hololepis: holos — entirely; iepis—

a scale, 228

Hopladelus: hopleis — armed; de-

los— visible 334

Hucho: a Latinized name, (Ger.

Hecht, a pike), .... 271
Hudsonius: Hudson River, . 290
Huro: Lake Huron, . . . 236
Hybognathus : hitbos — gibbous;

gnathos— jaw, .... 289
Hybopsis: fcubos— gibbous ; opst*

—face, 290

Hyborhynchus : hubos — gibbous:

rhunchos — snout. . . . 288
Hydrargyra: hudor — water ; ar-

guros— silver 262

Hydrochelidon : hudor — water ;

chelidon — swallow, , . . 153
Hydrophlox: hudor— water; phlox

—flame 29.2

INDEX.

395

PAGE.

Hyla: hule— forest, . . . 189

HYLIDJB: 189

Hylocichla: hule — forest; kichle —

thrush, 46

Hylomyzon: hilus — mud: muzo —

to suck 319

Hylotomus: hule— wood; tomos—

cutting 103

Hyodon: L., os hyoides — bone of
the tongue; odon — a tooth (in-
tended for "toothed tongue "), 277

HYODONTIDyE : .... 276

Hyostoma: hus — swine; stoma — a
mouth 222

Hypentelium: Tiupo— under (lip?);
enteles— perfect (more likely —
hupo — under (lip); pente — five;
the lower lip was said by Rafin-
esque to be five-lobed), . . 319

Hypohomus: tiupo — beneath ; ho-
mos— uniform, .... 221

Hyperistius: huper— high; Mstion
— a sail (dorsal), . . . 247

HYPEROARTIA: huperoa— palate ;
artios — perfect 347

HYPEROTKETA: huperoa — palate;
tretos— perforate, . . . 347

Hypsifario: Attpsi— deep;L.,.Fario
— a trout, 357

Hypsilepis: hupsi — high ; lepis —
scale 293

Ibis: name in Greek, . . 134

Ichthselurus: ichtfius — fish; ailu-
ros— cat, 328

Iclithelis: ichthus — fish; fhelois—
the sun, 239

Ichthyobus: ichthus— fish ; bous —
buffalo 322

Ichthyomyzon: ichthus — fi s h ;
muzo — to suck, .... 349

Ictinia: iktinos— a kite, . . 112

Icteria: ikteros — a yellowish green
bird, the sight of which would
cure the jaundice (ifcteros). In
the process the bird dies, . 68

ICTERnxB, 90

Icterus: same as Icteria, . . 92

IGTJANIDJS: Iguana— a vernacular
name 169

Imostoma: eimi — to move; stoma,
mouth (mouth protractile), , 222

INSECTIVOKA: L., insecto— insect;
voro— to eat, . 24

PAGE.

Ischnognathus : ischnos — thin;

gnathos— jaw, . . . . 176
ISOSPONDYLI: isos — equal; spon-

dulos— a vertebra, . . . 270
Ispida: a Latin name, . . 101
Jaculus: L., something thrown, 30
Junco: meaningless, . 88-354

Labidesthes : labis — a pair of for-
ceps; esthio — to eat, . . 261
LABRACID^E, .... 231
Labrax: labrax — name of some

voracious sea-fish, . . . 231
LACEBTILIA: L., lacerta— a lizard 168
Lagochila: lagocheilos — hare-lip-
ped, 311

Lagopus: lagopousr-a, ptarmigan
from logos— a hare ; pous — foot
(rough-footed like a hare), . 119
LAMELLIROSTRES : L., lamella—

a thin plate; rostrum — bill. 137
Lampropeltis: lampros — shining;

pelte— shield 180

LANllDjE : L., In n ius — a shrike

(butcher) 76

Lanivireo: lanius-vireo, . . 76

LARID^E, 148

Larus : laros— a sea gull, . . 150
Lasiurus: lasios — hairy ; oura —

tail 24

Lepibema . lepis — scale ; bema —
step. " in allusion to the scaly
basis of the unpaired fins," . 231

LEPIDOSTEID4«, .... 341

Lepidosteus: lepis— scale; osteon —

—bone 342

Lepiopomus : lepion — a scale ;

poma — opercle, . . . . 239
Lepomis : lepis — scale ; poma —

opercle 239

LEPORID^B 34

LEPTOCARDII: leptos— thin; Tcar-

dia— heart, . . . , . 347
Leptophis : leptos — slender ; ophis

—snake, 179

Lepus: L., a hare, ... 34
Lestris : lestris—a, robber, . 149
Leuciscus : L., a dace (leukos—

white), 295

Leucosomus: leukos — white; soma

—body, 304

LlMICOL^ : L., limus— mud ; colo

—to Inhabit 120

Limosa: L., Umosus — muddy, 128

396

INDEX.

PAGK.

Liopeltis: leios — smooth; pelte —

shield, 179

Lltholepls : lithos — stone ; lepis —

scale, ...... 342

Lobipes: lobos — lobe ; pous — foot, 123
LONGIPENNES : L., longus — long ;

penna — wing 147

Lophodytes: lophos— crest; dutes—

diver 145

Lophophanes : lophos — crest ;

phaino— to show, ... 51

Lota: L., a ling 257

Loxia: loxos— crosswise, . . 82
I/ucioperca : L., lucius — a pike;

perca— a perch, . . . 230
Lutra: L., an otter, ... 19
Luxilus: a shiner (L., lux— light), 293
Lynx: lugx — a wild cat, . . 16
Lythrurus: luthron — blood; oura

tail 295

Macrochelys : makros — large ;

chelus — a turtle, . . . 167
Macrorhamphus : makros — large:

rhamphos — bill, . . . 126
Malacoclemmys: malakos —soft;

klemmus— a turtle, . . . 164
M AMM ALIA: Latin name (mamma,) 12
Mareca: meaningless, . . 141
MARSIPOBRANCHII : morsipion—

a pouch; bragchia— gills, . 347
MAKSUPIALIA : marsipion —

pouch, 35

Meda: a classical name, . . 280
Melanerpes: melas — black; herpo

—to creep 104

Melanetta : melas— black ; netta —

a duck. 144

Melanura:melas-black;oura-atail265

MlCLK A OKI 1>.K 117

Meleagris : meleagris — a fowl,
(from the hero Meleager, whose
sisters wept themselves into
Guinea-hens), . . . 117

Melosplza : melos— song ; spiza — a
sparrow, ...... 87

M enobranchus : meno* — strength ;
(meno— to remain) ; bragchos— a
gill 198

MENOPOMID^E 196

Menopoma : menos — strength :
porno — opercle, . . . . 196

Mephitis: L., a bad odor, . 19-351

Mergus: L., mergo— to dive, . 145

PAGE.

Mesogonistius : mesos — middle ;
gonia — angle: Tiistion — sail (dor-
sal) 245

Micristius : mikros— small ; Mt-
tion— sail (dorsal), . . . 264

Micropalama : mikros — small ;
palame— palm (web), . . 126

Microperca: mikros — small; perke
—a perch, 229

Micropterus : mikros — small ;
pteron— a fin 236

Microsorex: mikros— small; tor ex
—shrew, 352

Milvulus: dim. of L., milnus — a
kite 96

Mimus: mimos— a mocker, . 48

Minnilus : English minnow ;
French, menuise ; L., minus-
small 296

Minomus : meaningless, . . 319

Minytrema : minus — reduced ;
trema— aperture (laternal line), 318

Mniotilta: mnion — moss; tillo— to
pull, 59

Molothrus: molos— a mass; throos
—a rustling (?), , . . 91

Morone: meaningless, . . 832

MOTACILLID^B : L.. motacillo, — a
wagtail 56

Moxostoma: muxo— to suck; stoma
—mouth, . . . 319

Mursenopsis : muraina — an eel ;
opsis— appearance, . . . 197

MUKID.*, 30

Mus: mus— a mouse, ... 31

Mustela: L., a weasel, . . 18

MUSTBLID^E, .... 17

Myiadestes : myia— a fly; deo — to
bind (catch), .... 48

Myiarchus: myia—z fly; archos—
chief 96

Myiodioctes: myia— a fly; dioko—
to chase 68

Myonomes: THUS— mouse; nomos —
pasture 32

Myxocyprinus : muxo — to suck;
kuprinos— carp. . . . 309

Myxostoma: muxo — to suck; stoma
—mouth, 312

Nanemys: nanos — dwarf ; emus-
turtle, 163

Nanostoma: nanos — small; stoma
—mouth, 228

INDEX.

397

PAGE.

Nauclerus: naucleros— a ruler, 112
Necturus : nektos — swimming ;

euro— tall, . . . . 198
NEMATOGNATHI : nema— barbel;

gnathos— jaw, .... 326
Neocorys: neos— new; cor us— hel-
met, 57

Neosorex: neo — to swim; L., sorex

— a shrew, 351

Neotoma: neo — to swim; tome —

a cutting (Rodent), ... 31
Nerodia: neros— moist, . . 175
Nettion: nettiorv-a little duck, 142
Nlsus: a king of Megara, changed

to an eagle 113

Nocomis : Ind., nofcomis— daugh-
ter of the moon, . . . 305
Notemigonus; notos — back; Uemi

—half; gonia— angle, . . . 301
Nothonotus : nothos — spurious :

notos— back 225

Notophtlialmus : notos — back ;

opMhalmos— eye, . . . 191
Notropis: notos — back ; tropis— a

keel 296

Noturus: notos — back; our a — tail 335
Numenius : nou/menia — the new

moon 129

Nyctale: nuktalos— nocturnal, 108
Nyctea: nuktios— nocturnal, . 109
Nyctherodius : nuktios — noctur-
nal; herodios— a heron, . . 132
Nyctiardea: L., a night-heron, 132
Nycticejus: nux— night, . . 23
Ochetodon: ochetos — a channel:

odon— a tooth 32

CEtlemia: oidema— a swelling, 144
(Jl igoeephalus : oligos — a few

(small); kephale— head, . . 226
Oligosoma : oliyos— small ; some-
body 171

Olor: a Latin name, . . . 139
Oncorhynchus : o n k o s — hook ;

rhugchos— snout. . . . 356
Opheosaurus: ophis— snake; sau-

ros— lizard, .... 170
Opliibolus : ophis— snake ; bolis—

dart 180

OPHIDIA: opTiis— snake, . . 172
Oporornis: op or a — early autumn

(fruit); orwis — bird, . . 67
Ortyx : ortua; — a European
quail, 119

PAGE.
Oryzomys: L., oryza— rice; mus—

mouse 32

Osceola : Name of an Indian

chief, ... 181

Osmerus: osmeres— odorous, . 273
Otocorys: ous— ear; korus— helmet, 56
Otus: otos — a horned owl (otos —

eared), 107

OzotUeca : ozo — to give out an

odor; theke— a box, . . . 166
Pagophila : pagos— ice ; phileo— to

love, , 150

Pandion: name in mythology. 112
Pantosteus: pantos— everywhere;

osteon— bone (from the closing

of the fontanelle, which chiefly

distinguishes the genus from

Catosto?nws) .... 309

PARID^BI 51

Parula: dim. of Parut, . . 60
Parus: L.. a titmouse, . . 51
Passer: L., a sparrow, . . 83
Passerculus: dim. of Passer, . 84
Passerella: dim. of Passer, . 88

PASSERES, 44

Pedioecetes: pedion— afield; koite

—a nest, 118

Pedomys: pedion — field; mus — a

mouse, 33

PELKCANID^E, .... 146
Pelecanus: pelekan— a pelican, 146
Pelidna: pelidnos— livid, . . 127
Pelionetta: peleios — blackish ;

netta— duck 145

Pelodichthys: pelos — mud; ich-

thus— fish, 334

Perca: perke — a perch (perfcos—

dusky). ...... 229

PERCESOCES: L., perca — perch;

esoo;— a pike 260

PERCID.S, ..... 229
Percina: dim. of Perca, . . 219
PERCOPSIDJB, .... 270
Percopsis: perke — a perch; opsi»—

appearance, .... 270
PERDICUWB: L., perdi»— a part-
ridge 119

Perisoreus: peri — around; soro* —

a hill, a heap 95

Perissoglossa: p«risso« — odd; glo$-

so— a tongue, .... 61
Petrochelidon : petro» — a rock ;

cheUdon— a swallow, . . 71

398

INDEX.

PAGE.

Petromyzon : petros— a stone ; muzo

—to suck 348

PETROMYZONTID^E, . . . 348
Peuctea: peufce — a pine tree, . 87
PHALACROOORACIDJB: phalakros

—bald; korax— a raven, . 147
PHALAROPODID^B, . . . 123
Phalaropus : phalaros — shining ;

pous— foot, .... 123
Phenacobius: phenax — deceptive;

bios— life 299

Philohela: p/iileo— to love; hele—

sunlight; (hilus— mud?), . 125
Philomachus: phileo — to love;

mache — a fight, . . . 129
Photogenis: photogenis — born of

light, 294

Phoxinus: phoxinos — a minnow;

(phoxos— tapering), . . 302
Phrynosoma: phrune — a toad; so-

ma — body, 170

Pica: L., a magpie, ... 94
PICARLB: L., picuf — a wood-
pecker 98

PICID^E, 102

Picoides: L., like a woodpecker, 104
Picus: I*, a woodpecker, . . 103
Pileoma: pile ma — something

compact, 219

Pimelodus:pimeZodes— fat, . 300
Plmephales: pimele — fat; kephale

—head, 288

Pinicola: L., living among pines, 81
Pipilo: L., pipiJo— to chirp, . 89
PISCES: L., fishes, . . . 199
Pitymys: pitus— a pine-tree ; mu*

— mouse, , .... 33
Pityophis: pi tits — a pine-tree;

ophis— snake, . . . . 178
Placopharynx:plao>—anything flat

and broad; pharunrc— pharynx, 296
Planesticus: Greek, planesticos—

wandering, vagabond, . . 47
Planirostra: L.,planus— flat; ros-
trum—snout, .... 344
Plargyrus: pleura — side; arguros

—silver 293

Platygobio: platus— broad or flat;

L., Qobio— a gudgeon, . . 304
Plectrophanes: plektron — a spur ;

phaneo — to show, . . 83-354
Plestiodon: pleistos — many; odon

— tootli. 171

PAQB.

Plethodon : plethos — abundance ;
odon — tooth, . . . . 193

PLETHODONTID^E, . . . 192

PLEURODELID^E : Pleurodeles ;
pie won— side ; deleeis — destruc-
tive, 190

Pleurolepis: pleuron — side; Irpis
—scale 219

PLOTIDwB, ..... 146

Plotus: plot — a swimmer, . 146
Podiceps: L., podex — rump; pes—
foot 155

PODIOIPIDvB, .... 155

Podilymbus : L., podiceps — a
grebe; colymbus— a loon, . 156

Poecilichthys: poikilos — varie-
gated; ichthus— fish, . . 226

Polioptila: potios— hoary; ptilon —
feathert 50

Polyodon : poftts — many ; odon —
tooth, 344

POLYODOWTID2B, . . . 343

Pomolobus: poma — opercle; lobos

—lobe 279

Pomotis: poma — opercle; out—

ear 239

Pomoxys: poma— opercle; oa;us—

BUarp 247

Pocecetes ; poa — meadow-grass ;

koite— nest, ... 84

Porphyrio; porphurion — a red
water bird, from porphurios,

purple 136

Porzana: meaningless, . . 136
Potamocottus: potamos — a river;

fcottos— a sculpin, . . . 254
Procyon: pro— before; ~kuon— dog 20
PROOTONID^B, .... 20
Progne: a daughter of Pandion,

who was changed into a swallow 72
Prosopium: prosopela— a mask (in
allusion to the broad preorbltal), 362

PROTEIDA, 197

PROTEID^B, 197

Proteus : a name in mythology, 197
Protistlus: protos— before, In ad-
vance; histion— sail (dorsal fin), 262
Protonotaria : L., noted above

others: prothonotary , . . 60
Pseudemys: pseudos— false; emus

—a tortoise 164

Pseudobranchus: pseudos — false;
bragchot— gills, ... 198

INDEX.

399

PAGE.
Pserudotriton: pseitdos— false: tri-

ton — a water Salamander, . 194
PSITTAOI: L., psittacus— a parrot, 105
Pteromys : pteron — wing ; mus—

mouse, ..... 27
Ptychemys : ptuche — a fold or

wrinkle; emus— a tortoise, . 164
Pfrychostomus: ptuche — a, fold or

wrinkle; stoma — mouth, . 312
Ptyonotus: ptuon—a, fan; notos—

back, 256

Putorlus: L., Ill-scented, . 18
PYGOPODES: puge— rump; pous—

foot, 153

Pygosteus: puge — rump; osteon^-

bone 260

Pyranga : pur — fire ; lanagra —

tanager, 70

Pyrgita: purgites-a, house sparrow, 83
Quassilabia: L; quassus — broken

or torn; labia— lip, . . . 402
Querquedula: L., a teal, . . 141
Quiscalus: guiacalo— a yernacular

name 93

K^LLIDJB, 135

Rallus: L., a rail, . . . 135
Kana: L., a frog, . . . 187-357

BANID^B 187

Kangifer: L., a reindeer, . . 21
RAPTORES : L., robbers, . . 106
Recurvl rostra: L., recurvus — re-
curved; rostrum—bill, . . 123
RECURVIBOSTBID^E, . . . 122
Regina: L., a queen, . . . 175
Regulus: L., a kinglet, . . 50
ftelthrodon: reithron — a channel ;

odon — tooth, .... 32
REPTILIA: L., repto — to creep or

crawl, 157

Rheocrypta: rheo — to flow rapidly;
kruptos— hidden (hiding in the

rapids) 222

Rhinichthysir&in^-snout; icMhus

—fish, 307

Rhinogryphus : r h 4 n — snout ;

grups— a gi iffln, . . . 115
RHOMBOGANOIDEI : r hombus — a
diamond - shaped fi g u r e , a
rhomb; ganoidei— ganoids, . 340
Rhyacophilus : rhuax — river ;

phileo— to love, .... 129
Rhynchophanes : rhunchos — bill;
phaneo— to show, . . . 354

PAGE.
Rhynchops: rhunchos— snout: ops

—face 153

Rhytidostomus: rhutis — rough ;

stoma — mouth, .... 320
Rissa: a Latin name (rtsus —

laughing) 150

Roccus : from vernacular, Rock-
fish 231

RODENTIA: L., rodo— to gnaw, 26
Salamandra: L., a Salamander, 193
Salar : L., a trout (saiio — to

leap) 271-357

Salmo : L., a trout (salio — to

leap) 271-356

SALMONHXB, . . . 270-355
Salvelinus: German, salbling — a

small salmon, . . . 271-359
Sarchirus : sarx — flsh; cheir —

hand 342

Sarcidium : sarkidion — a little

lump of flesh .... 299
SAXICOLID-B: L., saxicola— living

among rocks 49

Sayornis: to Thomas Say; ornis—

a bird, 96

Scalops: skalops — a mole, from

skallo— to dig, .... 25
Scapanus : skapane — a hoe or

shovel, 25

SCAPHIOPID^B, .... 188
Scaphiopus: skaphos- -spade; pom

—foot, 189

ScaphirhyncTius : skaphos— spade;

rhunchos— snout, . . . 346
Scaphirhynchops : Scaphirhynch-

us; op*— appearance, . . 346
Sceloporus : skelos — leg; poros —

pore, 169

Schilbeodes : from ScUilbe, a for-
eign genus of Silurlda, . . 335
: scicena— Latin name, 250
: skigkos— a kind of liz-
ard 171

SCIURLD^E, 26

Sciurus : skiouros — a squirrel ;
(sfcia— shade; ouro— tail), . 27

Scluropterus : skiouros— a squir-
rel; pteron — wing, ... 27

Sclerognathus : skleros — hard ;
a nut has — jaw, . . . 322

Seolecophagus : skolex — worm ;
phago — to eat, .... 93

400

INDEX.

PAGE.

Scolecosoma; skolex — worm; soma

—body, 349

SOOLOPAOID^B, .... 124
Scolopax: skolopax— a snipe, . 126
Scops: skops— a screech owl, . 108
Scotiaptex : skotia — darkness ;

ptesso— to frighten, . . . 108
Scotophilus : skotos — darkness ;

phileo— to love 22

Scotophis: skotos— darkness; ophis

— a snake 178

SELACHOSTOMI: selachos— a shark

(cartilage); stoma — mouth, . 343
Semotilns: sema — a banner (dor-
sal fin), teleis, or some similar
word, supposed by Kafinesque to
mean "spotted," . . . 304
Setophaga : ses— a moth ; phago—

to eat, 69

Sialia: sialis— plump, . . 49
SILURID^B : Silurus : silouros—

some river fish, . . . 326
Siredon: seiredon — a siren (seira

—entangling), . . . . 194
Siren: seirtn— a siren, . . 198

SIRENIDJB. 198

Sitta: sitte— a nuthatch . . 52

SITTID^B, 52

Siurus: tei — to wag; oura — tail, 66
Somaterla: toma— body ; erion—

wool, 144

Sorex: L., a shrew-mole, . 26-352
SORIOID.B, .... 25-352
Soriciscus: diminutive of Sorex, 352
SPALACOPODID^B : Spalacopus ;

tpalax — a mole; pous— foot, 33
Spatula: L.. a spatula, . . 142
Spatularla: L., spatula, . . 344
Spelerpes: speot— a.cave ; herpes-
reptile, 193

Speotyto : speot— a cave ; tuto — a

night owl 109

Spermophllus : iperma — seed ;

pUilos— lover 28

Sphyrapicus: sphura— a hammer:

pikos— a woodpecker, . . 104
Spilogale: spilos— a spot; galee—a
weasel or other musteline ani-
mal 351

Spizella: dim. of spiza — a spar-
row 86

Squatarola: a vernacular name, 121
STBGANOPODES : iteganos — web-
bed; poiM— foot, . 146

PAGE.

Steganopus : steganos — webbed ;

pous— foot, 123

Stelgidopteryx: stelgis—a, kind of

scraper; pterux — wing . . 72
Stercorarius: L., stercus — excre-
ment 149

Sterna: L., sterno— to spread out, 152
Stilbe: stilbe— splendor, . . 301
Stilbius: same as Stilbe, . . 301
Stizostethium : sttzo — to prick;

itethion— breast, . . . 230
Storeria: to Dr. David H. Storer, 176
Strepsilas: strepao— to turn ; Jaas—

stone, 122

STRIGID.B 106

Strix : strigx — some night - bird

with a sharp cry, . . . 107
Sturnella: L., sturnus— a starling, 92
Surnia: surnia — an owl, . . 109
Sylvicola: L., sylvicola— living in

the forest, 60

SYLVICOLID^B 57

SYLVIID^B: L., »yl«a— woodland, 49
Symphemia : sun — together; pherni

—to talk 128

Synaptomys: sunaptos— connect-
ing; mus — mouse (joining Ar-
vieola and Myodes), . . 33
Synechoglanis: synecho — to com-
press; glanis— the fish Silurus, 328
Syrnium: aurnioii— an owl, . 108
Tachyciueta: tachus— swift; kineo

—to move 71

TALPID/B: L., talpa— a mole, . 24
Tamlas: tamias— a steward, 28-353
TANAGRID^B : Tanagra (tanagra

a copper kettle?), ... 69
TANTALID^K, .... 133
Tantalus: a mythological name, 133
Tauridea: taura — a cow; eidos—

appearance, face, . . . 255
Taxidea: Taxus— an allied genus;

eidos — appearance, ... 19
TKID^B: Tejus— a vernacular name, 170
TELEOCBPHALI: teleos — perfect;

kephale— head 215

TELEOSTEI: teleos — perfect; osteon

—bone 214

Telipomis : teleis — full-grown

( "spotted"); porno— opercle, 239
Telniatodytes: telmatodutes— liv-
ing in ponds, .... 55
Teretulus: L., teres— cylindrical, 312
TKSTUDINATA, . . . • 159

INDEX.

401

PAGE.

. . . . 160
Testudo: L., a turtle, . . . 161
Tetrao: tetraon — a grouse, . 118
TETRAONID^E: .... 118
Thalarctos: thalassa — the sea (?);

arktos — bear, .... 19
Thalasseus: thalassa — the ocean, 151
TUrynosternum: thura — a door:

sternon — sternum, . . . 166
Thryomanes : thruon — a rush;

manes — a cup (nest (?), . . 55
Thryothorus: thruon — a rush;

thereuo — to seek, . . . . 54
Thymallus: L., a grayling (a fish
supposed to feed on water

thyme) 274

Tinnunculus: L., a kestrel, spar-
row-hawk, . . . . ill
Totanus: Latin name, . , 128
ToxicopMs: toxikos — poison (for

smearing arrows); aphis— snake!84
Trachemys: tracUus — rough; emus

—turtle, . . . . 165

Trlglopsis: trigla — a gurnard;

opsis— appearance, . . . 256
Trlnga: L., a sandpiper, . . 127
Trlngoldes ; L., tringa — a sand-
piper; oides— like, . . . 129
Trigonocephalus: treis — three ;

gonos — angle; kephale — head, 184
TRIONYCHIDJJ: Trionyx; treis—

three; onux— claw, . . . 167
TROCHILID^B: .... 100
Trochllus: trochilos— a small bird
(wren) said to pick the teeth of

crocodiles, 100

Troglodytes: troglodutes— living in

caves, 55

TROGLODYTID^E, ... 53
Tropidoclonium: tropis — a keel:

clonion — a small twig, . . 176
Tropidolepis: tropis — a keel; lepis

—scale, 169

Tropidonotus : tropis — a keel ;

notes— back 175

Trutta: L., a trout, . . . 271
Tryngites: L., tringa — a sand-
piper 129

TtTRDID-iB, 45

Turdus: L., a thrush, ... 47
Typhlichthys : tuphlos — blind;
ichthus— fish, .... 269
... 95

PAGE.

Tyrannus: turannos— a tyrant, 96
Ulocentra: oulos— complete ; ken-

tron—a, spine, .... 223
Umbla: L., a river fish, . . 271
Umbra: L., a small dusky fish (a

shade), 265

UMBRID^B, 364

UNGULATA: L., ungulatus — hav-
ing hoofs, 20

Uranidea: ouranos— the sky; eido

—to see (star-gazer), . . 252
Urocyon: our a— tail; kuon— dog, 17
URODELA: our a — tail; delos — ob-
vious 190

URSID^B 19

Ursus: L., a bear, ... 20
VBRTEBRATA : L., vertebrates, 9
Vesperiaes: L., vesper — evening, 23
Vesperimus: L., vesper — evening;

mus— mouse 31

Vespertilio: L., vespertilio — a bat, 22
VESPERTILIONID^E, ... 22
Vesperugo: L., vesper— evening, 23
Vesperus: L., vesperus— evening, 23
Vlreo: L., vireo — a green finch ;
(.vireo — to grow green), . . 76

VIREONID^B 73

Vireosylvia : Vireo-Sylvia, . 75
Virginia : Virginia, name of the

state where first found, . 182
Vulpes: L., a fox, ... 17
TFifsonia: to Alexander Wilson,
the " Father of American Orni-
thology," 68

Xanthocephalus : xanthos — yel-
low ; kephale— head. . . 92
Xema: a coined name, . . 151
Xenisma: xenisma — a surprise, 263
Xenotis: xenos — singular, remark-
able; ous— ear. . . . . 242
Xerobates : xeros — dry ; bates —

walker, 161

Xystroplites: xustron — a scraper
or raker; hoplites— armed (from
the toothed gill-rakers), . 244

ZAPODID^B 29

Zapus: za — strong; pous — foot, 30
Zeiuedura : zenaida — a zenaida-

dove; oura— tail, . . . 116
Zonotrlchia: zonos — zone or band;

trichion — hair (crown), . , 86
Zygonectes : zugos — yoke; nektes
swimmer, 263

FURTHER ADDEKDA:

It is practically impossible to keep a faunal work like
the present fully " up with the times." Since the last
proofs were read, the following additions to our fauna
have been noted :

To page 70, after Pyranga cestiva, add:

3. P. ludoviciana, (Wils.) Bon. "LOUISIANA TANA-
GEE." Male bright yellow; back, wings and tail black;
head scarlet; two yellow wing-bars; ? as in rubra,
known by the wing-bars. Rocky Mountains to the
Pacific, accidental at Lynn, Mass. (Jlreicer.)

To page 88, after Passerella, add:

18. (b) CALAMOSPIZA, Bonaparte. LARK BUNTINGS.

1. C. bicolor, (Towns.) Bon. WHITE- WINGED BLACK-
BIRD. Black, with a large white wing-patch, and white
on quills; ? streaky, like the female Bobolink, but
known by the whitish wing-patch; bill stout; inner sec-
ondaries as long as the primaries; L. 6£; W. 3£; T. 2f.
Western plains, accidental in Massachusetts.

Page 154. The females of Cofymbits torquatus and
of some other swimming birds, lack the head -markings
described in the text, and are dull or streaky.

Page 155. The occurrence of Podiceps cristatus in
America at all, is lately denied by Dr. Brewer.

403 •

404 ADDENDA.

To page 219, after Pleurolepis pellucidus, add:
2. P. asprelluS) Jordan. ROUGH SAND DARTER. Form
of P. pellucidus, but the squamation much more com-
plete, and the scales rougher; sides, back and breast
with imbricate scales; size larger and colors darker than
in pellucidus; fins high; D. IX— 10; A. I., 8, lat. 1. 98.
Sandy streams in Illinois. "Has in life all the colors of
the rainbow."

2. (b) 10 A, Jordan and Brayton.

1. /. vHrea, (Cope) Jordan. GLASSY DARTER. A
species apparently similar to the last, but with smaller
fins, and much larger scales; D. VII — 14, A. II, 9; lat.
1. 56. North Carolina.

On page 225, after Nanostoma zonalis, add:

2. N. vinctipes, Jor. May be known from N~. zonalis,
by the absence of the bands encircling the belly, and by
the fact that all the fins, including the ventrals, are
strongly barred. Illinois River.

On page 227, after P. jessice, add:

4. P. asprigenis, Forbes. ROUGH- CHEEKED DARTER.
Short and stout; cheeks and opercles entirely scaly /
scales large; lateral line about to end of second dorsal;
spines high ; coloration apparently as in variattts;
spinous dorsal dusky behind; D. XII — 13; A. II, 8; lat.
1. 48. Illinois River.

5. P. virgatus, Jor. A slender species, known by the
naked head, black-striped body (as in Etheostoma lineo-
latum), and by the presence of a black humeral scale.
Rock Castle R.

6. P. punctu/atus, Ag., from Mo. and S., has likewise
a black humeral scale, but the cheeks are scaly and the
bodj not striped.

ADDENDA. 405

On page 229, after B. eos, add:

4. B. barratti,Holbr. Short, chubby and compressed;
depth 4£ in length; head 3f ; lat. 1. on 13 to 30 scales;
D. X— 13, A. II, 7; lat. 1. 42 to 56. Colors greenish,
with dark specks, no blue or red. Georgia to Texas,
lately taken by Prof. Forbes in Southern Illinois.

16. (b) VAILLANTIA, Jordan.

1. V. camura, (Forbes) Jordan. A slender species,
resembling Boleichthys eos in form, and JBoleosoma
nigrum in color. D. X — 11; A. I, 8. Illinois.

On page 247. Many specimens of Elassoma zonatum
have been lately obtained by Professor Forbes in South-
ern Illinois. The fish, I think, unquestionably forms a
separate family, the relations of which are with Aphodo-
deridoe^ as indicated in the text. Its pharyngeals are as
in Aphododerus / the vertebras are but 28 in number;
the fin rays are usually, D. IV, 10; A. Ill, 5. No speci-
mens have been taken more than an inch in length.

On page 296, after Lythrurus ardehs, add:
4. L. atripes, Jordan. DUSKY RED-FIN. A strongly
compressed, deep-bodied species, known at once by the
coloration of the fins, the dorsal spot being faint, and
there being a dusky bar across the upper part of the
fin; the anal is similarly colored to the dorsal, but
fainter, and the ventrals are dusky; A. I, 11. Southern
Illinois.

On page 284, after jj. LYTHKUBUS, add:

ii. Teeth without masticatory surface, their edges always
serrate CTPKINELLA, 8 (Z>).

On page 296, before Minnilus, add:

406 ADDENDA.

8. (b) CYPRINELLA, Girard.

1. C. forbesi, Jordan. FORBES' RED- FISH. Body
short, very deep, much compressed, the depth 3 in
length; color in life chiefly red, a violet crescent behind
opercle; fins plain red; head and caudal peduncle pro-
fusely tuberculate; A. I, 8; lat. 1. 35; teeth 4-— 4. South-
ern Illinois, an elegant little fish.

On page 223, et. seq. Generic names ending in the
Greek neuter roots "soma" "sterna" " isina" etc.,
have been in this work considered as Latin feminine
nouns, and the adjective has been made to agree with
them accordingly, as " Boleosoma, maculata" " Eiheos-
toma flabellaris" This was done in deference to cer-
tain recent authorities in classical matters, who regard
such latinized words ending in a as feminine. It is
probably better, however, to follow the common custom,
and to consider them as neuter, until some other rule is
definitely adopted.